South Africa: N Cape community has its say on fracking

The Department of Water and Sanitation says it has noted the concerns raised by the Richmond community over unconventional gas drilling and the possibility of the fracking activities contaminating water resources, particularly groundwater resources in the area.

The concerns were raised during public engagements on Unconventional Gas Regulations held in the Richmond Town Hall, Northern Cape.

The engagement, which aimed to inform the affected communities about the regulations, was held between the department, Richmond community members, and the farmers of the Karoo area. Richmond is in the Karoo area, which is water scarce.

The Department of Water and Sanitation was tasked with the responsibility of formulating regulations that will oversee the hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, which is an activity of drilling underground to extract gas by the gas industries.

The activities were announced in Parliament but were found to have an adverse impact on the environment due to the chemicals used during fracking.

Department spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau, said given that the departments sole mandate is to protect, manage, control and develop water resources, regulations guiding the activities of fracking were developed.

The regulations will regulate these activities because they have a possibility of contaminating water resources, particularly groundwater. The department formulated these regulations as mandated by the National Water Act.

Richmond is a semi-rural area, with farming as its main economic activity. There are several boreholes that were dug by the municipality, as well as by the farmers, Ratau said.

During the engagements in Richmond, departmental officials tabled the regulations that guide unconventional gas activities and the community members made their valuable inputs regarding the matter.

Community members expressed concern that there wont be space for the drilling of unconventional gas because of the multiple boreholes that have already been drilled.

A local farmer with a community of about 50 families in Richmond, Jozua Theron, raised concern about the high usage of water during the drilling, warning that fracking needs a lot of water.

It may use approximately 24 Olympic [size] swimming pools to execute the gas drilling activities, and this in itself will exacerbate the water supply challenges that we already have in this area.

Not only will fracking bring environmental and socio-economic problems, but it will also add to the water supply challenges to the community of Richmond, Theron said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-07-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Xi stresses upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics to build modern socialist country

Xinhua) 08:00, July 28, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the opening ceremony of a study session of provincial and ministerial-level officials. The study session was held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping has stressed holding high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and striving to write a brand new chapter in building a modern socialist country in all respects.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a study session of provincial and ministerial-level officials held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing.

Xi stressed adherence to socialism with Chinese characteristics and the guidance of the latest achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times on the new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects.

He underscored strengthening confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics and driving forward the historical process of national rejuvenation.

Xi also highlighted the coordinated implementation of the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy in writing a brand new chapter in building a modern socialist country in all respects.

The opening ceremony of the study session was attended by Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Vice President Wang Qishan also attended the event.

Noting the importance of the upcoming 20th CPC National Congress to be held at a crucial moment on the new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, Xi said goals, tasks and policies for the cause of the Party and the country for the next five years and beyond will be made at the congress.

It is of key importance to building on past successes to further advance the cause of the Party and the country, to the future of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi added.

Against the backdrop of accelerating global changes unseen in a century, and more complex risks, challenges, contradictions and problems, the fundamental task is to run our own affairs well, Xi said.

The past five years since the 19th CPC National Congress have been extremely extraordinary, Xi said.

The CPC Central Committee has united and led the entire Party, military, and the Chinese people in effectively coping with the grave and complex international situation and a stream of severe risks and challenges, and advanced socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

Xi said the Party's overall leadership and the CPC Central Committee's centralized, unified leadership have strengthened.

We made every effort to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, promote high-quality development, and advance reform swiftly but steadily. We also made solid progress in developing whole-process people's democracy and proactively fostering an advanced socialist culture, he said.

China prioritized ensuring and improving people's well-being, mobilized all sectors of society in the anti-poverty campaign, and devoted significant energy to ecological conservation.

We have resolutely safeguarded national security, maintained overall social stability, pushed forward defense and military modernization, resolutely safeguarded peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and advanced major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics on all fronts, said Xi.

The 70th-anniversary celebration of the People's Republic of China took place during the period, and the CPC marked its 100th founding anniversary and launched a campaign for the study of the Party's history.

Facing the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China, with the commitment to putting the people and their lives above all else, waged an all-out people's war to curb the spread of the virus, Xi said.

The country has managed to protect the health and safety of the people to the greatest extent possible and achieved the best results in the world in coordinating economic development with the COVID-19 response, Xi noted.

We have effectively exercised overall jurisdiction over the special administrative regions based on the Constitution and the regions' basic laws, he said. We have formulated and enacted the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and secured the grasp of Hong Kong's overall situation.

In the face of the rapidly-changing international landscape, we have safeguarded our national dignity and core interests during our struggle and have kept a firm hold on the initiative of our development and security, Xi said.

We have improved implementing full and strict governance over the Party and worked tirelessly to tighten discipline and improve conduct. We have also taken coordinated action to see that officials do not have the opportunity, desire, or audacity to commit corruption, said Xi.

He noted that these efforts have made the Party's ties with the people closer and facilitated the development of a sound political atmosphere. It provided significant political guarantees for developing all areas of the Party and the country's endeavors.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era since the Party's 18th National Congress, Xi said. He noted that the remarkable changes that took place in the decade of the new era are a milestone in the history of the Party, New China, reform and opening up, socialism, and the Chinese nation.

Xi said that achieving national rejuvenation will be no walk in the park, and it will take more than drum beating and gong clanging to get there.

Xi called for resolve to undertake a great struggle with many new contemporary features, and readiness to work even harder toward the goal of rejuvenation.

All the achievements in the past 10 years were made thanks to the joint endeavors of the CPC and the people, he said.

The guidance of the scientific theories of Marxism is a distinct political character and a strong political advantage of the CPC, Xi noted.

On the basis of adapting the basic tenets of Marxism to China's specific realities and its fine traditional culture, the CPC has established the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and achieved a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, Xi said.

Xi urged the whole Party to constantly adapt Marxism to the Chinese context and keep it up-to-date.

Speaking of China's success in pursuing and expanding a Chinese path to modernization, Xi said that there is no set form of modernization or one-size-fits-all modernization standards in the world.

The modernization China is pursuing is the socialist modernization led by the CPC, Xi noted.

We must rely on our own efforts to drive China's development, and make sure the future of China's development and progress remains firmly in our own hands, he said.

The 20th CPC National Congress will offer a panoramic prospect of the two-stage strategic plan for China's drive to build a great modern socialist country in all respects, and will in particular lay out plans for the strategic missions and major measures in the next five years, Xi said.

Noting that the next five years are a crucial period for starting the building of a modern socialist country in all respects, Xi said sound development in the five years will be of vital importance to achieving China's second centenary goal.

Xi called for efforts to focus on tackling unbalanced and inadequate development, and work on new ideas and measures to address problems.

Xi stressed ceaselessly exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party, warning against any slackness or weariness.

By engaging in great self-transformation, the Party can steer great social transformation, he said.

Xi called on all CPC members to remain committed to the Party's fundamental purpose of wholeheartedly serving the people, and do everything for the people while relying on the people in everything they do.

All Party members should always maintain close ties with the people, and accept the criticism and oversight of the people, he added.

While presiding over the opening ceremony of the study session, Li Keqiang said senior officials should thoroughly study Xi's important speech, follow its guiding principles both in thinking and action, promote reform, development and stability in their respective regions and departments, and set the stage for the Party's 20th National Congress with concrete action.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Wang Huning urged the participants to resolutely uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, further grasp and apply Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and continue to improve their capacity for political judgment, thinking and implementation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the opening ceremony of a study session of provincial and ministerial-level officials. The study session was held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the opening ceremony of a study session of provincial and ministerial-level officials. The study session was held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the opening ceremony of a study session of provincial and ministerial-level officials. Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attended the ceremony. The study session was held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
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Kazakhstan embassy offers condolences over Yerevan market explosion

Newspaper: One person is charged in Yerevan market explosion case

Yerevan explosion: 2 people still being searched for

Yerevan market explosion: 2 people still considered missing as of midnight (PHOTOS)

Is Western unity over Ukraine about to crack?

Which countries could survive nuclear war?

Surmalu re-inspection scheduled for November

In Lebanon, man who held hostages in bank released without charges

TerraPower of Bill Gates raises $750 million for projects in nuclear energy and medicine

China's 'Galaxy Fold clone' sold out in five minutes and became a bestseller

Germany plans to postpone closure of its last three nuclear power plants

Expert estimates environmental consequences of Yerevan explosion and gives advices

Switzerland signs agreement with Uzbekistan to return $131 million seized from Gulnara Karimova

Artsakh also declares mourning

Norway can no longer supply Germany with more gas

UN Secretary General to meet with Presidents of Ukraine and Turkey in Lviv

Ministry of Emergency Situations: There were about 4 tons of flammable substances in Surmalu

Russian Security Council says Kyiv threatens global nuclear security

Content of toxic substances in air after explosion in Yerevan has increased sharply

Scholz says Sweden and Finland's NATO accession process goes according to plan

Macron and Zelenskiy discuss situation over Zaporozhye nuclear power plant

Expert: Biden is not preparing Americans for what is to come

Armenian Prosecutor General's Office: Representatives of management and employees of Surmalu will be interrogated

Mourning declared in Armenia

Latvia will not extend residence permits previously issued to Russian citizens

NEWS.am BREAKING on Yerevan market explosion: 16 people killed

First Lady of US contracts COVID-19

Aghvan Hovsepyan undergoes surgery

Investigative Committee: More than 20 people questioned in case of Surmalu explosion in Yerevan

Head of Armenian HM visits victims of explosion on territory of Surmalu in Yerevan

Deputy PM of Singapore: US and China may slide into conflict

Director of Surmalu shopping center is in heavy psychological state and does not comment

Identity of another victim of Surmalu shopping center in Yerevan established

Two Armenian startups advance to EWC Global Finals (PHOTOS)

Patriarch Kirill expresses condolences in connection with Surmalu shopping mall explosion

Russia announces supply of second S-400 regiment to Turkey

Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia

Republican Party of Armenia calls for naming leader of united opposition

Yerevan market explosion death toll is 16 as of 3:30pm, Armenia emergency ministry says

Putin calls Pelosi's trip to Taiwan gamble

Russia embassy: Russian citizen considered missing in Yerevan market blast is alive and well

Gazprom: European gas price will exceed $4,000 per thousand cubic meters in winter

Yerevan subway operations resume

Yerevan market explosion: 6 people still considered missing

Former head of NSC: Bomb alerts have never been so systematic and periodic before

Armenia truckers temporarily block Goris-Sisian motorway

Georgia PM: Our thoughts and prayers are with families of those killed in Yerevan

Yerevan market blast: 14 of 16 casualties identified, official says

Georgia President: I stand with the people of Armenia

Bloomberg: Jump in gas prices sent European electricity prices to a new record

Armenia official: Pointless to say that Surmalu market was deliberately blown up

Japan embassy expresses condolences over Yerevan market explosion

No bombs found at 4 Yerevan subway stations, international airport

Armenia, Russia defense ministers hold talks

Shoigu says there is no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine

Bomb threat at Yerevan international airport

Putin: Russia will ensure its national interests, protection of allies

US lifts F-35 flight ban

Armenian Red Cross Society: 140 people asked for psychological service, 110 othersfor first aid, in 3 days

14 of Yerevan market blast casualties are identified

Trump says after leaving Afghanistan, US left Taliban weapons worth $ 85 billion

India blocks Azerbaijan's participation in upcoming BRICS summit as a guest

Baku is concerned about safety of its diplomatic mission in London

Yerevan explosion: 13 of 16 dead are identified, emergency ministry spokesperson says

Iran responds to EU nuclear deal proposals

Yerevan market explosion: 17 people considered missing, Armenia official says

Yerevan explosion: 7 injured continue to receive hospital treatment

Day of mourning to be declared in Armenia

Newspaper: Unpunished crime gives birth to new, more catastrophic crime in Yerevan

Bomb threat made at Yerevan subway

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Armenia emergency minister: Rescuers removed young child, pregnant womans bodies from under rubble

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Yerevan market explosion death toll reaches 10

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Musk plans to build at least 1,000 starships to send groups of pioneers to Mars

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Head of Emergency Ministry unable to confirm another survivor has been pulled out of rubble

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French Embassy expresses condolences to families of Surmalu explosion victims

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Against the background of the war in Ukraine, the importance of the Middle Transport Corridor has also increased. This was stated by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at a meeting with his Georgian counterpart Ilia Darchiashvili in Istanbul, Anadolu reports.

"Turkey stands for the active use of the corridor, an important link of which is Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. It is important not only for the regional countries, but also for the international trade and logistics", underlined the Turkish minister.

According to him, together with Georgia and Azerbaijan, "we implemented important projects that changed the face of our region. The corridor was implemented with this understanding." Cavusoglu talked about his intentions to hold a trilateral meeting between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia on the issue. He recalled that Turkey-Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan foreign and transport ministers recently met in Baku. "This week, we will hold a meeting of foreign, transport and energy ministers of Turkey-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan. We would like to include Georgia in such meetings in the near future, so we need to work together on energy security and logistics. This is important in terms of economic development of our region, as well as in terms of international markets," Cavusoglu said, adding that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also planning to visit Georgia in the near future.

He also said Turkey is among the countries that strongly support Georgia's "sovereignty and territorial integrity." "The conflicts in Abasia and South Ossetia must be resolved peacefully, and we also support Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration. At our meeting, we discussed regional issues, including Ukraine and Karabakh."

Cavusoglu welcomed the recent meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Tbilisi. "Our goal is to establish lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus," he said.
Foreign Ministers of Russia and China Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi held talks in Tashkent on the sidelines of a meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers. One of the topics of discussion was the situation in Ukraine. Against the backdrop of a meeting between Russian and Chinese ministers, a telephone talk is taking place between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kommersant reports.

The parties exchanged assessments of the current state of affairs in Ukraine and around it, the Russian Foreign Ministry quoted the media as saying.

Details of the dialogue on this topic are not given.

As the Russian side notes, Moscow and Beijing positively assessed the state of relations between the countries, which continue to developing dynamically in a difficult geopolitical situation. The ministers discussed the implementation of the agreements between the presidents of Russia and China. Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi confirmed their readiness to increase cooperation between the countries within the framework of multilateral formats.

In addition, the parties discussed the prospects for the development of the SCO, including the issues of modernizing the association and increasing its authority in the international arena. They emphasized the leading role of the SCO in building a regional security architecture and noted its significant constructive contribution to the process of maintaining peace and stability, ensuring economic development in Eurasia.

The parties exchanged assessments of the current state of affairs in Ukraine and around it, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Details of the dialogue on this topic are not given.

As the Russian side notes, Moscow and Beijing positively assessed the state of relations between the countries, which continue to developing dynamically in a difficult geopolitical situation. The ministers discussed the implementation of the agreements between the presidents of Russia and China. Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi confirmed their readiness to increase cooperation between the countries within the framework of multilateral formats.

In addition, the parties discussed the prospects for the development of the SCO, including the issues of modernizing the association and increasing its authority in the international arena. They highlighted the leading role of the SCO in building a regional security architecture and noted its significant constructive contribution to the process of maintaining peace and stability, ensuring economic development in Eurasia.
Cyprus and Greece are planning to hold consultations with other members of the European Union on how to respond if Turkey tries again to drill for oil and gas in the waters that Cyprus claims as its exclusive economic zone, Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said on Thursday, AP reported.

Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said earlier this week that the country's newest drilling vessel, Abdullhamid Han, will set sail on Aug. 9 for drilling operations "in the Mediterranean." The exact location has not been announced.

Kasoulidis said the Cypriot authorities believe there are more than six potential sites where the Turkish drilling vessel could start work, and not all of them may be in the area claimed by Cyprus.

The Cypriot government has granted drilling and exploration rights in nine blocks to ExxonMobil and its partner Qatar Petroleum, Chevron and partners Dutch Shell and Israel NewMed, as well as a consortium consisting of Italy's Eni and France's TotalEnergies.

Turkey has previously sent drilling ships and research vessels with escort warships to the waters claimed by Cyprus. Such forays into the waters claimed by Greece have heightened military tensions. The EU strongly condemned Turkey's actions and imposed sanctions on two individuals involved in such drilling expeditions.

Cyprus split into ethnically Greek and ethnically Turkish sides in 1974 when Turkey invaded the country following a coup by supporters of unification with Greece. Although Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, only the southern, Greek Cypriot part enjoys all the benefits of membership.
Azerbaijani units shelled the villages of Taghavard and Karmir Shuka for twenty minutes. This was reported by Artsakh Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan on his Facebook page.

The shelling started at about 11:45 and lasted about 20 minutes. According to preliminary data, a window in the village of Karmir Shuka was damaged as a result of the shelling and 8 bullets were found in the yard of the house. There were no casualties among civilians.

"The aggressive behavior of the Azerbaijani side aims to disrupt the normal life in the communities of Artsakh and terrorize the civilian population. This behavior shows that the Azerbaijani leadership continues to pursue a policy of hatred against the people of Artsakh, the use of psychological and physical violence, and ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.

Even short-term pauses in actions leading to deliberate violations of the rights of the people of Artsakh and false pacifism are a tactical part of the performance presented by Azerbaijan and a purposeful behavior to mislead the international community.

The real goals and aspirations of the Azerbaijani side should be more than clear for mediators, international organizations, and peacekeepers deployed in Artsakh. Accordingly, any Azerbaijani action to blow dust in the eyes of the international community should receive a real assessment and opposition.

The criminal behavior of the Azerbaijani authorities, both before and today, has not undergone any change and continues to pursue the same Armenophobic and genocidal goals," wrote Gegham Stepanyan.
As an academic research institution, Emorys faculty and staff conduct studies across every discipline, from the sciences to the humanities. Heres a sample of recent grant awards and the work they will support, plus highlights from some published research findings.

To read more about ongoing research at Emory, visit the eScience Commons blog (for natural and social sciences) and the Lab Land blog (for health sciences).

Grants highlighted:

Publications highlighted:

Grants:

BME researchers aim to stop chemo neuro damage before it starts

Platinum-based compounds have shown real-world success at improving cancer survival rates. But the tradeoff is a range of side effects, particularly neurotoxicity. A team of researchers from the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory, led by biomedical engineering postdoctoral researcher Stephen Housley, is trying to prevent the damage to nerve cells before it begins with the support of a $2.5 million National Cancer Institute grant. Their goal is to drill down into the mechanisms of neurotoxicity experienced by cancer patients. Learn more here.

Lilly Endowment grant helps Candler create new pathways to ministry

Candler School of Theology at Emory University is building new routes to ministry with the help of a nearly $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

The $998,886 grant is part of Lilly Endowments Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, which seeks to help theological schools in the U.S. and Canada broaden educational opportunities that form pastoral leaders for Christian churches. The grant to Emory University will enable Candler to develop new certificate programs and entry points to theological education to make it more accessible, affordable and relevant. Learn more here.

Shanmugam awarded LLS grant to study therapeutic potential of beta blockers in multiple myeloma

Mala Shanmugam, associate professor of hematology and medical oncology and a member of Winship Cancer Institute, has received a three-year, $750,000 Translational Research Program grant from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to advance an innovative approach to treating multiple myeloma with beta blockers. Previous studies by the Shanmugam team have found that beta blockers  a drug class that is FDA-approved to treat high blood pressure  target the bone marrow niche where multiple myeloma cells develop and replicate.

$300K grant from Research to Prevent Blindness comes to the Emory Eye Center

Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) has recognized The Emory Eye Center Research Division with an unrestricted, four-year, $300,000 Challenge grant.

The Eye Center received one of just six Challenge grants that were awarded by RPB in 2022. The funds will allow department chair Allen Beck to strengthen the school's commitment to ground-breaking translational research. The Emory Eye Center will receive $75,000 a year to support its research mission, including research salaries, new equipment, lab supplies, data analysis and the ongoing exploration of new research agendas. Those funds will be matched with an annual $75,000 grant from the Emory School of Medicine.

$200K grant will fund Emory Eye Center's optic nerve regeneration research

A two-year, $200,000 grant from the BrightFocus Foundation is funding Emory Eye Center researcher Jiaxing (Wayne) Wang in his search for genes that are capable of modulating optic nerve regeneration.

Wang's proposal, Genetic Mutation Enhance Optic Nerve Regeneration in BXD29 Mouse Strain, outlines his plan to identify the gene mutation that has allowed some test subjects to regenerate damaged or destroyed optic nerves. Damaged optic nerves lead to blindness in many diseases, such as glaucoma.

Wang joined the Emory Eye Center's research team six years ago, after a successful career as an ophthalmologist in his native China. He currently collaborates as an assistant research scientist in Eldon Geisert's lab.

Continued partnership for pediatric cancer clinical trials

Geetika Khanna, professor of radiology and imaging sciences and associate director of the Division of Pediatric Imaging, has received funding from the National Cancer Institute to continue research on imaging of pediatric renal tumors. The research is part of the Childrens Oncology Group (COG) renal tumors classification, biology and banking study. Khanna is the lead radiologist for the COG renal tumor study group that has now enrolled more than 6,000 pediatric patients with renal tumors. Central review of imaging helps guide enrollment of children in the appropriate therapeutic study.

This ongoing research effort has yielded publications in peer-reviewed journals including Cancer, Annals of Surgical Oncology, Radiology and the American Journal of Roentgenology. It has also helped guide the need for pulmonary radiation therapy in patients with pediatric Wilms tumor.

Publications:

How species-typical group size may affect brain circuitry

Species that typically live in large group sizes may have evolved novel neural mechanisms associated with rewarding prosocial behaviors that are not tied to reproduction, suggests a new study led by Emory psychologists. iScience, an open access journal of CellPress, published the findings. First author is Jose Gonzalez Abreu, a research specialist in the lab of Aubrey Kelly, who is senior author of the study and an Emory assistant professor of psychology.

The researchers conducted a series of experiments involving two species: Spiny mice, a colonial species that lives in large groups and is prosocial towards unrelated strangers; and Mongolian gerbils, a non-colonial species that lives in small family groups and exhibits more territorial behavior in the wild. Initial experiments showed that spiny mice are more gregarious, more prosocial and less aggressive than gerbils.

Additional experiments examined neural responses of the subjects to interactions with a novel object and a novel, same-sex member of their species. In gerbils, brain-reward circuitry responded similarly to both stimuli. Meanwhile, spiny mouse brain-reward circuitry was more responsive to the novel spiny mouse than to the novel object. Together this suggests that spiny mice find novel social interactions rewarding, whereas gerbils do not. This mirrors how the species live in the wild. Spiny mice often interact with novel strangers, so such interactions may have evolved to be rewarding in order to maintain cohesive, complex large groups.

Co-authors include Emory graduate student Brandon Fricker; Kelly Wallace, an Emory postdoctoral fellow; Emory alum Ashley Rosenberg; and Ashley Seifert, from the University of Kentucky.

Diabetes prevention, care and equity in the U.S.

Mo Ali, vice chair for research in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, served as guest editor and advisor for an issue of Health Affairs which focuses on policies to address stagnating diabetes prevention, care and equity in the U.S. The overview for the series, Diabetes and the Fragmented State of U.S. Health Care, is co-authored by Ali. The issue also includes The Diabetes Prevention Gap and Opportunities to Increase Participation in Effective Intervention, co-authored by Rosette Chakkalakal, faculty member at Grady Memorial Hospital in the Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, and newly appointed division director of the Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine.

Do alerts actually help customers manage their data allowance better?

Has your cell phone data ever inexplicably slowed down? Worse still, perhaps youve had a mobile bill come in way higher than you expected. Keeping track of your data usage can be tough, especially when the billing mechanisms routinely deployed by digital service providers are often more complex than they seem. Luckily, many service providers are increasingly sending usage notifications to customers at different points of the billing cycle.

These nudges are designed to help us to act in our own best interest: to take stock and modify our usage accordingly. But do they work? It depends, says Anandhi Bharadwaj, vice-dean for faculty and research at Goizueta Business School. She and her colleagues have published a study that looks at the impact of these nudges, and theyve found that they do help all customers adjust their behavior to stay within their allowance, irrespective of how attentive or inattentive they might be to their consumption speed in general. However, there are a couple of caveats. First, the efficacy of the notifications depends on the data allowance of the customer. Second, the timing of the notifications matters: a nudge closer to the time of when the bill is due is shown to be more effective in initiating a response.

Companies should take note. Bharadwaj notes this is the first study to unpack the efficacy of nudges in the digital services space and show that who and when are important factors service providers need to take into account to improve customer experiences. Learn more here.

Assessing new ways to predict atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk

A multidisciplinary, multi-institutional research team is assessing the evolving role of calcium density in coronary calcium scoring and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. Their state-of-the art study published online by the Journal of the American College of Cardiologic Imaging shows calcium density to be promising for assessing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, in some cases performing better than the currently used methods for predicting cardiovascular disease mortality among patients with limited coronary artery calcium (CAC).

The study team from Emory Radiology includes Carlo N. De Cecco, professor of radiology and imaging sciences and director of the Translational Laboratory for Cardiothoracic Imaging and Artificial Intelligence; Marly van Assen, the labs vice director; Alexander C. Razavi, a first-year resident in Emorys integrated Internal Medicine and Cardiology Research Track; and Laurence S. Sperling, founder and director of the Heart Disease Prevention Center at Emory.

Robots gentle grip can harvest berries and other delicate fruit

Roboticist Yue Chen in the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering has been working with colleagues at the University of Arkansas on a three-fingered soft robot that can gently grasp and pick delicate blackberries. The team presented their work at the 2022 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, the largest robotics research gathering in the world. Chen says the engineering problems inherent in picking fruit are not unlike the challenges for soft, flexible surgical robots that might remove tumors  which is how he came to be involved in the project. Learn more here.

Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on ocular health, health care access

A recently published article in NIH's National Library of Medicine gives a clearer picture of how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated disparities in health status and in health care access for many historically underserved groups. The study also points out that large public hospitals like Grady could provide much-needed insight on how these minority communities are impacted by the unique ocular manifestations of COVID-19 infection.

The analysis, COVID-19 Related Health Disparities in Ophthalmology with a Retrospective Analysis at a Large Academic Public Hospital, was co-authored by second-year Emory medical student Grace Chung (first author), Grady Hospital optometrist Christie M. Person, and Emory Eye Center clinicians Susan Primo and Jacquelyn O'Banion.

The online article will be published in the August edition of the Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry Journal.

Architecture in the early Soviet Union

In her first book, Spatial Revolution: Architecture and Planning in the Early Soviet Union, Art History Department faculty Christina E. Crawford offers the first comparative parallel study of Soviet architecture and planning to create a narrative arc across a vast geography. Crawford describes how early Soviet architecture and planning activities were kinetic and negotiated. The book examines how questions about the proper distribution of people and industry under socialism were posed and refined through the construction of brick and mortar, steel and concrete projects, living laboratories that tested alternative spatial models.

The book is the recipient of funding from the Millard Meiss Publication Fund of the College Art Association, and thanks to a Digital Publishing in the Humanities/TOME subsidy from Emory University, e-book editions are available as Open Access volumes from Cornell Open and other repositories.

All-in-one sequencing key to improving lipid nanoparticle effectiveness

A team of biomedical engineering researchers has taken another step toward improving development of the custom-made lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) critical for delivering powerful mRNA therapies to cells. In new work reported in Nature Nanotechnology, James Dahlmans lab has developed a multiomics sequencing technique to identify which cells are especially accessible to different kinds of LNPs and the genes associated with those cell subtypes. They also simultaneously can quantify mRNA delivery into cells, subsequent protein production and the cells identity in thousands of individual cells. Learn more here.

National study finds screening and removal of precancerous lesions prevents anal cancer

A groundbreaking new study in which researchers from Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and Emory Center for AIDS Research contributed finds that routinely screening and treating precancerous anal lesions greatly decreases the likelihood of progression to anal cancer. The Anal Cancer/HSIL Outcomes Research (ANCHOR) study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Winship gynecologist Lisa Flowers served as the principal investigator for the study site at Grady Health Systems. Learn more here.

Radiology AI not yet ready for COVID-19 detection

Emory radiology researchers led by assistant professor Judy Wawira Gichoya participated in a prospective observational study across 12 U.S. hospitals to evaluate real-time performance of an interpretable artificial intelligence (AI) model to detect COVID-19 on chest radiographs. The study, published online by Radiology: Artificial Intelligence, determined AI-based tools underperform compared to radiologists reading chest radiographs in real-time.

The importance of gatekeepers in impacting real change

Luxury fashion houses have long considered their use of fur in runway collections as an expression of artistic freedom, aesthetic autonomy and refined craftsmanship. For years, designers dismissed the anti-fur movement and growing ethical backlash, yet around ten years ago, fur sales had plateaued due to the consumption of fur by mass-market fashion brands.

Anti-fur activism did not single-handedly force high-end producers to quit fur. In a study on the use of contested practices in creative industries conducted by Frederic Godart, Giacomo Negro and Greta Hsu, findings suggest that it took an influential gatekeeper  in this case, global fashion magazine Vogue  to change its perception and portrayal of fur before designers followed suit. The study utilized Vogues in-depth runway reports where fur prevalence and popularity was compared from 2000 to 2018. From around 2009, Negro found an increase in references to moral and social concerns surrounding the use of fur, with a marked increase in 2014. Around the same time, a steady decline was found in the use of fur in runway collections, after a peak in 2011. These findings suggest that Vogues evolving view of fur had a direct influence on fashion designers decisions.

The Confederate discount: Properties on Confederate-named U.S. streets sell for less

Houses on streets that are named after Confederate figures or themes sell for 3% less than similar properties in neighboring areas, says a new study led by Goizueta Business Schools John W. McIntyre Professor of Finance, Clifton Green.

The Confederate Discount, as this phenomenon is called, has been given further evidence by Green and his co-authors. Green reviewed data from home sales across 35 states in the U.S., analyzing nearly 6,000 transactions between 2001 and 2020. Their data set looked at properties located on streets named after Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Thomas Stonewall Jackson, as well as the more generic options of Confederate and Dixie. While most of these properties were located in former Confederate states, properties that met these conditions were found as distant as California. Interestingly, the discount effect is slightly less in states that make up the former Confederacy.

Green points out that the variation in discount for home prices may be due to political stratification across regions: the discount effect is more pronounced in Democratic-voting areas or areas with a higher share of Black or highly educated residents. In these places, sales on streets with Confederate names dipped even further, going for 8% less on average, and this is particularly noticeable after events that have shone a spotlight on race inequity or white supremacy in the U.S. Learn more here.

3D in a snap: Jia Lab develops next generation system for imaging organoids

Biomedical engineering researchers Shu Jia and Shuichi Takayama have created a new high-resolution 3D imaging system for organoids. These lab-grown cell cultures mimic organs, but capturing their complex and dynamic processes is a challenge. In Biosensors and Bioelectronics, the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering team describes how their custom microscope can reconstruct a comprehensive 3D representation with a single camera image. Learn more here.

Evaluating the integration of depression treatment into diabetes care

Emory researchers have authored the first published use of a realist evaluation approach to identify underlying causal mechanisms of a chronic-care treatment model implemented in a low- or middle-income country. This paper, published in the American Journal of Medicine Open, focuses on context as an implementation leverage point that enables the transferability of integrated diabetes and depression care models to alternative care settings in India and other low-resource settings.

Findings from this evaluation highlight the resource and training gaps that hinder the implementation and sustainability of a multi-component, team-based intervention aimed at integrating depression treatment into routine diabetes care.

The study authors include Emory School of Medicine faculty Leslie Johnson, assistant professor in the department of family and preventative medicine, and Mo Ali, vice chair of research for the department of family and preventive medicine, as well as Rollins School of Public Health faculty Nancy J. Thompson and Kirk Elifson.

Revealing bias in faculty assessments of underrepresented residents

A new study led by Robin Klein, associate professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine, found that race and ethnicity are associated with assessment scores to the disadvantage of residents underrepresented in medicine (URiM).

The findings were recently published in Academic Medicine. Data included 3,600 evaluations by 605 faculty of 703 residents, including 94 (13.4%) URiM residents. Resident race/ethnicity was associated with competency scores, with lower scores for URiM residents in medical knowledge, systems-based practice, practice-based learning and improvement, professionalism, and interpersonal and communication skills, to the disadvantage of URiM residents. The interaction with faculty gender was notable in professionalism with men more than women faculty rating URiM residents lower than non-URiM residents. This may reflect bias in faculty assessment, effects of a non-inclusive learning environment or structural inequities in assessment.

Do property rehabs drive up prices in surrounding neighborhoods?

When a house is distressed, the negative impact tends to ricochet around its surrounding neighborhood. Distressed homes (e.g., foreclosures) can significantly bring down the value of other homes in the area, as these properties are often poorly maintained and then typically sold at discounted prices.

Federal and local governments seek to mitigate this negative effect by incentivizing the rehabilitation of distressed properties through programs like the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The efficacy of these programs has long been debated in the socio-economic sphere.

New research by Goizueta Foundation Term associate professor of finance Gonzalo Maturana and Goizuetas assistant professor of finance Rohan Ganduri might change the narrative definitively. They have analyzed new data showing that rehabilitation projects not only help to stabilize housing prices in affected neighborhoods, but can also increase the value of neighboring properties by as much as four percentage points. Using highly robust, non-parametric statistical analysis methods, Maturana and Ganduri found the effect of renovating dilapidated or derelict houses in these areas pushes prices up between 2.3 and four percentage points in their surrounding blocks. Additionally, while the average amount spent by authorities on these renovations comes in at roughly $36,000, their study estimates a societal welfare gain of $134,000 per rehabilitated property  almost four times the cost of the rehabilitation.

The insights from this study should provide interesting food for thought for U.S. Congress and local governments and may suggest instituting changes in fund allocation for the betterment of the real estate market. Learn more here.

Beyond the spike: New antibody analysis predicts severe COVID-19 outcomes

In the most comprehensive analysis to date of COVID-19 antibodies, researchers have found that antibody profiles of internal viral proteins predicted which patients survived or died just as well as corresponding profiles for surface proteins. Their analysis included internal  or non-canonical  proteins that are conserved across coronaviruses, suggesting that targeting other parts of the virus beyond the spike protein could be important for enhancing COVID-19 vaccines and therapies. The Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineerings Aniruddh Sarkar and collaborators from the University of Pittsburgh published their findings in Cell Reports. Learn more here.

Unattainably perfect: Idealized images of influencers negatively affect users mental health

Filters, Adobe Photoshop and other digital tools are commonly used by social media influencers. These celebrities or individuals have a large follower base and influence or hold sway over online audiences. Many social media outlets have come under growing scrutiny by the media in recent years for promoting and popularizing unattainably perfect or unrealistic representations of their influencers.

Recently David Schweidel and Morgan Ward investigated the underlying effects of influencers use of digital enhancement and how idealized images affect peoples feelings of self-worth and mental well-being. Across a series of five studies with a broad sample of participants and using AI-powered deep learning data analysis to parse individuals responses, Schweidel and Ward have unearthed a series of insights around the lure of these kinds of idealized images, and the negative downstream consequences that they have on other users self-esteem.

Schweidel and Ward found that micro-influencers who digitally manipulate their images, offering unrealistic versions of themselves, were more successful at engaging with other users  getting more follows, likes and comments from them. They also discovered that when users are exposed to these kinds of images, they make comparisons between themselves and the enhanced influencers; comparisons that leave them feeling lacking, envious and often inadequate in some way.

Despite the overwhelmingly negative effect on users mental health when engaging with some influencers, limiting the damaging effect may be difficult due to the incentive for large media companies to keep users engaged and addicted  the tradeoff between engagement and mental health will always be difficult to navigate. Learn more here.

Special pathogens readiness in the United States: From Ebola to COVID-19 and beyond

More than two dozen healthcare experts and researchers from the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) and 10 Regional Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) have demonstrated the inextricable link between infectious disease preparedness and health security in Special Pathogens Readiness in the United States: From Ebola to COVID-19 and Beyond, a special supplement of the peer-reviewed journal Health Security.

Leveraging their experiences serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and their expertise in infectious disease management, the authors address the necessity of special pathogen preparedness on a global scale: from the critical contributions of U.S. regional special pathogens programs in COVID-19 response, to ameliorating crisis conditions in pandemic-strained healthcare infrastructure, the importance of international collaboration in biocontainment and beyond.

As global cases of special pathogens like monkeypox are on the rise and the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Special Pathogens Readiness in the United States: From Ebola to COVID-19 and Beyond provides sustained, in-depth analysis of the special pathogens ecosystem in the U.S. and abroad, moving infectious disease preparedness forward in a time when healthcare agencies must prepare for both known, and heretofore unknown, pathogenic threats.

NETEC comprises faculty and staff from Emory University, the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, working together to increase the capability of the U.S. health care system to safely and effectively manage special pathogens.
To understand the HOOKED exhibition at Science Gallery Atlanta is to begin at the end. A giant statue at the gallery exit is covered with shopping bags, vape pens, cell phones, liquor bottles, candy wrappers and other items visitors are invited to leave behind to represent their addictions. The piece, Were All Searching for Rest by sculptor William Massey, represents the relief that many people find themselves looking for externally.

Co-curators Hannah Redler Hawes and Floyd Hall want to destigmatize addiction by showing how the desire to feel better can morph into an uncontrollable habit. The 22 pieces in HOOKED are on display through Sept. 4.

This exhibition is about unpacking all that we think we know about addiction and approaching the topic from a public health perspective, Hall says. No one is exempt from struggling with addiction; you just may not have found the right thing yet.

HOOKED is the inaugural exhibition for Science Gallery Atlanta, which opened in May at Pullman Yards. The facility is a part of Emory Universitys partnership with Science Gallery International (SGI), a Dublin-based organization that aims to bring together science, art, technology and design to deliver world-class educational and cultural experiences for young people. SGI has locations at top universities in Dublin, London, Detroit, Melbourne, Venice, Bengaluru and Rotterdam.

SGI came to Emory through the work of Deborah Bruner, senior vice president of research, and a faculty advisory board consisting of researchers from Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Goizueta Business School, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and Emory School of Medicine.

The "HOOKED exhibition started at Science Gallery London in 2018. The Atlanta version includes work from the London exhibition as well as work by local artists. To infuse the Atlanta flavor, Hall called on some of the citys most popular public artists to create original displays, sculptures and murals that address addiction.

I wanted to challenge these popular artists to do something outside of their comfort zone and explore a topic that may not necessarily appear in their work otherwise, Hall says.

Exploring addiction through art

Artist Frank Paper Frank Dunsons design for Wrld on Drugs, a 2018 mixtape by rappers Juice Wrld and Future, is at the entrance of the Atlanta exhibition. The marker illustration depicts a cup of lean (purple cough syrup and soda) pouring out onto the earth, which is covered with pills. About a year after the mixtape release, 21-year-old Juice Wrld died from an accidental overdose.

Toward the back of the gallery, Marina Skye, who creates under the name Set by Skye, built a model of the Atlanta skyline out of discarded cardboard boxes. While walking through the large-scale piece, Trashy City, visitors hear the beeps of delivery trucks in reverse and Ring doorbells chiming. Its a comment on the addiction to instant gratification and the cost of that to the environment.

For muralist Fabian Williams, collaborating with Science Gallery Atlanta was a chance to express everything hed been feeling while following the Purdue Pharma investigation in the headlines. He worked with Mara Schenker, an orthopedic surgeon at Grady Memorial Hospital, and the life care specialists at the Christopher Wolf Crusade to conceptualize a piece that addresses the opioid epidemic.

The result is Watch for the Hook, which he designed with local fabricator Antonio Darden. The piece consists of a three-foot-tall pill bottle labeled Percotrap with dozens of white pills spilling out onto a blue counter. There are fishhooks coming out of the pills and the words got em are etched on one side.

I talked to a lot of doctors, therapists and counselors to create this piece, says Williams. The doctors said in their procedure its almost mandatory that they offer a patient opioids for pain, even though we know how addictive they are. I thought doctors had autonomy to give patients options for pain management.

Williams says he tries to balance light and dark in his work, both literally and figuratively. Hes directing his attention to creating youth-arts programs that inspire kids to imagine the type of world they want to see  one where people matter more than corporations.

One of the hardest things I had to do as an artist is decide what we want to see, says Williams. We get trained to wallow in the misery mud, and we have to clean ourselves off.

Staying Alive in Little Five

More than 20 years of working at a restaurant in Little Five Points inspired postdoctoral fellow Sarah Febres-Cordero to collaborate with illustrator Joseph Karg on a graphic novel about addiction.

As part of her dissertation in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Febres-Cordero interviewed dozens of restaurant workers in the neighborhood about their experiences either using illicit drugs or encountering people who use them. She wanted to find a way to educate service-industry workers on how to use Narcan and other first-aid tools to help someone who is experiencing an overdose.

A lot of me becoming a nurse was wanting to contribute to the community in Little Five Points to address drug use, mental health and homelessness, says Febres-Cordero. Most drug users are recreational users, and most overdoses are unintentional.

The colorful pages in the graphic novel tell the story of a server who sees a customer overdosing on heroin and uses Narcan to help the person until the ambulance comes. One chapter, Staying Alive in Little Five, is on display at Science Gallery Atlanta. Karg says that as an illustrator, working on this project made him reexamine his view of addiction.

A lot of illustrators are trained to make everything look one type of beautiful, says Karg. It was a challenge to create something that audiences would respond to but that also reflected the types of people being depicted in a respectful way.

He also says that working on Staying Alive in Little Five made him think more broadly about his interactions with students at Kennesaw State University, where he is an assistant professor of animation and illustration.

I need to be sensitive to the fact that many college students are recreational drug users, and their family members may use drugs, says Karg. I now operate from a position that that may be the case, especially if they are struggling in my class. I ask myself if someone may be going through something.

Febres-Cordero and Karg hope to be able to tell more stories and finish the novel in the future. Febres-Cordero also wants to include people who have overdosed and been rescued.

The whole point is to educate people so that fewer people die from overdoses, she says. I am a harm reductionist. I am trying to keep people alive and healthy so if one day theyre ready for recovery, theyre alive.
Miami Law was well represented recently at the global Law and Society Association meeting, "Rage, Reckoning & Remedy."

A cohort of Miami Law faculty traveled to Lisbon, Portugal, to present and participate in the interdisciplinary scholarly conference committed to social scientific, interpretive, and historical law analyses across multiple social contexts.

"Miamis deserved reputation as a home of sociolegal inquiry is longstanding," said Charlton Copeland, associate dean for intellectual life. It was one of the earliest sites of the migration of economics into legal education and research in the 1970s and early 80s. It was the home, and birthplace, of a host of critical-legal engagements in the 1990s  including, but not limited to, LatCrit as a birthplace, and early participants in Critical Race Theory, and important voices in feminist legal theory, especially in the domestic violence space.

The Law & Society Association's mission is to acknowledge that for sociolegal scholars, law consists not only of the words of official documents. Law also can be found in the diverse understandings and practices of people interacting within domains that law governs, in the claims that people make for legal redress of injustices, and in the coercive power exercised to enforce lawful order. Sociolegal scholars also address evasions of law, resistance and defiance toward law, and alternatives to law in structuring social relations.

Anthony Alfieri presented and participated in a panel with a paper "Racial Trauma in Civil Rights Representation." In the article, Alfieri joins a chorus of attorneys and academics, using recent civil rights cases as an example of how trauma-informed lawyering can advance civil rights and provide healing for affected communities and individuals.

Building on the panel's prior work on race, cultural trauma, and civil rights lawyering, they investigated the meaning of racial trauma for individual, group, and community clients and for their legal teams in civil rights and criminal cases while detailing the importance of establishing a trauma-informed practice for today's civil rights lawyers.

Kathleen Claussen presented "Transnational Legal Ordering, Rights, and Corruption" (part of the Transnational Ordering CRN), which, she writes, was "entirely enabled by a terrific team of UM research assistants."

The article presented findings from a content analysis of congressional hearings featuring the lead trade policymaker  the U.S. Trade Representative  from 1979 to the present. The analysis yields at least three noteworthy results: First, the study of more than 3,000 transcript pages explores how the separation of powers and oscillating trade policy objectives have been discursively constructed and performed. Second, it draws on insights from relational sociology to ask whether USTR's unique authority can be derived in some part from playing a tertiary role in an otherwise dyadic story. Third, these hearings constitute records of a critical site of interaction between Congress, USTR, and the White House. Studying them allows us also to examine how shifting relationship dynamics map onto the formation, implementation, and enforcement of trade law as exercised by the U.S. government.

Andrew Elmore presented his co-written paper with Scott Cummings, "From a Living Wage to Fight for $15: Mobilizing Wage Mandates to Build Local Labor Law," at the Labor Movements Panel. Elmore is also a co-chair of CRN 08 (Labor Rights).

Their article challenges the conventional account of labor law's national deradicalization and local resurgence; the movement for city-level living wage laws  emerging in the 1990s with Los Angeles leading the way  was a second-best, limited anti-poverty device designed to raise wage floors, with only indirect effects on organized labor.

Their account argues that the lost history of the living wage law can be recovered as a tool to rebuild union density and reshape city politics. Through this new history, the article makes two significant contributions to labor and local government law scholarship. First, it reconceptualizes living wage mandates as mobilizable labor law: deliberately crafted to facilitate union organizing and build power to influence local politics through innovative legal design that addressed federal labor law's weakness, responded to agency resistance and employer countermeasures, and produced a new legal consciousness essential to scaling up legal strategies for new, more ambitious goals. Second, the article revises the conventional historical arc of labor localism by reclaiming the living wage law as an inflection point: building upon earlier experiments in immigrant worker organizing to reshape the direction of contemporary union and new labor campaigns.

Mary Anne Franks led a roundtable discussion on "Public and Private Approaches to Online Hate Speech Regulation," addressing the proliferation of hate speech online has added new dimensions to an old problem. Hate speech regulation can interfere with free expression, face weighty definitional issues, and regulators may suffer from a trust deficit in policing hate speech, even as international law imposes certain obligations to curb its spread. Online regulation faces the difficulty of identifying hate speech at scale, variation in the nature of the problem across states, the risk of amplification that social media presents, and the fact that the internet crosses borders. This roundtable discussion among a diverse group of experts will assess government, industry, and civil society options for regulating and mitigating the impact of online hate speech, including but not limited to the Digital Services Act, Sec. 230 reform, and Facebook's Oversight Board.

Pablo Rueda Saiz presented a paper titled "The Politics of Treaty Implementation: A Comparative Analysis of the International Labor Organization Convention on Indigenous Rights in Latin America," which focuses on the need to understand divergence in the diffusion of international law. The paper compares the implementation of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention of the International Labor Organization 169 Convention of 1989, in Latin America. Fifteen out of twenty-four parties to the convention are countries from Latin America, which constitutes a kind of natural experiment that enables a controlled comparison of the roles that different factors, processes and mechanisms play in accounting for variation in treaty implementation. This article shows that variations in the interpretation and implementation of the treaty depend on three domestic factors: the legal mobilization of ethnic cleavages, judicial responsiveness, and governmental structure.

Ileana Porras participated in a panel "Law, the 'Region,' and Designing Pathways Toward Better Worlds" on the Law and Political Economy and Prefigurative Law session, part of a new working group on the "region" to think beyond the current "crisis" in capitalism, with its unsustainably racialized, growth-fetishized and earth-destroying political economies.

The panel examined how the region members have used critical legal analysis to study, e.g., distributional inequalities, global value chains, race/capitalist economies, and regimes of expertise. In the roundtable, discussants and regions group members considered questions like how local experiments, social movements, and other practices might leverage profound change in neoliberal political economies and their racialized subjectivities while engaging law to project new post-growth imaginaries.

Rob Rosen participated in a panel, presenting his paper "Critical Dialogue and Regulation," which argues that regulators also need to become adept in critical dialogue. In the regulatory process, the critique of the rationality of extant techniques and practices can be an engine to advance public interests. Such critical thinking is attentive to false objectification and the limitations of truth claims. The article calls for the employment of adepts at critical dialogue by parties to the administrative process.

Scott Sundby was on a panel that looked at how the legal system does and does not accommodate what it asks of its actors and presented his paper, "Recanting Jurors: What Should the Legal System do When a Juror Wants to 'Take Back' Their Vote for Death."

Sundby uncovered a number of jurors in a variety of cases who, as the execution date nears, decide to "go public" and state they no longer support executing the defendant, according to media accounts and legal cases. A question thus arises in stark relief: In a system that strives mightily for finality in its decision-making, especially with the death penalty, how should the legal system respond to the recanting juror?

"The talk looked at the question of how we should respond to recanting jurors in light of the variety of reasons they give for no longer supporting the death penalty despite voting for it at trial.," Sundby said.

"My panel consisted of scholars from Australia, Italy and the United States," Sundby said. "It was organized by Susan Bandes who used to teach at Miami Law. It was a wonderful way to gain new perspectives, both from an international and policy perspective."

Previous Law & Society Association meetings have brought participants from over 60 countries across six continents.

The University of Miami has also been home to leading legal historians and social scientists who have engaged important issues of professional structure and election systems. Miamis corporate law scholars have been unusually represented in socio-legal inquires of financial regulatory structures and their development. This has been across generations and subject areas. It is, to my mind, the most intellectually identifying trait of the University of Miami, said Copeland. It is great that so many of our colleagues were able to re-convene with other leaders in this space in Lisbon.
Orban defends 'cultural standpoint' in race row

Viktor Orban (left) meets with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Vienna. Photo: AFP

Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, on Thursday defended his weekend comments against creating "peoples of mixed-race", saying they represented a "cultural, civilisational standpoint".



"It happens sometimes that I speak in a way that can be misunderstood... the position that I represent is a cultural, civilisational standpoint," Orban told a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer during a one-day visit to Vienna.



Orban sparked a storm of criticism after he warned against mixing with "non-Europeans" in a speech in Romania's Transylvania region, home to a Hungarian community, last Saturday.



Nehammer said the issue had been "resolved... amicably and in all clarity", adding his country "strongly condemned... any form of racism or anti-Semitism".



The International Auschwitz Committee has urged the European Union  and Nehammer specifically  to distance themselves from "Orban's racist undertones".



Austria is the first EU country to host Orban for talks since he won a fourth straight mandate in an April landslide.



Besides the race row, the two leaders discussed migration and energy security amid tensions the war in Ukraine.



Jewish community representatives voiced alarm after Orban, an ultra-conservative known for his anti-migrant policy and virulent rhetoric, said that "we do not want to become peoples of mixed-race".



The 59-year-old also seemed to allude to the Nazi German gas chambers when criticising a Brussels plan to reduce European gas demand by 15 percent following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.



Hungary was the only EU member to oppose the plan, which passed on a majority vote this week.



An adviser to Orban, Zsuzsa Hegedus, resigned on Tuesday, slamming his speech as "a pure Nazi text".



In response, Orban stressed his government's "policy of zero tolerance when it comes to anti-Semitism and racism", according to a letter made public.



"I am proud of the results which Hungary achieved against racism in recent years," Orban told reporters on Wednesday. (AFP)
Macron defies anger to welcome Saudi strongman

Emmanuel Macron, left greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Photo: AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday welcomed Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris, defying anger sparked by hosting the controversial strongman less than four years after the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi.



The meeting is the latest step in the diplomatic rehabilitation of the de facto leader of the kingdom who became a pariah in the West following the killing of Khashoggi by Saudi agents inside Saudi's Istanbul consulate.



Macron warmly greeted the ruler universally known as "MBS" ahead of a dinner, with the two men enjoying a warm handshake that they emphasised by using all four hands.



Shaking off criticism from rights groups and Khashoggi's fiance, Macron then guided MBS up the steps on the red carpet into the Elysee Palace. Neither man made any comment but a statement was expected from the Elysee after the talks.



MBS, seen by supporters as ambitious and by critics as a tyrant with a ruthless streak, arrived in France following a visit from US President Joe Biden to Riyadh earlier this month.



The killing of Khashoggi was described by a UN probe as an "extrajudicial killing for which Saudi Arabia is responsible". US intelligence agencies determined that MBS had "approved" the operation that led to Khashoggi's death. Riyadh denies this, blaming rogue operatives.



"I am scandalised and outraged that Emmanuel Macron is receiving with all the honours the executioner of my fiance," said Khashoggi's widow, Hatice Cengiz. "All the international investigations carried out up to this point... recognise the responsibility of MBS in the assassination."



But for Western countries desperate to find new sources of energy, the 36-year-old head of the world's biggest oil producer has become an essential figure. Moscow's war in Ukraine has sent energy prices soaring, with Western nations scouring the globe to find supplies to replace oil and gas from Russia.



An aide to Macron defended the working dinner at a time of a global energy and food crisis, while promising that human rights would be raised.



"He will talk about it (rights) in a general way, but will also take the chance to raise individual cases," the aide said on condition of anonymity. "For the president to have an influence and tackle the problems that European countries and France face... the only way is to talk with all of our partners." (AFP)
Photos: Twitter\YouTube

Oakland, CA  Over 2,000 Maasai  primarily women and children  displaced by the violence with which the demarcation of land was carried out in Loliondo, remain in Kenya, suffering from hunger and living in fear. Approximately 70,000 people have lost access to dry-season grazing land critical to the health of their livestock and their livelihoods according to research conducted by the Institutes partners. In addition to the 31 people who were shot and sustained injuries requiring expensive medical treatment, 107 people needed care after the violence.



A pervasive climate of fear remains among the displaced whose lives have been completely upended, said Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director at the Oakland Institute.

Violence erupted on June 8, 2022 after the Tanzanian government initiated the demarcation of 1,500 km2 of land it intends to turn into a game reserve for trophy hunting by the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Otterlo Business Company. Earlier in July, the Oakland Institute revealed that despite widespread international condemnation, the Tanzanian government continues to blatantly ignore domestic and international law, trampling on the rights and lives of the Indigenous residents in Loliondo.

The land that was demarcated and renamed the Pololeti Game Controlled Area is legally registered to 15 villages of Loliondo and Sale divisions in Ngorongoro district. Game officials seized hundreds of cattle in July and 50 livestock were reportedly shot to death by the rangers for grazing in this area around Ormanie and Kirtalo villages. Confiscated livestock was also auctioned off quickly, giving the Maasai inadequate time to reclaim it.

Over the past few weeks, dozens of Maasai have been arrested and released on bail on the false charges of being illegal immigrants. In July, the family of the 80-year old Maasai elder who was shot during the violence and remains missing, and the family of a man killed by a police vehicle in Malambo, started court cases in Arusha. 27 people  including 10 ward councilors  have been detained for several weeks after being charged for the murder of one policeman, reportedly killed by an arrow during demarcation. Their case will be heard on July 28, 2022.

NCA Relocation Sites Remain Critically Flawed



On July 22, 2022, Dr. Christopher Timbuka, Deputy Conservation Commissioner of the NCA, said that 757 households (4,344 people) had registered to move from the NCA to Msomera village in Handeni district. Dr. Timbuka explicitly stated that the strategy of relocating NCA residents is geared towards the realization of the governments goal of attracting 1.2 million tourists annually to Tanzania and an income of Sh260 billion [~US$111.5 million] by 2025 from the sector. He reiterated that those who relocate would benefit from owning land and houses in addition to accessing water, education, and health services in Msomera.

As the Tanzanian government continues to move forward with preparation of resettlement sites for so-called volunteers from the NCA, new field research to Msomera village in Handeni district raises serious concerns around the government promises. As previously exposed in the Oakland Institute report: Flawed Plans for Relocation of the Maasai from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, there are several issues with the resettlement process, adequacy of the selected sites, and major discrepancies between government promises and the actual situation on the ground. Follow up field research conducted in July 2022 exposed little progress has been made by the government  as questions remain if Msomera will be able to provide adequate water, electricity, education, and health services to the resettled.

Currently, approximately 100 homes constructed earlier this year are occupied by former NCA residents. Grazing land, however, is very limited, as is the number of cattle allowed. Governments promise that Maasai can bring their herds of cattle to graze freely has already been broken as only 2-5 cows are permitted per family. This confirms fears that the government is moving the Maasai away from their traditional pastoral livelihoods which they have practiced for centuries. Given the critical role cattle play in the livelihoods, nutrition, and culture of the Maasai, the damage this will do cannot be understated, added Mittal.

Despite these constraints, 300-400 more houses are currently under construction in the area. The old primary school and dispensary have been painted but promises of expanded facilities remain unfulfilled. It is unclear how the Handeni relocation site will support the high number of Maasai the government expects to voluntarily leave the NCA. Governments claims that Maasai are volunteering en masse for resettlement are false. Plans to deprive Maasai of basic services within the NCA and transferring funds away from the area are a blatant attempt to drive the Maasai from their ancestral land.

In April 2022, 11,000 Maasai community members from the NCA sent a letter to the government and its main donors, clearly stressing their demand to remain in the NCA. This is not the first time that we are fighting to secure our rights and protect the lives of our people  we need a permanent solution and we need it now. We will not leave; Not Now, Not Ever!

In a June 15, 2022 press release, nine UN Special Rapporteurs called on the Tanzanian government to immediately halt plans for relocation of the people living in Loliondo and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and begin consultations with the Maasai Indigenous Peoples, including direct contact with the Ngorongoro Pastoral Council, to jointly define current challenges to environmental conservation and best avenues to resolve them, while maintaining a human rights-based approach to conservation. This call followed earlier communications sent to the government and UNESCO World Heritage Committee advisory bodies.

In mid-July, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet visited Tanzania and met with Damas Ndumbaro, Minister of Constitution and Legal Affairs, to discuss the human rights abuses in Loliondo and planned evictions from the NCA. Given the blatant lies propagated by the government, its continued disregard for the land rights and lives of the Maasai for safari tourism enriching the elites, the Oakland Institute reaffirms calls for the High Commissioner, other UN human rights experts, and donor countries to meet with the impacted communities to accurately assess the situation on the ground.

Continuation of colonial conservation at the expense of the lives and future of the Maasai is no longer possible.

Read the Report: Flawed Plans for Relocation of the Maasai from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Xi signs order to commend outstanding officer, military unit

Xinhua) 08:06, July 28, 2022

BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed an order to commend an outstanding officer and a military unit.

Sun Baosong, commander of Troop 92853 of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), was given a first-class merit citation in combat-readiness training and PLA Troop 96763 was given a second-class merit citation.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Wednesday marked a grim anniversary of the night Katie Janness was stabbed to death at an entrance to Atlantas Piedmont Park.

Those close to Janness told Channel 2s Candace McCowan that they were not expecting to still be waiting for answers from investigators a year after she was killed.

As they get ready to honor her life, McCowan spoke to a friend of hers who said they want to focus on the happy times that they shared with her.

David Ohmann said he never expected that his seven-year friendship with Janness would come to such a brutal end in the early hours of July 28.

Whether I had a bad day or a good day, or whatever kind of day, Katie was always there to cheer me up, Ohmann said.

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While on vacation, Ohmann said he saw the headlines that his friend was brutally murdered around midnight in Piedmont Park while walking her dog Bowie.

I didnt even know how to process it at the time. It was so horrifying, Ohmann said.

The autopsy showed Janness was stabbed more than 50 times. Her dog Bowie was also killed.

Janness partner, Emma Clark, and her family released a statement early Thursday morning that read:

Over the past year there hasnt been a waking moment that Katie hasnt been in our hearts or on our mind since she was taken from us. Her senseless death has affected our daily lives in a manner that is hard to describe. We are remembering Katie in private today and want to thank all of those who have honored and remembered her by keeping her story alive. We are vigilant in bringing her killer to justice and have remained in contact with Mayor Dickens who assures us that the City of Atlanta is doing everything they can to solve this case. Please continue to keep Emma and Katies mother in your prayers.

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The two were found by Janness partner inside the park.

One year later, its not only those who knew Janness, but an entire community that is eager for answers over who killed her.

Its definitely frightening knowing that somebody like that is still out there, said Summer Rose, who was biking in Piedmont Park Wednesday night.

Its hard to catch somebody if theres not information, said one Piedmont Park walker who only identified himself as Bob.

It has been an agonizing year knowing that no one has been caught, Ohmann said.

While they hope for the peace that will come from an arrest, friends are planning to honor Katie.

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Multiple vigils are expected to be held in the park Thursday evening and at the restaurant where she worked, serving as a toast to her life.

Every day we go in there to have dinner, we all talk about her. We should always remember Katie in a positive light and with happiness, Ohmann told McCowan. Raise a glass to your friends, to Katie, and to celebrate life.

Atlanta police said they are holding a news conference on Thursday afternoon to talk about the latest information in this case.

RELATED NEWS:
Ahmad Naeem Wakili was a judge in Afghanistan and helped sentence and imprison members of the Taliban and ISIS.

Ahmad Wakili, an Afghan judge who was separated from his wife and daughter after the Taliban reclaimed the country last August, has been reunited with his family a year and a half after he last saw them.

His wife, Nilofar, and 2-year old daughter, Kawsar, arrived in Tucson on Sunday. They flew from Istanbul to San Francisco, then finally to Phoenix. They were two among hundreds, out of tens of thousands who applied, who received humanitarian parole.

The Arizona Republic profiled Wakili in March. He had worked as a peer judge at a detention center connected to the U.S. Bagram Air Base, helping sentence members of the Taliban, ISIS and other terrorist groups.

As a peer judge, he was the most junior member of a team of three judges, per Afghanistan law, and his work put him in close contact with those he sentenced. The base was run by the U.S. military, but the judges were Afghan, he said.

Once, a member of the Taliban asked him to release someone who was imprisoned. When Wakili refused, the man told him he was playing with his life.

Later that year, the Taliban would plant a bomb in his car, putting him in a coma for more than 22 days. When he returned home from the hospital, he found that the Taliban had threatened his family. It was then that he decided to send Nilofar, who was pregnant at the time, to Turkey.

He continued to work as a judge in Afghanistan despite the risks. Last year, he was shot in the abdomen as he got out of the car to buy his mother medicine, and he lost a kidney. Soon after he left the hospital, he bought a ticket to Istanbul to see his wife and daughter.

But days before his flight, the Taliban reclaimed Afghanistan from the U.S.-backed government and freed all the prisoners from the Bagram Air Base, some of whom Ahmad had helped to sentence.

Wakili was one of the lucky few who managed to secure a U.S. military plane ride out of the country. He tried to travel to Turkey, but because he didnt have a visa, the military took him to Qatar and then eventually to the U.S. after vetting. His wife and daughter remained in Istanbul.

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Refugees in Tucson: A judge fled the Taliban in Afghanistan. Now he waits to be reunited with his family

Tucson City Councilmember Steve Kozachik learned of Ahmads story and relentlessly contacted government officials to reunite the family. He lobbied members of Congress and the U.S. State Department over the past eight months.

It's hard to really describe how touched (I have been) by the whole process, meeting the family, now seeing them back together today, he said this week.

Kozachik said it shouldnt have taken months of advocacy to reunite Ahmad with his family and has criticized the U.S. State Department.

The system is so broken, he said. If I was sitting here right now with (Rep.) Raul Grijalva or with (Sen.) Kyrsten Sinema and they said, Tell me how the system is broken, I wouldnt know where to start.

No one from the State Department who was in direct contact with Ahmad's family would talk to him: "They're unapproachable, they're inaccessible and theyre very impersonal, he said.

Kozachik spoke with an intergovernmental liaison from the department, but none of the members overseas who were in direct contact with Nilofar, he said. If any of them had been willing to pick up the phone  I firmly believe we would have been able to work this out sooner.

Ahmad credits his wife and daughters arrival to Kozachiks advocacy. He said hes happy that his daughter and his wife, who he calls his best friend, have arrived.

Ahmad wears two rings: on his right hand, a silver wedding band; on his left, an emerald ring his wife gifted him.

Ahmad Naeem Wakili, shows his wedding ring on Feb. 18, 2022, in Tucson. With the help of Tucson City Council Member Steve Kozachik, Wakili has been trying to relocate his wife and daughter to Tucson from Istanbul, Turkey.

He met Nilofar several times at different parties, weddings and Eid events. Ahmad asked his mom to see if Nilofar's family would be interested in a marriage, as is traditional custom. Nilofar and her parents agreed, and the couple were married about a year later.

Ahmad and Nilofar's daughter was born in Turkey and they named her Kawsar, a name Ahmad had long admired, after a chapter in the Quran. He beams with pride when he describes her playfulness and curly hair.

Kozachik said concerned community members can advocate for asylum reform and increased transparency from the federal government. They can also help refugees within their community.

Realize that refugees, whether it's Afghan, or you know, pick your country, they're in your community, he said. They need employment, they need housing, they need to learn the language, they need to acculturate.

Zayna Syed is a reporter for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Follow her reporting on Twitter at @zaynasyed_ and send tips or other information about stories to zayna.syed@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Afghan judge who fled the Taliban for Tucson is reunited with family
The Alaska Department of Law issued an opinion Monday saying public money can be spent for home-school students to attend one or two classes in a private school, but cant be used for most of a students private school tuition.

The 19-page opinion says that its sometimes legal to use public funds for private school classes through the states program that pays for students to attend a correspondence school, or home-school.

But the more it looks like youre just trying to send your kid to private school and get subsidized by the state, I think thats when you start getting into unconstitutional territory, said Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills, who wrote the opinion.

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The opinion found that public money may be spent for individual materials and services from a private school as long as it supports a public correspondence education. But spending public money to pay most or all, in particular, of a private schools full-time tuition is very likely unconstitutional, Mills said during a media briefing Monday afternoon.

According to the opinion: Using allotment money for one or two classes to support a public correspondence school program is likely constitutional, whereas using public school allotment money to pay for most or all of a private schools tuition would not be.

School districts in Alaska can establish state-funded public correspondence schools for families who choose to home-school their children. Correspondence programs can offer whats known as an allotment program, which reimburses families for educational-related needs of the student, like books, classes, school supplies, technology support, tutoring, music or activity lessons.

While Alaska statute allows families to purchase nonsectarian services and materials from a public, private, or religious organization with a correspondence student allotment provided, the Alaska Constitution says, No money shall be paid from public funds for the direct benefit of any religious or other private educational institution.

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Striking a balance

Mills said the core analysis of the opinion provides guidance on a balancing act.

The balancing act is determining whether any particular expenditure of public funds is really intended to supplant a public education or incentivize a private education over a public education with the backing of public dollars, she said.

For example, things like private tutoring, public or private college courses, extracurricular classes or sports, certain educational materials that meet the requirements of the allotment program, are all very likely constitutional, even if they may provide an incidental benefit to a private school, Mills said.

In contrast, using the student allotments to pay for the tuition of a student being educated full-time at a private institution would be highly unlikely to survive constitutional scrutiny, according to the opinion.

Mills said the facts of each students situation matter in determining if the allotment is being used properly. For instance, answers to questions like: What are the specific classes that are being paid for? How do they meet statutory requirements? How is the learning plan set up? What does the public correspondence school teachers say about how this is meeting the public education requirements?

Mills added: You know it when you see it, like if the heart of something is really trying to provide and meet those public educational requirements, thats a different picture than someone who really just wants to send their kid to private school, or a district thats trying to provide access to private schools.

Attorney general recusal

In mid-May, Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylors wife Jodi Taylor wrote publicly on the Alaska Policy Forum website about her plan to seek up to $8,000 in reimbursement from public funding for their two kids attending an Anchorage private school. It was published on some Alaska news sites and blogs. Attorney General Taylor recused himself on May 21 from all matters involving correspondence school allotments and delegated the review to Mills.

While the op-ed resulted in questions to the Department of Law, Mills said the department has assisted the Department of Education and Early Development on interpreting how to implement the correspondence allotment program throughout the years since its enactment in 2014.

It kind of became clear over the course of these years and what happened earlier this summer that having a formal attorney general opinion thats public, that could provide guidance to both the (Education) Department as well as the school districts, could be helpful, Mills said.

To help formulate the opinion, Mills looked at minutes of the Alaska Constitutional Convention to see what the framers of the constitution said.

At the heart of it, I really believe the framers were concerned with supplanting a public education with a private education. Thats what their worry was, Mills said. That is different than supporting or supplementing a public education with the use of some private school resources.

At the heart of it, I really believe the framers were concerned with supplanting a public education with a private education. Thats what their worry was.  Alaska Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills

Mils said the opinion is for the Department of Education and Early Department and school districts with correspondence schools programs to refer to as they implement their programs.

In response to the Law Departments opinion, the Department of Education and Early Department spokesperson said the department is reviewing the opinion from the Department of Law and will work with districts to ensure compliance with the law and that correspondence allotments are used to reimburse only allowable expenses.

Alaska Beacon is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Twenty-six workers at an Amazon facility in Joliet, Illinois, have filed complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging a racist workplace environment and retaliation against an employee who spoke up, their lawyer said Wednesday.

Workers filed the complaints with the EEOC this week and are hoping their claims can be evaluated as a class, according to attorney Tamara Holder, who said complaints from additional workers would be filed soon.

At a news conference Wednesday, former Amazon employee Tori Davis said she raised concerns about Amazons handling of a racist death threat workers allege was scrawled on a bathroom wall at the warehouse in late May. Davis, 34, said she was fired after telling Amazon she would take legal action if the company did not address her and her co-workers concerns.

The complaint filed with the EEOC, provided by Holder, includes images of two messages using the N-word allegedly written on the wall in the womens bathroom. One says (expletive) gonna die, while the other refers to these (expletive) at MDW2. MDW2 is the name of the Amazon facility where the employees represented by Holder work.

Davis, who worked at the facility training new employees, said on the day the death threat was discovered, she left work without pay after word of the threats spread throughout the facility.

We had to make a choice of do we stay and make money and be able to pay our bills on the first, or do we go home and be safe, said Davis, who is Black. And thats not right.

According to the complaint, Amazon sent a text communication to workers the night after the graffiti was found, saying law enforcement had investigated the graffiti and did not identify threats to the sites safety.

In a statement Wednesday, Amazon spokesperson Richard Rocha said the company works hard to protect our employees from any form of discrimination and to provide an environment where employees feel safe.

Hate or racism have no place in our society and are certainly not tolerated by Amazon, Rocha said.

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He did not respond to questions from the Tribune about the workers allegations or the reasons for Daviss firing.

The complaints filed with the EEOC also allege the company has allowed white employees at the Joliet facility to wear Confederate flag attire at work, including outfits consisting of leather boots with a Confederate flag shaft, and a shirt with the Confederate flag prominently displayed across the back and arms.

There is no sign more serious and more terrifying than a death threat in a workplace where white workers are allowed to wear Confederate flag outfits with impunity, Holder said, noting the death threats came shortly after a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store where 10 Black people were killed and before the July 4 mass shooting at a parade in Highland Park.

We have truly reached a low point in America where we have to go to work in fear that we may not come home to our families, Holder said.

Patrick French, an Amazon employee in Joliet who said he had worked for the company more than a year-and-a-half, said that when he heard about the death threats, he was most concerned about the well-being of his girlfriend and his uncle, who were also working at the facility. He wants Amazon to provide more safety, he said.

It is a good job. Its got good opportunities, said French, 20. Amazon, it just lacks in certain areas.

Davis, who is appealing her termination with Amazon in an attempt to get her job back, said she would like to see more safety protocols at the Joliet facility as well as a representative for Black workers at the site. Davis said she started working there in November 2021.

Nicole St. Germain, a spokesperson for the EEOC, said federal law prohibited the agency from confirming or denying the existence of any complaints.

St. Germain said that after complaints are filed with the EEOC, the agency begins an investigatory process to determine if a company has violated federal law. If the EEOC determines a company has acted illegally, it can seek monetary compensation for individuals or class members and punitive damages against the company. It can also seek injunctive relief, such as requiring trainings or other changes in the workplace.
Grace VanderWaal is sharing what life was like after winning "Americas Got Talent" when she was just 12 years old.

VanderWaal won the judges over during her audition in 2016 when she took the stage with her ukulele and sang one of her original songs.

The performance not only advanced her to the next round but immediately sent her to the live shows when judge Howie Mandel hit the golden buzzer after her performance.

Grace VanderWaal is sharing what life was like after winning "Americas Got Talent" when she was just 12 years old. Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

After winning the show, VanderWaal was propelled into stardom, releasing four albums and starring in a Disney+ original movie, "Stargirl," as the title character. While she found success in her career, she said her mental health suffered a little in her early days of fame.

DWYANE WADE SAYS GABRIELLE UNION WAS FIRED FROM 'AGT,' PRAISES WIFE FOR 'STANDING UP FOR WHAT SHE STANDS FOR'

"Looking back, I have definitely faced the mental repercussions of that growing up," VanderWall told E! News. "I feel like I'm still struggling  I feel like I keep learning about how to take care of myself better, and my biggest thing recently is just acknowledging your triggers. Staying in your pajamas all day  that's going to make me depressed. Let's get up, get dressed."

She also had to learn how to handle the criticism that comes with fame but says she is happy to have experienced all the hate comments at the start of her career because it taught her how to deal with them as an adult.

Grace VanderWaal experience a lot of hate online in the early days of her career, but she learned to deal with it and feels it prepared her for fame. Photo by Julien Hekimian/Getty Images

"I feel like I've been doing this for so long that you get desensitized to hate online," VanderWaal said. "I went through a ton of hate online when I was really young. I'm happy it happened though because it prepared me for this life."

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VanderWaals audition is still considered one of the best in judge Simon Cowells eyes, as he recently called it one of his top five golden buzzer moments from his time on the show.

While Cowell compared VanderWaal to Taylor Swift during her first audition, she is really coming into her own as a performer.

Grace VanderWaal was compared to Taylor Swift during her first audition but has since come into her own and developed her own sense of personal style. Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic

"I was just a little girl and I fully didn't know what I was doing," VanderWaal said of her audition. "It's so surreal the way that has just transformed my life. And now I'm sitting here years later still in the business. I never would have thought I'd be doing that."
Tulsa Animal Welfare and the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals are working together to spread awareness about the urgent need for dog adoptions in Green Country.

Its an effort from the organizations to avoid euthanasia for space.

Dogs are available for adoption from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day, at Tulsa Animal Welfares facility on N. Erie Avenue. There are highly adoptable dogs of all sizes and breeds.

Euthanasia is a very real threat if we cant get some of these dogs into homes, says Erin Shackelford, Executive Director with OAA. Our city animal shelter is bursting at the seams with healthy, adoptable dogs of all breeds and sizes, and they are struggling. They need the community to come out, adopt, and save a life.

If you cant adopt, fostering is an option.

The announcement comes as the Humane Society of Tulsa prepares to welcome 200 rescued beagles from a facility in Virginia.




Good Morning America

Authorities in Northern California have announced a new phase in the ongoing search for a teenager who disappeared after a party 11 days ago. Kiely Rodni, 16, was last seen on Aug. 6 around 12:30 a.m. local time near the Prosser Family Campground in the small town of Truckee, some 20 miles north of Lake Tahoe. "Her cellphone went dead and became virtually untraceable shortly after," Angela Musallam, public information officer for the Placer County Sheriff's Office, told ABC News during an interview that aired Aug. 9 on "Good Morning America."
VIENNA (AP)  Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Vienna on Thursday for bilateral talks that focused on migration as well as on the war in Ukraine and its consequences.

The meeting of the two central European leaders came only days after one of Orbans closest associates resigned in protest over what she called a pure Nazi speech given by the Hungarian prime minister in which he railed against Europe becoming a mixed race society.

Nehammer sought to quickly distance himself from Orban's controversial remarks, telling reporters in Vienna that he made clear to the Hungarian prime minister that we in Austria reject, condemn in the strongest terms, any form of trivialization or relativization of racism or even antisemitism.

While Orbans anti-migrant stance and criticism of Western liberal values have long prompted a backlash, Saturdays speech sparked a fresh wave of outrage throughout Europe and from the opposition in Hungary. In it, Orban declared that countries with large-scale migration from outside of Europe are no longer nations.

While Orban did not explicitly repeat these remarks in Vienna on Thursday, he stressed his anti-migration agenda and insisted on what he saw as the need to defend his country's culture against outside influence.

I dont want Hungary to become an immigration country and I dont want migration to become stronger in Hungary," he said. "I have always held this point of view and I will continue to do so, this has no biological basis. This is not a racial issue for us. This is a question of culture. Quite simply, our civilization should be preserved as it is now.

Nehammer, for his part, depicted migration as a challenge that needs to be fought.

Austria has taken in over 80,000 refugees from Ukraine and around 30,000 additional asylum applications during the first half of the year, the chancellor pointed out, calling the arrival of these people challenges that Austria is actually facing now in addition to the energy crisis, in addition to inflation, in addition to the pandemic.

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In comparison, Germany has registered more than 900,000 refugees only from Ukraine since the outbreak of the war.

Both the Austrian and Hungarian leaders said their countries were planning a conference with Serbia on how to curb irregular migration.

Nehammer and Orban said they also discussed Russias invasion of Ukraine and its consequences on Europe, especially regarding sanctions against Russian energy exports, as well the two countries' economic ties.

___

Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.
Jul. 27LUCASVILLE  A search for a juvenile in or around the Scioto River in the Lucasville State Route 348 area began on Tuesday and continued Wednesday.

The Scioto County Sheriff's Office stated that the incident occured Tuesday afternoon. A late search into the night was held and ultimately resumed the next morning.

Fire and rescue services and the Scioto County Sheriff's Office are on the scene.
(Getty Images)

FC Barcelona have swooped in to agree a deal for Chelsea FC target Jules Kounde from Sevilla.

The 23-year-old France international will join the Spanish side for a reported 50million euros (41.87million) providing he passes a medical and agrees personal terms, which is not expected to be a problem given he has already posed for pictures in Barca clothing.

It is a blow for Chelsea, who were hopeful of bringing the centre-half to Stamford Bridge, but now must look for alternative defensive options.

A statement from Barca read: FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Jules Olivier Kounde, awaiting the player passing a medical and the signing of contracts.

The deal continues Barcas spending spree this summer following the captures of Raphina from Leeds and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.

Kounde joined Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019 and made 133 appearances for the Andalucian club.

Agreement in principle with Sevilla for the transfer of @jkeey4  FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 28, 2022

Chelsea lost defenders Andreas Christensen  to Barcelona  and Antonio Rudiger on free transfers this summer and although they have signed Kalidou Koulibaly, Thomas Tuchel is still on the lookout for additional arrivals.
By Iain Withers and Tom Sims

LONDON/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Barclays joined a host of European banks feeling the pinch of a U.S. regulatory probe into breaches related to the use of messaging apps such as Whatsapp, setting aside $200 million to cover the costs in half-year results on Thursday.

U.S. regulators have been cracking down on the use of personal communications platforms by bank staff to discuss potentially market-moving matters with clients, with the issue gaining urgency since the COVID-19 pandemic led to more bankers working from home.

Regulators require finance companies to keep a record of vast swathes of staff communications to deter and uncover infringements such as insider trading.

Barclays, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and asset manager DWS have all laid out potential charges arising from the probe this week, while UBS has said it is being investigated.

They follow Wall Street giants Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, which have also all set aside cash to cover expected fines. JPMorgan Securities was fined $200 million for "widespread" failures in December.

While U.S. regulators have led the way in scrutinising bankers' use of unauthorised communications channels, others have signalled they intend to keep an eye on bankers working remotely. Britain's Financial Conduct Authority reminded firms in guidance on home working published in October that it could visit finance staff at home if required.

Remote working poses "significant challenges" for bank compliance departments, James Alleyne, legal counsel at Kingsley Napley told Reuters. "We would certainly expect to see much more activity [from regulators] in this area," he added.

British bank Barclays said it had reached an agreement in principle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) this month to resolve the matter, with the final penalties expected to be $200 million between them and paid in the third quarter.

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Switzerland's Credit Suisse on Wednesday booked a provision of $200 million for the matter, while cross-town rival UBS Group said US regulators were looking into whether it properly documented communications among staff.

In Germany, Deutsche Bank on Wednesday announced 165 million euros in additional provisions for "regulatory enforcement". It said some of that was for the U.S. SEC and CFTC messaging investigations. The bank declined to say exactly how much.

DWS, the German asset manager mostly owned by Deutsche, disclosed on Wednesday that it made a provision of 12 million euros ($12.23 million).

Deutsche Bank earlier this year said that it was investigating the messaging and email use of Asoka Woehrmann, the DWS CEO at the time.

Woehrmann, who in January told analysts "I emphatically reject all these allegations", stepped down in June after raids by prosecutors over the allegations that the fund misled investors over its green credentials.

Last year, Reuters reported that the SEC was looking into whether Wall Street banks have been adequately documenting employees' work-related communications, such as text messages and emails.

($1 = 0.9599 Swiss francs)

($1 = 0.9815 euros)

(Reporting by Iain Withers in London and Tom Sims in Frankfurt, Additional reporting by Lawrence White and Sinead Cruise in London and Michael Shields in Zurich, Editing by David Evans)
Allies to President Biden are voicing frustration about the political operation inside the White House as the midterm elections draw closer and the president readies for a possible reelection bid.

The allies say the lack of a personal touch from Biden has left them underwhelmed, with calls going unanswered, simple requests lacking a reply and little  if any  proactive outreach from staff inside the White House.

The most important thing is people just want to feel engaged, said a longtime Biden ally, one of a dozen sources interviewed by The Hill who say Biden needs to do more to build support for the party and for his own political prospects to successfully run for reelection. They argue the problems are exacerbating an enthusiasm gap between the two parties that could hurt Democrats in the midterms and beyond.

The ally pointed to the success of the political operation inside the Clinton White House in making sure that members of Congress, donors, key figures in trade organizations and leaders of outside groups were all included in conversations and occasionally invited to the White House.

One of the things the Clintons did really well was make sure people were taken care of, the ally added. They need to do better  so, in March of next year, when [the Biden team] announce a reelection campaign and they start making calls to donors and political types, people are excited to take those calls.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the outreach problems, because some of the larger traditional events that cater to those in the presidents orbit  including his inauguration, holiday parties and state dinners  havent been held. White House aides have sought to hold some of the events, including the Easter Egg Roll earlier this year, and have vowed to bring back other functions in the coming months.

Democratic strategist Jim Manley and other political observers said they were sympathetic to the logistics around the pandemic. Still, with Bidens approval ratings averaging around 38 percent, they say, the White House needs to do better.

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Given the presidents approval rating, Id think theyd be working in overdrive to conduct outreach to as many surrogates as possible, Manley said. As far as I can tell, its not happening.

A lot of those surrogates are being left on the sidelines, he added.

Bidens problems arent limited to his general low approval ratings, either. Various polls over the summer also show a majority of Democrats dont want him to be their partys nominee in 2024.

The White House has sought to remedy some of its political woes. Anita Dunn, the political veteran who served as a senior adviser during Bidens presidential campaign and during the early months of the presidency, returned to the White House in May to advance Bidens communications and policy strategy.

And much of the political apparatus has been managed by trusted hands Steve Ricchetti, Bidens longtime adviser, and Jen OMalley Dillon, who ran Bidens general election campaign in 2020.

Still, one longtime Biden aide acknowledged a persistent bottleneck of sorts in decisionmaking as aides in the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach handle a flurry of requests.

They cant do anything because everything is run through Ricchetti and Anita, the longtime aide said. They have little authority to make decisions.

The backlog of unanswered calls and emails can be so trying at times that allies reach out to outside advisers and other allies for help.

Ive gotten calls from multiple people who cant get their calls returned, the longtime aide added. Its symptomatic of how the Biden team is run. Its very top heavy. You cant get a yes or a no.  Are you going to do this trip or not?  They have donors theyve known for years who dont get calls returned.

Theyre not getting answers in a timely manner, the longtime aide added. Theyre not engaging with the DNC [Democratic National Committee] in a timely manner or any other outside groups trying to help the president.

At the end of the day, you have to give these people you gave these jobs to the authority to make decisions, the adviser said. You have to empower these people.

In an interview with Puck News earlier this month, Greg Schultz, who served as Bidens campaign manager during the Democratic primary in 2020 and also served as the presidents top political aide in the lead-up to the race, said Biden could benefit from better outreach to lawmakers.

Hes got a lot of friends out there, Schultz said. A great group of those House members who he campaigned for in 2016 and 2018, many of whom might lose their seats in the midterms. Those members are celebrating the progress they have made, often bipartisanly, whether its bipartisan support for Ukraine, the bipartisan infrastructure package, sometimes bipartisan support of a Supreme Court nominee.

When Biden is doing policy and politics, the stronger coordination he could have with those candidates and those caucuses, the stronger for everyone, Schultz added.

Former President Obama was also criticized by Democrats for a lack of political outreach and engagement with lawmakers in the early years of his presidency. Subsequently, he was also blamed for ignoring the party apparatus and focusing on his own outside organizations.

But for Biden, who has had relationships on and off Capitol Hill, his allies have expected more.

He knows a lot of people, he has a lot of friends, said one longtime Democratic National Committee member. But they need to be better at nurturing those relationships.

This isnt about rich people with bruised egos, the member said. I just dont think theres any engagement. We need that engagement now. Theres such a need for ground support right now.

One Democratic operative suggested that the administration is only reaching out to groups and individuals who were on Team Biden from the beginning.

Ive talked to dozens of operatives and activists who were on other campaigns in the primary and have not yet been invited to the White House or gotten a call from the White House, the operative said. This is particularly a problem with groups that are truly lagging, like Latinos, young folks and progressives.

But even staunch Biden supporters say they feel kept out of the loop.

Asked what the White House could improve in the coming months, the longtime aide replied, Just be responsive. Even if the answer is no, be responsive.

And it wouldnt hurt to be a little proactive, too.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The body of Christe Chen, a newlywed Tennessee woman who was found dead inside the bathroom of her bungalow during her honeymoon, suffered such grievous injuries that it had to be cremated in Fiji.

Chens family lawyer Ronald Gordon told Daily Mail that her family plans to take civil action against her husband Bradley Robert Dawson, 38, in case he is not found criminally responsible for the death of Chen, 36.

Gordon also noted that Chens remains had to be cremated in Fiji due to her severe injuries, confirming that she suffered major blows to her body.

The family will follow the proceedings to ensure justice is served for Christe given the horrific injuries she endured, Gordon said. The deceased was unable to be taken back to her home because of the nature of her injuries so she had to be cremated here in Fiji and her ashes were taken back.

More from NextShark: Illinois House Passes Bill to Make Asian American History Lessons Mandatory in Local Schools

A post-mortem exam report also revealed that she had suffered multiple traumatic injuries to her body and blunt force trauma to the head.

Chens parents arrived in Fiji on July 13.

She is the only child of her parents and obviously they are quite devastated and they want to ensure that justice at the end of the day is given to her, Gordon said.

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Chen was found beaten to death inside the bathroom of the couples luxurious $3,500-a-night bungalow in Turtle Island Resort, a private island retreat in Fiji's Yasawa Islands, on July 9. A local told Daily Mail that the couple had a heated argument on the day Chen was killed and that the Fijian police refused to comment on the matter.

After Chen and Dawson failed to show up for breakfast and lunch, their butler checked their room and found Chen's bloodied body. Dawson was nowhere to be found after the butler alerted management and later called the Fiji Police Force.

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Dawson was eventually located on July 10 at around 3 p.m. on Matacawalevu Island, about 1.2 miles across the water from the resort. The man told a 49-year-old local that he had left the resort between 2 and 3 a.m. on Saturday and paddled on a kayak to the island after his argument with Chen.

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He landed on a secluded beach, and I don't know what he was doing after that, Manoa Ratulele, the local, told Daily Mail, adding that Dawson appeared disturbed, so he offered him water and help.

At first, he kept refusing food and water and insisted he was OK, but I insisted he had some water, and after that, he said, Please, I need to call the police. Ratulele continued, noting that the man was drunk at the time.

He didn't tell us he had killed his wife but I could still smell alcohol on him. He continued to repeat that 'We had a fight' and offered no start or end to that story, just kept saying 'We had a fight, Ratulele said.

More from NextShark: Korean actor Kim Sae-ron apologizes for drunk driving, steps down from upcoming SBS drama 'Trolley'

Dawson purportedly left his GPS watch and phone at the resort and only had his passport and wallet with him when he was found, according to Gordon.

Fijian police took Dawson to Turtle Island Resort and later to Lautoka on Viti Levu, Fiji's main island. He was charged with murder and was initially scheduled to appear in High Court on July 27 before the date was pushed back to Aug. 18.

Dawson and Chen got married in February, three months after they met. Chen was Dawsons second wife.

In a statement following the incident, Turtle Island Resort confirmed Chens murder within the resort and said they cooperated fully with the police who conducted a thorough investigation and have now left the Island.

Out of respect for those impacted and given it is an open legal matter, we cannot provide any further comment at this time. We are deeply saddened by the event and send our sincerest condolences to Ms. Chen's family and friends, the statement read.

Featured Image via Christe Chen
A 19-year-old was arrested after bragging about a robbery and fatal shooting on Instagram, Texas media reported, becoming the third suspect in the incident outside a hookah lounge.

Takhai Charles Michael, 20, his girlfriend, and some other friends were in a car outside Blow Hookah Lounge in San Antonio, Texas, on May 29, KSAT reported.

One of their friends in the vehicle got into an argument with a man in the parking lot, News 4 San Antonio reported, citing an arrest report.

The man pulled the friend out of the vehicle by her hair and pistol whipped her, Fox San Antonio reported.

Five more people surrounded the car, punching Michael, and then took his gold necklace and his girlfriends purse, KSAT reported.

Michael asked for the purse back and attempted to retrieve it from the thieves, Fox San Antonio reported.

Thats when one of the suspects fired multiple shots at Michael, who fell to the ground after being hit several times, the arrest report said, according to News 4 San Antonio.

Surveillance video footage showed one suspect yelling at Michael after he fell and firing an AR-15 rifle at him, Fox San Antonio reported.

Another suspect robbed Michael again after he was shot, taking his backpack, News 4 San Antonio reported.

The attackers fled in different vehicles, according to KSAT.

An hour later, a 19-year-old posted a photo on Instagram of the same backpack and its contents  a handgun, blue package, and white cellphone, News 4 San Antonio reported.

The San Antonio Police Department arrived on the scene to find Michael shot and killed, according to its July 26 news release.

The suspects evaded arrest until late July, the release said.

Two suspects fled to Hutchinson, Kansas, about 645 miles north of San Antonio, Express-News reported.

One 20-year-old suspect remained in Hutchinson, where the Hutchinson Police Department arrested him on July 25, the release said. The other 22-year-old suspect took a train back to San Antonio where police arrested him the same day.

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Police arrested the third suspect, who had bragged on social media, on July 27, Express-News reported.

All three suspects are facing charges of aggravated robbery, KSAT reported. Two are being held at Bexar County Jail; the third is being extradited there from Reno County Detention Center, according to jail records.

McClatchy News has requested clarification on the charges from police.

17-year-old poses with drugs, guns and cash  then was arrested, Texas sheriff says

Garage cleanup reveals tote bag with remains of missing man inside, Ohio cops say

6-year-old sees her dad shot, killed, Illinois cops say. A suspect has been arrested
By Jake Spring

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Legalizing mining on indigenous land and other protected areas in Brazil's Amazon rainforest would lead to thousands of square kilometers in new deforestation, according to a study published on Thursday.

Right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro has called for new mining in protected areas of the Amazon rainforest, arguing that informal mining should be legalized in order to help lift the region out of poverty.

Advocates for legalization argue the industry would be more regulated and thus conserve rainforest cover, but the study's authors found that this was not the case.

The study showed that such policies would put the world's largest rainforest at risk, accelerating deforestation that fuels climate change.

Published in the journal Nature Sustainability, the study modeled what would happen if ten areas in the northern states of Amapa and Para were opened to mining, including the off-limits National Reserve of Copper and Associates (Renca), two indigenous territories and several nature preserves.

That would allow for mining some 242 additional mineral deposits of gold, copper and other minerals, the study said. But that development would also lead to deforestation of some 7,626 square kilometers (2,944 sq miles) of deforestation - an area larger than the U.S. state of Delaware - over the next 30 years.

Researchers compared that to an estimated 4,254 square km of deforestation if protections continue in their current form.

"The study outlines the size of the damage and what can happen if this government continues to promote mining in protected areas," said Ane Alencar, science director at Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM), who was not involved in the research.

The mines themselves would create relatively little direct deforestation, but building new roads to reach them would allow illegal loggers, land grabbers and ranchers easier access to relatively untouched parts of the forest.

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The potential destruction would be even greater if the same methodology were applied across the entire Amazon, according to Juliana Siqueira-Gay, an environmental engineer and lead author of the study.

New mining areas are often in some of the most biodiverse areas of the planet and should only be opened up if plans are in place to prevent this additional destruction, said Siqueira-Gay, who conducted the study while at University of Sao Paulo and now works at sustainability think tank Instituto Escolhas.

Philip Fearnside, an ecologist at the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), said the study informs policy debate by quantifying what is at stake, but he argues study's authors should go further.

"I would just say 'No, don't open it to mining,'" Fearnside said.

(Reporting by Jake Spring; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
When 23-year-old Madison Thornton left to study abroad in Italy this month, she had no clue an air ambulance would bring her back to the U.S. within days  a medical evacuation that was followed by a startling revelation about her heart.

My doctors have told me Im lucky to be alive, Thornton, who lives in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, told TODAY. Its really crazy.

She was so fortunate that she survived this. Now we have a handle on whats going on and we can make sure this doesnt happen again, said Dr. Arthur Martin, Thorntons cardiologist at Forrest Health in Hattiesburg.

The trip started splendidly before turning into a nightmare.

Thornton, a medical student at Tulane University, was attending a food security policy class in Bolsena, a town on the shores of a vast volcanic lake in central Italy.

She arrived on July 3 and started the course on the following day, the 4th of July. During a break in classes, she and other Tulane students enjoyed lunch  with Thornton feasting on two servings of pasta and ice cream  then headed for the lake.

Thats when Thornton collapsed.

Wed only been walking for one minute and I just I felt so weird. I started seeing spots. I felt so weak, Thornton recalled.

I woke up on the ground I knew something was seriously wrong with me because Ive never passed out, Ive never had any health problems.

She didnt know it then, but Martin believes she survived a sudden cardiac arrest caused by an abnormal heart rhythm. Her heart stopped, but restarted spontaneously  perhaps because of the impact of her hard fall, he said.

Thornton took this selfie to document the aftermath of the fall. She was left with cuts on her face after collapsing out of the blue. (Courtesy Madison Thornton)

An ambulance transported Thornton to the nearby city of Viterbo, which turned into another frightening experience since shed never been hospitalized, her entire family was across the ocean, she didnt speak Italian and no translators were provided, she said. Thornton felt dizzy and nauseous that first night in the hospital, but completely normal since then.

Her mom got there two days later. Eventually, the medical staff was able to communicate that tests detected a problem with her heart: elevated troponin levels, which indicated heart damage, and a low ejection fraction, indicating her heart wasnt pumping well. The incident wasn't just a simple faint.

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Air ambulance flight was 'pretty cool'

Given the news, Thorntons study abroad experience was effectively over, but to return to the U.S., shed have to be medically evacuated. It turned out she was covered for this option through Tulane University and a flight was arranged on July 12.

The air ambulance was a small plane with room for Thornton, who was lying on a stretcher, her mom, a flight doctor, a flight nurse, a respiratory therapist and two pilots. Thornton was hooked up to an EKG the entire time so the medical staff could monitor her heart rhythm.

Thornton leaves Italy on an air ambulance on July 12. (Courtesy Madison Thornton)

The student, whod only ever flown in economy class, called having a plane to herself a pretty cool experience.

From Italy, the air ambulance flew to Iceland and then to Canada to minimize the time it was over the ocean in case Thorntons condition required an emergency landing. The flight ended in Gulfport, Mississippi, where Thornton rode in an ambulance to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.

Family history was clue

Now that she was home, doctors tried to figure out what was wrong with her heart.

The Italian medical team suspected acute myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle usually caused by a virus.

But a simple blood test thats a marker for inflammation was completely normal, so there was no evidence of acute myocarditis, said Dr. Martin, Thorntons cardiologist.

Looking at the readings from the Italian hospital, he saw that her heart entered a life-threatening rhythm the night she was admitted, but not again after that. He also confirmed her heart wasnt pumping as strongly as it should be.

Then, Martin received a big clue: Thorntons family history. Two of her cousins died suddenly at around her age and several other family members died suddenly at around age 40. It pointed to a hereditary heart defect.

Thornton shares a happy moment with her parents in Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. (Courtesy Madison Thornton)

The diagnosis now is familial cardiomyopathy, a weakness of the heart muscle that sets the stage for an abnormal rhythm, ventricular tachycardia, which can cause sudden cardiac death. Thornton has had the condition all her life, but it just happened to manifest now at age 23 on a trip to Italy, he said. A lot of genetic disorders manifest later in life, he added.

The student was completely unaware anything was wrong with her heart.

Im so lucky this happened when I was with a group of people and Im so lucky this didnt happen when I was alone, Thornton said. If I had fallen a certain way, I could have hit my head really bad or if it had happened when I was driving, it could have been a lot worse than it is.

Stress from travel could have triggered the event, but not necessarily since a sudden cardiac arrest can happen out of the blue without any stressors, Martin noted.

Doctors are planning to implant a permanent defibrillator that will shock Thorntons heart back into a normal rhythm if it ever happens again. Until then, shes constantly wearing a vest with an external defibrillator that will do the same thing. Shes also taking medications to strengthen her heart.

Thornton cant drive or exercise for now, but shes happy to be out of the hospital. She can continue her studies as a medical student and live a normal life with the implanted defibrillator protecting her heart.

Its been such a juxtaposition, feeling so normal but having everybody tell you something is seriously wrong with you, Thornton said.

As for Italy, she has no plans to return: Im staying home for now. Im not going anywhere.
Climate activists are feeling hopeful after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) reached an agreement to move forward with legislation that includes energy and climate provisions.

While the senators did not specify exactly what will be in the package, they said it will cut carbon emissions by approximately 40 percent by 2030 and will spend $369.75 billion on energy security and climate change programs over 10 years.

Manchin indicated that this spending could help various types of energy, including fossil fuels, in addition to renewables.

As it previously looked like congressional climate change legislation may have been dead, the news was generally met with cheers by activists.

Wow! We are so excited that Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Manchin have reached a deal that includes climate investments to reduce carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent by 2030, and we are eager to see the details, said Tiernan Sittenfeld, senior vice president of government affairs at the League of Conservation Voters, in a statement.

Passing a climate bill should be Congress number one priority. The reported agreement between Senator Manchin and Leader Schumer presents the opportunity for a major breakthrough in Americas fight against climate change, Jamal Raad, executive director of Evergreen Action, said in a statement.

Melinda Pierce, the Sierra Clubs legislative director, said in a statement that her group was encouraged by the development.

The Sierra Club is encouraged by the potential of the Senate finally passing bold climate action, she added. We are eager to see text of this legislation, and are grateful that Biden and Schumer have remained resolute in finding a path to pass once-in-a-generation investments in our communities, our economy, and our future.

The progressive Sunrise Movement, meanwhile, offered some criticism of the process.

The system is rigged when one man, who profits off of fossil fuels, can hold life-saving climate legislation hostage. But if 50 Senators are actually committed to voting for a package that reduces emissions by 40% by 2030, Congress must pass it immediately, the group tweeted.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As drought strikes eastern Africa, the elephant is taking a hit.

In Kenya, drought has become an even bigger threat to the giant animals than poaching -- a longtime major danger to the species.

Kenyas cabinet secretary for wildlife and tourism Najib Balala told the BBC this week that climate change kills 20 times as many elephants as poaching.

It is a red alarm, Mr Balala added.

The dry conditions have been so devastating that the outlet reports that nearly 180 elephants have died in the country this past year from drought. In comparison, less than 10 have been poached.

Parts of Kenya are currently experiencing extreme drought, according to the US governments international drought monitor.

The drought, which is also hitting parts of Ethiopia and Somalia, has affected 15 million people, the UN has said. Three million livestock have died as many areas face the threat of malnutrition.

Elephants can go through dozens of gallons of water per day  and more when it gets warm out, a 2020 study found. The authors of that study estimated that elephants would need to drink every two or three days to avoid critical water loss in hotter weather.

Drought conditions in parts of Kenya have been persistent since at least last year. Separate footage fromthe BBC taken in December 2021 showed dead giraffes and dead cattle, while wildlife like warthogs and doves clustered around livestock watering holes.

The African savanna elephant, which lives through sub-Saharan Africa, is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) Red List, a global analysis of threatened species.

Threats to the species, whose population is declining, include poaching, habitat loss and consequences from the climate crisis such as drought, IUCN says.

Poaching, much of which is aimed at gathering the ivory from elephant tusks, has continued at unsustainable levels in parts of the continent, the group adds. This is despite a sweeping international ban on most ivory trade since 1989.

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This new report highlights the growing risk to wildlife from the climate crisis. In addition to drought, the warming planet is devastating some Arctic wildlife like polar bears who rely on ice in the northern reaches of the planet, as well as animals like sea turtles, whose nesting beach habitats are under threat from sea level rise and warming.

As the climate crisis accelerates, droughts will generally get both drier and more common in many parts of the world, according to the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the leading global climate science authority.

One 2020 study found in a future with a moderate amount of future greenhouse gas emissions, drought could become more intense and more frequent in parts of Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Sudan by the end of the century.

But these results werent uniform across eastern Africa  other parts of the region, including Uganda and other parts of Kenya and Ethiopia, could see no increase, or even a decrease, in drought frequency.
The United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, state Rep. Todd Hunter and other Coastal Bend officials are urging the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association not to increase rates at its upcoming board meeting.

State Rep. Todd Hunter speaks during a protests against a proposed TWIA rate increase on Monday, July 29, 2019.

On Tuesday, nine Texas Windstorm Insurance Association board members will meet in Galveston to decide whether to increase insurance rates.

If you own a home, you have to buy three policies here, said Hunter, a Republican from Corpus Christi. You have to buy a flood policy, a property policy and a windstorm policy  40%, 50%, 11%, you cant afford it."

Each year, the TWIA generates a rate adequacy analysis to determine if the rates people are charged will cover the operating expenses and losses of the association.

The 2022 rate adequacy analysis released on July 1 states that the TWIAs current residential rate should be increased 15% and the commercial rate should be increased 11%.

Despite the TWIA Actuarial Committees recommendation to its board of directors not to increase rates, the board could reject the recommendation.

Local leaders gathered on Thursday to express their concerns about the possible rate increase and how it could be detrimental to Corpus Christis economic development. The United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce said employers seeking to establish themselves in the Coastal Bend will find it too expensive for their employees to afford a permanent home in the area.

Some against the hike suggested it would put pressure on many households already unable to afford insurance. Hunter added that some property owners are already receiving windstorm insurance bills higher than their property tax bills.

Theres got to be some legislation, Nueces County Commissioner Brent Chesney said. Theres got to be some equity. The rest of the state has to share in this. There are windstorms and wind events in other parts of this state, and those people should share in this pool and we should be united as one state on this.

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The chamber of commerce is encouraging TWIA policyholders to submit public comment against a rate increase to publiccomment@TWIA.org. All public comments must be submitted by noon on Friday.

We dont have as many legislators as the rest of the state, but we have the people, Hunter said. We have the spirit. We have the South Texas 'mi familia' philosophy. We have the Coastal Bend strength.

More news

More:Here's how new Harbor Bridge construction delays may impact Port of Corpus Christi

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: South Texas officials oppose Texas Windstorm Insurance rate hike
A man who shot at police in Colorado this week from inside his home prompted officers to return fire, leading to the death of his brother, an affidavit says.

Police responded to the home of Phillip Blankenship, 29, at about 7:40 p.m. Sunday in the Denver suburb of Englewood, according to Blankenships arrest affidavit on suspicion of criminal attempted first-degree murder.

Blankenships mother called police and said her son was intoxicated and causing a disturbance, the affidavit said. She also said her son was suicidal and had shot a gun inside the home, according to the affidavit.

Englewood police investigate a shooting in Englewood, Colo. (KUSA)

When police arrived, Blankenship shot a .380 handgun at an officer who was behind a Nissan Pathfinder in the homes driveway because he wanted the police to kill him, the affidavit said. Blankenship also fired multiple rounds at a second officer, it said.

No officers were injured, officials said.

Blankenships first shot struck the Pathfinders windshield, and other shots he fired hit a police vehicle, the affidavit said.

The return fire from police resulted in the death of Blankenships 22-year-old brother, Matthew Mitchell, who was in a bedroom where Blankenship had barricaded himself, the affidavit said.

Blankenship spoke to detectives at about 4:20 a.m. Monday, authorities said. He said that before police were called to his home, he had an argument with his grandmother and told her he was suicidal, they said.

When she challenged him, according to the affidavit, he shot a round from a .44 Magnum into a wall. He left the gun in the home's basement before he barricaded himself in his bedroom, where he had access to the .380, the affidavit said.

Cars parked outside the home where a man fired a gun at police, in Englewood, Colo. (KUSA)

Blankenship told detectives that he was the only person shooting at police and that his brother was not involved in firing at the officers, the affidavit said.

Mitchell sustained gunshot wounds during a police altercation, the Arapahoe County Coroners Office said in a statement. It directed other inquiries to Englewood police.

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It was not clear Wednesday whether Blankenship had retained an attorney. He remained in jail Wednesday afternoon in Arapahoe County on $200,000 bond, according to jail records. A court hearing is scheduled Friday, records said.

Englewood police could not be reached for comment Wednesday. According to statements about the shooting on the police departments Facebook page, The officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave per Department policy.

Blankenships father, Phillip Blankenship Sr., of Golden, Colorado, said Wednesday his son and Mitchell were very close. Blankenship Sr. said that while he believes his son might have wanted to harm himself, he would not want to hurt his younger sibling.

There was never any intention for anyone to get hurt, Blankenship Sr. said. Im very numb. Im very, very sad.

He added that his son was on suicide watch in jail.

Blankenship Sr. said his son is a former firefighter who experienced trauma on the job. He certainly wasnt mentally happy for a few years, at least. He didnt talk to me enough about it, even though I asked him to.

NBC affiliate KUSA of Denver reported that the aftermath of Sunday's shooting was apparent at Blankenship's home. Windows were shattered, and a backyard fence was destroyed. The station also showed an image of what appeared to be a bullet hole in a patrol vehicle.
The Hill

To view past editions of The Hills 12:30 Report, click here: https://bit.ly/30ARS1U To receive The Hills 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: https://bit.ly/3qmIoS9 > A midday take on whats happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.* *Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Habreaks down crying hysterically. HAPPENING TODAY There arent
Gannett and USA Today Network's A Community Thrives initiative helps bring community improvement ideas to life through fundraising and grantmaking. For Shreveport, The Film Prize Foundation has thrown its hat in the ring to show what they bring to the Northwest Louisiana town and beyond.

Film Prize's goal is to educate, energize and incentivize the local creative community and stimulate the Northwest Louisiana economy. Through immersive competitions, educational events and an annual festival, Prize draws in filmmakers, chefs, entrepreneurs and musicians from all over the world to Shreveport.

Founder and Executive Director Gregory Kallenberg gives a toast during the Louisiana Food Prize's event Prize Fest 2021.

"By our estimation, the Prize Foundation has had a profound impact on our community," said Founder and Executive Director Gregory Kallenberg. "Through our competitions and the people we attract during Prize Fest, we produce an economic \impact of $3 - $5 million a year. More importantly, we have shined a spotlight on our city and helped creative entrepreneurs find a home in our community. Lastly, because of the Prize Foundation, Shreveport is now considered a creative capital and destination for creative entrepreneurs."

Who is Film Prize's own Mark D. Bonner?: Meet the Shreveport director making his mark in the film industry

Prize has grown over several years, adding competitions for music, food, fashion and more all under the Prize Foundation umbrella. With so many events catering to a wide variety of interest and talent, Prize puts on festivals and competitions year-round making Shreveport a destination any time of the year and providing jobs and opportunities for its residents.

Fashion Prize 2019, part of Prize Fest, in downtown Shreveport Friday evening, October 4, 2019.

"There isn't a harder working, more passionate group of women and men than the people who work at the Prize Foundation," explained Kallenberg. "We are a group that wants our city to be an amazing place for everyone and, by doing that, we want to build an inclusive place where others might want to move to and be a part of our burgeoning creative community."

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The different "Prizes" culminate with the annual Prize Fest that takes place in October that features the final showdown for contestants of the Film, Music, Food, Fashion and Comedy competitions. Each program has a qualification process, engagement with local economic and cultural resources, an educational component and awards cash prizes to winners.

Who is Film Prize's Viraj Gandhi?: Meet Shreveport's award-winning filmmaker and composer.

Film Prize 2019.

While Prize has been continuously expanding, they have no plans of slowing down any time soon. The plan is to expand the free training sessions they offer to creative entrepreneurs and Film Prize Junior students and teachers and hopes to expand the programming to show off the work of the artists.

"We've been around for over 10 years, we've won awards and we are now considered one of the preeminent creative cultural festivals in the country," Kallenberg said. "We couldn't have done this without the people of Shreveport and Bossier. They have supported us from when we were just an idea, and they have helped us grow into the burgeoning juggernaut that we are today. If we receive funding, our promise back to our city is that we will continue our work and we will continue striving to be awesome."

To learn more about the Film Prize Foundation and to donate to the organization, visit the A Community Thrives website.

Meredith G. White is the arts and culture reporter for the Shreveport Times. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at mgwhite@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Film Prize Foundation opens up about goals and the future of Shreveport
DealCart is laser focussed on price sensitive users looking for high-value and affordable products to offset inflation.

Karachi, Pakistan --News Direct-- DealCart

With record levels of inflation around the world and households looking for savings on purchases. Social commerce platform DealCart has launched to provide them with access to affordable products in a gamified and interactive manner. In doing so, the startup is today announcing a $4.5 million pre-seed funding. DealCart unlocks value by enabling communities to 'buy together and save together' with a focus on providing national visibility to locally manufactured brands.

Its one the largest investments in the MENAP region for early-stage startups and comes just three months into their operational set up. The round was led by Shorooq Partners with participation from Fatima Gobi Ventures, Vibe Capital, 500 Global, i2i Ventures, Julian Shapiro, Rally Cap Ventures, Alex Lazarow and several strategic angel investors.

In it together: DealCart team is unlocking value helping people to "buy together and save together"

DealCart founders Haider Raza and Ammar Naveed are addressing the unmet needs of the ecommerce marketplace in Pakistan by bringing value to underserved customers. Despite the burgeoning growth of smartphone and internet penetration, e-commerce usage remains low among the middle and lower middle-income segments that constitute the majority of the country's 220 million people (and primarily serving higher income segments). As such, the current e-commerce landscape in the country is skewed towards large ticket electronics, fashion and the convenience value proposition provided by quick commerce.

With DealCart, the idea is to unlock value for the majority of the country that values affordability above all else. By allowing users to buy in groups and sharing deals on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, DealCart will empower customers and give them the ability to place larger orders versus buying alone. This will unlock lower prices and provide an engaging new way to shop.

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Founders Ammar Naveed and Haider Raza understood the need for their product through their previous experience in the tech startup ecosystem in Pakistan where they scaled and focussed on profitability. Ammar was a senior director at ride hailing app Careem overseeing the operations across the Middle East & Pakistan while Haider launched and scaled mobility startup Swvl in Pakistan in addition to building a tourism startup previously as a co-founder. They have a shared passion for social commerce and a drive to make an impact in the region at scale.

Leaders: DealCart founders (L to R) Ammar Naveed and Haider Raza

Haider Raza, co-founder of DealCart, commented: Pakistan has recently seen a surge in social media users, a phenomenon that generally precedes these users transacting online for their daily needs. DealCart seeks to use this opportunity to introduce their group buying platform with the aim to enable more people to get access to their favorite brands at extremely affordable prices. With our target market spending upwards of 50% of their household income on groceries and essentials, DealCart provides the already inflation burdened Pakistani consumer much needed relief.

Ammar Naveed, co-founder of DealCart, commented Our focus from day one has been the long-term commercial sustainability of the venture; we want to create a business which has solid foundations and is aligned with the new reality of the global financial markets. We plan to do this by having a super lean cost structure, while expanding and growing the business primarily through our technology.

Omer Zabit, Principal at Shorooq Partners commented: We are humbled to be partnering with DealCart and to be taking part in the take-off of this incredible journey. The founders' customer-centric approach and strong commitment to growth, make us certain they are the right partner to back in Pakistan's first group buying app. Given our deep expertise in consumer tech, we have no doubt that this will be a unique success story and are very excited to see what the future holds for DealCart.

DealCart is going after a $60 billion total addressable market and wants to build an institution that the regional start-up ecosystem can be proud of. It will deploy the funding to invest in further developing its engineering and technology capabilities that will build an intuitive product. The clear priority is to inspire the best talent to join this journey.

Fatima Gobi Ventures General Partner Ali Mukhtar commented, Given the broader macro environment and the rising cost of living seen across the world, there is greater demand for solutions like DealCart that are enabling access to affordable daily necessities. We have high conviction in the team and model as it fits perfectly within FGVs investment strategy which is to fund high-growth tech companies that have the ability to generate scalable impact. We look forward to supporting Haider, Ammar and their team and were excited to be part of their journey.

About DealCart

DealCart is reinventing e-commerce in Pakistan. They are on a mission to provide first-time internet users with access to affordable products in a gamified and interactive manner. They unlock value by enabling communities to 'buy together and save together' with a focus on providing national visibility to locally manufactured brands. For more information please visit https://dealcart.io or follow via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube

Contact Details

DealCart

Bilal Mahmood

+44 7714 007257

b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com

Company Website

https://dealcart.io

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/dealcart-enables-affordable-ecommerce-for-220m-pakistanis-as-it-secures-4-5m-funding-round-873994687
The Ohio Supreme Court

The Ohio Supreme Court has upheld the death sentences for George C. Brinkman, who murdered a Lake Township couple after they returned home from vacation in 2017.

The court decision Thursday affirmed Brinkman's conviction and two death sentences, one for each aggravated murder count, for killing Rogell "Gene" and Roberta "Bobbi" John.

He also was sentenced to death for killing Suzanne Taylor, 45, and her daughters, Taylor Pifer, 21, and Kylie Pifer, 18, in North Royalton the same day, but the Supreme Court overturned that sentence because of a court error.

In both cases, Brinkman was well known to his victims. He knew the Johns for more than a decade and watched their 17-year-old deaf and blind dog while they were on vacation that June.

More on Lake Township murders: Man accused in double murder in Lake Twp., triple in Cuyahoga Co. was family friend

When the Johns returned to their Mount Pleasant Street NW home, according to past reports, Brinkman helped carry their luggage inside. Bobbi, 64, then accused him of neglecting the dog and Gene, 71, noticed his handgun was out.

Brinkman told police he had found the gun, loaded it and moved through the house pretending to shoot it before the couple returned.

Gene and Bobbi John murdered in their home

When confronted, Brinkman brutally attacked the couple in an upstairs bedroom. He shot Gene several times and beat Bobbi with the butt of the gun before shooting her and holding a pillow over her face.

Brinkman told police that he ordered the couple into the bedroom and accidentally shot Gene. Prosecutors argued that the killings were planned, and evidence showed the couple locked themselves in the bedroom in an attempt to flee from Brinkman.

After the murders, Brinkman stole $140 from the couple's wallets. Police later tracked him to a Brunswick house, where he was arrested after a standoff.

Brickman pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of aggravated robbery and single counts of aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence in Stark County Common Pleas Court. He argued for the death sentence at his hearing, telling a three-judge panel that the Johns "were extremely kind, caring and wonderful and people who did not deserve to be killed by me."

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A trial was required by law because his case involved the death penalty. Similarly, his case was automatically appealed to the Supreme Court because of the death sentence.

While the court upheld the death sentences, it also overturned the post-release supervision orders for Brickman's aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery convictions. Because those were merged with his murder convictions, the court cannot impose separate sentences.

Stark County Prosecutor Kyle L. Stone thanked the Supreme Court in a statement Thursday.

"Our Common Pleas Court judges, along with my office, strive to achieve fairness in executing justice here in Stark County," he said via email. "We are grateful for the Ohio Supreme Court for affirming the trial courts decision and upholding justice on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. John and their family."

Brinkman's public defender did not immediately return a message from The Canton Repository seeking comment.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio Supreme Court upholds death penalty for George C. Brinkman
While many retailers are pulling back on bricks-and-mortar stores and shifting focus to e-commerce, this fine-jewelry retailer is going the other way  and it has just expanded its physical footprint to the Queen City.

ALSO READ: Frequent visitor finds 2.38-carat diamond at Arkansas state park

Blue Nile debuted its first showroom in North Carolina on Tuesday at Charlottes SouthPark mall, according to a press release.

It joins several retailers opening new stores at SouthPark this summer, including luxury Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer and American denim brand Levis. The mall is in the midst of a multimillion-dollar revamp that will add a brewery and restaurant as well as outdoor amenities.

Read more here.

(WATCH BELOW: Jewelry worth millions stolen from Brinks armored truck near Los Angeles)
Bernard Cribbins Chris Ison - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Bernard Cribbins, the English actor perhaps best known in recent years for his role as Wilfred Mott on Doctor Who, has died. He was 93.

Cribbins' death was confirmed Thursday by his agent to BBC News. A cause wasn't specified.

The actor's film and TV career dated back to the 1950s and included his role as narrator on the British children's series The Wombles. He was also known for not one, but two roles in the long-running sci-fi franchise Doctor Who. First, he played Tom Campbell, a companion to the Doctor in the 1966 movie Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.

But most famously, Cribbins starred as Wilfred, grandfather of the Doctor's companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), during the show's 2000s revival. His other credits included the Alfred Hitchcock film Frenzy and the family movie The Railway Children.

Catherine Tate is set to return as Donna Noble on Doctor Who, and set photos previously suggested Cribbins also filmed new scenes for the show.

The official Doctor Who Twitter account honored Cribbins, who "leaves behind a long legacy in film and TV," while former showrunner Russell T Davies shared a tribute to the "wonderful actor" on Instagram.

"I'm so lucky to have known him," Davies said. "Thanks for everything, my old soldier. A legend has left the world."

Doctor Who star Matt Lucas also thanked Cribbins for "delighting us all," remembering him as a "lovely, funny, brilliantly talented man," while Doctor Who writer and actor Mark Gatiss called him a "gifted comic actor with an incredible seam of pathos and real heart."

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Sab Samuel runs Story Hour UK as drag character Aida H Dee. (Drag Queen Story Hour UK)

A drag queen book reading for children descended into chaos for the second time in a week after protesters and supporters clashed outside the library where it was due to be held.

Sab Samuel, 27, who runs Story Hour UK as drag character Aida H Dee, was due to read at 11am at Henleaze Library in Bristol on Thursday.

But protesters arrived with the intention of putting Aida under citizen's arrest before clashing with a group of supporters who had also turned up at the library.

Samuel says Aida is meant to be a positive LGTB+ role model and that Story Hour is designed to "engage your child's creativity" with a "positive experience".

The group of around 15 protesters falsely claimed that Aida is "illegally grooming children.

Protestors and supporters clashed outside a scheduled book reading by drag queen Aida H Dee. (SWNS)

Aida H Dee was due to read to kids at 11am at Henleaze Library in Bristol. (SWNS)

The protest group shouted chants and carried inflammatory and abusive signs that read: "Stop grooming kids", "Wake up this is child abuse" and "Leave the kids alone".

A spokesperson from the group at the scene claimed: "If you have to normalise something that is not normal  it is not normal! No-one under the age of 11 needs to know explicit facts about sex and drag queens."

One parent at the library had hoped to attend the storytelling event with her 10-month-old toddler.

She attended one of the events six weeks ago in Bristol, which she said was "pleasant" and "lovely".

She said: "Ada is an author and I can assure you none of the content in the stories are sexualised. They are light-hearted and entertaining.

Protestors arrived with the intention of putting drag queen Aida H Dee under citizen's arrest. (SWNS)

"I am annoyed and all the parents here today are annoyed.

The event was one of six scheduled shows across the city in the next two days but it is unclear if the others will go ahead.

Story Hour events have been running across the country for three to 11-year-old children at libraries.

On Monday, police had to be called after Aida's Story Hour at Reading Library was also targeted by protesters, with two people storming the venue.

Samuel tweeted in response: "Please dont let the stupid protesters stop you from attending the rest of the events across the country. I promise you that we are more than prepared for these stupid people and I can assure you my stories will be just as fabulous.

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The Drag Queen Story Hour website states it aims to "engage your child's creativity and love for reading stories by giving them a brand-new, positive experience, one page at a time... all the while, learning and communicating".

Samuel, who describes himself as living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, performed as Aida at the British Museum earlier this summer at an event described as a "two-day family event exploring all things Feminine power".

Samuel has been subjected to abuse before.

Last June, he said he had received death threats for telling her stories to children when Leeds council cancelled the Story Hour event citing "a number of concerns".

He told Leeds Live at the time: It was a small minority of people who weaponised homophobia and transphobia to get something cancelled because they wanted it to be.

My details were published online and I did get death threats. I was on the phone to the police about it and I was being called a paedophile.

I have moved house since then as well."
FILE: Drag queen "Pickle" reads from a book during the Drag Queen Story Hour in 2019 in Los Angeles, California. David McNew/Getty Images

Far-right and anti-gay protesters have started targeting drag queens in the UK.

Protesters showed up to two Drag Queen Story Hour events there this week.

Similar protests at the story hours have occured in the US as part of an anti-gay campaign.

A group of far-right and anti-gay protesters forced a planned Drag Queen Story Hour event to postpone its reading in the United Kingdom this week, after a crowd of demonstrators gathered outside the library where it was set to take place.

About 30 protesters showed up at the event in the city of Bristol with counter protesters arriving after, according to the BBC. Police at the scene arrested one woman on suspicion of assault, according to the report, but later released her.

"Officers attended to facilitate peaceful protest and enable library staff and visitors, the event organisers and the wider community to go about their lawful business," a police spokesperson said, according to the BBC.

The protest in Bristol is one of several incidents in recent months where far-right groups have targeted drag events intended for children and families. In the United States and the UK, right-wing influencers have pushed an online campaign that baselessly accuses drag performers of sexually "grooming" children and promotes long standing anti-LGBTQ conspiracies.

A Drag Queen Story Hour is an event where a drag queen reads stories to children, often at a library or another similar venue. At the scheduled Tuesday event at Henleaze Library in Bristol, a librarian instead read to the children and parents who showed up, according to the BBC report.

A similar clash occurred in Reading in the UK on Monday, Metro reported. In that incident, the story hour went ahead as scheduled, but protesters entered the library. The protesters accused parents who brought their children to the reading of participating in "child-grooming," the report said.

Other protesters at the Monday demonstration remained outside and taunted organizer Sab Samuel and the parents who brought children to the event, the report said. Police escorted Samuel outside of the library for their own safety, according to Metro.

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These anti-gay protests in the UK have been organized by the same British groups that previously protested measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 and vaccines to prevent serious cases of the disease, according to the BBC report.

Some of the protesters came from Alpha Men Assemble, a conspiracy theorist group that is part of the sovereign citizen movement and whose adherents believe they have the right to opt out of laws that they disagree with, the BBC reported. Others in attendance came to represent the Independent Nationalist Network, a small group associated with the far-right and unofficially led by Richard Lumby, a former organizer for the extreme-right British National Party, according to anti-racism organization Hope Not Hate.

The incidents in the UK appear to indicate that the anti-gay disinformation campaign baselessly attempting to associate LGBTQ people with pedophilia and "grooming" extends beyond the borders of the US, where drag queens for months have been targeted by right-wing politicians and influencers.

A leader of a neo-Nazi group was arrested at a Drag Story Hour event in Boston last weekend. About 20 men showed up wearing black face masks and held a banner that read "Pedo scum off our streets." Members of the far-right Proud Boys group also disrupted a Drag Queen Story Hour at a library in California last month, resulting in local authorities launching a hate crime investigation.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The protesters have moved into the branches to stop the tree from being removed. (SWNS)

Protesters have climbed the branches of a 600-year-old oak in Somerset to prevent it from being cut down to build a dual carriageway.

The group have camped out next to the tree with some spending long times sitting in its branches preventing its removal.

The tree now stands alone after the rest of the are was cleared for the construction of the road.

The work started in September 2021 on a 250m scheme to dual the A303 between the Podimore and Sparkford roundabouts in Somerset.

Read more: Landowner builds 8ft wall of hay to block neighbours view in act of spite

Protesters have camped out in the branches of the tree. (SWNS)

As part of the approved scheme put forward by National Highways an elderly oak tree near the Sparkford roundabout will be cut down.

It will make room for a new slip road connecting the new dual carriageway to the nearby Hazlegrove Prep School.

But protestors want National Highways to move the slip road.

One of the leading protesters has posted numerous updates to his Twitter feed since the protest began.

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The ancient Oak near Queen Camel in Somerset. The rest of the area has been cleared for the construction of the road. (SWNS)

The user Simon Be said: ''This tree's stood watch over this land for 600 years.

"National Highways has deliberately misrepresented its age and size in order to avoid its legal obligations.

"Those here are all willing to get arrested by resisting non-violently."

The protest has attracted the support of Extinction Rebellion and presenter Chris Packham.

Protesters have set up camp around the ancient oak. (SWNS)

Packham tweeted: ''This is a magnificent tree. Its beautiful. Its important, precious, a treasure.

"It needs to be cherished. Please National Highways, rethink this. It will never be replaced."

The protestors made an appeal to the High Court to secure the tree's future but so far it has proved unsuccessful.

One had to be taken to hospital by paramedics after suffering a wasp sting and going into anaphylactic shock.

National Highways stated that their own assessment of the oak had estimated it to be "around 400-450 years old", and that it was not subject to any form of protection order.

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The protesters are preventing the construction of the 250m road. (SWNS)

Moving the slip road was considered during the planning process, but officers this would have resulted in the scheme being "severely delayed" and attempts to move the tree were not viable.

The agency said it was committed to planting new trees to prevent biodiversity being lost from the A303 scheme, and that removing the tree was always "a last resort".

A spokesman said: "We respect the right to protest and will work with police and all relevant authorities, and those protesting, to ensure everyone is safe.

"We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and are one of the largest tree planting organisations in the UK, with plans to plant an extra three million trees by 2030.

"We only cut back or fell trees where it is essential to keep people safe, protect the environment or where it is necessary to allow us to improve journeys."
Top Education Department officials have developed detailed plans to carry out student loan forgiveness for millions of Americans as they wait on President Joe Biden to make a final decision, according to internal agency documents obtained by POLITICO.

The documents sketch out the mechanics of how the agency expects to manage and operate a possible mass debt cancellation program on a scale that would be unprecedented in the history of the federal student loan program  if the White House were to give it the green light.

Education Department officials, the documents show, are prepared to provide debt relief automatically, within several months, to several million borrowers for whom the agency already has income information. Most other borrowers, according to the documents, would apply through a form on StudentAid.gov by self-certifying they qualify for relief.

The departments plan contemplates that all types of federal student loans would be eligible for loan forgiveness, including Grad and Parent PLUS loans as well as federal loans owned by private entities. And it also suggests that borrowers who ever received a Pell grant, financial assistance for low-income families, could receive an additional amount of loan forgiveness.

Biden is considering using executive action to provide $10,000 of debt relief per borrower, but White House deliberations over the issue have stretched on for months without resolution. After initially promising in April a decision on the issue within a couple of weeks, Biden has since said he plans to decide by the end of August when the moratorium on loan payments is set to expire.

The Education Department documents do not reflect any final decisions on how the White House may ultimately choose to structure a debt relief program, including the amount of relief for borrowers or any income limits, if they pursue any program at all. But the documents show some of the ideas the administration is taking seriously and circulating among senior leaders  and, importantly, how the agency would be prepared to execute them.

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Senior department officials briefed Secretary Miguel Cardona on plans to implement broad-based student loan cancellation earlier this week, according to a copy of the internal memo and presentation obtained by POLITICO. It is not clear whether Cardona has approved any of the plans.

Internal discussions have resolved most key operational and policy issues necessary for speedy implementation of a broad-based student debt cancellation program, the memo prepared for Cardona says, potentially allowing immediate eligibility determination for millions of borrowers, the first cancellations within 45 days of announcement and millions of cancellations within 90 days.

White House advisers are looking at limiting any loan forgiveness to borrowers earning below a certain income threshold, but they have not finalized that amount. The internal Education Department presentation for Cardona cites  as an example of a threshold  $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for families, which are among the figures that have been previously reported as under consideration.

Senior department officials caution in the memo that some remaining policy and implementation issues need to be addressed. Among the ongoing concerns, the officials cite in the memo are efforts to minimize legal risk.

"The Departments review of broad based debt cancellation remains ongoing and no decisions have been made," an Education Department spokesperson said in a statement. "We are not going to comment on any alleged internal documents or internal deliberations about hypothetical scenarios."

A White House official said in a statement that the administration is continuing to assess options for cancellation and no decision has been made.

A person familiar with the administrations discussions on loan forgiveness warned that proposals have floated around at various levels for months. I wouldnt put any particular weight on any one idea and not all ideas have been presented to the White House or the president, the person said.

The internal Education Department documents also address some of the granular details of how the agency might carry out any loan forgiveness. The department, for example, is looking at allocating loan forgiveness across multiple loans in a way that would maximize borrower benefits, the documents say. It also is considering applying forgiveness to a borrowers outstanding interest before principal balance.

For borrowers who still have remaining balances after loan forgiveness, department officials are proposing to re-amortize their loan, recalculating their monthly payments based on the new, smaller principal balance, according to the documents. This would result in lower monthly payments for many borrowers.

In addition, the department officials floated the possibility of a June 30, 2022 cut-off for any loan forgiveness program, requiring loans to be disbursed before that date to qualify for relief.

Administration officials have repeatedly said publicly they are considering various options for canceling student debt. But the full scope and level of detail of the Education Departments preparations for the possibility of such a program have not been previously reported.

The planning has been orchestrated by the departments Office of Federal Student Aid, led by Rich Cordray; Undersecretary of Education James Kvaal and his team; as well as lawyers from the Office of General Counsel. White House staff have been involved generally in the agency's preparations for the possibility of loan forgiveness, according to people familiar with the efforts.

A draft implementation timeline envisions that the White House would communicate a final decision on loan forgiveness to the Education Department two weeks before announcing it publicly. The departments goal, according to the documents, is to have a communications strategy for borrowers and an application form ready to go around the time of the announcement or within several days of it.

A central challenge for the Education Department, as POLITICO previously reported, is that the agency lacks current income information for many of the nations 43 million federal student loan borrowers.

For most borrowers, the Education Department expects to create an online application form in which borrowers could self-attest that their income qualifies them for relief under whatever threshold the White House sets, according to the documents. The department documents discuss an application deadline of 15 months after payments restart.

The agency has also been developing a risk-based verification process to check the accuracy of applications. It would require a small percentage of borrowers who self-attest they are eligible for loan forgiveness to submit documentation to prove their income. The department is exploring options with the Treasury Department to allow borrowers to submit that information electronically from their tax filings, according to the documents.

The Education Department already has income data for several million borrowers and has determined it could automatically discharge their loans without requiring any action from them, according to the documents. That includes about 6 million borrowers who recently provided their 2020 income when they applied for federal student aid for the 2022-23 school year. Another roughly 2 million borrowers recently provided either 2020 or 2021 income when they enrolled or re-enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan. It's not clear, however, exactly which income data the White House will ultimately decide to use, if any.

In addition, the Education Department is exploring the possibility of automatically providing loan forgiveness to the roughly 8 million borrowers in default. Due to outstanding policy and legal questions, this is on a longer timeframe, the presentation for Cardona says.

The Biden administration has already publicly announced an effort to automatically expunge the defaults from those borrowers records and place them back into good standing to offer them a fresh start when loan repayments resume.

Cardona told reporters earlier this year that his agency was ready to roll to deliver on whatever Biden ultimately decides on debt relief.

Republicans who oppose student debt cancellation have vowed to fight any mass forgiveness program, arguing that it would be economically unsound and legally dubious. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), the top GOP lawmaker on the House education committee, is adamantly opposed to sweeping loan forgiveness but has also raised concerns about the department's capacity to carry out such a plan.

"I am gravely concerned the Department will further harm borrowers and taxpayers if it acts on student loan forgiveness, in part because of its inability to follow through on its grandiose proposals," she wrote in a letter to the Education Department last month.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Attorney General Keith Ellison said Thursday that he won't appeal a ruling that struck down most of Minnesota's restrictions on abortion as unconstitutional, saying the state has already spent enough time and money on the case and is unlikely to win an appeal anyway.

Ellison, a Democrat who supports abortion rights, called his decision in the public interest and ... the right legal decision.

Ramsey County Judge Thomas Gilligan on July 11 overturned a series of restrictions on abortion over the years, including a mandatory 24-hour waiting period and a requirement that both parents be notified before a minor can get an abortion.

He also eliminated a rule that only physicians can perform abortions, a move expected to eventually ease access to abortion in the state, which has become an island of legal abortion in the Upper Midwest.

Abortion opponents and the Republicans hoping to unseat Ellison in November's election had demanded that he appeal the ruling, saying he was obligated to do so as the state's top law enforcement officer.

In his statement Thursday, Ellison said his office had spent $600,000 defending the laws over three years of litigation. He also noted that an appeal would put the case back before Gilligan, the same judge who invalidated the laws.

I have made clear throughout that my personal view has been that the challenged laws were not good public policy, he said. I have nonetheless vigorously defended those laws.

Minnesota abortion providers had already been seeing a surge from as far away as Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama even before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade late last month. They say its too early to speculate as to how much Mondays decision might accelerate that, but they agree it will greatly help them cope.
LONDON (Reuters) - Cameras were allowed to film a criminal court case in England and Wales for the first time on Thursday, when the sentencing of a man convicted of manslaughter was broadcast live on television.

The government says the move, which was first promised a decade ago, will give the public a greater understanding of the judicial process.

Filming will be limited to the judge's sentencing remarks, and only the judge will appear on camera, with a 10-second delay for live broadcasts.

The first televised case at London's Old Bailey central criminal court saw Judge Sarah Munro jail Ben Oliver for life with a minimum jail term of more than 10 years, after he admitted in January to killing his grandfather.

Currently, hearings in London's Court of Appeal and the UK Supreme Court can be televised, and some cases in Scotland, which operates a separate judicial system, have been broadcast since 1992.

Until Thursday, cameras were strictly forbidden from criminal cases in England and Wales, with the images from hearings restricted to sketches created from memory by artists who remain banned from drawing inside the courtroom itself.

Supporters of televising sentencing hearings say it will help show the public why decisions are made, but critics fear widening this further to allow trials to be broadcast could lead to cases being sensationalised.

Some U.S. courts allow broadcasters to film proceedings, allowing the public to watch high-profile criminal trials, and other countries such as France are considering allowing cases to be televised.

"Opening up the courtroom to cameras to film the sentencing of some the countrys most serious offenders will improve transparency and reinforce confidence in the justice system," Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said.

"The public will now be able to see justice handed down, helping them understand better the complex decisions judges make."

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Andrew Yang. Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Christine Todd Whitman, the former Republican governor of New Jersey, and onetime Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang have joined with several dozen other political officials to start Forward, a new national political third party.

This centrist party will officially launch on Thursday, Reuters reports. Organizers say they think Forward will appeal to Americans who find the two-party system doesn't work for them. Their goal is to gain enough traction to be a viable alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties.

The two pillars of the party's platform are to "reinvigorate a fair, flourishing economy" and to "give Americans more choices in elections, more confidence in a government that works, and more say in our future," Reuters reports. Yang and Todd Whitman will be the initial co-chairs of the party, and a launch event will be held in Houston on Sept. 24. Then, party members will hit the road, stopping in two dozen cities to spread their message and platform.

Forward doesn't have any specific policies yet. Miles Taylor, a former Homeland Security official during the Trump administration, helped create Forward, and told Reuters while third parties have failed in the past, "the fundamentals have changed. When other third party movements have emerged in the past it's largely been inside a system where the American people aren't asking for an alternative. The difference here is we are seeing an historic number of Americans saying they want one."

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The idea that a so-called Loch Ness Monster could have lived in the Scottish Highlands may not be so far-fetched after all, scientists said.

According to BBC, researchers from the University of Bath suggested in the journal Cretaceous Research that it was "plausible" a plesiosaur  a prehistoric reptile with a long and slender neck  could have once lived in the Scottish lake known as Loch Ness.

The announcement comes after researchers identified plesiosaur fossils in a 100 million-year-old river system in Morocco's Sahara Desert, indicating that the reptiles may have lived in freshwater and not only seawater, as previously thought.

As noted by the Independent, skeptics of a Loch Ness Monster have often pointed out that a plesiosaur  which bears a resemblance to the popular depiction of the supposed creature  could not have lived in the lake since it was believed they only lived in areas with seawater.

"It's a bit controversial, but who's to say that because we paleontologists have always called them 'marine reptiles', they had to live in the sea?" said Dr. Nick Longrich of the university's Milner Centre for Evolution, per BBC. "Lots of marine lineages invaded freshwater."

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Keystone/Getty

In the report's abstract, researchers said their findings suggested that "plesiosaurs and other marine reptiles frequently exploited non-marine environments."

"Isolated bones actually tell us a lot about ancient ecosystems and animals in them," Longrich explained, according to BBC. "They're so much more common than skeletons, they give you more information to work with."

RELATED: This Man Is Launching a $3 Million Startup to Catch Bigfoot

He continued: "The bones and teeth were found scattered and in different localities, not as a skeleton. So each bone and each tooth is a different animal. We have over a dozen animals in this collection."

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RELATED VIDEO: Mom Surprises "Dinosaur-Obsessed" Son With Jurassic Park Bedroom Makeover

Scientists  and eager cryptozoologists  still have not yet found direct evidence that a plesiosaur or plesiosaur-like creature lived in Loch Ness. But the recent discovery means that it's not impossible that one could have lived there millions of years before humans arrived.

"The fossil record also suggests that after almost a hundred and fifty million years," Longrich explained to BBC, "the last plesiosaurs finally died out at the same time as the dinosaurs."
ANASTASIIA KALATUR, KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO  THURSDAY, 28 JULY 2022, 09:11

Educational institutions and residential buildings have been damaged as a result of Russian missile strikes on Mykolaiv on Thursday morning, and one person was injured.

Source: Oleksandr Sienkevych, Mayor of Mykolaiv, on Telegram

Quote from the mayor: "Educational institutions and residential buildings were hit by missile strikes today...

Another school in the city was almost completely destroyed. Part of the building collapsed there. One of the institutions security guards was injured. Windows and roofs were broken in nearby private houses.

The rocket also hit the water station of our Shipbuilding University, damaging a warehouse."

Details: Sienkevych reported that gunpowder remains caught fire on the premises of a private business due to the impact of the ammunition. The fire was extinguished by rescue workers from the State Emergency Service.

The mayor specified that two multi-storey buildings are currently known to have been damaged.

Later, Sienkevych shared the consequences of Russian strikes on Mykolaiv.

PHOTO FROM SIENKEVYCH'S TELEGRAM

A missile hit an open area on the territory of the university water station, resulting in a large crater.

PHOTO FROM SIENKEVYCH'S TELEGRAM

Additionally, a warehouse was partially destroyed.

PHOTO FROM SIENKEVYCH'S TELEGRAM

Windows in surrounding multi-story buildings were partially damaged.

PHOTO FROM SIENKEVYCH'S TELEGRAM

Windows in a nearby church were also broken.

PHOTO FROM SIENKEVYCH'S TELEGRAM

Reminder: Earlier, at 04:35 in the morning, Sienkevych reported that powerful explosions had rocked Mykolaiv.
By Mari Saito

KUTUZIVKA, Ukraine (Reuters) - As Ukraine hunts for traitors, the fear of Russian infiltration extends east, far from the capital.

The sense of paranoia runs deepest here, in eastern Ukraine, where suspicions of treason committed by locals divide formerly occupied villages like Kutuzivka, a once-sleepy hamlet east of Kharkiv, where signs of a recent Russian presence are everywhere.

Stray dogs roam over broken glass as the sound of shelling echoes overhead, with Ukrainian troops still fighting off a near-constant barrage of artillery fire by Russian troops north of the village when Reuters visited at the end of May.

When Russian troops arrived in Kutuzivka in early March, they quickly set up a local puppet administration.

Nataliia Kyrychenko, a 55-year-old farm owner in the village, was hiding in her house with several neighbours when Russian soldiers came to her door. Villagers said a Russian commander brought Kyrychenko and her neighbours out onto the street and informed them that a local woman named Nadiia Antonova would now head the village.

Kyrychenko said she was interrogated for two days by Russian forces about her son-in-law, who is in Ukrainian law enforcement. The soldiers told her, Kyrychenko recounted to Reuters, that Antonova had informed them about her son-in-law and accused her of working as a spotter for Ukrainian troops, tasked with tracking movements of Russian soldiers.

"When the Russian soldiers took me away I honestly didn't think I would come back," she said. "I couldn't believe that someone in our community would turn me in."

Kyrychenko was eventually released. Russian officials at the Kremlin did not respond to Reuters' questions about the case.

In late April, Ukraine successfully pushed back Russian troops and liberated Kutuzivka. Antonova was swiftly detained and placed under criminal investigation for collaborating with Russian soldiers. She faces more than a decade in jail if convicted. Antonova's lawyer did not respond to Reuters' questions.

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In a speech earlier this month, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke about the high toll Russian infiltration was taking on the country. Below the highest levels of treason he highlighted, there are many more cases that fall into a grey area. These cases can range from those who post pro-Russian content on social media to those who cooperate in any way with occupying Russian troops.

"Our population played a very big role in informing police, alerting us to saboteurs," said Yevhen Yenin, the first deputy minister of the internal affairs ministry, which oversees the national police.

Though the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is officially tasked with investigating such cases, much of the practical work of gathering information has fallen to the police, Yenin said.

The National Police have so far detained more than 1,000 people suspected of sabotage and reconnaissance activities on behalf of the Russian authorities, according to the internal affairs ministry.

In Kharkiv, about 40 kilometres from the Russian border, four police officers began their night patrol just after the city's 10 p.m. curfew in late May. Touting AKs and wearing bulletproof vests, the officers scoured the city's darkened streets for suspicious figures.

"Whenever we stop anybody we try to understand where they live, to identify who they are, and whether they speak Ukrainian or not," said Tymur, who declined to give his last name.

Their car sped up as an air raid siren howled overhead. The officers made their way down into a subway station for shelter. Fifteen minutes later, they reemerged to patrol the deserted streets until dawn.

Antonova's case has attracted attention in Russia. Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Russian state television channel RT, said on television that Antonova had helped the Russian operation and was now being unfairly punished. "We need to save those we can save, and reward those who need to be rewarded," Simonyan said.

In an indication of the complexities of such cases, some villagers also say Antonova is being unfairly targeted. They say Antonova ensured that villagers had food and protected them from mistreatment by Russian soldiers during the occupation.

"Can you call it collaboration when the Russians are putting their guns against her back?" one resident shouted outside of a kindergarten where a dozen villagers still live underground.

But regional chief prosecutor Oleksandr Filchakov said investigators had evidence Antonova fed information to the enemy that led to the deaths of Ukrainians. While he acknowledged the sympathies of some villagers, Filchakov said Ukrainians needed justice.

"She must be held responsible," he said.

((reporting by Mari Saito; edited by Christian Lowe and Janet McBride))
Good Morning America

As monkeypox continues to spread across the U.S., the number of children infected with the virus is growing as well. At least eight children have tested positive for monkeypox since July in multiple states, from Florida and Maine to California. Children under the age of 8 are among those whom the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers at "increased risk" for developing more severe illness if infected with monkeypox, along with pregnant people, people who are immunocompromised and those who have a history of atopic dermatitis or eczema.
Louis Vuittons 200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries exhibition has landed in Los Angeles, open to the public from Saturday to Sept. 6.

First unveiled in December in Asnieres-sur-Seine, France, at Vuittons historic residence northwest of Paris, the traveling showcase then headed to Marina Bay in Singapore in April. The final stop is L.A., with the event held at 468 North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills  LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuittons 22,250-square-foot pop-up space set to become a Cheval Blanc hotel.

More from WWD

The production arrives to mark Vuittons bicentennial birthday, born in 1821 (founding the luxury house in 1854), as well as a celebration of creativity. Friends of the house, brands, artists, diverse creators and thinkers across art, science and pop culture were given carte blanche, asked to reimagine the iconic Louis Vuitton trunk.

There are 200 in total (which will be auctioned at Sothebys at the end of the year, with all proceeds donated); among them are creations by K-pop group BTS, Supreme, Lego, The Simpsons, activist Gloria Steinem, Kim Jones with Supreme, Marc Jacobs with Stephen Sprouse, makeup artist Pat McGrath, architect Peter Marino, astrologist Susan Miller and cognitive scientist Scott Barry Kaufman.

Heres a look at three of the visionaries working and living in L.A. who have taken their turns at updating the trunk: American drag queen Gigi Goode, artist Jwan Yosef and creative studio PlayLab. (Others based in L.A. include American artist Alex Israel, consultant Kamil Abbas and architect Frank Gehry  who, along with music curator Benji B and Robert Moys Brooklyn Balloon Company, has a dedicated room within the exhibit.)

Gigi Goode

Gigi Goode - Credit: Courtesy of Gigi Goode for Louis Vuitton

Courtesy of Gigi Goode for Louis Vuitton

Gigi Goode reveals herself in two forms, a magician and assistant, illustrating the masculine and the feminine often having to battle for center stage, explained the artist and model, who appeared as a runner-up on the 12th season of the drag competition series RuPauls Drag Race.

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Inspiration: The art college dropout in me got very excited and was like, OK, so I get to actually physically do something with this. And I knew that there were other artists involved, so I wanted to take a different route and selfishly use me as part of the installation and use a lot of post-edit for it. I knew exactly what I was going to do.This project came about very much at the precipice, the very beginning stages of my transition as well. And so I felt very torn between the two in a way, which is a very artistic, deep way of putting it, but I still kind of feel that way. And I feel like that photograph lately shows where I was at mentally between genders.

Technicality: When you look at the photo, it seems like a very simple, straightforward thing to do. But in all reality, the box itself was not touched except for painted red. I just painted it red and then varnished it and made it nice and shiny and glossy. Thats the extent to which I use the box, and then when it came to the photo studio, we had to first place the box in the spaceand then took several pictures from several angles. And when it came time for me in drag to take the pictures, it was so hard and long and arduous to try and figure out how to, because my head was hanging off a stool. We were like, OK, it looks like youre holding your head up. You have too much strain in your neck, so then we had to get a tripod and put it just under the base of my head so that I could rest my head there. The hair covers the tripodthe photographer Max Bronner, who is amazing, and I were sitting afterward in his apartment alone editing, and I was like, Make my neck a little bit longer and do this and do that.

PlayLab

PlayLab - Credit: Courtesy of Playlab for Louis Vuitton

Courtesy of Playlab for Louis Vuitton

PlayLab, a creative studio founded by Archie Lee Coates 4th and Jeff Franklin, turned the trunk into a soapbox car and documented its mobility, honoring the travel functionality of a trunk and giving a nod to the history of driving in L.A.

Based in downtown L.A., currently a collective of nine, PlayLab has a history of collaborating with Louis Vuitton on large-scale set designs, brought on by the late Virgil Abloh.

Source: We are ideas, Coates said. Ideas are the core, the currency in which we deal with. But without a proper execution, ideas, they really dont have a home. They need to be thoughtfully executed, and with Louis, weve been able to do that, obviously, extremely well, and its been a crowning point of the studios growth, because its given us a home to think freely and make things at a pretty dramatic scale across all disciplines. It involves film and architecture, music and choreography. But of course, we had the best leader of all time, through Virgil, because he made all that possible for us and believed in us.

Technicality: We did a lot of research, added Dillon Kogle, a creative at PlayLab. We did a ton. Design thinking comes from research for us. And basically, we became Cub Scouts figuring out the components of a soapbox car. And then the mission of it changed when we decided we didnt want it to just look like a soapbox car. It had to operate like a soapbox car, that we were going to get into the thing and ride in it down a hill.We essentially came in on a weekend with a kit of some parts from the official Soap Box Derby website. And with a handful of power tools, figured out how to turn a box into a box on wheels.

Jwan Yosef

Jwan Yosef - Credit: Courtesy of Jwan Yosef for Louis Vuitton

Courtesy of Jwan Yosef for Louis Vuitton

Conceptual artist Jwan Yosef, who holds a master of fine arts from Central Saint Martins in London and a bachelor of fine arts from Konstfack in Stockholm, presents A Study for Touch, an examination of the material values and structures that shape an anatomy of painting as well as the psychological properties underpinning the conceptual construction of images, according to the artist.

Inspiration: This was summer of 2020, when we had just gone into lockdown, and initially, when I was offered this task, I wanted to play with the idea of touch and, in a way, get in contact again. So I wanted to play with the idea of these figures that are relating to the surfaces. We were given this trunk, this box in a way, and you had to think outside the box for it to also become a traveling experience. My biggest desire at the time was to get back in touch with people. And because this was also a celebration of creatives, I wanted to play with the first initial body of work you do, which in this case is a study, so I worked on much smaller format canvas papers to play with the idea of a study for much larger work. So this was also in a way a first study for a new series that Ive been working on since.

Technicality: This work was also intended to be superimposed on a billboard scale and big window displays and facade displays, and what I wanted to do was also to play with the idea of the anatomy of the painting, to get a feeling of texture. So when this painting is superimposed, you get a completely different feeling with the painting itself. Its almost like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, an experience of a super large painting. With that momentum, you will get a feeling of the texture of the painting. You get a much better feeling for the brushstrokes.

Launch Gallery: Louis Vuittons 200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries Exhibit Arrives in L.A.

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If youve ever wondered why they say firefighters are the best cooks, then you need to check out a brand new meal delivery service and restaurant in Central Florida. Good Day Orlandos David Martin takes us inside something called Fire Dept Meals in Oviedo, where the bravest men and women are making lunch and dinner for you!
ALLIANCE  A former Alliance Middle School counselor was arrested Wednesday, accused of a felony charge for what school officials have described as "sharing of inappropriate imagery."

Gelsaira Ortiz, 29, of Maple Heights, turned herself in at the Stark County Jail on Wednesday afternoon, according to the arrest report. Ortiz pleaded not guilty Friday during her arraignment in the courtroom of Stark County Common Pleas Judge Chryssa Hartnett, according to court records. The court released Ortiz on her own recognizance without a bail amount.

A Stark County grand jury on July 1 indicted Ortiz on the fifth-degree felony charge of disseminating matter harmful to a juvenile involving a 14-year-old student at Alliance Middle School sometime from Dec. 25 to May 20. A warrant was issued seeking Ortiz's arrest.

Court records don't indicate the type of material she is accused of sharing.

Alliance City Schools' message to parents

Alliance City Schools Superintendent Rob Gress informed families of students of Ortiz's arrest on Thursday in a message posted on the school district's website.

He wrote that Alliance Police on May 23 notified the school district of allegations of misconduct against Ortiz. She had on May 19 resigned effective June 7, citing an employment opportunity outside the district.

The school district said it placed her on administrative leave immediately on hearing from the police. Ortiz was not permitted to be in any school facilities, be on school property or communicate with school employees, students or families of students.

More: Alliance Middle School staff member accused of 'inappropriate' communication with students

Without then identifying her, the district on May 26 informed parents of the investigation of the alleged "sharing of inappropriate imagery and engaging in inappropriate communications with students."

In Gress' message Thursday where he identified Ortiz as the staffer put on leave, he wrote that Ortiz was no longer an employee of the district, apparently due to her resignation.

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"As educators, we hold ourselves to the highest standard of conduct," he wrote. "Any time these standards are not met, we are deeply disappointed."

Posts removed

On Feb. 9, the district had tweeted with a picture of Ortiz that "Gelsaira Ortiz has been a member of the AMS counseling staff for the past few years!," according to a Google cache of the Twitter page. "This year, she works hard to meet the needs of all 8th graders at AMS! Thank you for all you do!" The district put up the same post on Facebook, which was still up as of early Wednesday.

By Thursday afternoon, the posts had been deleted or were inaccessible to the public.

According to what appears to be her LinkedIn profile, Ortiz was a counselor for Alliance City Schools since August 2019. She was a counseling intern at Walls Elementary School in Kent during the 2018 to 2019 school year. She graduated with a master's degree in education/school counseling from Kent State University in 2019 after getting a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Ashland University in 2015, her LinkedIn profile says.

The statute says, "No person, with knowledge of its character or content, shall recklessly do any of the following ... directly sell, deliver, furnith, disseminate, provide, exhibit, rent, or presento a juvenile, a group of juveniles, a law enforcement officer posing as a juvenile, or a group of law enforcement officers posing as juveniles any material or performance that is obscene or harmful to juveniles."

Violating this provision of the law is a fifth-degree felony if the juvenile from ages 13 to 17 is shown "obscene" material.

A message seeking comment was left with the Strongsville law office of Aaron A. Schwartz, who was listed as Ortiz's original attorney in the case.

Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @rwangREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Former Alliance school counselor Gelsaira Ortiz facing felony charge
The Hill

Fox News host Tucker Carlson predicted former President Trump will be indicted following a search at his Florida residence last week carried out by the FBI in connection with an investigation into classified information reportedly taken from the White House. Theres nothing to see here, thats the line, Carlson said on his show Monday, naming
Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang is joining arms with dozens of former Democrats and Republicans, some of whom hail from the Bush and Reagan administrations, to form a new third political party to appeal to the millions of US voters who increasingly find themselves frustrated by the gridlocked two-party system.

The Forward Party announced its entry onto the national stage on Wednesday, as was first reported by Reuters, and will be co-chaired by Christine Todd Whitman, a former Republican governor of New Jersey, and Mr Yang, who left the Democratic party last year to register as an independent and form an earlier iteration of the new centrist party.

Its time to deliver the new approach to party politics millions of Americans have been waiting forForward! Lets go! Mr Yang, who also ran an unsuccessful campaign for the mayor of New York City in 2021, wrote on Wednesday in a blog post.

Making up this new third party, which hopes to become a national challenger to the two-party-dominated system by the 2024 presidential election, is the Renew America Movement, created last year by dozens of Republican alumni from the Reagan, Bush Sr, Bush and Trump administrations; the Forward Party, founded by Mr Yang last year when he launched a book with the partys namesake; and the Serve America Movement, a centrist group of Democrats, Republicans and independents that was founded by former George W Bush staff members and whose executive director is former Republican congressman David Jolly.

After years of working in parallel to reform our democracy, we are thrilled to announce that we are officially merging with @Fwd_Party & @samforus under the #ForwardParty name! Together, we will move our the nation #FWD, tweeted the official Renew America Movement on Wednesday, with a message that was near identical to ones tweeted out by the Forward Party and Serve America Movement.

The #ForwardParty is joining forces with @samforus and @RenewAmerica to form the biggest 3rd party by resources in the United States!! Thats right - the @Fwd_Party is now the biggest 3rd party org in the country - and we are just getting started! https://t.co/xI7hBzr56l  Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) July 27, 2022

Part of the rollout of the new third party will include major events held in dozens of cities this fall, with an official launch being held in Houston on 24 September and the hopes of a first national convention  with the location yet to be announced  being held next summer.

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After years of working in parallel to reform our democracy, we are thrilled to announce that we are officially merging with @Fwd_Party & @samforus under the #ForwardParty name! Together, we will move our the nation #FWD. https://t.co/Nl7LeBEONB #ForwardTogether #GSD pic.twitter.com/gfjZEIh9bX  Renew America Movement (@RenewAmerica) July 28, 2022

The group has yet to provide any specific details about what their policies on various issues will be, but has indicated that its centrist outlook will inform its two pillars to reinvigorate a fair, flourishing economy and to give Americans more choices in elections, more confidence in a government that works, and more say in our future.

After years of working in parallel to strengthen our democracy, we are thrilled to announce that we are merging with @RenewAmerica & @samforus! We are uniting to build a new political party that will adopt the #ForwardParty name. https://t.co/z0BoANoypb#FWD #ForwardTogether #GSD pic.twitter.com/H43iWUiYou  Forward Party (@Fwd_Party) July 28, 2022

The US badly needs a new political party  one that reflects the moderate, common-sense majority, leaders Mr Jolly, Ms Todd and Mr Yang wrote in a Washington Post op-ed introducing the groups entry into Beltway politics.

The party has cited a Gallup poll from February 2021 as a motivating factor for forming the new organisation, which found that 62 per cent of US adults said the two dominant parties do such a poor job representing the American people that a third party is needed.

This finding was a notable uptick from a previous poll, conducted shortly before the 2020 presidential election, that found that only 57 per cent of Americans sought a third-party entry, reflecting a trend that has elevated the notion in recent years. In 2013 and 2015, 60 per cent of Americans supported an additional party outside of the GOP and Dems, and in 2017, that had grown to 61 per cent.

The only way to solve our nation's problems is to work together. That is why we are pleased to announce that we are merging with @RenewAmerica & @Fwd_Party to build Americas most transformational party under the #ForwardParty name!https://t.co/daSZEiRXeA #ForwardTogether #GSD pic.twitter.com/uGE0pTrrbF  The SAM Party (@samforus) July 28, 2022

When discussing the violent insurrection on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, the leaders wrote in The Washington Post about how this moment reflected a grim reality for the US political system going forward.

How do you remedy such a crisis? they wrote. In a system torn apart by two increasingly divided extremes, you must reintroduce choice and competition.

The last time that a third-party candidate was elected to the highest office in the nation was back in 1860, when the then-newly formed Republican Party (created just six years earlier) launched Abraham Lincoln to the presidency, effectively displacing the then-dominant Whigs party.

Still, the new party remains optimistic that theyll be able to secure party registration and ballot access in 30 states by the end of 2023 and by late 2024, be active in all 50 states.

Finances, typically a burden for entry onto the main political stage for smaller third parties, will also not be an issue, co-chair Mr Yang told Reuters in an interview.

We are starting in a very strong financial position. Financial support will not be a problem, he said, confirming that the party will start with a budget of about $5m and that it has donors lined up alongside hundreds of thousands of grassroots members from the three merged groups.

Online, critics of the new party, from both sides of the aisle, were quick to take swipes at the group for being a ploy from their opposition to steal votes ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Ok good. Libs and RINOs form a new party to take votes away from the squishes called Forward. Might as well call it #Uniparty, tweeted Republican Arizona Senator Wendy Rogers.

Ok good. Libs and RINOs form a new party to take votes away from the squishes called Forward. Might as well call it #Uniparty.https://t.co/pORjwaDbu6  Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) July 28, 2022

Former Republican and Democrats want to form a new party called Forward. The only thing I can see this doing. Is taking votes away from Democrats and helping the Republicans. We dont need a 4th party, tweeted one user.

Former Republican and Democrats want to form a new party called Forward. The only thing I can see this doing. Is taking votes away from Democrats and helping the Republicans. We don't need a 4th party.  William Cox (@Firmhand4U) July 28, 2022

While Stuart Stevens, a Republican consultant and never-Trumper, said during an appearance on MSNBC that he views the Forward Party as a distraction from much larger problems facing American politics.

My greatest fear about this is that its going to detract and distract people from what is really the greatest crisis we have- which is stopping an autocratic movement, said Mr Stevens.

.@stuartpstevens on the Forward party: My greatest fear about this is that its going to detract and distract people from what is really the greatest crisis we have- which is stopping an autocratic movement. pic.twitter.com/NqpK5TLTAw  11th Hour (@11thHour) July 28, 2022

For their part, the newly formed party, which Mr Yang has claimed will be the third largest party by resources, outpacing the Green and Libertarian parties, isnt backing down at the accusations that theyll be spoilers for the two behemoths.

Some call third parties spoilers. But the system is already spoiled, they wrote. The two major parties have shut out competition, and America is suffering as a result.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  The FBI has recently conducted interviews about the origin of the sexual assault allegations made in 2019 against then-Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, according to Fairfax and several others who said they were interviewed.

Fairfax, who said he met for several hours with the FBI in early June, welcomed the inquiry.

The 43-year-old Democratic attorney, who left public office in January, has consistently denied the assault allegations against him, which have not resulted in criminal charges, and has long called for law enforcement to investigate them. He maintains he had consensual encounters with the women who have accused him of assault and has insisted that their complaints against him were part of a politically motivated smear campaign.

Three other people confirmed to The Associated Press that they had been interviewed, insisting on anonymity to discuss what they and Fairfax believe to be an ongoing investigation. A fourth person familiar with the matter who also insisted on anonymity confirmed that Fairfax had been interviewed. That person was not one of those interviewed.

Dee Rybiski, a Richmond-based FBI spokeswoman, declined to comment. The FBI does not typically confirm or deny the existence of investigations.

The allegations against Fairfax surfaced publicly in February 2019, as he appeared poised to become Virginia's governor because of a scandal that had erupted over a racist photo on then-Gov. Ralph Northam's yearbook page. With Northam facing near-unanimous calls to resign, Fairfax would have been elevated to the post. But then two women days apart accused him of an assault in 2004 and rape in 2000, resulting in demands that Fairfax resign and blunting the pressure on Northam. Both men ultimately went on to finish their terms.

Fairfax, a former federal prosecutor and civil litigator, said he has been in touch with the FBI on an ongoing basis since February 2019, providing evidence of what he has long alleged was a coordinated effort to block him from becoming governor. The news of his and other interviews was first reported by The Intercept.

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Fairfax has claimed for years  without proof  that former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and his close ally, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, played a role in surfacing the allegations, something McAuliffe and Stoney have called absurd. Fairfax points in part to connections between a former Stoney advisor and one of his accusers. Fairfax was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, and he competed against McAuliffe and three others for last year's Democratic nomination for governor; Stoney is also widely seen as a contender for higher office.

Fairfax said the FBI did not disclose the full scope of its apparent investigation but asked him questions about his concerns.

Stoney said at a news conference Wednesday that the FBI had not reached out to him or anyone in his operation. Stoney said he believes the women's allegations, called the idea that he was involved in a smear campaign ridiculous and added the only one talking about the FBI was Fairfax.

These are claims by an individual who has been accused of rape, bottom line, he said.

Jake Rubenstein, a spokesman for McAuliffe, said McAuliffe knows nothing about any of this. Period.

Attorneys for the women, Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson, defended their clients and criticized the idea that the FBI might be investigating.

Nancy Erika Smith, an attorney for Watson, said in a statement: If it is true that the FBI is actually investigating two victims of Justin Fairfax, shame on the FBI. This latest abuse is obviously at the urging of Fairfax and his political benefactors and PR team.

Debra Katz, an attorney for Vanessa Tyson, said neither she nor Tyson had been contacted by the FBI. She said she would be shocked if there was a real FBI investigation and suggested Fairfax was trying to weaponize the suggestion of one.

The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they are victims of sexual assault, but both women came forward publicly with their allegations against Fairfax.

Tyson said Fairfax  at the time a Columbia Law School student serving as an aide to Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards  forced her to perform oral sex in his hotel room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004. Two days after Tysons statement, Watson issued her own, accusing Fairfax of raping her in 2000, when they were students at Duke University.

Fairfax has said that in the case of his encounter with Watson, an eyewitness was present in the room. That person has not responded to repeated interview requests from the AP and has not spoken publicly to confirm or deny Fairfax's assertion.

Watson and her attorney have declined to address whether a third person was in the room.

One person who described being interviewed by the FBI in early July was asked if they had ever heard anything about money being exchanged in relation to the allegations, the person said.

The person had heard of something similar and reported it at the time to a spokesperson for Fairfax. The person, who is not close with Fairfax, has no firsthand knowledge of any payments and doubted that the individual who made the comment did either, the person said.

A second person who was interviewed was asked whether they had any knowledge about connections between the mayor's office and the women or any possible payments to the women, the person said.

The third individual who was interviewed described being asked similar questions and provided the AP a copy of an apparent email exchange with the FBI.

Separately, Tommy Bennett, president of the Danville branch of the NAACP, told The Post that the FBI reached out to him to ask about the allegations.

Fairfax finished his term as lieutenant governor  a mostly ceremonial role that involves presiding over the state Senate  in January. He got about 4% of the vote in last year's Democratic primary. McAuliffe won that contest, then went on to lose the general election to Republican Glenn Youngkin.

___

Associated Press reporter Eric Tucker reported from Washington.
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haitian gangs waged intense gun battles on Wednesday in Port-au-Prince, shuttering main avenues and a municipal market in the downtown area of the capital.

One video filmed downtown showed men running toward police with their hands in the air as gunshots rang out, in a new outbreak of violence following gang clashes this month outside the capital that killed hundreds of people.

The cathedral of Port-au-Prince caught fire and was partially damaged before firefighters could put out the blaze, the origin of which has not yet been determined but was believed to be linked to the gang battles.

Amid the shooting, prisoners at a downtown Port-au-Prince penitentiary broke out of their cells and gathered in the prison yard in an unsuccessful attempt to escape, the penitentiary's inspector general Pierre Rene Francois told Haitian radio.

Shots were also reported on Wednesday in the town of Cite Soleil, where the United Nations says gang clashes left more than 471 people dead, wounded or missing for over a week starting in early July.

Gang violence has soared since the assassination last year of President Jovenel Moise, creating a political vacuum that criminal groups have taken advantage of to expand control over territory.

Rights activists in May said a protracted gang confrontation killed nearly 150 people.

(Reporting by Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince and Brian Ellsworth in Miami; Editing by Chris Reese)
A couple seen in photos wearing what appear to be KGB uniforms were accused in federal court of stealing the identities of dead infants in Texas decades ago, according to court documents.

The photos of Walter Glenn Primrose, a defense contractor and former U.S. Coast Guard avionics technician, and his wife, Gwynn Darle Morrison, were included in a motion to detain them without bail filed Monday by federal prosecutors in U.S. District Court in Hawaii.

Walter Glenn Primrose, left, assumed the name of Bobby Edward Fort. His wife, Gwynn Darle Morrison, assumed the name of Julie Lyn Montague. (U.S. District Court District of Hawaii)

They are being held on charges of identity theft, conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, and making false statements in the application and use of a passport, a criminal complaint filed July 21 shows.

Their alleged crimes were detailed in an affidavit included in the complaint from a special agent with the Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

Megan Kau, a lawyer for Morrison, told The Associated Press that the couple posed in the uniform at a friend's house as a joke.

"She wants everyone to know shes not a spy, Kau said. This has all been blown way out of proportion. Its government overreaching.

Morrison and Primrose have not been accused of any espionage-related crimes.

They were arrested Friday in Kapolei, on the island of O'ahu, the AP reported.

According to a State Department spokesperson, a former member of the U.S. armed services and his wife, both U.S. citizens, were indicted in the case. The spokesperson did not provide additional comments and said the Diplomatic Security Service does not discuss the details of investigations.

A lawyer for Primrose did not respond to a request for comment.

At a hearing Thursday, Primrose was ordered detained without bail, according to court minutes. A hearing for Morrison is scheduled for Tuesday.

In the motion, which alleges the two pose a flight risk, prosecutors argued that Primrose had failed to report several trips to Canada  even though he has held a secret clearance for six years and was required to report foreign travel.

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The motion, which does not provide details about the trips, also alleges that his experience as a highly skilled electronics technician could allow him to communicate surreptitiously if released.

A person described only as a close associate in the document told federal agents that Morrison lived in Romania while the country was part of the Soviet Union  even though shes never been issued a passport under her true identity that would allow her to travel, the motion says.

Morrison's attorney told the AP that her client never lived in Romania.

The filing adds that letters seized from the couples home greet them with names that are different from their real names or their known aliases, Bobby Edward Fort and Julie Lyn Montague.

Federal agents have also seized photographs from the defendants residence that depict the defendants apparently some years ago wearing what have been identified as KGB uniforms, the motion says.

No additional information about the uniforms was included in the filing and the U.S. Attorneys Office in Hawaii did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Image: (Caleb Jones / AP)

According to the complaint, which was unsealed Friday, the couple attended high school and college together in Texas in the 1970s and were married in Nacogdoches in 1980.

In 1987, they allegedly assumed the identities of two Texas babies born two decades earlier who had died shortly after being born  Bobby Edward Fort, of Dallas, and Julie Lyn Montague, of Burnet, the complaint says.

They were allegedly issued driver's licenses, social security cards and passports using their false identities, the complaint says. They remarried each other in 1988 as Bobby Fort and Julie Montague, the complaint says.

In 1994, Primrose enlisted with the Coast Guard using the false identity, the document says. He remained with the military branch until 2016, when he began working for a Department of Defense contractor, according to the complaint.

The private company is not identified, but the motion says he worked for the contractor at the Coast Guard Air Station at Barbers Point, an O'ahu-based facility that conducts search and rescue operations and provides long-range patrol and logistical support.

The Coast Guard did not immediately respond to a request for comment

Morrison's attorney told the AP that even if the couple assumed false identities, they've lived law-abiding lives for three decades.
Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday defended his comments against creating "peoples of mixed-race", saying they represented a "cultural" standpoint, drawing a stinging rebuke from Washington.

"It happens sometimes that I speak in a way that can be misunderstood... the position that I represent is a cultural... standpoint," Orban told reporters during a visit to neighbouring Austria.

Orban sparked a storm of criticism after he warned against mixing with "non-Europeans" in a speech in Romania's Transylvania region, home to a Hungarian community, on Saturday.

The United States on Thursday denounced the remarks as "inexcusable".

State Department spokesman Ned Price read to reporters a statement from US envoy against anti-Semitism Deborah Lipstadt who said that "rhetoric of this nature is inexcusable" some "75 years after the Holocaust".

Decades "after the end of the Holocaust, it is inexcusable for a leader to make light of Nazi mass murder," Lipstadt said.

Price added that the United States and its allies around the world are united by "shared values" along with interests.

"The remarks that we heard from Prime Minister Orban are not reflective of the shared values that tether the United States to Hungary," Price said.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said earlier in a joint news conference with Orban that the issue had been "resolved... amicably and in all clarity", adding his country "strongly condemned... any form of racism or anti-Semitism".

- 'Nazi text' -

The International Auschwitz Committee has urged the European Union -- and Nehammer specifically -- to distance themselves from "Orban's racist undertones".

Austria is the first EU country to host Orban for talks since he won a fourth straight mandate in an April landslide.

Besides the race row, the two leaders discussed migration and energy security amid tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Vienna sees itself "as an honest broker" and is anxious not to sideline Hungary, an Austrian official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

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Jewish community representatives voiced alarm after Orban, an ultra-conservative known for his anti-migrant policy and virulent rhetoric, said that "we do not want to become peoples of mixed-race".

The 59-year-old also seemed to allude to the Nazi German gas chambers when criticising a Brussels plan to reduce European gas demand by 15 percent following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Hungary was the only EU member to oppose the plan, which passed on a majority vote this week.

An adviser to Orban, Zsuzsa Hegedus, resigned on Tuesday, slamming his speech as "a pure Nazi text".

In response, Orban stressed his government's "policy of zero tolerance when it comes to anti-Semitism and racism", according to a letter made public.

"I am proud of the results which Hungary achieved against racism in recent years," Orban told reporters on Wednesday.

Both Orban and Nehammer said they would not support any embargo on Russian gas, on which their countries are heavily dependant, with Orban describing any such embargo as a "wall".

"My advice to the European Union is not to hit this wall," said the Hungarian, who recently slammed the EU's sanction policy against Russia as "Europe shooting itself in the lungs".

He added that he wished Brussels would come up with a new "strategy that is good for the Ukrainians, good for us, good for the European economy and good for the households that have to pay the price of energy".

pmu-jza/gw/har
Storyful

Severe flooding caused an extensive amount of damage to parts of West Virginia, prompting the Governor to declare a State of Emergency on August 15.This footage, filmed by Joey Crist, shows muddy water cascading down a road in the small city of Smithers, West Viriginia.Governor Jim Justice declared a State of Emergency in Kanawha and Fayette counties after between four to six inches of rain fell overnight, flooding several roads and damaging over 100 homes.According to the National Weather Service unsettled weather was set to continue in the region for the rest of the week, with daily afternoon storms expected. Credit: Joey Crist via Storyful
I didn't expect to see people coming up to me at the Eiffel tower asking if I wanted to purchase wine or beer on a week night. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

In July, I traveled abroad for the first time in my life.

From the time I landed, I made a list of all the things that surprised me about being in France.

While I was surprised that bathrooms cost two euros to enter, I appreciated some of the city's innovations.

It doesn't get dark until well after 10 p.m. (in the summer).

It's 9:43 p.m. in this photo. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

The biggest adjustment for me was learning that the sun wouldn't set until it was almost 11 p.m. some evenings in Paris.

In Los Angeles, I'm used to the sun going down after 8 p.m. Currently, the sunset is 9:34 p.m. in Paris. The extra hours of daylight made it feel like it was safe to stay out a bit longer and explore even though it was quite late in the day. It also made me want to adjust my eating schedule.

A Parisian told me that's just a summertime perk. Wintertime in France is the complete opposite with immensely short days where the sun rises after 9 a.m. and sets by 4:30 p.m. Additionally, it rains often. That's quite the trade-off.

Paris' (CDG) airport had parking spots to drop off passengers, making it stress-free for everyone involved.

This seems like it should be a no-brainer for congested airports in America. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

If you've ever had to drive to a major airport in New York City or Los Angeles to pick up or drop off someone, then you know how much of a hassle it is to get in and out while trying to stop for a few seconds to pack or unload a vehicle.

I was shocked to learn that Paris' CDG airport has eradicated all of that unnecessary stress.

When my driver dropped me off to return home, he arrived at a ticket booth that offered up to 10 minutes of free parking for offloading.

He was then able to pull into an actual parking spot so I could comfortably get out without the hassle of worrying about double-parked cars honking.

He couldn't understand why I was so shocked and happy at the ease to arrive at the AirFrance terminal. This is how it should be everywhere.

Protective glass to prevent passengers from falling onto the subway tracks feels like a no-brainer that we should have in the US.

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The level of protection at some Metro stops in Paris puts NYC's transportation system to shame. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

I lived in New York City for four years so I'm quite familiar with the subway system. I've used the train systems in New Jersey, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other cities as well.

It's common to see people jump down onto the tracks in NYC, especially if they drop something.

I was stunned to see wall-to-wall protective shields in the underground French subways that only parted ways once the doors to a train opened.

It seems like this should be a mandatory innovation in the US to help save lives. According to the New York Post, since the pandemic, track intrusions jumped 20% in 2021 and suicide attempts on the subway rose 50% in the first three months of the year when compared to the previous year.

It was also a surprise to me that France's subway tickets were so extremely small that I could easily lose them if I wasn't careful.

Additionally, I was surprised to see people ride warm subways underground with the windows open, something you typically don't see in NYC.

There were also double-decker trains that ran underground. In the US, these are reserved for above-ground use.

Extra tiny stop lights are seen at every traffic stop for cyclists and motorists.

In addition to regular stop lights, each one has a smaller one a little bit below it. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

One of the first things I noticed after leaving the airport were these teeny-tiny additional stop lights at every traffic stop.

Motorcycles, bicycles, mopeds, scooters, and other smaller vehicles are as common as cars in Paris. When I finally started wandering around the city on foot, I realized these smaller lights were for the plethora of two-wheeled vehicles traveling around the city.

The crosswalks don't have time countdowns.

I made sure to cross the street right away any time a light changed because I never knew how much time I had left to walk safely. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

Having lived on both the east and west coasts, I'm used to New York City and Los Angeles crosswalks telling you how much time you have to make it across the street.

That wasn't the case anywhere I went in Paris.

Once the crosswalk light turned on you had a short amount of time to cross before the lights changed colors and cars came barreling toward you.

Americans, especially in NYC and LA, can tell immediately how much time they have to cross and not think twice about it.

In Paris, I never knew if the crosswalk would change in a matter of seconds so it forced me to be more present and aware, which I personally appreciated.

One of the hotels I stayed at gave me an actual key on an oversized keychain to access my room.

This is a hotel key I received when I arrived at my Paris hotel. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

For the first leg of my trip, I stayed at Disneyland Paris' The Art of Marvel Hotel where I was given a keycard to access my room.

When I later traveled over to Paris to explore, I was perplexed to receive an actual key on a giant keychain instead of a keycard to open my door. It was like something out of a novel.

I removed the key from the keychain so I could walk around with it more easily as the entirety was too large to fit in most pockets.

I also had to remember to manually lock my door with the key before leaving each day, something I almost didn't think to do at all on the first day of my stay because I'm used to hotels with keycards and doors that lock behind me.

You have to pay to enter some public restrooms.

The bathroom looked fancy with attendees waiting for me, but I didn't have change on me to go to the bathroom. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

I pride myself in knowing where some of the best public New York City bathrooms are located (check out Bryant Park), so I was surprised when I headed to the public restroom underground near Notre Dame and was asked to pay two euros.

I didn't because, at the time, I didn't have change on me, but also I knew I wasn't desperately in need of a bathroom. I was surprised to see that there were multiple attendees in the bathroom with services offered.

Hotel bathrooms included hygiene bags in them.

Hygiene bags were common in bathrooms. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

I was shocked that two of the hotels I stayed at both provided hygiene bags to dispose of used pads and tampons.

In the US, you'll see small garbage cans in public restroom stalls, but I've yet to see anything like that in a US hotel room.

These thoughtful touches made me feel seen.

People walk around offering wine and beer for sale at the Eiffel Tower like it's water.

People come around asking if you'd like to purchase alcohol as you're sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

One of the wildest things I wasn't expecting to hear while laying in the grass in front of the Eiffel Tower was the sound of people yelling out: "Beer! Wine!"

Unlike the US, Paris is totally fine with people bringing their own alcohol to sit down in a public space to unwind. I saw so many people get together with their friends at this tourist location and along the Seine river to split a bottle of wine to end the day.

Wine is also really inexpensive in Europe. I never saw a bottle above $10. Most of it was half that price.

The Eiffel Tower wine sellers made me chuckle to myself because it felt like a variation of something that occurs in the US. Whenever I've gone to the Jersey shore, I've witnessed people hauling coolers full of water bottles and ice cream for sale  just never alcohol.

The hole at the top of a Starbucks cup was round and small instead of a wider oval.

A Starbucks coffee cup in Paris vs the United States. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

I wanted to try and order coffee from Parisian locations while abroad, but caved and ordered from Starbucks when I needed some Wi-Fi and time to kill as I waited to check into a hotel one day.

I was taken aback by the very small drink hole in Paris' versions of the familiar Starbucks cups.

If you ordered food at McDonald's, you could take a number and have your food brought to you.

My meal came so fast that I didn't have time to snap a photo of the number next to the food. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

I had to know what it was like to step inside a McDonald's in Paris. Most of the ordering took place on a screen when you first entered. If you were dining in, I was surprised to see that you could take a number with you, place it down in front of you, and have an employee bring your meal to you.

This blew my mind. In the US, you typically have to grab your food from the counter when it's ready  there usually isn't someone who will walk it to your table.

Another surprise was that Paris offered wedges in addition to normal fries. I thought the wedges were far superior to the string fries we're eating in the US.

Read the original article on Insider
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican, has launched investigations into Dr. Caitlin Bernard after she performed an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call

Dr. Caitlin Bernard has never met any of the people who filed complaints against her, according to her lawyer.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita used the complaints to launch an investigation of the abortion doctor.

One "consumer complaint" lists the doctor's phone number as "555-555-5555," Bernard's lawyer said.

The half-dozen "consumer complaints" filed against the Indiana doctor who performed an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim are all from people she's never met, her attorney said Thursday, with one listing a bogus phone number for the doctor: 555-555-5555.

In a statement, Kathleen DeLaney, an attorney for Dr. Caitlin Bernard, said her client had no interactions with any of the six people who have filed a "consumer complaint" against the obstetrician-gynecologist.

"None of the complaints came from a 'consumer' who purchased any goods or services from Dr. Bernard or even from a person who has had direct communication with Dr. Bernard," DeLaney said. Only one was filed by a resident of Indiana.

"The complaints are riddled with inaccuracies and rely on no first-hand knowledge," DeLaney continued. "For example, one of the complaints lists a phone number for Dr. Bernard as 555-555-5555."

On Tuesday, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita sent letters to Bernard announcing he was launching an investigation into each of the complaints, according to Bernard's attorney. A Republican, Rokita previously went on Fox News and falsely suggested Bernard had not properly notified authorities that she had performed the abortion on a child, who was forced to travel from Ohio due to her home state's near-total prohibition on terminating pregnancies.

That case came to national attention after Bernard spoke out in an interview with the Indianapolis Star. It was later cited by President Joe Biden as a consequence of the US Supreme Court overturning federal abortion rights, spurring a number of right-wing media personalities and politicians to suggest it was a fabrication.

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A 27-year-old man has since been arrested and indicted on two counts of rape. He pleaded not guilty earlier this week.

Bernard has threatened to sue Rokita for defamation.

Kelly Stevenson, a spokesperson for Rokita, told Insider that the attorney general's office "investigates a variety of consumer complaints." However, she said, "We don't discuss the details of investigations."

In a previous statement, Rokita's office dismissed Bernard's threat of legal action as a "baseless" attack on one of the "leaders in the pro-life movement."

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
Judson McMillin, the attorney of the man, says his client was falsely charged by the police (Screenshot/Fox19)

The Brookville police department in Indiana has come under investigation after some officers allegedly targeted a man with fabricated rape charges in a bid to block him from running for the position of the town board.

The man, whose identity has not been made public, was running for the Brookville Town Board  a position that oversees law enforcement in the area.

The man was allegedly targeted by some officers because he was known for being anti-law enforcement and taking a hard line against them.

Judson McMillin, the mans attorney, said his client had been arrested for nine-month-old allegations where no formal charges were pursued.

Keep in mind that the board is the boss of the law enforcement, Mr McMillin told Fox19.

He said that police officers claimed they smelled marijuana on the man and his friend, and went to his house with a search warrant to arrest them both.

And then [they] also arrested the individual who was running for the town board for the old rape charge. So theres a lot of problems with it, he added.

According to court documents, the man was arrested for marijuana and prescription-only drugs, in addition to a May 2021 case where no formal charges were being pursued by the Franklin Prosecutors Office.

It said neither Franklin County prosecutor Chris Huerkamp nor any other members of his staff had been consulted prior to the decision made by members of the Brookville police department to use the nine-month old allegations as the basis for a probable cause arrest.

Aleese Whitamore, a witness later identified in court documents, was approached by some officers of the department. She testified that she was encouraged to run for the position because they did not want the man on the town board.

I was like, Why is that? He said, Well, he hates cops she recalled a conversation with the officers. It just makes me uncomfortable knowing that youre trying to ruin someones life basically, over your small town politics.

Small town politics is too much for me, she said. So I just stay out of it.

All the charges against the man were dropped after her testimony.
Instagram will begin surveying some of its users about their race and ethnicity in an effort to better serve historically marginalized communities, it said in a blog post Thursday.

The optional survey will ask users what race they identify as, said Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram.

In a video on his social media accounts, Mosseri said that if the company is going to ensure that the platform is equitable, it needs to understand how it's working for its users.

"We know that groups that have been historically marginalized disproportionately contribute to creativity, toward pushing culture forward," Mosseri said. "So it's in our interest to make sure that Instagram is as great an experience as it can be for all communities, for all individuals, no matter how they identify."

The survey, which is optional for users who are asked to participate, will be hosted by YouGov, an international research group. Texas Southern University, the University of Central Florida, Northeastern University and Oasis Labs will partner with Instagram to assess the data. An aggregated assessment of the data will later be shared with Instagram, according to Instagrams blog post.

In 2020, Instagram established an Equity Team to address concerns from Black and other creators of color on the platform and to study algorithmic biases. The team also focuses on whether Instagram is operating in a "fair" way to all users, Mosseri said. The survey is part of how the platform plans to achieve that goal, he added.

Race Measurement Survey 



Starting today we'll ask a random assortment of people in the US to take an optional survey hosted by @yougovamerica where they can share their race/ethnicity. All responses are encrypted and cant be connected to your account.https://t.co/wh5Ok54w1W pic.twitter.com/zTNBl3Ctkf  Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) July 28, 2022

In its blog post, Instagram said it needs to "collect and measure" demographic information, which includes information about race and ethnicity, to "better understand different experiences people may have on Instagram."

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The survey will be pushed to a selected number of users in the U.S. starting Thursday.

Mosseri also stressed that the platform won't link a survey to a person's account and that it won't change the way the respondent uses the app.

If "you do share, we cannot [link] your answer to the survey with your actual specific account on Instagram," he said. "It will not limit your Instagram experience."

Adam Mosseri (Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images for WIRED file)

Instagram this year announced other changes to better support Black and other users of color, such as introducing a special tag for content creators to credit those who come up with content and trend ideas.

The changes come amid backlash to how the platform has historically treated its Black and other users of color. For example, last year, the app came under fire after it introduced a "sensitive content" filter that appeared to negatively affect Black users.

Instagram and its parent company, Meta, have also had to navigate backlash over updates to the app. In recent weeks, content creators have expressed their frustration over Instagram's increased size of photos and videos, which have the intended effect of making the app a full-screen experience, like TikTok. Some have even threatened to leave the app over the change.

Mosseri said Tuesday that the changes were a "test," but he acknowledged that Instagram was shifting toward becoming a more video-friendly platform.
DUBAI (Reuters) - A senior U.S. administration official said on Thursday that there was no framework yet for an integrated Middle East air and missile defence system but that the United States believes there is potential for a multilateral regional approach for security.

President Joe Biden raised the matter during a visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this month where he held a summit with leaders from nine Arab states following a trip to Israel, but left with no public Arab support for a regional security axis.

"It's an idea right now, there's no framework for it ... but it was important for the president to raise the issue of better regional integrated air and missile defence," said the administration official, who declined to be named.

"We think, particularly given the increasing threat of Iran's ballistic missiles, there's great promise here in having a more networked, more integrated, more cooperative approach to air missile defense."

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been frustrated by U.S. conditions on arms sales. The two countries were also irked by their exclusion from indirect U.S.-Iran talks on reviving a 2015 nuclear pact they see as flawed for not addressing Iran's missile programme and regional behaviour.

Israel, which shares their concern over Iran, encouraged Biden's trip to Jeddah, hoping it would foster a warming between Saudi Arabia and Israel as part of a wider Arab rapprochement after the UAE and Bahrain forged ties with Israel.

During the trip, Saudi Arabia announced it would open its airspace to all air carriers, paving the way for more overflights to and from Israel. The Saudi foreign minister later said this was not a precursor to further steps and that he was not aware of any discussions on a Gulf-Israeli defence alliance.

Iran accused Washington of using "Iranophobia" to create regional tension during Biden's visit.

(Reporting by Ghaida Ghantous and Maha El Dahan in Dubai; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
TABLE GROVE  On July 25, 2022, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 4 was contacted by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office (FCSO) to investigate an officer involved shooting involving two FCSO Deputies.

Preliminary reports indicate that two FCSO Deputies were attempting to locate a male subject that was wanted on warrant for Domestic Battery, later identified as Jeremiah C. Jones, 38 years old. During an encounter at approximately 9:56 p.m., the subject pointed a gun at the two FCSO Deputies and both Deputies fired their weapon at the male subject. The subject was pronounced deceased near the intersection of Fulton County Road 13 and East Bailey Road. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident. An autopsy was scheduled for July 26, 2022.

This is an active and ongoing investigation and no additional information will be released at this time. The investigation continues by ISP Zone 4 Macomb, the Fulton County Coroner's Office, and Evidence Services Command - Crime Scene Services (SESC-CSS)

This article originally appeared on The McDonough County Voice: Officer-involved shooting in Fulton County leaves one dead
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  A group of Japanese lawmakers including two former defense ministers met with Taiwan's president Thursday in a rare high-level visit to discuss regional security.

The delegation, led by lawmaker and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, said it wanted to reach an agreement with Taiwan on defense issues and prepare for any potential conflict in the region, while also seeking to prevent conflict from breaking out.

We need to think ahead about what kind of situations could happen, what kind of laws and agreements we should prepare, and what kind of armaments we could use, he said in prepared remarks at the Presidential Office. We need to work together to reach consensus on this ahead of anything that could happen.

Ishiba noted that Japan is also working closely with the U.S. to prevent conflict in the Indo-Pacific, saying the defense allies had no choice but to prepare.

Tensions in the region have risen amid increasing assertiveness from China, whose authoritarian ruling Communist Party considers democratic, self-ruling Taiwan its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary.

The group of Japanese lawmakers was welcomed by President Tsai Ing-wen and will also meet with Su Tseng-chang, president of the Executive Yuan, and representatives from Taiwans Defense Ministry.

Safeguarding Taiwan is not only about safeguarding sovereignty. It's also because on the issue of strategic safety Taiwan is a very critical line of defense of the first island chain," Tsai said. "We will continue to deepen our cooperation with Japan and other democratic partners to uphold the Indo-Pacific area's peace and stability.

Ishiba was accompanied by three other Japanese lawmakers  Yasukazu Hamada, Akihisa Nakashima and Takayuki Shimizu  who are all members of a cross-party national security group that is comprised of many who have served in the defense establishment.

Ishiba said Japan had a responsibility to promote regional security, economic development and rule of law.

It cannot just be at the level of thought, just words spoken out of one's mouth. Japan must take on concrete responsibilities in the Asia region, he said.
Spirit Airlines had recommended its shareholders approve a lower offer from Frontier, saying that antitrust regulators are more likely to reject the bid from JetBlue. (Chris O'Meara / Associated Press)

JetBlue has agreed to buy Spirit Airlines for $3.8 billion in a deal that would create the nation's fifth largest airline if approved by U.S. regulators.

The agreement Thursday comes a day after Spirit's attempt to merge with Frontier Airlines fell apart. Spirit had recommended its shareholders approve a lower offer from Frontier, saying that antitrust regulators are more likely to reject the bid from JetBlue.

This combination is an exciting opportunity to diversify and expand our network, add jobs and new possibilities for crewmembers, and expand our platform for profitable growth. JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said in a statement.

The combined airline, which will be based in New York and led by Hayes, would have a fleet of 458 aircraft. The airlines will continue to operate independently until after the transaction closes.

JetBlue said Thursday that it would pay $33.50 per share in cash for Spirit, including a prepayment of $2.50 per share in cash payable once Spirit stockholders approve the transaction. There's also a ticking fee of 10 cents per month starting in January 2023 through closing.

If the transaction is completed before December 2023, the deal will be for $33.50 per share, increasing over time to up to $34.15 per share, in the event the transaction closes at the outside date in July 2024.

If the deal doesnt close due to antitrust reasons, JetBlue will pay Spirit a reverse break-up fee of $70 million and stockholders of Spirit a reverse break-up fee of $400 million less any amounts paid to stockholders of Spirit prior to termination.

JetBlue anticipates $600 million to $700 million in annual savings once the transaction is complete. Annual revenue for the combined company is anticipated to be about $11.9 billion, based on 2019 revenues.

The deal still needs the required regulatory approvals and approval from Spirits stockholders. The companies expect to conclude the regulatory process and close the transaction no later than the first half of 2024.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NY Daily News

Donald Trump Jr. got so worked up speaking about the FBIs search to recover confidential documents from his fathers home last week that it even caused critics of the former presidents namesake to wonder about his well-being. The Atlantic writer Molly Jong-Fast posted the 44-year-old scions rapid-fire rant, which included a nonstop stream of loosely connected grievances running the gamut ...
Update: On Thursday, Olathe Sgt. Logan Bonney said mans injuries were from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was expected to survive.

Johnson Countys Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team was reviewing a case of a 22-year-old man who was shot and wounded Wednesday afternoon in Gardner as police were responding to a welfare check.

Officers with Gardner police were called Wednesday around 3:30 p.m. on a report of a man considered a suicide risk, according to a police statement released Wednesday evening. The man allegedly pointed a handgun toward an officer, who responded by firing his service weapon, police said.

The 22-year-old man, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, was taken to a hospital and was placed in police custody. His wound may have been self-inflicted, police said.

No officers were injured during the encounter. Officers involved were put on paid leave as a matter of standard procedure while the review is performed.

The specialized Johnson County team, composed of investigators from area law enforcement agencies, was established roughly 20 years ago with the aim of ensuring that police shootings are critically reviewed. Findings are then sent to the Johnson County prosecutors to determine whether a police shooting was justified.
US Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas has backed out of teaching at the George Washington University Law School following protests over his concurring opinion overturning Roe v Wade, which affirmed the right to abortion care for the past 50 years.

He was part of a conservative majority that in late June reversed the 1973 ruling, making abortion nearly impossible for pregnant people in the 25 states with partial or full bans on the procedure.

Justice Thomas, 74, has taught a seminar at the private law school in Washington DC since 2011 and was supposed to lead the seminar this fall with judge Gregory Maggs of the US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

Justice Thomas informed GW Law that he is unavailable to co-teach a constitutional law seminar this fall, a university spokesperson said in a statement.

The university added that it did not have additional information to share about whether the judge would return in future.

Justice Thomas reported $10,000 (8,225) in income from teaching at the law school on his 2021 financial disclosure.

Following the June judgement, thousands of students had signed an online petition urging the university to sever ties with Justice Thomas, a demand that officials have refused to accept. The petition had more than 11,000 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.

University provost Christopher Bracey and law dean Dayna Bowen Matthew reportedly said in an email that Justice Thomas would not be fired even though his views did not represent the university or its law school.

Like all faculty members at our university, Justice Thomas has academic freedom and freedom of expression and inquiry, the email from June said.

Meanwhile, more than a million signatures have been registered to a petition calling for the impeachment of Justice Thomas for his Roe v Wade judgement.

He further irked Americans in his concurring opinion by saying the court should reconsider all of this courts substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.

The mentioned cases deal with the countrys fundamental right to privacy, due process, and equal protections rights, like same-sex marriage.

Additional reporting by agencies
A Kenyan court on Thursday ordered a politician running for deputy president in next month's election to forfeit almost $1.7 million that had been frozen in a corruption probe.

The case highlights the endemic corruption in Kenya, where the anti-graft body last month raised "integrity" concerns about more than 200 candidates standing for various offices in the August 9 polls.

Justice Esther Maina ruled that Rigathi Gachagua, who is presidential candidate William Ruto's running mate, had failed to explain the source of 200 million Kenyan shillings found in his bank account and should therefore surrender it to the state.

Gachagua, who in court papers said the money came from his companies' business dealings, blasted the ruling and vowed to appeal.

"The judge was biased against us from the word go and threw caution to the wind by conducting a sham trial," he said on Twitter.

Both outgoing Deputy President Ruto and his main presidential rival, former prime minister Raila Odinga, have pledged to tackle graft, but voters remain sceptical as corruption infects almost every level of society.

Kenyans will next month elect not only a new president but also several hundred members of parliament and about 1,500 county officials.

Interior Minister Fred Matiang'i said on Tuesday that banks were running out of 100 and 200 shilling notes because they were being used by politicians to bribe people ahead of the vote.

He accused the politicians of "laundering themselves" into elected institutions and voiced fears that those voted into office may not act to clean up the system.

Kenya was ranked 128th out of 180 countries on Transparency International's 2021 graft perceptions index, with the watchdog saying its fight against corruption had "stagnated".

txw-str/amu/imm
Klymenko is a NABU detective, known for investigating the case of Oleh Tatarov, deputy chairman of the OPU

Yermak said Oleksandr Klymenko, a detective at the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine, had been confirmed in the post by newly appointed Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin.

Read also: Zelenskyy adviser comments on new Prosecutor-General Kostin

I congratulate Andriy Kostin on starting work as the head of the Prosecutor Generals Office, and Oleksandr Klymenko on his appointment as the head of the SAPO, Yermak wrote. I wish you effective work.

Kostin was himself appointed by Ukraines parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, the day before on July 27, only hours after he was nominated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Read also: Who is behind new "Yermak case" and how it threatens Ukraine

The competition committee for the post of SAPO head approved the appointment of Klymenko on July 19. But for almost two years previously the committee failed to confirm any candidates, with anti-corruption activists in Ukraine claiming the appointment had been stalled for political reasons.

The appointment of the winner of the competition to head the SAPO was also one of the requirements for the start of negotiations on Ukraines accession to the European Union.

The fight against corruption is a priority for our state, as our investment attractiveness and business freedom depend on its success, Yermak added in his Telegram message.

And our (Prosecutor Generals Office), in particular, has an important mission  investigating Russia's crimes against Ukraine.

Read also: US creates team to investigate Russian war crimes in Ukraine

We must bring the Russian criminals to justice.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
VALENTYNA ROMANENKO  THURSDAY, 28 JULY 2022, 08:58

According to preliminary police reports, no civilians have been killed or injured in the Russian missile strike on the Vyshhorod district in Kyiv Oblast.

Source: Andrii Niebytov, head of Kyiv Oblast Police, on Telegram

Quote: "Airstrike on Kyiv Oblast. The enemy struck an infrastructure facility in the Vyshhorod district this morning.

Police officers, State Emergency Service workers and other emergency services are working at the scene. Law enforcement officers are recording the effects of the airstrike.

So far, we have no information about casualties or fatalities."

Details: Niebytov has once again urged civilians to heed air-raid sirens and find shelter when they are sounded.

Updated: Oleksii Kuleba, the head of Kyiv Oblast Military Administration said that on Thursday, the Russian forces fired 5 rockets on the Kyiv region.

Previously: In the morning of 28 July the occupiers conducted a missile strike on one of the hromadas [Amalgamated Territorial Communities - ed.] in the Vyshhorod district. An infrastructure facility has been struck. The Russians launched missiles from the territory of Belarus.
By Mimosa Spencer

PARIS (Reuters) - L'Oreal may continue to raise prices in the second half of the year to offset rising production costs, but would do so in a very targeted manner, the cosmetics group's Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Hieronimus told Reuters on Thursday.

The maker of Maybelline mascara and Lancome perfumes beat expectations with 13.4% sales growth in the second quarter, tapping into a strong rebound in makeup sales as socialising resumes. It also bucked a declining trend in the luxury and fashion industry in China with higher sales despite the country's lockdowns.

Despite an uncertain outlook for the second half of the year, the company is "overall pretty confident, even bullish", about business prospects, according to the executive, who became CEO of the world's biggest beauty company just over a year ago.

Rising input costs have most affected the group's consumer products division, which has focused efforts on targeted price increases as well as introducing new products at higher price points.

"Instead of saying we're going to increase everything by the same percentage, we've really fine-tuned it," Hieronimus said, noting that the company has seen no reduction in volumes of goods sold, rather "we have so far continued to see upgrading of consumers in every category".

Speaking from his 10th floor office with sweeping views of Paris, Hieronimus said while negotiations with retailers over price increases are "never easy" there hadn't been any blockages or "really hard fights".

L'Oreal slightly decreased the proportion of advertising and promotion spending over the first half to 31.5% of sales, easing up after a strong post pandemic push last year when it rolled out product launches that had been held back during lockdowns, including a makeup line under the Valentino label.

Hieronimus said the company could maintain a similar proportion of investments in the second half of the year.

"It's possible we will apply the same recipe," he said.

(Reporting by Mimosa Spencer; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

(Reuters) -At least 17 people have been killed and dozens wounded in the Syrian province of Sweida in clashes between armed residents and gangs aligned with state security agencies, activists and local media said on Thursday.

The Druze-majority province has remained mostly shielded from the bloody conflict that ravaged the rest of the country since 2011 but sporadic rallies have taken place over deteriorating economic conditions. The Syrian government exerts less military and administrative control of the region than other government-held areas.

Residents have been growing increasingly frustrated at government-backed fighters carrying out arbitrary detentions, random roadblocks and kidnappings for ransom, said Rayan Maarouf, an activist and head of the Suwayda24 local media outlet.

At the weekend, the detention of one resident prompted others to set up informal roadblocks and detain members of government-backed gangs and besiege their bases, Suwayda24 reported.

"This uprising flared up very suddenly and there were attacks on the bases of these armed groups, which are reinforced with heavy weapons," Maarouf told Reuters late Wednesday.

One resident of Atil, one of the villages swallowed up by fighting, said the clashes were so heavy he was unable to leave his house to get urgent medical supplies for his sister.

"It was 15 hours of full-on war. The cars, the solar panels, the water tanks - they all got destroyed," said the resident, who preferred to use his first name Shadi.

The resulting fighting left 17 people dead according to Sweida's health directorate, which was cited by both Suwayda24 and the pro-government Al-Watan newspaper on Thursday.

Most of the dead were members of the state-aligned gangs and muted funerals were held for them on Thursday, Maarouf told Reuters.

The rest, from a movement linked to Druze religious figures and known as the "Men of Dignity," were mourned in two processions that drew in around 2,000 people each, he added.

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The Syrian government has not commented on the violence but Al-Watan said the fighting had quietened and negotiations over a settlement were underway.

The man kidnapped at the weekend was ultimately released, Sweida24 reported.

Sweida had seen rare protests earlier this year, when dozens gathered in the provincial capital to demand a halt to cuts in gas subsidies.

(Editing by Philippa Fletcher)
People take a boat through Lost Creek, Kentucky, which flooded as intense storms hit the region (AP)

Intense storms have dropped inches of rain and prompted rapid flooding in parts of eastern Kentucky.

Officials report rescues as people evacuated flooded homes.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency on Thursday morning, calling it one of the worst, most devastating flooding events in Kentuckys history.

At least one person has died, reports NBC News. At a briefing on Mr Beshear said that he expects double-digit loss of life.

What we are going to see coming out of this is massive property damage and we expect loss of life, Governor Beshear said in a statement. Hundreds will lose their homes. And this will be yet another event that will take not months, but years, for our families to rebuild and recover from.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flood warning for some areas through tomorrow morning. Up to eight inches (15 centimeres) of rain have fallen in some parts, and more rain is expected Thursday night and on Friday.

Flood watches are in place for much of Kentucky, West Virginia and the southwest corner of Virginia, most of which sits in rural areas of the Appalachian Mountains.

Aerial image of a flooded residential area in Quicksand, Kentucky, as homes are surrounded by intense floodwaters (AP)

The weather service has warned people not to drive through flooded roads. Poweroutage.us is reporting more than 20,000 outages in eastern Kentucky.

Early Thursday morning, Breathitt County emergency officials said that some roads were too flooded for rescue crews to reach some areas.

The Perry County Advocate has reported that fire departments have helped people escape homes as flood waters surrounded them.

A study published earlier this year found that flash flooding is likely to become more common in many parts of the US as the climate crisis grows. Warmer temperatures can drive more intense rainstorms, which can deluge an area quickly and lead to rapid-onset floodwaters.

Earlier this week, intense flash floods hit St. Louis and surrounding areas of Missouri, and flash floods struck in southwest Virginia  nearby todays flooding  just a few weeks ago. In June, intense flooding hit Yellowstone National Park after intense rain and snowmelt.

This is a breaking story, more to follow
Watch: ITV defends Laura Whitmore amid Love Island complaints

ITV Studios managing director Kevin Lygo has said the channel will "sit down and review" Love Island at the end of the series in the wake of thousands of Ofcom complaints.

More than 5,000 people have contacted the broadcasting regulator this summer to express misgivings about the reality dating show, in relation to several controversial moments.

Read more: Abuse charity warning over "concerning" behaviour on Love Island

During a media briefing for ITVs interim financial results, Lygo stressed that the broadcaster's top brass are "very happy with the way it has gone so far" despite the controversy that has greeted the series.

"We continually assess a programme as it is going on because it is one of these odd, every night live sort of shows," said Lygo.

This year's series of Love Island has sparked thousands of complaints to regulator Ofcom. (ITV)

He added: But when the series comes to an end on Monday, we will always sit down and review what we think about it, what the reaction has been, how well it has done.

"And we have to say this year, remember, it is the best one we have had in many years and I think everyone is thoroughly enjoying it.

Read more: Love Island boss says other ex-islanders want to mimic Adam Collard return

"To get five million people to watch a show every night at nine oclock is extraordinary in the modern era, so something is being done right."

The launch show of this year's Love Island series was the highest-rated since before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, with five million people tuning in for the inaugural episode.

ITV boss Kevin Lygo says Love Island 2022 has been a success, despite Ofcom complaints. (ITV)

But despite the strong viewing figures, the show has been a magnet for controversy this year, with Ofcom pondering whether to further investigate more than 5,000 complaints.

The most complained about episodes were the two focused around the 'Mad Movies' challenge, in which contestants were shown clips of their partners' actions outside of their relationships.

Read more: Love Island 2021 winning couple announce split

These episodes drew 2,648 complaints to Ofcom, while 1,509 complaints related to allegations of bullying during the 'Snog, Marry, Pie' challenge earlier this month.

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Meanwhile, spin-off talk show Love Island: Aftersun received more than 400 complaints after remarks host Laura Whitmore made about islander Ekin-Su Culculoglu.

Laura Whitmore attracted hundreds of complaints with her comments on spin-off show Love Island: Aftersun. (ITV)

Love Island set a record for Ofcom complaints last year, with more than 35,000 viewers contacting the regulator during the series.

Most of the complaints related to the aggressive behaviour of Faye Winter towards partner Teddy Soares  the couple are still together a year later  in the wake of that year's edition of 'Mad Movies'.

Read more: Laura Whitmore hits back at Love Island presenting criticism

Ofcom ultimately found the row did not breach its guidelines, stating that the scenes "were within viewers likely expectations of this programmes established format".

Love Island has been confirmed to return for two series in 2023  a winter series filmed in South Africa in January, followed by the traditional summer series in Majorca.

Watch: Luca Bish's family release statement amid Love Island trolling
Were gradually transitioning to the cooler months, and visiting museums is a popular fall and winter activity. Courtesy of Smithsonian Magazines annual Museum Day, youll be able to visit a number of US museums, zoos and cultural centers for the unbeatable price of free.

On September 17, seize the chance to soak up some culture, and bring family and friends because why not?

Each year, Museum Day has a different theme. The one for 2022 is The American Experience. This will be the 18th year Smithsonian Magazine is hosting the event. It was cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Some of the participating museums include Poster House in New York and the Los Angeles Maritime Museum.

Starting August 15, you can reserve tickets in advance on the Smithsonian website.

Travel + Leisure notes each ticket will allow the ticket holder free access to any participating museum along with one guest.

Please note that its one ticket per email.

Amy Wilkins of Smithsonian Media said the following to Travel + Leisure:

We are thrilled to bring Museum Day to the public for the 18th year and highlight many of the museums and cultural institutions that make America so special. Through the support of our incredible sponsors, we can enhance this initiative and continue to foster a sense of boundless curiosity for knowledge and culture across the country.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a revolution for Black Americans, with thousands starting businesses in everything from food to haircare products to clothing.

To help Black entrepreneurs, Microsoft has created a platform to empower and assist startup founders at every stage. AfroTech reports the Microsoft For Startups Founders Hub is a digital platform connecting entrepreneurs and business owners with resources, mentorship, and digital tools to help on the journey from an idea to a thriving business.

Microsoft is working to level the playing field for Black business owners and has offered seven keys to building a successful startup business.

Be yourself

Being true to yourself is one of Microsofts first keys. All it takes is one idea and typically the best and most original ideas come from a persons life experience. The majority of startup programs require founders to be investor-backed to receive benefits, Microsofts Hub has no funding requirements, making it a point to meet founders where they are in their journey. This will help founders who have been underserved at the start of the journey before theyve established themselves,

Research the market

Creating a successful product and turning it into a thriving business begins with first understanding the problem youre solving and your clients base through market research. Microsofts digital tools and resources will help new entrepreneurs expand their skill sets, learn more about running a business and understand their industry at a higher level. Microsofts free, online content will connect entrepreneurs with quality business education to give them an advantage.

Seek a mentor

No entrepreneur becomes a success by themselves. Becoming a successful entrepreneur means finding advice and solutions through mentors to avoid pitfalls and mistakes along the way. Microsofts Mentor Network, one of the most anticipated features on Microsofts For Startups Founders Hub platform, will provide access to mentors with expert insight and feedback on topics ranging from product roadmaps to business strategy to product launches.

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Use innovative tools to increase efficiency

Creating a more efficient, cost-effective, and productive startup from the very beginning is paramount to successfully running your business. Microsoft for Startups is providing entrepreneurs and startups with free access to its development and productivity tools to create efficient daily operations. Microsoft has also made the tools easy to pick up and use.

Select the right cloud platform

Picking the right cloud platform can save startups thousands of dollars by storing valuable data and protecting it from hackers and potential data breaches. Microsofts Azure platform is a platform founders can build on that is used by corporations, governments, and other startups. Additionally, Azure can streamline products and services to a central location for secure and compliant management.

Find solutions you can trust to address issues

One constant issue for entrepreneurs and startups is finding out which products are the best fit for their operations. Entrepreneurs can save themselves thousands of dollars by finding the right products to deal with their issues with Microsofts Partner Benefits. It carries a list of vetted service providers to help startups and entrepreneurs take advantage of exclusive offers for software services, including discounts, free credits and more.

Invest in technical support and guidance to keep your business moving

It is paramount that entrepreneurs provide their staff with the right support as the business grows. Members of the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub will provide access to technical assistance and experts who can consult one-on-one across a range of topics. Microsofts experts can also provide guidance on building a tech stack, prototypes, and long-term support for successful cloud adoption and troubleshooting.

In addition to its Microsoft For Startups platform, the tech giant is helping to increase representation in corporate boardrooms and has announced several other programs dedicated to helping Black and minority businesses.
An Alabama man illegally collected his mothers Social Security benefits for the 14 years after her death, federal prosecutors say.

The man pleaded guilty on July 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama to stealing $71,865.13 in Social Security benefits, according to court documents.

The man did not report his mothers death in April 2006 to the Social Security Administration and instead continued to collect her benefits from May 2006 until December 2020, prosecutors said.

The defendants attorney did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment.

The benefits were directly deposited into a joint bank account shared between the man and his mother, according to court.

In the years since his mothers death, the man changed her address several times, prosecutors said. Further investigation revealed that each address actually belonged to the man, and the benefits were terminated.

The man is prepared to pay full restitution and faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced in October, the documents say.
Health officials in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are monitoring for any signs of a local monkeypox outbreak after a case was reported in Santa Rosa County.

Monkeypox, a far-less lethal cousin of smallpox, causes painful blisters that can leave lifelong scars. It is passed through prolonged person-to-person contact or by touching material like sheets or clothing used by a contagious person. Symptoms are varied but usually involve fever, headache, muscle aches, backaches, chills, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes.

As of Monday, the Florida Department of Health reported 101 confirmed cases and 209 probable cases in the state.

Officials in the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties are monitoring the global monkeypox outbreak and prepared to administer vaccines to high risk groups.

Local health officials are monitoring for a rise in monkeypox cases and will meet to review any case where a patient appears to have monkeypox or come into close contact with someone with the illness. Department of Health offices in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties will provide the FDA-licensed Jynneos vaccine to high risk groups as doses become available from the federal government.

A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine found that of the 528 infections diagnosed between April and June in more than a dozen countries, 98% of the people identified as gay or bisexual men. The World Health Organization has found 99% of cases in the United States are related to male-to-male sexual contact.

Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for the Florida Department of Health, said that monkeypox is not like COVID-19, which is spread through the air, making the overall exposure risk "extremely low" for most Floridians.

You may be interested in: STD infections in Santa Rosa County are on the rise. Here's what you need to know

In case you missed it: 'We want everybody to thrive': Community Health Northwest Florida celebrates 30 years

"The only way you're going to get it is with that very close physical contact with somebody that already has monkeypox," Redfern said.

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U.S. monkeypox cases are very rare, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Monkeypox does not occur naturally in the United States, but cases have happened that were associated with international travel or importing animals from areas where the disease is more common.

According to CDC data published Wednesday, there are currently 3,591 confirmed cases in the U.S., with positive cases in all states except Alaska, Montana, Vermont and Wyoming.

Officials in the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties are monitoring the global monkeypox outbreak and prepared to administer vaccines to high risk groups.

On July 23, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, declared the multi-country monkeypox outbreak to be a global "public health emergency of international concern.

Monkeypox has long been endemic in parts of Africa. A news release by Africa CDC reports since February 2020, Africa has documented 12,475 cases and 365 deaths from monkeypox. There have been over 16,500 cases and 75 deaths in 75 countries globally this year.

Karen Weintraub of USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Monkeypox in Santa Rosa: Department of Health monitoring positive case
Various institutions within Alabama received bomb threats on Wednesday, and officials are actively looking for suspects in the case.

According to WSFA, the impacted institutions include a plethora of community colleges: Wallace, Enterprise State, Trenholm State, Reid State Technical, Shelton State, Jefferson State, Northwest-Shoals, Calhoun and two Lurleen B. Wallace campuses (Andalusia and Opp).

There were also a few four-year institutions that received threats including the University of South Alabama, Auburn University and the University of Alabama Huntsville.

All in all, at least 13 colleges and universities throughout the state received unsubstantiated threats on Wednesday, and normal campus operations resumed shortly after that.

Law enforcement has cleared the Wallace Dothan Campus. Classes will resume tomorrow morning.  Wallace Community College (@wccdothan) July 27, 2022

PATRIOT ALERT: Both NW-SCC campuses have been given the all clear.  The College appreciates the quick response from local law enforcement to keep our students and employees safe. The College will remain closed tonight (7/27) & will resume normal operations tomorrow (7/28).  Northwest-Shoals (@NWSCC) July 27, 2022

AU ALERT: ALL CLEAR. The previous emergency has been resolved. Police have cleared the Nursing Bldg. It is safe to resume normal activity. ALL CLEAR.  AU Campus Safety (@AuburnSafety) July 27, 2022

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) released a statement responding to the situation.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is aware of the most recent bomb threats made against universities and colleges around the country, which includes schools located in Alabama. ALEAs State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Alabama Fusion Center (AFC), in conjunction with local and federal partners, are currently monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of all students, faculty and staff, the agency noted in the news release.

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All collegiate schools that received threats within Alabama on Wednesday, July 27, have been cleared and classes have been deemed safe to resume. No further details are available at this time, the ALEA continued.

Ebony Horton, a spokesperson for the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), also released a statement.

Authorities at Alabamas community colleges are working closely with law enforcement on a state level and within each community to ensure the safety of residents across our facilities after alleged bomb threats were made at multiple institutions, Horton said.

While no threats have been deemed credible at this time, some buildings have  per protocol  been evacuated and access restricted to some campuses. Residents, including students, faculty and staff, are encouraged to not visit any of the colleges facilities until further notice by the colleges, Horton said, according to WSFA.

An investigation into the matter is currently underway. According to WHNT, the FBI is on the case and working with local law enforcement.

At least 13 Alabama college campuses targeted with bomb threats Wednesday  WSFA https://t.co/h5W7qhyrUR  Montgomery News (@montgomery_new) July 28, 2022

This situation comes about two weeks after at least six institutions within the Hamptons Road region of Virginia were hit with bomb threats, as Blavity previously reported.

Additionally, in early 2022, various historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) throughout the U.S. also received unsubstantiated threats.
Nashville Police Chief John Drake speaks during a news conference at the MNPD headquarters Tuesday announcing the arrest of Phillip Hayes, 46.

This story includes details of rape. If you have experienced rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse, the Sexual Assault Center (SAC) provides free counseling, advocate services and free forensic exams at their SAFE Clinic for anyone. To reach the 24/7 crisis line, please call the Sexual Assault Center at 1-800-879-1999 or contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Phillip Hayes, 46, has been charged after a 74-year-old woman said she was raped Saturday in her home, Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said.

Hayes was arrested just before 7 a.m. Tuesday, Drake said. He faces charges of aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated burglary.

Hayes confessed to being the man in a surveillance photo previously released by police, Drake said. Laboratory testing also matched Hayes' DNA to the scene.

He was initially arrested on charges of assaulting an officer, auto burglary, resisting arrest and possession of meth, according to MNPD. He is set to appear before a judge Thursday, records show.

PREVIOUSLY: Nashville detectives seek help finding man suspected of raping of 74-year-old woman

How the arrest unfolded

The woman said on Saturday she started to walk inside her home on Bowling Avenue after completing yard work. That's when she encountered a man she did not know, who then sexually assaulted her, according to MNPD.

Surveillance footage captured a man with a bandana over his face leaving the home. Police released a screen shot of the footage over the weekend.

On Tuesday, residents in the 900 block of Gale Lane said a man rang a doorbell several times and rummaged through a vehicle around 4:20 a.m., Drake said.

Officers searched for the man, later identified as Hayes, but were unable to find him. Police also spotted a minivan abandoned in a ditch on Gale Lane. The minivan was a rental reported stolen earlier this month from a hotel parking lot.

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After a wrecker pulled away with the minivan around 5:25 a.m., police said Hayes walked up Gale Lane. An officer recognized him and attempted to detain him, Drake said. Hayes began yelling, flailed his arms and fled, according to MNPD.

Hayes was ultimately arrested around 7 a.m. after emerging from a wooded area in the 2500 block of Eighth Avenue South.

Drake said the arrest took a "very dangerous man off our streets" and he lauded officers who helped catch him.

I know that todays charges are a relief to residents in neighborhoods surrounding Bowling Avenue who, understandably, were shaken and scared by what occurred Saturday," Drake said Thursday morning in a news release. This was a horrendous crime."

Police: Hayes has charges in other states

Hayes had no previous arrest history in Nashville, MNPD said. It was not clear how long he lived in the area prior to Saturday.

In May, Hayes was arrested in Lebanon on charges of driving without a license, auto theft and misdemeanor drug possession, police said. He also has an arrest history in Florida and Kentucky.

Find reporter Rachel Wegner at rawegner@tennessean.com or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville police arrest man in connection with rape of 74-year-old
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  A man accused of raping and impregnating a 9-year-old Ohio girl who traveled to Indiana for an abortion was ordered held without bond Thursday by a judge who cited overwhelming evidence and the fact that he apparently is living in the U.S. illegally.

Gerson Fuentes, 27, faces two counts of raping the girl, who turned 10 before having the abortion in a case that has become a flashpoint in the national discussion about access to the procedure since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. He has pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, Fuentes, who is from Guatemala, faces the possibility of life in prison with no chance of parole. That penalty and not having any ties to this community that can be proved legally makes it a substantial flight risk, Franklin County Judge Julie Lynch said after a 35-minute hearing.

The girl confirmed that Fuentes attacked her, Fuentes confessed to Columbus police detectives, and DNA testing of the aborted fetus confirmed Fuentes was the father, Franklin County Prosecutor Dan Meyer and detective Jeffrey Huhn said in court Thursday.

Huhn said he was unable, when searching multiple databases, to find any evidence that Fuentes was in the country legally.

In denying bond, Lynch cited that evidence, the violence of the crime and the fact that Fuentes had been living in the same home with the girl and her mother.

To allow him to return to that home, the traumatic and psychological impact would be undeserving to an alleged victim, Lynch said. She also cited the physical, and mental and emotional trauma the girl suffered from enduring the rapes and the abortion, and finding her case at the center of the country's abortion debate.

The case gained national attention after an Indianapolis physician, Dr. Caitlin Bernard, said the child had to travel to Indiana due to Ohio banning abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.

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President Joe Biden cited the case when he signed an order July 8 trying to protect abortion access. Some conservatives and prominent Republicans, including Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, cast doubt on the story initially, then condemned the attack after Fuentes was arrested.

Fuentes' attorney, Bryan Bowen, argued against a no-bond hearing and unsuccessfully asked Lynch to set a reasonable bond. He said there was no evidence that there was physical abuse outside of the rapes or that the girl had been put under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He also said that Fuentes had family ties in Columbus, that he had a job, and that there was no evidence of a criminal history. Fuentes has lived in the area about seven years.

We've heard evidence about the nature of the offense, but we have not heard any evidence presented about any danger that Mr. Fuentes would pose to any particular person or to the community, he said. He declined to comment after Lynch's ruling.

Dan Meyer, an assistant Franklin County prosecutor, said Thursday that Fuentes was providing for the girl's family, including her mother.

Columbus police learned about the girls pregnancy after her mother alerted Franklin County Children Services on June 22. Huhn said Fuentes confessed to raping the girl, who turned 10 on May 28, on two occasions.

The girl saw a Columbus-area doctor in late June with a plan to have an abortion locally, but that wasnt possible due to the gestational age, determined to be six weeks and four days, Huhn testified.

Ohio's heartbeat abortion ban includes an exception only for an emergency that is life-threatening or involving a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.

Indianas Republican Senate leaders proposed a bill this month that would prohibit abortions from the time an egg is implanted in a uterus, with exceptions in cases of rape and incest and to protect the life of the mother. The proposal followed the controversy over the Ohio girl's abortion in Indiana.
The Daily Beast

NewsmaxNewsmax host Eric Bolling pounced on Laura Ingrahams apparent skepticism of former President Donald Trumps potential run for office, using the opportunity to knock his former Fox News colleague and the network itself.Regarding another Trump presidential campaign, Ingraham said on a podcast Monday that well see whether thats what the country wants.The country, I think, is so exhausted, theyre exhausted by the battle, the constant battle, that they may believe that, well, maybe its
Scores of volunteers are helping civilians leave isolated settlements in war hotspots across Ukraine. Those stuck under Russian occupation risk torture in so-called filtration camps, or concentration camps, and being forcibly deported to Russia.

Aiding people in isolation

V olunteers from Dopomohayemo Vyikhaty (DV, Ukrainian for Helping to Leave) NGO have enabled 13,500 Ukrainians to relocate to safe parts of the country. Several teams are working to facilitate civilian evacuation from cities like Mariupol and Kharkiv, in addition to pockets of Russian occupation in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, as well as parts of the Donbas. The most vulnerable  seniors and disabled people  are given priority.

The photo was provided by the organization

Were helping people leave occupied areas in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts through, for example, Berdyansk and Zaporizhzhia, said Bohdana Yakovenko, who helms DVs efforts to help forcibly deported people to return to Ukraine.

The photo was provided by the organization.

Combined with other kinds of assistance  financial, psychological, facilitating evacuation  to date DV has helped over 79,000 people. More than 6,000 people were evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast alone over the last month. It costs on average $101 per person to arrange safe passage. These funds are collected via donations on DVs website.

Unfortunately, the situation in occupied parts of Donbas is dire, Yakovenko explains.

Occupation authorities from proxy Russian puppet statelets are rounding up locals, including children, forcing them to participate in filming propaganda pieces. They are forced to say on camera that invaders are helping them, distributing humanitarian aid. Its all staged purely for the cameras  there is no actual humanitarian relief effort on the ground.

The photo was provided by the organization

Yakovenko recalls one particular wheelchair-bound woman, forcibly taken to Russia. She was placed at some local care home there, most of her belongings  including the wheelchair  were taken away. FSB agents would regularly come to interrogate her. They were looking for her passport, took her phone to message other people on her behalf, likely hoping to gather some intelligence.

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We mobilized local volunteers to launch a whole operation to save this woman, said Yakovenko.

She somehow managed to hide her passport away, and we were able to take her to Estonia at the first opportunity.

The photo was provided by the organization

The house was reduced to ashes

44 -year-old Svitlana from Mariupol is another woman who turned to DV for help. Volunteers managed to arrange her safe passage to Lithuania by way of Russia. Another volunteer met her at the end of the journey, and helped Svitlana to settle in the foreign country.

The house was reduced to ashes, Svitlana said, recounting the events of March 13.

I found myself lying on the ground outside. My neighbors took me to the hospital My fingers and hip were broken, there was a (laceration) on my foot.

Svitlana from Mariupol

Svitlana was sheltering at that building with 12 other civilians, when a Russian air bomb leveled the site. Six people died, including Svitlanas partner.

Svitlana spent nine days in hospital, with the final two seeing Mariupol fall to Russian troops.

They offered to evacuate me to somewhere, but it was difficult for me at that stage, said Svitlana.

They claimed they were helping us. There was no point in arguing, but I couldnt help but think that I wouldnt need any help if they hadnt invaded our land.

Svitlana was airlifted to a hospital in occupied Donetsk on March 23. Conditions there were abysmal: running water was available three times a week at best, patients were treated rather harshly. Wounded soldiers from Russian proxy forces were being treated at the same hospital.

We would travel to Donetsk very often prior to 2014  it was like visiting neighbors, Svitlana said.

My employer was headquartered there. I was mortified to hear that a lot of guys went to fight for the so-called (Donetsk Peoples) republic. It was sheer terror to hear them say they were fighting against Mariupol. They would tell us it was liberation. I had a lot of questions for them, but knew better than to actually raise them. I was told to remain quiet  if I wanted to leave at all.

Presumably, Svitlana could leave only after going through so-called filtration. She asked about the procedure on May 5, and was told that she would have to wait a month  the nearest available date was June 6. It was unclear where Svitlana was supposed to live this whole time, as she was on crutches. Eventually she was offered a place at a local refugee camp.

The photo was provided by the organization

Svitlana heard about filtration from others. People  mostly men  would be confined to temporary holding areas in gyms, for weeks.

DPR officials would call people in for interviews, where you are interrogated about your family members  whether they are at all involved with the Ukrainian army of volunteer forces. Young men are stripped, inspected for tattoos, Svitlana describes the filtration process.

Reports of whats going in Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine are sparse and incomplete. According to DV, people there are stuck in isolation, tortured, and humiliated. Families are torn apart. Sometimes, people are lured into buses for alleged evacuation, but are instead taken to filtration camps.

Svitlana managed to escape the occupied Donbas, bypassing filtration, by coming to an arrangement with a local who took her across the border, despite the risk. Approaching the border, she scrubbed her phone of anything that could betray her true sympathies.

I was asked about my views, about what I think of everything thats going on, Svitlana recalls her crossing the border.

In order to escape, I told them what they wanted to hear.

It took two days for Svitlana to cross the boundary. By May 9, she was in Vilnius, Lithuania. It felt like a small victory to her. Volunteer Ruta picked Svitlana up and took her to the state immigration service. Ruta then helped Svitlana to find accommodation, get a medical examination, and enroll in physical therapy.

Svetlana also mentions a volunteer Rostyslav, who has helped her a lot with many things  for example, helped her get clothes and other necessary things.

The photo was provided by the organization

City of your roots

W e were waiting for some official word from the government, Svitlana says, explaining why she didnt leave Mariupol earlier.

While communications were still operational in the city, our Mayor Vadym Boychenko wrote that Mariupol was defended by Ukrainian forces. And we could see that  the defense was there. But then, communications went down, and by March 8 firefighters, ambulances, and police were gone from the streets. People were trying to get any information on whats going on, but we couldnt. I was worried.

The mayor left Mariupol by March 23, reportedly to be able to remain in contact with other regional officials. A week prior, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that its 30 employees and their families had left the city as well, as it was no longer operationally possible to keep their Mariupol mission going.

I remember hearing from someone that the Red Cross had reportedly arranged for civilian evacuation through a humanitarian corridor, but that never panned out, Svitlana recalls.

I was hurt to see the mayor leave the city while still urging the rest of us to remain. He was somewhere safe at that point. How could he do that to us? We were counting on him.

Svitlana has been staying with friend in Lithuania for a month. A week of physical therapy has helped a lot  she walks without a cane now. She intends to get psychological help as well, and is thinking of what her future might look like.

Svitlanas son was studying in Kharkiv before the war, and has since moved to Poltava. Wartime travel restrictions prevent him from leaving Ukraine to reunite with his mother. Svitlana had to leave her car and brand-new apartment behind in Mariupol.

I lived in that flat for just three months  it was a dream of mine I managed to finally attain, said Svitlana.

Following a fire, the building is no longer safe for living, but my flat remains intact, as far as I know, although some valuables have been stolen.

Her friends are saying that Mariupol authorities are urging people to come back  allegedly to secure their belongings  as damaged buildings are set for demolition. But this is clearly a ploy. Svitlana would like to come home, but its unclear when that might be possible.

It makes no sense to go back to Mariupol right now, even as I miss the city very much. My roots remain there, she says.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Multiple passengers who were aboard the Orange Line train that burst into flames one week ago are claiming they were injured in their attempts to escape and have retained legal representation.

Morgan & Morgan, who call themselves Americas Largest Personal injury law firm, said they have been retained by multiple people who were passengers during the hectic incident on July 21.

Based on initial reports, the emergency doors did not open, and there were no announcements about how passengers should proceed. We are investigating if there were certain safety measures that were not in a place that could have helped prevent the injuries our clients sustained in the panic. We will uncover the facts and hold those involved accountable for their potential actions or inactions, said Morgan & Morgan attorneys in a statement on Thursday.

On the morning of July 21, the Orange Line train stopped on Dana Bridge, which runs over the Mystic River, and soon after passengers noticed smoke entering a car toward the front of the train. The fire caused panic on the train and forced hundreds of people to scramble for safety.

About 200 people were forced to evacuate the train, including a woman who jumped into the river and others who climbed through smashed windows.

Woman jumps into river, riders evacuate through windows after Orange Line train goes up in flames

MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said that a metal sill broke off the lower section of the train and it made contact with the third rail, causing an ignition. He called this latest incident incredibly frustrating.

Poftak noted that the train in question was last inspected on June 23, 2022, and first put into service in 1980.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued a statement, saying, This incident on the Orange Line is more evidence of an aging transit system in crisis. She also vowed to work with the state to transform the broken transit agency.

In June, all new Red and Orange Line trains were pulled from service after an out-of-service car experienced a battery failure in the Wellington Yard.

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The FTA said in a recent report that investigators found the MBTA to be short-staffed to the point where trains were not safe for riders.

Poftak said earlier this month that the agency is taking steps to alleviate staff shortages and to ensure better track conditions.

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

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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Daniel Ramirez, arrives to get free water at the Topo Chico plant on July 18, 2022, in Monterrey, Mexico. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

A drought has drained the reservoirs that provide most of the water for 5 million residents who live around Monterrey, the financial capital of northern Mexico. The crisis has sparked widespread upheaval. Anger is mounting at government officials who allow the regions factories to continue pulling water from the strained aquifer via private wells while some residents are left without water for days.

Today, we take a look at the city and an unfolding crisis that experts say is a stark warning for the rest of Mexico and the American West. Read the full transcript.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times foreign correspondent Kate Linthicum

More reading:

Taps have run dry in Monterrey, Mexico, where there is water for factories but not for residents

Podcast: Drought wants your carne asada and iPhone

Western megadrought is worst in 1,200 years, intensified by climate change, study finds

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WARSAW (Reuters) - Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Thursday that a possible decision on a compulsory reduction in gas consumption in the European Union must be made unanimously, not by a qualified majority vote.

European Union countries bracing for further cuts in Russian gas supplies on Tuesday approved a weakened emergency plan to curb demand, after striking compromise deals to limit consumption reductions for some countries.

Under the plan the cuts could be made binding in a supply emergency, provided a majority of EU countries agree. Hungary was the only country that opposed the plan, two EU officials said.

Poland had said it was against binding cuts, and on Thursday Morawiecki said he wanted to have the possibility to veto such a decision.

"We absolutely favour such a vote in this matter - due to the fact that it concerns electricity, the energy mix - being in the mode of so-called unanimity, where Poland has the right to veto. We demand it," he told private broadcaster Polsat News.

"If the EU tries to coerce us into voting by qualified majority, we will protest strongly. If necessary, we will make a formal veto, and then, unfortunately, the attitude to this veto will depend on decisions of the bodies of the European Union."

Poland's climate minister said in a separate interview that Poland has already achieved a significant reduction in gas consumption and a discussion about compulsory cuts was "unnecessary".

"I hope it will never happen ... we will absolutely not support such a (compulsory) reduction, and in the worst case, if we are outvoted, we simply won't comply," Anna Moskwa told public broadcaster TVP.

(Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Global enterprises keen to attend CIIE on huge market, wider opening-up

Xinhua) 08:08, July 28, 2022

SHANGHAI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Global enterprises are keen to attend this year's China International Import Expo (CIIE) in November, seeking to tap the huge Chinese market, as the country continues to open its doors wider to the world.

Eighty-five percent of the planned enterprise exhibition area has been booked for the fifth CIIE, which is scheduled to be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10, according to the event's organizers.

Over 270 Fortune 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises have confirmed their participation in the event, CIIE Bureau Deputy Director Sun Chenghai told a press briefing on Wednesday marking the event's 100-day countdown.

"Preparations for the expo are progressing smoothly as organizers have overcome the adverse impacts brought about by risks and uncertainties, including the COVID-19 pandemic," Sun said.

Nearly 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises that have attended the previous import expos have confirmed their participation this year, Sun said. Some Fortune 500 companies including Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Gilead will participate in the event for the first time, he added.

The enthusiasm of the global enterprises attending the import expo is based on China's booming market.

Fabrice Megarbane, president of L'Oreal North Asia Zone and chief executive officer of L'Oreal China, said the CIIE is not only a big stage for the debut of new products, but also allows the cosmetics giant to demonstrate its determination to shift to green and low-carbon consumption.

A new-generation patient-monitoring system produced by Edwards Lifesciences has recently gone on sale in China, less than nine months after its China debut at the fourth CIIE.

The smart product caught the eye of quite a number of medical institutions soon after its appearance in Shanghai, and this has boosted the firm's confidence to further penetrate the Chinese market, said George Ye, general manager of Edwards Lifesciences Greater China.

The expo organizers have also held activities to help the exhibitors better tap the Chinese market.

The CIIE Bureau has held seven online business roadshows, and has arranged for 100 exhibitors to attend a business cooperation activity in east China's Jiangxi Province from Saturday to Tuesday.

Ai Zhouping, president of Heraeus Greater China, said the trip to Jiangxi has made him fully feel the vitality, potential and resilience of the Chinese market.

Jens Hildebrandt, executive director and board member of the German Chamber of Commerce in China -- North China, said the CIIE is an opportunity for companies to market themselves.

"There are smaller and medium-sized German enterprises that, through CIIE, are able to boost their sales in the market," Hildebrandt said.

"Almost all German companies see the growth market of the next decade in China, and that's why German companies are very much eager to see and participate in the development of China," he added.

Apart from the six-day expo, Shanghai has set up 60 regular trading platforms for the exhibitors. Over the years, the platforms have imported 248 billion yuan (about 36.6 billion U.S. dollars) worth of goods, said Gu Jun, head of the Shanghai municipal commission of commerce.

To alleviate the impacts of the pandemic and global economic uncertainty on participating small and medium-sized enterprises, the fifth CIIE will not only actively promote the normalization of supporting policies such as tax incentives and customs clearance facilitation, but will also offer more free booths for enterprises from the least developed countries, said CIIE Bureau Deputy Director Sun.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
UKRAINSKA PRAVDA  THURSDAY, 28 JULY 2022, 18:11

Residents of Kherson are stocking up on produce as market prices in the city have doubled since the Antonivka bridge had been closed.

Source: Suspilne

Quote from Suspilne: "After the closing of the Antonivka bridge in Kherson, the prices in the markets have doubled. There are queues for vegetables, and the choice is small."

Details: According to journalists, people are trying to buy everything and stock up on produce as soon as possible.

Background:

The strategically important Antonivka Bridge in Kherson was shelled on 19 July and 20 July.

A third strike by the Armed Forces of Ukraine was conducted on the bridge in the evening of 26 July.

The occupiers said that the Antonivka bridge was damaged after a night attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and was closed.

The Kherson Oblast State Administration confirmed that it is impossible to move across the bridge after the last strike by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Become our patron, support our work!
Stunning drone footage shows an orca carrying a great white shark in its mouth as blood pooled.

A study published last month suggested orcas had driven great whites from South African waters.

The video supports the theory, which could involve major implications for the marine ecosystem.

Stunning drone footage captured earlier this year off the coast of South Africa shows three orcas in the midst of killing a great white shark  supporting a theory that says the shark has been driven out of its typical habitats.

The footage, which was captured for Discovery Channel's Shark Week and is set to air Thursday, was published by The Daily Beast on Wednesday.

The video begins by showing two orcas swimming near the surface in the bright teal water of South Africa's Mossel Bay, which is known for its great whites.

Suddenly, a third orca rises from the depths, carrying a 9-foot-long great white shark in its mouth. As the orca reaches the surface, blood pools around the dead shark. The orca carrying the shark dives back below the surface.

Alison Towner, a scientist in South Africa who studies great whites, told The Daily Beast it was "the world's first drone footage of killer whales predating on a white shark." She added it's the first "direct evidence" of the phenomenon to be documented in South Africa.

"It's probably one of the most beautiful pieces of natural history ever filmed," she said.

Great white sharks are considered apex predators, meaning they have no known predators; however, researchers have identified rare occurrences of them being preyed upon by orcas.

A study published by the African Journal of Marine Science in June, for which Towner was an author, suggested that great white sharks had been fleeing a common aggregation site in South Africa because of the presence of killer whales.

The researchers noted carcasses of dead great whites had been washing ashore with their livers ripped out and, for some, without their hearts. The wounds on the sharks suggested they had been made by the same pair of orcas, according to the study.

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In the newly released drone footage, the orca is holding the shark near where its liver is.

The authors believed the attacks had prompted the migration of great whites out of the area.

"What we seem to be witnessing though is a large-scale avoidance strategy, mirroring what we see used by wild dogs in the Serengeti in Tanzania, in response to increased lion presence," Towner said at the time.

The study authors said the decrease in great whites in the area may have contributed to the increase in another predator, the bronze whaler shark, though they noted that species, too, was being hunted by the orcas.

"Predator-prey interactions between white sharks, other coastal sharks, and killer whales are increasing in South Africa and are expected to have pronounced impacts on the ecosystem," the study said.

The drone footage is expected to air Thursday during the special "Shark House" on Discovery and Discovery+.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Its a warehouse few have seen or even know exist. Photography of the outside isnt allowed, and images of the inside are tightly controlled.

Not that images of the inside are terribly compelling: Aisle after aisle, spanning six football fields, stacked high with cardboard boxes. Sealed inside those boxes are vital medical supplies, such as vaccines and antibiotics, ready to be shipped out in the event of a life-threatening public health emergency.

If not for the security guards checking credentials, itd be easy to dismiss the facility  one of more than 12 strategically located across the United States  as just another warehouse. The facility, part of the Strategic National Stockpile, rose to prominence in the early days of the Covid pandemic  not for its utility, but for its failure to provide health care workers with lifesaving supplies.

NBC News was granted exclusive access inside one of the top-secret facilities  the first news organization allowed inside with television cameras since the pandemic began  and spoke with federal health officials who are now grappling with rebuilding supplies, correcting the mistakes of the Covid crisis and trying to prepare for the next pandemic.

The early missteps can be attributed, in part, to a series of choices made by an obscure governing body about how to stock the stockpile  decisions made without input from health care workers or domestic manufacturers, experts said.

Bodies are moved to a refrigeration truck serving as a temporary morgue at Wyckoff Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 6, 2020. (Bryan R. Smith / AFP via Getty Images file)

Those flawed supply decisions left health care workers without essential protective gear, or in some cases, the right equipment needed to provide lifesaving care to desperately ill patients during the pandemics first wave.

It fell short, said Dawn OConnell, the assistant secretary for preparedness and response appointed by President Joe Biden. Her division, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, oversees the federal stockpile. It became very apparent when the whole world needed the same thing at the exact same time and none of it was here.

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The challenge now for OConnell and other White House officials is to make sure the supplies in the warehouse are adequate for any future infectious disease outbreaks or other threats, known and unknown.

Montefiore Medical Center nurses call for N95 masks and other critical PPE to handle Covid-19 on April 1, 2020, in New York. (Bryan R. Smith / AFP via Getty Images file)

Where were the masks?

Greg Burel directed the Strategic National Stockpile from 2010 through January 2020. At the time, he said, he recognized that the $8.5 billion federal repository had long been depleted of personal protective equipment for medical workers.

With the pandemic looming, the United States had just 35 million N95 masks on hand, the vast majority left over from a single purchase made in 2009.

What Burel didnt see coming was how, in a few short months, that shortfall would prove devastating.

The Strategic National Stockpile started in 1999 under then-President Bill Clinton as a repository of drugs that could be used to respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear events. It also contains supplies such as ventilators, IV fluids and kits, beds and antitoxins to manage infectious disease outbreaks. (NBC News)

According to one estimate, the U.S. wouldve needed up to 3.5 billion N95s to adequately protect health care workers and first responders.

Burel blamed the lack of preparedness on a funding shortfall  federal officials were given about $700 million of the $1 billion they requested from Congress. With that money, he said, the stockpile would have been in a better place to be responsive, at least with personal protective equipment, to SARS-CoV-2.

It's uncertain whether extra funding wouldve made any difference, experts say.

Supplies like personal protective equipment generally werent part of the stockpile's inventory. The masks that were purchased in 2009 werent part of the normal stockpile budget; instead, they were bought with supplemental funds appropriated to combat the H1N1 swine flu pandemic.

Everyone thought that [the stockpile] was supposed to open its doors and hand out PPE to everybody at that moment, OConnell said about the beginning of the pandemic. "It wasnt set up to do that at the time."

A focus on what the market couldn't provide

Steven Adams, who now directs the stockpile, said that officials thought the market would be able to supply the country with masks, if needed.

Strategic National Stockpile Director Steve Adams in Lower Manhattan after 9/11. Adams has worked for the stockpile for more than 20 years. (Courtesy Strategic National Stockpile)

The thinking had been for many years that the commercial market would be able to provide things like N95s, he said. No one anticipated a global demand for the "same things at the same time."

Instead, the people in charge of the stockpile had focused on acquiring and storing medical supplies that had no alternatives and that the market couldnt provide.

Investments for the stockpile were prioritized around unique items like smallpox vaccine and anthrax vaccine that wouldnt exist in a commercial market unless the U.S. government was buying them, Adams said.

The supplies in the warehouses, "billions of dollars" worth, were essentially useless for responding to Covid, said Andrew Lakoff, a University of Southern California expert on global health and national security.

"The vast majority of them didnt do us any good in dealing with coronavirus," he said. "They were specifically focused on a range of fairly obscure and, frankly, unlikely diseases like a smallpox attack or an anthrax attack. What we really needed was enough PPE and enough ventilators and so on.

Who stocks the stockpile?

Deciding what specifically goes into the stockpile falls to a highly bureaucratic and secretive multi-agency group of government health officials called the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise, or PHEMCE.

The groups task sounds straightforward enough: Identify potential threats and what medical supplies are needed to counter those threats.

PHEMCE spans nine agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and the Department of Defense.

But a number of key stakeholders were kept out of the loop, including domestic manufacturers and health care workers, a critical error that severely hindered how it could both prepare and respond to threats, according to a National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine report released in 2021. The report was commissioned last summer by OConnell to understand where the PHEMCE faltered and how it could improve moving forward.

An archive image shows emergency medical supplies being deployed from the Strategic National Stockpile. (Courtesy Strategic National Stockpile)

The most apparent failure in the beginning of the pandemic  the lack of masks  could have been avoided with better coordination between the government and domestic manufacturers, Lakoff said.

To remedy that, the National Academies report recommended including domestic manufacturers in the decision-making process for what goes into the stockpile.

How can the stockpile improve?

The lack of communication between PHEMCE and health care workers was laid bare in the early months of the pandemic, as New York hospitals overwhelmed with dangerously ill Covid patients scrambled to find ventilators for life support.

The stockpile was able to supply ventilators, but when they arrived, hospitals didnt know what to do with them  they were not the models health care workers had long been trained to use, said Gigi Gronvall, an immunologist and researcher at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and co-chair of the National Academies committee that produced the report.

Eventually if the stockpile is going to be used, its going to be used not by the people who are managing the stockpile, but by health care providers and people in public health, she said.

There are more than 12 stockpile facilities across the U.S., strategically located to be able to respond to any event within 12 hours. (NBC News)

Addressing that disconnect could be fixed by forming advisory committees from outside the government that include, for example, hospital representatives, to offer guidance on the best materials to put in the stockpile, the report suggested.

Such an outside committee hasn't been formed.

A Health and Human Services spokesperson said that OConnell "routinely" consults with experts both inside and outside the government about how to further enhance the stockpile.

The report also advocated for lifting some of the secrecy surrounding what goes into the stockpile.

There could be a risk in being too open about the stockpile, revealing to adversaries how the U.S. is not prepared for certain threats, Gronvall acknowledged. But there is a greater value in being able to say this is what we have and we are prepared for it, she said.

Its of no use to people to have the contents be secret if theyre not able to actually use them in an emergency, she said.

And what about the masks?

According to Njoki Mwarumba, an expert in public health and emergency management at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, the federal government should build relationships with private companies that could be leveraged for supplies and ensure that those supplies get to where theyre going.

Without these relationships, the federal government is going to have a dysfunctional stockpile, because they are like sitting ducks, she said.

OConnell knows the challenge is immense.

Used N95 masks are collected at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on April 13, 2020. Hospital staff wrote their names on their old masks so each can be returned to their original user to ensure the best fit. (Blake Nissen for The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

The Biden administration has already invested "billions of dollars" with domestic manufacturers to produce protective gear to avoid the pitfalls of the early pandemic days, she said.

Those investments will go toward contracting with domestic manufacturers to produce critical supplies specifically for the stockpile.

The stockpile is now more geared to handle infectious diseases, with a "significant expansion" of surgical gloves, ventilators and yes, N95 masks, Adams said.

As of June, the stockpile has acquired 541 million N95 respirators, 4.8 billion gloves and 158,000 ventilators, with more supply expected as manufacturing ramps up, according to figures provided by the agency.

There have also been other changes. Last Friday, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced that ASPR, which OConnell oversees, will now function as its own independent division within the agency under a new name: the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.

The reorganization puts the new division on par with other divisions including the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC, and will allow it to "mobilize a coordinated national response more effectively and efficiently during future disasters and emergencies in close collaboration with its sister agencies," according to a statement from Health and Human Services.

Supplies from the stockpile were used to respond to national emergencies including 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. (NBC News)

Still, more than two years after Covid devastated New York, the stockpile has once again come to the forefront of an outbreak, as health officials struggle to contain the spread of the monkeypox virus.

It's a scenario the stockpile shouldve been equipped to handle. Monkeypox vaccines were one of the items that had been stored. Yet in a moment of deja vu, the U.S. had far fewer than what was needed, with people who wanted the vaccine being turned away when doses ran out.

A group of warehouses can't be the nation's only defense against infectious diseases, according to Jeff Schlegelmilch, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia. He urged for a more unified approach with the other federal health agencies.

I think the Strategic National Stockpile, and stockpiles more generally, serve a purpose,he said. Theyre part of an effective plan, but you cant stockpile your way into preparedness.

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The Red Arrows will stage a fly pass in the skies of East Staffordshire. (Ian Forsyth/Getty)

Plane-spotters in parts of England are in for a treat today as the Red Arrows take to the skies for a dazzling display.

The RAF had said last week the planes were to be grounded due to a technical issue but they have now confirmed that the flypasts will take place.

The aerobatics display team has released exact timings and where they will be flying to make it easier for people to catch a glimpse.

Why are the Red Arrows doing two flypasts today?

The event is taking place to celebrate the opening of the 2022 Commonwealth Games that are being held in Birmingham.

The flypasts will coincide with the opening ceremony, which begins at 7pm tonight.

The route for the Red Arrows flypast coincides with the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. (Military-airshows.co.uk)

Listings reveal wen and where people can catch a glimpse of the display. (Military-airshows.co.uk)

How often do Red Arrows flypasts take place?

While there is no specific number of Red Arrows flypasts, they do make regular appearances every year throughout the summer months.

By the start of 2022  the team's 58th season  they had flown in nearly 5,000 displays across 57 countries.

Their schedule begins in March every year and usually runs every month until October.

The greatest number of displays flown in any year was in 1995, when the Red Arrows performed 136 times.

When was the last Red Arrows display?

The Red Arrows have already made several appearances this month, the most recent being at the Making Waves festival in Irvine, Scotland on 24 July.

They have also been seen in Wales, Southport and at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone on 3 July.

Watch: What you need to know ahead of the Commonwealth Games

How many aircraft are in the Red Arrows?

The Red Arrows were formed in the late 1964 as the public face of the RAF.

A minimum of nine Red Arrows will be in the sky during any given display, with 11 pilots in total making up the entire team.

Another team of 11 people  known as The Circus and consisting of 10 technicians and one photographer  each sit behind the pilot in the plane throughout the duration of the summer display.

Formations reflect various historical anniversaries or topical events that year, while the Diamond formation is the teams signature.

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Part of the route for the display taking place tonight. (Military-airshows.co.uk)

The RAF had said last week the planes were to be grounded due to a technical issue, which has now been resolved. (Military-airshows.co.uk)

Where are the Red Arrows flying tonight and when can you spot them?

The confirmed flypast timings for tonight are:
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IPO Edge and the Palm Beach Hedge Fund Association hosted a fireside chat with the Director of Research at Sentieo and Stream along with the Vice President of Sales, Financial Services at Stream on Thursday, July 28 at 2pm ET to discuss the Stream by AlphaSense expert transcript library, its usefulness in aiding preliminary diligence on new ideas related to specific business sectors, the time savings it offers compared to traditional expert network calls, and the range of call transcripts included in the library. The live event featured Nick Mazing, Sentieo Director of Research along with Jessica Schwitzman, Vice President of Sales, Financial Services at Stream joined by IPO Edge Editor-in-Chief John Jannarone and Editor-at-Large Jarrett Banks in a moderated video session lasting approximately 60 minutes and including a Q&A with the audience.

WATCH FULL REPLAY HERE

About Stream by Alphasense:

Stream by AlphaSense is an expert transcript library used by people just like you to quickly perform preliminary diligence on new ideas related to their target companies in the tech, media, telecom, healthcare, consumer and industrial sectors; avoiding the time, hassle, and cost of traditional expert network calls.

The Stream platform provides transcripts of one-on-one calls with former executives, customers, competitors. With over 15,000 on-demand expert call interviews, 100+ new transcripts added each day, AI smart search technology, and 70% of our experts unique to our network, its no wonder the worlds leading financial firms choose Stream.

Mr. Mazing and Ms. Schwitzman discussed:

AlphaSense aiding preliminary diligence on new ideas

Time savings compared to traditional expert network calls

Range of call transcripts

Story continues

About the Speakers:

Nick Mazing is Director of Research for Sentieo and Stream. His career also includes having worked on both the buy side and on the sell side at Lehman Brothers. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and is based in Sentieos New York City office.

Jessica Schwitzman is Vice President of Sales, Financial Services at Stream. She has built a successful career in the Expert Network Industry, initially as a Research Manager for Mosaic Research Management, serving the Hedge Fund market. She was most recently hired to drive the sales initiatives and create the Go-To-Market strategy for Stream Research Group, an Expert Call Transcript Library, which was recently acquired by the leading market intelligence platform, AlphaSense.

Contact:

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By Neil Jerome Morales and ADRIAN PORTUGAL

BANGUED, Philippines (Reuters) -Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos promised on Thursday to help rebuild homes damaged by a powerful earthquake on the island of Luzon, as terrified residents camped out in parks and on sidewalks after hundreds of aftershocks rattled the area.

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the northern Philippine island on Wednesday morning, killing at least five people and injuring more than 130.

The quake also damaged scores of houses and other buildings, including centuries-old churches in the tourist town of Vigan.

"For the affected and victims, let us make sure we are ready to support them and give them all they need," Marcos told officials after being briefed during to a trip to inspect the damage.

The streets of Vigan, known for its old Spanish colonial architecture, have been cleared of debris, but shops, hotels and businesses remained closed.

Elma Sia, 52, who works at restaurant recalled the fear of being caught up in such a powerful earthquake.

"Everything was moving, our plates were breaking, our lights swaying. We were terrified," she told Reuters.

"I could hear people shouting from a nearby McDonald's restaurant, so people rushed outside to the plaza and started crying out of fear," she said.

The quake, which hit close to the Marcos family's political stronghold, also left a trail of destruction in Bangued town in Abra province, which was just 11 km (6.8 miles) from the epicentre.

Residents camped out with their families in shelters because they were too scared to stay at home. Seismologists have recorded nearly 800 aftershocks since the main quake.

"We were so scared," Erlinda Bisares told CNN Philippines. "We didn't mind our belongings, we just hurried outside. Life is more important."

The Philippines is prone to natural disasters and is located on the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire", a band of volcanoes and fault lines that arcs round the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Earthquakes are frequent and there are an average of 20 typhoons a year, some triggering deadly landslides.

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Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan told DZBB radio his agency had started to remove debris from main roads in Abra and other districts affected by rockslides during the quake.

But efforts to assess damage to irrigation works were hampered as some roads had yet to be cleared of boulders, the National Irrigation Administration said.

Northern Luzon provinces are among the country's biggest growers of rice and vegetables.

Ricardo Jalad, administrator of the Office of the Civil Defense, told radio station DZRH some parts of Abra were still without power or water and experiencing communication outages.

The budget ministry said authorities were ready to release funds for disaster relief.

(Reporting by Karen Lema and Neil Jerome Morales in Manila, and Adrian Portugal in ViganEditing by Ed Davies, Robert Birsel)
A North Kingstown, R.I. man was convicted in Washington County Superior Court of using a 3D printer to manufacture ghost guns.

Nicholas Dailey, 30, entered a plea of nolo contendere to two counts of manufacture and possession of a ghost gun, produced by a 3D printing process.

A judge sentenced Dailey to four years, with one year to serve at the Adult Correctional Institution and a three-year suspended sentence.

Since ghost guns were banned in Rhode Island in mid-2020, our office has prosecuted nearly 50 cases where these untraceable firearms are being found in the hands of individuals involved in criminal activity, Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a statement. Ghost guns are fully operable firearms without serial numbers that thus cannot be traced by law enforcement after they are used in criminal activity. They are sought after by individuals who value them for that very reason, and/or cannot pass a background check.

Police began investigating Dailey in May of 2021 based on a tip that he had ghost guns. The attorney generals office said Dailey was pulled over and officers found two loaded 17-round 9mm pistol magazines, along with several spent shell casings of the same caliber. Officers noticed that the magazines did not have manufacturer markings on them, and their material had a pattern of parallel lines consistent with markings of items printed with a 3D printer, according to the attorney general.

Bailey admitted he had two 3D-printed handguns at his home in North Kingstown. Police later searched his home and seized two complete 3D printed ghost gun copies of a 9mm Glock 17 semi-automatic handgun, three defective 3D printed Glock 17 frames, a 3D printer, a laptop, and a box of 9mm ammunition, the attorney generals office said.

The two ghost guns were successfully test-fired at the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory and determined to be operable.

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Russian officials said Thursday that negotiations had been taking place for an unspecified possible prisoner swap between the United States and Russia, but that a deal had not yet been reached. The statement followed questions over a CNN report of a U.S. offer to exchange American citizens detained in Russia, WNBA star Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States.

When asked about the report, Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, "The issue of the mutual exchange of Russian and American citizens in places of detention on the territory of the two countries was once discussed by the presidents of Russia and the United States. They gave instructions to the relevant authorized structures to carry out negotiations A concrete result has not yet been achieved."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, when asked about the potential swap, said Thursday that he didn't discuss ongoing negotiations, but that "so far, there are no agreements in this area."

Bout was sentenced in New York in 2012 on charges including "conspiracy to kill Americans," and the Kremlin has long sought his release, at the time calling his sentence "baseless and biased."

According to a 2010 60 Minutes report, Bout is originally from Tajikistan, which was formerly a Soviet republic, and reportedly served in the Soviet Air Force and intelligence service. During his trial, federal prosecutors alleged that, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Bout started providing stockpiled Cold War weapons to "bad guys" around the world.

Bout's wife said Wednesday that Bout was not aware of a possible exchange, AFP reported.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined to confirm the report, but said the U.S. had put forward a "substantial proposal" to Russia aimed at securing the release of Griner and Whelan.

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Blinken said he was planning to speak to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in the coming days, for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.

"I plan to raise an issue that's a top priority for us: the release of Americans Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, who have been wrongfully detained and must be allowed to come home," Blinken said. "We put a substantial proposal on the table weeks ago to facilitate their release. Our governments have communicated repeatedly and directly on that proposal."

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MOSCOW (Reuters) -Former Russian TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova was fined 50,000 roubles ($820) on Thursday after being found guilty of discrediting the country's armed forces in social media posts condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine.

The ruling was passed after a short hearing in a Moscow administrative court. Ovsyannikova rejected the proceedings against her as "absurd".

"The evidence confirms Ovsyannikova's guilt. There is no reason to doubt its authenticity," the judge said.

Ovsyannikova gained international attention in March after bursting into a studio of Russian state TV, her then employer, to denounce the Ukraine war during a live news bulletin. At the time she was fined 30,000 roubles for flouting protest laws.

Thursday's hearing was over subsequent social media posts in which she wrote that those responsible for Russia's actions in Ukraine would find themselves in the dock before an international tribunal.

Russia passed a law against "discrediting" the armed forces, with a sentence of up to 15 years, in early March, soon after President Vladimir Putin launched what he calls his "special military operation" against Ukraine.

In court, Ovsyannikova repeated her protest and said she would not retract her words. She said she did not understand why she was there and what she was being judged for.

"What's going on here is absurd," she said. "War is horror, blood and shame."

She went on: "Your accusations are like accusing me of spreading monkeypox," she said. "The purpose of the trial is to intimidate all the people who oppose the war in the Russian Federation."

She described Russia as an aggressor country, saying: "The beginning of this war is the biggest crime of our government."

A lawyer for Ovsyannikova said she had the right to speak out under Article 29 of the Russian constitution which protects the right to freedom of expression, but the judge dismissed the lawyer's arguments.

(Reporting by Reuters)
VALENTYNA ROMANENKO  THURSDAY, 28 JULY 2022, 09:55

The Russian army struck Ukraine with missiles of various classes on 28 July on three fronts.

Source: Yurii Ihnat, spokesman of the Air Force Command, commenting to Ukrainska Pravda

Details: Ihnat said that the Russians fired Kalibrs from the Black Sea, Iskanders from the Zyabrovka district of the Gomel region of Belarus, and X-22 missiles from Tu-22m3 long-range bombers based at the Shaykovka airfield in Russia.

In total, the Russian forces fired about 20 rockets.

Unfortunately, due to the difficulty of hitting such air targets, this time anti-aircraft defence failed to shoot down these missiles.

Previously: On the morning of 28 July, an air-raid siren was sounded in many regions of Ukraine. The Russian invaders hit the north of the country. According to preliminary police data, there were no casualties as a result of the missile attack by the Russian army on the Vyshgorod district of the Kyiv region.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  An Australian judge on Thursday ordered Samsung to pay 14 million Australian dollars ($9.8 million) in penalties for misleading advertising over how water-resistant some models of smartphones are.

Federal Court Justice Brendan Murphy gave Samsung Electronics Australia, a subsidiary of South Korea-based Samsung Electronics Co., 30 days to pay the fines.

Samsung must also pay AU$200,000 ($140,000) toward the costs of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the consumer watchdog that initiated an investigation of the phones four years ago.

Samsung admitted to making false and misleading claims in nine advertisements between 2016 and 2018 about the water resistance of seven models of Galaxy smartphones. They are the S7, S7 Edge, A5 (2017), A7 (2017), S8, S8 Plus and Note 8.

Samsung and the commission also agreed to the penalties imposed.

The misleading ads promoted the phones water resistance and suitability for use in swimming pools and seawater. But the charging ports could be damaged and stop working if the phones were recharged while the ports were still wet.

Samsung said the charging port issue only effected the seven models identified in the case that were launched between 2016 and 2017.

The issue does not arise for Samsungs current phones, a Samsung statement said.

Samsung sold 3.1 million of the vulnerable phones in Australia, but the court could not determine how many customers found faults in their charging ports.

An unknown number of customers had their ports replaced by authorized Samsung repairers. Some repairers did the job for free while others charged between AU$180 ($126) and AU$245 ($171), the court heard.

Murphy said customers were entitled to assume that a large company such as Samsung would not advertise that its Galaxy phones could safely be submerged in water if they could not.

A great many consumers are likely to have seen the offending advertisements and a significant number of those who did so are likely to have purchased one of the Galaxy phones, Murphy said in his judgment.

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Commission Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said her investigation had received hundreds of complaints from phone owners.

They experienced issues with their Galaxy phones after it was exposed to water and, in may cases, they reported their Galaxy phones stopped working entirely, Cass-Gottlieb said in a statement.

The judge said the penalty exceeded Samsungs profit during the course of the misleading advertising campaign.

Samsungs lawyers had initially denied the ads were misleading and that the phones could be damaged by immersion in water, the judge said.

I do not consider Samsung Australia should be given much credit for its cooperation, Murphy said.

Samsung said it had cooperated with the commission's investigations, which originally included more than 600 ads and 15 Galaxy phone models.

Samsung endeavours to deliver the best possible experience to all our customers and we regret that a small number of our Galaxy users experienced an issue with their device pertaining to this matter, Samsung said.
Three buzzy titles, all turning on women carving out their own destinies  Carmen Jaquiers Thunder, Laura Baumeisters Daughter of Rage and Dinara Drukarovas Grand Marin  feature in the 13-title lineup of San Sebastians 2022 New Directors section.

Also making the New Directors cut  now firmly consolidated as the most important sidebar at the highest-profile film festival in the Spanish-speaking world  is Tobacco Barns, the awaited and second feature from Spains Rocio Mesa, as well as Jeong Ji-hyes Jeonju Festival winner Jeong-sun which has its director hailed as a talent to track.

More from Variety

Eight of the 13 features are directed by women who also serve as protagonists in most of the sections films. Their themes range wide, however, from the absurdity of Moldovas past (Carbon) to an allegorical portrait of civil conflict (Carbide) to cybershaming (Jeong-sun) and womens love of literature (To Books and Women I Sing).

A brief drill-down on New Directors titles:

Carbide, (Garbura, Josip Zuvan, Croatia)

As thick as thieves, kids Antonio and Nikola, cell-phone buffs and dab hands at pyrotechnics, see their friendship threatened by their feuding families. The first feature from TV writer-director Zuvan (On the Border).

Carbon, (Ion Bors, Moldova)

Set in 90s Moldova, on their way to the front, Dima and Vasea stumble across a carbonized body and set out to establish its identity. A tragi-comedy about Moldovas absurd past, according to Bors, the film won both the WIP Europa Industry Award and the WIP Europa Award at last years San Sebastian.

Daughter of Rage, (La Hija de Todas las Rabias, Laura Baumeister, Nicaragua)

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Mixing scathing social realism and oneiric lyricism, Baumeisters first feature, a mother-daughter broken relationship story set at a garbage dump in Managua, Guatemala which swept San Sebastians Co-Production Forum (2019), before winning its WIP Latam (2021), a rare double.

Daughter of Rage - Credit: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival

Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival

Grand Marin, (Dinara Drukarova, Russia)

The first feature of Russian actor Drukarova, who plays the lead role of Lili. Knocking 50, she ups and leaves everything, arriving at a village in Iceland to fulfil her dream  of becoming a cod fisherwoman. The latest from Marianne Slots Slot Machine, producer of multiple Lars von Trier films and Women at War, and backed by Arte France Cinema.

The Great Silence, (Den Store Stilhed, Katrine Brocks, Denmark)

Alma, about to take her vows, is visited by her brother Erik, who reveals a secret tragedy in the past, plunging Alma into torment. The feature debut of Brocks, who won a Danish Academy Award for best short film in 2021 with In The Blink of an Eye.

Jeong-sun, (Jeong Ji-hye, South Korea)

Jeonjus Korean competition prize winner this Spring, carried by Kim Geumsoons central performance, a portrait of the devastating effect of workplace cyber-shaming on the placid life of a middle-aged mother whos a food-processing factory worker.

Nagisa, (Takeshi Kogahara, Japan)

A young man is tormented by the death of his adored little sister until he discovers her ghost in a haunted tunnel. The feature debut of Kogahara, whose commercials and short films screened at the Cannes Lions and Busan Film Festival.

On Either Sides of the Pond, (Pokhar Ke Dunu Para, Parth Saurabh, India)

A couple, having eloped, return to their native city after falling on hard times because of the pandemic. There, their relationship founders. The feature debut of Mumbai-based screenwriter, editor and director Saurabh.

Roleless, (Miyamatsu To Yamashita, Masahiko Sato (Japan), Yutaro Seki (Japan), Kentaro Hirase (U.S.)

A directorial three-hander, about the vicissitudes of a call-center operator who moonlights as a film extra.

Roleless - Credit: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival

Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival

Spare Keys, (Fifi, Jeanne Aslan, Turkey, Paul Santillan, France)

Over one Summer, Fifi 14, establishes a relationship with her friends older brother. Produced by Frances Haiku Films, which co-produced And Tomorrow the Whole World.

Thunder, (Foudre, Carmen Jaquier, Switzerland)

Maybe the buzziest title to date at New Directors, a title courted by multiple festivals. Returning to a backward hamlet high in the Swiss mountains in the summer of 1900, a young nun seeks to tread the same path to emancipation as her dead elder sister. From Genevas Close Up Films, a co-producer on I Am Not Your Negro.

Tobacco Barns, (Secaderos, Rocio Mesa, Spain)

Just added to San Sebastians Spanish film lineup, and the latest from Olmo Figueredos La Claqueta, an industry leader in Andalusia. Two coming of age tales set in a bucolic village on Granadas Vega, mixing near documentary detail and genre tropes. It adds to the canon of Spanish female filmmakers  Carla Simon (Alcarras), Elena Lopez Riera (The Water) delivering rural portraits of larger international import.

To Books and Women I Sing, (A los libros a las mujeres canto, Maria Elorza, Spain)

Already announced, a first doc feature from Spains Elorza, a well-known figure on the San Sebastian film scene, about womens relation to books and oral literature.

To Books and Women I Sing - Credit: Courtesy os San Sebastian Film Festival

Courtesy os San Sebastian Film Festival

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Kelvin Ehigie, right, a bartender at 4West in Harlem, worries about the monkeypox outbreak and the confusion it's creating in the gay community. (Sara Naomi Lewkowicz/The New York Times)

NEW YORK  It was happy hour at a gay bar in Harlem, 4West Lounge, and the after-work crowd had come to drink rum punch and watch RuPauls Drag Race.

But instead, perched on stools, the men talked about the rapidly spreading monkeypox virus: their efforts to snag a coveted vaccine appointment, in a city where demand for the shots far outstrips supply; the slow government rollout of vaccines and treatment; and their confusion about how the disease spreads and how to stay safe.

It feels like survival of the fittest, with all the pandemic waves and now monkeypox and all these vaccine problems, said James Ogden, 31, who secured a vaccine appointment after weeks spent navigating the citys glitchy online sign-up process.

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Kelvin Ehigie, 32, the bartender, agreed. When asked about the future, he said, I do not feel confident.

For gay and bisexual men in New York, the summer has been consumed with similar conversations as monkeypox cases spike among men who have sex with men.

There is widespread fear of the virus, which primarily spreads through close physical contact and causes excruciating lesions and other symptoms that can lead to hospitalization. There is fear of the isolation and potential stigma of an infection, since those who contract monkeypox must stay home for weeks. And some fear the vaccine itself, in an echo of the hesitancy and mistrust that hindered the coronavirus response.

Many are also furious at the lags and fumbles in the governments effort to contain the disease, including delayed vaccines and mixed messaging about how the virus spreads and how people should protect themselves.

And some are anxious that monkeypox could be twisted into a political weapon to be used against gay and transgender people, whose rights have come under increasing fire from Republicans in recent months.

Last week, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global health emergency after it spread from parts of Africa, where it is endemic, to dozens of countries and infected tens of thousands of people around the world over the course of three months. As of Thursday, there were more than 3,000 confirmed cases in the United States and 1,148 in New York, but experts suggest cases are being undercounted.

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Ehigie received the first shot of the two-dose vaccine regimen after a referral from his therapist, but he worried the city might never give him a second.

And while he said everyone understands how HIV spreads, monkeypox still felt like a mystery to him and many others. Especially being in New York, he said, where everyone is in close contact with everyone else all the time, its scary.

Nearly all of the cases outside of Africa have been in men who have sex with men. In New York, only 1.4% of monkeypox patients self-identified as straight, with the rest describing themselves as gay, bisexual or declining to say, according to city data.

The disease is rarely fatal, and no deaths have been reported outside of Africa.

But the combination of government failure and a virus that has so far primarily affected gay and bisexual men has drawn frequent comparisons to the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Those years were marked by acts of homophobia that remain seared in the minds of many gay Americans. The White House press secretary made jokes about AIDS at a 1982 press briefing. Churches refused to provide funerals for the dead. And President Ronald Reagan did not deliver a public speech on the epidemic until 1987, by which point roughly 23,000 Americans had died of the disease.

Disagreements within the New York City Department of Health about how to communicate the risks of the disease spilled into public view last week. Some public health researchers have argued that officials should more explicitly advise men who have sex with men to reduce their number of partners or even consider short-term abstinence. (The director-general of the WHO made a similar recommendation this week, including that men should reconsider having sex with new partners, according to STAT News.)

A department spokesperson has said messages advising men to abstain from sex in particular could stigmatize gay and bisexual men and repeat the mistakes of the past.

That history was on many peoples minds (and many peoples banners) at a protest last week in Manhattan that was organized by activist groups including ACT UP, which formed in 1987 in response to government inaction on HIV/AIDS.

I am sad that we have to be here, said Erik Bottcher, a city councilman whose district includes Chelsea and Hells Kitchen, neighborhoods that have been hit hard by the outbreak.

We have been forced to do this for so long. We have been forced to fight for our own health care when we got let down by the government, he said. Shame on the government for letting us down again.

Nearby, protesters carried signs comparing President Joe Biden to Reagan.

Jon Catlin, 29, a graduate student, said he knew several people with monkeypox in New York and many more in Berlin, where he lives part time to do research. He said he studies the evolution of the idea of catastrophe in German thought and whose suffering counts as a crisis.

Because it is happening to queer people, Catlin said, the government has been slow to treat monkeypox as a true crisis, waiting to deploy vaccine doses until cases had grown exponentially.

AIDS wasnt treated as a crisis at first either, he added, before citing a homophobic saying from that time. The quip about the 80s is the right people were dying.

But as much as the protesters wanted to combat what they described as indifference, many were also concerned that increased attention could bring with it hostility from heterosexual people.

Speaking at the rally in Manhattan, Mordechai Levovitz, the clinical director at Jewish Queer Youth, warned the crowd of about 100 people that the LGBTQ community could become a scapegoat in the event of a larger and more widespread monkeypox outbreak.

You know what will happen, he shouted into a microphone. A few months from now, on the cover of every magazine, there will be children with monkeypox on their face, and they will come after us.

That was a concern shared by some of the men at 4West Lounge.

Chavis Aaron, 33, the bar manager, said the public focus on gay and bisexual men made him uneasy. He knew two gay people with the disease and understood the statistics on whom the outbreak was impacting most but still thought this is really everybodys problem, he said.

The situation is still all foggy and crazy, he added. We are getting information from Instagram and the news, and each one is saying something different.

Some people are improvising different ways to protect themselves against an illness that can last for a month, but their methods can be dangerous and deeply unscientific.

Most of my friends are not having sex, or they are just being really selective, said Ehigie, the bartender. He also knows men who are opposed to vaccines in general because they think the vaccines have a political agenda or will cause bad side effects.

Two years of pandemic isolation have made people eager for human connection. There has so far been little appetite in the LGBTQ community to cancel events.

Some events have made minor concessions to monkeypox, including Pines Party, a large annual gathering on Fire Island in July, which asked partygoers to get vaccinated and not attend if they feel unwell.

But the outbreak has caused the cancellation of other events in the city, including several regular sex parties that are less high-profile but more high-risk than dance parties.

At smaller bars like 4West Lounge, things have been quieter lately. Some of that probably had to do with the hot weather or with a clientele that partied too hard during Pride Month in June, its staff said.

But some of it was also the result of the outbreak, they said. Aaron said he could think of a few regular customers who stopped coming in as much after the monkeypox case numbers began to climb in July.

After COVID, a lot of people have PTSD, he said. Theyd rather not go out than take the risk.

 2022 The New York Times Company
Sebastian Stan credited acclaimed makeup artist Mike Marino for the transformation. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images)

Sebastian Stan credited acclaimed makeup artist Mike Marino for the transformation. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images)

Sebastian Stan just released a first look at the incredible work that went into his transformation for an upcoming role.

The actor is currently filming the A24 drama A Different Man in New York City, where paparazzi snapped unofficial photos of his physical transformation on set, according to Variety. Stan, who is portraying a man with neurofibromatosis, posted the first sanctioned look Thursday on Instagram.

Written and directed by Aaron Schimberg, A Different Man follows Edwards extensive facial reconstructive surgeries and his obsession with an actor portraying him in a stage play. Stans Instagram post showcased the staggering prosthetic work involved in bringing that character to life.

The actor credited makeup artist Mike Marino in the Instagram caption for his work, which made Stan unrecognizable.

While the Romanian-American actor has previously portrayed a supervillain for Marvels Captain America films, its sequels and TV spin-offs, A Different Man marks Stans most dramatic physical transformation yet.

Marino also turned Colin Farrell into the Penguin for The Batman and Joaquin Phoenix into his titular role in Joker, according to The Wrap. The makeup artist also worked on Natalie Portman in Black Swan, which Stan also appeared in.

Stan most recently portrayed a cannibal in the Hulu movie Fresh and Motley Crues Tommy Lee in the streamers Pam & Tommy series.

An executive producer on A Different Man, Stan may have shared his look to trounce the paparazzi photos that spoiled his transformation.

A Different Man also stars breakout actor Renate Reinsve following her critical acclaim for Joachim Triers The Worst Person in the World, as well as Adam Pearson, an actor with neurofibromatosis who starred in Under the Skin opposite Scarlett Johansson.

Story continues

A release date for A Different Man has not yet been set.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

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ALONA MAZURENKO  THURSDAY, 28 JULY 2022, 17:59

The Security Service of Ukraine has arrested speculators who "issued" Ukrainian passports to Russian saboteurs.

Source: Press service of the Security Service of Ukraine

Quote: "The Security Service of Ukraine has exposed speculators who issued Ukrainian passports to Russian saboteurs.

The speculators produced Ukrainian passports for foreigners. Among their clients were Russians, who, according to the Security Service of Ukraine, were carrying out reconnaissance and subversion activities for the occupiers."

Details: The fraudulent scheme was organised by an ex-tax official from Donetsk who moved to Kharkiv during the temporary occupation.

Reportedly, the scammer used his connections in law enforcement to make fake documents.

He set a price of $4,000 for a fake passport.

Security Service of Ukraine personnel have documented a $3,000 payment which he received as a downpayment.

The "customer" was carrying out reconnaissance and subversion activities for Russia and tried to obtain legal status on the territory of Ukraine to maintain secrecy.

The Security Service of Ukraine detained the scammer when he went to receive the second instalment for the finished passport.

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Ohio State Senator Kristina Roegner, R- Hudson, represents the 27th District.

Being pro-life means protecting life at all stages. More than ever, it is crucial for pro-life states and the pro-life community to support women who find themselves with unwanted pregnancies with more than words, but also with constructive actions.

Abortion in Ohio: Doctor: A woman's uterus 'is not a cathedral.' Reason is being dominated by misguided faith

The Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court means an untold number of children will now get the opportunity to live full lives.

But, it is important to remember the decision did not outlaw abortion. Rather, the court returned the issue to the states where it belongs. It is abundantly clear that our 50 laboratories of democracy will have very diverse policies addressing this issue.

Abortion in Ohio: 'As an Ohioan, Im scared.' Will life-at-fertilization laws hurt in vitro practices?

In Ohio, I was the primary sponsor of the Heartbeat Bill, which passed in 2019 but only recently went into effect following the Dobbs decision.

Kristina Roegner

The bill prohibits abortions in our state upon the detection of a fetal heartbeat, with notable exceptions for a woman whose life is threatened by pregnancy or whose health is seriously endangered.

Life after Roe: Anti-abortion groups mobilize to provide pregnancy and parenting support

As the mother of three daughters, I got into public service because of my respect for the sanctity of life and to create policy to improve the lives of every Ohioan. Now that more Ohioans will get the chance to live, we must help ensure they have the opportunity to fulfill their promise and purpose on earth.

Abortion in Ohio: Rabbis: Abortion 'not only allowed but necessary' under our religious law.

This is a highly charged and emotional issue, and there is heartfelt passion on both sides. I understand how unwanted children may be conceived under tragic circumstances.

Dr. Catherine Romanos, with the Women's Med Center in Kettering, near Dayton, Ohio, performs a sonogram on a woman from Kentucky, Thursday, June 30, 2022. When Roe vs. Wade was overturned a week ago by the Supreme Court, Kentucky shut down all abortions because of trigger laws. Romanos identified the amniotic sac and said the pregnancy wasn't viable. At a little over six weeks, there was no heart beat.

That certainly includes the recent report of a 10-year-old rape victim who was advised to go to Indiana to obtain an abortion. Compounding this tragedy, Ohio's Heartbeat Bill has a medical emergency exception that I believe made leaving the state entirely unnecessary.

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Rape is a crime. It is repulsive and must be prosecuted.

Yet, an individual's worth is never determined by whether he or she is wanted or not. It is more important than ever to provide women with unwanted pregnancies the support and care they need.

That's why the Dobbs decision isn't an end, it is just the beginning. We have to be pro-life beyond birth and take a serious look at what needs to be done to make sure every child has an opportunity to have a decent life. We are off to a good start. The Ohio General Assembly has done many things to help women, children, and families.

Abortion in Ohio: Pro-lifer: 'I am prepared to stay in it for the long haul.' Work for babies, moms not over

Legislation has included:

Expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days to one year, and $23 millions to support this extended coverage.

Providing $13.5 million in funding for the Ohio Parenting and Pregnancy Program, which provides critical support and care for women and babies.

Increasing access and funding for publicly funded child care centers in Ohio, including an additional $50 million to reduce child care co-pays.

Increasing funds for rape crisis centers and domestic violence programs.

Providing low-interest loans to help with expenses for Ohioans adopting a child.

Increasing the adoption tax credit from $1,500 to up to $10,000, and shortening the time to finalize an adoption.

Providing $84 million for Kinship Care Programs to help low-income relatives care for children of parents in crisis situations.

Establishing a permanent yearly sales tax holiday in August for clothes and school supplies.

Modernizing state guidelines to help ensure consistent, reliable, child support payments.

Letters: DeWine's signature set 10-year-old up for Indiana abortion. Where is he now?

But there is much more we can do. It would be irresponsible and hypocritical if we didn't take a comprehensive approach to the dignity of life. My husband and I have decided to open our home and begin the process of becoming foster parents.

We look forward to providing a loving home to a child in need and will use the experience of going through the foster process to learn firsthand what can be done to further streamline the process for others.

Securing the right to life was the first step. Now, we need to ensure every child has a family who will love and care for them. Our work in the pro-life movement isn't finished. It has just begun.

Ohio State Senator Kristina Roegner, R- Hudson, represents the 27th District.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kristina Roegner: Heartbeat bill would have allowed girl's abortion
After an unidentified person in Seoul reportedly placed an order for 40 rolls of kimbap and did not pay for them, a local restaurant witnessed the kindness of its customers.

On Wednesday, South Korean news outlet KBS reported that a man had ordered the kimbap at a local restaurant in Gangdong district but never arrived to pick up the rolls. While placing his order, the man purportedly told the restaurants owner that he will pay for the food later and left his contact information.

The owner eventually called the phone number provided by the man but found that the number belonged to a different individual. The owner was forced to throw away all 40 rolls of kimbap and suffered a loss equivalent to a day of sales.

She told KBS that she felt excited while preparing the order as it was the first time in a while that someone had placed such a large order.

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After news of the restaurants loss spread across several South Korean media outlets, customers began showing up to order food and support the business.

According to the owner, one customer placed an order for 200 rolls of kimbap and paid beforehand to ease the owners anxiety.

Since I operate [the restaurant] alone, I can only make 40 rolls of kimbap every hour. If I made 200 rolls of kimbap, I was worried that they might go bad due to the hot weather so I only made 100 instead, the owner told KBS.

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The customer had purportedly ordered a large quantity after learning about the owners story while talking with a police officer at the Gangdong police station in Seoul.

It feels refreshing to see regulars stopping by on purpose, cheering and swearing together, the owner said.

Kimbap is a Korean dish made from cooked rice and a variety of ingredients such as vegetables and meat. The dish is rolled in gim (dried sheets of seaweed) and then sliced into bite-sized pieces.

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According to police, the suspect, dubbed the "no-show man" by Korean news media, has been committing similar crimes against several small businesses in Gangdong for over seven years. The authorities are currently searching for his whereabouts.

Featured Image via KBS News

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A Sioux Falls man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges relating to sex trafficking.

Robert Stefani, 46, pleaded guilty to the charges in March in federal court, after admitting to having sex with an underage girl between June 2019 and October 2020, according to court documents.

He was also sentenced in state court to fourth-degree rape charges in May relating to the case, according to court documents. His sentence, however, was suspended pending the federal sentencing.

More: Sioux Falls woman pleads guilty to trafficking child

The case stems a sex trafficking charges against Melanie Hollingsworth, 38, Sioux Falls, who admitted in federal court that between January 2020 and October 2020, she "knowingly had a female juvenile engage in commercial sexual acts for which she received money through Western Union money transfers," according to court documents.

Hollingsworth was sentenced to 17-and-a-half years in federal prison in February, according to court documents.

Another man, Ronald Johnson, of Spencer, Iowa, was also named as a co-defendant in Hollingsworth's case, according to court documents.

Johnson was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two charges of child pornography production, according to court documents.

Follow Annie Todd on Twitter @AnnieTodd96. Reach out to her with tips, questions and other community news at atodd@argusleader.com or give her a call at 605-215-3757.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls man sentenced to federal prison for sex trafficking
Even though I spent months devouring as many tacos as possible around Chicago for my list of best tacos of 2022, I knew Id never be able to try every worthy place. But the one place I regretted not visiting the most was Lucidos Tacos.

At the time, Lucidos was a pop-up serving al pastor tacos out of a house in Little Village. Thanks to numerous social media posts and praise from local experts like Titus Ruscitti, I knew the al pastor tacos had a more than fair chance of tasting incredible. But since it was only open for a few hours each weekend, I could never make the timing work.

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After operating as a pop-up for a couple of years, Lucido's Tacos now has its own brick-and-mortar location in Little Village. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)

Fortunately, its beyond easy to visit Lucidos Tacos now, as it has an enormous brick-and-mortar location open six days a week.

The shop is run by the married couple Adan and Andrea Lucido. They spent two years operating Lucidos on the weekends to save up enough money to open a permanent restaurant, Adan Lucido said in Spanish in an email.

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But he spent many more years honing his al pastor skills. Before Lucidos, Adan worked at Taqueria Los Barrilitos, which until it closed a couple of years ago, served the most reliably great al pastor tacos in the city.

[ The 31 best tacos in Chicago, from Antique to Zaragoza ]

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Adan credits the late owner, Rafael Salazar, for teaching him how to properly prepare the al pastor trompo  the distinctive vertical rotisserie used to cook the stacked and marinated sliced pork. He taught me to cut directly from the top, Adan wrote, describing how best to slice the meat off with a huge knife. Its about the preparation time, the dedication and the pleasure of making them.

Owner Adan Lucido credits the late owner of Taqueria Los Barrilitos, Rafael Salazar, for teaching him how to make great al pastor tacos. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)

Lucidos location is enormous, with a vast seating area. But the restaurants focal point is the gleaming red trompo positioned up front. Place your order and the cooks will carefully slice the marinated pork off in miraculously thin slices, before heaping it onto steamy corn tortillas. Each dark-red piece of pork has a crispy caramelized edge from the fire, while remaining shockingly juicy in the middle.

The restaurant serves other kinds of tacos, including carne asada and chorizo, not to mention dishes like quesadillas and burritos. But when a place has al pastor this good, I find it hard to order anything else.

Had Lucidos new location been open, theres no question that it would have made my list of the best tacos in Chicago. As it stands, it joins Asian Cuisine Express, Tacos El Rey and Taquizas Tacosteno as serving the best al pastor tacos in the area.

Lucidos Tacos, 4147 W. 26th St., 773-793-5718, lucidostacos.com

nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com

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CONCORD  A South Berwick, Maine, man has been sentenced to jail for threatening a New Hampshire judge.

Christopher Butler, 37, pleaded guilty to a Class B felony charge of threatening a government official and also to misdemeanor-level criminal threatening, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella.

Bulter threatened bodily injury against a Merrimack County Superior Court judge as retaliation for one of his orders, according to Formella. Butler made the threat by placing a call March 16 to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Court Information Center.

Butler was sentenced to six months in the Merrimack County House of Corrections, with an additional six months in jail suspended for three years. He has been ordered to have no contact with the judge he threatened and to complete anger management and/or mental health counseling.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Christopher Butler of South Berwick ME threatens NH judge
Veterans advocates and Congressional Democrats are expressing outrage after a bill that would give healthcare coverage to veterans exposed to toxins failed in the Senate.

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, or the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, ensures that veterans can get VA healthcare coverage for illnesses and medical issues connected to toxic exposure during their military service.

Veterans and families of vets came to Washington, D.C. expecting to celebrate a victory with the bill passing but were surprised after 25 Republicans who previously voted for the bill, voted against it Wednesday night.

It was a stab in the heart, said Susan Zeier, the mother-in-law of the bills namesake, SFC Heath Robinson.

Robinson was an Army veteran from Ohio who died of lung cancer in 2020.

Zeier spoke alongside her 9-year-old granddaughter as she spoke out against the Senators who voted against the measure.

Theyre telling our veterans that they dont give a damn about them, said Zeier.

The final vote was five short needed to pass.

It was a surprise for many since the Senate passed the bill last month.

The bill was passed in the House and was sent back to the Senate with a minor change.

When explaining why they voted against it this time around, Republicans like Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) said they arent against the purpose of the bill, but they oppose how some of the funding is structured.

There is a mechanism created in this bill, said Toomey. Its a budgetary gimmick that has the intent of making it possible to have a huge explosion in unrelated spending.

Yesterday, the Senate should have been able to clear bipartisan legislation to expand VA health benefits for millions of men and women who have served bravely in our armed forces, said Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). As written, the legislation would not just help Americas veterans as designed. It could also allow Democrats to effectively spend the same money twice and enable hundreds of billions in new, unrelated spending on the discretionary side of the federal budget.

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Its a moving that Democrats are calling cowardly.

That is political malpractice, said Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

Comedian Jon Stewart echoed the same anger and fear for the future of veterans who are waiting for help.

They lived up to their oath and yesterday they spit on it in abject cruelty, said Stewart about the Senators who opposed the bill.

Senate Democrats are vowing to bring the bill up again until it passes and are pushing to keep Senators in Washington, D.C. until it happens, despite an upcoming recess scheduled.

We stay here until this is done, said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). As long as Republicans keep trying to block this, we stay here.

The next time I come back here it better be to sign the damn bill at the White House because Im sick and tired of this, said Zeier.
A religious school in East Tampa is suing President Joe Biden and Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried among others, claiming that new federal anti-discrimination policies regarding sexual orientation and gender identity are threatening its ability to feed hungry children.

Grant Park Christian Academy, a school with 56 students, is being represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative group describing itself as the worlds largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, parental rights, and Gods design for marriage and family. The group filed the complaint in Tampa federal court the same day 22 Republican state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the same policies.

Though the school is private, it participates in the U.S. Department of Agricultures National School Lunch Program, which provides federal dollars for schools that provide free lunches to students from families below the poverty level. In May, the department announced it would require compliance with revised regulations under Title IX, a 50-year-old law intended to prevent discrimination on the basis of sex by education programs that receive federal funds.

Thats no problem for Grant Park Christian Academy  the school never excludes or discriminates against any student because of sex, the lawsuit states.

But it claims the revised regulations  which expand the definition of sex to include sexual orientation and gender identity  would block the schools lunch funding this year. The lawsuit claims the new regulations would forbid sex-specific restrooms and dress codes and would require them to use preferred pronouns.

The changes would not forbid separate restrooms, but rather require schools to provide students access to the facilities that match their gender identity.

The Biden administration is ignoring the law and forcing this wonderful school to make an untenable choice: violate its religious beliefs or stop providing lunches to children, Erica Steinmiller-Perdomo, a lawyer for the Alliance Defending Freedom, said in a press release.

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The school was founded in 2015 and teaches students in pre-K to eighth grade. All come from families below the federal poverty level, receive scholarships to attend and qualify to receive free lunches.

The lawsuit states that the school instructs its students on the biblical worldview about marriage, sexuality and the human person, including defining marriage as between one man and one woman and that deviating from biological sex goes against God.

Title IX provides an exemption for any private school controlled by a religious organization where applying the law would be inconsistent with the religious tenets. However, representatives of the school say Frieds office told them they must comply with all federal program regulations if they opted to participate in the lunch program.

Erin Moffet, director of communications for the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, said in an email that the issue was a federal one and the lawsuit appears to be a politically-motivated step by supporters of Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration. Fried, who leads the Florida department, is running for governor as a Democrat.
A Texas man has been charged with murder after a fatal shooting during an attempted robbery of an Oklahoma dispensary.

MARIETTA  The clerk at a medical marijuana store in Thackerville was on the cellphone with his wife when two masked men walked in late July 21.

One was pointing a pistol, clerk Michael Gooch told agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The other was holding open a bag and motioning for him to put marijuana and money in it.

That's when the employee pulled out his own pistol.

Moments later, one robber had been fatally shot inside the Border Buds Dispensary. The other was injured and fleeing.

On Tuesday, prosecutors charged one of the masked males, a 20-year-old Texas resident, in the fatal shooting under Oklahoma's felony murder law.

Clarence Deray Hill faces three counts in Love County District Court  first-degree murder, conspiracy and robbery or attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon.

In Oklahoma, a robber can be convicted of first-degree murder if an accomplice dies during the crime. The OSBI said in a news release that information called into its tip line led to Hill's identity and arrest.

Hill lives in Sherman, Texas, and was arrested there at 6 p.m. Saturday. He had gone to a hospital in Sherman at 1:12 a.m. Friday for treatment for a gunshot wound to his foot, an OSBI agent wrote in an arrest affidavit. He told a Grayson County, Texas, sheriff's deputy he had been shot at a party.

Thackerville is in far southern Oklahoma. Sherman is about 45 miles away by car.

The dead robber was identified in the murder charge only by the initials C.G. Tipsters identified him as Conner James Gleghorn, 16, of Texas, according to the affidavit. The OSBI said in the news release Monday that the medical examiner's office "continues the process of positively identifying the deceased robber."

The OSBI reported the robber with the pistol fired first.

The clerk told agents the robber fired two to four times, according to the affidavit. The clerk said he returned fire, shooting that robber about eight times. The second robber fled, throwing his bag down on the porch.

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The clerk then picked up the dead robber's pistol, shut the door and called 911. The OSBI said he was not injured.

The OSBI was investigating whether a third male was involved because of a tip Hill had been picked up after running from the scene and dropped off in Sherman.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Texas man charged in fatal shooting at Oklahoma marijuana dispensary
The principal of the Texas school where the nations deadliest classroom shooting in a decade happened on Wednesday disputed some key findings of a legislative report on the attack, including that doors were left unlocked and there was lax enforcement of rules.

In a statement issued by her attorney, Mandy Gutierrez rejected a legislative committees finding that a culture of complacency over safety at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde allowed a gunman to enter the school and kill 19 children and two teachers. She also said the lock on the door to the fourth-grade classroom where the May 24 shooting happened worked when a custodian checked it the night before.

School Superintendent Hal Harrell suspended Gutierrez with pay on Monday pending a performance review pertaining to school security.

The legislative report placed the most fault with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, which took more than an hour to enter the classroom where the shooter was and kill him as parents outside the school begged officers to do something and dispatchers took 911 calls from inside the school. Surveillance footage of police officers in body armor milling in the hallway while the gunman carried out the massacre led to rage from families of victims, who have demanded accountability.

In the statement addressed to the three members of the Texas House committee that issued the report after its investigation, Gutierrez also said the teacher in charge of the classroom where the shooting happened complained that because the school's only printer was in his classroom, other teachers often interrupted his teaching to unlock the door so they could retrieve their printed documents.

As for reports that the door had to be closed forcefully to engage the locked latch, Gutierrez said: This is the condition of many doors in an aged building." She also said that neither she nor her predecessors had any recollection that the classroom teacher had complained that the door would not lock.

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Gutierrez disputed that spotty school Wi-Fi prevented school personnel from receiving an alert to a security breach.

Finally, she rejected the finding that complacency had set in because of frequent lockdowns prompted by nearby law enforcement pursuits of migrants trying to flee.

We were trained to treat every alert from any law enforcement agency as a situation with a high potential to escalate into a dangerous episode for students, teachers and administrators, she said in the statement issued by attorney Ricardo Cedillo of San Antonio.

Gutierrez said her most recent performance review rated her as Accomplished in creating a safe school environment that ensures the social, emotional and physical well-being of staff and students."

I will live with the horror of these events for the rest of my life," she concluded. I want to keep my job not only so I can provide for my family but so that I can continue to be on the front lines helping the children who survived, the families of all affected and the entire Uvalde community that I love and want to continue to protect.

___

More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/uvalde-school-shooting
(Bloomberg) -- Texas will ban almost all abortions starting Aug. 25, when a dormant 2021 state law takes effect.

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The law, which only allows abortions when a mothers life is at stake, or she faces serious physical impairment, was triggered by the Supreme Courts entry of its final judgment striking down Roe v. Wade on July 26.

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said anyone who knowingly performs, induces or attempts an abortion by any means commits a first-degree felony if the fetus dies or faces a civil penalty of at least a $100,000 and the potential loss of professional license, if it survives. A first-degree felony is punishable by up to 99 years in jail.

Paxton noted the ban doesnt prevent the use of oral contraceptives or birth control devices such as IUDs, which prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. The law also doesnt apply in cases of requiring the removal of ectopic pregnancies or the remains of miscarriages, Paxton said in an advisory issued Wednesday.

Paxton encouraged local prosecutors to immediately pursue criminal prosecutions based on a different, nearly century-old, state abortion ban that was dormant since 1973 when the Supreme Courts Roe decision established a federal right to abortion under the US Constitution.

Texas abortion providers have ceased offering even early-stage abortions, which were all that was allowed under a 2021 state law that authorized anyone to sue people who enabled an abortion for those pregnant for about six weeks or longer. Several clinics have announced plans to relocate to states where the procedure remains legal.

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Attorney General Ken Paxton and more than 20 other attorneys general are challenging the federal Food and Nutrition Services new policy that recipients of food assistance funds update their nondiscrimination policies to protect LGBTQ people.

In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it was expanding its interpretation of discrimination based on sex. As a result, state agencies and programs that receive funding from the Food and Nutrition Service were ordered to investigate allegations of discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation and to update their policies to specifically prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

Paxton and his counterparts claim the guidance issued by the USDA is unlawful because states were not consulted and did not have an opportunity to provide feedback, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. They also argue that the USDA is misinterpreting the Supreme Court case Bostock v. Clayton County, which extended sexual discrimination in the workplace to include discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

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[It] will inevitably result in regulatory chaos that threatens essential nutritional services to some of the most vulnerable citizens, Paxtons office said in a press release.

Earlier this month, Paxton and others sent a letter to President Joe Biden arguing against the guidance issued by the USDA and asking him to withdraw it.

USDA is committed to administering all its programs with equity and fairness, and serving those in need with the highest dignity. A key step in advancing these principles is rooting out discrimination in any form  including discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in the press release from May.

Tuesdays lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Tennessee Knoxville Division.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune, a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
Phase II of the Victories Square development is underway  and the developers want everyone to know that a major part of this next phase will be a workforce housing parcel.

Led by the Odawa Economic Development Management Inc. (OEDMI), the Victories Square developments first phase broke ground in 2019, which brought us The Courtyard by Marriott Petoskey, retail stores, and restaurants like Tropical Smoothie cafe. Now, OEDMI plans to build a 127-room Cambria hotel and a 50-unit workforce housing development in the remaining space.

Emily Boehm

Housing was always a component of the original plans, but the emphasis to create workforce housing was made even more apparent during Phase I of the project, says Tanya Gibbs, OEDMI president. It was difficult to find laborers during construction and even employees to staff the new businesses once they opened.

OEDMI was established by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians 11 years ago to pursue non-gaming economic opportunities, mainly by redeveloping the old casino site now known as Victories Square. Their ability to create workforce housing using Michigans Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) was achieved thanks to support from Tribal leadership and the larger community, including the Little Traverse Bay Housing Partnership (LTBHP).

Jessyca Stoepker

Weve found that the tax credit is usually awarded to urban areas. The [Little Traverse Bay] Housing Partnership helped us bring this opportunity to our community and become the first tribe to accomplish this, Gibbs says.

Gibbs explains that the LIHTC isnt the only government assistance thats typically awarded to more urban places. A majority of state funding, federal funding, or even private grants are awarded to applicants from more populated locations. Our area is frequently overlooked, Gibbs continues.

For locals, its been well known that Petoskey and other Northern Michigan towns have a housing crisis  just read the headlines or ask around, its a piping-hot topic. But Gibbs says thats not enough: we need to bring that same level of awareness to the state and even federal level.

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Forming interstate partnerships may be one way to generate a higher level of attention to Northern Michigans critical housing needs. OEDMI has recently formed a relationship with 1822 Land and Development, a similar entity of the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin, to continue work on affordable housing. 1822 Land and Development is a real estate development company with 18 commercial developments and 35 leases they manage on behalf of their tribe on the other side of Lake Michigan.

"We are excited to partner with OEDMI and the greater Petoskey community with their workforce development project, says Pete King, 1822s general manager.

When looking at investment projects and diversification, it is important that we can partner with companies that have the same mission as us which is to improve the lives of others. OEDMI and its board members made it clear from the beginning of our discussions that this project will serve as a business model that will not only serve tribal needs, but the community as a whole," he says.

OEDMI says that this new partnership, the allocation of the tax credit, and the Victories Square development as a whole will open a lot of doors for Petoskey in the future.

This is about collaboration, not competition, says Belinda Bardwell, OEDMI Secretary. This project is for everybody that lives here. Our goal is to address the needs of the overall community and help make it a better place for all of us.

 Jessyca Stoepker and Emily Boehm are co-chairs of the Thriving Petoskey Committee.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Thriving Petoskey: Community partnerships help Victories Square housing project move forward
Trevor Reed, the former U.S. Marine released from Russian custody earlier this year, on Thursday said he has a good feeling that Russia will accept a reported prisoner swap proposal from the Biden administration for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

Reed, who was imprisoned in Russia for nearly three years and released in a prisoner swap in April, told CNNs Brianna Keilar on New Day that he was cautiously optimistic the deal would go through because it was in the best interests of both the U.S. and Russia.

Im not positive, but I have a good feeling about it, Reed said. I am optimistic that they are going to agree on that.

The Biden administration is reportedly offering to swap convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout, who is in U.S. custody, for both Whelan and Griner, who are being detained in Russia. Wednesdays news sparked some hope for the detainees families and the public, who have been advocating for their release.

Still, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday told The Associated Press no agreements have been finalized and that negotiations must be conducted quietly.

Griner, a WNBA star, was detained by Russian authorities in February after she was caught with cannabis oil cartridges.

Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested in Russia in 2018 and sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020 on espionage charges he denies.

Reed, who previously criticized the White House for not doing enough to secure the release of Griner and Whelan, told CNN the news has probably not reached the two detainees in Russia.

Its sometimes difficult to receive information there from the outside, Reed said. They do kind of like to keep you isolated there. I know there were times when I didnt receive any outside news for weeks at a time.

Tensions between the U.S. and Russia have increased since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in late February, reaching heights not seen since the Cold War.

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Reed said Russia is growing increasingly bold and will continue to detain Americans regardless of whether the U.S. swaps prisoners or not.

If thats the argument, that this incentivizes taking people and wrongfully detaining people, I think the evidence shows they are going to do that anyway, Reed said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Under a hazy blue sky, Lollapalooza opened Thursday for its long weekend in Grant Park, quickly becoming a small city within a city for young music fans. The first day of Chicagos biggest music festival is sometimes said to be less crowded and lower-key but you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise inside the fence. A good chunk of the crowd sported logos for Metallica, the headliner band for the night. Outside, near the main entrance at Ida B. Wells Drive and Michigan Avenue, a protest of Chicagos curfew had the festival as its backdrop.

Hanging over day one were the kind of concerns youd expect for a festival with a daily capacity of about 100,000 attendees on the lakefront: Security concerns less than a month after a mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. Fears about COVID-19 as local case numbers remain stubbornly high.

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More than 170 music acts will take to Lollapaloozas eight stages over the festivals four days. Along with the T-Mobile and Bud Light Seltzer main stages, Kidzapalooza is back this year for the first time since 2019. Other music headliners include Lil Baby on Thursday, Dua Lipa on Friday, and J. Cole on Saturday, and Green Day is slated to close out the fest Sunday night.

First in line in the north entrance chutes, Caroline Mdo, Liz Sandoval and Helena Ruhnke, all from the Chicago area, waited for the gates to open.

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We just wanted to get a chance to check it all out first day, said Mdo, 19. This summer was her second Lollapalooza, and her friend Ruhnkes first. Sandoval, 24, was planning to make a bee line for the T-Mobile stage to camp out all day to see Metallica at 8:15 p.m. Ive been listening to them since I was 10 years old, she said  a fandom she inherited from her mom.

The trio had concerns about safety and security. Mdo said she was groped last time she attended, in a packed mosh pit. In a crowd, people just grab you, sometimes it really does happen, she said. She knows Lollapalooza has security on-site to react specifically to such incidents, but she said she felt theyre not going to get there fast enough to do anything.

Emmy Meli performs on opening day of Lollapalooza, July 28, 2022. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Lollapalooza has a zero-tolerance anti-harassment policy and instructs anyone with an issue to contact any security or staff member or to go to one of the medical tents on the grounds.

The groups other gripe was tied to the clear bag policy Lollapalooza and other major music festivals rely on to speed entry. You have to watch out, people can see your wallet or whatevers in there and just go for it, Mdo said. She approved of her friends strategy to wear her bag across the front.

Also Thursday morning, more than a few dozen people gathered outside the entrance to protest Chicagos 10 p.m. curfew for minors enacted in May, following a teens fatal shooting at The Bean in Millennium Park.

These curfews are disproportionately enforced against Black and brown kids, said Kara Crutcher, attorney for Good Kids Mad City and Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, the organizations behind the protest.

She referenced a Peace Book ordinance as an alternative for the curfew. The youth-led, anti-violence ordinance was introduced to City Council in June, backed by Good Kids Mad City.

As a young Black man Im tired of being stopped and criminalized by the police, said James Robinson, 18, of Good Kids Mad City. They are already stopping and frisking us but now they got another reason. Others nearby snapped their fingers and nodded in agreement.

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Chicago has shown for over a decade ... that they have not implemented any strategies to protect young people in this city, especially Black and brown youth, said Camilla Williams, 36, a mentor at Good Kids Mad City. So the Peace Book is something that will give them the opportunity to live. To live.

Crutcher also spoke to what she hinted was a double standard since ticketed events such as Lollapalooza, which ends at 10 p.m., are not subject to a curfew.

The backdrop of Lolla makes it very clear who is allowed to be downtown and who is allowed to move freely through their city without harassment, and who isnt. Black and brown kids are simply not allowed the same freedom and permission, Crutcher said.

Inside the festival grounds, people spread out into Chow Town and the stages once the gates opened  heralded by the Star Wars theme music, as is tradition  a bit after 11 a.m.

Kassidy Huelsbeck and Maria Lopez came in from Wisconsin to attend their first Lollapalooza. They stood in front of the Solana x Perrys stage while the field was still fairly empty. For Huelsbeck, it will be her first concert ever.

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I hope to experience what concerts are like this weekend because Ive never been to one, Huelsbeck said.

She added that shes most excited to see J-Hope on Sunday, especially since the South Korean rapper, who is part of the mega popular boy band BTS, just recently released an album. J-Hope is slated to be the first South Korean artist to headline a major U.S. music festival.

Nichole Rintel and Teddy Kazmierski came from the Detroit area for Lollapalooza. Rintel sported elaborate cat makeup and said this was her third time at the festival. It looks huge to her every year, she said.

There is like 100,000 people here, she said. You walk up to the top of the hill and look down and think, that is a lot of people.

The pandemic was not top of mind, but, she said, I will say I was surprised to see no protocols.

Lollapalooza, which is put on by Austin, Texas-based C3 Presents, follows current standards for major music festivals and adheres to local COVID-19 guidelines for outdoor events, as set by the Chicago and Illinois departments of public health. Unlike the guidance for last summers fest, it is not requiring face coverings or proof of vaccination or a negative test for entry.

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This week, all counties in Illinois including Cook were considered high-transmission areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the Chicago Department of Public Health, mitigation changes such as mask and vaccine requirements will be made based on Chicagos hospital burden, which remains low.

Over by the T-Mobile stage, the smell of mulch and grass dominated the atmosphere as people gathered for Maude Latours 2:15 p.m. set.

To chants of Maude! Maude! Maude! the recent Columbia graduate Latour ran out on stage, full of energy and music. After singing hits Furniture, Walk Backwards and Superfruit, Latour addressed the crowd. How the (expletive) are we doing, Chicago? she asked the crowd. The side seams of her shiny pants had ripped from all her jumping around. After singing her latest single, she took a moment to offer a few dedications before singing Lola.

I want to dedicate this song to protecting women, to protecting their right to choose, protecting queer people, protecting trans people, Latour said. I want to dedicate it to protecting your friends and protecting strangers that you dont even know.

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This summer is the first time New Yorkers Samara Lindberg and Cassidy Price, both 22, came to Lollapalooza. And the first time theyve visited Chicago. They said they were excited to see Tinashe and Ashnikko. Wearing all-black outfits  except for the glittery, colorful stars on Lindbergs shirt  the friends shared how they prepared for the festival.

When we decided we could make these two days I just looked up the different artists I didnt know and listened to their music and I made a Lollapalooza playlist for us, Lindberg said. So we went through and listened and learned.

People know the headliners, like Metallica and Dua Lipa, Price added. But smaller artists also get hourlong sets. Being here, its like, you get to catch up to their new stuff, but also, like, little throwbacks, she said.

[ Review: Metallica shreds it old-school at Lollapalooza, playing to new fans and old ]

WGN-TV reported Thursday that musician and Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell told reporter Dean Richards that the festival had reached an agreement with Mayor Lori Lightfoot to extend its contract in the park for 10 more years; Lollapalooza had reached the end of its current contract. C3 Presents told the Tribune that no contract was yet in place.

We have no official agreement, but we are hopeful to have one as conversations continue, said spokesman Guy Chipparoni.

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Late afternoon, Still Woozy finished up his energetic set on T-Mobile drenched in sweat. The musician, aka Sven Eric Gamsky, bounced tirelessly on his heels through his final number, shouting, Thank you, Lollapalooza, we love you!

Award for most inexplicable hour of the day went to 100 Gecs on the Titos stage in the evening. The Chicago-area duo of Dylan Brady and Laura Les offered up a set that included wizard hats and heavy vocal distortion, singing hits such as Mememe to an enthusiastic crowd. Their sound veered from EDM to thrashing guitars and synthesizers to near acoustic numbers.

Its unreal to be playing Lollapalooza, Les said as they signed off.

As night fell, the south end of Grant Park seemed to be standing room only for Metallica, the days main attraction. A heavy metal band that formed in California in 1981, the band has stayed famously current, keeping old fans and picking up new ones, and is currently in the spotlight thanks to its song Master of Puppets in the finale of the latest season of Netflixs Stranger Things.

Taking the T-Mobile stage after an extended video opening, James Hetfield and company took to the stage and launched into Whiplash.
Former President Donald Trump is trying to secure immunity from any civil suits related to the Capitol riot. Seth Herald/Getty Images

Donald Trump is trying again to get immunity from civil lawsuits related to the Capitol riot.

His team filed an application Wednesday to appeal an earlier court decision.

The February judgment ruled that Trump could be held liable in civil suits for any wrongdoing.

Former President Donald Trump is urging a federal appeals court to rule that immunity from his past office shields him from civil lawsuits alleging that he incited the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

In a 48-page filing, Trump's lawyers asked the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit to overturn a February decision in which a federal judge declined to dismiss civil lawsuits seeking to hold Trump accountable for his incendiary rhetoric ahead of the Capitol riot.

Trump's lawyers asserted that Judge Amit Mehta, an Obama appointee confirmed in 2014, refused to dismiss the lawsuits out of a distaste for Trump's speech on January 6, in which the then-president encouraged his supporters to "fight like hell." But Trump's lawyers said the immunity afforded to the former president cannot be "undercut if the presidential act in question is unpopular among the judiciary."

"The underlying factual dispute regarding the January 6, 2021, violence at the Capitol arouses the passions of many Americans, including members of the bench and bar," Trump's lawyers contended. "Consequently, it is especially important to avoid allowing the judicial department to pass judgment on the political statements and discourse of the President of the United States."

Trump's lawyers raised those arguments as they sought to fend off lawsuits from House lawmakers and two Capitol police officers who were injured during the January 6 attack. The civil lawsuits are proceeding as a House committee and the Justice Department mount parallel investigations into the Capitol attack and the efforts of Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election.

In recent days, federal prosecutors have directly asked witnesses about Trump's involvement in efforts to overturn the election, suggesting that the Justice Department is increasingly scrutinizing the former president.

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Weeks earlier, federal agents seized the phone of John Eastman, a lawyer who helped advise Trump on how to overturn the 2020 election. On the same day last month, federal investigators searched the home of Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department official who embraced Trump's baseless claims of election fraud.

In his February ruling, Mehta indicated an appreciation of presidential immunity but found that Trump's rhetoric on January 6 was "akin to telling an excited mob that corn-dealers starve the poor in front of the corn-dealer's home." Mehta said Trump later displayed a tacit agreement with the mob, minutes after rioters breached the Capitol, when he sent a tweet admonishing then-Vice President for lacking the "courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country."

"To deny a President immunity from civil damages is no small step. The court well understands the gravity of its decision," Mehta wrote. "But the alleged facts of this case are without precedent, and the court believes that its decision is consistent with the purposes behind such immunity.

Trump's lawyers argued in their court filing Wednesday that there were existing, separate means of punishing a president over misconduct in office.

Citing impeachment as an example, they wrote that a "Democratic-controlled House" had already formally reprimanded Trump over the riot in early 2021. Any lawsuits in addition that impeachment  the second in Trump's one term in office  amounted to harassment, the former president's lawyers said.

The Senate acquitted Trump in a 57-43 vote in February.

Trump's team also said "hyperbole about the violence of January 6" shouldn't undermine Trump's protection from legal action as a former president.

"President Trump is shielded by absolute presidential immunity because his statements were on matters of public concern and therefore well within the scope of the robust absolute immunity afforded all presidents," Trump's team said in the filing.

Trump's lawyers asked for the DC Circuit to hear oral arguments in the case.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington. (Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press)

A group of 411 writers and showrunners has written to leading studios including Walt Disney and Netflix to raise concerns about protections for pregnant creators on their productions after a Supreme Court decision to end a constitutional right to abortion.

The writers, who include Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, Marta Kauffman and Lena Waithe, asked the studios to provide plans to support pregnant workers on the studios' productions in states where abortion care has been limited since the court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, according to the letter seen by The Times.

The group is asking for the studios to detail what protocols they have to support such workers in terms of medical care, as well as legal protections. They are also seeking commitments to stop political donations to antiabortion political groups and candidates.

"We have grave concerns about the lack of specific production protocols in place to protect those at work for Netflix in anti-abortion states," stated the letter, which was first reported by Variety. "Currently, any pregnant person working on one of your productions in states that have criminalized abortion does so at great risk."

The letter highlights concerns among Hollywood workers who could find themselves working in states that may provide lucrative financial incentives for the studios but now ban abortion. Many states like Georgia, where a six-week abortion ban took effect in recent weeks, are huge hubs for filmmaking.

"The purpose of this letter is to review your current safety protocols and protections on this vital matter to determine whether or not we will continue to work in these high risk environments," the writers said in their letter.

Studios that received the letter, which was sent to Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and NBC Universal, among others, declined to comment.

Hollywood companies have faced growing pressure to respond in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling.

Disney this week changed Hulus policy on accepting issue-based political advertising, following a backlash from Democrats after the streaming service rejected commercials about abortion and guns.

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In June, studios including Disney and Netflix, and some unions including SAG-AFTRA, said they would reimburse travel costs for full-time employees who were working in states where abortion or pregnancy care was limited as a result of the Supreme Court ruling.

The writers, however, are pushing for greater protections for workers on their film and TV productions. They have called on the studios to detail safety plans in the next 10 days, and to assess if production is safe for pregnant writers.

Earlier this month, the healthcare plans for the Directors Guild of America extended abortion care coverage to the dependents of its members.

Times staff writers Yvonne Villarreal, Wendy Lee and Ryan Faughnder contributed to this report.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Two Illinois Department of Transportation contractors were shot in Mount Vernon Wednesday night, police say.

Jefferson County Sheriffs Department Capt. Bobby Wallace said neither sustained life-threatening injuries. Both were taken to Crossroads Hospital in Mount Vernon then transferred to Saint Louis University for additional treatment.

The two contractors were on the Interstate 57 overpass around mile marker 103 near the exit. Authorities said they received a 911 call from the company at approximately 9:14 p.m. saying they had been shot.

A flagger was struck in the back of the head. The second worker, who was attending to the flagger, was then hit in the chest.

One of the workers was released early this morning and sent back home, Wallace said. I havent heard about the other worker yet.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Department served a search warrant at the homes of two juveniles and recovered a high-powered air file. Both were taken into custody and later released to their guardians pending further investigation.

It is our belief that at least one of the juveniles was responsible for it, Wallace said.

Wallace said the investigation is ongoing, but he anticipates presenting a case to the states attorneys office for possible charges.

IDOT released a statement Thursday.

We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and providing any assistance we can to see that the perpetrators of this crime are given the appropriate punishment, it said. This troubling incident serves as an important reminder that the men and women of the Illinois Department of Transportation and our partners put their lives on the line every day to ensure the publics safety and well-being. While this kind of dangerous and senseless act not only puts workers at risk, it can also result in grave consequences for anyone else traveling in the area.
By Greg Torode

HONG KONG (Reuters) -A U.S. aircraft carrier and its strike group have returned to the South China Sea after a port call in Singapore, deploying in the disputed region as tensions with China rise over a possible visit to Taiwan by congressional leader Nancy Pelosi.

Officials with the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet confirmed the deployment of the USS Ronald Reagan to the vital trade route but did not comment on questions about tensions over the trip by Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

"USS Ronald Reagan and her strike group are underway, operating in the South China Sea following a successful port visit to Singapore," Commander Hayley Sims said in a statement to Reuters.

Sims added that the Reagan "is continuing normal, scheduled operations as part of her routine patrol in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

When asked for comment, China's foreign ministry said the US was once again "flexing its muscles" in the South China Sea with the Reagan's sailing.

"It is clear from this for everyone to see who is the biggest threat to the South China Sea and the Asian region's peace and stability, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing on Thursday.

News of the deployment of the Japan-based carrier comes as Beijing and Washington trade diplomatic blows over Pelosi's visit, reportedly due to take place next month after being postponed earlier in the year. Pelosi has not confirmed the possible trip.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday he had spoken with Pelosi and given her a security assessment but any comments about a trip she might make to Taiwan would have to come from her office.

Tensions over democratically-ruled Taiwan are expected to be discussed when U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold their fifth phone call, which could take place as soon as Thursday.

China has issued stern warnings to U.S. officials about Pelosi's possible visit to Taiwan, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday. Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has never renounced using force to bring the island under its control.

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The Reagan strike group had been operating in the South China Sea earlier in the month before heading for a five-day rest stop in Singapore at the weekend.

Singapore-based security scholar Ian Storey said he would expect Chinese vessels to shadow the strike group, based on recent actions as well as the latest tensions.

"Most of the time those interactions are safe and professional, but there's always a risk they could get too close and spark a confrontation, said Storey, of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

U.S. officials on Tuesday accused China of increased "provocations" against rival claimants in the South China Sea and said its "aggressive and irresponsible behavior" meant it was only a matter of time before there was a major incident or accident.

(Reporting by Greg Torode; Additional reporting by Martin Quin Pollard; Editing by Kim Coghill)
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths said on Thursday he was hopeful that the first shipment of grain from a Ukrainian Black Sea port could take place as early as Friday, but "crucial" details for the safe passage of vessels were still being worked out.

Griffiths said Turkish, Russian and Ukrainian military officials were working with a U.N. team at a Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul to hammer out standard operating procedures for the deal agreed by the four parties last Friday.

"That is a detailed negotiation based on the agreement," Griffiths told U.N. member states in a briefing on Thursday. "But without those standard operating procedures we cannot manage a safe passage of vessels."

"We don't see any scale likely to happen ... without our procedures being clear, understood by the commercial sector," he later told a news conference.

He acknowledged that "the devil was in the details," but said so far no major issues had emerged. Griffiths said one aspect being negotiated is the exact coordinates of the safe shipping channels.

Shipping companies and the insurers that cover vessels need to be assured that the journey is secure with no threat of mines or attacks to both the ships and their crews. These are typically covered in accepted maritime practices known as standard operating procedure.

"It's not just a matter of whether there is a ship, or two, or three available in the ports ready to move out. They need to move safely and that means that we have to be clear where exactly the channel is," Griffiths said.

Russia and Ukraine are major global wheat suppliers, and Moscow's Feb. 24 invasion of its neighbor sent food prices soaring, stoking a global food crisis the World Food Programme says has pushed some 47 million people into "acute hunger."

The agreement aims to allow safe passage for grain shipments in and out of Ukrainian ports, blockaded by Russia since its Feb. 24 invasion. Russia has blamed Ukraine for stalling shipments by mining the port waters.

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'COMMERCIALLY VIABLE'

"We are hopeful ... for the first ship movements to take place within days  hopefully tomorrow  out of those ports," Griffiths said.

While Griffiths stressed that the operation to resume Ukraine grain exports was commercial - not humanitarian - he said the United Nations hoped poorer countries would be given priority, specifically citing Somalia, where nearly a quarter of a million people are facing starvation.

He said the U.N. World Food Programme is "actively looking" at buying Ukraine grain.

The head U.N. official at the Joint Coordination Center, Frederick J. Kenney from the International Maritime Organization, had a meeting with insurers and shipping companies on Wednesday, Griffiths said.

"I'm told that it was very encouraging set of conversations," he said. "It is commercially viable."

Ships going in to collect grain will be inspected by the Joint Coordination Center at a Turkish port "to ensure there's no contraband, no weaponry going in on these vessels," Griffiths said. A U.N. spokesperson at the center said those checks would likely occur at an anchorage north of the Bosphorus.

U.N. and Turkish monitors in Ukraine's Odesa port will then make sure that grain is loaded on to the ships. Another inspection by the Joint Coordination Center after a ship has left Ukraine will only be warranted if it strays from the agreed plan, Griffiths said.

He said they knew from early on in negotiations that de-mining the approaches to Ukrainian ports was not going to work because it would take too long - U.N. mine officials had estimated it would take at least four months to do properly.

(Additional reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Susan Fenton and Daniel Wallis)
In the south of Ukraine, the Armed Forces repelled the onslaught of the occupiers

Read also: Ukrainian counter-offensive in Kherson gaining momentum  UK MoD

The Ukrainian military repulsed a Russian assault in the direction of Bruskinske and Bilohirka in the north-west of Kherson Oblast, with enemy troops suffering casualties and being forced to retreat, the General Staff said.

Read also: Russian losses exceed 75,000 dead or wounded, White House tells Congress

In order to constrain the actions of the Ukrainian military, the Russian army is using artillery and rocket fire, as well as tanks, in the areas of Trudolyubivka, Potemkine, Posad-Pokrovsky, Andriyivka, Blahodatne, Ternivky, Chervona Dolyna, Prybuzky, and Luparevo in Kherson Oblast.

Read also: Ukraine has good chance to liberate Kherson Oblast  military expert

Enemy air forces also carried out an airstrike in the area near the village of Novopetrivka in the north of Kherson Oblast.

The General Staff also said that three carriers of sea-based Kalibr type cruise missiles remain on staion in the waters of the Black Sea, outside of their bases.

Help NV continue reporting on the Russian invasion



Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
JetBlue Airways plans to acquire low-price carrier Spirit Airlines for $3.8 billion, the companies announced Thursday, in what would establish the fifth largest US airline.

The proposed takeover, which requires regulatory approval, comes a day after Spirit terminated a combination with the Frontier Group following JetBlue's competing bid challenging the transaction.

By combining, the companies will be able to challenge giant US carriers American, Delta, United and Southwest. They expect $600-$700 million in annual savings by joining forces, said a joint press release from Spirit and JetBlue.

The companies plan to argue the deal will help consumers.

"We believe we can uniquely be a solution to the lack of competition in the US airline industry and the continued dominance of the Big Four," said JetBlue Chief Executive Robin Hayes.

"By enabling JetBlue to grow faster, we can go head-to-head with the legacies in more places to lower fares and improve service for everyone. Even combined with Spirit, JetBlue will still be significantly smaller than the Big Four."

But some aviation watchers think the transaction could draw criticism in Washington, where antitrust regulators sued to block an alliance of American Airlines and JetBlue.

The all-cash transaction adjusts the price if the deal is delayed because of regulatory challenges. The price will be $33.50 per share if the transaction is completed by December 2023.

But the price would increase to $34.15 per share if the transaction is consummated in July 2024.

JetBlue also agreed to a pay Spirit a fee of $70 million and Spirit shareholders $400 million "in the unlikely event the proposed agreement is not consummated for antitrust reasons," according to the press release.

In the wake of JetBlue's challenge to the Spirit-Frontier deal, Spirit leaders, including Chief Executive Ted Christie, had depicted the JetBlue transaction as a risky bet in light of antitrust concerns, as they continued to advocate for the Frontier tie-up.

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But on Thursday, Christie told CNBC that at the time he was "actively soliciting" for the Frontier deal, but that there is "a lot of reason to be excited about where we landed."

"We've been listening to the folks at JetBlue and they have a lot of good thoughts on their plans," Christie told the network.

Although Spirit leaders continued to back the Frontier transaction, they ran into trouble with Spirit shareholders who wanted the richer JetBlue premium. Spirit was repeatedly forced to postpone an investor vote on the Frontier agreement before finally pulling the plug on the transaction on Thursday.

Shares of Spirit rose 4.0 percent to $25.27 in pre-market trading, while JetBlue gained 2.0 percent to $8.57.

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Morad Tahbaz, an environmental campaigner with UK and US citizenship, has been temporarily released from jail in Iran but London has "unfinished" business to secure his real freedom, his daughter said on Wednesday.

Tahbaz, 69, who has Iranian citizenship as well, is currently at his family home in Tehran after being released from Evin prison on temporary furlough with an ankle monitoring bracelet, Roxanne Tahbaz confirmed.

He remained behind in the Tehran jail when British-Iranians Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori flew home in March, after the UK government repaid a historical debt to Tehran.

Roxanne has accused the UK government of abandoning her father, claiming it led the family to believe that he would be included in any deal to free Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Ashoori.

Following news of his temporary furlough, she said she was glad he could now be with her mother in the Iranian capital, as well as receive the medical attention that he "urgently needs".

"However, the UK government's work is unfinished," Roxanne added in a statement.

"My father is a UK-born national and he and my mother should have been on the flight with Nazanin and Anoosheh four months ago. They should be free. Home is not in Iran, home is with their children."

She noted British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is running to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative leader and prime minister, and has been touting her record of delivering on policy pledges.

"I hope she will stand by her promise to my family and to my father and ensure his unconditional release."

The UK government maintains that it cannot secure his release alone because he is also a US citizen, and that the Iranians are also having discussions with US officials.

"Morad is a tri-national and we continue to work closely with the United States to urge the Iranian authorities to permanently release him and allow his departure from Iran," the foreign ministry in London said.

A Tehran court in 2020 jailed Tahbaz for 10 years on charges of spying, conspiring with Washington and damaging national security.

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He and seven others convicted on similar charges worked with environmental group Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation to track endangered species.

They were arrested on suspicion of espionage in early 2018.

Britain's foreign ministry told Tahbaz's family that when the others were released in March, Iran had agreed to free Tahbaz on unrestricted curfew.

But he was returned to Tehran's Evin prison within 24 hours of his partial release, prompting him to go on hunger strike.

There was no immediate comment from Iranian authorities Wednesday.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe was released on furlough in March 2020 but was taken back to Evin prison after two weeks, before being fully released two years later.

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The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) signed an agreement Wednesday with Ukraines cybersecurity agency to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the cyberspace, including the commitment to share more information and conduct training sessions together.

CISA signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ukrainian State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP) amid the eastern European countrys ongoing war with Russia, an aggressor in the digital realm that has attacked both Ukrainian and American cyber networks and infrastructure in the past.

The cooperation pact bolsters information sharing on cyber incidents and creates pathways between the two agencies to share key data on critical infrastructure. It also authorizes joint exercises and training sessions between the two agencies.

CISA Director Jen Easterly said in a statement Wednesday she was incredibly pleased to sign the pact with Ukraine.

I applaud Ukraines heroic efforts to defend its nation against unprecedented Russian cyber aggression and have been incredibly moved by the resiliency and bravery of the Ukrainian people throughout this unprovoked war, Easterly said.

Cyber threats cross borders and oceans, and so we look forward to building on our existing relationship with SSSCIP to share information and collectively build global resilience against cyber threats, she added.

U.S. and European Union cyber teams helped Ukraine prepare for the Russian invasion, which was launched in late February, assisting the country in shoring up its defenses in the cyber realm.

The efforts paid off, helping Ukraine defend its critical infrastructure from Russian hackers and aggressors seeking to hamstring the economy and functions ahead of its invasion.

Last month, U.S. Cyber Command Director Gen. Paul Nakasone revealed that American cyberteams had also partnered with Ukraine to conduct a series of operations in support of the nation.

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He did not give any further details, but the comments suggest the U.S. has further aided Ukraine against Russian cyberhackers.

Oleksandr Potii, the deputy chairman of Ukraines SSSCIP, said in the Wednesday CISA statement that the new cooperation agreement represents an enduring partnership between the two countries.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Senate failed to pass a procedural vote Wednesday that would've cleared the way for a vote on legislation to expand benefits for the estimated 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during America's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The bill, known as the Honoring Our PACT Act, passed both the House and the Senate with bipartisan support in June, but due to a snag in the bill's language, it needed to go back and pass the House and Senate again. On Wednesday evening, 25 Republican senators reversed their support from June and voted no on a procedural vote to advance the legislation.

Veterans have come home with a number of illnesses, including terminal cancers, but have been forced to argue to the Department of Veterans Affairs their illnesses were related to burn pit exposure. The legislation would have removed the burden of proof from veterans and their families by presuming a number of conditions could be related to exposure to toxic fumes from burn pits.

President Joe Biden is a strong supporter of the bill. At the State of the Union in March, he called on Congress to take action on burn pits, which he believes may have been a factor in his son's Beau's terminal brain cancer.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) speaks during a news conference about the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act on Capitol Hill July 28, 2022 in Washington, DC. / Credit: Drew Angerer / Getty Images

At a press conference Thursday in front of the U.S. Capitol initially scheduled in anticipation of the bill passing the Senate, Veterans Service Organizations and sponsors of the legislation decried the sudden about-face from senators who just last month voted in favor of the bill.

"I have never seen anything that's happened like what happened yesterday and what compounds it and makes it that much more difficult is we in essence yesterday took benefits away from the people who have been impacted by war  that we sent off to war," Democratic Sen. Jon Tester from Montana said at the press conference.

Other speakers at the press conference, including former "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart, lit into Congress with expletives.

"This is an embarrassment to the Senate, to the country, to the founders and all that they profess to hold dear. And if this is America first, then America is f*****," Stewart said.

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The speakers at the press conference have advocated for easier access to health care for veterans exposed to toxic fumes from open-air burn pits, holes in the ground where the military would dump trash and burn it  sometimes using jet fuel as an accelerant  to dispose of it.

The press conference was supposed to be a happy affair, but instead, the speakers relayed their shock at the failure to move forward the legislation that seemed like a done deal in June.

U.S. Army veteran Aleks Morosky of the Wounded Warrior Project attended the event along with representatives from several other Veterans Service Organizations.

"We make a promise to people who serve in the military that we'll support them if they get wounded," Morosky said. "Passing the PACT Act today would have finally kept that promise for veterans with toxic wounds. But instead, that promise is still being broken."

Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania voted no in June and Wednesday because of how the money is accounted for, though he supports the purpose of the legislation.

Toomey objects to the the bill because it includes language that would move money from discretionary to mandatory spending, freeing up about $400 billion in discretionary spending for anything, including programs unrelated to veterans

Twenty-five Republicans who voted yes in June joined Toomey and voted no on Wednesday. Because several senators weren't present for the vote due to COVID and Sen. Patrick Leahy was out as he recovers from hip surgery, the Senate failed to reach 60 votes to overcome the filibuster.

Tester said the Senate Appropriations Committee should be able to address the issues Toomey raised but instead Toomey and other Republican senators blocked the procedural vote. Toomey on Wednesday said he and others were willing to fix the issue by a voice vote and pass the bill.

It will be difficult for the Senate to pass the bill and send it to the White House before the August recess, unless the Republicans are allowed to pass amendments on discretionary vs. mandatory spending, since there are a few senators isolating after testing positive for COVID.

Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio during Thursday's press conference said the Senate should not go home until this bill is passed and on its way to the White House.

"This delay might not sound like a big thing but number one, we don't have the bill passed and number two, there are going to be veterans who die between now and when this bill passes," Tester said Thursday.

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Republicans block bill expanding benefits for veterans exposed to military burn pits
Healthcare workers with New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene help people register for the monkeypox vaccine at one of the City's vaccination sites, July 26, 2022, in New York. (Mary Altaffer/AP)

WASHINGTON  The countrys monkeypox outbreak can still be stopped, U.S. health officials said Thursday, despite rising case numbers and so-far limited vaccine supplies.

The Biden administrations top health official pushed back against criticism about the pace of the response and worries that the U.S. has missed the window to contain the virus, which has been declared a global emergency.

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We believe we have done everything we can at the federal level to work with our state and local partners and communities affected to make sure we can stay ahead of this and end this outbreak, Xavier Becerra, head of the Department of Health and Human Services, told reporters on a call.

But he added that local health officials must do their part. ... We dont have the authority to tell them what to do.

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The pushback from federal leaders came as they announced distribution plans for 780,000 shots of the two-dose Jynneos vaccine. The doses will be allocated to states, cities and other localities based on their case numbers and the size of their populations that are considered high-risk for the disease.

Health departments in San Francisco; New York; Washington, D.C.; and elsewhere say they still dont have enough shots to meet demand and have stopped scheduling appointments for second vaccine doses to stretch supplies.

Becerra said the federal government has done its job and said the onus is now on local officials to use the tools available.

Weve made vaccines, tests and treatments well beyond the numbers that are currently needed available to all jurisdictions, he said.

There were more than 4,600 reported monkeypox cases in the U.S. as of late Wednesday, according to the CDC, and federal officials expect those numbers to rise.

More than 99% of reported cases are in men and the vast majority of those are among men who reported sexual contact with other men, though health officials have stressed that anyone can catch the virus.

The U.S. is now capable of testing 60,000 to 80,000 people per day, though Becerra said daily testing numbers are well below that.

The monkeypox virus mainly spreads through skin-on-skin contact, but it can also transmit through touching linens used by someone with the infection. People with monkeypox may experience fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. Many in the outbreak have developed sometimes-painful zit-like bumps.

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The U.S. has ordered 5.5 million more vaccine doses for delivery by mid-2023 and has rights to raw ingredients that could make 11.1 million more doses. U.S. officials said a massive vaccination campaign could still be avoided if communities and individuals take measures to avoid spread.

In San Francisco, Tom Temprano had an appointment to get his second dose next week but was recently notified that it was canceled due to limited supplies. Temprano, who is the political director of San Francisco-based Equality California, said hes frustrated that health authorities have taken so long to respond.

Especially coming out of, still, two-and-a-half years into a pandemic, its just a very disappointing response for the first larger-scale public health crisis were facing coming out of that, he said.

He also sees parallels to the slow government response to AIDS in the 1980s.

Ive heard from many folks ... that this feels similar in the lack of real concern and urgency to a disease that is right now disproportionately impacting the LGBTQ+ community, said Temprano, who is 36.

The CDC estimates about 1.5 million Americans currently meet suggested criteria for vaccination, primarily men who have sex with men.

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But officials on Thursday declined to set a figure for how many vaccine doses would be needed to stop the outbreak. Nearly 340,000 vaccine doses have been distributed, but a CDC official acknowledged the federal government doesnt know how many have been administered.

The additional 780,000 shots being sent to states this week were delayed by shipping and regulatory hurdles. They sat for weeks in storage in Denmark as U.S. regulators finished inspecting and certifying the facility where they were manufactured.

California state Sen. Scott Wiener, who belongs to the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, called the additional vaccines significant. But he added: Of course, its not enough, and we know that were going to be getting millions more doses over the remainder of this year and into next year, which is not soon enough in terms of actually containing this outbreak.

Georgias health department hasnt had to postpone any second doses, but spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said: Demand is still very high. Every time a health department or other provider opens appointments or slots at an event, they are taken up in a matter of minutes.

Associated Press writer Andrew Selsky in Salem, Oregon, and Mike Stobbe in New York contributed to this story.
Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer known as the "Merchant of Death" whose weapons sales fueled deadly conflicts around the world, could be sent back to his motherland in exchange for WNBA star Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.

Russian officials have long pushed for the release of Bout, who is currently serving a 25-year sentence in U.S. prison after being convicted in 2011 of conspiracy to kill Americans, conspiracy to deliver anti-aircraft missiles, and aiding a terrorist organization.

He was nabbed in 2008 in a sting operation at a luxury hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, where he met with Drug Enforcement Administration informants who were posing as officials with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which has been classified by US officials as a narco-terrorist group.

Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout walks past temporary cells ahead of a hearing at the Criminal Court in Bangkok. CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images

Prosecutors said that Bout was prepared to provide the group with $20 million worth of "a breathtaking arsenal of weapons  including hundreds of surface-to-air missiles, machine guns and sniper rifles  10 million rounds of ammunition and five tons of plastic explosives."

BRITTNEY GRINER REVEALS TRANSLATION ISSUE DURING HER FEBRUARY ARREST

Bout, who was played by Nicolas Cage in the 2005 movie "Lord of War," has maintained his innocence, claiming that he is a legitimate businessman.

The Russian state-owned news agency TASS originally reported in May that talks are underway to exchange Bout for Griner.

Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout is escorted by policemen as he arrives for a hearing at the Criminal Court in Bangkok. CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images

Russian officials see Bout as a "high-value asset" and are likely pushing hard for the exchange, according to former Defense Intelligence Agency officer Rebekah Koffler.

"Moscow wants him back because he possesses critical insights that he can share with the GRU, his former agency. Having been in a U.S. prison and interrogated by U.S. officials, he knows what our intelligence requirements are and other information that is valuable for the Russians," Koffler, the author of "Putin's Playbook: Russia's Secret Plan to Defeat America," told Fox News Digital.

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"It would be a big mistake for the U.S. to give up Viktor Bout, as much as one feels compassion for Ms. Griner and Mr. Whelan."

BRITTNEY GRINER GUILTY PLEA POSSIBLE 'GAMBLE' TO SPEED UP RUSSIA EXIT: EXPERT

The Biden administration confirmed Wednesday that it has made a "substantial proposal" to help free Griner and Whelan.

"The U.S. government continues to work aggressively, pursuing every avenue, to make that happen and as part of those efforts we made a substantial proposal to bring Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan home," a White House spokesperson told Fox News on Wednesday.

Griner was arrested at a Russian airport in mid-February after police said they found cannabis oil in her bags. She pleaded guilty this month to a drug smuggling charge and could face up to 10 years in prison, but she has said that her "intent" was not to violate Russian law.

Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020 on espionage charges, but he and his family have maintained his innocence, while the U.S. government has called the charges false.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Washington Commanders' 2020 fourth-round pick is already calling it a career after just two seasons in the NFL.

Head coach Ron Rivera announced Thursday that tight end Antonio Gandy-Golden is retiring at the age of 24 to return to school. The decision apparently surprised Rivera, who sounded like he was looking forward to having Gandy-Golden in the tight end room after he converted from a wide receiver this offseason.

"I was a little surprised just because I thought he was doing a good job in our offense and was making some good strides," Rivera said. "I love who he is as a man, and I wish him all the best as he goes back and starts what's next.

"He just felt the time was now. He told me he wanted to go back to school and continue his education, and then go from there."

The Commanders drafted the 6-foot-4 Gandy-Golden out of Liberty with the 142nd pick in 2020 but he missed most of the season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He tallied just one catch for three yards on seven targets and one rush for 22 yards in six games in 2020.

[Set, hut, hike! Create or join a fantasy football league now!]

Washington waived Gandy-Golden before the 2021 season, where he spent time on the practice squad and active roster but didn't record a catch in four appearances. He signed a reserve/futures contract after the season before converting to tight end. Gandy-Golden reportedly gained 27 pounds this past offseason to make the positional switch.

Ive only ever played receiver since I started football, Gandy-Golden said on the move last week. Its been cool, but its been a lot of hard work.Its all about being able to adapt in this league to last longer. When they asked me, it confirmed they have the confidence in me to be able to do that.

It's unclear if Gandy-Golden is returning to Liberty or another school. He was pursuing a degree in graphic design at Liberty, according to his college profile page, before leaving in 2019. At Liberty, Gandy-Golden caught 150 passes for 2,433 yards and 20 touchdowns in two seasons.

"He's a heck of a young man. He really did do a nice job for us," Rivera saidl. "We appreciate who he is and who he was for us as a football player and a young man. Because he's a bright young man, I really do believe he has a bright future ahead of him."
By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has requested the deployment of military troops to assist with migrants arriving on buses sent by the Texas and Arizona state governments, according to letters sent by her office to U.S. military and White House officials.

Bowser, a Democrat, has clamored in recent weeks for federal funds to provide shelter and services to migrants arriving on buses from the two Republican-led states, which sought to make a political statement by sending border crossers to Washington.

"Our ability to assist people in need at this scale is very limited," Bowser said in a letter to White House officials, adding that non-profit organizations welcoming migrants in Washington are "overwhelmed and underfunded."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican running for reelection in November midterm elections, blames U.S. President Joe Biden's immigration policies for record numbers of migrant arrests at the border with Mexico.

The governor announced in April the state would bus migrants to Washington, saying "Texas should not have to bear the burden of the Biden administrations failure to secure our border."

Texas has sent over 150 buses carrying more than 6,000 migrants to Washington since April, according to Abbott's office.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, another Republican, launched a similar effort in May and has bused more than 1,000 migrants, his office has said.

Some 85% to 90% of the arriving migrants continue to other U.S. destinations by bus or plane, according to two groups working to welcome the migrants in Washington.

Migrant advocates and Washington city council members have called on Bowser to devote city funds to the reception effort, but the mayor has said the federal government must step in.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, another Democrat, has similarly said in recent weeks that migrant arrivals have taxed his city's shelter system and called on the Biden administration to provide funding.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese)
NASCAR.com

Editors note: This years playoff field will be spotlighted in USA Networks new unscripted series Race for the Championship airing this fall. The first episode is Thursday, Sept. 1, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Watch the trailer here.  Twenty-four down. Two to go. In what is likely the most unpredictable regular season in the history []
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Larry Rudolph, the multi-millionaire dentist whos accused of murdering his wife Bianca on a 2016 hunting trip in Zambia and framing it as an accident to bank millions in insurance cash, testified in federal court Wednesday for the first time.

Rudolph vehemently denied accusations he killed his wife to receive a $4.8 million payout and finally be with his supposed lover, Lori Milliron, who faces an obstruction of justice charge herself.

Defense attorneys claim the ordeal was a tragic accident, with Bianca mistakenly shooting herself around 5 a.m. on Oct. 11, 2016, as she frantically packed a loaded gun into its case to return to Pittsburgh for a family wedding.

Rudolph recounted that morning Wednesday. The last words he heard from his wife were, come here and help me, he said, followed by a gunshot soon after.

I absolutely did not shoot my wife, Rudolph said. I did not murder my wife for insurance. I did not murder my wife to be with Lori Milliron or anyone else.

Dentist Accused of Murdering Wife on Africa Hunting Safari for Insurance Cash

The feds have dismissed Rudolphs story, claiming the millionaire carefully planned his wifes slaying with a clear motive: further filling his pockets while freeing himself up for more time with his mistress.

Prosecutors are attempting to convict Rudolph on murder and fraud charges, despite local authorities in Zambia declaring Biancas death an accident, a conclusion life insurance investigators also reached.

But the feds insist they have enough evidence to put Rudolph away. For one, prosecutors claim it would have been impossible for Bianca to shoot herself in the chest with the shotgun responsible for her death because its barrel is too long. They also cite Rudolphs actions after his wifes death, which included a trip to Vegas just after her burial, as well as dates with Milliron.

On one outing with Milliron, the feds say, Rudolph was overheard by a witness who claims he said, I fucking killed my wife for you in 2020. Rudolph claims he was misheard while dining in a busy restaurant, with him actually saying, The FBI think I killed my wife for you, Rudolph testified Wednesday.

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Rudolph, 67, spent two-and-a-half hours in total on the stand, detailing his relationship with Bianca, from when they met in college in the early 80s to their marriage struggles, as they nearly divorced twice.

The couple switched to an open relationship around 2000, Rudolph testified, which eased tension between the two, the Associated Press reported. After that, Rudolph said he and Bianca were reasonably happy with their arrangement.

The couples grown children attended Wednesdays hearing, sitting on their fathers side to support him, the Denver Gazette reported.

Wednesdays testimony likely wont be the last time Rudolph takes the stand. Prosecutors requested two hours to question him about a mysterious crocodile attack on Thursday.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The brother of the former U.S. Marine held in Russia for the last three years said the family has a little bit of hope following talks of a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap.

The swap would reportedly trade a Russian arms trafficker for detained U.S. citizens Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, though the State Department hasnt shared details. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to discuss the matter with Russia soon.

The offer that the U.S. government has made  and extraordinarily made public  is super, said Whelans twin brother, David Whelan, on ABC Newss Good Morning America Thursday.

Hopefully the Russian government will take the concessions that have been made and allow Paul to come home.

Whelan has been held in Russia since December 2018, arrested on spying charges and sentenced to 16 years behind bars.

WNBA star Griner is the other prisoner included in the Biden administrations talks  she pleaded guilty to bringing hashish oil vape cartridges into the country and has been held for the last five months.

President Biden and the State Department have been under pressure from Griner and Whelans families to bring the U.S. citizens home.

The U.S. made a similar prisoner swap in April for former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed, who had been detained in Russia since 2019.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Production on the forthcoming third season of The Witcher has been delayed once more due to Covid.

Netflix has stated that filming had paused due to Covid, adding that they will be up and running as soon as it is safe to do so.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that the series lead, Henry Cavill, is rumoured to have contracted Covid himself, although the production has not addressed this speculation.

Covid previously caused a production delay back during filming of the hit fantasy series second season.

Production was halted in March 2020 and did not resume until August of that year. Filming was subsequently shut down again soon after when four people working on the show tested positive.

The Witcher season three does not yet have a release date.

Adapted from the fantasy book series by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski (which also spawned a best-selling video game franchise), The Witcher stars Cavill as legendary monster slayer Geralt of Rivia.

A prequel miniseries, entitled The Witcher: Blood Origin, will also be released later this year.

On Wednesday (27 July) it was revealed that fantasy giant George RR Martin had contracted Covid. The news came to light after Martin was unable to attend the premiere of HBOs new Game of Thrones spin-off series House of the Dragon.
Investigators in Kansas City, Kansas, hope a facial reconstruction released to the public Thursday will lead to information about a cold case from 1984.

The victims decomposed remains were found April 26, 1984, near Glenrose and Woodend Lanes in Kansas City, Kansas Argentine neighborhood. The coroner estimated she died one to six months before she was discovered in the wooded, residential area. She has not been identified in the nearly 40 years since the homicide.

Detectives had no leads and asked forensic anthropologists to develop a profile of the victim, police department spokeswoman Nancy Chartrand said in a news release.

Kansas City, Kansas, police released the forensic facial reconstruction of a homicide victim whose decomposed body was found nearly 40 years ago. Investigators hope the public will help identify the woman.

They determined the victim was about 20 to 25 years old with dark brown hair. The womans bone structure suggests that she was white and possibly mixed race with Native American, Asian or Hispanic ancestry, Chartrand said.

The woman would now be in her late 50s to mid-60s, detective Jeffrey Irwin with KCKPDs cold case unit said. He said identifying the victim is the first step in solving homicides.

In 1984 the few leads detectives received, even after distributing the reconstruction to law enforcement agencies, lead nowhere, Irwin said in the news release. Whether it was fear of retribution from the killer or the possibility she was killed in another state and then dumped here; we do not know.

Police are asking anyone who recognizes the woman, know of a missing woman who matches the profile or has other information, to contact the KCKPD cold case unit at coldcase@kckpd.org or call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
SheKnows

Reddit is rallying around a dad who wont pay for school supplies for good reason. He took to the AITA forum to explain that his ex-wife recently took his daughter to buy all the back-to-school necessities. An important note: this ex-wife lives with her boyfriend (with whom she had an affair) and his daughter, who []
Actor D.B. Sweeney, who starred in the 1992 sports-romantic comedy film The Cutting Edge, placed the Hinsdale home he owns with his wife on the market for $925,000. (Bob Goldsborough / HANDOUT)

Actor D.B. Sweeney, who starred in the 1992 sports-romantic comedy film The Cutting Edge, and his wife, Ashley Vachon, on June 16 placed their four-bedroom, 2,666-square-foot Colonial-style house in Hinsdale on the market for $925,000.

A New York native, Sweeney, 60, has had a long career in films and on TV. Sweeney and his wife said in a 2013 interview in Hinsdale Living magazine that they chose to settle in the Chicago area as a place to raise their children, and since 2013, they have lived in Hinsdale. In May 2016, Sweeney paid $830,000 for the house, which was built in 1969.

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Features in the house include four bathrooms, a primary bedroom suite with multiple closets and a spa bath, a family room with built-in bookcases and a stone fireplace, and a kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and an eat-in breakfast area. The house also has a lower level with a rec room and a game room.

Listing agent Megan McCleary declined to comment on the listing.

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The house had a $11,486 property tax bill in the 2021 tax year. It is under contract to sell.

Bob Goldsborough is a freelance writer.

Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news.
The New Orleans Pelicans want Zion Williamson around for a while, but only on one big condition.

The Pelicans star signed a five-year, $193 million max contract earlier this month that could be worth as much as $231 million. According to The Times-Picayune, the contract stipulates that Williamson must weigh in at below 295 pounds periodically throughout the deal. His body fat percentage will also be monitored.

Should Williamson tip the scales too much, the amount of guaranteed money in his contract can be reduced.

Zion Williamson's weight has been a question for Pelicans

Anyone who has followed Williamson's professional career so far can probably understand why the Pelicans would do this. The 22-year-old's weight and conditioning have been major issues, like when he reported to training camp last September at "well above" 300 pounds.

Even at his listed 284 pounds, Williamson is among the five heaviest players in the NBA, and the rest of his cohorts in that group are all 6-foot-10 or taller. Williamson is 6-foot-6.

Williamson's body shape hasn't prevented him from being one of the most explosive players in the NBA when healthy, but that has been the rub. Williamson has frequently sustained lower body injuries since entering the NBA, missing 44 games as a rookie after tearing the lateral meniscus in his right knee and missing all of last season with a broken metatarsal in his right foot.

In three years, Williamson has played a total of 85 games.

Zion Williamson's main problems as an NBA player have been staying healthy and in shape. On the court, he's been a monster. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Williamson himself seems aware enough of these issues, as The Times-Picayune reports he has been working with a personal trainer and private chef to improve his conditioning and nutrition. He was cleared to play without restrictions in May.

It speaks to Williamson's star power that the Pelicans still opted to give him a max contract, and he could easily reward them over the next few years. He has so far averaged 25.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting .611 from the field.

When adjusted for minutes and possessions, Williamson has scored at a higher clip in his career than Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry did last season.
Despite the ending of a pandemic-era federal aid meal plan, Lynchburg-area school districts plan to continue providing students with free meals through the community eligibility provision program, also known as CEP.

The federal aid meal plan made school meals more available for free to all public school students regardless of family income.

Bedford County Public Schools Chief Operations Officer Mac Duis said in an email that in practical terms, the changes will affect students at some schools in Bedford County more than others.

We appreciate the efforts of the federal government to assist our families with school meal costs during the COVID pandemic, Duis said. As we emerge from that challenging time, we will take every step we can to continue to provide healthy meals for our students at the lowest cost possible.

CEP is a meal service option for school districts in low-income areas, allowing school districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications.

Bedford County Public Schools currently has 11 schools participating in CEP  Bedford Elementary, Bedford Primary, Goodview Elementary, Huddleston Elementary, Montvale Elementary, Stewartsville Elementary, Liberty Middle, Staunton River Middle, Liberty High, Staunton River High and Alternative Education Center, according to Duis.

The school system has applied two other schools to enter the program and is awaiting approval.

Other schools in the county that arent participating in CEP will be encouraged to apply for federal meal benefits to determine if they will be eligible for free meals. Students who arent eligible will be charged for meals as they were prior to the pandemic.

We encourage all families in our other schools to apply for meal benefits as the school year starts in August. We know that students learn best when they are well fed, Duis said.

For other Lynchburg-area school systems, little will change.

Amherst County Public Schools, Lynchburg City Schools, Campbell County Public Schools and Nelson County Public Schools will participate in CEP division-wide.

We will continue to offer free breakfast and free lunch to all students, just like we have the past two years, Amherst County Public Schools Child Nutrition Supervisor Kim Klein said in an email.

Crissy Connell, supervisor of nutrition for Nelson County Public Schools, said officials there are very excited about being a part of the program.

I really just want to encourage all of Nelson County students and parents to know that we will be providing a nutritious breakfast and lunch for all of our students at no charge, Connell said in an interview. We would love to have them eat both breakfast and lunch every day with us,

Campbell County has applied for CEP division-wide for the first year. However, this marks the third year Campbell County will participate in the program.

The division is just awaiting official approval, which is expected at the start of the school year.

I just encourage the children to eat with us, Jan Hiner, supervisor of school nutrition at Campbell County Public Schools, said in an interview.

LCS has participated in the program since 2015. The school system was eligible to facilitate CEP division-wide in 2021 when it added on the high schools.

What your readers really need to know is that based on Lynchburg City Schools operating the USDA program community eligibility provision, all students who are members of Lynchburg City Schools will not be impacted by the end of the pandemic-based legislation, Director of School Nutrition Beth Morris said in an interview.
Japan's whaling industry is struggling to stay afloat as government subsidies dwindle and consumers are less interested in what used to be a staple food on Japanese dinner tables.

Three years after Japan pulled out of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and announced that whalers would be permitted to resume commercial hunting there, the industry is on the brink of collapse.

A sector that employed thousands of people in the decades immediately after World War II, and sustained entire communities during those difficult economic times, is today losing the government subsidies that has kept it afloat. More and more, it is also delivering a product that very few people want to buy.

The whaling industry insists that it is pushing ahead with plans to modernize operations, cut costs and encourage more people to consume whale meat, but environmental campaigners says they are just delaying the inevitable.

What is the status of Japan's whaling industry?

Three years ago, Japan had become frustrated by its inability to convince other members of the IWC that there are sufficient whales in the world's oceans to justify a return to commercial whaling.

At the same time, Japanese whalers drew international criticism for exploiting a loophole in the IWC's regulations that permitted "scientific whaling."Japan harpooned hundreds of whales across the Pacific every year on the pretext of studying their migration routes and to obtain data on whale numbers, their health and breeding patterns.

In order that the "byproduct" of this lethal research did not go to waste, the fisheries ministry was keen to emphasize that whale meat was then sold. ...continue reading
The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Education approved a pay increase for substitute teachers Tuesday to ensure that the school district remains competitive with other metro-area districts.

The Board raised the daily pay rate for occasional substitutes from $165 to $170 and the rate for long-term substitutes from $175 to $180.

Were trying to stay near the top of our (market), said Garry Milbourn, chief of human resources. Last year we raised it $10 (per day), and this year we raised it $5. It definitely keeps us near the top in our area.

Our goal is to cover the classrooms and keep that continuity of instruction going, he said.

The district has used Teachers On Call to schedule substitutes for the past two years, and the Board voted at its May 24 meeting to continue to do so this year. Besides lining up substitute teachers and paraeducators, Teachers On Call trains the substitutes, completes yearly background checks, manages licensure and covers workers compensation and liability for the subs. The substitutes become employees of Teachers On Call and are paid by them, and the district reimburses the service each substitutes daily rate plus an administrative markup.

Milbourn said he appreciates having the Teachers On Call team to focus specifically on substitutes.

The Board also held a public hearing on a proposed renovation of the former Washington Elementary School, where the Kanesville Alternative Learning Center is currently housed. Kanesville students will attend classes at the Ninth Avenue school building that has been used for the Heartland Family Service Therapeutic School in recent years to clear the way for work at their building. Therapeutic School students will attend the organizations Omaha program this school year.
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand was once told by a colleague that he had never seen more middle managers and bureaucrats worried about what the state auditors office is going to say, which is a compliment as far as Sand is concerned.

They should be (worried), Sand said. I mean, thats kind of the whole point. If it feels like Im suing you like, well, dont do the thing that you might get sued for.

The Auditors Office works as a nonpartisan watchdog for Iowans by providing audit, review and other technical services to state and local governments to investigate whether taxpayer dollars are being used properly, and to issue reports detailing any improper conduct.

If we can keep people from messing something up, and doing something they shouldnt do before they do it, thats way better than catching them after the fact, Sand said during a July 21 meeting with residents at Sunset Park.

Sand tries not to concern himself too much with what the government does after the auditors office issues its reports. At that point, its out of his hands.

If my job is to tell you if your toes over the line and I holler at you because your toes on the line, you might say, oh, its not over the line or its an accident, its a mistake, Sand said. My jobs to say what happened. If everybody decides they dont care, they can decide that. But Im gonna do my job.

Sand was in Council Bluffs as part of his 100 Town Hall Tour, an annual trip around the state that allows him to highlight the accomplishments of the office, speak with residents face-to-face and listen to their concerns.

Sand also used the opportunity to talk about an aspect of the auditors role that, historically, hadnt been utilized  to promote government efficiency and find ways to save taxpayer money.

Sand and his team came up with a program that would do just that, and they named it PIE, which stands for Public Innovations and Efficiencies.

Once we designed the program and we had an idea of what we were looking at, we loved what we had put together; we were proud of it, Sand said. We were like, This is gonna be great. Were gonna save a ton of money for people, its gonna be fun to participate in. Its going to be as popular as pie.

After the team had decided that PIE was the acronym they wanted to use, they then had to come up with three words that would fit the three letters. Hence, Public Innovations and Efficiencies.

We have what we call the PIE chart, a four to five page checklist of basic money saving practices, Sand said. You can do them in your home or your city or your county can do it to save money.

Cities, counties and school districts are asked to fill out the checklist, marking yes for practices they do and no for ones they dont. Then they send the checklist to the auditors office, where the public can see what their city or county or school district is or isnt doing to save money.

Entities that send in the PIE chart are also entered into what Sand called the PIE contest, where counties, cities and school districts are divided into groups based on size, and the entity that has the best score receives a visit from Sand, who brings certificates acknowledging the good work being done.

When visiting, Sand also brings pie.

Those are very exciting days, Sand said. I get a sugar rush that lasts all day, because I keep reupping every hour with another slice of pie.

Aside from all the pie, Sand also enjoys the opportunity to provide some positive feedback to public officials and municipal employees.

Our office is always kind of poking at public officials, Sand said. Thats part of our job, but this is a nice way to partner with people and actually say, Hey, look, you got some public officials here that are doing a good job.

People who work for the city, work for the county, typically, theyre putting in a lot of hours. Theyre working hard; theyre solving real problems and they dont get a lot of recognition for it, Sand said. So when we can come around and we can say, Hey, look, your city here is doing a really good job to save it money, thats good. We should call the bad, bad, but also call the good, good. Its nice to have that balance.

Another aspect of the PIE program is something Sand called PIE recipes, which allows the auditors office to share money-saving ideas across the entire state.

If you come up with something in Pott County that saves money, tell us what it is, Sand said. What we do is, we take the idea, we add it to that PIE chart, and then everybody who participates in the program, that (chart) gets circulated to them every year. So it makes it easy for more people to copy the idea and put it into place.

The PIE chart also includes contact information for the person who came up with each idea, so if anyone has questions about how to implement a program, they can go straight to the source.

In the second year of the PIE program, the number of public entities participating went from 330 to more than 500, Sand said.

Were seeing more governmental entities participating and were seeing them actually get more efficiency practice into place as theyre participating, Sand said.

Sand also touted a federal program that helps school districts pay to replace buses, to lighten the burden on Iowa taxpayers.

The federal government, through the bipartisan infrastructure bill that President Biden signed in 2021, will replace up to 25 buses per school district with zero- or low-emission buses.

Sand also lamented the lack of cooperation he sees between Iowas political parties. Sand, a Democrat from Decorah, said that the Republican-controlled state government (doesnt) want to do something that makes it look like a Democrat ever had a good idea.

As an example, Sand said that he would like to see mandatory prison sentences for people who steal a large amount of public money.

He cited a former Mills County treasury employee who, in 2004, was given a 25-year suspended sentence and probation, and was ordered to pay restitution after being found guilty of stealing public funds.

In 2013, another former Mills County treasury employee was found guilty of stealing $36,000 from the county. Citing the importance of deterrence, the judge in that case sentenced the employee to the maximum 25 years in prison, a penalty that Sand would probably say was too harsh.

You dont need to lock them up and throw away the key, Sand said. Its, no more probation. It doesnt need to be a long sentence. Everybody I talked to about this has said, the reason that they dont pass it isnt because they disagree.

In Sands view, if you want to be a public servant, if you want to be involved in governance, you should be interested in every good idea, and that isnt just a soundbite. Sand really means it.

You want to have decision-making done by people who think a little differently than yourself, Sand said. If you all think the same way about everything, you end up doing groupthink, and you end up not considering this aspect or that aspect of the problem.

To hold himself accountable, and to ensure partisan politics dont get in the way of the work, Sand hired and promoted Republicans and independents to senior positions within the office, even people who contributed to his opponents campaign in 2018.

I want everyone in the state to know that we are working to represent everybody, Sand said. We are working to make sure this office is focused on truth and integrity and accountability. And those are things that shouldnt have a political persuasion to them.
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The suspect in the fatal shooting of Servando Hamros earlier this month was apparently angry that Hamros allegedly filmed him, made fun of him while in the park with a date and also allegedly robbed him, Cook County prosecutors said Wednesday in court.

Khiyran Monroe, 20, of Evanston, appeared during the Wednesday hearing before a judge, who denied bail.

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Monroe is charged with first-degree murder in the July 14 shooting death of Hamros, who was with his 7-year-old daughter, after an altercation in Isabella Butler Park.

Hamros had been walking through the park with his 7-year-old, who was playing Pokemon Go, when he came across Monroe and another person, described as his date, engaging in sexual intercourse on a blanket near the walking path, prosecutors said.

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Moments after 9 p.m., Hamros pulled out his cellphone and began recording the pair while making jokes about Monroe until Monroe and the witness fled on foot, still partially clothed and leaving food, clothes and their shoes behind, prosecutors said.

Rather than driving away from the scene, Monroe returned in his mothers SUV and fired 17 rounds into the park, fatally shooting Hamros who had by this time walked farther south into the park, prosecutors said.

Officers responded to shots fired around 9:05 p.m. to find Hamros lying in the park along the canal, said officials. Lifesaving efforts were attempted by officers until emergency medical technicians arrived and Hamros was pronounced dead on the scene.

Prosecutors said several witnesses reported seeing a small SUV consistent with Monroes stopped against the curb at the park on the wrong side of the road with its headlights on.

Ring camera video from the area recorded 17 shots fired, with witnesses reporting that the SUV then drove into oncoming traffic before moving into the southbound lane and driving away.

Prosecutors also said that they believed an armed robbery took place. One of Monroes cellphones was found in Hamros pocket with another alongside his body and a handgun was found in his backpack following the shooting, according to prosecutors.

Additional Ring camera footage at Monroes residence showed him pacing and frantic while speaking to his mother, allegedly telling her, he had a gun to my chest, prosecutors said.

Hamros daughter was physically unharmed during the shooting, said Evanston police Cmdr. Ryan Glew earlier.

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Prosecutors said Monroe has no previous criminal history and possesses a valid firearm owners identification card but no concealed carry license.

Monroe, who turned himself in with a lawyer on Tuesday, is due back in court Aug. 16 in Skokie. His attorney could not be reached for comment.
Construction work of the first solar photovoltaic power plant in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, with an installed capacity of 34 megawatts (MWp), was launched Tuesday in the commune of Hjar Nahal, in the Tangier-Assilah prefecture.

The GPM1 solar power, developed by the Green Power Morocco Company for an overall investment of about 370 million dirhams ($36 million), will be built over 5 hectares, and will have an annual production of 67 gigawatt hours (GWh).

In addition, the plant will include more than 91,000 photovoltaic panels equipped with solar trackers to increase the plants production capacity.

The production of this photovoltaic plant, intended exclusively for the use of the delegated company of the distribution of drinking water and electricity Amendis-Tanger, is equivalent to the average consumption of more than 8,000 households, or more than 5,000 tons of oil, avoiding the emission of 30,000 tons of CO2.

This project aims to strengthen Moroccos power generation capacity from renewable sources and contribute to reducing the countrys dependence on fossil fuels, in accordance with international commitments made by the Kingdom.

Speaking at the ceremony, CEO of Green Power Morocco, Philip Jenkins, said Morocco was for him as the American dream, since he was able to achieve, during the 18 years of his presence in the Kingdom, several investment projects, thanks to the trust and the good business climate.

Director General of the Regional Investment Center (CRI-TTA), Jalal Benhayoun, said this photovoltaic park is the achievement of an integrated vision of the group Green Power.

This project is the result of joint efforts by various actors at local and central levels, to accelerate the energy and economic transition to a low-carbon model, now imposed and adopted by all international standards, said Benhayoun, adding in this context of post-pandemic economic crisis and with the surge in energy prices, the use of renewable energy is no longer a luxury but a necessity for our industrialists, especially exporters.

Morocco has adopted since 2009 an energy strategy based on sustainability and oriented towards renewable energy, the development of energy efficiency and strengthening regional integration. This strategy aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the installed electrical power to more than 52% by 2030.
Tunisia held a vote on the constitution proposed by Kais Saied which won the majority of votes, though low turnout leaves the opposition questioning the legitimacy of the process.

President Saied organized the referendum on the constitution which further empowers him, a year after he suspended the parliament launching a process of power grab that left pro-democracy activists warning the country is backpedaling to autocracy.

Those who voted yes represented 94.6% of all voters, though turnout stands at a mere 30%. President Saied had said low participation in the vote would not affect the validity of the referendum. His detractors see in the low turnout an indicator of his illegitimacy.

The oppositions main argument is that the constitution was tailored to favor one-man rule as it derails from the hybrid parliamentary system.

Saieds proponents blame the countrys social and economic woes on an ineffective parliament.

The president insisted the new referendum will keep the freedoms enshrined in 2014, adding his changes are necessary to weaken a corrupt political elite.

The presidents move received support from a silent majority  as his proponents prefer to say- of disenchanted Tunisians with the political and the economic crisis that has engulfed the country since 2011.

Internationally, the constitutional vote did not receive much acclaim from global powers.

US Department of State spokesman Ned Price said Washington was aware of concerns among civil society organizations and politicians about the lack of an inclusive and transparent process and the limited scope for genuine public debate during the drafting of the new constitution.

We also note concerns that the new constitution includes weakened checks and balances that could compromise the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, he said.
Israel has reaffirmed its position in support of Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over the Sahara region, said Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Gideon Saar, who is in Morocco to broaden the scope of bilateral cooperation.

Following talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Saar told the press that his visit to Rabat was an occasion to express to different Moroccan officials he met Israels support for Moroccos position on the Sahara issue.

Saar, who is also Justice Minister, met his Moroccan peer Abdellatif Ouahbi. The two added the judiciary to an array of cooperation areas between the two countries.

In this respect, Israel and Morocco signed a deal to promote cooperation between their respective justice departments.

Saar also met Abdellatif Hammouchi, head of Moroccan police and domestic intelligence. He said on his twitter account talks dealt with shared challenges and threats.

In parallel with Saars visit, Esawi Frej, Israeli regional cooperation minister, held talks in Tangier with Moroccos culture minister Mohamed Bensaid to discuss cultural cooperation.

He also held talks with higher education minister Abdellatif Miraoui focusing on promoting cooperation between universities from the two countries.

The visits of Saar and Frej are part of a momentum in bilateral ties that has been ongoing since the two countries agreed to resume diplomatic ties in 2020.

Many other Israeli ministers had visited Morocco from the departments of defense, the interior, foreign affairs, economy and the industry as well as Israels top general and representatives of key Israeli companies such as IAE.
Morocco has during the past two decades strengthened its foothold and won support for its crucial causes from old and new allies as it marches on a steady diplomatic track engineered by King Mohammed VI. The foreign policy achievements are reflective of the growing clout of the country and its credibility and growing soft power, notably in Africa.

King Mohammed VI put Morocco on the path of supporting global peace efforts and multilateralism contributing to the countrys credibility and international reputation.

The King paid visits to global powers including the US, China, Russia, India, as Morocco aspires to diversify its partnerships while cooperating closely with traditional partners. He visited over 40 African countries and fostered ties with Gulf sisterly monarchies and in 2020 signed a landmark deal to resume ties with Israel and kick off cooperation at all levels.

Since 2008, Morocco has earned an advanced status with the EU with whom trade and political ties kept growing and survived attempts by Algerian-backed separatist to undermine them.

Precious gains on Sahara issue

The year 2020 was a landslide in the history of the Algeria-fabricated Sahara conflict. The recognition by the US of Moroccos sovereignty over the territory sent shockwaves and ushered a momentum in favor of Moroccos territorial integrity. The move consolidated gains made by Morocco which now has 27 nations having consulates in the Sahara territory.

After the US, Spain-the former colonial power, pulled the rag from under Algerias and Polisarios feet by recognizing Moroccos historical rights to its territorial integrity. Madrid supported the autonomy plan ending months of diplomatic freeze adding a final nail in the coffin of Algeria-sponsored separatism.

The return of Morocco to the African Union in late 2017 was a watershed that further underscored Africas support for Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over the Sahara.

Many observers now think that the days of the Polisario within the African Union are numbered as many countries consider the presence of such a separatist group based in Algeria as an anomaly.

In Latin America, Morocco has stepped up its diplomatic efforts, winning the support of countries that were until recently supporters of the Algerian-funded separatists thesis in the Sahara.

Over the last years, support for the Algerian-sponsored separatist thesis in the Moroccan Sahara has been waning as 43 countries have withdrawn their recognition of the SADR entity out of 80 that previously recognized it in a Cold War context.

Strong engagement in multilateral efforts

Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, has been at the forefront of international efforts to address common challenges notably those relating to peace and security, climate change and migration.

This was clearly expressed through Moroccos efforts to create conditions favorable for international consensus by hosting and initiating landmark conferences such as the UN Climate Summit COP22 in 2016 and the migration summit in Marrakech.

In the same vein, Moroccos Chairmanship of the Global Counter Terrorism Forum which aims at enhancing international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism is a step in the direction of joining global forces against calamities that threaten international peace and stability.

The north African country has given example by contributing to UN peace keeping missions with more than 60,000 soldiers taking part in 17 UN operations across the globe.

Special attention is also attached by Morocco under the leadership of King Mohammed VI to Africa, where he was appointed as African leader on migration advocating a paradigm shift that breaks away with the security-approach to human mobility.

South-south cooperation has been a pillar of Moroccos foreign policy through win-win partnerships addressing the African continents pressing needs notably in terms of food security, agricultural development, migration and training.

Recently, Morocco offered African countries 550,000 in a fertilizer relief program that aims to help African countries deal with a surge in prices in the international market.

The move follows similar initiatives during covid when Morocco dispatched vital aid to many African countries in the height of Covid-19.
Italys top diplomat Luigi Di Maio has reiterated the need to appoint a new UN Special Envoy for Libya, which he deemed to be a decisive step, Libya Update reports.

Di Maio sounded the alarm in a testimony before the chamber of deputies arguing that the appointment of a strong UN envoy allows for firm and effective mediation between the parties.

He also, the media notes, said after the departure of U.N. Advisor on Libya Stephanie Williams, a U.N. envoy is needed to manage the transition period.

Williams mandate came to an end in June but she has remained on the job due to lack of vacancy for a chief of the U.N. Mission in Libya.

UN Chief Antonio Guterres had proposed former Algerian top diplomat Sabri Boukadoum but the UAE and several other Arab countries have opposed the choice.

The oil-rich African country currently has two rival governments backed by foreign countries.

Libya has slid into chaos since 2011.
Rached Ghannouchi, speaker of the dissolved Tunisian parliament and leader of the legislature largest party Ennahdha said Wednesday he feared President Kais Saied will conduct change to the electoral code in the wake of the referendum, in a bid to prevent his party from taking part in future elections.

The North African conducted a referendum on July 25 for the adoption of a new constitution. The electoral commission set the turnout rate at 30.5 per cent but added that over 94 per cent of those who voted validated the new constitution proposed by the president.

Most political parties including Ennahdha and several civil society groups boycotted the vote arguing that it is unconstitutional and will deepen the Presidents grip on power.

Kais Saied seized on July 25 last all major powers, after he fired then Prime Minister, and froze the activities of the parliament. He defended the move noting that it aimed at restoring the country.

Commenting on the results of the referendum, Ghannouchi told al Jazeera that the process was meant to legitimize last years July 25 putsch.

An amendment will be made to the electoral code in order to eliminate certain parties, such as Ennahdha, from the race and to ensure that those close to the president win for sure he added.

Kais Saied had accused Ennahdha and several other parties for leaguing with foreign countries against the North African country.
French President Emanuel Macron and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are each visiting several African countries this week in what is widely seen as a tug-of-war over zones of influence on the continent.

Speaking during a visit to Ethiopia, Lavrov on Wednesday (27 July) criticized the reliance of the global economy on the US dollar, saying the reliance on the American currency in supporting the world economy was not so very promising and claimed countries were shifting to using alternative currencies more and more. This process will be gaining momentum, Russias top diplomat said during a press conference in Addis Ababa. Overall, Lavrov is seeking to convince Africa that Moscow cannot be blamed either for the conflict in Ukraine or the food crisis. Russia has blamed the blockade on Ukrainian mines.

As he was wrapping up a four-nation African tour, Lavrov said Moscow supports Ethiopias efforts to stabilize its internal political situation  in remarks that sought to draw a contrast with what he presented as meddling by the West. But most African nations, mindful of economic interests and historical ties with both Russia and the West, have declined to take sides over Ukraine.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Guinea Bissau for the first official visit of a French head of state to the West African nation. His visit comes as the countrys president, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, recently assumed the rotating presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a one-year period. The French leaders visit was highly anticipated as the streets were full of people chanting his name and waving flags in a bid to express their delight and support in his visit. Macrons historic visit to Guinea Bissau also comes at a time of turmoil for this small West African country, which is plagued by political crises, coupled with instability and poverty.
More cooperation was needed among developing nations to overcome dwindling foreign currency reserves, a growing energy crisis and supply chain disruptions, according to business leaders and officials from eight developing nations meeting in Bangladesh.

Representatives from Egypt, Nigeria, Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan and Bangladesh under the banner of D-8, or developing eight countries, were discussing Tuesday (27 July) alternative trade financing such as cross currency swap, barter and blockchain to address their foreign currency reserves vulnerabilities, according to organizers. A.K. Abdul Momen, foreign minister of Bangladesh, a country that hosted the meeting, said the D-8 group, with a $5 trillion economy among its members, was working to implement a free trade agreement while also increasing the volume of trade. Organizers said the participants were exploring ways to boost energy security with members such as Nigeria and Iran among the worlds top oil producers.

Bangladesh, a nation of 160 million people and the worlds 41st largest economy, has suspended operations in diesel-run power plants to ease pressure on the cost of imports, The countrys central bank has also taken measures to reduce the imports of luxury goods amid shortages of dollars in banks. Momen said the group should tap into its young workforce. We have over 200 million young people, youth. And in addition, we have a lot of women entrepreneurs that are coming up. D-8 was established in Istanbul in 1997 to engage in economic cooperation and improve member states position in the global economy.
Government forces in the Central African Republic (CAR) are training militias and working with private military companies behind possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to a fresh UN report.

The paper published by the United Nations Human Rights Office and its Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in CAR (MINUSCA) detailed a massacre that took place in Boyo village in the south of the landlocked country in late 2021. Former members of the militia known as Anti-Balaka wielding machetes, it claims, killed at least 20 civilians in the week-long attack, while five women and girls were raped and 547 houses were burned and looted. More than 1,000 villagers were forced to flee, while hundreds of others were held for days in the village mosque as the militia members threatened to kill them, the report said.

The attack appeared to have been aimed at punishing the Muslim community in the village, which was perceived as supportive of an armed group engaged in fighting the government, it said. The attack was one of the first instances when the government with private military companies reportedly trained and armed locally recruited youth and created militias to enter villages under the control of armed groups, the UN rights office said in a statement. In a separate report, the UN rights office and MINUSCA also detailed systematic and widespread sexual violence by several armed groups affiliated with the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), which has been seeking to overturn the government by force.
IMPERIAL  The co-defendant in the Kevin S. German murder trial said Annika Swanson was deserted in an irrigation pipe she was ordered to climb down into in the early-morning hours of Nov. 14, 2019.

Keonna N. Carter, 24, of Taylorsville, Utah, testified that she could hear (Annikas) voice calling out as she and German drove away from the location in Chase County.

Carters testimony took up the majority of Wednesday, the fifth day of the prosecution presenting its case against German, who is charged with first-degree murder and felony kidnapping of the 22-year-old Imperial woman.

He also is charged with a second count of felony kidnapping for allegedly holding Eve Ambrosek captive for three days.

Swansons body was discovered on Nov. 21, 2019, at the bottom of an 8-foot-deep irrigation drainage pipe beside an earthen dam in a rural area near Imperial.

Carter took the stand at roughly 11:10 a.m. MT and was in the early stages of cross-examination when Judge Patrick Heng called the lunch recess for the day.

Earlier, Russ Mann, who was on the stand for nearly four hours on Tuesday, finished his testimony.

He was followed by Amy Weber of the Nebraska State Patrol crime laboratory, who was asked about six partial shoe imprints that were found on the rear passenger side panel of a black Hyundai Elantra.

Weber testified that while the imprints shared characteristics with the soles of a pair of gray Adidas shoes that had been collected into evidence, there were no identifying marks to make it a direct match.

She said the Adidas were a possible source of the imprints.

Carter testified that she remained in the passenger seat of the Hyundai and heard German first order Swanson to get out of the vehicles trunk she had been put in.

Shortly afterward he told her to drink something. Carter said it was windshield washer fluid from a bottle that was in the vehicle.

Carter testified she got out of the vehicle just after she heard German tell Swanson to get down into the pipe.

I could hear her screaming out to Kevin but I couldnt see her, Carter said. It sounded like she was far away.

She said German then began lighting paper and a glove he found in the car and threw the items down into the pipe.

Carter said earlier in the evening German had forcibly removed Swanson from Manns trailer and into the back seat of the Hyundai. She testified that he was upset by a conversation Swanson had with Carter on the extent of his previous relationship with Ambrosek.

She said German stopped the vehicle on the side of a county road shortly after they left Manns residence and then assaulted Swanson. She said German hit Swanson twice in the face, and Carter admitted that she also kicked her and stepped on her neck.

She said Swanson initially offered resistance but as the assault continued she, wasnt moving as much.

Swanson was then placed into the trunk, and German drove to and left two other rural locations before he settled on the the final one, which was situated on German family property. Carter said she could hear Swanson moans from the trunk.

Carter met German through the dating app, Tinder, in July 2019 and they met once that month in Colorado Springs and again in Salt Lake City for a few days in August.

She said he became more distant after that until he reached out to her in October and asked to be picked up at a gas station in Imperial. German had told her that he had been in town to help a friend  who turned out to be Eve Ambrosek  through a domestic violence situation and had grown tired of the situation.

German returned with Carter to Fort Collins, Colorado, and moved into her apartment with her, but she said the couple made about three or four trips back to Imperial over the next month. She said each time German took cocaine from a supplier in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Manns trailer  located between Enders and Imperial  for possible distribution in the area.

The final trip started on Nov. 11 and began a stretch of four days in which Carter said she and German both also assaulted Ambrosek after they picked her up from a location in Imperial on Nov. 12.

Carter said Ambrosek had agreed to a meeting to trade jewelry for methamphetamine, an arrangement she had believed to have made with Swanson after an exchange of a series of text messages.

She said German believed that Ambrosek owed him $5,000 from a trip the two had made to California a few months earlier and gave her the choice of either him getting rid of her or paying him back through prostituting her out.

Carter testified that Swanson later asked why she couldnt have the same deal as Eve before she was ordered down the pipe.

Carter said she also was upset at Ambrosek after finding out she had spread rumors about her.

She was saying I was a violent person, Carter said. That I was a Cuban assassin.

Germans attorney, Clarence Mock III, accused Carter of not being just a liar but a manipulative one. He pointed to her earlier proffer agreement, in which she agreed to cooperate with prosecution in exchange for her changes being amended from a count of first-degree murder to first-degree assault as well as a kidnapping charge.

Mock said Carter was expected to provide truthful testimony from the moment she walked into the room to give the proffer, but instead violated that agreement almost immediately.

Mock pointed to her claim that she told German in September 2019 that she was pregnant with triplets, a story later revealed to be false. But Mock said Carter sold that story to German, law enforcement and the prosecutors. She continued it by stating in early 2020 that she had suffered a miscarriage.

Mock also said Carter was the jealous-type who got upset over stories of her boyfriends past relationships.

He asked Carter if she had a bone to pick with Ambrose during that final trip to Imperial.

You felt she was a homewrecker and thats why you didnt like her very much? Mock asked.

Yes, Carter said.
Rachel Recchia, left, and Gabby Windey join Naperville resident Termayne Harper in a photo shoot during the largest group date in "The Bachelorette" history, which aired Monday, July 25, 2022, on ABC. His stint on the show ended when he rejected a rose offered by Recchia in the hope he could pursue a relationship with Windey. (Craig Sjodin/ABC)

Termayne Harper, one of two Naperville men competing for love on the reality show The Bachelorette, packed his bags to head home at the end of the third episode that aired Monday on ABC.

The 28-year-old was a casualty of a season that features two women  best friends Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia  sharing rose responsibilities in their quest to find a husband.

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Instead of doubling the chances for love, this season is making for twice the uncomfortable conversations and tears.

In the most recent episode, the two gal pals determined theyd be better off selecting specific men to pursue rather than pulling equally from the pool of men.

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Harper, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, became a casualty of that decision.

Although Harper, 28, was presented with a rose from Recchia, the 2011 graduate of Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville said hed prefer to pursue his feelings for Windey.

However, Windey did not share the connection, and she did not offer him a rose or the opportunity to move ahead in the competition.

On the show, Recchia expressed how humiliating Harpers rebuff was for her.

Termayne rejecting my rose was so embarrassing because it was in front of everyone. It was not only embarrassing, but just really surprising because I didnt think him and Gabby had that strong of a connection, she told the camera in an aside.

Naperville fitness instructor Mario Vassall, 31, remains in the Windey camp with eight other suitors.

Naperville resident Mario Vassall, second from right, prepares for a photo shoot with the two bachelorettes and other suitor in the third episode of "The Bachelorette" that aired July 25, 2022. (Craig Sjodin/ABC)

He hit it off well with Windey in the first episode, earning a first-impression rose from her.

Next week, Vassall and the cast board the Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady cruise ship to set sail across Europe on their journey to find love.

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While neither Harper nor Vassall got a one-on-one date with the women in the third episode, they did push their comfort zone in a photo shoot with the ladies.

Harper wore a life vest as other suitors dressed as airplane passengers for pictures, with Recchia as the pilot.

Vassall donned tight-fitting denim shorts, cowboy boots and a cut-off plaid shirt for photos depicting a sexy car wash.

The Bachelorette airs Mondays at 7 p.m. CST on ABC or episodes can be viewed on demand and on Hulu the following day.

subaker@tribpub.com
Two Colorado men died in the Monday morning crash of a two-seat private airplane in McPherson County, Sheriff Thomas Burch says.

Poor visibility may have played a role in the crash that killed James Michael Holland, 80, of Fort Collins, and Daniel Benedict Zahner, 58, of Boulder, Burch said in a press release.

Their plane had taken off earlier Monday from Greeley, Colorado, en route to Cherokee, Iowa, he said.

It went down about 8:40 a.m. in a pasture about 12 miles northeast of Tryon and 11 miles north of Ringgold, the sheriff said.

The Logan County Sheriffs Office and the Nebraska State Patrol joined Burch in responding, as did the McPherson County Fire and Rescue Department.

Burch said it was raining and drizzling in the county that morning, producing a very low ceiling and visibility for pilots to deal with.

Weather conditions may have contributed to the accident, but at this time the Sheriffs Office has no clear causes, he said in his press release.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration continue to investigate Mondays crash, the sheriff said.

Neither federal agency had posted information about the McPherson County fatalities as of Thursday afternoon.
Rapidly expanding its all-in-one fintech cockpit for small businesses with an aggressive M&A strategy and $100M war chest, this acquisition gives Ageras the dominant SME bank in Europes biggest economy.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 28, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ageras Groupwhose suite of financial and accounting software powers more than one million small businesses across Europe and North Americaannounced today that it has acquired Kontist, a Berlin-based neo-bank focused on the complex accounting and banking needs of Germanys growing populations of microbusinesses and self-employed workers.

"This acquisition is a critical step in Ageras growth," said Ageras Co-founder and CEO Rico Andersen. "Kontist has created the best product in Europes largest market. Its a one-stop financial shop for approximately 50,000 German small business owners today, and its perfectly positioned to become the go-to financial platform for future generations of small business owners in need of modern banking and accounting tools."

Founded in 2016 by fintech veteran Christopher Plantener as Germanys first neo-bank focused on freelancers and the self-employed, 150-person Kontist has developed a reputation for its modern business banking and its highly sophisticated digital tax and accounting software.

Kontist offers self-employed and microbusiness owners bank accounts, payment cards and accounting features, as well as tax returns calculation and filing, all via its app. Also, Kontists bank accounts automatically calculate relevant sales and income taxes and set aside estimated taxes due, among other services designed to protect business owners amid Germanys uniquely complex tax laws.

"Under Ageras, we will be able to benefit from an international accounting & financial ecosystem and continue to foster our position as the number one financial services and tax player for the self-employed," said Kontist Co-CEO Benjamin Esser. "With annual growth rates of nearly 100% over the past few years, we have only scratched the surface of what is a tremendous opportunity."

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Post-acquisition, Ageras run-rate revenue will rise approx. 40% and climb closer to the companys milestone of 30 million annually. Kontists employees will join Ageras 200, bringing its total headcount to 350 employees based in Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, the US, Finland and Poland. Kontist Founder and Co-CEO Christopher Plantener will continue working for Kontist under Ageras.

Kontist is the third acquisition made by Ageras in the last 12 months. Part of Ageras aggressive expansion strategy, the fintech startup with roots in Copenhagen has raised more than $100 million in a series of funding rounds since early 2021. After first launching as a marketplace for small business owners to find accountants in Denmark in 2012, Ageras has expanded far beyond into a suite of fintech tools for freelancers and microbusiness owners. Something like a financial "cockpit" for small businesses, Ageras productsSalary, Zervant, Billyoffer payroll, invoice and accounting software services in Europe and North America.

"Our acquisition is an investment in the future of work," said Ageras Group Co-founder and CEO Rico Andersen. "Kontists founders understood when they created the company that old banks and accounting software no longer work in a Germany where there are millions of microbusinesses. And as more Germans choose to become self employed, no company is better positioned to become their bank of choice than Kontist. And we see major future growth opportunities and immediate benefits for Ageras current customers who will get expanded access to Kontists sophisticated German tax software."

Andersen added: "Buying Kontist not only gives us the strongest product in Germany but also fits into our long-term plan. Our strategic focus remains combining accounting and admin with financial serviceswhich is what Kontist has perfected. We will leverage Kontists technology to help us accelerate our services to self-employed and microbusiness owners across a dozen other markets in Europe and North America."

About Ageras Group

Ageras Group was founded in 2012 by serial entrepreneurs Rico Andersen and Martin Hegelund, who between them have 25 years of experience building internet companies. Ageras vision is to enable success for small businesses by simplifying their administration. By integrating its solutions into a single "cockpit" for invoicing, accounting, payroll and banking, it enables entrepreneurs to focus on running their businesses. Ageras began as the online marketplace Ageras.com (matching SMEs with accountants) and has expanded into a 350-person company offering a complete ecosystem of tools and services for SMEs. Today, Ageras Group offers cloud-based accounting software through the products Zervant, Billy and Tellow, banking through Kontist and payroll software through Salary. In late 2021, the group launched an embedded fintech service that directly provides financing options to its customers through its software. Ageras solutions have been used by more than one million small businesses across Europe and the U.S. The company is backed by Investcorp, Rabo Frontier Ventures (Rabobank) and Lugard Road Capital (Luxor Capital), among others. For more information, visit www.ageras.group.

About Kontist

Kontist is Germany's first fintech with a focus on the self-employed. Kontist's mission is to make the everyday working life of self-employed and freelancers easier and to give them more financial security and control. Through just one app, self-employed people can manage their banking, accounting, tax affairs and communication with the tax office. Kontist, co-founded in 2016 in Berlin by Christopher Plantener, employs approximately 150 people, most of whom have many years of freelance experience and developed the product together.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220727005847/en/

Contacts

Candice Stokes

candice@venturepr.co
Auburn University was the largest of nearly a dozen campuses in Alabama to receive a bomb threat on Wednesday afternoon. The other 10 schools receiving threats were community colleges.

Auburn Campus Safety sent out an alert around noon on Wednesday about a bomb threat and evacuated the nursing building on campus. Individuals were told to stay clear of the area until given all clear.

The Auburn Police Department responded to the scene and investigated the situation and the threat.

Around 12:30 p.m., Auburn Campus Safety sent the all clear stating that the emergency has been resolved, police had cleared the nursing building and it is safe to resume normal activity.

Besides Auburn University, several other colleges across the state of Alabama sent out alerts of bomb threats Wednesday in the late morning or early afternoon and told students and faculty members to evacuate campus buildings.

These included Enterprise State Community College in Enterprise, Lurleen B Wallace Community College in Andalusia and Opp, Wallace Community College in Dothan, Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Northwest-Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery and Reid State Technical College in Evergreen, according to each colleges respective social media account.

WALA Fox 10 also reported that the University of South Alabama evacuated its Health Sciences building after a bomb threat, and WAFF 48 reported that the University of Alabama in Huntsville evacuated three buildings, including its nursing building, humanities building and library.

The Alabama Community College System released the following statement to media concerning the bomb threats:

Authorities at Alabamas community colleges are working closely with law enforcement on a state level and within each community to ensure the safety of residents across our facilities after alleged bomb threats were made at multiple institutions. While no threats have been deemed credible at this time, some buildings haveper protocolbeen evacuated and access restricted to some campuses. Residents, including students, faculty and staff, are encouraged to not visit any of the colleges facilities until further notice by the colleges. Please stay tuned to your local news sources, as well.

Auburn police said they responded to a call reporting that an explosive device was located in an Auburn University building.After an intensive search, police verified that there was no explosive device or present danger. About 30 minutes after the bomb threat was reported, the community was notified by police that the emergency was resolved.

Although the threat was false, an investigation is ongoing to identify and prosecute the source of the call, the police report said. Per Alabama state law, threats of this nature are felony criminal offenses. Local law enforcement agencies typically work closely with federal law enforcement using all available resources to arrest suspects associated with this type of offense.

Anyone with information about this crime or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the APD at 334-501-3141 or the Police Tip Line at 334-246-1391.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency also released a statement about the recent bomb threats.

ALEAs State Bureau of Investigation and the Alabama Fusion Center, in-conjunction with local and federal partners, are currently monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of all students, faculty and staff, the release said. All collegiate schools that received threats within Alabama on Wednesday, July 27, have been cleared and classes have been deemed safe to resume. No further details are available at this time.
The City of Opelika has agreed to join the State of Alabama and other local governments by participating in current and future opioid settlements.

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller said no one knows yet how much money Opelika will receive or when the funds will be given.

Across the country more than 3,000 counties and municipalities have taken legal action against opioid manufacturers and wholesale distributors, Fuller said. The central claim to all these opioid lawsuits is that the drug manufacturers and distributors improperly marketed and distributed opioids to states, cities and towns across the U.S.

This improper marketing and distribution has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans, Fuller said.

Because of this, attorney generals across the country have brought lawsuits forward against the opioid manufacturers and distributors. All of these lawsuits have been given to one federal judge in Ohio, Judge Dan Polster.

Something like this thats so, so big and has so many moving parts, theres strength in numbers, Fuller said. I think we made a good decision to join forces with other municipalities and work with these folks on coming up with a settlement.

Opelika City Attorney Guy Gunter said the Alabama attorney general is negotiating the settlements on behalf of Alabama.

First of all, the amount each state gets depends on, No. 1, the amount of opioids that have been seized by government police organizations, Gunter said. No. 2 is the number of deaths in the jurisdiction, and No. 3 is the expenditure of money by the state and local subdivisions.

Gunter said that different areas in the state will receive different amounts of funds based on the impact opioids have had on the community.

Once its determined how much the state gets and the state of Alabama has agreed with it, the state will get 50% of these settlement funds and the local government will get the other 50%, Gunter said. Then when you get down to the county level, each county has allocated a certain amount based on this formula.

Lee County has opted out of the settlement, according to Gunter, so the funds will go directly to the cities within the county instead.

The settlement funds will be used to try to mitigate the opioid crisis. Fuller said the city will eventually decide the best way to use the funds, but it will likely go toward those who respond to or are involved in the opioid cases, including police and paramedics.

According to the abatement strategy for the settlement, the funds are required to go toward prevention, treatment and recovery support in the local community. This can include child welfare, law enforcement strategies, infrastructure support and more.

Fuller said a few companies have already decided to settle, which is a good sign.

In April of 2022, McKesson, an American pharmaceutical company, reached a settlement and agreed to pay the State of Alabama and its counties and cities $141 million over a timeframe of 10 years, according to Fuller.

The state will receive half of the settlement, and the other half will be divided between the participating counties and cities.

This year, Johnson & Johnson and its U.S.-based Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies also made an agreement to pay $70.37 million within one year after final approval of the agreement, according to Fuller.

At the city council meeting on July 19, the council voted to approve the resolution regarding the Johnson & Johnson and McKesson settlements.

Its very much a work in progress, and Im guessing that its gonna take some additional time before well ever get a check from this, but we will get several checks, Fuller said.
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Auburn University and the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, or OID, in collaboration with the Division of Enrollment Management, concluded another successful Tiger Takeoff, where underrepresented rising seniors from across the state visited campus to learn more about the university and meet their potential future classmates.

Auburn strives to create a diverse campus community, and while Tiger Takeoff is open to all students, it is especially designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds. This years event took place July 14-16 and welcomed students from across the state.

As a land-grant institution, Auburn is committed to investing in Alabamas students and creating a pipeline of future leaders. Tiger Takeoff, an integral step in that process, shows students how Auburn can assist in their journey and help them reach their personal and professional goals.

This year, rising high school seniors explored Auburns academic offerings and campus resources, participated in leadership activities, spent the night in residence halls and networked with faculty, staff and student leaders. Over the extended weekend, students were paired with current Auburn students who served as group leaders to help guide them through their experience.

Tiger Takeoff also clarifies the admissions process as part of the intentional investment to increase awareness of the early deadlines for admissions and scholarships among underrepresented applicants.

For the upcoming fall semester, students applying to Auburn from the state of Alabama increased by 56% and doubled among students from diverse backgrounds, said Joffery Gaymon, vice president for Enrollment Management at Auburn. We are proud to create opportunities to expand access and enroll a robust and diverse freshman class each year to apply to Auburn. Programs like Tiger Takeoff help a wider range of students feel like they truly have a home at Auburn University.

Students said this experience was rewarding and allowed them to see themselves as possible students at Auburn.

One Tiger Takeoff participant shared, It was the perfect college visit. Not only did we get to see what being a student at Auburn was like, but everyone we met made sure we knew we were wanted here. Yall [Auburn] have definitely moved up on my list.

Family members were invited to learn more about Auburn and enhance their understanding of Auburns academic and professional offerings.

We are always working to deliver on our mission of empowering diversity, increasing access and enriching the learning, living and working environment for all, said Taffye Benson Clayton, associate provost and vice president for Inclusion and Diversity. Tiger Takeoff allows prospective students to build meaningful connections with current student leaders within the Cross Cultural Center for Excellence, a sub-unit of the Office of Inclusion and Diversity. Group leaders will stay in communication with students throughout their senior year, providing an opportunity to share all the wonderful resources and support across our institution.

For more information about Auburns commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, please visit www.auburn.edu/inclusion.
I don't watch succession, I literally had to search 'succession man rap'

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I don't watch succession



That was your first mistake!

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i am SHOCKED by this. truly!

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That gif is a hate crime.

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Only if you hate great TV!

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100000% agree. May not like all the lyrics out theee but artists should have full liberties or else its a super dangerous precedent

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Wait wasnt there some Rapper who DID murder someone and then gloated about it in a song.



Like that is a case where you would need to use the song.

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I guess they're counting on there being enough other evidence. I don't know the case but I doubt he said "Welp, you got me with that lyric, I did it."

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Tay-K did on The Race.





There should be other evidence tho

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not sure if what you're referring to, but there was YNW Melly who had a song literally titled "murder on my mind" who was then charged/arrested for killing two people

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Im just guessing, but I feel like every rapper who has murdered someone has also probably gloated about it in a rap song.

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Yeah thats how I feel too. I feel like it should be admissible to prove that the defendant had no remorse. Imagine your family member being murdered and then the killer brags about it in a song. I would want the jury to know that.

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I wouldn't allow lyrics to be used as evidence on something like a murder charge because they're so flimsy. But I would totally be for examples like that being relevant at sentencing, to demonstrate lack of remorse, etc.

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So that mean I can stan Eminem in peace because he's not a raging misogynist as his lyrics would suggest?

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Oh, definitely. All put up.

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Bob Marley did not confess to having shot a sheriff.



Naur, why did this make me snort laugh?

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He also denied shooting the deputy

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They should arrest Eric Clapton for daring to cover this song 

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Free Gunna! (keep Thug tho he did whatever they said he did)

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Isnt that how they got yung thug?

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Lol @ the telemarketing

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This is very interesting to me.



I guess it would kind of be like someone who wrote a book about murder having the book used against them. Although didnt something similar to that actually happen recently? 

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OJ's 'i didnt kill them but if i did, this is what i woulda done' book comes to mind.

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So disgusting

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A self-published romance novelist  who penned an essay entitled "How to Murder Your Husband"  was found guilty of murdering her husband.https://t.co/rOFkyexfLa  NPR (@NPR) May 26, 2022

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i mean yeah there should be other evidence



Favorite spoofs of rappers rapping about their crimes



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this is the first thing i thought of





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Lol just came to make sure this was here

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Dying at this being posted so many times

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So glad that our elected representatives are laser focused on this critical issue.

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Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ

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Did she get fillers? I cant put my finger on it I hope not 

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):



Her face has that characteristic "tight" look from Botox.

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she's starting to look more like her sister to me as she ages. before, i could never see the resemblance.

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she def did, shes on tiktok and you can see the strange fullness of the filler when shes moving

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I hope Lorry Hill makes a videoare there folks out there besides her that analyze celeb plastic? Its SUCH a self-esteem booster. I send it to most women I know when theyre having a rough day, and its helped my bio-mom a lot and my brother, and we all struggle with body dysmorphia.

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She got botox and fillers.

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yeah she looks so different now

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I just saw her in Trixie Motel and even when she laughed all other parts of her face were so taut it was jarring to see.

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Yeah.. her mouth changed like the second season of New Girl.. it was distracting.

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So she's a manic pixie dream woman.wav?

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I dont get if shes playing dumb or what but that was my first though too lol

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she definitely had a twee-ness about her in her heyday but I always thought the MPDG label was more about the characters she played, rather than who she was herself.

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The writer who created the term was specifically talking about her character in 500 days of summer. She just plays the same character over and over again, that's why she took it personal lol

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The term was actually first coined in a review about Cameron Crowe's movie Elizabethtown

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The guy who coined the term later said he regretted it and wished he could take it back because what was intended to be a criticism of males auteurs/writers and their flimsy views and portrayals of female characters ended up being misused as just another way to criticize women

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idk, I feel like she pushed the vibe hard as part of her brand/persona. Like all the She & Him music videos were the epitome of twee







Edited at 2022-07-28 04:41 am (UTC)

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It was funny and interesting to see some feminists like anita sarkeesian and the like label her role in 500 days of summer and Kate Winslet (Clementine) from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as MPDG just based on appearances alone. Only for people later to re-analyze those characters and realize that they were direct criticisms of that trope.



Kinda makes you think they these previous critics did not watch the films OR didnt even knew what they were talking about.



So Zooey has a point of the mislabeling. It was nothing than judging a book by its cover.



Edited at 2022-07-28 01:46 am (UTC)

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People didn't even understand that Tom wasn't a romantic hero, so many people romanticized him bc of JGL and acted like Summer was a villain.

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Yeah like put steve buscemi in that role and everything changes

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And they went to other extreme of making Summer the hero and Tom the villain.



When in reality, neither was perfect. Tom is supposed to be the more in-the-wrong-person cause he thought romcoms were the keys to happy endings and his refusal to understand that flaw was the cause of all his problems.



And Summer while she was upfront about not wanting a serious relationship did lead him on in some cases. And it was mentioned earlier that she did have a manipulative streak. Doesnt make her a villain though.





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I remember JGL even had to tell people Tom sucks and you should watch it again if you didn't see that

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The thing is that there shouldnt have been any ~re-analyzing~ needed. It was always plain as daylight thats what those characters were. People were just too intellectually lazy and reliant on YouTube videos made by people who dont understand storytelling and who understand even less about theory.

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Did Anita say that?

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She's so cute I love her, and Jess was a perfect role for her

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*sighhhhh* Fine, manic pixie dream woman.

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IF WE MUST

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The original article that coins the term doesn't even mention zooey deschanel

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resemble a remark? idgi

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It's funny to me Kirsten Dunst was a co-star in two movies accused of popularizing the trope [Eternal Sunshine and Elizabethtown], yet Kiki herself has never been given the label, lol

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manic pixie dream gal

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why do i feel like she doesnt have the range to be anything BUT the manic pixie dream woman

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She didn't really get that rep until almost a decade into her career. You can see her playing edgier characters in movies like Manic, The Good Girl and Mumford

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I always remember her as the sarcastic and deadpan love interest in Elf

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The only thing I have to add to this discussion is that it always annoyed the shit out of me that the glasses she wore in New Girl had no lenses in them.







Edited at 2022-07-28 02:03 am (UTC)

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i straight up never noticed, and i've rewatched that show like 3 times, lol

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I apologise then because once you see it you will never unsee it.

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It drives me bananas

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Harry Potter's glasses also don't have lenses. Once you notice you can't unsee it

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My guess as to why they do that is that it cuts down on glare for the camera

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Well, they had to do that to avoid the glare from set lighting, and the glass lenses.

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I noticed that right away.. I guess it's so you can't see the camera glare or something.. but it bugged me so bad lol

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thank you for sharing this, katy perry. 

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I thought she quit acting

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Did she? Any way, this interview happened bc of the album She & Him released.

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She slowed down after she had 2 kids and got divorced.

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she has kids?!

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It's true. She quit acting to pursue Property Brother dick full time.

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Hand-polished lacquerware from an ancient Chinese town, promoted by a master artist and his dedicated disciples, is taking the world by storm.

For a bride-to-be in the ancient town of Pingyao, having a shining lacquer dresser in her trousseau is a must, its value no less than a coveted diamond ring or a family heirloom. Often painted with peonies or happily-ever-after tales, the lacquer dresser is meant to bless the newlyweds with marital bliss and prosperity.

Making the item an integral part of weddings shows people's appreciation of Pingyao's lacquerware, an art form that dates back more than 1,200 years to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

As the ancient town in North China's Shanxi province became a national financial center under the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Pingyao's hand-polished lacquer art, fueled by the huge demand from wealthy bankers, reached its peak. The craft was among the first to be named a "national intangible cultural heritage" by the State Council in 2006.

Pingyao's lacquer art is known for its jade-like luster that comes from repeated hand-polishing. When the wood is manufactured into furniture, folding screens and tableware, it is first wrapped in linen and covered with a mixture of parget and pork blood for anticorrosion effects. It is then polished with sandpaper and covered with the mixture again. The process is repeated several times to create a surface smooth enough for later procedures.

Dexterous artists use lynx hair brushes to paint on the refined surface. The paintings are outlined with gold powder. Once done, the surface is covered with varnish, and hand-polished with sesame oil and brick dust over and over until a distinct sheen appears. A piece of lacquerware can take months or even years to finish.

"Lacquer art is the marriage between natural materials and intricate techniques," says Xue Shengjin, a master artist who has navigated the field for over six decades.

One of the 85-year-old's masterpieces, a lacquered decorative screen, features young women playing musical instruments while cranes kiss the clouds above a towering palace. The image is painted on smooth black lacquer, which is applied on an oak wood base for more than 100 times, rendering the work rich in color and gloss. It took Xue a year and a half to finish the screen that is 5 meters long and 3 meters tall.

Road to success

Xue was introduced to lacquer art by his father.

"My dad began making lacquerware from a very young age. He worked his way up from being an apprentice to the shopkeeper of a time-honored store in Pingyao," Xue says.

In 1953, at the age of 16, Xue started painting, inspired by local artists who created theatrical backgrounds at the Pingyao Cultural Scenery Society. Two years later, he had mastered the skill and was making a living out of it, and that was when he decided to seriously pursue the handicraft trade.

Opportunities came knocking in 1958, when a polished lacquer factory was founded in Pingyao. Xue was among the first artists to be recommended to work at the factory, where he was under the tutelage of lacquerware master Qiao Quanyu.

"Qiao held nothing back when he taught me, but the learning curve wasn't smooth," Xue says. Before they realized, the plant was on the verge of bankruptcy. "We had overstocked lacquerware and the going got really hard," he recalls. Everyone at the factory was scraping by on rustproof lacquer and glass painting they had produced.

It was not until 1964, when a Beijing company in foreign trade came along, bought all the lacquerware and placed new orders, that things turned around. The renewed appreciation of local lacquer art put the factory back on its feet.

By then, Qiao's health had deteriorated and Xue was at the helm of design and research. He referred to his erstwhile experience in painting and adopted critical innovation ideas to improve lacquerware designs. Not only did Xue restore lost lacquer art techniques, he also came up with a dozen new methods.

With the rise of local merchants under the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing rulers, Pingyao lacquer products were sold in Russia and Southeast Asian countries.

In the 1970s, polished lacquerware from Pingyao became a major contributor to Shanxi's foreign-exchange income and made its way to 20 countries and regions.

"Sales in France were the largest. The French liked distinct Chinese designs, particularly historical figures and rural scenery," Xue says.

An art as delicate as lacquerware-making can be very demanding. Aspiring artists need to train for at least three years to grasp basic polishing and painting techniques. According to Xue, more than eight years of practice is necessary to become proficient in the craft.

The complex process that covers wood selection, lacquer application, painting and polishing usually calls for joint efforts by multiple artists. They need to work in tandem to deliver delicate lacquerware, especially those inlaid with conch shells or gold foil.

New blood

In addition to furthering his own skills, Xue has started passing down his technical know-how to younger generations.

"Young people need to be passionate and persistent to understand the essence of lacquer art," he says.

Xue has groomed more than 200 apprentices, including his two sons.

"My father works with his apprentices for some five hours a day at the workshop," says Xue Xiaodong, one of his sons.

Xue Xiaodong has adhered to his father's commitment to natural lacquer and draws inspiration from traditional culture.

"It is important for us to know about ancient attire, literature and opera to make good lacquerware," he says.

Xue Xiaodong, on the other hand, has developed his own understanding of the craftsmanship. "It is imperative to integrate modern concepts, as aesthetic standards are constantly evolving, and creators need to study them to appeal to younger generations," he says.

In 2011, the Xue family founded a lacquer art research institute, where enthusiasts can learn the nitty-gritty of techniques. While traditional lacquerware highlights classic tales or auspicious patterns, younger artists like Xue Xiaodong strive to keep the art modern and simple.

At the institute, one can see lacquerware featuring medical workers fighting the pandemic. The human portraits have gold foil outline while the creases of clothes are finished with inlaid white shells, creating a three-dimensional effect.

Xue Shengjin is relieved to see the contribution from younger artists.

"The content and style of paintings can change as long as the craftsmanship stays intact," he says.

In recent years, Xue Shengjin has gotten a new identity. He is an honorary curator of the China Polished Lacquerware Museum in Pingyao, where visitors can feast their eyes on a splendid array of lacquer art, including jewelry boxes featuring Chinese zodiac animals from the Tangdu Polished Lacquerware Co. Other items like delicate tableware, bookmarks and personal accessories are also grabbing attention.

"We have combined traditional techniques with modern elements and stepped up research to expand application of the intangible cultural heritage," says Yin Jianping, the deputy general manager of the lacquerware company.

Yin has sensed the market trend in which Pingyao's polished lacquerware is making inroads into modern life.

"We will work with reputable and culturally creative companies to explore more possibilities," Yin says.

The popularity and influence of Pingyao's lacquerware are on the rise, thanks to online sales and expanding overseas markets. Top lacquer artists and businesses are rich resources for development of the art, says Huo Wenzhong, director of the Pingyao Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center.

Local authorities are also hosting a lacquer festival to build a communication platform for artists from around the world. The objective is to take Pingyao's polished lacquerware further, Huo adds.
No one could tell a story like Lasseter  until he resigned as Disney Animation/Pixars chief creative officer in the wake of #MeToo complaints. Now head of Skydances animation division, hes attempting to turn his own story around https://t.co/hfBmMM8DVi  The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 28, 2022



- John Lasseter was the former creative chief of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studio before #MeToo allegations about him led to Lasseter's departure from the house of mouse in 2018.

- In 2019, Skydance Animation Studio hired Lasseter as the head of the animation division. Dame Emma Thompson withdrew from the studio's first animated movie, Luck, and cited Lasseter's pattern of misconduct as the reason.



- Skydance Animation has grown from 65 to nearly 900 employees since Lasseter's arrival. The studio also signed an exclusive deal for movies and television projects with Apple TV+.



- Brad Bird, director of The Incredibles and The Iron Giant, has followed Lasseter to his new studio, as well as Zootopia co-director Rich Moore, and Alan Menken who is composing music for an upcoming film. Known for his appearance in every Pixar movie from 1995 - 2020, John Ratzenberger's loyalty was rewarded with a role in Luck.

- The directors of the studio's first projects are both women, Vicky Jenson (who co-directed Shrek) and Peggy Holmes. This appears to be an attempt to rehabilitate Lasseter's reputation of mistreating women at Disney-Pixar.

- Ashlyn Anstee, a director for Cartoon Network, believes that letting a "so-called genius" return is taking away opportunities from others in the industry, and that they hope that the animation studio's leadership will rethink what they're willing to take a chance on.

- CEO David Ellison is the son of Oracle founder, Larry Ellison. Because of his father's close friendship with Steve Jobs, Ellison watched 70 cuts of Toy Story and innumerable cuts of Finding Nemo before they were released to theatres.



- Ellison reached out to Lasseter through their shared lawyer, Skip Brittenham.



- Ellison defends his hiring of Lasseter because he was never charged with sexual assault, nor did the investigation find proof of settlements made by Lasseter or on his behalf. The CEO decided that not only was Lasseter employable but that he would bring value to Skydance Animation.

- Skydance Productions is mostly known for producing some Mission Impossible movies and the Top Gun sequel.

- Former employees of Skydance Animation say that Lasseter is too controlling in his work style and that it creates a bottleneck in the workflow.



- Lasseter insists on having scripts read to him but is known for falling asleep during these readings. He would criticize plot holes when in actuality, Lasseter had slept through important parts of the script. Lasseter would also change the script on a whim based on his misremembering previous meetings.

- Lasseter's son, Bennett, has earned a bad reputation of his own. Former employees were unhappy with Bennett giving notes on scripts for one of the Apple TV+ television projects that Bennet was brought on as a consultant for.

- The original showrunner, Lauren Montgomery, left the project and was replaced by one of Lasseter's friends, Bobs Gannaway.

- Ellison and Lasseter plan to release 2 movies a year.

- Lasseter says his ultimate goal is to make movies that will inspire animators to want to work with the studio.

SOURCE
Analysts say that Saudi Arabia is unlikely to tap much into its spare capacity regardless of Americas push for more oil.

As the OPEC+ group prepares to roll back all production cuts by the end of next month, analysts and the market are searching for the answer to the million-dollar question shrouded in mystery: How much more oil can Saudi Arabia actually produce? And how much into spare capacity is the worlds top crude oil exporter willing to tap?

Most analysts say that the UAE and Saudi Arabia are unlikely to tap much into their spare capacity regardless of the U.S. push for more oil. After all, a razor-thin global capacity cushion would make supply shocks even more shocking.

But the mystery surrounding Saudi Arabias actual oil capacity is just waiting to be unraveledand has been for decades.

Following U.S. President Joe Bidens trip to the Middle East, American officials expressed optimism that the Saudis and other Middle Eastern producers would take a few more steps to boost production.

There is additional spare capacity. There is room for increased production, Amos Hochstein, the special presidential coordinator for international energy affairs, said on CBSs Face the Nation on July 17, without elaborating.

And going way back to 2005 when the specter of peak oil production was looming over the oil markets, Saudi Arabia itself assured the world that it could produce 15 million bpd for decades.

But the latest information coming out of Saudi Arabia is that it will not have additional capacity to increase production above the 13 million barrels per day (bpd) it has pledged to have by 2027, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said earlier this month.

The Kingdom will do its part in this regard, as it announced an increase in its production capacity to 13 million barrels per day, after which the Kingdom will not have any additional capacity to increase production, the Crown Prince said at an Arab summit in Jeddah attended by President Biden.

One could argue that Saudi Arabia professed to be able to pump 15 million bpd way back when just to ease market fearsand perhaps more importantly, domestic fearsthat global production and Saudi Aramco production were nearing the peak. It was important for Aramco to present itself to Riyadh as a capable market player. In 2008, Saudi Aramco had to defend itself against allegations that the oil crisis was caused by OPECs lack of spare capacity. It did so by claiming that it could boost its capacity to produce 12.5 million bpd by the end of 2009a figure that is well above what it is producing now. Aramco also claimed that it could boost that capacity to 15 million bpd should the market need it, explains Wael Mahdi for Arab News this week. Related: Japan Signs Its Most Expensive Coal Supply Deal Ever

And there were details, as Wael points out. Saudi Arabias then-oil minister Ali bin Ibrahim al-Naimi said at the time that Aramco could achieve this 15 million bpd by increasing the output at the Zuluf, Safaniyah, Berri, Khurais, and Shaybah fields by 900,000 bpd, 700,000 bpd, 300,000 bpd, 300,000 bpd, and 250,000 bpd respectively.

But Saudi Arabia later walked this back, arguing that it was just one proposed scenario, and not an actual solid program. The plans to increase Khurais and Shaybah were realized, but instead of boosting Saudi Arabias overall production, it merely went towards maintaining its 12 million bpd capacity.

That leaves Zuluf and Safaniyah, which could get Saudi Arabia to 13 million bpd, accounting for declines in other fields.

Saudi Arabia is now professing to have limited spare capacity of just 13 million bpd, although they are not even saying they have that now, they are saying that they could have it in the near future. Of the two seemingly disparate claims, this is the more likely scenario than believing that Aramco could increase its capacity to 15 million bpd.

Still, according to Mahdi, the surface facilities of Aramco can allow it to produce up to 15 million barrels a day. Of course, this doesnt mean maximum sustained capacity to pump oil at that rate; rather, it references the capacity to potentially process such volumes not necessarily pumped in a single day.

Mahdi believes that the world can still expect to see more oil from Saudi Arabia above the nameplate capacity.

Analyst estimates about OPECs spare capacity vary. According to the IEA, the EIA, and OPEC, the cartels spare production capacity is around 3 million bpd. Some analysts, however, believe that the cartel has no more than 1 million bpd of spare capacity available.

Saudi Arabia and OPEC+ have very limited spare capacity, and they have to manage it carefully, Ben Cahill, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Bloomberg just before President Bidens visit to the Middle East.

Per the OPEC+ deal, the Saudi oil production target is at 11.004 million bpd for August. The Kingdom has rarely reached this level, and not for a sustained period of time. So, its not certain that the Saudis have the ability to pump even 11 million bpd on a sustainable basis.

Related: Saudi Aramco May Hike Flagship Crude Prices To Record High Over Benchmarks



Its even less certain that the Kingdom could quickly tapif it wanted tothe 12 million bpd production capacity it has claimed it has.

But Saudi Arabia could boost oil supply to the market by drawing on its own stockpiles and by slashing direct crude burn at domestic power plants, thus freeing more crude oil for exports.

Industry sources have recently told Energy Intelligence that Saudi Arabia expects to have freed up to 1 million bpd of oil for exports by 2030 by cutting its direct oil use in power generation as it looks to replace petroleum liquids with gas-powered generation and renewables. The Kingdom currently generates 51% of its electricity from petroleum liquids and 49% from natural gas. By 2030, the Saudis plan on having renewables and gas generate 50% each of its power needs.

Thats for the long term. In the near term, Saudi Arabia is unlikely to tap too deeply into its spare capacity, considering that its pretty much one of the worlds last two holders of spare reserves that can be brought online within 30 days.

Even if dwindling, global spare capacity will be needed in the coming months as the worlddespite fears of economic slowdownhasnt yet felt the full extent of the EU embargo on Russian oil, which kicks in at the end of this year.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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While oil pirates garner plenty of media attention with their attacks on oil tankers and platforms, oil piracy itself has been on the decline in recent years.

Oil piracy is as old as the industry itself, with criminals unable to resist the profits associated with black gold. Today, while the problem still persists in several parts of the world, effective monitoring and security systems have massively reduced the threat posed by oil pirates. In 2021, global piracy hit its lowest level since 1994. In fact, the most high-profile oil piracy accusation of recent times was of a very different nature from the usual oil pirate reports. Greece accused Iran of piracy after Tehran's Revolutionary Guards seized two Greek-flagged oil tankers in Gulf waters. Greeces foreign ministry stated: These actions are tantamount to acts of piracy. One of the tankers was sailing in international waters at the time of its seizure.

This is not your typical form of piracy, but Greek authorities believe Irans actions equated to it. The move was apparently in retaliation for the seizure of an Iranian tanker by Greek forces for the U.S. to confiscate the crude on board. This month, the Greek Supreme Court upheld a ruling in favor of Iran for the confiscation of the oil shipment in April, which was transferred to a U.S. ship in an act of piracy.

This action comes at a time when Iran is facing increasing scrutiny from the West for boosting its oil production for export despite ongoing U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil. Iran has been rapidly fostering relationships with trade partners around the world to increase its oil exports as governments are growing increasingly worried about their energy security in the face of rising prices and global shortages.

More recently, Iran prevented a more traditional pirate attack, stopping the attempted oil theft in the Gulf of Aden. Five pirate ships tried to overrun two oil tankers, which Iranian authorities were escorting, but Navy commandos intercepted them. The Gulf of Aden has previously gained the reputation of pirate alley for the prevalence of Somali pirates in the zone. Typically, ships of all kinds take additional security measures when sailing through the waters to prevent attacks.

Meanwhile, in Mexico, ten pirates in military clothing attacked a state-owned oil platform in Campeche in June. The criminal group took six workers hostage for over three hours, requiring them to help transport stolen goods to another boat. The attack was the second within a month at the Ku-Maloob-Zaap oilfield. The pirates typically steal thousands of dollars of equipment from ships when they successfully overrun operations. Related: Repsols Earnings Jump Fourfold Amid Soaring Oil And Gas Prices

Within the past year, 11 pirate heists were recorded in the region, on platforms and boats, with stolen goods equating to over a million dollars. There has been an increase in piracy in Mexico in recent years, with global risk consultant firm S-RM suggesting Ongoing insecurity in Mexico has likely further contributed to a permissive offshore security environment, which has grown increasingly more dangerous despite government efforts. Although the Mexican government has put additional monitoring and security systems in place in the oil-producing states of Tabasco and Campeche, it has not been enough to deter pirates from attacking the regions. Ships sailing in Mexican waters have, therefore, had to increase onboard security measures to respond in the event of an attack.

On the other side of the world, in Nigeria, this month the government reported a decrease in piracy attacks over the last half a year. Nigeria is well known for its pirate activities, with the shipping industry long calling on the government to implement security measures to curb attacks in the region. And finally, the state has some good news, with the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) announcing that Nigeria recorded the fewest numbers of armed robberies in its waters and pirate attacks against its ships globally in the first half of the year.

In the first half of 2018, 31 cases of piracy were reported in Nigerian waters, compared to none so far this year, out of 58 incidents globally. Although 12 attacks did take place in the Gulf of Guinea outside of Nigerian waters. Munro Anderson, director at Dryad Global, a UK-based shipping consultancy, previously stated that pirates are able to operate with utter impunity. Nigeria has been repeatedly blamed for failing to control the territories beyond its urban areas and oil facilities, putting ship operators at greater risk of attack.

However, it seems that Nigeria is improving in its response to piracy. The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamoh, confirmed that Nigeria is dedicated to sustaining the momentum of the recent success in curbing attacks. The achievement is thought to be the result of cooperation between national and regional players to improve security.

While reports of oil piracy around the world are becoming less frequent, it is undoubtedly still a threat that companies and governments must remain vigilant about.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Even at lower import rates, most of the EU member states will amass enough gas for this winter.

The goal of the European Union as a whole is to replenish its gas storage to 80 percent full by the end of October.

Reduced gas flows via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline have further complicated the plan to fill gas storage units across Europe.

When Gazprom suspended the flow of gas earlier this month via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, the European Unionand Germany, specificallybraced for a permanent halt in that flow. The deterioration in relations between Brussels, Berlin, and Moscow made such a halt a distinct possibility, but Gazprom restarted the flow of gas following the end of planned maintenance on July 21.

Days later, it said it would reduce these flows to 20 percent of capacity. Meanwhile, the EU is trying to fill its gas storage ahead of winter. It may fail to reach the levels it needs to go through the winter without more price and supply shocks.

The goal of the European Union as a whole is to replenish its gas storage to 80 percent full by the end of October, Reuters noted in a recent analysis, citing data from Gas Infrastructure Europe. Germany is more ambitious, eyeing a storage fill level of 95 percent at the end of October.

According to Wood Mackenzie analysts, if Gazprom continues sending gas to Germany at current rates via Nord Stream 1, the EU's overall goal could be reached. Germany's, however, could not.

The analysts said that at 20 percent of capacity, the Nord Stream 1 pipeline could help the EU reach a storage fill level of between 75 and 80 percent. However, this would leave the EU with little gas at the end of the heating season, one Wood Mac analyst pointed out.

"As a result, Europe is likely to get through the heating season with only 20% gas in store at the end of March  a very low level," Kateryna Filippenko told Reuters.

Meanwhile, gas storage levels across the EU were at close to 60 percent as of late June, thanks to higher than usual injection rates earlier in the year, as U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas surged to all-time highs.

The latest export data shows that the United States supplied more LNG to Europe in the first half of this year than it did through the whole of 2021, Reuters reported this month. Europe overtook Asia as the biggest buyer of U.S. liquefied natural gas early on in the year and continued to be the biggest buyer.

Related: SEC Investigates Coinbase Over Securities Listings

In absolute terms, U.S. liquefied natural gas exports to Europe stood at 37 billion cu m for the first six months of the year, constituting 68 percent of total U.S. exports of LNG. This means actual exports beat President Biden's promise to send Europe's way an additional 15 billion cu m of LNG on top of 2021 exports.

The bad news is that the rate of exports to Europe has slowed down because of the explosion at Freeport LNG, which led to the suspension of operations at the facility until about the end of the year. Freeport LNG accounts for about a fifth of U.S. liquefaction capacity.

Even at lower rates, most of the European Union seems like it will amass enough gas to last it through the winter, especially now that the member states of the bloc agreed a voluntary 15-percent reduction in gas consumption.

Germany, however, is facing a problematic heating season. Europe's biggest economy is already sputtering because of lower Russian gas deliveries and has already had to pay more than $15 billion to bail out one of its biggest gas utilities, Uniper, which collapsed amid soaring prices and lower Russian deliveries.

The EU also agreed to a solidarity mechanism earlier this week, which is supposed to take care of those members experiencing gas shortages, spurring others into action to help the unfortunate fellow member.

If gas supplies remain tight throughout the EU, however, there may not be many coming to Germany's rescue, based on some southern members' reactions to the whole solidarity and consumption cut proposal.

"The entire European energy system is going through a crisis, and even with the restart of Nord Stream 1, the region is in a tight position with continued risk to energy security," Reuters quoted Rystad Energy analyst Karolina Siemieniuk as saying.

"European countries will need to work together fast if they are to survive the winter relatively unscathed and even if they do, the spectre of the next winter in 2023/24 is likely to keep prices elevated for months on end," Siemieniuk added.

Unfortunately, the only thing that European countries can work together on is demand reduction because there is no additional LNG capacity coming to a terminal near them anytime soon. U.S. capacity will rise this year, as Venture Global's Calcasieu Pass puts into operation new liquefaction units but that increase would only be about 200 million cu ft daily.

Next year should bring some more good news for European LNG importers when U.S. capacity increases from a total 13.8 billion cu ft daily this year to 14.2 billion cu ft daily. But first, they must survive this winter without inflicting too much pain for voters.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The notorious gas turbine that is traveling from Canada to Russia and should lead to increased gas flows via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline has still not reached its destination.

This is the latest update from the Russian gas giant, which blamed Germany's Siemens Energy, the company that sent the turbine to Canada for regular maintenance, for the delay.

Reuters cited a senior Gazprom executive as saying on Russian TV that, "We had counted on receiving one repaired engine from Siemens (Energy) as far back as May, but as of today we haven't got this engine."

The German company, for its part, has said that in order for the final leg of the delivery journey to take place, Gazprom needed to provide it with customs documents.

"The transportation of the turbine could start immediately. The German authorities provided Siemens Energy with all the necessary documents for the export of the turbine to Russia at the beginning of last week," Siemens Energy said earlier this week.

"Gazprom is aware of this. What is missing, however, are the customs documents for import to Russia. Gazprom, as the customer, is required to provide those," the German company also said.

Gazprom, on the other hand, says it needs more documents from Siemens Energy. In a tweet, the company said this week that Canadian documents issued for the transfer of the piece of equipment did not eliminate "the previously identified risks and gave rise to additional questions."

It went on to say that "the issues regarding the sanctions imposed by the EU and the UK remain unsolved for Gazprom although the resolution of such issues is important for delivering the engine to Russia and performing urgent major repair of other turbine engines for the Portovaya CS."

"The maintenance of our turbines is and remains a routine procedure. During the last 10 years of maintenance there have been no significant complications," Siemens Energy said in its turn, adding that it had already struck an agreement with the Canadian government for future Gazprom turbine repairs.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Unusually heavy rains and flash floods in the UAE forced the closure overnight of one of the biggest oil bunkering ports in the world, with operations slowly resuming on Thursday but disruptions still hindering bunkering.

At the time of writing, Bloomberg reports that while the port has started to reopen, some berths remained out of commission.

The military was called in to lead rescue operations overnight across the province of Fujairah, as all operations at the port of Fujairah came to a standstill amid the emergency weather incident. More than 800 people have been rescued so far and 3,800 have been relocated to emergency shelters, according to MSN, citing government statements.

The port, on the eastern coast of the UAE, is a strategic gateway to the Strait of Hormuz, which handles some one-fifth of all global oil shipping via sea. The ports deep water channel for large oil vessels makes it the main bunkering hub in the region.

Argus reported GPS Chemoil as announcing force majeure overnight on Wednesday, citing the submergence under flood waters of its pumphouse. Argus also quoted a bunker trader as saying the port was completely closed and that he expected further delays and a backlog in deliveries.

This was the highest level of rainfall in the emirate in nearly three decades, with meteorologists recording 221.8 mm of rainfall, while localized video footage showed many parts of the province submerged.

The port of Fujairah, which has undergone many bunkering upgrades in recent years, has also been plagued with long delays. Those delays have more recently led some exporters from the region to reroute their cargoes for Oman and Iraq in order to shave days off the wait time, according to Gcaptain.

In June, Fujairah reported its lowest level of marine fuel sales volumes in four months, down 2.8% from a year ago, and down over 13% from May 2022.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Germany plans to introduce a levy for all its gas consumers beginning in October as the government looks to avoid a wave of collapsing gas-importing and gas-trading companies amid record-high natural gas prices, a new bill seen by Reuters showed on Thursday.

Russia is further reducing flows via Nord Stream this week, to just 20% of the pipeline's capacity, days after restarting the link at 40% capacity after regular maintenance.

The German government has already intervened to rescue energy group Uniper, Russia's single largest gas buyer in Germany. Uniperand many other German gas traders and suppliershave been reeling from reduced Russian supply and soaring prices of non-Russian gas. Germany and Uniper agreed last week on a $15 billion bailout package, including the German government taking a 30-percent stake in the company and making more liquidity and credit lines available to the group.

Under the plans of the government, all consumers of gas, including households, will have to pay an additional levy, which will go to support Germany's gas importing companies, which struggle with a lack of Russian gas and sky-high prices of non-Russian alternatives. The details of the bill are set to be announced next month.

Households and industrial consumers are expected to pay the levy through September 2024, according to the draft Reuters has seen.

"One doesn't know exactly how much (gas) will cost in November, but the bitter news is that it's definitely a few hundred euros per household," German Economy Minister Robert Habeck was quoted by Reuters as saying on Thursday.

Marcel Fratzscher, president of DIW, the German Institute for Economic Research, told Dusseldorf's Rheinischen Post newspaper that German households should prepare for at least tripled costs of heating on gas. The levy should be accompanied by a relief package for lower-income households, otherwise the new charge could lead to a "social catastrophe," Fratzscher added.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Soaring natural gas prices are giving rise to coal demand around the world, with consumption set to match this year the record-high from 2013, and further jump to a new all-time high next year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday.

The surge in natural gas prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine has accelerated a gas-to-coal switch and has made coal more competitive in many markets, driving a rise in coal demand and coal prices globally, the agency said.

This year, global coal demand is expected to rise by 0.7% to 8 billion tons if Chinas economy recovers as expected in the second half of 2022, according to the IEAs July 2022 Coal Market Update. This is despite an economic slowdown and still uncertain recovery in China after the COVID-related lockdowns in the second quarter of 2022. If the IEAs forecast pans out, global coal demand this year will equal the demand from 2013, when coal consumption hit a record high.

Next year, coal demand is expected to rise further, albeit slightly by 0.3%, and hit a new record high, according to the IEA. Uncertainties about this projection have increased over the past few months, the agency noted.

India is a key driver of coal demand growth this year, while Chinawhich alone accounts for more than half the worlds demandis expected to see growing demand in the second half of 2022. This will likely bring Chinese coal consumption for the full year 2022 to the same levels as last year. China and India together consume double the amount of coal as the rest of the world combined, the IEA says.

Coal consumption in Europe is also surging due to record gas prices and uncertainties over Russian gas supply. Europe accounts for just 5% of global coal demand, but its consumption this year is expected to rise by 7%, on top of last years 14% jump, according to the international agency.

Several EU countries are extending the life of coal plants scheduled for closure, reopening closed plants or raising caps on their operating hours to reduce gas consumption, the IEA said today.

For example, Germany will rely more on electricity generation from coal to conserve gas and fill its gas storage by winter, its Economy Minister Robert Habeck said after Russia first slashed supply to Germany via Nord Stream in the middle of June. Austria plans to convert a reserve gas-fired plant to run on coal, while the Netherlands is set to ease its current restrictions on coal-fired power plants.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The OPEC+ group will decide at the meeting next week whether they should keep production targets steady, or a small output hike, eight anonymous OPEC+ sources told Reuters on Thursday.

OPEC+s current production cuts that have been in place for years will be fully wound back as of August 2022. After that, OPEC+ members would be free to raise production. But the group is still meeting next week to discuss their course of action even after the production curtailments have been fully rolled back.

Two of the OPEC+ sources said that a modest increase for September will be discussed, while five suggested that the group was likely to keep September production targets steady with Augusts.

OPECs Joint Technical Committee meeting will be held next week on Tuesday, with the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. Vienna time. The full OPEC+ Ministerial meeting will follow immediately after the JMMC meeting.

Meanwhile, the Biden Administration remains optimistic that OPEC+ will have some sort of positive announcement stemming from the meeting, according to an anonymous senior U.S. administration official who spoke to Reuters on Thursday. The Administrations hopeful outlook on the possibility of getting OPEC+ to raise its actual production stems from U.S. President Joe Bidens meetings last week to Saudi Arabia. The official noted, however, that these are decisions that OPEC members have to make and we respect that process.

Regardless of the OPEC+ targets, the group has failed to live up to its production commitments on a regular basis, and the shortfall of actual production from the targets have mushroomed to more than 300%, some 2.84 million bpd below its output target for the month of June. Julys quota was set even higher, and August higher yet.

This massive shortfall is despite some big production gains from Russia in June of 730,000 bpd. The 10 OPEC producers part of the OPEC+ pact produced a million bpd less than targeted.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Kosovo has signed a $237 million agreement with a United States government agency to boost its energy sector, promote women's participation, and boost development.

President Vjosa Osmanis office on July 28 said the agreement with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was signed a day earlier in Washington.

Osmani said that the signing of the Compact Program will help solve urgent issues in the energy sector that the country is facing.

"The $236.7 million deal, which is the largest energy investment made in our country in decades, will help create flexibility and stability in the electric grid, enabling greater integration of renewable resources, as well as the development of skills that will contribute to increasing the participation and engagement of our women in the energy sector and in the labor market," Osmani said during the signing ceremony, where the executive director of the MCC, Alice Albright, was also present.

Today, the U.S.A. through the MCC reaffirmed its steadfast support for our new republic and its willingness to help us advance further in terms of sustainable economic development, Osmani said.

Kosovo, where energy production is mainly based on coal, is confronted with a deep crisis due to rising global energy prices, although it has so far only slightly increased the power price for consumers.

This signing representsour commitment to work together to build modern, sustainable energy solutions which will benefit nearly 2 million Kosovars, Albright said.

Two years ago, the MCC implemented another $49 million program to support Kosovo.

Kosovo was an autonomous region of Serbia until an armed uprising in 1998-99 by the ethnic Albanian majority population triggered a bloody crackdown by Belgrade. A NATO bombing campaign to force Serbias troops out of Kosovo ended the war.

Belgrade refuses to recognize Kosovos 2008 declaration of independence despite more than a decade of efforts in mediation from the European Union.

By RFE/RL

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Hollywood blockbuster "The Lost City" will delve into Chinese mainland theaters on July 29.

Under the helm of the brothers' duo Aaron and Adam Nee, the film stars some of Chinese audiences' favorite Hollywood stars from Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum to Daniel Radcliffe and Brad Pitt.

The new film integrates elements of action, adventure, treasure hunting, comedy and romance, telling the story of a reclusive romance novelist on a book tour with her cover model and how they get swept up in a kidnapping attempt that lands them both in a cutthroat jungle adventure to find the lost ancient city described in one of her books.

"We are very excited for you guys to see our new movie 'The Lost City,'" Bullock said in a promotional video tailored for the Chinese market, before Radcliffe added, "If you like laughs, action, adventure, intrigue and a dash of romance, then this is the movie for you."

Paramount Pictures held a premiere event in Beijing on Tuesday, decorating a local theater with jungle elements and replicas of scenes from the film. The audience enjoyed a thrilling, silly and fun ride at the advanced screening.

On review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 79 percent based on 250 reviews. Before it opens in China on Friday, it has already grossed over $190 million worldwide in other markets.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, once again is slated to expand its data center in Sarpy County.

Officials on Thursday announced plans for a ninth building at the data centers campus along Nebraska Highway 50. The new building means the campus will have 4 million square feet of space.

The social media group first broke ground in 2017 and opened the data center in 2019. The facility expanded in 2021, crossing into Springfield, and prompting a name change from the Papillion Data Center to the Sarpy Data Center.

The data center has more than 150 employees, said Matt Sexton, community development regional manager. Once construction is complete, it should at least double the number of employees working from the facility, he said.

Preliminary work already is underway on the project, Sexton said. Construction is expected to wrap up in 2024.

Officials said in a press release that the facility will continue to be supported by 100% renewable energy, made possible by investments in wind energy. Thats thanks in part to a wind farm in Dixon County in northeast Nebraska.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  A week after a Charleston judge barred West Virginia from enforcing an abortion ban law dating to the 19th century, lawmakers in the state's Republican majority hurried to advance similar legislation that would criminalize abortion with few exceptions.

The legislation, which breezed through the House health committee Monday, closely mirrors the 1800s-era abortion ban. It bars abortion in almost all cases and makes performing the procedure a felony. Physicians who provide abortions could face three to 10 years in prison.

Speaking during the committee meeting, Democratic Del. Barbara Fleischauer said passing such a bill would bring the state back much farther than the 19th century.

I think that this idea that youre going to force women to bear children against their will and put doctors and nurses in jail for 10 years is something out of the Middle Ages, said Fleischauer of Monongalia County, one of only a handful of lawmakers to vote against it.

Republicans made no apologies for their move. In a last-minute announcement Monday, Gov. Jim Justice asked legislators to clarify and modernize the state abortion laws following the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling last month ending constitutional protection for abortion.

As I have said many times, I very proudly stand for life and I believe that every human life is a miracle worth protecting, the Republican governor said.

The bill passed the first of three required readings in the House of Delegates and will now head to the House Judiciary Committee. A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Lawmakers were convening Monday for a special session called by Justice last week to consider reducing the state's income tax. Just as lawmakers were gaveling in, Justice abruptly added the state abortion law to the agenda.

After the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, Justice said several times the state's abortion law might be the subject of a special session, but did not say when. Just last week, he said during a press briefing it could be two months before he calls lawmakers back to discuss abortion. The state's attorney general's office is appealing last Monday's ruling by Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Tera L. Salango to the state Supreme Court.

In court last week, Judge Salango ruled that the law was unenforceable because it has been superseded by a slew of conflicting modern laws regulating abortion. One example is West Virginias 2015 law, which allows abortions until 20 weeks.

The judge said later laws hopelessly conflict with the criminal abortion ban and that it would be inequitable to allow conflicting laws to remain on the books.

The state's sole abortion clinic, Womens Health Center of West Virgini,a had suspended abortion services June 24, the day the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Staffers canceled dozens of abortion appointments, fearing they or their patients could be prosecuted under the old statute.

The clinics Executive Director Katie Quinonez said following Salango's ruling, the clinic was scheduling patients for abortions as early as this week.

The bill that advanced Monday through the House Health and Human Resources Committee diverges from the 19th-century ban slightly, most apparently in its exceptions. The 1800s-era ban provides only a vague exception in cases where the life of a mother is at risk. The bill introduced Monday provides exceptions for an ectopic pregnancy, a nonmedically viable fetus or a medical emergency.

The bill also explicitly states that a mother can't face criminal penalties for having an abortion. According to the ACLU of West Virginia, residents who had abortions before the procedure was protected by Roe v. Wade were penalized under the 1800s-era law.

During the hourslong meeting, the Republican-dominated committee rejected pleas to exempt survivors of rape and incest from the ban. Several people in the audience were crying audibly.

Committee Republicans hustled the bill through without much comment. But Democrats had a lot to say.

Well, here it is! Another call to Special Session is about Abortion! How cowardly of leadership! tweeted Delegate Danielle Walker, a Monongalia County Democrat. We will continue to March and raise our voices! My Body! My Damn Choice is the war cry from many!"

Democratic Del. Kayla Young, who represents Kanawha County in the Charleston area and was sitting in on the health committee meeting, said the bill means rapists will be able to choose who they have children with.

Also on Monday, a companion bill in the Senate addressing issues such as adoption tax credits and contraceptives was passed by a committee to the full chamber.

In Justice's special session announcement last week, he touted his tax reduction plan, saying his proposal contains no increases on any other state taxes, and that personal tax brackets would remain the same. He said West Virginians at every income level would see their taxes drop.

The state of West Virginia ended the last fiscal year with a record $1.3 billion surplus.

A 10% reduction is the maximum cut allowed while remaining in compliance with funding stipulations in the American Rescue Plan Act, he said. Justice said the proposal would be retroactive to Jan. 1 and would put $254 million back into residents pockets when they file their 2022 taxes.
A 42-year-old Bellevue man was arrested on suspicion of making terroristic threats after he was accused of putting a $5,000 bounty on his stepson. The man told police he wanted someone to cut off the stepsons testicles.

Omaha police officers were called to a meatpacking company near 36th and J Streets about 9:15 p.m. Monday to investigate a report of threats. A 27-year-old Bellevue man showed officers a screenshot of his stepfathers Facebook post offering a $5,000 bounty on him.

Police learned that a Douglas County judge had issued the stepson a protection order against the stepfather earlier that day. The protection order said the stepfather had come to the stepsons workplace at least twice and threatened him over issues that he was having with his wife, the stepsons mother.

Officers found the stepfather about 10 p.m. Monday. The man told police that had posted the offer and that he wanted someone to chop off his stepsons testicles because he could not do it himself.
A former Fremont police officer was found guilty of sexual assault and incest charges.

Austin R. Williams, 37, was convicted Wednesday in Douglas County District Court of first-degree sexual assault of a child, third-degree sexual assault of a child and incest under 18 years of age.

Williams will be sentenced in October. The offenses of which Williams was found guilty took place in Omaha in June 2018, according to court documents.

The Nebraska State Patrol said authorities began investigating Williams in 2018 after an advocacy center notified it of a potential assault, according to court records. The Fremont Police Department fired Williams in February 2019.

The victim alleged that the abuse began in 2016 and continued until August 2018, and that most of the abuse took place in Dodge County.

In January 2021, Williams was sentenced in Dodge County District Court to 2 years in prison for third-degree sexual assault of a child. While Williams was convicted of the third-degree sexual assault charge, he was found not guilty of incest and three counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child.
Pilot Travel Centers has agreed to pay a $121,469 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act at its truck stops, including the one near Gretna.

According to the EPA, Pilot for years has violated the terms of its water discharge permit for 17 facilities in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.

The Gretna truck stop and one in Warrenton, Missouri, were the sites of the most serious pattern of violations, according to a statement issued by the EPA.

According to the EPA, discharge water at the two sites contained high levels of E. coli, ammonia and other pollutants.

The EPA said the company has taken steps at all 17 facilities to come back into compliance.

The company said it worked with the EPA to identify and resolve "historical" problems. It also is auditing sites to determine if they in compliance.

The settlement is part of a nationwide effort by the EPA to address alleged violations of the Clean Water Act by Pilot. The Tennessee-based company describes itself as the largest operator of truck stops in North America.
LONDON (AP)  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended meeting a Russian oligarch with a KGB past, saying as far as I am aware no government business was discussed at the 2018 get-together.

Johnson, who quit as Conservative Party leader July 7 after months of ethics scandals, is facing questions about his relationship with Russia-born newspaper owner Evgeny Lebedev and his father, Alexander. The older man is a businessman and former Cold War-era KGB officer who has been sanctioned by Canada for his alleged role in enabling Russias invasion of Ukraine.

In April 2018, Johnson went to a party at Evgeny Lebedevs Italian mansion that was also attended by Alexander Lebedev. Johnson, who was British foreign secretary at the time, was not accompanied by any officials.

The event was held as Johnson returned from a NATO meeting, and weeks after former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok in the English city of Salisbury. A police officer and two local people were also sickened, one of whom, Dawn Sturgess, later died.

Britain blames Russias GRU security service for the Salisbury attack, a charge Moscow denies.

Johnson told a committee of senior lawmakers that his meeting with Alexander Lebedev was not a formal meeting, nor something that was pre-arranged. He said it was normal for Britains top diplomat to attend a private, social occasion without officials or security staff.

He said in a letter published Tuesday by Parliaments Liaison Committee that as far as I am aware, no government business was discussed at the party.

Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the opposition Labour Party, said Johnsons mealy-mouthed statement raises more questions than it answers.

She said Johnson apparently still cannot recall whether he discussed government business or not. This letter suggests the Prime Minister has something to hide.

Evgeny Lebedev owns Britains Evening Standard and Independent newspapers. In 2020 was given a noble title  Lord Lebedev of Siberia  and a seat in Parliaments House of Lords by Johnsons government. British media have reported that U.K. intelligence agencies had expressed concerns about the appointment.

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February, Johnsons government has sanctioned hundreds of wealthy Russians and moved to clamp down on money laundering through Londons property and financial markets.

Opposition politicians and anti-corruption campaigners say Johnsons Conservatives have allowed ill-gotten money to slosh into U.K. properties, banks and businesses for years, turning London into a laundromat for dirty cash.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Indianas Republican-dominated Senate rejected a push by conservative lawmakers Thursday night to strip exceptions for rape and incest victims in a proposal that would ban most abortions in the state.

The Senate vote 28-18 against the amendment following a debate that was delayed for five hours as GOP senators met privately amid days of public division over how strict such exceptions should be limited  and intense objections to those exceptions from anti-abortion activists.

Republican Sen. Mike Young of Indianapolis called for removing the rape and incest exceptions, a move that would have left the bill only allowing abortions deemed necessary to save the pregnant womans life.

Exceptions equal death for unborn innocent children, Young said.

The Indiana proposal followed the political firestorm over a 10-year-old rape victim who traveled to the state from neighboring Ohio to end her pregnancy. The case of the Ohio girl gained wide attention when an Indianapolis doctor said the child had to go to Indiana because Ohio banned abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat after the U.S. Supreme Courts decision last month overturning Roe v. Wade.

Republican Sen. Sue Glick of LaGrange, the abortion bills sponsor, urged senators to protect rape and incest victims whove been subjected to violence.

Give them that choice, Glick said. Dont foster that evil on them after the evil theyve already suffered.

Eighteen Republicans joined 10 Democrats in voting to keep the rape and incest exceptions in the proposal. But the votes of many of the 18 Republicans who want to strip out those exceptions will be needed for the bill to advance from the Senate for consideration in the GOP-controlled House. That Senate vote could happen Friday.

The proposal would prohibit abortions from the time a fertilized egg implants in a uterus with the limited exceptions, including a requirement that a woman or girl seeking an abortion because of rape or incest to sign an affidavit attesting to the attack.

Indiana has one of the first Republican-run state legislatures to debate tighter abortion laws since the Supreme Court decision. Its debate comes as several states are also in the midst of court fights over whether tighter abortion restrictions can take effect.

The Indiana Republican disagreement over the abortion ban proposal contrasts with West Virginia, where the GOP-dominated House of Delegates voted Wednesday in favor of a sweeping abortion ban that includes exceptions for victims of rape and incest, as well as for medical emergencies.

A top legislative Republican, Senate Majority Leader Mark Messmer, voted against the measure during a committee meeting Tuesday, lamenting the near impossibility of threading the perfect needle on the issue during a short special legislative session that GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb originally called to address a tax rebate plan.

Holcomb has avoided saying whether he supported the proposed abortion ban and stayed out of public view during demonstrations Monday and Tuesday that drew thousands of competing anti-abortion and abortion-rights supporters to the Statehouse as a legislative hearing on the bill took place.

The bill cleared the committee on a 7-5 vote Tuesday with two Republicans saying they disliked the proposal as it stood and only voted to advance it in hopes of the full Senate making changes.

Senate Democratic Leader Greg Taylor said Wednesday it was clear Republicans had not reached an agreement on a bill to advance to the House for consideration.

I think theyre having problems, Taylor said. I cant speak to whether or not anythings gonna pass.

Glick, the abortion bills sponsor, said she was not exactly happy with the proposal after the committee adding provisions under which doctors could face felony criminal charges for performing an illegal abortion, along with limiting the time period allowing abortions in cases of rape and incest to eight weeks of pregnancy for women ages 16 or older and 12 weeks for those younger than 16.

Glick acknowledged this week that there was a chance Republicans wouldnt be able to reach consensus before the special sessions Aug. 14 deadline to adjourn.

If we cant reach that result, there is a statute in Indiana well live with until it will change in the future, Glick said Monday. If that decision cant be made in a week or two weeks time, then well come back in January and start again.

Arleigh Rodgers is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Rodgers on Twitter at https://twitter.com/arleighrodgers

This story has been edited to correct the number of Republican senators voting against the bill to 18.
China vows 'forceful' moves on sovereignty

08:24, July 28, 2022 By Zhao Huaxin ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang (left) talks with Daniel Legarda, vice-minister of foreign trade of Ecuador, at a reception at the Chinese embassy in Washington on Tuesday evening marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of China's People's Liberation Army. ZHAO HUANXIN/CHINA DAILY

China's military will take "forceful measures" to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity if anyone wants to breach China's bottom line on the Taiwan question, Beijing's top envoy in Washington said on Tuesday.

Ambassador Qin Gang made the remarks at a reception on Tuesday marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of Chinese People's Liberation Army, which was established on Aug 1, 1927.

His comments came amid reports that Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi may visit Taiwan.

Qin emphasized that the Taiwan question remains the most important and sensitive core issue in China-US relations.

He noted that the Chinese government values peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and has been making the "utmost efforts" for peaceful reunification, but "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and their activities pose the biggest threat to cross-Straits peace and stability.

"If anyone tries to separate Taiwan from China, if anyone wants to challenge China's bottom line, the Chinese military will take forceful measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said at the reception.

The gathering was attended by about 300 guests, including representatives of the US military, the State Department, embassies in the US, military attaches and overseas Chinese.

As of Tuesday, the White House and US State Department both said that the trip has yet to be confirmed.

"What we have said on this still stands. It's my understanding that the speaker's office has not announced any travel, and our approach to Taiwan has not changed in any way," US State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a briefing on Tuesday when asked to comment on Pelosi's potential trip.

US President Joe Biden said on July 20 that the US military believes it is "not a good idea" for Pelosi to visit the island at the moment.

At the reception, Qin said that maintaining the stability of military-to-military relations is essential to China-US relations.

Since April, the two militaries have had three high-level exchanges, laying a good foundation for further interactions, according to Qin.

Those interactions included a meeting in June between China's State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Singapore, where Wei warned about the US' "illusions" on the Taiwan question.

Qin said, "It's hoped that the two sides will make joint efforts to strengthen communication, build military mutual trust, manage risks and crises, and advance cooperation in areas of shared interests, such as counterterrorism, peacekeeping, military medicine and military environmental protection, so as to contribute to the stable development of our bilateral, including military-to-military, relations."

He also said China is firmly committed to the path of peaceful development and has a defense policy that is defensive in nature, and that the Chinese military has always been a champion and contributor to world peace.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, China has never initiated any war or conflict, and has never occupied a single inch of another country's territory, Qin said.

China has sent almost 50,000 troops on 25 peacekeeping operations, and sent over 120 vessels in escort missions for more than 7,000 Chinese and foreign ships, making the country the largest troop contributor among permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

China is also the second-largest financial contributor of UN peacekeeping budget, according to the ambassador.

Qin noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of US president Richard Nixon's visit to China, and 50 years later, the China-US relationship is at a new crossroads.

He said that some people asserted that China and the US cannot avoid the "Thucydides Trap"  a clash when a major power feels threatened by the emergence of a new power  and the "tragedy of major-power politics", while others said that the two countries will enter into a new Cold War.

"With the lessons of major-country conflict and confrontation still fresh in our memory, we should say a categorical 'no' to these assertions, and jointly explore a way of peaceful coexistence of two major countries with different social systems, development paths, history and cultures on this planet," Qin said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
China's water and meteorological authorities and agencies issued alerts on Wednesday for rainstorms and mountain torrents in some parts of the country.

From 8 p.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Thursday, rainstorms are expected in parts of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Guizhou and Sichuan, according to a blue alert for rainstorms issued by the National Meteorological Center.

Heavy downpours of up to 200 mm may lash parts of these regions, and some areas will also experience short-term heavy rainfall, with over 70 mm of hourly precipitation, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales, the center said.

China's Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration also jointly issued a blue alert for possible mountain torrents on Wednesday.

From 8 p.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Thursday, some regions in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Inner Mongolia and Liaoning will be prone to mountain torrents, according to the alert.

A yellow alert was issued for the western part of Hebei, which is highly likely to see mountain floods.

The authorities have advised related government agencies to prepare for heavy rainfall, strengthen real-time monitoring and flood warnings, and brace for the evacuation of local residents.

Drivers have been alerted to watch out for flooding and traffic jams, while orders have been given to check the drainage systems in cities, farmland and fishponds.

China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
A man who got out of a pickup truck after it was struck from behind on Interstate 80 was hit by a passing vehicle and died, the Hall County Sheriffs Office said.

Just after 2:40 a.m. Thursday, Hall County sheriffs deputies were called to investigate a two-vehicle crash on I-80 south of Grand Island. Before they arrived, deputies were told of a secondary crash at the site.

Deputies preliminary investigation indicated that a Nissan pickup truck pulling a U-Haul trailer, driven by Salvador Duque Moreno, was eastbound on I-80 when the pickup was struck from behind by an eastbound Peterbilt semitrailer truck driven by Yelena Coop. Hector Stanley Duque, 47, of California, got out of the pickup to help Duque Moreno. Duque then was struck by a passing vehicle and declared dead at the scene.

The Interstate was closed at mile marker 310 from just after 3 a.m. to about 7:10 a.m. during the investigation into the crash.
Not since the days of Dr. Strangelove has the commander occupying Adm. Charles Richards Offutt Air Force Base headquarters faced so many fast-rising threats to the United States and its nuclear umbrella.

Russia has launched the largest land war in Europe in 80 years while engaging in what Richard calls not-so-thinly veiled nuclear saber-rattling. China is building desert silos for up to hundreds of ballistic missiles. North Korea has tested rockets with the range to hit the U.S. mainland with nuclear weapons. Iran is free from an international agreement that constrained it from developing its own bomb.

Against the backdrop of these threats, Richard, the commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, brought some of the Wests top nuclear policy experts to Nebraska this week for the two-day Deterrence Symposium in La Vista.

We just havent had stress on strategic deterrence in the last 30 years that has compared with what we have today, Richard said during a press briefing Wednesday afternoon. The strength of our nuclear deterrent is what underpins and backstops every other thing we do inside the Department of Defense to defend our nation.

The symposium has been held annually since 2009, though the last two were held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Often the conference focuses on the military and academic theory governing the nuclear balance of power that kept the U.S. and Russia from destroying each other during the Cold War and in the years after.

This year, though, sessions focused on concrete topics like Chinas strategic breakout and Russias invasion of Ukraine. One panel looked at how to deter two nuclear-armed peer competitors at once  a threat that seemed distant as recently as two years ago.

Chinas strategic breakout is not just a talking point anymore, said Christopher Yeaw, a top nuclear strategist at the National Strategic Research Institute, a StratCom-funded think tank at the University of Nebraska.

Currently the U.S. and Russia remain well ahead of China, but analysts have warned that China  which, unlike the U.S. and Russia, is not part of any arms control agreements  could catch up in a decade or so.

Several panelists warned of the consequences of a three-way nuclear duel among the powers.

We dont have the luxury of just deterring one near-peer nuclear power at a time, said Patty-Jane Geller, a nuclear deterrence and missile defense analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation. We need to be able to absorb a first strike, and then retaliate.

Paige Cone, an assistant professor at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies in Montgomery, Alabama, warned of opportunistic aggression. For example: if China tried to seize Taiwan while the U.S. and NATO are focused on Russia and Ukraine.

It also provides the opportunity for two to ally themselves against the third. At least for now, it appears the U.S. is most likely to be the odd man out.

(Russia and China) both view the United States as a singular threat, Cone said.

Keir Lieber, director of the security studies program at Georgetown Universitys School of Foreign Service, described arms control talks as dead, or at least in a coma.

He supports the U.S. development of lower-yield nuclear weapons such as the proposed submarine-launched cruise missile, which would help to offset what he sees as a growing U.S. disadvantage in Asia compared with China and North Korea.

And he warned that the U.S. employed a ham-fisted Ukraine policy in recent years that needlessly antagonized the Russians.

We should be playing kissy-face with the Russians right now, to prevent them from siding with China in the coming conflict, he said, exaggerating for effect.

All of these are factoring into Richards strident calls for the U.S. to keep modernizing its out-of-date nuclear arsenal, though he stopped short of requesting more weapons beyond those called for in the still-unreleased 2022 Nuclear Posture Review.

He singled out Russia specifically for rhetoric that is irresponsible, that is unhelpful, that is unnecessary  unseen, he added, even during the depths of the Cold War.

What previously in some cases had been thought to be a theoretical or highly improbable threat, Richard said, has now turned out to be real.
100 years ago

July 28, 1922: As the last week of the evangelistic service which is being conducted by the M.E. church at LeRoy draws to a close, the enthusiasm and interest is running at the high water mark. Each night the sermons given by Rev. P.R. Powers have increased in vigor and power. The services last Sunday were largely attended and standing room was at a premium. Twenty-six people drove 30 miles from White Heath to attend.

75 years ago

July 28, 1947: A throng estimated at 4,200 jammed the new grandstand and grounds Sunday night for the opening events of the Farmer City fair. Fair officials said 100 racing horses already were present at the track for the four scheduled afternoons of harness racing. Monday's schedule calls for a show of work by DeWitt County 4-H clubs. Projects completed by members of clubs throughout the county will be on display.

50 years ago

July 28, 1972: Two Bloomington girls were each $50 richer after piecing together an uncommon puzzle  a $100 bill. Deborah Vann, 5, and Beth Marie Hawkins, 11, came across the first piece around 2 p.m. and spent the next six hours finding the remainder. When they finished, they had found all but two parts. The pieces included both serial numbers, which was sufficient for the American State Bank to exchange their taped-together bill for two $50s.

25 years ago

July 28, 1997: Tatsu Ohmori, vice president and general manager of procurement at Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, has donated several of his paintings to Illinois Wesleyan University. Nearly 100 of his oil paintings, water colors and portraits were on display earlier this summer at the Illinois Wesleyan Merwin Gallery. He gave his paintings of Evelyn Chapel, Acacia fraternity house and Kemp Hall as gifts to IWU.
PASCO COUNTY, Fla.  School is just around the corner and if you havent started to plan for the school year, its time to do so and this means more than just stocking up on pens and pencils!

Come out to the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco) to receive no-cost school immunizations. All Florida registered students are required to have the Tdap immunization before entering the 7th grade. Clinic information below:

Friday, August 5th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm at 13941 15 th St. , Dade City

If you cant make the date listed above, then please call 727-619-0300 option #1 to schedule an appointment.

Childhood vaccines are a critical step in protecting your child. Immunity is the bodys way of preventing disease. Vaccines reduce your childs risk of infection by working with the bodys natural defenses to help safely develop protection against common vaccine-preventable diseases like Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox, etc.

For information on school immunizations, visit:

22-23-schoolentry-eng.pdf (floridahealth.gov)

22-23-schoolentry-spn.pdf (floridahealth.gov)

7th-grade-requirements.pdf (floridahealth.gov)

Florida Birth Certificate Information: If you do not have a birth certificate, please be sure to order one as you will need it to register your child for school.

You may obtain a Florida Birth Certificate through:

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
Dr Prince Quarshie, a Deputy Director in charge of Public Health, Bono Regional Directorate of Health has urged bush meat consumers to control their appetite following the outbreak of the monkeypox disease in some parts of the country.



He said people who consumed particularly grass cutters, rabbits, and other wild animals had a high risk of contracting the viral disease.



Dr Quarshie said the Regional Health Directorate had upscaled surveillance to prevent the spread of the Monkey Pox disease in the region.



In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, Dr Quarshie said Bono had confirmed the first case of money pox, saying five additional suspected cases had been recorded in five districts in the region, waiting for confirmation.



He said the directorate had begun and intensified contact tracing and was also strictly monitoring the movements of suspected and affected persons to help contain the spread of the disease.



Dr Quarshie appealed to the general public to be alerted and report suspected cases and entreated everybody to promote good hygiene and wash their hands regularly with soap under running water.



He further asked the public to avoid touching dead animals within this period of the Monkey Pox outbreak and urged everybody to report early symptoms of the disease, including abnormal rashes and continuous fever to nearest health facilities.



Dr Quarshie entreated the public to promote personal hygiene, avoid self-medication and do regular medical check-ups to protect themselves and people around them from contracting the disease

Source: GNA









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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Private legal practitioner, Maurice Ampaw, has stated that the family of late President John Evans Atta Mills has lost the right of ownership over his body.



According to him, the state has through compulsory acquisition claimed the body from the family adding that the late President Atta Mills has become a national asset.



He explained that once the late president became a Head of State, he ceased to be for just his family and friends who had interest in him.



Ampaw stressed on Wontumi TV that the national interest superseded any other interest in matters of that nature.



In law, the national interest reigns supreme he said.



In the same vein, Maurice Ampaw argued that the state has an interest in the body of Atta Mills as it has become a national property.



When President Atta Mills was alive, he was of his own but he became a national asset once he came president. So the interest of the family in President Atta Mils, the interest of individuals in Atta Mills is not bigger than Atta Mills being the national asset.



He became a national property which the Constitution requires that he is protected specially and other privileges, (accorded him). The interest of Ghana in Atta Mills is bigger than that of the family and individuals. When President Mills died, in law and tradition, he became the property of the family.



When he became the property of the family, the state said it has an interest in Atta Mills, thus it is using compulsory acquisition to take him from the family. The state went to see the family of Atta Mills and took the body.



So Atta Mills' body became of national interest. Atta Mills body in the tomb is no longer for the family. The nation has acquired it through compulsory acquisition.



Where the body isthe gravesidethe family, please you dont have an interest. We the state have bought and paid for it, he emphasized.



Background



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday, July 24 commissioned the refurbished Asomdwee Park to mark the 10th anniversary of the passing of John Evans Atta Mills.



Prior to this, the had been a public spat between Samuel Atta Mills, brother of the late President, and Koku Anyidoho, a one-time aide, over some works around the tomb of the late president.



Samuel Atta Mills contended that the permission of the family ought to have been sort before commencing works on the tomb.





Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Samuel Koku Anyidoho, founder of the Atta Mills Institute, has indicated that out of respect for the late President John Evans Atta-Mills, he would not fight Cadman Atta Mills and Sammy Atta Mills - brothers of his former boss.



According to him, he will keep the legacy of the late President Atta Mills alive even if he changes the name of his Institute because the family is threatening legal action.



Because of my deep respect for President Atta-Mills, I shall have no fight with the Cadman Atta-Mills and Sammy Atta-Mills. Let them live with their SHAME. Koku Anyidoho Institute will keep the legacy of President Atta-Mills alive. To God Almighty be the glory," Anyidoho tweeted.



Background



Dr Cadman Atta Mills had earlier accused Koku Anyidoho, a former aide of his late brother of using the refurbishment of the Asomdwee Park to promote his institute and his paymasters.



Speaking at a lecture organised as part of the 10th anniversary of the death of Prof Mills, in Accra on Tuesday, July 26, he said I saw his grave, where his name appeared a little bit except that it was spelt John Evans Atta Mills with a hyphen.



For somebody who claimed to know him very well to place a hyphen between the two names, even though the person who has the name himself has never put a hyphen in that name. They used this so-called refurbishment to promote themselves, to promote their institute and to promote their pay paymasters.



He added, that the family does not recognize the Atta Mills Institute, therefore, they are considering legal action against the Atta Mills Institute.



In my capacity as the oldest sibling of Prof John Evans Atta Mills, as the person who Prof Mills designated in his will to be the executor of his will and the custodian of his legacy and now in my capacity of the Ebusua Panyin, the family has decided that we will contact our solicitors to make sure that we explore all avenues to stop the Atta-Mills Institute, Dr Cadman Atta Mills divulged.











Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, has reiterated that the government will not burden its citizens with the decision to approach the International Monetary Fund, IMF, for a programme amid the economic crisis that the country is facing.



Speaking on the floor of Parliament as MPs concluded debating the Mid-Year budget review on Wednesday, July 27, the Minister reassured the parliamentarians that he will ensure talks with the IMF are positive and will not head any undue hardship on citizens.



Mr. Speaker, at this point I will like to thank members of this session for the statement that weve made and particularly for the contributions from the Minority side and certainly from our side, that as we go through the year, we will ensure that this engagement with the IMF is positive for the country and the country will be back on course, Ken Ofori-Atta said.



While debating on the Mid-Year review the Finance Minister presented on Monday, Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Leader indicated the budget offered no hope to Ghanaians.



Mr Speaker, again, this administration without rapid and broad economic growth as well as an effective attack on corruption, the Ghanaian economy is likely to sink into a deeper crisis than what appears to be in the Mid-year review, the Tamale South MP said.



But Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader disagreed. He blamed the current economic crisis on the controversies that engulfed the passing of the Electronic Transfer levy (E-levy).



 the brouhaha that the passing of the E-Levy generated was really harmful, Mr Speaker, it caused panic, the rating agencies downgraded Ghana and this made it impossible for the government to raise new loans. In the event, investors started disinvesting and there ensued pressure on foreign currencies. That explains why by the end of the first quarter, the Ghana cedi suffered a depreciation of 15.8 per cent, the Suame MP explained.



He noted that the Russian and Ukraine conflict compounded the economic hardship in the country.







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Euroget De Invest S.A, the firm building a number of hospitals for the government, has filed an application at the Accra High Court seeking to stop the execution of a $5million judgment debt against it by one of its subcontractors, Top International Engineering Ghana Limited.



Euroget was ordered by the International Court of Arbitration to pay Top International Engineering more than $8million for failure to pay the subcontractor for certain works. The arbitration award was adopted by the Accra High Court in a dispute between the two.



Top International Engineering has so far recovered $2,933,708.41 of the amount and is seeking to recover the rest of the amount, but Euroget is challenging an amended entry of judgment and the resultant execution process by Top International Engineering.



Eurogets argument



Euroget is arguing that the government has delayed in paying it and therefore it had also been unable to pay the rest of the amount.



In an affidavit in support of the application deposed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Euroget, Dr Said Derez, the construction firm claims that in spite of Top International Engineering being aware of its difficulties, it went ahead and served an amended entry of judgment on a non-permanent staff of the company instead of the CEO.



The company also argues that Top International started the second execution process without permission from the court, and therefore the amended entry of judgment and execution are incompetent and ought to be set aside.



Top International response



In its response, Top International Engineering has urged the court to dismiss the application, describing it as without merit and an attempt by Euroget to delay and frustrate it from collecting the money.



It argued that the two sides went into terms of settlement for the money to be paid in instalment, but Euroget failed to respect the said agreement, which forced it to garnishee the accounts of Euroget.



Top International Engineering added that the amended entry of judgment was to reflect the outstanding amount Euroget was supposed to pay after the garnishee proceedings, and that there was no rule of court that it had not be served personally on Dr Derez.



It also refuted claims by Euroget that it was aware of delay in government paying Euroget to enable it settle its debt.



Background



Top International Engineering Ghana Limited won the $8million judgment debt after an arbitration between it and Euroget at the International Court of Arbitration in London of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).



The arbitration award was adopted by the High Court as its final judgment after the two sides agreed that that should be the means to settle a legal dispute which started at the High Court in 2017.



About $5.4million of the amount represents the outstanding balance that Euroget has to pay Top Engineering, while $1.06 million relates to interest on the outstanding balance from September 29, 2017, when the dispute between the two companies began, to June 29, 2021, the date of the arbitration award.



The rest of the arbitration award is in relation to the legal fees and other costs expended by Top Engineering during the arbitration.



The dispute between the two firms is connected to two hospitals being constructed by Euroget  the 500-bed military hospital at Afari, Kumasi, and the 60-bed hospital in Konongo, both in the Ashanti Region.



Top Engineering had argued that it provided some engineering services at the military hospital at a contract sum of more than $12 million, but Euroget paid it $7.5million.



With regard to the hospital in Konongo, Top Engineering said the contract sum was more than $7.5 million, but Euroget paid it $4.8 million.



Euroget also made a counter-claim against Top Engineering and argued that the engineering firm delayed in completing its services as agreed between the two parties.



The arbitration tribunal upheld the counter-claim and ordered Top Engineering to pay Euroget $710,000 in relation to the military hospital contract and $1,117,746.37 in relation to the Konongo project.

Source: Graphiconline.com









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Featured Video
The Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee, John Jinapor, has accused the current management of Bulk Oil and Transportation of inflating the price of its twin tower office contract.



According to him, the program which cost $39 million budgeted by the previous NDC administration has been increased to a$78 million for the office under the NPP government.



We have however noted from recent developments based on documents available to us that the original contract which was valued at $39,000,000.00 (Thirty-Nine Million Dollars) ballooned to a whopping $78,000,000.00 if the two-tower building is accounted for based on the current cost of the single unit valued at $39,000,000.00 (Thirty-Nine Million Dollars). This means the building has been inflated by 100% over the original contract.



"We say so because we have noted that the current Management of BOST decided to acquire only one of the twin unit building due to the precarious financial position of the company, however it applied to the Public Procurement Authority for approval to vary the original contract for the single unit from the original price of $19,500,000.00 per unit to a new cost of $24,000,000.00, he said.



Addressing a press conference, John Jinapor called for an immediate independent investigation into the alleged scandal.



It is our hope that for the first time, the President will gather the courage to cause an independent investigation into this scandal which is of monumental proportion, and punish his officials whose negligence, recklessness, and complicity have led us into this huge mess, he further noted.



John Jinapor added that anything short of an independent investigation shall be rejected and denounced by the NDC in parliament and the good people of Ghana.



He also indicated that the minority will be vigilant and resolute in their quest to ensure that the continuous looting and plundering of the resources of BOST, which is their collective strategic national asset is brought to an immediate halt.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
"Ghanaians are not your children so stop the children analogy..." the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has told Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.



Calls for the Finance Minister to step down escalated after he made a u-turn on the government seeking help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).



He, however, insists he won't resign.



"To resign is like telling a father to resign from his children because he changed his mind, he said.



But contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Kwesi Pratt says it's wrong for anyone to consider Ghanaians as their children.



"Ghanaians are not your children so stop the children analogy . . . Ghanaians are your bosses who have employed and paying you, so the relationship is totally different," he said.



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Sarah Adwoa Safo's fate as the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya in Accra will be decided by Parliament on Thursday.



It follows the laying of the report of the Privileges Committee of Parliament on the three absentee MPs.



Graphic Online understands by a Majority decision, members on the Privileges Committee have recommended that the Dome-Kwabenya seat should be declared vacant while the Minority thinks that the absentee MP should be offered more time and the opportunity to respond, why she absented herself without permission before a conclusive decision on her seat is taken.



A copy of the report of the Privileges Committee of Parliament seen by Graphic Online has confirmed this position.



Parliament is expected to consider the report of the committee at its sitting on Thursday [July 28, 2022], which is the last day before the House goes on a break.



Regarding Sarah Adwoa Safo, in spite of all the efforts made to invite her to attend upon the Committee, she did not appear before the Committee to provide the reasons for her absence from the House without written permission for more than the 15 Sittings threshold.





By the provisions of Article 97 (1) (c) of the 1992 Constitution, the onus is on Sarah Adwoa Safo to provide a reasonable explanation to the Privileges Committee why she shall not vacate her Seat, for having absented herself for 42 Sittings, during the period under consideration.



Graphic Online understands that the Minority Members on the Committee concede that reasonable efforts were made to get Sarah Adwoa Safo to appear before the

Committee, however, the Minority Members are of the view that, the lack of response of Sarah Adwoa Safo to the numerous invitations of the Committee should be reported to the House without any conclusions.



The Majority is however of the view that, Sarah Adwoa Safo failed to take advantage of the numerous opportunities and facilities offered her to provide reasonable

explanation to the Committee with regard to her absence without leave.



Therefore, pursuant to Article 97 (1) (c) of the 1992 Constitution and the Court of Appeal decision in the case of Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare V. the Attorney General & 3 Ors, the Dome-Kwabenya Seat is automatically vacant by operation of law.



Why the committee invited the 3 absentee MPs?



The Privileges Committee of Parliament concluded its work on the three absentee Members of Parliament (MP) in June 2022.



MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP for Ayawaso Central, Henry Quartey who is also the Greater Accra Regional Minister and MP for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, also Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection were investigated for absenting themselves from Parliament without permission for more than the stipulated 15 sitting days during the first meeting of the second session of the 8th Parliament.



They were referred to the Privileges Committee of Parliament by the Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.



The committee was to consider circumstances surrounding their absence in pursuance to Article 97(1) (c) of the 1992 Constitution.



Henry Quartey and Kennedy Agyapong appeared before the committee but Sarah Adwoa Safo was unable to appear.



Decision



At the last sitting of the committee on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, all 15 members from the Majority voted to pardon Henry Quartey and Kennedy Agyapong.



The 12 Members on the Minority side also agreed to pardon them.



This is after they admitted to absenting themselves for more than the 15 Sittings threshold. However, the explanations given by Agyapong and Quartey for being absent were found reasonable.



Recommendation



It is the recommendation of the Committee that the House should take advantage of the ongoing review of the Standing Orders to provide procedure for the

operationalisation of Article 97 (1) (c) of the Constitution.



In addition, it is also the recommendation of the committee that, by its majority decision, the House should adopt its Report, pursuant to Article 97 (1) (c) of the Constitution and Orders 16 (1) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, that is, declare the Dome-Kwabenya seat vacant.



Report on Adwoa Safo



Explaining the efforts made to reach Adwoa Safo for an explanation, the Committee reported that all efforts to reach her in person, to serve her with the invitation to

appear before the Committee to explain her absence from the House were unsuccessful.



Steps taken to serve her with the invitation letter were that, the Committee first wrote to her on three occasions through her Office in Parliament; Pigeonhole in Parliament; the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection where she currently superintend as the Sector Minister; her official email address; and WhatsApp

number.



When the Committee was unsuccessful with the above-mentioned means, it employed the services of the Personal Assistant who facilitated her television interview with Joy News on Thursday, May 26, 2022.



The Personal Assistant acknowledged receipt of the invitation letter and promised to deliver same to her.



According to the Personal Assistant, he sent the invitation letter via internet and other online communication platforms which they normally use to communicate.



Unfortunately, the Personal Assistant could not confirm to the Committee Secretariat, whether or not Sarah Adwoa Safo received the invitation letter sent to her through her Personal Assistant.



The Committee took further steps to serve her with a summon by a publication in the Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times, and Daily Guide newspapers dated June 16, 2022 and her place of abode, on June 20, 2022, pursuant to Order 205 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.



In all instances, opportunity was given for her to avail herself of Zoom video conferencing facilities to appear before the Committee.



However, the Member neither appeared before the Committee nor gave any feedback as to receipt of any of the invitations or summons from the Committee.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Peacefmonline.com can authoritatively confirm that the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon Sarah Adwoa Safo has been dismissed with immediate effect by President Akufo-Addo.



A statement issued by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, said the President acted in accordance with article 81 (a) of the constitution.



Family Issues



The dismissed minister, who also doubles as the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, has been absent from Parliament for several months and also shirked her ministerial duties.



She claims her long absence is because of a family issue; medical attention she is giving to her child.



The statement dated 28th July, 2022 from the Presidency read; "In accordance with Article 81 (a) of the Constitution, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has revoked the appointment of Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, as Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, with immediate effect."



No More Tik Tok?

The Dome-Kwabenya MP, who has a penchant for viral video recordings of her emotional state, interestingly deleted all her Tik Tok posts on Monday, and also had her account completely deactivated.



Earlier this year, outspoken NPP MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, hinted that Adwoa Safo may have lost interest in remaining a Minister after her failed attempt to sack Mrs Gertrude Quashigah, the National Coordinator of the School Feeding Program.



Privileges Committee....Recommends

However, she was summoned by the Privileges Committee of Parliament to answer for her misconduct but all efforts to reach her, even via Zoom, proved futile since she refused to honor the invitation.



The Privileges Committee subsequently recommended that Adwoa Safos seat be declared vacant due to her absenteeism from the house.

Parliament was thus expected to take a decision on her status as MP on Thursday, but the Speaker, Rt. Hon Alban S.K. Bagbin, stalled in making a ruling till the House resumes sitting, saying the issue is not one that needs to be taken in a haste.



Bagbin Stalls



Addressing members before the House rose, the Speaker said;



Honourable Members, I have consulted the old lady, the old lady has given me an advise and I think that advise is correct. The issue raised by the Majority Leader is both of substantive and procedural law.



I need time to submit to this house a reasoned, written ruling. I cannot in a haste of today, give you the ruling. In the circumstance, I will urge this House for us to call it a day, he said.







More soon.....

Statement

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
An international monkeypox outbreak, which began in May, has prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency.

We have an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly through new modes of transmission, about which we understand too little, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Saturday during a briefing in Geneva, adding that the current situation meets the criteria for a public health emergency of international concern.

More than 19,000 cases have been reported in at least 76 countries so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And in the U.S., cases are on the rise. Last Friday the CDC reported a total of 2,891 monkeypox cases since May. By Tuesday that number had increased 24% to 3,590 cases across 46 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

According to health officials, more than 97% of patients who have tested positive for monkeypox since the onset of the outbreak identify as gay or bisexual men, or as men who have sex with men. However, health experts have warned that anyone  regardless of gender or sexual orientation  can develop and spread the disease. On Friday the CDC said two cases of monkeypox in children had been identified in the U.S.

Dr. Ashish Jha, the White Houses COVID-19 response coordinator, told reporters during a briefing Friday that the Biden administration was considering declaring the current monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency. He added on Monday that the administration was working around the clock to ramp up the U.S. response.

To help offer guidance on monkeypox, Yahoo News spoke with Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, chief of the infectious diseases division at the McGovern School of Medicine at the University of Texas.

The hands of a monkeypox patient. (CDC via AP/File)

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. It has existed for decades in West and Central African countries, where it has spread to people mainly when they have come into contact with infected wild animals, particularly rodents.

Story continues

Since the first human case of monkeypox was detected in Africa in 1970, the virus has caused small outbreaks through the years. However, most have been limited to a few hundred cases in about 11 African countries, according to the New York Times.

Some cases have been reported outside of Africa before, brought by travelers or from the import of wild animals that were sold as pets and passed the virus to their owners. Never had there been significant international outbreaks like the one this year, however.

Ostrosky-Zeichner told Yahoo News that the current global outbreak of monkeypox is different from other historical occurrences because the disease is spreading rapidly among a certain group of people with no links to recent travel to Africa, where the disease is endemic.

The concerning part is that, you know, initially at least for us in the U.S., all of the cases were imported. They had a travel history to Europe, where this outbreak started, Ostrosky-Zeichner said. But now we have local transmission. Were having transmission in multiple cities in the U.S.

Currently, the states with the most cases are New York, California, Illinois, Florida and Georgia, along with Washington, D.C.

What are the symptoms?

Monkeypox symptoms can include fever, severe headaches, muscle aches, back pain, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes and skin rashes or lesions.

The lesions can look like pimples or blisters and can appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus, according to the CDC.

Ostrosky-Zeichner said that the lesions are highly infectious, so people should avoid touching others until these have healed.

Most people resolve them within two to three weeks ... and basically youre considered infectious until all the lesions have crusted and all the crust has fallen off, he said.

They are really painful, he said of the lesions, which people have described as itchy and irritating. When we talk to patients, they have excruciating pain and we do need to do some heavy pain control with them. So its not a walk in the park when you have the lesions.

Although the virus can cause painful and debilitating symptoms, it is rarely fatal, and around 90% of people usually survive it on their own without any complications. Based on the cases reported in recent years in African countries, the case fatality ratio of monkeypox has been around 3% to 6%, according to the WHO.

How does it spread from person to person?

Monkeypox can spread through physical contact with an infected person, particularly if people come in direct contact with their skin lesions, or with body fluids such as blood or saliva. Scientists are still studying whether it can be spread through people who have no symptoms.

Its notable, however, that in 91% of cases reported to the WHO since the onset of the outbreak, sexual contact has been the main mode of transmission.

The virus can also spread through respiratory droplets or aerosols produced by sneezing or coughing. However, that requires very prolonged contact in close quarters, Ostrosky-Zeichner said. Were talking about six to eight hours in a closed room with somebody to get it that way.

Touching or sharing items used by an infectious person, such as clothing, linens or utensils, can also put people at risk of contracting monkeypox.

The CDC recommends a thorough home cleaning after someone has monkeypox, because the virus can live on surfaces for up to 15 days. The agency also notes that orthopoxviruses like monkeypox can survive in an environment similar to a household, for weeks or months.

According to the CDC, its also possible for a pregnant person to spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

Doses of a smallpox and monkeypox vaccine. (Pat Greenhouse/Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Whos at risk of contracting monkeypox right now?

Ostrosky-Zeichner told Yahoo News that because monkeypox is primarily spreading through sexual contact ... within the community of men who have sex with men, that particular segment of the population is currently most at risk.

However, anyone who comes into close contact with an infected person is at increased risk of infection, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Other people at higher risk of exposure include health care personnel, due to the nature of their work, and people who live with others who have become infected, according to the WHO.

Is monkeypox an STD?

In the current monkeypox outbreak, the virus has mostly shown up in men who have sex with men, and in some cases, lesions have been observed primarily in the genital area. Because of this, there has been some debate about whether monkeypox is a sexually transmitted disease.

But Ostrosky-Zeichner told Yahoo News that technically it is not, because monkeypox does not exclusively spread as a result of sexual activity.

Normally, STIs, we think of syphilis, gonorrhea, things like that, that exclusively transmit in the sexual way, he said, adding that people can get monkeypox from simply touching people who are infected and have lesions, and also via respiratory droplets.

Additionally, the CDC said it has not determined whether monkeypox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids.

How can I protect myself and others?

Ostrosky-Zeichner said limiting contact with people who are infected is key. We strongly recommend people who have it to stay at home, isolate from others and, obviously, not to be out in the community, he said.

For those who live with an infected person, the WHO encourages the infected individual to self-isolate and cover their skin lesions. It is also recommended to wear a face mask around someone who is sick, to disinfect contaminated surfaces and to discard items used by infected people.

Another crucial tool to stop the spread of monkeypox is testing.

Testing is key to identifying, and identifying is key to isolating, which breaks the transmission chain, Ostrosky-Zeichner said, adding that there had been some challenges in the past but that it has gotten much easier to test patients in recent weeks. This is part of a federal effort to increase available testing through commercial labs. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. now has the capacity to conduct 80,000 monkeypox tests a week.

We can see a patient in our office, swab the lesions and send them to the commercial laboratories like Quest or Labcorp and get a result fairly quickly, Ostrosky-Zeichner said.

People waiting in line to receive a monkeypox vaccine in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images)

Vaccines and treatments

There are two vaccines that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration available in the U.S. to prevent monkeypox infection. However, demand is outstripping the supply, which has led to long lines and frustration among doctors and people seeking to get vaccinated.

At a White House press briefing on Monday, Jha said that to date, the U.S. had distributed more than 300,000 vaccines to jurisdictions around the country and that the FDA was working ceaselessly to finalize the approval of nearly 800,000 additional doses, which could become available as early as next week.

According to Health and Human Services, another 5 million doses have been ordered by the federal government. Those are expected to be delivered through the middle of 2023.

At this point, we don't have nearly enough, so health departments are prioritizing high-risk populations and high-risk behaviors, Ostrosky-Zeichner said.

He explained that there are currently two uses for the vaccine: to get it once a person is exposed to monkeypox, and to get it before exposure as a preventive measure.

For people who are immunocompromised and those who are more likely to get severely ill, there are some treatments used to treat smallpox that also work for monkeypox. One of those is an antiviral medication called tecovirimat, or TPOXX.

Finally, Ostrosky-Zeichner said that people should remain calm right now but that it is important to contain the current outbreak before the virus spreads more widely to the general population.

You're not going to go to the grocery store and get it from touching produce or anything like that, he said. But we are at a very crucial point where we need to contain it and eradicate it within this current group of transmission before it makes the jump into household transmission and community transmission. So no cause for alarm right now, but we do have a small window of opportunity to sort of squash it.
The dives revealed massive shipworm damage. Credit: Scientific diver Christian Howe

While conducting a routine measurement in the Trave river, the Kiel-Holtenau Waterways and Shipping Authority (Wasserstraen- und Schifffahrtsamt/WSA) discovered a ship at a depth of eleven meters. Researchers from Kiel University spent eight months examining the puzzling construction. The result: what they had found was a nearly 400-year-old ship from the Hanseatic period with 150 barrels on boarda unique find in the western Baltic region.

What is left of the ship are wooden beams and large parts of the cargo. They are covered in mussels and must have lain there in the murky water of the Trave river for centuries. "Independent dating of the ship's timbers in three different laboratories revealed that the ship must have been constructed in the mid-17th century," said Dr. Fritz Jurgens of the Institute of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology at Kiel University. "You always hope to make a find like this and suddenly you have one right before your eyes. It is really uniquealso for me personally," continued Jurgens. The archaeologist examined the wreck together with his team and the university's Forschungstauchzentrum (scientific diving center). Researchers from the Hanseatic City of Lubeck and the University of Gottingen also dived with him to inspect the remains of the ship.

The ship as the workhorse of Baltic Sea trade

The Institute of Geosciences at Kiel University was able to identify the cargo as lime. The ship evidently transported quicklime, which was a sought-after building material at that time. "In the Middle Ages and early modern period, limestone was quarried, fired and then extinguished. This was made into mortar," said Jurgens. According to initial findings, the ship must have been on its way from Scandinavia to Lubeck, but never made it. Further investigations are needed to determine why the Hanseatic ship sank. Initial indications suggest that the ship could have run aground on a bend in the Trave river, where it was seriously damaged and therefore sank.

Dr. Fritz Jurgens has reconstructed the sunken ship. Credit: Dr. Fritz Jurgens, Kiel University

Serious risk to parts of the wreck

Based on photos and videos, the researchers produced 3D models and used these to determine the original length of the ship to be 2025 meters. The ship was therefore a medium-sized cargo sailing ship, the workhorse of Baltic Sea trade. "This find is extraordinary for the western Baltic Sea region," said Jurgens. Until now, similar wrecks dating from different centuries have only been found in the eastern Baltic Sea region.

The dives showed that the wreck was at serious risk of erosion and exposed parts were infested with shipworm. If no protective measures are taken, the wreck would be destroyed within a few years and this evidence of the extensive maritime trade of the Hanseatic City of Lubeck would be lost forever. In order to prevent this from happening, the researchers at Kiel University are working together with the City of Lubeck and other institutions to produce a strategy for the further handling and protection of the wreck. They are considering salvaging and then preserving it.

13 dives totalling 464 minutes provided the researchers with enough material for their first extensive report on the sunken ship from the Hanseatic period. Credit: Scientific diver Christian Howe

13 dives totaling 464 minutes

In February 2020, the Kiel-Holtenau Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA) was conducting a routine examination of the navigable channels of the Trave river when they discovered an anomaly in the multibeam echosounder results. Divers then investigated the site in August 2021 to rule out any risk to passing shipping. This is when they discovered the first indications of it being a wreck and notified the Obere Denkmalschutzbehorde (upper historic monument protection authority) of the Hanseatic City of Lubeck. This authority commissioned the Institute of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology at Kiel University to examine the wreck further. In November 2021, the researchers began their work with the support of the Forschungstauchzentrum (scientific diving center) and the Lubeck Port Authority (LPA). A month later, the researchers were joined by scientific diver Christian Howe, who is an experienced underwater photographer and cameraman. 13 dives totaling 464 minutes provided the archaeologists with enough material for their first extensive report.

Explore further Medieval ship found off the west coast of Sweden
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Support for abortion rights in the United States increased following the Supreme Court's June decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a new report.

Moreover, support for abortion increased more in the 13 states with "trigger laws"legislation that was designed to ban or limit abortion access immediately following the rulingthan in other states.

Researchers say this represents a chasm between the high court's decision and public opinion in the United States, where a majority opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and that this may impact the outcomes of the 2022 midterm elections.

In the majority opinion of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the ruling that overturned Roe, Justice Samuel Alito wrote, "Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."

But Alauna Safarpour, a visiting postdoctoral fellow at Northeastern's Network Science Institute and co-author of the report, says that so far, the decision has not had its intended effect.

"There's an inherent disconnect between Justice Alito's opinion suggesting that turning the issue of abortion back over to the states would increase the coherence with public opinion and state policies, and what we actually see, which is that that's not what occurs," she says.

The report was released as part of the COVID States Project, which collects and releases data on COVID-19 trends but has moved to "other interesting societal questions," says David Lazer, a university distinguished professor of political science and computer sciences at Northeastern and a principal investigator on the project. The project is led by a consortium of scholars from Northeastern, Harvard University, Rutgers University and Northwestern University.

In a survey of 24,414 across all 50 states and the District of Columbia before and after the Dobbs decision, researchers asked respondents about their level of support for nine different scenarios involving abortion, ranging from "A women does not want to be pregnant," to "After six weeks of pregnancy," to "Staying pregnant could cause the woman to die." They found that between 1% and 5% of respondents increased their support for abortion, depending on the scenario.

In the 13 states where "trigger laws" went into effect after Roe was overturned, however, this range was 3% to 9%. "Public opinion moved in the opposing direction as public policy," the report states, despite the court's claim in their opinion that "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives," and that the abortion issue would be resolved through voting.

In regard to whether this will affect the outcome of the midterm elections, Lazer says, "this report hints that there might be some shift."

Men, rural residents and respondents with a high school education or less are less likely to vote in the midterms after the Dobbs decision, the report found. Safarpour notes that the latter two groups form a core Republican constituency, and this may indicate that a "win" on the abortion issue demotivates them to vote. In the overall population, there was not a significant change in plans to vote post-Dobbs.

The report found that those who are "very likely" to vote are more likely to support abortion, while support for abortion increased for those who are not "very likely" to vote. There was very little change in party preference before and after the decision.

Respondents also generally supported more of the nine scenarios after the Dobbs decision, suggesting that those who support abortion became more set in their views following the decision.

"If there's a major change such as the Dobbs decision or a state-level policy change, that's going to shift that group of people who are more on the fence towards a certain direction," says Krissy Lunz Trujillo, a postdoctoral fellow at Northeastern's Network Science Institute and co-author of the report.

Abortion is far from being the only political arena where public opinion and the law diverge. Climate change, health care issues and gun control are all examples of this, the team says.

But psychologically, the abortion issue is unique in that Americans have experienced a loss of a liberty through the Dobbs decision. "There's something about the politics of loss, of losing something that you had," Lazer says. "Something was taken away, and I think that may be especially activating politically."

According to Safarpour, it makes sense that the court's decision would inspire people to vote. "[It came] as a surprise, and I think it makes people angry, and we've seen in a lot of the political science literature that anger is very motivating."
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Poll after poll shows Americans' trust in government and one another is historically low. Faith in institutions is abysmal and interpersonal confidence has worsened. Ratings of scientists have now fallen below where they were before the pandemic, according to the Pew Research Center. Confidence in Congress, the Supreme Court, newspapers and the criminal justice system has sunk to its lowest levels in decades, according to Gallup. The majority of Americans rate the nation's moral values as fair or poor.

Many people are feeling cynical, succumbing to a diminished view of humanity.

"Cynicism is the belief that people will exploit one another, and use and abuse one another, because in essence, at their core, people are, we say 'morally bankrupt,' meaning people are just essentially looking out for themselves," says Kathleen Vohs, a psychologist and behavioral economist at the University of Minnesota. "It's this underlying idea about human nature, and for a person who's a hardcore cynic, human nature is selfish."

Ansgar Allen, who explores ancient cynicism and the function of contemporary cynicism in his book "Cynicism," says there are assessments of the state of the world that might be identified as cynical, even if people aren't using the word.

"We might understand cynicism as a loss of faith in politics, for instance, or in society, in particular, the idea that people are driven by self-interest before all else, and that corruptioninstitutional, political, moral, personalis widespread," he says. "Here cynicism can perform a conservative function, as an excuse for inaction, as a reason not to bother to improve things. But it can also perform a disruptive function, tearing down the veil on false promises and conceits."

Modern cynicism, he says, gets a bad rap, but cynicism is a complex concept that has evolved to include multiple meanings and utilities. Experts say certain forms and doses of cynicism can be detrimental, while others may be productive.

Cynicism: A form of 'despair' or a way to 'stir things up'?

The term "cynic" is extremely old, Allen says, dating back to ancient Athens.

"It was not a cultural condition, a social malaise or shared affliction, but a deliberate, bold, and scandalous philosophy, a philosophy that was also a way of life," he says.

The most famous cynic was Diogenes of Sinope, who as Allen wrote in "Cynicism," "was known for his low opinion of his ancient Greek contemporaries, but was committed to changing the conditions by which they lived." The ancient form of cynicism was viewed as a radical and positive action, while the modern form is viewed as a pejorative.

"When we think of cynicism now, it is just another word, like pessimism, that is used to describe the psychological or cultural condition of individuals and societies that have, at times, lost hope and given way to despair, or at least act that way in moments of weakness, operating without scruple or principle," he says.

Allen says it's important to caution against certain types of cynicism, as surrender or as an excuse to manipulate others, while also seeing its potential to "stir things up."

What causes cynicism?

In her research, Vohs identified causes of cynicism, which can include feeling disrespected and as though other people are not acknowledging you as a person. Feeling as though people don't see you as intelligent or competent.

"They may ignore your complaints. They may stifle your voice, your ability, your willingness to be heard," she says.

In her study, "Victims, Perpetrators, or Both? The Vicious Cycle of Disrespect and Cynical Beliefs about Human Nature," Vohs and her co-authors found that cynical people tended to treat other people with disrespect, which then predicted more disrespectful treatment in return, "reinforcing the worldview that caused these negative reactions in the first place."

Vohs says it's also possible that cynicism is driven by constant access to information that wasn't available a half-century ago, including greater information about political actors, which can expose their self-interested behavior.

"I can see why, for example, investigative reporting or social media that shows us what goes on behind the scenes in politics can lead to more cynicism, because it probably does reveal some of the more self-motivated aspects of political movements," she says.

Research has shown that feeling cynical doesn't always permanently alter your worldview. Hugh Stoddard, a professor in the Department of Medicine at Emory University co-authored the paper, "A Scoping Review of Research into the Origins of Cynicism Among Medical Trainees" which looked at the transition among medical students from idealistic to cynical. Cynicism did not destroy students' ideals, only temporarily challenged them.

"Cynicism can take over because they have this idealistic picture of what the world is going to be, and as they get into medical education, they discover it is not ideal, there are compromises, there are ethical dilemmas," he says. "But once they work through those and transition to a professional, the cynicism dissipates because they realize where they do find hope, that they help most of their patients, that the vast majority of their patients are better off because of what they have done for them."

Is cynicism ever healthy?

Vohs says that some cynicism may be useful, because failing to recognize that people are driven by self-interest is naive. But she warns that cynicism in very large doses is "corrosive."

Individuals who are highly cynical have trouble with relationships, with intimacy, even with work, she says. They are not as successful as their less cynical counterparts.

"If you're a cynical person and you distrust other people and society and institutions, then that is really eating away at the underpinnings of what Western society is built on," she says.

But it's also true that many of the most marginalized people in American society, those most likely to feel disrespected, stifled or misheard, are among the most active in trying to usher in a better world. Vohs says they may feel cynical about those mistreating them, while feeling positive about the behaviors of those who share their identity or values.

Allen discourages people from suspending all cynical views.

"I don't think that cynicism is necessarily bad or unproductive, though it can be both," he says. "It is worth staying with our cynicisms a little longer, in order to see what we can discover of the world."

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PFAS are adsorbed into the cell wall of the plant material. When the fungus consumes the plant, it also eats the chemical that was adsorbed. Credit: Susie Dai

A novel bioremediation technology for cleaning up per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, chemical pollutants that threaten human health and ecosystem sustainability, has been developed by Texas A&M AgriLife researchers. The material has potential for commercial application for disposing of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals."

Published July 28 in Nature Communications, the research was a collaboration of Susie Dai, Ph.D., associate professor in the Texas A&M Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, and Joshua Yuan, Ph.D., chair and professor in Washington University in St. Louis Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, formerly with the Texas A&M Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology.

Removing PFAS contamination is a challenge

PFAS are used in many applications such as food wrappers and packaging, dental floss, fire-fighting foam, nonstick cookware, textiles and electronics. These days, PFAS are widely distributed in the environment from manufacturing or from products containing the chemicals, said Dai.

But, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, scientific studies show that, at certain levels, some of these chemicals can be harmful to humans and wildlife. Health effects might include:

Reproductive effects such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women.

Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations or behavioral changes.

Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney and testicular cancers.

Reduced ability of the body's immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response.

Interference with the body's natural hormones.

Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity.

"PFAS do not degrade easily in the environment and are toxic even at trace level concentrations," said Dai. "They must be removed and destroyed to prevent human exposure and negative impacts on the ecosystem.

"PFAS are so stable because they are composed of a chain of carbon and fluorine atoms linked together, and the carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest chemical bonds. They can occur in water at a very low concentration and you have to concentrate them and then destroy them."

The current way to destroy them is to burn them, an expensive multistep process. Commercial products such as active carbon are used as a clean-up material to adsorb the PFAS compounds. The material is then sent to be incinerated.

Sustainable and low-cost alternative

Dai and Yuan developed a technique of using a plant-derived material to adsorb the PFAS and dispose of them with microbial fungi that literally eat the "forever chemicals."

"We produced a sustainable plant material that could be used to concentrate the PFAS chemicals," said Dai.

"The plant's cell wall material serves as a framework to adsorb the PFAS," she said. "Then this material and the adsorbed chemical serve as food for a microbial fungus. The fungus eats it, it's gone, and you don't have the disposal problem. Basically, the fungus is doing the detoxification process."

This is a sustainable treatment system with a powerful potential to remove harmful chemicals to protect human health and the ecosystem in a non-toxic, more cost-effective way, said Dai.

Potential commercial applications

The EPA has established a nationwide program to monitor the frequency and levels of PFAS in public water systems and is considering adding PFAS threshold levels to drinking water standards.

"If threshold levels become part of the drinking water standards, municipal water treatment plants must comply with EPA regulations. Manufacturers will need to monitor these chemicals and remove them when required," said Dai.

The innovative biomass remediation Dai and Yuan have developed could help implement these changes more cost-effectively. The interest in this technology goes beyond drinking water standards.

"We live on a planet where every component interacts," said Dai. "People are concerned not only about the water but also about local crops produced by using that water to feed the animals that are part of the food supply."

Explore further PFAS chemicals do not last forever

More information: Jinghao Li et al, Sustainable environmental remediation via biomimetic multifunctional lignocellulosic nano-framework, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Jinghao Li et al, Sustainable environmental remediation via biomimetic multifunctional lignocellulosic nano-framework,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31881-5
Sorghum growing in a research field on the northeast edge of Lincoln. A Nebraska team recently tested whether the method of delivering soil- and root-dwelling bacteria to sorghum could influence the growth of the cereal grain. Credit: Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing

Soil bacteria may be the microscopic building blocks to greater crop growth and higher yieldswhile knocking down chemical fertilizer usebut University of NebraskaLincoln researchers recently found that more blocks do not always build taller towers.

For more than a million years, plants have co-evolved to closely associate with the billions of bacteria that live in the soil. In this micro-scale community, soil bacteria interact and compete for plant-given nutrients, producing a complex but balanced microbiome that can benefit plant growth. Microbiologists are now capitalizing on this prehistoric relationship by providing crops with ample growth-promoting bacteria.

Despite the decades-long progress toward using soil microbes to promote plant growth, no studies in the public literature have directly compared the multiple methods for introducing live bacteria to plants. A recent Nebraska study discovered that the most effective methods for promoting growth depends on the type of bacteria. Matching method with microbe could benefit agriculture and the environment by increasing crop yields and reducing chemical fertilizer use, respectively.

"We really believe that the nature of microorganisms can do something for agriculture," said Yen Ning Chai, a postdoctoral researcher at Nebraska and lead author of the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology. "We believe that, in the long run, we can slowly replace or supplement fertilizers with the microbes."

As plants stretch their roots deep into the microbe-rich soils, those roots recruit beneficial bacteria by secreting carbon depositsan essential nutrient for bacteria, Chai said. Bacteria flock to these plant-provided carbon resources through the vast, carbon-limited soil. Many bacteria thrive and foster plant growth from the soil layer, called the rhizosphere, that clings to the root. Yet some bacteria can penetrate the inner root, or endosphere, where the space between cells holds even greater carbon reserves.

"It's not really known that well why some bacteria end up outside and some end up inside the root," said Daniel Schachtman, co-author and George Holmes University Professor of agronomy and horticulture at Nebraska. "(Bacteria) may be able to circumvent the plants' defense mechanisms or to fake the plants out to be able to get into the endosphere."

Bacteria have evolved specialized functions to survive challenging conditions. Adaptations of bacteria's protective cell walls have separated bacteria into two general groups: gram-positive and gram-negative, detectable by a staining technique developed by Hans Christian Gram in 1884. Bacterial cell walls contain a rigid layer, called peptidoglycan, that consists of a chain-link fence of sugars and amino acids around the cell, giving it shape and protection. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan, while gram-negative bacteria have a thin layer. The roles that bacteria play in the plant are likely related to the specialized functions they have adapted.

"Just like humans, some bacteria just colonize our skin, while some bacteria colonize the gut," Chai said. "They have different functions; the gut bacteria help to digest food.

"The (bacteria) that live inside the root have more genes related to carbon utilization than the ones in the rhizosphere."

The close association between microbes and plants was discovered around the turn of the 20th century, when specialized bacteria were spotted on the roots of legumesa plant group including beans, peas and lentils. The first agricultural applications of bacteria hit the markets about 80 years later and are widely used in India and South America today. Directly coating seeds with bacteria is the most practical method currently in use. Alternative methods, which include applying bacteria to the soil or to recently sprouted seedlings, require a higher concentration of bacteria that can prove costly and time-consuming.

Microbiologists are now testing those different methods of loading crops with helpful bacteria. While the various approaches to applying bacteria have been implemented and tested separately, Chai, Schachtman and their colleagues compared the application methods using diverse types of bacteria. This allowed them to evaluate these practices more directly than when comparing studies that use a single method and microbe. In addition to monitoring plant growth, the researchers quantified the target bacteria on the plants over time, allowing them to correlate bacterial abundance with plant growth.

In comparing delivery methods, the team used a gram-positive bacterium and a gram-negative bacterium that occupy the rhizosphere, along with a gram-negative bacterium that can live in the endosphere. In some cases, the researchers applied these target bacteria to sorghum seeds or seedlings before planting in bacteria-free soil. In other cases, they applied the microbes directly to sterile soil.

"We originally isolated these bacteria from field-grown sorghum," said Chai. "We are interested in whether these bacteria that were originally associated with sorghum can help sorghum to grow."

Coating a sorghum seed with gram-positive bacteria was the most effective way to promote sorghum growthbetter than coating the seedlings or drenching the soil, the team found. But the plants that received those gram-positive bacteria actually showed the smallest bacterial populations after eight weeks, an interesting result that suggests that more is not always better, Chai said.

Gram-negative bacteria, by contrast, were the better growth promoters when applied using the less-practical applications, especially the coating of sprouted seedlings. However, prolonged seed-coating boosted the numbers of gram-negative bacteria that could inhabit the endosphere.

When the seed-coating methods were taken to the field, leaving the applied bacteria to battle it out with the soil community for a coveted spot in the plant's microbiome, the results were inconclusive. The concentration of the bacteria may have been too low to give the bacteria a competitive advantage over the natural microbial community, Chai said.

"There are a bunch of other bacteria, and also fungi and other micro-organisms," she said. "When you put the seed that was inoculated in the soil, you don't just have the bacteria that you inoculate; you also have other microbes that can compete with the bacteria."

The best method for promoting crop growth, then, seems to follow a familiar adage of research: It depends. The effectiveness of the method varies by the type of bacteria and crop, the team said, and may even depend on the condition of the environment. So far, applying bacteria to crops has been most beneficial under unfavorable crop conditions, such as low water or nutrient availability, where the plant's microbiome can help provide what the soil lacks.

Though there's much left to learn, Schachtman said scientists are building toward an eco-friendly technique for promoting crop growth by getting to the root of the plant's native bacteria. The upside of those efforts, he said, should also extend beyond the environment.

"(Roots) are one of the most important organs on Earth, in that they take up nutrients and minerals from the soil, (transport) them to the edible parts, and we eat them," Schachtman said. "Soils are where we get most of our minerals."

Explore further Novel synthetic polymers could lead to greater crop yields for farmers

More information: Yen Ning Chai et al, Assessment of Bacterial Inoculant Delivery Methods for Cereal Crops, Frontiers in Microbiology (2022). Journal information: Frontiers in Microbiology Yen Ning Chai et al, Assessment of Bacterial Inoculant Delivery Methods for Cereal Crops,(2022). DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.791110
The small crustacean Idotea balthica facilitates male gamete dispersal and fertilization in the red alga Gracilaria gracilis. They use the densely branched, bushy red algae for shelter and feed on microalgae that grow on their surface. Credit:  Wilfried Thomas @Station Biologique de Roscoff, CNRS, SU, Roscoff, France

The crucial role of insects in the pollination of flowering plants is well known, but algal fertilization assisted by marine animals was hitherto deemed non-existent. A team led by a CNRS researcher from the Franco-Chilean Evolutionary Biology and Ecology of Algae research unit at Roscoff Marine Station has discovered that small crustaceans known as idoteas contribute to the reproductive cycle of the red alga Gracilaria gracilis. The scientists' findings are published in Science. They suggest that animal-mediated fertilization is much older than once thought.

Are sea animals involved in the reproductive cycle of algae, like pollinating insects on dry land? Dispersal of the male gametes, or spermatia, of red algae generally relies on water movement, and up until now, scientists did not recognize the role played by animals.

Yet an international team led by Myriam Valero, a CNRS scientist affiliated with the Evolutionary Biology and Ecology of Algae research unit (CNRS / Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile / Sorbonne University / Universidad Austral de Chile) and Roscoff Marine Station (CNRS / Sorbonne University), has revealed that tiny marine creatures called idoteas act as "sea bees" for the red alga Gracilaria gracilis.

This video shows the aquarium containing males (on the left) and females (on the right) of G. gracilis with I. balthica. The isopods of different sizes are foraging on the seaweed. Some of them are difficult to observe as they are firmly gripped onto the algae, and spermatia can thus deposit on the setae of their pereiopods. Credit: IRL 3614, Station Biologique de Roscoff, CNRS, SU, Roscoff, France

Idoteas contribute to the fertilization of G. gracilis as they swim amid these algae. The surfaces of the male algae are dotted with reproductive structures that produce spermatia coated with mucilage, a sticky substance. As an idotea passes by, the spermatia adhere to its cuticle and are then deposited on the thalli of any female alga the crustacean comes into contact with, thus helping G. gracilis reproduction.

But idoteas also stand to benefit in this arrangement. The seaweed gives them room and board: idotea cling to the algae as a protection from strong currents, and they munch on small organisms growing on their thalli. This is an example of a mutualistic interactiona win-win situation for plant and animal alikeand the first time that an interaction of this kind between a seaweed and an animal has been observed.

The complex interactions, and their outcomes, between the seaweed (Gracilaria gracilis), isopods (Idotea balthica) and diatoms. A plus sign (+) indicates a positive effect of one species on another, while a minus sign (-) indicates a negative impact. Credit: Lavaut et al.

Aquarium containing male and female Gracilaria gracilis with (A) and without (B) Idotea balthica Aquarium containing Females of G. gracilis with (D) I. balthica preincubated with male gametophytes, (E) Negative control with females of G. gracilis without I. balthica Credit:  E. Mardones

Spermatia (particles shown in green) are stuck to its cuticle. The close-up shows them clumped on the ends of its legs. Credit:  Sebastien Colin

While these initial findings do not indicate the extent to which animal transport of gametes contributes to algal fertilization relative to the role of water movementpreviously thought to be the sole means of gamete dispersalthey do offer surprising insight into the origin of animal-mediated fertilization of plants. Before this discovery, the latter was assumed to have emerged among terrestrial plants 140 million years ago. Red algae arose over 800 million years ago and their fertilization via animal intermediaries may long predate the origin of pollination on land. Valero's team now aim to focus on several other questions: Do idoteas trigger the release of spermatia? Are they able to distinguish male G. gracilis algae from female individuals? And most importantly, do similar interactions exist between other marine species?

Explore further Ancient lineage of algae found to include five 'cryptic' species

More information: E. Lavaut et al, Pollinators of the sea: A discovery of animal-mediated fertilization in seaweed, Science (2022). www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abo6661 E. Lavaut et al, Pollinators of the sea: A discovery of animal-mediated fertilization in seaweed,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abo6661 Jeff Ollerton et al, Did pollination exist before plants?, Science (2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.add3198. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add3198 Journal information: Science
A flare burns off methane and other hydrocarbons as oil pumpjacks operate in the Permian Basin in Midland, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. Massive amounts of methane are venting into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations across the Permian Basin, new aerial surveys show. The emission endanger U.S. targets for curbing climate change. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

To the naked eye, the Mako Compressor Station outside the dusty West Texas crossroads of Lenorah appears unremarkable, similar to tens of thousands of oil and gas operations scattered throughout the oil-rich Permian Basin.

What's not visible through the chain-link fence is the plume of invisible gas, primarily methane, billowing from the gleaming white storage tanks up into the cloudless blue sky.

The Mako station, owned by a subsidiary of West Texas Gas Inc., was observed releasing an estimated 870 kilograms of methanean extraordinarily potent greenhouse gasinto the atmosphere each hour. That's the equivalent impact on the climate of burning seven tanker trucks full of gasoline every day.

But Mako's outsized emissions aren't illegal, or even regulated. And it was only one of 533 methane "super emitters" detected during a 2021 aerial survey of the Permian conducted by Carbon Mapper, a partnership of university researchers and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The group documented massive amounts of methane venting into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations across the Permian, a 250-mile-wide bone-dry expanse along the Texas-New Mexico border that a billion years ago was the bottom of a shallow sea. Hundreds of those sites were seen spewing the gas over and over again. Ongoing leaks, gushers, going unfixed.

Patches of land housing oil pumpjacks dot the landscape of the Permian Basin in Midland, Texas, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. Carbon Mapper, a partnership of university researchers and NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, documented massive amounts of methane venting into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations across the Permian, a 250-mile-wide bone-dry expanse along the Texas-New Mexico border that a billion years ago was the bottom of a shallow sea. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

"We see the same sites active from year to year. It's not just month to month or season to season," said Riley Duren, a research scientist at the University of Arizona who leads Carbon Mapper.

Carbon Mapper identified the spewing sites only by their GPS coordinates. The Associated Press took the coordinates of the 533 "super-emitting" sites and cross-referenced them with state drilling permits, air quality permits, pipeline maps, land records and other public documents to piece together the corporations most likely responsible.

Just 10 companies owned at least 164 of those sites, according to an AP analysis of Carbon Mapper's data. West Texas Gas owned 11.

The methane released by these companies will be disrupting the climate for decades, contributing to more heat waves, hurricanes, wildfires and floods. There's now nearly three times as much methane in the air than there was before industrial times. The year 2021 saw the worst single increase ever.

Methane's earth-warming power is some 83 times stronger over 20 years than the carbon dioxide that comes from car tailpipes and power plant smokestacks. Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency have largely failed to regulate the invisible gas. That leaves it up to oil and gas producersin some cases the very companies who have been fighting regulationsto cut methane emissions on their own.

A lone plant grows from the dry soil next to a flare burning off methane and other hydrocarbons in the Permian Basin in Pecos, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. The accumulation of carbon dioxide and methane in the blanket of gases encircling the Earth is holding more heat in. And there is now nearly three times as much methane in the air than there was before industrial times. The year 2021 saw the worst single increase ever. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

"Methane is a super pollutant," said Kassie Siegel, director of the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group. "If carbon dioxide is the fossil-fuel broiler of our heating planet, methane is a blowtorch."

PERSISTENT, NOT JUST INTERMITTENT EMISSIONS

Methane emissions are notoriously hard to track because they are intermittent. An old well may be wafting methane one day, but not the next.

But last October, AP journalists visited more than two dozen sites flagged as persistent methane super emitters by Carbon Mapper with a FLIR infrared camera and recorded video of large plumes of hydrocarbon gas containing methane escaping from pipeline compressors, tank batteries, flare stacks and other production infrastructure. The Carbon Mapper data and the AP's camera work show many of the worst emitters are steadily charging the Earth's atmosphere with this extra gas.

In addition to West Texas Gas's Mako site, AP observed a large plume of gas escaping from tanks at a WTG compressor station about 15 miles away in the Sale Ranch oil field. Carbon Mapper estimated that emissions from that site averaged about 410 kilos of methane an hour.

Forehand Kory Mercantel works on Latshaw drilling rig #43 in the Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. The Permian is the top oil and gas producing region in the United States. On any given day, about 500 rigs are drilling new wells within the basin to boost production. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

AP found Targa Resources, a Houston-based natural gas storage, processing and distribution company, was the closest operator to 30 sites that were emitting a combined 3,000 kilograms of methane per hour, with plumes escaping from pipelines, wells, tanks and compressor stations across the company's sprawling Texas footprint.

Targa did not respond to a detailed list of questions from the AP.

Another 21 super-emitting sources were detected at facilities owned by Navitas Midstream, a pipeline company based north of Houston, that has since been sold to Enterprise Products Partners. Equipment belonging to Navitas was estimated to be releasing a combined 3,525 kilos of methane an hour.

WASTING A MARKETABLE PRODUCT

One of the unusual things about this kind of climate pollution is that operators are wasting the very product they are working to extract. Methane gas is not a waste product; it is the target gas that operators drill for, process and sell all over the world.

The Texas state flag flies above workers at Latshaw oil drilling rig #43 in the Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. More than 5,000 new well-drilling permits were issued in the Texas portion of the Permian in 2021, as demand for fossil fuels rebounded after a COVID-era slump in demand. Numbers from the first quarter of 2022 show the industry on pace to eclipse that figure. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

But fracking has unlocked such massive amounts of natural gas from the Permian's shale deposits that the basin's ever-expanding web of pipelines don't have enough capacity to gather and transport it all. As a result, natural gas is still routinely burned off even as billions have been invested into new terminals along the Gulf Coast to ship the glut of American gas to overseas markets.

Still, companies say they're doing better.

Houston-based Enterprise Products, which owns the former Navitas assets, said it was cracking down. "We are in the process of integrating the acquired assets and are committed to ensuring they are operated safely and responsibly," said spokesman Rick Rainey.

He did not answer specific questions about what the company would do to reduce methane emissions.

In a statement, Midland-based West Texas Gas said it routinely conducts its own overflights with gas detection equipment and within the last six months had either "repaired or upgraded" nine of the super emitting sites that AP asked about, including Mako. The company was "actively addressing" another site, though it declined to provide specifics about what improvements were made and when. WTG said it inspected the last site and found no leak.

Motorman Danny Perez, right, and forehand Kory Mercantel, work on Latshaw oil drilling rig #43 in Odessa, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. Most rigs run day and night, with crews of roughnecks rotating in 12-hour shifts. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

"West Texas Gas is deeply committed to environmental stewardship and continuously strengthens company processes and procedures to ensure we operate in a manner that is consistent with that commitment," the statement said.

YEARS OF INACTION

In May 2016, President Barack Obama announced a Climate Action Plan that included new federal rules requiring the oil and gas sector to slash methane emissions by 40% by 2025.

But President Donald Trump, who derided climate change as a Chinese-perpetrated hoax, scrapped those policies before they took effect.

Trump's climate denial and die-hard support for fossil fuels attracted campaign contributions from the industry. It also won him widespread support in the Permian's Republican-dominated cities and towns, where pumping oil and gas is considered both lifeblood and birthright.

Well site supervisor Jason Brown looks out toward the Permian Basin from the control room of Latshaw oil drilling rig #43 in Odessa, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. The constant need for skilled workers drives blue-collar incomes that can easily reach six figures a year, supporting spouses and children who often live hundreds of miles away. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

At Big John's Feedlot, a burger and barbecue hut in Big Spring, the parking lot one day last fall was filled at lunchtime with gas-guzzling American-made pickup trucks. Inside, multiple portraits of John Wayne and a mounted deer wearing a cowboy hat preside over diners eating sauce-slathered beef ribs and krack poppers, a house specialty of cream cheese stuffed peppers wrapped in bacon.

"Can you imagine anyone in here driving an electric car?" asked Brenda Stansel, the owner, who insisted Trump was still the rightful commander in chief. Asked if she believed in climate change, Stansel responded: "I believe in God."

On the first day of his administration, President Joe Biden ordered EPA to write new rules to reduce the oil and gas industry's methane emissions, and Congress reinstated some Obama-era restrictions on methane from new oil and gas facilities. Proposed rules to address emissions from the hundreds of thousands of existing sites are still under review.

Tomas Carbonell, EPA's deputy assistant administrator for stationary sources, told AP that reducing methane emissions is urgent.

"Reducing air emissions from the oil and natural gas sector is a top priority for the administration and for EPA," Carbonell said. Methane, he added, is "helping drive impacts that communities across the country are already seeing every day, including heat waves and wildfires and sea level rise."

Pipes sit in a cotton field waiting to be installed for new oil pipelines in Lenorah, Texas, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. The frenetic search for more gas and oil is happening just as President Biden and world leaders are promising to cut methane emissions across the world. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

AN UNKNOWN QUANTITY

To track the problem, the U.S. government keeps an inventory of methane released into the atmosphere. Those figures are used by policy makers and scientists to help calculate how much the planet will warm in the coming decades.

But AP found the government database often fails to account for the true rate of emissions observed in the Permian.

The EPA requires companies to report to its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program emissions above the equivalent of 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. Only a few dozen sites in the Permian say they exceed that threshold for methane.

AP's analysis, however, found that more than 140 of the super-emitting facilities identified by Carbon Mapper were on track to exceed the reporting limit.

For example, Carbon Mapper estimated that Mako emitted an average 870 kilos of methane per hour over each of the four times it was measured. Over the course of a year, that would be 7.6 times the federal reporting threshold.

In this photo made with an Optical Gas Imaging thermal camera, a plume of heat from a flare burning off methane and other hydrocarbons is detected in the background next to an oil pumpjack as a cow walks through a field in the Permian Basin in Jal, N.M., Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

In 2020, the most recent year that data is available, the West Texas Gas subsidiary that operates Mako reported that methane emissions from all of its boosting and gathering operations combined were just one-twelfth of what Carbon Mapper documented billowing from the Mako site alone.

Other companies also reported methane emissions at levels far lower than what Carbon Mapper's aircraft observed, even when adjusted to take into account overflights where no emissions were recorded.

Devon Energy reported releasing methane equivalent to 42,000 metric tons of CO 2 for a year of operations in the Permian Basin. AP's analysis, using the detected emissions, shows they would likely emit that much in just 46 days.

If Lucid Energy Group's observed emissions continued unabated, the company would surpass what it reported to EPA in just three months.

A spokesperson for Devon said the company is committed to reducing its methane emissions and being transparent about its progress. The company has joined a U.N. partnership for oil and gas companies to report methane.

A cow walks through a field as an oil pumpjack and a flare burning off methane and other hydrocarbons stand in the background in the Permian Basin in Jal, N.M., Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

In a statement to AP, Lucid said it had a "best-in-class" leak detection program and that any emissions at its plants "are typically non-methane." The company also questioned the science behind how Carbon Mapper measured its methane emissions rates, claiming "no camera image can provide an accurate concentration of a pollutant."

The NASA AVIRIS instrument used by Carbon Mapper is not a camera. It is an airborne infrared spectrometer that measures wavelengths in light to detect and quantify the unique chemical fingerprint of methane in the atmosphere. The instrument then measures the mass of the methane in the air and the length of the plume. Carbon Mapper takes into account the wind speed at the site to estimate the hourly emissions rate, averaged over multiple overflights.

This estimation method is well established and common practice with emissions monitoring systems, Duren said, and has been used in multiple prior peer-reviewed studies.

Vaquero Permian Gathering reported emitting methane equivalent to 19,000 metric tons of CO 2 for the company as a whole, yet AP found just a single Vaquero site was spewing methane at a rate of 53,000 tons per year.

A spokesperson for Vaquero said the company did not have any comment.

A crop dusting plane flies over a field next to an oil well in the Permian Basin in Lenorah, Texas, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. Methane emissions are notoriously hard to track because they are intermittent. An old well may be wafting methane one day, but not the next. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Though the Clean Air Act requires companies to accurately report greenhouse gas emissions, the EPA could not provide AP with a single example of a polluter being fined or cited for failing to report, or underreporting.

TEXAS' NON-ENFORCEMENT

If the federal government is behind the curve on how much methane emissions have escalated with the fracking boom, Texas is even more hands off.

Tim Doty retired from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in 2018 because, he said, the agency's leadership had little interest in monitoring, documenting or addressing airborne emissions, not even the toxic chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and benzene that can come from oil and gas operations.

"They don't go look for anything," said Doty, who now works as a private consultant for clients that include environmental groups.

Flares burn off methane and other hydrocarbons at an oil and gas facility in Lenorah, Texas, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. Massive amounts of methane are venting into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations across the Permian Basin, new aerial surveys show. The emission endanger U.S. targets for curbing climate change. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

The Mako site, for example, was built in 2018, and no one from TCEQ has ever visited the site, spokesman Gary Rasp told AP.

Doty, who served as a senior manager for the state's mobile air quality program, said that starting under the administration of then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2000, the agency discouraged staff from enforcing air quality violations against the oil and gas industry.

A champion of the fossil fuels industry, Perry served a record three terms as Texas governor before becoming President Donald Trump's energy secretary. He is now a partner and board member at Energy Transfer, one of the nation's largest oil and gas pipeline companies.

Doty said the Texas environmental agency has cameras capable of detecting air pollutants leaking from oil and gas facilities, but after he and other staff began documenting huge methane plumes about a decade ago they were told to keep the cameras locked away.

"Even though they have 20 infrared cameras, they don't actively take them out in the field," said Doty, who was charged with training staff members to use them. "And the TCEQ still hasn't really recognized methane (as a problem). You can't really openly talk about climate change within that agency."

A resident sits by the pool at the Ocean Front RV Resort in Kermit, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. The oil and gas boom has led to the creation of "man camps," where workers and sometimes their families live in sprawling tracts of temporary housing in the middle of the desert. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

TCEQ's own fiscal year 2021 enforcement report appears to bear out Doty's critiques. Of 5,362 reported "excess emissions events" statewide that year, TCEQ issued no findings in 4,486, or 84% of cases, and asked for corrective action in only 19 cases.

TCEQ has issued upwards of $10 million in annual fines for violations of air, water or waste standards, but the median fineless than $4,000is pocket change for most oil and gas companies.

Enterprise Products, which acquired the Navitas pipelines underlying more than a dozen methane plumes in AP's analysis, was fined $46,000 last year for flares and valve malfunctions at its Texas facilities. The company is valued at more than $50 billion. Targa faced state fines of $100,000 for carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide emissions. Neither company was cited for emitting methane. Both denied the state's allegations and offset their financial penalties by helping school districts purchase new buses.

Across the border in New Mexico, regulators are taking a much different approach.

New regulations enacted last year by the administration of Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham regulates methane not as a greenhouse gas, but as a wasted industrial resource that when released into the atmosphere deprives the state of tax revenue.

Tristan Yperman, 37, holds her son, Grant, 1, in the makeshift yard outside their RV at the Ocean Front RV Resort in Kermit, Texas, Oct. 13, 2021. Ypermans husband is an engineer with a construction contractor widening the highway into Kermit, a sleepy desert crossroads that has seen its population grow with the oil boom. They have been living in their RV theyve named Freya for about a year and move around as his job dictates. Spots in the 291 space RV park go for $780 a month, $1,200 for a small one-room cabin. We never really know where we go next, said Yperman who is expecting their second child in March. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

The new rules require producers to report the amount of gas they produce and track what was lost. Routine flaring and venting are forbidden, and producers have to provide an explanation each time gas is burned off.

TWO OPPOSITE TRENDS

Even as nations seek to lower their carbon footprints, global demand for natural gas continues to grow. This year alone, U.S. gas shipments to Europe have tripled since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

On any given day, about 500 rigs are drilling new wells in the Permian basin to boost production. They tower over the landscape, hulking steel goliaths that seem to spring up as spontaneously as desert flowers after a thunderstorm, moving on to somewhere else after a couple weeks.

Most rigs run day and night, with crews of roughnecks rotating in 12-hour shifts. They often sleep on site in nearby "man camps," rows and rows of bunk house trailers where weekly rents for a room are comparable to big city apartments. The constant need for skilled workers drives blue-collar incomes that can easily reach six figures a year, supporting spouses and children who often live hundreds of miles away.

Cowboy hats hang on a deer head next to a portrait of John Wayne at Big Johns Feed Lot in Big Spring, Texas, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. At the burger and barbecue restaurant the parking lot was filled at lunchtime with gas-guzzling American-made pickup trucks. Can you imagine anyone in here driving an electric car? asked Brenda Stansel, the owner, who insisted Trump was still the rightful commander-in-chief. Asked if she believed in climate change, Stansel responded: I believe in God. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

More than 5,000 new well-drilling permits were issued in the Texas portion of the Permian in 2021. Numbers from the first quarter of 2022 show the industry on pace to eclipse that figure.

Each new well, which takes about two weeks to drill, represents millions in capital investmentcorporate bets that demand for oil and gas will continue for decades to come.

The frenetic search for more gas and oil is happening just as Biden and other world leaders are promising to cut methane emissions across the globe.

Scientists warn that we are in a decisive decade for the Earth's climate, with sharp reductions in greenhouse gas emissions needed immediately to avoid the most catastrophic droughts and superstorms and prevent coastal cities from being swamped by rising seas.

This summer is on pace to be among the hottest on record, with wide swathes of the Earth shattering temperature records and billions of people struggling to cope with weeks-long heat waves. Even in energy-rich Texas, the primary electricity provider had to take emergency conservation measures to keep the state's grid from failing because of soaring demand for air conditioning.

Utility poles line a road through the Permian Basin in Mentone, Texas, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. The Permian, a 250-mile-wide bone-dry expanse along the Texas-New Mexico border, was the bottom of a shallow sea a billion years ago. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Biden said last week the Earth is running out of time, calling the climate crisis a "code red for humanity."

"I will do everything in my power to clean our air and water, protect our people's health, to win the clean energy future," the president said. "Our children and grandchildren are counting on us."

At an international climate summit in November, the United States signed on to a Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. More than 100 countries agreed to the target, though Russia and some other major methane emitters refused.

To meet that deadline, the American oil and gas industry would have to reduce emissions at a rate far beyond anything currently seen.

The industry says it is working toward that goal.

"To be able to capture more methane emissions makes sense from a business perspective," said Frank Macchiarola, the senior vice president of policy, economics and regulatory affairs at the American Petroleum Institute, an industry trade group. "It's the product that we ultimately want to bring to market. And it also obviously makes sense from an environmental standpoint."

A sign warns passing motorists that hitchhikers may be escaping inmates in Midland, Texas, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. Centered around the boomtowns of Midland and Odessa, the Permian Basin is now the top oil and gas producing region in the United States, which in turn is the worlds No. 1 producer. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

A statue of Jesus stands next to graves in a cemetery beside an oil and gas facility in Pecos, Texas, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. Oil was discovered here in 1921, and in the intervening century wildcatters have drilled more than a quarter million wells into the layer cake of shale rock under the desert, many more than a mile deep. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Raylee Bothwell, 8, holds up her Minnie Mouse blanket in the wind while watching her first drive-in movie from the back of her familys pickup truck in Midland, Texas., Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. Centered around the boomtowns of Midland and Odessa, the Permian is now the top oil and gas producing region in the United States, which in turn is the worlds No. 1 producer. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

An oil pumpjack operates under a partial moon in the Permian Basin in Stanton, Texas, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. Massive amounts of methane are venting into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations across the Permian Basin, new aerial surveys show. The emission endanger U.S. targets for curbing climate change. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

But climate scientists and environmentalists warn the industry's incremental efforts are nowhere near enough to avoid dire consequences for humanity.

"Methane is responsible for 25% of today's global warming, and we can't limit future warming to 2 degrees Celsius if we don't drastically cut those emissions," said Ilissa Ocko, a senior climate scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, a group that campaigns for climate action. "We have the tools to cut methane in half and the faster we do that, the better off our climate and communities will be."

Explore further Energy sector methane emissions underreported: report

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A majority of people69%around the world say that climate change is "a somewhat serious threat" or "a very serious threat," according an analysis I published in April 2022 in the journal Climatic Change. The analysis was based on the 2019 Lloyd's Register Foundation World Risk Poll.

Surprisingly, figures released this week from the 2021 Lloyd's Register Foundation World Risk Poll show virtually the same level of concern: 67%. That's notwithstanding that the figures from the latter period were gathered during the pandemic, when concern about climate change would have presumably been much lower.

The worldwide recognition of the threat of climate change signals a shift from 20072008, when there was still worldwide apathy or lack of awareness about climate change.

Americans are also showing increased concerns about climate change. In 2021, a majority of people in every U.S. state reported being concerned about climate change. This was after years of Americans showing little to no concern about climate change, even though climate scientists have been ringing the warning bell since at least the 1950s.

Moreover, a 2021 Pew Research Center poll found that 74% of people in the U.S. were willing to make "some changes" or "a lot of changes" in how they live and work to combat the effects of climate change. Similarly, a majority across 16 other countries in North America, Europe and Asia was willing to do so.

Why are people more concerned than ever before?

Psychologists have identified two main ways in which people learn about new topics: First, through information and, second, through their own experience.

People can get information about climate change through the media and climate reports. But information about climate change can be hard to understand, thanks to complex terms such as "adaptation" and "mitigation." Perhaps it's no surprise that analyses of the World Risk Poll found that people with a college education are more likely to report concerns about climate change.

Experience with severe weather may also inform people's climate change concerns. And it doesn't require a college degree to see that the weather has gotten worse. It is increasingly evident that climate change is happening: Heat waves, wildfires, and floods are becoming more severe and more common in the U.S. and around the world.

Now that most of us are concerned, what do we do about it?

Notwithstanding growing concern about climate change and a willingness to take action, several recent studies in the U.S. and the United Kingdom have suggested that people do not always know how to reduce their climate impact. Below are three recommendations that will make the biggest difference, in terms of reducing your climate impact:

Eat less meat.

Animal agriculture, especially the cattle industry, is a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions. The more meat we consume, the more we contribute to climate change. Giving up meat entirely is the single biggest step most people can take to reduce their carbon footprint. But if you find that difficult, replacing red meat with chicken and foregoing meat when you can also make a big difference.

Use the heater and air conditioner less.

In most homes, electric heating and cooling uses the most energy. Set the thermostat to a lower temperature when heating and wear a sweater instead. Close blinds or curtains during the day and use fans when it's hot, so that you need the air conditioner less. If you can, adding insulation, switching to a programmable thermostat and installing more effective heaters and air conditioners will make an even bigger difference.

Vote climate-focused politicians into office.

While individual action can make a difference, the biggest climate impact is made by companies and governments. Getting those companies and governments to act will require a change in climate policy. When going to the polls, vote for candidates who commit to implementing climate-friendly policies.

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More information: Wandi Bruine de Bruin et al, On the differential correlates of climate change concerns and severe weather concerns: evidence from the World Risk Poll, Climatic Change (2022). Journal information: Climatic Change Wandi Bruine de Bruin et al, On the differential correlates of climate change concerns and severe weather concerns: evidence from the World Risk Poll,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s10584-022-03353-8
Oceanographers say static marine life such as plants and coral will be worst impacted by ocean heatwaves.

An "exceptional" marine heatwave is gripping the western Mediterranean with surface temperatures up to five degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than average, according to experts contacted by AFP.

Although the record-breaking heatwave that baked northern Europe and Britain this month has subsided, the experts said the persistently hotter-than-normal temperatures in the Mediterranean posed a threat to the entire marine ecosystem.

"This huge marine heatwave began in May in the Ligurian sea" between Corsica and Italy, said Karina von Schuckmann, an oceanographer at the non-profit research group Mercator Ocean International.

It then spread to the Gulf of Taranto in the Ionian Sea, she said.

By July, the heatwave had engulfed the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

"The surface temperature anomaly map shows higher than normal values, in the order of +4 to +5C from the east of the Balearic Islands to the east of Corsica," Mercator said in a statement.

While humans might find the warmer water temperatures pleasant in the tourist hotspots of the western Mediterranean, the group warned that "ocean warming impacts the entire ecosystem."

"It is important to be aware of the possible consequences for local fauna and flora, as well as the occurrence of extreme weather events that could result in natural disasters," it said.

Von Schuckmann said that unusually warm temperatures could cause irreversible migration for some species and "mass die-offs" for others.

She noted knock-on effects for industries such as tourism and fishing which rely on favourable water conditions.

According to the UN's climate science body, marine heatwaves have already doubled in frequency globally since 1980.

Die-offs, invasive species

Although the Mediterranean only counts for one percent of Earth's ocean surface area, it contains nearly 20 percent of all known marine species.

A study published this month in the journal Global Change Biology found that the Mediterranean had experienced five consecutive years of mass mortality events between 2015-2019.

France's CNRS research centre has noted that marine heatwaves in 1999, 2003 and 2006 caused mass die-offs for some species, notably the posidonia, a genus of flowering plants.

"We can predict the main impact will be on fixed organisms such as plants or corals," said Charles-Francois Boudouresque, a marine ecologist at Aix-Marseille University.

Some species of fish such as the barracuda could become more abundant in warming northern Mediterranean waters, however.

Boudouresque said some species coming through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea could become problematic "within five to 10 years".

These include the rhopilemaa herbivore jellyfishand the rabbit fish, which Boudouresque described as "extremely greedy".

Already abundant in the eastern Mediterranean, its appearance in western waters would threaten the algae forests that serve as nurseries for myriad varieties of fish.

Rhopilema can also sting swimmers with enough severity to require hospital treatment.

As there is little governments can do once a marine heatwave takes hold, Von Schuckmann said the best course of action is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to warming.

"Even if we stopped emitting today, the oceans, which contain 90 percent of Earth's heat, will continue to warm," she said.

"Since at least 2003 (marine heatwaves) have become more common and in future they will last longer, cover more sea, and be more intense and severe," said Von Schuckmann.

Explore further Mass mortality events linked to marine heatwaves could become the new norm in the Mediterranean Sea

 2022 AFP
Credit: Kaixuan Zheng et al

A permeable reactive barrier, or "PRB," is a wall constructed below ground to clean up contaminated groundwater. The wall is "permeable," which means that contaminated groundwater can flow through the PRB to be treated. The reactive materials that make up the wall either trap harmful contaminants or make them less harmful. The treated groundwater flows out the other side of the wall. PRB has emerged as a promising and sustainable in situ groundwater remediation technology, which has the advantages of low maintenance costs, service longevity, and in situ treatment of a variety of groundwater pollutants (e.g., heavy metals, inorganic and organic pollutants).

An appropriate PRB configuration is critical to the PRB engineering design, which should be selected considering site-specific hydrogeologic conditions and contaminant plume characteristics. The most common PRB configuration is the continuous permeable reactive barrier (C-PRB). This configuration has a simple structure, convenient installation, less disturbance to the natural groundwater flow field, and low sensitivity to the complexity of the groundwater flow field. However, for sites with deep groundwater depth and large plumes, the application of C-PRB is limited due to its high construction and materials cost.

To overcome the shortcomings of the C-PRB, Prof. Hongtao Wang from the Tsinghua University, Dr. Tan Chen from the Minzu University of China and their team members have proposed an innovative and sustainable PRB configuration, namely the passive convergence-permeable reactive barrier (PC-PRB). The PC-PRB is designed to make the plume converge towards the PRB due to the passive hydraulic decompression-convergent flow effect. The corresponding passive groundwater convergence (PC) system is deployed upstream of the PRB system, which consists of passive wells, water pipes, and a buffer layer. This study entitled "Passive convergence-permeable reactive barrier (PC-PRB): an effective configuration to enhance hydraulic performance" is published online in Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering.

In this study, the research team developed a two-dimensional (2D) finite-difference hydrodynamic code, entitled PRB-Flow, to examine the hydraulic performance parameters (i.e., capture width (W) and residence time (t) of PC-PRB. The research team found the horizontal 2D capture width (W h ) and vertical 2D capture depth (W v ) of the PC-PRB remarkably increase compared to that of the continuous reactive barrier (C-PRB). The aforementioned relative growth values in order are greater than 50% and 25% in this case study. Therefore, the PRB geometric dimensions as well as the materials cost required for the same plume treatment lessens. The sensitivity analysis reveals that the dominant factors influencing the hydraulic performance of the PC-PRB are the water pipe length (L p ), PRB length (L PRB ), passive well height (H w ), and PRB height (H PRB ). The discrepancy between the W h of PC-PRB and that of the C-PRB (i.e., W h ) has a low correlation with PRB parameters and mainly depends on L p , which could dramatically simplify the PC-PRB design procedure. Generally, the proposed PC-PRB exhibits an effective PRB configuration to enhance hydraulic performance.

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More information: Kaixuan Zheng et al, Passive convergence-permeable reactive barrier (PC-PRB): An effective configuration to enhance hydraulic performance, Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering (2022). Kaixuan Zheng et al, Passive convergence-permeable reactive barrier (PC-PRB): An effective configuration to enhance hydraulic performance,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s11783-022-1591-y

Provided by Higher Education Press
Graphical representation of the steps in an enzymatic reaction. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The enzymes found in living organisms have impressive catalytic power. Thanks to enzymes, the chemical reactions that sustain life happen millions of times faster than they would occur without them. Enzymes speed up reactions by helping to lower the activation energy needed to start them, but for more than 70 years, how enzymes achieve this has been the subject of intense debate.

Dr. Tor Savidge, professor of pathology and immunology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Microbiome Center, and his colleagues are changing the way to look at this old argument. In their work published in Chemical Science, they investigated the similarities and differences between the two mechanisms currently under debate by characterizing catalytic reactions at a detailed molecular level.

"At present time, two major different reaction mechanisms are proposed to explain enzymatic catalytic power," Savidge said. "One proposes that enzymes lower the reaction's activation energy via stabilization of transition states (TS) and the other that they do it by destabilizing the ground state (GS) of enzymes. The current idea is that these mechanisms are mutually exclusive."

First author Dr. Deliang Chen at Gannan Normal University in China and his colleagues took a theoretical approach, taking into consideration previous findings from the Savidge lab showing that the noncovalent interactions of substrates and enzymes with water are important in terms of the mechanism of the enzymatic reactions.

"In a biological environment you have to consider the waterthat it is going to interfere with the very complex atomic interactions occurring in the enzyme's active site. We need to consider all of them to understand where exactly you need to have electrostatic interactions that are going to favor that enzymatic process," Savidge said. "When you take that into consideration, you can understand how these mechanisms are operating."

Their analyses led the team to propose something new: that TS and GS are not that different after all. They use a similar atomic mechanism to boost the enzymatic reaction forward. The mechanism involves water in altering the charge of important residues within the catalytic site in a way that favors the formation of an energetically favorable state that drives the enzymatic reaction to occur.

"The important, new point here is not how this is achieved but when it is achieved," Savidge said. "We have shown that in stabilization of transition states, the charges that drive the reaction forward are formed before the substrate enters the active site. While in the destabilization ground state this also occurs, but after the substrate enters the active site."

The researchers also proposed that the common mechanism between TS and GS is universal; it can be applied to many enzymatic reactions.

Their findings have important implications not only to help researchers better understand the catalytic power of enzymes, but also for practical drug design applications.

"We use our findings to more deeply explore microbial enzymatic catalysis in different environments and to design artificial enzymes," Savidge said.

Yibao Li, Xun Li, Xiaolin Fan, at Gannan Normal University, and Xuechuan Hong at Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences also contributed to this work.

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More information: Deliang Chen et al, Key difference between transition state stabilization and ground state destabilization: increasing atomic charge densities before or during enzymesubstrate binding, Chemical Science (2022). Journal information: Chemical Science Deliang Chen et al, Key difference between transition state stabilization and ground state destabilization: increasing atomic charge densities before or during enzymesubstrate binding,(2022). DOI: 10.1039/D2SC01994A
Artist impression of ESA's EnVision mission Credit: ESA/VR2Planets/Damia Bouic

ESA's EnVision mission to Venus will perform optical, spectral and radar mapping of Earth's sister planet. But before getting down to work the van-sized spacecraft needs to "aerobrake"lowering its orbit with thousands of passages through the planet's hot, thick atmosphere for up to two years. A unique ESA facility is currently testing candidate spacecraft materials to check they can safely withstand this challenging process of atmospheric surfing.

"EnVision as currently conceived cannot take place without this lengthy phase of aerobraking," explains ESA's EnVision study manager Thomas Voirin.

"The spacecraft will be injected into Venus orbit at a very high altitude, at approximately 250,000 km, then we need to get down to a 500 km altitude polar orbit for science operations. Flying on an Ariane 62, we cannot afford all the extra propellant it would take to lower our orbit. Instead we will slow ourselves down through repeated passes through the upper atmosphere of Venus, coming as low as 130 km from the surface."

EnVision's predecessor spacecraft, Venus Express, performed experimental aerobraking during the final months of its mission in 2014, gathering valuable data on the technique. Aerobraking was used operationally for the first time in 2017 by ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) to lower its orbit around the Red Planet over an 11 month period.

Thomas notes: "Aerobraking around Venus is going to be much more challenging than for TGO. To begin with, the gravity of Venus is about 10 times higher than that of Mars. This means velocities about twice as high as for TGO will be experienced by the spacecraft when passing through the atmosphereand heat is generated as a cube of velocity. Accordingly, EnVision has to target a lower aerobraking regime, resulting in an aerobraking phase twice as long.

Artist impression of ESA's EnVision mission at Venus Credit: ESA/VR2Planets/Damia Bouic

"On top of that, we are also going to be much closer to the Sun, experiencing around double the solar intensity of Earth's, with the thick white clouds of the atmosphere reflecting a lot of sunlight straight back to space, which additionally needs to be taken into account. Then on top of all that, we realized we had to reckon with another factor over the thousands of orbits we envisage, previously only experienced in low Earth orbit: highly-erosive atomic oxygen."

This is a phenomenon that remained unknown during the first decades of the space age. It was only when early Space Shuttle flights returned from low orbit in the early 1980s that engineers received a shock: the spacecraft's thermal blankets had been severely eroded.

The culprit turned out to be highly reactive atomic oxygenindividual atoms of oxygen at the fringes of the atmosphere, the result of standard oxygen molecules of the kind found just above the ground being broken apart by powerful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Today, all missions below about 1,000 km need to be designed to resist atomic oxygen, such as Europe's Earth-watching Copernnicus Sentinels or any hardware built for the International Space Station.

Spectral observations by past Venus orbiters of airglow above the planet confirm that atomic oxygen is widespread at the top of the Venusian atmosphere too, which is more than 90 times thicker than Earth's surrounding air.

Thomas says: "The concentration is quite high, with one pass it doesn't matter so much but over thousands of times it starts to accumulate and ends up with a level of atomic oxygen fluence we have to take account of, equivalent to what we experience in low-Earth orbit, but at higher temperatures."

Samples of candidate materials for different parts of the EnVision spacecraft were subjected to simulated aerobraking conditions including orbital-velocity atomic oxygen and heat flux using ESA's LEOX facility. Credit: ESA

The EnVision team turned to a unique European facility specifically built by ESA to simulate atomic oxygen in orbit. The Low Earth Orbit Facility, LEOX, is part of the Agency's Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory, based at ESA's ESTEC technical center in the Netherlands.

ESA materials engineer Adrian Tighe explains: "LEOX generates atomic oxygen at energy levels that are equivalent to orbital speed. Purified molecular oxygen is injected into a vacuum chamber with a pulsing laser beam focused onto it. This converts the oxygen into a hot plasma whose rapid expansion is channeled along a conical nozzle. It then dissociates to form a highly energetic beam of atomic oxygen.

"To work reliably, the laser timing must stay precise to millisecond scale, and directed to an accuracy measured in thousandths of a millimeter, throughout the four-month duration of this current test campaign.

"This isn't the first time that the facility has been used to simulate an extraterrestrial orbital environmentwe have previously performed atomic oxygen testing on candidate solar array materials for ESA's Juice mission, because telescopic observations suggest atomic oxygen will be found in the atmospheres of Europa and Ganymede. However, for EnVision the heightened temperature during aerobraking poses an additional challenge, so the facility has been adapted to simulate this more extreme Venusian environment."

A range of materials and coatings from different parts of the EnVision spacecraft, including multi-layer insulation, antenna parts and star tracker elements are placed within a plate to be exposed to the purple-glowing LEOX beam. At the same time this plate is being heated to mimic the expected thermal flux, up to 350C.

EnVision candidate materials sample observed by infrared camera. The samples are also heated as they are exposed to atomic oxygen by the LEOX generator to better simulate aerobraking through the atmosphere of Venus. Credit: ESA

Thomas adds: "We want to check that these parts are resistant to being eroded, and also maintain their optical propertiesmeaning they do not degrade or darken, which might have knock-on effects in terms of their thermal behavior, because we have delicate scientific instruments that must maintain a set temperature. We also need to avoid flaking or outgassing, which lead to contamination."

This current test campaign is part of a larger panel looking into EnVision aerobraking, including the use of a Venus climate database developed from previous mission results to estimate the local variability of the planet's atmosphere to set safe margins for the spacecraft.

The results of this test campaign are expected at the end of this year.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Relocating sea otters to places in Northern California and Oregon where they haven't lived for generations, including possibly using helicopter rides to move a few dozen from the Monterey Bay area into San Francisco Bay, is feasible and could help expand populations of the endangered marine mammals.

But there are sensitive economic issues that have to be worked out first, chief among them how it might affect commercial fishermen who catch species like Dungeness crab that sea otters also like to eat.

That was the conclusion this week from a new report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 200-page study, required by Congress, provided momentum to the growing idea among many marine biologists and environmentalists that the best way to help restore endangered sea otters is to spread their numbers out over a wider area across the West Coast.

"If we were to rely on natural range expansion it would be a very, very long time before sea otters were able to regain their historical range," said Michele Zwartjes, co-author of the study and a field supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Oregon.

"We have recommended very small targeted reintroductionsmaybe 100 or 200 sea otters in 30 years, not thousands," she added. "We foresee that any impacts would be very localized for a very long period of time."

Similar relocation efforts have happened with California condors over the past 30 years. Scientists have bred the endangered birds in zoos, then released them in Big Sur, the Grand Canyon and other locations, increasing condors' numbers steadily.

But condors eat dead deer and dead sea lions. Otters eat living animals like Dungeness crab, a $51 million annual commercial fishery in California.

"They really need to think this through," said Mike Conroy, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations in San Francisco. "These ecosystems have evolved without the presence of sea otters for 200 years. If this isn't thought out, it could be disastrous."

A jump in sea otter numbers in southern Alaska in recent decades led to drops in the catch of Dungeness crabs there. In Alaska, there are more than 90,000 otters. Along California's Central coast, there are about 3,000.

The report does not give approval to relocating otters, most of which currently live in California between Santa Cruz and Morro Bay. More study would be needed, Fish and Wildlife Service officials said, to choose the best locations and learn exactly how otters would impact local fishing economies, including crab, clams, abalone and other shellfish.

Some areas that have been considered are San Francisco Bay, the Sonoma Coast and Drake's Estero Lagoon in Marin County.

The idea is to expand otters' genetic diversity and reduce the risk of one big event like an oil spill wiping out a large chunk of the sea otter population by moving small numbers so they can re-establish populations.

Historically there were about 16,000 sea otters along the entire California coast. But they were hunted relentlessly in the late 1700s and early 1800s by Russian, British and American fur traders for their pelts.

Many lived in San Francisco Bay. But by the Gold Rush, they were all but gone. They were feared extinct until the 1930s, when about 50 were discovered in remote Big Sur coves. Protected by the Endangered Species Act in 1977, they began a slow comeback.

Over the last decade, however, sea otters haven't been able to expand north past the Pigeon Point area in San Mateo County because of attacks by great white sharks. Federal laws have protected elephant seals, sea lions and other marine mammals that the sharks eat. Also, climate change has warmed waters, and more juvenile great white sharks have moved north into the area from Southern California.

The goal is to get otters around the shark hot spot so they can re-establish farther up the Northern California coast, researchers say.

"We are seeing more shark bites than we have ever before," said Aimee David, vice president for U.S. and California ocean conservation at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. "They are not the prey of sharks, but as more sharks come north because of changing temperature conditions in the ocean, these sharks mistake otters for prey, bite them and often the bites are fatal."

The aquarium's research has helped show that even though otters are known for living in kelp beds in the ocean, they can also thrive in bays and lagoons. Starting in 2001, aquarium scientists began taking young otters that had been separated from their mothers in the ocean, having captive female otters raise them, then releasing them into Elkhorn Slough in northern Monterey County.

At first there were 20 wild otters there. After releasing 37 "surrogate otters" over 15 years, the population in Elkhorn Slough jumped to between 100 and 150. That could happen in San Francisco Bay.

"San Francisco Bay could support a large number of sea otters, given its size and potential as habitat," said Jessica Fujii, the aquarium's sea otter program manager. "That doesn't mean it is the best location, but it is an area to be considered."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will begin hosting public meetings over the next year in coastal communities in Northern California and Oregon to discuss the issue with residents, Zwartjes said. If suitable locations are found, she said, the service would conduct a detailed economic study and a full environmental study before giving the green light.

"If we were to reintroduce sea otters, where could we do that with the greatest chance of biological success?" she said. "And how could we minimize any impacts on a local level to fisheries?"

Explore further Key to helping southern sea otter is in repopulating estuaries such as San Francisco Bay

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VFTS 243 is a binary system of a large, hot blue star and a black hole orbiting each other, as seen in this animation. Credit: ESO/L.Calcada, CC BY

There is always something new and exciting happening in the field of black hole research.

Albert Einstein first published his book explaining the theory of general relativitywhich postulated black holesin 1922. One hundred years later, astronomers captured actual images of the black hole at the center of the Milky Way. In a recent paper, a team of astronomers describes another exciting new discovery: the first "dormant" black hole observed outside of the galaxy.

I am an astrophysicist who has studied black holes the most dense objects in the universefor nearly two decades. Dormant black holes are black holes that do not emit any detectable light. Thus, they are notoriously difficult to find. This new discovery is exciting because it provides insight into the formation and evolution of black holes. This information is vital for understanding gravitational waves as well as other astronomical events.

What exactly is VFTS 243?

VFTS 243 is a binary system, meaning it is composed of two objects that orbit a common center of mass. The first object is a very hot, blue star with 25 times the mass of the Sun, and the second a black hole nine times more massive than the Sun. VFTS 243 is located in the Tarantula Nebula within the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way located about 163,000 light-years from Earth.

This video begins with a view of the Milky Way and zooms all the way to VFTS 243, which is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

The black hole in VFTS 243 is considered dormant because it is not emitting any detectable radiation. This is in stark contrast to other binary systems in which strong X-rays are detected from the black hole.

The black hole has a diameter of around 33 miles (54 kilometers) and is dwarfed by the energetic star, which is some 200,000 times larger. Both rapidly rotate around a common center of mass. Even with the most powerful telescopes, visually the system appears to be a single blue dot.

Finding dormant black holes

Astronomers suspect there are hundreds of such binary systems with black holes that do not emit X-rays hiding in the Milky Way and the Large Magellanic Cloud. Black holes are most easily visible when they are stripping matter from a companion star, a process known as "feeding".

Feeding produces a disk of gas and dust that surrounds the black hole. When the material in the disk falls inward toward the black hole, friction heats the accretion disk to millions of degrees. These hot disks of matter emit a tremendous amount of X-rays. The first black hole to be detected in this manner is the famed Cygnus X-1 system.

VFTS 243 is a binary system of a large, hot blue star and a black hole orbiting each other, as seen in this animation. Credit: ESO/L.Calcada, CC BY

Astronomers have known for years that VFTS 243 is a binary system, but whether the system is a pair of stars or a dance between a single star and a black hole was unclear. To determine which was true, the team studying the binary used a technique called spectral disentangling. This technique separates the light from VFTS 243 into its constituent wavelengths, which is similar to what happens when white light enters a prism and the different colors are produced.

This analysis revealed that the light from VFTS 243 was from a single source, not two separate stars. With no detectable radiation emanating from the star's companion, the only possible conclusion was that the second body within the binary is a black hole and thus the first dormant black hole found outside of the Milky Way galaxy.

Why is VFTS 243 important?

Most black holes with a mass of less than 100 Suns are formed from the collapse of a massive star. When this happens, often there is a tremendous explosion known as a supernova.

In the VFTS 243 system, the stellar companion and black hole (which are not shown to scale) orbit each other. Notice that there is no accretion disk present. Credit: ESO/L. Calcada, CC BY

The fact that the black hole in VFTS 243 system is in a circular orbit with the star is strong evidence that there was no supernova explosion, which otherwise might have kicked the black hole out of the systemor at the very least disrupted the orbit. Instead, it appears that the progenitor star collapsed directly to form the black hole sans explosion.

The massive star in the VFTS 243 system will live for only another 5 million yearsa blink of an eye in astronomical timescales. The death of the star should result in the formation of another black hole, transforming the VFTS 243 system into a black hole binary.

To date, astronomers have detected nearly 100 events where binary black holes merge and produced ripples in space-time. But how these binary black hole systems form is still unknown, which is why VFTS 243 and similar yet-to-be-discovered systems are so vital to future research. Perhaps nature has a sense of humorfor black holes are the darkest objects in existence and emit no light, yet they illuminate our fundamental understanding of the universe.

More information: Tomer Shenar et al, An X-ray-quiet black hole born with a negligible kick in a massive binary within the Large Magellanic Cloud, Nature Astronomy (2022). Journal information: Nature Astronomy Tomer Shenar et al, An X-ray-quiet black hole born with a negligible kick in a massive binary within the Large Magellanic Cloud,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-022-01730-y

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Mud and silt containing charred material and terrestrial plant matter was deposited on Goleta Beach shortly after the 2018 Montecito debris flow disaster. Credit: H.E. Lowman et al

The catastrophic debris flow that affected Montecito, Calif., in early January, 2018 was the result of a rare confluence of severe events. The Thomas Fire had been raging for weeks in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and an unusually strong winter storm dumped half an inch of rain in five minutes on the newly-charred hills above the suburban enclave. With the tough vegetation that holds the hillsides in place burned off by the fire, tons of water, silt, burnt plant matter and rocks roared down the slopes and engulfed the community below, causing massive damage and the death of 23 residents.

As the community dug itself out of the mud in the aftermath of the disaster, Santa Barbara County's flood control officials were faced with a major problem: what to do with the slurry of silt and other debris that had flooded creeks, clogged catchments and buried homes. One solution: Take it to Goleta Beach for disposal, which they did later that month over the course of several weeks.

"They were trying to work alongside Mother Nature to get the debris material dispersed," recalled Heili Lowman, at the time a graduate student researcher affiliated with the Santa Barbara Coastal Long Term Ecological Research program, under the guidance of UC Santa Barbara ecologist John Melack. Wintertime into spring is the period of the most precipitation in the area, she explained, with waves and storms battering the coast and rains filling creeks that run into the sea, which could enhance dispersal of the material offshore.

For Lowman and her colleagueswho could see the county's progress on Goleta Beach from the Marine Science Institute on campusthe situation lent itself to a study exploring how far the debris from the emergency disposal would actually travel. Would it wash up somewhere else along the coast or would it move out into the open ocean? Would it accumulate in a marine habitat where it might cause ecological impacts? They conducted a study in collaboration with scientists from the University of Florida and the Universite du Quebec a Montreal. The results of their study appear in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

Tracking terrestrial debris

"The high biodiversity of the Santa Barbara coast is due to the rich and productive mosaic of nearshore marine habitats that includes kelp forests, sandy beaches, surf zones, rocky reefs, surf and eelgrass beds and soft benthos, all closely associated in space," said UCSB coastal marine ecologist Jenifer Dugan. "This means that even in a small area of the coast, the impacts of debris disposal could potentially affect multiple marine habitats and their biodiversity. In light of this, increasing our understanding of the fate of this type of material and its disposal is a very important step in conserving these marine habitats and their biodiversity as we respond to climate change and the likelihood of future severe events here and elsewhere."

To get a sense of where the detritus from the debris flow had gone after it was dumped on Goleta Beach, the researchers collected samples from the beach and from Goleta Bay. They also sampled the sea floor in the nearshore zone south of Goleta Slough and along a transect extending westward. In order to determine whether the sediment was from a terrestrial source, such as the debris flow, they looked in particular for charcoal and compounds that indicate burned material and terrestrial plant matter. Using samples collected near the slough, which drains creeks that were not affected by the Thomas Fire, the scientists were able to compare sediments for a clear "charcoal signal" that was the definite sign of the material burned in the fire.

"The good news is that we did find that the debris material appeared to be largely removed from the beach," said Lowman, who is now completing postdoctoral work at the University of Nevada, Reno. "And we really didn't pick it up in the other intertidal sites that we sampled through time.

"Although the debris material was not detected in the shallow core samples on Goleta beach, it may have been buried by the large amounts of sand that moves from west to east along the beaches of the region," Dugan added.

In the nearshore cores, however, the charcoal signal was strong, a sign that the debris hadn't traveled very far from the beach.

"We can say with a high degree of certainty that the charcoal was basically sticking around in the marine sediment," Lowman said. The nearshore zones in the Santa Barbara Channel are also home to diverse kelp forest communities that host fish, crustaceans and the occasional marine mammal and bird. The debris detected in shallower waters showed a fair amount of degradation, thanks to wave action, but some of the material in deeper waters were somewhat fresher. This is what scientists would expect from organic debris that had not been acted upon by microbes and degraded by the normal downstream travel, but rather transported rapidly from the mountains, then scooped up and placed directly into the ocean.

"This implies that a huge influx of organic matter from the terrestrial environment into the marine environment occurred in one big pulse," Lowman said. "We saw evidence of fresh terrestrial material at water depths of around 20 meters."

They did not assess the effects this debris may have had on the nearshore marine environment, Lowman added; this study was mainly to see if and how far the debris traveled.

"Goleta Bay supports eelgrass beds that are highly sensitive to sedimentation and an abundant community of subtidal benthic infauna," Dugan said. "Some of the sandy beaches lining the bay are among the richest known in the world and surfgrass beds can thrive in the rocky parts of the shoreline." The bay historically supported a large kelp forest that stretched from Campus Point to past the Goleta pier. That kelp forest had an unusual growth form that allowed it to flourish on the sandy benthos of the bay, Dugan added.

Given the increasing likelihood of severe weather eventsthe Thomas Fire was then the largest in California's history, but has been dwarfed by seven wildfires sinceit may not be the last time burned organic material from the mountains is transported to the ocean. Knowing the impacts these pulses of organic matter have on the nearshore community is important, according to the researchers.

"This study was to explore whether or not the debris material stuck around, and to motivate additional studies on the impact of this influx of material from the terrestrial environment into the marine environment," Lowman said. "Now that we actually know that it's here, we need to better study its impacts because it's not being dispersed as far as we thought it might be."

Explore further A beachy buffet: Researchers find that beach hoppers can constitute a significant portion of island fox diet

More information: H.E. Lowman et al, Distribution of terrestrial organic material in intertidal and nearshore marine sediment due to debris flow response efforts, Science of The Total Environment (2022). DOI: Journal information: Science of the Total Environment H.E. Lowman et al, Distribution of terrestrial organic material in intertidal and nearshore marine sediment due to debris flow response efforts,(2022). DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156886
 Flash

Europe and the Americas have been affected the most by the monkeypox outbreak, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists on Wednesday.

These two regions have reported 95 percent of the diagnosed cases, he said, warning against stigma and discrimination in monkeypox messaging.

Over 18,000 monkeypox cases have been reported to the WHO from 78 countries. More than 70 percent of these came from the European region and 25 percent from the Americas, he said.

He said that 98 percent of the reported cases have been among men who have sex with men, stressing that stigma and discrimination can be "as dangerous as any virus and can fuel the outbreak."

"As we have seen with COVID-19 misinformation," it can spread rapidly online, he said, "so we call on social media platforms, tech companies and news organizations to work with us to prevent and counter harmful information."

Last Saturday, the WHO officially declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). A PHEIC is the highest level of alert that the United Nations (UN) health body can give.

The WHO has been urging countries to take the monkeypox outbreak seriously by taking the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups. "The best way to do that is to reduce the risk of exposure and make safe choices," he said.

"For men who have sex with men, this includes, for the moment, reducing your number of sexual partners, reconsidering sex with new partners, and exchanging contact details with any new partners to enable follow-up if needed."

Meanwhile, Canada, the European Union and the U.S. have already approved the vaccine called MVA-BN (Modified Vaccinia Ankara - Bavarian Nordic) for use against monkeypox, and two other vaccines are also being assessed. However, due to the lack of data on the effectiveness and dosage of the vaccines, the WHO currently does not recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox. It also urges all countries that are administering such vaccines to collect and share critical data on their effectiveness.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Uncontrolled debris from a Chinese rocket could come crashing back to Earth as soon as Saturday, according to The Aerospace Corporation, a federally-funded space research center that tracks orbital debris reentry.

China launched a new laboratory module called the Wentian for its Tiangong space station from Hainan Island in the South China Sea earlier this week. The rocket carrying the module, the Long March 5B, will make an uncontrolled reentry.

This isn't the first time rocket debris from China's space program has plunged through the atmosphere with an air of suspense.

In May 2021, the world watched with uncertainty as it tried to determine where the remains of a rocket of the same class carrying the initial module for the Tiangong space station would crash.

After days of tense monitoring by scientists and various agencies, including United States Space Command, the rocket reentered the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean.

Now, a replica situation is at hand.

The rocket, China's largest, measures roughly 175 feet and weighs 23 metric tons, according to the Aerospace Corporation. It is much too early to tell exactly where it will fall.

U.S. Space Command said in a statement that last year's rocket reentry location could not be "pinpointed until within hours of its reentry." An agency spokesperson told CNN, it is monitoring space debris from this week's launch.

But experts emphasize the risk to people generally, and to the United States, is extremely low.

"We estimate that basically only 3% of the ground track is over the U.S.," said Lael Woods, a director at The Aerospace Corporation.

Generally, space agencies try to guide the reentry of rockets over a certain size to ensure they land somewhere that poses no threat to people, according Marlon Sorge, director of the Aerospace Corporation's Center for Orbital and Reentry Debris Studies.

If an object has a 1 in 10,000 chance of impacting an area where it could hurt somebody, NASA will try to control its reentry, Sorge told U.S. TODAY.

"It's fundamentally a low-risk thing, but it's way higher than it ought to be. It's 10 times higher than our thresholds," Ted Muelhaupt, a reentry debris expert working with the Aerospace Corporation, told U.S. TODAY on Wednesday.

"But the fact that we're having this conversation; the fact that people are out there tracking it ... watching it ... is an unnecessary thing. Even if nothing happens, people being ready in case something happens has costs."

NASA has rebuked China's space agency in the past for its allowance of uncontrolled reentries.

"It is clear that China is failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris," said NASA administrator Bill Nelson in a statement following the reentry of last year's rocket debris.

Explore further China spacecraft returns amid booster rocket concerns

(c)2022 USA Today

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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Mixed appraisals of Wikipedia are reflected in the article "List of Wikipedia Scandals," which sits below a Wikipedia web address. Scrutiny aside, billions of users routinely flock to the online, anonymously editable encyclopedia knowledge bank for just about everything, but how this unauthoritative source influences our discourse and decisions is hard to trace. Can we measure how living in a Wiki world is playing out in reality?

Researchers from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and Maynooth University, Ireland came up with a friendly stress test: creating new legal Wikipedia articles to examine how they affect the legal decisions of judges.

They set off by developing more than 150 new Wikipedia articles on Irish Supreme Court decisions, written by law students, half of which were randomly chosen to be uploaded where they could be used by judges, clerks, lawyers, and so onthe "treatment" group. The other half were kept offline, and this second group of cases provided the counterfactual basis of what would happen to a case absent a Wikipedia article about it (the "control").

They then looked at two measureswhether the cases were more likely to be cited as precedents by subsequent judicial decisions, and whether the argumentation in court judgments echoed the linguistic content of the new Wikipedia pages.

It turned out the influx of articles tipped the scales: getting a Wikipedia article increased a case's citations by more than 20%. The increase was statistically significant and the effect was particularly strong for cases that supported the argument the citing judge was making in their decision (but not the converse). Unsurprisingly, the increase was bigger for citations by lower courtsthe High Courtand mostly absent for citations by appellate courts the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. The researchers suspect that this is showing that Wikipedia is used more by judges or clerks who have a heavier workload, for whom the convenience of Wikipedia offers a greater attraction.

Their statistical model essentially compared how much citation behavior changed for the treatment group (first difference: before vs after) and how that compared with the change that happened for the control group (second difference: treatment vs. control).

"To our knowledge, this is the first randomized field experiment that investigates the influence of legal sources on judicial behavior. And because randomized experiments are the gold standard for this type of research, we know the effect we are seeing is causation, not just correlation," says MIT researcher Neil Thompson, the lead author of the research. "The fact that we wrote up all these cases, but the only ones that ended up on Wikipedia were those that won the proverbial 'coin flip' allows us to show that Wikipedia is influencing both what judges cite and how they write up their decisions. Our results also highlight an important public policy issue. With a source that is as widely used as Wikipedia, we want to make sure we are building institutions to ensure that the information is of the highest quality. The finding that judges or their staffs are using Wikipedia is a much bigger worry if the information they find there isn't reliable."

Trial by internet

In 2018, Thompson first visited the idea of proving the causal role that Wikipedia plays in shaping knowledge and behavior by looking at how it shapes academic science. It turns out that adding scientific articles, in this case about Chemistry, changed how the topic was discussed in scientific literature, and science articles added as references to Wikipedia received more academic citations as well.

That led Brian McKenzie, an associate professor at Maynooth University, to make a call. "I was working with students to add articles to Wikipedia at the time I read Neil's research on the influence of Wikipedia on scientific research," explains McKenzie. "There were only a handful of Irish Supreme Court cases on Wikipedia so I reached out to Neil to ask if he wanted to design another iteration of his experiment using court cases."

The Irish legal system proved the perfect testbed, as it shares a key similarity with other national legal systems such as the UK and U.S.it operates within a hierarchical court structure where decisions of higher courts subsequently bind lower courts. Also, there are relatively few Wikipedia articles on Irish Supreme Court decisions compared to those of the US Supreme Court over the course of their project, the researchers increased the number of such articles tenfold.

In addition to looking at the case citations made in the decisions, the team also analyzed the language used in the written decision using natural language processing. What they found were the linguistic fingerprints of the Wikipedia articles that they'd created.

So what might this influence look like? Suppose A sues B in federal district court. A argues that B is liable for breach of contract; B acknowledges A's account of the facts but maintains that they gave rise to no contract between them. The assigned judge, conscious of the heavy work already delegated to his clerks, decides to conduct his own research. On reviewing the parties' submissions, the judge forms the preliminary view that a contract has not truly been formed and that he should give judgment for the defendant. To write his official opinion, the judge googles some previous decisions cited in B's brief that seem similar to the case between A and B. On confirming their similarity by reading the relevant case summaries on Wikipedia, the judge paraphrases some of the text of the Wikipedia entries in his draft opinion to complete his analysis. The judge then enters his judgment and publishes his opinion.

"The text of a court's judgment itself will guide the law as it becomes a source of precedent for subsequent judicial decision-making. Future lawyers and judges will look back at that written judgment, and use it to decide what its implications are so that they can treat 'like' cases alike," says coauthor Brian Flanagan. "If the text itself is influenced, as this experiment shows, by anonymously sourced internet content, that's a problem. For the many potential cracks that have opened up in our "Information Superhighway" that is the internet, you can imagine that this vulnerability could potentially lead to adversarial actors manipulating information. If easily accessible analysis of legal questions is already being relied on, it behooves the legal community to accelerate efforts to ensure that such analysis is both comprehensive and expert."

More information: Trial by Internet: A Randomized Field Experiment on Wikipedia's Influence on Judges' Legal Reasoning (July 27, 2022). Cambridge Handbook of Experimental Jurisprudence, editor Kevin Tobia, Cambridge University Press, Available at SSRN: Trial by Internet: A Randomized Field Experiment on Wikipedia's Influence on Judges' Legal Reasoning (July 27, 2022). Cambridge Handbook of Experimental Jurisprudence, editor Kevin Tobia, Cambridge University Press, Available at SSRN: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf  ?abstract_id=4174200

Provided by MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab
LAKE GEORGE  After being blocked from using an aquatic herbicide to remove milfoil, the Lake George Park Commission is back to the traditional way of getting rid of the invasive species  a costly and time-consuming process.

The commission had received approval in April from both the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Adirondack Park Agency for two trial uses of the aquatic herbicide ProcellaCOR EC  despite pushback from the Lake George Association.

However, in June, after a lawsuit was filed by the association, a New York state Supreme Court judge annulled the permits the commission had acquired and allowed for additional studies and research on the herbicide to be conducted.

As a result of the temporary block, the park commission has used traditional techniques such as hand-harvesting to remove the invasive species.

Every summer on the lake since the early 1900s, scuba divers hand-pluck the plant at the root from the lake bottom and it is sucked up through a tube before being disposed of, has been used to combat the spread of milfoil.

Executive Director Dave Wick said the Lake George Park Commission spends upwards of $400,000 for milfoil treatment annually.

We are lucky to receive state grants and funding from the Lake George Association, but this price is not sustainable, Wick told the commission at Tuesdays monthly meeting.

He also explained the company hired by the commission to harvest the plant is having an increasingly challenging time finding divers.

The company hired 15 divers and only three showed up to work the first day. So they began with two boats, but then gained a few more divers and upped it to three boats. Shortly after, those divers quit and they were back to two, Wick said.

Harris Bay

Historically, Harris Bay has one of the highest concentrations of Eurasian milfoil growth. Almost 25,000 pounds of milfoil were removed from that bay alone in 2021.

Harris Bay resident Heidi Taflan expressed her concerns over the plants increased presence.

I have pulled matted, milfoil out of my swimming area every day, she said.

Taflan suggested that the number of boats at the nearby marina or the increase in anchored boats in the bay could be contributing factors.

She inquired about the possibility of a no-anchoring zone in the residential bay or limiting the number.

I appreciate all the work being done. I dont want any of this to be taken as criticism, but I want to know what we can do as residents to get more done, Taflan told the commission.

Chairman Ken Parker told Taflan that she had taken the first step.

This is why we hold a public comment period at the end of our meetings. Youre the kind of folks we need to hear about, Parker said.

Wick offered a future meeting with Taflan and any other interested Harris Bay residents to continue to address address and discuss these issues.

Bill Mason, a member of the commission as well as Harris Bay resident and member of the Queensbury Board of Assessment review, said he would join the meeting to discuss Taflans suggestion of the Harris Bay Marinas taxes being used toward milfoil removal costs.

Commission member Catherine LaBombard said the implementation of the septic inspection and regulation program will also help combat the invasive species.

I think a lot of these faulty systems are releasing extra nutrients into the lake, causing the milfoil to proliferate more, she said.
GLENS FALLS  Stuart Queen took off his cap that indicated he was Forever Proud to have served in the Korean War.

I wear this in memory and in honor of all the people, all the troops I was over there fighting with, Queen, 90, told a group that assembled to officially dissolve the Adirondack Chapter No. 60 of the Korean War Veterans Association at Crandall Park Wednesday morning in Crandall Park.

The chapter announced in June that it would be disbanding due to its aging membership. The organization had five open officer positions and could not find anyone to fill them.

At least 20 of the 100 members died in the last two years, some from COVID-19 and others from old age.

The Korean War was fought between North Korea and South Korea from 1950 to 1953. The war began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea. The fighting ended with an armistice on July 27, 1953.

The Korean War  often referred to as the forgotten war  never officially ended, said Paul OKeefe, commander of the Adirondack Chapter.

South Korea, the country that we all fought for and defended, was the only country involved that refused to sign the armistice, as strange as it seems, said OKeefe, noting that 28,500 American soldiers, airmen and Marines are in South Korea, many stationed on the DMZ.

OKeefe wiped tears from under his eyes as he talked about the organization.

God bless each one of you for attending. God bless our troops who are currently deployed. God bless the innocent people of the Ukraine. God bless South Korea. And God bless the United States of America, the land that I happen to love and my great-grandchildren love also, OKeefe said as he grabbed the hands of his great-grandchildren Blake Bedard, 11, and Raidyn McLean, 8.

State Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, said after the short ceremony that he was happy to see so many Korean War veterans in attendance.

Its sad that this will be their last gathering as theyre getting older, Stec said, but inspiring to see them so healthy.

State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, noted that many of the Korean War veterans have been active members of their communities.

When you talk to these guys, theyre active in their American Legion club or in a VFW hall, and theyre involved in the community in so many ways, Woerner said. This generation really was amazing in so many ways.

Two representatives from the office of U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, also attended the ceremony.

The veterans and their families gathered after the ceremony at the Ambrosia Diner for lunch.

Eugene Slavin served on the destroyer USS John R. Pierce DD-753 when he went to Korea in 1952. One of his first assignments was to bomb the power plants in North Korea.

They sent out over 400 planes and every one come back, Slavin said. The lights in North Korea went out that night.

Slavin started the Adirondack Chapter in 1990 after originally joining a chapter in Troy. Early meetings were held at the VFW in Glens Falls and later moved to Saratoga VFW.

The members marched in parades, attended patriotic ceremonies and held a luncheon meeting once a month. They also visited high schools to talk about the Korean War.

The organization built the Korean War Memorial in Glens Falls, honoring 80 KIA-MIA soldiers from the Korean War.

The Adirondack Chapter chose to stand in front of the memorial on July 27 to officially disband, exactly 69 years after the conflict ended.

I was hoping that we would stay for another year and have the 70th anniversary, but some of us are kind of fading away, Queen said. Like MacArthur said when he got out of the Army there, he said, old soldiers never die, they just fade away. We get older, and we fade away too.
The Washington County Sheriffs Office issued a warning on Wednesday regarding drugs containing fentanyl in the area after seeing an increase in overdoses.

Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said in a news release that the Washington County Sheriffs Office has responded to multiple suspected drug overdose incidents in a 24-hour period.

The incidents include at least one fatal and multiple non-fatal overdoses that may be associated with fentanyl laced drugs. Fentanyl is commonly mixed with heroin and cocaine and greatly increases the potency of the product being used.

Police said preliminary investigations show that the cause of the overdoses was possibly related to products laced with fentanyl.

One of the overdose incidents included the recovery of some mixed product described as a light purple color, according to the news release.

Murphy said officers continue to administer Naloxone as trained, but attempts to reverse the effects of opioids does not work as well on mixed products or products with increased potency.

The Sheriffs Office is urging family, friends and support groups of those in a high-risk category for overdoses to be aware of the possibility of the fentanyl-laced mixtures in the area. If you suspect someone has overdosed, call 911 and administer naloxone, if available.

Police said updates will be issued as any new information becomes available.
MOREAU  An awareness demonstration against Saratoga Biochar Solutions proposed facility is planned for Friday at 4 p.m. on the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Gansevoort Road in Moreau.

The rally is organized by a group called Not Moreau, whose members are opposed to the carbon fertilizer plant.

Not Moreau group member Gina LeClair said the purpose of the gathering is to raise awareness about the proposed plant at the Moreau Industrial Park.

Mary Jenkins and I spoke to about a hundred people yesterday (Wednesday) as we collected signatures on a petition we plan to present to the Moreau Town Board requesting a change, LeClair said.

They were gathered near Lamplighter Acres in Moreau.

We were sad to find that only about 10 of the almost 100 people we spoke to were even aware of that Saratoga Biochar is trying to build in Moreau, she said.

Not Moreau has a Facebook page where they make announcements and post updates on their group.

There are about eight core members in the group, although LeClair said they get between 1,000 and 2,000 views per Facebook post.

The group have placed about 60 signs around Moreau and the surrounding area, but LeClair said that about half of them have been stolen.

The other side

In opposition to these signs, a resident of Moreau made new signs that read Yes Moreau! Learn the Facts. There is a link to Saratoga BioChars website on the sign.

The same resident said in an email: Yes Moreau. Yes to the future; yes to saving the environment; yes for cleaning up landfills; yes to jobs; yes to lower taxes; yes to Saratoga BioChar. AND yes to signs that actually want to educate people and show pride in our town.

The plant would offer an alternative method of disposing waste, as opposed to landfill or incineration.

The resident did not respond for further comments.

The last Moreau Planning Board meeting on July 18 was heated, with members of the Not Moreau group present.

The Planning Board had drafted a resolution for a vote to approve the proposed carbon fertilizer plant, until Planning Board member Ann Purdue read a multi-page statement that put a stop to the vote.

Purdue expressed her concerns about approving the proposed plans at that stage.

This is a first-of-its-kind facility in the state being proposed by a company who has never done this, she said, according to a previous Post-Star article.

We owe it the residents to get more information, she said.

A majority of those in attendance at this meeting erupted into applause in support of Purdues statement.

The board was opted for an additional 45 days to review hundreds of pages of documents.

The proposed plant would process up to 15% of New Yorks biosolids  solid waste from wastewater treatment plants  into carbon fertilizer.

Those who are opposed are concerned that the process the plant uses known as pyrolysis would emit long-lasting chemicals known as PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these chemicals have been found in the environment, and overexposure to them can cause harmful health effects to humans and animals.

According to Saratoga Biochar Solutions website, the plant would utilize state-of-the-art air quality controls to recover solids instead of burning them like an incinerator.
ATLANTIC CITY  During the next several months, the William K. Cheatham Building, the main branch of the Atlantic City Free Public Library on Tennessee Avenue, will receive its first extensive makeover in 37 years.

The buildings first-floor bathrooms will be remodeled. The exterior limestone facade will be cleaned. The concrete stairs and sidewalk will be demolished and replaced. The lighting, signage and railings will be improved. New exterior doors will be installed.

These exterior repairs and upgrades started this month and are expected to be completed this fall.

The building has been there for quite a while, said Libbie Wills, acting president of the librarys Board of Trustees. There is always stuff going on at the library because it is a necessary resource, she said.

Its something that needs to be done. The library needs to be upgraded, Wills said.

Cracks and crevices permeate the sidewalk, and steel bar reinforcements are rusting, Library Director Robert Rynkiewicz said. The librarys limestone has black and green mold, and cannot simply be power washed. It has to be treated chemically, he said.

Carnegie Library lease, illegal ATV use up for Atlantic City Council vote ATLANTIC CITY  City Council will hold public hearings Wednesday on ordinances to lease the 

The library will remain open during construction. There will be a few days when demolition will require closing. Those who want to enter the building must go to the Atlantic County office doors on Atlantic Avenue and inform a security guard that they are going to the library.

The librarys 15-minute parking area will be unavailable. There will be a lane closure on Tennessee Avenue until the project has been completed.

While the 15-minute parking area is closed, patrons will be able to park in the visitors spots in the City Hall lot, or on Atlantic Avenue, or in the New York Avenue parking garage, Rynkiewicz said. Parking is free for the first hour in the garage, he said.

Rynkiewicz said he hopes the project is finished in October.

City Council is asking can the library be an early voting site in the fall, Rynkiewicz said.

The total cost of repairs and upgrades is $448,500, Rynkiewicz said. The library received grant funding from the first round of the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, which is administered by the New Jersey State Library to fund 50% of the project cost.

AtlantiCare's Safe Beginnings program gets new vehicle ATLANTIC CITY  A small group of people gathered Friday morning at AtlantiCare Regional Medi

In 2020, the library staff filled out the application, and the grant was awarded in November, Rynkiewicz said. The New Jersey State Library received 129 applications, and the Atlantic City Free Public Library received one of 38 awards, he said.

We (the library) had a capital improvement plan and money in reserve for the project, Rynkiewicz said about the librarys share of the cost.

Arcari + Iovino Architects, of Little Ferry, Bergen County, drew up the library improvement plans. R. Maxwell Construction Company of Pleasantville, the low bidder, is doing the work.

Rynkiewicz, who has been library director since 2016, said his predecessor, Maureen Sherr Frank, planned to do the improvement project years ago, but it was put aside when four Atlantic City casinos closed in 2014.

The librarys three-year strategic plan also includes the refurbishment or replacement of the air conditioning system with a new control system, Rynkiewicz said.

It is possible the library will apply for more funding during the second round of the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, Rynkiewicz said. If awarded more state money, the librarys Board of Trustees would still have to vote to pay for its share of the costs, he said.

A large amount of the funding for the library comes from city government, which follows an allocation formula, Rynkiewicz said. The library director and the board make a budget and put money in reserve for capital improvement projects, he said.

We are doing a lot. The library has received a lot of grant funding in the last 1 years, Rynkiewicz said.
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP  For the second time this week, a pair of YouTubers led authorities to a man charged with child luring, police said Thursday.

Raymond Effinger Jr., 53, of Hammonton, is charged with second-degree luring after he allegedly solicited himself for sexual activity with the YouTubers, who posed as a 15-year-old boy to help authorities capture suspected child predators, police said.

On Sunday, police, in a similar instance, arrested a Philadelphia man after he invited the duo posing as a 15-year-old girl to his boat at the Graef Boat Yard, on Longport-Somers Point Boulevard, for sex.

Its unclear whether the same YouTubers are responsible for leading police to Effinger.

The incident involving Effinger was first reported about 8 p.m. Sunday, police said.

Effinger allegedly invited the fake teenager to a local hotel for sexual purposes. Once Effinger arrived at the hotel, the YouTubers recorded their encounter with him before he fled in a vehicle, police said.

A warrant was issued for Effingers arrest. Attempts to have Effinger turn himself in failed, but he was later captured with assistance from the Hammonton Police Department.

Effinger was taken to the Atlantic County jail. If convicted, he could spend upward of 10 years in jail and be fined $150,000, police said.
Augustana College and the city of Rock Island are partnering to target and remove lead water pipes.

It's spurred by a new law that targets lead pipes, which are known to be harmful, especially to babies and children.

Enacted in 2021, the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act requires cities to gather an inventory of lead water service lines and develop and implement plans to identify and remove them. It also requires utility- and privately-owned portions of lead service lines to be replaced and for the process to be equitable by prioritizing low-income neighborhoods.

According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's 2018 inventory, the state is estimated to have more than 680,000 lead-based service lines still in operation. In Rock Island, there are over 15,000 active water service lines and about 12,000 precede 1986, when lead service lines were prohibited.

Identifying the lead-based services lines will be tricky, so Augustana might have to seek out sources beyond old city maps.

Kimberly Murphy, the college's advancement of community health and wellness director, said the remaining lead service lines disproportionately impact the most vulnerable neighborhoods, families and children. Murphy said the project will help eliminate social, economic and environmental inequities.

"The Rock Island community gets vital help solving their most pressing challenges at a time of limited and often declining resources," Murphy said.

Students will approach these issues through community-based learning experiences by going out into the community and interacting with various stakeholders and applying their knowledge through a service-learning project.

Mayor Mike Thoms said the city and Augustana have partnered together on a number of projects and they have "great confidence Augustana has the resources to complete" the lead service line project.

Once inventory is completed the city will need to submit applications for funding to the Illinois EPA for the replacement of the lines. The law states that cities will have two years to create a replacement plan and up to 20 years to replace the lead service lines.
 Flash

Turkiye inaugurated the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul on Wednesday to monitor the implementation of the grain shipment from Ukraine, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters.

Located inside the compound of a military university in the city's European side district of Besiktas, the center consists of 20 representatives from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations, five from each party, according to Akar.

This will guarantee the safe passage of vessels from Ukrainian ports through the Black Sea and the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul to global markets, said the minister.

At the command center, the representatives were seated around a large square table. A map on a big screen was showing the details of the Black Sea and the locations of several vessels.

"This center will register and follow the commercial ships that will be included in the initiative. It will technically track the journey of the ships through satellite, internet, and other means of communication," Akar said, speaking of The Black Sea Grain Initiative signed in Istanbul on Friday.

Ships will be inspected by joint inspection teams at locations deemed appropriate upon loading at Ukrainian ports and arrival at ports in Turkiye, according to Akar.

"If there is a need for demining, plans agreed by all parties would be made. However, there is no need at this stage," he added.

Earlier, a source who asked to be identified as "a senior UN official" told Xinhua that the shipments will be inspected to make sure there will be no transportation of weapons.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said he hoped the deal would work, according to media reports.

The press service of the Ukrainian Naval Forces said in a statement on Wednesday that operations have resumed in the Ukrainian Black Sea ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny in line with the grain exports deal signed last week in Turkiye.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday that the deal would allow both Ukraine and Russia to export their products.

"There are products to be exported by Russia as well, and the deal paves the way for it. Likewise, it paves the way for the export of Ukraine's grain, sunflower, and sunflower oil," he said on TV100 broadcaster.

Cavusoglu pointed out that Turkiye would continue to play its constructive role to ensure the plan runs smoothly.

Russia and Ukraine signed respectively the initiative with Turkiye under the UN auspices on Friday, which would allow significant volumes of food and fertilizer exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea.
Iowa agriculture groups are calling on President Joe Biden to lift tariffs on fertilizer products, which the groups say are driving up prices and hurting farmers and consumers.

In a letter last week, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Growers Association and the National Corn Growers Association urged Biden to remove or reduce tariffs on imports of phosphate fertilizers from Morocco.

The U.S. International Trade Commission imposed a 20% tariff, a tax on imports, on phosphate fertilizer from Morocco in 2021 after a request from American producer Mosaic Co., which said it was harmed by government subsidies on Moroccan exports. Now, with skyrocketing prices of fertilizer creating financial concerns for farmers, farm groups want those tariffs removed.

While high commodity prices kept most farmers from going into the red this year, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson said sustained high prices of fertilizer could impact planting decisions and yield volumes in the future.

If we need to make some adjustments because of fertilizer prices, that's going to potentially reduce some production when we're talking about food security issues on a worldwide basis, Johnson said.

Prices for urea, potash, phosphate and other fertilizers reached record highs in the spring planting season because of a combination of factors including high natural gas prices, international shortages and export caps and the war in Ukraine. Prices fell some in June, according to a report from Progressive Farmer.

Johnson said he and other Iowa Farm Bureau members met with Iowas congressional leaders and officials in Bidens administration last week to discuss concerns around input prices. He said the administration had been receptive to the idea.

The meetings that weve had so far, theyve gone quite well, Johnson said. And so time will tell. Were hopeful at this point.

Johnson said hes hoping Biden would lift the tariff in a similar way to tariffs that were paused on solar panels from Southeast Asia last month. In that instance, Biden used national security reasons to lift the tariffs, and farm groups said high input prices could be considered the same way.

Its my opinion, I think it's a widely shared opinion, that food is closer tied to national security than solar panel electrical generation is, Johnson said.

Lance Lillibridge, president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, said the tariffs created an unfair market for farmers and did not keep the price of domestically manufactured fertilizers down.

When you have a company that wants to participate globally in the marketplace  but then asked for tariffs to be applied to imports coming into the United States to protect their market domestically, that's not a fair market, he said.

The request from the groups came about a week after the U.S. International Trade Commission decided not to increase duties on urea ammonium nitrate from Trinidad and Tobago and Russia. Farm groups lobbied against adding those tariffs as well.

The farm groups join a growing list of politicians and groups urging the administration to pause or remove fertilizer tariffs. In mid-July, Iowas U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, both Republicans, and Republican Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Randy Feenstra, signed onto a letter calling on Biden to waive the same imports. Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne joined the same representatives in a similar request in March.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Grassley said hes urged the commerce department to take tariffs off phosphate imports from Morocco, and he also applauded the International Trade Commissions decision not to add duties on imports from Trinidad and Tobago and Russia.

Im very sympathetic to what theyre trying to do, and there are some government policies that are keeping fertilizer prices abnormally high, Grassley said.
Some downtown Rock Island property owners are posing an unusual request: They want to pay more taxes.

The Downtown Rock Island Steering Committee has proposed creating a Special Service Area (SSA) in downtown. These are most commonly known as business improvement districts or self-supporting municipal districts.

Property owners would pay an additional 1.15% tax on their assessed value. The money would then go back into the downtown community.

Talks of creating the SSA go back a few years. The Rock Island Steering Committee was created after the council contracted with the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce in 2021. Most members are property owners who have a goal of finding a sustainable funding model for downtown.

"There are many great assets throughout the downtown business community," said Jack Cullen, director of Downtown Rock Island. "Really, at the end of the day, this program is being presented to make sure property owners have a strong voice and are represented."

However, not all property owners are on board.

Terry Tilka, owner of the Rock Island Brewing Company, told the council on Monday he has spoken to a number of property owners who know nothing about the proposed SSA. He opposes the proposal because of the way it was handled, he said.

"There are so many other problems and issues that have been floating around," he said.

Sarah Zepeda co-owns QC Coffee and Pancake House and several other properties downtown. She told the council she also was not aware of the SSA and how it functions.

Cullen, however, said an SSA is not an uncommon organization. Other municipalities in the Quad-Cities metro area have similar organizations, namely Downtown Bettendorf and Downtown Moline.

It is basically a tool for property owners to fund and govern services above and beyond what the city can provide," he said. "This would be a first for Rock Island."

Brandy VandeWalle, owner of Skeleton Key Art & Antiques, said she initially was not in favor. However, her mind changed once she took a deeper look.

"When I started actually looking at the numbers and what it's going to personally cost me, it was a no-brainer," she said. "I feel like we're going to gain so much more than we're putting into this."

VandeWalle said the initial shock of an additional tax turned her off from the idea. But, after crunching the numbers, the cost would be equivalent to what she would pay for snow removal, and the SSA would cover that.

The Illinois Casualty Company has a 72-year history in Rock Island. CEO Arron Sutherland said he was intrigued by the idea because the "company wants to be part of the community." The proposed SSA would be a public and private partnership that would give property owners more control, he said.

"This takes the members of the community that are most invested and gives them the power to say 'This is how we will accomplish what we want,'" he said.

Sutherland also chairs the Steering Committee. His three main goals are to create a cleaner downtown, have better representation and make safety improvements. This model has worked for other communities, and it will work for Rock Island, he said.

Property owners are taking it on ourselves to say, 'Well invest.' We just want the city to work with us to improve our downtown," he said.

The council is expected to vote on the proposal on Aug. 8. If approved, the SSA would still be a few months away from being established, Cullen said. A public hearing and a second vote on the actual establishment of the committee would need to take place in October.

Cullen said a variety of plans and conversations have been had over the years, but the time to act is now.

"There's a strong proposal in place to set up an organization that would be dedicated to the day-to-day downtown needs and issues with the overarching goal of pumping more resources into the downtown business district," he said, "and creating an atmosphere that enhances the quality of life."
CEDAR RAPIDS  While not a silver bullet, legislation to increase the retirement age for commercial pilots will incrementally help as airlines contend with labor shortages that have caused them to trim flight schedules and drop regional service, Eastern Iowa airport officials say.

Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley joined a group of fellow Republican senators Monday to introduce a bill that would raise the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age to 67 from 65 in a bid to address a pilot shortage that has fueled flight cuts.

Long delays and cancellations have become all too common in airports across the country, including in Iowa, Grassley said in a statement.   By allowing healthy pilots to extend their careers if they choose, our proposal is one step we can take to ensure Iowans have better access to commercial air service, quickly alleviate airport congestion and get Americans to their destinations in a timely manner.

Pilot unions and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have pushed back on the idea of raising the mandatory retirement age over safety concerns. The Air Line Pilots Association, in a news release, said it is strongly opposes the proposed legislation, as there is no reason to change the retirement age and doing so would only increase costs for airlines and introduce unnecessary risks to passengers and crew alike.

Grassley and Eastern Iowa airport officials say pilots would continue to be held to high standards to ensure passenger safety.

Pilots over age 65 would have to maintain a first-class medical certification, which must be renewed every six months under the bill, to demonstrate they are fit to fly. The proposed legislation would not change any other pilot requirements.

Grassley noted that in 2007 the mandatory pilot retirement age was raised from 60 to 65 after medical reports concluded age had an insignificant impact on performance in the cockpit.

With an aging pilot population and heavy use of early retirement packages during the COVID-19 pandemic, one recent study projects North America will be short 12,000 pilots by 2023. Meanwhile, nearly 14,000 licensed pilots in the nation will reach the mandatory retirement age over the next five years and be forced to retire.

Under the proposed legislation, about 5,000 pilots would be able to continue flying over the next two years, The Eastern Iowa Airport Director Marty Lenss said.

Raising the mandatory retirement age by two years certainly is not a silver bullet solution, but it incrementally will help, Lenss said. That prevents additional aircraft from being parked and no longer operating and serving communities.

The Regional Airline Association, which supports the Grassley-backed bill, says the pilot shortage has resulted in approximately 500 aircraft being grounded and air service curtailed to hundreds of communities. The association represents 43 percent of scheduled passenger flights in the United States.

Since 2019, more than 300 U.S. airports  or 71 percent  have lost flights, despite rising passenger demand, according to the association and a coalition of aviation stakeholders.

Nine airports nationwide have lost all scheduled commercial air service.

Most of those communities are small markets, and Dubuque is a prime example, Lenss said.

American Airlines plans to drop service at Dubuque Regional Airport in September, the fourth city the carrier has cut service to amid the ongoing pilot shortage.

American Airlines is the only commercial carrier to fly to Dubuque. Its loss would leave the metropolitan area of about 99,000 people without commercial air service.

Raising the pilot retirement age will provide medically-fit crew the option to continue flying and help fill the shortage, said Dubuque Regional Airport Director Todd Dalsing, who also serves as president of the Iowa Public Airport Association. Without solutions to the pilot shortage problem, regional airports like DBQ and others across the nation will continue to see reductions and loss of service.

Buttigieg told Fox News earlier this month: Im much more interested in raising the bar on things like compensation and job quality than lowering the bar on something like safety.

American Airlines and other carriers, though, have boosted pay for regional pilots and invested money in student pilots to help them through schooling, yet shortages still persist, Lenss said.

Instead, he said whats needed is legislation to ease the financial and time-consuming burden to train prospective pilots.

Lenss said it can cost an average of nearly $250,000 for a pilot to build up the required hours to fly. He said its long past time for the country to rethink its 1,500-hour pilot training rule and open up pathways for federal loan forgiveness programs for flight instruction, similar to that of medical school graduates.

Lenss noted no other country in the world requires incoming pilots to attain a similar number of flight hours.

While Cedar Rapids has been more fortunate than most  expanding to 17 non-stop cities from 15 in 2019  the airport has seen fewer departures. Carriers have replaced smaller regional jets with larger, mainline aircraft, but have fewer frequent flights.

"Three 70-seat aircraft have been replaced for one 170-seat Airbus, Lenss said, for a net reduction in seats and departures, which makes the airport less convenient for travelers.

Air service impacts communities ability to attract and retain workforce and grow jobs, Lenss said. We absolutely have to have the conversation to rectify the pilot shortage issue or theres going to be more communities that face the prospect of the loss of air service  until Congress steps up and makes some hard decisions.
SPRINGFIELD  Standing just feet from one another on Tuesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson, the chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, did their best to portray a unified front.

Were all standing here in unison, standing up for a Democratic convention for Chicago and for the state of Illinois," Pritzker said matter-of-factly as state leaders hosted national party leaders scouting out Chicago as a potential host city for the 2024 party convention.

But that unity only extends so far.

In the race for chair of the state party, to be decided by 34 party insiders in Springfield on Saturday, Pritzker has once again backed an opponent against Kelly. It's the second showdown over party control in about 17 months.

In March 2021, Pritzker put his thumb on the scale for Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris. Kelly ended up winning 52% of the weighted vote in that election, which was held to replace former party chairman Michael Madigan.

This time, with a full four-year term at stake, Pritzker has thrown his weight behind state Rep. Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero, who was just elected the Democratic State Central Committee in June.

In many ways, the fight for control over the state party is a rehash of that first fight to shape the post-Madigan state party.

Pritzker's allies have long suggested that Kelly is not the best fit for the job because, as a federal officeholder, she is barred from raising or controlling soft money used in state and local races.

This, they argue, unnecessarily hurts the party's ability to support candidates up and down the ballot.

"Leader Hernandez has a long history of activism and has guided her caucus with professionalism and tenacity," Pritzker said. "She will be able to alleviate the severe fundraising challenges the party faces with a federal officeholder as chair and will be able to set our state and local candidates up for success in November."

In addition to Pritzker, Hernandez has received the backing of House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, the Illinois AFL-CIO and abortion rights group Personal PAC. They have all cited similar reasoning.

But it's an explanation that did not sit well with Kelly.

"I feel like that is just an excuse that they keep bringing up," Kelly said in an interview with Lee Enterprises on Thursday. "We are raising the money and we're getting money from all types of entities, whether it's low-dollar, whether it's organizations like unions or other entities. We are raising the money and we will have the money to do what we need to do."

Pritzker, in his statement, also said that he has "a tremendous amount of respect for Congresswoman Kelly and value her input and expertise." He added that he hoped she would accept a position as "federal chair" of the party and work alongside the "state chair" Hernandez.

No such position exists. And it is generally believed that the DNC only recognizes one person as party chair. There can be a vice-chair, but that person must be of the opposite sex of the chair, per DNC bylaws.

Asked to comment on Pritzker's statement, Kelly dismissed the co-chair idea, adding that "I don't feel very respected. That's how I feel."

Kelly's allies insist that a workaround separating her from state fundraising has been effective. According to campaign finance reports, the state party had $2.8 million in the bank as of June 30. The party's federal account had $1.4 million.

The state party brought in more than $1.7 million during the last fundraising quarter  though about $1.5 million was from Pritzker and spent on campaign literature ahead of the June 28 primary. The party's federal account raked in $291,000.

The state party has a large postage discount, making it a convenient pass-through for party leaders.

Concerns linger about the party's spending on state and local races heading into November.

Kelly did not elaborate much when asked why she felt the fundraising question was an "excuse" and what she thought was the real reason behind Pritzker backing someone else.

"I guess he wanted someone he picked and I wasn't his pick," Kelly said. "The only thing I could say is (if) people were so concerned about the money, they could donate money."

Though she did not say so, this could be viewed as an implicit dig at Pritzker, a billionaire who spent $172 million on his 2018 campaign and has already poured $125 million into his campaign account this cycle.

Pritzker also gave $24 million to the Democratic Governors Association, which was spent on advertisements knocking Mayor Richard Irvin and boosting state Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, in the Republican primary for governor.

Pritzker allies insist they are taking the long view, noting that the governor will not be in office forever and the party has to have the necessary fundraising infrastructure in place to support itself once he's gone.

Still, Saturday will be yet another test of Pritzker's political clout. It comes as he is being talked about as a possible future candidate for president. It would not be a good look to lose an internal fight for control of the state party.

It also comes as Chicago courts the Democratic National Convention and Illinois seeks to be an early primary state in 2024.

But regardless, Kelly said this "family fight" will not distract from the party's mission in November and desire to play a larger role in national party politics.

"I'm the Democratic Party chair and I'm going to work hard like we have been going through all of this," Kelly said. "We still send good things out about the governor and everybody else. And we will continue to do that because we want to make sure we're electing Democrats up and down the ballot."
A third member of a Davenport-based street gang has pleaded guilty to racketeering and weapons charges in relation to gang activity that led to the shooting death of a man on Feb. 12, 2017, at the Hotel Davenport.

Darion Daquan Gardner, also known as Lil man, 27, a member of the Savage Life Boys, pleaded guilty Monday to charges of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, causing death through use of a firearm, and attempted murder through the use of a firearm.

Gardner is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 29.

As part of the plea agreement the government and Gardner have agreed to a recommended sentence of 450 months, or 37 years, in prison. However, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to a superseding indictment, Gardner is one of five members of the Savage Life Boys facing weapons and racketeering charges.

The others are Najawaun Marcus Quinn, 25, also known as Fat Boy or Fat Boi; Austin Zachary Ruiz, 27, also known as Ace; Dimetri Alexander Smith, 29, also known as Metri; and Olajuwan Hakeem Culbreath, 27, also known as Wan or Bang.

A total of 18 criminal charges were filed against some or all of the men.

According to the indictment filed Jan. 12, the gang maintained authority over territory they claimed, and their profits derived from illegal activity by using intimidation, threats of violence and violence. Victims and witnesses were intimidated through threats of violence. And the gang committed acts of violence against members of rival street gangs, such as Zone Fifth, Black Savage, and other rivals.

The adult members of the gang used juveniles to commit crimes. The members sold drugs such as ecstasy, crack cocaine and marijuana, and committed or planned to commit acts of violence against other drug dealers, including acts of murder.

According to a news release issued Wednesday by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Iowa, on Feb. 12, 2017, gang members went to a concert at the Hotel Davenport. Gardner and several other Savage Life Boys started a fight with a person they believed had disrespected their gang.

Gardner fired several shots. Marques Cotton, 29, of Peoria, was killed, and another man was wounded.

Before the killing of Cotton, Gardner had served 2  years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a charge of fugitive in possession of a firearm. Gardner was arrested on the charge on March 6, 2015, according to U.S. District Court, Davenport, electronic records. He pleaded guilty to the charge on June 30, 2015, and on Nov. 19, 2015, he was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison to be followed by three years on supervised release.

On May 19, 2017, Gardner was arrested on a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty to that charge on Nov. 9, 2017, and on April 5, 2018, he was sentenced to 80 months, or six years and eight months, in federal prison.

While serving his second sentence, federal authorities filed racketeering and weapons charges against Gardner and his fellow gang members.

Quinn and Smith are scheduled to go to trial on the charges on Feb. 6, 2023, in U.S. District Court, Davenport.

Ruiz pleaded guilty Jan. 24 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, two counts of use and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. Ruiz is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 25, in U.S. District Court, Davenport.

Culbreath pleaded guilty May 25 to one count each of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and use and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 13 in U.S. District Court, Davenport.
Three members of Rapid City's Legal and Finance Committee said they are not ready to vote on a public-proposed resolution opposing possible gold exploration near Pactola Reservoir.

The committee voted Wednesday to send discussion and the proposed resolution to the City Council's agenda Monday night.

The U.S. Forest Service issued a decision of "no significant impact" and a preliminary approval earlier in July on F3 Gold's exploration project in the Jenny Gulch area near the Rapid Creek and Pactola watershed.

According to a letter from Kristopher Jensen, vice president of communication for the company, addressed to the mayor and council members, F3's original proposal in 2018 was for diamond core drilling at up to 42 drill sites and access road maintenance, drill pad clearing and reclamation activities.

Jensen said the project was reviewed by the Forest Service for environmental and cultural impacts, including hydrology, botanical resources, fisheries and wildlife, recreation and travel management, public health and safety and more.

The Forest Service identified impact minimization measures to include limiting drilling to a 12-hour shift between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for drilling pads within 500 feet of a residence. The measure would mitigate nighttime noise potential in regard to public health and safety.

In regard to hydrology, the Forest Service found that the water influence zone may be crossed during frozen conditions to access certain sites, but if seasonal conditions show the zone is impassable without causing "considerable damage" to soils, wetlands and other resources, the three drilling pads adjacent to the locations would need to shift to avoid the zone. The use of an alternate drill pad and access road locations would require coordination and authorization from the Forest Service.

The findings also addressed impact minimization measures such as reclaiming each drill pad and temporary overland access upon completion of use, relocating drilling pads and access roads to avoid potential cultural resources conflicts and possibly relocating six drill pads.

In the letter, Jensen said F3 Gold would also mitigate impact by storing fluids used in the project  which includes fuel and oil for vehicles and machinery, water and industry standard drilling additives like bentonite clays and other muds or other natural and/or biodegradable additives  in appropriate and labeled containers or tanks with secondary containment to minimize spill hazards.

"Water would not be extracted from local surface waters; any water used for the drilling would be sourced from an approved municipal or industrial source," the letter states.

After completion of drilling at each hole, the hole would be capped, sealed and plugged to comply with South Dakota's rules. Drill holes must be sealed within 24 to 48 hours of drilling prior to removing the drill rig.

The letter also states all drilling sites would have spill kits to address any fuel or oil spills.

At Wednesday's Legal and Finance meeting, nine people spoke during public comment on the item, including Larry Mann who spoke on behalf of F3 Gold. Mann is the president of Mann Strategies.

He said Wednesday that water will not be sourced from Rapid Creek and could likely be from Lead, and no water would discharged into the Rapid Creek drainage.

"You can't just willy-nilly discharge water," he said.

Mann also said the company has absolutely no interest in drilling underneath Pactola. He said there is nothing there for the company to look at based on their assessment of the geology.

"Keep in mind that the Black Hills have been explored for decades," he said.

Council members Pat Jones, Jason Salamun and Ritchie Nordstrom said they would not be comfortable voting on the proposed resolution, which was not attached to the agenda item until Wednesday morning.

Council member Laura Armstrong said it was attached after the letter from F3 gold was attached Tuesday evening to make it more fair.

The proposed resolution would function as an official opposition to the project. It was submitted to the council by a citizen at its last Monday meeting.

The resolution cites concerns with potential contamination to the Rapid Creek watershed and its connected aquifers as the city's source of water for the opposition to the mining.

Armstrong said the city needs to protect the precious resource that is water.

"I am not against gold mining  my wedding ring is made out of gold, I have an antique watch that is made out of gold, but it did not come from our Rapid City watershed," she said. "I do not want this in my backyard."

Armstrong said the possibility of something leaking into the city's water system with growth and businesses on the way is not smart.

She also said the city getting recognized with the Secretary's Award for Drinking Water Excellence this week for the 19th consecutive year is "spot on."

According to a Wednesday news release, the city provides more than 78,000 customers an average of 10.1 million gallons of water per day from both surface and groundwater produced from local wells. The city's Water Division treats and distributes more than 3.6 billion gallons of water annually.

Seven members of the public who spoke in opposition to the project and in support of the resolution included Cathy Thrash and Alan Anderson with the city's Standing Committee on Sustainability. Anderson said the committee recommends submitting an official statement of opposition due to endangerment to the city's main water supply and possible pollution.

During the meeting, the committee also approved legal counsel to file a lawsuit against Weston Engineering concerning the 2018 Well No. 8 pump replacement project.

According to the agenda item, Weston Engineering was awarded the contract for the project in 2018. The project required the removal and replacement of the well pump and the company did not complete the project. The summary also states the company damaged the well apparatus in the process.

The city estimates the costs to repair the well and to replace the pump exceed the value of the performance bond paid by Weston Engineering's bond company.

With approval Monday, the City Attorney's Office would be able to hire outside counsel to represent the city, and authorize them to file a lawsuit, if necessary. City Attorney Joel Landeen said this would allow the city to potentially collect the difference in cost.
A structure fire at an Edmunds Street four-plex in Sturgis Monday morning left nine residents displaced, highlighting volunteer work from both the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department and local Red Cross volunteers.

The Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call at 2:17 a.m. for a fire that started on the back deck of the structure in the 1100 block of Edmunds Street, according to Sturgis Volunteer Fire Chief Scott Lensegrav. The fire began to burn into the back of the house, Lensegrav said, and up into the ceiling and attic area, before being extinguished around 2:47 a.m.

Nine residents were inside at the time, with one being sent to the hospital with burns to his hands and smoke inhalation, Lensegrav said.

No other injuries were sustained by residents or the fire department. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Sturgis Ambulance also responded.

Red Cross volunteers Holly Bauer and Mona Smith were on site Monday afternoon to assist the residents affected by the fire.

Richard Smith, executive director of the American Red Cross chapter serving central and western South Dakota, said Mondays response was a typical volunteer response.

Could be anytime  day or night, he said.

Bauer and Mona Smith interviewed the residents upon arrival. Of the four units in the four-plex, they assisted a single older woman, a grandmother and her granddaughter and five roommates. The occupant of the fourth unit was not home when the volunteers arrived, Bauer said.

Bauer described the aftermath as smoke damage to two of the units, and "major damage" to the other two.

After interviewing the residents to ensure everyone was all right, Bauer and Smith provided assistance in getting the residents to stores where they could purchase essentials such as clothing and hygiene items. Some of the residents were unable to reenter their units  one came out with no more than house shoes on.

Sometimes people just dont have immediate funds, and they dont realize that, Bauer said. Now I dont have a toothbrush, I dont have a comb  I dont have anything right now.

The Red Cross provides financial assistance, such as debit cards, to help purchase some of those immediate needs.

Bauer has been a volunteer with the Red Cross for seven years, and is also a volunteer on the Whitewood Fire Department Auxiliary. She and Smith, also an auxiliary volunteer, went through all their courses together.

Most of the time, we were already on scene anyway, Bauer said. So we thought, why not just take care of the clients as well.

The experience is humbling, Bauer said, seeing the reactions of the people they're able to help.

When they see you, it's kind of a sigh of relief that looks like about 1,000 pounds just fell off their shoulders, Bauer said.

Bauer and Smith were onsite for about two hours, she said. After the initial assistance from volunteers, the Red Cross provides a case management team that continues to assist and check in with the residents.

Richard Smith said the team will evaluate if there are any mental health or other health issues, such as helping them get prescriptions back and replacing medications that may have been lost in the fire.

The Red Cross also provides a preparedness program where they install free smoke alarms, Smith said. If someone doesnt have one or needs one replaced, we will put those in homes to help save lives, he said.

The Central and Western South Dakota Chapter responded to 114 fires last year, according to Smith. He estimated they respond to a fire every three days. Both he and Bauer reiterated they are always looking for volunteers. Those interested in volunteering with the Red Cross can visit redcross.org.

The American Red Cross serving Central and Western South Dakota supports communities across the counties of Aurora, Bennett, Brule, Buffalo, Butte, Campbell, Charles Mix, Corson, Custer, Dewey, Douglas, Edmunds, Fall River, Faulk, Gregory, Haakon, Hand, Harding, Hughes, Hyde, Jackson, Jerauld, Jones, Lawrence, Lyman, McPherson, Meade, Mellette, Pennington, Perkins, Potter, Stanley, Sully, Todd, Tripp, Walworth and Ziebach, as well as seven sovereign Tribal Nations.
Yankton Press & Dakotan. July 16, 2022.

Editorial: South Dakota Budget Surplus And The Realities

South Dakota finished the most recent fiscal year with a $115 million budget surplus, which has given lawmakers reason to celebrate and self-congratulate.

In fact, Gov. Krisi Noem said in a press release announcing the surplus Monday that South Dakota has the strongest economy in the nation.

So, why doesnt it feel that way?

Even though the state has racked up surpluses since 2012, there always seems to be the storyline that finances are tight, and Pierre doesnt have the money to do a number of things that some people implore it to do.

For instance, our states teacher salaries remain problematic. This issue received a modest boost in 2016 with a voter-approved tax that helped lift South Dakota out of last place nationally in educator pay for the first time since 1985. However, the salaries gradually settled back to the bottom of the rankings. A 6% boost in teacher pay approved this past winter lifted state salaries from 51st in the nation to 48th, according to the Associated School Board of South Dakota. But history suggests it is only a fleeting rise and that, without follow-up action, we shall soon revert back to our norm. Also, we still trail our neighboring states, which means South Dakota is at a perpetual competitive disadvantage when it comes to hiring and maintaining teachers.

South Dakota is one of 12 states that has not expanded Medicaid, which could help more than 42,000 low-income people get insurance coverage. The question has never made it out of the state capitol, so now its being taken to the voters so that they may decide the matter.

South Dakota still taxes food/groceries. An effort to take the 4.5% tax off food made it out of the South Dakota House this winter but was killed in the Senate. A repeal would give a boost to lower income families, who are hit the hardest by this regressive tax..

This state is also, according to a pair of surveys in recent years, the national leader in states where people work at least two jobs. As recently as 2017, it was reported that 9.5% of South Dakotans hold two jobs, which was twice the national average.

Also, South Dakota is home to six of the 50 counties and/or parishes in the U.S. with the lowest per-capita personal income, and the state remains among the national leaders in infant mortality rate.

And yet, we congratulate ourselves on this $115 million surplus. That influx raises the states budget reserves to $422.6 million, which is equal to 20.5% of the 2023 fiscal year general fund budget.

But next winter, were sure to hear again about tight budgeting and an uncertain economic outlook making it difficult to invest in ideas such as raising aid for public schools, funding statewide pre-kindergarten, bolstering long-term care facilities and more.

This isnt to say the state should go on a spending frenzy and drain its reserves. That would be reckless.

But nothing in this situation is particularly new. As mentioned above, South Dakota has been running budget surpluses for a decade, and the educational, social and health issues have been around for years and years.

So, as we pat ourselves on the back for our budget surpluses (which have been fueled recently by federal COVID relief funding) and our financial acumen, we need to also bear in mind that prosperity is about more than whats on a balance sheet. Its also about how much good it can do for the people. Otherwise, celebrating surpluses feels disconnected with the realities on the ground.

END
The Days of 76 Rodeo has as its motto Best Rodeo. No Bull," a slogan that might be a bit over the top were it not for the fact that the event has walked the walk having been selected as the PRCA Rodeo of the Year 19 times during its 99-year run.

Award-winning performances, the historic Deadwood locale and a daily cavalcade of professional rodeos biggest stars are being featured once more with the 100th edition of the annual late July rodeo classic in the midst of a seven-day run that concludes on Saturday.

Full-event Days of 76 rodeo action took place on Wednesday night with the PRCA first performance, and while the field was loaded with world champions and a host of National Finals Rodeo qualifiers, all eyes were perhaps on 18-year-old Rocker Steiner, a bareback riding phenom out of Weatherford, Texas who came into Deadwood fresh off a huge win in the $50,000 Showdown round at the prestigious Calgary Stampede.

I just kind of want to show everybody how good I am, Steiner said. I have a lot to prove and thats what runs through my mind. It makes me ride a lot better. The more people that there are the more people I want to show something. I guess the big stages I strive better.

Steiner didnt disappoint as he rode Burch Rodeos Little Rocket for 85 points to share the top spot on the leaderboard with Altamont, Utahs Dean Thompson, who paired up aboard Tequila Time, another Burch Rodeo standout.

In a talented group of saddle bronc riders, featuring two world champions and a handful of National Finals Qualifiers, a couple of Canadian saddle bronc riders shared the top spot on Wednesday night. Two-time world champion Zeke Thurston (Big Valley, Alberta) and Jake Watson, a two-time NFR qualifier, spurred their dance partners to 83-point rides.

Thurston, who did his college rodeoing in Sheridan, Wyoming, is coming off a round win at the Calgary Stampede and event wins in Cody, Wyoming and Reno, Nevada.

Bull riders had a good night as well with three eight-second rides recorded, and, most importantly, all participants coming out health and hale. Dalton Potter out of Waxahachie, Texas had the best score of the day with an 84.5-point ride aboard Bar T Rodeos Tucker Brown.

The tough luck award of the day had to go to Connor Murnion, who was out in two events on Wednesday. After posting a 72-point saddle bronc ride, the Jordan, Montana cowboy followed up by competing in bull riding, and came with a gasp of covering the required eight-second ride only to be ejected at the 7.98-second mark.

The timed event end of the arena had a number of quality efforts on Wednesday night.

Shad Mayfield, a 21-year-old tie-down roper out of Clovis, New Mexico and the 2020 PRCA world champion, looped and trussed his calf in a very quick 7.5-seconds to grab the lead in the second go round. Another Texas man, Chet Weitz, won the first round in tie-down roping on Wednesday morning with an 8.5-seconds run.

In team roping, Shay Carrol and Evan Arnold, a Stephenville, Texas duo grabbed the lead in the second go round with a four-second effort, and later in the round, Oklahoma team ropers Jake Clay and Billie Saebens headed and heeled in 4.6-seconds, a time that coupled with a 4.5-second run in the slack, earned the pair a share of the lead in the average (9.1 on two head).

The first round win came in Tuesdays slack as a couple of Texas men, Tanner Tomlinson and Patrick Smith, cashed with a 4.2-second runs.

And barrel racers were equally impressive, completely re-arranging the leaderboard with five spins through the cloverleaf moving atop the leaderboard. The quickest of the quintet, a 17.52-second run by Stephanie Fryar of Waco, Texas.

Steer wrestling competitors were unable to make a significant mark on the leaderboard, with the top performances in the rodeo thus far coming out of the morning slacks.

Nick Guy (Sparta, Wisconsin), a former National American University in Rapid City rodeo competitor, won the first go round of steer wrestling on Tuesday morning with a 3.8-second head catch and tip. Tyler Waguespack (Gonzales, Louisiana), a three-time PRCA world champion, posted the leading time in the second round on Wednesday (3.1-seconds). Oklahoma bulldogger, Tyler Pearson, just off a big win at Rodeo Salinas in California, is the current leader in the average (eight seconds on two head).

And in steer roping, an event that kicked off the rodeo with a Sunday slack, John Bland (Turkey, Texas) cashed the largest check, winning the average (35.9 seconds on three head) while Thomas Smith (Barnsdall, Oklahoma, 10.8 seconds), Chris Glover (Keenesburg, Colorado, 10.6 seconds) and Landon McClaugherty (Tilden, Texas, 9.9 seconds) won rounds.

The 100th annual Days of 76 Rodeo continues on Thursday with an 8 a.m. timed event slack, followed by the second performance at 7 p.m.
Concrete manufacturer Unilock will establish a manufacturing campus in Hanover County, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced on Thursday.

The Toronto-based company will spend $55.6 million to establish up to four new production facilities at 17000-17500 Washington Highway in Doswell, according to a state news release.

The project will create 50 new jobs.

Youngkin signed off on a $340,000 grant from the Commonwealths Development Opportunity Fund, a deal-closing fund used at the governors discretion to land company locations or expansions in Virginia, for the project. The fund is intended to offset or reimburse costs such as site acquisition, utility extension or training.

Virginia competed against Georgia and Maryland for the Unilock project.

When international manufacturers like Unilock choose Virginia, it reinforces our competitive advantages like access to key markets, sophisticated infrastructure, and a high-quality workforce, Youngkin said in a statement. The Commonwealths advanced manufacturing sector continues to play a significant role in our economic vitality, and we are honored to add this impressive company to the roster as it establishes a new campus in Hanover County.

The Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides funding to companies creating new jobs, will provide services and funding for Unilocks employee training.

I can think of no better way to kick off the next 50 years for Unilock than planting our flag in Doswell, Virginia, said Unilock General Manager Brian Kallmeyer in a statement. The Mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets are key to our continued growth as a company and finding the right location was critical. Thankfully, Doswell checks all the boxes. Our experience with both the county and state officials has been remarkable both in professionalism and cordiality. We look forward to a long relationship as a great business and contributor to the community.
 Flash

Japan's new daily COVID-19 cases hit a new record Wednesday, topping the 209,000-mark for the first time as the highly transmissible BA.5 Omicron subvariant continues to run rampant.

The latest nationwide tally of new daily infections compares to the previous record of around 201,000 COVID-19 cases reached last week as the government grapples to deal with the country's seventh wave of infections.

According to local government and the health ministry's figures, more than half of Japan's 47 prefectures reported record numbers of new daily COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, as the country's health system is feeling the strain.

The rapid surge in cases is crippling emergency transport services in the capital, Japan's public broadcaster NHK said, as Tokyo on Wednesday logged 29,036 new daily cases, which marks an almost 40 percent increase from a week earlier.

Officials said emergency crews are struggling to find free hospital beds and in the past week, it took more than five hours to find beds for over 80 patients. This comes as they try to respond to an increasing number of heatstroke patients, said NHK.

"New infections have been continuously increasing at a rapid pace to its highest ever level across Japan," Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Shigeyuki Goto told a meeting of the ministry's advisory panel of experts.

The government however has maintained its stance that another round of emergency restrictions are not needed.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that the government's resources are focused on bolstering the medical system and expanding the eligibility of fourth vaccines, while keeping social and economic activities running.

In the western prefecture of Osaka, however, its alert was raised to the highest of three for the first time in about three months and elderly people were urged to refrain from making nonessential trips outdoors.

Elderly people are still more at risk of developing severe symptoms if they contract the virus.
Correction: This story has been updated to clarify that retail sales for recreational cannabis use are illegal in Virginia, not recreational use itself.

The first cannabis dispensary in Chesterfield County could open as early as November, marking the latest expansion to Green Leaf Medical of Virginias growing network in the Richmond region.

Only patients with written certification from a registered practitioner for medical cannabis  and government-issued identification  can purchase Green Leaf products since buying marijuana for recreational use remains illegal statewide.

Located across the street from Chesterfield Towne Center at 11601 Midlothian Turnpike, the 2,200 square-foot space is Green Leafs fifth planned location of six that the Virginia Board of Pharmacy has permitted the medical cannabis provider to acquire.

Stoney stands by not releasing alleged July Fourth shooting plot documents Mayor Levar Stoney on Wednesday said hes following state code by not releasing certain internal city documents related to a mass shooting plo

One is its home base in Manchester, which houses 82,000 square feet of Green Leafs manufacturing operations and home delivery services. The storefront saw more than 2,000 people come through its doors during opening week in late 2020.

Another is stationed in Short Pump. A third is slated to open Oct. 1 in the former Need Supply Co. space in Carytown. The fourth will take over an old Burger King in Colonial Heights off I-95.

We sought out locations that would provide the best access to our existing patients and what we believe would be our patients in the future. Those that have not yet registered, said Phil Goldberg, Green Leafs co-founder and CEO. We wanted to be positioned in areas that were easy to access.

Green Leafs final location is to be determined, Goldberg said, but places near Montrose or like Scotts Addition and Ashland have been considered.

He acknowledged that the process of acquiring a retail location for medical cannabis has improved in the eight years since Green Leaf has been up and running.

Landlords have to approve the use of the space and sometimes, even if they do, the mortgage document could say it prohibits leasing to a medical cannabis company, Goldberg said. Local zoning ordinances can also make it difficult to operate, an issue Green Leaf has experienced in Maryland where  like in Virginia  cannabis is legal only for medical use.

Back in March, House Republicans faced criticism from Democratic leaders after killing legislation that would have revved up legal sale of recreational marijuana.

Richmond man who served 23 years for drug trafficking gets 3 more for gun he bought on the street A Richmond man who was released in 2019 after serving 23 years for a federal drug trafficking conspiracy was sentenced Wednesday to nearly thr

At the time, House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, chided Democrats for leaving behind a great big mess when they couldnt come to an agreement on how to structure the legal market in 2021  when Democrats controlled the House, the Senate and the Governors office.

A recent change, however, went into effect on July 1 with HB 933, which removed the requirement for patients to register with the Board of Pharmacy.

Goldberg expects more shifts could be underway the more people are educated about medical cannabis, and said Green Leaf has invited pastors, police officers, firefighters and community members to explore its facilities.

Thats one common thread that runs through all of the tours is Wow, I wasnt expecting this, Goldberg said. I wasnt expecting everyone to be in scrubs and hairnets and gloves and booties. I wasnt expecting all these protocols for safety for the plants and for the employees. So I think that were slowly changing minds over time.
Henrico County-based tobacco giant Altrias $13 billion investment in the troubled vaping company Juul is now worth less than 5% of its original value as U.S. regulators move to ban its e-cigarettes.

Altria slashed the value of its Juul investment by more than $1.2 billion Thursday, pegging its new value at $450 million as it reported second-quarter earnings. The Marlboro maker had recently valued its stake in the company at a vastly reduced $1.6 billion.

Despite the losses, Altria said it would maintain its investment deal with Juul, including an agreement not to market or invest in competing vaping products.

At this point in the process, weve chosen not to make any different decisions, Altria CEO Billy Gifford told industry analysts on a call. We think the right decision currently is to stay under the non-compete.

Altria is Juuls largest investor with a 35% stake. Altria executives signed the $12.8 billion pact in 2018, betting that Juuls popular vaping devices presented a lucrative alternate to tobacco products.

Last month, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced plans to ban the small cartridge-based e-cigarettes, saying Juul had failed to provide key information about potentially harmful chemicals in its nicotine formula. The decision surprised industry observers and experts given that the FDA has authorized several competing e-cigarettes and Juul spent years gathering data to support its application.

In yet another twist to the companys fortunes, the FDA reopened its review of Juuls application this month after a federal court blocked the ban from immediately taking effect. For now, Juul is able to continue selling its products while the FDA review continues.

The Juul decision is part of a sweeping FDA review of all U.S. e-cigarettes aimed at eliminating those that havent been shown to help smokers reduce or quit smoking.

Juul rocketed to the top of the U.S. vaping market five years ago on the popularity of flavors including mango, mint and creme brulee. But the companys rise was fueled by underage use among teenagers who became hooked on Juuls high-nicotine pods.

Since 2019, the company has been in retreat: halting all U.S. advertising, discontinuing most of its flavors and rebranding itself as a product for older smokers looking to switch from traditional cigarettes.

The financial hit to Juul contributed to a nearly 60% drop in Altrias quarterly earnings of 49 cents per share.

Excluding Juul and other one-time expenses, the companys adjusted earnings were $1.26 per share, just ahead of Wall Street estimates. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research expected earnings of $1.25 per share.

A cannabis dispensary is planned in Midlothian. Here's where. The first cannabis dispensary in Chesterfield County could open as early as November, marking the latest expansion to Green Leaf Medical of Virginias growing network in the Richmond region.

Net revenue slid nearly 6% to $6.5 billion due to lower sales of cigarettes and other core products. The company brands include Parliament and Marlboro cigarettes, Black and Mild cigars and Skoal chewing tobacco.

Altria, the nations largest cigarette maker, has been attempting to diversify its product offerings into vaping and nicotine pouches as traditional tobacco use continues to fade.
My very first experience with brown spirits was a most unforgiving handshake, Shelley Sackier, author of Make It a Double, said in her memoir of working in the whisky industry for the past 25 years.

Today, Sackier is an expert in brown spirits and works at Reservoir Distillery, located in Richmonds Scotts Addition neighborhood, as the director of education.

But when she first tried whisky at a distillery in Scotland, it made her so nauseated, she almost threw up.

It all started from there, and I came close to never tasting whisky again, Sackier said in an interview. Now, its obviously what I write about, what I teach about, what I make, and its my whole life.

What changed Sackiers mind was the guidance of a barkeep in a pub outside of Edinburgh, Scotland. After the poor experience at the distillery earlier that day, Sackier refused to try another whisky, but the barkeep wouldnt give up and eventually persuaded her to do a whisky tasting.

That barkeep changed my life, she said.

From there, Sackiers love of brown spirits grew. She traveled across Scotland to distilleries, learning everything she could. After completing a course at Scotlands famed Bruichladdich Distillery, Sackier began her life in whisky.

Then, about five years ago at the industrial warehouse of Reservoir Distillery, Sackier met David Cuttino, who introduced her to bourbon.

Now Sackiers book, Make It a Double, which was published June 7, aims to achieve what that barkeep in Scotland and Cuttino did for her.

One of the purposes of the book is to make sure other people dont have that same terrible experience I did with either single-malt scotch or any spirit, whether its bourbon or rye, she said.

With her book, Sackier said she hopes to make trying brown spirits less intimidating, less anxiety-inducing and to make it a lot more enjoyable. Her book was mentioned in the Times-Dispatch's hot list of spring and summer books earlier this year. And this isnt Sackiers first foray into the publishing industry. She has also published three young adult novels.

But with Make It a Double, she seeks to take people through the journey of learning about spirits.

Sackier, a mother of two adult children, also hopes to bring more women into the male-dominated world of whisky. She said she feels lucky that she is one of three women on the leadership team at Reservoir Distillery.

Its also a little bit anxiety-producing for some women to go into a pub or a retail establishment and decide what they want to drink. Spirits are oftentimes frowned upon for women, Sackier said. Society is changing.

Its no longer just a guys drink, she added.

In Make It a Double, Sackier tells her story in what she describes as humorous essays that she developed from blog entries she wrote over the years. She also shares her educational knowledge about how to properly taste brown spirits.

This knowledge is what she shares in classes offered at Reservoir Distillery.

Its cool to go through that process of eyeing the glass, nosing the glass, tasting the glass, and the very last thing I teach people is something called the finish, Sackier said.

The finish is when people describe what flavors they are detecting. Sackier said the flavors of the whisky and bourbon at Reservoir Distillery taste like Virginia because the ingredients are sourced locally.

Our farmers are our friends, and its really important for us to cultivate and use their grain  to create that flavor to give people a this is what Virginia tastes like experience, Sackier explained. We go so far as to cut down Virginia trees and send them to our stave mill and have them sent to a cooper to make barrels.

Reservoir uses grains sourced from farms within 45 miles of the distillery.

Over the years, Sackier has refined her tasting and nosing skills to be able to detect every bit of flavor.

Its a memorization thing, Sackier said.

Your nose and tongue are working in concert together, she said. Scent plus taste equals flavor.

Sackier has been busy traveling to other distilleries and bookstores in Kentucky and Tennessee on her book and bottle tour.

I want people to learn and to enjoy, Sackier said. Whisky is not just for slugging back.  Some of it is meant to be truly enjoyed.
New episode of 8@4 Behind the Lens where we talk about how the episode of 8@4 came together. Kelli Lemon, Matt Pochily and Will Roye talk through the stories on Shield N Sheath - Hatchet House, Nate's Bagels, PlantHouse and more! Join us for this week's episode presented by VCU Massey Cancer
A former Richmond nurse has pleaded guilty to defrauding the Virginia Employment Commission and other agencies out of COVID-19-related benefits intended for unemployed workers.

Heather Huffman, 52, of Pleasant Hill, Calif., pleaded guilty in federal court to taking part in the scheme, which also involved the Washington State Employment Security Department and the California Employment Development Department, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement.

Huffman and three others submitted applications and other materials using information from identity theft victims and inmates of various prisons, prosecutors said.

They also created fake email accounts and forged documents, including state and federal wage tax forms.

Huffman worked as a registered nurse at the McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond and used her work computer to submit false paperwork, the statement said.

The Department of Justice estimated $2 million in false benefits were awarded.

Huffman is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 29 and faces up to 32 years in prison.
A 17-year-old male has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a 16-year-old male early this month in Amelia Court House.

The Amelia County Sheriffs Office in a statement Tuesday said it received a 911 call for an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound at about 9:44 p.m. on July 2.

Deputies in the 4000 block of Richmond Road found a 16-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the shoulder. They provided medical help, but the victim died at the scene, police said.

The 17-year-old also is charged with discharging firearms or missiles within or at a building or dwelling house; use of a firearm in the commission of a felony; and providing false information during a criminal investigation.
When he agreed to have a conversation with someone from the other side as part of the One Small Step initiative, an effort to bridge what seems to be an increasing political divide in America through one-on-one meetings, Dr. Warren Koontz admits he cheated a little bit.

They told me his name was Jerome and that he was an activist and president of a large civic association, Koontz recalled. Thats all I had. So, I figured, lets Google him and see what we get.

What Koontz got were references to Jerome Legions and his work in the community, including his effort to transform Richmonds decaying Moore Street School, one of the first schools for Black children in the area when it opened in 1887, into an educational hub in the Carver neighborhood, focusing on the performing arts.

Koontz, 90, a retired urologist who spent his career in academics, working and teaching at VCU School of Medicine, was completely intrigued by the project.

So, on the one hand, Koontz didnt arrive at their first meeting knowing nothing about Legions, as might have been the expectation; on the other, the two already had common ground before they even met virtually in November 2020.

And now theyre friends.

We got to talking about education, said Koontz, who made a donation to the nonprofit foundation working to repurpose Moore Street School. Weve gotten along so well, and I want to help him as much as I can.

Koontz, who is white, had become interested in One Small Step because the graduate of Virginia Military Institute was concerned about reports of racism and sexism that had arisen at his alma mater and thought it could be a good outlet for a discussion of those topics. Legions, who is Black, arrived at their first conversations expecting institutional racism to come up.

Thats a subject I know a little bit about, but I dont think we ever talked about institutional racism; we talked about everything else, said Legions, who turns 68 in August, with a laugh.

After we were done, it was like, You want to go to lunch? We trotted off to lunch and started talking about other things we thought should be happening.

***

Though the aim of One Small Step is to bring together strangers with different viewpoints, the idea is for them to have a conversation about their lives, not politics, and then to see each other as fellow humans, not adversaries. Koontz and Legions proved the point.

One Small Step was created by the people who produced StoryCorps, which has recorded hundreds of thousands of one-on-one conversations since 2003, broadcast edited versions of some on National Public Radio and archived all at the Library of Congress.

While StoryCorps featured conversations between people who already knew each other, One Small Step takes the idea a step further and pairs people who dont know each other at all or at least not well.

The One Small Step concept is based on contact theory, which holds that interpersonal contact can help in reducing prejudices and fostering friendly relationships and cooperation. Or, as StoryCorps and One Small Step founder Dave Isay put it, Fan the flames of decency.

Were really encouraged, said Isay of the early years of One Small Step. The outcome that we see from literally every interview is the people become friends.

All of which points up the importance of listening across the divides, he said.

Our mission is to convince the country its our patriotic duty to see the humanity in people with whom we disagree, he said in a recent follow-up to our original phone interview in early 2021 for a story last year.

Its a much steeper, uphill battle than it was when we talked [earlier], but its a more important battle than it was then, too.

Richmond is one of four anchor communities where One Small Step is focused  the others are Oklahoma City; Wichita, Kan.; and Fresno and the California Central Valley. Numerous other cities have had smaller, pilot programs.

One Small Step conversations are not broadcast on the radio as StoryCorps conversations are, but plans are in the works to roll out edited audio versions of some in a campaign to drum up even more interest. Currently, there are 300 people on a waiting list in Richmond to record conversations and 6,500 nationwide, Isay said.

Theres a ground game, and theres an air game, Isay said. Our air game is messaging about the dangers of toxic polarization, and the ground game is to conduct as many interviews as we possibly can.

Next steps will include interviews involving groups getting to know one another and other measures to alter and deepen the intervention so that it has the longest-lasting and most widespread impact it possibly can on participants.

Theres a multibillion-dollar hate industrial complex thats built to divide us, he said. Theres no way were going to raise anything  anything  like that kind of war chest that can go up against that. But were going to raise everything we can and be as scrappy as we can and fight as hard as we can to try and see if we can turn the tide and convince people thats maybe instead of throwing stones at each other to pick them up and build something better together as a country.

The largest donor to One Small Step is Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielbergs Hearthland Foundation, Isay said. Other major donors include the Fetzer Institute, the Walmart Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and Stand Together Trust.

***

Legions became involved with One Small Step because hes been fascinated by the StoryCorps conversations hes listened to over the years. When he learned One Small Step was looking for volunteers, he said, Sign me up.

Legions came to Richmond from Philadelphia many years ago to attend Virginia Union University and over the years has worked in a variety of fields. He now operates a lawn care business.

He also teaches akido, a Japanese martial art designed so practitioners can defend themselves while also protecting their attackers from injury.

He purchased a home in Carver more than two decades ago and is now president of the Carver Area Civic Improvement League. Hes also president of the Moore Street School Foundation, aiming to transform the vacant old school building into a great destination in Carver.

The foundation is in the fundraising stage now, and waiting for the city to work out a property-line issue that would separate the site from nearby Carver Elementary, which could allow the foundation to acquire the building and the project to proceed.

In his One Small Step conversation with Koontz, Legions said his political views were shaped by seeing people fight for their right to be included  the civil rights movement and the push for LGBTQ rights, for example. He said he generally has aligned with the Democratic Party, although he doesnt want to become myopic and wants to broaden his political horizons by seeing what Republicans might offer.

Koontz, who lives in a senior community in western Henrico County, described himself as an independent who has voted for Democrats and Republicans. He said he tries to keep an open mind and votes for candidates he believes will do the best job.

We hit it off right away, Koontz said. We have the same ideas about how to improve our country. Our country is so divided now.

As for their friendship, Legions said he feels as though hes known Koontz forever.

You are a dear, dear friend, Legions said to Koontz, and I cant imagine you not being in my life at this point.

Said Koontz, Its been a wonderful thing.
Fairfax, who has denied the allegations, has asserted that Stoney and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe were politically motivated to plant the accusations. Both deny they were the source and Stoney on Wednesday said he wasnt involved.

I will say what I said in 2019: Those allegations were baseless, that theyre false and frankly theyre ridiculous, said Stoney. Remember these are claims by an individual who has been accused of rape, bottom line.

Stoney said that we believe survivors and that the FBI hasnt reached out to him or members of his team regarding the investigation.

The women came forward in 2019, as then-Gov. Ralph Northam faced widespread calls to resign after a racist photo in Northams 1984 medical school yearbook surfaced.

Northams resignation would have meant Fairfax would become governor.

Fairfax lost the 2021 Democratic nomination for governor to McAuliffe. Stoney is seen as a potential future candidate for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

The Intercept story said Fairfax was interviewed by investigations for almost three hours about the circumstances surrounding how sexual assault allegations against him surfaced.

Dennette Rybiski, a spokesperson in the FBIs Richmond office, said the agencys policy is that they wont comment about or confirm or deny that an investigation is happening.

When asked if he would voluntarily come forward and speak to the FBI, Stoney said he would respond to questions.

If the FBI reaches out, obviously we will respond but as of this day, nobody from the FBI has reached out to me or my team, Stoney said.

The comments came during a wide-ranging news conference in which Stoney also talked about the response to the coronavirus pandemic, monkeypox outbreak and the kickoff to National Night Out.

The videos taken near the J.E.B. Stuart statue were released as part of a settlement agreement in a federal lawsuit filed by six demonstrators. Protests erupted around the Robert E. Lee and Stuart statues shortly after a Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd.

Stoney in a May 2021 opinion piece in The New York Times said police used tear gas unintentionally.

Jim Nolan, a spokesperson for the mayor, later said an internal investigation showed police used the chemical irritants by mistake.

The new body camera footage appears to show a police officer pulling down a protesters sign and spraying the gas. The videos are being held by the Library of Virginia.

Stoney on Wednesday recalled the day after the incident, when he stood on the steps of City Hall and apologized to the community.

I believe this is a learning opportunity, said Stoney. A learning opportunity not just for city government, its a learning opportunity for the Richmond Police Department, for our city at large and for other communities to learn from.
Brandy Farrell traveled all the way from Canada for the Chincoteague Pony Swim. Farrell, 55, a bookkeeper from Hamilton, Ontario, grew up with horses.

I fell in love with the Misty of Chincoteague books as a child and it took me away to a dream world, she said.

Attending the pony swim was on Farrells bucket list, which might mean more to her than the typical 50-something: Farrell has leukemia and has been in remission for 12 years after a 2009 bone marrow transplant.

And though shes seen pictures of the Chincoteague ponies, shes wanted to see the legendary horses in person for more than 20 years. She camped out on Pony Swim Lane at 5:30 a.m. with her husband, Doug, to get a good vantage point.

The pony swim returned July 27 for the first time since the pandemic. The move of the ponies across the Assateague Channel is a 97-year tradition with enthusiastic spectators, many of whom joined the Farrells hours early to claim the best spots.

Shortly after 9 a.m., a red-orange flare shot up from a Coast Guard boat, signaling to the group of horseback riders known as the Saltwater Cowboys that it was time to bring the ponies across the channel.

The ponies didnt want to be hurried, though, and paused to nibble on grass in the shallow water at the start of their journey.

The cowboys, most of whom are members of the volunteer fire department that organizes the event, rode horses on the edges of the channels deep water to keep the ponies under control. The event takes place during slack tide, a period between tides when there isnt a current.

Spectators raised their phones and lifted children onto their shoulders so they could watch. The ponies were submerged up to their necks, water churning as they made their way across the channel. It was over in 4  minutes.

The event and the festivities werent just for a good show. The swim raises money to buy equipment for the fire department, pay the roughly $45,000 yearly vet bill for the ponies, and fund eight scholarships for Chincoteague high schoolers, said Denise Bowden, a spokeswoman for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.

After the swim, about 65 foals will be auctioned. Its important to reduce the population of the horses because the fire department has an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to keep only 150 ponies on Assateague, Bowden said.

During the pandemic, the auction of the foals was held online. This year, its online and live. The first foal to come ashore  a black-and-white male this year  doesnt get sold. Instead, hes christened King Neptune and will be raffled.

Evelyn Shotwell, director of the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, which helps to advertise the swim, said it goes back to 1925 and started with just a handful of people.

An event that has that longevity sort of speaks for itself, Shotwell said.

Then, in 1947, Misty of Chincoteague, a childrens book by Marguerite Henry, was published, followed by a 1961 movie and several other books that raised the profile of the islands ponies.

There are several legends about how the ponies came to Assateague.

Shotwell said one version is that they washed ashore from a Spanish shipwreck. Another is that they were left on Assateague by farmers who used the island as a natural fence to keep the ponies contained. Both stories are probably true, she said.

Ethan Haga of Raleigh, N.C., was one of the younger Misty fans who arrived hours early. He came with his parents, brother and grandmother. The trip was his birthday present; hell be turning 10 soon.

His mother, Jen Haga, said she went to the pony swim in 1987 with her mother and great-grandmother and loved the Misty books, too.

Before the event, Ethan was struggling to stay awake, but afterward, he said, I thought it was cool how fast they could swim. He wants to return next year.

Some of the attendees said they were first-timers, but Delaware resident Daniel Horseman has come all 50 of his years, except for the eight he lived in Boston. He grew up on a horse farm and has read the Misty books a few times. In 2015, he bought a Chincoteague pony at the auction  the cheapest and second-to-last across the channel  for $675. He still has it.

He keeps coming back because its fun and you just get attached to the horses.

After the event, Farrell was still in awe. When she finally saw the ponies, she said they were so beautiful they made her cry.
This summer, Virginians traveling distances near and far have endured their share of hardships.

Train travel has faced its share of challenges, too. On Thursday afternoon, Amtrak warned website visitors that due to extreme heat, trains might move at slower speeds than usual. A recent Washington Post report noted more than 25% of travelers battled delays in June, losing an average 76 minutes of travel time.

In Virginia, passenger rail is gaining traction, thanks to a $3.7 billion plan finalized in 2021. Of nine trains scheduled to leave Richmond for Washington on Friday, seven were at least 70% full on Thursday at 2 p.m. Progress is happening across the commonwealth, from expanded service to and from Roanoke and Norfolk, to efforts to add or revive stops in Suffolk and Blacksburg. On the infrastructure front, Virginia is forging forward with building a second rail bridge across the Potomac River  a project addressing a critical bottleneck to efficiency for both passenger and freight operations.

Yet in the eyes of riders, some practical fixes can be the biggest game-changers. Take Richmonds Staples Mill Road Station (RVR) as an example. Whether passengers are heading northbound or southbound, getting luggage on and off the train might as well be an Olympic weightlifting trial.

RVR currently has a low-level platform where conductors have to drop a set of stairs to allow passengers to enter and exit. The process of each customer lifting a 50-pound bag certainly can contribute to delays. Crew members also are on hand to help older adults and passengers with disabilities who need extra assistance.

Amid pandemic-era staffing shortages, the number of exit options sometimes can be reduced. On a recent southbound train leaving Ashland, a single Amtrak conductor alerted passengers that only one door would open at Richmond.

Riders then had to carry their luggage through several cars to prepare to deboard. Once safely making it down the steps to the low-level platform, customers then also had to cross the tracks to return to the Staples Mill Road Station building.

In 2019, the DC2RVA rail proposal  a partnership between the Federal Railroad Administration and the state Department of Rail and Public Transportation  included two necessary improvements: Construct two level-boarding island platforms and a pedestrian overpass or underpass with an elevator and stairs to access the platforms from the existing station.

Whether its high gas prices or heavy traffic, the commonwealths investments in passenger rail come at an opportune time. Lets give attention to high-level upgrades like the quantity of train options, but also not forget the little things that can make or break a smooth travel experience.

 Chris Gentilviso
Friday will probably be the end of our 90-degree streak.

Showers and heavier thunderstorms are expected throughout central Virginia on Friday, which will precede a short-lived break in both heat and humidity on Saturday.

Rain will be especially heavy in the thunderstorms that move across central Virginia later Friday afternoon and into the evening, as the humidity level is high several thousand feet up in the atmosphere.

The wind through the depth of the atmosphere on Friday afternoon will be conducive to spinning thunderstorms. While this does not mean a tornado outbreak is coming, it does call attention to a slightly higher than typical risk of thunderstorms with damaging winds for this time of year  whether from the spinning winds of a tornado or the straight-line winds racing outward from an intense thunderstorm downdraft.

Keep a plan in the back of your mind if youre outside Friday afternoon and evening. Check your surroundings for a solid structure that can also keep you away from windows, as that will be your best option to shelter from strong winds.

Once the storms clear, wind turns from the north, tapping into air that is less hot and less humid. It will not feel like October on Saturday, but it will be a noticeable change compared to the past two weeks. With sun and clouds and an easing of the humidity, afternoon temperatures on Saturday will hold in the 80s.

But the hotter and more humid air will not be far away, holding in North Carolina for a day or so before creeping back into Virginia by the middle of next week. In between, metro Richmond has more chances of rain as the boundary between these two contrasting air masses slowly edges northward, focusing several rounds of showers and thunderstorms.

Even with more clouds, most of Sunday looks like it will be dry in Richmond, with a better coverage of rain in the western part of the state; then a broader area of showers and thunderstorms moves across central Virginia on Monday. As a result, temperatures will hold in the 80s on both days.

Drought still remains from Nottoway through South Hill and Emporia, but metro Richmond continues to get just enough rain to avoid slipping into drought. In general, about 2 to 3 inches of rain has fallen in central Virginia this month.

But the piecemeal nature of precipitation in the summer has led to some very large differences across metro Richmond. Short Pump has had about 4 inches of rain this month, but only about 1.5 inches has fallen in Varina.

***

Youve probably heard about the devastating flooding in eastern Kentucky, which is the second massive flash flood in the area along the Virginia/Kentucky state line in the past two weeks.

Like the Buchanan County flood earlier this month, the terrain plays a critical role in funneling intense rain into the network of deep valleys in eastern Kentucky.

Geographically, these areas have always been susceptible to flooding, but as the climate has warmed, the heaviest rains are getting heavier. The weather pattern of the past couple of weeks provides the meteorological ingredients for heavy rain, but because the background climate is warmer, there can be more evaporation of water into storms.

As a result, there is more water available to come down as rain, which makes the heaviest rain even heavier.
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Director-General Jean-Eric Paquet, European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. Credit:  Kevin Casey, 2022

In his final interview with Horizon Magazine as Director General before taking up his role of the EU's ambassador to Japan, Jean-Eric Paquet touches on the potential for deepening science cooperation between the EU and Japan.

Jean-Eric Paquet has been at the helm of the Horizon programme and DG Research and Innovation for the past four years. He will shortly leave to take up the role of the EU's ambassador to Japan in September 2022. In his final interview with Horizon Magazine as Director General, Paquet reflects on European research and innovation globally and considers the future of collaboration in science research with Japan.

Over the past four years of tenure, it's been a bumpy ride at times. What kept you awake at night the most?

Well, there are two things which kept me awake at night occasionally, and I'm a relatively good sleeper. On the one hand, the challenge of climate change and the increasingly clear science demanding urgent action. The latest IPCC report calls particularly strongly for urgent action. So, what keeps one awake at night is whether we, with our knowledge, our science, but also with choices made politically by society, can we find the disruptive solutions which will be needed for that urgency?

And then the second one was, would science be fast enough to address the coronavirus? And the answer here has been positive, very positive. It kept me awake at night a few times in 2020.

What do you see is the number one achievement of EU-funded research in the recent past?

I think I would mention two aspects. The first one is the increasingly visible correlation between European Research Council (ERC) funding grants and European Nobel Prize winners. I call the ERC, sometimes, Europe's Nobel Prize factory. We will increasingly see recognition of the amazing quality of European science which is being brought forward by the competitive and disruptive nature of the selection process of the ERC.

The other is, of course, the messenger-RNA vaccine, the one developed by BioNtech (otherwise known as the 'Pfizer vaccine'). The reality is that the science of the vaccine is 100% European. A team of scientists which had been working on this technology in cancer immunotherapy, decided as soon as the DNA of the vaccine was available at the very beginning in January 2020, to repurpose the technology.

We met them in March and April regularly. And they were absolutely clear that they would have the vaccine in good time during the year. This looked near impossiblevaccine development takes many years, up to a decade.

We had no limitations in terms of a cohort for doing clinical trials, there was funding available, obviously, because everyone needed solutions, but still, it is the fact that the fundamental research was happening that allowed this company to be the absolute innovator, bringing the fundamental science into a product in a matter of a few months.

This is, I think, the best ever story we will have to tell on the value of science in Europe.

Is the Horizon programme agile enough to cope with unexpected challenges?

Well, firstly, the teams in DG Research and Innovation were following developments in Wuhan in early January 2020 and realised that this was going to become a major health threat. It was not yet a pandemic. The first discussions in Europe of the news from Wuhan were starting mid-January but the pandemic was declared only in March 2020. So, at that moment, my teams were already telling me, this is really going to become big, we need to be ready.

At the end of January, we were the first to launch a call for projects on vaccine development and therapies on clinical trial platforms. By the end of March, when this was declared a pandemic, the evaluation of the projects already took place, then grant agreements could be signed. So, it can be very, very fast in terms of the deployment of the instrument.

What benefits do you foresee for joint undertakings in scientific research between the EU and Japan?

Well, I think the positioning of Europe is that the best science globally is produced here. I think we should be really, very proud of that and continue obviously to invest in our science capacity.

Obviously, we are not alone in that. There are a number of other science giants in the world, and I think we are today at a moment where the notion of global science is much eroded, because countries including China, for example, but they are not alone in that, have made science very visibly and audibly and politically an instrument of technological dominance.

We need to be aware of that and be, I think, much less candid in the way we team up across the globe. I'm certainly not saying that we should not work with partners across the globe. On the contrary, I think for most of the challenges which science deals with, the global dimension is essential.

But we need to do it on different terms. Firstly, of reciprocity. This is not very often the case. We need to do it on the basis of values, of research integrity, to ensure that when we team up and share our intelligence, our resources, our results, they are used for good purpose, also by our partners.

There is a lot of collaboration worldwide, which takes place bottom up out of national systems, and rightly so. And that will continue. But if you look at it from a European perspective, I think we really need to be looking at the areas where the interests of Europe are.

I think the research agenda with Japan should be extremely broad. I think there is a clear sense that we share the same values, we have policy agendas which are aligned, and there is absolutely no limit in principle to the science cooperation, which we should deepen. Horizon Europe association, if successfully negotiated, will be just the starting point. So, let's not entirely anticipate these negotiations. We are very ambitious on the European side.

Science has a diversity problem. What does EU science and research in general need to do to become more inclusive?

I think in European research, we've been honestly rather good on gender. Of course, much more needs to be done, but we can look back at the last 10 years of genuine mobilisation of research organisations in Europe around the agenda of diversity, both in the management of research and in the composition of research teams. However, if you look at Ph.D. students for example, a lot of progress has been made.

I think it's not necessarily going fast enough. I think we cannot be complacent on gender either. We've seen that during the pandemic, the genuine erosion of the position of female scientists with less time to publish and there has been the daily impact of remote working with families where female spouses took the brunt of it, in many cases.

And that has really started to show in the statistics already, so I think we need to be careful not to be complacent about the real progress achieved.

And this is also why on the Horizon Europe, we have now put in place this requirement to have effective gender equality plans in place in research organisations for them to be eligible. Without credible, active gender equality plans, those participants would, in principle, not be eligible. So, I hope this will give another boost to that work.

On diversity seen from a social or an ethnic point of view, we certainly can do much more. Of course, this is not something which is as straightforward as gender plans because there is much less data available for cultural reasons. In Europe, we deal with this very differently from places like the US, for example. But I would very much accept the concern or criticism that our teams in Europe are not diverse enough. And more needs to be done.

What do you see is the biggest challenges facing humanity globally in the coming years?

One of the deepest challenges, again, is climate change. Europe is particularly well positioned, and I think will reach its climate target, but that does not mean that the world can deal with it at the same pace, with the same urgency.

We represent 7-8% of world emissions. So, the issue is really to get others on board. Japan is, of course, a like-minded pioneer with Europe, and that's also very much why I'm so keen to go and work with our Japanese partners to ensure that, together, we can help the rest of the world to really engage on technology development and deployment.

The second challenge is, I think, the increased fragmentation of our societies, in part driven by climate change, but by very many other drivers. And when I speak of fragmentation, I am, of course, thinking of political developments, of competing political narratives that were levelled at Europeans and several like-minded partners.

We have a lot of pressure on our societies, which I think are also largely driven by social fragmentation, by fake news. And I think here, again, science will be needed because these fragmentations are multifaceted, and the solutions need to be systemic as well.

This interview was originally published in Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation Magazine

Provided by Horizon: The EU Research & Innovation Magazine
FLORENCE, S.C.  Its the last weekend before school starts for many area students. So, its time to enjoy the last moments of freedom from the daily grind of classes and homework.

There are many ways to celebrate the last weekend of summer break in the Pee Dee. You can see the full list of activities at the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau website  www.visitflo.com.

But here are our picks for the 3 Things To Do This Weekend.

1 Party downtown: The horns will be blaring when the BlackWater Band starts the party for Florence After Five on Friday night. Events start at 5:30 p.m., with the band hitting the stage at 6 p.m. The block party runs until 8:30 p.m. The BlackWater Band is in its 11th year. The Clarkton, North Carolina-based band plays top 40, blues, funk and country. Food and beverages will be available for the event. All food and beverage sales are made via tickets, which may be purchased at the ticket booth near the Florence County Museum. Tickets are $1 each. Cash and credit cards are accepted. The block party, hosted by the Florence Downtown Development Corp., happens in the 100 block of South Dargan Street.

2 Lizards and other reptiles: Repticon is coming to the Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence, on Saturday and Sunday. Repticon is a two-day reptile show and sale. Repticon shows have become popular all across the country for the past decade. At Repticon, you can see live animals from around the world, purchase pets and pet products direct from experts, and learn more about reptiles and other exotic animals at seminars and demonstrations. Repticon will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

3 Get ready for school: McLeod Childrens Hospital will play host to a Back To School Bash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on the front lawn of McLeod Health & Fitness, 2437 Millwood Dr., Florence. The free event will feature a bounce house, slides, games, health education, music, face painting, food, school supplies (while the supplies last) and more fun. With classes starting in most area schools Monday or Tuesday, the Back To School Bash will be a great last hurrah to summer break.

If you would like to have your event featured in 3Things To Do This Weekend, send information about the event to Managing Editor Chris Day, cday@florencenews.com.

 Chris Day
DARLINGTON, S.C.  Nearly 20 Darlington residents gathered at Bethel Hill United Methodist Church July 14 to express their dissatisfaction with water rate increases, the citys vacant property ordinance and the citys general direction.

In 2020, Darlington City Council raised water rates for residents. Water and sewer rates increased 40% and 60%, which is a $9.55 per month increase.

In 2021-22, water and sewer rates did not increase and in 2022-23 water and sewer rates increased for residents using 5,000 gallons or more. Darlington Mayor Curtis Boyd said the water department had not raised water bills for a number of years and had to raise the bills to get the citys water department out of the hole.

He said the rise in this years water bill mostly affects heavy users. He said this was done by the city to not burden people on fixed incomes and households that dont use as much water. The weight was put on people using it heavier and the raise only affected about 20% of residents, he said.

Residents using 5,001 to 10,000 gallons will see an increase of 10% in their per gallon rate and 400 customers fall into this bracket. Residents using 10,000 gallons and above will see a 20% increase for their per gallon rate and 200 customers fall into this category.

Boyd said when he became the mayor 2  years ago, the water department was in the hole over $700,000 and something had to be done. You cant run a business that way and the water department is a business and so is the city he said. You cant continue to conduct business in that way.

Boyd said raising the water bills got the water department out of the hole and watching spending. The water department went from over $700,000 in the hole to $29,000 in the hole, he said.

Georgia Ross, a Darlington resident, and 25-year Army veteran, organized the meeting.

People went around the room one by one talking about the issues they are facing.

Gracie Lyde, a Darlington resident, said enough is enough. Lyde lives alone and her water bill is more than $80 a month.

I am on a fixed income and I am 87 years old, she said. Why do I have to pay this expensive water bill out of the check I receive every month?

Lyde said she is struggling to pay the bill and said the mayor doesnt care how the increase is affecting citizens. As a community, we have to stand together and explain our situations, she said. We will be heard.

Leeile Hall, who lives alone and does not have a washing machine, said her highest water bill was $264.

Hall said she would complain about how high her water bill was, but the city kept telling her she had a leak. She said she called people to check and see if she had a leak and was told she did not have one. She said her first water bill was $199, her second water bill jumped to $264, and her recent water bill went down to $78.

The city told me I got my leak fixed, but I did nothing because I never had a leak, Hall said.

Rosalind Brown said she lives where the new courthouse is being built and is noticing an increase in her water bill.

My water bill every month is over $100, she said. It puts a strain on me and my fiance because our bill was not that high before. It is just like paying an expensive phone bill.

Ross said she went to the mayors office two times about the percentage of senior citizens in Darlington and asked him to reconsider raising the water bill. She said 69% of Darlington residents are senior citizens.

He (the mayor) let me talk and when I finished, he told me I dont care what you say I am going to do what I want to do, she said.

Boyd denied the statement and said he would not talk to anyone in that way.

Gloria Perkins said the City Council raised the water bills during the stressful time of COVID and has increased the water bills again. Perkins said the city was supposed to have a public hearing addressing the increase to inform citizens, but did not have one.

Perkins said the public hearing started at 6 p.m. and when she arrived at 6:03 p.m. the public hearing was over.

They had less than a two-minute public hearing on the issue, she said. That is an illegal public hearing. A public hearing is for citizens to come and express their concerns.

City officials did not care about the residents input because the budget was already locked in and was approved, Perkins said. On the face of it, the council does not want to be transparent. A lot of people had no idea their water bill was going to be increased again, she said.

She also said there was no separate agenda for the public hearing.

Ernestine Wingate said her brother died in February and the water bill for his house was $1,600. She said it is a family house and the city told her that the family is obligated to pay the water bill.

Wingate said she committed herself to $50 a month, but was unable to continue paying due to family circumstances. She said she was frustrated because she didnt understand how the water bill got so high when her brother was living in the home alone.

I know he didnt use that much water and we have to pay that water bill before they cut our water back on, she said.

Ernistine Lyde said her water bill has increased dramatically and called for the city to conduct an audit. Mayor Curtis Boyd said an audit was done for this year and has not been received by the city yet.

Someone out of Darlington needs to let us know where this money is going and how it is being used, she said. The way they are doing things now, there is no record of where the money is going. They want to raise the money, but what are they doing with it?

Lyde also complained about the smell from the Hartsville Oil Mill, now known as Specialty Oil Extractors.

She said the smell affects the health of nearby residents.

The city got together with the Department of Health and Environmental Concerns, she said, and it was confirmed that the stench did not affect residents health.

She said she was still unsure about the smell being safe because she has noticed that a lot of elderly residents have died or have to use oxygen tanks and no one is listening.

A lot of senior citizens have died and use oxygen tanks because of the prolonged exposure to the scent, she said. No one is listening because there are not enough people talking about it.

DHECs public information officer Laura Renwick released a statement about the oil mill:

Hartsville Oil Mill has closed and is currently operating as Specialty Oil Extractors. Most recently, DHEC issued an air permit to Specialty Oil Extractors in June 2020 to increase the facilitys permit limit. DHEC issued the permit after the permit application was carefully reviewed and the facility demonstrated it could meet all state and federal air quality standards and regulations for protecting public health and the environment. Also as part of the air permit review process, DHEC issued a public notice but no members of the public submitted any comments. Specialty Oil Extractors exceeded its volatile organic compounds emissions limit. The facility has paid the $8,500 fine and is currently in compliance with the current limits of its air permit. We have not received any odor complaints from residents about this facility since February 2020.

Gloria Hawkins said she pays for stormwater drainage, but every time it rains her street becomes flooded.

She said the city has increased stormwater fees, but has nothing draining the water. She said residents are paying for something they are not getting and they cant afford that.

In 2020, stormwater fees had an increase of $2.50 a month for residents and $3.50 a month for commercial customers. In 2021-22, there was not an increase in stormwater fees and in 2022-23, there was an increase from $6.50 to $10 per month.

Willis McDowell said it was time for her to stand up and say something. She is upset about the vacant property ordinance that was passed in January and admitted that she was not as informed about things as she should have been.

The ordinance is a vacant building registration program that means the owners of vacant buildings for more than 30 days must register for a vacant building permit. If the owner(s) fail to register their property, it may result in administrative registration, special assessments, civil penalties and/or criminal charges. The first year the property is vacant is $400 to register, two to three years a property is vacant will cost $1,000 per year to register and properties that have been vacant for more than three years will cost $3,000 per year to register.

If the owner agrees to an inspection of the vacant property, and the inspectors deem the property as safe, the fee will only be $100 no matter how many years the property has been vacant.

When I got the letter about paying the city $400 plus $25 to have a house that I own and pay property taxes on every year I was upset, she said.

She said she feels like the ordinance tells her she does not own her property and is upset that she has to allow an inspector inspect her property to ensure it is up to par and meets the citys standards.

I cant believe we have to have an inspector evaluate the property to determine if it is up to their standards, she said. We will bring a class act suit against the city of Darlington if we have to because it is not right, she said. I am not going to allow them to come in and take something from me.

Boyd said the purpose of the ordinance is to fix dilapidated buildings and make the city a beautiful place to live in.

He said residents have to understand the city does not want to raise fees and said the best way to stop continually raising fees is to bring in more people to the city.

He said the vacant property ordinance makes people clean up their properties and contributes to the growth of the city which in turn helps the city grow financially. We wont just have to work with 6,000 residents if we get the city to grow, he said. We can work with 8,000 or 9,000 residents working towards helping the city.

Boyd said to citizens who believe he is too business-minded and does not care about how his actions affect everyday residents that he does care about residents and loves Darlington.

A lot of people dont know the real me, he said. I have operated my business for 34 years and I run the city like a business.

Boyd said his phone number is always available to discuss issues. He said if he does not answer the phone, his wife will. No matter the time, he said. We are going to answer the phone. My number is on every building I own.

He owns 12 locations of Fitness World Gyms.
FLORENCE, S.C.  The trailer of Till was released July 25 on what would have been Emmett Tills 81st birthday.

Some Florence residents like the idea of a movie about Emmett Till, while others think the story might be too graphic.

Till is a movie about Emmett Louis Till, a 14-year-old African American Boy who was abducted, lynched, and tortured in Mississippi in 1955 after being accused of offending a white woman in her familys grocery store. He was from Chicago, but was visiting family in Money, Mississippi.

Several days after being accused of offending the white woman, the womans husband and half-brother abducted Till, beat and killed him before disposing of his body in the Tallahatchie River.

Tills mother wanted an open casket funeral to shed light on the violence endured by black people in the South. Emmett Tills murderers were acquitted. His death sparked civil rights activists from all over the world.

The movie Till takes us through the journey of his mother, Mamie Elizabeth Till-Mobley, who pursued justice for her lynched son. He was her only child.

Mary Lynn Van Whitzenburg of Florence said she believes the movie is good for informing people about what happened in the past and allows an opportunity to rectify mistakes.

I dont believe the South will be proud of the movie, she said. But showing the movie is a very good idea. It shows what the South has done in the past and how we can change our mistakes.

Herbert Warren said he would like to see the movie to find out what really happened. I hope the movie reveals the truth about what happened, he said. I hope the movie tells it all. There was a lot of missing pieces in the story and we all deserve to know what happened.

Tina Woodberry said she would love to see the movie. She said she read about the story over the years and feels as if the family of Emmett Till deserves justice.

I was younger when it happened, she said. The movie would bring a realness to what went on back then. It will also bring our African American youth up to date on the tragedy that was done to this young man.

Woodberry said it was important to be reminded of the tragedy because it reflects us all.

We need to know what happened back then so it wont happen again in the upcoming future, she said.

Lynne Yaken said she was raised in the South and believes that African Americans were mistreated.

The lynching and everything that went on back then was horrible, she said. I believe that God created us all equal and I believe that African Americans were unfairly treated. The movie being out there puts the tragedy in the hearts and minds of the people.

Yaken said she believes in Jesus Christ and her faith makes her believe that no human being should be treated in ways that African Americans were.

Jackie Brown said she is glad the movie is out for information, but has a bad feeling about watching the movie.

I have two sons, Brown said. If that were to happen to my sons I know how devastated I would be so I understand the mothers fight for justice and I know the entire world will empathize with her.

I am looking forward to hearing the story, but I know I will get upset because of the injustices we as African Americans had to face. It happened a long time ago, but in a way it is still going on today.
JOHNSONVILLE, S.C.  School security is a national, state and Florence County School District 5 issue.

The district is working to make its schools safer for students, staff and teachers, Florence School District 5 Adam W. Kennedy said. Kennedy is chief operations officer and district safety director.

The South Carolina Department of Education updated its Model Safe School Checklist on July 12. School districts are required to complete the checklist and submit updated plans to the Department of Education by Sept. 1.

Tragedies in the 2021-22 school year have brought school safety to the forefront of the nations conscience, State Board of Education Chairman Alan Walters said in a statement.

This checklist is a tool in making sure we keep school safety a priority, work with district leaders to implement changes when needed and coordinate with law enforcement on safety measures. We are pleased with the updates weve made and will continue to pursue any means we can to protect students and school staff, Walter said.

The checklist prompts districts to list the name of law enforcement agencies that assisted in updating its Comprehensive Safety Plan, to indicate whether schools have processes in place to conduct site assessments, and to identify appropriate internal and external groups with which school safety plans have been shared.

The National Center for Education Statistics reported 93 school shootings with casualties at public and private elementary and secondary schools during the 2021-22 school year. Forty-three of those shootings resulted in deaths.

The May 24 school shooting at Uvalde, Texas, remains fresh in the publics mind. An 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two adults at Robb Elementary School in the deadliest school shooting in nearly a decade. More than 15 others were wounded in the attack. Law enforcement officers killed the attacker.

Kennedy said the district is continuously working to make its three schools safer for students, teachers and staff. The district will start the 2022-23 school year Tuesday.

Johnsonville schools do not have metal detectors, Kennedy said, but they do have handheld metal detectors and there is only one entrance designated for the public to enter the schools.

We do have handheld metal detectors that our staff is being trained on, and we will use those on an as-needed basis, he said. We are looking at some options for metal detectors. Right now our quick and easy implementation is just the handheld screeners.

Kennedy said the district has have school resource officers at two of the three schools.

We have one at Johnsonville Middle School and one at Johnsonville High Schools, Kennedy said. We have been approved by the state of South Carolina for funding for a SRO at the elementary school, but that position is still vacant. They have not found anyone to fill that yet.

Kennedy said school resource officers have their annual training, and participate in the schools training.

District 5 uses the state of South Carolina Behavioral Threat Assessment to train its counselors to identify students with violent tendencies. That is training that comes down from the Department of Education, Kennedy said.

We have a behavioral threat assessment team at each school that is comprised of administrators, school resource officers, counselors and other staff, he said.

In case of an incident during school hours, Kennedy said, the district would use the standard response protocol from the I Love U Guys Foundation to notify law enforcement/first responders. He said that is the protocol used districtwide.

As far as parent notification, he said, the district uses BrightArrow, which is the system it uses to send out text messages, emails and phone calls. He said it is used for notifications other than incidents at the school.

We will also use social media and our website, he said.

In the last two years, Kennedy said, to my knowledge we have only had one incident that required any kind of real intervention with the SROs and that was this past school year.

Other than that it has been an occasional fight at a ballgame, he said.

We are going to be putting on our website the standard response protocol that we have adopted, Kennedy said. We are going to be very transparent with that.

He said there will be information on there on how that process works, as the district continues to develop its emergency operations plans, which will be put online as well.

In addition to school safety drills, Kennedy said students should be alert; be aware of their surroundings. Students should not be afraid to tell an adult if they have an issue. That is anything from bullying to overhearing a conversation that someone is going to do something bad to someone else.
Attendees at gamescom asia 2021. (Photo: gamescom asia)

Gamescom, one of the largest tech and video game expos in the world, will be returning to Singapore this year with gamescom asia.

Unlike last year's, which was previously held as a hybrid convention with only a physical Trade Zone, this year's gamescom asia will also feature a physical Entertainment Zone for the first time.

The physical Trade and Entertainment Zones will be held at the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre from 20 to 22 October 2022, while there will also be online segments that will run from 19 to 23 October 2022.

Companies like Gamedriver, TikTok, Microsoft Xbox, will appear as sponsors, while PlayStation and even 9GAG are among some of the names that are joining the event this year.

The pre and post event online shows, PRIMETIME and STUDIO, will return again as teasers and extended content for global audiences.

Gamescom asias Trade Zone will consist of an Expo, a Trade Conference and Networking area. There will also be a Developer-Publisher-Investor Speed Dating event from 20 to 22 October.

The preliminary agenda for gamescom asia 2022.

Trade visitors and conference delegates can expect to see country pavilions, attend exhibitor talks and talent drives, arrange face-to-face business meetings, and try out the Entertainment Zone ahead of the opening to public visitors.

Within the Entertainment Zone, public visitors will be able to have a look at some games and interactive entertainment. There will also be featured areas for esports, cosplay, tabletop games, group play zones, and more, from 21 to 22 October.

Dominic loves tech and games. When he is not busy getting bodied in games or watercooling anything he sees, he does some pro wrestling.

For more gaming news updates, visit https://yhoo.it/YahooGamingSEA. Also follow us on Twitter, as well as our Gaming channel on YouTube, and check out Yahoo Esports Southeast Asias Facebook page!
AWARE made the comments on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. (Screenshot: AWARE's Twitter)

SINGAPORE  The Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) on Thursday (28 July) expressed its concern over views aired at a recent closed-door townhall calling for the retention of Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises sex between men.

The non-profit gender equality organisation said that a pamphlet distributed at the Protect Singapore Townhall held on 23 July had called for Section 377A to be retained until or unless a new political package is put in place to protect heterosexual marriage, family and children from the supposedly negative impact of LGBTQ activism.

In posts on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, AWARE said, "Rhetoric around 'protection' has been long employed by anti-gay advocates. It falsely assumes that the rights and recognition of one group impinges on those of another, as if freedom was a limited quantity that only so many people might enjoy at one time.

"LGBTQ rights do not impinge on the rights of straight people any more than the existence of one colour impinges on another. There are no indications that heterosexual marriages and families will stop being upheld by policies and laws in Singapore simply because other people are no longer criminalised."

Townhall held 'to protect social institutions'

The three-hour private townhall held at the Singapore Expo convention centre saw a turnout of some 1,200 participants, said organisers Jason Wong and Mohammed Khair on their Facebook pages.

It was held "to protect family, marriage, our freedom of conscience, and most importantly our children, who are at the heart of these social institutions," wrote the organisers.

"Weve been relatively restrained in the face of an intolerant, vocal minority that seeks to overturn the order in all areas of society  be it marriage, education, businesses, or beliefs, while demonising all those who disagree as 'bigots' or 'haters', instead of engaging us with good faith," they said.

"We urge the Government to maintain the current political package and not to repeal Section 377A unless and until there are adequate safeguards for our marriages, families and freedom of conscience. This includes enshrining man-woman marriage in the Constitution."

Story continues

In March, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam spoke about Section 377A in Parliament and said that Singapore's policies need to evolve to keep abreast of the gradual shift in society's attitudes towards homosexuality, and that the government is considering the best way forward.

More recently, a survey by market research firm Ipsos found that the proportion of citizens and permanent residents who support Section 377A has fallen over the past four years, from 55 per cent in 2018 to 44 percent in 2022.

Police reports filed, no action to be taken

Police reports were filed in relation to the townhall, although no laws were found to have been broken, according to news outlet TODAY.

"We will not be taking any action against the organisers as there is no criminal offence disclosed," the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told TODAY.

MHA added that the event organisers had applied for a permit under the Public Order Act, but the police assessed that the permit was not required for the private invite-only event.

S377A has 'repercussions on LGBTQ community'

In its social media posts, AWARE said that Section 377A not only stigmatises sex between gay men but also has repercussions on the LGBTQ community who continue to face bullying and discrimination.

"When people cannot be open about their sexual orientation, they face increased stress, limited social support and negative mental and physical health consequences. Repealing S377A, and taking other actions to include LGBTQ people in society, will be an enormous step towards alleviating this burden."

AWARE noted that the planned renegotiation of Singapores social compact is an important opportunity to create a more inclusive society.

"We cannot achieve this aspiration, though, if we take for a starting point the denial of the existence and humanity of an entire community," it added.

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  13.8 4158%  8291.94.98%   40%  27% IPO91%    HIBOR1.9 H3.2 0.84% 0.97%5% 189 16%  3+4  4%  13%  700    1808034 3%  7% 25% 27.3 7.6% 7% 188.78  1.66 0.83% 0.99%3%  38005300  500030% 9 CTR HOLDINGS 817 HYGIEIA GROUP 817 817
It was a stunning image: Pope Francis briefly wearing a full Indigenous headdress, its rows of soft white feathers fastened in place by a colorful, beaded headband, after he apologized for the Catholic Church's role in Canada's "disastrous" residential school system for Indigenous children.

Chief Wilton Littlechild, a residential school survivor himself, gave Francis the headdress Monday, placing it on his head amid cheering by an audience in Maskwacis, Alberta, that included many school survivors.

The Vatican and the pope clearly appreciated the gesture: Francis kissed Littlechild's hands after receiving the headdress, something he has done in the past as a sign of respect for Holocaust survivors, and has done on this trip for residential school survivors.

The Vatican obviously understood the symbolic significance of the moment, putting the photo on the front page of the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano under the headline "I humbly beg forgiveness."

Headdresses historically are a symbol of respect, worn by Native American war chiefs and warriors. For many Plains tribes, for example, each feather placed on a headdress has significance and had to be earned through an act of compassion or bravery. Some modern-day Native American leaders have been given war bonnets in ceremonies accompanied by prayers and songs.

Yet this revered regalia also represents an image that has been co-opted from tribes in popular culture for decades, feeding stereotypes in everything from Hollywood films, to fashion runways to Halloween costumes.

Some members of Indigenous tribes said they found the gesture incongruous with the past transgressions at church-run schools that Francis apologized for.

Russ Diabo, a member of the Kahnawake Mohawk tribe in Canada and an Indigenous advocate and policy analyst, described the scene as "pageantry" and the pope's statements as "facile."

Diabo said on Twitter it was "the Catholic Church and Canada collaborating in creating a mythology for a shared 'Reconciliation' agenda narrated by prominent federal collaborators/residential school survivors!"

"I have so much to say about this, and all of it negative," tweeted Joe Horse Capture, vice president of native collections and curator of Native American History and Culture at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles.

"I am practicing 'If you can't say anything positive, don't say anything at all' mantra. But I'll be honest, it's difficult!," added Horse Capture, a member of the A'aniiih Nation.

More than 150,000 Native children in Canada were forced to attend government-funded Christian schools from the 19th century until the 1970s in an effort to isolate them from the influence of their homes and culture. The aim was to Christianize and assimilate them into mainstream society, which previous Canadian governments considered superior.

The discoveries of hundreds of potential burial sites at former schools in the past year have drawn international attention to the schools in Canada and their counterparts in the United States.

Leading U.S.-based Indigenous news outlet ICT made a deliberate decision to not make the war bonnet a focus of their papal visit coverage.

"When I saw the headdress being placed on the Pope, I immediately thought 'absolutely not.' We are not running that photo," said Jourdan Bennett-Begaye, editor of ICT, formerly Indian Country Today. "It distracts readers from the Pope's apology and survivors' stories who sat in those chairs listening to his every word. Something they've been waiting for, for decades.

"It creates unnecessary noise regarding Indigenous peoples' choices where the real scrutiny should be placed on the Pope and that entire institution."

Maka Black Elk, executive director of Truth and Healing at Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, described the scene on Twitter as a "#toosoon moment."

"The discourse around the #PopeFrancis headdress is unfortunate," wrote Black Elk. "He did not request that. It wasn't his fault. But it's also clear the givers did not consider how it would make other Indigenous people feel."

Black Elk said later in a telephone interview that the mixed reaction to the headdress being placed on the pope's head "reflects the reality of native people and our need for more dialogue" about the past.

"I do think that Chief Littlechild felt it was important to honor this moment, and this was a significant moment," he added.

A spokeswoman for Littlechild didn't immediately respond Tuesday to a message seeking comment.

But Keeshon Littlechild used a Facebook post to defend his grandfather for giving Francis one of his own many headdresses.

"Bugs me to see people bashing my grandfather and I understand how much respect is needed to be gifted one but at the end of the day that was him showing the pope respect for coming all the way to maskwacis to apologize," he wrote.

Among those coming to Littlechild's defense was Phil Fontaine, a former Assembly of First Nations chief and a residential school survivor.

"Chief Littlechild followed his protocols," Fontaine said. "There is a protocol for that kind of gift. He went to the elders, he went to the leadership and requested permission to present that gift. It is entirely consistent with the way they follow their customs and protocol here."

Jon Crier, a First Nations elder and school survivor, said during a news conference after the apology that the gesture meant tribal leaders "adopted him as one of our leaders in the community.

"It's an honoring of the man, it's an honoring of the work he has done and it's also recognizing  here's a man that belongs in our tribe," Crier said.
Mike Comet is in the midst of his 12th RAGBRAI. He biked all 100-plus miles of "Century Day" on Wednesday.

It was unlike any other Century Day.

"This was an easier elevation than elevations of past," Comet said. "We had a great tail wind for two-thirds of the day."

The ride from Emmetsburg to Mason City was officially 105 miles. Cyclists rolled into Mason City starting early Wednesday morning.

Elevation was relatively flat. That was a perk, but the bonus of the day was the weather.

Temperatures were around the 60s when Comet, Chris Hamelberg, Matt Markell and Joel Pritchard left Emmetsburg around 7:15 a.m. Wednesday morning. They got into Mason City in the early afternoon.

All four are from Champaign, Illinois.

"I haven't seen a 100 this flat in a long time," Hamelberg said.

Markell was riding RAGBRAI for the first time with this group.

"I loved it," he said. "I've ridden several (races) with these guys. The people were so nice."

Two riders from Eau Claire, Wisconsin  Amy Rantala and Beth Hougen  were on their first RAGBRAI.

Each has an Iowa connection. Hougen is a native of Sioux City, and Rantala's son, Max Savaloja, was on the North Iowa Bulls team that won the Fraser Cup two years ago.

"We have been blessed with weather that I don't think anyone will ever be able to believe," Rantala said. "The wind today pushing us in was great. When you were going east-west it was great."

The two of them ski for a living, part of a team called Rusty Edges, and are using RAGBRAI as a training method.

They signed up for RAGBRAI 2022 two years ago.

"By 2022, the pandemic has got to be over," Rantala said. "We've heard so many fun things about RAGBRAI."

Century Day is the beast of the trip. It has been optional in years previous, but not this time. Rantala was ready for the challenge of what triple-digit mileage would be like.

Hougen embraced the ride.

"It is good for you, good training," Hougen said.

As first-timers, Hougen and Rantala have a different experience. They are taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the camaraderie with people from across the country.

"I'm really impressed with every single town," Hougen said. "How friendly people are. It makes me proud. I'm really tickled."

Meanwhile, the four bikers from Illinois aren't taking this week for granted when it comes to bonding. For the most part, they bike as a pack. None of them would trade it for anything.

"I love town centers like this," Comet said.
DAKOTA CITY  A man shot Thursday by South Sioux City police faces seven charges in connection with the incident.

Richard Germek, 61, of South Sioux City, had his initial appearance Wednesday in Dakota County Court, where he faces felony charges of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, unlawful discharge of a firearm, criminal attempt, terroristic threats and possession of a short rifle or short shotgun and misdemeanor charges of obstructing a peace officer and disturbing the peace.

His preliminary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 19. He remains in custody in the Dakota County Jail.

South Sioux City police officers responding to a call about a possible overdose encountered Germek at about 7:50 p.m. Thursday at his apartment building at 320 E. 12th St.

Police chief Ed Mahon said Thursday that paramedics already on the scene evacuated once Germek brandished a gun. Germek shot at officers in the apartment building's hallway, police said, and he was struck when an officer returned fire. He was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

No officers were injured.

The officer who shot Germek was not identified and was placed on administrative leave in compliance with standard protocol.

Mahon could not be reached Wednesday for an update on the officer's leave status.

Authorities continue to investigate the shooting.
SIOUX CITY  Having heard a gunshot, Jessica Goodman pleaded for Martez Harrison's life as she turned and saw Dwight Evans holding a revolver near her.

"I said please don't shoot him, don't kill him," Goodman said, recalling the scene as Harrison and Lawrence Canady grappled on the ground in the middle of the street outside a Sioux City bar.

Instead, Goodman said, Evans steadied himself after stumbling on the curb and fired a second shot into her fiance's body.

"He got up, stood right over Martez' feet ... extended his arm and shot him in the chest," Goodman testified Thursday, the first day of evidence in Evans' trial for the May 1, 2021, shooting death of Harrison, 22, of Sioux City.

Evans, 18, has pleaded not guilty in Woodbury County District Court of first-degree murder and going armed with intent.

The shooting ended the escalation of a night of threats in retaliation against Harrison, who allegedly had struck the girlfriend of Canady's friend days earlier.

While Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Jacklyn Fox showed jurors video of surveillance camera footage that captured the shooting, she stopped it frequently, asking Goodman to explain what was happening.

Goodman said she had dropped Harrison off at Uncle Dave's Bar, 1427 W. Third St., around 10:30 p.m. A couple hours later, trouble was brewing outside.

Former Uncle Dave's bouncer Caleb Tift testified he had denied Canady, Evans and two other underage people entry at the bar and summoned bartender Amanda Anderson when the group remained outside, yelling threats aimed at Harrison.

Canady told her "he wanted to beat somebody's ass," referring to Harrison, Anderson testified, then indicated he had a gun. Anderson said she never saw a weapon.

Goodman testified that Harrison called her to come pick him up. In the video footage, she was seen pulling up outside the bar seconds before 1 a.m. After getting out, she was confronted by Canady and two others, but not Evans.

Harrison came outside, and the talk escalated until Canady punched Goodman in the face, opening a cut above her left eye. A girl with Canady sprayed her with mace. Harrison began fighting with Canady, Goodman said, while she began punching the girl who had maced her.

The fight between Canady and Harrison spilled into the street, "and then Dwight Evans came up from behind and shot him," Goodman said.

He fired the second shot six seconds later and fled. Canady kicked Harrison in the head a couple more times, then was seen walking calmly from the scene.

As bar patrons came outside to see the commotion, Tift said he saw a four-door white car leaving the scene, but could not see who was inside.

Goodman went to Harrison, who was in and out of consciousness before paramedics took him to the hospital, where he died.

As she was questioned by police at the hospital, Goodman said she showed them Evans' Snapchat account, on which, hours before the shooting, he had posted a photo of himself holding a revolver Goodman identified as the one used to shoot Harrison.

In his opening statement to jurors, public defender Michael Adams said Evans fired the shots to protect his friend Canady, who was surrounded by Harrison's friends during the fight.

"He's concerned for the life and safety of Mr. Canady," Adams said.

As he questioned Goodman, Adams pointed out Evans was not involved in the verbal or physical altercations prior to the shooting. He was observed in the video standing near garbage cans next to the bar and watching the fight.

After firing the first shot, Evans tripped over the curb behind him.

"Dwight Evans fell back, meaning he was backing up when he fired the shot," Adams said.

"I guess so," Goodman said.

Resuming her questioning of Goodman, Fox enlarged a screen shot of video footage taken at the instant the first shot was fired. It did not appear Evans was stepping back when he pulled the trigger, Goodman said.

As he responded to the shooting, Sioux City police officer Dylan Grimsley heard a report of a white car leaving the scene. He testified he spotted a car matching the description two blocks from the bar and stopped it. Video footage from his body cam showed him with gun drawn, ordering the occupants -- Canady, Jordan Hills and the female driver -- out of the car. No weapons were found.

Three hours later, Grimsley responded to a report of a man seen with a gun in the area of 20th and Center streets. By the time he arrived, other officers were taking Evans into custody and had recovered a revolver.

Canady, 22, of Sioux City, also was charged with first-degree murder and other charges. A jury in December found him guilty of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter as well as willful injury causing bodily injury and serious assault. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
SIOUX CITY  The former manager of a Sioux City mobile home park has been placed on probation for stealing thousands of dollars in rental payments.

Vickie Corio, 46, of Sioux City, had pleaded guilty in Woodbury County District Court in March to one count of second-degree theft, which was reduced from first-degree theft as part of a plea agreement.

Following the terms of the plea agreement, District Judge Zachary Hindman suspended a five-year prison sentence and placed Corio on probation for five years. She must pay $28,082 in restitution to Regency of Iowa, which owns The Regency of Sioux City mobile home park at 4101 Gordon Drive.

Five counts of forgery were dismissed.

In her guilty plea, Corio admitted that from Feb. 1, 2020, through Dec. 6, 2020, while manager of the mobile home park, she rented lots without informing Regency, then collected rental payments and kept the money.

During that time, court documents said, Corio deposited or cashed 38 money orders from tenants into her own personal bank account.
SIOUX CITY  A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center worker who said she was fired in retaliation for filing an ethics complaint against a heart surgeon.

U.S. District Judge C.J. Williams granted the hospital's motion to dismiss, ruling that Cynthia Tener's lawsuit did not provide enough factual evidence to show MercyOne's sole basis for firing her was retaliation under provisions of the federal False Claims Act, and she may be better off filing her lawsuit in state court.

"(Tener) can find sufficient remedy for any alleged harm under alternate state law theories without having to overextend the specific narrow protection provided under the FCA," Williams said in his 10-page ruling, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City.

The former director of MercyOne's cardiovascular service line in which she supervised nurses and clinic leaders, Tener had informed hospital administrators of concerns brought to her by nurses and another doctor that the heart surgeon was failing to obtain proper consent from patients, performing unsafe add-on procedures during surgeries and falsifying paperwork so he could perform more high-risk surgeries. Concerns also were raised about the surgeon, who was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, keeping patients who had little to no chance of recovery on ventilators and other artificial life-sustaining measures for at least 30 days after surgery to protect his outcomes statistics in a national database.

After two nurses filed an internal complaint against the surgeon for falsely documenting a procedure without the patient's consent, the surgeon told administrators he believed Tener was encouraging nurses to file complaints against him, Tener said in her lawsuit.

Tener said she was suspended on Nov. 3 after administrators informed her of complaints she was creating a toxic work environment. She was fired six days later.

Tener sued the hospital and and its parent company, Indiana-based Trinity Health Corporation, in May, saying that her reporting of public safety concerns and malpractice to management and the hospital's ethics committee was a protected activity.

Williams found her actions were protected, but, mentioning the toxic work environment complaint, said he did not find it plausible that retaliation for her protected conduct was the only reason she was fired.

The judge called the alleged retaliatory actions taken by hospital administrators "problematic," but said the retaliation provision of the FCA wasn't the appropriate remedy for any harm done to Tener.
This event will start inside the building near the hold shelf. The walking tour will run for about two hours. comfortable walking attire is suggested.

Learn more by visiting, https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/9021310.

Wild Turtles in the library

On Friday at 10 a.m. the Davenport Public Library will welcome experts from the Wapsi River Environmental Center to the Fairmount branch located at 3000 N. Fairmount St.

Visitors can go beyond the beaten path with, "Wild Turtles of Iowa," featuring cool turtles from Iowa live and in person. Participants will learn about native reptiles of Iowa, habitats, ecology and preventing human impacts to these cold-blooded creatures using the Leave No Trace principles from experts at the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center.

This program is perfect for all ages. To learn more, visit davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/9114233.

DPL to offer English/Spanish bilingual storytimes in August

The Davenport Public Library will be hosting two English/Spanish bilingual storytimes in August. The first will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1 with the second taking place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16. both events will be held at the Fairmount branch.

Co-hosted by leaders in the Q-C Latinx community, these events will feature everything traditional storytimes include such as stories, music and activities, presented in both English and Spanish language.

The programs are geared for children 2-7 years, but all ages are welcome to attend. Registration is required. To learn more or register, visit https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/9153027.
SIOUX CITY  Dozens of snakes removed from a Sioux City home earlier this month have been returned to their owner.

Parker Moos received his 50 ball pythons on Friday and found a temporary home for them at a rural residence near Lawton, Iowa.

"They're doing pretty good," Moos said. "I'm glad to have them back."

They had been housed at the Sioux City Animal Adoption and Rescue Center since July 11, when animal control officers removed 58 snakes from Moos' townhouse at 4624 Harrison St. after one of the pythons escaped from an enclosure in Moos' home and the owner of the adjoining townhouse found it in her garage and called police.

The ball pythons taken from Moos' home are classified under city code as dangerous animals, but this particular type, which doesn't grow nearly as long or heavy as other pythons, is not dangerous, Moos said. He said ball pythons, which reach a maximum of 5 feet in length and 10 pounds, are docile and will ball up to protect themselves rather than attack humans.

Three boas also were removed, and Moos said he has since traded them for five baby corn snakes. Corn and king snakes are permitted under city ordinances, and 19 remain in Moos' home. Animal control officers initially took seven corn and king snakes and later returned them to Moos.

Moos said he still hopes to see the city's ordinance that currently bans the ball pythons within city limits amended to permit them and certain other types of non venomous snakes -- as Iowa law does -- within city limits. An online petition drive on Change.org has received more than 1,300 signatures. Moos said may circulate a written petition in Sioux City to gather more signatures from city residents to present to the council.

Moos said he's looking into opening a pet store featuring reptiles in the future and learned that his snakes were prohibited within the city while researching pet store ordinances. The pet store plans are likely three or four years away, Moos said, until his baby snakes reach breeding age. He's also sold a few to pay his lawyer and for charges from animal control.

In the meantime, Moos said he checks in on his snakes daily while seeking a more permanent solution -- either getting the city ordinance changed or buying a home outside city limits so he can once again have his pythons with him.

"We'll have to run it like this for a while until we get something to change," he said.
The U.S. Military Academy has announced that Lt. Gen. Steve Gilland has taken command as the 61st superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy. Gilland is originally from Rock Island and graduated from Sherrard High School in 1986.

Major Gen. Gilland was promoted to Lt. Gen. and officially took charge of the U.S. Military Academy during the change of command ceremony held on June 27.

Gilland graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1990. He holds a master's degree in military operational art and science.

He has served as the 77th Commandant of Cadets of the U.S. Military Academy, Commanding General of the 2nd Infantry Division, South Korea, and most recently as the Deputy Commanding General 3rd Armored Corps, Fort Hood, Texas.
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP)  Cyprus and Greece plan to consult with other European Union members on how to respond if Turkey tries again to drill for oil and gas inside waters that Cyprus claims as its exclusive economic zone, the Cypriot foreign minister said Thursday.

Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said earlier this week that the countrys newest drill ship, the Abdullhamid Han, would set sail Aug. 9 for a drilling operation in the Mediterranean. The exact location has not been announced.

We have discussed some actions in the hope that they can avert the creation of such tensions in our exclusive economic zone," Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said after talks with Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias.

Turkey, which doesnt recognize Cyprus as a sovereign state, claims much of the ethnically split islands offshore economic zone as its own. Turkish Cypriots in the breakaway north claim their waters overlap many of the 13 blocks off the country's southern coast that make up the zone.

Kasoulides said Cypriot authorities believe there more than six potential areas where the Turkish drill ship could start work, and not all may be inside the area claimed by Cyprus.

The government of Cyprus has granted drilling and exploration rights in nine of the blocks to ExxonMobil and its partner Qatar Petroleum, Chevron and partners Dutch Shell and Israel NewMed, as well as a consortium made up of Italys Eni and France's TotalEnergies

Turkey previously dispatched warship-escorted drill ships and survey vessels inside Cypriot-claimed waters. Similar excursions into waters claimed by Greece have ratcheted up military tensions. The EU has strongly condemned Turkeys actions and imposed sanctions on two individuals involved in such drilling expeditions.

Cyprus split into ethnically Greek and ethnically Turkey sides in 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence. Although Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, only the southern, Greek Cypriot part enjoys full membership benefits.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday unanimously condemned Myanmars executions of four political prisoners and called for an immediate halt to all violence and full respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The statement approved by all 15 council members noted Myanmar had hanged the men after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other members of the 10-nation bloc that includes Myanmar appealed for the sentences to be reconsidered. Council members also reiterated their full support for Myanmars democratic transition and their strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Myanmar.

ASEAN has been leading global efforts to bring peace to Myanmar, which has been rocked by civil unrest and and widespread fighting since the military ousted an elected government in February 2021. But it has stonewalled on ASEAN's peacemaking efforts.

This week, ASEAN denounced the executions as highly reprehensible" and said they set back its efforts to facilitate dialogue between the military leadership and opponents.

The four men hanged over the weekend were a former National League for Democracy lawmaker, a democracy activist and two men accused of killing a woman they allegedly believed was a military informant. All were tried, convicted and sentenced by a military tribunal with no possibility of appeal. They were Myanmar's first judicial executions in nearly 50 years and came as a surprise even to family members of the men.

ASEAN's five-point plan to restore peace and stability to Myanmar includes an immediate halt to violence, a dialogue among all parties, and appointment of an ASEAN special envoy who would visit Myanmar to meet all concerned parties. Myanmars military-installed government initially agreed to the consensus reached in April 2021 but has made little effort to implement it, and the country has slipped into a situation that some U.N. experts have characterized as a civil war.

The Security Council echoed ASEANs call for concrete actions to effectively and fully implement the five-point consensus and took note of the blocs view that the death sentences presented a gross lack of will to support the ASEAN chairs efforts to expedite implementation.

Earlier this week, U.N. special envoy Noeleen Heyzer said the U.N. views the executions as a blatant violation of a persons right to life, liberty and security.

The Security Council underlined the importance of Heyzers role and encouraged close cooperation with the ASEAN special envoy, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn. ASEAN foreign ministers begin meetings in Cambodia in a week.

China, which is Myanmars biggest trading partner and an old ally, welcomed the Security Councils alignment of views with the ASEAN chairs statement after the executions, which diplomats said Beijing sought.

A spokesperson for Chinas U.N. Mission cited the particular importance of the council statements call for an immediate cessation of all forms of violence, including attacks on infrastructure, health and education facilities.

We believe this sends a strong signal of the councils rejection of all violence, unjustifiable wherever and by whoever committed, said the spokesperson, who was not authorized to speak publicly. And we hope these important messages from the council could be heeded by all relevant parties.
Former President Donald Trump is calling for the immediate release of the federal warrant. And a spokesperson for Anne Heche says the actor is on life support after a fiery crash. Those stories and more on our daily news podcast.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP)  A man who accosted U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin on stage as the Republican campaigned for governor will remain in custody while a federal judge considers his lawyer's plea to release the Army veteran, who he said was in an alcoholic relapse.

David Jakubonis, 43, faces a federal count of assaulting a member of Congress with a dangerous weapon for the attack July 21 in the Rochester area. The charge carries a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

At a detention hearing Thursday, assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Eldridge argued Jakubonis should be held as a danger to the community who lunged at a congressman with a dangerous weapon.

To characterize what happened to Congressman Zeldin that day as a close call is an understatement, Eldridge said.

A video of the attack shows Jakubonis raised his arm toward the congressman from Long Island as he held a keychain with two sharp points.

Youre done, Jakubonis said four times as he approached Zeldin.

Zeldin grabbed Jakubonis wrist and the two tussled to the ground as others jumped in to help. Zeldin suffered a minor scrape.

Defense attorney Steven Slawinski said Jakubonis was only reaching for Zeldin's microphone to stop him from talking, under the mistaken belief Zeldin was disrespecting veterans. He blamed the episode on a relapse triggered by a breakup with a girlfriend.

'"Mr. Jakubonis, if he is drinking, does have a problem holding his liquor," the lawyer said, adding that Jakubonis also has been prescribed psychiatric medication that can interact poorly with alcohol.

Slawinski sought either probation with strict conditions or inpatient care. Jakubonis, he said, was an admitted alcoholic who sought treatment throughout his adult life. He developed severe anxiety and panic attacks while serving a year in Iraq, the lawyer said, and his mental health declined further after he witnessed the sudden death of his wife of seven years from a cerebral hemorrhage three years ago.

That would send anyone into a sprial, Slawinski told the court.

After his wife's death, Jakubonis relinquished custody of his children to his brother and sister-in-law. Slawinski said Jakubonis has not seen his children since because it is too painful to see them call anyone else mom and dad.

Judge Marian Payson said she would make a detention decision after considering whether Jakubonis' actions last week were aberrant behavior and whether there is enough support in place if he is released from jail. She said she wanted to review Jakubonis' mental health history.

The judge also asked prosecutors to send her a photo of the object  which Eldridge called a cat dagger  and its dimensions, noting that Jakubonis was released after his initial arrest on a state charge. She asked whether opinions differed on whether the plastic object was considered a dangerous weapon.

It is not designed to be a decoration. Its designed to be a weapon, Eldridge said. The points are very pointy and the material is hard enough that it could puncture the skin.

The federal criminal complaint filed Saturday said Jakubonis did not know who the speaker was or that the speaker was a political person. It said that when Jakubonis watched video of the incident he told investigators he must have checked out and that what was depicted in the video was disgusting.

Jakubonis was arraigned Friday on a separate state charge of attempted assault in the second degree and was released by a local judge.

He has two prior misdemeanor DWI convictions from 2006 and 2019. His two-year probation on the 2019 count expired in December 2021.

A big part of Zeldins campaign message has been a promise to get tougher on criminals. Almost immediately after the on-stage altercation with Jakubonis, he sought to link a New York bail reform law passed by Democrats to his own case.

The law requires judges to free most people accused of lesser crimes while they await trial. It limits the instances when judges can require a defendant to pay money to gain their freedom, a system that favored wealthier people.

When he was initially arrested, a Monroe County sheriffs investigator charged Jakubonis with second-degree attempted assault, a crime not serious enough to warrant his jailing or the imposition of bail.

Afterward, Zeldin tweeted that his assailants release was due to New Yorks insane cashless bail law.

Democrats pointed out that if prosecutors had wanted to give a judge discretion to jail Jakubonis, Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley  a Republican who is listed as being a co-chair of Zeldins campaign  could have simply picked a more serious charge.

Even prior to the bail reform law, a charge of second-degree attempted assault might have been unlikely to lead to a judge setting a high bail that might have kept Jakubonis for more than a night.

Payson did not say when she would rule on the government's request for detention. A status hearing is scheduled for Aug. 24.
Today is Thursday, July 28, 2022. Let's get caught up.

Here are today's top stories, celebrity birthdays and a look back at this date in history.

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TODAY'S WEATHER

Record hot temperatures continue for the Pacific Northwest as a flood threat remains for the central US. CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri has the forecast.

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TOP STORIES

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MORNING LISTEN: "ETHICAL LIFE" PODCAST

Episode 48: Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the recent protests aimed at Supreme Court justices and whether confronting them or other public officials in private spaces is appropriate.

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IMAGE OF THE DAY

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TODAY IN HISTORY

Today in sports history: July 28 In 1984, the Summer Olympics open in Los Angeles with a record 140 nations competing. See more sports moments from this date:

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ...
DETROIT (AP)  The Michigan Supreme Court outlawed automatic life sentences Thursday for people who were 18 when they participated in first-degree murder, opening a door to shorter prison terms and opportunities for parole.

In a 4-3 opinion, the court said mandatory no-parole sentences at that age violate the Michigan Constitution's ban on cruel or unusual punishment.

The sentence lacks proportionality because it fails to take into account the mitigating characteristics of youth, specifically late-adolescent brain development, Justice Elizabeth Welch wrote for the majority.

Prosecutors still can pursue life sentences for 18-year-olds. But a judge first must hold a hearing where defense lawyers can present mitigating evidence, such as education, family life, decision-making skills and other factors.

It would be similar to the hearings now held for people who were 17 or younger when they participated in first-degree murder.

The decision leaves 17 states with a mandatory life sentence for 18-year-olds convicted of murder.

Michigan's highest court ruled in the case of Kemo Parks, who was 18 in 2016 when he assisted his cousin in a murder outside a Flint market. His conviction meant an automatic no-parole sentence.

In dissent, Justice Elizabeth Clement said the court was intruding on the Legislature's job to set criminal justice policy.

I would not be surprised if the court extends its current line in the near future. ... Young adults are, after all, not the only ones subject to factors that cloud their reasoning  indeed, we are all subject to cognitive biases to different extents, said Clement, who was joined by justices Brian Zahra and David Viviano.

The court did not indicate whether its opinion would be applied to other Michigan prisoners who have exhausted appeals of their sentence. But the court sent a similar case back to the Court for Appeals for more work, citing the Parks result.

I believe it will be retroactive, but that needs to be litigated further, said Jessica Zimbelman of the State Appellate Defender Office, known as SADO.

Another SADO attorney, Angeles Meneses, said the office represents many people in the same situation as Parks.

Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Gazas Hamas rulers have imposed a slew of new taxes on imported clothes and office supplies just ahead of the new school year, sparking limited but rare protests in the impoverished coastal strip.

The move by the militant group comes at a time when Gazas 2.3 million people are suffering not only from a 15-year Israeli-Egyptian blockade, but also from a new jump in prices caused by global supply-chain issues and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This is a wrong, oppressive decision that destroys the national economy, said Nahed al-Sawada, who imports clothes from China and Turkey.

A list by the Ministry of Economy includes planned taxes on items like packaged nuts, with an import tariff of 2,000 shekels (nearly $600) per ton. In the past, nuts were imported tax free. The tariff on a ton of toilet paper rose from $90 to $580. The taxes are set to go into effect on Aug. 1.

The list also includes a tax of about $3 on pair of jeans, and $230 on a ton of plastic folders used to store papers. Demand for these items increases ahead of the school year.

Emad Abdelhadi, a representative for Gazas union of clothes merchants, said a new pair of jeans sells for $3 to $10, and the new tax will pose an unfair burden on struggling consumers.

In a territory suffering from rampant poverty and unemployment approaching 50%, he said many Gazans already look for used clothes. The new taxes, he said, will deprive them of the ability to buy.

Gazas economy has been hit hard by the Israeli-Egyptian blockade, imposed when Hamas seized power in 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from arming, but critics say the restrictions, which include tight limits on exports, amount to collective punishment.

Hamas' government is not internationally recognized and Israel and its Western allies consider the group, which opposes Israel's existence and has in the past staged deadly suicide bombings against Israelis, a terrorist organization.

Israel and Hamas have fought four wars since the Hamas takeover, further straining the territorys rundown infrastructure. Electricity is in short supply, tap water undrinkable and the health care system is in shambles.

With tens of thousands of civil servants to support, as well as its heavy spending on its military wing, it is no surprise that Hamas is seeking new sources of revenue. Still, the timing is questionable, coming at a time when the Russian invasion of Ukraine has driven up consumer prices worldwide.

Hamas authorities say the new taxes are meant to protect the local industries. But experts and business people challenge this argument, since badly needed raw materials are now being taxed.

Mohammed Abu Jayyab, an economist, said the taxes have failed to protect local manufacturers because the government still taxes raw materials and production lines.

A spokesman for the Economy Ministry did not return requests for comment.

Hamas doesnt release figures on its funding resources or budgets, but the latest steps are part of a series of taxes targeting a wide array of sectors, from street vendors selling hot drinks to restaurants, home building and cars.

The government offers few services in exchange, and most aid and relief projects are covered by the international community. The funds help Hamas operate a government and powerful armed wing.

Protests against Hamas are rare and often met by force. But earlier this month, about two dozen members of the clothes merchants union expressed their frustration in public. They stood inside the building housing their union in Gaza City and held new pairs of jeans, with the price tags still on them, in the air for about half an hour.

Two days later, the merchants gathered outside the offices of Hamas lawmakers. Police prevented the media from filming and ordered the protest to stop after allowing representatives of the union inside to talk to the lawmakers. The protest ended peacefully.

The lawmakers acknowledged the taxes were high, and said they will look into it, said Abdelhadi, the union representative.

But he said he did not expect a positive outcome. By these decisions, they have issued a death sentence against the industry.
The ancient skeleton of a Gorgosaurus went up for auction for the first time Thursday and sold for just over $6 million. Whoever bought it  which is currently unknown  now also has the unusual opportunity to name it.

About 77 million years old, the Gorgosaurus is a relative of the deadly Tyrannosaurus rex, but faster and with a stronger bite force, according to Sotheby's, the sale organizer. Sotheby's offered the Gorgosaurus as a highlight in its Natural History auction that began today at 10:00 a.m. ET. The rare fossil was expected to attract bids of up to $8 million, according to the auction house.

The fossil was discovered in 2018 on private land in the Judith River Formation, in Montana's Choteau County, and has 79 bone elements, according to Sotheby's. All other known Gorgosaurus skeletons are in museum collections, making this one the only specimen of its kind offered for private ownership  which some scientists consider problematic for scientific study.

"In my career, I have had the privilege of handling and selling many exceptional and unique objects, but few have the capacity to inspire wonder and capture imaginations quite like this unbelievable Gorgosaurus skeleton," Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's global head of science and popular culture, said in a news release.

"Excavated only a few years ago, a Gorgosaurus has never before been offered at auction, and the opportunity of sharing this dinosaur with the public for the first time is an immense pleasure and a highlight of my career."

Just over 9 feet (2.8 meters) tall and 22 feet (6.7 meters) long, the Gorgosaurus was an apex carnivore that resided in the United States and Canada during the late Cretaceous period. Like T. rex, the Gorgosaurus is a large theropod and has similar features, such as an enormous head with dozens of sharp, curved teeth and two small front limbs.

"As the master hunter of its time, in which it was believed to have hunted in packs of four, the Gorgosaurus was a dominant force and a singular predator," according to Sotheby's. The dinosaur's name is derived from the Greek words for "fierce lizard."

Fossil auctions and ethics

The sale of the Gorgosaurus is Sotheby's second sale of a fossilized dinosaur skeleton. In 1997, the auction house sold the T. rex fossil nicknamed Sue, one of the largest and most complete dinosaur fossils ever found, to the Chicago-based Field Museum for $8.36 million. The specimen was named after collector Sue Hendrickson, who discovered the significant find. Excavated from South Dakota, Sue was the most valuable fossil to ever sell at auction at the time.

The auctioning of Sue was also controversial and, at the time, the latest example of a new challenge for the management of fossil resources: John W. Hoganson, paleontologist emeritus of the North Dakota Geological Survey, wrote in a 1998 edition of the survey's newsletter of the potential impact on scientific advancement of "a thriving international market for fossils and the resulting collecting and selling of fossils by profiteers."

"The professional paleontology community anxiously anticipated the T. rex auction because of uncertainty as to whether the important specimen would end up in a private collection, thereby making it unavailable for scientific study and public display, or in a public repository in this country," he wrote. "The ultimate concern was the effect the sale would have on the science of paleontology."

During Hoganson's tenure, he established the North Dakota State Fossil Collection and was involved with bringing about a federal law to protect fossil resources on federal lands in the US, according to the state's government.

Stan, the world's most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, set a new world record in 2020 when it sold for $31.8 million at Christie's. At the time of sale, paleontologists feared the fossil was lost to science, but in March the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism revealed plans for Stan to be a star attraction at a new museum of natural history, expected to open in 2025 in Abu Dhabi, as CNN previously reported.

As Sue remains on public display at the Field Museum, Stan awaits a permanent home, and the Gorgosaurus has been sold, some scientists aren't happy that this trend is continuing.

"In my own opinion, there are only cons," said P. David Polly, a professor and chair of the department of Earth and atmospheric sciences at Indiana University Bloomington. "While certainly there is no law in the US that supports this for fossils that come off private land, it's easy for me as a scientist to argue that that fossil is important to all of us, and really ought to be going into a public repository where it can be studied  where the public at large can learn from it and enjoy it."

Fossils on private lands belong to private individuals who can do what they want with them, whereas fossils on public lands are regulated by the federal government and essentially belong to the government or "the people, if you will," Polly said. "When there is a fossil that goes up for auction like this and is predicted to make millions of dollars, one of the things that does is it says to private landholders that the fossils on their land really ought to be monetized."

Other scientific experts, however, acknowledged that museum collecting has historically included acquisitions from commercial sources.

"It makes me sad that there's a price tag on dinosaurs," but "it's not a black or white issue," said Gregory Erickson, a professor of anatomy and vertebrate paleobiology at Florida State University in Tallahassee. "There is a history of museums buying commercial specimens."

"It's a brave new world for our science," said vertebrate paleontologist Steve Brusatte, professor and Personal Chair of Paleontology and Evolution at the University of Edinburgh, via email. "In a world where dinosaur skeletons fetch millions, where does that leave scientists and museums, who can't afford such inflated prices?"

And what did Polly think would be the best-case outcome of this auction? "That whoever is selling it would listen to what I just said and have a conversion experience and donate it to a museum," he said. "The second best would be that somebody wealthy heard this kind of message and gave a lot of money (to a museum) so that can be purchased for a museum."

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Iowans with an associate degree from any of the states 15 community colleges starting this fall will have easier access to a four-year bachelors degree thanks to a new University of Northern Iowa online program aimed at removing higher education barriers for adult and place-bound learners.

The UNI@IACC (Iowa Community Colleges) initiative  unveiled last week  not only simplifies and strips away traditional admission and location barriers, it pairs with a new Future Ready Scholarship Program offering UNI@IACC participants money to bridge the gap between UNI and community college tuition prices.

Starting this fall, Iowans with an associates degree from Western Iowa Tech and other community colleges will be able to earn a UNI online degree without having to leave their hometowns.

Western Iowa Tech Community College is very pleased to partner with University of Northern Iowa on this initiative, WITCC President Terry Murrell said. We are excited the universitys educational services are expanding to become even more accessible to students in Siouxland.

Associate-degree holders interested in pursuing a UNI bachelors through this program must choose from several high-demand degrees: managing business and organizations; management: business administration; criminal justice; elementary education; human services; technology management; or a bachelor of liberal studies.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has authorized $4.166 million from the states share of the American Rescue Plan funding to support the UNI initiative with scholarships and on-site student support personnel across Iowas community colleges over the coming academic year.

This innovative program provides students with the convenience of attaining a four-year degree without having to relocate to UNI, Reynolds said in a statement. Through partnerships with community colleges across Iowa, UNI@IACC meets students right where they are in their rural communities, removing barriers that may have prevented them from pursuing higher education.

That requirement of the program gets to the heart of a Future Ready Iowa initiative launched in 2016 to get 70 percent of Iowas workforce some education or training beyond high school by 2025. Iowa Workforce Development in 2019 reported 60 percent of Iowans held some form of postsecondary credential or degree.

The 70-percent goal emerged out of an evaluation of Iowas future workforce needs.

One of UNIs greatest strengths is our ability to identify and remove barriers to access and success that many learners face, UNI President Mark Nook said. UNI@IACC represents a major leap forward to assure access for more Iowans through this dynamic and innovative program that leads to in-demand careers in their hometowns.

Enrollment losses

The new program comes two years after UNI expanded its partnership with Des Moines Area Community College, offering more online degree-completion programs. And it comes amid UNI's ongoing enrollment losses.

UNIs enrollment last fall of 9,231 was its lowest since 1968 and it represented a 34 percent drop from its peak of 14,070 in 2001.

The Cedar Falls campus last fall reported its fewest new community college transfer students in at least two decades at 453  down 39 percent from a decade ago and 46 percent from 2005.

UNI also has seen steady losses in older non-traditional undergraduates. Between 2011 and 2021, its undergrad enrollment fell in all age categories from 23 to 64.

UNI, like Iowas other regent universities facing years of reduced state support and cutbacks, plans to raise tuition rates for fall by 4.25 percent for all students  those coming from Iowa or out of state at both the undergrad and graduate level.

Even with those increases, UNI for the upcoming budget year is projecting $2.9 million less tuition revenue than last fall with the projected enrollment, according to Board of Regents documents.

Although Nook said this new program will boost enrollment, he said, Thats really secondary.

My focus is always on, What are the needs of the state? What are the needs of our students? How do we provide that? he said. And if we do that, the enrollments will take care of themselves.

Nook said UNIs transfer enrollments have fallen in recent years, in part, because community college enrollment has been on the decline also.

So theres a smaller pool there, he said. And the number of students graduating from high school simply going on to any higher ed has dropped.

With shifting demographics across Iowa  including a projected drop in high school graduates along with a swelling percent of minority and low-income residents  the new UNI program aims to reach beyond the traditional pool of new-student prospects.

"We have for a while recognized that, especially the adult place-bound learners, don't have a lot of options, Nook said, noting his campus new program aims to answer the question, How can put some options back on the table?

'Remove educational barriers

Community college leaders agreed thats imperative  especially after the pandemic vastly expanded the campuses ability to offer online programming and students willingness to use it.

This partnership aligns with our mission to change students' lives by providing a clear pathway to success, Indian Hills Community College President Matt Thompson said in a statement. Having the ability to complete a four-year degree without having to leave southern Iowa will be life-changing for current and future students of Indian Hills and the University of Northern Iowa.

Although Future Ready Scholarship offers will vary by individual student, UNIs tentative fall tuition for resident undergraduates  pending Board of Regents approval Wednesday  is $9,691.

Community colleges are raising rates, too, for the upcoming school year at varying levels. But for the last academic year, according to a statewide report, the average in-state community college student paid between $5,220 and $6,397.50 for 30 credit hours.

That puts the UNI and community college cost difference at between $3,293 and $4,471.

Applications now are being accepted for the new UNI program and scholarship, in hopes of prompt implementation this fall, Nook said.

These partnerships value access and remove educational barriers that students have experienced in the past, said Interim Dean of the Graduate College Gabriela Olivares, who is leading the UNI@IACC initiative.
SPRINGFIELD, Neb. (AP)  Facebook's parent company announced plans Thursday to expand a data center it is building in the Omaha suburbs again.

A Meta spokesperson said the social media giant now plans to build a ninth building in the complex it is constructing in Papillion and Springfield southwest of Omaha in Sarpy County.

The company said the data center will cost more than $1.5 billion and eventually include 4 million square feet.

Meta plans to complete the project it began in 2017 by the end of 2024. About 150 people are already maintaining computers at the site that is eventually expected to employ about 300. Six of the nine buildings are already operational.

Meta said all of the data center's electricity will come from renewable energy, including wind farms in northeast Nebraska and Kansas.

Several other major companies have built data centers in the area around the Meta data center, including Google, Yahoo, Travelers Insurance and Fidelity Investments.
That friendly fist bump with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman might not have been such a defining moment -- had Biden not first set himself up.

During the 2020 campaign, Biden said that when he encounters the prince, he would treat him like the "pariah" he was for having authorized the murder and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

As for Biden's depiction of how he confronted MBS behind closed doors, the Saudis dispute his rendition, and many of his own countrymen disbelieve Biden.

Why? Because Joe Biden has a history of painting himself as heroic in personal encounters where few contemporaries recall him that way.

The classic is the story Biden has often told of confronting, as a pool security guard in a Black neighborhood, a gang leader named Corn Pop, whom Biden ordered out of the pool for breaking the rules.

When Biden left for the day, Corn Pop was waiting for him, with three gang members, and holding a straight razor. Biden, holding a six-foot length of chain, he says, faced him down, and Corn Pop backed off.

Whatever the reality of that event, 60 years ago, Biden has issued, in his 18 months in office, a remarkable number of warnings and threats as to what he would do as commander in chief if challenged, thereby putting his own and his country's credibility on the line.

Asked, before his trip to the Middle East, if he would use force to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Biden replied, "If that was the last resort, yes."

During the trip, the U.S. and Israel signed a joint pledge to deny nuclear arms to Iran. We are now committed.

Given that the U.S. has fought in five wars in the Middle East in this century -- Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen -- one would think this country would be wary of committing itself to a new war with one of the largest powers in the region.

When Russian President Vladimir Putin built up forces outside Ukraine and asked repeatedly for assurances that Ukraine would not be brought into NATO, an alliance aimed at Russia, the Biden administration refused.

The February invasion followed, and among Biden's subsequent threats, his call for the removal of Putin was virtually declared a war aim.

"For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power," thundered Biden in Poland, a declaration that was hastily walked back by White House staff.

In addition to the weaponry we were shipping to Ukraine -- long-range artillery and rockets -- Biden announced at the NATO summit in Madrid that the U.S. would be strengthening its military presence in Europe.

The permanent headquarters of the U.S. Army's V Corps is to be moved to Poland. Two additional F-35 fighter jet squadrons are to be moved to the U.K. More air defense capabilities are to be moved into Germany and Italy. Rotational deployments of U.S. troops to the Baltic region are to be increased. U.S. troops are to be moved into Romania.

U.S. forces in Europe are to be increased from about 60,000 to 100,000, and Biden has vowed that Putin's invasion "will not end with a Russian defeat of Ukraine in Ukraine."

But how Biden guarantees that the Russian invasion will be rolled back, if Putin rolls up the Donbas, is unexplained.

Since the Russia-Ukraine war began, Biden has also given Article 5 war guarantees to Sweden and Finland by promising to bring them into NATO.

From the Arctic to the Black Sea and from Iceland to Estonia, there are now 30 European nations we are obligated to defend.

In 2021, Biden indicated that the U.S.-Philippines mutual security treaty dating to the 1950s meant the U.S. would come to Manila's defense should it attempt to reclaim rocks and reefs in the South China Sea, also claimed and now occupied by Chinese military forces.

The U.S. war guarantees in our treaty with Japan extend to the Senkaku Islands, also claimed by China, according to the Biden White House.

In May, in Tokyo, Biden gave a flat "yes" to a reporter's question as to whether he is willing to "get involved militarily to defend Taiwan."

"That's the commitment we made," the president said.

Not so. The U.S. scrapped its formal commitment to defend Taiwan in 1979, replacing a treaty of alliance with the Taiwan Relations Act, which obligates the U.S. to help equip Taiwan to defend itself.

Again, White House staff sought to walk back Biden's declaration that we would fight for Taiwan, as U.S. policy since Richard Nixon's trip to Beijing is that Taiwan "is a part of China."

We have written dozens of blank checks to nations not only in Europe but also in the Middle East and Asia to come and fight to defend their borders.

Yet, the border most critical to us, the U.S.-Mexican border, is being overrun by a quarter of a million migrants every month, with the worst of them bringing in the fentanyl that killed 100,000 of America's young last year.

And bellicose Joe has done next to nothing about it.
1 Not some average Jo (Dee)!

Country star Jo Dee Messina has had nine number one hits, 16 top 40 songs and a handful of Grammy nominations. She's also heading over to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Anthem, 111 Third St. for an 8 p.m. Friday concert.

2 Down under bluesman!

When you think of down and dirty blues towns, you think of Chicago or the Big Easy, right? Well, how about Melbourne, Australia? That's where Michael Charles hails from. This Aussie expat will bring a unique sound to a Downtown Live concert at 7 p.m. Friday on the front lawn of the Sioux City Public Museum, 607 Fourth St. Will Charles put more shrimp on the barbie? Eh, probably not.

3 Grecian delights!

Speaking of food, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church will hosts its always-popular Greek Fest, Friday through Sunday, at 900 Sixth St. More ouzo, more gyro, more everything, please!

4 River City, only with more ice cream?

Meredith Willson's legendary musical, "The Music Man," is coming to the Le Mars Community Theatre, 105 First St. N.E., Le Mars, for a nine-performance run beginning Thursday. In case you were wondering, "The Music Man" debuted on Broadway 65 years ago. The revival of the show -- starring movie star Hugh Jackman -- is still wowing audiences on the Great White Way.

5 Case of the missing chicken!

Who stole the chicken? Was it the dastardly donkey, the suspicious sheep or somebody else? Test your sleuthing skills in the Escape Room at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserves, 272 Westshore Drive, North Sioux City at 1 p.m. Thursday. We're putting our money on those guilty-looking goats!

6 All's Fair!

And we mean literally! The Woodbury County Fair will open its doors in Moville, Iowa from Wednesday through Aug. 7. The Dakota - Thurston County Fairs, in South Sioux City, will follow the same schedule.
Last month, the Hollywood Reporter informed readers that, after a year which saw Netflixs subscriptions dip and its stock price plummet, the company was no longer in the business of financing expensive vanity projects like Martin Scorseses The Irishman. In its place would be movies like The Gray Man, a $200 million thriller about CIA assassins starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans and directed by Marvel stalwarts Joe and Anthony Russo, that debuted on the service last week.

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The Irishman, a $160 million, three-and-a-half-hour rumination on the dying regrets of a mob hitman that Martin Scorsese had been trying to make for over a decade, was a labor of love. The Gray Man is just a labor. In a recent interview, Joe Russo described the movie as business-focused content, and watching the movie is just as transporting an experience as that makes it sound. With a cast that includes Ana de Armas, Billy Bob Thornton, Alfre Woodard, and Rege-Jean Page, theres always an interesting person on screen (or at least Chris Evans mustache), and the Russos shift the action to a different country every few minutesThailand, Turkey, Austria, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and the Czech Republic, among other spotsso that you dont get bored, even if they do have a gift for making far-flung locales feel like the inside of a warehouse in Atlanta.

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You dont consume these movies. They consume you.

But perhaps because a substantial chunk of The Gray Mans massive budget went just to paying its stars (Gosling and Evans are reported to have received $20 million apiece), the movie can look surprisingly tatty at timesnotably during a CGI-heavy fight aboard a cargo plane thats so blurry and poorly staged its actively painful to look atand even when it doesnt look cheap, it sounds cheap. The Russos way with cheeky, self-aware dialogue has stood them in good stead from their days making network sitcoms through their tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the zippy barbs in The Gray Man feel like placeholders for better lines to come; the subtitles might as well read [Quip to be added later]. In the opening scene, Thorntons CIA recruiter tells Goslings imprisoned convict hes going to help him become a value-add instead of a value lost; later, as Evans dispatches an army of mercenaries to take out Goslings rogue agent, he orders them to Hit this meatball like a freight train.

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The Gray Man is far from the worst movie Ive ever seen, but it might be one of the least. Its the end-stage result of converting art into content, the equivalent of eating Soylent instead of a home-cooked meal. It will provide a comforting background hum as you scroll through your phone, give you some attractive people and dramatic explosions to occasionally glance up at. But it will also dull your senses, teach you to accept fullness in place of satisfaction, and ultimately rob you of a tiny portion of your life. You dont consume it. It consumes you.

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The Gray Man has been touted as the most expensive movie Netflix has ever madealthough like all numbers issuing from Netflix, that claim has to be treated with skepticism. (This is, after all, the company that for years counted watching two minutes of a movie as a view.) Red Notice also had a reported budget of $200 million, and the movies director claimed the actual cost might have been closer to $300 million; The Irishmans may have run as high as $225 million. Its not surprising that, especially with stockholders to convince that the company is shifting course away from taking chances on a wide variety of projects to placing a few big, safe bets, Netflix is emphasizing The Gray Mans cost, a marketing tactic that goes back to the earliest days of silent-movie spectacle. But at least when Cleopatra or The Ten Commandments broke the bank, you got eye-popping splendor and majestic pageantry. With the Russos, you just get glop.

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For years, Netflixs pitch to filmmakers was that it was the place that would make movies no one else would, and give them the freedom they never had. The Irishman fell apart at Paramount over budgetary concerns, and might have tumbled back into development hell had Netflix not snatched it from the maw. Jane Campion, arguably one of the greatest living directors, hadnt made a movie in 12 years before Netflix financed The Power of the Dog in 2021. But the auteurist approach hasnt paid the dividends Netflix hoped fornamely securing the Best Picture win they spent years and millions chasingso theyve pivoted from prestige to populism.

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Netflix is still laying out for awards-track moviestheyll have four premieres at the Venice Film Festival in September, including the edgy Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde and an adaptation of Don DeLillos White Noise. But the movies theyre spending the most on, the ones that define what a Netflix movie is, keep getting worse. 2017s Bright was pure movie-star folly, a misguided mixture of buddy-cop thriller and fantasy story that ended up costing over $100 million just so Netflix could announce theyd worked with Will Smith. (If theres any upside to Smiths Oscars contretemps, its that it seems to have permanently killed the long-simmering plans for a Bright 2.) But the following years Outlaw King, a muck-strewn take on medieval history that opens with a nine-minute tracking shot and ended up costing $120 million, cemented them as the place where dreams came trueeven if that dream was just scrounging up a few million to fulfill the decades-long quest of completing Orson Welles final film. Next up was The Irishman, the ultimate passion project for perhaps the most revered director alive. And even when Netflix gave Transformers auteur Michael Bay $150 million to make the slick, brainless caper movie 6 Underground, you could feel a sense of freedom, verging on mania, at play. For better or worse, it was clear there was no one looking over Bays shoulder.

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In retrospect, though, the defining Netflix movie of 2019 isnt Scorseses or Bays but J.C. Chandors Triple Frontier, which stars Ben Affleck and Oscar Isaac as American veterans who hatch a plan to rip off a South American drug lord. Its a solid, modestly intelligent action movie with enough recognizable faces to fill out a variety of thumbnails, and a plot calculated to appeal to fans of the Narcos franchise. Instead of climaxing with the successful heist, the movie puts it smack in the middle, and its second half is devoted to a new problem: Now that these soldiers have a literal ton of cash, how are they going to get it home? The farther they get, the more of a burden the money becomes, to the extent that some of them lose everything they have trying to hold onto it.

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Netflix made several $100 million-plus movies after that, some good, some bad. But theyve come at the price point with renewed vigor in the last year, with The Gray Man, Red Notice, The Adam Project, and Spiderhead all released since November. These are big movies, all right, headlined by stars like Dwayne Johnson and Chris Hemsworth, from the directors of box-office hits like Skyscraper and Top Gun: Maverick. But theres nothing distinctive about them, no sense that all that money is being spent on anything other than making the client happy. The Ringers Adam Nayman referred to the Russo brothers as project managers, and thats who Netflix is handing their largest bags of cash to nowadaysnot visionaries or innovators, but people who can do as theyre told, or better yet, dont need to be told in the first place. Theyre giving creative freedom to people with no creative instincts.

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The Gray Man obligingly leapt top to the of Netflixs rankings the moment it was released, and a foreordained sequel reuniting Gosling and the Russos was announced on Tuesday, with an unspecified spinoff movie in the works. Two Red Notice sequels are also on the way, possibly to be shot back-to-back. Its a cavalcade of content, a field day for people who want movies that go through them like a glass of warm tap water. In an interview promoting The Gray Man, Joe Russo, who spent the press tour for Avengers Endgame touting the experience of collective movie-watching, dismissed the notion of movie theaters as a sacred space as bullshitand having seen The Gray Man, at Netflixs insistence, in a movie theater, I can confirm there was nothing sacred about the experience. If anything, the movie looks better on a laptop. Hes right that the medium isnt the problem. There are innovative, thought-provoking, heart-stopping movies released to streaming every week, some of them even on Netflix. But youll have to go digging for them, because the algorithm is too invested in getting you to watch The Gray Man instead. The future may not be bright, but at least its predictable.
Welcome to State of Mind, a new section from Slate and Arizona State University dedicated to exploring mental health. Follow us on Twitter.

This article was adapted from Schizophrenia: An Unfinished History, by Orna Ophir, out July 26 from Polity.

In This Stranger, My Son, her 1968 memoir, Louise Wilson tells the story of her familys struggles with mental illness. She recalls that when her son, Tony, was discharged from the hospital, her husband, a surgeon, who had had enough of hearing conflicting reports, asked for a real diagnosis. The psychiatrist treating Tony replied: Schizophrenia, if you want to label it. The boy is a paranoid schizophrenic. But, he added, schizophrenia was just a word covering a large, loose category: its like saying tree. There are all kindsfirs, elms, pines. So, there are many kinds and degrees of schizophrenia. Shocked, Louise echoed the words: schizophrenia, if you want a label, while thinking of her sons dark blue eyes, his beautiful, rare smile, but also about the ugly contortions of his rage, his terror and fear.

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What was this strange phenomenon of Tonys illness? Was schizophrenia merely a loose category, just a label, a word? But also, did it name a natural phenomenon, like a tree? Did schizophrenia have many kinds? Could it have many degrees?

Swiss psychiatrist Paul Eugen Bleuler introduced schizophrenia, often considered the most troubling form of madness, as a medical classification in 1908 to replace the label dementia praecox, meaning the incurable madness of young people. He coined it as a diagnosis to describe patients who suffered a disintegration of the mind (skhizein meaning to split and phren connoting mind), a century after the German physician Johann Christian Reil introduced the word psychiatry as part of his call for the establishment of a specific subdivision of medicine to treat mental illnesses. Ever since, psychiatrists have been engaged in a collective effort to classifythat is, identify, name, describe, and treatsuch psychological ailments. But, unlike the successes in classifying minerals, plants, and animals, it was soon clear that when it comes to mental illnesses, classification is a difficult task. Indeed, the combination of body and soul does not always follow the same patterns as the rest of the natural world. Thus, paranoid schizophrenia cannot be traced back to schizophrenia or the schizophrenia spectrum in the same way that American elm falls under the genus of ulmus/elm.

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Yet, it seems that we cannot give up psychiatric classifications. The use of diagnoses in psychiatry serves many bureaucratic needs (including keeping records, setting up reimbursements, coordinating between professionals and institutions), but it also serves emotional necessity, offering patients and their families some clarity where uncertainty and anxiety prevailed. Patients want to know what is wrong with them, and some individuals report feeling less guilty for their inability to overcome their problems once they receive a diagnosis. Tonys psychiatrist and present-day clinicians understand this diagnostic end goal. The trouble is that clinical classifications, while on shaky grounds, tend to become real, with the consequence that physicians and psychiatrists keep using categories of mental illnesses even when doubtful of their fundamental validity.

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We have never had an objective test for schizophrenia, and according to Canadian philosopher Ian Hacking, the phenomenon we are trying to diagnose is a moving target. Hacking argues that the human sciences are not necessarily revealing new illnesses that are then given names; instead, they are driven by engines of discovery and involve a process of making up people. By counting people (1 per 100 people in America suffers from schizophrenia); quantifying them (age of onset before 45, duration of psychotic symptoms longer than a month); creating norms (what is a normal perception, normal memory, normal daily function); correlating data about them (a common estimate is that 10 percent of those diagnosed with schizophrenia die by suicide); and in addition, by medicalizing, biologizing, geneticizing, and bureaucratizing individuals, new kinds of patients are made.* When autistics, hoarders, the obese, or paranoid schizophrenics emerge as new subjects, so do new types of experts identifying, assessing, and treating them.

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In the first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 1952, schizophrenia was understood as a reaction to stressful life events. It was seen as a group of disorders that were named schizophrenic reactions. In 1968, when the second edition of the manual was published, the word reaction disappeared. Though the authors of DSM-II believed that nothing new had been discovered about the nature of the disorder, they made up 15 different types of schizophrenia, which allowed for the American classification system to align with the International Classification of Diseases, produced by the World Health Organization, which specified similar subtypes. By 1980, when the third edition of the American manual was released, the number of these subtypes shrank significantly, and each was characterized by a specific manifestation of symptoms. If schizophrenia was the tree, to return to Tonys psychiatrists metaphor, these various types were the firs, elms, and pines. Thus, while all schizophrenias shared some features such as delusions, hallucinations, disturbed affect, and disorganized behavior and speech (just as trees share roots, trunks, branches, and leaves), these different subtypes had additional unique characteristics in common. The main subtypes the DSM introduced were disorganized schizophrenia, characterized by a lack of a specific delusion, as well as by disorganized behavior and nonsensical speech, together with flat, silly, or inappropriate emotional responses; catatonic schizophrenia, which was the label given to those with a clear disturbance in psychomotor activity that was manifested in either excited but aimless movements, or a decrease in motoric activity and even stupor; and, finally, paranoid schizophrenia, a diagnosis given to a clinical picture that was dominated by delusions of persecution, grandiosity, jealousy, or all of the above.

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While in the late 1960s, Tony could have been diagnosed with schizophrenia  paranoid type coded 295.3 by DSM-II, this diagnosis is no longer offered by the latest version of the manual, which we use today (DSM-5, 2013, or with its recent revision DSM-5-TR, 2022). Together with all other categories of schizophrenia mentioned above, this diagnosis became obsolete and instead a schizophrenia spectrum is now the diagnosis of choice for similar conditions. Does this mean that there are no longer any paranoid schizophrenics among us? Are there no more people who experience persecutory or grandiose delusions, hallucinations, and at times excessive religiosity, hostility and aggression? Have these individuals changed their nature? Or, has psychiatry merely changed its way of classifying disturbances in human psychological behavior?

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During the past two decades, psychiatry has attempted to move from carving out categories of mental illness to delineating spectra of these disorders. Among these, the autism spectrum was the first to be popularized. It seems that this shift from a qualitative categorical diagnosis (based on descriptive symptoms) to a spectrum-like, dimensional classification (based on biological or psychological gliding scales from normal to pathological functioning) might bring a very literal end to many known disorders, schizophrenia to begin with.

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In fact, these two opposing ways of understanding mental illness have framed our perception since antiquity. The first characterizes abnormal mental states and behaviors as different in kind from normal ones, just as elm trees are different from pine trees, and trees, more generally, are different from minerals or animals. The second defines the difference between normal and disordered states as one of degree, placing them on a spectrum, in the same way that in medicine, hypertension is different from hypotension. Over time, the latter paradigm became the more prevalent. Even seemingly obvious natural categories, such as life and death, are now challenged and placed on a spectrum.

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As human beings and scientists, we can think about phenomena in terms of categories and continuities. The distinction between light particles and waves, discovered by 20th-century quantum mechanics, is a case in point. Just as the particle-wave duality necessitated revisions in the understanding of the basic concepts and fundamental methods of theoretical physics, the revolution in psychiatric classification seems to bring with it the end of the fixed and fateful category of schizophrenia.

Still, most clinicians agree that some individuals do experience delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech that make them sound irrational. They attest that they have seen individuals who clearly exhibit disorganized or catatonic behavior, flat affect, or the failure to maintain basic self-care. Yet a growing number of psychiatrists maintain that, as a presumed disease entity, as an identifiable state, with clear subtypes, schizophrenia simply does not exist. Some consider schizophrenia no more than an end stage of other untreated mental disorders (in the same way that heart failure is the terminal stage of various heart diseases); others propose to abolish the diagnosis altogether.

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These psychiatrists, psychologists, social activists, survivors, ex-patients, and others have argued that the label schizophrenic is stigmatizing. Schizophrenia is associated with hopelessness, chronicity, and even danger, and being labeled with it is as harmful as the condition the term aims to classify. This change has happened in some countries. In 2002, the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology replaced the word for schizophrenia, Seishin-Bunretsu-Byo (mind-split disease) with integration disorder, or Togo-Shitcho-Sho. While the first was considered hopeless, the second envisioned a condition from which one could recover, if properly treated. Similarly, South Korea adopted the name attunement disorder in 2011, and in Taiwan the S-word was renamed a year later as dysregulation of thought and perception. In European countries, further alternatives were offered in professional journals that included Bleuler disorder (just as Parkinsons or Down syndrome were named after the doctors who first described these conditions), neuro-emotional integration disorder, or psychosis susceptibility syndrome, a label suggested by the Dutch Anoikis Patient Association.

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Given that psychiatry lacks a clear measure for most of its conditions, the Danish philosopher of science Anke Bueter has recommended that patients knowledge should be taken into consideration when revising and renaming their diagnoses. After all, they are the ones who must live with the label. Elyn Saks noted in her memoir The Center Cannot Hold that the diagnosis of schizophrenia feels more like a death sentence than a medical diagnosis. If that is trueand we must listen to the patientsthen doctors who are trained to first, do no harm would be wise and do well to reconsider using it.

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Correction, July 28, 2022: This article originally misstated that people with schizophrenia are 10 percent more likely to die by suicide. A common estimate is that 10 percent of those diagnosed with schizophrenia die by suicide.

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State of Mind is a partnership of Slate and Arizona State University that offers a practical look at our mental health systemand how to make it better.
US pushes chip bill to encircle China, but unable to lure firms to decouple with mainland

By Xie Jun, Qi Xixia, Liu Yang (Global Times) 08:35, July 28, 2022

The US Senate on Wednesday passed a chip bill that is intended to counter China's high-tech rise under the guise of shoring up US competitiveness and protecting national security, a "dream" that is very difficult to achieve considering problems like mounting debts and industrial hollowing-out in the world's largest economy, experts said.

For countries and regions that have been kidnapped by the US bill to secede their chip supply chains from China, some might make symbolic gestures to follow the US orders but postpone real actions, like setting factories in the US, because what the US is pushing runs counter to their tangible benefits, observers noted.

The bill, aimed at boosting US semiconductor production, passed the US Senate 64-33 on Wednesday and will move to the House and US President Joe Biden for approval, US media reported.

The package, known as "CHIPS-plus," includes about $52 billion of funding for US companies making computer chips, a provision that offers a tax credit for investment in chip production, as well as funding to spur innovation and development of other US technologies, the report noted.

Although US officials have used many expressions to justify the bill, like economic security, national security or "America's future," its real intention of containing China's development has nowhere to hide judging from the bill's requirement for companies to pick only one of two choices - business ties with China, or subsidies from the US government.

The legislation would prohibit companies from expanding their semiconductor manufacturing in China for 10 years after they take a grant to build a US plant, Bloomberg reported on July 18. Companies could continue to invest in "legacy" chip manufacturing in China, but the definition of that term is unresolved.

"The US is using the bill to force companies in countries and regions of key status on the global chip supply and industrial chains to play by US rules, as well as encircling and suppressing chip industries in emerging markets," Wang Peng, a research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) in Beijing, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the bill is aimed at containing China's development and putting the US on a more competitive footing with China in the technological edge.

US 'Chips Alliance' scheme will exacerbate global chip crunch. Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

Stuck in difficult position

As US officials mount efforts to push the bill toward passage, which experts interpreted as shifting from a "stick" approach by forcing companies to leave China to a "carrot" tactic with subsidies as bait. Chip companies, either in the US or in other countries and regions, are finding themselves in the difficult position of having to take sides.

A CNBC report noted that the CHIPS act has elicited divided responses from the US chip industry, as some players are concerned that the bill could provide disproportionate support to manufacturers like Intel while doing little to support other chip firms that do not produce chips by themselves.

But even companies like Intel are not one hundred percent satisfied with the bill. According to a report from Politico, Intel and other chipmakers are lobbying to curtail limitations on their operations in China.

Experts stressed that large US chip companies always know that globalized distribution is the best option for them, as the mode has supported their business growth over many years.

"If companies build plants in the US, where do they get cheap labor and construction materials from? How do they cover their factory operating expenses? Why build a factory where the end market is far away?" questioned Ma Jihua, a veteran technology analyst.

Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Beijing-based Information Consumption Alliance, said on Wednesday that for some large US companies, getting the subsidies and giving up the Chinese market will mean more losses than gains. For instance, Intel is unlikely to completely give up the Chinese market, which accounts for 20 to 30 percent of its entire annual revenue.

For US allies like Japan and South Korea, whose semiconductor industrial chains are deeply integrated with the Chinese mainland market, the situation is even more difficult.

"If they listen to the US, their companies might get tens of billions of dollars from the US, but they will lose hundreds of billions of dollars or even more due to decoupling with the mainland markets," Ma said.

They will not only lose Chinese chip customers, but could also see spillover effects on other products as well, similar to how South Korean companies suffered in Chinese mainland market after the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) crisis, the expert said.

Ma anticipates that Japan is prone to saying yes to Biden but would not cut its cooperation with China in reality, while South Korea is likely to face severe opposition from its large chipmakers.

Xiang said that enterprises from Japan and South Korea may make some symbolic adjustments under this bill, like building factories in the US, but they may repeatedly postpone such investments because of the high cost of the technology.

The US proposed the idea of the "Chip 4" semiconductor alliance and sent invitations to Japan, South Korea and China's Taiwan island. Though South Korea may ultimately join the bloc, Seoul's long hesitation to give a clear answer is evident of its dilemma.

Plan invalid

Experts said that the effect of the US chip bill may not meet the US' anticipation in reshaping the world's semiconductor supply chains, in which China now play an important role in producing parts.

For example, Gao Lingyun from CASS said that the overall cost of making chips in the US is not very competitive on the global market, primarily due to its high labor cost, although it might have strong abilities in upstream industrial sections like research and development.

"Past experience showed that efforts to set up a chip facility in the US, for example the US plant of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), has progressed slowly, which further underscores the difficulty of setting up chip factories in the US," he told the Global Times.

Other factors are straining the US as well, such as mounting debts that are restricting Washington's abilities to materialize subsidies, their manufacturing hollowing-out that leads to insufficiency in everything from workers to materials, as well as the fact that the US might soon have another president, analysts said.

According to Ma, there could be two results with the passage of the bill. First, it will not be implemented properly. Second, the US government could return to the "stick" approach if it receives scant support from companies. If the second way becomes reality, the world's semiconductor industry, which is already facing downward pressure, might enter a dark period with many companies going bankrupt, he said.

China's rise

Despite US attempts to reshape the world's chip supply chains to a US-led one, China's chip industry is developing in a stable manner, be it the technologies or the markets, inspiring confidence among analysts that China will make breakthroughs in key chip technologies in about three to five years.

According to South Korean Customs statistics, South Korea's exports to China totaled $13.4 billion in May this year, while imports reached $14.9 billion, showing a deficit on the South Korean side for the first time, electronics information portal ijiwei.com reported.

One important stimulus for the situation is that China's exports of semiconductor products, which account for about one-sixth of the country's total exports to South Korea, surged 40.9 percent in the month, data provided by the Korea International Trade Association showed.

Besides, the rising popularity of China's electronic products like mobile phones has boosted demand for domestic chip products. For example, Chinese mobile phone brand Xiaomi recently launched a phone equipped with a China-made chip JR510, according to media reports.

On the technology side, Chinese companies are also making rapid progress. The country's chip giant Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) said it had made a breakthrough in the first generation FinFET technology and entered mass production in Q4 of 2019, while the tech's second generation, rendered equivalent to the 7nm and 5nm manufacturing process of TSMC, is also in a period of pilot production.

SMIC's profits surged 147.7 percent on a yearly basis in 2021 in yuan's terms, the company's annual report showed.

According to Ma, China's sense of urgency for chip industrial independence has enhanced a lot over recent years. This is giving rise to strengthened input, from the industrial, research and university sides, into the industry, bringing positive results such as a surge in chip product categories from hundreds to thousands.

In terms of technologies, China is also "leaping in progress," he said, adding that though China still has several technological bottlenecks to break through, it should be able to solve those bottlenecks after 3-5 years of stable development.

Xiang predicted that the large-scale storage in China's chip industry will start in 2023, as compared with chips from Europe, the US and South Korea, China's domestic chips are of good quality, priced about 60 percent lower than that of other countries.

"In a sense, Chinese companies already have the ability to produce high-end chips, and they just need time to achieve mass production. The US chip blockade for China has in turn greatly facilitated the development of the country's chip industry," Xiang said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
When a friend and I took a day trip to D.C., we found ourselves famished after a morning spent in the Smithsonians. She asked me, the navigator among my friends, Where should we go for lunch? I pulled out my phone to look at a map, but instead of opening up Google Maps, as my parents might have, I turned to Snap Maps. Snapchats map feature was created to share your location with friends, so its conveniently equipped with labels of nearby businesses and restaurants. We quickly found a place to eat.

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That experience came to mind when I read a Google executive complain that the company is threatened by the way young users are turning to newer platforms. According to TechCrunch, senior vice president Prabhakar Raghavan told the audience at Fortunes Brainstorm Tech, In our studies, something like almost 40% of young people, when theyre looking for a place for lunch, they dont go to Google Maps or Search. They go to TikTok or Instagram.

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Im sure that idea sounds wild to older readers who are deeply enmeshed with Googles simplistic search engines. But Raghavans research is spot-on. It all comes down to the fact that teenagers dont just want straightforward information. We want a richer experience, one that is more visually appealing, and one informed by our friends and people who are like us.

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To be clear: I use Google products regularly. But I use them for only the most straightforward tasks: checking the spelling of something, looking for a quick fact, finding directions. If Im looking for a place for lunch, or a cool new pop-up, or an activity my friends would enjoy, Im not going to bother with Google.

Raghavan mentions Instagram, which I dont use this way. It doesnt have a map feature, and Ive found the algorithm doesnt work quite as well for discovery purposes. But I do use TikTok, even if it doesnt have a map component. When the algorithm brings you to a certain video, it can be like finding a gold mine. I recently saw a video from a woman in my area sampling a new doughnut shop, complete with details on menu items, the best flavors, and a quick tour of the interior. Just after watching it, I made plans with my friends to go next week. Finding that shop on Google search would have probably required wading deep into results crammed with chain and established stores.

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I love recommendations I find on TikTok, because I get so much more information from a video than I would from perusing a restaurants menu or looking through Yelp reviews. For a technology-addicted generation with short attention spans, there is little incentive to go out of our way to find new restaurant openings, or click beyond the first page of a Google search for nearby activities. TikTok videos with recommendations are quick, informative, and visually immersivefactors that easily convince us to try something new.

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Snapchat, too, is convenient and interactive, though in a different manner. It is my favorite map to use because it is both easy to navigate and full of information. Most teenagers I know use the map feature to find their friends; Snapchat allows you to share your location with friends youve added, so you can see what theyre up to. (This comes in handy for making last-minute plans.) When the feature first launched in 2017, there were complaints about privacy: to use the map, you had to opt-in to location sharing, which meant anyone you had added could see where you were. However, an update added the option to only share with select friends or turn off location entirely, while still retaining access to the map.

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Now, without any concerns of sharing unwanted information, it is easy to take full advantage of Snap Maps creative take on a traditional map. From a design standpoint, it is fun and easy to use: It appears as a traditional paper map (which Raghavan notes many younger people have never usedguilty as charged). But when you zoom in enough, the format automatically switches over to a satellite view, which adds detail and helps the user understand how an area may appear in real life. Once zoomed in, business names pop up helpfully in a small tag over their location. Unlike Google Maps design, where business names are not immediately shown and moving around to see different labels feels clunky, on Snap the names of all nearby stores immediately appear, and it is much easier to move around the map. With the addition of small icons next to their namesa shirt next to a boutique, or sandwich next to a SubwaySnap Maps makes it quick and easy to discover new destinations in the area.

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And Snap does not fall behind Google Maps on the information front. Like with Google, when a user clicks on one of the business labels on Snap Maps, the app immediately pulls up relevant information such as hours, ratings, address, and websites. But Snap goes a step further by recommending places popular with your friends. The names of often-visited businesses will be displayed, connecting you with friends. It lets you get a recommendation from the people you trust without having to bug them about it.

Im not saying I never use Google products. Google Maps works for navigation, Google search for daily queries.

But those functions are, well, perfunctory. Theyre lackluster. I prefer a more interactive experience, one that offers richer ways to discover new restaurants, shops, and experiences.

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The good news for Google is that Raghavan seems to get this. We keep learning, over and over again, that new internet users dont have the expectations and the mindset that we have become accustomed to, he said, according to TechCrunch. Hes right that we want visually rich experiences and that the company needs to conjure up completely new expectations and that takes altogether new  technology underpinnings.

I think this growing desire for interactive experiences is exciting. It signals an opportunity for tech giants and social apps to revitalize their tired designs, and take simple search bars a step further. Although these new search habits may be difficult for older generations to understand, they offer many new possibilities for the future of social media, discovery, and interaction.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
ARCHIVED - Scorcher of a weekend ahead: Spain weather outlook July 28-31



Higher than normal temperatures and tropical nights are forecast across Spain for the next few days

Many regions of Spain are enjoying a couple of relatively cool days in the middle of this week but the heat is set to return over the weekend in a new warm episode that should see the thermometers register between 5 and 10 degrees higher than normal, according to Aemet.

As well as sizzling in the daytime, people living in central Spain or in the far south will have to suffer through a couple of tropical nights with temperatures in excess of 20C, while a few storms are still possible in the north-east on Saturday and Sunday.

While its still impossible to say whether the weekend weather will turn into yet another heatwave, an Aemet spokesperson confirmed that the "high temperatures will continue during the first fortnight of August" , while some storms could make an appearance in the north and along the southern coast.

Thursday July 28

Thursday is going to be a pretty mixed day, with high temperatures in the south and probable shower and strong storms in the north-east. There will be a notable drop in temperature in the Canary Islands while the mercury will continue to rise in the south.

Highlighting the unsettled nature is the Valencian Community , which is on alert both for extreme heat and heavy rain.

Minimum and maximum temperatures on Thursday:

Alicante: 24C; 32C

Almeria: 23C; 31C

Malaga: 24C; 30C

Murcia: 24C; 36C

Friday July 29

Very little change on Friday, with the mercury continuing to rise slightly in the extreme south. The day will begin cloudy in most regions and showers and even isolated storms are forecast in Aragon, Catalonia and the north of the Valencian Community.

Minimum and maximum temperatures on Friday:

Alicante: 22C; 33C

Almeria: 23C; 30C

Malaga: 24C; 30C

Murcia: 22C; 37C

Saturday July 30

Things will kick up a gear on Saturday with a rise in the mercury across practically all of Spain. The thermometers will easily hit 35C in central areas, along the west coast and in the extreme south, while 40C should be exceeded in the Tagus, Guadiana and Guadalquivir valleys.

Minimum and maximum temperatures on Saturday:

Alicante: 24C; 33C

Almeria: 25C; 37C

Malaga: 25C; 29C

Murcia: 25C; 35C

Sunday July 31

The real heat will hit on Sunday, when areas in the south of Galicia, especially the Mino Valley, will be 10 degrees warmer than usual for this time of year. Along the west coast, the maximums will be between 5 and 10 degrees higher than normal while in the east and the Balearic Islands, the heat will be more typical of the summer season.

Minimum and maximum temperatures on Sunday:

Alicante: 24C; 33C

Almeria: 26C; 36C

Malaga: 24C; 30C

Murcia: 24C; 35C

Image: Aemet
Thirty flights have been reported since the war started.

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If a drone flies over a military facility without permission, the military will be able to shoot it down. Soldiers and military police will be allowed to do this by the amendment to the Act on the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, which is currently in the interdepartmental review process.

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The proposal was submitted by the Defence Ministry as the number of unauthorized drone overflights over military facilities has increased. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in February, thirty illegal flights were reported.

Owners of drones do this out of ignorance, out of curiosity, but also with the intention of photographing facilities, says ministry spokeswoman Martina Koval Kakascikova.
Fourth year of the event dedicated to Venus of Moravany.

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An exhibition inspired by archaeological discoveries and showing the birth of art in Slovakia is being held at the historical Moravany manor house in Moravany nad Vahom near the western-Slovak spa town of Piestany.

Named 'Ground Zero', the exhibition includes one of the oldest sculptures found in the country.

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The Venus of Moravany is made of mammoth tusk ivory and dates back to 22,800 BC. The sculpture, as well as bones and hand axes, confirms the presence of early humans in the region. Mammoth bones and hunters tools were discovered in a nearby settlement.

(Source: Kastiel Moravany, ArtRooms)

The exhibition focuses on the earliest art in Slovakia and the life of Paleolithic humans. It includes artefacts lent by the Imrich Winter Balneological Museum in Piestany from regional and European archaeological sites.

With archaeology and paleontology as the main topic, about 50 artists from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Finland and Thailand came together with their creations. Visitors can see a metaphorical timeline of passage of time from youngest to oldest artists.

The exhibition is open on Friday afternoons and during weekends until September 18.
Low water levels, dried up rivers, and the president losing the popularity contest. Learn more in today's digest.

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Good evening. Here is the Thursday, July 28 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

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Domasa dam lake half full

Low water level in Domasa dam lake. (Source: TASR)

Municipalities near the Domasa dam in eastern Slovakia have launched an information campaign for locals on how to save water as levels at the dam lake fall to just half of full volume.

However, according to water management company Slovensky Vodohospodarsky Podnik (SVP), this is not an extraordinary situation.

Meanwhile, in the south of the country, heat is taking its toll on animals - more than 500 fish were found dead in a lake in the Komarno district because of a lack of oxygen after recent heatwaves heated up its waters.

Read more about the climate situation in Slovakia: More than half of the country faces extreme drought, and due to a lack of drinking water emergency situations have been declared in 11 municipalities. High temperatures are even posing a risk to nuclear power plants, airport runways, and railway tracks. Meanwhile, one village keeps breaking temperature records.

More stories on Spectator.sk

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Feature story for today

Three years ago, voters  liberals and conservatives alike  elected an empathetic, authentic and conflict-avoiding divorced mother of two as Slovakia's first woman president.

However, Zuzana Caputovas popularity has been on the wane for more than a year now. Only 15 percent of the electorate would definitely vote for her in the next presidential election - due in April 2024 - a poll in late May found. Trust in her has fallen steadily from 64 percent in January 2021 to 42 percent in June.

Yet despite being consistent in terms of her promises and views during her term of office, including on the war in Ukraine, both coalition and opposition parties have managed to paint her as being politically partisan.

Finance Minister Igor Matovic has been attacking her since the pandemic started, while the opposition has claimed she is a US agent.

Slovak president is losing the popularity contest Read more

Picture of the day

The Piecky gorge in the Slovak Paradise National Park, eastern Slovakia, is currently without a visible stream of water due to drought. The small amount of water in its upper parts is easily lost under rocks in the lower part of the gorge.

(Source: TASR)

In other news

Executive Director of Poprad-Tatry Airport Peter Dujava has resigned from his post. Airport workers had announced that they would quit their jobs in two months unless Dujava stepped down. Read more here.

Airport workers had announced that they would quit their jobs in two months unless Dujava stepped down. Read more here. OLaNO MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Defence and Security Committee Juraj Krupa is leaving the party's parliamentary club. Writing on social media, he said: "In the last few weeks in Slovak politics there have been things with which I cannot identify with as a citizen and politician adhering to democratic and liberal values." According to the MP, the party has become ultraconservative and betrayed its values and principles. OLaNO lost several MPs since the last elections, last time after a failed vote on former prime minister Robert Fico's arrest.

Writing on social media, he said: "In the last few weeks in Slovak politics there have been things with which I cannot identify with as a citizen and politician adhering to democratic and liberal values." According to the MP, the party has become ultraconservative and betrayed its values and principles. OLaNO lost several MPs since the last elections, last time after a failed vote on former prime minister Robert Fico's arrest. Many rivers in western Slovakia have reached historic minimal daily flow averages , reports the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. Rainfall on Tuesday did not improve the situation.

, reports the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. Rainfall on Tuesday did not improve the situation. Slovakia will send 30 soldiers and a helicopter with a firefighting module to help fight a massive fire in the Bohemian Switzerland national park in the Czech Republic . Slovak firefighters and one helicopter are already lending a hand in the effort.

. Slovak firefighters and one helicopter are already lending a hand in the effort. The worst situation with abortion availability in Slovakia is in the Presov and Zilina Regions, according to a s urvey by non-governmental organization Moznost volby (Freedom of Choice) which also showed that approximately one third of the 70 mapped facilities in Slovakia refuse to provide abortion. According to an older survey by the NGO carried out last autumn, only a small number of people support more restricted access to abortions.

urvey by non-governmental organization Moznost volby (Freedom of Choice) which also showed that approximately one third of the 70 mapped facilities in Slovakia refuse to provide abortion. According to an older survey by the NGO carried out last autumn, only a small number of people support more restricted access to abortions. Two men robbed a bank in the Ruzinov district, Bratislava. Shortly before 10.00 AM on Thursday. Police are asking residents for any relevant information and have warned that the robbers may be armed.

Police are asking residents for any relevant information and have warned that the robbers may be armed. Firefighters have been able to localize a forest fire near the village of Mala Lodina , Kosice Region which has caused major damages. The fire broke out on July 20 and firefighters are monitoring individual sections and extinguishing small fires. More than half of Slovakia is currently experiencing extreme drought.

, Kosice Region which has caused major damages. The fire broke out on July 20 and firefighters are monitoring individual sections and extinguishing small fires. More than half of Slovakia is currently experiencing extreme drought. From July 30, repairs and replacements of bridge joints will partially close the D1 highway where bridges cross the Vah River. Drivers should be prepared for restrictions.

Drivers should be prepared for restrictions. The Slovak National Museum (SNM) in cooperation with the Museum of the Ukraine History has launched a photo exhibition called Look! Mariupol! Pictures by Ukrainian journalist Viacheslav Tverdochlib show the humanitarian disaster and situation during the Russian bombing of the strategic port in the Sea of Azov.

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
After a month traveling through war-torn Ukraine, meeting its people and assessing its needs in the wake of the Russian invasion and systematic destruction of its cities, Sen. Tom Brewer is preparing a report for policymakers in Washington to consider.

"I'd like to see the Ukrainians given more resources" to carry on the fight, Brewer said Tuesday during an interview in his state Capitol office.

"We're giving them enough now to help fight the war," he said. "We need to give them enough to win the war."

And that would include more HIMAR artillery rocket launchers, Brewer said, along with air defense capability to shoot down Russian cruise missiles that are systematically destroying Ukrainian cities and targeting civilians.

The HIMAR (high-mobility artillery rocket system) weapon is a multiple-rocket launcher that is mounted on an Army truck frame, allowing it to be quickly transported away from its launch site once the rockets are fired and before the Russian military could pinpoint and respond to an attack.

The United States also needs to be prepared if needed to assist Ukraine in its efforts to export its vast grain supply to "help the world get fed," Brewer said.

Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement this month to allow the resumption of vital grain exports from Black Sea ports, but that deal was quickly followed by a Russian missile attack on the seaport of Odesa, leaving the issue in some doubt.

Another area where U.S. aid could be vital now is hospital assistance, Brewer said.

The state senator from Gordon, a retired U.S. Army colonel who was seriously wounded during one of six tours in Afghanistan, said he plans to share his report and recommendations with Nebraska's U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"I'll give Deb the information," he said, and ask "can you hook me up?" with decision-makers or advisers who ought to have an opportunity to see and consider what he saw and learned during a trip to Ukrainian cities and hospitals and "right up to the front to help deliver assistance to people, probably within a kilometer of Russian troops."

That's less than a mile.

As the war wears on, Brewer said, Russia may be tempted to use tactical nuclear weapons and that would light "a powder keg."

The Russian military is sustaining heavy casualties, Brewer noted, and that will increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The longer it goes on, there is more potential for a world war," he said.

Brewer said he came home with great respect for the valor of the Ukrainian people  "they are fighting like tigers"  and with a recognition that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "is the glue that holds it together."

But "time is working against him," Brewer said, accelerating the need for additional U.S. assistance now.

"I hope to take the knowledge I gained to share in Washington," he said.

"I want to point to successes and failures and suggest how can we do it better.

"I don't want to be the whiny person, I want to be the guy with some solutions."

Brewer said he plans to go back to Ukraine at some point, perhaps in October or November.

"And if I can help, fine," he said. "It might be ag-related or UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical Center) support. Or internships.

"I would welcome the opportunity to help with open arms."
Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said he is encouraged by the progress of talks with drugmaker Teva Pharmaceuticals to settle lawsuits in various states that claimed the company contributed to the U.S. opioid epidemic.

While many specific details must be finalized, this settlement can provide critically needed additional resources to combat the opioid crisis, which has only grown more dire in recent months, Peterson said in a prepared statement.

The deal in principle would rank among the larger ones so far in a years-long trend of companies settling lawsuits over the toll from an addiction and overdose epidemic that has been linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. over the last two decades, the Associated Press reported.

In their lawsuits, state governments and others claimed the Israel-based company promoted Actiq and Fentora, prescription opioids approved to treat cancer pain, plus generic opioids including oxycodone for use by noncancer patients.

The states also said the company downplayed the addiction risks and overstated their benefits, including encouraging the idea that signs of addiction actually were pseudoaddiction treated by prescribing more opioids.

States also claimed the company and its distributor, Anda, failed to comply with requirements on monitoring and reporting suspicious orders.

Teva has agreed to a settlement in principle on key financial terms that would provide $4.25 billion in cash, including payments under recent opioid settlement agreements with individual states. States and subdivisions that have not yet reached a settlement with the company will be eligible to participate. The deal also includes an option for each participating state to accept a share of $1.2 billion of Tevas generic naloxone product or $240 million in cash in lieu of the product. Naloxone, which many people know by the brand name Narcan, is used to counteract overdoses.

Teva disclosed the agreement Tuesday ahead of its earnings announcement Wednesday.

Final settlement numbers have not yet been determined. Negotiations are being led by 12 states, including Iowa.

This report contains material from the Cedar Rapids Gazette.bob.glissmann@owh.com, 402-444-1109, twitter.com/BobGlissmann
Whether you cast a ballot on election day or in Iredell Countys early voting period, your vote counts.

For Monya Imes, she made sure to get her ballot submitted as she voted just an hour before the polls closed.

My grandmother really wanted me to have my word put in, so of course I did and I came out, Imes said.

She said she had considered voting in the early voting period, but the timing wasnt as important, as long as she did it.

It didnt matter to me, as long as my vote got in, she said.

Voting on election day used to be the most common way to cast ballots, but with the COVID-19 pandemic and increased time to vote early or absentee in some areas, the options for voting before the final day has become a popular one.

While more voters took advantage of the early voting period in Julys runoff municipal elections, there were still voters headed to the precinct on election day.

Another one of those voters was Tory Howell, who had considered casting his ballot earlier this month but hadnt got around to it until Tuesday.

Ive been busy, and Ive been meaning to come, but some days I just keep getting off (work) later, Howell said with a little self-deprecation. Ive just been tired, or lazy really.

He said he usually had done more research on the candidates but was ready to vote when he arrived Tuesday evening at the Cochran Street precinct. In the end, he did get his vote in.

While voters both before and on Tuesday made sure to weigh in on Statesvilles future, it remains hard to motivate voters, especially when fewer races are on the ballot.

The results from Tuesday showed that while more voters took the chance to cast their ballots in a two-week period ahead of election day this year, the 2,865 voters were only 63 more than voted in a similar municipal runoff election in 2017.
The intersection of West Broad Street and East Center Street has plenty of stories to tell, and so does Steve Hill as he details many of those in his book In the Shadow of the Clock.

The local historian said in doing the research over the last few years, he quickly began to see how important the area known as the town square was to the citys history.

It helped me realize how important that little half-acre of land in the center of our town really is, Hill said. Its the heart of our city; its where it all comes together.

Hill said the word for the book began during the first months of the pandemic in 2020, as he sat at home going over documents and examining photos from the Statesville Historical Collection. He said that once setting the time frame between 1790 and 1990, he began to fill in the pages with stories from over the years.

Early on, a small courthouse sat in the middle of the square, which horses and carts were able to maneuver around due to the 100-foot wide streets, larger than the standard 60 feet of the late 18th century. The square would see some of Statesvilles brighter moments, as well as its darker ones when slaves were sold there in the 1800s and public executions took there as well.

But as time went on, the square became more of a place for celebration and civic pride and the center of life in the city.

Street fairs, carnivals, car shows and even a livestock auction took place there as well. Now its part of the citys holiday celebrations, including being one of the better places to watch the Christmas parade each year.

Over the years, the square has also its share of politicians and preachers and protestors, snake oil salesmen, and even a few lunatics screaming at passersbys on the square, Hill said.

Depending on your views, all could fall under the latter category, and Hills book details stories like those of a traveling salesman named Dr. Drake, who sold all-cure tonics there, necking parties, a live turkey giveaway hoax, and stunts by local disc jockeys, just to name a few.

Another story is one that stood out in Hills mind that he was a part of was when a giant egg would grace the square each spring.

From 1959 until 1965 the Statesville Merchants Association displayed a 7-foot-tall egg supposedly left by the Easter bunny. Children would guess what animal  a costumed character  would emerge from it for a contest before the big reveal. A local doctor, Dr. Harry Walker, accompanied by his nurse Vivian Caldwell, would examine the egg to make sure it was in good condition before the hatching event later in the spring. In 1963, an intercom was added so visitors could speak to the animal inside.

But here is where things get egg-citing.

On a Friday night in April 1963, the egg went missing and the only lead was from Robert Forsyth, a local firefighter working part time at the Esso station at Tradd and East Broad, who reported seeing it head east in a pickup truck.

The next morning, an unidentified man called the WSIC radio station to report a huge egg on the side of the road near Interstate 77 and Interstate 40 and the city "scrambled" to get a truck and crew to the scene to retrieve the egg.

And the egg was returned to its nesting place as the morning sun lit the square, the children of Statesville were treated to a different kind of Easter miracle, Hill said.

Hill wonders if it was all hoax as reportedly George Snipes, head of the Merchants Association, asked police not to worry about catching the culprits. Snipes denied any involvement in the Great Egg Heist of 1963 but said it was great publicity.

Stories like that are found in In the Shadow of the Clock, which Hill will sign copies of as he answers questions at ggs art frames gifts at 101 W. Broad St. on Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

All sales of the book, published by Redhawk Publications, will go toward the Statesville Historical Collection.
In an exhibit designed to reveal the person through his work, the life of Phillip Moose comes into focus in artifacts and paintings.

The exhibition, at the Hickory History Center (also known as the Harper House), takes visitors on a journey through the life of the late Newton-born artist Moose, starting in his days in the United States Army.

Moose was deployed to Bury St. Edmunds, England, at the time of World War II and the green exhibition walls hold sketches from his surroundings while overseas from 1942 to 1945.

A colorful piece that appears to be created with watercolor or gouache paint hangs in the center of his charcoal sketches. The painting is titled Inside Hut 14 and gives visitors a look into Mooses military barracks.

Sydney Ball, interning curator and an University of Kentucky student, explained that Moose was a radio technician overseas for the Army Air Forces.

Moose later taught art classes at Davidson College and then Queens College in Charlotte. The exhibit features photos of Moose throughout his teaching experience along with his passport for traveling, which was a significant part of his life.

Through his higher education journey, Moose received the Fulbright scholarship which sent him to study in what was then West Germany for a full year. He also spent a month studying in Taiwan.

Mooses studies abroad section displays his scholarship certificates as well as artifacts including chopsticks which are personalized Taiwanese ink stamps.

In 1967, Moose embarked on a trip that took him to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, the Balkans, Europe (including the Greek islands), Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji and more.

In his later years, Moose returned to North Carolina. He settled in Blowing Rock, where he often painted pictures of the mountainous scenery.

Tucked in the right corner of the exhibit is a large painting of the Blue Ridge Mountains sitting on an easel that Moose used. Also featured is the reference picture he used for the piece.

Moose eventually moved back home to Newton, where he lived until he died in 2001. Ball said that the artifacts from Mooses estate were largely donated by his close friend and neighbor Frank Sherrill.

Lilly Underwood, interning curator and a North Carolina State University student, said the Catawba County Historical Associations Moose exhibit is unique because it features behind the scenes sketches from throughout his life.

Underwood said Mooses work has been displayed all over the world, but as historic curators, she and Ball wanted to capture the person instead of just his art.

Mooses artwork has been displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Mint Museum in Charlotte, the N.C. Museum of Art and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Underwood and Ball worked together since the beginning of June to curate the exhibition.
The Marion Police Department wrapped up the last step in its goal of becoming an accredited police agency last week and is now awaiting word on the outcome.

The Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission completed its two-day assessment of the department last Wednesday.

The assessment team evaluated the department's policies, examined its evidence room and inspected patrol vehicles, among other things. Chief John Clair said Marion PD was found compliant in 745 of the commission's 747 standards.

He explained last Thursday that the two standards not met during the assessment stemmed from the same issue involving the storage of a gas can in a shed. Clair said the gas can, which was initially collected as evidence but later determined to have no evidentiary value, had been stored properly, been inventoried, and was secured and under surveillance, but it had not been included in the departments quarterly and annual security checklist.

He said the department updated its policy and amended its security check documents to include the building while the assessment team was still on site.

We made the changes and took corrective action, and we hope the commission grants us accreditation, Clair said.

While they wont know if they gained accreditation or not until September, Clair said he feels good about the process.

We want them to be thorough, right? Thats the whole point, he said. The point of being assessed is discovering flaws in processes and accountability and, they found one and thats now been corrected. The process worked and now that weve corrected that, were quite hopeful the commission will grant us accredited status.

If not, well wait six months and do it again, he said.

The culmination of years of work, Clair gave the largest share of credit in the process to Officer Amber Eades, who serves as the departments accreditation manager.

Amber did an amazing job, Clair said. Luckily, we have the support from our council and citizens that we can dedicate someone to the position and she put her heart and soul into that in the midst of personal challenges.

Eades husband, Blake, a lieutenant with the Abingdon Police Department, was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year and will soon undergo a bone marrow transplant.

This took a lot of personal sacrifice on her part, Clair said.

The chief also took a moment to dote on his staff as a whole.

Every member of this agency did the right things and we proved that they did it, he said. Theyre the ones who deliver professionally and according to our general orders. Thats the real substance of accreditation is that our people are doing the right things.

Clair expects to receive a report from the commission in about a week. In September, he and Eades will travel to Virginia Beach, where theyll meet with the commission and learn the final result of the assessment.
With the swearing in of two new officers, the Marion Police Department is fully staffed for the first time in about 30 months.

Earlier this month, the MPD welcomed Michael Lester and John Blevins to its ranks.

The two men, Police Chief John Clair said, are leaving longstanding careers in manufacturing to take up law enforcement.

Their motivation, the chief said, is with everything going on in the world now, they want to be the kind of citizens who contribute to the community.

Last week, Clair told the Marion Town Council that Lester and Blevins possess a compulsive desire to help people and a commitment to excellence.

Thats exactly who we need, he said, noting that such people are becoming rarer and rarer.

Staffing Crisis

Clair told the council that the MPD is one of a few law enforcement agencies in the region, state and even nation that is fully staffed.

Just Wednesday, CNN presented a report titled We need them desperately: US police departments struggle with critical staffing shortages.

That report cited a June 2021 national survey that found that police departments on average were filling 93% of available budgeted positions, according to the Police Executive Research Forum. The survey showed a 45% increase in retirements and an 18% jump in resignations over the previous year.

Across the country, officers began leaving the high-stress profession when high-profile killings prompted calls for police reform. Virginia legislators even considered but did not adopt a measure that would have taken away officers protection from individual lawsuits.

Marions Focus

Clair hopes and believes that the departments full staffing speaks to its reputation and commitment to service.

This week, the MPD was under the scrutiny of the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission to consider the agencys application for accreditation. The process to attain that status formally began in January 2020. (Please see a related article here.)

Late last month, the Virginia State Police released the 2021 Crime in Virginia report, which held good news for Marion.

In an email to the town council, Clair shared the report and said, Crime in Marion is down 35% since 2018.

Clair took the helm of the MPD on July 1, 2018.

With a crime rate of 5,436 crimes per 100,000 population, he noted that Marions most reported crimes are: #1 Simple Assault, #2 Drug Violations, #3 Shoplifting, and #4 Vandalism. 80% of Marions crime is against property or society. 20% of crimes are against persons. In 2021, we had only 11 incidents which could truly be considered violent, most of which (7) are aggravated assault.

For 2021, the chief pointed that Marions crime rate was on par with Farmville, Wytheville, Luray, Lynchburg, Staunton, Vinton, and Charlottesville, but lower than that of Bluefield, Bristol, Christiansburg, Damascus, Galax, Grundy, Norton, Pulaski, Rocky Mount, South Boston and a number of other cities and towns.

Clair said Marions arrest rate seems to hold steady at between 70 and 73% over four years.

Summing up the report for the town, the chief said, I think the reality is, Marion is an overwhelmingly safe place to live.

Training

While Clair hopes this proves to be a stabilizing moment for the MPD, it will be a while before Lester and Blevins are patrolling the towns roads.

First, the two men must attend and graduate from the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy.

Theyll be in academy training until about Christmas. Then, theyll enter field training. Clair projects theyll complete that in the early spring of 2023.

However, officers Dalton Pennington and Jordan Probst are expected to complete field training in August.

Clair is grateful. Early on, he said, he began work to reorganize the MPD and make it leaner and more efficient. However, when an agency is leaner, he said, being shorthanded hurts more. The workload doesnt disappear, he said.

Next spring, the chief believes the MPD will be able to reinstate efforts such as a power shift during high-call times.
WOODLAND  A 32-year-old man was shot Wednesday inside a manufactured home park south of Horseshoe Lake and no arrest followed.

Woodland Sgt. James Keller said an 82-year-old man who lives at the manufactured home park in the 200 block of Island Aire Drive in Woodland shot an acquaintance Wednesday afternoon and an investigation is ongoing to determine if an arrest will be made.

The victim did not suffer life-threatening injuries, Keller said.

He said the department received the emergency call at 3:18 p.m. Wednesday. When officers arrived, the victim had left to seek aid at a hospital, but stopped at a Cowlitz Indian Tribe Police Department station on the way. The person was then transferred to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver.

Keller said the victim does not live at the manufactured home park, which is located in Clark County, and the department detective is still gathering evidence on the incident.
PORT ANGELES, Wash. (AP)  The Washington State Department of Health this week suspended the license of a doctor on the Olympic Peninsula after he was arrested on charges of rape and taking indecent liberties with patients.

Court documents say Josiah Hill is accused of sexually assaulting three patients at Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles, KING5 reported.

Multiple women reported Hill made inappropriate comments before touching their breasts, according to documents. In another report, a woman said she was taken to the hospital after a vehicle crash, and when she awoke, she was being sexually assaulted by a doctor.

Hill was arrested July 14 and jailed on $1 million bond. It wasnt immediately known if he has a lawyer to comment on his behalf.

According to notes from an internal investigation, a nurse working during one of the alleged assaults noticed Hill was acting odd and he was not talking with the patient about treatment. Hill also failed to document when he went to see the patient on another floor of the hospital after she left the emergency room, according to court records.

Additionally, an investigator with the state Department of Health reported concerns about medications given to one of the victims while they were in the emergency room under Hills care, according to court documents.

The combination of drugs administered to the patient could potentially cause significant physical and psychological effects if given within close proximity to each other due to the peak effect time of the drugs, according to court documents.
With few clouds in the sky during this weeks heat wave, sunscreen is more important than ever.

Sunscreen not only protects skin in the long term from skin cancer, but it also prevents extreme burns, said Kelli Hawkins, Spokane Regional Health District spokesperson.

If skin is sunburned, it can increase the likelihood of heat exhaustion because the body isnt able to properly regulate temperature, Hawkins said.

Dr. Courtney Gwinn, a dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology and Skin Surgery in Spokane Valley, said exposure to the sun can cause major long-term health problems, as well as cosmetic issues.

We see really big skin cancers here at Advanced Dermatology and Skin Surgery, and those skin cancers stem from sun exposure you get when youre 18 years old, to the sun exposure youre getting now. And so preventing yourself from getting those sunburns, getting those tans will decrease your risk of getting those big skin cancers in the future, Gwinn said.

Here are some of Gwinns answers to our questions about sunscreens and skin care.

Why is it important to use sunscreen, and what are the benefits?

Using sunscreen decreases the likelihood of tanning and getting sunburned . The color change from sunburns and tanning shows that the harmful ultraviolet rays are penetrating the skin, which can cause mutations that may lead to skin cancer and premature aging.

Sunscreen can prevent those mutations that cause skin cancer. Sunscreen is integral in that process, Gwinn said.

What type of sunscreen works best?

There are two types of sunscreens: mineral and chemical. Gwinn prefers mineral sunscreens. Typically, we recommend sunscreens that include either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, all of which are found in mineral sunscreens, Gwinn said.

What ingredients should we look for? What do they mean?

Zinc oxide, found in mineral sunscreens, can protect skin from the whole ultraviolet spectrum, but it breaks down in sunlight, so titanium dioxide is added to make the sunscreen more stable in sunlight. Titanium dioxide also increases protection from ultraviolet B rays, which have a shorter wavelength.

For chemical sunscreens, manufacturers usually include ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate and avobenzone, which are all great for protection against the sun. But each chemical only protects you from a specific part of the ultraviolet spectrum, Gwinn said.

Are chemical sunscreens safe to use?

Many people use chemical sunscreens to avoid the white cast that comes with using mineral sunscreens, but chemicals in the non-mineral sunscreens may not be safe for skin or the environment, Gwinn said.

Were actually absorbing 10 to 15 times the amount that we once thought into our blood when we apply those sunscreens to our skin, she said.

Common chemicals like oxybenzone are absorbed into the skin up to 15 times the level of absorption recommended for that chemical by the Food and Drug Administration. Theres a concern that those sunscreens can increase the risk of things like endometriosis and heightened estrogen levels, Gwinn said.

Gwinn advises caution when using these chemical sunscreens, and to not use them for children under the age of 1 and for individuals who have had estrogen-sensitive cancers like breast cancer.

How is chemical sunscreen bad for the environment?

Hawaii and some countries have banned the use of chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, as these chemicals have been shown to be toxic to coral reefs, Gwinn said.

How often should sunscreen be reapplied?

We would highly recommend people wear sunscreen consistently, particularly between the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with reapplication every two hours, Gwinn said.

Its especially important when out on a boat, in water or somewhere the sunscreen can be washed off to reapply, Gwinn said.

Do higher temperatures worsen sunburns?

With it being peak summer, the amount of sun exposure people outside get is higher, but temperatures dont correlate with getting worse sunburns, Gwinn said.

How can someone prevent the white cast of mineral sunscreens? What are facial sunscreens?

Mineral sunscreens without a white cast are typically facial sunscreens. These sunscreens or tinted sunscreens have micronized the minerals in the sunscreens to make the white sheen not visible. Sometimes they also have ingredients that are less likely to block pores. They tend to be a bit more expensive.

They work fantastically, and I would highly recommend them, Gwinn said. They can also have other ingredients added like hyaluronic acid that helps with moisture or vitamin C that helps with anti-aging. Body sunscreens can be used on the face, but the ones marketed for the face are more cosmetically elegant, Gwinn said.

What SPF number works, and do cosmetic sunscreens work?

We always recommend a sun protection factor 30 or greater for optimal protection, Gwinn said. Makeup products that offer SPF tend to not offer more than 15 SPF. That is not enough. There are tinted sunscreens made with enough protection, but if using regular makeup or makeup without enough SPF, we typically recommend layering a base of SPF 30 sunscreen with your makeup, Gwinn said.

When should a person use sunscreen?

Ultraviolet rays come in contact with your skin year-round, making sunscreen important even when its cloudy, Gwinn said.

What other conditions can be prevented by using sunscreen?

Melasma is a condition where you get hyperpigmentation in response to the sun, and sunscreen is one of the key ways to avoid getting and worsening melasma, Gwinn said. Gwinn recommends tinted mineral sunscreens for this condition, as they can block the visible light in addition to ultraviolet rays.

What other ways can people get protection from the sun?

Using a vitamin C serum before your facial sunscreen can help filter environmental and UV components from the skin, and help with anti-aging and hyperpigmentation . In Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and using an umbrella or other shade-providing gear can help protect from exposure.

What sunscreens do you recommend?

Some of Gwinns personal favorite body sunscreens are EltaMD UV Sport sunscreen, which can be bought online, and Sun Bum mineral sunscreens, which can be bought in stores. For face coverage, her favorites are tinted SkinCeuticals sunscreen and tinted ISDIN sunscreen.
The extremely high resolution images of NASA James Webb Space telescope are stored in a 68GB SSD storage, which is smaller than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Find out how it manages to take and store such stunning images.

In a shocking development, it has been revealed that the NASA James Webb Space Telescope captures the entire universe in less storage space than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Yes, you read it right the Webb Space Telescope, on July 12, shared high-definition images of deep space. But the matter of attention was that these incredible pictures of the universe are stored by the James Webb Telescope on a mere 68GB SSD (Solid State Drive). So, how does the world's most powerful telescope survive, a million miles away from Earth, on such low storage space and why does it need to do it? Read on to find out.

NASA James Webb Space Telescope has less storage than the iPhone 13 Pro Max

The NASA James Webb uses only 68GB SSD but it survives using a clever strategy. It stores the data for just a 24-hour period, meaning it cleans out its storage every single day. NASA's telescope transmits the images back to Earth in two four-hour communication periods before resetting its storage drive. While these communication periods occur way before the drive fills up completely, which would require roughly a day's time.

However, talking about James Webb Telescope, it is the most powerful space telescope of the world which took a capital of $10 billion to build for the purpose of development and discovery of space. In short, it is expected to look back in time virtually to the beginning of the Big Bang that craeted the universe. It has already taken photos of galaxies from a period over 14 billion years ago.

Hovering at Lagrange Point or L2, roughly 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth, the James Webb Space Telescope is one of the biggest achievements in the field of Space and science for the current generation. But why does it have less storage space than the iPhone 13 Pro Max?

The reason behind it is that taking a large storage drive in space and providing power to it is a tricky affair where the solar panels are the only source of energy. So, to optimize the performance of the instruments of the telescope, a smaller SSD has been placed with regular periods for transmission of data. However, it should be interesting for you to know that this SSD is an upgrade on what the Hubble Space Telescope has.

Comparing James Webb with its predecessor Hubble Telescope, in the matter of storage Hubble transmits 12GB data per day, Whereas, the James Webb telescope transmits 58GB of data every day. The 68GB SSD installed on the James Webb Space Telescope secures 3 percent of the overall capacity for the telescope's technical and operational data.
The massive 23-ton Chinese booster rocket Long March 5B debris could re-enter to earth this week.

The debris of the massive 23-ton Chinese rocket is heading towards earth and is expected to re-enter Earth this week in an uncontrolled way. While the US Space Command has predicted that the 23-ton Long March 5B rocket debris will fall to earth on Jul 31, 2022, Beijing too is keeping a close track of it. The Beijing government told Reuters that the falling debris could pose little risk to anyone on the ground. The massive Chinese rocket took off from Hainan Island at 2:22 p.m. local time on Sunday, July 24 to deliver the Wentian laboratory module for China's under-construction Tiangong space station. It has marked the third flight of China's most powerful rocket since its maiden launch in 2020. After completing its task it has gone into an uncontrolled descent toward Earth's atmosphere and is speculated to fall back to Earth.

According to reports, the rocket has already reached low orbit and is expected to fall towards Earth once atmospheric friction drags it downward. The rocket's main-core stage  is 100 feet (30 meters) long and it weighs 22 tonnes (48,500 pounds). An independent U.S.-based analyst is quoted by the agency as saying, Ultimately, the rocket body will disintegrate as it plunges through the atmosphere but is large enough that numerous chunks will likely survive a fiery re-entry to rain debris over an area some 2,000 km (1,240 miles) long by about 70 km (44 miles) wide.

When will Chinese rocket debris fall on earth?

According to the data shared by the U.S Space Force's Space Surveillance Network the rocket's body will re-enter Earth's atmosphere around 3:30 a.m. EDT (0730 GMT) on July 31, plus or minus 22 hours. It is likely to re-enter earth's atmosphere somewhere between 41 degrees north latitude and 41 degrees south latitude.
A selfie of an astronaut with the Earth in the background has gone viral online. It was claimed that the image was taken from the NASA International Space Station (ISS). However, it has now been revealed as a fake image.

Recently, an image went viral on various social media sites. The image displayed an astronaut outside the International Space Station taking a selfie with the Earth in the background. To make the image even more surreal, the nightside of the Earth was shown with all the lights turned up on the planet. However, as surreal as the image looked, it was actually fake. The viral NASA ISS selfie was in reality a combination of two different images altered together. Read on to know the details and how the image was edited to look real.

According to a report by USA Today, which debunked the image, it was first shared in a Facebook group on July 23 with the caption Best selfie ever from ISS. The image soon garnered more than 800 shares and was reposted multiple times across different social media platforms. Many users have commented on how amazing the image looks and how beautiful it is, not knowing that the image is not even real.

The NASA ISS Selfie turns out to be a fake

According to USA Today, the astronaut in the foreground of the viral image is Akihiko Hoshide, a Japanese astronaut who went to the ISS in 2012. The selfie was captured by Hoshide on September 5, 2012 during Expedition 32 which was a six person research mission. However, the selfie did not have the Earth in the background. Instead the original image had the Sun shining brightly in the background of the image. Publications like National Geographic have posted the same image which you can check.

The background image of Earth is a separate picture which was created by NASA 12 years before Hoshide took his selfie. On October 23, 2000, the image was published using data from multiple pictures taken during the year 1994 and 1995 of the night-time Earth. The source material for the image was titled Earth's city lights' and it can be seen here.

The viral image was made combining both the separate images to make it look more stunning than it actually was. USA Today also reached out to the original poster of the image for a comment but as of writing this, no response was received.
The NASA Juno space probe has captured a mesmerizing image of Jupiter highlighting the huge storms on its north pole. This is the first time the storms have been seen in such clarity.

The NASA Juno space probe has been working overtime to gather information about Jupiter. On its 43rd close flyby of the planet on July 5, it took a sensational image of the planet's north pole revealing huge storms brewing on its surface. The storms have a unique color and shape of a spiral flower and scientists have become curious to learn more about these whirlwinds. Juno was launched in 2011 and reached the largest planet of our solar system in 2016. Ever since, it has been orbiting the planet as NASA intends to gather data about this gas giant which plays an important role in our solar system in both protecting the inner planets from asteroid bombardment as well as keeping nearby planets fixed in their orbits due to its very strong gravitational force.

After the recent revelation by Juno, researchers have become very curious about these north pole storms on Jupiter. According to NASA, these powerful hurricanes can reach a height of more than 50 kilometers and can spread across a geography of hundreds of kilometers. In a statement, the space agency said that learning about these storms and how they form is crucial to understand Jupiter's atmosphere, as well as the fluid dynamics and cloud chemistry that create the planet's other atmospheric features.

NASA Juno space probe shows never seen before storm on Jupiter

Over the course of multiple flybys of Juno, scientists know some information about these storms. For instance, these storms spin in anti-clockwise direction on the northern hemisphere of Jupiter while the same storms building near the south pole of the gas giant spin in clockwise direction. Further, storms in the north pole differ distinctly from the ones in the south pole in both color as well as shape.

In an attempt to categorize and analyze all the data NASA has about these storms, a citizen project called Jovian Vortex Hunter was started. The space agency asks for public volunteers to help locate these storms and categorize them across different types. As of July 2022, 2,404 volunteers had made 376,725 classifications, but the data pile is still large. So, click here if you want to participate in this project.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Twenty-six workers at an Amazon facility in Joliet, Illinois, have filed complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging a racist workplace environment and retaliation against an employee who spoke up, their lawyer said Wednesday.

Workers filed the complaints with the EEOC this week and are hoping their claims can be evaluated as a class, according to attorney Tamara Holder, who said complaints from additional workers would be filed soon.

At a news conference Wednesday, former Amazon employee Tori Davis said she raised concerns about Amazon's handling of a racist death threat workers allege was scrawled on a bathroom wall at the warehouse in late May. Davis, 34, said she was fired after telling Amazon she would take legal action if the company did not address her and her co-workers' concerns.

The complaint filed with the EEOC, provided by Holder, includes images of two messages using the N-word allegedly written on the wall in the women's bathroom. One says "(expletive) gonna die," while the other refers to "these (expletive) at MDW2." MDW2 is the name of the Amazon facility where the employees represented by Holder work.

Davis, who worked at the facility training new employees, said on the day the death threat was discovered, she left work without pay after word of the threats spread throughout the facility.

"We had to make a choice of do we stay and make money and be able to pay our bills on the first, or do we go home and be safe," said Davis, who is Black. "And that's not right."

According to the complaint, Amazon sent a text communication to workers the night after the graffiti was found, saying law enforcement had investigated the graffiti and "did not identify threats to the site's safety."

In a statement Wednesday, Amazon spokesperson Richard Rocha said the company "works hard to protect our employees from any form of discrimination and to provide an environment where employees feel safe."

"Hate or racism have no place in our society and are certainly not tolerated by Amazon," Rocha said.

He did not respond to questions from the Tribune about the workers' allegations or the reasons for Davis's firing.

The complaints filed with the EEOC also allege the company has allowed white employees at the Joliet facility to wear Confederate flag attire at work, including outfits consisting of "leather boots with a Confederate flag shaft, and a shirt with the Confederate flag prominently displayed across the back and arms."

"There is no sign more serious and more terrifying than a death threat in a workplace where white workers are allowed to wear Confederate flag outfits with impunity," Holder said, noting the death threats came shortly after a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store where 10 Black people were killed and before the July 4 mass shooting at a parade in Highland Park.

"We have truly reached a low point in America where we have to go to work in fear that we may not come home to our families," Holder said.

Patrick French, an Amazon employee in Joliet who said he had worked for the company more than a year-and-a-half, said that when he heard about the death threats, he was most concerned about the well-being of his girlfriend and his uncle, who were also working at the facility. He wants Amazon to provide more safety, he said.

"It is a good job. It's got good opportunities," said French, 20. "Amazon, it just lacks in certain areas."

Davis, who is appealing her termination with Amazon in an attempt to get her job back, said she would like to see more safety protocols at the Joliet facility as well as a representative for Black workers at the site. Davis said she started working there in November 2021.

Nicole St. Germain, a spokesperson for the EEOC, said federal law prohibited the agency from confirming or denying the existence of any complaints.

St. Germain said that after complaints are filed with the EEOC, the agency begins an investigatory process to determine if a company has violated federal law. If the EEOC determines a company has acted illegally, it can seek monetary compensation for individuals or class members and punitive damages against the company. It can also seek injunctive relief, such as requiring trainings or other changes in the workplace.

2022 Chicago Tribune.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Twitter has scrapped plans to open a downtown Oakland office and will slash its footprint in San Francisco and several other cities, as well as completely exit other cities, the social media giant said Wednesday.

In 2021, Twitter sketched out plans to lease a large chunk of office space in downtown Oakland, saying at the time that the East Bay location would be a model for the company's emerging hybrid workplace model.

Now, Twitter is outlining space cutbacks in at least a dozen locations, including San Francisco and the East Bay.

"We will also no longer move forward with plans to open an office in Oakland," a Twitter spokesperson said Wednesday in comments emailed to this news organization.

Twitter had previously agreed to lease 66,000 square feet at 1330 Broadway in downtown Oakland.

The downtown Oakland office would have been large enough to accommodate 330 Twitter workers.

"We are evaluating our global office portfolio and re-sizing certain locations based on utilization," the Twitter spokesperson stated. "We've proven we can operate our business successfully with a distributed workforce over the years, and remain committed to our employees, our customers, and the markets we serve."

Explore further Twitter says many employees may work remotely 'forever'

2022 MediaNews Group, Inc.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The current city of Albequerque, New Mexico was founded in 1706 as La Villa de Alburquerque. Within that century, though, it lost its first r, turning into the Albuquerque spelling we know today. And now, a recent error on a New Mexico Department of Transportation sign that could be seen from Route 66 and I-40 took away the second r, leaving it as Albuqueque.

Theyve been doing some highway work near by and theyve replaced the old sign#Albuquerque <- How long you think before they replace it? Or should we just go with it? pic.twitter.com/3OBlqVmPTf  Gin (@Zazochi) July 25, 2022

Kimberly Gallegos, a spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation, told the Associated Press it was an honest mistake, and theyve replaced the sign with a corrected one this week:

People called and emailed the department to point out the mistake on the sign visible to drivers on the parallel highways, said Kimberly Gallegos, a department spokesperson. A corrected sign went up this week, she said. I do not recall this happening before, Gallegos said. But I honestly think this was just a simple mistake.

So this doesnt appear to have been a deliberate attempt to remove the second R. But then again, its not clear that there was a deliberate attempt to remove the first one either. While people have lived in the Albuquerque area for around 12,000 years, it got the Alburquerque name in 1706 when Spanish governor of New Mexico Francisco Cuervo y Valdes appointed it as a royally-chartered town, naming it in honor of Francisco Fernandez de la Cueva, a Spanish noble who was the 10th duke of Alburquerque (a town in Badajoz, Spain). But long before the U.S. took over Albuquerque in 1846 (as part of the Mexican-American War), it had already lost its first r: Franciscan priest Francisco Atanasio Dominguez described it as Albuquerque in a 1776 expedition report to his Franciscan superiors.

Now, the state DOT took away the second R, even if only briefly. But its good theyve replaced it. Otherwise, how will Bugs Bunny know where he should have taken a left turn?

[The Associated Press; top image from @jawprint on YouTube]
The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service announced Wednesday through social media that its annual Public Burn Night had been canceled due to ongoing lightning in the area.

The annual event, which is also called the Public Firefighting Demonstration Night, is held during the TEEX Municipal Fire School at the TEEX Brayton Fire Training Field. This is the 93rd year for the fire school designed to train municipal and volunteer firefighters. A separate Industrial Fire School took place earlier in July.

This years free event was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, but guests who had arrived when gates opened at 6:30 were ushered out of the area around 7 due to lightning in the area, according to reports.

The same storms that prompted the cancellation also brought some rain showers to the drought-stricken Brazos Valley region.

During the public demonstration night, TEEX instructors explain and demonstrate the techniques used to fight different types of fires using full-scale live-fire training props, according to the TEEX website.

This years fire school welcomed nearly 1,000 students and 300 guest instructors.

The social media post includes thanks to those who planned to attend the event and hopes to see them in 2023.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday. In a sharp reversal of previous policy, Blinken also said he expects to speak with his Kremlin counterpart for the first time since before Russia invaded Ukraine to discuss the deal and other matters.

Blinken's comments marked the first time the U.S. government has publicly revealed any concrete action it has taken to secure the release of the former Baylor University star, who was arrested on drug-related charges at a Moscow airport in February and testified Wednesday at her trial. He did not offer details on the proposed deal outlined to the Russians, though a person familiar with the matter said the U.S. government has offered to trade convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for Whelan and Griner.

The person insisted on anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

Though it is unclear if the proposal will be enough for Russia to release the Americans, the public acknowledgment of the offer at a time when the U.S. has otherwise shunned Russia reflects the mounting pressure on the administration over Griner and Whelan and its determination to get them home.

It also signals a growing acceptance by the White House of prisoner swaps as resolutions for cases of Americans jailed overseas, particularly after a trade in April that secured the release of Marine veteran Trevor Reed of Texas and yielded a much-needed publicity win for the administration.

We put a substantial proposal on the table weeks ago to facilitate their release. Our governments have communicated repeatedly and directly on that proposal, and I'll use the conversation to follow up personally and, I hope, to move us toward a resolution," Blinken said.

President Joe Biden, who authorized the Reed prisoner swap after meeting with his parents, signed off on the deal the U.S. offered in this case, officials said.

The president and his team are willing to take extraordinary steps to bring them home," John Kirby, a White House national security spokesman, told reporters.

Should the call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov take place, it would be the first conversation that the men have held since Feb. 15, about a week before Russia invaded Ukraine. U.S. officials said the desire for an answer on the prisoner offer was the primary, but not only, reason that the U.S. on Wednesday requested a new call with Lavrov.

Blinken said he would also be speaking to Lavrov about the importance of Russia complying with a U.N.-brokered deal to free multiple tons of Ukrainian grain from storage and warning him about the dangers of possible Russian attempts to annex portions of eastern and southern Ukraine.

There is utility to conveying clear, direct messages to the Russians on key priorities for us, including the release of Griner and Whelan, he said. They also include what were seeing and hearing around the world is a desperate need for the foods, the desperate need for prices to decrease.

Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in prison on espionage charges. He and his family have vigorously asserted his innocence. The U.S. government has denounced the charges as false.

Griner, in Russian custody for the last five months, acknowledged in court that she had vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage when she arrived in Moscow in February but contends she had no criminal intent and packed the cartridges inadvertently.

At her trial Wednesday, Griner said she did not know how the cannabis oil ended up in her bag but explained she had a doctors recommendation for it and had packed in haste. She said she was pulled aside at the airport after inspectors found the cartridges, but that a language interpreter translated only a fraction of what was said during her questioning and that officials instructed her to sign documents without providing an explanation.

Griner faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of transporting drugs.

U.S. officials for months had sought to deflect criticism over the apparent lack of momentum in the Griner and Whelan cases by saying that work was proceeding in secret and out of public view. That stance made Wednesdays announcement all the more startling, but Kirby said the administration had decided to make clear that a deal was on the table.

We believe its important for the American people to know how hard President Biden is working to get Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan home, he said.

Russia has for years expressed interest in the release of Bout, a Russian arms dealer once labeled the Merchant of Death, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2012 on charges that he schemed to illegally sell millions of dollars in weapons. Supporters of his release contend he was jailed after an overly aggressive U.S. sting operation, and the judge who sentenced him told The Associated Press this month that she believed he had already served enough prison time.

The U.S. government has long resisted prisoner swaps out of concern that it could encourage additional hostage-taking and promote false equivalency between a wrongfully detained American and a foreign national regarded as justly convicted. But an earlier deal in April, in which Reed was traded for jailed Russian pilot, Konstantin Yaroshenko, appeared to open the door to similar resolutions in the future and the Biden administration has been hounded with political pressure to bring home Griner and other Americans designated as unjustly detained.

There was no indication that Blinken and Lavrov had communicated to secure Reeds release. Their last publicly recognized contact was Feb. 22, when Blinken wrote to Lavrov to cancel a meeting they had planned as a last-ditch effort to avert the Russian invasion, saying Moscow had shown no interest in serious diplomacy on the matter. The State Department said later that Russias diplomacy was Kabuki Theater  all show and no substance.

The two last met in person in Geneva in January to discuss what was then Russias massive military build-up along Ukraines border and Russian demands for NATO to reduce its presence in eastern Europe and permanently deny Ukraine membership. The U.S. rejected the Russian demands.

The two men will next be in the same city at the same time next week in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where they will both be attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum. It was not immediately clear if the phone call ahead of that meeting, set for Aug. 4-5, would presage an in-person discussion.
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A cyber mercenary that "ostensibly sells general security and information analysis services to commercial customers" used several Windows and Adobe zero-day exploits in limited and highly-targeted attacks against European and Central American entities.

The company, which Microsoft describes as a private-sector offensive actor (PSOA), is an Austria-based outfit called DSIRF that's linked to the development and attempted sale of a piece of cyberweapon referred to as Subzero, which can be used to hack targets' phones, computers, and internet-connected devices.

"Observed victims to date include law firms, banks, and strategic consultancies in countries such as Austria, the United Kingdom, and Panama," the tech giant's cybersecurity teams said in a Wednesday report.

Microsoft is tracking the actor under the moniker KNOTWEED, continuing its trend of terming PSOAs using names given to trees and shrubs. The company previously designated the name SOURGUM to Israeli spyware vendor Candiru.

KNOTWEED is known to dabble in both access-as-a-service and hack-for-hire operations, offering its toolset to third parties as well as directly associating itself in certain attacks.

While the former entails the sales of end-to-end hacking tools that can be used by the purchaser in their own operations without the involvement of the offensive actor, hack-for-hire groups run the targeted operations on behalf of their clients.

The deployment of Subzero is said to have transpired through the exploitation of numerous issues, including an attack chain that abused an unknown Adobe Reader remote code execution (RCE) flaw and a zero-day privilege escalation bug (CVE-2022-22047), the latter of which was addressed by Microsoft as part of its July Patch Tuesday updates.

"The exploits were packaged into a PDF document that was sent to the victim via email," Microsoft explained. "CVE-2022-22047 was used in KNOTWEED related attacks for privilege escalation. The vulnerability also provided the ability to escape sandboxes and achieve system-level code execution."

Similar attack chains observed in 2021 leveraged a combination of two Windows privilege escalation exploits (CVE-2021-31199 and CVE-2021-31201) in conjunction with an Adobe reader flaw (CVE-2021-28550). The three vulnerabilities were resolved in June 2021.

The deployment of Subzero subsequently occurred through a fourth exploit, this time taking advantage of a privilege escalation vulnerability in the Windows Update Medic Service (CVE-2021-36948), which was closed by Microsoft in August 2021.

Beyond these exploit chains, Excel files masquerading as real estate documents have been used as a conduit to deliver the malware, with the files containing Excel 4.0 macros designed to kick-start the infection process.

Regardless of the method employed, the intrusions culminate in the execution of shellcode, which is used to retrieve a second-stage payload called Corelump from a remote server in the form of a JPEG image that also embeds a loader named Jumplump that, in turn, loads Corelump into memory.

The evasive implant comes with a wide range of capabilities, including keylogging, capturing screenshots, exfiltrating files, running a remote shell, and running arbitrary plugins downloaded from the remote server.

Also deployed during the attacks were bespoke utilities like Mex, a command-line tool to run open source security software like Chisel, and PassLib, a tool to dump credentials from web browsers, email clients, and the Windows credential manager.

Microsoft said it uncovered KNOTWEED actively serving malware since February 2020 through infrastructure hosted on DigitalOcean and Choopa, alongside identifying subdomains that are used for malware development, debugging Mex, and staging the Subzero payload.

Multiple links have also been unearthed between DSIRF and the malicious tools used in KNOTWEED's attacks.

"These include command-and-control infrastructure used by the malware directly linking to DSIRF, a DSIRF-associated GitHub account being used in one attack, a code signing certificate issued to DSIRF being used to sign an exploit, and other open-source news reports attributing Subzero to DSIRF," Redmond noted.

Subzero is no different from off-the-shelf malware such as Pegasus, Predator, Hermit, and DevilsTongue, which are capable of infiltrating phones and Windows machines to remotely control the devices and siphon off data, sometimes without requiring the user to click on a malicious link.

If anything, the latest findings highlight a burgeoning international market for such sophisticated surveillance technologies to carry out targeted attacks aimed at members of civil society.

Although companies that sell commercial spyware advertise their wares as a means to tackle serious crimes, evidence gathered so far has found several instances of these tools being misused by authoritarian governments and private organizations to snoop on human rights advocates, journalists, dissidents, and politicians.

Google's Threat Analysis Group (TAG), which is tracking over 30 vendors that hawk exploits or surveillance capabilities to state-sponsored actors, said the booming ecosystem underscores "the extent to which commercial surveillance vendors have proliferated capabilities historically only used by governments."

"These vendors operate with deep technical expertise to develop and operationalize exploits," TAG's Shane Huntley said in a testimony to the U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, adding, "its use is growing, fueled by demand from governments."
A California man who was trying to render aid died when he was hit by passing vehicle early Thursday morning on Interstate 80 near Grand Island.

Hector Stanley Duque, 47, was fatally struck at about 2:45 a.m.

Hall County Sheriffs deputies were initially called to a two-vehicle accident near mile marker 310 in the eastbound lanes of I-80. On the way, they learned of a second accident at the same location.

A preliminary investigation indicates a Nissan pickup pulling a U-Haul trailer, driven by Salvador Duque Moreno, was traveling east when he was struck from behind by an eastbound Peterbilt semi driven by Yelena Coop, whose hometown was not available.

Duque, who was a passenger in the Nissan pickup, then exited the vehicle to assist Moreno. He was struck by a passing vehicle, and pronounced dead at the scene.

An accident reconstruction team was called to assist in the investigation, which remains open.

The Hall County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Grand Island Fire Department and the Grand Island Rural Fire Department. The interstate was closed from 3:06 a.m. to 7:11 a.m. during the investigation.
Grand Island police officer Christopher Marcello, who received two Life Saving Service Awards during his career with the department, died early Wednesday due to natural causes.

Marcello, 42, was an investigator.

The Grand Island Police Department announced his death with heavy hearts on Thursday, saying Marcello left us before his time.

Marcello joined the department in 2013, and served as a patrol officer and as a school resource officer at Grand Island Senior High, before becoming an investigator.

Embodying the model of a true hero, Chris was a recipient of the departments Life Saving Award, the news release says. Chris had the heart and desire to save children as a child abuse investigator, the patience and leadership to train future police officers as a field training officer and the cunning and bravery to go into the worst situations as a member of our Tactical Response Unit.

In 2015, Marcello dragged a woman from a burning house on Sun Valley Drive. She was flown to a burn unit in Lincoln and survived for about two months.

In 2017, Marcello and two other officers, Bryce Collamore and Tyler Noel, received Life Saving Awards for bringing a 75-year-old woman back to life. The woman was found inside her vehicle, unconscious. The officers were able to get the woman breathing again.

Marcello was a 23-year veteran of the US. Army National Guard Alpha Troop 1/134th Cavalry Squadron, where he was deployed several times to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to three overseas tours, he was part of two stateside mobilizations. He retired at the rank of First Sergeant.

Yet, that is not what defined Chris to most at our agency, the GIPD news release says. Chris was an Atlas for the department. He was always willing to shoulder any burden for his fellow officers, and the citizens of our community every day, and do it with a smirk and sarcastic wit that brightened any situation. His cool head and easy demeanor, always improved an outcome regardless of the weight of the situation.

In 2017, Marcello was the grand marshal at the Nebraska State Fairs Salute to our Veterans Celebration parade. In 2018, The Independent ran a picture of Marcello with the Cub Scout group he led. The Scouts were volunteering their time to the Santa Cop program.

Marcello was a native of Blue Hill. According to the 2017 story about the Life Saving Award, Marcello and his wife, Tami, were the parents of two girls and two boys.

Chris was a hero in every sense that the word can be defined, and he will be missed. Please pray for peace for the family of Chris Marcello, as they cope with the difficult time, the GIPD release concludes. Rest easy brother. We will take it from here.
McCOOL JUNCTION -- On Sunday, Aug. 31, the church family of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in McCool will be honoring 150 years of ministry and tradition.

Pastor Monica Magoola of UMC said, I am incredible honored to serve as McCool Junction UMCs pastor as we celebrate the 150th church anniversary. For many generations, the McCool Junction UMC has poured the love of God into its local community. This congregation is such a loving and family-oriented church and is a critical part of the social health of the McCool Junction community.

Since it was established, UMC has offered a variety of programs and services for the adults and children including the Vacation Bible School, after school program WLC (Work for Christ, Live our Faith, and Care for each other), Adopt a Family during Thanksgiving, offering communion services to Fairview Manor in Fairmont, and donating to back to the backpack and milk programs in McCool.

The continuous servant leadership in the community is what makes the church special to its community members.

Mary Plock, member of the UMC said, Every year for Thanksgiving, we sponsor a family for our Adopt a Family program. Everyone pitches in  from the turkey down to the dessert. Its impressive.

Along with its Adopt a Family program, the church has the Penny Jar, The idea was thought of by Alene (Blondie) Plock to raise funds for local missions. Any change that is collected during childrens time at the Sunday service goes towards the following missions: Epworth Village, Living Water Rescue Mission, Living Hope in Omaha and Talita Cumi Childrens Home in Bolivia.

Everyone who walks through the doors of the McCool UMC gets treated like family.

Niecy Davis, a member of church said, I came here in 1977 as a bride and I can remember the church was so welcoming. They encouraged me to get very active in the United Methodist Women group, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Plock said she made a lot of fond memories too, watching her grandchildren be baptized there and seeing her good friend and former member Jenice Epp become a pastor.

Church members Sylvia Tyser, Paul Underwood and Ryan Underwood shared how the United Methodist Church is a core group with a strong faith in God that held themselves together through many challenges thrown at them like having four ministers in one year to going through the pandemic together. They have stood strong and cared for one another through good and bad times.

Magoola said, Many of our families have been baptized here, were wed here and celebrated the lives of their loved ones here! God brings us laughter when the sun shines on our faces and He is our hope when life gets tough. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the unchanging compassion of our God and we anticipate his mercies to be felt among us for many more years to come.

Magoola and the church family of UMC invites the public to an open house at the church which will be held on Sunday, July 31, from 3-4:30 p.m., at 109 S. Pennsylvania Avenue in McCool.

***

The history of the McCool Junction United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church(UMC) of McCool has undergone multiple transformations since it was established 150 years ago.

According to the church directory, the McCool UMC represents a union of churches coming together: the Bethel United Brethren (BUB) Church, the Parsel Church and the McCool Methodist Church.

The first church established was BUB in 1868 organized by Rev W.P. Caldwell. Six families met in a sod dugout close to the Blue River in McCool. Meetings moved from a sod dugout to a log school house until a frame church was built and completed. In April of 1879, Bishop Milton Wright, father of the Wright Brothers, gave a dedication to the newly built church.

At the same time, the Rev. Simeon Austin was assembling a Sunday school class called the Pursel class in 1872. The class was held every Sunday in a log cabin on the eastern side of McCool.

Eventually, they moved services from a log cabin to a schoolhouse, until they could build a church of their own. By 1890, they had built a frame church and moved it to McCool. The plot of land alone was $10.

In 1872, the First Methodist Episcopal was organizing its very first Fairview classes'' at a sod schoolhouse west of McCool. Then in 1878, a frame church was built on a farm for classes.

The congregation then split into Lushton and McCool congregations. The McCool Methodist congregation continued worship at the Baptist church north of McCool and the McFadden School house at the train depot in McCool until their church was built in 1906.

In 1946, the Bethel Church and Parsel Church united to become the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB). Finally on January 26, 1969, the McCool Methodist Church united with McCools EUB and formed the McCool UMC.

Former Pastor, Rev. D.V. Herrick shared a few words about the flourishing church when he wrote the following quote in a journal in the early 1950s: The McCool Church has had its ups and downs. It has shared in the prosperity and adversity of its people. It has had seasons of revival and recession. Along with other phases of rural life, it has felt the heavy migration of population from country to city. But for many years, it has been recognized as a valuable force in the moral and spiritual life of the community.
MARION  In the fast-changing world of healthcare, Heartland Regional Medical Center has taken the necessary steps in recent years to rebuild its credibility in the region.

New Chief Executive Officer, Ed Cunningham, who took over last March, is front and center directing that rebuild.

Cunningham sat down with The Southern Wednesday to provide an overview of some of the important happenings within the organization.

Cunningham said a new express care/primary care office will open in front of the Harrisburg Walmart in the middle of September. The building is 5,500 square feet in size and will house an x-ray machine and laboratory.

"We will be able to take care of people in the community as they have needs," Cunningham said. "The big difference between express care and urgent care is cost. Express care is treated like an extended care clinic instead of urgent care. The cost for urgent care is a third to half more than express care."

The dual-office facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Cunningham said Marion has an existing express care office located in the strip mall that also houses Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers.

"We were slowed by COVID-19 for a while, but in recent months, we are back to seeing anywhere from 1,200 to 1,400 patients a month," Cunningham said. "We are looking at other communities, too. Our goal is to open spaces in at least two more communities within the next six months. When people get off work and haven't felt good all day, they need to see somebody, and their doctor's office is closed.

"But with these express care facilities, they can get in and out quickly. If they need an x-ray, we can do it there. If they need lab work done, we can do it there. We can take care of you and make sure you have what you need."

Cunningham also spoke highly of current and newly hired physicians who have either made, or will be making an impact on the hospital.

"Dr. (gastroenterologist Raza) Hamdani, who we brought in almost a year ago, has done an excellent job for us so far. His practice is growing rapidly within the community and has been very well received."

Dr. (Barry) Rosenblum has been very busy since coming to town. He is an ENT. When I was at Granite City, I stole him from Missouri Baptist Hospital," Cunningham said. "At present, he sees 20-to-24 patients a day in his office, but is only here three to four days a month. And he's already booked up until October. We're looking to bring him in every other week if we can work out an agreement."

Rosenblum specializes in balloon sinuplasty.

"It used to be that there would be all this packing left in your nose after the procedure, but this new balloon technique breaks everything loose similar to what a balloon does with a cardiology patient when they're trying to remove plak," Cunningham said.

"Patients who receive the balloon treatment with a sinusplasty like it much better. It's not as painful. There's no packing left in the nose and you get to go home the same day of the procedure. It's the same principle with a procedure on the Eustachian tube to remove pressure within the ears and help people hear better."

Cunningham said Dr. Ahmad Abdin is a relatively new cardiologist at the hospital.

"He is from Jordan. He started with us in March, and then had to leave to get his visa taken care of. He was gone for almost three months. Luckily, with the help of Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman Mike Bost, we were able to get him cleared and back at our hospital. He is working with Dr. Victor Mwansa, our other cardiologist. His business is growing rapidly. He brings some of the newer technology in the field with him. It has been very well received."

Dr. Amar Mukerji (colorectal surgeon) is yet another physician who has been well received by the public, Cunningham said.

Regarding a staffing shortage with nurses mostly brought on by the pandemic, Cunningham said it has been a battle to find quality replacements, but things have been looking up for the hospital of late.

"We had shortages like every other hospital in the country, but our numbers are coming back," Cunningham said. "Salaries have also come back down to a more manageable level. We couldn't pay the $200-an-hour wages that some hospitals were paying there for a while. It's simply not sustainable for community hospitals like ours. We weren't going to be able to survive if salaries were going to be three times higher than they were before COVID hit."

Cunningham said Heartland Regional Medical Center takes care of all its patients, including those who are uninsured.

"We do charity care and our share of Medicaid patients," he said. "We take care of people no matter who they are when they come through our doors. We believe that patient care is critical. That's important to us."

Cunningham said the hospital is working closely with area high schools and colleges to help recruit new nurses.

"We offer scholarships. We're doing what we can to get our young people back into nursing, back into radiology, and back into lab and respiratory therapy. We've got to build for the next generation. We need to make sure we have trained people who can take care of us as we grow older.

"And we've had very good luck recruiting nurses so far," Cunningham continued. "If I had everybody oriented and trained, we would be very close to full staffing."

Looking further ahead

Cunningham said the hospital has plans to do much more in the months ahead in addition to opening new express and primary care offices in the region.

"About the middle of next year, we're going to replace one of our cath labs," Cunningham said. "We have new robotics ready for our urologist who will join Physician Assistant Stacey Leithliter, we expect to sign the new urologist this evening, who will be arriving here in December. He is robotically trained and can perform reconstructive surgeries."

Cunningham added that the hospital is putting together a vein center to treat varicose veins. I know it's cosmetics, but if a person is not happy or comfortable with the way they look, it affects their life. Mental health is just as important as physical health."

Speaking of mental health, Cunningham said emergency room visits are on the climb at the hospital with a big increase in mental health cases.

"We have seen a number of patients with psychiatric problems grow rapidly in our ER over the last two years," he said. "People who have been cooped up at home from COVID.... and can't go anywhere. They get in a fog. Some don't take their medicine like they should. It's amazing the effect the pandemic has had on our communities."

Regarding outreach and primary care, Cunningham said there have been 700 new patients visit local practices connected to the hospital just last month and more than 5,500 since the start of this year.

"People are looking for primary care and they are coming from all over," he said. "Our doctors will sit and listen. They talk to their patients and figure out what they need. We're excited with our doctors and nurses and what they're doing here."

Cunningham said what excites him the most about his job is that he is starting to see the fruits of the hospital's recruitment efforts.

"And we're starting to spend the money to do outgrowth. We're building relationships with the independent physicians in our communities. Our patient scores have gone up. We're expanding our primary care base. We're expanding our cardiology base. We're going to be taking a huge step forward with our urology department and we're expanding our ENT services. The pieces are starting to come together."
Local community colleges are receiving grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce to improve facilities used to train members of the workforce.

At John A. Logan College, construction will begin next year on a new Career and Technical Education Training Center following the award of a $4.2 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration.

Funded in combination with matching funds from the college, 15,000 square-feet of new construction will compliment renovation of more than 45,000 square-feet current career and technical facilities to modernize teaching and training abilities for a variety of fields including manufacturing, welding, automotive, and other career and technical fields.

John A. Logan College President Kirk Overstreet said the new facilities, which should be ready for students in 2025, will also allow the college to expand offerings in growing fields.

This will allow us to bring more students on the campus and what it does will also make other space available where we can focus on other programs that are career and technical. Were looking to do some clean room technology that is part of cybersecurity and the electric vehicle programming and different things we will do to be at the forefront of getting our students the opportunity to get careers in the technical career fields, he said.

Overstreet said the facility  adjacent to the colleges current H Building  will completely transform and modernize the career and technical program.

We already have an automotive program, we already have a manufacturing program and we have a welding program for example, but our facilities are 40 years old, he explained. What this is going to do is to bring us up to state-of-the-art in all of these programs. This will help our learners be ready for careers outside of the college.

Rend Lake College

The department is also awarding $5 million to Rend Lake College under EDAs American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program to develop the Southern Illinois Manufacturing Academy at the RLC MarketPlace in Mount Vernon.

The EDA grant will be matched by $1.2 million in funding from the college to establish what officials call a state-of-the-art manufacturing training center. Plans are for the facility and instruction offered there to address skill gaps and staffing shortfalls for area manufacturers.

The project is a consortium with Kaskaskia College and Southeastern Illinois College with cooperation of the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission.

This exciting project will feature high-demand industry skills training for well-paying manufacturing jobs, Rend Lake College Vice President of Instruction and Student Affairs Lori Ragland said. It will serve new and incumbent workers through hands-on application to validate learned skills. SIMA will include a working manufacturing environment where participants will demonstrate competencies based on industry criteria. The training will be a direct correlation to the feedback received from employers in the manufacturing sector.

Development of the facility will involve some renovation of the existing MarketPlace as well as expansion. Construction will begin in 2023. The completed academy is expected to train more than 500 people annually.
Less than a month after a gunman climbed a fire escape and positioned himself on a rooftop to fire rifle rounds into a mass of Independence Day paradegoers below in Highland Park, Chicago officials said they are confident they can keep one of the citys largest festivals safe this weekend.

Lollapalooza starts Thursday in Grant Park, showcasing more than 170 acts and hosting hundreds of thousands of people. Rich Guidice, executive director of Chicagos Office of Emergency Management and Communications, said the city has been developing and building on its security plans around the festival since it started being held here in 2005, and this year was no different in the wake of Highland Park.

We, this group that is part of putting together Lollapalooza, reviewed the Highland Park incident, and thats typically what we do (in) instances that take place across the country, Guidice said. Well review best practices on our end and see if theres anything that we need to do to modify based on what were seeing around the country.

Attacks like the one in Highland Park always spur fears of copycats, and its impossible to fully secure a festival the size of Lollapalooza in an open-air city park, experts have said.

Jose Colon, whose Headrest Barbershop faces Grant Park across Michigan Avenue, said the threat of violence at the mass gathering is on his mind after the Highland Park shooting.

Theres no way to absolutely secure everybodys safety, he said. Whos to say that cant happen again? ... Anybody can rent a room, anybody can get in here.  The fear is always there.

Mass shooting concerns around major outdoor events rose sharply after the 2017 shooting at a music festival in Las Vegas, an attack that killed dozens when a gunman fired bullets down from a high-rise hotel. And it was later discovered that the Las Vegas suspect, Stephen Paddock, had months earlier reserved two rooms at the Blackstone Hotel on Michigan Avenue with a clear view of Lollapalooza, but he never showed up during the August festival.

That years Lollapalooza had enhanced security as a result, which included more police officers, additional fencing, new bag restrictions and airport-style screening at the entrances of Grant Park.

During the recent Fourth of July shooting, Robert E. Bobby Crimo allegedly used his perch over the parade to kill seven and injure more than two dozen others. Police later found 83 spent shell casings and three 30-round magazines on the rooftop, police and prosecutors have said.

Days after the Highland Park shooting, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Chicago spends an enormous amount of time on any large-scale event months ahead of time, and a lot of planning is focused on safety.

It doesnt get any more American, in my view, and an expression of who we are as a people, than the gathering in Highland Park, Lightfoot said then. Its still with an extraordinarily heavy heart, not just in Highland Park but what happens on a daily basis here in Chicago, what weve seen in other tragedies recently.

There are no known threats to Lollapalooza so far, Guidice said. Security plans include having a command post, hundreds of cameras, private EMS and more than 1,000 private security people on site.

We have this event down to time frames when we know were going to get more impacted with more crowds and when we expect crowds to be developing in line, Guidice said. So we have it down to that level of detail for this event in particular.

Helicopter surveillance is always part of the plan for an event such as Lollapalooza, Guidice said, giving police a clear view. The city has also relationships with nearby hotels and businesses along Michigan Avenue and have promoted training on reporting suspicious activity to them.

The OEMC is also in constant coordination with the CTA and Chicago polices downtown districts, Guidice said. The city also works with federal partners such as the FBI.

Guidice did not give out information on how many Chicago officers will be monitoring the downtown districts. Chicago police referred all questions about Lollapalooza security to OEMC.

As in years past, the festival will screen attendees with an airport-style search, organizers wrote on the events website.

Guidice recommended that people be cognizant of their surroundings, even when the event closes, because there are potentially 100,000 people leaving at the same time.

The downtown area also has seen its share of high-profile violence this year, including the killing of a teenager near The Bean in Millennium Park. Lollapalooza tends to exacerbate downtown issues, some living and working nearby said.

It makes our regulars uncomfortable, said Colon, who runs the barber shop. Youve got the people that want to scam tourists. You got the people that want to rob tourists. You got the people that want to do harm to tourists.

People have urinated on his barbershops glass door while hes been cutting hair inside during past Lollapaloozas, he said. Last year, a fight over fake tickets ended with someone getting tackled through his shops window, Colon said.

When mayhem breaks out, there have been times when police did not cross the street from their posts along the well-protected festival gates and fences, he said. And the recent downtown issues including clashes between officers and agitated crowds have made him doubt whether authorities can control large, rowdy groups.

Residents living around Grant Park complained about the festivals noise and shared similar safety concerns at a late-June public meeting hosted by Ald. Sophia King, 4th.

There are elderly people in our building who cant leave their apartments because the crowds downstairs are too crazy, theyre drunk, Barbara Burgess said at the meeting.

Rosalyn Howards concerns are heightened this year because of recent nearby violence, she told King.

Every year, we have an overflow of people that are urinating, defecating around our building. Throwing up, passing out, trying to come in the building. They go to the park across the street, pass out, and there are just droves of them, Howard said.

The liquor-selling Lakeview Market across from Grant Park sees huge lines of customers during the festival, manager Harry Patel told the Tribune. Theres a bump in theft too.

With the good people, the bad people take a chance, he said.

Organizers for the festival did not answer questions about security and only responded with an emailed statement.

The safety and well-being of our Lollapalooza fans, artists and staff is paramount, the statement read. We work with the city of Chicago year-round to develop detailed safety plans and protocols.

Guidice said the departure of people from the festival is another phase of the event and its planning, Guidice said, and residents and visitors alike need to be extra eyes and ears for each other and authorities.

Continue to look out for each other, Guidice said. This is an international event and Chicago is certainly very proud of it and want to make sure Chicagoans are looking out for each other and our visitors coming to our city.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could also pose a threat to the safety of guests. The festival required attendees to be fully vaccinated against the virus or provide negative test results last year, but dropped the requirements this year.

The Chicago Department of Public Health urged attendees to wear masks in public indoor spaces and to not attend if experiencing COVID-like symptoms.
On a hot and humid morning, 18 volunteers gathered at the home of Pamela Headden near Neeses to build a handicap-accessible ramp.

Headdens granddaughter Sierra Headden had recently been in rehab and a substantial handicap ramp was needed.

Jamie Givens of Orangeburg County EMS learned of the need for the ramp to allow the family to be whole again, bringing Sierra back to bond with her family.

Givens started asking her co-workers to suggest organizations that could help.

EmmanuWheel organization, out of Lexington, was contacted. A phone call was made and soon a plan was being developed.

Physical volunteer help was needed, so besides EMS, the Neeses Volunteer Fire Department was asked to help.

Neeses VFD knew that members of North Volunteer Fire Department who attend North United Methodist Church frequently built ramps and such for people with special needs, so an extended request for help was made.

Chris Sharpe of EmmanuWheel coordinated the work portion of the project and had the material and plans well laid out upon arrival on Saturday, July 23.

The Rev. Richard Toy of North United Methodist Church started off with a prayer that unified the combined group focused on accomplishing the God-given task presented to them. The group of volunteers blended in together quickly as one united family to finish the project.

There was a wide variety of groups and tasks needed that fell into place like clockwork.

There were groups to remove shrubbery; measure, cut and haul lumber; dig holes for posts; screw down the supports and boards using drill drivers; level and plum.

The group of emergency first responders went full throttle along with a drive for precision and quality. The emergency response approach worked well as all agencies had worked together many times in the past.

The ramp-building response brought all the groups together. Each one presented a Christ-like love for their neighbors in need. The daunting task was accomplished in only four hours, which was somewhat of a record for all.

A portion of the world had a brighter ray of Jesus light shining bright and ready for Sierras return to her loving family.

Volunteers

Orangeburg County EMS: Jamie Givens, Andy Williams and Logan Hughes

Neeses Volunteer Fire Department: Shan Benton, Daniel Jackson, Karen Galloway, Lee and Anna McIntyre, Butch Davis and Bradley Williams

North Volunteer Fire Department: Christopher and Grant Livingston, the Rev. Richard Toy, Channing Smith and Billy Robinson

EmmanuWheel: Chris Sharpe and Donna Dell

To contact EmmanuWheel, send an email to info@emmanuwheel.org; call 803-606-7551; or send mail to P.O. Box 1626, Lexington, SC 29071. They are a nonprofit group that relies on volunteer labor and donations to coordinate ramp projects.

TheTandD.com has a new special: $1 for 26 weeks Support local journalism by becoming a member at www.TheTandD.com Get the first 26 weeks for just $1 at https://go.thetandd.com/nov5
A doctor announced his resignation from the Regional Medical Centers Board of Trustees on Tuesday, citing concerns about how a proposed partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina has been handled.

I am not against a planned merger or takeover even with MUSC or another big system. I am all for that, but it has to be done the right way, RMC trustee Dr. Mohammad Nassri told trustees during the board's June meeting.

What starts out right ends right. This did not start right to me. I hope it will end right, he said.

For me, I see no way to have a voice or influence or anything, if you will, and for that reason at the end of July I will no longer be on the board, he said. I regret to say that. I love this place. I wish the place everything that is good.

I dedicated most of my life to this place. It is my second home.

Nassri did clarify at the end of the meeting that he will still practice at RMC and that he was just resigning from the board.

Nassri has been serving as an at-large board member. He has served on the board a number of times over the years.

From 2009 to 2012, he served as chief of medical staff and chairman of the hospital's Medical Executive Committee. Nassri came back on the board in 2016 and has served both as a representative of District 6 and in an at-large capacity since that time.

A budget proviso passed by the S.C. General Assembly allows MUSC, within its own budget, to enter into a partnership with RMC.

MUSC officials propose entering into the partnership by the close of RMC's fiscal year: Sept. 30.

The partnership has been touted as a chance to provide the RMC with a number of resources, including clinical, educational and research programs with an aim at improving care and the financial outcomes of the hospital.

The proposal thats being discussed would keep the RMC board in place for quality oversight, medical staff accreditation and community engagement, while financial responsibility for RMC would fall under the MUSC board. All RMC employees would remain under the proposal.

A working group has been formed to help implement the partnership. The group is to be responsible for drafting a plan that will be provided to the local legislative delegation and Orangeburg and Calhoun county councils for review and action.

Orangeburg and Calhoun counties own the hospital.

The working group has been asked to submit its recommendations before Sept. 1.

Upon review, both councils would pass ordinances by Oct. 1 reflecting the recommended implementation of the partnership, according to a document.

The local legislative delegation has expressed its support for the partnership.

Nassri said his main concerns have been the lack of transparency and communication about the proposed partnership.

I have been troubled quite a bit with this MUSC/Orangeburg saga, Nassri told trustees. I get asked questions upstairs from personnel: What is going to happen? What is my job looking like? Where do we go from here?

And I have no answers and I am not sure anyone has any answers yet, he continued. This whole thing has been bewildering, if you will, to me.

I don't know what the intention of this whole thing is, he continued. Is it a merger? Is it a takeover? Is it a gift to MUSC?

What is MUSC planning to do with the place? ... What do they expect of us? What do we expect from them? We have no idea."

Nassri said the only information he has been able to glean from the proposed partnership has been from the newspaper.

The (local legislative) delegation does not have the courtesy to reach out to the board who governs the hospital to tell us where we stand and what needs to be done, Nassri said. I have never seen anything like this. To me, it seems like a hostile takeover.

One of Nassris concerns is the composition of a working group implementing the partnership.

Why is the chair of the board not on the committee? he said. We don't know the answer.

Nassri said he takes issue with the fact that the state has decided the composition of the working group rather than Orangeburg and Calhoun county councils.

What is the planning committee's agenda to speak about or discuss? Nassri said. I would like to know.

RMC trustee Dr. Franklin Coulter, who is a member of the working group, said the working group has not met yet. Members of the group have been provided forms to fill out expressing their availability for a meeting.

One of the things they did say was that the people who are on the committee are not in stone, Coulter said. So I will be making a recommendation during that first meeting that we do add some people to that planning committee.

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, said I want to thank Dr. Nassri for his many years of dedicated service to not only the RMC board but to the patients he has cared for in his practice.

I wish him all the best, she said, speaking after the meeting.

Cobb-Hunter has helped spearhead the effort to bring about the partnership between the hospital and MUSC.

Cobb-Hunter said the priority for the partnership is to ensure that access to quality health care remains a viable option for the community RMC serves.

While I can appreciate questions that board members have, I want to remind RMC employees of what has already been publicly stated: there will be no loss of jobs associated with this partnership with MUSC, Cobb-Hunter said. To the contrary, the partnership will strengthen and enhance the health care workforce and available health care services options in the area.

Nassri says RMC is viable.

It is not going under. It needs help. It needs some additional resources, but the hospital is viable and will play a vital role in this community for decades to come, he said.

Nassri also noted that while RMC had a D in its spring 2022 Leapfrog safety grade, MUSC had a C in the same survey. Leapfrog is a national hospital safety watchdog group.

We are not as bad as some people are saying we are in the news media, he said.

RMC Board Chair the Rev. Dr. Caesar Richburg asked Nassri to reconsider his decision to leave the board.

We wish you to know how much of an asset you have been, Richburg said during the meeting. God knows you have been.

Richburg mentioned others, like Coulter, Dr. John Samies and Betty Henderson.

It is an institution of knowledge. It really makes all the difference in the world. A lot of that knowledge has helped us. It has helped us to not make mistakes that ordinarily we would have made as a board, he said.

You have bushels of knowledge, my friend, regarding our institution, our beloved RMC, Richburg said.

Richburg's comments received several nods of approval from other board members.

Richburg said he understands that realignments and partnerships are common and has publicly said the hospital board was in the process of forming an ad hoc committee to discuss a partnership even before the S.C. General Assembly's proviso.

We just want it to work. We don't want to lose our good physicians. We don't want to lose our good leadership. They bring value to the table, he said.

Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright said after the meeting that Nassri, has been an asset to the board, to the hospital and to the community.

I am sure he will continue to be.

Wright said Nassri has the right to express his opinion and to do what he feels like he needs to do.

"There will be a lot of different opinions with this process, Wright said.

Wright explained that the process started with a state proviso and hence the state has placed the initial working group together to begin the process.

He affirmed the county will have a voice as the process moves forward and will make sure RMC is protected.

We are looking out for what is best for Orangeburg County and for the hospital as we move forward, he said. I am open to the people if there are any suggestions and if there is any way I can change things as we move this process forward.
Emerging Scholars, one of Clemson Universitys most impactful outreach programs, is celebrating its 20th anniversary Saturday. Since its founding in 2002, Emerging Scholars has become a flagship program for Clemson as it fulfills its land-grant mission of serving the underserved in South Carolina.

The mission of this innovative program is to establish a desire to attend college among students in families from the states rural areas on the I-95 corridor. It operates in seven South Carolina high schools: Allendale-Fairfax, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Denmark-Olar, Wade Hampton (Varnville), Estill, Dillon and Marlboro County.

The program brings cohorts of students to campus each summer to experience a university atmosphere while attending workshops focusing on academic enrichment, developing leadership skills and increasing college preparedness.

The results are impressive: 100 percent of the Emerging Scholars students (more than 1,000) have graduated from high school, with 82 percent going on to attend college. That more than doubles the overall college enrollment rate for 18- to 24-year-olds, which is 40 percent. That is without taking into account Emerging Scholars participants come from underserved communities.

Amber Lange, the assistant vice president of Educational Access and Engagement and executive director of College Preparation and Outreach, has been involved with the program since its first year when she was a graduate student.

There are two things that Im really proud of when it comes to the time that Ive been working with Emerging Scholars, said Lange. The first is the relationships weve built in the communities. After 20 years of working in these rural areas, we know a lot of families and a lot of community members. Im so thankful for them and that they trust us with their children and that they give us a chance to show their students what theyre capable of.

Lange said the second thing shes most proud of are the scholarships created for students who complete the Emerging Scholars program. Today, every Emerging Scholars graduate who is admitted and attends Clemson gets a full scholarship. (The first cohort of 13 scholarship recipients have all graduated.) There are also several scholarship funds students can apply for if they do not attend Clemson.

At the beginning, we were working with students, and we didnt have a lot of money to offer them to come to Clemson. So that has really changed the program and what we do. I really think thats a huge accomplishment, said Lange. Im definitely thankful for all the support we get from Clemson, but we get a ton of support from people who are not here at Clemson, and that might be a student who has given us $25 or a Board of Trustees member who has given a million.

The program was created by U.S. Navy (Ret.) Capt. Byron Wiley, who approached then-president of Clemson Jim Barker with the idea in 2001. Wiley had a distinguished 30-year career as a U.S. Naval Flight Officer and was designated a proven specialist in human resource management and military intelligence. He spent time in service in Englands Royal Navy as part of the Military Personnel Exchange Program and was the first African American in the history of the U.S. Navy to serve as the personal aide to an admiral.

Wiley came to South Carolina after retiring from the Navy and immediately recognized the inequities in states education system. He devised the concept of the program to address the inequities he witnessed firsthand as a boy in Arkansas. With the support of President Barker, he used office funds to bring the first group of students to Clemson in the summer of 2002.

Lange gets emotional when she speaks of Wiley, who she knew and worked with during the programs early years.

This is really his legacy, she said. He is the reason Im sitting here and the reason were having this 20th year celebration. It was his vision. Like me, hes not from South Carolina, but that didnt matter to him. He just really wanted to make a difference and saw a need. And he was someone who, when they see a need, they try to fill it.

Program staff work with high school guidance counselors to identify freshmen who might be the first generation in their families to attend college and those students they believe will need extra motivation to get there. These students come to Clemson each summer for one- to three-week residential sessions and take classes in English, math, science, African-American history, public speaking and computer science. Students also attend academic workshops and visit at least 14 colleges while in the program.

Its so amazing that we have been doing this for 20 years! said program director Sara Hanks, who took over as director in 2021 after working with the program for five years. The program has had an amazing impact on the students and communities we serve. We just had 80 students on campus for their first experience with us and I look forward to the program being able to continue that for the next 20 years.

Saturdays event will feature speeches by Lange, Hanks, President Jim Clements and the programs founders son, Alex Wiley.
An Orangeburg man is accused of killing his son and trying to kill his wife.

Andre Shawn Greene, 46, of 102 Kemmerlin St., is facing charges of murder, attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Hes accused of killing 14-year-old Drequan Greene. The teen died of a gunshot wound, Orangeburg County Chief Deputy Coroner Sean Fogle said Wednesday.

Andre Greene appeared in court on Wednesday wearing an orange jumpsuit and a white face mask, with his wrists handcuffed in front of him.

Orangeburg County Magistrate Rob Clariday asked Greene if he had any comments. Greene replied that he wanted to make sure he had a way to correspond with the court by mail.

Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office Victims Advocate Zea Folk asked the court to consider a no contact order between Greene and his wife.

South Carolina law prohibits magistrates from setting bond on murder suspects, but a circuit judge may consider bond for Greene at a later date.

Greenes charges stem from Mondays shooting incident at the home he shares with this wife and son, located at 102 Kemmerlin St., just outside of the city limits of Orangeburg.

Deputies found an unresponsive Drequan Greene on the ground next to the back steps of the mobile home.

Deputies say Andre Greene walked out of home screaming, Help my wife while pointing to a woman on the floor, according to an incident report.

The woman shouted, He shot me! while pointing to Andre Green, the report states.

Deputies immediately detained him.

There were two other minor children in the home during the shooting, but they werent physically injured, according to the sheriffs office.

Andre Greenes prior convictions include a 1994 conviction for first-offense possession with intent to distribute a scheduled drug.

Two years later, he was convicted of criminal domestic violence.

Then in 2002, he pleaded guilty to hit-and-run resulting in property damage. A circuit judge sentenced him to one year of probation and to pay restitution.

If Greene is convicted on his current charges, he faces up to life in prison.
DENMARK  Voorhees University welcomed Corey Smith as the new dean of Chapel and Spiritual Engagement on July 19. Smith is a recent graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary and serves as a member of its Justice and Reconciliation Society Alumni Stewardship Board. He has worked in various capacities in faith-based congregations for more than 25 years.

My top priority is to invite the students and parishioners to be open to God and to think deeply about their faith within the context of a seemingly, ever-evolving world, said Smith, who is also the new Lay Vicar of Saint Philips Chapel.

Dean Smith is the ideal servant leader for our spiritual engagement program at Voorhees. He brings a wealth of knowledge, talent, compassion and creativity to this new role, said Ronnie Hopkins, president of Voorhees University. We look forward to working with him as we build the Becoming Beloved Community and prepare our students to excel in every aspect of their lives.

Smith plans to work diligently to get students excited about attending chapel and spiritual engagement.

I want to help them recognize the power and freedom that comes from embracing exactly who God has created them to be, never being embarrassed or ashamed of their individual distinctness, he said. This individualistic understanding will help them find their places as co-creators within the spiritual community. I hope this excites them.

As he embarks upon this new role, Smith sees possibilities.

I will not do anything without a period of spiritual discernment and seeking the wisdom of my elders. I look forward to understanding the culture of Voorhees University and the broader community, he said. President Hopkins is a visionary, and I look forward to doing new things here, building upon the universitys rich tradition and shaping visionary leaders/thinkers who do the same.

Although this is Smiths first time living in a rural community, he believes in meeting people where they are and helping them grow. He plans to employ that philosophy as he builds the town and gown relationship in Denmark.

I hope to help build the Beloved Community with the local government and its residents, developing leaders who can take the lessons learned from these experiences to help create healthy systems and institutions for the communities they will serve in the future, Smith said.

A University of Georgia alumnus, Smith has also studied at Morehouse College and Emory University in Atlanta. He is a recipient of the ecology and theology certificate from the Washington Theological Consortium and a member of the inaugural cohort of the Faith + Justice Academy at Georgetown University. He is also a member of a 20-time Telly award-winning team, The Hope TV.

Smith hopes to work to combat inequities that reside at the intersection of faith, justice and economics and advocate for those struggling with homelessness, food insecurity, and against human trafficking. He also plans to help train the next generation of servant leaders to utilize the power of media for spiritual formation and in the transformation of systems, society, and institutions.
With all the problems our nation is now facing, a most serious threat to national security has developed under our noses: the catastrophic drop in military recruiting.

Back in May, top Defense Department leaders told Congress this was the worst recruiting crisis since the start of the all-volunteer military half a century ago.

According to a late July Army Times article, Defense Department officials have been sounding the alarm for months: the military is going to miss its enlisted recruiting goals this year. As of late June, according to an Army spokesperson, the Army had only hit 40% of its recruiting goal of 55,400 new soldiers for fiscal year 2022.

This comes after lowering the bar and softening a number of previous standards and throwing a great deal of money at incentivizing recruitment. None of the extreme measures appear to be working, and top leaders are expecting 2023 to be much worse.

DOD offers a multitude of reasons for the crisis. In particular, they place blame on economic issues and a smaller percentage of those able to serve. Though some of this is valid, Defense Department leaders continue to stonewall facing the real elephant in the room: The perceived wokeness of top DOD leadership (and policies) by the conservative half of the country. Let me explain.

First, polls bear out what recruiters all know: The number one factor bearing on whether an American will join the military is a close military family member (serving or a veteran). The the same families continue to serve generation after generation.

In my own case, my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all career Army officers. I served for over 30 years, and my son has joined our tradition. This is not the least unusual, and is the mainstay of military recruitment. Those military families are more conservative and disproportionately from rural and red states.

Going back even three years ago, those families overwhelmingly encouraged their sons and daughters to join. Within the past couple of years, and particularly during the Biden administration, the support for the military among those families has cratered.

According to a recent Reagan Institute Survey, the percentage of Americans who have a lot of confidence and trust in the military plummeted from 70% to 45% in the past couple of years. The debacle of the botched Afghanistan withdrawal caused a catastrophic 11 percentage point drop.

To give greater clarity on which demographic has most lost confidence, the poll showed conservative loss of confidence was beyond what we have seen in American history. A Reagan Institute survey showed that in 2018 87% of Republican respondents said they had a great deal of confidence in the military." That number plummeted to only 53% by 2021, and it continues to plummet among conservatives.

If you read replies to articles about the recruiting crisis in military-centric publications (with overwhelming veteran/retiree readers), you will see countless replies from veterans and retirees about wokeness deterring them from encouraging service.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Chuck Devore, a former Reagan-era defense official and former California legislator wrote: When you openly accuse the military of being rightwing and harboring white supremacists, insist on schooling them in transgender pronoun usage ... you shouldnt be shocked that they dont want to enlist under a leadership they neither trust nor admire.

Devore also provided this anecdote: To doublecheck that the economy wasnt the overriding reason why recruiting is failing, I spoke with a friend who leads a large police academy in Texas. He said the classes are full of new recruits (although in Chicago, Oregon and Washington state, areas where police are under attack, things are different).

Many of us watching the carnage of the war in Ukraine, and the potential for us fighting in such an environment, thought military leaders would turn away from many of the woke policies and concentrate on warfighting. At the very least, we thought Defense Department leaders would feel compelled to face the perception of wokeness upon recruiting. Failing to acknowledge this obvious elephant confirms for many they are right about their perception. They appear to pretend it doesnt exist while imploding.

Ironically, even uber-Liberal publications like The Atlantic have recognized and reported on this issue: Where (Milley) deserves greater criticism is his congressional testimony from a few weeks ago. ... He went on to connect racism to the attack on the Capitol: I want to understand white rage ... What is it that made thousands of people assault this building and try to overturn the Constitution of the United States of America?

The overriding duty of Department of Defense leadership is to provide national defense and not push woke ideology. Fixing the recruiting crisis will require the courage to push back against ideologues in the administration by putting the Constitution first. We either return to a politically neutral military focused on winning wars or we will see the military and national defense wither away.
(TBTCO) - Trao oi voi phong vien TBTCVN, TS. Nguyen Huu Huan - Truong bo mon Tai chinh thuoc Truong ai hoc Kinh te TP. Ho Chi Minh, cho biet boi canh kinh te nua cuoi nam 2022 a co nhung thay oi so voi nua au nam. Trong o, ap luc lam phat a giam bot. Vi vay, Ngan hang Nha nuoc nen can nhac viec noi han muc tang truong tin dung (room) e ho tro tang truong kinh te cuoi nam.
Over the past couple of weeks, travellers departing from Findel airport were often in need of patience due to increased waiting times.

Our colleagues from RTL spoke to Alexander Flassak, CEO of Luxairport, about the unusual state of affairs: "There are individual peak phases, like Tuesday mornings. The second wave of departures between 9.30 and 10.30am is particularly affected and the terminal can be full in a short span of time."

Even with all security lines operative, it still takes a considerable amount of time for passengers to get through during peak times. Travellers are thus recommended to show up at the airport at least two hours prior to their flight.

Flassak also elaborated that the hands of airport personnel are tied in cases where airlines cancel their flights, as was recently the case with TAP and EasyJet flights to Portugal: "We depend on the airlines in such cases, they decide if they want to cancel and we only get notice shortly beforehand."

If passengers have their flights cancelled, they are advised to contact their provider straightaway to see if alternatives can be booked via phone or online.

According to Flassak, stress levels also easily transfer from passengers to personnel, especially during peak phases. However, he also emphasised that he has not heard reports of a single traveller missing their flight due to excessive waiting times.

Video report in Luxembourgish
The average resident went on holiday 3.4 times in 2021, although staycations remained more popular than foreign destinations such as Spain.

According to a new report by Statec. the number of holidays rose again compared to pandemic-hit 2020. Luxembourgers undertook some 1.96 million trips over the course of 2021, 1.78 million of which were leisure trips. Just 10%, or 181,000 journeys, were classified as business trips.

The number of holidays increased when compared to 2020, which was marked by lockdowns and border closures, but Luxembourgers have still not regained their pre-pandemic fervour for foreign travel. Between 2017 and 2019, the average resident took around 4 trips per year - this figure dropped to 2.6 at the peak of the Covid crisis in 2020, rising to 3.4 trips in 2021.

77% of the population travelled abroad in 2021 - nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels. In 2020, just 70% went abroad. Citizens of other nationalities were more likely to take trips abroad for work or leisure purposes compared to Luxembourgers, with 80% of foreign nationals choosing to travel, compared to 74% with Luxembourgish nationality. Average income also played a role in travel, as the average income of households that travelled was almost 50 percent higher than the income of residents who did not travel last year.

Holidaymakers in 2021 opted to have slightly longer trips than before the pandemic, with the average stay lasting 7.8 nights.

96% of travellers visited destinations in Europe, with France proving the most popular with 24% of residents visiting. Belgium and Germany were in second and third place with 10% each, followed by Portugal, also with 10%. The Grand Duchy itself also attracted people seeking a staycation close to home, with 8% of travellers - more than Spain and Italy.

63% of trips were made in private vehicles, with 24% of holidaymakers travelling by plane, compared to 41% in 2019.

The survey on tourism in Luxembourg is conducted every quarter with a sample of between 5,000 and 6,000 residents aged between 15 and 85, taking into considerations holidays taken by the respondents in the last three months as well.
Network operator Creos and its parent company Encevo said they were still "analysing the damage" following a cyber attack on the night of 22 July.

During the attack, the hackers extracted a large amount of data from the supplier's computer systems, as well as rendering parts of it inaccessible.

Encevo said the group was currently making every effort to assess the damage and analyse the hacked data, but that it did not yet possess all the necessary information to personally inform those affected by the breach.

The energy supplier went on to ask customers to refrain from contacting the group on the topic for the time being. A website has been set up to provide assistance, with updates as the situation evolves.

Creos and Enovos apologised for the inconvenience and added that the electricity and gas supply would not be affected by the issues.
The Grand Ducal police reported several incidents on Wednesday, including drink driving and irresponsible scooter use.

Early on Wednesday evening, police received reports of two young men who had left the pool in Niederanven without paying the entry fees. Officers were able to locate the men travelling by car in Senningerberg shortly after the report. Both men had consumed alcohol and became extremely aggressive when confronted by the police.

After being immobilised, the driver failed a breathalyser test and was issued with a driving ban in Luxembourg. It then transpired that he also had been made to surrender his driving licence in France on a previous occasion. The vehicle was seized until further notice after officers found a stash of hashish in the car and the incident was placed on record.

In Gasperich, shortly after midnight, police flagged down two people riding on a scooter without helmets. However, instead of stopping, the driver accelerated through a red light in an attempt to flee. Despite this, officers swiftly caught up with the vehicle and established that not only was the driver not the scooter's proprietor, he also lacked a valid driving license. The scooter was promptly confiscated.

At around 3am, another scooter rider was pulled over by police in Senningen due to his erratic driving. He was unable to produce a license when asked, which prompted officers to consult their German counterparts. It was later confirmed that the rider had an outstanding driving ban and therefore did not possess a valid licence. The scooter was seized by order of the public prosecutor's office, while police filed a complaint.

Early on Thursday morning, a motorist was pulled over in Schifflange due to suspicious driving. He was found to be over the legal alcohol limit, so police issued a fine and confiscated his licence.
An administrative court has ruled in the first instance that the Luxembourg government's decision to ban glyphosate pesticides in weedkiller RoundUp is in fact unlawful.

The government has insisted it will continue with the ban and plans to appeal the ruling, according to a report by Radio 100,7.



The Grand Duchy was the first EU country to introduce the ban on 1 January 2021. However, Bayer, the RoundUp pesticide producer, then opted to sue Luxembourg, arguing that the ban breached EU law.
The U.S. became the worlds biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) during the first half of 2022, the Energy Information Administration said Monday.

Over those six months, the price of natural gas  which began the year unusually high  nearly tripled.

Natural gas is transported mostly by pipeline and tends not to leave the region where it originates. That leaves natural gas markets more vulnerable to local disruptions, but less vulnerable to global price swings, compared with oil. But U.S. exports of LNG  natural gas cooled to its liquid form  have been on the rise for the last two decades, and accelerated over the last several years, according to agency data.

In 2019, the U.S. exported about 14% of the natural gas it produced. That share jumped to almost 16% in 2020, as demand faltered and prices tumbled early in the pandemic, then climbed past 19% in 2021. Demand quickly recovered. Production lagged behind.

Natural gas prices have increased substantially over the past year-plus from the historically low prices that weve become accustomed to over the past 8-10 years, Michael Howe, gas utility Black Hills Energys community affairs manager, said in an email.

The fuel became expensive enough by last fall that electricity suppliers cut back on their natural gas use and paid premiums for increasingly cost-competitive coal. Powder River Basin spot prices nearly tripled in November and have remained elevated since.

Now, as unrelenting heat waves exacerbated by climate change bake the U.S. this summer, air conditioners are working overtime, causing household electricity consumption to spike. And the spate of closures of coal-fired power plants, which emit more carbon than gas-fired plants and were, until recently, more expensive to run, means a growing share of baseload electricity comes from natural gas.

In early June, a fire at one of the countrys biggest LNG export facilities in forced it to close, boosting the domestic natural gas supply and almost halving the fuels price within a few weeks. The relief was short-lived, however: Prices are again close to their pre-closure highs. The plant has not reopened.

U.S. natural gas producers continue to face supply chain interruptions and labor shortages as they try to expand, and remain wary of overextending financially after weathering the pandemic.

Natural gas wells output drops off faster than oil wells, said Ryan McConnaughey, communications director for the Petroleum Association of Wyoming  meaning companies have to drill even more frequently just to maintain production.

When you have lots of demand, and supply is constrained, prices go up pretty quickly, said Rob Godby, an economics professor at the University of Wyoming.

Households natural gas bills are usually highest in the winter and lowest in the summer. Black Hills Energy warned its customers in early June that their costs might not drop as much as expected this year.

The utility recommended adaptations like lowering the temperature on the water heater, cooking and baking at the same time and avoiding using the stove, oven, dishwasher and washing machine during the hottest part of the day.

In Europe, meanwhile, natural gas prices have skyrocketed since the start of 2022 amid simmering tensions between Russia and the rest of the continent  much of which relies heavily on Russian natural gas  in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Germany and other major European economies, fearful that Russia may curtail natural gas supplies as cold weather nears, have scrambled to secure alternative sources.

People really dont have a lot of substitutes for natural gas, Godby said.

Europe is looking to renewables, electric vehicles and alternative heating technologies, like electricity-powered heat pumps, to help end its dependence on Russian energy. The shift could take a while, though. For now, at least, natural gas remains a necessity  and a liability.

Since February, the U.S. has exported as much LNG as it could to Europe. But existing infrastructure limits how much can be sent and where the gas is shipped from.

The countrys LNG exports were up 12% between January and June compared with the second half of 2021, according to the Energy Information Administration. Most went to the EU and U.K., where LNG imports increased 63% during the same period, with almost half of total LNG coming from the U.S.

Thats going to continue to be an ongoing demand factor that just reduces the amount of gas thats kind of left over for the domestic market, Godby said. LNG exports will increase over time as our capacity on this side of the ocean builds out even more, and as the capacity to receive imports builds out in Europe.

Wyoming, the countrys ninth-biggest natural gas producer as of 2020, is too far from the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico LNG ports to start shipping its natural gas to Europe. Its hopes of exporting LNG to Asia via the West Coast have been stonewalled by opposition in the U.S., but could eventually become possible in Mexico, south of the California border.

But if other states exports do rise in the coming years, Godby said, the impact on U.S. natural gas prices depends on whether companies, including Wyomings, can produce enough to make up for them.

We fit in by filling that gap, Godby said. As demand remains high for natural gas, well continue to see higher demand for our gas, regardless of what its being used for.
A bill to extend COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities, sponsored by Rep. Liz Cheney and Michigan Democrat Rep. Debbie Dingell, passed the House with strong bipartisan support on Wednesday.

All of us around the country, especially in rural America, saw the impact of COVID on the ability of our constituents to get the treatment that they need, Cheney said Wednesday on the House floor.

In Wyoming, we have long known how important it is for citizens to take advantage of the technology that exists today, how crucial telehealth services are in allowing all of our citizens to interact with their doctors and their other health care providers, and we saw this in particular during the pandemic.

The bill, Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2021, amends the Social Security Act to expand telehealth under Medicare, a federal health insurance program for older people. Cheney had previously introduced almost identical legislation in 2020.

During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded telehealth services for people with Medicare, a federal health insurance program for older people. The telehealth bill extends those pandemic-era flexibilities through December 2024.

A 2021 study from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported a 63-fold increase in telehealth use among Medicare recipients during the pandemic, from about 840,000 users in 2019 to about 52.7 million users in 2020. Specialists like behavioral health providers saw the most telehealth use, according to the report.

That increase mirrors an uptick in telehealth use in Wyoming during the pandemic, according to Wyoming Hospitals Association President Eric Boley.

Before the pandemic, telehealth for people with Medicare could only be used at certain sites and only if there was a doctor shortage. The bill is meant to cut this burdensome red tape around telehealth for Medicare recipients, according to an emailed statement from Cheneys office.

The COVID telehealth flexibilities would have expired five months after the end of the federal public health emergency. The health emergency was extended in mid July. Right now, its set to expire in October, unless its extended again.

The COVID-era flexibilities around telehealth helped providers reach patients when they had to stay at home during COVID surges. It also helped providers give care to people in rural and other hard-to-reach communities.

Thats relevant for Wyoming, a state where, according to the Wyoming Department of Health, 47% of the population lives in frontier areas  areas with fewer than six people per square mile. While Cheney has touted telehealths benefits for rural communities, theres still some work thats needed in Wyoming around telehealth when it comes to broadband access, Boley said.

There are still some dead spots, very rural areas that still need attention, he said.

Broadband access has increased in Wyoming over the course of the pandemic thanks to COVID relief dollars, Boley said. Theres also been a lot of conversation between health care and broadband providers.

Our hope would be that companies would continue to address that so that we can have good coverage all across the state, he said.
CHEYENNE (WNE)  An 18-year-old pleaded guilty Tuesday morning in Laramie County District Court to two counts of aggravated assault and battery. The charges are linked to his younger cousins killing of another teenager last July.

Xavier Sanchez, of Casper, was originally charged with attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. He had been accused of working with his cousin, 17-year-old Raymond Sanchez of Cheyenne, to kill 14-year-old Daniel Barlow, and of firing at least one shot at the exterior of Barlows apartment building as he fled the scene.

Each count of aggravated assault and battery carries up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Laramie County District Judge Thomas Campbell said during the hearing that the terms of the plea were laid out in a plea agreement, but that document was not publicly available on Tuesday.

Xavier Sanchez remained in custody at the Laramie County jail on a $100,000 cash bond.

The cousins entered not-guilty pleas in February.

Raymond Sanchez was originally charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder two weeks ago and faces at least 20 years in prison.

At his July 11 change-of-plea hearing, Raymond Sanchez described how, while under the influence of several substances, he and Xavier, along with Xaviers friend, went to Barlows apartment building, intending to fight Barlow.

When Barlow didnt come outside, Raymond told Xaviers friend to knock on Barlows door while Raymond and Xavier waited outside the doorway.
THE recent, and perhaps ongoing, difference of opinion between Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) and the Tobago House of Assemblyover the limitations on the national air carriers service on the Tobago routeled me to question whether CAL needs to be responsible for the domestic airbridge.
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Since 2020 a total of 218 people have been arrested in connection with the theft of metals i
The magical charm of the Manzanilla-to-Mayaro vista is not the only gift of nature that could be lost to future generations. Natural phenomena combined with the human-induced impacts of climate change are already altering our lives, and are projected to do so in even more drastic and dramatic ways within the lifetimes of most people alive today.
Editor's note: This story was originally published on March 8, 2022. Noodies opened on April 15, 2022.

Noodies! When owner Carolyn OConnor says the word out loud, it sounds like a party, a celebration.

The name belongs to her new pasta restaurant, opening later this month, in the space formerly occupied by Bentleys House of Coffee and Tea. Carolyn is totally re-imagining the place, complete with a mural painted by a friend who happens to experiment with abstract noodle shapes. There isnt a better word for it than fun.

Noodies is a Tucson inheritance. But its lineage, like sister restaurant Ceres, comes from all over. If Ceres is inspired by the pastries and pasta of northern Italy, Noodies draws material from the checkered-tablecloth Italian-American of Syracuse, with some help by way of Hong Kong.

Syracuse is Carolyns hometown. Its where she was pregnant, scrolling Pinterest, when the algorithm realized she needed more brightly-colored images of cha chaan teng  American-style diners in Hong Kong, where you can get condensed-milk French toast and macaroni soup. Those hues inspire the setting of Noodies today, if not the menu.

Though both restaurants share the foundation of Carolyns handmade pasta, Carolyn is clear that each restaurant is its own concept. Ceres always felt like my baby. The first time going into something, everything was really new. Because of that everything feels so precious  Noodies felt almost like having a second child  Noodies is colorful; the food is a little more gluttonous and cheesy. I see it as a wild second child or something.

While you will be able to get your favorite sauces from Ceres at Noodies  the tomato basil, the bolognese, the cacio e pepe  Noodies larger kitchen allows Carolyn to expand the menu. Youll be able to add Italian sausage, meatballs and burrata to your order. Unlike Ceres lunch counter, Noodies will have both indoor and outdoor seating. Their menu will also offer sandwiches Carolyn misses from her hometown, like meatball subs and Italian grinders.

Though Carolyn never thought she would go into the restaurant business  her parents are in academics  her mothers hospitality inspires Carolyns restaurants.

My mom, shes a really good cook, and she loves having a real dinner. She sets the table, puts out napkins, does all this stuff, makes a whole beautiful meal and a pie, tea and coffee, so she creates this whole experience for people, and it makes people feel so loved and appreciated. Its also a legacy in my own family, taking care of people through food, she said.

The also responds to Noodies more apparent legacy: Noodies is taking over the lease of her mother-in-law Jo Schneiders first restaurant, Bentleys, which occupied that space for over two decades. If Carolyns own mother gave her a love for feeding her community, Carolyns mother-in-law inspired her to make service her livelihood.

Going into the restaurant business or being an entrepreneur was so different than what I expected (for my life). The trust (the Schneider family has) put in me, the support, how theyre always there for me, with anything. Its such a testament to their kindness and generosity. I think Jo does that for a lot of people in this community, giving people a chance when maybe other people wouldnt, and let them shine, she said of Jo, who owns downtowns LaCo.

At both Ceres and Noodies, Carolyn aspires to be that support system for her own employees. She hosts weekly tasting sessions for staff, where they all sample the specials, the soft-serve flavors and give feedback. Everyone who works there respects everyone else and works really hard. Its such a good thing for workplace morale. Its very collaborative, so everyone feels really listened to, Carolyn said.

Theres two staff at Ceres who have been there since the day we opened, she said. They now know how to do everything. Theyre more or less managing Ceres for the shifts, every day  I really wouldnt have been able to take on the new project without them.

Workers at Ceres have to be able to do it all: cook pasta and take orders and make espresso  because the space to work is tiny. Though the larger venue at Noodies allows for more specialization, people working in the front versus the back of house, Carolyn aspires for the restaurants to cross-pollinate.

I have everyone try cooking lunch. I love it so much. Its really fast  I think a lot of women, especially, are really intimidated to go into a kitchen and work in a line  I think giving people the chance who wouldnt maybe necessarily think thats a good fit for them, the opportunity to cook in a fast-paced place, and realize: I could be really good at this.

We just started accepting resumes for Noodies. Im not sure what the kitchen will look like, or the front of house. We wrote that all are welcome to apply. I really hope people will.

Noodies

Location: 1726 E. Speedway

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Monday.

For more information, check out their Instagram.
Major incident in S.China Sea could only mean US-made conflict

(Global Times) 08:38, July 28, 2022

US Asia-Pacific Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

In rather alarming wording, Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner warned at a think tank's annual conference in Washington on Tuesday of the "unsafe and unprofessional behavior" of the Chinese military in the South China Sea, and said that "it is only a matter of time before there is a major incident or accident in the region."

It is worth noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. In the past 20 years, despite the interference of the US as an external power, the South China Sea has been in a relatively peaceful state, and the ability and will of China and South China Sea claimant countries to control and manage disputes are growing. China and ASEAN countries are also firmly pushing forward the negotiations on the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea.

The "matter of time" bombast from Ratner is just another hype of the so-called China threat theory that would give the US an excuse to intervene in the Asia-Pacific region, including the South China Sea, and advance its Indo-Pacific Strategy. At the same time, it could drive a wedge between China and regional countries so that the US could promote a regional alliance aimed at China.

The US wants to label China as "regional destabilizer" by accusing China of "unsafe and unprofessional behavior." But it is the US that has been making waves in the region. The US often resorts to the "rules-based order" to point a finger at China, but what the US is really worried about is not the so-called rules, but the challenges China poses to the US leadership in making and implementing such rules.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, believes that the major incident referred to by Ratner means a military clash with the US provoked by China. But Song said clashes won't occur if the US does not take the initiative to provoke.

"The so-called major incident is exactly a US-made conflict. While Ratner claimed 'a major incident or accident in the region' triggered by China is a matter of time, it exactly shows that it is the US that may send shockwaves in the South China Sea sooner or later."

On Tuesday night, the Ronald Reagan carrier strike group entered the South China Sea again. Song believes that if the US carrier strike group attacks relevant islands in the South China Sea or clashes with Chinese warships and fighter jets, this may equal to creating a conflict.

Prior to the US presidential elections in 2020, there were media reports saying that the Trump administration could take the risk of attacking China's islands in the South China Sea with MQ-9 Reaper drones to aid his re-election.

"Those were dangerous provocations. If the US really does so, a military clash is bound to occur between China and the US in the South China Sea and beyond," Song noted.

Peace and stability in the South China Sea makes the US exasperated, while a tense region serves US interests. If the US makes a provocation, a major political incident or a military clash cannot be excluded. Once turbulence occurs in the South China Sea, regional countries including China would bear the consequences, regional economy would lose momentum, and the US would reap the strategic benefits.

Regional countries have gradually realized that it is the US that makes Asia risk slipping into a security dilemma from a model of peace and development. The US is the provocateur of South China Sea tensions, while China is the main defender of peace. Therefore, despite divergences and disputes, regional countries have enhanced their ability to manage divergences and disputes, and the situation in the waters shows a steady trend.

In his speech, Ratner asserted that China's behavior implicates "not only US forces but allied forces operating in the region." Obviously, the US wants to drag its allies into the mud. Song believes that it is difficult for the US to form any cliques in the South China Sea region, and the US is not capable of confronting China alone, in other words, the US is not prepared for a conflict with China.

Zhang Tengjun, deputy director of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that he once communicated with Ratner a few years ago during his US trip when Ratner worked for the Center for New American Security.

"The think tank holds many activities regarding the South China Sea and Asia-Pacific affairs. As a middle-aged China hardliner and different from the old-generation China hands, Ratner has limited knowledge but deep-rooted convictions about China. He stresses maintaining US advantages and competing with China in all aspects. When people like him enter the Pentagon, they are bound to bring about a tougher stance toward China," said Zhang.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Two Canadian tech startups have targeted Tucson for a soft landing in the U.S., thanks to a fast-growing University of Arizona program aimed at helping foreign entrepreneurs set up shop here.

And the UAs Global Advantage program, run by the UA Center for Innovation, has landed success of its own with a recent international award.

Longan Vision, an Ontario-based company developing helmet-mounted augmented reality thermal vision systems for firefighters, and EcoBloc, a Newfoundland-based developer of sonic rodent-control systems, recently went through the Global Advantage program at the UA Tech Park on South Rita Road.

Last week, the UA announced that Longan Vision had decided to join the UACIs incubation program, which for modest fees offers startups a structured program of mentorship, resources including business services, offices and labs and connections to potential customers and strategic partners.

EcoBloc also is enrolled in the UACI program virtually, after recently winning entry into Techstars, a major business accelerator program based in Boulder, Colorado.

Andrew Leaman, manager of commercial operations for Longan Vision, said the network of enthusiastic entrepreneurial support the UACI provided as the company went through the Global Advantage program earlier in the summer was a major factor in the decision to join the incubator.

The network UACI has provided far exceeded our wildest dreams about what could happen here, Leaman said. This area, especially centered around Tucson, is full of entrepreneurial, supportive, kind people who want to see you succeed.

Seeing through smoke

Leaman said hes already begun to contact local fire departments, including the Vail-based Rincon Valley Fire District, to test his companys Fusion Vision System.

The system adds a lightweight smart visor to firefighters helmets to provide enhanced thermal images  including multi-color and night-vision-like options  and data sharing tools to allow them to see through smoke, locate victims and find fire sources.

Though firefighters commonly use hand-held thermal cameras to see through smoke and assess fire scenes, they tie up one hand, and previous attempts at helmet-mounted sights have been costly, heavy and bulky, Leaman said.

The company  named after an Asian fruit also known as dragons eye  was founded by four graduates and student scientists at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, who developed the thermal-imaging technology during a hack-athon event in 2018, he said.

The company later won a grant of about $200,000 Canadian as part of a government challenge involving hands-free technologies, and have since been awarded a $1 million government grant to further develop the system.

The prototype, which has been tested by fire departments in Canada, Korea and Japan, is on its sixth iteration and the company plans to have its first commercial version available next year, Leaman said.

Repelling rodents

EcoBlocs CEO, Jason Trask, said Arizona was barely on the companys radar as it explored its options in the U.S., but he was interested in the Global Advantage program because of Tucsons proximity to the California market and its lower base costs.

EcoBloc has developed a commercial-grade ultrasonic device designed to repel rodents and is aiming the product at food-storage facilities.

After doing the program, I realized that Southern Arizona has so much more to offer than I expected, said Trask, citing its significant position as a port for food and opportunities to manufacture in Mexico.

We are now considering Tucson to set up an R&D and sales office because Southern Arizona could be a large market for us and it is adjacent to other large US markets, he said in an email. We could set up manufacturing right across the border; and the University of Arizona and others are producing high-quality technical talent.

EcoBloc got a huge boost recently when it was named to Techstars Farm to Fork business accelerator, which is partnered on advancing food-tech startups with agriculture food giant Cargill Corp. and environmental services leader Ecolab.

Ultrasonic pest repellent systems claiming to exclude everything from rats to roaches have been deemed ineffective in past scientific studies, and Trask acknowledged existing research has been either negative or inconclusive.

But Trask says his companys device, which is designed for industrial use outdoors, is much more sophisticated and uses a proprietary sound algorithm to ensure rodents dont get used to the sound frequency.

The EcoBloc device has been found effective by clients in six different countries, and the company has been working with several universities in both the United States and Canada to conduct independent academic studies to confirm its field research slated for completion by the end of the year.

We want to be a science-based company and we will continue to work with universities to independently validate our solutions as we continue to innovate, Trask said.

Award-winning program

The UAs Global Advantage program has been busy since an earlier version was re-launched under the auspices of the UACI a few years ago, and its reaped international recognition as a result.

Since 2019, four international companies who have worked with UACI have moved to Southern Arizona or set up a United States subsidiary in the region.

In 2020, the UACI earned the Soft Landings designation from the International Business Innovation Association, as one of 50 entrepreneur organizations to meet the groups high-level standards for supporting international companies operations in the U.S.

And in late June, the UACI was named Soft Landings Designee of the Year at the InBIAs 36th International Conference on Business Incubation in Atlanta.

Carol Stewart, UA vice president for Tech Parks Arizona, said the Global Advantage program has taken off since it was retooled under the UACI and executive director Eric Smith, who was tasked with focusing on attracting foreign companies.

The current Global Advantage program is a retool of a program of the same name launched in 2004, which aimed to attract foreign companies by working with technology business incubators in other countries.

We wanted to revive it and we wanted to shift it, we wanted to focus more on inbound companies rather than outbound companies, said Stewart, a native Canadian who was named head of Tech Parks Arizona in 2018 after leading entrepreneurial initiatives in Waterloo, Ontario, and co-founding the Association of University Research Parks Canada.

Besides Canada, Global Advantage has served companies from Mexico, Columbia, Israel and Saudi Arabia, and Stewart said the UA recently finalized an agreement with an Australian company.

Obviously, its an economic impact, she said. Obviously theres a great opportunity with Canada, because theyre not looking to sell to themselves with 30 million people, so theyre always looking to the U.S.

Stewart, who sits on the Tucson Airport Authority board of directors, said new nonstop flights from Tucson International Airport to six Canadian cities launched last spring by Flair Airlines will only strengthen the business linkages.

Were looking at each one of those locations and reaching out to their economic-development people to see what opportunities there are for companies to expand to the U.S., she said.

Photos: Copper State Chemical fire in 1970 Copper State Chemical fire Copper State Chemical fire Copper State Chemical fire Copper State Chemical fire Copper State Chemical fire Copper State Chemical fire Copper State Chemical fire Copper State Chemical fire Copper State Chemical fire Copper State Chemical fire Copper State Chemical fire Copper State Chemical fire
Native American tribal members battling memory loss in Arizona have a new tool that aims to improve quality of life: a newly released album of music by Native American artists.

Walk With Me, launched by the Native American Outreach Program at Banner Alzheimers Institute, will be distributed in tribal communities for dementia patients and their caregivers.

Studies indicate music therapy may help improve behavioral issues and can provide a way for patients to connect with others when theyre not able to verbally communicate. The project, which began during the pandemic, hopes to help increase the quality of life for both the patient and their caregiver, especially for those families isolated on reservations. There is no cost for the CD.

With the ongoing and varied changes a person with dementia can experience as they progress, music can be used as a tool to connect, communicate, move, modify mood or even help with self-care, said Heather Mulder, associate director of outreach services at Banner Alzheimers Institute. She explained that the songs for the Walk With Me CD were chosen by a team that listened to songs for therapeutic value and cultural relevancy.

It includes upbeat songs to start each morning on a positive note, and soothing songs to cue the body and mind that it is time to wind down and go to sleep, explained Mulder. She said certain songs may be effective for challenging activities such as bathing or performing other types of personal care.

This CD is really the first of its kind, especially in the Native American community, Mulder said. Were still in the process of distributing and will be partnering with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona so we can reach as many families as possible. The council has 21 tribes as members and the organization provides a voice for tribal governments to address common issues of concerns.

Mulder said the institute and council will develop an in-depth education program which will be showcased at an annual conference on Alzheimers disease in Native American communities in October. She said those in attendance will receive a copy of the CD.

The work is in collaboration with Canyon Records, which has underwritten the project. Canyon Records, Sunshine Music Therapy and Banner Alzheimers Institute partnered to help Indigenous people who are living with some form of memory loss, said Kathy Norris-Wilhelm, director of promotions with Canyon Records. There were 1,000 copies made in the first run and more runs may be done based on the demand and need, Norris-Wilhelm said.

Robert Doyle, owner and president of Canyon Records, dedicated the project to his mother, Corazon Esteva, and Jean Norris-Wilhelm, Kathys late wife. Both women died from Alzheimers disease.

Music itself is a tool and music in the Native American communities is an integral part of daily life, said Kathy Norris-Wilhelm. The CD is a compilation of music from various Native American artists, and songs include Winter Camp, featuring R. Carlos Nakai on Native American flute and Cliff Sarde on keyboards, as well as Road Less Traveled, with Aaron White on guitar and Kelvin Bizahaloni on Native American flute.

White, a member of the Dine (Navajo) of Northern Arizona (Blacksheep Clan) and the Northern Ute tribe Whiteriver band, is a Grammy-nominated musician. He was a close friend of the Norris-Wilhelm couple and said he wanted to pay his respects through his music.

Ive known people in my family from way long ago who had Alzheimers. When things start to go wrong, you feel for them, he said. He wrote the instrumental piece Road Less Traveled, which is about a persons journey in life.

Some will follow the common trail in life and go with the flow, and those who choose the road less traveled is because it is more of a challenge and a learning process. It is an adventure of the unknown and seeking out wisdom and strength and all we need to survive in this world. It is a determination of strength, peace and harmony that all human beings need to live on this Earth, said White.

Award-winning performer of the Native American flute, Nakai, of Navajo-Ute heritage, said of Winter Camp: This music is my awareness, my voice, my spirit and it comes to me from those who have gone before and will go on to those who come after. Performing this music requires that I reach deep within the impressions and thoughts that reflect my past experiences. My hope is that those who listen to the voice of the flute are inspired to find their own expression and perhaps reclaim what was lost or find something new.

Music has been shown to be a powerful tool when it comes to helping dementia and Alzheimers patients, says the Alzheimers Association. According to the association, One in five Native American adults aged 45 and older reports experiencing memory or thinking problems that might be a sign of dementia.

The Alzheimers Association also says:

Native Americans are more likely to develop Alzheimers or other forms of dementia than white or Asian Americans. At the same time, American Indians overall have less access to health care and health services and are less likely to be diagnosed once they show symptoms, creating unique challenges in addressing Alzheimers and other dementias.

As many as one in three Native American elders will develop Alzheimers or some other form of dementia.

By 2060, the number of American Indian/Alaska Native individuals aged 65 and older living with dementia is projected to increase fourfold.

"Walk With Me" CD and dementia information For more information on how to obtain "Walk With Me" CD, contact BAIFCS@bannerhealth.com. For more information on Alzheimers disease and related dementias, including strategies for caregivers, visit www.BannerAlz.org.

Program brings spiritual healing to Tucson's Indigenous community This Tucson nonprofit provides programming designed to heal, restore and preserve Indigenous identity for Native American youth, families and adults.
At times, seventh grade felt like one long string of panic attacks to Zoe Edelstein.

The Phoenix student, whod been living with anxiety and panic disorder since early elementary school, had started in person at a new campus in spring 2021 after a year of remote learning during the pandemic. Returning to the classroom and being surrounded by unfamiliar faces was overwhelming, she said.

Sitting in class at the charter school, the then-12-year-old would begin to feel a weight pressing on her chest as it became increasingly difficult to breathe. Shed start to hyperventilate until she was on the verge of passing out, a cold sweat coating her body. Her head would begin to pound as her body shook so badly she felt like her brain was rattling.

Though Edelstein sometimes leaned on her teachers in those moments, she said she largely handled the attacks on her own, given the absence of campus mental health professionals trained to help with conditions like hers. She often fled to the bathroom or the schools designated calming space  a corner furnished with pillows and blankets where tranquil music played in the background  to try to control her breathing, a process that sometimes took an hour or more.

There  wasnt really a solid person to speak to. It was just a space you could go to, she said of the schools solution. I always appreciate having somebody that I trust, that I can confide in.

Ultimately, the lack of dedicated, on-site mental health support played a role in her decision to make the switch to online school this fall.

Arizona students like Edelstein have long been among the worst off in the nation when it comes to unaddressed mental health problems: The state ranks at or near the bottom on several key indicators of youth well-being, such as the percentage of kids with untreated depression. About 98,000 Arizona youth experienced a major depressive episode during the school year preceding the pandemic, yet nearly 67,000 of them did not get the help they needed, according to Mental Health America.

In the more than two years since COVID-19 hit, the situation has grown more dire. A recent federal report on pediatric emergency room visits showed an increase in the number and proportion of visits for psychosocial concerns and for symptoms of mental health conditions and substance use among children and teens nationwide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people aged 10-24.

When you think about only three out of every 10 kids with a major depressive episode (getting) treatment  if that occurred for any other condition, I think people would be outraged, Angela Kimball, senior vice president at national mental health policy coalition Inseparable, said of Arizonas statistics. They should be for mental health as well.

Many schools were still grappling with recession-era cuts that had thinned the ranks of campus-based mental health professionals when the pandemic struck. A patchwork of limited-term grants has let some schools temporarily rehire, but a permanent funding solution has yet to make its way through the Arizona Legislature.

The consequences are well-known: Arizonas student-to-mental-health-professional ratios are up to 13 times higher than what experts recommend. The state has 716 students for every school counselor and a staggering 3,382 students for each social worker. Those ratios should be 250:1. For school psychologists, Arizonas ratio of 1,593:1 is more than three times the suggested 500:1.

A 2021 move by the Arizona Department of Education to dedicate $21 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) dollars to unfunded campus counselor and social worker positions helped more than 140 district and charter schools meet at least some of the overwhelming need. The new counselors and social workers have provided one-on-one counseling, established student support groups, intervened to prevent suicides, connected families to food banks and other resources, and implemented a host of other services that have removed at least some of the strain previously placed on teachers and principals.

As students once again return to in-person learning for a new school year, though, its unclear just how long the newly hired mental health providers will remain on Arizona campuses. The emergency funding that pays their salaries was awarded on a two-year basis to supplement the Arizona School Safety Program, which until 2019 provided grants only to campus law enforcement. The stopgap funding will disappear after the 2022-2023 school year.

That means 83 new counselors and 59 new social workers could, too.

Some lawmakers have pointed to a line item allocating an additional $50 million to the School Safety Program in the latest state budget  again, for temporary grants  as a fix. But legislative leaders have stipulated the Department of Education must prioritize requests for campus police officers before using any of that money for counselor and social worker positions, reflecting an ongoing conflict among state officials about which positions more effectively keep students safe.

Yes, this is a huge infusion of money to our school safety positions and to mental health positions, but we are still last in the nation, said Richie Taylor, state Department of Education spokesman. We can pat ourselves on the back, and we should, for this moving in the right direction. But weve got a long way to go to truly be meeting the need across the state.

On-campus help lacking

Experts said an ideal school environment has a team of mental health professionals that includes counselors, social workers and psychologists. The positions work in tandem, but also with teachers and families to help students reach academic, behavioral and emotional success.

Counselors generally take the lead on academic advising and short-term counseling, while social workers connect students and their families to concrete resources such as clothing vouchers and food banks. Psychologists have a more clinical focus, providing mental health assessments and intervening when students are in crisis.

In Arizona, students often dont have even one such professional on campus full-time, given the states abysmal ratios of kids to mental health professionals.

Experts said embedding mental health professionals within schools can help streamline student access to mental health services overall, providing care where and when its needed. When kids have to leave campus to even begin the process of getting help, they said, it may take much longer to get treatment  or not happen at all.

Theres already a workforce shortage for behavioral health care across the country, Kimball said. If you layer on top of that the fact that it is challenging for a lot of people to get time off of work, to have transportation, to take their kids out of school  all those create additional barriers to getting mental health care.

It can take three to four months to get a child seen for an evaluation with an outside psychologist, according to at least one parent, and another several months to get on a counselors schedule, particularly if seeking one that accepts insurance.

Thats assuming families arent discouraged by the sometimes insurmountable stigma surrounding mental health care in many communities, according to Kimball. When you have mental health services available in school, she said, it sort of normalizes them, and it takes away all of the usual barriers.

Several of the districts and charters that hired counselors and social workers using federal ESSER funds noted a marked increase in successful mental health interventions over the past year. Mental health professionals interviewed by AZCIR reported meeting with anywhere from 20 to 65 students on a weekly basis and interacting with hundreds more over the course of the school year.

They also hosted group sessions focused on anxiety and grief, provided one-on-one counseling, administered assessments, and connected families with food pantries and clothing vouchers. They referred students for therapy, developed crisis policies, led parent meetings and trained teachers on how to manage students recovering from trauma.

At Vista Grande High School in Casa Grande, Natalie Hunters ESSER-funded job as a social worker largely focused on assisting students who, like Edelstein, struggled to return to in-person learning after having to adjust to the isolation of remote classes during the pandemic.

At Tucsons Vail Unified District, suicide interventions increased dramatically after it brought on eight new ESSER-funded counselors, according to director of student supports Heather Stough.

At Leman Academy of Excellences Sierra Vista campus, social worker Jennifer VandeWeg hosted parent nights to help families understand the difference between typical childhood ups and downs and behaviors requiring outside intervention. She met one-on-one with parents of struggling students to ensure strategies employed at home and at school were consistent as well.

VandeWeg also worked with teachers to help them distinguish between mental health issues and misbehavior. Instructors had previously tended to rely quite heavily on administrators and sending kids out of the classroom whenever students had behavioral outbursts, she said, as that was often their primary option.

We try to look at, What (the student) did was not OK, but why is the behavior occurring? she said. Then we help mitigate a lot of those situations from continuing into disciplinary measures.

Losing posts could be devastating

Phoenix parent Nikkie Whaley, whose 16-year-old son has ADHD, anxiety and a mood disorder, has seen firsthand how widely her sons school experience can vary depending on the staff a campus has in place, and the scope of that staffs training.

In preschool and early elementary school, she said, Miles was kicked out of class and sent to the principals office when he grew agitated. In middle school, because he would flee the classroom when overwhelmed, she said his school had a campus police officer follow him around, exacerbating his anxiety further.

Miles experience at Washington High School has been completely different, Whaley said. The team there has worked to understand the needs outlined in Miles 504 plan  a protection that outlines accommodations for students with conditions that interfere with learning  and respond to outbursts in a way that maximizes his chances of calming down and returning to class, rather than simply ejecting him when he has trouble.

Families often dont realize the breadth of services certain campus mental health professionals can provide until those services become available to them  and it can be a shock when they disappear, said Yemen Bernal, president of the School Social Work Association of Arizona.

If ESSER-funded mental health positions arent covered beyond the 2022-23 school year, the losses could be pretty devastating, she said. Schools would likely give up not only direct services but also secondary community partnerships typically managed by social workers, such as with food banks or Big Brothers Big Sisters, she explained.

Arizona students and families have endured such losses before, when the Great Recession forced districts and charters to slice deep into their budgets.

Kim Seh, assistant superintendent for Somerton School District near Yuma, was working as a principal when her school lost its part-time counselor because of budget cuts. She ended up taking on many counseling duties herself  anything from behavioral, home life things, academic, whatever it could be  and leaned on outside crisis agencies for matters that were more tender or pressing or urgent, she said.

Over the last few years, Somerton was able to hire five counselors using a mix of ESSER and School Safety Program grant funding. But officials dont think the district can afford to extend the positions without additional grants.

Instability surrounding campus mental health funding has made it impossible for some districts to even temporarily restore positions theyd cut.

Southeastern Arizonas Safford Unified District lost counselors as a result of trimming not just to the bone, but into the bone during the Great Recession, according to superintendent AJ Taylor. The district was selected for a School Safety Program grant to fund two counselors in 2019, but had no luck hiring, he said.

The only applicant was someone who didnt want to risk taking a job that would disappear if the grant wasnt renewed, he said, so the district ultimately didnt pursue an ESSER award.

You have a parent give you a call and say, You know what, our familys going through a really tough time right now, and our kids having a hard time. Do you have a counselor that my child can speak to when they come to school today? he said. And when we dont have that, thats really difficult.

Funding cliffs loom

The latest state budget allocates an additional $50 million to the School Safety Program, which, in theory, could be used to extend school counselor and social worker positions at schools that ask for help.

But the GOP-controlled Legislature has stipulated the money must go toward requests for school resource officers before anything can be spent on mental health positions, and the program does not include school psychologists.

The requirement reflects an ongoing dispute between some Republican lawmakers and education officials regarding which type of positions actually make a campus safer. During a June hearing of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Steve Kaiser, R-Phoenix, pressed Brenden Foland of the Arizona Education Association on the point as Foland advocated for an expanded investment in mental health resources.

In your opinion, who would be better trained to stop an active shooter on a school campus, an SRO or a mental health counselor? Kaiser asked.

Rep. Kaiser, our focus is on preventing those incidents from happening, not responding to them, Foland replied.

Even if all desired campus police, counselor and social worker positions end up funded through the latest School Safety Program allocation, it would again be on a temporary basis, since program grants operate on a three-year cycle. Administrators said such fiscal cliffs create uncertainty when schools are trying to hire for these positions, already an uphill battle given a shortage of mental health providers licensed and certified to work with youth.

In interviews with AZCIR, Department of Education and school officials alike indicated base education funding  the annual dollar amount allocated to schools for general operating expenses  would be a much more stable source of revenue for the positions.

Our philosophy  is that these types of positions should not really be funded as competitive grants, said Taylor, the ADE spokesman. Base funding is the better way to go because it provides that greater flexibility, and then you dont have to get into this process of picking winners and losers when there is less money.

Lawmakers did increase base education funding as part of this years budget, but its too early to say what, if any, portion of that could go toward permanent mental health positions, according to Taylor.

Districts over the past few years have relied on federal relief funding to fill gaps required to maintain basic operations, including some staffing and technology costs. Schools will need to use state dollars to cover those costs once relief packages expire. Districts also will no longer see hundreds of millions in proceeds from Proposition 208, the 2020 ballot measure that aimed to raise taxes on the states highest earners to help stabilize school funding, after it was ruled unconstitutional this spring.

The states shaky financial commitment to campus mental health is apparent not only to officials but to students like Edelstein, who joined the state superintendent of public instructions Student Advisory Council to advocate for more comprehensive services on campus.

When you have a mental health issue, the smallest thing can lead to a ripple effect, and theres just so many small issues that have been building up over the years, Edelstein told State Superintendent Kathy Hoffman. Yet most students who need aid dont even consider seeing a counselor as an option because they either dont know they exist or think that theyll be viewed as abnormal because of it, she said.

Edelstein acknowledged the improvement in the states student-to-counselor ratio from 905:1 in 2019 to 716:1 in 2021, and noted that she expected to see further improvements over the next few years with the help of grants.

But when it comes to making campus services available to every student who needs them, she said, it will likely take a lot more funding and time to make this happen.

This article is published as part of the Mental Health Parity Collaborative, a national partnership between AZCIR and The Carter Centers Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism and other newsrooms throughout the U.S.
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A group of local Latinas is looking to bring diversity and inspiration to Tucsons creative and entrepreneurial scene with a new networking group focused on promoting community over competition.

The Tucson Creative Comadres networking group was founded by local marketing coordinator, creative entrepreneur and mom Fabiola Bedoya in April of this year.

Bedoya was inspired by her own creative entrepreneurial journey to start the group after attending networking events and workshops across the city and realizing that there was a need for a collective community in the arts with my same cultural background, she says.

It just all kind of came together from that stuff and my knowledge and my insights from my education, my jobs, my network and just, like, my personal experience, Bedoya says. So I can just educate and provide the tools for other creative Latinas. And so it's (about) just, like, creating community, a sense of belonging and to promote collaboration and real relationships, not just online, because, you know, it can get a little bit lonely if you're a woman trying to pursue your own side hustle if you have a full-time job. And overall, it's to promote social good within that particular diverse population.

Bedoya was also inspired to create a more tight-knit community of creatives due to some of the economic, cultural and educational barriers that Latinas face, she says.

In 2020, the average Latina earned only 57.3% of White, non-Hispanic mens earnings, equivalent to $28,911 less for a year of full-time work. Latinas as a group have the lowest earnings of any major race/ethnicity and gender group, according to a study conducted by the Institute for Womens Policy Research.

For reference, around 44% of Tucsons population identified as Hispanic or Latino in the 2020 U.S. Census.

I want to build an impactful business around uplifting, empowering, inspiring and, above all, educating creative voices to bridge the pay gap and help them thrive, Bedoya says.

Cafecito y Communidad

The group hosts monthly meet-ups to mingle, indulge in some cafecito and snacks, and strengthen the local creative entrepreneurial community.

You may even find one of the groups cute postcards with phrases like Cafecito & Chill, Spill the Frijoles and Chisme over Decaf at the events, or you can purchase a small stack of them at Chingona Arizona to help fund more monthly events.

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So far, the group has about 10 to 11 active members from various creative backgrounds, including a muralist, nail technicians, artists, musicians and more, according to Bedoya.

Bedoya herself has a background in interior design, nail design, photography and now marketing.

There's quite a few (people) that have done creative things, but they're not in a creative professional job, she says. But this kind of gives them the inspiration and the push to be like, you know, Maybe I should go back to that thing that I enjoyed doing before this nine-to-five job thats sucking my soul away.

Community members like Tanna Cole, owner of Tannas Botannas known for its spicy candies, and Maria Kaae of gift shop Chingona Arizona, have offered their space and support to the Tucson Creative Comadres.

Those two girls just have made this possible, honestly, just lending their space and sharing with their own communities, Bedoya says of Cole and Kaae.

Although the group is aimed at local Latinas, its also open to allies. Even if you are a little percentage of Latina, Bedoya encourages you to come embrace it and come learn, she says.

The response to the group has been positive from those who find themselves grateful to be surrounded by a community that understands the challenges of being a first-time business owner, a mother or a first-generation American, Bedoya says.

It will make you feel empowered to just make the bold moves and put yourself out there with the great knowledge that all of us have in different areas of arts or business and know that we can get further and help each other strive, she says.

Even though the Tucson Creative Comadres just got started, Bedoya already has big goals for the group: motivational talks at local schools to empower Tucsons youth from an early age, more mixers and workshops for local Latinas and allies and, eventually, a podcast to share creative inspiration with the world.

Id love Tucson to know that the creative comadres are here and that were open to new opportunities, Bedoya says.

The group's next meet-up is on Aug. 20 at Cartel Roasting Co. For more information about Tucson Creative Comadres, visit their Instagram page or their website.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  Officials at Tulsa Public Schools said Thursday they removed two sexually graphic books from school libraries following criticism from several elected leaders amid a renewed conservative interest in public education as a political issue.

When we were made aware of two books with inappropriate images, we immediately asked the secondary schools that had them to remove them from their libraries," the district said in a statement. When school resumes, we will follow our process and more carefully review books in question. We are also working to understand the selection process used and will modify as needed."

The state's education secretary, Ryan Walters, a Republican who is running to be the state superintendent of public instruction, said that when he posted images from the books Gender Queer and Flamer on his Facebook page, the company quickly censored his post.

I posted some pictures of some of the inappropriate sexual material Tulsa Public Schools has in their library, and within minutes Facebook has blocked me and shut down my post," Walters said in a video he posted on Twitter. Its really a sad day when woke Facebook has higher standards than (Superintendent) Debra Gist at Tulsa Public Schools."

Among the drawings in the books are scenes depicting masturbation and gay sex.

Walters, State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat were among those who criticized the district for making the books available to students.

The push to remove objectionable books from school libraries is part of a renewed conservative interest in public education as a political issue since the start of the pandemic. Parents who first packed school board meetings to express their opposition to mask mandates and other COVID-19 measures have since broadened their focus to other issues they say clash with conservative values, including teachings about social justice, gender, race and history.

Over the past year, book challenges and bans have reached levels not seen in decades, according to officials at the American Library Association, the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) and other advocates for free expression.

Republican lawmakers in Oklahoma introduced bills this year to expand the list of books prohibited in school libraries and to allow parents to review their childrens library records, but those measures didnt pass.

Also on Thursday, the state Board of Education voted 4-2 to give the Tulsa and Mustang public school districts accreditation with a warning for allegedly violating a new state law that prohibits the teaching of certain concepts regarding race and racism. Among the concepts that are prohibited are that individuals, by virtue of race or gender, are inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.

An investigation by the state Department of Education determined that the two districts violated the law. The violation in Tulsa allegedly occurred during implicit bias training provided by a third-party vendor.

Tulsa Public Schools disputed the allegation in a statement.

In this training, it is clear there is no statement or sentiment pronounced that people are racist  due to their race or any other factor," it said. We would never support such a training."
BIXBY  Bixby mayor Brian Guthrie acknowledged the 40th anniversary of the shot-in-Oklahoma film Tex by issuing a proclamation, and the Outsiders House Museum will mark the anniversary by showing Tex Saturday, July 30, as part of the museums movie on the lawn series.

Danny OConnor, executive director of the Outsiders House Museum, champions the works of Tulsa author S.E. Hinton. He attended a Wednesday ceremony in Bixby for a ceremonial reading of Bixbys proclamation declaring July 30 as Tex movie day in the city.

Tex, released July 30, 1982, was based on a book by Hinton, who also wrote The Outsiders. Bixby was the epicenter of Tex. Matt Dillon and Jim Metzler starred as brothers who attended Bixby High School. Scenes also were shot in Broken Arrow and Tulsa.

The proclamation urges Bixby and its citizens to celebrate Tex and the films historical connection to the city.

Thank you, mayor Brian Guthrie of Bixby, Oklahoma, for proclaiming Saturday, July 30, 2022 as Tex day, OConnor said. Happy 40th anniversary to all those involved with the making of an Oklahoma classic. And thank you, Michael Fellwock, for making it happen.

The Outsiders House Museum is located at 731 N. St. Louis Ave. Tickets to the movie on the lawn can be purchased at stubwire.com.

For a deeper dive into Tex, read a story in Sundays Tulsa World featuring recollections from Hinton and the films director, Tim Hunter.

Tulsa World Scene podcast: RIP Choco Taco
Editor's note: This interview in Tulsa World Magazine published in 2018, when the owner of Albert G's was asked to reflect on his career.

> Im just an average Joe who likes to work.

> My work ethic is from my dad. He worked hard as a dentist for 45 years. He had to. I am the oldest of four boys and then we have a sister. And were all close in age. He had a little overhead there.

> I am Lebanese, and I feel like the restaurant business is in my blood. I had relatives in the business. My dads first cousin was Jimmy Elias, who had Jamils. I started bussing tables back in high school in the late 70s. It was so busy. It was an old house. You had to go up and down these stairs to get to the kitchen. It was a tight fit. There were a few times we had some breakage.

> I went to OU. I had a first cousin who owned the Jamils in Oklahoma City. It was the 80s. He had some other restaurants. I would work for him. Then after I graduated, I worked for him as a manager. I always worked. Didnt take many days off. In 1992, I decided it was time to do my own thing. Thats when I opened Albert Gs.

> I had to do my own thing because I needed to make more money. I had learned enough, and it was time. I needed another challenge.

> Taking a risk is not a big deal. I love to take risks. I get that from my mom. My dad would never bet on anything. But my mom will and that is where I get that from. But I dont really look at it as a risk. If I set my mind to it, its going to be successful.

> When it came to barbecue, I just started doing it. I didnt really know what I was doing. But we developed our sauce and a rub. Willie Seals was with me from Day One making all the side dishes. My mom was with me at the beginning, and she decided she wanted to make tabouli.

> In the restaurant business, you dont have to be the sharpest tool. But you do need to work. You need to take care of your customers. I dont know how you do that unless you are there.

> The way I manage is by example. They see me there every day. They see me doing all the stuff. The little things. That is how I teach them, and thats what I expect. If they see me taking the trash out, they should take the trash out. Youre going to do all the things Im doing. Hopefully, I rub off.

> You never get done building your business. You have people coming in your doors every day. You do what you can to make them come back. With barbecue, I think we can always improve. We can always try to do a little bit better. There is a lot of art to it.

> Most banks will say no because of the failure rate of restaurants.

> Twenty-six years ago, I did Harvard (Avenue location) with about 60 grand. It took five banks to finally find someone who would loan me, a first-time restaurant guy, the money. The last guy, Eric Bohne, said, I will loan it to you.

> Fast forward to the downtown deal. One of my regular customers told me to go to this bank. I go to sign the papers, and they wanted to introduce me to the head of the bank. Who was it? Eric Bohne, the same guy who loaned me the money for the first store. I had no idea.

> In the old days, when someone didnt like your food, they would tell their friends. Now, if someone doesnt like their food, they tell the whole world. Its hard to make everyone happy.

> Tulsans love their steak, their barbecue, their Mexican food and pizzas. You dont want to stray too far from some of that.

> I dont have a formula. You work hard. You have to have some good help. Its out there. One thing Tulsa has done is provide me some great people. Thats all there is.

> I dont consider myself a chef. I dont have anyone who I strive to be like. Im too old for that.

> Luck? No. Not really. I dont know what was lucky. If I was lucky, I would be on a beach somewhere retired. Luck is when you go to Vegas and hit three sevens on a slot machine three different times in 24 hours like I did once. That is luck. In business, I havent been lucky.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  Democrats are feeling bullish about their chances for an upset in Missouris U.S. Senate race if scandal-tarred former Gov. Eric Greitens becomes the Republican nominee. But theyre divided on which of their two top candidates is the best bet for a victory in November.

Lucas Kunce brings a Marine swagger and a grassroots populism that appeals to some, particularly in outstate Missouri. He's raised more money than any other candidate, Democrat or Republican, each of the last four quarters. Trudy Busch Valentine, a retired health care worker and an heir to the Anheuser-Busch fortune, entered the race late, pledging to take compassion and decency to Washington.

With the Aug. 2 primary just days away, Greitens remains among the top contenders on the Republican side, along with Attorney General Eric Schmitt and U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler. Republican leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, worry that Greitens, who was driven from office just a year and a half into his tenure amid swirling investigations, could cost them a safe seat in a reliably red state at a time when they are trying to take back control of the Senate.

On the Democratic side, both the state party and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have declined to endorse a candidate. Meanwhile, local Democratic Party leaders who support Kunce or Valentine say electability is a major factor  but theyre split on who is the stronger candidate.

In suburban St. Louis, the Jefferson County Democratic Central Committee endorsed Valentine, believing the soft-spoken retired nurse offers the best chance of winning in November.

Committee Chair Bob Butler is equal parts intrigued and worried about the prospect of Valentine facing Greitens.

He would be the easiest to run against, yet at the same time hes dangerous enough that, if he wins, hes your U.S. senator, and thats really scary, Butler said.

Andy Leighton, chair of the Cape Girardeau County Democratic Committee and a Missouri House candidate, supports Kunce. Kunce made his pitch to Leighton and his committee well over a year ago and has often followed up. The Valentine campaign, Leighton said, has never reached out to him.

Hes been out and about. No other candidate that Im aware of has visited so many places. Hes put in the time and created an organization," Leighton said.

Republican U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt announced in March 2021 that he would not seek a third term. Twenty-one Republicans and 11 Democrats are competing in next week's primaries. Beyond Kunce and Valentine, only St. Louis County business owner Spencer Toder has topped six figures in donations.

Adding a wildcard to the November race is the presence of John Wood, a Republican running as an independent with millions of dollars in support from a political action committee headed by former Republican Sen. John Danforth. His presence could split the GOP vote in the general election.

Greitens has generated far and away the most attention in the race. The 48-year-old former Navy SEAL officer was a fast-rising Republican star after winning the 2016 gubernatorial race, but his political fortunes soon nosedived.

In early 2018, he admitted to a 2015 extramarital affair with his hairdresser and was indicted on an invasion-of-primary charge accusing him of taking a compromising photo of her to use as blackmail.

Soon after, a Missouri House committee began investigating his campaign finances, and Greitens was charged with a second felony related to that investigation. Both charges were eventually dropped. Under the risk of the charges being refiled and facing possible impeachment, Greitens resigned in June 2018.

Since then, he and his wife have divorced. In a March affidavit in a child custody dispute, Sheena Greitens accused him of abusing her and one of their children. Eric Greitens called the accusations false and a political hit job.

Kunce, like Greitens, is a veteran. The 39-year-old attorney served 13 years in the Marines, with tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He grew up in a working class family in Jefferson City and recalled his family struggling to make ends meet after his sister was born with a heart condition.

We went bankrupt, and we made it because people in that neighborhood brought food by the house, they passed the plate down my moms prayer group," Kunce said.

Valentine, 65, is a longtime philanthropist but has never before run for office. She is the daughter of August Gussie Busch Jr., the longtime chair and CEO of Anheuser-Busch who built the St. Louis-based brewery into the world's largest beermaker. The brewery was sold to InBev in 2008, but the Busch family remains prominent in St. Louis.

Valentine said she decided to enter the race after witnessing the division in our country and the vitriol in our politics.

For more than a century, Missouri was a reliable presidential swing state. But since 2008, the state has backed the Republican presidential candidate, including overwhelmingly backing Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020.

Auditor Nicole Galloway is currently the lone Democrat holding statewide office, despite five of the eight statewide elected officials being Democrats a decade ago.

The divide is deep. Missouris two urban centers  Kansas City and St. Louis  are overwhelmingly Democratic. The suburbs are split. Most of the rest of the state is beet-red Republican.

Valentine said Democrats have lost ground in rural Missouri because they stopped listening to people. She stresses the need for better access to basics  broadband access, health care, jobs.

Kunce, like Senate candidate John Fetterman in Pennsylvania, is a populist hoping to win back rural voters. He wants to ban stock ownership for members of Congress, break up corporate monopolies and end foreign ownership of agricultural land. He said the government should spend money to rebuild the heartland, not to build up foreign countries.

Both leading Democrats have hit roadblocks. Some Democrats wonder if Kunce is too conservative, noting that he opposed abortion rights when he ran for a state House seat in 2006. He said he changed his mind after serving in the military in the Middle East, "seeing what it was like to live in a big-brother government where women had no rights.

Valentine was forced to apologize in March after it was reported that at college age she participated in a debutante ball that was hosted by an organization that then banned Black and Jewish people.

Democrats know that the winner of the primary faces an uphill battle in November. But they're hopeful, particularly if Greitens is the Republican candidate.

Hes got a lot of baggage  a lot of baggage, Butler said. More than you generally see in a candidate. I think he would turn off a lot of Republicans."
A jury will decide whether a Broken Arrow landlords killing was carried out in self-defense, a judge decided Wednesday after hearing argument on Oklahomas Stand Your Ground law.

Cody OBryan, 22, was charged with first-degree murder late last year after he allegedly shot and killed his landlord and roommate, Paul Stephen Bernius IV, during an altercation at their home near Elm Place and Florence Street.

Assistant Public Defender Alex Bramblett argued his client acted in self-defense and asked District Judge Michelle Keely to dismiss the case.

OBryan testified that he had moved into the home only a couple of months before the Sept. 19, 2021, shooting but had a contentious relationship with Bernius.

Court records show Bernius was denied a protective order against OBryan two days prior to his death, and detectives later determined Bernius was working to evict OBryan though OBryan had not yet been served.

OBryan testified that Broken Arrow police had earlier visited the home the date of the shooting after Bernius and another man allegedly banged on OBryans locked bedroom door and yelled for him to come out and fight.

Taking his gun with him to make breakfast in the morning, OBryan said Bernius confronted him about touching the thermostat and told him to leave, shoving him outside and locking the door.

OBryan said he walked around to the homes back door to try to get inside to grab his phone and car keys, but Bernius came out and began yelling at him and hit him as he approached the door, which accessed Bernius room.

OBryan said he was in fear for his life due to a previous injury that could be fatal if re-injured, of which Bernius was apparently aware, and that he crouched to protect his healing abdomen as Bernius repeatedly struck his head.

Another roommate conversely testified that OBryan ran at Bernius and attempted to shove past him into his room as Bernius yelled at him to leave, saying OBryan did not crouch to protect himself but wrestled with Bernius.

OBryan testified that he pulled out his gun and shot Bernius 7 times, attributing the number of rounds to the small caliber of the bullets and being unsure how many would stop Bernius.

He then drove to his grandparents house in Jenks, Assistant District Attorney Kevin Gray said, and later lied to detectives about the shooting.

Reminding the court that the roles of aggressor and victim can be fluid in any conflict from one incident to the next, Gray argued that OBryan had many opportunities to disengage but instead chose to confront Bernius to get his keys and phone, ultimately presenting a lethal weapon against a threat that was not lethal.

Due to the inconsistent testimony of how OBryan approached Bernius on the back porch and whether OBryan had a right to use the door to Bernius bedroom to gain entry to the home, Keely said the label of aggressor will be for a jury to decide with a self-defense instruction.

She set OBryans trial in April. He remains held in the Tulsa County jail in lieu of $1 million bond, according to jail records.
Citing a violation of a state law meant to limit instruction on race, gender and history, the Oklahoma State Board of Education voted Thursday to accredit Tulsa Public Schools with a warning effective immediately.

The State Department of Education had originally recommended that the district be accredited with two deficiencies, including one connected to violating House Bill 1775. However, the board voted to pull TPS from the list of districts and schools up for accreditation consideration and go a different route.

I was originally in support of accreditation with probation, but I can get to the fact that accredited with a warning is sufficient in this case, board member Estela Hernandez said. We need to send a message that the deliberate breaking of the law is grounds for probation, but at this point, can definitely stand with a warning to make sure this doesnt happen again.

Tulsa is one of the states largest districts. Other districts are looking at how were handling this and if were just going to bypass and do a deficiency, were not following the law.

Accreditation with warning means a district or individual campus fails to meet one or more of state standards and that deficiency seriously detracts from the quality of the schools educational program. It is a step up from accredited with probation.

Adopted in 2021, HB 1775 prohibits teaching that one race or sex is inherently superior to another. It also prohibits causing a student to feel guilty or uncomfortable because of their race or gender, as well as teaching that anyone is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or otherwise.

Under the law and administrative rules previously approved by the State Board of Education, a violation of that law is considered a deficiency with respect to accreditation.

At the boards June meeting, attorney Brad Clark told the board that his office had determined that the district had violated the law with an implicit bias professional development session offered in August 2021 through a third-party vendor after investigating a complaint submitted in February from a science teacher at Memorial High School.

In the complaint, obtained by the Tulsa World via an open records request, the teacher claimed that the course in question had a section that includes statements that specifically shame white people for past offenses in history, and state that all are implicitly racially biased by nature.

During Thursdays meeting, Clark said that while the slides from the presentation did not show a violation of the law, audio from the event indicated that the training broke the spirit of the law, if not the letter.

However, citing a limited access agreement with the third-party vendor, Clarks office did not make the audio available to board members, prompting objections from Carlisha Williams Bradley, who represents the Tulsa area.

I have concerns with (a) the fact that we werent provided all the context to make a decision and (b) the confusion of implicit bias with someone being inherently racist, Williams Bradley said. Implicit bias is something we all have. The teacher who complained said this was specifically speaking to white people but in this training, what I see is that it also explicitly states that we all have implicit biases. Its not inherent by nature, but it is based upon our lived experiences.

TPS was one of two districts statewide to be accredited with a warning due to a violation of HB 1775. The other district, Mustang Public Schools, self-reported an investigation and violation after the boards June 23 meeting, prompting the Oklahoma State Department of Education to originally recommend it be accredited with one deficiency.

Both districts accreditation statuses were approved by a 4-2 count, with no votes from Williams Bradley and state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. Board member Trent Smith was absent.

However, Mustangs status was only brought up after an objection from Williams Bradley that TPS was being singled out for punitive action.

Documentation about Mustangs violation was included in the documents distributed to the board prior to the meeting but had not been discussed, thus catching some board members unaware.

You all said just said you wanted to pull other districts out, but you dont and want to blanket approve other districts? Williams Bradley said. It was only about Tulsa. Its clear. Your bias is showing.

In an emailed statement, TPS officials reiterated that the training session in question was offered to fulfill a state obligation to provide a professional development session on race and ethnic education.

In this training, it is clear there is no statement or sentiment pronounced that people are racist  due to their race or any other factor. We would never support such a training.

Along with TPS, seven individual schools across Tulsa received accreditation with warning Thursday. Greenwood Leadership Academy and John Hope Franklin Elementary School were both penalized for not being in compliance with tornado drill requirements.

Project Accept TRAICE Elementary, an alternative site, was docked for not having enough fire, tornado and security drills.

The accreditation of two TPS authorized charter schools, KIPP Tulsa and Collegiate Hall, were both impacted for exceeding allowed administrative costs and submitting required reports late.

Collegiate Hall was also penalized for ending fiscal year 2021 with a negative balance and not following procurement requirements, two concerns that were raised when TPS board voted in October to renew its agreement with the midtown school.

Sankofa Middle School, a charter school authorized by Langston University, was also cited for exceeding administrative costs, as well as not being in compliance with the states Open Meeting Act.

Solid Foundation Preparatory Academy, a north Tulsa private elementary school that received state accreditation in June 2021, received accreditation with a warning due to not having a policy regarding felony record searches.

In addition, Epic Charter Schools was one of nine institutions statewide placed on probation for the coming school year. Probation is the last step before a schools accreditation is revoked.

Others placed on probation include Sovereign Community Charter School in Oklahoma City and seven districts: Hardesty, Moseley, Moyers, Ninnekah, Straight, Varnum and Western Heights.

Meanwhile, Oologah-Talala Public Schools was taken off of probation and accredited without deficiencies. The district was placed on probation in 2020 after multiple teachers were accused of sexual misconduct and harassment.

After more than two years, I believe they (Oologah) have made a huge change in the right direction, board member Brian Bobek said. They are setting an example of what can be done.

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A nonprofit is seeking change after a study found that Oklahoma women earned an average of 74.5 cents for every dollar earned by men during 2015 to 2019.

Representatives of the nonpartisan United Womens Empowerment shared the statistic during a virtual presentation Thursday of an Oklahoma State University Spears School of Business study into the status of women in the state.

The gender earnings gap outpaces the average of the U.S. and grows greater for women of color in the state, lead study author Laura Ahlstrom said, with Hispanic women earning 50 cents of the mens dollar and Black women, 58 cents.

Another study showed that if the state continues the status quo, women will not close the gender wage gap until 2076, Ahlstrom said.

Through our work over the last 31 years, we know too many women remain on the sidelines because they face unnecessary obstacles such as pay inequality, access to affordable child care, limited family leave, entrepreneurship restrictions, sexual harassment and inadequate public policies, said United WE President and CEO Wendy Doyle. All of these issues disproportionately effect women, yet they are solvable.

If we can get women back to work, participating as entrepreneurs or back in the workplace, we can have the potential to grow Oklahomas state economy by as much as 15% by 2025.

Oklahoma women lag behind their national peers and regional men in several key areas, Ahlstrom said, including employment and earnings, access to affordable child care and poverty and social insurance.

A yearlong dig into the data further quantified WalletHubs most recent ranking of Oklahoma as the worst state in the nation for womens equality.

But researchers announced they will also seek anecdotal evidence to establish a path forward through at least five statewide town halls over the next two years, and the establishment of an Oklahoma Womens Economic Development Task Force in the single largest effort in the history of Oklahoma to listen and address the economic needs of women, Doyle said.

The task force will be made up of at least 25 diverse women across geography, industry and occupation bounds to support the town halls and inform next-step recommendations in the final town hall report, a method Doyle said has already proven successful in the organizations similar efforts in Kansas and Missouri.

Ahlstrom, an assistant professor in the economics department of the Spears School of Business, said the university study found 56% of Oklahoma women participate in the labor force. The majority of minimum-wage workers are women.

Researchers identified access to affordable child care as one of the main barriers to women in the workforce.

The annual child care cost of one infant in Oklahoma in 2020 was $8,490 a year or $745 a month, Ahlstrom said, which is more than a year of in-state tuition at a four-year public university. The study found the cost of two children ate up an average of about 20 percent of a married couples income and just under 70% of a single parents income.

On top of those figures, the study showed a sharp decline in the number of licensed child care facilities between 2015 and 2021, dropping from 3,558 in 2015 to a low of 2,685 during the pandemic year of 2020. The number increased by more than 10 percent in 2021 to 2,964, but the rebound still came short of the strength held prior to the pandemic.

There are three times as many children as there are spaces in available licensed child care facilities for many Oklahomans, Ahlstrom said.

The study also found that among adults ages 25 to 64, women in Oklahoma have higher poverty rates than men in the state and women across the country on average.

The poverty rate for women ages 65 and over increased between 2015 and 2019, a point Ahlstrom noted was particularly concerning considering data from the most recent census indicates that the state is aging.

The percent of Oklahoma women without health insurance also increased in the same time period, Ahlstrom said. The WalletHub study said the state has the second-highest number of uninsured women in the country.

United WE plans a $550,000 investment over the next two years to see the town halls and task force come to fruition, Doyle said, as well as research child care licensing requirements, launch an educational campaign and bolster a project intended to encourage diversity for appointed civic board and commission positions.

More than ever, we must unite to advance and support policies that strengthen Oklahoma women and families for the economic development of the state, Doyle said. But we cannot do it alone, so we are actively having conversations and seeking funding partners to help execute this important plan in Oklahoma.

Correction: This story originally misstated the amount of women in the workforce who make minimum wage. The story has been corrected.

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About 50 people packed into El Patron Cocina Mexican Restaurant on Monday night for Tulsa Public Schools board member ELena Ashleys first community event since she and two other board members ended a meeting early by walking out.

In a streaming video feed of the session posted to social media by an attendee, multiple people who identified themselves as TPS parents and teachers can be heard questioning several of Ashleys votes at the Board of Educations July 11 and July 14 meetings.

Ashley and fellow board members Jennettie Marshall and Jerry Griffin walked out of the July 11 meeting after their no votes on a dozen consent agenda items were criticized by Superintendent Deborah Gist during the superintendents report portion of the agenda.

Citing third-party training that discouraged carving individual items out of the consent agenda for separate votes, Ashley voted no on July 11s entire consent agenda, which included contracts for 30 new employees and recruitment stipends for hard-to-fill positions, such as special education teachers. Those contracts were unanimously approved three days later by the board at a special meeting.

Why did you vote no on the board agenda vote to accept new teacher contracts? a woman asked, drawing applause. We are short-staffed. There are people who are willing to come work for TPS, and you told them no.

Id like to answer you, Ashley replied. We have a consent agenda. It has everything on there, right? We previously learned that once you have a consent agenda, you can vote for the whole thing or break out individual issues. However, it was my understanding in my training ... and confirmed by Dr. (Jennettie) Marshall that we should just actually vote on the complete agenda.

Although Ashley did vote to approve the new employee contracts at the July 14 meeting, she voted against six carryover items, including two regarding the sale of $6.2 million in technology bonds to Bank of Oklahoma Financial Services, an amendment to the districts contract with Growing Together to provide additional grant funded services at Webster Middle School, a memorandum of understanding between Oklahoma State University Center for Family Resilience and Mitchell Elementary School for the PAX Good Behavior Game, a contract with Academy for Urban School Leadership and an agreement with the Confucius Classroom Coordination Offices to provide support for the Chinese language program at Booker T. Washington.

The meeting grew so loud with frequent interruptions among speakers that at one point, a uniformed officer with the Tulsa Police Department is visible in the livestream feed near a door.

When reached Tuesday night, Ashley said she asked TPD prior to the meeting to be in the area, citing attendee frustrations at a previous community event, as well as concerns raised by her mother during the course of the night.

TPDs Communications Unit did not return calls Tuesday.

In addition to questions about Ashleys votes, several attendees raised objections about the meetings location and host as well.

The meeting venue near 41st Street and Garnett Road is outside of TPS attendance area by one mile to the south and one mile to the east, prompting questions from several attendees about the location.

Ashley told the Tulsa World that she chose the restaurant due to its proximity to Walt Disney Elementary School. Located at 25th Street and South 117th East Avenue, Disney is slightly more than two miles north of the restaurant.

Its convenient, she said, noting that her campaign also hosted events there during the 2022 election cycle. People already knew I was having meetings there, and I didnt see a need to make it difficult.

TPS policy does not require board members to host community meetings on district property. A district spokeswoman said such an event would not be prohibited from happening on a campus provided that the facility is available, along with appropriate staff to get people in and out of the building and that the request was made in advance, as is the case with any entity or group wanting to meet at a TPS facility.

Additionally, the agenda stated that the meeting was hosted by ELena Ashley TPS 4 2026.

When asked Tuesday night, Ashley said that she hosted the event as an individual and has not created a candidate committee for the 2026 election.

This was just me sponsoring it, she said, noting that she does hope to seek re-election when the east Tulsa seat goes back before voters in four years.

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BANGKOK (AP)  International outrage over Myanmar's execution of four political prisoners intensified Tuesday with grassroots protests and strong condemnation from world governments, as well as fears the hangings could derail nascent attempts to bring an end to the violence and unrest that has beset the Southeast Asian nation since the military seized power last year.

Myanmar's military-led government that seized power from elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 has been accused of thousands of extrajudicial killings since then, but the hangings announced Monday were the country's first official executions in decades.

We feel that this is a crime against humanity, said Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, speaking at the side of the United Nations' Special Envoy on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

He said the executions would be a focus of the upcoming meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers, which begin in Cambodia in a week.

Myanmar is a member of the influential ASEAN group, which has been trying to implement a five-point consensus it reached on Myanmar last year calling for dialogue among all concerned parties, provision of humanitarian assistance, an immediate cessation of violence and a visit by a special envoy to meet all parties.

With the executions, he said, we look at it as if the junta is making a mockery of the five point process.

Heyzer said that the U.N. sees the executions as a blatant violation of a person's right to life, liberty and security."

In Bangkok, hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators protested outside neighboring Myanmar's embassy, waving flags and chanting slogans amid a heavy downpour.

The dictators used their power arbitrarily, yelled a young man through a bullhorn to the crowd, some of whom waved pictures of Suu Kyi or the four executed men. We can't tolerate this any more.

Myanmar's government spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, firmly rejected the criticism, saying the executions were carried out in line with the country's law and not for personal reasons.

We knew that there may be criticism when the death penalties were handed down and conducted in line with domestic law, he told reporters. However, we did it for reasons of domestic stability, for the rule of law and order, and security.

He said the executed men were convicted of crimes involving supporting violent terrorists and acts  allegations denied by their defenders  and said their punishment was appropriate.

If we considered leniency for those who committed such crimes it would have been cruel and without sympathy for the victims, he said.

Among the four executed was Phyo Zeya Thaw, a 41-year-old former lawmaker from Suu Kyis party, and Kyaw Min Yu, a 53-year-old democracy activist better known as Ko Jimmy. All were tried, convicted and sentenced by a military tribunal with no possibility of appeal.

The executions were carried out over the weekend, and came as a surprise even to family members.

Phyo Zeya Thaw's mother Khin Win May told The Associated Press she had just spoken with her son via video conference on Friday and he had asked her for reading glasses, books and some spending money.

I was a little shocked when I heard about the execution, I think it will take some time, she said.

She said she hoped her son and the others would be seen as martyrs for their cause.

I'm proud of all of them as they sacrificed their lives for the country," she said.

The execution of the four activists prompted immediate calls from around the world for a moratorium on carrying out any further sentences, and condemnation for what was broadly seen as a politically motivated move.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, announced in June that it was going to resume executing prisoners and has 113 others who have been sentenced to death, although 41 of those were convicted in absentia, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a non-governmental organization that tracks killing and arrests. At the same time, 2,120 civilians have been killed by security forces since the military takeover.

This was a barbaric act by Myanmar's military regime, said New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta of the four executions carried out. New Zealand condemns these actions in the strongest possible terms.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was appalled by the executions.

Australia opposes the death penalty in all circumstances for all people, she said.

Earlier, Australia and New Zealand had joined the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Norway and South Korea in a joint statement condemning the executions.

ASEAN denounced the executions as highly reprehensible.

It said the move represented a setback to the group's efforts to facilitate a dialogue between the military leadership and opponents.

We strongly and urgently call on all parties concerned to desist from taking actions that would only further aggravate the crisis, hinder peaceful dialogue among all parties concerned, and endanger peace, security and stability, not only in Myanmar, but the whole region, the group said in a statement.

The militarys seizure of power from Suu Kyis elected government triggered peaceful protests that soon escalated to armed resistance and then to widespread fighting that some U.N. experts characterize as a civil war.

Some resistance groups have engaged in assassinations, drive-by shootings and bombings in urban areas. Mainstream opposition organizations generally disavow such activities, while supporting armed resistance in rural areas that are more often subject to brutal military attacks.

News of the executions prompted a flash-demonstration Monday in Myanmars largest city, Yangon, where about a dozen protesters took to the streets marching behind a banner saying we are never afraid, then quickly slipping away before authorities could confront them.

Similar demonstrations broke out in more rural areas across Myanmar on both Monday and Tuesday.

The last judicial execution to be carried out in Myanmar is generally believed to have been of another political offender, student leader Salai Tin Maung Oo, in 1976 under a previous military government led by dictator Ne Win.

Ng reported from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul in Bangkok contributed to this report.
An eighth case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Oklahoma, state health officials said Wednesday.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 16,000 cases of the disease have been reported in 74 countries since about May. The virus has been found in two residents of northeastern Oklahoma and six from central Oklahoma, according to the State Health Department. The eight cases in Oklahoma are not related to each other, spokeswoman Erica Rankin said.

Monkeypox, established in parts of central and western Africa for decades, was not known to spark large outbreaks beyond the continent or to spread widely among people until May, when authorities detected dozens of epidemics in Europe, North America and elsewhere.

To date, monkeypox deaths have been reported only in Africa, where a more dangerous version of the virus is spreading, mainly in Nigeria and Congo. In Europe, North America and elsewhere, the virus is spreading among people with no recent travel to Africa.

The World Health Organization on Saturday called the monkeypox outbreak a global emergency, mostly in a plea to draw more global resources and attention to an outbreak.

Some experts have questioned whether the emergency declaration will help, arguing that the disease isnt severe enough to warrant the attention and that rich countries battling monkeypox already have the funds to do so. Most people recover without needing medical attention, although the lesions may be painful.

The virus mainly spreads through skin-on-skin contact, but it can also transmit through touching linens used by someone with the infection. People with monkeypox may experience fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. Many develop acne-like bumps on many parts of the body.

In the U.S., some experts have speculated about whether monkeypox might be on the verge of becoming an entrenched sexually transmitted disease in the country, like gonorrhea, herpes and HIV.

Experts suspect that monkeypox outbreaks in Europe and North America were spread via sex at two raves in Belgium and Spain. WHOs top monkeypox expert, Dr. Rosamund Lewis, said this week that 99% of all the monkeypox cases beyond Africa were in men and that of those, 98% involved men who have sex with men. Men who have sex with men, however, should not be targeted, victimized or marginalized because of the outbreak, the European Unions health commissioner said.
"Taking responsibility" is a phrase which describes a person who can be depended upon, who possesses and embodies qualities which create trust, harmony, cooperation, humility, love and sacrifice.

Donald Trump does not appear to possess any of these traits. His life has demonstrated values which trick, exploit and regard others as suckers. He employs legions of attorneys to avoid conviction and imprisonment. He will not likely ever change and take responsibility.

But I am more concerned about people who can't or won't see through him, and ignorantly follow his unethical example. Members of our Oklahoma delegation to Congress are some of these. Many of them desire Trump's blessing on their election campaigns.

Have they not observed the moral and constitutional havoc this ex-president has wrought in four years, and the near-destruction of our 2020 election process, as the House Committee has clearly revealed? Why do our Oklahoma representatives look away and remain mute in the face of clear constitutional danger?

Who will grow up and take responsibility? And will we Oklahoma voters stand by in dumb silence?

Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to tulsaworld.com/opinion/submitletter.
The shift of foreign investment to Vietnam has opened up opportunities for local firms to take part in global supply chains.

Many Vietnamese enterprises have taken advantage of these opportunities to foster their growth, contributing to the countrys self-reliant industry development.

However, it is a big challenge for Vietnam to build a self-reliant industry because of the involvement of many giants, such as Intel, Samsung, and Foxconn, and their suppliers, while many Vietnamese enterprises remain incapable of providing parts for foreign firms.

Seizing opportunities

During two years of being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, global supply chains have been severely disrupted, putting many sectors at a disadvantage due to the lack of accessories.

For the auto sector, the manufacturing and assembly of at least three models in Vietnam have been suspended because of the shortage of automobile parts.

However, many Vietnamese enterprises consider this situation a chance to develop.

Huynh Quang Nhung, deputy general director of sales at THACO Industries, a subsidiary of Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO), said the company started developing supporting industries five years ago, focusing on manufacturing parts and mechanical products.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has forecast that the mechanical engineering industry would be valued at US$310 billion.

Autos are manufactured at a factory of THACO in the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre

THACO, thanks to its thorough preparations, seized the opportunity offered by the China - United States trade war to export semi-trailers, expecting to ship 15,000 vehicles worth more than $200 million in 2022.

THACO Industries also secured many orders for molds from foreign direct investment enterprises.

Instead of working with many partners to complete a product, many firms have chosen partners who can shorten production processes and time, and optimize costs.

Some enterprises that manufacture a product may not have enough machinery and equipment to immediately correct errors.

THACO has taken advantage of its technology, manufacturing capability, and network of many sectors, such as marine and road logistics, to reduce costs for customers.

The company has also cooperated with many partners. In addition to the U.S. market, it sent drawings and price quotations of its semi-trailers to Canada, Mexico, Italy, and Australia to seek orders.

Meanwhile, Bui Minh Hai, chairman of Hanoi Plastics Joint Stock Company, said despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, a project to produce TV covers for export to Foxconn in India of An Trung Industries, an affiliate of Hanoi Plastics, has been operating stably and generated economic benefits.

Greater opportunities ushered in by pandemic

Tran Thanh Lam, general director of CNS Amura Precision Co. Ltd., said that the global health crisis and a production cost hike have encouraged technology application and the improvement of products.

CNS Amura Precision has been recognized as a first-tier supplier of Samsung Vietnam.

The mechanical molding-plastic market still holds potential, as enterprises have been shifting their investment to Vietnam from China, Lam remarked.

Earlier, large groups had their own suppliers and local enterprises found it hard to get involved in supply chains.

However, the pandemic has disrupted many global supply chains, paving the way for Vietnamese enterprises to deeply take part in these chains.

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Malaysia's human resources minister on Thursday said Indonesia had agreed to lift a freeze on sending its migrant workers to the country effective August 1, after the neighbours ironed out concerns surrounding workers' rights.

The entry of migrant workers will help Malaysia - the world's second-largest palm oil producer and a key link in the global supply chain - ease a shortage of some 1.2 million workers.

Indonesia this month temporarily stopped sending its citizens to work in Malaysia, including thousands recruited for the plantation sector, citing a breach in an agreement aimed at improving the protection of domestic workers employed in Malaysian households.

Jakarta agreed to resume sending its workers after both countries agreed to trial a single channel to facilitate the recruitment and entry of Indonesian workers, Malaysia's Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan said in a statement.

Indonesia's Manpower Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Malaysia's immigration authorities had previously used an online recruitment system for domestic workers, but that had been linked to allegations of trafficking and forced labour.

Scrutiny over the treatment of migrant workers in Malaysia has been growing, with seven Malaysian companies banned by the United States in the last two years over what it described as "forced labour".

Malaysia relies on millions of foreign workers from countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nepal to staff plantation and factory jobs.

But despite lifting a pandemic-induced freeze on recruitment in February, Malaysia has not yet seen a significant return of workers due to slow government approvals and protracted talks with source countries over employee protections.
Check out news you should not miss today:

Politics

-- Authorized by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on Wednesday presented a Friendship Order to Ory Csaba, Hungarian Ambassador to Vietnam, in recognition of the diplomats dedication to relations between the two countries, the Vietnam News Agency reported the same day.

Society

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee on Wednesday proposed the Ministry of Health implement medical declaration of skin blisters and ulcers for all people passing through the citys border gates to facilitate monkeypox screening.

-- Ho Chi Minh City police said on Wednesday evening that they had arrested two suspects for breaking into residents houses in Cu Chi District and shooting their dogs with stun guns.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court on Wednesday imposed the death penalty upon two Chinese and three Vietnamese who were involved in transporting 574.9 kg of narcotics through the borders of Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines in 2019.

-- Aviation authoirities are working on a case in which a Vietnam Airlines plane from the central city of Da Nang to Hanoi made an emergency landing on Wednesday after taking off in the morning due to technical errors.

-- A resident of Cu Chi District in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday voluntarily handed over a 20-year-old Asian black bear weighing 100kg to local authorities after raising the animal for 16 years.

Business

-- Standard Chartered has forecast Vietnams GDP growth at 10.8 percent in the third quarter and 3.9 percent in the last quarter of 2022, contributing to an annual expansion of 6.7 percent, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Education

-- A forum titled 'Study in France' to assist Vietnamese students before going to France will be held by the Vietnam Student Association in France in collaboration with the Campus France Vietnam in Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City on July 28, 29, and 30 respectively, after taking place in Da Nang last week.

World news

-- There have been more than 18,000 cases of monkeypox reported globally from 78 countries, with the majority in Europe, Reuters cited the World Health Organization on Wednesday.

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Occupancy rates at hotels across Ho Chi Minh City have improved significantly since the start of this years summer tourism season, with many hotels reporting 85-90 percent of their rooms have been booked, well above the 10-20 percent logged earlier this year.

According to several large hotels in the city, occupancy rates would be even higher if staffing shortages were not plaguing the industry.

A representative of the Park Hyatt Saigon said the hotels performance began bouncing back in March when Vietnam fully reopened its borders to international travelers.

Its occupancy rate rose about 80 percent in June.

Our occupancy rate could be higher, but we need to balance our room occupancy with the capabilities of our staff in order to ensure high-quality service, the representative said.

Our guests are mainly entrepreneurs, and the numbers of Vietnamese and foreign guests are about equal.

We hope to welcome even more guests during the last few months of the year."

Similarly, the Sheraton Saigon has seen considerable increases in its occupancy rate, with that number rising from 30 percent at the beginning of the year to 85-90 percent during the summer holiday.

Its guests are primarily Vietnamese delegations from other cities visiting Ho Chi Minh City to attend conferences, meetings, and events.

The hotel expects that its number of foreign visitors will go up toward the end of the year  a time when Vietnam tends to attract large numbers of international arrivals.

The Silverland hotel chain, though it caters more to families rather than business travelers, has also seen a remarkable recovery over the past several months.

Nguyen Van Man, chief operations officer at Silverland Hospitality, said a four-star hotel in its system that prices rooms at about VND1.6 million (US$68) per night reached an occupancy rate of 92 percent in June, with approximately 30 percent of those guests being Vietnamese and the remainder international visitors.

Among our international guests, the majority are Australians who come to Vietnam for tourism, Man said.

At a recent event to introduce Ho Chi Minh Citys newest tourism products and services to tourists, a representative of the municipal Department of Tourisms Hospitality Management Division said that hotel occupancy rates vary amongst different hotel chains, but the average at four- and five-star hotels is currently over 75 percent.

The representative also noted a rise in food and beverage sales at many of these hotels, thanks to an uptick in conferences, wedding parties, and other events.

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, Ho Chi Minh City welcomed more than 11 million domestic visitors and 477,000 international tourists during the first half of the year, soaring 43 percent and 100 percent, respectively, year on year.

The city generated nearly VND49.7 trillion ($2.1 billion) in revenue from tourism during this period, up 29.9 percent from the same period last year and meeting 73.5 percent of its full-year target.

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TEHRAN, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Iranian police have arrested five members of a "spy network" linked to Israel, the official IRNA news agency reported on Thursday.

The intelligence organization of the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran, commonly referred to as Iran's national police, announced the arrest of the five people, describing them as "the leader and members of a spy network" affiliated with Israel.

"Instigated by the leader of a separatist group" and with financial promises, the members of this "spy network" are supposed to gather information from important and vital areas in Iran, it said.

Besides, the members committed arson attacks, propagated against Iran, and had received the necessary training for armed operations and sabotage, according to the report.

A number of advanced equipment, SIM cards, and mobile phones were discovered from those members of the spy network, the report added. 
The ABC has today announced the signing of a Heads of Agreement for the Lease for a new workplace at Parramatta in western Sydney.

ABC Parramatta  located at 6-8 Parramatta Square  was selected following an extensive procurement process.

The relocation to western Sydney is part of the commitment of a Five-Year Plan to see 75% of content makers working outside its Ultimo head office by 2025.

This will entail relocation of journalists and presenters from ABC Sydney, ABC News and ABC RN from early 2024, but it isnt clear if it could also lead to some staff resignations.

David Anderson, ABC Managing Director, said: Establishing this new facility in Parramatta is a significant step in meeting our commitment to be more local and engaged with the community and less centralised in the Sydney CBD.

As a new facility, ABC Parramatta provides a rare opportunity to build something from the ground up. It will be a home for innovation and collaboration, designed and equipped to help us better serve Australians, now and into the future.

The ABC will become an integral part of Parramatta Square, which is welcoming all of Sydney as a great place to work, live and socialise, Parramatta Square has Executive Chairman Lang Walker said.

ABC staff will have access to state-of-the-art workspaces above excellent cafes and restaurants in the plaza as well as some of the best transport connections, with access to trains, buses, light rail, ferries and the future metro.

It is anticipated that the process to develop the Parramatta workspace, confirm teams and roles to be based there, and relocate approximately 300 employees, will be complete by 2024.

This initiative is one part of the ABCs plans to locate more content-makers closer to the communities they serve.

ABC recently expanded its regional and rural coverage following the recruitment of 57 regionally-based journalists.

The final lease agreement for Parramatta Square is expected to be concluded by the end of August. The next stage will then be review of the proposal by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works.

ABC says it will continue to consider a range of options in respect to its property holdings, operations, and production in other state capitals and in regional Australia.
On the final Joanna Lumleys Great Cities of the World, Joanna visits Berlin including the Festival of Lights, an all-female motorcycle club, a famous photographer who documented life in Soviet-controlled East Berlin and finally Holocaust survivor, Frau Friedlande.

Joannas Berlin adventure begins at The Festival of Lights, an annual event where Berlins most famous landmarks are transformed each night using the clever art of luministic projections. Waking up the next day, Joanna sets off to see Berlins infamous sites by day. And what better way to see these landmarks than with The Curves  Berlins all-female motorcycle club.

Joanna heads West to the district of Spandau where she meets Jack Hunter, the mayor from Old Texas Town, a replica of a western town which Jack has built by hand. After getting a glimpse into one of Berlins more unusual scenes, Joanna trades in the cowboy hat for some far more glamourous hats belonging to Frau Hat  the hat lady of Berlin.

Joanna explores Frau Hats collection of headwear that truly encapsulates Berlins free-spirited rebellious nature. Turning her attention to Berlins renowned nightlife, Joanna visits popular queer club SchwuZ, where she meets some voguing pros and takes to the catwalk herself.

She then takes a walk around the city with the rebel photographer Harald Hauswald who documented life in Soviet-controlled East Berlin and the fall of the Berlin wall. Joanna meets with Holocaust survivor, Frau Freedlander, to hear her story and then visits the chefs of The Open Kitchen. The Open Kitchen is a thriving group of locals, refugees and even professional chefs who all cook together to break down social and cultural barriers using food.

7:40pm Sunday on ABC.
Screen Queensland has today announced that Chief Executive Officer, Kylie Munnich will depart at the end of her three-year term in October to relocate to Sydney.

Ms Munnich came to Screen Queensland with more than 25 years experience in distribution and development, and successfully steered the organisation and industry through the challenges of the pandemic.

Screen Queensland Chair, the Honourable Roslyn Atkinson AO said, Kylie has brought a steady hand and long-term strategic vision to all her endeavours as CEO of Screen Queensland.

Kylie has made a lasting contribution to the organisations international and domestic production attraction and investment, enhanced its studio offerings and development of local talent pipelines, while also building a positive and collaborative workplace culture for the Screen Queensland team. She has been effective both as an innovator and an entrepreneur.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to congratulate Kylie for all that she has accomplished. The screen industry in Queensland is far stronger for her being part of it and we wish her all the very best for this next chapter, Ms Atkinson said.

My three years at Screen Queensland have been marked by outstanding growth in the screen industry in our state, Ms Munnich said.

I am grateful to the fantastic team at Screen Queensland, the Board and the Queensland Government for giving such strong support to the screen sector, recognising its economic and cultural value.

I leave Screen Queensland feeling very proud of my achievements and those of the organisation. Its time for a new challenge in the screen industry, but I greatly look forward to watching the continued success of Screen Queensland, she said.

Recruitment for her replacement as CEO will commence immediately.
This week's visit to Benin by French President Emmanuel Macron was marked by the release of 30 opposition figures, imprisoned during the April 2021 election campaign. Macron's host, President Patrice Talon, comfortably won that election, from which the vast majority of opposition candidates were barred.

The 30 men were freed during the visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Benin was long praised for its vibrant multi-party democracy, but critics say freedoms have been eroded under Talon, a 64-year-old cotton magnate, first elected in 2016.

The special court for economic and terrorist crimes, known as Criet, freed 30 people who were arrested during the election, placing them under temporary judicial supervision.

Among those freed were leaders and youth activists of the opposition Democrats party, the party itself has confirmed.

'There are no political detainees in Benin'

The announcement came hours after Talon dismissed suggestions that his government was holding political prisoners after the jailing last year of two top opposition leaders.

"In Benin, there are no political detainees, no one is detained in Benin for their political opinion," Talon said, answering questions from journalists with Macron at his side.

"But people are detained for having acted, for having committed offenses and crimes in the political field, that is true," Talon continued.

Macron did not mention the political situation in Benin during his speech.

Talon said it was possible that an amnesty or pardon may be given to detained opposition figures.

"We have to be able to adjust the political situation so that it gives a good image, favourable to economic development," Talon said.

"Our image is a little tarnished by the political situation that Benin has experienced lately. I am not ashamed of that."

Doubts about special court decisions

Benin opposition leader Reckya Madougou was sentenced in December to 20 years in prison for terrorism by a special court in the capital Porto-Novo after a brief trial that her attorneys condemned as a "political attack".

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Madougou was one of several Benin opposition leaders banned from running in last year's election in April in which Talon won a second term with 86 percent of the vote.

A former justice minister, she was arrested in Cotonou in March -- just weeks before the election. She was accused of financing an operation to assassinate political figures to prevent the vote and of trying to "destabilise" the country.

Another opposition leader, Joel Aivo, a professor who had been held for eight months, was also found guilty last year of plotting against the state and of money laundering.

Aivo was also barred from running in the election.

Both were tried by the special court dealing with terrorism and economic crimes. Critics say the court, created by Talon's government in 2016, has been used to crack down on political opponents.
Gas deliveries via Nord Stream fell on Wednesday to 20% of the pipeline's capacity, amplifying worries about winter shortages across Europe, according to the German operator Gascade.

Supplies of gas from Russia to Germany were 14.4 gigawatt hours (GWh) Wednesday morning, compared to the average of 29 GWh.

Just 1 GWh is enough energy to power one million homes for an hour, according to the UK's energy regulator Ofgem.

Russia's energy giant Gazprom announced the drastic reduction in supplies on Monday, amid an energy standoff between Moscow and the West, which will make it harder and costlier for Europe to build up gas reserves ahead of winter.

Gascade, which manages Germany's gas network, said the Nord Stream 1 pipeline - the major delivery route of Russian gas to Europe - was at one-fifth of its maximum capacity.

"Nord Stream 1 transports (...) 1.28 million cubic meters per hour, or about 20% of the maximum capacity of the gas pipeline", a Gascade spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the Italian energy company Eni announced it has been told by Gazprom that gas deliveries will be limited to 27 million cubic meters on Wednesday, against 34 million in recent days.

These announcements have highlighted fears that countries will be unable to meet goals to refill storage and keep their citizens warm during the winter months and that Europe's fragile economic growth may take another hit if gas will have to be rationed.

Before the Ukraine war, Nord Stream transported around 73 GWh per hour to Germany  which is particularly reliant on Russian gas  but also to other European countries.

Nord Stream 1 accounts for around a third of all Russian gas exports to Europe.

In June, Russian gas supplies were 40% less than normal. They completely stopped between July 11 and 21 as part of planned annual maintenance, though have since resumed.

On Monday, Gazprom said it would further halve its daily deliveries via Nord Stream, which passes under the Baltic Sea, citing the need to maintain a turbine.

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A Kremlin spokesman repeated Russia's claim on Wednesday that Western sanctions are to blame as they are complicating this work.

"The process of maintaining technical devices is made extremely difficult by the sanctions adopted by Europe", said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, adding that "Gazprom delivers as much [gas] as necessary and as much as possible."

European officials have challenged Moscow's explanation, accusing it of using energy as an economic and political weapon.

According to a spokesperson for the German government, Russia's move is a "power game" and the reduction in gas flows has "no technical cause."

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has pushed up the price of European gas to record-breaking levels, fuelling a cost of living crisis across the continent.

In an attempt to prevent winter shortages, the EU formalised a plan on Tuesday to do "everything possible" to reduce gas consumption by March 2023.

Its 27 member states are aiming to reduce gas usage by at least 15% compared to the 5 year average over the same period.

Russia accounted for some 40% of EU gas imports until last year.
On Thursday, French power company TotalEnergies announced that profits had more than doubled in the second quarter. The national electricity company, EDF, meanwhile blamed a state-imposed cap on energy prices for a record loss in the first six months of 2022.

TotalEnergies said in a statement that its bottom-line net profit amounted to 5.7 billion euros in the period from April to June, compared with 2.2 billion euros for the same period a year earlier.

Second-quarter sales were up 37 percent at 75 billion euros.

"Russia's invasion of Ukraine continued to impact energy markets in the second quarter, with oil prices averaging more than $110 per barrel, refining margins reaching record-high levels, and natural gas prices holding above oil partly in Europe and Asia," said chief executive Patrick Pouyanne.

"In this context, TotalEnergies responded by increasing energy output, thus contributing to energy security."

TotalEnergies pay no tax to the French state on their massive profits.

Runaway oil and gas prices are generating bumper returns across the sector.

British energy giant Shell also said on Thursday its bottom line increased five-fold in the second quarter.

. . . and now, the bad news

French power company EDF meanwhile announced a bottom-line loss of 5.3 billion euros in the period from January to June, compared to a net profit of 4.2 billion euros in the same period a year earlier.

Sales grew by 67 percent to 66 billion euros in the six-month period.

"The results for the first half of the year reflect the difficulties encountered in nuclear generation in France and, to a lesser extent, in hydropower generation, as well as the effect of the tariff shield introduced in France in 2022," said chief executive Jean-Bernard Levy.

The profit slide was largely attributable to "the drop in nuclear output linked to the phenomenon of stress corrosion [in reactor cooling systems], by the impact of the exceptional regulatory measures adopted by the French government to limit the increase in prices to consumers in 2022," Levy said.

"These events have forced the group to purchase electricity in a context of high market prices," he said.

The French government has announced its intention to buy back the 10 percent of EDF shares currently in private ownership.
This combination of undated photos provided by the US District Court District of Hawaii shows Walter Glenn Primose, left, also known as Bobby Edward Fort, and his wife Gwynn Darle Morrison, also known as Julie Lyn Montague, purportedly in KGB uniforms (United States District Court)

A Hawaii couple who has been living under fake names lifted from two dead Texas children has been charged by a federal court with identity theft and conspiring to commit an offence against the US government, court records show.

The unsealed documents from a US district court in Honolulu revealed that Walter Glenn Primrose, a defence contractor, and his wife Gwynn Darle Morrison had allegedly been living under the names of Bobby Edward Fort and Julie Lyn Montague, respectively, since 1987. Both Mr Primrose and Ms Morrison were born in 1955.

The pair were arrested Friday in Kapolei on the island of Oahu. Theyre being held without bail on charges of identity theft, conspiracy to commit an offence against the US government and making false statements in the application and use of a passport, drivers licences and, for Mr Primrose, Defense Department credentials, a criminal complaint filed 21 July shows.

Mr Primrose, who worked as an avionics technician with the US Coast Guard from 1994 until 2016, was last said to be employed by an unnamed US defense contractor at the US Coast Guard Air station at Barbers Point that conducts search and rescue responses. While there, he reportedly obtained secret security clearance under a fake identity, the Associated Press reported.

While he held that secret clearance with the U.S. Coast Guard, defendant Primrose was required to report any foreign travel, prosecutors wrote in the court documents. Investigation has revealed that defendant Primrose did not report several trips to Canada while he did report other foreign travel.

Included in the motion to charge the Hawaii-based couple with conspiring against the US government was a set of undated Polaroids that show them dressed in what appears to be uniforms for the KGB, the main security agency for the former Soviet Union.

Though Megan Kau, the attorney representing Ms Morrison, contends that the couple had donned the outfits as a joke, Assistant US Attorney Thomas Muehleck said in court papers that hed been told by a close associate that she had lived in Romania while it was a Soviet bloc country.

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She wants everyone to know shes not a spy, Ms Kau said in an interview with the Associated Press, highlighting that the couple, who are both US citizens, have lived in the country for the past three decades as law abiding citizens.

This undated photo provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii shows Walter Glenn Primose, also known as Bobby Edward Fort, purportedly in a KGB, the former Russian spy agency, uniform

This has all been blown way out of proportion. Its government overreaching, she added.

According to the arresting documents, Ms Morrison and Mr Primrose attended high school and college together in Texas and were later married in Nacodoches, Texas, in 1980.

They assumed the identities of two young children, who would have been more than a decade younger than the pair, in 1987. That same year, the couple lost their home in Nacogdoches to foreclosure.

One year after the pair began going by their new names, they remarried under the newly acquired identities and would go on to have several official documents  including multiple passports  issued under those false names.

The home where US defense contractor Walter Glenn Primrose and his wife, Gwynn Darlle Morrison, lived for years allegedly under aliases is pictured, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Kapolei, Hawaii (AP)

When Mr Primrose joined the US Coast Guard in 1994, when he wouldve been 39 years old, his enlistment documents wouldve read that his fake identity of Fort was 27 years old  more than a decade younger than what he wouldve appeared.

This undated photo provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii shows Walter Glenn Primose, also known as Bobby Edward Fort

Mr Primrose would even go as far in 1999 to apply for a separate passport under his legal name, while still holding one under his assumed name, Bobby Edward Fort.

The affidavit claims that the pair are viewed as a flight risk, noting that the husband had failed to report several trips to Canada despite being required to flag any foreign travel to the US government due to the secret clearance he held for six years.

This undated photo provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii, shows Gwynn Darle Morrison, also known as Julie Lyn Montague, purportedly in a KGB, the former Russian spy agency uniform (United States District Court)

Mr Primrose, the motion alleges, is a highly skilled technician who the arresting authorities say they believe is capable of communicat[ing] surreptitiously if released.

In addition to the known aliases used by the pair, the motion also notes that letters seized from the couples home show them being greeted with names that are neither their legal ones nor the ones appropriated from the pair of Texas children.

Federal agents have also seized photographs from the defendants residence that depict the defendants apparently some years ago wearing what have been identified as KGB uniforms, the motion says.

This undated photo provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii shows Gwynn Darle Morrison, aka Julie Lyn Montague

Ms Morrisons attorney did not respond to a request for comment immediately from The Independent. A lawyer for Mr Primrose could not be contacted.

A spokesperson for the US Coast Guard confirmed that the military branch is working alongside other federal agencies in an investigation into the case, but could not provide any additional details.

The U.S. Coast Guard and its investigative service are working with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Department of State to conduct a comprehensive investigation of Walter Glenn Primrose, a spokesperson for the US Coast Guard said in an email. The Coast Guard cannot release details about the case in order to uphold the integrity of the investigation.

A bail hearing was scheduled for Thursday in US District Court for the couple.
TEHRAN, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The removal of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) from the U.S. sanctions list was not and is not Iran's precondition in the talks aimed at the reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, Mohammad Marandi, an advisor to the Iranian negotiating team, said on Thursday.

The West said that the IRGC's removal from U.S. terror designation list is a prerequisite for Iran to reach an agreement, but "it was not and is not the case," Marandi, also a professor at the University of Tehran, said in an interview with the Jamaran news website.

"They advertise in this way so that no one can notice that they are evading necessary guarantees," Marandi was quoted as saying.

Iran demands "sufficient" guarantees from the United States to secure its economic benefits under a possible agreement to rescue the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he noted.

"We must make sure that we will get economic benefits from any agreement and that the Americans cannot abuse its text," Marandi said.

Iran wants its concerns regarding the full implementation of a possible agreement to be addressed, given the "previous violations of the Western promises," he noted.

Iran signed the JCPOA with the world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for the removal of sanctions. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, prompting the latter to drop some of its commitments under the pact.

Talks to revive the deal began in April 2021 in the Austrian capital Vienna but were suspended in March this year because of political differences between Tehran and Washington.

The two sides held indirect talks in Doha of Qatar late in June but still failed to settle their differences. 
Sebastian Gaehl Denies Bryn Kenney Super MILLION$ Title

July 28 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor

Alleged poker cheater Bryn Kenney almost completed an epic comeback in the latest GGPoker Super MILLION$, going from eighth in chips at the start to finding himself holding the chip lead going into heads-up. However, a cooler of a hand towards the end of one-on-one battle that saw Sebastian "Weizen" Gaehl six-bet jam when both players held trip kings, ultimately resulted in Gaehl stopping Kenney in his tracks.

GGPoker Super MILLION$ Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Sebastian "Weizen" Gaehl Austria $243,381 2 Bryn Kenney Canada $190,070 3 Yakov "YaNesterov" Nesterov Russia $148,437 4 Volodymyr "Leonardo23" Palamar Ukraine $115,923 5 Andras Nemeth Austria $90,531 6 Michael Addamo Hong Kong $70,701 7 Andrei "Mr-Doberman" Nikonorov Russia $55,214 8 Niklas Astedt Norway $43,120 9 Joseph Cheong Canada $33,675

Joseph Cheong was the first of the final table's stars to hit the rail. Cheong sat down at the Super MILLION$ final table as the third-shortest stack with a shade over 16 big blinds and in need of improving his position. He attempted to do that during the first orbit of play when he opened shoved for 428,780 with pocket fours from the button, with blinds at 15,000/30,000/3,500a. Unfortunately for Cheong, Yakov "YaNesterov" Nesterov was dealt pocket jacks in the small blind, and he called the shove. Cheong did not improve, and he headed to the sidelines.

Five-time Super MILLION$ champion Niklas Astedtwas the next player out of the door. Astedt moved his seven big blind stack into the middle from the cutoff with jack-ten, and Nesterov three-bet almost all of his stack in with king-queen of hearts from the button. Nesterov flopped a flush to leave Astedt drawing dead.

Andrei "Mr-Doberman" Nikonorov bit off more than he could chew in a clash with Nesterov. With blinds at 35,000/70,000/8,500a, Nikonorov moved all-in for 570,436 with pocket threes on the button, Nesterov called in the small blind with pocket jacks, and a jack on the flop left Nikonorov needing runner-runner cards; he was drawing dead on the turn.

That two-hour spell before losing a player left the average stack rather short, and it took less than 50 minutes for the tournament to go from six players down to the champion.

Michael Addamo

Michael Addamo, another five-time winner of this event, put his foot firmly on the has as he sought out Super MILLION$ victory number six. However, he came unstuck after opening to 640,000 with ace-eight and calling off the 453,836 chips he had behind when Gaehl jammed from the big bind with the superior ace-jack. Gaehl's jack-kicker played, and the dangerous Addamo fell by the wayside.

Fifth place and the final five-figure score went to three-time Super MILLION$ champion Andras Nemeth. Down to 391,508 chips, Nemeth moved all-in with jack-eight of clubs, and Kenney called from the big blind with suited king-deuce. Neither player improved their holding, and Nemeth was gone courtesy of his weaker kicker.

Volodymyr "Leonard23" Palamar became the fourth-place finisher three hands after Nemeth busted. Palamar lost all but 5.5 big blinds when he woke up on the button with pocket kings. Kenney min-raised to 200,000 and instantly called when Palamar three-bet all-in for 550,013. An ace on the flop proved more than enough to reduce the player count by one.

Heads-up was set when Nesterov ran out of luck in third place. Nesterov enduring a rollercoaster of a ride to his third place finish, and it was fitting that his run ended in a cooler. Kenney limped in from the small blind with the Doyle Brunson hand, ten-deuce suited, and Nesterov checked with six-five. The flop fell six-ten-deuce, giving Nsterov a pair but Kenney two pair. Kenney checked, Nesterov bet 100,000 and called Kenney's check-raise to 329,000. A five on the turn improved Neterov to what turned out to be a very expensive second-best hand. Kenney led for 494,000, Nesterov ripped in his 2,359,178 stack, and Kenney snapped him off. A seven on the river sent Nesterov to the showers and Kenney into heads up holding a 6,473,295 to 4,726,705 chip advantage over Gaehl.

Kenney increased his lead before Gaehl drew level, but Kenney nudged his way in front again. A huge cooler flipped the contest on its head. Kenney min-raised to 280,000 with suited king-eight, and Gaehl called with king-ten. The flop fell king-jack-king, and it lit the fireworks. Gaehl initially checked, opening the door for Kenney to test the waters with a 197,000 bet. Gaehl check-raised to 558,000, which Kenney clicked back to 1,079,790. Gaehl paused for a few moments before making it 1,960,000. Amazingly, that was not the end of the min-raising because Kenney came back with a raise to 2,840,210. Gaehl had seen enough, and he now jammed for 4,366,005, which Kenney instantly called. A ten on the turn improved Gaehl to a full house, and the river bricked to give Gaehl a 9,327,010 to 1,872,990 chip lead.

The final hand occurred a couple of hands after that crazy cooler, and saw Kenney commit his 14 big blind stack with king-queen. Gaehl called with ace-seven, and won with a pair of sevens by the river. Gaehl collected a cool $243,381, leaving Kenney to collect $190,070 for his first-ever cash in a Super MILLION$ event.
There was 25,000 in the pot as the board was .

Jack Hardcastle was in the small blind and checked to Daniel Platt in early position who bet 14,000. Hardcastle moved all in for 37,500. Platt asked the dealer for a count before going into the tank for over three minutes as he pained over his decision.

Eventually Platt made the call. Hardcastle showed for two pair while Platt showed for three-of-a-kind to eliminate Hardcastle. No doubt Hardcastle will re-enter either in this flight or the next.
Nordstrom shoppers are raving about the Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Tote. Images via Nordstrom.

Yahoo Lifestyle Canada is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

Nordstrom's annual Anniversary Sale (shop here in Canada, here in the U.S.) is a great place to look if you're shopping for fall essentials  but you can also score major deals on designer finds.

Savvy shoppers will know that you can save up to 40 per cent on styles from top brands like Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman, and more. One of the most popular Anniversary Sale designer finds is the selection of Longchamp's versatile backpacks and totes.

This year's sale is still going strong, but you'll want to snag the Le Pliage Expandable Tote for nearly 25 per cent off before the sale ends on July 31.

Save nearly 25% on the Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Tote. Image via Nordstrom.

$196 CAD $255 CAD at Nordstrom Canada $150 USD $195 USD at Nordstrom U.S.

Inspired by the Japanese art of origami, this folding tote bag has been one of Longchamp's most popular designs for nearly 30 years. While the original Le Pliage bag will always have a soft spot in our hearts, this updated version with an expanding design is perfect for those looking for a little extra storage.

Made from lightweight yet durable nylon with leather accents, the Le Pliage Expandable Tote is an easy choice for running errands around town or heading for a day at the office.

A zippered inset lets you expand the bag in a flash for added storage, and when it's not in use it conveniently folds up to roughly the size of a paperback book.

The Le Pliage Expandable Tote fold up when not in use. Image via Nordstrom.

$196 CAD $255 CAD at Nordstrom Canada $150 USD $195 USD at Nordstrom U.S.

Why shoppers love it

This tote bag has earned an impressive reputation among Nordstrom shoppers, who have rated it a near-perfect 4.8 stars. Hundreds of shoppers have raved about its versatile expanding insert, as well as it's space-saving design.

"[This] is my favourite and most used Longchamp bag," shared one shopper. "Unexpanded it is about the size of the medium tote  perfect for everyday use. Expanded it is noticeably larger than the large tote, making it perfect for carrying extras when traveling, my work laptop, or to take all my essentials to the beach."

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"Hands down its an excellent bag to have...super lightweight, easy to wear, easy to pack," added another.

Le Pliage Expandable Tote. Image via Nordstrom.

$196 CAD $255 CAD at Nordstrom Canada $150 USD $195 USD at Nordstrom U.S.

Frequent travellers will also be happy to know that this bag is "perfect as a carry on travel bag," as it fits well underneath plane seats and easily sits on top of luggage.

"Great to bring as a carry on for trips and then can expand bag when you bring purchases/souvenirs back home," suggested one reviewer.

While this tote bag is spacious enough for your daily essentials (and more!), some reviewers complained that "you cant find anything" once it's fully expanded.

The verdict

Those looking for a tote that does double duty will want to consider this chic Longchamp bag. Its convertible shape lets you choose just how much space you need, making it a great choice for beach trips, travelling, or a day at the office.

Since the bag only has a single large compartment, you may just want to invest in some smaller pouches or a bag organizer to make it easy to find exactly what you're looking for inside.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
"I'm interested in UNG and intelligence, so I thought this was a perfect opportunity," Gonzalez said. "The intelligence community is close-knit with a lot of mutual trust and camaraderie."

Sean Sternot, a rising senior at Milton High School, is interested in the field and spent a great deal of time investigating it on his own before the academy. The week at UNG gave him more insight.

"I've been able to get a strong grasp on the processes for entering the intelligence community and what a career in the field would look like from experts who have worked in agencies ranging from the State Department to the FBI to the CIA," Sternot said.

Lily Carras, a rising senior at Sequoyah High School who is from Woodstock, Georgia, enjoyed the experience and said she is now considering studying at UNG.

"I thought the academy would lean more toward cybersecurity, one of my big interests, but it's more focused on the whole basis of special intelligence, and it was a welcome surprise because it helped me discover a new passion of mine," Carras said.

Dell Spry, a former FBI agent in the agency's Atlanta office who also once worked at the Pentagon, was one of the experts who shared their experiences with students.

"I want to impress upon the students that other people are going to be making the news, which is great, but they're going to be making history," Spry said. "The small things they do can literally change the world."

Melvin Gamble, who worked for the CIA for 40 years, spoke with students about the agency's desire to create a workforce of people from a wide variety of universities across the nation.

"What I saw and heard from the students today was exactly what I'd be looking for to recruit. It was a diverse group with a strong female participation," Gamble said. "The students were well-read and up-to-date on current events, so I didn't have to explain certain things to them. They were able to grasp the theories and issues quickly, they were participatory and they were very knowledgeable."
ADEN, Yemen, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's internationally-recognized government declared on Wednesday that 81 people were killed and 331 others injured in the sporadic attacks carried out by the Houthi militia since the beginning of the UN-brokered truce.

"The violations implemented by the Houthi militia during the truce period that began on April 2 under the auspices of the United Nations reached an average of 50 sporadic attacks a day," the government said in a press statement.

Yemen's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak confirmed his government's commitment to all the truce provisions, accusing the Houthis of disobeying the truce agreement as they continued their attacks in various areas.

Bin Mubarak made the remarks during his meeting with UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg in the southern port city of Aden on Tuesday.

During the past days, the Houthi militia carried out a series of attacks against various areas, as Grundberg stepped up his effort to extend the Yemeni truce.

The truce in Yemen, first enforced on April 2 and renewed for another two months on June 2, will expire on Aug. 2.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the Saudi-backed Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 4 million, and pushed the poorest Arab country to the brink of starvation. 
HCM CITY  More than 270 exhibitors from 17 countries and territories are taking part in an International Exhibition of Textile and Garments and Fabric and Garment Accessories (SaigonTex & SaigonFabric) that opened on Wednesda at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Le Hoang Tai, deputy director of Ministry of Industry and Trades Trade Promotion Agency, said textile and garment is one of the key manufacturing industries in Viet Nam and is the third largest exporter with around US$40 billion worth of shipments annually.

In the first half of this year textile and garment exports topped $22 billion, a 23 per cent rise year-on-year.

The industry provides around 2.5 million jobs with an average annual salary of US$3,800.

But its labour productivity is low compared to other countries, he said.

The industry needs to integrate more with the global supply chain and increase value to ensure sustainable development, he said.

SaigonTex & SaigonFabric is a great opportunity for business to network, promote brands, find partners, and expand their market, he added.

Five seminars on the effects of carbon emission policies on production and trade, digital transformation solution for the challenge of human resources, tracking original materials from the impacts of the new geo-political situation, trade remedies under FTAs, and supply and demand connection will be held during the expo.

Jointly organised by the Viet Nam National Textile & Garment Group, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industrys HCM branch, and CP Exhibition Ltd, the expo will run until Saturday. VNS
Nguyen Van Hoi, director of the MoIT's Institute of Industrial Strategy and Policy Research.

Viet Nam's border trade has achieved positive results despite difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The economy of the border provinces has continued to maintain positive growth, and many provinces have had a higher growth rate than the national average. Border trade activities have contributed significantly to the socio-economic development of border provinces. However, there are still many difficulties that need to be addressed.

Nguyen Van Hoi, director of the Institute of Industrial Strategy and Policy Research, Ministry of Industry and Trade, spoke to Vietnam News Agency about this issue.

How did border trade activities develop after two years of being affected by the pandemic?

After two years of being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, border trade activities faced many difficulties but also had advantages.

Border trade activities at border gates were restricted according to policies in each country, especially at auxiliary border gates.

In addition, due to the impact of COVID-19, the pandemic prevention policies were implemented at different times in different countries, causing difficulties for trade activities between Viet Nam and neighbouring countries of China, Laos and Cambodia.

However, there were also advantages. The pandemic reduced negative trade activities along border lines, especially smuggling and trade fraud via secondary border gates and border openings.

The cross-border import and export values in the past two years increased strongly. Only Laos did not increase much each year, reaching just over US$1 billion.

Viet Nam's border trade value with China increased by more than 20 per cent in those two years. The trade value reached over $26 billion out of the total bilateral trade value of $133 billion in 2020, and $33 billion out of a total of $162 billion in 2021. This growth rate was the largest in the pandemic period.

Meanwhile, Viet Nam's border trade value with Cambodia also grew strongly. It reached $3.5 billion out of the total bilateral trade value at $5 billion in 2020, and $5.5 billion out of a total bilateral trade value of $9 billion in 2021.

What is the role of border trade activities in the context of safe adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic?

The role of cross-border trade is quite important because it has contributed to promoting bilateral trade turnover between Viet Nam and China, Laos and Cambodia, as the countries tightened trade activities due to the pandemic, meaning many border gates and ports were locked down. Therefore, Vietnamese enterprises had flexibility in import and export activities when changing trade activities to land or changing border gates to trade goods.

This flexibility has made an important contribution to promoting border trade activities in particular as well as bilateral trade in general in the context of COVID-19 changing global production and supply chains.

The businesses also had different strategies for trade in different periods to be able to maintain the supply of input for production, especially for pandemic prevention and production of essential goods.

In addition, they also had flexibility in the delivery of goods such as car and driver transfers at border areas. It facilitated the circulation of goods.

At present, policies on attracting investment in trade infrastructure at the border areas are still not effective. What are your suggestions for this problem?

The first difficulty for developing infrastructure in the border areas is the specific socio-economic conditions of the mountainous and remote areas.

Therefore, investment in infrastructure at border areas is really difficult, especially commercial service infrastructure, logistics, border gates, border markets, supermarkets, trading centres, warehouses and border transshipment centres.

The Prime Minister approved on February 25, 2021, the programme on the development of border trade infrastructure by 2025 with a vision to 2030. Therefore, in the next five years, ministries and sectors need to focus on mobilising resources, including budget and funds from enterprises to have strong investment in border trade infrastructure including product introduction centres, freight forwarding and yards.

In addition, provincial investment is needed, though most border provinces face many difficulties. They need to base on the Government's mechanisms, policies and decisions to put more investment in border infrastructure, including infrastructure of border traffic, electricity, water supply and telecommunications, and other essential service infrastructure for border trade activities. Promotion of the investment will boost the development of border trade in the future.

Infrastructure development is the most important but the most difficult factor. However, with the developing socio-economic conditions as well as the attention of the Government, ministries and localities, they can attract businesses' investment in border gate infrastructure.

Production at the border is still at a small scale. Customs clearance capacity at border gates is still limited, not meeting the requirements for official export. What solutions does Viet Nam need to overcome this situation?

The first solution is to review mechanisms and policies in order to encourage enterprises to resume production and business activities.

It is necessary to encourage processing and packaging activities at border areas to ensure the quality of goods at the border gate as well as the smoothness of border trade activities in the future.

Currently, the State is carrying out studies on national, regional and provincial master plans. Some provinces are very interested in the regional planning of processing products and other plans for border areas.

But national and sectoral planning also need attention to create a foundation for the Government's incentive mechanisms and policies as well as attract businesses to develop production and trading activities at the border areas.

In addition, it is necessary to amend and supplement the Law on Commerce 2005 because the law has been issued a long time ago and the situation at present is very different from the context that the 2005 commercial law was issued, so it needs to be changed and supplemented a lot.

Regulations relating to commercial infrastructure, including logistics centres, also need to be promulgated. Now, there are only regulations on logistics centre planning, but no regulations on policies of logistics development.

In the future, border markets will still play an important role, so the decrees on markets also need to be revised. Regulations on other infrastructures such as product introduction centres, warehouses, and yards also need to be amended and supplemented.

That will not only promote the border trade development and Vietnamese goods circulation in border areas, but also develop socio-economic activities, and ensure security and defence stability in border areas.  VNS
VIENTIANE  Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee o Van Chien is paying an official visit to Laos.

On Wednesday, he met with Laos Party General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith, and paid courtesy visits to Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and President of the National Assembly (NA) Xaysomphone Phomvihane.

During the meetings, the Lao leaders affirmed the significance of Chiens visit in the context that the Parties, States and people of the two nations are organising activities in celebration of the Viet Nam-Laos, Laos-Viet Nam Friendship and Solidarity Year, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

Appreciating the outcomes of the talks between leaders of the VFF and the Lao Front for National Construction, they shared their hope that on the basis of a freshly-signed cooperation agreement for 2022-2027, the two fronts will intensify exchanges and experience sharing, and better their coordination, contributing to nurturing and consolidating the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Viet Nam.

For his part, Chien expressed his hope that the leaders will maintain their support to help the two fronts effectively implement the new agreement and create favourable conditions for them to successfully hold an international conference on building a Viet Nam-Laos border of peace, friendship and cooperation for mutual development in October 2022 in Laos; and to coordinate with Cambodia to effectively implement the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on a cooperation programme in the 2021-23 period.

He affirmed that in his position, he will do his utmost to nurture and consolidate the bilateral great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.  VNS
Stephanie Davis - Vice president for Southeast Asia Google

Before the pandemic emerged, Vietnam had been undergoing a far-reaching digital transformation, although the era of social distancing has undoubtedly accelerated the pace of change. In terms of consumer behaviour, scrolling through virtual shops and making purchases with QR codes and e-wallets is already the new normal, especially in metropolitan areas.

It has been said that Vietnam, like many Southeast Asian countries, skipped the desktop era and went straight to mobile  around 72 per cent of Vietnamese adults own a smartphone and 70 per cent of the Vietnamese population are connected to the internet.

In the eyes of digitally-minded investors, the country is an exciting and attractive market, and access to customers will only get faster  more than 80 per cent of households should have access to fibre optic infrastructure by 2025, according to Vietnams National Programme for Digital Transformation.

As Vietnamese industry moves away from low-tech manufacturing to a service-oriented economy, there is no doubt that fintech, AI, e-commerce, and software will all play a bigger role in the digital economy, creating opportunities for domestic and international investors as well as the government.

Today, digital trade in Vietnam is already generating up to $3.5 billion of economic benefits in Vietnam, equivalent to 1.7 per cent of Vietnams GDP, and there is huge room for growth. By 2030, the value of digital trade could reach over $41 billion, according to a report by Singaporean consultancy Alphabeta.

In fact, if digital goods and services were a sector, it would currently be the eighth-largest export category for Vietnam and by 2030 it is also expected to have grown by 570 per cent.

In general, the report highlights how digital trade can create a huge positive impact on Vietnams domestic economy, with some of the biggest beneficiaries coming from outside the digital sector.

Digital trade enables Vietnamese firms to achieve cost efficiencies (for example, from cloud computing, and storage of data), enter new markets, and generate richer insights from data. It also supports global collaborations, particularly where Vietnam may have skill gaps, and enables the adoption of more efficient business practices.

Boosting productivity

Aware that digital solutions can increase worker productivity, lower costs and create new sources of revenue, homegrown corporations and private enterprises throughout the country are eager to digitalise operations and services.

Indeed, if an enterprise from a traditional sphere is not adopting digital solutions and adapting to the times, they run the risk of being left behind. Enterprises in Vietnam with a high level of digitalisation could grow twice as fast as others.

With over 3,000 local startups, applying digital strategies across a range of sectors, such as fintech, food tech, healthcare, e-commerce, digital financial services, and online gaming, Vietnam has a reputation as a fast-rising tech star with a dynamic economy that can provide a suitable environment for piloting new tech.

However, there are still challenges that have limited the development of a startup ecosystem in Vietnam. Firstly, startups frequently lack financial support in their early stage of development (most unicorns only receive funds after they have established a reputation in the market). Secondly, startups also lack manpower with the right skills. Third is the lack of a legal framework for innovative startups. Vietnam currently does not have an effective legal framework to manage innovative business models. If policymakers in Vietnam provide the right support policies, they would undoubtedly spur the growth of innovative startups.

Contrary to concerns of some that free digital trade will result in a select number of large multinationals capturing the lions share of economic benefits, the Alphabeta report notes that digital multinationals are key players as they make important contributions to the local digital ecosystem, which is still in its infancy but growing fast.

A survey of startups across Asia (including within Vietnam) found that 88 per cent considered it crucial to attract foreign technology investment to the country, with some of the most important channels including start-up financing, investments in the digital ecosystem and knowledge transfer.

Grassroots level

It is well known that Vietnams small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 98 per cent of all enterprises, contribute 40 per cent of the countrys GDP, and employ half of the working population. Many still lack the human resources to digitalise their operations and services. This puts them at a significant disadvantage when large corporations invest in Vietnam.

At Google, we strongly believe in providing an educational platform that is not only helpful but highly accessible so each and every individual and all enterprises have an equal chance to learn and grow. Thats why, for the last few years, we have been working to provide digital opportunities for all Vietnamese people through free training courses in business and digital skills.

In 2018, we established the Accelerate Vietnam Digital 4.0 programme, which aims to help SMEs embrace digital transformation solutions and tap online growth opportunities. When Google first started the programme, the goal was to train 500,000 Vietnamese in digital skills by the end of 2021. But that target has easily been surpassed with over 630,000 people benefiting from the initiative at the time of writing.

In June this year, the programme ran in conjunction with Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade, its Department of E-commerce and Economy Digital Marketing, and the E-commerce Development Centre under the theme of small stores today, big businesses tomorrow: tips to increase revenue from online shoppers.

We have also introduced a special initiative called Coding for The Future with Google, providing accessible programming and logical thinking training for 300,000 students at all levels in many provinces and cities across the country, helping them nurture their passion for creating products that help their lives, society, and economy.

Furthermore, with the help of products and services from Google, Vietnam is well placed to seize more opportunities to grow its economy. Advertising products such as Google Ads, Adsense, and YouTube have led to the creation of over 170,000 jobs in Vietnam, and there are approximately 71,000 jobs related to Android. On top of all that, Alphabetas report estimated that online video platforms supported over $16 million in advertising revenues from foreign markets for business in Vietnam in 2017, but this could potentially grow to over $167 million by 2030, based on the forecasted growth of the digital advertising market.

Last but not least, Think Games Vietnam and Google Developer Group have helped promote and support the striving startup and large talented developer community in Vietnam (one of the top markets globally for developer talent in cost-effectiveness and home to some 400,000 IT engineers), opening their quality products to the global market.

Meanwhile, there are also positive signs that Vietnams ongoing regulatory focus on digital transformation means the countrys nascent digital ecosystem will become increasingly accommodating for foreign investors who are seeking exposure to the countrys digital ecosystem in the hope of tapping lucrative opportunities across a range of sectors in coming years.
The air logistics of Vietnam have significant room for growth. Photo: VNA

According to Dinh Viet Thang, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), domestic air carriers are still losing around $4.3 million a month.

At the moment, Vietnamese airlines have recovered flights and the number of domestic passengers is much higher, but Jet A1 fuel has continued to rise, and so revenues are failing to cover operational costs, Thang explained.

Signs were positive after the reopening of international flights in March, but Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and others are all being hit by a rapid spike in fuel prices. A1 jet fuel is projected to reach $160 per barrel in the next few months, possibly eating away at their profit chances further.

Bamboo owner FLC Group, one of the largest multi-industrial conglomerates in Vietnam, earlier this month expressed its concern about the rising costs. Bamboo Airways saw revenues rise by 50 per cent in the second quarter from the first, and surpassed by 30 per cent its target set early this year thanks to the strong recovery of tourism activities. But despite this, Bamboo and others have yet to make a profit in 2022.

Bamboo Airways operates about 60 domestic air routes and 12 international ones and is planning to increase flight frequency. It also plans to expand its fleet with the A321Neo and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in the third quarter.

CEO Dang Tat Thang said, These challenges, together with high targets, have prompted the company to consider the attraction of new strategic investors to add funding for future development.

Like Bamboo Airways, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Vietravel Airlines are facing similar difficulties.

A representative of Vietnam Airlines admitted its fuel cost in the first quarter made up nearly one-third of total operational costs and is forecast to rise further amid global hike trends. The carrier estimates it will spend an additional $130-174 million on fuel costs this year.

At its AGM on June 28, chief accountant of Vietnam Airlines Tran Thanh Hien said that the carrier set 2022 revenue targets for the parent company at $1.84 billion, doubling that of 2021. However, the airline still built a loss plan of over $404 million. Hien explained that despite a rapid recovery, there are still negative factors  with continuous increases in Jet A1 fuel price being the biggest.

Revenues are increasing thanks to an increase in flights, but rising fuel costs cause more difficulty. When the fuel cost is at $133 a barrel, fuel makes up 40 per cent of the cost of operations. And if it hits $160-165 a barrel, the figure is 50 per cent. With such an increase, no airline is able to make a profit, Hien noted.

Similarly, Vu Duc Bien, general director of Vietravel Airlines, added that some airlines may even have to suspend operations if fuel costs continue to skyrocket. Some African air carriers have suspended flights, while Qantas announced it will reduce the number of domestic flights until 2023 because of high fuel costs.

To support air carriers, Thang of the CAAV proposed that the Ministry of Transport consider submitting to the government a cut in petrol tax. He especially proposed loosening the ticket price ceiling step by step to enable airlines to build more flexible ticket prices.

As part of efforts to ease losses and increase operational efficiency, some airlines are restructuring their operations and increasing international partnerships.

Vietjet, for example, is working with global partners including Lufthansa Technik, AVIATAR, ST Engineering, and Changi Airports International to increase service and operational quality. Currently, the low-cost airline is also boosting digital transformation to increase the customer experience and optimise operational efficiency, along with diversifying sales channels.

Elsewhere, Vietnam Airlines is giving top priority to comprehensive restructuring before 2025. The work will cover all fields with major solutions for restructuring assets, fleets, investment portfolios, financial resources, and business governance.

The national flag carrier is also strengthening cargo transport and opening new routes. In 2022, it is using A321 aircraft for cargo planes by selling them and then leasing them back.
AstraZeneca and HSPIs 3-year partnership will help the nation respond to future healthcare challenges

At the signing of MoU on July 20 between AstraZeneca Vietnam and the Health Strategy and Policy Institute (HSPI) to commence a partnership for the next three years, health financing was discussed as one of three main objectives in the path to help the country can effectively prevent and respond to future healthcare challenges.

AstraZeneca will support the HSPI, which comes under the Ministry of Health (MoH), in advancing the research and recommendation of policy solutions according to the main objectives of strengthening the sustainability of health financing; ensuring Vietnams self-sufficiency in medicine and vaccine supplies; and improving access to healthcare as well as the management and treatment of non-communicable diseases.

The support falls under the Vietnamese health systems sustainability and resilience (PHSSR) programme.

HSPI director Dr. Tran Thi Mai Oanh said, The pandemic has allowed us to objectively assess the strengths and limitations of the healthcare system. Through this programme, we aim to provide valuable evidence to build policies that will help boost the Vietnamese healthcare systems post-pandemic recovery and preparedness for future diseases.

This MoU follows the successful implementation in the 2020-2021 period of the global PHSSR pilot phase, which was jointly founded by the World Economic Forum, London School of Economics, and AstraZeneca. Vietnam was the first country in Asia to join the programme.

Nitin Kapoor, chairman and general director of AstraZeneca Vietnam and Asia Area Frontier Markets, stressed, We need to seize the opportunity to address important and urgent challenges, such as ensuring healthcare for patients with non-communicable diseases, namely cancer, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases; as well as maintaining the continuous supply of health financing, medicines, vaccines, and medical equipment. We hope that this partnership with HSPI and partners will comprehensively strengthen the health system, accelerate local manufacturing and research and development, and benefit the whole of society.

Health financing has been a top concern for years. A PHSSR Vietnam report from last year cited the latest data from 2018 that in Vietnam, total health expenditure accounted for 5.9 per cent of GDP, relatively high compared to other countries in the region, driven by a rapidly-ageing population and an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases.

In recent years, the government determined that the growth rate of funding allocations for healthcare should be higher than that of the overall state budget. In terms of out-of-pocket payments, Vietnams latest proportion of health expenditure is a challenge to attaining both fiscal sustainability and universal health coverage, the report said.

The Law on Budgets regulates health budget planning, conducted by both the government and implementing units with both top-down and bottom-up approaches. Budgets are planned on a yearly basis and go through a review process before funds are channelled directly to service providers via the MoH or provincial health/finance departments.

Budget estimates are projected from needs and proposed at the minimum level. In general, the approved budget is dependent on the local budget capacity, meaning that the higher revenue a province generates, the more of its expenses will be approved.

The PHSSR noted that, in 2019, full autonomy was granted on a trial basis for the super four central hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The move aimed to encourage proactiveness, creativity, and effective use of the hospitals resources to raise the capacity and quality of medical examinations, treatment and healthcare for people.

However, as providers gain greater financial autonomy and may be exposed to higher financial risk, changes are also needed to strengthen monitoring and accountability, the report noted. There are currently no mechanisms for bailing out public providers that run into deficits. They are now also allowed to maximise revenues by attracting more patients with more healthcare services.
There are hundreds of universities in Vietnam that cater to technical-based training for future digital jobs, Photo: Shutterstock

Stephanie Davis, vice president for Southeast Asia at Google Asia-Pacific, last week visited Hanoi to talk about Googles partnership with the National Innovation Centre (NIC) and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), in which two programmes will be launched, Google Career Certificates and Google for Startups: Startup Academy.

According to Davis, 20,000 scholarships from Google Career Certificates aim to help unlock new job opportunities for students without experience or degrees, while the Startup Academy allows making the most of Googles resources and networks to promote the business progress of 50 Vietnamese startups through intensive training with professional mentors.

The experience of previous programmes, such as the Google for Startups Accelerator, has supported small businesses and startups, as well as around 650,000 workers, she said.

The presentation from Davis attracted the attention of many individuals, tech corporations, and startups in Vietnam  all of which know how great the fluctuations in the labour have been in recent years.

Many businesses in Vietnam are approaching the needs of working, trading, and communicating with customers online. In 2021, according to MPI data, Vietnam recorded 5,600 new technology companies, leading to high demand for digital workers, such as in IT and data analytics. This shows the initiative and creativity of small businesses, but also touches on issues like the quality and quantity of digital human resources.

Tran Quoc Phuong - Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Vietnams innovation ecosystem is entering a critical stage, requiring a lot of investment and in-depth support to be able to develop innovative startups and form qualified human resources. Vietnam is assessed to have suitable conditions to promote innovation. The Global Innovation Index by the World Intellectual Property Organization ranked Vietnam 44th out of 126 countries in 2021. Vietnam has made great efforts to develop a national innovation system. The number of startups based on technology, intellectual property, and new business models has increased to nearly 4,000 businesses, with four of them being unicorns. Investment capital in new and advanced technology fields, including for innovative startups, has increased rapidly. With the goal that the digital economy will contribute 30 per cent to GDP by 2030 as defined by the Socioeconomic Development Strategy 2021-2030, Vietnam needs to promote human resources, especially in domestic human resource training, to meet the needs of the economy in the digital era to solve the problem of high-quality human resources.

According to the National Committee for Digital Transformation, Vietnam has more than 240 universities, of which nearly 160 have majors in technical training, IT, telecoms, and information security. Every year, more than 50,000 students graduate, an increasing figure year by year.

However, Nguyen Trung Chinh, chairman of CMC Technology Group, in April said that universities would only meet about a quarter of the quantifiable demand and about 30 per cent of the necessary qualifications compared to the requirements of todays technology corporations.

The market will need 1.5 million digital workers by 2030. If Vietnam becomes a top production centre for the worlds largest technology corporations, the demand for digital human resources will be sky-high, Chinh explained. Apple has already moved 11 factories in its supply chain to Vietnam, while many other enterprises such as Samsung, Foxconn, Luxshare, and Pegatron are also expanding their available scale in Vietnam.

Vietnam still has the advantage of labour costs in attracting investments in general, but it is difficult to recruit digital human resources. Pacific JSC, a company supplying telecoms equipment to the international market, in six months only recruited three new employees for its expansion. Director Dang Van Dam said, We have failed to recruit personnel to operate the server system and connect international transactions, despite offering an attractive salary.

The skilled labour challenge is also emerging in electronics. Vietnam, one of the worlds largest exporters of electronic goods, has seen its export value of such goods increasing. While accounting for one-third of the total export value of the country, the export value of the industry amounted to more than $108 billion in 2021, with an estimated workforce of over one million people.

According to the latest surveys by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the International Labour Organization at the end of June, about 60 per cent of enterprises in the electronics sector said that the shortage of skilled workers is a moderate to severe challenge. About half of them consider the technical skills of supervisors and managers to be a major challenge in recruitment.

The overall picture of the digital workforce in Vietnam may change when new factors are added. According to the General Statistics Office, the labour force aged 15 and above in the first quarter of 2022 in Vietnam numbered 51.2 million people, an increase of about 200,000 compared to the same period last year.

According to AlphaBetas report Unlocking Vietnams Digital Potential from October, if fully utilised, the digital transformation could bring an annual economic value of up to $74 billion for Vietnam by 2030.
In the document submitted to the government on July 25, the MoIT proposed to decrease the contribution of thermal power from 25-31 per cent in 2030 to between 9.7 and 13.2 per cent in 2045.

The reduction matches Vietnams commitments that were made at COP26. According to the proposed list by the MoIT, 8,420MW of this will come from thermal power projects that the government has assigned to state-owned groups for development.

Notably, the MoIT asked to remove 3,600MW from the complex of Quang Trach II, Tan Phuoc I, and Tan Phuoc II that were invested in by Electricity of Vietnam. The other projects combine 1,980MW from Long Phu III financed by PetroVietnam, 2,840MW from the complex of Cam Pha III, Haiphong III, and Quynh Lap 1 funded by Vinacomin, and 4,500MW from the complex of Quynh Lap II, Vung Ang III, and Long Phu II, which follow the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. Quang Ninh III thermal power plant project with a capacity of 1,200MW has yet to finalise its investor.

Explaining the reason for removing these above projects from the draft National Power Development Plan VIII, the MoIT noted in the document that the risk of legal action relating to these projects is nearly zero because they are assigned to state-owned groups. In addition, the cost of developing these projects is not significant.

In terms of the three BOT projects, the investors have already said that they want to withdraw from the Vung Ang III and Long Phu II projects.

Regarding the Quynh Lap II plant, the government assigned POSCO Energy to study the plans to develop the project with the usage of coal fuel. However, POSCO has proposed the use of LNG fuel for the project.

After receiving the MoITs proposal, the government has asked ministries and relevant authorities to voice their opinions.

The MoIT has now submitted the draft plan to the prime minister for approval for the third time. The appraisal council has approved the draft, but it is still awaiting the final decision from the PM.
The workshop themed Timeless Beauty by developer Hongkong Land and prominent Korean cosmetic brand Sulwhasoo for The Marqs residents on July 22 is a clear example.

The workshop follows the Welcome Home event organised by Hongkong Land to hail very first residents of The Marq in late December.

The pandemic has caused people to redefine the value of health in both physical and mental aspects. Understanding this, Hongkong Land has collaborated with Sulwhasoo to deliver the best consultations to their residents.

At the banquet room on the 25th floor, thirty residents at The Marq had the chance to learn about and appreciate their skin via consultation with Sulwhasoo's cosmetics experts to achieve the desired skin with timeless beauty.

Characterised by the Ginsenisphere, the result of Sulwhasoos more than 50-year commitment to ginseng research and superb capsulising technology, Sulwhasoos Antiaging Ginseng Serum fundamentally minimises the deeply rooted wrinkles that stretch deep and wide in the skin with ageing, while enhancing elasticity, rejuvenating the skin, and providing moisture for softer and smoother skin.

Additionally, the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream with its subtle ginseng flower fragrance, light texture, and instant de-puffing effect, will offer triple resilience that fills up the skin around the eyes from within.

The above skincare consultation event is only one of Hongkong Land's many series of community activities to create the best experience alongside elegant living space coupled with world-class facilities and services.
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The China-Switzerland Stock Connect program was officially launched on Thursday, China's top securities regulator has said.

Fang Xinghai, vice chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), and Daniela Stoffel, state secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Finance, jointly announced the official launch of the program and delivered speeches.

The China-Switzerland Stock Connect has opened a new chapter in capital market cooperation between the two countries, the CSRC said.

Its launch is of great significance to broadening channels for cross-border financing and investment, and to deepening Sino-Swiss cooperation in the financial arena, according to the commission. 
UN assistant secretary general and UNDP regional director for Asia-Pacific Kanni Wignaraja

Wignaraja arrived in Vietnam to follow up on the meeting of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner in New York last May to show UNDP's support for Vietnam in the context of post-pandemic recovery and the nation's sustainable climate and energy transition.

In Hanoi, Wignaraja will meet and hold substantive discussions with leaders of the government and the ministers of foreign affairs, natural resources and environment, and agriculture and rural development. Discussions with the government, development partners, and business sector will focus on partnerships for generating a green and inclusive economic rebound and delivering a just climate and energy transition.

She will keynote three high-profile events: The launch of the multi-dimensional Poverty Report with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs, and the General Statistics Office under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. An international workshop on Climate Change and Human Rights with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. A roundtable on Finance and Governance Accelerators for a Just Energy Transition with VIR.

She will also visit the north-central province of Thanh Hoa to see first-hand the results of the UNDP-Vietnam cooperation  with the support from the Green Climate Fund  in promoting the resilience of coastal communities to climate change through integrated solutions.

Vietnam has made impressive advances towards achieving its sustainable development goals, moving to the high human development category, and improving the quality of life for millions of people.

The countrys commitment to multilateralism is greatly valued, especially at this time, and Vietnam plays an increasingly vital role at regional and global levels on agendas from climate change to peace and sustainable security in accordance with international law.

At the same time, Vietnam has important lessons to offer the world, from rapid poverty reduction to the containment of the pandemic. The UNDP is confident that Vietnam can become a global leader in pioneering a blue-green inclusive economic rebound where no one is left behind.
VIR and UNDP will sit down to discuss the shift to a just energy future

This discussion will cover the broader context of development funding, the role of local and international finance, the lessons learned from international experience, and domestic policy ideas that might promote a fair energy transition.

The roundtable will welcome Kanni Wignaraja, UN assistant secretary-general and UNDP regional director for Asia and the Pacific, to deliver a keynote speech on Financing Vietnams Transition to Renewable Energy: Beyond the Big Numbers.

"The unifying thread that will run through every session of the conference is the imperative of maintaining a laser focus on equity and inclusion in the design and implementation of policies responding to deeply interrelated crises," said Wignaraja.

Policymakers and experts in the fields of finance and energy transition will also participate in the discussion to provide policy recommendations and the role of green public development banks in speeding climate action, including:

Pham Xuan Hoe, former deputy director, Institute for Banking Strategy and Policy, State Bank of Vietnam

Prof. Ulrich Volz and Prof. Thomas Marois, University of London

John Rockhold, president, Pacific Rim Investment & Management

Michele Wee, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam

Diana Barrowclough, senior economist, Barrowclough

Pham Nguyen Ngoc Thuong, deputy CEO and CFO, BCG Energy

Bui Trung Kien, vice chairman, CME Solar Investments

The conference will be live-streamed in both English and Vietnamese at baodautu.vn, tinnnhanhchungkhoan.vn, and the Facebook pages of the UNDP and VIR.
Waco police announced Wednesday they have arrested a second suspect in a May 31 shooting in East Waco that sent four people to the hospital.

Dontavis Gowan, 30, was arrested Tuesday on a second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a third-degree felony charge of deadly conduct. He remained in McLennan County Jail on Wednesday on bond totaling $2 million.

Waco police previously arrested Toylan Brashun Wright Jr., 29, on June 17 in the same case, also on a second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault and a third-degree felony charge of deadly conduct. Jail records also show an assault-family violence charge was added against Wright on June 28, though it appears that charge is not related to the shooting case.

Wright remained in jail Wednesday on bond totaling about $2.25 million.

An arrest affidavit for Wright says he and Gowan shot at a crowd who had gathered to watch a fistfight.

The shooting happened at about 8:15 p.m. May 31 in the 1900 block of Preston Street. According to the affidavit, 15 to 20 people were gathered watching a fight between two men when Wright approached the fight and began yelling at one of the men involved.

Soon after, he pulled a handgun from his pocket and began firing at the man he was yelling at, the affidavit says. Witnesses reported that Gowan also began discharging his weapon at the same man Wright shot at, according to the affidavit.

A woman was recording the fight and caught the incident on video, the affidavit says. After the shooting started, the woman dove for cover and was shot in the face while hiding under her car, causing serious bodily injury to her face and mouth, police reported.

A Waco police press release says the woman was in critical condition following the shooting.
That loud banging sound in the office, school or shopping center could just be a shipping pallet falling over in a storage room or a car backfiring in the parking lot. But a Waco Police Department training session is preparing residents for the possibility that sound is an attacker with firearms and a lot of ammunition.

The department presented a Citizen Response to Active Shooter Events training for the general public Tuesday and will offer it again from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday in McLennan Hall at the Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave. It is free to attend and offered in English or Spanish.

The training includes frank discussions, the sounds of gunshots and video portrayals of active shooter events. Residents learn not only how to respond in an active attack situation, but also what to look for to report beforehand to prevent incidents.

We want you to have this training so you know how to respond and survive if you find yourself in an active shooter situation, when youre vacationing this summer, visiting another city or right here at home in Waco, Jared Wallace, commander of the police departments community services division, told more than 150 residents who attended the training Tuesday.

We dont want you to be afraid, Wallace said. We want you to survive.

Wallace presented the training in English, and Officer Sofie Martinez presented in Spanish in an adjacent room.

Most people think of the Columbine High School shooting as the classic example of an active shooter event, Wallace said. But in the modern era, it goes back to the UT Tower shootings.

Two 12th grade students shot more than 20 people at Columbine High School in a Denver suburb on April 20, 1999, killing 12 students and one teacher, and then killing themselves. History.com reported journals they left behind indicate they had been planning such an attack for years.

In the clock tower shooting at the University of Texas in Austin, a student and former U.S. Marine shot dozens of people, killing 14 and wounding 31 on Aug. 1, 1966. Britannica.com states the gunman killed his wife and mother before the shooting from the tower.

In addition to guns, attackers in recent years have used knives and vehicles as weapons of mass killing, and attacks have happened in Europe and Asia as well as the United States. He said perpetrators of the more than 400 mass killings in the United States have been young, old, men, women and every race and creed.

What they have in common is that they feel alienated and that society has wronged them, Wallace said.

Many have a history of violence or exposure to violence, Wallace said. Many have substance abuse issues or unaddressed mental health needs. Many have stalked, harassed or threatened before committing mass killings.

Many mass killings have been stopped because good people reported suspicious behavior, Wallace said. He encouraged young people to report to their parents and adults to report to their bosses or community leaders, so killings can be stopped and people who might commit them can perhaps receive behavioral health help.

When shootings happen, bystanders first reaction is typically to think the initial sound they hear is something else, often fireworks or an engine malfunctioning.

Youll want to think its not a shooter, Wallace said. This is called normalcy bias.

The sooner people realize what is going on, the sooner they can respond.

The method of responding Wallace taught was avoid, deny, defend.

Avoid means to get as far away as you can safely, then call 911, Wallace said. Next, deny the killer access to where you are by barricading yourself in. Unless you can flee all the way to outside, then do that. If youre barricaded in, prepare to defend yourself."

Wallace said that in situations of tension and chaos peoples pulses will race, and their perceptions will be distorted. He said it is important to control breathing and try to calm down and think clearly.

The Virginia Tech shooting proves these methods work, Wallace said.

A 23-year-old gunman chained shut the doors to a building at the school and attacked five classrooms, killing 32 people in the April 16, 2007 attack.

In a room where a professor encouraged students to flee out the window, only the professor was shot to death, Wallace said.

Where students barricaded the door to their classroom and kept the shooter out, no one was shot, he said.

In a room where students fought back, many were shot, but few died, Wallace said.

In the other two rooms, where no one avoided, denied access or defended, nearly everyone was shot to death, he said.

Wallace also showed video of what police do when they enter the area where the shooting took place.

Follow instructions of law enforcement, he said.

In the video, people who had been barricaded in rooms could be seen holding computers and staplers as weapons. Officers tell them to drop their weapons and show their palms, then lead them to the outside.

Wallace said that if any armed bystander chooses to use his or her firearm to fight back, they should call 911 and let dispatch know what they are doing and what they look like.

Take a leadership role, and send someone to every entrance of the building to tell police who you are, what youre doing and what youre wearing, Wallace said of anyone who tries to stop a killer with their own gun.

When police get there, put the gun back in the holster, or set it down away from you, he said.

Wallace also said survivor's guilt, mental anguish and even post traumatic stress disorder are common among people who survive mass attack events. He encouraged people to seek mental health treatment for these feelings.

Wallace and certified personnel in his division have delivered the Citizen Response to Active Shooter Events training more than 80 times to businesses, schools and houses of worship in the past two years, but Tuesdays session was the first offered to the general public, he said. The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University developed the training.
Veteran Waco musician Classie Ballou, who entertained generations of Waco fans with his guitar playing and singing, irrepressible cheer, generosity and exclamations of Hey, baby!, died late Wednesday at his Waco home. He was 84.

His daughter, CaCean Ballou, who had cared for him in recent years, said he had suffered from Alzheimers and dementia.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 3 at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend Drive, with visitation planned for 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 2 at the home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Ballou started his music career in Southwest Louisianas rock n roll and zydeco scene in the 1950s.

He and his band backed zydeco pioneer Boozoo Chavis on what is believed to be the first zydeco recording, 1954s Paper In My Shoe. Ballou preferred rhythm-and-blues, however, and pursued that as well as rock and country.

He led the house bands as Dallas Ascot Club and Little Rocks Flamingo Club in the late 1950s and early 1960s, playing with such musicians as B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, and Big Joe Turner. An offer to lead the house band at Walkers Auditorium persuaded him to move to Waco with his wife Mildred in the 1960s to raise their family.

Ballou and his band often backed the touring stars who played Walkers Auditorium and the 31 Club, plus clubs in Dallas, San Antonio and Austin. As his children grew older, they joined his band. For more than four decades, Classie Ballou and the Family Band was a regular sight at festivals, club dates, dances, weddings and parties.

Classie and Mildred were fixtures in their communities for decades, Classie as a musician, Mildred as a classroom teacher in Marlin and Waco schools. Both were Catholics and active in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. They were married 64 years before her death in June 2020 and many recalled she was often at his shows. They raised four boys and a daughter, Clinton, Classie Jr., Cranston, Cedric and CaCean. Cranston, Cedric and CaCean played in Classie Ballou and the Family Band over the years. Ballous grandson Cedryl went into zydeco and had his own band, the Zydeco Trendsetters, while great-grandson CamRon proved a drumming prodigy, sitting behind a drum set before starting school.

During his years in Waco, Ballou was known as a musician who kept busy, playing whatever genre  blues, country, rock n roll  was needed for a gig. Brian Brown, leader of the Sloppy Joe Band and a partner in the music venue The Backyard, remembered Ballou from frequent gigs at places like Chelsea Street Pub, the Water Works and Blues Connection, then later community concerts at Indian Spring Park and the citys Brazos Nights concert series.

He was just a great guy, always smiling, Brown said. You were in a better mood just being around him. He always gave it his all and appreciated the fact that he was getting a chance to play.

That omnipresence at Waco clubs and venues proved inspirational to Waco musician Johnny Joe Ramos. Ramos grew up in a musical family but preferred blues and rock to the Spanish-language music his dad was performing. His father told him to pay attention to Waco bluesman George Spratt and Ballou as examples of working musicians in those fields.

I remember seeing how much Classie was playing and thinking, It can be done, Ramos said.

Sherman Ayres first met Ballou when he hired him for a 1999 company Christmas party for his office at M&M Mars, now Mars Wrigley Confectionery. Ayres coworkers knew he played drums and persuaded Ballou to let him sit in for a few songs, which he did with goodwill. Years after that, Ballou called Ayres up to ask if he could play drums for him. Ayres agreed and found out later that he would be taking over from Ballous 5-year-old great-grandson after it got too late on a school night.

Ayres, who started his own trio Mustard Seed after retiring from M&M Mars, played with Ballous Family Band off and on for about seven or eight years, he said, and found himself impressed with Ballous talent.

Im not sure people knew what an extraordinary musician he was, Ayres said. In other circumstances, he could have been one of the biggest blues guitarists. With all due respect to B.B. King, Classies version of The Thrill is Gone was the best version I ever heard.

Thousands of Waco residents knew Ballou from his frequent public performances, whether at benefits, fundraisers, business openings or Brazos Nights concerts.

Parks and Recreation Director Jonathan Cook booked Ballou and his band for many city concerts and festivals. The two shared Louisiana roots and an appreciation for zydeco and swamp music, and Ballou would drop by Cooks office to chat about The Young and the Restless soap opera, a favorite.

I remember his hands. They were so big. He would swallow up your hand when shaking hands and then that smile would follow, Cook said.

When the city booked a blues artist such as Pinetop Perkins or James Cotton, Ballou would drop by backstage and chat up the performers, Cook said. Ballous musical versatility and widespread popularity made him the choice as an opening artist, even for the likes of rocker Eddie Money.

Ballous stature in Waco led the city to hold a Classie Ballou Day in his honor in 2019, and he was also honored at the citywide Fourth on the Brazos in 2019.

Lisa Huggins, daughter of the late Waco band leader and musician Sherman Evans, a contemporary of Ballou, remembered the impact and influence the two musicians had in bringing different people together in a community that was not always unified.

The main thing I remember was it was a great time to be alive, Huggins said. My father and Classie were doing things in the community that no one else could do in bringing people together through music. It was phenomenal to see.

Evans and his family moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1970, but returned to Waco in the 1980s, rejoining the music community with his Sherman Evans Anband. Both headed bands known for their musicianship, frequently played benefits for various Waco causes and individuals and often regaled their fans with Hey, baby! The five Evans and five Ballou siblings often crossed paths when growing up, and Huggins was at Ballous bedside when he died Wednesday night.

What I remember about Classie was always his smile, she said. He had the biggest, beautiful smile and my father was the same way. They were both great men  larger than life.

While many in Waco knew Ballou primarily for his years of local performances, he had fans in his home state Louisiana and abroad. Ballou and his band made regular appearances at the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and he and his wife connected with French jazz fans who knew him from his 1950s recordings during a 2003 visit to France.

CaCean will lead a tribute concert in her fathers honor on his birthday, Aug. 21, at The Backyard. Tentatively scheduled to play are Johnny Joe Ramos, Ethan Smith and The Dirt Road Rebellion, Gordon Collier, Jr. and the Starlights, the Huser Brother Band, Eric and Lisa Huggins and John Dempsy. CaCean and her Dirty Crawfish Band featuring CamRon Ballou and T. Broussard will headline the tribute.
Its not like in the movies is good advice for almost any field or endeavor, from war to Wall Street. But perhaps nowhere is it more true than in politics.

At the end of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Claude Rains admits he was the villain all along. Lonesome Rhodes, the populist demagogue played to perfection by Andy Griffith in A Face in the Crowd, has a hot-mic moment on TV and the audience gets cathartic release seeing his schemes fall apart.

Six years ago, I predicted that many conservatives would, like Alec Guinness Col. Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai, have an epiphany about their misguided role in abetting Trump. I dont know whether Trump will win the nomination or the presidency, I wrote. But I am fairly certain that if he does, a great many people will one day say, My God, what have I done?

I wasnt entirely wrong, but I was wrong in the ways that matter.

It was Gen. Douglas MacArthur who popularized the British saying, Old soldiers never die; they just fade away. Whats true of old soldiers is also true of most demagogues. Sen. Joseph McCarthy served more than two years after his censure, a broken morphine addict, but with ample supporters nonetheless. Father Coughlin, the antisemitic radio priest, remained a parish pastor for another quarter century after he lost his microphone in 1940.

Political movements have a half-life; its impossible to predict how long they will last. Whats clear is that Donald Trumps has kicked in.

A month ago, the Washington Examiner editorialized that Trump was unfit for office. The Examiners owners shuttered the Weekly Standard at least in part because of its opposition to Donald Trump. Last Friday, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, both owned by Rupert Murdoch, declared Trump should fade away. The Post wrote in an editorial that as a matter of principle, as a matter of character, Trump has proven himself unworthy to be this countrys chief executive again. The Journal echoed the sentiment: Character is revealed in a crisis, and Mr. Pence passed his Jan. 6 trial. Mr. Trump utterly failed his.

Some would argue it shouldnt have taken Jan. 6 to grasp Trumps character, but that misses the point. Trumps hold on the right is in the process of terminal decay. On Friday night, when Trump was haranguing rallygoers about the House Jan. 6 committee, Murdoch-controlled Fox News was running an interview with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Trumps endorsements can still matter, particularly in crowded primaries. But they often fail to make the difference, as in Georgia, where some of Trumps most hated Republicans  Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger  won handily. In other cases, his endorsements are lagging indicators; he picks the inevitable winner because they are inevitable.

A recent New York Times-Siena College poll sent shockwaves throughout Washington, showing Joe Bidens presidency to be on life support. It was brutal in every regard save one: Despite being wildly unpopular with Democrats, Biden still beat Donald Trump in a head-to-head match-up.

Theres a lot of hand-wringing over whether Trump will announce his candidacy for another presidential run before the 2022 midterms. This is no trivial thing  Trump could still win the 2024 GOP nomination. But it is worth recognizing that this gambit is not a sign of strength, but of growing weakness. Trump sees the tide going out as his former loyalists depart without him and is desperate to raise sail before it is too late. Polls of Republicans can be misleading. Yes, he still has diehard supporters, but a lot of Republicans  voters and politicians  would rather just move on than admit they were wrong.

One explanation for Murdoch and others turning on Trump is that they recognize he could cost the GOP dearly in the midterms. Another explanation: to signal to Trump he cant expect a coronation and to donors and Republican politicians that there is room to break from him. A lot of White House hopefuls have gotten that message.

Whats missing from all of this is any meaningful admission  never mind atonement  for the role many played in creating Trump in the first place. Passionate opponents of Trump want that satisfaction, but they will never get it. Instead, the most likely scenario is that in a few years, many of Trumps former accomplices, apologists and abettors will simply marvel at the strange chapter they helped author and pretend they had nothing to do with it. Because politics doesnt work like it does in the movies.
Dear Amy: My wife of over 25 years is foreign-born.

She travels to her home country for an extended period almost every year. Ill join her for a few weeks, and shell stay a while longer after I return home.

Recently when she returned home, she told me that after I had left, she was introduced to a male acquaintance of her familys. She said that they did not have a conversation, but did notice that he stared at her constantly.

Afterward this man tracked her down and sent her a text message, which she let me read. It was quite lengthy and frankly, incredibly audacious. He told her how attractive she is, how he wanted to spend time with her, and suggested how to discreetly contact him to arrange a rendezvous.

Her response to him was overly polite: Im flattered, but Im busy. Perhaps some other time.

I made a note of his phone number and a few weeks later sent him a terse message (Im fluent in his language), that he was rude, unmannerly, interested only in a sexual encounter with my wife, and to back off.

He did not answer my message; instead he forwarded it to my wife, who got angry and said that I embarrassed her and violated her privacy.

I told her that while I may have ruined her other man fantasy, someone had to put him in his place, and I was proud to do it.

My wife is a very attractive woman. I am aware of the attention she receives.

To me, however, that man went way over the top.

Did I do the right thing, or was I being meddlesome?

 Just Wondering

Dear Wondering: Your wife shared this mans text message and her reply, which you describe as overly polite. I interpret her message differently.

In its ambiguity, Perhaps some other time can be read as something of an invitation.

The politeness she extended was to this acquaintance, but not necessarily to you.

In response, you stewed about this for weeks and then acted out in anger toward both of them.

You were trying to protect your marriage by being direct, but your wife is the one who should have drawn a firm boundary around your marriage.

You could have asked her to make a more definitive statement, rather than doing it yourself.

She was honest with you regarding how your behavior made her feel.

At this point, without discussing his behavior or hers, you should talk to her sincerely about how this has made you feel: This text exchange made me very sad and angry. Im worried about our relationship, and Im trying to protect it.

Dear Amy: You recently wrote: I have mentioned this many times (especially lately), but the ubiquity of DNA testing is basically coming for everyone. Each of us should try to anticipate the possibility of being contacted by DNA relatives.

Our situation is that an uncle who was an ob-gyn donated sperm to a bank many times throughout his career. (Hes 94 now.)

Children that were conceived from his generosity and kindness are NOT our relatives! They are members of the family that raised them!

This seeking out of bio parents, in many instances, is an invasion of privacy and totally disrespects the love, sacrifice and support of the family they were raised with.

 DNA isnt Everything

Dear DNA: You say your physician uncle donated to a sperm bank. I assume he was NOT a fertility doctor. (If he was a fertility doctor using his own sperm to inseminate women without their consent, then he was not kind and generous, but a liar and a criminal.)

If dozens of infertile couples within his own community used his donations to conceive, these children all have important reasons to learn their DNA heritage.

DNA-related siblings growing up in the same community could conceive children together and face extreme health, emotional, and social consequences.

So buck up. Any people coming forward may not be family members of yours  but they are related to you.

Dear Amy: Overwhelmed asked about a yard sale to get rid of a deceased girlfriends stuff.

My idea of a brutal hell is holding a yard sale, and Im not the only one.

You should have suggested arranging with the owner of a second-hand store to come get ALL the stuff and negotiating a price to load it in a truck and haul it off. Easy, quick, relatively painless.

 K

Dear K: This is a great suggestion, and thank you.
WAUCOMA  Prosecutors have charged an Iowa livestock company in an ongoing investigation into allegations its employees shorted hog producers.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Iowa on Thursday charged Waucoma-based Lynch Family Companies Inc., formerly Lynch Livestock, with one count of failing to comply with an order of the secretary of agriculture.

According to court records, the livestock dealer entered into a consent agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2017 to cease and desist falsifying purchase records as to weights of hogs it purchased and to halt the practice of creating false scale tickets.

The charge alleges that after the 2017 agreement  beginning around 2018 and continuing until around March 2021  the employees failed to keep accurate records. Court records allege one employee used a crowbar or similar tool to manipulate scales at a buying station and then provided scale tickets with inaccurate information to livestock producers.

A company official waived indictment in the case.

The charge came days after prosecutors charged the companys sow marketing employee, Leland Pete Blue, with conspiracy, and after sow procurement employee Charlie Francis Lynch pleaded in the investigation.

The government alleges employees at the business routinely downgraded the weights and classifications of hogs it purchased at buying stations across the Midwest in order to save money.

Lynch Livestock entered a consent decree over the matter in July 2021 and agreed to pay a $445,000 civil penalty, which will be reduced by restitution paid to sellers.

The company faced similar allegations in 2017 and paid a $15,000 penalty.
WAUCOMA  Prosecutors have filed charges against another employee in an investigation into fraud at a Waucoma-based livestock dealer.

On Wednesday, the government charged Leland Edward Pete Blue with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Blue waived indictment, according to court filings.

Blue worked in sow marketing at the headquarters for Lynch Livestock, and the government alleges employees at the business routinely downgraded the weights and classifications of hogs it purchased at buying stations across the Midwest in order to save money.

The plot ran from around 1999 until at least May 2021 and targeted every large corporate account that (the dealer) had with swine producers.

Employees allegedly altered scale receipts then shredded or burned documents when the U.S. Department of Agriculture began investigating the dealer, court records state.

Blue began working for the company in 1985 and allegedly joined the conspiracy sometime around 2012, prosecutors allege.

Others charged in the investigation include Charlie Francis Lynch, a sow procurement and marketing employee and Billie Joe Bill Wickham, a bookkeeper.

Charlie Lynch pleaded guilty on Monday, admitting he created false invoices and indicating he joined and remained in the conspiracy to keep his job.

Wickham has filed a notice he intends to enter a plea, court records show.
WATERLOO  Testimony has started in the lawsuit brought by a mother whose child was hospitalized with high levels of lead in his bloodstream.

Victoria Fuhrman took her landlord, Chase Keller, and his companies Ham Sandwich LLC and Level Property Management LLC to court alleging he failed to disclose the presence of lead paint when she rented an apartment at 303 Logan Ave. in December 2018.

Fuhrman said her child now needs an individualized learning plan at school and suffers from behavioral problems. He breaks things and tries to hurt others and himself, banging his head on the floor when he doesnt get his way, she said. She said she cant take him out in public because of his disruptive behavior.

I still love my child, but I can never have that same child I had before, Fuhrman said Tuesday while taking the stand.

The two moved into the Logan Avenue apartment when her son was 2 years old, and lead was found in the boys system during a doctors visit in February 2019.

The levels didnt subside and he was hospitalized at UnityPoint-Allen Hospital for eight days. X-rays showed lead in his digestive system.

Fuhrman said her sons lead level was 46 micrograms of lead per deciliter. Experts say no level of lead is safe and the Centers for Disease Control indicate a level of 3.5 micrograms is above normal.

Her attorney, Bradley Kaspar, told jurors the house, which was built in 1895 and later divided into apartments, was tested by the Black Hawk County Health Department.

There was lead paint everywhere, and readings indicated it was a hazardous condition, Kaspar said.

Ingesting lead, which usually happens when children eat flaking paint, can have ill effects on a developing brain.

Kaspar said doctors who treated the son said his lead levels were among the highest they had seen in a patient. He said the childs behavior issues were consistent with lead exposure.

Defense attorney Brian Marty argued that Keller had provided Fuhrman with an EPA-approved brochure entitled Protecting Your Family from Lead in You Home  as required by law  when she began renting. He also repaints apartments between every change in tenants.

He said the first time the landlord knew about lead paint in the Logan Avenue apartment was when the health department tested.

The defense said the child had also stayed with his grandmother at a Kern Street address, which hasnt been tested by the Health Department, suggesting there may have been other sources for the lead. And the child was also found with an elevated lead level and lead in his digestive tract eight months after they had moved out of the Logan Avenue apartment, Marty said.

The Logan Avenue building was sold to another company in 2020.
SANTIAGO, July 28 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 shook Chile's Antofagasta region early Thursday morning, leaving one person injured, as well as landslides and minor structural damage, the Ministry of Interior and Public Security reported.

The quake was registered at 12:15 a.m. local time (04:15 GMT), 21 km northwest of Tocopilla, which is over 1,200 km north of the Chilean capital Santiago.

According to the ministry's National Emergency Office report, the tremor injured one person in Tocopilla and caused connectivity problems due to landslides, minor structural damage to the police station, while in Calama, another Antofagasta commune, electricity was disrupted.

The Tocopilla municipality announced the suspension of school classes as a preventive measure while roads are cleaned and electrical cables repaired.

Located on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, Chile is considered one of the most seismically active countries on the planet. 
WATERLOO  Its still up in the air whether Waterloo and Cedar Falls will vie for funding from an initial pool of $100 million of COVID-19 federal relief dollars to help finance transformational attractions and improvements along and nearby the Cedar River.

Officials with the two cities reportedly were dreaming big when it came time earlier this year to consider a potentially lucrative opportunity, a Destination Iowa joint application. They had been working with Isaiah Corbin, community planner with the Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments, and Cary Darrah, CEO and president of Grow Cedar Valley.

However, the ball is apparently in Waterloos court at this point in time.

Most recently, Darrah framed it in an email Monday as were kind of on hold until Waterloo makes a decision on the application. She didnt include any specifics about the decision needed.

Any formal grant application would come before the respective city councils before submission.

The city of Waterloo is working through potential funding options and projects to work together with the city of Cedar Falls for a Destination Iowa project, wrote Noel Anderson, community planning and development director, in an email Wednesday. The goal is to have the project(s) all be based upon the Cedar River connection (downtown to downtown type mentality) we all share in the community. Hopefully we can work through some of the details in the next few days to see what is possible.

Anderson couldnt be reached for further comment.

The application could bring in millions of dollars in support of these Cedar Valley public projects. The focus is a new whitewater course in Waterloo, Corbin said a few weeks ago when reached by telephone.

That Waterloo Whitewater Park came with a preliminary price tag of $9.5 million back in May. A previous proposal had the nearly one-mile river course spanning from Park Avenue to Sixth Street.

The Destination Iowa program is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority and has been on the radar of city officials since at least April.

As of Tuesday, Kanan Kappelman, an IEDA spokesperson, said that 81 Destination Iowa applications were submitted, totaling $188.7 million in requested funding.

They ranged from trail development to water recreation and sporting facilities, she said.

Cedar Falls officials previously confirmed they have not been heavily involved in the application.

And Corbin said the city has more of a minor role in the process, especially after last month receiving a $1.5 million IEDA grant for recreational river improvements, from the Main Street Bridge to the downstream side of the West First Street Bridge, that play into the larger vision local officials have for the Cedar River.

The vision is much bigger than what can be accomplished with the grant and has been discussed for years prior to the announcement of this latest grant opportunity.

Previously under consideration as potentially part of the application package were a number of anchor projects: the whitewater park (Waterloo), Fourth Street Bridge lighting and towers (Waterloo), hard court indoor tournament center (Waterloo), River Road Parkway (Waterloo), multi-modal parking ramp (Cedar Falls) and Center Street and Main Street Bridge lighting (Cedar Falls).

Future Cedar Falls 'Rotary Plaza' will honor COVID-19 pandemic's essential workers The club is finalizing the design for a new monument between the Little Red Schoolhouse and Behrens-Rapp Filling Station on West First Street.

Back in May, when Grow Cedar Valley and INRCOG officials came before Cedar Falls City Council to explain more about the Destination Iowa program, Danny Laudick, GCV senior program director of economic development, told The Courier that its application could be in the $30 to $50 million range, although 60% of that would be matched by local sources.

Its a possibility that it could or couldnt happen, Corbin said a few weeks ago.

Kappelman, the IEDA spokesperson, said funding submissions are being reviewed continuously on a rolling basis, which gives those working on financing or other elements time to assemble a robust application that meets all eligibility requirements.

Projects will be announced gradually until Dec. 31 or until funds are exhausted, she said.

We welcome eligible project applications to be submitted as soon as they are ready. We are looking to fund transformational attractions and projects, so heightened chances are based on complete and compelling applications, Kappelman said.

Evansdale police chief voices concerns over hiring, staffing issues for his department If 'we lose one more officer, which is very likely,' Police Chief Mike Dean said Evansdale will not be capable of operating a 24/7 department.

To date, the IEDA has announced two rounds of awarded projects, the first in June totaling $16.5 million, and the second in July totaling $4.65 million.

The most recent included $3.5 million to help pave 16 miles along the Cedar Valley Nature Trail and other projects like bridge replacements.
Dougal Nelson, Junior Achievement of the Heartland president and CEO was awarded the 2022 Karl Flemke Pioneer Achievement Award at the Junior Achievement National Leadership Conference held in Fort Worth, Texas, earlier this month.

Nelson was one of five finalists in the nation for the award, which recognizes significant achievements and contributions of a first-time Junior Achievement USA area president with not less than two and not more than six years of service in their current position.

Junior Achievement of the Heartland, a member of the global JA network, has been serving young people in the Quad-Cities and surrounding areas for 66 years, equipping them with the skillset and mindset to create sustainable businesses, find meaningful employment and build thriving communities.
DES MOINES  Gov. Kim Reynolds has once again appointed to the states Public Employment Relations Board a former Republican state lawmaker who has been serving on the board without Senate confirmation.

Reynolds this week appointed Erik Helland, a former state lawmaker from Johnston, to the board. It was among dozens of appointments to myriad state boards.

The boards charge, according to its mission statement, is to act neutrally to promote harmonious and cooperative relationships between government and its employees without disruption of public services.

Reynolds previously appointed Helland  both are Republicans  to the board, but his appointment was not confirmed this year by the Iowa Senate. In the meantime, Helland has been serving as the boards chair and drawing a $97,460 salary, according to state records.

Confirmation of gubernatorial appointees requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate, and based on early, procedural votes during the 2022 legislative session, it appeared Helland would not get enough votes from Democrats to gain approval in the Republican-majority Senate.

I have problems with his management style, his philosophy of leadership, Sen. Todd Taylor, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, said during a committee hearing on the appointment in April. And I have problems with the way the governor has handled this department.

Taylor at the time expressed concern about Helland drawing a higher salary on the board than the member he replaced, who was a woman and a Democrat. Taylor also cited the fact that the board is not politically balanced as required by state law; the three-member board currently has only two members, Helland and Jane Dufoe, both of whom are Republicans.

With Reynolds once again appointing Helland to the board, his nomination will once again come before the Senate in 2023.

Appointments to other state boards and commissions included a number of people from the Cedar Valley and Northeast Iowa. The board or commission these people are serving on and the county they live in include:

Board of Chiropractic: Jennifer Rasmussen, Black Hawk; Real Estate Commission: John Sweeney, Allamakee; Council on Agricultural Education: Brad Kinsinger, Black Hawk; Nonpublic School Advisory Committee: Brian LHeureux, Black Hawk; Northeast Regional STEM Advisory Board: Sue Burrack, Fayette, and Kendra Crooks, Chickasaw; and State Building Code Advisory Council: John Steil, Fayette.

ANTI-TRAFFICKING AWARENESS: Three state agencies are highlighting their programs that are designed to combat human trafficking in advance of Saturday, which is World Day Against Human Trafficking.

The Secretary of States office has enacted a program that encourages businesses to educate their employees and customers about human trafficking. The transportation department participates in outreach programs that educate drivers on how to identify signs of human trafficking. And the public safety department, which has a special office specifically for combating human trafficking, has free online training.

We share the common goal of combating human trafficking in Iowa, Sgt. Joe Nickell, with the Iowa Department of Transportations Motor Vehicle Enforcement unit, said in a news release. Creating awareness of the issue and helping people recognize the signs of human trafficking can make a big difference in putting a stop to it.

The Secretary of States program for businesses can be found at ibat.iowa.gov. The public safety departments anti-human trafficking work, including the free online training, can be found at stophtiowa.org. The transportation departments Recognize and Report initiative can be found at recognizeandreport.org.

IOWA DOT PROJECTS: Three state transportation department projects were honored with an Americas Transportation Award at the annual meeting of the Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials, which was held in Des Moines, the department said.

The projects were chosen from 18 entries in a 10-state region. The state projects honored were a dual, divided freeway in Council Bluffs; the Memorial Bridge project in the Quad Cities; and an emergency divisible load management project in multiple states, including Iowa.
DES MOINES  David May, a state appeals court judge from Polk City, is the newest Iowa Supreme Court justice, Gov. Kim Reynolds said Wednesday as she announced her fifth appointment to the seven-member court.

May replaces former Justice Brent Appel, who retired this year upon reaching the state-mandated state Supreme Court retirement age of 72. Appel was the courts last remaining member appointed by a Democratic governor: Tom Vilsack in 2006. The other two members were appointed by then-Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican.

May, 51, was a finalist for an Iowa Supreme Court vacancy in 2020. For the current vacancy, he was chosen from among three finalists.

At every point in this decision, Judge May at the Iowa Court of Appeals stood out for his experience, his approach to interpretation, and his commitment to judicial restraint, Reynolds said during a news conference.

A graduate of Drake University Law School, May has been serving on the Iowa Court of Appeals since 2019. Previously, he was a district judge in Central Iowas 5th Judicial District.

May said he is excited to begin his work on the Supreme Court.

I know the work will involve new challenges, certainly a different kind of case mix, he said. But whether youre at the district court or the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court, the basic principles of judging remain the same: judges dont exercise the powers of the executive and the legislature. We have a different job. Our job is to decide legal disputes. We call them cases. 

And we decide those cases based on the law as it is written and consistent with our oath to support the Constitution of the United States (and) support the constitution of the State of Iowa.

Five judges applied for the most recent Supreme Court vacancy. The states judicial nominating commission whittled that field down to three finalists, from which Reynolds made her appointment. Justices are paid over $180,00 a year.

The other finalists were Alan Heavens, a Northeast Iowa district court judge from Garnavillo; and William Miller, a lawyer with Dorsey & Whitney in Des Moines.

While introducing her latest Supreme Court appointment, Reynolds on multiple occasions praised Mays judicial philosophy.

He understands that in our system of government laws are made only by those who are directly accountable to the people, and that as a result judges should respect the democratic process whenever possible, Reynolds said.

Reynolds recently asked the Iowa Supreme Court to overturn a 2018 ruling that created a state right for women to have access to abortion services.

With a different makeup than the one that made that 2018 ruling, the state Supreme Court overturned the 2018 ruling, which put into effect a 24-hour waiting period before a pregnant woman can have an abortion. Combined with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling a week later that eliminated the federal right to an abortion, the rulings cleared the way for more strict abortion restrictions in Iowa.

Currently, abortion is legal in Iowa until 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Reynolds also asked the Iowa Supreme Court to rehear the case in order to determine what kind of legal scrutiny the court will apply to future abortion restrictions. The court declined that request, sending the question first to a district court judge but one that likely is to return eventually to the Supreme Court.

Reynolds is running for re-election to another four-year term. The Democratic challenger in this falls election, Deidre DeJear, issued a statement Wednesday asserting that Reynolds appointment of May was politically motivated.

Iowans deserve leadership that puts them first. This appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court is another effort of Kim Reynolds, in line with the (Republican Party) agenda, to pack the courts with justices who do not represent the whole of our great state, DeJear said in the statement. This trajectory is a great danger to our everyday freedoms. The rule of law should be considered with impartiality, not twisted for political gain.

Mays appointment to the Supreme Court creates a vacancy on the Court of Appeals that Reynolds will now move to fill.

The Supreme Courts next oral arguments are scheduled for mid-September, according to the courts calendar.
In the coming months, the West plans to further toughen the information campaign against Russia and try to secure our status as an aggressor country. After all, members of one NATO alliance are afraid to blather at America. But they should rub their eyes. After all, America does not know how to be friends, but only to cooperate, but as long as it is beneficial to her alone.

Lets turn to statistics. Numbers do not know how to lie, and there are enough of them for even ordinary people in Europe and America to understand who can and should be recognized as the real aggressor of the modern world.

Ill start with journalists. The terrible censorship presented by the West and the lack of a free press in Russia are really nothing compared to what the States are doing with the media beyond their control. If in Russia about one and a half hundred are recognized as foreign agents, then in the USA, attention,  1700! More than 10 times!

About prisoners. The United States has the highest number of prisoners per capita. And the situation is not changing. Incidentally, the United States still has the death penalty. The whole world knows about the prisoners of Guantanamo, but Western liberals are concerned about rosy problems, they are not up to it.

About 200, and maybe more biolaboratories around the world are open by organizations controlled by Washington. Does America care so much about the healthcare system in other countries? Strange, why then, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, did the States impose a drug embargo and buy up drug manufacturing facilities in various parts of the world? Why do outbreaks of new strains often occur in biolab sites?

As for military aggression, here the numbers again speak for themselves. 750 military bases in 80 countries of the world. Why so many? Heres another figure: 173,000 US military personnel are deployed in 159 states of the world. Isnt this the real military aggression in an insidious covert form?

Dozens of secret torture prisons in different parts of the world, the destruction of the civilian population under the guise of reprisals against terrorists, the search for nuclear weapons in Iraq, which was never found, and the destruction of up to 200 thousand civilians in this country. We dig a little deeper into history and recall napalms in Vietnam, indiscriminate bombing and war crimes in Syria, Afghanistan, Kosovo.

The United States of America is neither an aggressor country nor a terrorist country. It is the mother of aggression and international terrorism.

And do not forget which country was the only one in the world to use nuclear weapons in war, and not against enemy combat units, but against its civilian population for a psychological effect.

Kadyrov

WtR
27.07.2022 (21:30) Statement of the Joint Coordination Headquarters of the Russian Federation for Humanitarian Response

27.07.2022 (18:00) LPR artillery units launch leaflet shells at AFU positions using Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mounts Each shell contains up to 400 leaflet with instructions for those who have decided to voluntarily refuse resisting and to surrender.

27.07.2022 (15:45) LPR artillery units launch attacks at AFU positions After launching attacks from 152-mm artillery systems at enemy manpower and vehicles, servicemen rapidly and covertly redeploy to new firing positions.

27.07.2022 (12:40) Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine

27.07.2022 (06:45) Russian Defence Ministry to put into operation new residential area in Mariupol by year-end 12 five-storey residential buildings with over 2,500 flats are to be built from scratch.

27.07.2022 (05:30) WMD Smerch MRLS crews launch attack at AFU logistic centre Smerch MRLS battalions are tasked to destroy enemys military infrastructure facilities of critical importance.

WtR
Weather Alert

...Thunderstorms Chances increasing this Week... * Another surge of monsoon moisture will continue thunderstorm chances across the region this week, with the best chances extending through Thursday before diminishing into the weekend. * Most areas will see a 25-45% chance of storms in the afternoon and early evening hours. Nocturnal showers are possible tonight with a few thunderstorm possible overnight Wednesday. * Impacts will range from lightning, new fire starts, and strong outflow winds with blowing dust, to periods of heavy rainfall and flash flooding. * Ensure you have a way of receiving weather alerts. If you live in a flash flood prone area, especially near a burn scar, be ready to act quickly if heavy rainfall occurs.
A judge has ordered a mental competency hearing for accused murderer Troy Driver, whose lawyers requested an evaluation last month.

Driver's lawyers had requested one out of concern that he may not be able to help in his own defense.

As of now, his preliminary hearing is still scheduled for September 13th, which is the first time he'll appear in court in person.

Driver is accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing 18-year-old Naomi Irion back in March.

UPDATE: JULY 28, 2022

Defense lawyers for accused murderer Troy Driver have requested a mental competency evaluation. In a filed motion, "the undersigned counsel believes that good cause exists to refer Mr. Driver for an evaluation to determine whether he is competent." They claim that he may not be able to help in his own defense "with a reasonable degree of rational understanding" as requested by Nevada law.

They further request that any future proceedings be suspended until a decision can be made on whether he is allegedly competent to stand trial.

Also, Driver's lawyers have filed to amend the motion to dismiss his murder charge to include the newly filed sexual assault felony charge.

His lawyers also propose that the Court order a modified briefing schedule to include both of these charges concurrently.

UPDATE: JULY 27, 2022

The Fernley Justice Court reports that Troy Driver has waived his right to an arraignment after the district attorney added a charge of sexual assault against him last week.

2 News has also learned that Driver's attorney has until August 2nd to respond to the DA's opposition to a motion to dismiss the murder charge against him

His preliminary hearing is still set for September 13th, which is the first time he'll appear in court in person.

UPDATE: JUNE 21, 2022

The Lyon County District Attorney is asking the judge to oppose a motion from Troy Driver's attorneys to dismiss the murder charge against him.

Driver is accused of murdering and kidnapping 18-year-old Naomi Irion of Fernley.

Defense lawyers argue that Driver shouldn't be tried in Lyon County since investigators found Irion's body in Churchill County.

In the letter to the judge filed Wednesday, the DA argued that the motion does not provide any factual or legal basis for relief.

The district attorney also asked for a sexual assault charge to be added to the murder and kidnapping charges Driver is already facing.

A preliminary hearing is set for September 13th.

That is also the first time Driver will appear in the courtroom in person.

JULY 5, 2022:

The man suspected of killing Naomi Irion was back in court on Tuesday.

Troy Driver's defense team asked the judge to dismiss his first-degree murder charge.

Driver's attorney says the murder charge should be dropped because the homicide happened in Churchill County arguing that Lyon County doesn't have jurisdiction over that crime.

The prosecution is confident that the case meets the requirements to hold the trial in one venue, including the murder charge.

Driver's evidentiary and preliminary hearings will begin September 13, 2022.

The man accused of kidnapping and killing a woman from Fernley made a quick appearance on Zoom for a status hearing on his case.

The defense asked the pre-trial hearing for Troy Driver to be delayed as they seek more evidence.

The judge agreed to the request and has moved the pre-trial hearing to July 5, 2022.

Troy Driver, accused of killing Naomi Irion, was formally charged with murder and is being held without bail at the Lyon County Jail.

Driver, his defense attorney along with most of the Irion family will be appearing via Zoom.

His arraignment happened Friday, April 8th at a hearing at the Canal Township Justice Court in Fernley. Driver appeared via zoom from Yerington.

The Lyon County District Attorneys Office says Troy Driver fatally shot Naomi Irion before burying her body in the desert, according to an amended criminal complaint.

Lyon County District Attorney Stephen Rye filed the amended criminal complaint Tuesday adding first-degree murder and other crimes to the kidnapping charge already facing 41-year-old Troy Driver.

Driver is accused of kidnapping Irion from the Fernley Walmart parking lot on March 12, and killing her on or before March 25 - the same day Driver was arrested for kidnapping.

Four days later, authorities say investigators acted on a tip and found her body in a grave near the Churchill County line.

Hes now accused of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping, robbery, burglary of a motor vehicle and destroying evidence, according to the new complaint Rye filed Tuesday in Canal Township Justice Court in Fernley.

Drivers public defender, Mario Walther, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The complaint said Driver shot Irion in Churchill County northeast of Fernley, where he took her for the purpose of committing sexual assault and/or purpose of killing her.

The document also alleged that Driver destroyed her cell phone and left pieces in Lyon, Churchill, Pershing, Humboldt and Eureka counties.

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office says Driver shot Irion in the head and chest.

The local community has been rallying around this family since this all started - there are a couple of events this weekend.

Kim Lovett, a Fernley resident says, "For this to happen is a scary thing, that even in our quiet little sleepy town that we have predators out there that would do something like this."

A devastated community that carried hopes of finding Naomi for weeks, and went on countless searches with her family. They said this outcome wasn't one anyone wanted. Some of the resident we spoke with extended their condolences to Naomi's family, and want them to know they are supported. Tisha Leija, another Fernley resident visibly upset told us, "I can't even imagine... the first thing I thought of was poor mom...poor mom...very sad. "

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The man accused of kidnapping Naomi Irion will stay in Lyon County Jail on $750,000 bondable bail.

41-year-old Troy E. Driver was arrested and booked into the jail last Friday. He's officially now charged with first degree kidnapping, a felony.

"Should the defendant post bail, he will not be released from custody until a GPS monitoring device is installed," Judge Lori Matheus, Canal Township Justice Court said.

The judge set Driver's preliminary hearing for April 12 for 1:30pm.

Irion's family attended the court hearing.

"It does look like they're going to be posting bail, from what I understand, so he's the only one who can help us bring Naomi home," Casey Valley, Irion's brother said. "He's the only one that we know about."

If he does get released from jail, Driver will be ordered to stay out of Fernley. He also must not contact Irion's family.

Driver has a criminal history. According to old articles in the Ukiah Daily Journal, he pleaded guilty to accessory to murder after the fact for his role in a 1997 homicide in Willits, California. He was 17 years old at the time of the murder. The article says Driver stuffed the body of an alleged drug dealer, Paul Steven Rodriguez in a trunk and then left it in a wooded area. The article says he pleaded guilty to three charges of robbery and one of burglary. A judge sentenced him to 15 years in prison but the article said he could have been released after serving 12.

"It is upsetting to me that there is people out here in the general public that have these capabilities with this kind of past and people should be more aware of that," Naomi's brother, Casey Valley, said. "We talk about sex offenders all the time but where is the list with this guy?"

Deputies also announced Friday, March 25th that Driver's Chevy truck was impounded and is being processed for possible evidence.

This photo below, shows the truck being taken into evidence. David Ausano took the picture from his porch in Fallon, the night of March 25, 2022.

A second public search was organized for Saturday, March 26th, 2022 by Naomi's brother, Casey Valley.

In a Facebook post, he asked community members to gather at Love's Travel Stop on Commerce Center Drive in Fernley, Saturday at 10am. Valley says, "this will be the first of a few areas of a concentrated search." He also requested no pets or children.

During the search on March 26th, more than 110 people showed up to help find Naomi. Diana Irion says she's been getting massages from all over the country from people who want to help her family.

Casey Valley tells us, "Today's search covered more ground, if not just as much, as last weekends search."

--------------------------------------------------------

On Thursday, March 24th, Lyon County Deputies said they identified a potential witness vehicle and occupant(s) that appears in the Walmart parking lot minutes before Naomi was abducted. They say they've contacted the occupant of the car.

The 4-door sedan enters the east Walmart parking lot at approximately 5:15 a.m. and then drives around the median on the east side before parking at the the southeast corner of the Walmart building.

Police were able to locate the vehicle with help from the public.

Irion was last seen March 12th at the parking lot at the Fernley Walmart. Her car was found a few days later and is undergoing processing for possible evidence.

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office held a press conference on Tuesday, along with Irion's family where again they asked for the public's help in finding her, adding they are getting "hundreds" of tips everyday.

They also mentioned that her car, which was found a few days after her disappearance, is still undergoing processing for any related evidence.

Her family also made another plea for help, with her mother saying, "please save my daughter. Bring her home." Because Irion's possible kidnapping happened near I-80, her mother also said that her daughter could be anywhere in the U.S. by now.

Irion's sister and brother also spoke, mentioning that tips to law enforcement can stay anonymous, if need be. He also said that another search will happen this Saturday.

During the weekend, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office released new surveillance video from the Walmart parking lot where Naomi was reportedly last seen.

The footage shows the suspect standing in front of the Walmart entrance, pacing the east side of the building, before walking toward the front of cars with their headlights on.

Authorities say this footage was recorded minutes before Naomi was abducted.

If you were in the east Walmart parking lot between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. on March 12th, 2022 and have not been contacted by law enforcement, reach out to the Lyon County Sheriffs Office, Major Crimes Bureau.

The Lyon County Sheriffs Office can be reached at 775-463-6620, Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900 or by email at detective@lyon-county.org.

Authorities said a cell phone ping led officers to the Wadsworth area last week.

She was last seen wearing a blue Panasonic company shirt, gray cardigan sweater, gray pants, brown boots and was carrying a black purse. She had an iPhone, Airpods and a fidget spinner.

She is 511 tall, weighs about 230 pounds and has green eyes. Her hair is currently dyed black and she has a septum piercing and smiley face tattoo on her right ankle.

On Thursday, March 17th, Lyon County deputies announced that they were working with the Pyramid Lake Police Department and the FBI near Highway 427 in Wadsworth searching for evidence related to the disappearance of Naomi Irion.

They asked the public to stay away from the area as not to damage any evidence.

Her family made a public plea on Thursday for her safe return.

Authorities also thanked the Fernley community for their help. Her family members said that they are in contact with police about the case's progression.

On Friday, supporters gathered at the Round Table Pizza in Fernley to make signs to post around town in hopes of someone recognizing Irion's photo and calling police with information.

The newest released photos show Irion on the morning she was last seen and also include a person of interest.

The investigation now indicates that the suspect may be driving a dark 2020 or newer Chevrolet, 2500, High Country 4-Door Pickup Truck.

Authorities say the forensic evidence collected by investigators show that her disappearance is 'suspicious' in nature and that the driver of the truck "has a direct connection to her disappearance and her current whereabouts."

Previous video surveillance showed that person walking from a nearby 'homeless camp' looking in cars.

The unknown person then gets into the driver's seat of Irion's Mercury Sable and then leaves with her in the passenger seat.

During the course of the investigation, evidence was discovered leading investigators to believe Naomis disappearance was suspicious in nature.

Her 1992 blue Sable has a Nevada license plate of 595T37 was located in a industrial park in Fernley and has since been searched and forensically analyzed.

The first vehicle photo with the plate is Naomi's actual vehicle. The second vehicle photo is a stock photo and not her actual car.

If you have any information, contact Lyon County Sheriff's Office with case number 22ly01068 at 775-463-6620, or call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.
NAIROBI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government on Thursday sent 19 police officers to Somalia to help enhance stabilization efforts in the country.

Police spokesman Bruno Shioso said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening in Nairobi that the officers will join an ongoing peacekeeping mission under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), aiming at de-escalating violence in the country and ensuring peaceful coexistence by supporting dialogue, training, mentoring, advising, and sharing experiences.

The ATMIS Police component will have 1,040 personnel, including five Formed Police Units (FPUs), and will maintain that number until December 2024, according to the United Nations Security Council Resolution.

Bruno said the police officers are expected to support specialized training, advising and mentorship of the Somali police force including in joint patrols and protection of vital installations.

The officers drawn from various units in the National Police Service will join other security personnel already in Somalia who are fighting al-Qaida allied group al-Shabab, in an effort to ensure stability. 
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ABUJA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 extremist militants were killed in the past two weeks by troops undertaking anti-terror operations in Nigeria's northeast region, the military said here Thursday.

Bernard Onyeuko, a spokesman for the military, told reporters at a news briefing in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, that a total of 2,016 militants and their families surrendered to troops at various locations in the northeast region within the period.

This brings to 55,000 the number of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants and their families who have so far surrendered to troops in Nigeria this year, the military official noted.

Onyeuko said several women and children, including two of the Chibok School girls abducted on April 14, 2014, were rescued by the troops at Aulari, a town in the northern state of Borno, within the period of the military operations.

All rescued civilians and recovered items were handed over to the relevant authorities, while surrendered Boko Haram and ISWAP militants, and their families were profiled and handed over to the appropriate government agencies for further action, he added.

Boko Haram has been collaborating with its sister group, the ISWAP, to establish an Islamist state in northeast Nigeria. The terrorist groups have also extended their attacks to other countries in the Lake Chad Basin. 
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Residents at Jubilee in Los Lunas have a sand problem.

In recent months, they say the fine particles have seeped through windows, piled up in backyards and lodged under roof shingles.

The Los Lunas homeowners are now suing the businesses behind the Sierra Vista development on N.M. 6 west of their community.

The lawsuit, filed in 2nd Judicial District Court in Albuquerque on July 13, alleges that Double M Properties and Sundance Mechanical & Utility Corp. have not done enough to control the construction sites dirt and dust.

Levi Monagle, an Albuquerque attorney with the Hall Monagle Huffman & Wallace law firm representing the residents, said they hope the litigation will prompt a quick fix.

Its pretty stark how large this site is and how barren it is, just completely denuded of any vegetation, he said. Every time the wind blows over 9 miles an hour, dust is getting picked up and moved into this community.

The Sierra Vista development west of Interstate 25 could have as many as 750 homes. About 40 homes have been built.

Some current Sierra Vista residents also joined the lawsuit.

The project team has spent more than $600,000 on dust suppression, said Mike Mechenbier, the farmer, rancher and developer who owns the Sierra Vista companies.

Dust control strategies include water trucks, silt fences and replanting.

The site is close to Facebook and Amazon construction areas.

Its just been so dry that whether youre developing or not, youre going to have dust and dirt, Mechenbier said. But once you get winds like weve had upwards of 50, 60 mph, theres not much you can do.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed a complaint in May against Double M Properties for Clean Water Act violations.

EPA, which based its review on the state Environment Department inspections, said the company could face a $115,000 fine because it did not originally have a permit to clear all the acreage and discharge pollutants from the site.

As much as this is a damages issue to our clients at an individual level, this is also an environmental and health issue, Monagle said.

Double M later amended its permit to cover the entire 200 acres, instead of only 57 acres.

Mechenbier said the permanent solution will be to build more houses on the cleared acreage.

But supply chain issues have delayed building schedules and left much of the site undeveloped.

We do want to be good neighbors, Mechenbier said. I hope we can come to a resolution and get those houses down quickly.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Members of about two dozen advocacy groups asked legislative leaders Wednesday to bar Democratic state Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto from interim committee meetings while sexual harassment allegations against him are pending.

In an open letter, they said Ivey-Soto, as committee member, is in position to influence the outcome of bills brought by lobbyists who have accused him of inappropriate behavior.

Ivey-Soto said Wednesday that he hasnt mistreated anyone during interim committee hearings and is entitled to be treated as innocent until the complaint is resolved.

The open letter comes after lobbyist Marianna Anaya  whose clients include the left-leaning Center for Civic Policy and ProgressNow New Mexico  filed a complaint under the Legislatures anti-harassment policy earlier this year.

She has accused Ivey-Soto of sexual harassment and abusive behavior as she sought support for a voting bill being heard by a committee he led in the 2022 session  allegations Ivey-Soto has vigorously denied.

A coalition of advocacy groups later accused him of a pattern of abusive behavior against women. Ivey-Soto pledged to cooperate with any investigation into the allegations.

The status of Anayas complaint isnt clear. Legislative leaders are empowered to initiate an investigation, but its confidential unless probable cause is found to support the allegations.

Lawmakers have suggested the inquiry is pending. Complaints made between formal legislative sessions are referred to the Interim Legislative Ethics Committee, which can, in turn, assign some of its work to a subcommittee.

Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said the subcommittees work is not yet completed and until it is we must follow the procedures, confidentiality and due process required by policy.

The subcommittee leads this process, not outside counsel or leadership, and they must be afforded the time to gather all the information they need before any decisions or further action related to this matter will be made.

Stewart said she respects the concerns expressed by advocates and would take them into consideration at the appropriate time.

In their letter, members of Common Cause, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Equality New Mexico and others called on Senate leaders to remove Ivey-Soto from interim committees until the complaint is resolved as a matter of fairness.

As a committee member, they said, he has the power to cross examine, embarrass, and even intimidate the very same advocates who have accused him of harassment. He can also influence the outcome of the bills brought by these women.

Ivey-Soto, whose district covers part of the Northeast Heights in Albuquerque, said he hasnt retaliated or mistreated anyone.

In a written statement, he said that if I had acted in any kind of retaliatory or unprofessional manner toward anyone associated with the complaint, then I would understand the request. However, since that has not been the case, I think their request to leadership belies the American standard of innocent until proven otherwise.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Deputies arrested a man accused of shooting at another vehicle  with his 4-year-old son in the back seat  during a gunfight that left his wife dead earlier this month in Southwest Albuquerque.

Izaiah Bolagh, 21, is charged with shooting at or from a motor vehicle, child abuse and tampering with evidence. Bolagh was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Wednesday. It is unclear if he has an attorney.

The incident marked the second time Bolagh has faced such charges in a similar situation, according to court records. Bolagh is awaiting trial in a 2021 case where he allegedly exchanged gunfire with occupants of another vehicle with his son in the car.

The shooting death of his wife, Lesley Bolagh, during the July 17 incident remains an open homicide investigation with no arrests made.

A judge has awarded Lesley Bolaghs mother, Yadira Delgado, temporary custody of the couples child after the family petitioned for custody due to safety concerns, according to court records. The familys petition states Izaiah Bolagh is not in good health and does not have a good support system.

Delgado told the Journal that Lesley Bolagh was very loving and took great care of her son.

She was a mother who dedicated 100% of her time to her son and she wouldnt have liked to leave him at the age of 5, because he is about to turn 5 years, she said in Spanish.

Delgado added that, as a sister and a daughter, Lesley Bolagh was always here.

Even when I used to scold her for misbehaving, she always remained very loving, she always came back to me, she said.

On July 17, Bernalillo County deputies responded around 10:15 p.m. to a shooting at Coal and Dartmouth SE, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Deputies found Izaiah and Lesley Bolagh had both been shot in the head, and their 4-year-old son had minor lacerations to his leg. Lesley Bolagh later died at the hospital.

The couples white Chevy Impala was riddled with bullet holes, and deputies found bullet casings in the car, leading them to believe someone fired from inside, according to the complaint. Izaiah Bolagh told deputies a black car fired at them but couldnt say where exactly.

Deputies said the next day someone at a laundromat near Bridge and Isleta SW called deputies to report that an employee had found a bloodied gun in the parking lot. Video surveillance showed the Impala pull into the parking lot and something being thrown from the car the night of the shooting.

A man came forward and told deputies he saw a white Impala chasing a black car, and the driver of the Impala fired several shots at the black car, according to the complaint. Izaiah Bolagh told deputies he had not had a gun or thrown it out of the car.

According to deputies, a relative of Lesley Bolagh told them Izaiah Bolagh said he was racing another vehicle when the occupants shot at them. Izaiah Bolagh told the relative he shot back and tossed the gun out of the car.

The relative told deputies that, at Lesleys funeral, Izaiah Bolagh asked that he and her mother lie for him because he didnt want to get locked up for a long time, according to the complaint. The relative said Izaiah Bolagh asked them to tell detectives that the gun belonged to Lesley and that she had shot.

Bolagh was involved in a similar, albeit nonfatal, situation last year.

In April 2021, deputies responded around 6:15 p.m. to a crash in the 1200 block of Bonito SW, a few blocks from Arenal and Blake, according to court records. Izaiah Bolagh was holding his son when he told deputies someone shot at them, causing him to crash into a parked car.

Deputies said witnesses told deputies Izaiah Bolagh tried to leave afterward and had a gun on him, which he told them was dirty. Witnesses showed deputies video of Bolagh chasing a black car and deputies found a bullet casing inside of his car.

Lesley Bolagh picked up her son from the scene, and deputies found the pistol in an irrigation ditch near where the crash occurred, according to court records. Izaiah Bolagh told deputies he passed a black car when he heard gunshots and armed himself.

Deputies said Bolagh told them he fired out the window to defend his son from the other shooter. Bolagh told deputies he bought the gun from a friend but refused to give any more information.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

In contrast to previous hearings, the adjective optimistic or sometimes the more tempered cautiously optimistic were a recurring refrain at a federal court hearing on Tuesday regarding the latest developments in the yearslong case reforming the Albuquerque Police Department.

What I will say  from our observations of the DOJ team  is that we see that there are champions of reform within the Albuquerque Police Department. I believe that now there are more folks than there have been in the past , said Paul Killebrew, deputy chief over the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division. We also see that those champions of reform are growing and developing the next generation of leaders at APD. So, those are all promising developments.

But its fragile. We need to make sure that these trends continue, he added.

In recent months, APD has had some wins when it comes to reforms.

Last month, the city reached an agreement with the DOJ to suspend the monitoring of about a quarter of the paragraphs in the Court Approved Settlement Agreement  nicknamed the CASA. Those paragraphs had all been in operational compliance for more than five years.

Mayor Tim Keller announced the development at his State of the City address.

And the latest report by the independent monitor overseeing the effort, released in May, highlighted gains APD made from August 2021 through January 2022. APD has achieved its highest levels of compliance, with 99% secondary compliance  regarding the training of officers  and 70% operational compliance  regarding whether officers are following policies, and being corrected when they dont.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Chief Administrative Officer Lawrence Rael said there is an end in sight to this reform.

We are now beginning to see that the morale in this department is starting to lift, he said. That the work that the department has done from every level of the department  from the chiefs office to the rank-and-file officer in the field  that the reform is taking place and taking hold. Thats really important. Its good for Albuquerque and our community. But its especially important for this department to continue to move forward.

Gentle pressure relentlessly applied

A total of 276 paragraphs in the CASA dictate what reforms APD must make, ranging from how it investigates officers using force to the creation of a Mental Health Response Advisory Committee and a Civilian Police Oversight Agency. An independent monitor and his team evaluate the citys progress in twice-yearly reports and present their findings in court hearings before U.S. District Court Judge James Browning.

In prior reports, monitor James Ginger had been scathing in his assessment of APD  criticizing the quality of use-of-force investigations and what he called a counter CASA attitude among lieutenants and sergeants.

In late 2020 and early 2021, the Internal Affairs Force Division essentially stopped investigating new cases, creating a backlog of 667 cases where, even if an officer was found to have violated policy, discipline was not possible.

In July 2021, the city brought in the External Force Investigation Team (EFIT) to oversee and train Internal Affairs Force Division detectives. Since then, no new cases have been added to the backlog and all cases have been completed within the required deadlines.

EFIT is now also investigating cases in the backlog. Of 20 cases that have been investigated so far, all were found to be within policy, according to EFITs administrator.

All parties at Tuesdays hearing  DOJ attorneys, city administration, the monitoring team and interested community groups  seemed to agree that EFIT was having a beneficial effect on APD.

However, they stressed its a temporary solution and there is some concern for what happens after the contract is completed.

Shortly after the latest report was released, Chief Harold Medina told the Journal that the city has a goal of completing the CASA requirements in two years.

In court, the DOJ attorneys and Ginger agreed that this was possible.

Ginger  saying I hate to throw water on the parade  cautioned that, after the city gets into full compliance, it has to maintain that standing for two years.

That, in my experience, has been when things are the toughest , Ginger said. I know APD has put a great deal of effort into this process, theyve hired a great deal of external talent, which is has made a big difference in this process. But that gentle pressure relentlessly applied is what will carry them over the finish line. And I want everybody to be cognizant of that.

Deadly fire clouds hearing

Hanging over the hearing was the death of 15-year-old Brett Rosenau in a house fire during a SWAT standoff earlier this month. The case occurred after the reporting period, but many of the speakers referenced it and expressed condolences to his family.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but Medina has acknowledged that gas canisters SWAT team members launched into the house may have started it.

While Peter Cubra, an advocate for police reform, said the deadly fire  along with 10 instances this year where APD officers shot at someone, eight where that person was hit  continues to trouble him, the city attorney and the attorney for the union pushed back, saying not all the facts were in yet.

City needs durability and stability

In the spring of 2021, Mayor Keller nominated Medina as chief of police and a department outsider, Sylvester Stanley, as superintendent of police reform  a newly created position that oversees the reform effort, the academy, internal affairs and officer discipline.

Stanley retired at the end of the year and deputy chief Eric Garcia has been filling the position on an interim basis while the city conducts a search. In April, the city announced it had selected a candidate, but, a little over a week later, it rescinded her nomination.

The position is not required in the CASA, but Killebrew stressed that it was important for the city to have durability and stability. Numerous speakers  including the amicii groups and the judge  raised questions about the position.

In response to questions during Wednesdays news conference, Rael said the city is evaluating the structure of the job and could be changing its function to provide more long-term sustainability.

Automatic video downloads

APDs progress on the reform effort has apparently already had a beneficial effect on recruiting and retaining officers.

The department has experienced 23% fewer officer retirements, resignations and terminations so far this year than it had at this time in 2021, according to an APD spokesman. There are now 885 officers on the force, he said.

And Medina told Judge Browning there had been an uptick in applicants from other police departments since the mayor announced a portion of the CASA would be self-monitored.

He also explained the department is experimenting with changes to handling investigations into the lowest levels of force. A pilot program in two area commands has taken such investigations out of the hands of field supervisors and assigned trained investigators so as to not over-tax sworn personnel.

After realizing that a third of all investigations involve officers not turning on their lapel cameras or downloading videos, APD got new technology that automatically starts downloading when an officer is at a city facility.

Self-monitoring

The 62 paragraphs APD will be monitoring itself involve:

 Establishing and participating in the Multi Agency Task Force, which investigates shootings and other critical incidents by law enforcement

 Developing policies, training and ways to track deployments for specialized units, including the SWAT team, canine unit and bomb squad, and specialized investigative units

 Providing behavioral health training for cadets, officers and telecommunicators

 Revising the field training program for new officers

 Publishing information on how people can make complaints to the Civilian Police Oversight Agency

 Developing recruitment plans, an objective system for hiring practices and fair practice for promotions

 Offering officer assistance and support, especially for mental health
KYIV, Ukraine  Russian forces launched a missile attack on the Kyiv area for the first time in weeks Thursday and pounded the northern Chernihiv region as well, in what Ukraine said was revenge for standing up to the Kremlin.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, announced a counteroffensive to take back the occupied Kherson region in the countrys south, territory seized by Russian President Vladimir Putins forces early in the war.

Russia attacked the Kyiv region with six missiles launched from the Black Sea, hitting a military unit in the village of Liutizh on the outskirts of the capital, according to Oleksii Hromov, a senior official with Ukraines General Staff.

He said that the attack ruined one building and damaged two others, and that Ukrainian forces shot down one of the missiles in the town of Bucha.

Fifteen people were wounded in the Russian strikes, five of them civilians, Kyiv regional Gov. Oleksiy Kuleba said.

Kuleba linked the assaults to the Day of Statehood, a commemoration that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instituted last year and Ukraine marked for the time on Thursday.

Russia, with the help of missiles, is mounting revenge for the widespread popular resistance, which the Ukrainians were able to organize precisely because of their statehood, Kuleba told Ukrainian television. Ukraine has already broken Russias plans and will continue to defend itself.

Chernihiv regional Gov. Vyacheslav Chaus reported that the Russians also fired missiles from the territory of Belarus at the village of Honcharivska. The Chernihiv region had not been targeted in weeks.

Russian troops withdrew from the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions months ago after failing to capture either. The renewed strikes come a day after the leader of pro-Kremlin separatists in the east, Denis Pushilin, urged Russian forces to liberate Russian cities founded by the Russian people  Kyiv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lutsk.

Elsewhere around the country, five people were killed and 25 wounded in a Russian rocket attack on the city of Kropvynytskyi, about 250 kilometers (150 miles) southeast of Kyiv, according to the deputy governor of Ukraines Kirovohrad region, Andriy Raikovich. He said the attack hit hangars at an air academy, damaging civilian planes.

Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, also came under a barrage of shelling overnight, according to the mayor. Authorities said a police officer was killed in Russian shelling of a power plant in the Kharkiv region.

The southern city of Mykolaiv was fired on as well, with one person reported injured.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military kept up a counterattack in the Kherson region, knocking out of commission a key bridge over the Dnieper River on Wednesday.

Ukrainian media quoted Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovich as saying the operation to liberate Kherson is underway, with Kyivs forces planning to isolate Russian troops and leave them with three options  retreat, if possible, surrender or be destroyed.

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, said the Russians are concentrating maximum forces in the direction of Kherson, warning: A very large-scale movement of their troops has begun.

The British military said Ukraine has used its new, Western-supplied long-range artillery to damage at least three of the bridges across the Dnieper that Russia relies on to supply its forces.

Ukraines presidential office said Thursday morning that Russian shelling of cities and villages over the past 24 hours killed at least five civilians, all of them in the eastern Donetsk province, and wounded nine.

Fighting in recent weeks has focused on Donetsk province. It has intensified in recent days as Russian forces appeared to emerge from a reported operational pause after capturing neighboring Luhansk province.

Ukrainian emergency authorities said two civilians were killed in a Russian bombardment of the town of Toretsk. A missile struck a residential building there early Thursday morning, destroying two floors, officials said.

Missile terror again. We will not give up.  We will not be intimidated, Donetsk regional Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said on Telegram.

Military analysts believe Russian forces are focusing their efforts on capturing the cities of Bakhmut and Siversk in Donetsk province.

Zelenskyy instituted the Day of Statehood to remind Ukrainians about the countrys history as an independent state. The commemoration honors Prince Vladimir, who made Christianity the official religion of the medieval state of Kyivan Rus more than 1,000 years ago.

You could say that for us, every day is a statehood day, the president said in a Day of Statehood address.

We fight every day so that everyone on the planet can finally understand: We are not a colony or enclave or protectorate, not a province, an eyalet, or a crown land, not a part of foreign empires, not a part of a country, not a federal republic, not an autonomy, not a province, but a free, independent, sovereign, indivisible and independent state, Zelenskyy said.

The Kremlin also lays claim to the heritage of the Kyivan Rus. In 2016, Putin erected a monument to Prince Vladimir near the Kremlin.

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Follow the APs coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
ABUJA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops killed at least 30 gunmen among those who laid an ambush Sunday on the Nigerian Presidential Guards Brigade in a suburb of Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, a military spokesman said Thursday.

Bernard Onyeuko, a spokesman for the Nigerian military, told the media at a news briefing here that the guards' brigade had killed the gunmen while repelling the attack Sunday and during follow-up operations which lasted till Tuesday in the Bwari area of Abuja.

The Presidential Guards Brigade was on a patrol when they were ambushed overnight Sunday, a spokesman for the guards' brigade, Godfrey Abakpa, told Xinhua via telephone earlier Tuesday, saying a few military men were also wounded in action while responding to the ambush along a road in the Bwari area.

On Wednesday, military sources told Xinhua that two officers were gunned down by the attackers who later fled the scene, while another died at a hospital Tuesday while being treated for a gunshot injury.

Onyeuko added the troops had successfully cleared Kawu and Ido villages in the Bwari area during mop-up operations, destroying the gunmen's hideouts.

The Presidential Guards Brigade, an elite brigade of the army, is responsible for the protection of the Nigerian president and his guests, guarding the president's residence, as well as performing ceremonial duties. It is also responsible for providing security in the capital city. 
Employees at a Trader Joes supermarket in Massachusetts on Thursday became the latest workers at a major company to approve a labor union.

The store in Hadley, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Boston, is the first Trader Joes with an employees union, although workers at two other company locations have initiated unionization efforts.

The union vote, counted by National Labor Relations Board agents in front of witnesses from management and employees, passed 45-31 with one void. Eighty-one store workers  called crew members or merchants in company lingo  were eligible to vote.

The union, Trader Joes United, said in a Twitter post We won!

This victory is historic, but not a surprise, the tweet said. Since the moment we announced our campaign, a majority of the crew have enthusiastically supported our union, and despite the companys best efforts to bust us, our majority has never wavered.

The company has seven days to file an objection. A company spokesperson did not indicate whether there would be one. The company already has among the best package of pay, benefits, and working conditions in the grocery store business, the spokesperson said.

We are prepared to immediately begin discussions with union representatives for the employees at this store to negotiate a contract, the statement from Nakia Rohde said. We are willing to use any current union contract for a multi-state grocery company with stores in the area, selected by the union representatives, as a template to negotiate a new structure for the employees in this store; including pay, retirement, healthcare, and working conditions such as scheduling and job flexibility.

Organizers at the store launched the effort in May in an open letter to company CEO Dan Bane citing concerns about pay, benefits and safety.

Now that the union has been approved, the next step is putting together a negotiating committee to hammer out a contract with the California-based company, which has about 530 stores nationwide.

We must embrace this challenge head on, together, and negotiate a contract that reflects the values Trader Joes has long claimed to espouse, the union said in its tweet.

Trader Joes United is an independent union and not affiliated with a larger existing union, although organizers have received administrative and legal help from established unions, 18-year Trader Joes employee Maeg Yosef said.

Workers from at least two other Trader Joes locations have initiated unionization efforts. Employees at a Minneapolis location have a union vote scheduled for Aug. 11 and 12, while the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 on Tuesday filed a union election petition with the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of crew members at a Boulder, Colorado store.

The Trader Joes workers are part of a nationwide wave of employees at major companies who have or are attempting to unionize in an effort to secure a bigger say in their work conditions and compensation.

Workers at multiple Starbucks coffee shop locations across the country, as well as employees at Amazon, Apple and REI are among those who have joined unions in the past year.

During the first nine months of the 2022 fiscal year, from Oct. 1 until June 30, union representation petitions filed at the National Labor Relations Board have increased 58% compared to the first three quarters of the previous fiscal year, the agency said this month.

Before the vote took place, Trader Joes management engaged in what Yosef called classic union-busting tactics, including hiring a law firm specializing in fighting unionization to try and talk employees out of approving a union.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that Trader Joes has about 530 stores, not about 550.
In his extensive papal travels, Pope Francis has never journeyed farther north than Iqaluit, capital city of the Inuit-governed territory of Nunavut. On Friday, it will be the final stop of his somber six-day visit to Canada.

It is a distinctive destination  home to about 7,500 people but not a single traffic light, with no road or rail links to the outside world. Its lone Catholic church serves parishioners from at least five continents; more than 100 of them routinely fill the pews each Sunday.

Iqaluit has welcomed world leaders before. Queen Elizabeth, for example, visited for about two and a half hours in 2002, three years after Nunavut was carved out of the eastern portion of the Northwest Territories to become a territory of its own.

The popes similarly brief stopover, in contrast, is not intended to be celebratory. Hell be finishing up a Canadian visit focused on in-person apologies for the abuse and disrespect inflicted on many thousands of Indigenous Canadians  including Inuit youths  who attended Catholic-run boarding schools from the late 1800s to the 1970s.

Given the visits purpose, there are mixed feelings about it in Iqaluit, among Inuit leaders and also on the part of the Rev. Daniel Perreault, who oversees the parish of Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church.

He said only a handful of his parishioners are Inuit. Most of the others hail from Africa, South America, Asia and other faraway places, have no links to the past problems of the boarding schools and would like to welcome Pope Francis joyously on Friday, Perreault said.

But the regions Inuit organizations want the visit to be focused on their own community, said the priest. They do not want it being an occasion of a Catholic feast.

Iqaluits deputy mayor, Solomon Awa, said the Inuit community  which comprises more than half of the citys population  abounds with swirling emotions. There is gratitude that an apology is forthcoming, and frustration that it took so long to come about.

It will be very exciting for the people, Awa said. I hope that this will get us moving forward to lift ourselves as Inuit, to the point where we say, Yes, we had many downsides in the past but we must move on.'

Unlike two of his brothers, Awa was spared from attending a boarding school  his father insisted on keeping him at home as a helping hand.

There are people still with broken hearts who went to residential schools some of them still hold grudges with what happened, Awa said. They are happy that the pope is coming, finally, to say sorry for what happened.

Iqaluit is by far the largest municipality in Nunavut, a vast territory straddling the Arctic Circle. It is roughly the size of Alaska and California combined, with a mostly Inuit population of about 40,000.

For much of the year, the weather can be severe. In February 2010, Iqaluit hosted a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven nations; several of the dignitaries went dog-sledding in sub-zero temperatures.

Pope Francis, however, is expected to encounter cloudy skies and mild temperatures  about 57 F or 14 C.

My gosh, he picked the softest kind of a moment to go, teased David Phillips, senior climatologist for Environment Canada. Until he feels what its like in February, its no badge of courage.

The mild forecast reflects some serious concerns about the far-north climate. According to Canadian government data, average temperatures in Nunavut have increased far more sharply than in Canada as whole over recent decades.

Francis, in a speech in Quebec City on Wednesday, cited climate change as among the great challenges of our day. He is expected to pose for a photo in Iqaluit related to nature and climate change, but the issue is not the focus of this particular visit.

Climate change is obviously something that is very important to us, but I really hope the attention doesnt get away from the students who are eagerly awaiting the apology, said Nunavuts premier, P.J. Akeeagok.

Akeeagok is pleased and grateful that Iqaluit was chosen as one of the three main stops on the popes itinerary.

When people from around the world think of the north, they often think its vast, white and barren, when its totally opposite, he told The Associated Press. We have so much life, in terms of the resiliency of the people We have incredible opportunities both culturally and economically.

Along with opportunities, Iqaluit has its share of problems. Last fall, government officials declared a state of emergency after water in the capital was deemed undrinkable and potentially tainted with petroleum. They issued a do-not-consume order, and potable water was flown in by plane.

In May, the city issued an advisory warning that some local youths were throwing rocks at taxis  the main source of public transportation in Iqaluit.

As for the papal visit, community preparations have been low-key. The city says the main street will be closed to regular traffic for five hours on Friday, and in the run-up to the visit volunteers were invited to join in a clean-up of the downtown area.

Perreault, the Catholic priest, said his parishioners have been pitching in, offering to provide food and lodging to priests and other Catholic personnel traveling to Iqaluit from afar for the popes visit.

Life is not always exciting here, Perreault said. But people here are happy and enjoy being in a community, sharing and praying together. Its a very nice, joyful community.

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Gillies reported from Toronto, where he is APs bureau chief. Crary, who reported from New York, is a former Toronto bureau chief who covered the creation of Nunavut in 1999.

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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.
BEIJING  Beijing grumbled but swallowed its irritation in 1997 when then-Speaker Newt Gingrich of the U.S. House of Representatives visited Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by the mainlands ruling Communist Party as its own territory.

China had other priorities. President Jiang Zemins government was preparing to celebrate Hong Kongs return and wanted to lock in Beijings emergence from diplomatic isolation after its 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square. Gingrich, a booster of closer U.S.-Chinese ties, had just helped that campaign by meeting Jiang in Beijing. China avoided a disruptive clash with Washington.

A quarter-century later, conditions have changed drastically. Chinese President Xi Jinpings government is richer, more heavily armed and less willing to compromise over Taiwan following news reports the current speaker, Nancy Pelosi, might become the most senior U.S. official since Gingrich to visit the island.

Beijing sees any official contact with Taiwan as recognition of its democratically elected government, which the mainland says has no right to conduct foreign relations.

The timing adds to political pressure. Xi is widely expected to try to award himself a third five-year term as party leader at a meeting in the autumn. That could be undercut if rivals can accuse Xi of failing to be tough enough in the face of what they consider American provocation.

Pelosi has yet to confirm whether she might visit, but Beijing is warning of forceful measures including military action if she does.

The United States must not arrange for Pelosi to visit Taiwan, a Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesman, Tan Kefei, said Tuesday.

If the United States goes ahead with this, the Chinese military will never watch and do nothing, Tan said. It will take strong measures to thwart any external interference and separatist plans for Taiwan independence and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Tan referred to Pelosi as No. 3 in the U.S. government, after her place in the line of succession to become president. That suggests Beijing sees her as President Joe Bidens subordinate, instead of his equal as head of one of three independent branches of the government.

Biden told reporters the American military thinks a visit is not a good idea right now. But, possibly in deference to her position, the president hasnt said Pelosi shouldnt go. U.S. officials told The Associated Press that if Pelosi goes, the American military would likely use fighter jets, ships and other forces to provide protection for her flight.

Chinese rhetoric about that is quite disturbing, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. If were asked, well do what is necessary in order to ensure a safe visit.

U.S. officials have said the administration doubts China would take direct action against Pelosi herself or try to sabotage the visit. But they dont rule out the possibility that China could escalate provocative flights of military aircraft in or near Taiwanese airspace and naval patrols in the Taiwan Strait should the trip take place. And they dont preclude Chinese actions elsewhere in the region as a show of strength.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war that ended with a communist victory on the mainland. Both governments say they are one country but disagree about which is the national leader. The two sides have no official relations but are connected by billions of dollars of trade and investment.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but has extensive commercial and unofficial ties with the island. U.S. law obligates Washington to make sure Taiwan has the means to defend itself.

Beijing hasnt hesitated to try to intimidate Taiwan with shows of force.

The ruling partys military, the Peoples Liberation Army, fired missiles into the sea near Taiwan to drive voters away from then-President Lee Teng-hui in the islands first direct presidential election in early 1996. That backfired by allowing Lee to talk tough about standing up to Beijing in front of cheering supporters. He was elected with 54% of the vote in a four-way race.

The U.S. responded by dispatching two aircraft carrier battle groups to the area, a move that forced China to acknowledge it couldnt stop Washington from coming to Taiwans aid, which helped propel Beijings massive military upgrading in the years since.

The following year, Gingrich led a delegation of American lawmakers to Taiwan following a three-day visit to the mainland. That followed a visit to Beijing the previous week by Vice President Al Gore.

Previously one of Beijings fiercest critics in Washington on human rights and Taiwan, Gingrich praised Chinas economic development. He talked sympathetically about the challenges Beijing would face running Hong Kong after 150 years of British rule. He said Congress supported Chinas claim to Taiwan so long as unification was peaceful. He expressed hope the two sides might evolve to become one state.

Gingrich said he told Chinese leaders that we will defend Taiwan but said they responded that Beijing had no intention of attacking.

After Gingrichs comments, Chinas foreign ministry said it was confused about U.S. policy. What the U.S. government and the leaders of some government branches say and what they promised are not the same, a ministry spokesman, Shen Guofang, said at the time.

In the quarter-century since then, Beijings stance toward Taiwan has hardened and its military resources have grown. And the mainland has warned it will invade if talks on uniting the two sides fail to make progress.

China passed Germany and Japan to become the second-largest economy behind the United States. Its military spending also is No. 2 after Washington at $293 billion in 2021 following a 27-year string of increases, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The political landscape also has been changed by the rise of Xi, who has amassed more power over the past decade than any Chinese leader since at least the 1980s and wants to be seen as restoring the country to its historic greatness. That includes being more assertive abroad and stepping up pressure on Taiwan.

The ruling party has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to develop fighter planes, submarines, an aircraft carrier and other high-tech weapons. It is working on carrier killer missiles that are believed to be meant to block the U.S. Navy from defending Taiwan in the event of an attack. The PLA sends growing numbers of fighters and bombers to fly near Taiwan.

Beijings bigger economy and global role also give it more diplomatic tools to show its anger to Washington. The Biden administration wants Chinese cooperation on climate, fighting the coronavirus and other global challenges, all of which Beijing could disrupt.

Washington and Beijing already are mired in conflicts over trade, Hong Kong, Beijings treatment of Muslim minorities and Chinese claims to large sections of the South China and East China Seas.

Pelosi is hardly new to irking Beijing. As a rookie member of Congress in 1991, she unfurled a black-and-white banner on Tiananmen Square that said, To those who died for democracy. This came two years after the bloody crackdown in which hundreds, perhaps thousands were killed. Diplomatic protocol prevented Chinese police from detaining Pelosi.

A visit to Taiwan could cause long-term harm to U.S.-Chinese relations, said Liu Jiangyong, an international relations specialist at Tsinghua University.

Allowing a visit to go ahead will affect the credibility of recent promises the Biden administration has made, Liu said. Dialogue between Biden and Xi about other issues may all be seriously affected.

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AP researcher Yu Bing in Beijing and AP Writers David Rising in Bangkok and Lolita C. Baldor in Sydney contributed.
ISLAMABAD  An Australian and a Canadian mountain climber died last week in northern Pakistan while attempting to scale K2, the worlds second-highest mountain, officials from the two countries said Thursday.

The death of Matthew Eakin was announced by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which expressed its condolences to his family and friends. His body was found through drone video on Thursday.

Canadas foreign affairs department said in a statement that it was aware of the death of a Canadian in Pakistan. It provided no further details, citing privacy reasons and only saying that officials were providing consular assistance to the family.

Earlier, a Pakistani mountaineering official and the Canadian Press said the body of Richard Cartier, who went missing in a separate incident on the same mountain on July 19, had finally also been spotted by a search team on K2. Cartier was 60 and an experienced climber.

K2, on the Chinese-Pakistani border in the Karakorum Range, has one of the deadliest records, with most climbers dying on the descent, where the slightest mistake can trigger an avalanche and become fatal. Only a few hundred have successfully reached its summit. In contrast, Mount Everest, the worlds highest mountain, has been summited more than 9,000 times.

Eakins devastated friends posted tributes on social media to honor him, saying his death was a huge loss to the mountaineering community. One friend, Felicity Symons, said about their 23 years of friendship: I will always see your smile in the clouds. Rest easy my dear friend on the mountains you loved.

Karrar Haidri, the deputy chief of the Pakistan Alpine Club, which coordinates search and rescue missions with Pakistans government and military, confirmed the deaths of Eakin and Cartier.

We extend our condolences to the friends and family members of the Australian and Canadian climbers who died on K2, Haidri told The Associated Press.

Also last week, a third climber, Ali Akbar Sakki from Afghanistan, died on K2. Sakki suffered a heart attack while trying to scale the summit, Haidri said.

The Canadian Embassy in Islamabad did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Dawn, one of Pakistans English-language newspapers, reported earlier this week that the two climbers had been spotted between Camp 1 and Camp 2 on K2 after they both went missing on July 19 in separate incidents.

K2 is also among the coldest and windiest of climbs. At places along the route, climbers must navigate nearly sheer rock faces rising 80 degrees, while avoiding frequent and unpredictable avalanches.

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Associated Press writer Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed for this report.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  A man accused of raping and impregnating a 9-year-old Ohio girl who traveled to Indiana for an abortion was ordered held without bond Thursday by a judge who cited overwhelming evidence and the fact that he apparently is living in the U.S. illegally.

Gerson Fuentes, 27, faces two counts of raping the girl, who turned 10 before having the abortion in a case that has become a flashpoint in the national discussion about access to the procedure since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. He has pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, Fuentes, who is from Guatemala, faces the possibility of life in prison with no chance of parole. That penalty and not having any ties to this community that can be proved legally makes it a substantial flight risk, Franklin County Judge Julie Lynch said after a 35-minute hearing.

The girl confirmed that Fuentes attacked her, Fuentes confessed to Columbus police detectives, and DNA testing of the aborted fetus confirmed Fuentes was the father, Franklin County Prosecutor Dan Meyer and detective Jeffrey Huhn said in court Thursday.

Huhn said he was unable, when searching multiple databases, to find any evidence that Fuentes was in the country legally.

In denying bond, Lynch cited that evidence, the violence of the crime and the fact that Fuentes had been living in the same home with the girl and her mother.

To allow him to return to that home, the traumatic and psychological impact would be undeserving to an alleged victim, Lynch said. She also cited the physical, and mental and emotional trauma the girl suffered from enduring the rapes and the abortion, and finding her case at the center of the countrys abortion debate.

The case gained national attention after an Indianapolis physician, Dr. Caitlin Bernard, said the child had to travel to Indiana due to Ohio banning abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.

President Joe Biden cited the case when he signed an order July 8 trying to protect abortion access. Some conservatives and prominent Republicans, including Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, cast doubt on the story initially, then condemned the attack after Fuentes was arrested.

Fuentes attorney, Bryan Bowen, argued against a no-bond hearing and unsuccessfully asked Lynch to set a reasonable bond. He said there was no evidence that there was physical abuse outside of the rapes or that the girl had been put under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He also said that Fuentes had family ties in Columbus, that he had a job, and that there was no evidence of a criminal history. Fuentes has lived in the area about seven years.

Weve heard evidence about the nature of the offense, but we have not heard any evidence presented about any danger that Mr. Fuentes would pose to any particular person or to the community, he said. He declined to comment after Lynchs ruling.

Dan Meyer, an assistant Franklin County prosecutor, said Thursday that Fuentes was providing for the girls family, including her mother.

Columbus police learned about the girls pregnancy after her mother alerted Franklin County Children Services on June 22. Huhn said Fuentes confessed to raping the girl, who turned 10 on May 28, on two occasions.

The girl saw a Columbus-area doctor in late June with a plan to have an abortion locally, but that wasnt possible due to the gestational age, determined to be six weeks and four days, Huhn testified.

Ohios heartbeat abortion ban includes an exception only for an emergency that is life-threatening or involving a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.

Indianas Republican Senate leaders proposed a bill this month that would prohibit abortions from the time an egg is implanted in a uterus, with exceptions in cases of rape and incest and to protect the life of the mother. The proposal followed the controversy over the Ohio girls abortion in Indiana.
ST-ANNE-DE-BEAUPRE, Quebec  Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Thursday at Canadas national shrine and came face-to-face with a long-standing demand from Indigenous peoples: to rescind the papal decrees underpinning the so-called Doctrine of Discovery and repudiate the theories that legitimized the colonial-era seizure of Native lands and form the basis of some property law today.

Right before Mass began, two Indigenous women unfurled a banner at the altar of the National Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre that read: Rescind the Doctrine in bright red and black letters. The protesters were escorted away and the Mass proceeded without incident, though the women later marched the banner out of the basilica and draped it on the railing.

The brief protest underscored one of the issues facing the Holy See following Francis historic apology for the Catholic Churchs involvement in Canadas notorious residential schools, where generations of Indigenous peoples were forcibly removed from their families and cultures to assimilate them into Christian, Canadian society. Francis has spent the week in Canada seeking to atone for the legacy and on Thursday added in another request for forgiveness from victims for the evil of clergy sexual abuse.

Beyond the apology, Indigenous peoples have called on Francis to formally rescind the 15th century papal bulls, or decrees, that provided the Portuguese and Spanish kingdoms the religious backing to expand their territories in Africa and the Americas for the sake of spreading Christianity. Those decrees underpin the Doctrine of Discovery, a legal concept coined in a 1823 U.S. Supreme Court decision that has come to be understood as meaning that ownership and sovereignty over land passed to Europeans because they discovered it. It was cited as recently as a 2005 Supreme Court decision involving the Oneida Indian Nation.

These colonizing nation states, in particular Canada and the United States, have utilized this doctrine as the basis for their title to land, which ultimately really means the dispossession of land of Indigenous peoples, said Michelle Schenandoah, a member of the Oneida Nation Wolf Clan. She was in Quebec City with a delegation from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to raise the issue with church leaders.

Its been a long genocide over 500 years, and it still is valid law to this day, she said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited the need for the Holy See to address the Doctrine of Discovery, as well as other issues including the return of Indigenous artifacts in the Vatican Museums, in his private talks with Francis on Wednesday, Trudeaus office said.

Several Christian denominations in recent years have formally repudiated the doctrine. The Canadian bishops did so in 2016 and the umbrella organization of U.S. female Catholic religious orders, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, formally asked Francis to do so in 2014 saying he should repudiate the period of Christian history that used religion to justify political and personal violence against Indigenous nations and peoples and their cultural, religious, and territorial identities.

Murray Sinclair, the First Nations chairman of Canadas Truth and Reconciliation Commission, cited the doctrine in a statement this week welcoming Francis apology but calling on him to take responsibility for the full role of the church in the Canadian residential school system.

Driven by the Doctrine of Discovery and other church beliefs and doctrines, Catholic leaders not only enabled the government of Canada, but pushed it even further in its work to commit cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples, Sinclair said.

Church officials have insisted those papal decrees have long since been rescinded or superseded by other ones fully recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples to live on their lands, and say the original bulls have no legal or moral bearing today. During the trip, Francis has reasserted repeatedly those rights and rejected the policies of assimilation that drove the residential school system.

But both the Vatican and Canadian trip organizers have confirmed that a new church statement is being prepared to address demands for a current, formal repudiation, though it is not expected to be released during Francis visit.

We understand the desire to name these texts, acknowledge their impact and renounce the concepts associated with them, Neil MacCarthy, in charge of communications for the papal visit, told The Associated Press in an email.

Asked about the protest Thursday, MacCarthy said: We recognize that there are very passionate feelings about a number of issues including the Doctrine of Discovery. The brief peaceful protest did not disrupt the service and the group had a chance to express their concerns.

The Vatican clearly anticipated that the issue would arise during the trip. In an essay in the current issue of the Vatican-vetted Jesuit journal La Civilta Cattolica, the Rev. Federico Lombardi acknowledged that the issue remains an important one for Indigenous peoples, but stressed that the Holy Sees position in repudiating the discovery doctrine is clear.

Lombardi, the retired Vatican spokesman, cited the subsequent 1538 bull Sublimis Deus that asserted that Indigenous peoples cannot be deprived of their freedom or possession of their property nor should they be in any way enslaved.

But Philip Arnold, chair of the department of religion at Syracuse University in New York, which sits on Onondaga Nation territory, said the 1538 bull was effectively a ruse since it didnt call for European colonial powers to give back the land they had already claimed, but rather elaborated the freedom that comes with submission to the Catholic Church and that sponsoring monarch.

The Vaticans role in justifying the Doctrine of Christian Discovery in the 15th century is the origin story of transatlantic slave trade, land theft, and a settler-colonial extractive economies throughout Africa and the Americas, he said.

Felix Hoehn, a property and administrative law professor at the University of Saskatchewan, said any repudiation of papal bulls or doctrines would have no legal bearing on land claims today, but would have symbolic value.

The Vatican doesnt make Canadian law. Courts arent bound by papal bulls or anything of that notion but it would be symbolic, Hoehn said. It would add moral pressure.

___

Winfield reported from Quebec City.

___

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.
CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Josue Macias of Las Cruces caught a 17-inch, 2.5-pound largemouth bass at Alumni Pond using a purple plastic worm July 22.

At Bluewater Lake, Sally Lopez of Las Vegas caught and released a 36-inch tiger muskie using a hot dog July 20.  Anthony and Elizabeth Pacheco of Grants caught 11 tiger muskie, ranging in size from 35-42 inches, using cut bait and crankbaits July 16-17.

At Cochiti Lake, Darrell Smith, 14, of Church Rock caught a 31-inch, 3-pound catfish using a hot dog July 22.  Nate Gallegos of Santa Fe caught a 14-inch smallmouth bass using a white spinner July 22.

Ethan Rudd, 6, of Silver City caught an 18-inch catfish on the Gila River using a worm near the Gila River headwaters July 14.

Al Maldonado, 87, of Quemado caught a 13-inch rainbow trout at Quemado Lake using worms July 15.

Rachel Pineda, from Alexander, Arkansas, caught a 24-inch brown trout and her husband John caught a 22-inch rainbow trout on the San Juan River using a DK special fly and a red larva fly July 19.

At the Seven Springs Brood Pond, Jovette N. Phillips, 4, of Phelan, California, caught a 14.5-inch rainbow trout using green garlic PowerBait July 19.  Luke Chavez, 8, of Albuquerque caught a 17-inch rainbow trout using chartreuse PowerBait on July 16.

Nathan Randall of Albuquerque caught and released a 36-inch pike at Springer Lake using a chatterbait with a Roboworm trailer July 20.

If you have a catch of the week story, send it to funfishingnm@gmail.com.

NOTES from GAME & FISH

Fishing for trout at Cabresto Lake was good using gold Mepps spinners.

Fishing for trout at Charette Lakes was good using salmon eggs, worms and PowerBait.

Cimarron River had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for catfish at Clayton Lake was fair to good using chicken liver and homemade dough baits.

Fishing for walleye at Conchas Lake was good using 3-inch Lunker Grubs tipped with worm.

At Costilla Creek, the department is implementing the final phase of a project to expand Rio Grande cutthroat trout in 120 miles of the Costilla watershed in northern New Mexico. The final phase involves the removal of fish within a designated area (Rio Costilla from Costilla Dam downstream to the Valle Vidal Boundary, including all tributaries and Comanche Creek from the road culvert crossing on Forest Road 1950 downstream to its confluence with Rio Costilla and all tributaries). Tentative stocking of Rio Grande cutthroat trout is set for spring 2023. Places to fish nearby include Costilla Creek below the fish barrier, Upper Comanche Creek, Shuree Ponds, Upper Powderhouse Creek, Little Costilla Creek, Vidal Creek and McCrystal Creek. National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at 505-758-6200 for the latest closure information.

National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access including Cowles Ponds. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest closure information.

Coyote Creek had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for rainbow trout at Eagle Nest Lake was good trolling with skirt lures or using nightcrawler worms and rainbow PowerBait; for pike was fair to good using rainbow trout-pattern Rapala lures.

Fishing for trout at Eagle Rock Lake was fair to good using orange PowerBait.

National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access including Gallinas River. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest closure information.

Fishing for trout at Hopewell Lake was good using various flies. National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at 505-758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Lake Alice had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Lake Maloya was good using salmon eggs, and pink and green PowerBait.

National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access including Los Pinos River. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at 505-758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Maxwell Lake 13 had no reports from anglers this week.

Monastery Lake is currently closed due to wildfire rehabilitation efforts and is set to reopen on Aug. 1. For more information, visit the Open Gate webpage.

Morphy Lake State Park closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit Morphy Lake State Parks webpage or call 575-387-2328 for the latest closure information.

Fishing for trout on the Pecos River was good using worms. National forest and state park closures are in place restricting fishing access to much of the Pecos River. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest forest closure information. Visit Pecos Canyon State Parks webpage or call 505-670-8196 for the latest park closure information.

Streamflow on the Red River below the Red River Hatchery on Monday morning was 64.3 cfs. Fishing for trout was good using salmon eggs.

Fishing for trout on the Rio Grande was good using worms and black and gold Panther Martin spinners near Pilar.

National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access including the Rio Hondo. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at 505-758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Streamflow on the Rio Mora near Terrero on Monday morning was 76.6 cfs. National forest and state park closures have been in place restricting fishing access to the Rio Mora. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest forest closure information. Visit Pecos Canyon State Parks webpage or call 505-670-8196 for the latest park closure information.

Streamflow on the Rio Pueblo near Pe n asco on Monday morning was 69 cfs. National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at 505-758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Fishing for trout at Santa Cruz Reservoir was fair using green PowerBait.

Fishing for trout at Shuree Ponds was good using dry flies.

Fishing for pike at Springer Lake was good using chatterbaits with plastic Roboworm trailers; for catfish was fair to good using nightcrawler worms.

Fishing for trout at Storrie Lake was good using pink and orange PowerBait; for crappie was fair to good using gold Panther Martin spinners.

Stubblefield Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for walleye at Ute Lake was fair to good using Wally Diver lures, Flicker Shad lures and trolling lures in 15-20 feet of water near brush lines; for white bass was fair using Flicker shad lures and Model A Bombers; for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was good using drop shot rigs, Whopper Plopper lures, walking baits and Pop Rs in 10-16 feet of water; for crappie was slow to fair using live minnows at night under artificial lights at night near brush; for catfish was good using punch bait, cut bait and chicken liver; for bluegill was good using nightcrawler worms. The main lake water surface temperature was in the upper 70s and the water was clear.

Northwest fishing report

Fishing for walleye at Abiquiu Lake was fair using nightcrawler worms and crankbaits; for catfish was fair to good using shrimp.

Animas River had no reports from anglers this week.

Albuquerque Area Drains had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for tiger muskie at Bluewater Lake was good using cut bait, crankbaits, Whopper Plopper lures and hot dogs.

Fishing for trout at Brazos River was good using worms.

Fishing for trout at Canjilon Lakes was good using rainbow PowerBait and orange PowerBait. National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at 505-758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Fishing for trout on the Chama River below El Vado Lake was fair using worms and PowerBait. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu upstream 7 miles to the base of Abiquiu Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of two trout only.

Fishing for pike at Cochiti Lake was fair to good using spinnerbaits and crankbaits; for white bass was fair to good using white spinners. Fishing for catfish was good using hot dogs.

El Vado Lake can be accessed at Hargroves Day Use Area off State Road 322 and the main park area off State Road 112. The Rio Chama can be accessed at the North El Vado Day Use Area on State Road 95, 10 miles west of U.S. Highway 84. Lake levels are steady but expected to drop as crews work on El Vado Dam. The Dam Day Use Area is closed due to the ongoing construction. State Road 112 over the dam will experience periodic closures. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Parks webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fishing for trout at Fenton Lake was very good using beadhead prince nymph flies and Thomas spoons.

Grants Riverwalk Pond has dried up due to pump failure. The city is planning to repair the pumps but is taking this opportunity to dredge the pond. They expect the pond to be offline for at least two to three months. Fish stocking will be discontinued until all work is done.

Heron Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

At the Jemez Waters, fishing for trout was good using worms and grasshopper dry flies. National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest closure information.

Fishing for trout at Laguna del Campo was good using PowerBait and Pistol Pete spinner flies.

National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access including Lagunitas Lakes. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at 505-758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Lake Farmington had no reports from anglers this week.

Stocking efforts have been suspended at McGaffey Lake due to extremely low water levels and unstable ground conditions. Lake conditions will be monitored and stocking will resume once conditions improve.

Fishing for pike at Navajo Lake was fair to good using 4-inch green grubs and swimbaits. Fishing for smallmouth bass was good using plastic worms and Ned rigs in 20 feet of water. Fishing for trout was slow to fair using spinners. Fishing for kokanee salmon was fair to good using orange and pink spinners tipped with corn.

Fishing for catfish on the Rio Grande near Albuquerque was fair to good using chicken liver and cut bait.

Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1) had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at San Gregorio Lake was fair to good using PowerBait. National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest closure information.

Fishing for trout on the San Juan River in the quality waters was fair to good using size-22 green larva flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was good using worms and PowerBait.

Fishing for trout at Seven Springs Brood Pond was good using garlic chartreuse PowerBait and green garlic PowerBait.

Tiger Park Reservoir had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for catfish at Tingley Beach was slow using cut bait.

Fishing for trout at Trout Lakes was good using chartreuse PowerBait and flies. National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at 505-758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Southwest fishing report

Fishing for bass at Alumni Pond was fair using blue and gold Blue Fox spinners and purple plastic worms. Fishing for catfish was slow.

Bear Canyon Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for bass at Bill Evans Lake was fair using worms and crankbaits. Fishing for trout was slow. Fishing for bluegill was good using red wiggler worms.

Fishing for crappie at Caballo Lake was good using white grubs and live minnows; for walleye was good using yellow and red Panther Martin spinners; for white bass was fair to good using crankbaits and yellow and red Panther Martin spinners.

Fishing for catfish at Elephant Butte Lake was good using cut carp bait; for largemouth and smallmouth bass was fair to good using white Ned rigs; for white bass was good using live minnows; for crappie was fair to good using green grubs and live minnows; for walleye was fair bottom bouncing nightcrawler worms.

Fishing for catfish at Escondida Lake was fair to good using shrimp and chicken liver.

Fishing for catfish on the Gila River was good using worms.

Glenwood Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Lake Roberts was slow using streamers and black Woolly Bugger flies; for catfish was good using worms and chicken liver.

Fishing for catfish at Percha Dam was fair using chicken liver.

Fishing for trout at Quemado Lake was good using worms and light-colored dry flies.

Rancho Grande Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for catfish on the Rio Grande was fair to good using cut bait and homemade dough bait.

Snow Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for bass at Trees Lake was slow; for catfish was good using chicken liver and stink bait; for bluegill was good using live worms and flies.

Fishing for catfish at Young Pond was slow.

Southeast fishing report

Fishing for catfish at Alto Lake was fair to good using PowerBait and garlic-scented nightcrawler worms.

Fishing for catfish at Bataan Lake was fair using chicken liver.

Berrendo Creek had no reports from anglers this week. Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.

Black River had no reports from anglers this week.

Blue Hole Park Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Bonito Lake is closed until further notice by the city of Alamogordo due to fire damage. It appears that the lake will be out of commission until later this year.

Bosque Redondo Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Bottomless Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for gar at Brantley Lake was fair using cut bait; for largemouth bass was fair using live worms and wacky-rigged Senko worms; for catfish was fair to good using cut bait and nightcrawler worms.

Fishing for catfish at Carlsbad Municipal Lake was fair to good using shrimp.

Chaparral Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Corona Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for bass at Eunice Lake was good using dark-blue, soft-plastic Texas rigged worms; for catfish was slow using worms.

Fishing for catfish at Green Meadow Lake was good using worms.

Fishing for catfish at Greene Acres Lake was good using worms and cut shad bait.

Fishing for trout at Grindstone Reservoir was fair to good using Panther Martin spinners; for catfish was fair to good using worms. Fishing for bluegill was fair using worms.

Fishing for catfish at Jal Lake was fair to good using worms.

Lake Van had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for catfish at Oasis Park Lake was fair to good using hot dogs and worms.

Pecos River had no reports from anglers this week.

Perch Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for rainbow trout at Rio Bonito was good using worms.

Rock Lake Hatchery Kids Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Ruidoso River had no reports from anglers this week.

The Santa Rosa Lake boat ramp temporarily closed due to low water level. Fishing for walleye from the shore was fair to good using minnows.

Fishing for walleye and white bass at Sumner Lake was fair using redheaded Buck Perry spoon plugs trolling in 8 feet of water. The main lake water surface temperature was in the upper 70s.

Timberon Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.

Source: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
A fundraiser to benefit the Grief Center will be hosted by Mtuccis Bar Roma in Nob Hill on Saturday.

The Italian restaurant, 3222 Central SE, will donate 20% of all dine-in and take-out sales from that day in support of the centers programs.

The fundraiser could not come at a better time to help with our recovery effort due to a recent break-in and theft, said the centers development director Suzie Blake. We are grateful to Mtuccis and to the public for their ongoing support of our mission.

During the Fourth of July weekend, someone entered the building at 4125 Carlisle NE and took laptops, telehealth monitors and other items, in addition to stripping the building of copper wiring and internet cabling.

The bottom line is these children need us, and we need the community to come together to support them, John Haas, Mtuccis Restaurants managing partner said in a news release. We hope the community will come (to the restaurant) on July 30th and not only enjoy themselves, but (also) make additional donations to this important organization.

The Childrens Grief Center of New Mexico was founded 21 years ago by a group of people who had experienced deaths in their families. Unable to find grief support services for their children, they formed their own organization. The organization is re-branding itself as the Grief Center to better reflect its mission of providing services to children, their caregivers and adults after the death of a loved one. Adults do not need to have a child in the program to receive services.

For further information on donating money or volunteering time, go to griefnm.org, or call 505-323-0478.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

In the weeks leading up to Victoria Martens death, Amber Wilson, a neighbor, noticed a change in her behavior.

Wilson, who had a daughter a year younger than 10-year-old Victoria, said the girl was more reserved at the bus stop before school, and she wasnt talking to other kids as much as she usually did.

The morning of her death on Aug. 23, 2016, Victoria appeared disheveled.

She wasnt ready for school like she normally was, Wilson said on the witness stand Thursday in Fabian Gonzales trial.

The state rested its case against Gonzales early Thursday, and the defense called most of its witnesses, which included Wilson, who was one of the last people to see Victoria alive.

Gonzales, 37, is charged with child abuse, recklessly caused, resulting in the death of a child under 12, seven counts of tampering with evidence and conspiracy to tamper with evidence in Victorias death in August 2016. If convicted of all charges, he faces 18 to 43 years in prison, based on state statutes and sentencing guidelines.

The case was complicated Wednesday after Gonzales tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday night. Originally, plans were made for Gonzales to watch the rest of the trial from a glass box brought into the courtroom. Because of how ill he was feeling, Gonzales instead opted to watch the proceedings virtually on Thursday. He was muted throughout the day, but could be seen blowing his nose and coughing. At times he appeared to almost lie down or recline.

Prosecutors are alleging that Gonzales committed child abuse by creating a dangerous environment that led to the childs death. He was dating Michelle Martens, Victorias mother, and had recently moved into Martens apartment.

Prosecutors said he allowed Victoria to stay alone with Jessica Kelley, Gonzales cousin, who had recently been released from prison and was using methamphetamine and having paranoid delusions.

A few hours before Victoria was killed, no one picked her up from the bus stop. Wilson said she was walking with her daughter back to their apartment when they saw Victoria wearing her backpack and carrying Tupperware near the apartment office.

She told us no one was there to pick her up, Wilson said.

Victoria spent some time at Wilsons apartment before returning to her home later that evening.

Despite the recent change in her demeanor, Wilson said she didnt think anything was amiss.

I did not sense Victoria was in danger, she said.

Police were called to the apartment at 4:30 a.m. the following morning and found Victorias body had been dismembered and was on fire in a bathtub at the apartment complex.

Another defense witnesses called Thursday was Amanda Padilla, Gonzales relative.

Padilla, who was pregnant at the time, was in a fight with Gonzales at a barbecue several days before Victorias death, giving him a black eye.

Gonzales then sent threatening text messages to her and searched the internet for guns for sale after the fight. Prosecutors have said that fight and Gonzales threats might have contributed to the dangerous situation that led to Victorias death. They suggested that an unknown man may have taken revenge against Gonzales by killing Victoria over his threatening remarks.

Padilla said theres no chance that happened.

One hundred percent no. It ended that night, Padilla said. I didnt take (the threats) seriously. Fabian has always been all talk.

During her testimony, Padilla said Kelley had stayed with her and her daughter around 2010. Padilla said Kelley was great with Padillas daughter and often babysat the child. Padilla bought Kelley a phone so she could continue to babysit when Padilla was at work.

Jessica did help tremendously, I dont know what I would have done without her, she said.

On cross-examination, however, Padilla said she never would have welcomed Kelley into her home if she was using meth. Padilla said her mother was addicted to the drug and she wont associate with people who use it.

If she were using (meth) and paranoid, would you let her babysit your children? Chief Deputy District Attorney James Grayson asked.

Never, Padilla responded.

Jurors also heard from several children who saw Kelley carry Victoria down the stairs of the apartment just as Gonzales and Martens had returned to the home at about 8:45 p.m. that evening. The children are now adults, and at times they had trouble recalling exactly what they saw that night. They did say they didnt see any strange men enter the Martens apartment prior to watching Kelley walk down the stairs with the child.

Denise De Los Santos, who was in eighth grade at the time, said she thought Victoria was asleep. Prosecutors say that Victoria was dead at that time.

It was weird because I dont know why she would take a child outside who was sleeping, she said. The defense plans to call Martens to the stand Friday morning. She will be the last witness to testify. Gonzales is not going to take the stand, his attorneys said.

Martens has pleaded guilty in an agreement that calls for her to serve 12 to 15 years in prison. Her sentencing hearing hasnt been scheduled. Kelleys plea agreement called for her to be sentenced to 44 years, though she will be eligible for parole in half the time.

The state rested its case against Gonzales early Thursday morning. A jury was seated July 13 and Judge Cindy Leos is presiding over the case.

Defense attorneys asked for a directed verdict on some aspects of the charges against Gonzales, which was not granted.

In arguing that the charges shouldnt be dismissed or altered, Grayson said Gonzales created a dangerous environment that led to Victorias death.

Gonzales and Martens were not at the apartment when Victoria was killed, prosecutors have said. But Grayson said that Gonzales has allowed his cousin, Jessica Kelley, to stay at the apartment shortly after she was released from prison.

He knew that she was using methamphetamine and was acting paranoid, Grayson said. He also said that Gonzales had been making threats to other people and coaxing Martens to do meth, all of which created the dangerous environment.

Grayson said prosecutors will argue that an unknown man or Jessica Kelley strangled Victoria to death before her body was dismembered in an effort to clean up the crime scene.

Kelley testified that an unknown man killed Victoria, although the defense argues that Kelley was the killer.

Causation could be a man coming into the apartment and strangling Victoria, or it could be Jessica Kelley strangling Victoria herself, he said. We lean more strongly to Jessica Kelleys version of events.
WASHINGTON  The countrys monkeypox outbreak can still be stopped, U.S. health officials said Thursday, despite rising case numbers and so far limited vaccine supplies.

The Biden administrations top health official pushed back against criticism about the pace of the response and worries that the U.S. has missed the window to contain the virus, which has been declared a global emergency.

We believe we have done everything we can at the federal level to work with our state and local partners and communities affected to make sure we can stay ahead of this and end this outbreak, Xavier Becerra, head of the Department of Health and Human Services, told reporters on a call.

But he added that local health officials must do their part.  We dont have the authority to tell them what to do.

The pushback from federal leaders came as they announced distribution plans for 780,000 shots of the two-dose Jynneos vaccine. The doses will be allocated to states, cities and other localities based on their case numbers and the size of their populations that are considered high-risk for the disease.

Health departments in San Francisco;, New York, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere say they still dont have enough shots to meet demand and have stopped scheduling appointments for second vaccine doses to stretch supplies.

Becerra said the federal government has done its job and said the onus is now on local officials to use the tools available.

Weve made vaccines, tests and treatments well beyond the numbers that are currently needed available to all jurisdictions, he said.

But one representative for specialty health clinics said Becerras comments showed a lack of understanding for the full breadth of this crisis.

Clinics around the country are pleading with federal health officials for the information, supplies and staffing they need to successfully bring an end to this outbreak, said David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors, in a statement. The group is pressing for $100 million in emergency funding for local health departments and clinics.

There were more than 4,600 reported monkeypox cases in the U.S. as of late Wednesday, according to the CDC, and federal officials expect those numbers to rise.

More than 99% of reported cases are in men and the vast majority of those are among men who reported sexual contact with other men, though health officials have stressed that anyone can catch the virus.

The U.S. is now capable of testing 60,000 to 80,000 people per day, though Becerra said daily testing numbers are well below that.

The monkeypox virus mainly spreads through skin-on-skin contact, but it can also transmit through touching linens used by someone with the infection. People with monkeypox may experience fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. Many in the outbreak have developed sometimes-painful zit-like bumps.

The U.S. has ordered 5.5 million more vaccine doses for delivery by mid-2023 and has rights to the raw ingredients that could make 11.1 million more doses. U.S. officials said a massive vaccination campaign could still be avoided if communities and individuals take measures to avoid spread.

In San Francisco, Tom Temprano had an appointment to get his second dose next week but was recently notified that it was canceled due to limited supplies. Temprano, who is the political director of San Francisco-based Equality California, said hes frustrated that health authorities have taken so long to respond.

Especially coming out of, still, two-and-a-half years into a pandemic, its just a very disappointing response for the first larger-scale public health crisis were facing coming out of that, he said.

He also sees parallels to the slow government response to AIDS in the 1980s.

Ive heard from many folks  that this feels similar in the lack of real concern and urgency to a disease that is right now disproportionately impacting the LGBTQ+ community, said Temprano, who is 36.

The CDC estimates about 1.5 million Americans currently meet suggested criteria for vaccination, primarily men who have sex with men.

But officials on Thursday declined to set a figure for how many vaccine doses would be needed to stop the outbreak. Nearly 340,000 vaccine doses have been distributed, but a CDC official acknowledged the federal government doesnt know how many have been administered.

The additional 780,000 shots being sent to states this week were delayed by shipping and regulatory hurdles. They sat for weeks in storage in Denmark as U.S. regulators finished inspecting and certifying the facility where they were manufactured.

California state Sen. Scott Wiener, who belongs to the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, called the additional vaccines significant. But he added: Of course, its not enough, and we know that were going to be getting millions more doses over the remainder of this year and into next year, which is not soon enough in terms of actually containing this outbreak.

Georgias health department hasnt had to postpone any second doses, but spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said: Demand is still very high. Every time a health department or other provider opens appointments or slots at an event, they are taken up in a matter of minutes.

___

Associated Press writer Andrew Selsky in Salem, Oregon, and Mike Stobbe in New York contributed to this story.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
These political influencers are delivering poison to Taiwan: Global Times editorial

(Global Times) 08:39, July 28, 2022

Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

A so-called cross-party delegation of Japanese lawmakers cobbled together with two former Japanese defense ministers, a former vice defense minister, and an incumbent member of the House of Councillors arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday to begin a four-day visit. Before them, the former US defense secretary, former secretary of state, members of Congress, and some anti-China politicians from European countries visited Taiwan one after another. US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is restless and about to make trouble, tentatively revealing twice that she wants to visit Taiwan.

These anti-China politicians use Taiwan as an "Instagram-worthy location" for "political influencers." They come over for a few meals and a free trip, chant slogans and pose for a show, and then simply return to their home countries to exchange the trip for political gains. Without taking responsibility and without any scruples, this seems to be a "no-lose deal" for them personally, and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority serves them as they would a master. This is a temptation for politicians in the US and West who are politically utilitarian and have no bottom line. Meanwhile, the DPP authority is willing to receive them out of a similar dark and despicable mindset.

Some DPP members of the legislative authority boasted that US and Japanese defense officials went to Taiwan in succession, highlighting "the importance of Taiwan's strategic position." We have to say, this kind of "self-complacency" is really stupid, if not vicious. Today the situation in the Taiwan Straits is serious and complicated, the root cause of which is that the DPP is stirring up trouble by soliciting foreign support. The fawning DPP authority has added fuel to the "mania to visit Taiwan" by US and Japanese politicians, which is "decent" superficially, but will actually put the island in multiple dilemmas and ultimately harm the people on the island.

In recent years, despite the various thwarts of the DPP authority, with the joint efforts of people on both sides of the Straits, exchanges and cooperation continue to advance, and integrated development continues to deepen as well. In the first quarter of this year, the cross-Straits trade increased to $82.58 billion despite the pandemic, a year-on-year increase of 15.2 percent, Taiwan's exports to the Chinese mainland rose by 17.8% year-on-year, accounting for 40.9 percent of Taiwan's total exports. When it comes to the US and Japan, apart from supplying arms, US pork and beef containing ractopamine, and nuclear food to Taiwan, when have they really cared about Taiwan? Now, whenever foreign lawmakers visit Taiwan, netizens in Taiwan would ask, "What do they want Taiwan to buy from them this time?"

What's worst is that all these anti-China politicians operate under the banner of "supporting Taiwan," but they are clearly harming Taiwan. Their "support" is directed at the DPP authority and the "Taiwan independence" forces, yet it is just symbolical and empty support. But the damage to Taiwan triggered by their moves is real. As a matter of fact, it is not that anti-China politicians do not believe that China's reunification is unstoppable. They just intend to ramp up the cost of China's continued development and growth, and the safety and well-being of Taiwan society is one of the "costs" in their plan.

Recently, there have been more reports from US and Western public opinion which speculated that "the Chinese mainland will use force against Taiwan," and some have even given a specific time. This has also become fodder for the DPP authority to make a big fuss and an excuse for anti-China politicians to visit Taiwan. It must be pointed out that this is completely confusing the cause and effect. The Chinese mainland adheres to the basic policy of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems," and has been striving for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and efforts, creating a broad space for peaceful reunification. However, every time the DPP authority and foreign politicians undermine the one-China principle, they are gnawing away at the foundation of peace across the Taiwan Straits. The People's Liberation Army will definitely take corresponding measures to safeguard national reunification.

In short, foreign politicians' visit to Taiwan is a hostile act against the 1.4 billion Chinese people, especially the 23 million residents in Taiwan. It is no exaggeration to call them enemies, but the DPP authority treats them as benefactors. This is a complete betrayal of the country as well as the island of Taiwan. Those four outdated Japanese politicians who are now in Taiwan should become the rats running across the street chased by all residents in Taiwan. Treating them as guests is a connivance and encouragement to their detriment to Taiwan. Anti-China politicians can walk away without any responsibility, but the chronic poison they inject into Taiwan will be endured solely by the residents of Taiwan. Taiwan compatriots, be sure to keep your eyes open.

It should be underlined that these anti-China politicians will be automatically blacklisted in the Chinese mainland, and we must make them pay for provoking China's core interests. No matter how aggressive they are, it is impossible to affect our firm determination and will, as well as strong ability to defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it is even less likely to block the historical trend of China's national reunification. These political clowns will become special witnesses of China's reunification process.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
ALGIERS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Algeria, Niger and Nigeria signed on Thursday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of a gas pipeline across the Sahara Desert that will supply Europe with additional gas, said the Algerian energy minister.

The signing ceremony was held in Algiers, capital of Algeria, in the presence of the energy ministers of the three African countries, and came in the wake of a trilateral meeting on the Trans-Saharan Gas-Pipeline (TSGP).

"Today's meeting follows two previous meetings respectively in Niamey in February and in Abuja in June," Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines Mohamed Arkab told reporters.

"We have taken a number of decisions and we are making remarkable advance in the construction of this strategic project," he said.

The TSGP, a mega gas pipeline project linking Algeria, Niger and Nigeria, is expected to span 4,000 km and could send up to 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. 
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Nearly four years after the rape and strangulation death of a 6-year-old Rio Rancho girl horrified New Mexicans, a judge sentenced Leland Hust to 48 years in prison for the crime.

Jurors convicted Hust in March of intentional child abuse resulting in the death of a child under 12, with a mandatory 30-year prison sentence, and criminal sexual penetration of a child under 13, which has a mandatory 18-year sentence.

Judge George Eichwald of the 13th Judicial District chose to run the two sentences consecutively and he sentenced Hust as a serious violent offender, meaning he will be required to serve about 45 years before he becomes eligible for parole.

I cant find enough adjectives to describe the house of horrors where this took place, or the brutality and viciousness of the crime in which you raped and murdered a little girl, Eichwald said moments before handing down the sentence.

The facts of this case were so vile and revolting that some of the jurors asked for counseling after one of the trials, Eichwald said. It was probably one of the worst cases I have ever seen.

Hust declined to make a statement before he was sentenced.

Ariana Jade Romeo was found dead, partially clothed and bloodied on Aug. 11, 2018, in a converted garage in Rio Rancho. A forensic examination found that she had been raped and strangled or smothered to death.

Arianas mother, Stephanie Romeo, said at Husts sentencing hearing that she had climbed into bed with her daughter after returning home from work and didnt realize the girl was dead until morning.

The pain never stops, Romeo told the judge.

All we have left are pictures and memories because of what he did to her, she said. Even the happy pictures we have have now been overcast by the disgusting and horrific photos displayed in court of what he did to her in her last moments.

The trial in March marked the second time Hust was tried in Arianas killing.

In June 2021, a jury found Hust not guilty of first-degree murder. But jurors deadlocked on charges of child abuse resulting in death and criminal sexual penetration of a child under 13  the charges Hust was convicted of in March.

Eichwald approved a change of venue to Valencia County for both trials because of intensive pretrial publicity about the case.

Prosecutors argued in both trials that Hust was obsessed with Ariana and waited until other members of the household were asleep or absent to attack the girl.

Assistant District Attorney Neil Carson emphasized the close proximity of Husts room to the converted garage where Ariana stayed with her mother. Hust also knew he had a limited time to act because Arianas mother planned within days to move to a new apartment, Carson said.

Husts attorneys countered that police attempted to coerce a confession from Hust during an hourslong interview and seeded the idea in Husts mind that he had killed Ariana by telling him they had DNA evidence of his guilt.

His attorneys also argued that Hust, then 21, lacked the ability to plan the complex attack and avoid spreading evidence to his own room or other parts of the house.

Husts attorney, Graham Dumas, told jurors in closing arguments that detectives ignored obvious inconsistencies in their evidence and overlooked homeowner Winston Scates Sr. as a suspect.

Scates, 67, pleaded guilty in 2019 in an unrelated case to sexual contact of a minor, a third-degree felony, for inappropriately touching a female family member.

Defense and prosecution attorneys also sparred over the validity of DNA evidence collected from Arianas body and bedding.

Prosecutors argued that DNA evidence eliminated Scates as the attacker. They also argued that Hust was the only member of the household who could not be excluded as a contributor to the DNA evidence.

The defense countered that Hust had been a frequent visitor to Arianas room and that small amounts of his DNA could have been transferred to the girls body or bedding.
President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo (R) and visiting French President Emanuel Macron (L) wave to the crowd in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, on July 28, 2022. The two presidents on Thursday expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields, in particular education, fishing, defense, infrastructure and agriculture. (Photo by Aliu Balde/Xinhua)

BISSAU, July 28 (Xinhua) -- President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo and visiting French President Emanuel Macron on Thursday expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields, in particular education, fishing, defense, infrastructure and agriculture.

"France will also invest in the areas of civil and military infrastructure in Guinea-Bissau," said French President Macron in a joint statement with his Bissau-Guinean counterpart issued in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau.

Speaking at the end of a visit of a few hours to Bissau, Macron said that "France will support the training of soldiers in Guinea-Bissau" and that "soon a group of 15 young Guineans benefiting from scholarships of France will begin their studies in the field of agronomy."

He explained that the training of Bissau-Guinean soldiers is part of the support program for Guinea-Bissau in the fight against drug trafficking and maritime piracy, as well as in maintaining the stability of the country.

Umaro Sissoco Embalo welcomed France's support for the training of young people, and its support for the field of agriculture which is vital for the economy. 
According to Foucaults panoptic theory, the advantages of the merger between war and public health machinerymuch like the merger between military and domestic disaster reliefin terms of boosting domestic militarization would be obvious: fear of disease makes the surveillance state possible. As public health policy moves from persuasion to discussions of coercion and force, its clear the marriage has gone beyond the CDCs symbolic military rank and uniforms. Both have a lot to trade in becoming pregnant with the others purpose. Not only practical methods are transferred, which is dangerous enough, but also rationales, PR, ethos and philosophical approaches that are endlessly elastic and can be applied almost anywhere. I think thats the enduring danger when things that are fundamentally irreconcilable, such as the Hippocratic Oath and rules of engagement, become disturbingly reconcilable. The Frankenstein result is that human beings become the disease.

What happens with dying empiresThucydides [Greek commander circa 400 BC, author of History of the Peloponnesian War] wrote about this is that the techniques of control, which are always about coercionthe only language most people speak in the outer reaches of empire is the language of forceas the impirium is hollowed out, these techniques migrate back into heart of the impirium, which is exactly what is happening. So you have the mercenaries working in Iraq and Afghanistan [ Blackwater, DynCorp, Intercon, American Security Group, Blackhawk, Wackenhut and Israels Instinctive Shooting International , etc.] suddenly appearing in New Orleans after Katrina

In Stuarts estimation, a war on social problems is a way for a countrys war machinery to come home to roost on its own soil. In a speech in 2013, journalist and activist Chris Hedges explained the military history of the boomerang effect:

If this is the case, if both divisions are swapping spit to put it bluntly, it highlights certain risks. As Susan Stuart of Valparaiso University writes in War as Metaphor , the increasing use of militaristic rhetoric by politicians and pundits goes beyond its metaphorical use as a war against an abstraction. Instead, the use of such language is becoming literal, and that rhetorical shift matters. Todays militaristic rhetoric is increasingly identifying fellow citizens as enemies in a literal war.

Part 2 of this series asked whether the merging of public health with military industrial mechanisms made evident by the use of philanthropic vaccine drives as cover for military operations also had the reciprocal effect of militarizing domestic public health authority.

All of the barriers that are meant to protect our childrenthe government, the lawyers, the regulatory agencies, and the press, the checks and balances in our democratic system that are supposed to stand between corporate power and our little childrenhave been removed, and theres only one barrier left, and thats the parents, and we need to keep that in the equation. ~ Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Actually parents dont own their children. Parents have a responsibility to care for their children; and if they dont, the state has a right to step in. ~Paul Offit, USA Today

Though jail sounds drastic, it could be the only way to send a strong message about the deadly consequences of failing to vaccinate children. ~ Alex Berezow, USA Today

Through a panoptic lens, the surveillance statethe state of plague is fueled by contagion whether this is an actuality or a conceptual fabrication, such the imagined virulant scourges of bad genes or bad ideas that, according to several absurd authoritarian interpretations of evolution, spawn mass political psychopathology. And this is true whether the reigning authoritarian ideology is right, left or the inverted variety currently forming in American politics. According to political philosopher Sheldon Wolin who coined inverted totalitarianism, in an inversion of Nazi political structure, corporations rule and government is subordinate, the population is demobilized and apathetic and figureheads are interchangable.

But regardless of form, by Foucaults argument, all totalitarian structures are by definition rooted in a common contagion model and the contagion model in turn is arguably rooted in a cult of science necessary to rationalize the implementation of authoritarian statism on scientific grounds. In the view of French political historian Tzvetan Todorov, a cult implies religion a sort of theocracy of scientism. In his introduction to Hope and Memory, Lessons From the Twentieth Century, Todorov writes,

Totalitarian doctrines are instances of utopianism (the only known instances in the 20th century) and, by the same tolken, variants of millenarism and that means that they belong, as do all doctrines of salvation, to the field of religion All the same, the origins of totalitarian utopianism are quite paradoxical for a religion. They lie in a doctrine that was developed before the rise of totalitarian states, before the twentieth century, and which seems at first glance to have absolutely nothing on common with religion. We must turn now to this earlier ideology, which we shall call scientism.

Scientism as a doctrine starts with the hypothesis that the real world is an entirely coherent structure. It follows that the world is transparent, that it can be known entirely and without residue by the human mind. The task of acquiring such knowledge is delegated to the requisite praxis, called science. The basic postulate has one obvious consequence  [I]f the transparency of the real includes the human world, then there is nothing to stop us from imagining how to create the new man, a human species without the blemishes of the original strain. The logic of livestock breeding ought to work for humankind as well

The notion that social and individual ideals are the products of science has another important consequence There is no room for more than one version of scientific truth; errors are many but the truth is one, and so pluralism becomes an irrelevant concept. If the ideal is a result of demonstration and not of opinion, then it has to be accepted without protest.

Scientism derives from the existence of scientific practice, but it is not itself scientific. Its basic postulatethe complete transparency of the realcannot be proved; the same is true of its implementation through the construction of ultimate ends through the process of knowledge. From start to finish, the cult of science requires an act of faith (faith in reason, in Ernest Renans phrase), which is why it belongs not to the family of sciences, but to the family of religions

It has to be emphasized that scientism is not a science, but a world view that grew, fungus-like, on the trunk of science. That is why totalitarian systems can embrace the cult of science and still not foster the development of scientific research

The monism of totalitarian regimes comes from the same axiom of the cult of science. Because there is only one rational way of grasping the entire universe, there is no reason to maintain artificial distinctions between different social groups, between the different spheres of individual life (public and private), and between opinions. Truth is one and so should the human world be.

Its certainly true that research integrity has suffered in the emerging scientific monism, even driving the head of the Office for Research Integrity, David Wright, to resign due to entrenched corruption and obstruction within the department of Health and Human Services, the parent agency to the CDC. The recent disclosure by senior CDC scientist William Thompson that higher ups in the agency repeatedly forced researchers to alter data regarding the relationship between autism and certain vaccines and vaccine components is merely symptomatic.

There are many prevalent theories in science which have been placed protectively behind the absolutist aegis of official scienceautism being one (officially deemed largely genetic), and the unquestionable safety and effectiveness of certain drugs and biologics another. Though a considerable amount of peer-reviewed science exists questioning each, we are told that there are not two sides to the controversy, a signature PR soundbite of vaccine defenders like Paul Offit, whose Rotarix vaccine co-patent is currently under official review in France for infant deaths. Offit recently repeated the tagline when he backed out of a public debate on learning that the issue of vaccine safety and a pro-choice medical expert would be featured. And he used it as an explanation on Democracy Now for why he refused to be interviewed at the same time as NYU law professor and research scholar Mary Holland, a pro-choice proponent: I dont think its fair to have a debate where two sides are presented, when only one side is really supported by the science. I thinkId like to think were beyond that.

Host Amy Goodmans responded:

Dr. Offit, what I think is important its not only about science. Were talking about science. Were talking about the practice of medicine in this country. Were talking about public policy. I mean, after all, this has now become a presidential campaign issue, with possible presidential candidates taking on the issues. And I want your comment on that. But youre combining all of this, and its important to bring all the various expertise of parents, of lawyers, of doctors together in a conversation on these issues.

Goodmans reply makes a key point about scientific absolutismthat it pretends not to be political and therefore not in the purview of political discussion. One problem with this is that, even if certain majority science theories eventually proved incontestable, the credibility shields under which theyve been protectively sealed can expand to scare back scrutiny from almost anything that scientific authority deems relatedno matter how absurd and no matter how it might open the door to dangerous policy. A prime example of this is the campaign to genetically tie autism to mass killers. Quoting my own 2013 article:

Autism research provides an endless supply of unsubstantiated genetic corollaries which have the distinction of being protected by the state in order to obfuscate the role of government public health agencies in contributing to an epidemic. And, of course, these unsubstantiated genetic corollaries have endless applications for political and industrial exploitsFor instance, if a group of researchers needs to prove that pigs fly to serve an industrial sponsor or as part of an exercise in "weaponized anthropology targeting a strategic or ideological foe, all they need do is link proofs of the imaginary flight of pigs to autism to create an automatic credibility shield.

A year after the above was published, yet another awful, sloppy study attempting to tie terrorism to autism through genetics was published and hit headlines, showing that what happens in autism science hardly stays there. Its as if a black hole has formed around the suppression of environmental autism research creating a time warp that continuously spits out old-timey hypotheses worthy of the eugenics eraautistic school shooters, autistic serial killers (included in the autism-terrorism study), autistic dictators, even an autistic-triggered financial crash.

There are no limits to the application of something that does not exist. No gene or genes for any of these conditions or behaviors have ever been established, even after a century of hunting down genetic markers for violence and criminality, decades of attempting to pin down autism genes, and despite yearly headlines hailing every new, unreplicable genetic discovery as the one that proves x or y at last.

Conveniently sewing up all human evil into one inconveniently exploding, incredibly expensive disabled population has the predictable effect of quelling public concern, opening the door to institutional abuse, an echo of racialized criminal research.

The political ramifications should be obvious: the goal is to play genomic Jesus of the scientific Second Coming in order to identify and manage terrorists and assorted other genetic bad seeds from birth. This fits perfectly with Todorovs description of scientism as part of a doctrine of salvation and is the essence of weaponized sciencea term used by Stanford anthropologist David Price, author of Weaponizing Anthropology, regarding the militarization of the field and the atrocity-justifying junk science that results.

The impact of any program drawn from weaponized research tends to be squeamishly left for separate discussion, but whatever solution is proposed, particularly if this poses human rights problems (from forced screening and intervention to prophylactic drugging and assaults against entire cultures, or the current FBI trend of luring the disabled into fabricated bomb plots), it only highlights the importance of the publics right to peer behind credibility shields and take apart the science supporting them.

But in an age when cellular science often dictates domestic and foreign policy, commercial science proponents have essentially forbidden the public from attempting to interpret scientific research. Its akin to medieval church canons banning the laity from translating or owning scripture as well as an effective means of disenfranchising the public.

We are simply expected to vote, in blind faith, for science and whatever is shoved under its banner by political leaders taking unlimited donations from the same corporations which sponsor the science, profit from the campaigns and own the media that peddles it. As Wikileaks documents in its archive of leaked Sony emails disclosing that top Hollywood executives (including James Rupert Murdoch , former director of GlaxoSmithKline and son of Rupert) have been recruited to help the United States produce counter-propaganda to combat Islamic extremism, the media isnt just selling policy, its creating it.

In short, scientific knowledge has become a brand and legislation is reduced to marketing. It explains why public health avatars and industry defenders like Offit continuously try to steer any discussion of biotech safety into purely scientific rather than ethical, legal or political contexts in the hopes the predominance of industry-funded scienceas if no other exists will bring an advantage. But in the end, the attempt to scientize ethical and political considerations is a problem in itself and part of the general trend of dragging all fields of thought under the auspices of scientific fact. That brings up the question of who decides these absolutes. Take Google for examplea company that effectively functions as part of the NSA according to British journalist and international security scholar Nafeez Ahmed, and has been repeatedly warned to stop manipulating search rankings of companies it invests in. Google recently announced a plan to inoculate the web against the spread of disinformation by ranking online searches by facts as digitally determined by the companys Knowledge Vault (TM?).

What Im really curious about is what will happen to the search rankings of various political historians and philosophers in the gears of Googles Knowledge Vault, especially those who argue that the very act of trying to arbitrate ideas including political thought, philosophy and morality according to science is political and, as Todorov and others contend, also has an ominous history.

For instance, in tackling the origins of 20th century totalitarianism, political philosopher and Holocaust survivor Hannah Arendt argued that what differentiates despotism from totalitarianism is that, in the latter, an individual who becomes a target of the state need not be accused of or have a history of crimes against the state but is regarded scientifically as an objective enemy a carrier of tendencies as certainly as they would be the carrier of a disease. Like Todorov, Arendt viewed this as ideology, not science:

The word "ideology" seems to imply that an idea can become the subject matter of a science just as animals are the subject matter of zoology, and that the suffix -logy in ideology, as in zoology, indicates nothing but the logoi, the scientific statements made on it. If this were true, an ideology would indeed be a pseudoscience and a pseudo-philosophy, transgressing at the same time the limitations of science and the limitations of philosophy.

Political philosopher and the father of the scientific method Karl Raimund Popper traced the roots of the scientific terror state to Plato, who based his theory of justice on a mystical metabiological Pythagorean theorem for survival of the species in defense of the supposed inherant purity of the enlightened ruling class from the contagion of supposedly lesser castes. Popper also warns that any attempt to apply herd analogies to societywhich he calls the organic theory of the state (society as herd, body or tribe)  are veiled forms of propaganda for a return to tribalismi.e., absolutism, totalitarianism.

Both Popper and Arendt conclude that bastardized genetic theories and racialism in various forms largely drive the machinery of total terror and modern authoritarianism. Popper exposes Platos acknowledgement that racialism must be fabricated and artificially sustained to erect state control, calling it the noble lie and its enforcement strong medicine. According to Arendt, Nazi eugenics was also a consciously cynical construct: racism was calculated to be a more powerful ally than any paid agent or secret organization of fifth columnists.

What exactly does totalitarian racialism have to do with current coercive public health campaigns? Enough to make Godwins law moot by extending the comparison to every form of totalitarianism and by arguing that the current trend of demonizing and invalidating (or search-engine deoptimizing) those who question the absolutes of official science, to the extent that these groups are attacked and coerced based on political thought, equates to Arendts disease carrier analogy for political caste.

Its on this basis that a range of human rights advocates have repeatedly attempted to include politicide within the international definition of genocide, since many modern atrocities have been committed against political groups.

In Redefining Genocide, Dr. Kok Thay-Eng, research director for Documentations Center of Cambodia, an organization that researches genocide, writes

Under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide adopted in 1948,

genocide was defined in Article 2 as:

...any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:

(a)Killing members of the group;

(b)Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;

(c)Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;

(d)Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

(e)Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

It is generally agreed that Conventions definition includes only four protected groups; political groups, which have been the main victims since World War II, should be included. It seems that the perpetrators of World War IIs genocide, as the French delegates correctly predicted, tried to victimize the four protected groups on political grounds Many observers have noted that there was an under-the-table compromise made during the Convention to exclude political groups. This was done to secure ratification by member states that feared that their internal suppression of dissents might be subject to external interference under the Convention.

To boil it down, the attacks on vaccine safety watchdogsonly one of many similar campaigns against consumer movements can be interpreted as attacks on political thought in some senses.The very act of questioning a scientific apologia for use of force illustrates very simply the main political stance of medical reform advocacy the view that scientific authority must be accountable. For lack of a better way frame this while still accounting for reformists political diversity (right, left, center, etc.), the position has been tagged a sort of postmodernismboth as a criticism of consumers insistence on their right to question scientific authority and in support of that right if not total accord with the context.

There are many ways to categorize dissent and the position that authority must account for itself, but the question of whether this qualifies as political is easily answered by industrial PR attempts to brand environmentalists in general as secretly socialists. Whether this is true or not, once mass incarceration, professional defrocking and child displacement are proposed to target certain ideas, those policies qualify as politicide under Thay-Engs analysis.

But as Thay-Eng also points out, theres no consensus on what defines politicide. Theres also no racially equivalent definition for political caste in terms of dissent from state sanctioned science, though, as history illustrates, there should be. According to Todorov,

[S]cience requires submission to the quest for truth, not submission to dogma. Communists and Nazis thus backed off from the quest for new knowledge: the latter denounced Jewish science (and did without Einsteins theories), and the former repudiated bourgeois biology (and jettisoned Mendels genetics). Challenging Lyssenkos biology, Pavlovs psychology, or Marrs linguistics in the USSR could take you straight to the gulag.

What telling now is that modern dissent from state science itself, much like the issue of race, is subjected to weaponized forms of sociology, genomic science and psychiatry, arguing that views regarded as anti-vaccine relate to religiosity.

The extremist anti suffix is applied to any position even reasonably questioning commercial science -- anti-GMO, anti-psychiatry, etc. -- and this is done without differentiating the grounds by which different individuals dissentwhether they reject the concept of preventive medicine or simply the available corporate renditions of it, whether they see some products as less effective and necessary than others, and whether decisions are made from reading science and interacting within the scientific community, dire personal experience or web rumors, etc. Instead, all are tarred with a superstitious cognitive bias. Although the vaccine safety advocacy/autism arena is hugely diverse as far as religious and political orientation, by their own terms, public health and industry defenders have come close to politicizing the attacks through the equivocation. Vaccine industrialist Paul Offit took it a step further by trying to dictate what constitutes good and bad exercise of faith in his most recent book, Bad Faith: When Religion Undermines Modern Medicine.

Consumer activists who question vaccine safety are also hypothesized to suffer from narcissitic personality disorder. Both speculative diagnoses are characterized as like a virus, and both are commonly applied to terroristsalso described as viral. These concepts along with genetic theories for religiosity and narcissism have been slapped together to propose that carriers of irrational anti-science tendencies are doubly in need of quarantineboth physically as vectors of real disease, and conceptually as vectors of dangerous and contagious views.

And then theres always misogyny.Thats generally regarded as political. In a speech opposing Californias SB277, which would remove vaccine exemptions for all school children in the state, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. discussed stereotypes typically wielded against consumer advocates:

Theres a kind of Kafkaesque censorship in the news about having a reasonable debate about this issuea fact-based debate. So instead, we hear a lot of namecalling Because they cant debate us on the merits, so they call us anti-vaccine, they call us hysterical, they call us conspiracy theorists. And I want people to think when they use that term, anti-vax parent, they should be thinking of a parent with a disabled child, because thats who these people are. And I want to say one other thing, this movement that calls you anti-vax, is the most misogynistic movement that I have seen in my lifetime. Its a movement that is anti-mother, and it is anti-woman. And the names that I hear coming out of peoples mouths about hysterics and refrigerator moms and all of this in our major newspapers like the New York Times, is extraordinary.

The accusation of hysteria, particularly when leveled by corporate media science writers, is very interesting. An unambiguous reference to the more modern-sounding conversion or somatoform disorder, psychogenic hysteria, according to law and history professor Barbara Young Welke, author of Recasting American Liberty: Gender, Race, Law, and the Railroad Revolution, was originally conceived as litigation symptoms by physicians hired to consult with rail companies in the US and Europe in the early, accident-prone days of train travel. The original tobacco science was actually railroad science. These medico-legal consultants proposed that the condition was triggered by fear of technological progress and the theory was used successfully to beat back a growing number of passenger and crew injury claims for railway spine, aka, whiplash, which didnt exist in clinical literature until the advent of high-speed travel. The condition wasnt regarded as an overwhelmingly feminine diagnosis until Jean-Martin Charcot, widely regarded as the father of modern neurology and also a consulting physician for the French national railway, blended psychogenic hysteria with a metaphorically Platonic gynecological hypotheses (Plato believed the uterus wandered around womens bodies, strangling and inhibiting various physical processes). Regarding railway spine, Charcot opined , a pecular mental condition is often developed which is intimately connected in my judgment with the hypnotic state.

And medico-legal tort defense seems to be a peculiar condition of paid consultants. Hysteria is also another example of a persistent credibility shield wandering around various clinical fields and strangling advancement. Though evidence of mass mania and imagined symptoms exist in clinical literature (medical students disease for example), the diagnosis has also been extended haphazardly to any condition that science could not (or would not) explain even as many past clinical foundations crumble in its wake. And so hysteria is continuously reborn as a means of jujitsuing industrial injury claims and retains an overwhelmingly feminine patina. Its also viewed as contagious, largely genetic and like a virus.

But none of these labels really mean as much as the attempt to define a designated and obviously political target in objective scientific terms according to Arendt: The introduction of the notion of objective enemy is much more decisive for the functioning of totalitarian regimes than the ideological definition of the respective categories.

Conceptualized virulance under Stalin was more dependent on ideological castes than race, taking the form of the Lamarckian genetic view that Todorov refers to and that was favored by the most violent Jacobin factions during the French revolutionary Reign of Terrorthe idea that thought and belief become heritable traits that can infect entire clans, classes and ethnic divisions with destructive ideology, warranting collective punishment and mass extermination. 20th century Spanish dictator Francisco Francos chief psychiatrist Antonio Villejo-Najera blended Nazi and Lamarckian eugenics and added a Freudian twist proposing that maternal hysteria could optimize and spread the genetic expression of the politically psychopathic red gene, a theory used to justify removal of an estimated 300,000 children from suspected Republican sympathizers, bizarre medical experimentation and mass slaughter. The Villejo-Najera viral genetic ideology model was adopted by various American-sponsored or supported Latin American reigns of terror in the mid to late 20th century, leading to hundreds of thousands of disappearances as well as stolen children.

In When Atheism Becomes Religion: Americas New Fundamentalists, former New York Times journalist Chris Hedges analyzes the pseudo-ideological movement of apologists for atrocity, torture and preemptive war led by Richard Dawkins and Sam Harrisfigureheads of the Skeptic corporate PR front organization leading the charge of biotech defenseHedges frames this viral conception of humanity as the underpinning of violent utopianism: The belief that we can achieve human perfection, that we can advance morally, is itself an evil. It provides a cover for criminality and abuse, a justification for murder It reduces human beings to the status of a virus.

And, again, whenever that happens, its political. Probably the best litmus to determine whether a source has a panoptic upshot is how many times the terms viral or contagion are used as metaphors for human beings or ideas. The orgy of disease themes and metaphors in todays political rhetoric has the effect of a virtual Ouroborusa snake swallowing its tail and regurgitating itself in an endless, unstoppable cycle, flipping back and forth between fears of literal and conceptual contagion to rationalize repressive policy. For that purpose, its the gift that keeps giving.

Part 4 looks at how literal and abstract contagion models play into military expansionism.

Adriana Gamondes is a Contributing Editor to Age of Autism and one of the blogs Facebook administrators
MOGADISHU, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank has approved a 100-million-U.S.-dollar grant to help Somalia's reform efforts and strengthen fiscal transparency and boost revenue.

"This operation will increase the government's fiscal space to respond to the drought situation while continuing to support reforms that advance progress toward attaining debt relief," World Bank Country Manager for Somalia Kristina Svensson said in a statement issued Wednesday evening.

The World Bank said the grant will support the continuation of Somalia's reform efforts in reaching the Completion Point of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative when Somalia will be eligible for full and irrevocable debt relief. The lender also said the operation supports the government's efforts to improve fiscal transparency and increase revenues through the harmonization of customs regimes across the federation and improving the governance of intergovernmental fiscal transfers.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank approved Somalia's eligibility for the HIPC Initiative on March 25 last year, removing the constraints on economic growth and poverty reduction and providing access to International Development Assistance (IDA) instruments to mitigate the impact of multiple crises in Somalia.

The grant will help create the building blocks for strengthening intergovernmental fiscal cooperation to enhance the ongoing state stabilization agenda critical for stimulating inclusive economic growth by fostering trust and enhancing financial transparency between the federal government and member states, the World Bank said. "Together, these efforts will help improve the government's ability to continue to provide cash transfers for the country's poor and most vulnerable, including women, which are a critical coping mechanism amid continuing shocks."

According to the World Bank, Somalia remains vulnerable to shocks, including repeated cycles of drought and floods, higher commodity prices and the COVID-19 pandemic, which continue to test the resilience of the Somali population. 
TOKYO, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Japan confirmed its second case of monkeypox on Thursday, with a man in his 30s testing positive in Tokyo, according to an official.

The man, who had been overseas, has been hospitalized, the Tokyo metropolitan official said, but his condition is stable.

Japan confirmed its first case of monkeypox on Monday with a man in his 30s in Tokyo testing positive.

The patient traveled to a European country from late June to mid-July where he had close contact with a person infected with monkeypox, the government said.

Symptoms of the disease, spread through close physical contact, include fever, extensive rashes, skin lesions and swollen lymph nodes following an incubation period of five to 21 days, health officials said.

Amid a global outbreak of the virus, declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday, the Japanese government has asked its nationals overseas to take extra precautions against catching the disease.

The government has also warned citizens here who plan to travel abroad or remain outside Japan to be especially careful.

A task force to deal with the outbreak of monkeypox, a tropical disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, has been formed in Japan and is headed by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management Takashi Murata.

The task force held their first talks on Monday earlier this week and outlined its strategy to fight the arrival of the disease. 
Most Americans rank Climate Change concerns low on their priority list. That lack of concern/belief is true in the face of one of the most massive and relentless influence campaigns ever mounted by our government and special interests. Life, as weve known it, is over. At least thats what they state.

America would not have become the superpower that it is without abundant oil. As the United States grew economically, so did its influence around the world. Abundant energy is one of the core requirements of national prestige and power. Now, for the first time, America lacks both the energy necessary to power its own needs and has signaled its intention to sign on to a suicide pact with other Green countries to willingly give up our way of life to transition to a theoretical and unknown future. We are witnessing a complete transformation of our society away from our established political, social, and economic foundations built over 150 years.

The Replacement Theory well talk about today is not just about the replacement of the white power structure, but a change in direction so profound and multi-faceted that youd expect there to have been a huge and contentious national debate before this came to be. Somehow, I missed it; did you as well?

Dirty Oil is not just a throwaway. Its the truth of the fact that metaphorically we have oil in our economic veins and that the Biden administration wants us to forget a successful past to make way for a transition to dirty foreign oil in place of much cleaner domestic crude during a transition period to a fossil fuel-free future.

A well in a pasture in Texas

Photo credit: USDA NRCS CC BY 2.0 license

Presently, the majority of our power is produced with relatively inexpensive American natural gas, which we have more of than anyone else. Biden seeks an end to our ability to develop our own energy by depending on foreign countries to fill the gap until the realization of his Green New Deals completion. To say this is a huge gamble may be the greatest understatement of all time.

Questioning this monumental shift is considered blasphemy today. Climate catastrophe deniers are dismissed out of hand, even as virtually every previous prediction made by these experts has turned out to be wrong so far.

What has happened is akin to a parlor trick as old as the hills. Take a real fact and then attribute causation to the wrong factors. When questioned, refer back to the truth of that fact without addressing causation. Not just an entire house of cards, a world of cards, billions of lives, and an entire economic and social system are up for grabs. And, its Biden and his acolytes who are determined to make you believe that 1 plus 1 equals 3. Americans are not buying it.

The largest purported proof of Global Warming, now called Climate Change is in three parts.

Temperatures around the globe are warming. The question of causation is important. Is it Mans activities that are causing it or just an imperceptible add-on to an otherwise natural cyclical process? The one element constantly hammered into us is the importance of CO 2, which is indeed rising; as has happened before. However, there is room to debate whether CO 2 is the root cause of increasing temperatures. So little debate has occurred that few even understand the science. CO 2 reduces the amount of heat that is reflected into space by trapping infrared heat. However, the overall concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere is only 0.03%. That means 1 part in 3,300. Infinitesimal. A lot of extrapolations have been done to make the case that CO 2 must be controlled. Have you ever wondered why no technical solution has been talked about, researched, or funded? If the problem is one of reflection of heat into the atmosphere, why not figure out how to cool the earth a bit? Think it cant be done? Would you believe that scientists want a ban on the discussion of using technical means? Why?

There are no experiments on how to cool the earth because if there were, the principal reason to control us might disappear overnight. If this sounds like a political conspiracy, perhaps it is. In this countrys lifetime, there has never been such an attempt to change our society on every conceivable level, as is happening now. Lets use the M word; i.e., Marxism as a possible, if not likely, answer to why everything that has been happening politically, socially, and economically has led to where we are at the moment. If there is no man-caused catastrophic Global Warming, the main argument for destroying the most successful nation on earth will fail, leaving the Biden crowd and the One Worlders without a cudgel to beat us into submission.

So, now its time to return to today and what Biden is willing to do to ensure there is not a widespread revolt or panic against policies that doom our domestic oil and gas industry. Did you know that as a result of government red tape, no major refinery has been built in the US since 1977? While existing refineries have been upgraded in some cases, we are short refinery capacity. We know that Venezuela has some of the dirtiest oil in the world. Few refineries can handle it. Biden wants to buy Venezuelan oil and Iranian oil to quiet his detractors. Just think of the many ways we can be blackmailed by these pariah nations. It defies logic that we would buy their oil in the hopes that we will be able to replace our carbon-based economy with a hypothetical Green New Deal.

There are those among us who understand what is happening and are cheerleaders for a complete realignment of America. Others are fully invested in what is happening but have no conception of whats going on or what we will look like if they get their way. I ask you this question: Is Biden a useful idiot for those that are planning a dismal future for us all? Or, is Biden a true believer who envisions a different America?

There are so many moving pieces, does anyone really know? Has Biden ever made the case for millions of low-skill people immigrating to our county? What is the justification for this monumental action? This is not a different issue or theme. It is tightly bound in all those various moving parts that are near impossible to get your arms around. Platitudes and sloganism cannot replace a robust debate on all of these earth-shaking issues that involve societal and economic change, all contemporaneously playing out at lightning speed.

Change this fast is having the effect of overwhelming our common sense that should tell anyone that the pace of change and the complete reallocation of our society at every level is at best a massive social experiment and at worst is war by other means.

Dirty Oil is more than just a metaphor. When we demonize oil, we ultimately are demonizing our entire culture and history. I hope all of us pay attention to the magician who never explains his tricks. American prosperity depends on a hard core of individuals invested in Capitalism, ambition, and a level playing field to create and maintain the lifestyle its taken over 150 years to achieve. Now, we see our government consciously pulling the rug out from under us all and creating the beginnings of a subsistence nation. Why are we allowing that?

God Bless America!

Allan J. Feifer: Author, Businessman, Thinker. Read more about Allan, his background and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com
On October 22/2 November 1721, the Russian Empire was proclaimed. The first emperor was tsar Peter the Great. The meaning of the transformation of the kingdom into an empire was that Peter carried out a number of reforms, in particular, "cut a window to Europe," that is, Russia gained access to the ice-free ports of the Baltic Sea and seized a number of territories near the new capital of the empire, St. Petersburg. Later the Russian Empire gained access to the Black and Caspian Seas. After the conquest of the Far East it gained access to the Pacific Ocean. The status of the empire strengthened with its access to each new sea. The Russian Federation declared itself the legal successor to the Soviet Union, which was itself the heir of the Russian Empire. Both appropriated the "historical rights" of the Russian Empire.

To understand what is happening, it is necessary to recall the promulgated goals of the Russian Federation's war in Ukraine. In the sixth month of the Russian Federation's "special military operation" in Ukraine, we can see that one of its two declared goals, "demilitarization" failed: instead of "demilitarizing" Ukraine, the number of weapons and ammunition in that country increased by many orders of magnitude thanks to Western assistance. What happened to the second goal of the "operation" -- "denazification"? After the genocide of the civilian population carried out by the Russian army, the level of "Nazification" -- defined as opposition to Putin's Russia -- on the territory of Ukraine increased significantly thanks to the actions of its "liberators." The Russian Federation, which has monopolized the definition of who is a Nazi, has exposed the weakness of its moral character with respect to the civilian population of Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine has been going on much longer than its initiators had hoped. Under what circumstances can it end? The Russian Federation can end hostilities if it completely captures Donbass and Novorossiya. The capture of Novorossiya, literally the new Russia, is a project to "liberate" Ukraine from a number of territories that were part of the Russian Empire. The cities of Dnepr, Kherson, Melitopol, Mariupol, Berdyansk, Nikolayev, Zaporozhye, Tiraspol, which is on the territory of Moldova, already occupied by Russian troops in Transnistria, were once part of Novorossiya, a province of the Russian Empire. Their capture is the goal of the "liberation" war. "Liberation" is accompanied by the creation of a new region of the Russian Federation with the old name of the territory of the Russian Empire, called Novorossiya.

But the Russian Federation is not the Russian Empire, but a new state created in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR, which included the Russian Federation as one of the Union republics. Putin's claim to Novorossiya means appropriating the rights of the new country, the Russian Federation, to the territory of an entirely different country, a country that no longer exists, the Russian Empire. According to Putin, Ukraine is an artificially created Soviet state. But is Russia a naturally created state? There are 190 peoples living on the territory of the Russian Federation. Russia's seizure of Siberia, the Far East, Kamchatka, and Chukotka is called in Russian history the "development" of these lands inhabited by 189 non-Russian peoples. As in the period of the Russian Empire, the "development" and "annexation" of lands by the Russian Federation takes place in Ukraine. This time it is the former lands of the tsar, which are "mastered" by the new tsar, called the president. Novorossiya is conquered by the new autocrat, who believes that he is not fighting, but only "returning", "collecting", "developing" and "liberating" the lands of the former empire for the sake of strengthening his new empire.

According to Putin's ideology, "natural" Novorossiya supplants "artificial" Ukraine. One of the goals of the Russian Empire's colonization of the new lands is to provide access to the sea and to prevent Ukrainian rivals from reaching the sea. Already, the Russian Federation has blocked Ukraine's access to the Sea of Azov by seizing the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk. The Russian Federation is faithful to its imperial concept of seeking access to the sea in all places it considers strategically important. It also has access to the Mediterranean Sea, as it has the Tartus naval base in Syria at its disposal.

The key to understanding Putin's goals in the "special military operation" is his desire to correct "historical anomalies," primarily to "master" those areas of Ukraine that had something Russian in their name: Novorossiya and Kievan Rus, called the "mother of Russian cities," and to prevent Ukraine's access to the Black Sea. In general, a natural phenomenon is taking place in Ukraine: the first act of "development" of the lands by the empire. What comes next? The next, post-Ukrainian phase of the war is bound to come, for the Russian Federation is the legal successor of the USSR, and there are still many "unreleased" Soviet territories in various places. The Russian Federation also faces the challenge of "reclaiming" the "occupied" lands of the Russian Empire. The USSR and the Russian Empire left the Russian Federation with many problems of "mastering," "conquering," "liberating," "annexing" and "gathering" the lands that belonged to the two empires, the Soviet and Russian. The new Russia is not a new country, but a Russian Federation burdened with the great historical tasks of conquering territories.

Image: Public Domain
What is a nation? That is the question.

In the book of Genesis  whether you take it literally or metaphorically  a nation is essentially an extended family. Genesis Chapter Ten, often referred to as the Table of Nations, lists the peoples of the Earth, from Israel's perspective, along with their lineages. The number, apart from Israel, came to 70.

Each particular nation was traceable back to an ancestor. Mankind was told to fill up the whole Earth, but disobeyed, and started to build the Tower of Babel, where, in Chapter Eleven, the languages of men were confounded, and the peoples were forced to scatter and separate.

Again, whether taken literally or metaphorically, the principle is that the deity did not want a uniform world, a one-size-fits-all culture and language, precisely because  given the nature of men  they will conspire to do evil.

And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Gen. 11:6

There was a purpose for this scattering. It was to keep men out of trouble.

There is real divine wisdom to this. Things may run slower when nations exist, but they run smoother. With mankind broken up into little portions or nations, each competing against one another, there are checks and balances in the world, with the chance of a major dictator taking over being reduced.

Leaders do not see it that way. One nation creates a successful society, a better way of doing things, in contrast to its neighbors, and decides to conquer. The reasons are multifarious.

The conquest can be simply for loot  the Spanish sought gold. It can be for glory  think France. It can be for revenge  Alexander the Great wanted to avenge the Greeks on the Persians. Or it can be just sheer monstrous brutality  think the Assyrians or the Nazis.

Of course, the most pernicious motive is that, being the carrier of a superior way of life, the empire will be improving the lives of the people conquered, and thus doing them a favor. The Romans thought they were bringing good order to the world. The British thought they were bringing decency and law. A lot of American foreign policy has been shipwrecked trying to impose democracy on people who don't want it.

It is this last motive which often breaks and bankrupts empires.

Though the Romans did bring good order to the north, with the promise of increased trade, prosperity, and roads, Herman (Arminius) informed the Romans that the Germans did not want their help, at the Battle of the Teutoberg Forest.

The English never quite understood why the Highland Scots kept revolting, and they ended up having to ethnically cleanse them during the Highland Clearances.

Thomas Jefferson expected Canadians to flock to the American cause during the War of 1812. After all, didn't America bring the promise of good Republican government and liberation from British monarchial tyranny?

What went wrong?

Putin can't seem to understand why Ukrainians might not want Russian leadership.

Napoleon had massive success conquering Europe. A lot of nations joined him. His Grand Armee brought the ideas of the French Revolution, and a lot of those ideas were indeed better. He liberated Jews from their ghettoes and broke the power of oppressive European nobility. So why did Britain and Russia refuse to concede to his superior civilization?

The problem is that people are different. They were meant to be different. And sometimes, even if your society and way of doing things are genuinely better, conquered people don't want to have improvements imposed on them, or have it rammed down their throat. They'd rather do things their own way.

Like individuals, nations and peoples have different personalities. They may be equal, but they are not identical, which is the problem with affirmative action.

Because of this natural tendency to resist homogenization, it will be impossible to quickly impose "improvements" on the world without dissolving the nation state. Nation-states  when operating rightly  are an outer fortress that can protect the people from the outside world.

And to destroy the nation, Progressives have to destroy families. The family is meant to be an inner refuge. Yes, both nations and families can go toxic, but when they work right, they are a bulwark of freedom. Indeed, families are at the core of nations. Families beget tribes or clans, which beget nations. It took England (the most modern nation at that time) centuries to break the clan system of Scotland. Though the clans were highly dysfunctional, they still held out.

In the West, Progressives have pretty much advanced on the destruction of the family to the point where Europe is failing to reproduce its native stock. European nations will soon be dissolved.

And then there is the issue of the economy. It costs money to subsidize such idiocy, and empires always go broke.

America is all but broke. China  the victim of its own brand of leftist tyranny  is broke.

Back in Europe, the Progressives had to import completely incompatible Muslims into the continent to replace  and that is the proper word  the declining German population. Berlin is now the capital of Eurabia. A sane person would have taken in the fleeing white Boers instead of letting them go to Russia.

The Boers are of Germanic (Dutch) and French stock. Easily assimilable into Berlin. Germany could have told millions of the Boers to come home. Leave South Africa. Isn't that what the blacks wanted? Instead, Angela Merkel took in millions of Arabs, because, after all, whites are evil.

France is 9% Muslim. Ireland is now 20% foreign. Of course, a lot of that is Polish, German, and British, all of whom would be highly assimilable, but Islamic numbers are increasing.

This is what the Progressives want: a disconnected society of broken families can be ruled by elites. Destroy the family. Destroy the nation-state.

Multiculturalism is a facade. It is a lie meant to usher in a one-world order. When nobody is related, everybody is dependent on the state and can be controlled.

But the playbook is also Islamic.

Unlike early American colonists  who brought in their own wives, thus keeping their root culture  when Islam conquers a nation, it sends in single men, who intermarry with the natives. Within one generation, they produce a class of hybrid elites. Religious, family, clan, and national ties are destroyed. Once that is effected, Islam can take over.

Indeed, Islam does not have a concept of a nation, but rather an Ummah, an Islamic homeland. ISIS ripped down national flags. They wanted a one-size-fits-all caliphate.

[T]he latest edition of ISIS' propaganda magazine, Dabiq, places a major focus on rejecting nationalism, presenting religion as the key unifying force for their "caliphate."  Tony Blair Institute

This is why Israel has a hard time with the Palestinians. While Palestinians may have a national identity, their chief identity is Muslim, and Muslims want an Ummah, a unified caliphate.

It seems that both Islam and Progressives use the same tactics to produce the same end. Destroy the family to destroy national unity, and usher in a one-world order. And they are both doing a very good job of it.

Islam will conquer Europe without firing a shot. Gaddafi

The Progressives and Muslims agree on everything but the nature of that final order. They may be in for a surprise if a dictator steps in to take over the mess they both have created.

What is clear is that both Progressives and Muslims work from the same playbook. They want population replacement, and familial destruction, to destroy families and nations. They are the left and right hand of that same pair of gloves.

Nation-states are real. They are an extension of the family. Both Islam and the Progressives seek their destruction for the same reason. They want a one-size-fits-all new world order. Whether it be a liberal paradise or an Ummah, it is the paradise they seek.

A dictator will be the result. When you seek to create heaven on earth, apart from Christ, you end up creating hell on earth. We are watching the early stages of this implementation.

Image via Max Pixel.
An old joke tells of the miserly farmer who tried to save money by training his mule to go without food. He later explained that the experiment was working perfectly except that the darned mule was so stubborn that it up and died. That mule represents reality. The so-called transgender movement is trying to pretend reality can be ignored and is forcing its sick fantasy on America. The latest example is the "gender inclusive" language guide from The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) suggesting that hospitals and lactation consultants add the phrase "father's milk" to their vocabulary.

The Post Millennial broke the story:

"This document was sent to me by a friend whose wife is a hospital nurse for new moms and their babies," evolutionary biologist Colin Wright Wright told The Post Millennial. "He said this new 'inclusive terminology' is being implemented at her hospital, and that nurses and other health professionals are being required to ask each patient what terms they wish to have used when discussing their care." The guideline also includes words "chestfeeding," "human milk feeding," and "lactating person" to use in place of "traditional terms" like breastfeeding, nursing mother and breast.

Aside from reminding me of the old joke about the farmer, which was meant to be a humorous swipe at miserliness, rather than a how-to guide for societal management, that ABM guideline also reminded me of one of the most disturbing videos I've ever seen. The video involves a man who thinks he's a woman and his partner, a woman who thinks she's a man, who recently gave birth (because that's what women do). The man takes that poor, screaming, hungry little baby and tries to nurse it on his male breast, which is entirely lacking in "father's milk":

This is child abuse of this newborn! 2 men & 1 trying to breast feed. This infant deserves to be fed, nurtured, w/o having to suck on a mans chest, who thinks hes a woman. I wont stand by pretending this is okay. Its not! Someone needs to remove this baby from abuse. My God- pic.twitter.com/yrYXepOmtX  Liz Joy (@LizLemeryJoy) July 13, 2021

(Read more about the facts behind that video here.)

These are dangerous, delusional people. But rather than giving them the mental health care they need and gently marginalizing them as they deserve to be, we are turning our society upside-down to give their sick fantasies institutional support and power.

I push back as much as I can, but I'm lucky in that I work at a conservative forum that won't fire me for embracing reality. I fully understand that other people don't have that job security or have children who need to be able to function at school. But honestly, speaking of those children, let me borrow a leftist power phrase: "It's for the children." To that end, I'm going to toss one more video at you, in which Matt Walsh shows what happens when these grotesque, perverted, and insane people get their tenterhooks into the children:

If we don't stop the madness now, the madness will destroy us.

Image: Man tries to breastfeed a baby. Twitter screen grab.
Muhammad Syahmin Bin Zainol (C), a field engineer for utility relocation, works at a construction site of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Pahang, Malaysia, on July 25, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

The training program of the East Coast Rail Link in Malaysia, which aims to create job opportunities for locals, is designed to train 5,000 technicians in railway construction and operation for the Southeast Asian nation.

by Jonathan Edward, Wang Yi and Mao Pengfei

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Malaysia's mega rail project jointly constructed with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) will bring multiple benefits to the country upon completion including the upskilling of local talents in the railway industry.

A key element of this is the Industrial Skills Training Program (PLKI-ECRL) carried out by CCCC and Malaysia Rail Link (MRL), in cooperation with Beijing Jiaotong University, Southwest Jiaotong University of China and over 10 educational and training institutions of Malaysia. The program is designed to train 5,000 technicians in railway construction and operation for the Southeast Asian nation.

Muhammad Syahmin Bin Zainol (L), a field engineer for utility relocation, talks with his colleague at a section of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Pahang, Malaysia, on July 25, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Among those who have benefited from this program is Muhammad Syahmin Bin Zainol, a field engineer for utility relocation, who signed up with the program in 2017 upon completion of his bachelor degree on civil engineering in the University of Malaysia Pahang.

Syahmin explained that he held a long-time fascination with railways after watching documentaries on railway construction in China, sparking his interest in civil engineering and the railway sector. The PLKI-ECRL program has allowed him to reach the dream he had.

"It opens a path that I have wanted to do from my childhood. So it's very important and very beneficial for me to join the PLKI-ECRL because joining a mega project is not easy for a fresh grad. I think that if you want to join a mega project in Malaysia, you must have a minimum of two or three years' experience. So to join it with fresh graduate status is quite important for me," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Muhammad Syahmin Bin Zainol, a field engineer for utility relocation, works in his office at a section of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Pahang, Malaysia, on July 25, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

"They send lecturers from Beijing Jiaotong University to teach us the course for railway engineering. During that time I started, they taught us knowledge regarding railway engineering, bridge construction, tunnel construction and basic Mandarin," he said, adding that he found the classes, including the Chinese-language classes, to be fun and informative.

Compared to his studies in university which were more general, this program allowed him to focus on an area of interest and to expand his knowledge on tunnels, bridges, and other key components of railways.

"During my PLKI training, they mainly revolve around railway construction. For example, they taught us the bridge for railway," he said.

Muhammad Syahmin Bin Zainol (L), a field engineer for utility relocation, works at a construction site of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Pahang, Malaysia, on July 25, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

In addition to informative courses, the PLKI-ECRL program also helped him become a better team player with the conducive work environment, where helpful and friendly seniors provided guidance.

"It is really like teamwork things. I can go there and ask them what or how to do this, how to do that. And if I have some idea, I can pitch it to them. So it's very constructive. It has taught me a lot. So CCCC from what I see, it is a family for me," he said, adding that working here is enjoyable and fulfilling.

So far, hundreds of Malaysians have finished their training in the PLKI-ECRL and joined ECRL as engineers and operators of heavy machines.

Aerial photo taken on July 25, 2022, shows a construction site of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Pahang, Malaysia. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tang Zhen, who is in charge of human resources of China Communications Construction (ECRL) SDN BHD, said the program, which aims to create job opportunities for locals, is mainly intended for people along the east coast of Malaysia. The program is a chance for them to pursue career development and improve living standards.

When visiting the construction site of ECRL this June, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the program has trained many local citizens in the rail industry and will succeed in producing more experts in this field.

The ECRL runs from Malaysia's largest transport hub Port Klang and travels across the peninsula to Kelantan state in northeastern Malaysia. The rail link is expected to greatly enhance connectivity and bring more balanced growth to the country by linking its less-developed region on the East Coast to the economic heartland on the West Coast upon its completion in 2026.
Jeff M. Lewis aptly summarized the craziness of the last three global pandemic years, calling the actions of the vast left-wing conspiracy "The Greatest Crime Of Our Lifetimes." I agree. The saboteurs behind this ongoing crime call it "The Great Reset."

The leftist saboteurs have the chutzpah to justify their actions:

There is an urgent need for global stakeholders to cooperate in simultaneously managing the direct consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. To improve the state of the world, the World Economic Forum is starting The Great Reset initiative.

Their statement sounds so helpful, even altruistic. "Way to go, WEF" forms in my throat. Then, before speaking, I choke as I recall that many suspect that the CCP and the NeverTrumps released the Wuhan Flu as their opening salvo to oust Trump and reset the world.

Using the intuition God has given me, I suspect a more honest definition of the Great Reset is this:

Using whatever means necessary, including biological warfare, global stakeholders in the WEF favoring Globalism will oust President Trump and euphemistically call it The Great Reset initiative.

At the end of his essay, Mr. Lewis asks, "Are we going to let them get away with it?"

As I was discussing his question with a good friend recently, he observed, "They have the ball, and they are running with it." That is for d--- sure!

In these dark days, I pray with my wife to God. I listen to Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, and Dan Bongino exude bravado about defeating the saboteurs. As Carlson, Bannon, and Bongino bang their desks, I notice that Xi, Biden, and the WEF still have the ball. I notice they are still running with it, and their confidence is growing.

If you have ever been on the losing end of a chess match, you know a time comes when a little voice in your head says, "I have been outplayed." I don't know if we have been outplayed yet, but the pieces the saboteurs still have on the board are intimidating.



Image: Chess by azerbaijan_stockers.

America's successes over the last 246 years have made us soft, vulnerable, and complacent. We know our history, but I wonder if we have the fire in our bellies to do what is needed to take control of our country again. The ruthless guys who are currently running with the ball have loads of money, the media, foreign allies, and most of the levers of power. Like the young followers of Chairman Mao, they are anxious to establish a new world order.

Still, I hear Mr. Lewis asking, "Are we going to let them get away with it?"

Our domestic enemies and our foreign enemies have linked arms. They have set fire to our homes. They have taken control of our schools and universities. With their "go for broke" release of a biological weapon, they have killed over 6 million people worldwide. They have discovered how to manipulate our democratic elections, making them unreliable for us and certain for them. They have done all this damage to things we love, and then they have the nerve to claim they will lead us to a better tomorrow.

During the economic crisis of 2008, economists defended government bailouts, arguing that some banks are too big to fail. I thought that notion defied common sense and the laws of physics.

I still hear Mr. Lewis asking, "Are we going to let them get away with it?" At the same time, I hear the legion of left-wing saboteurs running with the ball and mocking us by claiming, "We are too big to be held accountable!"

Fortunately for us, collective memory is not on the side of the saboteurs. Many of us recall how well things were going before they unleashed the Wuhan Flu. They cannot point to their own successes. Their calls for nations without borders are not popular. We have the Statue of Liberty on our side, and they have Chinese tanks rolling through Chinese streets on their side as recently as this month. People flock relentlessly to America for freedom. No one flocks to China for freedom. They flee it.

Are the saboteurs too many to be held accountable? Stay tuned. As Churchill once said, "It is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

Ned Cosby, a regular contributor to American Thinker, is a pastor, veteran Coast Guard officer, and a retired public high school teacher. His new novel OUTCRY is a love story exposing the refusal of Christian leaders to report and discipline clergy who sexually abuse our young people. This work of fiction addresses crimes that are all too real. Cosby has also written RECOLLECTIONS FROM MY FATHER'S HOUSE, tracing his own odyssey from 1954 to the present. For more info, visit Ned Cosby.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), angered by the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, recently laid out his vision for a sweeping Democratic campaign pitch, tweeting: "We are the party of freedom. Freedom to make your own health-care choices. Freedom from your fear of gun violence. Freedom to have your vote counted. Our message is our values. Freedom for all." (Please suppress your laughter until later in this post.)

The Chinese honey-trap dupe and profligate gasbag forgot to mention the Democrats' favorite freedom, the freedom for them to lie, as granted by their Protector, the mainstream media, AKA "The enemy of the people."

Not to be outdone, the Democratic governor of Swalwell's home state, Gavin Newsom, recently aired an ad aimed at Florida's popular Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, that warned Floridians: "Freedom, it's under attack in your state." (Again, please hold your guffawing until later in this article.)

Neither the California Beholden Boy nor the slick, French Laundryloving hypocrite are the brightest bulbs in the pack, or they would've realized how ridiculous their claims are. Freedom from your fear of gun violence? Yes, we are all aware of the safe urban paradises such as Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Compton, California. Other cities such as Seattle, Portland, Detroit, Baltimore, New York, Milwaukee, Gary, Chicago  and our nation's capital, Washington, D.C.  have been run entirely by Democrats for decades...and are among the most dangerous and violent in the nation.

Democrats do believe in the freedom to count all votes (and then some)...if they were cast for Democratic candidates. The others? Well, they believe in the freedom to suppress abort them.

Today's Democrats saying they are "the party of freedom" because they are pro-abortion would be like if Nazis had said, "See, we are the party of freedom because we believe people should have the freedom to choose to kill Jews. We're pro-choice!"

Yes, Democrats believe in the freedom to kill babies, burn and loot cities, take illicit drugs, change genders, pack the court, end the filibuster  and force other people to act and believe as they do. The particularly intelligent and nuanced reader will discern that that is quite different from the freedom of speech, assembly, religion, etc., that the Founders granted us.

If Democrats were honest, they would say: "We're not big on life. Or liberty. But we do think you have the right to pursue happiness...through spontaneous sex, psychedelic drug use, and the destruction of property  all without accountability or consequence! Vote for us!"

Image: Mark Hillary via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
A man who attempted to kill a sitting congressman and New York gubernatorial candidate was released shortly after the murder attempt.

On July 21, U.S. representative Lee Zeldin was making a campaign speech at the New York VFW in his bid to win the election for governor of New York in November. He was speaking to a crowd from a stage "when a man stumbled through the crowd. He then proceeded to climb on the stage and pull what was initially believed to be a knife," according to RochesterFirst.com.

The weapon was eventually determined to be a black hardened plastic keychain with two sharp points designed for self-defense.

The man, later identified at David Jakubonis, swung his weapon toward Zeldin's neck, telling him, "You're done." AMVETS national director Joe Chenelly tackled and restrained him before getting assistance from other bystanders. They detained him until the Monroe County Sheriff's Office could take him into custody.

Zeldin was not hurt and took the stage again when it was over.

Jakubonis was arraigned on Thursday evening on a count of second-degree attempted assault but was then "quickly released on his own recognizance," according to the New York Post.

This confirmed a prediction Zeldin made after the attack. "His words as he tried to stab me a few hours ago were 'you're done', but several attendees, including @EspositoforNY, quickly jumped into action & tackled the guy," Zeldin tweeted. "Law enforcement was on the scene within minutes. The attacker will likely be instantly released under NY's laws."

So, in New York, someone can attack and attempt to murder someone, have it captured on film, and be walking free within hours.

This is why crime is on the rise in the state. Criminals know there are no consequences for their actions.

While police are often blamed for the spike in crime, it is often liberal prosecutors who fail to take cases to court or laws passed by liberal legislatures that are causing the problem. Interestingly, at the time of the attack, Zeldin was delivering a speech about bail reform, which many people believe is one of the contributors for the spike in crime in the state.

Hochul, to her credit, condemned the attack on her opponent. She tweeted, "My team has informed me about the incident at Lee Zeldin's campaign event tonight. Relieved to hear that Congressman Zeldin was not injured and that the suspect is in custody. I condemn this violent behavior in the strongest terms possible  it has no place in New York."

While that is well and good, actions speak louder than words, and Hochul's actions have shown New Yorkers that she doesn't truly condemn violent behavior in the state. Her actions show that she not only supports it; she invites it.

And, unfortunately, for residents of the state, their only alternative to live safely is to move out of the state because New York is so blue, they will likely vote Kathy Hochul back into office, where she will continue advocating policies that go light on criminals and endanger citizens.

Michael A. Letts is the CEO and Founder of In-VestUSA, a national grassroots non-profit organization helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs.

Image via Picryl.
The scientific method is a useful tool that modern man has learned to exploit to our collective advantage. Scientism, however, is the view that the material world is all that exists, and that use of the scientific method is the only true way of knowing anything.

Like any worldview, Scientism is based on a set of presuppositions one takes on faith, yet if you speak with people entrenched in this view, they may not recognize that the conclusions they come to are ultimately faith-based opinions. When limited to describing the physical world, their opinions have been reliable, though less so when the scientific method has been used to justify policy objectives, where research funding has driven the science in support of political aims, and where research is suppressed that does not support the political aims of those in power.

Likewise, the study of history is a useful tool. From it we can see patterns of behavior where, to quote Lord Acton, "power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Historicism, however, is the view that there are forces driving history toward a predetermined endpoint beyond human control. An irony of political activism is the urgency with which people believe they must act in order to bring about a supposedly predetermined future.

But for the diehard activists of today, it's not enough to act with compassion toward the plight of the poor, lifting people of all backgrounds to a place of equal opportunity before the law. No, history must be rewritten to villainize peoples of the past, and in accordance with today's standards. Never mind that our country's founders were well aware of the egregious wrongs they inherited and sought to build a system that would allow those wrongs to be corrected over time. For the radical activist, the entire system must be burned down, even to the great hurt of those whom they ostensibly seek to favor.

But when you combine the presuppositions of Scientism (a completely materialistic world where all knowing is based in the physical sciences) with the presuppositions of Historicism (where history is being driven toward a predetermined end), we have two of the underpinnings of Marxism. Add a large dose of radical activism in favor of today's victims (class struggle), and we're well on our way to feeling that we're significant, and as we imagine ourselves leading the way toward a predetermined end.

I'll just note one further point of irony here. In a completely materialistic universe it's not possible to define an objective set of ethics or morals (where all such things are now thought to be relative). Yet we live in an age where people are devoted to virtue signaling with the hope of being seen as standing on "the right side of history." But since we'll be dead and long forgotten by future generations, why should we be concerned about staking a claim to significance in a materialistic universe that doesn't care, and where there is no standard for what is good, beautiful, right or wrong?

Yet, many also feel the need to denigrate the choices and ethics of the people of the past. What is our basis for this in an uncaring materialistic world where all morals are relative? Why do we think that we're so highly moral, and that our contributions are so necessary toward reaching a predetermined end?

Ancient literature highlights this impulse people have to make a name for themselves. We see it in the efforts of the people who worked to build the Tower of Babel. We're told that the project failed under the hand of God's judgment. This God apparently exists beyond the materialistic universe we've defined for ourselves, standing in judgment over it. He also defines an objective set of morals that center on the character of one person, one who sacrificed Himself for the good of all who would place their trust in Him and follow Him accordingly.

But perhaps there ultimately is a predetermined end to all this, and there may well be a basis for activism on behalf of the poor and the voiceless (whether powerless or pre-born). If we're concerned about landing on the "right side of history," we may want to forsake our attempts to remake the world in our own image in favor of a stance of gratitude toward the One who has given Himself on our behalf, showing us how to live lives of true and lasting meaning in this world (that would be Jesus Christ, of whom much has been written). In doing so, we may even avoid the fate (judgment and confusion) of those who were committed to the Tower of Babel project of the past.

Tower of Babel, painted by Pieter Brueghel the Elder in 1563
Is there anyone out there who's not disgusted, utterly disgusted, with the chic Vogue fashion-glamour shots of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife from the rubble and war rooms of Ukraine?

First Lady Olena Zelenska, Kyiv, Ukraine, July 2022 / For @voguemagazine To Be Featured In Vogue Magazine, October 2022 pic.twitter.com/dxMaWUbEHu  Annie Leibovitz (@annieleibovitz) July 26, 2022

Vogue's hagiographic cover story is about what you'd expect from an organ that once placed a gushing glamour-profile of the Syrian dictator's wife on its cover.

It begins with this gushery:

There is no script for first ladies in wartime, and so Olena Zelenska is writing her own. The wife of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a longtime comedy writer, always preferred to stay behind the scenes, while her husband, a comedian turned politician whose presidency may yet determine the fate of the free world, glowed in the limelight. But ever since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Zelenska has suddenly found herself center stage in a tragedy. When I met her on a recent rainy afternoon in Kyiv, where cafes were busy even amid frequent air-raid sirens, her luminous face and green-brown eyes seemed to capture the range of emotions coursing through Ukraine today: deep sadness, flashes of dark humor, recollections of a safer, happier past, and a steely core of national pride. "These have been the most horrible months of my life, and the lives of every Ukrainian," she said, speaking her country's language through a translator. "Frankly I don't think anyone is aware of how we have managed emotionally." What inspires her, she told me, is her fellow Ukrainians. "We're looking forward to victory. We have no doubt we will prevail. And this is what keeps us going."

Gag, gag, gag. Just that first sentence made me want to barf. Someone that posed and gussied up in the tricks of the glamour trade, insouciantly tousled, with zero dirt or wrinkles, utterly fashion-forward, sure sounds credible on that claim of endless misery.

We have seen pictures of Ukrainian misery, and...one of these things is not like the other.

Even foreign policy establishmentarian guru Ian Bremmer is queasy:

zelensky has done an extraordinary job in beating the russians in information warfare



vogue wartime photo shoot:

bad idea pic.twitter.com/8O9jjlL5Gn  ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) July 27, 2022

For some, it was so bad that it was as if the Russians had put it out:

Been seeing these and wondering if they were real. A Vogue fashion shoot of Ukraine's first lady at the wreckage of the Antonov AN-225? The answer is yes. https://t.co/4nMqcnzwyu pic.twitter.com/3VZRkBTiL5  Byron York (@ByronYork) July 27, 2022

It's a good guess that over in Moscow, someone is getting scolded, or maybe packed off to the Gulag, for not thinking it up first.

That's because any normal response to these glamour shots is very damaging to battered Ukraine's cause.

Ukraine is supposedly to be a beleaguered nation at war. It's a nation we care about, a nation whose flag we wave. It has lost 12,000 citizens to Russia's brutal invasion. Many of its cities lie in rubble, and there are continuous horror stories about rapes, robberies, lootings, and random callous killings. More than that, it most certainly has not won that war, either, and Russia, which has little regard for the suffering of its own citizens sent to fight and pay, may well do that in the end, given its tenacity.

We all know that the Zelenskys are actors, and early on in the war, they used the knowledge of theatre and public relations to extremely good effect, given that their nation had never prepared much for war and it suddenly found itself all alone fighting the Russians. With a situation like that, having an actorly president who could convey the grit and determination of the Ukrainians, as well as rally the people, was a masterful stroke of good luck.

It also stood in stark contrast to the Russian failure at public relations, with the aging, unsmiling, clearly health-challenged Vladimir Putin sitting at his long, long, long table in gilded rooms, afraid to allow even his closest generals near him.

Putin was aged and isolated and evil. Zelensky was youth and hope and courage.

The problem now is that the act is old.

Things have changed. Arms are flowing in from Europe and the U.S. in huge amounts now. There is constant talk of rebuilding as if the war has been won already. Some $54 billion has been allocated by U.S. Congress to hand over to Ukraine for various purposes  pensions for bureaucrats, infrastructure rebuilding, weapons, housing, and more  with no oversight or accountability, which is a credibility-killer of Ukraine, as it leaves much of the U.S. public skeptical. Joe Biden's corruption is another tangential issue  is Biden handing over that cash to keep Ukraine quiet about what it knows about Hunter Biden's corrupt business dealings? Be nice to know the answer to that one. Meanwhile, Russia is in no paradise for its stubborn invasion. It's now being pressured by its allies, such as Kazakhstan, and to some extent, China, to get the hell out.

The fact that a lot of money has rolled in, that Ukaine is corrupt to start with, and the war has yet to be won, serves to make this Vogue photo shoot a snake-eyes roll of the dice for the idea of stoking any sympathy for Ukraine. They have the cash. Where is the victory? Tell us about all the time you have for this photo shoot with all its fakey-fake goo-goo eye embraces and those straddling macho legs on the first lady sitting down to show determination? They haven't won...so aren't they supposed to be a bit more serious than to take on a Vogue glamour photo shoot? We thought this war was real.

We already saw the act tatter a bit when Hollywood celebrities, and aging rock king Bono, turned up in Kiev to take in the rubble scenery and look "concerned." We've seen the political pilgrimages from House speaker Nancy Pelosi, Jill Biden, Boris Johnson. We've already begun to feel the cringe when Zelensky addressed the Emmy awards. This Vogue photo shoot  which is all about desire, fashion, glamour, status  is simply the apex of this ongoing bad judgment, which, as one member of the Twitterati noted, was a failure to read the room.

Incredibly, there were a few defenders, and none could read the room any more than the Zelenskys could. Here is one:

What do the Vogue photos convey? Strength, defiance, self-confidence. Thats the message for the Ukrainian people, for the West and  for the Kremlin. Ukraine and the Zelenskys are not going away. Maybe thats why some people hate the photos  Bruno Macaes (@MacaesBruno) July 28, 2022

Here is someone who could:

Nothing says there's a pandemic like dancing nurses on tiktok



Nothing says there's a climate crisis than world leaders flying into a meeting to discuss said crisis in their private jets



Nothing says there's a war like a Vogue photoshoot and an appearance at Glastonbury  Heather Taylor (@Heachy_1979) July 28, 2022

It seems that Zelensky is comfortable now, and happy to turn Ukraine's war rooms into theatrical sets for photo shoots from the world's most glitzy, buzzy, chi-chi professional photographers now, for the descamisados to eat up before flipping the page to another article about must-have purses when you're in your thirties.

It stinks from two points of view: one, that Zelensky is mighty comfortable with his millions these days, enough to swan around for glamour shots to be gushed at by the beautiful people as well as gullible women, and two, that he's still asking the West to cough up more cash, weapons, resources, and more to aid his country, and asking Ukrainians themselves to "keep fighting until you die." Who the hell would want to die for those kinds of wealthy out-of-touch elites?

There were dim views all around:

Posing for Vogue while your country and people are being ravaged by war. pic.twitter.com/DGiAbN6Ee1  Sarah Abdallah (@sahouraxo) July 27, 2022

Heres one pic that didnt make it into Vogue  pic.twitter.com/W0bxGwlEPs  Nat (@Arwenstar) July 27, 2022

I do not work my ass off and pay $4.60 a gallon so that some Ukrainian oligarch and his wife can pose for a puff piece in Vogue.  Eric Matheny  (@EricMMatheny) July 27, 2022

Nothing screams genuine struggle more than a wartime Vogue photoshoot. pic.twitter.com/OwyFjwJT9n  Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) July 27, 2022

Zelenskyy's Vogue photo shoot feels a lot like a CEO who's writing viral 'growth hack' threads on Twitter while company only has 2 months of cash left in the bank pic.twitter.com/p4NTBqSxCl  Corporate Chat India (@anonCorpChatInd) July 28, 2022

If I was on the frontlines and my Commander in chief and his wife popped up in Vogue, I would lay down my arms and go home.  Mazilankatha (@BigInduna) July 28, 2022

Keep fighting till you die - #Kiev to soldiers

while the actor in Chief and his wife pose for Vogue magazine and parties with celebrities https://t.co/1yDRlg5mAZ  UkraineNews (@Ukraine66251776) July 28, 2022

All in all, the act is appalling. Vogue, of course, is revolting in its editorial decisions, but this photo shoot mainly highlights the need for more scrutiny on the Zelensky pair. The mask is off, and their act has gotten very, very old.

Image: Twitter screen shot.
We might now call the proxy war in Ukraine a tale of two Victorias  a contest between the world views of assistant secretary of state Victoria Nuland and Indiana congresswoman Victoria Spartz.

Nuland magically vanished from the headlines after the post-coup phase of the now decade-old Ukraine fiasco. Recall that Nuland, an abrasive neo-conservative, was instrumental in the 2016 Maidan coup, which overthrew Viktor Yanukovych and a Ukrainian regime that dared to look East to Moscow as a potential ally.

Recall also, that when Ms. Nuland was queried about European concerns, she replied, "F--- the E.U."



Photo credit: Ssturner71. CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

So much for putative allied solidarity.

Indeed, Nuland was very visible in the Maidan regime change machinations as she supported Kiev's "right sector" zealots, a threat neutralized by Russia in detail at Mariupol last month. The infamous AZOV battalion and an assortment of volunteer anarchists were moved East after 2016 to confront pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region. Most so-called neo-Nazis in Ukraine are political linear descendants of Stepan Bandera, an infamous Schutzstaffel (SS) collaborator still celebrated in Kiev. Bandera was a another unindicted participant in the European Holocaust.

Much of the Ukrainian Nazi iconography  SS arm patches and flags, for example  has disappeared since Ukraine's NATO membership campaign took center stage. Stephan Bandera, however still thrives as a national touchstone.

With the remnants of AZOV now in Russian prison camps, Vladmir Putin's strategic goal of de-Nazification seems to be an operational win for the Kremlin  and Kiev. The Right Sector was always a bigger threat to Kiev than it was to Moscow. When the Russian army takes what remains of the Donbas, the Kremlin will have achieved a second strategic objective: a defensible buffer between NATO and the Russian homeland.

Like Crimea, Moscow is unlikely to relinquish any strategic real estate, especially a buffer bought with Russian blood.

Now comes Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) a feisty, outspoken Ukrainian-born congresswoman who knows a puppet when she sees one. Spartz sees the Cyrillic on the wall in Kiev. A lone brave lady now dares to criticize Zelensky and his marionettes, illuminating two of Team Kiev's fatal strategic flaws: corruption and collusion.



Rep. Victoria Spartz (public domain).

The corruption problem has been a no-go zone for almost a decade now because too many threads lead back to Joe Biden's tenure as Ukraine point man in the Obama era. Clearly, thenvice president Biden, his brother, and his son were profiting from the 201416 free fall in Kiev. At the time, the Biden family probably thought that V.P. was as good as it would get for Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. and decided to grift a nest egg as long as Air Force II was still a free ride. The corruption problem in Ukraine, like Afghanistan and Vietnam, has always been a joint venture with Washington.

Alas, the collusion problem in Ukraine is a donkey of a different color, darker, more obscure  indeed, nearly invisible. The fall of Kherson should have been a big tell, were Washington, Brussels, and the legacy press not too busy canonizing Zelensky. As the Russians approached Kherson, the river bridges were mined, but never blown, giving Russians the delta without much of a fight  and now a clear shot at Mykolaiv and Odessa.

Clearly, as Victoria Spartz suggests, Ukrainian Russian sympathizers played a large role in the fall of the Dnieper delta. In an open campaign to solidify their Fifth Column, Moscow now prudently offers Russian passports to all comers in conquered/occupied territories.

Victoria Spartz, as a native daughter, is honest enough to realize that the collusion problem is not limited to Kherson. Note also that Odessa is a traditional Soviet destination resort with strong ties to Russian elites. If and when Odessa falls, it may go, like Kherson, with a Fifth Column whimper, not a fight.

And then maybe it's game over for Ukraine.

Two events should be decisive in the near term: the American congressional election in November and the Ukrainian winter that follows. Clearly, Brussels and Washington are trying to put lipstick on the Ukrainian pig in the run-up to November. Just as clearly, Russia is going to have a better winter than Ukraine, Europe, and America, all of whom are about to be throttled with a political and economic blizzard of epic, if not unknown dimensions.

With a cold moon rising over Washington and Brussels, "Putin's war" could become Biden's albatross, like Afghanistan, another self-inflicted humiliation. If we know anything about the Kremlin, we know two things. They can absorb the casualties, and they can endure the steppe winter. There is no history, or modern evidence, to suggest that Europe or America, one on one or collectively, will endure or relish similar discomforts  to say nothing of weathering a looming economic blight. The signs of ennui are everywhere, the usual press suspects have moved on, and Ukraine is no longer covered above the fold in America.

So far, the Russians are winning, and they have yet to break out their snowshoes, parkas, and skis.

Indeed, nobody does war and winter like a Russian.

The author writes about the politics of national security. Colonel Donovan was the former director of research and Russian (Soviet) studies for USAF Intelligence.
In "3 journalist deaths cloud Biden's push on human rights" (7/19/22), The Washington Post brazenly equated the death of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, killed in an Israeli-Palestinian firefight, with the death of Saudi journalist Jamaal Khashoggi, who was murdered and dismembered in a Saudi consulate. The article focused mainly on Akleh  no surprise, considering the Post's proclivity to defend Palestinians and disparage Israel.

Despite countless articles about the fate of Akleh, all we really know is that the Israeli military entered a Palestinian terrorist stronghold to root out the terrorists who had murdered 19 Israelis in the preceding weeks, and in the ensuing battle, Palestinian journalist Akleh was killed. It took months for the Palestinians to release the bullet that supposedly hit Akleh. The bullet was too badly damaged to implicate either of the combatant groups. Yet neither the long Palestinian delay nor the paucity of evidence stopped Palestinian sympathizers at the Post from proclaiming their pre-determined conclusion. They attributed the killing to Israel.

Yes, horrible things happen in the chaos of battle, and any collateral harm to civilians is regrettable. But that is no excuse for reporters to vent their personal antagonisms towards one party in a conflict.

In this case, the Post bashed President Biden as well for not saying enough about the tragedy. What should he have said? In the crossfire of countless bullets, no one knows who fired the fatal shot. What is known is that she and her journalist colleague were shot from behind, with the Israeli military positioned in front of them and the Palestinians behind them. If anything, that evidence casts suspicion on the Palestinian gunmen.

By contrast, investigators have convincingly established that Khashoggi was murdered by Saudi agents at the order of the Saudi government. No wonder President Biden castigated Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman and said nothing critical of Israel. The president recognized the difference between a premeditated murder and the fog of war. If only the Post would show as much integrity.

Dr. Michael Berenhaus is a freelance watchdog activist who works tirelessly to combat anti-Israel bias in the media. He has been widely published in news sources such as The Economist, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
Currently, Merrick Garland is seriously contemplating indicting Donald Trump for daring to do what Democrats did in 2000 and 2016: question an election's validity. That is a dangerous ideological turn. Meanwhile, in the land of actual facts, Miranda Devine has unearthed compelling evidence that, when Hunter's business partners were planning to have "H" hold "10%" for "the Big Guy" as part of a massive deal with a CCP-backed Chinese energy company, "the Big Guy" was Joe Biden, who had just left the vice president's office.

The background to this story is that Hunter Biden, in a drugged out haze, dropped his computer off in a Delaware repair shop and never returned to pay for the repair and pick up the computer. And so it was that Hunter Biden's hard drive entered the public domain right before the 2020 election. In addition to his exceptionally disgusting, debauched, and definitely illegal habits (illicit drugs, prostitutes, and possibly much worse), the laptop was also overflowing with information about Hunter's business dealings.

Some of Hunter's business dealings were already known. For example, everyone knew that his lucrative job at Ukraine's corrupt Burisma energy company was only because his father was vice president with control over distributing U.S. funds to that equally corrupt country. It was also well known that Hunter was doing big business with the Chinese Communist Party, America's greatest geopolitical rival, during his father's time in the Obama White House.



Image: Joe and Hunter Biden arrive in China (edited). YouTube screen grab.

What wasn't known was whether Joe Biden was actively engaged in Hunter's business dealings. Joe vociferously denied having anything to do with Hunter's work, although it was Joe who flew Hunter out to China on Air Force Two.

The laptop, though, yielded some interesting info: on May 13, 2017, when Joe Biden was barely out of the White House and still a power player, James Gilliar, one of Hunter's partners, wrote an email to Tony Bobulinski (a partner), with ccs to Rob Walker (another partner) and Hunter himself. Gilliar's email detailed the breakdown of profit distributions from the deal with CEFC, that CCP-affiliated energy company:

At the moment there s [sic] a provisional agreement that the equity will be distributed as follows 20 H 20 RW 20 JG 20 TB 10 Jim 10 held by H for the big guy?

The email distribution list made it clear who most of those recipients were: H was obviously Hunter; RW was Rob Walker; JG was James Gilliar, TB was Tony Bobulinski, and Jim was almost certainly James Biden, Joe's brother, who, like Hunter, had no discernible skills but got major business contracts in whatever overseas country Joe acted on behalf of the United States.

But who was "the Big Guy"? Joe, as noted, denied it was he. Fifty former intelligence officials insisted that the story was Russian disinformation. The FBI also claimed that the hard drive contained disinformation. That seems to have been a lie. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has just identified credible FBI whistleblower information that the FBI knew all along that the hard drive was the real deal but lied about it, and then buried it, in order to protect Joe's candidacy.

Tony Bobulinski, however, sat down for a lengthy, detailed interview with Tucker Carlson and carefully explained that, of course, Joe was the Big Guy. Bobulinski said he knew that fact as a matter of firsthand information. But still, from Joe on down, it was all denial, denial, denial from the Democrats.

That all changed yesterday when Miranda Devine broke a new story about Hunter Biden's hard drive. She came into possession of a message that James Gilliar left on October 14, 2020, when the Hunter Biden hard drive story broke. In the message, Gilliar tried to calm an unknown person about the risks to him from the hard drive becoming public  and in the message, he explicitly referred to Joe Biden as...you guessed it..."the Big Guy":

In the message, Gilliar, 58, reassured the person that the revelations about Biden's apparent involvement in his son's foreign deals would not be damaging  regardless of the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Gilliar was asked if "Hunter and/or Joe or Joe's campaign [would] try to make it 'Oh, we were never involved'  and try to basically make us collateral damage?" "I don't see how that would work for them" Gilliar responded in the 6.07 p.m. message reviewed by The Post. "I think in the scenario that he wins they would just leave sleeping dogs lie," Gilliar added. "If they lose, honestly, I don't think that the Big Guy really cares about that because he'll be too busy focusing on all the other s--- he is doing."

In the law, we call that "the smoking gun," for it seems to provide solid proof that Joe Biden sold access to the United States government, with his louche, debauched son as the bagman. That is, as Tucker says in his excellent monologue, both illegal and immoral:
Fishing ships anchor at the Muara Baru port in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 29, 2022. Indonesia is estimated to face drops in fish supplies as 2.2 million fishers cannot go fishing because of rising fuel prices, an official said Thursday. (Xinhua/Veri Sanovri)

JAKARTA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is estimated to face drops in fish supplies as 2.2 million fishers cannot go fishing because of rising fuel prices, an official said Thursday.

Muhammad Zaini, Director General for Capture Fisheries of the country's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said in a written statement that 50 percent of fishers across the country who owned fishing vessels of above 10 gross tonnage (GT) could not go fishing since the government increased the non-subsidized diesel price from 12,000 rupiahs (0.81 U.S. dollars) to almost 18,000 rupiahs.

"In eastern Indonesia, the price can even reach 24,000 rupiahs. We currently have around 200,000 unit vessels above 10 GT, with more than 2 million fishermen. The rising prices will not only cause drops in fish supplies, but also force the fishermen to be jobless," Zaini said.

Currently, he said, there were hundreds of fishing vessels parked and stranded in each port in Indonesia. This condition may disturb Indonesia's position as one of the world's largest fish exporters.

In 2021, Indonesia's fresh fish export volume reached 55,300 tons, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency. Its biggest market was Malaysia with 30,800 tons, followed by Singapore with 15,200 tons and China with 3,140 tons. (1 dollar equals 14,883 Indonesian Rupiahs) 

People unload skipjack tuna from a ship at Muara Baru port in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 29, 2022. Indonesia is estimated to face drops in fish supplies as 2.2 million fishers cannot go fishing because of rising fuel prices, an official said Thursday. (Xinhua/Veri Sanovri)

People rest on a ship that anchored at Muara Baru port in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 29, 2022. Indonesia is estimated to face drops in fish supplies as 2.2 million fishers cannot go fishing because of rising fuel prices, an official said Thursday. (Xinhua/Veri Sanovri)

People unload skipjack tuna from a ship at Muara Baru port in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 29, 2022. Indonesia is estimated to face drops in fish supplies as 2.2 million fishers cannot go fishing because of rising fuel prices, an official said Thursday. (Xinhua/Veri Sanovri)

People rest on a ship that anchored at Muara Baru port in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 29, 2022. Indonesia is estimated to face drops in fish supplies as 2.2 million fishers cannot go fishing because of rising fuel prices, an official said Thursday. (Xinhua/Veri Sanovri)
Google Calendar is making it easier to share your working location. The feature is now enabled by default for everyone. You no longer need to manually enable the feature in your Calendar app settings before you can enter your location information. This change lets you specify where you are working from in fewer clicks.

The ability to specify your working location in Google Calendar is a fairly new feature. Introduced in August last year, it came in light of the changing work culture during and post the pandemic lockdowns. During lockdowns, work from home had become a new norm. But as things got better, companies started welcoming their employees back into the office.

However, most companies allowed optional work from home depending on the local conditions, among other things. Some opted for a hybrid work culture where employees have to alternately work from home and the office. Google wanted to address a problem with this system  enabling employees to notify their colleagues and bosses about where they will be working on a given day without much hassle. Users can specify their working locations from a dropdown menu next to the daily working hours in Google Calendar.

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In May this year, Google announced a change that offered the same functionality in a more compact format. It made entering and updating location information easier and faster by using the screen space more efficiently. Now, the company is further simplifying the process by enabling the feature by default for everyone. Of course, it can still be turned off.

In a blog post earlier this week, Google stated that Admins can disable the feature at the organizational level. So your organization can control whether you have access to it. The existing settings for your domain will remain unchanged unless updated in the Admin console.

The latest change to Google Calendar is now rolling out

This change that enables the ability to specify your working location in Google Calendar by default for everyone is now rolling out to users. Those on Rapid Release domains will receive it by August 9, followed by users on Scheduled Release domains.

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Google says the feature is available to Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Nonprofits, and legacy G Suite Business customers. Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Frontline, and legacy G Suite Basic customers miss out. Users with personal Google Accounts also dont get it.
Qualcomm and Samsung have extended their strategic partnership for seven more years. Specifically, the two companies are extending their patent license agreement through the end of 2030. They are also expanding the scope of their partnership as part of this renewal. Qualcomm announced the extension Wednesday, during its quarterly earnings call for the period ending June 30, 2022.

In a press release, Qualcomm stated that it has agreed on a seven-year extension of its patent license agreement for networking technologies with Samsung. This agreement covers 3G, 4G, 5G, and the upcoming 6G networking technologies. This should mean the Korean firm will equip its Galaxy devices with Qualcomm-made network components for years to come.

This partnership doesnt only concern smartphones, though. Samsung will also use Qualcomm technologies across various other product categories, including tablets, PCs, extended reality, and more. To that end, the two companies have agreed to expand the scope of the partnership as well. So we should see Qualcomm powering more Galaxy devices than ever in the future.

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Our relationship with Samsung has never been stronger. For more than two decades weve worked together to lead the industry and we are pleased to continue this strategic partnership to develop innovative technologies and products using Snapdragon platforms to power more Samsung premium devices globally, said Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.

Qualcomm will power the Samsung Galaxy S23 series globally

An immediate outcome of this extended and expanded partnership between Qualcomm and Samsung will be the latter using the next-gen Snapdragon processor in its Galaxy S23 series globally next year. For years, Galaxy flagships have come in two processor variants depending on the market. They usually ship with Snapdragon processors in the US and China, while Samsungs in-house Exynos processors power the phones in most other regions.

Since the performance gap between competing Snapdragon and Exynos solutions is widely documented (Snapdragon chips have historically outperformed Exynos), the Korean behemoth faced expected wrath from customers over this. As such, it has been reducing the share of its in-house chipsets. Almost three-fourths of the Galaxy S22 phones sold this year featured Qualcomm processors.

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From next year, Samsung is going all-Qualcomm. The American chipmaker has confirmed that its upcoming flagship mobile processor, which should go by the marketing name Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, will power the Galaxy S23 series globally. Samsung isnt entirely giving up on in-house processors, though. It still plans to make flagship Exynos chipsets. Time will tell whether it can come back stronger and go neck-on-neck with Qualcomm.
(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 28 - League leader Matteo Salvini said Thursday that a report on possible Russian influence in the crisis of government that led to the collapse of outgoing Premier Mario Draghi's executive last week was "fake news".

Thursday's edition of daily newspaper La Stampa ran a report about possible contact made between Antonio Capuano, an advisor on international affairs to Salvini, and Oleg Kostyukov, a Russian embassy official.

It reported that Moscow had asked about the possibility of the League withdrawing its ministers from Draghi's government.

"Let's be serious," Salvini said on the fringes of a conference of farmers' association Coldiretti when asked about whether Russia had a hand in the crisis of government.

"A official denial is on the way. It is extremely serious that fake news is being spread.

"We are with the West and with democracy".

Cabinet Secretary Franco Gabrielli's office said that it was not true that Italy's intelligence services had reported on alleged contacts between Capuano and the Russian embassy.

La Stampa defended its piece though, saying it was based on an informal summary of intelligence work on this issue.

Draghi's ruling coalition broke down last week the the League, Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia (FI) and the 5-Star Movement (M5S) failed to back a confidence vote, leading to the dissolution of parliament and snap elections on September 25.

In the past Salvini expressed his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin on several occasions.

Salvini has, however, condemned Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and the centrist IV party called for an urgent explanatory report in parliament in the Lower House on Thursday.

Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio called for clarification too.

"These issues are very worrying," Di Maio said.

"I say to Salvini that he has to explain the relations with Russia".

Even the Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, a League ally, said it was in favour of clarification. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 28 - The Po risks losing its status as a big river because of the severe drought that Italy is suffering, water-resource observatory ANBI said on Thursday.

"The level of the Po is close to the dramatic psychological threshold of 100 cubic metres a second at the Ferrara monitoring point of Pontelagoscuro," said ANBI.

"That would declare the end of the image of (it being) a big river, with all the consequences that are deriving from that".

It said that saltwater intrusion has reached as far as 40 km from the mouth of the River Po at Goro at high tide.

The drought and a series of heat waves is causing massive problems for agriculture, with farmer's association Coldiretti reporting drops in crop yields of up to 45% in some cases.

Scientists say that extreme weather events like the heat waves that are currently hitting many parts of Europe, supercharged storms, flooding and droughts are becoming more frequent and more intense because of climate change caused by human activity.

(ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 28 - Brothers of Italy (FdI) leader Giorgio Meloni looks set to become Italy's next premier if the right/centre-right coalition wins the September 25 general election after the alliance agreed that the party that gets most votes should pick the name to put to President Sergio Mattarella.

The agreement was reached at a meeting of right/centre-right leaders on Wednesday after the issue of the future premier had caused some turmoil within the alliance.

Meloni, whose right-wing party is currently top of the opinion polls, laid down an ultimatum on Monday, saying there was no point being in an alliance without an agreement on the premier candidate.

Ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia (FI) had proposed putting off the decision to a vote of centre-right lawmakers after the election.

"Let's win first and then see who lifts the cup," FI Coordinator Antonio Tajani had said.

But Meloni's stance prevailed at Wednesday's meeting after League leader Matteo Salvini had also said the principle that the party that gets most votes also get the right to choose the premier nominee should hold. (ANSA).


KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, July 28 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and four others sustained injuries in the latest heavy rainfall and flooding in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, the provincial government said Thursday.

Flash floods occurred late on Wednesday night after heavy rains swept away scores of houses, killing the eight people including women and children and injuring four others in the Spin Boldak, Zhari and Arghandab districts, it said in a statement.

Helicopters have been dispatched to the flood-affected areas to evacuate the wounded and ship humanitarian supplies to the affected areas, according to the statement.

Monsoon rains and flooding have reportedly claimed lives and displaced families in at least 10 out of the Asian country's 34 provinces over the past one month. 
PARIS - "Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, has deliberately ignored the behavior of the Greek Coast Guard who send migrants back to sea. A practice which is forbidden". This can be read on Le Monde's front page (French daily newspaper). The newspaper today reported on the 129-page long investigation that OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Offiice, denounced in February on the controversial issue of illegal pushbacks practiced by Athens. Partnering with 'Lighthouse Reports' and the German weekly 'Der Spiegel', Le Monde had access to this document which has been kept secret.



The report confirms that former Frontex Director, Fabrice Leggeri, 54, of French nationality has kept 'human rights violations' secret. Leggeri was forced to resign at the end of April. "The report, considered to be so toxic that no one would want to read it, is the object of publishing battle", added Le Monde in the long article dedicated to the thorny issue of pushbacks.




PARIS - This is the first visit to the European Union of hereditary crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman of Saudi Arabia (also known as MBS) since the assassination of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. The Prince, the country's de facto leader, arrived in France where, this evening, he should dine with President Emmanuel Macron, following a brief stop-over in Athens. The visit, which has come under heavy criticism by human rights organizations, contributes to an additional international 'rehabilitation' of the Saudi Prince, after the US President Biden's visit two weeks ago.



The hereditary Prince landed last night at Orly airport in Paris and was welcomed by the French Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, as commented by government sources in Paris. President Macron is on mission to Africa today and will be returning to France in the afternoon. The President will receive the Prince for a 'working dinner' this evening at 20:30 at the Eliysee Palace.

"The war in Ukraine- comments Camille Lons, researcher at the international institute for strategic studies- has put energy-producing countries at the center and they are exploiting this position. It provides them with political leverage which they intend to use on the international arena". While Western countries exhibit 'pragmatism', observes Dons. When "the price of energy rises exponentially, human rights in Saudi Arabia no longer are an agenda priority".



Bin Salman's visit is provoking strong criticism on the French political scene. The former Presidential green candidate, Yannick Jadot, vehemently criticized President Macron's decision to receive the Prince at the presidential palace. "What will be on the dinner menu of Macron and MBS? The dismembered body parts of journalist Khashoggi? Climate change? Peace and human rights? () Of course not! Oil and weapons! This is exactly the contrary of what should be done", denounces on Twitter the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) of the center-left European party Europe Ecology the Greens Europe (EELV).



Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have also expressed their strong criticism. Secretary General of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, in a comment to France Presse, noted "I am profoundly worried by this visit, for what it represents the world and for Jamal Khashoggi and people like him". She described the hereditary Prince as a man "who does not tolerate dissent". In contrast, Aurore Berge, group leader of the Renaissance party which supports Macron at the National Assembly, stated "it is important for the President to meet with his de facto interlocutors (). Even more so in the context we know which is linked to the Ukrainian crisis and the significant energy challenges that we have ahead of us", she commented on Franceinfo.
ISTANBUL - The Turkish fiance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, killed at the Riyadh Consulate in Istanbul, said she was "outraged" for the decision of French President Emmanuel Macron to invite the hereditary crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) to Paris. "I am shocked and outraged for Emmanuel Macron's decision to receive my fiance's murderer with full honors", stated Hatice Cengiz.



According to a Turkish and CIA investigation, MBS had a role in the assassination of the journalist in Istanbul in 2018.

This is the first visit to the European Union of MBS since the assassination of Khashoggi. The Prince, the country's de facto leader, arrived in France where, this evening, he should dine with President Emmanuel Macron, following a brief stop-over in Athens. The visit, which has come under heavy criticism by human rights organizations, contributes to an additional international 'rehabilitation' of the Saudi Prince, after the US President Biden's visit two weeks ago.

The hereditary Prince landed last night at Orly airport in Paris and was welcomed by the French Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, as commented by government sources in Paris. President Macron is on mission to Africa today and will be returning to France in the afternoon. The President will receive the Prince for a 'working dinner' this evening at 20:30 at the Eliysee Palace.

"The war in Ukraine- comments Camille Lons, researcher at the international institute for strategic studies- has put energy-producing countries at the center and they are exploiting this position. It provides them with political leverage which they intend to use on the international arena". While Western countries exhibit 'pragmatism', observes Dons. When "the price of energy rises exponentially, human rights in Saudi Arabia no longer are an agenda priority".

Bin Salman's visit is provoking strong criticism on the French political scene. The former Presidential green candidate, Yannick Jadot, vehemently criticized President Macron's decision to receive the Prince at the presidential palace. "What will be on the dinner menu of Macron and MBS? The dismembered body parts of journalist Khashoggi? Climate change? Peace and human rights? () Of course not! Oil and weapons! This is exactly the contrary of what should be done", denounces on Twitter the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) of the center-left European party Europe Ecology the Greens Europe (EELV).

Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have also expressed their strong criticism. Secretary General of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, in a comment to France Presse, noted "I am profoundly worried by this visit, for what it represents the world and for Jamal Khashoggi and people like him". She described the hereditary Prince as a man "who does not tolerate dissent". In contrast, Aurore Berge, group leader of the Renaissance party which supports Macron at the National Assembly, stated "it is important for the President to meet with his de facto interlocutors (). Even more so in the context we know which is linked to the Ukrainian crisis and the significant energy challenges that we have ahead of us", she commented on Franceinfo.
TUNIS - After having celebrated the referendum's vote in favor of the new Constitution, President Kais Saied, received the head of the government, Najla Bouden, at the palace in Carthage, to discuss the organization of the up-coming Parliamentary elections and of those of the Regional Assembly and territories, a change introduced by the new Constitutional text. The office of the Tunisian presidency communicated in a note that the election organization, according to Saied, requires the preparation of a special electoral law, hence the need to issue a special decree.



Saied has reminded the premier even on the need of a decree for the creation of a Constitutional Court, in conformity with the dispositions of the new Constitution. With reference to the criticism of the referendum results, the President of the Electoral Commission, Farouk Bouasker, has declared on national television that "anyone who questions the results should voice its complaint with the judiciary.




Personal property law should be reformed to better recognise digital assets such as cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in response to their growth in popularity, the Law Commission of England and Wales has said.

The Commission has published proposals that suggest creating a new category of personal property be created within the law to accommodate crypto-based assets, including cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

The proposals also suggest clarifying the law around the ownership of digital assets, saying provisionally that the concept of control rather than possession could be applied to crypto assets.

The Law Commission said it believed crypto-tokens could be considered appropriate objects subject to property rights and that existing rules around the transfer of title could be applied to the assets when it came to transfers and transactions of crypto assets.

The Commission said some law reform was needed in order to recognise and protect the rights of users as well as maximise the potential of digital assets.

It said further consultation on the topic was needed because as crypto assets are not tangible they have different features to physical assets and therefore do not fit easily into current private property law categories or definitions.

It argues the proposals could help the law better acknowledge their unique features and could help create a stronger legal foundation for the industry going forward.

Professor Sarah Green, the Law Commissioner for commercial and common law, said: Digital assets such as NFTs and other crypto-tokens have evolved and proliferated at great speed, so its vital that our laws are adaptable enough to be able to accommodate them.

Our proposals aim to create a strong legal framework that offers greater consistency and protection for users and promotes an environment that is able to encourage further technological innovation.

Its important that we focus on developing the right legal foundations to support these emerging technologies, rather than rushing to impose structures that could stifle their development.

By clarifying the law, England and Wales could reap the potential rewards and position itself as a global hub for digital assets.

The Commission has now called for responses to its consultation, asking them to be submitted by November 4.
Around one in 12 businesses have defaulted on the Government-backed loans they took during the pandemic.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy revealed on Thursday that 414 million has so far been paid out to cover loans that have gone bad.

The data is still provisional and the final figures are likely to show much higher numbers.

By some estimates the Government might have to pay out to cover nearly 40% of the 77.1 billion that was lent during the pandemic.

During the early days of Covid-19, the Government launched three loan schemes to help out businesses as many were forced to close because of lockdowns.

Billions of pounds were paid out by banks.

To speed up the loans and to encourage banks to give them out, the Treasury said it would pay up if the businesses were unable to.

It would cover 80% of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans and Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loans, and 100% of the Bounce Back Loans, which were designed for smaller businesses.

For the first time the data shows what banks have claimed the most.

Metro Bank and Barclays were the two single biggest claimants so far, with the Government paying them 122 million and 88 million respectively for bounce back loans. These banks have claimed back 8.5% and 0.8% of the money they lent from the Government.

Two smaller lenders  Tide and Capital on Tap  have claimed back around a quarter of the money they lent to businesses.

The banks making the biggest claims were keen to stress that these are still early figures.

Tide said its electronic systems were likely quicker to identify and then make claims.

Tide said: As a business, we offered bounceback loans to help our customers through lockdowns and to support the Governments efforts to help the economy during the pandemic crisis.

We have put in claims for NPLs (non-performing loans) more quickly compared to traditional banks which are likely to do so over the coming year.

Furthermore, the businesses we serve are typically younger, so the risk of failure is much higher. The next 12 months will give a better picture of the NPLs across all the lenders.

It also pointed out that its lending was limited and it has only claimed back 15 million so far. Capital on Tap claimed even less  just 4.7 million.

The data also shows that 85% of all loans have either been fully repaid or monthly payments are being met, while 8% of borrowers have defaulted.
More than 100,000 people fleeing the war in Ukraine have received sanctuary in the UK through its visa schemes, according to Government figures.

Some 104,000 people had arrived in the UK under Ukraine visa schemes as of Monday, figures published by the Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration show.

The milestone was reached more than four months after the Governments visa schemes were launched in March.

(PA Graphics)

The Government thanked members of the public for their generosity in opening their homes to those seeking safety.

The total includes 31,300 people under the family scheme, and 72,700 people under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme.

Overall, there have been almost 200,000 visa applications, meaning just over half of those who have applied have arrived in the UK.

The figures show that, as of Tuesday, around 198,200 applications have been made for visas, and 166,200 visas have been issued.

These include 55,000 applications under the family scheme, of which 47,200 visas have been granted, and 143,200 applications under the sponsorship scheme, of which 119,000 visas have been granted.

Overall, 62.6% of those who have been issued with visas under either scheme have reached the UK.

Just over half (52.5%) of those who have applied for visas under the schemes have arrived.

These allow those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine to come to the UK for up to three years.

The family scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their relatives to join other family already living in the UK, while the sponsorship scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their relatives to come to the UK if they have a sponsor who can provide accommodation.

From Thursday, the Government will consider new applications under the sponsorship scheme from unaccompanied children who wish to come to the UK without a parent or guardian, providing they have parental consent.

Maria Kartashova, who lives with her host in Surrey, said the UK public is giving more than help to Ukrainians.

She said: You support us at every stage, spend your time and energy, pay attention and give care. I cannot put into words how grateful I am.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Greg Clark thanked everyone who has welcomed Ukrainians into their homes.

He said: Behind this milestone however are 100,000 stories of pain  families split apart and forced to leave their fathers, sons and brothers.

That is why we want peace and security in Ukraine so that its brave people can be safe at home again.

Refugees minister Lord Richard Harrington said: We would not be able to welcome 100,000 people from Ukraine to our shores without generous people around the country opening their doors.

It is important that we recognise the selfless work of the public to help Ukrainians integrate into their communities.

We understand families are having to make difficult decisions to leave their homes  which is why it is important we took the time to get this right to ensure we can continue offering safety to as many Ukrainians as possible.

Tamsin Baxter, executive director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, praised the publics truly inspiring generosity, but said the schemes have been beset by delays and bureaucracy.

The public mood has often been ahead of Government policy, and we remain concerned that proper support needs to be in place to make the schemes as successful as possible, she said.

It is a matter of deep regret that there is a sharp contrast between the care and compassion rightly shown for Ukrainian refugees and other elements of the refugee and asylum system.

As the first anniversary of the fall of Kabul approaches, thousands of Afghans remain trapped, split from their families either in hotels in the UK or in Afghanistan itself. The Governments Rwanda scheme is cruel and inhumane.

The Local Government Association said councils are working hard to help new arrivals, and sponsors have played an incredible role by opening up their homes.

Its chairman, councillor James Jamieson, said: Both they and their guests need continued support to help people to start to rebuild their lives and plan ahead, and to ensure more people feel able to step forward to offer their help and their houses as arrivals continue.
PHNOM PENH, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Minister of Labor and Vocational Training Ith Samheng on Thursday commended the Chinese-invested Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) for its efforts to maintain investment and expand business despite the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

Samheng made the remarks during a meeting here with Chen Jiangang, president of the SSEZ, which is the kingdom's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy.

"Maintaining the robust development of the SSEZ is a testament to the ironclad friendship between our two countries, Cambodia and China," the minister said.

"It's also part of the Cambodia-China cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, which has provided significant benefits to Cambodia," he added.

Samheng also praised the zone operator for paying particular attention to the workers' well-being through providing healthcare, especially for pregnant workers, and building dormitories.

Meanwhile, the minister said the Chinese-invested Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway project, which connects Phnom Penh and the province of Preah Sihanouk, will speed up travel between the two economic powerhouses.

He said the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement, which both entered into force on Jan. 1, 2022, will boost trade and investment relations between Cambodia and China.

During the meeting, Chen briefed the minister about the progress in the SSEZ development, saying that the value of imports and exports passing through the zone reached 1.37 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2022, up 38 percent year-on-year.

He said the SSEZ currently houses 170 enterprises from China, Europe, the United States and some other Asian countries, generating nearly 30,000 jobs.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's undersecretary of state and spokesman Penn Sovicheat said the SSEZ is a perfect example of a win-win cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The SSEZ has provided a lot of jobs to workers and served as a role model for the cluster industries and as a base for exports," he told Xinhua. 
Rappers Stormzy and AJ Tracey were among celebrities to join Oscar-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya at a star-studded London premiere of Jordan Peeles new horror film Nope.

Mercury Prize-nominated singer Joy Crookes, along with cast members including Keke Palmer and Donna Mills, also appeared on the blue carpet at the Odeon in Leicester Square.

Kaluuya, who gained worldwide recognition and his first Academy Award nomination after starring in Peeles directorial debut Get Out, has reunited with him on his latest feature.

The 33-year-old actor wore black sunglasses with a white shirt and camel-coloured suit as he posed for pictures outside the central London venue.

Stormzy, 29, cut a casual figure in a dark top, black trousers and grey trainers as he stopped to take selfies with a huge line of fans.

Stormzy attending the UK premiere of Nope (Ian West/PA)

The Big For Your Boots hitmaker is a long-time supporter Kaluuyas work, having name-checked the actor in a tweet after he won a Bafta Rising Star award in 2018.

The rapper tweeted at the time: Daniel Kaluuya just won a Bafta what a flipping time to be alive. Thats emotional.

In Nope, which is due for release in the UK on August 12, Kaluuya stars as wrangler OJ Haywood alongside Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun.

Daniel Kaluuya attending the UK premiere of Nope (Ian West/PA)

Set on a Californian horse ranch, Nope is Peeles follow-up to acclaimed features Get Out and Us, the former winning him the Oscar for best original screenplay.

His thought-provoking films are known for dealing with issues of race in the US and further afield through the lens of horror.
A woman whose husband was killed in the bombing of Claudy 50 years ago has urged that Northern Ireland never goes back to its troubled past.

Nine people, Catholics and Protestants, were killed and 30 injured when three car bombs exploded in the quiet Co Londonderry village on July 31 1972.

The victims included nine-year-old Kathryn Eakin, who had been cleaning the windows of her familys grocery business, Patrick Connolly, 15, and 16-year-old William Temple.

Artie Hone was among the nine people killed in the Claudy bombing (Family handout/PA)

The adults killed were Artie Hone, 38, Joseph McCluskey, 39, Elizabeth McElhinney, 59, James McClelland, 65, Rose McLaughlin, 52, and David Miller, 60.

The attack was blamed on the Provisional IRA, although the group has never claimed it.

A cross-community service is to take place on Sunday with readings and hymns attended by the churches.

Mr Hones widow Anne Bradley told the PA news agency the day remains vivid in her memory.

She recalled how her husband had been in the village with their four-year-old daughter Michelle in the car.

Anne Bradley touches a plaque dedicated to her late husband Artie Hone (Liam McBurney/PA)

He went into the shop to get a message, and was walking back towards the car when the bomb went off, she said.

Michelle was OK, the roof of the car collapsed down on top of her but she just had a cut behind her ear. Her dress was covered in glass. She was very frightened but she doesnt remember anything about it, which is good.

I only lived about 200-300 yards from the village, I ran down, our son Paul was six, I took him with me and told him to stand at the intermediate school gates while I went down to see what was going on.

It was just pandemonium down the street, glass and slates and stones.

The last photograph of Artie Hone with his children Paul and Michelle (Family handout/PA)

I met the headmaster of the school, he told me that Artie was injured and he was going to hospital, but he wouldnt let me down to see him.

Its a small country village, it was the last thing you would expect.

I had a hairdressing business down in the village, everybody got on so well, everyone supported everyone else.

Mr Hone was fatally injured in the blast and died over a week later in hospital.

Ms Bradley recalled leaning down to whisper in his ear, Im here, as she sat by his bed.

He lived for 12 days but he never regained consciousness, it was all head injuries he had, she said.

I went into the hospital that evening and spoke into his ear, and I told him that I was there.

It was good to have them (their children), without them it would have been a lot harder.

No one has ever been convicted for the attack.

Ms Bradley said she does not see any hope of getting justice at this stage.

It doesnt bring people back, and I think at this stage now, Im going to get on with the rest of my life and leave the people that did it to God, she said.

Claudy was always good, people always mixed well. Thank God there are no bombs now, please God itll never go back to that because that would be terrible if we ever have to live through that again.
A number of families who were bereaved in the IRAs bombing of Claudy are continuing legal action against the Catholic Church.

Nine people were killed on August 31, 1972 when three car bombs devastated the Co Londonderry village.

It was blamed on the Provisional IRA, but the terror group has never claimed responsibility.

No one has ever been charged in connection with the Claudy bombing.

The late Father James Chesney who was based in south Derry, not far from Claudy, where three car bombs exploded without warning (PA)

Relatives of three of the victims  William Watson Temple, 16, David Miller, 60, and James McClelland, 64  took legal action against the PSNI, the Northern Ireland Office and the Catholic Church in 2013.

It came after a Police Ombudmans report in 2010 found that a Catholic priest, the late Father James Chesney, was a suspect.

The report said police, the state and the Catholic Church covered up his suspected role in the bombing.

Fr Chesney was transferred to a parish in Co Donegal, outside the jurisdiction, following secret talks between then Secretary of State William Whitelaw and the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Cardinal William Conway.

In 2021 the PSNI and Northern Ireland Office (NIO) agreed confidential settlements without an admission of liability.

A stained glass window in the village to honour those who died in the 1972 Claudy bombing (PA Archive)

Kevin Winters of the law firm KRW Law which is representing those families said the case against the Catholic Church is continuing.

He told the PA news agency: I can confirm the case against the church is fixed for October this year.

The case did settle on confidential terms against the NIO and PSNI late last year but the families still wanted to pursue the case in so far as it related to the church.

This part of the case has been and will continue to be fully contested as the Church doesnt accept it has any civil liability for the activities of deceased priest Fr Chesney.
The parents of a 12-year-old boy left in a comatose state after suffering brain damage have failed to persuade the Supreme Court to intervene in a life-support treatment battle.

Archie Battersbees mother and father, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, had asked Supreme Court justices to give them more time to carry on their fight.

Ms Dance and Mr Battersbee want the United Nations to consider the case after losing life-support treatment fights in the High Court and Court of Appeal in London.

They wanted Supreme Court justices to bar hospital bosses from stopping life-support treatment until they have had time to make an application to the UN, and made a written application.

But three justices on Thursday refused their application.

The parents of Archie Battersbee filed their application to appeal to the Supreme Court earlier today, said a Supreme Court spokeswoman in a statement.

They were seeking a stay of the Court of Appeals decision to allow withdrawal of lifesupport treatment from their child.

Aware of the urgency of this matter, the court convened a panel of three Justices who considered submissions from the parties on paper, in the usual way.

Having considered the careful judgment of the Court of Appeal the panel has refused permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Archies parents say the UN has a protocol which allows individuals and families to make complaints about violations of disabled peoples rights.

They say the UN could ask the UK Government to delay the withdrawal of life support to Archie while a complaint is investigated.

Three Court of Appeal judges on Monday upheld a ruling by a High Court judge who had decided that doctors could lawfully stop treating Archie.

Lawyers representing Archies parents had asked appeal judges to stay the termination of treatment to allow time for consideration of an application to the European Court of Human Rights (EHCR) in Strasbourg, France.

Appeal judges imposed a stay on the termination of treatment and said Archies parents could have until 2pm on Thursday to make an application to the European court.

The PA news agency understands that nothing in any order made by Court of Appeal judges would prevent Archies parents from applying to the UN.

Hollie Dance speaks to the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Archies parents are being supported by a campaign group called the Christian Legal Centre.

A spokesman for the centre has indicated that Archies parents wanted to approach the UN rather than the European court.

The UK has joined the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which gives individuals a right to complain about any violations of the Convention to the UN Committee, he said.

The committee has previously criticised the UK system of authorising withdrawal of life support from disabled people based on the court determination of their best interests rather than on their own wishes.

Lawyers representing Archies parents argued, in their Supreme Court application, that by making a stay which only allowed an application under the ECHR, the Court of Appeal wrongly subjected them to pressure not to adopt one international human rights procedure over another.

Archie Battersbees father Paul Battersbee (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Judges have heard that Ms Dance found Archie unconscious with a ligature over his head on April 7. She thinks he might have been taking part in an online challenge.

The youngster has not regained consciousness.

Doctors treating Archie at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, think he is brain-stem dead and say continued life-support treatment is not in his best interests.

Bosses at the hospitals governing trust, Barts Health NHS Trust, had asked for decisions on what medical moves were in Archies best interests.

A High Court judge, Mrs Justice Arbuthnot, initially considered the case and concluded that Archie was dead.

But Court of Appeal judges upheld a challenge by his parents against decisions taken by Mrs Justice Arbuthnot and said the evidence should be reviewed by a different High Court judge.

The Christian Legal Centre spokesman said later: Lawyers are seeking assurances from the hospital trust that life-support will not be removed while the family make the application to UN, despite the hospital being now legally able to remove it.
Taking their time. Sharna Burgess isnt rushing to have another baby with Brian Austin Green after welcoming their son, Zane.

Read article

Were both on the same page, the Dancing With the Stars pro, 37, exclusively told Us Weekly on Wednesday, July 27. Its not that I wouldnt love to have more kids. Its [that] I want to be able to spend amazing quality time with Zane.

The couple, who began dating in 2020, announced Burgess pregnancy in February and Zane arrived four months later. Green, 49, shares sons Noah, 9, Bodhi, 8, and Journey, 5, with ex-wife Megan Fox and Kassius, 20, with ex Vanessa Marcil. Earlier this month, the actor hinted to Entertainment Tonight that he might be done expanding his family  and Burgess understands his point of view.

ABC/Craig Sjodin

You know, we have three beautiful children in this house and now weve got four young kids, and we have that joke of [him buying] a Denali so we could all fit in the same car, the choreographer told Us. If we have one more kid, were almost at, like, sprinter van status, you know, or a school bus, as he says, and thats the truth.

Burgess would love to see if she could hopefully have a daughter with the BH90210 alum someday, teasing, Brian makes boys.  Im not sure if wed be able to make a girl.

Read article

Adding another little one to their already big brood would be a big decision for the pair, who competed together on season 30 of DWTS, but Burgess isnt ruling out the possibility entirely. Well see, she said on Wednesday. But I dont know. Im so in love with this experience that maybe [Ill do it again], but right now Im four weeks out. So [I think] lets just settle into this one and see how [it goes]. Lets give it a beat.

While the ballroom dancer noted that she and Green are both on the maybe page at the moment when it comes to having more kids, she couldnt keep from gushing over her baby boy. However, she already thinks hes growing up too fast.

I wanted to do newborn photos and I didnt realize how quickly they grow out of that newborn stage, Burgess told Us. Zane was, I think, 14 days old when we did them.  I wish that I had planned those newborn photos a little earlier. We still got magical ones. Theyre gonna be amazing and I cant wait to see them, but I underestimated how quickly that stage goes.

Read article

Though the Australia native doesnt want to rush into another pregnancy, she has always dreamt of having a big family. I was an only child and I always wish[ed] for brothers and sisters, she explained. You know, Zane has come into a big family and theres so much love and support, and everyone is so excited to have him here. It does mean a lot to me. It means the world to me that hes gonna grow up in this family, its very special.

The Anger Management actor, for his part, is proud of his older kids for being so welcoming to their newest family member. The kids are so amazing with Zane, they were amazing with Sharna the whole time when she was pregnant, he told ET on July 21. They would come in every morning and they would wanna rub her belly and they would talk to him and theyre just obsessed with him. They come in every morning now, going, Is he awake yet?  Its just been really smooth sailing.

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi
I remember the first time I voted after moving to Kansas and it was one of those moments when I remember thinking, I am very someplace else.

It was the 1998 Republican primary matching the incumbent and moderate governor Bill Graves against Kansans for Life-funded anti-abortion firebrand David Miller. The Democrats had the choice between then-House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer and anti-gay, anti-abortion fanatic Fred Phelps.

At the entrance to my polling place, a west Wichita Baptist church, voters walked in under a giant banner reading: CHOOSE LIFE.

I had voted for 20 years in California and Nevada leading up to that day. Id voted at libraries, community centers, even the garage at a private home.

I had never voted at a church, much less one that felt emboldened to place such a blatant and obviously political message where voters had no choice but to see it on their way to the voting booth.

Well, here we go again.

On Tuesday, voters will be going to the polls to decide the fate of Value Them Both, a proposed constitutional amendment that would empower the Legislature to ban abortions.

And those voters may have to run a gantlet of vote yes signs to get in to their polling places.

Heres why: The state bans electioneering and signage within 250 feet of the door to a polling place. But those doors are often at the back of the church, leaving them the option to line their entrances and driveways with as many vote yes signs as theyd care to put up.

The vote no side wont have access because the church property is private property and they cant go there without permission.

It constitutes an unnecessary and unfair advantage for the pro-amendment churches.

This isnt ordinarily an issue because churches cant advocate for candidates without risking their tax-free status. But they can advocate for ballot measures and churches, including some that are polling places on Election Day, have been leading the campaign for Value Them Both.

In fact, apart from yard signs and bumper stickers. there has been little public campaigning for the amendment outside of right-leaning churches.

Central Christian Church on North Rock Road  which will be a polling place on Election Day, was the host church for a massive rally for the amendment headlined by social conservative celebs Matt and Mercedes Schlapp. And the largest source of funding for the Value Them Both campaign is the Roman Catholic Church.

Fifty-four of Sedgwick Countys 82 polling places are at churches.

Of those, a canvass by Eagle staff found eight with signs backing the amendment. While there are churches with vote no signs, we didnt find any that will also serve as polling places.

Election Commissioner Angela Caudillo said some have agreed to remove their signs on Election Day. But its their option whether they do it.

Its too late to do anything about it in time for Tuesday, but this election exposed a problem thats been around for decades and needs fixing going forward in the cause of free and fair elections.

Here are three simple ways it can be solved:

 Pass a state law expanding the no-electioneering rule to include the 250-foot circle, plus the boundary lines of the property hosting the polling site.

 Require anyone hosting a polling place to agree not to campaign or allow campaigning on their property on Election Day. If they wont, find another polling place.

 Hold our elections using public buildings and neutral sites.

Its not that difficult and its the right thing to do.
Benton County Sheriff Tom Croskrey is weighing in on an incident in Delaware thats being discussed in right wing circles, saying he will defend citizens against federal gun rights violations.

Law enforcement is not allowed to inspect your property, which would include guns, without probable cause, he told Benton County residents on a news release.

If U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, agents show up on your property without providing a legal reason and will not leave, call the Benton County Sheriffs Office, he said.

He or his deputies will investigate, he said.

It is my duty as the sheriff of Benton County to defend the citizens and their constitutional rights, Croskrey said in the signed news release Wednesday.

Your Second Amendment right to bear arms will not be infringed upon, and any action taken by the federal government that is incongruent with those rights will not be enforced by my office, he said.

His statements were prompted by requests of Benton County citizens that he comment, he said.

Concern was raised by some conservative news media and gun rights organizations over a doorbell video that was posted anonymously showing a visit to a Delaware home by law enforcement identified as two ATF agents and a Delaware state trooper.

One of the ATF agents, as identified in news reports, asks the person who answered the door to verify that he has guns from two different purchases in his possession.

A Twitter screenshot from National File reporter Frankie Stockes shows officers asking to see guns recently purchased.

The reason we are out here is obviously gun violence, there has been an uptick, said the state officer. ....We have been having a lot of issues with straw purchases.

Straw purchases are when a person buys a gun to be transferred to a person who cannot legally buy a gun themselves.

Purchasing more than two guns at a time generates a multiple-sales report that law enforcement then checks out, said the ATF agent who asked to see the guns.

You did nothing wrong, he assures the man who answered the door.

Benton sheriff criticizes ATF

Rep. Matt Rosendale, a Montana Republican said that the ATF agents did not have a search warrant and they had to rely on pressuring the homeowner for consent, according to the Washington Times.

Rosendale was quoted as calling it a surprise and unwarranted firearms inspection.

This is really, really dangerous, said conservative commentator Glenn Beck. They are preying on people who dont know their rights or Americans who are just so polite they go, Oh, OK.

Croskrey said the agents wanted to make sure the man who purchased the guns then had not sold or given the guns to someone who could not pass the ATF background check.

But, at least as far as information is available, the agents had no reason to suspect a purchase had been made with the intent of transferring guns to someone else, Croskrey said.

Benton County Sheriff Tom Croskrey is questioning the actions of federal officers seen in a doorbell video asking to see recently purchased guns in Delaware.

The ATF is not allowed to maintain a gun registry of privately owned firearms, Croskrey said.

It seems incongruent with the laws that an ATF agent can conduct a surprise inspection of your firearms based off a list of purchases when they are not allowed to maintain a list, Croskrey said.

It also is out of the ordinary for any law enforcement officer to knock on someones door to randomly inspect for potential crimes, he said.

If an ATF agent arrives on your property and asks for permission to search your property you are free to allow the search and limit their search, but you do not have to, Croskrey said. You may ask the agents to leave your property immediately.
A Boise mans two decades on the run came to an end last week when Canadian law enforcement officials found him hiding out in British Columbia.

When Louis Flood was released on parole in 2001 after serving just three years of an 18-year sentence for lewd conduct with a minor under 16 and sexual abuse of a minor, he quickly disappeared, violating the terms of his parole. Now 77, he eluded authorities for so long that the popular television show Americas Most Wanted featured him in a 2011 episode, according to a news release.

Officials said they first learned of his possible location on July 13, when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police received a tip from the public that someone named Charles Payne in Creston, British Columbia, might actually be Flood living under a false identity, according to Constable Brett Urano. Flood was living in Creston as Payne for at least five years, officials said.

Constable Dave Bickle said in the news release that he contacted Idaho law enforcement and the Idaho Department of Correction, which sent over Floods records. Included in those documents was a photo of Flood, which the Mounted Police used to confirm his identity.

I never thought I would be involved with such an interesting arrest and to have the opportunity to work with so many different agencies, Bickle said. This is a highlight for my career.

Once Flood realized he had been found, he was taken peacefully.

We met him at a public location and said, Hey, Mr. Flood, youre under arrest and youll need to come with us because youre wanted still in the States,  Urano told the Idaho Statesman. He knew it was up and he came with us without any issue at all. Hes older now, too, so its not like he could run away from us.

Canada Border Services Agency issued a removal warrant that allowed Flood to be extradited to the United States this week. He was held in a high-security facility and then brought from Vancouver, B.C., to Blaine, Washington, according to Idaho Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Michael Leigh.

This was a great collaboration of local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies working together to protect our communities, Leigh told the Idaho Statesman.

The U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Taskforce out of Seattle met Canadian immigration officials to take custody of Flood at the Peace Arch Border Crossing and arrest him on state warrants. They placed him in the Snohomish County Jail, where he was still being held on Wednesday afternoon, according to Leigh.

It was just fun getting to see the different organizations that we all get to work with have the same common goal of making sure people who committed their crimes finish their sentence and be apprehended for the crimes that they committed, Urano said.

The Creston Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Idaho officials told them Flood would be returned to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
Were tracking information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back every Thursday for updates.

More than 32,000 new cases reported

At least 32,156 new coronavirus cases were reported in North Carolina last week, up from 28,950 the week before, according to preliminary data from state health officials.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services also reported 1,290 new weekly COVID-19 hospital patient admissions, up from 1,102 the previous week, according to data through July 23, the most recent metrics available. The daily average of adult coronavirus patients in intensive care was 125, an increase from 120 the week before.

The figures were released Wednesday, July 27, about four months after health officials started adjusting information on their coronavirus dashboard and publishing weekly COVID-19 data. The data had previously been released almost every day.

Roughly 77% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 73% are fully vaccinated. Of the states total population, about 62% are fully vaccinated and about 67% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination metrics to the nearest whole number.

More than 3.8 million additional/booster doses have been administered in North Carolina as of July 27, the health department said. Health officials have urged those who are eligible to get boosted, as data shows it offers increased protection against the omicron coronavirus variant.

Across the state, virtually all new COVID-19 cases were attributed to the omicron variants lineages in the two weeks leading up to July 16, the latest time period for which data is available.

Wake plans to end drive-thru COVID tests

Wake County, home to Raleigh, is set to end its drive-thru COVID-19 testing program.

The testing sites will officially close on July 29, more than a month after officials announced they would scale back testing efforts at county-run sites.

Wake County Public Health has given more than 1 million tests at no cost since July 2020, according to spokesperson Leah Holdren.

Before there was a vaccine, there was just testing, and it was a lifesaving tool for keeping people who were sick or exposed to the virus from spreading it to their loved ones and our vulnerable populations, Holdren said.

The change came after Wake spent $131 million on tests and was also seeing lower demand.

Those seeking tests can pick up at-home kits in person or order them through the mail. Appointments and drive-thru services are available at other places in the area, The News & Observer reported.

Read more details about the current Wake County testing options here.

NC woman accused of selling fake COVID drug

A North Carolina woman accused of selling a fake COVID-19 drug has entered a guilty plea.

Diana Daffin of Charlotte sent the product HAMPL to an undercover agent and sold it to customers after receiving a warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier in the pandemic, according to federal prosecutors.

Officials said the drug claimed to provide a stronger immunity against CV and immunity for humans, which wasnt true.

Daffin, who owned Savvy Holistic Health, didnt immediately respond to The Charlotte Observers phone message on July 27. Her sentencing is scheduled for November.

COVID vaccine not among those required for Charlotte students

The COVID-19 vaccine isnt among the shots that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students need to take ahead of the upcoming school year.

While COVID-19 vaccine doses arent required for school, they are available for children 6 months and older. Charlotte-area health officials will be offering them at vaccination events along with shots to help protect against other diseases.

The required vaccinations and details about exemptions are listed here.

NC researchers demonstrate tool can be used to treat COVID in animals

North Carolina researchers have shown that a tool used to edit genes can also prevent and treat COVID-19 in animals, results show.

The group of scientists working under professor Qianben Wang at the Duke School of Medicine said they believe the technology could be promising for people. Though further research would be required, the technique could be used to treat people who might have compromised immune systems, The News & Observer reported.

The results were published July 26 in the journal Nature Chemical Biology.

During their research, the group used gene-editing to stop COVID-19 from getting into the cells of mice and end the virus in mice who were already infected, the N&O reported.

Half of NC counties at high COVID risk level

Half of North Carolinas 100 counties are at high risk for COVID-19, meaning people living in them are urged to wear face masks in public.

As of July 24, the state had 50 counties marked at the highest level on a map from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The total was up from 41 counties the week before, The News & Observer reported.

Health officials use coronavirus case counts and hospitalization metrics to determine the highest-risk counties, which are labeled in orange on the CDCs map. People living in those areas with a risk of getting seriously sick from COVID-19 might want to avoid going inside places that arent essential or consider what they would do if they became infected, according to the N&O.

Near Charlotte, Cabarrus, Gaston and Rowan counties were marked at the highest risk level as of July 25.

In the Triangle, orange-colored counties included Chatham, Durham, Harnett and Orange. Franklin, Johnston and Wake counties are in yellow, which means they were in the medium risk category, data shows.

The lowest-risk counties are labeled in green. Dr. Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease expert at Duke, said people in those counties may not want to stop taking precautions.

I would not be reassured if Im the transplant patient that never got the vaccine and I sit in a green county, he said.

BA.5 subvariant makes up most Charlotte-area cases

A strain of the omicron coronavirus variant now constitutes most COVID-19 cases in Mecklenburg County, home to Charlotte.

BA.5, which is believed to be one of the most transmissible subvariants, makes up over half of the countys cases. But the portion could be higher if data from at-home tests was included, The Charlotte Observer reported on July 20.

The figures come as hospitalizations have been rising, and more Atrium Health patients are requiring intensive care.

Everybody should weigh their risks if they go out in public, and keep masks handy, said Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg health director. This variant is more transmissible and immune evasive, which of course is of great concern.

As some people grow tired of coronavirus-related measures, the county is also urging people at risk of contracting monkeypox to be cautious. More information about monkeypoxs spread in Charlotte is available here.

How widespread is long COVID? Its put millions of US adults out of work, expert says

Do menstrual cycles change after COVID vaccination? Another study finds its possible
For decades, Haitian boats illegally headed for South Florida have come packed with young men seeking to escape the troubled island. Few women, no children.

But theres been a shift in recent months during the most significant surge of Haitian arrivals in nearly two decades: Many more women are making the voyage, and dying when those overcrowded smuggling boats capsize en route to Miami.

That happened on Sunday when an overloaded 30-foot migrant boat flipped in rough waters off The Bahamas, spilling everyone into the dark ocean seven miles off New Providence just after 1 a.m.

In the fight for life that ensued, 15 women perished, along with a toddler, a little girl. One man died, while some 30 other men survived apparently by climbing atop the capsized boat until Bahamian authorities rescued them.

Flashback to a month ago off Puerto Rico, when another migrant boat capsized. The bodies of 11 women were the only ones recovered., although some were believed to be lost at sea.

Female victims

Whether men or women, such deaths have are an ongoing tragedy. We have no definitive societal or migratory explanation as to why so many women - 26- have died in the last two months trying to make it to Miami. Still, we cant help but take note of the disparity and wonder what it means.

As Haitians increasingly take to the sea to escape economic and political crises, not to mention gang-related kidnappings in their country, are more women joining that flight? But why are they becoming collateral damage?

We have seen hundreds of Haitians, helped by smugglers, trying to get to the U.S. using new travel patterns and routes that lead them to Key Largo.

The numbers released Monday tell the story. Since Oct. 1, 2021, the Coast Guard has interdicted 6,352 Haitian migrants. In all of 2021, they interdicted 1,527 Haitians. And in 2020, the number was a mere 418.

Is Haiti becoming more unlivable? It seems so. Is help coming? Doubt it. The Biden administration has had a hands-off approach to the island country, even after a presidential assassination last year, and it continues to look away.

We dont have answers, only theories underscoring the dangers for women, and every Haitian, of joining such risky sea voyages led by unscrupulous smugglers, who dont care about safety but about the $5,000 a head theyll receive.

A local expert told Miami Herald Caribbean Correspondent Jacqueline Charles that the high number of female deaths in the last two months may be that many Haitian women dont know how to swim. At the same time, men often work in the marine and fishing industries and are comfortable in the water.

Louis Herns Marcelin, a Haiti-born social scientist at the University of Miami who studies Haitian migration, said its difficult to know why more women appear to be dying than men without additional information on all passengers taking these chances.

Women are mostly involved in commercializing the products that result from fishing or the like, he said. In addition, swimming activities, even for leisure, are more common among men than for women. Thats one explanation.

Another possibility may be that women were placed below deck to be hidden from sight and protected from the weather. But when the boat capsized, they were trapped underwater. One survivor of the latest tragedy, a woman, survived by breathing in an air pocket in the hull among several dead passengers.

And why were there so many women on board to begin with? Were they accompanied or traveling alone?

Stop Hiring smugglers

Regardless, photos of the 15 womens bodies now circulating on the Internet are hard to stomach and too graphic to publish. Imagine how desperate these women must have been to make such a perilous journey across the sea when they cannot swim, a bitter lesson on how smugglers can get their innocent passengers killed.

Hiring a smuggler, a process usually financed in Miami by relatives is both an act of desperation and love. We understand the motivation. But it might be time for relatives to reconsider putting their relatives in peril, even out of an act to help them.

The hard reality is that the odds of making it to Florida alive appear to be decreasing for Haitians.

The smuggling of humans from Haiti must stop before more bodies, like the ones of these 15 women, end up on display on a pier.
CANBERRA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Australia has made little progress in addressing Indigenous disadvantage, a report has found.

The Productivity Commission on Thursday released an update on the Closing the Gap -- a national framework that aims to reduce the disadvantages faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in 17 areas.

According to the latest data, only four of the 17 targets are on track to be met in the next decade, including healthy birthweight of babies, lowering youth detention rates and early childhood education attendance rates.

The gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous rates of adult imprisonment, deaths by suicide and children in out-of-home care rates has worsened.

In 2020 the suicide rate for Indigenous Australians was 27.9 per 100,000 people compared to 25.0 per 100,000 in 2018.

Linda Burney, minister for Indigenous Australians, described the results as "disappointing."

"There are some disappointing results in the latest figures -- it's clear that more work needs to be done," she said in a statement.

"The Closing the Gap architecture can only work when all parties are invested and there is a coordinated effort from all jurisdictions in partnership with First Nations peoples."

Thursday's was the second update on the framework since a major shake-up in 2020. 
The flash flooding that has trapped southeast Kentuckians in their homes and left hundreds without power showed no signs of cresting Thursday morning, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.

On the ground in Jackson, the seat of Breathitt County, National Weather Service meteorologist Dustin Jordan was boxed in, along with his other colleagues, at the office.

Nearby Quicksand Creek had flooded, and there was no way for him to leave, though Jordan was safe on high ground, he told the Herald-Leader in an interview. The forecasters were expecting more rain.

Parts of Eastern Kentucky experienced flash floods early July 28, 2022, following overnight rainfall.

Thursday morning, Beshear declared a state of emergency and activated the Kentucky National Guard in response to one of the worst flooding events in the states history.

Earlier Thursday, there was flooding reported in several southeast Kentucky counties, including Breathitt, Floyd, Perry, Knott, Leslie, Pike and Magoffin.

On extreme flooding in Eastern KY, Gov Andy Beshear says it's "one of the worst flooding events" in state history and "in most places it has not crested yet."



He's signed a state of emergency declaration and the National Guard has been activated. ^AH  Bluegrass Politics (@BGPolitics) July 28, 2022

Were here, Jordan said. Were not going to be able to get out.

Eastern Kentucky has been lashed by rain in the past few days, and Jordan said 5 to 10 inches had fallen in the region in the previous two to three days.

Buckhorn Lake in particular, about an hour south of Jackson, got 8 inches in the last 24 hours alone.

Jordan expected the rainfall to lessen over the course of the day Thursday, but another round would begin that night and linger into Friday, possibly adding 1 to 2 additional inches.

Parts of Eastern Kentucky experienced flash floods early July 28, 2022, following overnight rainfall.

This could make rivers rise once again, Jordan said.

For a detailed look at which river points are currently at or near the flood stage, Jordan recommended visiting the National Weather Services Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service available online..

Breathitt and Knott counties appeared to be the hardest hit from his vantage point, Jordan said.

Figures from the Kentucky Mesonet, a statewide network of weather stations, tracked at least 3.37 inches of rainfall since midnight at a location in Breathitt County, according to a previous Herald-Leader report.

Parts of Eastern Kentucky experienced flash floods early July 28, 2022, following overnight rainfall.

Jordan said its safe to consider this level of rainfall unusual for the region this time of year, although the area is known to have flooding issues.

Creeks and streams are as high as theyve ever been, Jordan continued, and the national Weather Prediction Center had put the region at a moderate risk for flooding.

Its pretty unprecedented, Jordan said.

Jordan asked the public to heed forecasters warnings, listen to authorities and to have a plan to deal in place to deal with the disaster.

This story may be updated.

Do you have a question about weather in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
Hungary President Viktor Orban arrives at the NATO Heads of State summit in Madrid on June 30, 2022. (Bertrand Guay / Associated Press)

When heads of state visit the U.S., the top item on their itinerary is usually a White House visit. For Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban next month, it will be addressing a conference of conservative activists in Dallas.

Orban's appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he'll be joined by former President Trump and right-wing celebrities such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), is the most dramatic indication yet of how a leader criticized for pushing antidemocratic principles has become a hero to segments of the Republican Party.

Orban has curbed immigration and stymied those who envision a more middle-of-the-road European democracy for their country. He's done so by seizing control of Hungary's judiciary and media, leading many international analysts to label him as the face of a new wave of authoritarianism. He also is accused of enabling widespread corruption and nepotism, using state resources to enrich a tight circle of political allies.

The U.S. conservative movement's embrace of Orban comes as it echoes Trump's lies that he did not lose the 2020 presidential election, punishes Republicans who tried to hold him accountable for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and embrace new voting restrictions. Many experts on Hungarian politics fear the GOP might aspire to Orban's tactics.

The Trumpist side of the Republican Party is coming for the rhetoric, but staying for the autocracy, said Kim L. Scheppele, a sociologist at Princeton University who has studied Orban. I'm worried the attraction to Orban is only superficially the culture war stuff and more deeply about how to prevent power from ever rotating out of their hands.

Conservatives dismiss that notion  or even the charge that Orban is an authoritarian.

What we like about him is that he's actually standing up for the freedom of his people against the tyranny of the EU, said Matt Schlapp, head of CPAC, referring to the European Union. He's captured the attention of a lot of people, including a lot of people in America who are worried about the decline of the family.

CPAC's gatherings are something of a cross between Davos and Woodstock for the conservative movement, a meeting place for activists and luminaries to strategize, inspire and network. The meeting in Dallas starts on Aug. 4.

This year, CPAC held its first meeting in Europe, choosing Hungary. While there, Schlapp invited Orban to speak at the Texas gathering. Last year, Fox News star Tucker Carlson broadcast his show from Budapest, Hungary's capital.

Orban served as prime minister of Hungary between 1998 and 2002, but it's his record since taking office again in 2010 that has drawn controversy. A self-styled champion of what he describes as illiberal democracy, Orban has depicted himself as a defender of European Christendom against Muslim migrants, progressives and the LGBTQ lobby.

While Orban's party has backed technocratic initiatives that have captured the imagination of the U.S. right  Schlapp specifically cited a tax cut Hungarian women receive for every child as a way to counter a declining population  he's best known for his aggressive stance on hot-button cultural issues.

Orbans government erected a razor-wire fence along Hungarys southern border in 2015 in response to an influx of refugees fleeing violence and poverty in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Carlson visited the border barrier, praising it as a model for the U.S.

Last year, Orban's right-wing Fidesz party banned the depiction of homosexuality or gender confirmation



in media targeting people younger than 18, a move critics said was an attack on LGBTQ people. Information on homosexuality also was forbidden in school sex education programs or in films and advertisements accessible to minors.

Those policies have put him on a collision course with the European Union, which has sought to reign in some of his more antidemocratic tendencies. The bloc has launched numerous legal proceedings against Hungary for breaking EU rules and is now withholding billions in recovery funds and credit over violations of rule-of-law standards and insufficient anti-corruption safeguards.

Those conflicts started early in Orbans tenure. In 2011, Fidesz used the two-thirds constitutional majority it gained after a landslide election the previous year to unilaterally rewrite Hungarys constitution. Soon after, it began undermining the country's institutions and took steps to consolidate power.

Orban's party implemented judicial changes through constitutional amendment, enabling it to alter the composition of the judiciary. It also passed a law that created a nine-member council to oversee the media and appointed members to all those slots.

Reporters Without Borders declared Orban a press freedom predator last year. It said Fidesz had seized de facto control of 80% of the countrys media through political-economic maneuvers and the purchase of news organizations by friendly oligarchs.

The Associated Press and other international news organizations were barred from covering the CPAC meeting in May, during which Orban called Hungary the bastion of conservative Christian values in Europe. He also urged conservatives in the U.S. to defeat the dominance of progressive liberals in public life.

The AP requested an interview with Orban when he visits Dallas next month, but was rebuffed. His communications office cited what it said was the prime minister's "extremely busy" schedule.

Analysts note that Hungary lacks the traditional trappings of autocracies. There are no tanks in the streets and no political dissidents locked up in prisons. Fidesz has continued to win elections  albeit in seats that have been redrawn to make it extremely difficult for their legislators to be defeated. That's similar to the political gerrymandering of congressional and state legislative districts in the U.S., a process that currently favors Republicans because they control more of the state legislatures that create those boundaries.

Still, experts say Orbans near-total control of his country makes him a pioneer of a new approach to antidemocratic rule.

I've never seen an autocrat consolidate authoritarian rule without spilling a drop of blood or locking someone up, said Steven Levitsky, a Harvard political scientist and co-author of the book How Democracies Die. He and other scholars said Orban qualifies as an authoritarian because of his use of government to control societal institutions.

Peter Kreko, a Budapest-based analyst for the Center for European Policy Analysis, said Orban's antidemocratic tendencies won't be a big issue in his quest to forge an alliance with U.S. conservatives. His closeness to Russia and China will be much thornier, Kreko said.

Kreko said Orban's government is increasingly isolated diplomatically but has not even bothered to try to build ties to the Biden administration  instead hoping Trump or his allies will shortly return to power.

This is his big hope for coming back to the international scene, since there are not so many allies that remain for him, Kreko said of Orban. It's a remarkable success of Hungarian soft power that Orban has become so popular among American conservatives when his image has declined so much in Europe.

Schlapp scoffed at the notion that Hungary was undemocratic, noting that Orban's party continues to win elections and reminiscing fondly about his trip to Budapest. He recounted that his group got lost in some alleys in the ancient Hungarian capital.

If we were in Chicago or Los Angeles, I'd have been scared to death, he said.

But not in Hungary: It's orderly, it works, it's practical, it's clean.

Spike reported from Budapest and Riccardi from Denver.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
South Carolina Rep. Gary Simrill, who will retire later this year after 30 years in the Legislature, has a new job.

The former Republican House leader and current budget chairman has joined his alma mater, Winthrop University, in the presidents office, serving in the role of special assistant to the president for community engagement, the Rock Hill-based college announced this week.

Winthrop said Simrills new role in President Edward Sernas office started July 1, the same day Serna started.

Simrill will earn $158,000 a year in his new job, and Serna will earn $248,067 a year, according to Winthrop.

Together, the two of them will tell others about the Winthrop story, its welcoming campus community, and its willingness to work with others, the university said in its release announcing Simrills new role.

In an interview with The State, Simrill said Winthrop went through so much presidential turnover that it had been operating in a silo. Before Serna, the university had three permanent presidents over the past decade. One of the universitys more high-profile presidential exits came in 2014, when then President-Jamie Comstock Williamson was fired after only 11 months on the job.

In his new role, Simrill said he will work to ensure Winthrop builds upon relationships with stakeholders, ensuring the university is working with the business and political communities and the community overall.

I love Rock Hill, I love South Carolina and my alma mater. To be able to connect all of those loves ... it is a perfect segue for me in this transition of my life, Simrill, 56, said. To tie Winthrop, Rock Hill and the state of South Carolina all together is a highlight.

Simrill will retire from the General Assembly this fall after three decades in the lower chamber, where he held powerful positions from majority leader to the current chairman of the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee.

On the budget committee, Simrill chaired the panel overseeing college and university spending, and was largely credited with shifting attention to growing tuition costs after years of neglecting higher education.

Simrills role as House majority leader was set to end at the end of his term in November, but he stepped down early to become budget chairman after a shuffling of leadership positions.

Announcing he would not seek reelection in 2022, House Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Darlington, stepped down early from his chief role and retired early from the House. Lucas has since joined Prisma Health as the hospitals senior vice president for government affairs, though he wont register as a lobbyist and wont lobby lawmakers, a spokeswoman said.

By state law, former lawmakers are prohibited from serving as lobbyists for a year after their public service ends.

After Lucas stepped down, former budget chairman Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, was elevated to House speaker, leaving Simrill  among the longest-serving legislators in the chamber  to become chairman of Ways and Means.
A logical person might think that politicians who oppose abortion rights would want to do as much as they can to prevent unplanned pregnancies that often lead to abortion. A logical person might also assume that those politicians would support, say, access to contraception, which makes pregnancy far less likely.

They would be wrong.

Because when the U.S. House passed a bill last week that would protect access to contraception, just eight Republicans voted in favor of it. None of them were from North Carolina.

The Right to Contraception Act was introduced by Rep. Kathy Manning, a Democrat from North Carolina. It codifies into federal law the right to obtain and use a wide range of contraceptives, including condoms, the birth control pill, emergency contraceptives and IUDs.

The right to contraception was first addressed in 1965 by the Supreme Courts ruling in Griswold v. Connecticut, and for decades most Americans have considered it settled law. But when the court chose in June to abandon nearly half a century of precedent in overturning Roe v. Wade, people began to worry that other rights could be in jeopardy, too.

Adding to that worry is the fact that Justice Clarence Thomas signaled in his concurring opinion that the court should reconsider other cases, including Griswold v. Connecticut, that similarly rest on the assumption that our Constitution guarantees a right to privacy.

Republicans have downplayed these concerns, accusing Democrats of playing political games by calling frivolous votes on unnecessary legislation. The right to contraception is safe, they say. Its not going anywhere. They said the same about abortion, however, and if the past few months have taught us anything, its that our rights arent quite as inalienable as we thought.

Its hard to pin down the exact reason Republicans voted against the contraception bill, though, because they offered little by way of explanation. Some argued, bizarrely, that the bill was a Trojan horse for more abortions, in part because they claim contraceptives like IUDs and Plan B are somehow tantamount to abortion. (Theyre not.)

Such a position, of course, could very likely be rooted in religion. The Catholic Church, for example, has historically been both anti-abortion and anti-contraception, believing it prevents the natural creation of new life, while some conservative evangelicals also object to some or all forms of contraception, particularly the morning-after pill and IUDs.

But, as with abortion, a persons decision to use contraception is theirs and theirs alone. Its cruel enough to deny a person the right to choose whether to carry a pregnancy. Its even crueler to simultaneously deny them the ability to prevent that pregnancy in the first place.

Abortion is health care, and so is contraception. Some 75% of voters think Congress should codify birth control access, according to a new poll, including 87% of Democrats and 62% of Republicans. Thats an overwhelming consensus, at least outside of Congress.

Keeping contraception accessible and affordable is the simplest way to prevent abortions, even in blue states where abortion remains legal. Millions of unintended pregnancies occur every year, and more than 40% of them result in abortion. Study after study has shown that access to birth control, particularly at free or reduced cost, reduces abortion rates.

Still, those who oppose abortion often argue that people just shouldnt have sex if they arent willing to fully assume the risk of getting pregnant. To them, there only seem to be two options: abstinence and procreation, even as modern medicine has allowed for possibilities that exist outside of that dichotomy. Anti-abortion advocates dont like it when people liken abortion restrictions to forced birth, but its difficult to conclude otherwise when many of them also oppose other measures that give people a choice in the matter.

Of course, this should not be an either/or situation. All reproductive decisions, from birth control to abortion, are a personal matter, and the law should treat them as such. But to be both anti-abortion and anti-contraception is hypocritical. If abortion is the problem, then contraception should be at least part of the solution.
A Florida man who had been on the lam for a couple of years faced charges in Miami federal court Thursday of selling a toxic industrial bleach called Miracle Mineral Solution on a church website, claiming it to be a cure for COVID-19, cancer and other serious medical diseases, U.S. authorities said.

Mark Grenon, 64, who was recently extradited from Colombia but is originally from Bradenton, has been charged along with his three sons: Jonathan Grenon, 36, Jordan Grenon, 28, and Joseph Grenon, 34. Arrested over the past two years, the sons have been detained in a federal lock-up and pleaded not guilty to an indictment accusing them and their father of conspiring to defraud the U.S. government and criminal contempt.

The three sons are representing themselves. But U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga appointed stand-by lawyers for them just in case they ever change their minds.

Mark Grenon, who had fled to Colombia as the criminal case unfolded, could not be reached for comment and no attorney was listed for him on the court docket.

Federal agencies including the Food and Drug Administration had issued warnings about Miracle Mineral Solution to the Grenons, who are accused of selling the illegal chemical product under the cover of a church website.

The Grenons sold tens of thousands of bottles of MMS nationwide, including to consumers throughout South Florida, prosecutors said in a statement. They sold this dangerous product under the guise of Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, an entity they are accused of creating to avoid government regulation of MMS and shield themselves from prosecution.

Before the sons arrests, federal prosecutors in Miami obtained a temporary injunction in April 2020 stopping the sale of the potentially dangerous drug that claimed to cure the respiratory disease  the first federal enforcement action since the pandemic hit South Florida. The indictment accuses the Grenons of violating that order.

The injunction was filed as a complaint accusing Genesis II Church of Health and Healing and its principals of selling and distributing the illegal product, Miracle Mineral Solution. The complaint named the Genesis church  actually a Florida-based company that sold the MMS product through its website  as a defendant, along with Grenon and his three sons. Mark Grenon described himself as a bishop on the Genesis website.

Genesis, which operated out of an address in Bradenton and did business in South Florida, described itself on a website as a nonreligious church  focus[ing] on restoring health to the world that was formed for the purpose of serving mankind and not for the purpose of worship.

According to a criminal complaint filed in June 2020, Genesis own websites described itself as a non-religious church, and Mark Grenon, the co-founder of Genesis, repeatedly acknowledged that Genesis has nothing to do with religion, and that he founded Genesis a decade earlier to legalize the use of MMS and avoid going ... to jail.

Prosecutors said Miracle Mineral Solution was sold by Genesis as a chemical product that, when combined with an activator, created a powerful bleach product that the Grenons marketed for oral ingestion. Additionally, they asserted that MMSs labeling was false, misleading and misbranded.

MMS is a chemical solution containing sodium chlorite and water which, when ingested orally, became chlorine dioxide, a powerful bleach typically used for industrial water treatment or bleaching textiles, pulp and paper.

The indictment, filed last year, alleged that before marketing MMS as a cure for COVID-19, the Grenons marketed MMS as a miracle cure-all for dozens of other serious diseases and disorders, even though the Food and Drug Administration had not approved MMS for any use.

The FDA had previously issued public warnings to consumers that MMS can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of severe dehydration. In April 2020, the FDA and Federal Trade Commission issued a warning letter to Genesis and its principals notifying them that they were violating federal law by distributing unapproved and misbranded drugs in interstate commerce.

Despite a previous warning, the Genesis II Church of Healing has continued to actively place consumers at risk by peddling potentially dangerous and unapproved chlorine dioxide products, FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. said in a statement at the time.
Is Eagle Road through Meridian a high-speed freeway or is it a local shopping district?

Idaho Transportation Department officials are trying to have it both ways  to fatal consequence.

As Idaho Statesman reporter Rachel Spacek reported, a local family is trying to get the speed limit dropped along Eagle Road from 55 mph, which they say is dangerous and, coupled with left-turn access, contributed to the death of their 21-year-old daughter, Kess Boesch.

If you think about other major roads in the Treasure Valley that are lined with multiple businesses with their own individual access points, you typically see lower speed limits: Fairview Avenue, Chinden Boulevard, Vista Avenue, Broadway Avenue, Cole Road, Overland Road and State Street  all have varying and graduated speed limits that are well below 55 mph.

Not Eagle Road.

The speed limit on Eagle Road through Meridian from Interstate 84 to Chinden Boulevard is 55.

A group of residents, led by Boeschs family, is pushing ITD to reduce that speed limit and ban unprotected left turns.

Both would be welcome considerations.

As it is now, Eagle Road, as Meridian Mayor Robert Simison put it, is a race track.

A dangerous race track.

In 2020, that stretch of Eagle Road had 258 vehicle crashes, with 175 injuries and one fatality.

In 2021, there were 282 crashes, with 211 injuries and one fatality.

The truck that struck and killed Boesch was going 53 mph. Its impossible to know whether a lower speed limit would have prevented Boeschs death, but we do know that lower speeds reduce the severity of crashes, including deaths.

More important, though, is that Eagle Roads relatively high speed limit is coupled with a wealth of access points and left-turn and center-turn lanes, making the road more dangerous at high speeds.

Limited turn lanes, a median divider, frontage roads and reduced access points would make Eagle Road safer, even while maintaining a 55 mph speed limit.

When Eagle Roads speed limit was set, there was nothing out there except subdivisions, freeway on-ramps and a few mini-malls and grocery stores. It was a commuter thoroughfare. Now, its a place where people live, shop and recreate. And the density is increasing. Developers have always had plans to build apartments by The Village at Meridian. Eagle Road needs to evolve to reflect the evolving culture of the community.

Unfortunately, it might simply be too late to make some of these changes to make Eagle Road safer, because developments have already been granted access entitlements.

But its not too late to plan ahead on other similar roads in the Treasure Valley, such as Meridian Road from Meridian to Kuna, which promises to be the next Eagle Road.

Ten Mile Road, both north and south of Interstate 84, would probably be next after that.

As those roads  and others yet unknown  develop in the rapidly growing Treasure Valley, it will be important to learn the lessons that poor planning on Eagle Road have provided.

Plan now for the safety of those roads when there are 20,000, 35,000, 50,000 or more vehicle trips per day.

Planning officials with ITD, Ada County Highway District, Ada County and the cities of Kuna and Meridian need to telegraph now to developers what the expectations will be, whether its frontage roads, a divided median, limited access points or no left turns  and then stick with those standards.

If we wait, like weve done with Eagle Road, it will be too late to turn back.

In the meantime, ITD officials need to consider what changes they can make to Eagle Road to enhance safety and prevent the next death.

Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members Johanna Jones, Maryanne Jordan and Ben Ysursa.
An inmate in a South Carolina prison faces more time after mailing a federal judge a letter saying we will begin to disappear the women closest to you if he was not granted immediate release, prosecutors say.

The judge had previously sentenced Stanley J. Kowalewski to more than 17 years in prison after he was convicted in relation to a fraud scheme, a July 27 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of South Carolina says.

Now Kowalewski is facing up to 10 more years in prison after pleading guilty to mailing a threatening communication to a U.S. district court judge, according to the news release. This comes after he was previously prosecuted in the Northern District of Georgia in connection with his alleged fraud scheme.

McClatchy News contacted Kowalewskis attorney Michael Meetze who said he does not discuss his cases with the press.

The letter

On June 28, 2021, the federal judge received Kowalewskis mailed threat, according to prosecutors, which read:

You have failed to do the right things. Now you make us do this. You will grant ALL pending motions in your court for compassionate release by July 2nd, 2021 at 3:00 PM or earlier. They are all to be reduced to time served with NO supervised release. They will be immediate release from prison and no delays.

If not, then we will begin to disappear the women closest to you. We know where they live, work, or go to school. If you try to alert the authorities, we will know and your loved ones will disappear. Do your job and everyone will be happy and youll never here from us again.

When the letter was sent, Kowalewski, who is an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution Williamsburg in Salters, South Carolina, had a pending compassionate release motion seeking a sentence reduction, court documents show.

Federal prison inmates can ask the judge who sentenced them to reduce their prison term in regards to compassionate release under certain circumstances relating to health, personal and family issues, and age, according to Nieman Law.

How the threat was planned

One day before the threatening letter was mailed, Kowalewski is accused of having a person, who was not identified, visit him in prison, the release says. He allegedly gave them an envelope with another one inside.

This individual was instructed to wear gloves when touching the interior envelope  to ensure no fingerprints would be left behind  and to not ask questions before mailing it to another state to reach the judge, according to prosecutors.

Investigators discovered the letter originated with Kowalewski when his phone conversation with the prison visitor was recorded, the release says. He was heard telling this individual to hurry up and mail the letter.

Additionally, prosecutors discovered Kowalewski was the only inmate at FCI Williamsburg who had been previously sentenced by the judge in the Northern District of Georgia, according to the attorneys office.

After Kowalewski is sentenced in connection with the mailed threat  as he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000  the term would be served after his current sentence is completed, the release says.

In 2016, Kowalewski was sentenced to prison after he was accused of defrauding investors of millions of dollars while living in Pawleys Island, The State previously reported.

Pawleys Island is roughly 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach.

Judge threatens homeowner after getting caught stealing food from garden, GA cops say

18-year-old threatens sheriff and his wife over RICO Act arrests, Georgia deputies say

Man sent death threats to police commissioner in PA, feds say. Hes going to prison

Man threatened to kill US senator and take back Washington, feds say. Hes prison-bound
Johnson County will add another $15 million to a growing pot of incentives dedicated to Panasonics new $4 billion factory planned for De Soto.

The Board of County Commissioners on Thursday voted to spend $7.5 million on local road improvements and commit another $7.5 million toward building a new fire station with hazmat capabilities for the factory.

Kansas officials have already committed $829 million in incentives to lure the Japanese electronics maker to De Soto. That includes $500 million in refundable tax credits, which allows the firm to not only reduce its tax burden, but receive cash directly from the state.

But the states unprecedented incentive package was only the beginning.

De Soto has also approved a local inducement for the company. The citys tax increment financing agreement is expected to divert more than $202 million to the developer of Panasonics plant.

And the Kansas Department of Transportation will add another $26 million to build new roads around the plant.

Only two Johnson County commissioners questioned the incentive project at Thursdays meeting.

Michael Ashcraft, who represents the countys fifth district, said he didnt understand why Johnson County was being asked to contribute to fire services. The property is within De Sotos city limits, but the Northwest Consolidated Fire District provides fire services for the area.

This puts the county potentially in a precarious position of funding this or supporting this with very little control, he said.

Maury Thompson, deputy county manager, said the fire district didnt have the resources to fully fund the new station. He pointed out that the $7.5 million from the county would not be sufficient to build the new fire station, which must have special capabilities for the hazardous materials used at the battery plant. The fire station will also need more funding for equipment and ongoing operations.

Charlotte OHara, who represents the third district, said the county did not need to pile on more incentives.

My question is, how much is too much? OHara, who is running for commission chair, asked at a meeting last week. We have other needs.

OHara said she was concerned that more subsidy requests would be coming as the wider Sunflower site is developed. Panasonics giant factory is only expected to take up a portion of the 6,000 acres that De Soto has already annexed of the former ammunition plant that the Army has been cleaning up for years.

I am shocked

Panasonic chose to build its factory in De Soto after a heated competition between Kansas and Oklahoma.

The competition pushed both states to pass legislation creating new incentives specifically for the battery plant.

In Topeka, the administration of Gov. Laura Kelly kept details of the project secret and required lawmakers who wanted to know specifics about the legislation  and the company behind it  to sign nondisclosure agreements.

Kelly and a panel of lawmakers voted on the $829 million incentive package in secret, only making details public at the companys official announcement.

On Thursday, OHara read from a Star story that revealed Kansas had secured no commitments on hiring or wages from Panasonic  a common requirement in many incentive agreements.

I am shocked, she said. Boy, are we babes in the woods. We cant even read a contract.

County Commission Chairman Ed Eilert described Panasonics incentive package as pay-as-you-go. For instance, he said the state incentives would be adjusted down if Panasonic didnt hire 4,000 people or invest $4 billion.

But thats not exactly how the states agreement with the company reads. So long as Panasonic invests $1 billion, it will be eligible for $500 million in refundable tax credits. The company will also receive a 10 percent rebate on its entire payroll for 10 years, though it can hire whatever number of workers at any pay it chooses.

Johnson Countys $15 million contribution will come from a special county fund set up after it received millions in federal pandemic relief funds.

The county was awarded $117 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. But Thompson said the funds no longer had any federal strings attached because they had been moved into a special countywide recovery fund after the county said it had lost revenue during the pandemic.

There are particular requirements about how we use these funds so we must be very careful about our terminology, he said. So they are not now ARPA dollars. They have really lost their identity.

Several members of the public asked the county to reject the incentive proposal or at least slow down approval after raising concerns about rising property taxes and potential safety issues with the lithium used in battery-making facilities.

I would say simply that this project is not quite ready for prime time, said Overland Park resident Will Hoerl. You need to take it back and look at it a little bit more.

Commissioner Becky Fast, who represents Johnson Countys first district, said the county would likely have needed to improve the two-lane roads surrounding the former ammunition plant anyways.

So this was going to happen, she said. And were getting $26 million from the state that we wouldnt have received if we would have had to do this ourselves.

Millions for new roads

The Kansas Department of Transportation will contribute the $26 million from the states Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program.

The department budgeted to spend $20 million per year over 10 years under a special economic development fund within the program. So the $26 million to aid Panasonics plant will cut into the funding for other years of the program, said Calvin Reed, KDOTs senior director for engineering and design.

In De Soto, KDOT plans to reconfigure about 4.5 miles of two-lane roads into four-lane, divided roads. The funding will target W. 103rd Street and should improve travel from three exits off of K-10 highway.

This is the biggest development in state history, Reed said. And its really important that we get these transportation solutions in place so they can effectively and efficiently get their workers to the site.

That road project could cost some $35.5 million, including Johnson Countys $7.5 million contribution and another $2 million in funding expected from De Soto.

While the state and county are funding most of the up-front costs, Reed said the city would be responsible for ongoing maintenance and repairs.

Last week, De Sotos City Council approved its 20-year tax increment financing plan for the Panasonic plant.

The citys TIF agreement will allow Sunflower Redevelopment LLC, which plans to build the factory for Panasonic, to be reimbursed for an estimated $202.6 million in project costs. TIF subsidies work by directing all or parts of future property tax increases back to developers to help cover construction costs.

De Soto Mayor Rick Walker said the TIF will protect revenues for De Sotos USD 232. But the agreement effectively means the city and the county wont receive any property taxes from the project for the next two decades.

The city also expects to approve a sales tax exemption on construction materials. The state already approved $60.2 million worth of sales tax exemptions as part of its $829 million incentive package.

At the City Councils July 21 meeting, one resident asked whether the TIF plan would cause an increase in residential property taxes.

Councilman Kevin Honomichl said the TIF was aimed at expanding the citys tax base. He noted that the city wasnt spending out of its general fund on the project, but relying on the future property tax revenues from the plant.

Without the public-private partnership there really isnt an opportunity to grow the tax base because nothing happens, he said. ... I know this council is really motivated to diversify our tax base, to grow our tax base for the purpose of decreasing taxes as opposed to giving money out thats going to increase property taxes.
Amy Coopers son Jon was living the California dream in 2014. At 26 years old, he was working at a startup and living on his own in Silicon Valley.

Then, his girlfriend found him dead on the back patio.

Jon had gotten in a motorcycle accident and was prescribed 56 pills each of Norco and OxyContin just days before his death, Cooper said. Two years later, the Los Angeles Times revealed that OxyContin was extremely addictive  a truth the drugs manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, had worked for years to keep quiet.

Despite facing countless lawsuits, Purdue was able to shield damning documents from the public, thanks to broad protective orders granted by judges. Across the country, pharmaceutical companies like Purdue can bring these documents to court, but ensure they stay there. In California, such practices are commonplace.

Now, a battle is brewing in Sacramento. A bill moving through the Legislature would ban blanket court orders that conceal details about dangerous products. Standing behind SB 1149 is an alliance of consumer, legal reform and anti-secrecy groups. In opposition is the powerful California Chamber of Commerce and an array of associated business advocacy groups.

The measure, introduced by state Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino, has already cleared the Senate. But as they prepare to seek passage by the California Assembly, theyve had to overcome intense lobbying efforts and misinformation.

You have big industry. Candidly, this is just part of how they do business, Leyva said. They dont care, they have no moral direction, and no integrity. They just want to make money, and they dont care that people are being harmed and sometimes even killed.

Some of the opposition isnt big industry, though. The California Business and Industrial Alliance, which advocates for small businesses, says the constant development of new legal standards makes it hard for the mom and pop shops to keep up.

They dont have a chance at becoming compliant. And whats happening is year, after year, after year, theyre adding to these laws, theyre changing these laws, and it makes it more and more complex and more and more difficult to understand, said Tom Manzo, founder and president of CABIA.

But SB 1149 advocates say transparency is a reasonable standard for Golden State businesses, especially when safety is on the line.

The issue is bigger than Big Pharma. Blanket protective orders have become a courtroom tradition, rooted in convenience and favored by large businesses that dont want their information made public, legal experts said.

Business groups say the alternative  going through each document during the pre-trial discovery phase of a lawsuit and individually making a case for its confidentiality  would be overly burdensome and time-consuming. Plaintiffs attorneys argue that it should be a companys job to comb through such documents and make a legitimate case for their suppression.

How many people do we need to lose because were not willing to bring forth that information? And all in the notion of the mighty buck, Cooper said. This was about very powerful pharmaceutical companies making a lot of money because they were selling a lot of drugs.

Purdue Pharma could not be reached for comment for this story. Earlier this year, the company and its owners, members of the Sackler family, agreed to a $6 billion settlement with several states for the damage caused by opioids. The agreement protects the company from all current or future civil litigation.

A culture of secrecy: how protective court orders work

When companies like Purdue are sued for selling a potentially defective or dangerous product, they are often facing hundreds, sometimes thousands, of similar claims at the same time. In these mass torts, plaintiffs lawyers organize against the defendant.

During discovery, each side gets the opportunity to learn more about the relevant evidence the other may possess. The process can sometimes yield millions of pages of documents. Lawyers from both sides review the material and try to negotiate a protective order.

The judge has the final say. In California, they typically grant blanket orders, in some cases shielding over 90 percent of documents from the public, ostensibly in the interest of efficiency.

Judges have busy dockets and they need to keep cases moving, said Jason Solomon, who works for Stanfords Center on the Legal Profession. So if lawyers agree on something generally, it makes sense for judges to go along with it.

Opponents of SB 1149 say it would increase judges workloads. Currently, however, no judges organizations in California have come out against the bill, according to Richard Zitrin, a lawyer whos studied court secrecy for years and who helped shape SB 1149.

In a letter of support, Judge Jeremy Fogel, Executive Director of the Berkeley Judicial Institute, said the idea that the legislation will place additional strain on judges is a myth.

I think that this view is short-sighted, said Fogel, a former United States District Judge for Californias Northern District. Because SB 1149 places the onus on defendant lawyers to identify documents that should be given confidentiality, the bill would actually narrow the scope of what judges would need to consider.

Fogel added that once a judge makes information public, other judges dealing with the same documents in subsequent cases wont have to consider confidentiality again, thereby simplifying future orders.

A barrier to safety: Essure and beyond

Essure was a contraceptive coil produced by Bayer, implanted in the Fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy. In more than 27,000 lawsuits filed prior to 2020, women reported severe pain, organ perforation and miscarriages. But during litigation, Bayer was able to shield 97.7 percent of its documents.

You have these women coming forward, who have terrible things that have happened to their bodies from using this, and the company gets to shield the information, Leyva said.

For Lori Andrus, a lead plaintiffs lawyer on the Essure case, the secrecy is part of a frustrating, disturbing pattern. Despite the range of safe and effective birth control options that are available, she said, medical companies seeking more profits continue to turn out new and sometimes dangerous products, often with virtual impunity.

When Andrus represents women who have been harmed and seek settlement, she repeatedly faces the same dilemma: the client can get their money, but they need to keep quiet.

Even after the case is settled, we cant talk about it, Andrus said. That means that theres this pattern of pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies really experimenting on womens bodies. We know how to prevent pregnancy safely. Theyre just always coming up with a failed new method so that they can continue to sell products and make money.

Bayer stopped selling Essure in 2018. It paid $1.6 billion in 2020 to settle most of the lawsuits, but admitted no wrongdoing or liability. The settlement was announced a month after the advocacy group Public Justice released hundreds of files from the case in a Dropbox folder posted to their website. The group received the documents after filing a motion to unseal in court.

Nicole Hayes, a spokesperson for Bayer, said SB 1149 is based on several flawed premises, including lack of transparency. The global settlement terms for Essure were disclosed at the time the settlement was announced in August 2020 and is available in the Companys quarterly earnings reports, Hayes said in a statement.

Business groups point to the fact that protective orders are standard in the state, so common that most of Californias courts provide their own model protective orders for parties to use, the Chamber and dozens of other groups wrote.

But these model protective orders, Andrus says, are exactly the problem.

Most of these model protective orders have the exact same language and its way, way, way too broad, she said. It has a circular definition that says confidential information means anything that is confidential, proprietary, or sensitive business information.

Florida, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina and Washington have all passed legislation intended to roll back courtroom secrecy. In the last few years especially, the use of protective orders has drawn closer scrutiny. In 2019, a Reuters investigation showed the significant role judges have played in the opioid crisis.

Reporters examined the case of former West Virginia Circuit Court judge Booker T. Stephens, who signed off on a broad protective order before a giant settlement between Purdue and the state.

It would be 12 years  and 245,000 overdose deaths  before evidence Stephens and other judges kept hidden was made public, and then only after it was leaked to a newspaper, the reporters wrote. What it showed was revelatory: OxyContin, the first billion-dollar-a-year narcotic, was not the reliable 12-hour painkiller Purdue long claimed it was.

Business advocates opposing the bill dont directly dispute the principle of the public knowing about defective and dangerous products. But they contend that SB 1149 is not necessary to provide this transparency. Plaintiff-side lawyers can still comb through the confidential documents and make a case to the judge that certain files should be made public.

Plus, many details about products and their dangers are already available, said Civil Justice Association of California president and CEO Kyla Christoffersen Powell.

Theres already a great deal of information available to the public about products and environmental conditions, Powell said. We have the internet, we have lots of publications, we have lots of studies that are widely available. Additionally, there are regulatory bodies that are overseeing products and environmental conditions.

Cooper understood that the bill could prolong some litigation. But at the same time, the courts job is to protect the public, she said.

If we arent provided with honest information and the truth, then theres a barrier to the public being safe, she added.

An obstacle: Cal Chamber and its friends

After SB 1149 cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee in April, the California Chamber of Commerce and other business groups circulated a scathing letter in opposition. They alleged that the bill would force companies to reveal trade secrets and violate intellectual property rights.

For Zitrin, the reasoning is bogus.

Their opposition is based on the fact that its more important for them to keep secret any dirty laundry that they had for business reasons, rather than allowing the public to know the truth about that laundry, Zitrin said. Thats their reason. But they cant very well say that, so they come up with reasons that make no sense and are factually untrue.

The Civil Justice Association of California, a relatively new group paid lobbying firms Fernandez Cervantes Government Affairs and Omni Government Relations just under $20,000 in the first few months of 2022 to lobby against 1149 and two other bills. An analysis prepared by the state lists 28 groups, many of which employ lobbyists, in opposition.

The bill is expected to reach the Assembly floor next week. Supporters said they are nervous.

With the entities who are in opposition to the bill... theyre very powerful, said Karen Thomas Stefano, Administrative Director of the Consumer Protection Policy Center. And they donate a lot of money to legislators. Im guardedly optimistic for survival. But I also live in the real world, and I know how things go.

Moderate Democrats, who receive contributions from the Chamber and other business groups, could block the bill. In 2017 a measure similar to SB 1149, introduced by Assemblymember Mark Stone, D-Monterey Bay, died on the Assembly floor after making it through a few committees.

Some things have changed since 2017. The Reuters expose drew more mainstream attention to the issue of court secrecy. And this time around, the bill has already made it through one chamber of the Legislature.

What comes next?

Late summer is a tough period for passing legislation. The home stretch before the Aug. 31 adjournment will be packed with bills waiting for votes.

If it becomes law, SB 1149 will significantly alter the judicial systems relationship with citizens, according to Jason Solomon, who works at Stanfords Center on the Legal Profession. It would mean that lawyers have an ethical obligation to the public.

Whats at stake here is whether the public interest is going to be represented in court proceedings that really affect critical issues of public health and safety, Solomon said.

In the meantime, the Chamber will continue to lobby. Leyva will continue to speak up. Judges will continue to grant wide protective orders. Amy Cooper will think about Jon.

I feel very strongly that my sons life... he had so much to offer, she said. And he doesnt have his voice anymore. So I am a survivor, hoping that I can take his voice forward and prevent other people, other families from this happening to them.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP)  Abortion bans set to take effect this week in Wyoming and North Dakota have been temporarily blocked by judges in those states amid lawsuits arguing that the bans violate their state constitutions.

A judge in Wyoming on Wednesday sided with a firebombed womens health clinic and others who argued the ban would harm health care workers and their patients, while a North Dakota judge sided with the states only abortion clinic, Red River Womens Clinic in Fargo.

The Wyoming law was set to take effect Wednesday. The North Dakota law was set to take effect Thursday.

Meanwhile, West Virginia lawmakers moved ahead with a ban amid protests and dozens speaking against the measure.

During hours of debate leading up to the 69-23 vote in the Republican-dominated House of Delegates in West Virginia, the sound of screams and chants from protesters standing outside the chamber rang through the room.

Face us, the crowd yelled.

The latest court action in North Dakota and Wyoming put them among several states including Kentucky, Louisiana and Utah where judges have temporarily blocked implementation of trigger laws while lawsuits play out.

Attorneys arguing before Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens, in Jackson, Wyoming, disagreed over whether the state constitution provided a right to abortion that would nullify the state's abortion trigger law that took effect Wednesday.

A group gathers to protest a sweeping abortion ban bill making its way through the West Virginia Legislature at the state Capitol on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 in Charleston, W.Va. (AP Photo/Leah Willingham)

Owens proved most sympathetic, though, with arguments that the ban left pregnant patients with dangerous complications and their doctors in a difficult position as they balanced serious medical risks against the possibility of prosecution.

That is a possible irreparable injury to the plaintiffs. They are left with no guidance, Owens said.

Several states including Wyoming recently passed abortion trigger bans should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, which happened June 24. The U.S. Supreme Court formally issued its judgment Tuesday.

After a more than three-week review, Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, last week gave the go-ahead for the Wyoming abortion ban he signed into law in March to take effect Wednesday but it is instead on hold after the ruling.

The Wyoming law would outlaw abortions except in cases of rape or incest or to protect the mothers life or health, not including psychological conditions. Doctors and others who provide illegal abortions under Wyomings new law could get up to 14 years in prison.

The four Wyoming women and two nonprofits that sued Monday to contest the new law claim it violates several rights guaranteed by the state constitution. Wyoming Special Assistant Attorney General Jay Jerde was skeptical, saying the state constitution neither explicitly nor implicitly allowed abortion.

No such right exists. You can't infringe what isnt there, Jerde told Owens.

The lawsuit claims the abortion ban will harm the women  two obstetricians, a pregnant nurse and a University of Wyoming law student  by outlawing potentially life-saving treatment options for their patients or themselves.

The fire-damaged Wellspring Health Access clinic in Casper, Wyo., is seen Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mead Gruver)

Those suing include a nonprofit opening a Casper womens and LGBTQ health clinic, Wellspring Health Access, that would have offered abortions. A May arson attack has set back the clinics opening from mid-June until at least the end of this year.

In North Dakota, Burleigh County District Judge Bruce Romanick sided with the states only abortion clinic that the state had moved fast to let the law take effect. The clinic had argued that a 30-day clock should not have started until the U.S. Supreme Court issued its certified judgment on Tuesday.

The ruling will give the Red River clinic more time to relocate a few miles away to Moorhead, Minnesota, where abortion remains legal. North Dakotas law would make abortion illegal in the state except in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother.

Meetra Mehdizadeh, attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is helping the clinic with the suit, said the plaintiffs will do everything in our power to fight this ban and keep abortion accessible in North Dakota for as long as possible.

In West Virginia, meanwhile, lawmakers on Wednesday debated a sweeping abortion ban bill on the House floor that would make providing the procedure a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill makes exceptions for rape or incest up to 14 weeks of gestation and for certain medical complications.

Whats ringing in my ears is not the noise of the people here, said one of the bills supporters, Republican Del. Brandon Steele of Raleigh County. Its the cries of the unborn, tens of thousands of unborn children that are dead today.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said a 19th century law banned abortion in the state. Last week, a state judge barred the state from enforcing that ban, saying it was superseded by conflicting, newer laws.

Hundreds of people descended on the state Capitol for the debate. Many stood outside the House chamber and Speaker Roger Hanshaws office chanting and holding signs reading we will not go quietly and stop stealing our health care. Security officers escorted some from the House chambers.

Dozens spoke against the bill on the House floor including Katie Quinonez, executive director of the Women's Health Center of West Virginia, who was cut off and asked to step down as she started to talk about the abortion she got when she was 17.

I chose life, she said, raising her voice to speak over the interruption. I chose my life, because my life is sacred.
SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, July 28 (Xinhua) -- At least one commuter was killed and 12 others were injured in two traffic accidents in Afghanistan's northern Jawzjan and Kunduz provinces, local officials said Thursday.

One youngster lost his life and two others were critically injured as a car turned turtle in Had Bakhshi area of Jawzjan province late on Wednesday, Bismillah Nasrat, an official with the provincial information and culture department, told Xinhua.

In another incident, 10 people sustained injuries, some in critical condition, as their vehicle skidded from a road in Kunduz province on Wednesday.

One day earlier, four travelers lost their lives and 48 others were injured due to careless driving in southern Zabul province.

Reckless driving on congested roads often lead to traffic accidents in Afghanistan, according to traffic police officials. 
Republican City Council candidate David Merrill looked down at his Fitbit Tuesday night to check his heart rate. It was at over 100 beats per minute. Normally, hes sitting right around 60.

The energy at the Republican watch party for City Council candidates was palpable. Candidates stood on chairs and gave speeches to roaring applause at the Selwyn Pub in south Charlotte. Councilman Tariq Bokhari, who beat his Democratic challenger Stephanie Hand by less than 400 votes, said he hasnt seen that kind of excitement for Charlotte Republicans in a decade or more.

To deal with the sweat, Merrills wife brought him an extra shirt.

In the end, Merrill and the three other Republican at-large candidates lost by a wide margin. Kyle Luebke came the closest, but still fell short by almost 14,000 votes.

What becomes of the Republican slate, which knocked on tens of thousands of doors and made more than 10,000 phone calls in their longshot bid to win city-wide in a Democratic stronghold, isnt clear. The candidates said they arent sure if theyll run again. Carrie Olinski said shed pray on it.

As those candidates wonder whats next, some political observers have their eyes on bigger races in November and beyond, and on the lessons learned Tuesday night.

All eyes on Bokhari

For much of the night, all eyes were on Bokhari and the results in District 6, which covers much of south Charlotte.

His race came down to the wire in a district where the math, at least on its surface, looks unfavorable for Republicans.

A composite of the Big 3 2020 elections shows that nearly 60% of District 6 voters preferred the Democrats. Joe Biden won the district with more than 60% in 2020, as did Gov. Roy Cooper. Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Cal Cunningham won more than half of voters there in his losing bid against Sen. Thom Tillis.

Using a composite of those three races, Bokhari pulled off a more than 5% swing in his favor in 10 precincts. He flipped five from Democrat to Republican.

Republican operative and Charlotte attorney Larry Shaheen said Bokharis performance showed that Charlottes urban suburbs are still competitive political battlegrounds, even if the race was tight  much closer than Bokharis 2019 and 2017 races.

Though District 6 changed slightly under a redistricting plan approved by the City Council last year, its partisan makeup remained mostly consistent with prior maps.

The entire makeup of the Democratic Party and establishment was in District 6 actively trying to get rid of (Bokhari) and they failed, Shaheen said. Them not beating Tariq showed that the suburbs are up for grabs.

But are they?

Like everything in politics, Shaheens theory is up for debate.

Catawba College political science professor Michael Bitzer said the trend of District 6 is what it looks like on the surface: Democrats are gaining ground, and they wont stop there.

Bitzer pointed to Bokharis previous elections. In 2017, he won with 62% of the vote. In 2019, he won with 59%. Tuesday night, that dropped to 51%.

The time is growing near that that district is going to flip Democratic, Bitzer said. You can only stave off that kind of behavior by the voters for just so long.

Democratic operative Dan McCorkle said Hand, the Democratic candidate in District 6, was running against 45 years of history. Hes confident shed win in 2023 if she were to run again.

In District 7, where Republican councilman Ed Driggs ran unopposed, more than 11% of voters wrote in another candidate rather than voting for Driggs. In the other districts where the candidates were unopposed, all of whom were Democrats, the write-in percentage was about 5%.

Bitzer said hed be stunned if the Democrats dont put somebody up against Driggs in 2023, when the City Council is up for reelection.

If Bokharis is low-hanging fruit, Driggs district is next for the pickings, he said.

It doesnt end at City Hall

City Council candidates likely arent the only ones looking at these numbers.

Southern Mecklenburg County is home to at least two competitive races for the General Assembly. That election is in November. Since the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, those seats have come into the spotlight.

Whether Democrats can hold enough seats in the state legislature to uphold Gov. Roy Coopers veto power could determine the future of abortion rights in North Carolina. In both the state House and Senate, Democrats hold that power by just a handful of seats.

In other words, every race matters.

North Carolina is also approaching its November election for U.S. Senate, where Rep. Ted Budd, a Republican, faces Democrat Cheri Beasley, the former chief justice of the state Supreme Court.

Shaheen said Bokharis victory against a strong candidate pushes back against the idea that Charlottes lost.

But, he said, It takes money. It takes commitment ... This was a sophisticated campaign operation. What happened last night was not an accident.

Guilt by association

Theres little to no indication that the at-large candidates will have an easier time any time soon. With south Charlotte becoming more Democratic, running with an R next to your name becomes more of a hindrance, Bitzer said. Republicans havent won a city-wide race in Charlotte in 13 years.

Trumps presidency and his continuing influence make the prospect of victory even less likely, he said.

Guilt by association is probably whats dooming most urban Republicans, Bitzer said.

Luebkes experience speaks to that. In the primary, he finished fourth among the four at-large Republicans who made it to the general election, but finished first Tuesday.

McCorkle said that shows Luebke won over some Democrats or Democratic-leaning unaffiliated voters.

Luebke, after it was clear that he lost Tuesday night, said he wished municipal elections werent partisan.

Whoevers in the White House doesnt care that your sidewalk isnt fixed. Whoevers in the White House doesnt care that the buses arent running, he said. Thats what I think a lot of people realized who voted for me  I was talking about the issues that mattered here in the city.
Sen. Thom Tillis is among a bipartisan group of 16 lawmakers who worked on a bill that ensures the vice presidents role in certifying a presidential election is unambiguous and that the threshold for members of Congress to contest election results is more substantial.

I think with the Electoral Count Act, in particular, we just needed some clarity, Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, told McClatchy on Tuesday while walking through the U.S. Capitol. I think it made sense to modernize it.

Lawmakers began reviewing the Electoral Count Act of 1887 following the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol when a group of rioters, who supported former President Donald Trump, violently broke into the building in order to stop the election certification of President Joe Biden.

Since then, the nation has learned the immense pressure Trump and a team of lawyers put on Vice President Mike Pence to throw out Bidens electoral votes. The lawyers tried to justify to Pence doing so by pointing to vague language in the 1887 law.

Last week, lawmakers announced a bill aimed at reforming the Electoral Count Act to end any lingering misconceptions to ensure no one tries to take advantage of the law again. Other legislation introduced addresses transitions of power, election security and anti-harassment protections against election workers.

The 16 senators put out a joint statement last week urging their colleagues to pass their bills.

From the beginning, our bipartisan group has shared a vision of drafting legislation to fix the flaws of the archaic and ambiguous Electoral Count Act of 1887, they said together. Through numerous meetings and debates among our colleagues as well as conversations with a wide variety of election experts and legal scholars, we have developed legislation that establishes clear guidelines for our system of certifying and counting electoral votes for President and Vice President.

The senators said in a news release that they worked with state election officials and a group of ideologically diverse election experts and legal scholars to draft the bill.

Some Democrats in the House dont think the bill goes far enough to prevent subversion of elections, Politico reported. But Democrats cant pass most legislation through the Senate without compromise, elevating the importance of Republicans like Tillis who have been willing to strike deals or find common ground.

Vice presidents role

In the new bill, the vice presidents role in certifying election results is strictly ceremonial and he or she has no power to accept, reject or determine electors.

Fact checkers across the country have interpreted the vice presidents role as only that after studying the 1887 law, but a congressional study released in January found that since the countrys inception, lawmakers have been struggling to interpret a single sentence in the U.S. Constitution.

It reads: The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted.

Greg Jacob, the top White House counsel to Pence, who warned the former vice president against throwing out Bidens election results, testified before the Jan. 6 congressional committee last month about Pences frustration with that sentence.

Jacob recalled Pence telling him, I cant wait to go to heaven and meet the framers and tell them: The work that you did in putting together our Constitution is a work of genius. It was divinely inspired. But there is one sentence that I would like to talk to you a little about.

After a number of heated electoral counts, Congress created in 1887 the Electoral Count Act to answer some of the ambiguities.

Objections to certification

The proposed reform also addresses lawmakers abilities to object to electors from a state. Currently it takes a single member of both the House and Senate to raise an objection. Under the new bill, one-fifth of members of both the House and Senate would need to object.

There may have been a time where you would only have one objector when we were dispersed and that made sense, but now were here, so raising the threshold for the number of members from the House or the Senate that have to object for it to rise to a vote makes sense, Tillis said.

As Congress counted the electoral votes on Jan. 6, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar objected to Arizonas count and Sen. Josh Hawley and Rep. Scott Perry objected to Pennsylvanias count. Dozens of Republican lawmakers, including seven from North Carolina, joined in one or both objections.

Reps. Jody Hice, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mo Brooks and Louie Gohmert attempted objections to the counts from Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin, respectively, but without a senator.

Other provisions

The Electoral Count Act reform bill would remove, from an 1845 law, permission for state legislators to override popular votes by declaring a failed election. The definition of a failed election had never been defined. The bill now says a presidential election can only be moved under extraordinary and catastrophic circumstances.

It also ensures that only one set of electors can be submitted by giving that responsibility to the governor of each state. The only exception would be if someone else is designated under state law or in the states constitution and that that was in effect on Election Day.

Groups from seven states sent the National Archives a list of alternate electors following the 2020 election. This bill ensures that Congress can not accept a slate of electors from any other official than the governor or the states legal alternative.

Transfer of power

The senators also propose that if the results of a presidential election are in doubt, both candidates will have access to federal resources to ensure a smooth transition of power.

Those resources would go to the winner once they receive the majority of electoral votes in the November election and there isnt further legal or administrative action contesting the results, or once the candidate receives the majority of electoral votes at the meeting of electors in December, or is formally elected at the joint meeting of Congress in January.

The bill stipulates that five days after the election, if neither candidate concedes, both are entitled to federal transition resources until it is substantially certain who won the majority of the electoral vote. The bill also gives candidates expedited judicial review that includes a three-judge panel with direct appeal to the Supreme Court.

If neither candidate concedes, the administrator is required to report on federal resources provided to each candidate, provide weekly reports to Congress on the transition, including the status of determining a winner, and issue a public, written opinion when permitted or required under law that a single candidate is the winner and why.

Election security

Another bill introduced by the senators targets election security and protects election workers.

The bill reauthorizes an independent agency created under a 2002 law, known as the Election Assistance Commission. The agency would be required to test the cybersecurity of voting systems.

The bill creates the Election Records Protection Act to ensure the preservation of electronic election records. Anyone who steals, destroys, conceals, mutilates or alters election records faces two years in prison. The proposal also makes it illegal to tamper with a voting system.

The bill increases penalties  up to two years in prison  against anyone who threatens or intimidates election officials, poll watchers, voters and candidates.

Lastly, it provides better guidance to the states on how the U.S. Postal Service handles election mail to help the mail-in ballot process.
A Charlotte woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to peddling a fake COVID-19 cure during the height of the pandemic, federal prosecutors in New Hampshire said.

Diana Daffin, the owner of Savvy Holistic Health, was arrested outside her south Charlotte home in May 2021 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration accused her of shipping the supposed remedy drug HAMPL to an undercover agent in New Hampshire, The Charlotte Observer previously reported, citing an FDA news release.

According to a criminal complaint, the FDA first warned Daffin and the drugs Australian manufacturer in April 2020 that she was selling an adulterated, misbranded, and unapproved drug and should take immediate action to correct the violation, according to the FDA release.

The label on the container of the drug falsely said it would give a stronger immunity against CV and promised immunity for humans, according to the complaint. The label with the claim was on the drug she sent to the undercover agent.

Daffin, 69, told the FDA she removed the product from her website, according to an agency release. But she continued selling unapproved HAMPL brand drugs, even after the FDA warned her again in August 2020, prosecutors said in the complaint.

She again told the FDA she would close the product line and website, according to the complaint, but she didnt.

Daffin didnt return a phone message left on her cellphone by the Observer on Wednesday night.

She is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 2, according to a New Hampshire U.S. Attorneys Office news release Wednesday. Prosecutors didnt say how many years in prison she faces.
Within minutes after the U.S. Supreme Court announcing its overturn of Roe v. Wade, Missouri had banned abortion.

But the reality of abortion access in the Kansas City region hasnt really changed that much so far.

Since 2018 the only abortion clinic in Missouri was in St. Louis. For more than three years, Missouri women in the Kansas City metro who wanted or needed an abortion were most likely to seek care at the two clinics in Overland Park, Kansas.

As a result Missouri women in 2021 accounted for 44% of the abortions in Kansas in 2021.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade didnt change that.

Anamarie Rebori-Simmons, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said the organizations Overland Park clinic saw increased call volume in the days and weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, but the overwhelming majority of patients were still from Kansas and Missouri.

Missouri was Texas before Texas was Texas, Rebori-Simmons said. I think people may not have realized how limited to nonexistent abortion care was in the state of Missouri for several years prior to the Supreme Court decision.

Kansas southern neighbor Oklahoma has also banned abortion, in addition to Missouri. There are only four abortion providers in Kansas two in Wichita and two in Overland Park.

However, even as they receive more calls from patients in the surrounding region, Kansas providers say appointments remain limited. Furthermore, Kansas has restrictions on the books - like a 24-hour waiting period - that may make it less convenient to patients traveling from other states compared to states with more permissive regulations and more clinics.

We havent changed how many health centers and providers there are across the whole state. And there are so few, its like the reality doesnt meet the fact that much of our surrounding states have lost access, Rebori-Simmons said. I think people are looking at New Mexico and Colorado, in addition to Illinois.

The chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood in the St. Louis region told the Senate Judiciary Committee last week that the organizations clinic in Fairview Heights, Illinois saw appointments triple after the decision.

In the lead-up to Kansas Aug. 2 vote on a constitutional amendment to remove the state-level right to an abortion, much of the debate has centered on Kansas role in the regional abortion access apparatus.

The Value Them Both amendment would stop us from becoming a destination state with no health and safety standards in the clinics operating here, Danielle Underwood, a spokeswoman for Kansans for Life, said at an anti-abortion event earlier this month.

The Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights research group, published a study last year that Kansas would see a more than 1,000 % increase in women of reproductive age whose would find their closest abortion clinic in the stat if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The statistic was recently removed from Guttmachers website. A spokeswoman said it was no longer accurate.

It was based on the assumption of the whole group of 26 states all banning abortion at the same time, and that is not what is happening at the moment, where we are seeing a very fluid and chaotic situation, a Guttmacher spokeswoman said in an email.

But before its removal the stat was used by the Value Them Both Coalition, the primary organization advocating for passage of the Kansas amendment, as evidence that the state could see a 1000% increase in abortions if the right to an abortion remained in the state constitution.

The Star also cited the data in a report that incorrectly framed the population figure as a projection of increased demand. The article has since been updated to clarify this point.

According to Kansas abortion providers, geographical proximity to Kansas has not universally resulted in a woman coming to the state for an abortion and the existing clinics do not have enough appointments to serve the number of patients seeking abortions in the region.

Zack Gingrich-Gaylord, a spokesman for the Trust Women Clinic in Wichita, said the clinic received about 500 calls daily after Texas instituted its six week ban last year. After the decision came in the clinic has gotten 1,000 calls some days.

We cannot answer that many phone calls, Gingrich-Gaylord said. When potential patients do get through, the clinic is only scheduling two weeks in advance. If theyre booked they tell patients to call back at the beginning of the week, or to try another state.

But the clinic has not been able to meaningfully increase the number of patients they serve, he said. The clinic had undergone renovations to prepare for increased demand but the process was delayed and hadnt finished by the time the decision came down.

If we get to the point where we are now where you have 13 that immediately banned and were seeing more and more bans come to fruition, at what point are there just no more availabilities, Gingrich-Gaylord said.

Thats where we are.
The story goes a little something like this: a chef, a DJ, a lawyer and a drag queen walk into a bar.

That might sound like the set up to a funny joke, but according to its website, this is the origins of R House, an iconic Wynwood restaurant known for hosting drag shows while serving Latin-inspired food.

But on Tuesday, the restaurant found itself in the headlines when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis administration filed a state complaint against R House that says that the restaurants drag show brunches expose minors to sexually explicit drag shows.

READ MORE: Here are photos of Wynwoods popular drag restaurant that Florida is complaining about

R Houses drag brunches have been a highlight for tourists and locals in the Wynwood area for years.

Its all about self-expression, said drag queen Athena Dion, who helped create R Houses drag programming, in an April interview with the Herald. The fact that we get to do this and share my experience with so many people that have never been exposed to drag before, I think is really meaningful.

Athena, who is highly respected and well-known in Miamis drag scene, helped R House become the drag venue it is today. She often hosts, produces and performs in the restaurants shows.

But back in 2014, when chef Rocco Carulli and his husband Owen Bale opened R House, drag wasnt at the forefront of the restaurants appeal. In fact, early news articles about R House dont mention drag at all. The space was originally billed as a restaurant that doubles as an art gallery.

Interior of R House in Wynwood.

Before moving to Miami full-time, Carulli owned a restaurant in Provincetown, a Massachusetts summer resort town, and spent winters working as a chef in Miami Beach. He chose Wynwood as the home of his new restaurant because the neighborhoods burgeoning art scene reminded him of Provincetowns artistic community.

I feel like it has the most soul of any of the communities in Miami, Carulli told the Herald in a 2014 interview.

While R House served Latin American, Middle Eastern and Asian inspired dishes, the restaurant also functioned as an art gallery, a unique feature at the time. R House displays artwork on its walls to this day.

Eventually, Carulli and Bale met Athena and DJ Jody McDonald. The chemistry was obvious, the restaurants website says. Our nationally acclaimed drag brunch was born.

Drag Queen Kat Wilderness performs for guests during a Drag Brunch at R House Wynwood in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

In the meantime, Wynwood became another LGBTQ hub in South Florida. The neighborhood is often seen as a focal point for Miamis bustling drag scene and is home to its own Pride festival every June.

Since R House began hosting its weekend drag brunches and consistent weekday drag shows, the restaurants popularity only skyrocketed. Reservations go fast, and customers often have to book weeks in advance.

So who goes to R House drag shows? Hundreds of people.

Every weekend, a line of people with reservations forms down the sidewalk in front R House to check in. Once seated, customers order plates of food, pour carafes of mimosas and take out some cash to tip the performers. R House is popular among tourists and locals alike, especially for birthdays and bachelorette parties.

The likes of Gloria Estefan and Ana Navarro can be seen conga dancing at brunch.

I think were really doing an amazing thing, Athena told the Miami Herald. Were opening up peoples minds, were introducing concepts that theyve never experienced before, and were showing them that its not a scary world out there after all. Theres so much love to be had and to be shared.

Drag performer at R House.

This story was produced with financial support from The Perez Family Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
Local and state officials worked to reassure Kershaw County residents Wednesday that there is no reason to worry about a series of earthquakes that have rocked the community in recent months.

But the cause of the string of earthquakes remains somewhat mysterious, officials said at the town hall that was livestreamed on the countys Facebook page and featured experts answering residents submitted questions.

Elgin has been at the epicenter of multiple low-level earthquakes in recent weeks, and an unusually high number have been felt in the small town 20 miles northeast of Columbia. None of the quakes have been large enough to do much damage and wouldnt be considered major recordings on the Richter scale, but in otherwise still South Carolina, the shakes and their frequency have sparked concern.

The region suffered its latest earthquake on Monday, the largest this month at a 2.1 magnitude. It was the 62nd earthquake recorded in the Palmetto State this year. All but five of those have struck in the Midlands.

State geologist Scott Howard said as many as 200 smaller tremors may have gone unnoticed and unrecorded, so theres not enough information about their location, he said. Recorded quakes have occurred in a northeast-oriented cluster near the town, Howard said, which goes against the grain of structures known here in the Piedmont.

The earthquakes have occurred in three distinct swarms, Howard said, in the December/January time frame, a short cluster in May, and then again since June.

Kim Stenson, director of the SC Emergency Management Division, said the state has a plan in place for responding to a potentially more destructive earthquake and providing support to people affected. But Stenson said we dont believe low magnitude earthquakes are a precursor to a larger one.

While South Carolina historically doesnt experience that many major quakes, the state does sit on several fault lines. In 1886, Charleston was racked by a 7.3-magnitude quake, the largest ever to hit the eastern United States, killing 60 people. A state study estimates that a similarly-sized quake in the same area today would cause $20 billion in damage.

Stenson suggested residents have earthquake insurance on their homes and have a disaster supply kit with needed items in case normal services are knocked out by a quake. He also said the agency provides earthquake notifications, so residents can find out if a rumble was not thunder or a large truck.

Cameron Ryan with Duke Energy told the audience for Wednesdays meeting that the dam at Lake Wateree is built to withstand even larger tremors than the ones the area has suffered in recent months, and Stenson said bridges are regularly inspected and have not shown damage from the quakes.
The scene on a busy Gastonia road last fall took mere seconds to devolve, as two police officers confronted a homeless Iraq War veteran and one shocked the mans dog with a stun gun, according to body-worn camera video released Thursday by Gastonia Police.

A Superior Court judge on Wednesday ordered the release as requested by veteran Joshua Rohrer, Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page and the City of Gastonia, police said in a news release that included the footage.

The October encounter prompted community complaints and outrage on social media about the treatment of the veteran and his dog, Sunshine, and led to the disciplining of an officer who responded that day.

In this image from police video, Officer Maurice Taylor III arrives to assist Officer Cierra Brooks with homeless veteran Joshua Rohrer in Gastonia, N.C., on Oct. 13, 2021.

Officers Tase veterans dog

Police on Thursday released more than two hours of video from the encounter.

The video shows Rohrer standing in a narrow, raised median on Gaston Mall Drive at Cox Road as Officer Cierra Brooks drives up and tells him: I just saw you take money from that car.

Yeah, you saw me take money, but you didnt see me ask for it, Rohrer replies.

Its called panhandling, Brooks tells him.

But its not panhandling if I didnt ask for it, Rohrer tells her.

Give me your ID or youre going to jail for resist, delay or obstruct, Brooks tells him.

Theres no city ordinance that says somebody cant give me money, Rohrer replies.

Officer Maurice Taylor III drives up and reminds Rohrer that he asked the veteran on a previous visit not to stand in the median.

In the video, Rohrers dog stands alone on a blanket at the end of the median, away from its owner and the officers, as if confused by whats happening.

When Taylor asks for his state identification, Rohrer pulls out his Veteran Administration ID card and extends it to the officers. Taylor tells him again to show his state ID, according to the video.

When Rohrer raises the VA card again, the officers grab him and one tells him: Turn around, youre being arrested.

The officers hold Rohrer by his shoulder and a hand as he screams and yells to anyone nearby.

Anybody see this, he screams. Somebody help me!

What are you doing! he shouts as Brooks holds him against a patrol car.

A snap sound is then heard in the video.

Call your dog off, Taylor says. Call your dog off.

Sunshine jumps from the median onto a patrol car and barks one time.

The video next shows Brooks holding Rohrer down on road as Taylor calls for more units.

Why are you doing this? Rohrer screams. Somebody help me! Record this!

Taylor has by now Tased the dog, as he tells Brooks: It bit my foot, and I knew it was going to bite you. It bit my boot.

A woman bystander approaches the officers and tells them Rohrer is not harming anybody. Hes out here every day.

At the time of the incident, a police spokesperson confirmed that officers Tased the 2-year-old Belgian Malinois during the Oct. 13 incident, WBTV reported. Sunshine scampered off. Days later, she was found dead, hit by a car, multiple media outlets reported.

Former Kentucky National Guardsman Joshua Rohrer, an Iraq war veteran, and his service dog Sunshine walking in Gastonia, NC, in October 2021.

Rohrer, a former Kentucky National Guardsman, was arrested at the scene and charged with two misdemeanor counts of resisting an officer, a misdemeanor count of begging for money and a solicit from highway infraction, Gaston County Jail records show.

A city ordinance prohibits soliciting or accepting contributions while in a street or median from a stopped vehicle, police said.

He was freed the next afternoon on $3,000 bail, according to the records. Friends posted his bail, according to a GoFundMe site that in just days raised $13,250 from 350 donors. Rohrer planned to use the money for his legal fees, housing costs and mental health treatment.

Rohrer suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the fundraising page established by friend Gina Ramsey.

I fought for my country

Gaston County Police later released a 911 call from a citizen who complained about a man using a dog to get money, WBTV reported.

Rohrer denied the accusation during interviews with Charlotte-area news media.

He told WBTV that he was merely walking at the intersection, smiling, waving and chatting with passers-by.

I fought for my country, he told the station. I fought for everybodys freedom, and I feel like a freedom we should have is being able to walk where we please, as long as its not private property, no trespassing.

Two witnesses to the Oct. 13 encounter told WCNC that officers slammed him up against a patrol car and handcuffed Rohrer. The witnesses said an officer Tased Sunshine after she nipped the officers boot, according to the station.

Rohrer was so distraught over Sunshines death that he tried throwing himself in front of any car that he could, friend and fellow veteran Dave Dowell of Shelby told Military Times last fall.

At an Oct. 22 community rally, dozens of supporters lined Gaston Mall Drive near the scene of the encounter to memorialize Sunshine.

Sunshines death

After Rohrers arrest, police said, Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement took custody of Sunshine and later released the dog to a friend of Rohrers choosing.

That friend took Sunshine to a home in Cleveland County, police said in the statement. According to posts made on social media by friends of Mr. Rohrer, Sunshine left the premises where she was being temporarily housed, entered a roadway, and was struck and killed by a passing vehicle.

The Department fully understands the emotional impact that this entire incident, which includes the reported death of Sunshine, has had on all parties who are directly involved in this case, police said. The Department also fully understands the emotional impact that this case has had on the local community and on the United States military community.

What happened to the officers?

Brooks received a three-day disciplinary suspension without pay in January, and Taylor resigned in February, the Gaston Gazette reported.

Brooks had posted on Facebook that Rohrers backers sounded dumb as hell, according to the Gazette, although the department refused to say why she was suspended.

On July 6, Rohrers panhandling and resisting arrest charges were dismissed, the Gazette reported, although he was sentenced to two years of supervised probation after pleading guilty to an unrelated charge of driving while his license was revoked.
A former treasurer for the Perry County Agricultural Society convicted of mail fraud was sentenced to 21 months in a federal prison by a judge in the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois on Tuesday.

Billy E. Harris, 48, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty in January to defrauding the Perry County Agricultural Society for more than $100,000 from June 5, 2012 to Oct. 3, 2018. The society organizes the annual county fair.

The court will require Harris to pay $148,908 in restitution to the PCAS and after release, he will be on two-year period of supervision.

Harris wrote checks on the societys account payable to himself and his wife, forging a board members signature on the checks. Harris also acknowledged that he paid personal expenses and bought items for his personal use, mostly through Amazon and PayPal, charging document say.

Harris admitted to spending the Agricultural Societys funds on such items as personalized Darth Vader and Yoda pet tags, Star Wars men sleeping pants, a CPAP tube cleaner, a WiFi router, Apple AirPods, a Himalayan Salt Lamp Air Purifier, a floating pool fountain, mens grooming products, including beard lube.

Harris served as treasurer of the Perry County Agricultural Society from 2011 to Oct 2018, according to a release from the court.

Harris is scheduled for sentencing at 1:30 p.m. on May 5 at the federal courthouse in Benton.

The mail fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of probation, according to the release. In addition, Harris can be ordered to pay full restitution to the Perry County Agricultural Society, said the release.

The St. Louis Office of the Postal Inspection Service and the Pinckneyville Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the Perry County States Attorneys Office, the court release stated.

The case was prosecuted by Scott Verseman, Assistant States Attorney.
Tens of thousands of St. Lukes Health System patients data might be vulnerable after a cybersecurity incident involving Kaye-Smith, one of the systems business vendors, in May.

In a Wednesday news release, St. Lukes announced that a vendor handling statement processing and billing services experienced a data breach. The health system became aware of the breach on July 6.

We have identified 31,573 individuals whose records may have been impacted by the vendor data breach, St. Lukes spokesperson Christine Myron told the Idaho Statesman in an email. She said no St. Lukes networks were affected.

There is no evidence that the compromised information has been misused at this point, according to the news release. Myron said Kaye-Smith and St. Lukes are both actively monitoring for any indication of misuse of St. Lukes patient information.

The news release said the stolen information could have included patients names, addresses, ID numbers, dates of birth, last five digits of Social Security numbers, descriptions, dates and locations of services, provider names and patient account numbers. The breach also provided access to amounts billed for services, outstanding balances, payment due dates and payment account statuses.

The health system said it has expedited the process of informing patients. Myron said St. Lukes was not able to notify people immediately because it was investigating which individuals and records the breach affected. She said St. Lukes has worked to inform patients as quickly as we could safely do so.

Patients will receive a letter in the mail and will be entitled to complimentary identity theft protection, 12 months of credit and CyberScan security monitoring, and a $1,000,000 insurance reimbursement policy, according to the release.

A call center will be available starting Thursday at 4 p.m. to answer questions about the services. The help line will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at 833-423-2976.
Three Ukrainian Black Sea ports resume operation

Xinhua) 09:03, July 28, 2022

KIEV, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Operations have resumed in three Ukrainian Black Sea ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny in line with a grain exports deal signed last week in Turkiye, the press service of the Ukrainian Naval Forces said in a statement on Wednesday.

Currently, the work is underway to prepare the ports for safe navigation, with military and civilian experts searching for underwater objects and installing special navigation equipment, the statement said.

The ships navigating in the Ukrainian ports will form a caravan, which will be escorted by a lead ship for greater security, it said.

On July 22, Ukraine and Russia separately signed a deal with Turkiye and the United Nations in Istanbul to resume grain shipments from Ukrainian ports to international markets via the Black Sea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the deal will enable Ukraine to export 20 million tons of last year's grain harvest and part of this year's harvest.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
PHNOM PENH, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's National Assembly on Thursday ratified an agreement between the country and China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government for avoiding double taxation and preventing fiscal evasion concerning the taxes on income.

The pact was signed between the Southeast Asian country and the Macao SAR government in 2019.

Cambodian Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth said the kingdom has also signed similar agreements with China, China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Turkey.

"The agreement will attract and facilitate international investment and trade as well as prevent fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income," he told the parliament.

Chheang Vun, chairman of the parliament's committee on economy, finance, banking and audit, said the deal was vital to promoting bilateral investment and trade, capital flow, and sharing of technology and expertise.

"This is a legal instrument that will help attract foreign direct investment to Cambodia through tax incentives," he said.

After a review by the senate, the pact will be submitted to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni for endorsement. 
The Summer of Mercy demonstrations in 1991 put Wichita squarely in the national spotlight, but it was far from the first display of anti-abortion activism in the city, which Operation Rescue President Troy Newman deemed the late-term abortion capital of the world.

Most abortion opponents took up signs and distributed literature outside city clinics. Some, however, resorted to violence.

In 1986, an anonymous anti-abortion activist pipe-bombed Dr. George Tillers clinic on East Kellogg, causing $100,000 in damage. Three days after the attack, in a show of defiance, Tiller planted a sign in front of the building that read Hell no! We wont go!

Linda Stoner began working for Tiller in 1993, six weeks after he was shot in both arms during an assassination attempt by extremist Shelley Shannon. Tiller returned to work the next day.

He made me a stronger person to stand up for what I believe in, and he did a lot for women, Stoner said.

In the 10 years that Stoner worked at the Womens Health Care clinic, Tiller saw patients from 9 to 50 years old.

They came there because they were in crisis, Stoner said.

One of the things that people dont realize is, [Tiller] also made arrangements for people to adopt children. He helped women of all ages and of all faiths and all nationalities.

It was Stoners job to answer the clinic phone, making her the first point of contact for women seeking abortions. Some of those calls have stuck with her throughout the years.

I can remember one distinct patient calling, and I said, What if we cannot help you? She says, in a flat voice, and it was chilling, I will kill myself, Stoner said. She was in her 20s. She was backed up against a wall. It still sends chills down my spine to hear that, because she goes, I have no other options.

The building that housed Dr. George Tillers abortion clinic and now houses the Trust Women Clinic in Wichita.

Information and intimidation

Over the years, Stoner became accustomed to seeing anti-abortion protesters demonstrating outside the clinic.

Much of those efforts were headed by Mark Gietzen, chair of the Kansas Coalition for Life and president of the Kansas Republican Assembly, who still coordinates sidewalk counseling outside Wichitas Trust Women and Planned Parenthood clinics.

I do organize the team of people that go out and offer literature to the women going in for an abortion, or an informational type thing, holding signs and so on, Gietzen told The Eagle.

Its just terrible that we dont have a better safety net for these women. They have an abortion because they cant afford the ones they already have or its their first one and theyre not ready. Their parents are going to throw them out of the home or they already are separated from their parents and the boyfriend is irresponsible and all he sees is the possibility of having to pay child support. And they have no idea how valuable every child is.

Gietzen also documents unusual activities at clinics, including when ambulances are called to the facilities, and drives a box truck-style Truth Truck emblazoned with a graphic image of an aborted fetus on behalf of Operation Rescue, which relocated its national headquarters to Wichita in 2002.

Its bumper sticker material that hasnt been cut into small little sheets. Its a huge sheet put on the entire side of the truck, Gietzen said. On one side, it says Every abortion is an act of violence. And people know that thats true but they hate that truth. Then, right below that, a picture of an aborted baby. And it makes it impossible to argue and people get angry.

Even the sensational imagery of the Truth Truck became commonplace for Stoner during her time at Tillers clinic. Intimidation tactics while she was off the clock were more jarring.

Once, she said, an elderly couple approached her in the grocery aisle of a supermarket and began berating her.

They said, Are you Linda Stoner? And I looked at them and I really just hesitated and didnt say anything. And they started screaming that they knew where my children went to school, Stoner said. They named their names. They named the kids that got on the same bus.

Meghan Bean, an abortion-rights activist, also endured intimidating tactics when she began working at a clinic. She said her son was kicked out of his preschool because protesters sent a postcard to his school saying his mom worked at an abortion clinic.

When her mother, abortion-rights activist Candy Krueger, died in 2005, there were protesters at her funeral.

This is the life that we live being pro-choice and being activists in the community, Bean said.

The ultimate price

Tiller hired armed guards to protect his clinic and drove an armored SUV. He often wore a bulletproof vest while attending services at Reformation Lutheran Church.

Thats where he was, handing out bulletins to parishioners on the morning of May 31, 2009, when a lone gunman, 51-year-old Scott Roeder, fatally shot him once in the head.

George Tiller

The previous March, Roeder had attended Tillers trial at the Sedgwick County Courthouse. A jury took less than 30 minutes to acquit Tiller of all charges after he was accused of violating a provision of Kansas abortion law that requires a second doctors opinion before the procedure is done. At the time, Roeder angrily dismissed the trial as a sham to a fellow abortion activist, The New York Times reported.

Operation Rescue condemned the doctors slaying.

When Roeder was arrested along Interstate 35 in Johnson County the same day he shot Tiller, a television station captured the vehicle on video, displaying a note on the dashboard with the name and number of Operation Rescues senior policy adviser, Cheryl Sullenger.

Sullenger, who served two years in prison for conspiring to bomb a California abortion clinic in 1988, had sinced renounced violent action. She told reporters that Roeder had contacted her for details about court proceedings against Tiller.

The biggest lie that anybody could say is that Scott Roeder is pro-life, Gietzen said. Pro-life people, we think that God has a right to choose who lives or dies . . . But we say humans dont have a right to take another human life because once that life is taken, we cant put it back together again.

Roeder first approached Gietzen outside a clinic where he was overseeing sidewalk counseling to ask if he had contact information for another activist. Gietzen said he later found out the man in question had died.

Scott shows up out at the gate and hes talking to me, Gietzen said. Im saying, Hey, do you want to sign up? Youre pro-life. Why dont you sign up and take a shift out here?

Roeder rebuffed him, saying he ran a raggedy, (expletive) pro-life group, Gietzen remembers.

Trust Women clinic

Less than three months after Tillers murder, Operation Rescue teamed up with several other anti-abortion groups to mount a Keep it Closed campaign aimed at discouraging other abortion providers from re-opening Tillers clinic.

But that wasnt enough to dissuade Julie Burkhart, who had been working alongside Tiller for seven years when he was killed.

It was no more than two weeks after his funeral that I was working on plans to establish Trust Women, Burkhart said.

Thats what tragedy and anger does to people. It leads us all in different directions, and I think my answer to my feelings about that personal tragedy was, we cant let them have the last word.

It took four years, but Wichitas Trust Women clinic opened in 2013 at the East Kellogg site of Tillers former practice. Burkhart got the name from the Trust Women buttons that Tiller often wore.

Those of us who were very close to Dr. Tiller, we knew the risk. We knew the environment, Burkhart said. We knew what was happening in terms of how the anti-choice people were trying to shut him down. In a way, to do this work, you have to be desensitized to it. Otherwise, Im not sure people could get out of bed every day.

In 2016, Burkhart established a second Trust Women clinic in Oklahoma City. That facility hasnt provided abortions since Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the nations strictest abortion ban into law in May.

In January, Burkhart moved to Wyoming to establish the Wellspring Health Access clinic in Casper. The clinic opened on schedule, even though the building was damaged in a May fire that police think was set deliberately.

But Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill in March green-lighting an abortion ban trigger law that would go in effect when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. That law is now in effect.

Under the Kansas Supreme Courts 2019 ruling, Kansas citizens have the right to an abortion and bodily autonomy.

A yes vote on the Aug. 2 constitutional amendment would reject that decision, leaving it up to state legislators to regulate abortion. A no vote would affirm the constitutional right to an abortion in Kansas.
A northwest Missouri man who authorities say originally lied about breaching the Capitol on Jan. 6 will go to trial early next year, a federal judge ordered Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton set the trial for Lloyd Casimiro Cruz Jr. to begin on Jan. 17 in federal court in Washington, D.C. Attorneys said they expected the trial to take two to four days.

Cruz, of Polo  about 50 miles northeast of Kansas City  is charged with parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building and entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Prosecutors say Cruz first denied invading the Capitol building, then later told agents that reviewing videos he took that day reminded him that he had indeed gone inside.

Cruz is the second of the 22 Missouri defendants in Capitol riot cases to be scheduled for a trial. The other, Nevada locksmith Isaac Yoder, has a trial date set for Feb. 7. Of the remaining 20 Missouri defendants, 13 have pleaded guilty, with 10 of them receiving sentences.

According to the charging documents, records obtained through a search warrant showed that Cruzs cellphone was in the Capitol on Jan. 6.

An FBI agent interviewed Cruz on May 19, 2021, at the Caldwell County Courthouse in Kingston, Missouri, the documents said. Cruz told the agent that he drove with friends to Washington, D.C., to attend the pro-Trump Stop the Steal rally. At the rally, Cruz said, former President Donald Trump encouraged the crowd to march to the Capitol. Cruz said he marched with the crowd down Pennsylvania Avenue, arriving at the west side of the Capitol about 15 minutes after Trumps speech ended.

Cruz told the agent that he saw Capitol personnel removing the lower barriers to allow people to get closer to the building, the documents said. He said he observed the upper barriers being pushed over and moved out of the way by people who, based on their dark clothing and behavior, he assumed were associated with Antifa.

Cruz said he went onto the Capitol grounds because he saw tear gas and rubber bullets being deployed on protesters pushing through the barriers and wanted to help anyone who had been injured, according to the documents.

He told the agent that he walked up the northwest exterior steps of the Capitol but did not enter the building. After seeing a window break, he said, he realized the situation was deteriorating and left. He said he had recorded about 15 minutes of footage with his GoPro camera and would give it to the FBI if he could find it, the documents showed.

The agent interviewed Cruz again on June 1, 2021, according to the documents. Cruz gave the agent a thumb drive that contained photos and videos of his trip to D.C. He said that reviewing the videos reminded him that he entered the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021.

Cruz told the agent he wore a green coat, a camouflage Trump hat and a black face mask when he entered the Capitol, the documents said. He said he later saw himself on surveillance footage from inside the Capitol that had been posted on One America News Networks website.

The agent called Cruz on July 23, 2021, the documents said. Cruz told the agent that when he marched to the Capitol, he was under the impression that Congress was in recess and that the vote to certify the presidential election results was to be later in the day.

According to the documents, Capitol video surveillance recorded Cruz entering the building at 2:14 p.m. and exiting at approximately 2:21 p.m.
If youve ever considered becoming a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teacher, now is the time to apply.

Earlier this month, CMS had 441 teacher vacancies  more than triple what it had that time last year, The Charlotte Observer reported.

The shortage comes as hundreds of thousands of teachers leave the field nationwide, a trend that intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pool of certified teachers is dangerously shallow, but we are cautiously optimistic about closing the vacancy gap for the upcoming school year, Christine Pejot, CMS chief human resources officer, told the Observer.

RELATED: With more than 400 vacancies, CMS struggles with dangerously shallow teacher pool

If you have limited or no experience but want to get your start in education, heres how you can become a teacher in CMS.

Requirements to teach at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

All CMS teachers are required to be licensed by the state, according to the CMS website.

Prospective teachers need to have a bachelors degree and complete coursework relevant to the license they wish to obtain, CMS said.

Here are the types of licenses new teachers can get and the requirements for each one:

Residency license: a one-year license that is renewable twice and requested by the board of education for individuals who:

Have a bachelors degree

Have completed coursework or passed a state-approved licensure exam

Are enrolled in a recognized educator preparation program

Meet all other requirements established by the state board of education

Emergency license: a one-year license requested by the board of education for individuals who:

Have a bachelors degree

Have completed 18 hours of coursework relevant to the licensure area

Have not completed a recognized educator program

Do not qualify for a Residency license

CMS teaching residency: An affordable path to becoming a full-time CMS teacher for individuals who:

Have a bachelors degree

Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 from undergraduate and graduate level coursework

Plan to take a state-required certification test

Do not have a license to teach in another state

To learn more about obtaining a teaching license, visit the Licensure Department page on the CMS website.

How to become a CMS substitute teacher

Candidates who are interested in substitute teaching can apply as a certified or non-certified substitute, according to the districts website.

Non-certified substitutes must be at least 21 and have a high school diploma to qualify for certification. Certified substitutes are required to have a teaching license from North Carolina or another state.

To apply for a substitute teaching position, visit the careers page on the CMS website.

What is the pay rate for CMS teachers and substitutes?

Beginning teacher pay in CMS is $41,736, according to the district, and the current average teacher salary is $56,675, the Observer reported.

The pay rates for certified and non-certified substitute teachers in CMS are $126 and $98 per day, respectively, according to the CMS data. Substitutes also receive a $200 bonus if they work 5 to 9 days, or a $500 bonus if they work 10 or more days in one month.

RELATED: Superintendent wants CMS teachers to be highest paid in NC. How close are they to the top?

Charlotte Observer reporter Anna Maria Della Costa contributed to this story.
The Western Sichuan Gas Field, developed by Sinopec's Southwest China Petroleum Bureau, recently obtained a new high-yield ultra-deep well, according to the bureau.

The Pengzhou 5-1D Well, an ultra-deep horizontal well in the Western Sichuan Gas Field, has achieved a daily output of 950,000 cubic meters of natural gas in test production. It is currently the deepest among wells that have finished drilling in the Western Sichuan Gas Field, with a depth of 8,208 meters and a horizontal length of 1,878 meters.

The Pengzhou 5-1D Well, an ultra-deep horizontal well in the Western Sichuan Gas Field, obtains a high yield in test production. [Photo by Pan Jishang / For Asia Pacific Daily]





Located on the western edge of the Chengdu Plain, the Western Sichuan Gas Field covers an area of about 139 square kilometers, with the main reservoir buried at a depth of about 5,700-6,200 meters. The structure of the gas reservoir is ultra-deep and quite complex, making drilling and construction extremely difficult.

To develop the gas field in a scientific manner and with high efficiency, the Southwest Petroleum Bureau established a multi-party drilling team to develop and improve technologies and techniques for drilling and the construction of ultra-deep horizontal wells.

Located on the western edge of the Chengdu Plain, the Western Sichuan Gas Field covers an area of about 139 square kilometers, with the main reservoir buried at a depth of about 5,700-6,200 meters. [Photo by Wang Ping / For Asia Pacific Daily]





With proven natural gas reserves exceeding 100 billion cu m, the Western Sichuan Gas Field is the third large-scale marine-origin gas field discovered by Sinopec in the Sichuan Basin, and is an important part of a 100-billion-cu-m national natural gas production base in the Sichuan and Chongqing area.

The Western Sichuan Gas Field has drilled 16 wells, all of which have achieved high production. Construction of the gas field is scheduled to be fully completed and put into production at the end of 2023, with daily natural gas output exceeding 5.4 million cu m, equivalent to the daily gas demands of 7.5 million urban households.

(APD)
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ISLAMABAD, July 28 (Xinhua) -- An eight-month-old child was paralyzed by wild poliovirus in North Waziristan district of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (KP), the Pakistani Health Ministry told Xinhua on Thursday.

The girl suffering from polio-induced disabilities had onset of paralysis on June 30, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the total number of polio cases in the country this year has increased to 14 with 13 patients from North Waziristan.

All of the polio cases this year were detected in southern KP, according to the ministry.

The National Emergency Operations Centers of Afghanistan and Pakistan are continuing cross-border coordination efforts, the ministry said.

The countries have synchronized two polio campaigns in May and June and are ensuring vaccination of children under 10 on all major transit points, along with vaccinating all ages at the international borders, it added. 
YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces Major-General Edward Asryan visited a military base in the south-eastern direction on July 27, the Ministry of Defense said.

Major-General Asryan inspected the implementation of planned activities, maintenance of armaments and military equipment and visited military outposts.

The commander of the base presented the tactical situation in the area and briefed on the engineering and reinforcement works.

The Chief of the General Staff issued directives to the commanders of units and met with conscripts.
YEREVAN, 28 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 28 July, USD exchange rate down by 1.16 drams to 406.69 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 2.03 drams to 412.14 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.07 drams to 6.72 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.84 drams to 492.79 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 142.61 drams to 22411.86 drams. Silver price up by 2.25 drams to 245.36 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.
YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's official visit to the Netherlands was important, first of all, from the political point of view, to show that the Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have contacts and connections at the highest level, at the level of prime ministers, Nico Schermers, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Armenia said in an interview with ARMENPRESS on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the Netherlands.

According to the Ambassador, during the visit it was also emphasized that Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte supports Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in his efforts to strengthen democracy, rule of law and human rights in Armenia.

Of course, we have noted the difficult situation of Armenia in recent years, and the message of Prime Minister Rutte regarding the prisoners of war is that we are standing by Armenia and doing everything we can to bring them back, Ambassador Niko Schermers added.

The full interview of ARMENPRESS with Dutch Ambassador Nico Schermers will be published tomorrow, July 29
Sonia was given no fresh summons amid indications that her questioning might be over for now

Congress President Sonia Gandhi leaves from her residence to appear before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in connection with the National Herald case, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo/Vijay Verma)

New Delhi: As the ED questioned Congress president Sonia Gandhi for the third time, Congress MPs protested at Vijay Chowk over the governments alleged misuse of investigative agencies and called it murder of democracy, claiming the Centre was trying to usher in an Opposition-mukt Bharat.

She was given no fresh summons amid indications that her questioning might be over for now. Mrs Gandhi reached the EDs office at 11 am accompanied by her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and son Rahul Gandhi.

The session began at around 11.15 am. She left the ED office at around 2 pm along with Ms Vadra, who stayed with her all through at the EDs headquarters to provide any assistance or medical care, if needed, to her mother.

The sleuths questioning pertains to the charge of alleged financial irregularities in the Congress-promoted Young Indian Pvt Ltd, which owns the National Herald newspaper.

The protesting MPs were detained by the police. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh tweeted: For the third day, Congress MPs staging legitimate and peaceful protests at Vijay Chowk have been taken away to God (and PM and HM know) alone knows where. This is Muzzling Of Democracy in India in action! Mahila Congress and Youth Congress workers protesting against the alleged misuse of investigative agencies outside the AICC headquarters were also put in police buses and detained. On Tuesday , several MPs trying to march to Rashtrapati Bhavan were detained by the police. Several Opposition parties had written a memorandum to the President of India underscoring the misuse of agencies by the Central government against political opponents.

Earlier, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Pawan Bansal had been questioned by the ED in the National Herald case. The Congress insists that there has been no wrongdoing on the part of their leaders in the matter. The Congress claims that Young Indian Pvt Ltd is a Section 25 company, meaning no money can be taken out to benefit its shareholders.

I&B minister Anurag Thakur hit out at the Congress, accusing it of trying to mislead and pressure Central probe agencies through street protests. BJP president J.P. Nadda said the Opposition party thinks that one family is above the law. Describing the protests by the Congress as an attempt to hide the truth, Mr Nadda added: But this wouldnt work in this country as the laws and rules are equal for all.

Noting that everybody is answerable in front of the law, the BJP president said: Gandhis should answer the investigation agencies, but they think that they are above the law. Underlining that the Supreme Court has upheld the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the EDs jurisdiction, Mr Nadda said: The law is taking its own course and we all must respect the law of the land.
The suspension of AAP MP Singh comes a day after 19 MPs from Opposition were suspended for their unruly behaviour in the Rajya Sabha

24 Opposition MPs  20 from the Rajya Sabha and four from the Lok Sabha  have been suspended from the ongoing session of Parliament for their alleged unruly behaviour and creating a ruckus in Parliament. (Sansad TV/PTI Photo)

New Delhi: As the government on Wednesday said that it will recommend that the suspension of Opposition MPs be revoked by the Chair if they apologise and assures that henceforth no placards will be shown in the House, Rajya Sabha adopted a motion to suspend Aam Aadmi Party member Sanjay Singh for the remaining part of the week for his unruly behaviour in the House.

With this, 24 Opposition MPs  20 from the Rajya Sabha and four from the Lok Sabha  have been suspended from the ongoing session of Parliament for their alleged unruly behaviour and creating a ruckus in Parliament.

The suspension of AAP MP Singh comes a day after 19 MPs from Opposition were suspended for their unruly behaviour in the Rajya Sabha.

Soon after the House met for the Question Hour at noon, the deputy chairman Harivansh invoked Rule 256 and named Singh for tearing papers and throwing it at the Chair on Tuesday.

The deputy chairman said Singh's action was in utter disregard of the rules and the authority of the Chair. Soon thereafter, minister of state for parliamentary affairs V. Muraleedharan moved a motion to suspend Singh from the House for the remainder of the week. The motion was adopted by voice vote, even as Opposition members continued to raise uproar in the well of the House.

However, the government took a reconciliatory stand in the afternoon when the Opposition members in the Lok Sabha raised the issue and sought revocation of the MPs suspension.

Reacting to the Oppositions appeal, the parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said, "With the Speaker's permission, we are ready to withdraw, but are you ready to take guarantee that they will not come inside with placards and will not come into the well?"

He said that from the time of the all-party meeting till this morning, the government has categorically said that it is ready for the debates demanded by the Opposition. "I also requested that if you want the debate today, we are ready for it. Despite this, the whole of last week was wasted by them (Opposition) and it is happening again," said Joshi.

If they want we are ready to take it (suspension) back, but will they take a guarantee that they will not come into the well with placards and will not place the placards before the face of the speaker," he said.

He asked if the Opposition members were ready to take the guarantee on behalf of their parties and the Congress.

As the House met at 2 pm after it was disrupted twice in the morning, NCP leader Supriya Sule said the Opposition is willing to cooperate with the government for the smooth functioning of the House. "Yesterday and we request today also that four of our members should be forgiven and brought back to the House. We want a debate; we want to cooperate with the government. Allow our members to come back and we will not go into the Well of the House," Sule said after the chair, Rama Devi, allowed her to speak on the impasse in the House.

"I am saying it on behalf of the Opposition that we want to run the House," Ms Sule added.

Trinamul Congress Sudip Bandyopadhyay also said the suspension of the four members should be revoked if it is the feeling of the House. "(Pralhad) Joshi ji has announced that the government is prepared to have a discussion on price rise, we are also prepared to take part in the debate. Let this issue be sorted out and let the debate start," he said.

DMK's A. Raja said, "What happened yesterday is not healthy for democracy. I have been on both sides in the House. Coming to the Well, democratically protesting with placards is not unknown to this House.

"With folded hands, I say don't value numerical strength in this House. Healthy debate will not stand before numerical strength. Please reconsider, withdraw the decision and thereafter, we are willing to participate in the debates. On behalf of the DMK, I say that the suspension be withdrawn immediately," he said.

Meanwhile, the 20 Opposition MPs, who were suspended from the Rajya Sabha for disrupting proceedings, on Wednesday, started a 50-hour-long protest inside the Parliament complex.

The MPs are holding the relay protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through the night, TMC MP Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended parliamentarians, said.
SC said on Wednesday that the amended provisions of the PMLA Act does not suffer from the vice of arbitrariness and unconstitutionality

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the validity of various stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act empowering the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to arrest, provisionally attach properties suspected to be the proceeds of crime and is not bound to supply a copy of the ECIR at the time of detaining an accused in a money laundering case.

The court said on Wednesday that the amended provisions of the PMLA Act does not suffer from the vice of arbitrariness and unconstitutionality.

Observing that money laundering is an offence against the sovereignty and integrity of the country, a bench comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and C.T. Ravikumar, in a 545-page order, said: The classification or grouping of offences (including minor compoundable offences) for treating the same as relevant for constituting an offence of money laundering is a matter of legislative policy Parliament in its wisdom having perceived the cumulative effect of the process or activity concerning the proceeds of crime generated from such criminal activities as likely to pose a threat to the economic stability, sovereignty and integrity of the country and thus grouped them together for reckoning it as an offence of money laundering, is a matter of legislative policy. It is not open to the court to second guess such a policy.

Having upheld the amendments to the PMLA Act that were introduced in the Finance Act 2018, a money bill, which was also under challenge, the judgment said that it will be adjudicated by a larger bench.

The question as to whether some of the amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 could not have been enacted by Parliament by way of a Finance Act has not been examined in this judgment. The same is left open for being examined along with or after the decision of the larger bench (seven judges) of this court in the case of Rojer Mathew, the judgment said.

Holding that the supply of a copy of Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), in every case, to the person concerned is not mandatory, the court said: It is enough if the ED, at the time of arrest, discloses the grounds of such arrest.

However, the court said when the arrested person is produced before a special court, it is open to the special court to look into the relevant records presented to the court by the ED for answering the issue of the need for his/her continued detention in connection with the offence of money laundering.

Drawing a distinction between an inquiry by the ED and an investigation, the court said the ECIR cannot be equated with an FIR under the Code of Criminal Procedure as the ECIR is an internal document of ED. The fact that an FIR in respect of the offence has not been recorded does not come in the way of the ED authorities referred to in Section 48 to commence inquiry/investigation for initiating civil action of provisional attachment of property being proceeds of a crime.

Asking the government to take corrective measures for filling up vacancies in the Appellate Tribunal, the court said the petitioners (challenging the amendment to PMLA Act) are justified in expressing serious concern bordering on causing injustice owing to the vacancies in the Appellate Tribunal.

We deem it necessary to impress upon the executive to take corrective measures in this regard, the court told the government.

Addressing the contention by the petitioners that even if a closure report is filed in a predicate offence, the proceedings under the PMLA Act can still continue, the court said: The inclusion or exclusion of any particular offence in the schedule to the 2002 Act is a matter of legislative policy; and the nature or class of any predicate offence has no bearing on the validity of the schedule or any prescription thereunder.

Having upheld the validity of the amended stringent provisions of the PMLA Act, the court extended the interim relief already granted to the petitioners accused by another four weeks so that they can take further recourse to legal remedies.

The court also disposed of various pleas challenging the various provisions of the PMLA Act.

Nearly 250 petitioners had raised multiple issues, including the absence of a procedure to commence investigation and summoning the accused, while the accused was not made aware of the contents of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR).

Justifying the constitutional validity of the provisions of PMLA, the Centre had told the court the PMLA is not a conventional penal statute but one which is aimed at preventing money laundering, regulating certain activities relatable to money laundering, aims at confiscating the proceeds of crime and to punish the offenders.
Photo taken on July 26, 2022 shows a damaged bridge after heavy monsoon rains in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi. (Str/Xinhua)

by Raheela Nazir

ISLAMABAD, July 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 357 people were killed and over 400 were injured as heavy monsoon rains continued to batter Pakistan for more than five weeks, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said Thursday.

Besides human loss, infrastructure, road networks and houses have also been damaged due to the heavy monsoon rains and flash flooding across Pakistan since June 14, official sources from the NDMA told Xinhua.

A total of 23,792 homes have been fully or partially damaged, making thousands of people displaced, according to the NDMA statistics, adding that the heavy downpours have also damaged dozens of bridges and shops.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif tweeted Thursday that Pakistan is facing the challenges of climate change and stressed the need to address the problem of current flash flooding.

"Climate change is an undeniable reality of our times and has serious consequences for developing countries like Pakistan ... The government is aligning its development goals with the climate change requirements," he said.

Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province remained one of the most hard-hit areas, where 106 people died in rain-related incidents and subsequent flooding, followed by 90 dead in the southern Sindh province.

There have been 76 fatalities in the eastern Punjab province, 70 in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, while 15 people were killed in other parts of the country, said the NDMA.

Meanwhile, civil administrations in respective cities along with the Pakistani army are carrying out rescue and relief efforts in affected areas. The authorities are shifting stranded people to safer places, providing food and water to affected people, whereas doctors and paramedics are in the field to provide medical care.

Taking notice of the huge losses across Pakistan, the prime minister has constituted a committee to assess the damage caused by monsoon rains and floods, while announcing to enhance monetary compensation for the affected citizens.

Farzana Bibi, a 48-year-old resident of the southern port city of Karachi, said that her family members cannot leave the house as streets in her neighborhood are submerged in knee-deep muddy flood water.

"The flood water has entered my house and damaged all of my furniture which I bought recently ... I am so upset. Rains are considered a blessing from God, but the recent heavy rains and floods have brought us a lot of inconveniences," Bibi told Xinhua.

Predicting more rains during the ongoing week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said that monsoon currents are continuously penetrating the country and are likely to shift and intensify in upper and central parts of Pakistan. 

Photo taken on July 26, 2022 shows a damaged bridge after heavy monsoon rains in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi. (Str/Xinhua)

Photo released by Pakistani military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on July 28, 2022 shows security personnel distributing relief goods in Lasbela district, Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan. (ISPR/Handout via Xinhua)

Photo released by Pakistani military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on July 28, 2022 shows workers preparing flood relief packages in Lasbela district, Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan. (ISPR/Handout via Xinhua)

Photo released by Pakistani military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on July 28, 2022 shows security personnel distributing relief goods in Lasbela district, Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan. (ISPR/Handout via Xinhua)

Photo taken on July 28, 2022 shows a damaged road after heavy monsoon rains in Lasbela district, Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan. (ISPR/Handout via Xinhua)
Afghanistan under the Taliban was at the centre of a two-day conference that ended yesterday. Attacked recently by a group affiliated with the Islamic State group, Uzbekistan noted the Talebans attempt to improve socio-economic conditions. However, this is not the case on the ground, and human rights remain a major issue.

Tashkent (AsiaNews/Agencies)  More than 100 delegations from nearly 30 countries attended the Tashkent International Conference on Afghanistan: Security and Economic Development.

The meeting ended with no surprises. The various delegations issued the usual statements, while the Taliban reiterated their usual demands.

The former call for respect for women's rights, an inclusive government, and the promise that the country will not be used to host terrorist organisations such as al-Qaida; the latter want international recognition and the release of Afghan government funds held in foreign banks to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people.

Before the Taliban seized power again last August last year, almost 80 per cent of the governments budget came from the international community.

According to a report by Save the Children published yesterday, more than 13 million children are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance.

For its part, Amnesty International has documented numerous violations of women's human rights between September 2021 and June 2022. Taliban policies form a system of repression that discriminates against women and girls, it says, in almost every aspect of their lives.

It is noteworthy that the meeting was held in Uzbekistan, a country repeatedly attacked in recent months from Afghanistan. Despite the Taliban's denial, several researchers claim that at least 20 militant groups are based in the country.

The latest UN Security Council report provides in fact alarming details about the activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and partially confirms the concerns of neighbouring countries.

Al-Qaida members reportedly remain in the south and east of Afghanistan, where the group has a historical presence, the above report reads.

What is more, the group enjoys greater freedom in Afghanistan under Taliban rule but confines itself to advising and supporting the de facto authorities.

The main short-term threat in Afghanistan is the Islamic States affiliate, Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), which increased its presence in northern and eastern Afghanistan.

On 5 July, five missiles launched from Afghanistan landed on the Uzbek city of Termez. Similar attacks occurred in April against Tajikistan.

IS-K has always claimed responsibility for these attacks whose aim is to undermine the credibility of Taliban security forces by demonstrating their inability to control the borders, and to attract new recruits from the region, the UN report says.

In view of the situation, Central Asian countries, as well as Russia and China, have a vested interest in normalising relations with the Taliban. All of them fear more than anything that the violence in Afghanistan will spill over into the wider region.

The international isolation of Afghanistan shall inevitably lead to further deterioration of the humanitarian situation. It is important not to allow this, since the fate of millions is at stake, warned presidential representative Abdulaziz Kamilov, speaking on behalf of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The interim government of Afghanistan takes certain steps in terms of peaceful reconstruction, strives to improve the socioeconomic situation and establish friendly relations with neighbouring countries and mutually beneficial cooperation with an international community. We must foster and endorse these efforts, added Kamilov who reiterated Western calls for respect for human rights and the formation of an inclusive government.

However, the debate over Afghanistan seems to be little difference. Today the Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, met with the provincial governors of Kandahar. In his address, he showed that the Taliban have not changed.

Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada stressed the need to preserve Islamic values, tweeted ToloNews. This entails the implementation of Sharia law. For him, the laws which are made by humans are not acceptable and [. . .] every problem should be solved by Sharia.
Today's headlines: lockdown returns for Covid in Wuhan; two Indian blue helmets killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Malaysia-Indonesia agreement on migrant workers; Erdogan wants full reopening of borders with Armenia.

IRAQ

Hundreds of followers of Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr stormed the parliament building in Baghdad yesterday afternoon to protest against the candidacy of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as prime minister by Iranian-backed parties. At the time of the raid, Parliament was empty and security forces reportedly let the protesters in. The al-Sadr bloc won 73 seats in the October 2021 Iraqi elections, making it the largest faction in the 329-seat parliament, but for months the clash between the two Shia factions has made the formation of a government impossible.

INDIA

Two Indian soldiers serving the Monusco blue helmets, the UN peacekeeping contingent in the Democratic Republic of Congo, were killed during an attack by rebel militias in Butembo, Kivu province. Together with Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi, a soldier from Morocco was also killed.

CHINA

A lockdown was again triggered for nearly one million people in a suburb of Wuhan, the city in central China where the coronavirus was first recorded. Residents of Jiangxia district were ordered to stay inside their homes or buildings for three days after four asymptomatic cases of Covid were detected.

NORTH KOREA-SOUTH KOREA

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has returned to using threats against the US and the government in Seoul by saying that Yoon Suk-yeol and his 'military gangsters' will be annihilated if they carry out a pre-emptive strike against Pyongyang. The harsh intervention - delivered on the 69th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War - comes as observers believe North Korea is preparing a new nuclear test.

MALAYSIA-INDONESIA

The Malaysian government announced an agreement with Indonesia to lift the ban on sending migrant workers to the country as of 1 August. The decision comes after the two countries agreed to integrate existing systems to facilitate the recruitment and hiring of Indonesian workers entering Malaysia.

TURKEY-ARMENIA

Turkish President Erdogan spoke on television and appealed to the leadership in Yerevan, stating that "we are serious and determined to normalise relations with Armenia, and we expect concrete steps, beyond general statements", referring to the full reopening of the borders between the two countries.

RUSSIA-CENTRICA

The private military company 'Wagner', linked to the Petersburg entrepreneur Evgenij Prigozhin known as 'Putin's cook', very active especially in Africa, has been given the opportunity to exploit 186 thousand hectares of forest in the Central African Republic in an area populated by gorillas, leopards and elephants at risk of extinction.
by Sumon Corraya

Bangladeshi authorities released official census data. Out of a population of 160.51 million, Muslims are now 91.04 per cent. Hindus drop significantly. Christians are 0.30 per cent. For a minority activist, emigration and attacks in recent years are to blame for the negative trend.

Dhaka (AsiaNews)  The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics yesterday released the results of the countrys 2022 Population and Housing Census, the sixth since the country became independent.

The countrys population stood at 160.51 million people, excluding expatriates. There were more females (83.34 million) than males (81.71 people), or 100 females for 99 males. In addition, 12,629 people declared themselves transgender.

The census also shows that the secular decline of religious minorities continues. Since the 2011 census, the percentage of Muslims rose from 90.39 per cent to 91.04 per cent.

Inversely, Hindus dropped from 8.4 per cent to 7.95 per cent. Christians (0.30 per cent), Buddhists (0.61 per cent), and other groups (0.12 per cent) also decreased.

Many people are migrating for a better life in developed countries, said Nirmol Rozario, president of the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), speaking to AsiaNews.

Muslims are going abroad for higher education and a better lifestyle; seeing them, Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists follow their lead and go abroad. Many of them dont return to the country, he explained. Some are leaving the country for lack of security as they face persecution as a faith minority group.

According to Ain o Salish Kendra, a leading legal and human rights advocacy group, 3,679 attacks against minorities in Bangladesh were reported between January 2013 and September 2021.

Proportionately, the decline of the Christian community was marginal, from 0.31 per cent to 0.30 per cent, but their overall number grew, albeit not as fast as the overall population.

According to the Catholic Directory published by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB), there were 395,522 Catholics in 2019, up from 343,104 in 2011.
Accused of "inciting subversion of state power" for articles he posted online and for an interview with Radio Free Asia, he was jailed for trying to join his dying wife in the United States. His sister says he is in poor health after going on a hunger strike for months.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  The Guangzhou Municipal Procuratorate in Guangdong has indicted jailed human rights lawyer Guo Feixiong for "inciting subversion of state power, this according to his sister Yang Maoping, ChinaAid reports.

The charges stem from articles Guo posted on World Constitutional Democracy Forum, a website he created, and an interview he granted to Radio Free Asia.

Police had arrested Guo in January 2021 at Pudong airport in Shanghai as he was boarding a place bound for the United States where he wanted to join his wife Zhang Qing who was dying from cancer. Earlier this year, she passed away without ever seeing her husband again.

The activist, whose real name is Yang Maodong, has been fighting for human rights in China since the Tiananmen protests of 1989 when the government slaughtered thousands of students demanding freedom and democracy.

Since his first arrest in 2006, Guo has spent 11 years in prison overall. In 2013 he was jailed for asking the government to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

In December 2015 he issued a prophetic statement against the Chinese Communist Party. Our movement for freedom and democracy will only grow stronger in the crucible of your repression, he wrote. And for him, this would speed up the fall of the regime.

Before his latest detention, the dissident was released from prison in August 2019, but placed under constant police monitoring.

During his imprisonment he suffered torture. Now his sister says that he is on a hunger strike and that he is being kept alive through nasal feeding.

(Photo RFA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman laid out plans for the new megacity rising on the Red Sea, with buildings lined up on a 200-metre strip along 170 kilometres of coastline with no cars or emissions. Meanwhile, the crown prince is back in Europe for the first time since the Khashoggi murder.

Riyadh (AsiaNews/Agencies)  In today's uncertain economic situation, Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) is back touting Neom, a futuristic city for nine million people squeezed into a 34 square kilometre strip with no cars, roads or emissions, on a 200-metre-wide, 170-kilometre-long strip that will cut across desert and mountains along the shores of the Red Sea.

Built from scratch, the new city will be environmentally sustainable with everything reachable within five minutes on foot, while high-speed rail transit will provide 20-minute end-to-end commute.

The new city under construction in north-western Saudi Arabia is part of the crown princes Vision 2030 plan to modernise the kingdom and draw foreign capital away from the other Gulf states.

His flagship project, with its futuristic sketches and promises of sustainable development, comes with a US$ 500 billion price tag, funded so far only by Saudi Arabias sovereign fund, but is also expected to be financed through flotation in 2024.

One of MbSs added goals is to turn the countrys stock exchange into one of the worlds top three financial hubs.

Neoms first phase is expected to be finished by 2026, reaching a population of 1.5 to two million by 2030, with nine million planned for 2045, bigger than Abu Dhabi, the crown prince said.

Meanwhile, after the recent visit to Saudi Arabia by US President Joe Biden, MbS is on his first trip to Europe since his presumed involvement in the 2018 killing in Istanbul of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Today he met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens with whom he signed agreements on defence, Saudi investment in Greece, and bilateral scientific cooperation.

After the first stop in Greece, MbS is expected in Paris where he will meet French president Emmanuel Macron, who will renew calls for Saudi Arabia to boost oil output to offset the loss of Russian supplies because of sanctions following Moscows war in Ukraine.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Putin's invasion has blocked Chinese funding in Russia for the Belt and Road Initiative. A project for the joint construction of a transport super plane also suspended. The Chinese limit collaboration with Moscow to the energy market for fear of running afoul of Western sanctions.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - A ceremony was held in Beijing to award prizes to the authors of creative works as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese President Xi Jinping's global-scale infrastructure plan. However, there was no mention of the programme's abrupt halt due to the war in Ukraine, which has resulted in the suspension of all Chinese funding to Russia for its contribution to the new Silk Road.

According to data from Shanghai researchers, no Belt and Road projects were implemented in Russia in the first half of 2022. The Chinese do not want to run the risk of being with Western sanctions. Although in the pipeline since 2017, the joint construction of a super-transport aircraft has not been completed either. The few ongoing business deals between the Russians and Chinese fall outside the plan promoted by Xi.

Kristof Wan, director of the Centre for Ecological Development at Fudan University in Shanghai, told Meduza that the interruption of investment in Russia has led Beijing to intensify trade with the Middle East. This means that the grandiose infrastructure construction plans, which would allow Chinese products to reach Europe quickly and smoothly via Russia and Central Asia, remain for now only on paper.

Today, Russia and China are both under intense pressure from the Western information system, and the Belt and Road is not being spared. According to Wan, this is a transitory phenomenon, despite the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.

Currently Moscow and Beijing are focusing on energy supplies. China depends on Russian oil for 15% of its total and gas for 8%. The two sides signed new industry agreements shortly before the start of the invasion of Ukraine.

The new CR-929 super passenger aircraft, which was to be built together with the Russians, will now probably be finished by the Chinese together with Boeing and Airbus, also because its planned use is for routes to Europe and the US. For the Russians, this is tantamount to waving a white flag in front of Westerners.

A source quoted in a Hong Kong newspaper claims that China is trying to exclude Russia from the gains in the Chinese market in order to share it with other international partners.

The director of the Institute for Asia and Africa at the Mgu University, Aleksej Maslov, says "Western media do not calculate well the extent of Chinese investments, which have not been reduced to zero with Russia, which is actually not officially part of the Belt and Road. We only have bilateral projects, and there are still very operational areas, especially in the Far East."

China continues to buy coal in Jacuzia and Kuzbass, while slowing down cooperation in fields where it can benefit from other directions. In aeronautics and other strategic sectors, the Chinese fear the Russians' inability to guard technological secrets, and therefore renage on agreements above all else.

Beijing does not want to hand the advantage to its adversaries, it exploits its friends according to its own convenience, it keeps its doors open even where barriers are created as in the case of Ukraine. Only time that will make it clearer how the international market will be restructured.
It is deemed incompatible with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The former British colony is a signatory to the document, unlike the Chinese central government. Criticised for repression of freedom of expression. Calls for investigation into police actions during 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - The United Nations Human Rights Committee yesterday urged the city's authorities to repeal the national security law wanted by Beijing. The measure is deemed incompatible with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the former British colony is a signatory, unlike the Chinese government.

According to UN experts, the Security Act contains overly general measures that allow a wide range of situations to be framed as potential crimes. This leads to continued violations of freedom of expression, which should instead be guaranteed to Hong Kong citizens according to international laws and Sino-British agreements.

The Chinese central authorities imposed the security measure in June 2020. The official line is that the legislation served to bring 'stability and peace' back to the city, which was shaken by the repeated demonstrations of the pro-democracy movement that started in the summer of 2019. For critics, it is a tool to silence the democratic camp and effectively limit the city's autonomy.

In their meetings with Hong Kong representatives, members of the UN Human Rights Committee also expressed concern about the crackdown on press freedom. In addition, they criticised the reduced presence of democrats in the city parliament (Legco), which followed an electoral reform that, according to Beijing, was supposed to favour the election of only 'patriotic' candidates. Translated: aligned with the Chinese Communist Party.

The UN Committee made further recommendations to the Hong Kong executive that should be adopted by 28 July 2025. These include the need to open an investigation into police actions during the 2019 protests and to present a clear timetable for achieving universal suffrage.

John Lee's city executive responded in kind to the UN Committee, speaking of 'unfair criticism'. The local authorities maintain the UN humanitarian experts did not take into account the special circumstances in which Hong Kong finds itself, and the fact that the security bill should be seen in the context of the 'violent social unrest' that took place in 2019.

"RED LANTERNS" IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHINA

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE.
According to the Occupational and Health Safety Board, 97 people died in the last nine years in Izmir, including women and refugees. Meanwhile, the environmental risks associated with the dismantling of a Brazilian aircraft carrier become a topic of discussion.

Izmir (AsiaNews/Agencies)  According to a report by the Occupational and Health Safety Board (ISIG[*]) at least 97 workers died at the Aliaga ship breaking yard in Izmir over a nine-year period following the adoption of a occupational safety law in 2013.

This comes as discussions are underway about the risks associated with the dismantling of a Brazilian aircraft carrier at the Izmir yard. Environmental groups fear that the process could release tonnes of hazardous substances, including asbestos.

According to the ISIG report cited by the Bianet news agency, the most common causes of death among workers are crushing, explosion, fire and falls. Over the past year, seven workers have been killed in ship demolitions.

Every year, about 2,000 workers are killed while working in Turkey. There are about 1,500 ship-breaking workers in Aliaga. Proportionally, the mortality rate in the Aliaga ship-breaking sector is 30 times higher the official worker mortality rate in Turkey," ISG said.

Subcontracting and casual labourers are widespread at Aliaga, the ISG notes. All 11 construction workers and 11 of the 16 chemistry workers killed at the yard were casual labourers. The dead included two women and three refugees.

Last year, SOK Denizcilik was awarded a US$ 1.85 million contract to dismantle the decommissioned Brazilian carrier.

The ship contains tonnes of hazardous chemicals, asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), poly chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and furans, and various heavy metals, like mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, nickel, manganese, zinc, iron, etc.

The Turkish Ministry of Environment authorised the operation claiming that the risks are minimal.

[*] Is saglg ve guvenligi.
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HELSINKI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Finland ranks first in the European Union's (EU) digital performance comparison, according to a press release issued by the Finnish government on Thursday.

The maximum score in the European Commission's annual Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) comparison is 100, and Finland's score is 69.6 this year. The EU average is 52.3. Finland finished ahead of Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden.

The DESI has monitored the digital performance of the EU member states since 2014. Finland has topped the list for several years, ranking first in 2019 and 2020 and second in 2021.

Finland's continued success proves that "work towards digitalization is being done effectively across administrative boundaries and that technology and information are being harnessed to create a sustainable future for everyone," the government press release said.

Minister of Local Government Sirpa Paatero commented in the release that Finland's "success so far has only laid the foundation for work to come" and that "Finland needs to systematically continue our ambitious digital and technology policy."

The DESI monitors the digitalization of the EU countries in connectivity, human capital (including digital skills), integration of digital technology and digital public services.

According to the DESI, Finland is a leader in 5G commercial service provision. However, the report also noted that the coverage of very high-capacity networks in rural areas remains a challenge for the country.

The Finnish government's new project, to be launched later this year, will support the construction of high-speed fixed broadband networks in areas where commercial offerings are unlikely to be available in the next few years, the release said. 
LONDON, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Vulture funds in some major Western countries, which invest in debt considered to be very weak or in default, have long been criticized for making profits from countries in financial distress and further exacerbating their financial problems.

With loose regulations, those vulture funds buy extremely risky debt at highly discounted prices and then use numerous methods to sell the debt subsequently, thus gaining a huge profit against what they paid for it.

To put a stop to such speculative and unethical practices, experts have called for more actions involving multilateral efforts to regulate and supervise the market.

INFLICTS PAINS ON UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES

For decades, the architecture of the international financial system has been "designed to permit, and even encourage" not only individual debt but also national indebtedness and speculation on it, Daniel Ozarow, senior lecturer in the Business School at Middlesex University London, said in a recent written interview with Xinhua.

That allowed the emergence of vulture funds and made them able to "effectively gamble on people's misery," he said.

Besides targeting individuals and corporations, vulture funds, nicknamed for the bird that feeds on carcasses, often target sovereign governments cannot pay debts they owe. They waited for the growth of bond values during economic recovery, or sought to sue those countries for often billions of U.S. dollars for the value of the original debt plus interest and penalties.

A typical case is the 15-year battle between Argentina and a group of U.S.-based vulture funds. During its economic depression in 2001, the Latin American country defaulted on tens of billions of dollars in sovereign debts, some of which were purchased by vulture funds in the secondary market.

In 2016, Argentina agreed to pay six vulture funds with a total of 6.4 billion dollars. Their tactics included seeking injunctions to attach future payments to other bondholders by way of forcing Argentina to settle.

Through these, Ozarow said, they are "holding global south countries to ransom and preventing them from spending on their people's welfare."

"As the burden of national debts continues to impede growth, development and poverty alleviation in the world's poorer countries, they remain trapped in a historical cycle of dependence upon the institutions of western financial capital," which "also locks them into a politically subservient relationship" with Western powers, the scholar added.

In the views of Ozarow, lack of regulations in the global financial system as well as the strong lobbying power of vulture funds are among the main reasons that make it difficult to prevent such actions of vulture funds, which former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown described as "morally outrageous."

MULTILATERAL ACTIONS NEEDED

With growing concerns about vulture funds' propensity to target sovereign debts and the effect of their debt collection actions against impoverished nations, some Western countries including Britain and Belgium have taken measures to introduce legislation to prevent the funds from benefiting from defaulted sovereign debts.

However, experts said, these legislations are far from enough to restrict their speculative actions in the financial market.

Prospects for increasing the regulation of vulture funds in the United States and globally have "barely improved" since 2010, said Ozarow.

Tim Jones, head of policy at the London-based charity Debt Justice, formerly Jubilee Debt Campaign, told Xinhua in a recent interview that most international debt contracts are governed by British or U.S. law, therefore the two countries "have the responsibility to ensure that private lenders, including vulture funds, take part in internationally agreed debt restructuring."

Meanwhile, Ozarow suggested more collective and coordinated efforts of the international community in response to the issue.

As vulture funds "can simply sue national governments by using alternative courts in other countries," restricting vulture activity within the geographical boundaries of any one country by any one government through legislation only have limited purpose, Ozarow said. 
The biggest change over the 2022 model can be found under the hood. Rather than a 2.5-liter base four-cylinder engine, a 3.6-liter optional V6, and a 2.8-liter optional four-cylinder turbo diesel, the 2023 model relies exclusively on a 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder engine from the Silverado.Three tunes are offered, starting with the 2.7L Turbo. Standard on the WT and LT trim levels, the most basic specification cranks out 237 horsepower and 259 pound-feet (351 Nm) of torque. This output variant is capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds (1,588 kilograms). Optional on the WT and LT, the 2.7L Turbo Plus is standard issue on the Z71 and Trail Boss grades.This mid-range variant produces 310 horsepower and 390 pound-feet (529 Nm) of torque, improving towing capacity to 7,700 pounds (3,493 kilograms). Last, but certainly not least, the 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine is exclusive to the ZR2 . Rated at 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet (583 Nm) just like the Silverado, this engine tows up to 7,700 pounds as well.Codenamed L3B, this force-fed lump uses a BorgWarner-developed turbocharger that features a dual-volute turbine housing and an electrically-actuated wastegate. Also worthy of note, the L3B is gifted with two concentric exhaust passages instead of two side-by-side exhaust passages.All variants of the L3B are connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission from the Hydra-Matic 8LXX family. The Colorado received this tranny for the 2017 model year in combination with the 3.6-liter V6.Highlights further include four distinct interior trims, featuring a standard 11.3-inch touchscreen. Currently the largest in the mid-size pickup truck segment, the infotainment system features customizable and configurable screens, available Google built-in services, an off-road performance display, and up to 10 camera views. Promising more cargo bed functionality than its predecessor, the Rado boasts a first-in-segment tailgate storage system, a mid-position tailgate, and an available 110-volt power outlet.Coming in early 2023, the redesigned pickup will be made in Wentzville, Missouri following an investment of $1.5 billion announced by GM in December 2019. The 2023 GMC Canyon will be following suit.
4MATIC

SUV

A few days ago, A$AP Bari, whose real name is Jabari Shelton, crashed his Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600. He didnt think much of it though, but it looks like someone has been listening: Kanye West Bari, who is the co-founder of streetwear brand VLONE, went on his Instagram Stories to post a video of his new car, revealing that it was a gift from Kanye West himself.Yo, Ye bought me a new Maybach, yo! he exclaimed. If you know me, you know I crashed my Maybach two days ago, bro! and continued that Ye bought me a new Maybach truck, bruh. He definitely wasnt expecting this gesture from the Chicago-born billionaire rapper and added: Im bout to cry, bro.Bari also shared pictures of his previous Maybach, which had been totaled after his recent crash, plus a screenshot of a recent Instagram DM exchange with Kanye West.Whats your home address? Or where are you now? Kanye asked Bari, who asked, Thanks. What is it. Ye wrote back, Man I just asked [redacted] when it was coming and she said [tomorrow] afternoon. I dont want to describe it. Just gonna wait till you get it. The designer wasn't expecting a brand-new, that's for sure.The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 was unveiled in 2019 and its powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, working alongside a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for 549 horsepower (557 ps) and 538 lb-ft (730 Nm) of torque.The SUV can hit 62 mph (100 kph) in 4.9 seconds and comes with a top speed of 155 mph (249 kph).The Donda rapper has had his fair share of Mercedes cars over the years, including the Mercedes-Benz V-Class with Maybach gear , which he purchased early this year. Back in 2020, he gave his ex-wife Kim Kardashian not one, not two, but five 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUVs for Christmas. Now it's A$AP Bari's turn to genuinely appreciate his generosity.
Anna Christmann, the Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy, attended the recent ceremony marking the beginning of the construction process for a new Airbus test center, stating that this is a true milestone for the progress of future electric-powered flights.The future facility will unfold over 1,000 square meters (10,760 square feet), mainly used to perform tests for the aircrafts electric motors, rotors, flight control, and avionics. According to Airbus, it will integrate high-voltage equipment and lithium batteries. The CityAirbus air taxi is the main target for the centers debut, but it will most likely be used for testing other future electric propulsion systems as well.Airbus first talked about the CityAirbus NexGen last year. It was announced as an ultra-silent four-seater, capable of reaching 75 mph (120 kph) and covering almost 50 miles (80 km) on a single charge. Earlier this year, the manufacturer also confirmed that its future air taxi will be equipped with a Californian motor. MAGiDRIVE is a high-torque (up to 50 Nm/kg) brushless motor that claims to be lightweight and easy to use. Its a next-generation electric motor developed by a company called MAGicALL, and a customized version of it will be made for the Airbus eVTOL.CityAirbus was designed as a flexible eVTOL that can be used not just for passenger transportation but also for medical services or eco-tourism. Airbus has already secured two major collaborations with ITA Airways in Italy and with several partners in Germany for the Air Mobility Initiative.The Donauworth test center is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2023, with the first flight demonstrations of the CityAirbus NextGen scheduled to take place in Ingolstadt, Germany.
Nissan is one of the names that are currently struggling with the constrained chip inventory, and the companys latest earnings report shows just how awful the whole thing is becoming.First and foremost, its important to know that Nissans net profit went down no more, no less than 60 percent in the quarter ended June. More specifically, Nissan reported a net profit of $347 million, and this represents a decline of 58.9 percent as compared to the same quarter a year ago.While Nissan has confirmed that the chip shortage is partly to blame for this decline, its not actually the only cause the net profit went down. Last year, the Japanese carmaker also unloaded Daimler sales, while this year, the company is also struggling with other problems, including the restrictions hitting suppliers in China and the rising costs of materials.This doesnt necessarily mean that Nissan is pessimistic about the remainder of the year. The carmaker isnt changing its annual target, as it hopes the net profit would still reach 150 billion ($1.1 billion).But while, at first glance, these figures are encouraging, they dont actually highlight the challenges Nissan is struggling to deal with until comparing them with last years numbers. The forecast represents a drop of over 30 percent, as Nissan acknowledged the global chip inventory problems and the disruptions caused by Chinas lockdowns.At this point, it still seems impossible to guess when the chip shortage could come to an end . On the other hand, tech giant Logitech has recently proclaimed the chip shortage would be over this year, with substantial signs of recovery already being recorded in the computing industry.
Believe it or not, it's been exactly 50 years since the burley American twin-engine fighter jet first took to the air. In that time, it's established a combat record so flawless, so impeccable, and so astonishingly clean that no fighter made before or since even comes close. Today, let's take a deep dive back into the origins and the illustrious career of the almighty Eagle, America's most successful modern fighter.In truth, the origins of the F-15 program date back before the early 1970s. In the mid-1960s and through the Vietnam War , the United States Air Force relied heavily on jet fighters designed in the 1950s. Fighters like the North American F-100 Super Saber, the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, and the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II.

Though all of there were supremely powerful, capable, and adaptable jets, they all fell victim more often than not to smaller, lighter, and more maneuverable Soviet jets. Fighters like the MiG-17, MiG-19, and the MiG-21 routinely gave U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps pilots all the hell they could handle. Though some dogfights turned out favorably for American fighters, a fair amount did not.

The prospects of great swaths of American pilots floating down over enemy territory with their airplanes spiraling out of the sky on fire was one the Pentagon surely wanted to put behind them. Upon the conclusion of the Vietnam War, it was clear a new strategy was needed for American fighter jets.





Out were the days of raw, straight-line speed and a lack of emphasis on dogfighting of the previous decade. In its place was a philosophy of building the world's most capable, maneuverable, and powerful air-superiority fighter. Capable of all the things previous generations of American fighter jets could do but also so much more. Even before the last American helicopter made its way out of Saigon, there was an airplane undergoing testing that promised to address all of these concerns. The jet in question was the very first F-15A Eagle to fly back on 27 July 1972.The Eagle was rare among its contemporaries, as it completely skipped having a YF designation added to its name during early flight testing. It, along with the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, are two of the few American fighters with this distinction.With two powerful Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 after-burning turbofans on offer in the upgraded F-15C Eagle, the jet could blitz past twice the speed of sound at high altitude and even maintain supersonic down at sea level. Combine this with a slew of AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles at its disposal, and no wonder the Eagle racked up a record of over 100 enemy aircraft shot down without so much as a single loss.Keep in mind that's without mentioning the 20 mm M61 Vulcan autocannon for added fun. Of these shootdowns, over half were performed by the Israeli Air Self Defense Force. Be it in U.S. Service, Saudia Arabia, Japan, or Israel, the F-15's shined like a diamond wherever it's served. Granted, as many as 175 F-15s have been lost over the years to non-combat incidents. But not a single one involved a missile or bullet being fired.Even with this being the case, that's an awe-inspiring service record. That's without even including the exploits of the multirole upgrade path for the Eagle, the F-15E Strike Eagle, which first flew in the late 1980s. Overall, the F-15 is one of the finest fighter planes ever to fly. That's why even as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II continue to receive most of the media attention, militaries across the globe are still all too hesitant to give up their prized Eagles. That alone should speak volumes.
Hyundai Motors business in the U.S. is doing great, judging by the success of the recently launched electric vehicles like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and the Genesis GV60. But despite successful launches, the Korean company makes the news for other, less pleasant reasons. Earlier this week, Hyundais reputation was tainted by the accusation of using child labor at one of its subsidiaries, a metal stamping factory in Luverne, Alabama. Now, another scandal risks affecting Hyundais credibility.Hyundai Capital America, the financial arm serving about 1.7 million customers of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands, was found guilty of messing up customers credit scores. According to the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), Hyundai provided inaccurate information more than 8.7 million times across 2.2 million accounts from January 2016 to March 2020. This has tarnished customers credit reports, often resulting in lowered credit scores.CFPB says Hyundai knew that its credit-reporting practices were crooked because the lender conducted its own internal audits. Nevertheless, it failed to address the problem in time or at all. Following the investigation, Hyundai Capital America agreed to pay a $6 million civil fine and $13.2 million restitution to current and former customers. The total amount makes this case the largest against an auto servicer under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, according to the CFPB.The good part of this settlement (beyond the compensations that Hyundai will pay its customers) is that the company agreed to launch an end-to-end review of its credit-reporting practices. It has also committed to giving customers timely, accurate, high-quality service and care.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Produced by Delphi Packard Electric Systems in Mexico, the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors equip both 2.0- and 2.4-liter engines used in the JC Dodge Journey , MK Jeep Compass , and MK Jeep Patriot . The supplier confirmed that open terminals on retained connectors traced to six reels of terminals with production dates of April 26th, 27th, 28th, and 30th, 2015.Fast forward to September 2016, and thats when FCA US Supplier Quality Engineering confirmed the root cause for engine stalling to be associated with a newly added blanking tool. Vehicles equipped with faulty sensors were produced from May 2016 through July 2016 for model year 2016.The problem hasnt gone away, though. The Office of Defects Investigation has received no fewer than 127 complaints where consumers allege crankshaft or camshaft failures on vehicles that werent included in the recall. The vehicles in question are Journeys, Compasses, and Patriots that were produced for model year 2016 with the aforementioned engines.The investigation may lead to the recall of 289,067 vehicles, according to estimates from the, which is a lot of money that FCA US LLC could have alternately used to improve quality control and assurance. All of the 127 complaints mentioned earlier were filed with the federal watchdog following the receipt of the recall.The recall query has been opened to further asses the scope, frequency, and safety consequences of the defect. As described in the recall, intermittent operation of the crankshaft or camshaft sensors may increase the risk of a crash, thus increasing the risk of injury to the driver and passengers.
SUV

The parts shortages have slowed production dramatically, although Rivian did improve second-quarter output to 4401 vehicles compared to 2553 to start the year. Despite the shortages, the company still expects to reach the 25,000 mark by the end of this year. However, reaching their goal would only be half of the facility's production capacity.The company reportedly has 14,000 people on its payroll. A 6% reduction would eliminate approximately 840 jobs. The cuts are part of a restructuring process aimed at better aligning its workforce with business objectives and will not impact jobs at the Normal, Illinois factory.Laid-off employees will receive fourteen weeks of severance pay, health coverage through the end of the year, their next quarterly equity vesting, and job placement assistance.CEO RJ Scaringe wrote employees a note two weeks ago regarding a restructuring plan, and details of the terms, including layoffs, would be announced soon.The note shared with Automotive news read in part, "Rivian is not immune to the current economic circumstances and we need to make sure we can grow sustainably."In concert with ramping up production of its pickups and SUVs, the company is also focused on speeding up the development of its R2 platform of vehicles. The new generation will come in at a lower price point than the R1 vehicles and be manufactured at a planned factory in Georgia.In May, the company stated that it had over 90,000 pre-orders for its R1T pickup and R1S . In addition, an initial order of 100,000 of its EDV500 and EDV700 delivery vans from Amazon is also on the books and currently in production. Those production delivery vans began rolling in multiple cities across the U.S. last week.
Court Grants Air Force Class Protection from Shot Mandate

NEWS PROVIDED BY

July 28, 2022

CINCINNATI, Ohio, July 28, 2022 / Christian Newswire / -- A federal district court in Ohio has granted class certification and a class-wide preliminary injunction to protect the entire class of the U.S Air Force while the lawsuit continues against the unlawful Department of Defense COVID shot mandate. Thousands of these service members who oppose receiving the shot due to their sincerely held religious beliefs have been denied their religious exemptions.

In his preliminary injunction order for Hunter Doster, et al. v. Hon Frank Kendall, et al., Judge Matthew McFarland modified the members of the class that are protected to include: "All active-duty, active reserve, reserve, national guard, inductees, and appointees of the United States Air Force and Space Force, including but not limited to Air Force Academy Cadets, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Cadets, Members of the Air Force Reserve Command, and any Airman who has sworn or affirmed the United States Uniformed Services Oath of Office or Enlistment and is currently under command and could be deployed, who: (i) submitted a religious accommodation request to the Air Force from the Air Force COVID-19 vaccination requirement, where the request was submitted or was pending, from September 1, 2021 to the present; (ii) were confirmed as having had a sincerely held religious belief substantially burdened by the Air Force's COVID-19 vaccination requirement by or through Air Force Chaplains; and (iii) either had their requested accommodation denied or have not had action on that request."

In addition, Judge McFarland further protected the class by adding that, "Defendants, and their officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys, and other people acting in concert or participation with them, who receive notice of this preliminary injunction, are PRELIMINARILY ENJOINED from: (i) taking, furthering, or continuing any disciplinary or separation measures against the members of the Class for their refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, while keeping in place the current temporary exemption; such disciplinary or separation measures include, but are not limited to, 'adverse administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, administrative demotions, administrative discharges, and courts-martial;' for the benefit of Defendants, this includes continuing any administrative separation or punitive processes or initiating the same. However, if there are any court-martials that are in process with members in which the members have been sworn or a witness having been sworn such that jeopardy has attached, those actions shall be stayed, and the Government shall provide notice to this Court of a listing of any such actions within 7 days for further consideration or resolution of this issue; (ii) Defendants shall not place or continue active reservists on no points, no pay status for their refusal to get vaccinated for COVID-19 due to their sincerely held religious beliefs; and (iii) Defendants shall not refuse to accept for commissioning or enlistment any inductee or appointee due to their refusal to get vaccinated for COVID-19 due to their sincerely held religious beliefs. Further, Members who submitted requests for religious accommodation may cancel or amend previous voluntary retirement or separation requests or requests to transfer to the Air Force Reserve. Nothing in this Order precludes the Department of the Air Force from considering vaccination status in making deployment, assignment, and other operational decisions."

The court also added that "any person acting in concert with Defendants" are also prevented from taking any adverse action against any Air Force service members regarding their request for religious accommodation from the COVID-19 shot.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "This order vindicates religious free exercise protected under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act which the Department of Defense has violated with this unlawful COVID shot mandate. This is a great victory for religious freedom, especially for these Air Force service members who love God and love America. We commend this Ohio court for recognizing the unconstitutional way the military is treating these honorable service members."

Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.



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The Sample Return idea works pretty simply: samples of Martian soil are to be collected, then retrieved and taken off the planet, then sent back to Earth. But, as usual in space exploration, what is simple on paper is very complicated in terms of hardware.The mission, as originally stated, required first and foremost a rover meant to gather the samples. Thats Perseverance, and its already on site doing its thing . Then, a Sample Fetch Rover would have been needed to take Perseverances samples and drive them to a Sample Retriever Lander that holds the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV).The MAV would carry the samples into Martian orbit, where an Earth Return Orbiter would take hold of them and bring them back to Earth.Now, after finishing the system requirements review for the program, NASA simplified things a bit. There will no longer be a Sample Fetch Rover, and neither the secondary lander needed to deliver it to Mars. Its mission will instead be passed to Perseverance, which will not only gather the samples, but will also return them to the MAV.After seeing the success of the Ingenuity helicopter (29 flights to date), NASA will send two more of them (evolutions of the current design) on the Red Planet to aid Perseverance as secondary capability to retrieve samples cached on the surface of Mars.As per the current timetable, the Earth Return Orbiter is expected to launch in the fall of 2027, while the Sample Retrieval Lander, which carries the MAV, in the summer of 2028. The first samples are expected back to Earth sometime in 2033.
SUV

Rapper Playboi Carti , whose real name is Jordan Terrell Carter, is the latest celebrity to opt for a Lamborghini Urus . The onlyin Lamborghinis current lineup, the Urus has become a go-to option for celebrities, be it athletes or artists.Why, you might ask? First, its the brand. Lamborghini is known to create breathtaking supercars that would turn every head once you pressed the gas pedal. The one behind the wheel also gets performance that matches the looks.And the Urus embodies all of that. As remarkable as any other car from the Italian brands lineup, the SUV is put in motion by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, paired up to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, delivering 641 hp (650 ps) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque to all wheels.Thanks to these figures, when it was introduced in 2018, the Lamborghini Urus was the fastest SUV out there, taking it about 3.6 seconds to hit 62 mph (100 kph) from zero, according to the Sant'Agata Bolognese-based brand. It's no longer the fastest SUV, but it still remains pretty high in the ranking. It also has a top speed of 190 mph (306 kph).Carti worked with famous dealer RD Whittington, owner of celebrity dealership Wires Only in Los Angeles and Miami, for his brand-new ride, which comes with blue exterior paint and a Widebody kit from 1016 Industries.The video, shared on Wires Onlys official account, also gives us a glimpse of the cabin. Luckily, it looks like the 25-year-old rapper opted for a blue-black color combo for the interior, giving it a more cohesive and elegant outcome instead of creating an outrageously colorful cabin.Besides the Urus, Playboi Carti's garage hosts a Lamborghini Huracan, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, a Mercedes-Benz G 550, and a Ferrari 488 GTB.
The fascination for space exploration , the confirmation that we are not the only forms of life in the universe, the concern for the times to come, the need to conquer new territories, and the desire to exploit profitable resources are some of the reasons why many still hope to conquer this universe, or at least as many parts of it as possible.With a distance of some 363,000 km (225,500 miles) at perigee, the closest approach to the Earth), we could reach the Moon in about 3 days. This makes it the most accessible celestial body to explore, a real reason for giant companies to test their inventions and ideas.This is also the case of Hyundai and Kia, who just signed a research agreement with six research institutes to explore the surface of the Moon , gathering valuable information for future innovations. Hyundai and Kia see the Moon as a good ground to test sustainable mobility through robotics, thus bringing tested theories for mobility to Earth, but also vice versa, to validate and possibly improve the performance of robotics. The two Korean companies will join forces in terms of software and hardware, providing each other with technologies and equipment for future missions to the Moon.Nurturing a strong belief that robotics will improve our lives and make them safer, Hyundai Motor acquired in June 2021 Boston Dynamics Another collaboration worth mentioning is the one with Motional Inc., which resulted in Robotaxi , the self-driving IONIQ 5-based machine, first unveiled at IAA Mobility in 2021(video below)."We will expand the scope of human movement experience beyond traditional means of transport and beyond the bounds of Earth to further contribute to the progress of humankind and help create a better future.", said Yong Wha Kim, Executive Vice President, and Head of R&D Planning & Coordination Center of Hyundai Motor and Kia.
Estimates earlier in the year for the 737 Max put deliveries at 500 for 2022. However, that number has been scaled down to 400-plus due to the reduction at their Renton, Washington assembly plant. The company now plans to maintain a monthly production rate of thirty-one 737 MAX planes in an effort to not lag too far behind strong demand.Boeing's CFO Brian West told investors the company has an increased presence at supplier locations and teams of experts to address the supply issues with engines, raw materials, and semiconductors. But analysts worry the efforts may not be sufficient to enable boosting production."We continue to experience real constraints," Brian West, Boeing's chief financial officer, told investors on an earnings call, reported by Reuters.



In addition to the supply issues, Boeing is awaiting a decision by the U.S. Government on whether the newest and largest variant of the 737 family, the 737 MAX 10 will be certified before a December deadline. Without winning a certification, extensive and costly cockpit safety improvements would need to be made. Congress could grant an extension to the two-year grace period afforded in the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act, but it faces opposition.The talk of the Farnborough show was much more about supply chain issues than new airplane orders. Although, Boeing was the clear winner in sales booking commitments for over 200 aircraft in total.European competitor Airbus received far fewer orders at the event in the UK, and on Wednesday halted production plan increases and cut back its own airplane delivery forecast for the year. However, the company is positioned well with its A321neo, if Boeing fails to get the MAX 10 certified.
SUV

Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson, boasts a $4 million net worth which is more than enough to allow him to live a lavish lifestyle. Which also includes quite a few supercars.His latest purchase is a black McLaren 720S which he flaunts from time to time on social media. He bought it this year in early April and took to social media to thank the British car manufacturer, adding that his baby has arrived. Hes been enjoying it on the streets and flaunting it online ever since.In his most recent post on his Instagram account, Tory Lanex shared several pictures of himself and his McLaren. In some of them, the rapper, who celebrated his 30th birthday on July 27, sits on top of his supercar without a care in the world.This isnt the first time we have seen him on top of his vehicles. Not long ago, he shared a set of pictures with his Rolls-Royce Cullinan and, in some of them, he showed up standing on the hood of the luxuriouswhile his dog Charlie, a French bulldog, looked at him, curious to see what he was doing.Both models are quite expensive, with the Cullinan priced at around $350,000, and the McLaren coming with a starting price of $299,000, both without options and taxes. So, sitting or standing on them is one way to prove your status.In Tory's garge, there are also a Lamborghini Urus and a Chevrolet C8 Corvette Stingray, which shows he has a preference for fast cars. He hasn't sat on those just yet, but there's still time.
With its fat bodies and slim wings, the Lancer is also one of the most impressive of the bunch, holding 50 world records for speed, payload, range, and time of climb in its class.The thing can fly at Mach 1.2 (921 mph/1,482 kph) and can carry the largest conventional payload (75,000 pounds/34,019 kg) of both guided and unguided weapons in all of U.S. Air Force's (USAF) fleet currently in service.Powered by four General Electric turbofan engines and with large enough fuel tanks (265,274 pounds/120,326 kg), it can strike targets continents away, from altitudes that can reach 30,000 feet (9,144 meters).So, were dealing with a very impressive machine while in its natural environment, but it seems that with the right photographer and the proper setting, the Lancer can look equally as impressive while performing more mundane tasks, like allowing itself to be pushed into a parking spot.Case in point the pic we have here, taken back in June at Andersen Air Force in Guam and recently made public by the Air Force.This particular Lancer is deployed with the 34th Bomb Squadron based at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, and at the time it was being parked after it had just returned from a Bomber Task Force integration mission in the Indo-Pacific region.The squadron that flies this beast is the 4th-oldest USAF active squadron, having been formed in 1917. It has been in charge of flying a good chunk of the rather limited number of Lancers (just 62 of them are in active duty) ever since 1994.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low near 80F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low near 80F. Winds light and variable.
You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter.
A global spotlight is on Boston College this summer, with the University hosting four major international assemblies in late July and early August that examine the legacy and role of Jesuit and Catholic education in addressing compelling modern issues.



The 27th General Assembly of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) will convene on campus July 30 to August 3.



Also on July 30 will be the first formal meeting of college and university presidents in the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU), an international network of leading Catholic universities dedicated to research and teaching excellence, engagement, and global collaboration.



The International Symposium on Jesuit Studies, The Jesuits and the Church in History, will take place August 1-4 under the auspices of BCs Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies.



The International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) holds its 2022 assembly, Discerning the Future of Jesuit Higher Education, from August 3-6.



BC also was the venue for the International Association of Jesuit Engineering Schools (IAJES) Summit, Jesuit Engineering Vision for a Better World, which took place July 13-15.

That BC is hosting five separate Jesuit or Catholic conferences in a mere span of weeks highlights Boston Colleges presence in prominent international assemblies that provide a leadership role in Jesuit and Catholic education, according to University administrators.

This summer, Boston Colleges global engagement emerges remarkably here in Chestnut Hill and throughout the worlds Jesuit and Catholic institutions of higher learning, said Vice Provost for Global Engagement James F. Keenan, S.J., who is also the Canisius Professor of Theology and director of the Jesuit Institute. Our capacity to lead and host is now proven by this ambitious program led by initiatives from [University President] William P. Leahy, S.J. Significantly, BC has built bridges most importantly by scheduling successively the assemblies of IFCU and then IAJU. Their mutual engagement ought to have lasting effect.



Underscoring this historic occasion, the IFCU, IAJU, and Jesuit studies conferences will join together on August 3 for a Mass celebrated by Boston Archbishop Cardinal Sean OMalley, O.F.M., Cap.
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HONOLULU (AP)  A U.S. defense contractor and his wife who lived for decades under the identities of two dead Texas children have been charged with identity theft and conspiring against the government, according to federal court records unsealed in Honolulu.

Walter Glenn Primrose and Gwynn Darle Morrison, both in their 60s, who allegedly lived for decades under the names Bobby Edward Fort and Julie Lyn Montague, respectively, were arrested Friday in Kapolei on the island of Oahu.

Prosecutors are seeking to have the couple held without bail, which could indicate the case is about more than fraudulently obtaining drivers licenses, passports and Defense Department credentials.

Those documents helped Primrose get secret security clearance with the U.S. Coast Guard and as a defense contractor and old photos show the couple wearing uniforms of the KGB, the former Russian spy agency, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Muehleck said in court papers. Faded Polaroids of each in uniform were included in the motion to have them held.

A close associate said Morrison lived in Romania while it was a Soviet bloc country, Muehleck said.

Morrison's attorney said her client never lived in Romania and that she and Primrose tried the same jacket on as a joke and posed for photos in it. Even if the couple used new identities, attorney Megan Kau told The Associated Press, they have lived law-abiding lives for three decades.

She wants everyone to know shes not a spy, Kau said. This has all been blown way out of proportion. Its government overreaching.

Prosecutors said there is a high risk the couple would flee if freed. They also suggested that Primrose, who was an avionics electrical technician in the Coast Guard, was highly skilled to communicate secretly if released.

The couple is also believed to have other aliases, Muehleck said.

A lawyer for Primrose declined comment. A bail hearing was scheduled for Thursday in U.S. District Court.

The secret clearance Primrose had provides access to information that is enormously valuable to our enemies, said Kevin OGrady, a Honolulu defense attorney not involved in the case.

The Coast Guard works closely with the Army and Navy, helps with counterintelligence and serves as the countrys maritime border patrol, said OGrady, an Army reservist and lieutenant colonel judge advocate.

The Coast Guard has a unique perspective on our vulnerabilities, he said, including how to infiltrate the country through water ports. Hawaii, a major military center, is a prime target for a lot of espionage and such, he said.

For one family whose deceased child's name was stolen, the news Wednesday came as a shock.

John Montague, who lost his daughter Julie in 1968 at 3 weeks of age, was stunned to learn someone had been living under her name for so long.

I still cant believe it happened, Montague, 91, told AP. "The odds are like one-in-a-trillion that they found her and used her name. People stoop to do anything nowadays. Let kids rest in peace.

Primrose and Morrison were born in 1955 and they attended high school together in Port Lavaca, Texas, and then went to Stephen F. Austin University, according to court records. They married in 1980.

There is no indication in court papers why the couple in 1987 assumed the identities of deceased children who would have been more than a decade younger than them. But an affidavit filed by Special Agent Dennis Thomas of the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service noted that the couple lost their home in Nacogdoches, Texas, to foreclosure that year.

They remarried under their assumed names in 1988, Thomas said.

Court records don't provide any information about what happened from the time they assumed their new identities until 1994, when Primrose, then about 39, enlisted in the Coast Guard as Fort, who would have been about 27.

If there was an obvious age discrepancy between what Primrose looked like and the birth certificate he presented, thats an abject failure, OGrady said.

Thats something if they can figure it out now, they should have caught it then, he said.

Montague said that somebody's not doing their jobs.

Primrose and Morrison applied for and received multiple passports under their assumed names, according to court records. But in 1999 Primrose also applied for and was issued a passport under his legal name while also holding a passport in Fort's name.

Primrose was in the service until 2016, when he began work for an unnamed defense contractor at the U.S. Coast Guard Air station at Barbers Point.

While he held that secret clearance with the U.S. Coast Guard, defendant Primrose was required to report any foreign travel," prosecutors wrote. Investigation has revealed that defendant Primrose did not report several trips to Canada while he did report other foreign travel.

The couple lived in a Honolulu suburb in a modest two-bedroom bungalow beneath palm trees. They owned a neighboring house they rented to military personnel, said Mai Ly Schara, who lived next door.

She knew them as Bob and Lynn, with Morrison apparently Julie Lyn Montague's middle name.

Primrose did yard work for Schara for $50 a month, she said. Morrison took in, fed and spayed and neutered cats. She also had several rabbits and dedicated a room to the pets.

They kept to themselves, but they were friendly, Schara said. They just kind of were, like, a little nerdy.

Schara wasnt sure what Primrose did for a living, but thought it was military related. Morrison once worked as a parking attendant at a Waikiki hotel but had been tutoring neighborhood children.

The FBI created a scene in the quiet neighborhood when they searched the house and took photos.

It was just shocking, like, oh my gosh, Schara said. It was pretty crazy.

The State Department declined to comment on the arrests.

The couple is charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S., false statement in passport application and aggravated identity theft.

Fort, who lived fewer than three months, died in October 1967 at the same hospital where Julie Montague passed away about three months later in January 1968. They are buried 14 miles (23 kilometers) apart.

When Tonda Ferguson learned from her father that Morrison had used her late sister's birth certificate to create an alias, she thought of her mother, who died in 2003, and how many years had gone by.

For all the mothers who are living and have to know this happened to their babies, I cant even begin to imagine," Ferguson said. "Im glad my mamas with the Lord. This would be so traumatic for her.

Ferguson was in eighth grade when her sister died. She never got to see her little sister or hold her. She was buried in Burnet, Texas, the small town where they lived at the time outside of Austin.

She came from a place of love, deep love, Ferguson said. For someone to turn around to steal her identity for evil, its tough. Its hurtful. ... I hope they rot.

___

Melley reported from Los Angeles. Caleb Jones in Kapolei, Hawaii, and Rhonda Shafner in New York City contributed to this report.
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Update 6 p.m.:

The missing girl has been found.

Original story:

The Groves Police Department is seeking the public's help in finding a missing 12-year-old girl.

Police said Maryanne Katherine Sawyer left her home at 8:30 a.m. in the 3600 Block of Taft Avenue. She was last reported seen at 8:50 a.m. in the 6900 block of 39th Street.

"She was supposed to attend band camp at Groves Middle School but never arrived," Groves police said in a social media post shortly before 5 p.m.

Sawyer is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 105 pounds. She has green eyes, strawberry blond hair and braces on her teeth. She left her home wearing a black jacket with stripes on the sleeve and purple/pink pants. She was carrying a black flute case, police said.

Anyone who knows her whereabouts is asked to call the Groves Police Department at 409-727-1614.

meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/megzmagpie
Three of Texas's representatives are banding together in an attempt to protect the state's coast.

U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, introduced the Texas Coastal Spine Authorization Act to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move forward with construction of a coastal barrier protection system around the Texas Gulf Coast.

The barrier would reduce the impact of major hurricanes and any other significant water events around and in the Galveston Bay as well as the vast petrochemical industry surrounding it, according to a Tuesday news release from Weber's office.

RELATED: Congressman Weber commends EOC

The coastal barrier is a matter of national security. The Texas Gulf Coast is home to millions of people, countless homes and jobs, and numerous refineries. The Texas Coastal Spine Authorization Act will strengthen the resiliency of the Gulf Coast, Weber said in the news release. Its imperative that we complete this critical barrier protection as soon as possible, since its a question of whennot ifanother big storm barrels up the upper Texas Gulf Coast.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, introduced the legislation to the Senate companion bill, which was co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

Protecting the Texas Gulf Coast isnt just an important local priority  its a national imperative, Cornyn said in the release. Our coastal communities are home to millions of Texans and pivotal industries that fuel our country and economy. This bill will ensure our coastline has the necessary infrastructure to help protect against future storms and I will continue fighting for this project.

The project has been working its way through the ideation and funding stages since Hurricane Ike in September 2008.

In April, construction on a nearly $2.4 billion storm surge protection system started in Orange County.

The project is just a piece of the $37 billion Sabine to Galveston Bay project, which includes 15 miles of new earthen levees, roughly 10 miles of concrete floodwalls, about 50 gravity drainage structures, multiple pump stations, around 30 closure structures at certain roads and railroad crossings, two gates at Adams and Cow bayous and restoration of about 450 acres of coastal marsh and 560 acres of forested wetlands in Orange alone.
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BERLIN (AP)  A large wildfire on the German-Czech border is spreading and threatening to destroy a forested national park popular with tourists.

The fire in the region, called Bohemian Switzerland on the Czech side and the Saxon Switzerland national park on the German side, started last weekend. It had seemed to be under control but spread again early Thursday, German news agency dpa reported.

Hundreds of firefighters on both sides of the border battled the flames with help from reinforcements from neighboring Poland and Slovakia. Eight firefighting helicopters were working to douse the flames in the hilly and rocky region that is difficult to access and where about 250 hectares (618 acres) of forest were burning Thursday.

Local authorities warned tourists to stay away from the area.

Saxony state officials banned hikers from entering several forests in the region. To prevent additional blazes, they also asked local residents not to set off fireworks at private parties,

It's all very tense,. We can by no means speak of an easing of the fire yet firefighters have reached the limits of their capabilities, Saxony Interior Minister Armin Schuster said.

Another large forest fire in the Elbe-Elster district of the eastern German state of Brandenburg was under control Thursday after flaring up again on Wednesday evening, local authorities said. The fire was still burning an area of 500 hectares (1,236 acres).

A police helicopter scouted the area with a thermal camera to look for pockets of embers that could ignite into flames. Some areas are contaminated with World War II ammunition and are too dangerous for firefighters to enter because the heat or human contact could cause explosions.

Germany's army has sent several military helicopters to both fires to support local units.
Pilot shortages are nothing new. In fact, theyve plagued the airline industry for years. But, according to various reports, weve still yet to see the worst of it, despite the onslaught of delays, cancellations and airfare increases travelers are currently being saddled with.

The pilot shortage for the industry is real and most airlines are simply not going to be able to realize their capacity plan because there simply arent enough pilots, at least not for the next five plus years, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said on a conference call back in April. The other really large airlines will also probably be able to attract enough pilots, but for anyone else, I just dont think its mathematically possible to meet the pilot demand for the capacity plans that are out there.

But now, inn effort to combat the shortage, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has introduced legislation that would, according to a report from CNBC, raise the mandatory retirement age for U.S. airline pilots from 65 to 67.

For the uninitiated  per the International Civil Aviation Organization  the current Standard limits the privileges for pilots in single-pilot commercial air transport operations to 60 years of age, while extending that limit to 65 years of age for multi-pilot operations. As it stands now, those who are engaged in two-pilot operations and over the age of 60 are required to submit to a a six-monthly medical assessment (pilots under 60 are required to submit only to an annual medical assessment). The Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act proposed by Graham would allow pilots to continue flying until they turn 67, without any additional medical requirements.

Weve got to get more people in the queue to be pilots, but we also have to adjust our age in a reasonable rational way to keep people in the cockpit, Graham said. Other countries allow people to fly to 67 and beyond. And I am confident that this is a bipartisan issue.

That said, it wasnt even until 2007 that the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots was raised to 65 (previously it was 60). And while the FAA has yet to comment, the Air Line Pilots Association  the largest pilot union  released a statement on the topic back in May, saying: Increasing the retirement age will have significant unintended consequences and will displace pilots. Those airline pilots over 65 will be forced to leave the most desirable international routes to bid for domestic ones because the international age limit set by ICAO is 65. When age 65+ airline pilots return to domestic-only flying, they will then displace more junior pilots and both cohorts may require training on different aircraft, adding to the training costs of air carriers. Furthermore, most regional airline pilots leave the regional industry long before age 65 for more lucrative jobs at mainline or low-cost carriers or other opportunities. Therefore, the pool of domestic-service pilots will not increase appreciably without additional training costs or disruptions.

It does, however, have the potential to provide temporary relief to a deficient industry (emphasis on temporary). That is, of course, assuming pilots even want to keep flying, given the current climate.

For more travel news, tips and inspo, sign up for InsideHook's weekly travel newsletter, The Journey.

The post A New Bill Would See the Retirement Age of Pilots Raised to 67 appeared first on InsideHook.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right) visits a patient evacuated to the grounds of a hospital in Bangued town, Abra province, a day after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the northern Philippines, July 28, 2022.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew on Thursday to the northern Philippine region ravaged by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake and ordered officials to speed up recovery efforts, as many areas were still without electricity, safe drinking water and passable roads.

Relief officials struggled to reach remote sections cut off by landslides and fallen debris in the earthquakes wake. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said casualty figures remained low, as only five people had been confirmed dead.

Dozens more were injured, many by falling debris, when the quake struck in Abra, a province in the north of the main Philippine island of Luzon, on Wednesday.

Marcos arrived in the province early Thursday where he led efforts to distribute relief goods, and met with local officials who briefed him on the extent of the damage. Marcos social welfare secretary, Erwin Tulfo, traveled to Abra on Wednesday.

I am assuring you, with Secretary Tulfo, that everything that you need is here in the evacuation center, Marcos told residents who were staying in modular tents at a plaza.

The aftereffects of the quake will not add to your hardships, he said.

The president, who hails from the far north of Luzon island, also thanked people for supporting him in the May 9 general election.

Now, its my turn to help you, he said, as he toured a hospital where many of the more than 100 injured people received medical aid.

I have asked that all departments file their reports so we can open roads that are still closed and bring back electricity, he said.

Marcos also met with local government officials.

National government agencies, please coordinate closely with the local government so we can maximize our assets. You plan everything together. You listen to the local governments because they are the ones who have the fundamental responsibility to bring the aid to the people, Marcos said during the meeting.

He said restoring the water supply was a top priority along with providing financial aid to those left homeless or evacuated.

Even just a little, Marcos said.

The quake affected about 13,000 people, though fewer than 1,000 were in evacuation centers because many had been advised to stay put as officials inspected their homes.

The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 25 km (15 miles) near the town of Lagangilang, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. About 800 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 1.5 to 5.4 have been recorded since Wednesday.

On Thursday, Renato Solidum, the governments chief seismologist, advised residents to not return to their homes until the structures were declared safe.

We expect aftershocks to continue for several weeks, but there will be more in the first three days and hopefully, it will decrease, Solidum said. But people should be ready to respond properly during aftershocks because aftershocks are still strong.

A woman prepares her modular tent after evacuating from her home in the aftermath of an earthquake in Bangued, Abra province, Philippines, July 28, 2022. [Lisa Marie David/Reuters]

Thankful my family is safe

In a Facebook post, Sei Agaid, an earthquake survivor, said she phoned her family who had slept outside their house for safety.

Earthquake is on and off. Much of our furniture was destroyed. But I am thankful my family is safe, Agaid said.

In Ilocos Sur province, Gov. Jeremias Singson told a local radio station that clearing operations were ongoing but the province still had no electricity.

Our tourism industry and small business owners were really affected, Singson said, noting that 460 buildings in the province had been affected, including Bantay Bell Tower in Vigan City that partially crumbled during the earthquake.

The city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and tourist destination, features centuries-old structures from the Spanish colonial period that were damaged as well.

Ricardo Jalad, executive director of the disaster response agency, said rescuers were busy clearing areas of debris and restoring power.

Our priority now is life-saving distribution of assistance to our countrymen who were displaced, said Jalad, who also serves as administrator of the Office of Civil Defense.

Jalad said many roads, mostly in the mountainous Cordillera Administrative Region, remained closed as of Thursday while an immediate road clearing operation is ongoing.

Military aircraft are to be used to deliver supplies in areas where roads are closed to vehicles, he said, noting that at least 22 of the regions roads were impassable.

In Manila, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, based on initial assessments, about four northern provinces were affected. Water, power and communication lines seem to be functioning in some of the affected areas.

The OCHA is liaising with national authorities as well as humanitarian partners with local presence on the ground to determine the impact of the earthquake, the U.N. agency said in a statement.

The Philippines sits on the so-called Pacific Rim of Fire, where earthquakes are frequent including some that are devastating. More than 15 destructive quakes have hit the Southeast Asian nation the past 50 years  with four major seismic events of magnitudes greater than 6.5 occurring in November and December 2019 alone, according to experts.

A 7.7-magnitude quake struck Luzon in July 1990, leaving more than 1,600 dead. Many of those who died were trapped inside a hotel that collapsed in the northern city of Baguio.

Jojo Rinoza and Luis Liwanag in Manila and Jeoffrey Maitem in Davao city, Philippines, contributed to this report.
The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group reentered the South China Sea and is heading north as China threatens military action should U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi make a visit to Taiwan.

The carrier left Singapore after a five-day port call on July 26, according to a statement from the U.S. 7th Fleet.

The statement did not specify the USS Ronald Reagans current location but the U.S. Navy released a couple of photos of the carrier refueling-at-sea with the replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe in the South China Sea on Wednesday.

Data provided by the ship-tracking website Marine Traffic show the USNS Tippecanoe was well inside the South China Sea at the time of the replenishment operation.

The ships projection shows it is moving northward.

While this doesnt necessarily mean the aircraft carrier would take the same route, some Taiwan watchers say it may sail near the island in the coming days.

An analyst who wishes to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the issue told Radio Free Asia, an online affiliate of BenarNews, that the Ronald Reagan could sail close to the east side of Taiwan in a show of power but will not engage in any confrontation with Chinas Peoples Liberation Army.

Chinese state-supported Global Times, meanwhile, quoted Song Shingling, a Chinese military analyst, as saying that if the U.S. carrier strike group attacks relevant islands in the South China Sea or clashes with Chinese warships and fighter jets, this may equal to creating a conflict.

USNS Tippecanoes past track from July 21 to July 28, 2022. [Marine Traffic] Pelosi briefed on Taiwan trip

The Indo-Pacific Command declined to confirm whether the Ronald Reagan, the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, will sail near Taiwan.

We have nothing further on this, said Cmdr. Tiffani Walker, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command spokeswoman.

The democratic island, which China considers one of its provinces, has come under the spotlight after press reports that Pelosi would visit Taiwan in early August.

Neither the U.S. government nor Pelosis office confirmed the news, but President Joe Biden indicated that the military did not think it was a good idea right now for Pelosi to visit Taiwan.

On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he had spoken with Pelosi and given her a security assessment of the situation, but did not comment on Taiwan, Reuters reported.

Earlier this week, U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro told the Associated Press that U.S. military focus in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the disputed South China Sea, would never slacken.

He reassured Philippine officials, who have had spats with China in the disputed waterway, that the U.S. would honor it treaty obligations.

As President Biden has said, if one country violates one inch of Filipino sovereignty, whether it be at sea or on shore or an offshore island, we will be there to support the Filipino nation and the Filipino people in every possible way, Del Toro said.

Meanwhile, Biden was expected to discuss the visit, among other issues, with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in a telephone call on Thursday. It would be their fifth conversation since Biden became U.S. president in January 2021.

China already responded strongly against the rumored trip, with a Peoples Liberation Army spokesman threatening that should Pelosi insist on making the visit, the Chinese military will never sit idly by, and will certainly take strong and resolute measures to retaliate.

The USS Ronald Reagan is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. It has been deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. Navy said.
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PITTSFIELD  A judge is weighing whether to release a city man who was arrested in a January drug bust at his Summer Street apartment.

During a dangerousness hearing in Berkshire Superior Court this week, prosecutors argued that Frank Rinaldi should continue to be held without the right to bail before trial, citing the potential penalty he faces if convicted and his criminal record.

Rinaldi, 52, and another man, Demetries Anderson, were arrested in a search of Rinaldis apartment Jan. 6 as a part of an investigation into suspected drug dealing activity.

When police entered the home at 172 Summer St., they saw Anderson sitting in front of a pile of narcotics, Assistant District Attorney Melissa Brooks told Judge John Agostini during Mondays hearing via Zoom.

Both men were charged with trafficking 36 to 100 grams of cocaine and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. A third man was arrested during a traffic stop in connection with the investigation, but Brooks said charges were ultimately dropped against him primarily because there wasnt sufficient evidence.

Anderson, 32, of New York City, was shot dead in a car outside his residence in Jamaica, Queens on July 6 while out on bail in the Pittsfield case. A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department said Tuesday that there have been no arrests made in connection with the killing, and that the investigation is ongoing.

Brooks said that prosecutors sometimes see people from out of town selling narcotics from the residences of those who use substances.

Typically, we see that people will come from out of Berkshire County and deal drugs out of peoples homes who have drug problems, Brooks said. I dont know if thats whats going on here, but thats my sense.

Defense lawyer Dean Manuel asked Agostini to deny the detention request, saying Rinaldi will follow the courts rules and that he poses no danger to the community.

He said Rinaldi no longer lives at 172 Summer St., and that he would be released back to his mothers residence. Now disabled, Rinaldi previously worked construction.

Manuel noted Rinaldi had no narcotics on him at the time of his arrest. Agostini took the request under advisement.
Development of rural express industry gives a boost to rural vitalization

09:04, July 28, 2022 By Li Xinping ( People's Daily

Consumption potential of rural China is being constantly released thanks to the rapid development of the express industry.

A courier sends parcels to an express service outlet in Chaxiang village, Gujiao township, Longli county, southwest China's Guizhou province, Nov. 11, 2021. (People's Daily Online/Deng Gang)

The increasingly developed rural express network is leading to smoother logistics in China's countryside, extending online shopping services to more and more rural consumers and making the rural market a new growth pole of the express industry.

As of 2021, express service outlets have been established in over 80 percent of China's villages.

According to recent statistics released by the State Post Bureau, China's express delivery companies handled 51.22 billion parcels in the first six months this year, up 3.7 percent year on year. During the same period, their business revenue increased by 2.9 percent to 498.22 billion yuan ($73.62 billion).

In particular, the share of business volume in central China saw an uplift of 1.1 percentage points, and the figure stood at 0.3 percentage points in the western region.

Rural e-commerce is thriving thanks to expanding express services in rural areas. The prosperous farm produce market and released potential in central China have become a major force driving the growth of the express industry.

Express vehicles gather at Xilu village, Bulu township, Xianju county, Taizhou, east China's Zhejiang province as the harvest season of waxberry arrives, June 9, 2022. (People's Daily Online/Wang Huabin)

The expanding express network brings convenience to rural residents and stimulates consumption potential in rural areas.

In the past, many villagers had to go to townships to send and receive parcels. According to a three-year action plan to extend express delivery to villages released in 2020, express delivery will be available in all qualifying administrative villages by 2022.

Express services have expanded the space of rural development. Relying on the express network, rural e-commerce now enjoys a more solid foundation. More and more agricultural products are entering the urban market, which on one hand meets the demand for individualized consumption, and on the other hand expands the source of income for farmers.

In 2021, 37 billion parcels were collected from and shipped to rural areas across China, facilitating rural-urban commodity exchanges totaling 1.85 trillion yuan.

Photo taken on March 26, 2022 shows a winding road in Yueling village, Daxibian township, Kaihua county, Quzhou, east China's Zhejiang province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Jianlin)

The rural express network, apart from introducing more products to rural areas, is also taking agricultural products to the outside world, thus increasing the income for farmers.

With smoother rural logistics, a new batch of rural industries with local characteristics are emerging, forming a number of influential local brands. They have injected new impetus and energy into the modernization of agriculture and rural areas.

Besides, the development of the rural express industry has created new jobs and new entrepreneurial opportunities. Many couriers working in cities have returned to their hometowns in the countryside to run express delivery spots, which brings new job opportunities to local communities. The emergence of livestream commerce and short video marketing is also building a platform of entrepreneurship for Chinese villagers.

It is believed that as the rural express network further expands, more and more villages will be incorporated into the modern logistics network and embrace new opportunities. A China with smoother logistics is taking shape.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
PITTSFIELD  The sole remaining defendant arrested in connection with a Summer Street drug search warrant was ordered released from pretrial custody with conditions that he live with his mother.

Frank Rinaldi, 52, of Pittsfield, had been held in custody while his drug case was pending in Berkshire Superior Court, but was ordered released from custody over the objection of the Berkshire District Attorneys Office.

Judge John Agostini ruled Monday that conditions could be imposed on Rinaldi to protect public safety during his pretrial period, and allowed him to live with his mother and report to probation while he awaits either a trial or a plea.

He and another man, the late Demetries Anderson, were arrested in a search of Rinaldis apartment early this year as a part of an investigation into suspected drug dealing.

Anderson was shot dead in New York City earlier this month. Charges against a third man arrested in connection with the investigation were dropped due to lack of evidence.

Police said investigators found multiple cellphones, 68 grams of cocaine, a work station for packaging the substance, scales and 200 baggies of heroin in Rinaldis apartment at 172 Summer St.

He has pleaded not guilty to charges of trafficking 36 to 100 grams of cocaine and possession of heroin with intent to distribute.
UPDATE: A gas line worker was not injured after striking an electrical line on South Street in Pittsfield
SANDISFIELD  The towns former road superintendent agreed to pay a $50,000 fine for a slew of ethical breaches during his tenure. They included using his own construction company to do work for the town more than 90 times.

Robert OBrien admitted to violations of conflict of interest law, according to the State Ethics Commission, which announced the agreement and civil penalty Thursday. With OBriens payment of the civil penalty, the commission dismissed its case against him.

After three years as road chief, the town fired OBrien on Oct. 9, 2018, over allegations at the time that he was using his position for personal gain. This included working private jobs while on the clock for the town, billing the town for asphalt and for allegedly stealing town fuel and falsifying time sheets.

The town never pressed criminal charges. Police Chief Michael Morrison told the Select Board at the time he considered the matter criminal, however, and that stealing is stealing whether it is time or asphalt.

The town had been contracting its snowplowing to OBriens company, P&R Construction, when it needed a highway superintendent  and hired him on an interim basis in 2015. The town brought OBrien on staff as a permanent employee the following year.

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The town continued to pay for the plowing and also began renting equipment from OBriens company. For these services during that time, Sandisfield paid P&R roughly $55,300, according to the commission.

When the town needed to rent an excavator, OBrien solicited quotes and read them, then submitted lower quotes from P&R.

The excavator rental totaled approximately $20,000.

Other improprieties included approving invoices for payment to P&R by the town, paving a private driveway with $1,657 in asphalt billed to the town, which ultimately did not pay the bill, the commission said. P&R later paid it after the trucking company redirected the invoice to OBrien.

Then came the damage to Cold Spring Road in 2017 after the Tennessee Gas Pipeline expanded. The town hired two companies to repair the road, with OBrien monitoring the project. One company, All State Asphalt, Inc. said the erosion control work would have to be subcontracted, and OBrien said P&R could do the work, according to the commission.

OBrien and P&R billed All State $16,000 for that job.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey shakes the hand of former North Adams Mayor Dick Alcombright. Healey, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, made her first campaign swing through Berkshires on July 21, starting at Hotel Downstreet in North Adams.
Deadline passes without a single pitch to buy the Mohawk Theater in North Adams By Tuesday's due date, no prospective buyers submitted proposals to redevelop the long-empty theater. Not even an earlier developer who showed interest.

If North Adams is going to find success coaxing new life into the Mohawk Theater any time soon, city leaders will have to reset the stage. After the city issued a formal request for proposals, it waited two months for any bites  and received zero.

The years-long effort to revive this historic but hollow downtown centerpiece has proven a challenge, and an ultimately empty-handed RFP only underscores that difficulty. Still, no matter how hard the mission, its been a critical one for multiple mayoral administrations looking to give a shot in the arm to their scrappy ex-industrial city seeking revitalization. That wont and shouldnt change, and if theres a silver lining to this disappointing development, its that Mayor Jennifer Macksey pledged to wring as much information from this disappointment as possible to inform the next steps toward a brighter future for the Mohawk and its key position in downtown North Adams.

While the city didnt net any formal proposals, Mayor Macksey said there was a slew of questions about the property following tours and an open house. The mayor is right to put out some post-RFP feelers to explore why some level of interest did not translate to any pitches.

On a deeper level, however, facing the failure of this RFP to gain any traction should also include some introspection. All things considered, was setting a $100,000 minimum offer the wisest move when the city should arguably be casting a wide net on takers for a unique property that needs some serious work? Mayor Macksey hinted at this consideration in her remarks to the City Council on the matter: We might have out-priced ourselves. But again, Im not going to give that building away.

We understand the instinct to be protective and the need to be judicious about an esteemed city landmark, but there must be a middle ground between out-pricing potential interest and giving it away. Having nothing to show for this RFP suggests it very well might be below six figures. Further, whoever might be interested in the property will have to lay out some considerable cash to develop the site  which means she or he might not exactly view a five-figure price tag as a giveaway.

Last year, another request for proposals for the Mohawk produced a bid from a downtown property owner. While former Mayor Tom Bernard tried to push this deal through in the waning days of his administration, we urged a steadier process that would let an incoming administration weigh in, too. Shortly after taking office, Mayor Macksey rejected that proposal outright, leading to the renewed RFP process that concluded uneventfully this week.

It certainly was the mayors prerogative to do so, and she was not alone in her concerns about the $21,000 offer and other elements of the proposal. Still, its worth noting that while the mayor publicly expressed hope that the previous bidder would submit again during this most recent RFP, even that interest fizzled. That bidder was not shy about the procedural elements that discouraged him from throwing his hat in the ring again, and there are lessons to be learned there as well.

Now, a mayoral administration that campaigned on the importance of injecting new life into the Mohawk has, after a two-month formal request for proposals, fewer proposals on the table than when it took office. We arent simply dumping on Mayor Macksey, and we believe she wants the best for the Mohawk and the city. As previous North Adams mayors could tell, finding a realistic and sustainable future for this important downtown property  and getting it off the citys plate and back on the tax rolls  is a tall order. The mayor deserves some credit for being realistic about what a setback it is for the RFP to come up empty while acknowledging the need to go back to the drawing board and try, try again for the sake of this downtown gem in desperate need of some luster.

While its a little discouraging, its not the end of the road for the Mohawk Theater, Mayor Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. Hopefully thats true, and while this RFP unfortunately produced no bids, we hope it holds some lessons about the necessary next steps down that road.
5. Animals Threw Themselves off a Cliff Rather Than Live with the Possession.

This passage has been controversial because of the implications of how animals should or should not be treated. However, upon close examination of all three passages, several things become clear. Jesus did not order the pigs to throw themselves off a cliff. The Bible also asserts that, Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God (Luke 12:6). There is no reason to infer that God would be needlessly cruel to the pigs.

The demons also would not have wanted to kill the pigs, as the reason they wanted to inhabit something was so they would not go to the pit, Have you come here to torment us before the time? (Matthew 8:29b).

The language strongly suggests the pigs threw themselves into the sea with Mark saying, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea (5:13b). And Luke mirrors this language: the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned (8:33b). This account is also the only one in the Bible where demons attempt to possess an animal, and it fails. While animals are certainly subject to the suffering brought on by living in a fallen world, the text implies there is also a natural aversion to the demonic, though this idea is never fully explored and clarified.

6. People Only Know So Much about the Supernatural, by Gods Design.

This passage is one of the more detailed accounts of demonic activity in the Bible, and it still leaves a lot of information vague. It raises a lot of questions the Bible chooses not to answer.

Daniel wrote about angels and demons warring with one another, and the Book of Revelation gives glimpses into the greater cosmic battle beyond the veil that is not currently accessible to humanity. Whenever people encounter this evil, they are overcome. God chooses to limit what humans can know about angels and demons. He does not want us to worship them or to pursue contact with them; the Bible only shows angels making first contact with people being blessed by God, not the other way around.

In part, accepting that God is in control and putting faith in Him is part of the human experience, and knowing too much about supernatural evil, especially for those who are not believers and do not have the Holy Spirit, can lead to an overindulgence in it. Paul encouraged believers, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8). Christians should not spend their time meditating on demons, which are wicked and evil, as it does not fill them with good fruit.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Maddie Leopardo
Anti-tax activist Tim Eyman is suing Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson for not including a tax advisory vote on cap and trade legislation set to go into effect next year.

Tax advisory votes are a way to give direct feedback to elected officials about tax increases, but the results are nonbinding. They serve to advise the Legislature whether or not to maintain or repeal a bill they passed, but do not in themselves result in the bills being maintained or repealed.

They first appeared on ballots in 2012 after Initiative 960 was passed in 2007.

I-960 requires that the Office of Financial Management determine the 10-year cost to taxpayers of any proposed legislation that creates or increases taxes or fees.

Eymans lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court, filed on Thursday, notes the OFM determined the implementation of cap and trade legislation, Senate Bill 5126, would generate an additional revenue of more than $3.9 billion in the first 10 years.

Passed by the Legislature in 2021, the Climate Commitment Act directs the Washington State Department of Ecology to develop and implement a statewide cap-and-trade program to cut carbon pollution by requiring emitters to obtain emissions allowances equal to their covered greenhouse gas emissions.

Similar to stocks and bonds, these allowances can be obtained through quarterly auctions hosted by Ecology.

But the Legislature specifically included a delay in the implementation of the cap and trade bill, the lawsuit states. Nonetheless, the Governor [Jay Inslee] partially vetoed some portions of the bill, including the delay. Many in the Legislature doubted the constitutionality of the of the Governors partial vetoes and threatened litigation. Plaintiff did, in fact, challenge in Thurston County Superior Court the Governors partial veto of the delay in E2SSB 5126 (Eyman v. Inslee, #21-2-10945-34). But before the court could rule, the Legislature passed E2SSB 5842 which statutorily removed the delay (thus making the lawsuit moot) which allowed the cap and trade system  and its corresponding $3.9 billion increase in state revenue  to proceed starting on January 1, 2023.

The lawsuit goes on to say, This very clearly fits the statutory requirement for a tax advisory vote (which OFM has already determined)."

Ferguson thinks otherwise, according to the lawsuit, which alleges the attorney general has elected to move forward without a public vote on it even though OFM has already determined it fits the statutory definition of raises taxes as defined by RCW 43.135.034 and even though the passage of E2SSB 5126 and E2SSB 5842 are clearly a combination of actions by the state legislature and thus are subject to an advisory vote.

The Center Square reached out to the Attorney Generals Office for comment.

Tim Eyman has a history of lying about our office to raise money from his supporters, and this is no exception, Brionna Aho, spokesperson for the attorney general, said in an email. Our offices advice on advisory votes is independent and non-partisan.

Her response included a link to a December 2019 press release from the Attorney Generals Office headlined Statement from Solicitor General on Tim Eymans false claims regarding I-976 case.

The Center Square asked University of Washington law professor Hugh Spitzer about the merits of Eymans lawsuit.

I took a look at the cap & trade law (E2SSB 5126) and at the definition of tax in RCW 43.135.034, he said via email. Despite OFM staffers conclusion that the cap & trade legislation should be subject to an advisory vote, I tend to agree with the Attorney Generals conclusion. There doesnt seem to be anything in the cap & trade auction system or the rest of that bill that constitutes a tax, as commonly understood.

Spitzer went on to explain his reasoning.

He basically defined taxes as anything that brings in revenue to the State government, Spitzer said of Eymans Initiative 695 in 1999 repealing the states car tax and replacing it with a flat $30 annual fee. The state Supreme Court ruled that the definition is way too broad, and taxes, as commonly understood by the public, dont include many revenue-generating sources, like electricity rates or fees paid when people apply for licenses.

He applied that reasoning to the cap and trade legislation.

In this instance, there might be revenue accruing to the State, or at least moving through the State, by virtue of the cap & trade mechanism, Spitzer said. But I didnt see any taxes there.

That wasnt quite all the professor had to say.

I think that even after 15 years and lots of court decisions, Eyman might not understand that taxes are different from rates and fees (or cap & trade auction revenues), Spitzer said. Maybe he is stuck in his 1996 idea that all revenues to state government are taxes.

Still, under the cap and trade legislation, drivers could end up seeing the state's portion of the gas tax  almost 50 cents per gallon  nearly double.

As first reported by the Washington Research Council, an analysis from Vivid Economics and its parent McKinsey & Company for the state Department of Ecology projected the cost of a metric ton of carbon dioxide to be $58.21 next year.

Thats much higher than the $20.60 per metric ton figure used for the cap-and-trade legislations fiscal note provided to lawmakers.

That would add a tax of about 52 cents per gallon or just over 46 cents per gallon for fuels required to include 10% ethanol in accordance with Washingtons state law, Todd Myers, environmental director for the free market Washington Policy Center think tank, explained in a blog post.

He added, For diesel, the tax on CO2 emissions would increase the cost of a gallon by about 59 cents per gallon, or 56 cents per gallon for fuels that include 5% biodiesel.




First up, Joe Biden is thinking about dropping tariffs against China. But theres a spy in prison this morning that helps us understand why he shouldnt. Ill explain.





Your second brief, If youre looking for a good paying job, you might consider being a CEO for a health insurance company. One executive made $142M dollars last year. Let's talk about that.





And as always, Im keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put this one on your radar. Mexican cartels are grooming American kids online and paying them cash to traffic illegals or run drugs across the border. Ill share details.





If you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief, remember to subscribe and listen daily at podfollow.com/pdb.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On account of World Hepatitis Day 2022, HCSA Community Services aims to provide HCV testing, education, and linkage to care services for high-risk patient groups in association with Gilead Sciences, and Tan Tock Seng Hospital

In alignment with the World Health Organization (WHO)s call to eliminate hepatitis C (HCV) by 2030, Singapore's HCSA Community Services(HCSA), a charitable organisation announced the launch of a targeted HCV elimination programme, a day ahead of World Hepatitis Day 2022.

Founded by HCSA and coordinated by HCSA Highpoint Halfway House, a residential shelterforex-offenders, the HCSA Highpoint Hepatitis C Educate, Test, Treat! (ETT) Programme, together with the End-C Programme founded by Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), aims to provide HCV testing, education, and linkage to care services for high-risk patient groups such as former drug offenders, newly released prisoners, and those in recovery from addiction. The ETT programme is a grant project supported by Gilead Sciences.

In conjunction with the programme TTSH is currently running a study with HCSA participants to validate the reliability and convenience of a minimally invasive point-of-care test (POCT). The POCT would provide a possibility of the more convenient and accessible method using a finger-prick blood sample and saliva test. The concept of the POCT is focused on reducing the barriers to testing as it could encourage the person to test frequently and get quick results in 20 to 40 minutes. A positive result will then allow the person to seek confirmatory tests and receive the earlier intervention. Confirmed active HCV participants of the ETT programme will also be given oral medication for treatment.

The findings of the ETTprogrammewill be further implemented in the End-C Programme, which aims to gradually treat and screen other at-risk groups. One of its main goals is to ultimately encourage self-assessment of HCV risks amongst the public. The combined efforts of HCSA and TTSH to combat HCV include a newly launched HepatitisC clinic in TTSH and the setup of a digital resource platform that grants access to education materials and a friend-CBefrienders Toolkit to encourage positive HCV patients to complete their treatment journey. The ETT and End-C Programmes, which are running concurrently, will also focus on providing seamless access to treatment for HCV-infected patients. Both the ETT Programme and TTSH study will be conducted over a period of twelve months. Please refer to Annex A for more information.

Dr. Yew Kuo Chao, Senior Consultant, Gastroenterology and Clinical Hepatology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital says, We hope to drive the elimination of HCV by providing linkage to care for patients and introducing minimally invasive testing and simplified treatment methods. If successful, we hope to expand this service to the wider population and benefit more people in the process.

The World Health Organization has set a global target to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Through the Liver Index Study, we have identified critical knowledge gaps and attitudes of the general local public towards liver health. Gilead Sciences is working with community partners to support high-impact initiatives which address existing barriers and challenges to HCV elimination efforts, says Stanley Li, General Manager, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, GileadSciences.

Microelimination projects like the HCSA Highpoint Hepatitis C Educate, Test, Treat! (ETT) Programme, with its focus on high-risk groups for which treatment and prevention interventions can be delivered more efficiently, is a starting point that we believe will translate into a more positive impact for local communities he adds.

As part of the combined programme, patients will also be given educational materials and telephone consultations by the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department,to assist them in their treatment journey. This is complemented byHCSAsFriEnd-CBefrienderProgramme, an integrated support system to guide patients that are HCV positive and ensure that they do not fall out of the programme and complete the treatment journey.

To sustain and drive further education among target patient groups, HCSA will also be conducting educational campaigns through a range of initiatives, including talks at HCSA HighpointHalfway Houseand other halfway houses in Singapore.

As the first halfway house in Singapore to champion and host this first-of-its-kind HCV elimination programme, we are committed to driving awareness and education on HCV among vulnerable groups, said Kim Lang Khalil, Chief Executive Officer, HCSACommunity Services. We are confident that the ETT and End-C Programmes will empower at-risk groups, remove existing barriers to HCV care, and enable all individuals to live their lives to the fullest.
The capital fund raised will be used for product R&D, hiring

Mumbai-based startup KNYA Med, an online medical apparel brand, has raised seed funding, led by DSG Consumer Partners, with participation from the promoter family of Narayana Health and Cipla Health amongst others. The capital fund raised will be used for product R&D, hiring across the company, as well as for branding and marketing.

KNYA Med has over 120 SKUs and has developed proprietary medical scrubs and lab coat aprons, which are backed by science and technology to offer comfortable and fashionable medical apparel.

Doctors and Nurses work an average 12-15 hours per day and performance apparel is the need of the hour to help enhance their performance. There are close to 8 million medical professionals in India out of which 3 million have joined in the last 5 years. The government of India has been focused on increasing the penetration of doctors and nurses to support the rise in disease rates. KNYA Med aims to address the gap in making doctors lives more comfortable with their medical apparel.
When days are dark - sides are many. Nando's knows that when times are tough, South Africans see the bright side so the brand rewarded them for this with its Nando's Bright Sides deal.

Image supplied. Nandos Bright Sides deal rewards South Africans during load shedding

Exclusively available on the Nando's app and website, the deal is dependent on the stage of load shedding the country is in.

How it works

When you purchase a full chicken via the Nandos app or website, you can choose free sides depending on the stage of load shedding we are on as a country. Stage 2 load shedding gets you two free sides, Stage 3, gets you three free sides and so on.

So far in 2022, South Africans have had 1,246 hours (over 50 days) of continuous national load shedding, and Nandos has sold 18,236 meals, of which 52% have been during stage 4, equating to four free sides per meal.

To bring the message home and get South Africans to look forward to the dark, Nando's released a hilarious piece of content giving us reasons to embrace load shedding, just like Eishmael Komanate and his family.

Aim of the campaign

Following the success of the Bright Side campaign and the load shedding extension, Nandos has decided to keep its promotion running.

The aim of the campaign is to give South Africans some respite while the lights are out.

"South Africans have been feeling the heat from all sides in recent times, so I jumped at the opportunity to work with our client, Nando's, on the Bright Side campaign, says Shahan Ramkissoon, Eclipse Communications chief strategy officer.

Not only did it offer much-needed comic relief during these dark times, but it also helped ease the financial burden on our people, he says.

It's only been two months since I left television news, but I'm proud to have resurfaced with a brand I love, and trust to deliver an enjoyable meal no matter where I go, adds Ramkissoon.

Setting an impossible task

Nando's general manager for digital marketing IMEA, Darren Hampton, unpacks the idea behind the campaign, and explained how the fast food chain had set itself an "impossible task," which was, ``to get South Africans to look forward to load shedding, so to speak".

"Being a South African brand, we go through the same emotions South Africans go through when it comes to all things that happen in the country, including load shedding. It affects us as a business, as people and as employees," he says.

"We thought about how we could be optimistic about the ongoing issue of load shedding, and be able to laugh at ourselves as well. There was a little bit of a silver lining we could have some fun with, he adds.

TVC creative credits
The energising power of design is the mantra of the 2022 edition of Decorex Joburg, hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre from 28-31 July 2022.

Fluted Occasional Chair by Pederson & Lennard. Source: Supplied Lucky Bar Stool by Haldane Martin. Source: Supplied

esign lovers from Gauteng and beyond can experience a host of fresh new designs at the show. With a number of Cape Town-based studios travelling to Johannesburg to showcase their work, even more variety will be on offer.

These are some of the highlights in furniture design.

100% Chair

The anticipated 100% Chair is an all-new showcase curated by Bielle Bellingham where the public will get a glimpse of brand new chairs from local designers. 100% Chair forms part of 100% Design Africa, which is co-located with Decorex Joburg, and will also feature the new 100% Weave and 100% Transparency exhibitions.

Design lovers from Gauteng and beyond can experience a host of fresh new designs at the show. With a number of Cape Town-based studios travelling to Johannesburg to showcase their work, even more variety will be on offer.

These are some of the highlights in furniture design.

100% Chair

The anticipated 100% Chair is an all-new showcase curated by Bielle Bellingham where the public will get a glimpse of brand new chairs from local designers. 100% Chair forms part of 100% Design Africa, which is co-located with Decorex Joburg, and will also feature the new 100% Weave and 100% Transparency exhibitions.

Source: Supplied

Fluted Occasional Chair by Pederson & Lennard

Pedersen & Lennard, the Cape Town-based brand behind the Decorex Stand Award Trophy for 2022, has designed a chair that highlights the beauty of a simple curve. Inspired by a steel pipe bender, the Fluted Occasional Chair is a chair designed to make you sit back and immerse yourself in the shape of the curves. The smooth, steel frame of the chair is juxtaposed by soft upholstered seats in either a textured fabric or classic African leather.

Caulk Chair by Matthew Dasneves

The extraordinary Caulk chair from Cape Town-based architect Matthew Dasneves is made from offcut polystyrene that is carved and assembled into functional forms. Dasneves then uses a caulking gun to lay beads of rubber sealant to create a multi-dimensional, richly textured surface pattern that is both functional and fun.

Mimosa Cabinet by Dokter and Misses

Dokter and Misses, a Johannesburg-based multi-disciplinary product design company, will be launching brand-new work at Decorex Joburg. Part of a sculptural collection, the solid ash Mimosa Cabinet captures Dokter and Misses love of pattern and bold designs. The ultramodern cabinet with powder-coated internal detail is decorated with line art in shades of pink and red.

Fluted Occasional Chair by Pederson & Lennard

Pedersen & Lennard, the Cape Town-based brand behind the Decorex Stand Award Trophy for 2022, has designed a chair that highlights the beauty of a simple curve. Inspired by a steel pipe bender, the Fluted Occasional Chair is a chair designed to make you sit back and immerse yourself in the shape of the curves. The smooth, steel frame of the chair is juxtaposed by soft upholstered seats in either a textured fabric or classic African leather.

Caulk Chair by Matthew Dasneves

The extraordinary Caulk chair from Cape Town-based architect Matthew Dasneves is made from offcut polystyrene that is carved and assembled into functional forms. Dasneves then uses a caulking gun to lay beads of rubber sealant to create a multi-dimensional, richly textured surface pattern that is both functional and fun.

Mimosa Cabinet by Dokter and Misses

Dokter and Misses, a Johannesburg-based multi-disciplinary product design company, will be launching brand-new work at Decorex Joburg. Part of a sculptural collection, the solid ash Mimosa Cabinet captures Dokter and Misses love of pattern and bold designs. The ultramodern cabinet with powder-coated internal detail is decorated with line art in shades of pink and red.

Mimosa Cabinet by Dokter and Misses. Source: Supplied

The Classic Diner by Houtlander

The world does not really need another chair, but it does need better ones. It was this sentiment that inspired award-winning Houtlander furniture to design a new chair that was strong, durable, beautiful and can actually be passed down from generation to generation. The Classic Diner took the team at Houtlander months to perfect as they found the delicate balance between a classically pared-down brand aesthetic and hard-working durability.

The Wire Chair by Green Studio

Richard Green of Green Studio has been working on the Wire Chair since 2019  and the first complete prototype, which will be on display at Decorex Joburg, shows it was worth the wait. The Wire Chair is a sturdy, utilitarian piece that uses classic silhouettes and lines to carry a contemporary flair without sacrificing comfort.

Lucky Chairs by Haldane Martin

Decorex Joburg sees the launch of Haldane Martins Lucky Chairs. The new range  which includes a stool, dining chair, lounge chair and loveseat  is full of positive, happy feels. Each of the almost chubby-looking chairs share two main elements: buxom upholstery and clean arcs, making them both chic and comfortable. A range like this is typically reserved for lounges and other indoor spaces, but thanks to the use of textured outdoor fabrics you can take the chairs outside as well.

The Hardwood Chair by James Mudge

The Hardwood Chair by Cape Town design studio James Mudge is a striking contemporary dining chair that also celebrates curves in all their glory. As a studio that has been creating hand-made, solid-wood furniture since 2006, James Mudge has perfected shaping timber to their liking, and the solid oak, painted Hardwood Chair is no different. The gentle curves of the backrest and the shaped timber seat are offset by the sleek lines of the angled timber legs.

Casey Occasional Chair by Curacion

Curacion, the Cape Town interior design studio, prides itself on creating timeless essentials that instantly elevate any setting  and the Casey Occasional Chair is another one of their designer gems. The classy yet playful form of the curved armrest is masterfully balanced with simple, powder-coated steel legs.

Just a Windsor by Oliver Whyte

Just a Windsor is a project about imagination. Ross Robertson, the founder of Cape Town-based Oliver Whyte Studio, had the idea to take something well-known and change it to a point that teeters between recognisable and unknown. Just a Windsor is a second-hand Windsor chair hand-covered in epoxy clay that creates a squishy, soft appearance on an otherwise rigid chair.

Decorex Joburg is open for four days, from 28-31 July, at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has called on all employers to open their workplaces for the placement of Technical Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) college students.

The National Development Plan (NDP) emphasises the importance of workplace-based training in job creation and the need for Tvet colleges to become preferred institutions for vocational education and training. It also stresses the role of Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) in supporting the development of relationships between educational institutions and employers, Nzimande said.

The Minister was speaking at a Ministerial Summit on Strategic Industry Partnerships with Tvet Colleges, currently underway at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The two-day summit, which started on Wednesday, brings together the Post School Education and Training (Pset) sector, government departments, non-governmental organisations, labour and business to discuss how to strengthen Tvet colleges partnerships, particularly work-based learning.

Nzimande noted that the expansion of workplace-based learning opportunities for students has proven to be a challenge in the Tvet college sector.

He said that in response to President Cyril Ramaphosas State of the Nation Address, the department has made a commitment to ensure that 10,000 Tvet college graduates are offered workplace experience so that they can complete their qualifications, thus improving their prospects for employability or starting their own small businesses.

The primary aim of placements is to assist the transition of our young people from learning to working, the Minister said.

He added that he had previously stated on numerous platforms that Tvet college management, especially principals, must know that they are not running Tvet colleges unless they prioritise building partnerships with industry.

The Minister has given a directive that all Tvet college principals should sign new performance agreements that include industry partnerships as one of their key performance indicators.

This decision was informed by the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training which requires Work-Integrated Learning (WiL) to be a central component of the college programmes and that the extent to which students are able to get placements in the workplace must be used as an important indicator for assessing the performance of the management of institutions.

As Tvet college principals, you owe it to the youth and the country to manage student admissions with the end in mind and this call for the establishment of strategic partnerships with industry. It will indeed be a travesty of justice and a serious indictment on us, as leaders, if we were to allow our inaction to cause Tvet colleges to become a dead-end for students, Nzimande said.

One of the leaders core responsibilities is to break down barriers to opportunities by creating pathways for young people to access skills training programmes and workplace-based training, articulate into higher education, and pursue self-employment without any hindrance.

Supporting Tvet colleges innovation programmes

Meanwhile, Nzimande has asked the Department of Science and Innovation to assist by supporting innovation programmes and initiatives in Tvet colleges, and the Higher Education and Training to help in introducing entrepreneurship programmes in the countrys colleges.

Our vision remains that of providing an integrated, coordinated and highly articulated Post-School Education and Training System for improved economic participation and social development of our youth and adults.

Our Tvet colleges cater for many South Africans who need to improve their educational levels and/or acquire a skill. To this end, the ability of Tvet college principals to lead the forging of partnerships with industry and/or workplaces is of critical importance, the Minister said.

He added that by 2030, Tvet colleges must be strong differentiated institutions, offering a range of high-quality programmes preparing students for the world of work and entrepreneurship.

They must offer qualifications that are responsive to the needs of students, as well as regional and national skills demand.
African Bank has appointed its chief of staff, Edna Montse as the new group executive for transformation and sustainability.

Source: Supplied. Edna Montse, African Bank''s new group executive for transformation and sustainability.

er role is considered critical in support of the banks aspirations, as set out in its audacious Excelerate25 strategy.

African Bank has championed a next-level transformation philosophy, one which seeks to transcend scorecards and make a meaningful difference. It is a philosophy that lies at the heart of African Banks vision of A bank for the people, by the people, serving the people.

Across our institution, we see transformation as an important opportunity to ask how we can start to meaningfully contribute to our economy and what opportunities we can offer that will change peoples lives, says African Bank chief executive officer, Kennedy G Bungane.

Montse joined African Bank in September 2021, assuming the role of chief of staff and head of transformation and sustainability.

She manages and leads an extensive portfolio that comprises transformation, sustainability, ethics, BBBEE, stakeholder management, enterprise, and supplier development, environmental sustainability, consumer education and corporate social responsibility.

She is passionate about the need for transformation and is keen for it to evolve beyond mere tick-box exercises.

Her role also includes supporting and enabling the execution of the Excelerate25 strategy and leading the African Bank enterprise project-management office.

During her tenure thus far, the bank has achieved a Level 1 B-BBEE rating by implementing strategic initiatives that espouse the audacious hearts of African Bankers and deepen the Banks commitment to advancing lives.

Before joining African Bank, Montse held a number of senior roles including as head: diversity, inclusion and transformation (DIT) at Absa Africa retail and business banking, where she was responsible for developing the overall DIT strategy for retail and business banking, comprising 19,000 employees.

Prior to this, she was the transformation, diversity, and inclusion lead at Accenture SA, reporting to the chief executive officer and was also the strategic advisor to the Accenture SA board on matters relating to transformation, diversity, and inclusion.

Earlier in her career, she was the sustainability manager for procurement at South African Breweries.

Montse holds a Bachelor of Technology (B Tech) (Hons) from the Tshwane University of Technology, in addition to a certificate in the role of public policy in private-sector development from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice.

She has also served on the board of the Association of B-BBEE Professionals (ABP).
Peace Corps intends to offer a firm-fixed price contract for provision of accommodation for 65 people, conference room and package, and breakaway rooms for a conference to be held from 2-7 October 2022. Interested vendors should submit a quote for the services as described by no later than 3 August.

Background

American President Kennedy formed the Peace Corps (PC) with an executive order on 1 March 1961, and Congress authorised it on 22 September 1961, with passage of the Peace Corps Act. Since its founding, more than 210,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps volunteers in 139 developing countries that request assistance. The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship through service to others. Peace Corps supports its volunteers in many ways including with trained medical staff at each post to provide medical, health, and wellness services during service abroad.

Peace Corps (PC) is hosting its Africa Region Directors of Management and Operations (DMO) Conference in South Africa in October 2022. The DMO Conference provides Peace Corps DMOs and US-based support staff an opportunity to connect for training at a central location once per year.

Objectives

The objective is to provide accommodation and training/conference space. Peace Corps requires accommodation/lodging for a total of up to 65 individuals. Accommodations shall be single occupancy with individual bathrooms.

Scope

The scope of this contract is to provide:

Overnight accommodation - required for up to 65 individuals for 5 nights: Checking-in October 2nd and checking out October 7th, 2022; Conference Meeting Space for five days 02  06 October 2022. This must include main plenary for 65 delegates and breakaway venue for 20 Audio-Visual (AV) technology and support Meals and refreshments; Breakfast, lunch and tea breaks included Customer service

Room rate including all taxes and fees shall be in local currency and at or below the international US Department of State lodging rate for Pretoria, South Africa as listed on the state department website: https://aoprals.state.gov/web920/per_diem.asp.

Early check-in and late check-out shall be available with each reserved room.

Individual rooms shall contain the following throughout the length of the guests stay:



Be of quality consistent with hotel rating



Carpet and flooring is in good condition and not worn or damaged.



Be free of odour, insects, rodents, and pests



Have working, active internet connectivity via Wi-Fi in common areas included with the room free of charge



TV with working cable programming



Include iron and ironing board on request



Include hair dryer on request



Daily cleaning service



Any problems with the room including, but not limited to the above issues be resolved within 24 hours of notice (notice will be documented by CO).



Access to a power outlet



Hot and cold working water in the bathroom



Individual room temperature control (heat and/or air conditioning)



Rooms shall be in the same property/premises as the conference rooms.



The name and phone number of a specific hotel representative(s)/Point of Contact (POC) shall be available 24 hours a day for the duration of the contract to be contacted by the CO to solve any issues or problems regarding the sleeping accommodations of participants.

The conference room shall:



Have a speakers table and podium at the front of the conference room.



Individual control of the lighting and temperature



Ability to lock and unlock the room



Three (3) rectangular tables along the back wall of the conference room for materials

Conference facilitators and CO should have 24 hour access to conference rooms during the training and set-up days. If 24 hour access is not possible, a staff member should be available to facilitate any urgent needs within a timely manner.

Peace Corps shall be able to bring in government computers and additional electronic equipment for individual use and learning tools. The vendor is not responsible for supporting any government furnished computers or electronic equipment.

The Peace Corps Contracting Officer or Point of Contact Reserves the right to increase the number of units of agreed services (rooms, breakfast, lunch, dinner, or breaks) at the rates established per this contract by up to 10% of the value and reserves the right to decrease the number of units by up to 10% of the value. This increase/decrease may be done only in writing by the CO or COR. The CO/COR may also request additional ancillary services related to the scope of this contract to the extent that unit process are increased as detailed above (such as copying, internet usage, projectors, extra water, etc.) during contract POP.

Name: Eric Bleich, director of management & operations, Peace Corps South Africa

Email: vog.sprocecaep@hcielbe

Name: Shannon Schroeder, deputy director of management & operations, Peace Corps South Africa

Email: vog.sprocecaep@redeorhcss

Name: Farieda Tatchell, special events co-ordinator, Peace Corps South Africa

Email: vog.sprocecaep@llehctatf




The contempt of court case against the four company directors behind the controversial R4.5bn River Club development has been postponed, while a move to depose Tauriq Jenkins as supreme high commissioner of the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Indigenous Traditional Council was struck from the urgent roll by the High Court.

Members of the Goringhaicona and others opposing the River Club development celebrate the dismissal of an urgent application to depose Tauriq Jenkins (centre) as supreme high commissioner of the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Indigenous Traditional Council. Together with the Observatory Civic Association, the council has led litigation against the development. Photo: Steve Kretzmann / GroundUp

A contempt of court case against the company directors for proceeding with construction on the River Club development despite a High Court interdict has been postponed.

Also in court, a move to depose Tauriq Jenkins as supreme high commissioner of the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Indigenous Traditional Council, which has led litigation against the development, was struck from the urgent roll by the court.

The contempt of court case against the four company directors behind the controversial R4.5bn River Club development was postponed yet again at the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday afternoon. The contempt application was brought against the directors of the Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust (LLPT) for resuming construction at the site, despite a court interdict to stop work.

A related case was dismissed earlier the same day, in which a leader within the First Nations Collective, a Khoi grouping aligned with the River Club developers, sought to discredit a Khoi leader opposing the River Club development.

While these matters were being heard, about 200 people supporting the developers demonstrated outside the court. Alongside them were about 70 people opposing the development. A handful of police kept watch.

Verbal and near-physical clashes were avoided. On 12 July, at the first hearing of the contempt of court case, loud hailers were used to belittle and curse those opposing the development.

By lunchtime, the First Nations Collective supporting the development packed up and left. Those in opposition remained on the court steps, keeping themselves occupied by burning imphepho, chanting and singing, while Judge Chantel Fortuin heard arguments over the application by the Observatory Civic Association (OCA) and the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Indigenous Traditional Council (GKKITC) to hold the developers in contempt of court, in their personal capacity.

The developers are Jody Aufrichtig, James Tannenberger, Nicholas Ferguson, Allan Mundell, and Adam Blow. All with the exception of Mundell, who is a financial advisor, are directors in multiple ventures and development companies, with Liesbeek Leisure Properties and Zenprop in common.

The Observatory Civic Association and Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Indigenous Traditional Council first took the Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust to court in November last year, when they applied for an interdict to halt building on the site pending a review of procedural decisions taken by the City of Cape Town and relevant provincial planning departments.

The interdict was granted by Deputy Judge President Patricia Goliath on 20 March.

The large mixed-use development, which includes multiple buildings up to eight-storeys high and a new African headquarters for Amazon web services, is being built on a floodplain at the confluence of the Liesbeek and Black Rivers in Observatory.

That the site is sacred to the First Nations, is uncontested. The heritage assessment report, compiled as part of the required environmental assessment for the development, situated it as the site of original colonial dispossession, as Dutch settlers displaced the Khoi from their traditional grazing lands along the banks of the Liesbeek.

In the face of years of opposition through the planning phases of the development, the City and Provincial departments passed the various procedural requirements: environmental authorisation, rezoning, and departure permissions. These were appealed, to no avail.

When LLPT got its water use license to infill part of the original course of the Liesbeek River on 26 July 2021, they started building, until being ordered by the High Court in March to stop, pending a review of decisions. Chief among these was that the Province granted environmental authorisation, despite Heritage Western Cape rejecting the Heritage Impact Assessment which formed part of the required Environmental Impact Assessment.

LLPT then appealed Judge Goliaths interdict in the High Court, and lost. The developers then filed an appeal at the Supreme Court of Appeal, which is yet to be heard, and resumed site work around 27 June.

The developers argue that the Supreme Court appeal supersedes Goliaths High Court ruling, their lawyers stating Goliaths order was final in effect, and not interlocutory.

The OCA and GKKITC disagreed, and on 8 July applied to the High Court on an urgent basis, asking the court to enforce Judge Goliaths order until the contempt of court matter could be heard. After an initial court appearance on 12 July, it was agreed the matter would be heard on 27 July. But when a judge had not been appointed by Judge President John Hlope by the morning of Friday 22 July, the OCA and GKKITC again approached the court on an urgent basis, resulting in Wednesdays hearing before Judge Fortuin.

Judge Fortuin, assigned to urgent matters, said that she could not hear the merits of the case as she had not had time to read the papers, which included a 549-page application against GKKITC supreme high commissioner Tauriq Jenkins filed by supporters of the development.

Judge Fortuin said she recognised the urgency of the matter and suggested the merits of the case be argued next week. She was inclined to order the developers to halt any further work on site in the meantime, which Peter Hathorn, counsel for the OCA and GKKITC urged she had the constitutional right to do.

However, Sean Rosenburg, representing Aufrichtig, argued that at the previous appearance on 12 July, OCA and GKKITC had waived their application for an order to halt work on the site with the agreement the full matter would be heard, therefore it wasnt before her as a decision.

Rosenberg held sway as Judge Fortuin agreed the merits of the contempt of court application would be heard next week.

The OCA and GKKITCs application was under threat of being scuppered by an urgent application from three people purporting to be part of the Goringhaicona tribe. The applicants, Michael Hansen, Shiraatz Mohammed, and Peter Ludolph have themselves with the First Nations Collective, and sought to depose GKKITCs Jenkins, who has led the case against the developers together with the OCA.

Jenkins said he received the 549-page application on Monday afternoon, less than 24 hours before it was to be heard in the High Court.

With no time to appoint and instruct legal counsel, Jenkins represented himself in court. Within 90 minutes, Judge Fortuin struck the matter from the urgent roll, leaving the applicants to persist with the application at a later stage.

OCA and GKKITC attorney Hercules Wessels, from Cullinan and Associates, said the contempt of court application is now to be heard on 2 August, but has not yet been informed which judge will hear the matter.

This article was originally published on GroundUp.
IBM Security has released its annual, revealing costlier and higher-impact data breaches than ever before, with the average cost of a data breach in South Africa reaching an all-time high of R49.25m for surveyed organisations. With breach costs increasing nearly 20% over the last two years of the report, the findings suggest that security incidents became more costly and harder to contain compared to the year prior.

The 2022 report revealed that the average time to detect and contain a data breach was at its highest in seven years for organisations in South Africa  taking 247 days (187 to detect, 60 to contain). Companies that contained a breach in under 200 days were revealed to save almost R12m  while breaches cost organisations R,2650 per lost or stolen record on average.

The 2022 Cost of a Data Breach Report is based on an in-depth analysis of real-world data breaches experienced by 550 organisations globally between March 2021 and March 2022. The research, which was sponsored and analysed by IBM Security, was conducted by the Ponemon Institute.

As this years report reveals  organisations must adopt the right strategies coupled with the right technologies can help make all the difference when they are attacked. Businesses today need to continuously look into solutions that reduce complexity and speed up response to cyber threats across the hybrid cloud environment  minimising the impact of attacks, says Ria Pinto, general manager and technology leader, IBM South Africa.

Some of the key findings in the 2022 IBM report include:

Security Immaturity in Clouds  Organisations studied which had mature security across their cloud environments, the costs of a breach were observed to be R4m lower than those that were in the midstage and applied many practices across their organisation.

Incident response testing is a multi-million rand cost saver  Organisations with an Incident Response (IR) team saved over R3.4m, while those that extensively tested their IR plan lowered the cost of a breach by over R2.6m, the study revealed. The study also found that organisations which deployed security AI or analytics incurred over R2m less on average in breach costs compared to studied organisations that have not deployed either technology making them the top mitigating factors shown to reduce the cost of a breach.

Cloud misconfiguration, malicious insider attacks and stolen credentials are the costliest breach causes  Cloud misconfiguration reigned as the costliest cause of a breach (R58.6m), malicious insider attacks came in second (R55m) and the stolen credentials came in third, leading to R53m in average breach costs for responding organisations.

Financial services organisations experienced the highest breach costs  Financial participants saw the costliest breaches amongst industries with average breach costs reaching a high of R4.9 m per record. This was followed by the industrial sector with losses per record reaching R4.7m.

Hybrid Cloud advantage

Globally, the report also showcased hybrid cloud environments as the most prevalent (45%) infrastructure amongst organisations studied. Global findings revealed that organisations that adopted a hybrid cloud model observed lower breach costs compared to businesses with a solely public or private cloud model. In fact, hybrid cloud adopters studied were able to identify and contain data breaches 15 days faster on average than the global average of 277 days for participants.

The report highlights that 45% of studied breaches globally occurred in the cloud, emphasising the importance of cloud security.

South African businesses studied that had not started to deploy zero trust security practices across their cloud environments suffered losses averaging R56m. Those in the mature stages of deployment decreased this cost significantly  recording R20m savings as their total cost of a data breach was found to be R36m.

The study revealed that more businesses are implementing security practices to protect their cloud environments, lowering breach costs with 44% of reporting organisations stating their zero-trust deployment is in the mature stage and another 42% revealing they are in the midstage.
Eskom said on Wednesday, 27 July, it was in talks with the Botswana Power Company about the possibility of importing electricity.

Source: Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

"The commercial price and quantum are still the subject of negotiations," Eskom said in a statement, adding any agreement would be subject to approval by South Africa's energy department and energy regulator.

On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Eskom could seek to buy surplus electricity from neighbouring countries to help plug a shortfall.
The customer of today has a number of concerns. Trust, values, and integrity issues are of the utmost significance in a world that is always evolving. But how does this affect the way they interact with your company?

The State of the Connected Customer report by Salesforce reveals what makes 650 South African respondents tick. So, let's examine the five trends that matter most to South African customers.

1. A trust-based economy is moving to the forefront

Its been a bumpy ride over the past few years. From the global pandemic to extreme weather caused by climate change, trust in the government is spiralling. But 94% of respondents in South Africa said trust becomes even more important in uncertain times. That means customers are increasingly looking to businesses to do the right thing and build great experiences based on trust.

With only 37% of respondents agreeing they generally trust, theres work to be done. While most people reported they completely or mostly trust companies to act with integrity, the trust section of the survey indicates uncertainty for customers.

In other areas of the survey, a markedly larger proportion of customers provided a definitive yes or no response. When asked about trust, approximately 50% of customers were reluctant to commit to saying they completely trust companies.

So, what are the five top ways you can build trust?

 84% want to see greater transparency and better communication.

 76% want to be treated as a person, not a number.

 76% want greater assurance that youre using their data responsibly, and 85% think this is more important than ever.

 76% expect issues to be resolved quickly and proactively with great communication throughout.

72% want a consistent experience across all touchpoints.

When it comes to building trust as an organisation, customers are more likely to engage with companies who actively demonstrate good values and prioritise health and safety.

2. Building brand loyalty matters more than ever

The world is now our oyster, thanks to digitisation. While this is great news for consumers, it also means that developing brand loyalty is more crucial than ever - and customer relationships can be influenced by unexpected factors.

While its not surprising that 84% of buyers think about how you treat customers:

 70% want to know you treat employees well.

 61% are looking at how you respond to racial injustice.

 50% will be scrutinising your environmental practices.

 47% consider action on economic injustice important.

 41% rate you on how involved you are in the community.

To determine how you meet these requirements, 95% of respondents want you to clearly articulate your beliefs, and 79% have abandoned a business in favour of one that better fits with their values. However, South African consumers also switch brands for better deals, higher quality, and superior customer service.

Introducing a loyalty programme is an effective model to reward existing customers and attract new ones. Customers like companies who make it simple to redeem, such as by applying rewards immediately, as well as those who provide personalised deals and enable customers to use loyalty points across numerous brands.

As always, knowing your customer is key.

3. Balancing personalisation with privacy concerns

Today, personalisation goes well beyond communications. Customers expect that you will anticipate their expectations and desires at every touchpoint.

Digital channels continue to dominate customer engagement. They expect consistent, personalised experiences across multiple channels. In fact, 94% say customer experience is just as important as products or services  but only 63% agree that companies provide consistent, omnichannel experiences.

While two-thirds of customers are happy to swap personal information for a more tailored experience, an overwhelming majority feel more data is collected than needed, companies arent transparent about how theyre using it  and 67% dont think they benefit from sharing their data.

To make customers feel more at ease, its important to communicate clearly about why youre capturing personal data and how it will be used  remember, only 24% of consumers feel confident that companies will fully respect their privacy.

Going back to that 76% of customers who want to be treated as a person, not a number: the appetite for personalisation is there, but only 44% feel like companies treat them as an individual.

4. Fine line between promise of a better life and distrust in technology

Artificial intelligence has been a game-changer in terms of freeing people's time, but although 75% of respondents in South Africa are receptive to the idea, 86% believe it has the potential to be a force for both good and bad.

Less than half of customers understand the role of artificial intelligence in business. To make them feel more at ease, respondents want:

 Greater control over how its used and the opportunity to provide feedback.

 Access to the research behind the tech.

 Input from human rights and ethics experts.

 Inclusion of more diverse data sets.

Happily, customers are more willing to trust technology when it comes to order tracking and contactless payments, and 60% expect augmented or virtual reality to be used more in the future.

Helping customers understand the role technology already plays in streamlining and automating their experience is key to reassuring them about its potential to make life better in the future.

5. Customers increasingly expect a joined-up experience

Giving customers a consistent experience across departments isnt just a nice-to-have: 92% of respondents expect it, and it has a direct correlation to loyalty.

However, only 14% of customers feel like companies have a consistent voice across departments, with more than half reporting it doesnt feel like sales, service, and marketing teams share information to give the customer a seamless experience.

Crucially, 84% of respondents revealed that a lack of consistency across touchpoints makes them lose trust in a company, and 58% lose faith when they receive irrelevant communications that dont match their experience.

So, how is South Africa measuring up when it comes to demonstrating consistency across touchpoints?

 25% of customers completely trust businesses.

 58% of customers somewhat trust businesses.

 15% of customers mostly distrust businesses.

 2% of customers completely distrust businesses.

Your biggest takeaway here? Make sure youre rewarding your customers with a great, joined-up experience in exchange for their data.
The Biden administration has sold nearly 6 million barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to an entity tied to the Chinese Communist Party, records show.

From September 2021 to July, the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded three crude oil contracts with a combined value of roughly $464 million to Unipec America, the U.S. trading arm of Chinese state-owned oil company Sinopec, according to a review by The Epoch Times of the DOE documents. A Chinese firm with ties to Hunter Biden had invested in the national oil giant.

The sale would tap 5.9 million barrels in total from the strategic reserve (SPR) to export to the Chinese firm. The latest contract, revealed on July 10, was for 950,000 barrels sold for around $113.5 million.

The two most recent sales to Unipec came out of an emergency drawdown of the U.S. oil stockpile, initiated under President Joe Biden on March 31 in what he said would offset the loss of Russian oil in global markets and tame rising fuel costs at home.

The Unipec contracts have been subject to heavy criticism in recent weeks, especially because of the firms connections to the presidents son. With Americans nationwide still reeling from elevated gas prices, the selling of oil reserves to foreign adversaries such as China is at odds with U.S. energy and security needs, Republican lawmakers and analysts have said.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) to JUUL Labs Inc. for all of their products currently marketed in the United States. As a result, the company must stop selling and distributing these products. In addition, those currently on the U.S. market must be removed, or risk enforcement action.

At the same time, the Biden administration is also proposing a rule to cap the maximum allowable nicotine levels in cigarettes.

Last year, the FDA moved to ban menthol cigarettes on grounds that theyre purportedly racist and homophobic. According to acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock explains:

The FDA will help significantly reduce youth initiation, increase the chances of smoking cessation among current smokers, and address health disparities experienced by communities of color, low-income populations, and LGBTQ+ individuals, all of whom are far more likely to use these tobacco products.

No flavors, no mint, no good hard tobacco kick  no fun for you. If youre lucky, youll get diluted, gray government nicotine  or, else, nothing at all.

-

The alleged motivations of the FDA/Biden administration bureaucrats are highly suspect. Theyre on the job protecting your teenager from strawberry-flavored nicotine products. But, simultaneously, theyre more than willing to inject 6-month-olds with unnecessary and experimental gene therapies that dont protect them from a virus that posed very little risk to them in the first place.

Theyll also shovel Ritalin and Adderall (an amphetamine salt which is, for all intents and purposes, essentially legal meth) down your kids throat so theyll sit still in their public school library during drag queen story hour.

But theyll protect them from the e-cigarettes that are already illegal to sell to minors.



Even if an undeserved olive branch were extended, and the governments motivations were assumed to be pure as the driven snow, the infantilization of the public is an insult to individual dignity.

If liberty means anything, its that adults are at liberty to take risks with their own health, safety, and even their lives. Protecting people from themselves  as a mother removes a AAA battery from her babys mouth  is not within the governments purview.

-

Moreover, even if the governments pure intentions and right to assume moral authority over what adults are allowed to ingest, what does the historical record say about the governments ability to regulate banned substances?

Drug arrests are the #1 driver of mass incarceration in the Land of the Free, which is itself the #1 incarcerator in the world both in raw numbers and on a per capita basis.

But, drug warriors will then argue, mass incarceration  which costs tens of thousands of dollars per prisoner per year, incubates a criminal subculture, and robs non-violent drug users of their future  might be a steep cost, but maybe its worthwhile if it produces less drug use. Right?

Source: Reason

One of those lines is not like the other. Trillions of dollars later, drug addiction rates are roughly the same as 40 years ago.

In addition to failing to curb the appetite for the banned substance, prohibition also inevitably births new opportunities for entrepreneurs to operate outside of law in underground black markets:

Though the advocates of prohibition had argued that banning sales of alcohol would reduce criminal activity, it in fact directly contributed to the rise of organized crime. After the Eighteenth Amendment went into force, bootlegging, or the illegal distillation and sale of alcoholic beverages, became widespread.

Supply and demand always wins out. When an economic sector is pushed underground, all it produces, without exception, is more violence, more organized crime, dangerous/substandard products, and more destroyed futures.



America cant win any other war despite massive resources. Why would the drug war be any different?

The US government spent at least $2.3 trillion (of accounted money  the true figure is probably higher) on the Afghanistan war, only to abandon the project twenty years later, leaving behind a sea of sophisticated military equipment in the hands of the Taliban.

The US government spent another $2+ trillion in Iraq (based on Deep State lies), only to abandon that project as well, destabilizing the entire country, plunging it into bloody civil war, and handing over a huge swathe of territory to a violent theocratic terror state.

Which federal employee was ever held accountable for their monumental failure  despite obscene funding? Dick Cheney, Bush, and the neoconservative war criminals responsible for the Iraq War walk free. The foremost drug war proponent in the Senate, Joe Biden, was awarded with the presidency.



If the drug war were a private enterprise, investors and other stakeholders would have demanded proof of some modicum of progress. Without proof of efficacy, they would never continue dumping trillions into the project.

But in America, in 2022, the American public (the theoretical stakeholder and funder) has no say in public policy. This is not rhetorical hyperbole but rather documented statistical reality.

It doesnt matter how ineffective the government intervention is  whether the stated aim is to depose a foreign dictator or control domestic drug consumption.

In large part, the looting of the public treasury is the point. Excess, escalating funding as a reward for continued failure by the executors of the drug war is the feature, not the bug.

The inevitable result of the tobacco ban will be more of the same: your tax money will be squandered in a failed attempt to dissuade you from accessing desired goods by restricting your liberties  all in the service of ulterior motives.

What the ban is guaranteed to achieve is more self-perpetuating bureaucracy that serves no ones interests but its own.

Ben Bartee is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff via Armageddon Prose and/or Substack, Patreon, Gab, and Twitter.

Bitcoin public address: 14gU3aHBXkNq8bDqmibfnubV7kSJqfx5LX
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Goran Stolevski discovered movies, quite suddenly, when he was 12. Recently arrived from Macedonia with his family, he was living on the outskirts of Melbourne in housing commission accommodation; one small benefit was a weekly coupon to see a film at the local cinema for just $5. He went every week. Then he discovered that his local library lent out films  all kinds of films  for free. I started watching movies obsessively, he says. As in Fellini, Bergman, Kubrick, Jane Campion  everything. I was a strange child, in case that wasnt apparent. I often joke that growing up, my best friends were Katharine Hepburn and Ingmar Bergman. I didnt have any real-life friends in my teenage years. Being a migrant may have impacted on that a little bit, but I wouldnt blame that. I just wasnt very sociable. And I went to art as a place to find connection. A quarter of a century later, Stolevski is much more sociable  hes certainly a fun Zoom interview  and an established filmmaker now making his third feature in Macedonia, land of his forebears. His first feature, You Wont Be Alone, was a critical hit when it screened at Sundance in January. Also shot in Macedonia, it is a lyrical account of two shape-shifting witches set in a remote 19th-century village that is both a sun-drenched portrait of a forgotten way of life  all hay-making, milking and back-breaking toil  and a much grimmer story of outcasts and vengeance. One critic described it as being like a horror film shot by Terrence Malick. You Wont Be Alone will screen at this years Melbourne International Film Festival along with Stolevskis second film, Of an Age, which is set in Melbourne in the 90s. It revolves around a Serbian son of migrants whose dance partner goes missing on the day they are due to appear in a big competition. The film he is shooting now, Housekeeping for Beginners, is about a queer woman in modern Macedonia whose partner dies, leaving behind two children she is reluctantly obliged to raise. Goran Stolevskis second film, <i>Of an Age</i>, is opening this years Melbourne International Film Festival. Credit:Melbourne International Film Festival Taken together, these three films may suggest a director hellbent on exploring his roots. Stolevski says it just looks that way. These are the films Ive managed to get financed so far, he says. I do tend to write around places and people I know, thus the recurrence of Serbians and Macedonians in my work, but Im a lot more interested in connecting to people on a universal level than I am in my migrant background. You Wont Be Alone could have taken place anywhere in continental Europe last century. The new film could just as easily be set in Romania. Poland or any other openly homophobic country. But as a Macedonian I could get financing in Macedonia, so thats where its set!

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Why did his parents come to Australia? Stolevski laughs, not unkindly. Its funny, no one from Eastern Europe ever asks that question, he says. Why did your parents move to a functioning economy from a non-functioning one? Its basically that. His mother is a social worker, as she had been in Macedonia; his father initially worked in a factory and is now a driver for Aged Care. Stolevsky says he arrived speaking fluent English, albeit a version gleaned largely from American television. He still speaks with a hybrid accent that, as he says himself, sounds vaguely Canadian. On paper, he was part of a minority. But there werent many migrants where he lived in Eltham, which he says was then the most Anglo-Saxon area in Melbourne. Anyway, he didnt feel he had much in common with the established Macedonian community in Australia. They were usually people who had arrived in the 70s and their children, he says. He had grown up listening to Macedonian music, but they were still listening to the songs of a previous generation. That mentality and culture was very unconnected to the present-day Macedonia, or what that was then. I felt more disconnected from them than I did from Australian kids. He was also  as he says with a happy chuckle  the only gay in the village. He came out at 17, when he was still at school. No calamities ensued. Having parents who actually believe in unconditional love  even though that is not a phrase that exists in Macedonian, which I find hilarious. I was the only openly gay kid at school. I think at that point it was so new and fun to people, it was like oooh what, theres a gay guy here? It was more like an interesting event. And after a couple of weeks, I was old news. Noomi Rapace as Bosilka in Stolevskis debut feature <i>You Wont Be Alone</i>. Credit:Causeway Films Much later, others would point out that all his films were about outsiders. He supposes that his life must have leached into his work. As I said, I didnt connect to the Macedonian community. The queerness compounded that. And then I remember going to gay bars  and I didnt think of it consciously, but it was mainly just rich Anglo-Saxon boys. He laughs. I think on the inside I am very much a rich Anglo-Saxon boy trapped in this body and face, so I didnt feel out of place but, at the same time, I was once again a minority within a minority. So I think Im drawn to characters who are kind of living within a community and passing, but feel quite different on the inside. His sense of difference, however, came from somewhere else. I hate talking about these things where theyre treated as a spectacle, or even about queerness and ethnicity as concepts. Because, to me, they are tiny facets. He considers this for a moment. No, not tiny. Being queer matters  and it doesnt matter. The things that connect you with people on a primal level: I think theres an essence that goes beyond those demographics. All these things, like gender, ethnicity, sexuality: I try to live life in a way that I can transcend those things, to acknowledge that thats how my life was shaped to begin with, but then not to feel limited by these categories.

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As a teenager, what mattered most was the idea that there was another life he was missing. I spent those years thinking about what would my life be like afterwards? The whole time, especially when I was 17 or 18, my mind was fixed on what my life would be like when I could finally leave high school and do art. You dont have to be a queer Macedonian to feel like that, I say rather sharply. Exactly, thats what Im talking about! I have met gay Macedonians and I can assure you I dont feel any less lonely around them a lot of the time. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO GORAN STOLEVSKI Worst habit? Narcissism. Greatest fear? Other peoples narcissism. The line that stayed with you? There must be more than this provincial liiiiife! - Beauty and the Beast. Biggest regret? Waiting till my 30s to develop rich-girl confidence. Favourite room? Im an arthouse filmmaker, I live in a studio. The artwork/song you wish was yours? Anything by pre-war de Chirico or post-Partition Beyonce. If you could solve one thing If I could solve one thing, Id be stunned. What he felt he was missing, he says, was what he calls the cinematic life. The life he saw on screen  all kinds of lives  was different from the life of a schoolboy in Eltham in ways he clearly finds hard to pinpoint, even now. Watching Wong Kar-Wai (the Hong Kong filmmaker whose most famous film is In the Mood for Love), I felt like those were cinematic lives. Something transporting, where feelings were deep and sort of relevant to other people, not just one person. And visually beautiful. Where I was living was not visually beautiful, glamorous or transporting and I felt my feelings were only related to me. I think thats what it is. I dont know. Elias Anton in Of An Age. Credit:MIFF By drawing on his own life to make Of an Age  something that goes against the grain otherwise  he thinks he is trying to make his own life part of that connected world. Basically my challenge was to make something that resembled my life somehow cinematic and therefore valuable, I guess, in the way of thinking I had as a boy. In the process, the story, events and character have drifted away from the specifics of his own memories. Once I cast the film, I think I reshaped the character around the energy of the lead actor Elias Anton, because I found that more interesting. I know a lot of people want to see themselves on the screen, but Im not one of them. Loading

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The sombre tragedy of the last movement still allowed ample colour from mournful bassoons, chilling stopped notes on the horns and both warmth and urgent intensity from strings. This second sampling of the concert halls new virtues confirms the initial impression that this is a space where one can live gloriously and vividly in the orchestral sound.

-Peter McCallum

THEM

Riverside Theatres, Parramatta

July 28, until July 29

Also, Casula Powerhouse August 16-17

 Them and us. How easily we divide humanity into two groups. We demonise them for their religion, politics, sexuality, or even their clothes. Theyre simply not like us. The consequences are often bloody. Indeed, such division underpins almost every act of collective brutality and persecution.

Them is drama with a compassionate heart. Credit: No group has been demonised more in recent years than refugees, not least in Australia where cynical Government policy kept them anonymous. So much easier to be indifferent to their plight when we dont have faces or names. The strength of Samah Sabawis play is that she has created a flesh-and-blood refugee tale of lives caught in the crosshairs of war. A young couple and their infant son shelter under their bed as bombs rain down on their apartment in an unnamed Middle Eastern country. It could be Syria. It could be Iraq. It doesnt matter - this is not about who is right. Omar (Abdulrahman Hammoud) and Leila (Taj Aldeeb) tremble, cuddle and even joke as they keep despair at the door and decide whether to flee.

Leila desperately wants to leave while they still can. Omar, a head-in-the-clouds idealist, wants to stay. Everything will soon return to how it was, he assures. Meanwhile, he smokes hash with his mates, naive romantic Majid (Mehran Tajbakhsh) and macho resistance fighter Mohamed (Sahil Saluja). The trios camaraderie and humour lend a surprisingly light-hearted atmosphere to the piece. The arrival of Omars match-maker sister is the plays pivot. Selma, the hard-bitten survivor is initially redolent of Mother Courage. But her flawed character is the most complex and her grasp of their collective plight the most nuanced. Selma offers her relatives the chance to escape. But it will come at a high moral cost. Is it a price the couple is prepared to pay? What price survival? Claudia Greenstone as Selma delivers a strong performance in the plays meatiest role. Her speech as she unpacks her backstory is full of raw pain.

Loading Lara Weeks set of louvred windows and piles of rubble evokes the crumbling, dangerous world in which the safest place for an infant is under the kitchen sink. Bagryana Popov has delivered a solid production of the 2019 play that has since been shortlisted for the Victorian and NSW Premiers Literary Awards. As it kicks off a tour of the eastern states, timing that felt unsteady in places on opening night is likely to settle. This is a drama with a compassionate heart. It invites us to look beyond the dichotomy of them and us. Perhaps there is only us.

-Joyce Morgan

THE ONE



Ensemble Theatre, July 28

Until August 27 You know those real estate ads that say harbour views, and then it turns out you need to climb on someones shoulders and peer through a pair of binoculars to catch a flickering glimpse of the puddle in question? Vanessa Bates The One is a bit like that. Buried somewhere in there is a play, alright: a comedy that at its best is very funny and that at its most serious is rather poignant. But, as with those harbour views, too often the juicy stuff is obscured or buried altogether. The set has a carpet so authentic you can almost smell the spring rolls. Credit:Prudence Upton Plays about the migrant experience of living in Australia have rocketed from being rarities to being mainstream theatrical fodder  which is good: the range of such experiences is vast, after all. Nonetheless, well-intentioned, box-ticking issue plays are not an end in themselves, and therefore are not miraculously exempt from needing to tick the equally imperative boxes of compelling narrative structures, engaging characters and convincing acting.

The set-up of Bates new work is delicious. Much of it is located in Jims Oriental Restaurant and Milk Bar, an old-school regional Chinese eatery of the type we have all known (and variously loved or hated), and designer Nick Fry has had a ball creating Jims, including using a carpet so authentic you can almost smell the spring rolls. It was at Jims that the sister and brother team of Mel (Angie Diaz) and Eric (Shan-Ree Tan) triumphed in the 1995 edition of the Young Asian Australian Ballroom Dancing Regional Division. Twenty-seven years on, and the siblings have long ceased to be in lockstep as they vie for the lions share of the love from their scarily matriarchal mother, Helen (Gabrielle Chan), whos about to return to Australia from a holiday in her native Malaysia. Mels born-loser boyfriend, Cal (Damien Strouthos) has been cursed with looking after Helens adored poodle, Fifi, when hed prefer to be building Lego and marrying Mel  in that order. Eric, meanwhile, thinks its time he came out of the closet to his mother, and then theres Jess (Aileen Huynh) who could be the worst-tempered person in hospitality since Seinfelds Soup Nazi. Ample raw material for comedy is certainly contained there, and Tan excels in the early scenes, playing an Eric who is waspishly dry, and who, when Bates first flicks the switch, can lead us deep into his account of suffering abominable racism both as a child and as a man. Diazs Mel, alas, is too florid to be the perfect foil. Almost every line is gilded with twirls, gestures and excessively meaningful expressions. At some point director Darren Yap should have told her to rein it in. Strouthos can be amusing as Cal, whom Mel met on a reality TV show, and who, while being an entirely benign force, is not exactly prime marriage material. (Even the unseen Fifi might be a better option.) Chan briefly seems to centre the play at the start of Act Two, but it doesnt last.
The Aboriginal Voice to parliament and wider Indigenous recognition will be in focus at this years annual Garma Festival in the Northern Territory.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to attend Australias largest Indigenous gathering, which starts on Friday in north-east Arnhem Land.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at Parliament House in 2020. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Ahead of the first sitting of federal parliament Albanese this week urged his colleagues to support a referendum that would enshrine an Indigenous Voice in the constitution.

He also restated his governments commitment to honouring the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Peter Aitken warned Queenslanders to take precautionary measures, including wearing a mask and staying home if unwell to avoid the expected COVID-19 peak of 1660 patients in hospital.

The state recorded 7364 new cases overnight, adding to the total of active cases of 61,968 active cases.

Twenty-seven people have died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. This week also saw the tragic death of 23-month-old Ruby Grace Edwards, who was added to the total.

Acting Chief Health Officer Peter Aitken giving a COVID-19 update.

There are 990 patients with COVID-19 or influenza cases in public and private hospitals. Of those, 955 patients are COVID-19-related with 32 in intensive care.
It was supposed to have already been rolled out across the state. Instead, a new public transport ticketing system that would lift Brisbane into line with Sydney and other global cities has progressed only to its second south-east Queensland trial.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey announced the $371 million smart ticketing system in June 2018 as part of that years state budget, declaring it would be delivered in four years.

A smart ticketing reader, which allows people to tap on and off public transport using debit cards, credit cards and smart devices, as part of the Gold Coast tram trial. Credit:Cameron Atfield

If this had been successful, millions of commuters in SEQ and 18 regional areas would now have the option of tapping on and off trains, buses and trams with their bank cards or smart devices instead of using the outdated Go Card.

Currently, the most obvious sign of the rollout on the train network is a trial between Brisbanes Central Station and Ferny Grove. It began early last month.
Sexual assault rose 13 per cent across the country last year compared with 2020, with Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealing on Thursday that 85 people a day were sexually assaulted in 2021.

About 87 per cent of sexual assaults were not reported to police, the bureaus Will Milne said, meaning the true number was significantly higher than the 31,118 reported to police in 2021.

Sexual assault rose 13 per cent across the country last year. Credit:Andrew Quilty

A similar increase in NSW last year was ascribed by Attorney-General Mark Speakman in part to news coverage of then-Australian of the year Grace Tames advocacy for victims of sexual assault and former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins allegation she was sexually assaulted inside Parliament House.

While this spike comes off the back of intense media coverage and long overdue public discussion of sexual violence in our communities, it also demonstrates what we already knew, that these crimes are significantly under-reported each day, Speakman said in April last year about an increase in reports in March 2021.
A Chinese community leader accused of planning foreign interference has been committed to stand trial in Victorias County Court.

Prosecutors allege Di Sanh Duong, 67, made a $37,000 donation to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2020 as a way to interfere with former federal minister Alan Tudge on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.

Di Sanh Duong (right) outside Melbourne Magistrates Court in May. Credit:David Estcourt

His defence argued the donation was merely a way for the Chinese Australian community to show they cared during the COVID-19 pandemic in light of anti-Chinese sentiment.

But magistrate Susan Wakeling on Thursday found there was sufficient evidence for the case to go to trial.
For most of the last term of the Andrews government, Labor has looked home and hosed.

While pollsters and political analysts agree that a returned Labor government remains, for now, the most likely outcome, there is a growing prospect of a minority government.

Daniel Andrews and his wife Catherine line up to cast their votes at the 2018 state election. Credit:Paul Jeffers

Findings from a Resolve Political Monitor in April, undertaken exclusively for The Age, showed Labors primary vote had fallen to 37 per cent, significantly lower than the 43 per cent primary vote it recorded at the November 2018 election, but still ahead of the Coalition.

While a uniform swing is unlikely, pollsters believe the drop in Labors primary vote would rob the government of three or four seats because many of those votes would go to the Greens and flow back to Labor through preferences.
A trip to the Melbourne Royal Show this year will be significantly cheaper for families after the state government announced on Thursday that children aged under 14 will get free entry.

While willing parents will still spend a small fortune on showbags and rides, Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that entry to the Show, which runs through the September school holidays, will be free for children to help ease cost-of-living pressures.

Madeline and Imanuel sample some showbags at the show in 2019. Credit:Justin McManus

We think thats really important, Andrews said after making the announcement on Twitter. Its been really challenging for young people. Its been challenging for families and ... there are significant cost-of-living pressures.
Boxes of hand sanitiser are stacked to the ceiling in the cavernous warehouse where Marianna Bilyk and about 150 volunteers prepare supplies to help the people of Ukraine fight a war that could last for years. Forklifts move along the corridors between rows of pallets that reach more than seven metres high with boxes of packaged food, syringes, medicines, bandages, masks, mattresses, clothing, sunscreen and hospital beds.

The warehouse, a concrete building with no name in the western region of Ukraine, also has a section for the sort of donations Bilyk did not want at first, but has come to value as a way to support families under incredible stress: boxes of brand-new toys for children who live near the line of contact with Russian artillery.

Marianna Bilyk in the Volunteer and Help Centre she runs in western Ukraine. Credit:David Crowe

Only after walking through the warehouse on a recent morning, however, does the time come to ask the central question about the aid that has flowed into the country since the Russian invasion began on February 24.

What does Ukraine need most?
Latest News Asset finance applications tumble But business loan demand up, says credit bureau

Reserve Bank announces two key appointments One becomes head of international department, the other of the financial stability department

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has supported thousands of Australians in buying their first homes, fresh data showed.

So far, more than $1 billion in funding has been tapped by customers under the federal governments First Home Loan Deposit Scheme and the Victorian Governments Homebuyer Fund to assist 3,023 customers into their first home.

Marnie Baker, CEO and managing director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, said the two initiatives remove the hurdles for aspiring homeowners and the banks expectations of participation with the two programs had been exceeded.

Were proud to have played a role in helping 3,023 customers in communities across Australia become homeowners who might otherwise have been unable to do so, Baker said. Bendigo and Adelaide Banks purpose is to feed into the prosperity of the communities we live and work in, not off them, and were incredibly proud to have helped thousands of Australians fulfil their dream.

This financial year, 40,000 more places will be up for grabs under the newly named Home Guarantee Scheme to support eligible home buyers in purchasing a new or existing home with a deposit as low as 5%. Applications are also open for Victorias Homebuyer Fund.

Richard Fennell, chief customer officer consumer banking, urged home buyer hopefuls to review the details of the programs available and find out if they are eligible to buy a home sooner.

If previous interest in these schemes is anything to go by, applications for this next round will be keenly sought, Fennell said. Eligible borrowers may also be able to access assistance in conjunction with other government programs such as the First Home Super Saver Scheme, state and territory First Home-Owner Grants and stamp duty concessions.

To find out more about Bendigo and Adelaide Banks offerings to first-home buyers and the range of other state schemes the bank participates in, visit the Bendigo Bank website.

For more information on the Australian Government Home Guarantee Scheme, visit: Support to buy a home - NHFIC.

For more information on the Victorian Homebuyer Scheme, visit: www.sro.vic.gov.au/homebuyer.
Latest News Asset finance applications tumble But business loan demand up, says credit bureau

Reserve Bank announces two key appointments One becomes head of international department, the other of the financial stability department

Commonwealth Bank has opened the doors of its latest technology hub designed to support more than 400 software developers, cloud engineers, and cyber specialists in the Melbourne CBD, as well as help create new opportunities for the states expanding digital economy workforce.

The hub, the second major tech centre opened by CBA in the last six months, is located in the heart of Melbournes CBD on Collins Street and includes partnerships with Monash University and RMIT University. The first one was based in Adelaides prestigious Lot Fourteen precinct.

Software engineering students from Monash University and RMIT who are interested in completing their integrated placements working at CBA will be provided with job placements in a range of engineering roles such as cloud, data, analytics, and software engineering.

Brendan Hopper, CBA chief information officer for technology, said the expansion of tech roles into Melbourne underscored the banks more than $1 billion a year tech investment in supporting the digitisation of the Australian economy.

Establishing a tech hub in Melbourne puts us in a great position to tap into Victorias digital technology industry, which is not only internationally recognised, but incredibly robust and competitive thanks to support from the government and the education sector, Hopper said.

Melbourne itself is not only the home to Australias top 20 tech companies, it also has a vibrant digital community and well-established network of tech specialists the bank can tap into.

The new hub is not just a place for our tech people to work, but a space where highly skilled and passionate engineers, analysts, and developers can thrive on a culture of problem-solving, networking, and collaboration, Hopper said. We also believe we have one of the best early-careers program in the technology industry and we are ambitious to grow it.

Doron Ben-Meir, deputy vice chancellor (enterprise and engagement) and senior vice president at Monash University, said the university was excited to partner with CBA.

Our partnership will see CBA's technology expertise embedded within our world-class curriculum, aligning strongly with our Impact 2030 strategy to provide rich experiences for our students and develop an enterprising and innovative mindset, Ben-Meir said. We look forward to co-creating impactful initiatives for technology professionals that accelerate their skills, capability, and knowledge development. Together, Monash University and CBA will adopt an industry-focused approach to address the technology talent challenges facing our country.

Lawrence Cavedon, associate dean data science at RMIT University, said the exciting new partnership with CBA would offer students real-world, skill-building experiences while also supporting digital transformation through the development of future-focussed technology experiences.

RMIT is committed to working together with industry to offer its students practical training and industry relevant curriculum, Cavedon said. Through dedicated software engineering placements available through this CBA program, we will ensure that CBA has a pipeline to employing future job-ready graduates at the University.

CBA has plans to open more tech hubs across Australia to tap into the technology skills in other states and territories. The bank also operates a major technology centre in South Eveleigh in Sydney.
Latest News Asset finance applications tumble But business loan demand up, says credit bureau

Reserve Bank announces two key appointments One becomes head of international department, the other of the financial stability department

Non-bank La Trobe Financial has joined Lendi Groups lending panel.

La Trobe Financial is the 28th lender to join the lending panel which Lendi Group says boasts one of the broadest product ranges in Australia by offering lending solutions to suit clients needs at every life stage. It is the also the second non-bank to join Lendi Groups panel, following Pepper Money in May.

Lendi Group said the addition of La Trobe Financial gave Australians greater choice and flexibility in their home financing journey.

Under this new partnership, La Trobe Financial loan options will be made available to its customer members through the Lendi Group platform from July 2022.

Lendi Group CEO of Distribution Brad Cramb (pictured above left) said the group was committed to helping Australians achieve their homeownership dreams seamlessly, which included providing customers with the most competitive deal for their personal circumstances.

Our lending panel offers more than 2,500 products to suit the individual needs and financial circumstances of homeowners, Cramb said.

With its personalised service that reaches customers who do not meet the requirements of many traditional banks, La Trobe Financial complements our extensive lending panel.

Read more: How Lendi Group enables brokers to face a key challenge

Lendi Group also recently added Australias biggest customer-owned bank, Great Southern Bank, as well as Pepper Money to its lending panel, to continue growing its loan offerings to its clients.

Cramb said having La Trobe Financial join its panel provided broader product choice and solutions for homeowners seeking an in-person or online broker experience.

This is a win for our network of more than 1,000 mortgage brokers in our Aussie, Lendi and Domain Home Loans brands, he said.

Founded in 1952 by Ray ONeill, La Trobe Financial was created with the belief that homeownership was the foundation of financial independence.

Since then, La Trobe Financial has helped more than 229,000 Australians through its diverse product options and has $14bn in assets under management including La Trobe Australian Credit Fund, which further increases its lending capacity.

Read more: How La Trobe Financial is helping female brokers

La Trobe Financial chief lending officer Cory Bannister (pictured above right) said the organisation was thrilled to be joining Lendi Groups lending panel.

This will assist us in delivering on our extensive range of lending products to a greater number of under-served Australians, Bannister said.

This partnership will also allow our technological and educational offerings to be utilised by Lendi Groups large broker network by ensuring the loan application process is simplified and made more transparent to brokers, in turn helping the customer.

On July 20, Great Southern Bank joined Lendi Groups panel in a move that increased the number of available product options to over 2,500.

Lendi Group said the partnership provided a greater choice of home loan options, particularly for first-home buyers.

With Great Southern Bank joining our lending panel, we are adding mortgage products and solutions that particularly address the needs of first home buyers, Cramb said.

Great Southern Bank understands the power of our network particularly considering over three quarters of their home loans are currently delivered via brokers.

For Pepper Money, the integration meant more borrower segments with unique circumstances would have a greater sense of certainty and confidence when looked at the home loan options available to them through the Lendi Group network.
are expected to be robust in July, driven by a large order book and production ramp-up, while commercial vehicle volumes may remain in an uptrend, a report said on Thursday.

However, volumes are likely to decline due to a high base and uneven spread of the monsoon, according to brokerage firm Emkay Global Financial Services, which has retained a positive view on the auto sector.

Emkay Global also expects an improvement in two-wheeler sales on the back of higher production and inventory build-up with dealers.

Passenger vehicle segment should witness a robust growth on a large order book and production ramp-up, with automakers such as Tata Motors, M&M and Maruti Suzuki expected to log 49 per cent, 28 per cent and 8 per cent volume growth, respectively, in July, the brokerage firm said.

For the two-wheeler segment, the brokerage estimates a 35 per cent improvement in domestic sales for Eicher Motor-Royal Enfield, 6 per cent each for TVS Motor and Hero MotoCorp.

Bajaj Auto is likely to see a 2 per cent improvement in the domestic two-wheeler volumes in the month, Emkay Global said.

In the previous month, the passenger vehicle domestic sales grew 19.06 per cent year-on-year at 275,788 units. Two-wheeler sales during this period surged 23.4 per cent to 13, 08,764 units over the same month last year, while three-wheeler sales rose 184 per cent year-on-year to 26,701 units, as per SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) June data.

Commercial vehicles should remain in an uptrend, with robust growth in passenger and cargo segments. E-way bill trends indicate better freight availability compared with last year, Emkay Global said.

The brokerage firm said it expects a positive 58 per cent year-on-year growth in domestic sales for Ashok Leyland, 55 per cent for Eicher Motor-Volve Eicher Commercial Vehicle, 42 per cent for Tata Motors, and 13 per cent for M&M in the domestic market.

volumes are likely to decline due to a high base and uneven spread of the monsoons, it said and added that it expects a 13 per cent decline in domestic volumes for M&M and 16 per cent for Escorts.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
HCL Tech, in its annual report released recently, said that it provided a remuneration of Rs 123 crore to its chief executive officer (CEO) C. Vijaykumar last year after getting a two-year long-term incentive (LTI) worth $12.5 million, according to the company's annual report. He received $4.13 million in salary. This makes Vijayakumar the highest-paid currently. Even though HCL CEO Vijayakumar did not get a hike in his salary for FY22, which concluded on March 31, the $12.5 million LTI helped him jump ahead of Wipro's Thierry Delaporte, whose annual package was Rs 79.8 crore ($10.51 million) in the FY22.

Responding to the report, Vijayakumar wrote to shareholders, "At HCL Technologies, we have taken pioneering steps in our talent strategy. We are proud of our global team of diligent, diverse and passionate people, all 209,000 plus of them across 52 countries. They are delivering an extraordinary experience to our clients under the leadership of a world-class management team rooted in our culture of 'Ideapreneurship'."

Vijayakumar joined the global technology company HCL Technologies in 1994 and became the CEO after over two decades in 2016. He had also served as a board member of the US-India Business Council. Besides, he has also been appointed as the chairman of the World Economic Forum's IT Governor's Community.

A look at the CEOs of major Indian IT Sector firms reveals that these giants pay CEOs millions as turnover climbs among software talent. Moreover, reports suggest that the gap between an employee's median pay and management is rising significantly.



Also read: India's start-up story is intact, innovation vibrant: HCL Tech CEO

WIPRO CEO Thierry Delaporte was appointed as the CEO and MD of the company in July 2020. The Frenchman received a compensation of Rs 79.8 crore in FY22, a hike from the earlier package of Rs 64.3 crore in FY21. His cheque comprised salary and allowances worth $1.7 million, commissions/variable pay worth $2.5 million, long-term compensation or deferred benefits worth over $2 million and other variables amounting to $4.1 million, as per the reports.

INFOSYS CEO Salil Parekh, also known as the "turnaround manager", took over as the CEO of the $10-billion IT firm in January 2018. Parekh has seen through successful acquisitions and strong business turnarounds in the past. The salary of Salil Parekh was Rs 71.02 crore between FY 21-22, making him the third-highest paid among Indian IT firms. Besides, Salil Parekh's term has been extended by the company till 2027, along with a hike in his package, which now stands at Rs 79.75 crore.

Tech Mahindra CEO CP Gurnani has been at the company's helm since 2012 and has spearheaded the aggregation of Mahindra Satyam with Tech Mahindra. The salary of C P Gurnani was last posted at Rs 63.4 crore after receiving a 189% hike in his compensation in FY22. C P Gurnani's earnings have been recorded at around Rs 165 crore on occasions more than one. Gurnani has earlier been the NASSCOM chairman in 2016.

TCS CEO Rajesh Gopinathan is one of the youngest CEO of Tata Group. Rajesh Gopinathan is said to receive INR 25.75 crore as his salary in FY22, which was 26.6% over the pay he received in the last fiscal. He has been serving as the Managing Director and CEO of Tata Consultancy Services since 2017 after N Chandrasekaran was elevated to Tata Sons chairman.

Expressing concerns about the ballooning purses of executives, Mohandas Pai, who served on Infosys' board in its early days, terms the "absurdly high" CEO salaries as the "Americanization" of the Indian software industry. "These are offshore . They are not American . They grew, not because of a mercenary attitude towards people, but because of a people-centric attitude," he said. Pai said billable employee (those who write software codes) pay has remained almost flat since 2009, while that of senior executives has gone up many times over.
IL&FS, the beleaguered infrastructure financing and construction company, has sold two power businesses for Rs 77.5 crore, it said in a statement on Thursday.

Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Service will use money from the sale of Urjankur Warana Power and Company (IEDCL) to reduce as per a resolution framework approved by the National Company Appellate Law Tribunal (NCLAT).

IL&FS, which was taken over by the government in October 2018, has addressed to the tune of Rs 55,000 crore as of March, 2022. That amount comprises Rs 21,000 crore from monetisation of assets, Rs 20,000 crore of Invit and cash balances, and Rs 14,000 crore of claims filed with courts. The company has said it will address of Rs 61,000 crore out of the Rs 1 trillion it owes to various financial institutions.

The company said on Thursday it sold a 33.33 per cent stake in Urjankur to Shree Tatyasaheb Kore Warana Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. Urjankur was jointly promoted by and Urjankur Nidhi Trust, wherein held 33.33 per cent and the rest was held by the trust.

sold 27.75 per cent of its stake in Urjankur Nidhi Trust, where Maharashtra Agency has a 50 per cent stake and Shree Datta Shetkari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd holds 22.25 per cent.

Following the sale of its stake in the power company and the trust, IEDCL completely exited both entities for a sum of Rs 62.5 crore.
Mylab Discovery Solutions, a company backed by of India (SII), on Thursday started a pathology tests centre in Pune as it considers providing services

The long-term plans include providing imaging solutions like X-ray, said Hasmukh Rawal, managing director of the Pune-based company, which is credited with developing Indias first indigenous Sars-CoV-2 RT-PCR and the first rapid-antigen home test kit.

We are now getting to wet pathology tests like blood tests etc and we have set up a centre which will have minimal human intervention and maximum automation. The idea is to have the entire gamut of tests under the Mylab umbrella, Rawal told 'Business Standard'.

Spread over 42,000 square feet, the pathology centre will have research capabilities for scientists and engineers. It will have more than 450 employees --70 per cent being research scientists. It is the only centre in India that will develop and commercialize pioneering innovations in diverse fields including molecular, serology, immunology, Automation, Robotics, AI based solutions, devices and biosensors, Mylab said.



Also Read: Serum Institute in talks with Danish firm to import monkeypox vaccine

The Centre will pave the way for the development of new generation diagnostics that will address clinical unmet needs and increase patient access to quality diagnostics in the world, said Cyrus Poonawalla, chairman and managing director of SII.

In February, Mylab said it is working on two or three technology platforms for Covid19 vaccines. production would start at its partner Shilpa Biologicals Dharwad site in March. Mylab plans to start by making and marketing a Covid19 . The company plans to make biologic drugs too, and is currently working on a few molecules.

Earlier this month, Mylab launched the countrys first combined RT-PCR test kit for monsoon diseases. The test can detect and differentiate between malaria, Chikungunya, dengue, Zika, Leptospirosis and Salmonellosis bacterial species, and Leishmaniasis parasites.
Ola Electric said it has signed an agreement under the Centres production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to manufacture advanced cells in India. SoftBank-backed Ola said it is the only Indian electric mobility company selected by the Government of India under its ambitious Rs 80,000-crore cell PLI scheme, receiving a maximum capacity of 20 gigawatt hour (GWh) for its bid in March.

Today, 90 per cent of global capacity for cell manufacturing is in China. To reverse this import dependency, locally manufactured cell technology is crucial, said Bhavish Aggarwal, chief executive officer and founder, Ola, adding, The advanced chemistry cell will be instrumental in making India self-reliant and localising the most critical aspects of the electric vehicle (EV) value chain.

Ola had recently unveiled Indias first indigenously developed lithium-ion cell  NMC 2170  and is investing heavily in developing core research and development (R&D) to create indigenous advanced cell technologies. To begin mass production of its cell from its upcoming 50-GWh Gigafactory, Ola has already brought in global suppliers from Germany, South Korea, Japan, and other hubs.

At Ola, our road map to develop cell technology and manufacturing is vigorously progressing, making us a stronger vertically integrated mobility company across products, mobility services, and technology (tech), said Aggarwal.

Ola Electric is investing about $500 million for setting up its battery innovation centre (BIC) in Bengaluru. It is expected to be operationalised in August and will focus on core cell tech development and battery innovation out of India for the world.

BIC will house advanced laboratories (labs) and high-tech equipment for battery innovation for developing futuristic and localised cell tech. The company is also recruiting top cell R&D talent across the globe, and will employ 500 engineers.

Aggarwal-led Ola said that BIC will be one of the worlds largest and most advanced cell R&D facility, with more than 165 unique and cutting-edge lab equipment to cover all aspects of cell-related R&D. The company didnt reveal the time period for the investment. But, according to sources, it is three to five years.

In India, Ola is now in direct competition with electric two-wheeler makers like Ather Energy, Hero Electric, Bajaj, TVS Motor Company, Bounce, and Boom Motors. The firm also has plans to launch electric cars, motorcycles, sport utility vehicles, and robotaxis.

EV sales in India are expected to cross 9 million units by 2027 and the industry is seen creating more than 10 million direct and 50 million indirect jobs by 2030, reveals an Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA)-EY-IndusLaw report.

The spike could be attributed to the need for personal mobility, increased awareness of the environment, and rise in the prices of petrol up Rs 43 per litre in three years. The second phase of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and EVs (FAME-II) incentives also helped increase the adoption of electric two-wheelers.

The EV industry attracted $6 billion in investment in 2021. This could grow to $20 billion by 2030. In a sign that the EV market is drawing the attention of private equity (PE)/venture capital (VC) investors in India, such investments are estimated to grow from $181 million to $1,718 million during the same period  an annual growth rate of 849 per cent.

This (PE/VC investment) has reached about $666 million in 2022 so far, said Rajat Tandon, president, IVCA.
PriceLabs, a pricing and revenue management-solutions provider for the short-term rental industry said it has raised $30 million minority growth investment from Summit Partners. This funding will support the companys commitment to building a leading revenue management-solutions and fuel global team growth.

Pricing can be the single-biggest growth lever when running any business, particularly in the hospitality space, where most businesses still use archaic methods and static pricing that can leave anywhere from 10 - 40 per cent of the revenue on the table, said Richie Khandelwal, President and Co-founder, PriceLabs. We purpose-built PriceLabs from the ground up to serve the needs of short-term rental operators, he added

PriceLabs was founded in 2014 to bring (AI) and analytical tools to owners and managers of homes and short-term rentals. The idea came to Richie Khandelwal while managing personal rental property and the inability to efficiently adjust prices based on fluctuations in demand. Teaming up with friends Anurag Verma and Sana Hassan, the group built a solution designed to address similar challenges.

These range from an individual host seasonally renting their apartment in to a multi-thousand-unit rental manager in Florida, said co-founder Sana Hassan. Our product democratizes powerful tools that, historically, have only been available to large hospitality businesses.

The firm provides users with data and tools to monitor and research local market conditions and adjust prices to suit the needs of the property and operations.

Currently, PriceLabs powers over 150,000 listings in more than 100 countries.

With the support and resources that Summit Partners offers, the firm would continue its mission of delivering innovation to the short-term rental market and accelerate global hiring, said Anurag Verma, co-founder.
Strong demand, healthy cash flows, and reduction in debt should help MacrotechDevelopers, Indias second largest company by market capitalisation, maintain sales and meet targets.



The companys June quarter (Q1FY23) bookings grew by 194 per cent to Rs 2,814 crore and it is on track to meet its FY23 target of Rs 11,500 crore. After launching 2.7 million square feet of projects in the June quarter, the company is expected to launch 8.5 million square feet (mnsqft) in the remainder of FY23 taking the cumulative launches to 11.2 mnsqft. This is higher than the 8.7 mnsqft it guided in the March quarter.



The company, which was formerly known as Lodha Group, added three new joint development agreement (JDA) projects in the June quarter in Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru. These projects have a saleable area 5.1 mnsqft and a value of Rs 6,200 crore. Given the Rs 40,000 crore size of the market, a fragmented market structure and an experienced leadership, we feel its entry in the Bangalore market is a step in the right direction, said Manish Agrawal, of JM Financial Institutional Securities.



Also Read: Macrotech Developers profit rises 68% to Rs 271 crore in June quarter





The company could monetise from its digital infrastructure platform. The $1 billion venture will develop warehouses and light industrial parks across India with the participation of private equity payers. About 110 acres of Palava land (Dombivli, Mumbai) has been used for this with an enterprise value of Rs 350 crore.

Ongoing deleveraging is positive for the company. Net

debt

levels for the India business is at Rs 8,900 crore now, compared to Rs 9,300 crore at the end of March quarter. Net collections exceeded overall expenses by about Rs 440 crore helping the company reduce

debt

. The company expects net

debt

at the end of FY23 to be at Rs 6,000 crore. The

reduction

this year is expected to be on the back of a higher operating surplus in the residential business and repatriation of UK investments. Given the

strong

cash-flows, the company has adopted a formal dividend policy which entails setting aside 15-20 per cent of net profit starting FY23 to be paid out as dividend.

On the demand front, a mortgage rate hike has not impacted the company.

Macrotech

is expected to stick to below-wage hike pricing growth strategy. Long-term confidence, according to Jefferies Research, has improved, as indicated by the Bengaluru market entry and initiation of a dividend policy. Jefferies maintains a buy with a target price of Rs 1,420.

Given that target prices are in the range of Rs 1,400-Rs 1,600, the upside is a healthy 23 per cent at the lower end of the range. Invest on dips.
Tata Digital founding chief technology officer (CTO) Sauvik Banerjjee has exited the company after four months of the launch of super app Tata Neu.

According to company officials, its been 10-days since he has moved out of his role and is at present in the UK. The company spokesperson also said that the team is well placed to address any issues.

Banerjjee, who is a UK citizen, has moved back to the country. In a message, he confirmed the and said: "I am a UK national and was planning to move back to a global role. I had decided a few months back and post the (Tata Neu) launch I decided to move on."

At the India Global Innovation Summit held in June in Bengaluru, Banerjjee had said that the app does about 10,000-15,000 transactions a day. Banerjjee had joined the core team of Tata Digital in 2019. He was earlier the CTO at Tata Cliq.

Banerjjee has quit at a time when Tata Neu has laid out aggressive plans to grow and is still working on enhancing the app's user experience.

According to the internal magazine of the group, The Review, Pratik Pal, Tata Digital CEO, said that the company aspires to have 100-150 million NeuPass members in the next 2-3 years.
Nearly 44 per cent of the 583 tabled in state Assemblies were passed within a day after they were introduced, reveals a report by PRS Legislative Research, titled The Annual Review of State Laws, 2021.

In fact, 10 states  Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Mizoram, West Bengal, Punjab, Delhi, and Puducherry  passed all their on the very day they were introduced.

Karnataka passed the highest number of at 47, and 70 per cent of them were passed after at least five days of deliberation. The Kerala Assembly, which passed 36 Bills, spent the most time on debates and deliberation, with 94 per cent of their Bills taking more than five days to pass. The Delhi and Puducherry Assemblies passed the least number of Bills  two and three, respectively.

Overall, however, only 40 bills, or less than 10 per cent of the total, were referred to committees for examination.

Sittings

Besides, state legislatures also met more infrequently in the year, sitting for an average of just 21 days in 2021. Of 29 legislatures, 17 state Assemblies met for less than 20 days, while five  Andhra Pradesh, Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Delhi  met for less than 10 days in the calendar year. The average was boosted by three states  Kerala, which met for 61 days, Odisha (43 days), and Karnataka (40 days).

While the low number of sittings could be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic and the massive spike in cases and casualties during the first half of 2021, state Assemblies werent meeting more frequently before the pandemic either. In 2018 and 2019, they met for an average of 27 and 26 days, respectively. In comparison, the Lok Sabha met for 205 days in 2021, while the Rajya Sabha met for 162 days.

Focus on education

Also noteworthy are the subjects that the legislatures chose to focus on. Education was the top priority with 21 per cent of all laws passed in 2021 related to this subject. One of the more prominent examples of education Bills  The Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill  came from Tamil Nadu. The Bill proposes to use Class 12 marks instead of NEET scores as a selection criterion for admissions to undergraduate medical courses in the state. It was passed by the state Assembly on the same day it was tabled by the MK Stalin government. In fact, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, which both passed 38 Bills each  second only to Karnatakas numbers  approved most of these within a day of introducing them.

After education, taxation and urban governance accounted for the largest share of state laws passed in 2021, at 12 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively. While several of the other sectors saw crucial legislations, including ones relating to online gaming, reservation of jobs for local candidates from the state, and the safety of women and children, none of these accounted for more than 5 per cent of Bills passed.

Why the hurry?

The PRS data begs the question: Why were state legislatures in such a hurry to pass Bills? Elections might have been a major cause. The outgoing Punjab Assembly tabled and passed no less than 16 Bills in its last sitting. In fact, four out of the five state Assemblies where elections were held in early 2022  Goa, Punjab, UP, and Uttarakhand  had all decided to hurry through their legislations before the upcoming polls. All or a majority of their Bills were passed within a day of introduction. Only the Manipur Assembly showed some inclination for deliberation, dedicating two to five days to most of the Bills it passed in 2021.

The other probable reason might be a backlog of parliamentary proceedings from 2020, which saw a stark drop in the average number of sitting days for state assemblies  only 17  due to the pandemic.

The quick passage of Bills in state Assemblies may also reflect on the state of the Opposition, and a lack of strong agenda-based scrutiny of the governments policy.

However, Sandeep Shastri, National Coordinator of Lokniti and Vice Chancellor of Jagran Lakecity University, attributes this to a more deep-seated political phenomenon. We need to understand that there is a change in the expectations of legislators, in India and across the world, he said. They are more interested in issues they can leverage in their constituencies and in their parties. The onus of deliberation on Bills and policies has moved away from the Assembly floors to special committees.

Committees that can examine the content of proposed Bills with the help of sectoral experts or the representatives of the Bills major stakeholders are common in parliamentary proceedings. State legislatures, however, have consistently maintained their distance from such bodies.

Commenting on the state of the committees, Shastri added: Parties are not serious about their representatives on these committees. With senior members busy focusing on electoral issues, often more inexperienced and newer members of the party are nominated to such committees.

Niranjana Menon, analyst at PRS and a co-author of the report, also pointed out that most State Assemblies dont have a committee system yet. Some State Assemblies refer specific Bills to Select Committees on an ad-hoc basis, as we've seen in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh in 2021, she said. However, these practices are not consistent across states and state Assemblies must institute subject committees to strengthen the lawmaking process.



If the Assemblies want to engage more thoroughly with their legislations, a more serious look at the role of committees is the necessary first step.
The Army on Thursday rescued four trapped youth in Jammu and Kashmir's district.

Defence spokesman, Lt Colonel Devender Anand said: "On the night of July 27-28, in a daring rescue operation, in coordination with SDRF and J&K Police rescued four precious lives at Jhulas, in .

" swiftly responded to a critical situation, in which 4 youth were trapped in River flash flood due to incessant rains in the region."

--IANS

sq/ksk/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Amid protests over Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi's appearance for her third round of questioning before the on Wednesday, Congress leader Yashomati Thakur warned of consequences if the party supremo is "harmed" and said that central agencies were being used for politics.

"The Constitution is shattered every day, central agencies being used for politics; To a large extent, even judiciary is going that way. If anybody harms Sonia Gandhi, we won't stay quiet, there will be a law and order situation," Congress MLA from Mahrahrashtra, Yashomati Thakur said.

The ED questioned for three hours on July 27, sources said.

Congress workers and leaders staged protests in various parts of the country alleging misuse of probe agencies by the government.

was questioned by ED on Tuesday as well.

Officials said that on Tuesday, Sonia Gandhi's response was sought to around 30 questions regarding her involvement with the Herald newspaper and Young Indian Pvt Ltd, the company under investigation.

During her questioning on Tuesday, the Lok Sabha MP from Rae Bareli was asked about the functioning and running of the newspaper, the role of its various office bearers, and her and Rahul Gandhi's involvement in the affairs of the Herald and Young Indian.

had been questioned by ED on July 21 also.

Last month, the ED also questioned Rahul Gandhi for five days in the Herald case.

The case to investigate alleged financial irregularities under the PMLA was registered about nine months ago after a trial court took cognizance of the Income Tax department probe carried out on the basis of a private criminal complaint filed by former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Subramanian Swamy in 2013.

The petitioner had approached the court alleging that the assets of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which published the National Herald newspaper, were fraudulently acquired and transferred to Young Indian Pvt Limited (YIL), in which Sonia Gandhi and her son owned 38 per cent shares each.

The YIL promoters include Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Swamy had alleged that the Gandhis cheated and misappropriated funds, with YIL paying only Rs 50 lakh to obtain the right to recover Rs 90.25 crore that AJL owed to Congress.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The delimitation commission has sought information regarding number of polling booths and population data from Delhi's Chief Electoral Office besides maps of assembly constituencies from GSDL ahead of its meeting to formulate a plan to redraw the wards in the city, officials said on Wednesday.

They said the meeting to chalk out a strategy on carrying out the delimitation exercise will be conducted on Thursday.

An official privy to the development said Geospatial Delhi Limited (GSDL) has been asked to provide digitised maps of assembly constituencies in the national capital for assessment of the area and population residing in each assembly segment.

Similarly, we have asked Chief Electoral Office, Delhi to provide the data regarding polling booths, voters, electoral roll, among others. We have also asked the Directorate of Census to give us population data so that we can determine the average population to be kept per ward in the delimitation exercise, an official said requesting anonymity.

He said the delimitation exercise will be conducted based on the 2011 census data and will be completed in four months.

He also said that the estimated population in each ward after the delimitation is likely to be between 65,000 and 67,000.

The Centre had earlier this month set up a three-member panel for a fresh delimitation of the municipal wards in Delhi that will pave way for the first civic polls since the reunification of the city's three corporations.

The panel has three members Vijay Dev, the Delhi State Election Commissioner who will be its chairman; Pankaj Kumar Singh, the joint secretary in the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; and Randhir Sahay, the additional commissioner of MCD.

The official said the Ministry of Home Affairs had on July 22 through an order informed the delimitation commission that the number of wards in Delhi would be 250 and the redrawing of wards should be done accordingly.

The three erstwhile municipal corporations comprised 272 wards 104 each in the North and South corporations, and 64 in the East.

Delhi has 70 Assembly segments.

Delimitation in Delhi was last conducted in 2016 and the number of wards was kept at 272 with each having an average population of 60,000 considering a variation of 10 to 15 per cent.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister on Thursday said that ethanol blending with petrol, which was 40 crore litres before 2014, has now gone up to 400 crore litres now.

The blending of ethanol with petrol has also increased the income of farmers, he said addressing a large gathering after inaugurating various projects of the Sabar Dairy near Himmatnagar town in Sabarkantha district of north Gujarat.

The Sabar Dairy is a part of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), which makes and markets a whole range of dairy and milk products under the Amul brand.

Modi said sustained efforts by his government, since it came to power in 2014, to increase the income of farmers during the last eight years are now showing results.

The government's decision to mix ethanol with petrol has helped farmers increase their income as ethanol is derived from farm produce like sugarcane and maize, he said.

"Today, the ratio of ethanol blending with petrol is over 10 per cent. Ethanol comes from sugarcane and maize. Before 2014, ethanol blending with petrol was less than 40 crore litres. Today, it has gone up to 400 crore litres," Modi said in his address.

Apart from farming, the promotion of allied business activities like cattle-rearing, horticulture, fisheries and honey production has also helped farmers in increasing their income, he said.

"The income of farmers has increased today because of the Centre's sustained efforts during the last eight years. This has benefited landless and marginal farmers the most," the PM said.

"Our strategy to focus on alternative sources of income is showing results. For the first time, the turnover of Khadi and Village Industries has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore mark," he said.

The Khadi and Village Industries sector has generated employment for 1.5 crore people in villages in the last eight years, he said.

As the Centre is also working on reducing the agricultural cost, it has not imposed any price hike on fertilisers despite the fact that global prices have gone up manifold in recent times.

"We import urea from other countries. Though the global prices have gone up manifold in recent times, we have not passed on that burden to farmers. The government pays Rs 3,500 for a 50 kg bag of urea. But, we sell it to farmers for just Rs 300," Modi said.

The subsidy burden of Rs 500 on the central government on a bag of DAP fertiliser has now gone up to Rs 2,500 due to the exponential price hike in the international markets, he said.

Modi also said his government decided to start a movement to ban single-use plastic as he had seen the ill-effects of plastic material when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.

"During cattle health fairs, doctors used to remove 15 kg to 20 kg of plastic waste from a cow's stomach. That is the reason why we have initiated this movement to ban plastic," he said.

On the occasion, Modi remembered the Pal-Chitariya massacre and tribal freedom fighter Motilal Tejawat, who had led a rebellion against the British rule.

In retaliation, the British had killed over 1,000 tribal insurgents in Sabarkantha district's Pal-Chitariya and Dadhvaav villages in 1922.

"For the first time, our country's daughter belonging to a Scheduled Tribe community has reached the top constitutional post. The people of the country made Droupadi Murmu India's president. This is a matter of great pride for all 130 crore citizens," Modi said.

"The dream of having an inclusive democracy, as seen by our great ancestors who had sacrificed their lives for the country, is now coming true," he added.

Before his address, Modi visited the newly inaugurated facilities of Sabar Dairy and also interacted with some progressive women cattle-rearers of the region.

He inaugurated a Rs 305 crore milk powder plant of the Sabarkantha District Co-operative Milk Producers' Union Ltd, also known as the Sabar Dairy, located near Himmatnagar town.

The plant has the capacity to produce 120 metric tonnes of milk powder per day.

He had also e-inaugurated the Sabar Dairy's Rs 125 crore milk processing plant and performed ground-breaking for a cheese plant, which would come up at a cost of Rs 600 crore.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Honey-trapped jawan, who was arrested for sharing confidential documents and videos of his regiment's war exercise with Pakistan agents here, was on Wednesday presented before a local court which sent him to two-day police remand, officials said on Thursday.

Considering the seriousness of the crime and the need for a thorough investigation, the court sent Shantimoy Rana, a resident of West Bengal, on two days police remand, said ADGP Intelligence Umesh Mishra. The accused was in contact with Pakistani women handlers for the last two years through WhatsApp and telegrams, he added.

The investigation conducted so far confirmed that the accused was receiving money in lieu of strategically sensitive and confidential information of the .

Mishra said that the receipt of money has been confirmed in the bank account records of the accused.

Further investigations are on.

--IANS

arc/shb/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India, the worlds biggest edible oil importer, will likely receive its first shipments of sunflower oil from starting in September after a five-month gap, according to Sunvin Group.

About 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes may arrive as is set to open some Black Sea corridors for agricultural exports, said Sandeep Bajoria, chief executive officer of the Mumbai-based broker and trader. The cargoes will likely be loaded at the seaports of Odesa and Chornomorsk, he added.

We have started getting offers for August shipments, but it will all depend on availability of vessels, Bajoria said.  has adequate supplies of oilseeds for crushing. Indias imports of sunflower oil from Ukraine have been at a standstill since April as Russias invasion of the country disrupted trade. Moscow and Kyiv reached a deal last week to revive agricultural exports from Ukraine, one of the worlds biggest wheat, corn and vegetable oil exporters.

A move by the Indian government to allow duty-free imports of 2 million tonnes of sunflower oil annually this fiscal year and next will bolster demand. India bought 1.89 million tons of crude sunflower oil in the year ended October, with Ukraine supplying almost 74 per cent, and Argentina and Russia each about 12 per cent.
In a guarded reaction to the UN-brokered grain agreement between and Ukraine, India on Thursday said it would be welcomed by all if the understanding helps in getting more food grains into the international market.

The grain agreement was signed last Friday following months of negotiations to primarily facilitate the export of around 20 million tonnes of wheat, maize and other grains from .

Following its invasion of Ukraine, blocked maritime access to the Ukrainian ports, which resulted in a total halt in the export of millions of tons of grains from that country triggering a global food crisis.

When asked about the pact at a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said it is something that will be welcomed by all including by India if it increases the availability of wheat in the global market.

has been a major producer of wheat globally.

In his comments, Bagchi also referred to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's recent remarks about the spillover effect of the Ukranine conflict, particularly in terms food and fertilisers.

"So the issue of food security, particularly of vulnerable countries and the availability of food grains, particularly wheat is an important element and if this (pact) helps get more food grains or wheat in the international market, then I think that's something (which) will be welcomed by all including by India," he said.

Bagchi noted that India has also been cognisant of the risks of shortage of food and its possible impact on vulnerable countries.

"Let's see what happens and what's the impact of this understanding," he said.

Separately, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said in Rajya Sabha that India has consistently called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to the violence since the beginning of the conflict in .

He was responding to a question on the issue.

"India has called upon both sides to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue, and also expressed its support for all diplomatic efforts to end the conflict," he said.

The minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the Presidents of Ukraine and on multiple occasions and reiterated India's position.

Muraleedharan said around 70 tonnes of aid in the form of medicines and consumables, tents, surgical gloves, protective goggles, tarpaulin, blankets, solar lamps and sleeping mats have been sent to the government of Ukraine by India.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As part of ongoing negotiations, and have agreed to do a pilot container cargo shipment from Tashkent to India, using a hybrid land-sea route via Irans . Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal met Uzbekistans Deputy Prime Minister and minister of investment & foreign trade, Jamshid Khodjaev to finalise the agreement.

Both & agreed that this new vista may unlock future possibilities of a Trans Caspian Multi Modal Transit Corridor between the Central Asia and regions, a ministry of ports, shipping, and waterways document said. The shipment will reach Indias Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai.

The shipment is expected to be executed in the next 15-20 days, an official in the know of the matter said.

This will not only open up new opportunities of trade but also strengthen the trade viability between the Central Asian and South Asian markets, Sonowal said after the meeting.

Ever since Russias invasion of Ukraine, talks of augmenting trade via the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) have gained momentum. The route, which hinges on Irans as a key pillar, is Indias bid for faster and smoother trade with Russia, Europe, Central Asian economies.

Uzbekistans deputy PM Khodjaev is on a visit to to meet commerce minister Piyush Goyal for a session of the Intergovernmental Commission, with a focus on agriculture, textiles, and leather, among others. Khodjaev also met the Union agriculture minister Narendra Tomar on Thursday.

The two countries aim to increase their bilateral trade by over two times to over $1 billion. However, connectivity has been an issue, which they hope to resolve via the Iranian port. In 2018, was acquired by India Ports Global Ltd through its subsidiary India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ).

The Chabahar Port, once connected through all-weather highways on the INSTC route, is Indias chance to increase trade in central Asia, which the Centre expects has an eight-fold potential against the current $678 million, according to reports.

Meanwhile, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar is also visiting the Uzbek capital before Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the country in September.

The two governments are also exploring trade opportunities in traditional medicine. The ministry of AYUSH will send a team of professionals to to support creating a roadmap to rejuvenate & develop their traditional medicinal practices.
The on Thursday received two of the 24 MH-60 'Romeo' multi-mission from the US, in a boost to its overall combat capabilities.

All 24 all-weather will be armed with Hellfire missiles and lethal rocket systems.

officials said the two choppers were delivered at Cochin airport on Thursday while another helicopter is scheduled to be delivered next month.

The first three MH 60 'Romeo' were delivered in the US in 2021 and are being used for training of the crew, they said.

"The delivery of all 24 MH 60R helicopters will be completed by 2025. The induction of state-of-the-art mission capable platforms will significantly boost the integral anti-submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy," said an official.

With Thursday's delivery, the total number of choppers handed over to the Indian Navy has gone up to five.

MH-60R helicopter manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation is an all-weather helicopter designed to support multiple missions with state-of-the-art avionics and sensors.

India is procuring the choppers as part of an around Rs 15,000-crore deal with the US government under the framework of foreign military sales.

The Navy said it will be able to deploy the helicopters in a range of roles including in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship strike, specialised maritime operations as well as search and rescue operations.

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Amid the tensions over brutal murder of a youth wing worker in Karnataka, the state Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has announced cancellation of all the events planned for celebrating the completion of his first year in office.

Bommai had taken over as Chief Minister in July 28, 2021, after B.S. Yeddyurappa had stepped down on July 26, 2021.

The celebrations planned for Thursday included functions at the Vidhana Soudha, and the Janotsava at Doddaballapura.

"I said I will address a press conference instead of celebrations," Bommai said on early Thursday morning at his residence.

Sources said this political development comes in the backdrop of the massive protests by workers over the murder of a party worker on Tuesday.

Yuva Morcha member Praveen Kumar Nettaru in Dakshina Kannada district of the state, was hacked to death for allegedly supporting slain tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Rajasthan recently.

This is the latest in a series of violent deaths of youth supporting the ruling BJP government in .

On Wednesday, several BJP youth wing members had submitted their resignations over the inability of the party to protect its own workers.

--IANS

pvn/khz/

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The Kerala government has announced emergency financial assistance to Travancore Cements Limited, a cash-strapped public sector undertaking (PSU) to tide over its ongoing crisis.

The decision was taken in a high level meeting, convened by Industries Minister P Rajeev, on Wednesday.

The meeting also decided to formulate a long-term action plan to cover the Kottayam-based company's various liabilities and losses.

The minister said the government would take effective steps to overcome the working capital crisis being faced by the firm. A ministerial level meeting would be convened under the Revenue Minister to settle the arrears of the company since 2010, he said.

A decision would be taken soon on the sale of the company's property at Kakkanad in Kochi to settle the liabilities.

To revamp the company's production, professionals would be inducted into its Director Board and the production of white cement, its major product, would be increased, the minister added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
will light up like never before to mark the country's 75th on August 15.

As part of an initiative by the district administration and traders, more than 75 markets in will be decked up with tricolour lights and 75,000 national flags during celebrations to mark the occasion.

District Magistrate Suryapal Gangwar said the administration wanted to involve people from all sections of the society in the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Independence.

"The Tricolour would be placed on all residential and business establishments. We want to deck up main markets including Hazratganj, Aminabad, Alambagh, Charbagh, Chowk and Bhootnath. We have spoken to the traders of 75 markets and they have promised to cooperate with us on the occasion," he said.

Members of the Vyapar Mandal will decorate markets, organise cultural programmes, sapling plantations and other events at the marketplace while the administration will ensure cleanliness and repair of broken roads and drains.

This was decided in a meeting of the divisional commissioner and the district magistrate with traders on Wednesday evening.

Lucknow Vyapar Mandal senior general secretary Amarnath Mishra said: "Traders will put up more than 75,000 flags and decorate markets with tricolour lights. Traders will also honour sanitation workers who help us in keeping the market clean. They will also distribute food and sweets at orphanages, old age homes and hospitals."

"In Hazratganj, traders have agreed to put up uniform signages. The market will be decorated with uniform lights," said Vinod Punjabi, a member of Hazratganj Traders' Association.

Sanjay Gupta, president, Adarsh Vyapar Mandal, said: "There are over two lakh traders and dependents in the city, and they all will cooperate with the district administration. We will install LED screens and ensure maximum participation of people in the programme."

--IANS

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Chief Minister on Thursday announced that his government will install prepaid smart meters, which will benefit 1.66 crore power consumers in the state.

The cabinet had on Wednesday approved a proposal to set up prepaid smart meters for consumers and strengthen the distribution system.

In his virtual address during the 'Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya - Power 2047' a programme organised by the State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) at Shahapur in Thane district, Shinde said, "Prepaid smart electricity meters will be installed in the state, which will benefit around 1.66 crore consumers."



These meters will installed on the power transformers, he said.

Prepaid system of metering minimises inefficiencies in collection, while the smart feature in the prepaid smart metering allows a near real-time identification of loss pockets, while also giving consumer the freedom to plan their electricity usage as per their own needs and resources.

Maharashtra has been at the forefront in the country as far as the energy sector is concerned, Shinde said, adding, "We are making efforts to implement an energy policy for the benefit of the industrial and agricultural sectors."



He added that during the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, important decisions were taken that were aimed at reducing the losses happening due to power leakage.

"In the coming period, the projects undertaken by the state government in partnership with the Centre will be implemented in a rapid manner," he said.

Union Minister Kapil Patil, MLA Niranjan Davkhare and senior officials of the state power companies in the state took part in the event.

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Maharashtra's district has reported 141 new cases of coronavirus, taking its infection tally to 7,33,777, a health official said on Thursday.

These new cases were recorded on Wednesday, he said, adding that the district currently has 829 active COVID-19 cases.

The COVID-19 death toll in remained unchanged at 11,927.

The recovery count has reached 7,20,879, the official said.

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was adjourned for almost an hour on Thursday as the Opposition stuck to its demand for a discussion on price rise and the treasury benches sought an apology from Congress leader over his "sexist insult" of the President.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu took exception to opposition MPs rushing into the well holding placards over the issue of price rise, saying the members doing so are being named and they have to go out.

He allowed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to make a submission on Chowdhury calling President Droupadi Murmu "rashtrapatni".

After Sitharaman sought an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi over Chowdhury's remarks, women MPs from the treasury benches also joined her in raising the issue.

Opposition MPs continued shouting slogans, forcing Naidu to adjourn the proceedings till 12 noon.

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The on Thursday agreed to hear a plea seeking direction to stop the construction of a metro car shed under the project of Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) in Aarey forest area on July 29.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant posted the matter for Friday after senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan mentioned it for urgent hearing saying that the authorities have started cutting again despite there being a stay order of the court.

He said, more in the forest could be cut over the weekend to make space for the construction.

"They will operate more JCBs over the weekend, hence, the urgency. Please list the matter tomorrow," said Shankarnaraynan.

In 2019, the asked the Maharashtra government to stop cutting in the Aarey forest area and directed it to maintain the status quo.

Filing the fresh application, the petitioner, NGO Vanashakti sought direction that two matters pending before the NGT, Pune and Bombay High Court be decided expeditiously.

It said that matter before the NGT was related to challenging the notification of December 5, 2016, of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), excluding a certain plot of land measuring 165 hectares from the Ecological Sensitive Zone. The Bombay High Court has seized the petition seeking a declaration that the entire land of the Aarey Milk Colony is forest land.

"Since the restoration of the forests of Aarey Milk Colony is not possible once the trees are cut and the flood plains of the Mithi river covered over with concrete, the more prudent approach would be to order the immediate final hearing cases pending before the Bombay High Court and the NGT, Pune, and, in the interim, order all construction work in the Aarey Milk Colony to temporarily stopped," it said.

The petitioner said, "It has set out photographs including satellite images and google maps showing the lush forest cover as it exists today and also the photographs showing the massive construction work that is going on at full speed and with hundreds of trees already cut".

The top court in its 2019 order had stayed cutting trees in the Aarey first area while hearing a suo moto PIL based on a letter written by a group of law students to the court against the felling of trees.

In October 2019, MMRCL started axing the trees after the Bombay High Court rejected a bunch of petitions filed by NGOs and activists against the tree felling. Resolved to save the trees, many protestors gathered at the site to raise their voice against the felling of trees. Later, more people joined the protestors near the Aarey colony area, where the Mumbai Police imposed Section 144, thereby banning unlawful assembly.

The protesters had been demanding the relocation of the bus depot, which is a part of the Metro III project.

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Former Agriculture Minister has made a strong pitch for use of genetically modified (GM) crops, saying ignoring advances in crop science could adversely affect the country's food security.

Delivering the Annasaheb Shinde Centenary Memorial lecture here on Wednesday, Pawar said even European nations, which were vehemently opposed to genetically engineered crops, have begun to change their views in the face of the food crisis presented by the Covid pandemic and the recent Ukraine-Russia war.

India lately became complacent and started neglecting the developments in science, particularly the new genetics and breeding, said Pawar, who served as the Union agriculture minister from 2004 to 2014.

Speaking at the event, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari called for changing cropping patterns to boost production of oilseeds and keeping in mind the demands of the global economy.

Pawar pointed out that India had not allowed cultivation of genetically modified mustard in spite of the known success of the first biotech crop GM cotton.

What happens now is well known. We are importing edible oil worth Rs 80,000 crore annually, including the one produced from GM soybean and mustard, Pawar said, making a strong pitch for use of science to increase food production.

We were self-sufficient and hence could afford drawing room suggestions on how food could be produced. Even the so-called elitists with little or no background of agriculture science offered advice on research and development, the NCP chief said.

The activism emerged to oppose everything, which is linked to genetic progress and even dictated the policy agenda of the government, Pawar said.

He also slammed the government for the flip-flop on the policy of agricultural exports at a time when the world was looking towards India to address issues of food security.

Pawar pointed out that Britain recently introduced the genetic technology (precision breeding) bill in their parliament to cut red tape and support development of innovative technologies to grow more nutritious and productive crops in the wake of climate change.

He said recently countries such as Australia, Canada, and Brazil that had earlier opposed genetically altered crops were embracing such technologies to address issues related to food security.

He credited Annasaheb Shinde, the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, for encouraging the use of technology for better crops in the 1960s which made India self-sufficient in food production.

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A aircraft heading to Kandla in Gujarat safely aborted take off on the Mumbai airport's runway on Thursday as the caution alert lit up, the airline said on Thursday.

A senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) called the incident as "routine", adding that the regulator has started a probe into it.

This is at least the ninth incident of technical malfunction on a aircraft in the last 40 days.

Just a day before, the regulator had ordered to operate not more than 50 per cent of its flights for eight weeks to ensure "safe and reliable transport service".

During these eight weeks, the budget carrier will be subjected to "enhanced surveillance" by the .

The airline, however, said there has been no flight cancellations because of the regulator's order as it is already operating limited services "due to the current lean travel season".

On Thursday's incident, SpiceJet said, "A SpiceJet Q400 aircraft scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Kandla rejected take off owing to illumination of a caution alert. Crew acted as per the SOP (standard operating procedure)." "There was no safety scare. The aircraft returned back to bay and all passengers and crew safely deboarded," it mentioned.

On July 5, a SpiceJet freighter aircraft, which was heading to Chongqing in China, returned to Kolkata as the pilots realised after the take-off that its weather radar was not working.

The same day, the airline's Delhi-Dubai flight was diverted to Karachi due to a malfunctioning fuel indicator and its Kandla-Mumbai flight did priority landing in Maharashtra's capital city after cracks developed on its windshield mid-air.

On July 2, a SpiceJet flight heading to Jabalpur returned to Delhi after the crew members observed smoke in the cabin at an altitude of around 5,000 feet.

Fuselage door warnings lit up on two separate SpiceJet planes while taking off on June 24 and June 25, forcing the aircraft to abandon their journeys and return.

On June 19, an engine on the carrier's Delhi-bound aircraft carrying 185 passengers caught fire soon after it took off from the Patna airport and the plane made an emergency landing minutes later. The engine malfunctioned because of a bird hit.

In another incident on June 19, a SpiceJet flight for Jabalpur had to return to Delhi due to cabin pressurisation issues.

The airline has been making losses for the last three years. It incurred a net loss of Rs 316 crore, Rs 934 crore and Rs 998 crore in 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively.

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The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the attack on the UN mission in Congo in which two peacekeepers from India and one person from Morocco were killed, urging the Congolese authorities to swiftly investigate the assault and bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a press statement, tabled by India and France, the powerful 15-nation Council expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to India and Morocco.

The council also expressed its condolences to the United Nations and the civilians who lost their lives, besides wishing a speedy recovery to peacekeepers and civilians injured in the July 26 attack in Butembo, North Kivu province.

"The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the recent attacks on the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in North Kivu, which resulted in the death of three peacekeepers from India and Morocco, as well as in injuries to peacekeepers, said the statement issued on Wednesday.

India's Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday confirmed the death of two of its personnel in the attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The two Border Security Force personnel killed in the attack have been identified as Head Constables Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi.

India, currently a non-permanent member of the Council and among the largest troop contributing country to the UN peacekeeping missions, played a very active role in bringing Council members together and ensuring that a strong-worded statement goes out that condemns the attack on peacekeepers, sources said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also strongly condemned the July 26 fatal attack and expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers, as well as to the governments and the people of India and Morocco.

At the MONUSCO Butembo base, violent attackers snatched weapons from Congolese police and fired upon the uniformed personnel. MONUSCO's Acting Head Khassim Diagne told reporters from Kinshasa that the past two days have been intensive and tragic for the mission.

The culmination of the violence and the tragedy resulted in the killing of three of our brave peacekeepers, two Indians of the Formed Police Unit and one Moroccan from the military contingent and another Egyptian colleague from the police also wounded, he said.

We once again express our deepest condolences to the families and the government of India and Morocco. And we will not leave any stone unturned to get to the bottom of it, to the investigation. This was clearly a hostile act against our troops. This may be a war crime, he said.

Diagne added that the mortal remains of the fallen peacekeepers have been transferred now to the northeastern city of Beni.

We're looking at arrangements for these remains to go back quickly to their families in India and Morocco, Diagne said.

In the press statement, the Security Council members condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against MONUSCO and underlined that deliberate attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

They called on the Congolese authorities to swiftly investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice, and keep the relevant troop-and police-contributing countries informed of the progress consistent with relevant Security Council resolutions.

They requested the Secretary-General for an update consistent with para 4(a) of Security Council resolution 2589 (2021) on measures undertaken to promote accountability for such acts.

The resolution 2589 was adopted in August last year under India's Presidency of the Council and it called upon the Member States hosting or having hosted United Nations peacekeeping operations to promote accountability for the killing of, and all acts of violence against United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping operations.

It also recognises the need to enhance support to help these countries address impunity.

As of November 2021, India was the second-highest military contributor to MONUSCO with 1888 troops and the fifth highest police contributor with 139 personnel. The mission has a total of over 17,700 personnel.

The members of the Security Council called for calm and dialogue in order to resolve the current tensions and to ensure the protection of civilians. They encouraged further efforts of the Congolese Government to restore law and order as well as to conduct investigations into the underlying causes of the current tensions and to ensure accountability, the statement said.

The Council members called on all parties to cooperate fully with MONUSCO and to remain committed to the full and objective implementation of the Mission's mandate and under the Status of Forces Agreement with MONUSCO.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Congo.

They reiterated their full support to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bintou Keita, and for the stabilising action of MONUSCO, in line with the basic principles of peacekeeping, including consent of the parties, and its mandate and expressed their deep appreciation to MONUSCO's troop- and police-contributing countries.

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A non-bank lender backed by Gautam Adani, Asias richest person, is planning to raise at least Rs 1,500 crore ($188 million) in an initial public offering in Mumbai that could take place as early as 2024.

Adani Capitals first-time share sale will offer about a 10% stake in the shadow bank and target a valuation of around $2 billion, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Gaurav Gupta said.

If you are listed then your ability to raise incremental capital is higher, Gupta said in an interview in Mumbai, where the lender to farmers and small and medium-sized businesses is based.

A small player in the countrys sector despite sharing a chairman with one of Indias biggest conglomerates, Adani Capital is looking to capture more of the market for loans from Rs 30,000 to Rs 3 lakh using technology.

We are not a fintech company, but a credit company which is leveraging technology to acquire or underwrite customers more effectively, said Gupta. The lender uses a direct-to-customer distribution model and 90% of the business is self-generated, he said.

Gupta joined up with Adani in 2016 after two decades in banking at firms including Nomura Holdings Inc. and Rothschild & Co., most recently serving as Macquarie Group Ltd.s head of India investment banking.

The Indian tycoons financial unit launched in 2017 and has started small, reporting net income of about Rs 16.3 crore in the year ended March 31, 2021, according to its 2020-2021 annual report. Thats still a jump from the previous year, when the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated the countrys shadow banking crisis.

The firm has 154 branches in eight states and about 60,000 borrowers, Gupta said. It currently looks after about Rs 3,000 crore of loans, he added, and pegged the gross non-performing assets at about 1%. My plan is to double the loan book every year, he said.
has opened a currency chest in Deedargunj, Patna. This is the banks first ever currency chest and will help in cash management for the branches and ATMs in the city.

This currency chest will help people, MSMEs and small traders with supply of currency notes to the bank branches and the ATMs as and when required, the bank said in a statement. As Patna sees a lot of cash transactions on a daily basis, the currency chest will also benefit the bank branches with storage, it added.

The bank plans to open more than 530 new bank branches across the country in this financial year. The new branches will be mainly distributed in North and West and South India.

C S Ghosh, MD & CEO, Bandhan Bank, said We are glad that we opened our first currency chest and I hope this will benefit all the customers directly or indirectly. The currency chest is one-step forward in enhancing customers convenience in the banking services that we offer.
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Four million medical workers will receive a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine amid increasing transmissions triggered by the virus' sub-variants in Indonesia, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said.

Sadikin told local media on Wednesday that administering of the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine started in August 2021 and now it is the time for a new immunity shot, Xinhua news agency reported.

"So they need a fourth dose to re-strengthen their immune system. We prioritise medical workers," he added.

The available vaccine stock is sufficient for the use for all medical workers, Sadikin said.

The Southeast Asian country has seen a resurgence in cases recently, triggered by the spread of the Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5.

Authorities also have detected some cases with the BA.2.75 sub-variant which the World Health Organisation has categorised as a Variant of Concern Lineage Under Monitoring.

--IANS

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Senator Joe Manchin and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer struck a deal on a tax, energy and climate bill, breaking a deadlock on the Democrats long-sought legislation to enact major parts of President Joe Bidens agenda. The plan would provide

$369 billion for energy and climate change, generate an estimated $739 billion in revenue, and reduce deficits by $300 billion over a decade. Here are the highlights of whats in the deal:

Corporate taxes

The bill imposes a 15% minimum corporate levy on firms that have traditionally paid little-to-no taxes thanks to credits and deductions

IRS enforcement

The Internal Revenue Service would get $80 billion to add auditors, modernise tech

Carried interest

The plan would end the carried-interest tax break used by private equity and hedge fund managers to lower tax bills

Electric car credits

The bill has tax credits for lower- and middle-income buyers of used and new electric vehicles

Renewable energy credits

The plan has $60 billion of incentives to bring clean energy manufacturing into the US

Consumer energy perks

There would be tax credits for consumers who add renewable energy items to their homes, including efficient heat pumps, rooftop solar, and water heaters

Drug prices

The bill would direct the government to negotiate drug prices with makers, and cap what seniors on Medicare pay for drugs each year at $2,000

Obamacare premiums

The plan would also extend to 2025 an expansion in Affordable Care Act premium subsidies thats currently set to end at year-end

It remains unclear whether the deal will be backed by the full Democratic caucus in the 50-50 Senate.
Chinese banks are rushing to boost capital as they prepare for a potential spike in due to the and spreading housing crisis.

A record amount of fresh money has come from financial markets, with banks selling 29% more bonds in the first half of the year compared to last year to replenish capital and cover credit losses. Local authorities also provided funds from government bond sales to help cash-strapped regional lenders.

Chinas grew at the weakest pace in more than two years in the second quarter due to Covid lockdowns and a protracted housing market downturn, stoking worries about an increase in companies and individuals who cannot repay . Those fears deepened recently when hundreds of thousands of home owners said they would stop paying the mortgage on houses that arent built yet, raising the pressure on developers, who may face more difficulty selling projects and also have to repay banks .



Also Read | Chinese Gen Z are underemployed and lowering their ambitions: Report

We believe that asset quality is worsening due to Covid-related lockdowns, the property slump, the risks associated with small and micro loans, and the general in China, said Harry Hu, a senior director at S&P Global Ratings. The capital injections from the government will help those small regional banks with large bad loan burdens to clean up their books and support the local economies.

In the year through July 27, lenders had sold a combined 568 billion yuan ($84 billion) of Additional Tier 1 debt, which is among the first to absorb losses in times of stress, and Tier 2 bonds. Chinas big-four state-owned banks are the major sellers of the bonds this year, according to data on onshore sales compiled by Bloomberg, although local lenders including Bank of Hebei Co., Chengdu Rural Commercial Bank Co., and Bank of Shanghai Co. are also selling.

Such debt is the main tools for banks to add extra capital, analysts including Liao Zhiming of Merchants Securities Co. wrote in a report in May.

In addition to this, the central government will allow 320 billion yuan generated from the sale of special local bonds to be used to top up the capital of medium- and small-sized banks, the Financial News reported last week, citing an unnamed official with the Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission. The amount, including 120 billion yuan in unused funds from last year, is 60% higher than in 2020 when money from the sale of these bonds was first allowed to be used for that purpose.

Rising

increased by almost 107 billion yuan in the first half of the year to 2.95 trillion yuan, according to the CBIRC. Thats the biggest six-month increase since the height of the domestic pandemic in the first half of 2020, according to Bloomberg calculations based on the commissions data. Meanwhile, banks capital adequacy ratio fell for the second straight quarter to 14.87% at the end of June.

The pressure on non-performing loans to rebound increased as the downward pressure on the was gradually felt by the financial sector, Liu Zhongrui, an official with the CBIRCs statistics and risk monitoring department, said at a briefing last week.

The slower than expected economic recovery has led S&P to raise its estimate of banks non-performing assets, which includes bad loans and some special-mention loans, to 7.5% of total lending this year. Thats up from a May forecast of 6.5% and last years actual ratio of 6%.

The problem is especially acute at small and medium-sized lenders, which hold 29% of the banking sectors total assets, according to CBIRC data. They have long been plagued by lax governance, heavy reliance on big local firms for loans and deposits, and they are more exposed to the weak links in the than bigger lenders, such as agriculture-related industry and small businesses.

The governments efforts to push banks to lend more risk exacerbating the problem of asset quality. Corporate and household demand for loans is weak as Covid curbs remain a threat to business and household incomes, and if banks have to lower their lending requirements to attract borrowers then they could find themselves making new loans with little hope of repayment.

Financial regulators have urged banks to boost lending to builders to help finish the projects, and officials are considering giving some homeowners a grace period on payments, Bloomberg reported. That will likely worsen the earnings of banks which have already extended loan relief measures for Covid-hit smaller businesses and mortgage holders.

Regional Risks

The authorities are speeding up the use of special local government bonds to beef up smaller banks capital this year to consolidate the important line of defense against banking risks, the CBIRCs spokesman Qi Xiang said at the briefing last week. In the first half of this year, 103 billion yuan out of the special bond quota was allocated to Henan, Liaoning, Gansu and Dalian city, he said.

Liaoning had the highest number of high-risk financial institutions in a 2020 review of financial firms by the Peoples Bank of China, followed by Gansu, Inner Mongolia and Henan. When it published the 2021 assessment in March this year, the central bank said high-risk firms were concentrated in four provinces, but didnt name them. More than 90% of the 316 high-risk institutions were among rural and county banks.

There have been some high profile problems at banks in Henan and Liaoning recently, with protests in Henan from people who had their money stolen in the nations biggest bank scam and a rural bank being taken over by a different bank in Shenyang, Liaonings capital. Both provinces have also been hit by the mortgage boycott.

Corporate sentiment and ability to increase capital expenditure are both very weak and so economic momentum is yet to pick up, said Peiqian Liu, chief economist at NatWest Group Plc. As long as property woes and Covid linger, bad loans at banks will continue to rise.
Chinese authorities are promising to establish an initial rescue fund of $11.8 billion (80 billion yuan) to offset a looming crisis in the real estate sector, where home buyers routinely purchase residences from developers' plans and begin making payments before the dwellings are finished, media reports said.

By having customers purchase homes "off plan," builders can receive construction financing and shift risks - such as costly pandemic-related supply chain delays and bankrupt builders - to the middle-class homebuyers, the VOA reported.

For many buyers, the risks seemed worth it. But then China's Covid-cooled strained many family budgets, and draconian lockdowns stalled work on residential projects. As home prices fell, some buyers found themselves paying mortgages on properties worth less than what they had agreed to pay. That was followed by the tightening policies in August 2020, when the central government realized real estate developers' debt was getting out of control, and draconian lockdowns stalled work on residential projects.

Amid all this, many home buyers announced they would stop making payments to banks until work resumed on unfinished projects, VOA reported.

Experts say the boycott is a byproduct of two decades of insufficient oversight over a red-hot real estate sector. One economist likened the situation to a Ponzi scheme, a type of fraud that pays existing investors with funds collected from new investors.

An economist in China, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal said that real estate companies have never been regulated.

"When the is good, with the continuous expansion, most of the properties can be delivered. But when the is not good, it becomes a bit like a Ponzi scheme. If there is no follow-up funding, they will not able to complete construction," she said, VOA reported.

--IANS

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A court in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong has handed down a six-year jail term to an outspoken poet who called on ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader to step down, two years after his trial, a media outlet reported.

Zhang Guiqi, 49, who is widely known by his penname Lu Yang, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by the Liaocheng Intermediate People's Court, which found him guilty two years ago of 'incitement to subvert state power', RFA reported.

'They informed his family by phone that he has been sentenced,' Independent Chinese PEN's freelance coordinator Zhang Yu told RFA. 'He was convicted of incitement to subvert state power, sentenced to six years in prison and deprived of political rights for three years.'

Lu pleaded not guilty, and plans to appeal, Zhang said.

'(His family) wanted to see the judgment, but they wouldn't show it to them because they said it was a crime involving national security, and was a state secret,' Zhang said.

Lu's arrest came after he posted a video of himself calling on Xi to step down, and calling for 'an end to the CCP dictatorship'.

'At least three years of that sentence is linked to his mention of Xi Jinping, because if he'd called on anyone else to step down, it wouldn't have been aggravated, which would have meant a three-year sentence,' Zhang said.

'That's one year each for each character (in Xi Jinping's name).'

Zhang said the video had been seen by a fairly small number of people to start with.

'I'm guessing that he may have used his superior knowledge of the law to argue back, making them ... retaliate hard against him,' Zhang was quoted as saying by RFA.

Lu Yang was among a group of rights activists who went to the Shandong Jianzhu University in January 2017 to support a former professor there, Deng Xiangchao, who was targeted by Maoist protesters after he retweeted a post satirizing late supreme leader Mao Zedong.

The Shandong authorities terminated Deng's teaching contract after the incident, while Maoist flash mobs attacked Deng's supporters at the scene, including Yang.

Independent Chinese PEN issued a statement condemning the sentencing of Lu on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Lu's wife, who gave only a surname, Zhang, said she has been barred from giving interviews to foreign media, and has been threatened with the loss of her job by her current employer.

--IANS

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Chinese billionaire plans to give up control of financial technology company Co in an effort to move away from affiliate Holding Ltd, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

Ant and Alibaba did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Shares in U.S.-listed e-commerce giant Alibaba slipped 0.6% to $102.20 in premarket trade after briefly jumping higher.

While Ma only owns a 10% stake in Ant, he exercises control over the company through related entities, according to Ant's IPO prospectus. The Journal said he could cede control by transferring some of his voting power to Ant officials including Chief Executive Eric Jing, citing unnamed sources.

In April last year, Reuters reported that was exploring options for Ma to divest his stake in the financial technology giant and give up control.

Ma has been restructuring his sprawling e-commerce and fintech empire in the aftermath of a sweeping regulatory clampdown on the industry that began in late 2020 when Chinese regulators derailed Ant's planned $37 billion initial public offering, which would have been the world's largest.

Once outspoken, Ma has kept an extremely low public profile ever since, as regulators reined-in the country's technology giants after years of a laissez-faire approach that drove breakneck growth.

The Wall Street Journal report said that Ant had informed officials of Ma's intention as the firm prepares to become a financial holding company, regulated by China's central bank.

A change in control at Ant could slow plans to revive its long-sought IPO, the Journal reported, as China's domestic A-share market requires to wait three years after a change in control to list. The wait is two years on Shanghai's STAR market, and one year in Hong Kong.

Earlier this week, Alibaba's annual report revealed that Ant executives are no longer part of Alibaba Partnership, a body that can nominate the majority of the e-commerce giant's board, as the pair decouple after Beijing's crackdown.

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North Korean leader threatened to eliminate and said he was ready for any battle with the US in a speech to mark the 69th anniversary of the deal that ended fighting in the Korean War.

Kim, making his first appearance in public in nearly three weeks, delivered one of his strongest rhetorical attacks against since conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol took office in May and pledged to take a tough line toward Pyongyang. The North Korean leader said that US imperialists are pushing the South Korean authorities into a suicidal confrontation with his nation, the states official Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday.

The South Korean regime and its military thugs are devising tactics to confront us militarily, Kim said. Such a dangerous attempt will be immediately punished by our powerful force, and the Yun Suk Yeol regime and his army will be eliminated.

Kim has been stepping up his provocations this year while US attention has been diverted toward Russias invasion of Ukraine by firing off a record number of and showing signs it could conduct its first nuclear test since 2017. The fiery speech serves as a reminder to President Joe Biden of the pressing security problems posed by Pyongyang.

The speech marked the July 27 signing of the armistice agreement among US-led United Nations forces, and China that brought a cease-fire to the 1950-1953 Korean War. Even though it ended in a stalemate, celebrates the day as a Victory in the Fatherland.

The US push to isolate over its invasion of Ukraine, coupled with increasing animosity toward China, has allowed Kim to strengthen his nuclear deterrent without fear of facing more sanctions at the UN Security Council. Theres almost no chance or China, which have veto power at the council, would support any measures against North Korea, as they did in 2017 following a series of weapons tests that prompted former President Donald Trump to warn of fire and fury.

Kim often drops out of the public eye in the summer for stays at his coastal mansion and megayacht. But any prolonged absence raises questions about the health of the 38-year-old, whose longest time out of without a public appearance as leader was six weeks in 2014. His last appearance in state media came on July 9 when he appeared at a photo session with ruling party cadres.
French President hosts Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday, part of increased Western efforts to court the major oil-producing state amid the war in Ukraine and faltering talks to revive a nuclear deal with Iran.

French opposition figures and human rights groups have criticised Macron's decision to invite to dinner at the Elysee Palace a man Western leaders believe ordered the murder in 2018 of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The visit to Paris by the de facto Saudi ruler, widely known as MbS, comes two weeks after he held talks in with U.S. President Joe Biden. The West is keen to reset relations with the Gulf Arab oil giant as it seeks to counter the rising regional influence of Iran, Russia and China.

"The rehabilitation of the murderous prince will be justified in France as in the by arguments of realpolitik. But it's actually bargaining that predominates, let's face it," Amnesty Secretary General Agnes Callamard said on Twitter ahead of Prince Mohammed's visit.

France and other European countries are looking to diversify their sources of energy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has seen Moscow cut gas supplies to Europe. Macron wants Riyadh, the world's largest oil exporter, to raise production.

Government spokesperson Olivier Veran dismissed rights groups' concerns about Macron hosting MbS, telling reporters on Thursday the French president would not set aside his country's values in talks with the Saudi leader, but that they would be held "while working to get oil access for the whole world." Macron also views the kingdom as vital to helping forge a broader Middle East peace dialogue between Iran and U.S.-backed adversaries despite talks to revive Tehran's 2015 nuclear accord having stalled with no signs of a possible breakthrough.

France is one of Riyadh's main arms suppliers but has faced growing pressure to review its sales because of the humanitarian crisis, the world's worst, in Yemen where a Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Iran-aligned Houthi rebels since 2015.

Macron, who last December became the first Western leader to visit since the Khashoggi affair, has dismissed criticism of his efforts to engage MbS by saying the kingdom is too important to be ignored.

The killing of Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul sparked an furore. U.S. intelligence concluded that MbS had directly approved the murder of the Washington Post columnist. The crown prince denied any role in the killing.

French prosecutors are studying complaints filed against MbS over the Saudi role in the Yemen war. Rights groups Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI),and TRIAL said on Thursday they had filed a new complaint asking French authorities to open an investigation into MbS over the torture and killing of Khashoggi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Premier Li says Peljesac Bridge will further boost China-Croatia friendship

Xinhua) 09:32, July 28, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks while attending the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese-built Peljesac Bridge in Croatia via video link, July 26, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said the newly-opened Peljesac Bridge in Croatia will further boost the China-Croatia friendship.

Li made the remarks via video link when speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese-built project on Tuesday. The bridge, 2,440 meters in length and 22.5 meters in width, links Croatia's southern Adriatic coast and the rest of the country. It is by far the largest transport infrastructure project ever since the establishment of China-Croatia diplomatic ties, and is regarded as a model of tripartite cooperation among China, Croatia and the European Union (EU).

Recalling his visit to the construction site with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic three years ago, Li said it is a great achievement that the project had been completed and opened to traffic as per schedule, despite multiple challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and earthquake.

He added that the bridge, embodying the China-Croatia friendship, is expected to greatly facilitate local people's trips and logistics, boost economic and social development, and improve people's well-being in Croatia.

The premier stressed that the project, undertaken by a Chinese enterprise through open bidding and fair competition, had followed market rules and the regulations of the EU, and realized the alignment of investment, standards, equipment and materials between China and Europe.

He said the project serves as an example of China-Europe cooperation featuring complementarity and mutual benefits.

China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners. China is happy to see a united and prosperous Europe, and has always advocated cooperation and mutual learning on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment, which serve the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides, Li said.

China and the EU are important political forces in the world and major economies, and their cooperation will not only contribute to their own development but also to the development and progress of humanity, he added, urging the two sides to jointly uphold the rule-based multilateral trade regime with the World Trade Organization as its center and build an open world economy.

Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Croatia, Li said the opening of the bridge is a new milestone in the friendship between the two countries and the two peoples.

At the inauguration ceremony, Croatian leaders expressed their gratitude toward China for its significant contributions to the construction of the bridge, hailing the skills of Chinese workers and the high quality of the bridge.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
The Democratic Alliance (PDA) in its summit meeting on Thursday will deliberate the suggestion put up by Quaid of the PML-N for quitting the government at the earliest and make a movement for holding fresh polls in the country.

Sharif has worked out a strategic plan for giving up the government and it would also come up for discussion, The News reported.

Maulana Fazal ur Rehman will chair the meeting and Sharif will address it virtually.

Well-placed political sources told The News here Wednesday that judicial verdict in Punjab government has compelled Sharif to harden his position regarding dissolving National Assembly forthwith.

The sources pointed out that the PDM leadership will also discuss the conduct of the various institutions during the last four months.

The economic situation in the country will also come up for discussion.

The question of resignations submitted by the PTI MNAs on April 9 immediately before the tabling of no-trust motion against the PTI government which is pending with Speaker of NA Raja Pervez Ashraf.

The sources said that Sharif will be present in the meeting through video while Asif Ali Zardari will also be linked to the deliberations, The News reported.

Another proposal will also be taken up for consideration at the meeting for starting a mass contact campaign as part of new general elections in the country, the sources added.

--IANS

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The Syrian army is ready to confront any possible attack by Turkish forces on its soil, the Syrian military said, in response to recent shelling by Turkish forces on military sites in northern .

The "provocative" attacks by the Turkish forces on military sites and government-controlled areas in northern have been increasing, the military said on Wednesday in a statement, citing the attacks in the countryside of the northeastern province of Hasakah and the northern provinces of Aleppo and Raqqa.

Turkiye has intended to carry out new military operations on the Kurdish-controlled areas in northern to expand the buffer zone in the region, Xinhua news agency reported.

A recent trilateral summit of Russia, Iran and Turkiye, hosted in Iran, tried to defuse the tension but failed.

--IANS

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One of outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's key loyalists and supporter of Foreign Secretary Liz Truss as his successor on Thursday accused of leading a "ruthless coup" against his former boss.

UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has come under attack previously for attacking his choice of expensive suits and shoes, a jibe at trying to paint him as distanced from the cost-of-living crisis facing the British public at large.

"It's about judgment and it's about who voters can relate to and who voters think have walked in their shoes and can understand their lives, Dorries told the BBC, when confronted about the attacks.

"I am bitterly disappointed that was removed via a ruthless coup, as he was, led largely by Rishi Sunak, she said.

Sunak's personal wealth and that of wife Akshata Murty the daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, has been referenced repeatedly in a race in which the British Indian former minister has admitted he is the underdog. He addressed the issue head-on in a TV debate, when he spoke of his pride in what his parents-in-law had achieved with Infosys.

My father-in-law came from absolutely nothing, just had a dream and a couple of hundred pounds that my mother-in-law's savings provided him, and with that he went on to build one of the world's largest, most respected, most successful companies that by the way employs thousands of people here in the United Kingdom, he said earlier in the Tory leadership contest.

"It's an incredibly Conservative story, actually it's a story that I'm really proud of and as Prime Minister I want to ensure that we can create more stories like theirs here at home, he said.

Truss and Sunak are scheduled to address their first official Tory leadership hustings in the northern England city of Leeds on Thursday evening and set out their stall for the estimated 180,000 members who will be casting their ballots in the race soon.

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Operations have resumed in three Ukrainian Black Sea ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny in line with a grain exports deal signed between Kiev and Moscow last week in Istanbul, the Ukrainian Naval Forces said in a statement.

Currently, work is underway to prepare the ports for safe navigation, with military and civilian experts searching for underwater objects and installing special navigation equipment, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.

The ships navigating in the Ukrainian ports will form a caravan, which will be escorted by a lead ship for greater security, it said.

On July 22, Ukraine and Russia separately signed the deal with Turkiye and the UN in Istanbul to resume grain shipments from Ukrainian ports to markets via the Black Sea.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the deal will enable Ukraine to export 20 million tonnes of 2021's grain harvest and part of this year's harvest.

--IANS

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The has approved a bill to bolster the domestic manufacture of chips and counter China's share in the global chip production, a USD 280 billion legislation which President Joe Biden said will create jobs and lower prices on everything from cars to dishwashers.

The bill, known as the Chips and Science Act, passed in a 64-33 vote on Wednesday.

It will now head to the House, where lawmakers hope to pass it and send it to the White House for Biden's stamp of approval.

Biden said passage of the historic bill will lower costs and create jobs.

As Americans are worried about the state of the economy and the cost of living, the CHIPS bill is one answer: it will accelerate the manufacturing of semiconductors in America, lowering prices on everything from cars to dishwashers, Biden said.

He added that the move will also create good-paying jobs in the United States and will mean more resilient American supply chains, so we are never so reliant on foreign countries for the critical technologies that we need for American consumers and national security.

US Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), who had first introduced the legislation in 2020 and has been working to pass it since then, said US production, once accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the world's supply, has dropped to just 12 per cent, while China's production share is increasing.

He noted that 90 per cent of the chips used in American military technology are made overseas.

Most are made in South Korea and Taiwan, but an increasing number are produced in . This is a very real economic and national security vulnerability, Young said.

Asserting that it is "time to go on the offensive, Young said.

China's government is planning on "winning the AI race, winning future wars, and winning the future."



And the truth is, Beijing is well on its way to accomplishing these goals. America is at risk of falling behind economically and technologically to a world power that does not value liberty or even respect human life.

For too long, when it comes to Chinese aggression, America has relied on a strategy of deterrence taking steps like blocking Huawei from doing business in the US, tightening export controls and improving foreign investment rules.

These are important measures, but no longer enough. It's time to go on the offensive, Young said.

Young pointed out that another important aspect of the USD 280 billion bill is critical applied research funding as this legislation reforms and invests in the National Science Foundation to partner with the private sector and universities to develop critical emerging technologies that will transform the global landscape.

We know that national success and competitiveness in the 21st Century economy will be built on emerging technologies like quantum computing and AI.

Funding research crucial to keeping Americans safe is one of the federal government's responsibilities, and this legislation will help us not just catch up with but overtake in these critical areas, he said.

Young said the bill will unleash private sector innovation while significantly boosting federal national security investments.

It's been a long journey to get to this point, but history will show that by passing this bill, we are confronting the challenges of today and building a prosperous and secure tomorrow for all Americans.

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JetBlue has agreed to buy Spirit Airlines for $3.8 billion in a deal that would create the nation's fifth largest airline if approved by US regulators.

The agreement on Thursday comes a day after Spirit's attempt to merge with Frontier Airlines fell apart. Spirit had recommended its shareholders approve a lower offer from Frontier, saying that antitrust regulators are more likely to reject the bid from JetBlue.

JetBlue said on Thursday that it would pay $33.50 per share in cash for Spirit, including a prepayment of $2.50 per share in cash payable once Spirit stockholders approve the transaction. There's also a ticking fee of 10 cents per month starting in January 2023 through closing.

The combined airline would have a fleet of 458 aircraft. The airlines will continue to operate independently until after the transaction closes.

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By Victoria Waldersee

BERLIN (Reuters) -Volkswagen confirmed its outlook for the year on Thursday as supply chain bottlenecks in items from wire harnesses to chips eased, but warned the war in Ukraine and threats to European energy supply loomed over the second half.

The carmaker saw a 27.7% fall in operating profit before special items to 4.7 billion euros ($4.8 billion) in the second quarter, despite a 3.3% rise in revenues as negative effects from commodity hedging transactions weighed on results.

Across the first six months of the year, it saw 16.1% growth in operating profit to 13.2 billion euros.

"The group expects the product mix to normalise in the second half of the year as the semiconductor situation improves and the company benefits from a strong order backlog," Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Arno Antlitz said.

Antlitz is due to take on the role of chief operating officer at Volkswagen from Sept. 1, alongside his position as CFO, when a reshuffle at the helm announced last Friday takes effect. That also ousted chief executive Herbert Diess in favour of Oliver Blume, CEO of luxury brand Porsche.

Volkswagen said in April the war in Ukraine could call its full-year outlook into question but has stuck with it since then, expecting sales to rise 8%-13%, an operating profit margin of 7.0%-8.5% and an increase in deliveries of 5-10%.

Sales fell by around a fifth in the first half of the year, with hardest hit amid supply chain bottlenecks related in part to the war in Ukraine.

"Particularly in Europe, uncertainty exists around energy supply," the carmaker said.

($1 = 0.9802 euros)

(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee Editing by Rachel More and Mark Potter)

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Shares of surged 8 per cent to Rs 14,390 on the BSE in Thursdays intra-day trade ahead of board meeting today to consider a proposal for the sub-division of equity shares of the company and/or issue of fully-paid bonus equity shares. The board will also consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter ending 30 June 2022 (Q1FY23).

In the past three trading sessions, the stock has gained 14 per cent after the company on Tuesday, July 26, announced its plan for stock split/bonus issue. said that the board will meet on July 28, to consider sub-division of equity shares of the company of face value of Rs 5, and/or issue of fully-paid bonus equity shares to the members of the company.

In the last one month, the stock has outperformed the market by appreciating 26 per cent, as compared to a 6.4 per cent rise in the S&P BSE Sensex. However, over the last three months, the stock has underperformed the market by falling 5 per cent, as against 2 per cent decline in the benchmark index.

A stock split is a corporate action, where a company splits its shares into multiple new ones. Split shares neither add any new value, nor dilute the ownership stake of the shareholders. However, what they do is increase the number of shares of the company.

The main benefit of a stock split is that the shares of a company generally see increased liquidity. Since shares have now become more accessible to retail investors, more people would show increased demand for it, which can increase liquidity in the counter. Buying and selling shares will be far easier after a stock split.

is primarily engaged in the business of promoting financial services such as finance, insurance, broking, investments etc. including distribution using digital platforms through its investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures. Bajaj Finance is a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv.

For Q1FY23, Bajaj Finserv's consolidated revenue is expected to grow at 25.8 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 17,542 crore, led by pick up in lending business coupled with continued healthy traction in premium accretion in insurance businesses, according to ICICI Securities.

Healthy growth in AUM is expected to boost operational performance. Focus on individual business in life insurance & continued revival in health & credit protect business in general insurance may support premium accretion. Moderation in slippages (in lending business), claims (in insurance business) and base effect is expected to result in 61 per cent YoY growth in earnings at Rs 1,346 crore, the brokerage firm said.
Prime Minister will on Friday launch India's first bullion exchange, India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX), in in Gujarat. The exchange, which was announced in Budget 2020, will sell physical gold and silver. According to a report by the Indian Express, infrastructural arrangements to store these have already been made.

"For the first time in India, since the liberalisation of gold imports through nominated banks and agencies in the 1990s, the eligible qualified jewellers in India, as notified by International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), have been allowed to directly import gold through IIBX. This reform permits direct participation of qualified jewellers on IIBX for the purpose of importing gold," an official was quoted as saying in the report.

The exchange will be open for jewellers with a net worth of Rs 25 crore and above to participate. NRIs and institutes will also be eligible to participate in the exchange after registering with the International Financial Services Centre Association (IFSCA).

How will IIBX work?

Registered jewellers and traders will be able to sell and buy physical gold and silver in the exchange. For this, they will have to become a trading partner or a client of an existing trading member.

A branch or a subsidiary needs to be opened with for the same. The jewellers who do not have a physical presence in India will also be able to transact the metals, but they will not be allowed to connect with a client under them.

The exchange is expected to bring transparency to the price-setting mechanism and provide standardisation to the financialisation of the bullion in India. It shall also work as a standard-setting tool for the quality of the bullion.

What will be traded at the exchange initially?

In the early stage, gold 1 kg with 995 purity and gold 100 grams with 999 purity will be traded with a settlement period of T+0. Further, the exchange is expected to extend the settlement period to T+2 days.

Who will head the IIBX?

Ashok Gautam will head IIBX as MD and CEO. He took charge in February 2022 and worked with before this. He has earlier worked with the State Bank of India (SBI).

The exchange was to be inaugurated in October 2021 but was postponed due to the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January 2022.
After being deferred by over a fortnight, the National Stock Exchange International Financial Service Centre (IFSC) SGX Connect is set to be launched on Friday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

With this, the NSE and (SGX) are set to bring SGX Nifty trading at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). The inauguration, which was supposed to happen on July 15, was postponed due to flood situation in Gujarat.

The NSE IFSC-SGX Connect, which has been in the works for over four years, will route trading in Nifty derivatives contracts that take place in Singapore to India through the IFSC. Both the Nifty and the Bank Nifty contracts are very popular on the Singapore bourse and account for 16 per cent of the derivatives contracts traded at SGX. The move is part of steps taken by Indian bourses towards curbing the exports of domestic capital .

Along with NSE IFSC-SGX Connect, Modi is also set to inaugurate the headquarters of International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) at .

As part of his two-day visit to the state, Modi earlier inaugurated Sabar Dairy's Rs 125-crore Tetra pack skimmed milk plant and Rs 300-crore skimmed milk powder, apart from laying foundation stone for a Rs 600-crore cheese manufacturing plant at Himmatnagar on Thursday.

recently signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the University of Wollongong (UOW) for establishing a location for teaching, research and industry engagement. With this, UOW became the first Australian university with a teaching base in India. Initially, UOW will focus on finance, business and STEM undergraduate programs which it plans to commence in September 2023.

Earlier this year, the Government of India had issued a gazette notification wherein it allowed courses offered in financial management, fintech, science, technology, engineering and mathematics by foreign universities or foreign institutions in the IFSC at GIFT City to be treated as financial service.
Shares of hit over two-year low of Rs 34.60 and slipped 10 per cent on the BSE in Thursdays intra-day trade after Indian aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directed only 50 per cent flight operation for eight weeks.

The stock of airline company quoted its lowest level since March 2020. At 09:56 AM; it traded 7 per cent lower at Rs 35.75, as compared to 0.96 per cent rise in the S&P BSE Sensex. has corrected 60 per cent from its 52-week high level of Rs 87.25that it had touched on November 24, 2021.

The airline operates fleet of Boeing 737s, Q400s and freighters. is countrys largest regional player with 63 daily flights under UDAN or the Regional Connectivity Scheme. The majority of the airlines fleet offers SpiceMax, the most spacious economy class seating in India. The airline also operates a dedicated air cargo service under the brand name SpiceXpress, which offers cargo connectivity across India as well as international routes.

In the first week of July, had issued a show cause notice to SpiceJet for its failure to ensure safe, efficient and reliable services after eight incidents within a month. The airline was asked to explain in three weeks why no action should be taken against them. Before this, last year after a financial audit, found out about SpiceJet's inadequate pool of spare parts. CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT



Meanwhile, SpiceJet has not yet announced their financial results for the quarter and financial year ended March 31, 2022, due to the ransomware attack on their IT systems. On May 27, 2022, the company said that it is taking the corrective measures with assistance of cyber experts and authorities on the issue.

For the first nine months ended December 2021 (9MFY22), SpiceJet had reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 1,259 crore against loss of Rs 773 crore in 9MFY21.
Blue Dart Express' consolidated net profit rose jumped 280% to Rs 118.79 crore on 49.3% increase in revenue from operations to Rs 1,293.31 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22.

The logistics services provider's profit before tax (PBT) soared 282% year on year to Rs 158.96 crore in the quarter ended 30 June 2022.

Total expenses rose 37.28% to Rs 1,141.09 crore and employee benefits expenses were up 11.9% to Rs 215.92 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22.

The company said it delivered Healthy top-line growth together with its journey of automation and digitalization to improve speed, transparency and efficiency helped the company to improve its margin during the quarter. With improved cash flows due to better receivable management, the company continues to remain debt free.

The company said that it would continue to add more freighters by expanding its network into Tier II cities based on load factors. It will also expand its ground hub and network to handle expected growth in volumes.

The company added that the company has witnessed healthy volume growth during the quarter and carried 77.08 million shipments (last year 51.22 million shipments) comprising of 278,393 tonnes (last year 184,431 tonnes).

Blue Dart Express managing director Balfour Manuel said: While we continue to maintain a positive outlook we are also cautiously optimistic about what the future holds. We will continue our succinct focus on keeping a 'People First and Safety First' approach while providing a best in class service to our stakeholders.

Our fleet expansion will enhance our geographical reach and widen our capacity to service current and potential demand across industries. Moreover, our key growth levers for the upcoming year will revolve around leveraging the power of technology & digitalisation to provide sustainable logistic solutions with a deep focus on carbon sequestration, Manuel added.

Blue Dart Express is South Asia's premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company.

Shares of Blue Dart Express rose 0.24% to Rs 8,327.95 on the BSE.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
On Tuesday, a Bench of the Supreme Court that included the Chief Justice of India asked the Union government to evolve a view on freebies in election campaigns. This was as it heard a case from a petitioner who sought that the (ECI) prevent state and national political parties from promising such freebies especially given the fiscal implications of such promises. The court expressed concern that such promises might influence voting behaviour and thus lead to unfairness at the polls. The courts concern is understandable, and reflects a broader sentiment in that such politicking is wasteful and irrational. Yet the judiciary must be careful that it does not trespass here into grounds that are the domain of the legislature.

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Women MPs, including Union ministers, on Thursday held a protest in Parliament complex here against leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for his remark on President Droupadi Murmu.

Holding placards near gate number one of Parliament House, the MPs, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Agriculture Shobha Karandlaje, raised slogans seeking an apology from the Leader of the Party in the Lok Sabha.

In the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Smriti Irani accused Chowdhury of disrespecting Murmu by calling her 'Rashtrapatni'.

Irani claimed that Chowdhury has disrespected the entire tribal community, women, poor and the downtrodden by his remark.

members expressed similar sentiments in the Rajya Sabha and sought an apology from Chowdhury over his "sexist insult" of the President.

"It was a deliberate insult by the leader and the party president should apologise to the country, Sitharaman said outside Parliament House.

Referring to President Murmu as 'rashtrapatni' was a "slip of the tongue", Chowdhury said on Thursday and alleged that the was making a "mountain out of a molehill" over the issue.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Home Minister of Vipul Chaudhary courted controversy when he advocated for quality liquor in the dry state.

His remarks came against the backdrop of hooch tragedy that claimed 46 lives in Ahmedabad and Botad districts.

Vipul Chaudhary made the statement during the Arbuda Panel's Patan District Working committee meeting on Wednesday. Under Chaudhary's leadership, Arbuda Panel is going to contest elections of the Mehsana District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Ltd (Dudhsagar Dairy).

While advocating for quality liquor Chaudhary said, "No stringent law can enforce cent per cent prohibition, then what is the meaning of law, it is better that quality liquor is provided."

"If you want to consume alcohol, have a quality one just like the milk supplied by cooperative milk dairies. The state government should make quality liquor available through cooperative societies," he added.

OBC and BJP leader Alpesh Thakor, who paid a visit to the hooch tragedy victims' families to condole, also demanded strict implementation of prohibition. He too made a controversial statement when he said: "Those contesting elections whether panchayat, corporation, Assembly or Lok Sabha, should stop distributing alcohol during elections. If 182 MLAs decide, one will not find a single drop of illegal liquor in the market."

Instead of writing letters, elected representatives with support of local residents should carry out Janta Raid on such liquor dens. This too should be a regular exercise and not symbolic.

--IANS

haresh/shb/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chief Minister on Thursday called on veteran leaders Manohar Joshi and Leeladhar Dake here to inquire about their health.

Joshi, who is in his eighties, was the chief minister during the first Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state in 1995-99, while Dake was a minister in that dispensation.

A statement issued by Shinde's office said the chief minister visited Dake at his house in Chembur in the morning before meeting Joshi at the latter's office at Dadar in central Mumbai.

"Shinde inquired about their health and well-being, and took their blessings. Both the senior leaders were happy that an ordinary Shiv Sainik has become the chief minister, and guided him," the statement said.

Shinde had last month raised a banner of revolt against the Sena leadership. His rebellion, in which 40 out of the 55 Sena MLAs supported him, led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on June 29. The next day, Shinde took oath as the chief minister with Bharatiya Janata Party's senior leader Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
president on Thursday said the Supreme Court's ruling on the petitions filed by his and Eknath Shinde's factions will determine democracy's future in India.

Thackeray was speaking to Sena workers at his residence 'Matoshree' here after inducting environmental activist Sushma Andhare and Prashant Surve in the party.

Surve is the former husband of rebel Sena MP Bhawana Gawli. " is fighting a legal and constitutional battle. The Supreme Court's verdict will decide not only the party's future but also the future of democracy in the country," Thackeray said. Shiv Sena's Hindutva agenda was "nationalist," he said. "There are ups and downs in . I am glad that people of different ideologies are getting attached to . The need of the hour is to protect the Constitution," the former Maharashtra chief minister added. Hitting out at the rebel MLAs and MPs who support chief minister Shinde, Thackeray said the Sena helped "ordinary people become extraordinary," but these legislators left the party. "Now it is time to look for more ordinary people and help them realise their potential," he said.

"We are rebuilding our real Shiv Sena. I want to focus on leadership capabilities of rural women," Thackeray further said. Sushma Andhare will be a deputy leader of the party, he announced.

Prashant Surve, who worked in the airlines sector, will handle party activities in Washim district, said Sena MP Vinayak Raut.

Asked about Gawli, the Washim MP who is now with the Eknath Shinde camp, Surve said their relationship ended a decade ago. Following Shinde's rebellion and downfall of the Thackeray-led Maharashtra government, at least six petitions have been filed before the . They deal with issues like disqualification proceedings against the MLAs of both camps and the governor's directive to Thackeray to prove majority and subsequent invite to Shinde to form the new government.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party leaders on Wednesday staged a protest against increase in power tariff and property tax by the state government. The protest in Chennai's Royapuram was led by the former CM Edappadi Palaniswami who is commonly known as EPS.

More than 5,000 supporters participated in the protest including former Ministers D Jayakumar, Thangamani, Velu Mani and OS Maniyan.

"The DMK Government is not at all concerned about the lower and middle class people, there are anti people activity taking place in Tamil Nadu," leaders said.

During the protest Edapadi Palaniswami said, "For more than 15 years after the death of Great leader MGR, only J.Jayalalitha was the greatest Chief minister of . She didn't come up just like that to that big position. She suffered lots of pain to come up".

"The DMK said that the Edappadi Government would soon be overthrown but gave good governance for four and a half years. DMK tried to break the party, we have crushed all that with the support of volunteers. Now the people are suffering after DMK came to power. The party that divides the family is the DMK party," he added.

EPS further asked, "The DMK led government of the state promised to cancel the NEET exam but AIADMK government on the other hand helped poor students by providing 7.5% internal quota. Sasikala also joined hands with DMK secretly."

He further said Kallakurichi student committed suicide so many protests happened.

Earlier, on July 11, Edappadi Palaniswami slammed rival O Paneerselvam (OPS) and the MK Stalin-led DMK government. In his address to the General Council members after his appointment, EPS hit out at OPS and said that the latter keeps on saying that he had sacrificed a lot for the party.

The ruling party DMK and the state Chief Minister MK Stalin in his manifesto made promises and among them one was not to increase property tax in the state. Apart from this Stalin led government fought elections on many other promises including providing ration card holders Rs 4,000, slashing the cost of petrol, diesel and milk in the state.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Shiv Sena's faction has filed another petition in the challenging the decision of Lok Sabha Speaker to recognise Rahul Shewale of the Maharashtra Chief Minister led group as the floor leader.

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli is already scheduled to hear on August 1 a batch of petitions filed by the Thackeray faction in relation to several political developments in Maharashtra, before the Election Commission with regard to claim over the party and its symbol and in Parliament.

The fresh plea challenged the decision of the Lok Sabha Speaker to recognise Shewale as Shiv Sena's floor leader at the instance of the Shinde faction.

The Uddhav group terms the action of the speaker as illegal and arbitrary alleging that the leader and its chief whip in the Lok Sabha were removed unilaterally.

"The Speaker made the impugned changes to the positions of the leader and the chief whip without adhering to basic rules of natural justice or even calling for an explanation from the political party or the petitioners herein, despite categorical requests in this regard having been communicated to him," the plea submitted.

The plea said names of Vinayak Raut and Rajan Vichare as the Leader and the Chief Whip of the in the Lok Sabha respectively were reiterated and communicated to Birla, it said.

However, the Speaker approved the names proposed by the Shinde faction, it said.

"As such, the actions of the respondent No.1 being palpably and manifestly arbitrary and in outright violation of the scheme envisaged under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, is in the teeth of Article 14 thereof, it submitted.

Shinde, with 12 of the 19 Lok Sabha members from Shiv Sena by his side, had named Shewale as the leader of the party in the Lok Sabha and Bhawana Gawale as the chief whip.

Earlier, Vinayak Bhaurao Raut and Rajan Vichare were the leader of the party and chief whip of the Shiv Sena in the Lok Sabha.

On July 26, the top court had agreed to hear on August 1 another fresh plea by the Thackeray faction against Election Commission proceedings on a petition by the Shinde-led group for recognition as the real Shiv Sena.

Recently, the poll panel asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena led by Thackeray and Shinde to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol -- bow and arrow -- of the political outfit.

The poll panel sources had said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of rival factions.

The top court on July 20 had said the petitions filed by the Shiv Sena and its rebel MLAs during the recent Maharashtra political crisis raised constitutional issues including split, the merger of a political party, defection, and disqualification which may require consideration by a larger bench.

The bench, meanwhile, had extended the operation of its July 11 order by which it had asked Assembly Speaker not to proceed with a plea seeking disqualification of MLAs of Thackeray faction as sought by the Shinde group on grounds of defying the party whip during the trust vote and the election of the speaker.

The bench is seized of a batch of pleas about the recent political crisis in Maharashtra that led to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state.

The first one was filed by the Shinde faction during the summer vacation when some rebel Sena MLAs moved before it challenging the disqualification proceedings initiated by the deputy speaker.

The other seven have been filed by the Thackeray faction. The Shiv Sena split last month when more than two-thirds of the party's MLAs withdrew their support from the Maharashtra government led by Thackeray, throwing their lot with Shinde.

Shinde was sworn in as the Maharashtra chief minister on June 30 with support of the BJP.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Alleging misuse of central probe agencies by the Union government against leaders, chief on Thursday sought to know why the did not swing into action over "corruption" in the project.

"The (ED) has become a tool to harass leaders on directions of the central government. Will ED also probe corruption of the government? The project is marred by corruption. Why is the government not ordering a probe by the ED?" he told reporters here.

The expressway was inaugurated by Prime minister Narendra Modi on July 16 and four days later, potholes developed in it due to rains, inviting criticism from the .

Akhilesh also underlined his party's objection to the Centre's new military recruitment scheme Agnipath.

He said his party will continue to fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 parliamentary polls, and rid people of its "misrule".

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Madhya Pradesh, which has recorded the maximum number of tiger deaths in India since 2012, is yet to get a Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) as advised by the Centre 10 years ago.

India has lost 1,059 since 2012 with Madhya Pradesh, which is known as the 'tiger state' of the country, recording the highest number of deaths (270) according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

In the 2018 Tiger Census, the state had emerged as the 'tiger state' of India with 526 tigers, followed by Karnataka which had 524 .

Madhya Pradesh, which has six tiger reserves, has logged 27 tiger deaths this year so far. Last year, it lost 41 striped felines.

The NTCA had in 2009-10 advised important tiger states to recruit and train special police personnel for patrolling the forests to safeguard .

The STPF has since been made operational in the states of Karnataka (Bandipur), Maharashtra (Pench, Tadoba-Andhari, Navegaon-Nagzira, Melghat), Rajasthan (Ranthambhore), Odisha (Similipal) and Assam (Kaziranga), with 60 per cent central assistance under the ongoing centrally-sponsored scheme of Project Tiger.

According to a tripartite agreement signed between the Union Environment Ministry, NTCA and in 2012, the state had to raise, arm and deploy the force in its tiger reserves within two years of signing the pact.

The state has since formed a State Tiger Strike Force, smart patrolling and dog-squad for protection of tigers in the national parks but an STPF is yet to become a reality.

However, Chief Wildlife Warden J S Chauhan said the state has a robust tiger protection mechanism in place and the lack of an STPF doesn't make any difference.

"We have not left our tiger reserves unattended even if we do not have an STPF. I do not think we lack anything. The absence of an STPF has not affected our tiger protection efforts at all," he said.

"The decision to have an STPF has to be taken at the state government level," he said when asked about the factors impeding the formation of the force.

The state chief wildlife warden said had a large number of tigers and the number of tiger deaths was also proportional.

"Most of the deaths are due to natural causes -- infighting, diseases and old age. There has been no significant rise in unnatural deaths. Every tiger death is being reported as per the protocol laid down by the NTCA. We are not hiding anything," he said.

Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey said Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have got almost an equal number of tigers according to the 2018 census, yet the former has recorded just 150 deaths since 2012.

"I cannot explain why Karnataka has recorded fewer tiger deaths than Madhya Pradesh," Chauhan said.

According to the NTCA, Maharashtra has recorded 183 tiger deaths, followed by Karnataka (150), Uttarakhand (96), Assam (72), Tamil Nadu (66), Uttar Pradesh (56) and Kerala (55).

Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh saw 25, 17, 13, 11 and 11 tiger deaths, respectively.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hundreds of Iraqi protesters breached Baghdads parliament chanting anti-Iran curses in a demonstration against a nominee for prime minister by Iran-backed parties on Wednesday.

The majority of the protesters were followers of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The demonstrators, all of them men, were seen walking on tables of the parliament floor, leafing through folders, sitting in the chairs of lawmakers and waving Iraqi flags. The incident raised the stakes in the political struggle for nearly ten months after federal elections.

No lawmakers were present. Only security forces were inside the building and they appeared to allow the protesters in with relative ease.

The demonstrators were protesting the recent selection of Mohammed al-Sudani as the official nominee of the Coordination Framework bloc, a coalition led by Iran-backed Shiite parties and their allies. It was the largest since federal elections were held in October, and the second time al-Sadr has used his ability to mobilise masses to send a message to his political rivals this month.

Hours after his followers occupied parliament, al-Sadr issued a statement on Twitter telling them their message had been received, and to return safely to your homes," signalling there would be no further escalation to the sit-in. Shortly after, protesters began making their way out of the parliament building with security forces supervising.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A major political row broke out on Thursday over Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's 'rashtrapatni' remark with the BJP launching an all-out offensive against the opposition party, accusing Chowdhury of hurling a "deliberate sexist insult" at President Droupadi Murmu and demanding an apology from Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

In his defence, Chowdhury, who is the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, said he never intended to disrespect the President and his 'rashtrapatni' remark was a "slip of the tongue".

Accusing the BJP of making a "mountain out of a molehill" over the issue, he said he will apologise to President Murmu but not to "these pakhandis" (hypocrites).

The Congress leader said he has sought time from the President the day after tomorrow and will apologise to her if she has been offended by his inadvertent comments.

Taking on the Congress, both inside and outside Parliament, Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Smriti Irani said Chowdhury used the term knowing well that it demeans Murmu and her office and is against India's values. Both houses also witnessed frequent adjournments due to protests by BJP members on the issue.

"Chowdhury's comments were not a slip of tongue. It was a deliberate sexist insult against the President," Sitharaman said, making a brief statement in Rajya Sabha.

Demanding an apology from the Congress president, the finance minister said Sonia Gandhi appointed Chowdhury as the leader in Lok Sabha to speak and he had insulted the President.

The BJP also fielded six of its tribal leaders, including three Union ministers --Kiren Rijiju, Sarbananda Sonowal and Bharati Pawar, to attack the Congress over the issue.

Addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters here, the leaders said Sonia Gandhi should tender an apology to the country on behalf of her party as Chowdhury had insulted the tribal community as well as women.

Chowdhury's clarification was even "more objectionable" as he has tried to make light of the remark, Rijiju told reporters.

"What he said was not a mistake. He said it deliberately and with stress," Rijiju said, criticising the West Bengal leader for his allegation that the BJP was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Alleging that the Congress has been targeting Murmu "maliciously" ever since the BJP-led NDA named her its presidential candidate, Irani said she was called a "puppet" and a "symbol of evil" by its leaders.

"A tribal woman from a poor family who created history is being continuously demeaned by the Congress," she told reporters.

Later, a face-off between Gandhi and Irani in the Lok Sabha chamber added to the already raging row over Chowdhury's remark with the Congress accusing BJP MPs of subjecting the party chief to "brutal heckling, verbal assault and physical intimidation", and demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The incident took place after Gandhi walked across to the Treasury benches and sought to know from BJP member Rama Devi why she was dragged into the issue.

Irani stepped in and was seen gesturing towards Gandhi and apparently protesting Chowdhury's remark. Gandhi at first tried to ignore Irani's protestations, but was soon seen gesturing towards the minister and speaking angrily.

NCP member Supriya Sule and Trinamool member Aparupa Poddar were seen escorting the Congress president away from the Treasury benches as BJP members flocked around Rama Devi and Gandhi.

In a tweet, Moitra said, "Was in Lok Sabha when 75 year old lady senior leader encircled & heckled pack-wolf style when all she did was walk over & speak (masked) to another senior lady panel chairperson."



Earlier clarifying his remark, Chowdhury said,"yesterday, when we were holding a protest at Vijay Chowk, journalists asked where we wanted to go. I said 'rashtrapatni' only once by mistake. I urged the journalists not to show my video where I committed a mistake. The BJP is creating a row over it now. What should I do? I said it and realised I uttered the wrong word".

In a video message later, he said India's president, be it Brahmin or tribal, is respected by all.

Accusing the Congress of insulting the President of India by using derogatory words, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal alleged that the opposition party now wants to view the President's office through the prism of caste and religion.

"Today the entire country is seriously concerned that the President has been insulted and it will not tolerate this," he told the house amid uproar by the ruling party members.

Goyal said Chowdhury repeated this insult again today by saying that the president can be a Brahmin or Adivasi.

According to Chowdhury, the BJP does not have anything on the party and is finding "masala" against it.

"The issue is being blown out of proportion... I do not have the remotest intention of humiliating the highest chair of our country," Chowdhury said.

Women BJP MPs, including Union ministers -Sitharaman and Shobha Karandlaje- also held a protest and raised slogans in the Parliament complex against Chowdhury.

In a related development, the Commission for Women and 13 state women commissions issued a joint statement, saying Chowdhury's remark was "deeply insulting, sexist and constitute an attempt to humiliate the Hon'ble President".

The NCW issued notice to Chowdhury to appear before it in person on August 3 and tender a written explanation regarding his controversial comment.

The Commission also wrote to Gandhi to intervene and take appropriate action against Chowdhury for his derogatory remark.

The issue also echoed in the Odisha assembly as opposition BJP MLAs trooped into the Well and shouted slogans against the Congress.

Opposition chief whip Mohan Majhi of BJP said,"the Congress has not only insulted the president of India, but also Odisha's daughter. Sonia Gandhi must take action against Adhir Ranjan immediately."



BJD MLA Raj Kishore Das from Murmu's Mayurbhanj district also condemned the Congress leader's remark.

Protests were also held by the BJP members over the issue in some parts of the country, including Imphal.

BSP chief Mayawati termed Chowdhury's remark as "most shameful and condemnable", and demanded that his party apologise for his comment.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Google has announced to delay its ambitious plan to block third-party tracking cookies in Chrome browser to the second half of 2024.

Google originally announced its plan to phase out support for third-party tracking cookies in Chrome -- called Privacy Sandbox API testing initiative -- within two years in early 2020.

"By Q3 2023, we expect the Privacy Sandbox APIs to be launched and generally available in Chrome," Anthony Chavez, VP, Privacy Sandbox, said in a statement late on Wednesday.

As developers adopt these APIs, "we now intend to begin phasing out third-party cookies in Chrome in the second half of 2024", he added.

The Privacy Sandbox initiative is to collaborate with the ecosystem on developing privacy-preserving alternatives to third-party cookies and other forms of cross-site tracking.

Over the past several months, Google has released trial versions of a number of new Privacy Sandbox APIs in Chrome for developers to test.

Earlier this year, Google reached an agreement with the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on how its develops and releases the Privacy Sandbox in Chrome worldwide.

"The most consistent feedback we've received is the need for more time to evaluate and test the new Privacy Sandbox technologies before deprecating third-party cookies in Chrome," said the company.

For these reasons, "we are expanding the testing windows for the Privacy Sandbox APIs before we disable third-party cookies in Chrome".

Developers can already test these APIs now, and beginning in early August, the Privacy Sandbox trials will expand to millions of users globally.

Google will gradually increase the trial population throughout the rest of the year and into 2023.

--IANS

na/ksk/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
maps on Wednesday launched Street View in India in partnership with Tech Mahindra and Genesys International. It is the first time in the world that the service will be handled completely by local partners. The tech giant announced the collaboration at the launch of the feature, which has been 11 years in the waiting.

What is Street View?

Street View is a virtual representation of the streets and the surroundings on Maps, consisting millions of panoramic images, which create a real-world experience. The feature allows users to have a 360-degree view of streets, tourist spots, restaurants and landmarks while stationed at one place.

The 360-degree imagery is created by vehicles mounted with a 360-degree camera, which are driven to the street to collect photos. In other countries, Street Views content comes from two sources  and individual contributors. However, in India, these will be collected by the tech giants new local partners. Through our collective efforts, we enable people everywhere to virtually explore the world, says the official website of Street View.

Where will it be available?

The feature will initially cover over 150,000 km in ten cities in India  Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Nashik, Vadodara, Ahmednagar and Amritsar. The company plans to expand it to more than 50 cities by the end of 2022.

Why was the features launch delayed in India?

Google first introduced its Street View feature in 2007 in several cities in the USA. The company had launched Street View in India in 2011, but it was banned by the government. At least twice in the last decade, Indian authorities denied permission for the launch of the feature, citing security concerns.

It was reported that authorities were skeptical about the feature being helpful to terrorists, as 360-degree images could reveal locations of sensitive military installations. According to Google, the absence of a legal framework led to misinterpretations at the government level.

How is the feature being launched now?

In February 2021, the Department of Science and Technology introduced guidelines for collecting geospatial data. The new policy did away with the need for prior approvals for surveying, mapping and building applications involving geospatial data.

The guidelines included rules about the collection, use and licensing of the mapping data. It also provided a list of areas such as government properties, defence establishments and military campuses, where geospatial imagery is restricted due to security concerns.

Why does Google need local partners for collecting data?

In a bid to encourage domestic innovation and technologies, the geospatial guidelines, 2021, restricts foreign companies to a radius of 1-metre accuracy. The policy allows foreign companies to access the data finer than 1-metre threshold by using the application programming interfaces that do not bypass the domestic licensees. Thus, Google requires the collection and ownership of the data to remain with the local entities.

What is the role of local partners?

As a part of a licensing deal with Google, Genesys and Tech Mahindra will collect images and related data of Indian streets. They will avail of the infrastructure for imaging and mapping Indian streets. Tech Mahindra has collaborated with Mahindra and Mahindra for cars and e-rickshaws. The vehicles will be mounted with cameras and driven to the streets to collect data. The company aims to collect 700,000 km of data over the next couple of years.

Are there any alternatives to Google's Street View in India?

The Indian competitor of Google maps, MapmyIndia, launched its own 360-degree panoramic view offering called Mappls RealView, on the same day when Street View came to life in India. RealView will be available on the digital mapping firms consumer mapping portal, Mappls and Mappls App, on Android and iOS.

Bengaluru-based mapping company WoNoBo also offers a 360-degree view of the streets of at least 54 Indian cities and towns.
Chip-maker has reported a 37 per cent rise in its revenue in the June quarter despite challenging macro-economic environment, announcing the extension of its patent license agreement with for its Galaxy devices.

The company posted $10.93 billion in revenue for its third quarter (April-June period) and its handset business grew 59 per cent to $6.15 billion driven by the strength of its Snapdragon product portfolio, especially in the premium and high smartphone tiers.

"We are pleased to report strong quarterly results, with record QCT Automotive and IoT revenues in a challenging macroeconomic environment," said Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of .

"We are also excited to announce the extension of our patent license agreement with and the expansion of our strategic partnership to deliver leading premium consumer experiences for Galaxy devices," Amon added.

said it's still on pace for its handset business to grow slightly below 50 per cent this year.

Akash Palkhiwala, CFO of Qualcomm, said that they look forward to global 3G, 4G, 5G handset forecast.

"We now expect calendar 2022 global handsets to decrease by mid-single-digit percentage on a year-over-year basis, including 650 million to 700 million 5G handsets. Our guidance reflects the continuation of the trends that adversely impacted handset volumes exiting the June quarter," Palkhiwala added.

IoT revenues were up 31 per cent year-over-year to $1.8 billion.

"We delivered another record quarter in automotive with revenues of $350 million with year-over-year growth of 38 per cent driven by launches with our digital cockpit products," he noted.

During the quarter, the company returned $1.3 billion to stockholders, including $842 million, or $0.75 per share, of cash dividends paid and $500 million through repurchases of 4 million shares of common stock.

Qualcomm is also "well positioned to be the company bringing advanced connectivity, data processing and intelligence to the edge, enabling cloud-edge convergence," Amon noted.

--IANS

na/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indias first auction of 5G spectrum, which kicked off on Tuesday, has fetched the government much more than what official were expecting. Telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the participation from telcos as strong. About one-third of the total spectrum by value put up for auction was bought by top telcos on Day 1. We bring you an analysis on what this response to the auction means.

The World Bank has appointed Indermit Gill as the Chief Economist of the and Senior Vice-President for Development Economics. We delve into Gills rich contributions to development economics, his vast experience at the World Bank and what he could bring to the table in his new role.

A complete economist, Indermit Gills new position at the World Bank will give him the opportunity to nurture young Indian economists and public policy makers at the world stage. Back home, the are back in the limelight amid the spectrum auction by the government. But are they worth your hard-earned money?

While analysts point at higher than expected spectrum spends by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, the telecom industry will be expected to grow faster to justify its large investments. But it can be a tricky situation if a country falls into a middle-income trap.

A middle-income trap is an economic development situation in which a country attains a certain average income and gets stuck at that level, failing to graduate to a high income group. While some experts dont believe this theory, others swear by it. Let know more about this trap in this episode of the podcast.
In a recent interview with Business Standard, London School of Economics professor Nicholas Stern had rejected the fears of some experts that India might be caught in the middle income trap. Stern said that India was nowhere close to it.

A middle-income trap is a scenario where the countrys economy is unable to transition to the higher per-capita income levels. Low-income countries often tend to transition faster to middle-income levels, driven by low wages, cheap labour and basic technology catch-up. However, only a few countries manage to achieve high-income status.

There is no consensus around the theory of middle-income trap. It was and is still hotly debated among many economists and policymakers around the world as to whether such a trap really exists.

Historically, some evidence suggests that Latin American and Middle Eastern countries suffered middle-income traps for at least four or five decades. According to a World Bank report, out of 101 middle-income countries in 1960, only 13 countries achieved high-income status by 2008 based on per capita income level relative to the United States.

The most recent examples being Brazil and Mexico, which were touted to transition to developed economies, but failed to achieve the same success as Japan or some countries in the Eastern Europe.

If indeed a middle-income trap exists, economists argue that, after rising to a matured middle-market economy, policymakers need to be innovative, strengthen institutional capacities and look for renewed sources of growth rather than depending on the traditional growth engines to avoid such traps.

In India's case, a few years ago, top economist Rathin Roy had warned that growth is sluggish at lower-middle-income levels, with per capita income stuck between $1,000 and $3,800. He had warned that Indias growth was primarily driven by the demand generated by top tier 100 million people and the same is not sustainable going forward. But Nicholas Stern says sustainable infrastructure, energy transitions will invoke strong investment and drive Indias growth going forward.
Chinas assistance in establishing a regional vaccine center in Indonesia as well as cooperating on research will help ensure that people in the poorest countries can have the same access to life-saving inoculations for diseases including Covid-19 as those in rich nations, according to the head of the Southeast Asian nations leading chamber of commerce.

The center is an important part of Indonesias long-term goal and it will be for developing vaccines not just for Covid-19 but also tuberculosis and tropical diseases, said Arsjad Rasjid, chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in an exclusive interview with Caixin.
China-Indonesia relations have developed vigorously, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality, Xi said in a statement.

China-Indonesia /

China and Indonesia leaders vow to deepen relations

President Xi Jinping and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo vowed to extend bilateral trade and deepen cooperation in areas including health and food security Tuesday during the first state visit to China by a foreign leader since the Winter Olympics in February.

China-Indonesia relations have developed vigorously, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality, Xi said in a statement (link in Chinese) published Tuesday by the Chinese foreign ministry. He said he hopes ties between the two countries will achieve steady and long-term progress.

FINANCE & ECONOMY

Chen Shuang

Corruption /

Former Everbright executive under anti-graft probe

The former Communist Party chief of China Everbright Ltd. is under investigation by Chinas anti-corruption body for suspected serious disciplinary violations, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said Tuesday.

Chen Shuang, also a former executive president of the Hong Kong-traded subsidiary of financial giant China Everbright Group Ltd., left the company in 2019 to lead a fund that will target investments in the Greater Bay Area.

Covid-19 /

Shanghai neighborhoods returned to lockdown as Covid cases rebound

Four neighborhoods in Shanghais Baoshan district were put back into lockdown this week as the city battled a rebound in Covid-19 cases that hit delivery and logistics personnel in particular, according to local pandemic control officials.

People in the affected areas will be asked to remain within their residential communities for seven days in one of the largest-scale Covid-19 interventions since May.

China names new disease control chief

Analysis: How Azvudine became Chinas first approved homegrown Covid pill

Quick hits /

Hong Kong exchange gets a boost as companies upgrade trading status

Chinas borrowing cost slump shows limits of PBOC policy easing

BUSINESS & TECH

On Tuesday, short-seller Blue Orca Capital published a report alleging that at least 620 Miniso stores in China are secretly owned by company executives or individuals linked to Chairman Ye Guofu. Photo: VCG

Short-seller /

Weeks after Hong Kong offering, Miniso shares tank on short-seller attack

Shares of Chinese household and consumer goods retailer Miniso Group Holding Ltd. plunged after a short seller alleged it lied about its business model, siphoned investor cash to its chairman and is concealing poor financial performance.

On Tuesday, Texas-based Blue Orca Capital published a report alleging that at least 620 Miniso stores in China are secretly owned by company executives or individuals linked to Chairman Ye Guofu. Miniso claims that virtually all its roughly 3,000 stores in the country are run by franchisees.

Autos /

Analysis: Dutch carmaker Stellantis and state-owned Guangzhou Auto go their own ways

Sparks are flying between Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. (GAC) and Stellantis NV, an Amsterdam-based auto giant formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group, with the pair putting different spins on news that they plan to dissolve a struggling joint venture.

The decision to shut down the venture that produces Jeep vehicles for the Chinese market, named GAC Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Co. Ltd, came after the two companies clashed over the ownership structure.

Quick hits /

Heat wave drives southern Chinas power use to record high

Singapore wealth fund spots rental opportunity in China property

Long Read /

The Chinese economys uncertain path to recovery

GALLERY

China-built bridge opens in Croatia

Recommended newsletter for you /

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After debuting its technology and its merits for everyday driving , Nissan Philippines has now revealed everything you need to know about i...
So, attempting to discover whats so appealing about working with felt and why so many are doing so now, Cartoon Brew asked a handful of specialist animators for their opinions, good or bad, about the material.

Emma de Swaef (Oh Willy, The Magnificent Cake, The House)

We use a very cheap mix of wool and acrylic that I can only find in a specific shop in Manchester, in sheets. We press the sheets of wool into a shape like a hatmaker would, as opposed to needle felting it. I discovered it visiting Mackinnon and Saunders while developing Oh Willy back in 2010. Ive tried a few different types of felt from different sources but like the exact shade of pink and thickness of this one- though I would prefer it if it was more flexible. So, I stuck with it over the years, even making city trips to Manchester just to go to the otherwise unremarkable store that sells it. After every film we do feel like were really hitting the limit though and are considering using different types or textiles. Im particularly frustrated at how it limits mouth and eyebrow movement, and how it starts fraying around the edges of mouths when pushed too far.

We mainly like how it interacts with light. It allows for a stylisation of the human form, away from the uncanny valley. Because of the texture its always obvious that the technique is stop-motion, never looks like 3D. We try to work with the limitations it gives us on the character animation level in writing and decoupage. Im also just very comfortable with the material generally. Ive worked with wool from a very young age, we had sheep when I was young. I probably have my 10,000 hours with it now, a skill and familiarity that feels like a pity to let go of or deviate from.

Anna Mantzaris (But Milk is Important  co-directed with Eirik Grnmo Bjrnsen, Enough, Good Intentions)

At the moment Im using felt sheets made from both real and synthetic wool. I do the heads in balsa wood or supersculpy clay and then cover them in the felt sheets. It has changed. For Milk, we used a needle felting technique which we first tried in a needle felting workshop in Tallin. Also, my mom has always done needle felted characters for the kindergarten where she works. Needle felting gives a fluffier look which suited the creature in that film. Later I became inspired by others who used it on human characters as well, such as the creators of Oh Willy But for that I used felt sheets as its a bit more compact and better for making details. I like it because it gives a soft touch to the characters, and it allows me to keep a simple style without the characters feeling stiff or harsh. It sort of humanises them and softens them up, I think. Its also a quite easy and quick technique, compared to casting things in silicone and resin etc. The only downside is that its hard to clean when it gets dirty.

Eva Cvijanovic (Hedgehogs Home)

I used felted wool. Nothing super special. We used some local wool from a Croatian farmer and some nice merino wool for the colors. Wool is warm and fuzzy; it brings those warm fuzzy feelings we want for a film about home. The quote that always came up was that I wanted it to feel like a warm blanket. That and the fact that it has beautiful bright colors and a folk-y feel which went well with the story and with the style of the original illustrations. Also technically, wool is lightweight so a great material for animation. Doesnt weigh the armature down like plasticine for example.

Andrea Love (Tulip, co-directed with Phoebe Wahl, Cooking with Wool series)

I mostly use wool roving for 3-dimensional needle felting, but I incorporate fabric felt in various ways as well. I have a deep obsession with wool roving as it applies to stop motion. Its lightweight, malleable, has a directional grain, and interesting variations in color and texture. Its surprisingly good at holding a shape and can execute particle effects like fire, water, and smoke. It can achieve a high level of realism, but it also shines in abstract and surreal settings. I like that it gives people a tactile, visceral reaction- most people find it comforting and nostalgic, but theres another group of people who feel itchy and uncomfortable and cant stand it. Many people dont even know what they are looking at when they watch needle felted animation, so it takes on a bit of a magical feel. Im surprised needle felting isnt a more popular mainstream craft, but perhaps it is going in that direction as people learn more about it!

Robin Jensen (Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted Help! We have a blind patient)

The material I used was old stockings. The whole idea of using puppets instead of, let say classic cartoon, cut-out, or even 3D, was because I thought it would emphasize the problems of being blind. It just felt more real if the puppets actually existed. The consequences of their action would feel more painful in a way instead of, lets say, if a drawn character fell down the stairs. I dont know if thats true, but that was the idea. The reason for using old stockings was for several reasons, money being one of them. We needed to make the puppets fast and cheap, so this just seemed to be the easiest thing to do. The puppets didnt even have a professional armature. They are just made with strings, causing a bit of a pain for the animator (Margrethe Danielsen). But she was also the one who made the puppets, so it all worked out fine.

Spela Cadez (Orange is the New Black  Unraveled)

I used felt because it was easy, fast and cheap. We needed 23 puppets in 3 weeks. And somehow felt is warm in contrast to the brutal prison those girls were in. I first thought Im going to needle felt them, but then I realized it was way better to make them out of fabric felt  it just needed to be real wool. I was lucky to be in Holland at the festival and there was a store with really great wool felt. So I bought all the felt there. In Ljubljana they had only one that was mixed with plastic. Felt fabric can be well formed with steam and the camera loves it. The light has to be soft, and it all looks great.

Dale Hayward (co-director with Sylvie Trouve) and Daphne Loubot (Puppet Fabrication with Dominique Cote) (A Place for All of Us, Les emerveilleurs)

Loubot: We mostly felted with water but also needle felted. It was merino wool for the video clip and mostly carded wool for the advertisement. Merino is a type of wool from merino sheep and carded is a way to treat the wool. Carded also means felted, in that case its kind of pre-felted. So, we use merino and bergschaf wool that was carded. Carded wool was faster than felt because a part of the job is already done. Also the Bergschaf fibers are rougher and easy to felt. For A Place for All of Us we wanted a tighter looking wool, less hairy.

Hayward: The projects main reference was Hedgehogs Home (thanks Eva!), so felt felt right from the beginning. The wool texture feels like home; warm and friendly. Its also versatile, it works well as skin, clothes, and objects. Coinciding with the spot, we were also creating a music video for Ingrid St. Pierre, and she also referenced wool characters. So it was very practical from the production standpoint to keep the same crew working. Its also relatively fast to create a good-looking puppet with felt, so that was important too.

Mikey Please and Dan Ojari (co-directors), Anne King (puppet making creative lead) (Robin Robin)

King: We started by using extra fine merino, which does felt well, but puppet maker Mariela Sartori, whom we hired as a felt expert, had used a different one which she found superior, so we used that. We used Maori from Dying House Gallery (DHG) in Italy. According to the company, Maori is a blend of carded wool from New Zealand. When we started creating this item back in 2007, we wanted a wool that was perfect for needle felting with a nice natural colour that would allow us to create bright colours as well as soft pastel nuances. After numerous tests we came up with this blend that is now one of our iconic products, loved by both beginners and the more experienced. We couldnt have chosen a more iconic name: Maori. A small tribute to a great nation and to the homeland of these wools! This was imported in big boxes, and we blended the colours we needed ourselves from their range.

Please and Ojari: Theres something in the way that felt absorbs light that was deeply attractive to us. That slight translucence is a quality weve loved in our previous films, where the material interacts with the environment and feels that little bit more alive. Previously that transparent material had been plasterzote, and we hadnt done a huge deal with felt. But on our second pitch to Aardman we brought a handful of Christmas decorations with us to demonstrate the materials inherent charm and everyone was on board right away. There are lots of parallels with clay, the traditional material of choice at Aardman, in that its possible to sculpt and manipulate in a way not possible with silicone or plasterzote. Keeping the puppets malleable allows for heaps of on the floor possibilities where you might want a character to hit an extreme pose. We exploited that freedom a lot with characters like the Cat and some of the huge mouth shapes she had to hit.

Pictured at top: Oh Willy, Hedgehogs Home, But Milk Is Important
Photo: @schaaptop / Twitter

The Vancouver Park Board says lifeguards were instructed to end their patrol on Stanley Park's Third Beach early on Tuesday night due to safety concerns.

In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, the park board stated there were three separate incidents at the "unsanctioned drum circle" in July. As a result, the lifeguards will continue to end their patrols at 7 p.m. on Tuesday nights at Third Beach.

The park board also advised beachgoers about the risks associated with unsupervised swimming.

Locals hoping to enjoy an evening swim were instructed to relocate to Second Beach, which would be staffed with lifeguards until 8:30 p.m. as usual.

On July 12, an individual was pulled unconscious from the water and lifeguards performed first aid until paramedics arrived on the scene. At the time of the incident, the number of people at Third Beach reportedly exceeded 4,000, the park board told Vancouver Is Awesome in a statement.

"Other lifeguards on site reported they were obstructed and harassed by individuals in the crowd, both physically and verbally, as they attempted to reach the unconscious individual," said the park board.

"The Drum Circle is an unsanctioned and unpermitted event, with large numbers of people gathering. In recent weeks, the number of individuals attending, and the activities taking place at Third Beach, has become unmanageable for both lifeguards and park rangers to maintain safely."

Vancouverite Brahm Olszynko created a Facebook Group called "Brahm's Tams Official Tuesday Drum Circle" for the group that ordinarily gathers every sunny Tuesday for the drum circle.

Olszynko began the drum circle in 2005, when he first moved to Vancouver from Ottawa, to honour the Tam Tams in Montreal. And, of course, "for the love of rhythm, unity and community."

While it was temporarily postponed due to the pandemic, the weekly event has seen thousands of people gather again since the restrictions have been lifted.

The park board will meet with the Vancouver Police Department (VDP) and City Protective Services to establish "a coordinated approach and long-term strategy to manage the congregation of large crowds and associated bylaw infractions."
Photo: The Canadian Press

A "vulnerable" woman has serious burns after a man poured a flammable liquid on her and set her on fire, Vancouver police said Wednesday.

A statement from police said it happened at about 1:30 a.m. Monday.

The woman, who's in her 50s, was sitting on a sidewalk in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood when a man in his 30s approached, poured the liquid on her head and lit it, police said.

Const. Tania Visintin said the man fled and the woman ran to a nearby business to get help.

This was a shocking attack that targeted a vulnerable member of our community, said Visintin. We need witnesses and anyone with information to call police and help solve this crime.

Police are also investigating a second incident at about the same time as the woman was attacked, where a man's homemade sleeping structure was set ablaze.

A man reported he was sleeping in an alley in the city when someone set the structure on fire, but the man was able to put out the flames himself and was not hurt, police said.

Visintin said both cases are being investigated as arson, but police don't believe there's a link.

"However, it is still very early in the investigation, so we are not ruling anything out," Visintin said in the statement.

Fiona York, a longtime volunteer and advocate who works with Vancouver's homeless population, said she hadn't heard about the attack on the woman, but called it horrific.

She said she's also not surprised by such violence, because the unhoused have been "diminished" and "stigmatized" to the point where some people think they can get away with acts of violence toward them.

"Because it's just so perpetuated that (these) people are disposable, or people are not cared for, that nobody will notice. And it's OK if you have that level of rage or that level of anger (toward them)," York said.

She said the delay of two days by police in announcing the attack will set back the investigation because people may move on.

York said this has been a "really bad week" for homeless people, pointing to the alert by police that said "transient victims" were the target of a shooter in Langley on Monday, in addition to the arsons.

However, she said the stigma and violence toward homeless people has always been there.

"It just might be that it's become visible this week. There's these physical, or visible manifestations of it. But its like this all the time."
Photo: The Canadian Press

Pope Francis is hosting a reconciliation-themed mass in Quebec before a congregation made up largely of residential school survivors and other Indigenous people, a day after expressing shame and sorrow for the role played by Catholic institutions in the schools.

Organizers say many of the speakers who will deliver readings at the service Thursday are Indigenous, and the Pope's chasuble  the outermost garment worn by Roman Catholic priests during mass  was specially designed by a local Huron-Wendat artist.

Hundreds of people made their way to the shrine of Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre, east of Quebec City, to listen to Pope Francis lead the second mass of his Canadian tour, which he has called a pilgrimage of penance.

Many of the people in the pews at the pilgrimage site were dressed in orange to represent the Every Child Matters movement  remembering the children lost in residential schools and the survivors. Some attendees wore floral scarfs, and elders in wheelchairs sat in a section to the left near the stage. Organizers said there were about 1,400 people in the church.

The site is one of the oldest and most popular places of pilgrimage in North America and annually attracts more than one million visitors. Organizers had said more than 16,000 people were expected inside and outside, though attendance during the Pope's previous events in Alberta fell short of expectations.

Jackie Gull-Barney, from the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi, in north-central Quebec, said before the service that she was hoping to find a feeling of healing and peace after seeing the Pope.

Gull-Barney said her family was "split in half" by residential schools, after she and two of her siblings were sent to English-language schools in Ontario, and two younger siblings learned French at schools in Quebec.

She said she felt the Pope's apology to Indigenous people in Maskwacis, Alta was "very humble and very sincere." But like others, she's interested in knowing what concrete steps will follow.

"What will happen after the apology?" she said. "Is there going to be programs and places we can go for assistance and help to carry on?"

Quebec Premier Francois Legault told reporters outside the shrine that many of Quebecs values come from the Catholic Church, including a sense of mutual aid.

But he said the church was also involved in the residential school system, which was a dark period of Quebec and Canadian history. The premier added that he would use his private meeting with the Pope Friday to ask him to hand over to Indigenous communities any documents about residential schools.

Later Thursday, the Pope is to attend vespers, a service of evening prayer, with church officials at the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Quebec.

Francis arrived in Quebec City on Wednesday afternoon and held private meetings with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the historic Citadelle. He later addressed a small room of Indigenous dignitaries and residential school survivors.

The Pope asked forgiveness for the harm done by the policies of assimilation carried out in residential schools. He expressed deep shame and sorrow for the part different local Roman Catholic institutions played in the "deplorable" system.

It was the second papal apology on Canadian soil for Francis. On Monday, he begged forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous Peoples," during a speech in Maskwacis, Alta.

Trudeau said Thursday that the Pope's trip to Canada was a "step toward healing," but acknowledged that some Indigenous leaders want to see Francis go further.

"His Holiness message, the churchs message that this is a beginning of a process is encouraging, has been helpful to many in their healing, but theres a lot of work to do," Trudeau told reporters outside the church. "And the government has been there for a number of years. Its good to see the church stepping up."

Pope Francis is to leave Quebec City Friday and make a brief stop in Iqaluit before heading home to Vatican City.
Photo: Glacier Media

Brandon Shiu Nandan had an office in Burnaby  but it wasnt just any old office.

Unit 3901 at 6461 Telford Ave. was where Nandan mixed, dyed and packaged fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs for sale, according to facts shared in a Vancouver courtroom last week.

The Metrotown highrise apartment is also where, in 2020, police listened in on his plans to have someone who ripped him off shot in exchange for money and drugs.

Nandan, 29, was handed a 15-year prison sentenced in B.C. provincial court last Wednesday after pleading guilty to drug dealing, multiple weapons charges and trying to have someone shot.

He had originally been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, but a plea deal saw him sentenced for the lesser charge of counselling someone to commit an indictable offence that didnt happen.

Branson Sanders killing

This isnt Nandans first prison sentence  nor the first time hes engineered a plan to hurt someone.

In 2014, he was sentenced to six years after he and a co-accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2011 drug-related killing of 20-year-old Branson Sanders, whose burned body was found in Robert Burnaby Park.

His sentencing judge in that case noted Nandan had said hed only meant to arrange a minor beating.

After credit for time served, Nandan was eventually sentenced to five years and 71 days  a period that should have ended around June 20, 2019.

When exactly he got out of prison is unclear, however. Correctional Services Canada said they couldnt reveal when Nandan was released because of privacy laws, and the Parole Board of Canada told the NOW there were no releasable decisions about his parole.

Drugs and weapons

Whenever he was released, its clear he was back in trouble with the law by June 27, 2019, according to agreed facts presented at his sentencing.

He was arrested in Langley on that day during a sting targeting a dial-a-dope operation.

In his car, police found a Kinder Egg of fentanyl and crack cocaine, bear spray and a hammer between the door and drivers seat.

He was released pending charges.

Officers found scarier weapons and a lot more drugs a year later, on June 25, 2020, when they raided a condo Nandan and his brother had rented in Langley.

Along with $83,000 worth of fentanyl, cocaine, MDMA, benzodiazipine, methamphetamine and other drugs lying around in bowls, Tupperware containers, trays and Ziploc bags, police found multiple Tasers, body armour, boxes of ammunition, a loaded zip gun and a loaded 9 mm Barretta semi-automatic pistol. Again, Nandan was arrested and released pending charges.

A few months later, he ended up in the crosshairs of the provinces anti-gang agency, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.

Murder conspiracy

In late October 2020, CFSEU had been investigating a suspected murder conspiracy aimed at taking out A.B.  a person known to be heavily involved in criminal activity, according to provincial Crown prosecutor Michael Lefebure.

Investigators had a warrant to listen in on the conversations of their main suspect, Person A, a street-level drug dealer, whose identity is protected by a publication ban.

After police raided Person As house and seized Person As cell phone on Oct. 23, 2020, however, the focus of the investigation quickly switched to Nandan.

On Person As phone, investigators found conversations between Person A and Nandan that showed Nandan had been counseling Person A to shoot A.B. since Sept. 1, 2020.

Nandan had provided Person A with a loaded 9 mm CZ TT9 semi-automatic pistol, sent Person A photos of A.B. and satellite images of A.B.s home and discussed how Person A could obtain a getaway car for the job.

Person A was to be paid cash and drugs by Mr. Nandan in return for committing the shooting but was arrested before the shooting could be attempted, Lefebure said.

Nandan told Person A that A.B. had ripped Nandan off for a large sum of money.

Listening in

CFSEU soon got a warrant to listen in on Nandans private communications and bugged his vehicle and Telford Avenue office.

They heard enough to indicate Nandan was a drug trafficker who supplied and managed several street-level dealers, according to Lefebure.

On Nov. 18, 2020, police intercepted a phone call during which Nandan discussed the possibility a recent overdose death had been due to his drugs.

Intercepted communications show that Mr. Nandan changed the packaging and colour of his drugs due to media coverage of overdose deaths, Lefebure said.

Defence lawyer Ian Donaldson, however, said Nandan and others involved in the discussion had concluded Nandans drugs were not to blame for the death.

The change of packaging relates to a desire to continue to sell, not to continue to sell something believed to be toxic by changing its colour, Donaldson said.

Youve got a lot of making up to do

Police raided the Telford office and Nandans condo at 6353 McKay simultaneously on Dec. 1, 2020.

At the office, they found more than $100,000 in fentanyl, cocaine, meth and other drugs, as well as a Taser and 350 rounds of ammunition.

Nandan was arrested outside of his McKay condo with help from a bean-bag gun and police dog.

Mr. Nandan still has ongoing physical effects from these dog bites, Donaldson said.

In his possession, Nandan had a loaded 9 mm Glock-style polymer ghost gun with a silencer and no serial number.

He was charged with a slew of drug and weapons offences, including conspiracy to commit murder with a firearm, in March 2021.

After credit for time served, Nandan was sentenced Wednesday to nearly 13 more years in prison.

As aggravating factors, Crown prosecutors noted Nandan had trafficked in fentanyl during an escalating overdose crisis and possessed prohibited weapons while bound by a firearms ban  all after already serving a significant sentence for a drug-related killing.

His actions had also endangered his neighbours, said federal Crown prosecutor Alexandra Russell.

Mr. Nandan was residing and engaging in his fentanyl trafficking activity in a multi-unit residential building, which puts member of the public at significant risk from fentanyl activity as well as the presence of weapons in that space, she said.

After delivering his sentence, B.C. provincial court Judge David St. Pierre urged Nandan to use his time in prison to reflect on his actions and make change.

Youve got a lot of making up to do, St. Pierre said.
Photo: IHIT Paul Wynn (left), 60, and Steven Furness (right), 43, were killed July 25 in a shooting spree in Langley, B.C.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is releasing the identities of the two men killed during a shooting spree in Langley on Monday.

"We've learned that there are those in the community looking for their friends and loved ones, wondering if they were victims," says Sgt. David Lee of IHIT, noting police have received each family's consent. "We hope that this identification helps the public awareness of who was involved and to assess if there are others unaccounted for."

Five people were shot  including the shooter  between midnight and 5:45 a.m. July 25, resulting in three deaths and two injuries. Advocates for the unhoused have told media the victims were or had experienced homelessness.

Police say Paul David Wynn, 60, died outside Creek Stone Place, while Steven Furness, 43, died at the Langley Bus Loop.

"Paul was the poster child of the family he worked so hard for everything he had," a family statement reads.

Furness's family hopes "Steven's tragic death will put a spotlight on the plight of the homeless and vulnerable in society."

The other two surviving victims are a 26-year-old woman, who remains in critical condition in hospital, and a 26-year-old man, also in hospital. The man suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The woman was shot near 203A Street and Fraser Highway. Officers found the man with a gunshot injury to his leg near the Langley Bypass and 200th Street.

The gunman, identified as 28-year-old Jordan Daniel Goggin, was killed by police shortly before 6 a.m. near the Langley Bypass and 200th Street. A day after the shootings, IHIT released images of Goggin and said he changed outfits during the deadly events.



B.C. officials sent out an active shooter alert early Monday, around 6:15 a.m., notifying residents to stay out of the area. A description of the suspect was also provided.

A second alert was issued just after 8 a.m., stating there was no longer a threat and to still stay out of the area, but it did not say where the location was.

A final alert was sent at 3:32 p.m., cancelling the public safety alert.

Earlier this week, Lee told reporters the alert was sent at the appropriate time.

As the information became known to us and a proper risk assessment was done... at that time was the best time that we were able to issue the alert and ties these things together, he said.

Monday was the second time in B.C.'s history that the alert system was used for an active shooter. The first was last November in Vanderhoof.

B.C.'s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says this week's alerts will be reviewed to see "how things were done and the way they were done."

IHIT says it continues to investigate and is gathering information to determine possible motives.



"At this time, no further details on the motive can yet be shared," homicide investigators say.

Grief counsellors were in Langley this week to provide support to the community.
Photo: The Canadian Press RCMP Chief Supt. Chris Leather is questioned by lawyer Josh Bryson at the Mass Casualty Commission inquiry into the mass murders in rural Nova Scotia on April 18/19, 2020, in Halifax on Thursday, July 28, 2022. Gabriel Wortman, dressed as an RCMP officer and driving a replica police cruiser, murdered 22 people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kelly Clark

The former director of Nova Scotias police watchdog denies telling the RCMP not to release a list of the weapons seized from the gunman who murdered 22 people in April 2020.

Pat Curran  who led the Serious Incident Response Team at the time of the shootings  says he gave no directives to the RCMP about the five firearms Gabriel Wortman had in his possession when he was killed by police at a gas station on April 19.

That contradicts statements made by RCMP Chief Supt. Chris Leather and retired assistant commissioner Lee Bergerman on Monday to a parliamentary committee investigating alleged political interference in the police investigation.

Several members of the Nova Scotia RCMP have said they believe Commissioner Brenda Lucki was under pressure from the offices of the prime minister and the public safety minister to ensure police released the type of weapons involved, as the federal government was preparing to announce a new ban on assault-style rifles.

Leather told the committee he and Bergerman made an agreement and commitment to Curran on April 23, 2020, that they would not release a weapons inventory outside the RCMP, and Lucki should have been aware of that when she sent the inventory to government officials that same day.

Curran says those weapons were not part of his investigation into the gunmans death and he did not have a list of the weapons until it was given to him on April 27, 2020.
Photo: The Canadian Press Bob Rae speaks at a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, July 6, 2020. The Canadian ambassador to the U.N. is condemning as antisemitic comments made by a United Nations Human Rights Commissioner that social media is controlled by 'the Jewish lobby." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada's ambassador to the United Nations in New York is condemning "blatantly biased, antisemitic comments" by a human-rights investigator at the international organization.

Bob Rae says in a tweet that comments made by Miloon Kothari, who sits on a UN commission of inquiry set up in response to last year's 11-day war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, are "a disgrace to institutions supposedly dedicated to the rule of law."

Kothari caught attention for remarks he made during an interview on Monday on the podcast for Mondoweiss, a news and analysis website that says it provides an under-represented perspective on Palestinian rights in its coverage of the region and related U.S. foreign policy.

In the interview, Kothari questioned why Israel is a member of the UN and said he was disheartened by social media he claimed is controlled by "the Jewish lobby" and "specific" non-governmental organizations.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, an advocacy group, urged the Canadian government to condemn what it called the appointment of biased members to the commission of inquiry, saying Kothari flagrantly contravened UN rules on impartiality.

Kothari, who was the UN's first special rapporteur on adequate housing, is one of three members of the commission of inquiry backed by the UN Human Rights Council.

Ambassador Michele Taylor, who is the U.S. permanent representative to the UN Human Rights Council, also condemned the "outrageous, antisemitic remarks" by Kothari and called on Michelle Bachelet, the UN human rights chief, to denounce them too.
Photo: The Canadian Press Aydin Coban is shown in this handout photo from the time of his arrest by Dutch police, entered into an exhibit at his trial in British Columbia Supreme Court in New Westminster. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-DUTCH POLICE

A Crown attorney says similarities in messages from 22 online accounts that harassed and extorted British Columbia teenager Amanda Todd in the three years before her death prove they came from the same person.

Marcel Daigle told the B.C. Supreme Court jury trial of Aydin Coban, the Dutch man accused of harassing and extorting the teen who died in October 2012, that the similarities and cohesion of the messages is "overwhelming."

Daigle says the various accounts used similar language and phrases and referenced previous threats and exchanges with Todd, as they repeatedly demanded that she perform sexual "shows" on a web camera, or sexualized images of the teen would be sent to her family and classmates.

Coban has pleaded not guilty to extortion, harassment, communication with a young person to commit a sexual offence and possessing child pornography.

Daigle says the next part of the Crown's closing argument will focus on showing that Coban was the "sextortionist" behind the accounts used to harass Todd.

The jury was previously shown a Facebook post by Todd in which the teen from Port Coquitlam said she feared the person harassing her would continue for the rest of her life, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Todd urged people on Facebook to block one of the harasser's accounts, saying a "sick pedophile" was blackmailing her, another Crown attorney said on Wednesday.
The Pakistan Army's public denial of playing any role in the country's politics comes unprecedented as the army has been involved in "peace talks" with the rebellious Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) previously for the "national security" perspective.

Since the government and parliament abdicated their respective roles and powers in Pakistan, the country did not pay any heed to strengthen either democracy or the military. Moreover, the assurances by the military and the government, that the talks would be within the constitutional norms appear to have gone missing, reported Islam Khabar.

Furthermore, it also becomes difficult to determine whether the army needs to be envied or pitied as its current chief of staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, was named directly, earlier by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and now, by Imran Khan. The new highlight to it comes by using pejorative terms like 'neutrals', a word that the army's public relations have repeatedly used to demonstrate that it has no favourites among the politicians, parties and alliances and has now become the favourite of Khan and his supporters.

According to Islam Khabar, there is discernible wavering in Army's approach to the political muddle as it has helped create, originally, by getting Nawaz Sharif to resign in 2016 after a questionable Supreme Court verdict in a corruption case.

The second rung of the army's senior brass is keen to give Khan another chance, as it dislikes the established, family-driven PPP and PML (N).

The army's dilemma also lies in how to bell the economic cat and how the prices are skyrocketing in Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dictating decisions has become a massive reason of burden on the masses. Financial bailout from other friendly countries is also at bay as an early election is bound to send Pakistan in a tail spin.

Gen. Bajwa has four months left to complete his extended tenure as the army chief and he has conveyed that he would prefer to go home and not seek another extension, Islam Khabar reported.

(ANI)

Also Read: UN humanitarian agency appeals for urgent funds to avert food crisis in Horn of Africa
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Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III has reached an agreement in principle on key financial terms with opioid maker Teva, which would provide up to $4.25 billion to participating states and local governments.

While critical details of the settlement remain the subject of ongoing negotiations, Teva disclosed the key financial terms in its earnings announcement Wednesday.

This settlement is another major step in holding opioid manufacturers accountable and we expect these funds to make a significant difference in treating opioid addiction disorder in Tennessee and across the country, said General Slatery. One problem we encountered with Teva (as we have with other manufacturers) is the advice it gave when opioids were losing their effectiveness for clearly addicted patients  just up the dosage. I dont have enough adjectives to describe how poor that advice was.

Teva, an Israel-based drug manufacturer, makes Actiq and Fentora, which are branded fentanyl products for cancer pain, and a number of generic opioids including oxycodone.

States alleged that Teva:

promoted potent, rapid-onset fentanyl products for use by non-cancer patients;

deceptively marketed opioids by downplaying the risk of addiction and overstating their benefits, including encouraging the idea that signs of addiction are actually pseudoaddiction treated by prescribing more opioids; and

failed to comply with suspicious order monitoring requirements along with its distributor, Anda.

The parties have agreed on the following financial terms:

Teva will pay a maximum of $4.25 billion in cash over 13 years. This figure includes amounts Teva has already agreed to pay under settlements with individual States, funds for participating States and subdivisions, and the $240 million of cash in lieu of product described below.



As part of the financial terms, Teva will provide up to $1.2 billion in generic naloxone (valued at Wholesale Acquisition Cost or WAC) over a 10-year period or $240 million of cash in lieu of product, at each States election. Naloxone is used to counteract overdoses.



The settlement will build on the existing framework that states and subdivisions have created through other recent opioid settlements.

A final settlement remains contingent on agreement on critical business practice changes and transparency requirements.

The negotiations are being led by the following states: California, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. While New York is among the 12 states that negotiated this proposed settlement framework, Teva and New York are still engaged in further negotiations.




A local student from Bradley Central High School is among the six winners the Better Angels Society announced for the 2022 Next Generation Angels Awards, the annual prize established in coordination with National History Day to recognize excellent well-researched historical filmmaking by students across the United States.The high school award winners are COMMUNIST IN THE CORNFIELDS: ROSWELL GARST'S CITIZEN DIPLOMACY (directed by Maci Hill, 11th grade student at Livingston High School in Livingston, Tx.), FIGHT FOR OUR WILDERNESS: THE BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA WILDERNESS ACT (directed by Abigail Peters, 11th grade student at Roseville Area High School in Roseville, Mn.), and MORE THAN POTATOES: DEBATE AND DIPLOMACY IN THE MISSION OF THE USS JAMESTOWN (directed by Jessie Henderson, 12th grade student at Bradley Central High School in Cleveland).You can view the films by visiting The Better Angels Societys website here The middle school recipients are WHAT THEY TAUGHT US: HOW GRASSROOTS DEBATE AND DIPLOMACY SHAPED THE MILWAUKEE OPEN HOUSING MOVEMENT (directed by Krin Blegen, 8th grade student at Kettle Moraine Middle School in Oconomowoc, Wi.), MAKAH WHALING RIGHTS: A MORAL DEBATE OF CULTURAL PRESERVATION (directed by Aubrey Grier, 8th grade student at Chief Umtuch Middle School in Vancouver, Wa.), and WOLVES: BLOODTHIRSTY MENACES OR STEWARDS OF THE LAND? (directed by Lachlan Gebhart, 6th grade student at Lander Middle School in Lander, Wy.).The winners will have opportunities in the coming months to discuss their films during mentorship events with acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, as well as with winners of the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film.All winning films will also be available to watch on Ken Burns UNUM, Mr. Burnss digital history project that traces themes throughout American history. At the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, Mr. Burns and the UNUM team curated an UNUM Playlist based on National History Days theme, Debate and Diplomacy, to inspire the students' projects. The playlist includes scenes from Mr. Burnss past films as well as new videos from modern-day thought leaders, including Dr. Imani Perry and Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, Jr.These impressive young students represent the next generation of documentary filmmakers who are already contributing to our greater understanding of our countrys complicated past, said Mr. Burns. Now more than ever, well-researched documentaries about American history are critical to the health of our democracy. Im immensely proud of these student filmmakers for their countless hours of hard work that went into the research, planning, and execution of their films  and for so effectively engaging and educating audiences on their chosen topic.The winning filmmakers will each be provided with official copyrights for their films during a virtual ceremony in October, when their projects will be entered permanently into the Moving Image Section of the Library of Congress.Im thrilled to be adding the great work of these impressive student filmmakers to the Library of Congress collections, said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Documentaries like these are invaluable contributions to the preservation and understanding of our nations rich unfolding story. They help bring that story to life in the vivid and immersive way that only multimedia can.Were proud to welcome these young filmmakers into The Better Angels Society community, said Courtney Chapin, executive director of The Better Angels Society. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments and enriching their understanding of historical documentary filmmaking in the months to come.The Next Generation Angels Awards are funded thanks to the generosity of John and Jessica Fullerton, who have pledged to support this program for ten years. The Better Angels Society is committed to engaging and empowering the next generation of documentary filmmakers through initiatives such as The Next Generation Angels Awards. Learn more about The Better Angels Society by visiting www.thebetterangelssociety.org.
Rhea County School Superintendent Jessie Messimer along with School Board Budget Chairman Perry Massengale and Board Member John Mincy appeared before the Rhea County Commissions budget committee in a high noon Wednesday standoff over the schools' proposed budget.

The estimated $34 million budget, according to Supt. Messimer, is coming in $100,000 less than last year's budget. He said the school system is carrying a $1.44 million surplus. He stated, "We are being very conservative with the budget right now. TISA (Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement) goes into effect next year. He said the school system is carrying a $1.44 million surplus. He stated, "We are being very conservative with the budget right now. TISA (Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement) goes into effect next year.

TISA is Governor Bill Lees new formula for how money is distributed to the public school systems in the state of Tennessee. It is supposed to be improving the way Tennessee funds public schools for the first time in more than 30 years. The formula would pump $9 billion in state and local funds toward education while simplifying the process for districts to understand just how much they receive. But Supt. Messimer said the board is not sure as of yet how it will affect Rhea County Schools.

Overall, the state and local governments will split the costs of the base and weights of the formula 70/30. But how much each specific local government will contribute to its public schools will be determined by an annual review of local funding capacity, according to information released by the state.

As County Commissioners looked over the school budget, Commissioner Bill Hollin raised the question of why the schools were giving their employees an eight percent raise versus the seven percent that the county was giving their employees.

Supt. Messimer said, My job is to take care of my employees. We are hiring people in at rates they could go to Burger King and make more."





He said if the county gave their employees an eight percent raise it would not require any property tax increase.

Using an average salary it would run around $15,000 to do this, he said.

Supt. Messimer said, We have a very good budget. Our board members and Amy Fox have worked hard on this.

Rusty Rogers, chairman of the budget committee, replied. No one on this board wants to take care of our employees any more than I do. I think for the last four years I have showed this.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation announces that SmartWay traffic information and the new TDOTFIX are now available on MyTN, the mobile app that makes it easier for Tennesseans to access state government services.Having these amenities in one place is good customer service, said TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. We are pleased to partner with our Strategic Technology Services group to make traffic information even more accessible with this one-stop shop.The Tennessee Department of Finance and Administrations Strategic Technology Solutions developed MyTN in partnership with state agencies.STS provides planning, resources, execution, and coordination in managing the information systems needs of the state. MyTN includes over 60 services from 23 departments and agencies across state government with 56,000 users. You can visit MyTN.gov to download the app to your device by clicking the Apple or Android store icons.TDOT SmartWay offers real-time statewide traffic information including incidents, construction, and road conditions. You can access live cameras and large electronic message boards via SmartWay. This intelligent transportation system also involves traffic speed sensors and transportation management centers staffed 24/7 to monitor traffic and assist in reducing congestion on Tennessee's urban interstates. Systems are in Chattanooga, Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis.TDOT launched the new 833-TDOTFIX hotline for drivers to report potholes and other maintenance issues that may be considered roadway safety hazards. The call center agent will ask the driver a series of questions and submit that information through TDOTs online maintenance work request form. Citizens can also fill out the form themselves. Since the launch last month, TDOTFIX has handled more than 1,700 requests.
Growing up in the little town of Apison, TN (it was little in the 50s) and going to the first grade of our small school was special. One of my classmates in elementary school through high school was Aubie Camp. After graduation from Ooltewah High School in 1964, Aubie joined the Marine Corps. In October of 1965, Private First Class Aubie Camp was in action in Vietnam.

He served as a mortarman attached to Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the Republic of Vietnam. Prior to daylight on Oct. 30, 1965, Company A was attacked by a force of 300 to 400 insurgent Communist (Viet Cong) guerrillas. During the height of the attack, five or six of the enemy were seen setting up a mortar just 40 yards from Private First Class Camp's position. Although wounded by shell fragments in the head, arm and back, Private First Class Camp left his position in order to conduct a one-man assault against the enemy.

Courageously moving through intense hostile fire in order to reach the Viet Cong position, he threw three grenades, the first two of which were duds. His third and final grenade hit its target, detonated, destroyed the mortar and killed five of the enemy. As a result of his prompt and effective actions, a serious enemy threat was eliminated and the tide of the battle was materially altered. By his heroic actions, valiant fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty throughout, Private First Class Camp upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Aubie Camp earned a purple heart and silver star from the battle on Hill 22 when he was just 19.

In September of 2020 some of our classmates and friends joined Aubie and his family as we put up a Hometown Hero Sign in Apison honoring Aubie Camp. When I talked to Aubie after he was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago Aubie would say to me it's okay. At the age of 17 he was saved at a revival at Nelly Head Baptist Church. Aubie was strong in his faith of Jesus Christ and he loved his wife of 55 years, Sylvia, and his great family.

Aubie passed away July 27th and he will be missed by the classmates from the Class of 1964 and by all of us that loved him.

Bill Hullander
Bike Chattanooga, while celebrating its 10th anniversary, will be adding 50 new e-bikes and another e-station to the system in the coming months, thanks to the Lyndhurst Foundation and city of Chattanooga funding.

In addition, the $1 million Multimodal Access Grant that was awarded to Chattanooga by the Tennessee Department of Transportation will further enhance the transportation solutions available for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit-users. Adding bike share stations with the transit stops will serve the first and last mile connection, and will link Southside neighborhoods to the Historic Ridge-to-River area and connect key east-west corridors with much needed north-south access for safe and efficient transportation options to services and jobs, officials said.

Edward Inlow, Shift Transits CEO, said, We have a crucial role to play in fueling active transportation options and helping move people the greener, healthier and affordable way. Recent years have seen record-breaking usage and our team remains focused on propelling more riders to travel and explore the city by bike.

As Bike Chattanooga marks its 10-year anniversary, Shift Transit is thrilled to celebrate in partnership with the city of Chattanooga, our partners and riders.

Mayor Tim Kelly said, "Bike Chattanooga is an incredible asset for our city's residents and visitors, providing opportunities to get from point A to point B without ever having to get into a vehicle.

Programs like these are critical to Chattanooga's long-term sustainability, and I look forward to seeing this resource continue to grow in the years ahead.

"Since inception, city residents and casual users alike have embraced Bike Chattanooga as an accessible and convenient mobility solution. Bike Chattanooga launched in 2012 with 30 stations and 300 bikes. The systems footprint has grown to 42 stations and 400 bikes, including 55 e-bikes. E-bikes were added to the fleet in 2018, and generate up to four times more usage than pedal bikes.

"From 2018 through 2021, the program has seen exceptionally strong growth - an 83 percent increase in ridership and 79 percent growth in annual members. Bike Chattanooga has also been gaining popularity with visitors and casual users with more than 24,000 short-term passes sold in 2021."

Ben Taylor, Public Works deputy administrator for transportation, said, The Transportation Division of Public Works is thrilled by the growing use of this city amenity. We look forward to expanding into more neighborhoods to ensure everyone has transportation options.
Ruth Jeno is a civic-minded Red Bank commissioner who is a candidate for District 6 Hamilton County commissioner. She has an extensive history in Red Bank and has been a positive force for the greater good in our city.



For example, she led the plan for our donation-supported Joe Glascock Community Center. Her additional service includes Red Bank Food Pantry and Jubilee, just to name two. There are too many activities to name in this post (Check her website).



She is an humble lady who serves with excellence, poise and conviction. I appreciate that Ruth stands for our city of Red Bank being managed like my household: living within my means.



Thank you for voting Ruth Jeno as our District 6 Hamilton County commissioner on Thursday, Aug. 4, at your designated precinct.



Jamie Fairbanks Harvey

* * *

I have never known a more dedicated person than Ruth Jeno. She has a servants heart and continually shows up to events that benefit our community. I first met Ruth as she was spreading mulch at the Alpine Crest playground years ago. Then she became active in a program that I sponsor called Valentines for Veterans, where she has literally made hundreds of homemade cards of appreciation for our precious veterans. In addition, Ruth has attended every blanket-making party that we have coordinated for children facing surgeries for severe scoliosis and cancer.

I have also witnessed first-hand her work on the Red Bank Commission. She always conducts herself professionally, even when under direct attack, and refuses to compromise when issues negatively affect the people who elected her. She is true to her word and fights for conservative decisions. On her watch, starting on the south end, Red Bank has boomed, property values have increased, main thoroughfares have been paved and updated, and countless properties cleaned up.

I will be voting for this proven leader for Hamilton County Commissioner because Ruth Jeno shows up.

Link Sparks

* * *

Some years ago Commissioner Ruth Jeno and Mayor Joe Glascock learned that the senior citizens of Red Bank needed a permanent place to socialize, exercise, and have fellowship, and after much discussion, decided to utilize a pavilion off of Morrison Springs Road. They developed a plan to build a building in the footprints of the old pavilion. In a few months there was a beautiful building for seniors and others to enjoy. Joe, Ruth, and others made it all happen.

The many uses for the building have grown over the years, but, as promised, the seniors always have two days scheduled just for them.

Ruth Jeno has worked tirelessly for the betterment of Red Bank for many years. Her common sense approach to solving problems has brought forth good results. She cares for the people in Red Bank and Hamilton County and will look out for their best interests. Her Christian faith is a wonderful attribute that guides her in life and in all that she does.

Ruth Jeno will not disappoint Hamilton County residents. Please vote Ruth Jeno for Hamilton County Commissioner.

You wont be sorry.

Mrs. Joe (Billie) Glascock
In 1971, George Harrison helped organize the Concert for Bangladesh to raise money for the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh. The goal of the star-studded benefit concert was to aid relief efforts. Harrison also hoped that the shows would enact change on a smaller scale. Eric Clapton, who performed in the concert, was heavily using heroin at the time. Harrison hoped that the concert would make Claptons drug use more obvious and assist in getting him help.

George Harrison and Eric Clapton | Dave Hogan/Getty Images

George Harrison and Eric Clapton were friends despite some unusual circumstances

In the 1960s, Harrison and Clapton met and befriended one another. They collaborated on music and thought highly of each others work. In the 1970s, though, their friendship hit a snag when Clapton fell in love with Harrisons wife, Pattie Boyd. Clapton wrote music about Boyd while she was still with Harrison and even went so far as to tell Harrison he loved his wife.

The Concert For Bangladesh @Fender Stratocaster  Celebrate today's 47th anniversary of 'The Concert for Bangladesh' album release by supporting the George Harrison Fund this holiday season  https://t.co/ZVTUOVEBve pic.twitter.com/J97oNbJvQ1  George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) December 21, 2018

The complicated relationship dynamics  Boyd eventually married Clapton  did not derail their friendship. They remained close, and Clapton helped put on the Concert for George after Harrisons death in 2001.

It was [Claptons] idea, Harrisons wife Olivia told Rolling Stone. He phoned me not long after George died and said, Id like to do something. Eric was a very deep friend of Georges, so I felt confident and relieved that it was Eric coming to me.

George Harrison hoped the Concert for Bangladesh would be helpful to Eric Clapton

In 1971, Harrison organized the Concert for Bangladesh and invited some of the biggest names in music to perform. This included Clapton. Harrison also had an ulterior motive in asking him.

George knew that Eric was in a bad way but his addiction was unspoken, Boyd wrote in the book Wonderful Tonight. He thought that if he got him onstage, even propped up with drugs, it would become an open secret and maybe he would open the door a little to his friends, who might be able to help.

The problem was that to get Clapton to perform, they needed to provide him with drugs.

Everyone knew that if Eric was to have a chance of getting through two performances, one in the afternoon and another that evening, he would need a supply of heroin when he arrived in New York  obviously he couldnt travel with it, Boyd wrote.

The guitarists friends encouraged him to seek treatment

Boyd explained that after the concert, Clapton and his girlfriend Alice Ormsby-Gore cut themselves off from their friends. Eventually, though, Ormsby-Gores father and the Whos Pete Townshend spoke to Clapton.

George with the cast and crew of Handmade FIlms' "Water"  Clockwise from top left: George Harrison, Billy Connolly, Jon Lord, Chris Stainton, Mike Moran, Dick Clement, Ray Cooper, Eric Clapton, Chris Tummings and Ringo Starr pic.twitter.com/FO1KobLrBC  George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) July 3, 2019

Alices father and Pete Townshend of the Who eventually got through to Eric and persuaded him to seek treatment, Boyd wrote, adding, Pete Townshend had been the only friend who had refused to take no for an answer and had been to the house so often that eventually Eric had seen him. If anyone else managed to get in, Eric had hidden upstairs. But Eric confided in Pete, and as good as asked for help.

How to get help: In the U.S., contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

RELATED: George Harrison Said Meeting Elvis Was a Bit Sad
As actor Jack Nicholson has gotten older, his perspective on life has changed a bit from his younger years. This perspective once even affected his performance in one of his films. While starring in Somethings Gotta Give, for instance, Nicholson found himself doing a scene that left him absolutely terrified because of his age.

How Jack Nicholson fought his old age

Jack Nicholson | Munawar Hosain/Fotos /Getty Images

In an interview with Playboy, Nicholson once shared how he dealt with getting older. For Nicholson, aging meant that he preferred staying inside to going out, lacking the energy to do so.

Getting older, I dont go out as much as I used to. Its not that I do or dont like the music any more or any less. What got me out there aint getting me out there now. I still like jazz, but I aint going out to listen to it now, he said.

Nicholson confided that he practiced yoga every morning to help combat the effects of aging. It was a revelation that he knew others wouldnt expect from The Anger Management star.

Yeah, but its fighting back. After 20 years in a row of waking up and looking over and saying, Well, Im not going to go work out today. Ill try tomorrow. It eventually sinks in. Yoga kicks me over at the beginning of that day. I want to have a realistic view of myself. Im not ever probably going to know where the world is, but I like to know where I am, he said. Theres always that whispering voice in your head that you dont always want to listen to. However, its pretty much a source of your integrity and truth. Id like to hear it as well as possible.

Jack Nicholson found his heart attack scene in Somethings Gotta Give terrifying due to his age

In the romantic comedy Somethings Gotta Give, Nicholson finds himself playing an elderly womanizer currently in a relationship with his younger girlfriend. But after experiencing a heart attack, his perspective on love changes, and he finds himself falling for the mother of his girlfriend played by Diane Keaton.

Because hes older, Nicholson opened up about the challenges of acting out his heart attack scene.

Lying on the ground I was very vulnerable. The minute I laid down on the gurney and looked up at Keanu [Reeves, who plays the ER doctor], I knew where I was at, Nicholson said. You know what Im saying. One of the things I dont like to do at my tender age is to be portrayed as a beached whale lying on the ground, and thats exactly what I do in the new movie. Lying therevulnerable, exposed, helplessrepresents everything dropping away, and its terrifying.

It also left The Shinning star reflecting on his own mortality.

Nothing is more pulverizing in life than a brush with the grim reaper. Im kind of a fraidy cat in that way anyway. I wouldnt quite call myself a hypochondriac, but Ive had moments of feeling a lump under my arm and thinking Im going to vomit and pass out in the shower. When people of your own generational group begin to appear in obituaries, you sweat, he said.

Jack Nicholson planned on taking a break from acting because he didnt want to work until he died

Jack Nicholson recently opened up about his decision to take a step back from Hollywoods spotlight. Although the Oscar-winner asserted that aging has contributed to his decision, it wasnt because of memory issues as other reports suggested. Instead, this came about from a lack of drive.

I have a mathematicians brainIm not going to work until the day I die, thats not why I started this. I mean, Im not driven. I was driven  but Im not, I dont have to be out there anymore, he once told The Sun (via Sydney Morning Herald). In fact, theres a part of me that never really liked being out thereYou get older, you change.

RELATED: The Shining: Jack Nicholson Ad-Libbed the Famous Heres Johnny! Line  Heres Why
Married at First Sight: Binh and Morgan Finally Get Hitched as the Other Couples Begin Their Honeymoons

TL;DR:

After a COVID-related delay, Morgan and Binh got married on the July 27 episode of Married at First Sight.

Meanwhile, the other season 15 couples headed off for their honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta.

A teaser for the rest of the San Diego season hints at major fireworks ahead for some participants.

Binh and Morgan on Married at First Sight | Lifetime

All the Married at First Sight Season 15 couples have officially tied the knot. After an unexpected delay due to the grooms COVID diagnosis, Morgan and Binh got hitched in the shows July 27 episode. Meanwhile, the other eight San Diego cast members sat down for heart-to-heart chats with their new spouses families before getting off for their honeymoon in Mexico.

Morgan and Binh say I do on Married at First Sight

Both Morgan, a 27-year-old endoscopy nurse, and Binh, a 29-year-old engineer, were more than ready to say I do on Married at First Sight. Unfortunately, their wedding plans were put on hold when Binh tested positive for COVID-19.

Morgan and Binh finally met for the first time in the latest episode of the Lifetime reality series. Both admitted that they were nervous going into the wedding, but their concerns evaporated once they saw each other at the altar.

Im very happy, Morgan said after the ceremony. Hes really cute.

Binh was equally smitten.

My first impression of my wife is that shes super pretty, he said. I think theres definitely chemistry.

The other MAFS couples head off on their honeymoon

RELATED: Married at First Sight: Miguel Says He Doesnt Want to Be a Sugar Daddy as Lindy Makes Debt Confession

While Morgan and Binh are preparing to say their vows, the other Married at First Sight couples are embarking on their journey as husband and wife. The day after the wedding, each bride and groom sat down with their spouses friends and family to get insights about the person they married.

Mitchs family warned his bride Krysten about his pride and tell-it-like-it-is personality, while her friends and relatives stressed the importance of honesty in their relationship. Lindys brother asked her new husband Miguel some invasive questions about when they planned to consummate their marriage. His sister worried that Lindy and Miguel werent astrologically compatible and that she was bringing too much debt into the marriage.

In an emotional conversation, Nate opened up to Stacias family about his childhood and how he didnt really have a relationship with his mom. Stacia confessed to Nates dad and friend that she was a workaholic, which seemed to give them pause. Justins family shared some details with Alexis about his painful failed engagement, while he admitted to her family that he can be very emotional in relationships.

Later, they all took off for Mexico, where theyll spend their honeymoon at a resort in Puerto Vallarta. The couples also had their first group gettogether, with each pair opening up about their first impressions and how things were going so far.

There are storm clouds ahead for all of this seasons couples

We need a magenta flag emoji ASAP ? #MAFSSanDiego pic.twitter.com/bIRix5QEqP  Married At 1st Sight (@MAFSLifetime) July 28, 2022

So far, things seem to be going well for all of the Married at First Sight couples. But a teaser for the rest of season 15 indicates that all five pairs will endure some rocky moments in their relationships.

Mitch and Krysten appear to hit a speed bump when he admits hes not physically attracted to her. Stacia wants to secure her financial future with a post-nuptial agreement, but Nate doesnt seem to think thats necessary. The new MAFS experts, Dr. Pia Holec and DeVon Franklin, also share their insights on the couples relationships. Holec tells Binh hes being vindictive while Morgan wipes away tears. Franklin warns Justin he cant try to control Alexis. Finally, Miguel takes a stand during an argument with Lindy, telling her that she cant talk to me like that.

New episodes of Married at First Sight air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime.

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RELATED: Vincent and Briana From Married at First Sight Are Having a Baby
Royal Family Uses Influence to Block Filming for Season 5 of The Crown Claims Author: Theyre Not Happy

The royal family reportedly used its influence to block filming for season 5 of the Netflix series The Crown. The upcoming installments are set to explore the slow collapse of Prince Charles and Princess Dianas marriage, which formally ended in 1996. Royal author Tina Brown claims that as the series continues to shed light on some of the darker moments of the familys legacy, the royals continue to use their influence to block filming in critical areas central to the storyline.

Dominic West, Elizabeth Debicki, and Imelda Staunton | Netflix/Keith Bernstein/Alex Bailey

The Crown season 5 details

The Independent reported season five would feature Dianas controversial 1995 interview with Martin Bashir. The Princess of Wales spoke candidly about Charless affair with Camilla Parker Bowles to the journalist in 1995.

Khalid Abdallas casting as Dodi Fayed confirms that season 5 of The Crown will feature Fayed and Dianas relationship.

Fayed and Diana perished from injuries sustained in a car crash. The tragedy occurred at Pont de lAlma tunnel in Paris, France, in Aug. 1997.

Royal author Tina Brown claims the family is using their influence to block filming for The Crown season 5

Eton College | Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images

Speaking to the A.V. Club, Royal Author Tina Brown claims the family remains displeased about their portrayal on the Netflix series.

Brown said the clan shut down filming using their influence when they could.

Therefore, critical historical sites central to the storyline have the potential for exclusion.

Basically, Brown says the royal family is very unhappy about this season moving forward.

Whenever they can, they stop The Crown filming in locations where they have an influence, Brown continued.

For instance, [Eton College] refused to let them film there, which was undoubtedly about recognizing Williams feelings that, you know, they werent going to have it. Theyve shown their displeasure by making it quite clear that they are not happy, and well give it no help, the royal author explained.

Specifically, Princes William and Harry attended Eton College, one of the most prestigious high schools in the world. It is located outside London, near Windsor.

Prince Harry may be unhappy with the new season of the Netflix viewer favorite

Undoubtedly, Brown said Prince Harry may be unhappy with how his mother, Princess Diana, is portrayed in the current season of the Netflix viewer favorite.

I dont think that the next season of The Crown is going to be something that Harry will approve of in the sense of how it depicts his mother, Brown assessed.

However, we dont know exactly how Diana is featured in the series. Yet, right now, theres nothing thats come out about their mother that they like, the author concluded.

Prince Harry revealed in Feb. 2021 to Late Late Show with James Corden host James Corden that he has viewed prior seasons of the Netflix series.

Still, Harry understood the show as a scripted drama based on real-life events.

However, he admitted he would rather indulge in watching a fictionalized version of his familys life on-screen than consuming tabloid fodder claiming to be the truth.

RELATED: Royal Author Claims Meghan Markle Wanted to Be Number One and Didnt Understand Hierarchy of Royals
The 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a beloved classic. The movies expert adaptation of Roald Dahls book is remembered fondly for its breathtaking visuals, iconic characters, and whimsical story, all of it held together by whats often hailed as one of Gene Wilders greatest performances as the titular Wonka. Much of the films most alluring elements come from its slightly off-kilter production. Case in point: where the movie was shot and why that decision was made.

The budget and the directors vision explain why Willy Wonka was shot in Germany

A black and white shot of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory | Arthur Sidey/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory was shot in Munich, Germany, a location not often utilized by filmmakers. Keen-eyed viewers can spot a few German signs hanging around in the background of some shots. The reason why this decision was made, though, is a more interesting story, as BuzzFeed described in an article about the movies behind-the-scenes secrets.

For starters, it was pretty cheap to shoot there compared to more conventional locations like Los Angeles or New York. The studio only gave the movie a $3 million budget. While a 1970 dollar goes much further than a 2022 dollar, that was still a tiny amount of money for a movie. Filming in Munich was just the easiest way to save on any scenes set outside the factory.

Money wasnt the only reason, however. Director Mel Stuart wanted to film in Munich because nobody knows what Munich looks like. Hes not exactly wrong in that regard. Few Hollywood movies are set in Germany, let alone shot there. Shooting the film there lent it an almost magical quality, even in scenes that should be pretty mundane.

Many of the iconic parts of the film also have interesting explanations

While the films location is one of the more prominent aspects of the films exciting production, plenty of other things also have similar origins. The BuzzFeed article from before breaks down some of these.

For starters, theres arguably the most memorable moment in the entire movie. The factorys inner doors opening up to reveal the wondrous Chocolate Room is a scene on par with the transition from black and white to color in The Wizard of Oz. The looks of amazement on the actors faces werent even acting, as the director kept everyone from seeing the room before that scene was filmed.

Keeping the actors in the dark for more genuine reactions was a running theme for the movie. The gondola ride that gave so many kids nightmares was also sprung on the actors, as was Willy Wonka seeming to collapse during his introduction (itself a suggestion of Wilders). Additionally, Wonkas screaming fit in his office at the end of the movie wasnt rehearsed, with Wilder desperately wishing to tell the young Peter Ostrum ahead of time.

Willy Wonka was well-received when it was first released and has only gotten more popular

When Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory came out in 1971, critics and audiences generally seemed to like it. That said, it would take some time before it reached the legendary acclaim it has now. While near-universal praise was given to Wilder as Wonka, most considered it to be a nice enough kids movie and little more. By the end of its original theatrical run, it only made around $4 million, barely surpassing its budget and potentially losing money when one factors in the cost of things like marketing.

However, after several years of home release and TV reruns, the movie eventually became a certified classic. These days, it holds a well-earned 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. Its legacy as one of the all-time greats invariably spawned a remake in the mid-2000s, plus an upcoming prequel.

Notably, the books author was one of the films harshest critics. Dahl was originally the films writer and is even credited as such, but major rewrites were done after the fact by an uncredited David Seltzer. This displeased him so much that he ended up disowning the movie entirely.

RELATED: Fan Theory Explains How Snowpiercer Is the Sequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Daily exposure to a class of chemicals used in the production of many household items may lead to cancer, thyroid disease, and childhood obesity, a new study shows. The resulting economic burden is estimated to cost Americans a minimum of $5.5 billion and as much as $63 billion over the lifetime of the current population.

The new work revolves around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of over 4,700 manmade chemicals that experts have detected for decades in the blood of millions of people. The chemicals are used, for example, in the production of water- and oil-resistant clothing, electronics, and nonstick cookware, and people are thought to ingest them as food comes into contact with packaging. The substances are believed to disrupt the function of hormones, signaling compounds that influence many bodily processes.

Led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the new study in roughly 5,000 Americans identified 13 medical conditions that may result from PFAS exposure, such as infertility, diabetes, and endometriosis, a painful disorder of the uterus. Together, the diseases generate medical bills and reduce worker productivity across a lifetime to create the costs measured by the study, say the study authors.

Our findings add to the substantial and still-mounting body of evidence suggesting that exposure to PFAS is harming our health and undermining the economy, says study co-author Linda Kahn, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Population Health at NYU Langone Health.

Previous investigations have quantified the medical burden and financial costs of low birth weight due to PFAS exposure. However, the new study, publishing online July 26 in the journal Exposure and Health, incorporates a much broader range of health consequences across the lifespan, says Kahn.

For the investigation, the researchers determined how many Americans were likely exposed to PFAS chemicals in 2018 using blood samples obtained from adults and children who participated in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Next, the study team analyzed data from dozens of studies in the past decade that explored diseases connected to the substances.

The research team used models from earlier investigations to estimate the national economic cost of the medical bills and lost worker productivity that resulted from the top five medical conditions that had the strongest links to PFAS exposure. These included low birth weight, childhood obesity, kidney and testicular cancers, and hypothyroidism.

Among the findings, the investigation revealed that childhood obesity was the largest contributor to the overall economic toll of PFAS exposure, costing about $2.7 billion. Hypothyroidism in women, a condition in which the thyroid cannot release enough hormones into the bloodstream, was the next highest contributor at $1.26 billion.

The study investigators also expanded the scope of their economic estimates to include eight other conditions with preliminary links to PFAS exposure, including endometriosis, obesity in adults, and pneumonia in children. When such diseases were considered, the total costs reached as high as $63 billion.

Our results strongly support the recent decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to lower the safe allowable level of these substances in water, says study senior author Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP. Based on our estimates, the cost of eradicating contamination and replacing this class of chemical with safer alternatives is ultimately justified when considering the tremendous economic and medical risks of allowing them to persist in the environment.

Trasande, the Jim G. Hendrick MD Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone, cautions that despite the vast research on the health risks of PFAS, few studies have explored the effects of this exposure over time.

The research team next plans to examine the long-term risks of PFAS, adds Trasande, who also serves as director of NYU Langones Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards. In addition, the study authors plan to estimate the economic burden of other endocrine-disrupting contaminants, such as bisphenols, substances used in many plastics and can linings, fire retardants, and pesticides. Trasande is also a professor in NYU Langones Department of Population Health.
The 2022 film Land of Gold was produced at the Cherokee Nations new film studio in Owasso.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. testifies on July 27 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., regarding Freedmen descendants.
Sight & Sound Theaters, known for its live theatrical productions of biblical stories, will premiere the Old Testament story of David on its streaming service this Labor Day weekend.

According to CBN News, the play will be broadcast live from its location in Lancaster, PA, on sight-sound.tv. on September 2 at 7:00 pm EST. An encore performance will also stream on the service over Labor Day weekend.

"For nearly 50 years, people from all over the world have been coming to Sight & Sound to experience the Bible coming to life on stage," Sight & Sound's Director of Marketing & Communications Katie Miller said in a statement. "We are excited to once again bring the experience of live theater to audiences wherever they are in the world."

Sight & Sound premiered the play to a live audience earlier this year. The play highlights David's life, including his iconic battle with the Philistine giant Goliath, his ascent to the throne as Israel's king and his downfall after committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband, Uriah the Hittite, murdered.

The play includes massive sets, live animals and original music inspired by the Psalms, most of which were written by David.

"The incredible story of 'DAVID,' the shepherd boy who would eventually become the most famous king in scripture, is a story full of unexpected adventure," Show Producer Ryan Miller said, according to CBN News. "The production explores all of the complexities of his life, and how through his triumphs and failures he persevered as a man after God's heart."

During the livestream, viewers will be treated to a 15-minute pre-show, a 20-minute intermission, behind-the-scenes interviews, and a brief look behind the creation of the production.

Sight & Sound launched its streaming platform in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to PR Newswire, the Christian theater live-broadcasted its play Queen of Esther, which drew in viewers from over 100 countries during Labor Day weekend that same year.

All of the theater's previous productions, including "Noah," "Miracle of Christmas," "Joseph," "Jonah," "Moses," "Samson," and "Jesus," are also on the streaming service.

Related:

Sight & Sound Launches Movie Studio to Tell Stories of 'Hope, Truth, and Inspiration'

Musical about David of the Bible Opens at Sight & Sound Theaters

Sight & Sound's Queen Esther, Broadcasting Live Labor Day Weekend, Is 'Timely' for Today, Spokeswoman Says



Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Stefanamer

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.
This piece was adapted from Russell Moores newsletter. Subscribe here.

After several weeks of heat waves all over the world, Im finding that the first thing I end up talking with anyone about, no matter where the person is from, is the weather. And then, almost every time, the conversation turns to how crazy and angry everything seems right nowwhether in the world, the nation, or the church.

What if those two conversations turn out to be strangely related? Thats the argument of a new book, Climate, Catastrophe, and Faith: How Changes in Climate Drive Religious Upheaval, which has prompted me to ask some different questions about whats next for the church.

The book caught my attention because it was written by Baylor University historian Philip Jenkins, whose insights have proven themselves repeatedly. When the consensus seemed to be that the world was headed toward an inevitable secularization, Jenkins pointed to the data to show us what was happening with the surge of Christianity in the Global South.

When others downplayed secularization in an American context, Jenkins warnedand was proved rightabout the emergence of the religiously unaffiliated, often called the nones. And now Jenkins asks us to pay attention to something else most of us have not noticed: that a changing climate just might change religion.

In making his case, Jenkins points to world history regarding climate-driven crises. Some, of course, have referenced previous epochs of warming and cooling to suggest that our current climate situation is merely cyclical, not caused substantially by human activity. Jenkins does not hold this view but instead accepts the reality of human-driven climate disruption.

We can, he says, predict some of what is to come based on what weve seen before. There are implications for housing, food supply, migration, population density, geopolitical tensions, and so onbut Jenkins points out that the implications also reach to religion.

For Jenkins, understanding religion in a historical sense means understanding crisis, because crises often prompt religious change. Yet even a crisis rarely happens all at once, he writes. Sometimes changes under the surface go unnoticed for long periods of time and then accelerate quickly.

Think of the decline of the Roman Empire, for instance, followed by its seemingly sudden collapseand think of the way that event prompted Augustines City of God.

Often, Jenkins argues, religious transformations happen in times of stress and anxiety. Sometimes such crises have benefited religionprompting people to reconsider their priorities and their dependence on God and one another in light of their felt mortality. At other times, though, crises have prompted waves of apocalyptic enthusiasm, messianic cults, and societal conflict.

This is where Jenkins draws from historical precedent and offers some warnings that might make us wince.

He contends that catastrophes and upheavals, including those prompted by climate, often result in an uptick in conspiracy theories and scapegoating. When food or land or jobs become scarce, someone will almost always arise to suggest who is to blame. Jenkins further demonstrates that riots, civil wars, militia movements, persecutions, and pogroms have arisen out of these sorts of conspiracy theories.

And, he writes, these groups typically define themselves in religious terms and justify themselves by attacking not just rival faith communities but also other members of the same faith who are seen as deviant or less committed. Attitudes and actions that would once have been unthinkable gain mass support at a time of hunger, social stress, and political breakdown.

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As I read this, I immediately wondered how much more conspiracy theorizing and scapegoating we could take. And by we, Im referring specifically to the United States and Bible Belt evangelical Christianity, not to the world and human society at large. Almost every church, family, friend group, and even some marriages seem to be under stress by the sorts of conspiracy theories and culture wars generated by social media conflict.

Foreign policy analyst Andrew Bacevich argues in his recent book, After the Apocalypse: Americas role in a World Transformed, that the pervasive sense that things are falling apart or coming undone is not just a feeling.

The events of 2020 in particular, Bacevich maintains, were indeed apocalyptic: from the plague of a viral pandemic to economic volatility to extreme weather to political institutions that seemed to be breaking down. In his view, these events pointed to the four horsemen described in Revelation 6 and what they are said to convey.

Rancor, pestilence, want, and fury: These are the Four Horsemen comprising our homemade Apocalypse, he writes. Each exposed weakness and rot in institutions whose integrity Americans had long taken for granted. Each caught members of the nations reigning power elite by surprise.

Could extreme weather make this far worse? Jenkins argues it couldand not just in those regions most directly affected. What happens, he wonders, when a migration crisis means waves of refugees and exiles who will bring their memories of parched ground, failing cities, and dying landscapes? Jenkins suggests history shows us that apocalyptic realities tend to prompt people to look for messiahs.

A society constantly rent by extreme forest fires or dustbowl conditions, where famous cities are sinking under the waves, offers ample opportunities for preachers and prophets of all shades, he writes.

Jesus, of course, warned of this precise dynamic.

He spoke of wars and rumors of wars, of political breakdown as nation rises against nation, of famines and earthquakes in various places. Contrary to some prophecy-mongers of the past, Jesus explicitly said he was warning us not of the actual endpoint of history but of the beginning of birth pains that will happen throughout the time between his first and second comings (Matt. 24:68).

These natural and political upheavals, Jesus predicted, would be accompanied by religious communities split apart as many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate one another (24:10). The love of many, he foretold, would grow cold (24:12). And against this backdrop, Jesus said, there would always be people falsely claiming to be messiahs who could fix it all (24:5, 11).

Jenkins writes that a warming world might just prove secularization experts definitively wrongthose who forecast the end of religion within a century or two, a near-literal death of God. Such forecasts are rooted, after all, in the assumption that the world is becoming like Swedenan affluent, upwardly mobile society of stable institutions, relative economic prosperity, and technological progress.

Right now, though, Jenkins argues, the most vulnerable parts of the planet are already suffused in faith, and those religious beliefs and values can only grow in the face of worldly disaster.

Yet to Jenkins, this is not necessarily good news for those of us who long for a revival of gospel Christianity. These upheavals have often led people, as Jesus warned, to find cults and leaders with easy answers who assign blame and promise a way out with various types of prosperity gospels.

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However, as Jenkins and several other observers of contemporary religion note, religious cults are on a distinct downturn, even with all the uncertainty all around us. Instead, what we see now is a secularization, even of apocalyptic sects.

In a Patheos column this week, historian Daniel K. Williams examines the widespread Bible Belt phenomenon of white Southern Protestants who no longer attend churchand there are a lot of them. Williams writes: If lapsed evangelical Protestant were a denomination, it would be by far the largest religious body in the South.

But again, contrary to the myths of progressive secularization, Williams mines the data to show that these de-churched evangelicals are not becoming like the Swedes or even like de-churched cradle Catholics from the northeastern US.

Their politics havent changed (except for becoming more extreme), and neither has their sense of religious identity. The data show that they are liberalizing, to be sure, but only on the specific sins they want to commitespecially when it comes to premarital sex.

When people leave church, they retain the moralismat least insofar as it pertains to other peoplebut lose the sense of self-sacrifice and trust in others, Williams writes. They keep their Bible, their gun, their pro-life pin, and their MAGA hat, but also pick up a condom and a marijuana joint and lose whatever willingness they had to care for other people in community.

Studies show that these de-churched Protestants are far more hyperindividualistic, cynical, and distrustful of others, Williams continues, and are more likely to believe that most people take advantage of others. They are also much more likely to be lonely, angry, disconnected, and suspicious of institutions.

When the church is raptured from a persons life and all thats left are culture wars, the result is not good. Its almost as though we were always meant to live and worship and serve in communityserving a Christ who is inseparable from his body and the gospel.

But when that isnt the case, it becomes an environment in which all kinds of would-be messiahs can step in, peddling all sorts of alternative gospels. If life feels like an apocalypse, people will seek out prophets in the wilderness who will point the way home.

If, in fact, extreme weather and other challenges are in our future, we could experience trends that accelerate all the factors leading to further anger, instability, and disconnectioneven in places where the churches used to be the center of the community.

Now, it may be that none of these worst-case scenarios come to pass as some technological advance or political solution averts them all. Yet even if these challenges do come, the Spirit may work through them to draw us to him and one another, even as the crisis of famine prompted the prodigal to return to his fathers house (Luke 15:1418).

But in any case, the call is for all of us not to give in to disconnection, anger, or cynicism but to hold fast to a gospel that matches all our apocalypses with an Apocalypse of its own. Whether the world is hot or cold, we must be a church that refuses to be lukewarm when it comes to the One we worship, the church we serve, and the people around us.

Whatever the future holds, we can remember that on this side of hell, its never too hot for faith, for hopeand, above all, for love.

Russell Moore leads the Public Theology Project at Christianity Today.
South Africa: Eskom, Netherlands sign agreement

Eskom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed a letter of intent which will pave the way forward for a pre-feasibility study for what it calls a climate-smart, labour intensive agriculture/horticulture development at the site of the Grootvlei Power Station in Mpumalanga.

According to Eskom, the development study will explore an integrated and sustainable approach for the repurposing of the coal fired power station in accordance with the power producers commitments towards greener energy production and South Africas Just Energy Transition (JET).

We are keen to assess all options for repurposing our sites that will ensure greater community involvement, innovative revenue creation and upliftment of the socio-economic standing of these areas.

The aim of the study is to determine the most applicable, climate-smart, labour intensive farming and agricultural related repurposing opportunities for the Grootvlei Power Station site to create positive social, economic and environmental impact on the surrounding area whilst ensuring local community involvement and empowerment, Eskom said.

These repurposing opportunities will be employed in addition to the renewable energy repowering options that are currently being assessed for the site.

These activities are complimentary and fulfil the aim of Eskoms JET strategy to meet both decarbonisation and socio-economic goals, the power utility said.

According to Eskom, the collaboration between it and the Netherlands is already beginning to bear fruit.

The collaboration thus far has resulted in a Geographical Information Systems study of the Grootvlei area, a repurposing options assessment, a preliminary situational analysis of the property by horticulture experts and soil and water quality analyses by specialists, Eskom said.

It is envisioned that employees at power stations and surrounding local communities will be socially and economically impacted as coal fired power stations wind down operations in favour of green energy and Eskom said it is committed to making sure that they are not left behind but are empowered in different ways.

Eskom's Just Energy Transition Office places equal importance on the transition to low carbon technologies and the ability to do so in a manner that is just.

Eskom is therefore committed to ensuring that socio-economic and environmental benefits of transitioning are realised, that employees and communities are involved in finding the solutions and that the transition does not exacerbate the already high unemployment rate in our country but results in a net increase in sustainable jobs, the power supplier said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-07-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Interview: Indonesia-China relations set for closer future, says expert

09:33, July 28, 2022 By Zheng Shibo, Yu Qianliang ( Xinhua

Jusuf Wanandi, senior fellow and co-founder of Indonesia's leading think tank, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesia-China relationship continues to grow and is set for stronger ties in the future, according to an Indonesia-based expert.

"The Indonesia-China cooperation is not only beneficial to Indonesians and Chinese but also to all the peoples of East Asia," Jusuf Wanandi, senior fellow and co-founder of Indonesia's leading think tank, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, recently told Xinhua.

Bilateral projects under the framework of the Belt and Road cooperation are running smoothly, Wanandi said, citing projects under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor covering the Indonesian provinces of North Sumatra, North Kalimantan, North Sulawesi and Bali.

Noting that Indonesia will host the summit of the Group of 20 (G20) in November, Wanandi said, "Indonesia supports that the G20 summit must come up with some concrete proposals, not just talk without action."

The 85-year-old expert on international issues has visited more than 30 cities in China and has long devoted himself to promoting friendly relations between the two countries.

Recalling his first visit to China in the 1980s, Wanandi said the cities then had an outdated look. But that is no longer the case after "more than 40 years of rapid development."

Wanandi said he believes that the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is a crucial reason for China's success, as the CPC has done a good job in leading the Chinese people in overcoming difficulties.

"It is very rare in the world to experience such a leapfrogging development as China has, but China proved that she can do it. I am delighted, amazed, and proud," he said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
The system is such that nobody is scared of committing a crime, especially when it comes to rape, said Sharma. V. Sandhya, national convener, Progressive Organisation for Women, said the accused or the victim must be treated according to their age as a minor or a major.(Representational DC Image)

HYDERABAD: Womens right activists in the city reacted vehemently on the five juvenile accused in the Jubilee Hills minor girls gang-rape case being granted bail by the courts and said the law was not the same for those who have good political, economical and muscle power.

Bail should not be granted so easily to those who committed heinous, horrific and severe crime, added the activists. Questioning the way each accused was treated by the system, social activist Yamuna Pathak said not all criminals were treated the same way. She said the juvenile accused were getting lavish and royal treatment even in jail.

The law should be uniform for all. The minors were treated royally and now they are released on bail. Is this how the accused are treated when they do something this heinous? If an accused is proven guilty, they must be punished. But our system doesnt allow the accused to be guilty as they get away using their influences and political power. How can the accused be free so easily? When all the evidence collected so far prove that they committed the rape, how can they be let loose so easily, questioned Pathak.

Human rights activist Dhruva Narayan Sharma said there was no fear of law anywhere, be it the rich or the poor. The system is such that nobody is scared of committing a crime, especially when it comes to rape, said Sharma. V. Sandhya, national convener, Progressive Organisation for Women, said the accused or the victim must be treated according to their age as a minor or a major. Before anybody gets a bail, the severity of the crime must be considered.

Only the court is supposed to make a decision on who should be getting a bail. The public prosecution can also present arguments for the rejection of bail and the police can demand for the rejection of the bail as well, she said.
When I was a teenager, my church trained the youth on door-to-door evangelism. We would knock on a door and ask the person, How confident are you that you are going to heaven when you die? Most people were not 100 percent sure, and this opened an opportunity to share what Jesus had done for them. At the time, I would have summarized the main message of the Bible like this: You can avoid hell and go to heaven if you pray the sinners prayer, accept Jesus into your heart, and go to church. As far as I knew, that was the gospel.

Klyne Snodgrass, a theologian and New Testament scholar, probably had someone like me (or at least the 16-year-old me) in mind as he wrote You Need a Better Gospel: Reclaiming the Good News of Participation with Christ. Snodgrasss basic argument is that too many Christians and churcheseven pastors (who should know better)have bought into a cheap and counterfeit gospel. The real message of salvation, he claims, is not about going to heaven or claiming a get-out-of-jail-free card but about knowing Christ himself, the Giver as well as the Gift.

Those who have studied Pauls theology will quickly recognize that Snodgrass stakes his claim on a particular theory about Pauls understanding of salvation. Some scholars favor a justification-by-faith emphasis, focusing on the language and imagery of imputation (the transfer of Christs righteousness to sinners) and the appeasement of Gods wrath. Others highlight the victory of Christ over evil or, in Pauline parlance, over sin and death.

Snodgrass, for his part, identifies with those who center the idea of participation in Christ. (Its unclear why Snodgrasss subtitle references participation with Christ rather than employing the traditional language of in Christ; the change doesnt seem to carry special significance.) At its core, the participation approach is relational. It is about finding ones identity and place in Christ, safely in his kingdom, and thriving in living communion with the Messiah.

A theological shot in the arm

Before getting into the substance of the book, I want to say a few words about the style. Snodgrass is a widely respected biblical scholar best known for writing an excellent volume on interpreting Jesus parables (Stories with Intent) and for advocating for women in ministry, especially within his denomination, the Evangelical Covenant Church.

This book, You Need a Better Gospel, does not read like a traditional academic book. There are very few footnotes, direct engagement with current scholars is limited, and the tone is more conversational. Chapters are short (about 1015 pages apiece), and the intended audience is pastors and everyday Christians. This is not a systematic theology of the gospel but rather a theological shot in the arm from an academic expert who has been around for a while and has seen how faulty Christian teaching and a cheap gospel have affected the church.

The books 11 chapters arent grouped into specific sections, but they appear to flow in this way: Chapters 13 get at the concept of participation and why it is crucial to the gospel. Chapters 49 cover a spectrum of biblical texts from the Old and New Testaments, and the final two chapters revisit the importance of participation theology for the Christian life.

Right off the bat, Snodgrass begins with the problem: We have offered a deficient, inept, and inert gospel that in the end is not even a gospel, not good news. He indicts the church for preaching and living out a cheap gospel that doesnt lead to meaningful and lasting change. Snodgrass is upfront about his own understanding of the gospel. Early in the book, he offers a brief portrait of participation theology that emphasizes God coming to sinners in the incarnate Son of God, defeating evil, and bestowing the Spirit to create a new community with God and with one another.

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On the same page, Snodgrass offers a one-sentence summary worth quoting in full: God is for you, even if you are a worthless, amoral twit, and through Jesus he invites you to live with him to become who you should be. There are four pieces to this statement that we can make explicit: (1) We are sinners, broken and selfish, (2) God still cares about us, (3) Jesus came to save us and change us, and (4) he does this through a transformative relationship.

As Snodgrass explains, faith is not about checking doctrines off a mental list in the hopes of getting into heaven. Conversion isnt a one-time purchase of a religious product, like buying a new fridge or car. It is the surrender of a whole life to God and the commitment of a whole life to participating in the life of God. Snodgrass understands the Greek word pistis (which is typically rendered as faith in English Bible translations) as a relational word, one that suggests living in solidarity with someone, participating in community together, and experiencing a vital intertwining of lives.

At times, Snodgrasss discussion is overly simplistic. He doesnt go out of his way, for instance, to explain that pistis can mean many things depending on the context. But he is right to argue that for New Testament writers like Paul, faith language is inherently social and involves commitment, loyalty, friendship, and deep interpersonal engagement. If Christians get faith wrong, treating it as primarily cognitive and passive, they will fail to live out the true gospel. They become mere consumers of the gospel product, not the world-shapers the Messiah desires them to be.

Lest anyone think participation theology is a late voice to the conversation on Paul, Snodgrass notes how theologians from as early as the beginning of the second century (like Ignatius) have pulled on this thread. The list includes names many Christians will recognize, like Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and even Martin Luther (who is often associated with justification by faith). For example, Snodgrass quotes Luther as saying that a Christian lives not in himself, but in Christ and in his neighbor. Otherwise he is not a Christian.

Participation theology, then, has been around since the very beginning of Christian theology, and Snodgrass argues that it is high time the church recovers its centrality and importance. It is not simply that the church would benefit from participation theology but that the church needs it.

In the middle chapters of the book, Snodgrass argues that participation theology is found throughout the whole Bible. In the Old Testament, for instance, it appears as God forms his own people (Israel). Jesus models it in his relationship with his disciples. Pauls writings include many in statements (in Christ, in the Lord, in God, etc.). But the most obvious examples come in illustrations from the Gospel of John: Think of the vine and the branches (15:110), the bread and water of life (6:2559; 4:714), and friendship with Christ (15:1315). The bottom line, for Snodgrass, is that oneness with God is not a theological preference of one biblical author but the primary conception of Gods saving work through the whole of Scripture.

In chapter 10, Snodgrass observes that often the Bibles participation theology is expressed in metaphors that try to capture a mysterious and ineffable concept using language and images familiar to our everyday lives. Sometimes communing with God is likened to eating and drinking, with ingestion representing a fusion of substances: Taste and see that the Lord is good (Ps. 34:8), for example, or I am the bread of life (John 6:35). Another image is that of dwelling in God or God dwelling in and with the believer (John 1:14; Heb. 3:6). Using many different terms and expressions, the biblical writers continually pointed to the same thing: salvation and the Good News as knowing God and being known by God, through and through.

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A passionate plea

I really enjoyed reading You Need a Better Gospel. I found myself nodding in agreement with Snodgrass again and again as I progressed through the book. I have only two minor critiques. First, he has a habit of using us or we for the people he charges with having a bad theology and gospel. We have bought into an irrelevant gospel, he might say. Or we shouldnt preach only about going to heaven. Or we need to learn about participation theology.

I kept wondering, Who exactly is this we ? Is it the American evangelical church? Is it a generational group, like the baby boomers or Gen X? In some ways, Snodgrasss casting of one wide net kept his argument tidy and straightforward, but it also gives the impression of lumping all Christians into one theological category. And it made me wonder: Would Kenyan Pentecostals identify with Snodgrasss indictments? Asian Methodists? What about Mexican immigrant Catholic churches in the United States? More concrete examples of the false gospel may have helped readers conceptualize whom Snodgrass was talking about and to.

My second concern is related. At times, Snodgrasss description of the problem with our current gospel seemed vague. He would have been well served, I think, to lay out the range of views on Pauls theology early in the book, so that readers could compare them and better understand how the individualistic, going-to-heaven view became so widespread and dominant. Snodgrass briefly addresses some of this later in the book (in chapter 8), but by then it seems too late.

These concerns notwithstanding, Snodgrass offers a concise and passionate plea for Christians to (re)discover a big, beautiful gospel that is relational, transformative, and relevant to life in the here and now. Its worth repeating that the true gospel of Scripture proclaims, in Snodgrasss words, that God is for us and draws us into solidarity through Christ so that we live with God and are engaged in the purposes of God. If you, or someone you know and love, needs a better gospel, I urge you to hear Snodgrass out.

Nijay K. Gupta is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. His forthcoming book is 15 New Testament Words of Life: A New Testament Theology for Real Life.
Ronald J. Sider, organizer of the evangelical left and author of Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, died on Wednesday at 82. His son told followers that Sider suffered from a sudden cardiac arrest.

For nearly 50 years, Sider called evangelicals to care about the poor and see poverty as a moral issue. He argued for an expanded understanding of sin to include social structures that perpetuate inequality and injustice, and urged Christians to see how their salvation should compel them to care for their neighbors.

Salvation is a lot more than just a new right relationship with God through forgiveness of sins. Its a new, transformed lifestyle that you can see visible in the body of believers, he said. Sin is a biblical category. Given a careful reading of the world and the Bible and our giving patterns, how can we come to any other conclusion than to say that we are flatly disobeying what the God of the Bible says about the way he wants his people to care for the poor?

Sider was a key facilitator of the born-again left that emerged in the 1970s. But he lived to see American evangelicals largely turn away from concerns about war, racism, and inequality. He continued to speak out, however, and became, as a Christianity Today writer once described it, the burr in the ethical saddle of the white evangelical horse.

His landmark book, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, inspired generations of young Christians, selling 400,000 copies in nine languages. CT ranked it as one of the most influential evangelical titles of the 20th century, right after J. I. Packers Knowing God and Kenneth Taylors The Living Bible.

Rich Stearns, president emeritus of World Vision, called Sider a great Christian soul and a passionate justice warrior. Adam Russell Taylor, the president of Sojourners, said he was was a longtime friend and ally and a tireless proponent of peace and justice. Both referenced the impact of Siders book on their lives.

Sider was born in Fort Erie, Ontario, in September 1939. Raised on a 275-acre farm, his father was a farmer and a pastor in the Brethren in Christ Church, an Anabaptist and Wesleyan tradition that combined concern for holiness, a commitment to peace, and a literalist reading of the Sermon on the Mount.

Sider was the first in his family to pursue higher education, but he carried with him the conviction that Christian faith was not merely intellectual assent: True faith should shape your whole life.

He studied history under Christian apologist John Warwick Montgomery at Waterloo Lutheran University in Ontario and then went to Yale University to study the Reformation with historian Jaroslav Pelikan. Sider wrote his dissertation on Andreas Karlstadt, a contemporary of Martin Luther who renounced academic titles, wore peasants clothes, and preached simplicity in the church.

Sider was learning to embrace a similar radicalism in his own life. Instead of living with the other graduate students at Yale, he found a home for his young family on the edge of a Black neighborhood in New Haven, Connecticut. Then he moved to the center of the African American community, where he mourned with his neighbors when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968 and became involved with the local struggle for civil rights. When he wasnt reading Latin and German for his dissertation, Sider helped Black activists register voters and recruited Yales InterVarsity students to join him.

After graduating, Sider took a position teaching at Messiah Colleges Philadelphia campus and then at Eastern Universitys Palmer Theological Seminary. He moved to the African American neighborhood in Germantown and focused his classes on racism, war, and poverty.

Sider also became more politically active. He campaigned for George McGovern, founding Evangelicals for McGovern to rally support for the anti-war senator from South Dakota who was maligned by his many opponents as the candidate for acid, amnesty, and abortion.

According to historian David Swartz, Evangelicals for McGovern was the first evangelical group after 1945 to support a presidential candidate. Religious Right groups such as the Moral Majority and Christian Coalition had not yet organized, and though many prominent leaders such as Billy Graham supported President Richard Nixon, evangelical politics at that moment seemed up for grabs. Sider, along with people like Tom Skinner, Jim Wallis, and Richard Mouw, wanted to grab it. They believed Christians who loved Jesus and hated sin should exert their political will to oppose the war in Vietnam, law-and-order politics, and economic policies that aggravated poverty.

After McGoverns landslide loss, Sider organized a group of about 50 to meet in a YMCA basement in Chicago before Thanksgiving 1973. They wrote a declaration of evangelical social concern.

We acknowledge our Christian responsibilities of citizenship, it said. Therefore, we must challenge the misplaced trust of the nation in economic and military mighta proud trust that promotes a national pathology of war and violence with victimizes our neighbors at home and abroad. We must resist the temptation to make the nation and its institutions objects of near-religious loyalty.

In 1977, Sider published Rich Christians, arguing that poverty is a moral and not just economic issue. Christians who take the Bible seriously should oppose wealth inequality, he said, and see the injustice of the social structures that benefit powerful people at the expense of the poor.

Hunger and starvation stalk the land, he wrote. The problem, we know, is that the worlds resources are not evenly distributed. North Americans live on an affluent island amid a sea of starving humanity.

Evangelical Christians had long preached against some of the sins that lead to poverty, such as alcohol abuse. But they had ignored others, when condemnation would mean corporate responsibility.

If Gods word is true, then all of us who dwell in affluent nations are trapped in sin. We have profited from systemic injustice, Sider wrote. We are guilty of an outrageous offense against God and neighbor.

The book was sharply criticized by Christian Reconstructionist Gary North, who accused Sider of being a guilt manipulator, and Christian worldview philosopher Francis Schaeffer, who said Sider had succumbed to secular humanism and focused too much on societys material problems.

The book nevertheless found an eager audience of evangelicals. It was especially popular among InterVarsity students and at campus ministries across the US and abroad. Rich Christians was translated into German, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, and Korean, and continued to circulate among left-leaning Christians for decades.

Sider became a spark plug, according to a 1992 CT profile, among a small group of evangelicals who were interested in social and political issues, most of whom were young, well educated, highly idealistic, and shared a concern for social and racial justice and simple living.

Sider founded Evangelicals for Social Action (now Christians for Social Action) in 1978. Hopes, however, for a strong progressive evangelical movement were soon swamped by the popularity of Ronald Reagan and the successes of the Religious Right. Republican leaders actively courted white evangelicals, finding common causes on issues from the Supreme Court to the local school board. Meanwhile, leading Democratsmany of whom found Jimmy Carters moralism judgmental and offensiveavoided or dismissed religious concerns and religious voters.

Nonetheless, Sider continued speaking and writing about evangelical moral concerns, including popular books on simple living and historic studies of the early churchs holistic pro-life teaching. Evangelicals for Social Action lobbied for sanctions on apartheid South Africa, launched the Evangelical Environmental Network, and campaigned for higher fuel-efficiency standards on automobiles.

Sider also protested American support for Latin American dictators in the 1980s and opposed the Gulf War in 1991 and the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Sider refused to isolate abortion from issues of violence & injustice, urging conservative evangelicals to be completely pro-life, wrote historian Brantley Gasaway. Siders career seems bittersweet.  a bitter reminder of what modern evangelical politics might have but did not become.

Sider continued to cry out to evangelicals from the wilderness into the 2020 election, when he edited a collection of Christian political essays called The Spiritual Danger of Donald Trump.

He said he published the book with deep sadness and persistent hope, calling American Christians across the political spectrum to demonstrate their commitment to truth, respect for opponents, and willingness to negotiate reasonable bipartisan compromise. Writers in the collection included former CT editor in chief Mark Galli, evangelical philosopher Michael Austin, theologian Samuel Escobar, and former Republican Congressman Reid Ribble.

We believe that Christians can make a huge contribution to preserving a good future for our children and grandchildren, Sider wrote, by praying for Gods guidance, submitting unconditionally to biblical principles about truth, justice, and moral integrity, and faithfully applying these biblical principles in all our political decisions.

In March 2021, he announced he had an aggressive form of bladder cancer and that he would be starting radiology and chemotherapy treatments. Sider said he was praying for 10 more years to live, but also kept singing a hymn from his childhood:

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above!

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,

In fathomless billows of love!

We at Christians for Social Action feel the loss of this humble, kind, and prophetic man, said Nikki Toyama-Szeto, the organizations executive director. As the initial surprise passes, we hold deep gratitude for the big and small ways that Ron bore witness to Gods heart, and how he always showed us a fuller picture of what it means to follow Jesus.

Toyama-Szeto said in a statement that as Sider worked on his autobiography, he was unafraid of death, confident that an even better story awaited him.

On July 28, Siders son Ted shared on Facebook and Substack that his father had died suddenly of a cardiac arrest and asked followers to please join our family in grieving for him.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Arbutus Lichti Sider, and three children.

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15-year-old boy fatally shoots self, 3 siblings in Alaska; parents not home at the time

A 15-year-old boy fatally shot himself and three of his multiple siblings after they were left at home alone, Alaska State Troopers reported Wednesday.

A release from the Alaska Department of Public Safety said the suspected murder-suicide was discovered at a home in the Skyridge Drive Subdivision in Fairbanks after Alaska State Troopers received reports about shots being fired there at 4:17 p.m.

Authorities found three children who were uninjured in the home while four others were dead from apparent gunshot wounds.

Investigation revealed a 15-year-old male shot the three siblings and then shot himself, the release said. He was found deceased with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The ages of the murdered siblings are 5, 8, and 17, NBC affiliate KTUU reported, while the three uninjured siblings are all younger than 7.

Tim DeSpain, a spokesperson for the Alaska State Troopers, told The Associated Press that the weapon used in the killings was a family gun but beyond that, its all still part of the ongoing investigation.

While the motive for the murder-suicide remains under investigation, a research letter published in JAMA Pediatrics in April said Alaska was among 14 states where collective evidence showed an overall increase in suicides during the pandemic.

Proportion of suicides among adolescents has shifted markedly and heterogeneously across the 14 participating states, researchers said. Although previous studies reported that suicide-related deaths in the broader population decreased during the pandemic, we found that adolescents have not experienced the same patterns as adults in the participating 14 states in the same period.

Along with Alaska, the other states included in the study which feature data from 2015 to 2020 are: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia and Vermont.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness also noted that suicide is the second-leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds in the U.S. Among high school students, 20% have reported having serious thoughts of suicide while 9% have made a suicide attempt.

According to Dr. Carl Fleisher of UCLA Health, what makes adolescents so vulnerable to mental health challenges is where they stand socially and where they stand developmentally.

Teenagers and young adults have the highest rates of suicide compared to other ages, Fleisher noted in a UCLA Health report earlier this year. The things that make them vulnerable are where they stand socially and where they stand developmentally.

He explained that for adolescents, their judgment and decision-making abilities are still developing and wont be fully developed until their mid-20s.

"They're not going to weigh risks and consequences or values in quite the same way that older folks will.

Teenagers also tend to have less social support than adults do and the isolation from the pandemic made their social disconnection even worse.

Adults, says Dr. Fleisher, can help teenagers by proactively checking in on them not because they look like theyre struggling, but because they look like theyre OK.

What doesnt seem to increase risk of suicide is talking about the importance of mental health, talking about the importance of reaching out to people who are struggling, he said. Or if youre struggling, reaching out for help.
2 killed, dozen injured by terrorist attack on Syrian church inauguration

A Greek Orthodox church in Syria built as a replica of Istanbuls Hagia Sophia with Russias help was bombed during its inauguration, according to reports, killing at least two people and injuring about a dozen others.

A rocket was fired by unspecified terrorist organizations targeting the crowded inauguration ceremony of Hagia Sophia Church in the town of Al-Suqaylabiyah, about 30 miles northwest of Syrias central province of Hama on Sunday, AFP reported, citing the Syrian Arab News Agency.

The attack reportedly involved rockets, missiles or armed drones.

The Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad was building the church as a replica of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, with the help of the Russian government in response to the Turkish governments converting that building to a mosque in July 2020, Catholic News Agency reported.

The construction of the mini replica of Hagia Sophia, a church dedicated to divine wisdom, started two years ago, with the approval of the Damascus government, according to Fides.

The U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern said that while the perpetrators of the church attack are unknown, it is believed to be members affiliated with Turkish-backed non-state actors.

Throughout the civil war, we have seen the Syrian government, Turkey, Russia, and others compete for influence across the country, ICC President Jeff King said. Sundays attack is a painful reminder that this competition repeatedly places innocent Christians in the crossfire of regional violence.

He said that [w]arring parties in Syria have once again shown unacceptable disregard for civilian life. Our prayers are with the victims of this attack.

Parts of Hama province are controlled by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, the former franchise in Syria of Al-Qaeda, and other rebel groups also remain active with varying degrees of Turkish backing, according to AFP.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been seeking to gain support among his conservative base amid economic and political uncertainty.

Istanbuls Hagia Sophia, built in 537 A.D. as a Greek Orthodox church, was the seat of Eastern Christianity for 900 years before the city was seized in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror, who converted it into an Ottoman mosque. In 1934, modern Turkeys founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, banned worship in Hagia Sophia and designated it as a museum.

Global persecution watchdog Open Doors USA ranks Syria as the 15th-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution. The Middle Eastern country's Christian population has dwindled since civil war began in 2011. Syria is also home to several Islamic extremist groups.

According to the watchdog, public expression of faith is dangerous for Christians in areas where extremists have territorial control.

"Even though the public threat of ISIS has largely subsided, Christians in Syria still grapple with daily persecution that may become violent. In areas where Islamic extremist groups are active, leaders of historical church communities may be targeted simply because they are more visible," an Open Doors fact sheet states. "But leaders of other Christian groups are also vulnerable because they may be more active in evangelism. Church buildings are completely destroyed in many parts of Syria where Islamic extremists had control (or continue to maintain control)."
Father of Israeli American girl killed in suicide bombing urges Biden to seek justice

The parents of a 15-year-old Israeli American girl killed in a Jerusalem suicide bombing have been trying to communicate with the United States government for years to convince Jordan to extradite a woman charged with organizing the attack and force her to stand trial in the U.S.

Arnold Roth's daughter, Malki, died in an attack at Jerusalem's Sbarro pizzeria on Aug. 9, 2001, which left 15 dead and 130 more people injured.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Roth said that the woman who planned the attack, Jordanian national Ahlam Tamimi, had targeted a location where she knew there would be Jewish children. The suicide attack was ultimately carried out by Izz al-Din Shuheil al-Masri.

"So that massacre was really the end of the innocent part of our lives," he told CP.

"Not everyone who has children understands what it's like to lose a child. And people that don't have children often don't really grasp the intensity of it."

Although Tamimi was convicted by an Israeli military tribunal and received multiple life sentences, she was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange.

Earlier this month, Roth and his wife wrote a letter to President Joe Biden, asking him to demand Jordan extradite to Tamimi and to meet with them when he visited Jerusalem. The letter was sent to Biden through the U.S. Embassy.

"Something is obviously terribly wrong with how the pursuit of America's most wanted female fugitive is going," the Roths wrote in their letter.

"We want to explain this to you better in a face-to-face meeting," they added. "We want you to look us in the eyes, Mr. President, and tell us how Jordan's king can be a praiseworthy ally."

Roth claims he has not had any contact with Biden or Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The father says that he has been working to see Tamimi extradited to the U.S. since she was released over a decade ago.

As CNN reported, Israel agreed in October 2011 to free over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were convicted of attacking Israelis, in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit whom Hamas had captured.

After she was released, Tamimi began making speeches and launched a television show called "Breezes of the Free," a program for Arabic-speaking audiences that endorsed terrorism, according to Roth.

The father said that this was the "last straw in a series of last straws."

Roth and his wife agreed that he should go to Washington. He made an appointment with the Department of Justice and FBI. While there, he gave a presentation on the issue in front of 20 senior officials.

"And the upshot of it was that I got an assurance that, quote, 'If we can, we'll go after her,'" he said.

Roth and his family did not hear anything for the next five years until, in March 2017, the Americans began negotiating with Jordanians to extradite Tamimi. While the Trump administration claimed two years ago that it would withhold aid to Jordan if they did not extradite Tamimi, no action appears to have been taken.

The father believes this is because Jordan is one of the U.S.' foreign allies, and there is hesitation about alienating a strategic partner. He noted that Tamimi is a relatively high-profile figure, considered a "hero" by some Jordanians, making the country's leaders afraid to possibly shake things up by extraditing her.

"Jordan is the tail that's wagging the dog. They have no power," Roth said. "They will not exist for a minute without American support. And you're trying to tell us that you can't take this woman and put her on trial in Washington because Jordan wouldn't allow it?"

Throughout the past 20 years, Roth and his wife have run a nonprofit in their daughter's name.

The charity is named after Malki, which Roth says was intended to preserve the good in his daughter's life for others to know about. It also comes from Malki's interactions with her disabled little sister, who is blind and brain damaged, whom Malki reportedly doted on.

The Malki Foundation has locations in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia and Israel. The foundation receives a small amount of money from the Israeli government, but Roth said that the "bulk" of the support comes from ordinary people.

The foundation helps the parents of children with disabilities provide at-home care for their children instead of placing them in an institution. The nonprofit assists them with ensuring these parents have the necessary equipment and home therapies.

"We knew we had to do something to memorialize her life," he said.

"So it was clear that we wanted to do for other people what Malki did, her own sister, and that's that's been the moral throughout all these years."
Dozens of Christians kidnapped in house-to-house abductions in northern Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria  Suspected Islamic extremists on Monday night kidnapped 36 people from a predominantly Christian village outside the city of Kaduna, in northern Nigeria.

The house-to-house abductions came after the kidnapping of 16 people from a nearby area in Kaduna states Chikun County on June 28.

Area resident Narin Barde said Muslim terrorists on Monday attacked the Keke B Community area of Millennium City, Chikun County, shooting randomly and capturing 36 Christians.

The Muslim terrorists attacked the community at about 9 p.m., shooting at the people, and broke into their houses and forcefully took away the victims to an unknown place, Barde said in a text message to Morning Star News.

On June 28 suspected Islamic terrorists attacked predominantly Christian Sabon Gero village, kidnapping 16 people, area residents said.

In northwest Nigerias Sokoto state, Roman Catholic leaders reported that one of their parishioners, Tony Udemezue, was kidnapped at gunpoint on Monday (July 25) at 2 a.m. from his home in Tambuwal, Tambuwal County.

The Rev. Chris Omotosho, director of communications for the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, said in a press statement that Udemezue called police before being taken away at gunpoint but received no help from officers.

There was no police response to the distressed phone call by Udemezue at about 2 a.m., Omotosho said. This is despite several phone calls he made to the police before he was taken away. Please let us keep him and his family in prayers.

The kidnappings follow the abduction and killing of the Rev. John Mark Cheitnum of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Kaduna state. He was kidnapped on July 15 from the parish rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church in Yalding Garu, Lere County and later killed. His body was found on July 19.

Cheitnum served as priest at St. James Parish in Fori, Jemaa Local Government Area, according to the diocese.

The Rev. Julius Kundi, bishop of Kafanchan Diocese, said while addressing mourners at Cheitnums funeral on Thursday (July 21) that Christians will remain steadfast in spite of such attacks.

I was crushed by the news of the death, but I am convinced that his death will prove to our enemies the genuineness and the beauty of our faith, Kundi said at the Cathedral of St. Peter Claver, in Kafanchan town. Those whose stock in trade is the abduction and the gruesome murder of members of the clergy should know that this will not stop us from courageously carrying the torch of the gospel to the ends of the earth, notwithstanding the barrage of attacks on our faith.

Gunmen attacked another village in Kaduna state, Janbaba in Giwa County, on July 19, killing one Christian, said area resident Philip Umar in a text message to Morning Star News.

For two days, we were not able to sleep at night as the bandits visited us with horror, he said.

The chairman of the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association (SKCLA), Pastor Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, condemned the spate of attacks in a statement on July 20.

The rising cases of priests being kidnapped and in some cases killed by their abductors, even after receiving ransoms, is worrisome, Kure said. We pray God to expose these killers and rescue all Christians in the den of their kidnappers.

Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith last year (Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021) at 4,650, up from 3,530 the previous year, according to Open Doors 2022 World Watch List report. The number of kidnapped Christians was also highest in Nigeria, at more than 2,500, up from 990 the previous year, according to the WWL report.

Nigeria trailed only China in the number of churches attacked, with 470 cases, according to the report.

In the 2022 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to seventh place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 9 the previous year.

This article was originally published by Morning Star News.
Pastor Ted Haggard accused of inappropriate male touching and drug use in new ministry

Some 12 years after starting Colorado-based St. James Church in a defiant comeback from a 2006 sex scandal involving illicit drug use and a male prostitute, former National Association of Evangelicals President Ted Haggard has been accused of inappropriately touching at least two young men and illicit drug use during his new ministry.

"People are scared and worried and don't want to be connected to him anymore," the Rev. Kirk "Seth" Sethman, who was ordained as a minister by St. James Church in October 2012, told The Colorado Springs Gazette.

St. James Church did not immediately respond to questions about the allegations when contacted by The Christian Post on Wednesday. But Sethman, a reformed drug addict who served time in prison as a young adult for burglary, insists that Haggard has not been delivered from his wayward proclivities.

He told The Gazette that in the spring of 2012, just under two years after Haggard and his wife, Gayle, started St. James Church, the former megachurch pastor asked a young male church member to whom he was providing counseling to buy him methamphetamine.

Sethman said the young member, who was recovering from heroin addiction, told him what happened. He asked another member who is a medical doctor to help him confront Haggard. He said when they confronted Haggard, the pastor admitted to having the methamphetamine and said he was planning to use it to celebrate his upcoming birthday.

The St. James Church pastor then asked the two men to help him remove the drug from his house so he would not be tempted to use it.

Sethman said when they got to Haggard's house, Haggard gave him a briefcase to throw away.

"He asked us to conceal the matter and said he would be accountable to us in the future," Sethman said. "Which never happened."

Sethman said after he left Haggard's home, he opened the briefcase and found a bag containing a small amount of the nearly 1 gram of methamphetamine the young church member had bought for the pastor. There was also reportedly a "well-used" glass meth pipe, several sex toys, a DVD with two young males on the cover and a credit card with Ted Haggard's name.

Sethman, who went blind in 2015 due to a medical condition, said he didn't call the police because he wanted to protect Haggard, the church and the young man. He said he chose to smoke the remaining methamphetamine instead and waited about a year before disposing of the briefcase.

"I was protecting the young man, the church and Ted," Sethman said. "My choice I made was wrong, but I thought I was doing right."

The report said Sethman relapsed into drug use and drinking until 2017 when he rejoined St. James Church.

Around that time, Sethman said a young man told him that "'it was really weird that Ted kept pushing him to go four-wheeling in the woods with him.'"

In 2006, Haggard was forced to resign as pastor of the 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs and as president of the National Association of Evangelicals after confessing to "sexual immorality" with Denver male escort Mike Jones. Haggard, who said he would classify himself as bisexual if he weren't a Christian pastor, said he didn't have sex with the prostitute.

"We never had sex sex. I bought drugs and a massage from him, and he masturbated me at the end of it. That's it," he told GQ in 2011.

Haggard initially denied using methamphetamine he allegedly bought from Jones but later admitted to using the drug.

"Sometimes I'd throw it away," he told GQ. "Other times, I'd go someplace and masturbate and use it. But it was for masturbation. And that's one of the reasons why I haven't been real clear. I don't want to stand up publicly and say, 'Hey, I'm a masturbation guy!'

Sethman told The Gazette that he wasn't aware of Haggard's 2006 scandal until January 2019 and that after that discovery, he became more concerned about stories he heard about how he conducted himself around young men.

He shared recorded testimony from two young men stating that Haggard made them uncomfortable with touching they felt was inappropriate.

"Sometimes when he touches me, it feels very predatorial and very strange," one of the men, who was a minor at the time of his alleged touching, was quoted as saying. "He'll touch me on my pecs or my back or hug me in a way that I'm sliding up his hip or the side of his thigh or his bum. You can kind of tell it's weird."

"There's a lot of highly suspicious things that he does, and you're like, 'that doesn't seem or feel normal.'"

The second young adult male said he was uncomfortable with Haggard's behavior around the teenager and other minors.

Sethman, who worked as a children's ministry volunteer under Haggard at New Life Church, said in April 2020, some elders called for Haggard to step down over the concerns raised by the young males.

"What prompted me to write that letter was his abuse of authority and his denying it," an unidentified elder, who asked leaders to remove Haggard from his role, told The Gazette. "We were looking for accountability."

The elder says she knows that many people are moved by his charisma, but she sees him as a "silver-tongued  snake in many ways, who makes excuses and lies."

In April, Haggard announced that he was switching the model of his church to a series of house churches and changed the name to Storyhouse Church. He said there was a "slow decline" in the church over the past two years.

The St. James Church building was sold for $1.95 million, The Gazette reported, citing county records.

Sethman says he is even more concerned about the potential for abuse to occur inside Haggard's home.

"My prayer," said Sethman, "is protecting the children and the young adults."
YouTube's new policy on abortion 'misinformation' may lead to more of it, pro-life group warns

YouTubes plans to crack down on abortion misinformation could lead to the platform purging any content that it deems inflammatory on the subject while enabling real misinformation to spread even further, a pro-life group warns.

Last week, YouTube announced its intention to remove content that provides instructions for unsafe abortion methods or promotes false claims about abortion safety under our medical misinformation policies and launch an information panel that provides viewers with context and information from global health authorities under abortion-related videos and above relevant search results.

In an interview with The Christian Post, National Right to Life Director of Communications Laura Echevarria warned that YouTube could use Planned Parenthood as one of its global health authorities to provide context about abortion.

She cited the largest abortion provider in the United States as one of several pro-abortion groups that have engaged in misinformation following the U.S. Supreme Courts June 24 Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Supreme Court decision reversing the Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.

There have been quite a number of alarmist reports, [and a] misinformation campaign about ectopic pregnancies and the fact that women wont be treated for them, she said. Theres also been language that has conflated miscarriages with abortion and [asserting] that women who experience miscarriages may be prosecuted.

Echevarria added, An induced abortion is the deliberate taking of a human life through the use of either drugs or a surgical procedure and it takes the life of a child in utero.

That child is alive when the abortion takes place, she said, contrasting an induced abortion with a miscarriage, where the child has already died, and an ectopic pregnancy, where a pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus and actually is life-endangering for the mother.

Echevarria slammed that kind of misinformation where Planned Parenthood and groups like that have been making these alarmist claims that women who have miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies will not be treated for those.

Describing such narratives as disingenuous and harmful, she told CP, our concern would be if YouTube is going to those kinds of authorities that misinformation could be carried out on a much broader scale than it has already.

In addition to Planned Parenthood, Echevarria lamented that although the American College of OB/GYNs has been very trustworthy in the past, it has become very political by seeking to make abortion readily available.

She identified the American College of OB/GYNs as one of the other global health authorities YouTube might use to provide context about abortion. She reiterated that it and other organizations were bowing to the abortion industry in their mission statements and their goals and their stated goals now include abortion on demand.

Additionally, Echevarria warned of the direct impact YouTubes effort to combat misinformation on the issue of abortion could have on pro-life groups. If we talk about a living unborn baby in a video, they may deem that as  inflammatory language or something like that, she predicted. Its medically and scientifically accurate but they may deem it inflammatory.

She suggested that YouTubes new policy regarding misinformation on abortion could end up being harmful in the long run by not allowing people to have full and complete information at their fingertips.

At the same time, Echevarria urged YouTube to act as a gatekeeper by preventing women from accessing videos that could cause them to harm themselves, such as videos encouraging them to ingest or to procure drugs or herbs that could be harmful to them.

Echevarria also addressed what she characterized as a misinformation campaign about pro-life pregnancy centers derided by pro-abortion activists and lawmakers as fake clinics.

While she acknowledged that every person on staff at a pregnancy center does not have a medical background, Echevarria insisted that at a pregnancy center she once worked at, the nurses who work there as well as the volunteers who perform ultrasounds all have a degree and must accumulate continuing education credits.

Its harmful for communities for pro-abortion Democrats to claim that these centers are doing wrong and that theyre not helpful and theyre harmful and thats not true, she stressed. I would encourage any of these politicians who are making these claims who have never visited a pregnancy center to visit a pregnancy center and find out what they do and why they do what they do.

YouTubes vow to remove misinformation videos about abortion follows a June 17 request from Democratic lawmakers asking Google to scrub pro-life pregnancy centers from search results based on queries related to abortion. The members of Congress told Google, the parent company of YouTube, that the pregnancy centers are fake clinics that traffic in misinformation and dont provide comprehensive health services, in addition to labeling them as dangerous to womens health.

Pro-abortion Democrats and the abortion industry have really painted a target onto pregnancy centers, Echevarria maintained.

The letter calling on Google to limit the appearance of pro-life pregnancy centers in search results follows a series of attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers that began shortly after Politico published a leaked draft of the Dobbs opinion on May 2. In many of these attacks, the words fake clinic were spray-painted onto the exterior walls of the pro-life pregnancy centers.

Last week, a coalition of Republican attorneys general vowed to investigate Google if it complied with congressional Democrats request to limit the appearance of pro-life pregnancy centers in search results related to abortion.

A group of congressional Republicans attempted to pass a resolution declaring that the U.S. House of Representatives condemns attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers, but Democrats defeated their effort.
Senator threatens to withhold Rwanda aid for targeting US residents, supporting Congo rebels

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Robert Menendez, D-N.J., urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to review the millions of dollars in aid the United States sends to Rwanda due to the Kagame government's reported targeting of American residents and alleged support for an armed rebel group killing civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In a letter sent last Wednesday, Menendez urged Blinken to undertake a "comprehensive review" of the department's policies on Rwanda and reconsider the types of assistance the U.S. provides to the Central African country that experienced a genocide in 1994.

Until such a review takes place, Menendez wrote that he would place a hold on all security assistance, beginning with the several million dollars of support for the Rwandan military.

According to the letter, the U.S. allocated more than $147 million in foreign assistance to Rwanda in 2021, making the U.S. Rwanda's largest bilateral donor.

Menendez highlighted Rwanda's participation in "destabilizing actions" in Central Africa. He noted that the country is credibly accused of supporting M23 (March 23 movement) rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo and sending soldiers across the border.

"As you recall, in the late 1990s Rwanda and Uganda invaded DRC, triggering a regional war that according to the International Rescue Committee, resulted in as many as 5.4 million deaths from 1998 to 2007 due conflict and resulting humanitarian crisis," he wrote.

Menendez fears that U.S. support for the Rwandan military while it is allegedly deployed in DRC and supporting the armed M23 group would send "a troubling signal that the U.S. tacitly approves of such actions." The Rwandan government of President Paul Kagame has denied allegations that it has sent troops to eastern DRC and is supporting M23 militants.

The violence in DRC stems from a massive refugee crisis and spillover from the Rwanda genocide against the Tutsis, in which over 800,000 were killed in 1994. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, Hutu genocidaires fled to eastern DRC and formed armed groups opposing Tutsi, and other opportunistic rebel groups were launched.

From 1998 to 2003, government forces fought rebels backed by Rwanda in the Second Congo War. Although a peace deal was struck in 2002 and a transitional government was formed in 2003, violence has continued. One of the most prominent rebel groups is the M23, which is predominantly made up of ethnic Tutsis with the alleged backing of the Rwanda government.

Menendez reminded Blinken that Rwanda sought to "undermine" DRC again by supporting M23 rebels who captured Goma in 2012. The action resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and the displacement of more than 200,000 people, according to the United Nations.

Another concern Menendez addressed involved accusations that Rwanda is silencing journalists, political opponents and dissidents, stating that Kagame's efforts to do so are "well known."

Citing a Human Rights Watch report, Menendez stated that since 2019 alone, 32 journalists, internet commentators and opposition activists have been killed, jailed or disappeared.

Kagame has been in office since 2000. In 2015, Rwanda passed changes to its constitution extending term limits so that Kagame can possibly remain in office.

The senator also cited worrying reports that Kagame intends to target critics in Europe and the United States, citing the detention of lawful permanent U.S. resident Paul Rusesabagina, better known as the hotel manager portrayed in the movie "Hotel Rwanda," who helped shelter refugees during the genocide.

In 2020, Rusesabagina was lured onto a charter flight and flown to Rwanda without his knowledge and arrested. He was convicted of terrorism charges and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Rusesabagina, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2005, is classified by the U.S. government as a wrongful detainee.

The senator suggested elevating the travel advisory for Rwanda, currently at "Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions," to "Level 3: Reconsider Travel," citing Rwanda's pattern of targeting American residents as the reason.

"Not only would Rwanda be flouting U.S. laws by targeting dissidents inside the United States, Rwanda appears to be the only foreign government in the world that is both wrongfully detaining an American resident and seen by the United States as a partner and ally," Menendez wrote.

"The Rwandan government is also credibly accused of targeting dissidents living outside Rwanda," Menendez added. "Outspoken critics of Kagame have been assassinated in South Africa, Mozambique, Uganda, and Kenya."

The support for M23 and targeting of U.S. residents is why the letter recommends sending Rwandan military or government officials participating in International Military Education and Training programs or other military assistance programs in the U.S. back to Rwanda.

"The United States cannot support Rwandan contributions to peacekeeping in some parts of Africa while looking the other way as Rwanda foments rebellion and violence in other parts of the continent," Menendez wrote.

"I look forward to working with you to ensure U.S. policy reflects the values of the United States and of the Biden administration."

As Human Rights Watch reported, the M23 armed group has killed at least 29 civilians since mid-June. The rebel force believed to have been inactive for a decade is reportedly receiving support for its operations in the North Kivu province from Rwanda.

"Since the M23 took control of several towns and villages in North Kivu in June, they've committed the same kind of horrific abuses against civilians that we've documented in the past," Thomas Fessey, senior Congo researcher at Human Rights Watch, said.

"The government's failure to hold M23 commanders accountable for war crimes committed years ago is enabling them and their new recruits to commit abuses today."

Kagame has fostered a great relationship with popular megachurch pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California. In 2019, Warren received criticism after Kagame spoke at Saddleback Church about Rwanda's transformation since the 1994 genocide. Warren has been friends with Kagame for over a decade.
Judge temporarily blocks Wyoming's abortion ban

A judge has temporarily blocked a Wyoming law that would have banned most abortions after an emergency hearing that was held the day the measure was supposed to take effect.

Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens issued a temporary restraining order on Wednesday, at the behest of six plaintiffs who argued that the ban would harm them.

Owens, who was appointed by Gov. Mark Gordon, issued the temporary restraining order from the bench, according to Jackson Hole News.

Two of the plaintiffs included a pregnant woman who raised concerns about health issues and an OB-GYN named Dr. Giovannina Anthony, who was concerned about being criminally punished.

In March, Gordon signed House Bill 92 into law, a trigger measure that would ban most abortions if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 decision Roe v. Wade.

The ban, which included exemptions for rape, incest, and life-threatening medical emergency for the mother, passed the state Senate 24-5 with one abstention and the House 45-14 with one abstention.

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe via the Dobbs v. Jackson decision last month, Gordon certified HB 92 last week and confirmed that the ban would soon take effect.

I believe that the decision to regulate abortion is properly left to the states. As a pro-life Governor, my focus will continue to be on ensuring we are doing all we can to support mothers, children and families, he tweeted.

Libby Skarin of the American Civil Liberties Union of Wyoming denounced the trigger ban, claiming that, if enforced, Wyomingites will have fewer rights than people in other states.

A persons health, not politics, should guide important health care decisions  including the decision to have an abortion, stated Skarin last week.

Although several have successfully moved to ban abortion in most circumstances, a few states have been delayed in their efforts by litigation from local abortion providers.

In Kentucky, Jefferson Circuit Judge Mitch Perry issued a temporary injunction against the state from enforcing two abortion bans, one of which would ban most abortions after six weeks into a pregnancy, while the other was another trigger ban.

[Plaintiffs have] demonstrated at the very least a substantial question as to the merits regarding the constitutionality of both the Trigger Ban and the Six Week Ban, ruled Perry.

As such, they are entitled to injunctive relief until the matter can be fully resolved on the merits.
NEW DELHI, HYDERABAD: Congress MP N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday demanded that the BJP and the TRS governments at Centre and the state clarify their stand on national project status for the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme (KLIS).

"Both TRS and BJP governments must clarify as to why a project built at a cost of Rs 1.2 lakh crore and called Asia's biggest irrigation project is not eligible to be included in the list of national projects. If the project is not economically viable, then all those involved in its designing, construction and execution should be severely punished by ordering a high-level probe," he demanded.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Uttam Kumar Reddy, a former state Congress chief, said that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao should reply on the Centre's stand that the Kaleshwaram project was not eligible to get national project status.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the TRS government did not seek investment clearance for the Kaleshwaram project as its benefit-cost ratio was too low, which makes it highly unviable.

By redesigning the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita Chevella Project, the TRS government doubled the project cost to over Rs 1 lakh crore. It was built not to bring water to farmers but to fill the pockets of the KCR family, he alleged. The TRS government was always hesitant to answer real questions on the exact capital cost, operational cost, cost-benefit ratio, viability and justification of taking high-cost loans for the Kaleshwaram Project.

"The Kaleshwaram project has benefited only the KCR family while the people of Telangana and their future generations are now forced to repay loans and interest from their hard-earned money," the former TPCC chief said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the submergence of two pump houses of Kaleshwaram in recent rains had exposed the poor quality of work. "To cover up this failure, KCR came up with a ridiculous, utterly silly, immature and unscientific explanation of a foreign conspiracy behind cloud burst in Telangana," he said.

" BJP leaders are maintaining a strange silence on the irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project. The Centre has the proof of this big scam. Then why is the BJP government not ordering an inquiry, Uttam Kumar Reddy asked.

"The TRS government did not seek investment clearance and BJP government did not insist on it. Therefore, both TRS and BJP are equally involved in the scam," he alleged.
Why believers should be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit

One of the major roles of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers is guidance. Jesus did not leave His disciples alone. He sent them another comforter who advocated, helped, and guided them in all their endeavors.

The Christian walk is spiritual. Our God is a spirit and those who worship Him must do that in truth and in spirit (John 4:24). The major challenge of most believers is how to migrate from the physical to the spiritual. It is the desire of every genuine believer to operate in the supernatural but most often we find it difficult to do so simply because we lack the proper knowledge and spiritual discernment.

The foundational step towards becoming sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit is to receive Him first. Jesus did not allow His disciples to venture into ministry without first receiving the Holy Spirit and they had to wait until they were endued with power from on high. He knew that they would have operated absolutely in the flesh and would have messed up their ministerial career without the presence of the Holy Spirit in them. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14).

It is obvious that sometimes we find it difficult to understand the leading of God, and other times we find it difficult to distinguish fleshy prompts from that of the Spirit. Accepting that we are mere limited mortals and asking the Holy Spirit for direction and guidance are surefire ways of escaping the consequences of bad decisions and unguided actions.

In my opinion, the church in Antioch was more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit than the church in Jerusalem. God used persecution to force them to obey His mandate to spread the Gospel. But the church in Antioch was sensitive enough to hear the Holy Spirit and obeyed immediately by sending Paul and Barnabas on a mission trip. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them (Acts 13:2). Without hearing from the Holy Spirit, the church in Antioch would not have evangelized Asia Minor.

If believers are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, many calamities and disasters could be avoided. When Paul wanted to go to Bithynia the Holy Spirit stopped him (Acts 16:6). He then went to Macedonia and preached the Gospel there. He was able to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit who led him to understand the will of God for his ministry at that pointing time.

Sadly, many believers have deviated completely from Gods purpose and vision due to fleshly thinking. Sometimes we are led by the flesh but ignorantly claim that we are led by the Spirit. A quiet time in the presence of the Holy Spirit daily and constant awareness of the need for the Holy Spirits directives in all we do will inevitably help us to develop our spiritual nervous system which will enable us to respond positively to the Spirits prompting. After all, only the children of God are led by His Spirit (Romans 8:14).
Fellowship Baptist Church removes JD Hall from membership, says wife did not want abuse reported

The fractured relationship between Fellowship Baptist Church in Sidney, Montana, and its former pastor, Jordan Daniel "J.D." Hall, over the alleged physical abuse of his family and drug addiction has grown even wider as the church announced Monday that his membership was revoked over a failure to show repentance.

"Effective July 24th, 2022, Fellowship Baptist Church of Sidney, MT, has voted to remove Jordan Hall from membership in poor standing due to a failure to demonstrate repentance for sins that he had committed against his family, his church, and his God," Fellowship Baptist Church leaders noted in a statement online.

"Our petition to the Lord has been and continues to be that Jordan will humbly take responsibility for his actions, cease his attempts at undermining the integrity of the people he sinned against, and commit himself fully to whatever is necessary to rebuild trust among those that he has deceived and abused. Please join us in prayerful hope that Jordan will be humbled through this final act of discipline and will ultimately be restored to fellowship with the Body of Christ."

Hall, a polemics blogger well-known for his scathing criticisms of Christian leaders, was removed as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church last month over an alleged addiction to the prescription drug Xanax. He was also axed from his polemics website Protestia, which formerly operated as Pulpit & Pen.

Earlier this month, Caleb Snodgrass, an elder at Fellowship Baptist Church who has been serving in that role for approximately four years, told The Christian Post that Hall's wife, Mandy, reported to church officials on June 5 that he physically abused her and her son.

In their statement Monday, church leaders noted that Hall's wife asked them not to report the abuse to authorities. But after reviewing Montana law, the leaders felt it was "necessary for this information to be shared with authorities." They noted that it was not the church's intention to make the abuse public.

"Sidney Police and DPHHS/CFSD were informed by church leadership of accusations that we received of spousal abuse and abuse of a minor child within the Hall family. Note: this information was shared with us by individuals within the Hall family," church officials said.

"Jordan's wife explicitly stated that she did not want us to report it. Through investigation into the Montana statute regarding mandatory reporting for clergy and caregivers within the foster care system (also applicable to individuals in our leadership), we decided it was necessary for this information to be shared with authorities," the statement explained. "In order to protect the victims of the alleged abuse from public scrutiny, we had intended for this information to not be made public."

Hall's troubles that led to his fall from his pulpit began in May when he was arrested on DUI and weapons charges.

A report from the Sidney Police Department cited by The Sidney Herald said Hall, 40, was arrested on May 11 at approximately 11 p.m. on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon and multiple traffic violations while driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs.

An incident report shows that when police approached Hall, he spoke slowly, his eyes were watery, closed slowly and deliberately and his speech was slurred and mumbled.

He also stumbled, displayed poor balance and performed poorly on a field sobriety test. No alcohol was found in his system when a blood alcohol test was administered. He also had a Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Shield handgun, which was found under his coat in an inside-the-waistband holster during his arrest, the report added.

Fellowship Baptist Church leaders say they were unaware of Hall's drug addiction when they defended him publicly and rejected his initial offer to resign.

The church removed a statement from Hall's wife on the church's public Facebook page rebuking leaders for reporting Hall's physical abuse of her and her son to authorities "to avoid a public discussion of the context behind the post."

"At no point were any of our decisions regarding public comment or the manner in which we conducted church discipline upon Jordan informed by a desire to cover-up sins or to preserve his public persona," the church's statement reads.

"Our main concern was the welfare of our local church, the Hall family, and Jordan's soul, while making our best attempt at handling the situation with integrity to the Scriptures. Our desire to avoid gossip and backbiting led us to weigh carefully what we felt was necessary to share with the prying eyes of the public and when it would be appropriate to make public commentary. We are well aware that many will disagree with our assessment, but we are primarily concerned with our accountability to God and the local church."
Witches and warlocks: Meet the pastors who shared the Gospel for a decade in a hotbed of witchcraft

Two pastors who led a unique and fascinating ministry in Salem, Massachusetts  a hotbed of witchcraft and spiritual activity  believe Christians need to turn to unconditional love when trying to reach people in difficult or uncomfortable situations.

Guy and Tana Miller, the husband and wife who planted Remix Church in Salem in 2011 and ministered there 10 years before leaving, recently joined The Playing With Fire Podcast to discuss how they interacted with witches, Satanists and others in the community  and what some Christians get wrong when trying to reach these groups.

READ ALSO: Requests for Exorcism Reportedly Booming as Culture Dabbles in Occult

Their ministry, called Remix Church, came about after the couple felt prompted by God to provide pastoral care in Salem.

I was shocked to find out  there was only a couple, very small but faithful outreaches going on, Guy said. There wasnt a lot of evangelical  witness in Salem, and I was blown away.

Tana added, God clearly spoke to us to go into Salem.

Listen to Guy and Tana discuss their fascinating ministry in Salem:

The couple said, when they arrived, there had been a lot of damage done to biblical witness in the community, as extremists would often come into the area preaching hate. This would sometimes happen during the Halloween season when tourism is intense.

There was witness, and it was just the wrong kind, Guy said, explaining some ministers came during October and riled the community by preaching God hates witches and God hates gays.

So, the Millers launched their church and dove into one of the most exciting ministry experiences imaginable. Their first step, in light of the aforementioned divide, was to take a relational approach. They began to meet people, interact, show love, and make friends with some surprising people.

From transvestites to people who identified as mermen and warlocks, there was no shortage of individuals with whom to meet and get to know. They even ended up living next door to the official witch of Salem and also built a relationship there.

The Millers, who didnt sacrifice their beliefs or values in the process, said they relied on loving and listening to peoples stories, especially amid the natural tensions that followed.

You know how we handled that? Tana rhetorically asked. Unconditional love.

She continued, We wanted to meet everyone, love everyone, and get to know everyone personally, regardless of what they believed in.

Guy and Tana said their goal in heading to Salem wasnt to reach the witchcraft community specifically but a much broader effort of ministering to the city as a whole. Still, the many interactions they had with people from divergent backgrounds and beliefs left a mark.

I believe that whole time that we were there, that God placed us in Salem to plant seeds, Tana said, adding that another Christian couple is considering heading back to Salem to harvest those seeds.

READ ALSO: Transferred From the Kingdom of Darkness Into Light: Real-Life Teen Witch Who Should Be Dead Went From Casting Spells to Worshipping Jesus

Guy and Tana also explained some of the challenges of their decade-long ministry in Salem. While they didnt interact with any of the deep, dark evil that rages in underground elements of the city, they sometimes felt the spiritual heaviness.

This was the first time in our ministry lives when I would wake up in the middle of the night and just really feel an evil and have to pray it through, Tana said.

As for the witchcraft and other elements that rage in parts of Salem, Tana said its definitely real and that Christians need to be wise and on guard.

But these elements, the couple argued, arent dangerous for Christians rooted in truth.

First of all, its not dangerous to us, because we have the power of our testimonies and the blood of Jesus, Tana said.

Guy added that Gods not threatened by any of these practices  elements Christians are called not to partake in.

He said, the Holy Spirit is up to the task and pointed to realities about spiritual warfare that are detailed in Ephesians 6: mainly, the reality God gives believers the power to triumph amid spiritual battles.

Listen to Guy and Tana discuss their journey here.

This article was originally published on Faithwire.
Shia LaBeouf plays beloved saint Padre Pio in upcoming biopic; actor moved by grace of monks

Popular movie star Shia LaBeouf is gearing up for the release of his latest film, "Padre Pio," where he stars in the role of the beloved Franciscan Capuchin friar. The film is now in post-production, but the actor's encounter with real-life monks has touched his heart.

LaBeouf will play the role of Padre Pio, an Italian saint who lived in the 20th century, in the upcoming film of the same name. Directed by Abel Ferrara, "Padre Pio" will center around the saint's young life, according to the Internet Movie Database.

The actor's transformation from the role is evident, as revealed in a recent viral post by Bishop Robert Barron of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

On Instagram, the man of the cloth said he recently met with the 36-year-old for the second time while at a movie screening.

"Shia and I met while he was living among the Capuchins in preparation for the role, and it was delightful to see him again at the screening," Barron noted.

LaBeouf's time living with monks came a time the actor was finding his own walk with the Lord.

The entertainer was raised Jewish and once claimed to not believe in God. In a 2014 interview with Interview Magazine, he stated that he became a "Christian" while filming the movie "Fury" alongside Brad Pitt and David Ayer. But his faith was on and off since then.

Footage posted online last year of the "Transformers" star preparing for the role of Padre Pio gave fans a glimpse into where the actor's heart with God is now after he spent time at a Franciscan Capuchin friary based in northern California to help immerse himself into the work of the friars.

According to reports, the "Even Stevens" actor even went on a pilgrimage to the Italian town of San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio, also known as St. Pio of Pietrelcina, lived and served for more than half a century.

In August, the actor was featured in a video sharing how his new role has impacted him.

"I'm completely immersed in something way bigger than myself. I don't know if I've ever met a group of men as immersed in anything in my life. It's super attractive to see people give themselves to something so divine. And it's heartwarming to know that there's a brotherhood like this that exists," he said.

Additionally, LaBeouf revealed that he was met with "nothing but grace" by the friars he encountered along the way.

In an interview with Variety published last summer, Ferrara shared additional information about the upcoming movie. Besides LaBeouf, the film will feature several Italian actors who may be unfamiliar to American audiences. However, Ferrara told the publication that his close friend Willem Dafoe would also appear in the movie.

"We're doing a film about Padre Pio. He's a monk from Puglia. It's set in Italy right after World War I. He's now a saint. He had stigmata. He was also in the middle of a very heavy political period in world history," Ferrara explained. "He was very young before he became a saint, so Shia LaBeouf is going to play the monk."

In another interview with an Italian publication last month, Ferrara reported that LaBeouf came upon this project just as he was strengthening his own faith.

"For Shia, he began to know Pio just as he was discovering his own Christianity. With this film, he took a dip in the dark. He threw himself. He went to live in a monastery for months. He shared time with his brothers. It was a very powerful discovery," Ferrara recalled.

As stated in a biography compiled by the Padre Pio Foundation of America, the future saint born to the name Francesco Forgione rose to fame in the Catholic world for experiencing what is known as the stigmata  wounds corresponding to those experienced by Jesus Christ during the crucifixion.

Several miracles have been attributed to Pio, who continuously bled from the stigmata wounds without experiencing a corresponding fever or loss in blood pressure.

More than 30 years after Pio died in 1968, Pope St. John Paul II beatified the monk in 1999. In 2002, he was canonized.
Kids younger than 16 will be allowed to take puberty blockers without parents consent, says UK court

In a controversial case concerning the use of puberty blockers for children who are confused about their gender, the British Court of Appeal ruled Friday that doctors can prescribe such experimental drugs without parental consent.

Overturning a High Court ruling, which had concluded last year that it was highly unlikely that a child aged 13 or younger would be able to consent to taking puberty blockers, the court said Friday that doctors, not the courts, will decide whether their patients can properly consent to taking such treatment, The Telegraph reported.

The court was not in a position to generalize about the capability of persons of different ages to understand what is necessary for them to be competent to consent to the administration of puberty blockers, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, with Sir. Geoffrey Vos and Lady Justice King, said in the judgment, The Times reported. It placed patients, parents and clinicians in a very difficult position.

The high courts decision was appealed by the nations sole gender clinic, the Tavistock and Portman National Health Service Trust in London, in June. And the Trust is now in talks with NHS England to ascertain the rulings impact on its practice.

The original case was brought about in part by Keira Bell, a 23-year-old detransitioned woman who underwent the experimental treatment at the Trusts facility as a teenager.

Bell had her breasts amputated as a young adult and then wound up regretting the entire gender transition later in her life. Bell argued in her case that she was incapable of understanding the risks of the medical interventions and that she is now likely not able to ever have children because of how the drugs compromised her fertility.

Bell was quoted as saying that she was surprised and disappointed by the decision of the appeal court but doesnt regret having filed the lawsuit. It has shone a light into the dark corners of a medical scandal that is harming children and harmed me, she said, adding that she plans to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.

The high court ruling last year, which now stands overturned, required doctors to obtain what is known as a best interests order from a judge before they could prescribe such drugs to youth. At issue in the case was the Gillick competence test, which holds that parental rights in the United Kingdom pertaining to medical treatment end when the child achieves enough understanding and intelligence to understand what is being proposed.

The Gillick standard, from which the competence phrase is derived, centers around a 1985 case that was decided in the House of Lords. In Gillick v. West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority, lawmakers debated whether an under-16 minor could be prescribed contraception without parental consent.

In March, the high court ruled that parents would be allowed to give consent for their minor children to take puberty-blocking drugs without having to gain a judges approval.

The use of synthetic hormones to block the puberty processes of children experiencing gender dysphoria has faced increased scrutiny in recent years.

A study published in PLOS One followed a cohort of youth treated at the Tavistock clinic and found that the use of puberty blockers was shown to have stunted their bone growth. Of the 44 children who went on the puberty-suppressing drugs, 43 continued to cross-sex hormones.

Last June, the NHS updated its policy on puberty blockers by removing the claim that the experimental drugs prescribed to transgender-identifying youth are fully reversible, and said its unknown what the short-term and long-term effects will be on a person's bones, physical body and mental health.
Not 'Fake Clinics': Pregnancy Centers Debunk Major Misconceptions About Their Work

RICHMOND, Va.  They've been called "fake clinics" and are often smeared by abortion activists who argue that pregnancy centers deceive women and don't offer any real medical assistance.

Some activists even try to go undercover to try to prove that pregnancy centers are fake women's health centers.

"We get many calls from fake clients asking questions hoping to find fault," Debi Harvey, executive director for the Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic located in Northridge, California, told The Christian Post. "We get fake clients coming in under the guise of wanting a pregnancy test, but in reality, they're just trying to find something they can accuse us of."

Sometimes called "crisis pregnancy centers," there are approximately 2,750 centers in the U.S. that seek to provide medical resources and assistance for pregnant women that do not include abortion.

Their opposition to abortion has led them to be the subject of attacks from media personalities, pro-choice groups and even some state governments.

In April, comedian John Oliver used his HBO program "Last Week Tonight" to attack pregnancy centers, claiming they gave medically inaccurate information.

Oliver suggested they ought to appreciate contraceptives and be "filling Pez dispensers with birth control pills, giving condoms to trick or treaters, and IUD earrings as hostess gifts."

He then opened up a fake crisis pregnancy center in New York that was set up in a van driven by "Wanda Jo Oliver," portrayed by Rachael Dratch, who dispensed "alternate facts" about abortion.

In 2015, California passed Assembly Bill 775, also called the Reproductive Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency (FACT) Act, which compelled pro-life pregnancy centers to promote abortion. This included mandating, under penalty of fines, that all licensed pregnancy health centers, among other things, include a sign that refers patients to abortion clinics.

"The notice shall state: 'California has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services (including all FDA-approved methods of contraception), prenatal care, and abortion for eligible women,'" read AB 775 in part.

The law was eventually declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year, with the high court ruling 5-4 that it "unduly burdens protected speech."

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's press office announced in August that the state government was launching a "public awareness" campaign to counter pro-life pregnancy centers' information.

"These centers' actions may interfere with New Yorkers' constitutionally protected rights to seek reproductive health care and may endanger them by preventing them from receiving medically accurate information," claimed the office.

The Christian Post interviewed multiple pro-life pregnancy center officials and also visited a facility in Richmond to see what was offered for those seeking help. The people involved in these sought to rebut what they see as misconceptions about their work.

Misconception 1: Centers Lack Licensed Medical Help

The Pregnancy Resource Center of Metro Richmond Executive Director Kim Warburton, who has been with the center for about 13 years, explained that they take medical standards seriously, including matters of confidentiality.

The center  which was founded in 1983 and services more than 1,000 women a year, nearly two-thirds of whom are from the inner city  has licensed medical professionals on staff, including Director of Nursing Lynn Bisbee, RNC, WHNP, and Medical Director Fidelma Rigby, MD.

Erin Rogers, executive director of the Bakersfield Pregnancy Center of Bakersfield, California, which was founded in 1984, also told CP that far from being a "fake clinic," it was "a fully licensed medical clinic" "with two registered nurses on every shift, and one registered nurse on the mobile unit at each location."

"All our ultrasound scans are read by our doctor within 24 hours of the scan (usually within 12 hours). Every client with a positive pregnancy test is encouraged to seek immediate pre-natal examinations to ensure a healthy pregnancy," said Rogers.

"We seek to comply with all regulations and requirements mandated by state medical oversight agencies, specific to free community clinics. Our specific operations are overseen by a local physician in radiology and a local doctor of obstetrics and gynecology."

Harvey of Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic said that her clinic is run with "strict integrity."

"Our medical services are administered by medical professionals in accordance with all applicable laws. We offer accurate information on every option. We don't coerce or manipulate any client," Harvey explained.

"We serve them with love and respect. Listening to their unique situation, helping them identify resources that could possibly help them to make the choice for life."

Misconception 2: Centers Mislead Women Into Thinking They Provide Abortions

Rebecca Jones, director of Client Services at PRC Richmond, explained to CP that rather than mislead women when it comes to abortion, her center is upfront about them not providing abortions.

"We tell women on the phone what services we do offer and when they ask about abortion, we tell them that we do not provide or refer for it," noted Jones.

She added that such information was also clearly labeled on their brochures and other materials, as well as their website, which includes a statement explaining that they "do not perform or refer for abortions."

Harvey of the clinic in California also rejected the claim that they mislead women seeking abortions, telling CP that "we believe that women are smart."

"They know where to go to obtain an abortion. They can find an abortion clinic the same way they found us just through the internet. They don't need us to advertise their abortion resources," said Harvey.

This sentiment was reflected in the majority opinion of the Supreme Court's decision in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra, which struck down California's FACT Act.

"The only justification that the California Legislature put forward was ensuring that 'pregnant women in California know when they are getting medical care from licensed professionals,'" wrote Justice Clarence Thomas for the majority.

"At oral argument, however, California denied that the justification for the FACT Act was that women 'go into [crisis pregnancy centers] and they don't realize what they are.'"

Buzz Brown, executive director with Corona Life Services of Corona, California, whose center was founded in 1998, also took issue with the claim of deception.

Brown explained that CLS sees approximately 1,200 women annually and that 98.5 percent of these clients "have glowing things to say about how they have been treated and the services they received."

"You don't receive those kinds of customer satisfaction numbers and referrals from disgruntled clients," said Brown.

PRC Director of Nursing Bisbee said that their client exit forms are "probably 99 percent positive after women have been here about the services they've received."

"As a woman who's dedicated her career to women's health, I'm very, very committed to making sure we provide accurate information," Bisbee said. "We use the state brochure about abortion and fetal development and any information we provide a woman has to be cleared through our medical director."

During her 13 years at PRC Richmond, Executive Director Warburton could recall only two negative exit interviews from patients.

"It is a major for us if it is not positive," noted Warburton. "The words that we want to hear is that they feel loved, cared for, didn't feel judged."

Misconception 3: Centers Are Only for Times of Crisis

While the term "crisis pregnancy center" is often used, pro-life pregnancy centers like PRC Richmond stress that they do more than just crisis care.

As part of their facility, PRC Richmond has an "aftercare" wing, centered on classes on parenting, a Mom's Support Group, and even help for fathers.

Juan Ledon, director of Support for Fathers at PRC Richmond, said that he felt it was important to remember fathers and to have help available for them also.

"When we do see clients that are dads, we like that because they are often forgotten. Women will come here to the clinic and obviously they're here to be seen, have pregnancy tests done, but oftentimes dads are forgotten," explained Ledon.

"It's nice to be able to sit with them, those that like to meet with us, and just listen to them and serve them because they've got cares and needs and questions and just want to vent sometimes, so it's nice for them to do that."

Rogers of the Bakersfield Pregnancy Center also said that she considered the view that her facility was only there for times of "crisis" to be a major misconception.

"Our services are available to everyone, regardless of the conception circumstance, financial or educational status of the clients," noted Rogers.

"Many say we are only trying to save babies. This statement is not true. We cannot save babies. Only the mother (or often the father) can save the baby. We empower women with options so that they can make their own life-affirming choices."

According to an 80-page report by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the research arm of the pro-life advocacy organization Susan B. Anthony List, released in September, in one year alone pregnancy centers helped approximately 2 million people and saved communities $161 million in costs.
UK gender clinic whistleblower awarded over $27K in damages for mistreatment

A whistleblower at the National Health Service was awarded over $27,600 (20,000) in damages after an employment tribunal found that she was mistreated after raising concerns about the safety of prescribing experimental drugs to children suffering from gender dysphoria at a London-based gender clinic.

A central London employment tribunal ruled Friday that Sonia Appleby, a social worker and psychotherapist, was "seen as hostile" and had been put through "quasi-disciplinary" proceedings after she addressed her concerns to management at the Tavistock and Portman Trust, the UK Times reported. Appleby served as the child safeguarding lead at the clinic.

The tribunal held that Appleby, who began working at the Tavistock facility in 2004, had endured "significant" injury to her feelings and that the trust had mishandled the matter in a way that damaged her professional reputation and had "prevented her from proper work on safeguarding."

Appleby's case was heard earlier this summer following a judicial review ruling against the clinic amid years of growing scrutiny of Tavistock, the U.K.'s sole gender clinic.

The safeguarding lead who won her case at the employment tribunal was reportedly approached by several clinic staffers in recent years who had raised their own concerns about a particular doctor who had been prescribing puberty blockers to children who were being seen at the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) or were on the waiting list for assessment.

Appleby "went on to make six protected disclosures between 2017 and 2019, the tribunal heard, including about 'challenges' at GIDS with what she described as 'rogue medics and the political expectations of the national service,' as well as splits within the team," the U.K. Times reported.

Appleby further detailed that employees were so overworked they neglected to employ safeguarding measures.

In its ruling, the employment tribunal said Appleby was seen as hostile to a service already under external pressure from politicized groups, and the internal pressure of sometimes acrimonious splits between clinicians."

The injustice was obvious and the claimants upset entirely understandable, the tribunal panelists continued.

She was nearing the end of a long and blameless career, and as far as we can see had always tried to act responsibly over the safeguarding concerns of GIDS staff.

The U.K. High Court of Justice held late last year, in a case against the clinic brought forward in part by a young woman named Keira Bell, that children younger than 16 are incapable of giving informed consent to experimental practices and procedures, including puberty-suppressing drugs. The court also criticized the clinic in its ruling for their shoddy recordkeeping practices, something that Appleby had attempted to address.

In March, the court made a subsequent ruling, in what some saw as a partial reversal of its initial decision, holding that parents could give consent for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones on behalf of their minor children.

The initial ruling, however, has had ripple effects across northern Europe. Sweden's Karolinska Hospital announced earlier this year that as of April 1, puberty blockers would no longer be prescribed to youth younger than 16, citing the U.K. ruling in its statement on the matter. Sweden's neighbor Finland moved similarly earlier this summer.

The Tavistock clinic has maintained  as it did in an appeal of the Bell ruling in July  that its staff should be allowed to prescribe experimental drugs in order to offer "options" to children suffering from gender dysphoria.

In a January interview with Triggernometry podcast hosts Konstantin Kisin and Francis Foster, another whistleblower, Dr. Marcus Evans, said Tavistock had become politicized and had moved away from a clinically grounded approach to treating patients. His wife, Sue, also a mental health professional who worked at the clinic, was also frustrated with the environment at the facility.

"As a mental health practitioner who is proud to be in the business, I'm really quite ashamed ... this is political belief and ideology over rational, scientific argument," Evans said at the time, speaking of the prevailing ideology influencing the clinic's protocol.

He added, noting his wife's frustrations: "What she felt was that there should be a thorough psychological investigation, as was the Tavistock's tradition, into five family dynamics, individual psychology. And she felt there was too much of a willingness to sort of go along with the kid in terms of the kid's idea [to transition]," he said.

Many youths being treated with gender issues were often suffering from a number of mental health conditions, he noted.
UK to shutter Tavistock gender clinic for children following formal review NHS to launch network of local clinics amid a doubling in demand

The United Kingdom National Health Service is closing the gender identity clinic at the Tavistock and Portman Trust, the London-based facility whose practices have faced considerable scrutiny in recent years.

The clinic is being shut down by next spring in light of recommendations from an independent review led by Dr. Hillary Cass, which was set in motion in the fall of 2020 and released earlier this month.

"The aim is to close the Tavistock clinic by spring 2023, moving to the new provider model through specialist children's hospitals," an NHS source told The Guardian Thursday.

"The children being seen by the Tavistock (and those on waiting lists) will be transferred to a new provider over the course of that time."

Cass stated in a July 19 report that there was a need to move away from the sole provider model and develop services regionally to meet the needs of patients. The report was also critical of using experimental puberty-blocking drugs to treat gender dysphoria.

"The rationale for use of puberty blockers at Tanner Stage 2 of development was based on data that demonstrated that children, particularly birth-registered boys who had early gender incongruence, were unlikely to desist once they reached early puberty; this rationale does not necessarily apply to later-presenting young people, including the predominant referral group of birth-registered girls," Cass wrote.

"We do not fully understand the role of adolescent sex hormones in driving the development of both sexuality and gender identity through the early teen years, so by extension we cannot be sure about the impact of stopping these hormone surges on psychosexual and gender maturation. We therefore have no way of knowing whether, rather than buying time to make a decision, puberty blockers may disrupt that decision-making process."

In a statement Thursday, the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust stated that there were over 3,500 referrals to its Gender Identity Development Service in 2021.

"This is another doubling in demand for support with gender identity," the statement reads. "This level of need cannot and should not be met by a single highly specialist national service. It is crucial that gender-diverse children and young people can access care and support in a timely fashion within a joined-up system."

According to NHS England, there have been over 5,000 referrals for gender identity services between 2021 and 2022, compared to just 250 referrals in 2011-2012.

The number of referrals to the nation's Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) has particularly skyrocketed among girls, many of whom have come to believe they are the opposite sex through internet-fueled peer contagion and that being trans-identified was a maladaptive coping mechanism to other mental health distress.

"Staff [at regional centers] should maintain a broad clinical perspective in order to embed the care of children and young people with gender uncertainty within a broader child and adolescent health context," Cass wrote.

In the United States, a similar trend has been detected, most notably in 2018, when public health researcher Lisa Littman published an article in PloS One revealing, among other things, how many girls were coming out as transgender in clusters of friend groups and after many had spent an inordinate amount of time online. This phenomenon has been called "rapid onset gender dysphoria" and marked a substantial shift in the diagnostic history of gender dysphoria diagnoses, which until recent years almost exclusively afflicted young boys.

The Cass review also detailed that the evidence base for using drugs to arrest natural puberty in gender dysphoric children is poor and highlighted their impact on brain development, noting that "brain maturation may be temporarily or permanently disrupted by puberty blockers, which could have significant impact on the ability to make complex risk-laden decisions, as well as possible longer-term neuropsychological consequences."

In February 2021, research published in PLOS One revealed that the use of blockers notably stunted bone growth in children who were given puberty blockers. The study followed a cohort of 44 youth who had undergone the experimental treatment in the U.K.'s NHS gender clinic.

"In both cases (height and bone strength) there was some growth but less than would be expected during those years without hormonal suppression," the research found, according to NHS. The research was published nine years after the study began. Of the 44 children that the study tracked, 43 went on to take cross-sex hormones.

The Tavistock clinic was also the subject of considerable scrutiny in 2020 when Keira Bell, a young woman in her 20s, alleged in a judicial review that she was incapable of understanding the risks of puberty blockers when she was treated at the clinic as a teenager with mental health issues. Bell went on to take opposite sex hormones and underwent a cosmetic double mastectomy only to later regret those decisions and detransition.

The U.K. High Court of Justice of Justice initially ruled in Bell's favor in late 2020 but then overturned the decision several months later.
UK Supreme Court rejects appeal to intervene in Archie Battersbee's life support battle

The U.K. Supreme Court has refused to allow the parents of 12-year-old Archie Battersbee, who have been engaged in an ongoing legal battle to keep their son on life support, more time to take their legal case to the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (UNRPD).

The parents filed an urgent application to the Supreme Court Thursday after the Court of Appeal blocked them from taking their case to the U.N. However, the Supreme Court refused the parents more time.

Archie is in a coma after suffering brain damage. His mother, Hollie Dance, found him unconscious at home on April 7. She believed he might have been taking part in an online challenge.

Doctors at the Royal London Hospital, where Archie is being treated, say the boy is not showing signs of brain activity, and believe that ongoing life-support is futile.

His parents, however, want to continue fighting for their son's life. Last week, Dance shared a video that she believes shows Archie attempting to breathe on his own.

The new evidence is part of the reason why three judges of the Court of Appeal decided to stay their decision and allow Archie's parents to apply to the European Court of Human Rights for interim relief.

The Court of Appeal responded to Archie's parents request for a stay of execution order by extending the stay to Thursday so the parents could take their case to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. But that request was denied today.

Christian Legal Center (CLC), which is representing the family, said the ECHR has a track record of rejecting applications in end-of-life cases like Archies.

The U.K. has joined the Optional Protocol to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which permits individuals and families to make complaints about violations of rights of disabled people, CLC wrote.

Archies parents have been in a legal battle to keep their son on life support since the boy was found unconscious with a ligature tied around his neck in April.

"All we have asked for from the beginning is for Archie to be given more time and for Archie's wishes and ours to be respected. As long as Archie is alive, I will never give up on him. He is too good to give up on," Dance said in a statement.

"When he is to die, we believe it should be in God's way and in God's time. What is the rush? Why is the hospital and the courts so keen to push this through as fast as possible?"

"I don't believe there is anything 'dignified' about planning Archie's death. For me, this would be the most traumatic outcome," she added. "Parents need support, not pressure. It is exhausting what we have been through. We should not have to endlessly battle the hospital in the courts for what we believe is right for Archie."

In a July 15 ruling, Justice Anthony Hayden ruled that it is in the childs "best interests" for his life support to be removed.

"Where, as here, the treatment is futile, it compromises Archie's dignity, deprives him of his autonomy, and becomes wholly inimical to his welfare," Hayden wrote in his ruling. "It serves only to protract his death, whilst being unable to prolong his life."

Hayden wrote that "arrangements" can be made that will afford Archie the opportunity "to die in peaceful circumstances and in the embrace of the family he loved."

The parents had been granted permission to appeal after an initial ruling last month from a separate judge allowing the Royal London Hospital to discontinue Archies care. In that decision, Justice Emma Arbuthnot wrote that Archie is likely dead "on the balance of probabilities."
American Christians help fund thousands of bomb shelters to protect Israelis from Hamas attacks

As Israel has been bombarded with thousands of missiles fired by Hamas over the past two weeks, American Christians have provided aid from afar by helping fund mobile bomb shelters that will protect Israeli civilians from the attacks.

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews [The Fellowship] placed 13 mobile bomb shelters in the heavily bombarded city of Ashkelon last Wednesday, along with several other mobile shelters throughout the week, to protect from Hamas terrorist missile fire.

The Fellowship also provided security staff in Ashkelon, a coastal southern Israel city, with 25 protective vests.

The Fellowship, a leading nonprofit founded in 1983 that bridges the gap between American evangelicals and Jews by providing humanitarian aid to Israel and Jewish people, has placed nearly 3,000 bomb shelters in Israel to date.

The support of American Christians who desire to see Israel protected has allowed thousands of permanent or mobile bomb shelters to truly provide security and safety from these rocket attacks to the people of Israel.

Its mostly on behalf of Christians in America who want to provide that shelter and protection just as the Bible says to be the watchmen on the walls [of Jerusalem], The Fellowship CEO Yael Eckstein, whose father founded the organization, told The Christian Post.

Despite the pandemic and subdued terror activity during 2020, The Fellowship continued to prepare for future conflicts in Israel and successfully placed 59 permanent and mobile bomb shelters and 1,000 protective vests in the past 18 months.

Factories can produce a mobile bomb shelter in six days, she said. And in times of conflict, these shelters can be purchased and placed in key, strategic, vulnerable locations [under rocket fire].

Especially in the last week, Israel is aware of the constant threat of attack from enemies surrounding the small Middle Eastern country of about 9 million people.

Every night before we go to sleep and say the bedtime prayers to ask God to watch over us, were giving our plans for if theres a [bomb] siren  who is going to grab who to go down to the shelters, the mother of four shared.

Things have definitely changed, and its a constant balance between making sure our children are aware and that youre honest with them and that theyre aware of the threats and aware of where the closest bomb shelter is.

She said it is challenging to find the balance of not being afraid and trusting in Gods protection while knowing individuals who have been killed in war and terror in Israel.

Whats really unique and unprecedented about this situation now is that were not even technically in a situation of war and [there have] been more rockets over Tel Aviv, Jerusalem than ever before in the history of Israel, Eckstein detailed.

And so, I guess what makes this unique is just the range that Hamas terrorists are able to [reach]. The amount of people who are in their bomb shelters who have never [had] to get in their bomb shelters before and the ongoing barrages that are targeting civilians and not specifically military or IDF bases.

The Fellowship has operated on the Gaza Strip for 15 years to prepare for emergencies through building bomb shelters, providing secure trauma centers and protective vests. But the attacks of the past couple of weeks have affected more Israeli civilians than ever before, according to Eckstein.

She said seeing the support millions of Christians have shown for Israel, despite the medias often misleading narrative, is encouraging.

Whats inspiring to me personally is to see the millions of Christians who, despite the media totally misportraying what is happening, they see through it and continue to stand with Israel and be Israels most vocal supporters, Eckstein said.

And for Christians, obviously, who stand for life, who stand against killing, who have these very, very strong values of freedom, to see how they recognize theres one side defending themselves and one side waging war and targeting civilians, for me is just the most encouraging thing. ...

She said millions of Christians are going against the "mainstream opinion" because they understand that "Israel stands for freedom."

Eckstein explained how Israel is surrounded by enemies that seek its destruction though it is peace-seeking and has never provoked a war in its history since 1948.

Israel yearns for peace," she stated. "Israel does not want war. Israel doesnt want to kill anyone. Israel wants to make sure that its citizens are safe. "

Eckstein stated that while Israel is building bomb shelters to protect its civilians, the designated terrorist group Hamas uses women and children for shields and will build its weapons factories under schools and hospitals.

In reference to former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meirs quote, Eckstein said, the day that our enemies love their children more than they hate us is the day there will be peace.

[Israel] is really this beacon of light and Judeo-Christian values, just like America stands for with the same democratic process, same value for life and freedom," she said. "And one of the hardest things is being surrounded by terrorists  who have no value for life."

If the Arabs would put down their arms, there would be no more war," she continued. "If Israel would put down their arms, there would be no more Israel.

Eckstein explained how the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps and that God has allowed them to create the Iron Dome, a missile defense system that intercepts missiles fired at Israel in mid-air.

I think that were seeing miracles in our lifetime, and I think that were seeing blessings as well that with over 2,000 rockets being launched at Israel and miraculously theyre falling in open areas , she shared.

I really believe prayer is Israels greatest weapon, and the fact that we have millions of Christians praying for us and standing with us is just, I believe, a huge component of whats giving us this strength."
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao left for Delhi on Monday, accompanied by a few ministers, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) MPs and senior leaders, by a special flight from Begumpet airport at 8 pm. The Chief Minister is likely to camp in Delhi for two or three days, according to party sources.

There is no clarity on the purpose of the Chief Ministers visit. His visit at a time when Parliament is in session for the Monsoon Session assumes significance. Party sources said the Chief Minister was expected to call on new President Droupadi Murmu. Since Chandrashekar Rao did not attend Murmu's swearing-in-ceremony in Delhi on Monday, he wanted to pay a courtesy visit to Murmu to extend greetings on assuming charge as President, said party sources.

The Chief Minister is also expected to meet leaders of a few regional parties and MPs and request them to raise their voice in the ongoing session against 'undemocratic, anti-people, anti-poor and anti-farmer' policies of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

He is expected to meet leaders of farmers unions and others as part of his renewed efforts to forge an anti-BJP front at national level for 2024 Lok Sabha polls. It may be recalled that while addressing the TRS MPs in Pragathi Bhavan on July 16, a day ahead of the Parliament session, Chandrashekar Rao said he would go to Delhi if necessary and hold meetings with the Opposition parties and MPs in the fight against the BJP government during the session. He asked MPs to utilise Parliament as a platform to fight against the BJP government.

TRS MPs along with MPs of Opposition parties have been stalling the proceedings in both the Houses since July 17 to protest rising prices of essential commodities and imposition of GST on milk and food items by the BJP government.

Sources said Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, MPs Joginipally Santosh Kumar, G. Ranjit Reddy, LB Nagar MLA D. Sudheer Reddy and Karimnagar former mayor Ravinder Singh were among those who accompanied the Chief Minister to Delhi.
Texas AG refutes claim that states abortion law prevents women from getting healthcare for miscarriage

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is pushing back against claims that an abortion law in his state prevents women from receiving healthcare for a miscarriage, characterizing one such report on CNN as a made-up story.

During an appearance on The Blazes The News and Why It Matters Monday, Paxton reacted to a CNN report alleging that a Texas woman was forced to carry her dead baby for two weeks after having a miscarriage. CNN claimed that Marlena Stell was denied a dilation and curettage procedure to remove the remains of her dead baby due to Texas' abortion law. D&Cs are sometimes performed in abortions and women's healthcare treatments such as the removal of uterine polyps.

Nothing could be further from the truth, Paxton insisted. The procedure is not outlawed by Texas law and so this was a very slanted story that didnt direct at the right place, which was the doctor.

Paxton noted that CNN did not interview the doctor who refused to perform the dilation and curettage procedure, whom he slammed for making a really poor decision.

The attorney general further explained that Texas' abortion law provides exceptions for the life of the mother as well as in cases of ectopic pregnancy.

Anything like that, where youve got the baby is deceased, that certainly is a procedure that can be done and anything that is done to save the life of the mother is certainly protected under Texas law, Paxton added. He was adamant that the CNN report was a made-up story because they didnt interview the doctor.

Paxton reported that his office was not aware of doctors refusing to perform D&Cs to remove babies' remains because of Texas abortion law and contended that the purpose of the CNN report was to make it seem like lots of doctors were refusing to perform the procedure, a proposition he characterized as just not true.

Blaze commentator Sara Gonzales elaborated on the allegations made in the CNN report, specifically that after an ultrasound revealed that Stell's baby had no heartbeat, her doctor informed her that state law required her to get multiple other ultrasounds to confirm what the other ultrasound had already said and that such ultrasounds had to be performed by different facilities. Paxton cited these claims as part of an effort to confuse people, make them think what shes saying is in the law.

In a CNN interview, Stell recalled a conversation she had with her obstetrician after learning that her baby did not have a heartbeat. According to Stell, the doctor informed her that because of this law, I cannot provide you any care, we need you to go get another ultrasound somewhere else. She told CNN that it became a battle of having to go get multiple ultrasounds to even prove that I had indeed miscarried and then having to come back and beg for a D&C, I still was denied one.

In the end, [I] had to go to an abortion clinic to get one because I could not get one at a hospital, she added. She also maintained that the topic of her own personal well-being did not come up at all during the two-week period between the time she learned her baby did not have a heartbeat and when she finally had a D&C done.

Gonzales engaged in a back-and-forth with Stell on Twitter, which began with the Blaze opinion host sharing text from Texas state law declaring that an act is not an abortion if the act is done with the intent to: (A) save the life or preserve the health of an unborn child; (B) remove a dead, unborn child whose death was caused by spontaneous abortion; or (C) remove an ectopic pregnancy.

Yeah, either this doctor is dumb as s*** or this woman is lying. Removal of a dead fetus is not considered an abortion in Texas, Gonzales said. Stell responded by inviting Gonzales to have a real and factual conversation about miscarriage care.

Gonzales replied by reiterating that Texas law is VERY clear that a D&C to remove a dead fetus is allowed. She called on Stell to expose her doctor so they dont put any more women at risk.

When Stell asserted that pro-lifers give 0 s**** for women dying as long as their perceived infant supply is ok, Gonzales once again urged her to expose the doctor who lied to you about Texas law and put your life at risk.

After Stell stated in a subsequent tweet that doctors will stall or deny treatment in fear of law and D&Cs will take longer to get, Gonzales interpreted that as an admission that it wasnt the law that prevented you from getting medical care, but an incompetent or lying doctor willing to put your life at risk.

So now you admit it wasnt the law that prevented you from getting medical care, but an incompetent or lying doctor willing to put your life at risk. Expose them if you care about womens health. https://t.co/Ge8ui6vZzH  Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) July 25, 2022

Expose them if you care about womens health, she proclaimed. Gonzales offered Stell the opportunity to come on my show and lets talk about why you continue protecting a doctor you say almost let you die because he didnt understand abortion law. Stell declined the request because of her belief that Gonzales does not want to genuinely understand my story but rather place blame, call me a liar and devalue what is happening to women.

Then come on my show and lets talk about why you continue protecting a doctor you say almost let you die because he didnt understand abortion law.



No woman should have to go through that because of medical incompetence, dont you agree? https://t.co/ONinTq94ku  Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) July 25, 2022

If you want to have an honest conversation lets have it but I know you dont want to because you dont like what my story implies: LAWS HAVE EFFECTS, Stell continued.

Gonzales followed up by assuring Stell that Im giving you a platform to expose the doctor who misrepresented the law before this doctor potentially kills women, adding: If you truly care about women, youll take the opportunity.

While Stell remarked that she had answered [Gonzales] questions all day, she indicated that she would not accept Gonzales request to expose the doctors who refused to provide her with miscarriage treatment because they were following protocol.

Gonzales response illustrated how she saw the situation a little differently: You have not answered my questions. Ive asked you multiple times to expose the doctor who put you at risk so you can save other women. You have refused. What are you trying to obfuscate?
Abortion after a sexual assault creates 2 assaults

A 10-year-old victim of a sexual assault here in Ohio travelled to Indiana to have an abortion last month. A 27-year-old man has since been arrested and charged with first-degree rape.

The story has become international news, especially after Joe Bidens comments recently. But the Democrats and the medias focus of attention and outrage over this incident isnt that a man raped a little girl  its that when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, it triggered an anti-abortion law in Ohio that prevented the 10-year-old girl from having an abortion.

Abortion is illegal in Ohio when the pre-born baby has a detectable heartbeat, which effectively bans abortion 3 weeks after conception. The Heartbeat Bill doesnt allow for exceptions in cases of incest or rape  which is why the 10-year-old girl, who was apparently more than 6 weeks pregnant at the time, was led to Indiana to have an abortion.

According to their reactions, abortion activists and the Democrats are more disturbed by Ohios pro-life law than the little girls rapist. In fact, its not necessarily the 10-year-old girls rape that received outrage from abortion activists  its that she couldnt have an abortion in Ohio.

This isnt surprising, sadly. Abortion activists have always exploited victims of sexual assault for their agenda. Theyve always taken advantage of horrific stories of sexual abuse to manipulate people into accepting abortion.

But people who kill children shouldnt be expected to help children. The people who led the little child to an abortion centre in Indiana didnt help a child  they killed a child. There are two young children who were assaulted. There are two assault victims in this story, not one.

Abortion after a sexual assault creates two assaults.

For several reasons, these words are not easy to write. But considering the number of professing Christians who have abortions, including those who support Roe v. Wade, apologetics on abortion is more necessary than many of us imagine.

We should grieve for the 10-year-old girl, but we should also grieve for another child in this story. This story involves two tragedies. The rapist killed the little girls innocence, and the abortion center killed her little baby.

When a woman or a girl becomes pregnant after a sexual assault, what she needs is justice and support  not an abortion. What she needs is help to persevere over her assault, not help to participate in another assault.

Thats what abortion is: a type of assault. Actually, its the worst type of assault. Its a violent, bloody, and deadly assault against an innocent baby. Abortion crushes a babys skull and it rips their little bodies apart, limb-by-limb.

Abortion doesnt help women who get pregnant after a sexual assault. It doesnt remove their assault. It doesnt un-rape them. It doesnt erase the devastating incident, it creates another one.

Pre-born babies are just as human as you and me. They have human DNA. They have human hearts, human hands, and human rights. The only difference between pre-born babies and born babies is the same difference between me and a born baby: age.

I am the same person I was the day after I was born  Im just older and bigger. In the same way, I was the same person 8 months before I was born as I was 8 months after I was born  I was just younger and smaller.

Therefore if you think its wrong for a mother to kill her born baby because they were conceived in rape, then why would you think its okay for the mother to kill the same baby through an abortion just months before when the baby is just younger and smaller?

Whats the difference between a pre-born baby and a born baby?

I shared similar arguments with a student at a high school a few years ago. He didnt have answers for my arguments, but he insisted that abortion after a sexual assault is justifiable. However one of his friends overheard our conversation, and he angrily said:

So you wish I wasnt born!? My father raped my mom!

That high school student immediately changed his mind. When his friend confronted him, he realized we were talking about real people  real people like his friend.

Many of us, however, still refuse to believe abortion kills real people. We refuse to believe there are two assault victims in the story about the 10-year-old girl.

Two children were led into that abortion center in Indiana, and one of them wasnt let out alive. Abortion after a sexual assault creates two assaults.

Originally published at Slow to Write.
John Brown no model for Christian engagement

There was an odd essay in Christianity Today extolling John Brown as a model for evangelical engagement. Brown, of course, led the 1859 raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, for which he was hanged. A fierce abolitionist and self-styled Calvinist, he hoped by seizing armaments to help escaped slaves create their own self-governing refuge in the Appalachians.

According to the author, Brown was a fervent believer who models a profoundly radical social ethic without ever wavering from his firm commitment to biblical authority. The author enthusiastically declared: I dream that John Browns soul might march again.

And the author explained:

In our time, white evangelicals seem to be in dire need of good examples of people who were transformed by their faith to rise above pedestrian racism  because, not in spite of, their unshakable commitment to the authority of Scripture. Why not John Brown? Why not the most esteemed white man in Black history? Wherever there is a right thing to be done, Brown liked to say, there is a thus saith the Lord that it shall be done. Surely thats a spirit that should go marching on.

A National Review essay responded to Christianity Today by saying of Brown:

The clarity of his moral politics may be appealing, but the radical autonomy of his hermeneutic is anarchy. He is no model for any Americans, evangelical or otherwise.

This author noted that Brown, unlike slaves, had voting rights and the ability to fight slavery peacefully, as did most abolitionists, and as Abraham Lincoln. Comparing Brown to the handful of anti-abortion extremists who have killed abortionists, this author concluded:

There speaks the spirit of John Brown in the hermeneutics of autonomy and the politics of moral absolutism. Christ, have mercy upon us.

Have mercy indeed, because violent and radical political fanaticism exemplified by Brown that is ostensibly Christian is exactly what American evangelicals do not now or ever need.

Browns insurrection and tactics can be critiqued on realist, moral and theological grounds. Christianity Today strangely never mentioned Browns 1856 Pottawatomie Massacre, in which he and his gang at night dragged 5 men from their homes in a pro-slavery Kansas settlement and hacked them to death as their families watched in horror. Brown was executing vengeance for a pro-slavery raid on anti-slavery Lawrence, Kansas. Although purportedly believing in the Bible, Brown disregarded the divine warning, Vengeance is mine, I shall repay. He also of course, in his violence at Pottawatomie and Harpers Ferry, disdained St. Pauls admonition to heed legitimate governmental authority.

Brown believed he, through his own Bible reading, had divine authority to kill, kidnap and establish an alternative government. He was not subordinate to any church or wider community but instead assumed himself to be Gods unique agent. His small number of followers were largely his own sons, two of whom were killed at Harpers Ferry, and other much younger men enthralled by his fierce and bloodthirsty charisma.

Its notable that no slaves flocked to Brown during his brief occupation at Harpers Ferry, presumably because they were not interested in joining a suicide mission. And famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass, himself a former slave, sensibly declined an invite to support the insurrection. Douglass supported helping slaves escape, but his larger hope was through activism and legislation to defeat slavery legally. A bloodbath that would mostly killed slaves was never what Douglass had in mind.

By all accounts, Brown was completely sincere in his convictions and fearless. Even his prosecutors admired his fortitude at his treason trial, where he testified by occasionally rising from his stretcher, having been wounded at Harpers Ferry. I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away, but with Blood, he fiercely pronounced. I had  vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed, it might be done.

Presuming to be Gods agent to achieve political righteousness through mass bloodshed is not a model for Christian public engagement, it should hardly need to be said. Fanaticism, certitude, sanctimony, self-righteousness and messianic impatience are never helpful companions to constructive politics or social reform, for Christians or anybody else. These qualities govern jihadists and terrorists, not responsible Christians or prudent citizens of any society.

Our desires, even for our vision of the good, should never be inflexibly conflated with Gods. And we must never presume to be His direct agents in politics, especially without wider accountability. This wisdom was reflected in Lincolns famous war-time quote: Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on Gods side, for God is always right.

The Christianity Today homage to Brown noted that he firmly believed in the Bible, was genuinely devout, prayed and had orthodox Calvinist theology, as though these qualities by themselves guarantee political wisdom and virtuous choices. Since all men are not only fallen but also, even at their best, finite in knowledge and judgment, righteous intentions and strong faith never guarantee constructive political action. Resolute faith, ungoverned by wisdom, experience and humility, can instead fuel foolish and destructive extremism. Boldness never substitutes for good judgment.

Browns deadly and ego-driven version of Christian political zealotry freed no slaves. Wiser and more prudent men, like Lincoln and Douglass, whose own faith and theology were often less certain, led in ending slavery. Browns blood drenched version of Gods Kingdom helped unleash the Civil War, which killed 700,000 Americans, or about 7 million as a percentage of todays population.

Perhaps Brown was somehow ultimately correct that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away, but with Blood. Lincoln in his Second Inaugural surmised the war was divine judgment for the injustice of slavery. But Lincoln saw this judgement as falling on everyone, with the whole nation complicit in the tragedy. He noted: The Almighty has His own purposes. Woe unto the world because of offenses for it must needs be that offenses come but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.

If the Civil War was divine judgment, then messianic fanatics like Brown were arguably agents for precipitating that judgment, rather than redemptively working to avoid it. Christians in politics should not assume the role of avenging angels wielding the bloody sword of certainty and righteousness. Nor should Christians seek to precipitate the Apocalypse.

The Christianity Today column mocked Julia Ward Howe as a squeamish liberal who replaced the marching song John Browns Body with a Unitarian anthem known as The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Unitarian or not, Howes lyrics focus on Christ and His return instead of Brown and his supposed immortality, which is instructive for all Christians. Our politics will not commence The Kingdom, which only Christ will launch.

As noted above, the Christianity Today column concluded:

Wherever there is a right thing to be done, Brown liked to say, there is a thus saith the Lord that it shall be done. Surely thats a spirit that should go marching on.

Politics is never more potentially dangerous than when claiming to be based on the inflexible absolutism of thus saith the Lord. Instead, Christians should, amid our own sins and limitations, seek wisdom and knowledge for advancing approximate justice whenever possible through providentially patient and peaceful collaboration. John Brown only models what to avoid: violent and zealous self-assurance.

Originally published at Providence.
Canadian city passes bylaw threatening churches property tax relief; critics condemn 'unfair' move

A city in Canada scheduled to have a visit from Pope Francis recently passed a bylaw that may soon require churches to pay property taxes, a move some consider anti-religious.

The City of Iqaluit, the capital of the province Nunavut with a population of around 7,500 people, passed a bylaw in April regarding tax relief for nonprofits and charitable organizations.

The new bylaw, slated to take effect next year, repeals earlier bylaws that named specific religious entities for tax exemption and creates an application process if a nonprofit seeks partial or complete tax exemption.

Tax exemption eligibility requirements include the applicant demonstrating financial need, that they own the property for which they seek relief and that they must not disparage or restrict others.

According to the new bylaw, the city will also cap the annual funds allocated for property tax relief to $300,000.

Father Daniel Perreault, pastor at Our Lady of the Assumption, the only Catholic church in Iqaluit, denounced the new measure in an interview with Global News earlier this week.

It is unfair. It is a kind of revenge, a kind of game, said Perreault. It will not kill us. Its just one more thing to make us suffer a little bit more.

The city sent a statement to Global News saying the new bylaw is meant to provide a fair opportunity, to all community-based organizations, to apply for full or partial property tax relief and was not a by-law specific to the church.

News of the new taxation measure comes as Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Iqaluit on Friday as part of his penitential trip to Canada in response to revelations of abuse at Catholic-run residential schools for indigenous populations.

Last year, 215 graves of indigenous children were discovered on the property of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, which closed in 1978.

Soon after, an alleged mass grave near the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, which had over 700 unmarked graves, made headlines.

In June 2021, Iqaluit Mayor Kenny Bell stated that he wanted local churches to pay taxes in response to the then-recent discovery of purported mass graves at former residential schools.

Were not retaliating against them; they literally killed thousands of children, Bell alleged in an interview with Nunatsiaq News at the time.

Tax exemptions, as a whole, are supposed to be for groups that do the community good. Its very clear that the Catholic church hasnt done the community any good.

Some scholars have disputed the claims of mass graves, noting that Marieval was part of an official cemetery and Kamloops had only been confirmed as having probable burials.
Over 10K Nigerian Christians protest Muslim presidential ticket: Recipe for 'sharp divides'

More than 10,000 Nigerian Christians staged a protest in the African nation's capital against an all-Muslim presidential ticket for Nigeria's ruling party, expressing concerns over religious tolerance.

The protest took place in Abuja on July 15, with a major issue being the Muslim-Muslim ticket created by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate for the All Progressives Congress party. President Muhammadu Buhari, a Fulani Muslim, is term-limited and can't seek another term. His vice president is Yemi Osinbajo, a Christian.

Tinubu, a Muslim and the former governor of Lagos state, has garnered controversy for having fellow Muslim Kashim Shettima, the former governor of Borno state, as his running mate for the next presidential election scheduled for February 2023.

Demonstrators marched on the Presidential Villa and submitted a letter of protest to Nigeria's federal government, according to the Abuja-based Daily Post Nigeria.

The protest was led by the All Christians Community of Northern Nigeria, whose leader, Moses Adams, told the Daily Post that the lack of a Christian vice presidential candidate on the ticket was "unacceptable and a recipe for creating sharp divides between the Muslims and the Christians in the country."

Since 1999, according to Moses, the tradition in democratic elections has been for all political parties to have one Christian and one Muslim on their presidential campaign tickets.

This is due in part to the population of the country being roughly evenly divided between the two major religions, with Islam dominating the north and Christianity dominating the south.

Moses believes a Muslim-Muslim ticket shows a disregard for Nigeria's Christian community.

Groups like the Evangelical Church Winning All denomination and the prominent advocacy organization Christian Association of Nigeria have also expressed concern over the ticket.

Kayode Fayemi, a governor who supports the APC, recently asked CAN to take the opportunity to present its views to the APC rather than protest the religious makeup of the ticket.

"The Christian leadership should use this current challenge as an opportunity to present a charter of demands to all political candidates, especially our party (APC), outlining the irreducible minimum conditions acceptable to Christians," said Fayemi, as quoted by Premium Times Nigeria.

"A charter of demands that would represent those values you preach to us in church highlighting our concerns, stressing the place of Christendom in the Nigeria project and then placing our demands before the political leaders. I want the Church to organize debates around issues of concern among all the candidates."

Not all Christians are upset with the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Progressive Christian Clerics North-West Zonal Chairman, Reverend Moses Bitrus of Arise and Shine Prophetic Ministry Kaduna, recently called on Christians to be more concerned about electing leaders who can tackle Nigeria's rising security concerns.

Nigeria is collapsing and needs leaders with proven track record of performance that are adequately equipped to fight the threats by insurgency with all seriousness," Bitrus said in a statement shared by Vanguard. "We need committed leaders with the capacity to deliver on campaign promises without excuses once elected."

"These among several reasons are why we disagreed with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other churches kicking against the issue of Muslim-Muslim Ticket," he added.

In recent years, northern Nigeria has been a hotbed of violence. The rise of Islamic extremist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province has killed thousands and displaced millions.

Predominantly Christian farming communities in Nigeria's Middle Belt states have been attacked and pushed out of their lands by predominantly Muslim radicalized herders. Thousands have reportedly been killed in the violence that has escalated since 2016.

Christian nongovernmental organizations and some human rights activists contend that religion plays a role in the violence occurring in the Middle Belt and could be reaching the level of genocide.

However, President Buhari and his administration argue that the violence is part of decades-old farmer-herder clashes exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.

According to the Christian persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA, at least 4,650 Christians were killed in Nigeria between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021, the reporting period for the group's latest annual report.

"In much of northern Nigeria, Christians live their lives under the constant threat of attack from Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Fulani militants and criminals who kidnap and murder with few consequences," Open Doors stated in a recent report.

"Christians in some of Nigeria's northern states also live under Shariah law, where they face discrimination and treatment as second-class citizens. Christians who've converted from Islam also face rejection from their families and are often pressured to recant their faith in Jesus or face the consequences."
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Digital Realty Trust Inc. (DLR) on Thursday reported a key measure of profitability in its second quarter. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations.

The Austin, Texas-based real estate investment trust said it had funds from operations of $451.9 million, or $1.55 per share, in the period.
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Employees at a Trader Joes supermarket in Massachusetts on Thursday became the latest workers at a major company to approve a labor union.

The store in Hadley, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Boston, is the first Trader Joes with an employees union, although workers at two other company locations have initiated unionization efforts.

The union vote, counted by National Labor Relations Board agents in front of witnesses from management and employees, passed 45-31 with one void. Eighty-one store workers  called crew members or merchants in company lingo  were eligible to vote.

The union, Trader Joe's United, said in a Twitter post We won!

This victory is historic, but not a surprise, the tweet said. Since the moment we announced our campaign, a majority of the crew have enthusiastically supported our union, and despite the company's best efforts to bust us, our majority has never wavered.

The company has seven days to file an objection. A company spokesperson did not indicate whether there would be one. The company already has among the best package of pay, benefits, and working conditions in the grocery store business, the spokesperson said.

We are prepared to immediately begin discussions with union representatives for the employees at this store to negotiate a contract, the statement from Nakia Rohde said. We are willing to use any current union contract for a multi-state grocery company with stores in the area, selected by the union representatives, as a template to negotiate a new structure for the employees in this store; including pay, retirement, healthcare, and working conditions such as scheduling and job flexibility.

Organizers at the store launched the effort in May in an open letter to company CEO Dan Bane citing concerns about pay, benefits and safety.

Now that the union has been approved, the next step is putting together a negotiating committee to hammer out a contract with the California-based company, which has about 530 stores nationwide.

We must embrace this challenge head on, together, and negotiate a contract that reflects the values Trader Joe's has long claimed to espouse, the union said in its tweet.

Trader Joe's United is an independent union and not affiliated with a larger existing union, although organizers have received administrative and legal help from established unions, 18-year Trader Joe's employee Maeg Yosef said.

Workers from at least two other Trader Joes locations have initiated unionization efforts. Employees at a Minneapolis location have a union vote scheduled for Aug. 11 and 12, while the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 on Tuesday filed a union election petition with the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of crew members at a Boulder, Colorado store.

The Trader Joe's workers are part of a nationwide wave of employees at major companies who have or are attempting to unionize in an effort to secure a bigger say in their work conditions and compensation.

Workers at multiple Starbucks coffee shop locations across the country, as well as employees at Amazon, Apple and REI are among those who have joined unions in the past year.

During the first nine months of the 2022 fiscal year, from Oct. 1 until June 30, union representation petitions filed at the National Labor Relations Board have increased 58% compared to the first three quarters of the previous fiscal year, the agency said this month.

Before the vote took place, Trader Joes management engaged in what Yosef called classic union-busting tactics, including hiring a law firm specializing in fighting unionization to try and talk employees out of approving a union.

___

This story has been corrected to reflect that Trader Joe's has about 530 stores, not about 550.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  At least 16 people were killed in a bus crash in northwestern Nicaragua, including 13 Venezuelans, National Police said Thursday.

A Nicaraguan citizen was also among the dead and the other two fatalities had not yet been identified, according to a police statement.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  U.S. consumers will finally get the chance to try avocados from Jalisco after 25 years in which neighboring Michoacan has been the only Mexican state authorized to send the green fruit to the U.S. market.

That just may help with prices, which have soared this year to over $2 per fruit amid a dip in production in Michoacan.

Growers and packers in Jalisco, just northwest of Michoacan, expressed hope that their state can provide more consistent production levels and stability for prices for avocados, which have fluctuated widely amid seasonal supply shortages.

Eleven trucks bearing 200 tons of avocados from Jalisco lined up Thursday in the mountain town of Zapotlan El Grande to set out for the United States.

When we were talking about very high prices a month ago, it was because the market wasnt getting enough supply, said Javier Medina Villanueva, president of the Jalisco Avocado Export Association. So we believe that the entry of Jalisco will close that supply shortage.  I think prices will stabilize.

Consumers in the United States wont immediately recognize the difference: Jalisco avocados wont bear any special tag, and will be labelled simply as avocados from Mexico  a phrase promoted for years by producers in Michoacan.

The head of the Michoacan-based Association of Mexican Avocado Growers and Packers, Jose Luis Gallardo, said he doesnt see Jalisco, or any of the other Mexican states now clamoring for U.S. export certification, as competition.

Today is a day of joy for everyone, knowing that Jalisco is here, but it is going to be happier when the State of Mexico comes, when Nayarit, Colima, Puebla, Morelos come, Gallardo said of the other states, noting there was room for more exports; last seasons production in Michoacan was down by about 200,000 tons.

Mexico currently supplies about 92% of U.S. imports of the fruit, and Mexicos agriculture department says it is working to get more states certified. About a half dozen states grow significant quantities of the fruit, which prefers higher altitudes and cooler climates in Mexico.

Medina Villanueva noted that meeting U.S. sanitary requirements wasnt easy. It took 10 years, he said. It took patience.

U.S. agricultural inspectors have to certify that Mexican avocados dont carry diseases or pests that would harm U.S. orchards. The Mexican harvest is January through March, while U.S production runs from April to September.

The inspections were halted in February for about 10 days after one of the U.S. inspectors was threatened in Michoacan, where growers are routinely subject to extortion by drug cartels. Some packers in Michoacan were reportedly buying avocados from other, non-certified states and trying to pass them off as being from Michoacan, and were angry the U.S. inspector wouldnt go along with that.

Exports resumed after Mexico and the United States agreed to enact the measures that ensure the safety of the inspectors.

Francisco Trujillo, the head of Mexicos plant and animal safety agency, noted that the Michoacan export ban should be a lesson for Jalisco producers.

Caution should be part of this day of festivity, Trujillo said, noting that avocados certified for export were worth four or five times as much as those destined for domestic markets, creating temptations to pass off non-certified fruit. We could run the risk that this festive day becomes a tragedy if the U.S. were to ban exports again, he said.

Exports were worth about $2.8 billion to Mexico in 2021. The price Mexican growers get for their crops  as little as $1 per pound  is still far higher than any other crop they could grow, so much so that avocados have lifted thousands of small producers out of poverty.

Jalisco Gov. Enrique Alfaro acknowledged that his state will have to avoid problems that have plagued the reputation of avocados in Michoacan, where some growers have cut down native pine forests to plant avocado trees and dried up local water supplies to irrigate them. Drug cartels have also extorted protection payments from avocado growers and packers.

Alfaro said Jalisco has plans to develop a security program  so that this product can be produced in the orchards, be shipped through Jalisco and reach its final destination safely.

Alfaro also said he would push to certify Jalisco avocados as free from deforestation, something Michoacan has been slow to do.

The idea of pushing a plan to certify avocados as free from deforestation shouldnt just be an issue for some growers. We want to establish that as an obligation for the good of the whole industry, Alfaro said.

Anti-logging activist Guillermo Saucedo, who was abducted by gunmen in the town of Villa Madero, Michoacan in 2021, said he doubted the government or growers would act in his forest-clad hamlet, where he said newly cleared fields, wells and holding ponds used to water avocado plantations continue to appear.

The authorities don't take action, said Saucedo. They let them do whatever they want.

At this point, Jalisco has only about 20,000 acres (8,420 hectares) of avocado orchards certified as pest free, a small amount compared to over nearly 300,000 acres (120,000 hectares) in Michoacan. But Alfaro said another 65,000 acres (26,000 hectares) in Jalisco were in line to be certified.
Hyderabad: The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, though a divided house on the future course of action against Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, for the time being, appealed to the dissident MLA to continue in the party in the larger interest of the people of Telangana.

He also promised to think about (continuing in the party) it, said Congress Legislature Party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka in New Delhi after meeting party in-charge Manickam Tagore.

PCC president A. Revanth Reddy and his predecessor and MP N. Uttam Kumar Reddy were also present.

Party sources said Bhatti and Uttam insisted on continuing efforts to pacify Rajgopal Reddy and somehow retain him in the party as it cannot afford to lose the Komatireddy brothers. It will lead to BJP making inroads into southern Telangana, particularly in Nalgonda and Khammam districts, the two leaders argued, while Revanth remained silent.

A section of leaders, however, argued that Rajgopal Reddy would anyway leave the party shortly despite best efforts to retain him, and urged action before damaging the party and exposing its weakness.

Sources said party leaders had also been seriously considering suspending Rajagopal Reddy, a move that would ensure a win-win situation for all those looking at avoiding the bypoll  Congress, Telangana Rashtra Samiti and Rajagopal Reddy himself.

Once suspended, the MLA escapes the anti-defection law and can directly associate with the BJP while sticking to his post. Congress, by avoiding a bypoll, can avoid a Huzurabad-like situation and the TRS, despite its brave posture, will be happy to avoid the bypoll risk in the run-up to the next general elections.

However, sources in the BJP told Deccan Chronicle that the Central leadership, Amit Shah in particular, was keen on forcing a bypoll to not only consolidate the party in southern Telangana but send a message to the TRS of being its biggest challenger in the next Assembly polls. We will insist on his resignation, a senior BJP leader said.

Rajagopal Reddy had put the Congress in an embarrassing situation and exposed its weakness in taking action against leaders who openly criticise the party and its leaders. Unlike other dissidents, Rajagopal Reddy did not stop with criticising Revanth Reddy, but dragged the party and its first family.

It is such a tricky situation that we cant keep him anymore because he described Sonia and Rahuls leadership as ineffective, a senior Congress leader said, adding that Rajgopal Reddy was certain to make party-bashing a daily affair.

At the same time, we cant invite a repeat of Huzurabad (incident), the Congress leader said.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, who, party leaders say is yet to recover from the Huzurabad effect, was aware that another bypoll and another defeat would badly hit the party.

Anticipating a bypoll, the Chief Minister already got into poll mode and has pressed the party machinery under the leadership of energy minister Jagadish Reddy.
BIG RAPIDS  Over 500 bicyclists will pass through Big Rapids as the participate in Make-A-Wish Michigans 35th annual Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour.

The three day tour will begin Friday, July 29, in Traverse City and will stop in Big Rapids on Friday evening, completing the first 100 miles of the tour. Bikers will sleep in and around the Student Recreation Center and the David L. Eisler Center or outside tents surrounding the buildings.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Authorities in Mexico said Thursday that at least 94 migrants had to bash their way out of a suffocating freight trailer abandoned on a highway in the steamy Gulf coast state of Veracruz.

Carlos Enrique Escalante, the head of the state migrant attention office, said migrants had to break holes in the freight container to get out, some apparently through the roof.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP)  A 15-year-old boy shot and killed three siblings at a home near Fairbanks and was found dead with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities announced Wednesday.

Alaska State Troopers in a statement said they received a report of shots being fired at a Fairbanks home on Tuesday afternoon. The report came from a neighbor, troopers spokesperson Tim DeSpain said.

Responding troopers found four children dead from apparent gunshot wounds. The children's parents were not home when the shooting occurred, the troopers said.

Three other children were at the home and were not injured, the statement said. DeSpain said the children who were not injured are all under the age of 7, while those dead were ages 5, 8, 17 and 15. He said all the children were siblings.

Troopers said the state Office of Childrens Services had been notified. Clinton Bennett, a spokesperson for the state Department of Family and Community Services, under which the office falls, said by email that the office will not provide any information due to rules and regulations involving the confidentiality of all involved in specific cases.

The office also will not provide any information involving a case with an open investigation, Bennett wrote.

Troopers said their investigation shows a 15-year-old boy shot three siblings and then shot himself. DeSpain said the question of motive is part of the investigation.

The bodies were being sent to the state medical examiner's office.

DeSpain said the gun was a family gun but beyond that, it's all still part of the ongoing investigation." He could not say if the 15-year-old had had any previous interactions with law enforcement, saying that would be part of the investigation.

Fairbanks is in central Alaska, about 360 miles (580 kilometers) north of Anchorage.
Jacksonville native Reg Ankrom will speak about Stephen A. Douglas at 7 p.m. today at the Jacksonville Public Library as part of the librarys Author Series.

Ankrom, an award-wining biographer, has spent the past decade studying Douglas, who began his political career in Jacksonville. He has written two volumes of what he expects to be a three-part biography.

Carl Sandburgs massive biography hooked me on (Abraham) Lincoln, Ankrom said, and as I continued to read Lincoln, I became interested in Douglas. The more I read about Lincoln, the clearer it became that from 1834 on, Lincolns political ambition was influenced  and thwarted  by Stephen Douglas. Lincoln pursued Douglas in politics for 26 years without much success until 1860. I intend to refer to that in my talk.

Ankroms first book, Stephen A. Douglas: The Political Apprenticeship,1833-1843 was published in 2015. It begins with the story of Douglass home in Jacksonville from 1833 to 1837 and reviews Douglass rise in Illinois politics  from states attorney at age 21 to Supreme Court justice at 27.

The second volume, Stephen A. Douglas, Western Man: The Early Years in Congress, 1844-1850 was published in 2021 and looks at Douglass leadership in overcoming the demands for and against slavery as he worked to expand the nation westward to the Pacific Ocean.

The Illinois State Historical Society has recognized both books with awards for scholarship. Earlier this year, the society named Western Man Best in Illinois History.

Ankrom has written more than 100 historical articles for newspapers, magazines and journals. He is a former Journal-Courier reporter and covered state government for the State-Register in Springfield. He is president of SIMEC Energy, an energy consulting firm headquartered in Quincy.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  The Attorney General's Office has declined a request by San Francisco's newly appointed district attorney to take over a case involving a relative of her husband and another related to Mayor London Breeds brother.

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins was appointed by Breed earlier this month to replace ousted District Attorney Chesa Boudin.

Shortly after her appointment on July 8, Jenkins asked Attorney General Rob Bonta to take over the case of Breeds brother, Napoleon Brown, and the prosecution of two men charged in the killing of Jerome Mallory, a cousin of Jenkins husband.

The Attorney Generals Office told Jenkins in a July 22 letter the San Francisco District Attorney's Office has taken appropriate measures to establish an ethical wall around DA Jenkins, which remains in place and eliminates any ethical concerns about the cases.

In 2018, Breed was fined $2,500 for using official stationery to write Gov. Jerry Brown asking to commute her brothers sentence.

Brown has served more than half of a 44-year sentence and is asking for a reduction in his prison sentence for a 2000 armed robbery and the death of the getaway car driver, who was his girlfriend. A resentencing hearing for Brown is scheduled for Aug. 15 at a San Francisco court.

Mallory, 18, was fatally shot in San Francisco's Bayview District in 2020.

Jenkins said in a statement Wednesday that she will not get involved in the cases to avoid any appearance whatsoever of a conflict.

"I am exploring whether other local agencies may be an option. Regardless, these cases will be handled according to the law and with integrity, she added.
REED CITY  The Reed City Area Public Schools administration is aiming to renew its four-year operating millage on the Aug. 2 primary election ballot.

This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2022 tax levy.

The remaining 1.1031 mills are only available to be levied to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Headlee amendment to the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will only be levied to the extent necessary to restore that reduction.

Local school districts generate a portion of school funding through a property tax called a millage. A millage rate is made up of a certain number of mills. All Michigan school districts are required to collect an 18 mill, millage to pay for operations or day-to-day functions from employee salaries to utilities.

Superintendent Michael Sweet said the passage of the millage would support school operations.

This is the business and non-homestead renewal, Sweet said. What that does is it allows the district to continue to levy 18 mills, which is the requirement the state of Michigan in order to get your full per pupil funding amount, so important for the district to be able to continue to levy the full amount so that we get full per pupil funding for the state. Were confident that the voters will support it.

The proposal states:

"Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Reed City Area Public Schools, Osceola, Mecosta, Newaygo and Lake Counties, Michigan, be renewed by 19.1031 mills ($19.1031 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 5 years, 2023 to 2027, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2023 is approximately $2,393,387."

Sweet said the administration has a lot planned in terms of addressing concerns within the district.

We're going to continue to work with curriculum instruction in high-performing groups, those are the big pieces, Sweet said. We're also going to continue refining our safety protocols to ensure that we have a secure facility for students and staff.

For more information on RCAPS, visit the district website at www.reedcityschools.org.
The worlds most influential banks need to substantially accelerate climate efforts if global temperature rise is to be kept within the targets of the Paris Agreement, an assessment released Thursday by an institutional investors group warned.

The efforts of 27 giant banks in North America, Europe and Asia to align their policies with global warming of no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) are falling far short in every area measured in the pilot study, obtained exclusively by The Associated Press. The report said no major bank has committed to end financing for new oil and gas exploration, and only one has promised to cut all coal financing in line with International Energy Agency guidelines.

The evaluation was prepared by the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), whose more than 350 members are mainly asset managers and owners. They include Barclay's Bank UK Retirement Fund, BlackRock and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International. Group members have 51 trillion ($52 trillion) in assets under management and advice, according to the IIGCC website. That amounts to roughly a tenth of total assets held by financial institutions worldwide. The Transition Pathway Initiative, a research group that tracks corporate emissions, was a co-author of the report.

The evaluation is significant because it comes from within the financial community, echoing the idea that fossil fuel investments must wind down, which environmentalists, climate scientists and energy experts have argued for years.

Witold Henisz, vice dean of the environmental, social and governance initiative at the Wharton Business School, said the study establishes convincingly that banks are not yet demonstrating substantive progress towards net zero, and often even their own commitments. A growing body of research suggests low public rankings shame companies into responding, he said  and investors may punish them.

Any quibbles over methodology will not alter the above high-level conclusion, he added.

The study assessed banks for six areas where they should be showing progress if their lending and other services were aligned with a sharp ramp down of emissions: the strength of net zero pledges; short- and medium-term emissions targets; decarbonization strategies, namely, plans for exiting polluting industries; lobbying on climate regulation; how climate risk is reflected in accounts and audits, and governance, meaning how climate risks are incorporated into leadership structures.

Evaluators set benchmarks for each area. Banks were graded on how many they hit. A 100% rating would mean a bank was completely aligned with the Paris goals in that category.

On their commitments to reducing emissions in their lending portfolios to zero, the banks, in aggregate, came in at 20%. On short- and medium-term climate targets, which demonstrate a pathway to net zero goals, they met just 10% of indicators. And the report found 1% of banks' lobbying practices are consistent with the 1.5 C goal.

The level of urgency must ratchet up," said Natasha Landell-Mills, head of stewardship at investment manager Sarasin and Partners, and co-chair of the IIGCC working group. Banks still have a long way to go.

As gatekeepers of the worlds money, banks play a critical role in climate change, the study said. They make new fossil fuel projects possible via financing. They decide whether to lend money for coal mines and for agribusinesses that fell tropical rainforest. There are other sources of finance, and private equity in particular has a growing role, but banks remain the most important.

Two-thirds of banks have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions, the study found, but these commitments vary widely. Only UBS commits to net zero over its entire business, the study found.

The four Chinese banks in the report, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, have made no commitment to net zero emissions, the study found. They were the worst-rated institutions, each scoring zero in five of the six categories assessed.

The AP sought comment from these banks on several occasions, but none responded.

Each year, a body known as the Financial Stability Board, based in Basel, Switzerland and created by the Group of 20 heads of major economies, gauges which banks in the world are most influential based on their size and importance to the global financial system. The worlds four most influential banks in 2021  JPMorgan Chase, BNP Paribas, Citigroup and HSBC  each were assessed at zero in two or three areas in the evaluation. Climate governance was the only category where all were judged to be making substantial progress.

By email, Citigroup and JPMorgan both declined to comment. Both banks published targets to align the companys practices with the Paris goal in spring 2021.

In a statement, BNP Paribas said it has made new climate commitments, including a 25% reduction in oil financing, since Feb. 25, the last date included in the research. The bank reasserted its commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral economy by 2050 and limiting global warming to 1.5 C. BNP Paribas has implemented pioneering policies to protect the climate and biodiversity, especially in forests, it said. It will progressively reduce its exposure to companies that won't decarbonize fast enough.

An HSBC spokesperson said via email the bank is also committed to net zero, adding: We recognize that our global footprint means we can play a critical role. The IIGCC report acknowledges the progress we have already made," she said, including a commitment to phasing out coal financing. The bank is reviewing its climate and energy policies, the spokesperson said.

Scientists say emissions must sharply ramp down in the short and medium term, so benchmarks for 2030 and 2035 are crucial. Only three banks, Barclays, ING Bank and Societe Generale, have published short-term targets to reduce emissions from activities they finance, the study reveals. Nine have published medium-term targets. This is problematic, the study said, because targets help investors gauge how serious banks are about decarbonizing.

If too many banks plan to backload emissions reductions, global emissions will not be curbed rapidly enough, the authors wrote.

With regard to deforestation, which can release massive carbon dioxide when forests are burned, only HSBC has made comprehensive commitments to ending financing, the study says.

For all the awareness at board level, there are not yet changes at a strategic level, said James Vaccaro, executive director of the Climate Safe Lending Network, which pushes for decarbonization in the banking sector.

Vaccaro, who has 20 years management experience in sustainable banking and investment, added there are reasons to remain hopeful amidst the dismal assessment of the state of banking today." He singled out Barclays for praise, saying its targets were very comprehensive.

Bank lobbying, which can attempt to influence and weaken climate laws, also veered far from a 1.5 Celsius pathway, the study said. And it found banks dont ensure that their trade associations lobby in accordance with the agreement. Only the Bank of Montreal discloses all its trade association memberships on its website and in reports.

Bill Weihl, a former sustainability chief at both Facebook and Google, who campaigns against lobbying groups, said by email the findings explain why climate policy repeatedly fails to get enacted. We need to see the private sector step up and use its powerful influence for climate policy gains.

The report found that none of the banks links executive pay to emissions, although BNP Paribas disputed this.

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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.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  The California Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the conviction and death penalty for one of two men implicated in at least 11 notorious horrific torture-slayings in the mid-1980s in which the duo kept their victims hidden in a secret bunker in the Northern California woods.

Thirty-seven years later, authorities are still trying to identify the remains of some of their victims.

Charles Ng, now 61, was convicted in 1999 of killing six men, three women and two baby boys in 1984 and 1985. He was initially accused of 13 slayings  12 in Calaveras County and one in San Francisco.

He and his criminal partner, Leonard Lake, committed a series of kidnappings in which they engaged in bondage and sadism ending in murder. They were initially suspected of killing up to 25 people.

This is one of those stories that's been passed down through time in this community, said Calaveras County Lt. Greg Stark, whose father worked for the department at the time of the slayings. There's been wild estimates and there's been conservative estimates, and honestly I don't think anybody will ever know, due to how they were disposing of the bodies.

Ng and Lake held their victims in a remote 2 1/2-acre Sierra Nevada fenced compound about 150 miles (241 kilometers) east of San Francisco. It included a bunker with three rooms, two of them behind a hidden doorway. One hidden, locked room was furnished like a cell with a bed covered with a foam pad, a plastic bucket and a roll of toilet paper.

Lake killed himself with a cyanide capsule after police arrested him for shoplifting in San Francisco in 1985 and were questioning him before any bodies were found.

The justices said in a detailed 181-page analysis of the case that Ng received a fair trial, including a change of venue from Calaveras County to Orange County because of pre-trial publicity.

It was one of Californias longest and most expensive trials at the time, costing millions of dollars, partly because the court said Ng repeatedly attempted to delay and disrupt his own trial. That included extended debates over whether he could represent himself and who would be his attorneys.

The justices unanimously also concluded that Ng was properly extradited after he fled to Canada, where he was arrested in Calgary, Alberta, in 1985 for shoplifting and wounding a store guard. He fought extradition for six years before the Supreme Court of Canada ordered him returned.

The men incriminated themselves with videotapes of them tormenting bound, terrified women they used as sex slaves before their murders.

Jurors were shown a tape of one woman pleading in vain for the men to spare her husband and baby as Ng cut off her shirt and bra with a knife in front of the camera.

Investigators also discovered piles of charred bones, blood-stained tools, shallow graves and a 250-page diary kept by Lake.

Four law enforcement agencies spent five weeks scouring the property, according to the court's detailed description.

They found thousands of buried teeth and bone fragments throughout the property, with at least four of the dental specimens belonging to a child under age 3. Many hundreds of the bone fragments had been burned.

Two forensic anthropologists eventually concluded that the remains belonged to at least four adults, one child, and one infant. Two men were found in a shallow grave not far from the property. They had been bound, gagged and fatally shot.

Officials in Calaveras County last year exhumed additional bones and other human remains from a crypt in a cemetery where they had been kept since Ng's conviction, in hopes that modern DNA tracing could reveal their identities.

A sheriff's chaplain read a brief invocation, and soon California Department of Justice criminalists and two forensic anthropologists began sorting and analyzing the remains.

They are initially hopeful that enough viable DNA is left for a comparison, said Stark, but the Department of Justice hasn't yet been able to run the comparisons in part because of more urgent active cases.

Investigators plan to compare the DNA to that from cooperating next of kin of the known victims, and run it through DNA databases in hopes of a comparison.

Regardless if there are 11 (slayings) or more than 11, we're hoping to categorize the remains and if possible return them to the families to give them their due respect and internment, Stark said. If we find additional identifications, we'll definitely look into them and their connection to the case.

Ng joined the Marine Corps after he came to the United States from Hong Kong. He earlier was imprisoned at Leavenworth, Kansas, for weapons theft while serving in the Marine Corps.

He and his defense attorneys argued that he was under the influence of Lake, an older man and survivalist who they said engineered the serial slayings. Ng denied participating in many of the crimes.

His attorneys argued at the time that Ng was shaped as a child, when he was beaten by his father.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has imposed a moratorium on the death penalty so long as he is governor, and Ng still has the possibility of other federal appeals.
QUEBEC CITY (AP)  The Canadian government made clear Wednesday that Pope Francis apology to Indigenous peoples for abuses in the countrys church-run residential schools didn't go far enough, suggesting that reconciliation over the fraught history is still very much a work in progress.

The official government reaction came as Francis arrived in Quebec City for meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon at her Quebec residence, the hilltop Citadelle fortress, on the second leg of Francis' week-long visit to Canada.

The government's criticisms echo those of some survivors and concern Francis' omission of any reference to the sexual abuse suffered by Indigenous children in the schools, as well as his original reluctance to name the Catholic Church as an institution bearing responsibility.

Francis has said he is on a penitential pilgrimage to atone for the churchs role in the residential school system, in which generations of Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their homes and forced to attend church-run, government-funded boarding schools t o assimilate them into Christian, Canadian society. The Canadian government has said physical and sexual abuse were rampant at the schools, with students beaten for speaking their native languages.

Francis on Monday apologized for the evil of church personnel who worked in the schools and the catastrophic effect of the school system on Indigenous families. In a speech before government authorities Wednesday, Francis apologized anew and blasted the school system as deplorable.

Francis noted that the school system was promoted by the governmental authorities at the time as part of a policy of assimilation and enfranchisement. But responding to criticism, he added that local Catholic institutions had a part in implementing that policy.

Indigenous peoples have long demanded that the pope assume responsibility not just for abuses committed by individual Catholic priests and religious orders, but for the Catholic Churchs institutional support of the assimilation policy and the papacys 15th century religious justification for European colonial expansion to spread Christianity.

More than 150,000 Native children in Canada were taken from their homes from the 19th century until the 1970s and placed in the schools in an effort to isolate them from the influence of their families and culture.

Trudeau, a Catholic whose father, Pierre Trudeau, was prime minister while the last residential schools were in operation, insisted that the Catholic Church as an institution bore blame and needed to do more to atone.

Speaking before Francis, he noted that Canadas Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 had called for a papal apology to be delivered on Canadian soil, but that Francis visit would not have been possible without the courage and perseverance of survivors of First Nations, Inuit and Metis who travelled to the Vatican last spring to press their case for an apology.

Apologies for the role that the Roman Catholic Church, as an institution, played in the mistreatment on the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical and sexual abuse that Indigenous children suffered in residential schools run by the church, Trudeau said.

The Canadian government has apologized for its role in the school legacy. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a formal apology over the residential schools in Parliament in 2008, calling them a sad chapter in Canadian history and saying the policy of forced assimilation caused great harm.

As part of a settlement of a lawsuit involving the government, churches and the approximately 90,000 surviving students, Canada paid reparations that amounted to billions of dollars being transferred to Indigenous communities. The Catholic Church, for its part, has paid over $50 million and intends to add $30 million more over the next five years.

Trudeau implied that much more needed to be done by the church, and that while Francis visit had an enormous impact on survivors, it was but a first step.

Aside from the content of his speech, Trudeaus remarks broke customary protocol for papal trips. According to diplomatic protocol, only Simon was supposed to address the pope in her capacity as the representative head of state. Simon, an Inuk who is the first Indigenous person to hold the largely ceremonial position governor general, did address Francis.

But the Vatican said Trudeaus office requested the prime minister be allowed to offer some introductory remarks, a request that arrived in the days before Francis left Rome but after the popes itinerary had been finalized and printed.

A senior Canadian government official said Trudeau typically delivers remarks during visits by foreign leaders and that it was important for him to address Canadians during Francis visit particularly given the importance of the matter. It was, however, added in at the last minute.

Before Francis arrived in Quebec City, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller said the gaps in Francis apology could not be ignored.

Echoing criticism from some school survivors, Miller noted that Francis didnt mention sexual abuse in his list of abuses endured by Indigenous children in the schools. Francis on Monday listed instead physical, verbal, psychological and spiritual abuse. In addition, Miller noted that Francis on Monday spoke of evil committed by individual Christians but not the Catholic Church as an institution.

Phil Fontaine, a survivor of sexual abuse at the schools and former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said the additional reference Wednesday to local Catholic institutions went beyond Francis original apology and was significant and the closest he could get to apologizing for the entire Church in Canada.

It reflects the reality that the Catholic Church in Canada is not one institution. It is made up of about 73 different legal institutions, all of which were defendants in the lawsuits, Fontaine said in a statement.

Francis visit has stirred mixed emotions among survivors and their relatives, as well as Indigenous leaders and community members. Some have welcomed his apology as genuine and useful in helping them heal. Others have said it was merely the first step in a long process of reconciliation. Still others have said it didnt go far enough in assuming responsibility for institutional wrongs dating back centuries.

Francis himself has acknowledged that the wounds will take time to heal and that his visit and apology were but first steps. On Wednesday he committed himself and the local Canadian church to move forward on a fraternal and patient journey with all Canadians, in accordance with truth and justice, working for healing and reconciliation, and constantly inspired by hope.

It is our desire to renew the relationship between the Church and the indigenous peoples of Canada, a relationship marked both by a love that has borne outstanding fruit and, tragically, deep wounds that we are committed to understanding and healing, he said.

But he didnt list any specific actions the Holy See was prepared to take.

Trudeau, too, said the visit was a beginning and that reconciliation was the duty of everyone. Its our responsibility to see our differences not as an obstacle but as an occasion to learn, to better understand one another and to move to action.

___

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.
LANGLEY, British Columbia (AP)  Canadian police have released the names of the two people who died in a shooting in a Vancouver suburb.

In a release Thursday, police identified the two people killed on Monday as Paul David Wynn, 60, and Steven Furness, 43.
JERUSALEM (AP)  A car accident in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on Thursday killed two Israeli tourists and left five injured, the Israeli foreign ministry said.

According to the Israeli emergency services, the injured were transported to hospitals in Israel; none suffered life-threatening injuries.
EDMONDS, Wash. (AP)  The city council in the Seattle suburb of Edmonds on Tuesday formally repealed the citys gun storage law and related laws after the state Supreme Court earlier this year ruled the gun safety measure was preempted by state law.

A court order required the city to repeal the law.
EVART  Evart Public Schools is looking to renew its operating millage for another four years with a proposal on the Aug. 2 ballot.

This proposal would allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2022 tax levy.

Local school districts generate a portion of school funding through a property tax called a millage. A millage rate is made up of a certain number of mills.

All Michigan school districts are required to collect an 18 mill, millage to pay for operations or day-to-day functions from employee salaries to utilities.

Evart business manager Zoe Babb said the mill would allow the district to continue its operations comfortably.

This is our general operating millage, Babb said. That is 18 mils based on how the taxable value of the district so this is just our general fund for operating. This is a guarantee for it for four years, and it's a renewal, we want to make sure everybody knows it's a renewal and we wont be asking for an increase.

The proposal states:

"Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 21.8850 mills ($21.8850 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Evart Public Schools, Osceola, Mecosta and Clare Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 4 years, 2023 to 2026, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2023 is approximately $2,297,908."

Babb said the district is looking to address education gaps caused by the pandemic as well as maintain its infrastructure into the new school year.

We have a lot of extra people in place still trying to recover learning loss from COVID-19 times and but everything is looking good, Babb said. Were feeling positive about the millage and how things are looking financially for this school year.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  A Pennsylvania judge was urged by state lawyers Thursday to order three counties to add some 800 mail-in ballots to their May primary election results, but the local election officials insisted their decisions are firmly rooted in unambiguous state law.

A six-hour hearing in Harrisburg was the latest in a string of recent court proceedings about the rules for absentee and mail-in ballots, a running battle that pits Democrats who embraced mail-in voting under a 2019 law against Republicans who see inconsistent practices and widespread confusion about what is legal.

The acting secretary of state, Leigh Chapman, sued the three counties after they declined to follow her guidance in response to a federal appeals court decision that handwritten dates on a mail-in ballot's exterior envelope  required by law  are not mandatory.

Jeff Bukowski, lawyer for Berks and Lancaster counties, called the lawsuit a ginned up case or controversy that was brought to enforce a policy favored by Chapman, not a complaint by an aggrieved voter or candidate.

He told Commonwealth Court Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer that local election officials need some clarity and at least a means by which boards of elections could, hopefully sooner rather than later, get clearer guidance on all the relevant issues.

The votes, including some from Fayette County, are not expected to change the results of the state's marquee primary races this year for governor and U.S. Senate, but Jubelirers decision could clarify whether inaccurate or missing dates on those envelopes can form the basis for future vote-counting challenges.

Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach testified that in his county, which invalidated the most ballots, counting them could change down-ballot races for state party.

I would not be surprised to understand that it would impact the outcome of some of those races, said Leinbach, a Republican.

The dates are not needed to show the ballots were mailed in time  county workers separately verify that they were received by the time polls closed on election day  but are required by Pennsylvania election law for the mail-in ballots that are tallied by county election officials.

Lancaster County Commissioner Ray DAgostino, a Republican, testified that he sees value in the handwritten dates because they go to the validity and the authenticity of the ballot received and can raise red flags that prompt further investigation.

The lawsuit was filed this month after officials declined Chapman's request they reverse decisions to throw out 507 Democratic and 138 Republican ballots in Berks, 45 Democratic and six Republican ballots in Fayette, and 46 Democratic and 38 Republican ballots in Lancaster. Several other counties that had initially voted not to count such ballots did follow Chapman's guidance and included them in their final tallies.

The state Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that the date mandate did not apply for that fall's election only, but it was a divided decision that did not set a clear precedent. This year, failed GOP Senate candidate David McCormick sought to have ballots without the date counted and won a court order that counties tally them up separately, but he withdrew his lawsuit and conceded the race.

Chapman's guidance was issued after a May ruling by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that handwritten dates on exterior envelopes were not required in a 2021 Lehigh County judicial election.

Pennsylvania Republicans have pushed to limit the use of mail-in voting while Democrats embraced the system during the pandemic. A legal challenge to the 2019 law that greatly expanded mail-in voting in Pennsylvania is currently pending before the state Supreme Court and another was recently filed.
File video above: CNN settles lawsuit with Cov Cath student Nick Sandmann

A federal judge on Tuesday threw out multimillion-dollar defamation lawsuits against five media companies brought by a Kentucky student involved in a 2019 widely viewed encounter with a Native American man at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Nicholas Sandmann, then a 16-year-old student at Covington Catholic High School, sued several media companies, alleging they defamed him in their reporting of the incident. The lawsuits sought tens of millions of dollars in damages.

The actions of Sandmann and his classmates were intensely debated online after video and photographs emerged of them wearing Make America Great Again hats near a Native American man, Nathan Phillips, playing a drum.

Phillips accused Sandmann in media reports of blocking his way as Phillips moved through the crowd. Sandmann argued in the lawsuits that Phillips statement was defamatory.

But Phillipss statements that Sandmann 'blocked' him and 'wouldnt allow (him) to retreat' are objectively unverifiable and thus unactionable opinions, U.S. District Judge William O. Bertelsman wrote in a ruling filed Tuesday.

Sandmanns attorney, Todd McMurtry, said Wednesday that he is disappointed in the ruling and plans to appeal.

Sandmanns lawsuits against The New York Times, CBS News, ABC News, Gannett and Rolling Stone magazine were filed in March 2020. In the lawsuit against The New York Times, Sandmann sought $65 million in damages. He sought $60 million from CBS News.

Sandmann, who was standing with dozens of his classmates on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, argued in the lawsuit against the New York Times that the newspapers reporting conveyed the false and defamatory gist that Nicholas was the face of an unruly hate mob.

Both Sandmann and Phillips have said they were trying to defuse tensions rising among various groups on a day when Washington hosted both the Indigenous Peoples March and the anti-abortion March for Life, which was attended by the Covington students. Video of the encounter showed Sandmann and Phillips standing close to each other, with Sandmann staring and at times smiling at Phillips as he sang and played a drum.

Sandmann reached undisclosed settlements with CNN and The Washington Post in 2020 and NBC News in 2021 over their coverage of the incident.
SEATTLE (AP)  Authorities say an automobile and passenger ferry crashed into a dock Thursday in Seattle, damaging the vessel.

Washington State Ferries tweeted that no injuries were reported but passengers said some vehicles were damaged. The state agency said the Cathlamet ferry, which was travelling from Vashon Island to a dock in the West Seattle neighborhood, sustained significant damage.

The Seattle Times reports the left top part of the vessel was crumpled. The boat was docked and by 9 a.m., the last vehicles had been brought off the boat.

No information about how the crash occurred has been released.

West Seattle resident Jack Walsh said he heard the crash around 8 a.m., describing it as a combination of a small explosion and screeching that lasted about five seconds.

Anne Gfeller Higuera was on the ferry. Her car was parked on the upper deck. As the ferry pulled into the Fauntleroy dock, she didnt notice anything out of the ordinary. But then she told the newspaper she heard an enormous noise in front of her that kept getting worse.

There was a lot of concrete dust, she said. When she looked up, she saw the side of the boat had been crushed and several cars in front of her were severely damaged.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier said officers from the Puget Sound sector deployed to the scene shortly after they were notified of the crash around 8:20 a.m. They have begun investigating the cause and whether it was mechanical or human error.

Washington State Ferries runs automobile and passenger ferry service in the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands.

The vessel involved in the crash, the Cathlamet, is 328 feet long and can carry up to 124 vehicles and 1,200 passengers.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP)  A Georgia county has filed a lawsuit seeking to force a company to sell land on which the county has long planned to build a launchpad for commercial rockets.

Commissioners in coastal Camden County said in a statement Thursday that Union Carbide Co.'s refusal to sell the 4,000 acre (1,600 hectare) property, if allowed to stand, will cause the County the loss of the Spaceport Project as well as an enormous financial loss in excess of $11 million.

County officials have spent that sum over the past decade seeking to license and build Spaceport Camden, a site for launching satellites into space. Opponents say the project would pose safety and environmental risks that outweigh any economic benefits. The county held a referendum in March in which a large majority voted to kill the land deal.

Commissioners opted to disregard the vote, which they contend violated Georgia's constitution. But Union Carbide balked at the county's efforts to move forward with closing on the property. The company said last week that the deal was off because it had been repudiated by voters.

The county filed a civil suit Wednesday in Camden County Superior Court in hopes of keeping the spaceport project alive. Commissioners said the company still has a contractual obligation to sell the property.

"The County believes that Union Carbides real reason for repudiating the contract had nothing to do with the referendum but was instead to allow Union Carbide to make more money on the property than what the County had agreed to pay," the commissioners' statement said. That is not a legitimate reason for repudiating a contract.

Union Carbide declined to comment Thursday on the accusations by Camden County. The company had not yet been served with a copy of the lawsuit, said spokesman Tomm Sprick.

The county government in 2015 entered into an option agreement with the company to buy the land once the county obtained a spaceport operator license from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA awarded the license in December. But before county commissioners could close on the land, opponents forced a referendum on the project by gathering more than 3,500 petition signatures. The project was put to a vote in March, and 72% cast ballots to block the deal.

Commissioners have insisted the spaceport project would bring economic growth not just from rocket launches, but also by attracting related industries and tourists to the community of 55,000 people on the Georgia-Florida line.

Opponents say building the spaceport on an industrial plot formerly used to manufacture pesticides and munitions would pose potential hazards.

Critics, including the National Park Service, have said rockets exploding soon after launch could rain fiery debris onto Little Cumberland Island, which has about 40 private homes, and neighboring Cumberland Island, a federally protected wilderness visited by about 60,000 tourists each year.

County commissioners hired consultants to study potential threats to the island. Their report concluded that after routine operational risk mitigations are applied the overall risk for fire to Cumberland Island from a failed rocket launch was found to be so low as to not be credible.

Meanwhile, county officials are trying to have the referendum declared invalid by the Georgia Supreme Court. Their legal appeal argues that Georgia's constitution doesnt allow voters to veto government projects such as the spaceport. The court is scheduled to hear the case Aug. 23.
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LENORAH, Texas (AP)  To the naked eye, the Mako Compressor Station outside the dusty West Texas crossroads of Lenorah appears unremarkable, similar to tens of thousands of oil and gas operations scattered throughout the oil-rich Permian Basin.

Whats not visible through the chain-link fence is the plume of invisible gas, primarily methane, billowing from the gleaming white storage tanks up into the cloudless blue sky.

The Mako station, owned by a subsidiary of West Texas Gas Inc., was observed releasing an estimated 870 kilograms of methane  an extraordinarily potent greenhouse gas  into the atmosphere each hour. That's the equivalent impact on the climate of burning seven tanker trucks full of gasoline every day.

But Makos outsized emissions arent illegal, or even regulated. And it was only one of 533 methane super emitters detected during a 2021 aerial survey of the Permian conducted by Carbon Mapper, a partnership of university researchers and NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The group documented massive amounts of methane venting into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations across the Permian, a 250-mile-wide bone-dry expanse along the Texas-New Mexico border that a billion years ago was the bottom of a shallow sea. Hundreds of those sites were seen spewing the gas over and over again. Ongoing leaks, gushers, going unfixed.

We see the same sites active from year to year. Its not just month to month or season to season, said Riley Duren, a research scientist at the University of Arizona who leads Carbon Mapper.

Carbon Mapper identified the spewing sites only by their GPS coordinates. The Associated Press took the coordinates of the 533 super-emitting sites and cross-referenced them with state drilling permits, air quality permits, pipeline maps, land records and other public documents to piece together the corporations most likely responsible.

Just 10 companies owned at least 164 of those sites, according to an AP analysis of Carbon Mappers data. West Texas Gas owned 11.

The methane released by these companies will be disrupting the climate for decades, contributing to more heat waves, hurricanes, wildfires and floods. There's now nearly three times as much methane in the air than there was before industrial times. The year 2021 saw the worst single increase ever.

Methanes earth-warming power is some 83 times stronger over 20 years than the carbon dioxide that comes from car tailpipes and power plant smokestacks. Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency have largely failed to regulate the invisible gas. That leaves it up to oil and gas producers  in some cases the very companies who have been fighting regulations  to cut methane emissions on their own.

Methane is a super pollutant," said Kassie Siegel, director of the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group. "If carbon dioxide is the fossil-fuel broiler of our heating planet, methane is a blowtorch.

PERSISTENT, NOT JUST INTERMITTENT EMISSIONS

Methane emissions are notoriously hard to track because they are intermittent. An old well may be wafting methane one day, but not the next.

But last October, AP journalists visited more than two dozen sites flagged as persistent methane super emitters by Carbon Mapper with a FLIR infrared camera and recorded video of large plumes of hydrocarbon gas containing methane escaping from pipeline compressors, tank batteries, flare stacks and other production infrastructure. The Carbon Mapper data and the APs camera work show many of the worst emitters are steadily charging the Earths atmosphere with this extra gas.

In addition to West Texas Gass Mako site, AP observed a large plume of gas escaping from tanks at a WTG compressor station about 15 miles away in the Sale Ranch oil field. Carbon Mapper estimated that emissions from that site averaged about 410 kilos of methane an hour.

AP found Targa Resources, a Houston-based natural gas storage, processing and distribution company, was the closest operator to 30 sites that were emitting a combined 3,000 kilograms of methane per hour, with plumes escaping from pipelines, wells, tanks and compressor stations across the companys sprawling Texas footprint.

Targa did not respond to a detailed list of questions from the AP.

Another 21 super-emitting sources were detected at facilities owned by Navitas Midstream, a pipeline company based north of Houston, that has since been sold to Enterprise Products Partners. Equipment belonging to Navitas was estimated to be releasing a combined 3,525 kilos of methane an hour.

WASTING A MARKETABLE PRODUCT

One of the unusual things about this kind of climate pollution is that operators are wasting the very product they are working to extract. Methane gas is not a waste product; it is the target gas that operators drill for, process and sell all over the world.

But fracking has unlocked such massive amounts of natural gas from the Permians shale deposits that the basins ever-expanding web of pipelines dont have enough capacity to gather and transport it all. As a result, natural gas is still routinely burned off even as billions have been invested into new terminals along the Gulf Coast to ship the glut of American gas to overseas markets.

Still, companies say theyre doing better.

Houston-based Enterprise Products, which owns the former Navitas assets, said it was cracking down. We are in the process of integrating the acquired assets and are committed to ensuring they are operated safely and responsibly, said spokesman Rick Rainey.

He did not answer specific questions about what the company would do to reduce methane emissions.

In a statement, Midland-based West Texas Gas said it routinely conducts its own overflights with gas detection equipment and within the last six months had either repaired or upgraded nine of the super emitting sites that AP asked about, including Mako. The company was actively addressing another site, though it declined to provide specifics about what improvements were made and when. WTG said it inspected the last site and found no leak.

West Texas Gas is deeply committed to environmental stewardship and continuously strengthens company processes and procedures to ensure we operate in a manner that is consistent with that commitment, the statement said.

YEARS OF INACTION

In May 2016, President Barack Obama announced a Climate Action Plan that included new federal rules requiring the oil and gas sector to slash methane emissions by 40% by 2025.

But President Donald Trump, who derided climate change as a Chinese-perpetrated hoax, scrapped those policies before they took effect.

Trumps climate denial and die-hard support for fossil fuels attracted campaign contributions from the industry. It also won him widespread support in the Permians Republican-dominated cities and towns, where pumping oil and gas is considered both lifeblood and birthright.

At Big Johns Feedlot, a burger and barbecue hut in Big Spring, the parking lot one day last fall was filled at lunchtime with gas-guzzling American-made pickup trucks. Inside, multiple portraits of John Wayne and a mounted deer wearing a cowboy hat preside over diners eating sauce-slathered beef ribs and krack poppers, a house specialty of cream cheese stuffed peppers wrapped in bacon.

Can you imagine anyone in here driving an electric car? asked Brenda Stansel, the owner, who insisted Trump was still the rightful commander in chief. Asked if she believed in climate change, Stansel responded: I believe in God.

On the first day of his administration, President Joe Biden ordered EPA to write new rules to reduce the oil and gas industrys methane emissions, and Congress reinstated some Obama-era restrictions on methane from new oil and gas facilities. Proposed rules to address emissions from the hundreds of thousands of existing sites are still under review.

Tomas Carbonell, EPA's deputy assistant administrator for stationary sources, told AP that reducing methane emissions is urgent.

Reducing air emissions from the oil and natural gas sector is a top priority for the administration and for EPA, Carbonell said. Methane, he added, is "helping drive impacts that communities across the country are already seeing every day, including heat waves and wildfires and sea level rise.

AN UNKNOWN QUANTITY

To track the problem, the U.S. government keeps an inventory of methane released into the atmosphere. Those figures are used by policy makers and scientists to help calculate how much the planet will warm in the coming decades.

But AP found the government database often fails to account for the true rate of emissions observed in the Permian.

The EPA requires companies to report to its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program emissions above the equivalent of 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. Only a few dozen sites in the Permian say they exceed that threshold for methane.

APs analysis, however, found that more than 140 of the super-emitting facilities identified by Carbon Mapper were on track to exceed the reporting limit.

For example, Carbon Mapper estimated that Mako emitted an average 870 kilos of methane per hour over each of the four times it was measured. Over the course of a year, that would be 7.6 times the federal reporting threshold.

In 2020, the most recent year that data is available, the West Texas Gas subsidiary that operates Mako reported that methane emissions from all of its boosting and gathering operations combined were just one-twelfth of what Carbon Mapper documented billowing from the Mako site alone.

Other companies also reported methane emissions at levels far lower than what Carbon Mappers aircraft observed, even when adjusted to take into account overflights where no emissions were recorded.

Devon Energy reported releasing methane equivalent to 42,000 metric tons of CO2 for a year of operations in the Permian Basin. APs analysis, using the detected emissions, shows they would likely emit that much in just 46 days.

If Lucid Energy Groups observed emissions continued unabated, the company would surpass what it reported to EPA in just three months.

A spokesperson for Devon said the company is committed to reducing its methane emissions and being transparent about its progress. The company has joined a U.N. partnership for oil and gas companies to report methane.

In a statement to AP, Lucid said it had a best-in-class" leak detection program and that any emissions at its plants are typically non-methane. The company also questioned the science behind how Carbon Mapper measured its methane emissions rates, claiming no camera image can provide an accurate concentration of a pollutant.

The NASA AVIRIS instrument used by Carbon Mapper is not a camera. It is an airborne infrared spectrometer that measures wavelengths in light to detect and quantify the unique chemical fingerprint of methane in the atmosphere. The instrument then measures the mass of the methane in the air and the length of the plume. Carbon Mapper takes into account the wind speed at the site to estimate the hourly emissions rate, averaged over multiple overflights.

This estimation method is well established and common practice with emissions monitoring systems, Duren said, and has been used in multiple prior peer-reviewed studies.

Vaquero Permian Gathering reported emitting methane equivalent to 19,000 metric tons of CO2 for the company as a whole, yet AP found just a single Vaquero site was spewing methane at a rate of 53,000 tons per year.

A spokesperson for Vaquero said the company did not have any comment.

Though the Clean Air Act requires companies to accurately report greenhouse gas emissions, the EPA could not provide AP with a single example of a polluter being fined or cited for failing to report, or underreporting.

TEXAS NON-ENFORCEMENT

If the federal government is behind the curve on how much methane emissions have escalated with the fracking boom, Texas is even more hands off.

Tim Doty retired from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in 2018 because, he said, the agencys leadership had little interest in monitoring, documenting or addressing airborne emissions, not even the toxic chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and benzene that can come from oil and gas operations.

They dont go look for anything, said Doty, who now works as a private consultant for clients that include environmental groups.

The Mako site, for example, was built in 2018, and no one from TCEQ has ever visited the site, spokesman Gary Rasp told AP.

Doty, who served as a senior manager for the states mobile air quality program, said that starting under the administration of then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2000, the agency discouraged staff from enforcing air quality violations against the oil and gas industry.

A champion of the fossil fuels industry, Perry served a record three terms as Texas governor before becoming President Donald Trumps energy secretary. He is now a partner and board member at Energy Transfer, one of the nations largest oil and gas pipeline companies.

Doty said the Texas environmental agency has cameras capable of detecting air pollutants leaking from oil and gas facilities, but after he and other staff began documenting huge methane plumes about a decade ago they were told to keep the cameras locked away.

Even though they have 20 infrared cameras, they dont actively take them out in the field, said Doty, who was charged with training staff members to use them. And the TCEQ still hasnt really recognized methane (as a problem). You cant really openly talk about climate change within that agency.

TCEQs own fiscal year 2021 enforcement report appears to bear out Dotys critiques. Of 5,362 reported excess emissions events statewide that year, TCEQ issued no findings in 4,486, or 84% of cases, and asked for corrective action in only 19 cases.

TCEQ has issued upwards of $10 million in annual fines for violations of air, water or waste standards, but the median fine  less than $4,000  is pocket change for most oil and gas companies.

Enterprise Products, which acquired the Navitas pipelines underlying more than a dozen methane plumes in APs analysis, was fined $46,000 last year for flares and valve malfunctions at its Texas facilities. The company is valued at more than $50 billion. Targa faced state fines of $100,000 for carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide emissions. Neither company was cited for emitting methane. Both denied the state's allegations and offset their financial penalties by helping school districts purchase new buses.

Across the border in New Mexico, regulators are taking a much different approach.

New regulations enacted last year by the administration of Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham regulates methane not as a greenhouse gas, but as a wasted industrial resource that when released into the atmosphere deprives the state of tax revenue.

The new rules require producers to report the amount of gas they produce and track what was lost. Routine flaring and venting are forbidden, and producers have to provide an explanation each time gas is burned off.

TWO OPPOSITE TRENDS

Even as nations seek to lower their carbon footprints, global demand for natural gas continues to grow. This year alone, U.S. gas shipments to Europe have tripled since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

On any given day, about 500 rigs are drilling new wells in the Permian basin to boost production. They tower over the landscape, hulking steel goliaths that seem to spring up as spontaneously as desert flowers after a thunderstorm, moving on to somewhere else after a couple weeks.

Most rigs run day and night, with crews of roughnecks rotating in 12-hour shifts. They often sleep on site in nearby man camps, rows and rows of bunk house trailers where weekly rents for a room are comparable to big city apartments. The constant need for skilled workers drives blue-collar incomes that can easily reach six figures a year, supporting spouses and children who often live hundreds of miles away.

More than 5,000 new well-drilling permits were issued in the Texas portion of the Permian in 2021. Numbers from the first quarter of 2022 show the industry on pace to eclipse that figure.

Each new well, which takes about two weeks to drill, represents millions in capital investment  corporate bets that demand for oil and gas will continue for decades to come.

The frenetic search for more gas and oil is happening just as Biden and other world leaders are promising to cut methane emissions across the globe.

Scientists warn that we are in a decisive decade for the Earths climate, with sharp reductions in greenhouse gas emissions needed immediately to avoid the most catastrophic droughts and superstorms and prevent coastal cities from being swamped by rising seas.

This summer is on pace to be among the hottest on record, with wide swathes of the Earth shattering temperature records and billions of people struggling to cope with weeks-long heat waves. Even in energy-rich Texas, the primary electricity provider had to take emergency conservation measures to keep the states grid from failing because of soaring demand for air conditioning.

Biden said last week the Earth is running out of time, calling the climate crisis a code red for humanity.

I will do everything in my power to clean our air and water, protect our peoples health, to win the clean energy future, the president said. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us.

At an international climate summit in November, the United States signed on to a Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. More than 100 countries agreed to the target, though Russia and some other major methane emitters refused.

To meet that deadline, the American oil and gas industry would have to reduce emissions at a rate far beyond anything currently seen.

The industry says it is working toward that goal.

To be able to capture more methane emissions makes sense from a business perspective, said Frank Macchiarola, the senior vice president of policy, economics and regulatory affairs at the American Petroleum Institute, an industry trade group. Its the product that we ultimately want to bring to market. And it also obviously makes sense from an environmental standpoint.

But climate scientists and environmentalists warn the industry's incremental efforts are nowhere near enough to avoid dire consequences for humanity.

Methane is responsible for 25% of todays global warming, and we cant limit future warming to 2 degrees Celsius if we dont drastically cut those emissions," said Ilissa Ocko, a senior climate scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, a group that campaigns for climate action. "We have the tools to cut methane in half and the faster we do that, the better off our climate and communities will be.

___

Associated Press data journalist Nicky Forster contributed from New York.

___

Follow AP investigative reporters Michael Biesecker at twitter.com/mbieseck and Helen Wieffering at twitter.com/helenwieffering. To contact AP's investigations team, email investigative@ap.org.
BOSTON (AP)  A lawsuit brought by a former altar boy who alleges he was sexually abused as a child in the 1960s by a now-deceased Roman Catholic bishop and other clergy can proceed, the highest court in Massachusetts said in a decision released Thursday.

The man from Chicopee identified in court papers as John Doe alleges in the suit filed in February 2021 that not only was he abused by former Diocese of Springfield Bishop Christopher Weldon as well as two priests, but also that the church engaged in a yearslong coverup to protect the bishop's reputation.

The diocese sought to have the suit dismissed based on charitable immunity and the doctrine of church autonomy, derived from the First Amendment.

The Supreme Judicial Court, which upheld a lower court's decision, said charitable immunity does not apply because, The abuse allegedly carried out by Weldon and other church leaders was not, and could not be, related in any way to a charitable mission.

As for church autonomy concerns, those can be addressed on appeal after final judgment if a lower court inadvertently rules on a religious issue, the court said.

The diocese victimized the plaintiff when he was an altar boy and continues to victimize him to this day for the way they are handling the case, said his attorney, Nancy Frankel Pelletier.

On behalf of my client, we are grateful that the Supreme Judicial Court has made it crystal clear that the diocese cannot hide behind the cloak of immunity any longer, she said.

The high court did dismiss one of 14 claims in the lawsuit that sought to find the bishop negligent for hiring church personnel who allegedly abused the plaintiff.

The diocese is grateful that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court dismissed the negligence claim brought against it in the Bishop Weldon abuse civil action but is disappointed that the court declined to adjudicate the other issues in the appeal  indicating that it was premature to do so until after the civil case is tried, the diocese said in a statement.

Weldon served as bishop from 1950 until 1977 and died in 1982.

A retired Superior Court judge hired by the diocese to look into the case found in June 2020 that claims of abuse regarding Weldon were unequivocally credible, and that there was a reluctance to fervently pursue an evaluation of allegations against (Weldon) due to his prominence and revered legacy in the religious community.

Pelletier said she will now file a motion for summary judgment in the case, which seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages.

She said the diocese has not offered to settle.
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CHICAGO (AP)  U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said he tested positive Thursday for COVID-19 and was in quarantine with what he described as minor symptoms.

The No. 2 Senate Democrat, who said in a statement he was vaccinated and had received two coronavirus booster shots, planned to continue to work remotely.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  The killing of a young doctor in Mexico has led recent medical school graduates to demand changes to a system that often leaves them exposed to danger in remote outposts during the first year of their careers as part of the countrys medical training system.

Dozens of medical school graduates in white coats marched in Mexico City Wednesday to protest the violence their colleagues face.

On July 15, 24-year-old Erick David Andrade, was shot to death in the northern state of Durango as he was treating a patient. He was days away from finishing the mandatory term of barely paid social service required of Mexican med school graduates before starting an internship or residency.

I am a medical school graduate. Why are you going to kill me? read a sign held by one of the marchers. A dead doctor can't save lives, read another.

Mexico has long had problems attracting medical workers to remote areas and rising gang violence has made that worse  for established as well as beginning doctors. On July 11, an anesthesiologist for a rural government hospital was shot to death at her home in the neighboring state of Chihuahua.

In July 2021, a doctor was killed on a highway near Jerez, Zacatecas, after she apparently failed to stop at a drug gangs checkpoint. That same month two paramedics were murdered while transporting a patient in the same violence-plagued northern state.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has cited that reluctance to serve in such areas as justification for importing doctors from Cuba, the first of whom arrived last week.

Violence gets bad and there are regions where people are in danger, he said earlier this year. The professionals, the doctors, don't want to go there, even though there are jobs open.

Monica Armas, a recent med school graduate who is finishing up her social service  a program instituted in the 1930s that gives young doctors a stipend of about $150 per month  was one of those demonstrating in Mexico City.

The Cubans are not the solution we need," she said. We need a reform of the whole structure, the social service, the whole infrastructure at rural health centers.

Andrade was staffing the lone clinic in Pueblo Nuevo, a small town near the Sinaloa resort of Mazatlan in an area dominated by the Sinaloa cartel. Armed men entered the clinic, an argument ensued and two of the men opened fire on Andrade, killing him.

The motive was unclear, though in other cases doctors have been attacked by gunmen angry that physicians were unable to save injured gangsters or by hit men intent on finishing off a patient they were treating.

Durango state authorities later promised to install emergency call buttons and security cameras at the lonely clinic and have occasional police patrols, but area doctors say it clearly is not enough.

Over the last few years, it has become a regular occurrence for doctors and nursing staff to risk their lives when they accept, usually out of necessity, a job in one of the outlying towns in the state, the Durango Medical Association said.

Eva Pizzolato, a member of the Mexican Association of Medical Graduates in Social Service, said the current system isn't helping new doctors, or their patients.

All of the country's rural clinics are staffed by at least one recent graduate doctor doing social service, a doctor who doesn't have a degree yet, who doesn't have the supervision of a fully trained doctor, and doesn't have the equipment and supplies need to provide care, said Pizzolato.

The new doctors suffer threats from organized crime, Pizzolato said, and there is a constant fear that the doctors could suffer because of threats from within the communities they serve.

Mexican medical associations have complained that bringing in Cuban doctors just masks a problem of safe, decently paid jobs in rural areas .

Brian Gonzalez, a fourth-year medical student at Mexicos Polytechnical University who joined the demonstration, said the Cuban doctors unfortunately are also in danger. It doesn't matter whether they are foreigners, Cubans, or Mexicans.

Health Secretary Jorge Alcocer has refused to consider changes.

This is an academic necessity that, on principle, cannot be cancelled, Alcocer said days after the killing of Andrade. It is not advisable, it isn't appropriate to suspend such an important training process for young doctors at the point of graduating, but security conditions can be reviewed.

He implied that doctors will just have to put up with the danger.

We cannot, whether it be with doctors or specialists, leave unstaffed areas that ... are more remote or don't have entirely safe conditions, Alcocer said.

Armas urged deeper changes.

This is a structural problem that demands a structural solution  not sending medical school graduates as sacrificial lambs, she said. The graduates are suffering from a lack of safety, and the people they are serving aren't getting quality care.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  The West Virginia House of Delegates on Thursday passed the Republican governors plan to reduce the state income tax by 10%, setting up a clash in the Senate, whose president is cold to the idea.

The GOP-controlled House supported the bill on a 78-7 vote with 15 delegates absent. The vote came without debate after several amendments offered by Democrats were rejected, including one that would have given taxpayers a $250 rebate instead of the tax cut.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where President Craig Blair prefers cuts in the state personal property and business and inventory taxes. A constitutional amendment before voters in November would allow lawmakers to adjust those taxes. Blair has said an income tax reduction alone would not aid the state economy or attract businesses and new residents.

The income tax reduction was part of Gov. Jim Justices special session announcement last week. The state of West Virginia ended the last fiscal year with a record $1.3 billion surplus. A 10% reduction is the maximum cut allowed while remaining in compliance with funding stipulations in the American Rescue Plan Act, Justice said.

He said West Virginians at every income level would see their taxes drop under his plan, which would be retroactive to Jan. 1 and would put $254 million back into residents pockets when they file their 2022 taxes.

In a statement Thursday afternoon, Justice said the Senate's personal property tax plan would favor larger companies and would put control of county budgets in legislators' hands "with no guarantee that the money will continue to flow if West Virginia sees an economic decline.

Do we really want to play a game of chance when it comes to our schools and our police, fire, and EMS services? Its a big spend with big risks.

The governors pitch is the third attempt to cut personal state income taxes in the past year.

The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy said the latest proposal would be ineffective when it comes to helping families and working people because it would largely benefit the wealthy.

More effective ways of using the revenue surplus, the nonprofit said, include investing in the states public employee insurance program, providing subsidized care to an additional 10,000 children, enacting a paid family and medical leave program for all workers, investing in workforce development, and giving all families a one-time $250 tax credit for each child.

As lawmakers started meeting Monday in special session, Justice abruptly added an abortion bill to the agenda. The session began a week after a Charleston judge barred West Virginia from enforcing an 1800s-era abortion ban, ruling it unenforceable and superseded by a slew of conflicting modern laws. Justice then called lawmakers to clarify and modernize the state abortion laws.

The bill on abortion, which passed the House on Wednesday, would make providing the procedure a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and includes exceptions for victims of rape and incest along with medical emergencies. That bill is before the Senate on third reading Friday.
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INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Indianas Republican-dominated Senate rejected a push by conservative lawmakers Thursday night to strip exceptions for rape and incest victims in a proposal that would ban most abortions in the state.

The Senate vote 28-18 against the amendment following a debate that was delayed for five hours as GOP senators met privately amid days of public division over how strict such exceptions should be limited  and intense objections to those exceptions from anti-abortion activists.

Republican Sen. Mike Young of Indianapolis called for removing the rape and incest exceptions, a move that would have left the bill only allowing abortions deemed necessary to save the pregnant womans life.

Exceptions equal death for unborn innocent children, Young said.

The Indiana proposal followed the political firestorm over a 10-year-old rape victim who traveled to the state from neighboring Ohio to end her pregnancy. The case of the Ohio girl gained wide attention when an Indianapolis doctor said the child had to go to Indiana because Ohio banned abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat after the U.S. Supreme Courts decision last month overturning Roe v. Wade.

Republican Sen. Sue Glick of LaGrange, the abortion bills sponsor, urged senators to protect rape and incest victims whove been subjected to violence.

Give them that choice, Glick said. Dont foster that evil on them after the evil theyve already suffered.

Eighteen Republicans joined 10 Democrats in voting to keep the rape and incest exceptions in the proposal. But the votes of many of the 18 Republicans who want to strip out those exceptions will be needed for the bill to advance from the Senate for consideration in the GOP-controlled House. That Senate vote could happen Friday.

The proposal would prohibit abortions from the time a fertilized egg implants in a uterus with the limited exceptions, including a requirement that a woman or girl seeking an abortion because of rape or incest to sign an affidavit attesting to the attack.

Indiana has one of the first Republican-run state legislatures to debate tighter abortion laws since the Supreme Court decision. Its debate comes as several states are also in the midst of court fights over whether tighter abortion restrictions can take effect.

The Indiana Republican disagreement over the abortion ban proposal contrasts with West Virginia, where the GOP-dominated House of Delegates voted Wednesday in favor of a sweeping abortion ban that includes exceptions for victims of rape and incest, as well as for medical emergencies.

A top legislative Republican, Senate Majority Leader Mark Messmer, voted against the measure during a committee meeting Tuesday, lamenting the near impossibility of threading the perfect needle on the issue during a short special legislative session that GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb originally called to address a tax rebate plan.

Holcomb has avoided saying whether he supported the proposed abortion ban and stayed out of public view during demonstrations Monday and Tuesday that drew thousands of competing anti-abortion and abortion-rights supporters to the Statehouse as a legislative hearing on the bill took place.

The bill cleared the committee on a 7-5 vote Tuesday with two Republicans saying they disliked the proposal as it stood and only voted to advance it in hopes of the full Senate making changes.

Senate Democratic Leader Greg Taylor said Wednesday it was clear Republicans had not reached an agreement on a bill to advance to the House for consideration.

I think theyre having problems, Taylor said. I cant speak to whether or not anythings gonna pass.

Glick, the abortion bills sponsor, said she was not exactly happy with the proposal after the committee adding provisions under which doctors could face felony criminal charges for performing an illegal abortion, along with limiting the time period allowing abortions in cases of rape and incest to eight weeks of pregnancy for women ages 16 or older and 12 weeks for those younger than 16.

Glick acknowledged this week that there was a chance Republicans wouldnt be able to reach consensus before the special sessions Aug. 14 deadline to adjourn.

If we cant reach that result, there is a statute in Indiana well live with until it will change in the future, Glick said Monday. If that decision cant be made in a week or two weeks time, then well come back in January and start again.

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Arleigh Rodgers is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Rodgers on Twitter at https://twitter.com/arleighrodgers

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This story has been edited to correct the number of Republican senators voting against the bill to 18.
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TOKYO (AP)  Japan's push to obtain UNESCO World Heritage recognition for a former gold mine key to the nation's industrialization will be delayed because its application was insufficient, officials said Thursday.

The efforts to obtain a UNESCO listing for the Sado Island mine were protested by South Korea and have added to their diplomatic frictions over Japan's colonization of the Korean Peninsula and its actions in World War II.

The mine in northern Japan operated for nearly 400 years and was once the world's largest gold producer before closing in 1989.

South Korea opposed the registration as inappropriate because of Japan's wartime abuse of Korean laborers. Seoul has said Koreans brought to Japan during its 1910-1945 colonization of the Korean Peninsula were put to forced labor at the mine.

Historians say Japan used hundreds of thousands of Korean laborers, including those forcibly brought from the Korean Peninsula, at mines and factories to make up for labor shortages, as most working-age men were sent to battlefronts across Asia and the Pacific.

The town and Niigata prefectural sites praise the Sado Island mine for mining technology development before and after industrialization. There is no mention of its wartime use of Korean laborers.

Japan submitted a letter of recommendation to nominate the mine to UNESCO earlier this year and hoped it would be listed next year. On Thursday, however, culture minister Shinsuke Suematsu told reporters registration next year would be difficult.

Suematsu said the UNESCO office cited insufficiency in the content of the application but he was not more specific. It is extremely regrettable, but we have decided to resubmit the documents," he said. An interim document will be submitted by the end of September and a formal version by Feb. 1.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs later said the additional information requested by UNESCO involved sections of a former waterway used to collect gold dust. While Japan provided an explanation for the waterway sections as a set, UNESCO wanted fuller descriptions for each of them separately. The agency said the issue is mostly technical and not related to interpretation of wartime history.

Another Japanese site with similar sensitivities was granted UNESCO recognition in 2015. Gunkanjima, or Battleship Island, in Nagasaki prefecture, was a former coal mine site recognized as important to the Meiji Industrial Revolution in Japan. South Korea protested that the site omitted mention of Koreans toiling on the island, which triggered a UNESCO decision urging Japan to present more balanced history.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government previously considered delaying the Sado Island nomination but apparently reversed itself after facing growing pressure from ultra-conservatives in the ruling party known for their efforts to whitewash Japans wartime past.

Relations between Tokyo and Seoul are at their lowest level in years due to disputes stemming from Japans sexual abuse of Korean women and use of forced laborers before and during World War II.

___

Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi
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JetBlue Airways is buying Spirit Airlines for $3.8 billion in a deal that could increase competition at the top end of the U.S. airline industry while eliminating the largest discount airline for travelers on a tight budget.

The agreement announced Thursday capped bidding war that began in April, and it came one day after Spirits attempt to merge with rival discount carrier Frontier Airlines fell apart.

JetBlue and Spirit would become the fifth-largest U.S. carrier, with about 9% of the market. The combined airline would move much closer to the leaders  American, United, Delta and Southwest  while leaving the rest of the pack far behind.

The only major obstacle remaining is the U.S. Justice Department. Antitrust regulators in the Biden administration have been critical of mergers, which they believe hurt consumers by limiting competition. The Justice Department sued to block a partnership between JetBlue and American Airlines.

JetBlues case for regulatory approval rests on two main arguments: JetBlue says its reputation for lowering fares, together with the size of a JetBlue-Spirit combination, mean it could force bigger airlines to cut prices. And JetBlue has already volunteered to give up Spirit gates and takeoff and landing slots at airports in New York and Boston that could be given to smaller low-cost airlines, which would boost competition.

The real issue here though is clearly what can we do in the U.S. to make a more competitive airline industry against the large, big four airlines, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said in an interview. We believe the most disruptive, the most effective thing that we can do is build a bigger JetBlue more quickly than we otherwise could.

New York-based JetBlue won Spirit, but its stock barely moved Thursday and has dropped 43% since it jumped into the bidding in April. Other large airlines lost 17% to 28% in the same period.

Shares of Spirit, based in Miramar, Florida, rose 5.6% to close at $25.66, nearly $8 below the price that JetBlue is paying. Frontier, now positioned to become the largest U.S. discount carrier, soared 20.5% higher.

I think shareholders are seeing this as a windfall. To be the low-cost carrier in the United States is huge, said Frontier CEO Barry Biffle, who just spent nearly six months trying to merge his Denver-based airline with Spirit.

Spirit CEO Ted Christie was thrust into the awkward position of defending a sale that he fought against until the end. After arguing since April that regulators would never let JetBlue buy Spirit, he struggled Thursday to explain why he changed his mind.

A lot has been said over the last few months obviously, always with our stakeholders in mind, Christie said on CNBC. We have been listening to the folks at JetBlue, and they have a lot of good thoughts on their plans" for convincing the regulators.

Hayes said Spirit planes will be converted to JetBlues configuration, which allows for more legroom and means there will be fewer seats for sale on each flight. He said JetBlue will increase the pay of Spirit employees.

JetBlue and Spirit have been talking for the past several weeks, mostly about things such as how Spirit can retain key employees while its fate is up in the air. The financial terms of the deal did not change after early July.

A series of mergers over the last 20 years led to four carriers dominating the U.S. market. Many consumer advocates worry that fares will rise after JetBlue takes over Spirit.

Spirit is going to disappear, and with it, its low-cost structure, said William McGee of the anti-merger American Economic Liberties Project. "There is no question that fares are going to go up.

Diana Moss, president of the American Antitrust Institute, said competition would be eliminated on dozens of routes along the East Coast where JetBlue and Spirit now compete. She said the elimination of yet another small player is going to be very harmful for consumers.

But others see potential benefit from the deal.

The larger airlines have carved up the nation, and there's no real competition, said Charlie Leocha, founder of the non-profit Travelers United group. "I really believe this (JetBlue-Spirit agreement) will provide JetBlue a chance to grow quickly, and having one more competitor will help consumers.

Many analysts believe that Frontier, Allegiant, Sun Country and others can fill the gap left by Spirit in the low-fare segment, but it might take a few years.

Spirit and similar rivals Frontier and Allegiant charge rock-bottom fares that appeal to the most budget-conscious leisure travelers, although they tack on more fees that can raise the cost of flying. Spirit Airlines regularly ends up as the worst, or close to the worst, when airlines are ranked by the rate of consumer complaints.

JetBlue and Spirit will continue to operate independently until the agreement is approved by regulators and Spirit shareholders. The companies said they expect to close the deal no later than the first half of 2024. The combined airline would have 458 planes, be based in New York and led by Hayes.

JetBlue will pay $33.50 per share in cash for Spirit, including a prepayment of $2.50 per share in cash when Spirit shareholders approve the transaction. A ticking fee of 10 cents per share each month starting in January 2023 through closing would pay Spirit shareholders for any delay in winning regulatory approval.

If the deal doesnt close due to antitrust reasons, JetBlue will pay Spirit a reverse break-up fee of $70 million and pay Spirit shareholders $400 million, minus any amount paid to the shareholders prior to termination.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is asking a state appeals court to overturn an injunction issued last week that blocks the state's abortion ban.

The injunction ruling by a judge in Louisville prevents the state's near-total ban on abortion from taking effect. The state's two abortion clinics in Louisville have continued providing abortion since the judge first blocked the law last month.
MIAMI (AP)  A man accused of selling a toxic industrial bleach as a coronavirus cure through his Florida-based church has been returned to the United States after being arrested in Colombia.

Mark Grenon, 64, made his initial court appearance Thursday in Miami federal court following his recent extradition, according to court records. Grenon and his three adult sons were indicted last year on one count each of conspiracy to commit fraud and two counts each of criminal contempt.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  A man who admitted to calling in a bomb threat at the Michigan Capitol was sentenced Wednesday to one year in jail, Attorney General Dana Nessel said.

Michael Varrone, 49, of Charlotte, pleaded guilty last month to false report or threat of bomb/harmful device. Prosecutors dismissed two terrorism charges against him.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi launched her political career being tough on China -- a new congresswoman who dared to unfurl a pro-democracy banner in Beijing's Tiananmen Square during a 1991 visit with other U.S. lawmakers shortly after the student massacre.

More than 30 years later, her interest in traveling to Taiwan presents a powerful diplomatic capstone. It has also contributed to tensions at the highest levels in Washington and Beijing among officials who worry a trip could prove provocative.

As the U.S. balances its high-stakes relations with China, whether Pelosi will lead a delegation trip to Taiwan remains unknown. But what is certain is that Pelosi's decision will be a defining foreign policy and human rights moment for the U.S. and its highest-ranking lawmaker with a long tenure leading the House.

This is part of who the speaker is, said Samuel Chu, president of The Campaign for Hong Kong, a Washington-based advocacy organization.

This is not a one-time, one-off publicity stunt, said Chu, whose father was among those who met with Pelosi and the U.S. lawmakers three decades ago in Hong Kong. Thirty years later, she's still connected.

Pelosi declined to disclose Wednesday any update on her plans for Taiwan, reiterating that she does not discuss travel plans, as is the norm, for security reasons. The top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, confirmed that he was invited to be a part of Pelosi's bipartisan delegation but is unable to join, though his office said he believes the speaker and other Americans should be able to visit Taiwan.

The Biden administration has declined to publicly weigh in on the rumored visit, though the military is making plans to bolster its security forces in the region to protect her potential travel against any reaction from China. While U.S. officials say they have little fear that Beijing would attack Pelosi's plane, they are aware that a mishap, misstep or misunderstanding could endanger her safety.

It all comes as President Joe Biden is set to speak Thursday with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for the first time in four months, and the potential Pelosi trip is looming over the conversation.

"Theres always issues of security," said John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, declining Wednesday to talk directly about the speaker's potential travel.

Not since Republican Newt Gingrich led a delegation to Taiwan 25 years ago has a U.S. House speaker, third in line to the presidency, visited the self-ruling region, which China claims as part of its own and has threatened to forcibly annex in a move the West would view unfavorably.

More than just a visit overseas, Pelosi's trip would signify a foreign policy thru-line to her long career in Congress as she has increasingly pointed the speaker's gavel outward expanding her job description to include the role of U.S. emissary abroad.

Particularly during the Trump administration, when the former president challenged America's commitments to its allies, and now alongside Biden, the Democrat Pelosi has presented herself as a world leader on the global stage  visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Pope Francis at the Vatican, and heads of state around the world.

She absolutely has to go, Gingrich told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday about Pelosi's potential trip.

She has always had a very tough position going back to Tiananmen Square. And this is one of those places where she and I actually sort of agreed, Gingrich said. I think for Nancy to back down would be an enormous blow to Taiwan, and it would be a very dangerous signal, trying to appease the Chinese Communists.

Pelosi has indicated the value she sees in her potential visit leading a delegation of lawmakers from the U.S.

"Its important for us to show support for Taiwan, Pelosi told reporters at her news conference last week.

"None of us has ever said we're for independence, when it comes to Taiwan. That's up to Taiwan to decide.

Pelosi was newly elected to Congress when the tanks rolled in to Tiananmen Square in 1989 against the pro-democracy student protests.

Two years later she joined more veteran lawmakers on the trip when they were briefly detained by police after unfurling the pro-democracy banner that read To those who died for democracy in China, trailed by news cameras.

We've been told for two days now that there's freedom of speech in China, she said in one video clip at the time.

The trip had a deep and abiding impact on Pelosi and became foundational to her style of leadership, Chu said.

Pelosi advocated for human rights in China by working against Beijing in 1993 as it eyed hosting the summer Olympics and she opposed its bid for the 2008 games. Pelosi sought over the years to link China's trade status with its human rights record, working to ensure China's entry to the World Trade Organization come with oversight.

Pelosi has often made physical gestures challenging China, including in 2009 when she hand-delivered a letter to then-President Hu Jintao calling for the release of political prisoners.

China is a very important country, she said upon her return days later recognizing the 20th anniversary of Tiananmen Square in a speech in Congress, and outlining the significance of the country's relationship in every way to the U.S.

"But the size of the economy, the size of the country, and the size of the relationship doesnt mean that we shouldnt speak out, Pelosi said. I have said that if we dont speak out about our concerns regarding human rights in China and Tibet, then we lose all moral authority to discuss it about any other country in the world.

In Congress, lawmakers of both parties have rallied around Pelosi's potential visit to Taiwan, viewing the delegation's trip as an important diplomatic mission as well as an expression of a co-equal branch of the U.S. government.

I understand all the sensitivities in the world, here's the one stark fact: If we allow the Chinese to basically tell us who can and cannot visit Taiwan, then Taiwan will be isolated," said Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We cant let the Chinese do that. Now, shell have to judge whether or not it makes the best sense at this time.

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Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Four Pennsylvania universities said Wednesday they will follow through with tuition increases despite calls from House Republicans to roll back the price hikes.

The lawmakers, including Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin, the GOP nominee for governor, argue Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Lincoln and Temple are receiving federal funds and do not need to increase tuition.

The universities did not receive a bump in funding in this years state budget. Instead, through one-time federal funds, the universities will split about $30 million on top of budget funding.

From a long-term planning standpoint, it would not be prudent for us to use it as part of our recurring operations, said Steve Orbanek, a Temple University spokesman.

Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said the funds would be put toward student success.

This infusion of one-time funds, though, will not eliminate the larger financial pressures the institution is facing, she said.

Mastriano and House Republican leaders sent letters to the universities in recent days.

In at least two instances, the state flat-funding appropriations over last year was cited as a cause for the tuition increase, House Republican leadership said in a statement Wednesday. Given the recent news about receiving additional funding for the 2022-23 academic year, it would only be prudent to roll back these decisions for all students, but at a minimum, for Pennsylvania residents attending your institutions.

A Pitt spokesperson said their share will be earmarked for student financial aid and outreach.

Lincoln University President Brenda Allen said in a statement the increase only applies to new students. Lincoln declined to comment on how it will allocate the additional funds.

At Penn State, in-state undergraduate students will see tuition increase by 5% at the University Park campus and 2% at the Commonwealth Campuses. Non-residents will see a 6% tuition increase at University Park and a 3% increase at the Commonwealth Campuses. A 5% increase will be instituted for Penn State World Campus undergraduates.

Most in-state students paying full tuition at Pitts' campus will see their tuition rate rise by 3.5%. Regional campus tuition rates will rise by 2%.

Temple students will see a 3.9% increase for 20222023 undergraduate and graduate base tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students.

Lincolns tuition will increased by less than 1% for the incoming class, according to figures on its website. A university spokesperson didnt immediately confirm the increase amount.

The four schools, referred to officially as state-related universities, are not owned by the state, but receive government subsidies. Together, they received $597 million from the state government in this years budget.

Tuition increases are just the latest dispute between the universities and state lawmakers. In June, House Republicans doubled down on not sending funding to Pitt over its use of fetal tissue from elective abortions by approving an amendment to the appropriations bill.

The dispute ended quietly in the Legislature when GOP lawmakers backed away from requiring that a university financial officer submit a sworn statement attesting that their school does not use the tissue in order to get state funding.

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Brooke Schultz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brooke Schultz on Twitter.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Dave Muffley thought he had it made when it came to a solid retirement. The Indiana man spent roughly 30 years as a salaried maintenance technician for Delphi Corp., a subsidiary of General Motors Corp., and expected to retire with a comfortable income by the time he hit 62.

But when GM plunged into the biggest industrial bankruptcy proceeding in history in 2009, and the federal government negotiated its restructuring, Muffleys expected retirement package was slashed, and his lifes trajectory would spiral.

The Russiaville resident, now 68, lost 30% of his retirement savings, his promised health care coverage and his faith in government.

Muffley is one of an estimated 20,000 Delphi workers hurt by the GM bankruptcy, and many have spent the past 13 years fighting to get back what they lost. After taking the issue all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to hear their case this year, the retirees were cut off from their last legal remedy.

Now, theyre looking to Congress to do for them what the courts would not. Legislation to restore the pension savings of the workers has gained support from the left and the right in Congress. It passed the House on Wednesday and supporters are hopeful the Senate will follow suit.

It's named the Susan Muffley Act, after Dave's wife, who became sick and died while they were grappling with the hit to his retirement fund.

The retirees allege that they were discriminated against as salaried employees, compared with union-covered workers whose pensions were preserved through the bankruptcy. The salaried workers are the engineers, technicians and mid-level swath of employees who stood between the well-paid executives and the union-covered workers at the company.

After taking a buyout from Delphi at age 55 to avoid a potential layoff, Muffley says, he took one job after another to tide him over until he could retire at 62. It was in that time that his wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died within three years.

Things fell apart, and things fell apart in a big way, Muffley says. He estimated hes lost at least $130,000 in savings due to the pension cuts over the years, and hes not alone.

Despite the bipartisan support, there is some resistance in Congress to spending tax dollars to bail out pension funds.

For the retirees, the struggle to get the legislation into law is the latest and perhaps last battle in an ordeal that started when the workers got swept up in macroeconomic crosscurrents of the recession.

Muffley and others in 2009 established the Delphi Salaried Retirees Association  something of a support group for workers at the auto parts company who had to get through not only job losses, but retirement cuts and the loss of health plans.

Retirees tell stories of loss, severe depression, divorce and altered courses of their lives. Some retirees' children put off going to college, other workers faced health difficulties from the stress of the cuts.

The salaried retirees have gotten support from every corner of local government, state legislatures, attorneys general and even sympathetic words from this president and the last.

Presidential candidate Joe Biden in September 2020 said he would work with senators to help restore Delphi workers retirement savings. The next month, President Donald Trump issued a memo calling on the Treasury Department and other agencies to act on the issue.

But those words didn't translate into action. Nothing came of Trump's memo. Nor did anything happen in the first 18 months of the Biden administration.

A number of legislative proposals to help the Delphi workers have come and gone over the years without becoming law. The latest bill, which cleared the House on a 254-175 vote, would restore the workers' benefits and retroactively make up for what they've lost since 2009.

Members of Congress from both parties, mostly from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, have sponsored the legislation. Reps. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., and Mike Turner, R-Ohio, and Ohio Sens. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, and Rob Portman, a Republican, are among those backing it.

Co-sponsors span the spectrum, from Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, a founder of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, to Rep. Andy Levin of Michigan, a member of the progressive caucus.

The White House on Friday issued its own a statement in support of the bill, saying the administration supports a secure retirement for affected workers.

Muffley points to other legislative saves for pension plans, like the bipartisan Butch Lewis Act that was included in the American Rescue Plan. That provision stalled the insolvency of roughly 200 multi-employer pension plans for 30 years, saving the benefits of roughly 3 million workers. Biden spotlighted the measure in a recent visit to Ohio.

But there are skeptics. During House debate on Wednesday, Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., called the measure another Democrat bailout bill by the sponsors of the nanny state.

Why should the constituents of my Virginia 5th District pay for someone elses retirement plan?" he said.

HOW IT GOT HERE

When GM went through bankruptcy in June 2009 due to massive losses during the Great Recession, the company said it would not assume pension liabilities for the Delphi unit's salaried workers  largely because it didn't have an agreement with them, as it had negotiated with unions for hourly workers.

The government's Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. then assumed responsibility for the 20,000 salaried workers pension plan, and cut workers' and retirees monthly benefits if they were larger than the statutory maximum benefit that the agency was guaranteed to pay. As a result, some retirees' pensions were cut by as much as 70%. But GM did step in to cover pension losses for union workers.

Those who lost benefits were 4,044 workers in Indiana, 5,181 in Ohio, 5,859 in Michigan and thousands of others around the country.

While cutbacks in bankruptcies aren't uncommon, the Delphi workers argued it was unfair that union workers' pensions were protected by GM while salaried workers were left with permanent cuts to their retirement fund as well as permanent cuts to their health benefits.

The arrangement played out in conjunction with a deal negotiated by then-Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and then-National Economic Council Director Larry Summers, who led a task force that sank millions of dollars into saving GM.

Part of the rationale at the time was the need to keep union workers from striking, while salaried workers were seen as more expendable.

A 2013 inspector general's report said that while the union workers had leverage to prolong Delphis bankruptcy or strike, which GM believed would significantly impact its ability to survive, Delphis salaried retirees had no leverage, other than what they hoped would be political leverage.

The report estimated the salaried retirees had lost $440 million in pension benefits. In today's dollars, the retirees would need $900 million to be made whole.

In a 2011 op-ed in The Washington Post, Geithner said the bankruptcy meant sacrifices across the board  from managers, unions, stockholders, creditors and dealers. But the intent was to stop the American automobile industry from unraveling and causing a deeper recession that could have cost tens of thousands of additional jobs.

Geithner declined to comment for this story. Summers did not respond to a request for comment.

In January, the Supreme Court denied Delphi retirees' efforts to review their case. The court effectively upheld a federal court's ruling that the law allows for distressed pension plans to be closed without court approval.

Kildee, one of the bill's sponsors, told The Associated Press the case was "particularly egregious because it was the federal government that engineered the bankruptcy.

Turner said during the House debate that legislation was necessary because no one else has had the White House pick winners and losers and take away their pensions. It is our responsibility as members of Congress to address this injustice."

WHAT THE WORKERS SAY

The reality is that salaried workers were singled out and its the government that caused this, said Bruce Gump, who lost 40% of his pension and serves as chairman of the Delphi Salaried Retirees Association.

At a Thursday press conference celebrating the House action, Gump said that for the first time we have good reason to have hope that our government will see us as just as valuable as those who were in unions.

Julie Naylor, a 68-year-old former nurse who lives in a suburb of Greenville, South Carolina, says restoring her husbands pension and health care would mean she could afford basic necessities for her family. Her husband, Bruce Naylor, suffered a stroke after a routine outpatient surgery, caused by an undiscovered brain tumor. With her husband now paralyzed on his right side and with limited speech abilities, Julie Naylor says without the health care promised to him, the medical bills have piled up.

Bruce Naylor is 6 feet, 6 inches and too tall for his wheelchair. Julie Naylor says if her family had the money owed to them through his pension, I wouldnt have to wait for Medicare to be approved for a chair that fits. We couldve just bought it with what is owed us, she said.

We live a very austere life and a very uncertain life," she said. I never thought he could lose half of his pension and half of his life savings.

WHAT'S NEXT

The legislation would require the government to top up the pensions of the salaried Delphi workers, as GM did for the unionized workers.

With the bill's fate now in the Senate, Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, said Thursday: We've just going to press this thing to the very, very end. ... Let's keep the heat on.

Bill Kadereit, president of the National Retiree Legislative Network, said the Delphi workers fight highlights the archaic nature of corporate bankruptcy law, and how it can harm workers.

In many ways the federal government basically threw them under the bus and made the sacrifice of these people to make a deal, he said.

To Muffley, that's what made the deal so painful.

I can't believe our government would do something like this," he said in advance of the House vote.

And Muffley had a warning for others who may think their own promised benefits are secure: If the government could do this to us, what else could they do to you?

___

Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Dave Muffley thought he had it made when it came to a solid retirement. The Indiana man spent roughly 30 years as a salaried maintenance technician for Delphi Corp., a subsidiary of General Motors Corp., and expected to retire with a comfortable income by the time he hit 62.

But when GM plunged into the biggest industrial bankruptcy proceeding in history in 2009, and the federal government negotiated its restructuring, Muffleys expected retirement package was slashed.

The Russiaville resident, now 68, lost 30% of his retirement savings, his promised health care coverage and his faith in government.

Muffley is one of an estimated 20,000 Delphi workers hurt by the GM bankruptcy, and many have spent the past 13 years fighting to get back what they lost. After the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear their case this year, the retirees were cut off from their last legal remedy.

Now, theyre looking to Congress, where legislation to restore the pension savings of the workers has gained support from both the left and the right, and passed the House on Wednesday. Supporters are hopeful the Senate will follow suit.

The bill is named the Susan Muffley Act, after Dave's wife, who became sick and died while they were grappling with the hit to his retirement fund.

The retirees allege they were discriminated against as salaried employees, compared with union-covered workers whose pensions were preserved through the bankruptcy. The salaried workers are the engineers, technicians and mid-level swath of employees who stand between the well-paid executives and the union-covered workers at the company.

After taking a buyout from Delphi at age 55 to avoid a potential layoff, Muffley says, he took one job after another to tide him over until he could retire at 62. It was in that time that his wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died within three years.

Things fell apart, and things fell apart in a big way Muffley says. He estimated hes lost at least $130,000 in savings due to the pension cuts over the years.

Despite the bipartisan support, some in Congress are wary of having the government bail out pension funds.

For the retirees, the struggle to get the legislation into law is perhaps the last battle in an ordeal that started when the workers got swept up in macroeconomic crosscurrents of the recession.

Muffley and others in 2009 established a support group for workers at the auto parts company who had to get through not only job losses, but retirement cuts and the loss of health plans.

Retirees tell stories of loss, severe depression, other health problems and divorce as a result. Some of their children put off going to college.

Presidential candidate Joe Biden said in September 2020 he would work to help restore Delphi workers retirement savings. The next month, President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to act on the issue.

But nothing came of Trump's memo. Nor did anything happen in the first 18 months of the Biden administration.

Various legislative proposals to help the Delphi workers have come and gone over the years without becoming law. The latest bill, which passed the House on a 254-175 vote, would restore the workers' benefits and make up for what they've lost since 2009.

Members of Congress from both parties, mostly from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, have sponsored the legislation. The White House itself issued a statement in support of the bill, saying the administration supports a secure retirement for affected workers.

But there are skeptics. During House debate on Wednesday, Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., called the measure another Democrat bailout bill by the sponsors of the nanny state.

Why should the constituents of my Virginia 5th District pay for someone elses retirement plan? he said.

When GM went through bankruptcy in June 2009 due to massive losses during the Great Recession, the company said it would not assume pension liabilities for the Delphi unit's salaried workers  largely because it didn't have an agreement with them, as it had negotiated with unions for hourly workers.

The government's Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. then assumed responsibility for the 20,000 salaried workers pension plan, and cut workers' and retirees monthly benefits if they were larger than the statutory maximum benefit that the agency was guaranteed to pay. As a result, some retirees' pensions were cut by as much as 70%.

The arrangement played out in conjunction with a deal negotiated by Obama administration officials who led a task force that sank millions of dollars into saving GM.

Part of the rationale was the need to keep union workers from striking, while salaried workers were seen as more expendable. The overarching aim was to preserve the auto industry and head off an even deeper recession.

In January, the Supreme Court denied Delphi retirees' efforts review their case. The court effectively upheld a federal court's ruling that the law allows for distressed pension plans to be closed without court approval.

Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., a sponsor of the bill, told The Associated Press the case was particularly egregious because it was the federal government that engineered the bankruptcy.

Another sponsor, Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, called it a case where "the federal government picked winners and losers here  and that's not right.

Julie Naylor, a 68-year-old former nurse who lives in a suburb of Greenville, South Carolina, says restoring her husbands pension and health care would mean she could afford basic necessities for her family. Her husband, Bruce Naylor, suffered a stroke after a routine outpatient surgery, caused by an undiscovered a brain tumor. With her husband now partially paralyzed, Julie Naylor says the medical bills have piled up without the health care promised to him.

We live a very austere life and a very uncertain life," she said. I never thought he could lose half of his pension and half of his life savings.

The legislation would require the government to top up the pensions of the salaried Delphi workers, as GM did for the unionized workers.

Bill Kadereit, president of the National Retiree Legislative Network, said that in many ways, the government sacrificed these retirees to make a larger deal.

That's what made the situation so painful to Muffley.

I can't believe our government would do something like this," he said ahead of the House vote.

And Muffley had a warning for others who may think their own promised benefits are secure: If the government could do this to us, what else could they do to you?

___

Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
MESA, Ariz. - On paper, there's not a lot that separates the two Republicans running for an open state Senate seat in the sprawling desert east of Phoenix.

Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers and former state senator David Farnsworth went to the same high school, where they both sang in choir. They have many of the same friends and once attended the same congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They came of age politically around the same time as they both raised their families in this tightknit community.

At one point in the mid-1990s, they found themselves sitting next to each other at desks on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives. They would exchange pleasantries from time to time, but they rarely partnered on legislation of consequence. Bowers, an artist, slipped a doodle to Farnsworth, a small-business owner.

Both voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 - then, they diverged.

Bowers is convinced Trump lost the election. Farnsworth is convinced he did not.

Bowers traveled to Capitol Hill in June to testify about extensive efforts by Trump and his allies to pressure him to undo a narrow loss in Arizona. Farnsworth, who aided Trump's efforts to challenge the results, traveled to Prescott Valley on Friday to rally with the former president, who called Bowers a "RINO coward."

Although there's no public polling, Farnsworth, 71, is thought to be gaining momentum ahead of Tuesday's Republican primary, likely thanks to Trump's support.

The former president has endorsed dozens of election deniers running for office, not just at the federal and statewide level but also in local races like this one, the outcomes of which could have great influence on the day-to-day lives of many Americans. This is especially true in Arizona, where the GOP-controlled legislature has exerted its enormous power to reshape a wide variety of laws, including those governing future elections and the state's water supply in the drought-stricken region.

As House Speaker, Bowers, 69, has played a leading role in blocking fringe ideas from overrunning the chamber, such as preventing efforts to reverse Trump's loss and, this year, killing a measure pushed by former Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn to abolish the 2020 election results in three Arizona counties. Because of term limits, Bowers cannot run for his House seat again.

Days after Bowers testified, Farnsworth said he spoke with Trump for seven minutes and learned the former president would endorse him. Trump released a statement that slammed Bowers as "far worse than the Democrats" and praised Farnsworth for fighting "tirelessly on the 2020 Presidential Election Scandal."

Bowers has raised more than $323,000 for the race, drawing on decades-long relationships in the community and with Capitol influencers, state campaign finance records show. Farnsworth, by comparison, has loaned his campaign $40,000 and has raised nearly $30,000, including donations from four Republicans who were part of a fake-electors strategy intended to deny certification of Joe Biden's win on Jan. 6, 2021.

Farnsworth quickly added "Endorsed by Trump" to his roadside campaign signs. If he loses on Tuesday, he's left open the possibility of challenging the results.

Bowers drives past the giant signs nearly every day, lugging around a blue plastic bin filled with reams of legislation and notes on the steps he took to address concerns about the election process. He's bracing himself for a loss even as he tries to make the case to voters that he's done the right thing.

It will take a miracle to win, he said one night, about an hour before the executive committee of the state Republican Party - run by Trump supporters - censured him.

"There's a slow movement towards what is seemingly the inevitable," he told The Post. Days later, he was more hopeful and said party leaders' "desire to put the nail in my coffin with that thing" has generated new support.

"This has made them so mad," he said, "the unfairness of it all."

Many of the 151,000 registered voters in the district are White, Republican and older. The district, which was redrawn after the 2020 Census, has a mix of fixed-income, working-class and upper-middle-class residents, many of whom live in retirement communities or gated neighborhoods, complicating efforts for candidates to go door-to-door.

Had the district's new boundaries been in place during the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, Republican voters would have voted for Trump by a double-digit margin, according to a data analysis by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

Several voters say they see this primary as a choice between litigating the past or moving on.

Carol Margetich and her husband, Brad, voted for Bowers in years past but lost faith in him. They want more done to stop illegal immigration and investigate the 2020 election.

Carol, 62, who worked in corporate human resources before retiring, is convinced Trump won because everyone she's talked to in her neighborhood voted for him.

"We don't know anybody that voted for Biden, and I just find it very hard to believe," she said, sitting outdoors, drinking coffee. Either way, she said, they're following Trump's lead in the state Senate race and are voting for Farnsworth.

"Rusty Bowers needs to go . . . It's time for a change," Brad Margetich said.

Michele Larson, 60, a lifelong Republican, now automatically disqualifies any candidate who challenges the legitimacy of the 2020 election. She's voting for Bowers.

"At the risk of losing the election, he went out and said, 'This is the truth, Donald Trump didn't win this election,'" said Larson, while grocery shopping one evening in the heart of the district.

"We have to move forward."

Larry Norris, an independent voter who planned on requesting a GOP primary ballot, isn't sure which way to turn. He voted for Bowers previously and was sure the election was stolen from Trump but changed his mind after the evidence never emerged.

"I can't really tell which way to go with these guys," the 61-year-old said while fixing a bike tire outside of a hardware store. "They don't really have a whole lot of differences, and that's the trouble I always have with these elections."

Bowers and Farnsworth both began their political careers in the mid-1990s. Although they're both longtime Republicans who have agreed on a lot of the same issues, these days, they are at opposite ends of the party.

Farnsworth - who has worked in home improvement, real estate, auto sales and as a diesel mechanic in an underground copper mine - developed an interest in the legislature as a way to advocate for his vision of freedom and good government. Bowers was looking for a way to pay the bills at a time when commissions he earned as an artist didn't always cover his family's expenses.

Arizona State University had just rejected Bowers's art portfolios for its master's program, a disappointment that ended his hopes of teaching at Brigham Young University. He was first elected in 1992, and his profile quickly rose at the state Capitol, where he soon chaired the powerful appropriations committee for a time and tackled issues including transportation and natural resources.

In 1994, Farnsworth won a race for the state House of Representatives, then ran for the state Senate and lost. About a decade later, Farnsworth was appointed to a seat in the Senate, where he represented a Mesa-based district, sat on government and finance committees, and was known as an ultraconservative Republican.

He delved into powers held by homeowners associations and rebelled against the federal government's reach. He frequently told colleagues seeking his support on bills that he couldn't do so because he hadn't read them. In more recent years, he clashed with colleagues over his claims that hundreds of children in the state's foster care system had disappeared and might have been victims of a global trafficking operation, a claim even he said he had no proof of.

In 2019, with Trump in the White House, Bowers fended off a challenge from the far right to serve as speaker. He led with a firm hand but watched warily as critics sought to undermine his leadership through a pandemic, a failed attempt to oust him from office, and an election that narrowly saw Trump's loss.

In the days after the 2020 election, Bowers found himself at the center of the "Stop the Steal" storm. He took two calls from Trump, met with the president's attorneys, and fielded constant requests from his own members who demanded he do more to help overturn Trump's defeat. Bowers refused, viewing the requests as immoral, unconstitutional and a violation of his oath of office.

Farnsworth, meanwhile, said he asked Senate President Karen Fann, R, "multiple times" to let him hold a hearing as chair of the Committee on Government to look into allegations of widespread voter fraud. That hearing never happened, but Fann would eventually hold a meeting in another committee and go on to launch a ballot review of 2.1 million votes cast in Maricopa County.

In mid-December, before he left office, Farnsworth signed his name to a resolution coordinated by a fellow GOP lawmaker, then Sen.-elect Kelly Townsend, R, that asked Congress to accept alternate electors for Arizona more favorable to Trump "or to have electoral votes nullified completely until a full forensic audit can be conducted," according to records obtained by watchdog group American Oversight. The Justice Department has issued subpoenas to Fann and Townsend as part of its criminal investigation into the events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Farnsworth wants voters to know he wanted to "find the truth" about 2020. State and county elections officials said they do not recall him reaching out with any substantive questions.

"That's really the crux of the race between Rusty and I is the fact that, in my opinion, he had the authority and responsibility and obligation to look into the election, whether he believed it was legitimate or not," Farnsworth told The Washington Post.

He thinks Bowers, who talked extensively with elections officials, scholars, attorneys and other elected officials in the weeks after the election to assess the assertions of improprieties, should have held a formal legislative hearing in the state House "to seek the truth." Bowers and congressional investigators have said efforts to hold such a meeting were part of an effort by Trump and his allies to try to overturn the state's election results.

"The big question everybody's asked me is, 'What happened to Rusty?" Farnsworth said. "I presume that he didn't want to rock the boat."

The way he sees it, Bowers fully fulfilled his constitutional duties, no more, no less.

"Anybody that gets in their way, anybody that says no, anybody that questions whether or not it's true, those people are traitors," Bowers said of some Trump supporters.

At one recent campaign event, Bowers touted his work on a bipartisan $18 billion state budget, a massive water conservation bill and an expansive school-choice law.

But much of the conversation centered on the 2020 election. Voters asked him broadly about "suspicious things" that happened last cycle. Bowers, laughing, said he hadn't seen evidence of one theory that included "piles of unopened ballots." Passing around fliers from his blue bin, he recounted new laws he helped advance that tighten up election procedures and are intended to strengthen voter confidence in the system.

"I'm sufficiently convinced that I feel safe voting and that my vote will be counted," he said.

For his stance, Bowers was ostracized from the state Republican Party.

Kelli Ward, the chair of the Arizona Republican Party, which traditionally stays neutral in primary races, ridiculed him as "Rusty Bowels" and endorsed Farnsworth.

So did U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., a Trump ally who has promoted false claims of fraud. Shortly before rioters overtook the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Biggs called Bowers to ask if he would support decertification of Arizona's electors. Bowers told him he would not.

"I know that a lot of the majority of the support that's coming to me is not because they're so much in love with me, as they are very frustrated with Speaker Bowers because of his lack of action," Farnsworth told The Post.

Both said they want the race, which has caused tensions in each of their families, to be over, even as they ponder what 2024 might bring.

Farnsworth wants Trump back in the White House.

Bowers, who thinks Trump did good things for the country, told The Post, "I don't want Donald Trump to be the next president."

At a recent debate, the candidates broadly agreed on issues like school choice and rejoiced in the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. But they disagreed on nearly everything else. Reflecting back on the 2020 election, both spoke in biblical terms.

"This is much larger than just the 2020 election," Farnsworth said. "This is a real conspiracy headed up by the Devil himself, and this may sound crazy, I realize, to some people, but when I used to talk about it 25 years ago, people would shake their head and they thought I was crazy. But nowadays people are saying, 'Wow, we're talking about the swamp.' It's deep and it's wide, and it's been going on for a long time."

Bowers took a different approach and referenced the parable of the good Samaritan who helped those in need: "If I have to live with the Samaritans and hang out with the Samaritans while the priest and the Levite go on the other side of the road, I'm happy to do it, and I just hope I'm a good one."
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP)  Two sisters-in-law have been released from the hospital after suffering critical injuries during a brutal attack near Glacier National Park in which two members of their family were shot and killed.

Christy Siau, 40, of the Syracuse, N.Y. area, was shot in the July 17 attack on Montana's Blackfeet Indian Reservation and her 18-month-old daughter McKenzie and husband David were killed, according to authorities. Christina Siau, 30, of East Glacier Park, was stabbed before managing to kill the assailant.
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  A producer for conspiracy theorist Alex Joness media company tried to paint a sympathetic portrait of him Thursday as a jury decides how much in financial damages he should pay for his past claims that the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school was a hoax  a move that lawyers for parents of a child slain in the massacre immediately rebuked as hypocritical.

Daria Karpova, a producer at Jones Austin, Texas-based Infowars website, testified that that the pressure of multiple lawsuits and trials has taken a toll on Jones. He's been "stressed out and cant relax even while on vacation as hes been constantly worried about his programs and money over the past four years since being sued for defamation.

Karpova said some people believe Jones murdered the 20 first-graders killed in the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, that left a total of 26 dead.

A lawyer for the parents suing Jones for at least $150 million for the abuse they say theyve suffered for years because of Jones false statements immediately jumped on the depiction of a wounded man struggling to cope with lies said about him as posturing.

When people lie about you it affects you negatively, it affects your well-being? Do you understand the irony, the hypocrisy of making that statement in this courtroom right now? asked Mark Bankston, attorney for Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, parents of 6-year-old Jesse Lewis, who was killed at the school.

Its just the truth," Karpova said. "What am I supposed to say?

Heslin and Lewis sued Jones for emotional distress and reputational damage that Jones caused them and are seeking at least $150 million from Jones and his media empire Free Speech Systems.

Courts in Texas and Connecticut have already found Jones liable for defamation for his portrayal of the Sandy Hook massacre as a hoax involving crisis actors aimed at increasing gun control. In both states, the judges issued default judgments against Jones without trials because he failed to respond to court orders and turn over documents.

In total, the families of eight Sandy Hook victims and an FBI agent who responded to the school are suing Jones and his company in multiple courts.

Jones has since acknowledged that the shooting took place, but insists he's not responsible for the suffering that Sandy Hook parents say they have endured because of the hoax conspiracy, including death threats and harassment by Jones followers.

The first three days of the trial have been dominated by video clips of Jones and Sandy Hook reports on Infowars and testimony from Karpova, who has worked at the website since 2015.

Karpova was designated by the company to be its representative at trial, but could not answer questions about company revenue and its numbers of viewers and listeners. She also struggled to answer other questions about some of the video evidence she was instructed to prepare testimony about.

In one video clip presented by defense attorney Andino Reynal from 2017, Jones invited the families of Sandy Hook to come on his program for an open dialogue

Alex could have been advocates for these parents, done a lot of good to stop anyone there to harass them, she said as Heslin and Lewis sat about 20 feet away in the courtroom.

Karpova called the shows reliance on Wolfgang Halbig, a Sandy Hook denier, as a frequent guest and source of information "the worst decision ever made by the company. Several of the clips featured in evidence have included Halbig, as well as a taunting email he sent to Scarlett Lewis.

Later Thursday, the jury watched a 2017 Infowars clip at the center of the case: a report where studio host Owen Shroyer strongly suggested Heslin could not have held the body of his dead son like hed described in a television interview.

Im sorry if that hurt anybody, Shroyer said Thursday after being called as a witness. I hope their grieving can end someday.

He then implied the trial itself could keep hurting the families.

Jones has been in and out of the courtroom during testimony. He had four bodyguards with him Thursday. He has tried to portray the damages trial as an assault of the First Amendment right to free speech.

He arrived at the courthouse on Tuesday with a Save the 1st message printed on a large piece of silver tape over this mouth. In a break during opening statements, he held an impromptu news conference just steps away from the courtroom to call the trial a show trial by a kangaroo court.

___

More on school shootings: https://apnews.com/hub/school-shootings
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LONDON (AP)  A British judge jailed a man who killed his grandfather for life Thursday in the first crown court sentencing to be televised in Britain.

Judge Sarah Munro's remarks were the first to be broadcast live on news channels after a change in law to allow cameras in British crown courts, which deal with serious criminal cases.

The legal change was made in 2020, but it was only implemented Thursday because of delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Munro sentenced Ben Oliver, 25, to life in prison with a minimum term of 10 years and eight months for the manslaughter of his 74-year-old grandfather.

The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court in London, which routinely hears the country's most high-profile cases including murders and terrorism trials.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said the move will help the public better understand the decisions judges make in complex criminal cases.

Opening up the courtroom to cameras to film the sentencing of some of the countrys most serious offenders will improve transparency and reinforce confidence in the justice system," Raab said in a statement.

Under the change in the law, crown court judges can be filmed delivering their sentencing remarks. Only the judge will be on camera to protect the privacy of victims, witnesses and jurors.

Previously court proceedings were only broadcast from certain Court of Appeal cases.

Broadcasters hailed the change as a landmark moment for open justice."

Court reporting is vital to democracy and the rule of law and this long overdue change is welcomed," said John Battle, chair of the Media Lawyers Association.
BEIRUT (AP)  A Syrian cargo ship, sanctioned by the United States and carrying what Ukraine says is stolen barley from the war-torn country, has docked in Lebanon, the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in the Mideast nation said Thursday.

According to the Ukrainian Embassy in Beirut, the cargo vessel Laodicea docked in the port of Tripoli, Lebanons second-largest city. It was carrying 5,000 tons of flour and 5,000 tons of barley, the embassy said.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned the Laodicea in 2015 for its affiliation with the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad.

Ukraine has accused Russia of plundering grain and steel from its territory since Moscow invaded the country in late February. The embassy in Beirut did not elaborate or say how the barley was purportedly stolen from Ukraine.

Marine Traffic, which monitors vessel traffic and location of ships on seas, also confirmed the ships docking in Tripoli on Thursday. The Laodicea was initially heading to Tartus Port in Syria, and was expected to arrive there earlier this week.

It was unknown why it had rerouted to Lebanon, and whether or not it is offloading the cargo here.

Earlier Thursday, Ukrainian Ambassador Ihor Ostash met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and warned the Lebanese leader that purchasing stolen goods from Russia would harm bilateral ties, according to the embassy statement. Kyiv had previously praised Lebanon for condemning Russia for its war on Ukraine.

Lebanese authorities promised to conduct an investigation, the Ukrainian Embassy told The Associated Press later Thursday. We hope they will take other legal actions.

Ukraine has promised to export wheat to Lebanon, currently experiencing a crippling food security and economic crisis.

Lebanons caretaker economy minister, Amin Salam, did not have details on the ship. The Tripoli Port general manager, Ahmad Tamer, said initially that he was unaware of the vessels arrival, and did not respond to requests for further comments.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  The State Department on Thursday offered a reward of up to $10 million for information about Russian interference in American elections, including a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a troll farm that officials say fueled a divisive social media campaign in 2016.

The reward, offered by the department's Rewards for Justice program, seeks information about the Internet Research Agency, Yevgeniy Prigozhin  a wealthy businessman whose ties to Putin earned him the nickname Putin Chef  and other entities involved in interfering in the 2016 U.S. election won by Republican Donald Trump.
ALBERTSON, N.Y. (AP)  A 70-year-old woman was fatally mauled in her backyard on Long Island by a dog that had belonged to her late stepson, according to police.

Nassau County police officers responded to a call early Wednesday afternoon from a man who said his wife was being attacked at their home in suburban Albertson, just east of New York City. The 7-year-old dog turned on a responding officer, who fatally shot it.
The principal of the Texas school where the nations deadliest classroom shooting in a decade happened on Wednesday disputed some key findings of a legislative report on the attack, including that doors were left unlocked and there was lax enforcement of rules.

In a statement issued by her attorney, Mandy Gutierrez rejected a legislative committees finding that a culture of complacency over safety at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde allowed a gunman to enter the school and kill 19 children and two teachers. She also said the lock on the door to the fourth-grade classroom where the May 24 shooting happened worked when a custodian checked it the night before.

School Superintendent Hal Harrell suspended Gutierrez with pay on Monday pending a performance review pertaining to school security.

The legislative report placed the most fault with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, which took more than an hour to enter the classroom where the shooter was and kill him as parents outside the school begged officers to do something and dispatchers took 911 calls from inside the school. Surveillance footage of police officers in body armor milling in the hallway while the gunman carried out the massacre led to rage from families of victims, who have demanded accountability.

In the statement addressed to the three members of the Texas House committee that issued the report after its investigation, Gutierrez also said the teacher in charge of the classroom where the shooting happened complained that because the school's only printer was in his classroom, other teachers often interrupted his teaching to unlock the door so they could retrieve their printed documents.

As for reports that the door had to be closed forcefully to engage the locked latch, Gutierrez said: This is the condition of many doors in an aged building." She also said that neither she nor her predecessors had any recollection that the classroom teacher had complained that the door would not lock.

Gutierrez disputed that spotty school Wi-Fi prevented school personnel from receiving an alert to a security breach.

Finally, she rejected the finding that complacency had set in because of frequent lockdowns prompted by nearby law enforcement pursuits of migrants trying to flee.

We were trained to treat every alert from any law enforcement agency as a situation with a high potential to escalate into a dangerous episode for students, teachers and administrators, she said in the statement issued by attorney Ricardo Cedillo of San Antonio.

Gutierrez said her most recent performance review rated her as Accomplished in creating a safe school environment that ensures the social, emotional and physical well-being of staff and students."

I will live with the horror of these events for the rest of my life," she concluded. I want to keep my job not only so I can provide for my family but so that I can continue to be on the front lines helping the children who survived, the families of all affected and the entire Uvalde community that I love and want to continue to protect.
WFO SACRAMENTO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, July 29, 2022

_____

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Sacramento CA

420 AM PDT Thu Jul 28 2022

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS

MORNING TO 9 PM PDT FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Hot conditions with high temperatures 100 to 113 degrees,

locally as hot as 115 degrees.

* WHERE...Northern Sacramento Valley and adjacent foothills,

Northern Shasta County Mountains, and Burney Basin. Includes

the cities of Redding and Red Bluff.

* WHEN...From 11 AM today to 9 PM PDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Widespread moderate to locally high heat risk

expected. Excessive heat will significantly increase the

potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those

working or participating in outdoor activities.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Warm overnight lows in the low to mid 70s

are expected in the northern Sacramento Valley with some lower

80s in portions of the foothills.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out

of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young

children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles

under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When

possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or

evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat

stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when

possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent

rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone

overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO BINGHAMTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Binghamton NY

1239 PM EDT Thu Jul 28 2022

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WESTERN YATES AND NORTH

CENTRAL STEUBEN COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 1245 PM EDT...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.

Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement

agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service

Binghamton.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Western Jefferson County in central New York...

* Until 145 PM EDT.

* At 1240 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 15 miles west of

Stony Point, or 23 miles northwest of Sandy Island Beach State

Park, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...

Watertown, Stony Point, Clayton, Adams, Dexter, Henderson Harbor,

Cedar Point State Park and Southwick Beach State Park.

This includes Interstate 81 between exits 41 and 48.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN STEUBEN COUNTY IS

CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of

the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for

central New York.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 115 PM EDT

FOR SOUTHERN SENECA...NORTHERN SCHUYLER...EASTERN YATES...

SOUTHWESTERN CAYUGA AND NORTHWESTERN TOMPKINS COUNTIES...

At 1241 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Lodi Station,

or near Dundee, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Law enforcement has reported downed trees and wires.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Penn Yan, Hector, Romulus, Starkey, Lansing, Covert, Ledyard,

Trumansburg, Dundee and Aurora.

To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.

They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in

If on or near the Finger Lakes, get away from the water and move

indoors or inside a vehicle. remember, lightning can strike out to

15 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you

are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter

now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO BINGHAMTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Binghamton NY

1252 PM EDT Thu Jul 28 2022

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 115 PM EDT

FOR SOUTHERN SENECA...NORTHEASTERN SCHUYLER...SOUTHEASTERN YATES...

SOUTHWESTERN CAYUGA AND NORTHWESTERN TOMPKINS COUNTIES...

At 1251 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Interlaken, or

12 miles northeast of Dundee, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Law enforcement has reported downed trees and wires.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Hector, Starkey, Lansing, Covert, Ledyard, Trumansburg, Aurora, Ovid,

Interlaken and Lodi.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.

They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in

Binghamton.

If on a lake, get away from the water and move indoors or inside a

vehicle. remember, lightning can strike out to 15 miles from the

parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough

to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be

caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO BUFFALO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southeastern Wyoming County in western New York...

Livingston County in western New York...

Northeastern Allegany County in western New York...

Southwestern Ontario County in western New York...

* Until noon EDT.

* At 1103 AM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near Mount Morris to near Portageville, moving east

at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...

Geneseo, Dansville, Letchworth State Park, Perry, Mount Morris,

Conesus, Naples, Hemlock, Portageville and Honeoye.

This includes Interstate 390 between exits 4 and 7.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Intense thunderstorm lines can produce brief tornadoes and widespread

significant wind damage. Although a tornado is not immediately

likely, it is best to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of

a building. These storms may cause serious injury and significant

property damage.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northeastern Oldham County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Southeastern Hartley County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 615 PM CDT.

* At 549 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles northwest

of Boys Ranch, or 24 miles north of Vega, moving north at 15 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible.

* Locations impacted include...

Channing and Boys Ranch.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

HEAT ADVISORY

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Fort Worth TX

558 PM CDT Wed Jul 27 2022

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 107.

* WHERE...Portions of north central and northeast Texas.

* WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity will increase the

risk for heat-related illnesses to occur, particularly for

those working or participating in outdoor activities.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out

of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young

children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles

under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When

possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or

evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat

stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when

possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent

rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone

overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

...A strong thunderstorm moving from far northwest Harris County

into Waller County is producing briefly heavy rain, and is capable

of gusty winds and possibly even very small hail...

At 558 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm

near Hockley, moving northwest at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and possibly a small amount of

pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Hempstead, Prairie View, Hockley, Waller and Pine Island.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

LAT...LON 3023 9607 3024 9596 3011 9580 3009 9580

3009 9579 3001 9569 2986 9585 3000 9609

3000 9610 3003 9611 3005 9611 3006 9614

3007 9615 3007 9614 3009 9616 3011 9616

3010 9617 3011 9618

TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 128DEG 19KT 3003 9590

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN

MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

...FLOOD ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED...

The Flood Advisory has expired for a portion of southwest Texas,

including the following county, Brewster.

Flood waters have receded. The heavy rain has ended. Arroyo and

small stream flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please

continue to heed remaining road closures.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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Citing labour shortages across the country, the immigration ministers of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba want to select more immigrants.

Four provinces calling on Canadian government for greater say over immigration

Four provinces calling on Canadian government for greater say over immigration Citing labour shortages across the country, the immigration ministers of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba want to select more immigrants.

Four provinces calling on Canadian government for greater say over immigration Citing labour shortages across the country, the immigration ministers of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba want to select more immigrants.

Four provinces calling on Canadian government for greater say over immigration Citing labour shortages across the country, the immigration ministers of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba want to select more immigrants. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Provincial immigration ministers from Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba signed off on a letter urging Immigration Minister Sean Fraser to work with the provinces to improve Canadas immigration system.

The letter, sent on July 26, noted that there are labour shortages across the country and Canada must do more to attract immigrants with in demand skills, particularly in skilled trades.

Four provinces  representing a majority of Canadas population  are calling on @SeanFraserMP to fix our immigration system. We need to be able to respond to the changing specific needs of our communities. We need a better deal. #CdnPoli pic.twitter.com/EPOqP4hFu6  Monte McNaughton (@MonteMcNaughton) July 27, 2022

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Provinces best know the needs of their local economies, the letter says. We need the ability to respond to the rapidly evolving needs of specific areas and communities, with a flexible system that we can adapt to changing economic and humanitarian needs.

The ministers are among the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration, which is meeting with the federal government this week to discuss immigration needs at the provincial and territorial levels. These meetings between the two levels of government have been ongoing annually since 2003 to shape Canadian immigration policy.

Provinces have the ability to select immigrants through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which allows the provinces to create their own immigration programs. Although the federal government, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) gets the final say on who can immigrate to Canada, the provinces can create their own selection criteria, which allows them to respond to regional labour needs.

It is up to the federal government to determine how many potential immigrants each province can nominate each year. Provinces can negotiate their allocation but ultimately its the federal governments decision.

Ontarios immigration minister Monte McNaughton is calling on the federal government to double its PNP allocation to 18,000. McNaughton also wants Ontario to have more autonomy over its immigration program, as Quebec does. Currently, Ontario is anticipating 211,000 newcomers to the province, but only 9,750 may be selected through its provincial immigration program. Meanwhile, the minister says there are some 378,000 unfilled jobs in the province.

According to Statistics Canada, Manitoba has some 28,000 job vacancies, Saskatchewan has about 20,000, and Alberta has some 88,000. The Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 has set a target of 83,500 PNP landings across all provinces for this year (excluding Quebec, which has its own immigration system). This is an all-time high and is set to surpass 90,000 landings by 2024, but the ministers of the four provinces are arguing it is insufficient to help them alleviate the historic labour shortages they are experiencing.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
Organizatii ale societatii civile conduse de femei vor fi sprijinite pentru a se implica mai eficient in sustinerea persoanelor refugiate din Ucraina
CCF Moldova anunta concurs in vederea angajarii de facilitatori cu experienta in organizarea si implementarea activitatilor psiho-sociale si recreative pentru copii de 3-18 ani
Charities and campaigning organisations described yesterday as a dark day for democracy after peers voted through a bill that will restrict protests.

The House of Lords voted through the final measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill last night. Measures in the bill include new powers to restrict protests deemed too noisy and limits on other aspects of campaigning.

In a joint statement the Police Bill Alliance, an informal coalition of 350 organisations that oppose the bill, said: Today is a dark day for democracy. Despite over a year of relentless opposition from MPs, campaigners, and many Lords, the government today passed measures that will undermine everybodys right to protest and criminalise the way of life of Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Police will now have the unprecedented power to impose noise-based restrictions on protests, the power to impose large fines and jail sentences on anyone who strays from conditions imposed on a protest and criminalise Gypsy, Traveller and nomadic families who have no place to stop and rest. It's cruel to use the full strength of the law to tell people where they can't go, but offer nowhere they can go.

Over the course of the campaign, we have succeeded in removing some of the most draconian measures impacting protests but make no mistake, this is an anti-democratic Bill and will continue to defend and promote democracy.

Now more than ever we need to hold government to account

Campaigners said they feared that new laws will restrict organisations ability to protest and hold government to account.

Stephanie Draper, CEO at Bond, a network of NGOs, said: In the face of worsening crises such as climate change, rising food prices and the war in Ukraine, now more than ever we need to be able to protest and hold the government to account.

By abandoning these principles, the UK has lost its credibility as a country that champions human rights and democratic values and stands up for minorities around the world. At a time when democracy in Europe is under attack, we must lead by example and do all we can to protect our rights and freedoms here in the UK.

Sam Grant, head of policy and campaigns, Liberty, described the bill as a an attack on the fundamental right to protest.

He highlighted how the bill will affect Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, and said: Liberty will continue to stand up against abuses of power, defend the right to protest, and resist this governments attempt to make itself untouchable.

Sarah Mann, director at Friends, Families and Travellers, added: Part 4 of the Policing Bill goes above and beyond to tell people where they cant go, but offers no alternatives for where they can go. If only the same amount of effort to criminalise trespass had simply been directed towards addressing the chronic lack of safe stopping places, we could be looking at significantly better life outcomes for Gypsy, Traveller and nomadic people.

Its not only cruel but utterly illogical to criminalise trespass and further marginalise families and entire communities without offering suitable stopping places  such as sites or negotiated stopping arrangements. This sets a terrifying precedent not just for Gypsy and Traveller families, but for society at large. This bill punishes people for the crime of having nowhere else to go.

Weakening democracy

Campaigners said that the legislation would weaken democracy and vowed to continue to lobby against measures in the bill.

Dave Timms, head of political affairs at Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), said: Despite huge public outcry this legislation has been forced through, diminishing our rights and weakening democracy. But this is far from the outright victory the government sought to win.

The House of Lords kicked out some of the most draconian proposed measures, such as individual protest bans and police powers to stop and search protestors, and laid bare the complete lack of justification for police powers to ban noisy protest.

Our fight doesnt end here. A huge and diverse movement has come together to challenge the government's drift to authoritarianism and its attempts to evade public accountability.

Paul Parker, recording clerk of Quakers in Britain, added that protesting is an important way in which many Quakers put their faith into action.

He concluded: We remain dedicated to working with our partners to defend human rights, and promote our vision for a society where every human being can flourish.

sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
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The Charity Commission has halved its target for releasing funds from inactive charities in Wales to 12m after just 50,000 was released in the first year of the scheme.

It launched the Revitalising Trusts Programme in Wales last year with an aim to redistribute 25m from inactive trusts to other good causes.

But so far, just 50,000 has been released for good causes under the scheme, with 46 small charities being revitalised, while a further 1.1m is in the pipeline to be released.

The regulator has now announced that it aims to unlock up to 12m of dormant charitable funds in Wales over the next two years through the programme, in which Community Foundation Wales redistributes the money to good causes.

The Welsh Government has paid 169,000 into the scheme since it launched and will pledge another 42,000 this financial year.

By comparison, the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), alongside Foundation Scotland, has revitalised around 3m since its equivalent programme launched last year.

The Charity Commission said the original 25m target for the Welsh programme was based on the success of its similar scheme in England, which has redistributed almost 80m to local projects since it launched in 2019.

Scottish scheme revitalises 3m in first year

The OSCR said 13 charities with assets totalling 2.6m had been reactivated under its scheme, which launched in April 2021, and were now fulfilling activities themselves.

Another 15 charities with 233,500-worth of assets were spending up or transferring assets to another charity.

And three charities with assets amounting to 153,500 were considering alternative management options.

Its programme originally identified around 400 charities that may not be using their funds to full effect.

Meanwhile, the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation has received 4.6m through the English version of Revitalising Trusts programme, the largest transfer of funds since the initiative was set up.

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This article was featured in the Tow Center for Digital Journalisms weekly newsletter. Subscribe here to stay up to date on our latest events and publications.

TikTok, the rapidly growing video platform owned by ByteDance, clocked one billion monthly active users in 2021, years earlier in its life span than Facebook and Instagram hitting that figure.

TikTok is a rising global source for news. The platform is now used for news by 7 percent of UK adults, according to the countrys communications regulator Ofcom, driven by users aged sixteen to twenty-four.

Meanwhile, TikToks global ad revenues are expected to triple this year, to over $11 billion, according to estimates by Insider Intelligence, eclipsing the sales of Twitter and Snapchat combined.

This has transformed TikTok into a political battleground, despite the platforms total ban on political and cause-based advertising. Across the political spectrum, companies and nonprofits are paying influencers to promote causes or candidatesin videos that are often hard to determine are paid and run without disclosureactivity that is expected to ramp up before the midterms in November.

We spoke to Becca Ricks, a senior researcher at the Mozilla Foundation, whose investigative work highlighted how partisan influencers are evading TikToks weak political-ad policies. (The conversation has been edited for clarity and length.)

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JB: TikTok has one of the strictest policies on political advertising. Can you sketch what its ad policies are and how they differ from other social media companies?

BR: So TikTok prohibits political advertising. Theyre not necessarily unique in that. But one reason we started looking at TikTok was to better understand how that policy was enforced. This is always an area thats really slippery, even for platforms like Facebook that do permit political advertising: How do you define political advertising? Issue-based ads are always a little bit of a slippery category. And so this was one of the reasons we wanted to scrutinize the platform. We looked at influencers who were posting on the platform since the 2020 US election.

JB: And your findings showed the policy doesnt work in practice, and enforcement in some cases appears to be nonexistent. Can you say more about that?

BR: Yeah, so its worth saying there were a couple of investigations before we startedfor example, the BBC were looking at how political TikTokers were not declaring paid content after being paid by left-wing organizations in the US. Right now the responsibility for disclosing paid content generally is primarily taken on by the company thats paying the influencer and the influencer themselves. One of the things we made the argument for was that responsibility should be on the platform as well.

JB: One gray area you identified was paid partnerships, which dont seem to be marked as ads on the platform and rely on self-reporting. Can you outline why that self-disclosure element is concerning?

BR: So we identified this problem even outside of that category of political ads. But in general, the FTC [Federal Trade Commission] has guidelines for how influencers and content creators in the US should be disclosing when somethings an ad. And right now, that largely amounts to adding #ad or #sponsored to a post. But if youre just scrolling through TikTok, you can encounter lots of examples of gray areas where its unclear whether its being sponsored, where self-disclosure isnt happening, because the burden falls on the content creator. TikTok is, I believe, in the process of changing that policy. For example, Instagram has self-disclosure tools, where you tick a box saying a post is sponsored, and it automatically adds that tag.

JB: To give some concrete examples, in what waysand what causeshave people skirted these rules?

BR: In our research, we started broadly, looking at clusters of political influencers on TikTok, looking at the Republican hype house, the Democratic hype house, groups of content creators making political content. We wanted to know whether these political influencers seem to be getting financial or material compensation from political groups.

Then we zeroed in on conservative organizations like Turning Point USA. Theyre a nonprofit, and they have a dedicated influencer program thats specifically targeted at funding young conservative content creators on social media. We found a number of influencers who had been flown out to their events or had talked about their relationship with TPUSA. We dug a little bit more into TPUSAs 2009 tax filings, looking at how much money they were spending on influencer programs.

The challenge is that, in all these cases, the relationship with content creators isnt necessarily straightforward. If you have a large network of micro-influencers who are being paid to make or share content, we dont have the details about how that works. And policymaking isnt equipped to deal with or it hasnt caught up with whats happening on these platforms.

JB: You mentioned Turning Point USAs network of micro-influencers, and other organizations are doing similar things. In your research you say some of this could be funded by whats considered dark money. Could you say more about that?

BR: What we found doing our investigation is it prompted more questions than answers. Because what we learned is the nature of paid political influence is evolving in order to meet the demands of this new influencer economy. Sometimes we ourselves were asking the question: Would this violate TikToks policies? It raised questions of how do you define violations, how you define political advertisingwhere do you draw that line?

It stems from how micro-influencing is an evolution of traditional models for thinking about advertising. Policy is equipped to deal with placing a political ad, through a platform, how you place and disclose it. But a lot of that doesnt exist for influencer advertising. Its a Wild West in terms of policy.

JB: You mentioned micro-influencers on TikTok are an extension of traditional forms of advertising. Can you elaborate on that?

BR: I mean, weve seen examples of micro-influencing happening in terms of very localized messages, to a particular state or community. But moving micro-influencing into a political context becomes very troublesome. Theres a whole new set of vulnerabilities and risks. The amount of money spent is so small, the bubble of influence is so much smaller, that its much more difficult to get visibility on whats happening across the platform. Thats a concern ahead of the election season.

JB: Im interested in your thoughts on what people hope to get out of this. The famous quote attributed to Breitbart is that politics is downstream from culture. What are these political actors hoping to gain from TikTokare they trying to sway culture by reaching a younger audience?

BR: Its interesting. When we were reading through, for example, Turning Point essays about their influencer program, a lot of this is about ensuring theres a new generation of conservative leaders and thought leaders in the influencer space. Theyre thinking about the next generation of politics and ensuring that theyre nurturing new leaders in that space. And were seeing this across the political spectrum. A few weeks ago, Vice did some interesting reporting around left-wing influencers on TikTok being paid to hype Democrats accomplishments ahead of the midterms.

JB: Really interesting. To ask about craft, how did you investigate this?

BR: One of the challenges we faced is TikTok doesnt have an official public API [application programming interface] for researchers to use and see how the app structures information. They have an API available for developers integrating TikTok into their apps, but no tool to poke at whats happening on their platform. So what we did was a little bit exploratory. We started with an unofficial TikTok wrapperessentially, its built around the browser experience of TikTok, and it allows us to query the API to learn how things are labeled internally.

We were able to query the API to create lists of related users and hashtags. We started with a number of what we call seed accountslike the Republican hype house, Democratic hype house. From that, we were able to generate a cluster of associated political influencers and hashtags. That was the starting point to go through influencers pages. Then we went manually through a bunch of posts, looking for language indicating a material relationship with political organizations. So we used an API to aid our research, but essentially went through manually and looked at a lot of videos.

JB: Coming onto the midterms, what are you expectingis this the first proper TikTok election?

BR: Yeah, its going to be very, very different from two years ago. TikTok has grown so much since then. Some estimates say TikTok will surpass Facebook for advertising money spent on influencer marketing in the US by the end of 2022, and surpass YouTube by 2024.

This is a platform thats not only growing rapidly, but also a lot of agencies really have their eyes on TikTok, specifically on influencing. This is an area with a lot of money being thrown at it right now. There are a lot more PR agencies and political groups with eyes on TikTok now that didnt two years agoespecially in micro-influencing.

Another thing to keep an eye on outside the influencer economy is politicians getting on the platform, getting familiar with it, figuring out how to post. A report we did on the [September 2021] German electiona number of politicians created their first TikTok accounts. But also some accounts which appeared to be authentic were actually inauthentic, with thousands of followers. TikTok needs a proactive strategy for ensuring the authenticity of accounts like this.

JB: What are your wider recommendations for TikTok and lawmakers for getting a grip on nefarious political advertising?

BR: The recommendations we made to TikTok were first around honing self-disclosure tools for influencers, making sure its easy to disclose an ad. Because right now its voluntary, and there doesnt seem to be much enforcement on influencers putting #ad or #sponsored. Were also pushing for ad transparency: releasing an ad archive, ad library, or ad API like Facebook. Whatever tools they can develop to make advertising more transparent, to enable independent research, will strengthen this whole space. And then policy enforcement. TikTok has a number of detailed policies. Enforcement is another question. So making sure those policies have money behind them, the investment behind them to be enforced, to ensure there arent loopholes.

In terms of our recommendations to lawmakers, right now especially in the European Union theres a lot of disclosure obligations ramping up around online advertising, like the DSA [Digital Services Act]. We want to see better requirements around ad disclosures. We also think any regulation should start thinking more about new forms of political influence and advertisinga lot of policy approaches advertising in a very traditional way. Policymakers should start thinking about novel forms of influence, like micro-influencing, the influencer economy. Finally, focusing on transparency: making sure there are laws and guidelines requiring platforms to enhance user-facing transparency.

JB: In your conversations with people at TikTok, do you get a sense they understand the importance of this stuff?

BR: Yeah, the folks working on policy do understand. Their policies are written quite detailed and strong. The challenge is always going to be around enforcement and prioritization. Its great to have certain policies in place, but if those policies arent backed up by engineering resources, investing in enforcement, they arent going to be meaningful and effective.

JB: Anything you wanted to add?

BR: TikTok is a really interesting case. The platform has a lot of unique aspects, so the risks and vulnerabilities are going to be different. Policy needs to match those risks. One of my takeaways from this work is that TikTok is a relatively young platform, but its experiencing a massive infusion of cash. They should have learned lessons from some of the failures of its predecessorslike Facebook and Twitterand this is an opportunity for them to really get strong on policy and enforcement.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Jem Bartholomew is a Reporting Fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism. Jems work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Guardian, Economist, TIME, New York Magazine and others.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Dutch farmers protested government plans to reduce nitrogen emissions by dumping manure and garbage Wednesday on highways and setting fires alongside roads  the latest actions in a summer of discontent. Police urged them to stop for safety reasons and were investigating who was responsible.

Traffic authorities said several roads in the central and eastern Netherlands were completely or partially blocked by the early morning blockades and fire services rushed to clear roads as traffic built up. Cleanup operations were expected to take hours on some roads.

Dutch media reported that at one location, a sign was left behind that said: Sorry for the inconvenience, Rutte IV is driving us to despair, a reference to Prime Minister Mark Ruttes government, the fourth coalition he has led.

Police and security authorities appealed to farmers to halt what they described as dangerous situations.

Protesting is a fundamental right and as long as it stays within the limits of the law, a lot is possible, the emergency services said in a joint statement. But they said the latest actions seriously endanger road safety and can lead to life-threatening situations for road users.

The latest demonstrations came a day after a government-appointed mediator sent invitations to farmers organizations to discuss with the countrys ruling coalition ways of reducing nitrogen emissions.

I see the talks as a turning point: breaking the deadlock together, mediator Johan Remkes said. The cabinet has assured me that there is room and joint solutions are possible.

But some farmers have rejected the appointment of Remkes as an independent mediator because he is a member of Prime Minister Mark Ruttes center-right political party and a former deputy prime minister.

The farmers are angry at government targets for reining in emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia that they say threatens to wreck their agricultural way of life and put them out of business.

The government says emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia, which livestock produce, must be drastically reduced close to nature areas that are part of a network of protected habitats for endangered plants and wildlife stretching across the 27-nation European Union.

The ruling coalition wants to cut emissions of pollutants by 50% nationwide by 2030, calling the measure an unavoidable transition to improve soil, air and water quality in a EU nation known for its intensive farming practices. It has called on provincial authorities to draw up plans to reduce emissions and earmarked an extra 24.3 billion euros ($24.6 billion) to fund the changes.

Farmers argue that they are being unfairly targeted while other industries, such as aviation, construction and transport, also are contributing to emissions and face less far-reaching rules. They also say the government is not giving them a clear picture of their futures amid the proposed reforms.

Earlier this year, the farmers blocked highways with tractors and blockaded supermarket distribution centers.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Shipping companies are not rushing to export millions of tons of grain trapped in Ukraine, despite a breakthrough deal to provide safe corridors through the Black Sea. That is because explosive mines are drifting in the waters, ship owners are assessing the risks and many still have questions over how the deal will unfold.

The complexities of the agreement have set off a slow, cautious start, but its only good for 120 days _ and the clock began ticking last week.

The goal over the next four months is to get some 20 million tons of grain out of three Ukrainian sea ports blocked since Russias Feb. 24 invasion. That provides time for about four to five large bulk carriers per day to transport grain from the ports to millions of impoverished people worldwide facing hunger.

It also provides ample time for things to go awry. Only hours after the signing Friday, Russian missiles struck Ukraines port of Odesa _ one of those included in the agreement.

Another key element of the deal offers assurances that shipping and insurers carrying Russian grain and fertilizer will not get caught in the wider net of Western sanctions. But the agreement brokered by Turkey and the U.N. is running up against the reality of how difficult and risky the pact will be to carry out.

We have to work very hard to now understand the detail of how this is going to work practically, said Guy Platten, secretary-general of the International Chamber of Shipping, representing national shipowners associations that account for about 80% of the worlds merchant fleet.

Can we make sure and guarantee the safety of the crews? Whats going to happen with the mines and the minefields, as well? So lots of uncertainty and unknowns at the moment, he said.

Getting wheat and other food out is critical to farmers in Ukraine, who are running out of storage capacity amid a new harvest. Those grains are vital to millions of people in Africa, parts of the Middle East and South Asia, who are already facing food shortages and, in some cases, famine.

Ukraine and Russia are key global suppliers of wheat, barley, corn and sunflower oil, with fighting in the Black Sea region, known as the breadbasket of the world, pushing up food prices, threatening political stability in developing nations and leading countries to ban some food exports, worsening the crisis.

The deal stipulates that Russia and Ukraine will provide maximum assurances for ships that brave the journey through the Black Sea to the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny.

The primary risk thats faced is obviously going to be mines, said Munro Anderson, head of intelligence and a founding partner at Dryad. The maritime security advisory company is working with insurers and brokers to assess the risks that ships could face along the route as sea mines laid by Ukraine to deter Russia are drifting.

Turkeys defense minister on Wednesday said demining the waters was not immediately required but that plans for it could be made if later mandated.

Ukrainian officials have expressed hope that exports could resume from one port within days, but they also have said it could take two weeks for all three to become operational again. Experts in Ukraine are working on determining safe routes for ships.

Shipowners, charterers and insurance firms, meanwhile, are trying to understand how the deal will play out in real time.

I think its going to come (down) to the position of the marine insurers that provide war risk and how much they are going to be adding in additional charges for vessels to go into that area, said Michelle Wiese Bockmann, shipping and commodities analyst at Lloyds List, a global shipping news publication.

Bockmann said vessels carrying this kind of load typically have between 20 to 25 seafarers on board.

You cant risk those lives without something concrete and acceptable to the shipowners and to their charterers to move grain, she said.

Oleksiy Melnyk, an analyst with the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center think tank, said safety issues are largely unresolved because Russian rockets can hit warehouses storing grain and ports.

Shipowners and insurance companies are scared, they havent received any reliable security guarantees, Melnyk said.

Were seeing just words and promises, which are worth little at a time of war, he added.

Marine insurers reached by AP declined to comment on whether they would provide coverage for these ships.

The war has wreaked havoc on global trade, stranding over 100 ships in Ukraines many ports.

At the three ports in the export agreement, 13 bulk carriers and cargo ships have been stuck at Chornomorsk, six in Odesa and three at Yuzhny, data from Lloyds List Intelligence shows.

Some of those ships might still have crews aboard that could be mobilized to start exporting grains.

Ukrainian traders have been able to send some grain through the Danube River, which helped buoy exports to about 1.5 million tons in May and up to 2 million tons in June, though that is still less than half the monthly grain shipments of 4 to 5 million tons prior to the war, according to Svetlana Malysh, a Black Sea agriculture markets analyst with Refinitiv.

Over the 2021-2022 marketing year, Russia exported about 30 million tons of wheat, according to Refinitiv trade flows. That is the lowest level since 2017, in part because of the chilling effect of sanctions. Russian fertilizer exports also dropped 25% in the first quarter of the year compared with the same period last year, Malysh said.

For ships heading to Ukraines three ports, smaller Ukrainian pilot boats will guide the vessels through approved corridors. The entire operation, including the scheduling of ships along the route, will be overseen by a Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul staffed by officials from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations.

Once ships reach port, they will be loaded with tens of thousands of tons of grains before departing back to the Bosphorus Strait, where representatives from Ukraine, Russia, the U.N. and Turkey will board the ships to inspect them for weapons. There will likely be inspections for ships embarking to Ukraine as well.

Because the process is so complex and slow-moving, its unlikely to have a significant impact on the price of grain worldwide.

The balance of power on this agreement still sits with Russia, said Anderson, Dryads head of intelligence. Any Ukrainian ports outside the agreement face increased risk of attack, he said.

I think what Russia wants  is to be seen as the state that controls the narrative within the Black Sea, Anderson said.

Associated Press writers Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Susie Blann in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report.

About the photo: Servicemen of Donetsk Peoples Republic Emergency Ministry work to defuse a Ukrainian mine in an area of the Mariupol Sea Port, on April 29, 2022. Shipping companies are not rushing to export millions of tons of trapped grain out of Ukraine, despite a breakthrough deal to provide safe corridors through the Black Sea. That is because the waters are mined, ship owners are still assessing the risks and many still have questions over how the deal will unfold. This photo was taken during a trip organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense. (AP Photo, File)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
MANILA, Philippines (AP)  A strong earthquake set off landslides and damaged buildings in the northern Philippines on Wednesday, killing at least five people and injuring dozens. In the capital, hospital patients were evacuated and terrified people rushed outdoors.

The 7-magnitude quake was centered in a mountainous area of Abra province, said Renato Solidum, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, who described the midmorning shaking as a major earthquake.

The ground shook like I was on a swing and the lights suddenly went out. We rushed out of the office, and I heard screams and some of my companions were in tears, said Michael Brillantes, a safety officer of the Abra town of Lagangilang, near the epicenter.

It was the most powerful quake Ive felt and I thought the ground would open up, Brillantes told The Associated Press by cellphone.

At least five people died  mostly in collapsed structures. One villager died when hit by falling cement slabs in his house in Abra, where dozens of others were injured. In Benguet province, a worker was pinned to death after a small building that was under construction collapsed in the strawberry-growing mountain town of La Trinidad.

Hundreds of houses and buildings had cracked walls, including some that collapsed in Abra, where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office less than a month ago, planned to travel Thursday to meet victims and local officials.

Marcos Jr. told a news conference he was in his office at the riverside Malacanang presidential palace complex when the chandeliers began swaying and making clanking sounds. It was very strong, he said of the ground shaking.

In a chilling near-death experience, Filipino photojournalist Harley Palangchao and companions were traveling downhill in two vans in Mountain Province when they suddenly heard thunder-like thuds and saw an avalanche of boulders as big as cars raining down just ahead of them from a towering mountain.

Amid screams of his companions in their van to back up, back up! the 44-year-old father of three raised his camera in the front seat and snapped what he feared could be the final pictures of his life. The van in front of them was grazed by a boulder, injuring one, but he and others in the second van drove backward fast enough and escaped unscathed.

I was thinking there should be at least a record if something happened to us, Palangchao told the AP. It was a horrific experience.

The Red Cross issued a picture of a three-story building precariously leaning toward a debris-covered road in Abra. A video taken by a panicking witness showed parts of an old stone church tower peeling off and falling in a cloud of dust on a hilltop.

Patients, some in wheelchairs, and medical personnel were evacuated from at least two hospitals in Manila, about 300 kilometers (200 miles) south of Lagangilang, but were later told to return after engineers found only a few minor cracks on walls.

The quakes strength was lowered from the initial 7.3 magnitude after further analysis. The quake was set off by movement in a local fault at a depth of 17 kilometers (10 miles), the institute said, adding it expected damage and more aftershocks.

The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the worlds earthquakes occur. It is also lashed by about 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year, making it one of the worlds most disaster-prone countries.

A magnitude 7.7 quake killed nearly 2,000 people in the northern Philippines in 1990.

About the photo: In this photo provided by the Bureau of Fire Protection, rescuers check on a damaged house wall after a strong earthquake struck Santiago, Ilocos Sur province, Philippines on Wednesday July 27, 2022. A strong earthquake shook the northern Philippines on Wednesday, causing some damage and prompting people to flee buildings in the capital. (Bureau of Fire Protection via AP)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Plaintiffs, R.S. and D.S. filed a lawsuit against a homeowner, Shawn Conrad, in Yellowstone County, Montana. The case involved a minor who took a shower at Conrads home. The female minor discovered hidden cameras that had been placed in the shower area by Conrad to film the minor while taking a shower. Upon finding out about this situation, the minors mother, D.S., reported the matter to law enforcement. The federal government later charged Conrad with child sexual exploitation and possession of child pornography. Conrad pled guilty to the latter charge and was thereafter incarcerated.

Plaintiffs filed a civil case against Conrad, alleging negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress on both the minor daughter and the mother. Plaintiffs were successful in securing a $500,000 judgment against Conrad. In R.S. and D.S. v. USAA decided April 5, the Supreme Court of Montana affirmed the trial courts granting of summary judgment in favor of USAA.

Conrad was insured by USAA with a homeowners liability policy. The homeowner policy contained limited personal liability coverage. When Conrad was served with the civil lawsuit, he tendered the defense to USAA. USAA declined the defense and indemnity. In a detailed file letter, USAA advised Conrad that there had been no policy-defined occurrence which led to policy-defined bodily injury. There was no accident according to USAA, and the damages being sought were pure emotional distress damages without bodily injury.

The Montana Supreme Court concluded that the policys sexual misconduct exclusion resolved the coverage question and eliminated the need to address plaintiffs other arguments. The court found that the exclusion pertaining to claims arising out of sexual misconduct was unambiguous. The exclusion unequivocally demonstrated that the factual allegations in the civil case against Conrad would fall within the policys exclusion, precluding USAAs obligation to defend Conrad.

The court rejected plaintiffs argument that the sexual misconduct exclusion in the policy did not provide an unequivocal demonstration that their claims were beyond the policys scope of coverage. First, the plaintiffs contended that it was ambiguous as to whether hiding cameras in showers were a kind of sexual misconduct that the exclusion was designed to apply to. In order to make the ambiguity argument, plaintiffs argued that USAA did not specifically define sexual misconduct in the policy.

The plaintiffs also insurance policies that were the subject of litigation in other jurisdictions that had defined sexual misconduct in physical terms or in terms of leading to a sexual act. Because other insurers defined the exclusion in those ways, while USAA argued for a broader definition that included videotaping of children, the term sexual misconduct had to be ambiguous.

The Montana Supreme Court rejected this ambiguity argument. Using common sense and giving the words their usual meaning, the court found that the term sexual misconduct was unambiguous. Secret recording of a minor showering created child pornography, which was an act unquestionably sexual in nature, according to the court. Next, the court found that from the viewpoint of a consumer with average intelligence who was not trained in law or insurance, the phrase sexual misconduct would encompass an act like Conrads surreptitious recording.
China's industrial profits maintain expansion in H1

Xinhua) 09:36, July 28, 2022

BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Profits of China's major industrial firms sustained growth momentum in the first half of the year as production continued to recover.

Industrial firms each with annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan (about 2.95 million U.S. dollars) saw their combined profits exceed 4.27 trillion yuan in the period, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Wednesday.

The figure represented a 1-percent year-on-year increase compared with the same period in 2021.

The combined revenues of those firms went up 9.1 percent from a year ago to 65.41 trillion yuan.

At the end of June, their assets totaled 148.66 trillion yuan, up 10.2 percent year on year, while their liabilities reached 84.58 trillion yuan, up 10.5 percent. The ratio of liabilities to assets stood at 56.9 percent, up 0.1 percentage points from a year ago.

In June alone, profits of major industrial companies went up 0.8 percent year on year, reversing declines in April and May, the data showed.

Zhu Hong, a senior statistician with the NBS, attributed the recovery to effective coordination of epidemic containment and economic and social development, as well as the thorough implementation of a raft of policies and measures to stabilize the economy.

Breaking down the data, Zhu highlighted the improvement in the business profit structure in June.

The profits of the equipment manufacturing industry increased 4.1 percent last month, up from a 9-percent decline registered in May, thanks to the continued recovery of industrial and supply chains.

Automobile manufacturers reported a sharp profit increase of 47.7 percent in June, as major automobile manufacturing areas including Shanghai and Jilin sped up work and production resumption.

Profits of consumer goods manufacturers declined 11.7 percent year on year last month, narrowing 6.7 percentage points from that in May.

Despite positive changes, Zhu cautioned against a complex external environment, noting that costs for the enterprises continue to rise and some companies still face difficulties in production and operation.

In the January-June period, the cost per 100 yuan of industrial revenue was 84.52 yuan, 0.84 yuan higher than a year ago.

Efforts should be made to continue to expand effective investment, boost consumer demand, expand tax and fee cuts and strengthen support for enterprises to create more favorable conditions for the sustained and steady recovery of the industrial economy, said Zhu.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
More than 60 students from 18 Pikes Peak region high schools are getting a taste of life on the CC campus during the Stroud Scholars summer experience, which began July 11 and runs through July 29.

The Stroud Scholars program honors the legacy of siblings Kelley Dolphus Stroud '31 and Effie Stroud Frazier '31, two of the earliest African American students to graduate from CC. As part of the colleges antiracism commitment and access and affordability focus, the program prepares talented local high schoolers for selective college environments through academic preparation, mentorship, and guidance navigating the college admissions process  culminating in admission to CC.

To be accepted into the program, students must be intellectually curious and growth-minded, with the potential to thrive in rigorous academic settings if given the opportunity. Students may be the first in their families to graduate from college, and many come from a low-income family, self-identify as students of color or another socially marginalized identity, or attend an under-resourced high school.

Stroud Scholars take part in a three-week residential experience for three consecutive summers, starting after their first year of high school. Living on the CC campus on weekdays, they take immersive writing and quantitative reasoning courses co-taught by CC faculty and local high school teachers. This year, six of the 12 Stroud instructors are CC alumni.

Dr. Lori Driscoll 94, associate chair of neuroscience and psychology at CC, has been an instructor with the program since its inaugural year. A graduate of an under-resourced high school in rural Colorado, she had opportunity to attend CC as a Boettcher Scholar. Today, she enjoys supporting students through some of the same challenges she faced as she adjusted to the college environment.

I think that by my presence, I send a message to them that they belong, Driscoll said. What I provide for them is an open door for social and emotional connection  which everybody needs, but especially at that age. I think the instruction is secondary, actually, to the presence. The instruction helps them understand what it's going to look like in college, and that alleviates some of the stress. It's like Okay, I have my foot down. Now, all I have to do is keep walking.

In addition to the core academic programming, students also choose from various adjunct courses to learn new skills and discover their interests  including CPR and first aid, computer science, urban agriculture, health and wellness, pottery, and a leadership class called Changemaker 101.

On the weekends, participants may go home or stay on campus, where they enjoy guided activities like rock climbing, bike riding, a wellness expo, and a field-day-style sports competition.

Students also spend time learning how to navigate the college admissions and financial aid processes  and as they progress through the program, they build a foundation to thrive in college as they hone their aspirations and connect with supportive peers and mentors.

My family immigrated here, and I would be the first to graduate from college. So, I have always had that dream to go to college and graduate and make my family proud, said Kennia Vidal, a rising senior from Mitchell High School in Colorado Springs. The Stroud Scholars program helps you see what the next steps are. My school doesnt offer much of that, so this program really helps me have that college insight.

The first summer session, in 2020, was held virtually in a condensed timeframe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the residential experience took place in-person for the first time, and in 2022, the program welcomed three cohorts of students (rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors) to campus.

Knowledge and skills gained during the summer experience are then supported and furthered through a series of academic-year programs.

AliciaRose Martinez, CCs summer programs and college access specialist, said the program is thriving thanks to the successful collaboration of partners across the college and the wider Colorado Springs community.



"We partner with so many different parts of campus, offices and individuals who are all kind of building the Stroud Scholars program in different ways and helping to support it, Martinez said. We partner and work closely with school districts across the Pikes Peak region, different nonprofit organizations, in terms of how we recruit and the people we bring in to work with the students. It's just amazing to me.

Students who successfully complete the program gain admission to CC with a financial aid package that enables them to attend  but going to CC is not a requirement. Rather, the goal is for participants to feel prepared to thrive at a selective college or university, so they can intentionally choose the path that best fits their goals.

Many students, however, feel connected to CC after experiencing the classroom environment and building relationships at the college for the last three years.

I want to go somewhere thats super inclusive, but I also just like CC as a college and the way that they teach. Its a lot more one-on-one, and classes are smaller, said Jordan Barker, a rising senior at Fountain-Ft. Carson High School in Fountain, Colorado. And getting to experience the community here has been so eye-opening. It makes me want to participate more in my community  to stay here and expand my horizons here, because this is my home.

Jim Burke, director of the Summer Session, said watching the Stroud Scholars come into their own and start viewing themselves as changemakers is especially rewarding.

I get excited when they talk about, When I come to CC, like they're already thinking about the space they'll take up at the campus, Burke said. And Im thinking, That's great! I wanted you to feel like this was a place you could not only get into, but that you would have an impact on. And they are.

To learn more about the Stroud Scholars, or to support the program financially, visit www.coloradocollege.edu/stroudscholars.
Student Zeke Lloyd 24 is studying in Spain during Summer 2022 as part of CCs Summer in Spain program, based in Soria. Students live with host families and participate in city life during two summer blocks. In addition to immersive language learning, the program incorporates multiple cultural activities and excursions to places such as Madrid and San Sebastian, to learn about the history and cultures of Spain. Zeke is sharing stories and images of his summer experience throughout the course.

The end is the hardest part.

On the last night of the trip, we gathered with our host families at the international schools auditorium for a final farewell. Administers delivered closing remarks, thanking students and families for being a part of the journey. A local guitarist strummed out several songs in the Flamenco style. And for the last segment, eight Colorado College students took the stage. After two months of classes in salsa and bachata, the students performed a cohesive five-minute routine incorporating both styles of dance.

Then we moved to the courtyard, where the open green space was illuminated by the setting summer sun. As dusk drew closer, we spent the evening swapping stories. No one was a stranger. In every conversation lay common experiences, intangible camaraderie, and unforgettable memories. We showered host families with endearing tales, trying to express our deepfelt gratitude for their generosity and kindness.

Finally, at 4 a.m., we met at the bus stop, where we shared our final goodbyes with the people who had become family. As we drove away from Soria, Charlie Rounaghi 23 described the farewell simply but aptly: That was really sad.

Goodbye, Soria. Thanks for sharing your summer with us.
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If you look around Google's Mountain View, CA offices, you'll see Windows machines, Chromebooks, Macs  and gLinux desktops. G what, you ask? Well, in addition to relying on Linux for its servers, Google has its very own Linux desktop distribution.

You can't get it  darn it!  but for more than a decade, Google has been baking and eating its own homemade Linux desktop distribution. The first version was Goobuntu. (As you'd guess from the name, it was based on Ubuntu.)

In 2018, Google moved its in-house Linux desktop from the Goobuntu to a new Linux distro, the Debian-based gLinux. Why? Because, as Google explained, Ubuntu's Long Term Support (LTS) two-year release "meant that we had to upgrade every machine in our fleet of over 100,000 devices before the end-of-life date of the OS."

That was a pain. Add in the time-consuming need to fully customize engineers' PCs, and Google decided that it cost too much. Besides, the "effort to upgrade our Goobuntu fleet usually took the better part of a year. With a two-year support window, there was only one year left until we had to go through the same process all over again for the next LTS. This entire process was a huge stress factor for our team, as we got hundreds of bugs with requests for help for corner cases."

So, when Google had enough of that, it moved to Debian Linux (though not just vanilla Debian). The company created a rolling Debian distribution: GLinux Rolling Debian Testing (Rodete). The idea is that users and developers are best served by giving them the latest updates and patches as they're created and deemed ready for production. Such distros include Arch Linux, Debian Testing, and openSUSE Tumbleweed.

For Google, the immediate goal was to get off the two-year upgrade cycle. As the move to Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) has shown, these incremental changes work well. They're also easier to control and rollback if something goes wrong.

To make all this work without a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, Google created a new workflow system, Sieve. Whenever Sieve spots a new version of a Debian package, it starts a new build. These packages are built in package groups since separate packages often must be upgraded together. Once the whole group has been built, Google runs a virtualized test suite to ensure no core components and developer workflows are broken. Next, each group is tested separately with a full system installation, boot, and local test suite run. The package builds complete within minutes, but testing can take up to an hour.

Once that's done, all the new packages are merged with the newest gLinux package pool. Then, when Google decides it's time to release it into production, the team snapshots that pool. Finally, it rolls out the fresh release to the fleet. Of course, its not going to just dump it on users. Instead, it uses Site reliability engineering (SRE) principles such as incremental canarying to make sure nothing goes awry.

Over the years, Google has gotten better at this. Today, thanks to Sieve, the entire gLinux development team consists of a single on-duty release engineer position that rotates among team members. There are no big pushes to upgrade the fleet. No multi-stage alpha, betas, and general availability (GA) releases.

Better still, thanks to the rolling release schedule, Google can patch security holes on the entire fleet quickly without compromising stability. Previously, security engineers had to carefully review each Debian Security Advisory (DSA) to make sure the fix was in.

In addition, Google's "improved testing suite and integration tests with key partner teams that run critical developer systems also yielded a more stable experience using a Linux distribution that provides the latest versions of the Linux Kernel. Our strong longing for automating everything in the pipeline has significantly reduced toil and stress within the team. It is now also possible for us to report bugs and incompatibilities with other library versions while making sure that Google tools work better within the Linux ecosystem."

Looking ahead, Google's team declared that itll work "more closely with upstream Debian and contribute more of our internal patches to maintain the Debian package ecosystem."

That all sounds great. But I have two thoughts to share.

First, for some organizations, LTS releases still make sense. If you don't need the newest, shiniest programs for your business, an Ubuntu or Red Hat LTS Linux still makes sense.

Second, and this is the important one: Sieve sounds like the cat's meow. One program that can automate a rolling distro production pipeline to the point where it takes only one engineer to maintain a desktop used by 100,000+ users? Sign me up!

Better still, release Sieve's code so we can all start producing rolling Linux desktop releases. How about it, Google? What do you say?
Infosys announces 300 jobs in Singapore branch

IT major Infosys announced it will hire 300 workers in Singapore over the next three years across a variety of roles.

The plan to hire 300 locals in Singapore reinforces the companys commitment to localisation strategy, at a global level. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@EuroPratikIndia

This is a part of its collaboration with Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore  a statutory board to support the governments ongoing programmes to create employment opportunities for freshers and mid-career professionals.

The company will aim to hire technology professionals, mature PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians) from tech and non-tech backgrounds, as well as fresh graduates from polytechnics and universities to create a skilled and future-ready workforce in Singapore.

Infosys, along with Infosys Compaz (iCompaz)  a joint venture between Infosys Limited and Temasek Holdingswill hire these individuals as part of IMDAs TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) Company-Led Training (CLT) program.

Shaji Mathew, Executive Vice President, Infosys, said, Our collaboration with the government of Singapore underscores our investment and commitment to leverage Infosys digital expertise to develop a highly skilled future workforce at a time when the world is trying to embrace digital at scale to navigate the post-pandemic economic reality.

The plan to hire 300 locals in Singapore reinforces the companys commitment to localisation strategy, at a global level. Infosys looks forward to strengthening its presence in Singapore, in pace with the digital transformation journeys of our clients, he added.

Read more Singapore News and Business News here
Taliban says Afghanistans security situation solved, urges Hindus, Sikhs to return

The Taliban claimed that the security situation has been solved in Afghanistan and urged its minorities - Hindus and Sikhs to return back to the country.

Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikh community, have been targets of violence in Afghanistan. Photo courtesy: ORF

The assertion comes after the Director General of the Office of the Minister of State of the Taliban, Dr Mullah Abdul Wasi met with a number of members of the Hindu and Sikh Council of Afghanistan on July 24th, tweeted the Office of Chief of Staff, Afghanistan, the NDTV reported.

Wasi met with a delegation of Hindu and Sikh leaders in Kabul and reminded all Indian and Sikh compatriots who left the country due to security problems can now return to Afghanistan as security has been established in the country.

As per the Taliban release, Sikh leaders thanked the Taliban for preventing the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) attack on a Gurdwara in Kabul.

On June 18, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) attacked Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul. During the deadly attack two people, including a Sikh, lost their lives.

Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikh community, have been targets of violence in Afghanistan.

In October, last year 15 to 20 terrorists entered a Gurdwara in the Kart-e-Parwan District of Kabul and tied up the guards.

In March 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurudwara in Kabul's Short Bazaar area in which 27 Sikhs were killed and several were injured. Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, the Taliban-led Afghanistan government has decided to renovate Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul which suffered damage in a terror attack.

A technical team was also assigned to assess the level of damage caused to the last remaining functioning Sikh Gurdwara in the capital city. It is revealed that the government will spend a sum of 7.5 million Afghani to renovate the building.

Read more India News, Afghanistan News and Global diplomacy News here
07/28/2022

Photo (c) Morsa Images - Getty Images COVID-19 tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 90,977,761 (90,739,623)

Total U.S. deaths: 1,028,819 (1,027,924)

Total global cases: 573,920,711 (572,665,174)

Total global deaths: 6,393,783 (6,389,649)

New COVID-19 cases on the rise in nursing homes

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic more than two years ago, staff and residents of Americas nursing homes were the first to suffer outbreaks. Health officials now say nursing homes are seeing a new increase in cases.

AARP reports that one in 35 nursing home residents in the U.S. tested positive for COVID-19 in June. Thats a 27% increase from May. The death rate also nearly doubled, rising to 0.07 deaths per 100 residents.

This is a level of cases thats comparable to what we saw during the first COVID summer in 2020, said Ari Hauser, a senior analyst for AARPs Public Policy Institute.

Drug companies struggle to improve vaccines

The current COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against the original strain of the virus, but they offer less protection against the variants and subvariants that are currently causing most infections. The White House has urged drug companies to come up with more effective versions of their vaccines.

The vaccines we have are terrific, but we can do better than terrific, said Ashish Jha, the White House's COVID-19 response coordinator.

But according to Science Magazine, drugmakers face challenges. Not only is funding for new research tight, but the sense of urgency surrounding the pandemic has dissipated. While current vaccines are much less effective at blocking infections, infections in vaccinated people tend to be much less severe.

Sensory loss can last for months

One of the symptoms of COVID-19 is a loss of taste and smell. It's usually just a temporary condition, but it can last for a very long time for millions of people who suffer from a condition called long COVID.

An analysis published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) found that about 5% of former COVID-19 patients  about 27 million people globally couldnt smell or taste for months after recovering from the virus.

The analysis looked at 18 previous studies of sensory loss around the world. About three-quarters of those affected by a loss of taste or smell from COVID-19 were able to regain those senses within 30 days of recovery.

Around the nation
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Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said already the government will ensure strict action against people who disturb communal harmony in the country. No communal disharmony will be allowed here. Government is firm to ensure punishment for those who ransack communal harmony creating anarchy, he said.

Khan said this while addressing Indian media personnel in Dhaka in a view of the recent attack on the Hindu community in Narail over a social media post. According to him, Bangladesh was trying to achieve a long-lasting development but a vested quarter was trying to dismantle things.

He added, Today's Bangladesh is Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib's non-communal Bangladesh. We are a united nation. No communal disharmony will be placed here and will never get the opportunity too to root here.

The government will take stern action against all such evils, the home minister said, claiming the number of minority communities, including Hindus was increasing in Bangladesh.

Statistics and apparent assumptions , the percentage of Hindu community to total population was 13.5% in 1974, on Bangladeshs first population census, which, as of the latest census in 2011, stands at 8.5% , and again increases to 10.7% in 2015.

Ostensibly, these statistical figures, continuous decline in percentage, seem to confer voice to predominant arguments about the decline of Hindu population. But, mere percentage estimation tells only the half truth about the broader demographic landscape of Hindu minority in Bangladesh.

If we take the increase in total number, other than mere percentage, over the years along with other factors that have contributed to decline, into account, it will substantially clarify the whole picture and weaken the predominant narratives about persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony as people of different faiths have been living on this soil in peace from time immemorial. Members of Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian communities have been living here from time immemorial in amity and peaceBangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said already the government will ensure strict action against people who disturb communal harmony in the country. No communal disharmony will be allowed here. Government is firm to ensure punishment for those who ransack communal harmony creating anarchy, he said.Khan said this while addressing Indian media personnel in Dhaka in a view of the recent attack on the Hindu community in Narail over a social media post. According to him, Bangladesh was trying to achieve a long-lasting development but a vested quarter was trying to dismantle things.He added, Today's Bangladesh is Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib's non-communal Bangladesh. We are a united nation. No communal disharmony will be placed here and will never get the opportunity too to root here.The government will take stern action against all such evils, the home minister said, claiming the number of minority communities, including Hindus was increasing in Bangladesh. According to the BBS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics) data , the percentage of Hindu community to total population was 13.5% in 1974, on Bangladeshs first population census, which, as of the latest census in 2011, stands at 8.5% , and again increases to 10.7% in 2015.Ostensibly, these statistical figures, continuous decline in percentage, seem to confer voice to predominant arguments about the decline of Hindu population. But, mere percentage estimation tells only the half truth about the broader demographic landscape of Hindu minority in Bangladesh.If we take the increase in total number, other than mere percentage, over the years along with other factors that have contributed to decline, into account, it will substantially clarify the whole picture and weaken the predominant narratives about persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh.

In 2011, after secularism was restored in Bangladesh Constitution, there is increase in percentage of Hindus to 10.7%



It is true that growth in numbers is a little slow among Hindu population and could hit 22 million by 2011 only if it increased linearly in terms of percentage as reported in 1974 (13.5%). But that is not because of any systematic persecution against the minority rather, in most part, of international economic migration, relatively lower birth and high mortality rate among Hindu population, higher rate of contraceptive use and particular political reality in the history of Bangladesh. Taking the total number into account, in 1974, the number of Hindu populations was 10.31 million which hit slightly above 12.7 million in 2011 and 17 million in 2015 . It is seen that the total number has remained increasing whereas percentage to total Muslim population, due to relatively higher growth in the number of Muslim populations from 65.24 million in 1974 to135.4million in 2011, has kept decreasing.It is true that growth in numbers is a little slow among Hindu population and could hit 22 million by 2011 only if it increased linearly in terms of percentage as reported in 1974 (13.5%). But that is not because of any systematic persecution against the minority rather, in most part, of international economic migration, relatively lower birth and high mortality rate among Hindu population, higher rate of contraceptive use and particular political reality in the history of Bangladesh.



The study found that the tendency to late marriage and having not more than two children and relatively higher use of contraceptives also contribute to the low birth rate among Hindu populace.

Even higher numbers of deaths, 4 more than that of Muslims in every ten thousand, can also be subscribed to the decrease in percentage. Finally, researchers concluded that 71 percent of low growth rate may be attributed to the the low rates of fertility and 23 percent to the international out-migration by Hindus.

In the report, they also observed that, since 2006

Political upheaval and systemic liability To be true, the percentage of Hindu minority comparing with that of Muslim has declined over last 50 years. But this estimation has overlooked a subtle but solid point: a fundamental political upheaval and constitution of Bangladesh from 1975 to 1991. Just take the number into account, from 1974 to 1991, percentage of Hindu minority to total population came down from 13.5 to 10.5 in 16 years.

But, after the end of anti-secularism fueled military rule in 1991 and installation of constitutional democracy, percentage decline got little slower -- 10.5 in 1991 to 8.5 in 2011 within 20 years of time span. In 2011, after the 15th amendment of Bangladesh constitution, secularism was restored; which has especially contribution to increase of percentage of Hindu people to total populace to

Unlike its two bordering states, Myanmar and India, the former

Minority is such a phenomenon which every country must possess, be it ethnic or linguistic or religious. But state sanctioned discriminatory policy, inherent ethnic or religious tension or historical schism mobilized by for political score usually contribute to violence against minorities.

However, in Bangladesh, mostly politically cornered vested groups have played out on minoritiees to stoke crisis and tame the situation to their end. Besides long cherished pluralistic sentiment in Bangladesh is, rather in times, menaced by 

---

*Dhaka based women and human rights activist According to the study paper prepared by researchers from ICDDR, Bs Health Systems and Population Studies Division and the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), studying the population data of 1989-2016 of Matlab Upazila in Chadpur to find out why Hindus have lower population growth than Muslims, the birth rate of Hindu populace in every thousand falls short by 3 points comparing to Muslims. While the probability of having a child among the Muslim women is 35, it is 32 among Hindu women.The study found that the tendency to late marriage and having not more than two children and relatively higher use of contraceptives also contribute to the low birth rate among Hindu populace.Even higher numbers of deaths, 4 more than that of Muslims in every ten thousand, can also be subscribed to the decrease in percentage. Finally, researchers concluded that 71 percent of low growth rate may be attributed to the the low rates of fertility and 23 percent to the international out-migration by Hindus.In the report, they also observed that, since 2006 , more Hindus have been opting for countries other than India for out-migration. Only 36 percent of the migrating Hindus of Matlab went to India between 2005 and 2012, but the bigger portion of them went to the states other than India for better living- a countervailing evidence against predominant propaganda that more Hindus have been leaving for India due to persecution.To be true, the percentage of Hindu minority comparing with that of Muslim has declined over last 50 years. But this estimation has overlooked a subtle but solid point: a fundamental political upheaval and constitution of Bangladesh from 1975 to 1991. Just take the number into account, from 1974 to 1991, percentage of Hindu minority to total population came down from 13.5 to 10.5 in 16 years.But, after the end of anti-secularism fueled military rule in 1991 and installation of constitutional democracy, percentage decline got little slower -- 10.5 in 1991 to 8.5 in 2011 within 20 years of time span. In 2011, after the 15th amendment of Bangladesh constitution, secularism was restored; which has especially contribution to increase of percentage of Hindu people to total populace to 10.7% point in 2015 Unlike its two bordering states, Myanmar and India, the former denying Muslim Rohingya minority of citizenship since 1982 out of pathological hatred and the latter rendering Muslims stateless through anti-Muslim laws , Bangladesh has never, particularly since 1991, intended to promote any discriminatory policy, be it in practice or by laws. Praiseworthy and prompt action taken by the Government of Bangladesh against the menace of recent Durga Puja incident , is a glaring example of this.Minority is such a phenomenon which every country must possess, be it ethnic or linguistic or religious. But state sanctioned discriminatory policy, inherent ethnic or religious tension or historical schism mobilized by for political score usually contribute to violence against minorities.However, in Bangladesh, mostly politically cornered vested groups have played out on minoritiees to stoke crisis and tame the situation to their end. Besides long cherished pluralistic sentiment in Bangladesh is, rather in times, menaced by  spill-over effect of politics and policies in proximate neighbors, of course by political fringe groups.---

In the wake of the recent eruption of communal violence in Bangladesh against Hindu minorities, a countless arguments and numerous criticisms have been brought to light. Something odd is happening  Bangladesh is being painted by elements as a violent state from which Hindus are persecuting and fleeing away, into India continuously. Hindus are being tortured in Bangladesh.Some claimed that Bangladesh has become quite a case of ethnic cleansing -- subtly but forcefully ousting Hindu minorities across the border. Some even went further claiming that Bangladesh has failed to form a state where different religious and ethnic groups can coexist based on the principle of secularism, one of the four fundamental pillars of the liberation war in 1971.To cast evidence to those criticisms, most of them point fingers to the continuous decline of Hindu minority population in Bangladesh- a case drawn to demonstrate Bangladesh as a prolific ground of persecution against Hindu. But an objective discernment to those allegations, especially through comprehensive statistical appraisal, relative systemic endeavors and broader political landscape, makes them, in most part, lose their grounds.A country of communal harmony like Bangladesh is rare in the world. Despite being a Muslim majority country, for thousands of years other religions have been living together in a very peaceful and harmonious environment. In the 50 years of independence, there were no communal riots like in another South Asian country.In Bangladesh and there were no incidents of killing, oppression or torture of people of different religions. Don't happen again. Even if there are some isolated incidents, the fuel and motivation of some anti-Bangladeshi people are behind it, only common people can understand.Those who are behind these incidents must be investigated and judicial action must be taken against them till date. The reason for this is not difficult to understand. Domestic and foreign conspirators always remain elusive. However, the government should be alert and aware of the fact that those behind-the-scenes.Some vested quarters have become active and may try to destabilize the government by questioning the communal harmony in the upcoming national elections. It is true that Bangladesh government tries to take all measures to maintain communal harmony in Bangladesh.
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee is holding a rare open public hearing today to discuss the proliferating and increasingly troublesome threats from foreign spyware. Despite the mounting evidence that invasive spyware apps such as NSO Groups Pegasus software are used somewhat indiscriminately by despotic regimes against political foes, the U.S. government has done little to address this crisis.

The evidence is increasingly hard to ignore, which has prompted the Biden administration and Congress to take limited steps to curtail the abuses of foreign spyware.

Defense contractors bid to buy spyware accelerated action

In November 2021, the U.S. Commerce Department put NSO Group on its entity list that bans U.S. companies from doing business with the Israeli spyware purveyor, judging it as a national security risk, an action that NSO has seemingly tried to reverse. The following month, in December 2021, Congress, in passing its annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), included a provision in that bill mandating that the State Department submit a spyware company list annually to Congress for five years.

The stiff-arming by the U.S., and other political controversies, created turmoil at the surveillance giant, prompting it to enter talks to sell out to a company run by ex-U.S. soldiers. Following the unexpected revelation that American defense contractor L3Harris was also in talks to purchase NSO Groups spyware, with the reported support of some U.S. intel agencies, the White House let it be known that any attempt by American defense firms to buy the spyware would meet with stiff resistance. The U.S. is not alone in examining the use of NSO spyware. The European Parliament launched a committee of inquiry to investigate the use of surveillance software in European member states.

Earlier this month, the Intelligence Committee introduced a bill that would empower the U.S. director of national intelligence to bar any contract between spyware makers and the intelligence community. It would also authorize the White House to sanction them if they target U.S. spies.

Mounting mass of spyware instances discovered

The backdrop to these actions is the mounting mass of discovered instances where spyware from NSO and other foreign firms has been used against political enemies, even in democratic nations, leading to a creeping concern that the Pegasus one-click malware or its equivalent could be used against anyone, anywhere in the world. Last April, Israels Haaretz newspaper developed a complete listing of 450 phones targeted by NSO clients, ranging from an investigative journalist in Azerbaijan to 11 U.S. State Department officials stationed in Uganda.

Since then, a steady stream of new reports involving additional instances of foreign spyware infections has emerged. Among the latest revelations are:

Pegasus spyware infections within official UK networks. In 2020 and 2021, multiple suspected instances of Pegasus spyware infections within official UK networks were discovered by Citizen Lab. Targets included the Prime Ministers office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

In 2020 and 2021, multiple suspected instances of Pegasus spyware infections within official UK networks were discovered by Citizen Lab. Targets included the Prime Ministers office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. An extensive espionage campaign against Thai pro-democracy protesters . At least 30 activists and protestors were infected with NSO Groups Pegasus spyware between October 2020 and November 2021.

. At least 30 activists and protestors were infected with NSO Groups Pegasus spyware between October 2020 and November 2021. A widespread infection of Catalan civil society groups in Spain. The infection is known to have reached as far as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Defense Minister Margarita Robles in what has come to be called Catalangate. Citizen Lab, in collaboration with Catalan civil society groups, has identified at least 65 individuals targeted or infected with mercenary spyware, including Pegasus, malware from another spyware maker, Candiru, and HOMAGE, a previously undisclosed iOS zero-click vulnerability used by NSO Group.

The infection is known to have reached as far as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Defense Minister Margarita Robles in what has come to be called Catalangate. Citizen Lab, in collaboration with Catalan civil society groups, has identified at least 65 individuals targeted or infected with mercenary spyware, including Pegasus, malware from another spyware maker, Candiru, and HOMAGE, a previously undisclosed iOS zero-click vulnerability used by NSO Group. Spyware made by an Italian company, Milan-based RCS Lab, was used to spy on Apple and Android smartphones in Italy and Kazakhstan, according to Google. Google dubbed the spyware Hermit. Apple and Google said they had taken steps to protect their users from spyware.

Google dubbed the spyware Hermit. Apple and Google said they had taken steps to protect their users from spyware. A nephew of a Rwandan government critic was hacked with NSO spyware. Forensic experts at Citizen Lab said that the mobile phone of a Belgian citizen who is the nephew of Paul Rusesabagina, a jailed critic of the Rwandan government made famous by his portrayal in Hotel Rwanda, was hacked nearly a dozen times in 2020 with Pegasus spyware.

Forensic experts at Citizen Lab said that the mobile phone of a Belgian citizen who is the nephew of Paul Rusesabagina, a jailed critic of the Rwandan government made famous by his portrayal in Hotel Rwanda, was hacked nearly a dozen times in 2020 with Pegasus spyware. An exploited flaw in Google Chrome was linked to spyware maker Candiru, also known as Saito Tech. Researchers at Avast discovered an actively exploited but fixed flaw in Google Chrome linked to Israeli spyware company Candiru. The flaw was used for targeting individuals in Turkey, Yemen, and Palestine and journalists in Lebanon, where Candiru infected a website used by employees of a news agency. Like NSO, Candiru and been placed on the Commerce Department entities list along with two other malware makers, Computer Security Initiative Consultancy PTE (COSEINC) and Positive Technologies.

Researchers at Avast discovered an actively exploited but fixed flaw in Google Chrome linked to Israeli spyware company Candiru. The flaw was used for targeting individuals in Turkey, Yemen, and Palestine and journalists in Lebanon, where Candiru infected a website used by employees of a news agency. Like NSO, Candiru and been placed on the Commerce Department entities list along with two other malware makers, Computer Security Initiative Consultancy PTE (COSEINC) and Positive Technologies. A Greek leader was targeted by Predator software. Nikos Androulakis, leader of Greece's third-largest political party and a member of the European parliament, said his parliaments cybersecurity service had informed him of an attempt to infect his mobile phone with Predator spyware, sold in Greece by a company called Intellexa.

The Intel Committee hearing is a chance to clear the air on needed government actions as it grapples with this epidemic of infections. This is an opportunity for the U.S. to really set some standards and some norms, Citizen Lab Senior Researcher John Scott-Railton said.

The private sector is taking action, too

The government is not alone in trying to grapple with the problem of foreign spyware. Apple took a big step earlier this month to protect its most likely targeted users from mercenary spyware by introducing Lockdown Mode. Starting this fall with iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura, Lockdown mode is an extreme option for the very small number of users who face grave, targeted threats to their digital security. It hardens device defenses and strictly limits certain functionalities, sharply reducing the attack surface that potentially could be exploited by highly targeted mercenary spyware, according to Apple.

Verizon claims that its Internet Security Suite includes anti-spyware protection as part of the core technology. Google says it tracks more than 30 spyware makers and warns customers whose devices are compromised.
Microsoft toppled Facebook for the top spot in the 25 most impersonated brands by phishers in the first half of 2022, with a total of 11,041 unique phishing URLs, according to Vade's latest Phishers' Favorites report.

Facebook, which was the most impersonated company in 2021, followed close behind in the second spot, with 10,448 phishing URLs, according to Vade, which offers an email filtering service for phishing, malware, spear phishing, and spam.

Other brands rounding out the top five in the list included Credit Agricole, Whatsapp, and Orange.

There was some good news in the report: The total number of phishing attacks decreased in the second quarter compared to the first. That's because, even though the number of phishing attacks impersonating major brands like Microsoft and Facebook increased quarter over quarter, the first quarter of the year saw the most phishing attacks overall, with 81,447 unique phishing URLs detected, compared to 53,198 in the second quarter.

Microsoft, Facebook phishing rode on creative tactics

Microsofts widely popular 365 platform, with more than 240 million business subscribers, has created an irresistible target, fueling a 266 percent quarter-over-quarter jump in phishing attacks impersonating the brand this year.

According to Vades findings, the Microsft brand was used in a large number of technical support scams, as were other companies like McAfee, Norton, Apple and Amazon. What was different in these scams is that hackers used phone numbers rather than phishing links to lure users and bypass email filters.

For instance, in June, hackers impersonated Microsoft Defender, alerting the intended victim about a $299.00 subscription payment supposedly posted to their bank account, which could only be canceled via phone within 24 hours. When victims called the number listed in the alert, hackers would try to take control of users computers to install spyware.

Equally creative tactics were noticed in Facebook phishing, which included sending emails that indicated a user was being locked out of their social media accounts for "violation of Community Standards." Subsequently, the victim had to click on "disagree with decision" within 30 days in order to regain access, thereby initiating the phishing payload.

Another phishing attack asked users to confirm their identity with formal documents, saying that it was required by Facebooks "renewed privacy policy."

Financial, cloud sectors are biggest phishing targets

Financial services topped the list of most impersonated industries in phishing, with eight brands in the top 25. The top phished brands in the space include Credit Agricole, MTB, and PayPal, recording a 203%, 332%, and 305% quarter-over-quarter increase respectively.

Cloud services, with a contribution of six names in the top 25 list, were the second most impersonated segment, including brands like Microsoft, Google, Netflix, Adobe, and Docusign.

While Financial services represented 34% of all unique phishing URLs detected, cloud and internet/telco companies contributed 19%. Social Media, e-commerce, and government sectors had a 17%, 10%, and 1% share, respectively.

Another key finding in the report was that most phishing attacks were observed during the weekdays, with Tuesdays being the most active.
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FAIRFIELD  Both redistricting and a magnet school are included as possible approaches in the districts updated racial imbalance plan.

Interim Superintendent Stephen Tracy said the plans goal is to sustain and enhance education for all students, to recognize the growing diversity of the student population and to bring the school district into compliance with state law.

The redistricting plan is expected to be presented to a school board committee by next May, with that committee recommending a plan to the full board in June so it can be adopted in time for the 2024 school year. There will also be a series of community presentations on it this fall, Tracy said at this weeks Board of Education meeting where the updated racial imbalance plan was presented.

The racial imbalance plan also requires equity training at every level of the school district, which will take place in the winter and spring, he said.

Another part of the racial imbalance plan is for officials to consider creating an intra-district magnet school. Tracy said it would offer enhanced opportunities for students and encourage parents to think about having their children attend school outside of their neighborhoods.

The two possibilities that we think are really up for discussion are the international baccalaureate program and or a dual language program, he said. In my opinion, its not likely that these programs will contribute substantially to reducing the racial imbalance numbers. It may contribute a little bit.

McKinley Elementary School was tagged as racially imbalanced back in April 2007, but has made little progress on closing the imbalance since then. Past strategies have opt-in and magnet programs, but neither have been successful.

The state labels schools as racially imbalanced when the proportion of minority students for any school exceeds 25 percentage points more than the comparable proportion for the school district. McKinleys minority population was 56.65 percent for the 2020-21 school year, higher than the entire districts minority population of 26.4 percent by approximately 30 percentage points, according to school data.

Officials said McKinley has exceed that 25-percent threshold every year since it was designated racially imbalanced except for in 2012.

In 2017, the school board submitted a plan to solve the issue by redistricting. That idea received conditional approval from the state board.

Fairfield Public School leaders met with state education officials in April to discuss the racial imbalance in the district. During that meeting, school board chairwoman Christine Vitale said the COVID-19 pandemic had slowed progress on their plan, and that she did not see McKinleys diversity as a problem. She also noted that Fairfield recently hired a diversity, equity and inclusion director in part to tackle an achievement gap between Black and Hispanic students and white and Asian students.

Fairfield school officials said they would make progress under the plan it had been using.

State officials disagreed, and pushed Fairfield officials to change their plan to make progress quicker.

This week, Tracy said Fairfields elementary schools have developed significant differences as enrollment has changed over time, with five schools under 75 percent capacity and five schools above 85 percent capacity. He also noted that K-5 enrollment for the coming school year is 1,000 students below capacity.

Redistricting is on the table, he said, noting the school system needs use its schools efficiently, regardless of the racial imbalance.

Redistricting is not something Fairfield would do lightly, especially given the opposition the idea has encountered from McKinley parents.

BOE Secretary Jessica Gerber said it is no secret that the topic of redistricting is going to engender a tremendous amount of distress and questions from the public. She said redistricting will impact everyone in town, as it would also change where students go to middle and high school, noting the last time a redistricting of this magnitude took place was about 20 years ago.

The district hired consultant Milone and MacBroom to come up with options on how to address the racial imbalance via redistricting. Its report, presented in February of 2020, presented four options.

The first redistricting option involved using Jennings Elementary School as a district-wide early childhood center and pre-kindergarten facility. The second scenario had pocket redistricting to reduce racial imbalance at McKinley while keeping pre-kindergarten at Stratfield Elementary School and Fairfield Warde High School.

The third called for five pre-kindergarten classes, each moved to Holland Hill and North Stratford elementary schools. The fourth option would create six pre-kindergarten classrooms at Warde, two at Holland Hill and two at North Stratfield.

The upcoming redistricting plan will relook at redistricting and might present different approaches.

Tracy said the goal of the racial imbalance plan would be to reduce the difference in percentage of students of color between McKinley and the district to 15 percent.

That brings you out of the realm of imbalance and out of the realm of impending imbalance, he said.

Throughout the meeting, board members asked questions about how this would impact the district from a budget perspective, as well as how it would affect student experience and various programs.

Tracy said the future superintendent will likely create the plan with staff, although consultants would likely need to be hired to work on it well. He admitted the process would be complicated.

joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com
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BRIDGEWATER  The Bridgewater Land Trust has struck a deal with Eversource Energy that will allow it and the public access to 80 acres of pristine land.

Julie Stuart, executive director of the land trust, said theyve signed a renewable, 10-year license agreement to use the land  on the east side of Lake Lillinonah and south of Tappen Road  for passive recreation.

It really means some substantial hiking for our residents, which they havent had the opportunity to do on these particular lands, which are all quite beautiful, Stuart said.

The land trust plans on creating marked trails  in some cases utilizing trails created long ago by horseback riders  as well as a trailhead with a kiosk in a town park that already connects and has access to the 80-acre piece of land.

Its also nice that there are existing trails on the land which were mostly created by horseback riders through the years. I used to ride that land when I was young, Stuart said. Its just really nice land. Its good that there are existing trails, some of which we will take advantage of. The other important part is mapping it and marking it, so people can easily find their way around.

Stuart said the land and its features are perfect for hiking, and the land trust will keep that in mind while creating the trail in order to show off all the property has to offer.

It gives the public access to land that has some really beautiful features, Stuart said. Theres very few invasives there. Theres ground cover with loads of native plants including ferns and grasses. Theres quite a few streams and old stone walls. There are vernal pools. We want to put the trail so people can see all the features of the land.

The land, Stuart said, also was identified by the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy to have a high conservation value due to climate resilience, core forest, critical habitat, threatened species and connections between protected areas and forested areas.

Stuart said the Bridgewater Land Trust mostly has farmland, so having a connection to a unique property that allows for this kind of hiking is something theyre excited about.

The land trust feels like this is great because this land for at least 10 years or hopefully longer will remain open and natural and there will be no development on this land, Stuart said. Thats important to us, as well.

The land trust will be working with Hunter Brawley of Brawley Consulting Group, who will assist in the creation of the trail network.

This project spearheaded by Bridgewater Land Trust is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with other conservation stakeholders to develop and promote a public hiking trail system in Bridgewater, Brawley said in a statement. The trails will highlight prime forestland and wetlands along the Housatonic River.

Gillian Carroll, land management administrator for Eversource, said they are pleased about the new partnership with the land trust.

By partnering with our neighbors ... we can continue to demonstrate our vision, values and carry out environmental stewardship with the Bridgewater Land Trust, who will be managing the property with Eversource, through a license agreement, Carroll said in a statement. This will enable the property to be utilized with oversight and assist in mitigation of environmental impacts as well as promote public recreation and educational opportunities. We are beyond excited to begin this endeavor and create a lasting partnership.

Stuart said they hope to have phase one of the trail network completed this fall.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Cigarette maker Altria's $13 billion investment in the troubled vaping company Juul has gone up in smoke  now worth less than 5% of its original value as U.S. regulators move to ban its e-cigarettes.

Altria slashed the value of its Juul investment by more than $1.2 billion Thursday, pegging its new value at $450 million as it reported second-quarter earnings. The Marlboro maker had recently valued its stake in the company at a vastly reduced $1.6 billion.

Despite the losses Altria said it would maintain its investment deal with Juul, including an agreement not to market or invest in competing vaping products.

At this point in the process weve chosen not to make any different decisions, Altria CEO Billy Gifford told industry analysts on a call. We think the right decision currently is to stay under the non-compete.

Altria, based in Richmond, Virginia, is Juuls largest investor with a 35% stake. Altria executives signed the $12.8-billion pact in 2018, betting that Juuls popular vaping devices presented a lucrative alternate to tobacco products.

Last month, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced plans to ban the small cartridge-based e-cigarettes, saying Juul had failed to provide key information about potentially harmful chemicals in its nicotine formula. The decision surprised industry observers and experts given that the FDA has authorized several competing e-cigarettes and Juul spent years gathering data to support its application.

In yet another twist to the companys fortunes, the FDA reopened its review of Juuls application earlier this month after a federal court blocked the ban from immediately taking effect. For now, Juul is able to continue selling its products while the FDA review continues.

The Juul decision is part of a sweeping FDA review of all U.S. e-cigarettes aimed at eliminating those that havent been shown to help smokers reduce or quit smoking.

Juul rocketed to the top of the U.S. vaping market five years ago on the popularity of flavors including mango, mint and creme brulee. But the companys rise was fueled by underage use among teenagers who became hooked on Juuls high-nicotine pods.

Since 2019, the company has been in retreat: halting all U.S. advertising, discontinuing most of its flavors and rebranding itself as a product for older smokers looking to switch from traditional cigarettes.

The financial hit to Juul contributed to a nearly 60% drop in Altria's quarterly earnings of 49 cents per share.

Excluding Juul and other one-time expenses the companys adjusted earnings were $1.26 per share, just ahead of Wall Street estimates. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research expected earnings of $1.25 per share.

Net revenue slid nearly 6% to $6.5 billion due to lower sales of cigarettes and other core products. The company brand's include Parliament and Marlboro cigarettes, Black and Mild cigars and Skoal chewing tobacco.

Altria, the nation's largest cigarette maker, has been attempting to diversify its product offerings into vaping and nicotine pouches as traditional tobacco use continues to fade.

Smoking has been declining for more than five decades. Some 42% of U.S. adults smoked in the early 1960s. That was down to less than 13% in the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For the full-year Altria said it expects earnings in the range of $4.79 to $4.93 per share.

Shares of Altria Group Inc. were essentially flat in early trading Thursday.
The state will administer monkeypox vaccines across 15 sites in response to rising cases, Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday.

The number of cases has climbed to 28 in Connecticut. The state will administer 800 doses of the vaccine starting Monday, authorities said, a sharp increase from the couple dozen administered so far.

Lamont, State Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani and representatives of the LGBTQ community gathered in Hartford at the InterCommunity Health Care center to announce the states response to monkeypox.

I have a little sense of deja vu, said Lamont in reference to the similarity of the path monkeypox has taken to that of COVID. New York City is the epicenter of the outbreak in the United States and when New York City sneezes Connecticut catches a cold.

Patrick Dunn, chair of the LGBTQ Health and Human Services network, urged people to call in either to 211, the state Department of Public Health or to the state Department of Health and Human Services if they were worried about monkeypox.

Please reach out so that we can not only fight the stigma around the disease but to also make sure we dont come from a place of misinformation, said Dunn. We are excited to continue to work with DPH and the commissioner and governor to ensure everyone in our community can have access to the vaccine they need.

The governor said that the state was partnering with clinics across the state to distribute vaccines to people who have had close contacts with known cases.

We have the testing capacity; we need to test everybody that has symptoms going forward. This is back to the days of test and trace, said Lamont. If you have been in close personal contact and youre notified in terms of contact tracing team, come in and get a vaccine.

Juthani said that the state was partnering with 15 sites to distribute the vaccine to residents of Connecticut.

If you are 18 and older and if you are a man who has sex with men and have had a contact in the last 14 days you are potentially eligible, said Juthani. Also, there is no limit for non-LGBTQ men for getting tested or vaccinated if they are close contacts of someone who has tested positive.

The vaccine clinics will be held in Stamford, Danbury, Norwalk, New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, Hartford, Hamden, Clinton, Enfield, New London, Middletown, Enfield, Torrington and Willimantic.

Juthani said that any positive cases reported to the state would be interviewed by a local health department for contact tracing. Local health departments would call close contacts to refer them to health care providers for evaluation with the goal of vaccinating them within four days. Close contacts would be monitored for 21 days after identification.

If you already have monkeypox, if you already have lesions, you are not qualified to receive vaccinations because you are a case, she said.

Close contacts would mean people who had had skin-to-skin exposure, or contact with sheets, clothing, or other surfaces that may have been in contact with a known case. People living in the same household as a case may be eligible for a vaccine.

Juthani said that the state had been allocated 1778 doses of vaccine from the federal government. Additional doses are expected to be allocated soon.

We have 800 doses will be going out to people across the state starting Monday, said Juthani. Every single day we will ramp that up as much as possible.

There have been 28 cases identified in Connecticut so far. Most of the cases are among men, almost all of whom are LGBTQ+. The median age is 36, officials said. Juthani stressed that none of the cases had been from exposure due to health care work. No cases had been identified yet that were not exposed via skin-to-skin or shared surfaces. No fatalities have occurred in the United States.

It is not clear whether the state is pursuing a ring vaccination strategy as it would during a smallpox outbreak where close contacts and contacts of close contacts both receive priority vaccination. So faronly close contacts are being prioritized.

I think we are using the strategy that is best for this particular virus, said Juthani.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The California man accused of plotting to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh had an expansive goal to change the makeup of the Supreme Court for decades to come, according to a recent court filing that cites discussions the man had online.

Nicholas John Roske, 26, told unidentified internet users that his goal was to reverse the then-leaked draft decision of the since-overturned Roe v. Wade decision, according to an affidavit for a search warrant in the case, filed in Maryland federal court this week.

Killing one jurist could change the decisions of the court for decades to come, authorities said that Roske wrote, adding, I am shooting for three.

Roske explained that "all of the major decisions for the past 10 years have been along party lines so if there are more liberal than conservative judges, they will have the power.

The details represent the newest indication that Simi Valley, Calif., man wasn't focused solely on Kavanaugh, although it does not identify the other justices.

According to the filing, first reported by The Daily Beast, Roske's cellphone history in May and June of this year included searches for quietest semi auto rifle, Reagan assassination attempt, most effective place to stab someone, assassin skills, assassin equipment, assassinations, supreme court" and how to be stealthy.

Roske is charged with attempting to murder a justice of the United States. He has pleaded not guilty, and a tentative trial date has been set for next month.

Prosecutors say Roske traveled from California to Kavanaugh's home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with the intent of killing him. Roske pulled up near the home in a taxi shortly after 1 a.m. on June 8 carrying a suitcase with a gun and ammunition, a tactical chest rig with pepper spray and a knife, a flashlight, a laser, a thermal monocular and other burglary tools, according to court papers.

Spotted by two U.S. Marshals who were part of 24-hour security provided to the justices following the leak of the draft opinion, Roske was apprehended after he called 911 and told a police dispatcher that he was near Kavanaughs home and wanted to take his own life.

The leaked opinion draft led to protests, including at several of the justices' homes. Roske's arrest spurred the House to approve a bill expanding that around-the-clock security protection to the justices' families.
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JACKSON, Ky. (AP)  Torrential rains unleashed devastating floods in Appalachia on Thursday, as fast-rising water killed at least eight people in Kentucky and sent people scurrying to rooftops to be rescued.

Water gushed from hillsides and flooded out of streambeds, inundating homes, businesses and roads throughout eastern Kentucky. Parts of western Virginia and southern West Virginia also saw extensive flooding. Rescue crews used helicopters and boats to pick up people trapped by floodwaters.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear tweeted Thursday evening that the state's death toll from flooding had risen to eight. He asked for continued prayers for the region, which was bracing for more rain.

In a word, this event is devastating, Beshear said earlier in the day. And I do believe it will end up being one of the most significant, deadly floods that we have had in Kentucky in at least a very long time.

In Breathitt County in Kentucky, Krystal Holbrook's family raced against surging floodwaters in the early morning hours to move possessions to higher ground. Their ordeal began around 4 a.m. Thursday, as they scurried in the dark to move vehicles, campers, trailers and farm equipment. But as the water kept rising throughout the day, the concern was that "higher ground is getting a little bit difficult, she said.

It looks like a huge lake back here, she said.

Beshear warned that property damage in Kentucky would be widespread. The governor said officials were setting up a site for donations that would go to residents affected by the flooding.

Dangerous conditions and continued rainfall hampered rescue efforts Thursday, the governor said.

Weve got a lot of people that need help that we cant get to at the moment, Beshear said. We will.

Flash flooding and mudslides were reported across the mountainous region of eastern Kentucky, western Virginia and southern West Virginia, where thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain over the past few days.

With more rain expected in the area, the National Weather Service said additional flooding was possible into Friday in much of West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia. Forecasters said the highest threat of flash flooding was expected to shift farther east into West Virginia.

Poweroutage.us reported more than 31,000 customers without electricity in eastern Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia, with the bulk of the outages in Kentucky.

There are a lot of people in eastern Kentucky on top of roofs waiting to be rescued," Beshear said earlier Thursday. "There are a number of people that are unaccounted for and Im nearly certain this is a situation where we are going to lose some of them.

Rescue crews worked throughout the night helping people stranded by the rising waters in eastern Kentucky's Perry County, where Emergency Management Director Jerry Stacy called it a catastrophic event.

Were just in the rescue mode right now, Stacy said, speaking with The Associated Press by phone as he struggled to reach his office in Hazard. Extreme flash flooding and mudslides are just everywhere.

The storms hit an Appalachian mountain region where communities and homes are perched on steep hillsides or set deep in the hollows between them, where creeks and streams can rise in a hurry. But this one is far worse than a typical flood, said Stacy, 54.

"Ive lived here in Perry County all my life and this is by the far the worst event Ive ever seen, he said.

Roads in many areas werent passable after as much as 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain had fallen in some areas by Thursday, and 1-3 more inches (7.5 centimeters) could fall, the National Weather Service said.

Beshear said he has deployed National Guard soldiers to the hardest-hit areas, and three parks in the region were opened as shelters for displaced people.

Breathitt County's courthouse was opened overnight in Kentucky, and Emergency Management Director Chris Friley said the Old Montessori School would provide more permanent shelter once crews can staff it.

Perry County dispatchers told WKYT-TV that floodwaters washed out roads and bridges and knocked homes off foundations. The city of Hazard said rescue crews were out all night, urging people on Facebook to stay off roads and pray for a break in the rain.

In West Virginias Greenbrier County, firefighters pulled people from flooded homes, and five campers who got stranded by high water in Nicholas County were rescued by the Keslers Cross Lanes Volunteer Fire Department, WCHS-TV reported.

Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency for six counties in West Virginia after severe thunderstorms this week caused significant local flooding, downed trees, power outages and blocked roads.

Communities in southwest Virginia also were flooding, and the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, Virginia, warned of more showers and storms on Thursday.

___

Associated Press Writers Dylan Lovan in Louisville, Ky., and Sarah Brumfield in Silver Spring, Md., contributed to this report.
BRI helps Croatia realize centuries-old dream as Peljesac Bridge opens to traffic

10:15, July 28, 2022 By Shi Zhongyu, Nemanja Cabric, Li Xuejun ( Xinhua

* The bridge realizes "the centuries-old dream of connecting the south with the rest of Croatia" and its completion "gave the cooperation between Croatia and China a completely new dimension," Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told Xinhua.

* The project is also regarded as a model of tripartite cooperation among China, Croatia and the European Union (EU).

* A symbol of China's efforts to promote connectivity in Croatia and the Central and Eastern Europe countries, the bridge will not only strengthen Croatia's ties with China, but also with Europe.

KOMARNA, Croatia, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Selma Kundson remembers vividly how her deceased grandfather used to tell her about his dream that one day their home town, located on Croatia's southern Adriatic coast, would be directly connected to the rest of the country.

On Tuesday, Kundson is among hundreds of people witnessing this dream come true, thanks to the opening of the Peljesac Bridge.

Working on the bridge project for nearly four years, Kundson said she has imagined that for many years. "I will proudly tell my children and grandchildren the story of my participation in the Peljesac Bridge project as a builder," she said.

The bridge realizes "the centuries-old dream of connecting the south with the rest of Croatia" and its completion "gave the cooperation between Croatia and China a completely new dimension," Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told Xinhua.

Being a key project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the bridge represents a new landmark that will further brighten the prospect of China-Croatia and China-Europe relations and cooperation.

People watch a fireworks show during the inauguration ceremony of the Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, Croatia, July 26, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Xuejun)

LONG-AWAITED INTERCONNECTION

As a key infrastructure project in Croatia, the Peljesac Bridge connects the Croatian mainland with the Peljesac Peninsula of its southernmost Dubrovnik-Neretva County, bypassing a short strip of land belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and giving Croatia better access to the area.

The project is also regarded as a model of tripartite cooperation among China, Croatia and the European Union (EU).

Built by a consortium led by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the bridge serves as an example of the China-Europe cooperation featuring complementarity and mutual benefits.

The CRBC outbid two competitors to win the contract in 2018. After three years of construction, the 2.4-km cable-stayed bridge with six pylons and steel box girders blends into the colorful landscape of the Bay of Mali Ston.

During the construction, the CRBC cooperated with 18 design consulting companies, 45 construction companies in the EU, and 112 global equipment and materials suppliers, environmental protection and other professional companies from Croatia, Romania and Poland, among others.

Praising the craftsmanship in building the bridge, Croatian President Zoran Milanovic said "The beauty of the bridge stems from the talent, knowledge, effort, and courage of the designers and builders."

"Peljesac bridge will forever remain a monumental reminder of this generation of Croatian people to reach the long-desired coast of freedom ... It was built for the benefit of all people, regardless of nation, religion, citizenship, beliefs," said the president.

Combo aerial photo shows the Peljesac Bridge after its final connection (up, taken on July 29, 2021) and during construction (down, taken on Feb. 1, 2020) at Mali Ston Bay near Komarna of southern Croatia. (Xinhua/Gao Lei)

FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

For decades, local residents and tourists have been troubled by the inconvenience during border crossing through Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south Croatia.

The bridge is expected to greatly facilitate local people's trips and logistics, boost economic and social development, and improve people's well-being in Croatia.

"We are getting everything with that bridge. We are getting completed borders and access to Dubrovnik through our territory, not (via) the neighboring state," said local resident Borin Juras.

There were always long lines of cars at the border, especially during a peak tourist season, and that is about to change, local resident Milivoj Varljen told Xinhua.

"The bridge will have multiple impacts on the development of the economy and tourism in the south, but also on the whole of Croatia in the coming year," Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic told Xinhua in a written interview prior to the opening ceremony.

A cruiser passes under the Peljesac Bridge near Komarna, Croatia, June 23, 2022. (Matko Begovic/PIXSELL via Xinhua)

The bridge not only connects the Peljesac peninsula to the Croatian mainland, but also facilitates access to the country's south, including to Dubrovnik, the crown jewel of the country's tourism. It will therefore greatly benefit tourism and trade and will reinforce the region's territorial cohesion, the prime minister said.

PLEDGE FOR SHARED FUTURE

A symbol of China's efforts to promote connectivity in Croatia and the Central and Eastern Europe countries (CEEC), the bridge will not only strengthen Croatia's ties with China, but also with Europe.

Within the framework of the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism and the BRI, Chinese companies have recently completed several key infrastructure projects in the region, including the bridge, Montenegro' first highway section and a high-speed railway in Serbia, among others.

Built by the CRBC, the 41-km priority Smokovac-Matesevo section of Montenegro's Bar-Boljare Highway was opened on July 13.

The priority section safely bypasses the Moraca canyon, an infamous transport danger zone that has seen many deadly traffic accidents over the past decades.

Snezana Culafic, a civil engineer working for the CRBC, told Xinhua that the project created "a lot of job opportunities for our engineers and employees in other fields who work on the highway," saying that the project creates new momentum in China-Montenegro relations.

Aerial photo taken on April 23, 2022 shows the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest railway in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

The completion of the Bar-Boljare highway will enable rapid development of the energy industry, logistics, tourism, and other industries, and promote the economic development of Montenegro to a new level, at the same time connecting the country with Serbia and Central Europe, Ervin Ibrahimovic, deputy prime minister of Montenegro, said in a statement to Xinhua.

On March 19, Serbia inaugurated the upgraded 75-km Belgrade-Novi Sad section of a high-speed railway that will connect Belgrade and the Hungarian capital of Budapest upon completion.

Attending the ceremony with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the China-built railway will help shorten travel time between Budapest and Belgrade.

"In the past 70 years, we have been connecting countries in the east-west direction, and forgotten the importance of north-south connections," Orban said. "This resulted in an appalling situation that it took too many hours to get from Belgrade to Budapest," said Orban.

For Serbian graphic designer Jastra Jelacic, the new rail link was a life-changing event, as she had to spend four or five hours each day commuting to office in Belgrade from Novi Sad for years.

Commenting on the flagship project within the China-CEEC platform, Jelacic said "I think that it is good that we are cooperating with China. I support anything that does good for our country and will lead to improvement."

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  The mayor of San Francisco announced a state of emergency Thursday over the growing number of monkeypox cases, allowing officials to cut through red tape and fight a public health crisis reminiscent of the AIDS epidemic that began devastating the city in the 1980s.

We are at a very scary place. And we dont want to be ignored by the federal government in our need. So many leaders of the LGBT community have also, weeks ago, asked for additional help and support and assistance," said Mayor London Breed.

The city is in desperate need of vaccines," she said.

The declaration, which takes effect Monday, was welcomed by gay advocates who have grown increasingly frustrated by what they called San Francisco's lackluster response to a virus that so far has affected primarily men who have sex with men, although anyone can get infected.

San Francisco was at the forefront of the public health responses to HIV and COVID-19, and we will be at the forefront when it comes to monkeypox, said state Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat who represents the city. We cant and wont leave the LGBTQ community out to dry.

The city has 281 cases, out of about 800 in California and 4,600 nationwide, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health. A national shortage of vaccine has resulted in people waiting in line for hours for scarce doses, often to be turned away when the shots run out.

Members of the LGBTQ community expressed anger and frustration at a city hearing last week, saying they were relying on social media because the San Francisco public health department had not dispensed basic information on testing or vaccine availability.

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman excoriated the department, saying it was unclear why it could not staff phone lines, especially after telling people to call those phone numbers for information, while the San Francisco AIDS Foundation was able to quickly staff a monkeypox information hotline. The organization also has started a wait list for people wanting the vaccine, unlike the public health department forcing people to wait in line.

Its a bad look for San Francisco, he said.

After attending the San Francisco Pride weekend in late June, Tom Temprano, 36, got a notification that at least one other attendee had tested positive for monkeypox. He called four numbers that local health officials provided in an effort to get vaccinated, but no one picked up. He left voicemails.

I waited and I waited and I waited, said Temprano, And there was just sort of  I think for myself and many people  just growing concern, really, about our safety, given that we were further and further out from an exposure.

Finally, on July 8, two weeks after being potentially exposed to the virus at the pride event, and monitoring gay social media networks all the while, he learned through an Instagram post that a vaccine drop-in clinic was being held at San Francisco General Hospital. The poster said drop everything and go now. Temprano texted a half-dozen people and rushed over.

He waited with hundreds of other people in a line that snaked out into the street and halfway down a block. After waiting for 3 1/2 hours, Temprano, who is the political director of San Francisco-based Equality California, got his first dose of the vaccine. One of his friends stood in line four times before he was able to get the shot.

Temprano was scheduled to get his second dose next week but that was canceled  with vaccine in short supply, city officials have opted to prioritize getting first doses to people. He is frustrated that authorities have taken so long to respond, and noted they did so after LGBTQ politicians in his community raised their voices.

I think the saddest thing is there are people who are getting monkeypox now who tried to get that vaccine over the last month-and-a-half and couldnt get one, who are sick and are in pain and are going to be out of work potentially for two to six weeks, he said.

Wiener had urged local and state officials to declare a health emergency, which he said would give the city and counties greater flexibility to respond to the growing outbreak. For example, it would streamline getting test results to people and allow a broader array of providers to perform vaccinations.

Wiener, who is gay, also noted the parallels to the AIDS crisis in San Francisco.

I feel like this is like deja vu  that once again, gay men are getting attacked and demonized and blamed as we get sick, and that we can never tolerate that," he said.

In the early 1980s, the U.S. government was slow to react as the AIDS epidemic ravaged gay communities in San Francisco and elsewhere. Groups like ACT UP emerged to push for action to fight AIDS. That struggle has echoes today.

Despite the problems with vaccine supply, federal officials said Thursday that the countrys monkeypox outbreak can still be stopped, amid worries that the U.S. has missed the window to contain the virus.

The monkeypox virus spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, which includes sex, kissing, breathing at close range, and sharing bedding and clothing, the public health department said. Health officials are asking people who could be at risk to cover exposed skin when out in crowds and to watch out for symptoms, such as fever, blisters and rashes.

The World Health Organization over the weekend declared the monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries a global emergency.

___

Selsky reported from Salem, Oregon. Associated Press writer Janie Har also contributed to this story.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Months after her father was lured back to Rwanda under false pretenses and jailed, Carine Kanimba discovered her own phone had been hacked using private spyware.

Kanimba is the youngest daughter of Paul Rusesabagina, who is credited with saving more than 1,200 lives during the 1994 Rwandan genocide in a story that inspired the movie Hotel Rwanda. An opponent of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Rusesabagina is now serving a 25-year prison sentence on charges that he has dismissed as politically motivated.

Researchers have alleged Pegasus was used to spy on Kanimba and her cousin as Rusesabagina's family was advocating for his release from Rwanda, which received $160 million in foreign aid from the United States in the last budget year.

Unless there are consequences for countries and their enablers which abuse this technology, none of us are safe, she told the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday.

Kanimba and technology experts urged Congress to oppose the use of commercial spyware in the U.S. and discourage investment in spyware that has been used to hack the phones of dissidents, journalists, and even U.S. diplomats.

Pegasus infiltrates phones to control their camera and microphone and siphon off data without requiring the user to click on a malicious link. It is part of a burgeoning international market for states to acquire cyber tools that were once available only to the most technically advanced governments. Researchers at Google have identified at least 30 vendors selling zero click exploits or other spyware.

NSO Group says its software can't be activated against phone numbers with a U.S. country code unless used by an American agency. But there are several documented reports of American officials and citizens having their data captured by Pegasus.

One committee member, Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., suggested that off-the-shelf spyware felt like a very serious threat to our democracy and to democracies around the world. Himes questioned whether spyware could be deployed from another country against American officials and he criticized companies that invest in it.

Among the investors in a private equity firm that held majority ownership of NSO Group were the Oregon state employee pension fund and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation.

U.S. officials and many lawmakers in both parties are concerned about foreign interference in future elections and the prospect of Americans trying to overturn a lawful vote by force.

Nobody, not Mike Pence, not Nancy Pelosi, not Kevin McCarthy ... are immune from having their most private deliberations watched," Himes said. "And that may be just enough to interfere in our elections, just enough to end our democracy.

U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies have long been in the market themselves for ways to hack into phones.

The Biden administration last year imposed export limits on NSO Group and three other firms. But the FBI has acknowledged buying a license for Pegasus for what it said was product testing and evaluation only. While spyware companies make huge profits in the Middle East and Europe, it is American business and investment that legitimizes what they're doing, said John Scott-Railton, senior researcher at Citizen Lab, which has long studied how the programs work.

Doing business with the U.S. government, getting acquired by a U.S. company or even doing business with an American police department is the golden price for many in the spyware industry, he said. As long as that remains as a possibility for problematic actors, they're going to get support from investors.

The committee is pushing U.S. spy agencies to decisively act against counterintelligence threats posed by foreign commercial spyware, according to the public version of its latest bill authorizing intelligence activities. The bill, which has not yet been voted on by the full House, proposes that the director of national intelligence may prohibit individual U.S. agencies from acquiring or using foreign commercial spyware.

But the bill would also allow any intelligence agency chief to seek a waiver from the director if the waiver is in the national security interest of the United States.

In a statement, NSO Group noted that the discussion over spyware at times lacks balance (by) intentionally omitting their lifesaving benefits."

NSO reiterates that it thoroughly investigates any claim for illegal use of its technology by customers, and terminates contracts when illegal use is found, the company said. Nonetheless, it is critical to consider the benefits and alternatives to these critical technologies.

Kanimba testified that she was alerted last year by a collective of journalists working with Citizen Lab and Amnesty International that there was reason to believe that she had been spied on. A subsequent forensic analysis of her phone revealed that she had been targeted by Pegasus spyware, she said.

She said the surveillance was triggered as she walked with her mother into a meeting with Belgium's minister of foreign affairs  Rusesabagina holds Belgian citizenship and U.S. residency  and was active during calls with the State Department and with the office of the U.S. governments special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.

Her family lives in San Antonio. Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, a committee member who represents that city, noted that his office's communications may have been captured by Rwanda because he was advocating for Rusesabagina's release.

Rwanda denies using Pegasus. Its embassy in Washington said in a statement Thursday that its response has not changed regardless of who raises them.

These are politically motivated allegations aimed at undermining Rwanda's judicial system and sowing disinformation, the embassy statement said.

Rusesabagina was sentenced for terrorism offenses related to his alleged links to the armed wing of his opposition political platform. Rusesabagina has denied supporting violence and called the verdict a sham.

___

Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
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MADISON  The owner of Killingworths La Foresta restaurant plans to try again to get zoning approval to open a much-anticipated Italian steakhouse at the former Madison Winter Club.

The Planning and Zoning Commission in May denied Frasher Lulajs application for a special exception to allow a restaurant on the residential-zoned, 2.3-acre parcel at 251 Boston Post Road.

Lulaj is under contract to buy the Winter Club for $1.185 million on the condition he gets approval for a restaurant there; the original sale price was $1.45 million, according to real estate agent John Campbell of Page Taft/Compass, who is handling the sale.

Lulaj plans to submit a new application soon, according to Campbell, who said Lulajs attorney is working on an amendment to the zoning regulations.

Additionally, the town is considering broadening the existing Planned Development District in a controlled way, according to Town Planner Erin Mannix.

This district originally was proposed by former Town Planner Dave Anderson and approved by the commission in 2019.

But the timing seems right, Mannix said, noting another development proposal was presented that also would benefit from this amendment.

We are in the process of submitting a new application which should be done in the next couple of weeks, Campbell said.

Neither Lulaj nor his attorney, Jeff Beatty, would comment at this time.

PZC members were split 3-2 against Lulajs application to seek a zone change for the parcel to allow a restaurant.

Instead, according to Mannix, the town is looking to amend the zoning regulations and map to allow a floating zone for specific opportunity areas to allow redevelopment. The Winter Club site is one of those that would qualify, she said.

The floating zone, she said, can be a tool you can apply to other locations in town.

Mannix noted that under current regulations, while a club is allowed by a special exception permit in a residential zone, a restaurant is not a permitted use in that zone.

She said the commission also wanted to end this spot-zoning process of granting special exceptions. With the Planned Development District, she said, You can selectively apply it to places where you do need redevelopment.

So it gives the commission a sense of control over where they have full discretion in their legislative capacity to look at this master plan and how it relates to the adjacent properties, she said.

While the potential owner did not get his approval the first time around, it was not all bad news, according to Campbell.

They were denied 3 to 2 but two of the three negative votes really wanted the restaurant to be approved, but they didnt like the language of the application, said Campbell.

They asked us to go back  and make it so that it was a little more structured, so that if this restaurant were to fail somebody couldnt just put up a McDonalds, Campbell said. They wanted it to be the same echelon of dining.

I think most of the board was excited, Campbell said. At the popular Italian restaurant La Foresta, he added, A lot of people from Madison go there.

Campbell noted that no one from the general public spoke against the project.

One resident, Peter J. Scranton whose letter was among 12 letters in support, said Lulaj has an excellent reputation in the restaurant industry and that La Foresta is a first class establishment and I am sure his venture in Madison will be as well.

After some 50 years, The Madison Winter Club closed last fall due to steadily declining membership. The club held functions and served dinners three nights a week with the capacity to seat 140 members; it employed its own chef seasonally, who lived in the apartment upstairs.

It was a difficult spot  what could be done there, Campbell said about selling the defunct club to prospective buyers. He noted that before it was a club it had been home to two different restaurants over the years.

Tom King, treasurer of the Madison Winter Club, is a big supporter of the proposed restaurant.

I think its an absolute terrific fit, he said. We have all the kitchen facilities there for a commercial kitchen..

And as far as were concerned its a natural transition from a private club to a restaurant, King said. Were looking forward to [them] working it out.
Connecticut State Police / Contributed

Update: Jessica Miller was reported missing again on July 29 and located safe on Aug. 1, according to state police.

BRIDGEPORT  A state employee who was reported missing Tuesday was found safe the next morning, state police announced.
Many Texas jurors said during the selection process that they could not be fair in the Alex Jones case because of their belief in free speech.

Which raises two important questions about a functional democracy:

1) Do people understand what defines free speech?

2) Why dont Americans want to sit on juries?

Yes, the second question is based on circumstantial evidence, an assumption that some members of the pool in Texas were merely saying whatever it would take to avoid becoming involved in a process that is likely to last for a few weeks.

But both matters are troubling.

First of all, the jury that was chosen Monday will be charged with determining how much Jones must pay the family of Jesse Lewis, who was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, because Jones called the massacre staged and completely fake with actors, among other things.

A Texas judge already ruled that Jones committed defamation by making the claims on his YouTube channel. Resisting serving on a jury by citing personal belief in free speech only reinforces that too many people dont really know what it means.

I believe people have to be accountable for what they say, but I think we are entitled to freedom of speech, juror No. 9 said while being questioned Monday in the Travis County Courtroom.

Freedom of speech is not an umbrella that shields any utterance. In addition to defamation, the categories not protected under the First Amendment include obscenities, genuine threats, child pornography, perjury and blackmail, among others.

Theres also an undeniable irony in clinging to the right to expression while avoiding opining on a jury.

Which brings us to the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury.

You dont need to be in the Austin courtroom right now to recognize the resistance to serving on a jury. Anyone who has been  or ever will be  summoned should consider this: It is patriotic to serve on a jury.

It represents the accuseds final hope for justice. In a nation saturation with Law and Order television shows, spin-offs and copycats since 1990, this is the part where jurors play a supporting role in ensuring order.

Once a jury is selected in Texas, the exercise will need to be repeated two more times in the cases Jones lost against other Sandy Hook families.

Attorney Wesley Ball, who represents Jesse Lewis family, eliminated some jurors by questioning whether they would be opposed to awards as high as $100 million.

Jones didnt show up, but his attorney, Andino Reynal, offered the observation that There is nothing I want more than for the 12 people who sit on this case to look back 20 years from now and say, This is a verdict I can be proud of.

Its asking a lot to expect a juror to be proud of a verdict. But anyone should be proud to serve on a jury.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  The FBI has recently conducted interviews about the origin of the sexual assault allegations made in 2019 against then-Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, according to Fairfax and several others who said they were interviewed.

Fairfax, who said he met for several hours with the FBI in early June, welcomed the inquiry.

The 43-year-old Democratic attorney, who left public office in January, has consistently denied the assault allegations against him, which have not resulted in criminal charges, and has long called for law enforcement to investigate them. He maintains he had consensual encounters with the women who have accused him of assault and has insisted that their complaints against him were part of a politically motivated smear campaign.

Three other people confirmed to The Associated Press that they had been interviewed, insisting on anonymity to discuss what they and Fairfax believe to be an ongoing investigation. A fourth person familiar with the matter who also insisted on anonymity confirmed that Fairfax had been interviewed. That person was not one of those interviewed.

Dee Rybiski, a Richmond-based FBI spokeswoman, declined to comment. The FBI does not typically confirm or deny the existence of investigations.

The allegations against Fairfax surfaced publicly in February 2019, as he appeared poised to become Virginia's governor because of a scandal that had erupted over a racist photo on then-Gov. Ralph Northam's yearbook page. With Northam facing near-unanimous calls to resign, Fairfax would have been elevated to the post. But then two women days apart accused him of an assault in 2004 and rape in 2000, resulting in demands that Fairfax resign and blunting the pressure on Northam. Both men ultimately went on to finish their terms.

Fairfax, a former federal prosecutor and civil litigator, said he has been in touch with the FBI on an ongoing basis since February 2019, providing evidence of what he has long alleged was a coordinated effort to block him from becoming governor. The news of his and other interviews was first reported by The Intercept.

Fairfax has claimed for years  without proof  that former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and his close ally, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, played a role in surfacing the allegations, something McAuliffe and Stoney have called absurd. Fairfax points in part to connections between a former Stoney advisor and one of his accusers. Fairfax was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, and he competed against McAuliffe and three others for last year's Democratic nomination for governor; Stoney is also widely seen as a contender for higher office.

Fairfax said the FBI did not disclose the full scope of its apparent investigation but asked him questions about his concerns.

Stoney said at a news conference Wednesday that the FBI had not reached out to him or anyone in his operation. Stoney said he believes the women's allegations, called the idea that he was involved in a smear campaign ridiculous and added the only one talking about the FBI was Fairfax.

These are claims by an individual who has been accused of rape, bottom line, he said.

Jake Rubenstein, a spokesman for McAuliffe, said McAuliffe knows nothing about any of this. Period.

Attorneys for the women, Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson, defended their clients and criticized the idea that the FBI might be investigating.

Nancy Erika Smith, an attorney for Watson, said in a statement: If it is true that the FBI is actually investigating two victims of Justin Fairfax, shame on the FBI. This latest abuse is obviously at the urging of Fairfax and his political benefactors and PR team.

Debra Katz, an attorney for Vanessa Tyson, said neither she nor Tyson had been contacted by the FBI. She said she would be shocked if there was a real FBI investigation and suggested Fairfax was trying to weaponize the suggestion of one.

The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they are victims of sexual assault, but both women came forward publicly with their allegations against Fairfax.

Tyson said Fairfax  at the time a Columbia Law School student serving as an aide to Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards  forced her to perform oral sex in his hotel room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004. Two days after Tysons statement, Watson issued her own, accusing Fairfax of raping her in 2000, when they were students at Duke University.

Fairfax has said that in the case of his encounter with Watson, an eyewitness was present in the room. That person has not responded to repeated interview requests from the AP and has not spoken publicly to confirm or deny Fairfax's assertion.

Watson and her attorney have declined to address whether a third person was in the room.

One person who described being interviewed by the FBI in early July was asked if they had ever heard anything about money being exchanged in relation to the allegations, the person said.

The person had heard of something similar and reported it at the time to a spokesperson for Fairfax. The person, who is not close with Fairfax, has no firsthand knowledge of any payments and doubted that the individual who made the comment did either, the person said.

A second person who was interviewed was asked whether they had any knowledge about connections between the mayor's office and the women or any possible payments to the women, the person said.

The third individual who was interviewed described being asked similar questions and provided the AP a copy of an apparent email exchange with the FBI.

Separately, Tommy Bennett, president of the Danville branch of the NAACP, told The Post that the FBI reached out to him to ask about the allegations.

Fairfax finished his term as lieutenant governor  a mostly ceremonial role that involves presiding over the state Senate  in January. He got about 4% of the vote in last year's Democratic primary. McAuliffe won that contest, then went on to lose the general election to Republican Glenn Youngkin.

___

Associated Press reporter Eric Tucker reported from Washington.
Facebook is letting violent hate speech slip through its controls in Kenya as it has in other countries, according to a new report from the nonprofit groups Global Witness and Foxglove.

It is the third such test of Facebook's ability to detect hateful language  either via artificial intelligence or human moderators  that the groups have run, and that the company has failed.

The ads, which the groups submitted both in English and in Swahili, spoke of beheadings, rape and bloodshed. They compared people to donkeys and goats. Some also included profanity and grammatical errors. The Swahili language ads easily made it through Facebook's detection systems and were approved for publication.

As for the English ads, some were rejected at first, but only because they contained profanities and mistakes in addition to hate speech. Once the profanities were removed and grammar errors fixed, however, the ads  still calling for killings and containing obvious hate speech  went through without a hitch.

We were surprised to see that our ads had for the first time been flagged, but they hadnt been flagged for the much more important reasons that we expected them to be," said Nienke Palstra, senior campaigner at London-based Global Witness.

The ads were never posted to Facebook. But the fact that they easily could have been shows that despite repeated assurances that it would do better, Facebook parent Meta still appears to regularly fail to detect hate speech and calls for violence on its platform.

Global Witness said it reached out to Meta after its ads were accepted for publication but did not receive a response. On Thursday, however, Global Witness said it did receive a response earlier in July but it was lost in a spam folder. Meta also confirmed Thursday it sent a response.

Weve taken extensive steps to help us catch hate speech and inflammatory content in Kenya, and were intensifying these efforts ahead of the election. We have dedicated teams of Swahili speakers and proactive detection technology to help us remove harmful content quickly and at scale, Meta said in a statement. "Despite these efforts, we know that there will be examples of things we miss or we take down in error, as both machines and people make mistakes. Thats why we have teams closely monitoring the situation and addressing these errors as quickly as possible.

Each time Global Witness has submitted ads with blatant hate speech to see if Facebooks systems would catch it, the company failed to do so. In Myanmar, one of the ads used a slur to refer to people of east Indian or Muslim origin and call for their killing. In Ethiopia, the ads used dehumanizing hate speech to call for the murder of people belonging to each of Ethiopias three main ethnic groups  the Amhara, the Oromo and the Tigrayans.

Why ads and not regular posts? That's because Meta claims to hold advertisements to an even stricter standard than regular, unpaid posts, according to its help center page for paid advertisements.

Meta has consistently refused to say how many content moderators it has in countries where English is not the primary language. This includes moderators in Kenya, Myanmar and other regions where material posted on the companys platforms has been linked to real-world violence.

Kenya is readying for a national election in August. On July 20, Meta posted a detailed blog post on how it is preparing for the country's election, including establishing an operations center and removing harmful content.

In the six months leading up to April 30, 2022, we took action on more than 37,000 pieces of content for violating our Hate Speech policies on Facebook and Instagram in Kenya. During that same period, we also took action on more than 42,000 pieces of content that violated our Violence & Incitement policies," wrote Mercy Ndegwa, director of public policy in East & Horn of Africa.

Global Witness said it resubmitted two of its ads, one in English and one in Swahili, after Meta published its blog post to see if anything has changed. Once again, the ads went through.

If youre not catching these 20 ads, this 37,000 number that you are celebrating, that is probably the tip of the iceberg. You have to think that theres a lot thats (slipping through) your filter," Palstra said.

The Global Witness report follows a separate study from June that found that Facebook has failed to catch Islamic State group and al-Shabab extremist content in posts aimed at East Africa. The region remains under threat from violent attacks as Kenya prepares to vote.
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FARGO, N.D. (AP)  A judges ruling that will delay the closing of North Dakotas lone abortion clinic should provide more than enough time to move the business to a neighboring city in Minnesota, the facilitys owner and operator said Thursday.

In fact, Red River Womens Clinic director Tammi Kromenaker said she was prepared to open shop in Moorhead, Minnesota, next week if the North Dakotas abortion ban had gone into effect Thursday. She said now, though, she'll have more time to make sure the move from Fargo goes smoothly.

At this time, we will continue to see patients in North Dakota for another few weeks as we continue to acquire furniture and supplies for the new space in Minnesota, Kromenaker said.

Thanks to a technicality in the law, Burleigh County Judge Bruce Romanick in essence gave the clinic at least a 30-day reprieve when he ruled that Attorney General Drew Wrigley was too hasty in scheduling the Fargo clinic to close Thursday. Wrigley certified the closing after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade last month, when he should have waited for the court's official judgment, which typically is issued within 25 days of a ruling, Romanick said.

Wrigley filed another certification letter Wednesday with the North Dakota Legislative Council that would put the trigger ban into effect on Aug. 26. As the clinic presses on with its lawsuit arguing that the North Dakota Constitution guarantees the right to abortion, Kromenaker said she will continue the transition to Moorhead with no gap in services.

We are scheduling patients as usual, which is usually one week out, she said.

A GoFundMe page to raise money for the transition from Fargo to Moorhead had topped $975,000 as of Thursday. In addition to the donations, the volunteer leader of the North Dakota Women In Need, which helps patients pay for travel costs, said shes motivated by the numerous words of encouragement left by contributors, many of whom are from states also engaged in abortion struggles.

We are getting messages like solidarity from Vancouver or sending you love from New Jersey, said Destini Spaeth, the fund's director.

Separately Thursday, attorneys for 15 cities and counties, including New York, San Francisco, Chicago and others, wrote to the U.S. departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Transportation urging them to prohibit federal cooperation with state abortion bans, including any attempts to criminalize abortion or travel to receive abortion services.

In North Carolina, the Republican leaders of the state House and Senate asked a federal judge on Wednesday to vacate his 2019 ruling that blocked enforcement of the state's 20-week abortion ban in light of the Supreme Court overturning Roe.

Meanwhile, as the North Dakota clinic prepares to reopen in Minnesota, McKenzie McCoy, executive director of North Dakota Right To Life, said her group has a strong network connection across state lines and will make its presence known in Moorhead as well as Billings, Montana, which is the closest abortion clinic for women in western North Dakota.

That is another opportunity to grow what I call the tree of life in North Dakota, McCoy said. We can extend those branches and create stronger relationships with other states.

The clinics prospects to prevail on the bigger constitutional question in the lawsuit are unclear, and the case almost certainly will go before the state Supreme Court, regardless of how the judge rules.

Steven Morrison, a University of North Dakota law professor, said the states high court historically has been supportive of abortion restrictions and that its political orientation has not changed.

I dont think the North Dakota Supreme Court has ever ruled in any way in favor of abortion or related rights, he said. Id be shocked and amazed if the court found the North Dakota Constitution entails the right to abortion.

Amy Jacobson, executive director of Prairie Action ND, which advocates for progressive values, messages and actions, said the injunction shows that North Dakota state officials must follow the law and cant just do what they want, but it wont change the final outcome.

Abortion will be banned in North Dakota in the coming weeks and I think that is whats the most upsetting really, she said. No judge, no politician should really be allowed to take away personal medical decisions and that is whats happening in North Dakota.

___

Associated Press writer James MacPherson in Bismarck, North Dakota, contributed to this report.
The last two ex-cops involved in George Floyd's death have been sentenced to prison for the fatal arrest but the victim's girlfriend was "saddened" by the apparently "light sentence."

The two former Minneapolis officers sentenced were those who kept bystanders away from Floyd and who helped pin the victim down as he struggled to breathe. The former officers were each sentenced to several years of imprisonment on Wednesday and are the last two of the four ex-cops involved in the Black man's death to be ordered to prison.

Former Police Sentenced to Prison

A federal judge sentenced the two suspects, former officers Tou Thao and K. Alexander Kueng after a jury convicted them earlier this year of violating Floyd's rights. They allegedly failed to provide medical aid and failed to intervene as another officer, their superior, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee on the victim's neck for more than nine minutes.

Judge Paul Magnuson sentenced Thao, who kept a crowd of people away from the officers and Floyd, to three and a half years while sentencing Kueng, who helped pin the victim to the ground, to three years, as per the New York Times.

He noted that Thao was the more experienced officer and had already been on the force since 2008 while Kueng was only a rookie officer. The death of the 46-year-old Black man prompted protests against police abuse and racism across the United States in the spring and summer of 2020 and was joined by millions of Americans.

Read Also: US Shootings: Execs of Major Gun Makers To Testify on House Inquiry on Firearms Industry's Fault in US Gun Violence Epidemic

Previously, a state jury convicted Chauvin, a 46-year-old white male, on murder and manslaughter charges last year. He was also sentenced to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of violating Floyd's rights.

According to BBC, the remaining officer, Thomas K Lane, was sentenced last week to two-and-a-half years in prison. He was the first at the scene with Chauvin and held Floyd's legs as he gasped for air.

George Floyd's Death

Footage of the incident showed him asking his superior twice if Floyd should be rolled onto his side so he could breathe. Chauvin was a field training officer to both Lane and Kueng at the time of the incident.

Neither of the two officers spoke at their sentencing hearings, but in a statement to the court on Wednesday, Thao insisted he had been "born again" after he was jailed over Floyd's murder. The ex-cop's statement read, "When I walked into that jail cell, I grabbed a Bible, and I searched for it, I searched for an answer to all this wickedness, and I couldn't find it."

Floyd's girlfriend, Courtney Ross, in victim impact statements to both men ahead of their sentencing, said that Floyd was the love of her life. She argued that the victim was not trying to resist that day and was just scared of what was happening.

Ross also addressed Kueng directly with compassion, telling him that the sentence will not define him, and urged him to "define your purpose." She added that it was not impossible for the ex-cop to find his footing to stand up for what is right in the future, ABC News reported.



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Prosecutors revealed Wednesday that the man suspected of opening fire on an Independence Day celebration in suburban Chicago was indicted by a grand jury on 117 felony charges in the mass shooting that killed seven people.

Prosecutors had previously filed seven murder charges against Robert E. Crimo III, but on Wednesday they revealed that a grand jury had decided to indict him on 21 first-degree murder counts, 48 counts of attempted murder, and 48 counts of aggravated violence.

Robert Crimo III Indicted on 117 Counts in Deadly Highland Park Shooting

Crimo's attorneys have yet to file a formal response to any of the accusations he faces in connection with the July 4th shooting in downtown Highland Park, Illinois. On Wednesday, a message left with the county's public defender's office was not returned.

Prosecutors claim Crimo, 21, confesses to the shooting after being apprehended by police on July 4 after an hours-long manhunt. Prosecutors in Illinois can seek a grand jury to assess if there is probable cause to go to trial. The public is not permitted to attend grand jury sessions, and defense counsel are not permitted to cross-examine witnesses.

The numerous first-degree murder accusations against Crimo state that he planned to kill, caused death or serious bodily injury, and took conduct that had a high possibility of causing death or great bodily damage to the seven persons who died.

According to authorities, the injured range in age from 8 to 80 years old, including an 8-year-old kid who was paralyzed from the waist down after the gunfire severed his spine, as per USA Today.

Crimo is scheduled to appear in court on August 3 for his arraignment. Since being detained at a traffic check hours after the incident, he has been imprisoned without bail.

During a virtual bond hearing earlier this month, Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Ben Dillon stated that Crimo freely revealed to authorities that he unloaded two 30-round magazines before loading a third and fired again. Crimo faces a possible sentence of life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder.

Read Also: California Wildfire Photos, Satellite Video Show Devastating Destruction; Raging Fire Now 16% Contained

Mother of Boy Paralyzed in Highland Park Shooting Speaks Out

Authorities have stated that they do not know what motivated the alleged gunman. Crimo purchased rifles and other firearms between June 2020 and September 2021, according to state police. He passed four background checks, including the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, according to CNN.

After being shot during the Highland Park parade attack, an eight-year-old boy's family reported that he was "paralyzed from the waist down" and will likely never walk again. During the attack, Cooper Roberts' spinal cord was cut. The event also injured his twin brother and mother. Doctors have now determined that Cooper would most likely never walk again due to the severity of his spinal cord damage.

Luke's twin brother was also hospitalized with shrapnel wounds in his lower body but was released after physicians removed part of the debris, but they were unable to remove all of it. Police are still unsure of his motivation for the killing spree, although they have already established his obsession with the digit 47 - the inverse of 7/4, the date of July 4th. It was previously discovered that Crimo's father approved his application for a FOID card - the license required to purchase firearms - in 2019 when he was 19 and only two months after an incident at the family home.

After the incident, police took 16 knives because Crimo threatened to murder everyone. He was not jailed, and his family claims authorities returned the weapons two weeks later, Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: Ted Cruz Blames President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris for Migrant Surge in Southern Border; Video Shows Children Recruited for Human Trafficking

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Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, in a reversal, announced on Wednesday that he has agreed to include hundreds of billions of dollars for climate and energy programs, and tax increases, and agreed to support Build Back Better as a whole.

The package for climate and tax aims to subsidize health care and lower the cost of prescription drugs. Manchin's announcement comes less than two weeks after abruptly upending hopes for such an agreement this summer.

Build Back Better Bill

It would set aside $369 billion for climate and energy proposals and is considered to be the most ambitious climate action ever taken by Congress. The package would raise an estimated $451 billion in new tax revenue over the next 10 years while cutting federal spending on prescription drugs by $288 billion.

The deal was announced by Manchin and Sen. Chuck Schumer and its product would reduce the federal deficit by roughly $300 billion while also seeking to push down the cost of health care, prescription medicines, and electricity, as per the New York Times.

However, the plan falls far short of the ambitious domestic policy and tax package that United States President Joe Biden proposed last year. On the other hand, Democrats who are looking toward midterm elections that are likely to be shaped by voters' concerns about soaring costs, pitched it as a targeted attack on the rapid price increases.

Read Also: Ted Cruz Blames President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris for Migrant Surge in Southern Border; Video Shows Children Recruited for Human Trafficking

Not many details about the package were immediately available but the announcement suggested that Democrats could move in the coming days to salvage a major piece of their domestic agenda. Only weeks ago it appeared doomed given Manchin's refusal to quickly support it.

According to Fox News, Manchin and Schumer announced that they came to an agreement on a reconciliation bill after more than a year of negotiations among Democrats. For months, the West Virginia senator frustrated other lawmakers for consistently refusing to support party-line legislation that at one point cost over $3 trillion.

Joe Manchin and Chuck Schumer

Democrats termed that legislation "Build Back Better" and Manchin shut down negotiations on the bill late last year. However, as the left struggled for a legislative win ahead of the midterms, Schumer kept up talks directly with Manchin through the spring and summer.

In a lengthy statement on Wednesday, the moderate senator said that those talks resulted in a deal for a pared-back version of the Build Back Better bill that includes tax, climate, and prescription drug provisions.

Manchin said, "for too long, the reconciliation debate in Washington has been defined by how it can help advance Democrats' political agenda called Build Back Better. Build Back Better is dead, and instead, we have the opportunity to make our country stronger by bringing Americans together."

The deal is also crucial now because the Senate is a little over a week away from starting a month-long recess when many Democrats will campaign for re-election. The news about the agreement also came hours after the Senate passed a separate bill to invest $52 billion in U.S. manufacturing of semiconductors, sending it to the House to consider as soon as this week, CNN reported.



Related Article: Sen. Chuck Schumer Expresses Support for Joe Biden If He'll Run in 2024 Presidential Election

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Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welbys decision to stay on until 2026 rather than retire next year as expected has disappointed the flock of bishops jockeying to succeed him. Canterbury has become the job every mitre covets because of the likelihood of officiating at the coronation of Prince Charles. Should Welby hang on, he stands a good chance of presiding. Four of the first five 20th-century archbishops crowned a monarch. Of the seven that followed, only Geoffrey Fisher in 1953 has done the deed. Humility prevents the hopefuls from being too obvious about earning a footnote in royal history.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has decided to stay on until 2026 rather than retire next year

There are other roles for those who dont get the top job. The Bishop of Durham and the Bishop of Bath and Wells walk either side of the sovereign throughout the coronation. Paul Butler of Durham and Michael Beasley of Bath and Wells must be discreetly poised. Canterbury usually crowns both king and consort but in 1902, in a bit of levelling up, the crowning of Queen Alexandra was delegated to William Maclagan, Archbishop of York.

Poet Philip Larkin boasted to his friend AN Wilson that he declined invitations to travel from his home in Hull to London to visit fellow rhymester Stephen Spender, totting up for Wilson the cost of train fare, taxis and hotel accommodation. With the money saved, Wilson writes in The Oldie, he could buy a jazz record, a new Michael Innes novel, possibly a bottle of gin and some pornographic magazines, and have an evening in. Isnt life grand?

Kate McCann returned to TalkTV after collapsing during a conservative candidates live debate

Kate McCanns sensational faint during TalkTVs Sunak-Truss debate gave some Westminster reporters a sense of deja vu. The delightful Kate, also keeled over when addressing a Westminster leaving party last year. As on Tuesday night, the TalkTV political editor quickly recovered and was none the worse for her swoon. Bosses should swiftly dispatch a jumbo bouquet of flowers not least because popular Kate surely elevated the unwatched channels viewing figures from zero into at least double figures.

Inspired by the Queens disclosure that she longed to be an actress if the throne hadnt beckoned, Nicky Haslam gets carried away comparing HM to Marilyn Monroe. These two women, he gushes. Born six weeks but worlds and time and cultures apart, both young, assured and vivacious at so early a milestone in their diverse futures, had, at those first coups doeil, equal promise of pleasure, security, endurance and a touching similarity in their shimmering white, diamonds and radiance. Is there a doctor in the house?

Travelling by bus on his first trip to Scotland, Roy Orbison was duped into honouring the fictitious Stone of Killie McCrudden. Backing musician Danny Thompson got the driver to pull over at the first lay-by after crossing the border, telling Mojo magazine: We go through this field and theres a big boulder covered in lichen and moss Ive got Roy on his knees, kissing this rock  and hes saying, I promise to uphold the traditions of the country of Scotland. To paraphrase Oscar, youd require a heart of stone not to laugh.
Sanity is finally beginning to prevail in the world of medical treatment for children who question their gender.

The closure next spring of the NHSs only gender identity clinic for children is a vital and long overdue step in righting the wrongs of what could perhaps be the biggest medical scandal this century  the routine use of puberty-blocking drugs on children.

These powerful drugs can endanger fertility and open up the possibility of brutal surgery to reassign sex organs. Yet in this country, they have been given to those as young as ten.

Other countries have banned their use in children. Sweden curtailed the use of blockers among under-18s last year, with a leading Stockholm paediatrician saying they chemically castrate children, causing problems with mental health.

France has stopped them, too. Its top medical academy blames a social media frenzy for fuelling demand among teenagers, particularly girls, for the drugs from doctors.

Why has Britain taken so long to act? No one knows how many hundreds of children have been harmed in the UK as a result of their use. I first started investigating the Gender Identity Service (GIDS) at Londons Tavistock Clinic four years ago after a tip-off from worried medics who were working there or had done so. What I learned was horrifying.

The closure next spring of the NHSs only gender identity clinic for children is a vital and long overdue step in righting the wrongs of what could perhaps be the biggest medical scandal this century

I was told by former nurse Susan Evans: Children with gender identity problems expect hormone blockers [drugs to stall puberty] to be handed out quickly.

They think these drugs will solve all their concerns: such as how they look, a lack of friends, physical changes and typical teenage angst.

She warned: I think the risks of blockers are long-term, including fertility loss. There are worries they interfere with the full development of adolescent brains. The NHSs decision to decommission the Tavistock comes after an independent review into the clinic by Dr Hillary Cass said its work was not a safe and viable option for youngsters.

Their mental health problems are overshadowed in favour of gender identity issues, said the report, amid accusations the clinic rushes to give them blockers.

We had already been warned of troubling matters at the clinic.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr David Bell, who worked at the Tavistock and served as staff governor, wrote a blistering report, saying that GIDS, was not fit for purpose.

He said childrens needs are being met in a woeful, inadequate manner and some will live on with the damaging consequences.

There is also Keira Bell, who told her heartbreaking story to the Daily Mail in January 2020.

She explained to me that, when she was 16, she no longer wanted to be a girl and was prescribed puberty blockers after three one-hour GIDS consultations.

She had her breasts removed in an NHS operation three years later  but then regretted her decision to become a man and de-transitioned, although she fears her fertility has been irreparably harmed.

Keira Bell pictured outside the High Court in December 2020 after Tavistock challenged a ruling the court ruling that children under 16 with gender dysphoria can only consent to the use of hormone-blocking treatments if they can understand the 'immediate and long-term consequences'

Keira bravely appeared in the High Court, begging judges to control doctors giving puberty blockers so readily to children.

The Care Quality Commission health watchdog last year rated the child gender clinic inadequate, demanding regular updates on ever-rising waiting list numbers (particularly among girls wanting to transition to boys).

Sajid Javid, as health secretary, also sounded alarms. He said a fear among medics of being labelled transphobic had stopped proper debate, or research, into young trans peoples medical treatments.

He announced a law change earlier this month, before his resignation, to allow the inspection of confidential NHS records of trans patients, many of them now adult, who received blockers when they were children or teenagers.

The records will be examined in Dr Casss ongoing review, allowing the truth to emerge about those who regret taking the blockers, or feel they were rushed into doing so.

The puberty-pausing drugs themselves will also be put under rapid scrutiny, with Dr Cass warning there is insufficient evidence of their benefits.

That is a polite way of putting it.

In Sweden, a pioneer in child transgender treatments before it recanted, the dangers of these drugs are clear. A teenager called Leo, who received puberty blockers as an 11-year-old at the Karolinska University Hospitals child gender identity service, has suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of them, along with 12 other children.

Their ailments include liver damage, unexplained weight gains of up to two stone, mental health problems and, in Leos case, weakened bones seen in people of 70, and a failure to grow as tall as he should.

Swedens health chiefs say the high-profile case of Keira Bell, now in her 20s, influenced their decision to limit blockers.

A little publicised report on puberty-stopping drugs, released by the Tavistock gender clinic two years ago, admitted some child patients had signs of stunted height and thin bone density compared with their peers who had not taken them.

At the time, the report appeared to have been overlooked. For the sake of our children, let us hope this kind of evidence will never be obscured again.
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No James Bond this time, but we did have an Aston Martin. And standing in for the Queen, there was the Prince of Wales - the owner of said car - stealing the show as the 2022 Commonwealth Games burst into life in Birmingham last night.

Ten years (almost to the day) from that mesmerising opening night at Londons Olympic Stadium  led by Her Majesty and 007  it was the turn of Englands Second City, and sports second-biggest Games, to shine.

And so we had a cast of thousands, giant puppets, celebrities (including evergreen Brum creation, Duran Duran, and Dudley-born Sir Lenny Henry), pyrotechnics, much dreamy talk of being on a journey long before we caught our first glimpse of the 6,000 athletes.

Of course this was all on a different scale to London 2012  Birmingham has soaked up 780million of public money versus the 9.3billion we spent on the Olympics. But last nights opening, in front of 30,000 very proud Brummies at the Alexander Stadium, was properly spectacular and rich in good-humoured enthusiasm.

Fireworks are set off during the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

England athletes parade during the opening ceremony at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham

A jet-set start: The Red Arrows fly over a Union Jack of locally made cars at the Commonwealth Games

In the ring: The 50ft mechanical bull parades around the main stadium

A Samoan dancer performs at the Alexander Stadium

Nobel Peace Prize winner and Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai pays tribute to everyone from her teachers to the people who had taught my mother English and my brothers to drive'

Dancers perform in and around the used 'Union Jack' cars in the opening ceremony

Hence the 35ft tall mechanical bull charging around the main stadium. This was not some profound metaphor drawn from sporting antiquity. It was a nod to Birminghams famous shopping centre, the Bull Ring.

The shows producers included Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, a Birmingham export not known for its subtlety.

In among all the usual mandatory themes of peace, love and saving the planet, there was no ignoring the monster which put this place on the map: Industry. The exhaust-spewing car industry to be precise.

There were huge roars of West Midlands approval for the arrival of 72 Brum-built cars, one for each competing nation. Red, white and blue, they formed a giant Union Flag.

In their midst was an elderly Land Rover carrying mezzo-soprano Samantha Oxborough, who delivered a belting national anthem  two verses, to boot, accompanied by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, a splendid choir and, bang on cue, the Red Arrows.

Prince Charles steps out of an Aston Martin after driving himself and the Duchess of Cornwall to the ceremony

Opera-singing security guard Samantha Oxborough performs the national anthem

Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

The opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham yesterday

The Prince of Wales and the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation Dame Louise Martin during the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham yesterday

Fireworks explode above the the Alexander Stadium during the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games

Baton-bearer Tom Daley during the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games last night

Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium

On the back of the Land Rover was the numberplate: HRH PP. This was a homage to the late Prince Philip, who famously went to his maker last year aboard a very similar vehicle.

Watching it all on telly up at Balmoral, it is safe to say that the Queen must have been delighted.

Though absent from the proceedings, her enduring influence was a recurring sight on the giant video screens, from bygone Commonwealth tours right up to her recent Jubilee.

And then came the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, driving his Aston Martin. His was almost certainly the only vehicle running on bio-ethanol derived from cheese and wine extracts.

There followed a gleefully irreverent celebration of the great brains of the region  William Shakespeare, Josiah Wedgwood and the rest  as depicted through a collection of grotesque puppets. Poor Sir Edward Elgar appeared to be spewing out a mouthful of spaghetti (trombones on closer inspection). Lichfield-born Dr Samuel Johnson looked like Jabba The Hutt from Star Wars.

Humour suddenly gave way to an emotionally-charged surprise appearance which rather underlined the spirit of the Commonwealth and its Games.

A spectator wears a 'Perry the Bull' hat - the mascot for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, who was designed by 10-year-old Emma from Greater Manchester after winning a competition

Birmingham has soaked up 780million of public money

The Scotland team during the athletes' parade at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games yesterday

Teams arrive at the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham

Athletes gather round The Bull during the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Performers during the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

England's athletes entering the stadium

Here was Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl and teenage activist who was shot by the Taliban, won the 2014 Nobel Prize and has since rebuilt her life in Birmingham. She paid tribute to everyone from her teachers to the people who had taught my mother English and my brothers to drive.

These are tricky times for the Commonwealth Games as the event finds itself embroiled in the febrile culture wars of the home nation. There have been those, notably on the Left, who argue that the Commonwealth is a colonial throwback for which Britain can never apologise enough.

The same people, however, have demanded that Britain should also wave a big stick at those member states (many of them among the poorer nations) which still criminalise homosexuality.

Yet the whole point of the modern Commonwealth is that it has long since ceased to be British, its members are all equal and there is a waiting list of nations wanting to join. Birmingham could hardly have done more to accommodate all comers.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales arrive during the Opening Ceremony of the Games

Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium

The Bull during the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham

Performers on a float during the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium

Six-time Olympic medallist and gymnast Max Whitlock carries the Queen's Baton

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, Camill and Prince Charles during the opening ceremony on Commonwealth Games

RuPaul's Drag Race star Ginny Lemon opens the Commonwealth Games in a lemon hot air balloon

Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran performed at the ceremony in Birmingham

On last nights final lap of the Queens Baton, the bearers included gay Olympic diver Tom Daley flanked by athletes carrying gay pride flags. This is a multi-sport event spanning a third of the Earths population in Britains most multi-cultural city.

Unlike the Olympics, para- athletes compete in parallel. This is also where all territories compete in their own name  be it Scotland, Guernsey or dependent territories such as Bermuda (in trademark pink shorts last night).

In the days ahead, we will see Olympic giants. And we will see the Cook Islands Lawn Bowls team featuring the Jim family  Mum, Dad and their two daughters.

Not for nothing are these known as the Friendly Games. In the words of the Queen, recited by the Prince of Wales last night: They remind us of our connection with one another, wherever we may be in the world. For now, much of the world is in Brum  and happy to be here.

The magnificent 10-metre tall bull, made from scrap metal, took centre stage

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall arrive in a blue Aston Martin as performers in red, white and blue cars make a Union flag

Athletes from Team Kenya took part in the ceremony

Malala makes a speech during the ceremony

Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon sang to the crowds

Athletes from Team England took part in the celebrations

Performers during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games yesterday in Birmingham

Spectators get ready for the ceremony with Team England face paint

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrive in a blue Aston Martin

Athletes from Team Mauritius greeted onlookers

Singers Gambimi and Indigo Marshall take to the stage
Were all familiar with acne on the face, but body acne is an equally irritating skin condition that can affect anyone of any age, and it's especially frustrating in summer when you want to show off a bit more skin.

Celebrity doctor Dr Ginni Mansberg, who is best known as the resident doctor on Sunrise, Australias leading breakfast show, told FEMAIL that body acne may require different treatment to spots on your face to combat it.

And unlike facial acne, there's a good chance that pimples on your body could be caused by the type of clothing you wear, and so a wardrobe adjustment could be key.

Here, Femail reveals everything you need to know about body acne in unusual places and shares Dr Mansbergs advice about how to tackle it.

Celebrity cosmetic doctor and founder of ESK Skincare, Dr Ginni Mansberg reveals why body acne can occur in other more unusual parts of the body too. Bacne is the word used to describe pimples or spots on the back (stock image)

BACNE

Bacne is the word used to describe pimples or spots on the back. Whilst its common in teenagers, many adults experience it too.

It is a sign of more severe acne and because it is in a difficult area to reach, it can be more stubborn than facial acne.

However, Dr Mansberg, who is the founder of ESK Skincare, explains that we treat bacne as we would treat acne on the face.

She says that every single pimple forms from the same issue where you get a build- up of oil plus excessive skin cells that block the pore and cause inflammation.

This makes a perfect breeding ground for bad actor bacteria like Cutebacterium Acnes (or C. Acnes)

How to treat it:

Acne on the trunk (the torso) tends to accompany more severe forms of face acne.

'Given the tendency to scar, I recommend you see a dermatologist as soon as possible,' she said.

'While a skincare regime can help, it usually wont be enough by itself.

'And the longer that severe acne remains untreated, the bigger the risk of acne scarring - and that is much harder to fix.'

Wearing clothing that lets the skin on your back breathe is key, as well as ensuring you change your clothes regularly after a workout or if youre particularly sweaty.

Dr Mansberg would also recommend a gentle skincare approach including a soap- free cleanser, niacinamide and topical retinal.

She says: 'You can try a topical Salicylic Acid leave-on mask, such as the Hydroxy Overnight Mask or a dissolving microneedle patch, like Spotless for pimples that have emerged despite your prescription medications.

For a throbbing nodule or cyst, do not squeeze. Some ice or a cold compress might help reduce pain, redness and swelling for some symptom relief.

'Ice can be wrapped in a cloth and used for 30 seconds at a time onto clean skin.'

ACNE ON THE THIGHS

Acne on the thighs, isn't really acne, it is a common condition called folliculitis, in which hair follicles become inflamed. It is a common irritation for cyclists (stock image)

Pimples on the thighs are called folliculitis,' explained Dr Ginni. This is a common skin condition in which hair follicles become inflamed.

This means the condition is not acne as such. Although people who get acne often are more likely to get folliculitis.

It is caused by a range of infectious agents from yeasts to bacteria, with golden staph being the most common culprit. But infections arent always at play.

You can get it from blockage of the pores, for example by occlusive materials or even skincare like heavy moisturizers.

It can also be caused by skin irritation, some medications, such as steroids, and various skin diseases.

How to treat it:

Try to ensure that your shorts and pants aren't too tight, and that the skin can breath.

Dr Mansberg says that she sees these types of spots a lot in cyclists who love their Lycra.

She says: 'Left untreated, this folliculitis can turn into saddle sores which result from a combination of friction, heat, pressure, moisture and bacteria in the saddle area.

'As soon as you finish your ride, get into some loose natural fabrics, like cotton.'

This will help to reduce the build up of sweat and bacteria in the area, but if this doesnt work, check in with your doctor.

Dr Mansberg would recommend using an antiseptic wash like 1 per cent triclosan or 2 per cent chlorhexidine.

She says if this doesn't work should would proceed with a short course of antibiotics.

BUTT ACNE OR 'BUTTNE'

Folliculitis on the buttocks often accompanies folliculitis of the thighs. Simple things like good personal hygiene are most affective at treating this. You can also apply an antiseptic wash (stock image)

This is another example of folliculitis, just in an adjacent spot.

It often happens in conjunction with folliculitis of the thighs.

Folliculitis on the buttocks is extremely common but is probably one of the most embarrassing areas to have spots, especially at this time of year when people are revealing their buttocks more in swimwear, says Dr Mansberg.

How to treat it:

All the principles of treating thigh pimples apply, such as applying an antiseptic wash.

Good personal hygiene, including having a shower every day, hand washing, and keeping your nails short and clean, all help manage folliculitis.

She says: 'If you get a real flare up, it can mean you have a bacterial infection. See your doctor.

'Some dermatologists recommend that you wash your towels, washcloths, and sheets frequently and don't share them with other family members.'

ACNE ON THE BOOBS

If you notice pimples on the chest with a bit on the tops of the breasts, you can assume it is like bacne. However, according to Dr Mansberg, acne under the breasts, especially if large cycst and nodules should be checked out (stock image)

Acne under the breasts is uncommon, according to Dr Ginni, and you should get it checked out.

'If it is just chest acne with a bit on the tops of the breasts, then you can assume it is like bacne, or acne of the trunk and treat it as you would your face,' she said.

But spots under the breasts, especially if large cysts and nodules should be checked out.

She explains that Hiradenitis suppurativa is a condition that causes boils and abscesses in places with sweat glands and friction such as the armpits, between the buttocks and under the breasts.

'It needs medical treatment. Dont muck around with skincare,' she said.

How to treat it:

To treat acne under the breasts you should wash the area twice a day with mild soap, preferably un-perfumed.

It is essential to rinse off sweat, so do shower after a workout or a period of heavy sweating - especially in the warmer weather.

There are treatments that you could experiment with such as tea tree oil, topical zinc, and birth control.

However, as Dr Mansberg explains, if the acne develops as boils and abscesses and is painful, then it is essential that you seek out medical advice.
A woman has fiercely split opinion online after asking people whether they think house guests should remove their shoes.

The anonymous poster took to the British parenting forum Mumsnet to ask for people's thoughts on the contentious issue.

She received a range of replies from posters who did not hold back. Some said they believe it is impolite not to remove your shoes automatically when going to someone else's home.

Others said that asking people to remove their footwear is 'unwelcoming', and prioritises the floor over guests' comfort.

And some feel the division is based along class lines, with working and lower middle class people more likely to be proponents of the shoe removal policy.

An anonymous woman has garnered mixed opinions after revealing that she asks house guests to remove their shoes - and asking what others do (stock image)

The post on Mumsnet asked people to share their opinions on whether home guests should remove their outdoor footwear

Writing on Mumsnet, the poster said: '[Am I being unreasonable to ask visitors to] Remove their shoes. I have very pale cream carpets and no one in the household wears shoes in the house.

'My niece recently called and it was heavily raining, she had cork sole shoes on which sucked up lots of water which she tramped over my carpets.

'I asked her to take them off as wet soggy prints were being left behind. I do not have to ask some people but feel awkward when I do ask.'

For a number of posters, removing their shoes upon entering their own (or other people's) homes is 'automatic', with many citing dirt as the reason

Lots of people agreed with the poster, saying they too have shoe-off policies.

One wrote: 'I live in the UK and dont know anyone who has a shoe on policy. The thought of all the c*** outside being trodden through houses (and we have hard floors) makes me feel a bit ill. Especially here in London - so much dog and fox poo!!'

Another added: 'With my family I just say shoes off!!! And they do it but with my in laws I stare at their feet and if they then don't get it I say can you take your shoes off please!

'My partners grandfather out right refuses to take his shoes off in anyones home and has even said to me "that's what you gave wooden floors for it's easy to clean" as if that makes any difference? We sarcastically battled each other at his last visit and he hasn't come back in months.'

And a third said: 'I didnt know people still wore shoes in the house, certainly not other people's houses. First thing I do when I get home, or go to someones house, is take off my shoes, its automatic.'

Some people felt that it is the 'height of bad manners' to ask people to remove their shoes, while others pointed out that they don't want other people's unshod feet in their house

However, many disagreed, and felt equally strongly about their own point of view.

One wrote: I hate shoes off rule, its unwelcoming. Dont have light coloured carpets if youre that worried! Carpets like that get grubby despite all this shoes off nonsense! They are dirt magnets.

'If you must insist on such a silly rule, let your visitor know in advance so that they can bring slippers. I hate having to take my shoes off and walk around in my socks, looks b***** ridiculous. Or get some biodegradable shoe covers.'

Another added that they also hated the shoes off rule, writing: 'Me too, and I'm extremely houseproud, and have cream carpets downstairs. I would only ask people to take shoes off if they were obviously filthy / muddy. We used to have neighbours who would go to take their shoes off when they came round, but I insisted they kept them on! I don't want to look at your feet or holey socks thank you.'

And a further commentator added: 'I'm team shoes on. I think it's incredibly inhospitable and could never ask guests to remove their shoes. Getting floor coverings that can't be walked on seems ridiculous to me. We have pale carpets on our stairs and landing, never ask anyone to take shoes off although we do ourselves for comfort. Never had an issue.'

Meanwhile others felt that people's allegiance to either the shoe-on or shoe-off mentality was related to social class, with lower classes typically more in favour of removing footwear

Some commentators suggested that the divide may be due to class, with shoe removal being the preserve of the working and lower middle classes.

One wrote: 'My conclusion from reading hundreds of these threads is that shoes off is predominately a lower middle class thing.'

Another agreed, adding: 'As discussed, its definitely a class thing. Hence understanding the etiquette surrounding this.'

And a third explained: 'I think many are missing the point - middle/upper class people may well wander around their own homes with no shoes. But its very bad manners to ask people to remove their shoes.

'However, its also polite to ask when you arrive at someones house whether they prefer you to have shoes on or off. So if everyone was polite and well mannered there would never be a problem.

'The argument about putting your floors above your guests comfort stands.'
A mum-of-three who foraged food from the hedgerows to help make ends meet when she was a hard-up student and a struggling first-time parent has told how she now creates gourmet meals for free.

Iona Fraser, 40, used the foraging skills she learned as a child from her dad to bulk out her sparse meals when she was living on benefits and then when she became a single mum at 19.

Now a professional foraging instructor charging anywhere from 10 to 250 and living in the village of Scaynes Hill, West Sussex, Iona feeds her her dairy worker husband, Josh Hubrick, 30, and her two youngest sons, Alexei, seven, and Ever, three, with the ingredients she find in the forest.

Her ability to pick her own food from nature means she can conjure up mushroom pate or wild rose Turkish Delight without paying for the ingredients.

Iona Fraser, 40, from West Sussex, learned to forage as a hard up student and single mother aged 19. She can whip up gourmet meals, and now charges 250 to teach her skills. Pictured with her son Ever, who is now three

Recalling how foraging helped jazz up her meals when money was tightest in her life as a student, she said: 'After I'd paid the bills, I had 7 left a week for food, so I got used to surviving on very little.

'I then started to realise I could supplement the very basic things that I was buying for very little money by picking things that were much more exciting.'

Still spending up to eight hours a day foraging, Iona believes that learning what to pick could be a helpful tool for other people facing the cost of living crisis - as long as they have enough spare time to do it.

She said: 'I don't think foraging can be touted as the solution for the cost of living crisis but, in the short term, if you have enough time, it can definitely be a hugely useful tool.

Bon Appetit! Iona can whip up gourmet meals and refreshing salads thanks to the ingredients she finds in the wild

Iona's elderflower, lime and wild mint forest floor cake with a 'moss' topping made from crumbled nettle and wild mint

'If you have a lot of time but not a lot of money, you can learn to identify wild food and explore things like preserving or drying and dehydrating food like mushrooms, so they last longer.'

Growing up in Brighton, East Sussex, Iona learned her cash-saving ways from her dad Angus Fraser, 76, who was a professional chef, and mum Liz Walker, 70, a green-fingered home cook.

She said: 'My dad owned a game restaurant, where he worked as a chef and sold wild meat.

'He would take us away at weekends around Ditchland Beacon, near where we lived, and show us how to pick nettles without stinging yourself and have us up for hours at night pricking sloes with a pin for sloe gin.'

The mother-of-three learned to stretch 7 for a whole week as a student by completing her food shopping with foraged ingredients. She is now an expert in mycology - the study of fungi

Iona Fraser and her husband, Josh Hubrick, share two sons, who are seven and three. When she was 19, she gave birth to her son Steil, who is now 20

But Iona struggled with school in her early teens and, leaving home at 16, she soon found herself trying to scrape by on benefits while studying for her A-Levels at her sixth form college in Brighton.

Realising the hedgerows would help stretch her 7 a week food money, she started foraging in earnest and said: 'I would buy pulses and grains and beans and then go out and pick greens and herbs like sorrel and fennel and hogweed to make the food vibrant, colourful, interesting and tasty.'

Winning a place at Brighton University to study Social Sciences, Iona faced another testing time when, aged 19, she fell pregnant with her son, Steil Fraser, 20, and dropped out of her course.

Becoming a single parent, she found a job, but coping with a young baby and meeting the bills was difficult.

Iona's native British sea buckthorn juice ceviche with wild fennel and rose hips she foraged herself

Iona's seared chicken liver, marinated chicken heart, roast beetroot and pearl barley risotto made with dandelion wine. She topped it with buttered hogweed flower buds, fat hen crisps and a sloe gin glaze

Again foraging helped her and she said: 'Soon after my son was born, I started enjoying the outdoors again, probably because I needed to get out of the house and get into nature.

'I was working in telesales, but as a single parent with rent and bills, it was tough.

'I used to walk down through the farms and countryside for an hour and a half every day and pick things as I walked.

'I brewed wine to cook with and make beer or created staples like Hawthorn ketchup and great standby condiments that you could then make into marinades.'

After moving into a village by Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, Iona got her career on track by becoming a baker at a local bakery, before developing a new passion project - fungi.

Now a professional foraging instructor charging between 10 to 250 to teach basic foraging and plant identification and full 'forage and feast' experiences

Iona is also teaching her youngest sons, including Ever, how to identify plants in the forest in order to forage safely

She said: 'I was foraging more and more and I remember first going out and picking 20 different species of mushroom and being able to identify about three of them.

'My brain loves a challenge and I was determined to learn how to identify them.

'Identifying mushrooms is like nature's treasure hunt. It is like chasing the dopamine every time you find a new one.'

Purchasing a microscope and a selection of books for her own studies, while joining the online mycology community - who study fungi - Iona was bursting to share her new expertise.

She said: 'It became a crusade to introduce everyone to foraging.'

IONA'S TOP TIPS FOR NEW FORAGERS - Read up on foraging and identification. - Start by picking an easily identifiable wildflower or food to find first, like elderflower. - Ask for advice from people you trust in wild food/foraging groups, for example the Foraging and Folklore Facebook page. - Find books which will help you with foraging and identification. - Know what habitat the herb or plant you are looking for grows in, so you are looking in the right place. - Don't use artificial intelligence ID apps, which are not always reliable. - Familiarise yourself with the most toxic plants, including the family of Apiaceae, which contains two of the most deadly plants. - Understand how common the plant you are picking is and how your foraging will impact it - for example, picking one leaf of wild garlic will not kill the entire plant. - Ensure your surroundings are safe before you start foraging. - Find out if the land you are foraging on uses pesticides. - Familiarise yourself with foraging laws. Advertisement

Eventually, in 2012, she launched her foraging business Ashdown Forage, charging between 10 to 250 to teach people skills ranging from basic foraging and plant identification to full 'forage and feast' experiences.

Then, in 2014, she met her husband Josh at the eco-festival Small World in Kent, while working in the cafe, and also launched a catering business that, of course, featured foraged food.

She said: 'It was catering with a twist, so the preserves were all foraged, with homemade wines, or sloe jelly and gravy and wild herbs in meat pots.'

Now foraging is not just Iona's career - it is also an important part of her family's life.

She also fits in home-schooling her son Alexie and looking after her youngest Ever.

And her little boys love helping her to fill the kitchen cupboards with yummy finds.

She said: 'Most days, we will go out for a foraging walk together. My three-year-old loves finding mushrooms.

'If I don't have the children with me, I could spend up to eight hours a day foraging around the hedgerows and village common.

'The side veg of our meals is often foraged, like sea kale or hogweed shoots or buds and we never buy jams or preserves.'

There are many other menu options and, listing the kind of gourmet meals she teaches people to cook from foraged ingredients, they sound delicious.

She said: 'I will do things like a mushroom pate to start or pickled walnuts or mushroom soup.

'Then for the veggies and vegans, I do a big bulgar wheat and quinoa salad with all the wild herbs and flowers, or rose petals in a chimichurri.

'The deserts are really fun though because you can make all sorts of wonderful things - like elderflower cheesecake with a wild mint jelly and a wood sorrel granita or a wild rose locum, which is like a Turkish Delight.'

For those tempted to get started, Iona stresses it is vital to learn which plants can be safely eaten - and how to spot and avoid the ones that are poisonous.

She strongly encourages any keen foragers to get to know The Poisons Group, where she volunteers, which is an emergency service for any potential poisoning cases.

Meanwhile, Iona is keen to encourage anyone and everyone to forage.

She said: 'Everyone can learn to identify some edible plants - it is something we can all try and take huge joy from.'
A plane passenger was forced to pop her own jaw back into place after it dislocated during a yawn at 40,000 feet.

Holidaymaker Isabella Prusak-James, 21, was on an EasyJet flight from London Luton to Malaga in Spain last week when her jaw suddenly dislocated.

Footage shows the student, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, with her jaw wide open as her pal shoved her fingers in her mouth in attempt to snap it back in place.

After Isabella and her friend were ushered to a private part of the plane by staff, she eventually managed to put it back into place herself.

Isabella, who studies at Nottingham Trent University, said: 'It's the tenth time it has happened, the first time it popped out was when I was 18.

Business studies student Isabella Prusak-James, 21, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, has been experiencing jaw dislocation since she was 18 but doesn't know the cause

Isabella Prusak-James, 21, was on an EasyJet flight from London Luton to Malaga in Spain last week when her jaw suddenly disjointed

'I still don't know what the cause is, it's common for it to happen once to someone but uncommon for it to keep happening.

'It's always been caused by yawning and it's always on the right hand side.

'When I was on the flight I yawned and that's when it happened, it isn't painful just inconvenient.

'I typed on my phone to my friend to get the flight attendant as we didn't have enough space to put it back in as someone needs to be behind me.

Isabella said she doesn't have any longterm side-effects from dislocating her jaw, but does worry about it happening if she's alone with nobody to help her put it back in place

Isabella said that everyone around her was very kind and supportive, which made her feel better about the ordeal

The student said she did havea moment of panic because she thought she wouldn't be able to put her jaw back in place by herself

Isabella was on a flight from Luton to Malaga for a holiday with a friend when she yawned and dislocated her jaw

'I was trying to cover my mouth so people couldn't see but I think people were looking at me.'

The business student was quickly ushered to the back of the plane, where her friend attempted to push it back in before the brave passenger finally did it herself.

Thankfully, Isabella did not need any medical attention after the ordeal.

The condition doesn't have any long term side effects apart from increasing the risk of arthritis in her jaw the more times it dislocates.

She continued: 'The flight attendant took us to the back of the place and pulled the curtain back.

Why does a jaw dislocate if you've not had an accident? The lower part of the jaw is called the mandible and is connected to the skull by the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). If the mandible becomes detached from one or both of the TMJs, this is known as a dislocated jaw, and it is often caused by trauma such as a fall or a sports injury. However, opening the mouth too wide to yawn, vomit and bite, or during a dental procedure can also dislocate the jaw. A disorder of the temporomandibular joints can cause pain and affect movement and also puts people at a higher risk of dislocation. To put the jaw back in place, a doctor will put their thumbs against the lower back teeth inside the mouth and the rest of their fingers under the mandible to move it back into place. In some circumstances they will use supportive bandages to keep the jaw in place and restrict movement as it heals. Source; Medical News Today Advertisement

'She was very nice, she stood there and watched us. She understood the instructions I was giving to my friend and was motivating her to get it back in.

'She said it was the first time it's ever happened.

'My friend kept trying but eventually said 'it's stressing me out' and she asked if I could put it back in.

'I had never tried before but I managed to do it.

'When I got back to my seat the guy next to me said he had a metal plate in his jaw and we talked about our jaw problems.

'Everyone was really nice, which was comforting.

'It's gave me confidence as sometimes when I yawn and I'm alone I worry because I've always thought I couldn't put it in myself.

'But, now I know I can put it back in myself it's reassuring. Every time it happens, I learn something new.'

The holidaymaker posted footage of the ordeal on TikTok where it racked up 5.5 million views.

Users were quick to comment on the post, with one writing: 'I'm never opening my mouth again'

Another said: 'True friendship that', while a third penned 'new fear unlocked', while another admitted: 'I would freak out so bad'

Isabella said: 'I just thought this is great content, being on a flight and it coming out.

'I've been on flights before thinking it could come out and it finally did. I didn't expect it to get the views it did.'
An experienced Boeing 747 pilot has revealed why passengers are told to adopt the 'brace' position in an emergency - and rubbished the urban myth that it's designed to break their necks on impact.

Nick Eades, of Sussex, who retired last year after a 40-year career with British Airways, told Ladbible the position is actually designed to protect the neck and back.

The position involves bending forward and putting your hands over your head to prepare for a crash, to help your body brace for impact.

Retired British Airways captain Nick Eades, pictured, has revealed why passengers are told to adopt the 'brace' position in an emergency - and rubbished the urban myth that it's designed to break their necks on impact

A popular urban myth suggests it is meant to help break the necks of passengers in a serious crash.

The pilot said there's no truth to the morbid conspiracy theory.

'You're just trying to get the body into a position that's going to suffer least damage,' he said.

'It's like whiplash - you're trying to avoid that sudden movement of the head, which can result in serious injury, if not death.'

In his books Self Improver: A Pilot's Journey and Still Improving: Becoming the Worlds Most Experienced 747 Captain, Nick details terrifying incidents he has experienced mid-flight.

He recalled one incident when he had to land a plane when two of the four airplane engines were inoperative as part of a training exercise.

Monarch Airlines Airline safety booklet showing passengers how to get into the brace position in case of a crash landing. Nick Eades explained it is designed to protect the neck on impact

He was put to the test in danger scenarios, including ones where the could be a wing fault.

'It was indeed the most challenging, the old model of the 747 was underpowered and even with all the engines falling on it struggled with high weights, losing two of the engines made handling of the aircraft extremely critical,' he writes.

The pilot has also had harrowing experiences on the ground.

On one stop over in Zimbabwe in the 90s, Nick and his crew were met at the airport by a limousine - typical of the luxury affording to British Airways staff in the region at the time - and turned into an area known for gang welfare.

The limousine was attacked by a narcotics gang in Harare which Nick referred to as 'one of the most dangerous places' at the time and their limousine was 'split in two'. Crew members were flung across the ground while Nick was left 'covered in blood'.

In his books Self Improver: A Pilot's Journey and Still Improving: Becoming the Worlds Most Experienced 747 Captain, Nick details terrifying incidents he has experienced mid-flight. Pictured, the cover of Nick's book

The limo has been purposefully hit by a large truck with bull bars and 'most of the seats ejected into the roads' with crew still in them.

At first when he couldn't find her, Nick feared the worst, but found her after he heard her groaning under wreckage, her face was 'covered in blood' and as he pulled her out from under the place she was trapped 'she let out an agonized cry, her ear had been pierced by the side of the seat and she was held fast'.

He continues in the book: 'Despite her protests I pulled her free, almost detaching her ear in the process.'

'There were lots of injuries and five of the crew had been seriously injured, to my astonishment some of the crew were being led away to private cars nearby and people had already crowded round trying to scavenge and make money from our predicament.

'I was furious. Some of the crew needed treatment in a hospital. The driver was dead.'

The Captain made an emotional call to British Airways that evening and they promised to have a replacement crew sent down straightaway for the flight back, with his crew still in a Zimbabwean hospital and a black eye Nick was asked to operate the flight back as the replacement pilot came down with food poisoning.

One of the most terrifying accounts in his book of a domestic flight from Glasgow to Manchester in 1979 that almost ended in tragedy as the nose of the plane began to nose dive in icy conditions.

He writes: 'It was Hogmanay and maybe we couldn't celebrate the new decade after all. I could see the concern on my colleague's face as the plane gave up any pretense of flying.

'I dropped the torch and we were in darkness heading toward an ice cube, I just prayed my colleague Pete would avoid a spin. Thankfully we were the right way up but descending at an alarming rate.

'The whole time I could hear the air traffic controller asking us why we were descending when he had cleared us to climb.

'The engine was full power but we were still dropping. We were planning how to land blind.

'As we approached Manchester, our plan to land worked. We looked at each other and said nothing - knowing how close we had come to not seeing in the New Year.'
Japanese law enforcement was forced to act after monkeys in a southwestern city in the country went on a rampage, attacking, biting, and clawing residents and trying to snatch babies from their homes.

On Wednesday, authorities said that they were able to kill a monkey that they believe was among the rampaging groups. The news came as a relief to the people of Yamaguchi city, where 56 victims have been attacked by a monkey this month, including a baby girl who was injured in her home and a four-year-old girl pounced on at a kindergarten.

Japanese Monkey Attacks

Officials expect that the marauding macaque that was killed on Tuesday will not be the last to be executed in Japan for attacking humans. The vice principal of the Yamaguchi kindergarten, Yasuko Sanada, said on Wednesday that monkeys were still running through the school's playground.

The school official said that they received a warning from police and have stopped letting children from playing outside. Recently, Japan's macaque population has thrived, largely due to conservation efforts that started after World War II, as per the New York Times.

The monkey population's recovery has paradoxically "provoked and intensified" human-macaque conflicts to the point where people living near the animals now face serious risks of having their own habitats invaded, said primate expert Hiroto Enari.

Read Also: How Mammal Ancestors Came About as the First Reptiles Roamed the Earth, Science Explains

The attacks in Yamaguchi are unusually dramatic, said Enari, who teaches wildlife management at Yamagata University. However, if humans give them many opportunities to learn, they might cause even more conflict.

According to the Associated Press, the attacks began on July 8 and have become so severe that Yamaguchi city hall hired a special unit to hunt the animals with tranquilizer guns. Authorities noted that the monkeys are not interested in food, which means that traps have not been effective. The animals have mostly targeted children and the elderly in the area.

Avoiding Traps

On Wednesday, city official Masato Saito said that the monkeys were smart and tend to snake up and attack from behind, mostly grabbing people by their legs. He told residents that if they are confronted by a monkey, they should not look them in the eye, make themselves look as big as possible, and quietly back away without making any sudden moves.

A woman was reportedly assaulted by a macaque while she was hanging laundry on her veranda. Another victim was shown with bandaged toes after being attacked by one of the animals. Victims were taken aback and frightened by how big and fat the monkeys that confronted them.

One city official, who declined to be named, said that it was extremely rare to see the number of attacks in such a short period of time. They noted that initially the monkeys were only targeting children and women but noted that they later turned their focus on elderly and adult men.

Local media reported victims receiving anything from scratches, bitten legs, and hands, to bitten necks and stomachs. Some residents have also reported multiple incursions in their homes as the monkeys gain access by sliding screen doors or entering through open windows, BBC reported.



Related Article: New COVID-19 Studies Pinpoint Real Epicenter of Deadly Virus That Has Caused 6.3 Million Deaths

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A 'miracle' deodorant that claims you only need to apply once a week has racked up hundreds of five star reviews - with customers branding it 'lifechanging'.

Lavilin Laboratories is a herbal, aluminium-free deodorant with the makers claiming that one teardrop sized application will keep users sweat-free for seven days.

It contains natural ingredients, including a combination of vitamin E, zinc, talc and castor seed oil which helps lock in moisture by preventing water loss through the outer layer of the skin. One pot, costing $27.45, will last a year.

Aussie influencers, including Alex Lyons (pictured) has praised the product.

While it claims not to stop sweat, it instead removes the odour from perspiration.

The product was originally designed during World War II for the soviet army - and was commercialised in 1974 by Tel Aviv based biochemist Ziska Hlavin.

It launched in Australia in 2017 and has since built up a growing base of loyal fans with the company's website showing dozens of reviews.

'Well I was dubious it would work that well in the humidity of where I live but I was wrong. This stuff is incredible. For me it lasts 6 days which is awesome. Won't go back to sprays,' said one.

'I only have to put on Lavilin once a week; no more suddenly realising that I forgot to put on deodorant.

It contains natural ingredients, including a combination of vitamin E, zinc, talc and castor seed oil which helps lock in moisture by preventing water loss through the outer layer of the skin. One pot, costing $27.45, will last a year.

What's in Lavilin Laboratories all-natural 'seven day' deodorant? Chamomile (Bisabolol) is a herb that comes from the flowers of the Asteraceae plant family. It has been consumed for centuries as a natural remedy for several health conditions and consumed as a tea. The essential oil is used extensively in cosmetics and aromatherapy. In Lavilin products, chamomile is included for its skin conditioning properties to nourish and soothe the skin and for its antibacterial benefits. Arnica Montana Flower extract is used in herbal medicine for pain relief and for its anti-inflammatory qualities. Lavilin uses the natural properties of Arnica Montana, a yellow-orangish flower that grows in the mountains of Europe and Siberia, to restore skin suppleness as it calms and moisturises the skin. Castor seed oil is rich in ricinoleic acid  a monounsaturated fatty acid  and helps lock in moisture by preventing water loss through the outer layer of the skin. It has antimicrobial properties that may help fight bacterial overgrowth when applied to the skin Lavilin also uses castor seed oil as a skin conditioning and moisturising agent. It has a very low comedogenic rating ie. doesn't block pores, as opposed to coconut oil which has a fairly high rating. Pro-Bio Balance is based on a unique complex of 'good bacteria'. This ingredient combines milk protein, lactose and Bifida Ferment Lysate which provides essential nutrients while detoxing and working to replenish the natural biome of the skin. Helping to stimulate the skin's metabolism, pro-bio balance works to protect against damage caused by environmental stress and also enhances the skin's natural age-resisting function. The Vegan Deodorant Cream uses Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, a different probiotic without the milk base. Triethyl citrate is an organic ester of citric acid found in citrus fruit and is also naturally present in wine in small amounts. Triethyl citrate is used as a skin conditioning agent for sensitive skin areas and works to inhibit odour-causing bacteria. Vitamin E in the form of Tocopherol is derived from vegetable oils. It is a natural antioxidant to maintain freshness and shelf life while also nourishing the skin. Vitamin E strengthens the capillary walls of the skin and improves moisture and elasticity. Zinc oxide is the combination of the natural essential mineral of zinc and oxygen molecules to produce a white powder. Zinc oxide, also an effective sunscreen, works as a mild astringent to dry excess oil. It shows antiseptic properties by inhibiting bacteria and protects and soothes the skin. Talc (Pharma grade) is a clay mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate. It has been in use since ancient times and long been used in cosmetics, as a food additive: in chewing gum, rice and even your good old table salt as an anti-caking agent, and pharmaceutical products. Pharmaceutical grade talc, the purest and most refined form of talc, is widely used in medicated foot powders, creams, lotions, ointments and as a filler in tablets and vitamin supplements. Lavilin uses the strictest grade of pure Pharma Talc in its products that remain on the surface of the skin to stabilise the consistency for a flawless product. Calendula is a species of perennial herbaceous plant in the daisy family, also known as Marigolds. While the flowers have been used in cooking for centuries, ancient cultures used calendula flowers to treat skin conditions, to stop bleeding, prevent infection and speed healing in cuts and wounds. Lavilin includes Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract for its deep hydration, soothing antiseptic and antimicrobial properties to support the natural skin regeneration processes. Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax is the natural vegetable wax from the leaves of the palm Copernicia prunifera. This palm is native to Brazil where it is called 'the tree of life'. The wax is used in many industries, including food products and in cosmetics, especially lipsticks and lip balms. Carnauba wax has a low comedogenic rating of 1, meaning it doesn't block pores and naturally protects, softens and moisturises the skin Advertisement

'I love that I don't have to worry about running out of deodorant and having to keep rebuying so regularly kinda in line with my secret wish to have a never-ending roll of toilet paper. I am using less packaging which is helping me in my efforts to be living a waste-free life,' said another.

Aussie influencers, including Alex Lyons, has praised the product.

The website also cites a study by the Institute of Skin Research in Tel Aviv, claiming its effectiveness, claiming single application of Lavilin 002 is effective for 6.28 days on average.

Other fans claim they put it once every 10 days in winter and once every four days in summer.

'I ordered some samples and to my amazement they worked! My work uniform is polyester and I swear more than seems average, so I find I stink at the end of the day. Using this cream has stopped the smell completely, I'm SO IMPRESSED,' said one.

Influencer Rosie - who blogs as ohmywildhearts - has also praised the product - saying it combated her 'crazy pregnancy hormones'

'I started using the product a few months ago after using other natural products. I have to say that this one is the best. Not only does it last you only need the tiniest amount. I have even converted my husband who was a sceptic at first,' added another.

'It's not just a deodorant; IT'S a miracle cream. It's an excellent deodorant you literally don't have to worry about Body odor at all for days. Just be sure you shower with soap wipe your armpits with alcohol pads and apply a tiny blob onto your pits and massage well,' said another.

However, some reviews are less favourable, claiming it left them with less than favourable odours.

'Works decently well but it leaves really intense white stains on clothing that are difficult to remove. Especially if you wear black & I do everyday. Might be ok for lighter colours. Not something I can continue to wear,' said one.

'This is a decent deodorant. I like that it's natural, but at the same time don't expect it to work as hard as a standard anti-perspirant. That said, I still use it because I don't want to use Aluminum based products,' added another.

While using the product, you can still shower and wash under your arms as this will not affect the effectiveness of the product.
Do you regularly feel like you've woken up on the wrong side of the bed?

A mathematician claims to have found the winning morning routine formula to get you off to the best possible start of the day.

Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, a former child brainiac who presented Countdown earlier this year, says Britons will wake up in a good mood if they follow her model.

It was developed based on a survey of 2,000 adults in the UK who were asked about their morning routines and how they felt afterwards.

There is good news for those of us who like to snooze the alarm clock but not so great if you're not an early bird.

The survey found 6.44am is exactly the best time to wake up  but you shouldn't actually get out of bed until precisely 7.12am.

This should be followed by 21 minutes exercising, spending 10 minutes in the shower and 18 minutes eating breakfast, results suggested.

Dr Imafidon says that while these times appear to be optimal, you can use her formula to plug in your own timings to find the perfect, personalised routine.

The only thing that's non-negotiable is you must get eight hours of sleep.

The perfect start to the day could be as simple as following a simple formula, according to a mathematician. Graphic shows: The formula for whether you have woken up on the 'right side of the bed'. The minutes spent eating breakfast, exercising and showering in the morning divided by how much less than eight hours you spend sleeping and how far you are from leaving bed at 7.12am, plus the minutes you spend doing other 'getting ready' activities should add up to more than 37 to be having a good morning

Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon (pictured), a maths child prodigy who hosted Countdown earlier this year, says Britons will 'wake up on the right side of the bed' if they follow her tips

Britain's brainiest family: How Anne-Marie Imafidon and her siblings achieved extraordinary success All five of the Imafidon children have achieved extraordinary academic success, passing GCSEs when they were as young as six and going on to study for degrees at universities including Oxford and Harvard. Anne-Marie, 31, passed A-level maths aged 11; Christiana, 28, passed GCSE maths at nine; Samantha, 24, passed GCSEs in maths and statistics aged six; while twins Paula and Peter, 21 passed GCSE maths aged six and A-level maths aged seven. Their exceptional talent earned them the nickname 'Britain's brainiest family'. Professor Chris Imafidon encouraged sibling rivalry, gave out , their father'medals when his children succeeded and supported them playing computer games to learn. They also learnt two musical instruments and competed in a number of sports, as well as learning languages. Advertisement

She said: 'It's interesting to see how different factors in our morning routine can set us up for the rest of the day.

'Having this formula is a great tool to help start the day right.

'Not everyone has the same routine but a combination of the different elements should be key to "getting out of bed on the right side"  especially after so many of us admit to regularly getting up in a bad mood.'

The original survey found three in ten Britons say they regularly 'wake up on the wrong side of bed', while a quarter do not see their mood lift till 11am.

Four in 10 said they do not know how to turn their day around if it starts badly.

Half blamed broken sleep for their rough wake-up and three out of 10 said it was because they did not eat enough breakfast.

A third said they set aside lots of time to enjoy their first meal while

Based on this data, Dr Imafidon constructed a formula to weight how long people should spend showering, eating, exercising and doing other activities based on how long they slept and stayed in bed.

The total minutes spent showering and exercising plus twice the minutes spent eating make up the first part of the formula.

Minutes spent eating breakfast are given a double-weighting because of how much survey participants said they valued the first meal of the day.

This is then divided by the difference between eight hours  the amount of time recommended to be asleep  and the actual time spent sleeping, multiplied by the more hours away from 7.12am it is that you get out of bed.

Finally, the minutes spent doing other 'getting ready' activities, like reading or meditating, is added on.

If the final number is greater than 37 you are likely to be having a good morning, Dr Imafidon said.

The formula is not based on exact scientific data and acts more as a rough guide for how long you should spend based on average preferences.

The NHS says adults should get six to nine hours of sleep every night, although getting closer to eight hours is ideal.

The poll was commissioned by Kelloggs Special K Crunchy Oat Granola.
The bacteria responsible for a disease that kills up to 50 percent of the people it infects has been detected on U.S. soil for the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed Wednesday.

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the cause of meliodosis, has been detected in soil and water samples in the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The bacteria was found as part of an investigation into two cases in the area that have been found in recent years. Around a dozen Americans catch the deadly disease yearly, but cases have always been tied to foreign travel.

It was previously thought not to be found in the U.S., but the find means Americans can now catch the disease at home. However, officials were quick to say the risk to the public remained 'very low'.

Globally, half of patients that have confirmed infections eventually die as a result. Experts warned the detection was a 'big deal', as it told doctors to be on alert for the disease in local patients.

Melioidosis, also called Whitmores disease, is an infectious disease that can infect humans or animals

Melioidosis: Disease that kills up to 50% of people it infects Melioidosis is a disease triggered by the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei. It is endemic across much of South Asia and in Australia. But in recent years it has spread to other countries in the Americas via travelers. How is it transmitted? Bacteria that cause melioidosis are contracted by breathing in or being exposed to contaminated water or soil. It is very rare for infected people to pass it on to others. What are the symptoms? Patients usually start to experience symptoms about two to four weeks after being infected, but these can also appear within 24 hours. Warning signs may include a fever, cough, chest pain, headache and abscess at the infection site. In more severe cases, it can also lead to seizures, disorientation and respiratory distress. Will I die from the disease? Up to 50 percent of patients die from the disease in less developed countries, where there is little access to medicine. In more developed nations this drops to 10 percent. What are the treatments? Patients are normally administered with antibiotics  often via an intravenous drip  to fight the disease. Is it in the United States? About 12 cases are detected every year, but these are almost always among travelers. The detection of the bacteria in Mississippi suggests it can now also be picked up in the United States. Advertisement

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its alert it was 'unclear' how long the bacteria had been in America, or whether it was also in other states.

But they stressed that environmental conditions along the Gulf Coast are 'conducive' to the bacteria being able to survive.

The CDC launched an investigation earlier this year after two unrelated patients who lived near each other came down with melioidosis in 2020 and 2022.

Samples were taken from the soil and water around both patients homes, with three of those taken in 2022 testing positive for the bacteria.

Dr Julie Petras, an epidemiologist with the CDC, told STAT News the find was a 'big deal' because 'clinicians... only consider melioidosis in patients who have recent travel to an endemic area'.

'They would not consider just somebody living in the Gulf Coast area who has never traveled, that they would have melioidosis,' she added.

'So really the purpose of this [alert] is to say: Look, we found it here. It is locally endemic in this region. Be on alert. Because this disease can look like a lot of different things, so it can be challenging to diagnose.'

About 12 people are struck down with the disease in America every year, but until now these cases were nearly always linked to international travel.

Like many other bacterial infections, it is caused when a person exposed to the germs via infected soil or water.

Person-to-person transmission of the disease is possible but extremely rare.

The onset of symptoms can be sporadic with some feeling it as early as 24 hours after exposure and others not feeling sick for two-to-four weeks.

It is often initially mistaken for tuberculosis, pneumonia or other pulmonary issues by health professionals.

Around 50 percent of people infected will die, though the figure is likely tied to its prevalence in less-developed nations that may not have the same access to medicine that first world nations do.

In countries like the U.S., access to medicine drops the risk of death to around ten percent.
Covid deaths spiked on the hottest day ever in what experts say could be the first sign of a surge in heatwave fatalities.

Official figures show 258 people with the virus died on July 19 in England  the same day the mercury hit 40.2C (104.4F).

The figure was up by 100 (68 per cent) in a week and marks the highest daily fatality toll since April, when infections were at record levels.

However, deaths are still running at a fraction of the levels seen during the darkest days of the pandemic.

Scientists trying to unpick the sudden spike say Covid infections were already at very high levels when the heatwave hit.

They suggest the rise in deaths may have been among people who died from heat-related illnesses but happened to have Covid at the same time.

Others warned some elderly and vulnerable people may have died because they were isolating alone with the virus. The sweltering temperatures may have also worsened people's Covid infections.

However, the way deaths are registered in the NHS mean many of the deaths likely occurred days before they were actually posted on the Government dashboard.

Daily virus deaths had already been rising slowly earlier this month and an estimated 3.1million people were infected in the days leading up to July 19.

A Met Office graphic last week shows how parts of London and southern England suffered record temperatures of up to 40C

Heatwaves kill up to 2,000 Britons every summer, as dehydration and heatstroke can lead to deadly blood clots, strokes and cause deterioration among those already suffering underlying conditions.

Accidents and injuries, such as from car crashes, are also more common during hot spells.

While the true death count linked to two days of record-breaking heat last week won't be known for months, experts estimate more than 800 people died across the UK last Monday and Tuesday alone.

The Covid data, published by the UK Health Security Agency, counts all virus deaths among Britons who tested positive in the previous 28 days.

However, not all of these deaths are primarily caused by the virus.

Separate data shows that Covid is the underlying cause in only six in 10 deaths posted to the Government dashboard.

Scientists trying to unpick the sudden spike told MailOnline Covid infections were already at very high levels when the heatwave hit an estimated 3.1million people were infected in the days leading up to July 19. Experts suggest the rise may have been among people who died from heat-related illnesses but happened to have Covid at the same time

This graph shows the number of deaths directly due to Covid recorded in England and Wales. The number of deaths being recorded these nations currently is far below that of previous waves earlier year and a sheer fraction of those seen at the start of 2021

How can hot weather be deadly and who is most at risk? Heatwaves kill up to 2,000 people in the UK each summer. Hot weather can cause dehydration, which causes blood to thicken. It also lowers blood pressure, making it harder to push blood around the body. This can lead to blood clots and strokes. And overheating can make symptoms worse for those with heart and breathing problems - which can become fatal. There is also a higher risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, especially if exercising outdoors when it's hot. This is caused by not drinking enough and losing fluids through sweat. Studies have also found accidents and injuries, such as from car crashes, are higher worldwide during hot spells. Experts believe this is because heat can interfere with thinking, making mistakes more likely. A heatwave can be risky for anyone, especially if they don't stay cool and hydrated. But older people, especially the over-75s, those living on their own or in care homes and those with long-term illnesses, such as heart or lunch conditions, are among the most at risk. The heat wave also poses a greater problem for those who struggle to stay cool - including babies, young children, the bed bound and those with Alzheimer's. People who spend a lot of time outside or in hot places - such as those in the top floor of a flat, the homeless and those who work outside - are more likely to suffer health complications. Advertisement

A Covid infection can also worsen the condition of those already unwell, especially heart and breathing problem sufferers.

The two days of data available since the spike last week show that daily deaths dramatically fell by 57 per cent within 48 hours. Meanwhile, hospitalisations have been falling for two weeks.

Meaghan Kall, an epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said it is too soon to know for certain what caused the spike.

But high prevalence of the virus  with one in 17 people in England thought to be infected at the time  coupled with the heatwave, could be to blame.

'The curious question is what fraction is excess heatwave deaths, versus Covid, or potentially a combination of the two with the heat exacerbating severe Covid disease,' she wrote on Twitter.

Hot weather can cause dehydration, which causes blood to thicken. It also lowers blood pressure, making it harder to push blood around the body. This can lead to blood clots and strokes.

And overheating can make symptoms worse for those with heart and breathing problems  which can become fatal.

There is also a higher risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, especially if exercising outdoors when it's hot. This is caused by not drinking enough and losing fluids through sweat.

Older people, those living on their own or in care home and sufferers of long-term conditions are the most at risk.

Those confined to bed, with pre-existing conditions such as respiratory disease and heart problems are most at risk.

Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert based at the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline that heatwaves can kill 'sometimes sadly in very large numbers'.

Some of the increase in Covid deaths 'will have nothing to do with' being infected with Covid, while other fatalities will be among infected people who 'without the heatwave, would have survived', he said.

Professor Hunter added: 'Some may have died because the fact that they had Covid meant that they were more socially isolated than usual and so at greater risk from the heatwave.

'All of these factors probably play a role and we may never know for certain, how many of these excess deaths were due to each of these reasons.'

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, told MailOnline that the heatwave could have 'exacerbated the effects of Covid infection'.

However, he said it is 'always difficult to disentangle data on deaths' due to how it is collected.

Professor Yong said: 'This spike of Covid deaths is an obvious reflection of the very high levels of infection we have been experiencing over recent weeks.

'Its been estimated that around 70 per cent of these deaths are not directly due to Covid but are recorded as incidental infections as people are being tested on admission to hospital.

'It could be that the heatwave exacerbated the effects of covid infection, particularly in people with underlying health conditions.'

However, Dr David Strain, a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter, told MailOnline that the high death count is 'unlikely to be directly attributable to the hottest day of the year'.

The day a death is registered usually 'reflects the activities of the previous two or three days rather than what was going on on that particular day', he said.

So the fatalities registered on Tuesday July 19 'are likely to be the ones occurring over the weekend', he said.

Dr Strain added: 'I suspect that this is just a representation of the impact of the BA.5 variant which we know is returning to the lungs in a similar way to the Delta variant was and moving away from the upper airways where BA.2 was mostly active.'

He said despite nine in 10 people in the UK bein double-jabbed, which reduces the risk of severe disease and death from Covid, it is not enough to 'prevent peaks like this from occurring'.

Covid cases, hospitalisations and deaths are set to fall in the coming weeks, but 'until that happens we are back to the same old story of make sure that your vaccines are up-to-date because that is the best way to protect yourself', Dr Strain added.
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The number of qualified GPs has dropped to its lowest level on record and just one in four family doctors work full time, according to official data that highlights the 'catastrophic' crisis in general practice.

There were around 27,500 fully-qualified, permanent family doctors working for NHS England last month, down from about 28,000 in June 2021 and 1,500 fewer than five years ago.

The figure comes despite Boris Johnson's 2019 manifesto pledge to increase GP numbers by 6,000 by 2024. Ministers have since admitted that target will not be met.

Health bosses have warned the crippling workforce shortages, combined with unprecedented demand for a GP following the pandemic, has created an untenable situation that threatens patient safety.

Meanwhile, just 23 per cent of permanent NHS GPs work 37.5 hours or more a week, a drop from one third in five years. It follows research showing most family doctors now only work three days or less a week.

Patients have struggled to secure appointments or see a doctor face-to-face, which has seen some desperate people resort to turning up at A&E.

Separate figures suggest other NHS staff are increasingly picking up the burden as GPs wrestle staffing problems.

Data for June shows fewer than half of all appointments were carried out by qualified doctors. The rest were seen by other staff, including nurses, physiotherapists and even acupuncturists.

Nearly one in five appointments nationally lasted five or fewer minutes last month, in what campaign groups said was a sign GP surgeries have turned into 'revolving door' practices in an effort to get patients in and out as fast possible to get through huge workloads.

Appointments are meant to last no less than 10 minutes according to NHS best practice, while unions have pushed to increase the time to 15 minutes to ensure 'quality of care'.

Meanwhile, around 65 per cent of appointments were made face-to-face during the month, down from nearly 80 per cent before the pandemic.

There were just 27,558 full-time equivalent, fully-qualified GPs working in England last month, down 1.6 per cent on the 18,000 recorded in June 2021. It was down 5.3 per cent on the more than 29,000 working in June 2017

Meanwhile, separate figures today showed less than half of all appointments made last month saw patients seen by qualified doctors. Nearly 47 per cent of patients were seen by nurses or other staff, which can include acupuncturists and physiotherapists

One in six appointments in the country lasted up to just five minutes last month, with even higher proportions seen in some areas of the country. NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board saw 20 per cent of patients in five minutes or less

Increasing numbers of doctors are reducing their working hours and retiring early, while some are leaving to the private sector or abroad because of the huge increases in pressure put on them.

The NHS Digital data shows the number of full-time equivalent GPs that are fully qualified have dropped to its lowest level since records began in September 2015.

All figures are based on the number of full-time equivalent posts in the GP workforce, and do not include trainees or locums.

Patients to access test results and GP records on the NHS app from November Patients will be able to access test results and other information via the NHS app from November in a move that will free up GP surgery phone lines. NHS England will switch on automatic access to GP records on November 1 following a year-long delay due to 'safeguarding' concerns. For patients accessing more sensitive information, such as cancer test results, GPs will be able to customise how and when their records are shared. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, of NHS England, said: 'Improving patient access to health information on the NHS App will put patients in the driving seat when it comes to managing their own health.' He added it would help free up GP phone lines for urgent calls. The November date was confirmed in a letter to GPs last week. It said practices can 'consider increasing the number of patients who have online access and/or enhance their level of access gradually over the coming months'. Advertisement

Emily Jones, director of risk and healthcare at consultancy firm Broadstone, said: 'The declining number of qualified GPs in the UK is pushing the NHS to breaking point as demand continues to rise amid a growing backlog.

'The crisis risks a vicious spiral as more GPs quit the practice due to the intensifying workload heaping further pressure on those that remain in service.

'Patients are now waiting longer than ever for appointments with their GP for new diagnoses as well as ongoing treatments for existing conditions like cancer and diabetes.

'This is having a catastrophic impact as life threatening illnesses are being left undiagnosed until it is sadly too late for effective treatment.'

Meanwhile, the proportion of GPs working part-time between - 15 and 37.5 hours a week - has climbed from around six in 10 (62 per cent) to seven in 10 (69 per cent), according to figures for June.

GPs said doctors have been forced to drop their working time to avoid burnout because of the 'unsustainable' pressures being put on them by ever-increasing demand.

Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GP, told MailOnline: 'Despite repeated promises to boost GP numbers, today's figures show that we have more than 1,500 fewer qualified, full-time equivalent GPs than we did five years ago.

'The result is a chronically over-stretched and under-resourced general practice service, with GPs and their teams working to their absolute limits to deliver increasingly complex care to the ever-rising number of patients that need it.

'This is reflected in today's GP consultation figures, which show general practice is continuing to deliver more consultations every month than pre-pandemic, with more than 26million appointments delivered in June, and over 44 per cent of those on the same day they were booked.'

He added: 'Working at this intensity is unsustainable and it's unsafe for both patients and staff. An exhausted GP is not able to practice safely or deliver the high-quality care and services they are trained and want to deliver for patients.

'This is leading to GPs and other members of our teams burning out and having to evaluate their futures working in general practice, in some cases leaving the profession earlier than planned and in others reducing contracted working hours to make the job more sustainable.

'Yet working "part time" in general practice often means working what would normally be considered full-time, or longer  and will likely include many hours of paperwork on top of patient appointments.'

The proportion of GP appointments that were face-to-face rose slightly to 64.8 per cent last month, up from 64.1 per cent in May

Graph shows: The proportion of patients seen by a fully qualified doctor at GP appointments in different regions of England in June

Half of sick Brits haven't seen a doctor in a year Half of sick Britons have not seen a GP in a year, stark official figures suggest. In most cases, the reason is they find it too difficult to book an appointment, according to a major survey. Critics today described the lack of access as a 'ticking time bomb' that will lead to vital diagnoses being missed. A poll of 700,000 people with long-term health conditions in England found patient satisfaction and trust in general practice has fallen across the board. More than half of patients (55 per cent) who needed an appointment in the 12 months to April failed to secure one, up from 42 per cent the previous year. The main reason for a quarter of patients was that it was too difficult to book one, while a fifth said they did not want to burden the NHS. Patients struggled to see a GP for check-ups, treatment and drug reviews during the pandemic as surgeries switched the majority of consults to phone and video. Practices are now seeing record demand as those who could not get care or put it off start to pour back into the NHS. Advertisement

Separate data from NHS Digital shows the proportion of appointments where patients are seen by qualified doctors fell to just 49.9 per cent last month, down from 50.2 per cent in May.

The figures are calculated based on the number of sessions with a GP in attendance as a proportion of all appointments, which include some appointments where the type of healthcare professional was not recorded.

This means there may have been slightly more appointments that were attended by GPs than are reflected in the data.

One in six appointments in the country lasted up to just five minutes last month, with even higher proportions seen in some areas of the country.

NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board saw 20 per cent of patients in five minutes or less.

The area with the next highest proportion of sub five-minute consultations was NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (19.9 per cent)

It was followed by NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (19.6 per cent), NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (19.4 per cent) and NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (19.1 per cent).

Dennis Reed, director of elderly charity Silver Voices, told MailOnline: 'I find it difficult to comprehend how a GP visit can take less than five minutes. That hardly provides enough time to take your coat off and sit down.

'Routine and speedy transactions, such as repeat prescriptions or blood pressure checks are now carried out by other practice staff, and it is only complex cases, which are referred for GP attention.

'These "revolving door" statistics show the pressures that GPs are under and the potential dangers to patient safety from rushed diagnoses.'

The British Medical Association (BMA)  a trade union representing nearly 160,000 doctors  advises all appointments last at least 15 minutes to ensure 'the quality of care provided, preserve patient satisfaction, and reduce the need for repeated consultation with patients'.

Appointments are supposed to be fixed at 10 minutes according to NHS best practice. More than half (51.8 per cent) of appointments lasted less than 15 minutes, according to the figures.

Meanwhile, the proportion of GP appointments that were face-to-face rose slightly to 64.8 per cent last month, up from 64.1 per cent in May.

The amount of consultations that are made in-person are still below pre-pandemic levels, with concerns raised doctors are less able to spot potentially dangerous diseases over the phone or on Zoom calls.

The data comes after the annual GP Patient Survey earlier this month revealed half of sick patients have not seen their GP in the last year, with most saying it was because they could not get an appointment.

Of patients who had avoided seeing a GP in the past year, more than a quarter (27 per cent) said they found it too difficult to book an appointment  more than double the number in 2021 (11 per cent).

Some 20 per cent were worried about the burden on the NHS, while 12 per cent said it was due to being worried about catching Covid, down from 17 per cent in 2021.

Of those who did manage to see a doctor in the last 12 months, half (49 per cent) said they were not seen as quickly as they wanted, up from 41 per cent.

Just 56 per cent said they had a good experience making an appointment compared to 71 per cent a year ago.
A&E patients were told they could wait 40 hours before being admitted to hospital as the NHS battles its busiest summer on record.

A shocking sign put up at the Royal Bolton Hospital in Greater Manchester at the weekend warned they could be waiting '40+ hours for a bed'.

It said there were only six beds left in the entire hospital, and that they were being reserved for the sickest patients.

Patients who were in the A&E at the time said people were forced to sleep on the floor while they waited for medical attention.

Bosses at the hospital admitted the situation was 'not acceptable' in a statement published yesterday.

It is the latest sign of the worsening A&E crisis, with latest data showing 12-hour waits are increasingly becoming the norm.

More than 22,000 Britons queued for more than half a day in emergency departments before being seen last month. The target is four hours.

Rising Covid staff absences, the heatwave and ongoing delays in handing over patients have heaped extra pressure on emergency departments which were already in crisis mode coming out of the pandemic.

This shocking sign posted at Royal Bolton Hospital warned people attending its emergency of a 40+ hour wait for a bed

Some 22,034 people had to wait more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England in June from a decision to admit to actually being admitted, NHS England said. The figure is up from 19,053 the previous month, but still below a record of 24,138 in April, which was the highest for any calendar month in records going back to August 2010. The number waiting at least four hours from the decision to admit to admission stood at 130,109 in June, up from 122,768 the previous month. A total of 72% of patients in England were seen within four hours at A&Es last month, down from 73% in May

Heart attack patients waited more than 50 minutes for an ambulance on average in England last month  nearly triple the NHS target. There were more than 300,000 category two callouts in June

The sign posted at the Royal Bolton Hospital read: 'There is currently a 40+ hour [wait] for a medical bed. There are six beds only left throughout the entire hospital.'

'We have no beds/cubicles in A&E due to no movement. If you are waiting for a ward, you will be in our waiting room for numerous hours.

'If you require food, drink, medication or wish to leave, please go through to speak to medical staff.'

Mystery over spike in Covid deaths on hottest day ever Covid deaths spiked on the hottest day ever in what experts say could be the first sign of a surge in heatwave fatalities. Official figures show 258 people with the virus died on July 19 in England  the same day the mercury hit 40.2C (104.4F). The figure was up by 100 (68 per cent) in a week and marks the highest daily fatality toll since April, when infections were at record levels. However, deaths are still running at a fraction of the levels seen during the darkest days of the pandemic. Scientists trying to unpick the sudden spike told MailOnline Covid infections were already at very high levels when the heatwave hit. They suggest the rise may have been among people who died from heat-related illnesses but happened to have Covid at the same time. Others warned some elderly and vulnerable people may have died because they were isolating alone with the virus. The sweltering temperatures may have also worsened people's Covid infections. However, the way deaths are registered in the NHS mean many of the deaths likely occurred days before they were actually posted on the Government dashboard. Daily virus deaths had already been rising slowly earlier this month and an estimated 3.1million people were infected in the days leading up to July 19. Advertisement

It also added the wait to see a doctor was four to five hours and the minor injuries unit had a two to three hour wait.

Hospital staff put up a sign warning people of the inhumane waits for a bed at 1am on Friday.

The sign blamed the lack of beds on 'no movement', meaning that although a number of patients were well enough to leave hospital they could not be discharged due to lack of capacity in social care.

The 'bed-blocking' crisis has created a logjam that is fuelling a deadly collapse in ambulance response times.

NHS chiefs in Greater Manchester have said there is simply not enough social care to go around.

Hamna Qureshi, 32, was among the patients in Bolton's A&E in the early hours of Friday and told Manchester Evening News of her ordeal.

'I was seen after two hours, then more tests, and sat for 16 hours in A&E,' she said.

'No beds, no easy chairs, nothing at all, people were so ill that they couldn't sit so they slept on the floor.'

She added even the sickest patients, who would normally be given a bed, were told they had to wait in the A&E as they could die if they left.

'One person sitting next to us... was told he was going to be admitted and needed to wait in A&E 40+ hours, as per the sign, before he could get a bed,' she said.

'He asked if he could go home and come back the next morning and was told 'it could be fatal to go home' but no beds available.'

The situation in Bolton mirrors that of towns and cities up and down the country.

One junior medic in Manchester said long-running staffing issues in hospitals and a lack of capacity in social care meant the NHS was incredible vulnerable to any strain put on the system.

'With any strain - heat, Covid this week - on an already overstretched system, you will see a snowballing effect on waiting times,' they said.

At the same time, the NHS backlog for routine treatment grew from 6.4million to 6.6million in May, the latest month with data, meaning one in eight people in England are now waiting for elective care, often in pain

'We're in danger of singing 'kumbaya' as the Titanic sinks': NHS boss issues grim warning The NHS is in danger of 'singing 'kumbaya' as the Titanic sinks, one hospital chief executive has claimed. Milton Keynes University Hospital Foundation Trust boss Joe Harrison argued health leaders were 'presiding over a failing NHS'. 'I'm really concerned about where we are at,' he told a roundtable attended by trust executives from across the country. His comments come on the back of a damning report that warned the health service faces its biggest ever workforce crisis that poses a 'serious risk to patient safety'. The MP-led committee, led by Jeremy Hunt, claimed the Government has no credible strategy to improve the situation while demand grows. The Health Service Journal, a trade publication for NHS leaders and senior managers, held a meeting with trust chief executives about the current state of the health service. During the briefing, Mr Harrison said: 'I think we're in danger of all sitting around the campfire singing 'kumbaya' as the Titanic sinks. 'We are presiding over a failing NHS. There's no question about it.' He added: 'And if we carry on like this, people have every right to say, 'what on earth are we spending 150bn on?'' Mr Harrison's comments were echoed by other NHS leaders, who said that a lack of accountability over standards like A&E waiting times would undermine public faith in the health service. Advertisement

'There is a lot of talk about heat as it is topical, but in a few days when all the heat settles, the waiting times will remain roughly similar to see a doctor in A&E.

'You'll still find the ambulance crews queueing to offload patients because there isn't a safe place to put them. We are talking hours for handovers over the last two days.'

The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has also cited a rise of 21 per cent in serious injuries and illnesses in a month.

In a statement yesterday, Rae Wheatcroft, chief operating officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal Bolton Hospital, admitted the situation was unacceptable.

'It is clear that the amount of time some people have to wait for care is not acceptable', she said.

'We continue to be very busy and our staff are working extremely hard to ensure all of our patients get the care they need safely, effectively and as quickly as possible.

'However it is clear that the amount of time some people have to wait for care is not acceptable, so we continue to do everything we can to get people home safely, get people who need care into a suitable bed as soon as possible, and minimise the time for those waiting for minor treatment.'

There is increasing concern about how the NHS A&E system is coping over what some are calling it's worst ever summer as it battles a fresh surge of Covid, hot weather and a wave of staff absences - on top of pandemic backlogs.

Heart attack patients waited more than 50 minutes for an ambulance on average in England last month  nearly triple the NHS target  and more than 22,000 Britons queued for 12-plus hours in A&E before being seen.

Callouts to the most urgent cases have also risen by a third in recent months, with the average patient with a life-threatening emergency now waiting nine minutes for paramedics, compared to the seven-minute goal.

The health service's monthly performance stats lay bare the crisis in emergency departments as medics wrestle with increasing Covid hospital and staff sickness rates, excess admissions caused by the heatwave and pandemic backlogs.

Meanwhile, the number of people in England waiting to start routine hospital treatment has also risen to a new record high. A total of 6.6million people were waiting to start treatment at the end of May.

This is up from 6.5million in April and is the highest number since records began in August 2007.
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Every American should 'pay attention' to the monkeypox outbreak because the disease could spill over into more groups than just gay men, the head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) warned Thursday  as U.S. cases topped 4,600 to become the highest tally in the world.

Dr Xavier Becerra, secretary of the HHS, issued the stark warning during a press briefing, adding that infections with the disease were 'painful' and could also be dangerous. He did insist it was 'absolutely' still possible for the U.S. to eliminate monkeypox.

The vast majority of cases are still among gay or bisexual men, but last week America recorded its first two cases in children  in a toddler in California and infant traveling through Washington D.C.  and a pregnant woman who tested positive when she was near full-term.

Top experts have been warning for weeks that other groups could catch the disease because it does not require sexual contact to transmit, but only close contact such as hugs or brushing the rashes of an infected person.

Becerra's comments came after the U.S. infection tally surged by 1,048 cases on Thursday to become the highest in the world, with officials warning it was set to continue to rise for 'weeks'. California and New York accounted for 75 percent of the rise, which was blamed on 'historic' cases being added to the tally.

No deaths have been reported in the U.S. yet, with only one registered in Nigeria so far in this global outbreak of more than 20,000 cases. But there are concerns that should the disease spread to more vulnerable groups  including children and pregnant women  more fatalities will be recorded.

Dr Xevier Becerra, who heads up the Department of Health and Human Services, warned all Americans should be worried about the spread of monkeypox. Captain Jennifer McQuiston, who is involved with the response at the CDC, warned that cases would likely continue to rise for weeks

At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) conference, Becerra warned: 'Every American should pay attention on monkeypox.

'Monkeypox is not Covid, but it is contagious, it is painful and it can be dangerous. At the HHS our goal is  stay ahead of the virus, and to stop the outbreak. We are doing everything we can in that regard.'

He added: 'On the question can we not only stay ahead but end this outbreak  absolutely. We believe we have done everything we can at the Federal level [for this].'

Pregnant woman tests positive for monkeypox in America A pregnant woman has tested positive for monkeypox in the United States, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) chief revealed yesterday. The woman has now given birth to her child, who does not appear to have caught the rash-causing virus from the mother. CDC released limited information on the case, including where in the US the woman was based. It's also unclear when the woman was infected, or exactly when she gave birth. Health officials said both were 'doing well', but the nation's top infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci warned Tuesday that pregnant woman may face a 'profound risk' from the virus. A maternity doctor told DailyMail.com that women in the early stages of pregnancy faced the biggest risk from monkeypox. The mother may have been in the final stages of her pregnancy when infected, as she recently gave birth. The newborn received immune globin, an infusion of antibodies capable of fighting diseases including monkeypox, officials said. It is not clear what treatment the mother received. It is the first infection to be detected in a pregnant woman in the United States, and comes after America recorded its first two infections in children last week. The pediatric cases were unrelated and detected in California and Washington D.C. Advertisement

Becerra also called on every American offered the vaccine to get one, pointing out that even with Covid  which may still be more deadly than monkeypox  many Americans have still not got the jab.

Nearly 800,000 more doses of the vaccine have arrived in the United States and are now being made available to states, they revealed today. This is more than double the total 338,000 that have been dished out so far.

Health officials also say a further 5.5 million are due to arrive by May next year, with another 11.1 million in storage to be called upon if the outbreak worsens.

Most states are currently rolling out vaccines to close contacts of reported cases, with New York City and Washington D.C. offering them to all gay or bisexual men who have multiple sexual contacts in a fortnight. Both have cut plans to offer a second dose  usually given 28 days after the first  due to a lack of supply.

Yesterday top officials also took to the airwaves to warn men who have sex with men to 'limit' their sexual contacts to help curb the spread of the disease.

Dr Jennifer McQuiston, a pathology expert at the CDC, told the briefing almost every monkeypox case had been spotted in a man, with the 'vast majority' saying they had sex with other men. They were aged 35 years on average, with the oldest being 76.

About two-fifths of cases were detected among white men, while another two-fifths were in the hispanic population and almost 30 percent were among black individuals. Four percent were Asian.

Almost every case has experienced a rash during their infection, with fatigue, fever and swollen lymph nodes making up the rest of the four most common symptoms.

No deaths from the disease have been reported in the U.S. to date, but there are mounting fears that it could spill over into more vulnerable groups including children and pregnant women.

The disease only requires physical contact to spread  such as cuddles or brushing the arm of an infected person  or can be picked up from scabs from a patient left on bedding. Sexual contact is not necessary.

This week the CDC revealed the first two cases in children  in a toddler from California and an infant who was traveling through Washington D.C.. Another infection was also detected in a pregnant woman, although the location has not been disclosed.

Health officials say all cases are 'doing well'. But data suggests children under eight years old are at higher risk of severe disease than adults. Pregnant woman are also more at risk, particularly those in the first ten weeks of pregnancy where the disease could lead to abnormalities in organs forming in the baby.

Other experts have warned monkeypox has likely already spilled over to other groups, but that this is not being detected yet because officials are doing too few tests.

Dawn O'Connell, the assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the HHS, said there were a further 11.1million doses available to the U.S. in Denmark that were currently in storage.

She said these would be deployed with further funding from Congress, and if it was deemed necessary should cases escalate.

Yesterday another 1,048 cases of monkeypox were recorded in the U.S., with McQuiston saying most of this number was 'historic' with infections only now being added to the tally.

It makes the U.S. outbreak the largest in the world, with Spain  among the first countries to record cases  behind with 3,738 infections alongside Germany with 2,540.

But when the data is looked at in terms of population  which is more accurate because it takes into account country sizes  it shows out of the top ten countries with the highest case tally the U.S. has the eighth largest outbreak.

At the top of the table is Spain, with the most cases per resident, followed by Portugal and the Netherlands.
Sustained use of strong melatonin could lead to an unknown array of serious health issues including grave cognitive decline and psychiatric problems in the long-term, experts warn.

More than two percent of American adults now use melatonin regularly, a five-fold increase in the past 20 years. The sleep-aid hasn't been used en masse for long enough for it's real-life effects to be studied, but the NIH has said it fears long-term use could cause cognitive damage such as dementia.

In a new report published in the journal JAMA, sleep and psychiatric experts warned that Americans 'self-medicating' with high doses over a long-term period are putting themselves at risk of short-term side-effects including fatigue, dizziness and headaches - and more serious health consequences in the long-term, especially if taken in conjunction with other medications.

Many of those taking melatonin regularly are consuming it in doses higher than the maximum recommended five milligrams a night and are doing so on a regular basis.

Doctors cited in the JAMA report describe the unregulated spike in the over-the-counter sleep-aid supplement as 'a crazy situation that has gotten out of hand'.

While melatonin is safe to use on occasion, it is like every sleep-aid in that doctors do not recommend a person use it to sleep every night (file photo)

Unlike in most other countries, in the U.S. melatonin is not regulated by the FDA and can be purchased online and off pharmacy shelves without prescription. It is marketed as a natural and safe supplement to help sleep. Such is its popularity that data from Statista shows that sales increased by 142 percent from $339million in 2017 to $821million in 2020.

The doctors also warn of increased use among children and officials have reported surges in calls to poison helplines from parents whose children consumed too much at once.

A CDC report released in early 2022 revealed that in the decade to 2021 poison helplines dealt with 260,435 calls about children who'd taken too much melatonin - a 530 percent increase. Of those, two died, five were put on a ventilator, nearly 300 ended up in intensive care and more than 4,000 were hospitalized.

Sleep experts are saying that many people who use the drug end up suffering.

'They end up on my doorstep in a sleep clinic because [melatonin] is not the magic bullet,' Dr Judith Owens, who serves director of the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Boston Children's Hospital, said.

Unlike other many other countries, melatonin is distributed over-the-counter in the U.S. instead of as a prescription. It is also marketed as a more natural sleep-aid because it uses an active ingredient the human body already produces.

Experts are warning that many Americans are taking more than the maximum recommended amount of 5 mg of melatonin each day - and that it could lead to significant cognitive issues down the line. Pictured: An over-the-counter melatonin product that has a dosage of 12 mg

This has led many to believe that it is safe to use with little regard for the long-term ramifications of over use - unlike other prescription drugs like Tylenol where a person may understand limits as to how much it should be ingested.

'It's a bit alarming; just because the product is available over the counter doesn't mean it is totally harmless and doesn't have important physiological effects,' Dr Naima Covassin, from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, Minnesota told JAMA.

Little is known about the long-term impacts of melatonin supplements. They are relatively new to the market and widespread use was not adopted in much of the world until very recently.

As a result, the overall impacts of them are not known. If there are long-term issues associated with them, though, then the world is set to find out in a big way.

The National Institutes of Health, along with others, have tied the drug to dementia and a slightly shorter life-span, though there is no conclusive research to demonstrate the case.

There is also data on other sleep-aids that show overuse or misuse of them can eventually lead to significant cognitive decline or psychiatric issues later in life.

Researchers in a Mayo Clinic study published in March wrote that everyone who uses the drug now is in effect taking part is a massive study.

'The growing use of exogenous melatonin in the general population and its expanding therapeutic potential provide impetus for the acquisition of robust evidence of long-term safety of melatonin supplementation,' they wrote.

Even people who believe they are taking safe amounts of the drug could be misinformed.

Since the drug is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, there is potential that doses are higher than advertised, meaning someone is taking more of the drug than believed.

WHAT IS MELATONIN? Melatonin is a hormone which controls how asleep or awake people feel. The hormone is produced in the pineal gland in the brain and its release into the body is controlled by light. During the day, when the eye absorbs light, melatonin levels in the body are low and, as a result, we feel awake. But when darkness settles and the amount of light being absorbed by the eye reduces (although this is disrupted in modern societies because of artificial light), more melatonin circulates round the body. Melatonin prepares the body for sleep by slowing the heart rate, reducing blood pressure, and changing how heat is stored in the body  the body's core temperature drops while the outside of the body and the limbs become warmer. The hormone also makes people feel sleepy. Melatonin supplements can be taken to aid sleep in people who have problems with it, as well as for certain medical conditions such as tinnitus or Alzheimer's disease. Sources: Medical News Today and Journal of Applied Physics Advertisement

'These estimates may raise safety concerns, especially given that the actual content of melatonin in marketed supplements may be up to 478 percent higher than the labeled content and that evidence supporting melatonin use for sleep disturbances is weak,' the Mayo Clinic researchers wrote.

Because of these fears, no sleep-aides are recommended to be used long-term without trying other sleep therapies first.

'There aren't any medications recommended for long-term use for insomnia in children or adults,' Dr Jennifer Martin, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, told JAMA.

'We always try nonmedication approaches first, and for most people, that works.'

Many people understand the risks of sleeping pills, and it even pushed them towards the perceived-to-be-safe melatonin, experts note.

Another major fear is that children will get their hands on them and use them unsafely in ways that will get them sick.

Because many melatonin supplements are gummies, a child may falsely believe they are candy and eat a large amount of them.

The experts told JAMA that many parents who want their child to take melatonin may also say that it is candy. While that may make bedtime a little more hassle-free, experts warn it could give their child a dangerous misconception about melatonin.

'Like any other drug, you don't leave it on the kitchen counter for your toddler to get into,' Owens said.

There are also concerns that it could make someone tired the following day. If a person uses a dosage too large the previous night then does not get enough sleep they will likely be even more tired in the morning.

The drug is not totally useless, though. Experts say they are great in situations where a person needs to quickly adjust their sleep schedule - like to fix jetlag after travel.

It can also be used as an occasional sleep aid for a person who is in fear of missing important sleep on a particular night.
MEMOIR

ELIZABETH TAYLOR'S KISS

by David Wood (Book Guild 9.99, 152pp)

Though Richard Burton never went up to Oxford in the sense of being an official undergraduate working towards a degree, during his RAF training in 1944 he was allowed to attend college lectures, and remained grateful for the opportunity.

For despite the carousing and womanising, Burton was a bookish, private, serious man, obsessed with literature and language. He even harboured fantasies about retiring from his acting career and taking up the academic life.

Twenty-two years after that taste of academia, Burton returned to Oxford with Elizabeth Taylor, to star in a production of Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, with a student cast drawn from the OUDS, the Oxford University Dramatic Society, directed by Professor Nevill Coghill, Burton's tutor in his RAF days at Oxford.

This very peculiar episode, as part of a plan to raise money for the University Theatre Workshop Fund, is the subject of one of those undergraduate actors. David Wood's fascinating memoir is a lovely and loving evocation of the 'magical, surreal few days we shared'.

Welsh actor Richard Burton (1925-1984) and his wife, actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011) in costume as 'Dr Faustus' and Helen of Troy in the Oxford University Dramatic Society production of the play by Christopher Marlowe at the Oxford Playhouse on Valentine's Day, 14th February 1966

Rehearsals began on January 3, 1966, though with typical grandiosity Burton and Taylor arrived on January 31. The idea was that everyone else (and the understudies) would know their lines and moves by then  the stars would be 'slotted in, as it were'.

Burton, already 40, and Taylor, 33, were 'risking their reputations on sharing the stage with us', says Wood, but they mucked in, were 'happy and relaxed' and thoroughly enjoyed the parties, where students (in Taylor's phrase) 'puked up in the john'. Taylor gave away Burton's spare clothes, if she thought people looked shabby: 'You can't go around like that!'

But egalitarianism only went so far. There were plenty of signs that world-class celebrities had descended amid the Dreaming Spires. Burton and Taylor arrived in a green Rolls-Royce driven by a bodyguard called Gaston Sanz, a former Free French commando and judo black belt.

He would accompany Burton to the Gents, so the star never risked being vulnerable and alone. Every so often, without looking or asking, Burton threw his arm backwards over his shoulder  Gaston would instantly be there, to place a lighted cigarette between his master's fingers.

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor rehearsing for Oxford University Dramatic Society's production of Marlowe's 'Dr Faustus'

Burton was so lordly, he never carried money. Gaston paid for everything. The boot of the Rolls was filled with fan mail, which Burton and Taylor never bothered to look at.

Rehearsals were held in the gymnasium of the Oxford Police Station, as the premises could be secured from paparazzi intrusion. The Burtons retained suites for daytime use at the Randolph Hotel, where they took over the ballroom as an office for their agents, managers, hair and make-up people, valets and dressers. It was like a royal court.

Overnight was spent at The Bear in Woodstock, where dinner was on offer to the young cast  many of whom, in later life, went on to be High Court judges or Establishment grandees with knighthoods.

On Wood's 22nd birthday during the run, Taylor gave him a smacker on the lips: 'I still glow at the memory of this spontaneous gesture of affection.' I bet he does.

Burton, who'd grown a beard for his role, played Faustus, the man who sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for earthly delights. As Wood shrewdly argues, comparisons may be made 'between the character and the actor'  for Burton, the penniless actor from South Wales, had deliberately thrown away a traditional and respectable career doing the classics on stage to become a big Hollywood star married to a bigger, splashier, Hollywood star.

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor visiting Merton College, Oxford, to discuss the production of 'Mr Faustas' in which they are both to star for free

Private jets, jewels, fur coats, an entourage, unimaginable wealth  with such a reversal of fortune, such a selling out, it would be no surprise if Burton identified with Faustus.

He told Wood that the final speech, where Faustus begs for his soul, was 'the greatest in English drama'. Indeed, against a soundtrack of clock chimes and knocking heartbeats, speaking these majestic lines  'Stand still, you ever-moving spheres of heaven, / That time may cease and midnight never come'  Burton's 'characteristically melodic tones were excitingly apparent'. He possessed the greatest voice of any actor who has ever lived. Wood witnessed the opening up of what seemed to be 'a magic circle of space around him to portray his power'.

Opening night was February 14. Tickets, normally six shillings and sixpence (32 pence), were now changing hands for a fiver, or a hundred quid in today's figures.

It was all 'the most publicised three weeks in Oxford's history', which might be hyperbole, except this is Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton we are talking about.

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor speaking at The Oxford University Dramatic Society, Oxford, England, 8th February 1966

As Helen of Troy, a non-speaking role, Taylor used Johnson's Baby Powder to give her face 'a subtle matte sheen'. On her head was 20lb in weight of wig. She'd had her costume specially designed by Irene Sharaff, who'd been responsible for her lavish gold dresses in Cleopatra.

'All I do is kiss Richard and move around', said Taylor, which was true. But, Wood adds, as the apparition of Helen of Troy, throwing Faustus lascivious glances, 'she became a fantasy, a phantom bathed in dry ice'. Maria Aitken, an undergraduate playing an angel, confirmed, 'When they kissed, it was the single most electrifying moment I have even seen in well over half a century of theatre-going.'

With the Randolph as their dressing-room, in order to reach the Stage Door of The Playhouse, Taylor and Burton scurried through the hotel kitchens, to the covered car park and down an alleyway.

Taylor was escorted to her entrance upstage left by her minions. They then raced behind the scenery to greet her at her exit downstage right, where there was a glass of gin in readiness on a satin cushion. When Burton came off stage, a valet was in the wings to hand him a tot of whisky and a lit cigarette.

At the finale, the audience, among whom were Harry Secombe and Stanley Baker, gave the stars 15 curtain calls. There were nine minutes of solid applause.

There'd been, of course, huge press interest  so it is disgusting to learn how mocking, sneering, contemptuous and cynical the national reviewers were, opinions formed in advance.

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor are pictured on the stage of the Playhouse Theatre in Oxford, with members of the cast of Oxford University Dramatic Society's production of Marlowe's Dr Faustus

It's as if the couple were fair game for being rich and famous. Burton, said the critics, 'has scaled himself down'; 'an eagle among a covey of well-meaning sparrows'. Nonsense.

A recording with the student cast was made one Sunday in Putney  Taylor turned up, despite her non-speaking role, announcing 'I'm here to make the sandwiches.' They kept in touch, too  Wood was invited by Taylor to Burton's birthday party at the Dorchester, in 1975.

Unfortunately, as Wood says, the film of the production subsequently bankrolled by Burton in Rome never recouped its budget, so no donation was forthcoming.

But, as I know, there was more to it than this. Coghill failed in his attempt to nominate Burton for an honorary degree  the powers-that-be thought the Burton and Taylor circus too vulgar. Hurt and bitter, Burton understandably demurred about authorising his lawyers to release the several hundred thousand Oxford expected.

This is exactly the sort of showbusiness book I adore. Wood includes further material about working with a crazy Shelley Winters, an ambitious Malcolm McDowell and, in the crackpot P. G. Wodehouse musical Jeeves, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Alan Ayckbourn and David Hemmings.

It went down the drain because the director, Eric Thompson, Emma's dad, dead at 53, was tight on white wine from ten in the morning. Not even Burton started that early.
UNDER THE SAME STARS by Alexandra Heminsley (Sphere 14.99, 320 pp)

UNDER THE SAME STARS

by Alexandra Heminsley (Sphere 14.99, 320 pp)

After writing three exceptional, moving memoirs, Heminsley turns her hand to fiction with this powerful tale of siblings lost and found.

When Clara's father dies, he leaves her a letter revealing the existence of his other daughter, her half-sister Maggie, and asks Clara to deliver a package to her.

But Maggie has retreated from the world to live alone on a remote Norwegian island, and doesn't reply to Clara's tentative overtures. So, without a word to anyone, least of all to her controlling and abusive boyfriend, Clara heads alone to Norway, uncertain of the reception she'll receive.

An exploration of loneliness, grief and identity which, despite some occasional uneven pacing, never fails to keep its grip.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY by Poorna Bell (Century 14.99, 432 pp)

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

by Poorna Bell (Century 14.99, 432 pp)

When Bel is injured falling into a cellar, the person named as her next of kin is none other than her toxic ex-boyfriend from years ago.

Horrified by his unwanted appearance, Bel checks through her family and friends only to realise that she has alienated most of them. Resolving to change things means that she must confront her relationships with her immigrant parents and sister.

Even tougher, she must revisit the trauma of an incident with her friends which resulted in their estrangement and which has haunted her since her teens.

At work she is charged with co-creating a 'diversity and inclusion' project with Tristan, a smooth-talking colleague. On the boyfriend front, uncertainty and difficulties abound.

Journalist Bell writes with panache about a young woman finding herself, and finding what matters, as well as the dilemmas faced by a brown woman in Britain today.

THE TRIO by Johanna Hedman (Hamish Hamilton 14.99, 336pp)

THE TRIO

by Johanna Hedman (Hamish Hamilton 14.99, 336pp)

This achieved international success before being translated from its original Swedish for a British readership. It focuses on Thora, Hugo and August, who met as students. Years later, August and Thora's daughter visits Hugo in America, asking him to tell her what he knows of her parents.

So begins a nostalgic journey reprising their lives as students in Stockholm at the time when Hugo arrived from Berlin to study there. Lodging with Thora's mother means he encounters Thora and August who are already firm friends.

As time passes, their relationship grows more complex. Hugo moves from being a curious observer of the other two to having an intimate role within their relationship.

Intricate, smart and provocative, but with characters who remained stubbornly on the page and didn't entirely come to life for me.
Following the murder of her five-year-old autistic son, a Maryland lady and her boyfriend are facing various abuse charges.

According to a news statement from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, asher, 30, was charged Monday with first-degree maltreatment causing the death of a child under the age of 13, first and second-degree assault, first-degree child abuse, sex abuse of a minor, and neglect of a minor.

Man Sexually Abused Girlfriend's Autistic Son

Timothy Lee Haselden, 33, was charged with first-degree maltreatment causing the death of a child under the age of 13, first- and second-degree rape, first- and second-degree assault, first- and second-degree child abuse, sex abuse of a minor, and neglect of a minor on Saturday.

On Friday, deputies responded to a complaint about an unresponsive youngster and attempted to save the boy's life, but he died at the hospital. According to court filings, the Washington County Medical Examiner's team ruled that the youngster had continued significant internal and exterior blunt force trauma, as well as various injuries on and in his body consistent with continuous abuse. However, they found that the youngster most likely died as a result of acutely received injuries, according to Herald-Mail Media.

The household also housed the boy's three-year-old sister and two-year-old brother. At Haselden's bond hearing, Washington County Assistant State's Attorney Danielle Lackovic told the judge that both surviving children exhibited symptoms of abuse or mistreatment and that the younger kid had to be treated at a nearby hospital.

Both are currently in foster care, citing an email from the sheriff's office's Detective Sgt. Howard Ward. Thrasher said it was only the second time he'd watched the kids without her supervision.

She is said to have confessed that she and Haselden were the sole caregivers for the children. According to court filings, Thrasher continuously reduced or denied knowing about the abuse and trauma caused to her son.

Read Also: Russia-Ukraine Grain Deal Assurance Dwindles After Moscow Attacks Military Facility in Odesa Port, Allegedly Kidnap Ukrainian Children

Maryland Mom Claims Son's Injuries Are Due to Siblings' Fight

Thrasher allegedly blamed the kid's injuries on a battle with one of his brothers, both toddlers, and said the boy had a history of seizures but hadn't had one in a long time. She allegedly also attributed the boy's rape-related injuries to him squatting down and sitting on the heels of his feet.

Haselden allegedly said he was babysitting the children after dropping Thrasher down at work when the 5-year-old went unconscious after being offered a snack and taking his medicine.

He further stated that he observed the youngster is unable to stand on his own and a brown liquid coming from the child's nose. He reportedly informed investigators that he put the youngster on the ground and then on the sofa.

He said that he contacted Thrasher at work and informed her of what had happened, following which she returned home and dialed 911. The youngster was found to be in cardiac arrest by emergency personnel.

According to court records examined by the newspaper, the boy's head was swelled, presumably due to a skull fracture, and there was evidence of strangling. The child's injuries, both old and fresh, were consistent with "physical abuse/trauma," according to medical staff. Thrasher and Haselden are being detained without bond at the Washington County Sheriff's Office Detention Center, Oxygen reported.

The 5-year-old had severe wounds both inside and externally, and investigators discovered signs of continued abuse. According to court papers acquired by the source, the youngster suffered from swelling in his brain, potentially due to a skull fracture.

Thrasher allegedly told detectives that they had just been dating for five months. Thrasher is scheduled to appear in court again on Friday. Haselden's next court appearance was set on August 23, as per Fox News.

Related Article: Middle School Boy Kills 14-Year-Old Girl in Maine After Allegedly Feeling Forgotten by His Family on His Birthday

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Two sisters whose decomposing bodies were found in a south-western Sydney apartment come from a well-connected Saudi Arabian family, sources say.

Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24, and Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, 23, were found dead in their first-floor unit in Canterbury on June 7.

Their remains lay in separate bedrooms for a month before they were discovered by authorities who were trying to evict them for failing to pay rent.

The case has been shrouded in mystery from the beginning - police conducted three welfare checks on the sisters before they died, there were no signs of forced entry at the unit, no clear sings of injury, and the cause of death remains undetermined.

The revelation the dead women are the daughters of a 'well-connected' family in the Saudi Kingdom has further added to the intrigue.

The Consulate of Saudi Arabia in Sydney has offered its condolences to the family, which policy say are helping them with their investigation.

The Coroner has not released the bodies of the sisters to their family - although it is understood they could be buried in Sydney.

Pictured: Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, 23. Her body was found on June 7 in a Canterbury apartment

Pictured: Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24. She and her sister were found dead in Sydney's south-west under 'suspicious' circumstances

At a press conference on Wednesday, Detective Claudia Allcroft confirmed police know very little about the women and renewed an appeal for public information - anyone who saw the sisters in their final days has been urged to come forward.

While police told Daily Mail Australia in June that the toxicology tests had been fast-tracked, detectives said on Wednesday they were still waiting on the results.

Toxicology reports are normally processed within four to six weeks.

Detective Allcroft said she had 'no reason' to believe the Alsehli sisters fled their homeland, however sources suggest otherwise.

The women are believed to have left Saudi Arabia in 2017, when they were 18 and 19 years old.

Upon arrival in Australia, they contacted a refugee agency and lived under the radar on bridging visas for five years.

Daily Mail Australia posed a number of questions to NSW Police, but they would not provide comment.

Eight weeks' on from the grisly discovery, the case is still plagued with mysteries and inconsistencies.

The bodies of the two women were found in a Canterbury apartment block (pictured) after they failed to pay rent for several weeks and mail piled up

A black BMW coupe covered in dust was removed from the garage of the apartment block the day after the bodies were found

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES - May have fled Saudi Arabia as teens. - Had access to money and drove a BMW. - Both had Australian business names, but police can't confirm what they did for work. - Filed an AVO, and then withdrew it. - BMW was keyed. - Three police welfare checks. - Stopped paying rent. - Bodies found a month after they died. - Cause of death unknown. Advertisement

Their deaths have been reported in Middle Eastern publications, but they shed no light as to what the women were doing in Australia, or how they died.

Detective Allcroft would not release details about the women's visa status on Wednesday, but she did say officers were in touch with the family - who instructed the consulate to act on their behalf.

While the details of the Alsehli sisters' lives in Saudi Arabia have not yet been pieced together, what is known about their time in Australia begs more questions than answers.

Both women registered ABNs in 2018 for sole trading to a Wetherill Park address, in Sydney's West, but police still can't confirm what they did for work.

They also drove a black BMW coupe which normally costs upwards of $38,000, and lived in a modern, two-bedroom $490-per-week apartment.

In 2018, Asra filed an AVO against a 28-year-old man, but the matter was withdrawn in court the following year and the details of the application are unknown.

The sisters' car was also keyed in late 2021, but is unknown whether it was a coincidence or whoever damaged their property had malicious intent.

Daily Mail Australia understands the two girls fled Saudi Arabia in 2017. Police are pictured at the apartment block on June 8

Forensic police scoured the unit (pictured) in the wake of the grisly discovery

The women regularly went to the local service station for coffee and energy drinks with workers describing them as 'cheerful' - but they noted the pair would only respond to questions, never starting a conversation.

There were also three welfare checks carried out by police in the months before the girls were finally discovered in separate beds of their first-floor Canterbury unit as mail piled up outside their door.

Police believe the women died in May - around the time they stopped paying rent.

As detectives struggle to find out what the women were doing in Australia, police on Wednesday released their photos for the first time.

It is hoped the images may trigger the memories of members of the public who may have seen the young women's faces or had any involvement in their lives.

'We hope that someone may be able to assist our investigators,' Detective Allcroft said.

'Either through sightings, or those who knew the sisters and may have some information on their movements prior to their death.'
A mom and dad face serious neglect charges after their six year-old son accidentally shot his five year-old sister dead at the family's filth-strewn Indiana home.

First responders discovered the girl, who has not been named, with a gunshot wound to the head early Tuesday afternoon at the home in Muncie, 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

Jacob, 28, and 27-year-old Kimberly were preliminarily charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death and three other counts of neglect, Deputy Police Chief Melissa Criswell said.

Jacob Grayson told investigators his 6-year-old son removed one of two loaded handguns from a safe and shot his sister, police said.

Jacob Grayson, 28, told investigators his 6-year-old son accessed one of his loaded handguns and fatally shot his 5-year-old daughter in the head. Grayson has been preliminarily charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death and three other counts of neglect

Kimberly Grayson, 27, said she was taking a five-minute nap in her bedroom when her son accessed their gun safe, which was in the same room. Her son told officers he turned the key, 'pushed on the door, and it opened,'

The family lives in Muncie Indiana, and court records show the parents have no prior charges against them. The couple said they had taken the boy to a shooting range previously to teach him how to fire a handgun

She was taken to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, The Star Press reported.

The 6-year-old boy said 'the key was in the key hole and he simply turned it, pushed on the door, and it opened,' an officer stated in the affidavit. 'He advised he accidentally shot [her] while playing with the gun.'

The children's mother, Kimberly Grayson, said she had been asleep for five minutes in her bedroom where the safe was located.

The affidavit stated the safe was on a 'very low dresser' that would have been well-within reach of the boy.

The boy told police he found the key to the safe in his parents' bedroom and removed the gun while his mother was napping.

The parents told police their son had opened the safe before, and Kimberly Grayson said she and her husband had taken the boy to a shooting range to teach him how to fire a handgun.

Police called living conditions in the house 'deplorable,' with 'food, trash, animal feces and furniture strewn throughout the house.'

There was what was believed to be feces smeared on walls and investigators said the children's beds were stained mattresses on the floor with no sheets and blankets.

Criswell confirmed the victims parents had been arrested and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Zach Craig consulted with police in the wake of the shooting.

Jacob Grayson was released from the Delaware County jail after posting a $65,000 bond.

Kimberley remained in the jail, under the same bond, on Wednesday morning.

Court records reflect no prior charges against either of the parents.

'Guns should never be within reach or accessible to children or those who cannot be trusted to handle them,' Muncie police Chief Nathan Sloan said to FOX59. 'In a home with children, firearms should be stored in a quality locked safe- preferably one designed for gun storage.'
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Hundreds of supporters of powerful Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr danced and sang in parliament Wednesday after storming Baghdad's high-security Green Zone in protest at a rival bloc's nomination for prime minister.

Police fired barrages of tear gas in a bid to stop the protesters from breaching the gates of the heavily fortified Green Zone, but the crowds surged forward and entered parliament.

'I am against the corrupt officials who are in power,' said protester Mohamed Ali, a 41-year-old day labourer, one of the hundreds who entered the zone that is home to both government buildings and diplomatic missions, before later leaving peacefully.

The protests are the latest challenge for oil-rich Iraq, which remains mired in a political and a socioeconomic crisis despite soaring global energy prices.

Sadr's bloc emerged from elections in October as the biggest parliamentary faction, but was still far short of a majority and, nine months on, deadlock persists over the establishment of a new government.

Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, head of the Sadrist movement, storm the so-called 'Green Zone' in central Baghdad, Iraq, 27 July 2022

Supporters of Sadrist Movement gather to stage a protest against the prime ministry candidacy of Mohammed al-Sudani, who was nominated by a coalition of Shia groups close to Iran

A supporter of the Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr, lies on the desk of the speaker of the Iraqi parliament, as demonstrators gather inside the Iraqi parliament in the capital Baghdad's high-security Green Zone, as they protest at a rival bloc's nomination for prime minister, on July 27, 2022

Sadr supporters are blasted with water cannons as they attempt to climb the walls surrounding the highly fortified green zone

Sadr supporters are pictured protesting against a premiership candidate announced by the Coordination Framework earlier this week. The Iraqi Prime Minister called on the demonstrators to withdraw

Iraq was plunged deeper into political crisis last month when Sadr's parliamentary bloc quit en masse

Supporters of Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr gather inside Iraq's parliament in Baghdad's high-security Green Zone on Wednesday night

Iraqi security forces deploy as supporters of Sadr gather in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on July 27

Sadr supporters took vantage points and sat in lawmakers' chairs before leaving parliament peacefully

Crowds wandered around the parliament building waving national flags, taking photographs, chanting and cheering.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi called on the protesters to 'immediately withdraw', warning that the security forces would ensure 'the protection of state institutions and foreign missions, and prevent any harm to security and order'.

But it took orders issued by the Shiite leader Sadr before the crowds of protesters started to leave nearly two hours later.

'Revolution of reform, and rejection of injustice and corruption,' Sadr wrote on Twitter, in support of the protesters.

'Your message has been heard... you have terrorised the corrupt', he added, calling on the demonstrators to say a prayer 'before returning home safe and sound'.

'We obey the Sayyed,' the crowds chanted as they calmly left parliament, a term honouring Sadr by acknowledging him as a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed.

Sadr's bloc won 73 seats in last year's election, making it the largest faction in the 329-seat parliament. But since the vote, talks to form a new government have stalled.

The protesters oppose the candidacy of Mohammed al-Sudani, a former minister and ex-provincial governor, who is the pro-Iran Coordination Framework's pick for premier.

The Coordination Framework draws lawmakers from former premier Nuri al-Maliki's party and the pro-Iran Fatah Alliance, the political arm of the Shiite-led former paramilitary group Hashed al-Shaabi.

'I am against Sudani's candidacy, because he is corrupt,' added protester Mohamed Ali.

'We reject the whole political process', said Bashar, a protester in parliament, giving only his first name. 'We want an independent person who serves the people'.

Iraq was plunged deeper into political crisis last month when Sadr's 73 lawmakers quit en masse.

Sadr had initially supported the idea of a 'majority government' which would have sent his Shiite adversaries from the Coordination Framework into opposition.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi called on the protesters to 'immediately withdraw', warning that the security forces would ensure 'the protection of state institutions and foreign missions, and prevent any harm to security and order'

'We reject the whole political process', said Bashar, a protester in parliament (not pictured), giving only his first name. 'We want an independent person who serves the people'

Crowds wandered around the parliament building waving national flags, taking photographs, chanting and cheering, and broke into several government buildings

Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, head of the Sadrist movement, are seen hopping over demolished walls and into Baghdad's Green Zone

Protesters loyal to popular Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr (pictured on this poster) breached the heavily fortified Green Zone to show support for Sadr and protest the Coordination Framework's proposed premiership candidate

A person holds a picture of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr inside a government building in Baghdad

Iraqi security forces stand guard as supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, head of the Sadrist movement, attempt to storm the so-called 'Green Zone'

The former militia leader then surprised many by compelling his lawmakers to resign, a move seen as seeking to pressure his rivals to fast-track the establishment of a government.

Sixty-four new lawmakers were sworn in later in June, making the pro-Iran bloc the largest in parliament.

Earlier this month, hundreds of thousands of Muslim worshippers loyal to Sadr attended a Friday prayer service in Baghdad, in a display of political might.

The huge turnout came despite scorching heat and the Shiite cleric not being there in person -- an indication of his status as a political heavyweight, as well as a key religious authority.

The mercurial cleric's sermon took aim at rivals from other Shiite factions.

'We are at a difficult... crossroads in the formation of the government, entrusted to some we do not trust,' Sadr said in the speech on July 15, read out by Sheikh Mahmud al-Jayashi.

Sadr's sermon took particular aim at the Hashed al-Shaabi, which has been integrated into the army, but is seen by many Iraqis as an Iranian proxy.

Hashed supporters last year protested near the Green Zone, demonstrating against what they said was vote 'fraud'.
Chris Cuomo will reportedly earn $1 million for his new hosting gig on NewsNation - a fraction of his former $6 million-a-year paycheck at CNN.

A source told the NY Post that Cuomo may have been lacking leverage after being fired from CNN last year, and speculated this offer may have been the best he could do.

The source called Cuomo 'damaged goods' and said 'I dont think he had a lot of leverage.'

The same source said its vital for Cuomo to get another hosting gig quickly to ensure he stays relevant and guarantee his future as one of the United States' best-known newsreaders.

NewsNation is a new broadcaster which bills itself as offering neutral reporting on current events - a marked departure for Cuomo, who enjoyed inserting his opinions into stories while on CNN.

Its top-rated news shows average around 50,000 viewers - way below the two million Cuomo brought to CNN at its peak.

Insiders think that if Cuomo can even bring in 100,000 viewers, he'll have earned his cash.

Bosses also building him a new Manhattan studio from which to air his show, although he will lose his generous CNN travel allowance, which paid for him to fly between the broadcaster's studio and his Hamptons home.

Cuomo was fired last year after he was found to have helped his brother, then New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, battle sexual harassment claims.

It was announced on Tuesday that the 51-year-old will host a new prime time show on NewsNation.

Cuomo, who was with CNN since 2013, was fired last year after he helped his brother fight sexual harassment claims

Cuomo appeared on NewsNation with Dan Abrams in his first TV interview since his departure from CNN. Cuomo said 'I've decided that I can't go back to what people see as the big game.'

Cuomo wore blue button down and slacks yesterday as he entered NewsNation's studios on 42nd Street in New York City.

He was there to appear on 'Dan Abrams Live' to discuss his new role with Nexstar Media Group's cable network.

During his appearance on Abrams' show, Cuomo was asked about his longtime colleagues Jake Tapper and Don Lemon 'coming out aggressively' against the host.

Cuomo said: 'They're good people. They're good people.'

He added: 'I cannot blame people for acting on what they're told. Should they have called me? Of course. But I understand the circumstances, also.'

Cuomo went on: 'I understand why they may not have felt that was an option. But these are good people. They take their jobs seriously. I'm not gonna judge them for what they say about me based on what they knew and didn't know. I wish them well.'

Chris Cuomo was seen earlier today entering NewsNation's studios on 42nd Street in the Big Apple

Earlier on Abrams' show, when Cuomo was announced as joining the network, he told viewers: 'I want to help. I want to find a way to help people. I'm going to come to NewsNation and I want to build something special.'

The former CNN star added: 'I've decided that I can't go back to what people see as the big game. I don't think I can make a difference there.'

Cuomo concluded by saying: 'I'm going to do the job. I'm going to go where the news is and I'm going to try very hard to be fair.'

Later in the interview, Cuomo was asked about his firing from CNN. The new NewsNation star said: 'I remember the phone call but I don't remember any emotions around it.'

He went on: 'You know, there'd been so much negativity, so intense, for so long, that I didn't see coming.'

Cuomo added: 'I don't know if I were numb or whatever it was but it was just one more thing that I was going to have to deal with.'

NewsNation also released this head shot of Chris Cuomo to mark his appointment to the channel

During his appearance on Abrams' show, Cuomo was asked about his longtime colleagues Jake Tapper and Don Lemon 'coming out aggressively' against the host

When asked about former colleagues Jake Tapper and Don Lemon, Cuomo said: 'I cannot blame people for acting on what they're told. Should they have called me? Of course. But I understand the circumstances'

CNN fired Cuomo last December after he was caught advising his scandal-plagued brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, through sexual misconduct allegations.

The broadcaster - who was believed to earn $6 million-a-year - did so while simultaneously working for a journalist at a network tasked with reporting impartially on the scandal.

A state attorney general's report found that his brother had sexually harassed 11 different women, although Andrew Cuomo continues

In March the broadcast journalist, who hosted Cuomo Prime Time from 2017 until last December, served CNN with a $125 million arbitration claim over what he claims is his wrongful dismissal.

That suit is believed to be ongoing.

CNN fired Cuomo last December after he was caught advising his scandal-plagued brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (left), through sexual misconduct allegations

Fired CNN host Chris Cuomo has launched his comeback with a new podcast, staking out a defiant tone as he released the first episode

Announcing the new move, Sean Compton, Nexstar Media Inc.s President of Network, said: 'Chris joins our growing team of seasoned, award-winning journalists and will further our efforts to continue to ensure fairness and transparency in our news reporting and talk shows.

'NewsNation believes in the work I am doing with the Chris Cuomo Project, and I look forward to building something special here - covering news wherever it happens and having conversations that cater to common concerns and solutions rather than political parties or the political circus.'

NewsNation has long billed itself as an impartial, straight-down-the-line network which focuses solely on reporting the news, without any political angle.

The broadcaster also launched his own comeback podcast last week, The Chris Cuomo Project, staking out a defiant tone as he released the first episode - with new shows coming out on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

In the podcast, Cuomo made the surprise declaration that he is not a Democrat, despite his deep family ties to the party, and defended the actions that led to his ouster from CNN.

The veteran TV newsman also said there were no hard feelings when it came to his former employer - who fired him amid his brother's sex pest scandal.

'As for CNN, I'll never be a hater. CNN has great people, CNN has a great purpose, and I wish them all the best, and I miss so many of the people there. But it's time for me to move on, and I believe I can be more than I ever was before,' he said.

Cuomo also said that he does not consider himself a Democrat, despite the fact that both his father Mario and brother Andrew served as Democratic governors of New York.

CNN fired Chris Cuomo (pictured) last December after he was caught advising his scandal-plagued brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, through sexual misconduct allegations

'I love my father, I love my brother, I respect them both tremendously, but I'm no Democrat,' he said.

'And I am not here to make any of you comfortable being a lefty. I want you to question why you are. I want you to question everything,' added Cuomo.

The promos come just weeks after the former TV anchor took to Instagram to tell America to 'pay more attention' to what is happening in Ukraine.

'What is happening right now in Ukraine is bad and America should be paying a lot more attention,' he said, reporting from the war-torn nation.

'I went to the eastern front... Outmanned and outgunned we had to hide behind abandoned buildings.'

Cuomo likened the conflict to 'WW2' and compared Ukrainians to Americans fighting the War of Independence.

'Ukrainians sound like Americans 240yrs ago vs the British. They are laying down their lives to keep the freedoms we have here.

'The interest here has slowed...the war is only accelerating. I will show you more reason to care...soon. Thank you for the interest.'

Cuomo has worked at nearly all the news networks throughout his career, working for Fox News, CNBC, MSNBC, ABC and CNN, finally getting his own show from his good friend and boss Jeff Zucker, who was also fired for violating the company's rules on dating subordinates.

After losing the $6 million-a-year gig for running interference for his brother, Cuomo sued the network for $125 million.

According to the lawsuit: 'Cuomo has had his journalistic integrity unjustifiably smeared, making it difficult if not impossible for Cuomo to find similar work in the future and damaging him in amounts exceeding $125 million, which includes not only the remaining salary owed under the Agreement, but future wages lost as a result of CNN's efforts to destroy his reputation in violation of the Agreement.'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska have raised eyebrows after appearing in a glossy photoshoot for US Vogue.

The pair were pictured together for the piece by renowned photographer Annie Leibowitz - although the article primarily focused on Zelenska, 44.

It's titled: 'Portrait of Bravery: Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska.'

Following the publication of the piece, conservative pundits and politicians seized upon the photo shoot as evidence that the United States should not have sent $40 billion in aid to Ukraine to help its war effort against Russia.

Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert tweeted an image of Zelensky and Zelenska together while saying: 'While we send Ukraine $60 billion in aid Zelensky is doing photoshoots for Vogue Magazine. These people think we are nothing but a bunch of suckers.'

The article was written by Paris-based journalist Rachel Donadio. On Twitter, Donadio referred to the piece as: 'One of the most moving and memorable assignments of my career.'

In the piece, Zelensky and his wife are shown together inside of their compound in Mariinsky Palace on the outskirts of Kyiv.

Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska, have graced the cover of Vogue amid the ongoing war in their home country

Zelenska told Vogue: 'These have been the most horrible months of my life, and the lives of every Ukrainian'

In one photo, Zelenska is pictured beside the downed remains of the world's largest plane, the Antonov AN-225. The cargo aircraft was sabotaged at an airfield in Kyiv by Russian operatives in February.

Zelenska told Vogue: 'These have been the most horrible months of my life, and the lives of every Ukrainian.'

She went on: 'Frankly I don't think anyone is aware of how we have managed emotionally. We're looking forward to victory. We have no doubt we will prevail. And this is what keeps us going.'

The former comedy writer also said: 'I like being backstageit suited me. Moving into the limelight was quite difficult for me.'

Conservative activist Scott Presler tweeted: 'Why did we send $54 billion to Ukraine, so Zelensky & his wife could pose for Vogue? You're at war & you've got time for photo shoots?'

Texas Congresswoman Mayra Flores tweeted: 'Biden: Let's continue to send billions of dollars in foreign aid to Ukraine, they need it!' She added: 'Reality: The Zelensky family graces us with a photo shoot to be on the cover of Vogue magazine.'

There is no evidence that suggests any of the $60 billion given to Ukraine by the Biden administration was used to pay for the photoshoot.

On the other side of the debate, Verizon executive Tami Erwin tweeted support for the piece.

Erwin said: 'An outstanding profile. Olena Zelenska has done an incredible job representing her people, ensuring the world knows the story of women and children of Ukraine - and continuing to give voice to the many in need.'

Zelenska addressed members of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC earlier this month

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska attended a Military parade held as part of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence celebrations in Kiev, Ukraine, on August 24, 2021

Zelensky called his wife his 'greatest friend' and added that 'she is also a patriot and she deeply loves Ukraine'

Pro Ukrainian activist Val Voschevska posted an analysis of the photoshoot on Instagram writing in part: 'She is who she is and I love it. She looks like any of us after a long day at the office - the only difference is that her job is protecting her country from war.'

While a Ukrainian citizen wrote in the comments section under a picture of the the couple on Vogue's official Instagram: 'Thank you Vogue for bringing awareness about Ukraine from the voices of actual Ukrainians.'

Amid the row, Zelensky has also appeared on the cover of Wired magazine for their September/October issue.

In a more sombre shoot, the president stood alone wearing his trademark dark green t-shirt.

He spoke to the magazine about the importance of being a good communicator, saying: 'We are all in a social network. It is no longer about whether it is good or not; most of our lives are already online. People study online, get information; people read, people use it. This is our world now. It is divided.

'The internet is a reality. It is not another world, but rather a modern reality. So if you want people to perceive you as you are, you must use what people use.'

'The value of life has changed. So let's say that my attitude has changed, as I do not pay attention to trivialities anymore, and there are clear aspects on which I am focused.

'The question of the price of freedom, which we learned from books in school, has now become a reality. You know this price. You have seen the number of people who died.'

Amid the row, Zelensky has also appeared on the cover of Wired magazine for their September/October issue

Rep. Lauren Boebert was among those who was severely critical of the piece

One Twitter user went viral when she advised Zelensky and his wife to 'Read the room'

There is no evidence to suggest that the aid sent by the Biden administration to Ukraine has anything to do with the Vogue piece

The publication of the piece has also led to support from some quarters of social media

Many users have pointed to the idea that Zelensky and Zelenska are using Vogue to keep reminding people about the plight in Ukraine

One of the most prominent proponents of the piece was Verizon executive Tami Erwin

According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, more than 12,000 people have been killed in Ukraine since the start of the invasion. Millions more have been displaced.

Just last week, Zelenska flew to Washington DC to meet with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

When asked what it was like to know that her family's movement are being watched by Russia, Zelenska said: 'I can't think about it too seriously, because otherwise I would become paranoid.'

In the piece, Zelenska explained what she did in the early weeks of the war, attempting to keep her mind off of the conflict by helping her children with their online schooling and rereading George Orwell's dystopian novel '1984.'

She said of the book: 'It's a horrible coincidence. It's a picture of what is happening in Russia these days.'

Speaking about his wife in the interview, the Ukrainian president said: 'Of course she is my love. But she is my greatest friend. She is also a patriot and she deeply loves Ukraine. It's true. And she is an excellent mother.'

The couple also recently sat down for an interview with Piers Morgan.

The Ukrainian president told his wife: 'When you are talking, your opinion has priority. What I would say is I don't have any other experience. I've got only one wife and I am happy. I have one wife, one love and one family. I never got any feeling there was anything wrong with us in or in our relationship. Or maybe do you feel unhappy with me sometimes?,' according to the Daily Telegraph.

Zelensky continued: 'The war is making our relationship stronger, that's for sure.'

Zelensky and his wife First Lady Olena Zelenska have been married for 20 years. Pictured attending a wedding in 2019
Pauline Hanson has fired back at a critic on social media by giving her a basic spelling lesson.

The drama unfolded when the One Nation senator posted a 'welcome to country' survey on her Facebook page asking respondents to give their views on the ceremonies.

The survey appears to have been sparked by the senator's controversial walk-out on Wednesday as an acknowledgement of country was read out by Senate President Sue Lines.

After sharing her survey on Facebook, Senator Hanson's post attracted the attention of one woman who claimed the 'division' would end once she left politics.

Senator Hanson (pictured) gave one of her critics a basic lesson in spelling on a Facebook post following her controversial walkout on Wednesday

'The division will stop when Pauline Hanson looses (sic) her seat at the next federal election,' she wrote.

'She only hung on by a thread this time around.'

The One Nation leader responded by taking the woman's comment apart and teaching her how to spell.

'Let me give you a small lesson for future posts,' Ms Hanson began. 'Think of the word goose when you write the word loose.'

'If youre hoping I am defeated in six years at the next election, its L-O-S-E.

'With lessons like these, you would have received a ribbon at the spelling bee all those years ago,' she added.

Her response was liked more than 3,000 times, with respondents largely agreeing with the senator or lambasting the woman's spelling error.

Senator Hanson then went a step further, explaining that there needed to be an 'overhaul' of the education system in the country so people can learn how to do the 'basics'.

'I have been calling for an overhaul of our education system since being back in the parliament.

'The focus needs to return to the basics in reading, writing and math.'

She claimed that the education system 'has shifted too far to the left over the past decade or more'.

The One Nation leader pointed out the woman's spelling error and taught her a simple way to spell 'loses'

Senator Hanson sparked controversy once again on Wednesday when she angrily left the Senate during the opening acknowledgement.

Senate President Sue Lines acknowledged the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people as traditional custodians of the Canberra area and paid respect to elders past and present at the opening of parliament.

But the One Nation leader interjected, yelling 'no, I won't and never will', before storming out of the chamber in a huff.

She later said she could not accept the welcome to country or a proposal to be moved later in the day that would raise the indigenous flag in the Senate chamber.

'I've been feeling this way for a long time,' she said.

'I have called from the first day for equality for all Australians. I see this as divisive.'

She said if anyone needed acknowledgement it was 'our people that have fought for this country. People who have sacrificed their lives.'

Senator Hanson added the Indigenous flag had 'never been voted on'.

'I will never pay respect to (the flag). I find this flag divisive,' she said.

She also criticised the acknowledgement to country being so widespread.

'We are now hearing it on flights and aeroplanes. I'm sorry - this is my country as well.

'This is heading towards division in our nation. A them and us. And we'll never close the gap if we continue down this path. All Australians should be treated equally and the same.'

Senator Hanson angrily left the Senate chamber during the opening acknowledgement to country after dismissing its validity

Indigenous Greens' senator Lidia Thorpe called Senator Hanson racist and her actions 'disrespectful' to the Parliament and Aboriginal Australians.

'Pauline Hanson, you are ignorant and you are racist,' she wrote on Twitter.

'Day two of the 47th Parliament and racism has reared its ugly head.

'Pauline Hanson disrespectfully stormed out of the acknowledgement of country in the Senate, refusing to acknowledge "those people".

'You want to make parliament safe? Get rid of racism.'

Senator Hanson quickly fired back on her own Twitter, calling out Senator Thorpe's own controversial views.

'Says the "infiltrator" who with her racially divisive agenda doesnt even recognise the legitimacy of our Constitution or Parliament,' she wrote.

Senator Thorpe on Tuesday mocked The Queen, who is referenced in the swearing in ceremony all MPs underwent on Tuesday.

'Not every politician swore allegiance to the colonising Queen of England today lol,' she wrote.

Senator Hanson interjected, yelling 'no, I won't and never will', before exiting the chamber

Indigenous Greens' senator Lidia Thorpe called Senator Hanson racist and her action 'disrespectful'

Senator Hanson followed up her outburst by claiming welcome to country ceremonies 'perpetuate racial division'.

'From this point forward, Senator Hanson will refuse to acknowledge country in the Senate,' her office said.

'Senator Hanson will also oppose a motion in the Senate today for the Aboriginal flag to be displayed in the Senate. Senator Hanson considers that only one flag, the Australian national flag, truly represents all Australians.'

She claimed acknowledgements were not 'any sort of indigenous Australian tradition', given that at most it has only been in use for the past 25 years and in Parliament only 12 years'.
They claim he was left traumatised after Tim's death and struggled to move on

One teacher on the trip Geoff Vezey died from a heart attack in April last year

Staff believed he was homesick while doctors cited gastro and homesickness

The family of an assistant principal who watched one of his students die on an overseas school trip is suing the state of Victoria, claiming the trauma caused him to suffer a fatal heart attack two years later.

Timothy Fehring, 15, died on July 28, 2019, while on a European excursion with 16 classmates and two teachers from Melbourne's Blackburn High School.

The teenager had vomited multiple times and had complained of feeling unwell immediately after landing on July 23.

He unknowingly developed an infection in his blood and lungs that turned into sepsis and he died just six days later.

Assistant principal Geoff Vezey, 52, was at a doctor's office in Vienna with Tim on the day he died.

He found Tim unresponsive on the floor of the office after the teenager went to wait outside in the hallway, covered in vomit with blood dripping from his nose.

Assistant principal Geoff Vezey, 52, died in April last year. He had witnessed one of his high school students die on a school trip to Europe and suffered trauma from the incident

Healthy teenager Tim Fehring (pictured) died at the age of 15 while on a school trip to Europe in 2019

Tim was rushed to hospital but died shortly after.

Mr Vezey later suffered a heart attack and died in April last year at his home in Ringwood East.

His grieving family are now suing Victoria's Education Department, claiming Mr Vezey suffered an 'acute psychiatric injury' in the wake of Tim's death.

The teacher had struggled to move on from the teenager's death, and suffered post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and panic attacks, according to court documents, the Herald Sun reported.

The acute psychiatric injury 'was a significant contributing factor' to Mr Vezey's death, the documents alleged.

The Vezey family sought compensation from the state but it was rejected in January of this year.

They are now hoping to take the matter to the County Court for a judge-alone trial.

Tim Fehring (pictured) died on July 28, 2019 on the sixth day of a school trip across Europe. It was revealed that he had developed an infection in his blood and lungs that turned into sepsis

Heartbreaking details about the lead up to Tim's death were revealed earlier this month in a coroner's report.

The 15-year-old had texted his mother telling her he hadn't slept 'in hours' and was 'always feeling dizzy' since arriving in Europe.

The 15-year-old's final text messages (pictured) to his mother have been revealed amidst the release of the coroner's report including one where he said he was always feeling 'dizzy'

Over the course of six days of the trip, Tim lost 5kg, threw up repeatedly in roadside bins and struggled to walk.

However, the two teachers accompanying the students on the holiday believed he was simply suffering from homesickness, rather than being seriously ill.

His family have released messages showing how Tim informed his mother, Barbara, not long after arriving in Berlin on June 23 that he was feeling unwell.

His condition was initially chalked up to the spicy food he was given to eat on the Thai Airlines flight he was on.

'I almost threw up and am working on getting better so I can have a better time,' he texted his mum.

In his next message Tim said: 'I'm going to sleep like a baby because it might be exhaustion.

'I have not slept in hours and I always feel dizzy.'

As the days went on and the group travelled from Germany to Vienna, Tim's condition grew worse.

Coroner Simon McGregor said staff should have 'sought, and then followed, medical advice about Tim's wellbeing' during the excursion.

He also said that school staff should have kept an open mind about what he was suffering from, with teachers suggesting to doctors it may just be homesickness.

Tim was taken to Munich Children's Hospital on day four of the excursion and was examined by a doctor.

But the doctor said constipation and homesickness was likely the reason for his vomiting and suggested Tim drink water and eat fruit to 'feel better'.

On the day he died he was taken to another doctor where he was given a prescription for anxiety medication and deemed fit to fly home. No physical tests were carried out that day.

Coroner McGregor said the doctor needed to do a physical exam to examine other possible reasons for Tim's illness.

'Dr Schrems should have conducted a physical examination, including taking of blood pressure or use of a stethoscope, for a first-time patient prior to writing a script for anxiety medication,' the report said.

Tim (pictured) departed for Europe from Melbourne with his fellow students and two teachers. He arrived in Berlin on June 23 and began to immediately feel sick

Coroner Simon McGregor had made two recommendations to the Department of Education and Training including increasing staff numbers on overseas trips and review excursion policies. Tim's school, Blackburn High School, accepted the changes (pictured, Tim with his sister)

Coroner McGregor found that the teaching staff had made the 'wrong judgment' in treating Tim.

He recommended an increase in staff numbers attending overseas trips and a review of excursion policies.

The coroner outlined how increasing the ratio of staff to students would give chaperones 'more flexibility' to manage remaining students if someone fell ill.

The education department accepted the recommendations and have already increased staff numbers for excursions.

'He didn't like making a fuss'

Tim's mother Barbara Fehring said her son was a happy and healthy child who couldn't wait to go on the trip, but added nobody listened to him when he tried to tell him how unwell he was.

'The people in charge thought he was homesick but he wasn't. He couldn't wait to go away, but he didn't like making a fuss,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'He was a very fit, healthy and energetic kid who was always happy and always wanted to make those around him happy.'

The Coroner's report said the 15-year-old was vomiting on the first day the group arrived in Berlin.

On the second day, Tim woke up with stomach cramps and after not eating he vomited at lunchtime, and again at dinner.

Teachers initially thought he was suffering the effects of jetlag, different food, the heat, and a change in climate.

They had informed his mother he was feeling sick but suspected it was due to being homesick, the coroner's report said.

On June 26, he woke up early and texted his mother asking her to bring him home.

'He expressed dissatisfaction about how he was being treated and disbelieved about his sickness,' the coroner's report said.

Coroner McGregor said staff had made the 'wrong judgement' in treating Tim (pictured with his sister and dad)

Teachers initially thought Tim (pictured with his father) was suffering the effects of jetlag, different food, the heat, and a change in climate

His mother Barbara spoke to one of the teachers and said Tim needed to see a doctor.

He was eventually taken to Munich Children's Hospital after going on a walking tour where he appeared 'exhausted, visibly pale and had noticeably lost weight'.

'(One of the teachers) mentioned to the doctor that Tim was homesick, and the doctor confirmed that his symptoms could be connected to this,' the coroner's report said.

Tim was at the hospital for between four and six hours, and the doctor said constipation and homesickness was likely the reason for his vomiting.

The following day the group travelled to Austria and went on another walking tour.

'Tim walked around carrying a 'vomit bag' although he asked not to go at all,' the coroner's report said.

'He had not improved and was walking slowly and looked puffed out and tired. He was pale and had black circles under his eyes.

'Tim had told the staff that he wanted to go to hospital, but staff considered that he was trying to avoid doing the planned activities such as the afternoon's walking tour.'

Ms Fehring said she couldn't understand why Tim wasn't taken to hospital on June 27, despite telling the teachers he was feeling so terrible.

'The teachers didn't know him, they never taught him so they didn't know that Tim didn't put things on,' she said.

On the evening of June 27, staff decided Tim would fly home alone as his condition had not improved.

The next day, on June 28, Tim was taken by Mr Vezey to get a doctor's certificate to confirm he was able to travel.

While he was there, Tim was not examined or given any tests and the doctor was told to prescribe him anxiety medication at the request of one of the teachers, the coroner's report said.

The doctor also deemed Tim fit to travel. (Ms Fehring said he was not).

On the evening of June 27, staff decided Tim would fly home alone as his condition had not improved

While Mr Vezey was paying for the appointment, Tim walked out of the doctor's office into the hallway, complaining it was 'hot and stuffy' but moments later was found unresponsive on the floor.

Vomit was splattered all over his clothes and his nose was bleeding, the report said.

Tim was given CPR before he was rushed to the Vienna Centre for Social Medicine, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in an ambulance.

His pupils were at 'maximum dilation' at the hospital and a CT scan found severe swelling to the brain, the report said.

Ms Fehring understands Tim had gone into sepsis and when he collapsed onto the floor he went into cardiac arrest.

Tim was unable to be saved. His mother had been on a flight back to Melbourne at the time and was only informed about her son's death by close friends who'd gone to meet her at the airport when she landed.

Autopsies showed Tim had a highly acute infection in his blood and lungs which may have led to heart failure.

Ms Fehring said she supports the recommendations put forward by the coroner and has suggested a registered nurse be present on every trip.

'For Tim to have left us so happy and excited to go away and within a matter of days deteriorate so fast, it astounds us,' she said.

'We are not wanting this ever to happen to any other child or for any family to go through what we have and are still going through.'
New Aboriginal senator Jacinta Price has slammed welcome to country ceremonies for being token gestures and 'throwaway lines' - and backed Pauline Hanson after her walkout from the Senate on Wednesday.

The One Nation leader stormed out as Senate President Sue Lines acknowledged the Indigenous comunity at the opening of Wednesday's sitting, yelling; 'No, I won't and never will'.

Senator Hanson was branded ignorant and racist by Greens senator Lidia Thorpe after the stunt, but she has now won backing from Senator Price who admitted the ceremonies had reached the point of overkill.

'We've just been absolutely saturated with it,' she said on Thursday. 'It's actually removing the sacredness of certain traditional culture and practices.

'And it's just become almost like a throwaway line.'

New Aboriginal senator Jacinta Price has slammed welcome to country ceremonies for being token gestures and 'throwaway lines' after Pauline Hanson's walkout from the Senate

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson stormed out as Senate President Sue Lines acknowledged the indigenous comunity at Parliament's opening, yelling; 'No, I won't and never will'

The former deputy mayor of Alice Springs was elected Country Liberal Party Senator for the Northern Territory and made her maiden speech in traditional costume on Wednesday.

She used the moment to rail against Labor's proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, an elected body of First Nations representatives enshrined in the constitution that would advise the government on issues affecting them.

'I've had my fill of being symbolically recognised,' she told 2GB's Ben Fordham on Thursday.

'I've had enough - they've done really nothing to improve the lives of really marginalised people.

Ex-deputy mayor of Alice Springs Jacinta Price was elected Country Liberal Party Senator for the Northern Territory and made her emotional maiden speech in traditional costume

'I think I understand Pauline's frustrations. We don't want to see all these all these symbolic gestures. We want to see real action.

'We want to see change for the benefit of not just marginalised Australians, but all Australians.'

She added: 'Welcome to country and acknowledgement of country - they're all very recent reinvention of culture.

'It's not the road to go down. It's not about division anymore. We have to start treating everybody as Australian citizens and have the same standards for everyone.

'We've got so many successful Australians of indigenous heritage, just like myself.

Senator Jacinta Price also opposes Labor's proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, an elected body of First Nations representatives

Senator Jacinta Price (pictured with grandmother Tess Napaljarri Ross) admitted the welcome to country and acknowledgement of country ceremonies had reached the point of overkill

'We've not needed the paternalistic approach this government is proposing to improve our lives, because we've got there ourselves, like everybody else, and that's what we need to do.

'Just start treating everybody like we're bloody well Australian citizens.'

In her maiden speech, she attacked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's commitment to introducing the Voice to Parliament, which was proposed by Indigenous groups.

'We hear the platitudes of motherhood statements from our now prime minister, who suggests without any evidence whatsoever that a Voice to Parliament bestowed upon us through the virtuous act of symbolic gesture by this government is what is going to empower us,' she told the Senate on Wednesday.

'His government has yet to demonstrate how this proposed voice will deliver practical outcomes and unite rather than drive a wedge further between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

'No, Prime Minister, we don't need another handout and no, we Indigenous Australians have not come to agreement on this statement.'

Senator Price spoke out after the furious row which erupted over Ms Hanson's Senate walkout.

The One Nation leader later said she could not accept the welcome to country or a proposal to be moved later in the day that would raise the Indigenous flag in the Senate chamber.

Pauline Hanson said she could not accept the welcome to country or a proposal to be moved later in the day that would raise the Indigenous flag in the Senate chamber

'I've been feeling this way for a long time,' she said. 'I have called from the first day for equality for all Australians. I see this as divisive.'

She said if anyone needed acknowledgement it was 'our people that have fought for this country. People who have sacrificed their lives'.

Senator Hanson added the Indigenous flag had 'never been voted on'.

'I will never pay respect to (the flag). I find this flag divisive,' she said.

She also criticised the acknowledgement to country being so widespread.

'We are now hearing it on flights and aeroplanes. I'm sorry - this is my country as well.

'This is heading towards division in our nation. A them and us. And we'll never close the gap if we continue down this path. All Australians should be treated equally and the same.'

Indigenous Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe called Pauline Hanson racist and her actions 'disrespectful' to the Parliament and Aboriginal Australians

Senator Lidia Thorpe attacked Senator Hanson on Twitter, calling her ignorant and racist

Indigenous Greens senator Lidia Thorpe called Senator Hanson racist and her actions 'disrespectful' to the Parliament and Aboriginal Australians.

'Pauline Hanson, you are ignorant and you are racist,' she wrote on Twitter.

'Day two of the 47th Parliament and racism has reared its ugly head.

'Pauline Hanson disrespectfully stormed out of the acknowledgement of country in the Senate, refusing to acknowledge 'those people'.

'You want to make parliament safe? Get rid of racism.'
A Senate leader has drawn the fire of of commentator over her 'idiotic' and 'silly' moves to scrap the tradition of reciting the Lord's Prayer in the parliamentary chamber.

New Senate president Sue Lines said that as an atheist she does not want to read the venerable prayer at the start of each sitting day - as has been done in the Australian parliament since 1901.

The argument to get rid of the prayer 'represents the worst and most nauseating aspects of the upper-middle-class left', commentator Joe Hildebrand told Seven's Sunrise program.

Joe Hildebrand has labelled the Senate president's moves to ditch the reciting of the Lord's Prayer at the start of each sitting day as 'idiotic' and 'silly'

'This is an example of the odiousness and ridiculousness and the preoccupation of people who are overprivileged and oversensitive with issues that do not in the slightest impact the lives of ordinary Australians,' he said.

Hildebrand pointed out that Senator Lines had already led a committee inquiry into the reciting of the Lord's Prayer, which found it should stay.

'But obviously for an atheist she has a bit of Crusader zeal about her,' he remarked.

He said the 'idiotic' and 'silly' move by the 'far left' would raise resistance among conservatives to 'fantastic' proposals such as the Indigenous voice to parliament.

The proposed 'voice' would see a body of elected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who would advise MPs on legislation.

'That is why I'm genuinely pissed off quite frankly that someone in parliament who has such a privileged position could even find the time or oxygen to complain about this,' he said.

Mr Hildebrand, here seen with Channel 10 presenter Sarah Harris (pictured left) argued that getting rid of the Lord's Prayer was a preoccupation of the upper middle class

Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr found the argument convincing.

'You are so right, people will think they are coming after all their stuff and all our traditions,' she said.

Fellow commentator Samantha Maiden also thought there was no need to scrap the prayer.

'I think it's part of the Christian tradition of Parliament,' she said.

'You are not required to say the prayer if you don't believe in it, you don't have to turn up, I just think it's part of history and I don't have a problem with that remaining in situ.'

Senate president Sue Lines says that as an atheist she does not want to read out the Lord's Prayer before Senate business starts each day

Senator Lines said that the prayer was outdated and getting rid of it was 'certainly on the agenda'.

'On the one hand we've had almost every parliamentary leader applaud the diversity of the parliament and so if we are genuine about the diversity of the parliament we cannot continue to say a Christian prayer to open the day,' Senator Lines told The Australian.

'Personally, I would like to see the prayers gone. I'm an atheist. I don't want to say the prayers. If others want to say the prayers they're open to do that.

'Personally I would like to see them gone but again it's not something I can decree. It's a view of the Senate.'

The Labor senator will refer the matter to the Senate procedure committee, which considers the rules of how the chamber operates.

The Lord's Prayer is also read out to open each sitting day of the House of Representatives.

The lower house speaker, Milton Dick, has made no indication he wants to change that ritual.

Senator Pauline Hanson walks out of the chamber as the acknowledgement of country is read

The Lord's Prayer is followed by the president making an acknowledgement of country in the Senate, which sparked a walk-out by Senator Pauline Hanson on Tuesday.

Senator Hanson interjected, yelling 'no, I won't and never will', before storming out of the chamber in a huff as Senator Lines acknowledged the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people as traditional custodians of the Canberra area

The One Nation senator later said she could not accept the welcome to country or a proposal, which was passed that day, to raise the indigenous flag in the Senate chamber.

'I've been feeling this way for a long time,' she said.

'I have called from the first day for equality for all Australians. I see this as divisive.'

She said if anyone needed acknowledgement it was 'our people that have fought for this country. People who have sacrificed their lives'.

Senator Hanson added the Indigenous flag had 'never been voted on'.

'I will never pay respect to (the flag). I find this flag divisive,' she said.

The welcome to country has been incorporated in Senate standing orders since 2010.

It is also said each day to open proceedings in the House of Representatives.
A 'shining star' of Australian mountaineering has died in a tragic accident while climbing the world's second-highest mountain.

The body of Matthew Eakin has been found on K2, known as the Savage Mountain, in the Himalayas after he went missing on day 42 of a notoriously difficult climb a week ago.

Tributes for the Sydney man from friends and the climbing community flooded social media.

'I will always see your smile in the clouds,' wrote Felicity Symons in one of many Facebook tributes.

'Rest easy my dear friend on the mountains you loved.'

A 'shining star' of Australian mountaineering. Matthew Eakin, has died in a tragic accident while climbing the world's second-highest mountain (Pictured, Mr Eakin, left with a friend in 2015)

The body of Matthew Eakin was retrieved from K2, known as the Savage Mountain, in the Himalayas after he went missing a week ago (Pictured, Mr Eakin gives a thumbs up on the K2 climb that was to be his last)

It is believed Mr Eakin and Richard Cartier fell on a steep snow slope during their descent (Pictured, Mr Eakin at left)

Mr Eakin was on a trek with two Canadian men, Richard Cartier and Justin Dube-Fahmy. Mr Eakin and Mr Cartier both went missing.

Both their bodies were spotted below camp one on K2 and were 'in tact and frozen'.

On July 21, Mr Dube-Fahmy posted online that the trio were exhausted after 16 hours climbing on day 42 of their climb and that Mr Eakin and Mr Cartier were heading back to base camp.

It is believed both men fell on a steep snow slope during their descent.

At 8,611 metres, K2 is the world's second-tallest mountain but is considered a more dangerous and difficult climb than the highest peak, Mount Everest

Mr Eakin leads the climbers up K2 on day 30 of their ill-fated mission

At 8,611 metres, K2 is the world's second-tallest mountain but is considered a more dangerous climb than the highest peak, Mount Everest, due to its steeper faces and extreme weather.

Since records were first kept 95 people have died climbing K2.

Mr Eakin was an experienced mountaineer who had climbed the mountain previously.

A Sydney friend, Rob Norman, said Mr Eakin was 'a guy that constantly gave his time to others'.

'Anyone who had the pleasure to spend even a few minutes with Matthew Eakin would come away with a renewed zest for life.

'He lived the life he wanted, wore his heart on his sleeve, made the most out of this precious life we have and always did it with a smile his face.

A mountaineering guide from Pakistan, Kashif Ali, said Mr Eakin was a 'legend'.

'This is really tragic news, Matthew Eakin was the founder of the excellent FB page Mountaineers Downunder and has made a huge contribution to the mountaineering community in Australia.

'Our hearts go out to his family and friends. We will miss you forever great legend.'

A devastated Bree Shedden, his former college friend, said Mr Eakin fulfilled the big plans he had in life.

Mr Eakin was a popular figure in the Australian mountaineering scene. He is pictured with a friend Jo Nevin

Mr Eakin is pictured second from right relaxing with other climbers during his final adventure on K2

'The only silver lining in this is that he always told me he was going to journey the world, he wanted to run all the way across Australia to start!

'Even at 19 years old he was planning big things. He sure did live life to the fullest which was exactly what he always said he would do.

'Fly high Matt, Thankyou so much for all the fun times and memories another shining star gone way too soon.'

Another friend, Jimmy Smith, lamented that Mr Eakin would not make it home.

'You will be on my mind forever and always,' wrote a Nepalese friend, Suman Mahara

'It only seems like last year we were sitting in Nepal, eating pizza and going through all our photos. Sorry your not coming home this year.'

Another friend, Jo Nevin posted 'Youve grown your wings way too soon. Love you Matty.'

'You will be on my mind forever and always,' wrote a Nepalese friend, Suman Mahara.

Mr Eakin founded a Facebook group, Mountaineering Downunder, which has nearly 3,000 members.
An EU energy crunch is in progress as Russian gas supplies going to the bloc are diminished, as technical reasons are the cause. Specifically mentioned as the cause is a second Nord Stream 1 pumping turbine that was discussed earlier by Russia.

Pipeline Problems Threaten the EU Gas Supply

German gas network operator Gascade stated on Wednesday that gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia to Germany had been significantly cut to one-fifth of maximum capacity, reported RT.

According to a statement made by a German firm on Wednesday morning, NS1 has been used to pump through the pipeline around 20% of its maximum capacity of 1.28 million cubic meters per hour. Due to the requirement for maintenance of the gas pumping equipment, Gazprom gave advanced notice of the impending shutdown of a second Siemens turbine.

The Russian gas company stated on Tuesday that the Nord Stream 1 pipeline supply would not be more than 33 million cubic meters per day following the switch off.

Gas prices in Europe increased by more than 20% on Wednesday to the highest levels since March, reaching over $2,500 per thousand cubic meters due to the decline in Russian gas supplies ending in an EU energy crunch.

This follows a disagreement over a Siemens turbine that was brought to Canada for repairs but was delayed in returning because of Ottawa's sanctions against Moscow, noted Azerbaycan 24.

According to Gazprom, the delay was the cause of a 60% drop in the gas flow to Germany last month. The item is now in Germany and will soon be delivered to Russia.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Net Worth 2022: Does Anyone Know Russian President's Hidden Wealth?

Earlier information from business newspaper Kommersant said that the Portovaya compressor station's numerous turbines need maintenance. Siemens Energy is permitted by the present license agreement to accept five more turbines for regular maintenance before the end of 2024, citing Mass News.

Gas Price Continues To Increase With Reduced Supply

Confirmation that, as winter approaches in general, Nord Stream 1 (NS1) is operating at a critical 20% of its maximum capacity. The last time prices were thus high as of March 1 was for the technical reasons mentioned last Wednesday.

The cost of living in the Netherlands on the morning when August futures were posted on the TTF trading hub had marginally surpassed $2,500 per thousand cubic meters, or 235 ($239) per megawatt hour.

Following the verification by the German company Gascade, which depends on Russia for its NS1 natural gas supply, the drop has affected the economies of Germany and the EU.

Last Monday, Gazprom stated that to keep the pipeline operating continuously, it would be necessary to shut down parts like turbines that needed repair.

Last Wednesday, it was made very obvious that a prior cut of 60% would follow, as guaranteed by Gazprom. All this was brought on by the US and its allies' thoughtless sanctions, tantamount to economic self-destruction. Another reason Canada kept it after repairs were because of sanctions.

Low supplies hurt the EU, especially in member states like Berlin, whose heating is most needed. Moscow's response is vital as winter approaches. Since January 1, prices have escalated continuously.

The EU energy crunch comes as the Nord Stream 1 has only a meager 20% of Russian gas supplies threatening to take down the EU, going along with US sanctions.

Related Article: EU States Oppose Gas Rationing To Address Energy Crisis as Proposed By Brussels

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A young mother was shocked to learn she had a bone spur caused by osteoarthritis at just 28 years old.

Tamara Watkins first began getting severe back pain and headaches almost 20 years ago but had no idea she would be diagnosed with arthritis.

'I didn't actually think of it as arthritis, because when you think of arthritis you think of 80 year-old-men who are crippled with it. I didn't really put myself into that category,' she told Nine News.

Young mother Tarama Watkins, 28, was diagnosed with osteoarthritis after an MRI found a 'bird's beak' bone spur on her spine (above)

At first her GP couldn't figure out what was causing Ms Watkins's pain so after a clear x-ray she was referred for a massage session at an osteopath.

However, Ms Watkins said her symptoms only got worse.

'I remember going to the osteo and being on her table and just vomiting uncontrollably,' she said.

She was then sent to get an MRI which finally revealed what was causing her chronic pain: a 'bird's beak' bone spur formed on her spine.

Ms Watkins said the hardest part of her shock diagnosis of arthritis and a bone spur in her back was the recommendation against her having more children

'If it hadn't been picked up it could have resulted in more permanent damage,' Ms Watkins said.

Unfortunately for Ms Watkins, the struggle didn't end with her diagnosis.

She needed a high-risk surgery to remove the spur and replace a crushed disc and she said it took three years to find a doctor willing to perform it.

Ms Watkins said the hardest thing to accept about her condition was doctors' recommendations that she not have any more children.

Data from the 2021 Census found the majority of the 2.2million Australians who suffer arthritis are over the age of 75 (pictured, arthritis cases divided by age)

Now Mr Watkins is 46, has undergone a successful surgery and had another healthy child, who is now six.

She said she still experiences some pain from her osteoarthritis but her symptoms are manageable with regular treatments.

Data from the 2021 Census shows arthritis is the second-most common long-term medical condition in Australia with over 2.2million cases.

However, the majority of people who suffer from arthritis are over the age of 75.

While there is no cure for arthritis, early diagnosis and treatment can reduce pain and increase patients' quality of life.
A major e-commerce platform has suddenly sacked a swathe of its Australian workers in a late night email - leaving them furious at the lack of communication.

Shopify, which is worth around $57 billion dollars, said it was cutting about 10 per cent of its 10,000-strong global workforce in the email late on Tuesday night.

The firm's founder Tobias Lutke wrote that he had expected the pandemic-fuelled surge in online spending to continue - but admitted he had 'got it wrong' after the company's shares plummeted.

Now, Aussie employees have revealed they weren't consulted about the redundancies, having believed they had survived an earlier round of cuts.

Shopify, which is worth around $57 billion dollars, cut about 10 per cent of its 10,000 global staff members late on Tuesday night. Pictured is founder Tobias Lutke with Barack Obama

Now, Aussie employees have revealed they weren't consulted about the redundancies

'There's been a lot more process over there [in North America],' one former employee told the Brisbane Times.

'But nothing here. Nothing. We're all talking to each other trying to figure out what's going on.'

'We thought we had survived a re-organisation,' another employee said.

'There's a lot of anger as well, some of the others I've spoken to were crying.'

Shopify is behind the software that runs online stores like JB Hi-Fi and also has partnerships with brands like Amazon.

During the pandemic, the company expanded rapidly as lockdowns and anti-Covid measures saw a surge in online shopping.

However, it has since seen the market slow and turn, with its shares plummeting 80 per cent from its peak last year.

All Shopify staff received an email at about 10.30pm on Tuesday night, Australian time, from Mr Lutke, who is also the company's global chief executive, informing them about cuts.

Affected staff were then sent more detail, with Aussie workers offered slots to talk to managers or HR on Tuesday.

The Canadian-based firm offered cut workers 16 weeks' pay, plus another week for each year of service.

It has promised to let staff keep company-bought home office furniture and to remove 'equity cliff' rules that can stop former employees keeping shares in the company.

A spokesman for Shopify referred Daily Mail Australia to Mr Lutke's email to staff, which the company also posted publicly, when contacted for comment.

In an email, the firm's founder Tobias Lutke, pictured with wife Fiona McKean, said he had expected the pandemic-fuelled surge in online spending to continue - but said he 'got it wrong'

In his email, he said he had hoped the lockdown surge in online shopping would be permanent - but admitted he had 'got this wrong'.

'When the Covid pandemic set in, almost all retail shifted online because of shelter-in-place orders. Demand for Shopify skyrocketed,' Mr Lutke wrote.

'Shopify has always been a company that makes the big strategic bets our merchants demand of us - this is how we succeed.

'We bet that the channel mix - the share of dollars that travel through ecommerce rather than physical retail - would permanently leap ahead by 5 or even 10 years. We couldn't know for sure at the time, but we knew that if there was a chance that this was true, we would have to expand the company to match.'

'It's now clear that bet didn't pay off. Ultimately, placing this bet was my call to make and I got this wrong.'
A shock new theory has emerged in the disappearance of a young man from one of Australia's most picturesque islands.

Ben Chisholm, 22, went missing in rugged bushland on Magnetic Island off the coast of Townsville, Queensland on the morning of July 13.

Intense searches across the island in the past two weeks have failed to locate the young man as police indicate they will begin to scale back the search operation.

But fresh information about a yellow Polycraft tender boat going missing from Horseshoe Bay on the island on the same day he disappeared has led to a new theory that Mr Chisholm may have left the island.

Young Queenslander Ben Chisholm wandered into 'extremely dense scrub' on July 13 while on Magnetic Island after behaving erratically the night before his disappearance

It's believed that Ben may have used a yellow poly craft tender boat (pictured, a similar boat) that is now missing from Horseshoe Bay on Magnetic Island

He was last seen near the Arcadia walking trails and friends believe it could be possible that Ben walked from there to Horseshoe Bay and taken the boat, which is still missing, the Townsville Bulletin reported.

Mr Chisholm's friends and family continue to search for him despite police scaling back their operation.

Mr Chisholm's aunt said in a Facebook post last night that the search was moving around Horseshoe Bay, Lovers Bay, and Radical Bay on Thursday.

Mr Chisholm was last seen walking toward the trails inland from the Arcadia area of Magnetic Island (pictured, steep cliffs near Picnic Point, Magnetic Island)

'The bush area where Ben's clothes were found has been searched, and Nelly Bay has been a big search area, and it has been covered around the area Ben lives,' she said.

'They now need to go to the hard-to-get places.'

She added: 'The local islanders who live on the island have been doing searches on jetskis and in boats, but he may have been missed we must always keep looking.'

His family described his disappearance as 'out of character' saying he'd never wander off for so long.

Mr Chisholm is described as Caucasian in appearance, about 170cm tall, medium build with long, light-brown hair.

He was dressed in shorts and a dark green long-sleeved pullover.

Yesterday Mr Chisholm's mother Jackie Burgess refused to leave the tropical island while her son remained missing.

It was also revealed Mr Chisholm was picked up by police the night before he vanished.

Jackie Burgess (pictured front right) is remaining with her daughter Shiralee Rosario on Magnetic Island, in the hope that her son, Ben Chisholm, (kneeling, beside family and friends), will be found

SES volunteers have spent up to 80 hours each searching for Ben Chisholm in the past 10 days

'We will not give up hope, mum is not leaving the island, she needs you to be found and brought home. We all need you to come home,' Ms Rosario posted on Tuesday.

'We will not give up on finding you Ben!'

Ms Rosario and Mr Chisholm both live on Magnetic Island and their mum is from Melbourne.

Mr Chisholm was last seen walking toward the trails inland from the Arcadia area of Magnetic Island.

Ms Rosario has admitted her brother was displaying 'unstable' behaviour the night before he went missing.

Shiralee Rosario is pictured with her brother Ben Chisholm, who is missing on Magnetic Island

Police, the SES, Rural Fire Service and Parks and Wildlife teams are searching for Mr Chisholm, with his family fearing he may have fallen in the dense bushland

She said residents in Picnic Bay phoned police because he was 'door knocking on a random house', the Townsville Bulletin reported.

Officers 'didn't pick up' on his bad mental state and dropped him off at home. He went missing the next morning, last being seen wandering towards trails.

'We'll progress it as we go through, and if there are lessons to be learned, well, there are lessons to be learned,' Queensland Police Service Acting Inspector Mark Camilleri said when questioned about Ms Rosario's claims.

In a Magnetic Island community Facebook page several community members wondered if Mr Chisholm had left the island before being reported missing.

But several clues found ended that possibility.

Clothing, including a dark green jacket/pullover and shorts, and a hat belonging to Mr Chisholm, were found over the next eight days.

His desperate family fear he 'may have slipped and not be able to get up'.

Police officers, the dog squad and SES search teams scoured bushland, including the Nelly-Arcadia bush track on foot, by QGAir Rescue 521 helicopter and with drone cameras.

The Rural Fire Service and Parks and Wildlife teams are also assisting police with search efforts.

But when acting inspector Camilleri admitted the search was now being 'scaled back', Ms Rosario pleaded for more volunteers to join the search effort.

'SOS we are putting a call out to any trained personnel who are available to assist in specialized searches like cliff faces and boulders with crevices and caves.

'[We've had] no helicopter since Thursday the sniffer dog was in for one day, the best trackers have not been able to find any sign of him no broken twigs no hair, no blood, now they have left also.

'There is no sign of any foul play.'

Police are scaling back the search for Ben Chisholm but his family have refused to give up

Mr Chisholm's sister Shiralee claimed officers 'didn't pick up' on his bad mental state and dropped him off at home (pictured, Acting Inspector Mark Camilleri)

'Search efforts have been scaled back with minimal resources, with a focus on investigative outcomes as the search for Ben Chisholm continues on Magnetic Island,' Insp. Camilleri said.

'Police and family hold concerns for his welfare given the duration of his disappearance.'

Ms Rosario has been desperately calling for volunteers to come and help on the island.

'We need way more resources on the ground. Thursday, Friday last week we had 80 on ground and air for 2 days. Then 30, then 8, now today 11 people,' she said.

Magnetic Island SES volunteers detailed how committed they have been to the search on social media.

'Two of our Maggie Island SES members are approaching 80 hours EACH on this search since last Saturday. 80 volunteer hours in 10 days,' the service posted.

'We are so proud of our whole team and our SES family from across the ditch who have put in above and beyond!'

Ben Chishom's family have posted a GoFundMe account to help pay for costs they are incurring during the search.
A union boss has called for a general strike if Liz Truss becomes Prime Minister and brings in legislation to halt strikes affecting the country.

The Foreign Secretary has pledged to ensure 'militant action' from trade unions can no longer 'paralyse' the economy if she wins the Tory leadership contest.

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, told the i newspaper that 'coordinated and synchronised industrial action' would be needed if legislation is brought in.

He went on to say the 'very dangerous situation' risks taking the country back to 'Victorian times'.

Mick Lynch (centre), general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said 'coordinated and synchronised industrial action' would be needed if legislation is brought in to curb industrial action

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has pledged to ensure 'militant action' from trade unions can no longer 'paralyse' the economy if she wins the Tory leadership contest

The comments came as strikes by members of the RMT and Transport Salaried Staffs Association crippled services on Wednesday, with only around one in five trains running and some areas having none at all.

Meanwhile, Aslef announced its members will walk out on Saturday, August 13, saying train firms failed to make a pay offer to help members keep pace with increases in the cost of living.

A general strike, which can only be called by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), is when a 'substantial proportion' of workers in multiple sectors refuse to work until their demands, usually around pay and working conditions, are met.

RMT supporters protest outside offices of Network Rail in Glasgow yesterday as 40,000 workers went on strike

WHAT WAS THE 1926 GENERAL STRIKE? The General Strike of 1926 was the largest industrial dispute in Britain's history. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) called the strike to prevent cuts to miners' wages as well as demands from mine owners that they work an additional hour a day. Throughout 1925 and 1926 tension increased with government and the mine owners on one side and the unions on the other. In March 1926 a Royal Commission headed by Sir Herbert Samuel recommended small wage cuts, but not longer hours. These recommendations were not acceptable to the miners or the employers. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) General Council (TUC) threatened a strike of key workers on 4 May. Printers at the Daily Mail newspaper refused to print a leading article criticising the Trades Union Congress (TUC). For the government, this action was unacceptable. All attempts at negotiation were broken off and the General Strike began on 4 May - lasting for nine days. The coal mine owners declared all strikers were locked out - and out of a job. After the TUC called off the strike on May 12, the miners continued to strike for a further six months, but eventually hunger drove them back to work and were forced to accept longer hours, lower pay and local agreements. Source: The National Archives Advertisement

Mr Lynch told the i: 'There is a whole host of measures that she (Ms Truss) is looking to bring in that will make it virtually impossible to have effective trade unionism and we think would effectively outlaw collective action.

'I think that's a turn to the extreme right on behalf of the Conservatives, and they're playing to their reactionary base. I think there will be an enormous response from the trade union movement.

'Only the TUC can call a general strike, we will be campaigning in that direction, but we need coordinated and synchronised industrial action against what they're proposing.

'I would be looking for a general strike if we can bring that off, but it's up to others. We're a small union compared to others. So we'll have to see where that goes.'

Ms Truss has said her government would introduce legislation in the first 30 days of Parliament to guarantee a minimum level of service on vital national infrastructure.

She would also ensure strike action has significant support from union members by raising the minimum threshold for voting in favour of strike action from 40% to 50%.

The minimum notice period for strike action would be raised from two weeks to four weeks, and a cooling-off period would be implemented so that unions can no longer strike as many times as they like in the six-month period after a ballot.

Asked what she would do about the rail strikes, the Foreign Secretary told Sky News: 'I would legislate to make sure that there are essential services on our railway.

'It is completely wrong that the travelling public are being held ransom by militant unions. We can't allow that to happen. We need to make sure our essential services run.

'As I said, I am on the side of people who work hard, who go into work, who want to run their businesses. We can't see them hampered by the activities of these militant unions.'
Cassidy Hutchinson, the break-out star of the January 6 hearings, is also cooperating with the Department of Justice's investigation surrounding the Capitol attack.

ABC News reported Wednsday on Hutchinson's involvement, reporting the former aide to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has recently aided the ongoing probe.

Investigators reached out to Hutchinson following her public testimony to the House select committee in late June.

The extent of her involvement wasn't known.

Hutchinson is the latest figure to be linked to the DOJ investigation, which is separate from the work the House select committee is doing.

On Tuesday, The Washington Post reported that investigators are looking into former President Donald Trump's actions in relation to January 6 as part of the criminal probe.

Cassidy Hutchinson, the break-out star of the January 6 hearings, is also cooperating with the Department of Justice's investigation surrounding the Capitol attack

Sources told the paper that federal prosecutors have interviewed witnesses before a grand jury and asked them about conversations between Trump, his lawyers and members of his inner circle regarding a plot to replace Electoral College members with pro-Trump alternate electors in states President Joe Biden won.

Prosecutors have asked detailed questions about meetings Trump held in December 2020 and January 2021, gathering information on his campaign to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election results, and what instructions - if any - Trump gave his team about the fake electors scheme.

In addition, the paper reported that investigators had gotten their hands on Meadows' phone records.

On Monday, ABC News reported that Pence's former Chief of Staff Marc Short was spotted leaving D.C. District Court on Friday, alongside his lawyer.

Sources told the network that Short testified before a grand jury, compelled by a subpoena, as part of the DOJ's probe.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday that the Department of Justice is looking into former President Donald Trump's conduct in relation to January 6 as part of its ongoing criminal probe

Additionally, Pence lawyer Greg Jacob also appeared before a grand jury, The Post said.

Hutchinson, who worked in the West Wing under Meadows, testified about Trump's behavior as he sought to overturn the 2020 election.

She testified that Trump wanted to join the pro-MAGA crowd at the U.S. Capitol.

That crowd ambushed the Capitol and fought with law enforcement for hours on January 6, threatening the lives of Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress.

In the hours beforehand, Hutchinson testified that Trump tried to grab the SUV's wheel and 'lunged' at a security official, when told by Secret Service agents they were taking him back to the White House, after he delivered his speech on the Ellipse, and not to Capitol Hill.

She also recounted how she saw the aftermath of Trump throwing his food, after learning that then Attorney General Bill Barr had told the Associated Press there was no evidence of widespread election fraud.

Hutchinson testified that a valet motioned her into the White House dining room 'and then pointed toward the front of the room near the fireplace mantel and the TV.'

'Where I first noticed there was ketchup dripping down the wall. And there's a shattered porcelain plate on the floor,' she said. 'The valet had articulated that the president was extremely angry at the attorney general's AP interview and had thrown his lunch against the wall.'
A newly-elected federal MP gave an emotional insight into his struggle to come out as gay in his first speech to Parliament, revealing how he spent years trying to hide who he really was.

Stephen Bates, MP for Brisbane, teared up on Tuesday as he vowed to serve his new electorate, as one of a handful of new Greens MPs elected to the House of Representatives at the election in May.

In a speech where he called for action on climate change, mental health and economic equality, Mr Bates said he had been shaped by two pivotal moments in his life, those being slogging through minimum wage jobs and figuring out his sexual identity.

Mr Bates, 29, said he knew he was gay as a teenager but 'did everything in (his) power to hide it'.

The newly-elected Greens member for Brisbane, Stephen Bates (pictured right, with Larissa Waters left) spoke of the two things that shaped his politics and who he is, his sexual identity and career in minimum wage work

'I told myself I would force myself to get married to a woman, have kids and live in the suburbs,' he said.

'Because that is what you did, that is what you had to do, that is what was expected of me.'

He then choked up, struggling to contain his emotions.

'I was lucky enough to have a very supportive - sorry,' he said, wiping at his eye, 'to have a very supportive family to come out to.

'But I spent years hiding myself because I could not see anyone in my world who was openly gay - this is so much harder than I thought it would be.'

Mr Bates took to his maiden speech with a rainbow-winged Ibis attached to his lapel (pictured) as he vowed to look after the interests of Brisbane, the young, and the queer community

Mr Bates said he knew he was gay when he was a teenager but 'did everything in (his) power to hide it', and would make sure he was openly gay if he made it to public office for other young people

'I made a promise to myself once I came out that if I ever found myself in a public role, that I would be open and proud of who I am.

'That I would be that person that I never saw growing up, because if I can help even one person out there then my life will have been worth it.'

Mr Bates then talked of an email he received during his campaign from a mother whose 14-year-old son had wanted to donate his pocket money to Mr Bates's campaign after reading the MP's partner's name - Scott - in a flyer.

'Her 14-year-old son just wanted to donate some of his pocket money to our campaign.

'When she asked him 'why?' he said he had read the letter and wanted me to win. Because if you cannot see it you cannot be it.'

Mr Bates (pictured right) said in fighting for gay rights 'It is not enough to wave a rainbow flag when it is politically convenient, our community deserves tangible legislation that protects us from discrimination'

'It is not enough to wave a rainbow flag when it is politically convenient, our community deserves tangible legislation that protects us from discrimination and empowers us to be who we are,' Mr Bates said.

Mr Bates also talked about the importance he placed on mental healthcare and promoting the voices of young people in parliament.

'This election has shown that people in this country are done with the status quo.'

Mr Bates is the first Greens member ever elected for the seat of Brisbane.

Mr Bates (pictured) continued to work retail shifts at a Brisbane Apple store right up until his first day in Parliament

He worked at the lower end of the pay scale for much of his twenties, pulling shifts at the Apple store in Chermside, Brisbane while remaining a member of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union.

After flipping the seat of a former chief of the National Retail Association, Mr Bates will now receive a salary worth more than $200,000.

His unorthodox campaign stirred up support from the grassroots with doorknocking, hand delivered flyers and political ads on Grindr - a dating app for LGBT people.

His Grindr ads featured cheeky campaign slogans including 'Put Stephen Bates on top this election' and 'You always come first with the Greens'.

The MP made a subtle nod to his home city - where Ibises are prevalent - and his sexuality with a rainbow-winged Ibis adorning his lapel for the speech.

Greens leader Adam Bandt hugged Mr Bates, who received a standing ovation from the crossbench at the end of the speech.

Independent MP Zoe Daniels then also embraced the teared-up MP.

Social media was filled with plaudits for the newly-minted pollie.

'Bravo to our youngest Fed MP Stephen Bates. He said he knew he was gay but did everything to hide it Your maiden speech would have reached out to many  well done and all the best,' one wrote.

'Bless your heart, Stephen Bates,' wrote another.

'Stephen Bates is my new MP. His predecessor Trevor Evans is also openly gay. Stephen's speech was very raw and beautiful,' said another post.
The United States has become the global epicenter of the monkeypox outbreak, overtaking Spain following a record-breaking 24 hours in which 1,048 new cases were confirmed.

The updated data for Wednesday shows that there are now 4,639 confirmed cases in the U.S.

Spain currently has 3,738.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Wednesday that the uptick in cases was likely due to an increase in testing, after it expanded capacity from 10,000 to 80,000 swabs per week.

By population  which takes into account the U.S. having seven-times more people than Spain  America has about one case per 100,000 people.

Spain's tally is seven per 100,000.

The infection rate in the U.S. is also below many other European countries including the UK and Germany (both at three per 100,000).

A protester on July 21 holds up a sign in New York City demanding the government do more to make the monkeypox vaccine available

Experts fear the disease has already spilled over into more vulnerable groups, such as children under eight years old that health officials say are at high risk of severe disease.

Two children  in California and 'transiting through' D.C.  have tested positive for monkeypox to date, the CDC says.

America's response to monkeypox was slammed for being too slow to roll out tests and vaccinations at the start of the outbreak, especially to gay or bisexual men where most cases are being recorded.

No deaths have been registered to date but several patients have been hospitalized.

DailyMail.com averaged the daily rise in cases over the latest seven days available to calculate how fast they were ticking up every 24 hours.

This showed the U.S. is currently recording about 216 monkeypox cases a day on average, while in Spain 108 per day are being detected.

Washington D.C. joins New York city in delaying second monkeypox jabs Washington D.C. has postponed its roll out of second doses of the monkeypox, joining New York City. Its Department of Health revealed the move Monday, citing 'very limited' supplies of the jabs and a fast increase in cases. They said: 'This is extremely important because getting more individuals vaccinated with their first shot will help us contain the virus.' America is rolling out the two dose Jynneous vaccine to fight monkeypox, with the second dose due to be given four weeks after the first. But some experts say it is possible to widen the gap  as was done with the Covid vaccine in other countries  to ensure more people can be inoculated first. A Food and Drug Administration vaccines adviser has warned against the move, however, saying no studies have been carried out to determine whether it will ensure the jabs are still effective. Both New York City and Washington D.C. are offering monkeypox jabs to gay or bisexual men with multiple sexual partners. Advertisement

It is unlikely that another European nation will surge ahead as experts say many  including the UK  are now seeing their outbreak start to peak.

Dr Bill Hanage, an epidemiologist at Harvard University, said: 'The U.S. was slow to kick off widespread testing, and so now is detecting transmission chains that have been carrying on uninterrupted for some time.

'We don't know how much increased awareness, especially in the core communities of gay and bisexual men, will slow transmission down.

'But it is reasonable to suggest that the U.S. case count will continue to grow and will outpace the outbreak's elsewhere.'

Spain is at the center of Europe's monkeypox outbreak, being among the first country's to report the disease  with early cases linked to unsafe sex among gay or bisexual men at a venue outside the country's capital, Madrid, and a Pride event in the Canary Islands.

Since then the vast majority of cases have been detected in the same group, but some have been spotted in women  often those living with gay or bisexual men. A three-year-old also tested positive for the virus.

Health authorities in the country have rolled out vaccines to close contacts in order to curb cases, but there have been problems getting hold of doses.

Spain  like the U.S.  is using the Jynneous vaccine, but only had 200 doses available in early July. It has said more doses will be ordered, but has not specified a number.

In the U.S. cases were initially mostly linked to international travel, particularly to Europe, but many are now being detected in people who became infected in the country. Experts suggest the virus may have been transmitting for a while before it was detected.

Hotspots New York City and Washington D.C. are rolling out vaccines against the virus to gay or bisexual men with multiple partners in two weeks to put a lid on the virus, but these programs have hit a brick wall with too few doses being supplied by the Federal Government.

Spain has the most per capita cases of monkeypox, while the U.S. has the greatest total number

Both cities are now delaying second doses, due four weeks after the first, due to demand.

A total of five million vaccines have been ordered so far, on top of the more than one million that were available when the program began.

Testing has also been ramped up after it was slammed early on for the stringent guidance on which samples could be tested leading to just 23 swabs being checked for the virus a day early in the outbreak.

Five commercial labs have been brought onboard now with a combined capacity for about 80,000 swabs per week.

Daily tallies have rocketed since, with the biggest daily increase yet reported on Wednesday, with 1,048 cases in the last 24 hours.

Breaking the data down by area shows New York City currently has the largest outbreak at 1,040 confirmed infections according to its Department of Health. The CDC says the state has 990 infections at present.

It was followed by California, at 356, and Illinois, with 341.

Only four states  Maine, Montana, Vermont and Wyoming  are yet to detect a single infection with the disease.

It is not clear whether other states  alongside New York  are preparing to start vaccinating gay or bisexual men where most cases are being detected to get a handle on the outbreak.

Monkeypox is normally confined to West Africa, but earlier this year it was picked up at a Pride festival in Spain.

Since then more than 40 countries worldwide  mostly in Europe  have spotted cases of the disease, which are mostly among gay or bisexual men.

Unlike in previous outbreaks, the disease appears to mostly be spreading via sexual contact with lesions  which allow transmission  initially appearing on the genital and anal regions.

Experts say the disease has likely already spilled over into other groups, however, which are more at risk.

In the U.S., two children were found to have been infected last week.
Garbage has been left to pile up on an Australian city's streets after workers walked off the job amid a pay dispute.

About 100 staff in Melbourne belonging to The Municipal and Utilities Workers Union kicked off their strike from 5am on Thursday morning amid a dispute with their employer Citywide.

They want a weekly pay increase of $50 plus another $20 safeguard payment against any further pandemic-linked disruptions.

The union claims Citywide failed to show up to a scheduled meeting last Friday with another meeting set for Thursday morning understood to have failed to result in an agreement.

About 100 garbage collection workers in Melbourne are on strike with rubbish left to accumulate in bins (file image)

The workers (pictured) are represented by the The Municipal and Utilities Workers Union

Social commentator Prue MacSween linked the worker strike to the Melbourne Mayor's comments about cancelling January 26 celebrations

Citywide holds the contract with the City of Melbourne for waste management services including emptying residential and council rubbish bins, along with kerbside collections and asphalt cleaning.

Municipal & Utilities Workers Union president Jennifer Marriott said the union has no intention of backing down.

'The strike will last as long as it takes for Citywide to understand that we just want to talk with them,' Ms Marriot said, reports The Herald Sun.

'But the HR manager won't pick up calls  they're just ignoring us. All their workers are working for less money than workers in the local government doing similar jobs.'

She claimed Citywide made a profit over the last two years of lockdowns but had not given employees pay increases.

Citywide said in a statement their services would not be impacted.

'Any such industrial action would be unlawful and liable to be halted by a Fair Work Commission order,' a spokesperson said.

The company said it has already put forward a three per cent pay rise plus a one-off payment of $350 for the Enterprise Agreement to be rolled over until June 2023.

'We has not received any demand from employees for a $50 a week increase plus a $20 emergency services payment.'

'Citywide has a committed group of employees and remains confident that, should any unlawful industrial action take place, its services will not be impacted.'
Stargazers are in for a treat this week as a trio of meteor showers are set to light up Australian skies, with the first one illuminating the east coast from Thursday.

The Piscis Austrinids meteor shower will peak on Thursday and be active until August 10, while the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids will peak on Saturday.

The optimal period to view the three meteor showers will last about 48 hours.

Australian skies will be lit up by three meteor showers this week (stock image)

Professor Orsola De Marco from Macquarie University told The Guardian that Piscis Austrinids will rise from 8pm in the south-east of the sky and head due east by 11pm for Aussies on the east coast wishing to see the spectacle.

'Look towards the east, about 45 degrees up  about halfway between the horizon and above your head,' she said.

The Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids are scheduled to rise at 11pm on Saturday around the east-northeast and north-northeast of the sky, respectively.

Professor De Marco says the Southern Delta Aquariids will have the most meteors after rising, with up to 20 soaring past in an hour.

They will be the 'quickest' meteors out of the three showers this week.

The Alpha Capricornids is forecast to be 'relatively bright'. It will feature 'fireballs' which are bright meteors.

There will be about four going past every hour for Alpha Capricornids and five for Piscis Austrinids.

The Piscis Austrinids meteor shower will peak on Thursday on the east coast, while the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids will peak on Saturday (stock image)

Meteors are space rocks that enter earth's atmosphere. When several enter the atmosphere at the same time it is considered to be a meteor shower.

When a meteor falls towards earth, the air resistance makes it extremely hot, giving it its famous light streak.

NASA says meteor showers happen 'annually or at regular intervals as the Earth passes through the trail of dusty debris left by a comet'.

Meteor showers are named after stars or constellations 'close to where the meteors appear in the sky'.
The doctor turned politician who ousted former treasurer Josh Frydenberg has given her predecessor a solid backhander in her maiden speech.

Monique Ryan defeated Mr Frydenberg in the seat of Kooyong, in southeast Melbourne, at the May 21 election as one of the seven 'teal' independents.

Her victory was the first time the Liberal Party lost the blue-ribbon seat in 80 years, which Dr Ryan compared to the devastating floods across Australia.

The former paediatric neurologist first paid tribute to Mr Frydenberg as a 'well-respected member of this place' on Thursday, before quickly burning him.

Doctor turned politician Monique Ryan, who ousted former treasurer Josh Frydenberg in Kooyong, has given her predecessor a solid backhander in her maiden speech

Monique Ryan defeated Mr Frydenberg (pictured with his wife Anne at the Mid Winter Ball in 2018) in the seat of Kooyong, in southeast Melbourne, at the May 21 election as on of the seven 'teal' independents.

'Kooyong has always been a seat held by conservative politicians - since it was formed in 1944, the Liberal Party has always held Kooyong,' she said.

'The last time an incumbent lost his seat in Kooyong was 1922 - proof positive that not all once-in-a-century events are bad.'

Her 'once-in-a-century' reference was presumably to the series of floods NSW and Queensland suffered this year that were often called such events.

Dr Ryan had kinder words for former Kooyong MPs Sir Robert Menzies, Andrew Peacock, and Petro Georgiou whom she called 'true liberals... committed to protecting individuals rights'.

'I hope to honour that legacy by representing the electorate with dedication, integrity and effect. I am the first woman, and the first Independent, to represent this electorate. I will not be the last,' she said.

Ms Ryan was once of seven independents (five of them pictured together in Parliament with Ms Ryan in the centre) who snatched wealthy, inner-city seats that were once Liberal Party strongholds

Fellow teal independents congratulate Ms Ryan after her maiden speech on Thursday

Dr Ryan was once of seven independents who snatched wealthy, inner-city seats that were once Liberal Party strongholds.

They were funded by multimillionaire Simon Holmes a Court's Climate 200 campaign on a platform of being pro-business but supporting strong action on climate change.

Dr Ryan spent used much of her speech as a rallying cry for the issue, even quoting Harry Potter character Albus Dumbledore to encourage those of the same view.

'Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light.' she said.

The mother-of-three called climate change 'the greatest challenge for our generation' and said she would fight for victims of floods and bushfires.

'To the rural communities of western NSW and Queensland with farms and towns hit by drought - the people of Kooyong voted for you,' she said.

'To the people of Cobargo and Mallacoota and Kangaroo Island, whose homes burned during that black summer - Kooyong voted for you.

'To the people of Lismore and Woodburn whose houses have this year been inundated again and again by flood, Kooyong voted for you.'

Senators Peter Whish-Wilson (left) Larissa Waters (second from left), Jordan Steele-John (second from right) and Monique Ryan (right) spoke with the protesters

Outside up to 100 more protesters were joined by Greens MPs and independent Monique Ryan (centre) to demand Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government do more to tackle climate change

Dr Ryan drew on her experience as a doctor and decorated researcher with 150 published papers to inform her views on climate change.

'We have lived through a wasted decade of ineffective action on climate change. As a doctor, researcher and scientist, my job has always been to care for children and to protect their futures,' she said.

'We stand on the precipice of a great opportunity: A transformation to a new clean energy economy - an economy which will not need to rely on volatile markets and international security for a secure energy supply.

'An economy away from polluting fuels and combustion vehicles to quiet electric vehicles and clean air for our children. Our renewable energy resources are the envy of the world.

'We can use these natural advantages to bring down the cost of electricity for households - to protect our elderly neighbours from heatwaves, to ensure Australian families dont have to decide between heating or food.'

Dr Ryan began her first week in Canberra by supporting radical climate protesters who stormed Parliament House and sang protest songs on the foyer's marble steps.

After they were booted from Parliament, the up to 100 activists took their protest to the lawn where Ms Ryan spoke with them and posed for photos.

'Opening new coal and gas mines? In this economy?' she wrote on Twitter afterwards.

'Even if we could put aside dangerous emissions from fossil fuels (we cant) experts in finance, business and economics warn that any new coal or gas projects will fast become a stranded asset. Clean energy is our economic future.'

Ms Ryan won Kooyong with 52.9 per cent of the vote and deprived the Liberal Party with its expected successor to Scott Morrison, paving the way for Peter Dutton to take over.
Hundreds of Iraqi protesters have stormed the country's parliament to denounce the nomination of its prime minister and expressed their support of cleric leader Muqtada al-Sadr.

During the incident, there were no lawmakers present in parliament when the demonstrators penetrated the capital's high-security Green Zone on Wednesday. Only security forces were within the building grounds during the protest and they appeared to allow the crowd to come in with relative ease.

Iraq Protests

The demonstrators opposed the candidacy of former minister and ex-provincial governor Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The official is known to be a pro-Iran Coordination Framework pick for premier.

In a statement, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi called on the demonstrators to "immediately withdraw" from the Green Zone. He warned that security forces would see to "the protection of state institutions and foreign missions, and prevent any harm to security and order."

Al-Sadr's bloc won 73 seats in Iraq's October 2021 election, which made it the largest faction in the 329-seat parliament. However, since the vote, talks to form a new government have stalled and al-Sadr has stepped down from the political process, as per Aljazeera.

On Wednesday, protesters carried portraits of the Shia leader as riot police used water cannons to repel the crowd of people pulling down cement blast walls. However, many were able to breach the gates to the area.

Read Also: Japanese Law Enforcement Forced To Act as Monkeys go on Rampage, Snatching Babies in Southwestern City

The protesters then walked down the Green Zone's main thoroughfare, with dozens gathering outside the doors to the parliament building. Riot police assembled at the doors to the main gates as demonstrators crowded around two entrances to the Green Zone, with some scaling the cement wall and chanting, "Al-Sudani, out!"

According to CNN, Iraq has struggled to form a new government since parliamentary elections in October, and Sadr's attempts have previously foundered amid opposition from rival blocs. In a televised speech in June, Sadr said, "If the Sadrist bloc remaining [in parliament] is an obstacle to government formation, then all lawmakers of the bloc are honorably ready to resign from parliament."

Cleric Leader

The cleric is immensely popular among Iraqi residents as his bloc's success in the October vote threatened to sideline Iran-aligned Shiite blocs that have long dominated the oil-rich country's politics. In a Twitter post, Sadr said that a revolution of reform and rejection of injustice and corruption is a message that he had received from the people.

One protester, Mohamed Ali, a 41-year-old day laborer, said that he was against the corrupt officials who remained in power. Other people near the parliament building waved national flags, took photographs, chanted, and cheered.

Despite al-Kadhemi's calls for the protesters' withdrawal, it took Sadr's orders before the crowds of people started to leave nearly two hours after the demonstrations began. The crowds chanted "We obey the Sayyed" as they peacefully left parliament. The term is to honor Sadr by acknowledging him as a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed.

The Coordination Framework draws lawmakers from former premier Nuri al-Maliki's party and the pro-Iran Fatah Alliance, which is the political arm of the Shia-led former paramilitary group Hashed al-Shaabi, The Guardian reported.



Related Article: Kim Jong Un Warns To Use Nuke Amid Tensions with US and South, Says North Korea Is Ready To Mobilize Nuclear Deterrent

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An industry of paid-for fake reviews is infiltrating major platforms such as Facebook, Google and Trustpilot, consumer group Which? has said.

As part of an investigation into the issue, Which? said it was easily able to use a fake reviews broker to supply made up positive reviews for a fictional business on all three platforms.

The consumer group said it was told by one broker that it had created nearly 16,000 reviews for more than 550 customers around the world - a sign of a vibrant industry not being adequately tackled by the tech giants.

It accused Facebook, Google and Trustpilot of failing to do enough to stop fake reviews appearing on platforms and said they were slow to act to take down flagged reviews and accounts in some cases, and that a number of businesses that Which? found to use fake reviews remained online.

Which? said it was easily able to use a fake reviews broker to supply wholly invented positive reviews on Facebook, Google and Trustpilot (Stock image)

Highlighting the scale of the issue, Which? said more than a thousand reviews have been removed by the three platforms in the wake of its investigation.

In the Queen's Speech earlier this year, the Government outlined plans for a Digital, Competition and Consumer Bill which would include a crackdown on fake reviews - something Which? has called on the new prime minister to introduce to Parliament without delay once they take office in the autumn.

'Facebook, Google and Trustpilot are failing to do enough to shut out a fake reviews industry that has been thriving and profiting from misleading reviews for years now,' Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said.

'Facebook in particular has repeatedly been slow to act in tackling fake reviews, showing a complete disregard for consumers who want to read genuine reviews.

'The Government has outlined plans for a new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill that would give the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) stronger powers to protect consumers from an avalanche of fake reviews. .

The Bill must be introduced to Parliament by the new prime minister without delay. In response, a spokesperson for Meta, Facebook's parent company, said: 'We're investigating the accounts brought to our attention.

Which? said it was told by one broker that it had created nearly 16,000 fake reviews for more than 550 customers around the world (Stock image)

'We have dedicated extensive time and resources to tackling this issue and will continue to do so. Fraudulent and deceptive activity is not allowed on our platforms, including offering or trading fake reviews.

'Our safety and security teams are continuously working to help prevent these practices.

'We've requested further authentication from the accounts brought to our attention.'

A Google spokesperson said: 'We invest significantly in building technologies and instituting practices that help people find reliable information on Google.

'Our policies clearly state reviews must be based on real experiences, and when we find policy violations, we take swift action ranging from content removal to account suspension and even litigation.

'We use a combination of human operators and industry-leading technology to closely monitor 24/7 for fraudulent content.

UK GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO POST FAKE REVIEWS The UK government is currently considering new rules that would make it illegal to write or post fake reviews online. Announced in April, the rules would mean people are not cheated by 'bogus ratings' and protect consumers hard-earned cash. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) could enforce penalties worth up to 10% of global annual turnover for businesses or up to 300,000 in the case of an individual. 'New measures requiring legal changes, such as tackling fake reviews, will come into effect on a commencement date that will follow parliamentary approval,' the government's statement said. The government also announced clearer rules for businesses to make it easier for consumers to opt out of subscriptions so they are not stuck paying for things they no longer want. Advertisement

'We encourage users and business owners to flag suspicious activity to us, which helps us keep the information on Maps accurate and reliable.

'While a vast majority of our reviews are authentic, our work to stay a step ahead of scammers is never done, and in this case our teams are continuing to investigate, removing content and blocking accounts associated with malicious activity.'

Trustpilot said: 'The issue of fake reviews is constantly evolving, but Trustpilot is continually working to ensure we are taking appropriate action against attempts to manipulate reviews on our site - including where those reviews are written by review sellers.

'In the last 18 months, we have introduced new technology that allows us to understand complex patterns of potential misuse and to track this back to identify review sellers and buyers.

'This has enabled us to launch legal action against companies that are buying fake reviews, and work with other social media platforms to remove review sellers.

'Additionally, we now offer an additional option for consumers to verify their identity on Trustpilot. We intend to do even more in these areas in the future.

'Several of the businesses linked to the Which? investigation were already subject to Trustpilot's enforcement processes before Which? flagged them to us, after fraudulent activity was identified by our fraud detection software.

'We continue to monitor the businesses' activity on Trustpilot and will not hesitate to take stronger action where necessary, should they continue to abuse our platform.'
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's motorcade has been busted for multiple speeding and traffic offenses - despite the lawmaker pushing for harsher punishments for drivers who go too fast.

Lightfoot's SUVs have since February 2020 been involved in at least eight incidents, and since May 2021 received three speed camera tickets and two warnings, plus a red light ticket.

None of the fines - now totaling $658 - have been paid, CWB Chicago reported.

Footage first uncovered by CWB shows multiple incidents involving the cars. In one clip, two Ford Expedition SUVs race through a set of red lights, with traffic camera seen flashing in their wake.

In another, a black Chevy SUV can be seen making a left turn at a red light at a large intersection. It is unclear if Lightfoot was in the SUVs at the time, although she won't have been driving them in either instance.

The revelations come as Lightfoot, who took over in May 2019, continues to push to lower the 'buffer zone' threshold that speed cameras allow before issuing a citation.

Lori Lightfoot is seen entering her official SUV. Since February 2020, the fleet of vehicles have been involved in at least seven incidents, incurring $658 in fines

The mayor's SUV can be seen passing a red light on January 21 this year

Lightfoot's SUV is caught on camera on October 10, 2021, going through a red light

It was 10mph, but she last year ordered that it be reduced to 6mph, arguing that it will make roads safer.

'No one likes speed cameras. I get it,' she said last month.

'But this is life or death that we're talking about here, and we've got to step up as a city and address this.'

She has also repeatedly highlighted the threat to children from speeding vehicles near schools.

'It is unconscionable that any City Council member would consider voting to allow for increased speeds near spaces utilized by our children,' Lightfoot said.

Last week, she added: 'It makes no sense for us to increase the speed around the parks and schools when we know what the horrific consequences are for pedestrians and for other drivers.'

Yet Lightfoot's official vehicles have themselves been caught speeding through school zones.

In February 2020, one of her vehicles drove past Jones College Prep at 39mph, leading to a warning being issued.

The following year, on January 21, her SUV drove through a red light at 5:45am.

On May 20, 2021, her two SUVs sped past Samuel Gompers Park at 39mph, resulting in another speed warning.

On July 30, 2021, her motorcade passed Orr Academy High School at 43mph.

A speed camera ticket was issued, which is now at $244 and remains unpaid, the website reported.

In October 10, 2021, one of her vehicles turned left through a red light, resulting in a $244 ticket and a 'notice of seizure' for the vehicle.

The following month, on November 5, one of Lightfoot's SUVs received a warning for traveling through Washington Park at 39mph, as she was on her way to a COVID press conference at a children's hospital.

Four months later, on March 9 this year, her SUVs sped past the same location and she was sent a $70 fine - which remains unpaid.

And last month, she once again sped past Samuel Gompers Park - this time at 41mph. The $100 ticket remains unpaid.

In 2020, Chicago Tribune reported that the city of Chicago dismissed the majority of tickets that were issued to Lightfoot's security team, which included tickets given at times the mayor was attending non-city related events.

The Illinois Policy Institute, a libertarian think tank, found that Chicago has issued 3.8 million speeding tickets, generating almost $80 million in revenue to the city since Lightfoot lowered the threshold to 6mph last year.

Lightfoot's office insisted that she was not responsible for her drivers, and told them they needed to obey traffic laws

Lightfoot's office said that the mayor herself was not responsible for her drivers, and 'repeatedly stressed to the Detail traffic safety and that running red lights is never acceptable'.

The statement said: 'The Mayor's Detail is responsible for the safety and security of Mayor Lightfoot.

'Members of the Mayor's Detail are trained in a variety of safety and security techniques to keep the Mayor safe and that includes both vehicles staying in formation while en route.'

Lightfoot's team said that the fines had not been paid because there was an 'administrative process' to review the fines.

'Payment is not collected until that process is concluded,' City Hall said.

'Individual members of the Mayor's Detail are responsible for payment of tickets incurred while they are driving.'
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas stepped down from his job as a law lecturer at George Washington University as controversy over the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade rumbles on.

Thomas has been a lecturer at the school since 2011, but has now been removed as faculty from its website. His decision not to return to teaching comes in the wake of protests against conservative supreme court judges following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

The school was hit by a petition calling for the removal of Thomas, with more than 11,000 signatories. But George Washington University is home to just 1,600 students, and bosses there defended Thomas, insisting he was entitled to his views.

It remains unclear why he has chosen to step down from his role - and whether he plans to return to it at a later date.

Thomas, a nominee of President George H.W. Bush, was one of the conservative justices who voted to overturn the right to abortion access.

Additionally, Thomas has written his opinion that SCOTUS should revisit other issues, such as same-sex marriage and a guaranteed right to contraception.

Following these controversies, a Change.org petition seeking to have Thomas relieved from his role at George Washington law school garnered over 11,000 signatures.

Thomas's decision not to return to teaching comes in the wake of protests against conservative supreme court judges following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022

The petition demanding that Thomas be fired from the school has more than 11,000 signatures. There are only around 1,600 students enrolled in the law school

There are only around 1,600 students enrolled in the law school.

The petition accused Thomas and his wife, Ginny, of 'actively making life unsafe for thousands of students on our campus.' It says that the overturning of Roe v Wade 'stripped the right to bodily autonomy of people with wombs.'

The blurb for the petition concludes with the words: 'Kick Clarence Thomas out of Foggy Bottom.'

Thomas, has taught at the private school since 2011. He was supposed to lead the seminar with Judge Gregory Maggs of the US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Maggs once served as a Supreme Court clerk to Thomas.

Maggs told the George Washington University newspaper, The Hatchet, on Tuesday that the 74-year-old judge was not going to be teaching at the school this semester.

'Unfortunately, I am writing with some sad news: Justice Thomas has informed me that he is unavailable to co-teach the seminar this fall. I know that this is disappointing. I am very sorry,' he said.

The military judge will continue to teach the class solo.

Speaking to the Washington Post, one of the organizers of the petition, John Kay of South Orange, New Jersey, said: 'This is a massive victory.'

'We are going to continue to work to make sure he doesnt come back in the spring semester,' he added.

While GWU professor Jonathan Turley told the Post that Thomas' decision not to teach this semester was 'deeply concerning' and illustrative of a 'cancel campaign' at the school.

In June, GWU said in a statement that they would be retaining Thomas as a lecturer, despite the outrage over Roe v. Wade

In June, GWU said in a statement that they would be retaining Thomas as a lecturer, despite the outrage over Roe v. Wade, reported Politico at the time. The statement read: 'Debate is an essential part of our universitys academic and educational mission.'

The school didn't that Thomas' opinions are not reflective of the views of the GWU management or student body.

By comparison, recently retired liberal Justice Stephen Breyer returned to teach at Harvard University without protests or online petitions asking for his removal.

On Sunday, vice chair of the January 6 committee Rep. Liz Cheney confirmed that the panel was 'fully prepared to contemplate a subpoena' for Ginny Thomas.

She said: 'The committee is engaged with her counsel. We certainly hope that she will agree to come in voluntarily, but the committee is fully prepared to contemplate a subpoena if she does not. I hope it doesn't get to that. I hope she will come in voluntarily.'

Thomas, a nominee of President George H.W. Bush, was one of the conservative justices who voted to overturn the right to abortion access

Virginia 'Ginni' Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, arrives to watch Amy Coney Barrett take the Constitutional Oath on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday (left). She is pictured right in 2017

Justice Thomas' wife is accused of communicating with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on the day of the January 6 riot.

The prospect of the overturning of Roe v. Wade became public knowledge in May when Justice Samuel Alito's opinion leaked expressing his desire to overturn the ruling.

In the fallout from the leak, Thomas told the Old Parkland Conference, meeting of black conservatives, in Dallas: 'I wonder how long we're going to have these institutions at the rate we're undermining them, and then I wonder when they're gone or destabilized what we will have as a country and I don't think the prospects are good if we continue to lose them.'

He continued: 'When you lose that trust, especially in the institution that I'm in, it changes the institution fundamentally. You begin to look over your shoulder. It's like kind of an infidelity  that you can explain it but you can't undo it,' reports Politico.

He also hinted that the atmosphere on the court had changed for the worse since he was confirmed in 1991, and suggested that a liberal justice's clerk could be behind the leak.

Thomas said: 'This is not the court of that era. I sat with (famously liberal justice) Ruth Ginsburg for almost 30 years and she was actually an easy colleague to deal with... We may have been a dysfunctional family, but we were a family.'

'Anybody who would, for example, have an attitude to leak documents, that is your general attitude, that is your future on the bench.'
A model who 'internally' smuggled cocaine into a music festival insists she is a 'nice girl' as she breaks her silence about the humiliating moment she was caught and strip searched.

Grace Evelyn, a 24-year-old business student, was waiting outside the exhibition hall for a DJ MaRLo concert at Sydney Olympic Park at about 9pm on May 14 when sniffer dogs began to bark around her.

When cops asked to search Ms Evelyn outside, she began to cry.

Instead of joining nearby revellers and dancing for the next three hours, she was left explaining to the police they wouldn't find her prohibited stash with a pat down.

Police asked where Grace Evelyn (pictured) had stored the cocaine that their dogs could smell - and she had to tell them she was carrying it 'internally'

The 24-year-old said she just 'wanted to have a little fun' not have a near career-ending ordeal interstate. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the two men with her in the photo above

Ms Evelyn (pictured) said being searched by the police shook her up and made her cry on what should have been a night of partying

Ms Evelyn confessed to police she had a condom, tied off and containing a small amount of cocaine, stashed in her vagina, court documents said.

She told police the illicit substance was for sharing between her and her girlfriends and that she herself had so far only taken a single 'bump' of cocaine.

In a private room strip search, Ms Evelyn showed police the substance, telling them she had paid $300 for it - the typical street value of 0.7 to one gram of cocaine.

Records stated she had 5.6 grams of cocaine, though it's unclear how much of the condom's weight was counted in official recordings.

Her original charge was supplying drugs - less than a commercial quantity.

Ms Evelyn - who copped a fine, escaped a conviction and was handed a 12-month conditional behaviour bond by a magistrate - told Daily Mail Australia the search was a horrible experience.

'I have never been in trouble before, I was very scared so I said the wrong things,' she said.

'I am a nice girl, I never intended to supply. It was really scary!

'I was so shaken up and I just wanted to do the right thing and be nice.

'Obviously I wanted to have a little fun, I had a small amount and yes I tried to hide it - like everyone else - but I was caught.

Grace Evelyn (pictured) was on her way to enjoy a concert when police dogs sniffed out a small and well concealed condom and cocaine

The 24-year-old was waiting to get into the concert at Sydney Olympic Park (pictured) when a small amount of cocaine set off sniffer dogs

'It was totally blown up and they tried to really f*** me up for it.

'Their case was weak and the judge was so, so understanding and literally saw right through it.

'I have fun, but I am finishing my degree and want to do well.'

The model thanked her criminal lawyer and clean-record boxer Ahmed Dib in the wake of the case.

The outcome comes as sniffer dog accompanied police came under fire for their heavy presence in Gold Coast airport ahead of recent festival Splendour in the Grass.

In 2019, Grace Poo was put behind bars for trying to smuggle a much larger quantity of drugs into a music festival at Olympic Park in 2018 by similar means.

The model (pictured) turned to Instagram to thank her high-profile lawyer and former boxer Ahmed Dib

Sydney's love affair with cocaine exploded in the last 20 years, with the appetite for the drug across the city becoming increasingly 'insatiable'.

TV actors, models and wannabe gangsters who pose on Instagram in bikinis or with luxury cars displaying their tattoos and gangster bling have been arrested, convicted and sent off to jail.

NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics figures released this year showed a 12.5 per cent increase of cocaine use and possession arrests over the five years until 2020, whereas drugs like ecstasy had declined in popularity.

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission suggests the nation's base of cocaine users is 'broadening', with a growing social acceptability of the drug.

Drug manufacturers of cocaine in South America see Australia as a lucrative market for large exports due to its high price - about $300 a gram - on Sydney streets.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott has previously slammed the 'cocaine culture' which is particularly rife in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
A Baltimore family is suing a Sesame Street-themed amusement park for $25 million over claims of racial discrimination, alleging multiple costumed characters ignored their five-year-old daughter during a meet-and-greet event last month because she was black.

The suit, which seeks class action status, was filed in a federal court in Philadelphia against SeaWorld Parks, the owner of the Sesame Place, for 'pervasive and appalling race discrimination.'

The lawsuit alleges four employees dressed as Sesame Street characters ignored Quinton Burns, his daughter Kennedi Burns and other black guests during the meet-and-greet on June 18.

'Just looking at her face, it makes me want to cry every time I see it,' Quinton Burns said during a press conference Wednesday.

The lawsuit comes after a viral video showing two other black girls from New York apparently being snubbed by Rosita during a parade at the park in Langhorne, outside Philadelphia.

Sesame Place apologized in a statement for that incident and explained that the actor inside the Rosita suit simply couldn't see their daughter due to the costume's limited field of vison.

The furor triggered more families to come forward with similar experiences.

Quinton Burns, left, spoke of his anguish Wednesday as he filed a lawsuit claiming daughter Kennedi, right, was ignored by characters at a Sesame Street theme park parade because she is black

The lawsuit comes in the wake of a video, shared widely on social media, showing two other black girls from New York apparently being snubbed by a costumed employee during a parade at the park in Langhorne, outside Philadelphia

The lawsuit says 'SeaWorld's performers readily engaged with numerous similarly situated white customers.'

During a press conference held Wednesday, one of the family's attorneys, Malcolm Ruff, called for transparency from SeaWorld and for the company to compensate the Burns family.

'She was ignored amongst a sea of other young white children who were able to interact, give hugs, high fives,' Ruff said.

'Kennedi was forced to experience racism at the age of 5. This is unacceptable and we will not stand by and let this continue,' Ruff continued.

Sesame Workshop - which was careful to explain that Sesame Place is a licensed partner - then posted another statement on its social media Monday night

Sesame Place responded to the lawsuit in a statement sent to Eyewitness News, saying: 'We will review the lawsuit filed on behalf of Mr. Burns. We look forward to addressing that claim through the established legal process. We are committed to deliver an inclusive, equitable and entertaining experience for all our guests.

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus reportedly asked for a meeting with leadership at a Sesame Street theme park after video showing a costumed character waving off two six-year-old black girls during a parade went viral.

Jodi Brown, the mother of one of the girls, first shared the nine-second video clip last weekend, showing the Sesame Place character Rosita high-fiving a white child and woman, then gesturing 'no' and walking away from the two black girls who had their arms out for hugs.

Black Caucus members are seeking a meeting with the theme park's general manager Cathy Valeriano to 'discuss the changes, plans of action, and training the park plans to implement,' Fox News reporter Chad Pergram said on Saturday.

The caucus said: 'Over the past week, we've seen multiple glaring examples of racism coming from the park, including the viral video in which two beautiful little black girls were blatantly rejected by a character they idolized while white children were embraced.'

Sesame Place confirmed the incident occurred in a statement posted to Instagram on Saturday, but said it was a 'misunderstanding'

Brown has claimed that Rosita immediately hugged a white child after snubbing her daughter and niece, though those events are not seen in the video.

On Saturday, Brown appeared on MSNBC and said she rejected the apologies that had been issued by Sesame Place, the theme park outside Philadelphia.

'I don't believe it was genuine, I believe they were just putting out statements due to how viral the video has gone,' Brown said.

Brown's attorney B'Ivory Lamarr appeared alongside the mother and reiterated his threat to sue the theme park and demand that the unidentified employee in the Rosita costume be fired.

In a statement on Sunday, theme park officials called the now viral moment a 'misunderstanding,' saying the mascot likely did not see the girls due to limited vision in the costume's unwieldy mask.

'Our brand, our park and our employees stand for inclusivity and equality in all forms,' the statement read. 'That is what Sesame Place is all about and we do not tolerate any behaviors in our parks that are contrary to that commitment.'

'We also are, and always have been, committed to making sure every family and every child has the best possible experience at our parks and we are incredibly disappointed when that does not happen.'

'We spoke to the family and extended our apologies and invited them back for a special meet-and-greet opportunity with our characters,' the statement read.

The park said the actor portraying Rosita - who was not named - 'did not intentionally ignore the girls and is devastated about the misunderstanding.'

The statement alleged Rosita was gesturing 'no' to another guest who had requested they hold hold their child for a photo, 'which is not permitted.'

The park also said the mascot likely did not see the girls due to limited vision in the costume's unwieldy mask, which 'sometimes make it difficult to see at lower levels' leading actors to occasionally 'miss hug requests from guests.'

'We apologize to these guests for not delivering the experience they expected and we commit to do our best to earn their and all guests' visit and support,' the statement concluded.
Peter Dutton suddenly put on a mask for the first time for this term of Parliament after days walking around bare-faced - in stark contrast to Labor MPs.

The opposition leader joined Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a Cancer Council morning tea on Thursday in the Mural Hall of Parliament House.

Mr Dutton pulled on a mask as he mingled with guests along with former Nationals leader Michael McCormack.

Peter Dutton has put on a mask for the first time on the first week of Parliament after spending the first two days bare faced

Mr Dutton (left) pulled on a mask as he mingled with guests along with former Nationals leader Michael McCormack (right), who wore a mask in Parliament on Wednesday

However, it appeared to be a one off for the new Liberal leader, as he returned to the House of Representatives floor afterwards with his face bare.

Photos on Monday from the first day of Parliament since Mr Albanese was elected Prime Minister showed the starkly different approach to Covid by the major parties.

Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton shook hands at St Andrews Presbyterian Church during the traditional service before the opening of Parliament.

The prime minister wore a black mask over his face, while Mr Dutton was bare faced - as he was throughout the service.

Hours later, the divide was even more stark as while every Labor MP wore a mask in the House of Representatives, but just five Coalition members followed suit.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Petter Dutton shook hands at St Andrews Presbyterian Church during the traditional service before the opening of Parliament. Mr Albanese wore a mask but Mr Dutton did not

The divide was even more stark as while every Labor MP wore a mask in the House of Representatives, just five Coalition members followed suit

The Coalition members in masks were Darren Chester, Andrew Gee, Karen Andrews, Rowan Ramsey, and Andrew Wallace.

Most crossbench MPs were also masked up including the seven 'teal' independents, but notably not Covid vaccine sceptic Queenslander Bob Katter.

MPs, even Covid-zealot Greens leader Adam Bandt, took off their masks while being sworn in at the centre of the House floor, but put them back on again when they sat down afterwards.

Meanwhile in the Senate, just Jim Molan and Paul Scarr wore masks on the Coalition benches while again all Labor senators did.

Mr Albanese and his Cabinet notably also wore masks at a meeting on Monday, and again at a meeting of the whole Labor caucus later that day.

The PM has strongly supported recommendations from health officials that Australians should wear masks indoors over winter.

Meanwhile in the Senate, just Jim Molan and Paul Scarr (circled) wore masks on the Coalition benches while again all Labor senators did

Mr Albanese and his girlfriend Jodie Haydon wore masks throughout the church service

Covid cases rose to among the highest levels in the pandemic in recent weeks, with 49,566 reported on Wednesday with an estimated 373,868 active infections.

Mr Dutton has not made similar strong calls for masks to been worn indoors, other than to stridently oppose the return of mandates - which the PM doesn't want either.

Instead, he said Australians should make their own minds up about what Covid precautions to take.

He last month called for the mask mandate on planes to be scrapped, as it was in the US recently, along with Australian airport terminals, as it 'doesn't pass the pup test'.

'We've taken a decision to take the health advice, that's always prudent. But if you've got a situation where on one leg of the flight you've got to wear a mask, but not the other, that just doesn't make sense,' he said.

Mr Albanese and his Cabinet notably also wore masks at a meeting on Monday, and again at a meeting of the whole Labor caucus later that day

Mr Dutton agreed with an assertion the mandate was a 'handbrake' on the economy, with people potentially avoiding flying to Australia if they must wear a mask on the flight.

'People have a choice. If you want to wear a mask, if you want to have your kids wearing a mask as well, that's a decision for you... but I don't support a mandating of it,' he said.

Despite policy differences, the pair appear to be fairly friendly, walking to Parliament while chatting together on Monday morning.

The PM said previously he had a much better working relationship with Mr Dutton than his Liberal leader predecessor Scott Morrison.

'Peter Dutton though, I must say, I have a much better relationship with Peter Dutton than I had with Scott Morrison,' he said days after the election.

'Peter Dutton has never broken a confidence that I've had with him.'

Mr Albanese does not support a renewed mask mandate, despite calls from doctors and some health experts.

'The clear decision of the AHPPC, the peak body where you get all the state and territory chief health officers together with the chief medical officer, Professor (Paul) Kelly, haven't advocated that to me at all,' he said last week.

The prime minister has strongly supported recommendations from health officials that Australians should wear masks indoors over winter

However, Mr Albanese was still attacked by his own supporters on Monday for only wearing a surgical mask, instead of the more protective N95 or P2 ones.

'Not many N95s in this picture... which would have been better for both the public health message and, you know, not spreading Covid around the ministry,' one wrote.

Another added: 'Few seem to have pressed the metal bar to ensure a good over nose fit either...'

The mask display at the Cabinet meeting also infuriated many who are sick of the constant demands to revert back to lockdown-type conditions.

'Why mandate masks? What's wrong with personal responsibility?' raged one on Twitter. 'I don't need Albanese to tell me to put one on. I can think for myself.'

Another added: 'Albo's been on an international tour since the election hugging world leaders but now it's mask time. Not only theatre but bad theatre.'
Five teenagers and one 12-year-old will face court after crashing an allegedly stolen BMW into a garage.

At about 12.20pm on Wednesday a black BMW SUV with seven people inside crashed into the garage of a home at Oxley in Brisbane.

Police were alerted that the allegedly stolen vehicle was being driven 'dangerously' near Blackbutt, north of Brisbane, at about 9am and so trailed the car from a helicopter.

Five teenagers and a 12-year-old were arrested after an allegedly stolen BMW crashed into the garage of a Brisbane home (pictured, emergency responders at the scene)

'In its efforts to avoid police, the car has come into the backstreets here in Oxley and at this stage our investigations suggest that it's lost control, gone through some barricades here at the park, and then gone into a house and collected another car in the garage,' Inspector Karl Hahne said.

A resident inside the Oxley home, a man in his 50s, was injured by flying debris from the crash but fortunately was not struck by the vehicle.

He was treated at Princess Alexandra Hospital for chest pains and remained in a stable condition.

A resident inside the Oxley home, a man in his 50s, was injured by flying debris from the crash and was treated at Princess Alexandra Hospital (above) for chest pains

The seven people inside the car were taken to Queensland Children's Hospital for assessment and were treated for soft tissue damage.

Neighbour Adam Jones said he rushed to see the accident after hearing a loud bang.

'There were police everywhere - four or five police cars,' he told Courier Mail.

'As soon as they crashed they were all out of the car, so when police came they didn't really know what was going on.'

Another neighbour said she also heard the crash from her home.

'I had the plumber round and he told me to come look  the plumber said he thought a meth lab had exploded! It was a good big sound,' she said.

Insp Hahne alleged the car was stolen from Paddington on Tuesday and was used in a series of offences but did not elaborate on what the offences were.

Five of the teens inside the car as well as the 12-year-old will face charges relating to the accident in Richlands Children's Court on Thursday.

Police allege the black BMW SUV was stolen from Paddington on Tuesday and used in a string of offences before crashing into the Brisbane home's garage

A 15-year-old boy from Crestmead who allegedly drove the BMW was charged one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, negligent acts causing harm and acts intended to prevent lawful arrest.

He was also charged with three counts of wilful damage and two counts of stealing.

A 12-year-old Kingston boy was charged with two counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing.

A 14-year-old Wondai boy, a 13-year-old Regents Park boy, a 13-year-old Crestmead boy and a 13-year-old Murgon boy were all charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two counts of stealing.

Police have not laid charges against the seventh person in the vehicle.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash and urged anyone with relevant information to contact Crime Stoppers.
A millionaire Pennsylvania dentist told his murder trial that he was in a 'reasonably happy' open relationship with the wife he stands accused of killing.

Dr Lawrence 'Larry' Rudolph said he'd been in an open marriage with his late wife Bianca from the year 2000, until he allegedly shot her dead during a Zambian safari in October 2016.

Rudolph maintains the shooting was an accident that took place while he was in another room.

But prosecutors say he wanted to kill his wife to pocket a $4.8 million life insurance payout.

He's also said to have been keen to move in with his girlfriend Lori Milliron.

'I did not kill my wife. I could not murder my wife. I would not murder my wife,' Rudolph told jurors, his voice cracking over two hours of testimony about his open marriage to Bianca Rudolph and her death in October 2016.

His voice cracked at times as he testified for over two hours about his open marriage to Bianca Rudolph (pictured left) and her death in October 2016 in Zambia

Prosecutors allege Rudolph killed his wife of 34 years to be with his girlfriend, Lori Milliron (pictured), who is charged with lying to a grand jury and being an accessory after the fact. She is being tried alongside Rudolph

Rudolph was charged in December 2021 for the 2016 murder of his wife in Zambia, then fraudulently claiming $4.8 million in life insurance payouts.

Rudolph, 67, said he was in the bathroom when he heard his wife say 'come here and help me' before hearing the shot and finding his wife on the floor bleeding.

He is charged with murder and mail fraud in what prosecutors describe as a premeditated crime and faces life in prison or the death penalty, if convicted.

The trial is being held in federal court in Denver, Colo., because that's where the insurance companies that paid him nearly $5 million for his wife's death are based.

Dr. Larry Rudolph said an unfamiliar shotgun he and his wife, Bianca Rudolph, brought with them to hunt a leopard accidentally went off, wounding her as she hurried to pack

Despite martial problems, Rudolph said he and his wife, with whom shared two children, agreed to stay married but were free to pursue sexual relationships with other people

A defense investigator, left, for Pittsburgh dentist Lawrence 'Larry' Rudolph heads into federal court with the dentist's children, front center and back right, for the afternoon session of the trial

Prosecutors allege Rudolph killed his wife of 34 years to be with his girlfriend, Lori Milliron, who is charged with lying to a grand jury and being an accessory after the fact. She is being tried alongside Rudolph.

In opening statements, the prosecution told jurors that Rudolph was overheard blurting out: 'I killed my f***ing wife for you!' during an argument with Milliron at a Phoenix steakhouse in 2020, after he learned that the FBI was investigating his wife's death.

Rudolph denied confessing to his wife's killing. He said he and Milliron were having an argument about their finances and how the COVID-19 pandemic, then at its start, would affect the Pennsylvania dental franchise that had made him a small fortune. But he was irritated because he said his top concern was the FBI's probe.

Rudolph denied confessing to his wife's killing. He said he and Milliron were having an argument about their finances and how the COVID-19 pandemic, then at its start, would affect the Pennsylvania dental franchise that had made him a small fortune.

Rudolph practiced dentistry out of Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Dental

Rudolph said what he actually said was 'Now they're saying I killed my f***ing wife for you.'

Despite marital issues and twice being close to divorce, Rudolph said he and his wife, with whom he had two children, agreed to stay married but were free to pursue sexual relationships with other people.

Rudolph said neither Milliron nor his wife issued him any ultimatums about ending his relationship with the other.

Rudolph's lawyer, David Markus, argued that Rudolph had no financial motive for murder. Rudolph was worth more than $15 million when his wife died and the insurance payout went into a trust for their children.

Zambian authorities determined two days after the Oct. 11, 2016, shooting that it was accidental, according to the defense. Investigators for the insurers who later paid $4.8 million reached the same conclusion.

Prosecutors counter that evidence shows Bianca Rudolph's wounds came from a shot fired from 2 to 3.5 feet away, and say the barrel of the gun was too long for her to have shot herself.
A robotic dog usually only seen in dystopian science fiction films is the newest member of an Australian police force, costing a whopping $350,000.

Western Australia Police unveiled the robot named 'Spot' at a media event this week, revealing it would join the Tactical Response Group tasked with investigating and disarming explosives.

The technology, developed by US-based Boston Dynamics is the inspiration for similar robots to have appeared on screen - including in a chilling Black Mirror episode where they murder the human race and the 2019 series War of The Worlds.

The fake dog will act in a reconnaissance role rather than actively disarming bombs, with its four legs allowing it to move over terrain that traditional wheeled or tracked robots can't access.

The WA Police force unveiled the robot dog as their newest recruit on Tuesday (pictured)

The robot features an extendable arm in place of a neck and a grabbing tool for a mouth - allowing it to drag suspicious devices to safer areas or move obstructions for a closer look.

'The most valuable asset the TRG has when dealing with a bomb or any explosive devise are the people,' WA Police Minister Paul Papalia said.

'As a former Navy clearance diver working with bombs and other explosive ordnance in places like Iraq, I can confidently say this technology has the capacity to save the lives of people in our community and to help keep our officers safe.

'Anything we can do to protect them and get them further away from danger is a good thing.'

New WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch justified the hefty price tag, saying the 'latest technology' was worth it despite incidences of bombs being 'rare' in the state.

'This is not a tool for day-to-day policing and will only be used in situations where it contributes to keeping our TRG officers safe,' he said.

WA Police's announcement of the robot dog follows footage emerging just days ago of a similar robot dog affixed with a large gun accurately shooting targets at a range in Russia.

Western Australia is not the first police force to get one of the mechanical canines, with the New York City Police Department leasing one in 2020.

But the robot was dumped about a year later after backlash from the public and some government officials over the cost (then $750,000) and civil liberties concerns.

The robot (pictured) will join the Tactical Response Group tasked with disarming explosives

David J. Gunkel, a professor of communication at Northern Illinois University, told Scientific American the choice for the NYPD to lease the dog amid increased scrutiny linked to Black Lives Matter, #defundthepolice and anti-Covid lockdown movements was tone deaf.

'The robot, if you've seen it, is a rather imposing presence,' he said.

'It's a little smaller than the robots you see in science fiction. But the way it navigates gives it this very imposing profile that can be seen as creepy by a lot of human observers.'

He said in particular deploying the robot in an incident at a residential block was questionable.

'That use of the robot in that place, I think, was a really poor choice on the part of the NYPD because already you're talking about police officers entering a public housing facility, now with this massive technological object, and that [exacerbates the] very big power imbalance that's already there.'
Monkeypox has been declared an 'incident of national significance' by Australia's top doctor, despite the nation racking up just 44 cases.

Professor Paul Kelly's dramatic declaration on Thursday means the virus will now require national policies, intervention and public messaging - not unlike how Covid was dealt with.

Australia's paltry number of cases is in stark comparison to the infections overseas, with it spreading throughout Europe and the US recording more than 1,000 new cases.

Australia's Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly declared monkeypox as an 'incident of national significance'

The declaration follows the World Health Organization's announcement on Wednesday that monkeypox virus is to be treated as a 'public health emergency of international concern'.

More than 20,000 monkeypox cases have been recorded in 71 countries which have no previous record of the virus, including Australia where 44 cases have been reported.

The virus has existed for many years but is usually contained to portions of west and central Africa where it is endemic, meaning it circulates among the population regularly.

The majority of Australia's cases have been reported in returned international travellers.

However, Mr Kelly reassured Australians the virus is far less harmful than Covid, with serious disease or death very unlikely.

'Monkeypox is also not transmitted in the same way as Covid and is far less transmissible,' he said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox a 'public health emergency of international concern' on Wednesday

'Monkeypox rash and flu-like symptoms are relatively mild, and in most cases, resolve themselves within two to four weeks without the need for specific treatments.'

Monkeypox can cause a wide range of symptoms that varying in severity from case to case.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

These symptoms are accompanied by a rash identified by pus-filled lesions that lasts between two and three weeks.

The WHO says a person is no longer infectious once the lesions have 'crusted over, the scabs fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath'.

The virus can spread from animals to people as well as person to person through body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended two smallpox vaccines to protect against the monkeypox virus

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recommended the use of two smallpox vaccines to immunise the population against monkeypox in response to growing concerns.

The two specific vaccines it recommends are third generation JYNNEOS and second generation ACAM2000.

'Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting illness, and most people recover within a few weeks. However, severe illness can occur, particularly in immunocompromised people,' it said.

ATAG advised supplies of the vaccine have been secured by some states and territories.

Professor Kelly said the majority of cases in Australia have been detected in men who have sex with men, which has also been reported overseas.
The moniker "the Big Guy" was mentioned in a text message by a business associate of Hunter Biden for the second time, raising suspicions that it refers to Joe Biden.

A British businessman named James Gilliar sent an email to Hunter Biden and his partners in May 2017 to formalize how they would split the profits from their agreement with China's largest private energy provider.

Hunter Biden Associate Hints That "Big Guy" Is Joe Biden

In his email, Gilliar said that the profits would be divided, with 20% going to each of four partners, including "JG," probably himself, and "H," presumably Hunter. The remaining 20% would be divided secretly, with 10% going to "Jim"-likely Hunter Biden's uncle-and "10 held by H for the big guy."

If Joe Biden is the "big guy," it would go against his claim that he had nothing to do with his son's business dealings. The president has always denied any allegations of financial misconduct. Wednesday brought news of Gilliar's second reference to "the big guy."

When the information on Hunter Biden's laptop was initially made public in October 2020, Gilliar explored if Hunter's business dealings might harm his father's presidential candidacy. In October 2020, Tony Bobulinski, another of their business partners, declared that Joe Biden was in fact "the big guy." Hunter's business transactions are being looked at by former President Donald Trump's appointed US Attorney for Delaware, David Weiss.

The 52-year-old may be charged with alleged tax violations or, more significantly, with offenses relating to foreign lobbying. Even though DailyMail.com revealed a voicemail where he did precisely that, the White House earlier this month claimed that the president maintains by his claims that he never communicated with his son Hunter about his business activities.

When questioned about the 2018 tape of the president discussing his son's transaction with Chinese oil company CEFC, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre indicated she would not comment on anything related to Hunter Biden's bombshell laptop.

During her regular briefing, Jean-Pierre informed Peter Doocy of Fox News, "I am not going to comment about suspected documents from the laptop from this podium."

Jean-Pierre was questioned by Wegmann on whether Biden's silence over Hunter and his international business activities is in line with his pledge to "always be level" with the American people.

Read Also: Manchin Agrees to Build Back Better, Climate, Tax Bills, Offers Big Support to Democrats

Hunter Biden Investigation

It is unclear if Jean-Pierre is claiming that she is unable to comment on the situation due to legal restrictions or for some other reason, or whether she is purposefully choosing not to do so. Despite the message indicating otherwise, Joe Biden has repeatedly insisted he had no connection with his adult son's foreign company.

At least one of the witnesses called before the secret panel was questioned regarding the identity of the pseudonym indicated in Gilliar's email. Joe Biden has previously denied knowing anything about Hunter's offshore business transactions, but a newly revealed voicemail left for his son in 2018 concerning his Chinese business connections appeared to contradict his previous comments.

In the message, Biden told his son, "I think you're clear," after discussing a New York Times piece describing Hunter's ties with a Chinese oil magnate accused of economic crimes.

It comes as officials were allegedly considering charging Hunter as the investigation against the president's son reached a critical stage, according to insiders. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy has already promised a series of aggressive investigations into Joe, Hunter, and Jim Biden, complete with public hearings, if the GOP wins control of the House in the November midterm elections, as polls indicate, New York Post reported.

Related Article: Will President Joe Biden Visit Ukraine? Volodymyr Zelensky Urges POTUS To Personally Witness Situation in Kyiv Amid Russian Invasion

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Businesswoman Jan Bradnam came home with much more than she bargained for when she went out to buy a pot plant - instead forking out hundreds of thousands of dollars for a house.

It was back in 2007 when Ms Bradman left her Main Beach house on the Gold Coast in Queensland and, instead of heading to the nursery, she made a beeline to an auction in the beachside suburb Currumbin.

Mesmerised by its breathtaking water views the moment she walked inside the double-storey, three-bedroom home, Ms Bradman quickly kicked off the bidding, determined to snap up the hilltop property.

Fifteen years on, the Bradnam's Windows & Doors co-founder and director has no regrets about her impulse buy, despite having never lived in the investment property.

'It was the most outrageous thing I think I had ever done, and my husband just looked at me like a stunned mullet when I told him,' Ms Bradnam told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

The property is owned by Gold Coast businesswoman Jan Bradnam and has undergone a complete transformation

Jan Bradman has no regrets about her impulse purchase, despite never living in it

'Of course buying under auction conditions, I had no building inspection, nothing. The place could have been about to crumble to the ground for all I knew. I didn't care. I thought, at the least, the block of land surely had to be worth something.'

Ms Bradnam contemplated moving into the house herself but eventually decided it wasn't practical with family and business commitments at the other end of the Gold Coast.

A few years ago, she decided to update the investment property after years of neglect from tenants and originally planned to rent it out again once it was brought back up to standard.

Ms Bradman later decided it deserved a complete renovation and began pouring 'real money' into it to transform it into a modern home.

The property was gutted, rebuilt and redecorated from scratch, a massive project which took two years to bring to fruition.

She enlisted the help of daughter Petta to style the interiors.

Owner Jan Bradnam enlisted the help of her daughter Petta to style the interiors. Pictured is the open plan living are on the second level

The Currumbin home is on the market and will go under the hammer on August 12

Ms Bradnam is finally parting ways with the Kandra Avenue home, which went on the market a fortnight ago

It will go under the hammer at an auction on August 12.

'The house is really groovy, with such beautiful shapes and curves. Whoever designed it had to have been very creative and the views just blow you away,' she said.

The home was bought for $1.28million and is now estimated to fetch at least $4.07million, with the potential to surpass $5million, according to Domain.

The completely updated designer kitchen (pictured) is every entertainer's dream

Kollosche agents Troy Dowker and Rob Lamb have been enlisted to sell the home.

Highlights include its lower level master retreat separate from two upstairs bedrooms, 4.6m glass apex ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows, designer kitchen, light and airy open plan living area and wraparound ocean-view balcony perfect for entertaining.

'Perched high on Currumbin Headland with unparalleled coastal views, this captivating house is nestled into a private nature reserve above Currumbin Beach,' the property description states.

'The unique modern coastal home enjoys both bush and beach and presents the ultimate in laidback luxury beachside living.'

Bradnam's Windows & Doors began as a small business in Hervey Bay 45 years ago and has expanded to 17 showrooms and 1,000 staff nationwide.
A devastated family are looking for answers as to how their five-year-old daughter died while waiting for medical transport in a Canberra hospital.

Rozalia Spadafora's death on July 5 at Canberra Hospital has been referred to the ACT Coroner who will decide if an inquest is needed.

On learning the news Rozalia's family released a statement expressing their grief and frustration.

Rozalia Spadafora's family are still seeking answers over how the five-year-old died in hospital earlier this year

'We lost our daughter at Canberra Hospital. No one helped her until it was too late. No one told us what was happening before it was too late,' the family said.

'No one explained to us how she died. My family has no answers and we are broken. This was an entirely avoidable incident with consequences that will now last a lifetime.'

Rozalia's mother Katrina Spadafora has given a harrowing account of the last two day's of her daughter's life, which saw the girl shuttled between wards and tests while medical staff insisted her condition was not life-threatening.

Rozalia was shuffled from ward to ward at Canberra Hospital while staff told her family her condition was not life-threatening

Rozalia was taken to Canberra Hospital at around 7pm on July 4, which was her fifth birthday, after doctors recommended blood tests.

She had displayed mild flu-like symptoms and some face swelling in the days preceding but tested negative for Covid-19 and had been given antibiotics.

Ms Spadafora said that by the morning of her birthday the preschooler's complexion had turned sickly pale and she was too lethargic to even open presents, so doctors recommended she get blood tests.

Ms Spadafora and Rozalia had to wait until about 3am in Canberra Hospital emergency department until nurses took a sample of the little girl's blood.

They came back an hour later to get more saying the sample wasn't big enough.

Rozalia was taken to Canberra Hospital for blood tests on the evening of her fifth birthday

Two hours later Rozalia was taken to the intensive care unit, where she was put on an an intravenous drip.

At about 8am a nurse told the family Rozalia had Influenza A and she was moved to the paediatric area of the emergency department.

Ms Spadafora was also told Rozalia had an enlarged liver and would likely need to stay in hospital for several days.

At about midday on July 5, Ms Spadadora said she was told Rozalia had inflamed muscles around her heart.

Rozalia was moved to a paediatric ward but the family were informed that no cardiac paediatrician was available in the ACT and the girl would need to be flown to Sydney for treatment.

'I asked if this was life-threatening  and I was told 'no',' Ms Rozalia told the ABC.

She said Rozalia was moved back to intensive care and seen by several doctors over the next few hours as Rozalia's father was also allowed to visit.

Hospital staff told the family a helicopter was on its way from Sydney.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said that investigations into Rozalia's death are underway

However, at around 7pm Ms Spadafora said they were told the helicopter couldn't land at the hospital because of an issue with the tarmac and had been diverted to Canberra Airport.

The team of people who were assembled to transport Rozalia to the airport struggled to apply monitoring equipment to the increasingly distressed girl.

There were discussions about sedating Rozalia.

'I started crying,' Ms Spadafora said.

'We didn't know what to do.'

Rozalia then started to spasm.

She was rushed from the room and given CPR.

The family waited anxiously for an hour before a doctor told them Rozalia had died.

Ms Spadafora said she was told Rozalia died of a cardiac arrest caused by myocarditis.

Police arrived at the hospital a few hours later and took statements from the family.

Ms Spadafora told the ABC she was 'disgusted' by the way the hospital treated the family.

She said the family heard nothing from the hospital after the tragedy until Tuesday evening when a doctor sent them a text with condolences but telling them Rozalia's death would be the subject of a news report.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said she had briefed on the death, as had Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry, who was acting health minister at the time.

'The death of any child is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the family at this really, really difficult time,' Ms Stephen-Smith told The Canberra Times.

'I also want to assure people that the staff who were involved in this are receiving support and the hospital is very conscious that those staff receive the debriefing and support that they require.

'I can't speak to any of the details of it because of the privacy considerations but also the investigations that are underway.'

ACT Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry was acting health minister at the time of Rozalia's death

Opposition health spokeswoman Leanne Castley met with the family on Wednesday.

'This family is heartbroken  this is truly tragic and I was glad to see that there will be a coronial investigation,' Ms Castley said.

'I look forward to seeing what happens there but at the end of the day there is a family completely devastated and their little five-year-old girl is not at home right now.'

A Canberra Health Services spokesperson said its 'thoughts were with the family at this difficult time'.



'We are also ensuring that team members who were involved in the childs care are receiving support,' the spokeperson said, adding they could provide no further comment.
Donald Trump's former chief of staff John Kelly once shoved Ivanka Trump out of the way as he left a fraught Oval Office meeting, Jared Kushner claims.

Writing in his upcoming memoir Breaking History, Kushner paints Kelly as a 'Jekyll-and-Hyde'-style bully who once assaulted the first daughter while storming past her.

He recalled: 'One day he had just marched out of a contentious meeting in the Oval Office. Ivanka was walking down the main hallway in the West Wing when she passed him. Unaware of his heated state of mind, she said, Hello, chief.

He continued: 'Kelly shoved her out of the way and stormed by. She wasnt hurt, and didnt make a big deal about the altercation, but in his rage Kelly had shown his true character.'

Kushner, who served as one of ex-President Donald Trump's closest advisors, said that the incident occurred following a volatile meeting in the Oval Office, according to the Washington Post.

The date when the incident took place has not been shared, and no further details were given on the meeting that is said to have inflamed Kelly.

Following the alleged shove, Kelly offered Ivanka a 'meek apology' that was accepted.

John Kelly, pictured furthest left in March 2018, is said to have shoved Ivanka Trump (center) during a testy Oval Office meeting with her father Donald Trump, Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner (right) has revealed in his upcoming memoir

Kushner's upcoming memoir Breaking History also reveals how he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and treated for the disease while in the White House

In response to the allegation, Kelly told the Post: 'It is inconceivable that I would EVER shove a woman. Inconceivable. Never happen. Would never intentionally do something like that. Also, dont remember ever apologizing to her for something I didnt do. Id remember that.'

Though Kushner says that Ivanka's chief of staff, Julie Radford, heard Kelly deliver the apology. Both Radford and Ivanka told the Post that Kushner's recalling of the incident is correct.

The 72 year-old served as chief of staff to Trump between July 2017 and January 2019.

Towards the end of his tenure in the West Wing, it was widely reported that Kelly was not present when Trump made key decisions and that the pair had grown distant.

When Kelly was appointed as chief of staff, Ivanka tweeted a picture of him being sworn in an called him 'a true American hero'

Kelly, 72, served as chief of staff to Trump between July 2017 and January 2019

Kushner's book is due to be published on August 23. A leak from the book already revealed that Trump's son-in-law was diagnosed with thyroid cancer during his time in the administration.

Kelly is a former Marine Corps four-star general who replaced Reince Priebus as Trump's chief of staff.

It isn't the first time that the animosity between Kelly and Ivanka has been reflected in print.

Columnist Michael Wolff wrote in his book 'Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House:' 'Kelly's long-suffering antipathy toward the president was rivaled only by his scorn for the president's family.'

Shortly after taking on the role in the Trump administration, Axios reported that Kelly had seen to it that Kushner's security clearance was downgraded from 'Interim Top Secret' to 'Interim Secret.'

A source described Ivanka and Kushner's battles with Kelly as a 'death match.' During the Winter Olympics in South Korea in 2018, CNN reported that Kelly felt as though Ivanka was 'playing government' in her attempts to enter negotiations between North and South.

In December 2018, prior to his leaving the White House, an official source told the New York Times that Kelly was so at-odds with Kushner and Ivanka that he kept tabs on their requests and dealings.

The Times report says that Kelly kept the notes in plain sight on his desk.

Finally, when Kelly was ousted at the end of 2018, the Washington Post reported that it was Kushner and Ivanka that convinced Trump to pull the trigger.

It wasn't always like this. When Kelly was appointed, Ivanka tweeted a picture of him being sworn in an called him 'a true American hero.' Her father said at the swearing in that Kelly would go down 'in terms of the position of chief of staff, one of the greatest ever.'

A source told CNN that day that Kushner and Ivanka 'have a lot of admiration and respect for (Kelly) and his ability to professionalize the West Wing and are eager to follow his lead. They want this to work.'

The honeymoon didn't last long, by September, the New York Times reported that Kelly had made efforts to put a stop to Ivanka's regular unannounced visits to the Oval Office to visit her father.

At the same time, CNN reported that Ivanka's arrival at meetings had left people such as Senator Mitch McConnell 'visibly annoyed' by her presence.
A business associate of Hunter Biden referred in a text message to 'the Big Guy' - the second time the reference was made, increasing suspicion that the nickname refers to Joe Biden.

James Gilliar, a British businessman, in May 2017 had emailed his associates - including Hunter - to formalize how they would divide the spoils from their deal with China's largest private energy company.

Gilliar wrote that the proceeds would be split, with 20 percent each to four partners, including 'JG' - assumed to be himself - and 'H', assumed to be Hunter.

Cryptically the remaining 20 percent would be divided, with 10 percent to 'Jim' - likely Hunter's uncle, Jim Biden, and '10 held by H for the big guy'.

If the 'big guy' is indeed Joe Biden, it would contradict his insistence that he was not involved in his son's business dealings. The president has long rubbished any suggestion of financial impropriety.

On Wednesday, a second reference by Gilliar to 'the big guy' emerged.

James Gilliar is pictured leaving a police station in the Czech Republic. He has now twice made reference to 'the big guy' - once in a May 2017 email, and once in an October 2020 text message, in which he made clear the 'big guy' was Joe Biden

Amid all the shocking messages involving Joe Biden, possibly the most important email of the 154,000 on Hunter's abandoned laptop is the infamous 'big guy' email, suggesting that the president may have been involved in, and set to profit from, an alleged Chinese influence operation

Hunter and Joe Biden are pictured in April 2016

Hunter Biden is seen in a photo from his laptop, which he left at a Delaware repair shop. The laptop contains extensive information about his business dealings

Gilliar in October 2020 - when the news about Hunter Biden's laptop was first reported - discussed whether the revelations about Hunter's businesses would harm his father's presidential campaign.

'If they lose, honestly, I don't think that the Big Guy really cares about that because he'll be too busy focusing on all the other s*** he is doing,' wrote Gilliar, in a text message obtained by a Republican source, and passed on to The New York Post.

Another of their business partners, Tony Bobulinski, in October 2020 said that Joe Biden was indeed 'the big guy'.

Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, a prosecutor appointed by former President Donald Trump, is currently investigating Hunter's business dealings.

Last week CNN reported that the 52-year-old could face charges related to possible tax violations or, more seriously, foreign lobbying violations.

Earlier this month, the White House said that the president stands by his comments that he never spoke with his son Hunter about his business dealings - despite DailyMail.com revealing a voicemail where he did just that.

White House Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that she would not comment on anything regarding Hunter Biden's damning laptop, when asked about the 2018 recording of the president discussing his son's deal with Chinese oil giants CEFC.

'From this podium, I am not going to talk about alleged materials from the laptop,' Jean-Pierre told Fox News' Peter Doocy during her daily briefing.

When further pushed on the contents of voicemail and if the administration is being open with the American people by Real Clear News' Philip Wegmann, Jean-Pierre said: 'I cannot comment on any materials from the laptop.'

Wegmann pressed Jean-Pierre on whether Biden's silence on Hunter and his foreign business dealings is consistent with his promise to 'always level' with the American public.

It is not clear if Jean-Pierre is saying that she cannot comment on the issue for legal reasons or otherwise or if she is strategically choosing not to speak on the matter.

Biden has consistently claimed he has no involvement with his adult son's international business, despite the voicemail clearly showing otherwise.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier this month that 'What the president said stands' when asked if he did speak to his son Hunter about foreign business dealings - after a voicemail proves he did. Pictured: Joe and Hunter hold Beau Biden Jr. while watching July 4 fireworks from the White House

'Why is there a voicemail of the president talking to his son about his overseas business dealings if the president has said he's never spoken to his son about his overseas business dealings?' Doocy asked, referencing the voicemail uncovered by DailyMail.com.

'What the president said stands. So, if that's what the president said, that is what stands,' Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre would not answer Doocy when pushed on if the voice on the voicemail with Hunter was that of the president.

'I refer you to his son's representatives,' she reiterated.

Republican Rep. James Comer, the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform who will take over investigations if the GOP wins back the majority in November, said he wasn't surprised by the failure to answer the question.

He told DailyMail.com: 'It's no surprise Biden officials refuse to answer basic questions about Joe Biden's involvement with Hunter Biden's shady foreign business dealings.

'Joe Biden claims he never talked to Hunter about these business deals, but evidence continues to mount that Joe Biden is the 'Big Guy' and benefited from the Biden family's transactions.

'When Republicans take back the House, the Biden Administration won't be allowed to keep hiding information from the American people.

'We'll use the gavel to get answers.'

The voicemail obtained by DailyMail.com and published on June 27 reveals Biden spoke with Hunter about his business dealings with a Chinese criminal that his son dubbed the 'spy chief of China.'

Biden has repeatedly denied personally and through his press secretary that he ever talked about Hunter's foreign business with Hunter  despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

In the voicemail left on Hunter's iPhone, the evidence has come from POTUS' own mouth.

Joe called Hunter on December 12, 2018 saying that he wanted to talk to him after reading a New York Times story about Hunter's dealings with the Chinese oil giant CEFC.

Files on Hunter's abandoned laptop previously disclosed by DailyMail.com show that he struck a deal with the Chinese company worth millions of dollars after touting his family connections.

The Times' 2018 story pointed out CEFC's chairman Ye Jianming had been arrested in China and his top lieutenant Patrick Ho had been convicted in the US for bribing African officials to help Iran evade oil sanctions.

It revealed that Ye had met with Hunter at a Miami hotel in 2017 to discuss 'a partnership to invest in American infrastructure and energy deals.'

'I cannot comment on any materials from the laptop,' Jean-Pierre said  it is not clear if she is choosing not to speak on the topic or if she legally is unable

Joe Biden called Hunter in December 2018 saying he wanted to talk to him about a New York Times story on Hunter's dealings with the Chinese oil giant CEFC, a new voicemail reveals

The Times' 2018 story pointed out CEFC's chairman Ye Jianming had been arrested in China and his lieutenant Patrick Ho (right) had been convicted in the US of bribery. Hunter accidentally recorded himself referring to Ho as the 'spy chief of China'

The Times reported that when Ho was arrested, he called Joe's brother Jim Biden  who told the newspaper that he believed the call was meant for Hunter.

The paper said it was 'unclear whether Hunter Biden struck any business deals with CEFC', not knowing at the time the depths of his connections with his Chinese business partners.

After seeing the story online, Joe called Hunter and left a voicemail.

'Hey pal, it's Dad. It's 8:15 on Wednesday night. If you get a chance just give me a call. Nothing urgent. I just wanted to talk to you,' he said.

'I thought the article released online, it's going to be printed tomorrow in the Times, was good. I think you're clear. And anyway if you get a chance give me a call, I love you.'

The message flies in the face of the president's repeated denials that he ever discussed Hunter's overseas business dealings with his son.

The newly uncovered voicemail came from a backup of Hunter's iPhone XS, stored on his abandoned laptop.

After the Times' story was published, Hunter's friends texted him, teasing about Jim's indiscreet comment to the newspaper that linked Hunter to Patrick Ho.

Devon Archer, Hunter's longtime best friend and business partner - who is now serving a year in jail for defrauding a Native American tribe - wrote to him the next day: 'Nice quote from uncle jimmy. I hope you thanked him for that.'

'Took it totally out of the context atctually (sic) the text itself that it was said in,' Hunter replied.

'Either way yeah I'm delighted.'

It turned out Jim was telling the truth.

After Ho was arrested, he contacted Hunter and paid the president's son a $1 million retainer to represent him as his attorney.

The Times reported that when Ho was arrested, he called Joe's brother Jim Biden (right)  who told the newspaper that he believed the call was meant for Hunter

After the Times' story was published, Hunter's friend Devon Archer texted him teasing about Jim's indiscreet comment to the newspaper that linked Hunter to Patrick Ho. 'Took it totally out of the context atctually (sic) the text itself that it was said in,' Hunter replied. 'Either way yeah I'm delighted'

Joe Biden entertained Mexican billionaires Carlos Slim and Miguel Aleman Velasco - his son Hunter's business associates - in the vice president's office in 2014

A copy of a FISA warrant obtained by DailyMail.com reveals that federal agents were monitoring Ho as a potential spy for China.

And while holed up in a hotel room on a bender with a prostitute filming amateur sex tapes, Hunter accidentally recorded himself referring to Ho as the 'spy chief of China'.

'I have another New York Times reporter calling about my representation of the, literally, Dr. Patrick Ho  the f***ing spy chief of China who started the company that my partner [Jianming], who is worth $323 billion, founded and is now missing,' Hunter told his female friend in the May 11, 2018 recording.

'The richest man in the world is missing, who was my partner.'

Hunter's claim that Ho was the 'spy chief of China' - or a senior Chinese intelligence officer - has not been proven.

Joe's voicemail to Hunter about the Times article is the latest in an overwhelming body of evidence suggesting that he lied about not talking foreign business with his son.

In another example, the then-vice president attended a Washington, DC dinner with Hunter's Ukrainian, Kazakh and Russian business associates in 2015.

Hunter told one of his guests in an email that the dinner was 'ostensibly to discuss food security', but was in fact an opportunity to introduce his potential clients and partners to his powerful father.

The White House at first denied Joe's attendance, then when photographs emerged of Joe there, it claimed it was only a brief stop by.

Joe also met another of Hunter's Chinese business partners, Jonathan Li, when he took his son on a 2013 Air Force 2 trip to China.

After the trip, Joe entertained Hunter's Mexican billionaire business partners Carlos Slim and Miguel Aleman Velasco at the White House and the VP's official residence.

Emails on Hunter's abandoned laptop published by DailyMail.com show that Hunter and Joe shared a bank account and paid each other's bills, while Hunter's business partner Eric Schwerin did Joe's taxes.

The White House declined to comment to DailyMail.com.
The mother of Australian teenage rap sensation The Kid Laroi has had a conviction for fraudulently using a credit card to pay for lip filler treatment at a Sydney cosmetic clinic overturned.

Sloane Howard, whose son's real name is Charlton Howard, had pleaded not guilty to one count of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.

The 51-year-old did not appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on July 11 when her case was listed and was convicted in her absence. She was not represented by a lawyer.

The next day Howard sought to have that verdict vacated with an annulment application which was successful on Tuesday when her not guilty plea was restored.

Sloane Howard, the mother of teenage rap sensation The Kid Laroi, was convicted of credit card fraud after allegedly using someone else's details to spend $849 at a Sydney cosmetic clinic. She has had verdict annulled. Mother and son are pictured

After returning to Australia from Los Angeles in May to tour with her son, Howard attended a police station in central Sydney where she was charged with fraud. The Kid Laroi is pictured with girlfriend Katarina Deme

Police allege Howard used the credit card details of a John Keith to pay for a lip filler treatment worth $849 at the Laser Clinics outlet at Marrickville Metro shopping centre on August 8, 2018.

Magistrate Susan McIntyre found the offence proven, fined Howard $1,000 and ordered her to pay $849 in compensation to Laser Clinic Australia.

Ms McIntyre has now granted an annulment application and the case will be heard in February next year. It is understood Howard is on tour in North America with The Kid Laroi.

Mother and son returned triumphantly to Australia in late May for the local leg of a world tour which was interrupted by Howard facing the old fraud charge.

Her case was mentioned in Downing Centre Local Court on June 27 when high-profile solicitor Chris Watson sought an adjournment so the rest of a police brief could be served.

Mr Watson said Howard was overseas as part of an existing contractual agreement and he could not be sure of her exact whereabouts.

'That's not her choice - it's a contractual commitment,' Mr Watson told the court.

Sloane Howard, whose son's real name is Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard, had pleaded not guilty to one count of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception. Mother and son are pictured

Police allege 51-year-old Howard used the credit card details of a John Keith to pay for cosmetic services worth $849 from Laser Clinics Australia at Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre (above) on August 8, 2018

'This is a pre-existing world tour by her son... My client is travelling overseas and her movements at this stage are unknown to me.'

Mr Watson described Howard's son as 'a well-known personality'.

The Kid Laroi - who takes his name from his Indigenous Kamilaroi ancestry - owes much of his success to Howard, whose musical tastes shaped her son's and who closely manages his affairs.

On Mother's Day in 2020, he paid tribute to her as 'the strongest woman I know'.

'I've seen you literally put your own life on the line to make sure I always had the best, even in the worst [times].'

The Kid Laroi has spoken at length about his time in public housing and how his family was evicted from one block of units. He is pictured performing at Qudos Bank Arena on May 26

The Kid Laroi has previously discussed the lengths his mother went to in supporting him and his younger brother Austin after her separation in 2007 from her husband, music producer Nick Howard.

After his parents parted ways Howard took her sons to Broken Hill in far western New South Wales where she set up a talent agency before returning to Sydney about 2017.

The Kid Laroi has spoken at length about his time in public housing and how his family was evicted from one block of units.

Since the Aria-winner broke through to global superstardom in 2020, his mother and Austin have lived in Los Angeles with him.

The now 18-year-old has gone on to record duets with Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber and recently signed with Bieber's manager Scooter Braun.
A lively corner on one of Sydney's busiest streets has again been packed with customers waiting to get inside a Chinese state-owned bank.

Hundreds of people have queued outside the Bank of China on George Street this week in what many believe to be a response to fears the Communist nation's economy is spiralling, which has included Xi Jinping putting a freeze on a series of banks.

An accused criminal conglomerate from the country's central province 'manipulated' five banks in the Henan and Anhui regions to 'illegally absorb and occupy public funds', which saw the state freeze $8.5billion in customer's money.

Officially the Bank of China says the crowds outside its Sydney office were simply 'students' looking to make accounts after arriving in Australia - but many believe it is the trickle-down effect of the nation's financial crisis.

Daily Mail Australia attended the branch as it opened on Thursday morning, spotting a crowd already gathered outside.

One customer said they were transferring money sent from family back in China, while others alluded to a bigger issue.

'I just want my money,' another man said, who confirmed he wasn't a 'student'.

Dozens of people have flocked to the Bank of China in Sydney after the Communist government froze transactions at five banks over illegal practices

The branch, on the CBD's busy George Street, has seen hundreds of people queue outside this week after confidence in the Chinese banking system collapsed

Chinese authorities confirmed Henan New Fortune had illegally manipulated its banks into holding its customer's money in an attempt to defraud investors.

'Henan New Fortune Group manipulated five village banks in Henan and Anhui to illegally absorb and occupy public funds and covered up illegal activities,' a representative from the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission told state media on Sunday.

A three-month investigation uncovered the abuse, with the Chinese government promising to pay back their money shortly.

Accounts with less than 50,000 yuan ($7,500) were supposed to see money coming in from last Friday.

However, very few customers of the banks have reported receiving the funds, with hundreds still waiting for their money to be returned.

The result of the abuse has seen China's banking system take a huge hit - seemingly influencing residents living abroad.

A spokesperson for the bank said there was nothing to worry about, insisting it was international students who had been lining up outside the branch.

'As we are the most popular bank for Chinese students in Australia, we are experiencing a large demand for our branch services, particularly deposit accounts for payments from overseas,' the bank said.

'To maintain Covid-safe practices for our staff and customers we are advising customers to maintain social distancing and this resulted in queues outside the branch on Tuesday.

'For Bank of China Australia it is very much business as usual.'

Meanwhile, real estate giant Evergrande has more than $300billion in liabilities and missed a crucial deadline for offshore repayments in December last year.

The company's CEO and CFO resigned last week after an internal investigation found they had misused $2billion in loans.

Its share price has plummeted 75 per cent over the last 12 months - and triggered a financial crisis in the superpower - which is trickling down to its billion citizens.

Dozens of Sydney residents were seen waiting outside the Bank of China's Haymarket branch in the city's CBD on Tuesday morning

It's believed these factors contributed to the bizarre queues outside the Bank of China's Haymarket branch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning.

Photos have been shared on social media with varying theories as to why customers are flocking to the state-owned bank.

'If this is the local branch of the Bank of China, people could be afraid it's going to go under and are withdrawing their savings,' one wrote.

'People are concerned that their bank is not liquid. So everyone is worried their cash is gone and want to withdraw everything they can,' another commented.

Customers wait outside the Bank of China on Thursday morning - as the Communist nation faces a series of economic crises

Many believe people are flocking to the bank to withdraw their China-based savings and move it into Australian banks as a result of five banks being frozen

The banking crisis in Henan was described by authorities as a complex scam involving a private financial group that had stakes in the lenders and which had faked data by colluding with bank staff and siphoning off funds illegally.

Deposits at a bank in the eastern Anhui province were also frozen.

To revive depositors' confidence in the sector, authorities in Henan and Anhui made repayments to smaller depositors starting July 15 following investigations and arrests.

It's understood many are still trying to get their life savings back.
A Melbourne police officer has broken down recalling how she tried to help a woman stabbed in the head and neck by a man her colleague ultimately shot dead.

Gabriel Messo, who had diagnosed bipolar, was shot in the chest three times by Constable Emmanuel Andrew at Gladstone Park's John Coutts Reserve in Melbourne's north on the afternoon of July 16, 2020.

The 30-year-old was in the middle of a violent 17-minute assault against his mother Lilla Messo when Constable Andrew and First Constable Rebecca Churcher arrived at the scene.

Giving evidence at an inquest on Thursday, the now Senior Constable Churcher recalled her colleague telling the man repeatedly to stop his attack.

Messo said something to Const Andrew before going back to stabbing the woman with a stick, she said, and her colleague pointed his firearm at the offender while still telling him to stop.

Gabriel Messo (left) stabbed his mum Lilla (right) with a stick before he was shot dead by police in a reserve in Gladstone Park

She also got her firearm out of her holster, telling State Coroner John Cain: 'I naturally felt that this was the appropriate action'.

When Messo didn't stop stabbing, her colleague shot the man once and it was like the attacker 'didn't even flinch', Sen Const Churcher said.

Const Andrew shot him again and when Messo advanced on the officers he fired a third time, she said.

Both Sen Const Chucher and Const Andrew didn't have Tasers on them.

It wouldn't have been appropriate to use a baton on Messo even after he dropped the stick, given they would have had to get close enough to also be stabbed potentially by another weapon, she said.

Likewise, it wouldn't have been appropriate to use capsicum spray, Sen Const Churcher said, because they were outside and open to the elements.

A police officer broke down while giving evidence at Gabriel Messo. Pictured are police at the scene of the incident in July 2020

Lilla Messo (pictured) survived her son's harrowing attack but now has an acquired brain injury

She saw the colour drain from Messo's face and fall back, and she went straight to his mother to find her face swollen, covered in blood and deep open wounds.

Talking through tears, Sen Const Churcher said the woman's mouth was filled in mud and she tried to scoop it out.

She told Const Andrew to start compressions on Messo and, when her colleague said 'shit, I didn't have my camera on', she assured him hers was on.

Sen Const Churcher looked down and saw it was green but not active, she told the coroner. She hit the camera again to turn it on.

Mrs Messo was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after she went into cardiac arrest four times.

She survived the attack but now lives with an acquired brain injury.
Kim Jong Un has warned he is ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea.

The North Korean leader spoke to war veterans on the 69th anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War yesterday to boost internal unity.

North Korea will likely intensify its threats against the United States and South Korea as the allies prepare to expand summertime exercises the North views as an invasion rehearsal, observers have said.

Kim Jong Un warned 'Our armed forces are completely prepared to respond to any crisis'

Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju meet veterans at the event

Kim Jong Un said: 'Our armed forces are completely prepared to respond to any crisis, and our country's nuclear war deterrent is also ready to mobilise its absolute power dutifully, exactly and swiftly in accordance with its mission.'

He accused the United States of 'demonising' North Korea to justify its hostile policies.

He said US-South Korea military drills showed the US's 'double standards' and 'gangster-like' stance because it branded North Korea's routine military activities  an apparent reference to its missile tests  as provocations or threats.

Mr Kim also called South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol 'a confrontation maniac' who has gone further than past South Korean leaders and said his conservative government was led by 'gangsters'.

Since taking office in May, the Yoon government has moved to strengthen Seoul's military alliance with the United States and bolster its capacity to neutralise North Korean nuclear threats including a pre-emptive strike capability.

Kim Jong Un added: 'Talking about military action against our nation, which possess absolute weapons that they fear the most, is preposterous and is very dangerous suicidal action.

'Such a dangerous attempt will be immediately punished by our powerful strength and the Yoon Suk Yeol government and his military will be annihilated.'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presides over the event marking the 69th anniversary of the 1950-53 Korean War armistice in front of the Monument to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War in Pyongyang

This year, Mr Kim has been increasingly threatening its rivals with his advancing nuclear programme in what some foreign experts say is an attempt to wrest outside concessions and achieve greater domestic unity.

In April, Mr Kim said North Korea could pre-emptively use nuclear weapons if threatened, saying they would 'never be confined to the single mission of war deterrent'.

Mr Kim's military has also test-launched nuclear-capable missiles that place both the US mainland and South Korea within striking distance.

The North Korean leader is seeking greater public support as his country's economy has been battered by pandemic-related border shutdowns, US-led sanctions and his own mismanagement.

North Korea also admitted to its first Covid-19 outbreak in May, though the scale of illness and death is widely disputed in a country that lacks the modern medical capacity to handle it.
Rapper JayDaYoungan died after being shot outside of his Louisiana home on Wednesday evening, just over a month after he was released from prison for gun charges.

The musician, whose real name is Javorius Scott, was shot outside the home in Bogalusa, along with a male relative, Kenyatta Scott Sr., police confirmed.

The shooting took place just before 6pm, with the rapper being rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Sources told TMZ he had lost a considerable amount of blood and was sent immediately to surgery.

Police made the announcement that JayDaYoungan had died just before midnight. Scott Sr. - who some reports say is the rapper's father - was reported to be in stable condition.

Police said there was another shooting in the neighborhood about a half-hour after the shooting that injured JayDaYoungan. Officials said it was possible that the shootings were linked.

JayDaYoungan was signed to Atlantic records in 2017. He had worked alongside rappers like Lil Durk, Boosie Badazz, Moneybagg Yo, and Lato.

JayDaYoungan rapping and dancing in a video he posted the day before he was shot dead

Police are pictured outside the Louisiana home of rapper JayDaYoungan after he was shot dead Wednesday night

JayDaYoungan, 24, whose real name is Javorius Scott, died after being shot outside the home in Bogalusa, alongside a male relative, Kenyatta Scott Sr., police confirmed

In October of 2021 police caught him with a 9mm pistol he was not permitted to carry due to indictments he was facing in Texas over charges of assault on a pregnant woman and illegal possession of Oxycodone.

JayDaYoungan was also out on $175,000 bond at the time after a September 21 arrest for suspicion of being accessory to second degree murder and obstruction of justice.

That arrest stemmed from an August 2020 incident in which a gunman fired a gun in a crowd of about 100 people, unintentionally killing a 21-year-old. It is unclear whether JayDaYoungan was connected to the shooting.

He faced five years in prison for the gun charges, but was released in June and credited with time served.

alleged crime scene of #jaydayoungan shooting occurred where he was with his father! Prayers up for him and his father  pic.twitter.com/odLPbqKz5F  1more4thegain (@1more4thegain) July 28, 2022

JayDaYoungan faced five years in prison for the gun charges, but was released in June and credited with time served

The rapper was a proud father to a young son, who he often shared photos of on his Instagram account.

In his last Instagram post - made a day ago - JayDaYoungan rapped while dancing and playing with his son.

JayDaYoungan's most well known singles are Opps, 23 Island, and Elimination. His 2019 album Misunderstood reached #43 on the top 200 Billboard charts.

The rapper was a proud father to a young son, who he often shared photos of on his Instagram account
A US defense contractor and his wife who lived for decades under the identities of two dead Texas children have been charged with identity theft and conspiring against the government.

Walter Glenn Primrose and Gwynn Darle Morrison, both in their 60s, allegedly lived for decades under the names Bobby Edward Fort and Julie Lyn Montague - the stolen names of infants who died decades ago - according to federal court records unsealed in Honolulu.

The couple face charges of aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit an offense against the US and false statement in an application for a passport after they were arrested Friday in Kapolei on the island of Oahu.

Prosecutors are seeking to have the couple held without bail, which could indicate the case is about more than fraudulently obtaining drivers' licenses, passports and Defense Department credentials.

Those documents helped Primrose get secret security clearance with the US Coast Guard and as a defense contractor and old photos show the couple wearing uniforms of the KGB, the former Russian spy agency, Assistant US Attorney Thomas Muehleck said in court papers.

Faded Polaroids of each in uniform were included in the motion to have them held.

A 'close associate' said Morrison lived in Romania while it was a Soviet bloc country, Muehleck said.

Morrison's attorney said her client never lived in Romania and that she and Primrose tried the same jacket on as a joke and posed for photos in it.

Even if the couple used new identities, attorney Megan Kau told The Associated Press, they have lived law-abiding lives for three decades.

This combination of undated photos provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii shows Walter Glenn Primose, above also known as Bobby Edward Fort wearing a jacket worn by the KGB, the former Russian spy agency

This combination of undated photos provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii shows Walter Glenn Primose, left, also known as Bobby Edward Fort, and his wife Gwynn Darle Morrison, also known as Julie Lyn Montague, purportedly wearing jackets worn by the KGB, the former Russian spy agency

'She wants everyone to know she's not a spy,' Kau said. 'This has all been blown way out of proportion. It's government overreaching.'

Prosecutors said there is a high risk the couple would flee if freed. They also suggested that Primrose, who was an avionics electrical technician in the Coast Guard, was highly skilled to communicate secretly if released.

The couple is also believed to have other aliases, Muehleck said.

A lawyer for Primrose declined comment. A bail hearing was scheduled for Thursday in US District Court.

The secret clearance Primrose had provides access to information that is 'enormously valuable to our enemies,' said Kevin OGrady, a Honolulu defense attorney not involved in the case.

The Coast Guard works closely with the Army and Navy, helps with counterintelligence and serves as the country's maritime border patrol, said O'Grady, an Army reservist and lieutenant colonel judge advocate.

This undated photo provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii shows Walter Glenn Primose, also known as Bobby Edward Fort. Federal authorities say the pair lived for decades under the identities of two dead Texas children. They have been charged with identity theft and conspiring against the government

'The Coast Guard has a unique perspective on our vulnerabilities,' he said, including how to infiltrate the country through water ports. Hawaii, a major military center, 'is a prime target for a lot of espionage and such,' he said.

For one family whose deceased child's name was stolen, the news Wednesday came as a shock.

John Montague, who lost his daughter Julie in 1968 at three weeks of age, was stunned to learn someone had been living under her name for so long.

'I still can't believe it happened,' Montague, 91, told AP. 'The odds are like one-in-a-trillion that they found her and used her name. People stoop to do anything nowadays. Let kids rest in peace.'

Primrose and Morrison were born in 1955 and they attended high school together in Port Lavaca, Texas, and then went to Stephen F. Austin University, according to court records. They married in 1980.

There is no indication in court papers why the couple in 1987 assumed the identities of deceased children who would have been more than a decade younger than them.

But an affidavit filed by Special Agent Dennis Thomas of the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service noted that the couple lost their home in Nacogdoches, Texas, to foreclosure that year.

They remarried under their assumed names in 1988, Thomas said.

Court records don't provide any information about what happened from the time they assumed their new identities until 1994, when Primrose, then about 39, enlisted in the Coast Guard as Fort, who would have been about 27.

If there was an obvious age discrepancy between what Primrose looked like and the birth certificate he presented, 'that's an abject failure,' OGrady said.

'That's something if they can figure it out now, they should have caught it then,' he said.

Montague said that 'somebody's not doing their jobs.'

Primrose and Morrison applied for and received multiple passports under their assumed names, according to court records.

But in 1999 Primrose also applied for and was issued a passport under his legal name while also holding a passport in Fort's name.

Primrose was in the service until 2016, when he began work for an unnamed defense contractor at the US Coast Guard Air station at Barbers Point.

'While he held that secret clearance with the US Coast Guard, defendant Primrose was required to report any foreign travel,' prosecutors wrote.

'Investigation has revealed that defendant Primrose did not report several trips to Canada while he did report other foreign travel.'

The home where U.S. defense contractor Walter Glenn Primrose and his wife, Gwynn Darlle Morrison, lived for years allegedly under aliases is pictured, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Kapolei, Hawaii

The couple lived in a Honolulu suburb in a modest two-bedroom bungalow beneath palm trees.

They owned a neighboring house they rented to military personnel, said Mai Ly Schara, who lived next door.

She knew them as Bob and Lynn, with Morrison apparently Julie Lyn Montague's middle name.

Primrose did yard work for Schara for $50 a month, she said. Morrison took in, fed and spayed and neutered cats. She also had several rabbits and dedicated a room to the pets.

'They kept to themselves, but they were friendly,' Schara said. 'They just kind of were, like, a little nerdy.'

Schara wasn't sure what Primrose did for a living, but thought it was military related. Morrison once worked as a parking attendant at a Waikiki hotel but had been tutoring neighborhood children.

Mai Ly Schara, the neighbor of U.S. defense contractor Walter Glenn Primrose and his wife, Gwynn Darlle Morrison, cleans up her yard, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Kapolei, Hawaii

The FBI created a scene in the quiet neighborhood when they searched the house and took photos.

'It was just shocking, like, oh my gosh,' Schara said. 'It was pretty crazy.'

The State Department declined to comment on the arrests.

The couple is charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the US, false statement in passport application and aggravated identity theft.

Fort, who lived fewer than three months, died in October 1967 at the same hospital where Julie Montague passed away about three months later in January 1968. They are buried 14 miles apart.

When Tonda Ferguson learned from her father that Morrison had used her late sister's birth certificate to create an alias, she thought of her mother, who died in 2003, and how many years had gone by.

'For all the mothers who are living and have to know this happened to their babies, I can't even begin to imagine,' Ferguson said. 'I'm glad my mama's with the Lord. This would be so traumatic for her.'

Ferguson was in eighth grade when her sister died. She never got to see her little sister or hold her.

She was buried in Burnet, Texas, the small town where they lived at the time outside of Austin.

'She came from a place of love, deep love,' Ferguson said. 'For someone to turn around to steal her identity for evil, it's tough. It's hurtful... I hope they rot.'
Taiwan holds its most extensive annual live-fire drills to boost its military capacity as China increases its military threat on the independent island with a population of 24 million.

Known as the Han Kuang exercises, the drills showcase "the ability and determination of our military in defending our country," according to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

Tuesday, President Tsai witnessed Taiwanese military soldiers acting as both the attacker and the defender in a simulated strike on the Su'ao Naval Base, a significant military facility in northern Taiwan, per CNN.

A hostile adversary attempts to take control of a vital canal close to the Taiwanese capital in simulated scenes. Attacking from the sea and the air, the invading forces aim for the important estuary at the mouth of the Tamsui River on the island's northern coast, which offers easy access to Taipei.

Taiwan's military deploys Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) jets, tanks, and ground forces to stop the advance in retaliation.

For two hours, guided-missile destroyers fired cannons, missiles, and torpedoes at an imagined armada coming down on the shore while Mirage 2000 and F-16 pilots scrambled to intercept warplanes invading from the east.

The weeklong Han Kuang exercises continue until Friday throughout Taiwan and its neighboring islands. Taiwanese military participates in the yearly event, which has been going on since 1984, to improve military capabilities.

US Prepares To Protect House Speaker Pelosi If She Pushes Taiwan Visit

The Han Kuang exercises this year have assumed greater significance due to increased fears over China's intentions towards Taiwan, a sovereign island that Beijing's ruling Communist Party claims as its own.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has heightened the Taiwan-China conflict. Beijing has not ruled out using military force to annex Taiwan, and it has been sending warplanes into what it calls an "air defense identification zone," which intensifies military pressure on Taipei.

Read Also: Kim Jong Un Warns To Use Nuke Amid Tensions with US and South, Says North Korea Is Ready To Mobilize Nuclear Deterrent

Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House, is reportedly considering visiting Taipei. Beijing has responded angrily to these allegations, saying that if it encounters "external forces" that support Taiwanese independence, it will "resolutely defend national sovereignty."

When questioned about potential military protection for Pelosi in case of a visit to Taiwan, a Democrat from California, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Gen. Mark Milley, warned on Wednesday that discussing any specific travel is premature, as reported by AP News. However, he continued, if there is a confirmation that Speaker Pelosi or anyone else would travel and there's a request for military support, they "will do what is necessary to ensure a safe conduct of their visit."

Joe Biden-Xi Jinping Phone Call May Take Place This Week

As worries grow over a potential visit of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping may conduct their fifth phone conversation as leaders as soon as Thursday, according to Reuters.

According to Biden administration officials, the long-planned call would cover a wide range of topics, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which China has not yet denounced.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby, the measure is to keep "the lines of communication open with the president of China," which the US recognizes as among "the most consequential bilateral relationships that we have, not just in that region, but around the world, because it touches so much."

Washington recognizes a "one-China" policy, which excludes Taipei from diplomatic recognition. However, it is required by American law to give the island the necessary resources to defend itself, and there has been growing demand in Congress for greater outright assistance.

Related Article:Taiwan Conducts Military Exercises Participated by Residents as China Becomes More Aggressive

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An Australian private school has given students and parents just two days to find a new school after suddenly announcing it will close.

Colmont School in Kilmore, Victoria, sent an email to parents late Wednesday night to inform them the school has entered administration and will close on Friday.

The board of Colmont School, formerly known as The Kilmore International School, decided to enter administration on Tuesday.

Colmont School (above) announced on Wednesday night it will enter administration and close on Friday

The school advised students in Year 11 and 12 they may be able to attend the school a little longer as they are undertaking the International Baccalaureate.

'The administrators will decide about how long the school and school boarding premises will continue to operate. When they have made this decision, they will tell you,' the email to parents read.

'We understand that this will be unexpected and distressing news for your family.'

Several schools in the region have reached out to worried students and parents to offer places.

Students at Colmont (above), formerly known as The Kilmore International School, have been offered free tuition for the remainder of the year at Preshil in Melbourne

Preshil, located in Melbourne, has offered Colmont students free tuition until the end of the year.

Administrator of Colmont School Paul Langdon celebrated the offer as 'the best thing' for stranded students.

'Under the difficult circumstances we think the offer from Preshil is the best outcome for all students and for the continuation of their education,' he told the Herald Sun.

Staff at Assumption College will be working late on Thursday to answer questions about enrolment.

Parents at Colmont (above) said they are frustrated by the lack of communication surrounding the school's closure

St Patrick's Primary School also encouraged students to enrol.

However, parents have still been left outraged by the lack of notice and communication from the school.

'Devastated tonight to learn that my kid's school has gone into administration and that it will close in 2 days,' one upset parent wrote on Twitter.

'WTF are we meant to do now? The school was working out so amazing for both of them. It's going to be a tough few days!'

Colmont School held a meeting for parents on Wednesday but several were not able to attend due to communication issues.

A second meeting for parents will be held at 6.30pm on Thursday.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews addressed the closure during a press conference on Thursday.

He said that while the help his government can offer to a private school is limited he will do his best to help affected students.

One upset parent shared her thoughts of the closure on Twitter where she wrote 'it's going to be a tough few days!'

'If there's anything we can do to support those parents, we're ready and willing,' he said.

A Department of Education spokesperson told NCA NewsWire it is also committed to helping where possible.

'The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) is working with the DET in partnership with Independent Schools Victoria, to ensure a coordinated approach to contingency planning for students affected by this decision and the department and the VRQA will provide information to families about alternative schools,' they said.

Administrator Paul Langdon said the school was in 'difficulties for quite some time' and was seeking a $5million rescue fund

'Every Victorian child has the right to enrol at their designated local government school, or at another government school of their choice provided it has sufficient space to accommodate them.'

Mr Langdon, from administrators Vince and Associates, said the school was in 'difficulties for quite some time' with the board seeking a $5million rescue fund from the state, federal government and private providers.

'We were exploring all options for the feasible continuation of the school, however the amount of money being sought is significant,' he said.
A woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted by a 'master manipulator' US fugitive wanted by the FBI has alleged he told her 'he was framed' when she confronted him about being on the US sex register.

Michelle Minnaar, 41, claimed she had a five-month turbulent relationship with Nicholas Rossi, who is wanted on sexual assault charges in the US, after the pair met on US dating website, GoCupid.

The mother-of-two alleged that 34-year-old Rossi moved into her home in Cheltenham, Essex, which she shared with her 15-year-old son and daughter, 12, after he arrived in the UK in June 2017.

The food blogger, from Pretoria, South Africa, has now waived her right to anonymity so she could 'warn others of her story' after she recognised the 'FBI fugitive' fighting extradition.

Ms Minnaar who says she 'couldn't believe it' when she saw online he was facing extradition charges claimed he is a 'serial liar' who 'relies solely on people feeling sorry for him' due to his 'intense victimhood facade'.

Shortly after Rossi moved into Ms Minaar's home, she found out he was on the sex offenders register following a previous conviction in Dayton, Ohio - but he told her he was 'framed by a woman who had a boyfriend'.

Ms Minnaar exclusively told MailOnline: 'During our whirlwind relationship, I saw online that he was on a US sex offenders list.

'When I confronted him about it, he told me he'd previously met a girl and they had sex. She later told him she had a boyfriend. She then reported it to the police and framed him for sexual assault.

'He was a serial liar. Now I look back at the time we spent together there were so many red flags. He is a master manipulator. Now I look back, how he was allowed to travel to the UK is beyond me!'

Ms Minnaar claimed she was raped by Rossi after refusing to have sex with him during their relationship. She also alleged he 'stole 3600' from her.

Rossi - who also goes by the name of Nicholas Alahverdian - is facing extradition by US authorities after allegedly raping a 21-year-old and another victim in Utah in 2008.

He is said to have faked his own death and fled to Scotland to escape the charges.

But, he claims he is a victim of mistaken identity and his name is Arthur Knight and has never been to America.

Michelle Minnaar, 41, (pictured) claimed she began a five-month turbulent relationship with Nicholas Rossi after the pair met on a US dating website

Rossi (pictured in 2017) - who also goes by the name of Nicholas Alahverdian - is facing extradition by US authorities after allegedly raping a 21-year-old and another victim in Utah in 2008.

The mother-of-two alleged that 34-year-old Nicholas Rossi (pictured) moved into her home in Cheltenham, Essex after he arrived in the UK in June 2017

The pair first hit it off in May 2017 after messaging back and fourth, but the mother-of-two claims he was 'pushy' and 'kept insisting he should come to the UK'.

She added: 'Nicholas messaged me first and we instantly connected. He seemed intellectual and sweet, and soon after we were messaging every day on Skype. We then started video calling and I told him about my two children.

'He used the name Nicholas Alahverdian when we met and claimed it was his father's surname. However, he also used the name Nicholas Rossi and said it was from his mother. I never thought anything of it at the time.'

Ms Minnaar claimed after Rossi arrived at her home, she realised 'he was not who he seemed' and maintained a 'strange relationship' with her daughter while ignoring her son who suffers with autism and global developmental delay.

She added: 'He had a strange relationship with my daughter, who was seven at the time. I won't say inappropriate because I was there to keep things in check. But he was touchy-feely.

Rossi (pictured) is accused of faking his death from cancer in the US to avoid a sexual assault charge, before fleeing to Scotland

'He would always envelope her in his arms to cuddle her and sat her on his knee. He completely ignored my son. He called him a "waste of space". It was like he constantly wanted to divide us as a family.'

She alleged he 'stole 3,600 from her' and 'gaslit her' during their five-week relationship.

Ms Minnaar added: 'When he arrived, he told me he needed money because he had spent all his savings on first-class tickets to get to the UK. He said he needed them because he had a medical problem meaning he had to lie down as he had a bad back.

'He constantly gaslit me and would cry if I ever told him no. He would say he gave up everything to come and be with me. He used my credit card and paid for everything with my money. He spent 3,600 in total. I gave him everything I could afford. He never paid for a single thing.'

Ms Minnaar claimed Rossi raped her and then 'carried on as if nothing had happened'.

Ms Minnaar claimed Rossi (pictured) 'stole 3,600 from her' and 'gaslit her' during their five-week relationship

She added: 'He always wanted to have sex. It was constant. After a week of him staying with me, I got up one morning and got dressed as usual. He was sitting on the bed.

'He suddenly got up and as I was going to leave and blocked me at the door. I told him no because I wasn't in the mood, but he was smiling and kissing my neck. I tried to stop him multiple times, but he wouldn't take no for an answer.

'He grabbed my wrists and I just remember feeling powerless. It's such a haze but I felt defeated and remember laying back on the bed and just thinking, "Please just get it over with". After he'd finished, he rolled over without saying a word and I went downstairs. We never had sex again after that.'

Opening up about his extradition hearing, which was delayed after a second 'sudden and unexplained deterioration' in his 'medical condition', Ms Minnaar said him showing up to court in a wheelchair and oxygen mask was 'another example' of his 'manipulation'

Rossi (pictured) has also been accused of an elaborate plot to fake his own death and died of 'non-Hodgkin lymphoma' with his wife and two children by his bedside, according to his family's obituary.

A former friend confirmed he was Rossi based on a scar above his right eye and tattoos of a barcode and a bird's wing on his arms (Pictured: Nicholas Rossi)

Essex Police told MailOnline they are investigating the rape claim.

In a statement they said: 'On April 28, 2022, we received an historic report of rape in Chelmsford. Our enquiries are ongoing.'

Rossi was apprehended in Glasgow earlier this year after being admitted to hospital with Covid-19, and attended court in a wheelchair and wearing a breathing mask connected to an oxygen tank at his last court appearance in May.

He moved to Bristol and married Miranda Knight in February 2020.

He has also been accused of an elaborate plot to fake his own death and died of 'non-Hodgkin lymphoma' with his wife and two children by his bedside, according to his family's obituary.

It has been alleged his last words to his family were: 'Fear not and run toward the bliss of the sun', reports The Mirror.

A former friend confirmed he was Rossi based on a scar above his right eye and tattoos of a barcode and a bird's wing on his arms.

He was also arrested earlier this month for allegedly threatening two hospital medics, and authorities say his fingerprints taken at that time prove he is Rossi.

Rossie's wife, Miranda Knight, was also seen arriving at court earlier this month

Rossi, who denied that was his identity when asked at the start of proceedings, repeatedly asked for oxygen.

Representing himself, the man said: 'I can't think properly or address my argument because I don't have any oxygen and I have not for nearly 36 hours and I'm hypoxic.'

But Sheriff McFadyen said: 'I have been told your saturation levels have been tested and they are normal.'

The suspect then told the court that they were using 'a Poundland' oximeter, a medical device which measures the amount of oxygen in blood.

The suspect, who was in a wheelchair, was recently charged with threatening two hospital nurses at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Procurator Fiscal Julie Clark told the court that he has had his fingerprints taken in relation to that case.

Scottish prosecutors said at the time that the fingerprints 'were confirmed to be Nicholas Rossi,' using that to argue against giving him bail.

But it was the opinion of the Lord Advocate that those prints should not be used for the extradition matter, so another sample must be provided.

An alleged fugitive who is said to have faked his own death to dodge US sex charges will have his fingerprints taken in an effort to prove who he is. He claims he is Arthur Knight, who has never been to the United States, but American prosecutors say he is an American fugitive

Rossi previously said he would agree to providing his prints, but said he did not want police in Scotland to be the ones doing so.

Sheriff McFadyen, though, said the warrant was granted 'for fingerprints to be taken by officers from Police Scotland at Her Majesty's Prison Edinburgh. I will make arrangements for officers to attend for that purpose.'

He also said the next hearing of the extradition case would be adjourned until August 11, after the hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court into the allegations he threatened two members of staff.

Rossi denied shouting, swearing, and pursuing a consultant and senior nurse at the hospital and was remanded in custody, pending a trial fixed for August.

The hearing comes as US authorities charged Rossi with another count of rape.

Rossi previously requested that press be restricted from attending his court hearings after prosecutors said he was using 'every means possible to delay extradition proceedings.'

He claimed that the media committed contempt of court by 'continually referring to me as Nicholas Rossi,' but Sheriff Noble said there was no risk of prejudice as the case would be decided by a judge and not a jury.
Two pet dogs in Queensland have been hailed as heroes after they helped searchers locate their elderly owner who went missing for two days after going on a bushwalk.

David Grimes, 86, from Penwhaupell in the North Burnett region, was found partially submerged in water and covered with rocks.

He had decided to go for a bushwalk with his two Jack Russell Terriers on Monday afternoon.

David John Grimes (pictured), 86, from Penwhaupell in the North Burnett region, was found partially submerged in water and covered with rocks on Wednesday after going for a walk with his two dogs on Monday afternoon

After he failed to return home, his family alerted authorities, sparking a huge multi-agency ground and air search.

During the two nights he was missing, minimum temperatures dropped to single digits and concerns for his safety were growing.

On Wednesday, family and volunteers on foot, quad bikes and horseback were assisting emergency services with the search, when some dogs began barking at the horses.

His two pet dogs (pictured) caught the attention of searchers after they were barking at the horses, leading to the discovery of Mr Grimes

Searchers then discovered the dogs belonged to the missing man, which prompted them to thoroughly search the immediate area.

Mr Grimes was then found obscured by rocks and partly submerged in water.

It is understood that he had fallen while on his walk.

Mr Grimes was found obscured by rocks and partly submerged in water (pictured, rescue team and police at the scene)

The RACQ LifeFlight Rescue chopper (pictured) paramedics treated Mr Grimes for hypothermia and he was flown to Bundaberg Hospital for further treatment

The RACQ LifeFlight Rescue chopper assisted with the rescue, the service saying afterwards the elderly man had been extremely difficult to spot and it was only the barking of his dogs that alerted them to his location.

The helicopter pilot landed the aircraft near the scene, where a Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedic treated the man for hypothermia.

He was flown to Bundaberg Hospital for further treatment.
Former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro will give evidence before a parliamentary inquiry investigating how he landed a taxpayer-funded trade job in New York.

Labor says the public accountability committee has scheduled a series of hearings after brokering a deal with the government to release three large tranches of documents relating to the appointment of the former NSW Nationals leader.

'This is a victory for the public's right to know and it's a defeat of the government's attempt to cover up these documents and the information they contain,' Labor's Shadow Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said on Thursday.

Mr Barilaro, who was last month announced as the state's Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas, will finally give his side of the story to the upper house inquiry on August 8.

John Barilaro (pictured) will give evidence before a parliamentary inquiry on August 8 on how he landed a taxpayer-funded trade job in New York

The committee held off calling Mr Barilaro until the government made public all the documents it requested about the controversial appointment.

Mr Barilaro relinquished the role less than two weeks after his appointment was announced, as the political fallout heaped increasing pressure on the Perrottet government.

The inquiry's hearings will resume on Wednesday when Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown will make a second appearance.

Another hearing will take place on Friday with multiple witnesses called including Mr Barilaro's former chief-of-staff Siobhan Hamlin, Department of Regional NSW secretary Gary Barnes as well as staff from Investment NSW.

Ms Brown previously told the inquiry she withdrew the $500,000-a-year job offer from her colleague Jenny West after the relationship between Ms West and the government became 'irreconcilable'.

Mr Mookhey says there are new lines of inquiry to quiz Ms Brown over, and questions remain about whether Investment and Trade Minister Stuart Ayres misled the parliament.

'Mr Ayres has some very serious questions to be answering,' Mr Mookhey said.

'How (was it) possible that he could say in parliament that no suitable candidate was found, when he was told that Jenny West was the successful candidate - after a full recruitment process?

'He's either misled the parliament or he's misled the public.'

The former NSW deputy premier relinquished his role as the state's Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas less than two weeks after his appointment was announced

NSW premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured) has strongly defended Mr Barilaro's appointment, claiming the former NSW Nationals leader was the strongest candidate for the role

Mr Ayres, who is in Mumbai with Premier Dominic Perrottet, told reporters on Thursday he had 'absolutely not' misled the parliament about the recruitment process.

He said he had simply relayed information given to him by Ms Brown, adding he maintained complete confidence in her.

The escalating scandal has dogged the pair's trade mission and led to a daily barrage of heated questions.

Mr Ayres said suggestions Ms West was pushed aside from the appointment to make way for Mr Barilaro were not accurate.

'I want to reject categorically that any decisions made at the end of the recruitment process were designed or orchestrated to create an opportunity for John Barilaro, alright,' Mr Ayres said on Thursday.

'That is a preposterous suggestion.'

He insisted Mr Barilaro applied as a private citizen, he did not take phone calls from his former colleague, and his role as a former deputy premier did not give him a leg up into the position.

Stuart Ayres (pictured) told reporters he had 'absolutely not' misled the parliament about the recruitment process after Mr Barilaro was hired for the trade job

Mr Perrottet continued to defend the appointment, saying he believed the former deputy premier was the strongest candidate.

'I think John Barilaro was somebody who had that experience in NSW, and ultimately, from my advice was selected on merit in an independent process.'

Deputy Opposition Leader in the upper house John Graham said Labor was now focused on Mr Ayres' role in the appointment.

'There are real questions about whether or not this appointment was indeed at arm's length,' Mr Graham said.

Plans to recall the NSW Legislative Council on Friday - more than three weeks ahead of schedule - were scrapped after the government agreed to release the additional documents by Monday.

It comes as footage was released of Mr Barilaro getting into a scuffle with a cameraman outside a bar in Manly on Saturday night.

Police are investigating footage that appears to show former deputy premier John Barilaro locked in a scuffle with a cameraman

The video captured the incident unfolded outside of a bar in Manly, on Sydney's northern beaches, on Saturday

The former NSW Nationals leader was pictured earlier in the evening having pizza and drinks at a bar, flanked by a security guard.

A Channel Seven reporter approached him later in the night to ask him questions about Labor blocking his attempts to appear in front of the inquiry into his job appointment.

Mr Barilaro ignored the questions and walked away before he lunged at two cameramen. His security guard threw a microphone into the bush.

His new girlfriend, who was also his former media advisor, later attempted to grab the expensive equipment.

Mr Barilaro then got into a scuffle with cameraman Matt Costello as he appeared to try and grab the camera out of his hands.

Mr Costello attempted to continue filming while blocking Mr Barilaro with his other hand, as the former deputy premier continued to swipe at him.

The group then walked away from the fracas.

The former NSW deputy premier told 2GB on Monday morning that the camera and microphone was shoved in his face.

'The reality is people are now piling on, harassing, intruding, not allowing me to get on with my life, I'm a private citizen,' he said.

'They've turned up with a cameraman, I don't know who it was, all I know is you could see a bright light shining in my bl***y face.'

'All I did was push a camera out of my way, did not manhandle an individual.'
A Chinese community leader accused of planning foreign interference has been committed to stand trial in Victoria's County Court.

Prosecutors allege Di Sanh Duong, 67, made a $37,000 donation to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2020 as a way to interfere with former federal minister Alan Tudge on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.

His defence argued the donation was merely a way for the Chinese Australian community to show they cared during the COVID-19 pandemic in light of anti-Chinese sentiment.

Di Sanh Duong (pictured , leaving Melbourne's Magistrate's Court) has been accused of making a $37,000 donation to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2020 as a way to interfere with former federal minister Alan Tudge on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party

But Melbourne magistrate Susan Wakeling on Thursday found there was sufficient evidence for the case to go to trial in the County Court.

Duong formally pleaded not guilty to a charge of intentionally engaging in conduct with the intention of preparing for, or planning, foreign interference.

Duong was charged in November 2020 following a joint investigation between the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

The 67-year-old, who was the Liberal candidate for the seat of Richmond in the 1996 Victorian election, is the first person charged under Australia's foreign interference laws.

Duong resigned from the Liberal Party following the charges.

The 67-year-old's bail was extended to August 25 when he will appear at the County Court for a directions hearing.

As part of his bail conditions, Duong is not allowed to leave Australia or contact a consulate, embassy, foreign intelligence agency or an elected official.
Nadine Dorries launched an astonishing salvo at Rishi Sunak today, accusing the former chancellor of leading a 'ruthless coup' to remove Boris Johnson from power.

The Culture Secretary, a close ally of the outgoing Prime Minister, used a round of media interviews to attack his decision to quit the government.

Mr Sunak's decision to resign was second only to that of Sajid Javid among a slew of ministerial departures that eventually forced Mr Johnson to call time on his premiership.

Ms Dorries, who is now supporting his leadership rival Liz Truss, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I am bitterly disappointed that Boris Johnson was removed by a ruthless coup, as he was, led largely by Rishi Sunak.'

But her comments led to a fightback from anti-Boris Tories. Critic Roger Gale tweeted: 'Loyalty is a fine thing Nadine Dorries but Mr Johnson was not removed by ''a coup''.

'He was forced to resign when too many of his ministers and backbenchers like myself made it plain that we were no longer prepared to tolerate his casual relationship with the truth.'

Ms Dorries, who is now supporting his leadership rival Liz Truss, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I am bitterly disappointed that Boris Johnson was removed by a ruthless coup, as he was, led largely by Rishi Sunak.'

The Culture Secretary, a close ally of the outgoing Prime Minister, used a round of media interviews to attack the former chancellor's decision to quit the government.

Ms Dorries also played down reports that Mr Johnson is supporting a grassroots Tory effort to keep him in power.

She said he is not backing a campaign to alter party rules and get his name put on the ballot alongside Sunak and Truss.

Tory donor Lord Cruddas has claimed the PM told him he regrets agreeing to leave No10 and wants to stay.

But asked about the petition, she said: 'The Prime Minister actually spoke to me about this a few days ago and he said, just in passing, ''if you hear anything about these people... tell them to stop, it's not right''. They were his words, his exact words.'

She also dismissed a Daily Mirror report that she might consider giving up her relatively safe seat so Mr Johnson does not have to defend his more marginal Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.

Reports suggested that Mr Johnson's allies are worried his 7,000 vote majority might not be enough to hold the West London seat. Her Bedfordshire seat has a majority of more than 24,000, but Ms Dorries said the story was '100 per cent nuclear grade tosh'.

Some 10,000 people claiming to be Tory members backing a petition calling for him to be allowed to enter the current leadership election.

No10 has insisted that he intends to leave office in September but Lord Cruddas, the Tory donor behind the campaign has said the PM is having second thoughts.

Mr Johnson has personally yet to publicly comment on the claim, first made in the Telegraph.

However his former ally Steve Baker said he must quell any desire to reverse his departure.

Anew poll showed 70 per cent of all voters think he was right to quit - and even Tory voters are evenly split.

Ms Dorries defended her attack on Rishi Sunak's expensive attire and said she had warned that a contest to replace Boris Johnson would 'unleash the hounds of hell'.

Asked about her comments on Mr Sunak's expensive suit and shoes, Ms Dorries said: 'Judgment is a huge issue. We are facing a cost-of-living crisis.'

The Liz Truss supporter said there was no barrier to someone wealthy becoming prime minister but 'it's about judgment and it's about who voters can relate to and who voters can relate to and who voters think have walked in their shoes and can understand their lives'.
Half of Russia's army has been wiped out in Ukraine, US intelligence believes.

Some 75,000 soldiers have either been killed or wounded in a little over five months of fighting, American lawmakers were told in a security briefing last night.

It means around half of the pre-invasion force built up along Ukraine's borders is now out of action, which the West estimated to be between 150,000 and 190,000 troops.

Thousands of tanks, armoured vehicles, helicopters, jets and ships have also been blown up, shot down or sunk, costing Russia more than $10billion.

Lawmakers were also told that around 80 per cent of Russia's remaining military is bogged down somewhere in Ukraine, as Putin's invasion grind to a halt.

But that hasn't stopped Russia raining missiles down on northern and eastern Ukraine, leaving civilians dead and injured.

Kyiv was struck by by six missiles fired from a warship in the Black Sea early Thursday, hitting a military unit in the village of Liutizh on the outskirts of the capital - the first time in weeks it has been targeted.

Rescue workers dig a civilian out of the ruins of a destroyed building in the city of Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine, after it was hit by a Russia missile

Emergency crews work at the scene of a Russian missile strike on the city of Bakhmut, in Donbas, that killed at least two people on Wednesday evening

Fifteen people were wounded in the Russian strikes, five of them civilians, Kyiv regional Gov. Oleksiy Kuleba said.

Meanwhile 20 missiles were fired from Russian bases in neighbouring Belarus at Chernihiv, in Ukraine's north, which has also gone weeks without a strike.

Kuleba linked the assaults to the Day of Statehood, a commemoration that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instituted last year and Ukraine marked on Thursday.

'Russia, with the help of missiles, is mounting revenge for the widespread popular resistance, which the Ukrainians were able to organize precisely because of their statehood,' Kuleba told Ukrainian television.

'Ukraine has already broken Russia's plans and will continue to defend itself.'

Bakhmut, a city in the east of Ukraine close to the current frontline, was also shelled today - leaving a house in flames.

It comes after a similar strike yesterday destroyed an apartment building, killing at least two people and injuring one.

Observers believe Russia is focusing on capturing Bakhmut and one other city - Siversk, 20 miles to the north - but is making only limited progress.

Meanwhile British intelligence says Russian troops in Kherson are 'highly vulnerable' to a Ukrainian counter-attack after Kyiv's men destroyed or damaged three major bridges connecting it to the rest of the occupied territories.

Putin's men are now relying on pontoon bridges and ferries to move troops, vehicles and supplies across the Dnipro River after Ukraine blew up Antonovsky Bridge, which is Russia's main road route into and out of the city, overnight Tuesday.

Two other bridges - the Antonovsky Rail Bridge and Nova Khakokva hydroelectric dam bridge - have also been damaged in recent days, and are not fully operational.

The next-closest bridge spanning the Dnipro - Ukraine's main river which splits the country down the middle - is at Zaporizhzhia, some 130 miles from Kherson and in the middle of a city that Ukraine controls and has heavily defended.

Precision HIMARS rockets fired by Ukrainian artillery explode on the Antonovsky Bridge, near Kherson, overnight Tuesday - leaving it impassable

Ukraine has now destroyed the Antonovsky Bridge and damaged the nearby rail bridge and Nova Khakovka dam bridge, isolating Russian troops on the west side of the Dnipro River

It means Russia has no easy way of reinforcing or resupplying its men in Kherson in the event that Ukraine attacks.

The assault would be Ukraine's first major counter-attack of the war and crucial to proving that it can re-take territory seized by Russia.

The UK Ministry of Defence said: 'Ukraine has used its new long range artillery to damage at least three of the bridges across the Dnipro River which Russia relies upon to supply the areas under its control.

'One of these, the 1,000 metre long (3,300ft) Antonovsky Bridge near Kherson city, was damaged last week. Ukraine struck it again on July 27 and it is highly likely that the crossing is now unusable.

'Russia's 49th Army is stationed on the west bank of the Dnipro River and now looks highly vulnerable.

'Similarly, Kherson city, the most politically significant population centre occupied by Russia, is now virtually cut off from the other occupied territories.

'Its loss would severely undermine Russia's attempts to paint the occupation as a success.'

Ukraine is also thought to have damaged or destroyed multiple bridges spanning the Inhulets River which flows north out of Kherson towards the city of Kryvyi Rih.

That means the Kherson region has been split in two: With the city on one side and an open and difficult-to-defend area of countryside to the east.

Kyiv's men are now pushing south from Kryvyi Rih into that area of countryside, with British intel suggesting they have established a toe-hold spanning the Inhulets.

Russian troops in the area now face the unenviable task of having to hold the countryside with no obvious route of retreat if they fail.

Should Ukraine capture the area, it would leave Kherson surrounded on three sides and with the hard-to-cross river at its back.

Ukraine's Defence Ministry said on Twitter the strikes on bridges over the Dnipro created an 'impossible dilemma' for Russia: 'retreat or be annihilated by the Ukrainian army'.

Russian vehicles are seen being transported across the Dnipro using a pontoon bridge, which is far slower than the road bridge and is more vulnerable to attack

Heavy damage is seen to Antonovsky Bridge, in Kherson, after Ukraine used HIMARS missiles to strike it - making it impassable

Kirill Stremousov, the deputy head of the Russian-installed regional administration in Kherson, confirmed the bridge had been hit overnight and traffic had been halted.

But he sought to downplay the damage, insisting that the attack would not affect the outcome of the hostilities 'in any way'.

Ukrainian forces in recent weeks have been clawing back territory in the Kherson region, which fell to Russian forces easily and early after their invasion launched on February 24.

Their counter-offensive, supported by Western-supplied long-range artillery, has seen its forces push closer to Kherson city, which had a pre-war population of under 300,000 people.

Russian forces 'should leave Kherson while it is still possible. There may not be a third warning,' Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhaylo Podolyak said on Twitter after the attack.

The stakes for the Kherson assault are high. Russia will be desperate to hold the city - the only regional capital it has captured since the start of the war, and its sole toe-hold on the western bank of the Dnipro.

Ukraine wants to prove that it can mount a successful large-scale counter-attack against Russia, which is a much-more complicated operation than defence.

Doing so would prove - at least in theory - that Kyiv's ultimate war aim of re-taking all territory seized by Russia since the start of the war is possible.

It would provide a much-needed morale boost and drag Western attention back to the war, likely followed by additional military aid and financial support.

Kyiv will be keenly aware that Russia is throttling gas supplies to its European allies, and that pressure will only increase as winter draws closer.

Without a significant victory to cheer, President Zelensky and his government may have a hard time persuading allies to continue their support.

Ukrainian artillery is pictured firing at Russian positions near Kherson city as Kyiv's forces prepare to launch a major counter-attack

Ukrainian troops use a field gun to fire at Russia troops north of Kharkiv, in the north-east of the country, as they attempt to push Putin's men back

Elsewhere, Ukraine said it had restarted operations at its blockaded Black Sea ports as it moved closer to resuming grain exports with the opening of a coordination centre to oversee a UN-backed deal.

Ukraine and Russia last week agreed a plan with the help of Turkey and the United Nations to allow grain stranded by Moscow's naval blockade to be exported from three ports.

Kyiv has said it hopes to begin sending out the first of millions of tonnes of grain this week despite a missile strike by Russia over the weekend on the port in Odessa.

Ukraine's navy said 'work has resumed' at the export hubs to prepare for ships to be escorted through the mine-infested waters to reach world markets.

As part of the deal, a coordination centre involving Ukrainian and Russian representatives opened in Istanbul to monitor the safe passage for shipping along established routes and oversee inspections for banned weapons.

The blockage of deliveries from two of the world's biggest grain exporters has contributed to a spike in prices that has made food imports prohibitively expensive for some of the world's poorest countries.

Deepening an energy crisis in Europe sparked by the war, Germany's energy regulator said flow of Russian gas via the key Nord Stream pipeline had dropped to 20 percent of capacity on Wednesday from 40 percent.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed EU sanctions for the limited supply, but Berlin has dismissed the explanation and government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann called the reductions a 'power play' by Moscow.

The European Union has been bracing for energy cutbacks and on Tuesday agreed a plan to reduce gas consumption by 15 percent this winter to break its dependence on Russia.

Reacting to Europe's energy concerns, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to boost Ukrainian electricity supplies to European consumers.

'Our export not only allows us to generate foreign currency revenues, but also help our partners withstand the energy pressure from Russia,' Zelensky said in his daily address to the nation Wednesday evening.
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British Gas owner Centrica sparked fury today after announcing profits had risen five fold to 1.34billion - just as it emerged UK household energy bills could rocket to 500 a month amid Russian threats to cut Europe's gas supplies.

The bumper operating profit for the six months to the end of June compared to the 262m recorded in the same period last year. Centrica, which produces energy as well as selling it to households and businesses, announced it would restart its dividend at 1p per share after suspending it for three years.

Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle raged at today's news, saying: 'This is not ''profits'' this is theft from the British people. Each penny of this should be returned with immediate effect.

'People will starve this winter, but the government's failed energy cap (which is as good as a chocolate tea pot) and energy company greed has led to this. This is not ''the global energy price''. 75% of our energy is domestically produced, the cost of production has not increased.'

Struggling consumers took to Twitter to slam the company for 'obscene greed', while Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow, called for it to be nationalised.

Former Energy UK chief Angela Knight also weighed in on the issue, telling TalkTV there was a 'big question mark over those making extraordinary profits from an extraordinary world situation'.

Centrica chief executive Chris O'Shea defended the firm, insisting that the profit jump was not driven by the consumer business.

The businessman - who has previously enjoyed an annual salary of up to 5.7m but announced in February this had reduced to 775,000 after he waived his bonus - added that it was necessary to restart the dividend to support pensioners whose income relies on dividends.

'The source of our profits is not customers' rising energy bills', he said - adding that profits at British Gas had fallen to 98m, down 43 per cent compared with before the energy crisis a year ago.

Centrica said its upstream business, which includes its North Sea operations, saw adjusted operating profit reach 906 million in the first six months of the year - an increase of more than 1,100%.

It came as projections suggested the average household could face a monthly bill of 500 for energy in January 2023, with a prediction of an annual price cap of 3,850.

Wholesale gas prices surged yesterday after Vladimir Putin's regime halved supplies to Europe through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, in what Germany condemned as a 'duplicitous game'.

Today energy giant Shell joined Centrica in reporting bumper profits of 9.4bn in the second quarter - more than double last year's figure of 4.5bn.

UK gas prices are soaring after Russia began throttling off supplies to Europe, causing a global shortage as EU leaders scramble for supplies

EU prices are at near-record levels amid fears Russia could soon turn off the gas tap completely, with leaders already discussing energy rationing

Massive North Sea gas storage site 'could reopen in time for winter' Centrica said it is physically possible for its Rough gas storage site off England's east coast to be open this winter. Centrica is in discussions with the government and is carrying out the necessary engineering work to enable the site to reopen, CEO Chris O'Shea told journalists today on a call about the company's interim results. The site, which closed in 2018, previously provided about 70% of Britain's gas storage capacity. Centrica chief executive Chris O'Shea defended the firm, insisting that the profit jump was not driven by the consumer business Advertisement

Asked if he should use some of this cash to help customers who are facing bills of more than 3,800 from January, Chris O'Shea said that by running British Gas prudently he is saving customers more money.

Without buying its energy in advance, Centrica would have seen a hit of around 4.4 billion, he added.

'I know it's difficult to see the word profits, or dividends, or similar words when people are having a tough time. I'm very conscious of this,' Mr O'Shea said.

'Bear in mind, over the next couple of years we are expecting to pay a windfall tax of probably well over 600 million on our UK gas business off the back of the profits that we're seeing, so a lot of this is going back into society.'

The profit hike comes from the company's nuclear and oil and gas business, not British Gas.

The supply business performed much worse - its profits hit just 98 million, down 43 per cent compared with the same period a year ago, before the energy crisis had properly bitten.

More than 200,000 customers joined British Gas as some of its rivals went out of business over the period.

The business gained 158,000 new accounts when it took over the responsibility to sell gas and electricity to Together Energy's customers.

Together was one of around 30 suppliers that have collapsed in the last year.

Regulator Ofgem assigned its customers to British Gas.

But the business said it had also managed to attract 46,000 customers during the period, who switched to its services voluntarily.

It came as Putin's decision to restrict the flower of gas to Europe pushed up prices across the Continent, with many countries drawing up contingency plans to cut gas and electricity use by 15 per cent in order to conserve supplies and protect families through the winter.

Russia has reduced flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipe which goes to Germany to just 20 per cent capacity, sparking panic

Wholesale gas prices surged yesterday after Vladimir Putin's regime halved supplies to Europe through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline

Disabled woman cancels her direct debit to Scottish Power in protest at soaring energy bill A disabled woman who is scared to use her life-saving feeding machine due to the electricity it uses has cancelled a direct debit to Scottish Power in protest at a hike in her energy bills. Julie Hawkins, 61, was forced to give up her job as a head housekeeper eight years ago when she became ill with Barrett's disease, which means she cannot consume solids and is repeatedly sick, and also suffers from epilepsy. She receives 500 per month in Personal Interdependent Payments, of which 290 goes on energy, 60 is spent on renting a mobility scooter which she needs to leave the house but is too scared to charge up, and spends 24 on a TV licence. Julie Hawkins, 61, has stopped paying Scottish Power Her partner, Stevie Douglas, 51, is a youth worker and pays the rent on their home in Carstairs, South Lanarkshire. Mrs Hawkins says 'it's a blessing' she doesn't eat, as it keeps costs down. She has been embroiled in a row with Scottish Power which encouraged them to switch onto a fixed deal of 72 a month - but claims her direct debit quickly shot up to 290 when the energy cap was raised. After being told the readings were accurate, Julie decided to cancel her direct debit on July 26 and said most of Stevie's income goes on fuel and yellow label food. Mrs Hawkins said: 'I don't know what else to do. I don't know what's going to happen with this direct debit. It's so hard to get them to sit up and take notice. I don't know what's going to happen if they switch it off.' A spokesman for Scottish Power said: 'When Mrs Hawkins became a customer, we based her initial quote on information she provided to us on her energy usage. However, the direct debit amount has since been updated based on actual energy usage at the property. 'We have liaised with Citizens Advice regarding her case and our customer service team has shared information on the support available to her. We understand her frustration and regret the distress caused, but her bills are accurate and based on her actual energy use.' Advertisement

These include turning off street lights, not heating public swimming pools and shutting down production at some major manufacturers, however more drastic measures may be necessary.

Germany and other European nations are racing to buy consignments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) via container from the United States, Africa and the Middle East, however this is pushing up prices and will be insufficient to fill the gap left by Russia.

Any increase in the wholesale cost of gas is pushed through to electricity as it is used as fuel in around 40 per cent of UK power stations.

Separately, there are concerns about the UK's ability to generate enough electricity to keep the lights on this winter, with the gap between maximum supply and maximum demand said to be 'tight'.

The Electricity System Operator has indicated the situation could be particularly difficult in the first half of December.

The current price cap on energy tariffs is due to rise from just under the equivalent of 2,000 a year  based on typical use  in October and again in January.

Initial estimates suggested it would reach around 3,400 in the New Year.

However, analysis by energy industry experts at consultants BFY suggests the new increase in wholesale prices could see the figure hit the equivalent of 3,420 in October and 3,850 in January.

Given that energy use is heavy in January as people keep the central heating and lights on for longer, the bill for that month alone could potentially top 500.

Wholesale gas prices rose to all-time highs of 530p per therm for the coming winter on Wednesday morning.

Moscow has blamed maintenance issues, but the Nord Stream move is widely seen as Moscow 'weaponising' gas and deliberately limiting European supplies in retaliation for western sanctions.

There are fears that Russia could cut off supplies entirely.

Gemma Berwick, senior consultant at BFY, warned that 'any further drops in flows will cause further price increase'.

While Britain has typically received only 4 per cent of its gas from Russia, it is linked by pipelines to Europe and is also reliant on securing LNG cargos, meaning prices in the UK are closely correlated with those on the continent.

Earlier this week, MPs on the business select committee demanded urgent action to improve the help offered to millions facing punishing energy bills this winter.

The Government has announced support for households, ranging from 400 to up to 1,200, but the MPs said this failed to take account of the rises coming this winter.

Committee chairman Darren Jones said: 'Once again, the energy crisis is racing ahead of the Government.

'To prevent millions from dropping into unmanageable debt, it's imperative that the support package is updated and implemented before October, when the squeeze will become a full-on throttling of household finances and further tip the economy towards recession.'

Contingency plans being drawn up by many nations include saving gas by no longer heating public swimming pools and turning off street lights

Wood-burning plant in eco-probe A controversial wood-burning power station faces a 'greenwashing' probe for claiming to be a source of renewable energy despite incinerating millions of trees a year, it emerged yesterday. The Drax power plant in Selby, North Yorkshire, produces around 6 per cent of the UK's electricity and is classed as a source of renewable power, allowing it to claim 900million a year in public subsidies. But the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) found yesterday there is a complaint to answer brought by environmental lawyers claiming that Drax is misleading consumers by portraying itself as a source of green energy. The inquiry will assess whether Drax can legitimately claim this when it burns millions of trees a year. Drax claims burning wood is renewable because trees regrow. The claim will be assessed by a government body, the UK National Contact Point for the OECD. A Drax spokesman said: 'We are engaging with the NCP on next steps.' Advertisement

Today, Martin Lewis called for an urgent package of support to help with soaring energy bills before the next Prime Minister is in place.

He said the 'zombie government' must not wait until the conclusion of the Tory leadership contest to decide on help for households who will face the energy price cap rising to 3,500 or more.

Mr Lewis dismissed the extra help promised by Mr Sunak and Ms Truss during their leadership bids as 'trivial' in the face of bills which are set to be 2,300 a year higher than they were last October.

'I've never seen anything like this,' he said.

'It's going to throw many households into a terribly difficult financial situation that will leave them making some awful choices.'

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the data that informs the price cap suggested it would increase 77 per cent on top of a 52 per cent rise in April, taking the typical bill to 3,500 a year.

'Others say it will be higher,' he warned.

'We are expecting it to rise again in January.'

Mr Lewis said the choice facing the Government was 'you either have to cut prices for people or you have to put more money in their pockets, especially at the poorest level'.

But he added: 'The problem is we have this zombie government at the moment that can't make any big decisions.'

There are concerns about the UK's ability to generate enough electricity to keep the lights on this winter. Pictured: Street lighting in London
BBC presenter Nicky Campbell believes that his former teacher abused hundreds of boys at two elite private schools in Scotland and might 'be one of the most prolific paedophiles in British criminal history'.

The broadcaster, 61, said today that the teacher - who he refers to as Edgar - was at his school Edinburgh Academy before moving on to Fettes College, the alma mater of former PM Tony Blair.

He said if you take into consideration the career of the man - who is still alive, now 82, and living in South Africa - over the span of 30 years than the alleged abuse could be more widespread.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, Mr Campbell said: 'He could well be one of the most prolific paedophiles in British criminal history if you do the maths and look at how long he taught and how many schools he was at.'

He claimed on Wednesday that in 1971, aged 10, he witnessed the man - who has more than 20 child abuse allegations to his name under the ongoing Scottish Child Abuse Enquiry - abusing one of his friends in Edinburgh Academy's showers after rugby training.

'My friend is laughing but I know from the fear in it that it's not a good laugh,' Campbell recounted. 'When we walk to the bus stop we don't even talk about it and we'd never tell.'

He wants to bring 'Edgar', to justice, who is proving difficult to extradite. 'I think it's an absolute scandal that the extradition process is kind of like yeah whatever,' he said.

The broadcaster, 61, (pictured as a child) said today that the teacher - who he refers to as Edgar, not his real name - was at his school Edinburgh Academy before moving on to Fettes College, the alma mater of former PM Tony Blair

Nicky Campbell told BBC Breakfast this morning that his former teacher abused hundreds of boys at two elite private schools in Scotland and might 'be one of the most prolific paedophiles in British criminal history'

It was revealed by the broadcaster yesterday that another teacher, who taught him history, abused him aged 12.

Mr Campbell - whose voice regularly broke as he recounted his experiences on his podcast, Different - said he 'put me - and others - over his knee in mirthful moments where, behind the laughter of the class, he'd tickle, his fingers wandering over my genitals'.

The teacher, Hamish Dawson, is now dead and was not prosecuted for any offences, he said.

When talking to Naga Munchetty today, he said his focus is now on 'Edgar' because he can get justice for those children today.

The broadcaster also criticised the delay in extradition of the teacher which he says has been blamed on everything from Brexit to the teacher's age.

He said: 'All of those little boys in the changing room [...] are being denied justice.'

He also claims that he thinks the teachers at his school, Edinburgh Academy, knew the abuse was going on given how prevalent and widespread it was known among the pupils.

When talking to Naga Munchetty (right) today, Mr Campbell (left) said his focus is now his teacher 'Edgar' as he can get justice for those children today

The broadcaster, 61, also described how, aged 12, his history teacher 'put me - and others - over his knee in mirthful moments where, behind the laughter of the class, he'd tickle, his fingers wandering over my genitals'. Pic: Campbell aged 10

Mr Campbell added: 'They must have known what was going on those teachers because he was sent away for psychiatric treatment at one point.

'If you work it out throughout his 30-year career, the boys he must have abused and extrapolate and do the math, we're talking 100s.'

When asked by Ms Munchetty why it has not been spoken about until now, he said: 'I don't know why. Maybe we were protecting our parents, maybe because it was so ubiquitous we felt it was OK.'

He called the man's abuse 'prolific' and claimed he was allowed to move to different schools.

'He got letters of reference from school to school to school to school saying how marvellous he was,' Mr Campbell said. 'He was sent away for psychiatric treatment at one point and then was cured six months later.

'And I found out in the Scottish child abuse report it is known that he abused up to half of his class at any one time, which was his modus operandi.

'We on the other hand knew about it and knew how prevalent it was and we just kind of accepted it because how could it be wrong?'

Nicky Campbell yesterday spoke for the first time about witnessing and experiencing sexual and violent physical abuse as a young schoolboy at a Scottish private school during the 1970s

The former Watchdog presenter added he 'couldn't have spoken about the school' when his mother and father 'were alive' because of the sacrifices they made to send him to private school.

He also called on a change of the rules for private schools who are not subject the same safeguarding requirements as state schools.

Mr Campbell added: 'There is no mandatory reporting in the private sector and you think now with our understanding and sensibilities he would be.

'Schools like that fostered a culture of omerta and not telling and keeping the secrets and these are the people who have been running the country.'

Campbell, who was born in the Scottish capital and attended Edinburgh Academy before going on to study at the University of Aberdeen, also shared his memories of being physically beaten by teachers.

A paedophile school teacher allegedly molested dozens of school boys at Edinburgh Academy (pictured) in the 70s

'I was badly beaten up at school by a teacher who was a leading light in the Scripture Union,' he told BBC 5 Live on Wednesday.

'My mother took it as far as she could and got a grovelling apology from (the man involved), but was essentially stonewalled and it was hushed up by the school.

Nicky aged around five as a young schoolboy in Edinburgh in 1966, with his sister Fiona. He said the abuse he witnessed has had a 'profound' effect on his life

'Those were different times and that has stayed with me all my life.'

Campbell, recounting the alleged abuse he saw in a changing room shower, said: 'I cannot describe it here and I can never unsee it.

'This man was known to us all as a predator and a sadist but we never told anyone.

'My school friends and I talk about it now with each other with again - contempt, disbelief and incomprehension that sort of thing happened in plain sight and nothing was done.

'And why didn't we as little boys tell anyone in power what was happening? I don't know.'

Campbell worked with journalist and child sex abuse victim Alex Renton to tell his story.

Speaking on his podcast, Campbell said the reason he has chosen to come forward is to bring the man to justice.

In a statement provided to the BBC, Edinburgh Academy said it 'deeply regrets' the alleged incidents and 'wholeheartedly' apologised to those involved.

'We have worked closely with the relevant authorities including Police Scotland with their inquiries and would like to provide reassurance that things have dramatically changed since the 1970s,' the statement read.

'The Academy has robust measures in place to safeguard children at the school with child protection training now core to the ethos of the Academy.'

Tony Blair's old private school Fettes College has also paid out 400,000 to a former pupil who claimed he was beaten and sexually abused by a teacher.

The school was sued by a man, known as Frank, who gave evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

It settled damages out of court, in the first known legal victory against the prestigious Edinburgh school where boarding fees can reach 36,500.

Some 20 former pupils have raised actions for damages with more than a dozen naming the same former master and payments could total more than 15 million.

Fettes College is a private coeducational independent boarding and day school in Edinburgh, Scotland, with over two-thirds of its pupils in residence on campus

Frank claims he was 'beaten and sexually abused' from the age of 12 by an former-maths teacher now living in South Africa, known as Edgar.

Former pupil Frank attended Fettes Junior School and Fettes College as a day student between 1975 and 1981 and says abuse happened in the classroom.

In a statement to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, Fettes made a 'full and unreserved apology'.

It said: 'While words of apology may have limited worth, we fully accept and recognise in the past there was sexual, physical and emotional abuse of pupils while at Fettes College.'

NSPCC Scotland's assistant director, Neil Mcintosh said in a statement: 'It can be extremely difficult to speak out about experiencing or witnessing child sexual abuse, no matter when it took place, and Nicky Campbell has shown real courage in publicly talking about what he suffered in the very institutions that are meant to protect young people.'

He added: 'It is crucial that all learnings that come out of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry are fully taken on board by all institutions and acted upon quickly, if changes are needed.'

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service refused to make a comment to the Times but did say the case against the teacher living in South Africa is still active.
A military museum in Poland has appealed for 'lusty' visitors to stop having sex at the historic site.

Part of a former 19th-century Prussian fortress, the Fort Gerhard museum in the coastal town of Swinoujscie said that after installing new security cameras they had spotted numerous 'amorous guests' in the act.

Writing on its social media page, the Coastal Defence Museum said: 'Our guests are kindly requested how can we put it no ars amandi [the art of love] in the museum, please!'

A military museum in Poland has appealed for 'lusty' visitors to stop having sex

Fort Gerhard museum in Swinoujscie is part of a 19th-century Prussian fortress

After installing CCTV the museum team spotted numerous 'amorous guests' in the act

The post added: 'We ask our amorous guests to be understanding  most of the exhibits in our museum are from many years ago and accustomed to entirely different moral norms  conservative, even orthodox and abstemious.

'Let's not expose them to discomfort!'

The museum's website says its exhibits range from 'the times of Frederick the Great to the end of the Cold War'.

They said: 'We ask our amorous guests to be understanding  most of the exhibits in our museum are from many years ago and accustomed to entirely different moral norms  conservative, even orthodox and abstemious. Let's not expose them to discomfort!'

The museum's website says its exhibits range from 'the times of Frederick the Great to the end of the Cold War'

Museum director Piotr Piwowarczyk told local newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza: 'In less than a month we have already had three recordings of lovers engaged in trysts'

'Visitors to the fort have various temperaments, some of them very conservative. We don't want them to be shocked during their visit by stumbling across a couple engaged in lustful antics'

Museum director Piotr Piwowarczyk told local newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza: 'In less than a month we have already had three recordings of lovers engaged in trysts.

'Visitors to the fort have various temperaments, some of them very conservative.

'We don't want them to be shocked during their visit by stumbling across a couple engaged in lustful antics.'

He added that the rumpy-pumpy seekers may be attracted by the museum's 'dark corners' without realising they are being watched

The museum said that visitors who are unable to control themselves should instead head to one of the local beaches

Sex in public is illegal in Poland and those caught in lewd conduct face either detention, a non-custodial sentence or a fine of 1,500 zloty (around 250)

He added that the rumpy-pumpy seekers may be attracted by the museum's 'dark corners' without realising they are being watched.

The museum said that visitors who are unable to control themselves should instead head to one of the local beaches.

According to Polish law, sex in public is illegal and those caught in lewd conduct face either detention, a non-custodial sentence or a fine of 1,500 zloty (around 250).
Racism causes Asian Americans "collective trauma," says expert

Xinhua) 16:34, July 28, 2022

SAN FRANCISCO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Asian Americans continue experiencing racist hate despite their efforts to fight against racism over the past two years, which has been "devastating and traumatizing," said a California-based researcher on Wednesday.

For two years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, about 11,500 anti-Asian hate incidents have been reported across the country to Stop AAPI Hate, a website that aims to fight hate against Asian, American, Pacific and Islander communities by collecting racist hate cases.

"These cases are really traumatizing. I'm arguing this is a period of collective racial trauma," said Russell Jeung, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University, at a webinar while discussing the findings of their latest report.

The report, Two Years and Thousands of Voices, provides deeper insight into the racism and discrimination the Asian American community has been facing since the pandemic.

The racism falls under different categories, including civil rights violations, online racism and physical assault. Over the first two years of the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center (March 19, 2020 to March 31, 2022), individuals across the country have reported 11,467 incidents, according to the report.

Among those incidents, two in three involved harassment, such as verbal or written hate speech or inappropriate gestures. More than one in nine incidents included possible civil rights violations, such as discrimination in a business or workplace, said the report.

While one in ten incidents occurred online. The number is significant because "our young people are on screens a lot," said Jeung.

Hate happens everywhere -- in both large cities and small towns, in Asian American enclaves and places where Asian American communities are few and far between, said the report.

According to the report, California is the state that witnessed most of the incidents (4,333), followed by New York (1,840) and Washington (556). "That's just the tip of the iceberg. Our national representative survey last year found that one out of five Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders experienced some form of hate in the past year, so that's 4 million cases of hate," Jeung said at the webinar.

"The trends have been really consistent. Our communities are being racially profiled," he said. "And half of our cases involve people making anti-Chinese remarks. Our youth, the elderly and women are more often targeted."

The report also proposes an approach to addressing anti-AAPI hate: to educate the public about AAPI histories and cultures, and invest in community-based programs to support the healing of victims and survivors and to prevent violence before it starts.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
The Biden administration plans to declare monkeypox a public health emergency in the coming days, following the World Health Organization decision last weekend, sources claim.

According to the law that specifies how and when the federal government can declare such an emergency, HHS might then take several actions, including obtaining fresh funding and assigning new people, as reported by Politico.

The announcement of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is expected by the end of the week, according to the sources with access to the situation. However, the choice has not yet been made, and an HHS representative stated that the agency continues to "explore options."

According to a White House spokeswoman, there are currently no updates as of current reporting.

As health professionals in the US and at the WHO indicated this week that there is little risk to the general population, Biden officials have been debating for days whether to declare monkeypox a public health emergency.

In recent years, the HHS has proclaimed several public health emergencies, including COVID-19 and the opioid crisis.

Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, noted: "We're having a lot of challenges around the country with their rate of rise in terms of new cases. It isn't an emergency posing a ... high threat to the general population. But it's still moving ... and has the potential to spread to additional vulnerable communities.00"0

More Monkeypox Vaccine Rollout Soon

Meanwhile, AP News reported US health authorities announced Wednesday that almost 800,000 of the monkeypox vaccine will soon be made available for distribution.

The development comes amid mounting criticism that the government has been too slow to distribute the vaccine, thus squandering the chance to end what may soon develop into a persistent infectious disease.

The Food and Drug Administration declared almost two weeks ago that the factory in Denmark where Bavarian Nordic fills vaccine vials had undergone all required inspections. On Wednesday, the FDA announced via Twitter that the certification was complete. Since the dosages arrived in the country, they would be ready for distribution whenever the "manufacturing changes" were finalized.

Read Also: Japanese Law Enforcement Forced To Act as Monkeys go on Rampage, Snatching Babies in Southwestern City

More than 310,000 doses of the two-shot Jynneos vaccine were already distributed to state and local health departments. However, clinics in New York, San Francisco, and other significant cities claim they still lack sufficient injections to satisfy demand.

What To Know About Monkeypox

Outside of the central and west African nations where it is prevalent, monkeypox, which produces flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, has been primarily spreading among men who have sex with men in the present outbreak. The primary method of disease transmission is close contact.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that there were over 4,600 cases of monkeypox in the country. With the majority of infections occurring among males who have sex with other men, New York City continues to be the focal point of the outbreak.

More than 14,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported so far this year in more than 60 different countries, with five fatalities occurring in Africa, as reported by The Guardian.

Related Article: Anthony Fauci Confidently Dares Republicans To Investigate Him, Days After Pledging To Resign Before End of Joe Biden's First Term

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Rishi Sunak today vowed to ban the building of new homes in the countryside as he prepares to face Liz Truss in the Tory leadership contenders' first grilling from party members.

In a move that appeared designed to appeal to shire Tories, he said that if he wins he will outlaw building in 'green belt' areas - specially designated rural locations that prevent urban sprawl.

Instead he pledged to have a policy that was 'be 'brownfield, brownfield, brownfield' - only allowing development of areas that have already been built on.

But it comes as the UK faces a massive shortfall in housing with warnings that throttled demand and soaring prices are forcing an entire generation into renting for life.

Mr Sunak said: 'Green belt land is extremely precious in the UK. Over the last few years we've seen too many examples of local councils circumventing the views of residents by taking land out of the green belt for development, but I will put a stop to it.

'Under my plans, if a local community has clearly judged a development to be inappropriate there are no circumstances in which planning permission should be granted.

'More homes can be built while protecting the green belt and our most precious landscapes.'

Ms Truss, who was raised in Leeds, last night attempted to woo northern Tories with a pledge to build new high speed rail in the region.

She vowed to implement the Northern Powerhouse Rail plan that would spend billions on a high-speed link between Liverpool and Leeds, via Manchester and Bradford.

The plan to link major northern cities was shelved by Boris Johnson last year.

In a move that appeared designed to appeal to shire Tories, he said that if he wins he will outlaw building in ''green belt' areas - specially designated rural locations that prevent urban sprawl.

But it comes as the UK faces a massive shortfall in housing with warnings that throttled demand and soaring prices are forcing an entire generation into renting for life.

Ms Truss, who was raised in Leeds, last night attempted to woo northern Tories with a pledge to build new high speed rail in the region.

The premier was accused of giving his crucial Red Wall voters 'scraps off the table' after the HS3 line was axed in November.

Speaking to the Northern Agenda politics newsletter, Ms Truss said: 'I want to build an aspiration nation that unleashes opportunity for all, no matter where you live or where you grow up. We need to drive growth and business investment to bring new and better jobs to the North.

'We will build the Northern Powerhouse Rail to link up communities and unlock potential across the North. That's how we will bring better jobs to the North and address productivity.'

And peaking to reporters in Leeds today she added: "I grew up in Leeds, I know how poor the transport is and frankly, it's not got much better since I was a teenager getting the bus into Leeds city centre.

"What I want to see is really fantastic rail services, better roads so people are able to get into work.'

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, which campaigns for more funding for the north, said: 'The outgoing Prime Minister broke his promises to the north when he published the Integrated Rail Plan.

'This would bring back government support for the original Northern Powerhouse vision of a single travel to work area across the Pennines, driving up productivity to secure growth for UK plc.

'Whoever becomes the next Prime Minister should build the new line from Manchester, connecting the Airport, through to Bradford with services across to Leeds.'

The premier was accused of giving his crucial Red Wall voters 'scraps off the table' after the HS3 line was axed in November.

Tax and spending are likely to be key points of contention tonight as the hopefuls begin their summer tour of the country, taking questions from party members who will ultimately decide who gets the keys to No 10 in September.

Other potential topics up for debate include immigration, identity politics, Brexit, defence, climate change and the NHS.

Mr Sunak will seek to regain his footing after he was accused of 'flip-flopping' on his fiscal policy, as he pledged to temporarily slash VAT on energy bills despite repeatedly branding Ms Truss's tax-cutting plans as 'comforting fairy tales'.

He said he would remove VAT from domestic energy bills for a year if the price cap, currently just under 2,000 a year for the average home, exceeds 3,000 as is forecast by experts.

On Wednesday, the Foreign Secretary said she welcomed the pledge but challenged her rival to 'do more' and reverse the national insurance rise.

She said during a visit to Romford: 'I welcome the fact that he is now saying that we should cut taxes because that's what we need to do.

'I'd like to see more. I'd like to see him commit to going and reversing the national insurance rise because that national insurance rise has hit families in the pocket.'

Mr Sunak had rejected calls for a VAT cut to energy bills in February, telling the Commons 'there would be no guarantee that suppliers would pass on the discounts to all customers'.

Meanwhile, in a video clip on Twitter, the former chancellor said he had 'another great day' campaigning in Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.

He told his followers: 'We have been talking about everything on people's minds, tackling the cost of living, how we realise the benefits of Brexit.'

Former chief whip Mark Harper, who is supporting Mr Sunak, defended the ex-chancellor's decision to announce his pledge to cut VAT at this stage in the contest.

Asked why Mr Sunak did not open his campaign with those plans, he told BBC Newsnight: 'He's announced it because it looks like the energy price cap may rise higher by several hundred pounds than we had thought it would.

'And he's always said very consistently, that if he needed to do more, he would.

'And he's announced this particular policy now partly so that those people listening to this programme at home will have some peace of mind that if he were elected prime minister that actually he is always going to have their back in the same way he did during the pandemic.'

Later, Mr Sunak announced plans to make 'downblousing' a criminal offence, as part of a major crackdown on sex offenders, to protect women and girls.

Ms Truss has also promised to introduce a standalone offence to criminalise street harassment, and a national domestic abuse register.

The hustings is the first of 12 for Tory members to quiz the final two candidates before voting closes on September 2, and will be a key moment for the pair to shore up support for their campaigns, following bitter clashes over policy.

The event will be held in Leeds, with Ms Truss expected to meet voters in the city in the morning.

It comes as mayors from across the North of England have written to the two contenders to express concerns about the Government's plans for northern transport.

Andy Burnham, Tracy Brabin, Steve Rotheram, Oliver Coppard and Jamie Driscoll called on the winning candidate to meet with them to agree a 'better way forward for the North'.

'This is a critical decision that will affect the lives of generations of Northerners to come. We owe it to them to show the highest possible ambition for what the North of England can be in the future,' they wrote.
A self-styled Lord has won his case against his siblings that their mother left him 300,000 so he could look after her parrots.

Bret McLean, 47, who calls himself 'Lord of Hastings' has been locked in a dispute with Ian Mclean, 61, and two other step-siblings, who were completely cut out of their mother's will.

Maureen McLean - the second wife of Ian's late father Reginald - changed her will in late 2019 to leave all the couple's wealth to 'Lord' Brett.

Reginald and Maureen made wills in 2017 splitting their wealth four ways between their son Brett and his step-siblings from Reginald's first marriage: Ian, ex-squaddie Sean McClean and their sister Lorraine Pomeroy.

Brett McLean, 47, the self-styled Lord of Hastings, (right) pictured with former Prime Minister David Cameron (left)

Reginald and Maureen McLean (pictured with Brett) left a will sharing their wealth equally between their four children and step-children in 2017. Maureen changed it 11 days before her death in 2019 to leave it all to Brett

Reginald had 'trusted his wife implicitly' and believed there was 'no way' she would cut out her step-children after he died, the court was told.

But following Reginald's death, Maureen changed her will to leave everything to her titled son, who describes himself online as 'chairman, consultant, patron, trustee and president of national, regional and local business, charitable and voluntary organisations'.

Ian slammed Brett as 'pretentious' in court as the step-siblings sued to force him to split the inheritance he received four ways.

Brett claimed his mum left him her house in Seaside Road, St Leonards, East Sussex, primarily so that he could 'continue to provide care for her green Amazonian orange winged parrot'.

Recorder Graeme Robertson has now handed victory to Brett, ruling that whilst Maureen 'may have been morally bound' not to cut out her stepkids after her husband's death she was not legally bound.

Maureen left Brett the family home in Seaside Road - he claims so he could look after her pet parrots

Brett leaving Central London County Court. He told the court his mother had good reason to leave everything to him

Ian McLean (left) and Sean McLean (right) argued their father would have wanted the inheritance to be split four ways

Central London County Court heard that Reginald left his first wife and their three children in the 1960s and later got together with Maureen, with their son Brett being born around a decade later.

Brett - who is not a peer - was living in the family house when his parents died and it is still currently his home.

The house forms most of the wealth the couple left behind, with similar properties in the road having sold recently for between 300,000 and 400,000.

In 2017, Reginald and Maureen drew up wills and sent letters to all the step-siblings, stating that the house and the rest of their joint estate would be shared equally between all four children.

Reginald's wealth passed to his wife when he died, but just 11 days before her deatth Maureen changed her will - leaving it all to Brett.

The step-siblings' lawyer argued the 2017 wills were 'mutual in nature, with Reginald and Maureen expressly agreeing that neither would revoke or alter the terms of the wills made'.

'It is apparent and should be inferred from the facts of this case that there was a contractual arrangement, whether express or implied, between Reginald and Maureen to the effect that neither would later change their will without informing the other or following the death of the other.' Brett told the court in his written submissions that his mum had good reason to leave everything to him.

'The defendant's mother left her entire estate to her only biological son - the defendant - so that he can continue to provide care for her green Amazonian orange-winged parrot and yellow and orange jenday (parakeet) and to continue providing housing for her son, as she knew the claimants all owned their own properties and would benefit from their mother's will when the time arrives, and because her son did not have a property or a family because he had devoted his life to caring for his parents as he felt morally duty bound to do so.

'The defendant's mother left her entire estate to her only living dependant so he would have shelter and a place to live whilst remaining a caretaker to her parrot and jenday.

'She would be able to continue providing for and protecting her son after she was gone,' he said.

Ruling on the case, the judge acknowledged that Brett 'has been living at Seaside Road since his mother's death, where he takes care of his mother's parrot and jenday.

'The defendant says that, in contrast to the claimants, he does not have a partner or family of his own, nor his own real property.

'He alleged that his mother wanted him to remain living in Seaside Road, where he could take care of her parrot and jenday after she had died.

'These, he says, are reasons why Maureen would have wanted to leave the entirety of her and Reginald's estate to him, and why she would not have agreed not to change her will.'

The judge went on to say that Brett had 'ascribed opinions to his mother that, I suspect, are in fact his own, such as his statement that he 'believed' his mother wanted to provide for him, as someone who does not own property of his own, instead of the claimants, who do.

'He was careful to express that idea as a 'belief' on his part, rather than as a report of something his mother had said.'

But he concluded that the solicitor who helped Reginald and his wife draw up the mirror wills in 2017 'told Reginald that there was no guarantee, even if he and his wife were making mirror wills, that Maureen would not change her will and leave the entire estate to Brett.

'Reginald explained that he trusted his wife implicitly and there was no way she would do this,' he said.

'The specific issue of mutual wills was not discussed.

'Reginald and Maureen both made the 2017 wills on the basis of their trust in one another, and, as [the solicitor's] evidence showed, they did not contemplate a situation where either would wish to change them.

'In my judgment, therefore, there was no legally binding agreement between Maureen and Reginald that they would not revoke or change the 2017 wills without the consent of the other.

'Maureen may have been morally bound, but she was not legally bound.'

'Maureen was therefore legally entitled to change her will and make the 2019 will leaving her estate to Brett,' the judge concluded.
Jeff Bezos has helped his parents snap up a six-bedroom, seven-bathroom waterfront mega-mansion in Florida's Coral Gables in Miami for $34million.

And Mike and Jackie Bezos are also eyeing up the property next door for a cool $40million.

The multi-billionaire founder of Amazon - notorious for the claim that hard-pressed workers were forced to pee into bottles - has generously helped the parents who raised him make the combined $74million mega-purchase, the NY Post reports.

The deal went through around the same time as Bezos, 58, was spotted yesterday walking through London's high-end Mayfair area hand in hand with his TV personality girlfriend Lauren Sanchez, 52.

Earlier this week he enjoyed a private tour of Buckingham Palace before dinner at a private member's club with Tom Cruise.

His parents' new luxury 12,000 square foot waterfront estate with ocean access is described as a '2021 Masterpiece' and one of only two in the gated community - with the other thought to soon be Mike and Jackie's property, too.

Although the next-door property is listed as currently not for sale, this suggests that Bezos might have to use all his charm and financial might to convince the current occupants to part with their home.

Jeff Bezos (center) has helped his parents, Jackie Bezos and Mike Bezos, snap up a six-bedroom, seven-bathroom waterfront mega-mansion in Florida's Coral Gables in Miami for $34million

His parents' new luxury 12,000 square foot waterfront estate with ocean access is described as a '2021 Masterpiece' and one of only two in the gated community. It includes an expansive pool area featuring a fully equipped kitchen and dining area with a barbeque grill

Bezos' parents will make room in a six-bedroom, seven-bathroom waterfront mega-mansion in Florida 's Coral Gables in Miami

The property was bought by a Delaware company linked to Bezos' parents with the help of a $5million loan from the Bank of America.

Forgotten Fountain LLC shares an address with the Bezos Family Foundation on Mercer Island in Washington state, which has been run by Mike and Jackie Bezos, Jeff's mother and stepfather, respectively, for 25 years.

The mansion was previously owned by Raul Calvoz and Raquel Cordon, the former CEO of PetsMD, who bought it in 2018 for $8.5million and then undertook a complete gut renovation.

A fixer-upper, which might go some way to explaining the quadrupling in the property's value in just four years.

Set on almost 2 acres, the estate features 200 feet of water views, covered terraces, second-story terraces, and an expansive pool area featuring a fully equipped kitchen and dining area with a barbeque grill.

Inside the mansion, the cook that Bezos' parents hired will be delighted to find an 'epicurean dream' chef's kitchen featuring a gas cooktop, a cooking island, a food warmer, double ovens, and an expansive window overlooking the pool and waterway.

The estate features a chef's kitchen with a gas cooktop, a cooking island, a food warmer, double ovens, and an expansive window overlooking the pool and waterway, pictured

The modern mansion went for a cool $34million - with the help of a $5million loan from the Bank of America

The new luxury 12,000 square foot waterfront estate with ocean access is described as a '2021 masterpiece' and one of only two in the gated community

Set on almost 2 acres, the estate features 200 feet of water views, covered terraces, second-story terraces, and an expansive pool area featuring a fully equipped kitchen and dining area with a barbeque grill

Amazon boss Jeff Bezos took his TV personality girlfriend Lauren Sanchez out to dine with Family at the Wolesley in London

And on quiet winter weekends, the octogenarians can enjoy the gym and indoor climbing wall, and then afterwards settle in to the wine cellar or tour the nine-car garage.

Although a helping hand from their successful son may have been welcome, Mike and Jackie Bezos were already thought to be independently wealthy and may have been able to afford it anyway.

Aside from the wealth generated by Mike's career in the oil industry, the couple also made a $250,000 investment in their son's one trillion dollar company back in the 1990s.

The house was originally listed for $25.8 million in 2020, so it looks like real estate broker Lourdes Alatriste of Douglas Elliman, who represented both the buyer and seller, struck a canny deal between her clients.

Meanwhile, the transaction on the adjacent home, which last sold in 2019 for $14 million, is expected to close soon for $40 million. That home spans over 8,700 square feet and is made up of five bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Jeff Bezos' biological father, Ted Jorgensen. Bezos was raised by his adopted step-father, Miguel 'Mike' Bezos

Jeff Bezos, the third richest man in the world after Elon Musk and Bernard Arnault, with a net worth of more than $140 billion, according to Forbes, has assembled quite the property portfolio over the years.

The former Amazon CEO - who stepped down in February 2021 - directly or indirectly owns multimillion dollar homes in New York, Washington DC, LA, Beverly Hills, Texas, Seattle, and now Florida.

There were even rumors that he was trying to buy his parents a property in Maui, Hawaii.

Bezos founded space company Blue Origin as far back as 2000. It was another investment to pay off, as in 2020 the company sent its billionaire founder into space at an altitude of 61 miles on the New Shepard spacecraft.

He was born to Jacklyn in 1964, when she was just 17 and still in school.

Jackie divorced Bezos' father, Ted, in 1965 and married Miguel 'Mike' Bezos shortly after.

Mike agreed to adopt Jeff and raised him as his own when he was four years old.

Mike came from a Cuban immigrant family and worked as an engineer for Exxon when he moved to the US.

The sum of $245,573 that they lent him, in the form of an investment into his new company Amazon, in 1995, was considered not just a huge amount but also a massive risk, as people were still skeptical of the internet.

But the gamble paid off, as their son is now a multi-billionaire and the proud parents are the owners of a new Miami mansion.
The poisoned British father and son who were killed in Bangladesh had mysterious 'light blue and brown liquids in their nose', police sources have revealed.

Rafiqul Islam, who is in his 50s, and Mahiqul Islam, 16, were found dead in a rented flat locked from the inside in the Tajpur area of Sylhet.

The taxi driver's wife Hosne Ara Islam, 40, their daughter Samira Islam, 19, and son Sadikul Islam, 21, were also found unconscious on Tuesday.

Samira remains in a critical condition and the trio are still in hospital at Sylhet's MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

Police are still baffled at how the family were poisoned but investigators found liquids in the nose of the father and son during an autopsy, local outlet Prothomalo reported.

The hospitalised wife also had injuries on her forehead, and only she and her daughter had eaten on Monday night, further puzzling police.

The flat also had no air conditioning.

Sylhet district superintendent of police Farid Uddin said: 'How were they poisoned? How did they die? We will be able to confirm after an investigation.'

'But, at first glance, it looks like murder using poison.'

Rafiqul Islam, who is in his 50s, has been named as one of the victims of the Bangladesh poisoning

The family rented an apartment in the same building that Hosne Ara Islam's family lived in the Osmani Nagar district of Sylhet of Bangladesh

Rafiqul's brother-in-law Abdul Mumin Khan told the BBC: 'I didn't know what to do or what to say.

'Everyone is very sad. Everybody is crying. My wife, all the time, is crying. I am crying as well.

'I can't believe this has happened. This person is very friendly, a very nice guy. His son is very sweet and friendly. Everyone likes him and he likes everyone. His son is a very, very nice boy.'

The family rented the flat in the same building as his in-laws on July 18 to help treat one of their sons who was sick.

Police have confirmed they came to Bangladesh on July 12 and that they moved into the flat where they were found on July 18.

Uddin told WalesOnline it was believed the incident is a case of poisoning but an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

He said: 'After discussing the overall situation with the doctors and inspecting the scene we believe this may have been a case of poisoning. The investigation is ongoing into whether it is poisoning or something else.'

He also confirmed that close relatives of the family lived in the same building.

Police took Raiqul's father-in-law Anfor Ali, mother-in-law Badrunnesa, brother-in-law Delwar Hossain and Delwar's wife Shova Begum for questioning, said Uddin.

The city of Sylhet (pictured) in east Bangladesh, where Rafiqul Islam, who is in his 50s, and his son Mahiqul Islam, 16, were found poisoned in a house along with three other members of their family who are currently in hospital

Speaking to local media on Tuesday, he said: 'The other people in the building are close relatives of the victims.

'We questioned them. At the moment we believe they fell asleep after dinner last night. This must be investigated further.'

After dinner on Monday, July 25, police say the family fell asleep in the same room. Between 10am and 10.30am on Tuesday their relatives tried to open the door to the flat.

They called the police when they heard no sounds inside. Police found the door locked, broke it open, and recovered the five unconscious victims inside. District superintendent Uddin said the investigation was continuing.

One neighbour of the family in Cardiff said: 'My [family member] called me in the morning saying two passed and that three members of the family were in hospital.

I thought maybe it had been an accident and then we heard something about poisoning. What happened is just speculation at the moment. It's really sad.

'We've been living near them for more than 25 years. They are a quiet family who do their own thing. I couldn't believe it, I've been getting so many phone calls. They were just a nice, neat family. They've been away for a couple of weeks.'

A second neighbour added: 'I'm a taxi driver as well and I've known them around 20 years. I know [Rofikul] - he's a really good guy. I found out on social media. We just thought they were going on holiday to Bangladesh.'

Labour councillor for Riverside Kanaya Singh spoke to WalesOnline about the incident. He said: 'Clearly this is a worrying and tragic event. Everyone I have spoken to in the community speaks very highly of the family and our thoughts are with them.

'There is also a great deal of concern because many people from Riverside go to Bangladesh on a regular basis. I hope that the authorities are able to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible.'
A prison staffer has been caught allegedly stealing more than $100,000 from prisoners, who had their money secured onsite in a safe.

Police launched an investigation on Wednesday when the pile of cash was discovered missing, along with the Adelaide Remand Centre corrections officer who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The worker, employed by private operator Serco, was detained a short time later in North Adelaide by detectives who allege they also found a large amount of cash.

A prison staffer has been caught allegedly stealing more than $100,000 from prisoners, who had their money secured onsite in a safe

Police launched an investigation on Wednesday when the pile of cash was found to be missing, along with the Adelaide Remand Centre (pictured) corrections officer who cannot be named for legal reason

Adelaide Advertiser reports the money allegedly belongs to inmates being held in remand at the facility.

Under normal circumstances, if they are convicted the money is banked on their behalf or given to relatives.

If acquitted by the court, the cash is returned to them upon release.

Jason Burdon, 33, escaped from the Adelaide Remand Centre using a makeshift rope

On Thursday, the worker faced Adelaide's Magistrates Court where he made no application for bail and was taken into custody.

Magistrate Stefan Metanomski suppressed the correction officers identity until next Wednesday, when the order is set to be reconsidered.

A home detention report was also ordered to be prepared prior to his next hearing date.

The remand centre was last in the headlines in 2020 when Jason Burdon, 33, escaped from the facility using items of clothing as a rope to escape the building.

The escape resulted in almost $2million spent on improving security after an internal inquiry found Burdon squeezed through air vents before using the makeshift rope to drop to the ground near Hindley St.

The internal investigation found security weaknesses exploited by Burdon had been identified by authorities back in the 1990s but no action was taken to resolve them.
An SNP council leader has dramatically quit his job amid claims of sexual misconduct.

North Lanarkshire Council leader Jordan Linden yesterday issued an apology for behaviour at a party he said had caused a 'sense of discomfort'.

He is alleged to have made unwanted sexual advances towards a teenager at a drunken gathering in a Dundee flat after the annual Pride parade in 2019.

The SNP repeatedly denied there had ever been any allegation put to them about Mr Linden's behaviour and threatened newspapers, warning them against publishing the story.

But the 27-year-old has now announced his resignation and expressed 'regret' about his conduct at the party.

It leaves the SNP facing renewed criticism about the 'appalling' way it handles complaints and potential misconduct.

North Lanarkshire Council leader Jordan Linden (pictured with Nicola Sturgeon in a social media post), is alleged to have made unwanted sexual advances towards a teenager

The scandal comes just weeks after the party's MPs rallied round sex pest MP Patrick Grady, who was found to have sexually harassed a 19-year-old staffer.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford have both failed to speak out about the alleged misconduct of the North Lanarkshire Council Leader.

The pair were also under scrutiny for the mishandling of the complaint against MP Grady.

This comes as Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, who are battling for PM, both vowed yesterday to tackle sexual harassment.

Mr Linden became leader of North Lanarkshire Council following the local elections in May, having previously pulled out from running to become an MP in 2019  days after the party in question.

In an email yesterday, Mr Linden wrote: 'I want to make colleagues aware that I am resigning from my position as leader of North Lanarkshire Council today.

'I accept that my behaviour at that party in 2019 caused a sense of discomfort which I entirely regret. I offered my apologies to the person concerned at the time and the matter was closed. I reiterate that apology today.'

Mr Linden told colleagues it was 'the privilege of my life' to briefly serve as leader for the council during its first ever time under SNP control and said it was 'vital that there is no distraction' from the work of the local authority.

He added: 'The press coverage of this has placed an immense strain on me personally.'

The allegations against Mr Linden appeared in a Sunday newspaper. SNP HQ compliance officer Ian McCann was informed of the claim against Mr Linden shortly after the Dundee party and tried to reach out to the alleged victim, according to the Sunday Mail.

Linden has resigned as council leader but still remains as councillor Bellshill despite the allegation against him

But the SNP has refused to answer questions about how much it knew about the incident, or whether it is going to suspend Mr Linden or launch an investigation into his behaviour.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby warned there was a 'rotten culture of secrecy and cover-up at the heart of the SNP'. He added: '[Mr Linden's] apology makes it all the more appalling that the SNP hierarchy were so willing to close ranks to protect him. The SNP cannot keep looking the other way and letting their scandal-hit politicians call the shots.

'Their own activists have made it clear that they don't have faith in the party's complaints system.

'The SNP need to overhaul this system, so that it protects victims instead of protecting the party.'

Linden, who shows his support for Pride (above), was allegedly inappropriate at a drunken gathering in a Dundee flat after the annual Pride parade in 2019

Conservative MSP Annie Wells said: 'Jordan Linden's resignation and apology are at least a partial acknowledgement of the distress he caused and his responsibility for it. That is more than other SNP members have done in similar cases.

'But the issue here was never just about Mr Linden's misconduct, but about the SNP's reluctance to deal with serious allegations against senior party figures.

'In this case, as in the Patrick Grady one, the party closed ranks and evaded questioning.

'Above all, they sided once again with the perpetrator, rather than offer support to the victim.'

Scottish Labour is expected to push for Mr Linden to step down as councillor for Bellshill to trigger a by-election. However, he said: 'I intend to continue to represent the people of Bellshill to the very best of my ability as a councillor.'

An SNP spokesman said: 'The individual made clear to the SNP that the matter was resolved, and he would not be making a complaint.'
YouTube star PewDiePie has apologized after he was slammed for uploading a video in which he appeared to mock a deaf woman using American Sign Language.

The 32-year-old Swedish video maker, whose real name is Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, came under fire after posting his most recent YouTube video to his 111million subscribers.

But he has hit back by saying that he had 'no clue' the woman was deaf and was only making fun of her long nails, adding that it was an 'honest mistake'.

In the video, titled My Dog Cringes at TikToks, PewDiePie is seen playing various clips from the social media app which he then proceeds to make fun of.

One clip, which has now been removed from his video, shows deaf TikToker Scarlet May telling a story in American Sign Language.

After a couple of seconds PewDiePie stops the video and says: 'No, I'm not listening to this.'

He then makes fun of Ms. May's nails before comparing them to his dog's claws.

Ms May responded to his video saying it was 'very weird and very unnecessary'.

Not Pewdiepie making fun of a deaf woman??? pic.twitter.com/sugizTcosx   (@Iced_Exponet) July 27, 2022

The 32-year-old Swedish video maker, whose real name is Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, came under fire after posting his most recent YouTube video to his 111million subscribers

In the video, titled My Dog Cringes at TikToks, PewDiePie is seen playing various clips from the social media app which he then proceeds to make fun of. He then makes fun of deaf TikToker Scarlet May's nails before comparing them to his dog's claws

PewDiePie then posted underneath the reuploaded video to explain the situation

PewDiePie then picks up his dog, Maya, and begins to imitate Ms. May telling a story, using her paws to copy Ms. May's hand movements.

He was slammed by critics on YouTube and Twitter, who reuploaded the clip alongside comments such as: 'Not Pewdiepie making fun of a deaf woman???'

'So why is nobody talking about pewdiepie making fun of a deaf black woman?' one person said, sharing the video.

Another wrote: 'Pewdiepie mocking a deaf tiktok creator for signing in her videos simply because she has long nailsas if the dude couldn't be any worse.'

'Honestly if you still like pewdiepie grow tf up. not only is he racist, he's now apparently mocking a deaf girl on tiktok who is using sign language,' a fourth added.

Ms May, who has 6.2million followers on TikTok, then uploaded a response video in which she says: 'He made a reaction video to my TikTok, making fun of my nails and making fun of my signs with his dog

'So how do I feel? I feel like it was very weird and very unnecessary but at the same time I wasn't surprised, I'm used to it.'

She adds that one of the reasons she uploads videos to TikTok is to show that deaf people can have long nails while using sign language.

She said: 'But then a big creator comes on here and puts us a million steps back so It's very frustrating.'

However the TikToker then says: 'Maybe he didn't know I was doing sign language, maybe he just didn't like my long nails. That's okay, a lot of people don't like them

'If that was the case he should have just been like ''Oh I do not like her nails'' and skipped the video.

'But instead he chose to stop the video and proceeds to mock me doing sign language which shows he knew I was doing sign.'

Ms May, who has 6.2million followers on TikTok, then uploaded a response video in which she says PewDiePie's video 'was very weird and very unnecessary'

She adds: 'If you made a mistake, admit the mistake. You don't just get to mock deaf people who have already been struggling for years

'I really tried to give him the benefit of the doubt like maybe he just doesn't know or is really unaware, even though it's 2022 and there's deaf people and sign language all over social media. But the mocking of the sign and the voice like he definitely has to know.'

She finishes by saying 'we all live and learn' and added: 'If he did not know before, he definitely knows now!'

PewDiePie then posted underneath the reuploaded video to explain the situation by saying: 'Hey, just to clear a few things up: I edited out the clip with the girl that has the long nails.

PewDiePie then posted underneath the reuploaded video to explain the situation by saying: 'Hey, just to clear a few things up: I edited out the clip with the girl that has the long nails.' He added that he had 'no clue' she was deaf

He ended his explanation by saying: 'Anyway honest mistake, my bad'

'Had no clue she was deaf, but kinda dumb of me to not realize. Still watching through the clip I only poked fun of her long nails.

'The voice I did for my dog is the same voice I've given her for years. (edit: ..and making my dog's paws move was poking at people always dancing or doing some move on tiktok, which is an ongoing theme in the whole video).

'Anyway honest mistake, my bad.'
Lightning in India has killed 49 people this week during the country's monsoon season.

Four cattle farmers from the same family died during a single storm after they were struck by lightning that killed them and three others instantly as they took shelter under trees during a huge downpour near Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh state.

India's monsoon season runs from June to September and the high death toll has forced the government to issue new guidelines on how people can protect themselves during a lightning storm.

A government spokesman for the north Indian state, Shishir Singh, said: 'People are dying more from lightning than rain-related incidents, though this is the time when people (typically) die of floods or other rain-related incidents.'

A woman wades through a waterlogged street during heavy rainfall in Jammu, India, today amid the monsoon season

Residents wade through a flooded street following heavy rains in Hyderabad yesterday

The storms in Uttar Pradesh killed seven farmers in one village who had taken shelter under trees during the huge downpours

Colonel Sanjay Srivastava, who works with the Indian Meteorological Department, said lightning has killed nearly 750 people across India since April.

That includes 20 people who died in eastern Bihar state in the past two days and 16 in Madhya Pradesh state in central India earlier this month.

More than 200 people have been killed in heavy downpours and mudslides in Indian states including Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Sikkim, while 42 people have died in Bangladesh since May 17.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in the monsoon season.

Sunita Narain, director-general of the Centre for Science and Environment, said global warming plays a role in the rising number of lightning strikes.

A one-degree Celsius rise in temperature increases lightning by 12 times.

The high death toll has prompted the government to issue new guidelines for how people can protect themselves during a lightning storm

Colonel Sanjay Srivastava said lightning has killed nearly 750 people across India since April

Col Srivastava said that deforestation, the depletion of bodies of water and pollution all contribute to climate change, which leads to more lightning.

J P Gupta, director of the Meteorological Department, said thunderstorms and lightning have increased this year due to an increase in pollution levels.

He said: 'High ground temperature leads to evaporation from water bodies that adds moisture to the atmosphere.

'The presence of aerosols due to air pollution creates favourable conditions for thunderclouds to trigger lightning activity.'
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History was made today as the public watched a crown court judge pass sentence live on TV for the first time in English legal history.

Judge Sarah Munro QC sentenced Ben Oliver to life in prison with a minimum term of 10 years and eight months for killing his grandfather David, 74, after the 25-year-old, himself a convicted paedophile, discovered his relative had been accused of sexually abusing girls.

Today's sentencing in Court Number Two - one of the Old Bailey's oldest courtrooms - was broadcast online and on news channels including Sky News, the BBC, and ITN. There was a 10 second delay on the stream - which in future could allow legally problematic content to be edited out.

What other countries televise trials? Scotland: Cameras have been allowed in courts under certain conditions since 1992. Sentencing hearings are now routinely broadcast. US: Some courts allow broadcasters to film civil or criminal trials, depending on the state. Australia: The High Court of Australia has started allowing video recordings of Full Court proceedings since 2013. South Africa: Criminal trials can be broadcast. The trial of Oscar Pistorius for murder attracted millions of viewers. France: The country is considering allowing cases to be televised. Advertisement

Only the judge is being filmed during sentencing to protect the privacy of victims, witnesses and jurors. In the future, the media will be able to apply to broadcast sentencing remarks for serious cases, with the final decision down to the judge.

Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Burnett of Maldon, has hailed the move as a 'very positive' step in promoting open justice. However, others questioned whether it went far enough and called for entire trials to be broadcast.

The judiciary is strongly opposed to the filming of whole trials over fears it would lead to witnesses refusing to attend and turn legal proceedings into soap operas like the recent court battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

Court proceedings have long been televised in some US states, with the trial of OJ Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman viewed by a peak TV audience of 100m when the 'not guilty' verdict was announced.

The move to allow cameras in English court follows a change in the law in 2020, but implementation was delayed in the pandemic. Yesterday, the Ministry of Justice announced Oliver's sentencing would become the first to be broadcast after Judge Munro agreed to a request by TV channels to be allowed access.

Filming has been allowed in the Court of Appeal since 2013. In Scotland cameras have been allowed in courts under certain conditions since 1992. In 2012, David Gilroy became the first convicted killer to have his sentencing filmed for broadcast on TV at a later date, while in 2015 the rules were relaxed further to allow sentencing hearings to be broadcast live.

While members of the public are allowed to attend English crown court trials they are still banned from filming or taking pictures inside the courtroom, with anyone caught doing so risking a conviction for contempt of court.

Convicted paedophile Ben Oliver (left) killed his grandfather, David Oliver, 74, (right) in his home in Mottingham, south London

'You stabbed his mouth so he couldn't cry out and stabbed his eyes so he couldn't look at you': Grim case that became the first in England to be televised Ben Oliver, 25, knifed and slashed 74-year-old David Oliver in a brutal attack at the pensioner's home in Mottingham, south London, on 19 January last year. David was immobile and bedbound, after suffering a stroke in 2016. Ben was obsessed with his grandmother and believed her husband had been abusive to her in the past. He had his own room at his grandparents' house, but he grew enraged after discovering historic allegations of sexual abuse had been made against David. On the morning of the incident the 25-year-old suddenly picked up a kitchen knife, walked into his granddad's bedroom and knifed him several times in the head. The killer, who suffers from partial hearing and learning disabilities, immediately confessed what he had done to his grandmother. Ben told her: 'He can't hurt you any more.' The killer had served a six year sentence for the rape of a young girl and was released on licence in September 2019, living in a flat several miles away from his grandparents. He admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility and was cleared of murder by a jury in May. The trial judge Sarah Munro QC said the killer was 'absolutely tormented.' 'You selected a knife from the kitchen and you went to your grandfathers's room,' she said. 'You stabbed his mouth so he couldn't cry out and stabbed his eyes so he couldn't look at you. There were 21 stab wounds to his face and seven to his torso. You then cut his throat repeatedly with severe force. He died very quickly from blood loss.' The judge said Ben was 'very damaged man' who would require psychiatric help for many years. 'In my judgment you do present a risk to the public,' the judge added. The judge passed a life sentence with a minimum term of ten years and eight months, with the term deducted by the 553 days he has served on remand. Prosecutor Louis Mably earlier told the court: 'He was attacked and killed as he lay helpless in his bed. 'He had been repeatedly stabbed and slashed with a knife in the face, and in particular in the area of his neck, which had effectively been cut open. This was a brutal attack, plainly carried out with the intention of killing him.' The killer's barrister Jenny Dempster said: 'He is a young man who has experienced significant and substantial trauma in his own early life.' He said Ben had been subjected to 'quite appalling abuse' as a child. Advertisement

Speaking ahead of today's hearing, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Burnett of Maldon, said: 'I think it's an exciting development, because it will help the public to understand how and why criminals get the sentences that they do in these very high-profile cases.'

But the Lord Chief Justice stopped short of advocating televising trials, saying: 'My own but fairly strong view is that what we see happening around the world illustrates why that can be quite damaging.

'The thing about sentencing remarks is that broadcasting those doesn't have an impact on the way witnesses and others involved in the trial process  complainants, victims and so on  are immediately affected.

'If you broadcast the trial proceedings themselves, it's very difficult to avoid that.'

However, Beth Mantel, complex crime lawyer at Reeds Solicitors, argued that only broadcasting sentencing remarks was 'problematic'.

'The problem with televising sentencing remarks is that it gives a bite sized version of the trial, submissions and mitigation made by the advocates,' he said.

'This may result in the opposite of providing transparency to the public, especially since the Court of Appeal has encouraged Judges not to produce over thorough sentencing remarks in the Crown Court.'

The move to broadcast Ben Oliver's sentencing was announced by the Ministry of Justice yesterday and was hailed by broadcasters as a 'landmark moment for open justice' and a 'victory for the viewer'.

John Ryley, head of Sky News, said: 'Filming judges' sentencing remarks in the Crown Court of England and Wales is a victory for the viewer.

'It will allow for greater transparency in our courts and is something that broadcasters, including Sky News, have campaigned for more than a decade to achieve.'

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said allowing cameras into court rooms will help 'improve transparency and reinforce confidence in the justice system'.

'The public will now be able to see justice handed down, helping them understand better the complex decisions judges make,' he said.

Ben Oliver, from Bexleyheath, south London, had been cleared of murder having admitted the manslaughter of 74-year-old David Oliver, in Mottingham, south London, on January 19 last year.

His trial had heard he had repeatedly stabbed and slashed the bedbound victim in the face and neck as he lay 'helpless' in his bedroom.

Prosecutor Louis Mably QC had told jurors it was carried out in the intention to kill because Oliver was 'very angry' at learning of allegations against his grandfather of historical sexual abuse of girls.

The defendant had used a kitchen knife in the brutal attack, then confessed what he had done to his grandmother, the court had heard.

Jurors were told the defendant grew up in 'troubled and difficult times', and in 2016 he was convicted of sexual offences against a young girl when he was aged 15.

He was released from youth detention in September 2019.

Judge Sarah Munro QC today became the first English crown court judge to have her sentencing remarks filmed on live TV

Ben Oliver knifed and slashed 74-year-old David Oliver in a brutal attack at the pensioner's home (pic) in Mottingham, south London, on 19 January last year

Who is the judge involved in the case? Senior Circuit Judge Sarah Munro QC has sat at the Old Bailey since 2017 and has extensive experience in presiding over complex and high profile cases, including homicides. Earlier this year, she proceeded over the trial of two teenagers who were found guilty of murdering a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed with a sword concealed inside a walking stick. Fares Maatou, 14, was riding an e-scooter along Barking Road in Canning Town, east London, on Friday 23 April last year when he was confronted by two defendants, who were 14 and 15 at the time. She also agreed to overturn an eye surgeon's driving ban after hearing the medic would not be able to do her job without a car. Mahboub Hawkes, 74, was clocked doing 27mph in a 20mph zone in her Jaguar XJ saloon near Monument, central London on September 3, last year. Advertisement

In the months before the killing, he became aware of allegations of sexual abuse against his grandfather, who was also said to have treated his wife badly and had affairs.

The defendant was also depressed and had suicidal thoughts.

He was said to have autistic spectrum disorder which, combined with other emotional and mental factors, diminished his responsibility for the killing.

The Old Bailey in London routinely hears some of the most complex cases, including murders and terrorism trials.

Under the change in the law, High Court and Senior Circuit judges sitting in crown courts can be filmed delivering their sentencing remarks.

Only the judge will be on camera to protect the privacy of victims, witnesses and jurors.

It is still prohibited to film or take pictures in court in ordinary circumstances and any member of the public caught doing so risks being found in contempt of court.

This is also true for anyone joining a hearing by video link.
As it aims to produce cars in 2025, Apple employed Luigi Taraborreli, who worked for Lamborghini as the head of chassis and vehicle dynamics.

Apple Hired Lamborghini's Luigi Taraborreli to Manage Apple's Upcoming Vehicle

Bloomberg reports that Apple Inc. has hired one of Lamborghini's top car-development managers to indicate that it is accelerating work on a self-driving electric vehicle.

Taraborrelli spent most of his career at Lamborghini, working in the research and development department. Taraborrelli most recently served as the organization's head of chassis and vehicle dynamics, according to his LinkedIn page.

The Urus, Huracan, and Aventador were among the Lamborghini cars on which he has worked. Taraborrelli has previously held positions in marketing, vehicle development and validation, and other fields. He started working for the firm in October 2001 and left in May 2022.

After years of obstacles and turmoil, this action is just another indication that Apple is still dedicated to building a vehicle. With his background, Taraborrelli becomes one of Apple's EV team's most senior managers and lends the project some exotic-car flare.

Lamborghini and Apple have a long history together. To give fans a sneak peek of the Huracan EVO RWD Spyder, the automaker introduced an Apple-based augmented reality function in 2020. Apple's chief of marketing at the time said that the brand is one that the corporation "cares passionately" about.

The business plans to release a vehicle around 2025 that features a layout that allows passengers to face one another in a limo-like cabin. Although many team members and industry observers doubt such a step is feasible on Apple's present timeline, the company has lofty plans to develop a vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, depending instead on completely autonomous technology.

Read Also: Nearly 100 Locations in Google Maps will Get 'Photorealistic Aerial Images'

Apple is Using iPhone's Success to Enter the Vehicle Market

Apple is attempting to enter the car business by leveraging the success of the iPhone. Automakers are not really sure of their feelings on this.

In June, Apple unveiled the upgraded version of its CarPlay system for automobiles. All interior displays' user interfaces are taken over, and a digital gas gauge and speed dial are replaced with ones that the driver's iPhone powers. It implied that CarPlay aids manufacturers in selling automobiles.

According to Apple Engineering Manager Emily Schubert, CarPlay is already integrated into 98% of new automobiles in the United States. She gave a startling statistic that 79% of American shoppers would only purchase a vehicle if it supported CarPlay.

The firm may now get detailed information and statistics on how people use their automobiles thanks to the new CarPlay feature. That is valuable knowledge if it ever decides to release its automobile, which has been developed in a highly classified manner for years.

It also announced in June that it had looked at exploring technologies that would incorporate commerce into a vehicle's dashboard. According to Reuters, one new feature unveiled this summer would let CarPlay users find a gas station and pay for the petrol from the dashboard of the vehicle.

Related Article: Is the Apple Car Really Happening? The 248 Patents Suggest It Is
Sir Keir Starmer defended his decision to sack a Labour frontbencher who joined striking railworkers - and warned the leftwing MP's allies it was a 'straightforward decision'.

Labour is embroiled in a bitter row with unions today over the dismissal of Sam Tarry, the partner of the party's deputy leader Angela Rayner, as a shadow transport minister.

The Ilford South MP and former union official turned up at London's Euston station on Wednesday morning 'in solidarity' with the 40,000 RMT members who caused chaos for millions yesterday by shutting down at least half of Britain's rail network.

Sir Keir has previously warned that to appear suitable to form a government senior MPs should distance themselves from protests, while supporting the right to strike.

It comes amid union plans for a summer of discontent that will see trains halted repeatedly over the coming months.

Amid Union fury and support for Tarry from Corbynista backbenchers, Mr Starmer - who is in Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games - said: 'Sam Tarry was sacked because he booked himself onto media programmes without permission, and then made up policy on the hoof, and that can't be tolerated in any organisation because we've got collective responsibility.

'So that was relatively straightforward. Of course, as far as the industrial action is concerned, I completely understand the frustration of so many working people who've seen the prices go up, seen inflation through the roof, and their wages haven't gone up.

'So the Labour Party will always be on the side of working people, but we need collective responsibility, as any organisation does.'

Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) general secretary Manuel Cortes, RMT boss Mick Lynch and Unite general secretary Sharon Graham criticised the sacking, with the latter branding it a 'juvenile attack'.

Meanwhile, former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott - now a Labour peer - tweeted a photo of himself addressing striking miners when he was shadow transport secretary in 1984 in apparent support of Mr Tarry.

Sir Keir has previously warned that to appear suitable to form a government senior MPs should distance themselves from protests, while supporting the right to strike.

Sam Tarry, the partner of the party's deputy leader Angela Rayner, was fired as a shadow transport minister last night for a 'breach of collective responsibility' after he joined workers in London.

The Ilford South MP turned up at London's Euston station 'in solidarity' with the 40,000 RMT members who caused chaos for millions yesterday by shutting down at least half of Britain's rail network today.

Former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott - now a Labour peer - tweeted a photo of himself addressing striking miners when he was shadow transport secretary in 1984 in apparent support of Mr Tarry.

MP for York Central, Rachael Maskell, called for the Labour leader to visit picket lines last night - which he did not do - while GMB general secretary Gary Smith said it was a 'huge own goal' for Labour to 'turn a Tory Transport crisis into a Labour story'.

Mr Tarry said he was 'proud' to stand with striking rail workers. In a statement he said: 'This dispute would not be taking place under a Labour government, which would ensure that rail workers receive a fair wage.

'It has been a privilege to serve on Labour's frontbench for the past two years and to have had the opportunity to speak up for hard-pressed workers who deserve so much better than the treatment they've received from this corrupt and out-of-touch Government.

'I remain committed to supporting the striking rail workers, and campaigning for a Labour victory at the next general election, which I will fight for relentlessly from the backbenches.'

A number of backbench Labour MPs also joined picket lines, including Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, Brent Central MP Dawn Butler, Birmingham Hall Green MP Tahir Ali, Gateshead MP Ian Mearns and South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck.

Some hard Left Labour MPs also jumped to his defence. Ian Lavery, MP for Wansbeck, tweeted: 'Solidarity to Sam Tarry. Supporting workers at RMT and all other workers in dispute is in the best traditions of what Labour was founded for and should stand for. The sacking is quite frankly shameful.'

Kate Osamor, MP for Edmonton, added: 'Solidarity Sam Tarry. The Labour Party exists to fight for ordinary people. We must never lose sight of that.'

Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford & Eccles, said: 'Solidarity supporting workers as they fight for their jobs, pay and conditions is exactly what Labour is supposed to do.

'Trade unions formed to become the political voice of workers and to fight for a decent standard of life for all.'

Mr Tarry is a former TSSA union official. He is in a relationship with Ms Rayner, 41, having become close to after he ran her campaign to become Labour's deputy leader.

She separated from her husband Mark in 2020 and Mr Tarry, a father of two, has also parted from his wife.

Mr Tarry faces a battle to hold on to his London seat after local party members voted to hold an open reselection process ahead of the next general election, meaning a different candidate could be chosen to fight it.

Ilford South is one of the safest Labour seats in the country and he has a 24,000 vote majority.

But sources told the Guardian yesterday that cosying up to union bosses could help Tarry win selection for a seat elsewhere, in a constituency the left of the party has more control over.

Ms Graham, who took over the superunion Unite last year, said: 'Juvenile attacks on trade unionists will do absolutely nothing to further Labour's prospects for power.'

Ms Graham, who took over the superunion Unite last year, said: 'The Labour sacking of Sam Tarry for supporting working people on strike, against cuts to their jobs and pay, is another insult to the trade union movement. Quite frankly, it would be laughable if it were not so serious.

'At a time when people are facing a cost of living crisis, and on the day when the Conservative Government has launched a new wave of attacks on the rights of working people, the Labour Party has opted to continue to indulge in old factional wars.

'Labour is becoming more and more irrelevant to ordinary working people who are suffering. Juvenile attacks on trade unionists will do absolutely nothing to further Labour's prospects for power.'

But a party spokeswoman said: 'Members of the frontbench sign up to collective responsibility.

'That includes media appearances being approved and speaking to agreed frontbench positions.

'As a government-in-waiting, any breach of collective responsibility is taken extremely seriously and for these reasons Sam Tarry has been removed from the frontbench.'

The vicar's son turned 'golden boy of the British hard left'

The Labour shadow transport minister sacked after appearing on a picket line was nicknamed the 'golden boy of the British hard Left' and dates deputy party leader Angela Rayner, Tom Witherow writes.

Sam Tarry, who had joined workers at Euston station in London, is already fighting a battle to remain as Labour candidate in his Ilford South constituency in east London.

The father-of-two  the eldest son of a Church of England vicar  is an ardent Left-winger who won selection in his home seat in 2019 after a campaign run by union GMB and grassroots movement Momentum.

He won selection after moderate MP Mike Gapes stood down after 27 years.

The father-of-two  the eldest son of a Church of England vicar  is an ardent Left-winger who won selection in his home seat in 2019 after a campaign run by union GMB and grassroots movement Momentum.

Miss Rayner, 42, separated from her husband Mark (pictured) in 2020 and was first seen with Mr Tarry, who had also parted from his wife, in January this year.

Mr Tarry's first formal post in politics was as chairman of youth wing Young Labour. The 39-year-old also served as a councillor in east London's Barking and Dagenham from 2010 to 2018, where he was cleared of electoral fraud after being accused of spending most of his time living in Brighton at a 550,000 house jointly owned with his wife, who was then a junior doctor, and renting out his home in east London.

He has worked as Jeremy Corbyn's leadership campaign director and as an officer for the TSSA trade union.

Miss Rayner, 42, separated from her husband Mark in 2020 and was first seen with Mr Tarry, who had also parted from his wife, in January this year. The pair are understood to have become close while he was running her campaign to become deputy leader. He was famously spotted with a tell-tale toothbrush in his pocket as the pair left her London home.

Mr Tarry is fighting a selection battle in his constituency after the threshold to 'trigger' his seat was met, meaning he will face a vote to keep his seat for the next election.

All ten local Labour branches voted against him automatically becoming their candidate at the next election.

Mr Tarry claimed he had evidence of 'rule-breaking, concrete evidence of voter fraud, voter impersonation... and the dangerous whipping up of communal tensions to undermine the democratic reselection process in an attempt to unseat me'.
The long-awaited verdict in the sensational 3m Wagatha Christie trial will be released tomorrow, according to Ministry of Justice sources.

The judge in the three-year-long libel case, Mrs Justice Steyn, is expected to hand down her bombshell verdict around midday in a remote hearing.

The packed two-week hearing at the High Court in May saw both Rebekah Vardy, 40, and Coleen Rooney, 36, give dramatic testimony from the witness box in the case which centred on Coleens claims that Rebekah had leaked information to the Sun based on posts from her private Instagram account.

The trial lifted the lid on the Wags glamorous lifestyles, but also heard allegations levelled at Rebekah from Coleen that she had colluded with the media in secret deals.

Rebekah Vardy (right) sued Coleen Rooney (left) for defamation after Coleen suggested Rebekah might be behind the leaks - something Rebekah has always denied

Coleen Rooney was pictured stepping out as she ran errands in Alderley Edge in Cheshire today

As she ran errands sources at the Ministry of Justice said the verdict in her libel trial with Rebekah Vardy would be announced tomorrow

Mother-of-five Rebekah broke down several times in the witness box as she detailed the horrific attacks she had been subject to  while heavily pregnant - on social media from Coleens supporters following the bombshell accusation in October 2019.

Coleen had earned the nickname Wagatha Christie after her famous social media post revealed she had set up a sting operation by limiting her Instagram posts to only one recipientRebekahs account.

Private Instagram posts Rooney alleged were shared with the press without her permission included a visit to a gender selection clinic in Mexico, her planned return to TV and a flooded basement in her new mansion.

Quickly grabbing the public's attention, the case was dubbed Wagatha Christie in homage to the world-famous British crime novelist Agatha Christie.

Rebekah Vardy, pictured with her husband Jamie, right, is to be the subject of a major new BBC drama on the Wagatha Christie trial

During a High Court hearing in May, evidence about the world of the WAGs emerged and Rebekah, 40  who is married to Leicester City star Jamie Vardy  admitted that her agent Caroline Watt may have been the source of the leaks

In June 2020, Rebekah began a libel action against Coleen, arguing that the accusation over her Instagram account was false.

Following an earlier meanings ruling, it fell to Coleen to prove Rebekah was personally responsible for leaking stories to The Sun, or convince the judge that publication of the allegation was in the public interest

Rebekah claimed that Coleens famous Its Rebekah Vardys account post, published while she (Rebekah) was pregnant, cost her a book deal and an endorsement for placenta capsules, while also acting as a lightning rod for people to abuse her on social media.

Following the nine-day hearing, Coleen was said to be extremely confident she would win, even missing the last day of the case to go on holiday to Dubai with her husband, former England and Manchester United striker Wayne and their four sons.

In her absence, her barrister, David Sherborne, described Rebekah as a 'highly unreliable witness' while accusing her of lying to the court in her testimony.

The mother-of-five told friends that while the trial has been a painful experience, she was glad to the public now know 'the truth' and also believed she will win.

Coleen, whose husband Wayne is England's all-time top goal scorer, claims the post was a 'last resort' after coming to the conclusion someone was leaking information about her to The Sun, but has defended it as being true.

If Rebekah wins, she will likely be awarded damages, but the judge could decide to award as little as 1 in a token victory. But the much larger expense would be legal costs.

Usually the loser pays both sides legal costs, which estimated at around 3m would be a not insignificant expense for either woman.

But they would hit Rebekah much harder, as her net worth with husband Leicester City striker Jamie, is estimated at around 12m, whereas by contrast, the Rooneys net worth is estimated to be between 100 and 120m.

The accusations flew thick and fast as the hearing played out in the august surroundings of the Royal Courts of Justice, each side trying to land a fatal blow.

Intimate insights about the Rooneys' marriage were revealed, Peter Andre's chipolata manhood was even dragged into the proceedings and the court heard about a mysterious celebrity love triangle.

Mrs Vardy was also accused by Mrs Rooney's lawyer, David Sherborne, of deliberately destroying evidence  which she furiously denied

A source said: 'The programme will tell the story about Coleen and Rebekah. It is expected to look very much at the social media aspect of it and how Rebekah was trolled by others. 'It will have a very worthy approach and will feature members of the Vardy camp and, hopefully, Rebekah. The BBC have already commissioned it and filming is due to start in the coming weeks'

Each day as the glamorous mothers entered court, their expensive outfits would be identified and dissected by the fashion police as the trench warfare continued in wood-paneled Court 13.

Wayne Rooney, then manager of Derby County FC, was a steadfast presence at his wifes side in the front row of the court, though he did appear to be bored much of the time, with a glazed expression.

Jamie Vardy only appeared towards the end of the trial and was not present in court during Rebekahs gruelling two days testimony in the witness box.

During the trial, Coleens barrister David Sherborne argued that Rebekah had a habitual and established practice of leaking information about those she knew  through her friend and former agent Caroline Watt  to The Sun newspaper.

Discussing Coleens viral reveal post, her barrister added: It is what she believed at the time and it is what she believes even more so now that we have got to the end of the case.

However, Hugh Tomlinson QC, for Rebekah, said Coleen had failed to produce any evidence that Rebekah had regularly and frequently abused her status as a trusted follower of her private Instagram account by passing on information from it to The Sun.

Coleen Rooney and her husband Wayne pictured leaving the Royal Courts of Justice on the sixth day of the libel trial

Mr Tomlinson said the libel battle was a very simple case when one clears away the conspiracy theories.

He added: Mrs Vardys case is and always has been that she did not leak the information nor did she authorise anyone else to leak.

She does not know to this day what happened, Mr Tomlinson said, adding: She does not know where this information came from.

The barrister added that Rebekah suffered very serious harm to her reputation as a result of Coleens post.

Some WhatsApp messages sent by Rebekah Vardys agent were not part of the footballers wifes libel claim because her former agent Caroline Watts phone was in Davy Jones locker after falling into the North Sea, the High Court was told.

The court heard Mrs Vardys agent lost her phone after a judge said it should be searched.

Mr Sherborne said Caroline Watt was filming the coastline while on a boat trip in Scotland and dropped her phone, with Ms Watt unable to retrieve it.

Court battle set to be dramatised on TV A two-part dramatic reconstruction which will use verbatim court transcripts is being made by TV production company Chalkboard. Vardy v Rooney: A Courtroom Drama will juxtapose scenes from the courtroom with analysis from the media. Actors will play the parts of the main protagonists including Rebekah Vardy, Coleen Rooney, Wayne Rooney, and Jamie Vardy. Casting is yet to be announced. The programme will be shown on Channel 4, with its director Oonagh Kearney saying: 'This trial utterly captivated the public with its daily feed of entertaining exchanges and jaw-dropping reveals. But behind this, is a story of two women under constant public scrutiny, fighting for their reputations.' There could also be a pair of documentaries giving each woman the opportunity to speak out about the lengthy legal battle. Netflix has signed Coleen up for a documentary, while London-based Curious Films has been commissioned by the BBC to create a programme about Rebekah's perspective, the Mail on Sunday reports. Advertisement

Mr Sherborne said it was a shame that messages between journalists  who had allegedly been leaked stories  and Ms Watt were lying at the bottom of the sea in Davy Jones locker.

Rebekah replied: Who is Davy Jones?

Mrs Justice Steyn told her the term just meant the bottom of the sea.

Mr Sherborne later said four months passed between Ms Watt losing her phone and Coleens solicitors being informed.

Rebekah said she did not know why there was a delay.

Mr Sherborne repeatedly claimed that disclosure of evidence linked to Rebekah in the case had been hit by a series of unfortunate events.

Rebekah told the court some messages were deleted from WhatsApp as she tried to export them.

Mr Sherborne said: You say that as a result of that process, all of the messages on your phone, all the WhatsApp messages on your phone between you and Ms Watt, were deleted, were lost.

You know that your expert has described that as somewhat surprising and our expert indicates that someone has manually deleted them from the phone.

No-one has said to you that Mrs Rooneys expert says that there is no possible explanation for how that happened in any other way than someone manually  a human  deleting those messages on the phone?

Rebekah repeatedly denied deleting messages.

She later said she can neither confirm nor deny what happened, suggesting she may have switched phones during a nine-month period where there were missing messages.

Both women have kept busy this summer, taking several family holidays.

On her Instagram Coleen shared a series of touching photos of the family's Dubai trip, which included swimming with dolphins and relaxing on the beach.

After returning, the Rooneys posed with Ed Sheeran, as they hung out with the superstar backstage at one of his concerts.

At the end of last month Coleen and Wayne were also spotted taking a stroll along the beach while on holiday in Ibiza.

More recently their eldest son Kai, 12, joined his parents at Wimbledon, with Coleen sharing two photos on her Instagram, including a smiling selfie or herself and Wayne.

Workwise, Wayne has signed on again as manager of his old MLS club in Washington, DC United.

Since the trial Coleen's husband Wayne has gone to the United States to become the new had coach for DC United, despite his wife telling the court how staying there made her homesick

Coleen described to the court how she was homesick while living in the States when they moved in 2018 and that she would often cry herself to sleep.

This time, it's expected she will stay at home in Cheshire with their children.

Like Coleen, Rebekah also got away from it all with a family break after the trial.

In June, she posted photos of her holiday abroad on Instagram as she relaxed with husband and children in an idyllic-looking beach setting.

Dubbing her family my island crew, Rebekah revealed to her followers how she and her kids have been soaking up the sun and enjoying activities such as snorkelling and bike riding.

Having the best adventures with my island crew, she captioned a photo of herself and one of her daughters.

She also paid tribute to Jamie on Father's Day, thanking him for everything you do for us and describing him as the most incredible daddy.
A 12-year-old gave a speech at the West Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday in opposition to new legislation outlawing abortion in the state.

She spoke as the House passed a bill to ban abortion in the state, where it's currently legal up to 20 weeks, allowing for limited exemptions for medical emergencies and complications but not for rape or incest.

'I play for varsity volleyball and I run track. My education is very important to me, and I plan on doing great things in life,' Buffalo Middle School student Addison Gardner told lawmakers during a special session.

'If a man decides that Im an object, and does unspeakable, tragic things to me, am I, a child, supposed to carry and birth another child?'

A 12-year-old gave a speech at a West Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday in opposition to new legislation outlawing abortion in the state

Addison Gardner, of Buffalo Middle School, said: 'Some here say they are pro-life. What about my life? Does my life not matter to you?'

She added: 'Am I to put my body through the physical trauma of pregnancy? Am I to suffer the mental implications, a child who had no say in what was being done with my body?' she added, according to The Independent.

'Some here say they are pro-life. What about my life? Does my life not matter to you?'

Gardner was one of about 90 people who spoke in the public hearing, sharing their personal stories about abortion or women's rights ahead of the chamber passing a law to ban it.

The session became heated, with security escorting out many female members speaking at the hearing.

Legislators carved out exceptions to the law in cases where the fetus has no heartbeat or otherwise no chance of surviving, during a medical emergency or an ectopic pregnancy - where the fetus implants itself outside of the womb and poses a health risk to the mother.

But the bill, HB302, didn't provide an exception for rape or incest, something that women's rights activists had strongly campaigned for.

Other attempts by Democrat lawmakers to amend the bill failed, including an amendment that would have removed criminal penalties for abortion providers.

Anti-abortion protestors stand outside the House of Delegates chamber at the West Virginia State Capitol as lawmakers prepared to head to the floor to discuss a sweeping abortion ban bill on Wednesday

Democratic Delegate Danielle Walker of Monongalia County speaks to a crowd protesting a sweeping abortion ban bill making its way through the West Virginia Legislature at the state Capitol on July 27

West Virginia is one of many Republican-led states to restrict access to abortion facilities after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24.

The Supreme Court voted 6-3 to strike down a historic ruling that has been upheld for nearly a half a century, permitting abortions during the first two trimesters of pregnancy in the United States.

The opinion reversed 50 years of legal precedent and put abortion rights in the hands of individual states, unless Congress intervenes.

After the Supreme Court overturned the opinion, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey dusted off a 1849 state law criminalizing abortion, arguing via a memo that the old law was now enforceable.

Abortion lawmakers sued soon after, arguing the law was illegal under the state constitution.

A state court judge blocked the 19th century abortion ban, allowing providers to continue operating temporarily, but Morrisey soon filed an appeal to the state Supreme Court and a motion for the court to expedite the case.

Kaylen Barker, the communications director at the Women's Health Center of West Virginia, the state's only abortion clinic, is escorted out of the House chamber by security during a public hearing on an abortion ban bill making its way through the West Virginia Legislature

West Virginia lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee discuss the bill on Tuesday

A public backlash came when a memo indicating the landmark decision would be overturned in June.

Republican lawmakers called for the person behind a leaked Supreme Court memo to be 'brought to justice,' denouncing the leak as an attempt to 'intimidate' the justices into changing their minds.

Opponents argue that as abortion rights become restricted once again, the number of abortions won't decrease, but will only become more dangerous.

Before the 1973 case guaranteeing women the right to an abortion no matter the state they lived in, nearly 200 women a year died thanks to backstreet abortions.

Legal fights are underway across the country to determine whether abortion providers can continue operating and whether exemptions will be allowed in states where abortion is now illegal.

Some states have already proceeded with plans to ban the procedure, including Florida, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska, Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina, while other state officials are attempting to reestablish the right to the procedure.

Thirteen states passed trigger laws to restrict or ban abortion in the event Roe v. Wade was overturned
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after stabbing a girl, also 13.

South Yorkshire Police were called to Hillsborough Park in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, at around 9pm on Tuesday after reports that a 13-year-old girl had been stabbed.

The victim was stabbed in her abdomen and taken to hospital, where she is in a stable condition.

A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and is currently in police custody.

Detective superintendent Nikki Leach said: 'We know that this incident will have caused deep concern amongst the local community and beyond.

A 13-year-old boy is in police custody on suspicion of attempted murder after stabbing a girl, also 13, in Hillsborough Park in Sheffield, South Yorkshire (pictured)

'We have arrested a 13-year-old boy in connection with the incident and our enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances of what led to the victim being stabbed.

'We believe the victim and suspect to be known to each other and we are satisfied that there is no wider risk to the public.

'Officers remain at the scene and are carrying out additional patrols to provide you with reassurance.

'If you see our officers, please do speak to them - they are there to help and support you.'

Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is advised to contact South Yorkshire Police.
The husband of conwoman Melissa Caddick is now free to continue making songs about the fraud investigator looking into his wife, after a court tore up an AVO banning the hairdresser-turned DJ from producing tracks about her.

Anthony Koletti was hit with a restraining order by police on February 8 on behalf Isabella Allen - the woman at the helm of the ASIC investigation into Caddick - after releasing songs blaming the corporate regulator over Caddick's presumed death.

But the AVO application was thrown out this week in court before it was due to be mentioned again on Friday.

Legal documents had alleged the unemployed DJ sent texts to Allen, trolled her on social media and was involved in other behaviours deemed 'threatening' including making several dis tracks that mentioned her and ASIC directly.

In one bizarre tune, the former hairdresser calls her 'ugly', compares her to a snake and a rat, and launches a personal attack about her 'government job'.

Anthony Koletti (pictured with wife Melissa Caddick) was at the receiving end of an AVO in February made by police on behalf of ASIC investigator Isabella Allen

'You can't hide behind your government job forever,' the lyric says.

'Might get me a snake or a and call it Isabella. I'll buy the ugliest thing I can find.'

In a series of Linked In posts, Mr Koletti made baseless claims the fraud investigation agency was responsible for his wife's death.

'An investigator at your company and her team of white collar crooks caused the death of my wife. Put an end to "Pre-emptive Slaughter",' one post read.

Mr Koletti also taped a poster outside the ASIC's office in Market Street, in Sydney's CBD, on the anniversary of his wife's disappearance, which read: 'ASIC = womanslaughter'.

In February, Mr Koletti said he received a warning by police in August last year after he sent Ms Allen four texts requesting that she return a computer server seized by regulators.

At the time, Mr Koletti said he had not contacted Ms Allen since and claimed the AVO was an attempt to 'villainise' him and his wife.

Mr Koletti made music about the investigators with several of his songs mentioning Ms Allen and ASIC directly

'I have no idea why they would be taking an AVO out, I guess it's ASIC just throwing their weight around to try and make me look like some kind of villain,' he told The Australian.

'They're villainising my wife and now they villainising me, that's what this world's come to.

'I haven't contacted them in, my god like, at least six months ago, maybe eight months ago. It's been ages. It's just ridiculous.'

Mr Koletti added that he did not think his behaviour towards Ms Allen crossed any lines.

'She's made my life very uncomfortable and my entire families so can I feel sorry for her? No,' he told 7News.

'I don't feel it went to far. But if she feels threatened I'm sorry for that. I don't mean it as a personal threat against her and I mean her no harm.

Koletti released a number of songs over his Spotify, under his DJ name, Paws Off

Melissa Caddick's Dover Heights mansion (pictured) will go up for auction in coming months - but first needs a series of repairs

'I'm the one that is going to be left with nothing and a dead wife.'

Caddick, 49, was wanted by police after she skipped town in November 2020 with $23million of her clients' life-savings, until she was declared dead four months later when her decaying foot drifted ashore 400km south of her home in Sydney.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has been trying to recover some of the live savings her 72 clients poured into the scam, which funded her lavish lifestyle.

Mr Koletti was booted from Caddick's $6.2million Dover Heights mansion in May as liquidators seek to sell the home to recoup some of her victims' stolen funds.

Liquidators are in the process of preparing the ritzy Wallangra Road property, which has skyrocketed to around $15million in value since Caddick's 2014 purchase, to put up for sale in a private auction.

An inquest into Caddick's disappearance and suspected death will be held in September.

Melissa Caddick's husband lashes out at Ben Fordham in pathetic diss track: 'Keep my wife's name out of your mouth'

By Ashlea Knickel for Daily Mail Australia

Melissa Caddick's husband, Anthony Koletti, has released a 'bizarre diss track,' telling 2GB host Ben Fordham to 'keep my wife's name out of your mouth'.

The song, critical of Fordham and other journalists' coverage of his wife's fraud case, was released online earlier this week.

'2GB with Ben Fordham, more like zero snoredom,' Koletti says in the song.

Sydney conwoman Melissa Caddick's (left) husband, Anthony Koletti (right), has written a rap 'diss track' on 2GB radio host Ben Fordham

Ben Fordham described the song as an 'atrocious embarrassment' that was another attempt by Koletti at getting a 'handout'

'Get off your high horse, you get told what to report fam.'

'You know Kyle and Jackie O, you're a sheep, you get told what to think.

'Get off your high horse, you get told what to report fam.

'Like Will said, I'd like to tell you to keep my wife's name out of your mouth, instead go south.'

On Tuesday morning, Fordham responded to the song by saying Koletti was looking for 'another handout' after riding on the coat-tails of his wife's multi-million-dollar scams.

Koletti (above) called Fordham a 'snoredom' in his diss track and told the radio host to 'keep my wife's name out of your mouth'

Fordham accused Koletti (right) of 'living like a rapper' thanks to Caddick's (left) scams, totaling $23 million

'When Melissa was brazenly stealing $23 million from people and pretending to invest it on their behalf, Anthony was living it up,' he said.

'For eight years, he was living in the fast lane...all of it paid for thanks to the hard work of others.

'He was living life like he was a rapper, and funnily enough, that's what Anthony Koletti wants to be.'

'I think Kanye West and Eminem are safe,' he said.

'Your music is atrocious. I know music is subjective but you could travel the entire planet and - no matter how hard you look - you won't find anyone who wants to listen to this 24-karat crap.

'Your music is some of the most embarrassing stuff ever made. So my advice is let it go, get a job, and stop expecting some poor sucker is going to give you another hand out.'

Fordham told Koletti to 'let it go, get a job, and stop expecting some poor sucker is going to give you another hand out'

Fordham then went a step further and challenged Koletti to an interview 'anywhere, anytime'.

Melissa Caddick disappeared from her Sydney eastern suburbs in November 2020 after scamming $23 million from 74 of her friends and family under the guise of an investment business.

They believed she was trading it on the stock market but instead she was blowing the money on designer clothes, jewellery, overseas trips, multi-million dollar properties, and luxury cars.

She was declared presumably dead in February, 2021, after a foot found on Bournda Beach on the NSW south coast matched her DNA
Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has joined the likes of Theresa May and Michael Gove after his dance moves went viral online when two guests at a Pakistani wedding lifted him onto their shoulders.

Mr Corbyn showed of his bhangra dance moves to an excited wedding party after a being convinced to perform by the groom's cousin.

The Islington North MP was invited as a special guest to the wedding of left-wing Labour MP Zarah Sultana's sister in Coventry, the Lancashire Telegraph reports.

Mr Corbyn, dressed in a cream suit and pale-blue shirt, can be seen busting a few moves to live bhangra music in videos filmed by guests to the Pakistani wedding on Tuesday.

Jeremy Corbyn showing of his bhangra dance moves to an excited wedding party after a being convinced to perform by the groom's cousin

He was cheered on by a large crowd of guests standing around him after being 'pulled over' for a dance by the groom Rizwan's cousin Tayab Naveed, 26.

Mr Corbyn was filmed by Mr Naveed, general manager of cafe Chaaye Paani in Blackburn, Lancashire.

After dancing Mr Corbyn paused to clap but only managed to twice before a shocked Mr Corbyn was lifted onto the shoulders of his dance partner and another wedding guest.

All three then punch the air in celebration as they are loudly cheered by the large crowd.

Bhangra was created by British Punjabis in the 1960s being based on their music from their native Punjab, a region in the north of the Indian subcontinent divided between Pakistan and India.

Mr Naveed said that Mr Corbyn 'has certainly got the moves' and complimented him for being 'brilliant with everyone'.

He invited the MP for a dance after seeing him in a car while traffic marshalling near the Royal Court Hotel.

Jeremy Corbyn excited the wedding party with his bhangra dancing, which created by British Punjabis

Mr Corbyn was cheered on by a large crowd of guests standing around him after being 'pulled over' for a dance by the groom Rizwan's cousin Tayab Naveed, 26

After he got out he told Mr Corbyn: 'You are man of your word and so am I so let's do this'.

He said Mr Corbyn replied: 'You take the lead and I am ready.'

Jeremy Corbyn has now joined the growing list of MPs who have unashamedly danced on camera - even excluding Strictly Come Dancing.

But how does the former Labour leader stack up against his political (and dancing) rivals?

Theresa May: The Maybot

Then-PM Theresa May became notorious for the 'Maybot', now her signature dance move, after dancing with schoolchildren on a visit to South Africa in August 2018.

Her moves in Cape Town, which she admitted 'might not make it on to Strictly', were compared to Peter Crouch's famous 'robot' and less generously the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.

She embraced the 'cringe' when she walked on stage to ABBA's Dancing Queen at the Tory party conference a week later.

Mocked for her robotic dancing style during a tour of Africa, then-PM turned the joke on her critics by performing the Maybot at the Tory Party Conference in October 2018

The former PM also busted out her signature dance move after winning the Spectator's Backbencher of the Year award last year.

More recently she was seen dancing at Henley Music Festival earlier this month after the man who replaced her, Boris Johnson, was himself ousted from Downing Street.

Former President of the EU Commission Jean-Claude Juncker even did his own rendition of the Maybot to an amused crowd in Brussels.

He sparked laughter by dancing like Mrs May before delivering a speech in Brussels in 2018.

Michael Gove: Dancing the night away after breakup

Former Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove was filmed dancing the night away in an Aberdeen nightclub after the breakup of his marriage with his wife of 20 years, Sarah Vine.

He was seen throwing shapes on the dancefloor at Bohemia nightclub in the early hours of a Sunday morning last August.

Musician Emma Lament, who posted the videos to Instagram, wrote in the captions that newly-single Gove was 'giving it big licks' as he bopped to pulsating techno music.

Michael Gove was seen dancing the night away at a Scottish nightclub on Saturday, much to the surprise of fellow revellers

In the videos, Gove, dressed in a suit with no tie, can be seen jumping, two-stepping and waving his arms around to the music.

Mr Gove was also spotted dancing with fellow Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, who recently ran to be the new Tory leader, at last years party conference.

The hilarious clip showed the Mr Gove arm in arm with Mr Tugendhat as he throws his finest shapes to a cover of the 1987 hit while wearing a suit and tie - just a month after his infamous night out in Aberdeen.

The pair are seen laughing as they dance together on the packed dance floor at the Tory conference in Manchester

Yvette Cooper gave Strictly star husband Ed Balls a run for his money

Yvette Cooper dances at the Mirror party at the conference in Liverpool in 2016

Labour MP Yvette Cooper was seen giving her husband, former MP and Strictly Come Dancing star Ed Balls a run for his money at the Labour Party conference in 2016.

She busted her moves in Liverpool stealing the show at the traditional end of conference party hosted by the Daily Mirror newspaper.

After her husband's disappointing performance on Strictly Come Dancing the previous Saturday, she seemed keen to prove she didn't share his poor dancing skills.

She danced along to Beatles classics with Daily Mirror editor Lloyd Embley to Beatles classics including I Want To Hold Your Hand and Come Together.

Donald Trump's bizarre dance to YMCA

Donald Trump danced to the Village People's YMCA during at his 2020 campaign rallies.

His strange dancing of the anthem during the presidential election involved the then-US President making little punches, alternating with his left and right fists.

He also swung his hands around his head in time with the opening of the song.

Mr Trump was made fun of on the internet after video of his bizarre dance moves made it online.

I doubt we will be seeing the former President on Strictly - or the American version Dancing With the Stars - any time soon.

Boris Johnson: A 'party animal with Eton moves' when he danced with lightsaber-wielding Labour politician

A lightsaber-wielding Labour politician seen dancing with then-Mayor of London Boris Johnson in a video believed to be from 2013.

Jennette Arnold OBE said she has 'no regrets' about her shuffle with the Prime Minister - who she has described as a 'party animal'.

She revealed that her hilarious dance with the Conservative leader was part of a long-running attempt to bring London Assembly members from all sides together.

The viral video is believed to have been filmed at a Christmas party for London Assembly staff in 2013, when Mr Johnson was the capital's mayor and Mrs Arnold was a member.
A police call handler has been cleared of sexually assaulting another woman on a night out by cupping her breasts.

Donna Thomas-Kinsella, 26, was accused of 'provocative and intimate sexual behaviour' against the un-named woman.

Ms Thomas-Kinsella, of Llanharan in South Wales, denied 'getting a thrill' by sexual touching and claimed she is just a 'touchy-feely' person.

The complainant, a married woman, had claimed she was groped by the 26-year-old at bars during nights out in Swansea, South Wales.

In a police interview played to the court she alleged on the first occasion Thomas-Kinsella cupped her breasts.

The second time she claimed Thomas-Kinsella approached her from behind and 'jiggled' her body against her back.

Donna Thomas-Kinsella, 26, of Llanharan in South Wales, has been found not guilty of all three charges of sexual assault

A jury at Swansea Crown Court (pictured) took one hour and 53 minutes to find her not guilty of all charges

One the third occasion she alleged the police civilian worker had 'softly and affectionately' stroked her face.

The woman, who could not be named for legal reasons, said she told her husband and friends but did not report the matters until after the third one.

Thomas-Kinsella is a call handler with South Wales Police's Public Service Centre in Bridgend.

Giving evidence at Swansea Crown Court she denied the first two alleged groping incidents saying: 'They just didn't happen.'

She said: 'I accept I touched her face but there was nothing sexual about it. I'm a touchy-feely person.

'I was mortified and knocked for six when I heard about the allegations because I'm not that sort of person.'

Under cross-examination Thomas-Kinsella denied getting a thrill by 'pushing the boundaries' and trying to see what she could 'touch and get away with'

Thomas-Kinsella is a call handler with South Wales Police's Public Service Centre (pictured) in Bridgend

Under cross-examination Thomas-Kinsella denied getting a thrill by 'pushing the boundaries' and trying to see what she could 'touch and get away with'.

She also denied downplaying the amount of alcohol she consumed on the dates of the alleged offences.

Prosecutor Hannah George earlier told the jury that the defendant had engaged in 'provocative, intimate sexual behaviour' towards her alleged victim.

Thomas-Kinsella denied three charges of sexual assault. Today, the jury took one hour and 53 minutes to find her not guilty of all charges.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a 3.1 million tree-planting package following wildfires sparked by record-breaking temperatures in the capital.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) said the funding would be targeted in areas with the fewest trees and those most vulnerable to climate change.

The move comes following a record-breaking heatwave in the UK last week, when temperatures soared to over 40 degrees for the first time on Tuesday July 19.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the day was its busiest day since the Second World War, with crews attending 1,146 incidents.

Homes were gutted in Dagenham, East London as wildfires raged across the city

A massive fire tore through homes in Wennington, London on the UK's hottest day in history

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he wants the tree-planting scheme to help tackle the 'urban heat island' effect in the city as temperatures continue to rise amid climate change

Head of the LFB Andy Roe said the fires in the capital last week were unprecedented. He said: 'I saw stuff this week that I had not expected to see as a London firefighter.'

Mr Khan said the week's events 'laid bare how vulnerable London is to the effects of climate change'.

The mayor added: 'The climate emergency is the biggest global threat we face today and we know that it doesn't impact all Londoners equally, with communities suffering poverty, deprivation and health inequalities more likely to experience the worst effects of flooding, overheating and poor quality air.

'As Mayor, I will continue my bold action to preserve and increase tree coverage across the capital as we build a better, greener and more sustainable London for everyone.'

The Mayor's project is an attempt to reduce an 'urban heat island' effect, whereby heat in cities is intensified by a lack of trees and greenery.

The new package included a 800,000 top up for a community grant scheme, a million pounds for street trees, 320,000 for tree packages for community groups and schools, and a million pounds to create shady groves in areas of high heat risk.
The new US ambassador to Britain has played down the idea of Joe Biden disliking Britain and insisted that the transatlantic relationship remains 'incredibly strong'.

Jane Hartley spoke out in her first major interview after being appointed the American representative in the UK, replacing Woody Johnson.

President Biden is of Irish heritage and has taken a harder line against the UK than predecessor Donald Trump over Brexit and trade.

Most recently he likened British treatment of Irish Catholics to the current Palestine/Israel conflict.

But asked by Times Radio whether the president had a 'cool' attitude towards Britain, Ms Hartley said: I really don't think so. I remember when I was talking to them about this ambassadorship throughout the White House and the President, they emphasised to me that this was the most important position...

'The personal relationship that the President has with the UK is incredibly strong. I mean, we know we know that we stand together.

'We know we have the same values. It's never been more clear than it is now in terms of our support for freedom and democracy in terms of what we're doing in Ukraine. And we know we need each other. And I think if you talk to the president, that's exactly what he would say.'

However, she also reiterated the president's warning that the simmering UK- EU row over Northern Ireland threatened the longstanding peace of the country.

Jane Hartley spoke out in her first major interview after being appointed the American representative in the UK, replacing Woody Johnson, left

President Biden is of Irish heritage and has taken a harder line against the UK than predecessor Donald Trump over Brexit and trade. Most recently he likened British treatment of Irish Catholics to the problems faced by Palestinians at the hands of Israel.

However, she also reiterated the president's warning that the simmering UK- EU row over Northern Ireland threatened the longstanding peace of the country.

Ms Hartley called for further talks on the post-Brexit Irish Sea trading arrangements 'for the sake of Northern Ireland'.

She told Times Radio: 'What we're saying is please have conversations and get this dialogue going again.

'There has to be a way that both sides can come to some agreement, you know, and negotiation and negotiation, everybody always has to give a little.

'But this is an important time. The Good Friday Agreement, it will be 25 years in April. We want what we see up there - the peace, prosperity and security - to continue.

'What we would urge is, please, this is not, we're not part of this negotiation, but we would urge please sit down, sit down privately, and let's see if there's a way to make this work for both sides.'

Ms Hartley is a former ambassador to France and Monaco. Before her diplomatic career she was the chief executive of economics and political advisory firm Observatory Group.

The 72-year-old married mother-of-two previously worked for Democrat president Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s.

Ms Hartley (pictured at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival) is a former ambassador to France and Monaco. Before her diplomatic career she was the chief executive of economics and political advisory firm Observatory Group.

She only met the Queen via videolink when she presented her credentials at Buckingham palace last week.

Her comments come amid a breakdown in relations between London and Brussels over the UK Government's controversial plan to pass legislation at Westminster which would empower ministers to unilaterally rip up the bulk of the protocol.

It was put to her that it sounds as though she wants the negotiations to continue and that the US is not therefore necessarily supporting the EU in its legal action against the UK.

She replied: 'I don't want to comment on the EU, but our key commitment, our key statement here, our key policy, what we're really proposing privately and publicly, is sit down and let's figure out how we can make this work for the sake of Northern Ireland, for the sake of the economy, for prosperity, for security - it's important.

'Indecision is never a positive in terms of economic investment and things like that.'
A Spanish equality campaign has been criticised for not including men in a body-positivity artwork.

Spain's equality ministry was slammed for saying every woman's body is beach-ready but not saying whether men's are as well.

The campaign artwork depicts three overweight women, a topless elderly woman after a mastectomy and a woman with unshaved legs and her armpit hair on display below a slogan of 'summer is ours too'.

Equalities minister Irene Montero said: 'All bodies are valid and we have the right to enjoy life as we are, without guilt or shame. Summer is for everyone!'

However, many were quick to attack the campaign for not saying men's bodies were beach-ready as well.

A Spanish equality ministry artwork depicts three overweight women, a topless elderly woman after a mastectomy and a woman with unshaved legs and her armpit hair on display below a slogan of 'summer is ours too'

Equalities minister Irene Montero said: 'All bodies are valid and we have the right to enjoy life as we are, without guilt or shame. Summer is for everyone!'

'Where are the bodies of men!?,' one Twitter user asked. 'Many have complexes for their baldness.'

Another joked: 'It is that only women are deformed. Men, they all have perfect bodies. Everyone knows that.

'Is there anything more macho than that posh girl and her ministry?

Thousands of people have flocked to Spain's beaches this month during the hot weather. Pictured: A Barcelona beach earlier this month

'Always looking for ways to denigrate women.'

Even Communist politician Cayo Lara said the campaign was 'the height of absurdity' and 'trying to create a problem where it does not exist'.

After the criticism, junior equality minister Angela Rodriguez Pam said: 'Gentlemen saying that fat women could now go to the beach without permission from Equality [ministry]: Of course we are going but we're assuming we'll attract hatred for teaching about a body that is not normal.'
Apple removes its dial-up modem internet guide in its latest macOS Ventura beta 4.

Essentially, the Cupertino-tech giant is no longer going to help macOS users when they are trying to set up a dial-up modem internet on their Mac if ever they oddly want to stay away from WiFi.

Apple's macOS Ventura Beta Kills Dial-Up Modem Internet Support

While dial-up modem internet has become extremely rare these days, wherein WiFi and 5G cellular data have dominated, Apple has been helping macOS users to connect to the former.

Not until the Cupertino-based tech giant rolled out the latest macOS Ventura beta 4 or macOS 13.

As per a news story by 9to5 Mac, Apple released its macOS Ventura beta 4 to developers on July 27, introducing a few refinements.

The online news outlet notes that one of the interesting updates in the last beta of macOS Ventura has something to do with its support for dial-up internet.

9to5 Mac highlights that the latest update of macOS completely removes its user guide for connecting Macs to a dial-up modem.

It is worth noting that the previous versions of macOS stuffed a dial-up internet guide, helping users set up the old school modem connection if ever they want to do so.

For some reason, Apple includes a piece of document in the macOS system, which specifically guides its users step-by-step about connection to dial-up internet.

But this time, the latest beta release of macOS ditches the user guide altogether. In fact, 9to5 Mac reports that the help article is nowhere to be found in the new beta 4 update.

Apple's New System Preferences

It comes as the new macOS Ventura has radically redesigned the System Preferences app for Macs. It is to note that the whole thing is now simply named System Settings.

Apart from the new name and fresh overall look, System Settings have also let go of the user guide for connecting to dial-up internet.

The old guide that Apple provides still refers to the old System Preferences on Macs.

Rightfully so, not many would be interested in setting up their Macs to a slow and unreliable dial-up internet.

But it appears that some folks are still using a USB modem even as the built-in dial-up option on Macs has long been gone.

Read Also: Apple iPhone 14 Rear Cameras Reportedly Facing 'Quality Issues' - Will This Cause Delays?

macOS Ventura

According to a recent report by Mac Rumors, beta 4 of macOS Ventura comes with a few new features and improvements.

The latest update brings Stage Manager, the new multitasking feature that allows users to organize their desktops.

It also introduces the Continuity Camera feature, which lets iPhone users use its camera as a webcam.

Related Article: Apple Introduces 'Test Alerts' Switch to iPhone if You Want to Test Emergency Alerts | Here's How to Do It
Charlie Aitken is selling out of his self-titled funds management company just months after his very public high-society love triangle.

The Sydney investment banker was embroiled in scandal in late 2021 after shacking up Hollie Nasser, his wife Ellie's bestfriend, shortly after his marriage broke down.

The partner swap shocked the city's eastern suburbs social clique and was further complicated by the fact Mr Aitken was in business with Ms Nasser's investor husband, Christopher.

Now, Mr Aitken has advised investors of Aitken Investment Management of his intention to resign.

In a note to clients, Mr Aitken said the investment team has agreed to buy his family's shares, at which point he will stand down and the company will be rebranded Constantia Investment Partners.

Charlie Aitken (pictured with his wife Ellie) is leaving his self-titled investment fund company

'The investment team are humbled to take the baton from Charlie to lead the company, and to continue stewarding the capital out investors have entrusted to us,' Etienne Vlok, the chief investment officer said.

Mr Vlok will manage the fund alongside co-portfolio manager Daniel Gerdis, senior analyst Andrew Strasser, and chief executive Les Andrews.

AIM, which counted the Aitken family as its majority shareholder, suffered poor returns over the financial year - taking a 9.9 per cent dive under Mr Vlok's reign.

Packer's lieutenant Rob Rankin and Mr Nasser, who has stepped down as AIM's director, still hold shares in the company.

Billionaire Kerry Stokes was a previous shareholder, purchasing a 19.99 per cent stake in 2017, until selling out after disappointing returns.

The company took a hit in the wake of Mr Aitken's relationship woes, with Ms Nasser's jilted estranged husband Christopher Nasser pulling $7.5million from the fund and stepping off the board of AIM after five years as director and shareholder.

Mr Aitken later revealed AIM Global High Conviction Fund delivered a return of 3 per cent after fees in December, compared to a benchmark return of 1.7 per cent.

Mr Aitken hit the headlines in late 2021 after he began dating Hollie Nassar (pictured), his wife's bestfriend and the partner of his colleague

Christopher Nasser (pictured with his wife) left AIM in the wake of the high-profile love triangle

That means for the whole of 2021, AIM had a 31.1 per cent return after fees, ahead of a 29.3 per cent benchmark.

Mr Aitken's decision comes after a turmoil-filled year after the public breakdown of his marriage and subsequent short-lived romance with Ms Nassar.

Ms Nasser and Mr Aitken spent several months in a love bubble, trying to take things slow, until intense public scrutiny of their relationship added a level of pressure they didn't expect - or know how to handle.

They quietly parted ways earlier this year and were said to be disappointed in how everything played out.

In May, five months after the new couple went public, Daily Mail Australia was told Ms Nasser was openly telling people she was 'single', signalling she was no longer in a relationship with Mr Aitken.

After making the announcement, Ms Nasser posted pictures to her social media accounts enjoying days at Randwick races and nights out with friends.

Ms Nassar reportedly confided in friends she was struggling with all the attention the relationship brought her.

'She never wanted it,' a friend said. 'She just wanted to get back to being a mum.

'Hollie really just wants to move on with her life.'

They shared a kiss before Mr Aitken held open the passenger side door for Ms Nasser

The Nassers and Aitkens were two of Sydney's power couples before a scandalous love triangle tore them apart (pictured, Hollie and Christopher Nasser)

Despite trying to keep a low profile in the early days of their relationship, Mr Aitken and Ms Nasser were often seen making grand, public displays of affection.

Word of their split first made waves through their social circles in Sydney's east, but they denied there was any trouble.

Mr Aitken has gone out of his way to mend his relationship with his estranged lawyer wife Ellie Aitken, and the pair are amicable for the sake of their children.

Ellie still holds a senior position with investment firm Pallas Capital after jumping ship from her estranged husband's company in the wake of their split.

During the initial controversy, Ms Aitken snapped and released private conversations with Ms Nasser accusing her former friend of 'bullying', before whisking her family away for a holiday in Aspen.

Ellie Aitken (pictured), a lawyer, jumped from her husband's company to take on a senior position with investment firm Pallas Capital

All four parties in a high-society love split have now gone their separate ways, but are still intertwined as a result of their young children and the company they keep. Pictured dining at Eleven Madison Park in New York before the Covid pandemic

She flew out of Sydney on December 15 for a quiet break to avoid the intense limelight of the public fallout of her 19 year marriage.

'The truth is that despite the support of friends and family I have not coped well with the deeply hurtful lies, gossip and innuendo that has surrounded the breakdown of my relationship,' she said in a statement released on her departure.

She announced she would be 'taking a break from social media' and public view while she and her family adjust to the separation and her estranged husband's new relationship.

As for Mr Nasser, friends said he was 'mortified' that the breakdown of his marriage played out so publicly and sought comfort in his close network.

On top of the devastating split, Mr Nasser was hit with an AVO taken out by his ex and the matter appeared several times before the courts until it was eventually dropped.

Mr Nasser's lawyer Paul McGirr told Daily Mail Australia he had argued with police that the AVO was 'baseless', and had been used 'as a sword instead of a shield' against a non-violent person.

Hollie also said that she, too, sought to have the AVO dropped.

The grounds for the order were allegations of 'general intimidation behaviour' during the marriage which foundered late last year.

Mr McGirr said that Mr Nasser had been 'bewildered and shocked' by the restraining order and 'he now wants to move on with his life'.

All four parties have now gone their separate ways.
President Zelensky has admitted that he 'worries a lot' about what will happen to Britain's support for Ukraine once Boris Johnson leaves office.

The UK have been 'leaders' in backing Kyiv, Zelensky told Piers Morgan during a sit-down with wife Olena in Kyiv, but the country needs 'at least the same level of support' from whoever comes next to hold back the Russian army.

While he is confident the UK will not shy away from the war whoever takes the helm next, Zelensky said his 'personal relationship with Boris' helped accelerate the level of support - and he will not immediately have such a rapport with his successor.

Meanwhile First Lady Zelenska recounted the early hours and days of the invasion, saying her 'cheeks hurt from smiling' as she put on a brave face for their children - Oleksandra, who turned 18 two weeks ago, and nine-year-old Kyrylo.

President Zelensky has admitted he 'worries a lot' about what will happen to British support for Ukraine after Boris Johnson leaves office

Olena Zelenska told how her 'face hurt from smiling' as she put on a brave face for her children the day bombs started falling on Kyiv

Speaking from Ukraine's heavily-fortified Presidential Palace for Piers Morgan Uncensored, Olena said she was 'a little bit worried' about how she would tell her children a war had started as she went to wake them up of that first day,

'But luckily, I didn't have to do that because when I entered the room of my daughter, she was already awake and she understood everything,' Olena said.

'I didn't see in her eyes any panic. She just asked me: "What do we have to do now?"

'And that was exactly the same question which I addressed to my husband and what he told me was: "Wait, wait, and I will tell you".'

A short time later, armed guards arrived at the president's residence and whisked Olena and her children away from the capital to safety.

Zelensky stayed, knowing it would give his country and his soldiers courage to see their leader defying Putin's onslaught in the capital.

It would be months before the couple saw each-other in the flesh again. Zelensky has still not been able to see his children, for fear Russia will try to kill them.

'I had some thoughts,' Olena admitted. Would it be possible for me to see him again? How long is it going to last? What happens next? The fear was there.

'But I tried not to show it to my children that I was confused, that I was scared

'It was important for me to be in a cheerful mood, to keep talking to them, to smile to them. This is what I had to do and after this very long day, believe me, my cheeks hurt because I had to smile so much and to be cheerful.'

Olena revealed that she now gets to see her husband 'several times per week in the office' as Volodymyr joked that the interview was a kind of 'date' - one of the rare good occasions when they get to see each-other.

The couple joked that sitting down for an interview was like a 'TV date' because it is one of the few good occasions they get to see each other

Piers Morgan told the pair that Ukrainians he has spoke to don't want a peace deal with Russia, and Zelensky agreed - saying it will not bring back murdered children

'I miss my children, I miss my wife. It is impossible to get used to it. Everything else you can get used to,' he said.

She added 'Of course, [the children] miss him our daughter who graduated from school, she's entering University, and today she's going to take an exam.

'She really needs her dad to be around, to be able to talk to him in this period of time - she's entering adult life.

'It's so important to make sure that there is a smooth transition for her but unfortunately, this is something we cannot afford.'

Though times are difficult, Olena says it is the strength of Ukrainian people that keeps her going.

'What is supportive, what helps us, you understand that you are not alone,' she said.

'All of the Ukrainian people are in this situation. Too many are separated and all of us are waiting for our victory, and waiting for normal life - to be reunited again and just to lead normal lives like ordinary people live.'

But the end is unlikely to come soon. Zelensky categorically ruled out doing any kind of deal with Russia to cede territory in return for a ceasefire.

'We have no right to do this this land belongs to Ukrainian people,' he said.

When Piers pointed out that the Ukrainians he had spoken to all agreed there could be no deal, Zelensky added: 'They hate, they hate and it's understandable.

'When so many families lost, for example, their neighbours, their children, what is the deal? Could Russia, or can Russia give a child back?

'No. So right now emotion, only one emotion. Hate.'

Asked about his counterpart, Vladimir Putin, Zelensky admits that the 'scariest' thought of all is that he is sane and knows exactly what he is doing.

Zelensky and Olena have been doing a round of press interviews as they try to keep western attention focused on the war (pictured today on the front of Wired magazine)

'He is enemy number one in this war,' Zelensky says.

'He knows how many people he kills. He knows how many people were raped, and by who, and the number of children killed or deported'

Victory, Zelensky continued, is assured. Russia will never be able to subjugate Ukraine or the Ukrainian people without utterly destroying them.

The only thing that remains to be decided is the nature of the victory.

'We will win, we already showed the whole world that he can kill us but to conquer our people is impossible,' he said.

'Millions of soldiers may die but he cannot occupy the people. He can occupy these towns and villages, but all of them would be destroyed.

'Because without ruining them they will not be able to take those places.'

Russia is now five months into what was supposed to be a days-long 'special military operation' to kill or capture Zelensky and his family and install a puppet regime.

What was supposed to be a lighting-fast assault on Kyiv to seize the capital and decapitate the government stalled, and was then sent packing.

An offensive in the east, to capture the Donbas, met with limited success as the city of Mariupol and then the province of Luhansk were conquered - but has now stalled.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is shaping the ground for a major counter-attack in the south to re-take the city of Kherson.

The main bridge leading from the city - the only regional capital to be captured by Russia of the invasion - to the rest of its occupied territory has now been cut after being struck by precision HIMARS rockets.

Two more bridges - a nearby rail bridge and a second road bridge over the Nova Khakokva dam - have also been damaged, and may not be fully operable.

That means Russia has no easy way of reinforcing troops defending Kherson on the west bank of the Dnipro River, and no easy way to retreat if attacked.

A Ukrainian assault, which would be its first major offensive operation of the war, is expected to take place soon.

If they win, it will provide a much-needed boost for the war effort and prove - at least in theory - that the aim of recapturing territory from Russia is possible.

That will likely increase support from allies both in terms of funds and weapons, with the aim of taking back more occupied territory.

Lose, and Ukraine risks the backing of its allies fading away as Putin piles the pressure on by choking Europe's gas supplies ahead of winter.

It would also be a major propaganda win for Putin, and could weaken Ukraine's military to the point where more counter-attacks become impossible.
A woman with a phobia of the dentist said she has been left traumatised, thousands of pounds out of pocket and in such intense pain she has struggled to eat, leading to severe weight loss, following a botched dental procedure in Turkey.

Katie Inglis said her mental health has plummeted and she has lost 6,850 after bungling dentists left blobs of impression material inside her red raw gums.

The 29-year-old said she has also lost more than a stone in weight and could barely bring herself to eat due to the extent of the pain in her mouth.

The recruitment worker, from Coventry, West Midlands, forked out for a flight to Antalya in the trans-continental country after friends had great experiences getting their teeth done at Attelia Clinic.

The recruitment worker, from Coventry, West Midlands, forked out for a flight to Antalya in the trans-continental country after friends had great experiences getting their teeth done at Attelia Clinic

Ms Inglis said she was fairly confident returning to the clinic because they had already worked on her teeth

The 29-year-old said she has also lost more than a stone in weight and could barely bring herself to eat due to the extent of the pain in her mouth

Katie Inglis said her mental health has plummeted and she has lost 6,850 after bungling dentists left blobs of impression material inside her red raw gums

Ms Inglis said: 'I have always been really insecure about my teeth because I had really receding gums. It got so bad that my teeth were actually wobbling. I just had an issue with every single tooth - the colour, the shape.

'I've had issues with my teeth ever since a British dentist mistakenly removed two of my front teeth and it left me with so many insecurities.'

Her first Turkish tooth experience was in 2020, when she had a gum graft to fix a receding issue caused by gum disease. The procedure - which she said she was pleased with - cost 2,000.

Desperate to fix the other issues with her teeth but terrified of the dentist, Ms Inglis even looked into Invisalign. However, at 12,000, she said it was too far out of her budget and double the price of the Turkey procedure.

Consequently, she decided to return to the same clinic for a full set of crowns.

Ms Inglis said she was quoted 6,000 - which included the cost of 13 root canals, getting 24 teeth shaved down and fitting the pearly whites on top.

Ms Inglis said her first Turkish tooth experience was in 2020, when she had a gum graft to fix a receding issue caused by gum disease. The procedure - which she said she was pleased with - cost 2,000

Ms Inglis said she had always been very insecure about her teeth because she had receding gums

After delays due to Covid, Ms Inglis flew back out to get the final part of the procedure done in April this year

After delays due to Covid, she flew back out to get the final part of the procedure done in April this year.

Ms Inglis said: 'I was quite confident going back because they had already worked on me and knew my teeth.

'Because of my phobia I always avoided going to the dentist, so I wanted to be sure.'

Following a gruelling eight-hour procedure under anaesthetic, Ms Inglis said she struggled to recover and was 'violently sick'.

But she said the situation got even worse when it came to her crowns being fitted.

Ms Inglis explained: 'The biggest problem was, after they shaved my teeth down, they couldn't get the crowns to fit.

'The shape, the fit, the form - the style - we had numerous attempts over about 48 hours of just putting them in and out and it was so uncomfortable, it was really painful.'

Ms Inglis said she was not allowed any anaesthetic as the bulky crowns were shoved in and out of her mouth because she needed to be sure that they fit comfortably around her shaved-down teeth.

But she said the repeated shoving and shifting left her mouth full of blood, her gums ripped to shreds and feeling like she had been 'beaten up'.

Ms Inglis said: 'It was brutal. I can't even explain the pain, it was horrific. I am quite traumatised to be honest.

'They even asked me when my flight was because they thought my gums might need more time to heal before the crowns were cemented.

'But the next day when I went back, they said I was ready to get them fitted, which surprised me.

'I think they put them in too soon, and that's how all the impression material got stuck.'

Ms Inglis said she was quoted 6,000 - which included the cost of 13 root canals, getting 24 teeth shaved down and fitting the pearly whites on top

Following a gruelling eight-hour procedure under anaesthetic, Ms Inglis said she struggled to recover and was 'violently sick'

Ms Inglis thought the green paste used to stick the crowns in place oozed into open wounds in her mouth during the process.

She said: 'When I came back to the UK I noticed there was something green in my mouth - I thought maybe it was a stitch.

'They told me that it was just the green mouthwash they had described - but that didn't seem right.'

Meanwhile, Ms Inglis was in immense pain, having to sleep with ice packs all over her swollen face and barely able to eat or drink.

She said she then contacted the dentist again, sending more pictures of the mysterious green bits inside her mouth.

Ms Inglis said: 'They basically came back to me and said, "This is material left from the impression, you need to get this out." It was horrific.

Ms Inglis was in immense pain, having to sleep with ice packs all over her swollen face and barely able to eat or drink

Weeks later and after spending a further 850, she said the material was finally removed by a UK practice

Attelia clinic has reimbursed Ms Inglis for the work, she said. And, despite the trauma, she said she does not regret the procedure

'They suggested I remove it myself with tweezers. The pain was just too much, so I had to go to the dentist.'

Weeks later and after spending a further 850, she said the material was finally removed by a UK practice.

Attelia clinic has reimbursed Ms Inglis for the work, she said.

And, despite the trauma, she said she does not regret the procedure.

Ms Inglis said: 'I haven't got any insecurities any more, and I'm so much more confident.

'It's really helped me personally, so it's really difficult to say because when I look at these teeth, I'm so much happier.

'With all the pain and what I have been through - do I think it's worth it? Should I have gone down another route? I maybe should have, but I am still happy with the way these teeth look.

'I don't think I could say that I regret it.'

Attelia Clinic has been contacted for comment.

Turkey teeth trend leaves thousands of Britons with dead stumps, abscesses and serious dental issues: NHS paying for repairs of many who fly out for cut-price crowns and veneers fuelled by dream for perfect reality TV smile

BY KATIE FEEHAN

The dental trend known as 'Turkey teeth' that involves travelling abroad to get drastic cut-price treatment is leaving thousands of Britons like Ms Inglis facing painful complications.

The latest cosmetic fad, made popular by stars like Katie Price and Love Island's Jack Fincham, involves filing down teeth to pegs then replacing them with crowns or veneers.

The procedure, which leaves patients with a Hollywood smile, is being fuelled on social media under the hashtag #Turkeyteeth which has been viewed more than 100million times.

But a recent BBC documentary has looked at the fallout, asking whether the risks really outweigh the savings on having cheaper treatment, with UK dentists warning the complications can leave patients with huge medical bills to fix shoddy work.

The dental trend known as 'Turkey teeth' that involves travelling abroad to get drastic cut-price treatment is leaving thousands of Britons like Ms Inglis facing painful complications

The latest cosmetic fad, made popular by stars like Katie Price and Love Island's Jack Fincham, involves filing down teeth to pegs then replacing them with crowns or veneers

A number of dentists surveyed on behalf of the BBC said some of the remedial work was provided by the NHS.

Meanwhile one private clinic has urged patients to be certain they know what they are getting after being contacted by clients who had been sold veneers but given the much more aggressive option of crowns.

The Harley Street Smile Clinic in London said they had been inundated by young people suffering from severe infections, intense long lasting pain, infected gums or rotting teeth due to the procedure.

In one case, Tiktok user Lisa Martyn revealed how her experience turned into a nightmare after she travelled to Turkey for the cosmetic treatment and paid 3,500 Euros (2,960) for what she thought was veneers but was actually a set of crowns.

She told the BBC: 'I was duped into the dream of having a full set of perfect teeth that I was never going to have any issues with but I was grossly misled about what I was having done - they were sold to me as veneers not a full set of crowns.

'No one sat down and told me the risks or if there were any other options. I thought that once they put the new teeth into my mouth that would be it - there would never be any more problems.

'But not only have I been in crippling pain every day since, but it has also cost me thousands. It's the biggest mistake of my life.'

Lisa flew to Turkey last year under the belief she would be fitted with 26 veneers in a bid to get the 'Hollywood smile' for her son's wedding but was actually fitted with crowns - a far more invasive procedure.

But months after her treatment, the 48-year-old was left in horrific pain after developing an abscess which nearly paralysed half her face and is suffering from nerve sensitivity.

Describing the work on her social media channel, she said: 'I never in my life experienced anything like it.

'They were drilling then, banging and hammering. I was jumping out of that chair for two hours.

'No one asked how I was or even offered me a drink of water. My mouth was so swollen it was like a horror movie.

'I was numb from my neck up to the top of my nose but I could still feel the sensation. I still didn't know that all my natural teeth were filed down and these were crowns, not veneers. It was only after I returned home, that I was told by a UK dentist.

'Now I'm still in pain and I've resigned myself to the fact that I will have to have dentures and live with pain every day. I wanted to look nice for my son's wedding but now I would give anything to just know that day I won't be in agony.'

According to the BBC, she is unable to eat properly and has lost more than two stone since the treatment.

Lisa shared her story on Tiktok to raise awareness about the dangers of going abroad for cheap treatment and says the cost of fixing her teeth will financially cripple her.

Assistant video editor Alicia Watts also travelled to Turkey to get work done on her teeth five years ago and for a long time considered it the best decision she had made.

Assistant video editor Alicia Watts also travelled to Turkey to get work done on her teeth five years ago and for a long time considered it the best decision she had made

But this year, the 27-year-old has started to suffer from constant pain and multiple infections with her regular dentist in the UK who said the dentist in Turkey had done an 'awful job' and said she needed 650 of work done to fix the damage

But this year, the 27-year-old has started to suffer from constant pain and multiple infections with her regular dentist in the UK who said the dentist in Turkey had done an 'awful job' and said she needed 650 of work done to fix the damage.

She told MailOnline: 'In 2017 I went to Antalya, Turkey and I was fitted with a full set of crowns, minus a few back teeth.

'I paid between 3,000-3,500 - it was a bit more because I got a stronger material called zirconia.

'I was actually very happy with them and I saw my UK dentist straight after who also said they looked fine.

'At the time I said to everyone that it was the best decision I had ever made because they looked so perfect.'

Although she was happy with the treatment, Alicia said it was extremely painful and described it as 'the worst pain I'd ever been in'.

She added: 'For 2 days I was crying in my hotel room because of the sensitivity of the teeth after they shaved them down and I couldn't stop bleeding but when I went back to the UK they were fine and for years they have been fine.

'However, 5 years later and I'm starting to be in constant pain due to tooth ache. I had an infection about 5 months ago which went away with antibiotics but now I'm in pain again.

'I went to a private dentist who said whoever fit the crowns did an awful job and I had another infection which has gone deeper into the tooth and gums, and that I needed an urgent root canal.'

Alicia declined the remedial work, which was not available through the NHS, because she couldn't afford the 650 it was going to cost.

She said: 'He said if I keep going this way my teeth will eventually fall out due to a build up of plague and infection underneath the teeth.

'My regular NHS dentist said they cannot do a root canal for me because of my crowns and the material of my teeth and told me I had to go to a private specialist.

'I'm on antibiotics again for the pain but I'm worried it will never go away and I won't be able to fix my teeth because I can't afford it.'

The treatment has proven popular with social media influencers and TV stars including model Katie price.

In August 2020, Katie Price shared a video which showed that her natural teeth had been shaved down to points which she said made her look like a James Bond villain before she had new veneers fitted while in Turkey

The treatment has proven popular with social media influencers and TV stars including model Katie price.

In August 2020, she shared a video which showed that her natural teeth had been shaved down to points which she said made her look like a James Bond villain before she had new veneers fitted while in Turkey.

The treatment was carried out after her original veneers fell out. However, in October that year, she had to go back to Turkey again after some of her new veneers fell out.

A spokesman for the star told the Sun at the time she had to return to Turkey to get the work fixed.

Love Island star Jack Fincham also received treatment in Turkey before appearing on the ITV reality show.

After the Love Island winner discussed his Turkey Teeth in 2018, Google searches for the term sky-rocketed.

Mr Fincham travelled to the Turkish city of Antalya five years ago, saying in a Love Island promotion video 'I absolutely love my pearly whites.

'I went all the way to Turkey to get these. I come back with a winning smile and a nice little holiday.'

But in the new BBC Three documentary 'Turkey Teeth: Bargain Smiles or Big Mistake,' he admitted he would 'do it differently' and showed off how his teeth had been filed down for his veneers.

He said that he receives lots of messages from people asking about the work he had done, and told the BBC that he now tells them about his own experience.

Speaking to the documentary's host Dr Trishala Lakhani, a dentist as well as Miss Universe GB, he said: 'I flew out there in the winter time, not the holiday season, and pretty much everyone on the flight was going to get some sort of procedure done.'

He got the work done despite knowing about the risks that come with veneers - such as a higher risk of requiring root canal work done or his teeth being removed.

'They mentioned all this stuff and it didn't put me off. It was for cosmetic purposes, so I was probably being a bit vain,' he admitted.

On the procedure itself, he said it 'can be quite uncomfortable'. 'You have loads of injections to numb your mouth. It's not an easy procedure. You have to do your research.' He added: 'Honestly, I love my teeth, but going back, if someone said, 'Would you have the composites or just get crowns done?' I'd get that.'

A survey carried out for the BBC found that hundreds of dentists in the UK had treated patients suffering from complications after getting work done abroad.

Dr MJ Rowland-Warmann, director of a dental clinic in Liverpool, told the broadcaster: 'If I did 20 crowns on a 21-year-old for the purposes of improving the colour, I would have my licence revoked, I would be struck off.'

She said her clinic receives one to three calls a day from people with issues with their teeth after going abroad but that her clinic cannot treat them.

'Some can't floss because their crowns are stuck together or they're in pain because they have bleeding gums.

'But it's easier for us not to take that patient. At the point when you inherit that patient and do any work, that's when the problems really start and that's when the UK dentist becomes liable. A risk we cannot take.

'This leaves patients in very vulnerable positions trying to scrabble around for help and it becomes very costly trying to fix the damage.'

Dr Maurice Johanne, Principle Dentist at Harley Street Smile Clinic, urged people to be careful about what treatment they were getting.

He said: 'I can't stress enough that people need to be 100 per cent clear about exactly what they are signing up for when they go abroad for cosmetic dental treatment.

'Although patients are under the impression they are having veneers, in reality they are having crowns placed, which means much more aggressive tooth reduction.'

London-based dental clinic said that it has been 'inundated' with young people seeking to have their botched survey rectified.

Not everyone who receives treatment abroad suffers complications. The BBC spoke to Tilly Entwhistle from Manchester who said she was thrilled with her work after being compared to Bugs Bunny as a child.

However, she said since visiting a dentist back in the UK, she was told they would not touch her teeth as they did not want to take responsibility for any issues with the work done in Turkey.
Britain will be seen as 'racist' if the Conservatives fail to elect Rishi Sunak as their new leader, a millionaire party donor has said.

Lord Rami Ranger said that choosing Liz Truss over the ex-chancellor would give the nation and the party 'a bad name'.

The India-born businessman, who has given 1.5million to the party and MPs since 2009, spoke out as Mr Sunak struggles to reduce the Foreign Secretary's poll lead.

The winner of the race to replace Boris Johnson will be announced in September.

But speaking to Indian news network Bharat Tak, Lord Ranger said: 'If people reject him, it will be a bad name for the party and the country because this will be perceived as racist.

'And so there is pressure on them to prove that here race does not matter. Calibre matters, and Rishi's calibre is above everyone.

Lord Rami Ranger said that choosing Liz Truss over the ex- chancellor would give the nation and the party 'a bad name'.

The India-born businessman, who has given 1.5million to the party and MPs since 2009, spoke out as Mr Sunak struggles to reduce the Foreign Secretary's poll lead.

He doubled down on his comments today. Answering critics of his views, he tweeted: 'Since Rishi Sunak has been elected by the majority of parliamentarians ... if he is overwhelmingly rejected by the public then it may be perceived as racism.'

He was one of three donors who tried to prevent Tory MPs from forcing a vote on her leadership in 2018. She later nominated him for a peerage in her resignation honours.

'I am optimistic that people here will be fair and will not reject anyone on the basis of race.'

However a spokeswoman for the Sunak campaign said: 'This is a totally ridiculous claim and Rishi knows there isn't a shred of truth to it.

'Rishi has enjoyed fantastic support from members locally and nationally since becoming an MP.

'He has total confidence that members will come into this contest with a completely open mind and he is looking forward to making the case that he is the right person to take the Party and country forward.'

Mr Ranger is a former supporter of Theresa May, who hailed her Brexit deal for allowing 'the UK to remain a great trading nation'.

He was one of three donors who tried to prevent Tory MPs from forcing a vote on her leadership in 2018. She later nominated him for a peerage in her resignation honours.

Since then the founder of export firm Sun Mark has supported Boris Johnson.

He doubled down on his comments today. Answering critics of his views, he tweeted: 'Since Rishi Sunak has been elected by the majority of parliamentarians ... if he is overwhelmingly rejected by the public then it may be perceived as racism.'
These are the shocking messages shared between three Metropolitan Police officers on Whatsapp chat with Sarah Everard killer Wayne Couzens - including 'jokes about raping a 15-year-old girl and sexually assaulting domestic violence victims'.

In the chat they had also joked about going on 'pussy patrol' and described part of west London as a 'f****** Somali s*** hole', a court heard.

PC Jonathan Cobban, 35, PC William Neville, 33 and ex-PC Joel Borders, 45, are all accused of sending 'grossly offensive' material on WhatsApp with the disgraced officer in 2019.

Couzens, a former parliamentary and diplomatic protection officer, was given a full life term last year for the kidnap, rape and murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard.

Detectives investigating the case discovered the allegedly offensive material in a WhatsApp group on one of Couzens' phones.

Edward Brown, QC, prosecuting, said: 'The defendants were each a serving Police Officer at time and on occasion they were on duty at the time the messages were sent.'

Serving Metropolitan Police officer PC William Neville, 33, arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court today. He, along with two other people, is accused of sending offensive, indecent or obscene messages in a WhatsApp group chat

Serving Metropolitan Police officer Jonathon Cobban arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court today where he is charged with sharing 'grossly offensive' WhatsApp messages

Ex-PC Joel Borders, pictured arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court today, has been charged with two counts of sending by public communication network an offensive matter

A selection of messages made by the three Metropolitan Police Officers on the WhatsApp group chat

The first message exchange, on 29 June 2019, was between Cobban and Borders.

Another, not charged, person writes: 'Mate, they aren't going to ditch you with your skills unless you finger a DV [domestic violence] victim' to which Borders replies: 'Oh John, in that case you're probably f*****'.

Cobban writes: 'That's alright. DV victims love it. That's why they're repeat victims more often than not' and Borders replies 'No, they just don't listen.'

The next exchange, on the same day, is also between Cobban and Borders.

Cobban describes his commute through Hounslow, west London, as 'a f****** Somalian s*** hole' and adds: 'Great, there goes my pussy patrol - more like FGM [female genital mutilation] patrol.'

Borders replied: 'Feltham is worse. I went there the other week and I felt like a spot on a domino'.

The message was followed by a series of emojis, showing a white-faced male surrounded by 'brown faces of different hues'.

Later the same year, in August, Neville and Cobban discuss restraining a mentally ill 15-year-old girl.

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of (left to right) serving Metropolitan police officers Pc William Neville, and Jonathon Cobban, along with former police officer Joel Borders appearing in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court in March

Neville writes: 'My first shift was third wheeling then the rest being an operator where the first call was on urgent assistance.

'Pinned a 15-year-old girl going mental on the floor. I knew all the struggle snuggles would come in useful at some point.'

Another exchange, between Cobban and Borders, reads: '[Cobban]: She'll look after you.

'[Borders]: She will use me as an example; lead me on then get me locked up when I rape and beat her, sneaky b****.'

Earlier that month, he also allegedly told Cobban: 'I can't wait to get on guns so I can shoot some c*** in the face'.

Cobban allegedly replied to this saying he wanted to 'taser a cat and a dog to see which reacts better', adding: 'Same with children. Zap zap you little f******'.

The fifth and final charge against Cobban refers to messages sent on 7 August 2019.

The messages were shared in a group chat which Wayne Couzens (pictured) had been part of. Couzens would later go on to rape and murder Sarah Everard, and is currently serving a life sentence behind bars with no prospect of parole

Neville explains he has 'three domestics back-to-back today' and Cobban replies: 'I bet they all had one thing in common - women that don't listen.'

Mr Brown said: 'This must be seen in the context of and in combination with a need to uphold public confidence in the police - in itself a pressing need, or at the very least, the context within which to consider the comments.

'Right thinking members of the public would be grossly offended; not just by the comments themselves but to know that it was serving police officers who discussed, amongst other serving police officers, their colleagues and the citizens they are supposed to serve in the terms used in these messages, often in an enthusiastic and encouraging manner with no dissent.'

The court was told that all three officers had formerly worked in the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and transferred to the Met on February 11, 2019.

Cobban, of Didcot, Oxfordshire, and Borders, of Preston, Lancashire, deny five counts each of sending by public communication network an offensive matter.

One of the defendants PC William Neville (pictured), 33, lives in Surrey in a modern block of flats with his wife

Neville, of Weybridge, Surrey, denies two identical charges.

The Crown Prosecution Service had initially granted the three men anonymity, citing 'operational reasons'.

But following complaints from open justice campaigners, the CPS released the names into the public domain.

Mr Brown said: The defendants were part of a WhatsApp group with the title Bottle and Stoppers/Atkins puppets along with four other officers.

It should be noted that from time to time the correspondents would message about work-related topics such as training [and] for advice.

It follows that this was a close-knit group of police officersand there is no evidence that any of the defendants (or the other members of the group) called out or challenged any of their co-defendants on receipt of what are said, by the prosecution, to be the offensive messages.

The prosecution case is that, at the time, each of the defendants was a serving police officer, training to, and employed to, protect and support the citizens of a very diverse city.

The messages in the group chat were found by detectives investigating the murder of Sarah Everard (pictured), after she was killed by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens

There werenot isolated incidents to which the co-correspondent did not somehow feel able to make objection.

Each defendant actively participated and chose to remain in the group.

Referring specifically to Borders message about raping and beating a female colleague with whom he was about to train, Brown said: The message is threatening and aggressive in its nature, we submit.

'It is victim-blaming, derogatory to victims of rape and sexual violence and to women generally, such as the words sneaky b****.

Then, referring to Cobban and Nevilles exchange about restraining a young girl, Brown said: This, by Neville (but then supported in its sentiments by Cobban) implied to any right-minded observer that Neville enjoyed the need, whilst on duty, physically to restrain a very vulnerable and disturbed 15-year-old girl because he got pleasure from, or at least drew upon his experience ofwith, I quote, a struggle snuggle, and we submit that is acting out a rape-fantasy or other non-consensual physical touching.

PC Neville (pictured) is alleged to have described pinning a 15-year-old girl to the floor as a 'struggle snuggle'

Nicholas Yeo, defending, disputed this interpretation, saying: 'The suggestion that from that message one can gather that there's a reference to a rape fantasy is an overreach.

'In my submission, the language may be light-hearted but it is incapable of bearing that meaning.

'The only meaning that one can draw is that it is a reference to some sort of police skill and the reference to some sort of police force in the context of detaining and individual.'

PC Cobban (pictured), 35, shares a modern detached house in Oxfordshire with his wife. He alleged described Hounslow as a 'f****** Somalian s*** hole'

During 2017, Cobban had volunteered as the Civil Nuclear Constabularys Race and Diversity Custodian, the court heard.

Mr Brown said the role required specialist knowledge and understanding.

Cobban was registered within an equalities consultative support network to provide social, moral and professional support to employees with protected characteristics.

All three men transferred to the Metropolitan Police Service in February 2019.

In his police interviews, Cobban has said he regretted sending the messages, describing them as 'stupid'.

Referring to his comments about the Hounslow community being a 'Dulux chart' he said: 'This comment was in relation to the vibrancy of the area. It was a shock to see... I was new to the area.'

Joel Borders, pictured here outside Westminster Magistrates' Court today, said the messages were 'dark humour'

Borders described his comments as 'dark humour which I appreciate will offend some people'.

He said: 'I was professional on the job and I don't think rape is a joke and I don't think violence against women is a joke.'

He added that he had sent the messages were sent when he had been a training officer and had no experience in domestic abuse cases.

'You can see that the jokes stopped at the end of the year as we all became more mature and experienced,' he said.

The trial continues.
JetBlue Airways has reached a deal to buy Spirit Airlines just hours after the discount carries plan to merge with Frontier Airlines fell through.

The airline has offered Spirit $33.50 a share in cash for the $3.8 billion deal  making the fifth-largest carrier in the states.

If the airlines acquisition of Spirit is approved by regulators, then it would leave Frontier as the largest discount carrier in the US.

JetBlue Airways' surprise bid for Spirit in April, with an all-cash offer, threw the discount airlines plans to combine with Frontier into question.

The original merger plan fell apart yesterday, after months of back ad forth as Frontier and JetBlue competed for the airline takeover.

Spirit confirmed that they would continue talks to sell after ending the Frontier agreement, and announced that JetBlue would be taking over soon after.

The airline has offered Spirit $33.50 a share in cash for the $3.8 billion deal which would make it the fifth-largest carrier if the deal is approved

.@andrewrsorkin asks @SpiritAirlines CEO Ted Christie on merger with @JetBlue: youve called JetBlue cynical, childish. Were those negotiating tactics? Were those genuine feelings? pic.twitter.com/rUNb3PE1ZA  Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) July 28, 2022

New York-based JetBlue wants to refurbish Spirits planes in JetBlue style, featuring seatback screens and more legroom

JetBlue claim the merger will allow them to fast-track growth by giving it access to a combined fleet of 458 aircrafts

Management at Spirit ultimately failed yesterday to get the support of the majority of its shareholders to complete on the Frontier deal.

But the JetBlue deal still faces a high hurdle for regulatory approval, and approval from Spirit's stockholders, before the merger can go ahead.

Both of the airlines will continue to operate independently until after the transaction closes.

Robin Hayes, JetBlue CEO said: We are excited to deliver this compelling combination that turbocharges our strategic growth, enabling JetBlue to bring our unique blend of low fares and exceptional service to more customers, on more routes.

We look forward to welcoming Spirits outstanding Team Members to JetBlue and together creating a customer-centric, fifth-largest carrier in the United States.

JetBlue executives have been arguing for months that the takeover of Spirit would allow them to compete with large carries like American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines and Southwest

Management at Spirit ultimately failed yesterday to get the support of the majority of its shareholders to complete on the Frontier deal, which had been going back and forth for months

Flying high! The biggest airlines taking off in the US in 2021 1. American - 226.5 million seats 2. Delta - 188.8 million seats 3. Southwest - 172.7 million seats 4. United - 144.7 million seats 5. Alaska - 47.1 million seats 6. Spirit - 42.0 million seats 7. JetBlue - 40.9 million seats 8. Frontier - 28.0 million seats 9. Allegiant - 20.5 million seats 10. Hawaiian - 10.7 million seats Advertisement

Spirit and JetBlue will continue to advance our shared goal of disrupting the industry to bring down fares from the Big Four airlines.

This combination is an exciting opportunity to diversify and expand our network, add jobs and new possibilities for Crewmembers, and expand our platform for profitable growth.

JetBlue executives have been arguing for months that the takeover would allow them to compete with large carries like American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines and Southwest which control most of the US market.

The 'Big Four' would still control 80 per cent of the market according to JetBlue, who say that even by merging with Spirit they would only have 9 percent of the market share.

Currently the largest carrier has 23 per cent and the fourth largest has 13 per cent.

They also claim that it would allow them to fast-track growth by giving it access to a combined fleet of 458 aircrafts on a pro forma basis and an order book of over 300 Airbus aircrafts.

Both Airbus jetliners and pilots are in short supply, and JetBlue is planning on refurbishing the planes in JetBlue style with seatback screens and more legroom.

Commercial giants: Airlines across the globe with the biggest revenue 1. American Airlines - $29.9 billion 2. Delta Air Lines - $29.9 billion 3. United Airlines - $24.6 billion 4. China Southern Airlines - $16.4 billion 5. Deutsche Lufthansa AG - $15.4 billion 6. Air China - $10.9 billion 7. China Eastern Airlines - $10.8 billion 8. Southwest Airlines - $9.1 billion 9. All Nippon Airways - $8.0 billion 10. Air France - $7.1 billion Advertisement

Florida-based Spirit previously rejected JetBlue's bids and said that a deal wasn't likely to be approved by regulators.

They said that their initial rebuff was in part because of JetBlue's alliance with American, which the Justice Department sued to block last year.

Spirit CEO Ted Christie said: We are thrilled to unite with JetBlue through our improved agreement to create the most compelling national low-fare challenger to the dominant U.S. carriers, and we look forward to working with JetBlue to complete the transaction.

Bringing our two airlines together will be a game changer, and we are confident that JetBlue will deliver opportunities for our Guests and Team Members with JetBlues unique blend of low fares and award-winning service.'

When asked if calling JetBlue cynical and childish in the past were negotiating tactics, Christie told Squawk Box: Obviously not, theyve been very forthright in moving ahead here weve created a very exciting transaction for our group. A lot to be excited about.

JetBlue anticipates $600 million to $700 million in annual savings once the transaction is complete, with annual revenue combined is anticipated to be about $11.9 billion, based on 2019 revenues.

The companies expect to conclude the regulatory process and close the transaction no later than the first half of 2024.

More than 3,600 flights were delayed within, or coming into or exiting the United States in June , and over 380 were canceled

A passenger who traveled to Washington D.C. called out the American's poor handling of luggage after hundreds of bags were left piled up at the airport last month

Clear the runway! Fleet merger to nearly double number of jets JetBlues acquisition of budget airline Spirit will increase the number of planes taking off to more than 1,700 a day. They will be travelling to more than 125 destinations in 30 countries based on December 2022 schedules. By combining their fleets, JetBlue will have access to 458 aircrafts  increased from their 270 before the merger. They will also have an order book of more than 300 Airbus aircrafts that have an option for a fuel- efficient, lower-carbon engine. The all-Airbus combined fleet would include new A220s and A320neos, proven to deliver double-digit improvements in fuel and carbon emissions, with the company looking to expand after closing. JetBlue will also be adding to their 34,000 crewmembers, as well as taking on Spirits operations and staff. Advertisement

If the deal doesnt close due to antitrust reasons, JetBlue will pay Spirit a reverse break-up fee of $70 million and stockholders of Spirit a reverse break-up fee of $400 million.

It is hoped that the merger will help ease growing pressure on airlines as travel chaos has hit the industry in the past few months.

Passengers have been left stranded, and facing hours of queues to even get on a flight across the country.

JetBlue travelers were held hostage earlier this year after delays meant that more than 20 planes were stranded on the tarmac at JFK Airport in New York.

New York City-area airports Newark International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport faced the most delays and cancelations in the U.S., followed by Chicago's O'Hare airport, which serves as a hub for American and United Airlines, and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, which is Delta Airlines' hub.

More than 3,600 flights were delayed within or coming into or exiting the United States in June, and over 380 were cancelled, according to Flight Aware.

Ongoing flight disruptions have left passengers outraged, with many complaining their children were left sleeping on filthy airport floors while airlines struggle to rebook flights.

Some travelers claim they were sent home from the airport or forced to rent a car after their ticketed airline failed to provide a new route.

Air carriers allege the demand for travel has soared to pre-pandemic levels, yet staffing remains strained after mass COVID-19 fueled layoffs.
The NHS's controversial child transgender clinic will shut its doors after a damning report found it was 'not safe' for children.

The gender identity service at Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust will be replaced by regional centres at existing children's hospitals, which will provide more holistic care with 'strong links to mental health services'.

It comes in response to an ongoing review led by senior paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass, who warned the gender clinic was 'not a safe or viable long-term option'.

She found other mental health issues were 'overshadowed' in favour of gender identity issues when children were referred to Tavistock's Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS).

The clinic has been accused of rushing children onto puberty blocking drugs by former patients who feel they weren't challenged enough.

Dr Cass has called for 'rapid' research on the use of the drugs after she found 'insufficient evidence' on their benefits.

NHS England said it would set up two new centres run by specialist children's hospitals in London and the North West. They will take responsibility for all of Tavistock child trans patients and waiting lists with the aim to shut down the clinic by next spring.

The controversial clinic has treated at least 9,000 children for gender dysphoria since it opened in 1989.

An ongoing review of Tavistock's Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) clinic accused it of rushing children into life-altering treatment on puberty blockers.

Keira Bell, 25, (pictured outside the Royal Courts of Justice in 2020) launched a lawsuit against Tavistock - the NHS' only child gender clinic - which she said rushed her into taking drugs

The Cass review was commissioned by NHS England in 2020 amid concerns there was 'scarce and inconclusive evidence to support clinical decision making'.

GIDS is the sole provider of gender dysphoria and gender identity services for children and young people across the whole of the UK.

There have also been concerns about the sharp rise in referrals to GIDS. There were more than 5,000 referrals being made in the last year, compared to just a few hundred 10 years ago.

The closure of the service for young people at Tavistock is likely to be seen as a victory by campaigners who have previously accused GIDS of rushing children onto puberty blocking drugs.

Former patient Keira Bell took the clinic to the High Court, claiming that she had not been challenged enough when she was prescribed the drugs at age 16.

Number of trans people receiving NHS treatment rises 75% in five years The number of adults in the UK being treated for gender dysphoria on the NHS has risen 75 per cent in five years, MailOnline can reveal. Recent figures for 2021 show more than 11,000 patients received care for the condition that causes sufferers to feel they were born the wrong gender. This is 74 per cent more compared to the 6,371 patients being treated in 2016. A gender dysphoria diagnosis is the first step to getting prescribed cross-sex hormone therapies that help trans people develop the characteristics of their preferred gender. MailOnline complied the data on gender dysphoria based on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests sent to 12 NHS gender clinics in the UK. Of these, 11 provided data on their patient numbers stretching back to 2016, or to when they first opened. Only four of the services were able to provide the number of patients prescribed oestrogen as part of their treatment, meaning the total is likely higher. Overall there were 11,085 gender dysphoria patients being treated in 2021/22, compared to 6,371 in 2016/17. Of the 2021 patients 1,592 were prescribed oestrogen. Advertisement

In a letter to NHS England expressing concern over the use of these drugs, Dr Cass said: 'Staff should maintain a broad clinical perspective in order to embed the care of children and young people with gender uncertainty within a broader child and adolescent health context.'

As GIDS prepares to shuts its doors, NHS England will at first establish two other services for children and young people with gender dysphoria, with one in London and one in the North West.

The London service will be run by a partnership between Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and Evelina London Children's Hospital.

In the North West, the service will be a partnership between Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

After these initial two, a further six or seven similar services could be opened in other parts of the country.

Patients currently being treated at GIDS will continue to be treated by the service before their care is transferred to the new operators early next year.

GIDS has said there are currently no plans to change access to puberty blockers until the research programme proposed by Dr Cass is designed.

Dr Cass, an ex-president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, launched her review of Tavistock to probe several issues affecting the clinic.

The first of these was the sheer number of referrals, which reached more than 5,000 in 2021/22 - climbing from just 250 in 2011/12.

Another issue was the nature of the cases, particularly among those in their early teens, had also changed, with the majority switching from 'birth-registered males' to 'birth-registered females'.

There were also concerns a 'significant number' of children were presenting with neurodiversity and other mental health needs and 'risky behaviours', which needed to be looked into deeper before setting them on the path of transitioning.

The report reads: 'This has led to a lack of clinical consensus and polarised opinion on what the best model of care for children and young people experiencing gender incongruence and dysphoria should be; and a lack of evidence to support families in making informed decisions about interventions that may have life-long consequences.

'This has contributed to the current service being unable to meet the scale of rising demand.'

In a letter to NHS England, Dr Cass also called for more research into the effects of puberty blockers on a young person's brain development.

She wrote: 'A further concern is that adolescent sex hormone surges may trigger the opening of a critical period for experience-dependent rewiring of neural circuits underlying executive function (i.e. maturation of the part of the brain concerned with planning, decision making and judgement).

'If this is the case, brain maturation may be temporarily or permanently disrupted by puberty blockers, which could have significant impact on the ability to make complex risk-laden decisions, as well as possible longer-term neuropsychological consequences.

'To date, there has been very limited research on the short-, medium- or longer-term impact of puberty blockers on neurocognitive development.'

She added: 'I would suggest that consideration is given to the rapid establishment of the necessary research infrastructure to prospectively enroll young people being considered for hormone treatment into a formal research programme with adequate follow up into adulthood, with a more immediate focus on the questions regarding puberty blockers.'

In her interim report in March, Dr Cass said: 'It has become increasingly clear that a single specialist provider model is not a safe or viable long-term option in view of concerns about lack of peer review and the ability to respond to the increasing demand.'

A spokesperson for GIDS said: 'The trust supports the need to establish a more sustainable model for the care of this group of patients given the marked growth in referrals.'

'The expertise that resides within the current GIDS service will be critical to the successful formation of these early adopter services and providing continuity in patient care.

'We will work closely with partners and commissioners to ensure a smooth transition to the new model of delivery.'

They also added the team at GIDS were extremely proud of their work despite the 'intense scrutiny' they had been under.

'Over the last couple of years, our staff in GIDS have worked tirelessly and under intense scrutiny in a difficult climate.

'We are proud of them and thankful for their unrelenting patient focus and extraordinary efforts.'

It follows an announcement last month that every child treated for gender dysphoria in the last decade will have their medical records scrutinised to see if NHS care is causing them more harm than good.

Former Health Secretary Sajid Javid changed the law to allow researchers to study data on about 9,000 adolescents given counselling or drugs for the condition.

Mr Javid said he wanted to know whether the treatment improves these children's lives or leads to further problems or regrets.

It comes after a British man who had his genitals removed during gender reassignment surgery revealed he is suing the NHS over the operation.

Ritchie Herron, 35, claims doctors did not warn him of the drastic outcome of the body-altering surgery which has left him infertile, incontinent and feeling like a 'sexual eunuch'.

It is thought to be the first medical negligence case over NHS transgender care in this country. The NHS trust involved has not been named.

'My first thought as I came round was Oh God! What have I done?': Man suing the NHS over trans surgery he bitterly regrets has bravely waived anonymity to share his ordeal

Pictured: Ritchie Herron says he was fast-tracked by the NHS into life-changing surgery

For Ritchie Herron, a bright and articulate civil servant from Newcastle, life over the past four years has become almost unbearable. It takes him ten minutes to empty his bladder, a process as painful as it is slow. Any sex drive is long gone. In fact, he says, his crotch is numb, 'shell-shocked' from the damage done to him under the apparent care of the NHS.

'Numb' rather sums up Ritchie's whole demeanour as he struggles to process what has happened to him. Last month he revealed  in an exclusive interview  that he is the man preparing legal action against the NHS over an operation that removed his genitals.

Ritchie's case emerged last week when he posted about his experience on Twitter under a pseudonym, TullipR. His brief testimony, which was picked up by the Daily Mail, was as shocking as it was damning for the NHS 'gender clinics' that help people change sex.

Battling mental health issues  and after decades of suppressing his homosexuality  Ritchie, 35, had thought the answer was to become a woman. But instead, he says, he was fast-tracked into making 'the biggest mistake of his life' and left infertile, incontinent and with ongoing pain.

Not only had the NHS clinic failed to take into account his spiralling mental health crisis, he claims, but it had also failed to properly counsel him about the risks.

Ritchie has decided to waive his anonymity to tell the story of his ordeal in full, detail the physical and mental scars he has been left with  and warn there are more like him ready to take legal action over the surgery they bitterly regret.

His account raises serious questions about the safeguards in place at NHS gender clinics, which have seen a 1,700 per cent rise in referrals over the past ten years, accounted for mainly by children and young adults.

The speed at which Ritchie  who had been living as a woman called Abby  was diagnosed and subsequently referred for irreversible surgery is disturbing in itself.

In fact, he says, he had repeatedly turned down the procedure and had voiced deep misgivings to the clinic's staff about having it.

His case, he believes, could spark a wave of further claims.

Pictured: Ritchie dressed in female clothes and went by 'Abby' before his surgery

'This is an avalanche waiting to happen,' he tells The Mail on Sunday. 'Transition is now being sold to people on a mass scale. It's like PPI, but more sinister.

'In a few years, I'm sure we'll have law firms asking people if they transitioned and would like to claim compensation.'

According to Ritchie, not one professional explored whether mental health issues may have led him to believe he was trans.

Today, he is one of a growing number of 'de-transitioners', living once again as a man and grieving his 'mistake'. Much of his confusion was around accepting he was gay, he now acknowledges.

Ritchie says he buried his sexuality, which left him with depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, using repetitive behaviours to mask his unhappiness.

Then, in his 20s, he stumbled across the idea of gender dysphoria in an internet chatroom. Older men on the forum convinced the vulnerable young man he 'must be trans'.

At that time for Ritchie, it felt like a lightbulb moment. After a series of breakdowns, in 2012 he decided to seek professional help.

He was referred to a psychologist, who did not dissuade him of the notion he had gender dysphoria, and then to the Northern Region Gender Dysphoria Service, run by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

Pictured: Ritchie Herron as a young boy

The waiting list for appointments was long but, consumed with the idea, Ritchie took out a payday loan to pay for an appointment at a private gender clinic in March 2014.

According to Ritchie, he was diagnosed with 'transsexualism' after just two 30-minute appointments.

A psychiatrist recommended he take medication to block his testosterone production  the first step towards gender reassignment.

The only attempt to put the brakes on came from a close family member, who came to the appointment at the clinic with him. Ritchie says: 'She told the doctor I was on a high dose of antidepressants and had lots of complex issues, and yet they were referring me for gender treatment.'

So why did Ritchie go along with it? 'I was 26,' he says, 'but I was very vulnerable.'

He began living full-time under the name Abby, dressing in female clothes. The testosterone-suppressing drugs meant he began developing breasts. By March 2015, he was attending appointments at the NHS gender clinic in Newcastle.

'The first question you get asked there is, 'Do you want genital surgery?' ' he says. 'I wasn't sure. But I'd heard you could get therapy if you were on the waiting list for surgery, so I said yes.'

The clinic  which will not comment on Ritchie's specific case  told the MoS it does not provide mental health services to patients.

Less than six months later, in July 2015, Ritchie received a referral for vaginoplasty surgery. Ritchie says he told the psychiatrist he was unsure and turned it down, but continued to receive therapy.

In 2017, he was given another referral for surgery, to be performed at the Nuffield Health hospital in Brighton but paid for by the NHS. Ritchie refused it again  but says he was told that if he did not accept the referral he would be discharged from the service.

This sent him into a 'tailspin', he recalls. He believed it meant his therapy would also be withdrawn, which had been a 'lifeline'. He had recently admitted he felt suicidal.

At 10am on May 23, 2018, Ritchie was wheeled into the operating theatre. 'I didn't even see the surgeon,' he says. 'I was very much in the mindset of 'I'm here now, there's no stopping it even if I wanted to.' '

The irreversible operation involves removing the penis and testicles, and reforming the area to resemble female genitals.

For eight days he lay in a blur of painkillers. His first thought as he recovered his lucidity was: 'Oh God, what have I done?'

Ritchie is now planning a legal case against Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust. His barrister, Peter Harthan, says patients like Ritchie faced 'a lifetime of medical care and consequences' and 'cannot be put back together again'.

He adds: 'My concern is clinicians failed to identify red flags and change direction. Proper consideration needs to be given to issues such as OCD, internalised homophobia, depression, drug use, sexual abuse and childhood trauma as potential reasons for patients rejecting their sexed body.'

In a statement, the Trust said it could not comment on an individual, but it added: 'Care plans are collaborative and tailored to each patient's needs and goals, and treatment decisions are made following a thorough assessment in line with national recommendations.'

Ritchie says: 'I'm proof the whole system has to become far more robust. How many more people are there out there like me?'
A Connecticut mother who strangled her three young children to death before hanging herself in a triple-murder suicide ran a daycare center out of the home where the horrific crime took place.

Mom Sonia Loja killed her three kids - Junior Panjon, 12, Joselyn Panjon, 10, and Jonael Panjon, 5 - at home before she then took her own life, police confirmed today.

Loja called parents and told them not to drop their children off on Wednesday, the same day the mother took the lives of her three children, and then her own.

'Yesterday morning, just before 10, a guy came to drop off his kid and she came to the door and said, "No, sorry, I cant watch him today,"' Lojas Danbury neighbor Elvis Espinal told The New York Post on Thursday.

'She explained that shed called all the rest of them, all the rest of the parents of the kids she watches, and she couldnt get a hold of one, to tell them not to come that day.'

When officers arrived at the scene on Whaley Street, Danbury, that evening they found the dead bodies of the three children in the house, and the 36-year-old mother's in a shed in the backyard.

TRAGIC CHILDREN PICUTRED: From left to right - Jonael Panjon (five), father Pedro Panjon, Junior Panjon (12), mother Sonia Loja (36), and Joselyn Panjon (10). The Connecticut mom strangled the three children before killing herself

REVEALED: Mother Sonia Loja, 36, (pictured) who strangled her three children to death at their home in Connecticut

Loja (pictured) strangled her three young children to death before hanging herself in a horror triple-murder suicide. Police confirmed that the children all appear to have died by strangulation, and the mother's suspected cause of death is asphyxia by hanging

The scene at Whaley Street, Danbury in Connecticut today after three children Junior Panjon, 12, Joselyn Panjon, 10, and Jonael Panjon, 5, were killed by their mother

Police said that no one was arrested following the four deaths, and there is no greater threat to the public

Police cars locked off the road yesterday after the three young children were found dead. When officers arrived, they also found the mom's body in a shed in the backyard

Police were called to the scene after a 'distraught and crying' man discovered the children in the house.

Loja and her three kids lived at the home with two other adults - who were not at the address when police arrived.

Detective Captain Mark Williams said in a statement today: 'We can now confirm the identities of the deceased as Sonia Loja, 36, Junior Panjon, 12, Joselyn Panjon, 10, and Jonael Panjon, 5.

'Ms. Loja is the mother of the three children, and they all resided at 10 Whaley Street. The children all appear to have died by strangulation, and the mother's suspected cause of death is asphyxia by hanging.

'Pending an official autopsy, preliminary findings indicate that Ms. Loja strangled her three children before killing herself. However, this is still an active investigation.

'Investigators had learned that the mother and children lived at the residence with two other adults, who were not present when the police arrived. They and other extended family members have been contacted and advised of the incident.

'The Mayor's Office and the City's Police, Fire, Health, Education, Emergency Management, and Health Departments, along with Nuvance Health have coordinated efforts to provide services to the family and friends of the deceased.

'As this is also an emotionally damaging incident for first responders, services have been extended to public safety personnel who responded to the scene.

'An autopsy of the deceased is scheduled for this morning at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington, CT.

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the victims.'

Mayor Dean Esposito, who responded to the scene to offer support, states, 'A truly horrible event occurred in our city yesterday and we mourn the tragic loss of life.

'In the coming days, mental health and counseling services will be provided through collaboration with the Danbury Public Schools and the City of Danbury.

'Our community grieves for the innocent lives taken from us. We will get through this together'.

There is still a prominent police presence on the street this morning, after the horrid find yesterday evening

Yesterday, chief of police Patrick Ridenhour said: 'At approximately 6:33 pm officers responded to a well-being check call at 10 Whaley St. The caller was distraught and crying.

'Upon arrival officers went inside the single family residence and discovered three deceased persons, all juveniles.

'While conducting a further check of the premises they found a deceased female in a shed in the backyard.'

Espinal told the Post that he's 'had a knot' in his stomach ever since he learned what happened to his quiet neighbors. 'I still have no appetite. Im not in shock, its more than shock, its like horror or like devastation.

'I cant stop seeing the little boys face,' he said, recalling 5-year-old Jonael.

Espinal said he never saw 'anything strange' with Loja and the family of five.

'The kids she watched, they would always be outside playing, like all day,' he said. 'She has a swing set in the back and she never yelled! Never really even raised her voice. Not even like, you know, getting them to come in, or anything like that. She was quiet.'

Ridenhour confirmed that the incident in Danbury - which is around 50 miles northeast of New York City - appears to be isolated, and there is no greater danger to the public.

He also told NBC Connecticut: 'We're not going to leave any stone unturned.

'It's an extremely difficult time for many of our officers, especially those who had to go inside.'

One neighbor Tom Neville, who is one of the 86,000 people living in the city of Danbury, said that the event has rattled the locals in what is usually a quiet area.

He told the local paper: 'At 5 o'clock tonight, I was watering my flowers and nothing. Nothing looked like suspicious was going on or anything.'

Danbury, Connecticut - where the triple-murder suicide took place - is around 50 miles northeast of New York City

Officers found the body of the mother in the shed in the backyard, it was revealed

The three children died from strangulation, cops confirmed today. Police added 'as this is also an emotionally damaging incident for first responders, services have been extended to public safety personnel who responded to the scene'

Another neighbor, who remained anonymous, told News12 Connecticut that 'they'd often see the kids playing at a park nearby.'

This comes after just weeks after Connecticut woman Shelby Dodson was allegedly killed by her husband George Dodson in a domestic abuse attack.

Dodson is accused on stabbing and beating his wife to death - before setting the house in New London on fire with her and their one-year-old child still inside.

Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence CEO, Meghan Stanlon, previously told Fox 61: 'It was definitely violent which we've seen across the state over the last two years.

'The violence in terms of the homicides have increased so that is a thing that is consistent in this case. We have seen children under six. That's been a trend as well.'
A New Jersey councilwoman was captured on street surveillance footage hitting a cyclist at an intersection in Jersey City with her SUV before speeding away without stopping.

Amy DeGise is facing calls to resign after she drove into bicyclist Andrew Black, 29, on July 19 around 8 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Lukther King Drive and Forrest Street.

CCTV street footage shows DeGise having the right-of-way, as her Nissan Rogue was seen driving through the intersection while the light was green, before hitting Black and sending him flying onto the hood of her car before falling to the ground.

Right before the incident, Black had gone through a red light.

Jersey City Councilwoman Amy DeGise is facing calls to resign after CCTV footage shows that she hit an Uber Eats bicyclist with her SUV and driving away on July 19 at around 8 a.m. in Jersey City, New Jersey

Black was seen flying into the air and over the car before brutally hitting the ground

The bicyclist only sustained minor injuries (cuts) to his arms and legs after the incident. DeGise drove away without checking on him or even reporting the incident

DeGise, who is the daughter of Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, did not stop to check on the cyclist after the incident and instead drove away.

She was eventually charged with failure to report the accident and leaving the scene, according to NBC New York.

Recently elected as a council woman in November as part of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop's cabinet, Degise is also being earmarked as a potential mayoral candidate in 2025, should Fulop opt to not seek re-election, according to NJ.com.

DailyMail.com has contacted DeGise, who happens to also be chairwoman of the Hudson County Democrats, for comment but has yet to receive a response.

Elected as part of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop's ticket, Amy DeGise is being considered as a possible candidate for the town's hot seat should the current incumbent not seek re-election in 2025

Andrew Black, 29, was completing a delivery from a local McDonald's restaurant when he got hit

After last week's incident, Black told news outlets he was 'a little shaken up' and that he sustained minor cuts to his arms and one of his legs.

'Someone of prestige would fall to the point where they would ignore the law,' Black later told HudPost, adding that he was completing a delivery from a local McDonald's restaurant for Uber Easts at the time of the hit-and-run.

He also told CBS News that he hasn't been able to return to work and that DeGise has yet to reach out to him to apologize or to inquire about his condition.

Meanwhile, a petition on Change.org submitted to the Mayor of Jersey City Office has called for DeGise's resignation. As of Thursday morning, 540 people had signed it.

'As an at-large member of the council, Councilmember DeGise has the hefty task of representing the full city and the best interests of all its residents,' Megan Carolan, who started the petition, wrote online.

'By striking and abandoning one of those residents, in a time of crisis, she has shown she cannot be trusted to put the well-being of residents first. To hit a constituent and leave them speaks to a deeply troubling level of self-preservation instinct, and one that has no place in public service,' she added.

One of Jersey City's councilmembers, James Solomon, told NBC New York that he was among the signatures approving the petition's stance.

'The word I use is horrified, that's how I felt watching the video,' Solomon told the local outlet. 'She's an elected official and we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard and that's why I think she should resign.'

A petition on Change.org has called for DeGise, who is also chairwoman of Hudson County Democrats, to step down from her role a Councilwoman and has so far gathered more than 500 signatures

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop was quoted by news outlets, calling DeGises decision to leave the scene of the crash a 'tremendous mistake,' although he has refused to support calls for her resignation.

'We experienced two hit and runs back in November and the people in both cases were still alive but later died because they weren't able to get help in time,' Jimmy Lee, President of Safe Street JC - a non-profit advocating for zero traffic fatalities in Jersey City - told NBC New York.

'How can we have someone making the laws breaking the laws?' Lee added.
Police in Wisconsin are investigating a deadly crash involving state Senate Minority Leader Janet Bewley that left a mother and her five-year-old daughter dead a day after the Democratic lawmaker allegedly underwent eye surgery.

Bewley, 70, was not injured in the July 22 crash that has drawn national attention after preliminary reports showed she pulled out in front of another vehicle. She was not taken into custody and charges have not been filed.

Police Chief Bill Hagstrom stressed to Ashland Daily Press on Wednesday that Bewley is not getting preferential treatment. He says investigators are waiting for State Patrol reconstruction reports before the case is passed on to Ashland County District Attorney David Meany, who will ultimately determine whether or not charges would be filed.

Bewley, who represents northwestern Wisconsin, was leaving the parking lot of Maslowski Beach around 12:30 p.m. on July 22 when she pulled out into the path of a vehicle, colliding with it, causing it to spin across the highway and hit another car.

The driver of the first vehicle, Alyssa Ortman, 27, of Pennsylvania, and her five-year-old daughter were killed in the crash.

It was later reported that Bewley was on the phone doing an interview with a Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel intern at the time of the crash and told the intern that she had just undergone cataract surgery the day before.

The police chief said investigators are looking into that report. Talking on the phone while driving in Wisconsin is only prohibited by probationary drivers or within construction zones, according to Wisconsin law.

Alyssa Ortman, 27, with her five-year-old daughter were killed when their car was struck by Wisconsin Senate Democratic Minority Leader Janet Bewley's car, and a second car, on Friday

Wisconsin Senate Democratic Minority Leader Janet Bewley said in an interview taking place as the crash happened that she had undergone cataract eye surgery the day before

Bewley was leaving the parking lot of Maslowski Beach around 12:30 p.m. on July 22 when she pulled out into the path of a vehicle, colliding with it, causing it to spin across the highway and hit a another car. Pictured: The scene of the crash that left a mother and child dead

Bewley was not taken into custody at the scene, but Hagstrom said that wasn't unusual, adding that the Democratic leader had complied with a blood test.

'If someone was intoxicated or impaired, an obvious contributing factor like that, we would take them into custody,' Hagstrom said.

'A lot of people have misconstrued the whole thing, saying she's getting preferential treatment. She's not. Any time there's a fatality we request a blood draw, which she complied with. So when we get the results of that, we could rule out alcohol. There was no sign of impairment (at the scene), but we still collect evidence to rule it out.'

The chief said that a final decision on charges will be made by the DA's office based on reconstruction reports, witness reports and other evidence.

'We're still getting witness statements and people even today are still coming forward with information,' he said.

'We'll send those reports over to the DA with everything else. It wouldn't be ethical to send anything over without the investigation and data complete.'

Hagstrom would not comment on whether or not other drivers involved in the crash may have contributed to it.

But the police department is getting blasted online for how they're dealing with the situation, some claiming the Senate minority leader was not taken into custody because of her political status.

'Come on, we're dealing with a dead woman and child here,' the police chief said in response. 'And then, one way or the other  I never believed an accident could be so political  but I'm accused of covering for (Bewley) because she was intoxicated, or that I'm a bad guy because we said she pulled out in front of the other vehicle. Obviously this isn't done. It's still an active investigation. The DA's office will issue charges or not issue charges. It's just going to take some time.'

However, devastated father Brandon Fink told DailyMail.com that he is terrified that Bewley will not be charged after the horror car crash that killed his five-year-old daughter and her mother.

Fink blasted Bewley for not reaching out to him after the fatal collision in Pennsylvania, raging 'great people we elect.'

Khali's father, Brandon Fink, has slammed Bewley for not reaching out to him and wants 'justice' for his daughter and her mother. Fink paid tribute to his daughter, who he described as a 'hilarious, insanely beautiful, and smart girl that had a drive for life that touched so many'

Khali was pronounced dead at the scene, while her mother was transported to a nearby hospital where she later died. Now her dad is calling for justice for his daughter, saying that the politician should be treated just like anyone else

According to the Ashland Police Department, Bewley pulled out of the Maslowski Beach parking lot and straight into the path of Ortman's car at 12.30pm on Friday.

When the two cars collided, Ortman's vehicle spun across Highway 2 before being hit by Jodi Munson, 45, driving another vehicle.

Little Khali was pronounced dead at the scene, while her mother was transported to a nearby hospital where she later died.

Her father is calling for justice for his daughter, saying that the politician should be treated just like 'anyone else.'

Speaking to DailyMail.com Fink said: 'I found out a Senator killed my baby and they might not even press charges even though she was on the phone during the accident.

'And just had cataract surgery the day before. I'm furious and want this Senator to come to justice and pay for what she did like anyone else would have to.

'She shouldn't get away with this.'

The accident occurred when Bewley, 70, pulled out of the Maslowski beach parking lot in Ashland and into the path of a car driven by Alyssa Ortman, 27, according to Ashland Police

Ortman, 27, with her five-year-old daughter Khali were killed when their car was struck by Wisconsin Senate Democratic Minority Leader Janet Bewley's car on Friday

Fink paid an emotional tribute to his daughter, describing her as a 'hilarious, insanely beautiful, and smart girl that had a drive for life that touched so many'

Ortman was a certified clinical medical assistant and for the past four years worked as an Order entry specialist at Lincare, a company which supplies respiratory-therapy products and services for patients at home.

Fink paid an emotional tribute to his daughter, describing her as a 'hilarious, insanely beautiful, and smart girl that had a drive for life that touched so many.'

He added that Bewley has still failed to reach out to him after the tragedy, despite her office issuing a statement.

He wrote: 'You lit up my life and gave me an ambition and drive I didn't know was possible.

'No matter what we just giggled out way through.. my life feels so empty without these giggles.

'Nothing will make this ok. Nothing will make me feel better and no I don't need anything.

'I was supposed to get my daughter home here, at her house and be hearing silly stories about vacation.. instead I got calls from the funeral home... I turn on the Switch and a game of Mario Smash bros pops up mid battle that I will never get let you win.

'I see the purse you got from Aunt Annie, half colored that you'll never get to complete... and I see our Daddy Pig painting half finished that you will never get to complete and sit beside the Peppa Painting we did together so we'd have the Daddy and Daughter Pig.'

A memorial set up for Alyssa and Khali has so far raised $1,805, and will be used to bring the mother and daughter home to be buried

Alyssa Ortman, 27, and her five-year-old daughter Khali were killed in a car accident on Friday

A memorial set up for Alyssa and Khali has so far raised $1,805, and will be used to bring the mother and daughter home to be buried.

The page also revealed that Alyssa's mother, Ginger, has suffered double heartache after losing her son Chris to a drunk driver in October 2020.

State police charged Warren Miller with a felony count of vehicular homicide for the death of Chris Ortman, after his Chevrolet Malibu smashed into Ortman's Mercury Sable.

Like his sister, Chris Ortman was then hit by another car after being pushed into the road, and was rushed to hospital but died after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Bewley fell silent mid-sentence during her phone interview with intern Ben Baker, after revealing the cataract surgery she'd received Thursday, just the day before the fatal wreck.

When asked by the interviewer if she was okay, Bewley said she was, but sounded shaken.

'Yeah, I'm OK,' she said, 'This is not a good accident.'

In a post made on Monday afternoon, Fink wrote that Bewley (above) had not reached out to him about the accident that killed his daughter and her mother

Cataract surgeries are fast and safe but doctors recommend NOT to drive for 24 hours after the operation Cataract surgery is a routine surgery where a person has the lens of their eye removed and sometimes replaced with an artificial lens It is used to treat cataracts, which is when the lens of a person's eye becomes clouded for any reason and obstructs their vision It is generally considered a safe surgery with limited risks The procedure takes around 15 minutes and the patient is usually able to go home right after without requiring long-term medical care A person who has just received the surgery may have blurry vision as their eye recovers and adjusts to a new lens Patients are advised not to drive a car for at least 24 hours after receiving the surgery There are known risks for a person who just received the surgery to suffer from inflammation, infection, swelling, drooping eyelid and other side-effects Source: Mayo Clinic, Better Vision Guide Advertisement

According to the Mayo Clinic and the American Optometric Association, patients are often advised not to drive for at least 24 hours following cataract surgery, which removes the natural lens of the eye and replaces it with an artificial lens.

Some doctors even suggest not getting behind the wheel until a patient receives the go-ahead in a follow-up appointment.

Ashland Police Chief Bill Hagstrom confirmed that Bewley wasn't injured in the crash and State Patrol was reconstructing the scene.

Hagstrom said: 'We'll be sitting down with them and going over everything as far as determining how it all actually happened.

'Then we'll forward everything to the district attorney for their review because it was a fatal accident.

'There's nothing suspected as far as alcohol or foul play or anything.'

Authorities have also said they don't suspect foul play in the accident, and no charges have yet been filed.

Ashland County District Attorney's office told DailyMail.com they were unable to comment as the investigation is ongoing.

In a statement about the wreck on Monday, Bewley's office made no mention of the cataract surgery.

They said: 'Senator Bewley was involved in a three-vehicle accident in Ashland, Wisconsin on Friday, July 22nd. Tragically, two people lost their lives. This is a heartbreaking event for the community.

'Our thoughts and prayers are focused on the individuals involved, their families and their loved ones.

'Senator Bewley, who was not seriously injured in the accident, wants to thank all the dedicated law enforcement and emergency medical personnel who helped in the aftermath of the accident.

'A police investigation is ongoing. Out of respect for that investigation and the privacy of all the families involved, our office will be withholding further comment at this time.'

Bewley, a member of the Senate since 2015, said she is not seeking reelection because she wanted to spend more time with her recently retired husband and grandchildren.
Russian space officials have told their U.S. counterparts that they intend to keep their presence in the International Space Station at least until after the country builds and operates its own orbital facility in 2028, a U.S. space official said in a Reuters report.

This came after Yuri Borisov, newly appointed director-general of the Russian space agency, shocked NASA on Tuesday saying Moscow intended to cease its space station partnership after 2024.

Putin, Russian Space Chief Arrived at Decision to Exit ISS Amid Worsening Tensions With West Over Ukraine Conflict

Borisov, who was appointed by Russian president Vladimir Putin earlier this month in a shake-up of the Russian space agency, said Russia would build the proposed Russian Orbital Station (ROSS) as it disengages from the multilateral endeavour amid worsening tensions between Moscow and the West over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

At a meeting with Putin, Borisov said Roskosmos would fulfil its obligations to its ISS partners, but at the end of their meeting, they reached a decision to exit the project after 2024.

Read Also: 10 Things To Know About Life on the International Space Station

U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed regret over Russia's move, with spokesperson Nick Price describing it as "an unfortunate development given the critical scientific work performed at the ISS, the valuable professional collaboration our space agencies have had over the years, and especially in light of our renewed agreement on space-flight cooperation."

The announcement was considered a statement of intent by Russia to withdraw from the ISS partnership and to put its personnel and financial resources into developing an independent space station.

'Business As Usual' for Russian, American Teams in ISS

NASA space operations chief Kathy Lueders said that Russian space officials would later tell the U.S. space agency that Russia will remain in the partnership while Rocosmos seeks to have Russia's orbital outpost, named ROSS, operational.

No indication was made that anything has changed, Lueders said, stressing that NASA's ties with Rocosmos remains "business as usual".

The U.S. and Russia had been in partnership to occupy and lead the space station for over two decades together with Japan, Canada, and 11 European countries.

This partnership is one of the final existing pacts between the countries, given that diplomatic ties have soured since Russia invaded Ukraine earklier this year.

An extension for Russia to participate in the ISS beyond 2024 has not been formally made. NASA, Russia and the station's other partners planned to discuss continuing presence on the ISS UNTIL 2030 during a pmeeting on Friday of a panel that manages the space laboratory, Lueders further said in the Reuters report.

Meanwhle, Russia's ISS flight director, Vladimir Solovyov was quoted as saying in the Rocosmos website that Russia should remain on the station until ROSS is up and running.

American and Russian teams in the ISS have constantly collaborated, but are essentially independent.

The ISS - a joint project involving five space agencies - has been in orbit around Earth since 1998 and has been used to conduct thousands of scientific experiments.

It is approved to operate until 2024, but the US wants to extend that for six more years with the agreement of all partners.

Related Article: ICYMI, Russia is Pulling Out International Space Station Due to Sanctions
A public interest law professor at George Washington University condemned a 'cancel campaign' to remove Justice Clarence Thomas from the school, saying the protests likely fueled the conservative judge's decision to quit a lecturing role.

Professor Johnathan Turley, the school's public law chair, said it was unclear how much an online petition calling for the university to remove Thomas, which gained more than 11,000 signatures, influenced the justice.

But he said 'the prospect of protests planned for the fall could not have helped in his decision making.'

The petition and backlash against Thomas comes in the wake of protests against conservative Supreme Court judges following the overturning of Roe v Wade in June.

Turley warned that Thomas' exit as a lecturer from the school sets a dangerous precedent on thinking differently in higher education.

'What is clear is that his departure is likely to fuel additional efforts to isolate and stigmatize those with opposing views,' Turley tweeted hours after Thomas quit.

'It is only the latest example of how dissenting viewpoints are being systematically eliminated in higher education.'

Professor Johnathan Turley (right), public law chair at George Washington University, said protests planned against Justice Clarence Thomas (left) in the fall likely influenced the judge's decision to quit a lecturing role at the school

In a series of tweets hours after Thomas quit, Turley condemned the protests against the justice and warned that Thomas' exit as a lecturer from the school sets a dangerous precedent on thinking differently in higher education

A GWU spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'Justice Thomas informed GW Law that he is unavailable to co-teach a Constitutional Law Seminar this fall. The students were promptly informed of Justice Thomas' decision by his co-instructor who will continue to offer the seminar this fall.'

Thomas has been a lecturer at the school since 2011, and although university officials have stood by him, he has now been removed as faculty from the school's website.

The justice has not publicly stated his reason for stepping down - and whether he plans to return to it at a later date.

Thomas, a nominee of President George H.W. Bush, was one of the conservative justices who voted to overturn the right to abortion access.

Additionally, Thomas has written his opinion that SCOTUS should revisit other issues such as same-sex marriage and a guaranteed right to contraception.

Following these controversies, a Change.org petition seeking to have Thomas relieved from his role at George Washington law school garnered over 11,000 signatures.

There are only around 1,600 students enrolled in the law school.

The petition accused Thomas and his wife, Ginny, of 'actively making life unsafe for thousands of students on our campus.' It says that the overturning of Roe v Wade 'stripped the right to bodily autonomy of people with wombs.'

The blurb for the petition concludes with the words: 'Kick Clarence Thomas out of Foggy Bottom.'

The petition demanding that Thomas be fired from the school has more than 11,000 signatures. There are only around 1,600 students enrolled in the law school

John Kay, 20, one of the student's who organized the petition, aid the protest against Thomas was fueled not because he's a conservative, but because his opinions' allegedly endanger queer students after he judge took aim at same-sex marriage

Thomas was supposed to lead the seminar with Judge Gregory Maggs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Maggs once served as a Supreme Court clerk to Thomas.

Maggs told the George Washington University newspaper, The Hatchet, on Tuesday that the 74-year-old judge was not going to be teaching at the school this semester.

He said: 'Unfortunately, I am writing with some sad news: Justice Thomas has informed me that he is unavailable to co-teach the seminar this fall. I know that this is disappointing. I am very sorry.'

The military judge will continue to teach the class solo.

Speaking to the Washington Post, one of the organizers of the petition, John Kay, 20, of South Orange, New Jersey, said: 'This is a massive victory.'

The GWU junior, who is majoring in international affairs and philosophy, added: 'We are going to continue to work to make sure he doesn't come back in the spring semester.'

Speaking to News Nation when the petition gained steam in late June, Kay said the protest against Thomas was fueled not because he's a conservative, but because his opinions' allegedly endanger queer students.

'The reason that we want Justice Thomas gone isn't because of his ideas, it's because of the actions that his ideas have informed,' Kay said. 'Overturning Roe and his stated intention to overturn Obergefell will disenfranchise thousands of queer students.

'This isn't about an academic debate. It's about a professor that does not respect his students and does not hold certain students to the same esteem that he holds other students,' Kay added.

In June, GWU aid in a statement that they would be retaining Thomas as a lecturer, despite the outrage over Roe v Wade

In June, GWU aid in a statement that they would be retaining Thomas as a lecturer, despite the outrage over Roe v Wade, reported Politico at the time. The statement read: 'Debate is an essential part of our university's academic and educational mission.'

The school did not that Thomas' opinions are not reflective of the views of the GWU management or student body.

By comparison, recently retired liberal Justice Stephen Breyer returned to teach at Harvard University without protests or online petitions asking for his removal.

On Sunday, vice chair of the January 6 committee Rep. Liz Cheney confirmed that the panel was 'fully prepared to contemplate a subpoena' for Ginny Thomas.

She said: 'The committee is engaged with her counsel. We certainly hope that she will agree to come in voluntarily, but the committee is fully prepared to contemplate a subpoena if she does not. I hope it doesn't get to that. I hope she will come in voluntarily.'

Justice Thomas' wife is accused of communicating with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on the day of the January 6 riot.

The prospect of the overturning of Roe v Wade became public knowledge in May when Justice Samuel Alito's opinion leaked expressing his desire to overturn the ruling.

Thomas, a nominee of President George H.W. Bush, was one of the conservative justices who voted to overturn the right to abortion access

Virginia 'Ginni' Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, arrives to watch Amy Coney Barrett take the Constitutional Oath on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday (left). She is pictured right in 2017

In the fallout from the leak, Thomas told the Old Parkland Conference, meeting of black conservatives, in Dallas: 'I wonder how long we're going to have these institutions at the rate we're undermining them, and then I wonder when they're gone or destabilized what we will have as a country and I don't think the prospects are good if we continue to lose them.'

He continued: 'When you lose that trust, especially in the institution that I'm in, it changes the institution fundamentally.

'You begin to look over your shoulder. It's like kind of an infidelity  that you can explain it but you can't undo it,' reports Politico.

He also hinted that the atmosphere on the court had changed for the worse since he was confirmed in 1991, and suggested that a liberal justice's clerk could be behind the leak.

Thomas said: 'This is not the court of that era. I sat with (famously liberal justice) Ruth Ginsburg for almost 30 years and she was actually an easy colleague to deal with... We may have been a dysfunctional family, but we were a family.'

'Anybody who would, for example, have an attitude to leak documents, that is your general attitude, that is your future on the bench.'
Opioid watchers say deadly new drug cocktails of fentanyl and uppers are spurring a fourth wave of mass death across the U.S., as voters blame the Biden administration for neglecting the crisis.

Researchers at Chicagos Northwestern University project a fourth wave of opioid deaths will ravage U.S. cities and rural areas alike, exacerbating a problem that has already claimed some 500,000 lives over the last two decades.

The study comes as police across the U.S. discover new and deadlier versions of the pills and as the Biden administration faces criticism for idling in a crisis and failing to secure the southern border from traffickers.

Lori Post, co-author of the report, said she was sounding the alarm on Thursday because the already-high rates of overdose death were rising further due to next-generation cocktails of opioids and uppers.

Not only is the death rate from an opioid at an all-time high, but the acceleration of that death rate signals explosive exponential growth that is even larger than an already historic high, said Post.

Chicago-based researchers say deadly new drug cocktails of fentanyl and uppers are spurring a fourth wave of mass death across the U.S.

Police in Pennsylvania carry Narcan to treat opioid addicts, but the rapid overdose-reversing drugs do not work on the powerful new combinations of fentanyl and uppers that have hit the streets

Her study of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2019 and 2020 showed rising opioid deaths across cities, suburbs, towns and rural areas that were worse than its ever been before and heralded mass death, she said.

The opioid epidemic is shifting from prescription painkillers like Percocet and Oxycodone in the early 2000s to heroin and then in the mid-2010s to fentanyl, a synthetic painkiller some 50-100 times stronger than morphine, says the report.

The U.S. is entering a fourth wave, it adds, with addicts nowadays overdosing on lethal cocktails of carfentanil  another synthetic opioid itself some 100 times more potent than fentanyl  mixed with cocaine and methamphetamines.

These cocktails are so powerful that even rapid overdose-reversing drugs like naloxone do not work.

Police in Colorado last week announced the discovery of potent opioids trading under the street name 'Pyro'. Mesa County Sheriff's Office said the light blue pills were marked with the letter M and the number 30.

Utah Highway Patrol troopers on Tuesday arrested a 21-year-old driver after discovering a holdall stuffed with 190lbs of similar blue M-30 fentanyl pills worth $1.7 million, as well cocaine and methamphetamine, according to St George News.

Health officials in Oregon this month said drug overdose deaths there had more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, driven largely by misuse of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, and requested urgent supplies of the rescue drug naloxone.

Celebrities like rapper Eminem have told of their battles with prescription painkillers. Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died from a drug cocktail overdose in 2014; two years later, legendary performer Prince died of a fentanyl overdose

Senator Susan Collins this week said the overdose epidemic in her state, Maine, was the worst it's ever been, with a 9 percent increase to more than 9,500 deaths last year, more than three quarters of them due to fentanyl.

What were doing is not working, said Collins, as she lashed out at the Biden administration for an open-door policy that left border patrols managing immigrant flows rather than combatting drug traffickers.

Our inability to secure the southern border has an adverse impact and contributes directly to our inability to stop the flow of drugs into this country, the Republican told a health panel in Washington.

Collins says at least a tenth of drug overdoses were among the elderly. She and Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland have introduced a bill to address challenges that Medicare beneficiaries face when seeking treatment for addiction.

She echoed the concerns of many Americans, who say by a four-to-one margin that Americas opioid drug problem was getting worse, not better, and that President Joe Biden was doing enough to stop it, according to pollsters Rasmussen Reports.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre recently said the administration was using technology to ramp up the fight against cross-border crime gangs and 'traffickers of deadly opioids on the dark web'.

Biden spoke on Thursday with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping about tensions over Taiwan. He was under pressure to raise fentanyl smuggling from China, which has been blamed in part for the surge in U.S. overdose deaths to 107,000 last year.

Opioid prescriptions have fallen about 40 percent this past decade amid restrictions by hospitals, insurers and state officials. But deaths tied to the medications remain at 13,000 to 14,000 per year.

Studies show people who become addicted to opioids continue to start with prescription opioids, before switching to cheaper heroin and illegally made fentanyl and then deadlier next-generation drug cocktails.

Celebrities like rapper Eminem have told of their battles with prescription painkillers. Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died from a drug cocktail overdose in 2014; two years later, legendary performer Prince died of a fentanyl overdose.

A heroin user on the street in New York. The opioid epidemic has shifted from prescription painkillers like Percocet and Oxycodone in the early 2000s to heroin and then in the mid-2010s to fentanyl, a synthetic painkiller some 50-100 times stronger than morphine
An Israeli woman claims she was assaulted by a Secret Service agent ahead of President Joe Biden's visit to the country earlier this month.

Tamar Ben-Haim, 30, says the attack occurred earlier this month, when she was walking home on a popular street through a residential neighborhood in Jerusalem shortly after midnight.

A large man approached her, she claims, and shockingly began punching her in the chest 'over and over,' she told Fox News.

Ben-Haim said she 'felt like a punching bag' being assaulted by the gun-wielding agent and that 'I saw death in front of my face'.

'Before I could understand what was happening, I felt a hard slap across my face, and he immediately began punching me in the chest,' Ben-Haim said.

The attack took place about a week before Biden visited the country, where he received Israel's Presidential Medal of Honor in a ceremony with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

A spokesman for the Secret Service confirmed to Fox News Digital that an agent was 'allegedly involved in a physical encounter' while in Israel and sent home after being 'briefly detained and questioned by Israeli police, who released him without charges.'

An Israeli woman claims she was assaulted by a Secret Service agent ahead of President Joe Biden's visit to the country earlier this month. Tamar Ben-Haim, 30, says the attack occured as she was walking home through a residential neighborhood in Jerusalem shortly after midnight

The attack took place about a week before Biden visited the country, where he received Israel's Presidential Medal of Honor in a ceremony with Israeli President Isaac Herzog

Israeli TV claims to have found the two men involved via surveillance footage

Arutz was able to find surveillance footage showing the agent getting out of a bar just moments before the attack

'The employee was briefly detained and questioned by Israeli police, who released him without charges. The employee has returned to the United States,' the agency said in a statement

* "I saw death in front of my face": The woman who was attacked by the Biden secret service man, recounts what happened * Tamar Ben-Haim, who was attacked by the American security guard who participated in the preparations for Biden's visit to Jerusalem, told News 13 about the tragic incident - and now it turns out that the attacker was returned to the US and suspended from his post. She is obviously suffering from trauma after this incident. Posted by   on Friday, July 15, 2022

Ben-Haim told Israeli TV she 'was in total shock,' adding 'he was so strong  I couldn't even attempt to defend myself. In my head, I was thinking, 'You won't survive this. This is the end of your life.' '

She was eventually rescued when an armed bystander began to yell at the agent in English. Ben-Haim said it was clear the two knew he each other. She said the other man restrained her attacker, freeing her from his grasp.

Ben-Haim managed to get photos of the men before calling police as they took off running down the street away from her.

She says Israeli police never got back to her, all the while she suffered in bed, unable to leave and didn't even know the identity of her attacker until contacted by Israeli TV for an interview, who said he was part of the service's Counter Assault Team.

Ben-Haim says she's weighing legal options and may ask for an expedited visa to spend time with American relatives while she contemplates anything further

'This is not someone from a third-world country. America is the example of the world, and he works for the president,' Ben-Haim said. 'They just shipped him back to where he came like nothing ever happened, and they expect me to just move on with my life'

Ben-Haim was disturbed upon learning who had attacked her: 'When I heard who he was, I just felt more anger, more hurt. He's not a homeless person off the street. He's a trained fighter.'

Arutz was able to find surveillance footage showing the agent getting out of a bar just moments before the attack.

She believes the United States is trying to 'sweep this under the carpet' as the agent was allowed to go home and she hasn't been contacted by American officials.

'This is not someone from a third-world country. America is the example of the world, and he works for the president,' Ben-Haim said. 'They just shipped him back to where he came like nothing ever happened, and they expect me to just move on with my life.'

Ben-Haim says she's weighing legal options and may ask for an expedited Visa to spend time with American relatives while she contemplates anything further.
A protestor has been arrested amid clashes between opponents and supporters of a drag queen story time show at libraries in Bristol.

The groups both staged demonstrations outside Henleaze Library in Bristol today, where drag queen Sab Samuel, 27, who performs as Aida H Dee, was due to read to children at 11am. The event was delayed and then cancelled.

The event attracted large groups protesting and supporting the show - around 15 people staged a demonstration against it and claimed the performer was 'illegally grooming children'.

One protestor even said they planned to put Aida under citizen's arrest.

Counter-protestors branded the group 'fascists' and said they were standing up for 'parents, children and drag queens'.

Crowds of protestors formed outside the Henleaze Library and Millsfield Library in Bristol

A large crowd of counter-protestors also formed to support the drag queen show in Bristol

Supporters argued angrily in the street outside the libraries today - at least one protestor was arrested

Protestors accused the drag queen children's show of 'confusing' and 'corrupting' children

Protestors clash outside Henleaze Library in Bristol before the event this morning, which was cancelled

Masked counter-protestors argue with a man outside the library

A supporter defended the children's story time saying: 'None of the content in the stories are sexualised. They are light-hearted and entertaining.'

A video shows a protestor explaining the group's opposition to the drag queen story hour and claiming they have protest groups 'all over the country', mobilised to 'put an end to this sexual exploitation of children.'

Footage also shows the two groups goading each other and exchanging chants outside the library.

The cancelled event was planned to be part of Aida's drag story time tour around Bristol. Five others are planned, including one that was set for 2pm today which went ahead.

The second event today at Hillsfield Library was also mobbed by protestors, and attendees had to get through a crowd of them to reach the building.

A large police presence was at the scene and one protestor was arrested - it is not clear which side they were on.

The protest group shouted chants and held signs which said 'stop grooming kids', 'wake up this is child abuse' and 'leave the kids alone'.

A spokesperson from the group at Henleaze Library said: 'Aida works in the sex industry as an adult entertainer.

'This is grooming and it's illegal. So we are performing a citizens arrest, if we can't do it today, we will.'

A line of police officers kept the two groups separate as they exchanged chants and slogans

Sab Samuel, 27, who performs as Aida H Dee, runs Story Hour UK. He was due to read to children this morning - although the event was cancelled, a second went ahead at a different library

The protestor, shouting from behind Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall' blaring from speakers, said: 'If you have to normalise something that is not normal - it is not normal!

'No one under the age of 11 needs to know explicit facts about sex and drag queens.

'They are sex workers and we don't want them talking to our children about what they think is normal.'

They added: 'A library with toddlers is is not the time or the place - if you want to see a drag queen go to a nightclub!

'These poor children are going to be confused and their young minds are being corrupted.'

One mum, 32, was one of the parents hoping to attend the storytelling event with her ten-month-old toddler.

The mother-of-one from Bristol attended one of Aida's events six weeks ago, which she said was 'pleasant' and 'lovely'.

She said: 'Ada is an author and I can assure you none of the content in the stories are sexualised. They are light-hearted and entertaining.

'I am annoyed and all the parents here today are annoyed.

'I just want to have a calm conversation but I have a child strapped to me and this is turning violent, and quite frankly scary.

'Men is make-up is not a new concept - it's thousands of years old, this is nothing new.'

A member of the counter-protest group said they were there to stand up for 'the rights of drag queens'.

They said: 'It is homophobic and transphobic to stop kids being able to learn from a drag queen.

'We are trying to not escalate things too much so the kids don't get traumatised, we want to protect the families from the fascists over there.

'I think a lot of this is based on unfair economic situations - trans people are often scapegoated by newspapers.

'Lots of the fascists over there have strong ties to conspiracy theories.

'The lies that they believe is showing in outward facing anger right now, which is something we cannot accept.'

The 'Story Hour' events have been running across the country for three to 11-year-old children at libraries.

The group says the sessions 'teach inclusivity' and encourage children to 'get fabulous'.
A Columbia University graduate student is hospitalized with brain trauma after an apparent attack in a New York City subway.

Jay Reist, 29, is being monitored in the ICU at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Washington Heights after he was allegedly struck in the head last Friday; it's still unclear to police and Reist's family how - or why - he was so badly wounded.

Surveillance video showed Reist exiting a subway station 15th street and 8th Avenue around 2 a.m. before getting into an Uber.

He started seizing while in the rideshare, prompting the driver to take him to the hospital, where he remains on a ventilator.

Jay Reist, 29, is being monitored in the ICU at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Washington Heights after he was struck in the head last Friday

Reist's injury comes as violent crime has become endemic on the transport system and across the city as a whole.

Mayor Eric Adams called the Big Apple a national 'laughingstock' on Wednesday, thanks to the city's lax bail laws that prioritize the wellbeing of suspects over crime victims.

Reist went out for drinks with friends in the Lower East Side on Thursday. He was pictured partying at Dream Baby on Avenue B before his injury.

He was last seen in stable condition leaving the subway station early Friday morning.

His mother, Louise Reist, suspects her aspiring actor son was attacked somewhere along the L line stops in Manhattan.

'I think that Jay was at the wrong place at the wrong time,' she told NBC 4.

Louise said she knew something had happened to Reist after he failed to return to their Inwood home and wasn't answering her text messages.

'I called his number and a nurse answered the phone!' she recalled.

Surveillance video showed Reist exiting a subway station 15th street and 8th Avenue around 2 a.m. before getting into an Uber. He started seizing while in the rideshare, prompting the driver to take him to the hospital where he remains on a ventilator

Reist went out for drinks with friends in the Lower East Side on Thursday. He was pictured partying at Dream Baby on Avenue B before his injury

The concerned mother said she found her son at the hospital where he was intubated and battling a brain injury.

'Hes just lying in bed needing machines to help him live,' Louise said, adding that she is really angry about what happened to Reist.

'I am not at all hating humanity, I have more gratitude now than Ive had in a long time because of the way people are taking care of us,' she said. 'There is just an angry person out there.'

Resit's acting class created a GoFundMe to help raise money for his medical expenses. As of Thursday morning, it had earned more than $78,000.

The NYPD confirmed to DailyMail.com that a complaint has been filed and officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding Reist's injuries.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

His mother, Louise Reist, suspects her aspiring actor son was attacked somewhere along the L line stops in Manhattan. 'I think that Jay was at the wrong place at the wrong time,' she said

Louise said she knew something had happened to Reist after he failed to return to their Inwood home and wasn't answering her text messages

Resit's acting class created a GoFundMe to help raise money for his medical expenses. As of Thursday morning, the fundraiser had earned more than $78,000

NYPD data shows that crime is on the rise across the city.

So far this year, major crimes are up 36.9 percent from the same period one year ago, with felony assault up by 19 percent.

Robbery is up 39.6 percent, burglary rising 33 percent, and transit crimes jumping 53 percent. Rape also rose by 11.3 percent.

Murders are down 4.3 percent from last year, and shooting victims have dropped 5.8 percent, gains that Adams and police officials attribute to a push to get illegal guns off the streets.

NYPD data shows crime is on the rise across the city with major crimes up 36.9 percent from the same period one year ago

Meanwhile, Adams, who has sworn to tackle the city's skyrocketing crime, slammed the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for its lax bail policies, alleging they're contributing to the problem.

Adams dubbed the city a 'laughingstock' Wednesday after a teen accused of brutally attacking an NYPD cop on a subway platform while free on bail was released to a family center in Brooklyn.

Horrifying footage showed the 16-year-old punching the cop in the head before grabbing him around the neck and slamming him repeatedly into metal railings on Saturday.

The teen was previously arrested for possession of a loaded gun and robbery last Wednesday, but was released the next day after appearing in court.

The DA requested he be released with 'intensive community monitoring,' even after being accused of robbing a 49-year-old man of his cellphone with three other accomplices.

Mayor Adams say the teen's release, and others like it, 'disregard of public safety' in a press conference on Tuesday

The teen appeared in court Tuesday and asked if he could press charges, but did not specify who he wanted to press charges against

That was the same 'intensive community monitoring' he had been placed under between his alleged mugging attack, and his alleged attack on the cop.

'This person was arrested for robbery a few days ago, now he's back,' Adams said. 'As soon as we catch them, the system releases them, and they repeat the action.'

'When I say we're the laughingstock of the country, this is what I'm talking about,' he continued, calling the act issue 'just a total disregard for public safety.'

The boy was released without bail again on Sunday after the subway incident and the case was transferred to Family Court, where court proceedings are barred from public view.

During a court hearing on Tuesday, he was ordered to stay at St. John's, a 'non-secure detention facility' where he will have a 6 p.m. curfew as he awaits the outcome of the case.
Johnny Depp's lawyer Camille Vasquez says the Pirates of the Caribbean star would've moved on from his defamation case if his ex-wife, Amber Heard, didn't file an appeal to overturn the million-dollar settlement.

Vasquez sat down for an interview with CBS Morning's host Gayle King on Thursday to discuss the ongoing defamation case amid both parties filing appeals.

'So is it safe to say that if she hadn't appealed you all would not have appealed either, you would've moved on?' King asked.

'Yes - that's a very fair statement,' Vasquez responded.

Johnny Depp and his legal team would have moved on, his lawyer, Camille Vasquez, says, if Amber Heards legal team had not filed an appeal to overturn the more than $10.3 million settlement she was ordered to pay to her ex-husband. pic.twitter.com/B2JlvpQpc5  CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) July 28, 2022

in an interview with CBS Morning, Camille Vasquez said the actor and his legal team would've moved on and not filed a counter appeal if Amber Heard didn't seek to overturn the 10.3 million settlement from the defamation case

A judge will be reviewing appeals filed by Depp and Heard as the defamation case proceeds. Depp filed an appeal to overturn the $2 million he was ordered to pay after he was convicted of a single count of defamation for saying the domestic abuse claims against him were a 'hoax'

King was skeptical about why Depp decided to file an appeal if he previously called to move on and 'time for healing.'

'It was expected,' Vasquez said. 'I mean she's indicated since the day she lost the trial that she was going to appeal.'

Vasquez says the legal team has a plan to 'protect' their 'client's interests' as litigation moves forward.

'We've heard that it's not about the money, it's time for healing, and time to move on - which is the message that he sent - but how do you heal and move on when both sides are still in court arguing?' King asked.

Vasquez responded, 'It's pretty standard legal procedure. We just hope that the court will uphold the verdict which we think was the right verdict and allow both parties to move on.'

Depp and Heard were subjected to a trial following the actresses claims in a 2018 newspaper opinion piece that her ex-husband abused her

Heard is subjected to pay Depp $10.35 million after she was denied a request for a mistrial. The two were only married for a little more than a year after getting divorced in 2017

In another CBS Morning clip with King and Vasquez, the pair discusses how Depp decided who was on his legal team and the importance for him to have a 'female perspective.'

'I find this interesting,' King said. 'You know, how Johnny Depp decided to put the team together that represented him. And it's been reported that he specifically wanted you. Why do you think he wanted you on his team?'

Vasquez responded, 'I've had the pleasure of working for Johnny for four and a half years now. So I've worked on all his litigation matters before. This case obviously was the most personal to him. It was important to have a woman on the team.'

'Why?' King asked.

'This case called for a woman's perspective. And I was the lucky person chosen to do this job, and I took it...'

King interrupted, 'Do you feel lucky? Is lucky the word?'

Vasquez responded, 'I think so - yeah. I mean, I think hard work and luck, you can't underestimate, there was a combination there, right? Of course, it's a tremendous amount of hours, but it's also a little bit of luck. And I didn't, it's not a job that I took lightly. This was his name. This was his life. It was important.'

EXCLUSIVE: @GayleKing sits down with attorney Camille Vasquez, who represented Johnny Depp in his defamation trial win against ex-wife Amber Heard, for her first interview since Heard filed a motion to appeal. pic.twitter.com/uf3Rqrn3vH  CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) July 27, 2022

Vasquez said in the CBS Morning interview that she was lucky to be on Depp's legal team and provide a needed 'female perspective'

Heard, 36, appealed the judge's decision in her defamation case against Johnny Depp on July 21 - two months after she was subjected to pay $ 10 million to her ex-husband in damages.

Heard was denied a request for a mistrial a week before - arguing that one of the jurors on the case shouldn't have been eligible to serve because his summons was intended for his father, who had the same name and lived at the same address.

In June, the Aquaman star was ordered to pay her ex-husband $10.35 million at the end of an explosive six-week trial, when a jury ruled she had defamed her ex-husband in a newspaper opinion piece published in 2018.

Depp, 59, received $15 million, including $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.

The judge later capped the damages at the state's maximum of $350,000 leaving Depp with a total of $8.35million.

Meanwhile, Heard won one of her three countersuits claims related to statements made by Depp's lawyer suggesting she and her friends trashed their apartment before calling the police.

Heard was rewarded $2 million in compensatory damages out of the $100million she asked for.

Amid the news of Heard's appeals, Depp's representatives told DailyMail.com last week that they are confident in the verdict.

Depp and Heard filed their appeals with the Virginia Court of Appeals

'The jury listened to the extensive evidence presented during the trial and came to a clear and unanimous verdict that the defendant herself defamed Mr. Depp in multiple instances. We remain confident in our case and that this verdict will stand,' a spokesperson for Depp said.

A day after Heard's team filed an appeal, Depp's team filed one following him being ordered to pay $2 million in damages after he was convicted of a single count of defamation for saying the domestic abuse claims against him were false.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor's team said they filed an appeal to ensure 'all information is considered by the court' while they return to consider Heard's appeal.
This is the brutal moment a man was knocked out cold with one punch in a New York City fistfight.

Video filmed by a passerby at the busy Manhattan crossing shows two men squaring up to each other in a packed street, surrounded by cars, pedestrians and even cyclists on July 7.

The pair dance around each other - before a knock out blow ends the street fight and sends the one crashing to the floor.

A quick jab from the man in the white tank top strikes the lumbering larger man in the jaw, who was slow to get his hands up.

The lights immediately go out and he collapses forwards, hitting the road with his face.

The victor does a little jig in celebration and then picks up the man's limp legs, drags him a little, and throws them forward in such a way as to contort the unconscious man's back.

They then land back on the hard asphalt like a sack of potatoes, although the man was reported to have regained consciousness later.

The pair dance around each other - before a knock out blow ends the altercation and sends the one crashing to the floor

The lights immediately go out and he collapses forwards, hitting the road with his face

The victor does a little jig in celebration and then picks up the man's limp legs, drags him a little, and throws them forward in such a way as to contort the unconscious man's back

An eyewitness said: 'I was with my son when I saw the fight break out. I really thought the worst for a moment, but thankfully we did see him wake up.'

It is just the latest violent daylight attack to plague the Big Apple as crime soars, with New York mayor Eric Adams saying he had 'never witnessed crime at this level' back in May.

In New York City, felony assault is up 19 per cent from 2021 with 2,310 more reported incidents, according to NYPD statistics.

The year-to-date statistics show 14,461 felony assaults have been reported in comparison to 12,151 during the same time last year.

Crime overall in the state across various spectrums, including murder, rape, and robbery, is up by 36.9% with 18,618 more reported incidents to date than last year.

Grand larceny is the top crime in the city with felony assault following shortly behind.

Two people were killed and at least 12 more were injured in 11 separate shooting and stabbing incidents in a night of bloodshed in New York City on July 17.

The New York Police Department's statistics showed that overall major crime has risen by more than 30 percent since 2021.

Mayor Eric Adams, who vowed to crack down on crime when he took office in January, has so far failed to make a dent in the problem.

There has also been a blowback against soft-on-crime policies as rates of homicide and violent crime rose during the Covid-19 pandemic, stoking fears that Los Angeles, New York and other cities would revert to the crime-ridden 1990s.
A son who murdered both his parents by stabbing them hundreds of times before mutilating his fathers corpse has been jailed for 27 years.

Lee Tipping had tried to flee the country after killing Anthony Tipping and Patricia Livesey at their Lancashire home in November, last year.

But he was arrested by police and charged over the vicious attack, which came hours after he had broken down a bedroom door, sparking a row.

The frenzied attack by the 36-year-old saw his father Anthony stabbed more than 130 times, including at least 65 times in the chest and 15 times in the abdomen.

A jury at Preston Crown Court was told his father had also suffered a number of 'very unusual' injuries to his genital area, believed to have been inflicted after his death.

The court heard Patricia had been stabbed 153 times, including 67 times in the chest, 39 in the abdomen, 10 in the neck and three times around the eyes.

Lee Tipping (centre) stabbed mother Patricia Livesey, 57, (right) to death along with his father Anthony Tipping, 60 (left)

Lee Tipping (pictured) was jailed for a minimum of 27 years at Preston Crown Court today after being found guilty of two counts of murder

Both parents had also been beaten before they died, with Patricia suffering a black eye and a shoulder injury consistent with being hit with a blunt weapon.

Tipping claimed he had been acting in self-defence, and that the genital injuries to his father were caused by him 'chucking' a knife at his father, but a pathologist said this did not line up with the evidence.

A jury found him guilty of two counts of murder by the jury after a four-week trial, and today he was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 27 years.

During the trial the jury heard that 57-year-old Patricia had texted her sister on the night of the attack with the message: 'Please God, I hope someone will help us.'

The horrific attack took place on November 19, last year, after Patricia and 60-year-old Anthony had gone to the pub with her sister Catherine Riding and her husband-in-law Martin.

Patricia Livesey (left) and Anthony Tipping (right) were stabbed to death by their 36-year-old son, Lee Tipping, in November last year

Forensic investigators found Patricia Livesey had been stabbed 153 times, while Anthony Tipping had been stabbed over 130 times

The court heard Anthony received a phone call from his son, who told him he had 'kicked the bedroom door down'.

Anthony is said to have responded: 'You'd better f****** not have.'

Mr Riding said that Patricia seemed 'anxious' about the situation, while Mrs Riding told the court her sister seemed 'scared to go home'.

She said: 'She said 'this could be my last gin'.

'She didn't want to go home. She'd never really said that before. I said why, and she said she just didn't want to go home. So I knew there was something.'

Shortly after arriving home, at around 11.30pm, Patricia texted Mrs Riding: 'OK, I'll probably not sleep, he's being a f****** shit.'

Ten minutes later, she texted: 'Please God, I hope someone will help us.'

The following day, when Patricia failed to arrive at her mum's house for dinner, Mrs Riding and her other sister, Pauline Haworth, visited the house to see if she was ok.

They called 999 at 1.43pm on November 20 and the couple's bodies were found in the upstairs of the house later that day, after police broke down a side door.

After killing his parents, Tipping booked a flight to Rome and drove to Manchester Airport, where he checked into a nearby hotel under a fake name, the court heard.

When he was arrested at around 7.30pm on November 21, he claimed he had acted in self-defence.

He told police his father had been 'bullying him all his life' and was 'a monster' who would 'fight to the death'.

Tipping denied murder but admitted manslaughter. He has a history of mental health problems

Tipping admitted to killing his parents but denied murder, claiming self-defence and loss of control against his father and loss of control in relation to the death of his mother.

And following a four-week trial at Preston Crown Court, a jury rejected his defence and found Tipping guilty of two counts of murder.

Det Chief Insp Jill Johnston, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said after the sentencing: 'I welcome the life sentence handed down to Lee Tipping by the courts, which reflects the seriousness of his offending and was aggravated by his lack of remorse.

'Although no sentence can and will never make up for the horrific, sustained and violent attack Lee subjected his parents to, I hope that Tricia and Anthony's families and friends get some sense of closure knowing that this case has now come to a conclusion.

'They have remained incredibly dignified throughout this investigation and my thoughts remain with them at this very difficult time.'
A 44-year-old woman who has suffered from an incurable and chronic muscle condition for three decades will become the first person to die by euthanasia in Peru.

Ana Estrada has battled polymyositis, a rare disease that affects her muscle system with a degenerative deterioration, since the age of 12. She will have an assisted death on Wednesday, August 3, after the government's judiciary ratified her right to die.

Estrada, who has been fighting for the right to die for five years, applauded the landmark decision with a series of tweets.

'My body insisted against me. I learned to calculate and dose fear. Every day, a loss. The insidious disease won,' Estrada wrote on Twitter.

'I knew then that I had to take control. I had already lost everything. And, in fear, I spoke.'

The psychologist spent four months in a hospital in 2016 when she started to consider dying by euthanasia in a predominantly Roman Catholic country where abortion is still illegal.

Ana Estrada has spent most of her life bed-ridden after being diagnosed with polymyositis as a 12-year-old. It's a rare disease that affects her muscle system with a degenerative deterioration. The 44-year-old psychologist sued the Peruvian government in February 2020, seeking the right to an assisted death. The Supreme Court on Thursday ratified its earlier court ruling to allow Estrada to die by euthanasia within the coming days

Ana Estrada, who was diagnosed with polymyositis as a 12-year-old, relies on a ventilator to breath, which has hampered her ability to speak correctly because her voice has been reduced to a whisper.

With the help of Peru's public ombudsman's office, Estrada sued the government in February 2020 after contemplating 'doing it illegally.'

'But there was risk,' she told Reuters at the time, 'because I cannot let someone help me die. I cannot ask a relative to commit a crime.'

Assisting a person's suicide and killing a patient who is terminally ill is subject to prison, according to Peruvian law.

Estrada, who was diagnosed with polymyositis as a 12-year-old, relies on a ventilator to breath, which has hampered her ability to speak correctly because her voice has been reduced to a whisper.

During an earlier July session, the Peruvian Supreme Court confirmed a prior ruling that granted the Estrada the right to end her life.

Ana Estrada applauded the Supreme Court's landmark decision to allow her to die legally by euthanasia. The 44-year-old, who suffers from polymyositis, wrote on Twitter: 'My body insisted against me. I learned to calculate and dose fear. Every day, a loss. The insidious disease won. I knew then that I had to take control. I had already lost everything. And, in fear, I spoke'

After spending four months hospitalized, Ana Estrada sought out the help of Peru's public ombudsman's office and sued the government in February 2020 after she thought about committing suicide. She told Reuters that she did not want to 'risk' any chances 'because I cannot let someone help me die. I cannot ask a relative to commit a crime.' Assisting a person's suicide and killing a patient who is terminally ill is subject to prison, according to Peruvian law

Ana Estrada (pictured February 2020) lies in bed at her home in Lima, Peru

Supreme Court Justice Carlos Calderon Puerta appeared to be the only judge to hinder Estrada's wishes to end her own life before he voted alongside the other three judges to approve the decision Thursday.

'Being heard in Peru is a privilege. I defended my own body, the one that had failed me, but it was mine,' Estrada wrote on Twitter.

'Each effort became gentle. Each message, article or report enriched me. Suddenly dignity had its rightful place in life and in death.'

Euthanasia is banned in most countries, and it opposed by the Catholic church. Colombia is the only country in Latin America that has allowed assisted death under certain conditions.

Martha Sepulveda, a 51-year-old Colombian mother-of-one died by euthanasia in January.

Sepulveda, who suffered from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease, died in a Medellin clinic, following a long court battle that split the Catholic nation over whether she should be allowed the legal end-of-life procedure even though she had a non-terminal prognosis.

She was diagnosed with the incurable and degenerative disease in November 2018 following a doctor's visit after experiencing numbness in one of her thumbs.

Martha Sepulveda was battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, since November 2018. The 51-year-old died by euthanasia in January after a lengthy battle with the Colombian government

Colombia's Constitutional Court removed penalties for euthanasia under certain circumstances in 1997 and ordered the procedure to be regulated in 2014. The first person in Colombia with a terminal illness to die under those rules was in 2015.

On July 22, 2021, the top court amended the law, ruling that a patient with 'intense physical or mental suffering from bodily injury, or serious and incurable disease' could also die under euthanasia.

It took Sepulveda less than a month to seek permission for an assisted death, which eventually sparked a heated debate with the Catholic church as local and national clergy leaders attempted to sway her and called on her to 'calmly reflect' over her choice.
Daily Telegraph tycoon Sir Frederick Barclay will be told next month if he will be sent to prison having failed to pay his ex-wife 245,000 in legal costs and maintenance after their divorce.

But he was spared jail yesterday after a judge ruled his ex-wife failed to prove that he is in contempt of court as a result of not paying a 100million divorce settlement following the breakdown of their marriage of 34-years.

Lady Hiroko Barclay had asked a judge to jail him - accusing her ex-husband of trying to 'string things out' until 'one or other of us dies' to avoid paying.

However, the High Court found that his ex-wife had failed to prove that he could access the funds allegedly held in a complex web of offshore trusts and therefore he is not in contempt of court, which is punishable by prison.

But judge Sir Jonathan Cohen did rule that Sir Frederick had breached orders relating to the payment of 185,000 of legal fees and maintenance of 60,000-a-month in a case that has already cost millions. Sir Frederick could be jailed or fined unless he 'purges' his contempt and pays.

Sir Jonathan said he would consider what the consequences of Sir Frederick's breaches might be at a hearing on August 11.

Lady Hiroko Barclay (left at a previous hearing) insists Sir Frederick Barclay (pictured today) has breached that order and accused him of being in contempt of court and asked the judge to consider a custodial sentence. Today the High Court ruled against her on this point but not on legal costs and maintenance

It came after Lady Hiroko claimed her former husband had a punch-up at sea with his twin brother Sir David in a battle for control of their businesses. She alleged in her evidence in their London divorce battle this week that Sir Frederick had a fight with his identical sibling on board a yacht.

The Barclay brothers were among the UK's most high-profile businessmen. Their business interests included Telegraph Media Group and The Ritz hotel in London. Sir David died in January last year, aged 86.

Lady Hiroko said Sir Frederick, and his brother David, had acquired the freehold of Brecqhou - one of the Channel Islands - in 1993 and paid 2.3 million.

And she said her ex-husband and his brother had once had a brawl while abroad in a row over the running of their businesses. 'There was a fight on a boat on the holiday,' she told the judge, 'They were punching each other'.

The brothers were reported to have bought the Leander G superyacht in around 2016, although it is not known if the alleged fight was on board.

She also told Sir Jonathan Cohen, who began overseeing a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London on Monday, that Sir Frederick had the means to pay but was aiming to 'string things out' until 'one or other of us dies'.

Sir Frederick disputes her claims.

Lady Hiroko Barclay alleged that Sir Frederick (left) had a fight with his brother Sir David (right), in her evidence in their divorce battle

Around five years ago the Barclay brothers were reported to have bought the Leander G, a 75-metre yacht. It is not known if this is the yacht they had a fight on

Lady Barclay said Sir Frederick had 'the means to pay', adding: 'For him to pretend otherwise is false.'

She told Sir Jonathan, in a written witness statement: 'He has no respect for me or for the court. His aim is simply to string things out, hiding behind a web of complex structures (the initial purpose behind which was the avoidance of tax), allowing our daughter Amanda to fund all his financial needs, until one or other of us dies.'

The family also has links to the Channel Islands and Monaco.

Sir Jonathan had ruled that Sir Frederick should pay Lady Barclay sums totalling 100 million after overseeing their fight over money.

The judge criticised Sir Frederick, saying he had behaved in a 'reprehensible' fashion.

He said the businessman had sold a luxury yacht and 'applied the equity for his own use', in breach of orders.

The judge said Lady Barclay had wanted 120 million and Sir Frederick had made an offer which might have led her to getting nothing.

In her witness statement, Lady Barclay said that while Sir Frederick claimed to have been evicted from a 'palatial' central London residence due to failing to keep up the mortgage, he had carried on staying there for some months, 'seemingly undisturbed, with access to his ballroom and purpose-built oxygen chamber and attended by his housekeeper, security guard and driver'.

Sir Frederick's lawyers insist he has been evicted.

On his failure to hand over the divorce settlement cash, Lady Barclay said: 'Frederick says he cannot pay. He says he has no money. I do not believe him. It is not that he cannot pay, but that he will not pay. He has never had any intention of doing so.'

She added: 'He has no respect for me or for the Court. His aim is simply to string things out, hiding behind a web of complex structures (the initial purpose behind which was the avoidance of tax), allowing our daughter, Amanda, to fund all his financial needs, until one or other of us dies.'

Sir Frederick and his twin brother, Sir David, were among the UK's most high-profile businessmen. Sir David (left) died in January last year, aged 86

She went on to say: 'If Frederick dies before I get my first lump sum, my monthly maintenance will stop. I will be left virtually penniless and almost certainly homeless after a relationship/marriage of close to half a century, where our standard of living was beyond extravagant.'

Lady Barclay also alleges that their daughter Amanda has become Sir Frederick's 'de facto banker' and is 'in charge of all financial and business matters about which he claims to know nothing'.

Judge Sir Jonathan Cohen previously criticised Sir Frederick, saying he had behaved in a 'reprehensible' fashion.

In an earlier ruling, he said the businessman had sold a luxury yacht and 'applied the equity for his own use' in breach of the court's instructions.
Microsoft recently discovered a private sector spyware group named DSIRF.

Microsoft's Security Response Center (MSRC) and the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) discovered an Austrian spyware group masking itself as a private company, DSIRF.

To execute an attack on its targets, this private-sector actor has been reported to use numerous zero-day exploits of Windows and Adobe, as well as the recently patched vulnerability, CVE-2022-2204.

They then developed the malware called Subzero, launching most of its attacks on Central American and European customers. Microsoft tracks this private sector actor as KNOTWEED.

Microsoft KNOTWEED

Microsoft discovered that KNOTWEED, on its DSIRF website, claims that it uses advanced methodologies for acquiring and analyzing information to provide services to companies in the financial, retail, technology, and energy sectors.

The attack hit banks, law firms, and strategic consultants in a number of countries, including Austria, the United Kingdom, and Panama, according to The Verge.

They market themselves publicly as a company that provides a number of services, such as improved due diligence and risk assessment procedures.

This is accomplished by providing a comprehensive understanding of individuals and organizations. Additionally, they make available highly sophisticated "Red Teams" to test their customers' most important assets.

However, despite the public persona, DSIRF has been linked in numerous news articles to creating a malware toolset called Subzero, as well as an attempt to sell this toolset.

In 2021 and 2022, Microsoft's threat intelligence team discovered that the Subzero malware was being distributed using a variety of techniques, including zero-day exploits in Windows and Adobe Reader.

Microsoft's conversations with one of the Subzero victims during their investigation showed that the company had not hired any red teams or done any penetration testing. They also admitted that the behavior was illegal and malicious.

Multiple connections have been discovered by MSTIC between DSIRF and the exploits and malware that were utilized in these assaults.

According to Microsoft, "these include command-and-control infrastructure used by the malware directly linking to DSIRF, a DSIRF-associated GitHub account being used in one attack; a code signing certificate issued to DSIRF being used to sign an exploit; and other open-source news reports attributing Subzero to DSIRF."

Read Also: Top 5 Best Microsoft Windows Laptop for 2022

Microsoft's Recommendation To Prevent Attacks

From their investigation, Microsoft published a blog detailing a lot of information about KNOTWEED. As part of the investigation, here are some of the security measures that the tech giant recommends to users.

Microsoft recommends users patch the CVE-2022-22047 vulnerability to prevent possible attacks from KNOTWEED.

Use the following signs of compromise to find out if they are present in a user's environment and to figure out how likely an intrusion is.

Make sure that Microsoft Defender Antivirus has security intelligence update 1.371.503.0 or later so that it can find the right signs.

Change the Excel macro security settings to control which macros operate when a user opens a workbook and under what conditions. According to Microsoft, "By turning on Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) runtime macro scanning, customers can also stop malicious XLM or VBA macros."

Review all authentication activity for remote access infrastructure, with a focus on accounts set up with single-factor authentication, to make sure it's real and look for any strange behavior.

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect credentials that could be stolen and to make sure that all remote connections require MFA.

Related Article: How To Change Your Microsoft Windows 11 Default Browser
House Democrats will release the framework of their long-awaited stock ban proposal in early August, according to a report.

The framework would force members of Congress, their spouses and senior staff to place assets in either a qualified blind trust or completely sell them off. Lawmakers, spouses and staff would still be able to hold mutual funds.

Leadership's goal is to get the legislation through the House in September, according to Punchbowl News.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., who as head of the House Administration Committee has been tasked with reviewing the different proposals, told DailyMail.com on Friday the framework would be out 'in the coming weeks.'

Last week congressional stock purchases were again under fire after Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul purchased over $1 million in shares of semiconductor firm Nvidia as Congress was negotiating the a bill to inject billions into the semiconductor chip industry. The Senate passed that bill Wednesday and the House is expected to pass it on Thursday.

On June 17 Paul Pelosi but 20,000 shares worth between $1 million and $5 million, ahead of the Sunday vote on the CHIPS plus bill which would inject $52 billion into the semiconductor market.

Last week congressional stock purchases were again under fire after Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul purchased over $1 million in shares of semiconductor firm Nvidia as Congress was negotiating the a bill to inject billions into the semiconductor chip industry

On June 17 Paul Pelosi but 20,000 shares worth between $1 million and $5 million, ahead of the Sunday vote on the CHIPS plus bill which would inject $52 billion into the semiconductor market

'Has your husband ever made a stock purchase or sale based on information he's received from you?' a reported asked the speaker in her weekly briefing last week.

'No,' she scoffed. 'Absolutely not.' Pelosi then walked away from the podium.

The Pelosis are one of the wealthiest couples in Congress and Paul Pelosi has been dubbed one of the most prolific stock traders of all time. The speaker's office frequently notes that Nancy herself does not own any stock.

For months there has been broad bipartisan consensus behind banning individual stock trades for members and their spouses. Lawmakers in both parties have put forth a slew of bills since Pelosi first expressed a cool openness to such a ban in February, not one of which has made it to the floor.

Last Wednesday Sen. Josh Hawley wrote a letter asking Democrats to hold a hearing on banning stock trading.

'This issue of whether and how Members of Congress engage in various financial transactions deserves scrutiny by the Committee,' Hawley wrote to Sen. Gary Peters, chair of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee.

'In 2020 Speaker Pelosi and her husband outperformed the S&P 500 by a whopping 14.3 percent,' Hawley said. Ninety percent of actively managed investment funds fail to beat the market, according to a report.

After initial resistance, Pelosi changed tune in February and said she would get behind a stock ban if it was not just aimed at Congress but all of government.

'It has to be government-wide,' the California Democrat told reporters. 'The judiciary has no reporting. The Supreme Court has no disclosure. It has no reporting of stock transactions, and it makes important decisions every day.'

'Has your husband ever made a stock purchase or sale based on information he's received from you?' a reported asked the speaker in her weekly briefing last week. 'No,' she scoffed. 'Absolutely not,' Pelosi said

It was not resounding support, but it was a change of tune from three months earlier when Pelosi was actively against cutting off her husband and the rest of Congress' stock trading power.

'We're a free market economy. '[Lawmakers] should be able to participate in that,' she said in December.

Despite broad support, some Democrats lay blame at leadership for stopping such bills from even getting a vote.

'The people who control the calendar don't want to bring it to the floor,' said Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., a moderate who authored a bipartisan proposal to force members to put their assets in a blind trust. 'The people who control committees of jurisdiction don't want to bring it to the floor.'

Paul Pelosi, owner of Financial Leasing Services, has amassed a personal fortune of around $135 million.

In 2021, the House Speaker is ranked as the 14th wealthiest member of Congress with an estimated net worth of at least $46,123,051, according to Insider.

Paul Pelosi's lucrative stock trades have prompted social investing app Iris allows users to track the couple's trades and be notified every time Paul makes a purchase so that they can do the same.

And popular Twitter account @NancyTracker, which tracked Pelosi's investments, was banned from the social media network.

The 2012 STOCK Act bans members of Congress from using 'any nonpublic information derived from the individual's position ... or gained from performance of the individual's duties, for personal benefit.'

It also required lawmakers to report any publicly disclose any transaction of stocks, bond, commodities futures, and other securities within 45 days, rather than once per year.

Pelosi is far from alone in her husband's stock trades - more than 220 other representatives and senators, around 40% of Congress, held together at least $225 million in stock assets during 2020, according to an Insider investigation.

An Insider investigation found that 49 members and 182 congressional staffers were late to disclose trades from January through September 2021, violating the STOCK Act.
A 15-year-old boy shot three of his siblings dead before turning the gun on himself in a murder suicide at the family home in Alaska.

The three siblings, aged five, eight and 17 all died while three other siblings in the home, all under the age of seven, weren't injured.

State Troopers received reports of a shooting from a neighbor at 4.17pm on Tuesday in the Skyridge Drive Subdivision, north of Fairbanks.

The parents of the children and another sibling weren't at home during the shooting.

State Troopers received reports of a shooting from a neighbor at 4.17pm on Tuesday in the Skyridge Drive Subdivision, north of Fairbanks. Pictured: Exterior shot of the house

The boy, who hasn't been identified, is believed to have shot three siblings using a 'family gun' before turning the gun on himself.

Tim DeSpain, a troopers spokesperson, says they are focusing on finding the motive behind the believed murder-suicide.

He said the gun was a 'family gun but beyond that, it's all still part of the ongoing investigation,' according to the Washington Post.

The children's bodies are being sent to the state's medical examiner to aid in the investigation.

The boy, who hasn't been identified, is believed to have shot three siblings using a 'family gun' before turning the gun on himself. Pictured: Exterior shot of the home

Troopers said the state Office of Children's Services has been notified.

Clinton Bennett, a spokesperson for the state Department of Family and Community Services said the office 'will not provide any information due to rules and regulations involving the confidentiality of all involved in specific cases.'

The office also will 'not provide any information involving a case with an open investigation,' Bennett wrote.
Marina Verriest worked as a professional musician for almost four decades, composing music for ballet performances

A man came back on Wednesday afternoon to find a dog still mauling his dead wife, Marina Verriest, in their Long Island home.

The pit bull had belonged to her stepson, who had died in a motorcycle accident only two weeks earlier, leaving the mutt in her care.

The seven-year-old beast turned on his dead owner's mother, mauling her to death some time before the husband arrived to his home on Terrace Court in Albertson around 1:15pm.

Verriests husband returned to find their dog dragging his wifes body through their backyard.

Her LinkedIn profile said she was a ballet pianist and composer, working as a professional musician for almost four decades.

The backyard where the woman's body was found still being mauled by their dog is pictured

The pit bull had belonged to her stepson, pictured, who had died in a motorcycle accident only two weeks earlier

Stock image: Police said the dog had been living with the family for its whole life and don't know why it turned on the family

'The scene was pretty horrific we dont know what time the attack took place,' police commissioner Patrick Ryder told The New York Post. 'There was obviously a lot of mutilation on the body legs face.'

The dog charged at officers when they arrived at the scene and attacked one of them, who shot it dead.

A 15-year-old veteran shot the dog that mauled him after eating part of the woman's body, and is said to be traumatized. He is being referred for treatment.

Ryder said: 'The officer saw something that was very traumatic, we take care of our officers and make sure theyre OK.'

The Nassau County SPCA said there were no prior incidents involving the dog.

'We dont know what turned the dog or why the dog turned on the woman,' he said. 'There had been no previous domestic calls to the home or calls regarding the dog.'

Police believe the dog had been living with the family for its whole life.
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A crown court judge passed sentence live on TV for the first time in English legal history today - reigniting the debate over whether cameras should be allowed to film full trials rather than just the judge's sentencing remarks.

Judge Sarah Munro QC sentenced Ben Oliver to life in prison with a minimum term of 10 years and eight months for killing his grandfather David, 74, after the 25-year-old, himself a convicted paedophile, discovered his relative had been accused of sexually abusing girls.

Today's sentencing in Court Number Two - one of the Old Bailey's oldest courtrooms - was broadcast online and on news channels including Sky News, the BBC, and ITN. There was a 10 second delay on the stream - which in future could allow legally problematic content to be edited out.

Only the judge is being filmed during sentencing to protect the privacy of victims, witnesses and jurors. In the future, the media will be able to apply to broadcast sentencing remarks for serious cases, with the final decision down to the judge.

Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Burnett of Maldon, has hailed the move as a 'very positive' step in promoting open justice. However, others questioned whether it went far enough and called for entire trials to be broadcast.

What other countries televise trials? Scotland: Cameras have been allowed in courts under certain conditions since 1992. Sentencing hearings are now routinely broadcast. US: Some courts allow broadcasters to film civil or criminal trials, depending on the state. Australia: The High Court of Australia has started allowing video recordings of Full Court proceedings since 2013. South Africa: Criminal trials can be broadcast. The trial of Oscar Pistorius for murder attracted millions of viewers. France: The country is considering allowing cases to be televised. Advertisement

Barrister Adam Wagner told Sky News: 'Before cameras went into the Commons there were fears it would demean proceedings but it absolutely hasn't. It's hugely increased access by the public.

'And I think it should be the same for a criminal trial. Everyone who's sat on a jury will know how different it is once you've seen the inside of a court - most people don't even know that judges in England and Wales don't use gavels.

'I think the more people have access to the courts from their own homes I think the better, although that will need to be controlled when there are vulnerable parties. But those are problems that can be solved.'

The judiciary is strongly opposed to the filming of whole trials over fears it would lead to witnesses refusing to attend and turn legal proceedings into soap operas like the recent court battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

Lord Burnett said: 'My own but fairly strong view is that what we see happening around the world illustrates why that can be quite damaging,' he said.

'The thing about sentencing remarks is that broadcasting those doesn't have an impact on the way witnesses and others involved in the trial process  complainants, victims and so on  are immediately affected.

'If you broadcast the trial proceedings themselves, it's very difficult to avoid that.'

However, Beth Mantel, complex crime lawyer at Reeds Solicitors, argued that only broadcasting sentencing remarks was 'problematic'.

'The problem with televising sentencing remarks is that it gives a bite sized version of the trial, submissions and mitigation made by the advocates,' he said.

'This may result in the opposite of providing transparency to the public, especially since the Court of Appeal has encouraged Judges not to produce over thorough sentencing remarks in the Crown Court.'

Convicted paedophile Ben Oliver (left) killed his grandfather, David Oliver, 74, (right) in his home in Mottingham, south London

'You stabbed his mouth so he couldn't cry out and stabbed his eyes so he couldn't look at you': Grim case that became the first in England to be televised Ben Oliver, 25, knifed and slashed 74-year-old David Oliver in a brutal attack at the pensioner's home in Mottingham, south London, on 19 January last year. David was immobile and bedbound, after suffering a stroke in 2016. Ben was obsessed with his grandmother and believed her husband had been abusive to her in the past. He had his own room at his grandparents' house, but he grew enraged after discovering historic allegations of sexual abuse had been made against David. On the morning of the incident the 25-year-old suddenly picked up a kitchen knife, walked into his granddad's bedroom and knifed him several times in the head. The killer, who suffers from partial hearing and learning disabilities, immediately confessed what he had done to his grandmother. Ben told her: 'He can't hurt you any more.' The killer had served a six year sentence for the rape of a young girl and was released on licence in September 2019, living in a flat several miles away from his grandparents. He admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility and was cleared of murder by a jury in May. The trial judge Sarah Munro QC said the killer was 'absolutely tormented.' 'You selected a knife from the kitchen and you went to your grandfathers's room,' she said. 'You stabbed his mouth so he couldn't cry out and stabbed his eyes so he couldn't look at you. There were 21 stab wounds to his face and seven to his torso. You then cut his throat repeatedly with severe force. He died very quickly from blood loss.' The judge said Ben was 'very damaged man' who would require psychiatric help for many years. 'In my judgment you do present a risk to the public,' the judge added. The judge passed a life sentence with a minimum term of ten years and eight months, with the term deducted by the 553 days he has served on remand. Prosecutor Louis Mably earlier told the court: 'He was attacked and killed as he lay helpless in his bed. 'He had been repeatedly stabbed and slashed with a knife in the face, and in particular in the area of his neck, which had effectively been cut open. This was a brutal attack, plainly carried out with the intention of killing him.' The killer's barrister Jenny Dempster said: 'He is a young man who has experienced significant and substantial trauma in his own early life.' He said Ben had been subjected to 'quite appalling abuse' as a child. Advertisement

Court proceedings have long been televised in some US states, with the trial of OJ Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman viewed by a peak TV audience of 100m when the 'not guilty' verdict was announced.

The move to allow cameras in English court follows a change in the law in 2020, but implementation was delayed in the pandemic.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Justice announced Oliver's sentencing would become the first to be broadcast after Judge Munro agreed to a request by TV channels to be allowed access.

Filming has been allowed in the Court of Appeal since 2013. In Scotland cameras have been allowed in courts under certain conditions since 1992.

In 2012, David Gilroy became the first convicted killer to have his sentencing filmed for broadcast on TV at a later date, while in 2015 the rules were relaxed further to allow sentencing hearings to be broadcast live.

While members of the public are allowed to attend English crown court trials they are still banned from filming or taking pictures inside the courtroom, with anyone caught doing so risking a conviction for contempt of court.

The move to broadcast Ben Oliver's sentencing was announced by the Ministry of Justice yesterday and was hailed by broadcasters as a 'landmark moment for open justice' and a 'victory for the viewer'.

John Ryley, head of Sky News, said: 'Filming judges' sentencing remarks in the Crown Court of England and Wales is a victory for the viewer.

'It will allow for greater transparency in our courts and is something that broadcasters, including Sky News, have campaigned for more than a decade to achieve.'

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said allowing cameras into court rooms will help 'improve transparency and reinforce confidence in the justice system'.

'The public will now be able to see justice handed down, helping them understand better the complex decisions judges make,' he said.

Ben Oliver, from Bexleyheath, south London, had been cleared of murder having admitted the manslaughter of 74-year-old David Oliver, in Mottingham, south London, on January 19 last year.

His trial had heard he had repeatedly stabbed and slashed the bedbound victim in the face and neck as he lay 'helpless' in his bedroom.

Prosecutor Louis Mably QC had told jurors it was carried out in the intention to kill because Oliver was 'very angry' at learning of allegations against his grandfather of historical sexual abuse of girls.

The defendant had used a kitchen knife in the brutal attack, then confessed what he had done to his grandmother, the court had heard.

Jurors were told the defendant grew up in 'troubled and difficult times', and in 2016 he was convicted of sexual offences against a young girl when he was aged 15.

He was released from youth detention in September 2019.

Judge Sarah Munro QC today became the first English crown court judge to have her sentencing remarks filmed on live TV

Ben Oliver knifed and slashed 74-year-old David Oliver in a brutal attack at the pensioner's home (pic) in Mottingham, south London, on 19 January last year

Who is the judge involved in the case? Senior Circuit Judge Sarah Munro QC has sat at the Old Bailey since 2017 and has extensive experience in presiding over complex and high profile cases, including homicides. Earlier this year, she proceeded over the trial of two teenagers who were found guilty of murdering a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed with a sword concealed inside a walking stick. Fares Maatou, 14, was riding an e-scooter along Barking Road in Canning Town, east London, on Friday 23 April last year when he was confronted by two defendants, who were 14 and 15 at the time. She also agreed to overturn an eye surgeon's driving ban after hearing the medic would not be able to do her job without a car. Mahboub Hawkes, 74, was clocked doing 27mph in a 20mph zone in her Jaguar XJ saloon near Monument, central London on September 3, last year. Advertisement

In the months before the killing, he became aware of allegations of sexual abuse against his grandfather, who was also said to have treated his wife badly and had affairs.

The defendant was also depressed and had suicidal thoughts.

He was said to have autistic spectrum disorder which, combined with other emotional and mental factors, diminished his responsibility for the killing.

The Old Bailey in London routinely hears some of the most complex cases, including murders and terrorism trials.

Under the change in the law, High Court and Senior Circuit judges sitting in crown courts can be filmed delivering their sentencing remarks.

Only the judge will be on camera to protect the privacy of victims, witnesses and jurors.

It is still prohibited to film or take pictures in court in ordinary circumstances and any member of the public caught doing so risks being found in contempt of court.

This is also true for anyone joining a hearing by video link.
Matteo Salvini has been accused of colluding with Vladimir Putin to collapse the Italian government in order to bring his populist anti-EU party into power.

The anti-immigration Lega Nord leader, who is hoping to be swept into power in a right-wing coalition in the September election, allegedly sent an emissary to meet with a Kremlin official in May, weeks before Mario Draghi's government imploded.

Putin's foreign ministry official Oleg Kostyukov asked Salvini's representative Antonio Capuano if his ministers are 'willing to resign from the Draghi government', according to intelligence documents seen by Italian news outlet La Stampa.

The meeting was said to have taken place at the same time as Salvini drew criticism for conducting parallel diplomacy with Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Last Thursday, Draghi, an internationally respected 74-year-old, formally handed in his resignation after failing to bring together a fractious coalition, with the Lega Nord one of three parties snubbing a confidence vote.

Matteo Salvini has been accused of colluding with Vladimir Putin to collapse the Italian government in order to bring his populist anti-EU party into power (pictured together in 2018)

Last Thursday, Draghi, an internationally respected 74-year-old, formally handed in his resignation (pictured on the day of his departure)

Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia and the populist Five Star Movement also failed to support the prime minister, forcing a September election.

An investigation by Bellingcat in 2019 discovered Salvini frequently travelled to Moscow for meetings over payments worth millions of pounds to fund his party.

The money would be funnelled via 'artificially under-priced Russian oil export transactions', which would allow room for a 'value added' allocation which would then be secretly channelled to the Nord party.

Salvini rubbished the claims today as 'fake news', saying he has not been colluding with Putin against the Italian government.

He told Radio 24: 'Nonsense. I worked for peace, to stop the war. The Draghi government fell due to the opposition of the Five Star party to the waste-to-energy plant in Rome. I don't think Putin is behind the waste-to-energy plant.

'International politics is independent of governments, we are pro-Europeans and Atlanticists but this does not mean not wanting good relations with Putin.'

The party leader added: 'It is very serious that fake news is spreading. We are with the West and democracy.'

Salvini has long admired Putin (pictured today), even wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the Russian leader's face

Party cabinet secretary Franco Gabrielli also played down the damning allegations, saying they are 'devoid of any foundation'.

La Stampa has defended its journalism since the denials, saying the report was based on an informal summary of intelligence work on the alleged meeting.

Politicians have urged parliament to call an urgent debate on the issue, with some describing it as 'disturbing' and 'very serious'.

The meeting was said to have taken place at the same time as Salvini drew criticism for conducting parallel diplomacy with Russia over the war in Ukraine.

He planned a trip to Moscow ostensibly for peace talks - with flights bought by the Russian embassy, an arrangement his team insists was only done due to difficulties circumventing EU sanctions.

They said they reimbursed the embassy and the trip in the end never happened.

Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio on Thursday condemned 'this attempt by the Russian side to have the League minister withdraw from Draghi's government'.

Salvini 'must explain the relations he has with Russia', said Di Maio, like Draghi a strong advocate of EU sanctions against Moscow and Italy's sending of weapons and money to help Kyiv's resistance.

Salvini rubbished the claims today as 'fake news', saying he has not been colluding with Putin against the Italian government

Enrico Letta, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, also said the ties between Salvini and Russia were 'concerning'.

Salvini has long admired Putin, even wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the Russian leader's face, a stance that has become politically difficult since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

One of his election allies, Berlusconi, is also a personal friend of Putin, although their coalition partner Giorgia Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy and is currently leading opinion polls, has strongly criticised Russian aggression.

The right-wing coalition agreed yesterday that the party with the most votes in September will choose the prime minister.

Polls currently suggest the alliance is well placed to win the ballot.

Choosing a nominee for prime minister has sparked tension within the bloc, which includes Salvini, Berlusconi and Meloni, currently the most popular party in the coalition.

Choosing a nominee for prime minister has sparked tension within the bloc, which includes Salvini, Berlusconi (pictured last month) and Meloni

Italian newspapers have reported that Berlusconi worried that the prospect of Meloni taking power would deter moderate voters, given her party's post-fascist roots.

However, the deal confirms a traditional rule within the bloc.

'The coalition will propose to the President of the Republic as premier the person indicated by the party with the most votes,' the centre-right parties said in a statement after a meeting of their leaders.

Meloni's group polled just 4 per cent in the 2018 election, but is now seen winning more than 23 per cent, making it Italy's largest party ahead of the main centre-left group, the Democratic Party (PD).

In the event of victory, Meloni could also indicate someone else from her camp if she wanted.

Under Italy's election law, 36 per cent of parliamentarians in both the upper and lower houses are elected on a first-past-the-post basis, with the rest chosen by proportional representation based on separate party lists.

This mixed system benefits parties that form alliances to avoid diluting support for their political family.
A female Israeli prison guard said she was raped by a 'Palestinian terrorist' after her superiors arranged for him to be alone and sexually abuse her.

The guard is one of at least five to allege she was abused by prisoner Muhammad Atallah at Gilboa Prison in northern Israel, who is reportedly on trial for sexual assault.

Hila, not her real name, said she was abused over and over during her time as a guard from 2014 to 2017 by the alleged Palestinian terrorist who controlled officers and was able to walk freely around the prison when he was not handcuffed and touched the bodies of female soldiers without hindrance.

She has asked for donations online to fund her 'rent, travel, medication and treatment' as well as her 'public struggle bringing to justice those involved' after her experience.

Hila said: Everyone knew. Everyone was silent. Everyone was afraid.

At the beginning of my service, one day he saw me around the prison. He said: "You are coming to work in my wing!"

I thought to myself, "strange man", but I found out that I was stationed in his wing and that was it.

The guard is one of at least five to allege she was abused by prisoner Muhammad Atallah at Gilboa Prison (pictured) in northern Israel, who is reportedly on trial for sexual assault

I wish I had never met him. I wish I hadn't enlisted to serve as a warden. I thought I had strength, that I would contribute to the country, but at the end of my military service, I became a prisoner, the slave of Atallah.

I didn't want to be raped, to be raped again and again and again.

My commanders, my staff members, who I thought were supposed to guard me , delivered me into the hands of that terrorist.

Just the two of us, alone, without handcuffs and without bars.

Everyone helped, everyone knew, everyone was silent and everyone was part of this cruel campaign of abuse.

The shame is the state's. The shame belongs to everyone who has been hiding and plastering over this affair for years. Enough of the silence.

She demanded an independent inquiry to investigate the alleged sexual abuses.

She added: Since my release from the IDF, for years I suffered from a nervous breakdown.

I am intensively treated several times a week. I don't have the mental strength necessary for a "normal" person to get out of bed in the morning for a routine, useful and fulfilling day.

I am a young woman with the soul of an old and disabled woman. I arrived at Gilboa prison as a strong guard and I stayed there, sentenced to life imprisonment with memories that never leave me - of the smell of [his] body on my body, pain, anger and tears of silence and shame.

She demanded an independent inquiry to investigate the alleged sexual abuses at the prison (pictured)

At least four other women made similar allegations in 2018 that prompted an investigation into the so-called pimping affair, which was closed owing to lack of evidence.

However, the case was reopened last year when male prison warden Freddy Ben Sheetrit testified during a different inquiry into a breakout that female soldiers were provided to terrorists for sexual purposes.

Earlier this month Israels Prison Service fired the officer accused of facilitating the alleged sexual assaults.

Rani Basha has previously denied the allegations. He told Channel 12 last year the claims 'aren't true' and female guards were 'agents' asked to gather information from prisoners and had given consent.

A case was closed in 2018 due to lack of evidence but reopened in 2021 when a male prison officer testified during a different case about the prison that compulsory female soldiers were provided to terrorists for sexual purposes.

After the allegations of rape, lawyer Keren Barak, who represented the other women, said: This is the most shocking case of a sexual assault on an IDF soldier by a terrorist with blood on his hands since the establishment of Israel.
The bombshell DailyMail.com story about a top Trump White House aide abusing his wife 'dominated' the White House for nearly two weeks in 2018, Jared Kushner reveals in his memoir.

The exclusive DailyMail.com report about Rob Porter, the former White House staff secretary, attacking ex-wife Jennifer Willoughby caused panic for 10 days, Trump's son-in-law writes in the upcoming book.

Willoughby told DailyMail.com that their marriage was 'very toxic,' detailing how he 'pulled me, naked and dripping from the shower, to yell at me.'

Porter allegedly screamed at Willoughby and called her a 'b***h' and a 'liar,' and a year after marrying him she took out a protective order to stop the abuse.

In excerpts of Kushner's memoir obtained by DailyMail.com, he writes that the story caused headaches throughout the White House as Porter was operating on a temporary security clearance and the abuse history should have come up in his background screening.

In Breaking History: A White House Memoir, which will be released next month, Kushner also claims that Trump's former Chief of Staff John Kelly once pushed his wife Ivanka aside after a heated argument.

Kelly has strongly denied the claims.

Jared Kushner's upcoming memoir promises to take a look inside the Trump White House from the perspective of someone who was deep in the former President's inner circle - a man who was a senior adviser and is his son-in-law

DailyMail.com revealed in 2018 that top Trump aide Rob Porter had abused his ex-wife Jennifer Willoughby and she had taken out a protective order against him

Kushner also claims that Trump's former Chief of Staff John Kelly once pushed his wife Ivanka aside after a heated argument. Kelly has strongly denied the claims

Breaking History promises to take a look inside the Trump White House from the perspective of someone who was deep in the former President's inner circle - a man who was a senior adviser and his son-in-law.

Breaking History: A White House Memoir hits stands August 23

Kushner writes that in early 2018 the Trump White House was 'beginning to rack up policy victories' including a massive tax cut and appointing a record number of federal judges.

'But the momentum evaporated on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, when the Daily Mail broke the first installment in a story that would dominate the White House for the next ten days,' Kushner writes.

'Staff secretary Rob Porter, a clean-cut Harvard alumnus and Rhodes Scholar, had allegedly abused his former wife.

'Porter managed all paper flow to the president. (Chief of Staff John) Kelly had brought Porter into his inner circle, and given him expansive authority to run the policy processes across the federal government.'

Among the devastating claims from Willoughby was that several times during her marriage to Porter she collapsed on the ground begging him to leave her alone because the 'anger and the insults were too much.'

She had a miscarriage when she was six weeks pregnant towards the end of their marriage, at a time when she was under intense stress.

On June 19, 2010, she filed a protective order against Porter because he violated their separation agreement and would not leave their apartment.

According to a complaint filed with the police, he punched the glass on the door to their home, cutting his hand in the process, at which point she called the police. He then left and following that she filed a temporary protective order.

The former couple split up for good in 2013.

DailyMail.com also revealed that Porter was dating White House director of communications Hope Hicks at the time the abuse allegations against Porter came to light.

Kelly claimed that he found out about the abuse at the same time as the rest of the world and immediately demanded Porter's resignation.

However Kushner writes, 'It was a perplexing thing to say, and it left the staff dumbfounded. Kelly had issued a strong statement in defense of Porter on Tuesday, so he absolutely had known about the allegations prior to Wednesday.'

In Kushner's eyes this meant Kelly was stating a 'blatant lie,' fears confirmed by the fact that it later emerged he had known about the allegations for several months.

As the press relentlessly questioned the White House about who knew what and when, he claims that Kelly revoked Kushner's Top Secret security clearance as a way to distract the media's attention from his own failings.

'When Kelly finally called me into his office on February 19 and announced that he was yanking my clearance, I protested. ''General, I've done nothing wrong,''' Kushner writes.

DailyMail.com also revealed that Porter was dating White House director of communications Hope Hicks at the time the abuse allegations against Porter came to light

Kelly claimed that he found out about the abuse at the same time as the rest of the world and immediately demanded Porter's resignation. However Kushner writes, 'It was a perplexing thing to say, and it left the staff dumbfounded. Kelly had issued a strong statement in defense of Porter on Tuesday, so he absolutely had known about the allegations prior to Wednesday'

As the press relentlessly questioned the White House about who knew what and when regarding Porter, he claims that Kelly revoked Kushner's Top Secret security clearance as a way to distract the media's attention from his own failings

Porter had been described as one of the most important players in the Oval Office

Addressing the incident where Kelly allegedly shoved Ivanka, Kushner writes that Kelly had a 'Jekyll-and-Hyde' personality and was 'consistently duplicitous.'

According to Kushner, only once did Kelly let his mask fully slip.'

He writes: 'One day he had just marched out of a contentious meeting in the Oval Office.

'Ivanka was walking down the main hallway in the West Wing when she passed him. Unaware of his heated state of mind, she said, ''Hello, chief.'' Kelly shoved her out of the way and stormed by. She wasn't hurt, and didn't make a big deal about the altercation, but in his rage Kelly had shown his true character.'

An hour later Kelly visited Ivanka's West Wing office and offered a 'meek apology, which she accepted.'

In an email to the Washington Post, Kelly said that he didn't recall 'anything like you describe.'

He said: 'It is inconceivable that I would EVER shove a woman. Inconceivable. Never happen.'

However, Trump himself backed up Kushner's account and said that was how the incident played out, according to the Washington Post.

Kushner was part of Donald Trump's inner circle - and his book promises to reveal to take a look inside the Trump White House

In extracts of the book already made public, Kushner revealed he was treated for thyroid cancer while serving in the White House.

Kushner writes that he recalled a conversation he had with White House physician Sean Conley on an October 2019 trip to Texas.

'On the morning that I traveled to Texas to attend the opening of a Louis Vuitton factory, White House physician Sean Conley pulled me into the medical cabin on Air Force One,' Kushner wrote. ''Your test results came back from Walter Reed,'' he said. ''It looks like you have cancer. We need to schedule a surgery right away.'''

Kushner told Conley to hold off - and come to his office the next day.

'Please don't tell anyone - especially my wife or my father-in-law,' he said.

Kushner said his cancer had been caught 'early' but that a 'substantial part of my thyroid' needed to be removed.

He feared that the surgery could impact his ability to speak but he made a full recovering.

Breaking History hits stands August 23.
A man accused of raping and impregnating a 10-year-old Ohio girl was ordered Thursday to be held without bond by a judge who cited the horrendous violence of the crime and the fact that he had been living in the same home as the girl and her mother.

Fuentes, 27, is charged with two felony counts of rape of the child who traveled to Indiana for an abortion that became a flashpoint in the national debate over access to the procedure. He has pleaded not guilty.

Franklin County Judge Julie Lynch ruled on Thursday that Fuentes will be held without bond. He showed no emotion as he was led by deputies from the Columbus courtroom back to his jail cell.

'To allow him to return to that home, the traumatic and psychological impact would be undeserving to an alleged victim,' Lynch said. She also cited the 'physical, and mental and emotional trauma' the girl suffered from enduring the rapes and the abortion, and finding her case at the center of the country's abortion debate.

Fuentes, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was arraigned earlier this month and his bail was initially set at $2 million. He remains in the Franklin County Jail.

The case drew national attention when Dr. Caitlin Bernard said the child had to go to Indiana because Ohio banned abortions at the first detectable 'fetal heartbeat' after the United States Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling in June.

Gerson Fuentes, 27, is charged with two felony counts of rape of a 10-year-old girl who traveled to Indiana for an abortion. A judge ruled on Thursday that he will be held without bond

Gerson Fuentes, center, appears between his lawyer Bryan Bowen, left, and his interpreter in Franklin County court for his bond hearing in Columbus, Ohio, Thursday

Judge Julie Lynch ruled on Thursday that Gerson Fuentes be held without bond. He is charged with raping a 10-year-old girl who later traveled to Indiana seeking an abortion. @Stoiawsyx6 will have the details on ABC 6 at noon. https://t.co/H5RTjDnnzP pic.twitter.com/tBjpDNRTO9  WSYX ABC 6 (@wsyx6) July 28, 2022

If convicted, Fuentes faces the possibility of life in prison with no chance of parole. That penalty and 'not having any ties to this community that can be proved legally makes it a substantial flight risk,' Lynch said after a 35-minute hearing.

The girl confirmed that Fuentes attacked her, Fuentes confessed to Columbus police detectives, and DNA testing of the aborted fetus confirmed Fuentes was the father, Franklin County prosecutor Dan Meyer and detective Jeffrey Huhn said in court Thursday.

Huhn said he was unable, when searching multiple databases, to find any evidence that Fuentes was in the country legally.

In denying bond, Lynch cited that evidence, the violence of the crime, and the fact that Fuentes had been living in the same home as the girl and her mother.

Franklin County common pleas judge Julie Lynch speaks during a bond hearing for Gerson Fuentes, the man accused of raping a 10-year-old girl who then traveled to Indiana to have an abortion. She ordered Fuentes to be held without bond

Columbus, Ohio, police detective Jeffery Huhn testifies during a bond hearing for Gerson Fuentes, stating that DNA testing of the aborted fetus confirmed Fuentes was the father

Fuentes' attorney, Bryan Bowen, argued against a no-bond hearing and unsuccessfully asked Lynch to set a reasonable bond. He said there was no evidence of physical abuse outside of the rapes or that the girl had been put under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

He also said that Fuentes had family ties in Columbus, that he had a job, and that there was no evidence of a criminal history. Fuentes has lived in the area for about seven years.

'We've heard evidence about the nature of the offense, but we have not heard any evidence presented about any danger that Mr. Fuentes would pose to any particular person or to the community,' he said. He declined to comment after Lynch's ruling.

Columbus police learned about the girls pregnancy after her mother alerted Franklin County Children Services on June 22. Huhn said Fuentes confessed to raping the girl, who turned 10 on May 28, on two separate occasions.

Ohio's 'heartbeat' abortion ban includes an exception only for an emergency that is life-threatening or involving a 'serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.'

Indiana's Republican Senate leaders proposed a bill this month that would prohibit abortions from the time an egg is implanted in a uterus, with exceptions in cases of rape and incest, and to protect the life of the mother. The proposal followed controversy over the Ohio girl's abortion in Indiana.

Bryan Bowen, left, the attorney for Gerson Fuentes, cross examines Columbus, Ohio, police detective Jeffery Huhn in court Thursday, arguing that there was no evidence of physical abuse outside of the rapes or that the girl had been put under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Judge Julie Lynch denied bond for Gerson Fuentes, left, the man accused of raping a 10-year-old girl who then traveled to Indiana to have an abortion

The girl underwent a medical abortion in Indianapolis on June 30.

Columbus police Detective Jeffrey Huhn, who testified at Fuentes' arraignment last week, claims the girl named the Guatemalan resident as her attacker and the father of her child.

He also testified that DNA evidence collected from the clinic in Indianapolis will be tested against samples taken from Fuentes, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

Officials are also testing DNA collected from the child's siblings in an attempt to confirm who fathered the fetus.

The Indianapolis Star, an Indiana-based publication, reported on July 1 that a little girl had to cross state lines to receive an abortion because she was denied one in Ohio.

The case has been under scrutiny by Ohio officials, specifically Attorney General Dave Yost, since it first made national headlines earlier this month.

Ohio AG Dave Yost Yost had claimed in an interview Monday there's no 'biological evidence' to the story, and that he hasn't heard a 'whisper anywhere' about the little girl

Yost, during a Fox News interview Monday, claimed there's no 'biological evidence' to the story and he hasn't heard a 'whisper anywhere' about the little girl.

Additionally, an Indiana Department of Health filing obtained by Fox on Thursday, revealed that Indianapolis physician Dr. Caitlin Bernard reported the girl's alleged rapist was approximately 17 years old.

The child was six weeks and three days pregnant when she sought an abortion in Indiana, Bernard told The Indianapolis Star.

She claimed the girl was ineligible for just three days to receive an abortion in her home state because of a newly imposed state ban on abortions at the first detectable 'fetal heartbeat.'

The ban was enacted shortly after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which had guaranteed abortion rights in America. The Ohio heartbeat bill has no exceptions for rape or incest.

According to court records, a report was generated on June 22 with the Columbus Division of Police for the girl's rape. Roe was overturned two days later on June 24.

On July 6, the victim identified Fuentes to authorities as the person who raped her.

A week later, Fuentes was served a search warrant for a saliva sample and was taken into custody, where he confessed to raping the victim multiple times.

Ohio is one of the many states set to impose laws, which would cap abortions at six weeks. Also in the state of Ohio, doctors are mandated to report abuse of minors

Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Ebner said the case didn't warrant Fuentes - who is believed to be undocumented - to be held without bond, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

But Ebner said a higher bond was necessary due to Fuentes being a possible flight risk and for the safety of the children involved.

Yost, skeptical of the case, told Fox last week: 'My office runs the state crime lab. Any case like this, you're going to have a rape kit, you're going to have biological evidence, and you'd be looking for DNA analysis.

'There is no case request for analysis that looks anything like this,' he added.

The AG also noted that 'Ohio's heartbeat law has a medical exception, which is broader than just the life of the mother.'

'This young girl, if she exists and if this horrible thing actually happened to her - it breaks my heart to think about it - she did not have to leave Ohio to find treatment,' he explained.

Following the news of Fuentes' arrest, the AG's office released a statement, reading in part: 'My heart aches for the pain suffered by this young child.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita (left) says an investigation has been launched into Dr. Caitlin Bernard (right). She performed an abortion on the unidentified 10-year-old rape victim whose story made headlines when she was forced to travel from her home state to Indiana

'I am grateful for the diligent work of the Columbus Police Department in securing a confession and getting a rapist off the street.

'Justice must be served and BCI stands ready to support law enforcement across Ohio putting these criminals behind bars.'

Meanwhile, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has vowed to probe Dr. Bernard over the abortion, claiming he questioned whether she had complied with the Hoosier State's law requiring that all abortions be reported to authorities.

Dr. Bernard has not yet responded to the AG's remarks, but tweeted:

'My heart breaks for all survivors of sexual assault and abuse. I am so sad that our country is failing them when they need us most. Doctors must be able to give people the medical care they need, when and where they need it.'

She said these weeks have not been easy, but thanked the media for reporting the case.
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Fat cat energy bosses raked in nearly 13million last year - including the 875,000-a-year CEO of British Gas owner Centrica who once boasted 'money doesn't motivate me'.

Chris O'Shea, who has headed Centrica since 2018, today revealed operating profits at the firm had risen five fold to 1.34billion - just as it emerged UK household energy bills could rocket to 500 a month.

Also in the money is Kate Ringrose, the firm's chief financial officer, who enjoys a healthy 933,000 pay packet.

Revealed: What the energy fat cats are taking home Chris O'Shea (CEO - Centrica): 875,000 Kate Ringrose (chief financial officer - Centrica): 933,000 Keith Anderson (CEO - Scottish Power): 1.15m Michael Lewis (CEO - E.On): 1m Simone Rossi (CEO - EDF): 1m Advertisement

Fellow energy firm SSE, which made profits of 1.5bn in 2020, paid 2.41m to its CEO Alistair Phillips-Davies while just under 5.2m went to other directors.

E.On, EDF and Scottish Power's paid their top executives 4.65m between them, with CEO Keith Anderson believed to be on 1.15m. E.On boss Michael Lewis and Simone Rossi of EDF took home around 1m.

Centrica's bumper profits for the six months to the end of June compared to the 262m recorded in the same period last year.

The firm, which produces energy as well as selling it to households and businesses, announced it would restart its dividend at 1p per share after suspending it for three years - sparking a backlash from critics.

As CEO Mr O'Shea has been voluble about his ethical principles - turning up to the office with a hoodie emblazoned with the slogan: 'Why be racist, sexist, homophobic or transphobic when you could just be quiet?'

Asked by The Times if money motivated him, he replied: 'No. If money motivated me I wouldn't be here. Money is a hygiene factor; you've got to have something in the right ballpark but I'm not coin-operated.'

Mr O'Shea, who last year turned down a bonus 'given he hardships faced by our customers' was also asked who most inspired him, to which he replied: 'Muhammad Ali, because of the way he participated in the civil rights movement.'

It came as projections suggested the average household could face a monthly bill of 500 for energy in January 2023, with a prediction of an annual price cap of 3,850.

Wholesale gas prices surged yesterday after Vladimir Putin's regime halved supplies to Europe through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, in what Germany condemned as a 'duplicitous game'.

Energy giant Shell today joined Centrica in reporting bumper profits of 9.4bn in the second quarter - more than double last year's figure of 4.5bn.

Chris O'Shea, who has headed Centrica since 2018, today revealed operating profits at the firm had risen five fold to 1.34billion. The 875,000-a-year CEO recently said 'money doesn't motivate me'

EON's Michael Lewis took home around 1m last year while Scottish Power chief executive Keith Anderson received 1.15m

SSE's Alistair Phillips-Davies received 2.41m and Simone Rossi of EDF around 1m, according to an analysis of accounts

Today struggling consumers took to Twitter to slam Centrica for its 'obscene greed', while Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow, called for it to be nationalised.

Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle said: 'This is not ''profits'' this is theft from the British people. Each penny of this should be returned with immediate effect.

'People will starve this winter, but the government's failed energy cap (which is as good as a chocolate tea pot) and energy company greed has led to this. This is not ''the global energy price''. 75% of our energy is domestically produced, the cost of production has not increased.'

Former Energy UK chief Angela Knight also weighed in on the issue, telling TalkTV there was a 'big question mark over those making extraordinary profits from an extraordinary world situation'.

GMB union national secretary Andy Prendergast has previously slammed the profits being made by energy bosses, telling the Sunday People: 'Energy bosses are trousering eye-watering sums while bumping up bills so much that working people have to choose between eating and heating. It's bandit capitalism and it's repugnant.

But Mr O'Shea defended the firm, insisting that the profit jump was not driven by the consumer business.

The businessman - who has previously enjoyed an annual salary of up to 5.7m but announced in February this had reduced to 775,000 after he waived his bonus - added that it was necessary to restart the dividend to support pensioners whose income relies on dividends.

'The source of our profits is not customers' rising energy bills', he said - adding that profits at British Gas had fallen to 98m, down 43 per cent compared with before the energy crisis a year ago.

Centrica said its upstream business, which includes its North Sea operations, saw adjusted operating profit reach 906 million in the first six months of the year - an increase of more than 1,100%.

UK gas prices are soaring after Russia began throttling off supplies to Europe, causing a global shortage as EU leaders scramble for supplies

EU prices are at near-record levels amid fears Russia could soon turn off the gas tap completely, with leaders already discussing energy rationing

Massive North Sea gas storage site 'could reopen in time for winter' Centrica said it is physically possible for its Rough gas storage site off England's east coast to be open this winter. Centrica is in discussions with the government and is carrying out the necessary engineering work to enable the site to reopen, CEO Chris O'Shea told journalists today on a call about the company's interim results. The site, which closed in 2018, previously provided about 70% of Britain's gas storage capacity. Advertisement

Asked if he should use some of this cash to help customers who are facing bills of more than 3,800 from January, Chris O'Shea said that by running British Gas prudently he is saving customers more money.

Without buying its energy in advance, Centrica would have seen a hit of around 4.4 billion, he added.

'I know it's difficult to see the word profits, or dividends, or similar words when people are having a tough time. I'm very conscious of this,' Mr O'Shea said.

'Bear in mind, over the next couple of years we are expecting to pay a windfall tax of probably well over 600 million on our UK gas business off the back of the profits that we're seeing, so a lot of this is going back into society.'

The profit hike comes from the company's nuclear and oil and gas business, not British Gas.

The supply business performed much worse - its profits hit just 98 million, down 43 per cent compared with the same period a year ago, before the energy crisis had properly bitten.

More than 200,000 customers joined British Gas as some of its rivals went out of business over the period.

The business gained 158,000 new accounts when it took over the responsibility to sell gas and electricity to Together Energy's customers.

Together was one of around 30 suppliers that have collapsed in the last year.

Regulator Ofgem assigned its customers to British Gas.

But the business said it had also managed to attract 46,000 customers during the period, who switched to its services voluntarily.

It came as Putin's decision to restrict the flower of gas to Europe pushed up prices across the Continent, with many countries drawing up contingency plans to cut gas and electricity use by 15 per cent in order to conserve supplies and protect families through the winter.

Russia has reduced flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipe which goes to Germany to just 20 per cent capacity, sparking panic

Wholesale gas prices surged yesterday after Vladimir Putin's regime halved supplies to Europe through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline

Disabled woman cancels her direct debit to Scottish Power in protest at soaring energy bill A disabled woman who is scared to use her life-saving feeding machine due to the electricity it uses has cancelled a direct debit to Scottish Power in protest at a hike in her energy bills. Julie Hawkins, 61, was forced to give up her job as a head housekeeper eight years ago when she became ill with Barrett's disease, which means she cannot consume solids and is repeatedly sick, and also suffers from epilepsy. She receives 500 per month in Personal Interdependent Payments, of which 290 goes on energy, 60 is spent on renting a mobility scooter which she needs to leave the house but is too scared to charge up, and spends 24 on a TV licence. Julie Hawkins, 61, has stopped paying Scottish Power Her partner, Stevie Douglas, 51, is a youth worker and pays the rent on their home in Carstairs, South Lanarkshire. Mrs Hawkins says 'it's a blessing' she doesn't eat, as it keeps costs down. She has been embroiled in a row with Scottish Power which encouraged them to switch onto a fixed deal of 72 a month - but claims her direct debit quickly shot up to 290 when the energy cap was raised. After being told the readings were accurate, Julie decided to cancel her direct debit on July 26 and said most of Stevie's income goes on fuel and yellow label food. Mrs Hawkins said: 'I don't know what else to do. I don't know what's going to happen with this direct debit. It's so hard to get them to sit up and take notice. I don't know what's going to happen if they switch it off.' A spokesman for Scottish Power said: 'When Mrs Hawkins became a customer, we based her initial quote on information she provided to us on her energy usage. However, the direct debit amount has since been updated based on actual energy usage at the property. 'We have liaised with Citizens Advice regarding her case and our customer service team has shared information on the support available to her. We understand her frustration and regret the distress caused, but her bills are accurate and based on her actual energy use.' Advertisement

These include turning off street lights, not heating public swimming pools and shutting down production at some major manufacturers, however more drastic measures may be necessary.

Germany and other European nations are racing to buy consignments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) via container from the United States, Africa and the Middle East, however this is pushing up prices and will be insufficient to fill the gap left by Russia.

Any increase in the wholesale cost of gas is pushed through to electricity as it is used as fuel in around 40 per cent of UK power stations.

Separately, there are concerns about the UK's ability to generate enough electricity to keep the lights on this winter, with the gap between maximum supply and maximum demand said to be 'tight'.

The Electricity System Operator has indicated the situation could be particularly difficult in the first half of December.

The current price cap on energy tariffs is due to rise from just under the equivalent of 2,000 a year  based on typical use  in October and again in January.

Initial estimates suggested it would reach around 3,400 in the New Year.

However, analysis by energy industry experts at consultants BFY suggests the new increase in wholesale prices could see the figure hit the equivalent of 3,420 in October and 3,850 in January.

Given that energy use is heavy in January as people keep the central heating and lights on for longer, the bill for that month alone could potentially top 500.

Wholesale gas prices rose to all-time highs of 530p per therm for the coming winter on Wednesday morning.

Moscow has blamed maintenance issues, but the Nord Stream move is widely seen as Moscow 'weaponising' gas and deliberately limiting European supplies in retaliation for western sanctions.

There are fears that Russia could cut off supplies entirely.

Gemma Berwick, senior consultant at BFY, warned that 'any further drops in flows will cause further price increase'.

While Britain has typically received only 4 per cent of its gas from Russia, it is linked by pipelines to Europe and is also reliant on securing LNG cargos, meaning prices in the UK are closely correlated with those on the continent.

Earlier this week, MPs on the business select committee demanded urgent action to improve the help offered to millions facing punishing energy bills this winter.

The Government has announced support for households, ranging from 400 to up to 1,200, but the MPs said this failed to take account of the rises coming this winter.

Committee chairman Darren Jones said: 'Once again, the energy crisis is racing ahead of the Government.

'To prevent millions from dropping into unmanageable debt, it's imperative that the support package is updated and implemented before October, when the squeeze will become a full-on throttling of household finances and further tip the economy towards recession.'

Contingency plans being drawn up by many nations include saving gas by no longer heating public swimming pools and turning off street lights

Wood-burning plant in eco-probe A controversial wood-burning power station faces a 'greenwashing' probe for claiming to be a source of renewable energy despite incinerating millions of trees a year, it emerged yesterday. The Drax power plant in Selby, North Yorkshire, produces around 6 per cent of the UK's electricity and is classed as a source of renewable power, allowing it to claim 900million a year in public subsidies. But the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) found yesterday there is a complaint to answer brought by environmental lawyers claiming that Drax is misleading consumers by portraying itself as a source of green energy. The inquiry will assess whether Drax can legitimately claim this when it burns millions of trees a year. Drax claims burning wood is renewable because trees regrow. The claim will be assessed by a government body, the UK National Contact Point for the OECD. A Drax spokesman said: 'We are engaging with the NCP on next steps.' Advertisement

Today, Martin Lewis called for an urgent package of support to help with soaring energy bills before the next Prime Minister is in place.

He said the 'zombie government' must not wait until the conclusion of the Tory leadership contest to decide on help for households who will face the energy price cap rising to 3,500 or more.

Mr Lewis dismissed the extra help promised by Mr Sunak and Ms Truss during their leadership bids as 'trivial' in the face of bills which are set to be 2,300 a year higher than they were last October.

'I've never seen anything like this,' he said.

'It's going to throw many households into a terribly difficult financial situation that will leave them making some awful choices.'

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the data that informs the price cap suggested it would increase 77 per cent on top of a 52 per cent rise in April, taking the typical bill to 3,500 a year.

'Others say it will be higher,' he warned.

'We are expecting it to rise again in January.'

Mr Lewis said the choice facing the Government was 'you either have to cut prices for people or you have to put more money in their pockets, especially at the poorest level'.

But he added: 'The problem is we have this zombie government at the moment that can't make any big decisions.'

There are concerns about the UK's ability to generate enough electricity to keep the lights on this winter. Pictured: Street lighting in London
The Food and Drug Administration's top tobacco scientist has accepted a job at tobacco giant Philip Morris International, just weeks after he signed off on the company's latest vape product.

Matt Holman, chief of the office of science in the agency's Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), announced his departure from the FDA on Tuesday, effective immediately, after having served at the agency for more than 20 years.

His departure adds to ongoing trouble within the FDA's tobacco control division, which is currently under review by agency commissioner Robert Califf.

It also follows the division's loss of Mitch Zeller, who retired in April after serving as CTP director for nearly a decade. Brian King, who announced Holman's resignation in an internal memo, was appointed director earlier this month.

Matt Holman (left), the FDA's top tobacco scientist, has left the agency to work for Philip Morris International, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes. His departure follows the division's loss of Mitch Zeller (right), who retired in April after serving as CTP director for nearly a decade

Changes to CTP's organizational structure come amid FDA efforts to regulate the vaping market and just weeks after the agency temporarily reversed its June decision to ban Juul e-cigarettes from being sold in stores.

Philip Morris, although most known for its production of Marlboro cigarettes, is also a producer of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and oral nicotine products.

At CTP, Holman played a key role in e-cigarette approvals, including IQOS, a 'heat-not-burn' tobacco device produced by Philip Morris International (PMI).

Although IQOS isn't currently sold in the US due to patent issues, it could possibly face new FDA reviews if those issues were to be resolved.

The product is currently sold in Korea, Japan and other countries, but the firm hopes to resume sales in the US next year.

Holman told The New York Times on Wednesday that his role at PMI was 'broadly defined' but involved working on tobacco harm-reduction efforts, noting he was drawn to the agency because of its goal to push smokers from using cigarettes to noncombustible and less harmful products.

'They are taking the actions that I think would align with such a goal,' Holman said. 'And that's what really drew my attention to PMI. I'm going there not to help them sell more cigarettes, but the opposite.'

The biochemist said he would also provide input on regulatory submissions.

A PMI spokesperson, in a statement to DailyMail.com on Thursday, declined to give specifics about Holman's role at the firm but said 'he will abide by all applicable post-government employment restrictions.'

'These restrictions prohibit Dr. Holman from appearing before or communicating with the FDA on behalf of PMI regarding any matter for a period of one year.

'In addition, Dr. Holman is prohibited for a period of two years from appearing before or communicating with the FDA on behalf of PMI regarding any matter that was pending under his official responsibility during his last year of government service.

'Finally, Dr. Holman is permanently prohibited from appearing before or communicating with the FDA on behalf of PMI regarding any particular matter in which he was personally and substantially involved during the entirety of his government service.'

Holman's departure comes just weeks after the federal regulator temporarily reversed its June decision to ban Juul e-cigarettes from being sold in stores. Philip Morris (NYC headquarters pictured) is also a producer of e-cigarettes and e-vapor devices

Further details about his appointment will be disclosed at a later date, but the spokesperson reiterated the company is 'looking forward' to Holman joining their team 'as we continue to pursue a smoke-free future.'

Holman was earning more than $230,000 annually while working at CTP, according to 2020 income reports reviewed by FederalPay.org.

CTP director King's Tuesday memo - which was made public by Stat News Correspondent Nicholas Florko - revealed Holman had been on leave prior to his resignation.

King said the former chief 'recused himself, consistent with agency ethics policies, from all CTP/FDA work while exploring career opportunities outside of government.'

He also applauded Holman for helping CTP through a 'critical time,' which included 'including preparing for and overseeing review for the bolus of premarket tobacco product applications.'

He said that although he and Holman 'didn't have an opportunity to work together,' he was 'grateful' for his contributions to the agency and 'wishes him well in his next chapter.'

It is unclear what Zeller made as CTP director, as his income documents have been redacted. However, Glassdoor reports the average FDA division direct salary is $200,891. Based on Holman's salary, DailyMail.com analysts speculate Zeller was earning over $230,000 annually.

His departure was announced by CTP Director Brian King in a memo on Tuesday, which has since been made public by Stat News Correspondent Nicholas Florko

Critics argue Holman's recent career change is concerning due to the 'revolving door' between federal officials and corporations they regulate.

However, federal rules governing career changes do not prohibit an official who oversees regulatory matters from leaving the agency and then joining corporations with products under review.

Rules do restrict Holman - or any other former FDA employee - from appearing before the agency about issues he 'participated personally and substantially during government service.'

'This is legal. That's the bottom line,' Dr. Michael Carome, director of the Public Citizen health research group, told the Times. 'It's this type of revolving door move that really undermines public confidence in the agency.'

Critics argue Holman's career change is concerning due to the 'revolving door' between federal officials and corporations they regulate. PICTURED: Cigarettes moves along a machine during the assembly process at the Philip Morris International production facility in Medellin, Colombia in June 2017

Those skeptical of the move are also questioning the recent approval of the Philip Morris smokeless tobacco product which is an electronic device that, unlike e-cigarettes, contains tobacco.

Dr. Stanton Glantz, a retired professor of medicine, argued the agency's approval of IQOS 'disregarded valid scientific evidence and misapplied the public health standard mandated by law.'

He claims Holman ignored a major study showing that e-cigarette use was not associated with reduced smoking rates and that approving vapes is not combating the problem of dual-use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

'He's the one who signed off on these approvals,' he said. 'They deal with all of these issues by ignoring it, by relying on out-of-date studies.'

Earlier this month, the FDA temporarily restored the sale of Juul e-cigarettes after reviewing the company's appeal of a decision to pull the products from the market.

The FDA chose to reject the company's application to remain on store shelves in late June as part of a larger crackdown on teen smoking and the tobacco industry overall.

While many other major e-cigarette manufacturers were allowed to remain on shelves, Juul was instead rejected. The San Francisco, California, company appealed the decision.

Earlier this month, the FDA temporarily restored the sale of Juul e-cigarettes after reviewing the company's appeal of a decision to pull the products from the market (file photo)

On July 5, America's top regulator agency cited 'scientific issues' as a reason to stay the ban and allow the products to temporarily return.

'This administrative stay temporarily suspends the marketing denial order during the additional review but does not rescind it,' the agency wrote in a tweet.

'All electronic nicotine delivery systems, or ENDS products, including those made by JUUL, are required by law to have FDA authorization to be legally marketed. The stay and the agency's review does not constitute authorization to market, sell, or ship JUUL products.'

Juul rocketed to popularity in the U.S. in the 2010s, as its fruit flavored nicotine products became trendy among younger smokers - leading to the company also shouldering blame for increases in teen smoking.

To limit rises in teen smoking, the FDA banned fruit flavored e-cigarette devices, and forced each company to apply individually to allow their products to remain on shelves. Juul was expected to have its application approved.

Juul has branded its products as devices that can help those addicted to nicotine slowly ween themselves off safely - as vape devices do not have many of the same downsides as smoking tobacco cigarettes do.

Instead, though, the fruity and mint flavors in many of its devices have led to many children and teens picking up smoking - when they likely would not have otherwise.

This has placed Juul, and the e-cigarette market in general, in the FDA's crosshairs in recent years.
Japan's crypto groups are lobbying their government agency to lessen the high taxes imposed on cryptocurrencies.

Companies and individuals in Japan are submitting a proposal to the Financial Services Agency (FSA) this week, asking to ease up its strict and hefty taxation laws for cryptocurrency.

The proposals' principal goal is to get the FSA to stop taxing unrealized profits on cryptocurrency holdings if a company owns them for reasons other than short-term trading.

Japanese Crypto Groups

Crypto assets are under strict rules and regulations in Japan. Due to the country's regulatory climate, buying and selling digital assets in Japan can be challenging for both enterprises and individual investors.

The crypto lobbying groups in Japan intend to approach the country's financial regulatory authority with a proposal to alleviate the country's high crypto tax rates.

Additionally, they want to make a request to the government to stop the taxation of paper profits on cryptocurrency holdings that are owned by companies for reasons other than short-term trading.

Experts are warning that these increased security measures would make Japan less competitive as a hub for crypto activities.

Included in the proposal is to suggest to the FSA a reduction in income tax rates on crypto gains for individual investors to 20%, which is significantly lower than the present rates, which tax some investors up to 55%.

Profits from cryptocurrency holdings are currently subject to a corporate tax of approximately 30%. This tax also applies to gains that have not yet been realized.

Having an insurmountable amount of taxes charged to investors and individuals can be a drawback to businesses who want to hold digital assets or to projects that plan to launch cryptocurrency-related ventures.

Danny Talwar, Head of Tax (APAC region) at the cryptocurrency tax platform Koinly, told Cointelegraph that, unlike in countries that are more crypto-friendly, it is hard for businesses and individual investors to own digital assets in Japan because of the way the law is set up.

Talwar said, "The high crypto tax rates make Japan less competitive on the international front compared to countries like Singapore and Dubai, which are increasingly becoming digital asset hubs for business."

Talwar says that the taxation of unrealized capital gains can lead to situations in which taxes paid are not proportional to the value of the asset when it is sold. This is especially common for volatile asset classes.

Although the details of the scope of the proposal have not yet been made public, he added that the FSA's acceptance of the suggestions would be a positive step toward crypto-friendly regulation in Japan.

Read Also: Robinhood Opens Crypto Wallet Allowing Users Direct Control for Cryptocurrency Trading

Cryptocurrency Regulation in Japan

Cryptocurrency restrictions in Japan have long been urged by many to hopefully ease up and make transactions feasible, possible, and fair.

In addition, Japanese politician Masaaki Taira said that regulators ought to ease up on crypto laws in order to stop the brain drain of talented digital workers.

According to BNN Bloomberg, the Japan Virtual & Crypto Assets Exchange Association (JVCAEA) and the Japan Cryptoasset Business Association (JCBA), which include cryptocurrency companies such as the Bitcoin Association and forex broker WikiFX, are key contributors to the crypto proposal.

As part of an initiative that was launched a month ago, the calls from the cryptocurrency industry will serve as a test to determine the level of dedication that the administration led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has to expanding Japan's so-called Web3 business.

Some Japanese companies have already moved their operations abroad to nations such as Singapore as a result of the country's high taxes, which are especially onerous for a great number of cash-strapped startups.

Related Article: FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried Offers Voyager Customers a Full Refund of Remaining Assets
Democrats are fighting mad after Republicans voted against a bill that would send more funding to health care for veterans who have been exposed to toxic chemicals on the jobs.

All Democrats and eight Republicans voted for the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

The bill had been up for a procedural vote with passage expected by the end of the week, but with only 55 yes votes, it did not break a filibuster.

'I agree with Sen. Tester -- this is total bulls***,' Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said during a news conference Thursday. 'This is the worst form of over politicization I've literally ever seen.'

'There will be veterans who die between now and when the legislation passes,' added Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

The bill could be called for another vote and could pass if changes are made.

'I agree with Sen. Tester -- this is total bulls***,' Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said during a news conference Thursday. 'This is the worst form of over politicization I've literally ever seen'

'There will be veterans who die between now and when the legislation passes,' added Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

Meanwhile, comedian Jon Stewart called Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell a 'liar' and Toomey a 'coward' for their no vote

The legislation had been the culmination of years of work to improve health care for veterans suffering injuries after being exposed to burn pit smoke, Agent Orange spray and other chemicals.

The bill had already passed the Senate 84-14 with a broad bipartisan majority in early June, before passing the House 342-88 two weeks ago. But the bill was tweaked by the House and sent back to the Senate for another procedural vote, where it failed.

The bill would expand health care coverage for more than three million veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits, but Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., said that he did not vote to invoke cloture, or end debate and pass the bill, because a 'budgetary gimmick' in the text allocated $400 billion in 'unrelated spending.'

Meanwhile, comedian Jon Stewart called Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell a 'liar' and Toomey a 'coward' for their no vote.

'If this is America First, then America is f***ed.'

He said of Toomey: 'You don't support the troops, you support the war machine  They haven't met a veteran they won't screw over.'

Stewart claimed that Toomey himself would not meet with veterans' groups and instead sent his chief of staff. 'I'm used to the cowardice, but I'm not used to the cruelty.'

'I want to just stress my concern for this bill has nothing to do with the purpose of the bill. 'It's not bout the $280 billion in new spending that is meant to be required under this bill for the VA,' Toomey said on the Senate floor Wednesday night.

Toomey said the Senate could have voted on an amendment to eliminate the $400 billion in unrelated spending that night and then passed the narrower bill

He said the Senate could have voted on an amendment to eliminate the $400 billion in unrelated spending that night and then passed the narrower bill.

'I suspect there's 85 votes for the underlying bill if we fix this problem,' he said.

'This is the path to do it. I would recommend we fix it tonight,' Toomey added. 'Once that's done this bill sails through this chamber.'

The bill did not get through the chamber last night, and Gillibrand laid blame squarely on Toomey.

'We had the votes, we had strong bipartisan support for this bill. At the 11th hour Sen. Toomey decides he wants to rewrite the bill, change the rules and tank it. How he convinced 25 colleagues to change their vote I have no idea,' she said. 'What the hell? How does this happen? How do you change your mind right when you're about to make a law that's going to save lives?'

'If this is America First, then America is f***ed' Stewart said

Comedian Jon Stewart embraces a fellow activist after a fiery news conference

The legislation adds 23 new toxic and burn pit exposure conditions to the Department of Veterans' Affairs database and expands care for post-9/11 vets exposed to burn pits.

Burn pits have historically been used for disposing of human waste, medical waste, and other waste, but it's now known that exposure to the toxins they give off can lead to asthma, rhinitis and cancer.

The bill also expands care for Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange.

Existing coverage for vets exposed to toxins forces them to have solid proof they got their illness during their service and take other steps that limits their health care coverage.
A tech boss who claimed he was discussing a fictional character named 'Ivana Humpalot' when he was texting a female employee has been ordered to pay her 17,000.

Creative director Ala Uddin sent the crass message 'I vanna humpalot', a reference to the Russian hitwoman from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, to Sasha Sasheva just a month after she had started working for him.

A hearing was told the director later sent inappropriate text messages to Miss Sasheva in November 2020, asking: 'Love... when are we going to f***?'.

He also called her 'beautiful', asked her to go to dinner with him for his birthday and suggested they spend the night together at his friend's Essex home.

The new employee blocked his number and even had to move home after she spotted him 'hanging around' her flat.

However, Mr Uddin, 50, later claimed his message had simply referred to the Austin Powers character, played by Kristen Johnson, in the 1999 hit film.

Mr Uddin, 50, made the claim as he tried to overturn a tribunal ruling from earlier this year that he had been guilty of 'a nasty and serious abuse of power' and was ordered to pay Miss Sasheva 17,607.67 in compensation.

The character Ivana Humpalot played by Kristen Johnson was a Russian hit-woman hired by Dr. Evil in the 1999 film

The tribunal heard that Miss Sasheva started working for Mr Uddin's software firm All Techmart UK in October 2020 as an administrator.

Miss Sasheva was the sole employee and while the two of them were in the office Mr Uddin stared at her 'so much so it made her feel uncomfortable'.

Mr Uddin propositioned Ms Sasheva just a month into her time working for him during which he stared at her so much she began to feel uncomfortable.

When Ms Sasheva sued him for sexual harassment Mr Uddin claimed Miss Sasheva was the one pestering him.

The boss also said his text was a joke referencing the Austin Powers film The Spy Who Shagged Me, the second in the series.

The character Ivana Humpalot was a Russian hit-woman hired by Dr. Evil in the 1999 film.

She was known for wearing a white fur coat and black lace bodysuit but ended up in bed with Mike Myers' comic spy.

Mr Uddin, 50, made the Austin Powers claim to try to overturn a tribunal ruling from earlier this year that he had been guilty of 'a nasty and serious abuse of power'.

He eventually awarded Miss Sasheva 17,607.67 in compensation.

In a judgment published today, the east London panel dismissed his argument, confirming the original judgment would stand and ordered him to pay the compensation.

Ms Sasheva had to go to the lengths of blocking his number and moving home after she spotted him 'hanging around' her flat.

Miss Sasheva chose to resign after the second proposition which had been ongoing because she was 'upset and angry' by the harassment from her boss

Miss Sasheva complained about the 'horrible' texts and told him: 'Do not ever dare to talk to me like that'.

She told the tribunal that she 'could not have felt more uncomfortable' and was so scared she began to work from home more often.

In March 2021 he texted her asking if she was alone and Miss Sasheva then saw him 'hanging around her flat'.

She said his behaviour alarmed her and made her fear for her own safety.

In the same month, Mr Uddin sent her another 'obvious sexual proposition' asking her if she wanted to spend the night with him so Miss Sasheva told him this was unacceptable harassment and for him to stop.

Despite her protest, her boss kept trying to call her numerous times until she had no choice but to block his number, the tribunal heard.

Miss Sasheva chose to resign after the second proposition, because she was 'upset and angry' by the harassment she had been a victim of.

Techmart UK boss Mr Uddin, 50, claimed he was making an Austin Powers joke to try to overturn a tribunal ruling from earlier this year that he had been guilty of 'a nasty and serious abuse of power' but lost

The tribunal heard she felt so harassed by him that she reported the incident to the police.

However, Mr Uddin told the latest tribunal Miss Sasheva suggested they have sex on her first day of work and tried to kiss him on her last day.

He said she talked 'dirty' in the office and alleged her sexual harassment claim was a 'money-making exercise'.

Employment Judge Sarah Moor said: 'He contends the 'I vanna humpalot' comment was a reference to a character in the film Austin Powers and the Spy Who Shagged Me and effectively part of a joke because [Miss Sasheva] liked Donald Trump whose wife (he says) was called Ivana.

'Mr Uddin's evidence that [Miss Sasheva] made sexual advances towards him that he found harassing... seems implausible.

'The lengthy to and fro texts... do not suggest that [she] had been herself making any sexual advance or using inappropriate sexual language or talking dirty.

'To the contrary, she immediately objected to his advances, and avoided any comment on his remarks that she was beautiful etc. Nor did he say words to the effect - I don't understand your objections now, it was you who started this.

'The comments he made that he had sent flowers and that she was beautiful suggest clearly he was making advances and those comments are completely inconsistent with his defence that he felt harassed by her alleged earlier advances.'

Mr Uddin's application for an extension so he could present a defence to the allegations was dismissed as the judge ruled it had no prospect of success.

She added: 'It is clear from the evidence that it is Mr Uddin who sexually propositioned [Miss Sasheva], not the other way around.

The hit-woman character is employed by Dr. Evil in the films

'It is also clear that there is no sense in which there is a shared sexual dialogue or jokey sexual talk: [she] immediately objected to his language and called it harassment.'

At the original tribunal, judge Moor said: 'I have no doubt that at first the harassment made [Miss Sasheva] initially feel extremely uncomfortable, and nervous.

'I have no doubt that by the time she resigned she was scared, extremely upset and angry. She had been forced to leave her job because of unlawful sexual harassment in the form of propositions from her boss and only other member of staff.

'[She] has regularly had moments when she freezes because of anxiety. She calls these panic attacks and they have happened about three times a week since her resignation.

'They are attributable, in my view, to the harassment.... [She] has had nightmares but these have eased.'
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has been dating his new Brazilian girlfriend for two months, MailOnline can exclusively reveal.

The Champions League winner, 48, who was pictured with Natalie Max, 35, on a boat in Sardinia, has been seeing the glamorous mother-of-two since May, after his divorce to ex-wife Sissi, 46, was finalised.

According to a close friend of Natalie's the new couple are 'very happy' and have been spending all their time together, with the business owner jetting to Italy to join Thomas on their first romantic holiday.

A source told MailOnline: 'Tuchel and Natalie are smitten with each other.

'They've been dating since May and things are already getting serious between them.

'Natalie flew to Sardinia to join Thomas on their first holiday and they've been spending a lot of quality time together in west London, where she lives with her two children and dog.

'Tuchel is really lovely and has made Natalie's friends feel welcome, he's definitely in this for the long-haul.'

Tuchel looks on prior to Chelsea'a pre-season friendly against Club America at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas earlier this month

Tuchel has been seen with his new girlfriend Natalie Max (pictured here in 2017) holidaying in Sardinia

The Chelsea manager pictured celebrating his side's Champions League final win with now ex-wife Sissi and their two daughters in May last year

It is thought the new couple's romanced blossomed during dates at an Italian restaurant in west London.

Natalie has two daughters from a previous relationship and lives at a three-story property in Knightsbridge, London, believed to be worth several million.

The Brazilian, who resides a stone's throw away from Harrods, is due back from her holiday with Tuchel at the end of the week.

The townhouse where Natalie lives is in one of London's most expensive districts, where the super-rich fill the streets with Ferraris, Bentleys and Rolls Royces.

As well as Harrods, the area boasts a number of designer fashion stores including Chanel, Burberry, and Harvey Nichols.

The couple are also spoilt for choice with restaurants including Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Gordon Ramsay's Petrus, and The Rosebery.

Hyde Park is just around the corner, as is Kensington Palace and the Royal Albert Hall while Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground is just one and half miles away.

Several other mega-wealthy celebrities reside nearby including Tamara Ecclestone, who lives in a 57-room mansion less than a mile away

Disgraced Ghislaine Maxwell also owned a 2.5million mews house a few streets away.

Tuchel, and Natalie have been seen holding hands on a romantic boat trip at sunset.

Natalie also enjoyed a dip in the Mediterranean sea before the loved-up pair went back to their 20,000-a-night private villa.

It was revealed in April that Tuchel had split from his former journalist wife following 13 years of marriage.

A source told the Mail On Sunday that the ex-couple 'tried to avoid splitting but in the end, there was no other way.'

Last Wednesday, in a written order, Mr. Justice Mostyn said he was satisfied that Tuchel had behaved in such a way that Mrs. Tuchel could not reasonably be expected to stay with him.

He was satisfied the marriage had broken down irretrievably.

The former couple, who share two daughters together, are believed to have reached a multi-million-pound settlement ahead of a decree absolute, expected in the next six weeks.

Tuchel, pictured here with his ex-wife Sissi, was granted a divorce by a judge at the High Court in London last week
Reilly said from what he was told the confessions are 'somewhat different'

One confession was believed to have been recorded on a digital device. The second confession was made in some type of written form

Pat Reilly, the Petito family attorney handling the civil suit on behalf of Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt said the FBI told him of other possible confessions

A bombshell revelation reveals that Brian Laundrie may have made two more confessions, including one on a digital device, according to a lawyer representing the Petito family.

Florida-based attorney Pat Reilly, who is handling the civil suit on behalf of Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt, said the FBI told him of other possible confessions made by Brian Laundrie, a source confirmed with DailyMail.com.

One confession was believed to have been recorded on a digital device. The second confession was made in some type of written form.

Reilly said from what he was told the confessions are 'somewhat different.'

DailyMail.com reached out to Petito's lawyer Pat Reilly to confirm the existence of the additional Laundrie confessions but were unable to reach him.

In June, Reilly appeared on NewsNation claiming the Laundries' attorney, Steve Bertolino is in possession of a letter from Roberta Laundrie to her son Brian that reportedly reads 'burn after you read this' on the envelope.

The letter was not dated, but according to Reilly was written within the time that Petito was murdered and Brian Laundrie committed suicide, the lawyer claims.

Reilly called the letter 'odd' and 'pretty interesting.

He would not elaborate further just that the letter referenced Gabby Petito, the news outlet reported.

At the time of the interview, Reilly said he had not reviewed the new evidence, it is unclear if he has obtained them at this time.

Gabrielle Petito, 22, (pictured right) was reported missing on September 11, 2021 after traveling with her boyfriend around the country in a van. Gabby never returned home. It was later revealed that she had reportedly been killed by her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, 23, (pictured left) in this undated photo

Joseph Petito, Gabby Petito's father speaking at a 2021 news conference.

Gabby Petito's grief-stricken mother, Nichole Schmidt speaking at a news conference

Patrick Riley (pictured left) said during the NewsNation interview that Roberta Laundrie wrote a letter offering to help her son Brian after he killed Gabby Petito

Laura Richards, a criminal behavioral analyst, and host of the podcast, Crime Analyst and Real Crime Profile, learned of these confessions during her interview with NewsNation reporter Brian Entin when he was a guest on her July 26 podcast that she described as 'highly significant.'

'The FBI handed that evidence over to the Laundrie attorney, Steve Bertolino and Pat Reilly was also present,' Richards told DailyMail.com.

She added: 'Of course we need to see the 3 letters and compare them but if they are different then that would indicate deception and that there was a strategy in place to deceive.'

Brian Laundrie wrote in a stunning notebook confession the grisly murder of his girlfriend Gabby Petito that he described as a 'mercy' killing because she was in 'extreme' pain after an accident on their van-life adventure in Wyoming.

Last month, DailyMail.com revealed images of the eight water logged pages released by Laundrie's attorney Steve Bertolino.

The eight-page confession details how Laundrie, 23, writes that he strangled his 22-year-old fiance as the result of an 'unexpected tragedy' in Grand Teton National Park in which Gabby fell into a creek and injured herself on their road trip last summer.

And he began the notebook with a personal message addressed to Gabby, in which he claimed: 'I wish I could be at your side, I wish I could be talking to you right now.'

The sentences written in smudged blue pen written in a self-pitying tone allege how he battled to comfort Gabby, who he described was deteriorating, crying in pain and shivering from constant cold.

But eventually he killed her, writing: 'I don't know the extent of Gabby's injuries, only that she was in extreme pain.

'I ended her life. I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted, but I see now all the mistake that I made.'

He continued: 'I panicked. I was in shock. But from the moment I decided, took away her pain.'

Laundrie's notebook contained a letter written to the late Petito before he killed himself. The months leading up to his suicide was a massive manhunt. The 8-page confession claims that Laundrie killed Peito out of mercy after an accident during their cross-country trip

Laundrie wrote that he could not live without Petito after he killed her, and wrote a suicide note detailing how he plans to die by the Florida creek where his body was later found

Petito's parents, Joseph Petito and Nicole Schmidt, have filed a lawsuit against Christopher and Roberta Laundrie in a Florida court accusing them of harboring Brian and conspiring to help him flee to avoid taking responsibility for his crime

There is no indication of how Laundrie apparently cared for Gabby before he ended her life.

His notebook was found in a dry bag beside his body on October 20, 2021 after he fled to the alligator-infested Carlton Reserve near his home in North Port, Florida.

Laundrie had shot himself in the head.

In a desperate bid to explain his version of events, he writes: 'I am sorry to my family, this is a shock to them as well as a terrible grief.'

Petito and Laundrie are seen on July 4 in Utah. They had set out two days previously on a road trip, planning to document their journey on social media, where Petito was known as a 'van-life girl'

'Please do not make this harder for them, this occurred as an unexpected tragedy.'

The couple were at the national park after visiting Utah on their trip west in Gabby's 2012 white Ford Transit. They were cataloguing the trip on social media.

Laundrie writes in his notebook, in part: 'I found her breathing barely, gasping, any (indistinct as the ink is waterlogged) she was freezing cold, we had just come from the blazing hot national parks in Utah.

'The temperature had dropped to freezing and she was soaking wet. I carried her as far as I could down the stream towards the car, stumbling, exhausted in shock, when my (indistinct) and I knew I couldn't safely carry her.'

Petito was just 22 years old at the time of her death, which was caused by her boyfriend Laundrie who claimed in a written confession was a 'merciful' decision

Petito and Laundrie had set out for a cross country trip that included numerous stops at national parks around the US

'When I pulled Gabby out of the water she couldn't tell me what hurt. She had a small bump on her forehead that eventually got larger. Her feet hurt, her wrist hurt, but she was freezing, shaking violently, while carrying her she continually made sounds of pain.'

'Laying next to her she said little, lapsing between violent shakes, gasping in pain, begging for an end to her pain. She would fall asleep and I would shake her awake fearing she shouldn't close her eyes if she had a concussion.

Laundrie then reveals what led to his decision to take his girlfriend's life, in part, before his shocking claim that he 'killed Gabby because it was 'merciful.'

He reveals: 'I knew I couldn't go on without her.

'I rushed home to spend any time I had left with my family.

He continued: 'I wanted to drive north and let James or TJ kill me, but I wouldn't want them to spend time in jail over my mistake, even though I'm sure they would have liked to.'

'I'm ending my life not because of fear of punishment, but rather because I can't stand to live another day without her.

Police bodycam footage captured the moment Petito and Laundrie were pulled over near the entrance to Arches National Park, where Petito was emotional
The parents of a 12-year-old boy left in a comatose state after suffering brain damage have failed to persuade the Supreme Court to intervene in a life-support treatment battle.

Archie Battersbee's mother and father, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, had asked Supreme Court justices to give them more time to carry on their fight.

Ms Dance and Mr Battersbee want the United Nations to consider the case after losing life-support treatment fights in the High Court and Court of Appeal in London.

They wanted Supreme Court justices to bar hospital bosses from stopping life-support treatment until they have had time to make an application to the UN, and made a written application.

But three justices on Thursday refused their application.

'The parents of Archie Battersbee filed their application to appeal to the Supreme Court earlier today,' said a Supreme Court spokeswoman in a statement.

Archie Battersbee and his father Paul Battersbee, who are from Southend-on-Sea in Essex

Paul Battersbee and Hollie Dance outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London last Friday

'They were seeking a stay of the Court of Appeal's decision to allow withdrawal of life-support treatment from their child.

'Aware of the urgency of this matter, the court convened a panel of three Justices who considered submissions from the parties 'on paper', in the usual way.

'Having considered the careful judgment of the Court of Appeal... the panel has refused permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.'

Archie's parents say the UN has a protocol which allows 'individuals and families' to make complaints about violations of disabled people's rights.

They say the UN could ask the UK Government to delay the withdrawal of life support to Archie while a complaint is investigated.

Three Court of Appeal judges on Monday upheld a ruling by a High Court judge who had decided that doctors could lawfully stop treating Archie.

Lawyers representing Archie's parents had asked appeal judges to 'stay' the termination of treatment to allow time for consideration of an application to the European Court of Human Rights (EHCR) in Strasbourg, France.

Appeal judges imposed a stay on the termination of treatment and said Archie's parents could have until 2pm on Thursday to make an application to the European court.

It is understood that nothing in any order made by Court of Appeal judges would prevent Archie's parents from applying to the UN.

Archie's parents are being supported by a campaign group called the Christian Legal Centre.

A spokesman for the centre has indicated that Archie's parents wanted to approach the UN rather than the European court.

'The UK has joined the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which gives individuals a right to complain about any violations of the Convention to the UN Committee,' he said.

'The committee has previously criticised the UK system of authorising withdrawal of life support from disabled people based on the court determination of their best interests rather than on their own wishes.'

Lawyers representing Archie's parents argued, in their Supreme Court application, that by making a stay which only allowed an application under the ECHR, the Court of Appeal wrongly subjected them to 'pressure not to adopt one international human rights procedure over another'.

Archie was found with a ligature over his head in April and has not regained consciousness

Archie with his mother Hollie Dance (left), brother Tom Summers and sister Lauren Summers

Judges have heard that Ms Dance found Archie unconscious with a ligature over his head on April 7.

She thinks he might have been taking part in an online challenge. The youngster has not regained consciousness.

Doctors treating Archie at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, think he is brain-stem dead and say continued life-support treatment is not in his best interests.

Bosses at the hospital's governing trust, Barts Health NHS Trust, had asked for decisions on what medical moves were in Archie's best interests.

A High Court judge, Mrs Justice Arbuthnot, initially considered the case and concluded that Archie was dead.

But Court of Appeal judges upheld a challenge by his parents against decisions taken by Mrs Justice Arbuthnot and said the evidence should be reviewed by a different High Court judge.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is calling on the National Guard to be activated to help deal with the migration crisis in the nation's capitol after Texas and Arizona launched an initiative sending asylum-seekers there.

'The pace of arriving buses and the volume of arrivals have reached tipping points,' Bowser wrote in a letter to the Biden administration. 'Our collective response and service efforts have now become overwhelmed.'

'Tragically, many families arrive in Washington, DC with nowhere to go, or they remain in limbo seeking onward destinations across the United States,' she added.

The plea for assistance comes after a new NBC News report shows that, according to internal documents, 73 migrants were found living in houses in Northwest D.C. that are operated by human smugglers.

Bowser said that the migrant crisis landing on the front door of the nation's capital has reached a 'tipping point' with more than 4,000 people arriving so far after crossing the border illegally from Mexico.

D.C Mayor Muriel Bowser is requesting the National Guard be activated in the nation's capital to help deal with the influx of migrants being bused there from Texas and Arizona

She said the crisis has hit a 'tipping point' with more than 4,000 migrants arriving from the two border states since April. Pictured: Migrants are dropped off in front of the U.S. Capitol as they await immigration proceedings after seeking asylum in Texas and Arizona

Texas Senator Ted Cruz confirmed Bowser is correctly labeling it a 'humanitarian crisis' and said if 4,000 is a 'tipping point', then more actions need to be taken at the southern border

She also dubbed it a 'humanitarian crisis' requiring the involvement of the National Guard and requested that the D.C. Armory bemused as a processing center, the Metro area's NBC affiliate reported.

'DC Mayorrightlycalls massive influx of illegal aliens a 'humanitarian crisis,' Texas Senator Ted Cruz tweeted.

'She says w/ 4000 arriving in DC, we're 'at a tipping point,' he continued. 'If 4000 is a tipping point, what the hell do you call the THREE & A HALF MILLION illegal immigrants who've crossed our southern border??'

The goal of Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, both Republicans, bussing migrants to D.C. was to show national leaders the crisis that border states are facing as they feel largely ignored by the administration when it comes to the record-setting number of crossings.

The D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency along with Bowser sent letters to the Office of the Secretary of Defense on July 19  and then followed up with letters to President Biden on July 22.

Bowser and the D.C. agency have not yet received responses, according to NBC.

Without its own National Guard presence, D.C. will have to rely on other states to offer up members of their own domestic service to help out.

Abbott started shipping migrants from his state to D.C. in mid-April  and Ducey followed suit a month later.

Since the start of the initiative, more than 125 buses have transported 4,8000 migrants from Tex border communities the 2,000 miles to D.C. Another 27 buses carrying more than 1,000 passengers from Arizona have arrived in the nation's capital.

Migrants walk through D.C. with paper bags they were given during a bus trip from the border to the nation's capital

Meanwhile, 60 adult and 13 children migrants were found by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations team.

The operation found six residential homes that DHS HSI believe is operated by human smugglers.

Along with the migrants, according to the documents reviewed by NBC, the agents also found $95,000 in cash and a small amount of cocaine.

Northwest D.C., where the migrants were found, includes some of D.C.'s most affluent neighborhoods, including Georgetown and Kalorama. In 2017, the Obamas purchased a home in Kalorama for $8.1 million.

No addresses or neighborhoods were mentioned in documents on where the migrants were found or how many were living in a single house.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul dumped his stock in semiconductor firm Nvidia amid backlash just before the Senate passed the CHIPS bill to drum up domestic semiconductor chip production, according to a periodic report released Tuesday.

On June 17 Paul Pelosi exercised call options to buy 20,000 shares worth between $1 million and $5 million, ahead of the vote on the CHIPS plus bill which would inject $52 billion into the semiconductor market. The move drew bipartisan backlash and renewed calls for a congressional stock ban.

But on Tuesday, the day before the Senate passed the CHIPS bill, Paul Pelosi sold 25,000 shares of Nvidia at an average price of $165.05 with a total loss of $341,365, according to a periodic transaction report released Tuesday.

Pelosi spokesperson Drew Hammill said in a statement: 'Mr. Pelosi bought options to buy stock in this company more than a year ago and exercised them on June 17, 2022.'

'As always, he does not discuss these matters with the Speaker until trades have been made and required disclosures must be prepared and filed. Mr. Pelosi decided to sell the shares at a loss rather than allow the misinformation in the press regarding this trade to continue,' he added.

The Senate passed the CHIPS bill Wednesday and the House is expected to pass it on Thursday.

Former Dallas Federal Reserve President Richard Fisher said Thursday on CNBC Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her husband 'appear' to have taken advantage of insider information with Paul's many lucrative stock trades.

Responding to news that Democrats would soon release the framework for a long-awaited stock pan proposal, Fisher said on CNBC's Squawk Box: 'Clearly people have taken advantage of insider information forever. I'm not against their tapping that down. I'm sorry to see that Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi and others appear - all appearance right now we don't know the facts - to have taken advantage of insider information.'

'Something needs to be done.'

Former Dallas Federal Reserve President Richard Fisher said Thursday on CNBC that and Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her husband 'appear' to have taken advantage of insider information with Paul's many lucrative stock trades

The stock ban framework would force members of Congress, their spouses and senior staff to place assets in either a qualified blind trust or completely sell them off. Lawmakers, spouses and staff would still be able to hold mutual funds.

Leadership's goal is to get the legislation through the House in September, according to Punchbowl News.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., who as head of the House Administration Committee has been tasked with reviewing the different proposals, told DailyMail.com on Friday the framework would be out 'in the coming weeks.'

Last week congressional stock purchases were again under fire after Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul purchased over $1 million in shares of semiconductor firm Nvidia as Congress was negotiating the a bill to inject billions into the semiconductor chip industry

On June 17 Paul Pelosi but 20,000 shares worth between $1 million and $5 million, ahead of the Sunday vote on the CHIPS plus bill which would inject $52 billion into the semiconductor market

'Has your husband ever made a stock purchase or sale based on information he's received from you?' a reported asked the speaker in her weekly briefing last week.

'No,' she scoffed. 'Absolutely not.' Pelosi then walked away from the podium.

The Pelosis are one of the wealthiest couples in Congress and Paul Pelosi has been dubbed one of the most prolific stock traders of all time. The speaker's office frequently notes that Nancy herself does not own any stock.

For months there has been broad bipartisan consensus behind banning individual stock trades for members and their spouses. Lawmakers in both parties have put forth a slew of bills since Pelosi first expressed a cool openness to such a ban in February, not one of which has made it to the floor.

Last Wednesday Sen. Josh Hawley wrote a letter asking Democrats to hold a hearing on banning stock trading.

'This issue of whether and how Members of Congress engage in various financial transactions deserves scrutiny by the Committee,' Hawley wrote to Sen. Gary Peters, chair of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee.

'In 2020 Speaker Pelosi and her husband outperformed the S&P 500 by a whopping 14.3 percent,' Hawley said. Ninety percent of actively managed investment funds fail to beat the market, according to a report.

After initial resistance, Pelosi changed tune in February and said she would get behind a stock ban if it was not just aimed at Congress but all of government.

'It has to be government-wide,' the California Democrat told reporters. 'The judiciary has no reporting. The Supreme Court has no disclosure. It has no reporting of stock transactions, and it makes important decisions every day.'

'Has your husband ever made a stock purchase or sale based on information he's received from you?' a reported asked the speaker in her weekly briefing last week. 'No,' she scoffed. 'Absolutely not,' Pelosi said

It was not resounding support, but it was a change of tune from three months earlier when Pelosi was actively against cutting off her husband and the rest of Congress' stock trading power.

'We're a free market economy. '[Lawmakers] should be able to participate in that,' she said in December.

Despite broad support, some Democrats lay blame at leadership for stopping such bills from even getting a vote.

'The people who control the calendar don't want to bring it to the floor,' said Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., a moderate who authored a bipartisan proposal to force members to put their assets in a blind trust. 'The people who control committees of jurisdiction don't want to bring it to the floor.'

Paul Pelosi, owner of Financial Leasing Services, has amassed a personal fortune of around $135 million.

In 2021, the House Speaker is ranked as the 14th wealthiest member of Congress with an estimated net worth of at least $46,123,051, according to Insider.

Paul Pelosi's lucrative stock trades have prompted social investing app Iris allows users to track the couple's trades and be notified every time Paul makes a purchase so that they can do the same.

And popular Twitter account @NancyTracker, which tracked Pelosi's investments, was banned from the social media network.

The 2012 STOCK Act bans members of Congress from using 'any nonpublic information derived from the individual's position ... or gained from performance of the individual's duties, for personal benefit.'

It also required lawmakers to report any publicly disclose any transaction of stocks, bond, commodities futures, and other securities within 45 days, rather than once per year.

Pelosi is far from alone in her husband's stock trades - more than 220 other representatives and senators, around 40% of Congress, held together at least $225 million in stock assets during 2020, according to an Insider investigation.

An Insider investigation found that 49 members and 182 congressional staffers were late to disclose trades from January through September 2021, violating the STOCK Act.
A new video shows the moment a Sesame Street theme park employee allegedly snubbed a five-year-old black girl as her father sues for $25 million.

Quinton Burns claims four employees dressed as Sesame Street characters ignored his daughter, Kennedi, and other black guests during a meet-and-greet on June 18.

The video opens with the costumed characters dancing in a parade as the employee dressed as the Telly Monster walked over to wave and shake the hands of several children.

Among the kids in the group was Kennedi, who tried reaching out to the character before he walked away and waved his hand to other spectators. Kennedi then turns around to her father with a big frown on her face.

Moments later, an employee dressed as Ernie was seen greeting the same group, but also stops just short of shaking hands with Kennedi.

Sesame Place has explained that the alleged snubbing was not intentional and that the employees in these incidents simply can't see everyone due to the costume's limited field of vision.

Quinton Burns claims four employees dressed as Sesame Street characters, including one as the Telly Monster (above), ignored his daughter, Kennedi, and other black guests during a meet-and-greet on June 18

Video shows Kennedi, 5, reaching for the character, who walked past her as he greeted other guests. The child then turns around to her father with a look that he says broke his heart

The video also shows Ernie allegedly snubbing the girl. Sesame Place has explained that the workers simply can't see everyone due to the costume's limited field of vision

'Just looking at her face, it makes me want to cry every time I see it,' Burns said during a press conference Wednesday.

The suit, which seeks class action status, was filed in a federal court in Philadelphia against SeaWorld Parks, the owner of the Sesame Place, for 'pervasive and appalling race discrimination.'

It comes after a viral video showing two other black girls from New York apparently being snubbed by Rosita during a parade at the park in Langhorne, outside Philadelphia.

Sesame Place apologized in a statement for that incident and explained that the actor inside the Rosita suit simply couldn't see their daughter due to the costume's limited field of vison.

The furor triggered more families to come forward with similar experiences.

Quinton Burns, left, spoke of his anguish Wednesday as he filed a lawsuit claiming daughter Kennedi, right, was ignored by characters at a Sesame Street theme park parade because she is black

The lawsuit says 'SeaWorld's performers readily engaged with numerous similarly situated white customers.'

During a press conference held Wednesday, one of the family's attorneys, Malcolm Ruff, called for transparency from SeaWorld and for the company to compensate the Burns family.

'She was ignored amongst a sea of other young white children who were able to interact, give hugs, high fives,' Ruff said.

'Kennedi was forced to experience racism at the age of 5. This is unacceptable and we will not stand by and let this continue,' Ruff continued.

The lawsuit comes in the wake of a video, shared widely on social media, showing two other black girls from New York apparently being snubbed by a costumed employee during a parade at the park in Langhorne, outside Philadelphia

Sesame Workshop - which was careful to explain that Sesame Place is a licensed partner - then posted another statement on its social media Monday night

Sesame Place responded to the lawsuit in a statement sent to Eyewitness News, saying: 'We will review the lawsuit filed on behalf of Mr. Burns. We look forward to addressing that claim through the established legal process. We are committed to deliver an inclusive, equitable and entertaining experience for all our guests.

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus reportedly asked for a meeting with leadership at a Sesame Street theme park after video showing a costumed character waving off two six-year-old black girls during a parade went viral.

Jodi Brown, the mother of one of the girls, first shared the nine-second video clip last weekend, showing the Sesame Place character Rosita high-fiving a white child and woman, then gesturing 'no' and walking away from the two black girls who had their arms out for hugs.

Black Caucus members are seeking a meeting with the theme park's general manager Cathy Valeriano to 'discuss the changes, plans of action, and training the park plans to implement,' Fox News reporter Chad Pergram said on Saturday.

The caucus said: 'Over the past week, we've seen multiple glaring examples of racism coming from the park, including the viral video in which two beautiful little black girls were blatantly rejected by a character they idolized while white children were embraced.'

Sesame Place confirmed the incident occurred in a statement posted to Instagram on Saturday, but said it was a 'misunderstanding'

Brown has claimed that Rosita immediately hugged a white child after snubbing her daughter and niece, though those events are not seen in the video.

On Saturday, Brown appeared on MSNBC and said she rejected the apologies that had been issued by Sesame Place, the theme park outside Philadelphia.

'I don't believe it was genuine, I believe they were just putting out statements due to how viral the video has gone,' Brown said.

Brown's attorney B'Ivory Lamarr appeared alongside the mother and reiterated his threat to sue the theme park and demand that the unidentified employee in the Rosita costume be fired.

In a statement on Sunday, theme park officials called the now viral moment a 'misunderstanding,' saying the mascot likely did not see the girls due to limited vision in the costume's unwieldy mask.

'Our brand, our park and our employees stand for inclusivity and equality in all forms,' the statement read. 'That is what Sesame Place is all about and we do not tolerate any behaviors in our parks that are contrary to that commitment.'

'We also are, and always have been, committed to making sure every family and every child has the best possible experience at our parks and we are incredibly disappointed when that does not happen.'

'We spoke to the family and extended our apologies and invited them back for a special meet-and-greet opportunity with our characters,' the statement read.

The park said the actor portraying Rosita - who was not named - 'did not intentionally ignore the girls and is devastated about the misunderstanding.'

The statement alleged Rosita was gesturing 'no' to another guest who had requested they hold hold their child for a photo, 'which is not permitted.'

The park also said the mascot likely did not see the girls due to limited vision in the costume's unwieldy mask, which 'sometimes make it difficult to see at lower levels' leading actors to occasionally 'miss hug requests from guests.'

'We apologize to these guests for not delivering the experience they expected and we commit to do our best to earn their and all guests' visit and support,' the statement concluded.
The trio discussed how previous Pope's have hid molesting Priest rather than excommunicating them from the church

Joe Rogan slammed the Catholic church in a Wednesday podcast episode where he calls The Vatican as a 'country filled with pedophiles and stolen art.'

Rogan sat alongside fellow podcasters - Francis Foster and Konstantin Kisin - during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience to discuss the Catholic Pope Francis and the various covered up scandals.

'Even the outrage about things you should be outraged about, like Jeffery Epstein, that outrage was balanced. Right? Sort of. Right? But what about the Catholic church?' Rogan asked.

'Like why isnt everybody really freaking out about - I was just in Italy and one of the things thats nuts is the Vatican is a country. Its a country filled with pedophiles. Its a country filled with pedophiles and stolen art. Its a small, like hundred yard - like what is it? A hundred acres, I think. Yeah. Its a hundred acre rather, country inside of a city filled with pedophiles.'

'Why isnt everybody really freaking out,' Rogan said in reference to the city that sits nearby Italy's coast.

Francis Foster (left) and Konstantin Kisin (right) joined Joe Rogan on his podcast, The Joe Rogan experience, in the episode that aired on Wednesday. The trio discussed the sexual abuse scandals covered up by the church that have been brought to light in recent years

Rogan said Vatican City was a 'country filled with pedophiles and stolen art.' The podcaster referenced the various popes that have allowed clergy to get away with sexual abuse

Vatican City sits in the center of Rome. The city is independent and is ruled by Pope Francis with the authority being the Roman Catholic Church. Francis took over as Pope in 2013.

'Yeah, absolutely,' Foster said

Kisin interrupted, 'This is why I love American, man. Cause in the UK, we have libel laws. So if you say something like that and you then have to be able to prove it, otherwise you can get sued.'

'You can kind of prove that,' Rogan responded.

Foster added, 'I read the other day that, I think it was five, six years ago, the age of consent in the Vatican City was 12-years-old.'

'I hope that's not true,' Kisin said as Producer Jamie Vernon was queued to fact check Foster's claim.

'Oh my God. It's true,' Rogan said as he proceeded to read off a Google search result. Oh my God. The Vatican citys equal age of consent being raised from 12 to 18, following the announcement of an overall the Catholic church criminal code by Pope Francis'

Rogan added, 'Francis is like the most progressive guy, right? In terms of Popes.'

Forster responded, 'I mean, that's not really saying a lot. Do you know what I mean?

The trio were referencing Pope Francis who has been reigning in the Vatican since 2013. The pope repealed the former Vatican City law, written in 1889, that said the age of consent was 12-years-old before it changed to 18-years-old about a decade ago, according to the Atlantic.

Pope Francis (above) was a hot topic of contention on Rogan's podcast as the trio agreed he is one of the most progressive popes yet

The trio discussed on the podcast how the consent age in the Vatican city went from 12-years-old to 18-years old about a decade ago

Rogan continued, 'The Benedict guy, he was wanted in other countries for crimes against humanity. I mean like what he was doing was really evil. He was moving offenders to other places and one of them he moved a guy that went on to molest a hundred deaf kids!'

'It's insanity. I mean this guy was already molesting and then they say well let's just - instead of trying him and removing him from the church - we'll just move him to a place where people can't hear.'

'It's amazing how people can just cover this stuff up,' Kisin added.

Rogan's comments on the Catholic Church come as the church proceeds to battle with sex abuse and cover-up scandals that has aired across the globe.

Earlier this year, former Pope Benedict XVI, 95, expressed 'shock and shame' at child abuse carried out in his diocese in the 1980s after a report found he knowingly failed to take action against the priests involved.

Benedict served in the dioceses of Munich and Freising in Germany from 1977 to 1982 and denied responsibility in the cases of abuse.

Some of the cases say Benedict allegedly failed to act and remove clergymen who committed sexual abuse acts.

Benedict - whose civilian name is Josef Ratzinger - became the first pope to step down from the role in 600 years in 2013. He now lives a secluded life in a former convent inside the grounds of the Vatican.

A report has accused former Pope Benedict (pictured) of misconduct over his handling of four cases of sexual abuse by priests while he was an archbishop in Germany

Benedict, (pictured in 1980) who served as the archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1982, also approved the transfer of a suspected paedophile priest to the archdiocese

Abuse scandals continue to come to light, as a study commissioned by the German Bishops' Conference in 2018 concluded that 1,670 clergymen in the country had committed some form of sexual attack against 3,677 minors between 1946 and 2014.

In 2019, it was revealed that a secret Catholic group operating out of a small Michigan town had reportedly served as a 'rapid-response' team to protect hundreds of priests accused of sexual abuse.

Opus Bono Sacerdotii, a non-profit, would reportedly work out of a series of unmarked buildings in rural Michigan. The non-profit would provide money, shelter, transport, legal help and other support to many Catholic priests accused of sexual abuse across the country.

Opus Bono Sacerdotii, would reportedly work out of a series of unmarked buildings in Dryden, Michigan, providing money, shelter, transport, legal help and other support to hundreds of Catholic priests accused of sexual abuse across the country

Stripped of their collars and cassocks, they went unnoticed in the small town of Dryden as they were escorted into a dingy warehouse across from an elementary school playground, the Associated Press reported at the time.

Secretive Catholic group, Opus Bono, which operates out of Michigan has served as a 'rapid-response' team for priests who have been accused of sexual abuse

When a serial pedophile was sent to jail for abusing dozens of minors, Opus Bono was there for him, with regular visits and commissary cash.

When a priest admitted sexually assaulting boys under 14, Opus Bono raised funds for his defense.

When another priest was criminally charged with abusing a teen, Opus Bono later made him a legal adviser.

At the time, leaders of the church denied having any official relationship with the group.

In May, a church in New Mexico was subjected to pay a settlement agreement of $121.5 million to settle a bankruptcy case caused by sex abuse scandals. The scandals involved 375 victims against 74 priests in the state.
This is the shocking moment a thief stripped down to his underwear was paraded through a town in central Mexico state of Puebla after he was caught stealing a horse.

According to local press, word quickly spread through social media after the horse had been stolen in San Lorenzo Chiautzingo on Tuesday afternoon.

Residents searching for the horse spotted the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Yahir, walking the animal through the pastures of a farm.

At least 50 villagers intercepted Yahir before they nearly stripped him naked and beat him.

A 26-year-old man identified as Yahir was paraded through the streets of the central Mexico town of San Lorenzo Chiautzingo on Tuesday night when residents captured him for stealing a horse. He was beaten and stripped down to his underwear before he was forced to walk with the horse and tied to a pole outside the city hall building, where authorities arrested him

Residents in the Mexican town of San Lorenzo Chiautzingo hung a sign over Yahir's chest that read 'thief' in Spanish after he was busted for stealing a horse

Authorities launched a search to find Yahir and avoid a possible lynching but were unable to find their whereabouts.

Video footage showed a barefooted Yahir with a sign wrapped around his chest that read 'thief' as he held onto the horse's reins and walked it down the middle of a street.

The angry crowd tied Yahir to a pole in front of a local church and the San Lorenzo Chiautzingo city hall building until municipal police agents arrived and seized control of the situation.

Yahir was taken to a local police station. It's unknown if he had been charged for stealing the horse.

Yahir was beaten and was stripped of all his clothes, except his underwear, after he was caught with the horse he had stolen while he walked it through a farm in San Lorenzo Chiautzingo, Mexico, on Tuesday. He was then forced to walk the horse to the city hall building where he was tied to a pole before cops arrived and arrested him

Residents throughout Mexico have been known to take matters into their own hands when busting suspects committing crimes, in some instances setting them on fire and killing them.

A 2019 report on mob killings that was conducted by the National Commission for Human Rights found that an average of 84 lynchings were reported from 2015 to 2018. A total of 336 attempted killings were documented by authorities during that four-year stretch.

There were 39 lynchings and 150 attempts in 2020. Mob killings increased to 42 and there were 279 attempted killings in 2021.

'Collective violence illustrates the tiredness of the community that demands justice, which they have not perceived in years,' the National Commission for Human Rights said.




By Anna J. Park







Hyundai Card and Yanolja have joined hands for a broad-range partnership that includes the issuance of private label credit cards (PLCC), joint branding and marketing as well as cooperation in data science analysis.







According to Hyundai Card on Wednesday, the credit card company will launch a Yanolja-branded PLCC later this year, offering diverse benefits in the areas of accommodation, leisure activities, performances as well as transportation. Various leisure platforms, including Yanolja, Interpark, Daily Hotel and Triple, will allow special benefits and discounts for card holders.







The two companies also agreed to cooperate on industrial trend analysis by combining Hyundai Card's data science technology and Yanolja's leisure-related big data resources.







"By joining hands with Yanolja, which has earned a dominant status in the leisure industry, Hyundai Card aims to be a leading player that introduces new leisure culture," Hyundai Card Vice Chairman and CEO Chung Tae-young said.







"With the partnership, the two companies could be able to preemptively respond to tourism and leisure demands of the new normal period by combining Yanolja's global leisure services and Hyundai Card's data science and branding capabilities," Yanolja CEO Lee Su-jin said.







The partnership with Yanolja is expected to strengthen the so-called Domain Galaxy, the card company's data alliance with its PLCC partners. Currently joining the alliance are leading players from diverse industries including E-mart, Hyundai Motor and GS Caltex.







Based on cooperation in data science analysis, the card company expects to help partners in launching products and services and coming up with optimal strategies, on top of generating business synergy.


Film director Woody Allen and his neighbors living on Manhattan's Upper East Side are facing backlash for not voting in favor of setting up a bike lane in the area back in 2016 after a cyclist was fatally hit by a truck on East 85th Street on Tuesday.

Carling Mott, 28, and a resident living on 84th Street, was riding a Citi Bike at around 11 a.m. towards Madison Avenue between parked cars and a semi-trailer truck that had just started to move on a green signal when she was struck and killed.

In 2016, Allen reportedly objected to a proposal from New York City's Department of Transportation's to Community Board 8 to have six bike lanes across the Upper East Side that would go through East 84th and 85th Streets, as well as East 78th, 77th, 68th and 67th Streets, according to several local news outlets.

His reason for standing against the proposal was because bike lanes could not be set up 'in a graceful way.'

The bike lanes would have also gone through Lexington, Park and Madison Avenue, where Mott was killed, a diagram from New York City's Department of Transportation shows.

A semi-trailer truck driver employed by a food distribution company fatally hit Upper East Side resident Carling Mott, 28, on Tuesday morning while she was riding in between parked cars and the truck in absence of a bike lane on 85th Street

Mott was riding a Citi Bike towards the corner of Madison and East 85th Street (pictured) when she was hit

Woody Allen opposed bike lanes being set up in the Upper East Side, including one which would have been installed where Mott was killed on 8th Street

Carling Mott, 28, was a employee working Nickelodeon when she died from the incident earlier this week

The single lanes would have also been color-coded in paint, similar to others in the city, but no barriers would have separated bikers from cars.

Residents, including Allen, however, expressed their concerns about putting bike lanes on 84th Street between Fifth and Madison, a block that they said has been restriped for the M86-SBS route, according to Patch.

There were also a number of people concerned about the block of 84th Street between Madison and Park Avenues, which was closed to vehicular traffic for part of the day at the time.

Other complaints regarding the proposal for 84th and 85th Streets involved slow traffic on both blocks, speeding traffic at other times on 85th Street, and the presence of residential buildings, clinics, and schools, according to a Community Board 8 meeting in February 2016.

'Carling Mott should be alive today. Her death was preventable and is the result of delaying, shrinking, and withholding vital street safety infrastructure,' said Anna Melendez, a member of Manhattan street-safety group Transportation Alternatives, in a statement.

'The Adams administration must invest in a network of crosstown protected bike lanes on the Upper East Side to protect bike riders from deadly cars and tractor-trailers,' she added.

A diagram presented by the New York City Department of Transportation to Community Board 8 in 2016, showing the proposed bike lane on East 85th Street, where Mott was hit

The single lanes would have also been color-coded in paint, similar to others in the city, but no barriers would have separated bikers from cars

Among the complaints regarding the proposal for 84th and 85th Streets involved slow traffic on both blocks, speeding traffic at other times on 85th Street, and the presence of residential buildings, clinics, and schools

The truck driver, who works for Performance Foodservice, was not charged in the aftermath of Mott's death.

It remains unclear if he is still employed, as DailyMail.com contacted the food distribution company for comment but has yet to receive a response.

East 85th Street is not listed as part of the city's accessible routes for trucks, but East 86th Street is, and 53-foot-long tractor-trailers are banned from all five boroughs, according to New York City's Department of Transportation (DOT).

After the fatal incident, Transportation Alternatives' Executive Director of Advocacy Danny Harris said in a statement that New York City DOT officials 'had failed to build adequate crosstown protected bike lanes in this neighborhood. The absence of safe biking infrastructure on the Upper East Side is deadly.'

The non-profit organization also states that 11 people had been killed while riding bikes so far in 2022, according to data shared with Pix 11.

Mott, who graduated from Syracuse University in 2016, was Nickelodeon employee at the time of her death, according to LinkedIn. She was originally from Ocean City, New Jersey, her friends told Pix 11.
Republicans will stop paying Donald Trump's legal expenses if he announces he's running for president in 2024, according to a new report published on Thursday.

The Republican National Committee has shelled out millions of dollars to law firms representing the former president amid government investigations and probes of his business interests.

But officials also worry that Trump could hurt the party's midterms prospects if he announces a presidential run before this year's elections.

An RNC official told ABC News that Trump would lose financial support as soon as launch a campaign because of the party's 'neutrality policy' that bars it from taking sides in primaries.

RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel spelled out the stance in an interview in January.

'The party has to stay neutral,' she said. 'I'm not telling anybody to run or not to run in 2024.'

Senior Republicans say they want Trump to delay any announcement until after the midterms.

Donald Trump has frequently trailed the idea of running again in 2024, but a Republican National Committee official told ABC News that a run would choke off cash for his legal fees

Ronna McDaniel, RNC chairwoman, said in January that it had a policy of neutrality, which meant it could not favor any runners for the Republican presidential nomination

Trump faces legal jeopardy from multiple directions, including the House January 6 committee which is building a case that the former president was responsible for the attack on the Capitol

However, insiders say the former president likes the idea of upending the elections by launching his campaign before voters go to the polls in November.

That could change the nature of the midterms from being a referendum on the crisis-hit presidency of Joe Biden, into giving voters a choice between Biden and Trump.

House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy said this week that he had encouraged Trump to delay any announcement.

'My point to him has always been, 'Let's go win '22,'" he told Congressional reporters on Tuesday.

Reminding Trump that any announcement will hit him in the pocket, with no more legal subsidies, might be one way to make him think again about an early decision.

The RNC's latest financial disclosures reveal the depth of the support.

From October 2021 through June, the RNC paid at least $1.73 million to law firms representing Trump, according to details filed with the Federal Elections Commission and reported by ABC News.

That included $50,000 to a law firm representing Trump in June alone.

That financial report has led some Republicans to question whether the RNC is really playing fair.

Donor and Canary LLC chief executive said that had been little effort to stay neutral.

'The RNC needs Trump or Trump surrogates or Trump's likeness to raise money, and Trump wants them to continue paying his bills and be as pro-Trump as possible,' Eberhart said. "So neither is in a hurry to cut the umbilical cord."

Trump has repeatedly hinted that he wants to take another tilt at the White House.

The latest came during a speech in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, when he talked about a Republican returning to the presidency.

'They want to damage me so I cannot go back to work for you,' Trump said as his audience chanted 'four more years.'

'And I dont think thats going to happen.'

RNC support - which includes using the Trump name in fundraising emails - also makes it harder for other 2024 possibles.

'Other Republican candidates seeking the Republican nomination for president have good reason to worry that the party apparatus is rigged against them in its unwavering support for Trump,' said Craig Holman, of government-watchdog group Public Citizen.

RNC officials and Trump's representatives declined to comment.
The attorney representing conservative conspiracy theorist Alex Jones apologized at his client's defamation trial after he gave the plaintiffs' lawyer the middle finger.

F. Andino Reynal made the gesture toward Mark Bankston during a heated argument at the conclusion of Wednesdays court session.

Reynal allegedly called Bankston  the lawyer for the parents of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victim, Jesse Lewis - a 'liar' multiple times before he flipped him off.

The lawyers' brawl followed a heated two days of testimony which saw the detective who led the investigation into the massacre tell the court Jones twisted the truth about the shooting being a hoax to his InfoWars audience to gain 'power or money.'

F. Andino Reynal, the attorney representing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in his defamation trial, flipped his middle finger at plaintiff lawyer Mark Bankston during a heated argument on Wednesday

An Infowars producer hit back, alleging Jones was being 'genuine' when discussing conspiracy theories about the attack and 'believed everything from his heart.'

The court was also shown video on Thursday of Jones admitting he believed 'children died' during the Sandy Hook massacre, which claimed the lives of 26 people at the Newtown, Conn., elementary school on Dec. 14, 2012.

Jones has already been found liable for defamation in the lawsuit brought by six-year-old Jesse Lewis' parents, Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, and now it's being determined how much money he will pay them for calling the deadliest classroom shooting in United States history a hoax.

The family has sued for $150 million for emotional distress and reputational damage, and more money in punitive damages.

The attorneys had gotten into a heated argument over the admission of video evidence. Bankston is pictured during the dispute

Jurors were sent home 15 minutes early Wednesday, after Reynal and Bankston started to argue over what video evidence could be presented in court.

Reynal accused Bankston of showing the 12-person jury 'little clips from cherry-picked videos' where Jones discussed Sandy Hook on his show.

The defense moved to show a nine-minute clip from the InfoWars broadcast, which Bankston objected to, alleging it was 'hearsay' and 'not appropriate' for a trial on the size of the damage award.

State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble said Reynal was supposed to have submitted all evidence at a pretrial hearing, but didn't have the videos ready at the time, The Austin American-Statesman reported.

Reynal hit back, referencing a written list of videos that had been submitted to the court, claiming he and Bankston had reached a pretrial agreement on admitting the footage into evidence.

The plaintiff's attorney disagreed, saying: 'That is a list of videos produced. I did not agree that they be introduced.'

'Bankston is being dishonest with the court,' Reynal replied, repeating his claim that they'd reached an agreement. Bankston repeated his denial, adding any sort of agreement would've been submitted to the court in writing.

The brawl followed a heated two days of testimony that saw a detective tell the court Alex Jones twisted the truth about the shooting being a hoax to his InfoWars audience to gain 'power or money.' Jones is pictured in court Wednesday

Guerra Gamble ordered the pair to work together and reach an agreement about the videos, noting: 'If you are going to call other attorneys in my courtroom dishonest, you have to back that up.'

The judge left the courtroom and Bankston approached Reynal to discuss the exhibits. The discussion got heated, with Reynal getting close to Bankston face and repeatedly calling him a liar, before raising his middle finger at him.

Bankston told Reynal to back off before fellow attorney Bill Ogden interjected and told the two to discuss the videos on a phone call after they had calmed down.

Reynal apologized in court Thursday, before the jury arrived, according to Insider.

'I apologize for yesterday's outburst,' he allegedly said. 'It wasn't appropriate.'

Guerra Gamble replied: 'Next time anyone wants to have an argument, you need to take it outside.'

Mark Bankston argued Jones repeatedly 'lied and attacked the parents of murdered children' when he told his Infowars audience that the shooting was a hoax. The lawyer is pictured in court Wednesday asking questions about a photo depicting children from Sandy Hook singing at the Super Bowl

Thursday's testimony featured a probe of Infowars producer Daria Karpova about the nature of the show's position on the shooting.

'As a corporate representative for Infowars, what is the companys position as to what it was trying to do with its coverage of Sandy Hook?' Reynal asked, The News-Times reported.

Karpova replied: 'Alex believed there were children that were murdered at the school but questioned heavily the events of that day and government involvement.'

The court was also played video of the host acknowledging the deaths.

'Did you hear Alex Jones say on the video, "I believe children died at Sandy Hook?"' Reynal asked.

'He did say that,' said Karpova.

Karpova, had taken the stand on Tuesday and Wednesday, arguing how Jones 'genuinely' believed the shooting was a hoax when he made his public remarks on Infowars.

She was probed about several videos, including one titled Crisis actors used at Sandy Hook! Special Report and another titled Revealed: Sandy Hook Truth Exposed.

Infowars producer Daria Karpova (pictured Wednesday) told the courtroom Jones was being 'genuine' when discussing conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook attack and 'believed everything from his heart'

Karpova told the court the video headlines were 'meant to grab a person's attention, so they can see the video' for further details, a practice she alleged is used often in 'mainstream media.'

The producer was also questioned about the appearance of Wolfgang Halbig, who portrayed himself as a school security expert, on the show and whether it was her job to vet guests.

'It just would not be possible to verify everything,' she said, according to KXAN. Karpova added she would 'do her best' to verify guest's credentials, but noted the show cannot control its guests.

'The beauty of Alex Jones' show is that it is a live show, it is not scripted,' she said.

Karpova argued Infowars 'give the guests a platform and let the audience decide' whether or not to listen.

Halbig has also been accused of released the personal information of Sandy Hook victims and taunting them or emailing them photographs of what he claimed were their dead children 'all grown up.'

Reynal (pictured during opening statements Tuesday) accused Bankston of 'being dishonest with the court' and said the plaintiff was lying about an agreement they had allegedly made about the videos. Bankston (not pictured) denied the claims

During the first day of testimony, the jury saw video clips of Jones claiming on his InfoWars program that the shooting was a hoax and 'the whole thing was completely fake. ... It just didn't happen.'

The detective who led the investigation into the school attack testified Tuesday that there are three types of people who deny that it happened and harass the victims' families: the mentally ill, those who believed bad or incomplete information, and those who knew the truth but twisted it for their own 'power or money.'

Investigators put Jones in that final group, Connecticut State Police Detective Daniel Jewiss told the jury.

'They were the most dangerous. That's where we put Alex Jones,' Jewiss said.

'It's absolutely horrific the amount of trauma they've had to endure in the wake of having lost a loved one,' he added, noting that supporting the Sandy Hook families the 'most honorable' thing he's ever been part of.

Bankston argued Jones repeatedly 'lied and attacked the parents of murdered children' when he told his Infowars audience that the shooting was a hoax.

He created a 'massive campaign of lies' and recruited 'wild extremists from the fringes of the internet ... who were as cruel as Mr. Jones wanted them to be' to the families of the 20 first-graders and six educators who were killed, the lawyer said.

He also accused Jones of tapping into the explosive popularity of Sandy Hook conspiracy stories that became an 'obsession' for the website, even years after the shooting.

Anticipating Reynal would argue that what Jones said about Sandy Hook was speech protected by the First Amendment, Bankston added: 'This has nothing to do with the Constitution. Defamation is not protected by freedom of speech. ... Speech is free, but lies you have to pay for.'

Alex Jones arrived in Texas court for his defamation trial on Tuesday with piece of tape over his mouth that said 'Save the 1st' Amendment

Reynal hit back, calling Jones one of the 'most polarizing figures in this nation,' who made statements about Sandy Hook 'that we don't dispute were wrong.'

But he said Jones has already been punished for those statements when he was 'cancelled' and lost millions of dollars after being kicked off of Facebook, YouTube, Spotify and Twitter for violating their hate speech policies.

Reynal painted a picture of a talk show host who 'tries to give an alternative view' but who was duped by some of his guests.

'Alex Jones was wrong to believe these people, but he didn't do it out of spite. He did it because he believed it. ... He believed a citizen has a right to get on Infowars and talk about what their questions are,' Reynal said.

He also called the case an important one for free speech, saying: 'I believe in his right to say it, and I believe in every American's right to choose what they watch, and listen to, and believe.'

Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis (pictured Wednesday) are seeking $150 million in damages from Jones - 'one dollar for every one of those people in emotional damage' and an additional $75 million for the damage to their reputations

Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis are the parents of six-year-old Jesse Lewis, who was killed in the Sandy Hook massacre. His photo was presented to the court on Tuesday

Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis are seeking $150 million in damages from Jones - 'one dollar for every one of those people in emotional damage' and an additional $75 million for the damage to their reputations.

Reynal has called on the jury to limit the damages to $1.

The jury could deal Jones a major financial blow that would put his constellation of conspiracy peddling businesses into deeper jeopardy. In addition to being banned from major social media platforms, he claims he's millions of dollars in debt - a claim the plaintiffs reject.

The Texas court and another in Connecticut found Jones liable for defamation for his portrayal of the Sandy Hook massacre as a hoax involving actors aimed at increasing gun control. In both states, the judges issued default judgments against Jones without trials because he failed to respond to court orders and turn over documents.

In total, the families of eight Sandy Hook victims and an FBI agent who responded to the school are suing Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems.

Jones has since acknowledged that the shooting took place. During a deposition in April, Jones insisted he wasn't responsible for the suffering that Sandy Hook parents say they have endured because of the hoax conspiracy, including death threats and harassment by Jones followers.

Jones claimed in court records last year that he had a negative net worth of $20 million, but attorneys for Sandy Hook families have painted a different financial picture.

Court records show that Jones' Infowars store, which sells nutritional supplements and survival gear, made more than $165 million between 2015 and 2018. Jones has also urged listeners on his Infowars program to donate money.

The tribal began Monday in Austin, Texas - where Jones lives and broadcasts his show - following months of delays.

It also comes about two months after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, which is about 145 miles (235 kilometers) southwest of Austin. It was the deadliest school shooting since Sandy Hook.
In the last two years, a US judge has ordered members of Saudi Arabia's royal family to be questioned over the catastrophic terror attacks in 2001 which changed the course of America's foreign policy forever.

Of the 19 hijackers who took over the commercial aircrafts and crashed into the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, 15 were Saudi nationals.

Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives during the suicide terror attack planned by militant Islamic extremist network al-Qaeda, many of their families are now part of a lawsuit attempting to link 9/11 to Saudi officials.

We take a look into the connections between the Saudi Arabian royal family and the 9/11 terror attacks, which changed the course of US history into the 21st century:

How many Saudis took part in 9/11?

Although the Saudi government has not been directly linked to the 9/11 attacks, 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals.

Aside from the 15 Saudi citizens, two were from the United Arab Emirates, one was from Lebanon, and one was from Egypt.

The Saudi nationals who partook in the highjacking that hit the North Twin Tower, were: Abdulaziz al-Omari, Wail al-Shehri, Waleed al-Shehri, and Satam al-Suqami.

The second plane, United flight 175, which hit the South Tower, contained three more Saudi nationals: Mohand al-Shehri, Hamza al-Ghamdi, and Ahmed al-Ghamdi.

Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud (pictured) - who was the kingdom's US ambassador - had a man on his payroll who the FBI believed may have had '50/50 chance' of having 'advanced knowledge' of America's most deadly terror attack

Mark Rossini, (pictured) who was an FBI counter-terror expert working in the CIA in 2001, tried to warn authorities in the summer months before the attacks that al-Qaeda operatives were in the US.

Omar al-Bayoumi (pictured) was a California-based Saudi spy who helped several 9/11 hijackers to find housing in San Diego ahead of the attacks. Bayoumi was on the payroll of Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud - who was the kingdom's US ambassador

The American Airlines flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon, was made up of five Saudi men. They were: Hani Hanjour, Khalid al-Mihdhar, Majed Moqed, Nawaf al-Hazmi and Salem al-Hazmi.

United flight 93, which ended up crashing in Pennsylvania, was comprised of three Saudi men: Ahmed al-Haznawi, Ahmed al-Nami, and Saeed al-Ghamdi.

FBI documents released last year claim that at least 'a dozen' high up officials in the government were involved in supporting the hijackers.

The mastermind Osama bin Laden, who was behind the attacks, was from a prominent Saudi family and set up training camps in Afghanistan.

What is the Saudi connection with the terror attack?

There has long been conspiracy that there was a strong Saudi connection with the terror attacks on September 11.

In a dossier, it was revealed that California-based Saudi spy, Omar al-Bayoumi, helped several 9/11 hijackers to find housing in San Diego.

But more significantly, the declassified FBI document said that there was a '50/50 chance' he 'had advanced knowledge' of America's most deadly terror attack.

Bayoumi was on the payroll of Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud - who was the kingdom's US ambassador.

And in turn, the ambassador was close with President George Bush himself, visited the White House often and even gained the nickname 'Bandar Bush.'

Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, (left) who was also the US ambassador, was close with President George Bush (center), and he visited the White House often and even gained the nickname 'Bandar Bush'

Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud (pictured) was one of the people subpoenaed - but as of September 2021, he has not yet testified.

The link was revealed in a 510-page secret FBI report, written in 2017, which was declassified earlier this year.

This explosive potential connection was kept a secret from Congressional investigators, as well as the more than 10,000 citizens who launched a federal lawsuit that attempted to link the 9/11 terror attack to Saudi officials.

The report was kept a secret by the FBI and Justice Department until early 2022.

James Kreindler, one of the lead attorneys in a lawsuit brought on by more than 10,000 9/11 victims and their relatives against the Saudi government, said at the time: 'Its exactly what weve been saying.

'Saudi government officials at a high level were integral to the 9/11 attacks.'

Mark Rossini, who was an FBI counter-terror expert working in the CIA in 2001, tried to warn authorities in the summer months before the attacks that al-Qaeda operatives were in the US.

His team, under Alec Station, did not tell the FBI when a team of terrorists entered the US in the months before 9/11. The information was only passed between the organizations a few weeks before the attacks, by which time many of the people involved had disappeared.

He told northjersey.com: 'This latest report just shows what we have known all along, but disgustingly has taken 20 years to finally be disclosed.'

The Saudi government has denied involvement in the attacks.

What did the FBI conclude?

The FBI concluded that California-based spy Bayoumi regularly passed intelligence findings to US ambassador Bandar.

It said: 'The information AlBayoumi (sic) obtained on persons of interest in the Saudi community in Los Angeles and San Diego and other issues, which met certain GIP intelligence requirements, would be forwarded to Bandar. Bander (sic) would then inform GIP of items of interest to the GIP for further investigation/vetting or follow up.'

Bayoumi met with two members of Bin Laden's terror organization in early 2000, as they were preparing for the September 11, 2001 attacks. However, the report does not state if that information was passed on to Bandar.

A total of 2,996 victims lost their lives during the terror attack, which rocked the US and changed the course of American foreign policy forever

Khalid al Mihdhar and Nawaf al Hazmi were both well known al-Qaeda operatives before they joined the 19 hijackers in the 9/11 attack. They traveled from Bangkok in Thailand to Los Angeles, where they then met Bayoumi.

The two members who Bayoumi became acquainted with then traveled to New Jersey - where they met up with other 9/11 conspirators, opened bank accounts, and rented cars.

The FBI did not conclude if Bayoumi, now 63, ever knew that the two 9/11 attackers left California for New Jersey.

Bander, now 73, lives in Saudi Arabia after working for the head of the Saudi intelligence service and the Saudi National Security Council.

Why have judges subpoenaed Saudi princes?

In September 2020, two members of Saudi Arabia's royal family were called to answer questions about the 9/11 attacks.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn ordered Saudi Arabia to make the royals, as well as other Saudi witnesses, including government officials, available for depositions.

Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud was one of the people subpoenaed - but as of September 2021, he has not yet testified.
A heartbroken father whose dead daughters identity was stolen by a couple accused of being KGB spies has blasted them, saying shame on you.

Walter Glenn Primrose and Gwynne Darle Morrison have both been arrested on suspicion of stealing the identities of infants Bobby Edward Fort and Julie Lyn Montague.

The tots were just two months and two weeks old when they died, but the couple, both in their 60s, allegedly used their names for decades according to federal court records unsealed in Honolulu.

Primrose and Morrison both obtained false passports, driving licenses and Defense Department credentials after taking the infants identities and using them as their own.

Old photos show the couple posing as they wear KGB uniforms, which their lawyer claims is a joke, as prosecutors are seeking to have the couple held without bail.

Primrose was able to get security clearance with the USE Coast Guard using three-month-old Fort and three-week old Montagues birth certificate.

John Montague, 91, did not even get to meet little Julie Lyn as she was so sick when she was born in 1968 he and his wife were unable to take her home in Dallas, Texas.

Speaking to the DailyMail.com, Montague said: When I heard about it all it was a shock to me. It was sad too that someone would use a little deceased babys name like that, after all these years.

John Montague, 91, pictured, did not even get to meet little Julie Lyn as she was so sick when she was born in 1968 he and his wife were unable to take her home in Dallas, Texas. His wife passed away in 2003, but he said that she would be upset to hear the news about their daughter

Gwynne Darle Morrison used the identity of Julie Lyn Montague, who died aged three weeks after being born with a birth defect in Burnet, Texas. Her father John said the case had brought back 'sad memories' for the family and that they were all 'shocked' at the development

Little Julie Lyn was born with a birth defect, and her parents were unable to hold her or even take her home. Her sister Tonda said 'it feels like an invasion of your personal emotions'

This undated photo provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii shows Gwynn Darle Morrison, aka Julie Lyn Montague Federal authorities say the pair lived for decades under the identities of two dead Texas children

Julie sister Tonda, pictured with dad John, was devastated when she found out that her name had been used by the couple. She said for somebody to steal her name and use it, in an evil way, I just cant imagine what kind of human would do something like that

My wife died in 2003, but she would have been upset about this whole thing too. My whole family is just in shock.

I havent heard anything from the police or FBI, the first I heard about it was a reported asking me about my daughter.

Julie Lyn only lived for two weeks. It brings back really sad memories, it was hard on us when we lost her and its been 54 years.

My wife and I never got to see her, she was in the hospital, and we never even brought her home.

Doctors said that she had a bad birth defect and that she wasnt going to live. We buried her and we had three other children together.

I guess shes been using her name for a really long time. Its odd, none of us have any idea how she got the name other than going to the cemetery.

I guess what I would say to the woman is shame on her, for doing that. I told my other children and theyre shocked about this.

Its sad to take anyones name. It scares you to think about what people are up to when they are using assumed names. You dont know who they are or what theyre doing.

We had no idea it was going on, its shocked and scared me. I couldnt believe it when I found out I thought it was a bad dream.

I cant understand why she took her name out of all the ones in the cemetery.

Bobby Edward Fort died in October 1967, just two months and twenty days after he was born, and was buried just 14 miles from Montague in Texas.

Montague passed away in January 1968, and was born in Shepperds Memorial Hospital  the same as Fort  and is buried in Burnet, Texas, where the family lived at the time.

Her sister, Tonda Ferguson, was just eight years old when her sister died, and said that she was dumbfounded by the whole situation.

Tonda, 68, told DailyMail.com: Its horrible. We didnt know anything about it until my dad called us.

Its so surreal. I think dad and I are just totally caught of guard, dumbfounded by the whole thing trying to think of a way to describe it.

Primrose was able to get security clearance with the USE Coast Guard using three-month-old Fort and three-week old Montagues birth certificate. Little Julies family have said the couple should feel shame for using their names in that way

Walter Glenn Primose, pictured, was also known as Bobby Edward Fort. He enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1994 as Fort, despite there being more than a decade between their ages

Bobby Edward Fort died in October 1967, just two months and twenty days after he was born, and was buried just 14 miles from Montague in Texas

Walter Glenn Primose, right , and his wife Gwynn Darle Morrison, left, purportedly posed while wearing jackets worn by the KGB, the former Russian spy agency. However their attorney has claimed that the pictures were a 'joke'

It feels like an invasion of your personal emotions. My sister was born 54 years ago and she only lived three weeks and we never got to hold her.

But Im really very proud that today she knows she has a big sister and a wonderful father standing up for her and protecting her.

My sweet sister came from a place of love and for somebody to steal her name and use it, in an evil way and not the right way. I just cant imagine what kind of human would do something like that.

Im shocked and saddened. Let that sweet baby rest in peace. My heart breaks for the mother of the other baby as well.

Primrose and Gwynn Darle Morrison were arrested on Friday in Kapolei on the island of Oahu, with a close associate claiming that Morrison lived in Romania while it was a Soviet bloc country.

Assistant US Attorney Thomas Muehleck believes that there is a high risk the couple would flee if free.

They also suggested that Primrose, who was an avionics electrical technician in the Coast Guard, was highly skilled to communicate secretly if released.

Morrisons attorney Megan Kau told The Associated Press, that the couple have lived law-abiding lives for three decades even if they used new identities.

She added that her client never lived in Romania and that she and Primrose tried the same jacket on as a joke and posed for photos in it.

Kau said: 'She wants everyone to know she's not a spy. This has all been blown way out of proportion. It's government overreaching.'

The home where U.S. defense contractor Walter Glenn Primrose and his wife, Gwynn Darlle Morrison, lived for years allegedly under aliases is pictured in Kapolei, Hawaii

The tots were just two months and two weeks old when they died, but the couple, both in their 60s, allegedly used their names for decades according to federal court records unsealed in Honolulu. Julies sister Tonda, pictured, said that her heart breaks for the family of baby Bobby

Mai Ly Schara, the neighbor of U.S. defense contractor Walter Glenn Primrose and his wife, Gwynn Darlle Morrison said that when the FBI showed up it was 'crazy'

They married in 1980, and there is no indication in the court papers as to why the couple assumed the identities of the deceased children in 1987. Both have been charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the US, false statement in passport application and aggravated identity theft

Primrose and Morrison were born in 1955 and they attended high school together in Port Lavaca, Texas, before going to Stephen F. Austin University, according to court records.

They married in 1980, and there is no indication in the court papers as to why the couple assumed the identities of the deceased children in 1987.

An affidavit filed by Special Agent Dennis Thomas of the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service noted that the couple lost their home in Nacogdoches, Texas, to foreclosure that year.

They remarried under their assumed names in 1988, and Primrose, aged 39, then enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1994 as Fort, who would have been about 27.

The couple used the identities of the tots, who would have been more than a decade younger than them, to get multiple passports under their names.

Primrose was in the service until 2016, when he began work for an unnamed defense contractor at the US Coast Guard Air station at Barbers Point.

The court document claims: 'While he held that secret clearance with the US Coast Guard, defendant Primrose was required to report any foreign travel.

'Investigation has revealed that defendant Primrose did not report several trips to Canada while he did report other foreign travel.'

But in 1999 Primrose also applied for and was issued a passport under his legal name while also holding a passport in Fort's name.

The couple lived in a Honolulu suburb in a modest two-bedroom bungalow beneath palm trees.

Neighbour Mai Ly Schara said the couple, who she knew as Bob and Lynn, owned a neighboring house they rented to military personnel.

She said: 'They kept to themselves, but they were friendly. They just kind of were, like, a little nerdy.'

The FBI created a scene in the quiet neighborhood when they searched the house and took photos.

'It was just shocking, like, oh my gosh,' Schara said. 'It was pretty crazy.'

The couple is charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the US, false statement in passport application and aggravated identity theft.

The State Department declined to comment on the arrests.
The Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon has requested a the reversal of a 1994 death sentence of a 'mentally' ill man who killed two college students, calling the penalty 'racist and morally untenable.'

Raymond Oscar Butler, now 46, was 18 years old when he killed Marymount California University students Takuma Ito and Go Matsuura in a 1994 carjacking in San Pedro.

Gascon has now requested to overturn his capital punishment sentence in a 264-page filing earlier this month, according to the Whittier Daily News. The DA said the murderer suffered from 'significant cognitive impairment' during the time of the crime due to mental illness and trauma.

The motion stated that Butler's cognitive impairment caused him to abuse drugs and alcohol to numb his distress, the Whittier Daily News reported.

If the motion is granted, Butler's sentenced will be reduced to life without parole. However, it does not reverse the separate death penalty Butler received for fatally stabbing another inmate in 2012.

In a video posted to his Twitter, Gascon - who is strongly against capital punishment - said that 'over 50 percent of the people that are on death row today, including those from this county, which is approximately 250, have severe mental health problems.'

Scroll down for video

Raymond Oscar Butler, now 46, was 18 years old when he killed Marymount California University students Takuma Ito and Go Matsuura in a 1994 carjacking in San Pedro

The two aspiring filmmakers (pictured) had pulled into Ralph's grocery story after having dinner with their friends when Butler shot them both in the back of the head and carjacked them

Los Angeles DA George Gascon, 68, recently filed a 264-page report calling for the reversal of Butler's death penalty sentence, asking for it to be reduced to life without parole (pictured: Butler in 1994)

He also criticize the mass amounts of money that goes into capital punishment. Capital punishment costs more than imprisoning an inmate for life.

Gascon said imprisoning inmates for life without parole costs around $100,000 a year, whereas death row convicts cost around 'a half-a-million dollars a year.'

The DA, who has been immensely criticized for his lax bail laws, said he was 'against the death penalty, but that does not equate to no accountability.'

The 68-year-old also criticized that the death penalty has been 'disproportionately applied to people of color, to poor people, to people with mental health problems.'

However, no matter how Gascon morally justifies his decision, critics are blaming him for not being 'transparent' and not 'respecting the jury's decision.'

'George Gascon doesnt subscribe, understand, or agree with these values. And, as this case makes clear, he still believes he is above the law and beyond question,' Eric Siddall, the VP of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, told the Whittier Daily News.

Back in 1994, the students' murder garnered international headlines after they were fatally shot on March 25 in a supermarket parking lot.

The aspiring filmmakers had just finished having dinner with friends when had pulled into Ralph's when Butler carjack them.

Gascon, who is largely against the death penalty, said Butler's sentence was 'racist and morally untenable' due to his mental illness. He also argued that 'over 50 percent' of death row inmates are mentally ill, people of color, or poor and it costs significantly more to house them than regular inmates

Butler shot both men in the back of the head before jumping into the 1994 Honda Civic after dumping the bodies.

The men were taken to the hospital and put on life support until their families were able to fly over from Japan.

Butler was arrested a few days later after being picked out of a lineup.

At the time, Butler's mother Donna said the 'system' had failed him and her son suffered from suicidal tendencies and alcohol addiction, the Los Angeles Times reported in 1994.

Butler attempted suicide at the age of 17 by drinking two bottles of liquor and had been committed to a psychiatric hospital for 72 hours, his mother said in 1994. She reportedly begged doctors to keep him longer, but he was discharged after his mandatory hold.
President Joe Biden plans to meet 'face to face' with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a future date, a senior administration official said Thursday following a fifth call between the two leaders.

The call comes at a time of deep tensions between the U.S. and China, with Beijing issuing warnings about a potential visit to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and China lining up with Russia even amid Moscow's war on Ukraine.

'President Biden has continually emphasized the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to ensure that the United States and China manage our differences and work together on areas of shared interest. This call was part of our ongoing efforts to do that. They also discussed the value of meeting face to face and agreed to have their teams follow up to find a mutually agreeable time to do so,' according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters.

The official declined to weigh in on Pelosi's expected trip, which has not been officially announced, but which has brought a stiff warning from Beijing.

President Joe Biden posted an image to his Twitter from a two-hour call Thursday morning with Chinese President Xi Jinping  the fifth between the two since Biden took office

Chinese state media released some excerpts from the call, including Xi telling Biden: 'Those who play with fire will only get burnt. Hope the U.S. side can see this clearly.'

When asked to weigh in on whether this statement was an escalation in tensions, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre deflected and declined to comment.

'They had a very direct conversation. They've known each other for some time. President Biden has known President Xi for about four decades,' Karine detailed during her daily briefing on Thursday.

Further pushed on if the call helped lower tensions, Jean-Pierre reiterated that the call was 'straight forward,' but wouldn't comment further.

She said that what was covered in the call was 'the need to resolve American citizens who are wrongfully detained' in China 'as well as longstanding concerns about human rights.'

The U.S. official on the call Thursday expanded on the meeting, telling reporters that the conversation was 'substantive' as well as 'in-depth' and 'candid.'

The official used diplomatic boilerplate language to describe the tensions in Taiwan.

'On Taiwan he had a direct and honest discussion. President Biden reaffirmed the United States commitment to our one China policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, three joint communiques and the six assurances He underscored to President Xi the United States opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo by either side and commitment to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,' said the official.

The official also responded to the 'play with fire' line by saying: 'I'm not going to get into characterizing the PRC position on things. I will leave that to them. I will note that President Xi used similar language in the conversation that the two of us had back in in November.'

Chinese state media said that during the call, Xi said he firmly opposes Taiwan independence and the interference of external forces.

On the other hand, Biden expressed during the two-hour call that the U.S. stance on the issue has not changed, according to a White House read out of the long distance meeting.

'On Taiwan, President Biden underscored that the United States policy has not changed and that the United States strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,' the readout states.
At least 16 people, including 13 Venezuelans bound for the United States border were killed after the bus they were traveling on crashed in Nicaragua on Thursday.

A Nicaraguan citizen was also among the dead, according to a police statement. Authorities were awaiting to confirm the identities of two other people who were killed.

A total of 47 people were injured and taken to San Juan de Dios Hospital in Esteli. Their nationalities have not been released.

As many as 16 people have been confirmed dead by authorities after a bus crashed on a highway in the northwestern Nicaragua department of Esteli on Wednesday night

A police officer collects shoes from the bus following the crash that left 16 people dead and 47 others injured in Nicaragua on Wednesday evening

Authorities inspect a bus after it crashed in Nicaragua on Wednesday and left 16 people dead, including 13 Venezuelan migrants bound for the United States. Authorities said 47 people were also injured and were taken to a local hospital

Police said Alfredo Palma, 46, was driving the bus at an excessive speed when he collided with two vehicles on the Pan-American highway in the Esteli city of Condega.

He lost control of the coach before it veered off the road and landed upside down off a steep drop.

Palma was taken into custody and is awaiting to be charged.

The police did not say what status the Venezuelans had in Nicaragua.

However, David Smolansky, the former mayor of the Venezuelan town of El Hatillo, revealed on Twitter that the victims were part of a group headed to the southern United States border region with Mexico.

Police officers collect the baggage removed from a wrecked bus that crashed on the Pan-American highway in Esteli, Nicaragua, and left 16 people dead, including 13 Venezuelan migrants, on Wednesday night

The Nicaraguan National Police said the crashed was caused by the driver of the speeding bus who collided with two vehicles before he lost control of the coach and landed in a steep hill

Members of the criminalistic police check the belongings of deceased people outside the morgue in Managua, the Nicaraguan capital

Authorities have so far confirmed the deaths of 16 people, including 13 Venezuelans, after a bus crashed on a highway in the northwestern Nicaragua department of Esteli on Wednesday night

Venezuelans have been migrating through Central America in growing numbers since Mexico imposed a visa requirement on them in late January.

Previously those trying to reach the U.S. would fly to Mexico as tourists and then make their way north.

Since 2015 more than 6 million Venezuelan people have fled the oil-rich nation due to an economic crisis that has left many residents unable to obtain basic food and medicine.

The United States and dozens of other countries disavowed President Nicolas Maduro after his disputed 2018 election, which they say was rigged. They instead recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is head of the country's legislature, as the interim president.
Bruce Springsteen's manager is defending the legendary rocker's ticket costs after he was slammed by a paper in his home state of New Jersey after prices skyrocketed to more than $5,000.

Jon Landau, Springsteen's manager who famously called 'The Boss' the future of rock n' roll in a 1974, is doubling down on the exorbitant costs to see the 72-year-old rocker.

Landau told the New York Times in a statement: 'In pricing tickets for this tour, we looked carefully at what our peers have been doing. We chose prices that are lower than some and on par with others'.

He added that despite this methodology, he felt that the average ticket price of $200 was 'modest for someone of Springsteen's star power.

'I believe that in today's environment, that is a fair price to see someone universally regarded as among the very greatest artists of his generation,' he added.

This comes the same day the New Jersey State Assembly announced it would hold hearings regarding Ticketmasters pricing policies in direct response to customers' experience getting Springsteen tickets, according to NJ Spotlight News.

Bruce Springsteen's manager is defending the legendary rocker's ticket costs after he was slammed by a paper in his home state of New Jersey after prices skyrocketed to more than $5,000

Jon Landau, Springsteen's manager who famously called 'The Boss' the future of rock n' roll in a 1974, is doubling down on the exorbitant costs to see the 72-year-old rocker

Landau told the New York Times in a statement: 'In pricing tickets for this tour, we looked carefully at what our peers have been doing. We chose prices that are lower than some and on par with others'

A spokeswoman for Ticketmaster told DailyMail.com: '88.2 per cent of tickets were sold at set prices. The prices for arena shows ranged from $59.50 to $399 before service fees, and the average set ticket price was $202.

'The average price of all tickets sold was $262, and only 1.3% of total tickets across the shows sold for more than $1K.

'Prices and formats are consistent with industry standards for top performers.'

They added that 56 per cent were sold for under $200, 11 per cent between $150 and $200, 27 per cent between $100 and $150 and 18 per cent of all tickets sold were under $99.

Although the 'dynamic pricing' system has caused headaches for music fans before the prices for Springsteen are nearly five times as high.

The tour, which is playing arenas and stadiums across Europe and North America, will be Springsteen's first with his beloved E Street Band in six years.

The Boss last performed live with a lengthy run on Broadway that also saw huge prices for entry.

The show, which opened to rave reviews in 2017 at New York's Walter Kerr Theater, is sold out on Broadway's official ticket-selling service where tickets were originally listed for between $200 and $875 each.

As is the norm with big-name acts, a wave were bought by secondary handlers and are now being sold for 14 times their original price.

On StubHub, the most popular of them, two seats in Row A in the Orchestra Center section of the 960-seat Walter Kerr Theater on the show's closing night are being sold at $12,500 each.

Others are being sold for $10,000 and $5,000 a piece and the cheapest on StubHub are $1,950.

Springsteen eventually brought the show back as one of the first Broadway productions to return post-COVID in 2021.

In an op-ed about The Boss, NJ.com declared that he 'doesn't care' about his fans, adding: 'Springsteen, the artist who has defined his career by singing about working-class and disenfranchised Americans, has forgotten his fans.' '

Springsteen, 72, has always been revered in New Jersey, a popular local boy, but the latest price hike in tickets has seen even his most stalwart fans thinking of turning their back on him.

The piece continued: 'It is exceedingly clear that Bruce Springsteen does not care how much a given fan spends to see him play.'

Tickets for mid-floor range seats fetched for in the mid-four figures on the first day of sales while less desirable seats are still over $1,000.

The tour, which is playing arenas and stadiums across Europe and North America, will be Springsteen's first with his beloved E Street Band in six years

Tickets at the Hard Rock Live show are going for a whopping $5,600 for the show, with the cheapest on offer still an eye-watering $850

Other fans have called him a 'joke', claiming that despite him 'championing the working class' he is now 'full of c***'

After his last tour in 2016, floor seats were only $164, but this time around are ballooning to more than $4,300 at face value.

The eye-watering prices were a result of Ticketmaster's 'dynamic pricing' in which 'platinum tickets' fluctuate in price based on ongoing demand.

'Platinum tickets' can be located anywhere in the arena, with the sales rising to a level its believed resellers would get for them.

Raging fans have slammed their musical hero, claiming the ticket prices are 'daylight robbery' and Springsteen himself is 'full of c***'.

One said: '$4000 to $5000 to see Bruce Springsteen pfft daylight robbery. I am not that crazy for his music but this is f****d up just retire.'

Another added: 'Death, taxes and fans p****d off at Ticketmaster for extortionate ticket practices.

Steven Van Zandt, Springsteen's longtime sidekick and guitarist, is the only person involved in the show to publicly respond to the complaints so far

The eye-watering prices were a result of Ticketmaster's 'dynamic pricing' in which 'platinum tickets' fluctuate in price based on ongoing demand (pictured in June 2022)

'I'm sorry @springsteen, but for a guy who's always championed the working man these prices are a joke.'

Steven Van Zandt, Springsteen's longtime sidekick and guitarist, is the only person involved in the show to publicly respond to the complaints so far.

A fan messaged the musician and asked if he had seen the cost of the tickets, to which he replied: 'I have nothing whatsoever to do with the prices of tickets. Nothing.'

One fan has even set up a GoFundMe in an attempt to get hold of the tickets for him and his wife at the rapidly rising price.

Last week, fans of rapper Drake were infuriated when platinum tickets to his Young Money reunion show in Canada went for $573, with premium seats going as high as $1,480 on Ticketmaster.

The backlash against 'dynamic pricing,' which has been in place since 2011, originally gained steam in 2018 when Taylor Swift ticket prices soared to $995, almost double what they were originally going for

The ticket pricing surge happened in May for tickets to Harry Styles' tour

Back in May, fans of Harry Styles lashed out against the ticketing company when prices for the platinum tickets went for more than $1,000, and in February, fans of Paul McCartney complained when tickets to the icons summer show at the MetLife Stadium rose over $500.

Prior to the Springsteen incident, the loudest outrage against Ticketmaster's system came in 2018, when fans of Taylor Swift called out tickets that went for as much as $995 when they were originally priced at $595 for the artist's Reputation tour.

On platinum tickets, Ticketmaster says on their FAQ page: 'Platinum tickets are being sold for the very first time through Ticketmaster.

The prices are adjusted according to supply and demand, similar to how airline tickets and hotel rooms are sold.

'The goal is to give the most passionate fans fair and safe access to the most in-demand tickets while allowing the artists and everyone involved in staging live events to price tickets closer to their fair value.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Bruce Springsteen for comment.
An Alabama man on death row for capital murder is set to be executed on Thursday despite pleas from the victim's children asking for his life to be spared.

Joe Nathan James Jr. will die by lethal injection at 6pm at a south Alabama prison after serving nearly three decades behind bars for the 1994 shooting death of his ex-girlfriend, Faith Hall.

Joe James, Jr. ( pictured) will die by lethal injection at a south Alabama prison on Thursday, which will be the state's second of the year. James fatally shot and killed his ex-girlfriend, Faith Hall, who was a 26-year-old mother of two, in 1994

Faith Hall (pictured) seen in this undated photo, was just 26 years old at the time of her murder

The victim's daughter, Terrlyn (pictured left) and Hall's brother Obito (pictured right) tried to prevent James from execution and instead wanted him to serve a life sentence behind bars but their request was denied by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey

Hall was a 26-year-old at the time of her murder and a young mother.

Hall's adult daughters, who were only 3 and 6 years old at the time of her death and, adult son and Hill's brother are now fighting to prevent James from being executed.

They instead are asking that the judge or the governor give James life in prison without the possibility of parole.

'I just feel like we cant play God. We can't take a life. And its not going to bring my mom back,' Terrlyn Hall told The Associated Press in a recent telephone interview.

She added: 'It won't bring our mom back.'

State Representative Wanda Lingo sent a letter to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Friday trying to stay the execution, but their requests were denied.

On Wednesday, Ivey said she planned for the execution to proceed.

'Family members just want a voice in the decision,' the victim's brother said, ABC 33/40News, 'We tried.'

Hall's family members told ABC News that they plan to attend part of the execution.

James briefly dated Hall and had become obsessed with her after she rejected him. He stalked and harassed the young woman for months before he killed her on August 15, 1994, prosecutors said.

On the night she was killed, Hall had been out shopping with a friend when James reportedly forced himself into Hall's friend's apartment pulled a gun from his waistband and shot the young woman three times, according to court documents, the AP reported.

In 1996, James was first convicted of capital murder by a jury in Jefferson County and voted to recommend the death penalty, which a judge imposed.

The conviction was overturned when a state appeals court ruled a judge had wrongly admitted some police reports into evidence.

In 1989, James was retried and sentenced again in the death of Hall, when jurors rejected defense claims that James was under emotional duress at the time of the shooting.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall had urged Ivey to let the execution go forward, writing that 'it is our obligation to ensure that justice is done for the people of Alabama.'

Marshall said: 'The jury in Jamess case unanimously decided that his brutal murder of Faith Hall warranted a sentence of death.'

On Wednesday, Ivey said she would not intervene in the attorney general's decision.

'My staff and I have researched all the records and all the facts and theres no reason to change the procedure or modify the outcome. The execution will go forward,' she said.

James argued that Ivey's refusal violates religious freedom laws because the Koran and the Bible 'place the concept of forgiveness paramount in this situation.'

James has acted as his own attorney in his bid to stop his execution, mailing handwritten lawsuits and appeal notices to the courts from death row.

A lawyer on Wednesday filed the latest appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court on his behalf.

James asked justices for a stay, noting the opposition of Hall's family and arguing that Alabama did not give inmates adequate notice of their right to select an alternate execution method.

The state argued that James waited too late to begin trying to postpone his execution and 'should not be rewarded for his transparent attempt to game the system,' which lacks merit anyway.

While the feelings of the victim's family deserve to be considered, it said, they aren't reason for a court to delay the execution.

James argued that Alabama officials, after lawmakers approved nitrogen hypoxia as a new execution method, gave inmates only a brief window of time to select the new method and inmates did not know what was at stake when they were handed a selection form without any explanation.

Alabama is not scheduling executions for inmates who selected nitrogen. The state has not developed a system for using nitrogen to carry out death sentences.

James would be the second execution in Alabama this year.
President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a ministerial meeting on economy held at the Healthcare Innovation Park at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Yonhap



Supervision and investigation of suspicious short-selling practices to be strengthened



By Anna J. Park



The government will strengthen supervision over short-selling trades that breach the law as well as unfair trade practices related to the practice. There have been growing calls from retail investors to ban short-selling, while several securities firms were found to have violated related rules.



President Yoon Suk-yeol strongly urged financial authorities and prosecutors to draw up measures in order to eradicate wrongful acts surrounding short-selling and stock market manipulation. According to the presidential office on Thursday, Yoon delivered those instructions on Wednesday afternoon.



"With a determination to stamp out illegal practices of short-selling without fail, related ministries, including financial authorities and the prosecution, need to come up with measures on the matter," Yoon said. "Investors' concerns are rising over stock market manipulation using illegal short-selling practices. Under such circumstances, local stock markets cannot earn investors' trust."



Following the president's order, the regulatory Financial Services Commission (FSC), the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the Korea Exchange (KRX) as well as the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (SPO) gathered on Thursday morning to hold a joint meeting to discuss effective measures to curb illegal short-selling practices. They jointly released strengthened punitive measures on short-selling, after the meeting.









First of all, the government will strengthen investigations into allegations of wrongful short-selling practices as well as short-selling related unfair trade practices. Investigations on naked shorting  the illegal practice of short-selling without borrowing shares  will also be reinforced, as supervisions on them will be conducted on a regular basis by the ministries. Naked short-selling is already illegal in Korea and offenders could face prison terms.





Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Kim Joo-hyun, second from right, speaks at a joint meeting attended by key officials from the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the Korea Exchange (KRX) and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (SPO) held at the Korea Development Bank on Yeouido in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of FSC
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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has been pictured soaking up the sun with his new girlfriend Natalie Guerriero Max during a romantic holiday in Sardinia.

The Champions League winner, 48, was snapped with Ms Max, 35, while enjoying time together on a sunset boat trip near to the Mediterranean island.

They also opted for a quick dip in the water, and shared a kiss together before they were whisked back to their 20,000-a-night private resort.

MailOnline exclusively revealed earlier on Thursday that he had been dating his new Brazilian girlfriend for the last two months.

Tuchel has been seeing the glamorous mother-of-two since May, after his divorce to ex-wife Sissi, 46, was finalised earlier this year.

According to a close friend of Natalie's the new couple are 'very happy' and have been spending all their time together, with the business owner jetting to Italy to join Thomas on their first romantic holiday.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has been pictured with his new girlfriend Natalie Guerriero Max during a romantic holiday in Sardinia

The Champions League winner, 48, was snapped with Ms Max, 35, while enjoying time together on a boat in the beautiful Mediterranean island

The Chelsea boss and Ms Max look pensive as they spend some quality time together during the German manager's summer break

Tuchel, pictured here with his ex-wife Sissi, was granted a divorce by a judge at the High Court in London last week

Tuchel has been seeing the glamorous mother-of-two since May, after his divorce to ex-wife Sissi, 46, was finalised in April this year

Tuchel holds onto his trainers and he and Ms Max walk on the beach during their trip to Sardinia

Tuchel and Ms Max appeared all loved up as they gazed into each other's eyes on a boat in the popular Italian hotspot of Sardinia

Tuchel looks on prior to Chelsea'a pre-season friendly against Club America at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas earlier this month

Tuchel has been seen with his new girlfriend Natalie Max (pictured here in 2017) holidaying in Sardinia

The Chelsea manager pictured celebrating his side's Champions League final win with now ex-wife Sissi and their two daughters in May last year

A source told MailOnline: 'Tuchel and Natalie are smitten with each other. They've been dating since May and things are already getting serious between them.

'Natalie flew to Sardinia to join Thomas on their first holiday and they've been spending a lot of quality time together in west London, where she lives with her two children and dog.

'Tuchel is really lovely and has made Natalie's friends feel welcome, he's definitely in this for the long-haul.'

It is thought the new couple's romanced blossomed during dates at an Italian restaurant in west London.

Natalie has two daughters from a previous relationship and lives at a three-story property in Knightsbridge, London, believed to be worth several million.

The Brazilian, who resides a stone's throw away from Harrods, is due back from her holiday with Tuchel at the end of the week.

Tuchel rocked a blue and orange Nike cap while Ms Max donned a grey two piece during their boat trip in Italy

Ms Max was all smiles during her romantic getaway with Tuchel

Tuchel and Ms Max laugh while having a swim in the sea off the coast of Sardinia during a romantic sunset boat trip

The couple ride on a RHIB style boat to the shore after enjoying their boat ride in Sardinia

Ms Max also enjoyed a dip in the Mediterranean sea before the loved-up pair went back to their 20,000-a-night private villa

It was revealed in April that Tuchel had split from his former journalist wife following 13 years of marriage. (Pictured: His new girlfriend Natalie Max)

A source told the Mail On Sunday that Tuchel and his ex-wife 'tried to avoid splitting but in the end, there was no other way.' (Pictured: Tuchel with his new lover in Sardinia this week)

It is thought the new couple's romanced blossomed during dates at an Italian restaurant in west London (pictured: Tuchel enjoying a dip in the Mediterranean during his romantic trip to Sardinia with is new girlfriend)

The townhouse where Natalie lives is in one of London's most expensive districts, where the super-rich fill the streets with Ferraris, Bentleys and Rolls Royces.

As well as Harrods, the area boasts a number of designer fashion stores including Chanel, Burberry, and Harvey Nichols.

The couple are also spoilt for choice with restaurants including Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Gordon Ramsay's Petrus, and The Rosebery.

Hyde Park is just around the corner, as is Kensington Palace and the Royal Albert Hall while Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground is just one and half miles away.

Several other mega-wealthy celebrities reside nearby including Tamara Ecclestone, who lives in a 57-room mansion less than a mile away

While dealing with on and off-the-field issues last season, Tuchel also had to cope with the collapse of his marriage

Disgraced Ghislaine Maxwell also owned a 2.5million mews house a few streets away. Tuchel, and Natalie were holding hands on a romantic boat trip at sunset.

Natalie also enjoyed a dip in the Mediterranean sea before the loved-up pair went back to their 20,000-a-night private villa.

It was revealed in April that Tuchel had split from his former journalist wife following 13 years of marriage.

A source told the Mail On Sunday that the ex-couple 'tried to avoid splitting but in the end, there was no other way.'

Last Wednesday, in a written order, Mr. Justice Mostyn said he was satisfied that Tuchel had behaved in such a way that Mrs. Tuchel could not reasonably be expected to stay with him.

He was satisfied the marriage had broken down irretrievably.

The former couple, who share two daughters together, are believed to have reached a multi-million-pound settlement ahead of a decree absolute, expected in the next six weeks.
Leeds University is being sued by a Jewish graduate who claims she was given a fail in one of her sociology assignments because she did not criticise Israel.

Danielle Greyman said her essay about crimes committed by Hamas against Palestinians did not pass because it did not pin any blame on the Jewish state.

The 23-year-old student, who had never previously failed an essay at university, was forced to resit the module, which she passed. Despite this, Miss Greyman was unable to get her undergraduate degree certificate in time to take up a place on a masters course at Glasgow University.

In her original essay, Miss Greyman referenced Hamass use of human shields, saying it was viewed as a betrayal of the Palestinian people by their government. The moderators note next to that part of the essay said: This ignores the fact that the Israeli state commits acts of violence.

Leeds University student Danielle Greyman, 23, is suing the institution after she was failed on an essay for not criticising Israel when writing about crimes by Hamas

In a review of her essay, an external examiner recommended that it should have been passed.

Miss Greymans lawyers have issued a legal claim against Leeds University for negligence, discrimination and victimisation.

Miss Greyman, from London, told the Jewish Chronicle: Its been massive emotional damage. I almost had a complete breakdown over this.

One of the original markers of Miss Greymans failed essay was academic Claudia Radiven, who signed a petition defending scholar David Miller, who was fired by Bristol University following controversial comments about Jews.

Jonathan Turner, director of UK Lawyers for Israel, said: Jewish students are more likely to write a pro-Israel essay that is critical of Palestinian terrorists. If students are penalised for defending Israel then that may constitute indirect discrimination. He added: We are concerned that the underlying bias has not been addressed and remains liable to result in discriminatory treatment of other students.

Miss Greyman said: Ive studied sociology since GCSE. It was very much my passion, I wanted to become a sociologist. After this happened, I had an entire meltdown.

I dont think returning to sociology is an option. I cant retrain in another subject, Ive used my student loan, Ive basically wasted this time in my life.

Miss Radiven did not respond to a request for comment. A Leeds University spokesman said: The university strenuously denies the accusations of anti-Semitism, although further comment would be inappropriate given the matter is subject to legal action.
Left and right united on Thursday to urge the Biden administration to get tougher on Vladimir Putin and declare Russia to be a state sponsor of terrorism.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for the designation for the way Russian forces have attacked civilian targets.

Supporters of the move say it would bring down a whole new level of sanctions on Moscow, making it even harder for other countries to do business with Putin's regime.

On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution urging the State Department to make it happen.

And on Thursday a bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives announced they were about to introduce a similar bill in the House.

It puts Congress on a collision course with the Biden administration, which has shied away from taking such strong action.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham appeared with his Democratic colleague Sen. Richard Blumenthal to say that the Senate vote sent a clear signal to Moscow.

'This designation would be a nightmare for Russia,' said Graham.

'It would be an encouraging event for the people of Ukraine, and more importantly it would be a statement to the world that the United States, in a bipartisan fashion when it comes to Russia, is not forgiving and not forgetting.'

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined forces on Thursday to demand that the Biden administration brand Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism

Vladimir Putin is already isolated but now Congress is on a collision course with the State Department to go even further in imposing sanctions on Moscow

A residential house burns after a Russian military strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the town of Bakhmut

Russia's invasion of Ukraine prompted a global outcry, and condemnation of tactics that included hitting civilian targets.

It has also highlighted Russia's reliance on mercenary such as the Wagner Group and disinformation campaigns.

'To me, Putin is sitting on top of a state terrorist apparatus,' said Graham.

'It is now time to speak truth to power and when it comes to Russia, they are a state sponsor of terrorism. All 100 senators signed off on this.'

Zelensky has repeatedly called for the world to isolate Moscow further.

'We need to act immediately and do everything to make Russia stop the killings of children, people, everyone,' he said in an address last month.

'Who among you does not agree that this is terrorism?'

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked why the U.S. had not used the designation.

He said he was bound by legal criteria and that the label would make little practical difference as Moscow was already subject to stiff sanctions.

'The costs that have been imposed on Russia by us and by other countries are absolutely in line with the consequences that would follow from designation as a state sponsor of terrorism,' he told a press briefing.

'So the practical effects of what we're doing are the same.'

Firefighters extinguish a fire in a shelled house in Bakhmut, Ukraine

The decision rests with the State Department, which defines a state sponsor as a nation that 'repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.' Four countries - Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria - currently carry the label.

However, supporters of the designation say it would up the pressure on Russia.

It would allow penalties to be applied to third-country parties doing business with Russian companies or individuals, and it would mean Russia could no longer claim sovereign immunity in the U.S., paving the way for Americans to sue the Russian government for the costs of war.

The House bill says that 'the Russian Federation shall be deemed to have been determined to be a country the government of which has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.'

'The United States must use every tool we have to stop Russia from its violent aggression in Ukraine, Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu told Politico's NatSec Daily.

'Russia supports proxies conducting terrorism against civilians around the globe, from Syria to Ukraine. By designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, this legislation increases consequences on Putins murderous behavior.'
White pupils are the ethnic group least likely to attend a top university for the first time, following a national drive to make intakes more diverse.

Department for Education statistics show 10.5 per cent of white youngsters are at an elite university, the smallest proportion of any ethnic group.

Historically, black pupils were the least likely, but in the latest data they overtook their white counterparts with 10.7 per cent now attending.

The data for 2020-21  the latest available  may challenge the claim by campaigners that elite universities are racist.

In recent years, admissions tutors have been allowed to take an applicant's background into account when considering offering them a place.

Department for Education statistics show 10.5 per cent of white youngsters are at an elite university, the smallest proportion of any ethnic group

It has led to many more disadvantaged and ethnic minority students being accepted  sometimes with lower grade offers  to make up for barriers during schooling.

Universities have to prove every year to the Office for Students watchdog that they are spending lots of money and effort on recruitment of 'diverse' groups.

The statistics, released yesterday, also show a record proportion of the most disadvantaged students  those on free school meals  went to university of any kind. A total of 28.1 per cent of these deprived pupils went on to study for a degree  up from 26.6 per cent the previous year.

Universities minister Andrea Jenkyns said: 'Getting into university should be about your talents and ability, not the background you come from, and these figures show that under this Government a record proportion of the most disadvantaged students are progressing to higher education.'

The data released yesterday breaks down participation at 'higher tariff' universities  those that ask for high grades  such as Oxford, Cambridge and others in the elite Russell Group.

The data for 2020-21  the latest available  may challenge the claim by campaigners that elite universities are racist (Oxford University pictured)

Students are pictured outside Cambridge University, one of the 'higher tariff' universities included in the data

Participation rate is calculated from the proportion of 19-year-olds at university who were at school in this country aged 15.

The data shows the proportion of white youngsters attending higher tariff universities has increased in the past ten years, from 8.3 per cent in 2010/11 to 10.5 per cent in 2020/21.

However, this increase is the smallest of all the ethnic groups.

In the same period, black participation at these elite universities almost doubled from 5.5 per cent to 10.7 per cent.

The amazing performance of Chinese pupils is part of a long-term trend.
Angela Rayner last night refused to back Sir Keir Starmers decision to sack her Labour MP partner  who defied the party leader by joining a rail strike picket line.

Sir Keir said he removed Sam Tarry as his shadow transport minister for giving unauthorised media interviews and making up policy on the hoof while speaking from the RMT picket on Wednesday.

Miss Rayner, Labours deputy leader, who is said to have begun her relationship with Mr Tarry earlier this year, has not commented on the move, which has infuriated the Left-wing of the party and major trade unions.

Last night she declined to comment amid Labours internal chaos, although she tweeted calls for Tory ministers to resolve the strikes and tackle the state of the NHS.

Miss Rayner previously raised eyebrows when she backed last months rail strikes after shadow ministers were warned to stay away.

Lips are sealed: Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner with leader Sir Keir Starmer

But Sir Keir broke his own silence on the controversial sacking, saying: Sam Tarry was sacked because he booked himself on to media programmes without permission and then made up policy on the hoof, and that cant be tolerated because weve got collective responsibility.

The Labour Party will always be on the side of working people, but we need collective responsibility.

Two other Labour frontbenchers  parliamentary private secretaries Paula Barker and Kate Osborne  also joined picket lines but were not sacked. Sir Keir said the party would take each case as it comes in future.

His words are unlikely to appease Left-wing Labour MPs and trade union leaders, the latter of whom are now on a direct collision course with the Labour Party, according to Mr Tarry. Mick Whelan of Aslef, the train drivers union, said maybe its time to recognise the link is gone between trade unions and the Labour Party.

Firm stance: MP Sam Tarry has stood by his decision to join yesterday's picket line

STRIKES AND DELAYS YOU CAN EXPECT July 29, 30 and 31: Strikes on July 30 by Aslef members across seven operators. Gridlock on major roads. More cars heading for Dover than last weekend with queues of several hours.

August 13: Strikes by Aslef train drivers with nine operators. Roads expected to be busier as a result.

August 18 and 20: RMT union stages walkouts for Network Rail and 14 train operators, with around 1 in 5 services running. TSSA union also strikes, covering seven operators.

August 19: RMT members at London Underground walk out, threatening mayhem for commuters and holidaymakers in the capital.

August 27, 28 and 29: Rail engineering works mean services cease on swathes of the network. Bank Holiday traffic could bring some major roads to a standstill. Advertisement

Kevin Lindsay, the unions Scotland organiser, dramatically announced last night he is quitting Labour, and urged Sir Keir to stand down.

He wrote in a letter to the party: I respect that Keir Starmer has been elected leader but his policies are making it impossible for Labour to return to power and that he should be removed from his position immediately.

On Wednesday, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the party was becoming irrelevant to ordinary working people after recent events. Senior figures on the Left  including some of the 19 MPs who joined Mr Tarry on picket lines across the country yesterday  also criticised Sir Keir for his alleged hypocrisy. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: This is a completely unnecessary row thats been invented at a time when the Tories are tearing themselves apart.

Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor for Greater Manchester, said the partys leadership has to be careful going forward.

We cant ever be a party that undermines working people fighting to protect their incomes, he told GB News.

If were not careful, thats how we might come over. People are going to have to fight to protect their incomes and Labour should be supporting them.
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Police have launched a murder investigation after a girl aged nine was stabbed to death on a street in Lincolnshire in one of the most horrifying examples yet of Britain's spiralling knife crime crisis.

The child was found on a quiet lane in Boston at around 6.20pm yesterday - with locals left in 'profound shock' and the local MP appealing for national assistance to catch the killer.

No arrests have yet been made. Today, a small tent was pictured at the murder scene near the town's historic St Botolph's Church as forensic officers bagged up evidence.

A large object appeared to be covered in the middle of the alleyway, which was marked by small yellow signs.

The UK is in the grip of a knife crime epidemic, with the latest figures for England and Wales showing offences involving knives are up by 10 per cent compared to the previous year.

This weekend saw a wave of stabbings in London that saw three people killed in less than 24 hours and another badly injured.

Horrifically, this is not the first time children have become victims of fatal stabbings in Britain, with 12-year-old murdered by a teenager Ava White in Liverpool last November. He was sentenced to a minimum of 13 years in jail.

Emergency services rushed to the scene in Boston, Lincolnshire, at around 6.20pm on Thursday evening to reports a nine-year-old girl had been fatally stabbed (Pictured: Scene of horror killing on Friday morning)

An aerial view showing police at the scene of the stabbing in Boston, with a forensic tent seen behind a cordon

The UK is in the grip of a knife crime epidemic, with the latest figures for England and Wales showing offences involving knives are up by 10 per cent compared to the previous year

Police on Friday morning patrol the scene of the shocking fatal stabbing of a nine-year-old girl in Boston, Lincolnshire, as they launch a murder inquiry

Fountain Lane, the scene of the killing, remained cordoned off by police tape on Friday morning

Police cordoned off Fountain Lane, a street that backs onto Boston's Grade II listed old court building The Sessions House.

Much of the nearby area is commercial, with car parks, a high street and several boarded-up shops, but the street also runs alongside the end of a residential road.

The local community was in a state of shock as they came to terms with the tragic news late on yesterday evening.

The Tory MP for Boston and Skegness, Matt Warman, said he had been in contact with the policing minister to ensure national assistance is available to the murder investigation.

Profoundly shocking news in Boston this evening, he said. I have spoken to senior officers locally and am hugely grateful for all the emergency services work.

Many spoke of their shock and fear at a suspected murder happening so close to home, while one resident was left to openly ask if the area remain safe for her children.

Another, posting on Facebook, commented: 'How many more of our children have to die before serious intervention takes place in this town?

'Why aren't the government and the councils doing more to make Boston a safe place to live when these diabolical news stories are far too frequent. This is a tragedy.'

A third added: 'This is absolutely devastating and traumatic to read. Rest in peace little one, my thoughts go to all family and friends and thoughts to the officers involved as well as residents of Boston.

'How can we sleep at night knowing a 9 year old child has been murdered? Absolutely awful.'

Forensic teams were working the scene on Fountain Lane (pictured) overnight and early on Friday morning

Home Office figures from 2016 found the port town of Boston, a sleepy market town in Lincolnshire, was the murder capital of England and Wales (Pictured: Scene on Fountain Lane)

Mr Warman said in a statement posted on Twitter: 'Profoundly shocking news in Boston this evening, I have spoken to senior officers locally and am hugely grateful for all the emergency services' work. I have also been in contact with Policing Minister Tom Pursglove to ensure that any national help that might be useful is made available as quickly as possible'

Home Office figures from 2016 found the port town of Boston, a sleepy market town in Lincolnshire, was the murder capital of England and Wales.

Boston came top of a list of the local authorities with the most cases of murder, attempted murder or conspiracy to commit murder per 100,000 people.

There was a rate of 15 murderous crimes per 100,000 people up to September 2015 - ranking as the highest per person average in England and Wales and rivalling huge cities such as Birmingham or London.

And the overall crime rate in the port town for 2021 was recorded as 100 crimes per 1,000 people, making it among the most dangerous towns in Lincolnshire.

A nine-year-old girl has died from a suspected stab wound in Lincolnshire. Pictured: Forensic analysts mark out the crime scene

A police officer collects bags of evidence after a girl, aged nine, died from a suspected stab wound in Boston

Lincolnshire Police added in a statement: 'The young girl's parents have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time.

'Her family will be supported by specialist trained officers.

'If you think you can help us in our enquiries, you can contact us by calling 101 quoting incident 419 of 28 July; by emailing force.control@lincs.police.uk quoting incident 419 of 28 July in the subject line; if you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.'

Do you know more about the incident? Email tips@dailymail.com

A large object appeared to be covered in the middle of the alleyway, which was marked by small yellow signs as officers gathered evidence
In the end it was NHS England that ordered the Tavistock trust to close down its gender identity clinic for children in the wake of a damning review by an eminent paediatrician.

But its far-reaching decision yesterday would never have been taken but for the brave voices of a few individuals who spoke out against the controversial centre.

Patients, parents and even the Tavistocks own staff turned whistleblower, some putting their careers in jeopardy, to warn that vulnerable children unsure about their gender were being put at risk by being prescribed powerful drugs to stop the onset of puberty.

The first to raise concerns in 2005 was Sue Evans, a nurse at the Tavistocks Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) in north London.

She was worried that teenagers were being assessed too quickly and that treatment plans were being influenced by transgender rights groups.

Her fears were not made public at the time, however, and for a number of years few questions were asked about the soaring number of referrals the clinic was receiving, except by concerned parents groups led by Stephanie Davies-Arai.

Then in late 2018, a senior member of staff told the trusts board that children were wrongly being fast-tracked into changing gender and the psychological and social reasons behind their feelings were being dismissed.

Keira Bell (C) speaks to reporters outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London in December 2020

Dr David Bell was sent two letters threatening disciplinary action after he accused the service of providing woefully inadequate care

Sonia Appleby (pictured) was awarded 20,000 after trust management tried to stop her carrying out her safeguarding role when staff raised concerns

Sue Evans, along with the mother of a 15-year-old patient launched the first legal action against the Tavistock in 2019

Stephanie Davies-Arai, founder of Transgender Trend, pictured at her home in East Sussex in May earlier this year

A group of parents also wrote to the board raising concerns that the GIDS team was being asked to assess complex and difficult cases within a highly constrained time frame.

A dynamite report by David Bell, then a staff governor, said that patients were being exposed to long-term damage because the clinic could not stand up to the pressure from highly politicised campaigners and families.

He accused the service of providing woefully inadequate care and that staff had very serious ethical concerns about children making life-changing decisions with inadequate assessment or consent.

Dr Bell was then sent two letters threatening disciplinary action, including vague allegations of bullying.

And although his internal report led to a review by the trusts medical director, Dinesh Sinha, early in 2019, which admitted staff caseloads were excessive and there was lobbying from pressure groups, it concluded that the service was safe.

Then consultant psychotherapist Marcus Evans  whose wife Sue had first raised concerns years earlier  resigned in protest at the Tavistocks response to doctors who raised the alarm.

He accused the trust of creating a climate of fear and trying to dismiss or undermine concerns, while 25 other clinicians signed a letter complaining about the attitude of managers.

A few months later, in July 2019, clinical psychologist Dr Kirsty Entwistle went public with an open letter about what she had seen while working at the GIDS Leeds branch.

She said that medical staff were not looking into why teenagers might want to transition for fear of being labelled transphobic, and claimed they were telling patients that puberty-blocking drugs were fully reversible without evidence.

Pictured: The Tavistock Centre NHS clinic in London on Thursday. NHS England has ordered the trust to close down its gender identity clinic for children

Later that year former nurse Mrs Evans  along with Mrs A, the mother of a 15-year-old patient  launched the first legal action against the Tavistock, claiming it should not be prescribing puberty blockers to children incapable of giving informed consent to the treatment.

Her place as lead claimant in the judicial review was taken by patient Keira Bell, who had been prescribed the drugs by GIDS when she was 16.

She went on to undergo breast-removal surgery, but later regretted transitioning.

In December 2020, in a major blow to the Tavistock, the High Court ruled that under-16s could not give informed consent to the treatment  although the decision was overturned on appeal last year.

By then, however, another whistleblower had not only come forward but had also won an employment tribunal case against the clinic.

Sonia Appleby was awarded 20,000 after trust management tried to stop her carrying out her safeguarding role when staff raised concerns with her.

Yesterday, the key role played by the whistleblowers in shutting down the Tavistock clinic was hailed by gender-critical campaigners online.

Author Helen Joyce told them: More than anyone, you made this happen.

Allison Bailey, the barrister who won her own battle against her employer this week for the right to stand up to trans extremism, thanked the so many brave women and men who helped stop the medical scandal by speaking out.

This could become the biggest medical scandal of the century, argues SUE REID

Sanity is finally beginning to prevail in the world of medical treatment for children who question their gender.

The closure next spring of the NHSs only gender identity clinic for children is a vital and long overdue step in righting the wrongs of what could perhaps be the biggest medical scandal this century  the routine use of puberty-blocking drugs on children.

These powerful drugs can endanger fertility and open up the possibility of brutal surgery to reassign sex organs. Yet in this country, they have been given to those as young as ten.

Other countries have banned their use in children. Sweden curtailed the use of blockers among under-18s last year, with a leading Stockholm paediatrician saying they chemically castrate children, causing problems with mental health.

France has stopped them, too. Its top medical academy blames a social media frenzy for fuelling demand among teenagers, particularly girls, for the drugs from doctors.

Why has Britain taken so long to act? No one knows how many hundreds of children have been harmed in the UK as a result of their use. I first started investigating the Gender Identity Service (GIDS) at Londons Tavistock Clinic four years ago after a tip-off from worried medics who were working there or had done so. What I learned was horrifying.

The closure next spring of the NHSs only gender identity clinic for children is a vital and long overdue step in righting the wrongs of what could perhaps be the biggest medical scandal this century

I was told by former nurse Susan Evans: Children with gender identity problems expect hormone blockers [drugs to stall puberty] to be handed out quickly.

They think these drugs will solve all their concerns: such as how they look, a lack of friends, physical changes and typical teenage angst.

She warned: I think the risks of blockers are long-term, including fertility loss. There are worries they interfere with the full development of adolescent brains. The NHSs decision to decommission the Tavistock comes after an independent review into the clinic by Dr Hillary Cass said its work was not a safe and viable option for youngsters.

Their mental health problems are overshadowed in favour of gender identity issues, said the report, amid accusations the clinic rushes to give them blockers.

We had already been warned of troubling matters at the clinic.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr David Bell, who worked at the Tavistock and served as staff governor, wrote a blistering report, saying that GIDS, was not fit for purpose.

He said childrens needs are being met in a woeful, inadequate manner and some will live on with the damaging consequences.

There is also Keira Bell, who told her heartbreaking story to the Daily Mail in January 2020.

She explained to me that, when she was 16, she no longer wanted to be a girl and was prescribed puberty blockers after three one-hour GIDS consultations.

She had her breasts removed in an NHS operation three years later  but then regretted her decision to become a man and de-transitioned, although she fears her fertility has been irreparably harmed.

Keira Bell pictured outside the High Court in December 2020 after Tavistock challenged a ruling the court ruling that children under 16 with gender dysphoria can only consent to the use of hormone-blocking treatments if they can understand the 'immediate and long-term consequences'

Keira bravely appeared in the High Court, begging judges to control doctors giving puberty blockers so readily to children.

The Care Quality Commission health watchdog last year rated the child gender clinic inadequate, demanding regular updates on ever-rising waiting list numbers (particularly among girls wanting to transition to boys).

Sajid Javid, as health secretary, also sounded alarms. He said a fear among medics of being labelled transphobic had stopped proper debate, or research, into young trans peoples medical treatments.

He announced a law change earlier this month, before his resignation, to allow the inspection of confidential NHS records of trans patients, many of them now adult, who received blockers when they were children or teenagers.

The records will be examined in Dr Casss ongoing review, allowing the truth to emerge about those who regret taking the blockers, or feel they were rushed into doing so.

The puberty-pausing drugs themselves will also be put under rapid scrutiny, with Dr Cass warning there is insufficient evidence of their benefits.

That is a polite way of putting it.

In Sweden, a pioneer in child transgender treatments before it recanted, the dangers of these drugs are clear. A teenager called Leo, who received puberty blockers as an 11-year-old at the Karolinska University Hospitals child gender identity service, has suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of them, along with 12 other children.

Their ailments include liver damage, unexplained weight gains of up to two stone, mental health problems and, in Leos case, weakened bones seen in people of 70, and a failure to grow as tall as he should.

Swedens health chiefs say the high-profile case of Keira Bell, now in her 20s, influenced their decision to limit blockers.

A little publicised report on puberty-stopping drugs, released by the Tavistock gender clinic two years ago, admitted some child patients had signs of stunted height and thin bone density compared with their peers who had not taken them.

At the time, the report appeared to have been overlooked. For the sake of our children, let us hope this kind of evidence will never be obscured again.

'Unsafe' NHS child gender clinic to be shut

Martin Beckford, Policy Editor for the Daily Mail

The NHS is shutting its gender identity unit for children after a damning review.

Struggling youngsters will now be sent to new regional centres and given better mental health support.

And in a dramatic change of policy, teenagers given drugs to delay puberty will be enrolled on research trials amid concerns over the medication.

The gender identity development service at the Tavistock and Portman trust in London has seen more than 19,000 children since it started in 1989.

The clinics closure was triggered by a review that found patients were suffering because they were forced to wait for treatment.

The move was hailed by senior politicians.

Former health minister Jackie Doyle-Price said: At last. The safety of care at the Tavistock has been compromised by ideology.

Gender dysphoria treatment should be exploratory in children. It should not be medicalised without appropriate consent.

Tory leadership contender Rishi Sunak said: This review has shone a light on some very serious issues.

Former Chancellor and Tory leadership hopeful Rishi Sunak (pictured) said the review has 'shone a light on some very serious issues'

'As a father of two I know there are immense pressures on young people, and I am instinctively cautious about children undertaking life-changing treatment.

And Kemi Badenoch, who was knocked out of the leadership race, wrote online: I cant state enough how profound this decision is.

'Theres lots I can say now Im no longer equalities minister  personal testimonies heard of destroyed childhoods, protecting whistleblowing clinicians from endless harassment by Twitter activists.

Yesterdays announcement followed the recommendations of Hilary Cass, former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, who was commissioned by NHS England to review gender identity services for young people.

Published in February, her interim report warned that  as the UKs only specialist service of its kind  the Tavistock clinic had struggled to cope with a huge rise in demand, leading to considerable distress for those waiting.

The number of referrals had doubled in a year, with more than 5,000 in England seeking help in 2021-22, compared with fewer than 250 a decade ago.

The Cass review found that many patients had complex needs but, once they were identified as having gender-related distress, other healthcare issues could sometimes be overlooked.

Having one provider was not a safe or viable long-term option, it concluded.

In a letter to NHS England last week, Dr Cass warned about the possible effects of puberty-blockers, which have been given to children as young as ten to prevent adolescent body changes such as breasts or facial hair.

The expert said there was no way to know whether these drugs, rather than buying time for children to decide on their gender identity, might instead disrupt that decision-making process.

She raised concerns that the drugs could interrupt the process of the brain maturing, affecting childrens ability to exercise judgment.

Dr Cass said in her interim report: It has become increasingly clear that a single specialist provider model is not a safe or viable long-term option in view of concerns about lack of peer review and the ability to respond to the increasing demand.

Keira Bell, who was treated by the Tavistock, went on puberty blockers at the age of 16 and had a mastectomy at 20 before regretting her experimental treatment and detransitioning.

She said: Im over the moon, this means many children will be saved from going down that path that I went down. Its a long time coming.

'We are talking about children here, medicalising children based on the fact they feel a certain way.

Welcoming the NHSs changes, Caroline Johnson, a consultant paediatrician and Tory MP, said: I am concerned about the unexplained surge in numbers of adolescent girls presenting with gender dysphoria.

Medical treatment should always be based on evidence. We dont have good evidence on which children will, in adulthood, have a fixed trans identity and which will not.

Starting irreversible treatment when we are not sure may cause harm.

The Tavistock clinic had been under pressure from revelations by whistleblowers about patients being fast-tracked on to puberty-blockers and staff being lobbied by transgender campaigners.

The gender identity service had also been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission. Support for children will now move to two new regional services.

A London-based service will be led by Great Ormond Street Hospital and Evelina London Childrens Hospital, with the South London and Maudsley trust providing mental health support.

A second service in the North West will be led by Alder Hey Childrens Hospital and the Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital, with both trusts providing mental health back-up. There are plans for seven or eight services nationwide.

The Tavistock and Portman trust said it was proud of its staff who had worked tirelessly and under intense scrutiny in a difficult climate.

A spokesman added: This package of measures represents significant progress in expanding capacity to ensure that the NHS can deliver a more responsive care for children and young people.
When I was a teenager, the Saturday night disco was a weekly ritual. The high point was when the slow dance tunes came on at the end of the evening.

The hope was that the boy you liked would ask you to dance to the plaintive melody of Careless Whisper. Even better, you might get the chance to sneak out into the cold night air and reach what Americans would call second base  a passionate kiss.

I treasure those memories of youthful passion. The course of true love didnt always run smoothly, but navigating the choppy waters of young romance taught me so much about boys, relationships, and what I did and didnt like. Sadly, I have learned the hard way that this type of clumsy puppy love is a thing of the past.

For while the MeToo movement and Everyones Invited  a site that has hit the headlines for exposing rape culture in schools and universities through anonymous testimonies, usually from girls  have undoubtedly helped unmask disturbing predatory male behaviour, they have also helped breed a generation of young women and girls who see all boys as predators.

Today, it seems that so many young women are primed to see every tiny misstep by their male peers as sexual assault, from an ill-judged kiss to an attempt to hold hands. Anything that makes them feel even a tad uncomfortable, often long after the fact, is deemed to be assault. It doesnt matter if the boy involved is as clueless as they are about the nuances of relationships, or how to express new, burgeoning sexual feelings.

I have sons  I am too scared to say how many in case it helps identify my family  and throughout their young lives they have routinely been told by their young female friends that they hate men and that all men are rapists. So fevered has the atmosphere among young women become that today something as innocent as a male tapping you on the shoulder can be construed as assault.

Today, it seems that so many young women are primed to see every tiny misstep by their male peers as sexual assault

Let me be clear: I abhor the fact that violence against women is still such a problem in our society. It breaks my heart every time I read about the latest young woman who has been attacked, raped and even murdered on our streets. Ive always taught my sons to respect women and make sure their female friends get home safe. I fervently believe girls have the right to call out bad behaviour and be listened to.

Yet I deplore the way this has created a chilling new double standard. When girls make mistakes and behave badly, its viewed as a forgivable rite of passage. But when inexperienced young boys do the same, they often face toxic accusations, which can quite literally destroy lives.

I should know. My son is one such inexperienced boy and, because of this, our lives have been a living hell for the past three years.

Aged 13, in 2019, my son was just starting to get interested in girls. He got involved in flirtations with a few girls and one sent him a topless photo by phone (this is a shockingly common practice among early teens). With another girl there was saucy texting and some mutual touching.

While I might not condone this behaviour, I also know this is pretty much par for the course for most teens in the 21st century. Its also notable that the parties involved were the same age, there was zero question of full-blown sex taking place and all the behaviour was mutual and  as far my son was aware  consensual.

When one of the girls mothers confiscated her daughters phone and found the messages, all this came to the attention of the school and the stark difference between the treatment of girls and boys became evident  to my sons lifelong cost.

The girls, who were equally culpable, as sending nude photographs is both an offence and against the school rules, were dealt with discreetly. A quiet word was had with them and their parents and that was an end to it.

Conversely, my son, whod never been in trouble before, was suspended for two days  the final step before expulsion. The schools rationale was that the other pupils would see this as justice.

I will never forgive myself for failing to fight the schools decision to suspend him. I was naive  Id never even had a call about bad behaviour before, so suspension was beyond all my experience.

I believed the school knew best. It didnt. Such a public and severe punishment persuaded his peers that there was no smoke without fire.

What followed was a merciless campaign of intimidation and bullying. My son was called a rapist, a nonce and told he should be castrated. He was urged to kill himself on a daily basis. He was attacked by a mob in the playground and one boy threatened to stab him. We brought all this to the schools attention, but it failed to act  too terrified to defend a boy who now had a reputation as a sexual predator.

Soon after, a friends young son came home and told her hed heard my son had locked three girls in a cupboard at school and raped them, something that sickened me to hear. Yet not a single so-called friend stuck up for my innocent boy as no one wanted to be accused of consorting with a rapist.

I felt like we were trapped in a horror film. I had never brooked sexism in my house, yet found myself questioning my own mothering skills. Had I not hammered home the importance of treating girls respectfully?

My son was called a rapist, a nonce and told he should be castrated. He was urged to kill himself on a daily basis. He was attacked by a mob in the playground and one boy threatened to stab him

I felt too ashamed and frightened to talk to friends and family, worried they would judge my son in the same way his school had. My husband was equally upset. A kind and gentle man, hed brought up his sons with the same values.

We talked to my boy about what had happened, but he was as confused as we were. He said the girl had fancied him and he was under the impression that she was at least as keen as he was on their innocent experimentation.

Soon, my son became increasingly isolated and withdrawn, his friends distanced themselves and we were left alone, embarrassed and ashamed, trying to pick up the pieces. Things hit a new dramatic low just before the pandemic struck. I found my beautiful boy, by now 14, curled in a ball on the floor sobbing. He was rocking in agony  not physical, but emotional.

A solid year of being relentlessly bullied had destroyed his mental wellbeing. Nothing he said or did made any difference  he was a rapist in the eyes of his entire school.

We took him to see a psychiatrist who diagnosed him with severe anxiety and depression, immediately prescribing antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication. She also recommended therapy, but then we went into lockdown and the whole system fell apart.

I have blanked out much of that time as it saw us lurching from one mental health crisis to the next, begging for help from a system crippled by lockdown. So low did he become that we were petrified that he would take his own life.

It became routine for him to have meltdowns that would terrify his siblings; for him to walk out of the house and for us to have to beg him by phone to return.

Throughout all this we were locked away from family and friends and too ashamed to share why our family was being ripped apart.

But if we thought things would get better when schools reopened, we were wrong. In late 2021, one of the girls decided to call the police and accuse my son of sexual assault. I have no idea why, but my son was told by an acquaintance that it was because she was feeling bored. The police were called to his school and he was questioned without his parents present. No one thought to alert us, so we could be with our son.

I was away on business at the time and got a call from my husband, his voice betraying his terror, just before I boarded the plane home. That flight seemed endless as my mind cycled through ever more horrific scenarios.

By the time I landed, I was convinced my bright and kind sons entire future would be forever blighted by a childish fumble.

Fortunately, the police were far more empathetic than the school. The detective who investigated the case told us that, quite rightly, every accusation was treated seriously. That said, he also relayed that, in the past few years, the police had been inundated with similar calls from teenage girls whipped into a frenzy by the MeToo movement.

It became routine for him to have meltdowns that would terrify his siblings; for him to walk out of the house and for us to have to beg him by phone to return

During the investigation we spoke to several defence lawyers, preparing ourselves, just in case we might need their services. Each one told the same story of an exponential rise in allegations against young schoolboys in the past few years.

We were not alone.

As I finally began to speak to friends and family, two of my girlfriends admitted their sons had found themselves caught up in similar situations. One had been ostracised by all his friends and had to move away from the area after an ex accused him of rape after he started a new relationship.

Another had his picture plastered on a website with the smear of rapist next to it, for much the same reason. Both of these boys were young teenagers. Rather than comforting me, finding out that what my son was enduring was widespread only made me feel hopeless.

We were on the losing side of a culture war and any attempt to defend ourselves or our sons would just open us up to more vilification. Any parent will know that one of the worst feelings is being powerless to protect your child.

Finally, after two agonising weeks filled with unnerving conversations with lawyers, we got the call we had been waiting for. The police had dismissed the case as there was no evidence to suggest the contact had been anything but consensual.

However, our celebration was short-lived.

Just a month later, a girl who my son had been friends with since Year 7 accused him of sexual assault after he touched her on the back to get her attention.

Once again, his teachers reacted aggressively by hauling him out of his lesson, thereby cementing his reputation as a predator and destroying any scant chance he had to resume a normal life at school.

To be fair to his teachers, however, they were acting in response to government advice, published last September following a rapid review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges by Ofsted earlier that year in the wake of the launch of Everyones Invited.

The advice describes anyone accused of any sexual misdemeanour as a perpetrator and recommends that schools remove them from any classes or spaces they share with the victim.

As my son was approaching his GCSEs, we tried to send him back to school, but were told by the headteacher that some girls had threatened a protest unless he was excluded. The headteacher simply gave in to pressure.

While I do understand the girls fear  on the basis of rumour and supposition, they genuinely believed he was a predator and rapist, so of course they were terrified to be in the same school as him  where were the grown-ups in this?

Where was the balanced, rational response based on evidence not rumour? It felt like we were caught up in the Salem witch trials.

The next few months saw our boy endure a patchwork of education, some in another school where the windows were blacked out, making him feel like a prisoner; some that involved sneaking him in and out of school at times the other pupils wouldnt see him.

It felt as if our son was like Hannibal Lecter from The Silence Of The Lambs, a highly dangerous criminal who could attack at any moment. In reality he is a vulnerable young man suffering from severe mental health issues as a result of his treatment.

An adult facing all this would have crumbled. Yet my son amazed me with his courage, and while it hurt him deeply to endure this cruel punishment for so long, he was determined not to allow his accusers to derail his education.

We were also immensely fortunate that the supervisors who watched his every move soon came to sympathise with his plight. Each one told us what a wonderful and polite young man he was and how much they enjoyed his company.

It was a crumb of comfort in a bleak situation. It also reassured me that I wasnt going mad or was a deluded mother who couldnt see her boy for who he really was.

My son sat his exams in isolation this summer and is now looking forward to a fresh start at a new school, where we pray no one will unearth his past.

Still, though, we all bear the scars of what has happened. I am terrified the malicious gossip will follow him. He, meanwhile, is petrified of girls. He often tells me he doesnt think he will ever have a girlfriend and I wonder if he will ever have the courage to find love. Even if he does, surely we will all be frightened of the consequences if it again turns sour.

Of course, any girl should feel able to complain about physical contact that makes her feel uncomfortable, but I do wonder why there is an expectation that a 13-year-old boy should understand all the nuances of relationships that often confuse grown men.

Perhaps my son did make mistakes that made the girl who chose to call the police feel uncomfortable, and if that is the case I am genuinely sorry for her. But is the best response to destroy his life by branding him a rapist and bullying him out of school, or to support and educate him so that he doesnt make the same mistakes again?

After all, if we were all held accountable for immature mistakes we made at a tender 13, very few of us would be blameless.
Liz Truss has vowed to be Ukraine's 'greatest friend' if she becomes prime minister, following in the footsteps of Boris Johnson.

The Foreign Secretary pledged to double down on support for Ukraine and to make president Volodymyr Zelensky her first call to a foreign leader if she becomes the next occupant of No 10.

Miss Truss also said she would update the Integrated Defence and Security Review in light of the conflict in Ukraine, something opposition MPs and the Commons defence committee have been seeking for months.

She said: 'What transpires in Ukraine matters to us all. This isn't just a battle for territory or a conflict between two nations, but a great struggle between those who believe in sovereignty and self-determination, and authoritarians who want to crush freedom and true democracy.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss arrives at her offices in central London, Britain, 27 July 2022

'As prime minister I will be Ukraine's greatest friend  following in the footsteps of Boris Johnson  and commit completely to ensuring [Russian president Vladimir] Putin fails in Ukraine and suffers a strategic defeat, and that Russia is constrained in the future. This conflict is in the balance, and now is not the time for soundings off about concessions and compromises to an appalling dictator.

'Working with our partners in the West, we need to carry on providing weapons, aid, and diplomatic support.'

She added: 'I am the candidate the British people can trust on Ukraine, and they can trust to defend our freedom at home and abroad.'

The Integrated Defence and Security Review, published last March, was completed before Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Nato's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

It sets out the Government's vision for Britain's role in the world over the next decade. Miss Truss would add an updated focus on China and Russia. She believes the invasion of Ukraine and China's growing influence demand a fresh approach to the UK's security.

Miss Truss has also vowed to commit Britain to playing a lead role in a 'new Marshall Plan' to help provide technical and financial assistance towards Ukraine's reconstruction.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, right, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba give a press statement at the British Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, April 4, 2022

As prime minister, she would host the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Britain in 2023 to bring Kyiv and its allies together to discuss how to rebuild the country.

She has already pledged to raise defence spending to 3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. In a speech to the Atlantic Council in Washington DC in March, Miss Truss said Putin's aggression showed that 'the era of complacency is over'.

She went on: 'The invasion of Ukraine is a paradigm shift on the scale of 9/11. How we respond today will set the pattern for this new era.

'If we let Putin's expansionism go unchallenged it would send a dangerous message to would-be aggressors. We can't allow that to happen. We will shape this new global era for global security.'
Kremlin officials have launched an absurd attack on Liz Truss as the UK's Foreign Secretary remains in pole position to become Prime Minister.

Miss Truss appears to have angered the Kremlin judging by the remarks about her on multiple Russian state television channels.

The seemingly coordinated attacks came as Miss Truss looks likely to enter Downing Street in September.

She has pledged to maintain her tough stance against Russia  which would explain the Kremlin's concerted efforts to undermine her.

In February, Miss Truss stared down Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an icy press conference just days before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss meet in Moscow, Russia on February 10, 2022

Her fortitude on a Kremlin visit appeared to shock Mr Lavrov, a veteran of frosty diplomatic encounters over many decades.

Moscow propaganda channels last night suggested Miss Truss was not 'fit to control the nuclear button'.

They also accused her of copying Margaret Thatcher and overreacting when a Talk TV presenter fainted during a debate between her and Rishi Sunak.

A presenter on Russia's Channel One said: 'She tries to emulate the Iron Lady on a tank near the Russian border. Then a presenter fainted and she couldn't hold her emotions. How would she behave in other critical situations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov

'This was the moment when her spirit deserted her and viewers saw an ordinary, frightened woman. Fright, horror and panic, that was how she reacted.

'Her resemblance to Mrs Thatcher stops with the facial resemblance.'

Meanwhile, Gazprom-owned channel NTV accused her of building her election campaign on 'anti-Russian rhetoric'.
Maja Lee Langvad speaks during a press conference held in Mapo District, Seoul, July 7. Courtesy of Nanda Publication



In newly translated book, 'She is Angry,' Korean Danish author urges Korea to stop 'exporting' babies, calls for more financial support for unwed moms



By Lee Yeon-woo



Being lauded as "heroes" during the Korea's industrialization period, manufacturing workers were commonly portrayed as a key driving force behind Korea's dramatic rise from a war-torn country to one of world's fastest-growing economies in the 1970s.



Although their contribution was forgotten, however, there is another unknown group of people who also played a part in Korea's rapid economic growth: adoptees.



From 1956 to 1994, many Korean babies were sent North American and Western European countries through international adoption. Korea's uncontested status as the world's largest exporter of babies was later replaced by other developing countries.



In a report titled "Comforting an Orphan Nation," lecturer and author Tobias Hubinette says Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Sweden and Denmark adopted the most Korean children per capita during that the period. In Denmark, nearly 8,000 Korean babies were adopted between 1970 and 2021, according to Danish International Adoption (DIA).



In the book titled "Hun Er Vred" in Danish, which can be translated into English as "She is Angry," author Maja Lee Langvad shares her life as a Korean adoptee in Denmark. Her book was translated recently into Korean and published here. "She is Angry" is the Korean adoptee's personal account of her and fellow adoptees' lives in Europe and the traumas of adoption.



Born in 1980, Langvad said she was raised hearing that she would have struggled in poverty and hunger if she had not been adopted. Ever since she came out as a lesbian, people began to tell her that she was so lucky to get the chance to live in Denmark, a country more "open" to sexual minorities.





The cover of "Hun Er Vred" by Maja Lee Langvad. Courtesy of Nanda Publication



She has observed that those attitudes toward Korean adoptees reflect a sense that developed countries are superior to developing countries.



"I was asked to feel grateful for being adopted for my whole life," Langvad said.



But, she said, she has different feelings about her life as a Korean adoptee in Denmark.



She calls herself a victim of transnational adoption, a term she chose to use instead of "international adoption," claiming that it better shows the structural inequalities between countries.



"She is angry because she was imported. She is angry because she was exported," Langvad writes in the book. The author said she uses the third person to refer to herself instead of the first person, because she believes that what she felt and experienced while growing up can be generalized to what other adoptees went through.



"She thinks contemplating children's nationalities for adoption is no different from choosing wines in department stores based on their countries of origin," the author added.



She is sharply critical of the nature of transnational adoption, as she says that it is a business and adoption agencies are cashing in by "selling children overseas."



"Even though national adoption is better for children in most cases (as adoptees share the same nationality and national culture of their adoptive parents), those agencies indiscriminately send children abroad to get higher brokerage fees," Langvad said.



According to Rep. Kim Sung-ju of the Democratic Party of Korea, private adoption agencies get paid an average of 2.7 million won for each national adoption and 20 million won to 30 million won for each international adoption. Holt International is known to charge around 48 million won to 68 million won for adopting a Korean child abroad.



The adoption agencies denied the allegation, claiming that the money goes to operating orphanages and employees' salaries.





An orphanage in Korea operated by Holt International Korea Times file
At 32 feet long and weighing 41,000 lbs, you might think that the world's largest shark would be a ferocious predator.

But a new study has shown that whale sharks aren't carnivores, and actually extract nutrients from algae that they swallow when hunting small prey.

'This causes us to rethink everything we thought we knew about what whale sharks eat,' said Australian Institute of Marine Science fish biologist Dr Mark Meekan.

'And, in fact, what they're doing out in the open ocean.'

The finding makes whale sharks the world's largest omnivore.

By studying isotopes in the sharks' tissues, the researchers were also able to study what animals were using for energy and growth

What is an omnivore? An omnivore is an organism that eats plants and animals. The term stems from the Latin words omnis, meaning 'all or everything,' and vorare, meaning 'to devour or eat.' Omnivores play an important part of the food chain, a sequence of organisms that produce energy and nutrients for other organisms. Every food chain consists of several trophic levels, which describe an organism's role in an ecosystem. Omnivores generally occupy the third trophic level alongside meat-eating carnivores. Source: National Geographic Advertisement

An omnivore is an organism that eats plants and animals.

The term stems from the Latin words omnis, meaning 'all or everything,' and vorare, meaning 'to devour or eat.'

Omnivores play an important part of the food chain - a sequence of organisms that produce energy and nutrients for other organisms.

'On land, all the biggest animals have always been herbivores,' Dr Meekan said.

'In the sea we always thought the animals that have gotten really big, like whales and whale sharks, were feeding one step up the food chain on shrimp-like animals and small fishes.

'Turns out that maybe the system of evolution on land and in the water isn't that different after all.'

In the study, the team collected samples of possible food sources from Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef, including tiny plankton and large seaweed.

They then compared the amino acids and fatty acids in the foods to those in the whale sharks.

Their analysis revealed that the whale shark tissue contained compounds found in Sargassum  a type of brown seaweed which breaks off the reef and floats at the surface.

A new study has shown that whale sharks aren't carnivores, and instead extract nutrients from algae that they swallow when hunting small prey

'We think that over evolutionary time, whale sharks have evolved the ability to digest some of this Sargassum that's going into their guts,' Dr Meekan said.

'So, the vision we have of whale sharks coming to Ningaloo just to feast on these little krill is only half the story. They're actually out there eating a fair amount of algae too.'

By studying isotopes in the sharks' tissues, the researchers were also able to study what animals were using for energy and growth.

'Something like a whale shark, which swims through the water with its mouth open, is going to ingest a lot of different things,' said CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere organic biogeochemist Dr Andy Revill.

'But you don't know how much of that has been used by the animal and how much just goes straight out the other end.'

Analysis of the whales' faeces revealed that while they were consuming krill, they weren't metabolising much of it.

The findings mean that whale sharks have officially dethroned the Kodiak bear as the world's biggest omnivore.
If, like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, you are not a fan of the new-look Instagram feed, which gives greater prominence to short videos known as Reels from people you don't follow, then you'll be disappointed to hear that it's going to get even worse.

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Instagram owner Meta, has announced that the company plans to 'more than double' the amount of 'recommended' content that appears in users' feeds by the end of next year.

During a call with investors on Wednesday, Zuckerberg revealed that, currently, about 15 per cent of the content shown to an Instagram user on their feed is recommended by its algorithm.

By the end of 2023, this number should increase to more than 30 per cent, according to Zuckerberg, meaning youll end up seeing even more posts from people and accounts you dont know.

The move is likely to be unpopular, after the roll-out of the increasingly video-focused feed led some users to accuse the app of 'trying to be like TikTok'.

It seems that Instagram (pictured left) has taken note of TikTok's successful format (pictured right) and is copying its vertical feed as part of a 'new, immersive viewing experience'

Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner led the movement to 'Make Instagram Instagram Again.' The pair voiced distaste for the app's new redesign that is similar to TikTok

Instagram announced in May that it had started testing a 'new, immersive viewing experience', in which both photos and videos are presented vertically within the main feed.

'We're moving Instagram to a place where video is a bigger part of the home experience,' said Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, at the time.

'Where the content is more immersive  it takes up more of the screen  where a larger part of Feed are recommendations, things we think you might love but might not have heard of yet, and where you have more control over the experience.'

The test has been expanding slowly, with more and more users starting to see the new-style feed when they update their apps.

However, earlier this week, Kylie Jenner, who is the most-followed woman on Instagram, and her older sister Kim Kardashian hit back, with a Story calling for the company to 'Make Instagram Instagram again'.

The Story suggests that the sisters would prefer Instagram to return to its roots of focusing on photo sharing, rather than video.

'Stop trying to be tiktok i just want to see cute photos of my friends,' reads part of the message.

Mosseri is pictured with Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta. Meta now owns Instagram

Mosseri admitted in a Twitter post on Tuesday that the changes to the app are 'not yet good', but insisted that they are necessary and here to stay.

'I want to be clear, we're going to continue to support photos,' he said.

'That said, I need to be honest, I do believe more and more of Instagram is going to become video over time.'

Mosseri said this shift is occurring in response to user behaviour.

'We have to lean into that shift while continuing to support photos,' he added.

However, critics have bombarded the Instagram executive with pleas to stop the push for video, and return Instagram to its simple picture origins.

Chrissy Teigen simply replied: 'We don't wanna make videos Adam lol'.

On the subject of recommendations, Mosseri said they were 'an effective and important way to help creators reach more people'.

'Creators are so important to the future of Instagram, and we want to make sure that they are successful and get all the credit they deserve,' he said.

However, users claim they are sick of having strangers' posts foisted on them, and that they only want to see their contacts.

Musician and actor Simon Curtis said: 'It now feels like Facebook- an ugly, Frankenstein's monster of an app, where old people go to get fed ads, be scammed, and get confused.'

Interior designer and HGTV star Laurie March commented: 'I wish there was room for us to just use Instagram how we want to, instead of having so much suggested stuff shoved at us.

'Show us photos! Not videos, unless I want them. And why do you hide our friends over *discovery*? More isn't always more. Growth mindset ruining things.'

Author Roxane Gay tweeted: 'It sucks right now. Stop trying to be TikTok. I don't want to make videos.'

And journalist Sali Hughes said: 'What is the point of following people if you're going to be constantly force fed accounts that you don't follow at the expense of those you do? And the tools to stop that simply don't work. It's now video landfill.'

The launch of the vertical feed comes after Instagram urged its users to stop publishing TikTok videos to its Reels short video platform earlier this year.

The company said it wants to focus on original content, giving creators the tools they need to publish directly to Reels and 'make sure credit is going to those who deserve it.'

Instagram originally announced plans to de-rank clips that feature watermarks from other video platforms, such as TikTok, in February 2021.

'We're not the only platform to do this, and we're doing it in an effort to make our recommendations the best experience for our community,' a Meta spokesperson told DailyMail.com at the time.

The news comes as Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, posted its first revenue decline in history on Thursday, dragged down by a drop in ad spending as the economy falters - and as competition from rival TikTok intensifies.
A new species of snake whose venom is so potent it can leave human victims disabled has been found in China.

The snake, Gloydius lateralis, was discovered in the Zharu Valley at Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site in China's Sichuan Province.

It feeds on small mammals, such as mice, and 'is active on sunny days by the roadside in a hot, dry valley', the researchers say.

The species had a small body of around 18 inches, large eyes, and is a murky green or brown colour with four rows of zigzag dark brown patches.

A continuous, grey-brown stripe runs down each side of the snake's body and tail, which is why it has been named 'lateralis' (relating to 'lateral').

The snake feeds on small mammals, such as mice, and 'is active on sunny days by the roadside in a hot, dry valley'

A new Chinese species of snake, Gloydius lateralis, has venom so potent it can leave human victims disabled, researchers say

JIUZHAIGOU NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site, is in the transition zone from the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the Sichuan Basin in Sichuan Province, China, and occupies an area of 651 km2. The reserve is covered with well-preserved original forests, and numerous alpine lakes. Beautiful and picturesque, it is home to some rare animals, such as the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and Golden Snub-nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana). Advertisement

Asked if the snake posed a threat to humans, Dr Shengchao Shi  one of the team who documented the new species  emphasised the potency of its venom.

He said: 'The Gloydius lateralis is venomous. To our knowledge, all species of genus Gloydius are.

'I don't think its bite is mild. Bites by Gloydius are accompanied with lots of pain and may cause physical disability when not treated in time.

'Their venom contains blood poison and can cause swelling, but most of the time, they are not lethal.

'The effect of the venom of this species still needs further study.'

The experts had been conducting surveys in Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve when they collected some specimens of Gloydius, a genus of venomous pit vipers endemic to Asia, from Zharu Valley.

Gloydius are a genus in the Crotalinae subfamily, putting them alongside species like the notorious rattlesnake and the copperhead.

After running morphological and phylogenetic analyses, the scientists found out that these specimens in fact belonged to a yet-to-be-described species.

Dr Jingsong Shi, another scientist who contributed to the paper, added that the snake was similar to a known species, Gloydius swild, but with a few key differences.

Gloydius lateralis is active on sunny days by roadsides, posing the risk of collisions with cars

He said: 'It differs by having larger eyes (related to the head) and a continuous regular brown stripe on each dorsolateral side of the body. 'Thus, we named it after its unique colour pattern, Gloydius lateralis.'

The Jiuzhaigou national park, where G. lateralis was found, is already home to some rare animals including the giant panda and the golden snub-nosed monkey.

But despite the new discovery, it does not have a diverse snake population  perhaps because of the harsh alpine environment.

The snake, Gloydius lateralis, was discovered in the Zharu Valley at Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site in China's Sichuan Province. Pictured is the lush landscape in the reserve

The national park where the snake was discovered receives millions of visitors every year. And the only known habitat of the new species, the Zharu Valley, is now being developed for tourism.

'Walkways for tourists have been built in the region, but some people are still venturing off of the walkways,' the researchers say.

'Thus, warning signs are still needed to remind visitors to watch out for the venomous pit viper, since this and another pit viper species, Protobothrops jerdonii, are often found in grass or bushes on both sides of roads.'

Snakes' thermoregulation needs make them more prone to vehicle collisions, which is why the research team highlights the necessity to remind drivers to slow down in order to avoid killing them.

The new study was published in the open-access scientific journal ZooKeys.
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Google's DeepMind artificial intelligence has revealed the 3-D structure of 200 million proteins that are contained in every living organism - enabling scientists to instantaneously access in-depth information on the building blocks of life.

Scientists used to spend many months or years to understand the structure of proteins prior to the AI program known as AlphaFold having solved one of biology's most difficult problems in November 2020. Researchers often used tools like X-rays, but now that complex information is available as quickly as a Google search.

AlphaFold can predict the structure of almost all proteins - whether in animals, plants, humans, bacteria or other organisms - that are known to science. This ability to quickly see a protein's structure in three dimensions is valuable for scientists seeking to cure diseases and researchers looking to solve problems like plastics pollution because it gives them a completely detailed look at the proteins that underpin all biological processes.

However, as with anything involving AI, this work has risks. A Nature study from March showed that scientists' drug discovery algorithm could, with some minor tweaks, generate toxic concoctions like the VX nerve agent and other chemical warfare molecules.

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Google's DeepMind artificial intelligence can now reveal the structure of 200 million proteins that are the building blocks of life, enabling scientists to use that knowledge in a wide range of ways. Pictured above is F2OH23.2 protein, a plant protein that represents a potential new structural superfamily unlike anything seen before

Being able to understand the shape of a protein allows researchers to determine how it works in the body and, for example, how effective certain drugs might be when interacting with it. Pictured above: Vitellogenin, a protein that's involved in the immune system of egg-laying animals including honeybees

'Its been so inspiring to see the myriad ways the research community has taken AlphaFold, using it for everything from understanding diseases, to protecting honey bees, to deciphering biological puzzles, to looking deeper into the origins of life itself,' said DeepMind Founder and CEO Demis Hassabis

DeepMind claims it has followed a 'responsible' path by consulting with more than 30 experts across biology, ethics, security and safety so that the AI's benefits could be shared in a way that minimizes potential risks.

Even so, numerous experts, including ex-Google AI ethics employee Timnit Gebru, have raised concerns about the technology's potential to reinforce a concentration of power that results in discrimination.

Up to this point, over 500,000 researchers worldwide from 190 countries have used the AlphaFold database - which includes the predicted structures for plants, animals, bacteria, fungi and other organisms - to view more than 2 million structures (like the one seen above)

The new database could help anyone from scientists working on malaria vaccines to experts trying to solve ocean plastics pollution and researchers studying honey bee immunity. Pictured above is CCR4-NOT transcription complex subunit 9, a protein that regulates an important cellular process in human beings

As with anything involving AI, this work has risks. A Nature study from March showed that scientists' drug discovery algorithm could, with some minor tweaks, generate toxic concoctions like the VX nerve agent. Pictured above: Nuclear pore complex protein Nup205, which is part of a large complex that acts as a gateway in and out of the cell nucleus

'The stated goals of many researchers and research firms in AI are to build artificial general intelligence, an imagined system more intelligent than anything we have ever seen, that can do any task a human can do tirelessly and without pay,' Gebru and Margaret Mitchell, a fellow researcher working on ethical AI, wrote in the Washington Post.

A TIMELINE OF GOOGLE'S DEEPMIND AI BREAKTHROUGHS DeepMind was founded in London in 2010 and was acquired by Alphabet in 2014. It has offices in Edmonton and Montreal, Canada, Paris, and Mountain View, California. In March 2016, DeepMind's AlphaGo program defeated Go player Lee Sedol in a challenge match in Seoul. This moment demonstrated that the AI's techniques were strong enough to tackle larger problems like protein-folding. In December 2018, AlphaFold had its first public test of its performance and placed first in the rankings. Results were published in Nature In November 2020, AlphaFold was recognized for finding a solution to the 50-year-old 'protein folding problem' that scientists had long struggled with by winning a competition and successfully predicting protein structures down to 'atomic accuracy.' On July 15, 2021, Nature published AlphaFold's detailed methodology in the paper titled 'High accurate protein structure prediction with AlphaFold' and DeepMind then open sources the code along with 60 pages of supplemental information detailing the entire system. One week later, Nature published another paper containing the predictions for the entire structure of the human proteome - meaning all proteins in the human body. DeepMind then launches the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database to give the scientific community free access to over 350,000 protein structures. DeepMind adds an additional 400,000 protein structures to the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database, more than doubling its size. As of January 2022, over 300,000 researchers have used the database. On July 28, DeepMind expands the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database from nearly 1 million to over 200 million structures. Advertisement

'While such a system hasnt actually been shown to be feasible, never mind a net good, corporations working toward it are already amassing and labeling large amounts of data, often without informed consent and through exploitative labor practices,' they said.

Up to this point, over 500,000 researchers worldwide from 190 countries have used the AlphaFold database - to view more than 2 million structures.

'Its been so inspiring to see the myriad ways the research community has taken AlphaFold, using it for everything from understanding diseases, to protecting honey bees, to deciphering biological puzzles, to looking deeper into the origins of life itself,' said DeepMind Founder and CEO Demis Hassabis in a Thursday statement.

The advancement announced is a collaboration between DeepMind, a UK-based subsidiary of Alphabet, and the European Bioinformatics Institute.

'AlphaFold is the singular and momentous advance in life science that demonstrates the power of AI. Determining the 3D structure of a protein used to take many months or years, it now takes seconds,' said Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, in a statement.

'AlphaFold has already accelerated and enabled massive discoveries, including cracking the structure of the nuclear pore complex,' he explained.

'And with this new addition of structures illuminating nearly the entire protein universe, we can expect more biological mysteries to be solved each day.'

Finding a new drug that can heal an illness is painstakingly difficult - especially when trying to determine how different receptors - proteins that bind to the drug - work as a family.

Meaning, scientists often want to find a drug or molecule that targets one member of that family but not all of them. That's where AlphaFold's capabilities can help.

'This could accelerate drug discovery in a way that we've never seen before,' Karen Akinsanya, president of research and development at Schrodinger in New York, said.

Plastics pollution - the world produces some 400 million tons of it per year - is one perhaps surprising area where AlphaFold could play a pivotal role.

Scientists at the Centre for Enzyme Innovation at the University of Portsmouth are developing a unique solution, something they call a 'fully circular plastic economy' that would use enzymes, which are proteins that speed up metabolism, to break plastic polymers.

That way, they could be 100% recycled back to their initial state  or even upcycled into material that has the quality of virgin plastic - instead of polluting the oceans.

'One year after open-sourcing its AlphaFold Protein Structure Database, DeepMind and EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute are expanding it from nearly 1M to over 200M protein structures, covering almost every organism that has had its genome sequenced, a huge milestone,' Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said on Twitter.

'As pioneers in the emerging field of digital biology', were excited to see the huge potential of AI starting to be realised as one of humanitys most useful tools for advancing scientific discovery and understanding the fundamental mechanisms of life,' Hassabis said.

Although DeepMind has prided itself on the database being open-sourced to allow scientists broad access, the company's founder admitted during the announcement to reporters that they may need to restrict access in the future.

'Future [systems], if they do carry risks, the whole community would need to consider different ways of giving access to that systemnot necessarily open sourcing everythingbecause that could enable bad actors,' Hassabis said.

'Open-sourcing isnt some sort of panacea,' Hassabis added. 'Its great when you can do it. But there are often cases where the risks may be too great.'

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai heralded the announcement of the database's expanded capabilities in a statement posted to Twitter (seen above)

Today's announcement shows that, thanks to AlphaFold, researchers have access to a much higher number of protein structures for their work
Searing heat in Britain last week saw temperatures push past 104F (40C) for the first time in the country, while a provisional reading of 40.3C (104.5F) at Coningsby in Lincolnshire on July 19 marked a record high.

Now, experts have said that human-caused climate change made the record-breaking heatwave at least 10 times more likely, but probably more as this is a 'conservative estimate'.

The extreme temperatures were higher than climate models had predicted, suggesting the consequences of climate change for heatwaves could be even worse than previously thought.

Intense temperatures triggered wildfires and thunderstorms, caused infrastructure damage and likely killed more than 800 people, the researchers say.

Searing heat in Britain last week saw temperatures push past 104F (40C) for the first time in the country. Now, researchers say human-caused climate change made record heatwave 'at least 10 times more likely' Pictured, Brighton beach on July 19, 2022

Residents take a dip in a paddling pool to cool off outside their home on July 19, 2022 in Leeds. Temperatures exceeded 104F (40C) in parts of England after the Met Office issued its first red extreme heat warning. Now, researchers say human-caused climate change made record heatwave 'at least 10 times more likely'

JULY'S RECORD-BREAKING HEATWAVE On July 15, the Met Office issued its first ever red alert warning for extreme heat, for period between July 18-19 in parts of England. In the days that followed, many weather stations across the country recorded their highest-ever temperatures, in many cases breaking previous records by 3-4C (5.4-7.2F). On July 19, Coningsby in Lincolnshire set a national record, with temperatures reaching 40.3C (104.5F). This was 1.6C (2.8F) warmer than the previous record and 3.6C (6.4F) hotter than the record that had stood until 1990. Researchers say there could be hundreds of deaths in England and Wales due to the heat, although the precise number of casualties will not be available for weeks. Children, the elderly and those with chronic health conditions are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. City dwellers are also at a higher risk of death from heat, which is more effectively trapped in built-up areas. Advertisement

The analysis was conducted by an international team of 21 researchers as part of the World Weather Attribution group, including experts at Imperial College London, the University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh.

'Even with a conservative estimate, we see a large role of climate change in the UK heatwave,' said Mariam Zachariah at Imperial's Grantham Institute for Climate Change.

'Under our current climate that has been altered by greenhouse gas emissions, many people are experiencing events during their lifetime that would have been almost impossible otherwise.'

Using published peer-reviewed methods, the researchers analysed how human-induced climate change altered the likelihood and intensity of last week's heatwave.

They focused on a region roughly corresponding to the area of the red alert warning, but also including parts of east Wales.

They used computer modelling to compare the likelihood of the temperatures seen in the 2022 heatwave under the current climate and in a world without the 1.2C (2.1F) of global warming seen since the 19th century.

The modelling suggests climate change, driven by more heat-trapping greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere by human activity, made the heatwave 10 times more likely and probably even more.

While models estimate greenhouse gas emissions increased temperatures in this heatwave by 2C (3.6F), separate historical weather records indicate that the heatwave would have been 4C (7.2F) cooler preindustrial times, when the world was yet to be significantly warmed by human activities.

This shows that extreme temperatures are higher than even climate models predict, because extreme temperatures in Western Europe are rising faster than expected.

Meanwhile, the likelihood of having a heatwave like the one last week in a world that is just 1.2C (2.1F) cooler is 'extremely low', and 'statistically impossible' in some locations, they found.

Researchers focused on a region (shown here within the rectangle) roughly corresponding to the area of the red alert warning, but also including parts of east Wales. a) shows the daily maximum temperatures for July 19; b) shows the two-day average for July 18-19

Intense temperatures triggered wildfires and thunderstorms, caused infrastructure damage and likely killed more than 800 people. Pictured, fire breaks out in residential areas in Wennington, Greater London, July 19, 2022

Researchers point out that heatwaves during the height of summer pose a 'substantial risk to human health' and are 'potentially lethal'.

This risk is aggravated by climate change, but also by other factors such as an ageing population, urbanisation, changing social structures and levels of preparedness.

Professor Tim Palmer at the University of Oxford, who was not involved with the study, said there is 'very little doubt' that human induced climate change is making UK heatwaves more likely.

'You would have to be an ostrich with your head buried in the sand to think otherwise,' he said.

Professor Palmer also highlighted the need for exascale supercomputers  computers that can a billion billion calculations per second  to be dedicated to climate modelling for more accurate results.

Intense temperatures triggered wildfires and thunder and likely killed more than 800 people, the researchers add. Pictured is Bella Wood in South Yorkshire on fire last week

A young woman dives into the River Cam as the temperatures reach record levels on July 19, 2022 in Cambridge, England

Unfortunately, the UK has very little experience with extreme high temperatures and much of the UK's homes have a limited ability to withstand heat.

Partly due to the country's long and cold winters, British infrastructure that was built to retain heat is 'rare', the World Weather Attribution experts say.

Last year, the UK Climate Change Committee warned that over 570,000 homes were not resilient to high temperatures, making many of them uninhabitable.

Zachariah said the longer the UK takes to reach net zero emissions, 'the worse the heatwaves will become'.

Net zero emissions means any carbon emissions from the UK would be balanced by schemes to offset an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions including CO2 and methane is seen as key to achieving the aims of the Paris Agreement to limit climate change.

Adopted in 2016, the Paris Agreement aims to hold an increase in global average temperature to below 3.6F (2C) and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 2.7F (1.5C).

Hitting the Paris targets is seen as key to averting a planetary catastrophe, leading to devastation in the form of frequent climate disasters and millions of deaths.

Dr Radhika Khosla, a professor at the Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, said: 'The level of heat the UK is now experiencing is dangerous.

'It puts strain on our infrastructure, economy, food and education systems, and on our bodies. As the study points out, many homes in the UK become uninhabitable in extreme heat.

'Adapting to rising temperatures, building heat resilience with sustainable approaches, and protecting people is an urgent priority as unprecedented temperatures become the norm.'
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It is a gripping scene of an orca viciously ripping out the liver of a nine-foot-long great white shark, as two other killer whales excitedly watch the once blue waters of South Africas Mossel Bay turn blood red before the shark sinks to a the bottom of the sea  never to be seen again.

The wild story was captured by a drone camera soaring above and now gives scientists a better understanding about why these apex-predators seem to be fleeing from this region that was once the shark capital of the world.

Orcas are known to feast on a great white shark liver, as the organ is large, fatty and has become the whales favorite dish  eight shark carcasses washing ashore the Western Cape in 2017 and all were missing their liver.

The footage is part of marine biologist Alison Towners long-term work with great whites. She shared on her Instagram page that the clip is one of the most incredible pieces of natural history ever captured on film. 

The clip which is the first to show an orca eating a great white, is set to air on Discoverys Shark House Thursday night at 9pm ET, which is a day before the highly anticipated Shark Week begins.

Shark Week is an annual week-long television programming block that features nothing but shark-based content.

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The wild story starts with viewers seeing two orcas splashing and swimming in waters off the coast of South Africa

Great whites typically aggregate in the waters around South Africa due to the large population of Cape fur seals that are the predators main source of food.

However, what used to be up to 900 sharks has dwindled down to no more than 522 and it is because this predator has become the prey.

A great white shark appears from the depths, capturing the interest of the two orcas - but the shark is unaware what is lurking below it

A third orca appears, rips out the sharks liver and eats it. The once blue water is instantly turned red from the bleeding shark

One might think great whites would have the upper hand over orcas, but they are no match for the whales that are larger, braver and more strategic.

News broke in 2019 that great whites had mysteriously vanished from Cape Town, South Africa and all evidence pointed to a migration of orcas in the region.

Between 2010 and 2016 shark spotters recorded an average of 205 great white sightings a year in a 600 square mile section of the Atlantic Ocean.

In 2018 there were only 50 and so far this year not a single one of the much-feared great white shark has been spotted.

Once the orca has had its fill, it lets go of the lifeless shark. The carcass slowly disappears into the water

At least seven great white shark carcasses have washed ashore in False Bay since 2017, with telltale teeth marks indicating they were savaged by orcas. Researchers say Great Whites that encounter killer whales will immediately abandon their usual hunting ground for up to a year

Between 2010 and 2016 shark spotters recorded more than 200 great white sightings a year at False Bay, near Seal Island (pictured). In a study published today, biologist Alison Towner reports earlier this month that she has tracked 14 sharks fleeing the Gansbaai coast areas when orcas are present

Pollution, climate change and over fishing of their natural prey have also been suggested as potential causes behind the mysterious disappearance.

WHY DO ORCAS HUNT GREAT WHITE SHARKS? Orcas are the only natural predator of the Great White. Scientists have found proof that they are gashing the sharks open and eating their fatty livers. Scientists speculate this behavior may be behind the disappearance of great whites from the waters of False Bay, off of the coast of Cape Town. Great Whites frequented the area between the months of June to October every year as part of their annual winter hunting season. They were drawn to the region by the presence of the so-called Seal Island, a rock home to a huge seal colony. However, they have themselves fallen pray to orcas  and are on the retreat. Advertisement

Towner was also involved with researcher last month, which investigated the 2017 great white carcasses off the coast of Gansbaai.

Many of the shark carcasses washed up without their livers and hearts, or with other injuries distinctive to the orca pair.

'The research is particularly important, as by determining how large marine predators respond to risk, we can understand the dynamics of coexistence with other predator communities, Towner said.

'These dynamics may also dictate the interactions between competitors or intra-guild predator-prey relationship.'

Gansbaai was once a world-renowned place for spotting the legendary Great White, with tourists across the globe visiting and partaking in cage diving.

The orcas' prevalence may suggest that a decline in prey populations, including fishes and sharks, is causing changes in their distribution pattern.

Other explanations for the decline in Great Whites in the area include shark fishing, fishery-induced declines in prey or an increase in the sea surface temperature.

However, while these may have a partial effect, they are unlikely to be the sole contributor to such a sudden, localized population decline from 2017.

Towner said: 'The Orcas are targeting subadult Great White Sharks, which can further impact an already vulnerable shark population owing to their slow growth and late-maturing life-history strategy.

'Increased vigilance using citizen science, for example fishers' reports and tourism vessels, as well as continued tracking studies, will aid in collecting more information on how these predations may impact the long-term ecological balance in these complex coastal seascapes.

'We know that Great White sharks face their highest targeted mortality in the anti-shark bather protection nets in KwaZulu Natal, they simply cannot afford additional pressure now from Orca, killer whale predation.'
Russia has backtracked on its decision to pull out of NASA's International Space Station (ISS) by 2024, saying it will now keep its cosmonauts on the orbiting laboratory until their own orbital outpost is built - but this will not happen before 2028.

The nation's upcoming station is set to be called Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS), but will be run dramatically different from the ISS, specifically that it will not be permanently occupied.

Vladimir Solovyov, the flight director for the space station's Russian segment, was quoted as saying Russia must remain on the station until Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS) is up and running.

'We, of course, need to continue operating the ISS until we create a more or less tangible backlog for ROSS,' Solovyov said.

'We must take into account that if we stop manned flights for several years, then it will be very difficult to restore what has been achieved.'

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In the front row (from left), are NASA Jessica Watkins and Roscosmos Sergey Korsakov. In the back (from left), are Roscosmos Denis Matveev; NASA Flight Engineers Kjell Lindgren and Bob Hines; ESA Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti; and Roscosmos Commander Oleg Artemyev. These are the current inhabitants of the ISS

News of Russia's departure made headlines worldwide Tuesday morning, but it seemed the only ones in the dark were NASA.

Both astronauts on the ISS and team members on the ground said they 'haven't heard anything officially' about the plans and 'everybody is working together' on the station at this moment, conducting research and maintaining the orbiting laboratory.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson told DailyMail.com, following news of the separation on Tuesday, in a statement: 'NASA has not been made aware of decisions from any of the partners, though we are continuing to build future capabilities to assure our major presence in low-Earth orbit.'

Vladimir Solovyov (left), the flight director for the space station's Russian segment, was quoted as saying Russia must remain on the station until Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS) is up and running

Russia's announcement, however, stated that it would pull out of the ISS 'after 2024' to build its own equivalent - direct words that came from the newly appointed chief of state space agency Roscosmos, Yury Borisov.

'I think that by that time we will start putting together a Russian orbital station,' Borisov said at a meeting with Putin, according to a report from the Moscow Times, calling the space program the main 'priority.'

'Of course, we will fulfill all our obligations to our partners, but the decision to leave this station after 2024 has been made,' Borisov added.

Citing an unnamed industry source, Interfax reported that Russia's new space station would cost $6 billion.

However, ROSS is not taking any pages out of NASA's playbook when it comes to its operations.

Cosmonauts will only spend two months a time on the ship and only launch them to space when it is necessary, Futurism reports.

The docking station is called the Nauka module, which docked with the International Space Station last year, according to Solovyov.

The 'Scientific and Energy Module' will be the first constructed, along with a docking module with six stations for capsules to drop off cosmonauts.

The ISS, launched in 1998 by the Russian and US space agencies, has been a rare area of cooperation between Moscow and Washington as relations have sharply deteriorated in recent years.

Earlier this year, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev, Denis Matveev and Sergey Korsakov pose with a flag of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic at the International Space Station (ISS)

Russia has shared details of its upcoming station, noting the docking station the Nauka module (pictured), which docked with the International Space Station last year

The ISS, launched in 1998 by the Russian and US space agencies, has been a rare area of cooperation between Moscow and Washington as relations have sharply deteriorated in recent years

On June 23, 1994, Vice President Gore announced he and Victor Chernomyrdin, the prime minster at the time, had agreed upon a contract that funneled $400 million into the Shuttle-Mir project. This project aimed to provide a large and habitable scientific laboratory in space and thus, the two nations worked together to create the ISS.

Earlier this month, NASA was forced to take sides when three cosmonauts cosmonauts displayed anti-Ukraine propaganda aboard the ISS - and it did not take Russia's side.

The three cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev, Denis Matveev and Sergey Korsakov, shared a picture of them holding up flags of the Luhansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic  two Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine that are only recognized as independent states by Moscow and Syria.

They claimed the capture of the region was 'a liberation day to celebrate both on Earth and in space.'

The move forced NASA to rebuke Russia using the ISS 'for political purposes to support its war against Ukraine.'

Press secretary Jackie McGuinness added that it was 'fundamentally inconsistent with the station's primary function among the 15 international participating countries to advance science and develop technology for peaceful purposes.'
Australia has been gripped by Neighbours nostalgia ahead of the soap's final episode this Thursday night following 37 years on our screens.

And while the iconic show has long been associated with wholesome values, producers didn't shy away from including some rather raunchy scenes over the years.

Ahead of its climax, we take a look at some of the naughtiest moments in Neighbours history.

From forbidden flings to raunchy romps: Inside Neighbours' steamiest moments as the beloved soap comes to an end after 37 years

Toadie and Dee's risque PDAs

Regarded as one of Neighbours' best love stories, the romance between Jarrod 'Toadie' Rebecchi (Ryan Maloney) and Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) featured plenty of steamy moments.

In fact, one of their sauciest moments was the first time they kissed back in 2002, during a game of truth or dare.

Toadie and Dee were spending time with their friends at the coffee shop when the power cut.

Regarded as one of Neighbours' best love stories, Jarrod 'Toadie' Rebecchi (Ryan Maloney) and Dee Bliss' (Madeleine West) romance featured plenty of steamy moments

After the group began playing kiss or dare to pass the time, Toadie was dared to place a 'big wet kiss' on his then-housemate Dee.

'Rules are rules, frog man!' teased one friend

Despite looking nervous, Toadie gathered his composure and replied, 'It's Toadfish, actually', before passionately kissing Dee in front of the whole group.

In fact, one of their sauciest moments was the first time they kissed back in 2002, during a raunchy game of truth or dare. After the group began playing kiss or dare to pass the time, Toadie was dared to place a 'big wet kiss' on his then-housemate Dee

The pair married following a whirlwind romance, but tragedy struck in 2003 when their car drove off a cliff, with Dee's body never recovered

The pair went on to marry, but tragedy struck in 2003 when their car drove off a cliff, with Dee's body never recovered.

Toadie moved on in the years that followed, before a woman impersonating Dee (also played by West) returned to Erinsborough in 2019 to seduce him.

In one saucy scene, Toadie give into temptation and has passionate sex with the fake Dee in his hotel room, not realising he was actually being watched by his pregnant wife via Zoom.

Toadie moved on in the years that followed, before a woman impersonating Dee (also played by West) returned to Erinsborough in 2019 to seduce him

In one saucy scene, Toadie give into temptation and has passionate sex with the fake Dee in his hotel room

Tpadoe didn't realise his pregnant wife was watching the whole thing live via Zoom

Elly's pub strip tease

Elly Conway (played by Jodi Gordon) became known for her seductive ways following her Neighbours debut in 2016.

During her first episode, the randy teacher raised eyebrows by flirting with schoolboy Tyler Brennan (played by Travis Burns) at a pub, before exposing her lingerie.

During her first episode, the randy teacher raised eyebrows by flirting with schoolboy Tyler Brennan (played by Travis Burns) at a pub, before exposing her lingerie

Suddenly, Tyler's girlfriend Piper Willis (Mavournee Hazel) arrives on the scene, and is immediately enraged about Elly's advances. 'Get your hands off my boyfriend!' she demanded, angrily pouring a red-coloured beverage over the school teacher

The pair are seen in friendly conversation, before Elly reaches out and tugs on Tyler's tie.

Suddenly, Tyler's girlfriend Piper Willis (Mavournee Hazel) arrives on the scene, and is enraged about Elly's advances.

'Get your hands off my boyfriend!' she demands, angrily pouring a red-coloured drink over the school teacher.

After the confrontation, Elly attempts to dry off by unbuttoning her white blouse to reveal a sexy black bra beneath.

After the confrontation, Elly attempts to dry off by unbuttoning her white blouse to reveal a sexy black bra beneath

Tyler's eyes were fixed on the brunette's physique as he draped his suit jacket over her shoulders.

She puts the blazer on before putting forward a suggestive proposition.

'Night cap? Your place?' she flirtatiously asks the younger character, who ends up politely rebuffing her advances.

'Really? You should get your eyes checked tomorrow so you can see what you're missing out on', she cooed.

David and Rafael's gay sex scene

In 2018, Neighbours aired a steamy bedroom scene featuring Dr David Tanaka (Takaya Honda) and Rafael Humphreys (Ryan Thomas).

The passionate scene took place in a hotel room, with David asking his new flame: 'You haven't done this much, have you?'

In 2018, Neighbours aired a steamy bedroom scene featuring Dr. David Tanaka (Takaya Honda) and Rafael Humphreys (Ryan Thomas)

The passionate scene took place in a hotel room, with David asking his new flame: 'You haven't done this much, have you?'

'That makes two of us, I only came out last year. I know what it's like to feel overwhelmed,' Rafael replied.

The pair were seen kissing in the bedroom before David began peeling off Rafael's clothes.

Things took a turn when Rafael admitted he was scared to reveal the disfiguring scars on his back from a fire.

'That makes two of us, I only came out last year. I know what it's like to feel overwhelmed,' Rafael replied

'You don't have to be nervous. I know what its like to be self-conscious, but it's just you and me here,' kind-hearted David assured him, before the pair proceeded to make love all night.

Paige and Jack's unorthodox haystack romp

In 2016, Paige Smith (Olympia Valance) and Jack Callahan (Andrew Morley) got frisky in a rather unusual location - a hay barn.

The story began when Jack, a Catholic priest, rescued Paige after she was involved in a hot air balloon crash during a friends' hens celebration.

In 2016, Paige Smith (Olympia Valance) and priest Jack Callahan (Andrew Morley) got frisky in a rather unusual location - a hay barn

Jack believes Paige may not survive and decides to finally confess his feelings for her, in spite of his religious pact.

Things get steamy as the couple end up sleeping together in an abandoned barn.

Following their romp, the nude couple cuddle up under a blanket and gaze lovingly into each other's eyes.

Jack later feels guilty about his moment of passion with Paige and realises he can't perform his priestly duties anymore.

Jack later feels guilty about his moment of passion with Paige and realises he can't perform his priestly duties anymore

Elly's lusty dream about Chloe

Elly Conway (Jodie Gordon) shared a sensual dream with her female love interest Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly) in 2019.

The women were enjoying an afternoon of pampering, when Elly dozed off her massage and began dreaming about getting intimate with Chloe.

Elly Conway (Jodie Gordon) shared a sensual dream sequence with her female love interest Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly) in 2019F

During the steamy dream, Elly and Chloe are seen kissing and caressing each other wearing nothing but massage towels

During the steamy dream, Elly and Chloe are seen kissing and caressing each other wearing nothing but massage towels.

Amy, Levi and Ned's threesome

Neighbours made headlines in 2021 for airing a taboo three-way sex scene involving Amy Greenwood (Jacinta Stapleton) Ned (Ben Hall) and Levi (Richie Morris).

Ned and Ben had been casually dating Amy prior to the menage a trois, leading to a tense and competitive energy between the two men.

Neighbours made headlines in 2021 for airing a taboo three-way sex scene involving Amy Greenwood (Jacinta Stapleton) Ned (Ben Hall) and Levi (Richie Morris)

Ned and Ben had been casually dating Amy prior to the menage a trois, leading to a tense and competitive energy between the two men

The dynamic soon changes, however, after Ned invites Ben and Amy to engage in a polyamorous relationship together.

Amy and Ben are taken aback, but eventually decide to give the unusual arrangement a go - leading to all three lovers ending up in bed together.

Karl and Susan's bedroom role play

Dr Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) and his wife Susan (Jackie Woodburne) enjoyed their fair share of naughty moments during their long-lasting TV marriage.

Dr Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) and his wife Susan (Jackie Woodburne) enjoyed their fair share of naughty moments during their long-lasting TV marriage

The middle-aged pair surprised fans with their love of bedroom role play, with Susan often dressing up as a Swedish masseuse or sexy cheerleader

The middle-aged pair surprised fans with their love of bedroom role play, with Susan often dressing up as a Swedish masseuse or sexy cheerleader.

Karl meanwhile tried to seduce his wife by going nude beneath a doctor's coat.

Kyle and Roxy's camping hook-up

In 2020, young lovers Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan) and Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson) turned up the heat during a camping trip.

In 2020, young lovers Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan) and Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson) turned up the heat during a camping trip

Fans enjoyed sizzling scenes of the couple kissing and groping each other inside their tent

Fans enjoyed sizzling scenes of the couple kissing and groping each other inside their tent.

Thing became even naughtier when the pair disrobed and went skinny dipping at a nearby lake at night.

The Neighbours finale will air Thursday, July 28 at 7.30pm on Channel 10 and 10Peach
AJ Pritchard and his girlfriend Abbie Quinnen put on a very cosy display as they attended the Sister Act! The Musical press night in London on Wednesday.

Abbie, 24, stunned in a silky sage green ensemble as she joined her boyfriend and a host of celebrity guests at London's Eventim Apollo.

The blonde beauty looked incredible in the corset top and matching high-waisted flares as she held onto a black leather handbag.

Cute: AJ Pritchard and his girlfriend Abbie Quinnen put on a very cosy display as they attended the Sister Act! The Musical press night in London on Wednesday

Suave: The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 27, put on a suave display in a white textured button-up and black slacks

She styled the earth-toned outfit with black heels and a golden pendant necklace, wearing her platinum tresses in waves.

Abbie opted for a dewy glam make-up look with lashing of blush and a bright pink lipstick.

Meanwhile former Strictly Come Dancing star AJ, 27, put on a suave display in a white textured button-up and black slacks.

Stylish: He donned black combat boots, grinning as he huddled up to Abbie, 24, who stunned in a silky sage green ensemble

It comes after AJ's brother Curtis recently admitted he's now living alone in a bachelor pad after being kicked out of his big brother's flat.

The former Love Island star admitted to 'overstaying' his welcome, causing tension between him and professional dancer AJ.

The brothers, who both remain in the spotlight, have lived together for two years but are now going their separate ways after 'war' broke out between them.

Stunner: The blonde beauty looked incredible in the corset top and matching high-waisted flares as she held onto a black leather handbag

Chic: She styled the earth-toned outfit with black heels and a golden pendant necklace, wearing her platinum tresses in waves

Curtis told The Sun: 'I've been kicked out, there was war. Two years is overstaying anyone's welcome.

The performer, who is currently dating his Cinderella co-star Sophie Sheridan, added: 'I am not living with my girlfriend, I am happy to say I am living on my own.'

He revealed: 'I am sleeping on the floor though on just a mattress. I have a TV and its on two chairs. Its a lad pad and a no-go zone.'
Dumped Love Islander Antigoni Buxton was seen enjoying a night out in Manchester with fellow series alum Jacques O'Neill - who earlier this month tearfully chose to leave the villa in a shock exit.

The blonde bombshell, 26, flaunted her incredible figure in a revealing pink co-ord set as the pair attended the Mars The Label Party at Rosso Restaurant on Wednesday.

The London native teamed a busty cut out top, which featured inky magenta patterns, with a chic drawstring mini-skirt that flaunted her toned stomach.

Pals: Dumped Love Islander Antigoni Buxton was seen enjoying a night out in Manchester with fellow series alum Jacques O'Neill - who earlier this month tearfully chose to leave the villa in a shock exit

Glam: The blonde bombshell, 26, flaunted her incredible figure in a revealing pink co-ord set as the pair attended the Mars The Label Party at Rosso Restaurant on Wednesday

She wore her signature blonde curls down, accessorising the summery look with rounded earrings and clear heels.

Antigoni opted for a smokey glam make-up look as she rocked her trademark cat-eye shaped liner and a deep red lip.

The stunner was dumped alongside Charlie Radnedge earlier this month after initially entering the show as a bombshell.

Wow: Also in attendance at the event was Cheyanne Mills - who turned Jacques' head in a dramatic Casa Amor storyline this season - despite him ultimately choosing to stay in a couple with Paige Thorne

Elsewhere Jacques, 23, cut a casual figure in a stylish black hoodie and light grey joggers, worn with white trainers.

The former rugby player put on a suave display in the jumper, which featured graphic detailing, as he walked alongside his fellow Love Island pal.

Also in attendance at the event was Cheyanne Mills - who turned Jacques' head in a dramatic Casa Amor storyline this season - despite him ultimately choosing to stay in a couple with Paige Thorne.

Beauty: Stephanie Lam, who entered the villa during series four, put on a busty display in an all-white figure-hugging ensemble as she sported a plunging corset top and high-waisted trousers

However it wasn't long before Jacques made the decision to leave the villa following the entrance of comeback bombshell Adam Collard.

At Wednesday's event, Cheyanne, 23, stunned in a glam cool-toned mini-dress which featured cut out detailing at the midriff.

She flaunted her long, toned legs in the slinky ensemble, accentuating her physique in strappy white lace-up heels.

Bright: Meanwhile Liberty Poole and Lucinda Strafford - both from season seven - looked incredible as they arrived. Liberty, 22, lit up the room in a neon green mini dress

Cheyanne carried a deep green purse, wearing her platinum locks down in a sleek straight bob.

And it wasn't just this year's contestants from the hit dating show who made an appearance at the party.

Stephanie Lam, who entered the villa during series four, put on a busty display in an all-white figure-hugging ensemble as she sported a plunging corset top and high-waisted trousers.

The star donned a glam make-up look, featuring soft eyeshadow and a glossy brown lipstick, and wore her caramel waves down in a relaxed style.

Chic: Lucinda, 22, rocked a chick black-and-white ensemble teamed with a Prada purse and Yves Saint Laurent shoes

Meanwhile Liberty Poole and Lucinda Strafford - both from season seven - looked incredible as they arrived.

Liberty, 22, lit up the room in a neon green mini dress and Lucinda, 22, rocked a chick black-and-white ensemble teamed with a Prada purse and Yves Saint Laurent shoes.

Tina O'Brien and Lucy Fallon were also present, both rocking casual summery looks in patterned skirts and tops.

Summer style: Tina O'Brien and Lucy Fallon were also present, both rocking casual summery looks in patterned skirts and tops

Floral: Coronation Street actress Tina, 38, sported a chic white T-shirt tucked into a floral print mini-skirt

Stunner: Actress Brooke Vincent also made an appearance, looking stunning in a summery bandeau top and high-waisted jeans

Coronation Street actress Tina, 38, sported a chic white T-shirt tucked into a floral print mini-skirt.

Meanwhile fellow soap star Lucy, 26, threw a bright green blazer to add a classy element to her look.

Actress Brooke Vincent also made an appearance, looking stunning in a summery bandeau top and high-waisted jeans.

The brown-haired beauty, 30, carried a turquoise purse and an off-white jacket as she arrived at the event.




By Ko Dong-hwan





The Baby Shark character and its family / Courtesy of Busan Metropolitan City
Kanye West purchased A$AP Bari a Mercedes Maybach SUV after the artist crashed his previous one.

A$AP Bari, 30, whose real name is Jabari Shelton, was seen in an Instagram clip in which he displayed the vehicle West, 45, purchased for him.

'Ye really bought me a f***ing Maybach truck yo,' A$AP Bari said in the clip. 'I just crashed my car two days ago y'all. I did not post it because I didn't want people DM-ing me asking me like "Yo what's going on? Are you ok?"'

The latest: Kanye West, 45, purchased A$AP Bari, 30, a Mercedes Maybach SUV after the artist crashed his previous one

A$AP Bari said, 'Yes I crashed my car,' and he was 'about to cry' after West purchased him a new vehicle.

A$AP Bari did not delve into further detail about the accident, or how West learned about it.

A$AP Bari also posted a clip to social media of a DM exchange with West, who asked for his address and said he had a surprise for him. He wrote over a screengrab, 'God Is good. Thanks @kanyewest.'

West wrote in the exchange, 'Whats your home address? Or where you rt now?' to which A$AP Bari gave him his address.

A$AP Bari showed the luxury vehicle in a social media post

A$AP Bari showed the luxe black leather interior of the vehicle in the clip

A$AP Bari also posted a clip to social media of a DM exchange with West, who asked for his address and said he had a surprise for him. He wrote over a screengrab, 'God Is good. Thanks @kanyewest'

West wrote, 'Man I just asked [redacted] when it was coming and she said 2mrw afternoon. I dont want to describe it. Just gonna wait till you get it.'

West has long been supportive of A$AP Bari, a fashion entrepreneur who helped found the brand VLONE. In September 2018, West took to Twitter with supportive words for A$AP Bari as he was dealing with accusations of sex assault (which he later pleaded guilty to in January of 2019).

'Bari challenged me when no one else did and when he got in trouble I was scared to say he was my friend just like I did with xxx and that was some p**** s*** on my part,' West said. 'I let the perception and the robots control me. Thats the true sunken place. Bari I appreciate your perspective and vision. You brought me closer to Rocky too. Jedis never let perception and cancel culture get between them.'

According to Car and Driver, the cost of a 2022 Mercedes-Maybach GLS-Class starts at $162,000.
Candace Cameron Bure has been pictured out and about after issuing an apology to JoJo Siwa for 'breaking her heart' when they first met on the red carpet nearly 10 years ago.

The actress, 46, looked in good spirits as she arrived to an office building in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon.

Flashing a bright smile, Candace seemed to be doing her best to move on after JoJo called her the 'rudest celebrity' she had ever met.

Put on a happy face! Candace Cameron Bure has been pictured out and about after issuing an apology to JoJo Siwa for 'breaking her heart' when they first met on the red carpet nearly 10 years ago

The actress put her toned legs on display in a pair of frayed jean shorts whilst strolling about comfortably in white braided slides.

The Fuller House actress accentuated her trim physique with a fitted white top and threw on a mustard yellow sweater in the slight chance of breeze.

She wore her blonde locks up into a messy bun and carried a massive water bottle and brown purse looped around her shoulder.

Candace has been thrust into headlines these last few days after JoJo Siwa, 19, branded her the 'rudest celebrity' she had ever met in a now-viral TikTok video.

Summer style! The actress put her toned legs on display in a pair of frayed jean shorts whilst strolling about comfortably in white braided slides

But on Tuesday Candace revealed she reached out to JoJo after her video and apologized for 'breaking her heart' during their brief interaction nearly 10 years ago.

The pair meet at the Fuller House premiere when JoJo was just 11, and Candace is said to have told her 'not right now' when she asked for a selfie at the event.

Candace says JoJo said: 'You know, I met you at the Fuller House premiere and I was 11 years old. And we were all on the red carpet and I had come up to you and I said, "Can I have a picture with you?" and you said to me, "Not right now," and then you proceeded to do what you were doing and take pictures with other people on the red carpet.'

'It breaks my heart that I made you feel that way': But on Tuesday Candace revealed she reached out to JoJo and after her video and apologized for 'breaking her heart' during their brief interaction nearly 10 years ago

Candace, who is a devout Christian, admitted that the teenager's story 'broke her heart', and revealed that she offered up an apology to Siwa, telling her: 'I broke your 11-year-old heart. Please know that as a mom that it breaks my heart that I made you feel that way.'

Candace said that things were now 'all good on the JoJo front.'

The actress added that Siwa told her she had never intended for the video to become as viral as it did, and that she actually thought Bure was a nice person.

Resolved! Candace says she and the former Dance Moms star are now 'all good'

She wrapped up the video by offering a lesson - advising that no matter one's intention, anybody with a following on social media should be mindful of what they say.

Candace said: 'I think that the lesson we can learn is to be mindful of no matter how many followers you have, even a 10-second trending TikTok video can do damage.

'Because our words matter and our actions matter and whether you have 50 million followers or 500 followers or five followers, we all influence the people around us.'

Ouch! Siwa called Bure the 'rudest celebrity' she had ever met in a now viral TikTok video

'I had a rough experience when I was little': JoJo reiterated her version of events in video obtained by Page Six; pictured November 2021

JoJo reiterated her version of events in video obtained by Page Six.

'You know, I had a rough experience when I was little,' she said. 'I was 11, and I was a big, big fan, and I wanted to take a picture with her, and it wasnt a good time for her.'

However, she still stood up for Candace: 'I will say because I had a bad experience, that doesnt mean that she is an awful human,' she said.

'I think it just was an inconvenient time for her, and little 11-year-old me was just so pumped up and so excited, but that doesnt mean shes the worst human ever.'
Age-defying model Elle Macpherson graces the cover of Elle France in a striking photo shoot captured by her ex-husband.

The mother of two, 58, poses topless with a straw hat to cover her modesty for the fashion magazine's latest issue.

Looking windswept, she completes her look with a colourful striped skirt.

Age-defying model Elle Macpherson graces the cover of Elle France in a striking photo shoot captured by her ex-husband Gilles Bensimon

Elle posted the cover on her Instagram, and paid tribute to the visionary fashion photographer behind the shoot: Gilles Bensimon.

She was married to Gilles, 78, in the late '80s when she was a rising supermodel.

'After 40 years working together, my mentor and friend the brilliant @gilles_bensimon @ellefr and I have collaborated again to celebrate the joy and freedom of finding beauty and wellness within,' Elle wrote.

The WelleCo founder added a quote from Auguste Rodin that read: 'To any artist, worthy of the name, all in nature is beautiful, because his eyes, fearlessly accepting all exterior truth, read there, as in an open book, all the inner truth.'

Elle and Gilles married in 1986 before separating three years later

Gilles praised his ex-wife and collaborator in the comments section, writing: 'Nothing will happen without you organizing and almost doing 99/100 of the production, and you being Elle still on top! Thank you.'

The Aussie beauty married Gilles, the former International Creative Director of Elle magazine, in 1986 and they divorced in 1989.

The exes remain on friendly terms to this day, regularly collaborating on projects and even sharing old photos of themselves together.

The exes remain on friendly terms to this day, regularly collaborating on projects

In 2020, Elle posted a throwback photo of the former couple in honour of Gilles' 76th birthday with the caption: '1983.'

She added: 'Happy birthday to the man behind my most favorite images.

'My first love, married in 1986, we travelled the world together shooting for ELLE magazine - his images still relevant / timeless and we are still friends 40 years after we met... happy birthday, mon Gilles.'

Elle previously called ex-husband Gilles her 'first love'. (Pictured in September 2016)

Elle has had a number of high-profile relationships, including with French financier, Arpad Busson, with whom she shares two sons: Flynn, 24, and Cy, 19.

She was married to billionaire Jeffrey Soffer from 2013 to 2017.

Elle was previously linked to disgraced former doctor Andrew Wakefield, but a rep confirmed their split in December 2021.

She was married to billionaire Jeffrey Soffer from 2013 to 2017. (Pictured in December 2010)

Elle has had a number of high-profile relationships, including with French financier, Arpad Busson, with whom she shares two sons: Flynn, 24, and Cy, 19. (Pictured in May 2005)

'As a spokesperson for Elle I can unequivocally confirm that the relationship between Elle and Dr Wakefield terminated almost two years ago,' the rep said.

As of March this year, she is rumoured to be dating U.S.-based French banker Olivier Sarkozy, who is the ex-husband of Mary-Kate Olsen.

The two were reportedly seen getting cosy at an Elton John concert in New York on February 22.

Elle's last official relationship was with disgraced British medic and anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield (left), whom she reportedly started dating in 2017

An onlooker telling The Mirror: 'They seemed really happy together; it looked like they could be a new item.'

Celebrity gossip Instagram account Deuxmoi also published quotes from an anonymous source who claimed Olivier was 'looking very cosy' with his 'date' Elle.

'They looked like they were having a great time!' they added.
There is one Hollywood superstar who can't get enough of Neighbours and is gutted to see the show come to an end this week.

Aussie actor Guy Pearce has revealed that his Mare of Easttown co-star Kate Winslet is an obsessive fan of the beloved soap, and is 'wetting herself' with excitement to see him back in character as motorbike riding heartthrob, Mike Young.

'Kate is a huge fan of the show,' the homegrown Hollywood star told Who Weekly.

Aussie actor Guy Pearce has revealed that his Mare of Easttown co-star Kate Winslet is an obsessive fan of the beloved Neighbours, and is 'wetting herself' with excitement to see him back in character as the motor bike riding heartthrob, Mike Young

Last month producers confirmed that Guy, who first appeared on the series in 1986, would return to Neighbours for Thursday night's final episode.

'She (Kate) was besotted with Mike back in the day,' he continued.

'When I told her I was coming back, she was beside herself.'

'Kate is a huge fan of the show,' the homegrown Hollywood star told Who Weekly

Guy and Kate, 46, became friends after working on HBO's Mildred Pearce in 2010. The stars teamed again in 2021 for the streaming giant's hit series Mare of Easttown.

Elsewhere, Guy said he was only 18 and straight out school when he filmed his first episode for the series in 1985.

Describing himself as 'nostalgic', he said he always wanted to come back to Neighbours as an actor and that appearing on the show was 'super lucky' for his career.

Guy and Kate, 46, became friends after working on HBO's Mildred Pearce in 2010 (pictured)

Meanwhile, he says he regularly catches up with his 80's co-stars from Neighbours, including the show's much-loved couple, Scott and Charlene - Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue.

'Jason and I see each other all the time, and we still call each other Scott and Mike, which is a bit sad!'

Neighbours was axed after the UK's Channel 5 decided in March not to renew its contract with production company Fremantle to finance and broadcast the series.

Guy as heartthrob Mike Young on Neighbours - he says he always wanted to return

Like Guy, Kylie and Jason have joined a long list of Neighbours stars lured back for Thursday night's 90-minute final episode.

Fans can look forward to seeing Margot Robbie, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Delta Goodrem, Jesse Spencer, Holly Valance, Carla Bonner, Natalie Imbruglia and Kym Valentine, return for the finale.

Guy filmed his emotional final scenes with former co-stars Ian Smith, who played the legendary Harold Bishop, Henrietta Graham, Annie Jones and Peter O'Brien.
Bruno Tonioli has ruled out a return to his Strictly Come Dancing 'family' following his exit from the show earlier this year.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline at Wednesday's Sister Act! The Musical press performance, the judge, 66, said that he had found juggling the British show and its American variant Dancing With The Stars shows too taxing after previously admitting the travel schedule took a toll on his health.

Referring to the BBC show, on which he appeared as a judge for 17 years, he said: 'Well I always will miss it, it's my family, but I mean we'll always be friends and you never know what's going to happen'.

EXCLUSIVE: 'The situation is too complicated!' Bruno Tonioli rules out a return to his Strictly Come Dancing 'family' - and admits he often needs help working out who its celebrity contestants actually are!

Going on to discuss his return to the show he continued: 'At the moment, you know it's just as impossible, you know the situation is too complicated but they're all my brothers and sisters, we're all loving each other, you know, no hard feelings, they're great, they do a great job'.

But offering hope for Strictly fans he added: 'You know what's going to happen, no one knows what's going to happen in the future, but at the moment I do the American show but I can't do the travel, it's impossible'.

The outlandish choreographer went on to admit he often needs help working out who the celebrity contestants actually are.

Judge: Speaking about the BBC show, which he appeared as a judge for 17 years, he said: 'Well I always will miss it, it's my family, but I mean we'll always be friends and you never know what's going to happen' (pictured on the show)

He said: 'I never know who anybody is. I go, "Who the hell is that?". It's actually better [not knowing contestants identities] because you don't have any preconceived ideas of what they should or what they can and you look at it as if it was you, for me they are all the same.

'When you turn on the dial, you have to actually look at everybody regardless of what they've done. They might have done what people say what people think.

'You have to ignore that and just look at them as any other person you would make'.

Back together: Bruno (left) was joined at Wednesday's event with former Strictly colleague Craig Revel Horwood (right)

Continuing to host America's Dancing With The Stars alongside former Strictly head judge Len Goodman, Bruno admitted he would often turn to his pal for help.

'I used to have to ask Len all the time, "Who's that?" I'm not really good in sports, or presenters or reality because I don't really watch all of the things, I have to be reminded'.

Before adding: 'It doesn't matter who they are, it's what they do'.

New line up: (L-R) Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse

And the television personality had nothing but praise Anton Du Beke who was announced as a his full time replacement earlier this year.

He said: 'He's very good because he's done it his way and the only way to make it work is to make it yours'.

Adding: 'Forget whoever did it before you and that is why he's done a very good job'.

American Judges: Bruno (right) host dancing with the stars alongside former Strictly head judge Len Goodman (centre) and dancer Carrie Ann Inaba

Speaking about his attempts to juggle both dancing competitions on either sides of the world he said earlier this year: 'I just couldn't do the flying any more, I don't know how I survived that schedule. To be honest, it's a miracle.'

Strictly would go on late into the night on a Saturday, and Bruno said he would make it home to his flat in Maida Vale around midnight then rise early the next morning to fly to Los Angeles, with meetings as soon as he landed. He'd work on Dancing With The Stars for a few days then take another flight back to London to prepare for that weekend's Strictly.

'Then I was back on the plane to America again on Sunday morning. For 11 weeks in a row!'
Delta Goodrem's Revlon commercial has been torn to shreds by Australia's top advertising gurus, following reports the cosmetics giant has declared bankruptcy.

The panel of industry professionals on ABC show Gruen dissected Goodrem's 2021 advertisement on Wednesday's episode, branding the advert 'dated' and 'mumsy'.

Goodrem, 37, was named Revlon's first Australian ambassador last December, and at the time fronted a big-budget TV commercial to promote the brand's 'Live Boldly' marketing campaign.

Delta Goodrem's Revlon commercial (pictured) has been torn to shreds by Australia's top advertising gurus, following reports the cosmetics giant has declared bankruptcy

The commercial shows a dolled-up Goodrem posing, playing piano and awkwardly dancing around opulently styled rooms wearing designer clothing.

She delivers a platitude-filled monologue featuring phrases such as 'ride the highs and the lows', 'take the risk' and 'live boldly'.

The Gruen panelists couldn't help but laugh at the corny dialogue and cringeworthy footage, with host Wil Anderson declaring: 'Live boldly, dance badly!'

Goodrem, 37, was named Revlon's first Australian ambassador last December, and at the time fronted a big-budget TV commercial to promote the brand's 'Live Boldly' marketing campaign

The commercial shows a dolled-up Goodrem posing, playing piano and awkwardly dancing around opulently styled rooms wearing designer clothing. She delivers a platitude-filled monologue with phrases such as 'ride the highs and the lows', 'take the risk' and 'live boldly'

Branding expert Camey O'Keefe didn't hold back in her criticism, declaring: 'For an ad that's made recently, it feels incredibly dated.'

Ms O'Keefe claimed the Born to Try star, who is slim and white, doesn't represent multiculturalism and inclusivity and therefore is 'out of touch' with consumers.

'Body positivity, all forms of skin shade, you know, textures, hair - it really is a world away from what we see here, which feels like a really kind of dated notion of feminine beauty. And so, as a result, Revlon just feels really tired and out of touch, and that's reflected in its sales,' she said of the ailing company.

Branding expert Camey O'Keefe (pictured) didn't hold back in her criticism, declaring: 'For an ad that's made recently, it feels incredibly dated'

Advertising strategist Christina Aventi had similar feedback, telling the panel: 'I love Delta and I respect Delta. And the thing about Delta, she is the oldest young person I know'

Advertising strategist Christina Aventi had similar feedback, telling the panel: 'I love Delta and I respect Delta. And the thing about Delta, she is the oldest young person I know.'

'It's so mumsy! [Her dancing has] got a touch of the Elaine from Seinfeld,' she joked, referring to Seinfeld character Elaine Benes' notoriously bad dance moves, which were compared to 'a full-bodied dry heave set to music'.

'And I know she talks about "taking a risk", but she took a punt on those moves and it didn't pay off,' Ms Aventi continued.

Ms Aventi compared Goodrem's awkward dancing (pictured) to Elaine Benes from Seinfeld

Goodrem also fronts the brand's latest 'Super Lustrous' campaign, which launched this week.

Revlon filed for a 'reorganisation bankruptcy' in the U.S. last month, after accumulating a reported $US10 billion (AUD$14 billion) debt, citing supply-chain issues a one of the reasons for its fiscal downfall.

In America, a 'reorganisation bankruptcy', also referred to as Chapter 11 bankruptcy, allows companies to restructure themselves and continue operations while managing their debts.

Goodrem also fronts the brand's latest 'Super Lustrous' campaign, which launched this week

The company has therefore been able to continue running its Australian and New Zealand operations as normal.

'Consumer demand for our products locally remains strong  people love our brands, and we continue to have a leading market position in Australia and New Zealand,' Tracey Raso, managing director of Revlon Australia and New Zealand, said last month.

'This [Chapter 11] filing in the U.S. will allow Revlon to continue to offer our consumers the iconic products we have delivered for decades.'
Domenica Calarco has parted ways with leading celebrity agent Sharon Finnigan, who handles major TV stars including Karl Stefanovic and Natalie Barr.

The Married At First Sight bride, 29, confirmed the split by updating her Instagram bio this week, removing all references to SF Management.

Calarco is now on the hunt for an international agent and has lined up several meetings while she is in London, a source tells Daily Mail Australia.

Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco has parted ways with celebrity agent Sharon Finnigan, who handles major TV stars including Karl Stefanovic and Natalie Barr

'Domenica is determined to get her own reality show, and only cares about boosting her OnlyFans numbers, while Sharon had other plans of her' the insider added.

According to the source, Calarco thought Finnigan 'could help land her a TV gig since she works with top-notch clients like Karl Stefanovic and Natalie Barr'.

It follows reports her relationship with Finnigan was 'anything but harmonious'.

Calarco (pictured at the Logie Awards on the Gold Coast on June 19) confirmed the split by updating her Instagram bio this week, removing all references to SF Management

The pair went their separate ways because the OnlyFans creator's expectations 'exceeded reality'.

Daily Mail Australia understands Finnigan decided to end their professional relationship early, despite being contractually bound until September.

Calarco had enlisted Finnigan to manage her fledgling career in April, following her breakout appearance on Nine's Married At First Sight.

Calarco (pictured on Married At First Sight) is now on the hunt for an international agent and has lined up several meetings while she is in London, a source tells Daily Mail Australia

They held a series of meetings in which Calarco reportedly expressed her desire to launch her own podcast and makeup range.

She has since started a podcast with her co-host Ella Ding, and also collaborated with online retailer Showpo for a clothing line.

'They [SF Management] think she is going to be a huge star, bigger than Martha Kalifatidis and Abbie Chatfield,' a source said at the time.

'Domenica has bags of ideas of what she plans to do. She's been chatting to radio executives in hopes of talking them into giving her a job.'
Married At First Sight star Domenica Calarco has debuted her stylish 'breakover' after splitting from her former talent manager.

She unveiled her cropped bleach-blonde hair in a selfie posted to Instagram on Wednesday, after jetting to London for a working holiday.

The 29-year-old's edgy new look is worlds away from the style she sported when viewers were first introduced to her on Nine's social experiment.

Married At First Sight star Domenica Calarco has debuted her stylish 'breakover' after splitting from her former talent manager. (Left: on MAFS, and right: in London on Wednesday_

'Blonde, bra-less and in London,' Calarco captioned the photo.

'Obsessed [with] this look!' one fan commented, while another wrote: 'Loving this icy blonde moment.'

It comes after Calarco parted ways with leading celebrity agent Sharon Finnigan, who handles major TV stars including Karl Stefanovic and Natalie Barr.

The 29-year-old's edgy new look is worlds away from the style she sported when viewers were first introduced to her on Nine's social experiment

The former makeup artist confirmed the split by updating her Instagram bio this week, removing all references to SF Management.

She is now on the hunt for an international agent and has lined up several meetings while she is in the UK, a source tells Daily Mail Australia.

'Domenica is determined to get her own reality show, and only cares about boosting her OnlyFans numbers, while Sharon had other plans of her' the insider added.

'Obsessed [with] this look!' a fan commented. Another wrote: 'Loving this icy blonde moment'

According to the source, Calarco thought Finnigan 'could help land her a TV gig since she works with top-notch clients like Karl Stefanovic and Natalie Barr'.

It follows reports her relationship with Finnigan was 'anything but harmonious'.

The pair went their separate ways because the OnlyFans creator's expectations 'exceeded reality'.

Daily Mail Australia understands Finnigan decided to end their professional relationship early, despite being contractually bound until September.

Calarco (pictured on Married At First Sight) is now on the hunt for an international agent and has lined up several meetings while she is in London, a source tells Daily Mail Australia

Calarco had enlisted Finnigan to manage her fledgling career in April, following her breakout appearance on Nine's Married At First Sight.

They held a series of meetings in which Calarco reportedly expressed her desire to launch her own podcast and makeup range.

She has since started a podcast with her co-host Ella Ding, and also collaborated with online retailer Showpo for a clothing line.
Maren Morris had all eyes on her as she strolled the New York City sidewalk ahead of her appearance on Watch What Happens Live on Wednesday afternoon.

The 32-year-old country songstress sizzled in a slinky black halter dress with a plunging neckline that showcased her ample cleavage.

The Chasing After You hitmaker's curve-clinging dress had sparkly pink floral appliques throughout and sexy thigh-high slits up each leg.

Head turner: Maren Morris had all eyes on her as she strolled the New York City sidewalk ahead of her appearance on Watch What Happens Live on Wednesday afternoon

Maren styled the daring number with some classic black leather heels and various pieces of shiny gold jewelry.

She had a noticeably bronzed complexion and her lightened brunette hair was worn in a voluminous half up half down style.

As for her TV-worthy glam, Maren had a dramatic peach flush and she sported sultry cateye eyeliner.

Her lips were drenched in a milky nude lip gloss and the high points of her face were dusted in pearlescent powder for an ethereal glow.

Sizzling: The 32-year-old country songstress sizzled in a slinky black halter dress with a plunging neckline that showcased her ample cleavage

A little glitz: The Chasing After You hitmaker's curve-clinging dress had sparkly pink floral appliques throughout and sexy thigh-high slits up each leg

Maren was captured exiting an SUV just steps away from the Watch What Happens Live studio, where she'll tape Thursday's episode of the Andy Cohen-hosted talk show.

On Thursday morning, Maren will perform during the TODAY show as part of their Citi Summer Concert Series at the TODAY Plaza in New York City.

The country cutie has been ultra busy over the past two months since beginning her highly-anticipated Humble Quest tour in June.

The tour, named after her third major label studio album, kicked off on June 9 in Raleigh, North Carolina and will come to an end in January 2023 during Girls Just Wanna Weekend in Mexico.

Latest: Maren's latest album Humble Quest was released in March 2022 through her label Columbia Nashville. It came three years after the release of her hit sophomore album Girl, which featured the chart-topping track The Bones

Humble Quest was released in March 2022 through her label Columbia Nashville.

It came three years after the release of her hit sophomore album Girl, which featured the chart-topping track The Bones.

Maren will next take the Humble Quest Tour to New York City's iconic Radio City Music Hall on Friday, July 29.

Over the weekend, Maren treated fans to live versions of the tracks off Humble Quest and more of her biggest hits during the star-studded 2022 Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island.

Festival: Over the weekend, Maren treated fans to live versions of the tracks off Humble Quest and more of her biggest hits during the star-studded 2022 Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island

Held at Fort Adams State Park, this year's festival boasted the likes of Maren, The Roots, Japanese Breakfast, Clairo and Brandi Carlile as headliners.

Maren owned the outdoor stage with a guitar in hand and her band by her side on Sunday, July 24.

The Texas native showed off her toned and tanned legs in a pair of cut-off denim shorts styled with a green criss-cross tank top.

Missing from the action was Maren's country crooner husband Ryan Hurd.

Wowing the crowd: Maren owned the outdoor stage with a guitar in hand and her band by her side on Sunday, July 24

Effortlessly cool: The Texas native showed off her toned and tanned legs in a pair of cut-off denim shorts styled with a green criss-cross tank top

The dynamic duo wed in 2018 and welcomed their now two-year-old son Hayes Andrew in 2020.

Maren and Ryan collaborated last year on the track Chasing After You, which reached the number one spot on the Billboard country chart.

They previously collaborated in 2016 on Ryan's song Love In A Bar, which was about the night he fell in love with longtime friend Maren.
Gwyneth Paltrow made a very saucy quip about Hailey Bieber's father Stephen Baldwin as she joined the model for her vlog, Who's in my Bathroom, on Wednesday.

The Oscar-winning actress, 49, cheekily declared 'I f****d your dad in a bathroom!' to a shocked Hailey, 25, before admitting she was joking about the incident.

Gwyneth starred alongside Stephen, 56, in Alan Rudolph's 1994 Dorothy Parker biopic, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, and the star reflected on their time together at work

Hailey said: 'Wow, not me not knowing that!'

Oh my! Gwyneth Paltrow made a very saucy quip about Hailey Bieber's father Stephen Baldwin as she joined the model for her vlog, Who's in my Bathroom on Wednesday

Gwyneth responded: 'Well it was a tiny independent movie. I think I was like 20 years old, so it was a really long time ago. But he was great. He was so nice. Yeah, it was awesome.'

Relieved, Bieber replied: 'I like hearing that. Imagine if you had some horror story. "He was terrible! It was a nightmare working with him!"'

A cheeky Gwyneth retorted: 'That would be bad. Or if I, like, f****d your dad in the bathroom?'

Horrified Hailey replied: 'I've had that happen to me actually. I don't know if he even knows that I know that. But I've had that happen.'

Father and daughter: Hailey is pictured with dad Stephen in a sweet snap

'We did a movie together': The 49-year-old Oscar winner (L) immediately brought up the fact that she had acted with the 25-year-old IMG Model's father Stephen Baldwin (R) in Alan Rudolph's 1994 Dorothy Parker biopic, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle

Say what? The Oscar winner, 49, cheekily declared 'I f****d your dad in a bathroom!' to a shocked Hailey, before admitting she was joking about the incident

Gwyneth quickly backtracked, saying: 'I didn't! I didn't!', with Hailey adding: 'Well that's good to know, okay!'

Bieber is rarely pictured with the 56-year-old Usual Suspects alum, who became a born-again Christian following the September 11 attacks and is a vocal supporter of his former Celebrity Apprentice boss Donald Trump.

Hailey is also the niece of Oscar-nominated actor Alec Baldwin, who's now expecting his eighth child after accidentally shooting his Rust DP Halyna Hutchins on October 21.

1999 family portrait: Gwyneth - whose godfather Steven Spielberg - is the daughter of Emmy-winning actress Blythe Danner (M) and the late Emmy-nominated producer Bruce Paltrow (L)

Paltrow admitted of her privilege: 'As the child of somebody, you get access that other people don't have. So the playing field is not level in that way'

Meanwhile, Gwyneth - whose godfather is Steven Spielberg - is the daughter of Emmy-winning actress Blythe Danner and the late Emmy-nominated producer Bruce Paltrow.

Discussing the advantages that her famous family members had given her in the acting world, Gwyneth said: 'As the child of somebody, you get access that other people don't have. So the playing field is not level in that way.

'However, I really do feel that once your foot is in the door, which you unfairly got in, then you have to work almost twice as hard and twice as good because people are ready to pull you down and say, "You don't belong there. You're only there because of your dad or your mom" or whatever the case may be.

'And it shouldn't limit you because, what I definitely believe is that, nobody in the world, especially people who don't know you, should have a negative impact on your path or the decisions that you make.'

Hailey excitedly nodded her head: 'I agree. I need to hear this today.'

On the topic of skincare, Paltrow made it clear that she regrets smoking so many cigarettes during her nineties heyday.

'I wish I could go back to my 25-year-old self and be like, "Can you put the Camel Lights down? Because it's going to really mess the lips up,"' the actress said.

'I was so bad. I was in the sun with baby oil and smoking.'

Later, Hailey began hyping up her $85 Rhode 'Skin Peptide Glazing Fluid' likening it to having a freshly glazed donut on your face, which only confused Gwyneth.

'Where did your head go?' the wife of Justin Bieber asked.

Gwyneth replied: 'First it went to like, "Does that mean someone wants to lick your face?" Like it's, like, a food sort of... and then I thought glazed donut sounded, like, sexual.'

Hailey laughed: 'You're like, "What's this new position everybody is getting into, the glazed donut?"'
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the opening ceremony of a study session of provincial and ministerial-level officials. The study session was held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping has stressed holding high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and striving to write a brand new chapter in building a modern socialist country in all respects. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a study session of provincial and ministerial-level officials held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing. Xi stressed adherence to socialism with Chinese characteristics and the guidance of the latest achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times on the new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects. He underscored strengthening confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics and driving forward the historical process of national rejuvenation. Xi also highlighted the coordinated implementation of the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy in writing a brand new chapter in building a modern socialist country in all respects. The opening ceremony of the study session was attended by Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Vice President Wang Qishan also attended the event. Noting the importance of the upcoming 20th CPC National Congress to be held at a crucial moment on the new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, Xi said goals, tasks and policies for the cause of the Party and the country for the next five years and beyond will be made at the congress. It is of key importance to building on past successes to further advance the cause of the Party and the country, to the future of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi added. Against the backdrop of accelerating global changes unseen in a century, and more complex risks, challenges, contradictions and problems, the fundamental task is to run our own affairs well, Xi said. The past five years since the 19th CPC National Congress have been extremely extraordinary, Xi said. The CPC Central Committee has united and led the entire Party, military, and the Chinese people in effectively coping with the grave and complex international situation and a stream of severe risks and challenges, and advanced socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Xi said the Party's overall leadership and the CPC Central Committee's centralized, unified leadership have strengthened. We made every effort to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, promote high-quality development, and advance reform swiftly but steadily. We also made solid progress in developing whole-process people's democracy and proactively fostering an advanced socialist culture, he said. China prioritized ensuring and improving people's well-being, mobilized all sectors of society in the anti-poverty campaign, and devoted significant energy to ecological conservation. We have resolutely safeguarded national security, maintained overall social stability, pushed forward defense and military modernization, resolutely safeguarded peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and advanced major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics on all fronts, said Xi. The 70th-anniversary celebration of the People's Republic of China took place during the period, and the CPC marked its 100th founding anniversary and launched a campaign for the study of the Party's history. Facing the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China, with the commitment to putting the people and their lives above all else, waged an all-out people's war to curb the spread of the virus, Xi said. The country has managed to protect the health and safety of the people to the greatest extent possible and achieved the best results in the world in coordinating economic development with the COVID-19 response, Xi noted. We have effectively exercised overall jurisdiction over the special administrative regions based on the Constitution and the regions' basic laws, he said. We have formulated and enacted the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and secured the grasp of Hong Kong's overall situation. In the face of the rapidly-changing international landscape, we have safeguarded our national dignity and core interests during our struggle and have kept a firm hold on the initiative of our development and security, Xi said. We have improved implementing full and strict governance over the Party and worked tirelessly to tighten discipline and improve conduct. We have also taken coordinated action to see that officials do not have the opportunity, desire, or audacity to commit corruption, said Xi. He noted that these efforts have made the Party's ties with the people closer and facilitated the development of a sound political atmosphere. It provided significant political guarantees for developing all areas of the Party and the country's endeavors. Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era since the Party's 18th National Congress, Xi said. He noted that the remarkable changes that took place in the decade of the new era are a milestone in the history of the Party, New China, reform and opening up, socialism, and the Chinese nation. Xi said that achieving national rejuvenation will be no walk in the park, and it will take more than drum beating and gong clanging to get there. Xi called for resolve to undertake a great struggle with many new contemporary features, and readiness to work even harder toward the goal of rejuvenation. All the achievements in the past 10 years were made thanks to the joint endeavors of the CPC and the people, he said. The guidance of the scientific theories of Marxism is a distinct political character and a strong political advantage of the CPC, Xi noted. On the basis of adapting the basic tenets of Marxism to China's specific realities and its fine traditional culture, the CPC has established the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and achieved a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, Xi said. Xi urged the whole Party to constantly adapt Marxism to the Chinese context and keep it up-to-date. Speaking of China's success in pursuing and expanding a Chinese path to modernization, Xi said that there is no set form of modernization or one-size-fits-all modernization standards in the world. The modernization China is pursuing is the socialist modernization led by the CPC, Xi noted. We must rely on our own efforts to drive China's development, and make sure the future of China's development and progress remains firmly in our own hands, he said. The 20th CPC National Congress will offer a panoramic prospect of the two-stage strategic plan for China's drive to build a great modern socialist country in all respects, and will in particular lay out plans for the strategic missions and major measures in the next five years, Xi said. Noting that the next five years are a crucial period for starting the building of a modern socialist country in all respects, Xi said sound development in the five years will be of vital importance to achieving China's second centenary goal. Xi called for efforts to focus on tackling unbalanced and inadequate development, and work on new ideas and measures to address problems. Xi stressed ceaselessly exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party, warning against any slackness or weariness. By engaging in great self-transformation, the Party can steer great social transformation, he said. Xi called on all CPC members to remain committed to the Party's fundamental purpose of wholeheartedly serving the people, and do everything for the people while relying on the people in everything they do. All Party members should always maintain close ties with the people, and accept the criticism and oversight of the people, he added. While presiding over the opening ceremony of the study session, Li Keqiang said senior officials should thoroughly study Xi's important speech, follow its guiding principles both in thinking and action, promote reform, development and stability in their respective regions and departments, and set the stage for the Party's 20th National Congress with concrete action. Addressing the closing ceremony, Wang Huning urged the participants to resolutely uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, further grasp and apply Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and continue to improve their capacity for political judgment, thinking and implementation. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the opening ceremony of a study session of provincial and ministerial-level officials. The study session was held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the opening ceremony of a study session of provincial and ministerial-level officials. The study session was held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the opening ceremony of a study session of provincial and ministerial-level officials. Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attended the ceremony. The study session was held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)




South Korea's new envoy for North Korean human rights emphasized her commitment Thursday to enhancing "human security" in the reclusive country, as she received her appointment certificate from Foreign Minister Park Jin.







Lee Shin-wha, political science professor at Korea University, filled the position that had been vacant for years since the inaugural ambassador, Lee Jung-hoon, left office in September 2017.







Her appointment came as the South has apparently shifted to a more proactive stance in handling the North Korean human rights issue under the conservative Yoon Suk-yeol administration in a policy shift from the preceding liberal Moon Jae-in administration.







"Mentioning the human rights issue may be a sensitive issue for the North Korean regime, but for its people, the issue is a matter of life or death," she said in a meeting with reporters. "I believe (my role) is to call on the North Korean regime to (ensure) not regime security but human security."







The ambassador also commented on the hot-button issue of the forced repatriation of two North Korean fishermen in 2019.







"Forcibly repatriating them without due procedures is a breach of both international and domestic laws," she said." This issue should be viewed from the perspective of the international principle of non-refoulement and the enforcement of the (domestic) North Korean human rights act."







She also pointed out, "A photo is worth a hundred or a thousand words," in an apparent reference to the photo unveiled by Seoul's unification ministry of the North Korean fishermen being dragged into the North against their will.







The post on the North's rights was created in 2016 following the enactment of the North Korean Human Rights Act. (Yonhap)






Ulrika Jonsson has saluted Jennifer Lopez for baring all on a billboard, because she says it encourages older women to be empowered by their bodies.

The television personality, 54, argued it showed that older women 'deserve to be seen' and wrote that she hoped it would encourage other women to do the same.

Writing in her column for The Sun, she wrote: 'What started as a trickle of older women publicly showing off their bare bodies has now become a steady stream and I, for one, am all for it.'

Support: Ulrika Jonsson has saluted Jennifer Lopez for baring all on a billboard, because she says it encourages older women to be empowered by their bodies

Pointing towards J-Lo, Sharon Stone and Amanda Holden among others, she said there was a growing trend towards getting your kit off.

Ulrika - who is no stranger to a naked photo herself - wrote: 'I feel so encouraged by all this exhibition because it indicates not only changing times but, more crucially, a reluctance by and absolute blind defiance by ageing women to go quietly into old age.'

She proudly admitted her 'body is saggy in places it never used to be' but that it had borne four children and showed she was still alive.

Proud: The television personality, 54, argued it showed that older women 'deserve to be seen' and wrote that she hoped it would encourage other women to do the same

She said that although some may be 'appalled' at the sight, she wanted older ladies to be proud of their imperfections.

Ulrika said: 'If youre not ready to wake up and smell the coffee yet, and think us old gals should cover up and get back in our boxes, then I feel nothing but pity for you, because these acts of defiance are here to stay.'

It comes after Ulrika showed her support for Florence Pugh after she sparked a wave of controversy by donning a breast-baring dress at the Valentino Haute Couture show in Rome.

Baring all: Pointing towards J-Lo, Sharon Stone and Amanda Holden among others, she said there was a growing trend towards getting your kit off

The TV host slammed haters by sharing that the 'inequality is there for all to see', as she backed the 26-year-old actress's decision.

Ulrika also opened up about her own breast reduction, admitting that she longed for the procedure all her life before taking the plunge.

Writing in her column for The Sun, Ulrika slammed the misogyny of the situation, after the actress was faced with a barrage of comments calling her 'flat-chested' and mocking her 'tiny t*ts'.

Ulrika wrote: 'Strange, really, when you think these men presumably have two of their own adorning their cowardly, pathetic chests.

'And to think this is 2022. Quite what the issue with breasts is I'll never know. We all have them.

And Florence looked the epitome of beauty, class and purity, showing and owning what is biologically and physiologically hers.'
They're the Married At First Sight couple who have been inseparable since they debuted their relationship in July last year.

And now Liam Cooper and Samuel Levi are celebrating their milestone one-year anniversary together in the sweetest way.

'We just celebrated one year together and this week we are flying to New Zealand for 10 days,' Liam, 31, told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.

Married At First Sight couple Liam Cooper (left) and Samuel Levi (right) are celebrating their milestone one-year anniversary by jetting off on holiday to New Zealand

'I am meeting Samuel's family and am so excited.'

The trip will see Liam meet Samuel's family for the first time. They were previously unable to travel overseas due to border restrictions.

The holiday will mark the first of several trips abroad, with the pair also planning to visit New York City together for the first time later this year.

'We just celebrated one year together and this week we are flying to New Zealand for 10 days,' Liam, 31, told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday

Liam marked their anniversary with a sweet video montage shared with his 78,000 Instagram followers.

'I truly can't believe it's been one whole year with you! Life really does work in mysterious ways,' he wrote.

'Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought attending an event would lead us to where we are today. Here's to all the crazy adventures we have had throughout the years.

Liam marked their milestone anniversary with a sweet tribute to his Instagram. 'I love how our worlds have just come together so easily. Doing life with you isn't that bad,' he wrote

'Here's to you having to put up with me singing country music while we do those crazy long road trips.

'I love how our worlds have just come together so easily. Doing life with you isn't that bad. So here's to a whole year stuck with you and many more to come. I love you more than yesterday - yesterday you pissed me off.'

Liam was 'married' to Georgia Fairweather on MAFS in 2021. His bisexuality caused problems in their relationship as she feared he wouldn't be able to fully commit to one woman.
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are in for a treat.

A new exhibition at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne features costumes from Thor: Love and Thunder, reports The Herald-Sun.

The show will give superhero enthusiasts a rare chance to examine up close the outfits worn by actors Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman in the latest Thor film.

A new exhibition at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne features costumes from Thor: Love and Thunder. (Pictured: actor Chris Hemsworth as Thor)

Thor: Love and Thunder, starring Hemsworth in the titular role, smashed box-office records on its opening day in Australia, grossing $3million.

The exclusive display, which opened on Wednesday, is free and will run for a year.

Also included in the exhibition are the costumes for Zeus (Russell Crowe), Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson).

Natalie Portman's The Mighty Thor outfit is also featured.

The show will give superhero enthusiasts a rare chance to examine up close the outfits worn by actors Chris Hemsworth (right) and Natalie Portman (left) in the latest Thor film

The centrepiece of the exhibit is Hemsworth's God of Thunder wardrobe.

It includes a silk tunic with a special print created by First Nations artist Otis Carey.

The costumes for Thor: Love and thunder were created by Mexican-born Emmy Award-winning designer Mayes Rubeo.

Also included in the exhibition are the costumes for Zeus (Russell Crowe), Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale, right) and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson)

She worked with Thor director Taika Waititi before on his 2019 hit Jojo Rabbit.

Also part of the exhibition will be signature props fans from the film, including Thor's hammer, known as the Mjolnir, and his axe, or Stormbreaker.

Fans can also catch a glimpse of Zeus's lighting bolt, as well as the dagger and sword wielded by Valkyrie.

Russell Crowe's (centre) Zeus costume will also be on display at the ACMI exhibition

The fourth Thor movie sees the titular hammer-wielding superhero go up against the villainous Gorr the God Butcher.

The film is set in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, which saw Thor step down as King of Asgard and join the Guardians of the Galaxy.

He enlists the help of Valkyrie, Jane Foster (Portman) and other friends to fight Gorr.
Aussie soap Neighbours had its fair share of celebrity cameos during its historic 37-year run.

The likes of Shane Warne, Emma Bunton and even Russell Brand made brief appearances on Ramsay Street over the years.

But for long-time cast member Alan Fletcher, there was one guest role he will always remember as the 'most interesting' and 'bizarre'.

Neighbours star Alan Fletcher (pictured) has revealed the Aussie soap's 'most bizarre' celebrity cameo came courtesy of the late Clive James

Speaking ahead of Thursday's series finale, the 65-year-old actor told the I've Got News for You podcast that having Clive James play a postman was quite surreal.

While most of the celebrities who've visited Erinsborough stopped to chat to the cast, the late journalist hardly said a word to anybody.

'Clive James was one of my most interesting [cameos] because he came as a postie, and he had no interaction at all with any of the cast,' Fletcher said.

'He just rode his bike around the court and then disappeared. And I dont think anybody got to speak to him.

'He just rode around and rode off! It was the most bizarre thing in the world.'

James, a celebrated Australian writer, critic and broadcaster who spent most of his career in the UK, had a minor credit on Neighbours in 1995.

He died aged 80 in November 2019.

Clive James, a celebrated Australian writer, critic and broadcaster who spent most of his career in the UK, had a guest role as a postman on Neighbours in 1995 (pictured)

Fletcher joined the Channel 10 series in 1994 as Dr Karl Kennedy. His on-screen wife Susan was played by Jackie Woodburne.

In a recent interview with Radio Times, Fletcher and Woodburne reflected on their 28 years together on the show and the lead-up to the finale.

'Right up until the end of the day, we were suppressing the emotions about the end of the show and just got on with the work,' he said.

While most of the celebrities who've visited Erinsborough stopped to chat to the cast, the late journalist (left) hardly said a word to anybody, said Fletcher

'We had a lot to get through and some very big scenes, and it was obviously important that we finished on time. Being extremely focused was the thing that got us through.'

As well as losing their jobs they have loved for so long, Fletcher and Woodburne are also faced with the end of their working relationship.

Fletcher spoke of how much he will miss his work wife as she 'made every day a joy'.

Fletcher joined the Channel 10 series in 1994 as Dr Karl Kennedy. His on-screen wife Susan was played by Jackie Woodburne (pictured together)

Woodburne, 66, said bidding goodbye to Susan was 'heartbreaking' after playing the character for so many years, adding: 'I've lived with her for so long and been through so much with her.

'I feel like I've been her guardian and while she's been living her life, I've kept watch.

'I've tried to keep her authentic, made tweaks to her character to keep her within the parameters of what the audience wanted her to be and what was truthful.

'And now I really miss her.'

As well as losing their jobs they have loved for so long, Fletcher and Woodburne are also faced with the end of their working relationship (pictured in the '90s)

In what is set to be a gripping and emotional finale, fan favourites from the past will be returning to Ramsay Street to celebrate with Erinsborough locals.

The send-off promises to have something for everyone, spanning all generations and decades from the opening scene in 1985 to the final episode in 2022.

The Neighbours finale will air Thursday, July 28, at 7.30pm on Channel 10 and 10Peach in Australia
Alessandra Ambrosio put her toned abs on display as she shopped in Brentwood with her two children on Wednesday afternoon.

The 41-year-old model slipped into a skimpy orange dress from Cult Gaia with a large cutout at the waist that made it look as though she was wearing a bra top and matching maxi skirt.

She made a quick pit stop at the Brentwood Country Mart, which isn't too far from her adopted hometown of Santa Monica.

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Ab fab: Alessandra Ambrosio put her toned abs on display in a Cult Gaia dress as she shopped in Brentwood with her two children on Wednesday afternoon

She was hard to miss in the bright-colored outfit as she exited her vehicle and made her way into a nearby shop.

Ambrosio's had her long brown tresses pulled back into a ponytail and her toenails were painted a neon orange shade.

She shielded her eyes with a pair of designer sunglasses and she pounded the pavement in a pair of brown leather sandals.

Bright and bold: The 41-year-old model slipped into a skimpy dress that made it look as though she was wearing a bra top and matching maxi skirt

Family time: The single mom reemerged from the shoppe with her son Noah, 10, and daughter Anja, 13, carrying no less than three bags fill to the top

Being the dotting mom that she is, the Brazilian-born star kept close attention to her daughter Anja, 13, and son Noah, 10, as the moved from store-to-store.

At one point, the Gal Floripa co-founder was seen carrying a small bag of items while Noah carefully held onto two larger shopping bags.

Anja appeared to be carrying a wrapped present in one hand while checking out her phone with the other.

The Gal Floripa co-founder changed into a white outfit when she was seen having a conversation out front of her home in Santa Monica as her friend Matheus Mazzafera shot video

Peace man: Ambrosio flashed a peace sign once she noticed Mazzafera was shooting video

During the afternoon, a video was posted to Ambrosio's Instagram Story that was shot by friend and You-Tuber Matheus Mazzafera. The Brazilian fashion designer shot the clip through her living room window as she was having a conversation.

At one point, she took notice of Mazzafera and turned towards the camera and flashed a peace sign.

She would follow the video up by posting a photo of herself in the living room decked out in white Showpo pants with a matching top and shoes.

Ambrosio shares her two children with ex-fiance Jamie Mazur. They were an item for about 10 years when they decided to go their separate ways in Match 2018.
Lara Worthington showed off her sensational figure on Thursday as she modelled a slinky green dress from her collaboration with Melbourne label Atoir.

The model and entrepreneur, 35, swayed around in the figure-hugging number in a series of photos shared with her one million Instagram followers.

'Wearing the 003 dress from our new Atoir x Lara Worthington collection, release one,' she captioned the images.

Lara Worthington showed off her sensational figure on Thursday as she modelled a slinky green dress from her collaboration with Melbourne label Atoir

Lara revealed on Tuesday her collaboration with Atoir was available for purchase.

She posted a gallery of images of herself in the new range, and explained how each piece is something she would wear.

'I am so grateful to the entire team at Atoir for giving me the freedom and opportunity to create and collaborate,' she said.

The model and entrepreneur, 35, swayed around in the figure-hugging number in a series of photos shared with her one million Instagram followers

'Wearing the 003 dress from our new Atoir x Lara Worthington collection, release one,' she captioned the images.

'I always love to express myself through clothes. This collaboration came to fruition during the pandemic.

'So naturally I was very inspired by my own wardrobe.'

'Every piece in the collection had to be something I would personally want to own and wear.'

She concluded by thanking her friends and husband Sam Worthington.

Lara revealed on Tuesday her collaboration with Atoir was available for purchase

'Shout-outs to my super talented team that inspire me daily and helped me design this... you held down the fort and kept this going,' she wrote.

'My friends for all their patience with my countless questions and advice and my husband, who has no interest in fashion but somehow gives the best advice.

Lara also posed in a number of outfits from the range, including a pastel green blazer, a suit and a bright green tube dress, in photos on the Atoir website.
Home and Away lovebirds Sophie Dillman and Patrick O'Connor have been documenting their fun and adventurous holiday in Europe.

The on- and off-screen couple, both 29, most recently visited Greece, and posted several sun-soaked snaps to Instagram during their jaunt on the island of Mykonos.

Patrick, who plays Dean Thompson in the Channel Seven soap, captioned the most recent set of pictures: 'Mykonos has him now.'

Home and Away lovebirds Sophie Dillman (pictured) and Patrick O'Connor, both 29, have been documenting their fun and adventurous holiday in Europe

Sophie, who plays Ziggy Astoni, spoke about her relationship with Patrick in a recent interview with Yahoo Lifestyle.

She revealed they first met in university before landing their roles on Home and Away and becoming romantically involved.

Sophie said: 'It's actually really great working with Paddy, we worked together before we got together. So we had a great professional relationship first.

The on- and off-screen couple (pictured here) most recently visited Greece, and posted several sun-soaked snaps to Instagram during their jaunt on the island of Mykonos

Patrick, who plays Dean Thompson in the Channel Seven soap, captioned the most recent set of pictures: 'Mykonos has him now'

'I really admire his work ethic and some of his action choices, and how he looks at his character and storylines. I've learnt a lot from him.'

When asked if it makes their character's kissing scenes a little easier, she laughed and said the cameras and the directions would never allow it to be normal.

The soap star then gushed about how much she loves her job, saying she will stay on set for as long as they will have her after several stars recently left the show.

Sophie revealed they first met in university before landing their roles on Home and Away and becoming romantically involved

She said: 'We don't really get to choose how long we get to stay on Home and Away. We're privileged to have the opportunity to work as a character on [the show].

'It's up to the writers and the producers, and what they want from the character.'

This comes after Sophie recently advocated for 'menstrual leave' in the workplace, saying women are taught to just 'grin and bear it' but things would be different if men experienced periods.

This comes after Sophie recently advocated for 'menstrual leave' in the workplace, saying women are taught to just 'grin and bear it' but things would be different if men experienced periods

'[I] bet you any money that if men had periods, they would not have to work those days and they would be paid those days leave every single month,' she told The Daily Telegraph.

Sophie also revealed she suffers from endometriosis, and said her Summer Bay colleagues have always been supportive of her condition.

'Everyone will hold my hot water bottle between takes, wardrobe is supportive if my costume needs to change because I'm bloated, and people will let me sit if I need to,' she said.
In the wake of his success as an actor, which includes roles in Stranger Things and the Twilight saga, Jamie Campbell Bower got candid about his struggles with addiction and mental illness.

The actor not only gave fans an update on his sobriety, he's also now offering up some powerful words of encouragement to others still suffering with either ailment.

'12 and a half years ago I was in active addiction. Hurting myself and those around me who I loved the most,' the London, England native tweeted, adding, 'It got so bad that eventually I ended up in a hospital for mental health. I am now 7 1/2 years clean and sober. I have made many mistakes in my life.'

Words of wisdom: Jamie Campbell Bower, 33, updated his fans about his struggles with addiction and mental health on Twitter, while offering words of encouragement to others; he seen in Los Angeles in June 2022

Bower, 33, went on to share how he's in a much better place in his life, both personally and professionally, and that it's all thanks to him maintaining his sobriety.

'But each day is a chance to start again. Atone for mistakes and grow,' he shared before directing his words to people who are in the clutches of addiction.

'For anyone who wakes up thinking "oh god not again" I promise you there's a way. I'm so grateful to be where I am, I'm so grateful to be sober. I'm so grateful to be. Remember, we are all works in progress J x,' he tweeted in the follow up post.

A slew of people found the need to comment on Bower's tweets about his struggles and successes regarding sobriety and mental health.

One person heaped praise on Bower for encouraging his fans and followers to reach and ask for help.

Open book: The British-born actor confessed that he has 'made many mistakes' , via his addiction, for more than 12 years in his first tweet on Wednesday

Powerful: Bower offered words of encouragement to those still struggling with addiction and mental health in his follow up tweet

'Bless you for encouraging us to reach for lifelines when we are drowning. Bless you for being among them,' the tweet began. 'To have ascended to the highest levels of success, self-awareness, inner peace and comfort from addiction and mental health crisis embodies hope. I love you, we all do. Ellen.'

Cait shared how she's proud of the actor for having the strength to share about his personal life.

'I am literally so proud of you. I only found you recently, but god am I happy I did. You are unbelievably strong for sharing your past and private life with us, and I'm so happy you've healed, and are continuing to heal. I hope u know how much you are loved. Pls keep being u,' the tweet read.

A woman named Alice sounded poetic in her reply to Bower, writing, 'Dear Jamie, as like the lotus flower, we all have in ourselves the ability to grown from the mud. Flourishing from the darkness and spreading our inner beauty to the world.'

Fans responding: Many people commented on Bower's tweets about his journey from active addiction to being clean and sober more than seven years; the actor is seen in June 2022

Adrienne thanked Bower for having the courage to speak out about his mental health struggles past and present, writing, '... So important for men in particular to open up about their struggles with mental health. It shouldn't be a taboo subject. Me & so many of my family members have suffered mental health issues

In the past, Bower addressed the subjects of mental health and addiction in his 2019 song, It Gets Better, which he recorded with the band Counterfeit. It had references to both issues with lyrics like, 'If you've seen the bottom, if you've given up - Believe me, my sister, there is hope for us.'

There's also words of encouragement with the lyrics, 'Stand up, get loud if you feel like it - Stay up, have fun, don't you ever quit - Maybe, it all may hurt just a little bit - Don't let anybody tell you that you can't do it.'

Along with Stranger Things (2022) and the Twilight saga (2009, 2011, 2012), the actor's resume also includes roles in the films Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) and Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows  Part 1 (2010).
Presidential spokeswoman Kang In-sun speaks during a press briefing about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's remarks during his speech at the North's Victory Day event, at the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan District, Thursday. The presidential office expressed "deep regret" over Kim's remarks made the previous day that he can no longer watch the "indecency" and "bravado" of Yoon and "his military gangsters," and will annihilate both the Yoon administration and the military if they attempt a preemptive strike on the North. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon





The presidential office expressed "deep regret" Thursday after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un lashed out at President Yoon Suk-yeol by name.







Kim said in a Victory Day speech the previous day that he can no longer watch the "indecency" and "bravado" of Yoon and "his military gangsters," and will annihilate both the Yoon administration and the military if they attempt a preemptive strike on the North.







"We express deep regret that Chairman Kim Jong-un made threatening remarks at our government while mentioning the president by name," the presidential National Security Office said, according to presidential spokesperson Kang In-sun.






Amber Portwood vowed to 'never stop fighting' for her children after losing custody of her four-year-old son James.

The Teen Mom OG star, 32, responded to a court ruling granting her ex Andrew Glennon sole legal and physical custody of their child in a statement provided to Us Weekly.

'I've worked so hard to better myself and improve my relationships with my children,' she told the publication in a statement. 'While I've always been candid about my past substance abuse and struggles with mental illness, a person should have the chance to redeem themselves and not be tethered to their problems from the past.'

'A person should have the chance to redeem themselves': Amber Portwood vowed to 'never stop fighting' for her children after losing custody of her four-year-old son James; pictured 2017

'I've spent years rebuilding bridges and did everything that was required of me, including submitting 21 negative drug tests and undergoing multiple psychological evaluations, if your road has not been perfect, but you've worked hard to become a better, more stable and caring person today, keep moving forward as I will. I'll never stop fighting for my children who I love more than anything,' she added.

The statement comes after an Indianapolis judge granted Glennon sole legal and primary physical custody of their child, according to a report by The Sun on Wednesday.

In addition, the judge approved 38-year-old Glennon's request to move with James from Amber's home state of Indiana to his family home in California.

Per the outlet, the judge ordered Glennon to 'seek out and consider the mother's opinion before making any major decisions relating to the child's medical treatment, education and religion.'

The latest: An Indianapolis judge granted Glennon sole legal and primary physical custody of their child, according to a report by The Sun on Wednesday

Sole custody: In addition, the judge approved 38-year-old Glennon's request to move with James from Amber's home state of Indiana to his family home in California

Portwood and Glennon were both ordered to undergo monthly drug screenings for the next six months with the television personality also ordered to 'participate in individual counseling with the counselor of her selection and follow any recommendations made by the counselor.'

However, the judge approved a new custody arrangement that will allow Portwood to have overnight visits with James for the first time since 2019.

The new arrangement will be rolled out in incremental phases and will begin with three days a month of visitation for Amber alternating between California and Indiana.

Order: Per the outlet, the judge ordered Glennon to 'seek out and consider the mother's opinion before making any major decisions relating to the child's medical treatment, education and religion.'

The former couple's custody battle began in July 2019 when Portwood was arrested and charged with two counts of domestic battery and one count of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon after she was accused of assaulting Glennon while he was holding James.

In October 2019, Portwood pled guilty to two felony charges of domestic battery and intimidation. She was sentenced to 906 days of probation and ordered to take 26 weeks of parenting classes.

The 16 and Pregnant alum and Glennon began dating in 2017 and welcomed James in May 2018.

Teen mom: Amber is also mother to 13-year-old daughter Leah Leann, whom she shares with her ex Gary Shirley, 35

Amber is also mother to 13-year-old daughter Leah Leann, whom she shares with her ex Gary Shirley, 35.

Portwood has a long history of legal troubles which include felony convictions for inflicting domestic battery on Shirley and drug possession.

After news of the custody ruling broke on Wednesday, the Marriage Boot Camp star took to Instagram Live to share her thoughts.

According to Page Six, Amber, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, slammed the court's decision and said that her mental illness was 'used against' her.

She vowed to stay 'positive' and 'fight this' while telling her fans that she was working to improve herself and should not be punished for 'past' mistakes.
Comedian Lil Duval was airlifted to a Jacksonville, Florida hospital with injuries after he was involved in an auto accident in the Bahamas Tuesday while on an ATV.

A rep for the 45-year-old entertainer told TMZ Wednesday that 'a motor vehicle ran into' Lil Duval 'while riding a four-wheeler' and suffered 'a broken hip alongside mild injuries.'

Lil Duval, whose full name is Roland Powell, 'is in stable condition and is currently being airlifted again, from Nassau to Jacksonville ... in order to be treated at a local hospital with the capabilities and equipment available to conduct the recommended surgical procedures for recovery,' his rep said.

The latest: Comedian Lil Duval, 45, was airlifted to a Jacksonville, Florida hospital with injuries after he was involved in an auto accident in the Bahamas Tuesday while on an ATV

The entertainer, who has been seen on shows such as Guy Code, Hip Hop Squares and Wild 'N Out, took to Instagram with a clip for more than 3.8 million followers, of himself on a gurney as medical workers assisted him into a small aircraft. The clip concluded with an interior shot of the airplane.

He captioned the clip, 'Somebody hit me in they car while i was on my 4 wheeler. Now my leg broke and i gotta get flown over to nassau and have surgery.'

The comic took to Twitter writing, 'I appreciate everybody checking up on me but if you call and i dont pick up dont take it the wrong way. Im really f** up and cant move cuz Im in so much pain.'

Lil Duval later posted a tweet to Instagram with the caption, 'Broke my hip not my leg and thats even worse ... but Im still chillin tho cant nothing steal my joy.'

The entertainer was seen being taken on a gurney as medical workers assisted him into a small aircraft

Lil Duval winced in pain as he was transported following the accident

He had his phone in his hand as he was assisted onto an aircraft to be transported to a hospital

He later posted a clip of a woman giving him uplifting words in the hospital in Nassau, captioning the clip, 'I really needed this prayer. But Im not giving this hospital.'

He later tweeted: 'I aint got no internal bleeding the doctor said that amazing being that i got hit by a car going full speed.'

In post he put on Instagram Wednesday, the comic shared footage of a medical team working on his leg with a drill.

'They really drilling my knee bruh,' he said. 'Why they aint put me to sleep?'

Lil Duval also used Twitter to update his fans on his health status following the accident

He posted a clip of a woman giving him uplifting words in the hospital in Nassau, captioning the clip, 'I really needed this prayer. But Im not giving this hospital'

He was subsequently seen in a clip from a hospital bed in which he showed off a black eye, and stitches on his eyebrow.

Lil Duval received a slew of well wishes from show business colleagues including T.I., Kevin Hart, Angela Simmons, 2 Chainz, Ludacris and Juicy J, among others.

'Maaaaaan I'm gon pray that you get well first,' T.I. said. 'Then find it in yo heart to sitcho old a** down somewhere & rest big bro.... Amen.'

Hart said, 'Praying for you champGet well immediately'
Lucciana Beynon has taken a step away from social media in the past few months.

But the star, 20, certainly made a splash when she returned to Instagram on Thursday.

Lucciana, daughter of Australian business mogul Travis 'The Candyman' Beynon, slipped into a racy maroon bikini.

The Candyman's model daughter Lucciana Beynon, 20, (pictured) slipped into a skimpy maroon bikini as she hit the beach for a photoshoot on Thursday

The London-based model highlighted her incredible curves in the skimpy bikini as she twisted and twirled on the beach.

She tugged at her bikini bottoms and allowed her raven tresses to fall past her shoulders in the video.

In a separate photo, she posed in a grey top and panties combo as she leaned on a wall in the photoshoot.

It comes after Lucciana went public with former Love Island UK star Wes Nelson, 23, on Valentine's Day this year.

The London-based model highlighted her incredible curves in the skimpy bikini

She tugged at her bikini bottoms and allowed her raven tresses to fall past her shoulders in the video. She had a cheeky grin over her face

She posted a photo on Instagram of herself kissing Wes on a balcony alongside the text 'mi amour', which translates to 'my love'.

The couple later went for dinner at Aqua Shard, on level 31 of The Shard in London.

Lucciana looked spectacular in a leopard-print dress, and opted for a glossy makeup palette and styled her raven hair loosely.

Lucciana is a favourite among swimwear brands, and even walked the runway at Miami Swim Wee

The genetically blessed couple are rarely seen on social media together, and prefer to keep things private.

Despite only going 'Instagram official' recently, the pair have actually been an item since April last year.

'Wes met Lucciana in Dubai and it wasn't long before they started spending more time together,' a source told MailOnline at the time.

Lucciana later showcased her own incredible figure in a neutral-toned bra and panties set

'Lucciana supports Wes' music career while she has ambitious plans with her modelling, they definitely inspire each other to do well.'

Lucciana's father Travers 'The Candyman' Beynon made his millions in the tobacco business, but is also well-known for his playboy ways.

He often hosts extravagant parties at his lavish 15-bedroom mansion on the Gold Coast.
Beloved Nine News reporter Tracy Vo got engaged on Thursday when her partner Liam Connolly proposed next to Miri Miri Falls in Western Australia.

The ex-Today newsreader, 38, was beaming as she held up a glass of white wine and posed in a bathing suit, showing off her flashy engagement ring by the waterfall.

She shared the happy news on Instagram, saying: 'He took me to Miri Miri and asked me to marry him. I cried, I swore and then I said yes.'

Beloved Nine News reporter Tracy Vo, 38, (left) got engaged on Thursday when her partner Liam Connolly (right) proposed next to Miri Miri Falls in Western Australia

Tracy continued: 'I cant wait to be your wife Liam! You are the kindest and sweetest soul. You make me laugh everyday. What more could a gal ask for. I love you.'

They doting couple were inundated with praise and congratulations by their famous friends.

Today's weather presenter Tim Davies commented: 'HOOOOORAY! What joy. Congratulations to you both.'

The ex-Today newsreader, 38, posed next to the waterfall in an animal print swimsuit

Journalist Lizzie Pearl added: 'My little Vo! Love you so much my girl. Some bling to match your sparkle! Cant wait for a WA wedding!'

Tracy and Liam are currently taking a much deserved holiday in the El Questro Wilderness Park.

This comes after the popular television presenter was racially abused while having breakfast with Liam on Monday.

Tracy and Liam are currently taking a much deserved holiday in the El Questro Wilderness Park (pictured)

She recalled the account and her classy response on Twitter, explaining a woman had labelled her family communists before turning to Tracy's partner and telling him 'not to be had by this Asian woman'.

He politely asked the heckler to leave them alone while Tracy said she remained calm and kept a smile on her face during the ordeal.

Last week marked 44 years since Tracy's parents arrived in Perth as refugees after fleeing Vietnam in the late 1970s.

This comes after the popular television presenter was racially abused while having breakfast with Liam on Monday when a woman had labelled her family communists before turning to Tracy's partner and telling him 'not to be had by this Asian woman'

Tracy is proud of her origins and previously wrote a book titled 'Small Bamboo' detailing her parents' experience of escaping Vietnam after the war.

In early 2020, she relocated from her hometown of Perth to Sydney after she was promoted as newsreader to the Today show.

But the role was short-lived after she returned home to Perth just before Western Australia slammed its borders shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tracy is proud of her origins and previously wrote a book titled 'Small Bamboo' detailing her parents' experience of escaping Vietnam after the war. In early 2020, she relocated from her hometown of Perth to Sydney after she was promoted as newsreader to the Today show

Her decision to move back was prompted by her elderly father suffering from Morvan Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease.

'I really miss the Today show guys and it was just a family decision, purely a family decision,' Tracy said at the time.

'I'm still part of the family and I really miss them  but it was just one of those things, I had to do it, you know.'
The cast of a new buddy comedy from a trio of Saturday Night Live writers is getting bigger with Conan O'Brien, Bowen Yang and Meg Stalter signing on.

The currently untitled comedy hails from writers Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy - collectively known as Please Don't Destroy - who also star in the film, via Variety.

Also joining the cast is comedian X Mayo and Nichole Sakura (Superstore), though no details are given about any of their characters.

Cast: The cast of a new buddy comedy from a trio of Saturday Night Live writers is getting bigger with Conan O'Brien, Bowen Yang and Meg Stalter signing on

Writer-performers: The currently untitled comedy hails from writers Ben Marshall (center), John Higgins (left) and Martin Herlihy (right) - collectively known as Please Don't Destroy - who also star in the film, via Variety

The story follows Marshall, Higgins and Herlihy's characters, three friends who all live and work together.

When they realize their lives have become stagnant, they set off on an adventure to find the rumored gold treasure buried in a nearby mountain.

No details were given for the characters played by the actors who were all added to the cast on Wednesday.

No details: No details were given for the characters played by the actors who were all added to the cast on Wednesday

Marshall, Higgins and Herlihy all wrote the screenplay together, with Paul Briganti, who has directed on Saturday Night Live since 2016, taking the helm.

Judd Apatow will produce the movie through his Apatow Productions, alongside Jimmy Miller from Mosaic.

Apatow Productions' Josh Church, Mosaics M. Riley and Sam Hansen will serve as executive producers with Michael Sledd.

Meg stars: Meg Stalter (seen in May) has joined the cast of the untitled comedy from the writing trio Please Don't Destroy

Production is already under way in North Carolina, with Universal Pictures setting an August 18, 2023 release date, going up against Warner Bros.' Blue Beetle.

Higgins, the son of Saturday Night Live producer and Tonight Show sidekick Steve Higgins, Herlihy, the son of former SNL head writer and longtime Adam Sandler collaborator Tim Herlihy, and Marshall, all met while attending NYU.

They were hired as writers on SNL's 47th season last year, and were responsible for writing and starring in digital shorts, seemingly carrying the torch from Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer's troupe Lonely Island.

Digital shorts: They were hired as writers on SNL's 47th season last year, and were responsible for writing and starring in digital shorts, seemingly carrying the torch from Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer's troupe Lonely Island

Among their most popular sketches are Three Sad Virgins, which featured Taylor Swift and Pete Davidson, along with Good Variant and Hard Seltzer.

The film will mark O'Brien's first live-action big screen role since 2017's Sandy Wexler, though he was recently featured in the Netflix series Murderville.

Yang joined the SNL cast in 2019 and he recently starred in Fire Island and will next be seen in Bros, in theaters September 30, while Stalter had a breakthrough role as Kayla on HBO Max's Hacks.

New movie: The film will mark O'Brien's first live-action big screen role since 2017's Sandy Wexler, though he was recently featured in the Netflix series Murderville

SNL star: Yang joined the SNL cast in 2019 and he recently starred in Fire Island and will next be seen in Bros, in theaters September 30
Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney has admitted her income from acting jobs wouldn't be able to cover her if she decided to take a six month break.

The actress, 24, who has played the turbulent Cassie Howard on the HBO hit since 2019, said they 'don't pay actors like they used to' while detailing how much of her salary went to her team in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.

Sydney has an estimated net worth of $4million and reportedly earned $350,000 for the second eight episode series of the show (around $43,750 per episode).

World Celebs claims Sydney was paid around $25,000 per episode for season one, totalling $200,000.

The screen star explained while 'the established stars still get paid', she has to give 'five percent to my lawyer, 10 percent to my agents, three percent or something like that to my business manager'.

Interesting: Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney has admitted her income from acting jobs wouldn't be able to cover her if she decided to take a six month break (pictured as Cassie Howard on the show)

The White Lotus star said: 'If I wanted to take a six-month break, I don't have income to cover that.

'I don't have someone supporting me. They don't pay actors like they used to, and with streamers, you no longer get residuals.

'The established stars still get paid, but I have to give five percent to my lawyer, 10 percent to my agents, three percent or something like that to my business manager. I have to pay my publicist every month and that's more than my mortgage.'

Due to her punishing back-to-back schedule of projects, Sydney, who will next appear in Spider-Man universe film, Madame Web , said she 'can't sleep' and feels a pressure to keep the momentum going around her career.

In demand: Despite her recent successes and two Emmy nominations, Sydney said they 'don't pay actors like they used to' (pictured April)

Discussing Hollywood behind-the-scenes, she said it was built to 'make you backstab people' and how she saw people falsely claiming to support one another in the industry.

Sydney also said she never spoke to her Euphoria co-stars about her salary.

She recently learned she was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards.

The nominations are for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series for the second season of the teen drama Euphoria, and Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie for the black comedy series The White Lotus.

Success story: Sydney is pictured in HBO show, The White Lotus, in which she plays Olivia Mossbacher

Elsewhere in the Hollywood Reporter interview, Sydney opened up about her status as a sex symbol.

While Euphoria has earned critical acclaim, with her co-star Zendaya becoming the youngest to win the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Emmy, it has also become controversial with reports of long working hours and overly sexualized material.

Sweeney brushed those reports aside, stating, 'I fully trust in the filmmakers that I work with, and Im always so excited for whatever (Euphoria creator) Sam (Levinson) writes.'

She added that she loses herself so fully in the material that she forgets what it's like behind-the-scenes adding, 'It's as if it's someone else's life.'

'People forget that Im playing a character, they think, "Oh, she gets naked onscreen, shes a sex symbol,"' Sweeney said.

She said: 'I don't have someone supporting me. They don't pay actors like they used to, and with streamers, you no longer get residuals' (pictured with Jacob Elordi in Euphoria)

'And I cant get past that. I have no problems with those scenes, and I wont stop doing them, but I wish there was an easier way to have an open conversation about what were assuming about actors in the industry,' she added.

The second season of Euphoria found Cassie hooking up with Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi), shortly after he split with her best friend Maddie (Alexa Demie).

'He read me that first scene where Cassie and Nate go into the bathroom. And I was like, "Oh my God, Sam, youre a madman,"' Sweeney says of Cassie and Nate's first hookup at a rowdy New Year's Eve party.

That first episode paved the way for her to continue secretly hooking up with Nate, and lead to her now-infamous bathroom breakdown that likely secured her Emmy nomination

'I feel really bad for Cassie; shes losing herself so much. But I thrive doing that s**t. People talk about how heavy this season is, but I love it,' Sweeney added.
Gwyneth Paltrow has claimed that Hollywood nepotism babies have to work harder to prove themselves, but admits their connections allow them to 'unfairly' get into the industry.

The American actress, 49, opened up about her opinions on nepotism babies, which refers to children born into affluent or famous families, when appearing on Hailey Bieber's Who's In My Bathroom? YouTube series.

Gwyneth, who is the daughter of actress Blythe Danner and late director Bruce Paltrow, said she thinks celebrity children are not as advantaged in Hollywood as some people believe.

Nepotism: Gwyneth Paltrow has claimed that Hollywood nepotism babies have to work harder to prove themselves but admits their connections allow them to 'unfairly' get into the industry

She said she thinks nepotism babies have to work 'twice as hard' once they get their foot in the door to prove themselves because people will say they 'don't belong'.

But Gwyneth also admitted that children with famous parents can 'unfairly' get into the industry and have access to opportunities which other people don't have.

'As the child of someone, you get access other people don't have, so the playing field is not level in that way,' she explained.

'However, I really do feel that once your foot is in the door, which you unfairly got in, then you almost have to work twice as hard and be twice as good because people are ready to pull you down and say 'You don't belong there' and 'You are only there because of your dad or your mom', or whatever the case may be.'

Famous parents: Gwyneth is the daughter of actress Blythe Danner and director Bruce Paltrow (all pictured)

Giving advice to other nepotism babies, the Goop founder said the label shouldn't 'limit' them and urged people not to let others have a 'negative impact' on their lives.

She added: 'It shouldn't limit you because what I believe is that nobody in the world, especially somebody who doesn't know you, should have a negative impact on your path or the decisions that you make.'

Gwyneth has famous parents who found success in Hollywood and her comments came as she spoke to Hayley, who is the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin and graphic designer Kennya Baldwin.

The Iron Man star's father Bruce, who died at the age of 58 in 2002, worked on shows including The White Shadow and St. Elsewhere, while her mother Blythe has starred in the likes of Futureworld, Hearts of the West, 1776 and Meet The Parents.

Footsteps: The Iron Man star's mother Blythe (pictured) has starred in the likes of Futureworld, Hearts of the West, 1776 and Meet The Parents

Gwyneth has followed in her parents' footsteps, enjoying a successful acting career and winning an Oscar and an Academy Award for Shakespeare in Love in 1999. She has since founded a lifestyle and wellness brand, Goop.

Gwyneth's comments come after Jennifer Aniston - who has famous parents - recently faced backlash following comments she made about the ways internet stars find fame in modern society.

Last month, the Friends star, 53, caused controversy with comments she made during an interview with Pam & Tommy star Sebastian Stan, 39, during which she reflected on the way the likes of Paris Hilton and Monica Lewinsky's fame was shaped by the rise of internet culture.

But she sparked a furious backlash from some Twitter users who claimed her comments about finding fame were ironic due to the fact her parents are late actress Nancy Dow and Days of Our Lives star John Aniston, 88.

Career: Gwyneth has followed in her parents' footsteps, having a successful acting career and winning an Oscar and an Academy Award for Shakespeare in Love in 1999

In a segment of the Actors on Actors interview for Variety, the pair discussed the infamous Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee sex tape leak in 1995, which Stan's Hulu series was based upon, leading Jennifer to discuss internet culture at the time.

She commented on how the leak took place at a period when the internet began to influence society as she stated: 'It was right at the time when the internet really shaped a new culture about people becoming famous.

'This thing of people becoming famous for basically doing nothing but yet having these incredible careers. And then women's reputation... I mean  Paris Hilton, Monica Lewinsky, all those.'

Lewinsky was involved in a sex scandal with then-President Bill Clinton in 1998 after his two-year sexual relationship with the 24-year-old White House intern came to light, while Paris Hilton's private sex tape featuring herself and then-boyfriend Rick Salomon was leaked onto the internet in 2004.

Fame: Jennifer Aniston recently faced backlash following comments she made about the ways internet stars find fame, despite her father being Days of Our Lives actor John Aniston

Stan replied: 'When you look back at the '90s, you do see how many things have happened in that decade. Even the O.J. Simpson thing was actually the beginning of 24-hour news.'

His comment led the Horrible Bosses star to add: 'I feel so lucky that we got a little taste of the industry before it became what it is today... More streaming services  you're famous from TikTok, you're famous from YouTube, you're famous from Instagram. It's almost, like, it's diluting the actor's job.'

But her comments soon sparked a furious response from Twitter users who felt her reflections about finding fame were ironic due to the fact that she is a nepotism baby herself.

One fan tweeted: 'Jennifer Aniston plays the same character which is just a version of herself in every movie and it consistently gives nothing. The only that saves her is she has pretty okay co stars to save as comic relief.. always the NEPOTISM babies with no talent wanting to give their take.'

Not impressed: Twitter users were quick to call out the Friends star for her comments, claiming that her career was boosted by the fact her parents Nancy Dow and John Aniston are actors

Another wrote: 'Jennifer Aniston needs to calm down with her opinions when her nepotism got her into the industry and now she continues to make $20million per year just off syndication from a show that ended decades ago.'

'they're so mad they can't gatekeep the title of celebrity to stay in their weird nepotism Hollywood elite (sic),' another Twitter user stated.

One fan mused: 'Jennifer Aniston (nepotism baby) not talking about the true injustice to the acting industry (nepotism) and instead pretending the acting profession is degraded when people from all walks of life have the opportunity to become actors based on their own hard work and virality (sic)'

Another added: ''I feel so lucky that nepotism got me in before TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, and other services gave other people the opportunity to be seen. I would have ~never~ been able to compete against such a candidate pool.' - Jennifer Aniston, basically'.

However, some fans spoke out in defense of the Marley & Me star claiming she was right to say that internet platforms have allowed influencers to get roles traditionally given to actors.

Estranged: Jennifer's late mother Nancy Dow starred in shows like The Beverly Hillbillies and The Wild Wild West; the pair famously had a 15-year feud over a tell-all book in 1999

'She's not wrong the early 00's was revolutionizing. You actually had to have talent,' one person commented.

Another added: 'She kind of has a point though. Trained actors and those just coming out of training have been getting sidelined for influencers with no training whatsoever for a while now. And it's happening across the board, no matter the race/class.'

Jennifer's parents divorced when she was nine years old, and the actress had an estranged relationship with her father - who initially discouraged her from pursing acting.

In 2012, The Bounty Hunter star told The Hollywood Reporter: 'My dad's advice has always been: 'Don't do it. Become a doctor. Become a lawyer.'

'He didn't want me to be heartbroken because he knew it was a tough business. It compelled me to go for it even harder. Do what keeps you happy, and don't ever let people box you in.'

Born to be a star: Jennifer landed her first TV role alongside The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik (centre) in the short-lived 1990 series, Molloy

However, the veteran actor was supportive of her career once she began to make her name in Hollywood.

In a joint 1990 interview with E! News, the soap star praised the then-budding-actress as he stated: 'Jennifer is a natural talent. There are certain things you can learn in this business, and there are certain things you can't learn. The comic instinct that she has in unerring. That's her greatest asset.'

The Bruce Almighty star landed obtained her first regular television role on Molloy in 1990 and appeared in Ferris Bueller, a television adaptation of the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Both shows were cancelled and the star had a few more minor roles before landing her breakout part as Rachel Green in Friends in 1994.
A galaxy of Neighbours stars returned to Ramsay Street on Thursday evening to say goodbye to the beloved soap after 37 years on-air.

Ian Smith, who played Harold Bishop, Peter O'Brien (Shane Ramsay), Natalie Bassingthwaighte, (Izzy Hoyland) and Guy Pearce (Mike Young) all featured heavily in the iconic swansong.

They were joined by Daniel MacPherson, (Joel Samuels), Mark Little (Joe Mangel) and Paul Keane, who memorably played Des Clarke.

The Neighbours finale attracted a galaxy of returning stars including Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Ian Smith, and Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan (both pictured) as former cast members returned to Ramsay Street to farewell the beloved iconic Australian soap

Natalie Bassingthwaighte reprised her role as a very different Izzy Hoyland

Kylie Minogue, best known for playing Charlene Robinson and Jason Donovan, who played Scott Robinson, also reprised their roles.

Melissa Bell (Lucy Robinson) and Holly Valance (Felicity Scully) were also among the iconic stars who returned for the finale.

Also making an appearance in the episode were Jacinta Stapleton (Amy Greenwood), Delta Goodrem (Nina Tucker) and Natalie Imbruglia.

Peter O'Brien, who is best known for his role as Shane Ramsay, made an appearance during the final episode

He was joined by by Annie Jones (pictured), Margot Robbie and a ghostly Anne Charleston, who portrayed matriarch Madge Bishop

They were joined by Annie Jones (Jane Harris), Margot Robbie (Donna Freedman) and a ghostly Anne Charleston, who portrayed matriarch Madge Bishop.

Meanwhile, stars from more recent years also popped into Ramsay St to say their goodbyes, including Olympia Valance (Paige Smith), Jodi Gordon (Elly Conway), Zoe Cramond (Amy Williams) and Kate Kendall (Lauren Turner).

Ben Hall (Ned Willis), Olivia Junkeer (Yashvi Rebecchi) and Zima Anderson (Roxy Willis) completed the line-up of returning Neighbours cast members.

Ian Smith, who played Harold Bishop from 1987 to 1991, returned for the last-ever episode

Guy Pearce (pictured), known for his role as Mike Young, also made an appearance

Neighbours announced in March that production would cease on the long-running soap due to lack of financial backing.

'We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June,' the show wrote on Twitter.

'Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK [Channel 5] and despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show.

'To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team. We thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high. From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours.'

Daniel MacPherson, known for his role as Joel Samuels, reprised his role on the show

Neighbours announced in March that production would cease on the long-running soap due to lack of financial backing. Pictured Rebekah Elmaloglou

Network 10 addressed the end of the series in a statement to Australian media, admitting it had been a 'difficult decision'.

'Today, Fremantle confirmed that Neighbours will cease production in June, after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes,' a network spokesperson announced.

'This difficult decision came after the search for an alternative UK broadcast partner proved unsuccessful.'

They added that the series would 'not air on 10 Peach beyond September 2022', marking the end of its decades-long run.

'A much-loved stalwart of our program schedule for over 35 years it has been a staple of Australian television drama, and Australian cultural exports,' 10 added.

Network 10 addressed the end of the series in a statement to Australian media, admitting it had been a 'difficult decision'. Pictured: Geoff Paine

Fremantle, the production company behind the soap, said it had been unable to come up with 'alternative funding' for the series. Pictured: Paul Keane, who played Des Clarke

'It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming that Neighbours will cease production in June,' Fremantle said. Pictured Delta Goodrem during the episode

'Ramsay Street, Erinsborough, is a cul-de-sac recognised all over the world and has been home to Scott and Charlene, Des and Daphne, Dr Karl and Susan, Dee and Toadie, Aaron and David and many, many more neighbours.

'Network 10 thanks the cast, crew, all the production team and Fremantle for bringing the perfect blend of soap and sunshine to audiences in Australia and around the world.'

Fremantle, the production company behind the soap, said it had been unable to come up with 'alternative funding' for the series.

'It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming that Neighbours will cease production in June,' Fremantle said.

'Following the loss of a key broadcast partner in the UK, and despite a search for alternative funding, we currently have no option but to rest the show'

Holly Valance (Felicity Scully) was also among the iconic stars who returned for the finale

'Following the loss of a key broadcast partner in the UK, and despite a search for alternative funding, we currently have no option but to rest the show.

'Everyone at Neighbours has been overwhelmed by the love and support from the audience since the news came out.

'The show has brought a sunny slice of Australia into the homes of millions of viewers around the world launching the careers of dozens of household names along the way.

'But as this chapter of Ramsay Street comes to a close, we promise to do everything we can to give the show the send-off it deserves.'

Natalie Imbruglia, who played Beth Brennan, also returned to the show

Carla Bonner sent the cast of Neighbours a message via video during the final episode

Channel 5 bought the UK broadcasting rights to the soap in 2008 in a 10-year 300m deal, after its hugely successful run on the BBC. Pictured Margot Robbie

Reports emerged in February that Neighbours' future was in jeopardy after British broadcaster Channel 5 announced it would no longer air the show.

Channel 5 bought the UK broadcasting rights to the soap in 2008 in a 10-year 300m deal, after its hugely successful run on the BBC.

The shortfall in funding from Channel 5 is significant enough for bosses to tell cast and crew that they will be forced to 'rest' the soap come July, and unless a new deal can be made it will be axed for good.

Although the show is filmed Down Under, UK broadcaster Channel 5 foots most of the production bill and the advertising revenue brought in by the programme does not match up to the outgoings, The Sun reports.

The shortfall in funding from Channel 5 was significant enough for bosses to tell cast and crew that they will be forced to 'rest' the soap come July, and unless a new deal can be made it will be axed for good. Pictured Jodi Gordon during the finale
Gino D'Acampo has claimed he turned down an invitation to tea from the Queen because he didn't like the food and drink on offer.

The Italian-born TV chef described cucumber sandwiches as his 'worst nightmare' and added that he also didn't want to dress smartly for the occasion.

Speaking to The Daily Mail's Richard Eden, the Family Fortunes host, 46, said bluntly: 'I'm not very keen on tea or cucumber sandwiches.'

'It's my worst nightmare': Gino D'Acampo has claimed he turned down an invite to tea with the Queen because he's 'not keen on cucumber sandwiches'

He added: 'I was invited to the Palace for tea just before Covid, but a cucumber sandwich is my worst nightmare.

'I don't like tea either, so I phoned my agent and said: "I'd love to meet her, but I don't like tea and cucumber sandwiches, and I can't do either of those things.

"I'm also going to have to wear a tie, and the last time I did that was when I got married. I can't do that. But if I can have a plate of pasta and a cup of coffee, I'm in."'

Snubbed: Gino said that he'd 'love to meet' the Queen but didn't like the food and drink on offer and also didn't want to dress smartly for the occasion

While Gino may not be a fan of cucumber sandwiches himself, he recently launched an afternoon tea at his eponymous restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne which features the classic British dish - but with an Italian twist that adds truffle cream cheese.

Worst nightmare: Gino didn't want to have the traditional British cuisine on offer

Gino grew up in Naples, before moving to the UK and opening his first restaurant age 21. His eponymous eatery now has venues in Birmingham, Manchester, Harrogate, Leeds, Liverpool and Hull.

He suffered a financial setback earlier this year, however, when his fast-food chain of pasta bars collapsed with 5 million of debts in January.

It wasn't just Gino affected by the collapse, with his This Morning co-star Phillip Schofield also losing thousands.

Phil owned 2,200 of the 119,000 shares in My Pasta Bars Ltd which served pasta on the go. The collapse left 49 creditors out of pocket and owed more than 37,000 to staff in unpaid wages.

Gino is understood to earn around 2 million annually from television work, including hosting Family Fortunes and regular appearances on This Morning.

He is also a former winner of ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
Chazz Bryant and his sister Bria shook things up on Wednesday's episode of Love Island USA after being given the power to pick a partner for their sibling.

Bria chose Sereniti Springs, 28, of Clovis, California to couple up with her 21-year-old brother.

Chazz picked Timmy Pandolfi, 29, of New York City to couple up with Bria.

Family affair: Chazz Bryant and his sister Bria shook things up on Wednesday's episode of Love Island USA after being given the power to pick a partner for their sibling

The sudden recoupling meant that Zeta Morrison, 29, of Surrey, United Kingdom, and Tyler Radziszewski, 23, of Cleveland, were left single and vulnerable.

In the final moments of the show, it was announced that one of them would soon be leaving the villa and the choice would be up to the islanders.

'Kick rocks,' Zeta said.

When episode eight of season four opened, Chazz and Bria had just arrived and were excited to get to know the other islanders. Chazz went on a date with Mady McLanahan, 26, of Dallas, and Bria went on a date with Isaiah Campbell, 21, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

New couples: Bria chose Sereniti Springs, 28, of Clovis, California to couple up with her 21-year-old brother, while Chazz picked Timmy Pandolfi, 29, of New York City, to couple up with Bria

Isaiah talked with Bria about his type.

'My first impression was obviously damn you are beautiful,' Isaiah said. 'Alpha female.'

Bria said she was looking for someone intelligent and family oriented.

Alpha female: 'My first impression was obviously damn you are beautiful,' Isaiah said Bria. 'Alpha female'

'I know what I want and I go for it,' Bria said.

'I want a girl that wants me but doesn't need me,' Isaiah said. 'But also at the end of the day she knows who she is coming home to.'

Back at the Villa, Sydney Paight, 22, of Houston, talked with Deborah 'Deb' Chubb, 26, of Dallas, about being tired of being jealous when Isaiah was with other girls.

Date talk: 'I want a girl that wants me but doesn't need me,' Isaiah said. 'But also at the end of the day she knows who she is coming home to'

'What if he and Bria also have a connection too?' Sydney worried.

Sydney said in a confessional that she needed to talk to Isaiah and let him know her feelings.

'I just hope it's not too late,' Sydney said crying.

Strong feelings: 'I just hope it's not too late,' Sydney said crying

Zeta Morrison, 29, of Surrey, United Kingdom, asked Sydney how she was feeling.

'I miss the f*** out of him,' Sydney said.

Sydney started crying. Deb and Courtney Boerner, 24, of Florida, gave her a hug.

Mady told Chazz on her date that she was still open to making new connections. She said that Andy and Isaiah both wanted Sydney.

Still open: Mady told Chazz on her date that she was still open to making new connections

'I really want to be someone's first choice,' Mady said.

Chazz then asked Isaiah if he knew about Sydney and Andy's kiss before the recoupling

'I didn't know about that,' Isaiah said.

New information: 'I didn't know about that,' Isaiah said

Zeta pulled Timmy Pandolfi, 29, of New York City, aside for a chat back at the villa.

'I'm very happy with you,' Timmy said. 'I'm not talking back what I said at all. I can see myself with you outside the villa, 100 percent.'

Zeta asked her about how he felt about Bria.

Very happy: 'I'm very happy with you,' Timmy told Zeta. 'I'm not talking back what I said at all. I can see myself with you outside the villa, 100 percent'

'She is an attractive girl,' Timmy said.

'I trust him,' Zeta said in a confessional.

Zeta said to Sereniti that she knew that Bria was coming for Timmy.

New addition: Bria definitely gained Timmy's attention

'He definitely said he's attracted to her,' Sereniti said.

'Timmy you little liar,' Zeta yelled. 'You running game now is that what you are up to? Joker.'

'We can take it slow Timmy,' Zeta yelled as she stormed off. 'Watch how slow your s*** go now.'

Talking loud: 'We can take it slow Timmy,' Zeta yelled as she stormed off. 'Watch how slow your s*** go now'

'I'm in trouble,' Timmy said.

Chazz, Bria, Mady, and Isaiah came back from their dates. Isaiah stormed off. Mady told Sydney that Chazz told Isiah about watching her kiss Andy on television before the recoupling.

'Isaiah's not happy at all,' Mady said.

'S*** just got f***ed up even more,' Sydney said in a confessional.

Next level: 'S*** just got f***ed up even more,' Sydney said in a confessional

Isaiah told Andy he wanted to talk.

'Andy's about to get ripped a new one,' Zeta said.

Isaiah asked Andy if he had something to tell him. Andy didn't know what he was getting at.

Good question: Isaiah asked Andy if he had something to tell him

'Cut the bulls***,' Isaiah said.

'Have we kissed? Yeah,' Andy said.

'Why the f*** didn't you tell me, bro?' Isaiah said. 'I don't f***ing understand, bro.'

'Bro code was f***ing destroyed,' Isaiah said. 'Like, I have no f***ing respect for you no more.'

Code destroyed: 'Bro code was f***ing destroyed,' Isaiah said. 'Like, I have no f***ing respect for you no more'

Isaiah then told Sydney he wanted to chat with her. He asked her if she had something to tell her. Sydney admitted that Andy kissed her before the recoupling.

'I didn't initiate it,' Sydney said.

'I just don't deserve this disrespect,' Isaiah said. 'You obviously gave him some signs to be doing that kind of s***.'

No respect: 'I just don't deserve this disrespect,' Isaiah said. 'You obviously gave him some signs to be doing that kind of s***'

'I'm sorry how this all went down,' Sydney said. 'I do like you a lot. I miss cuddling you.'

Sydney promised she would never hide anything from him again.

Zeta later decided that she needed to apologize to Timmy. She told him it was disrespectful of her.

Never again: Sydney promised she would never hide anything from him again

'I was just really upset,' Zeta said.

He accepted her apology and they kissed.

Bria later told her brother Chazz that she felt Timmy was giving her the eye.

'If you feel like that then he was,' Chazz said.

The eye: Bria later told her brother Chazz that she felt Timmy was giving her the eye

The next morning, Zeta said she knew Bria was going to try to steal Timmy, though.

Tyler said in a confessional that he felt good about Sereniti but that Mady was also in his top three.

Bria and Chazz talked about their game plan.

'We have the power in our palms,' Chazz said.

Chazz chatted up Sereniti.

Chatting time: Chazz chatted up Sereniti

'You are definitely the one that I really wanted to talk to,' Chazz said.

'I'm definitely interested in figuring out more about him,' Sereniti said in a confessional.

Bria also told Timmy that he caught her eye.

'I like someone who is humble, but brings out that big dick energy,' Bria said. 'And I feel like that was you.'

Popular guy: Timmy also caught the attention of Bria

Sydney and Andy spoke about their relationship. She said she didn't realize how strong her feelings were for Isaiah.

'Seeing him upset like really f***ed me up,' Sydney said. 'I think it made me realize that I actually do really like him.'

'There's no hard feelings,' Andy said.

Relationship status: Sydney and Andy spoke about their relationship

Sydney later told Isaiah that she wasn't interested in Andy.

'I like you a lot,' Sydney said.

'I'm the same way,' Isaiah said.

The two kissed.

'This is turning me on,' Sydney said. 'You make my vagina tingle.'

Love Island USA will return on Wednesday on the Peacock streaming service.

Big decision: Chazz and Bria had to decide which couples to split up
Jung Jae-hun, a professor of preventive medicine at Gachon University, speaks during a special briefing session on COVID-19 organized by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Thursday. Yonhap



BA.5 wave slows slightly with 88,384 new infections



By Lee Hyo-jin



Korea may be able to avoid the worst-case scenario of reaching 300,000 daily COVID-19 infections during the peak of the current wave, according to some medical experts, who were cautiously optimistic about how the virus situation could develop in the coming weeks.



Driven by the highly contagious BA.5 Omicron subvariant, health authorities and experts had previously projected that the country would see up to 300,000 daily infections by mid-August.



"What experts forecast two to three weeks ago was a prediction that was close to the worst-case scenario, but now that more certain information is emerging, I think that there are a few reasons to believe that scale of the spread may decrease slightly from the forecast," Jung Jae-hun, a professor of preventive medicine at Gachon University, said during a special briefing session organized by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Thursday.



Jung counted several positive factors, such as higher-than-expected vaccination rates for second boosters and the fact that the BA.2.75 subvariant, Centaurus, known to be more contagious than any of its predecessors, appears not to be showing its full force here, lowering the possibility that it might take over as the dominant strain.



"Nonetheless, infections are expected to rise significantly throughout the next couple of weeks, during which we will see the peak," he warned.



In response to rising public concerns over the latest wave of infections, the KDCA invited two medical experts  Jung and Kim Nam-joong, head of the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases  to answer questions from the public regarding the pandemic situation.



Some people asked the experts why the government has ruled out the reintroduction of social distancing measures despite the rapidly increasing number of infections. The KDCA is currently carrying out what it calls "autonomous distancing measures" which it says rely on the "participation and cooperation" of the public in taking antivirus precautions.



"The top priority of the current quarantine policies is to minimize the number of critically ill patients and deaths, most of which occur among the elderly population," said Kim.



"But restrictions on private gatherings and the operating hours of multiuse facilities have the most impacts on the daily lives of younger age groups, rather than the elderly," he said.



Jung also noted that although one-size-fits-all social distancing measures were proven to be effective during the early pandemic period when the country was fighting against the Delta variant, the measures are not considered a sustainable strategy long term.



"While one-size-fits-all social distancing is effective, how effective it is depends on the period, the variant, etc. From the time when the Omicron variant first appeared, the effectiveness of strong social distancing measures has been limited," he said. "Vaccines and therapeutics have succeeded substantially in reducing the percentage of serious cases, and other measures such as mandatory mask wearing and isolating infected people which have been maintained are helpful, even if without social distancing, in containing the spread."



When asked about how worried people should be about reinfection from BA.5 or BA.2.75 subvariants, Kim said, "Emerging variants may evade immunity created by vaccination or previous infections, but recent data show that reinfections may be less severe than primary infections."



According to KDCA data, so far, only about 86,000 people have been infected with the coronavirus at least twice, accounting for about 0.45 percent of the total caseload. Among them, 119 were found to have caught the virus three times.



Meanwhile, the country added 88,384 new infections for Wednesday, including 425 from overseas, bringing the aggregated total to 19,535,242.






Johnny Depp was mobbed by fans as he left a restaurant in Paris in the early hours of the morning on Thursday.

The actor, 59, looked in good spirits as he stopped to sign fans for his fans who waited outside the venue for him where he emerged at 2:30am.

The Pirates Of The Caribbean star cut a casual figure on the outing as he sported a dark jacket with a matching pair of trousers.

Outing: Johnny Depp was mobbed by fans as he left a restaurant in Paris in the early hours of the morning on Thursday

Johnny also sported a grey shirt along with his signature hat and a pair of sunglasses as he greeted his fans.

The film star completed his look for the evening with several gold necklaces and matching earrings.

Johnny is in Paris filming his first project since his defamation trial against ex Amber Heard as he takes on the role of King Louis XV in La Favourite.

The actor's most recent role was in the film Minamata, relased in February 2020.

In demand: The actor, 59, looked in good spirits as he stopped to sign fans for his fans who waited outside the venue for him where he emerged at 2:30am

Johnny certainly has much to smile about these days, after a judge has denied all of his ex-wife Amber's motion to have the verdict of her blockbuster defamation trial against him thrown out and the case re-tried.

Lawyers representing Amber  whom Johnny was married to from 2015 until 2017  filed a motion earlier this month on the grounds that the verdict that she had defamed Johnny was not supported by evidence.

They also made a bombshell allegation that a juror had not been properly vetted and questioned whether that juror was even supposed to be allowed on the jury.

Fans: The Pirates Of The Caribbean star cut a casual figure on the outing as he sported a dark jacket with a matching pair of trousers

Style: The film star completed his look for the evening with several gold necklaces and matching earrings

Fun times: Johnny looked delighted as he greeted fans at the door

Fun: The star was animated as he shook hands with some friends

Pensive: The star looked deep in thought as he spoke with a friend

Court documents obtained by DailyMail.com show that Judge Penny Azcarate denied all of Amber's post-trial requests.

Both celebrities were found to have defamed each other in the June verdict, but the cards fell considerably in Johnny's favor.

He was awarded $10.35million in damages from Amber, while she was awarded just $2million in damages from Johnny. All told, Amber was left owing Johnny a whopping $8.35million.

In his next venture, Johnny's portraits of his celebrity peers are now up for sale, with the star announcing his partnership with Castle Fine Art.

This collaboration sees him focus on Friends and Heroes, people he has known well, and who have inspired him as a person.

Working from photographic references, each image has been stripped back to a simpler and iconic portrayal of the subject, which Johnny has then developed and energised with freehand flourishes.

Wow: In his next venture, Johnny's portraits of his celebrity peers are now up for sale, with the star announcing his partnership with Castle Fine Art

Legends: Bob Dylan and Elizabeth Taylor are among the portraits

Icon: Al Pacino has been painted by the legendary star

Wow: Keith Richards is among the portraits of Johnny's muses

Johnny has created an array of portraits - including Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Al Pacino and Elizabeth Taylor.

The gallery posted: 'The wait is finally over! Were delighted to announce that the latest signing to Castle Fine Art is the critically acclaimed actor, musician, and artist, Johnny Depp. 

'This exciting new collection, entitled Friends & Heroes, is a testament to those he has known well and others who have inspired him as a person.'

Since Johnny went live via Instagram, all pieces have sold out.
She's enjoying a summer break in the celeb favourite hotspot of Saint-Tropez.

And Emma Weymouth packed a wardrobe to match her chic location, wowing in a covetable head-to-toe Dolce & Gabbana ensemble for a boat trip on Wednesday.

The Marchioness of Bath showed off her incredible physique in a leopard print bikini from the Italian fashion house, teamed with a colourful beach kimono.

Stunning: Emma Weymouth packed a wardrobe to match her chic location of St Tropez, wowing in a covetable head-to-toe Dolce & Gabbana ensemble for a boat trip on Wednesday

Emma, 36, layered her skimpy 360 bikini under the Mallorca-print cover-up, which retails for 2,295.

She matched the statement piece to her bag, which was stuffed full with all the essentials for another day in paradise.

The Strictly star accessorised with round sunglasses and a wide-brimmed beach hat as she went barefoot to catch the boat back to the yacht where she and her family have been staying during the getaway.

Beach ready: The Marchioness of Bath showed off her incredible physique in a leopard print bikini from the Italian fashion house, teamed with a colourful beach kimono

The Marchioness has been married to Viscount Weymouth Ceawlin Thynn, 48, since June 2013, with the couple sharing sons John, six, and Henry, four.

The boys' official titles are The Honourable John Alexander Ladi Thynn and The Honourable Henry Richard Isaac Thynn.

On her wedding day, Emma became the first black marchioness in British history.

Yet in November Emma said she doesn't want her skin colour to be a 'defining characteristic' and is a reluctant role model after becoming Britain's first black marchioness.

Summer getaway: Emma, 36, layered her skimpy 360 bikini under the Mallorca-print cover-up, which retails for 2,295

The Marchioness, who is the daughter of a Nigerian oil tycoon, appeared on the cover of Tatler in November 2021 talking about her grand plans for her family's Longleat estate.

In the interview she said she had a 'responsibility' to maintain the estate.

She added: 'I aspire to a future where [my skin colour] is not a defining characteristic.'

Arm candy: She matched the statement piece to her bag, which was stuffed full with all the essentials for another day in paradise

In the past Emma has also talked about raising her sons on the Longleat estate which contains an enormous wildlife Park.

In 2014 she told Hello! magazine that her eldest son John was getting a varied education from living around animals.

She said: 'He's learned to roar from being around the Longleat safari park lions and the animatronic dinosaurs. He can make monkey noises, too.'
Kieran Hayler has praised his fiancee Michelle Penticost and said she 'doesn't get the credit she deserves' after claims she suffered a campaign of abuse from Katie Price.

Kieran, 35, took to Instagram on Wednesday to gush over his partner Michelle, 40, and praised her for being an 'absolute rock' and an 'incredible mother'.

He cryptically said Michelle 'doesn't get the credit she deserves despite what she has to deal with', following his partner's claims that Katie hurled abuse at her.

Cryptic: Kieran Hayler has praised his fiancee Michelle Penticost and said she 'doesn't get the credit she deserves' after claims she suffered a campaign of abuse from Katie Price

Alongside his impassioned caption, Kieran shared a selfie of himself and his fiancee smiling as they posed on a beach in front of a glorious sunset.

He penned: 'No filters needed, just me and my beautiful fiancee!!! Oh and the incredible sunset. @michellepenti really doesn't get the credit she deserves for she has to deal with.

'Myself and my children are truly blessed and lucky. Your an incredible mother and step mother and my absolute rock. I love you #family #love #myworld #mylife.'

Kieran shares two kids - Jett, eight, and Bunny, seven - with his ex Katie, while he also has 11-month-old Apollo with Michelle.

Caption: He cryptically said that Michelle 'doesn't get the credit she deserves despite what she has to deal with', following his partner's claims that Katie hurled abuse at her

Court: Katie avoided a prison sentence last month after breaking a restraining order against Michelle by indirectly calling her a 'gutter s**g' in a text to Kieran

His words come after Michelle claimed that she suffered a campaign of abuse from Kieran's ex Katie, 44, leaving her fearful to leave her home.

Katie avoided a prison sentence last month after breaking a restraining order against Michelle by indirectly calling her a 'gutter s**g' in a text to Kieran.

In an interview earlier this month, Michelle slammed Katie's sentence after the former glamour model was ordered to complete 18-months of community service.

Michelle told how she is scared to step foot outside her home and has installed CCTV 'everywhere' out of fear Katie or someone she knows will turn up.

The mother claimed to the Sun that the couple have had several 'incidents' with Katie and claimed that she once turned up without warning.

Disappointed: In a new interview, Michelle slammed Katie's sentence after the former glamour model was ordered to complete 18-months of community service

Michelle insisted that as well as hurling abuse at her and personal trainer Kieran, Katie has also said 'horrible' things about their son Apollo.

Michelle said: 'When I was about seven months pregnant she said she hoped the baby is either born dead or disabled.'

She claims the comment was made to a third party who repeated it to her.

'Seven months you're at quite a critical time, all the hormones, it's hard enough. Considering she has Harvey, that was quite distressing actually,' she added.

Katie's eldest child Harvey has Septo-optic Dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder affecting his eyesight, as well as autism and Prader-Willi syndrome, which can cause learning difficulties and behavioural problems.

Michelle concluded: 'This behaviour is bullying, and considering she's an advocate for mental health, she's a hypocrite.'

Fear: Michelle told how she is scared to step foot outside her home and has installed CCTV 'everywhere' out of fear Katie or someone she knows will turn up

Katie was given a five-year restraining order against Michelle in 2019 after calling her a series of insults including 'f*****g c**t' in front of children, parents and a teacher outside the school gates.

Katie then indirectly breached the order when she text Kieran, saying: 'Tell your c*****g whore piece of s**t girlfriend not to start on me.'

The former I'm A Celebrity star dodged jail once again while also on a suspended sentence for her drink and drug-fuelled car crash.

Michelle admitted that she now worries that there is 'no deterrent' and believes Katie hasn't received any real consequences for her actions.

Katie was ordered to complete 170 hours of community service and pay 1,500 in court costs during her sentencing last month.

Katie was heard telling a reporter to 'suck my d**k' after she was asked about the prospects of a prison sentence.

A source recently told The Sun that Katie was 'super-confident' she would avoid jail for breaching the restraining order - so much so that she booked a work trip to Thailand 'weeks' before.

The source said: 'It's disgraceful, to be honest. Shes shown time and again she has no respect for the courts and this is just the latest example. She's laughing at our justice system.'

Katie had been banned from contacting Miss Penticost directly or indirectly for five years in June 2019.

This was after she hurled a foul-mouthed 'tirade of abuse' at her during a row in a school playground.

The message read: 'Tell your c***ing w***e piece of s**t girlfriend not to start on me.

Precautions: Michelle recently revealed to the Sun that the couple have had several 'incidents' with Katie and claimed that she once turned up without warning

'She has a restraining order so shouldn't try antagonise me as she is in breach and I'm sure she doesn't want people knowing that she was having an affair with you behind my back. That gutter s**g.'

The court heard the offence was committed due to Katie's use of the words 'tell your', which was an indirect attempt to communicate with Michelle.

It was also said that her message to Kieran may have been triggered by an Instagram post by Michelle, which she denies was aimed at Katie.

Judge Stephen Mooney told Price: 'In my judgement, this offence was committed out of anger.

'The words you used were highly offensive and inflammatory so the breach cannot be considered minor.

Breached: Katie had been banned from contacting Miss Penticost directly or indirectly for five years in June 2019

'In my judgement, balancing the aggravating and mitigating factors, the appropriate sentence is a medium-level community order.'

Katie showed no emotion as the verdict was announced but gave a brief smile as she left the dock.

Her fiancee Carl Woods, 34, who was in the court public gallery, let out a sigh of relief and held his head in his hands.

Speaking after the verdict, Kieran and Michelle said at the time: 'We are incredibly disappointed with the result of today's court hearing.

'We feel a custodial sentence would have sent the right message to the public given the seriousness of Miss Price's offending.'
And Kylie and Jason's beloved characters Charlene and Scott Robinson made their entrance to the garden party after as they pulled up in their car

As well as Kylie and Jason making a final appearance, there were also epic returns made by Margot Robbie (Donna Freedman), Holly Valance (Flick Scully)

The finale centered around Toadie's (Ryan Moloney) wedding to Melanie (Lucinda Cowden) as many familiar faces reunited for the ceremony

The finale was packed with appearances from long-gone characters as fans were given a nostalgic glimpse at Neighbours, with characters flipping through photo albums

The Channel 5 soap first aired in 1985 and has been on screens for 37 years, but in March it was announced the Australian series was being axed

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan have made their epic return to Neighbours, arriving back on Ramsay Street for the soap's final ever episode

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Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan have finally made their epic return to Neighbours, joining a host of stars including Margot Robbie and Holly Valance arriving back on Ramsay Street for the soap's final ever episode.

The Channel 5 soap first aired in 1985 and has been on screens for 37 years, but in March it was announced the Australian series was being axed after 8,903 episodes with the finale airing in Australia on Thursday and on Friday evening in the UK.

The finale was jam-packed with appearances from long-gone characters as fans were given a nostalgic glimpse through Neighbours' history, with characters tearfully flipping through photo albums, a lingering melancholic piano score and the odd in-joke.

They're back! Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan have made their epic return to Neighbours, arriving back on Ramsay Street for the soap's final ever episode

Reunion: In the emotional scenes, the couple were seen leaning against their car, as they took in the surroundings and reminisced on their time together in the town

The finale centered around Toadie's (Ryan Moloney) wedding to Melanie (Lucinda Cowden) as many familiar faces reunited for the picturesque lakeside ceremony and street party afterwards, while other pals - including Margot Robbie's Donna Freedman) - sent their well wishes in sweet video messages to mark the big day.

And appearing on screens once again, Kylie and Jason's beloved characters Charlene and Scott Robinson made their much-anticipated entrance to the garden party as they pulled up on Ramsay Street in their recognisable green Mini before surprising their pals.

The couple returned to Erinsborough for the first time since they bid farewell to the suburb and moved to Brisbane after tying the knot in a romantic wedding ceremony more than 30 years ago.

As well as Kylie and Jason making a final appearance on the show, there were also epic returns made by Holly Valance (Flick Scully), Natalie Imbruglia (Beth Brennan), Guy Pearce (Mike Young) and Ian Smith (Harold Bishop) as they reprised their roles on the soap opera.

Sweet: As the characters returned to the show, real life exes Kylie and Jason's famous duet Especially For You could be heard playing in the background in a crossover moment

Star-studded: As well as Kylie and Jason making a final appearance on the show, there was also an epic return made by Margot Robbie as Donna Freedman (pictured) as she appeared in a video message for Toadie's wedding day

Dedicated: Neighbours fans rugged up as they gathered at Federation Square in Melbourne to watch the beloved iconic Australian soap's finale

They were joined by Daniel MacPherson, (Joel Samuels), Peter O'Brien (Shane Ramsay), Natalie Bassingthwaighte, (Izzy Hoyland), Mark Little (Joe Mangel) and Paul Keane, who memorably played Des Clarke.

Also appearing in the finale were Annie Jones (Jane Harris), Anne Charleston, who portrayed matriarch Madge Bishop, Jacinta Stapleton (Amy Greenwood), and Delta Goodrem (Nina Tucker).

And stars from more recent years on the soap joined the episode, including Olympia Valance (Paige Smith), Jodi Gordon (Elly Conway), Zoe Cramond (Amy Williams) and Kate Kendall (Lauren Turner).

With Ben Hall (Ned Willis), Olivia Junkeer (Yashvi Rebecchi) and Zima Anderson (Roxy Willis) completing the line-up of Neighbours alumni returning.

Happily ever after: The Neighbours finale, which aired in Australia on Thursday, centered around Toadie's wedding to Melani

Reunited: Holly Valance (Felicity Scully) was also among the iconic stars who returned for the finale

Famous faces: Natalie Imbruglia, who played Beth Brennan, also returned to the show

The much-anticipated final episode focused on Ramsay Street favourite Toadie, played by Ryan Moloney, finally getting his happy ending as he tied the knot with Melanie (Lucinda Cowden), surrounded by familiar faces.

After two decades of storylines which saw his wife Dee go missing on their honeymoon, his second wife Sonya tragically die from cancer, and Dee coming back from the dead, Toadie's marriage was the perfect end point for the soap after 37 years on air.

And the romantic wedding also saw celebrity appearances made by Margot Robbie and Delta Goodrem as the happy couple were played a montage of video messages from Toadie's pals to mark their big day.

Toadie and Melanie got hitched in a ceremony officiated by the lake by his old friend Susan Kennedy, before a party on Ramsay Street to celebrate.

The bride recited emotional vows to Toadie as their friends looked on, telling him: 'Before I met you, I thought I was done. Finito! Send in the clowns! She's never going to meet anyone ever again!

Kiss the bride: Long-standing Ramsay Street favourite Toadie, played by Ryan Moloney, finally got his happy ending as he tied the knot with Melanie (Lucinda Cowden),

Love: The bride recited emotional vows to Toadies as their friends looked on, telling him: 'Before I met you, I thought I was done. Finito!'

Friends and neighbours: Toadie and Melanie got hitched in a ceremony by the lake officiated by his old friend Susan Kennedy

'But then, I met you. And what started with tiger print... ..ended up being the happiest, of my entire life. most loving relationship Nell, Hugo, Cal, you've given me the family that I've always wanted. And I'd like to remember your very special mummy today too.'

Later, it was down to Karl Kennedy to spring a surprise on the newlyweds, telling Toadie: 'You're like a son to us. Well, that's ridiculous, isn't it?'

'Toad, you ARE a son to us. Toadie, Melanie, the kids, you're part of our family, and you always will be.'

'Of course, today has special significance because you're leaving Ramsay Street. The street is not going to be the same without you, and we're not the only ones who think that.'

'Some of our old neighbours who couldn't be here have sent you some messages.'

Karl played a video with messages from Toadie's old pals, featuring a huge selection of cameos including Margot Robbie's Donna Freedman, much to the delight of fans.

Familiar faces: Harold Bishop was one of the many returning characters for the finale

Home sweet home: The couple celebrated their marriage with a street party back home after the lakeside ceremony

Guy Pearce (pictured), known for his role as Mike Young, also made an appearance on the show

As the video messages ended, Toadie decided to listen to his friends, telling Karl and Susan: 'Right. Well, uh, I... guess we're not going anywhere, are we?'

After their lakeside wedding ceremony, the couple celebrated their marriage with a street party back at home, where they were reunited with a host of familiar faces.

In Charlene and Scott's emotional scenes, the couple looked as smitten as ever as they leant against their Mini, took in the surroundings and reminisced on their time together in the town.

Charlene sported a navy denim jumpsuit as she stayed true to her famous overall fashion trend and brought back her iconic blonde curls as they arrived at the garden party.

Meanwhile, Scott cut a casual figure in jeans and a plaid shirt as he wrapped his arm around his partner as they looked as loved up as they did on their wedding day more than 30 years ago.

Emotional: Arriving at the garden party, Charlene declared: 'Home sweet home,' before reuniting with their pals Mike Young (Guy Pearce) and Jane Harris (Annie Jones) for the episode's closing moments

Neighbours: Scott and Charlene were seen embracing their pals Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) and Mike as they enjoyed drinks and chatted on a balcony, while waving down to groups of their friends partying in the garden

As the characters returned to the show, Kylie and Jason's famous duet Especially For You could be heard playing in the background in an unexpected crossover moment.

Kylie and Jason, who dated in real life, recorded the love ballad together in 1989 - one year after they left Neighbours and soon before they ended their three-year romance.

'Wow wow wow,' Scott said as they stepped out of the car, 'This is crazy. We made it eh?'

Charlene then declared: 'Home sweet home,' before reuniting with their pals Mike Young (Guy Pearce) and Jane Harris (Annie Jones) at the street party for the episode's closing moments.

Scott and Charlene were seen embracing their pals Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) and Mike as they enjoyed drinks and chatted on a balcony, while waving down to groups of their friends partying in the garden.

Although many of the Neighbours had made moves to leave Ramsay Street, with For Sale signs seen erected outside the well-recognised houses, they decided to stay in their beloved home by the end of the finale.

Daniel MacPherson, known for his role as Joel Samuels, reprised his role on the show

Ian Smith, who played Harold Bishop from 1987 to 1991 also returned for the last ever episode

Neighbours fans went wild after Mike Young professed his love for Jane Harris during the finale. Pictured: Guy Pearce and Annie Jones as the beloved characters

Elsewhere in the episode, Mike (played by Guy Pearce) laid his feelings on the line for Jane (Annie Jones) and it proved to be the happy ending fans across the world needed.

'The reality is I'm still in love with you. Probably more now than I ever used to be,' he told an emotional Jane.

'I realise this is probably a bit much, but if I was here, we could take things slowly and see where this goes,' he continued.

In the final monologue, lead character Susan Kennedy, played by Jackie Woodburne, waxed lyrical about the street and the show's global community of fans.

Before heading outside to join in the party, Susan decided to write down an introduction of the Street, with her trip down memory lane clearly stirring emotion within the teacher.

She began: 'How do you begin to describe a street? Do you talk about the houses? The bricks and the mortar, the gardens and the trees? Or do you talk about the people? The young, the old and everyone in between'

And as she walked out onto the famous Ramsay Street, she continued: 'Where do you begin with the history? Do you begin with your own or those who came before you?

Farewell: In the final monologue, lead character Susan Kennedy, played by Jackie Woodburne, waxed lyrical about the street and the show's global community of fans

Touching: Before heading outside to join in the fun, Susan decided to write down an introduction of the Street, with her trip down memory lane clearly stirring emotion within the teacher

'When we moved to Ramsay Street, the community was already here. The Ramsays and the Robinsons... the stories from those early days are legendary! And their legacy still lives on today.'

While looking around and waving at faces from the past to the present, she continued: 'There have been many families over the years of all shapes and sizes. Some of them unexpected and friends who became like family, whether they were related or not.

'Love has always been a central thing - how many romances were born on this street? Things seldom ran smoothly of course, but they usually worked out in the end.

'I think of all the people who never crossed paths who could have been great friends. And those who kept turning up whether we welcomed them or not.'

As the scene cut to returning stars Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan (Charlene Mitchell and Scott Robinson), Susan said: 'The street always has a way of bringing people back.'

She went on: 'Then I think of the people who can't come back. The people gone too soon. How would they look if they were still alive today? If they'd been allowed to reach their potential.'

Monologue: She begins: 'How do you begin to describe a street? Do you talk about the houses? The bricks and the mortar, the gardens and the trees? Or do you talk about the people?

A look back: as she walked out onto the famous Ramsay Street, she continued: 'Where do you begin with the history? Do you begin with your own or those who came before you?'

The camera panned to late Neighbours characters Madge Bishop (Anne Charleston) and Doug Willis (Terence Donovan) sitting at a table alongside Harold Bishop (Ian Smith).

Susan's heartwarming speech continued: 'So many people that were lost, and then others... others who were just lost.

'I think you have to acknowledge everything, celebrate it all. The good, the bad, because all of that makes us who we are. Everyone deserves a place in the history of Ramsay Street... even those who watched us from a far.'

Concluding her monologue, Susan added: 'Together, we have been the perfect blend.'

As her husband Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) interrupted her touching moment asking: 'Susan, where were you just now?', she simply replied: 'I was home.'

Heartwarming: While looking around and waving at faces from the past to the present, she continued: 'There have been many families over the years of all shapes and sizes. Some of them unexpected and friends who became like family'

Ending: Concluding her monologue, Susan added: 'Together, we have been the perfect blend'

Home: As her husband Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) interrupted her touching moment asking: 'Susan, where were you just now?', she simply replied: 'I was home'

Ahead of the emotional finale, executive producer Jason Herbison said it was meant as 'a celebration of the past and the present'.

He refused to rule out 'Neighbours' continuing in some form if a new broadcaster can be found. The last episode ends 'with the door very much left open for the future', he said.

As well as returning cast members, Neighbours also featured a very notable musical moment as Kylie and Jason's real-life love song Especially For You was used to mark their reunion.

Singer Kylie had previously teased that their track might be used on Neighbours as she took to Instagram to caption on-set snaps, 'now we're back together', referencing the hit song.

Viewers were quick to take to Twitter to share their delight at Kylie and Jason's song making an appearance on the soap opera, describing it as the perfect entrance for Scott and Charlene.

Goodbye! Fans were all smiles as they gathered in Federation Square in Melbourne where they posed and took photos alongside the iconic Ramsay St sign

Overwhelmed: Fans held posters and clapped as they watched the final scenes of the series

Fans: Viewers rugged up as they sat in chairs and watched the last-ever episode of the show

Stars: The finale episode saw a galaxy of Neighbours stars return to Ramsay Street. Ian Smith, who played Harold Bishop, Peter O'Brien (Shane Ramsay), Natalie Bassingthwaighte, (Izzy Hoyland), and Guy Pearce (Mike Young), all featured

One person wrote: 'I dreamt of an 'Especially For You' singalong last night what an entrance!'

Another penned: 'Oh wow... they're playing *Especially For You*... as Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan enter Ramsay Street in their cute car.'

A third gushed: 'I think tomorrow I may have to listen to Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue's Especially For You on repeat in honour of the last episode of Neighbours.'

And a fourth added: 'Amazing entrance.'

But other viewers also shared their disappointment that Charlene and Scott's return to screen didn't last longer, with many taking to Twitter to joke about their fleeting appearance.

One person joked: 'So was Charlene contractually not allowed to speak more than 5 words?'

Overjoyed: Viewers were quick to take to Twitter to share their delight at Kylie and Jason's real-life love song making an appearance on the soap opera

While another quipped: 'How did you remember all those lines?'

A third said: 'They really had Kylie Minogue appear and she didn't even say a single word.'

Elsewhere, other fans gushed that they were left 'crying' and feeling 'emotional' after finally seeing Scott and Charlene back on their screens in the 'nostalgic' scenes.

One viewer penned: 'Goosebumps. So good.'

Another gushed: 'I am surprised by how moved I was by the Neighbours finale. Mike Pearce & Annie Jones were the stars of the show. The nostalgia has my heart bursting & my love for @kylieminogue is stronger than ever.'

Reunions: Charlene sported a navy denim jumpsuit as she stayed true to her famous overall fashion trend and brought back her iconic blonde curls. Pictured: Scott and Charlene reunite with Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) in the closing moments

Brief: But other viewers also shared their disappointment that Charlene and Scott's return to screen didn't last longer, with many taking to Twitter to joke about the fleeting appearance

A third wrote: 'Nope it all hurts too much.'

And a fourth insisted: 'Nope, I am not crying. That was perfection.'

In the 80s, Neighbours was unstoppable with Kylie and Jason's onscreen wedding as Scott and Charlene was watched by two million Australians on July 1, 1987.

Their union was an even bigger attraction when it aired in the UK a year later, drawing 19.6 million viewers, making it Britain's third most-watched show of 1988.

Kylie and Jason, who at the time were household names in both countries, and would each go on to launch music careers in the UK.

A step back in time: Kylie (right) pictured in her famous overalls as Charlene with Jason (centre) and Guy Pearce (left) - pictured in the 80s

Their on-screen relationship began after Scott mistook Charlene for an intruder at his neighbour Madge Ramsay's house, before eventually learning she was Madge's daughter.

After getting married, the pair left Erinsborough and moved to Brisbane, before finally returning for Neighbours' final episode.

In what was a gripping and emotional finale, fan favourites from the past returned to Ramsay Street to celebrate with Erinsborough locals.

A number of other Neighbours legends also returned to screens for the epic finale including Joel Samuels (Daniel McPherson) and Mike Young (Guy Pearce).

The spectacular send-off had something for everyone, spanning all generations and decades from the opening scene in 1985, to the final episode in 2022.

Nostalgia: Elsewhere, other Neighbours fans gushed that they were left 'crying' and feeling 'emotional' after finally seeing Scott and Charlene back on their screens

The beleaguered soap opera faced an uncertain future following its cancellation by original network Channel 5, where it has spent the last 14 of its 37-years on British TV.

And Fremantle Media, the production company responsible for its development confirmed it would be taken off-air indefinitely over the summer after an 'extensive search for alternative funding' ended in failure.

Their final scenes on Neighbours come after Kylie took to Instagram to share behind-the-scenes snaps of herself and Jason after they reunited on the set of the soap opera.

The superstar brought back her iconic curls to reprise her role as Charlene Robinson to star alongside Jason, who plays her husband Scott, for the iconic soap's final episode.

Snap happy: Their epic return to the soap comes after Kylie took to Instagram to share snaps of herself and Jason after they reunited to film their final scenes on Neighbours

The hair! Kylie shared this caption alongside the snaps she shared and lots of people were very excited by her return to Neighbours

Kylie captioned images of the pair together on her Instagram account, 'Now we're back together', referencing their hit song, Especially For You.

The pint-sized pop star donned her character's famous mechanic's overalls for what would be her final appearance on the series, which has been cancelled after 37 years.

Kylie quit Neighbours in June 1988, having become the first person to win four Logie Awards in one year and the youngest ever recipient of a Gold Logie.

She went on to launch a phenomenally successful music career, selling more than 80 million albums worldwide.

After leaving Neighbours in 1989, Jason, like Kylie, pursued a pop career and while he may not have been as successful as his on-screen bride, he had a string of hits including Too Many Broken Hearts and Sealed With A Kiss.

Loving their experience: He shared a small video of them laughing and joking around as they filmed their final scenes on set

Ready for his close-up: He shared a snap of his chuckling mouth as he remained in high spirits

Off screen, the couple dated from 1986 to 1989 - famously sharing a night of passion in a Travelodge.

They were so popular at this time, they even recorded the Christmas Number 1 single Especially For You.

Jason told the Mirror in 2016: 'It was an extremely painful parting of the ways and, without a doubt, I took a long time to recover from it. Years, definitely.'

Kylie then dated the late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence. She is now in a romance with British GQ's Creative Director Paul Solomons and Jason is married to Angela Malloch

Absolutely iconic: Kylie and Jason were so popular in the 80s, they even recorded the Christmas Number 1 single Especially For You

Icon: Actor Alan Fletcher, 65, who's played Dr Karl Kennedy in the show for 28 years, appeared on This Morning on Monday, saying 'we can be sad this journey is over'

Meanwhile, actor Alan Fletcher, 65, who's played Dr Karl Kennedy in the show for 28 years, appeared on This Morning on Monday.

He said: 'We can be sad that this journey is over. The last episode was amazing. It was such a family atmosphere on the last day it was great. They asked me to come back and I readily accepted.

'The affair with Izzy was my best storyline. It was great and we just laughed.

'We were prepared to leave it, we know that it could end anytime. I was there for 28 years. I has mixed emotions when I found out it was ending. We can be sad the journey is ending but we have to be happy that the journey happened at all!'

'I am doing country music now so I will be back in the UK doing this soon.'

End of an era: The actor has played the role of Karl Kennedy since 1994 (pictured with co-star Jackie Woodburne who played his dutiful wife Susan)

Goodbye: (L-R) Ryan Moloney, Alan Fletcher, Jackie Woodburne, Angela Bishop, Ian Smith and Stefan Dennis say farewell to the soap's Melbourne set

While Kylie and Jason filmed their roles away from the set, due to the pop princess's schedule - Memento actor Guy (Mike Young) returned to Melbourne.

'One of my favourites was Guy Pearce. There wasn't a single person who was asked to do something for the end, who was available, who said no,' Alan revealed.

Fans in the UK can watch the iconic Australian soap come to a close at 9pm on Friday 29th July with a double episode special.

Featuring in it's usual TX slots at 1:45pm and 6pm it will be followed by the history-making finale which will air later the same evening.

Tour: The stars of Neighbours will reportedly embark on a 'farewell tour' of the UK after the finale episode aired in July

Channel 5 teased that further announcements will be made in the coming weeks about additional surprises to send off the iconic soap in style.

The Australian soap was axed in March this year following the loss of its main UK broadcast partner, Channel 5.

News of the finale air date comes after it was reported that the stars of Neighbours will reportedly embark on a 'farewell tour' of the UK after the finale episode.

Key cast members will visit eight cities across England, Scotland and Wales - London, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cardiff - in March 2023, according to Digital Spy.

Back for more: Former stars Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce all returned briefly to the roles that made them famous (Guy pictured in the show in 1988)

Can't wait: The send-off had something for everyone, spanning all generations and decades from the opening scene in 1985, to the final episode in 2022 (Pictured: Kylie and Jason on the show in 1988)

The soap had previously planned an 'in conversation series' in 2020, coinciding with its 35th anniversary, but had to cancel due to Covid.

These plans have now apparently been rebooted as a 'farewell tour' but the 'key stars' taking part in the rumoured tour have not been revealed.

Executive producer Jason Herbison recently told The Herald Sun of Kylie's return: 'Seeing Kylie back as Charlene was quite a moment. Very special and I think for them too it was a real full circle for them.'
Tommy Dorfman looked sensational as she posed in a very racy gold chain link vest for a topless shoot in Paris on Thursday.

The 13 Reasons Why star, 30, exuded confidence as she slipped on the glittering garment, along with a pair of black underwear for a sultry snap.

She revealed her many inkings as her make-up was reapplied, with her tresses styled in soft waves.

Stunning: Tommy Dorfman looked sensational as she posed in a very racy gold chain link vest for a topless shoot in Paris on Thursday

Tommy later showed off her flawless make-up as she donned a dressing gown for a sultry beauty shot.

She captioned the snaps: 'last Autumn in Paris.'

In February, Tommy and her husband Peter Zurkuhlen officially called it quits after five years of marriage, months after the star came out as a trans woman.

In new court documents, obtained by TMZ Founder & CEO of ChipChop Holdings filed for divorce in Los Angeles.

Radiant: Tommy later showed off her flawless make-up as she donned a dressing gown for a sultry beauty shot

Racy: The 13 Reasons Why star, 30, exuded confidence as she slipped on the glittering garment, along with a pair of black underwear for a sultry snap

The former couple met at a housewarming party hosted by a mutual friend, became engaged in April 2015 and wed the following year.

In July, when Tommy came out as transgender, she also revealed that her relationship with Zurkuhlen had evolved into a friendship.

'I was in a nine-year relationship in which I was thought of as a more male-bodied person, with a gay man,' she explained in an interview with Time.

'I love him so much, but we've been learning that as a trans woman, what I'm interested in is not necessarily reflected in a gay man. So we've had incredible conversations to redefine our relationship as friends.'
He's known for his love of quirky fashion.

And Lewis Hamilton turned heads once more as he attended the previews of the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary in Budapest on Thursday.

The racer, 37, put on a colourful display as he sported a white T-shirt with a bright green print.

Style: Lewis Hamilton turned heads as he attended the previews of the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary in Budapest on Thursday

The athele also wore a pair of mustard trousers with a wide leg which he paired with a matching hat with a blue print.

Donning a pair of sunglasses for the day, Lewis added to his look with a pair of gold necklaces.

The Formula One driver completed his outfit with a pair of green and white trainers.

The outing comes after Lewis showed his support behind the climate activists who invaded the track at this years British Grand Prix earlier this month, where he took a record 13th podium at a single race.

Outfit: The racer, 37, put on a colourful display as he sported a white T-shirt with a bright green print

Northamptonshire Police said seven people were arrested after the invasion on the opening lap of the Silverstone contest, after five protestors stormed the Wellington Straight before sitting down.

The race had already been suspended following Zhou Guanyu's high-speed crash, followed by a 53-minute delay before the restart in a high octane, action-packed day at Silverstone.

Lewis, perhaps to many fans' surprise, backed the protests on Twitter - understood to be from climate activist group Just Stop Oil - although he warned that storming the track on race day was far too dangerous.

The seven-time world champion said: 'As we've seen today, this is a very dangerous sport.

Looking good: The athele also wore a pair of mustard trousers with a wide leg which he paired with a matching hat with a blue print

'I wasn't aware of the protests today, and while I'll always support those standing up for what they believe in, it must be done safely.

'Please don't jump onto our race circuits to protest, we don't want to put you in harm's way.'

The quintet were swiftly dragged away by marshals to huge cheers from the watching crowd.

But in a race that saw ambulances and emergency crews called to the scene, there could very nearly have been further incidents after the protestors stormed the fastest part of the track.
Gwyneth Paltrow spoke about giving her Goop employees three weeks off each year during Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses Summit, which took place earlier this month.

During her appearance at the entrepreneurial event, the 49-year-old performer opened up about why she chose to let her collaborators take considerable time off from their positions.

The Academy Award-winning actress previously founded Goop in 2008 and the company has since become the subject of criticism for its promotion of alleged pseudoscientific ideals.

Opening up: Gwyneth Paltrow spoke about giving her Goop employees three weeks off each year during Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses Summit, which took place earlier this month

Paltrow began her explanation by stating via People that she was impressed by how, while living in London, she came to admire the European life-work balance.

'I think one of the things that I really came to admire about the Europeans is that they really value a quality of life and time with the people they love and eating and they're not on their, as it were, Blackberries at the time, like all the time,' she said.

The Shakespeare In Love actress went on to express that she tried out a similar approach upon her arrival in the United States.

'I would kind of notice a difference between being in New York and being back in London. And when I started the company and I started hiring people, I always just shut off the company for two weeks in August,' she stated.

Taking notes: Paltrow began her explanation by stating via People that she was impressed by how, while living in London, she came to admire the European life-work balance

Doing it herself: The Shakespeare In Love actress went on to express that she tried out a similar approach upon her arrival in the United States

Paltrow then justified her idea and expressed that productivity naturally declined in the summer months.

She recalled: 'I fought for it and I said, "First of all, let's be honest, in August, everybody is on vacation or people are slowing down. People aren't really fully going full steam ahead anyway."'

The performer noted that the extended period of time off 'affords people the luxury of time with their families and not being concerned that they're missing something.'

Paltrow went on to express that American companies would have much to gain from taking up the same process.

Making a call: The performer noted that the extended period of time off 'affords people the luxury of time with their families and not being concerned that they're missing something'

'I really wish more American companies would close and let everybody rest,' she remarked.

When asked about how smaller companies could compete with bigger ones, she simply stated: 'Those f***ers.'

Paltrow previously founded Goop in 2008, and the brand started off as a newsletter.

The company's online store was launched a year after it was incorporated in 2011.

In the past: Paltrow previously founded Goop in 2008, and the brand started off as a newsletter

Goop's first standalone storefront was opened up in Brentwood, California, in 2017.

Another location for the brand was established in New York City the following year.

According to Fortune, the ever-expanding company was valued at $250 million in 2018.
Katie Price was pictured without her engagement ring in a recent family photo in which her fiance Carl Woods was absent.

The embattled 44-year-old was seen in her stepdad Paul's Instagram snap which he captioned 'family time'.

She appeared happy, surrounded by her loved ones, three weeks after coming off social media for 'personal reasons.'

What's the latest? Katie Price was seen without her engagement ring as she posed without Carl Woods in a family snap - three weeks after she came off social media for 'personal reasons'

Nothing to see here: The diamond sparkler was off

Sharing a statement on her Instagram Katie, wrote: 'I will be coming off all social media for a period of time. I need to take time off for personal reasons.

'Thank you to all my loyal fans for always supporting me xxx'.

The reality star turned off comments on the post, which she captioned with several heart emojis.

Katie's new arm tattoos where visible in the snap but there was no sign of the huge diamond ring her fiance had given her.

It's not clear if Carl, 33, was with the family on the day.

Katie's social media hiatus comes after her ex Kieran Hayler's fiancee Michelle Penticost made a thinly-veiled dig at her after she missed her daughter Princess' 15th birthday.

Michelle, 39, who has been in embroiled in a legal battle with the star, took a swipe after Katie jetted off to Thailand with Carl before her daughter's birthday.

Katie avoided a jail term for breaking the rules of a restraining order and calling Michelle a 'gutter s**g'.

Silence: Katie's social media hiatus comes after her ex Kieran Hayler's fiancee Michelle Penticost made a thinly-veiled dig at her after she missed her daughter Princess' 15th birthday

It is claimed to have wished Michelle's baby 'dead' while she was pregnant with her 11-month-old son Santiago last year.

Michelle claims she suffered a campaign of abuse from the TV star leaving her fearful to leave her home.

Katie was told that she would not face prison for the offence, but instead has to carry out 170 hours of unpaid work.

Katie - who was heard to tell a reporter to 'suck my d**k' after she was asked about the prospects of a prison sentence outside court - had been banned from contacting Michelle directly or indirectly for five years in June 2019.

Last year Katie skipped her son Jett and daughter Bunny's - who she shares with Kieran - joint birthday party as she holidayed in St Lucia on holiday.

Katie admitted previously that she 'didn't know' when her children's birthdays were and had to google them to find out.

While on holiday in Thailand earlier this month, Katie successfully dodged yet another speeding conviction back in the UK.

She had been charged with one count of exceeding a 60mph speed limit on September 13, 2021, close to her Mucky Mansion in Horsham, West Sussex.

Dodged: Katie avoided a prison sentence last month after breaking a restraining order against Michelle, 40, by indirectly calling her a 'gutter s**g' in a text to Kieran Hayler, 35=

Katie was also accused of failing to tell police who was behind the wheel of her 62,000 BMW on January 26, but this was also dismissed as 'no evidence was offered' by police.

A court official said: 'I have been informed that the matter against her has been dismissed by Sussex Police, so she will not be appearing.'

In June, Carl said he was 'relieved' after his charge of threatening behaviour was dropped by investigators.

He had been charged following a highly-publicised a row with Price in August last year.

Colchester Magistrates Court was told he had attempted to 'force his way into a house after a row with Katie in the street,' The Sun reported.

Carl previously pleaded not guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

He had been charged under Section 4 of the Public Order Act following an incident at his home in Little Canfield, Essex last year

At an earlier hearing in March, magistrates were told the charge followed a row that spilled over into the street, disturbing neighbours.

At one stage Woods was allegedly seen trying to force open a door, the court heard.

The male model attended court hand-in-hand with Price, after the pair returned from a holiday to Thailand.

He had been due to stand trial on Thursday but it was revealed today that the case had been abandoned, due to no realistic prospect of conviction.

A source said: 'Carl is relieved to finally have his name cleared.

'The case really put huge amounts of pressure on him.
The first teaser trailer for the upcoming biographical drama feature Oppenheimer was released to the public on Thursday morning.

In the clip, Cillian Murphy portrays J. Robert Oppenheimer, widely considered to be the father of the atomic bomb, as he prepares to unleash its destruction during the course of World War II.

The feature, which is directed by Christopher Nolan, is currently set to be released next year.

New clip: The first teaser trailer for the upcoming biographical drama feature Oppenheimer was released to the public on Thursday morning

Ominous: The teaser begins with a visual of what appears to be moving atoms, while the voice of Oppenheimer's wife Kitty, played by Emily Blunt, states: 'The world is changing, reforming. This is your moment'

The teaser begins with a visual of what appears to be moving atoms, while the voice of Oppenheimer's wife Kitty, played by Emily Blunt, states: 'The world is changing, reforming. This is your moment.'

After a clock begins ticking down and Murphy picks up his hat, another character is heard stating: 'This man, he's so smart. He's so blind.'

Various visuals of what appears to be fire and atomic energy are shown, during which it is heard that 'the force from which the sun draws its power has been loosed.'

Another character ominously states: 'You gave them the power to destroy themselves.'

All hell broke loose: Various visuals of what appears to be fire and atomic energy are shown, during which it is heard that 'the force from which the sun draws its power has been loosed'

Harsh criticism: After a clock begins ticking down and Murphy picks up his hat, another character is heard stating that 'this man, he's so smart. He's so blind'

After Murphy stares out at the desert, a figure notes that his scientific achievements 'made him the most important man who ever lived.'

The clip ends after the scientist is swarmed by journalists, and a final narration describes him as 'the man who moved the earth.'

Development on Oppenheimer was announced in September of 2021, when Nolan was first attached to the project.

The movie is based on the scientist's biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, which was penned by Martin J. Sherwin and Kai Bird.

Serious achievement: After Murphy stares out at the desert, a figure notes that his scientific achievements 'made him the most important man who ever lived'

In the past: Development on Oppenheimer was announced in September of 2021, when Nolan was first attached to the project

The film will feature the talents of an ensemble cast that includes the likes of Robert Downey Jr, Florence Pugh and Kenneth Branagh, among numerous others.

Physical production on the movie began this past January, and the project's team filmed on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, where Oppenheimer previously taught.

The crew moved around various locations before shooting wrapped this past May.

Oppenheimer is currently scheduled to be released on July 23 of next year.
Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie are just a few of the famous faces who have returned to Neighbours for its final ever episode.

The Channel 5 soap first aired in 1985 and has been on screens for 37 years, but in March it was announced the Australian series was being axed after 8,903 episodes.

It was announced that Kylie and Jason would be returning as Charlene and Scott Robinson for the episode, while Margot was also confirmed to be returning as Donna Goodman, along with other fan favourites.

The much-anticipated finale aired in Australia on Thursday evening, but when and where can you watch the episode in the UK?

Finale: The finale aired in Australia on Thursday evening, but when and where can you watch the episode in the UK? Pictured: Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan as Charlene and Scott

What time is it on?

The final episode of Neighbours is airing on Friday July 29, 2022, at 9pm.

Where can I watch it?

Neighbours: The Finale is being broadcast on Channel 5 as a double episode special.

What can I expect?

A synopsis for the finale reads: 'Jane gives Mike a tour of all the Ramsay Street houses before the go under the hammer. As old feelings stir, Clive's jealousy leads to a shocking confrontation.

'Harold asks Karl and Susan to be the custodians of the history book. Faced with her beloved friends and neighbours leaving, Susan struggles with her feelings.

Teaser: Neighbours released a heartwarming finale trailer ahead of its last ever episode, including throwback pictures of Scott and Charlene

'As Toadie and Melanie's wedding gets underway, Terese and Paul confront their unresolved feelings.'

Neighbours released a heartwarming finale trailer ahead of its last ever episode.

The short clip teased that fans will be in for an emotional hour as some of the stars bid farewell, while others return to the iconic Ramsay Street.

The 40 second video starts with a shot of the iconic Ramsay Street sign while Harold Bishop reflects on his time in Erinsborough by syaing, 'It certainly feels like the end of an era. It all goes so quickly.'

The trailer shows that Kylie Minogue and her real-life ex Jason Donovan have finally reunited to play Scott and Charlene one last time for their final scenes on Neighbours.

The couple are seen leaning against their car, as they take in the surroundings and reminisce on their time together in the town.

In the 80s, the show was unstoppable with Kylie and Jason's onscreen wedding as Scott and Charlene was watched by two million Australians on July 1, 1987.

Their union was an even bigger attraction when it aired in the UK a year later, drawing 19.6 million viewers, making it Britain's third most-watched show of 1988.

Kylie and Jason, who were dating in real life at the time were household names in both countries, and would each go on to launch music careers in the UK.

Iconic: The Channel 5 soap first aired in 1985 and has been on screens for 37 years, but in March it was announced the Australian series was being axed after 8,903 episodes

Their on-screen relationship began after Scott mistook Charlene for an intruder at his neighbour Madge Ramsay's house, before eventually learning she was Madge's daughter.

After getting married, the pair left Erinsborough and moved to Brisbane.

Elsewhere in the trailer, a number of Neighbours legends return to our screens including Joel Samuels (Daniel McPherson) and Mike Young (Guy Pearce).

It ends with a shot of the street and Susan Kennedy saying: 'We might be leaving the street, but we're always going to be in each other's lives. Always.'

Susan Kennedy is heard saying: 'We might be leaving the street, but we're always going to be in each other's lives.'

And Margot Robbie is set to return to her old stomping ground of Neighbours in a cameo filmed over Zoom, news.com.au reported on Sunday.

The 32-year-old, who played Donna Freedman on the soap between 2008 and 2011, was reportedly unable to fly home to shoot the scenes.

Instead, she recorded an appearance over video link, and sent pricey Champagne to the cast as thanks.

The publication reported that former stars Delta Goodrem, Kym Valentine, Carla Bonner and Jesse Spencer are all set to return too.

Emotional: The send-off promises to have something for everyone, spanning all generations and decades from the opening scene in 1985, to the final episode in 2022

She's back! And Margot Robbie is set to return to her old stomping ground of Neighbours in a cameo filmed over Zoom, news.com.au reported on Sunday

The send-off promises to have something for everyone, spanning all generations and decades from the opening scene in 1985, to the final episode in 2022.

The beleaguered soap opera faced an uncertain future following its cancellation by original network Channel 5, where it has spent the last 14 of its 37 years on British TV.

And Fremantle Media, the production company responsible for its development confirmed it would be taken off-air indefinitely over the summer after an 'extensive search for alternative funding' ended in failure.

News of the finale air date comes after it was reported that the stars of Neighbours will reportedly embark on a 'farewell tour' of the UK after the finale episode.

Exciting: News of the finale air date comes after it was reported that the stars of Neighbours will reportedly embark on a 'farewell tour' of the UK after the finale episode

Key cast members will visit eight cities across England, Scotland and Wales - London, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cardiff - in March 2023, according to Digital Spy.

The soap had previously planned an 'in conversation series' in 2020, coinciding with its 35th anniversary, but had to cancel due to Covid.

These plans have now apparently been rebooted as a 'farewell tour' but the 'key stars' taking part in the rumoured tour have not been revealed.

Neighbours: The Finale airs Friday 29th July at 9pm on Channel 5.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon speaks during an environmental conference for young adults held at Seoul City Hall, July 26. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government





By Ko Dong-hwan







Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon heads to Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City on Friday for a seven-day trip to strengthen the Korean capital's ties with Southeast Asian cities.







The mayor, who is in his second term in office, will first visit Singapore to take part in the World Cities Summit (WCS), a gathering of city mayors, politicians, economists and scholars from across the world to discuss how to make hospitable and sustainable cities and form international partnerships to accomplish that. The summit is held from July 30 to Aug. 1.







The International Relations Division under the city government's Public Communication Bureau, said Thursday that Oh will introduce representatives, from some 90 cities across the world to Seoul's leading policies including digital transformation and carbon neutralization. He will also attend the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum, a sideline event held in person for the first time in three years, to promote Seoul city.







Oh, while in Singapore, is expected to build up Seoul's business partnerships with the Southeast Asian city-state. The mayor has been publicly expressing an interest in Singapore's effective policies including public housing, urban development and smart healthcare, according to the international relations division. Furthermore, Singapore is one of the city-states in the world that has carried out the most extensive exchanges of manpower and policies with Seoul.







Oh will visit Kampung Admiralty, Singapore's first integrated public development that brought together state facilities and services under one roof, and Marina One, a mixed-use development in downtown Singapore, to study the two locations and learn about best-practice development measures. The mayor is also expected to meet Singapore's key officials, including Desmond Lee, a Singaporean politician who currently serves as the city-state's minister of national development.







From Aug. 2 until 3, Oh will be in Ho Chi Minh City to look for opportunities for talented professionals and companies seeking to do business in Korea.







"Vietnam is a real opportunity market," said an official from the international relations division. "Despite the global recession that went on for the past two years due to COVID-19, the country accomplished net economic growth two years in a row. It's one of the countries where the most Korean firms, from startups to large-size firms, are engaged businesses overseas."







Ho Chi Minh City and Seoul are already bound by a business alliance so to speak. In May 2021, the Vietnamese city introduced Seoul Startup Hub Ho Chi Minh, an outpost of the Seoul city government, set up to help Korean local startups lay the foundations necessary for their expansion into overseas markets via support from international public agencies.







While in the city, Oh is expected to meet Phan Van Mai, the chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, to discuss the two cities' future bilateral ties. One of Oh's agendas on the table with Phan is seeking opportunities for Korean high-tech startups to venture into Vietnam.







Oh will also meet Korean entrepreneurs in Vietnam, including those at Saigon Hi-Tech Park, a business cluster in Ho Chi Minh City housing high-tech firms, as well as some 40 Korean businessmen in the country.







Promoting tourism in Seoul is going to be Oh's other key agenda in Vietnam. At various local events, Oh will talk about some of the key changes in Seoul, including the opening of the former presidential office known as Cheong Wa Dae to the public and the renovation of Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul, which is due for completion by early August.







Calling Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City "ASEAN strategic cities," Oh said he was determined to tap into the two cities to strengthen ties with Seoul and help Korean firms expand overseas and secure future food sources and jobs.


EastEnders alumni Michelle Collins and Martin Kemp have reunited to shoot a new comedy film with Denise Van Outen's ex Eddie Boxshall.

The actress and the Spandau Ballet star, both 60, were seen filming scenes at a scrapyard in Dartford, Kent, on Tuesday with commodities trader Eddie, 49.

Michelle, who famously recommended her pal Martin for his EastEnders part, looked effortlessly chic in a pink midi dress during shooting for Miss The Kiss.

Pals: EastEnders alumni Michelle Collins and Martin Kemp have reunited to shoot a new comedy film with Denise Van Outen's ex Eddie Boxshall

She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of beige strapped sandals and carried a coffee cup and a bottle of water in one hand.

The TV presenter swept her golden tresses back into a ponytail, letting strands fall loosely to frame her face.

She accentuated her striking features with a slick of mascara and a touch of foundation as she was joined by Martin on set.

Martin cut a smart figure in black trousers and a navy shirt, which he styled with black buckled suit shoes and a silver watch.

Filming: On Tuesday, the pals were joined on set by Denise Van Outen's ex Eddie, who is a commodities trader but has secured an acting role on the Miss The Kiss

Scenes: The actress and the Spandau Ballet star, both 60, were seen filming scenes at a scrapyard in Dartford, Kent, on Tuesday

The musician kept his essentials in a black bag slung across his shoulder and wore his signature silver tresses in a slicked-back style.

He was seen walking alongside Michelle and chatting as the pair reunited to shoot scenes for their new film Miss The Kiss.

They are longtime friends with Michelle recommending Martin to join the cast of EastEnders, with him starting on the BBC soap just months after her departure in 1998.

Martin starred on the series as Steve Owen from 1998 until 2002, while Michelle played Cindy Beale from 1988 to 1998, with a two-year break between 1990 and 1992.

Chic: Michelle, who famously recommended her pal Martin for his EastEnders part, looked effortlessly chic in a pink midi dress during shooting for Miss The Kiss

Stylish: She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of beige strapped sandals and carried a coffee cup and a bottle of water in one hand

Stunner: The TV presenter swept her golden tresses back into a ponytail, letting strands fall loosely to frame her face

Soap: They are longtime friends with Michelle recommending Martin for EastEnders, with him starting on the BBC soap just months after her departure as Cindy Beale in 1998

The pair then went on to star together in 2004 movie Can't Buy Me Love, which sees a man pretend he's won the lottery in a bid to stop his wife from leaving him.

And they have now reunited for their new feature film Miss The Kiss, with little known about the upcoming comedy film.

Michelle has posted on-set snaps with the film name as a hashtag but the plot and their characters remain shrouded in mystery.

On Tuesday, the pals were joined on set by Denise Van Outen's ex Eddie, who is a commodities trader but has secured an acting role on the film.

TV role: Martin starred on EastEnders as Steve Owen (pictured with Tamzin Outhwaite as Mel Owen) from 1998 until 2002, while Michelle played Cindy Beale from 1988 to 1998

Back together: And they have now reunited for their new feature film Miss The Kiss, with little known about the upcoming comedy film

Friends: The pair then went on to star together in 2004 movie Can't Buy Me Love, which sees a man pretend he's won the lottery in a bid to stop his wife from leaving him

Dapper: Martin cut a smart figure in black trousers and a navy shirt, which he styled with black buckled suit shoes and a silver watch

Eddie - whose romance with Denise ended after seven years in January amid cheating claims - looked dapper in navy jeans and a beige shirt.

He completed his stylish look with a blue neckerchief and carried a black leather jacket in one hand during filming.

Eddie sported a pair of black glasses and slicked his grey locks back away from his face, while he sported well-groomed facial hair.

Also on set was controversial comedian Dapper Laughs, who kept it casual in navy trousers and a navy striped shirt.

Smart: Eddie - whose romance with Denise ended after seven years in January amid cheating claims - looked dapper in navy jeans and a beige shirt

Good look: He completed his stylish look with a blue neckerchief and carried a black leather jacket in one hand during filming

Outfit: Eddie completed his look with a pair of brown boots as he walked with members of the cast and crew

Suave: Eddie sported a pair of black glasses and slicked his grey locks back away from his face, while he sported well-groomed facial hair

Dapper, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother house in 2018 in a bid to redeem himself after making a rape joke, completed his look with white trainers.

He slung a backpack over one shoulder and appeared to be holding a script in one hand as he joined the others filming at the scrapyard.

After the day of filming, the comedian took to Instagram to share a snap of himself with the crew alongside a lengthy caption about the project, saying he thought he'd 'never be on camera again'.

He wrote: 'What a day on set! Your going to love this film, so funny! So surreal we are actually making films. Our last ones about to drop & this one is really looking good.

'I really hope these blow up, we been working so hard for so long, but honestly, I just feel privileged & blown away I'm actually here on set acting, there was a time no so long ago I thought I'd never be on camera again. It's going great!!'
Joey King has made it to the big time in Hollywood as she is starring with A lister Brad Pitt in the big summer action movie Bullet Train.

And seeing herself on the billboard of the movie about assassins on a Japanese train makes her feel 'giddy' she told the August issue of Allure where she was photographed by Jens Ingvarsson.

'When you think about the romance of Hollywood, it's an action movie with David Leitch as a director, it's a Sony picture shooting in Los Angeles [with] assassins, Brad Pitt I still get this giddy feeling whenever I drive by the Hollywood sign in L.A., and starring in this movie was like having that giddy feeling for months straight,' said the star.

Big time: Joey King is starring with A lister Brad Pitt in Bullet Train. And seeing herself on the billboard of the movie makes her feel 'giddy' she told the new issue of Allure where she was photographed by Jens Ingvarsson

A Pitt film! 'When you think about the romance of Hollywood, it's an action movie with David Leitch as a director, it's a Sony picture shooting in Los Angeles [with] assassins, Brad Pitt I still get this giddy feeling whenever I drive by the Hollywood sign in L.A., and starring in this movie was like having that giddy feeling for months straight,' said the star. Seen in London on July 20

The beauty has been spending time with the cast as they promote the film in Paris, London and Berlin.

King seems to be in her element as she hams it up on the red carpet alongside not just Pitt - who seems to have become a close pal - but also Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry and Zazie Beetz.

Playing an assassin is a big change for King who is best known for her perky character in The Kissing Booth trilogy on Netflix.

She has also starred in The In-Between and The Princess.

New turn: Playing an assassin is a big change for King who is best known for her perky character in The Kissing Booth trilogy on Netflix. She has also starred in The In-Between and The Princess

'I like to keep myself on my toes. I don't want to keep doing what people are expecting of me. If you want it out of me, it makes me wonder if I should go a different route,' the star told Allure writer Dianna Mazzone.

Her star power increase with her dramatic turn in 2019 film The Act alongside Patricia Arquette.

The film is about Dee Dee Blanchard who is overprotective of her daughter, Gypsy. The true-crime series was based on a 2016 BuzzFeed article that detailed the shocking 2015 crime.

Hear me: 'I like to keep myself on my toes. I don't want to keep doing what people are expecting of me. If you want it out of me, it makes me wonder if I should go a different route,' the star told Allure writer Dianna Mazzone

She had to shave her head for the role and told the magazine she would 'absolutely' do it again.

'I think every woman should [shave their head] at least once in their life. I've never felt more free or more in tune with my beauty,' said King.

'I couldn't hide behind my hair. A lot of people made fun of me when I had my head shaved. A lot of people said really mean things. But when I had short hair, I actually felt more confident; I felt very powerful. [Their words] slid off my back.

A new look: On the cover of the beauty magazine King wore heavy blue and green eye makeup

'People like to insert themselves in other people's business when it doesn't actually matter. Me having a shaved head for a project really upsets you that much? I'm doing fine.'

She also talked about her fiance, Steven Piet.

'We work really well together. We also just really love spending time together,' said the actress.

'So getting to do something where we're both doing what we love and we get to hang out with each other, [that's] the best. I think he's so talented. He thinks the same about me. We really love just being able to put our minds together.'

Work it: (L-R) Pitt, King, Brian Tyree Henry, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, David Leitch and Kelly McCormick attend the Bullet Train photo call at Bateau L'Excellence on July 16, in Paris

And King touched on what she likes to do when not getting dressed up to play the part of a movie star.

'It sounds like such a cheesy, typical thing to say, but even though life feels faster lately, more than ever I actually am taking more time to slow down and appreciate it,' said the siren.

'I find a lot of peace in sunshine and being outside. I really love spending time with my foxhound, Jesse, and, obviously, my fiance.'

King worked with stylist Akari Endo Gaut, hair stylist Kevin Ryan, makeup artist Benjamin Puckey and manicurist Yuri Osuka.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck has been confirmed to be returning to The View in a guest co-host position three years after she quit the show.

The news about the 45-year-old conservative pundit's extended return to the program was confirmed by People on Thursday.

The Daytime Emmy-winning performer also gave a statement to the media outlet to express her excitement about her future on the show, joking: 'Pray for me y'all!'

Hasselbeck will be sure to stir up some lively debates on the panel as she is known for disagreeing with the likes of Joy Behar during their heated discussions on politics.

Back at it: Elisabeth Hasselbeck has been confirmed to be returning to The View in a guest cohost position

Hasselbeck stated Thursday: 'It will be an honor to cohost The View, share our bestselling children's book, Flashlight Night, and as always tackle hot topics!'

The reality television personality made a point of adding: 'Pray for me y'all!'

She also shared a photo of the People article to her Instagram account and wrote a short message in her post's caption that simply read: 'It's true!'

Hasselback initially began appearing on The View during its 7th season, which premiered in 2003.

In the past: Hasselback initially began appearing on The View during its 7th season, which premiered in 2003

The media figure was brought onto the show in an effort to replace former host Lisa Ling.

She then became notable for showcasing her conservative viewpoints about most issues during her time on the program, which set her apart from figures such as Joy Behar.

Hasselback received much attention after she engaged in a heated argument with Rosie O'Donnell regarding the war in Iraq in 2007.

The pair's feud was worsened when the latter accused the reality television personality of not defending her in the media firestorm that followed the episode's airing.

Known for it: Hasselback received much attention after she engaged in a heated argument with Rosie O'Donnell regarding the war in Iraq in 2007

Hasselback eventually left the program after the end of its 16th season, which aired in 2013.

The talk show host discussed her time on The View in her 2019 memoir, Point of View: A Fresh Look at Work, Faith, and Freedom, and expressed via People that her personal beliefs set her apart from many of her contemporaries.

'Yes, there were bonds of friendship formed around the table despite opposing views, but there were also bonds broken because of those differing perspectives,' she stated.

Hasselbeck also wrote that being one of the only conservative figures on the show took its toll on her mental health.

Dark horse: The talk show host discussed her time on The View in her 2019 memoir, Point of View: A Fresh Look at Work, Faith, and Freedom, and expressed via People that her personal beliefs set her apart from many of her contemporaries

'Like a fighter after ten rounds in a ring, I was exhausted from holding one side of the issue alone,' she noted.

She did write, however, that she was grateful to the show's creator, Barbara Walters, for her guidance and consideration.

'By the time I walked out of the building on that last day, I had three children, and thanks to her, a wealth of experience,' she recalled.

Hasselbeck is currently scheduled to make her return to The View on August 3.
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He famously insists on doing all his own stunts.

So Tom Cruise threw himself into the action once again as he filmed daredevil scenes for the upcoming Mission Impossible 8 film in the Lake District on Wednesday.

The fearless actor - who celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this month - took in the sights of the British countryside as he jumped off a mountain and paraglided safely to the ground for an extreme stunt.

Exclusive: Daredevil Tom Cruise, 60, paraglided off a mountain as he filmed more risky scenes for Mission Impossible 8 in the Lake District on Wednesday

Tom was clad in all-black for the scenes and ensured he took safety precautions as he sported a helmet.

The Academy Award nominee was seen chatting with crew members after he safely made it to the bottom of the mountain, but wasted no time ensuring he got the perfect shot by taking a helicopter back up to the top to repeat the process.

Despite having just celebrated his milestone 60th birthday, Tom proved he had no intention of slowing down his high action stunts.

The mission IS possible: The fearless actor - who celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this month - took in the sights of the British countryside as he jumped off a mountain and parachuted safely to the ground for an extreme stunt

Safety first: Tom was clad in all-black for the scenes and ensured he took safety precautions as he sported a helmet

Made it! The Academy Award nominee was seen chatting with crew members after he safely made it to the bottom of the mountain

Back at it again: But he wasted no time ensuring he got the perfect shot by taking a helicopter back up to the top to repeat the process

This is not the first dangerous stunt the actor has been seen filming recently for the seventh and eight installments of the franchise.

In September he was filmed doing a daring upside down train stunt in Derbyshire for Mission Impossible 7, after parachuting in from a helicopter.

The Hollywood movie production had a Norwegian train carriage crash off the edge of a cliff and become suspended upside down above large trees.

Tom was previously seen doing a parachute jump four times to ensure director Christopher McQuarrie landed the perfect shot in the Lake District.

High octane: Despite having just celebrated his milestone 60th birthday, Tom proved he had no intention of slowing down his high action stunts

Practiced: This is not the first dangerous stunt the actor has been seen filming recently for the seventh and eight installments of the franchise

Dangerous: In September he was filmed doing a daring upside down train stunt in Derbyshire for Mission Impossible 7, after parachuting in from a helicopter

Impressive: The Hollywood movie production had a Norwegian train carriage crash off the edge of a cliff and become suspended upside down above large trees

Not the first time: Tom was previously seen doing a parachute jump four times to ensure director Christopher McQuarrie landed the perfect shot in the Lake District. And prior to that, Tom was photographed clinging to a train for another daring scene filmed in Yorkshire

And prior to that, Tom was photographed clinging to a train for another daring scene filmed in Yorkshire.

This latest daredevil stunt comes as the actor is set to experience a new first in his glittering movie career after being given extremely rare permission to film inside Westminster Abbey in London for Mission: Impossible 8.

A film source told The Sun: 'Nothing but the biggest and the best will do [for Tom].

'So when he wanted to film inside a church for the new Mission film, it had to be Westminster Abbey. They turn down almost every request, so its an incredible nod to Tom and to the production team to say yes.

Special: The daredevil stunt comes as the actor is set to experience a new first in his glittering movie career after being given extremely rare permission to film inside Westminster Abbey in London for Mission: Impossible 8

'Biggest and best': A film source told The Sun: 'Nothing but the biggest and the best will do [for Tom]'

Privilege: 'So when he wanted to film inside a church for the new Mission film, it had to be Westminster Abbey. They turn down almost every request, so its an incredible nod to Tom and to the production team to say yes'

'It will make an extraordinary filming location and sets the tone for just how big this film is going to be. The budget is enormous, of course, but the ambitions are even bigger.'

It comes after Mission: Impossible 7 and 8 were pushed back at the start of the year due to Covid-related delays.

The latest instalment of the action saga, the seventh film, was first due for release in July 2021, but was pushed back to May this year and later delayed again to 30 September.

Ambitious: 'It will make an extraordinary filming location and sets the tone for just how big this film is going to be. The budget is enormous, of course, but the ambitions are even bigger'

Delay: It comes after Mission: Impossible 7 and 8 were pushed back at the start of the year due to Covid-related delays

Pushed back: The latest instalment of the action saga, the seventh film, was first due for release in July 2021, but was pushed back to May this year and later delayed again to 30 September

Late: However, Paramount Pictures and Skydance have announced the movie will now not be seen in cinemas until 14 July 2023 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on production

However, Paramount Pictures and Skydance have announced the movie will now not be seen in cinemas until 14 July 2023 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on production.

As a result, the eighth film, which was expected to be released in July next year, will now not come out until 28 July 2024.

In a joint statement, the studios said: 'After thoughtful consideration, Paramount Pictures and Skydance have decided to postpone the release dates for Mission: Impossible 7 & 8 in response to delays due to the ongoing pandemic.

Pandemic effect: As a result, the eighth film, which was expected to be released in July next year, will now not come out until 28 July 2024

Postpone: In a joint statement, the studios said: 'After thoughtful consideration, Paramount Pictures and Skydance have decided to postpone the release dates for Mission: Impossible 7 & 8 in response to delays due to the ongoing pandemic'

Worth the wait: 'We look forward to providing moviegoers with an unparalleled theatrical experience'

Moved: Production on the seventh film - which is directed by Christopher McQuarrie - began in Venice, Italy, in February 2020 but it was halted due to the pandemic and eventually moved to the UK when work could restart

False start: However, it has been hit by delays twice, most recently in June 2021 following positive COVID-19 tests within the cast and crew

Madman: Tom famously does his own stunts and it was recently revealed he had been learning to fly a World War II military plane for Mission: Impossible 8

'We look forward to providing moviegoers with an unparalleled theatrical experience.'

Production on the seventh film - which is directed by Christopher McQuarrie - began in Venice, Italy, in February 2020 but it was halted due to the pandemic and eventually moved to the UK when work could restart.

However, it has been hit by delays twice, most recently in June 2021 following positive COVID-19 tests within the cast and crew.

Not stopping: A source recently told The Sun: 'Tom had started to learn to fly a Boeing Stearman biplane earlier this year for a major stunt scene in Mission: Impossible 8'

Talented: 'It's obviously a highly skilled task but as usual he has no plans to cut any corners or bring in a stuntman'

Risky business: 'Filming has only just wrapped on Mission: Impossible 7 but Tom has not given himself a break. And trying to film jaw-dropping scenes with an 80-year-old plane is particularly dangerous'

Tom famously does his own stunts and it was recently revealed he had been learning to fly a World War II military plane for Mission: Impossible 8.

A source recently told The Sun: 'Tom had started to learn to fly a Boeing Stearman biplane earlier this year for a major stunt scene in Mission: Impossible 8.

'It's obviously a highly skilled task but as usual he has no plans to cut any corners or bring in a stuntman.

Oh dear: However, Tom's budget for the films was said to be raising eyebrows, with the star reportedly in crisis talks with Mission Impossible bosses after splashing 290million during the production of the anticipated seventh and eighth instalments

In trouble: Sources disclosed to The Sun: 'People are starting to sweat on the costs now'

'Filming has only just wrapped on Mission: Impossible 7 but Tom has not given himself a break. And trying to film jaw-dropping scenes with an 80-year-old plane is particularly dangerous.'

However, Tom's budget for the films was said to be raising eyebrows, with the star reportedly in crisis talks with Mission Impossible bosses after splashing 290million during the production of the anticipated seventh and eighth instalments.

Sources disclosed to The Sun: 'People are starting to sweat on the costs now.

Stacking up: 'Nobody could have predicted what has happened but the fact is those delays and extra costs are stacking up now and its starting to get noticed'

Desperate: 'Even with someone as big as Tom and these films, its the sort of money that has leveraged the studio heavily and bosses are desperate to start seeing things hit the screen'

Costly: After several delays, one very public meltdown and countless attempts to work across multiple countries during a global pandemic the seventh instalment in the Mission: Impossible franchise may well be the most costly in its 26-year history

Wow: While 2018 release Mission: Impossible - Fallout cost $190million to produce, taking in location shoots across France, England, Norway and New Zealand, the new production has demanded an unprecedented $290million outlay

'Nobody could have predicted what has happened but the fact is those delays and extra costs are stacking up now and its starting to get noticed.

'Even with someone as big as Tom and these films, its the sort of money that has leveraged the studio heavily and bosses are desperate to start seeing things hit the screen.'

After several delays, one very public meltdown and countless attempts to work across multiple countries during a global pandemic the seventh instalment in the Mission: Impossible franchise may well be the most costly in its 26-year history.

Budget: One notable factor in the film's enormous budget has been the global pandemic, which swept across mainland Europe shortly after principal photography got underway in Venice in February 2020

Stuck: Lockdown and a desperate attempt to work around COVID-19 resulted in the production enduring an inauspicious start - with cast and crew forced to stop work after Northern Italy closed its doors

Plans: The first day of principal photography was supposed to be filmed with the annual Carnival Venice serving as an elaborate backdrop

While 2018 release Mission: Impossible - Fallout cost $190million to produce, taking in location shoots across France, England, Norway and New Zealand, the new production has demanded an unprecedented $290million outlay.

One notable factor in the film's enormous budget has been the global pandemic, which swept across mainland Europe shortly after principal photography got underway in Venice in February 2020.

Lockdown and a desperate attempt to work around COVID-19 resulted in the production enduring an inauspicious start - with cast and crew forced to stop work after Northern Italy closed its doors.

Problems: But after the event was cancelled director Christopher McQuarrie and his team relocated to Rome - only to be shut down once again when COVID cases in the Italian capital started to rise

Rising costs: Sources claim constant infections, coupled with national health restrictions and the pandemic's refusal to die down resulted in more costs, because crew members needed to be paid, given expenses and offered hotel accommodation during extended quarantine and lockdown periods

The first day of principal photography was supposed to be filmed with the annual Carnival Venice serving as an elaborate backdrop, but after the event was cancelled director Christopher McQuarrie and his team relocated to Rome - only to be shut down once again when COVID cases in the Italian capital started to rise.

Sources claim constant infections, coupled with national health restrictions and the pandemic's refusal to die down resulted in more costs, because crew members needed to be paid, given expenses and offered hotel accommodation during extended quarantine and lockdown periods.

The relentless pressure to finish the film may well have been the catalyst for Cruise's high-profile meltdown on set in December 2020 after a crew-member breached COVID protocol - putting the production in further jeopardy.

Meltdown: The relentless pressure to finish the film may well have been the catalyst for Cruise's high-profile meltdown on set in December 2020 after a crew-member breached COVID protocol - putting the production in further jeopardy

Dressing down: The Hollywood superstar is said to have scolded workers who flouted social distancing rules while filming at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Herts

Harsh: Invoking the no-nonsense attitude of his spy character, Ethan Hunt, the actor told them 'If I see you doing it again, you're f***ing gone,' according to the Sun

The Hollywood superstar is said to have scolded workers who flouted social distancing rules while filming at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Herts.

Invoking the no-nonsense attitude of his spy character, Ethan Hunt, the actor told them 'If I see you doing it again, you're f***ing gone,' according to the Sun.

The paper says the dressing down was recorded on an audio tape, in which he is heard to add: 'And if anyone in this crew does it, thats it  and you too and you too.

Scolding: The paper says the dressing down was recorded on an audio tape, in which he is heard to add: 'And if anyone in this crew does it, thats it  and you too and you too'

'And you, dont you ever f***ing do it again. We are not shutting this f***ing movie down.'

The American actor was reportedly angered after seeing the pair stood less than a metre away from each other at a computer screen.

Sources claim there were further issues in 2021, when Paramount were confronted with a bill for $50million in overages, caused by co-producer Skydance declining to exceed their pre-agreed contractual requirement regarding financial contributions.

Determined: 'And you, dont you ever f***ing do it again. We are not shutting this f***ing movie down'

Flouting rules: The American actor was reportedly angered after seeing the pair stood less than a metre away from each other at a computer screen
Brad Pitt has revealed his unlikely love for The Great Pottery Throw Down, admitting that he's 'seen every season' of the British reality show.

While promoting his forthcoming film Bullet Train, the 58-year-old actor, alongside co-stars Brian Tyree Henry and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, were asked what their go-to show was to put on when they just 'want to watch stuff explode'.

Brad's co-star Brian picked The Great British Bake-Off, before Brad chimed in with his favourite high-octane telly show.

Big fan: Brad Pitt has revealed his unlikely love for The Great Pottery Throw Down, admitting that he's 'seen every season' of the British reality show

Making the surprise admission in an interview with Joe.co.uk Brad intervened: 'If we're going that route, I'm going The Great Pottery Throw Down,' to which Brian responded: 'Brad, how have we never talked about this?!'

Brad said he'd 'seen every season' before both him and Henry praised judge Keith Brymer Jones.

'He's so kind. He's so supportive,' Brad continued, before confessing: 'I tear up.'

Hands at the ready! The Channel 4 competition sees amateur potters create incredible creations as they attempt to impress the judges Keith Brymer Jones, Ellie Taylor Rich Miller, in a bid to be named winner of the series

@siobhni have you seen this? A lot of love from Brad and Brian for @PotteryThrow pic.twitter.com/VbPInPHyDL  Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera (@PantiBliss) July 27, 2022

Reveal: Brad alongside co-stars Brian Tyree Henry and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, were asked what their go-to show was to put on when they just 'want to watch stuff explode'.

The Channel 4 competition sees amateur potters create incredible creations as they attempt to impress the judges Keith and Rich Miller, in a bid to be named winner of the series.

Brad and his famous pal Leonardo DiCaprio have previously shared their love of pottery while on set for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

The Oscar-winning actors reportedly kindled a friendship over a shared love of pottery, with Brad inviting the star round to his house to use his sculpting studio.

Fans: Brad said he'd 'seen every season' before both him and Henry praised judge Keith Brymer Jones

Bros: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood co-stars Brad and Leonardo DiCaprio, 44, appear to be in the throes of a budding bromance after bonding over their hobbies

A source told The Sun at the time: 'Brad's got his own sculpting studio at his house and Leo loves coming over to use it.

'They sometimes hang out with Brad's artist pals, but other times it's just the two of them.

'Leo brings sandwiches over from their favourite place, Fat Sal's, and they spend their boys' nights creating art until the early hours.'
Heather Rae Young and Tarek El Moussa were spotted while leaving their office in Anaheim Hills in California on Wednesday afternoon.

The reality television personalities, aged 34 and 40, respectively, appeared to be in high spirits as they made their way toward their car and prepared to head home for the day.

The happy couple tied the knot last year and are currently awaiting the birth of their forthcoming child, a son.

Stepping out: Heather Rae Young and Tarek El Moussa were spotted while leaving their office in Anaheim Hills on Wednesday afternoon

Young concealed her growing baby bump with a black t-shirt that was worn underneath a light blue denim jacket.

The reality television personality paired her top with a set of matching leggings and rocked a stark white pair of sneakers.

The influencer accessorized with several articles of jewelry and kept a leather purse slung over her left shoulder.

Her platinum blonde hair remained tied back into a bun and complimented the light shade of her outerwear.

There she is: Young concealed her growing baby bump with a black t-shirt that was worn underneath a light blue denim jacket

Pairing well: The reality television personality paired her top with a set of matching leggings and rocked a stark white pair of sneakers

El Moussa kept it casual in a black t-shirt, slim-fitting dark blue jeans and a pair of sandals.

The now-married couple initially met during a fishing trip that took place in July of 2019.

The real estate investor was previously married to his Flip or Flop costar Christina Haack, with whom he tied the knot in 2009.

The pair welcomed a son and daughter named Brayden and Taylor, aged six and 11, during their marriage, which ultimately ended in 2018.

In the past: The now-married couple initially met during a fishing trip that took place in July of 2019

El Moussa eventually began dating Young, and they went Instagram official with their relationship the following year.

The pair moved in together in 2020, and they announced that they had become engaged that same year.

The happy couple waited until October of last year before holding a wedding ceremony near Santa Barbara.

El Moussa and Young announced that they would be welcoming a child into their lives earlier this month.

Future parents: The now-married couple initially met during a fishing trip that took place in July of 2019

The two recently spoke to People and Young told the media outlet that finding out that she was pregnant 'was a huge shock.'

She added: 'I think when you least expect it and there's no stress in your life, the world just brought us what was meant to be.'

The pair revealed that they would be welcoming a boy into their lives earlier this week.
Knots Landing star Donna Mills was dwarfed by statuesque daughter as they stepped out the UK premiere of Nope in London on Wednesday.

The actress, 81, looked sensational in a glamorous white trouser suit as she posed for a photo with the influencer, 27.

Looking simply sensational, Donna defied her years in her sophisticated ensemble that featured a pretty lace overlay.

Family: Donna Mills, 81, was dwarfed by statuesque daughter as the glamorous Knots Landing legend attended the red carpet premiere of Nope in London on Wednesday

Despite boosting her height with a pair of suede heels, the star's daughter, who she adopted in 1994, towered above her.

Donna styled her bright blonde locks into soft curls and opted for a soft smokey eyeshadow and radiant makeup palette to enhance her incredible complexion.

Chloe wowed in a figure hugging green satin dress with a wrap around skirt and nude platform heels.

Stunning: Looking simply sensational, Donna defied her years in her sophisticated ensemble that featured a pretty lace overlay

Beautiful: Chloe wowed in a figure hugging green satin dress with a wrap around skirt and nude platform heels

Donna appeared to be having the time of her life as she put on a very animated display on the blue carpet.

The film, Nope, stars Daniel Kaluuya as the lead character, Otis Jr., and follows the story of the ranch owner as he attempts to capture footage of a UFO, after objects falling from the sky killed his father.

Donna may be best known for her role in the Dallas spinoff - but the actress has now claimed that she had a hand in the creation of an even more well-known on-screen character: Sandy from Grease.

Fun-filled: Donna appeared to be having the time of her life as she put on a very animated display on the blue carpet

Chic: Donna styled her bright blonde locks into soft curls and opted for a soft smokey eyeshadow and radiant makeup palette to enhance her incredible complexion

Funny: She posed in front of the film's poster and pulled a series of funny faces

According to the soap opera icon, when it came to finding inspiration for the famous role - which was played by Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 musical movie - one of the film's writers used her as his muse for the blond bombshell.

Donna made the claim in an Instagram video posted to her account on Monday, when she shared a clip of herself transforming into Sandy, while revealing how she helped to inspire the iconic character.

Does the character Sandy from Grease look similar to me? Here's why! she says at the beginning of the video.

Inspiration? Donna may be best known for her role in the Dallas spinoff - but the actress has claimed that she had a hand in the creation of an even more well-known on-screen character

After posing in Sandys iconic black leather jacket look, Donna then stated: Did you know I went to school with Jim Jacobs? Jim Jacobs who wrote Grease? Jim Jacobs who used me as his model for Sandy?

She then continued: I didnt know it at the time but I found out years later  I was the original Sandy.'

Jim Jacobs co-wrote the 1972 Broadway musical with his late friend Warren Casey, which went on to spawn Randal Kleisers iconic 1978 flick starring John Travolta as Danny Zuko alongside Newton-John.

I'm Sandra Dee: It comes as soap icon Donna claimed that she was the muse for Olivia Newton-John's Grease character, Sandy

Both Jacobs and Mills both grew up in Chicago and attended Taft High School.

The video had originally been posted by makeup artist Brett Freedman on TikTok, who captioned the clip: Uh, yeah, @thedonnamills & I are now besties and doing TikToks together so thats what time it is here.

In June 78 Grease premiered in theaters! Sugar & spice a la Donna Mills.

He continued: Fun Fact: Grease writer Jim Jacobs modeled the character Sandy on Donna Mills. They went to school together back in the day and seems she left quite the muse-y impression!
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Declan Donnelly served as pallbearer on Thursday evening as Mass was held ahead of his older brother Dermott's funeral in Newcastle.

The popular TV personality joined friends a family for the Catholic service at the city's St. Michael's Church - the same church in which he married wife Ali Astall - prior to his burial service in the north east on Friday morning.

Dermott Donnelly, a respected Catholic priest, died from a suspected bleed on the brain on July 8 after being treated at North Durham hospital following a collapse at his Newcastle parish.

Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain's Got Talent presenter Dec, 46, later announced the news of his death on social media, writing: 'I am heartbroken to tell you that my darling brother Fr Dermott, @TweeterPriest, sadly passed away this afternoon.

'We are all beyond devastated. Thank you for your messages of sympathy and support, they are appreciated.'

Difficult task: Declan Donnelly served as pallbearer on Thursday evening as Mass was held ahead of his older brother Dermott's funeral in Newcastle

The diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, where Dermot served at St. Jospeh's Church in County Durham, had previously confirmed the news of his death in a short message.

A statement from the diocese read: 'It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the death of Fr Dermott Donnelly, who died peacefully this afternoon in hospital.

'This has come as a great shock to all of us. Please pray for the repose of his soul and keep his family, especially his mother, in your prayers at this difficult time.'

A spokesman for Declan said: 'It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of Fr Dermott Donnelly who died peacefully this afternoon in hospital surrounded by his family and close friends.

'We ask for the utmost privacy for the Donnelly family at this difficult time.'

Declan Donnelly's elder brother Dermott Donnelly died from a suspected bleed on the brain, friends have said

Sad day: The presenter looked to the skies as he joined friends and family for the Catholic service at the city's St. Michael's Church prior to his burial service in the north east on Friday morning

Happier times: Dermott's Mass was held at the same church in Elswick, Newcastle in which Declan Donnelly married wife Ali Astall on 1 August 2015 (pictured)

Farewell: A mournful Dec looked on as those close to the beloved priest gathered for the service in his native Newcastle

Devastated: Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain's Got Talent presenter Dec announced the news of his brother's death on social media in July

Final journey: The presenter observed his brother's casket being removed from a hearse ahead of Thursday's Mass

Attending the service on Thursday, Dec held back tears as his brother's coffin was removed from the rear of a hearse before taking his place beneath its top right corner and carrying it into the church.

Surrounded by a gathering of friends and family, the presenter - wearing a traditional black suit - was seen clasping his hands in prayer while paying his respects.

St. Michael's serves as the Donnelly family church and was chosen by Dec and wife Ali - who was not seen during Thursday's service - as their wedding venue in 2015.

The ceremony was officiated by Dermott and attended by a select group of family, friends and celebrity guests - among them Dec's presenting partner Ant McPartlin.

Dermott was a regular visitor to his brother's traditionally London based shows, while the presenter travelled to the north-east frequently to attend Mass and visit the youth projects which had been a labour of love for the priest since the 1990s.

Speaking in 2015, the priest admitted his connection to household name Dec helped him cross the generational divide with young parishioners.

He said: 'I don't advertise that I'm Dec's brother, but the kids always seem to know. It bridges the gap between me and them.

Difficult: Grieving family member looked on as they prepared to move Dermott's coffin

Moving: Surrounded by a gathering of friends and family, Dec was seen clasping his hands in prayer while paying his respects

Devastated: The presenter crossed his arms and closed his eyes ahead of the service in Newcastle on Thursday

Sad: Dermott's Mass will be followed by a funeral in the city on Friday, which Dec will also attend

Respects: The presenter wore a traditional black suit for the service. at St. Michaels - the church that also served as his wedding venue

Dermott began his career as a curate in Chester-le-Street until, two years later, he was asked by the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle to set up a youth programme aimed at introducing disadvantaged youngsters to the Catholic Church.

He transformed the Youth Ministry Team into a thriving concern, and in 2010 launched the Global Youth Village Centre on a former holiday camp in County Durham.

Over a 30 year period he continued raising money for the youth ministry, building the Emmaus Youth Village and developing youth leaders across the world.

As recently as April he visited outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street, where he joined religious leaders including His Excellency the Papal Nuncio and His Eminence the Cardinal and members of the hierarchy of Ukrainian church in the UK to pray for peace in war-torn Ukraine.

He said at the time: 'It was a real privilege to join Christian leaders from across many churches at Downing Street and to stand together in prayer, the silence was so profound.

'It was a moment when the power of vulnerability encountered the vulnerability of power. The best weapon we had was prayer.'

Goodbye: Dec helped carry his brother's into the family church in which he was baptised and later married to wife Ali Astall, a service his brother officiated

Tribute: A funeral program bore a photo of the popular Priest above the message 'called to live a life of significance'

Tragic: Dec cast his gaze downwards while carrying the coffin into their family church on Monday

Following his hospitalisation, a statement from Stanley, Dipton & Byermoor Catholic Parishes read: 'Please pray for Father Dermott who is extremely unwell in hospital.

'Tomorrow evening between 6pm-7pm there will be a period of time before the Blessed Sacrament so that we can come together as a community in St Joseph's Church to pray for Father Dermott's welfare.

'Please be respectful to Father Dermott and his family at this difficult time, we will update you as and when we receive the most up to date information verified by the Diocese.'

Hexham and Newcastle Bishop Robert Byrne said he will be 'greatly missed in the diocese for his sterling work with youth, on both a diocesan and national level'.

He added: 'He was a good and faithful priest.'

The official opening ceremony of the Youth Village at Allensford which Fr Donnelly helped run and was working when he developed a headache. Pictured (L-R): Bishop Emeritus Ambrose Griffiths, Bishop Seamus Cunningham, Father Dermott Donnelly, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly both of whom were the guests of honour at the opening event in 2010

Declan Donnelly's brother died aged 55 after being rushed to hospital. Pictured: Ant and Dec with Dec's brother Dermott (middle)

The diocese of Hexham and Newcastle confirmed the news that Father Dermott Donnelly died peacefully in hospital on July 8

Pictured in 2014 conducting the funeral of Newcastle United fan Liam Sweeney who was killed on the doomed MH17 flight

Dermott was originally described as being 'seriously ill', with his congregation asked to pray for him following his hospitalisation (pictured left, with the Irish Ambassador Dan Mulhall at St. Mary's Cathedral in Newcastle)

As recently as April he visited outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street, where he prayed for peace in war-torn Ukraine

Donnelly had started out as a curate in Chester-le-Street until, two years later, he was asked by the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle to set up a youth programme

Speaking in 2015, Donnelly admitted his connection to household name Dec (pictured) helped him cross the generational divide with young parishioners

Dec had previously spoken about his close relationship with his brother (pictured together in 1995)

Dec is one of seven children and was raised on Newcastle's Cruddas Park estate with brothers Martin, Eamonn and Dermott and sisters Camelia, Patricia and Moira.

Despite his enormous success, he once admitted to considering his own career in the church before quickly realising it wasn't for him.

He recalled: 'Growing up was like The Waltons but in Newcastle. We all lived in a council house in Cruddas Park in the West End. The house had three bedrooms.

'You don't need to be a math's genius to work out that three bedrooms and nine people equals a bit of a squeeze.

'The four boys were in two sets of bunk beds in one room, the three girls were in another and my mam and dad had the third room.

'My mam and dad, Anne and Alphonsus, came to Newcastle from Ireland in 1958.

'You'd often find the Donnelly clan at the Tyneside Irish Centre on a Saturday night and that was where I had my earliest performing experiences.'

He added: 'Later on my brother Dermott trained to be a priest. When I was about 14 I did briefly consider following in his footsteps.

'Then, one day, I got the bus home from school and it was full of lasses from the local girls' school, Sacred Heart. I knew right there and then that the priesthood wasn't for me.'

Over a 30-year period Donnelly raised money for the youth ministry, building the Emmaus Youth Village and developing youth leaders across the world

In 2015 he officiated at the wedding of his famous brother to Ali Astall in Newcastle in a star-studded ceremony

The millionaire presenter, a mainstay on ITV, has been able to buy his mother a 600,000 house in the upmarket Darras Hall area of Ponteland, near Newcastle, where neighbours include former England football captain Alan Shearer.

While Dec considered a career in the church, his older brother flirted with TV courtesy of an appearances on Junior Songs of Praise, during which he was interviewed by a puppet called Hacker T Dog about church life.

Back in 2001 he had a more controversial brush with fame. Egged on by Dec, he was in negotiations to front a show for Channel 4 called Confess.

The show's selling point was that it would encourage viewers to confess their sins on air, with a tagline: 'Share your sins, relieve your soul.'

Dermott was cast as the showbiz-savvy priest who, while not going so far as to offer them absolution as in a genuine confessional, would at least counsel them on the correct course of action.

A pilot show was shot, but once it was announced, the outrage from the Catholic Church was strong enough to see it quietly dropped. Some of the kinder remarks from church officials decried it as 'intrusive' and 'superficial'.
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She's was living it up in Mexico as part of her pal's bachelorette party.

And Vanessa Hudgens continued the holiday as she jetted off to Italy and took a dip in the sea on Wednesday.

The actress, 33, looked sensational in a colourful skimpy White Fox bikini as she was joined by her sister Stella, 26, in the seaside town of Forte dei Marmi.

Sun-soaked: Vanessa Hudgens, 33, looked sensational in a colourful skimpy White Fox bikini as she took a dip in the sea during her Italian getaway on Wednesday

Vanessa's multi-coloured swimwear consisted of a balconette bra top and hipster bottoms.

She pulled her raven locks back into a sleek low bun and shielded her eyes with a pair of rectangular Prada sunglasses.

The High School Musical star accessorised her beach look with a diamond belly button ring and a statement gold necklace.

Beach babe: Vanessa's multi-coloured swimwear consisted of a balconette bra top and hipster bottoms

Duo: The actress was joined by her sister Stella, 26, in the seaside town of Forte dei Marmi

Stylish: Vanessa shielded her eyes with a pair of rectangular Prada sunglasses

Vanessa appeared to be makeup free as she showcased her gym-honed physique during the sun-soaked getaway.

Her look-a-like sister Stella, opted for a blue tie due bikini with a semi-sheer matching turquoise sarong around her waist.

She also wore a matching pair of Prada sunglasses and pulled her hair back from her face.

Radiant: The High School Musical star accessorised her beach look with a diamond belly button ring and a statement gold necklace

Incredible: Vanessa showcased her gym-honed physique during the sun-soaked getaway

Chic: Vanessa coordinated her yellow satin hair scrunchie with her bikini

Family: Her look-a-like sister Stella, opted for a blue tie due bikini with a semi-sheer matching turquoise sarong around her waist

Their Italian getaway comes as Vanessa landed in Mexico last week to celebrate Sarah Hyland's upcoming nuptials to Wells Adams.

Since their arrival, Vanessa and the rest of Sarah's bridal party could be seen documenting the lavish trip on their Instagram pages.

The star shared an adorable video of herself, some of the other bridesmaids and Sarah dancing around on a boat as part of the pre-wedding festivities.

Glowing: Vanessa appeared to be makeup free as she showed off her incredible complexion

Taking a dip: Stella is also and actress and known for the role in TV series Powerless

Splashing about: They frolicked in the sea before heading back to the sun loungers on the beach

Relaxing: The sisters enjoyed a refreshing, cold drink as they lounged in the sun

Kicking back: The star sipped on her drink beneath and umbrella

Vanessa flaunted her enviable frame in the black one-piece swimsuit with a white BRIDESMAID motif.

Going all out for the clip - which was posted to GG's account, brunette beauty Vanessa added some large hoop earrings and a pair of oversized glasses.

Showing off her dancer moves, the performer let loose as she whooshed her hair about as they sailed through the majestic waters.

Cooling off: Vanessa tried our the beach shower

Having fun: The sisters splashed about in the water

Holidays: Their Italian getaway comes as Vanessa landed in Mexico last week to celebrate Sarah Hyland's upcoming nuptials to Wells Adams

Sun-kissed: They were beaming as they made the most of their time aboard

The High School Musical star later covered her chocolate tresses with a cream scarf displaying red motifs and navy stripes as she larked about with a pal on the vessel.

Sarah, 31, sizzled up a storm in a white swimsuit reading BRIDE across its chest, which she layered beneath a sheer maxi skirt featuring diamante embellishments.

Sarah's wedding to Wells has been delayed multiple times on account of COVID-19.

But the couple are finally tying the knot this year, and last month Sarah and Wells were feted at their bridal shower.
Neighbours fans and critics alike have praised Hollywood star Guy Pearce for his impressive 'commitment' to the series finale.

The 54-year-old actor, who portrayed Mike Young from 1986 to 1989, returned to Ramsay Street one last time on Thursday's episode as the beloved Australian soap opera came to an end after a historic 37-year run.

Many viewers flocked to social media to thank Pearce for returning for a proper, satisfying storyline, instead of just making a brief cameo.

Neighbours fans and critics alike have praised Hollywood star Guy Pearce for his impressive 'commitment' to the series finale. (Pictured as Mike Young in the finale)

'I have a lot of respect for Guy Pearce. The man has an actual Hollywood career and still came back for the #NeighboursFinale,' one fan tweeted.

'Didn't just do a cameo and never once acted like it was beneath him.'

'Award winning international actor Guy Pearce's genuine commitment to respecting the very simple #Neighbours storyline and being properly involved is just mint. What a champion,' another added.

One viewer said Pearce 'seems like such a genuinely nice and respectful person' off screen and that despite his successful career, he 'didn't forget where he came from'.

Many viewers flocked to social media to thank Pearce for returning for a proper, satisfying storyline, instead of just making a brief cameo

One viewer said Pearce 'seems like such a genuinely nice and respectful person' off screen and that despite his Hollywood career, he 'didn't forget where he came from'

'What a champion,' another fan tweeted, adding that he deserved an Oscar

After his stint on Neighbours in the late '80s, Pearce found success in Hollywood films such as L.A. Confidential (1997), Time Machine (2002) and Memento (2000). He is pictured in L.A. Confidential with co-stars Russell Crowe and Kevin Spacey

'Guy Pearce was outstanding. Best on ground,' another viewer wrote.

Television columnist Colin Vickery tweeted: 'Guy Pearce looks like he is having a hoot on final @neighbours. So committed. Good on him!'

After his stint on Neighbours in the late '80s, Pearce found success in Hollywood films such as L.A. Confidential (1997), Time Machine (2002) and Memento (2000).

'Guy Pearce was outstanding. Best on ground,' one viewer tweeted

Television columnist Colin Vickery said the actor 'looks like he is having a hoot'

Social media erupted on Thursday night after Mike (Pearce) professed his love for Jane Harris (Annie Jones) during Thursday night's Neighbours finale.

The pair had history on the show, with 'Plain Jane Superbrain' famously undergoing a makeover - including ditching her glasses and adopting a more feminine style - in a bid to win Mike's heart.

During the episode, Mike laid his feelings on the line for Jane, and it proved to be the happy ending fans across the world needed.

'The reality is I'm still in love with you. Probably more now than I ever used to be,' he said.

Neighbours fans went wild after Mike Young professed his love for Jane Harris during the finale. Pictured: Guy Pearce and Annie Jones

'I realise this is probably a bit much, but if I was here, we could take things slowly and see where this goes,' he continued.

Viewers were quick to share their excitement over the couple's reunion on social media, with many labelling their storyline 'moving'.

'#Neighbours last episode tonight with Jane and Mike getting back together. Happy tears,' one person tweeted.

During the episode, Mike (Pearce) laid his feelings on the line for Jane (Annie Jones), and it proved to be the happy ending fans across the world needed

Another said: 'Great #Neighbours Finale. Overjoyed that Mike and Jane are back together. And great to see Scott and Charlene home for a visit!'

'I am surprised by how moved I was by the Neighbours finale. Mike Pearce and Annie Jones were the stars of the show. The nostalgia has my heart bursting and my love for is stronger than ever #NeighboursFinale #Neighbours,' a third agreed.

'Mike and Jane being #Neighbours endgame after all this time,' another wrote.

Viewers were quick to share their excitement over the couple's reunion on social media, with many labelling their storyline 'moving'

'I am surprised by how moved I was by the Neighbours finale. Mike Pearce and Annie Jones were the stars of the show. The nostalgia has my heart bursting and my love for is stronger than ever #NeighboursFinale #Neighbours,' one person wrote

'Much love to Guy and Annie. Their chemistry was on point. Need a Mike and Jane spin-off series #Neighbours #mikejane #original80sneighbours,' one commented.

Another person agreed: 'Mike and Jane back together. Amazing. #Neighbours #CelebratingNeighbours.'

'This is really Neighbours: Jane and Mike Reunited! And I'm here for it! #Neighbours,' one commented.




Culture Minister Park Bo-gyoon urged Japan on Thursday to make good on its promise to offer explanations about Koreans forced into hard labor on Hashima Island when it was listed as a World Heritage site in 2015.







Upon the World Heritage designation of 23 Meiji-era sites, including the island also known as Battleship Island, Tokyo promised to install an information center to explain the forced labor issue, but has not done so yet.







"Japan should faithfully take follow-up measures it promised when listing the Battleship Island as world heritage in 2015," Park said during a policy briefing to the parliament in response to a question on the ministry's position on the matter.







"The culture ministry's stance remains unchanged," Park said, adding it will closely work with the foreign ministry to prevent any distortion of history related to world heritage sites of Japan, including the Hashima Island and Sado mine.







The Sado mine is also a place where thousands of Koreans were forced into hard labor during World War II. Japan is pushing for the mine's designation as a World Heritage site. (Yonhap)






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They've been married for more than 30 years, but Neighbours lovebirds Scott and Charlene still sing along to their romantic theme song.

As Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan return to Ramsay Street for the last time in tonights schmaltzy finale, their car stereo is blasting out Especially For You  the duos Christmas No1 hit from 1988.

That was the year the 19.6million British viewers tuned in to see tomboy mechanic Charlene Mitchell marry cub reporter and boy-next-door Scott Robinson  two million more than watched the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

If those numbers seem mind-boggling, the shows popularity was even harder to fathom at the time. Britain loved it and we just couldnt say why. Perhaps it was the contrast to the rainy reality of Coronation Street and the sheer shoutiness of EastEnders. Neighbours was not so much a soap, more a frothy bubble bath in the sunshine.

It arrived at the right time for BBC1, where controller Michael Grade was looking for low-budget content to fill daytime schedules that, until 1986, showed mainly the testcard.

Kylie and Jason won our hearts with a wedding watched by 19.6million viewers in 1988... and theyre reunited for the finale, playing the same characters married for over 30 years

Neighbours made perfect fare to fill a slot after the lunchtime news. When Grades teenage daughter told him that her classmates were bunking off lessons to watch it, he had a brainwave: repeat each days episode at 5.35pm, before the Six OClock News. A phenomenon was born.

As the show became a national obsession, my wife and I, like millions of other fans, would watch both daily episodes whenever possible  the lunchtime instalment and the teatime repeat. It was even more fun the second time. The craze for Neighbours was like the popularity of Sudoku in the 2010s. Trivial as it might seem now, for a few years life didnt seem complete without it.

The theme tune by Tony Hatch was so pervasive and catchy that psychologists at Queens University, Belfast, carried out an experiment to see if babies in the womb recognised it. Researchers picked 70 expectant mums at the citys maternity hospital, half of them avid fans of Neighbours. When the shows sugary song was played, the babies whose mothers watched the show became more active, kicking and wriggling with recognition. Professor Peter Hopper claimed, This is the first evidence we have of learning in a foetus.

The double-bill finale today pays tribute to that song, playing the original recording by Barry Crocker in full with snatches of the eight other versions.

Future movie star: Guy Pearce, as Mike Young, with Annie Jones, who played his girlfriend Jane Harris

If you havent been following recent events in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough, the swiftest of recaps will suffice. In a fit of wanderlust, most of the residents have decided to move and put their homes up for sale.

This provokes a fit of nostalgia in many former Neighbours, who flock back to see the old place for the last time and attend the wedding of lovable Toadie (Ryan Moloney) and his kooky bride Melanie (Lucinda Cowen, who has been in the show since 1987). One of those returning is cool dude Mike Young (Guy Pearce, one of many Neighbours debutants who went on to a stellar acting career).

Mike once had a crush on Charlenes best friend, bespectacled plain Jane super-brain, Jane Harris (Annie Jones). Naturally the couple bump into each other and, naturally, Jane happens to have all the keys to the houses, so the duo embark on a nostalgia trip  sneaking through each front door in turn. Cue a cavalcade of clips.

Strangely, Neighbours was never that popular in Oz. Launched on the Seven Network in 1985 as a cosy alternative to the brutal drama of Prisoner: Cell Block H, it failed to find an audience and was axed after six months.

The rival Ten Network picked it up but had to rebuild the set  the old one had been torn down. The revived version was a modest hit but if it hadnt been for the shows explosive popularity overseas, it would have been cancelled long ago.

Heading for Hollywood: Margot played teenager Donna Freedman from 2008 to 2010 (left) and returned for the finale (right)

Instead, it proved so successful that a strictly-for-teens rival show, Home And Away, was born in 1989. Neighbours ran on BBC1 till 2007 when it was poached in a 300million deal by Channel 5  where Home And Away also now airs.

Whichever era of Neighbours is your favourite, youll see it celebrated in the finale. Two of the series many pop stars, Natalie Imbruglia (Beth Brennan from 1992 to 1994) and Holly Valance (Flick Scully from 1999 to 2002), share memories on a park bench.

A less successful chart act was Stefan Dennis (who has been villainous Paul Robinson, six times married since appearing in the very first episode). Stefan recorded Dont It Make You Feel Good in 1989. It reached No 16 in the UK  well done if youve forgotten it. I should be so lucky, lucky-lucky-lucky...

Watch out for cameos from Margot Robbie (Donna 2008-11) and a lovely moment in which Madge Bishop (Anne Charleston) reappears as a ghost. Her husband Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) was first written out in 1991 after being washed away at sea, and has made multiple returns since  not so much a ghost as undead.

A touching scene unfolds as Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) is visited by the ghost of his late wife Madge (Anne Charleston)

Natalie Imbruglia (left) and Holly Valance (right) played Beth and Flick in the soap before finding pop stardom

Many other Neighbours alumni sadly dont appear, including Craig McLachlan, who played Charlenes brother Henry. Hollywood A-listers Chris Hemsworth and Russell Crowe cant make it either. But its Scott and Charlene we really want to see, and they dont disappoint. Shes still wearing those dungarees. His hairline has receded so far, its almost reached his mullet.

In a delicious documentary after the final credits, casting director Jan Russ remembers how she first set eyes on the duo. Jason first came in to audition and he came in his school uniform, she says. The tie was a-squiff, it was a hot day, so it was that teenage boy, hot, smelly, you know!

There was nothing whiffy about Miss Minogue. She came in, she was a quiet little thing, she was like a little mouse. I looked at the monitor  oh, wow, there really is something special here.

It really was special. We get to relive their chemistry one last time. Especially for us, you might say!
This page may be updated if the event is repeated

Past Event - Friday, August 5, 2022 This page may be updated if the event is repeated

$10

Write your dreams on these lanterns then release along the pond. Games, smores, foodtrucks, and more!

Once the sun sets, come out for a beautiful night releasing Wish lanterns on our pond. These lanterns represent life and new beginnings so write your hopes, goals, or dreams and then release it onto the water.

Before the lantern releases, enjoy sitting around the fire, grabbing a snack at our food trucks, decorating your lantern, making a s'more, participating in a scavenger hunt, and listening to music by the pond. A nighttime event that is fun for all ages!

Bring a chair to enjoy a night in the park and see all of the hope, peace, and magic that will surround you.

Limited to the first 300 people, must register to receive a lantern.
Four FA-50 light combat aircraft flying over urban area / Newsis



Poland inks deals to buy fighter jets, tanks, howitzers amid conflict in neighboring Ukraine



By Jung Min-ho, Joint Press Corps



Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, some Eastern European countries, still armed largely with Soviet-era weapons, have sent their equipment to help Kyiv  in a move that could reshape the future of the region's weapons systems.



In a major procurement deal illustrating such a shift, Poland, which has provided Ukraine with its Soviet-designed T-72 tanks, agreed Wednesday (local time) to buy 48 FA-50s, a light combat jet co-developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin, 980 K2 battle tanks, manufactured by Hyundai Rotem, and 648 K9 howitzers, made by Hanwha Defense.



After signing the framework contracts in Warsaw, Mariusz Blaszczak, the defense minister of Poland, said its armed forces need better weapons to protect the country from potential aggressors and the deals are "just the first stage of the two countries' cooperation."





Poland's Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak poses during a press conference at the ministry office in Warsaw, July 27. Blaszczak approved arms deals with Korea for the purchase of equipment for the Polish Army. EPA-Yonhap



"We want peace, so we must prepare for war  The Polish armed forces should be so strong that an aggressor cannot decide to attack," Blaszczak said.



"Above all, we need to withdraw MiGs (any member of a family of Russian fighter jets produced during the Soviet era by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich)  The MiGs have negligible combat capability. Also, we cannot get spare parts from Russia. They have to be withdrawn. The first FA-50 will arrive next year and will substitute those aircraft. This is a well-thought decision, it will strengthen the Polish Air Force and allow the Polish Air Force to develop."



It would mark Korea's biggest arms export deal, which could be worth up to 20 trillion won ($15.3 billion). With the two sides still negotiating how many tanks and howitzers should be produced in Poland before signing the final contracts, the numbers may change.





The K2 Black Panther / Newsis



Speaking to The Korea Times, an industry source said the war in Ukraine seems to be a major factor in creating new opportunities for Korean arms makers. As tensions mount, especially among the countries bordering Russia, many have started reassessing the possibility of war and double-checking their military capabilities, he said.



"Poland, for example, has decided to increase its defense budget after the war," he said. "The latest deals are expected to help Korean companies expand their overseas businesses."



The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, simply known as NATO, has for years been trying to replace Russian military equipment among the former allies of the Soviet Union, which collapsed in 1991. Some experts believe that Korea may be in a favorable position to accelerate the shift in Eastern Europe than Germany and France  other major arms exporters  given their relatively reluctant stance on military support for Ukraine, in contrast with many other NATO members.



KAI President Ahn Hyun-ho said the arms deal would be the beginning of more collaboration between Seoul and Warsaw in the defense industry.



"The customers of FA-50s are potential customers of KF-21s," he noted, referring to Korea's first locally-developed fighter jet that is still under development.



Lee Yong-bae, Hyundai Rotem's president and CEO, said the trust between the two nations will grow further as they get equipped with the same weapons for defense, which he thinks will lead to progress in other industries.





The K9 Thunder / Courtesy of Hanwha Defense
Traveling to Thailand has become easier. After the slow and cautious lifting of travel bans due to the pandemic, Thailand is lifting two more travel requirements- Thailand Pass and $10,000 health insurance.

From July 1, travelers will no longer need health insurance and Thailand Pass to enter the country. On May 1, the country announced that fully vaccinated travelers would no longer be required to show negative RT-PCR tests upon arrival.

Santi Sawangcharoen, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand New York office, says, We are thrilled to announce the removal of the 'Thailand Pass' and $10,000 health insurance requirements for international visitors beginning July 1, as it further simplifies the ability for all to experience the vibrant culture, cuisine, and natural beauty of Amazing Thailand.

Nevertheless, travelers will still be required to show proof of complete vaccination, or a negative PCR done before 72 hours. As per the Tourism Authority of Thailand, unvaccinated travelers without a COVID-19 test must pay for and take one upon arrival.

Thailand is almost back to being normal. The country also dropped its facemask policy in June. However, it is recommended to wear facemasks in crowded places. Thailand eases travel restrictions and requirements in the hope that it can restore its tourism sectors.

Travelers are informed that there can be random checks on arrival at Thailands international airports and land borders. All 77 provinces are green zones, meaning no more COVID-19 travel-related restrictions. However, travelers are expected to maintain safety and hygiene practices for their safety and those around them.

Though carrying a travel insurance plan is dropped, Visitor Guard recommends buying it for foreign visitors going to Thailand. A robust plan can protect individuals from unforeseen medical events, for which they might have to pay out-of-pocket if not covered. Food poisoning, viral fever, diarrhea, stomachache, nausea, and flu are some of the most common sicknesses that can crop up at any time. It may require a visit to the emergency.

Pallavi Sadekar at Visitor Guard  says; An insurance plan helps cover the medical expenses for new illnesses and injuries that would otherwise be overly expensive for tourists to cover out of pocket for the bills in an unfamiliar land. Insurance plans can cover hospitalization charges, special procedures, prescriptions and drugs, surgeries, dental pain, emergency transportation, and more.

Coronavirus seems like another hassle to travelers, and there is a good reason for travelers to buy COVID-19 insurance coverage. Many policies can cover you for isolation, testing, quarantine, treatment, medications, etc. The more comprehensive policy the traveler buys, the better protection they receive. Some policies also come with travel-related benefits, covering trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption, baggage loss and personal effects, loss of passport and documents, etc.

Visitor Guard has made it quite easy for tourists to find Thailand travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage. The plans are robust, affordable, and can suit everyones travel criteria and needs. These policies can keep everybody financially stable during a time of medical emergency in Thailand.

Now, with the borders open and the traveling requirements relaxed, Thailand is welcoming the post-pandemic stage. Keeping safety in mind, the government will soon announce a set of new guidelines for residents and foreign visitors.

Currently, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has listed Thailand as Level 3: High level of COVID-19. The CDCs advisory reads, Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before traveling to Thailand. If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, avoid travel to Thailand. Even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you may still be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19.

COVID-19 fear is still lingering in the minds of travelers. Therefore, getting health insurance with COVID-19 coverage is recommended. Visitor Guard has made travelling very relaxed and stress-free, with the plans they offer. Check the plans, compare them, and get free quotes.
Assigned lands were allotted by the government to landless poor families, particularly those belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Representational image/DC

HYDERABAD: In flagrant violation of norms, certain unscrupulous officials from the revenue, stamp, and registration departments are illegally registering assigned lands across various districts in the state.

These assigned lands were allotted by the government to landless poor families, particularly those belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), and the sale or alienation or transfer of assigned land is both civil and criminal offence under the Telangana Assigned Lands Prohibition of Transfer Act 1977. However, according to sources, illegal registration of assigned lands was rampant across the state, with the involvement of some tahsildars, sub-registrars, and document writers.

Sources said there has been a spurt in the illegal registration of assigned lands ever since land prices skyrocketed within a 100-km radius of Hyderabad. Each acre of land near National Highway 44 costs anywhere between 2 crore and Rs 5 crore. As a result, a few realtors targeted assignment lands and purchased them in order to convert them into open plots.

Few elected representatives, according to sources, are backing the real estate ventures by purchasing assignment lands and selling them to others. Taking advantage of this, a few tahsildars are allegedly demanding a bribe of at least Rs 1 lakh to issue an NOC or register assignment lands. For instance, a woman tahsildar in the Nizamabad district allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 1 lakh for each acre of assigned land that came up for registration.

According to reliable sources, NOCs were issued for several assigned lands in Jangampally (survey numbers 885/1-7, 936/2-6), Anthampally (Survey Nos. 168/2/3, 168/2/aa, 168/2), old Rajampet (Survey Nos. 112, 113), Narsannapally (Survey No. 115), Bhavanipet (Survey Nos. 769/11a,b1,c1) 769 and Kamareddy district (Survey Nos. 195/a/2, 196, 197). The issue was discovered after some realtors went to register assignment lands with nearby 'patta' land numbers.

In the Mahabubnagar district, 19 guntas of assigned land at Palakonda (Survey No. 282/2) were illegally registered. In the same district, 76 acres of government land, including assigned land in Survey No. 79/1, were registered.

K.P. Venkatramana Reddy, former zilla parishad chairman of undivided Nizamabad district and BJP leader, complained to the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA) about alleged sales of assignment lands for real estate ventures in Kamareddy district. He provided the CCLA with survey numbers of assignment lands for further action.

Meanwhile, Commissioner and Inspector General (Registration and Stamps) Rahul Bojja told Deccan Chronicle that he will order an investigation into the alleged sale of assignment lands. Technically, there is no way to register assignment lands because all related survey numbers are listed as prohibited lands in the Dharani portal, he explained.




The Supreme Court on Thursday finalized suspended prison terms handed down to two former presidential officials for destroying the minutes of the 2007 inter-Korean summit to cover up then President Roh Moo-hyun's alleged offer to surrender the de facto western sea border.







Upholding a lower court's ruling, the top court sentenced Baek Jong-chun and Cho Myoung-gyon  national security aides for the late former president  to one year in prison, suspended for two years. The ruling comes nearly 10 years after indictment.







The two were indicted in November 2013 on charges of violating the Act on the Management of Presidential Archives and damaging public digital records amid a lingering political debate over Roh's potentially controversial remarks during the summit talks with then North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in 2007.







The scandal began in October 2012 when a lawmaker from the then main opposition Saenuri Party claimed during a parliamentary audit that the late liberal president suggested giving up the de facto western sea border with North Korea, commonly called the Northern Limit Line (NLL), during the talks.







The North argues the line should be drawn farther south, as it was set unilaterally by the U.S.-led United Nations Command after the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Renouncing it would have meant offering the North a greater share of the Yellow Sea.







As lawmakers failed to find the transcript in question from the Presidential Archives, the party filed a criminal complaint against Baek and Cho, arguing they intentionally destroyed the summit transcript to cover up the president's remarks.







The lower courts had initially acquitted both of them, accepting their claims that the deleted minutes were just an unofficial draft document, not the final version considered official presidential records.







But the Supreme Court remanded the case in 2020, and the two were convicted in a retrial in February. (Yonhap)






The Telangana government which completed the project works for impounding 2 tmc ft of water has taken up expansion works including land acquisition for increasing the capacity to 3 tmc ft. (Photo: DC)

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered status quo on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) as court was told that the Telangana government was going ahead with the expansion of the project without any environmental clearance.

The Telangana government which completed the project works for impounding 2 tmc ft of water has taken up expansion works including land acquisition for increasing the capacity to 3 tmc ft. A bench comprising Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice J.B. Pardiwala ordered status quo even as the Telangana government told the court that petitions questioning the expansion of the project were politically motivated as farmers who were going to be impacted had accepted the compensation and rehabilitation package. The Telangana government told the court that they had environmental clearance for the original lift irrigation project and the same would hold good for the expansion of the project.

Observing that any expansion of the project without requisite environmental clearance may eventually come in the way of the project, the court posted the matter for further consideration on August 23.

In a batch of petitions, one of the petitioners Cheruku Srinivas Reddy questioned the expansion of the lift irrigation project on the ground of the absence of environmental clearance and contending that the environmental clearance for the original project would not hold good for the expansion of the project, said advocate K. Shravan Kumar appearing for Srinivas Reddy.

Shravan Kumar said the court on Wednesday also noted that the Telangana High Court seemed to have missed this aspect of the environment clearance for expanding the project. He brought to the courts notice that the National Green Tribunal had rejected the governments contention that fresh clearance was not required for the project expansion.

The Kaleshwaram irrigation project, a bone of contention between the ruling TRS and Opposition parties which allege large scale corruption, was in news when the pump house was inundated in the recent Godavari floods.
Hyderabad: The State government has requested the Telangana High Court to recall its orders on April 27, 2022, over a piece of land measuring 84 acres 30 guntas in Survey number 46 of Raidurg village under Serilingampally Mandal in Ranga Reddy District.

The land was under dispute since 1925 and the litigants even approached the Supreme Court for adjudication. While dealing with a batch of review petitions filed by private parties, Burgula Shivarama Krishna, Lingaiah and others, who claimed a part of the land, the division bench of the High Court on April 27, 2022, gave its verdict in the favour of private parties and dismissed the state governments claim.

On February 3, 2022, the High Court had dismissed the orders of the Telangana State Human Rights Commission, which without jurisdiction, ordered CCLA to handover the disputed land to Lorvens Projects Pvt Ltd and Syed Rahimullah Hussaini. It also ordered the police to protect the rights of private parties. However, the High Court had faulted the interference of the HRC in the land title issue.

In its recall petition, the Telangana government argued that the division bench, dealing the review petitions, issued orders erroneously by believing fake documents submitted by private parties as true copies.

The recall petition was heard by a division bench comprising Justice G. Sri Devi and Justice Priyadarshini on Thursday.

Senior Supreme Court counsel Vaidyanathan, representing the state government, submitted that the land mafia and real estate mafia have been trying to get the land by invoking several litigation.

Further, he submitted that the Supreme Court had dismissed the petition of Lingamaiah over the title of land and later his review petition was also dismissed by the apex court. The senior counsel also brought to the notice of the court the documents relied upon by the division bench in the review petition was fraudulently submitted by Burugula Ramakrishna.

The counsel submitted that Ramakrishna had filed a fake and fabricated sale deed dated 15 Aban 1259 Hijri (October 9, 1843) and its translated copy, which he said was issued by the office of the director, State Archives Institute.

The state government argued that Telangana State Archive & Research Institute did not possess the records of Sethwar and Sale Deeds of Private Estates. Hence the question of issuing the sale deed dated 15 Aban 1259 Hijri (October 9, 1843) and the Sethwar of Raidurg Paigah Village Sy.No. 46 doesnt arise. Further, Telangana State Archives is not having any separate sale deed of private estates i.e. of Pahani and Sarf-i-Khass, and also does not have any sale deed of any private transactions (i.e. purchased or sold) of either movable and immovable properties of any given period, the government submitted to the court through its counsel.

It also submitted that Telangana State Archives & RI is only a custodian of the records and it has no duty, no service and no authority to issue a certified copy of any translated version of the original document. This department issues only certified copies of original documents not translated ones.

Having heard the recall petition, the bench issued notices to the private parties and adjourned the case to August 10.
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday allowed a petition of Vanpic Projects to quash a case registered against it by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as part of quid pro quo cases filed against Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Pronouncing the order in the criminal petition filed by Vanpic Projects represented by its general manager P.K. Ravi, Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on Thursday said the petitioner is a Corporate Entity, an artificial person, who is not at all discernible and that it would not at all secure the ends of justice if the criminal prosecution is allowed to continue against the petitioner, a corporate entity, through its chairman (Nimmagadda Prasad).

Further, the judge has also stressed that the CBI court did not record with any satisfaction that there is a prima facie case against Vanpic

Projects or of the chairman; whether only the chairman can be held vicariously liable for commission of the alleged offence by the corporate entity.

Citing the observations of the Supreme Court on several occasions related to vicarious liability of the officials of the corporate entity, Justice Bhuyan stated that there cannot be any automatic fastening of criminal culpability on the chairman for commission of alleged offence by the Vanpic Projects, and observed that the CBI court applied its mind mechanically while taking cognisance of the petitioner, an artificial person.

Vanpic Projects represented by its chairman Nimmagadda Prasad was awarded the Vadrarevu and Nizampatnam Ports and Industrial Corridor (Vanpic) project by the government of Andhra Pradesh, when Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy was the chief minister, to develop the ports and SEZ Corridor in Prakasam and Guntur districts. Subsequently, the government of Andhra Pradesh has allotted more than 15,000 acres of land to Vanpic Projects allegedly violating all norms and procedures.

A CBI probe was ordered in 2012 after it was alleged that the alienations or acquisitions of lands and other benefits for Vanpic Projects were granted at the behest of the Chief Minister who was under the influence of his son Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

After the conclusion of the investigation, the CBI registered an FIR and filed a final report, which makes 14 accused persons face a trial. The list of the accused includes Vanpic Projects Pvt. Ltd., represented by Nimmagadda Prasad as accused number 10 in his capacity as its chairman. Nimmagadda Prasad was also listed as accused number 3 and his brother Nimmagadda Prakash as accused number 9.

It was also alleged that Nimmagadda Prasad  in furtherance of criminal conspiracy  in the guise of investments paid illegal gratification of Rs 854.50 crore to Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and his group companies as a quid-pro-quo.

Challenging the CBIs version, Vanpic Projects filed a discharge petition before the CBI Court, and pleaded to quash the case against it. The CBI Court rejected its petition. Vanpic Projects, however, approached the High Court in 2021 challenging the CBI court order and requested to quash the case against it, which was allowed by the High Court on Thursday.
Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday sentenced six members of the infamous paramilitary force 'Razakar Bahini' to death for collaborating with the Pakistani Army for "crimes against humanity" during the 1971 Liberation War.

The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Mohammad Shahinur Islam delivered the verdict at Khulna.

They shall be hanged by neck until their death, Islam pronounced, with five of the convicts faced the trial in person, while one convict was tried in absentia.

The six accused include Amjad Hossain Howladar, Sahar Ali Sardar, Atiyar Rahman, Motachim Billah, Kamal Uddin Goldar, and Nazrul Islam. Of them, Nazrul Islam is absconding.

The convicts were present on the dock as the judgment was delivered after which they were brought to Dhaka Central Jail.

All the six convicts were charged on four counts of crimes against humanity, prosecution lawyer Mokhlesur Rahman told reporters.

The tribunal officials said the six convicted were members of the infamous Razakar Bahini, an East Pakistani paramilitary force affiliated to the Pakistan Army.

All the six hailed from southwestern Khulna district, and carried out atrocities such as mass killings, arsons and tortures, the tribunal said.

The prosecution lawyers said they were satisfied with the verdict while the defence counsels said they planned to challenge the verdict at the apex Appellate Division of the Supreme Court after consultations with their clients.

The Sheikh Hasina government had set up the war crimes tribunal in 2010 to look into the atrocities committed by Pakistani forces and local collaborators during the 1971 war.

The tribunal has handed down death penalties in most of the cases they disposed of so far while in few cases the convicts were jailed until death in view of their old ages.

The tribunal delivered its first judgment on January 21, 2013 handing down death penalty to Abul Kalam Azad aka Bachchu Razakar, who managed to flee the country ahead of the trial proceedings.

According to official estimates, three million people were killed and at least two lakh women raped and another 10 million displaced by Pakistani troops and their Bengali-speaking collaborators during the 1971 Liberarion War, which led to the then East Pakistan seceding and becoming an independent country known as Bangladesh.
Police in Assam arrested 11 persons including a Madrassa teacher and detained 11 others from four districts on Thursday for their alleged links with fundamentalist groups, Al Qaeda in Indian Sub-continent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), based in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Police also sealed a private Madrassa at Moirabari in central Assam's Morigaon district after a Madrassa teacher, Mufti Mustafa was allegedly found having links with operatives of the Bangladesh based terror outfit.

Also Read | NIA declares Rs 10 lakh cash reward against Khalistan Tiger Force terrorist

Confirming the development, special director general of police, law and order, G P Singh told DH that 11 persons were arrested from Morigaon, Barpeta, Kamrup Metro (Guwahati) and Goalpara districts while 11 others were detained for questioning and further investigation. "They are connected to Islamic fundamentalism having linkages with global terror outfits, AQIS & ABT. Jamiul Huda Madrassa building at Sahariagaon in Morigaon has been sealed, suspected of being a harbour/safe house/camp of the detained persons," he said in a tweet.

Eight of them were arrested from the minority-dominated Barpeta district in western Assam. The eight, aged between 25 and 50 years, have been identified as Jubair Khan, Rafiqul Islam, Dewan Hamidul Islam, Moinul Hoque, Kajibur Hussain, Muzibaur Rahman, Sahanur Alam and Sahjahan Ali.

Singh said many electronic devices and incriminating documents have been seized from the detained persons. "Further investigation and operations are being carried out to unearth the linkages and the network," he said.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters on Thursday that police have got strong evidence about link of the detained persons including financial transactions with operatives of the Bangladesh fundamentalist terror group.
President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will pay a four-day visit to India from August 1 with an aim to further bolster bilateral ties.

Announcing the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that it will provide an opportunity to review the relations and take the cooperation forward.

Solih is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Maldivian President is also set to visit Mumbai.
A post-adjournment chat between Sonia Gandhi and senior BJP MP Rama Devi in Lok Sabha over demand for her apology over Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys controversial remarks on President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday turned ugly after Union Minister Smriti Irani intervened in the conversation and was seen gesturing at the Congress chief.

The incident added more fuel to the already raging controversy over Congress Lok Sabha leader Chowdhury's 'Rashtrapatni' remark on which the ruling BJP was demanding an apology from Sonia herself, claiming that her party was insulting the President.

Also Read | BJP accuses Congress of 'demeaning' President Droupadi Murmu

As soon as the Lok Sabha adjourned soon after 12 noon following protests by both the ruling and Opposition benches, Sonia who was walking out moved to the Treasury benches to speak to Rama Devi. Sonia asked Rama Devi why the BJP was demanding her apology when Chowdhury himself has apologised and the party conveying it to Speaker Om Birla.

The BJP MP told Sonia that she was the leader of the party and it was natural to demand an apology from her. At this juncture, Smriti intervened and is claimed to have told Sonia to speak to her on the issue. Sonia initially ignored Smriti's remarks but soon after told the minister not to speak to her.

The BJP women MPs then flocked around Sonia and Rama Devi, leading to a commotion. Immediately, NCP's Supriya Sule and Trinamool Congress' Aparoopa Poddar escorted a visibly upset Sonia out of the Lok Sabha chambers.

Also Read | Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's 'Rashtrapatni' remark stokes controversy, BJP demands apology

Outside the House, Rama Devi recounted the sequence of events and said that Sonia asked her why her name was dragged into the issue. "What is my fault?" the BJP MP quoted Sonia asking her. To this, she claimed, she told her that she was the party chief and she appointed Chowdhury.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters that Sonia spoke in a threatening tone with BJP members though she did not mention any specific leader. Some non-Congress, non-BJP MPs said that Sonia did not speak in a threatening tone but was visibly upset at Smriti's intervention.

Congress accused BJP MPs of subjecting Sonia Gandhi to "brutal heckling, verbal assault and physical intimidation" and demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a statement, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said that Smriti "behaved inappropriately" with Sonia and hurled "abusive words" at her. "When Sonia-ji politely told her that she is not talking to her but to another MP, Smriti Irani shouted, you don't know me, who I am," Ramesh claimed.

Sonia got support from a number of non-Congress Opposition MPs. NCP's Supriya Sule said she was "shocked to hear unnecessary sloganeering against Mrs Gandhi after the house was adjourned. We all should take responsibility for the House and maintain its dignity and decorum".

Trinamool Congress' Mohua Moitra tweeted, she "was in Lok Sabha when 75-year-old lady senior leader encircled and heckled pack-wolf style when all she did was walk over and speak (masked) to another senior lady panel chairperson...Disgusted to read BJP lies and false version in press".

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted, "this is shameful and bully behaviour of BJP MPs. Has to be condemned by one and all, this hooliganism that was led by a hysterical minister who herself is facing charges of illegal operations in Goa, besides fake education affidavits should be called out."
Violence erupted in Bellare town of the communally sensitive Dakshina Kannada district on Wednesday as the ruling BJP faced the ire of Hindu nationalists after a Yuva Morcha member was hacked to death on Tuesday night.

Police had to resort to lathicharge after protesters resorted to stone-pelting when the body of Praveen Nettaru was taken out in a procession from the Puttur government hospital to Bellare, where he was killed.

BJP cadres turned against their own government, accusing leaders of failing to keep Hindus safe. Activists heckled and almost attacked several BJP leaders who came to offer condolences to the grieving family.

Read | Furious Yuva Morcha workers resign en masse over killing of BJP youth leader

Nettaru (32) was killed in front of his broiler shop in Bellare by bike-borne assailants. Some suspect the murder is in retaliation for the killing of a teen, Mohammed Masood, a week ago.

BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel, who is also the local MP, was at the receiving end of the fury as agitators punctured his car and almost toppled it. He managed to leave with the help of the police.

We will give a befitting reply by arresting all the accused involved in the murder, Kateel said.

The crowd shouted slogans against RSS leader Kalladka Prabhar Bhat, calling him a dongi (cheat). Minister V Sunil Kumar, who is in charge of Dakshina Kannada, Fisheries Minister S Angara and Puttur MLA Sanjeev Matandoor were asked to go back by the crowd.

Read | Ready to give Praveen Nettaru murder case to NIA, says Bommai

As tension gripped the region, Puttur Assistant Commissioner Girish Nandan M issued prohibitory orders till Thursday midnight in Puttur, Kadaba and Sullia taluks. All shops and establishments at BC Road, Belthangady, Puttur, Kadaba and Sullia taluks downed shutters during the day.

At least four activists were injured in the police crackdown to prevent the mob from pelting stones at a mosque in Bellare. There was lathicharge after some miscreants started pelting stones at a mutton stall near the mosque.

Earlier in the day, stones were pelted at a KSRTC bus in Bolwar near Puttur, a two-wheeler and a mobile shop near Bellare bus stand where Nettarus body was kept.

Attempts by Bhat, Kasargod BJP president Kuntaru Ravish Tantri and other local leaders to pacify the crowd did not yield any results.

RSS Prantha Saha Prachar Pramukh N Seetharam announced a compensation of Rs 50 lakh to Nettarus family. The BJP government and police must take stringent steps to ensure that such incidents do not repeat, Seetharam stressed while addressing the gathering during a condolence meeting.

Activists were also seen holding boxes and raising money for the Nettarus family. The final rites were conducted in front of his house.

ADGP Alok Kumar (Law and Order) visited Bellare in the evening and took stock of the situation.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that the state government would implement the 'Yogi Model' to curb communal elements if required.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath is taking measures based on the situation in the state. "If the situation arose here, Yogi model will be followed here too," he said, responding to media queries at a briefing held to mark one-year of his government.

To a question on banning Popular Front of India, he said that the Central government had to ban the organisation. "The state government has sent all the required reports. Soon, the Centre will issue directions (on banning the organisation)," he said.

Also Read  BJP tries to pacify angry members over leader's murder

On the murder of Praveen Nettare, Bommai said that the state government had initiated action in such cases. "In Harsha's case, we took action in 24 hours. Similar action was initiated in the KG Halli and DJ Halli riot case. We won't talk, we will act," he said, assuring strict action in this case too.

"The government will not allow any organised crime that disturbs communal harmony. I urge everyone to maintain peace," Bommai said.

There are some organisations which have come up in the last decade only to create a controversy, he said, citing the hijab row in the state. Though the row was restricted to five students of a college, some organisations conspired to stir disturbance across the state using the issue. "We controlled the situation... The court also upheld (the state's order on the issue)," he said.

There will be some diversion from the state governments' development agenda due to these issues. Yet the state government has not deviated from the development agenda, he said.

On whether provocative statements by some BJP leaders have triggered such incidents, he said that none of the leaders from the party have issued such statements.
Police are appealing for witnesses to a serious assault on a man in the city, that occurred during the early hours of Sunday July 24 on Waterloo Street, sometime between 1.30am and 3am.

The victim, who is aged in his thirties, is reported to have been punched and kicked, and bitten on his face during the assault which involved two males. The victim sustained injuries to his face and his hand.

One of the suspects is described as being approximately 5 8 tall, of a medium build while the second male suspect is described as being approximately six feet tall and of a slim build with black hair.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "This was a vicious assault which has left the victim not only very distressed, but has also left him with an injury that may require further treatment.

"We have made a number of enquiries as part of our investigation, however, were keen to hear from anyone who was in the Waterloo Street area around this time and witnessed the assault, or has information which may assist our investigation, to get in touch with us.

"The number to call with information is 101, quoting reference number 1106 of 26/07/22.

"You can also make a report to us online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/"
Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, leaves the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul following a verdict, Thursday. Yonhap



An appellate court upheld a suspended one-year prison term Thursday for Yang Kyung-soo, the chief of one of the country's biggest umbrella labor unions, for organizing mass rallies in central Seoul last year in defiance of COVID-19 rules.



The chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) was indicted on charges of violating the demonstration and infectious disease prevention acts for organizing several large-scale labor rallies in central Seoul between May and July last year.



Up to thousands of union members participated in each of the mass rallies demanding enhanced labor rights despite authorities' repeated calls for them to comply with the ban on rallies that was in place at that time.



In the first ruling on the case in November, the Seoul Central District Court gave a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, to Yang, along with a fine of 3 million won ($2,306). Yang was released from jail upon the suspended jail sentence.



Upholding the verdict on Thursday, an appellate panel of the Seoul Central District Court pointed out those rallies ran against the government and the public's collective efforts at that time to bring the virus under control even at the cost of their normal everyday activities.



The court also dismissed Yang's petition asking for a constitutionality review of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, which he filed with the court claiming the law's antivirus ban on social rallies excessively restricts the freedom of assembly.



"Even basic rights, including the freedom of assembly, could be subject to restrictions if it is necessary for public welfare," the court said, adding the contagiousness and the fatality of COVID-19 warranted such a ban on mass rallies.



Right after the ruling, Yang denounced the verdict as "heavy" and "unfair," urging the government to come up with ways to fight a pandemic in a way that broadly guarantees workers' freedom of assembly and demonstration. (Yonhap)




April 1949 saw the historic signing of the NATO treaty. Ireland was officially declared a Republic that year, and the world was slowly emerging from the effects of the second World War.

Yet a brave 17 year old girl set off unaccompanied to make the transatlantic journey from the townland of Doon outside Draperstown to Connecticut, USA.

Born on July 22, 1931 into a family of seven girls and two boys, Vera Costello was independent of spirit from birth.

I was baptised Rosella Costello, but I am known as Vera to my family. I went to primary school in Straw, I remember Mrs Donnelly taught me.

There were only two rooms at the school, and I loved Mrs Donnelly, I learned everything from her. Mr Maloney used to shout at us a lot more, and used the stick, but Mrs Donnelly never needed to use the cane.

Vera O'Toole remembers leaving Draperstown in 1949 to make a new life in America.

Once I finished in Straw that was my schooling finished. I worked on the farm at home. My great aunt had written to the Parish Priest asking him to contact the family because she wanted someone to go out to her in America, and I just remember saying 'I want to go, I want to go' and so they let me go, smiled Vera.

At the age of 17 Vera set off from Doon to Cork to make the sailing to New York. Today it would take six hours to travel to Cork by car, so it was an arduous enough start before even reaching the boat.

A man called Jim Joe Kelly from Straw drove us from Doon to the Cobh of Cork by car. Myself, my oldest brother John and my mother and father made the journey down. I don't know why it was him who drove us  I suppose he had a car and so they asked him, she smiled.

We drove to Cork in one journey, no sleep over or anything. I took the tender out from the dock to the ship and they turned around and went back to Draperstown and that was it.

An abstract of the ships log from Cobh to New York in 1949.

Vera travelled on the S.S. Washington which set off from Southampton to New York via Le Havre and Cobh. The log declared the seas as moderate and Vera remembers sleeping in bunks and playing shuffleboard on deck during the eight day journey.

It was pouring with rain the day I arrived, I still remember that, said Vera. My aunt met me and we went on to Connecticut. I soon found work. I worked in a restaurant for six months, then I went to the hospital and learned how to take x-rays. I worked in the hospital for around ten years.

In the beginning I was lonesome I would say. My great aunt was an old woman, her husband had died and she had no children. She was from Slaughtneil direction originally.

I was probably home sick, but I filled in my time by going to the movies a couple of times a week and I put myself through night school as well.

Vera inevitably met the love of her life in Connecticut and was married to Matt O'Toole in 1952. He was born in America to Irish parents, his mother was from Kerry and father from Galway.

Well, he was a policeman, said Vera. Tall and handsome, she smiled widely.

We set up home and had our son Michael and daughter Cathy there in Connecticut then we decided to move.

We left Connecticut and went to live in Arizona for a while in September but it was a bad time. There were no jobs and the heat was unbearable at that time of year.

His mother, sister and her husband came with us but it was just too warm so they went on to LA and found work there and so we all went from Arizona to LA and joined them.

After we moved to California we had our daughter Paddy (Patricia) there and that completed the family. I couldn't work in California because I had no one to mind the kids, and so I started babysitting for other families.

Vera had planned to be in Ireland for her 90th birthday last year but with travel restrictions still in place because of Covid 19, the visit was delayed and she is now celebrating her 91st birthday with family and friends in Maghera.

Travel is so easy now, people can go anywhere. I have travelled a lot over the years. In 1979 with my two daughters, we left California, went to Connecticut then over to Manchester to my sister. We then went down to London and onto the Eurotunnel into France. We travelled right across to Barcelona. That was a great time.

I've been to New Zealand, Australia, all across the United States. I suppose having travelled the world I have to say my favourite place is where I live now, in California. It is beautiful and my neighbours are nice, added Vera. But I still say I'm going home meaning going to Ireland  home is here, she smiled.

The Costello family of nine have mainly dispersed all across the world, with some also staying local: John (RIP)(Wales), Kathleen (Connecticut), Vera (California), Jim (Maghera), Sally (Maghera), Bernadette (Florida), Tilly (Belfast ), Philomena (England) and Noelle (England).
The view from Claudy's sloping Main Street on a summer's morning is idyllic. Green hedges skirt the edges of sprawling fields in the Faughan Valley below.

Houses lie dotted across the land that leads to and surrounds Feeny and Dungiven. Distant cars scurry along country roads, apologetically subtle amidst the natural beauty.

The vista's gentility betrays the horror of what happened here fifty years ago.

Three bombs. Nine dead. No warning. No explanation. No admissions.

It's been 50 years since the bombs were detonated in Claudy killing nine innocent people and injuring many others

On the morning of July 31 1972  a Monday - at the height of what would become known as one of the deadliest years of the Troubles, three car bombs exploded in the village.

Nine-year-old Kathryn Eakin was cleaning the windows of the family's nearby grocery shop when the first bomb  planted in a stolen Ford Cortina - exploded outside McElhinney's Bar at around 10.15am.

Kathryn died a week later in hospital from her injuries. Joseph McCloskey, a 39-year-old factory worker was killed instantly by the bomb while bringing his four-year-old son to buy a newspaper.

Pub owner Elizabeth McElhinney (59) also died instantly, killed in the blast as she served a customer at the bar outside which the bomb was planted.

15-year-old Patrick Connolly was struck by flying metal as he stood in a shop on Main Street, dying eight days later from his injuries.

During the ensuing panic, police became aware of a second vehicle  a stolen Mini Traveller  parked outside the post office on Main Street.

After a suspicious device was located in the rear of the car, police began to clear the area, with much of the crowd heading for Church Street.

At approximately 10.30am, two further explosions occurred almost simultaneously, read the 2010 Ombudsman's Report into the bombing.

As well as the device in the Mini Traveller on Main Street, a further bomb had been placed in a stolen green Morris Minor van outside the Beaufort Hotel on Church Street.

The final blast killed street cleaners James McClelland (65) and David Miller (60), as well as sixteen-year-old William Temple, who had been accompanying the local milkman on his round.

Insurance salesman Arthur Hone (38) died a fortnight after the bombing, while mother-of-eight and cafe owner Rose McLaughlin (52) died in hospital four days later.

A family member of those killed in the 1972 Claudy bombing, places their hand against a stain glass window in the village. Photo: Paul Faith/PA

For fifty years, the effect of that devastating half hour in the north Derry village has haunted the survivors and victims, with the false dawns of promise exacerbating that hurt.

No one ever claimed responsibility, nor has anyone ever been charged. A 1973 inquest recorded an 'open verdict' in respect of the nine deaths.

In 2002, the PSNI commenced a review of the original RUC investigation with a view to identifying new evidence, and with it came arrests - three men and a woman  in November 2005.

Two men aged 67 and 60 were arrested in Dungiven and a 50-year-old man in Portglenone, Co Antrim. A 58-year-old woman was detained in Dungannon, Co Tyrone. All were released without charge.

Among them was serving Sinn Fein MLA for East Derry, Francie Brolly, who at the time told The Irish Times the arrest had been a 'character assassination'.

Mr Brolly later began legal action against the PSNI over his arrest, but the matter was later 'stayed' and he did not proceed with the case.

Victims and relatives of those affected by the Claudy bombing pictured in 2010 when the Police Ombudsman's report into the atrocity was published. Photo: Julien Behal/PA

Then in 2010, the families packed into the village's Diamond Centre for the publication of the Police Ombudsman's report into the bombings and their investigation.

The report revealed a distinctive car travelling from Claudy had stopped in Feeny, where a passenger attempted to use an out-of-order phone box.

It was then driven at speed to Dungiven, where two men got out and attempted to use the phones in separate shops.

With those phones not working, the shop assistants were asked to tell police in Dungiven that there 'were three bombs in Claudy'.

By the time police in Claudy received this information, the first bomb had already exploded.

The owner of the car, referred to in the report as 'Man A' was arrested by police in early August 1972, but was released after his alibi was confirmed by a third party and Fr James Chesney.

Chesney, a Catholic priest, features prominently in the 2010 report, with a document dated August 1972 revealing that police had assessed his alibi as being 'prepared in advance' of the bombings.

James Chesney

Intelligence held by the RUC prior to the bombings had idenfitied Father Chesney as the Quarter Master and Director of Operations of the South Derry Provisional IRA, said the report.

One detective had wanted to have Chesney arrested and the parochial house searched, but found his request refused by a Special Branch officer, who said 'matters were in hand'.

Then-Secretary of State William Whitelaw relayed the intelligence to Cardinal William Conway in December 1972, who mentioned the possibility of transferring him to Donegal.

Chesney ultimately was transferred to Donegal, where despite travelling over the border numerous times, he was never further questioned or investigated in relation to Claudy. He died in 1980.

The 2010 report concluded that the police were 'wrong' to engage with the government and Catholic Church on Chesney rather than act on intelligence around his alleged involvement.

Eleven years later, in September 2021, the PSNI and Northern Ireland Office (NIO) agreed confidential settlements to legal action taken by three of the Claudy families.

Claudy's Main Street pictured today.

The case, centred on investigative failures into the attack, was brought by the families of William Temple, David Miller and James McClelland and was settled 'without an admission of liability'.

Further legal proceedings on behalf of the families against the Catholic Diocese of Derry remain unresolved and are still ongoing almost a year later.

50 years after the events of that July morning turned their lives upside down, the families' wait for the truth still continues.

As one by one those who could provide answers take the truth to their graves, the families can only hope a pang of conscience leads someone to speak out.

Staring across the Faughan Valley and beyond, there is still a hope that someone out there will come forward, reveal what they know, and hand the families the keys to closure.
The needs of the bucket and spade brigade east of the Bann are elevated above those of Northern Ireland's second city.

This was the view of Steve Bradley who chairs the Into the West Rail Lobby group, which has been campaigning for the upgrading of Derry's train services since 2004.

Mr Bradley was reacting to the decision by Translink to repeatedly divert rail services away from Derry in favour of Portrush throughout the summer season. He was particularly concerned this was allowed to happen even during the citys huge Maritime Festival last week, which attracted over 150,000 people to Derry.

The intercity railway line between Derry and Belfast carries one train every hour in each direction Monday to Saturday and one every two hours on Sundays.

For passengers travelling to Portrush, a short spur line runs there from Coleraine, where a service is scheduled to meet trains from both the Belfast and Derry direction for the 12 minutes onward journey to the North Coast.

However, according to Steve Bradley, Translink has developed a habit of reversing the usual pecking order for the North-Wests rail infrastructure at extremely short notice during the Summer.

Speaking to Derry News he said: It is continually diverting some of the rail services which normally run between Derry and Belfast, to run instead from Belfast to Portrush.

When that happens, passengers travelling to or from Derry are forced to change at Coleraine and wait for an onward connection, sometimes for up to an hour.

Into The Rail is concerned these diversions reduce Derry to the status of a spur line off of a direct Belfast to Portush service, and are further evidence of an east-west divide in the quality of train services here.

Steve Bradley confirmed these diversions occurred with little or no notice. As a result, Into the West has called on Derry City and Strabane District Council to intervene in the situation.

Mr Bradley added: It is deeply concerning that Translink thinks it is acceptable to reduce Derry to an irrelevant spur line whenever Belfast folk fancy a day at the seaside.

This farcical situation wouldnt happen anywhere else in Ireland or Britain but because different rules seem to apply in NI, the needs of the bucket and spade brigade east of the Bann are elevated above those of NIs second city. This has come hot on the heels of the recent fiasco with Translinks special train for Derry GAA supporters, which only ran from Belfast.

There is clearly something wrong within Translink management when it thinks it is acceptable to always treat Derry as a second-class destination and their lowest priority.

We have tried to raise this issue directly with Translink management ourselves, but have not received a response. We have therefore written to the Mayor and Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council to request it formally expresses its dissatisfaction to Translink and demand change, said Mr Bradley.

Into the West has also sought a meeting with Infrastructure Minister John ODowd in order to raise the issue.

Mr Bradley said: It is time those in power intervened to stop the blatant and continual discrimination against rail services in the west of Northern Ireland.

Into The West is particularly concerned changing scheduled services at short notice will undermine faith in rail at a time when it continues to grow in popularity West of the Bann. Derry receives a significantly worse quality of rail service than every station east of the Bann does on the same line. Yet despite that, passenger numbers from the city continue to grow.

Derry is ranked as Northern Ireland's 9th busiest rail station in 2021 to 2022, up from 17th place in only five years. This shows the huge potential that exists for rail in the North West, yet everything Translink does appears designed to stifle that growth.

People will not use rail from Derry if they think it will involve changing trains and long waits, so Translink must now publicly commit to ending this policy of diverting Derry-Belfast trains to Portrush. It is time for Translink to stop this clear regional bias, and genuinely work to make rail a more attractive travel option from the north-West instead, said Steve Bradley.

Into the West pointed out this route change only happens sporadically, and seemingly whenever Translink decides that the number of passengers looking to travel to Portrush has reached an unspecified level.

The rail campaigners said it was unclear on what basis Translink made the decision to re-route trains, and how far in-advance they choose to do so.

The group fears therefore fears, if it is a sunny day in July or August, Translink will decide at short notice to divert some Belfast rail services to and from Portush instead of Derry, reducing Northern Irelands second city to what it described as "the status of an inconvenient after-thought.

In recent days, Into The West was contacted by rail users whose trains to Derry were re-routed to Portrush with little notice and who found themselves stranded in Coleraine.

Some disgruntled passengers took to social media to air their frustrations.

Twitter user Brian Bridges (@BridgesBB), a Research Director at Magee Campus, tweeted on Thursday, July 21: My train between Belfast (8:15 departure) and Derry ended up becoming the seaside express to Portrush and Im waiting for 50 minutes at Coleraine, as are lots of other Derry passengers. No clear explanations from Translink NI.

So, my train between Belfast (8.15 departure) & Derry ended up becoming the seaside express to Portrush and I'm waiting for 50 mins at Coleraine, as are lots of other Derry passengers. I'm sure staff on ground doing their best, but no clear explanations @Translink_NI @RailDerry  Brian Bridges (@BridgesBB) July 21, 2022

When Translink responded to say it was due to a signalling problem, Mr Bridges disputed the explanation and added: Its happened to me quite a few times before on this route and its also affected many colleagues. What often compounds the issue is that passengers are invariably left to wait for the next train approximately one hour later.

Thanks, has happened to me a few times this year, so have replied to them!  Brian Bridges (@BridgesBB) July 28, 2022

Another Twitter user (@oneill_shaun) used the train to come to Derry for the Maritime Festival and had to change and wait at Coleraine.

I was on the train and it was a shambles. In like sardines and most passengers acting like vultures. Lost over two hours of a five hour trip due to delays. I spent as much time waiting in coleraine as I did at the event in Derry. Staff not informed.  Shaun ONeill (@oneill_shaun) July 22, 2022

He tweeted I was on the train and it was a shambles. Lost over two hours of a five hour trip due to delays.

"Staff not informed.

He concluded that the experience had ruined our day in Derry".
The US ambassador to the UK has called for further negotiations to find a way to make the Northern Ireland Protocol work.

Jane Hartley said indecision is never a positive when it comes to economic investment, as she spoke of the importance of finding a resolution to the current deadlock.

Her comments come amid a breakdown in relations between London and Brussels over the UK Governments controversial plan to pass legislation at Westminster which would empower ministers to unilaterally rip up the bulk of the protocol.

Ms Hartley called for further talks on the post-Brexit Irish Sea trading arrangements for the sake of Northern Ireland.

She told Times Radio: What were saying is please have conversations and get this dialogue going again.

There has to be a way that both sides can come to some agreement, you know, and negotiation and negotiation, everybody always has to give a little.

But this is an important time. The Good Friday Agreement, it will be 25 years in April. We want what we see up there  the peace, prosperity and security  to continue.

What we would urge is, please, this is not, were not part of this negotiation, but we would urge please sit down, sit down privately, and lets see if theres a way to make this work for both sides.

It was put to her that it sounds as though she wants the negotiations to continue and that the US is not therefore necessarily supporting the EU in its legal action against the UK.

She replied: I dont want to comment on the EU, but our key commitment, our key statement here, our key policy, what were really proposing privately and publicly, is sit down and lets figure out how we can make this work for the sake of Northern Ireland, for the sake of the economy, for prosperity, for security  its important.

Indecision is never a positive in terms of economic investment and things like that.

Meanwhile, Ms Hartley said the White House sees its relationship with the UK as its key relationship.

She told Times Radio: The relationship between the UK and the US is deep and its strong.

And its not just president to prime minister, its throughout all of our government.

Theres no other partner, no other ally, that we work with as closely, whether it be intelligence, security, military, and obviously the importance of economics on both sides of the Atlantic.
A number of families who were bereaved in the IRAs bombing of Claudy are continuing legal action against the Catholic Church.

Nine people were killed on August 31, 1972 when three car bombs devastated the County Derry village.

It was blamed on the Provisional IRA, but the terror group has never claimed responsibility.

No one has ever been charged in connection with the Claudy bombing.

Relatives of three of the victims  William Watson Temple, 16, David Miller, 60, and James McClelland, 64  took legal action against the PSNI, the Northern Ireland Office and the Catholic Church in 2013.

It came after a Police Ombudmans report in 2010 found that a Catholic priest, the late Father James Chesney, was a suspect.

The report said police, the state and the Catholic Church covered up his suspected role in the bombing.

Fr Chesney was transferred to a parish in Co Donegal, outside the jurisdiction, following secret talks between then Secretary of State William Whitelaw and the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Cardinal William Conway.

In 2021 the PSNI and Northern Ireland Office (NIO) agreed confidential settlements without an admission of liability.

Kevin Winters of the law firm KRW Law which is representing those families said the case against the Catholic Church is continuing.

He told the PA news agency: I can confirm the case against the church is fixed for October this year.

The case did settle on confidential terms against the NIO and PSNI late last year but the families still wanted to pursue the case in so far as it related to the church.

This part of the case has been and will continue to be fully contested as the Church doesnt accept it has any civil liability for the activities of deceased priest Fr Chesney.
Detectives investigating the death of a man in Ballymena have arrested a 29-year-old on suspicion of murder.

The body of Victor Hamilton was discovered in Orkney Drive in the Co Antrim town on Wednesday morning.

Police confirmed the 63-year-old was found dead in the driveway of his home.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness, of the PSNI, said: The man was arrested just after 11.30am this morning in the Spring Meadows area of Armagh.

He is currently being questioned in the serious crime suite at Musgrave police station in Belfast.

Our detectives investigating the murder of Victor Hamilton, have arrested a 29 year old male on suspicion of murder. pic.twitter.com/iNeiuGHCM7  Police Mid and East Antrim (@PSNIMEADistrict) July 28, 2022

While our investigation is ongoing, I would still urge anyone with information or anyone who was in the Orkney Drive area of Ballymena on Tuesday night into the early hours of Wednesday morning to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference 273 of July 27.

Id like to thank the local community in the Orkney Drive and surrounding area for their ongoing support.

I also want to reassure the community that detectives will continue to have a presence in the area alongside local policing colleagues as our investigation continues.

Police and forensic officers were on the estate throughout Wednesday and Thursday and a white forensic tent was erected at the front of Mr Hamiltons property.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Noel Williams, expressed his condolences.

He said: I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Victor Hamilton in Ballymena.

My thoughts are with his family and friends, and I wish everyone connected with Victor strength and comfort at this difficult time.

I appeal for anybody with any information regarding this sad loss of life to contact the PSNI.

A vigil in memory of Mr Hamilton took place on Thursday evening. It will leave the Ballykeel Pentecostal Church and walk towards his home.

Pastor Thomas Todd, from the church, said: I didnt really know the victim, I would probably have said hello to him on a couple of occasions.

He had been in the area for a while, but I dont know when he arrived into the estate.

There is shock in the estate and disbelief.

Ballykeel is like any estate, a lot of people who are close-knit who watch out for each other.

To have something like this happen, it leaves people with a lot of questions.

Ballymena SDLP councillor Eugene Reid said local people are shocked at the news.

Obviously the gentleman involved is known to them and they are upset that this has happened, he told the BBC.

It is a tragedy and its something that we never want to see happening.

We would encourage anyone with information to bring that to the PSNI to ensure they can come to some conclusion in regards to this tragic event.
An inquest for a teenage boy shot dead by soldiers on the day internment was introduced in Northern Ireland is set to be heard by the end of the year.

Desmond Healey, 14, was killed in disputed circumstances during rioting in the Lenadoon area of west Belfast on August 9 1971.

Soldiers from D Company of the Parachute Regiment were involved in the fatal incident.

A short preliminary hearing took place on Thursday.

The court heard that the coroner is hoping to secure archive news footage from the time ahead of the full inquest.

It was also confirmed that a public interest immunity hearing on applications by the state to have certain materials withheld from the inquest will be held on November 3.

The full inquest into the teenagers death remains on track to be heard in Banbridge courthouse across two weeks in December.

It will be presided over by coroner Maria Dougan.

Rioting flared in nationalist and republican areas across Northern Ireland in August 1971 in response to the introduction of the controversial policy of internment without trial.

Desmond died during a day of bloodshed in the wider west Belfast area as soldiers moved in to arrest and internee suspected IRA members.

The Ballymurphy series of shootings, which saw ten people shot and fatally injured over the course of three days, started on the same day.

Members of the Parachute Regiment were also involved in those shootings.

Soldiers from D Company were also involved in another fatal shooting on August 9. Two hours before Desmond was killed, Francis McGuinness, 17, was shot dead during disturbances on Finaghy Road North.

The next preliminary hearing has been scheduled for August 25.
Gulu Gulu was released on Jul 29, 2022 and was directed by Rathna Kumar .This movie is 2 hr 2 min in duration and is available in Tamil language. Santhanam, Athulya Chandra, Namita Krishnamurthy, Pradeep Ram Singh Rawat, George Mariyan, Boxer Dheena, Lollu Sabha Maaran, Seshu, TSR, Bipin and Harish Uthaman are playing as the star cast in this movie. Gulu Gulu is available in Comedy, Romance and Adventure genres.

Gulu Gulu Storyline

Gulu Gulu is an action-comedy movie that revolves around a group of three boys and one girl who ask an expert traveller for some help to save their friend, who has been kidnapped. Gulu Gulu revolves around the life of a nomad junkie who knows it all and has travelled a lot. He has gained immense life experience in the process. He knows 13 languages and wouldn't refuse if someone asks him for help. He is called Google, as he knows everything, however sometimes he ends up giving wrong results which leads to complete chaos.

There is a traveller called Matilda, who has come all the way from France to see her father. Her stepbrothers are furious over her return and want to kill her. At the same time, a group of four friends hatch a plan to kidnap their friend. However, their plan goes wrong and they have to ask Googles help. The story is hilarious and very unique. There is complete chaos due to Googles antics who pretends to know it all. The movie has dark humour and will make you laugh. Will Google be able to help find the kidnapped person? Watch the movie to find out.
In the race to deploy 5G services in the country, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Adani Data Networks are all intensely bidding for 72GHz of total spectrum allocation worth at least Rs 4.3 lakh crore to the Indian government.

If you have a 5G-enabled smartphone, and you want to understand some of the nitty-gritties of the 5G spectrum and various frequency bands involved, keep reading

What are Indias 5G spectrum bands?

In case you didnt know, the Indian 5G spectrum for auction includes 600MHz, 700MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz, 2500MHz, 3300MHz, and 26GHz bands. These are nothing but wireless radio wave frequencies used for telecommunication services.

Also Read: Day 2 Of 5G Spectrum Auction: Indian Telcos Spent Over 1.45 Lakh Crores And Counting

These Indian 5G spectrum bands are categorized as low, mid and high frequency bands based on their, well, frequency range. For example, the low band comprises all frequency ranges below 1GHz  600MHz, 700MHz, 800MHz, and 900MHz.

Between 1GHz to 6GHz are the mid band frequencies comprising 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz, 3300MHz spectrum frequencies. And the high frequency bands fall between 26GHz to 40GHz in the mmWave range  great for high-bitrate data transfer over very short distances, one of the biggest promises of 5G to be honest.

Why does the 700MHz band matter for 5G coverage in India?

On the first day of Indias 5G spectrum auction, the 700MHz band of spectrum received bids for over Rs 39,000 crore by all four Indian telecom operators across all 22 circles of the country  thats close to 30-percent of all the bids submitted totalling over 1.4 lakh crore.

In fact, by early estimated reports, the 700MHz band is proving to be the most expensive piece of 5G spectrum going under the hammer.

Also Read: 5G Spectrum Auction Began Today In India: Reliance Jio And Airtel Major Bidders

So why is this single band of 700MHz frequency getting so much attention from the likes of Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel in Indias 5G deployment race? According to experts, this 700MHz band is going to be crucial for wide-spread, uninterrupted 5G data transmission in the country.

Its simple physics: radio waves with lower frequencies travel further through obstacles without degrading than waves with higher frequencies. Hence, the 700MHz band is being eyed by Indian 5G service providers with a lot of interest, because it is important to ensure 5G network services reach far and wide in every corner of the country without having to deploy a lot of signal towers (which will add to the infrastructure costs of telecom operators).

Analysts on 700MHz bands importance for Indian 5G

Several industry analysts believe that the 700MHz band is indispensable for Indias 5G future, because its ideal for 100% coverage in high-density areas and deep data networks of the country.

According to a report in the Economic Times, Pulkit Pandey, Principal Analyst at Gartner, said interest in the 700MHz band "indicates the communications service providers (CSPs) are focusing on enhanced indoor coverage, where the 700MHz band could play a crucial role."

Whats more, spectrum in the 700MHz frequency band has never been allocated for bidding until now. According to government officials quoted by CNBCTV18, approximately 40-percent of the 720MHz band has been sold in the Indian 5G auction.

The mid-band frequencies (1GHz to 6GHz) will help Indian telecom operators to strike a balance between coverage and high-speed data transmission, and a lot of Indian smartphone 5G data traffic is expected to fall in this mid-band frequencies. No wonder 5G smartphones being sold in India are touting support for the n78 5G band (3300-3800MHz), in case you didnt notice.

When will 5G services begin in India?

According to Indian Telecom and IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the spectrum allocation process to the four Indian telecom operators is expected to wrap up before August 15  Indian Independence Day  and 5G services deployment to begin from as early as September 2022.

Devroop Dhar, Co-Founder and Board Member, Primus Partners, estimates India to have 500 million 5G subscribers by 2027, according to an ET report. But for that to happen, companies need to look beyond just the 5G spectrum and invest in their backbone infrastructure, he argued.

With only about 30-percent of the towers fiberised and less than 7-percent of households connected through fibre, companies must not simply focus on the spectrum but also give the same importance to the subsequent infrastructure," Dhar said.

What do you think about the Indian 5G spectrum auctions? Are you looking forward to using 5G data services on your 5G-enabled smartphone or are you happy with 4G data speeds? Let us know in the comments below, and keep reading Digit.in for more daily tech news, reviews and updates.
Google Pixel 6a and Pixel Buds Pro have gone on sale in India for the first time and are available to purchase from Flipkart. The Pixel 6a went up for pre-orders from July 21 in India and anyone looking to buy it can go on Flipkart and get it with launch offers. We reviewed the Pixel 6a and found it to be a stellar performer, particularly in two areas: Software and Cameras, but its not like it doesnt have some downfalls. Read our Pixel 6a review to find out whether it makes sense to buy the Pixel 6a at Rs 43,999 (Rs 41,999 with the launch offer).

Google Pixel 6a: Pricing, sale and launch offers

The Google Pixel 6a is priced at Rs 43,999 in India with the open sale commencing from July 28 on Flipkart.

As part of the launch offers, Flipkart is offering a Rs 2,000 instant discount on Axis bank credit and debit card transactions, upto Rs 1500 discount for SBI Credit Cardholders and 5% cashback on Flipkart Axis Bank cards.

Moreover, everyone who buys the Pixel 6a is also eligible to get the Google Nest Hub at Rs 4,999, Fitbit Inspire 2 at Rs 4,999, and Pixel Buds A-series at Rs 4,999 and Nest mini at Rs 1,999. Theres an exchange offer going on as well which offers upto Rs 19,000 off on the exchange of your old phone and an extra Rs 2,000 off on the exchange of select smartphones.

Google Pixel 6a specifications

The Google Pixel 6a features a 6.1-inch Full HD+ resolution OLED display with a punch-hole notch cutout in the centre and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The phone has a metal frame with a plastic back. It measures 8.99 mm in thickness and weighs 178 grams. Additionally, it's also IP67 rated making it dust and water resistant.

The Pixel 6a is powered by the Tensor chip and is paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. It runs on Android 12 out of the box.

The Pixel 6a has dual 12MP cameras on the back. The main sensor offers an f/1.7 aperture with OIS while the secondary ultra-wide sensor offers 114-degree FOV. The rear cameras can record in 4K at upto 60FPS and theres an 8MP selfie camera on the front.

It also features stereo speakers, and an in-display fingerprint reader and is equipped with a 4,410mAh battery that supports 18W charging speeds.




By Lee Yeon-woo







Hanwha Aerospace underwrote a donation of 1 million dollars to the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation Korea (KUSAF) and the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) to enhance the Korea-U.S. alliance, the company said, Thursday.







Hanwha Aerospace CEO Shin Hyun-woo, KDVA President Vincent Brooks, KUSAF President Jung Seung-jo, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-shik, and Commander Paul LaCamera of the United States Forces Korea attended the signing ceremony held in the Mayflower Hotel, Washington D.C., Wednesday (local time).







This event was held right after the dedication ceremony celebrating the completion of the Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., honoring U.S. troops and Korean Augmentation Troops to the U.S. Army (KATUSA) who died during the Korean War.







"Hanwha has been sponsoring both organizations to strengthen the alliance between Korea and the United States. We feel glad to continue the work," Shin said.







Hanwha Group  especially its defense units such as Hanwha Aeropspace  has made donations to the KUSAF and KDVA since 2017.







The KDVA was founded in 2017 to support around 3 million veterans and service members of the U.S. Armed Forces in Korea (USFK), ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) and KATUSA. The KUSAF, established in the same year, was founded to support the operations and management of the KDVA while also promoting the Korea-U.S. alliance.






Indias 5G spectrum auction has entered its third and likely the last day with commercial 5G services rollout now closer than ever before. The first 5G auction in India started on Tuesday, July 26 and saw telecom giants Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vi (Vodafone Idea) take part in the bidding alongside newcomer Adani Data Networks.

The first day of 5G auctions attracted over Rs 1.45 lakh crore worth of bids and it went up to Rs 1.49 lakh crore at the end of the second day but thats majorly because the prices of some bands increased on Day 2.

Also Read: Day 2 Of 5G Spectrum Auction: Indian Telcos Spent Over 1.45 Lakh Crores And Counting

Nevertheless, Reliance Jio has seemingly spent the most in the 5G auction and has purchased multiple mid and high-frequency bands worth Rs 84,300 crores. Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel and Vi have limited their spending to Rs 46,100 crore and Rs 18,400 crore for mid and high-bands and have reportedly skipped the 700MHz band which was popular pick on the second day.

"700 MHz has seen a good response, it has been sold this time. Good response in other low and mid bands as well," Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the media on Wednesday.

As per the Indian governments plan, 5G spectrum allotment will begin soon after the auction concludes and telecos will be allotted the respective bands till mid-August. Furthermore, commercial 5G services are expected to begin in September-October in India with high-speed 5G telecom services expected to roll out by the end of 2022.

Also Read: India 5G Spectrum Explained: Why 700MHz Band Matters For Best 5G Coverage
Let's go to Liberty Bank with ULI!

The fairly new Liberty Bank Building, developed by Community Roots Housing, has been an important anchor at 23rd and Union, since opening three years ago. The design by Mithun has picked up its share of awards and honors. Now the local chapter of the Urban Land Institute is offering a tour on Aug. 11 for the 115-unit affordable housing project. One of the commercial tenants, the restaurant Communion, will provide the finger food for the post-tour happy hour. The tour begins at 4 p.m. Details and registration: northwest.uli.org. The ULI is also planning upcoming tours of Solis, on Capitol Hill, and HopeWorks Station North, up in Everett.




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SEATTLE  The Mod Apartments, at 6559 35th Ave. N.E., sold for a bit over $32.2 million, according to King County records.

The seller was SKS Courtyard II LLC, which is associated with local investors who acquired the property in 2017 for about $25.7 million.





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BELLEVUE  A small medical office building at 12310 N.E. Eighth St. in Bellevue sold for $5.1 million, according to King County records.

The seller was Hilltop Group LLC, which acquired the property in 2002 for nearly $1.2 million.





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President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers congratulatory remarks at the launch ceremony for the Jeongjo The Great destroyer at a Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan, 307 kilometers southeast of Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap



President Yoon Suk-yeol traveled to the southeastern port city of Ulsan on Thursday to celebrate the launch of a new 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer, calling it a "national strategic asset" amid his administration's push to strengthen maritime security.



Yoon and first lady Kim Keon-hee attended the launch ceremony for the Jeongjo The Great destroyer, named after a visionary king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), which took place at a Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan, 307 kilometers southeast of Seoul.



"Jeongjo The Great, the Navy's first 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer, will further strengthen the Navy's combat capabilities as a national strategic asset based on a cutting-edge combat system that is equipped with the ability to detect, track and intercept ballistic missiles," Yoon said in congratulatory remarks.



"We can become an economic power only if we have the capability of a maritime power that defends itself at sea," he continued, noting that 99.7 percent of the country's trade volume is transported by sea.



"We will build strong maritime security in order that the people can safely carry out economic activities at sea," he added.






Dundalk Chamber recently hosted, for the first time, a meeting of the Chief Executives of the individual Chambers within Chambers Ireland.

The meeting was hosted by Dr Michael Mulvey, President DkIT. Paddy Malone as Chair of DkIT and PRO of Dundalk Chamber welcomed the participants.

Dr Mulvey and Mr Malone were given the opportunity to outline DkIT and its role within the region.

Dr Mulvey highlighted the role of education and support to all business in the region from specific courses and modules through to carrying on research. He further said it was a target to achieve Technical University status in the future and that DkIT would meet all targets in September.

Paddy Malone also took the opportunity to explain the significance of The M1 Corridor and the fact that it was the Chambers, Drogheda Dundalk and Newry who lobbied for it.

He further explained that Louth County Council through LEO support www.M1 CORRIDOR.IE in partnership with the Dundalk and Drogheda Chambers both of whom contribute both time and money to it.

There was also a tour of the Cooley peninsula, on the evening before.

The day concluded with a tour of DkIT were the Dundalk representatives were congratulated on the campus and range of courses and research that is being carried on site.

The meeting itself covered a wide range of topics including Banking, cost of living, the forthcoming Budget, housing and internal matters. Brian Hayes, Irish Banking Federation was the main speaker and led a robust discussion.
Four Star Pizza's new CEO Colin Hughes has named Dundalk as a possible location for one of 45 new stores to be opened by the company over the next three years.

Following a root-and-branch review of the Irish-owned pizza chains business, Mr Hughes has identified several areas for potential growth and Dundalk features high on the list of targeted towns.

Established in 1986, Four Star Pizza currently operates 42 outlets in the Republic of Ireland and 14 in Northern Ireland but plans to bring its total number of stores to more than 100 by 2025  targeting 27 new stores in the Republic and a further 18 in the North.

An average of 20 jobs per store will see the company create a total of 900 plus new jobs during this period.

Now the food giant is on the hunt for ambitious local entrepreneurs who would like to earn a crust and grab a slice of success with one of the countrys largest pizza companies.

According to Colin Hughes, interested parties do not need any previous pizza experience as Four Star Pizza will provide all the necessary training in food preparation, accounts, customer service, delivery and marketing.

Our ultimate goal is for virtually everyone in Ireland, north and south, to have access to a local Four Star Pizza outlet, and we have identified Dundalk as a strong potential location, said Hughes.

With this in mind, we are encouraging any local entrepreneurs with a good head for business to consider joining our growing franchisee network in Ireland and becoming part of a progressive company with a very strong brand.

Were offering candidates an opportunity, in just a few months, to run their own business, built around a highly successful model and with all the support you need from a team of business experts to help you to recruit, manage, grow and thrive in your area.

Becoming a Four Star Pizza franchisee requires a lot of commitment but we are here to help and we offer an extensive training programme to enable franchisees to reach the required levels in terms of operations, marketing and customer service, he continued.

So if any talented business brains in the area fancy a new challenge and think they have what it takes to run their own Four Star Pizza business, wed be very happy to hear from them.

Even if someone is currently running another franchise but is thinking of a change, we would encourage them to get in touch to hear about our exciting plans, added Colin.

The timeframe for Four Stars expansion includes the opening of four new stores this year with a further 16 in 2023 and 25 more in 2024.

Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a Four Star Pizza franchisee can do so on https://fourstarpizza.ie/franchisee-opportunity/ or by sending an introductory email to info@fourstarpizza.ie, or calling the company on 01 7037300.
About 100 Ukrainian refugees have been temporarily housed at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this week as the State struggles to find enough emergency beds for those fleeing the war.

It is understood the refugees were put up on camp beds at the stadium for one week and will be moving to alternative accommodation on Friday.

There are no plans for the arrangement at the Aviva to be extended, but it is believed similar arena-style sporting facilities will be considered for emergency shelter use in the coming months.

It emerged earlier this month that Ireland had run out of state accommodation for arriving Ukrainian refugees  resulting in Ukrainians being temporarily housed in tents at the Gormanston military camp in Co Meath.

Sixty refugees are being housed at the army camp this week.

The old Dublin Airport terminal was also being used for emergency accommodation, but it ceased to be used by the State as of Thursday.

To date, Ireland has taken in around 42,000 refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine  the majority of them are women and children.

At present some 32,000 people are being accommodated, the majority of whom are staying in serviced accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses.

Every day about 130 more Ukrainian refugees arrive into the country.

Over the summer, the Government used 5,000 student accommodation beds to put up some of the refugees.

But over the coming weeks the number of these beds in use will reduce as students return to use them for the coming academic year.

Religious buildings, modular homes and vacant properties are some of the other accommodation options being examined by the Government.

Repurposing some vacant buildings for long-term use as homes for refugees is under way but it is understood it is proving to be a slow process.

Another issue which is proving to be problematic is finding people to run facilities and provide all the supports needed  such as catering, maintenance, security, and wellbeing support for long-term residents.
HEFEIWhile browsing a secondhand book store online in October, Xu, 27, came across a photo and a certificate of Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs killed in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53).

According to the certificate, the martyr named Tian Chunshan came from a village in Central China's Hunan province. Born in 1924, Tian joined the army in November 1949 and died in 1951.

There are two people in the photo, and one of them could be Tian, said Xu, who spent 1,500 yuan ($222) buying the certificate and the photo.

"The moment I saw the record and the attached photo, I decided to return it to his family," said Xu, from Funan county of East China's Anhui province.

Early in the morning on June 14, Xu embarked on a journey to the city of Huaihua in Hunan to look for the martyr's family, taking him more than 1,000 kilometers from his home.

It took Xu more than 10 hours to reach Huaihua by train. He rented a car to continue his trip in the mountainous area until he arrived at the place suggested in the certificate.

"Do you happen to know Tian Chunshan?" Xu asked an old man he bumped into near a local reservoir, showing him the photo at the same time.

Surprisingly, the elderly man in his 80s responded with a positive answer, referring to the man on the left in the photo.

"I only saw him once when I was young. Four people from my village went to the war," said the old man, surnamed Zhou.

Tian never got married, and his mother and his brother died a long time ago. Only his nephew still lives in the village, Xu discovered.

Xu then managed to return the martyr certificate and the photo to the nephew after confirming the information with the local bureau of veteran affairs.

To thank Xu for what he did, the nephew offered him some money, but Xu rejected it. Instead, Xu asked to take a photo with the family before he left.

"It was such a relief when I handed the things to the martyr's family," Xu recalled.

"My grandfather's elder brother died in the war at the age of 27. I heard about his stories many times when I was little, but never saw a photo of him."

His recording of the journey has racked up over 220 million views so far on microblogging site Weibo.

On China's short-video platform Douyin, Xu has received more than 549,000 likes so far.

"Helping a martyr return home is a journey that should be remembered forever," commented a netizen on the video.

The journey has struck a chord with many readers. "Many people have praised what I did, but my act is nothing compared with what the martyrs did. They are true heroes," said Xu.
Kang Shin-ub, head of first lady's fan club, speaks during a press conference in front of Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Screenshot from Kang Shin-ub's YouTube channel



By Lee Hae-rin



Attorney Kang Shin-ub, the founder and president of first lady Kim Keon hee's fan club, "Keon-hee sarang," or "love for Keon-hee," said on Thursday that he will step down from the post.



During a press conference in front of Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, Kang said he is resigning as the leader of the fan club for the sake of the nation and the Korean public, rather than for President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife Kim.



Noting that he created the first lady's fan club in November last year, when Yoon was a presidential candidate of the People Power Party, to help the couple, Kang said he has changed his mind.



"I still feel that I need to protect them, but reached the conclusion that I could gain more if I step back," he said.



He didn't specify what he could gain through his resignation.



The outspoken lawyer has been at the center of controversy several times for his politically motivated speeches and open criticism of some politicians, including PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok.



His controversial comments troubled first lady Kim. Earlier, Kim circulated text messages to her acquaintances that Kang didn't represent her, and thus what he had said is his own view and not hers.



Even after stepping down, he said he will "unconditionally protect the Yoon administration and first lady Kim as a fan, as a Korean citizen, and as an attorney."



His resignation came days after he was embroiled in controversy for his divisive remarks on politicians and political issues. Lawyer Shin Pyong said because of Kang, first lady Kim became troubled.



"He is stuck with the curse of Keon-hee, not love for the first lady," he said. "Whenever he says something, the media refers to him as the president of the first lady's fan club. This shackled the first lady and put a lot of pressure on her as opposed to helping her. He is the man who puts the first lady in trouble," Shin said.



Shin added that other fan club members must distance themselves from Kang if they really support the first lady.






Prosecution investigators raided the gender ministry on Thursday as part of an investigation into allegations that officials from the previous administration assisted the then ruling party in devising campaign pledges ahead of the presidential election earlier this year.







Investigators from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office seized documents from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family building in central Seoul over alleged Public Official Election Act violations.







The investigation centers around allegations that former ranking ministry officials assisted the then ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) in making the draft of campaign pledges ahead of the March 9 election, in violation of the law that prohibits public officials from using their status to engage in activities that can affect the election result.







The investigation comes after the country's election watchdog, the National Election Commission (NEC), lodged criminal complaints against former Vice Minister Kim Kyung-seon and a ranking ministry official under the previous Moon Jae-in administration.







The NEC alleges the former vice minister was directly involved in the development of the draft at the request of a DP research official, whose identity has been withheld. (Yonhap)






The students at Osmania University (OU) are demanding that the varsity release a notification for PhD admission immediately. They are also upset about the universitys decision to do away with the interview criteria of the admission process. On July 26, Tuesday, the students called for a bandh but the protests have not ceased till now.



The students have alleged that the university has not released any PhD admission notification for the last five years. A quick peek into the official website of OU confirms that the last of the PhD admissions took place in 2017 at the university. There have been no PhD admissions in the last six years. So the students are protesting, said Srisailam Veeramalla, National Executive Council Member of ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) at OU.



The students have formed a Joint Admission Committee (JAC) at the university. Vislavath Ashok Naik, Head of JAC, and a PhD aspirant himself, said, The Vice-Chancellor has been delaying the admission notice for the last four years. In the first two years, the notice was delayed and not published. Then, there was COVID-19 for the last two years. And this year also there is no notice yet. All the students are asking for the admission notice to be immediately released.



The students informed that the protest was being staged by all PhD aspirants and that no particular student organisation was involved. However, all the student organisations are supporting the demonstrations. We will continue to protest till the university releases the PhD admission notification, Ashok said.



What's new this year?

The issue is not limited only to the delay in admissions. This year, as per many media reports, the university plans to do away with the interview criteria and instead introduce a common entrance test for the PhD admissions. Students have confirmed this as well. The PhD aspirants are demanding that the university release the admission notification, as per the old criteria, which was followed in 2017 and before.



As per a report in Telangana Today, an OU official stated, When interviews for Group-I recruitment have been done away with, why cant the PhD admissions be done without interviews? The plan is to do PhD admissions purely on the basis of the merit secured by candidates in the entrance examination. In addition, weightage to marks obtained by candidates during their UG and PG are also being examined to grant PhD admission. There will be no scope for favouritism towards certain students if interviews are removed.



Though the move seems to be well-intentioned, it has upset the students. The students do not want a purely merit-based criterion for admissions. Additionally, according to another notification mentioned by Telangana Today, the varsity will not consider the UGC (University Grants Commission) NET or SET exam scores under this new criterion.



There are limited seats for PhD in the university as it is. And there are already many students from the varsity waiting over the years for admission. A common entrance test facilitates students from Open and Distance Learning institutes to opt for admission here. Also, OU and KU (Kakatiya University) are the only two universities in Telangana that offer PhD courses. KU had also delayed the PhD admissions, but it resumed them last year. OU is yet to do so. We thus want the old admission criteria for our students, says Hari Krishna, a member of AISF (All India Students Federation) at OU.



The Vice-Chancellor speaks

EdexLive got in touch with Professor D Ravinder Yadav, Vice-Chancellor of OU, regarding the matter. He said, PhD isnt an easy programme. The students have to do extensive research and only after five to six years they can be granted the PhD degree. Since it takes such a long time to complete, we have to wait for three to four years before we can take up a new PhD batch. The vacancies are also limited for PhD scholars in the departments. So previously, we took a bold decision to cancel the PhD admissions for two years. And then COVID-19 came, because of which there was education loss.



The students are demanding that a notification be released. And we shall release the notice very soon, he acknowledged. But he hinted that, at the moment, it does not seem possible. When we asked him what is changing with the new admission criteria, Prof Ravinder declined to answer.



The police stepped in

On the other hand, Ravi Naik, a PhD aspirant, and member of SFI (Students Federation of India) said, Osmania University has received an A+ accreditation from NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). An A+ accreditation means that the university has to take in PhD admissions every year. This is according to the UGC norms. But Osmania has violated these norms. Its decision to do away with the interview criteria and introduce a common entrance test is also not in sync with the UGC guidelines.



They said that the departments do not have vacancies. And professors were retiring every month, so there's a shortage of faculty. We suggested asking alumni professors to rejoin in respective departments to create vacancies and do away with faculty shortages. We also suggested that the government degree lecturers be promoted in time to solve the problem. This is also specified in the UGC guidelines, he added.



But the VC and the administration said that they cannot implement these suggestions. They said that they cannot ask alumni professors to join. They also told that we can go and request them, if we like. Now, how can we students take these decisions? How can we ask the professors to rejoin? It is the administration that has to take the necessary steps and get in touch with the retired professors, Ravi said further.



The PhD aspirant also alleged that the VC was ready to give the students an appointment to discuss the matter. Last week, on Saturday (July 23), a group of students took a representation to the VCs office. But they were told that the VC is in a meeting and were asked to wait. They waited for two hours, from 3-5 pm. But the VC did not turn up. When the students demanded to meet the VC, the police was called and they were arrested, Ravi said. He alleged that students were manhandled, And because of this incident, a bandh was called on Tuesday to show support for the students, he stated.



About 50-100 students had staged the demonstration at the VCs office. We also called for the bandh because we were unhappy with the VC calling the police to the university. It is a matter between the students and the administration. Why involve the police in it? asked Naresh, another member of AISF.



After the bandh, yesterday evening, the VC called a collaborative meeting with the DCP (Deputy Commissioner of Police) and the students, Naresh informed. The DCP asked the students about their problems and a discussion took place, Ravi added.



However, the students stated that despite this, there is still no update from the university regarding the admission notice. Hari Krishna said that the protests were still going on. There are, however, no planned strikes and the students are said to be organising programmes as per the demand of the situation. We are planning to organise a press meet regarding the issue this evening, Naresh said.




US soy checkoff farmer-leaders approve investments to drive demand for US soybeans

The farmer-leaders of the United States' United Soybean Board (USB) convened for its summer board meeting on July 26-27 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to approve a 2023 fiscal year budget of US$123 million for programme work, starting October 1, 2022.

Spanning eight portfolios, these investments in research, education and promotion add value to US soybeans with the goal to build resilience, differentiation and reputation. This portfolio ladders up to USB's new vision of delivering sustainable soy solutions to everyday life.

Investment portfolios will continue the board's work of creating consistent, long-term domestic and global market opportunities to further demand for US-grown soybeans.

"Our thinking, planning and work as a board has become a much more deliberate and idea-driven process, challenging our board members to think big," said USB chair Ralph Lott. "Each portfolio is farmer-directed and works together to create demand for US soybeans across the entire global soy value chain.

"We've successfully shifted from project takers to portfolio makers and the end result is more strategic thinking. The preference for US soybeans grows while farmers continue to see strong ROI on their checkoff dollars."

Investment portfolios are approved by the full board and consist of programmes across Supply and Demand Action Teams driven by the three priority areas of innovation and technology, health and nutrition, and infrastructure and connectivity.

Additionally, FY2023 programmes impact everything from improving production on the farm to expanding markets across animal agriculture, soyfoods and providing a renewable alternative for biofuels and nonfood uses.

Some examples of these soy checkoff investments aim to:

- Enhance soybean cropping system improvement that creates opportunities to reward and support farmers and other value chain participants, including the growth of high oleic soybean production to meet demand for specialty soybeans while providing a farmer premium;

- Further soy's role in the evolving clean energy movement, with investments that support using soybean oil as a feedstock for biodiesel and renewable diesel in marine, rail and on-road applications. Biofuels are the largest industrial use for soybean oil and require investments to reach maximum potential;

- Develop nutrition and health research that distinguishes US soybean meal's value drivers (amino acids and energy), supports animal health, builds evidence that discerns US soybean meal from the competition and strengthens key industry partnerships;

- Encourage commodity partnerships to improve soil health, collaborating with National Corn Growers Association and National Pork Board to implement cover crops on 30 million acres of soybeans and corn by 2030, focused on meeting sustainability goals while improving farmer productivity;

- Grow exports in more than 80 countries through the US Soybean Export Council's strategy to differentiate US soybeans in the global marketplace. USB also partners with the US Meat Export Federation and the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council to promote exports of soy-fed meat, as well as the American Soybean Association's World Initiative for Soy in Human Health to create long-term demand for US soybeans in developing and emerging markets and improve food security;

- Improve best management practices through partnerships that lead to faster, real-time dissemination of pest and disease research findings, such as developing a pesticide and fungicide calculation tool that helps farmers determine regional application thresholds to maximise yield potential;

- Increase focus on fertilisers and biologicals that support farmers and farming system resilience in an uncertain crop input market environment;

- Reach key audiences to elevate the reputation of US soybeans, expanding trust with consumers and helping them develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for how US soybean farmers can deliver sustainable solutions for more than 1,000 renewable products on the market.

"Over the past year, we've changed the way we make investment decisions. The new Value Alignment Committee gives farmer-leaders more input in the types of programmes the checkoff supports," said USB vice chair Meagan Kaiser. "(July 27) marks the culmination of that new process.

"This is a new, exciting direction, and we couldn't be successful without our state and national farmer volunteers and checkoff partners who work diligently on behalf of the 515,000 US soybean farmers. I also want to extend thanks to the Michigan Soybean Committee for hosting this memorable meeting and showcasing the diversity of Michigan agriculture."

- United Soybean Board
By Bernhard J. Seliger





These days, hundred thousands of Koreans follow each week the new suspenseful drama "Money Heist: Join Economic Area," a remake of an extremely successful Spanish drama, "Le casa de papel," in which a group of brilliant thugs rob a mint. Pretending to rob a bank, indeed they print their own money.



In the Korean version, the mint is located in the middle of the "Joint Economic Area," formerly the Joint Security Area or Panmunjeom. According to the Korean remake, both Koreas decided on a confederation type unification scheme, with joint economic activities and joint money.



And the mint, run jointly by a South Korean director and his second from the North, is at the center of it. That allows for a lot of observations on the future potential interaction of North and South Korea, with a surprisingly negative view on the behavior of South Koreans, who are represented as arrogant and ignorant of North Korea at the same time.



And, naturally, this kind of drama does not work without a dose of sex, represented by the beautiful North Korean defector, who plays a center role in the scheme of the money heist. Fiction does not have to follow reality; indeed it would be dull, if it only followed reality. And "Money Heist" is good fiction.



But unfortunately, reality long discarded with the one basic assumption of "Money Heist": Namely, that South Korean wealth has a kind of magic attraction not to the ordinary North Korean citizens, but rather to its elite, and that this money  if only offered in sufficient quantity and with the sufficiently generous mind  can change North Korean politics.



This belief, which ran strong into the last government under President Moon Jae-in, has been the basis for a number of miscalculations regarding North Korea's nuclear program, and indeed the very nature of its regime. In the early 2000s, when North Korea embarked for the second time, and this time in earnest, on its clandestine, and later open pursuit of nuclear weapons, it was the prevailing wisdom of analysts that this was in reality an outcry for more material aid.





A poster of Spanish Netflix original drama, "Money Heist" (Le casa de papel), left, and the Korean remake, "Money Heist: Joint Economic Area" / Courtesy of Netflix
Yoon hit for backbiting suspended party chief



Speaking ill of others behind their backs is not the right thing to do, particularly for those who value public trust the most. So political leaders need to learn what to say and what not to utter. If they don't, their days could be numbered. Yet it still seems difficult for them to maintain their dignity by using refined expressions.



The latest example of such difficulties is President Yoon Suk-yeol's use of backbiting expressions against Lee Jun-seok, the suspended chief of the ruling People Power Party (PPP). The episode took place Tuesday when a text conversation between Yoon and Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, the acting chairman and floor leader of the PPP, was caught on camera by a journalist.



Yoon said in a text message to Kweon, "Our party is doing a good job  It has made a difference since the replacement of the party chair who used to shoot ourselves." The message appeared to reflect Yoon's perception of Lee, whose party membership was suspended for six months from July 8 over his attempt to cover up sexual bribery allegations.



The use of the slandering words was seen as revealing the president's true intention about Lee who has been at odds with Yoon over a set of issues, such as how to nominate a presidential candidate and how to run the campaign headquarters. Yoon might have tried to congratulate Kweon, one of his closest confidants, on assuming the acting chairmanship while taking a swipe at Lee.



The prosecutor general-turned-president apparently implied that he wants to see Lee, the young, inexperienced PPP chairman, step down after the suspension of his party membership. The episode demonstrated that the core member of the pro-Yoon faction in the PPP won the power struggle against Lee and his supporters. This raises a question about whether Yoon has been deeply involved in the factional strife.



The conflict between Yoon and Lee has escalated further. Yoon's text message was more than an insult to Lee, a 37-year-old Harvard graduate who became the party leader in June 2021 to save the PPP which was still reeling from the aftermath of the 2017 impeachment of Park Geun-hye.



Lee did not hesitate to express his displeasure. He quoted a four-character Chinese idiom meaning a vendor selling dog meat while displaying a sheep's head on the shelf. Lee must have felt betrayed after he steered the party toward victory in the March 9 presidential poll and the Jun 1 local elections.



Choi Young-bum, senior presidential secretary for public relations, expressed regret over the incident. However, it was not enough to undo Yoon's defaming text message. It would be better for Yoon to apologize for what he said. The episode cannot and should not be dismissed as a case that private texts were revealed against Yoon or Kweon's will. It is nonsense to argue that privacy should be protected. Yoon and his inner circle should take the episode more seriously and change themselves to end the dog-eat-dog power struggle and embrace their political rivals.










On Wednesday, former Amazon employee Tori Davis and 25 other workers filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging the company forced them to work in a dangerous environment, reports the Chicago Tribune. Davis raised concerns about Amazon's handling of a racist death threat, and claims the retailer fired her after she threatened legal action if it did not address the incident.

In May, workers at the companys MDW2 warehouse in Joliet, Illinois  a city 35 miles outside of Chicago  found two racist messages using the N-word scribbled on the wall of one of the facilitys bathrooms, according to the complaint filed with the EEOC. Davis, who is Black, left work without pay after her co-workers discovered the graffiti. After police investigated the incident, Amazon allegedly sent a text message to staff stating law enforcement did not identify threats to the sites safety."

According to the complaint, Amazon also allowed white employees at MDW2 to wear clothing that displayed the Confederate flag. One individual allegedly had a shirt where workers could see the flag prominently on both the garments back and sleeves.

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Amazon works hard to protect our employees from any form of discrimination and to provide an environment where employees feel safe, an Amazon spokesperson told Engadget. Hate or racism have no place in our society and are certainly not tolerated by Amazon.
Its no secret that the Backbone One is one of the best mobile gaming controllers you can buy. So it should come as no surprise then that the company is partnering with Sony to release a PlayStation version of its accessory for iPhones. The new Backbone One - PlayStation Edition features the same two-tone white and black design as a standard DualSense controller.

The layout of the controller hasnt changed. As before, there are dedicated buttons for launching the Backbone app and capturing gameplay footage. It also retains the asymmetrical stick layout of the standard model. On the bottom of the device, youll find a Lightning port passthrough and a headphone jack for connecting a pair of wired headphones to your iPhone.

Backbone

Most of the more notable changes Backbone has made for PlayStation fans come courtesy of tweaks to the Backbone companion app, which will be available to all Backbone One owners. A new standalone mode allows you to use the software without first connecting the controller to your iPhone. Effectively, that makes it easier to look for new games to try and chat with friends in between play sessions. Backbone is also adding new PlayStation-specific integrations, including a dedicated row highlighting new releases and updates from Sony.

The Backbone One PlayStation Edition is available today from the Backbone website for $99. Like the standard model, it comes with a one-year free trial to Backbone+, which in turn comes with free trials to Discord Nitro, Stadia Pro and, most notably, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. An Android version of the controller will arrive in the fall.
Legislation aimed at boosting US chip production has cleared its last major hurdle. The House of Representatives has passed the CHIPS and Science Act in a 243-187-1 vote, leaving just the reconciliation process and President Biden's signature before the bill becomes law. The equivalent Senate measure passed 64-33 in a vote one day earlier.

The Act is a dialed-down version of previous bills, but promises significant help for American semiconductor manufacturing. It offers more than $52 billion for US chipmakers as well as tax credits for domestic factories. In a statement, the President claimed the bill would lower product costs, create "high-paying" jobs and reduce the country's dependence on foreign chip sources.

Earlier approaches drew objections from both sides of Congress. Republicans were concerned the reconciliation bill would include unrelated climate, health and tax elements. They also said it risked funding Chinese manufacturing. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, meanwhile, has expressed concerns the bill might reward chip manufacturers already rolling in cash, and was the only non-Republican in the Senate to vote against it.

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The CHIPS and Science Act isn't expected to affect production in the short term. It will take companies years to build new factories and otherwise upgrade facilities to tackle chip shortages and improve manufacturing independence. If things play out as its supporters imagine, however, CHIPS will hopefully decrease the severity of future supply chain crunches.
NASA has altered the Mars Sample Return Program meant to bring back the rock samples the Perseverance rover has been drilling and collecting from the Jezero crater in a big way. Instead of sending the Sample Fetch Rover to the red planet like originally planned, the program will make use of Perseverance itself and send over two helicopters based on the Ingenuity for backup.

NASA and the ESA have been working together on the Sample Return Program over the past few years. The original plan was to send over the ESA-made Sample Fetch Rover to retrieve the samples and drive them back to a rocket, which will fly them up to be snatched by the Earth Return Orbiter. As The New York Times notes, though, the rover's design became too big until it could no longer fit in one lander with the return rocket. NASA would have to use one lander for each of them.

But why do that when there are other, more affordable options? The Sample Return Lander isn't scheduled to arrive on Mars until 2030, but NASA is confident that Perseverance will still be operational by then  after all, the Curiosity rover is still up and running almost 11 years after it launched. Under their renewed plan, the Perseverance will drive up to the lander to deliver 30 rock samples that will be loaded onto the rocket.

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If anything goes wrong with Perseverance before then, though, the lander would settle closer to the rover and then the backup helicopters will fly over to retrieve the samples. While the helicopters are modeled after the Ingenuity, they'll have small wheels at the bottom. These will allow them to drive up to the samples that are sealed inside tubes and pick them up from the ground where the rover has dropped them.

The Ingenuity helicopter completed its first test flight on Mars in April 2021. NASA wasn't expecting much from the helicopter, which was just supposed to prove that flight on Mars is possible. It was also only supposed to fly a handful of times during a one-month technology demonstration, but it has accomplished 29 successful flights so far, with more on the way. Ingenuity's success has given NASA another means to retrieve the precious samples Perseverance has been collecting.

Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, the associate administrator for NASA's science directorate, said during the press conference announcing the new Sample Return Program plans:

"We reached our decision based on new studies and recent achievements at Mars that allowed us to consider options that, frankly, werent available to us one year ago or before."

The Earth Return Orbiter and Sample Retrieval Lander will take off in the fall of 2027 and the summer of 2028, respectively. Their journey to and from the red planet will take years, so the samples aren't expected to arrive on Earth until 2033.
Ghosting can hurt, for sure. When someone suddenly cuts off contact, doesnt show up at a date or just unmatches on one of those many dating apps, it sucks. One Filipino lawmaker is trying to make it stop, which could be a tall order. Arnolfo Teves Jr., a member of the Philippine House of Representatives, said ghosting was "a form of emotional cruelty and should be punished as an emotional offense."

The bill  yes theres proposed legislation  doesn't offer specific penalties, but Teves suggested in an interview that community service might work. The bill tries to define a dating relationship as one where the parties live together without being married or are "romantically involved over time and on a continuing basis."

Teves said neither casual acquaintances nor ordinary socialization constitutes a dating relationship. But those are likely the connections that ghost the most. The bill doesnt account for blocking someone without explanation if they're being creepy or threatening, which can often be the case. (Why am I coming across as a regular ghoster / ghostee?) Silently ditching a conversation is usually easier than being honest, sadly. Its not cool, but Im not sure its truly a criminal offense.

 Mat Smith

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The biggest stories you might have missed

The feature should be available this fall.

Google Photos is getting a significant update that has the distinction of first arriving on Chromebooks. Your photo and video library will get a new movie editor and video editing features this fall as part of a Chrome OS update. Youll be able to make videos similar to the highlight clips the app already automatically makes, and select a theme, people or pets you want to feature in it; from there, Google Photos will pull together a movie using video clips and images from your library. Google isnt saying yet if these video editing features will come to the mobile apps for iOS and Android, but Google Photos has usually had feature parity regardless of platform.

Continue reading.

Creative AIs can't be creative without our art.

Midjourney

Generative Artificial Intelligences (GAIs) are systems that create pieces of work to equal the old masters in technique, if not in intent. But theres a problem: These systems are trained on existing material, often using content pulled from the internet, from us.

DALL-E 2, Open AIs system for creating realistic images and art from a description in natural language is the current star of GAIs. A user could enter the phrase teddy bears shopping for groceries in the style of Ukiyo-e, and the model will produce pictures in that style, often to a pretty high standard. But this all prompts several questions on ownership, data biases and the law of art. Engadgets Daniel Cooper explores the future of AI-generated images.

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Plus how to choose one

Samsung

Projectors have come a long way from the clunky, dim models of the past. The latest models are brighter, sharper, more discreet and easier to install than ever. There are a lot of different types of projectors, though, ranging from ultra short throw to portable to long throw. There are also a lot of technical terms, so its the perfect topic for our latest Engadget guide, which explains everything you need to know.

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Overall user figures grew to 433 million, but the company lost $197 million in the quarter.

The music streaming company hasnt yet felt the effects of a looming global recession. Unlike Netflix, which had to report a fall in its overall customer base, Spotify has seen both free and paying accounts grow. It now has 433 million users, up from the 422 million reported at the end of the first quarter. Of those, 188 million pay for Premium, a leap of six million from three months ago. Spotifys plan to pivot toward cheaper forms of audio content, like podcasts and audiobooks, should help to keep new listeners streaming away.

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You can also get a peek at your environment to avoid collisions.

Finally, some early details of PlayStation VR2's software experience, not just the hardware. Sony teased a few key features for its PS5 VR headset, including live streaming support. If you have a PS5 HD Camera, you can broadcast both gameplay and a view of yourself. As you might guess, that could be helpful for Twitch streamers and YouTubers. The company also explained how it will handle non-VR content, with a 1080p Cinematic Mode that displays the PS5 interface and conventional games on a virtual screen at refresh rates between 24Hz and 120Hz.

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A group of 411 TV showrunners, creators and writers sent letters to executives at streaming platforms and other major Hollywood companies to demand better protections for workers in anti-abortion states. "We have grave concerns about the lack of specific production protocols in place to protect those at work for Netflix in anti-abortion states," they wrote in a letter to Netflix . It is unacceptable to ask any person to choose between their human rights and their employment.

Similar letters, which were first reported on by Variety, were addressed to the likes of Apple , Disney , Warner Bros. Discovery , NBC Universal , Paramount , Lionsgate , Amazon and AMC . The signatories include well-known creators, such as Issa Rae, Lilly Wachowski, Lena Waithe, Amy Schumer, Shonda Rhimes, Mindy Kaling, Ava DuVernay and Lena Dunham. They're demanding specific safety measures for people working on productions in states that have banned abortion after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last month.

The group has demanded that the companies respond with details on their abortion safety plans within 10 days. Among other things, the writers want information on abortion travel subsidies, medical care for pregnancy complications (including ectopic pregnancies) and legal protections for workers who uphold a studio's abortion policies or help someone else obtain an abortion. They also implored the companies to immediately halt all political donations to anti-abortion candidates and political action committees."

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By Donald Kirk





Chinese rhetoric over Taiwan is getting more strident all the time. It's hard to believe the Chinese will go beyond the kind of big talk we've been hearing since Chiang Kai-shek fled there with his defeated forces before the victory of Mao's Red Army on the mainland in 1949, but the shrill nature of Chinese intimidation there and elsewhere is cause for mounting concern.The implications are clear. If China were to move militarily against Taiwan, both the United States and Japan would get involved. The U.S. has no troops, no advisers, no defense pact with Taiwan, with which it has no formal diplomatic relations, but we may be sure Americans would enter the war initially as advisers. In a real showdown, the U.S. might also provide air support from bases in Okinawa and Guam, as well as aircraft carriers, while rushing in billions of dollars' worth of supplies as it's doing for Ukraine.Ominously, from the viewpoint of nations worried about a resurgence of Japanese military power, the Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be just what Japanese conservatives need to nullify Article 9 of Japan's "no war" constitution, drafted in 1947 during the American occupation, barring Japanese from waging war beyond Japan's immediate borders. The Japanese could then rename their "Self-Defense Forces" as simply their armed forces and double the military budget from one percent of the country's gross domestic product, expected to exceed five trillion dollars this year, to two percent.War for Taiwan would give members of Japan's long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party a boost on the basis of which they could fantasize Japan again becoming a military force in Asia. The prospect of Japan's military revival arouses distinctly mixed feelings among other Asian countries, especially South Korea. Yes, Japan could provide much needed support if the flames of war leaped from Taiwan to the Korean peninsula and North Korea attacked the South. With memories of the colonial past under Japanese rule and many difficulties since then, however. Koreans would have reason to fear whatever the Japanese might do on the Korean peninsula, North as well as South.As war clouds loom over Taiwan, the chances are high that the fighting would spread first to the Senkaku Islands not far from Taiwan. The Japanese zealously hold this uninhabited island cluster, defending it with coast guard vessels capable of firing water cannon on Chinese "fishing boats," laden with electronic surveillance gear, when they come too close and sending planes in hot pursuit when Chinese aircraft violate the Senkaku air space. The Chinese claim the islands, which they call Diaoyu, as assiduously as they claim Taiwan. It's not difficult to imagine either Japan or China setting up a military base on the largest of the islands. For that reason alone, the Japanese see them as worth fighting for  too valuable to abandon.Chinese ambitions extend to Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and beyond. So far there appears no way to talk the Chinese into yielding on their absurd view that the entire South China Sea belongs to them. As American warships and planes regularly intrude into China's self-declared space, a war for Taiwan could just as easily spread southward. Already the Chinese are looking for bases in the South Pacific, striking up deals with some of the small island nations that were occupied by Japan before the Americans drove them out in some of the bloodiest battles of World War II.Just as easily, the fighting could flare from the initial flashpoint, Taiwan. The dark forces unleashed by war across the 100-mile-wide straits between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland would quickly reach Northeast Asia, notably the Korean Peninsula. The rhetoric from North Korea resembles that of Chinese claims to Taiwan. The atmosphere in South Korea for now appears tranquil and peaceful. It's difficult to imagine a third Korean War.Kim Jong-un could go on the offensive beginning with an artillery barrage across the Demilitarized Zone or an attack on the small islands held by South Korea in the West or Yellow Sea not far from North Korean shores. Or he could launch his dreaded missiles, pummeling American and South Korean bases. Might nuclear war be next?Anything's possible as the Chinese edge closer to war for Taiwan than they've ever done previously. We have to hope they're only bluffing, as they've done so often in the past.Donald Kirk ( www.donaldkirk.com ) has been covering the confrontation of forces in Asia for decades.
Bruce Cameron is a widely known expert, most known in his prior engagements as a Federal Law Enforcement official with over 25 years in development, consultation and assessment for high value and high potential individualls. He is the founder of Federal Prison Authority. Bruce has given multiple national and international talks and presentations, authored several publications and has numerous media mentions.

Jose Santana, formerly Chief of the Designation and Sentence Computation Center in Grand Prairie, Texas, recently retired from the Bureau in December 2017. Mr. Santana is a subject matter expert in classifications, designations, and complex federal sentencing issues. During his tenure, Mr. Santana provided training in the areas of sentence computation, classification, and designation, of federal inmates to U.S. Sentencing Commission, U.S. federal judges, U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Probation Officers, U.S. Marshals, and court officials.
New York, NYThe 50th anniversary of the first toy robot is fast approaching. Inspired by his mother's declaration that "kids love robots," Michael J. Freeman set out to create the prototype for the first 'smart conversational toy' in 1973.

"A smart-toy has the ability to alter dialogue, make decisions, and change the mode and difficulty level of material of programming based on a child's performance," says Freeman.

Freeman's prototype weighed 40 pounds and was three feet tall. The machine could verbally ask kids questions, accept their push button answers, and tell them if they were right or wrong. The system could also keep track of their progress, give them a joke for a right answer, and say funny things to them when they answered incorrectly.

Freeman patented his invention called a "real time conversational toy" and took his prototype to the CEOs of the top toy companies. None of them liked it. They all told Freeman the same thing; "Toys are for fun, education is for school. We do not mix the two." But Freeman was persistent; he finally came upon the Mego toy company headed by a young man who believed in Freeman's idea. Mego and Freeman signed a license royalty agreement for sale of the new toy worldwide under the Freeman license.

But soon there was a problem. No recording studio could effectively learn how to pre-record the "smart-toy" tapes needed for the product to work. So Mego asked Freeman if he could make the tapes. About 40 tapes would be required on all subjects from teaching kids reading to math, to learning the metric system, astronomy, and many more. Freeman was concerned about his "nasal voice and a Bronx accent." But it did not matter. Freemen sped up his normal voice about 20%, created a personality for 2-XL, and started creating 2-XL robot educational programs. He also upped the sophistication of the U.S. Patent by a number of iterations and improvements. The Mego 2-XL became a mammoth commercial success and Freeman's tapes were translated into six languages for international sales. Freeman actually sold more tapes than some of the Grammy winners at the time. In fact, Freeman's Patent for Smart-Toys is one of the most successful commercialized patents of all time.

(Watch a Techmoan video about the 2-XL which has had 426K views and 21K comments since July 9, 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amuRIydCoJk )

One of the main magazines of the toy industry called Playthings put 2-XL on the front cover of its 75th anniversary edition as the advent of smart-toys.

After about 6 years of sales, the 2-XL robot had run its course and the toy was discontinued. But the technology was so good that Disney, Sesame Street and others approached Freeman to make their own interactive character tapes for a new toy using Freeman's propriety work. Freeman gave each a patent license. In order to take no chances, Freeman wrote up an extensive booklet on how the tapes should be made and consulted on the projects. The result was the famed toy Electronic Talk'N Play It too was a major success and won many awards. With Talk'N Play, kids could interact with famous characters (such as Big Bird) as never before possible. Soon after, licenses were given out to Batman, Superman, and others.

Eight years later, Talk'N Play had run its normal business cycle and another toy company (Named Tiger Electronics) approached Freeman to bring back the 2-XL robot for what was now, a new generation of kids. By this time Freeman's 2-XL personality was so popular, Freeman was asked (once again) to make the 2-XL interactive tapes. He agreed and made about 40 new educational programs for kids aged 3 to 12 years old. These new tapes were also translated into many foreign languages for international sales. The toy was a major commercial success.

A generation after Tiger's 2-XL, Fisher-Price approached Freeman for a patent license because they too wanted to create a sophisticated interactive toy system that used many of his proprietary techniques and technology. He agreed. The result was Kasey the Kinderbot. Kasey, unlike the previous 2-XL robots, was highly animated and could move most parts of its body. It also had an LCD visual display that went along with its audio.

"The 50th anniversary of the first robotic toy is quite a milestone," says Freeman. "I am proud of our past accomplishment and plan to keep working on more exciting inventions for the world to see!"

About Michael J. Freeman, PhD. Dr. Freeman received his bachelor's degree in Economics and Management from the City College of New York, an MBA in Economics and technology from Bernard Baruch College and received his doctorate from the City University of New York in 1977. He has taught at Baruch College, Hofstra University, and Cornell University NY Extension Division and holds 42 commercialized patents. He is married with five children and three grandchildren.

He has been featured by many media outlets including Time Magazine, Business Week and Kiplinger's Magazine. He's been interviewed by the late Larry King and was a guest on the Phil Donahue Show talking about his numerous inventions. Larry King said, "Dr Michael Freeman is a National Genius" and Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock) said Dr. Freeman had "Uncanny Insight."

Learn more about Dr. Freeman at: FreemanBook.org or on Wikipedia at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_J._Freeman or Baruch Magazine: https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/bcam/2015/11/03/making-learning-fun/ or go to www.KingTranscript.com. Watch for Dr. Freeman's new book this Fall.

Media Contact: To arrange an interview with Dr. Michael J. Freeman please contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 248-705-2214. Reach Lorenz on twitter @abookpublicist

Editors please note: The information within this press-release and the FreemanBook.org website is non-copyrighted and may be quoted and used, but credit must be given to Michael J. Freeman Ph.D.
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You have probably noticed retail stores offering CBD products popping up practically everywhere since 2018 and 2019, using clever images and phrases to indicate that CBD  a completely legal extract of the hemp plant  might offer an effect similar to marijuana.

My 12-year-old daughter recently asked me about a billboard near our house.

Daddy, what does it mean when the sign says Smokerz: Dont leave hemp-ty handed?

Kids ask the darndest questions.

So much I didnt know

I explained to her what I knew from my very limited experience with cannabis. But I didnt know then what I know now.

Until very recently, I thought CBD was a kind of marijuana-adjacent, mostly placebo product derived from legal hemp, that people would take and then semi-imagine getting some relaxing effect. Or maybe it had a mild effect, but nothing like actual pot.

I was wrong. But explaining how I was wrong takes some telling.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios CBD king and queen talk growth

There are many claims about legitimate medical uses for CBD, including treating anxiety, depression, pain and insomnia, as well as suppressing appetite. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration basically hasnt evaluated these medical claims, and its only approved medically in Texas for a rare genetic disease that causes seizures.

To me, though, that has always sounded like noise. I continue to believe the attention given to CBD is driven primarily by the somewhat universal human interest in getting high.

And that prompts the question: Do products in CBD stores get you high?

Legal issues, technicalities

The federal farm bill made hemp legal in 2018, and Texas followed suit in 2019. The legal distinction between marijuana and hemp  both derived from the same species of cannabis plant  is the concentration of the psychoactive extract THC. In Texas, a product that contains less than 0.3 percent THC by weight is considered legal hemp, while one that exceeds 0.3 percent THC is considered illegal marijuana.

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of many cannabis plant extracts, as is THC. So is HHC, which is sold in CBD stores and has psychoactive properties similar to traditional marijuana.

Around 2018, hemp-derived CBD products started out much as I thought they were  basically, pots equivalent of nonalcoholic beer. Today, however, that is not what people are buying in CBD stores. Ill get to that.

On ExpressNews.com: San Marcos voters to tackle marijuana decriminalization in November

While marijuana remains illegal, enforcement in Texas varies.

Shortly after Texas legalized hemp in 2019, the district attorneys in Harris and Bexar counties announced they would not prosecute most cases of marijuana possession, citing fear of not being able to distinguish between hemp and marijuana without rapid and accurate testing. In 2020, the Austin City Council ended arrests, fines and testing for marijuana possession, further effectively decriminalizing use, at least in big cities in Texas. People could claim they were holding legal hemp, so law enforcement drastically reduced arrests.

The Delta difference

Enter Delta-8.

Around 2019, hemp manufacturers figured out how to produce a cannabis extract called Delta-8, which has some psychoactive properties, kind of like THC. But because it has less than 0.3 percent THC, its technically not marijuana. That became the main product sold in CBD stores, and it wasnt a placebo. It was sold in leaf, vape and edible forms.

In 2020, the Texas Department of State Health Services attempted to ban Delta-8 through a regulatory publication. The hemp industry in Texas filed a lawsuit led by Austin-based Hometown Hero, a CBD retailer. In November, the industry won a court-ordered injunction against the Health Services Departments ban on Delta-8, ensuring its continued legality, probably at least until the next legislative session.

In late 2021 and early 2022, CBD manufacturers  whether as a workaround to the temporary Delta-8 ban in 2021 or as a natural evolution of the industry  began to introduce edible products with a cannabinoid called Delta-9. Now, Delta-9 is just another name for THC, according to an industry manufacturer who insisted on speaking off the record. But in a heavy enough edible  such as a chocolate bar, large gummy or Rice Krispies treat  the concentration of THC per dry weight can be kept under 0.3 percent, rendering it legal under current rules. Delta-9, because of this THC dry weight ratio, cant be sold in leaf or vape forms, which are too light to circumvent the rules.

S.A. VOTES Voter Guide: What to know for the Texas runoff election A breakdown of key state and local races and candidates in the May 24 primary runoff.

Getting stoned legal here

Heres the main thing I learned: Delta-9 in a chocolate bar, sold legally and openly in the first CBD store I walked into, gets you stoned.

I know this because, as a professional, I dedicated a Sunday afternoon in mid-July to doing my research. I did not operate  nor could I have even remotely imagined operating  heavy machinery during that hazy afternoon.

When I returned to the CBD store a few days ago, the kid behind the counter confirmed that the majority of store customers buy Delta-9 products  essentially, legal pot in Texas in edible form.

This week, I asked a couple of regular marijuana users I know whether they have switched to using Delta-8 or Delta-9 products from a CBD store instead of illegally acquired marijuana. Neither had done so, citing the practical ease of acquiring illegal marijuana and the low risk of possessing it in a low-enforcement city. But they also werent aware of the potency of the CBD store-bought products as I described it to them.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller this month called for legalizing marijuana for medical use, although that is unlikely to move forward under current state leadership. Miller cites more than 850 hemp-growing or -processing entities in the state under the commissioners licensing purview. Its a big and rapidly growing industry in the state.

On ExpressNews.com: Ag Commissioner Sid Miller calls for expanding marijuana use in Texas

But what Ive learned this month is that the hemp and CBD industry in Texas has made legalizing marijuana irrelevant. Delta-8 and Delta-9 are just technical workarounds for pot. Your fellow Texans are getting high whenever they like with products from their neighborhood CBD store.

This is a peculiar snag in the situation that Texas has gotten itself into by not facing national trends. While I understand it is in service of preserving some conservative value around avoiding intoxication, marijuana is legal in most of the country. And as Texans, we are not getting the benefits of taxing marijuana to fund state coffers, the in-state economic development of the product and the honest reckoning with legalization.

But that train has left the station. Im a little late in understanding what is clear to me now: Getting stoned from cannabis is already legal in Texas.

Michael Taylor is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News, author of The Financial Rules for New College Graduates and host of the podcast No Hill For A Climber.

michael@michaelthesmartmoney.com | twitter.com/michael_taylor
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Embattled ex-San Antonio attorney Chris Pettits numerous troubles are catching up with him in new ways.

Pettit, mired in bankruptcy after surrendering his law license amid allegations that he had stolen millions of dollars from his clients, this week returned to Florida to start employment at an art store only to learn he had no job.

His efforts to open a bank account were also rebuffed by various financial institutions that refused to do business with him.

Pettit had been living in Florida since at least a couple of weeks before his massive June 1 bankruptcy and said he had landed a job selling art on commission. But he never got to start work, Michael Colvard, his bankruptcy lawyer, said at a Thursday court hearing.

He got there today and his employer calls him and says, Sorry, we received word from a third party in Texas about the bankruptcy being filed and allegations in the bankruptcy, and your services are no longer required, Colvard said.

On ExpressNews.com: Calling his decision draconian, judge rules Christopher Pettit has to live on $140 until Monday

He described Pettit as dejected over having the job yanked away.

The revelation that Pettit hadnt remained in San Antonio where his massive Chapter 11 case is unfolding surprised Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta.

Why cant he find employment in San Antonio? the judge asked.

Colvard replied that Pettits focus before the June 1 bankruptcy was in Florida and he wanted to secure that job because that was available. And then thats pulled out from under him.

Pettit has been living in a mansion in the Disney World community of Golden Oak. He originally claimed ownership of the mansion  valued at more than $6 million  but later amended his bankruptcy schedules to say its owned by an entity for the benefit of his 10-year-old son.

It begs the question why (hes) living in a house he doesnt own and hes in Chapter 11 bankruptcy when he could be here in San Antonio living in a house he does own, Gargotta said. This doesnt make any sense to me.

Pettit owns a home on Champions Run in a gated community in Stone Oak that hes claiming as his homestead in the bankruptcy.

On ExpressNews.com: Ex-San Antonio lawyer Chris Pettit sold multiple properties to same buyer before massive bankruptcy

Meanwhile, several banks have refused to open an account for him. PNC Bank, Frost Bank, Broadway Bank and Jefferson Bank all declined Pettits business, Colvard said. IBC Bank allowed him to open an account but closed it two days later. The bank even charged a $25 fee for closing the account, said Patrick Huffstickler, an attorney for the Chapter 111 trustee.

Colvard didnt offer a reason for the banks actions, but banks are allowed to assess a customers character in deciding whether to enter into a business relationship.

Pettits expected back in San Antonio for a court hearing Aug. 4, when the judge may rule on a budget for his living expenses. The judge previously said he might be more inclined to let him access a little bit of money if he finds a job.

Pettit has submitted to the court a limited budget request that would give him more than $10,000 a month from his retirement accounts. Opposition to the request is anticipated.

S.A. VOTES Voter Guide: What to know for the Texas runoff election A breakdown of key state and local races and candidates in the May 24 primary runoff.

The trustee overseeing the assets in the bankruptcy reported Pettit had spent about $260,000 in roughly 50 days after the filing. That prompted the judge on Monday to limit Pettit to $100 a day to live on until next weeks hearing. The money will be added to a debit card. Pettit is required to submit receipts to the trustee for any purchases made.

On ExpressNews.com: Judge declines to hold ex-lawyer Chris Pettit in contempt; puts him on $100 per diem for next 10 days

Given Pettits limited financial means at the moment, Gargotta said he wanted to know how Pettit managed to return to Florida. Colvard said he thought Pettits airline ticket had been previously purchased.

Id like to see receipts, how that was paid, and how he gets back, Gargotta said. If it is the debtors intention to live in Florida, then thats going to change the courts review of the budget.

On Monday, Pettit narrowly avoided being held in contempt for withdrawing more than $186,000 from his retirement accounts after filing for bankruptcy.

He has certain obligations to meet, including cooperating with the trustee and providing records related to law firm accounts that held money for his clients benefit. He faces the prospect of being held in contempt if he doesnt comply.

Also on Thursday, the trustee received court approval to sell three of Pettits cars: a 2019 Mercedes GLS, valued by Pettit at $38,000; a 2018 Mercedes E53 AMG, valued at $40,000; and a 2019 Porsche Panamera, valued at $40,000.

pdanner@express-news.net
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A former San Marcos police officer who killed a woman with his vehicle and, in a separate incident, used a stun gun on a compliant suspect can still work in law enforcement after being fired.

But activists in San Marcos arent having it. About a dozen attended a police chiefs advisory panel meeting to push police to charge former Sgt. Ryan Hartman with felony assault for the stun gun incident. A felony conviction results in the suspension of an individuals peace officer license, according to the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement Rules Handbook.

The reality is: We just dont want (Hartman) to be able to be a police officer here in Texas, said Jordan Buckley, former head of local social justice group Mano Amiga.

The protesters attended the meeting holding signs demanding assault charges for Hartman and quoting San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridges own words describing Hartmans actions during the stun gun incident: unnecessary and unreasonable violence.

Also in San Marcos: How to donate fans to help San Marcos residents without AC

Standridge said at the meeting last week that the protesting public did not have all the facts surrounding Hartmans discharge. Standridge also assured the panel there was not a person in attendance who more wants to indefinitely suspend these officers from being able to serve again, than himself. He referred to the off-duty crash as egregious but not legally correlated to Hartmans termination.

Standridge said there were conversations between the district attorney and the Texas Rangers over a possible investigation into assault charges for Hartman, but Standridge was uncertain where those conversations stand.

The police department dismissed Hartman with a general discharge for insubordination Jan. 18. Hartman can still legally work as a peace officer after his dismissal, leaving Pam Watts, a survivor of the wreck that killed her partner, dissatisfied.

Theyre trying to make this go away, Watts said. They want Hartman to go away. They want me to go away, but they have not done one thing credible. Neither has the justice system.

Hartman caused an off-duty collision in Lockhart on June 10, 2020, crashing into a Honda Accord driven by Watts. Jennifer Miller, Watts partner and passenger, was killed, while Watts suffered serious injuries.

Hartmans truck contained a half-empty beer can, but the blood test taken three hours after the crash  Hartman refused a test at the scene  showed no evidence of alcohol in his system. Hartman was charged with distracted driving and placed on administrative leave until a Caldwell County grand jury declined in November 2020 to charge him with a crime related to the wreck.

On Jan. 12, 2021, six weeks after returning to duty from paid leave, Hartman used a stun gun on a suspect who had his hands raised. Standridge put Hartman on 40 hours of paid administrative leave before returning him to his duties as a sergeant.

Albian Leyva, the man Hartman stunned during the arrest, filed a civil lawsuit against Hartman and the city of San Marcos.

Standridge said the nature of Hartmans discharge from the Police Department was a product of a negotiating process to get the former officer to resign voluntarily and save the city tens of thousands of dollars should Hartman appeal and litigate a dishonorable discharge.

Refusing to resign, Hartman received a general discharge for insubordination  qualification for a dishonorable discharge, according to the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement handbook. Hartman appealed the firing, taking the matter into arbitration, where he was represented by the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas. His attorney argued he was treated like a pariah and fired on false pretenses. But Hartman lost the appeal and his firing was upheld.

Watts does not believe Standridges reasoning for only generally discharging Hartman, given that the attempt to avoid litigation fell through, rendering the lesser punishment moot.

While a general discharge may not appear to hinder Hartmans chances to return to law enforcement, Hartman argued any police department doing its due diligence before hiring an officer would be aware of any incidents on record. Standridge said an officer can receive two dishonorable discharges before the TCOLE revokes their peace offices license, although a license can be revoked after just one upon review.

Jimmy Perdue, president of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, believes most police departments will do their due diligence and avoid potential hires with a checkered past, no matter the type of discharge on record.

Perdue said a police department may take a risk on an officer with a less than perfect past if the officer has a history of service, minimizing the amount of training needed. Hartman served the San Marcos Police Department for 14 years.

Theres no question that the lack of qualified applicants has exacerbated this problem of, Can an officer with a checkered past get hired somewhere else? Perdue said. It still happens, despite some of our best efforts to stop that.

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Watts feels Hartman more than merits a dishonorable discharge, but his status as a law enforcement officer shielded him from the full consequences of his actions.

If the district attorney would have done his job to begin with, we wouldnt have gone through all this, Watts said. I continue to be (dragged) through and traumatized because Jen (Miller) mattered, but everybodys acted as if the only one that mattered was Hartman. We were the victims.

Watts believes the symbiotic relationship between district attorneys and police departments leads to law enforcement escaping consequences should they break the law.

I realized Ive lived in a fairy-tale world thinking we had a justice system, Watts said. The deck is stacked up against you if cops are involved, if district attorneys are involved, people that run in their circle are involved. The rules arent applied to them.

ricardo.delgado@express-news.net
Brad Horrigan, MBR / TNS

The City of San Marcos validated a petition asking to eliminate the enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses, leaving it a city council vote away from passing or landing on the ballot in November.

The petition, a joint effort by San Marcos social justice group Mano Amiga and Ground Game, a Texas voter engagement group, seeks to decriminalize possession of up to 4 ounces of marijuana in the city.
Three men are facing capital murder charges in connection with a fatal robbery outside a hookah bar on the Northeast Side in May.

Authorities say Nathan Sanchez, 22, Robert Ortiz, 19, and Aaron Trevino, 20, are responsible for the death of 22-year-old Takhai Michael, who was found shot to death on May 29 in the parking lot of the Blow Hookah Lounge, located at 3941 Eisenhauer Road.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at the location to find Michael dead from several gunshot wounds, with spent shell casings from multiple weapons surrounding his body, according to an affidavit supporting the arrests.

On ExpressNews.com: Body of missing woman Christina Powell found in a parked car at a Medical Center shopping plaza

Sanchez, Ortiz and Trevino were part of a group that robbed Michael and his girlfriend while they sat in a vehicle with some friends, the affidavit said.

According to the affidavit, the incident began when one of the individuals in the vehicles got into an argument with an unidentified woman. During the argument, the woman pulled out a weapon and pointed it at Michael and his girlfriend, at which point Sanchez, Ortiz and Trevino and two others approached the vehicle, the affidavit continued.

Two of the men started punching Michael through the open door of the vehicle while Sanchez, Ortiz and the woman robbed the couple, according to the court documents. At some point, Trevino pistol whipped the girlfriend as she tried to get out of the car, the affidavit said.

On ExpressNews.com: A 31-year-old man was killed, teen injured after a collision on Culebra Road on the far West Side

Surveillance footage captures Sanchez walking away from the vehicle with the girlfriend's purse while carrying an AR-15 rifle, according to the affidavit. Michael is then seen in the video chasing Sanchez to get the purse back before he is hit by gunfire from Trevino, the affidavit said. Sanchez is then seen in the surveillance video shooting Michael as he lies on the ground, the affidavit continues.

According to the affidavit, Ortiz and the woman then took items from Michael, including his backpack, before all six suspects fled in different vehicles.

The affidavit said witnesses helped police identify several of the suspects involved. Ortiz also posted on Instagram bragging about the incident, the affidavit said.

Relatives told police Sanchez fled to Kansas with Trevino after the shooting but only made it to Oklahoma where his Mitsubishi Galant broke down, according to the affidavit. Authorities said the Galant was the car Sanchez fled the scene in. The car was abandoned on Interstate 35 before Sanchez's mother picked up her son and Trevino to take them to Hutchinson, Kansas, the affidavit continued.

Trevino's brother told police that he called and admitted to shooting Michael because he was trying to take a gun from his friend, the affidavit said.

Sanchez eventually returned to San Antonio via train and was arrested Tuesday. Trevino remained in Kansas because he could not afford the train trip, but was arrested by Hutchinson police on Tuesday and is expected to be extradited to Bexar County soon. Both have been charged with capital murder.

Ortiz was arrested Wednesday on an aggravated robbery charge and then charged with capital murder on Thursday.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
By Eugene Lee





In today's media, you'll find a very much disarray in opinions voiced over what is lawful and what is moral when it comes to issues of state governance. I've decided to offer a little bit of interpretation of what is what and how it all needs to be treated. We, humans, throughout all our history have been striving for many things, and the best type of governance is one of them.



This pursuit, as old as history itself, has taken a variety of forms. In religious terms, in teachings of Christ, Buddha, Confucius and Muhammad, all sought to envision an ultimate, good society in one way or the other. As time went on and written history and political philosophy began to play a larger role, the treatises of Plato and Aristotle in the West, and Wu Jing in the East rose to prominence. We were trying to find the best way to organize ourselves to achieve social order and spread prosperity across society.



The government, meaning the administrative bureaucracy, is a group of people who, in a structured way, are put in charge of administering a country. Governance, on the other hand, is different from government and may or may not be the product of it. It is "the process of interaction between laws, norms, rules, power and language" over a country, in our case.



In other words, just by the definition, it is insufficient to claim that one will be able to run the country by the law. To run a country just "by the law" is simply impossible, because to make sure that the law is applied meaningfully will require enforcement of it, i.e. the existence of a system bigger than the government itself to supervise all of its subjects, including the government itself. Moreover, all this shows the folly of the current administration, which is ready to bypass "norms, rules, power and language," crucial ingredients of any governance.



Even if so, let's talk a bit more about such an application of the law. On the individual level, we have two aspects that govern our behavior  law and morality.



According to one definition, the law is a set of rules written by a legislative body and supported by government institutions. These are, we term them as legal, rules, that the state establishes and upholds with the goal of regulating behavior and averting negative outcomes.



Morality is a set of ideas and guidelines concerning what is good or bad, right or wrong and permitted or not. Moral standards, being products of society or certain social groups. Just like legal norms, moral norms point out to people the proper behavior to engage in as well as the penalties for not doing so.



One important distinction between the two is that the law is hard-coded, inscribed on a medium, and moral rules are not. Plus, moral norms do sanction individuals, sometimes even immediately, whereas the law may not. Social morality and moral ideals, begot by society, influence each one of us, even before we come to existence.



Whenever it comes to their enforcement, there are social costs of moral rules, as well moral incentives  guilt or virtue felt by an individual, and admonition or praise given by others (i.e., if you see a dropping approval rate  check your morals!).



In their relationship morals usually stand higher than the law. The law is, in a way, a product of moral values that at some point society has decided to protect. With its higher social value, morality is far superior to the use and application of the law. When an administrator is faced with a situation where a choice needs to be made, it is morality, not the law that usually is taken as guidance. Lack of morality, or distorted morality of any administrator will end in immoral acts without being conscious about the conduct.



The major issue with moral values and principles is that they work well at the individual level. Once individuals begin to engage in group relations, be it a branch of government, an organization or a firm, those principles tend to dilute, as matters of group loyalty and conformity come into play. Instead of serving the common good, an immoral bureaucrat may easily find companions and abuse the power to serve group or individual goals.



South Korea's path in search of the best way to govern itself has been ziggy-and-zaggy. Going from monarchy, surviving through external subjugation, enduring autocracy, being challenged by communism and being entangled in crony nets of an oligarchy, it has finally arrived at a democratic form. It is far from perfect and from encompassing everything and everyone.



It is relatively young, hence it is striving to survive. In spite of the toil and sacrifice, it can be lost. It needs support and care. So, when it comes to the current administration's decisions, my call would be toward those traditional moral values that Korea is trying to rediscover. The administration must be careful and prudent, and we must be careful and prudent.



As Plato calls for leadership to be "wise," so would I. And as he once warned against leadership being unbalanced, or as in his words, do not let "greed, ambition, and foolishness" rule your decisions, I would stick to that also. So, let not the law be your guide, but your morals. But even then, please, double-check your moral allegiances. Make sure they are truly yours and not someone else's.





Eugene Lee (mreulee@gmail.com) is a lecturing professor at the Graduate School of Governance at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. Specializing in international relations and governance, his research and teaching focus on national and regional security, international development, government policies and Northeast and Central Asia.




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Mariachis serenaded the brown, pink and white crosses as the sun set on the site where 53 people were found dead or dying in a suffocatingly hot semi-trailer on a lonely road on San Antonios Southwest Side.

A ceremony marking 30 days since the June 27 human smuggling tragedy brought together about 100 people Wednesday evening. They wanted to honor the migrants from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras who died in the big rig.

They knew joy. They were loved. They had hopes, they had dreams and they desired for more. They are the American dream, said Sandragrace Martinez, the volunteer caretaker of Los 53 Migrantes Memorial, a row of crosses adorned with flowers, wreaths, rosary beads and photos of the 40 men and 13 women ages 13 to 55 who died.

It is not enough to refer to them as the 53 migrants who died in a tractor trailer in the sweltering heat, on a road on the outskirts of San Antonio, Martinez said. It is not enough to only list their names, their ages and their places of origin. If we want to make changes in this county, this country, this city, this state, it is paramount that we continue to show their faces and reveal every individual story in detail.

On ExpressNews.com: Feds: Driver who abandoned trailer made previous smuggling trips

Martinez, a licensed professional counselor and a former parole officer, is the daughter of immigrants. She describes the roadside memorial as her personal calling. She said that sharing the migrants stories is a way to counter hateful rhetoric that dismisses them.

We forget that some came because they had lupus and needed treatment, she said. Some came to reunite with their mothers and sisters. Some people came to obtain money for their childs quinceanera.

The tragedy was the nations deadliest immigrant-smuggling case involving a big rig. Authorities say the smugglers packed the migrants into the trailer in Laredo, and the rig passed undetected through a federal immigration checkpoint north of that border city. That evening, the driver abandoned the red Volvo truck on Quintana Road near JBSA-Lackland.

Two men, Homero Zamorano, 46, and Christian Martinez, 28, both of Palestine in East Texas, are charged with illegally transporting undocumented immigrants and conspiracy to transport immigrants resulting in death and serious bodily injury. If convicted, both could face the death penalty.

Wednesdays ceremony was a somber evening of remembrance, reflection and a call to action. The Rev. Katrina Ornelas, who has been a hospice chaplain and a bereavement counselor, led the group in prayers in Spanish and English.

We are going to remember the love that they had so that they could sacrifice, so that they could come to the United States. Let their deaths not be in vain. Amen, Ornelas said.

Bexar County Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores said at least two survivors are still fighting for their lives in local hospitals. One of them, a teenage boy from Mexico, is at University Hospital. Consular officials reached his mother.

Once she traveled here, and he sensed her by his side, he gained consciousness, Clay-Flores said, urging the group to keep advocating for humane treatment of immigrants  even in the face of opposition.

Regardless of the criticism, we need to continue to stand up and be a voice for the voiceless, she said.

On ExpressNews.com: Ayala: site of tragedy has become a memorial

Ramon Vasquez, executive director of the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, said his group is planning cleanup and work days at the memorial site and is helping Martinez with fundraising.

He recalled when four women, family members of one of the victims, Juan Jesus Trejo Tellez, 31, of Mexico, showed up at the memorial and began crying when they saw his photo.

At that point, it became so real to me, Vasquez said. Its a tragedy, but then there are families who are left.

The memorial symbolizes not just the June tragedy but countless deaths of immigrants, many of them Indigenous people, who have followed ancient migratory trails from Mexico and Central and South America to the United States, he said.

If theres ever going to be a memorial to lift up the larger picture of what we have in this country, what better place than San Antonio?

shuddleston@express-news.net
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A 7-year-old boy who went missing early Thursday in Spring was found dead inside of a washing machine, according to authorities.

Troy Khoeler was reported missing around around 5:20 a.m. on the 4400 block of Rosegate Drive in the Birnam Wood neighborhood, according to the Harris County Pct. 4 Constable's Office.

Constable deputies initially looked outside the home and canvassed the neighborhood for almost two hours before going back into the residence and finding the boy inside of the family's washing machine, a spokesperson for the Harris County Sheriff's Office said.

The cause of death is pending an autopsy from the Harris County medical examiner, HCSO added.

It is believed the boy was adopted by the couple back in 2019, the HCSO spokesperson added. The couple was detained by authorities and taken in for questioning.

HOUSTON CRIME: Argument among divorcing couple leads to boyfriend's death at Harris County restaurant, sheriff says

The mother apparently had returned from her work shift shortly before the boy was reported missing, authorities said.

The neighborhood is a fairly quiet area and the thought of a violent crime possibly happening against a child is extremely disturbing, according to 61-year-old resident Sheri Barnes, who has lived on Rosegate Drive for four years.

"We just hope and pray that it was an accident," Barnes said. "I can't understand it. I'm praying for that family regardless of what has happened."

Authorities are encouraging residents to avoid this area as homicide investigators process the scene.

No other information is available at this time.

Joel.Umanzor@Chron.com
The video begins in a doctors office, where a pregnant woman and her partner are preparing for the worst.

Theres no easy way to say this, but your baby has a catastrophic brain abnormality, the doctor tells the couple. If their daughter survives after birth, she would only live for a few hours, in pain, before choking on her own bodily fluids.

A decision will need to be made on termination, the doctor explains. I wish I could tell you what to do, but theres only one person who can make this choice  and that person is Greg.

The satirical ad aimed at Gov. Greg Abbott  titled Whose Choice?  was published on Monday by the advocacy group Mothers Against Greg Abbott. In two days, it has garnered more than 6 million views on Twitter and thousands more on TikTok and YouTube.

IN-DEPTH: Risk of serious pregnancy complications has doubled since Texas abortion bans, study finds

Its really important for us to tell people that, when it comes to women's reproductive rights and women's health care, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, which is what the far right is proposing, said Nancy Thompson, the founder of the group. In order to have change for Texas women, and for us not to be second-class citizens, we all need to vote for change.

Abbott last year signed into law the six-week abortion ban that became a model for red states that wanted to restrict access to the procedure. Republicans hailed the measure as a win for life in a state that used to have 50,000 abortions a year.

The governors campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the video targeting him.

Not yet a year old, the organization  the other MAGA, as some know it  has snowballed into a major Texas activism hub boasting more than 50,000 members on Facebook. Their recent online hits, including the Whose Choice? ad and another targeting Abbotts views on education, guns and transgender youth, have garnered national headlines and thousands of dollars in donations.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

The group now plans to expand ahead of the November midterm elections, when Abbott runs for a third term against former U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke. By mid-August, Mothers Against Greg Abbott will establish about a dozen chapters across the state, including posts in major cities such as Houston and San Antonio and regional outfits in the Rio Grande Valley and Texas Panhandle.

After school starts and everybody comes back from vacation, we can hit the ground running, said Thompson, a 52-year-old mother of three. From the middle of August until November, it's going to be crazy. We've been trying hard to build up our group, build out the community, start producing content, line up the content for the fall, line up the webinars, line up the messaging.

Thompson, who lives in Austin, founded Mothers Against Greg Abbott in August 2021, dismayed over the governors work to ban mask mandates in public schools. Her youngest son had been in the hospital, and she feared his return to a classroom where children could easily spread COVID-19. She couldnt sleep, unsettled by the feeling that she couldnt protect her child.

The next morning, on the last day of a special session in Austin, Thompson found a poster board and red and blue Sharpies. She sat down and asked herself: What kind of mother am I? Well, Im so mad at Greg Abbott. Im like Mothers Demand Action. Im like Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Within minutes, Mothers Against Greg Abbott was born. She didnt even realize the phrase spelled MAGA  like former President Donald Trumps acronym for his campaign slogan, Make America Great Again  until she saw it on paper.

In the months since, the name has become a rallying cry for mothers and other activists across the state. The group includes Democrats, independents and some Republicans, Thompson said  many of whom dont agree on specific issues but also dont like the direction of the state.

Last month, 59 percent of Texas voters said the state is on the wrong track  the highest number in more than a decade, according to University of Texas at Austin polling. Just 31 percent said the state is heading the right way.

But there are huge gaps in the way Republicans and Democrats see state politics. About 52 percent of voters on the right said the state is moving in a positive direction, compared with just 11 percent of voters on the left.

Meanwhile, 90 percent of tea party voters  a faction within the Republican Party  are happy with the states progress.

We can't have these dramatic swings going all the way from the right all the way to the left, Thompson said. The only way that we can go more towards the left is by going through the middle. We're the middle. Our group is the middle. Our focus is the middle. Our focus is just to bring decency and reasonable solutions for Texans.

The groups major priorities include lowering the cost of health care, improving the foster care system, rebuking book bans, supporting military families and promoting LGBTQ rights. Its an organization run by women who believe they can incite change, Thompson said, because were tired of waiting for other people to do it.

We need to put our angst into activism, she said.

cayla.harris@express-news.net
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The Air Force has grounded 279 planes, a significant portion of its training aircraft, the T-38 Talon and T-6A Texan II.

It blamed a problem with quality defects in the manufacture of explosive cartridges in the escape systems on both planes, which are used to train novice and instructor pilots at bases around the nation.

The order will keep hundreds of aviators out of the skies above Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph and three other undergraduate pilot training bases and Naval Air Station Pensacola, where the Air Force trains combat systems operators.

In all, the Air Force grounded 203 supersonic T-38 jets, about 40 percent of that fleet, and 76 turboprop T-6A aircraft, about 15 percent of the Air Force inventory of those planes, said Aryn Lockhart, a spokeswoman with the 19th Air Force at Randolph.

Those specific aircraft will remain grounded until maintenance can confirm that the escape systems are fully functional, Lockhart said in a written statement Thursday. We expect flying operations to resume with unaffected aircraft.

The Air Force Materiel Command first identified the problem and informed commanders in San Antonio, where the 19th and the Air Education and Training Command are headquartered. The manufacturer worked with Material Command to isolate the specific lot numbers of product that require inspection and further identify which aircraft may be affected, Lockhart said.

The Navy and Marines also grounded some of their aircraft.

Martin-Baker Aircraft Co. Ltd. makes the ejection seats for the trainers, along with the Navys F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Air Forces F-35 Lightning II and a host of other aircraft flown by dozens of military organizations.

Based in the United Kingdom, it bills itself as the worlds leading manufacturer of ejection seats and keeps a running total of pilots its products have saved  7,677 through Thursday.

Lockhart said the Air Force ordered an inspection of all planes that use the suspect cartridges within 90 days. They did not include the F-35, also called the Joint Strike Fighter.

The Navys T-6 trainers were not affected, said Cmdr. Zachary Harrell, spokesman for the Naval Air Forces Command. He said the Naval Air Systems Command reported that some Navy T-45 Goshawks, a twin-engine training jet, were grounded, along with various types of F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets, the E/A-18G Growler and F-5 Tiger II, another trainer.

It was unclear whether any of the Goshawks at Naval Air Station Kingsville were among those being inspected. The Navy also flies Goshawks at NAS Meridian in Mississippi.

The T-6A has flown at JBSA-Randolph since May 2000 and is used as an entry-level trainer. The T-38 is a high-performance supersonic trainer that first flew when Dwight D. Eisenhower was president.

Multiple explosive cartridges are built into a redundant system to power their ejection seats, and the 19th Air Force directed its maintenance and logistics teams to check them out of an abundance of caution, Lockhart said.

We do not know how long its going to take to get these fixes, she said.

The affected pilots will train with ground-based simulators and fly in planes whose ejection seats dont need to be checked, Lockhart said.

Once inspection procedures are worked out, teams will be alert for other issues and aggressively take steps to ensure flight safety, including grounding aircraft where required, she said.

On ExpressNews.com: Pilots report more oxygen system woes, but Air Force says the T-6A is safe to fly

In Thursdays announcement, Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, the 19th Air Force commander, said no aircraft would be returned to a flying schedule until we're confident their escape systems are fully functional.

Our instructor pilots accomplish an incredibly important and demanding mission every day, and we owe them safe and reliable aircraft, he said.

Occasionally, instructor pilots and students must rely on the ejection seats to bail out of training aircraft.

Two pilots safely escaped a T-6A shortly before it crashed near Rolling Oaks Mall in 2018, parachuting to safety near their wrecked plane in a field north of Loop 1604 off Nacogdoches Road and sparking concern about the pace of suburban development in Randolphs flight path that has only increased in the years since.

On ExpressNews.com: Proposal to build school under Randolphs jets put Air Force on tilt  but it was perfectly legal

Capt. Joshua Hammervold ejected and survived with injuries when a T-38 suffered hydraulic failure, causing it to crash near Lake Amistad outside Del Rio in 2017, but Capt. Paul J. Barbour, 32, forgot to arm his ejection seat and was trapped in the cockpit as the plane plunged to the ground.

The T-38s ejection seat worked for two pilots flying near Bracketville in 2005 when a vulture hit the canopy and they thought the plane had stalled. It also saved two pilots after a midair collision with a private plane above Bexar County in 1990, and two others in 1981 who had to bail out near Randolph when they had landing gear problems.

Two pilots safely ejected from a T-6A near Stinson Municipal Airport south of San Antonio when one of them, a student on his first flight, accidentally cut the engine in 2000.

Around that time, an ejection seat was accidentally triggered while a T-6 was on the ground at a base in San Antonio. Representatives of the seats manufacturer later boasted at a convention that it worked from ground level exactly as it was intended.

sigc@express-news.net
An appellate court handed the San Antonio Independent School district a victory Wednesday, denying Texas efforts to squelch a vaccine mandate for its employees that it imposed almost a year ago in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The victory may be short-lived, as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton might appeal the ruling to the Texas Supreme Court  again.

The school districts effort to force its employees to get the vaccine has been frozen in the courts since October.

In August of last year, shortly before the Food and Drug Administration granted full approval of then-available COVID-19 vaccines, former Superintendent Pedro Martinez required that the 7,000 employees of San Antonios third largest school district get vaccinated against the virus. He set a deadline of Oct. 15.

It was a direct challenge to Gov. Greg Abbotts emergency order that banned COVID-19 vaccine mandates  at least it was after Abbott quickly amended his order to include vaccines approved by the FDA  and Paxton filed suit Sept. 9 to block the policy.

Wednesdays ruling from the San Antonio-based Fourth Court of Appeals ended a Texas Supreme Court temporary injunction that had put the policy on hold just hours before the districts deadline for employees to be vaccinated. At the time, the high court said it was expressing no view on the merits of the states lawsuit but allowing it time to be decided.

On ExpressNews.com: Punches fly in first round of Paxtons lawsuit against San Antonio ISD

A trial to decide the lawsuit has been delayed at least twice. Martinez left SAISD last fall to become superintendent of Chicago Public Schools. The coronavirus delta and omicron variants severely disrupted the 2021-2022 school year. And the vaccination mandate sat on the shelf.

About 45,000 children attend SAISD schools. The district communications chief, Laura Short, issued a statement Wednesday that said the district was gratified to learn that the latest ruling upheld its ability to take action to protect the safety and health of students, staff, and visitors.

Our district led the way with our response to COVID-19, and about 80 percent of its full-time employees opted to get the shot, she said.

But the vaccine mandate remains on pause, and nobody was ever disciplined for refusing it, Short said.

On ExpressNews.com: Appeals court upholds challenge to Abbott, affirms that San Antonio, Bexar County can require face masks

The state argued that the district had acted outside its authority because Abbotts order stated that no governmental entity can compel any individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and it suspended relevant statutes that could allow them to, according to the appeals ruling.

The school district argued that the Texas Disaster Act does not give the governor that authority. In a 12-page ruling written by Justice Irene Rios, the Fourth Court said the states Education Code permits school districts to issue vaccine mandates.

On ExpressNews.com: Awfully embarassing: San Antonio mayor slams Abbotts executive order against vaccine mandates

The ruling stated that the Texas Disaster Act expressly limits the Governors commander-in-chief authority to state agencies, state boards, and state commissions having emergency responsibilities and does not empower the governor to act as the commander in chief of ... local government entities.

Short said the lawsuit continues to matter.

The school districts ability to provide for the health and safety of its staff and students is essential, and this court ruling makes clear that the governor may not override the school districts statutory authority, she said.

ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863
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Neighborhood associations who keep an eye out for suspicious activity, nonprofits dedicated to keeping youths out of trouble and the targeted efforts of San Antonio police were all the focal points of a forum about combating crime on the East Side.

District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez said his office was often receiving calls from constituents asking what he would do about crime in the area, as well as requests for more police officers, which the district added a couple of weeks ago.

I really wanted to have a different kind of conversation with the community about what we can do in the short, mid and long term to really have an impact on crime reduction, McKee-Rodriguez said.

An audience of more than 100 people including District 2 residents, community organizers and representatives from city departments sat socially distanced with masks on Tuesday evening in the gym of the Second Baptist Church Community Center, 3310 E. Commerce St.

On the North Side: San Antonio city leaders address crime in North Side forum

McKee-Rodriguez said he hoped to address the stigma that the East Side is a crime-ridden area, displaying statistics showing that crime has increased citywide by 12.8 percent, but that the increase was smaller on the east service area, at 6.4 percent.

Earnest Mitchell, president of the Jefferson Heights Neighborhood Association, was one of five panelists who spoke, detailing the close working relationship he and his neighborhood watch have with police.

As part of their steps to observe and report any suspicious or criminal activity, Mitchell said he and his neighbors have a detailed form they fill out and submit to a captain operating out of the East Side substation. An officer then follows up on the report, investigating the activity further.

Deputy Police Chief Chris Benavides was another panelist who oversees uniformed officers and the departments various community outreach programs. Benavides himself is often available at community meetings to find out the root causes of crime. He said that in any community, police do not know the problems unless they get calls for a particular crime or witness it.

Its important for the community to engage with police ... to identify the problems whatever way that is, whether its by communication, projects or talking issues through, he said. Sometimes it takes a warning ticket, a citation or an arrest to try to help that situation. Officers have a lot of discretion depending on what the crime is and we give them that discretion to handle those incidents.

In a 30-minute public comment portion held at the start of the forum, about 20 people representing local organizations born out of necessity spoke about their own efforts to deter crime either by creating their own nonprofit organizations, or as residents maintaining a close relationship with their neighbors.

One resident, William Tutt, said he was a gang member during his youth. He has since turned his life around and works to educate others about the effects of poverty on mental health and other such issues via the Gang Rehabilitation In Progress, or GRIP, program.

The reason why individuals commit crimes and continue to do so is because there are not enough programs that deal with the mental process, Tutt said. Youre putting the same individuals back in the community with the same thought process.

Another resident, Etoy McGarity, lost her husband to gun violence in May 2020 when her home was targeted by a hail of gunfire. She offered some praise to the police department, but asked why the chief of police and District Attorney Joe Gonzales, who sat on the five-person panel, are not working together to be harder on crime in District 2.

We have crimes that have not been solved, those cases are just there, McGarity said.

She said she is afraid of living on the East Side, recalling an altercation with a woman who pulled a gun on her earlier this year.

Joseph Garcia asked why it took police more than two years to clear out a drug house next door. Ultimately, he said the area was cleared when code enforcement became involved. A representative with San Antonio police spoke with him about other experiences he touched on as the panel continued.

Disturbing TikTok trend: Juveniles accused of shooting at Alamo Ranch residents with bead blaster gun

Each panelist took time to address the concerns and comments detailed during the public comment portion.

Gonzales addressed gun violence concerns by calling for gun reform and red flag laws, referencing the massacre in Uvalde that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers.

The issue is that a young man was able to purchase an assault weapon at 18, he said. He couldnt buy a six pack of beer. We need real gun reform.

Mitchell said that the gun culture in the United States is not going to change anytime soon and recalled his time spent as an firearms instructor of 10 years. He said he took a responsibility to not allow a person in his class who clearly had bad intentions, and wrote a letter to the Texas Department of Public Safety anytime someone expressed a desire to kill.

Another panelist who spoke was Doshie Piper, a professor of criminal justice at the University of Incarnate Word who has previously served on the Complaint and Administrative Review Board, a city panel that reviews complaints submitted against police and recommends what action to take.

She said its important to have organizations that arrange conversations between the community and police, such as Texas Organizing Project.

I believe that we can continue to reduce crime and prevent crime if we continue to build relationships and get to know one another, she said.

Panelist Ananda Tomas, executive director of ACT4SA, said the community has a role in violence interruption with after school programs and other organizations that were present that keep people both physically and mentally out of the grips of crime.

Both Piper and Benavides stressed maintaining a clean neighborhood to show that people care about the area, citing the broken windows theory that many police departments followed in the late 1980s. The theory proposes that if a window is left broken, others will break another window assuming there are no consequences.

Piper also said people need to learn to resolve conflicts without violence, and teach their children to do the same.

We have to learn how to communicate and talk to people, she said, citing the adage that one catches more flies with honey than with vinegar. These are things we dont practice ourselves but expect others to do.

jbeltran@express-news.net
Robb Elementary Principal Mandy Gutierrez defended herself Wednesday against a Texas House committees finding that she failed to address security lapses at the Uvalde school  making it easier for a gunman to enter the Uvalde school and slaughter 19 students and two teachers on May 24.

The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District placed Gutierrez on administrative leave with pay on Monday pending a review of the schools security practices. The reviews conclusions could determine whether she will keep her job.

In a report released July 17, the House special committee investigating the mass shooting said Robb Elementary administrators handled school security poorly.

Although the school had adopted security policies  including locking exterior doors and classroom doors  the report said, There was a regrettable culture of noncompliance by school personnel who frequently propped doors open and deliberately circumvented locks.

One of the doors cited in the report was to Room 111, which was unlocked that Tuesday morning, allowing the gunman to enter the classroom. Employees said its lock did not always work, and school officials hadnt issued a work order for its repair.

Salvador Ramos, 18, of Uvalde, committed the massacre in Room 111 and the adjoining Room 112.

The report also noted that Gutierrez did not issue a lockdown order over Robb Elementarys public address system after receiving word that a shooter was crossing the school yard, heading toward one of the campus buildings.

In a letter to the Texas House committee on Wednesday, Gutierrez defended her decision not to use the PA system to alert staff and students.

Our training emphasized that using the public address system could compound the problem in creating a panic situation with students and an alert to the one or more gunmen that was present to do maximum harm, she said in the letter, obtained by the Express-News. I was trained to consider the PA system as communication with perpetrators that could be used to hurt more students and teachers.

Robb Elementary also had poor Wi-Fi connectivity, which the committee report said sometimes hobbled the schools web-based danger notification alert system, known as Raptor.

Gutierrez said she successfully worked around a weak Wi-Fi signal the day of the massacre.

I encountered buffering and did what I always do. I went to a window and held my phone up, Gutierrez said. At the same time, I called UCISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo. He picked up the phone and was already aware of the Raptor alert, saying to me before I uttered a single word, Shut it down, Mandy. Shut it down. 

Gutierrez also disputed the committees finding that Room 111s door didnt lock properly. She said the door to Room 111 was locked and checked the night before the shooting, and that custodians checked all school doors nightly to ensure they were locked.

The teacher in Room 111, Arnulfo Reyes, unlocked the door the morning of the shooting to let himself in  which Gutierrez said showed the doors lock worked.

The teacher in charge of that classroom complained on more than one occasion that because the door DID lock, his work- day was interrupted because the printer for several classrooms was located in that room, she said.

(Reyes) was severely wounded and has undergone a tremendous ordeal, Gutierrez said. His memory of the events have not added clarity to answer all questions on how the gunman entered the classroom, but it is inaccurate to conclude that it was because the door to classroom 111 did not lock.

The teacher in charge of Room 111 seems to recall that he complained about the door not locking to me for the last three years, she said. Again taking into account his horrific ordeal, I point out that I am in my first year as principal, and my predecessor has no recollection or record of those complaints.

Calls claims unfair

Gutierrez was completing her first year as Robb Elementary principal when the shooting occurred.

She has worked for Uvalde CISD for more than two decades, starting as a fourth-grade teacher at Robb.

In 2018, she became assistant principal, and she was promoted to principal in 2021.

She said she received an accomplished rating for school safety in a recent review of her performance.

It is unfair and inaccurate to conclude that I ever (became) complacent on any security issue of Robb Elementary, she said in her letter, which was obtained by the Express-News.

The committee report also faulted school officials for becoming lax about safety procedures because of the frequency of campus lockdowns stemming from bailouts  when human traffickers trying to outrun police crash their vehicles so their passengers can flee on foot.

I wholeheartedly deny that the numerous bailout alerts created any complacency on my part to relax the procedures necessary to ensure the safety of the campus, she said. We were trained to treat every alert from any law enforcement agency as a situation with the high potential to escalate into a dangerous episode for students, teachers, and administrators.

Gutierrez ended her letter with a plea to remain a principal.

Finally, I will live with the horror of these events for the rest of my life, she wrote. I want to keep my job not only so that I can provide for my family, but so that I can continue to be on the front lines helping children who survived, the families of all affected, and the entire Uvalde community that I love and want to continue to protect.

guillermo.contreras@

express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland
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A day after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, then-President Donald Trump looked visibly agitated as he videotaped a message to be broadcast to the nation.

Recently released outtakes show him frustrated and, more important, unwilling to accept defeat.

On the day of the attack, when Congress convened to count the electoral votes from the 50 states and confirm Joe Bidens victory, Trump continued to maintain the election had been rigged.

On ExpressNews.com: Editorial: Trump lost the election, fueled flames of insurrection

Trump hasnt changed, nor have his supporters and sycophants, among them some of the witless minds in Congress.

Video of the Jan. 6 invasion of the Capitol shows a petulant man banging on a podium, furious that his vice president had failed to stop the count. A mob shouted, Hang Mike Pence!

Trumps attempt to prevent a peaceful transition of power, a keystone of our democracy, relied on armed, violent supporters who mowed down police barricades and then officers. Trump wasnt there, but he was leading them.

On ExpressNews.com: Jan. 6 takeaways: White House in chaos, unmovable Trump

Trump had vowed to join them at the Capitol and left no doubt that he sought to subvert democracy.

These events have been under investigation for more than a year by the Justice Department and a U.S. House Select Committee. Over the summer, the latter conducted more than 1,000 interviews and held eight hearings. Its hearings will resume in the fall.

Those whove read and heard the evidence taken under oath have been waiting for DOJ to act, especially against the man at the center of the assault on our democracy.

This week brought a hint that justice might finally be done.

The Washington Post, citing four sources familiar with the matter, reported on Tuesday that the Justice Department is looking into Trumps actions as part of its criminal investigation into the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Justice is said to be examining the former presidents conversations and seized phone records, including those of his former chief of staff, Mark Meadows.

According to the Post, prosecutors are questioning witnesses before a grand jury  including two top aides to Vice President Mike Pence.

Prosecutors have asked about conversations with Trump, his lawyers, and others in his inner circle who sought to substitute Trump allies for certified electors from some states Joe Biden won.

Justice is examining meetings Trump led in December 2020 and January 2021, the Post said. Meetings in the White House, in state capitals and a Washington, D.C., hotel are also coming under scrutiny.

So far, more than 840 people have been criminally charged in the Jan. 6 attack, but outtakes of White House videos gathered by the House Select Committee show Trump didnt want to call publicly for their prosecution.

Some observers saw Tuesdays news as a sign that the Justice Department is shifting its attention from the Jan. 6 rioters to the architects of the attack, including Trump.

Finally.

On the same day the Post published its story, Attorney General Merrick Garland told NBC News his departments investigation will follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor.

We intend to hold everyone, anyone (accountable) for any attempt to interfere with the lawful transfer of power.

It was the first time Garland was so direct about the investigation. It was the closest he has come to thunder. He acknowledged that the Justice Department is looking at information gathered by the House Select Committee.

Look, the Justice Department has been doing the most wide-ranging investigation in its history, he told NBC. And the committee is doing an enormously wide-ranging investigation as well. It is inevitable that there will be things that they find before we have found them. And its inevitable that there will be things we find that they havent found. Thats what happens when you have two wide-ranging investigations going on at the same time.

On Jan. 6, for 187 minutes, Trump did nothing and said nothing to stop the attack. When he finally spoke, he referred to rioters in terms that were intimate and creepy.

We love you. Youre very special.

A day later, he read into a video camera from a prepared script, saying at one point, I dont want to say the election is over.

He struggled. He was supposed to say the rioters dont represent our movement.

But he couldnt bring himself to denounce them.

Because they did exactly as he instructed. Because they do represent his movement.

Because they still want to overthrow a democratically elected president, now in his second year in office.

The historic investigations by the House Committee and the Justice Department are hopeful signs for democracy.

But, as we know, investigations may not lead to charges and convictions, or to prison terms.

Every day, we see minor criminals paraded before the cameras in so-called perp walks. Sometimes, we see a white-collar criminal do the same walk of shame.

We may yet see some Jan. 6 criminals face this kind of exposure. But we know its unlikely Trump himself ever will.

Even though no one deserves it more.

eayala@express-news.net
In the most popular show on American television, Yellowstone, the heroes are the rich owners of a vast, gorgeous spread of Montana real estate. The villains are anyone else who wants to live there.

I exaggerate; the show is a little more complicated than this. There are times when the Duttons, the ranch-owning family patriarched by Kevin Costners John Dutton, play more like HBO-style antiheroes than sympathetic protagonists (when they commit the occasional murder, for instance), and their rivals for Montanan power include a nearby Native American tribe whose aspiration to reclaim their ancestral lands is treated with respect.

But fundamentally Yellowstone is about the preservation of a particular vision of the West (cowboys, ranches, open spaces, families that understand stewardship and that arent just there for the views), and its sympathies are with the preservationists, no matter what their sins. Indeed, the Duttons main Native American rival is himself a sympathetic figure precisely because he, too, wants to protect the West from its coastal new-money invaders  by using casino money to rewind the Dutton ranch even farther back in time and letting his people live there in some kind of harmony with nature once again.

Yellowstone is a big hit because it makes this vision of pastoral stewardship so seductive. I recommend reading Kathryn VanArendonks New York magazine essay on the show for a case study in how the most red-state show on television can reel in even a blue-state TV critic. I also recommend watching the show in tandem with the structurally similar but radically different Succession. Both are about what you might call family capitalism, the portion of American business that remains right wing even as corporate power centers like Wall Street and Silicon Valley tilt to the cultural left. But the HBO show is a savage jeremiad, inspiring sympathy for its characters only insofar as theyre prisoners of familial pathology. Whereas the central theme of Yellowstone is that family capitalism is flawed and sinful but corporate capitalism is worse and its better to be ruled by a patriarchy than a private-equity raider or a faceless board.

Finally, if you watch the show from outside the Mountain West, as clearly most of its fans do, I recommend experiencing firsthand the territory in which Yellowstone is set  as my family just did on a road trip that took us through the region  and seeing how it changes your responses to the show.

My own shift was complicated. On the one hand, as an Easterner accustomed to big cities and dense suburbs, to experience the Wests mixture of majesty and emptiness is to feel more intensely what John Duttons various foils and rivals feel  that something extraordinary is being effectively hoarded here, with whatever admirable intentions, and that more Americans should be able to live in the shadow of such beauty, even if they are just there for the views.

At every semiurban stop along the way, from Rapid City, S.D., to Missoula, Mont., to Coeur dAlene, Idaho, I laughed at what passes for density and congestion west of the Mississippi. Yes, there are conservationist reasons to keep the human footprint light, and yes, the water in the high plains would probably never support the sprawl outside, say, Atlanta. Im not suggesting that we should build an American version of Saudi Arabias planned desert supercity just east of the Bighorn Range. (Lets see how the Saudi version goes first.)

A bigger Rapid City, though, or a more bustling Great Falls, Mont.? A Wyoming with, say, three inhabitants for every hundred-odd acres instead of just one? That all sounds like a reasonable and desirable future. And not just because the landscapes are so ridiculously beautiful or even because people may be healthier and thinner at higher altitudes. More population growth out West might also be good for the American republic, giving regions that often feel neglected more representation in the House and giving liberal coast dwellers less reason to complain about rural-state power in the Senate.

Just when these kind of thoughts had me ready to hand the Dutton Ranch over to its development-minded enemies, though, I would hit a place where significant population growth is already happening  a boomtown like Bozeman, Mont., or one of the Californian outposts that have sprung up across Idaho  and suddenly see the world from the Dutton familys perspective once again.

Thats because growth in these places doesnt feel like some kind of upwardly mobile Laura Ingalls-type westward migration; it feels as if an alien starship had beamed little chunks of coastal supergentrification down into the West. The median single-family home price in Bozeman costs around $900,000; the main street in a place like Sandpoint, Idaho, is a festival of liberal haute-bourgeois taste with Western flourishes. At least where I encountered it, the growing diaspora in the Mountain West isnt bringing the mountains to the middle-class masses; its red-state colonization by the blue-state rich.

Not that theres anything wrong with coastal rich people (perish the thought!). But in any city or region, whether its Whitefish, Mont., or Washington, D.C., the case for development and pro-growth zoning, for a yes-in-my-backyard spirit, depends, to a large extent, on the benefits to potential newcomers and migrants. That always makes YIMBYism a relatively hard sell to incumbents  and when all the newcomers seem privileged, when they make developers rich but start pricing normal people out, when they make your relatively egalitarian state a case study in zooming inequality, you can see why a politics of preservation would be as popular as a hit like Yellowstone.

But the problem is that preservationism in this context is likely to be self-defeating. If the rich really like your state or region, the rich will always find a way to come. What zoning limits and housing regulations really affect is whether anyone except the rich can afford your states nicest precincts. If they cant, then the attractiveness of purple-mountain-majesty to coastal elites will just recreate coastal inequalities and fuel working-class resentments, in a dynamic thats already visible in the mountain states wherever the posh colonies give way to the alienation of Trump country.

If you look at zoning rules in Montanas most attractive cities, they point to this kind of Western future. For instance: According to the Frontier Institute, a Montana-based libertarian think tank, a city like Missoula, which is still more middle class and affordable than Bozeman, has exclusionary zoning  restrictions on town homes and multifamily units, minimum lot requirements  that make it difficult for young families and working-class newcomers to get a foothold in the city. That suggests that Missoulas relative middle-class-ness wont last: If I were a Silicon Valley or Seattle exile, I would already be looking there rather than Bozeman. If I were a property speculator, Id be buying there right now. And if I didnt have much money to spend, Id be drifting into the hinterlands or looking in a different state.

Part of the appeal of the Dutton family drama is the knowledge that the Yellowstone patriarch cant ultimately win  that youre watching and appreciating something familiar in Western lore, the doomed last stand. But in reality, when regions are experiencing growth they cant and shouldnt stop, they still have important choices to make: not whether change and new inhabitants will come but in what form, with what consequences for the society that takes shape next.

More Americans should live in the West, and more Americans assuredly will. The question for mountain-state incumbents  the real ones, not the Costner facsimile  is whether that more will include everybody or whether their glorious share of the American inheritance will pass on mostly to the rich.
In a recent guest column, District 10 City Councilman Clayton Perry misses the mark about Bexar Countys cite-and-release program (Crime is up; rethink cite-and-release, Opinion, Saturday).

He correctly points out that a rise in criminal activity across the country causes many in our nation to feel uneasy about going to the corner gas station or for a neighborhood walk. Likewise, he correctly points out that analyzing the causes of crime are complex and there is no one simple answer.

However, he then suggests the increase in crime in San Antonio is caused by the absence of prosecution for certain offenses, as well as the setting of low bonds, but he offers no evidence to support his position. One need only refer to the headline of the guest column to deduce he is referring to offenses eligible for cite-and-release.

This program has functioned well because of the cooperation of law enforcement. The officer who encounters a resident on the street has the sole discretion to arrest or issue a citation. A citation allows the officer to stay on the street and focus on serious crimes. It is a tool of effective policing as well as one of pretrial diversion.

On Jan. 31, I released my official cite-and-release diversion policy. In it, I list all the offenses enumerated by statute created by the Texas Legislature in 2007 that are eligible for the program. I did not expand the list of crimes that qualify. Instead, I merely explained that if a law enforcement agency, at its discretion, chooses to refer any of those offenses to our program for consideration, we would be willing to review such referrals for entry into the program.

While misdemeanor theft and graffiti are listed as eligible offenses by the Legislature, the majority of offenses (65 percent) referred to the district attorneys offices cite-and-release program have been for misdemeanor amounts of marijuana. From the inception of the program on July 1, 2019, to July 25, 2022, 6,235 citations have been received from law enforcement. Officers with the San Antonio Police Department have issued 89 percent, or 5,541 citations, of which only three citations by law enforcement have been for graffiti.

Cite-and-release has been a success in Bexar County. The San Antonio Police Department has been a large partner in this effort, and it is because of its aggressive use of this program that this initiative has been successful. Officers with SAPD are to be commended for thinking outside the box. To date, the cite-and-release program has saved $4.7 million in booking costs.

Moreover, the success of this program can also be measured in recidivism, or the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend. The recidivism rate for participants who have successfully completed the program is only 7.9 percent compared with an average recidivism rate of 38 percent for those arrested and booked.

Finally, the benefits of cite-and-release to the individual and the community are many. The individual avoids the collateral consequences of bond fees, court costs and potential loss of employment or other benefits, and the community keeps low-level nonviolent offenders as productive members of society while saving millions of taxpayer dollars.

The purpose of the cite-and-release program is to improve public safety through better use of police resources and reduction of recidivism. By these measures, this program has been a huge success. This is why Mayor Ron Nirenberg and a majority of the San Antonio City Council are in support of this initiative.

Joe D. Gonzales is the Bexar County district attorney.




The upcoming launch of Korea's first lunar orbiter mission will be postponed by at least two days due to additional maintenance of a SpaceX rocket, the Ministry of Science and ICT said Thursday.







The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO)  also known as Danuri  was initially set to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States, at around 8:20 a.m. next Wednesday (KST).







The ministry said SpaceX was in the process of rescheduling the launch to 8:08 a.m. Friday (KST).







It said SpaceX gave a notification of the delay after "discovering that additional (maintenance) work was needed" while going through the preflight inspection process.







The 678-kilogram Danuri is currently at the Florida space center, and is undergoing maintenance and other pre-launch preparations ahead of next week's launch.







The Korea Aerospace Research Institute plans for the orbiter to reach and start circling the moon in December for a yearlong observation mission. (Yonhap)






The ghost of Emmett Till forever haunts. Its been almost 67 years since the Black teenager from Chicago was murdered in Money, Miss.

The brutal killing of Till will forever haunt this nation as a symbol of barbaric racial violence and justice denied, but that is also true of the woman whose accusation led to him becoming a ghost before his time.

Carolyn Bryant Donham will always be linked to Till, and she will always be despised because of her role in his murder. In history, infamy will continue to surround her, the same infamy with which shes lived most of her long life, so its understandable shed want to try to alter an image molded in August 1955.

On Aug. 24, the 14-year-old Till, who was visiting family in Money, walked into Bryants Grocery and Meat, where he whistled at Carolyn Bryant, as she was then known. She claimed he grabbed her around the waist.

Her husband, Roy Bryant, was out of town, but when he returned, she told him about the incident. On the night of Aug. 28, he and J.W. Milam, his brother-in-law, kidnapped Till from his uncles house. They beat and tortured him for hours before shooting him and dumping his body in the Tallahatchie River, a 75-pound cotton gin attached around his neck with barbed wire.

Bryant and Milam would be acquitted of murder charges, but they later confessed in paid interviews.

Donham has lived much of her life in seclusion. This month, the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting obtained Donhams unpublished memoir, titled, I Am More Than a Wolf Whistle: The Story of Carolyn Bryant Donham.

It continues her pattern since 1955 of giving different accounts of what Till allegedly did in the store, and it conflicts with the accounts of other witnesses.

She claims that when her husband and brother-in-law brought the boy to her to identify him, she tried to save his life by saying he wasnt the one. But Donhams credibility is severely strained when she writes, To my utter disbelief, the young man flashed me a strange smile and said, Yes, it was me, or something to that effect.

She would have us believe the teenage boy, kidnapped from his uncles home by white men in the middle of the night, rejected her attempt to save him and instead confessed with a smile.

But also nonsensical and lacking in self-awareness is Donham, writing: I always felt like a victim as well as Emmett.

Donham is 88, blessed with the gift of longevity denied the boy she targeted for death with her accusations. She may live to see 90, but the true victim never saw 15. However difficult her life and the physical abuse she suffered from her husband, what she felt was nothing to what Till experienced as he was beaten and tortured.

Earlier this month, a 1955 unserved arrest warrant for Donham, her husband and brother-in-law on kidnapping charges was found in a courthouse basement. The men were arrested, but she wasnt.

This renewed calls for Donham to be prosecuted, but Mississippis attorney general said theres no new evidence to reopen the case.

Its close to certain Donham will never face legal charges for Tills murder, meaning there will be no convictions for one of the most notorious and historically consequential murders ever committed in the United States.

But for almost 70 years, Donham has been imprisoned by her role in that murder and by her knowledge of what she said and did  and didnt say and do. For almost 70 years, how can she not think, every day, of the one thing for which shes known and despised? Whether she feels genuine remorse, a pariahs isolation or a combination of both, hers has been a life sentence that may have been worse than any time she may have served in prison.

Neither her memoir nor death will release Donham from historys judgment. What she did in 1955 will always shadow her name as surely as Emmett Till will continue to haunt this land.
Underscoring Texas lawmakers rightward lurch on education issues in recent years, the candidate likely to replace a moderate Republican on the State Board of Education in a district outside Houston is a right-wing activist who participated in protests at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

After winning the primary in March, the frontrunner in the District 7 race is Julie Pickren, a former trustee for Alvin Independent School District. Pickren was voted off that board last year after her participation in the protest at the U.S. Capitol was revealed  the basis of a campaign against her by the Brazoria County NAACP.

RELATED: Texas conservatives flex muscle to help anti-woke charter school, a sign of things to come

Pickren is a former delegate to the GOPs national and state conventions, her LinkedIn says, and on Facebook she blamed antifa, rather than Trump supporters, for violence during the Capitol riot, a claim that other Republicans have made without proof. She declined a request for an interview.

District 7 includes much of Fort Bend County as well as Brazoria and Galveston counties, stretching east to Liberty, Orange and Jefferson.

Republicans have moved further to the right on education issues in Texas over the past 18 months. Earlier this summer, Gov. Greg Abbott announced his support for private school vouchers and endorsed a Parental Bill of Rights to give parents more power over what and how their kids are taught in schools. Last year, the Legislature passed and Abbott signed a slew of conservative bills relating to education, including restrictions on how social studies can be taught and on transgender children playing school sports.

At the local level, school board politics have become increasingly heated, with often angry discussions over diversity and equity policies in the schools. Parent groups have organized PACs in opposition to what they view as progressive activism in education, raising substantial amounts of money to reshape local school boards around the state.

Next years State Board of Education is set to be more conservative, with Robinson leaving as well as two other Republicans who lost their March primaries to opponents supported by right-wing PACs. There are currently nine Republicans and six Democrats serving on the board.

The boards core responsibilities include writing Texas public school curriculums, managing the permanent fund that backs debt taken out by schools, and deciding whether to allow new charter schools in the state; Pickren has said she supports adding more of them.

Moderate pushed out

The District 7 seat opened up last year, when the Legislature during redistricting moved incumbent Matt Robinson into a different district so he couldnt run for re-election. Robinson, a doctor from Friendswood, has said he feels Republican political leaders in the state did this intentionally because they did not believe he was sufficiently supportive of charter schools and other conservative policy goals.

In a rare move in todays increasingly polarized politics, Robinson is endorsing the Democrat in the race, Galveston ISD teacher Dan Hochman, to be his successor. Why?

Because hes running against Julie Pickren. And she will be bad for public education, Robinson said.

In lists of the most important issues to her campaign, Pickren has named ridding public schools of Critical Race Theory, a legal theory that critics use as a catchall term to describe diversity and equity initiatives as well as discussion of systemic or historical racism. Pickren is also supportive of parents rights initiatives such as those espoused by Abbott.

She is leading a fight, an assault on public education thats going on right now. Its not among all Republicans, but its among a good number and shes kind of leading that fight. And the idea that Critical Race Theory is going on in most schools and most districts, which is entirely false. So her overall approach is, in my view, anti-public education, Robinson said.

Hochman said Pickrens participation in the Jan. 6 protests amounted to supporting an insurrection against the United States.

Technically, because thats been called an event of sedition, she was violating her oath of office. She shouldnt even be allowed to run by the 14th Amendment. But theres no judge in Texas that would follow up on that, Hochman said.

Judges in other states have allowed members of Congress to stay on the ballot despite similar 14th Amendment arguments being made against them, and Hochman said he did not have any intention to bring a legal challenge to Pickrens eligibility.

Hochman acknowledged that hes facing an uphill climb in the race, as the district leans conservative. Pickrens campaign has spent about $40,000 so far, while Hochmans has spent about $10,000. Hochman said his campaign bank account currently had less than $100 in it.

Pickrens campaign received $15,000 from Kathaleen Wall, a wealthy Houston Republican who spent $8.3 million on an unsuccessful Congressional bid in 2020.

It really, truly is a fight for the soul of public education in the state of Texas, which is failing right now, Hochman said of the race. Hochman added that he would oppose expansion of charter schools.

Im up against a woman who is clearly anti-public education. Shes being funded by the far right, whose agenda has been publicly clear that they want to dismantle public education and replace it with private schools and charter schools so they can push through a far-right Christian agenda in schooling. And thats not like a conspiracy, thats been pretty much out in the open.

edward.mckinley@chron.com
This article was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, one of the most socially conservative Texans serving in Congress, told The Dallas Morning News that Texas should repeal its now-dormant law that bans gay sex.

Consenting adults should be able to do what they wish in their private sexual activity, and government has no business in their bedrooms, Cruzs spokesperson told the newspaper.

The Texas Legislature passed the law decades ago. It hasnt been enforceable since 2003, when the U.S. Supreme Court decided in a landmark ruling that it violated the Constitution. There have been regular attempts by Democrats to repeal the law since, but they have repeatedly failed in the Legislature.

But questions over the future of that precedent have surfaced after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. Both the 1973 abortion case and the gay sex case, known as Lawrence v. Texas, were decided based on the idea of a constitutional right to privacy.

The courts overturning of Roe caused some to wonder whether other cases based on that privacy right would be next  and conservative Justice Clarence Thomas had suggested that the court reconsider the Lawrence precedent.

The courts 2015 landmark ruling legalizing gay marriage was decided under similar reasoning. In recent weeks, Cruz has reiterated his opposition to that decision. He also frequently brought up his opposition to that ruling while campaigning for president that year in socially conservative states like Iowa and South Carolina.

Recently on his podcast, Cruz reiterated his belief that the decision was clearly wrong on the grounds that states, not the enacting of a federal standard, should govern gay marriage policy.

Even so, he said he didnt think the court would overturn that ruling.

Youve got a ton of people who have entered into gay marriages and it would be more than a little chaotic for the court to do something that somehow disrupted those marriages that have been entered into in accordance with the law, Cruz said. I think that would be a factor that would, would counsel restraint, that the court would be concerned about. But to be honest, I dont think this court has any appetite for overturning any of these decisions.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
Yi-Chin Lee / Staff photographer

The Texas Secretary of States office announced that Harris County was selected as one of four in the state that will have their election results audited from 2020 to 2022.

Harris County has drawn intense scrutiny from conservative lawmakers for its elections over the last several years, dating back to drive-thru voting and other strategies to make it easier to cast ballots in the 2020 general election. Those measures inspired last years election security legislation that ignited an historic partisan battle at the Capitol.
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The Biden administration and top Texas Republicans dont publicly agree on much about whats happening in the state. But in South Texas, theres a business development theyre all eager to tout.

The technology giant Samsung announced plans last year to build a $17 billion semiconductor factory in Taylor. And last week, it filed paperwork with the state suggesting it could build 11 chip-making facilities in the Austin area over the next two decades.

The news comes as President Joe Biden and Congress are eager to grow the domestic semiconductor industry, which has steadily lost ground to foreign competitors in recent years. The federal push has the rare backing of Texas leaders who see the state as a prime beneficiary.

Already, the industry is growing. In addition to Samsungs plans, the owner of Tower Semiconductor in San Antonio has been eyeing expansion, and Dallas-based Texas Instruments last year announced a $30 billion investment to build new plants in Sherman.

This week, Congress is expected to pass a bill that allocates $52 billion in subsidies for companies that build semiconductors in the United States. Its an effort to compete with China and other countries that are increasingly seeking a competitive edge in the industry. It would also provide a 25 percent investment tax credit for investments in semiconductor manufacturing.

The measure cleared a key hurdle Wednesday, when the Senate passed the legislation 64-33. It was expected to pass the House later this week and move to Bidens desk for his signature.

Rare alliances

The federal incentives in the CHIPS Act of 2022 will help Texas leverage our investments in the semiconductor industry, and the tax provisions will benefit the semiconductor-related companies already operating in the state, while attracting others that are looking to expand and grow, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement last week.

Enactment of the legislation, which would cap more than a year of debate, is seen by backers as a critical step to strengthening Americas semiconductor abilities at a time when the share of modern manufacturing capacity in the United States has plummeted to 12 percent. Thats left the nation increasingly reliant on foreign countries amid a chip shortage thats sent shock waves through the global supply chain.

It represents a rare alliance between Democrats and leading Texas Republicans. Texans supporting the plan include Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont; U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin. Cornyn was a primary driver of the effort to pass the legislation and previously authored a separate plan that this weeks legislation funds. Business groups also support the legislation.

If passed, the legislation would further improve our competitive advantage in an increasingly important semiconductor industry, spur additional investment in our manufacturing capability and allow Texas to add even more high-income, highly skilled jobs to our workforce, Phelan wrote in a letter last week to McCaul, the highest-ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Theres a key dissenter, however, among Texas top elected brass: Sen. Ted Cruz, who voted against advancing the bill Tuesday. His office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on the decision.

Texas leads exports

Texas has led the country in semiconductor exports for 11 straight years, and the state has shown a commitment to expanding the industry.

Last year, Abbott formed a task force with the goal of luring the U.S. Department of Commerce into building its National Semiconductor Technology Center in the state. Samsungs $17 billion expansion was also a recipient of an economic incentive program, known as Chapter 313, that offers property tax breaks to developments that bring new jobs. That program will stop accepting new applicants at the end of the year, but Samsung recently indicated to the state that it intends to apply to it for its proposed future expansion.

On San Antonios far West Side, Towers fabrication facility, or fab, produces about 500 million microelectronic circuits every year. It makes chips for customers in the aerospace, automotive, mobile communications and health care industries. Early this year, Tower executives said they were deciding whether to expand the San Antonio fab, which employs 660 workers, or build a new facility elsewhere.

Since then, Intel announced plans to buy Tower  which has fabs around the world  for $5.4 billion. Executives of both companies said the deal could close by early 2023.

But overall, the countrys semiconductor industry has weakened over the past few decades, leaving politicians desperate to stave off China and other countries from dominating. Biden has touted the Samsung investment in Taylor and urged Congress for months to provide funding to the industry.

A significant interruption to our supply of semiconductors could cause historic damage to the U.S. economy  damage far greater than the impact of chips shortages on the American auto industry right now  and would undercut our technological competitiveness and military advantages over adversaries globally, a White House statement said earlier this year.

S.A. VOTES Voter Guide: What to know for the Texas runoff election A breakdown of key state and local races and candidates in the May 24 primary runoff.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the legislation is crucial to ensure semiconductor companies dont leave states like Texas.

We know that these companies that are in your states have offers right now from other countries to expand there. And we know that theyll take those offers if Congress doesnt pass this, Raimondo told reporters last week.

Some dissent

There is not universal support for the investments. Central Texas Interfaith, a group representing 50 religious congregations, schools, unions and civil organizations, opposed the property tax breaks for Samsung, calling them corporate welfare.

This shameful grab at nearly $5 billion in potential school funding comes at a time when districts are struggling to retain teachers and staff and when hardworking families are hurting yet receiving no such tax breaks, the group said in a statement.

There is opposition in Congress as well. In another rare political alignment, progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and conservative lawmakers and think tanks have derided the semiconductors bill.

The five biggest semiconductor companies that will likely receive the lions share of this taxpayer handout  Intel, Texas Instruments, Micron Technology, Global Foundries and Samsung  made $70 billion in profits last year. Does it sound like these companies really need corporate welfare? Sanders said in a statement. Let us rebuild the U.S. microchip industry, but lets do it in a way that benefits all of our society, not just a handful of wealthy, profitable and powerful corporations.

This story includes information from staff writer Eric Killelea, The Texas Tribune and The New York Times.
A new case of highly-pathogenic bird flu has been confirmed in non-poultry captive birds on a Bedfordshire farm, with all affected by the disease to be culled.

Avian influenza of the H5N1 subtype was confirmed on Thursday (28 July) at a premises near Sandy, Central Bedfordshire.

The latest discovery makes it England's 105th case of the virus since the start of this year's avian influenza crisis, which began in late October 2021.

The disease was discovered in captive birds, Defra said in an online update. A cull has been ordered.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has also been enacted around the site.

Defra said: "The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) remains in force across Great Britain until further notice, with only the housing measures component being lifted.

"This means, while birds are allowed to range outside, if you keep birds you must continue to take effective and precautionary biosecurity measures until further notice."

Defra added: "While the risk levels have reduced infection may still be present in the environment."

It comes as a major research consortium convened last month to help combat this winter's outbreak of avian flu, which has been the largest and longest ever in the UK.

The group is comprised of eight of the country's top scientific organisations, including the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), APHA, the Pirbright Institute and the Roslin Institute.

The consortium was awarded 1.5 million of government funding to bolster research projects and develop new strategies to effectively tackle future outbreaks.

The UKs chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss welcomed the new consortium: "[It] will allow us to combine our expertise at a national level to increase the speed and quality of our research, ensuring we can develop new strategies to aid our efforts against this insidious disease."
Potatoes in Practice, the UKs largest field event for potatoes, is set to return to Balruddery Farm in Angus in August with a focus on new research and current challenges.

The industry event, back following the pandemic, will present current research through seminars along with demonstration plots and field exhibits.

Labour, fuel, and fertiliser have rocketed since the last event, further challenging both domestic and international supply chains,

This year's show will offer growers opportunity to discuss issues including sustainability, food security, net-zero, pests and diseases, new varieties, Integrated pest management and current market challenges.

Professor Lesley Torrance, executive director of science at the James Hutton Institute, said: This year we will be discussing our vision for an International Potato Innovation Centre.

"[This will] fast track research and innovations that will address the challenges the potato faces from climate change, and the need for sustainable, low carbon production systems.

"The centre will work with all stakeholders in the sector to underpin a thriving future potato industry.

Dr Philip Burgess, director of Scottishpotatoes.org, added: Potatoes in Practice is a unique event that brings together the whole potato supply chain into one field and the range of discussions this year will cover everything from geopolitical events to the rooting structures of different varieties.

Labour, fuel, and fertiliser have rocketed since the last PIP, further challenging both domestic and international supply chains," he explained.

"These changes will have an impact on the choices growers make in growing crops. Just where can new precision technology or advanced varieties reduce production costs to keep the potato competitive?

Potatoes in Practice will to return to Balruddery Farm in Angus on Thursday 11 August.

Those wishing to attend the event can register for free at pip.hutton.ac.uk.
A Korean-made FA-50 fighter jet / Courtesy of Republic of Korea Air Force



Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Korea's sole aircraft maker, has signed a basic $3 billion deal with Poland to export 48 FA-50 light attack fighters, its officials said Thursday.



The largest FA-50 export deal was part of the "framework contracts" that the Polish government inked the previous day to procure 980 K2 battle tanks and 648 K9 howitzers on top of the FA-50s.



In addition to the fighter deal, KAI seeks to establish a maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) center in Poland as well as an international pilot training school using the FA-50s, according to the officials.



KAI CEO Ahn Hyun-ho said that the FA-50 contract is not just a simple sales deal but a "start of joint cooperation."






The value of garment exports fromis currently negligible. However, the free trade agreement (FTA) between both the countries is expected to come into effect this year, which will boost Cambodias merchandise exports. In the first five months of this year, Cambodias garment exports to South Korea were valued at $79.228 million.

Cambodia exported $111.35 million worth of merchandise to South Korea in January-June this year which was 22 per cent higher on half year-on-year basis, according to data from Cambodias General Department of Customs and Excise. Bilateral trade volume increased by 13.6 per cent to $421.33 million during the six-month period.

Cambodia has already completed internal procedures for FTA, and once South Korea also completes the procedure, a notification will be issued, post which, the agreement will come into force in 60 days.

The value of garment exports from Cambodia to South Korea is currently negligible. However, the free trade agreement (FTA) between both the countries is expected to come into effect this year, which will boost Cambodia's merchandise exports. In the first five months of this year, Cambodia's garment exports to South Korea were valued at $79.228 million.#

Under the FTA, South Korea agreed to remove tariffs on 95.6 per cent of products imported from Cambodia, while Cambodia will eliminate duties on 93.8 per cent of imported goods. Cambodia imported goods worth over $600 million from South Korea in 2021 while its exports to the East Asian nation reached $341 million.

According to Fibre2Fashions market insight tool TexPro, Cambodias export of apparel to South Korea could not recover from the dent of COVID-19. It had exported apparel worth $167.151 million in 2021, which was less than export of $187.650 million in 2019. The shipment had fallen to $169.716 million in 2020. Apparel export was valued at $79.228 million in first five months of this year.

Cambodias apparel export to South Korea was 1.51 per cent ($167.151 million) in 2021, out of its total apparel export of $11.099 billion. Cambodias share was also negligible in South Koreas import of apparel during last year. The north-eastern country had imported 1.60 per cent apparel from Cambodia, out of its total import of $10.467 billion, as per TexPro. China, Italy, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Myanmar were the top five suppliers for South Korea in 2021.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Chinas major industrial firms saw a 1 per cent increase year-on-year in profits during the first half of 2022, as per recent official data. Industrial firms whose main business revenue on a yearly basis was at least 20 million yuan found that their combined profits surpassed 4.27 trillion yuan during that time, according to

The combined revenue of those industries increased to 9.1 per cent from last year to 65.41 trillion yuan. Moreover, 16 out of 41 industries witnessed more profits in the period. In June, profits of big industrial companies shot up by 0.8 per cent year-on-year, undoing the declines in April and May.

The economic recovery can be credited to the efficient containment of the spread of the pandemic and social and economic development as well as the effective execution of policies to stabilise the economy, Zhu Hong, a senior statistician with the NBS, was quoted as saying by the Chinese media.

China's major industrial firms saw a 1 per cent increase year-on-year in profits during the first half of 2022, as per recently released official data. Industrial firms whose main business revenue on a yearly basis was at least 20 million yuan found that their combined profits surpassed 4.27 trillion yuan during that time, according to China's NBS.#

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)
Star Apple Labs Limited, a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), announced the issuance of the MNA tokens. These tokens are created on blockchain technology with an aim to solve the irrationality and inefficiency of the M&A market. People are aware of the ever-growing potential of the M&A market. However, with growth comes risks minimizing the efficiency and success rate of M&A deals.

An official representative of Star Apple said, "We are delighted to enter the cryptocurrency exchange market. We want to achieve 100% transparency, reduce trust issues and attain cost reduction in all M&A deals. MNA Token is created to help companies conduct easy merger and acquisition processes. Our vision is to become a global exchange by creating a healthy cryptocurrency ecosystem."

Creators claim that to start with, MNA tokens will be used in corporate M&As, but the future goal is also to tokenize bonds, artworks, real estate, copyrights, and patents in the future, starting with corporate M&A.

CTBIT Exchange is a global virtual asset exchange that is scheduled to open soon in Turkey. As a professional cryptocurrency exchange, they are packed with some exciting features such as copy trading, system trading, and futures trading. They also exhibit an NFT marketplace where dividends are paid with exchange coins when setting up NFT product sales.

In order to reap the benefits of the synergy between MNA tokens and blockchain exchanges, Star Apple invested in CTBIT. By investing CTBIT, Star Apple aims not only to conduct extensive R&D on tokens but also to list their MNA tokens on the exchange. If the MNA token lists on its own exchange successfully, the probability of being listed on major exchanges around the world, such as Binance, Coinbase, and Bitget, is expected to be increased.

The official from Star Apple also said that through this investment, they would continue to research and develop blockchain technology and collaborate to expand the latest service products such as NFT (Non-Fungible Token) and DeFi. In addition, they will put their best foot forward to bring forth customer satisfaction and include various investment choices for MNA token holders and CTBIT users.

Due to the recent coin price drop, more and more companies are going bankrupt as there is a lack of liquidity in funds. However, Star Apple is among those companies that looked for opportunities to expand their business amidst these hurdles. In the past, when the dot-com bubble burst, many IT companies disappeared, but eventually, companies such as Google and Amazon emerged. As the saying goes, "TOO BIG TO FAIL," it is worth waiting to witness whether Star Apple's investment of CTBIT can help them overcome this market situation and pave the way to becoming a leading blockchain company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220725005962/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts

Star Apple Labs Limited

Shirley Sabia

+90 242 501 8481

info@starapplemna.com
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO US NEWSWIRES

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2022 / BitRush Corp. (CSE:BRH)(Frankfurt:0XSN) ("BitRush" or the "Company") announces Edward (Ted) Boyd tendered his resignation from the board of directors effective July 25th 2022 in order to dedicate his time to his other endeavours.

On behalf of the board, I would like to personally thank Mr. Boyd for his invaluable contribution to the Company over the last few years, stated Karsten Arend, Pres., CEO and Director. He helped move this Company forward in many ways. We wish Mr. Boyd all the best in the future as he focuses on his own ventures.

The board has been evaluating several candidates to join the board of directors.

The common shares of the Company remain suspended from trading in accordance with the rules of the CSE. Such suspension will continue until such time as the Company effectively meets certain listing requirements of the CSE. Although the Company does not currently have any definitive plans for the operation of a business, it is investigating and evaluating opportunities with a view to the development of a sustainable business.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in any jurisdiction.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, the Company's expected future plans described in this news release) constitute forward-looking information.

This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company as well as certain assumptions including, the ability of the Company to find a suitable candidate to serve on the board and to be presented with or find appropriate business opportunities in a timely manner. Forward- looking information is subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, include, but are not limited to, the inability of the Company to find, in a timely manner, if at all, an individual with the appropriate qualifications and business experience to serve on the board and to find appropriate business opportunities that are economically viable or to raise funds in a timely manner, if at all, that may be required to grow and develop a business and/or the failure to formulate definitive plans to operate a business successfully, or the inability of the Company to meet CSE listing requirements and to reactivate the trading of its shares on the CSE.

Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. 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.

Karsten Arend

CEO, President and Director

For further information, contact Karsten Arend at 647-660-8703 or info@bitrush.com.

SOURCE: BitRush Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/710070/BitRush-Corp-Announces-Resignation-of-Director
Students edit videos and photos with Samsung Electronics digital devices in a smart classroom at Yonmu Elementary School in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, July 5. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Kim Jae-heun



Samsung Electronics has been running its smart classroom program to support the latest IT devices, curricula, class consulting and teacher training at schools in need since 2012.





Samsung logo
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Macquarie Group (MQG.AX, MQBKY), in its update on the first quarter of its 2023 financial year ahead of its Annual General Meeting, said that favourable trading conditions saw the company's operating groups deliver net profit contribution that was up on the first quarter of the 2022 financial year, although trading conditions did soften during the quarter. Macquarie's annuity-style businesses (Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) and Banking and Financial Services) combined 1Q23 net profit contribution was significantly up on the first-quarter of 2022, primarily due to income from Green Investment Group (GIG) asset realisations in MAM partially offset by the Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation disposition fee in the first quarter of 2022. The company said it continues to maintain a cautious stance, with a conservative approach to capital, funding and liquidity that positions it well to respond to the current environment. The company noted that it remains well-positioned to deliver superior performance in the medium term. Copyright(c) 2022 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.
SINGAPORE, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SafeRE - the innovative investment marketplace, offering global customers a fair and efficient platform for real estate investments and funding was officially launched.

SafeRE tokenizes highest quality real estate investments, and is the first market place for real estate that delivers true risk-adjusted holistic returns, and truly aligns the interests of real estate investors and asset managers. Costs are kept to an absolute minimum, offering everyone the chance to invest and earn fair returns. By tokenizing assets SafeRE breaks down investments into small units, making previously inaccessible, institutional-grade investments available to everyone.

SafeRE offers a fully automated and seamless online investment experience. Key features include automated onboarding, integrated and paperless KYC , instant deposit and investing process. The platform's digital wallet allows users to store digital multi-currency and investment tokens, with global access on offer 24/7. SafeRE strives to promote diversity and strict Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, creating an ethical investment market place for investors and asset owners.

Investors benefit from much lower investment costs and from a totally transparent investing process . Portfolios can be easily created and customized, offering the ability to reflect every investor's preferences. Asset owners benefit from the digitized listing of projects for fundraising at lower administration costs and from an easy onboarding process. SafeRE offers everyone a wide selection of deals, along with industry experience and guidance on structures.

SafeRE's management Team is passionate about maximizing benefits for real estate market participants. They deployed state-of-the-art technology to enable instant execution and support of SafeRE business philosophy.

Chris Werner, co-founder of SafeRE: "Our mission is to drastically reduce the cost of real estate investment transactions. We do this by ensuring that market participants are not exposed to intransparent cost loading by intermediaries who do not add real value to the investment. Our processes are more efficient, more secure, regulatory compliant and are only designed to benefit those who are the core participants of any real estate transaction, the investors and the asset owners."

SafeRE's platform is here to disrupt the traditional investment industry and offers a new and exciting solution for investors and asset owners. Users can now register for SafeRE's service or contact the team to discover more about how the platform can benefit them.

For information at https://safere.com

For media queries, contact: info@safere.com

@SafeRe7

SafeRE

SafeRe

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868070/SafeRE_Digital_RealEstate_Market.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868071/SafeRE_Logo.jpg
Arcadis reports solid set of results and sees continued strong client demand

SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

Accelerated organic net revenue growth of 8.1% 1 ) , total net revenues of 729M

, total net revenues of 729M Improved operating EBITA margin of 9.3% (Q2 '21: 9.1%)

Free Cash flow of 41M (Q2 '21: 68M)

Strong client demand results in organic backlog growth of 5.9% 1)

Net Working Capital improved to 13.3%, Days Sales Outstanding down to 69 days

Intended acquisition of IBI Group to strengthen our Digital Leadership, enhance geographic presence in North America, and add strategic complementary capabilities to Places and Mobility

Amsterdam, 28 July 2022 - Arcadis (EURONEXT: ARCAD)reports organic net revenue growth of 8.1%, with an improved operating EBITA margin of 9.3%,andsees continued strong client demand resulting in organic backlog growth of 5.9% for the second quarter.

CEO STATEMENT

Peter Oosterveer, CEO Arcadis, comments: "I am pleased to report a solid set of results in the first half of 2022, fueled by growing client demand across our three Global Business Areas. This demand led to an organic net revenue growth of 8.1% in the quarter, continued strong order intake, resulting in an organic backlog growth of 5.9%, and a healthy pipeline of opportunities.

Our new operating model, launched in January 2022 and focused on the Global Business Areas (GBAs): Resilience, Places and Mobility, is yielding the expected results. We are seeing increased global collaboration, and scaling and cross selling of services across the business areas, which is helping to serve our clients more efficiently and effectively. We delivered continued strong performance particularly with clients in transportation, energy & resources, and industrial manufacturing, driving margin improvement to 9.3% for the quarter, while making further investments in Digital solutions for clients, and in the attraction, retention and development of key industry talent.

As we look to the remainder of the year, we are encouraged by increasing order intake from clients to support their Net Zero ambitions, the increased focus on global electric vehicle roll-out and the need for sustainable industrial manufacturing solutions, particularly in North America. In the current geopolitical reality, both public and private clients are looking to reduce their energy dependencies, leading to a growing appetite for energy transition solutions and sustainability advisory. The recently announced intended acquisition of the Canadian IBI Group will bring increased presence in the highly attractive North American market, enhances our Digital capabilities and positions us well for further acceleration of our profitable growth, all fully supporting our strategic agenda.

We will continue to closely watch the geo-political situation as well as the economic developments and outlook. I am confident that with the accelerated demand we are experiencing combined with the pipeline of private and public sector opportunities and our financial discipline, we are on track to deliver on our strategic targets."

KEY FIGURES

in  millions Half year Second quarter Period ended 30 June 2022 2022 2021 change 2022 2021 change Gross revenues 1,847 1,660 11% 968 848 14% Net revenues 1,418 1,276 11% 729 644 13% Organic growth (%)1) 6.9% 8.1% EBITDA 178 167 7% 91 83 10% EBITDA margin (%) 12.6% 13.1% 12.5% 12.9% EBITA 130 113 15% 65 57 13% EBITA margin (%) 9.2% 8.9% 8.9% 8.9% Operating EBITA2) 133 116 14% 68 58 16% Operating EBITA margin (%) 9.3% 9.1% 9.3% 9.1% Net Income 86 77 12% 44 31 40% Net Income from Ops. (NIfO)3) 93 80 16% 47 32 49% Avg. number of shares (millions) 89.2 89.6 0% 89.2 89.6 0% Net Working Capital (%) 13.3% 14.3% Days Sales Outstanding (days) 69 74 Free Cash Flow -10 29 -135% 41 68 -40% Net Debt 283 368 -23% Backlog net revenues (millions) 2,331 2,125 10% Backlog organic growth (yoy)1) 5.9%

REVIEW OF THE SECOND QUARTER 2022

Net revenues totaled 729 million and increased organically by 8.1%, driven by all GBAs. Growth was very strong in the UK, North America, and Australia, with Continental Europe and Brazil contributing as well. Organic growth was slightly offset by a decline in Greater China, as a result of ongoing lockdowns. The currency impact was 7.0%, mainly driven by a strong US Dollar. The operating EBITA improved to 9.3% (Q2 2021: 9.1%), driven by a better year-on-year performance from Places. Globally, the margin improved while we increased our investments in both Digital Solutions and People.

REVIEW OF THE HALF YEAR 2022

Net revenues totaled 1,418 million and increased organically by 6.9%, driven by all GBAs. The currency impact was 5.9% driven by a strong US Dollar. Non-operating costs were in line with last year and driven by restructuring costs for the wind-down of our business in the Middle East. The income tax rate was 28% (Q2 2021: 21%) and was impacted by, amongst others, non-deductible expenses and non-taxable income from divestitures. Net finance expenses decreased to 5.6 million (HY 2021: 12.5 million), driven by a lower net debt position. Net income from operations increased by 16% to 93 million (HY 2021: 80 million), or 1.04 per share (HY 2021: 0.89), driven by higher revenues, and lower interest expenses.

1) Underlying growth excluding the impact of currency movements, acquisitions or footprint reductions, such as the Middle East, winddowns or divestments

2) Excluding restructuring, acquisition & divestment costs

3) Net income before non-recurring items (e.g. valuation changes of acquisition-related provisions, acquisition & divestment costs, expected credit loss on shareholder loans and corporate guarantees and one-off pension costs)

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

RESILIENCE

42% of net revenues

in  millions Half year Second quarter Period ended 30 June 2022 2022 2021 change 2022 2021 change Net revenues 589 513 14.9% 308 261 17.8% Organic growth (%)1) 7.7% 8.5% Operating EBITA 60 55 7.8% Operating EBITA margin (%) 10.1% 10.8% Backlog net revenues (millions) 842 746 Backlog organic growth (yoy)1) 5.5%

Resilience showed continued solid revenue and backlog growth for the second quarter, driven by both public and private clients in North America, UK, Australia and Brazil. Client demand and performance continues to be strong in environmental restoration, e.g. caused by clients adhering to their environmental obligations and tightening regulation around PFAS. The current economic and geopolitical unrest has further driven public as well as private investments in climate adaptation, energy transition and water optimization, which was reflected in solid organic backlog growth. The margin for the half year was in line with our strategic margin target set for 2023, and driven by good performance from North America and Europe. The margin decrease versus last year was to a large extent driven by increased investments in Digital Solutions and People, as we continue to invest in attracting and retaining key industry talent to execute our growing backlog.

PLACES

33% of net revenues

in  millions Half year Second quarter Period ended 30 June 2022 2022 2021 change 2022 2021 change Net revenues 463 447 3.7% 235 228 3.1% Organic growth (%)1) 3.1% 5.1% Operating EBITA 41 30 36.0% Operating EBITA margin (%) 8.9% 6.8% Backlog net revenues (millions) 968 961 Backlog organic growth (yoy)1) 3.1%

Places demonstrated good revenue growth in the second quarter in particular driven by UK, North America and Australia, further supported by good growth in Continental Europe and partially offset by COVID-19 lockdowns in China and CallisonRTKL. Key clients in Industrial Manufacturing (e.g. Life Sciences, Automotive and Technology), Government and Energy & Resources, were main contributors to the revenue and backlog growth, as they made investments in creating sustainable manufacturing facilities, EV giga factories, energy efficient data centres or resilient public transport places. The margin improved year-on-year and was driven by strong performance, and a higher contribution from UK and North America, last year's margin was impacted by losses on projects in Asia. We see a healthy pipeline of opportunities across a resilient client and solutions portfolio, with very strong demand and investments in EV giga factory space for support in permitting, D&E and program management, but also increasing capex investments in industrial manufacturing driving resource efficiency and productivity.

MOBILITY

25% of net revenues

Period ended 30 June 2022 2022 2021 change 2022 2021 change Net revenues 366 317 15.4% 187 155 20.2% Organic growth (%)1) 10.2% 11.1% Operating EBITA 35 33 6.6% Operating EBITA margin (%) 9.5% 10.3% Backlog net revenues (millions) 521 418 Backlog organic growth (yoy)1) 11.9%

Revenue and backlog growth was very strong in Mobility for the first half year, particularly for public and private clients in the UK and Australia, with additional contribution from North America and Continental Europe. Highways and Rail clients increasingly looked to improve efficiency and reliability of travel with the use of digital tools to reduce disruption and congestion, ultimately lowering cost and improving quality of life. The client demand for New Mobility was also strong, with increased investments in additional capacity for EV charging infrastructure, amongst others. We experienced increased GBA cross selling as Mobility clients look for Resilience solutions, driving transport decarbonization for highways, ports, airports, and rail. The margin was very strong in UK and Australia, and slightly offset by performance in Greater China, again caused by ongoing lockdowns. The margin decrease versus last year was driven by increased investments in Digital Solutions and People, as well as the ramp up of large projects.

BALANCE SHEET & CASH FLOW

Net working capital as a percentage of annualized gross revenues improved to 13.3% (Q2 2021: 14.3%) and Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) improved to 69 days (Q2 2021: 74 days), resulting from disciplined working capital management. Both well within the strategic targets set for 2023. The balance sheet strengthened year-on-year, resulting in a significantly lower net debt of 283 million (Q2 2021: 368 million).

Free cash flow was 41 million during the second quarter (Q2 2021: 68 million), improved EBITDA performance versus last year was offset by cash outflow from high unbilled receivables, a result of a sharp increase in gross revenues for June 2022.

STRATEGIC HIGHLIGHTS

On July 18, 2022, Arcadis announced the acquisition of IBI Group: a forward thinking, technology-driven design firm, which will:

Accelerate Arcadis' Digital Leadership strategy with technology driven industry talent from IBI Group, and enable Arcadis to combine all of its digitally enabled client solutions and software products in a new fourth Global Business Area "Intelligence"

Complement and strengthen our position in North America, leveraging on the Global Key Client program and use of GECs. Our Places clients in Industrial Manufacturing, Government and Energy & Resources are key drivers of revenue and backlog growth, which will be a strong match with IBI Buildings' expertise in master planning, smart city design and structural & electrical engineering (e.g. in Automotive and Aerospace) In our Mobility GBA we see very strong demand across our client base with, for example, a critical ask for more efficient and reliable Highways and Rail solutions and public transport places. IBI Group's solutions such as Transport Planning and -Engineering and -Management with a strong digitally-enabled solutions and state of the art Transport Information Systems are expected to improve our client proposition Our Resilience GBA will benefit from increasing further scale through IBI Group's water and wastewater as well as its environmental services activities



Provide a strong position in the highly attractive Canadian market

During the first half 2022 and as part as its 'Focus and Scale' strategic axis, Arcadis divested its activities in Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Thailand. Given the limited financial size of these businesses, these divestments have no significant impact on group metrics.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

27 October 2022 2022 Q3 Trading update 16 February 2023 2022 Q4 & full year Results

ARCADIS INVESTOR RELATIONS

Christine Disch

Mobile: +31 6 15376020

E-mail: christine.disch@arcadis.com

ARCADIS CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

Tanno Massar

Mobile: +31 6 11589121

E-mail: tanno.massar@arcadis.com

ABOUT ARCADIS

Arcadis is the leading global design & consultancy organization for natural and built assets. We maximize impact for our clients and the communities they serve by providing effective solutions through sustainable outcomes, focus and scale, and digitalization. We are 29,000 people, active in more than 70 countries that generate 3.4 billion in revenues. We support UN-Habitat with knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world. www.arcadis.com

REGULATED INFORMATION

This press release contains information that qualifies or may qualify as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

Attachments
Regulatory News:

NAVYA (FR0013018041- Navya), an autonomous mobility systems leader, announces that it has officially joined the United Nations Global Compact movement, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative.

As a strong player in the ecological transition through its shared, inclusive and zero-emission transportation solutions for people and goods, this is part of a more global action plan aimed at aligning all of its practices with its corporate social responsibility strategy.

By becoming a signatory to this charter, Navya builds on a solid existing framework, structured around the 10 Principles of the Global Compact, enabling action in parallel on key sustainability levers such as the respect of Human Rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and the fight against corruption.

An action plan structured around the Ten Principles of the Global Compact

In accordance with Global Compact obligations, Navya will publish an annual sustainability report at the end of the first half of 2023 to detail its action plan and initial results.

Navya's action plan will be based on concrete initiatives in four main areas: Human rights International labor standards Environment Anti-corruption.

Concrete actions are already underway and others are being implemented in a continuous improvement process.

The actions already implemented to date are mainly focused on:

Respect and well-being of employees through diversity, inclusion and anti-discrimination programs,

Sustainable development and ecological transition through the implementation of a Responsible Purchasing policy, based on ethical and committed practices integrating CSR criteria in the evaluation of suppliers as well as in the implementation of a low-carbon strategy focused in particular on the digital footprint and waste recovery.

The next actions will aim to reinforce its societal impact to make Navya a humanistic, efficient and innovative company.

Sophie Desormiere, CEO of Navya: "Navya's membership of the Global Compact is a significant step in our CSR and sustainable growth approach. This signature is perfectly in line with our vision and values to progress towards a responsible and committed business model. All our teams are mobilized and determined to contribute significantly to our initiatives to embody and promote the principles of the Global Compact to all our stakeholders."

About Global Compact

Created in 2000 at the initiative of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the Global Compact is the largest international voluntary commitment initiative for sustainable development, with more than 13,000 participants in 170 countries. The Global Compact offers a simple, universal and voluntary framework of commitment based on ten principles and an agenda to eradicate extreme poverty, combat climate change and ensure a life of dignity for all. The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal agenda to be implemented by 2030 to build the future of our societies together. We also support our local relay, the Global Compact France, which has been mandated by the UN to support the implementation of this agenda and the appropriation of the SDGs by the French business world.

www.unglobalcompact.org

About NAVYA

Created in 2014, NAVYA is a leading French name specialized in the supply of autonomous mobility systems and associated services. With 280 employees in France (Paris and Lyon), in the United States (Michigan) and in Singapore, NAVYA aims at becoming the leading player in Level 4 autonomous mobility systems for passenger and goods transport. Since 2015, NAVYA has been the first to market and put into service autonomous mobility solutions. The Autonom Shuttle, main development axis, is dedicated to passenger transport. Since its launch, more than 200 units have been sold in 25 countries as of 31 December 2021. The Autonom Tract is designed to goods transport. Engaged in an ambitious CSR approach, the Company has an active policy in this area, as illustrated by the obtaining of the ISO 9001 certification in September 2021. The Valeo and Keolis groups are among NAVYA's historical shareholders.

NAVYA is listed on the Euronext regulated market in Paris (ISIN code: FR0013018041- Navya).

Further details: www.navya.tech

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220727005724/en/

Contacts:

NAVYA

CSR, Marketing

Communication Manager

Nathalie Marcy

nathalie.marcy@navya.tech

+33 (0)7 63 20 00 52

Chief Financial Officer

Pierre Guibert

finance@navya.tech

NewCap

Investor Relations

Thomas Grojean Nicolas Fossiez navya@newcap.eu

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

NewCap

Media Relations Nicolas Merigeau navya@newcap.eu

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 98
The last volunteer was enrolled in the REVERSE-IT study; recruitment of the 600 participants in this international, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study is complete.

This Phase II/III study is evaluating the efficacy of TOTUM63, a plant-based active substance, in a population with impaired glucose metabolism, from prediabetes to untreated type 2 diabetes (early stage).

The primary objective of the study will be the reduction of fasting blood glucose levels after 24 weeks of TOTUM63 supplementation compared to placebo; the results will be announced at the end of the study.

This Phase II/III clinical study was co-designed by Nestle Health Science and Valbiotis, as part of the global strategic partnership between the two companies on TOTUM63.

Regulatory News:

Valbiotis (FR0013254851 ALVAL, PEA/SME eligible) (Paris:ALVAL), a Research and Development company committed to scientific innovation for preventing and combating metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, announces that it has completed the recruitment of 600 volunteers for the international multicenter Phase II/III REVERSE-IT clinical study on TOTUM63.

This randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluates the efficacy of TOTUM63, a plant-based active substance, in a population with impaired glucose metabolism, from prediabetes to untreated type 2 diabetes (early stage). The primary objective will be the reduction of fasting blood glucose levels after 24 weeks of TOTUM63 supplementation compared to placebo. The results will be communicated at the end of the study.

The Phase II/III REVERSE-IT study was co-designed by the Valbiotis and Nestle Health Science medical and regulatory teams to demonstrate the efficacy of TOTUM63 against prediabetes and untreated type 2 diabetes (early stage), as part of the global strategic partnership between the two companies. REVERSE-IT should confirm the positive results of the Phase II clinical study already obtained in a similar population with TOTUM63.

Murielle CAZAUBIEL, Director of Medical, Regulatory and Industrial Affairs and member of the Valbiotis Board of Directors, commented: "We have reached a very important milestone in the development of TOTUM63 with the completion of enrollment in the Phase II/III REVERSE-IT study. With 600 volunteers enrolled in more than 50 centers worldwide, REVERSE-IT is among the most ambitious studies of early dysglycemia, from prediabetes to early-stage type 2 diabetes, using non-drug approaches. We would like to thank all the teams involved in this project, as well as our partner Nestle Health Science. With a highly demanding design, REVERSE-IT was developed to provide comprehensive and robust efficacy data on these populations in preparation for the TOTUM63 market launch."

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II/III REVERSE-IT study includes 600 people with impaired glucose metabolism, from prediabetes to untreated type 2 diabetes (early stage). It should confirm the efficacy of TOTUM63 at a dose of 5 g/day (3 daily intakes) for 24 weeks on blood glucose abnormalities and other metabolic risk factors for type 2 diabetes, compared to a placebo. The protocol will evaluate the effect of TOTUM63 on fasting blood glucose, the primary endpoint of the study, as well as on a number of secondary endpoints of interest, including two-hour blood glucose and anthropometric parameters (body weight, waist circumference and body fat mass).

About TOTUM63

TOTUM63 is a unique and patented combination of 5 plant extracts that targets the pathophysiological mechanisms of type 2 diabetes.

TOTUM63 has already been shown to be safe and effective in healthy volunteers in a Phase I/II clinical study. Results from a randomized, placebo-controlled, international Phase II study showed that when compared to the placebo, TOTUM63 reduced fasting blood glucose and 2-hour blood glucose levels, two risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

In these subjects, who were also abdominally obese, TOTUM63 also significantly reduced body weight and waist circumference.

TOTUM63 benefits from intellectual property validated by patents in the world's leading markets: Europe (covering 39 countries), the United States, Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, Israel, South Africa, New Zealand and national phases are still underway in a dozen other countries including Brazil and Australia. Production capacity for TOTUM63 has been validated in accordance with North American and European standards. TOTUM63 already has marketing authorizations related to its status in Europe.

In February 2020, Valbiotis signed a long-term global strategic partnership with Nestle Health Science for the development and worldwide commercialization of TOTUM63. This unique partnership in the field of Health Nutrition foresees the marketing of TOTUM63 by Nestle Health Science on a worldwide scale, possibly before obtaining a health claim depending on the area. They will also fund the final stages of development of TOTUM63.

About Valbiotis

Valbiotis is a Research Development company committed to scientific innovation for preventing and combating metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in response to unmet medical needs.

Valbiotis has adopted an innovative approach, aiming to revolutionize healthcare by developing a new class of health nutrition products designed to reduce the risk of major metabolic diseases, relying on a multi-target strategy enabled by the use of plant-based terrestrial and marine resources.

Its products are intended to be licensed to players in the health sector.

Created at the beginning of 2014 in La Rochelle, the Company has forged numerous partnerships with leading academic centers. The Company has established three sites in France Perigny, La Rochelle (17) and Riom (63) and a subsidiary in Quebec City (Canada).

Valbiotis is a member of the "BPI Excellence" network and has been recognized as an "Innovative Company" by the BPI label. Valbiotis has also been awarded "Young Innovative Company" status and has received major financial support from the European Union for its research programs via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Valbiotis is a PEA-SME eligible company.

For more information about Valbiotis, please visit: www.valbiotis.com

Name: Valbiotis

ISIN Code: FR0013254851

Ticker symbol: ALVAL

EnterNext PEA-PME 150

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Valbiotis' objectives. Valbiotis considers that these projections are based on rational hypotheses and the information available to Valbiotis at the present time. However, in no way does this constitute a guarantee of future performance, and these projections may be affected by changes in economic conditions and financial markets, as well as certain risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Valbiotis Universal Registration Document approved by the French Financial Markets Regulator (AMF) on May 19, 2022. This document is available on the Company's website (www.valbiotis.com).

This press release and the information it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe, or a solicitation to purchase or subscribe to Valbiotis' shares or financial securities in any country.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220727005561/en/

Contacts:

Corporate Communication Valbiotis

Carole ROCHER

Communication and Public Affairs Director

+33 6 77 82 56 88

Marc DELAUNAY

Communication Manager

+33 5 46 28 62 58

media@valbiotis.com

Financial communication Actifin

Stephane RUIZ

Associate Director

+33 1 56 88 11 14

sruiz@actifin.fr

Media Relations PrPa

Damien MAILLARD

Director of Operations

+33 6 80 28 47 70

damien.maillard@prpa.fr
Organisations Empowered to Secure Applications with Addition of Dynamic Analysis and API Scanning in EMEA

Veracode, a leading global provider of application security testing solutions, today announced the enhancement of its Continuous Software Security Platform in Europe. Companies can now secure their software across the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC) with the added capabilities of dynamic analysis and API scanning, complementing Veracode's static analysis, software composition analysis and manual penetration testing tools. The Veracode European Region, a cloud-based instance, allows customer data to stay resident in the EU to meet policy requirements for cloud computing.

Demand for a SaaS-based software security solution that supports data residency has never been greater. With a 20x increase* in security scanning cadence over the past decade, organisations are now testing apps for flaws more thoroughly than ever. Many are shifting further left and combining static, dynamic, and software composition analysis to gain a comprehensive view of risk and compliance to policies.

Veracode's EMEA Chief Technology Officer, John Smith, said, "The European market has a growing need to consolidate and automate application security, while meeting stringent data residency requirements. The options for achieving this at scale are limited and complex: on-premise solutions require a large, upfront investment and frequent upgrades, while other SaaS platforms are often a pared-down version of existing on-premise products. Veracode's cloud-native platform helps customers keep costs down and increase efficiencies by integrating multiple software security tools into one easy-to-use solution that also monitors policy compliance."

Based in Frankfurt, Germany, the Veracode European Region is a cloud-based instance that offers customers in EMEA a broad suite of solutions as part of its unified Continuous Software Security Platform, which bridges the gap between security and development teams. Dynamic analysis and API scanning are the latest capabilities to be made available in the market. The integrated platform is unique since it gives customers a "single pane of glass" view of security posture across their entire SDLC.

Seamlessly embedded into the environments where developers work, Veracode creates a frictionless experience for developers to code securely without compromising speed of delivery. This is paramount to help businesses keep pace with accelerating deployment times, as well as to provide a comprehensive view of risk, remediation guidance, peer benchmarking, and rich analytics throughout the development pipeline.

Powered by nearly two decades of aggregate data, the cloud-native platform continually finetunes itself to improve accuracy, yielding impressively low false-positive rates. It also streamlines workflows by running daily updates of the vulnerability database, so customers are immediately apprised of any potential threats.

A customer of Veracode, a European commerce body, said, "The privacy and protection of our customers is our highest priority, so we need to be confident in our software security programme. Veracode gives us this assurance with a fully SaaS platform that is resident in the EU. Initially, we needed an automated dynamic analysis product that could crawl our applications at scale but wanted to avoid the pain of amassing several disparate tools over time. With Veracode, we are safe in the knowledge that we can leverage multiple solutions in one place as we continue to shift security further left."

Find out more about Veracode's European Region here.

*Veracode State of Software Security Report v12, February 2022

About Veracode

Veracode is a leading AppSec partner for creating secure software, reducing the risk of security breach, and increasing security and development teams' productivity. As a result, companies using Veracode can move their business, and the world, forward. With its combination of process automation, integrations, speed, and responsiveness, Veracode helps companies get accurate and reliable results to focus their efforts on fixing, not just finding, potential vulnerabilities.

Learn more at www.veracode.com, on the Veracode blog and on Twitter.

Copyright 2022 Veracode, Inc. All rights reserved. Veracode is a registered trademark of Veracode, Inc. in the United States and may be registered in certain other jurisdictions. All other product names, brands or logos belong to their respective holders. All other trademarks cited herein are property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220727005607/en/

Contacts:

Press and Media

Katy Gwilliam

Head of Global PR, Veracode

kgwilliam@veracode.com

+44.7584.341.110
AXESS Networks' customers will benefit from high-performance connectivity networks delivered via SES's second-generation medium earth orbit satellite communication system

SES and AXESS Networks (AXESS), a leading provider of satellite connectivity solutions, are accelerating digital transition of the mining industry with SES's second-generation medium earth orbit (MEO) system O3b mPOWER, the two companies announced today. Under this multi-year, multi-million agreement, the mining sector users will be able to benefit from the cutting-edge low-latency Onshore Energy Mining mPOWERED connectivity service.

SES's Onshore Energy Mining mPOWERED service will provide the highest throughput available from a satellite system and deliver dedicated and carrier-grade networks to AXESS' customers reliably regardless of their remote locations. O3b mPOWER can deliver up to multiple gigabits per second per site, enabling AXESS' customers to accelerate the digitalisation of their operations and sites globally, boosting profitability through access to new applications and efficiency, as well as improving staff safety and welfare. SES's second-generation MEO connectivity service also brings the Cloud closer to the end customers and can enable edge computing to support the use of 5G and IoT in the mining industry.

Simon GattySaunt, Vice President of Networks Sales, Europe, at SES, said, "Transition towards smart mining is already turbocharging profits, and revolutionising industry's environmental and societal impact. We are proud of the success our partnership with AXESS has already had in facilitating this change, thanks to our multi-orbit GEO and MEO network, and are excited to further accelerate it with the O3b mPOWER service."

Guido Neumann, President AXESS EMEA said, "This agreement builds on a long and successful relationship with SES, which has helped us to provide our customers with the best-in-class, reliable and resilient connectivity for their operations. As we are seeing a considerable uptake in demand for the carrier-grade solutions globally, but especially in the EMEA and APAC region, we are honoured to play an active role in scaling the digital transition in the mining sector through introducing O3b mPOWER and the Onshore Energy Mining mPOWERED service."

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About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world's only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world's leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES's video network carries over ~8,200 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 366 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com

About AXESS Networks

AXESS Networks (AXESS)is a global leader in satellite-based solutions that manages the entire satellite communications value chain with engineering solutions tailored to its customers' requirements. AXESSwas founded in 2019 via the merger of CETel and Axesat, two well-established companies in Europe and Latin America. AXESS operates and owns Teleports in Germany, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It provides turnkey solutions for the individual requirements of its clients from a broad range of industries: Corporate, Energy, Maritime, Telcos, Government, Humanitarian Services and Media. More than 200 AXESS employees serve over 800 clients in 50 countries with deep market understanding. AXESS was awarded as the Independent Teleport Operator of the Year by the WTA (World Teleport Association) in 2021. Further information is available at: www.axessnet.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220727006150/en/

Contacts:

Suzanne Ong

External Communications, SES

+352 710 725 500

suzanne.ong@ses.com

Corinne Effinger

Communications Manager, AXESS EMEA

+49 2295 90878 38

corinne.effinger@axessnet.com
Jacobi Asset Management (Jacobi), a pioneer in next-generation digital asset investment management, announces the appointment of Martin Bednall as its new CEO, effective 1st August 2022. Bednall will also continue in his role at FinEx Capital Management.

Martin's predecessor, Jamie Khurshid, will step into a new role as Chairman of the Board while current Chairman Roy McGregor remains as a Director. McGregor also holds the position of Chairman of Jacobi Investment Funds PCC Limited.

As incoming CEO, Bednall brings unparalleled expertise in portfolio management, capital markets, operations and exchange-traded product development. Before working as Managing Director at FinEx for the last eight years, Bednall spent over thirteen years in various roles at BlackRock including as the Co-Head iShares Product Team. With the addition of Martin Bednall, Jacobi gains the experience and expertise of an ETF veteran to continue the firm's aspirations of being the premier digital asset provider in Europe, building on the listing of Europe's first Bitcoin ETF.

Commenting on the appointments, Jacobi Asset Management Chairman Roy McGregor said: "I want to welcome Martin to the company. I see his appointment as a key step in our journey to bring digital assets into the mainstream investment infrastructure and his experience within ETFs, particularly, as a significant addition to an already deep pool of experience."

Incoming Chairman Jamie Khurshid added: "Jacobi continues to develop its ambition to become Europe's dominant digital asset ETF issuer. The launch of the Jacobi Bitcoin ETF is the beginning of an exciting roadmap for digital asset exchange-traded funds suitable for institutional, professional and sophisticated investors."

Martin Bednall responded: "I am absolutely delighted to join Jacobi at this very exciting and pivotal time in the digital asset market, and to build on the significant milestones already achieved by the founders. Having the first Bitcoin ETF in Europe gives Jacobi a fantastic base on which to build more products and distribution avenues to provide the market with the institutional grade, regulated digital asset products it needs." The Jacobi Bitcoin ETF will launch in August 2022 in line with the new appointments.

For further information, visit Jacobiam.com

About Jacobi Asset Management

Launched in May 2021 to shape the future of digital asset management, Jacobi Asset Management is a European ETF issuer serving the institutional investment market. Jacobi brings together a diverse team of blockchain, technology, investment and regulatory experts deep-rooted in capital markets with a compelling pedigree in distributed ledger technology and digital asset management.

Important Disclosure and Disclaimer Information

Jacobi Asset Management offers its services to institutional, professional and sophisticated clients only. Any investment comes with risks and the value of an investment can decrease as well as increase.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005082/en/

Contacts:

For enquiries about Jacobi Asset Management, please contact:

Geneva Loader

Jacobi Asset Management

Tel: +44 (0)3330 165 232

Email: Geneva@jacobiam.com



Media enquiries:

The Realization Group on behalf of Jacobi Asset Management

Helen Disney

helen.disney@therealizationgroup.com

M: +44 7792 376546
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Working from home has become a necessary normal, one that's led companies to begin exploring the benefits of workplaces in the metaverse. This is an inevitable change that may help to mitigate some of the challenges that remote working has brought to the surface. Yet, for all the positives offered by a metaverse workplace, it may only intensify certain negatives of remote work for employees.

To explore these topics further, ExpressVPN commissioned a study , in collaboration with Pollfish, surveying 1,500 employees and 1,500 employers in the United States to provide a clearer picture of how they see themselves working in the metaverse.

Technological advancements have increased productivity

As workplaces continue to move to non-office arrangements, both workers (90%) and employers (88%) agree that technological advancements have allowed them to increase productivity and improve connections with their co-workers. Employees in particular cite video conferencing (27%), and in-person meetings (19%)as the communication methods that make them feel most connected and engaged. While employers agree when it comes to video conferencing (32%), they view the metaverse (17%) as the second-best method for staying connected with co-workers versus just 9% of employees.

Employers are much more excited and curious about the metaverse

The majority of employers report feeling excited (66%) and optimistic (54%) about the future of work in the metaverse. Whereas employees report feeling higher levels of anxiety (24%), suspicion (20%) and confusion (17%), signaling an overall level of hesitation.

The metaverse creates opportunities for increased workplace surveillance, which may bring employee pushback

Employee monitoring software has become a popular way for employers to keep an eye on their employees, and the metaverse will only increase the potential for surveillance activities. When looking at existing surveillance tactics, 73% of employers admit to currently surveilling their employees.

The top concerns of employees related to workplace surveillance are the tracking of their real-time location (51%), real-time screen monitoring (50%) and time tracking (47%). Meanwhile, employers are most interested in recording workplace meetings(42%), time tracking (39%), tracking real-time location (39%) and screen monitoring (39%).

"Given the reluctance of many workers to accept further surveillance in the workplace, employers should tread carefully when planning to implement further monitoring activities in virtual workspaces and consider whether they're worth the potential loss of trust and satisfaction among their employees," says Harold Li, Vice President of ExpressVPN.

For full findings and data, please visit ExpressVPN's blog

About ExpressVPN

Founded in 2009, ExpressVPN is one of the world's largest providers of consumer privacy and security services, enabling users to protect themselves online with just a few clicks. The company's award-winning software for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, and browsers secures user information and identities with best-in-class encryption and leak proofing. With servers across 94 countries, ExpressVPN provides fast, reliable connectivity around the world. To learn more about ExpressVPN's privacy and security solutions, visit expressvpn.com.
MANILA, Philippines, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As more countries reopen their borders and restart their tourism industries, members of Conexus Mobile Alliance are enabling their traveling customers with more value-packed roaming offers.

"2022 marks the onset of revenge travel as travellers make up for lost time with bigger travel plans and longer holidays. Conexus members are at the forefront of enabling this resurgence by giving our customers more value for their money," said Katrina Luna-Abelarde, Conexus Board Chairman and First Vice President and Deputy CTO/Head, Transformation Office at PLDT, the Philippines' largest integrated telecommunications company and parent company of Conexus member Smart Communications.

Subscribers of FET roaming in Conexus countries/regions can get one day free when they buy multiple-day plans for data. Customers traveling to HK, Macau, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam can get the $99 offer, whereas customers roaming in Japan can buy the $199 offer until August.

KT subscribers roaming in Conexus countries/regions will get more available data with their purchase of multiple-day plans starting mid-July. KT has rolled out this promo adding 1GB for customers traveling to 116 countries/regions, including HK, Macau, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.

Smart customers roaming in HK, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam can get the GigaRoam Asia Plan for Php999, which includes 3GB open access data valid for 10 days. Smart subscribers just need to latch onto Conexus roaming partners. The roaming plan will also work even if subscribers move countries/regions within ten days, as long as they roam with a Conexus roaming partner. These roaming packages can be purchased via roam.smart.com.ph. Promo runs until end-2022.

StarHub subscribers can buy the DataTravel Plan to get double the amount of roaming data until end-July 2022. These include the DataTravel Asia-Pacific bundles and the DataTravel-Global bundles.

True customers roaming in Japan and South Korea can buy the Travel SIM to get more free data. For THB399, subscribers purchasing TRAVEL SIM Japan and South Korea for 10 days also get free 4GB data roaming. Promo runs from July until end-September 2022.

True customers roaming in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Macau, HK, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and 84 other countries/regions can also purchase the Travel Asia Data Roaming Pack 7GB 10 Days and TRAVEL World Data Pack Roaming 7GB 15 Days via iService Application to get free 3GB data roaming for THB399 and THB899, from today until end-2022.




The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a ruling that ordered steelmaker POSCO to grant the status of direct employees to 55 of its former subcontract workers.







A total of 59 workers of POSCO's subcontractors filed suits in 2011 and 2016, demanding the company recognize them as direct employees as they worked for it for more than two years.







The lower court dismissed the suits, saying it cannot be said that they worked under the direction and order of the company.







The appeals court reversed the ruling, recognizing the plaintiffs were dispatched workers who received POSCO's instructions, albeit indirectly.







The Supreme Court upheld the appeals court's decision for 55 of the plaintiffs for the same reason but rejected the suits by the other four people who have already passed the retirement age.







The 59 people worked at POSCO's steel mill in Gwangyang, about 420 kilometers south of Seoul.







Of them, 57 worked there for more than two years. By law, a company should grant the direct employee status if dispatched workers have worked for more than two years for the company.







The other two claimed they were put into jobs other than the ones they were supposed to do when initially dispatched. (Yonhap)






VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2022 / ZincX Resources Corp. ("ZincX" or the "Company") (TSX Venture Exchange:ZNX)(OTCQB:ZNCXF)(FRA:M9R) is pleased to announce that it has initiated the previously planned high-resolution airborne LiDAR survey over the Akie and Mt. Alcock Properties. The survey will be completed in the coming weeks.

The Company has engaged Eagle Mapping Ltd. of Langley, British Columbia to conduct an airborne LiDAR survey over the Company's Akie and Mt. Alcock properties. The survey is expected to be flown, as weather permits, in the coming weeks.

A Piper Navajo PA-31 aircraft will conduct the survey utilising a RIEGL LMS-Q1560 high performance, fully integrated long-range airborne laser scanner that is integrated with an Applanix POS AV610 accurate GPS system. The two properties will be broken down into suitable segments and flown in grid pattern along a series of parallel lines while maintaining vertical and horizonal accuracies. The survey area of the Akie property consists of 97.6 km2 and the Mt. Alcock property consists of 91.2 km2.

Eagle Mapping Ltd. will provide the Company with a high-resolution 0.5m Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and digital surface model (DSM), a bare earth point dataset, and a fully detailed topographical dataset including contours for use in future exploration programs.

The data acquired during this airborne survey will be used in conjunction with a proposed ground Gravity program over the Cardiac Creek deposit on the Akie property and over the Zn-Pb-Ag rich barite showing present on the Mt. Alcock property located approximately 40 kilometres to the northwest of the Akie Property. The data will be a valued source of information for any future engineering designs and for surface infrastructure plans related to the development of the Cardiac Creek deposit as outlined in the Company's 2018 preliminary Economic Assessment.

The Company has previously engaged Eagle Mapping Ltd. on two other occasions; first in 2006 in order to collect a detailed set of orthophotos and provide detailed topographical data over the prospective areas Akie property to assist exploration efforts during the initial stages of drilling on the Cardiac Creek deposit; and again in 2011 to provide LiDAR coverage over a very narrow swath of the property that covered the proposed surface works including road construction to extend the Akie Mainline FSR, the waste rock dump, and the planned portal site.

The Akie Zn-Pb-Ag Project

The 100% owned Akie property is situated within the Kechika Trough, the southernmost area of the regionally extensive Paleozoic Selwyn Basin and one of the most prolific sedimentary basins in the world for the occurrence of SEDEX zinc-lead-silver and stratiform barite deposits.

Drilling on the Akie property by ZincX Resources since 2005 has identified a significant body of baritic-zinc-lead SEDEX mineralization known as the Cardiac Creek deposit. The deposit is hosted by siliceous, carbonaceous, fine-grained clastic rocks of the Middle to Late Devonian Gunsteel Formation.

The Company updated the estimate of mineral resources at Cardiac Creek in 2018, as follows:

5% Zinc Cut-Off Grade Contained Metal: Category Tonnes

(million) Zn (%) Pb (%) Ag (g/t) Zn (B lbs) Pb (B lbs) Ag (M oz) Indicated 22.7 8.32 1.61 14.1 4.162 0.804 10.3 Inferred 7.5 7.04 1.24 12.0 1.169 0.205 2.9

The Company announced robust positive results from the 2018 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). The PEA envisages a conventional underground mine and concentrator operation with an average production rate of 4,000 tonnes per day. The mine will have an 18-year life with potential to extend the life-of-mine (LOM) through resource expansion at depth. Key parameters for the PEA are as follows:

Parameter Base Case1 Tonnes Mined 25.8 Mt Mined Head Grades 7.6% Zn; 1.5% Pb; 13.08 g/t Ag Tonnes Milled 19.7 Mt Milled Head Grades (after DMS2 upgrade) 10.0% Zn; 1.9% Pb; 17.17 g/t Ag Total Payable Metal (LOM) $3,960M3 Initial CAPEX $302.3M including $45.7M contingency q $617.9M including $58.5M contingency All-in Total OPEX $102.4 per tonne milled Pre-Tax NPV7% $649M Pre-Tax IRR 35% Pre-Tax Payback 2.6 years After-Tax NPV7% $401M After-Tax IRR 27% After-Tax Payback 3.2 years

1. The base case used metal prices are calculated from the 3 year trailing average coupled with two year forward projection of the average price; and are: US$1.21/lb for zinc, US$1.00/lb for lead and US$16.95 for silver. A CDN$/US$ exchange rate of 0.77 was used. The NPV discount rate is 7%. 2. DMS = dense media separation. 3. All dollar amounts expressed in Canadian dollars.

The PEA is considered preliminary in nature and includes mineral resources, including inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have not yet demonstrated economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to mineral resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of a mineral resource will be upgraded to mineral reserves. Therefore, there is no certainty that the results concluded in the PEA will be realized.

Kechika Regional Project

In addition to the Akie Project, the Company owns 100% of eight of eleven large, contiguous property blocks that comprise the Kechika Regional Project including the advanced Mt. Alcock prospect. The Kechika Regional Project also includes the Pie, Yuen and Cirque East properties which the Company maintains a significant 49% interest with partners Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TECK.B) and Korea Zinc Co. Ltd holding 51%. These properties collectively extend northwest from the Akie property for approximately 140 kilometres covering the highly prospective Gunsteel Formation shale; the main host rock for known SEDEX zinc-lead-silver deposits in the Kechika Trough of northeastern British Columbia. These projects are located approximately 260 kilometres north northwest of the town of Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.

Ken MacDonald P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for the Company, is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information contained in this release. Mike Makarenko P.Eng, JDS Energy and Mining, is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the PEA technical information contained in this release.

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ZINCX RESOURCES CORP.

"PEEYUSH VARSHNEY"

PEEYUSH VARSHNEY, LL.B

CEO & CHAIRMAN

Contact:

Investor Relations

Phone (604) 684-2181

info@zincxresources.com

SOURCE: ZincX Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/709999/ZincX-Resources-Initiates-Airborne-LiDAR-Survey-of-the-Akie-and-Mt-Alcock-Properties
With news of last week's UN deal to reopen the Black Sea, allowing ocean grain shipments to resume from Ukraine, leading real-time supply chain visibility platform FourKites released new data showing that agile shippers are finding ways of managing the volatile situation.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005468/en/

FourKites data shows increased shipments to countries bordering Russia and Ukraine (Graphic: Business Wire)

Following Friday's grain deal between Ukraine and Russia, FourKites expects grain shipments from Black Sea ports to resume within a few days. The same deal allows Russia to export fertiliser and other products not covered by international sanctions.

"My hope is that this agreement gives big shipping companies the confidence to resume operations in the region," says Philippe Salles, FourKites' VP Strategic Solutions (Ocean). "The next few weeks will be telling. But if things go well, this deal could be central to averting a worldwide food crisis. And despite the latest missile attack at the port of Odessa, indicating ongoing volatility in the region, our data indicates that shippers are well prepared for any contingency."

Ukraine typically ships millions of tonnes of grain by ocean direct from its Black Sea ports to countries including Egypt, Indonesia and Bangladesh. The war effectively closed that route, as major shipping companies concluded it was too dangerous to operate in the Black Sea. Now, it is hoped, at least some of those shipments can resume.

"Our data for the last few weeks shows that logistics operators were already adapting to the situation in Ukraine," says Salles. "Ukrainian shippers have been shifting to road and rail to move grain to sea ports outside the country, notably in Poland or via the Balkans to Adriatic ports such as Trieste and Rijeka."

Shipments of all types to countries bordering Russia and Ukraine remain strong compared to the rest of Europe, where the 14-day average shipment volume is up 20% compared to 21 February, when the invasion began. At the same time, less than truckload (LTL) delays to Eastern Europe have decreased over the past few weeks, with delayed LTL shipments now only 15% higher than when the conflict began. This is down 48% month-on-month compared to mid-June, when LTL delays were as much as 33% higher than when the conflict began.

Prior to the UN deal, hundreds of thousands of tonnes of grain were destined to travel by longer land routes, which raised questions about whether there would be sufficient capacity to provide the thousands of additional truck journeys that would be needed.

"Ukrainian carriers are going full throttle to export grain and revive the country's economic growth," comments Maciej Mackowiak, FourKites' Director, Carrier Marketing, Europe, who is based in Poland. "We are already seeing a lot of congestion on the Polish/Ukraine border because, since mid-July, the European Union has allowed Ukrainian road transport companies to make shipments without permits."

Overall, moving goods into or out of Ukraine remains difficult. Shipment volumes to Ukraine have recovered slightly from their nadir in March, but are still 65% down on pre-war levels.

About FourKites

Leading global supply chain visibility platform FourKites extends visibility beyond transportation into yards, warehouses, stores and beyond. Tracking more than 2.5 million shipments daily across road, rail, ocean, air, parcel and courier, and reaching more than 200 countries, FourKites combines real-time data and powerful machine learning to help companies digitise their end-to-end supply chains. More than 1,000 of the world's most recognised brands including 9 of the top-10 CPG and 18 of the top-20 food and beverage companies trust FourKites to transform their business and create more agile, efficient and sustainable supply chains. To learn more, visit https://www.fourkites.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005468/en/

Contacts:

Scott Johnston

European PR Director, FourKites

+31 62 147 8442

scott.johnston@fourkites.com
Solid long-term investment performance, with 50%, 60%, 65%, and 76% of assets under management ('AUM') outperforming relevant benchmarks on a one-, three-, five-, and 10-year basis, respectively, as at 30 June 2022

AUM decreased 17% to US$299.7 billion compared to the prior quarter, due to challenged global markets, US dollar appreciation, and net outflows

Net outflows of US$(7.8) billion reflect a significant slowdown in intermediary gross sales and investment underperformance in key strategies

Second quarter 2022 diluted EPS of US$0.56, or US$0.63 on an adjusted basis

Completed US$56 million of share buybacks during the second quarter 2022, and Board declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.39 per share

Janus Henderson Group plc (NYSE/ASX: JHG; 'Janus Henderson', 'JHG', 'the Group') published its second quarter 2022 results for the period ended 30 June 2022.

Second quarter 2022 operating income was US$143.9 million compared to US$124.6 million in the first quarter 2022 and US$225.0 million in the second quarter 2021. Adjusted operating income, adjusted for one-time, acquisition and transaction related costs, was US$149.3 million in the second quarter 2022 compared to US$178.8 million in the first quarter 2022 and US$269.3 million in the second quarter 2021.

Second quarter 2022 diluted earnings per share of US$0.56 compared to US$0.47 in the first quarter 2022 and US$0.79 in the second quarter 2021. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of US$0.63 in the second quarter 2022 compared to US$0.75 in the first quarter 2022 and compared to US$1.16 in the second quarter 2021.

Ali Dibadj, Chief Executive Officer of Janus Henderson Group plc, stated:

"I am very pleased to be part of the Janus Henderson team. My first few weeks have reaffirmed my belief in the long-term opportunities ahead. I am excited by the talent, client focus, and strong financial foundation that we already have in place.

"As this quarter illustrates, the difficult market environment, mixed investment performance in a few strategies, and loss of market share demonstrate that we have much work to do at Janus Henderson to deliver consistent organic growth with attractive operating margins. I am working with my team to turn the opportunities we see for Janus Henderson into a strategy with a winning execution plan. The foundation for being a premier, truly global active asset manager is here, but it will take time to deliver the full potential of the Company to our clients, shareholders, employees, and all our stakeholders."

RESULTS FOR ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE MARKET

These results for announcement to the market include the interim information required to be provided to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) under Listing Rule 4.2A and Appendix 4D.

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS (unaudited) (in US$ millions, except per share data or as noted)

The Group presents its financial results in US$ and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ('US GAAP' or 'GAAP'). However, JHG management evaluates the profitability of the Group and its ongoing operations using additional non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses these performance measures to evaluate the business, and adjusted values are consistent with internal management reporting. See 'Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial information' below for additional information.

Six months ended 30 Jun 30 Jun 2022 2021 % change GAAP basis: Revenue 1,175.5 1,382.4 (15 Operating expenses 907.0 964.9 (6 Operating income 268.5 417.5 (36 Operating margin 22.8 30.2 (7.4 )ppt Net income attributable to JHG 172.6 292.8 (41 Diluted earnings per share 1.03 1.67 (38 Adjusted basis: Revenue 905.9 1,120.2 (19 Operating expenses 577.8 649.4 (11 Operating income 328.1 470.8 (30 Operating margin 36.2 42.0 (5.8 )ppt Net income attributable to JHG 230.7 362.0 (36 Diluted earnings per share 1.37 2.07 (34 Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun 2022 2022 2021 GAAP basis: Revenue 555.5 620.0 738.4 Operating expenses 411.6 495.4 513.4 Operating income 143.9 124.6 225.0 Operating margin 25.9 20.1 30.5 Net income attributable to JHG 93.9 78.7 137.3 Diluted earnings per share 0.56 0.47 0.79 Adjusted basis: Revenue 427.7 478.2 603.6 Operating expenses 278.4 299.4 334.3 Operating income 149.3 178.8 269.3 Operating margin 34.9 37.4 44.6 Net income attributable to JHG 104.9 125.8 200.5 Diluted earnings per share 0.63 0.75 1.16

DIVIDEND AND SHARE BUYBACK

On 27 July 2022, the Board declared a second quarter dividend in respect of the three months ended 30 June 2022 of US$0.39 per share. Shareholders on the register on the record date of 8 August 2022 will be paid the dividend on 24 August 2022. Janus Henderson does not offer a dividend reinvestment plan.

As part of the US$200 million on-market buyback programme approved by the Board in May 2022, JHG purchased approximately 2.1 million of its ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange ('NYSE') and its CHESS Depositary Interests ('CDIs') on the Australian Securities Exchange ('ASX') in the second quarter, for a total outlay of US$56 million.

Net tangible assets per share

US$ 30 Jun 2022 30 Jun 2021 Net tangible assets (liabilities) per ordinary share 3.82 3.56

Net tangible assets are defined by the ASX as being total assets less intangible assets less total liabilities ranking ahead of, or equally with, claims of ordinary shares.

AUM AND FLOWS (in US$ billions)

FX reflects movement in AUM resulting from changes in foreign currency rates as non-US$ denominated AUM is translated into US$. Redemptions include impact of client switches.

Total Group comparative AUM and flows

Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun 2022 2022 2021 Opening AUM 361.0 432.3 405.1 Sales 16.4 17.9 18.4 Redemptions (24.2) (29.8) (20.9) Net sales (redemptions) (7.8) (11.9) (2.5) Market FX (53.5) (31.1) 25.0 Reclassifications and disposals1 (28.3) Closing AUM 299.7 361.0 427.6

1 Disposals relate to the sale of Intech, and reclassifications relate to a reclassification of existing funds from Quantitative Equities to Equities.

Quarterly AUM and flows by capability

Total excl Fixed Quantitative Quantitative Equities Income Multi-Asset Alternatives Equities Equities Total AUM 30 Jun 2021 240.1 80.5 53.2 10.4 384.2 43.4 427.6 Sales 7.5 4.7 2.6 1.1 15.9 0.1 16.0 Redemptions (10.1) (4.0) (1.8) (0.8) (16.7) (4.5) (21.2) Net sales (redemptions) (2.6) 0.7 0.8 0.3 (0.8) (4.4) (5.2) Market FX (1.3) (1.7) (0.1) (0.1) (3.2) 0.1 (3.1) AUM 30 Sep 2021 236.2 79.5 53.9 10.6 380.2 39.1 419.3 Sales 8.1 5.6 4.3 1.2 19.2 0.1 19.3 Redemptions (11.3) (5.5) (2.2) (1.2) (20.2) (4.3) (24.5) Net sales (redemptions) (3.2) 0.1 2.1 (1.0) (4.2) (5.2) Market FX 11.3 3.7 0.1 15.1 3.1 18.2 AUM 31 Dec 2021 244.3 79.6 59.7 10.7 394.3 38.0 432.3 Sales 8.5 6.0 2.3 0.9 17.7 0.2 17.9 Redemptions (12.3) (6.0) (4.5) (1.1) (23.9) (5.9) (29.8) Net sales (redemptions) (3.8) (2.2) (0.2) (6.2) (5.7) (11.9) Market FX (20.5) (4.1) (3.6) (0.2) (28.4) (2.7) (31.1) Reclassification and disposals1 1.3 1.3 (29.6) (28.3) AUM 31 Mar 2022 221.3 75.5 53.9 10.3 361.0 361.0 Sales 5.5 4.9 1.6 4.4 16.4 16.4 Redemptions (11.3) (8.2) (2.5) (2.2) (24.2) (24.2) Net sales (redemptions) (5.8) (3.3) (0.9) 2.2 (7.8) (7.8) Market FX (38.5) (7.7) (6.5) (0.8) (53.5) (53.5) AUM 30 Jun 2022 177.0 64.5 46.5 11.7 299.7 299.7

1 Disposals relate to the sale of Intech, and reclassifications relate to a reclassification of existing funds from Quantitative Equities to Equities.

Average AUM by capability

Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun 2022 2022 2021 Equities 197.0 222.9 235.3 Fixed Income 68.8 77.5 80.7 Multi-Asset 49.5 54.5 51.8 Quantitative Equities 31.2 42.9 Alternatives 13.2 10.6 10.1 Total 328.5 396.7 420.8

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

% of AUM outperforming benchmark (at 30 June 2022)

Capability 1-year 3-year 5-year 10-year Equities 41 43 47 63 Fixed Income 45 79 93 99 Multi-Asset 93 95 95 99 Alternatives 31 100 100 100 Total 50 60 65 76

Outperformance is measured based on composite performance gross of fees vs primary benchmark, except where a strategy has no benchmark index or corresponding composite in which case the most relevant metric is used: (1) composite gross of fees vs zero for absolute return strategies, (2) fund net of fees vs primary index, or (3) fund net of fees vs Morningstar peer group average or median. Non-discretionary and separately managed account assets are included with a corresponding composite where applicable.

Cash management vehicles, ETF-enhanced beta strategies, Managed CDOs, Private Equity funds, and custom non-discretionary accounts with no corresponding composite are excluded from the analysis. Performance across all time periods excludes Intech, the sale of which was completed 31 March 2022. Excluded assets represent 5% of AUM as at 30 June 2022. Capabilities defined by Janus Henderson.

% of mutual fund AUM in top 2 Morningstar quartiles (at 30 June 2022)

Capability 1-year 3-year 5-year 10-year Equities 56 52 71 88 Fixed Income 45 68 81 84 Multi-Asset 98 95 92 96 Alternatives 62 95 70 100 Total 63 64 76 90

Includes Janus Investment Fund, Janus Aspen Series and Clayton Street Trust (US Trusts), Janus Henderson Capital Funds (Dublin based), Dublin and UK OEIC and Investment Trusts, Luxembourg SICAVs, and Australian Managed Investment Schemes. Performance across all time periods excludes Intech, the sale of which was completed 31 March 2022. The top two Morningstar quartiles represent funds in the top half of their category based on total return. For the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods ending 30 June 2022, 55%, 54%, 57%, and 69% of the 186, 179, 174, and 148 total mutual funds, respectively, were in the top 2 Morningstar quartiles.

Analysis based on 'primary' share class (Class I Shares, Institutional Shares or share class with longest history for US Trusts; Class A Shares or share class with longest history for Dublin based; primary share class as defined by Morningstar for other funds). Performance may vary by share class. Rankings may be based, in part, on the performance of a predecessor fund or share class and are calculated by Morningstar using a methodology that differs from that used by Janus Henderson. Methodology differences may have a material effect on the return and therefore the ranking. When an expense waiver is in effect, it may have a material effect on the total return, and therefore the ranking for the period.

ETFs and funds not ranked by Morningstar are excluded from the analysis. Capabilities defined by Janus Henderson. 2022 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

THIRD QUARTER 2022 RESULTS

Janus Henderson intends to publish its third quarter 2022 results on 27 October 2022.

SECOND QUARTER 2022 RESULTS BRIEFING INFORMATION

Chief Executive Officer Ali Dibadj and Chief Financial Officer Roger Thompson will present these results on 28 July 2022 on a conference call and webcast to be held at 8am EDT, 1pm BST, 10pm AEST.

Those wishing to participate should call:

United Kingdom 0808 189 6484 (toll free) United States 844 200 6205 (toll free) Australia 02 7908 3093 (this is not toll free) All other countries +1 929 526 1599 (this is not toll free) Conference ID 823583

Access to the webcast and accompanying slides will be available via the investor relations section of Janus Henderson's website (ir.janushenderson.com).

About Janus Henderson

Janus Henderson Group is a leading global active asset manager dedicated to helping investors achieve long-term financial goals through a broad range of investment solutions, including equities, fixed income, multi-asset, and alternative asset class strategies.

At 30 June 2022, Janus Henderson had approximately US$300 billion in assets under management, more than 2,000 employees, and offices in 23 cities worldwide. Headquartered in London, the company is listed on the NYSE and the ASX.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

Condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (unaudited)

Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun (in US$ millions, except per share data or as noted) 2022 2022 2021 Revenue: Management fees 453.6 514.0 544.1 Performance fees (3.4 (8.4 77.4 Shareowner servicing fees 56.3 62.4 64.0 Other revenue 49.0 52.0 52.9 Total revenue 555.5 620.0 738.4 Operating expenses: Employee compensation and benefits 145.0 164.6 192.4 Long-term incentive plans 40.7 51.4 49.8 Distribution expenses 127.8 141.8 134.8 Investment administration 10.3 14.8 13.1 Marketing 7.8 7.4 6.7 General, administrative and occupancy 72.3 73.1 65.7 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 32.8 40.8 Depreciation and amortisation 7.7 9.5 10.1 Total operating expenses 411.6 495.4 513.4 Operating income 143.9 124.6 225.0 Interest expense (3.2 (3.2 (3.2 Investment gains (losses), net (109.4 (32.2 1.8 Other non-operating expenses, net (1.7 (7.8 (2.7 Income before taxes 29.6 81.4 220.9 Income tax provision (36.7 (22.8 (79.7 Net income (loss) (7.1 58.6 141.2 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 101.0 20.1 (3.9 Net income attributable to JHG 93.9 78.7 137.3 Less: allocation of earnings to participating stock-based awards (2.9 (2.0 (3.9 Net income attributable to JHG common shareholders 91.0 76.7 133.4 Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions) 161.9 164.0 167.6 Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions) 162.2 164.5 168.1 Diluted earnings per share (in US$) 0.56 0.47 0.79

Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial information

In addition to financial results reported in accordance with GAAP, we compute certain financial measures using non-GAAP components, as defined by the SEC. These measures are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, GAAP, and our financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. We have provided a reconciliation of our non-GAAP components to the most directly comparable GAAP components. The following are reconciliations of US GAAP revenue, operating expenses, operating income, net income attributable to JHG, and diluted earnings per share to adjusted revenue, adjusted operating expenses, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to JHG, and adjusted diluted earnings per share.

Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun (in US$ millions, except per share data or as noted) 2022 2022 2021 Reconciliation of revenue to adjusted revenue Revenue 555.5 620.0 738.4 Management fees1 (50.9 (57.0 (49.6 Shareowner servicing fees1 (46.9 (52.2 (53.1 Other revenue1 (30.0 (32.6 (32.1 Adjusted revenue 427.7 478.2 603.6 Reconciliation of operating expenses to adjusted operating expenses Operating expenses 411.6 495.4 513.4 Long-term incentive plans2 (3.6 (13.0 0.1 Distribution expenses1 (127.8 (141.8 (134.8 General, administration and occupancy2 (1.1 (6.5 (1.7 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets3 (32.8 (40.8 Depreciation and amortisation3 (0.7 (1.9 (1.9 Adjusted operating expenses 278.4 299.4 334.3 Adjusted operating income 149.3 178.8 269.3 Operating margin 25.9 20.1 30.5 Adjusted operating margin 34.9 37.4 44.6 Reconciliation of net income attributable to JHG to adjusted net income attributable to JHG Net income attributable to JHG 93.9 78.7 137.3 Long-term incentive plans2 3.6 13.0 (0.1 General, administration and occupancy2 1.1 6.5 1.7 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets3 32.8 40.8 Depreciation and amortisation3 0.7 1.9 1.9 Other non-operating income (expense), net4 5.3 7.5 (1.7 Income tax benefit (provision)5 0.3 (14.6 20.6 Adjusted net income attributable to JHG 104.9 125.8 200.5 Less: allocation of earnings to participating stock-based awards (3.3 (3.2 (5.7 Adjusted net income attributable to JHG common shareholders 101.6 122.6 194.8 Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding diluted (two class) (in millions) 162.2 164.5 168.1 Diluted earnings per share (two class) (in US$) 0.56 0.47 0.79 Adjusted diluted earnings per share (two class) (in US$) 0.63 0.75 1.16

1 JHG contracts with third-party intermediaries to distribute and service certain of its investment products. Fees for distribution and servicing related activities are either provided for separately in an investment product's prospectus or are part of the management fee. Under both arrangements, the fees are collected by JHG and passed through to third-party intermediaries who are responsible for performing the applicable services. The majority of distribution and servicing fees collected by JHG are passed through to third-party intermediaries. JHG management believes that the deduction of distribution and service fees from revenue in the computation of adjusted revenue reflects the pass-through nature of these revenues. In certain arrangements, JHG performs the distribution and servicing activities and retains the applicable fees. Revenues for distribution and servicing activities performed by JHG are not deducted from GAAP revenue. 2 Adjustments for the three months ended 30 June 2022 consist primarily of long-term incentive plan expense acceleration related to the departure of certain employees and rent expense for subleased office space. Adjustments for the three months ended 31 March 2022 consist primarily of long-term incentive plan expense associated with accelerated vesting of awards related to the retirement of our CEO and CIO, deal costs associated with the sale of Intech, and rent expense for subleased office space. JHG management believes these costs are not representative of the ongoing operations of the Group. 3 Investment management contracts have been identified as a separately identifiable intangible asset arising on the acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses. Such contracts are recognised at the net present value of the expected future cash flows arising from the contracts at the date of acquisition. For segregated mandate contracts, the intangible asset is amortised on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the contracts. In addition, the adjustment for the three months ended 31 March 2022 includes an out-of-period incremental goodwill impairment charge, and the adjustment for the three months ended 30 June 2021 includes an impairment charge of certain mutual fund investment management agreements. JHG management believes these non-cash and acquisition-related costs are not representative of the ongoing operations of the Group. 4 Adjustments primarily represent contingent consideration adjustments associated with prior acquisitions. In addition, the adjustment for the three months ended 30 June 2022 includes accumulated foreign currency translation expense related to liquidated JHG entities, and the adjustment for the three months ended 31 March 2022 includes a one-time charge related to the sale of Intech. JHG management believes these costs are not representative of the ongoing operations of the Group. 5 The tax impact of the adjustments is calculated based on the applicable US or foreign statutory tax rate as it relates to each adjustment. Certain adjustments are either not taxable or not tax-deductible.

Condensed consolidated balance sheets (unaudited)

30 Jun 31 Dec (in US$ millions) 2022 2021 Assets: Cash and cash equivalents 863.1 1,107.3 Investment securities 250.2 451.4 Property, equipment and software, net 52.6 63.3 Intangible assets and goodwill, net 3,715.4 3,917.0 Assets of consolidated variable interest entities 1,093.3 264.3 Other assets 925.0 924.2 Total assets 6,899.6 6,727.5 Liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity: Long-term debt 308.9 310.4 Deferred tax liabilities, net 606.2 619.2 Liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities 14.6 2.6 Other liabilities 700.8 968.7 Redeemable noncontrolling interests 921.1 163.4 Total equity 4,348.0 4,663.2 Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity 6,899.6 6,727.5

Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited)

Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun (in US$ millions) 2022 2022 2021 Cash provided by (used for): Operating activities 162.9 (57.5 269.0 Investing activities 76.1 (16.9 (66.3 Financing activities (135.9 (214.8 (62.0 Effect of exchange rate changes (42.8 (16.0 Net change during period 60.3 (305.2 140.7

STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

Associates and joint ventures

At 30 June 2022, the Group holds interests in the following associates and joint ventures managed through shareholder agreements with third-party investors, accounted for under the equity method:

LongTail Alpha LLC ownership 20%

Basis of preparation

In the opinion of management of Janus Henderson Group plc, the condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of JHG in accordance with US GAAP. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements and notes presented in Janus Henderson Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 31 December 2021, on file with the SEC (Commission file no. 001-38103). Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the financial statements through the issuance date and are included in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Corporate governance principles and recommendations

In the opinion of the Directors, the financial records of the Group have been properly maintained, and the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements comply with the appropriate accounting standards and give a true and fair view of the financial position and performance of the Group. This opinion has been formed on the basis of a sound system of risk management and internal control which is operating effectively.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAIMER

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal and fluctuation of value.

This document includes statements concerning potential future events involving Janus Henderson Group plc that could differ materially from the events that actually occur. The differences could be caused by a number of factors, including those factors identified in Janus Henderson Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2021 and in other filings or furnishings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time (Commission file no. 001-38103), including those that appear under headings such as 'Risk Factors' and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations'. Many of these factors are beyond the control of JHG and its management. Any forward-looking statements contained in this document are as at the date on which such statements were made. Janus Henderson Group undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Annualised, pro forma, projected, and estimated numbers are used for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts, and may not reflect actual results.

The information, statements, and opinions contained in this document do not constitute a public offer under any applicable legislation or an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any securities or financial instruments or any advice or recommendation with respect to such securities or other financial instruments.

Not all products or services are available in all jurisdictions.

Mutual funds in the US are distributed by Janus Henderson Distributors US LLC.

Please consider the charges, risks, expenses, and investment objectives carefully before investing. For a US fund prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this and other information, please contact your investment professional or call 800.668.0434. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

Janus Henderson is a trademark of Janus Henderson Group plc or one of its subsidiaries.

Janus Henderson Group plc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005163/en/

Contacts:

Investor enquiries:

Jim Kurtz

Co-Head Investor Relations (US)

+1 303 336 4529

jim.kurtz@janushenderson.com



Melanie Horton

Co-Head Investor Relations (Non-US)

+44 (0)20 7818 2905

melanie.horton@janushenderson.com



Or



Investor Relations

investor.relations@janushenderson.com



Media enquiries:

Stephen Sobey

Head of Media Relations

+44 (0)20 7818 2523

stephen.sobey@janushenderson.com



Sarah Johnson

Director, Media Relations Corp Comms

+1 720 364 0708

sarah.johnson@janushenderson.com



United Kingdom: Edelman Smithfield

Latika Shah

+44 (0)7950 671 948

latika.shah@edelmansmithfield.com



Andrew Wilde

+44 (0)7786 022 022

andrew.wilde@edelmansmithfield.com



Asia Pacific: Honner

Craig Morris

+61 2 8248 3757

craig@honner.com.au
LONDON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on our MoU with Plexsys, announced in June, Thales Training and Simulation is delighted to announce Hadean as the next member of our growing team to help deliver next-generation operational training solutions to the UK Ministry of Defence.

Hadean's next-generation platform brings together data and computation at scale, providing a unified platform for synthetic environments and digital twins. Their addition to the already established MoU with Plexsys will further enhance the partnership's capabilities in synthetic battle-space training, digital simulation systems, AI, modelling, integration expertise and more.

Two become three

The team will combine their complementary skills, expertise and services across multiple domains to address the critical MOD challenge of retaining an operational edge over potential adversaries by being able to effectively integrate currently disparate military capabilities.

Designing and building for scale, high fidelity, and integrating live data with simulation, the Hadean, Plexsys and Thales team will harness their collective expertise to provide a layered approach to multi-domain operational training.

Daz Rawlins OBE is MD of Thales Training and Simulation in the UK. He moved straight into industry after serving 29 years in the RAF. As a Staff Officer, he specialised in training, capability development, and requirements management. With operational tours in the Falklands Islands, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, he happily admits the military training he received saved his life on numerous occasions. He's now passionate about providing next-generation training solutions to support the complex requirements of current and future warfighters.

"With Hadean now part of the MoU, this new three-way partnership will become an even stronger force when it comes to research and defining and developing cutting-edge technological solutions. Not only will each organisation be able better to exploit singular and collective opportunities as they arise, but more importantly the MOD and the RAF will benefit from the 'brain trust' of three organisations at the top of their game."

Daz Rawlins OBE, Managing Director, Thales Training and Simulation

Craig Beddis is CEO of Hadean, a venture-backed startup reimagining distributed, spatial, and scalable computing for web 3.0 and the metaverse for customers as varied as Sony, Microsoft, Minecraft, the Francis Crick Institute and the UK MOD. Before joining Hadean, Craig was CEO at C24 Technologies and Crane Software CEO roles after spending 12 years in senior sales and marketing roles.

"Partnering with Thales and PLEXSYS, two well-established names in military technology and defence, is a big step forward for Hadean. Through our Hadean Platform, we'll be providing a strong backbone to allow them to push the boundaries of their expertise and build truly cutting-edge capabilities for cross-domain collaboration and data intelligence, using synthetic environments. Together, we'll provide military end-users with essential tools for maintaining battle-readiness and gaining the upper hand in an increasingly complex global strategic context."

Craig Beddis, CEO and co-founder of Hadean

Sanjay Khetia is Director of Plexsys Interface Products in the UK, which serves as the hub for growth and operations in the UK and EMEA regions. Recognised nationally and internationally as an authoritative expert within the field of modelling, simulation and training, Sanjay's career spans over 20 years, with a demonstrable track record of designing, developing and delivering solutions that are innovative and progressive to a variety of sectors globally.

"We're excited about this new alliance between Hadean, Thales and Plexsys. Combining the expertise and technologies of each organisation, we're well placed to provide scalable, high-fidelity training by matching Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) training readiness requirements with innovative products and world-class support to ensure all our defence and non-defence customers' ambitions are realised."

Sanjay Khetia, Director, Plexsys Interface Products, UK

Sharpening the UK Armed Forces' edge

These growing partnerships between Thales and SMEs are designed to bring together the very best technical innovation in the UK in operational analysis, digital twins, and next-generation operational training. In doing so, we're supporting the UK's Armed Forces to maintain the technological edge required to support the nation's sovereign military capabilities, while ensuring these capabilities and effects can be adapted and used to maximise their effectiveness in today's evermore demanding and complex multi-domain battle-space.

About Hadean

Founded in 2015, Hadean are a venture backed startup, reimagining distributed, spatial and scalable computing for web 3.0 and the metaverse. The distributed cloud platform provides the foundations of web 3.0 applications for the metaverse, enterprise organisations and the defence sector. To date, Hadean have worked with organisations such as CAE, BAE Systems, the UK Ministry of Defence, Microsoft, Minecraft, Epic Games and Cervus. Visit: hadean.com

About PLEXSYS

Founded in 1986, PLEXSYS is a modelling and simulation (M&S) software company with 30+ years of delivering Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training readiness solutions and innovation. We are a 100% employee-owned small business, with more than 200 full-time employees plus part-time consultants in nine states and four foreign countries. Learn more

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global high technology leader investing in digital and "deep tech" innovations - connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technology - to build a future we can all trust, which is vital to the development of our societies. The company provides solutions, services and products that help its customers -businesses, organisations and states - in the defence, aeronautics, space, transportation and digital identity and security markets to fulfil their critical missions, by placing humans at the heart of the decision-making process.

Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2020, the Group generated sales of 17 billion.

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Leading Canadian Project Delivery Company ONEC Group Purchases Three GenCell BOX Backup Power Solutions to Ensure Resilient Operations and Meet Zero-Emission Sustainability Objectives

PETAH TIKVA, Israel, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GenCell Energy, (TASE: GNCL), the leading provider of hydrogen and ammonia to power fuel cell solutions, proudly announces entering a strategic partnership with the ONEC Group, a mid-sized Canadian project delivery company that has been providing exceptional EPC&M (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Maintenance) services for over 20 years; together the two companies aim to grow the presence of GenCell's backup and off-grid power solutions across North America. Appreciating the strong business potential for GenCell's hydrogen and ammonia-based products in the Alberta region, where investment in hydrogen infrastructure is rapidly expanding in alignment with the establishment of a regional Hydrogen Hub, the ONEC Group has purchased three GenCell BOX backup power solutions to jumpstart the partners' collaboration.

Over the past year, ONEC, who was looking at the hydrogen market as part of its transition to renewables, has successfully deployed a first joint pilot project incorporating the GenCell hydrogen fuel cell module within a self-contained mobile generator that was adapted to Canadian climate and regulatory systems and transported to the ATCO Power Nisku Alberta site where it will run as an emergency power source for a year. Recognizing the growing market demand for sustainable, climate-resilient solutions to decarbonize industry sectors across North America, GenCell and ONEC have teamed up to drive hydrogen and ammonia-to-power projects across key sectors such as telecom, oil and gas, electric utilities and EV charging.

"Committed to net zero emissions by 2050, the ONEC Group is excited and enthusiastic about the opportunities to collaborate with GenCell to execute hydrogen and ammonia energy projects incorporating GenCell's alkaline fuel cell products and technologies in Western Canada and the Western United States," comments Denis Wiart, CEO, the ONEC Group. "According to a Natural Resources Canada hydrogen strategy report, the hydrogen economy could add $50 billion and 350,000 jobs to Canada by 2050. Leveraging the rich engineering experience and expertise of our teams at a variety of industrial projects across Western Canada, we have identified many power applications, especially at remote sites enduring difficult weather conditions, where hydrogen fuel cells could provide reliable, long-duration power while reducing emissions. Whether generating long-duration power for remote substations, cell tower communications, control nodes on pipelines or remote charging of electric vehicles in locations beyond the power grid, we are confident that the GenCell products can bring substantial value to new and existing ONEC customers by integrating existing infrastructure with new technologies."

Remarks Rami Reshef, CEO GenCell, "Recognizing their intense dedication to sustainability objectives, deep engineering construction and project management skills and strong appreciation of technology, we believe that ONEC is an optimal partner for GenCell and we look forward to expanding our collaboration to jointly deliver innovative and efficient solutions across Canada that will serve to further grow the hydrogen economy in the region and create a strong and loyal install base. We appreciate this valuable opportunity to learn from ONEC's s experienced engineering team, to demonstrate the value of GenCell's solutions in Canada's challenging climate conditions and to expand our presence in key industry sectors and regions across North America."

About ONEC Group of Companies

Incorporated in 2000, ONEC Group of Companies is a mid-sized, Edmonton-based, independently owned and operated, project delivery company providing EPC and EPC&M services for over 21 years. With approximately 300 employees on staff, we provide our clients with complete delivery for midsize industrial, commercial, capital, and maintenance projects throughout Western Canada and the Western United States. We offer multidisciplinary expertise in project & construction management, engineering & design, procurement & logistics, geomatics & survey, fabrication & construction, mechanical & electrical installation, and scaffolding & insulation. We are the only firm in our industry and size range that offers this collective expertise under one roof. Several of our staff are company owners, we conduct ourselves by keeping a client/owner mentality in mind. From concept to commissioning, ONEC's diverse and talented staff will bring your project to life, safely, efficiently, on budget, and on schedule.

About GenCell Energy

GenCell Energy (TASE: GNCL) develops total green power solutions based on reliable, zero-emission alkaline fuel cells and green ammonia-to-energy technology which deliver uninterrupted power to help the world SayNoToDiesel and transition to clean energy. The ability to produce not only clean power from GenCell's fuel cells, but also the green fuel on which the fuel cells run, sets GenCell in a far superior position as a well-to-wheel total green energy solution provider. GenCell delivers resilient, robust and weather-resistant backup power for utilities, telecom and other mission-critical applications which have been deployed in 22 countries. Our hydrogen-on-demand solution provides primary power for off-grid and poor-grid sites, as well as for rural electrification. GenCell Energy numbers more than 130 employees, including veterans of space and submarine projects. The Company is headquartered in Israel with a worldwide distribution and support network and retains unique intellectual property that includes patents, trade secrets and know-how.

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JERSEY CITY, N.J., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. announces the release of a market assessment report on the 'Global Neurovascular Devices/Interventional Neurology Market By Products (aneurysm coiling & embolization devices (Embolic Coils, Flow Diversion Devices, Liquid Embolic Agents), Cerebral Balloon Angioplasty & Stenting Systems (Carotid Artery Stents, Embolic Protection, Balloon Catheters), Support Devices (Microcatheters And Guidewires), and Neurothrombectomy Devices (Clot Retrievals, Suction & Aspiration, Snares)), End-Users (Hospitals & Surgical Centers, Ambulatory Care Centers, And Research Laboratories & Academic Institutes) - Trends, Industry Competition Analysis, Revenue and Forecast To 2030.'

According to the latest research by InsightAce Analytic, the global neurovascular devices/interventional neurology market is valued at US$ 2.66 billion, and it is expected to reach US$ 5.72 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 9.13% during a forecast period of 2022-2030.

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Since the last three decade, neurovascular diseases have remained a leading cause of death. Lifestyle standards, various medical problems, and genes affect the risk of developing neurovascular diseases. Neurovascular devices are used to treat disorders associated with the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to the brain region.

The major drivers for the global Neurovascular Devices/Interventional Neurology market include the rising number of stroke patients, increasing technological advancements in microgudewires, upsurging demand for minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures, increasing neurovascular surgical operations, adequate medical reimbursements for neurovascular disease treatments, and rising government expenditure for healthcare facilities. The increasing prevalence of stroke, epilepsy, cerebral aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and carotid artery stenosis is expected to compel the demand for neurovascular devices. According to the WHO, around 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke every year. Out of these, 5 million die & another 5 million are left permanently disabled, placing a burden on family and community. However, a lack of patient awareness regarding neurovascular disorders and treatments, as well as the high cost of neurovascular devices and surgical procedures, are expected to restrain market growth in the coming years.

North America led the global market with a major revenue share in 2021. This can be linked to enhanced healthcare infrastructure, rising prevalence of chronic neurological illnesses & neurological disorders and improving healthcare infrastructure.

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Major market players operating in the Neurovascular Devices/Interventional Neurology market include Johnson & Johnson (US), Medtronic PLC (Ireland), Stryker Corporation (US), Terumo Corporation (Japan), Penumbra, Inc. (US), Microport Scientific Corporation (China), Kaneka Corp. (Japan), Integer Holdings Corporation (US), Balt (France), Perflow Medical (Israel), Phenox GmbH (Germany), Sensome (France), Evasc (Canada), Rapid Medical (Israel), Asahi Intecc Co. Ltd (Japan), Acandis GmbH (Germany), Medikit Co. Ltd (Japan), Imperative Care (US), Lepu Medical (China), Cerus Endovascular (US), MicroVention, Inc. (US), Mizuho Medical (Japan), Peter Lazic GmBH (Germany), Spartan Micro (US), Emboflu (Switzerland), Straub Medical AG (Switzerland), AngioDynamics (US), Microbot Medical Inc. (US) among others.

Key developments in the market:

In April 2022 , Integer Holdings Corporation announced the acquisition of Connemara Biomedical Holdings Teoranta, comprising its operating companies Aran Biomedical and Proxy Biomedical. The partnership with Aran further strengthens Integer's capacity to offer full solutions for complicated delivery and treatment devices in high-growth cardiovascular areas such as structural heart, neurovascular, peripheral vascular, and endovascular, as well as general surgery.

Integer Holdings Corporation announced the acquisition of Connemara Biomedical Holdings Teoranta, comprising its operating companies Aran Biomedical and Proxy Biomedical. The partnership with Aran further strengthens Integer's capacity to offer full solutions for complicated delivery and treatment devices in high-growth cardiovascular areas such as structural heart, neurovascular, peripheral vascular, and endovascular, as well as general surgery. In March 2022 , Cerus Endovascular Ltd. announced that it had gained 510(k) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its 027 micro-catheters, which are available in two lengths, increasing its product range, which currently includes the 021 micro-catheter platforms. The business anticipates submitting both sizes for CE Marking under the new EU Medical Devices Regulation. Cerus Endovascular also announced the expansion of the Contour Neurovascular System's available sizes. The newly developed additional sizes (3mm, 18mm, and 22mm) will enable the treatment of aneurysms up to 18mm in diameter.

Cerus Endovascular Ltd. announced that it had gained 510(k) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its 027 micro-catheters, which are available in two lengths, increasing its product range, which currently includes the 021 micro-catheter platforms. The business anticipates submitting both sizes for CE Marking under the new EU Medical Devices Regulation. Cerus Endovascular also announced the expansion of the Contour Neurovascular System's available sizes. The newly developed additional sizes (3mm, 18mm, and 22mm) will enable the treatment of aneurysms up to 18mm in diameter. In December 2021 , Microbot Medical Inc. (US) collaborated with Stryker, a leading global medical technology company. The Microbot Medical will collaborate with Stryker's Neurovascular division to integrate its neurovascular instruments with Microbot's LIBERTY Robotic System to develop the world's first dedicated robotic procedural kits for use in specific neurovascular procedures.

Microbot Medical Inc. (US) collaborated with Stryker, a leading global medical technology company. The Microbot Medical will collaborate with Stryker's Neurovascular division to integrate its neurovascular instruments with Microbot's LIBERTY Robotic System to develop the world's first dedicated robotic procedural kits for use in specific neurovascular procedures. In September 2021 , Medtronic plc ( Ireland ), received CE Mark approval for its radial artery access portfolio, including the Rist 079 Radial Access Guide Catheter and Rist Radial Access Selective Catheter. The Rist 079 Radial Access Guide Catheter is the first catheter designed explicitly for the unique demands of accessing the neuro vasculature through the radial artery versus access through the transfemoral artery.

Medtronic plc ( ), received CE Mark approval for its radial artery access portfolio, including the Rist 079 Radial Access Guide Catheter and Rist Radial Access Selective Catheter. The Rist 079 Radial Access Guide Catheter is the first catheter designed explicitly for the unique demands of accessing the neuro vasculature through the radial artery versus access through the transfemoral artery. In December 2020 , Terumo Corporation ( Japan ) launched the WEB Embolization System, an intravascular aneurysm treatment device, in Japan . With this commercial launch, Terumo provides new treatment options for brain aneurysm cases that were difficult to treat in currently approved methods.

Market Segments

Global Neurovascular Devices/Interventional Neurology Market, by Products, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn) and Volume (No. of Units)

Aneurysm Coiling & Embolization Devices

Embolic Coils



Bare Detachable Coils





Coated Detachable Coils



Flow Diversion Devices



Liquid Embolic Agents

Cerebral Balloon Angioplasty & Stenting Systems

Carotid Artery Stents



Embolic Protection Devices



Balloon Catheters

Support Devices

Microcatheters



Guidewires

Neurothrombectomy devices

Clot Retrievals



Suction & Aspiration Devices



Snares

Global Neurovascular Devices/Interventional Neurology Market, by End-Users, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn) and Volume (No. of Units)

Hospitals & Surgical Centers

Ambulatory Care Centers

Research Laboratories & Academic Institutes

Global Neurovascular Devices/Interventional Neurology Market, by Region, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn) and Volume (No. of Units)

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

North America Neurovascular Devices/Interventional Neurology Market, by Country, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn) and Volume (No. of Units)

U.S.

Canada

Europe Neurovascular Devices/Interventional Neurology Market, by Country, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn) and Volume (No. of Units)

Germany

France

Italy

Spain

Russia

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific Neurovascular Devices/Interventional Neurology Market, by Country, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn) and Volume (No. of Units)

India

China

Japan

South Korea

Australia & New Zealand

Latin America Neurovascular Devices/Interventional Neurology Market, by Country, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn) and Volume (No. of Units)

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa Neurovascular Devices/Interventional Neurology Market, by Country, 2022-2030 (Value US$ Mn) and Volume (No. of Units)

GCC Countries

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

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To receive a comprehensive analysis of the prospects for the global neurovascular devices/interventional neurology market

To receive an industry overview and future trends of the neurovascular devices/interventional neurology market

To analyze the neurovascular devices/interventional neurology market drivers and challenges

To get information on the neurovascular devices/interventional neurology market size (Value US$ Mn) and Volume (No. of Units) forecast to 2030

Major investments, mergers & acquisitions in the neurovascular devices/interventional neurology industry

Other Related Reports Published by InsightAce Analytic:

Global Neurovascular Embolization Devices Market

Global Virtual Neurorehabilitation Device Market

Global Cardiac Assist Devices Market

Global Interventional Radiology Products Market

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LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Inchcape (INCH.L), an independent multi-brand global automotive distributor, reported that its profit before tax for the six months ended 30 June 2022 climbed to 187.5 million pounds from 33.1 million pounds in the prior year.



Profit from continuing operations for the period increased to 140.7 million pounds from 2.3 million pounds last year.



Loss attributable to owners of the parent for the period was 103.0 million pounds or 27.2 pence per share compared to profit of 15.5 million pounds or 3.9 pence per share in the previous year.



Group revenue for the period was 3.9 billion pounds, an increase of 8% year-on-year reported and 9% in constant currency. The growth rate was supported by the addition of four new distribution businesses over the past 12 months, including Geely (Chile), commercial vehicles in Guam and Micronesia, Ditec (Chile) and Simpson Motors (Caribbean).



On an organic basis, excluding currency effects and net M&A, revenue increased by 12%, with the strongest performance in the Americas and in Europe, driven by a combination of continued (albeit still gradual) volume recovery and price-mix tailwinds.



The company said that its 2022 outlook remains unchanged from the prior outlook. It still expects to deliver fiscal year 2022 adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations to be between 350 million pounds and 370 million pounds at prevailing exchange rates.



In a separate press release, Inchcape said that it has signed an agreement to implement a business combination to acquire Derco, an independent automotive distributor in Latin America, for a cash and share consideration valuing Derco at 1.3 billion pounds on a debt and cash free basis.



In light of the Transaction, the company said it will not proceed with the second 50 million pounds tranche of its fiscal year 2022 100 million pounds share buyback program.



The company expects to publish a shareholder circular, including a notice of General Meeting by late September or early October 2022. Completion is expected to occur in late 2022 or early 2023.



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BOSTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertical farming, the practice of growing crops indoors on vertically stacked layers, has received no small amount of interest over the last few years. Vertical farms commonly tout impressive numbers, such as using 95% less water and providing crop yields 20-30 times that of conventional agriculture. These claims, among many others, have seen many vertical farming start-ups being founded alongside large amounts of industry funding; funding for the industry reached a record high in 2021, with over US$1 billion being raised across the entire industry. The recent IDTechEx report, "Vertical Farming 2022-2032", details the economic and technological factors shaping this rapidly growing industry.

With crops being grown indoors under controlled environments, a selling point used by multiple vertical farms is that they can grow crops anywhere - even in the heart of a city. This has led to proponents of the industry envisioning "smart cities", where vertical farms in city skyscrapers help feed the urban population. While this is achievable in principle, the truth is that the choice of location for vertical farming is much more involved and intricate than it may appear from these claims alone. Choosing an ideal location can be one of the most important factors in determining the success of a vertical farm.

Some vertical farms may choose to set up their facilities in pre-existing facilities, such as abandoned warehouses. In these cases, identifying the suitability of the venue is the first point of consideration: vertical farms are very energy intensive, and it is important to ensure the facilities chosen can support these energy loads. In addition, the ergonomics of the facility is also important; should the layout not be given proper consideration, this can impede workers and decrease worker efficiency. As labor costs are typically among the largest sources of expenditure for a vertical farm, improving labor efficiency to reduce these costs is of paramount importance.

While growing crops in the center of a city may seem ideal, the reality is that this may be counterproductive. Obtaining and maintaining such a location is expensive and can contribute significantly to the operating expenditure of a vertical farm while presenting logistical challenges in distributing produce; the "last mile" of food distribution is often the hardest. Having a farm right next to the consumers themselves may also be less ideal than instead choosing a location near food distribution centers, as this allows for more efficient delivery of produce. As distribution centers are typically located on the outskirts of cities, the cost of land is also much cheaper. This is the approach chosen by UK-based Jones Food Company, which chose Scunthorpe as a location for its vertical farm - this is a relatively low-cost location located near food distribution centers and a network of motorways that could still reach many consumers in a day, even if it isn't right in the middle of the capital city. Vertical farms should carefully consider their place in the supply chain before establishing a base.

On a larger scale, vertical farms may prove more profitable in different geographical regions. Vertical farms can reduce water usage significantly over conventional agriculture, and the high degree of control over the growing environment allows them to grow crops in extreme climates - where such crops may not otherwise be able to grow. In return, vertical farms demand more energy to carry out growing operations. To maximize their potential, vertical farms would ideally be located in regions of water scarcity, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, or in areas with extreme climates, such as in Scandinavian countries, where the low amounts of sunlight and high costs of regulating greenhouse environments single out vertical farms as an optimal solution. The amount of agricultural land available is also an important factor - regions looking to increase food security and reduce reliance on imports while facing challenges in acquiring sufficient agricultural land would find vertical farms to be ideal. A particularly prominent example of such a country is Singapore, which has demonstrated much interest in vertical farming over the last few years.

Beyond the considerations of water scarcity and temperature, the general availability of fresh produce and the distribution networks of given countries should also be considered. Vertical farms use the added freshness and higher quality of their crops as a primary selling point, but these are typically offset by higher prices. Should there already be a large supply of high-quality produce made available at lower costs, vertical farms will find it hard to distinguish their own produce and may struggle to establish a significant market share. The converse would also be true; should a country lack easy access to fresh produce, vertical farms are expected to see much demand for their produce. An example of such a region would be the Middle East: leafy greens typically travel several thousand miles to reach stores, resulting in consumers facing high prices and low-quality products. The high price of conventionally farmed leafy greens, alongside government subsidies, makes it easier for vertically farmed produce to approach price parity while providing much fresher, higher-quality products.

While the choice of location is an important consideration, it is only one of many others that must be given proper thought. Only through proper optimization of growing operations to improve efficiency and reduce costs can vertical farms reach their true potential. In the IDTechEx report, "Vertical Farming 2022-2032", many further important factors for consideration are discussed in detail, and the future of vertical farming is evaluated through 10-year market forecasts.

To find out more about the latest IDTechEx report "Vertical Farming 2022-2032", including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Vertfarm or contact Research@IDTechEx.com.

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Strong sales growth in the first half of 2022

Substantial increase in demand for zero-emission commercial vehicles: Over 500 international customer enquiries processed with concrete offers

However: current funding practice blocks further contract awards

Transformation to OEM: QUANTRON's product pipeline is well filled with in-house developments for passenger and freight transport

Start of Hydrogen Offensive - world premiere of the 44 t FCEV truck with the goal of "Best in Class in 2023 in range and refueling capacity" at the IAA in September 2022

AUGSBURG, Germany, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the first half of 2022, Quantron AG was able to further expand its pioneering and leading position in the field of battery and hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles as the market leader in retrofitting in the DACH region. In spite of the current challenges in the supply chain sector, the specialist for sustainable passenger and goods transport was able to increase sales in the first six months of this year by more than 360 % compared to the previous year.

This was mainly due to the fact that the e-mobility experts from Germany, in addition to converting used or new commercial vehicles to emission-free drives, are introducing their own models to the market as OEMs. One of the zero-emission fleet customers is IKEA. The furniture company has ordered around 50 battery-electric light transporters for last-mile deliveries and is already supplying over 300 customers using emission-free QUANTRON vehicles every day in the greater Vienna area thus saving over 197 t of CO2 annually in this way. Other new customers are logistics and disposal companies such as Ansorge, Breitsamer, DORR as well as the Knorr- Bremse Group from Munich, the world market leader for braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles.

"Demand for zero-emission commercial vehicles has increased significantly during the past six months. At QUANTRON alone, we have served more than 500 customer enquiries across Europe with concrete offers," says Michael Perschke, CEO of Quantron AG. "In Germany, however, the market is blocked by the current funding practice. After the second call for financial support for commercial vehicles with alternative drives was extended once again until 24th August, companies and municipalities are waiting to place their orders in order to have certainty regarding the amount of the financial support. The current funding practice therefore acts as an investment barrier and is shifting purchasing decisions and thus also the emission-reducing effects to 2023," Perschke continues.

As a result, QUANTRON does not expect a significant increase in sales until 2023, partly due to the heavy truck offensive with BEV and FCEV drive concepts. Despite these obstacles and the geopolitical challenges, the company's management is confident of being able to achieve the 2022 target of 20 to 25 million euros.

Well-filled product pipeline

In addition to converting used or new commercial vehicles to emission-free drives, QUANTRON develops its own commercial vehicles as OEMs which are generating great interest in the market due to their short-term availability and the technology used in the manufacture.

In the area of passenger transportation the QUANTRON CIZARIS 12 EV is attracting international interest. The all-electric bus is already available in northern and southern Europe, and will also be available in various versions for the DACH region from January 2023 onwards. The excellent consumption values combined with high performance can be seen in the range of up to 370 km (according to SORT 2) which can be achieved thanks to the proven vehicle technology and LFP4 batteries from the world's leading battery manufacturer, CATL. The FCEV model is currently under development and homologation

In the freight transport sector, QUANTRON offers the in-house developed, fully-electric light transporter QUANTRON QARGO 4 EV. With a range of up to 350 km as well as accommodating a payload of 2,300 kg, the zero-emission vehicle is ideal for last-mile deliveries.

While QUANTRON offers all-electric vehicles for inner-city or short-distance use, the company relies on green hydrogen as the most efficient fuel solution for long-distance and heavy-duty operations with high payloads. In cooperation with Ballard Power Systems, world market leader in the development of fuel cells, several hydrogen-powered vehicles have been developed including an FCEV heavy-duty truck (40-60t) that will have its world premiere at the IAA Transportation in September.

As part of its hydrogen offensive, QUANTRON is further expanding its 360-degree Quantron-as-a-Service (QaaS) ecosystem. In future, QUANTRON wants to orchestrate the production of green hydrogen and sustainable electricity and cooperate with hydrogen filling stations and charging options thus significantly increasing customer acceptance for this vehicle category.

The QUANTRON team also grew in tandem with the economic development during the first six months of this year. The company, founded in 2019, now has a workforce of more than 110 employees from 14 nationalities including North America, Middle East and Asia. Over 50% of these work in the technical R&D and product areas.

In the period leading up to the IAA, Quantron is working on further strategic partnerships to establish itself as a European key player in the Hydrogen Economy in the transportation sector.

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Options Technology, the leading Capital Markets services provider, today announced the achievement of VMware Cloud Verified status in their Park Royal Data Center.

The accomplishment follows the VMware Cloud Provider Principal Partner Status awarded to the firm last year, along with Cloud Verified status at LHC, LD4 and NY5 sites.

Cloud Verification assures that a partner is validated to expertly deliver cloud Infrastructure-as-a-Service across VMware's best-in-class network, storage, and compute solutions to meet individual client needs specifically.

VMware Cloud Verified partner services enable customers to achieve unmatched levels of consistency, performance, and interoperability for traditional and containerised enterprise applications with the confidence the service received is based on the most advanced VMware cloud technologies.

Options President and CEO Danny Moore said, "We are delighted to announce the addition of Park Royal to our growing portfolio of cloud solutions and Options' third VMware Cloud Verified status in recent months.

Today's news not only validates the rapid expansion of services across our global backbone but Options' unique position as the partner of choice in the delivery of holistic, flexible, and resilient cloud strategy for clients."

Today's news comes as the latest in a series of strategic announcements for Options, including its seventh Microsoft Gold Partner status, hosting capabilities in Aruba IT3 Bergamo, and the launch of its Quantify and Data Store products.

In 2019, Options received investment from Boston-based Private Equity Firm Abry Partners. This investment has enabled Options to accelerate its growth strategy and develop its technology platform while expanding its global reach in key financial centres.

About Options (www.options-it.com):

Options Technology is the No. 1 provider of IT infrastructure to global Capital Markets firms, supporting their operations and ecosystems.

Founded in 1993, the firm began life as a hedge fund technology services provider. Today, the company provides high-performance managed trading infrastructure and cloud-enabled managed services to over 550 firms globally, providing an agile, scalable platform in an Investment Bank-grade Cybersecurity wrapper.

Options clients include the leading global investment banks, hedge funds, funds of funds, proprietary trading firms, market makers, broker/dealers, private equity houses, and exchanges. With offices in 8 key cities; New York, Toronto, Chicago, London, Belfast, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Auckland, Options are well placed to service its customers on-site and remotely.

In 2019, Options secured a significant growth investment from Abry Partners, a Boston-based sector-focused private equity firm. This investment has enabled Options to considerably accelerate its growth strategy to invest further in its technology platform and expand its reach in key financial centres globally.

Options has been named among the UK's leading growth companies in the 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table.

For more on Options, please visit www.options-it.com follow us on Twitter at @Options_ITand visit our LinkedIn page

About Abry Partners (www.abry.com

Abry is one of the most experienced and successful sector-focused private equity investment firms in North America. Since its founding in 1989, the firm has completed over $82 billion of leveraged transactions and other private equity or preferred equity placements. Currently, the firm manages over $5.0 billion of capital across their active funds.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005503/en/

Contacts:

For further information:

Press: Niall McAleer

Email: niall.mcaleer@options-it.com
By Du Chaoping

ROK's Foreign Minister Park Jin visited Japan from July 18 to 20. This is the first visit by a ROK foreign minister to Japan since December 2017. Relations between the ROK and Japan fell to a freezing point after the former ruled that Japanese companies should compensate for forced labor and Japan retaliated with export controls. Park Jin's trip to Japan was described by the ROK media as an "ice-breaking trip", and the Japanese media also said that Seoul showed a positive intention to improve bilateral relations. However, Rome wasn't built in a day. It is difficult to resolve the inherent contradictions between the two sides in just one visit, and the relationship between the two countries may not be able to get out of the trough in the short term.

Strong willingness to improve bilateral relations

Recently, ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office recently, changed his predecessor's foreign policy toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and declared that if the DPRK's provocation was detected, he would fight back with the support of the US. At the same time, Seoul's overall foreign policy has turned to comprehensively strengthening the ROK-US strategic alliance. Repairing the relationship with Japan has been listed as an important policy content by Yoon Suk-yeol to meet the requirements of the US to strengthen the trilateral security cooperation among the US, Japan and the ROK. To this end, Yoon said that the bilateral relations between the ROK and Japan should be handled in a "future-oriented" way. Park Jin's visit to Japan this time is Seoul's latest effort to ease relations with Tokyo and it showed Seoul's strong willingness to improve ROK-Japan relations.

The three-day visit is packed. Park Jin held talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, and then called on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to convey President Yoon Suk-yeol's wishes to improve bilateral relations. Afterward, Park offered his condolences to Shinzo Abe, and met with Toshimitsu Motegi, secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, and former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

Among them, the meeting with Yoshimasa Hayashi received the most attention. During the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, the two exchanged views on issues such as jointly dealing with the DPRK nuclear issue, labor claims, bilateral relations improvement, and the deepening of Japan-US-ROK cooperation. The two sides agreed to work more closely on dealing with DPRK's nuclear weapons and missiles, including negotiating the resumption of the General Security of Military Information Agreement.

Deep-seated problem difficult to resolve

Foreign media believes that compared with Moon Jae-in and Shinzo Abe, Yoon Suk-yeol and Kishida Fumio will make the prospect of easing relations more realistic. Recently, the relationship between the two countries has gradually eased, and political and economic exchanges between the two sides are also recovering. Japanese media claimed that diplomatic interactions between the ROK and Japan to explore improvement in relations may become more frequent in the future.

Analysts pointed out that the visit of the ROKs foreign minister can certainly raise a little temperature in the cold relationship between the two countries, including possibly injecting impetus into resolving issues left over from history. However, due to the intractable historical crux, the interference of real contradictions, and the antagonism of national sentiments, it is difficult to improve ROK-Japan relations significantly in the short term.

The World War II forced labor claims issue, for example, has received the most attention in bilateral relations. The claims dispute has been entangled between the two countries for many years, and there is no solution so far. The dispute is around a 2018 ruling by a ROK court, which required Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to compensate ROK workers for forced labor. However, the two Japanese companies refused to comply. The former laborers and their supporters then demanded a forced sale of the two companies' assets in the ROK.

Park Jin and Yoshimasa Hayashi agreed to work on solving the problem but did not propose a specific plan. During the meeting, Park Jin said he would seek to resolve the dispute before the two companies assets in the ROK were sold while Yoshimasa Hayashi said the two sides needed to build a constructive relationship based on the normalization of relations in 1965. Previously, the Japanese side insisted that all compensation issues were resolved when relations between the two countries were normalized. As the ROK and Japanese diplomats were discussing this issue, the ROK's Newsis reported that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries refused to admit that it had forced the ROKs laborers, causing strong dissatisfaction among the people in the ROK. In addition, issues such as "comfort women" and Japan's constitutional revision also affect the sensitive nerves of the ROK people. All these indicate that the road to improvement in ROK-Japan relations will not be smooth.
A vial of monkeypox vaccine is seen at a vaccination center in Nice, France, July 27, 2022. Reuters-Yonhap



Africa still does not have a single dose of the monkeypox vaccine even though it's the only continent to have documented deaths from the disease that's newly declared a global emergency, its public health agency announced Thursday.



"Let us get vaccines onto the continent," the acting head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ahmed Ogwell, said in a weekly media briefing. He described a situation where the African continent of 1.3 billion people is again being left behind in access to doses in an uncomfortable echo of the COVID-19 pandemic.



Less than a week ago, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox an "extraordinary" situation that qualifies as a global health emergency.



To date, more than 20,000 cases have been reported in 77 countries. More than 2,100 monkeypox cases have been recorded in 11 African countries and 75 people have died, the Africa CDC director said.



Although monkeypox has been established in parts of central and west Africa for decades, it was not known to spark large outbreaks beyond the continent or to spread widely among people until May, when authorities detected dozens of epidemics in Europe, North America and elsewhere.



Now the global race is on to obtain monkeypox vaccine doses. The European Commission, the European Union's executive arm, has secured the purchase of 160,000 doses of vaccines for the disease. On Wednesday, U.S. health regulators said nearly 800,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine will soon be available for distribution after what they described as weeks of delays.



Such delays are far more pronounced on the African continent, where the painful disease has been endemic in some countries for years.



Ogwell said the Africa CDC has engaged with international partners in attempts to obtain vaccines, and while he said "good news" is expected in the coming days, "we cannot be able to give you a timeline."



Even doses of the smallpox vaccine, which has shown effectiveness against monkeypox, are not available in Africa, Ogwell said.



"The solutions need to be global in nature," he said, in a warning to the international community. "If we're not safe, the rest of the world is not safe."



The COVID-19 pandemic and the global hoarding of vaccine doses were a jolt to African leaders, who quickly joined together in an unprecedented effort to obtain doses and establish the production of more vaccines on the continent.



Now, to their dismay, the monkeypox outbreak is again showing how the world's richer countries hurry to protect their own people first.



WHO has said it is creating a vaccine-sharing mechanism for protection against monkeypox, but the organization has released few details, so there's no guarantee that African countries will get priority. No countries have yet agreed to share any vaccines with the WHO.



WHO officials have emphasized that monkeypox can infect anyone in close contact with a patient or their contaminated clothing or bedsheets. Researchers are still exploring how it spreads but believe it's mainly through close, skin-to-skin contact and through contact with bedding and clothing that touched an infected person's rash or body fluids.



In Africa, monkeypox mainly spreads to people by infected wild animals like rodents in limited outbreaks that typically have not crossed borders. In Europe, North America and elsewhere, however, monkeypox is spreading among people with no links to animals or recent travel to Africa.



In the U.S. and Europe, the vast majority of infections have happened in men who have sex with men, though health officials have stressed that anyone can contract the virus. (AP)


Focus is on intelligent check scanners integrated with innovative software solutions and the preview of a new, multi-functional secure identity platform

Panini S.p.A., a global payments technology provider, is participating in the new Febraban Tech event in Sao Paulo, Brazil (booth no. 96), three years after the last in-presence edition of its predecessor, CIAB a stop due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Before this forced pause, Panini had been exhibiting in CIAB Febraban for twelve consecutive years.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005514/en/

Panini is back in the largest Latin American financial technology expo, Febraban Tech. (Photo: Business Wire)

Febraban Tech abandons the Transamerica Expo Center and relocates to the Bienal de Sao Paulo pavilion, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, one of the greatest architects of the past century. The expo building is in Parque Ibirapuera, the most visited park in South America, and the new setting is meant to reflect the rapid evolution of technology and a new global reality of accelerated transformation. This theme has been particularly appreciated by Panini, who is confirming its role as a major player in this important market as well as eager to announce a new ground-breaking solution in the secure identity domain.

Panini is partnering with Mobile Sistemas, a Brazilian provider of financial equipment, also offering efficient technical support and maintenance services to local users of Panini products, such as Banco Bradesco, Sicoob, Santander and others.

Panini will showcase its latest intelligent check scanner, the Vision E, suitable for branch use as well as for Remote Deposit Capture (RDC). The Panini booth will feature a preview of their new secure identity platform: BioCred combines fingerprint verification, ID document reading, electronic signature and other functions using a consolidation approach, with the objective to reduce fraud and to improve service to in-presence customers, in banking and other industries.

In addition, Panini's EverneXt scanner will be displayed in the booth of Most Specialist Technologies, integrated with leading check processing solutions by Tessi, an important financial software provider and a Panini Gold partner. The EverneXt, a balanced mix of ergonomics and performance based on a patented, intelligent HTTPS-based architecture, functions in autonomous Autoscan mode with WeCheck IoT software for in-branch deposit and with Cheq'corner, a new generation self-service check deposit kiosk. WeCheck is also available in a specific version for RDC, WeCheck Remettants, equally integrated with Panini scanners.

"We are pleased to collaborate with Mobile Sistemas, one of our valued Gold partners, and asked them to join us in this outstanding technology showcase. In parallel, our partnership with Tessi and Most will bring to the market the software solutions that best leverage the potential of our most advanced scanners. We are confident that the acquaintance of these Partners with the local financial community and their technical expertise, combined with our superior product range, will provide Brazilian customers with the efficiency they need to keep the pace in a highly competitive market," says Francesco Grasso, Marketing Director at Panini.

FEBRABAN TECH 2022 will take place at the Bienal de Sao Paulo Parque do Ibirapuera, August 9 to 11. Panini will be exhibiting in booth no. 96 with the presence of Mobile Sistemas, while Most will be exhibiting in booth no. 24.

About Panini

Founded in Turin, Italy, Panini has enabled clients to capitalize on shifts in the global payments processing market for over 75 years. Panini has a rich history of innovation, resulting in market leading solutions based on state-of-the-art engineering and ISO 9001 quality certified production. Panini improves customer efficiency and fraud prevention via trusted and innovative technologies for check truncation and secure identity. The company's scalable check imaging systems address the complete range of distributed capture opportunities, resulting in the world's largest deployed base of scanners, and their expanding portfolio of secure identity technologies includes reliable, user-friendly options for identity verification and authentication. Panini operates on a global scale and has a direct subsidiary in Dayton (OH), USA to cover strategic North American markets.

For more information visit www.panini.com.

About Mobile Sistemas

Founded in Sao Paulo, Brazil to attend commercial and banking automation projects, Mobile Sistemas is a representative of the most important equipment manufacturers in the area such as Panini, Zebra, Honeywell and Datalogic. The company provides technical assistance for hardware products and software development teams to support the application and development of web, client and mobile solutions.

For more information visit www.mobilesistemas.com.br.

About Most Specialist Technologies

Founded in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, MOST has a rich history of innovating high-tech solutions for different types of companies. Nowadays, their portfolio consists of solutions based in Artificial Intelligence to automate digital onboarding processes. Among others, the solutions portfolio includes concepts of:

Background checks in public, private and governmental databases to help combat fraud and crimes of misrepresentation;

Facial recognition performed through neural networks;

Biometric comparison between selfie and photo of personal document;

Selfie with proof of life;

Directed questionnaires to validating the identification of the bearer.

For more information visit www.most.com.br.

About Tessi

Tessi is an international player in Business Process Services, which supports companies in digitizing their customer experience. Operating in more than 15 countries all over the world, Tessi has 12,500 employees and has generated turnover of 475 million in 2021.

Find out more on www.tessi.eu.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005514/en/

Contacts:

Chiara Mattone, Marketing Communications

chiara.mattone@panini.com

+39 011 8176011
Ed Sleek 2.0, an origami inspired wallets made to be the thinnest wallet, designed for the highest functionality.

Woodlands, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2022) - Ed Charly, a product designer based in Singapore has successful reached funding goals and launched its 4th and latest project Ed Sleek 2.0, in May 2022. With the aim to create functional wallets, the team designed Ed Sleek to be a lightweight yet minimalistic wallet that is able to hold coins, cards, key and cash.





Ed Sleek 2.0, a Slim and Functional Wallet

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/132161_8cd1ecb8f444c8e1_001full.jpg

Ed Sleek 2.0 is crafted with full grain leather, with Saffiano Finished or Saddleback Leather, lined with an RFID blocking fabric thats prevents identity theft for cards safety. The team thoughtfully designed front pocket compartments for storing of keys, coins and back card slots which holds upto 2-4 cards. With the use of sturdy Crazy Horse Leather, also known as the Saddleback material, it gives an antique style on the surface of the leather.

Ed Charly was founded since 2017 based on its beliefs on a minimalist lifestyle while removing elements that distracts from individuals from living with freedom. To resonate with this belief, the company started designing products that is deemed practical, functional and minimalist wallet design. This project was an origami-inspired wallet which can separate the coins, cards and cash with 0.3cm in thickness.

"Ed had a long journey to begin with, first with prototyping different types of leathers ensuring that it can overcome long term usage. Followed by getting the right dimension and feedback from user experience," said Ed, the Founder of Ed Charly.

Ed Charly's product is also featured on Kickstarter with 3 more other successful campaign, Ed: The Perfect Minimalist Wallet, The Ideal Slim Minimalist Wallet, and Ed Contemporary: The Minimalist Card Holder Wallet.

"The team at Ed Charly is constantly looking for ways to improve on the men's wallet designs and functionality," said a spokesperson for Ed Charly. "It is also through the constant support from the community and positive feedback that the team can create a solution for customers to carry. The successful funding of the 4th Kickstarter project shows that a slim and functional wallet is still something people constantly seek."

About Ed Charly

Ed Charly is a team of product designers based in Singapore who aim to create meaningful minimalist products to suits for everyday needs. The company offers leathered goods that are functional, simple that last for a lifetime. Through the help of Kickstarter, the first product Ed: The Perfect Minimalist Wallet, was successfully funded, and this has led to it's fourth successful launch, the Ed Sleek 2.0.

Social links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edcharlyofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edcharlyofficial/

Contact Info:

Name: Edwin Wong

Email: info@edcharly.com

Organization: Ed Charly

Phone: (65) 82351615

Website: https://edcharly.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132161
After over a year of pandemic-related delays, representatives of Japan's PMDA, attended at the Company's contract manufacturing facility, Innovacell, to review the manufacturing of RepliCel's NBDS cell therapy products

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2022 / RepliCel Life Sciences Inc. (OTCPINK:REPCF)(TSXV:RP)(FRA:P6P2) ("RepliCel" or the "Company"), a company developing novel, next-generation injection technologies as well as regenerative medicine products in aesthetics and orthopedics, is pleased to announce the completion, last week, of an inspection of RepliCel's NBDS cell therapy manufacturing at its Austrian contract manufacturing facility owned and operated by Innovacell KK (Tokyo, Japan).

The inspection was performed, in accordance with the specifications set out in Japan's Act for the Safety of Regenerative Medicine (ASRM), by specialists of the Japanese Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) at the request of Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour & Welfare (MHLW) upon application by RepliCel for certification of its NBDS cell therapy manufacturing.

MHLW manufacturing certification, obtained after successful completion and passing of an inspection by PMDA specialists (as occurred last week), is a precursor to the ASRM-governed clinical studies RepliCel is preparing to conduct in Japan of its two NBDS cell therapies, RCT-01 and RCS-01 for the treatment of chronic tendinopathy and the rejuvenation of aging/sun-damaged skin.

Such certification of RepliCel's manufacturing would be the first of its kind. Despite having certified facilities in Korea, China and Taiwan, no cell therapy manufacturing facility has yet received such a certification outside of Asia.

"This is another milestone in RepliCel's First-in-Japan program," states RepliCel's President & CEO, R. Lee Buckler. "Our RCH-01 cell therapy was one of the first to be launched into clinical study under Japan's ASRM pathway. It was also one of the first corporate-sponsored cell therapy, and the first cell therapy developed outside of Asia, to be the subject of an ASRM clinical study."

"As we prepare for our next-phase clinical studies in Japan," Buckler continues, "we are building a strong network of support and accomplishments. Our business, clinical and regulatory teams are doing everything needed to ready our programs for clinical evaluation and commercialization in Japan."

RepliCel's team in Japan includes:

regenerative medicine industry specialists, CJ PARTNERS;

clinical research organization, Accerise;

globally prominent key opinion leaders engaged as clinical advisors in dermatology and orthopedics in Japan; and

the Company's Senior Strategic Advisor for Japan, Kunihiko Suzuki, one of the leading business pioneers in the Japanese cell therapy industry. Mr. Suzuki has recently been appointed by Japan's Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine (FIRM, Japan's cell/gene therapy industry organization), as Chair of FIRM's Specific Process Cells Committee intended to bring increased rigor and industry oversight to the development, manufacture, and commercialization of cell therapies, such as RepliCel's RCS-01, being clinical tested and commercialized in Japan under country's ASRM pathway.

About RepliCel's Skin and Tendon Programs

RepliCel is currently preparing for the clinical testing and commercialization of two cell-based regenerative medicines in Japan - one for skin rejuvenation (RCS-01) and one for tendon regeneration (RCT-01). RepliCel's partner in Greater China, YOFOTO China Health Company, is currently preparing for phase 2 studies in China of these same therapies in collaboration with RepliCel. Both RCT-01 and RCS-01 have been the subject of successful phase 1 clinical studies.

Both products are the subject of active, ongoing partnership discussions in Japan and have already been the subject of two successfully completed consultations with Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Planning for clinical research studies under Japan's Act for the Safety of Regenerative Medicines (ASRM) is underway. Manufacturing of the clinical product will be performed by a Japanese-owned contract manufacturer preparing now for PMDA-certification under Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) applicable guidelines. Conduct of the clinical research studies will be managed by a high-quality Japanese clinical research organization.

RepliCel aims to be one of the first foreign regenerative medicine companies based outside of Asia to directly engage in a clinical study of a cell therapy product under the ASRM regulatory pathway to commercialization. RepliCel also aims to be the first foreign cell therapy company to obtain manufacturing certification outside of Asia for the production of a cell therapy product to be imported for use in a clinical study governed by the ASRM regulations.

About RepliCel Life Sciences

RepliCel is a regenerative medicine company focused on developing cell therapies for aesthetic and orthopedic conditions affecting what the Company believes is approximately one in three people in industrialized nations, including aging/sun-damaged skin, pattern baldness, and chronic tendon degeneration. These conditions, often associated with aging, are caused by a deficit of healthy cells required for normal tissue healing and function. These cell therapy product candidates are based on RepliCel's innovative technology, utilizing cell populations isolated from a patient's healthy hair follicles.

The Company's cell therapy product pipeline is comprised of RCT-01 for tendon repair, RCS-01 for skin rejuvenation, and RCH-01 for hair restoration. RCH-01 has been the subject of successful safety and dose-finding clinical studies and is now the subject of its third clinical study evaluating efficacy for the treatment of male and female hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia. This ongoing study is being funded by Shiseido Company Limited pursuant to a license agreement which has now been terminated but is the subject of an arbitration regarding Shiseido's rights to the product for Asia. RepliCel maintains the undisputed rights to RCH-01 for the rest of the world. RCT-01 and RCS-01 are exclusively licensed in Greater China to YOFOTO (China) Health Company. RepliCel and YOFOTO are currently co-developing these products in China. RepliCel maintains the rights to these products outside of Greater China.

RepliCel has also developed a proprietary injection device (DermaPreciseTM) and related consumables, which is expected to improve the administration of its cell therapy products and certain other injectables. YOFOTO has exclusively licensed the commercial rights for the DermaPrecise device and consumables in Greater China for dermatology applications and is expected to first launch the product in Hong Kong upon it being approved for market launch in either the United States or Europe. Please visit replicel.com for additional information.

Notable Facts:

RepliCel's three cell therapy products have now been tested in over 100 patients in four countries on three continents.

RepliCel now has key strategic regional partners each of which are now investing heavily in the further clinical testing and development of RepliCel's products for their markets. Data from each of the clinical programs will strengthen the product development initiatives for RepliCel and its other partners worldwide.

For more information, please contact:

Lee Buckler, CEO and President

604-248-8693

info@replicel.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: RepliCel Life Sciences, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/709735/RepliCels-Manufacturing-Inspected-by-Japans-PMDA
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2022) - One37 and All-in-One Super App Humans announced a strategic partnership that will enable them to accelerate the use of Verified and Trusted Identity data with the growing demand for digital banking and fintech services.

Through the partnership, Humans can offer their customers a frictionless and seamless onboarding experience, while keeping privacy and consent management at the core of their customer journey. One37 Universal Digital Identity allows Humans to decrease fraud risks, increase customer retention and enable customers to purchase Humans services available on their marketplace; it is truly private, secure, and user-friendly.

With Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) technology at its core, One37 has developed its state-of-the-art digital identity enablement platform to allow businesses and customers to exchange data and transact safely and securely. The SSI framework is adopted in Germany and throughout the EU as a key privacy-by-design framework. Through its membership in DIACC, One37 contributes to the future of digital identity by leveraging the lessons from its own real-life use-cases in Canada where Verifiable Credentials play an increasingly crucial role.

"The widespread prevalence of online fraud underscores the need for all digital banks and eco-systems to better protect their consumers' data and money. In the absence of action, consumers may lose confidence in digital banking, open banking, and Fintech, hindering marketing efforts and ultimately growth. This is such an exciting time for us to be part of the launch of Humans in Germany. We are fortunate to have Humans' wealth of digital banking expertise and knowledge, which is a phenomenal use case for SSI."

Fadwa Mohanna, CEO of One37

The All-in-One Super App Platform from Humans is the next step in digital banking. The Humans platform makes it easy to launch a digital banking ecosystem with partners such as Vodafone and MasterCard. Humans services combine all needs in one place. The company provides financial services that are straightforward, transparent, and inclusive.

"Humans has a proven platform and a successful business model for creating fintech solutions, adaptable for any partner and faster than any competitor," Vlad Dobrynin, CEO and founder of Humans Group. "Our unique approach based on smart data algorithms allows Humans to offer seamless services such as Microloans and Cashback to our customers. With this partnership, One37 offers a scalable and trusted platform to onboard Verified Businesses and Customers with efficiency, security and privacy embedded in its core".

Humans will leverage One37 digital identity enablement platform that allows customers to securely store and re-share their verified digital identity credentials and credit-score data with a multitude of partners in variable use-cases such as banking, travel, insurance, health and telecom services.

About Humans

The Humans Group is developing an ecosystem of services in finance, telecommunications, and employee search, to meet primary motivators and needs common to all people. Currently, the Humans Group includes three projects:

Humans.uz fintech platform, the first and only super app in Uzbekistan

Humans.de all-in-one super app in Germany, that combines a fintech service, mobile services, and an online payment system with a cashback function. The launch is scheduled for 2022

Humans.net employee search platform in the US

Group offices are located in the USA, Singapore, Germany, Poland and Uzbekistan. The company employs over 850 people.

About One37

One37 is a global Digital Identity solutions provider with a track record of innovative achievements, enabling businesses and users to Connect, Exchange and Verify data. One37 is delivering the building blocks of Web3; Providing turnkey, Verifiable-Credentials powered products across industry verticals such as Financial services, Travel, Telecoms, Insurance, Healthcare and others.

One37id.com no-code workflow driven Decentralized Identity for the enterprise

One37 is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

For Press Contact:

Fadwa Mohanna

media@one37id.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132166
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2022 / Orsu Metals Corporation (TSX-V:OSU) ("Orsu" or the "Company") provides an update on a business combination as announced on May 24, 2022. Orsu entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the "LOI") with Invenir Ltd. ("Invenir") and Skyfire Ltd. ("Skyfire", collectively, the "Target Companies"), pursuant to which Orsu and the Target Companies will complete a business combination that will result in a reverse takeover and change of business of Orsu (the "Proposed Transaction"). The Target Companies are arm's length's parties to the Company.

The Company and the Target Companies are obtaining corporate, tax and securities law structuring advice with respect to the Proposed Transaction and negotiating a binding definitive agreement that will replace and supersede the LOI.

The entity resulting from the Proposed Transaction (the "Resulting Issuer") will be a global helium explorer and developer with exclusive rights to the Topaz helium project in the USA indirectly held by Invenir, which has been drilled and flowed 10.5% helium, and a 100% interest in the Tunu helium project in Greenland held directly by Skyfire. It is anticipated that following completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Resulting Issuer will be named Pulsar Helium Inc. and will qualify as a Tier 2 Industrial Issuer on the TSX Venture Exchange.

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including (1) receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, (2) execution of related transaction documents (3) completion of a concurrent private placement offering to raise proceeds of at least $5 million, at a price to be determined in the context of the market (the "Concurrent Financing"), (4) disposition of the Company's existing Russian assets and (5) there being no adverse material change in the affairs of the parties.

The ratio of the Company's proposed share consolidation (the "Consolidation") and the percentage holdings of the post-Consolidation common shares of the Company by the shareholders of the Target Companies as disclosed in the Company's May 24, 2022 news release may be adjusted based on the final pricing and final amount raised by the Concurrent Financing.

Further details of the Proposed Transaction will be included in subsequent news releases and disclosure documents (which will include business and financial information in respect of the Target Companies) to be filed by the Company in connection with the Proposed Transaction.

It is anticipated that the common shares of Orsu will remain halted until all necessary filings in respect of the Proposed Transaction have been accepted by applicable regulatory authorities.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Sergei Stefanovich

Managing Director

--------------------------------------------------------------

For further information, please contact:

Doris Meyer, at 1-604-536-2711 ext 3 or email: doris@gocs.ca.

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.

All information contained in this news release with respect to the Target Companies was supplied by the Target Companies for inclusion herein and the Company has relied on the accuracy of such information without independent verification.

As noted above, completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance of the Proposed Transaction. The Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required regulatory approval is obtained in respect of the applicable matters. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement of the Company to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Orsu should be considered highly speculative.

The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may include "forward-looking information" (as that term is defined by Canadian securities legislation), concerning the Company's business. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Proposed Transaction, the disposition of the Company's existing Russian assets, the description of the Target Companies and information regarding the management, business and operations of the Resulting Issuer. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company's management, including future plans for the exploration and development of its mineral properties. Although the Company believes that such expectations and assumptions are reasonable, investors should not rely unduly on such forward-looking information as the Company can give no assurance they will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include that the Proposed Transaction does not complete. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to publicly update 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.

SOURCE: Orsu Metals Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/709971/Orsu-Metals-Updates-Status-of-Reverse-Take-Over
PEA Underway at Makwa Mayville Ni-Cu-PGM-Co Property

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2022 / Grid Metals Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV:GRDM)(OTCQB:MSMGF) is pleased to report the results from the final three holes completed in the Phase 1 drill program at its Donner Lake lithium property (the "Property") in southeastern Manitoba. In addition, the Company has initiated certain project development activities including baseline environmental work and metallurgical testwork on both the Northwest and Main dykes. The property is located in the Winnipeg River pegmatite field, which hosts the world-class Tanco pegmatite and the associated Tanco lithium-cesium-tantalum mine and concentrator. The property is a 75%/25% joint venture between Grid Metals Corp and Lithium Royalty Corp., a leading player in global lithium finance.

Drilling Highlights:

Results from the final three holes for the February-April 2022 Northwest Dyke drilling program include the following length-weighted average grades: 7.3 metres averaging 1.17% Li2O in GDL22-16 (from 239.9 metres) including 2.1 metres averaging 1.92% Li2O 5.5 metres averaging 1.49% Li2O in GDL22-17 (from 279.8 metres) including 3.0 metres averaging 2.41% Li2O 4.7 metres averaging 1.00% Li2O in GDL22-18 (from 227.0 metres) including 1.67 metres averaging 1.57% Li2O



Holes 16-18 were drilled to intersect the Northwest Dyke below previously reported drill holes, between 150 and 250 metres vertical depth. Note that the Northwest Dyke intersection lengths reported above do not represent the true thickness of the dyke, which is estimated to typically range from 4 to 8 metres, representing 50-70% of the reported intersection lengths. Complete analytical results for holes GDL22-16, -17 and -18, together with drill hole specifications for these and previously reported holes, are provided in the Appendices accompanying this release. Relative drill hole pierce points into the Northwest Dyke are shown on the accompanying longitudinal section.

Above: Longitudinal section, looking west, showing relative 3D position of the February-April 2022 drill hole pierce points into the Northwest Dyke, Donner Lake Lithium Property. Holes GDL22-16 to 18, reported here, are amongst the deepest intersections of the Northwest Dyke to date.

Analysis: Phase 1 Drilling Results

The Northwest Dyke has now been traced by drilling for ~600 metres along strike and to a vertical depth of ~250 metres. Grid's 2022 drilling was the first drilling completed at the Northwest Dyke since 1955. The holes were drilled at an average of 100 to150 metre stepouts and demonstrated lateral and vertical continuity. As well the Northwest Dyke remains open to depth and along strike. A total of 15 holes successfully intersected the Northwest Dyke over a strike length of ~600 metres and vertical depths of 50 to 250 metres below surface. Visual logging supported by whole-rock analytical data indicate that the Northwest Dyke is a zoned, LCT-type pegmatite dyke having a near-vertical orientation and showing very consistent Li2O, Ta2O5, Cs2O and Rb2O grades.

Mr. Carey Galeschuk, Grid's Vice President, Lithium Exploration, stated, "The Phase 1 drilling program targeting the Northwest Dyke was very successful. The dyke shows good continuity, consistent mineralogical and grade variability, and a persistent spodumene-rich zone. Together with the Main Dyke we now have two clear targets for our initial near surface resource delineation drilling. As well, critical new exploration data is being acquired during the ongoing field campaign will provide the first property-scale information of the overall potential of the Donner Lake pegmatite field as numerous historically mapped pegmatites are presently being characterized to fully understand their lithium-bearing potential."

The Northwest Dyke is the second drill-defined LCT type pegmatite with significant strike length on the Donner Lake property. Similar lithium grades were previously reported in the Company's 2018 drill holes targeting the Main Dyke over a strike length of ~ 775 metres. The Main Dyke is located ~1.5 km to the east of the Northwest Dyke.

Future drill plans at the Main and Northwest Dykes will involve completing drilling over the known strike length of the two dykes to an approximate vertical depth of 300 metres to enable calculation of a 43-101 compliant mineral resource. It is expected that future resource drilling will be completed in conjunction with drilling of new exploration targets that are being generated from the current field program. Timing of the drill schedule will be released at a later date.

Anomalous Lithium Intersected in the West Dykes

Two additional reconnaissance exploration holes (GDL22-05 and -06) were drilled on the West Dykes - a cluster of mapped pegmatites with very limited historical data. The West Dykes are located 500 metres to the southwest of the Northwest Dyke (see plan map, below). Both holes intersected multiple, narrow felsic dykes with one or more intervals of lithium-rich pegmatite including:

3.6 metres of 0.7% Li2O from 225.0 metres, including a maximum individual sample grade of 0.65 metres of 3.0% Li2O in hole GDL22-05

1.8 metres averaging >2.0% Li2O (over limit values reported) from 187.3 metres in hole GDL22-06

Ratios of Li-Ta-Cs-Rb are similar to those reported for the Northwest Dyke drill holes. The West Dykes are part of a mapped pegmatite system that has a strike length of ~ 800 meters and is being mapped in detail and sampled as part of an ongoing field program.

Above: Plan view map showing collars and traces of all 2022 exploration drill holes targeting the Northwest Dyke (GDL22-01 to -04 and GDL22-07 to 18) and West Dykes (GDL22-05 and -06), Donner Lake Lithium Property. Labelled holes are those discussed in this release.

Update on Other Project Activities

New outcrop samples from the previously unsampled WE, Northeast, Cat Creek and North Creek Pegmatites, which are located in the eastern and northern portion of the Mayville Property, have been sent to Actlabs (Thunder Bay) for analysis. Initial results are expected within the next several weeks. As well, surface samples from the pegmatite characterization program targeting the Main Dyke and West Dykes have also been sent to the lab. The field program remains ongoing and is focused on sampling and mapping of pegmatite dykes on the property and developing a lithogeochemical anomaly map. Lithogeochemistry is an exploration technique whereby host rocks (rocks that can host pegmatites that may or may not be visible on surface) are sampled on a grid pattern to detect geochemical changes including enrichment in lithium that are generated by the injection of pegmatites into the overall geology of the area. It has been proven in many locations to be a powerful exploration tool in finding unexposed pegmatites.

Above: Pegmatites in the Donner Lake area.

Project Development

The Company has sent representative drill core and coarse rejects from the 2022 Northwest Dyke drilling program and the 2018 Main Dyke drilling program to XPS Expert Process Solutions ("XPS") (a Glencore Company) in Falconbridge, Ontario. XPS will complete a preliminary series of Dense Media Separation and flotation-recovery tests along with quantitative mineralogical analysis of the composite samples prepared from these pegmatite materials. This metallurgical testwork will provide an initial characterization of the potential to produce a marketable spodumene concentrate from these two dykes.

Grid has retained Aecom Canada Ltd. ("Aecom") to complete baseline environmental work on the Donner Lake and Makwa Mayville project areas. Aecom has also been retained to prepare an Advanced Exploration Permit for the Donner Lake Property that would enable a bulk sample(s) to be extracted.

Grid has commissioned Micon International to complete an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Makwa Mayville Ni-Cu-PGM-Co project.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Grid Metals applies best practice quality assurance and quality control ("QAQC") protocols on all of its exploration programs. For the Donner Lake drilling program, core was logged and sampled at the Company's core facility located on the Makwa Property. Generally, 1.0 metre sample lengths were used. Samples were bagged and tagged and then transported by secure carrier to the Actlabs (Thunder Bay) laboratory for sample preparation and analysis for lithium, cesium, tantalum and selected major and trace element abundances using a sodium peroxide fusion total digestion method followed by ICP-OES and ICP-MS analysis. The Company is using two lithium + rare metal certified reference materials ("CRMs") and two analytical blanks for the Donner Lake program to monitor analytical accuracy and check for cross contamination between samples.

Dave Peck, P.Geo., has reviewed the contents of this press release and is the qualified person for purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

About the Donner Lake Lithium Property

The Property is owned 75% by Grid Metals Corp. and 25% by Lithium Royalty Corp. (LRC), which is funding 25% of the current exploration program. LRC holds an overriding 2% royalty on the property.

The Property was acquired by Grid from Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Limited (Tanco) which has the first right to acquire products produced from the property at commercial terms and holds a 2% royalty on certain claims.

Sinomine Canada is currently operating a lithium spodumene circuit at its Tanco Mine facility, located approximately 35 km to the southwest of the Donner Lake Property.

Donner Lake is ~180 km from the provincial capital of Winnipeg and accessible by all season roads and logging trails and there is nearby access to Canada's major east-west railway line.

Grid Metals has an exploration agreement in place with the Sagkeeng First Nation, whose Traditional Lands include the Donner Lake and Mayville properties.

The Property has nearby access low-cost renewable power from Manitoba's extensive hydro-electric grid.

There are multiple LCT-type pegmatite dykes on the Property including the Main Dyke that, in 2018, was drill tested by Grid over a ~ 800 m strike length. The dykes are located along a ~9 km long prospective geological contact between the Bird River greenstone belt and the Makwa Lake batholith and occupy obvious structural trends.

The Main Dyke and Northwest Dyke together supported a non-compliant historical resource estimate of 3.8 million tons at a grade of 1.28% Li2O (Manitoba Mines Branch Assessment file 91769A). This resource estimate cannot be independently verified by the Company. The Company is preparing to resume drilling to establish a maiden NI 43-101 lithium resource while continuing exploration for other LCT-type pegmatites on the Property.

The Property is significantly underexplored with a large portion of the prospective geology having seen no prior lithium exploration.

The Property is also located on the same geographical footprint as the Company's Mayville M2 Cu-Ni-PGE deposit, which is the larger of two pit-constrained mineral resources that were the subject of the April 2014 Preliminary Economic Assessment report authored by RPA Associates. The company recently commissioned a new Preliminary Economic Assessment study being headed up by Micon International.

Amendments To Equity Incentive Plan

The Board of Directors have approved certain amendments to the Equity Incentive Plan of the Company, which were requested by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") in order to comply with the Exchange's policies with respect to security based compensation plans. The principal changes are as follows:

Deleting the ability to exclude options issued on a takeover or amalgamation in the number authorized under the plan; Removing the power of the Administrator to approve transfers or assignments of incentive awards; Removing the power of the Administrator to accelerate options to persons providing investor relations services; The grant of dividend equivalents will reduce the available pool of shares reserved for RSUs and DSUs, and will be included in 10%/5%/2% grant limits; Except for the investor relations service providers, any acceleration of vesting must be approved by the Exchange first; and, An amendment to any general vesting provisions of an Award will require Exchange approval.

These amendments only affect the Incentive Plan of the Company approved at the last annual meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors intends to present a new incentive plan which will comply with the new Exchange policy in respect of security based compensation to shareholders at the next annual meeting.

About Grid Metals Corp.

Grid Metals Corp. maintains an attractive portfolio of exploration and development stage properties focused on battery metals (nickel, lithium, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals cobalt) and emission reduction technologies (palladium, platinum, rhodium) in the Provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, Canada. The Company is currently focused on advancing both its Donner Lake lithium and its PEA stage Makwa-Mayville Cu-Ni-PGM-Co assets in southeastern Manitoba.

To find out more about Grid Metals Corp., please visit www.gridmetalscorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Grid Metals Corp.

Robin Dunbar - President, CEO & Director

Telephone: 647 201 6844 Email: rd@gridmetalscorp.com

David Black - Investor Relations Email: info@gridmetalscorp.com 416 955-4773

Appendix 1: Analytical Results, Drill Hole GDL22-16, Northwest Pegmatite Dyke, Donner Lake Lithium Property, Southeastern Manitoba.

Sample# From (m) To (m) Length (m) Li2O (%) Ta2O5 (ppm) Cs2O (ppm) Rb2O (%) AM752896 239.4 239.9 0.5 0.14 76.7 200 0.36 AM752898 239.9 241.0 1.1 1.48 135 248 0.38 AM752899 241.0 242.1 1.1 1.87 97.9 179 0.30 AM752901 242.1 243.1 0.9 0.24 92.8 149 0.30 AM752902 243.1 244.1 1.0 0.23 76.5 151 0.33 AM752904 244.1 245.1 1.1 0.36 63.8 164 0.32 AM752905 245.1 246.1 1.0 2.58 50.2 80.6 0.13 AM752907 246.1 247.2 1.1 1.37 67.4 199 0.43 AM752908 247.2 248.2 1.0 0.25 77.0 149 0.32 AM752909 248.2 249.2 1.0 0.19 69.5 133 0.36 AM752911 249.2 250.2 1.0 0.11 71.7 88.0 0.25 Interval Averages NW Dyke 239.9 247.2 7.3 1.17 84.0 170 0.32 inc. 239.9 242.1 2.2 1.67 116 214 0.34 with 245.1 247.2 2.1 1.92 59.5 145 0.29

Appendix 2: Analytical Results, Drill Hole GDL22-17, Northwest Pegmatite Dyke, Donner Lake Lithium Property, Southeastern Manitoba.

Sample# From (m) To (m) Length (m) Li2O (%) Ta2O5 (ppm) Cs2O (ppm) Rb2O (%) AM752934 279.2 279.8 0.7 0.18 67.5 126 0.28 AM752936 279.8 280.1 0.3 0.30 110 142 0.23 AM752937 280.1 281.1 1.0 1.78 64.8 103 0.17 AM752939 281.1 282.1 1.0 2.84 61.8 120 0.17 AM752941 282.1 283.1 1.0 2.61 44.2 104 0.15 AM752942 283.1 283.7 0.6 0.66 37.3 172 0.38 AM752943 283.7 284.5 0.8 0.33 72.6 235 0.38 AM752944 284.5 285.3 0.8 0.28 65.6 254 0.46 AM752946 285.3 286.3 1.0 0.13 42.9 146 0.30 AM752947 286.3 287.3 1.0 0.13 56.9 177 0.38 AM752948 287.3 288.2 0.9 0.14 81.9 142 0.26 Interval Averages NW Dyke 279.8 287.3 7.5 1.13 58.3 159 0.28 inc. 279.8 285.3 5.5 1.49 61.3 158 0.26 with 280.1 283.1 3.0 2.41 56.9 109 0.16

Appendix 3: Analytical Results, Drill Hole GDL22-18, Northwest Pegmatite Dyke, Donner Lake Lithium Property, Southeastern Manitoba.

Sample# From (m) To (m) Length (m) Li2O (%) Ta205 (ppm) Cs20 (ppm) Rb2O (%) AM752627 226.21 226.36 0.15 0.17 119 166 0.24 AM752628 226.36 227.00 0.64 0.84 148 218 0.30 AM752629 227.00 228.00 1.00 1.61 120 224 0.30 AM752631 228.00 228.67 0.67 1.52 89 154 0.27 AM752632 228.67 229.00 0.33 0.23 88 166 0.34 AM752633 229.00 230.00 1.00 0.16 97 140 0.29 AM752635 230.00 230.67 0.67 0.28 134 187 0.32 AM752636 230.67 231.67 1.00 1.61 79 149 0.28 AM752638 231.67 231.98 0.31 0.32 59 166 0.33 AM752639 231.98 232.18 0.20 0.27 102 209 0.36 AM752641 232.18 233.00 0.82 0.16 60 137 0.31 AM752642 233.00 234.03 1.03 0.15 88 140 0.36 AM752643 234.03 234.23 0.20 0.07 117 169 0.08 Interval Averages NW Dyke 227.0 231.7 4.7 1.00 102 170 0.29 inc. 226.4 228.7 2.3 1.37 119 202 0.29 and inc. 227.0 228.7 1.7 1.57 108 196 0.29

Appendix 4: Analytical Results, Drill Holes GDL22-05 and GDL22-6, West Dykes, Donner Lake Lithium Property, Southeastern Manitoba.

Sample# From (m) To (m) Length (m) Li2O (%) Ta205 (ppm) Cs20 (ppm) Rb2O (%) GDL22-05 AM752587 198.5 199.0 0.55 0.04 166 102 0.26 AM752588 199.0 199.8 0.83 0.02 100 46.6 0.13 AM752589 199.8 200.1 0.25 0.16 1.59 260 0.16 AM752606 225.0 226.1 1.13 0.16 0.68 11.7 0.01 AM752607 226.1 226.6 0.47 0.12 2.38 27.6 0.03 AM752608 226.6 227.4 0.82 0.28 62.1 75.3 0.22 AM752609 227.4 228.1 0.65 3.01 43.8 45.6 0.12 AM752611 228.1 228.6 0.53 0.04 55.6 68.9 0.23 GDL22-06 AM752787 136.4 137.0 0.64 1.156 172 89.1 0.13 AM752789 137.0 137.5 0.46 0.228 122 123 0.23 AM752819 187.1 187.3 0.24 0.31 202 207 0.46 AM752821 187.3 188.2 0.91 >2.0% 53.6 84.8 0.15 AM752823 188.2 189.1 0.89 >2.0% 86.6 92.2 0.13 AM752824 189.1 189.3 0.21 0.106 174 133 0.19 AM752831 196.1 196.6 0.52 0.026 101 91.2 0.25 Interval Averages GDL22-05 225.0 228.6 3.6 0.68 30.8 42.8 0.11 227.4 228.1 0.7 3.01 43.8 45.6 0.12 GDL22-06 136.4 137.5 1.1 0.77 151 103 0.17 187.3 189.1 1.8 >2.0 69.9 88.5 0.14

Appendix 5: Specifications for all completed drill holes that intersected the Northwest Dyke, Donner Lake Lithium Property, Southeastern Manitoba. Easting and Northing coordinates are based on a NAD83 UTM Zone 15 projection. Depth values represent end of hole depths. Length values are core intervals for the main Northwest Dyke pegmatite intercepts. From values are the upper contact downhole depth of the Northwest Dyke. The true thickness of the dyke is estimated to range from 40 to 70% of the reported core lengths.

Hole ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Depth (m) NW Dyke Length (m) NW Dyke From (m) GDL-22-01 315954 5610632 290 135 -60 131 15.8 86.0 GDL-22-02 315954 5610632 290 135 -45 215 9.4 55.9 GDL-22-03 315960 5610735 299 135 -45 179 5.5 160.4 GDL-22-04 315960 5610735 299 135 -60 248 10.3 234.1 GDL-22-07 315881 5610581 288 135 -45 104 8.1 103.6 GDL-22-08 315879 5610585 288 135 -60 260 15.6 163.1 GDL-22-09 315842 5610520 290 135 -45 143 9.5 104.9 GDL-22-10 315754 5610459 297 135 -45 224 1.3 155.4 GDL-22-11 315842 5610520 290 135 -60 185 14.6 141.7 GDL-22-12 315754 5610459 297 100 -60 250 10.1 218.8 GDL-22-13 316175 5610670 295 315 -45 179 5.4 138.4 GDL-22-14 316175 5610670 295 315 -60 203 4.4 178.9 GDL-22-16 315855 5610623 290 135 -57 266 10.8 239.4 GDL-22-17 315855 5610623 290 135 -64 333 9.0 279.2 GDL-22-18 315855 5610623 290 100 -52 300 8.0 226.4

Appendix 6: Specifications for West Dykes drill holes GDL22-05 and-06, Donner Lake Lithium Property, Southeastern Manitoba. Easting and Northing coordinates are based on a NAD83 UTM Zone 15 projection.

Hole ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Depth (m) GDL-22-05 315219 5609761 298 145 -60 257 GDL-22-06 315310 5609815 298 140 -50 275

SOURCE: Grid Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/710050/Grid-Metals-Donner-Lake-Lithium-Property-Drill-Results-and-Project-Development-Update
BIRMINGHAM, AL / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2022 / Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE:DEC) ("Diversified" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement ("PSA") to acquire certain upstream assets and related facilities (the "Assets") in Oklahoma and Texas, within the Company's Central Region, from ConocoPhillips Company (the "Seller") (collectively with the Assets, the "Acquisition").

The Company has posted an Acquisition presentation website at ir.div.energy/presentations.

Central Region Acquisition Highlights

Purchase price of $240 million before customary purchase price adjustments

Estimated net price of ~$210 million ("Acquisition Cost") with a late September closing ("the Closing")

Fully financed from existing liquidity

Cash margins (a) of ~70% on estimated Adjusted EBITDA of $82 million (b)

of ~70% on estimated Adjusted EBITDA of $82 million Uplift of ~20% to Diversified's 2021 Hedged Adjusted EBITDA per share (c)

Acquisition Cost represents a ~2.5x purchase multiple (d) and PV17 of PDP reserves

and PV17 of PDP reserves Pro-forma Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA of 2.2x (e) with ~95% of debt in fully amortizing notes

with ~95% of debt in fully amortizing notes Consolidated corporate declines unchanged at ~8.5% (f)

Net production (g) increase of ~9 MBoepd (~52 MMcfepd; 60% operated), (+6% vs 1Q22 exit rate)

increase of ~9 MBoepd (~52 MMcfepd; 60% operated), (+6% vs 1Q22 exit rate) Upside available through field level synergies, Smarter Asset Management acreage swaps, non-operated development opportunities

Commenting on the Acquisition, CEO Rusty Hutson, Jr. said:

"I am pleased to announce another strategically-aligned acquisition at a compelling valuation in the Company's Central Region that reinforces our commitment to create long-term value for shareholders. Financed entirely with existing liquidity, this non-dilutive acquisition represents a compelling opportunity to further scale our Central Region portfolio while maintaining a strong balance sheet. Building on our success in Appalachia, we are excited to increase our holdings within the Central Region that position us to drive greater synergies and unlock additional shareholder value through scale."

Delivering Significant Per-Share Value on Low Multiples with Non-Dilutive Financing

The Company signed a PSA with the Seller on 27 July 2022 for a purchase price of $240 million. The estimated Acquisition Cost due at Closing of ~$210 million reflects the estimated customary purchase price adjustments through the close date and represents a ~2.5x Acquisition Price multiple(d) before any anticipated synergies. The Acquisition highlights Diversified's ability to execute accretive acquisitions throughout the commodity price cycle.

Diversified is acquiring the Assets unhedged and, upon closing, will evaluate its consolidated hedged levels consistent with its commitment to protect cash flows that underpin its consistent dividend and debt repayment. The Company expects to close the transaction in late September 2022, following customary due diligence. Closing is subject to customary conditions being met, including title an environmental review.

Diversified will finance the Assets with cash on hand and existing availability on its Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF") resulting in a pro-forma Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA of 2.2x(e) (1Q22: 2.2x). After funding the Acquisition, approximately 95% of the Company's borrowings will exist in fixed-rate, fully amortizing and predominantly investment grade rated notes that benefit from hedge-protected cash flows. The Company's post-acquisition funding liquidity approximates $250 million(h) before any increase in the Company's RCF borrowing base for the additional collateral from the Acquisition. Accordingly, the Company expects liquidity to rise with its next borrowing base redetermination scheduled in the fall of 2022.

By financing this Acquisition without new equity and only with existing liquidity, at the current price strip the Company estimates the Acquisition adds ~20% to Diversified's previously reported 2021 Hedged Adjusted EBITDA per share (2021: $0.43/shr). Combined with the Company's previously reported acquisition of East Texas Assets in April, the Company increased per share accretion by ~30% vs. 2021 Hedged Adjusted EBITDA per share.

With an effective date of 1 June 2022, the Acquisition adds ~31 MMBoe (186 Bcfe) of net PDP reserves, with a PV10 of ~$297 million, using NYMEX strip pricing as of 25 July 2022. Accordingly, the Purchase Price represents an estimated PDP valuation of PV17. The Assets complement Diversified's existing portfolio, contributing an estimated Adjusted EBITDA of $82 million(b) underpinned by high cash operating margins of ~70%(a) and a modest annual decline of ~8%(f) that continues to shallow. Including the Acquisition, Diversified's consolidated corporate decline rate remains industry-leading at approximately 8.5%(f).

Expanding Presence and Scale in the Central Region

The Acquisition, which includes an interest in ~1,500 producing wells located in Oklahoma and Texas represents Diversified's sixth major acquisition within the Central Region since May of 2021 and the second acquisition in the Mid-Continent area since mid-2021. The proximity of the Assets to previously acquired Tapstone assets creates further potential to develop operational synergies of scale in the Central Region and benefits from a constructive regulatory environment.

The Company will operate ~60% of the Acquisition's net production of ~9 MBoepd (52 MMcfepd; ~90% natural gas and NGLs), which represents a 6% increase to Diversified's 1Q22 exit rate (136 MBoepd; 816 MMcfepd).

The Assets provide high cash operating margins through realised pricing that benefits from low regional commodity differentials and a largely variable expense structure that is consistent with the Company's other Central Region assets.

Total Lease Operating Expense of $1.90-$2.00/Mcfe ($11.40-$12.00/boe) (i)

Natural Gas pricing differentials of $(0.20)-$(0.30)/MMBtu

Production-weighted average well age of 16 years

Consistent with the Company's asset acquisition strategy, Diversified intends to retain certain ConocoPhillips Company experienced personnel who will complement Diversified's asset stewardship operating philosophy designed to improve well performance, enhance margins, and lower emissions.

The Acquisition constitutes a Class 2 transaction for the purposes of the Listing Rules, and this announcement is made in accordance with the Company's disclosure obligations pursuant to Chapter 10 of the Listing Rules.

Footnotes (for Company-specific items, refer also to the Glossary of Terms and/or Alternative Performance Measures found in the Company's 2021 Annual Report):

a) Cash Margin calculated as the Acquisition's estimated Adjusted EBITDA, see footnote (b), as a percentage of Adjusted Total Revenue (which includes as applicable natural gas, NGLs and crude oil commodity revenue, midstream revenue and other revenue) b) Acquisition estimated Adjusted EBITDA assumes historical cost structure using NYMEX strip pricing as of 25 July 2022 and assumes acquisition close in late September 2022; Estimate is not reflective of synergies that may be realised following post-acquisition integration; this figure is not intended in any way to constitute a projection of actual results attributable to the Acquisition or consolidated pro-forma Company; Purchase Price multiple based on estimated net Purchase Price and Acquisition's estimated Adjusted EBITDA (unhedged) c) Acquisition and East Texas Adjusted EBITDA per share calculated using announced estimated Adjusted EBITDA and current diluted shares outstanding of 863 million; 2021 Pro Forma Hedged Adjusted EBITDA per share calculated using previously reported Pro Forma Hedged Adjusted EBITDA of $491 million and 2021 weighted average diluted shares outstanding (had the Company not been in a Net Loss position) of 800 million shares d) Acquisition Price multiple calculated by dividing net consideration to be paid by estimated Adjusted EBITDA e) Pro-forma Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA ("leverage") calculated as estimated post-closing Net Debt / Last Twelve Month's Adjusted EBITDA (hedged) as of 30 March 2022, pro-forma for the annualized impact of previously announced Central Region upstream acquisitions and the impact of Diversified's ABS V financing, previously announced on 30 May 2022; this figure is not intended in any way to constitute a projection of actual results attributable to the Central Region acquisitions or the consolidated pro-forma Company f) Illustrative value represents estimated, consolidated annual rate of decline using the Company's previously announced corporate decline of ~8.5% (as measured and annualized from December 2021 Exit Rate to March 2022 Exit Rate) pro-forma for the Acquisition, which excludes the impact of one recently completed well due to the limited production data available for the calculation; Estimated total declines, inclusive of new production well approximate 10% over the twelve month period ended 30 August 2023 g) Current production defined as June 2022 average daily production estimate (net) for the acquired assets and non-operated interests h) Calculated as the available portion of the Company's Revolving Credit Facility borrowing base of $300 million and inclusive of cash on hand and letters of credit i) Lease operating expense is defined as Base Lease Operating, plus owned midstream operating expense (as applicable), third-party transportation expense, and production taxes; ~60% of expenses variable with production and pricing

Market Abuse Regulation

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of article 7 of the UK version of regulation (EU) no. 596/2014 on market abuse, as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR"), and regulation (EU) no. 596/2014 on market abuse ("EU MAR").

For further information, please contact:

Diversified Energy Company PLC

Doug Kris

www.div.energy

+1 205 408 0909

ir@dgoc.com

FTI Consulting

US & UK Financial Public Relations

DEC@fticonsulting.com

About Diversified Energy Company PLC

Diversified Energy Company PLC is an independent energy company engaged in the production, marketing and transportation of primarily natural gas related to its synergistic US onshore upstream and midstream assets.

SOURCE: Diversified Energy Company PLC

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As the impacts of climate change intensify, the "responsible consumption and production" principle proposed by the UN has been widely adopted by many individuals and organizations around the world. Homelover, a Turkish brand contributes to the future of the planet with its sustainable and organic towels.

In 2022, Earth Overshoot Day, which marks the date when humanity has used all the biological resources that Earth regenerates, is July 28. The resources Earth regenerated for this year have depleted as of July 28, and now the planet borrows resources to be used in 2023. As the effects of climate change intensify, consumers worldwide gravitate toward sustainable products. Retailers, responsible for at least 25% of global emissions, are adopting green transition strategies both in order to utilize sustainability as a competitive advantage and contribute to making the world more liveable. Pioneers of the market focus on the "responsible production, responsible consumption" principle of United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005516/en/

Homelover, a Turkish brand contributes to the future of the planet with its sustainable and organic towels. (Photo: Business Wire)

With its mission of doing its part for achieving a sustainable world, the Turkiye-based towel producer Homelover has reimagined the Turkish towel with a history of 1,500 years and brought fashionable designs together with eco-friendly production methods. Keeping the traditions alive and striving to build a better future, Homelover is undergoing a transformation into organic in all its operational processes.

14,000 tons less water usage in the first half of the year

Building on its 40-year experience in the sector, Homelover has announced that now it is manufacturing products from Turkish-grown cotton that are not only highly absorbent but also long-lasting and eco-friendly thanks to the new production model they have developed. Homelover saved 14,065 tons in water consumption in the first 5 months of 2022, as well as 70,860 cubic meters in natural gas.

Bringing sustainability together with customer experience

With its GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified 100% organic towels, Homelover adds comfort to consumers' daily experiences, staying true to its sense of elegance and combining the patterns and colors of modern fashion with traditional lines. Offering a wide range of products for consumers with different fashion senses, Homelover aims to produce higher quality and more eco-friendly products in the future in line with their sense of responsibility towards nature and environment, and its customers.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005516/en/

Contacts:

For Information: Huseyin OKSUZ huseyin.oksuz@bursaligrubu.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A.O. Smith Corp (AOS) Thursday reaffirmed its fiscal 2022 earnings per share guidance of $1.56 to $1.76, and adjusted earnings guidance of $3.35 to $3.55 per share, an increase of 17 percent at the mid-point. On average, 13 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect earnings of $3.50 per share for the year. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. For the year, net sales is expected to be $3.96 billion to $4.04 billion, while analysts expect $4.04 billion. Kevin Wheeler, chairman and chief executive officer, said, 'Due to volume headwinds in the water heating business, we have lowered our sales outlook for 2022 to an increase between 12 percent and 14 percent year-over-year, including $100 million from Giant. The decrease in our sales outlook is offset by an expected improved price cost relationship across our North America segment through the remainder of 2022..' In the year 2021, the company recorded earnings per share of $3.02, adjusted earnings per share of $2.96, and net sales of $3.54 billion. Copyright(c) 2022 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.
The contract for interactive panels and accessories is valued at approximately $750,000

TOCCOA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2022 / Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. (OTCQB:GAXY) ("Galaxy" or the "Company"), a provider of interactive learning technology solutions and school communication platforms, was awarded a new contract for interactive panels from Dalton Public School District in Georgia for approximately $750,000.

"Our ability to win competitive bid processes continues to create sales momentum while broadening our footprint in key markets," said Gary LeCroy, Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Next Generation. "We look forward to our new relationship with Dalton Schools and the opportunity to modernize the district's education technology infrastructure. These substantial contracts reflect the positive reputation that we have earned in our communities, which is the underlying driver of our business."

Chartered in 1886, Dalton Public Schools is the academic home for more than 7,000 students in Dalton, GA. The school district aspires to provide world-class learning that prepares students for success in college, career and civic life.

For additional information, please visit: www.daltonpublicschools.com.

About Galaxy Next Generation, Inc.

Galaxy Next Generation ( OTCQB:GAXY ) is a provider of interactive learning technology solutions that allows the presenter and participant to engage in a fully collaborative instructional environment. Galaxy's products include Galaxy's own private-label interactive touch screen panel as well as numerous other national and international branded peripheral and communication devices. Galaxy's distribution channel consists of 22+ resellers across the U.S. who primarily sell the Company's products within the commercial and educational market. Galaxy does not control where resellers focus their resell efforts, although generally, the K-12 education market is the largest customer base for Galaxy products - comprising nearly 90% of Galaxy's sales.

For additional information, please visit our website at: www.galaxynext.us.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Company Contact

IR@GalaxyNext.us

P: 888-859-1274

Investor Relations

Brooks Hamilton

MZ North America

+1 949-546-6326

GAXY@mzgroup.us

SOURCE: Galaxy Next Generation, Inc.

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Alliance members desire to promote merged mining, in contrast to PoS, and the expansion of Bitcoin's ecosystem

Syscoin, a state-of-the-art base layer protocol that uniquely combines the EVM-based smart contracts with Bitcoin's security, and Jax.Network today announced the launch of the Global Merged Mining Alliance (GMMA), a collective enterprise of protocols and infrastructure working to expand Bitcoin's network by nurturing complimentary projects that help to ensure its longevity.

By supporting development of altcoin ecosystems on the Bitcoin network, GMMA will safeguard the entire Bitcoin ecosystem by creating strong communication networks around its most vulnerable attack vector-the mining pools that direct hash rate at tokens. To be a member of the GMMA, projects must run on the Bitcoin network and enhance the growth of ecosystem services, ushering in a new era of finance and Web 3.0. As it grows, the alliance has extended an open invitation to all merged mining projects, mining pools, and anyone who furthers Bitcoin's gold standard Proof-of-Work security, which, in the view of many, is inherently superior to Proof-of-Stake.

Merged mining is a sustainable security solution, with the potential to be the foundation for a thriving decentralized application (dapp) ecosystem, all pegged to the Bitcoin network. Much like entering multiple lotteries with a single ticket, merged mining allows users to take the BTC hash for a current block and apply it to different blockchains. With these additional rewards, there is more incentive for miners to participate and cause hashrate and overall network security to increase proportionately, with benefits to all participants. For merged mining projects like Syscoin and Jax.Network, merged mining offers a win-win scenario for Bitcoin miners who stand to gain riskless, additional profit for the work they are already performing to secure the network.

"The beauty of merged mining is that we can re-apply all of our hashing power to support multiple networks and build a thriving software ecosystem at the same time," said Jag Sidhu, Syscoin Lead Developer and Foundation President. "However, merged mining is currently relatively unknown, under developed, and underutilized. The GMMA is here to change this."

"We are thrilled to partner with Syscoin to facilitate the development of the Bitcoin ecosystem," said Vinod Manoharan, Founder of Jax.Network. "By aligning the self interest of miners with the best interest of the community at large, we're contributing to the global blockchain industry and propelling innovation in the merged mining sector."

About Syscoin

Syscoin is a decentralized and open-source project founded in 2014 whose NEVM blockchain combines the best of Bitcoin and Ethereum in a single coordinated modular platform. Syscoin is ushering in the next step in the evolution of blockchain technology, providing Bitcoin's proven security and Ethereum's Turing-complete programmability elevated to true scalability via Optimistic, ZK-Rollups, Cross-chain ZK-Rollups and other Layer 2 technologies.

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About Jax.Network

Jax.Network is an open source project that provides the technological infrastructure for a decentralized energy-standard monetary system. The Jax.Network blockchain is anchored to the Bitcoin network and issues JAX, a stablecoin pegged to the energy spent on mining, and JXN, which is an asset coin representing the value of the whole network. Established in 2018, the company united professionals from all over the world to build a blockchain network based on the Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism and pure state sharding as a scaling solution. Jax.Network uses merge-mining to allow miners to mine multiple shards simultaneously without reducing their hashrate or rewards.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005271/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Sarah Krieger

On Behalf of Syscoin

syscoin@wachsman.com
Growing body of data supports Investigational New Drug ("IND") application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for a Phase 2 study of Ampligen for the treatment of Post-COVID conditions

OCALA, Fla., July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE: American AIM) ("AIM" or the "Company"), an immuno-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders, and viral diseases - including COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus - today reported positive preliminary pilot study data from its ongoing Expanded Access Program ("EAP or "AMP-511") evaluating its investigational drug, Ampligen, as a therapeutic for "long COVID". The preliminary data from this uncontrolled clinical trial found that patients reported statistically significant improvements in chronic fatigue after treatment with Ampligen. Based on these early results, AIM is working to move forward with a Phase 2 controlled trial.



Ampligen is AIM's RNA product candidate being developed for globally important cancers, viral diseases and disorders of the immune system. Ampligen modulates the immune system and has demonstrated antiviral activity.

"Post-COVID conditions are debilitating, can be brutally agonizing and affect millions of people who are suffering without any viable treatment options. The positive preliminary data demonstrated in this pilot study bolsters our confidence in the potential of Ampligen as we continue to drive its development as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of long COVID. With the positive preliminary results demonstrated to date we remain, now more than ever, steadfast in our mission to bring an effective therapeutic option to those in need," stated Thomas K. Equels, CEO of AIM ImmunoTech.

AMP-511 is an ongoing, prospective, open-label, multi-center Phase 3 study to treat myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients with Ampligen. The study was amended in October 2020 to include patients previously diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 following clearance of the virus, but who then demonstrate chronic fatigue-like symptoms - referred to as Post-COVID Conditions. There have been four Post-COVID subjects treated in this amendment "pilot" program. The EAP is being conducted by investigators Charles Lapp, MD, at Hunter-Hopkins Center in Charlotte, N.C., and Daniel Peterson, MD, at Sierra Internal Medicine in Incline Village, Nev.

To be included under the amendment, subjects must meet the 1988 or 1994 CDC Case Definition for CFS. Their fatigue must have persisted or recurred during 3 or more consecutive months of illness and must not have preceded the onset of the COVID-19 symptoms. During the study, subjects are evaluated at baseline (Week 0) using a Post-COVID-19 Questionnaire. They then begin treatment with Ampligen and the COVID induced fatigue conditions are evaluated over time.

Patients receive open label intravenous (IV) Ampligen twice weekly, with the dose escalating up to 400 mg if well-tolerated.

The first four enrolled Post-COVID patients were treated in the study. Evaluation of safety is a secondary objective in this study. The initial findings for these four enrolled patients are as follows:

AMP-511 Preliminary Data: Post-COVID Condition of Fatigue Over Time Patient 1 Patient 2 Patient 3 Patient 4 BSL Wk 6 Wk 12 BSL Wk 6 Wk 12 BSL Wk 6 Wk 12 BSL Wk 6 Wk 12 Inability to exercise or be active 10.0 10.0 7.0 8.0 5.0 4.0 10.0 8.0 7.0 9.0 7.0 8.0 Fatigue 9.5 8.0 6.0 6.0 3.0 3.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 8.0 7.0 7.0 Post exertional malaise (tiredness the day after exercise) 7.5 ND 2.0 6.0 ND 1.0 8.0 ND 5.0 8.0 ND 9.0 Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test measuring changes in total improvement (combining exercise ability, fatigue, and post-exertional malaise) at week 12 compared to baseline: p=0.002



BSL = baseline; Baseline is mean of 2 baseline values



ND=Not done; Post exertional malaise was not collected at week 6



Severity Scores: 1-3= Mild, 4-6= Moderate, 7-8= Severe, 9-10= Very Severe

The reduction in fatigue observed in the first four patients provide preliminary evidence of Ampligen's effect in the Post-COVID Condition of fatigue. As shown from these data, by week 12, compared to baseline, there was what the investigators considered a clinically significant decrease in fatigue-related measures.

Dr. Lapp commented, "While still early, we are very encouraged by this promising data and the significant improvement in fatigue and the ability to be active, especially in the category of post-exertional malaise. We remain committed to advancing development of Ampligen as a therapeutic for the treatment of Long COVID - or Post-Acute Sequelae of Covid (PASC) - and look forward to further evaluating its potential."

Based in part on these early positive data, AIM is continuing to work toward filing an IND application with the FDA for a Phase 2 study of Ampligen for the treatment of Post-COVID conditions. The planned IND is for 12 weeks of therapy.

Dr. Peterson commented, "As we are aware of the previous successes of Ampligen Poly I:Poly C12U in the treatment of a select group of subjects with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I began consideration of subjects with well-documented long COVID syndrome for the use of Ampligen per the approved protocol. The first subject fulfilled the current criteria for long COVID disease and had no contraindications. The subject was begun on Ampligen under the protocol and had a gradual and consistent improvement observed by myself, the subject's family, as well as the nursing staff. The subject has had a dramatic improvement in energy and cognitive function with near complete clearing of her brain fog. The subject will continue according to the protocol to maximal clinical improvement. Due to the subject's rather dramatic improvement in a relatively short period of time, I have proposed an additional five subjects for entry into the Ampligen protocol for long COVID."

About AIM ImmunoTech Inc.

AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is an immune-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders, and viral diseases, including COVID-19. The Company's lead product, Ampligen (rintatolimod) is an immuno-modulator with broad spectrum activity being developed for globally important cancers, viral diseases and disorders of the immune system. Ampligen is currently being used as a monotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer patients in an Early Access Program approved by the Inspectorate of Healthcare in the Netherlands at Erasmus Medical Center. The Company also has multiple ongoing clinical trials to evaluate Ampligen as a combinational therapy for the treatment of a variety of solid tumor types both underway and planned at major cancer research centers. Additionally, Ampligen is currently being used to treat chronic fatigue patients and patients with Post-COVID condition of fatigue and AIM plans to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study in 2022. Ampligen is approved in Argentina for the treatment of severe chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and is currently being evaluated in many aspects of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 treatments and COVID-19 Long Hauler treatment.



For more information, please visit aimimmuno.comand connect with the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"). Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Many of these forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For instance, while the preliminary data in the small number of subjects shows significance, the Company is planning a controlled phase 2 trial and no assurance can be given that the findings in the small study will prove true or that the study will yield favorable results. Significant additional testing and trials will be required to determine whether Ampligen will be an effective treatment for Long COVID. Additionally, there is no guarantee as to when or whether an IND application will be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, nor, if an application is submitted, whether it will be accepted. Among other things, for those statements, the Company claims the protection of safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA. The Company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof.

Investor Relations Contact

JTC Team, LLC

Jenene Thomas

833-475-8247

AIM@jtcir.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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Santa Cruz is the second-largest undeveloped copper deposit in the Lower 48 States, the largest leachable deposit and the largest on private land

85,000-meter program of resource in-fill, geotechnical, hydrological and metallurgical drilling well underway on the Santa Cruz deposit

Seven drill rigs now active

Proprietary Typhoon geophysical survey completed to identify deposit extensions and new zones of mineralization

Ivanhoe Electric's vision is for a green, low-impact, solar powered underground mine

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2022 / Ivanhoe Electric (NYSE American:IE)(TSX:IE) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert Friedland and President Eric Finlayson are pleased to provide an update on its flagship Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona.

Ivanhoe Electric acquired the Santa Cruz Project in mid-2021 after several years of negotiation. Copper mineralization on the property was originally discovered over 50 years ago, with the Santa Cruz, Texaco and Park Salyer high-grade copper deposits identified beneath gravel cover.

A validation drill program completed in late 2021 on the Santa Cruz deposit allowed calculation and disclosure of a current mineral resource estimate in accordance with S-K 1300 and NI 43-101. With seven drill rigs currently active on the deposit, an 85,000-meter program of resource in-fill, geotechnical, hydrological and metallurgical drilling is now well underway to assess options for underground mine development. These deposits remain open for further expansion. A significant proportion of the copper occurs as readily leachable secondary copper minerals.

Mr. Friedland commented: "Ivanhoe Electric's vision is for a green, low-impact, underground mine with minimal surface expression, powered by solar energy and with vanadium-redox battery storage provided by Ivanhoe Electric's 90%-owned private subsidiary, VRB Energy. Apart from producing ultra-low emissions copper that will contribute to American supply chain independence, we also can see opportunities for a multi-use project hosting other commercial and industrial activity together with renewable power generation opportunities.

"While the Santa Cruz deposit is already the second-largest undeveloped copper deposit in the Lower 48, we believe that there is significant potential to expand the deposit, to add new resources at Texaco and Park Salyer, and to identify new zones of mineralization.

"Very recently, we completed a proprietary Typhoon deep-penetration induced polarization and resistivity survey over a 26.5 km2 (6,500-acre) area to identify extensions to known deposits and new zones of mineralization. Data processing is underway by Ivanhoe Electric's 94%-owned private subsidiary Computational Geosciences of Vancouver, Canada, and results will be announced when available. Extensive exploration drilling will test the anomalies identified by Typhoon.

"Ivanhoe Electric has the opportunity to re-invent American mining with green, clean copper production from a world-scale deposit, located in the heart of Arizona, the Copper State."

Located in the heart of the Copper State

The Santa Cruz Copper Project is in the prolific copper mining state of Arizona, approximately one-hour's drive south of Phoenix, 11 km west of the city of Casa Grande, and in proximity to numerous major copper mines. Arizona has produced approximately 10% of all copper ever mined and is rated within the top-five best mining jurisdictions in the world according to the Fraser Institute. Since 1980, Arizona has produced more than 35 million tonnes of copper, which is approximately 65% of total United States copper production.

The Santa Cruz Project is located within a mineral deposit corridor running between the Ajo and Globe Miami copper mines. This is a fundamental geological feature, which is estimated to control approximately 35% of all known copper resources in Arizona.

Well-established infrastructure and industry in proximity to the Santa Cruz Project.

Project site is flat Sonoran Desert that has been previously impacted by agricultural and other land-use activities.

Three identified copper mineralized zones located on private land

Ivanhoe Electric's Santa Cruz Project covers 78 km2 (19,300 acres), including 28 km2 (6,900 acres) of private land, 31 km2 (7,700 acres) of Arizona State Mineral Exploration permits, and 238 unpatented claims over 19 km2.

Copper mineralization at the Santa Cruz Project was originally identified more than 50 years ago after reports of copper minerals from agricultural water wells. Following a staking rush involving several different major mining companies, the Santa Cruz, Texaco and Park Salyer deposits were discovered concealed beneath gravel cover, but were not closed-off by drilling. All three deposits lie on private land.

While the largest of the three bodies of mineralization is the Santa Cruz deposit, the three deposits may originally have been part of one or more Laramide-age porphyry copper systems subsequently dismembered by Basin-and-Range extensional faulting.

Santa Cruz is the largest mineralized zone in the cluster.

During this post-mineral faulting, the Santa Cruz deposit experienced significant supergene copper enrichment. This is a geological process in which copper in a deposit is moved by groundwater from its original site of formation and is then redeposited into much higher-grade accumulations. At Santa Cruz, these accumulations include the oxide minerals chrysocolla and atacamite, and the copper-rich sulfide mineral chalcocite. In other Arizona copper mines, these minerals are amenable to copper recovery using solution extraction and electro-winning methods (SX/EW) to produce copper cathode on site.

The Santa Cruz deposit is the second-largest undeveloped copper deposit in America's Lower 48 States, and the largest on private land

After acquiring the Santa Cruz Project in mid-2021, Ivanhoe Electric completed a four-hole diamond drilling program totaling 3,601 meters on the Santa Cruz deposit to verify widths and grades of mineralization reported in the approximately 100,000 meters of historical drilling.

All verification samples from within the deposit were assayed using sequential copper analysis for total copper, acid soluble copper and cyanide soluble copper, and were also analyzed for molybdenum and other elements. Geology and alteration logs were also compared to the historical holes.

Based on the excellent correlation between the verification and historical holes, independent consulting engineers Nordmin Engineering completed a current Mineral Resource Estimate for the Santa Cruz deposit in accordance with the definitions for Mineral Resources in S-K 1300 and using the 2014 CIM Definition Standard for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and 2019 CIM Best Practice Guidelines.

Table 1: Santa Cruz Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate shown with sensitivity to various cut-off grades.

Category Copper

Cut-Off Grade

(%) Tonnage

(millions of tonnes) Total

Copper Grade

(%) Acid

Soluble

Copper Grade

(%) Total

Contained

Copper

(millions of tonnes) Total

Contained

Acid Soluble

Copper

(millions of tonnes) Indicated 2.0 22.9 2.58 1.37 0.6 0.3 1.0 83.4 1.69 0.68 1.4 0.6 0.8 117.2 1.46 0.52 1.7 0.6 0.5 219.1 1.07 0.30 2.4 0.7 0.39 274.0 0.93 0.25 2.5 0.7 Inferred 2.0 28.1 2.66 1.72 0.7 0.5 1.0 74.1 1.87 1.08 1.4 0.8 0.8 98.1 1.63 0.90 1.6 0.9 0.5 174.9 1.19 0.60 2.1 1.1 0.39 248.8 0.91 0.44 2.3 1.1



Notes on Mineral Resources:

The Mineral Resources in this estimate were independently prepared by Nordmin Engineering Ltd and the Mineral Resources were prepared in accordance with the definitions for Mineral Resources in S-K 1300 and with NI 43-101 and with the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (2014) and the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (2019). Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. No environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues are known that may affect this estimate of Mineral Resources. Verification included multiple site visits to inspect drilling, logging, density measurement procedures and sampling procedures, and a review of the control sample results used to assess laboratory assay quality. In addition, a random selection of the drill hole database results was compared with original records. The Mineral Resources in this estimate for the Santa Cruz Deposit used Datamine Studio RMTM software to create the block models. The Mineral Resources have an effective date of December 8, 2021. Underground Mineral Resources are reported at a CoG of 0.39% Total Cu, which is based upon a Cu price of US$3.70/lb and a Cu recovery factor of 80%. Specific gravity was applied using weighted averages by lithology. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates, and totals may not add correctly. Excludes unclassified mineralization located along edges of the Santa Cruz deposit where drill density is poor. Report from within a mineralization envelope accounting for mineral continuity. Acid soluble Cu and cyanide soluble Cu are not reported for the Primary Domain. Mineral Resources were classified into Indicated and Inferred categories based on geological and grade continuity, in conjunction with data quality, spatial continuity based on variography, estimation pass, data density, and block model representativeness, specifically assay spacing and abundance, kriging variance, and search volume block estimation assignment. The Mineral Resource Estimate has been defined based on an applied percentage (%) CuT CoG to reflect processing methodology and assumed revenue stream from Cu. The Mineral Resource Estimate is based on an underground bulk mining methodology and surface float and leach process to recover cathode Cu or a mixture of cathode Cu and Cu saleable concentrates.

An attractive feature of the Santa Cruz Mineral Resource Estimate is the amount of metal at higher cut-off grades. This higher-grade material tends to be in the acid- and cyanide-soluble categories, potentially allowing for lower cost, lower energy and lower water-consuming processing methods. At a 0.39% copper cut-off grade, the resource contains 2.5 million tonnes of copper in the Indicated category with an average grade of 0.9% copper, and 2.3 million tonnes of copper in the Inferred category with an average grade of 0.9% copper. However, when a 1% copper cut-off grade is applied, Santa Cruz maintains nearly 60% of its contained metal, with 1.4 million tonnes of copper in the Indicated category at an average grade of 1.7% copper and 1.4 million tonnes of copper in the Inferred category at an average grade of 1.9% copper.

The Santa Cruz Deposit compares favorably to other large-scale United States copper projects (contained copper in millions of tonnes).

Mineralization at the Santa Cruz deposit can be divided into three main domains:

Supergene oxide mineralization forms the uppermost zone of mineralization and is dominated by chrysocolla (a copper oxide that is 34% copper by weight) and atacamite (a copper chloride that is 60% copper by weight).

forms the uppermost zone of mineralization and is dominated by chrysocolla (a copper oxide that is 34% copper by weight) and atacamite (a copper chloride that is 60% copper by weight). Supergene sulfide mineralization underlies the supergene oxide zone and is comprised primarily of chalcocite (80% copper by weight), with accessory chalcopyrite and pyrite that was incompletely replaced by chalcocite.

underlies the supergene oxide zone and is comprised primarily of chalcocite (80% copper by weight), with accessory chalcopyrite and pyrite that was incompletely replaced by chalcocite. Hypogene sulfide mineralization underlies the supergene sulfide zone and consists of chalcopyrite (35% copper by weight), pyrite, molybdenite, and minor bornite and covellite, hosted within porphyry-style phyllic alteration. Intensity of mineralization is highest around Laramide-age dyke intrusions that cut the mineralized Proterozoic-age Oracle Granite country rock.

A fourth mineralization domain, exotic oxide mineralization, is of more limited known occurrence and forms very high-grade mineralization in paleo-valleys at the contact of the mineralized bedrock and the overlying gravel cover. This mineralization formed in basal gravels through precipitation of copper dissolved in migrating groundwater. These zones represent important areas for exploration as they can be spectacularly high grade, as demonstrated by Ivanhoe Electric drill hole SCC-005 which intersected 24 meters @ 7.0 % copper, as part of a larger intercept of 57 meters @ 3.5% copper. Full drill results can be found at the Ivanhoe Electric website at https://ivanhoeelectric.com/investors/technical-reports/.

Santa Cruz mineralized domains shown at 0.39% copper cut-off.

Santa Cruz resource at 1% copper cut-off.

Table 2: Santa Cruz Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate at 0.39% total copper cut-off grade divided into the four distinct mineralization domains.

Domain Resource

Category Tonnage (millions of tonnes) Total

Copper Grade

(%) Total

Soluble

Copper Grade

(%) Total

Contained Copper

(millions of tonnes) Total

Soluble Contained Copper

(millions of tonnes) Exotic Oxide Indicated 7.0 1.05 0.80 0.07 0.06 Inferred 11.7 1.28 1.00 0.15 0.12 Supergene

Oxide Indicated 53.0 1.34 1.27 0.71 0.67 Inferred 126.1 1.06 1.00 1.34 1.25 Supergene

Sulfide Indicated 29.1 1.25 1.13 0.36 0.33 Inferred 14.8 1.36 1.28 0.20 0.19 Hypogene Indicated 184.9 0.75 n/a 1.39 n/a Inferred 96.1 0.59 n/a 0.57 n/a TOTAL Indicated 274.0 0.93 0.38 2.54 1.05 Inferred 248.8 0.91 0.63 2.26 1.56

Seven drills are currently operating to in-fill and expand the Santa Cruz deposit. The 75,000-meter in-fill drilling program is more than 50% complete, with 36,637 meters completed by the end of June 2022. Ivanhoe Electric will seek and provide updated independent mineral resource estimate calculations after the completion of the current drilling program.

Program emphasis is on the larger, higher-grade portions of the deposit, which appear to have sufficient dimensions to support various bulk underground mining methods. While many sample assays are still pending, mineralization encountered to date is consistent with Ivanhoe Electric's expectations.

Additional program objectives include step-out out drilling outside of the current resource footprint to test areas where mineralization remains open; obtaining large-diameter drill core for geotechnical and metallurgical test work, including material for the ongoing environmental and hydrogeological work programs; and geotechnical drilling on potential ramp and shaft access locations.

The Texaco copper discovery is the second-largest body of mineralization known at the Santa Cruz Project

The Texaco copper discovery is located 3.5 km northeast of the Santa Cruz deposit. Historical and Ivanhoe Electric drilling have confirmed that the deposit remains open, that supergene copper mineralization is sulfide-dominated, and that there are indications of underlying high-grade hypogene mineralization.

High-grade Ivanhoe Electric drill intercepts include 73 meters @ 2.2% copper, within 100 meters @ 1.7% copper from drill hole SCC-019; and 43 meters @ 1.3% copper, within 318 meters @ 0.9% copper from drill hole SCC-017. Full drill results can be found at the Ivanhoe Electric website at https://ivanhoeelectric.com/investors/technical-reports/.

The Texaco zone is sparsely drilled relative to the Santa Cruz deposit. Significant additional drilling is required to better understand the potential of this large discovery area. A program of validation and expansion drilling to support an initial Mineral Resource Estimate for Texaco is planned for later this year.

Park Salyer discovery is 2.5 km southwest of the past-producing Sacaton copper mine

The Park Salyer copper discovery is located 2.5 km northeast of the Texaco copper discovery and 2.5 km southwest of the past-producing Sacaton copper mine. Ivanhoe Electric drilling conducted to date has confirmed the presence of mixed oxide and sulfide supergene mineralization at shallow depth and the presence of underlying pyrite-dominated breccia-hosted hypogene copper mineralization.

Opportunities for resource expansion

Ivanhoe Electric recently completed a 26.5-km2 (6,500-acre), 3D induced polarization and resistivity geophysical survey using its proprietary high-power Typhoon transmitter system. While data is currently being processed by Ivanhoe Electric's 94%-owned private subsidiary Computational Geosciences, results from orientation Typhoon surveys in early 2022 demonstrated that the Santa Cruz and Texaco deposits could be successfully imaged through the gravel cover, that new anomalies for exploration drilling were identified, and that water in the gravel cover could be mapped.

Results from the initial Typhoon orientation surveys. The red horizonal bars represent chargeability anomalies indicating the presence of sulfide mineralization. These areas have not been fully tested and are open for exploration.

The purple horizonal bars show conductivity of the host rock and illustrate the shallow perched water.

Ivanhoe Electric expects that the newly completed 3D survey will identify several untested areas for exploration drilling. There are also profound regional implications for Ivanhoe Electric's ability to discover porphyry copper deposits beneath similar basin-fill gravels in other parts of the Basin-and-Range province of the western United States when the company uses its proprietary Typhoon technology coupled with its Computational Geosciences geophysical data processing software.

Ivanhoe Electric's proprietary, high-power Typhoon system at Santa Cruz.

Re-inventing mining for the electrification of everything

Corporate social and environmental performance is about protecting the health and well-being of society and the environment on which we all depend. Ivanhoe Electric's ambition is to "re-invent mining" to result in net-positive social and environmental impacts.

While the Santa Cruz Project is located on private, industrially zoned land outside of Casa Grande and approximately 6.5 km (4 miles) from the nearest Native American community, Ivanhoe Electric acknowledges and respects the ancestral use of the lands on which it operates and has established contact with the Native American Nations with the closest ancestral links to the project area. Ivanhoe Electric places a high value on establishing and maintaining positive relationships with all stakeholder groups and is actively working to develop a robust community engagement program and to provide sustainable, long-term benefits for the communities in which it operates.

Given the highly attractive metallurgical characteristics of the Santa Cruz deposit, Ivanhoe Electric believes that any mine development will have low water and energy requirements when compared to other major copper projects. However, Ivanhoe Electric is also aware that it operates in a region currently experiencing water shortages and is committed to developing a water resources strategy that will provide long-term benefits for the region. It is also committed to a solar energy strategy that seeks to lower carbon emissions per unit of copper produced to the greatest extent feasible.

Ivanhoe Electric geotechnicians Aaron Strange (top) and Adriana Ledesma (center), and geologist Emalyn Glastetter (bottom) at the Santa Cruz Project core facility.

Qualified Persons

Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature included in this news release, including the sampling, analytical and technical data underlying the information, has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Glen Kuntz, P.Geo., and Christopher Seligman, MAusIMM CP (Geo), each of whom are Qualified Persons as defined by Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and by Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Each of Mr. Kuntz and Mr. Seligman is an employee of Ivanhoe Electric.

Ivanhoe Electric had prepared an independent technical report summary for the Santa Cruz Project prepared under SEC Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 and an independent technical report prepared under Canadian Instrument NI 43-101. Each is available on the company's website and under the company's EDGAR and SEDAR profiles:

"Technical Report Summary on the Santa Cruz Project, Arizona, USA" prepared by Nordmin Engineering Ltd. ("Nordmin") with an effective date of June 7, 2022 (S-K 1300 Report).

"NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate for the Santa Cruz Project, Arizona, USA" prepared by Nordmin with an effective date of June 7, 2022.

The technical report summary and technical report include relevant information regarding the assumptions, parameters and methods of the mineral resource estimates on the Santa Cruz Project cited in this news release, as well as information regarding data verification, exploration procedures and other matters relevant to the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.

About Ivanhoe Electric

Ivanhoe Electric is an American technology and mineral exploration company that is re-inventing mining for the electrification of everything by combining advanced mineral exploration technologies, renewable energy storage solutions and electric metals projects predominantly located in the United States. Ivanhoe Electric uses its Typhoon transmitter, an accurate and powerful geophysical survey system, together with advanced data analytics provided by its subsidiary, Computational Geosciences, to accelerate and de-risk the mineral exploration process as well as to potentially discover deposits of critical metals that may otherwise be undetectable by traditional exploration technologies. Through its controlling interest in VRB Energy, Ivanhoe Electric also develops and manufactures advanced grid-scale vanadium redox battery storage systems. Finally, through advancing its portfolio of electric metals projects located primarily in the United States, headlined by the Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona and the Tintic Copper-Gold Project in Utah, as well as projects in Montana, Oregon and North Carolina, Ivanhoe Electric is also well positioned to support American supply chain independence by delivering the critical metals necessary for electrification of the economy.

Information contact

Investors

Evan Young +1-604-689-8765

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

Such statements include without limitation statements regarding: (i) Ivanhoe Electric's vision is for a green, low-impact, underground mine that will produce ultra-low carbon emissions copper; (ii) any future mining operations will have a minimal surface footprint and be powered by solar energy, with potential for vanadium-redox battery storage provided by Ivanhoe Electric's 90%-owned private subsidiary, VRB Energy; (iii) results and timing of data processing by Computational Geosciences; (iv) the provision of updated independent mineral resource estimate calculations after the completion of the current drilling program; (v) the newly completed 3D survey will identify several untested areas for exploration drilling; (vi) any mine development will have low water and energy requirements when compared to other major copper projects, and the outcome of the company's water resources strategy that will provide long-term benefits for the region; and that (vii) the newly completed 3D Typhoon survey will identify several untested areas for exploration drilling.

This news release also contains references to estimates of mineral resources. The estimation of mineral resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation (including estimated future production from the company's projects, the anticipated tonnages and grades that will be mined and the estimated level of recovery that will be realized), which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that ultimately may prove to be inaccurate. Mineral resource estimates may have to be re-estimated based on: (i) fluctuations in the price of copper or other minerals; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) proposed mining operations, including dilution; (v) the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates and/or changes in mine plans; (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and licences; and (vii) changes in law or regulation.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including changes in the prices of copper or other metals Ivanhoe Electric is exploring for; the results of exploration activities and/or the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations; the significant risk and hazards associated with any future mining operations, extensive regulation by the U.S. government as well as local governments; changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; and the impact of political, economic and other uncertainties associated with operating in foreign countries, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economy. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements described in Ivanhoe Electric's registration statement on Form S-1, as amended, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and base PREP prospectus filed with Canadian securities commissions.

No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Ivanhoe Electric cautions you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release, and Ivanhoe Electric expressly disclaims any requirement to do so.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe Electric Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/710091/Ivanhoe-Electric-Updates-Activities-at-its-Flagship-Santa-Cruz-Project-in-Arizona
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2022) - Phenom Resources Corp. (TSXV: PHNM) (OTCQX: PHNMF) (FSE: 1PY0) ("Phenom" or the "Company") is pleased to announce partial drill results from the July 2022 5-hole 2,700 foot RC drill program on the Smoke gold property, located on the southern extension of the Battle Mtn - Eureka Gold Trend, 65 kilometres (km) south of Eureka, Nevada. Drilling confirms a new hydrothermal system has been encountered within key Pilot and Devils Gate Formations at the Smoke Property.

The vertical hole SRC22-13 drilled 150 feet of gravel and then encountered a 280' thick section of oxidized, highly altered, quartz and alunite-bearing, veined, brecciated siltstone (probably Pilot Formation) with significantly elevated pathfinders of arsenic and antimony and minor gold followed by altered, oxidized probable Devils Gate (Guilmette) limestone to the end of hole at 600 feet.

Dave Mathewson states, "Results of this recent drilling appear to indicate the presence of a previously undetected sizeable, prospective, hydrothermal alteration system. This is an exciting major development at Smoke, a shallow oxide system in the right rocks.

1) The 2022 drill program intersected gold system prospective host carbonate and fine clastic rocks of probable Devonian age. My best interpretation for the stratigraphy is Devonian Pilot and Devils Gate (Guilmette) Formations.

2) The Pilot and Devils Gate sequence is the highly prolific host to multiple gold deposits in eastern Nevada. Examples are Alligator Ridge, Pan, Easy Junior, Midnight Ridge, and Limousine Butte.

3) The intensity and style of alteration and significantly elevated pathfinder elements are evidence of a strong hydrothermal system typical of Carlin-style mineralization overprinting this permissive stratigraphy,

4) The shallow depth of this system is favourable for quick and inexpensive drill evaluation, taking a day to drill each hole.

5) The intensity and variety of oxide minerals encountered in SRC22-13 are typical of Carlin-style mineralization. Near surface oxidized gold systems are prized in Nevada for low-cost, bulk minable opportunities."

The five 2022 broad-spaced RC holes were drilled outward from the 2021 campaign of 8 shallow holes centered around a prominent quartz-altered, dolomite breccia ridge. The July 2022 drilling covered an area of 2.5 kilometres x 1.25 kilometres and was designed to test geophysical anomalies (gravity and magnetic) on this predominantly gravel covered property surrounding the exposed, altered ridge. Based on drilling to date, gravel cover away from the quartz ridge varies from 30 ft to 150 ft thick.

Hole SCR22-13 returned anomalous arsenic values of 100-788 ppm, anomalous antimony values of 10-38 ppm and a single gold sample of 88 ppb. The other four holes encountered massive dolomite, probably of mid Devonian age, and Tertiary volcanics related to block faulting. Assay results for these four holes are pending.

The Company is immediately planning a follow-up drill program on Smoke next week to began evaluating the size and quality of the gold potential of the near surface oxide system.

QAQC

The Smoke drill program was planned and executed under the supervision of Dave Mathewson, MSc., Geological Advisor for the Company, Qualified Person for the program. Industry standard quality control and quality assurance protocols have been followed throughout in handling, sampling and shipping the chips. Continuous sampling of 5-foot intervals were taken. Samples were analyzed by ALS Global.

About Phenom Resources Corp.

Phenom has 100% interest in the Carlin Vanadium Project, located in Elko County, 6 miles south from the town of Carlin, Nevada and Highway I-80. The Project lies in the Carlin Gold Trend. Approximately 9 million ounces comprised of multiple gold deposits, including past producing mines, are present near the PHNM property (5-15km). The Carlin Vanadium-Gold Project also hosts the Carlin Vanadium deposit. The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Smoke Project.

ON BEHALF OF PHENOM RESOURCES CORP.

per: "Paul Cowley"

CEO & President

(604) 340-7711

pcowley@phenomresources.com

www.phenomresources.com

Technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dave Mathewson, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and Geological Advisor to the Company.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance and include the Company's ability to meet its obligations under the Access and Mineral Lease Agreement and the conditions required to exercise in full its option to acquire the Carlin Vanadium project, to finance and drill test the interpreted gold target model and to encounter potential gold zones shown in the gold model . All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132157


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALNY) Thursday reported a net loss for the second quarter that widened from the prior year. The quarterly loss was $277.40 million or $2.29 per share, wider than $189.56 million or $1.61 per share a year ago.



On an adjusted basis, loss was $245.83 million or $2.03 per share. Wall Street analysts estimated a loss of $1.63 per share.



Revenue for the quarter gained 1.9 percent to $224.82 million from $220.55 million a year ago.



Further, the company updated that it expects to report positive results from the Apollo-B Phase 3 study of patrisiran in ATTR Amyloidosis patients with cardiomyopathy in next three weeks. The company will present the results from the Phase 2 study of cemdisiran in patients with IgAN at the 18th European Meeting on Complement in Human Disease on August 26-29, 2022 in Bern, Switzerland.



In Mid and late 2022, the pharma company will launch vutrisiran in the EU, assuming favourable adoption of the CHMP opinion.



Further, the company noted that Vir Biotechnology plans to report additional results from its Phase 2 study of ALN-HBV02 in combination with VIR-3434 in patients with chronic HBV infection in the second half of 2022.







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Kasada's second acquisition in East Africa and first in Kenya

Hotel is in a prime location in Upper Hill, home to local and international institutions

Refurbishment of the 206-key hotel will begin before the end of the year

Kasada announced today that it acquired the former Crowne Plaza Upper Hill in Nairobi, Kenya. Having only recently purchased the Umubano Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, this second East-African purchase reaffirms Kasada's status as a pan-African hotel owner and investor. With its strategy of acquiring high quality assets across metropolitan hubs in Sub-Saharan Africa, Kasada is now the most active investor with the initial portfolio of hotels doubling within 18 months thanks to a presence in eight countries.

The Crowne Plaza, which opened in 2010, is located in Upper Hill, Nairobi's financial centre and a commercial hub that is home to the headquarters of several local businesses, international institutions and diplomatic delegations. With 206 rooms, a ballroom that can accommodate 300 people, and over 10 meeting rooms with a total capacity of 550 people, the hotel is one of the largest meeting and event spaces in Nairobi. Its prime location and array of amenities make it particularly attractive to local, regional, and international business travellers alike.

Refurbishment of the property will begin by the end of the year with a programme aimed at rejuvenating the public areas and improving the hotel's environmental performance. This will see the hotel obtain the green-building EDGE certification and, more generally, create a living space that conforms to the highest industry standards and generate value for the property's stakeholders. The soon to be dual branded property will also include a state-of-the-art WOJO which will cater to a growing demand in the market for more flexible workspaces

Olivier Granet, Kasada's Managing Partner and CEO, said: "This acquisition offers us a gateway into Nairobi's vibrant ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship. We look forward to launching our ambitious renovation programme for this hotel with the aim of repositioning it to attract more international travellers and become the place to be for the local community. Thanks to our expertise and support, Nairobi's Crowne Plaza Hotel is about to enter a new life cycle and contribute to the revitalisation of the Kenyan hospitality sector post Covid 19 pandemic."

David Damiba, Kasada's Managing Partner and CIO, added: "As we seek to diversify our portfolio to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns and yields, our second investment into East Africa marks a milestone in establishing our presence in the core west, east and southern regions of the continent. We look forward to bringing our multi-disciplinary expertise in creating value and impact with this asset."

About Kasada

Kasada is an independent real estate private equity platform dedicated to hospitality in Sub-Saharan Africa, advised by Kasada Capital Management part of the Kasada group. The firm was launched with the backing of Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, and Accor, a world leading hospitality group. Kasada's strategy spans all segments from economy to luxury and targets both greenfield and brownfield projects. Kasada's hotels are operated under the banner of Accor's wide range of internationally renowned brands. By investing in a region which offers robust growth opportunities, Kasada aims to deliver both attractive risk-adjusted returns to investors, and a long-term positive impact on local economies. In April 2019, Kasada held a close on its maiden fund, Kasada Hospitality Fund L.P., with equity commitments of over USD 500 million. For more information, visit www.kasada.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005708/en/

Contacts:

Press Contacts

Mathilde Jean Chaimae Sibenali

kasada@fticonsulting.com

+33 (0) 1 47 03 68 15
28 July 2022

Oxford Instruments plc

Annual General Meeting 2022 results

The Annual General Meeting (the "AGM") of Oxford Instruments plc (the "Company") was held at Tubney Woods, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX13 5QX, on 28 July 2022 at 11am.

All resolutions were decided on a show of hands and the resolutions proposed at the AGM were all passed by shareholders with the necessary majorities. The full text of each resolution is contained in the Notice of Annual General Meeting, which is available on the Company's website (oxinst.com).

The number of proxy votes for and against each of the resolutions put before the AGM and the number of votes withheld were as set out in the table below.

Resolution Votes for % Votes against % Total votes cast (excluding withheld) % of issued share capital voted* Votes withheld** 1. To receive the 2022 Annual Report and Financial Statements 45,545,789 99.78 98,583 0.22 45,644,372 79.13 172,519 2. To approve the Directors' Remuneration Report 45,101,685 98.45 712,185 1.55 45,813,870 79.43 3,021 3. To declare a final dividend 45,816,764 99.99 25 0.01 45,816,789 79.43 102 4. To re-elect Neil Carson as a director of the Company 43,035,926 94.16 2,669,208 5.84 45,705,134 79.24 111,757 5. To re-elect Ian Barkshire as a director of the Company 45,816,168 99.99 621 0.01 45,816,789 79.43 102 6. To re-elect Gavin Hill as a director of the Company 45,816,168 99.99 621 0.01 45,816,789 79.43 102 7. To re-elect Richard Friend as a director of the Company 45,655,382 99.65 161,407 0.35 45,816,789 79.43 102 8. To elect Nigel Sheinwald as a director of the Company 45,544,564 99.99 1,390 0.01 45,545,954 78.96 270,937 9. To re-elect Mary Waldner as a director of the Company 45,653,791 99.64 162,998 0.36 45,816,789 79.43 102 10. To re-elect Alison Wood as a director of the Company 44,505,258 97.14 1,311,530 2.86 45,816,788 79.43 103 11. To re-appoint BDO LLP as auditor of the Company 45,813,202 99.99 3,587 0.01 45,816,789 79.43 102 12. To authorise the Audit and Risk Committee to agree the auditor's remuneration 45,816,242 99.99 547 0.01 45,816,789 79.43 102 13. To authorise political donations and expenditure 45,393,097 99.08 423,692 0.92 45,816,789 79.43 102 14. To authorise the Board to allot shares 45,759,174 99.88 56,965 0.12 45,816,139 79.43 752 15. To authorise the disapplication of pre-emption rights *** 45,809,787 99.98 6,902 0.02 45,816,689 79.43 202 16. To authorise the additional disapplication of pre-emption rights *** 45,492,280 99.29 324,509 0.71 45,816,789 79.43 102 17. To authorise the purchase of own shares *** 45,536,329 99.40 274,300 0.60 45,810,629 79.42 6,262 18. To authorise the calling of a general meeting of the Company on not less than 14 days' notice *** 45,668,641 99.68 148,148 0.32 45,816,789 79.43 102

* For all resolutions, as at close of business on 26 July 2022, being the time at which shareholders who wanted to attend, speak and vote at the meeting were required to have their details entered in the register of members, the issued share capital of the Company with voting rights consisted of 57,681,478 ordinary shares of 5 pence each. The Company did not hold any shares in treasury. Ordinary shareholders have one vote for each ordinary share held.

** Please note a "vote withheld" is not a vote under English law and is not counted in the calculation of votes "for" or "against" a resolution. Votes "for" and "against" are expressed as a percentage of votes received. Votes "for" include those at the Chairman's discretion.

*** Indicates a special resolution.

In accordance with UK Listing Rule 9.6.2R, a copy of all the resolutions passed have been submitted to the Financial Conduct Authority via the National Storage Mechanism and in due course will be available for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism. This notification is made in accordance with UK Listing Rule 9.6.3R.

LEI number of Oxford Instruments plc: 213800J364EZD6UCE231

Enquiries:

Sarah Harvey

Company Secretary

+44 (0) 1865 393448
ODENSE, DENMARK / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2022 / Today, Vleppo, a Danish blockchain technology company, and Allele Group ("Allele"), a US plant genome biotech company, are excited to announce they have successfully demonstrated how cannabis producers can establish, enforce, and monetize their plant IP easily and affordably. Both companies performed a transaction where the DNA of a Cannabis plant was registered and recorded as an NFT (Non -Fungible Token) that was immediately licensed using a Ricardian Smart Contract. This service will be ready for commercialization for the Cannabis industry by Q4 2022.

This solution leverages Vleppo's blockchain-integrated Contract Management System (CMS) which is powered by the Komodo Protocol (a customized version of the Bitcoin protocol) and Allele's NFT platform which is powered by Polygon's Ethereum scaling platform.

Vleppo and Allele have been collaborating since January 2021. Both have been jointly analyzing the unique challenges facing participants in the recreational and medicinal cannabis space with Allele Group focusing its attention on IP management and Vleppo focusing on IP and commercial and legal enforceability.

Vleppo ApS

IP management in the US Cannabis market is uniquely challenging for participants for two reasons:

Legislation: Participants need to ensure that their IP is managed with reference not only to federal law but also a patchwork of state laws ranging from fully permissive through to prohibition. The complexity and associated costs of walking this legal tightrope is often out of reach for participants leaving their businesses potentially exposed to significant financial losses in the future. Strategy: Cannabis IP management is extremely complex particularly with regards to whether IP is patentable or not. Given the rapid pace of change in this industry both in terms of competition and regulation, an inflexible IP strategy set in place today may not be effective tomorrow.

Vleppo and Allele invested significant time and resources in analyzing these issues and determined that the most robust and flexible approach to solving this problem is a combination of IP management via Allele's tokenization of IP using Non-Fungible Tokens and leveraging Vleppo's Blockchain-integrated Contract Management System (CMS).

This game-changing solution is focused on enabling breeders to register their cannabis varieties unique DNA and an NFT both as a data organization methodology and a way to protect IP rights regarding custom strains of cannabis. In this way, breeders can establish the date at which their ownership of IP is recognized within the Polygon blockchain and have this IP immutably linked to the NFT.

This "pre-patent process" provides several key benefits to cannabis breeders including staking legal ground to protect their IP and facilitating the ability to commercialize their product with a solid guarantee of IP protection.

The blockchain-integrated CMS provides breeders the ability to create an enforceable digital contract and embed their NFT's Polygon on-chain ID directly into the Blockchain record of the same digital contract, with the same ease as using any leading CMS such as DocuSign.

Being Blockchain enabled, Vleppo's CMS also provides users with easy and affordable access to payments, escrow and Blockchain governed dispute resolution - essentially everything a participant in the cannabis industry needs to commercialize their IP and products. This solution is equally relevant to a diverse range of industries and jurisdictions.

Tony Rosenberg, Principal of Odyssey and key early-stage investor in Vleppo said: 'We actively invest in disruptive technologies and we're always looking for the next major innovation. We believe we have found that in Vleppo and we're excited to see Vleppo using Blockchain to deliver real and tangible business solutions on a global scale.'

Chris Sloan, Chair of the Emerging Companies Team at US legal firm Baker Donelson said: 'The idea of using a Ricardian Smart Contract to digitalize that process [tying the tokenized IP rights for a cannabis plant to a legally enforceable digital Material Transfer Agreement] in a Blockchain based structure is a great use case in general in the US' during a panel discussion following the Vleppo and Allele demonstration.

'With economic conditions deteriorating and the likelihood of a soft-landing diminishing, businesses need to extract more value from their assets such as IP. Traditionally this has been difficult due to the costs and impact of implementing these sorts of value creation strategies. What Vleppo has just done with Allele demonstrates a low cost and high impact way to monetize assets that are often sitting idle in the business ' Peter Coco, CEO and Founder of Vleppo said.

Peter Coco will be at DMCC Free Trade Zone in Dubai to meet with partners and investors 27th - 31st July and then London 1st - 4th August to discuss the potential universe of applications of Vleppo's technology and next steps in helping owners of NFTs and other digital assets to unlock and monetize their value.

About Vleppo.

Founded in 2018, is a Web3 business solutions application has been focused on developing a Blockchain integrated suite of business tools for freelancers, SMEs, and enterprises. More information available from www.vleppo.com.

About Allele.

Allele Group is a plant and human genome company that has created a platform and an algorithm of smart contracts on the Polygon Blockchain that allows users to tokenize and breed plants as NFTs. More information available at www.allele.group

About Komodo.

Komodo is a community-oriented project, consisting of a customized version of the Bitcoin protocol (known as the Komodo Protocol) as well as a blockchain running on the Komodo Protocol.

About Polygon

Polygon is a decentralised Ethereum scaling platform that enables developers to build scalable user-friendly dApps with low transaction fees without ever sacrificing on security.

To learn more about Vleppo

Telegram https://t.me/vleppo

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/vleppo/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Vleppocom/

Contact

Peter Coco

CEO and Founder of Vleppo ApS

accounts@vleppo.com

+380503161600

SOURCE: Vleppo ApS

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/710000/Vleppo-And-Allele-Collaborate-To-Enable-Monetization-Of-Cannabis-Ip-Using-Polygon-And-Komodo
RGHI to organise the world's first Global Hygiene Summit in Singapore February 15 th - 16th 2023.

- 16th 2023. The Global Hygiene Summit is being organised in partnership with the National Centre for Infectious Diseases ( Singapore ), and in collaboration with the World Bank.

), and in collaboration with the World Bank. The Global Hygiene Summit will create clarity around hygiene and the positive impact that improved standards could have on global health, including in the COVID-19 recovery period.

LONDON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Hygiene Summit 2023, organised in partnership with the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (Singapore), and in collaboration with the World Bank, is being hosted in Singapore on the 15th and 16thFebruary 2023.

Professor Yee Sin Leo, Executive Director, NCID said: "Hygiene generally refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases. Despite its intimate link to health, hygiene is ill-defined and often intertwined with socioeconomic status, and cultural belief and practices. Hygiene is a fundamental pre-requisite for sustainable public health and with our dual mission of clinical and public health, NCID is pleased to partner for this inaugural summit in Singapore. Leveraging on prominent stakeholders, this summit will elevate hygiene to the highest global agenda in promoting and sustaining health."

The Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute (RGHI), a not-for-profit foundation that was established in 2020 with a multi-year $25 million grant from Reckitt, RGHI is focussed on plugging significant gaps in the health research space and improving access to information that will bridge epidemiology, public health, and behaviour change. The Global Hygiene Summit will align with this aim by informing the global health agenda stimulating discussion that could lead to the adoption of better and more sustainable hygienic practises globally.

The event will create a forum for multi-level and multi-disciplinary discussions around hygiene science, behaviour, economics, and real-world experiences and outcomes. It will bring together scientists, politicians, the private sector and civil society to generate impact through the intersection between health and hygiene ~ which is vital to safeguarding the physical and economic wellbeing of populations worldwide, both amid COVID-19 and beyond.

By articulating the shape, scope and importance of the hygiene field, motivating multi-level and multi-disciplinary working by bridging epidemiology, behaviour and policy, the Global Hygiene Summit intends to gain consensus on how to effectively measure and create behavioural change and economic impact (ROI), and how to present this to engage policymakers.

Global Hygiene Summit 2023 will also motivate the [Singapore] Declaration; a guide for structural change that will be brought about by co-discussion and global co-operation and set the agenda for future change.

For more information regarding the Global Hygiene Summit visit Global Hygiene Summit 2023

Regular updates will be made via the website and the Global Hygiene Summit 2023 Twitter

Delegate registration:

Full delegate rate - $825

Early bird discount[i] - $755

Student rate[ii] - $345

LMIC discount rate[iii] - $310

LIC discount rate - $275

To enquire about sponsorship opportunities - Sponsorship - Global Hygiene Summit 2023

To register as a media representative - Media - Global Hygiene Summit 2023

[i] Early bird registration is available until 7thSeptember 2022

[ii] To benefit from the student rate, you will need to submit evidence of your student status.

[iii] To benefit from the LIC and LMIC rates, you will need to submit evidence that you are resident in one of these countries (as classified by the World Bank).
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.
As of June 30, 2022, cash and cash equivalents were EUR 38.4 million 1

Revenues of EUR 0.2 million1 in Q2 2022

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 reported its cash position as of June 30, 2022, and its revenues for the second quarter of 2022.

"The second quarter of 2022 saw further progress in our pipeline and the achievement of a crucial milestone for MaaT Pharma. The announcement of data showing a satisfactory safety profile and robust engraftment for MaaT033, our second drug candidate, opens an attractive market opportunity to expand the development to a wider patient population as we focus on preventing complications in patients receiving allo-HSCT2 and in haematological malignancies overall,"said Herve Affagard, CEO and co-founder of MaaT Pharma

Second quarter operational and clinical highlights

Clinical development

In June 2022, the Company confirmed positive results from its Phase 1b study evaluating MaaT033, the Company's second drug candidate, in blood cancer patients; the clinical trial was completed early due to promising interim results.

MaaT Pharma also indicated that preparations are on track for the upcoming Phase 2/3 trial to evaluate MaaT033's efficacy in improving overall survival and preventing complications in patients with blood cancers receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; based on current plans, this study is expected to start in Q4 2022.

In Europe, MaaT013, the Company's leading drug candidate, is currently being evaluated in two clinical trials launched in Q1 2022, which are moving forward according to the Company's expected timelines: Phase 3 open label, single arm trial for drug candidate MaaT013 in the treatment of acute Graft-versus-Host Disease: in addition to France, Germany, and Spain where the trial is ongoing, the Company has received regulatory approvals to start the clinical trial in Austria and Belgium. An interim review of preliminary data is expected in the first half of 2023. Phase 2a trial, sponsored by AP-HP 3 , evaluating MaaT013 in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with melanoma, is ongoing. In the US, interactions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are ongoing regarding MaaT013, for which US development is currently on clinical hold.



Operational highlights

On May 31, 2022, MaaT Pharma held its annual general meeting. For further information, please visit: https://www.maatpharma.com/investors/GM

On June 7, 2022, the Company hosted its first virtual R&D Day conference, attended by 150 participants. The replay is accessible here: https://www.maatpharma.com/rd-day-2022-replay/

"Over the first half of 2022 we are proud to have delivered to our shareholders the operational and clinical milestones set out at the time of our IPO. Our cash position remains solid, providing us with a cash runway through Q3 2023 by which time we expect to have interim data from our Phase 3 trial of MaaT013, and the first patient treated with MaaT033 in a Phase 2/3," stated Sian Crouzet, CFO and COO of MaaT Pharma.

Cash position1

As of June 30, 2022, total cash and cash equivalents were EUR 38.4 million, as compared to EUR 41.1 million as of March 31, 2022, and EUR 43.3 million as of December 31, 2021. The net change in cash over the first half of 2022 was EUR 4.9 million, including EUR 2.7 million in bank loans from BNP Paribas and Caisse d'Epargne Rhone Alpes (CERA) received over the course of the second quarter of 2022. Additional draws down, up to 4.4 million euros, are expected to be made by the end of 2022 from existing facilities signed with CIC and Bpifrance. The Company believes it has sufficient cash to cover needs of the development programs up until the end of the third quarter of 2023.

Revenues in Q2 20221

MaaT Pharma reported revenues4 from its compassionate access program of EUR 0.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared with EUR 0.3 million for the first quarter of 2022. Total revenues for the first half of 2022 amount to EUR 0.5 million compared with EUR 0.4 million for the first half of 2021. In 2021, revenues were invoiced as of February 2021 whereas in 2022 the Company benefits from a full 6 months of revenues.

Upcoming financial communication and investor conference participation

September 12-14, 2022 H.C. Wainwright 24 th Annual Global Investment Conference

Annual Global Investment Conference September 15-16, 2022 KBC Securities Life Sciences Conference

September 28, 2022 5 th edition Forum LPB Valeurs Regionales

edition Forum LPB September 29, 2022 Half-year Results 2022*

October 6-7, 2022 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, a Phase 3 clinical trial for patients with acute GvHD, following the achievement of its proof of concept in a Phase 2 trial. Its powerful discovery and analysis platform, gutPrint, supports the development and expansion of its pipeline by determining novel disease targets, evaluating drug candidates, and identifying 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 the first company developing microbiome-based therapies 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 Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curative treatment of liquid tumors which affect approximately 22,000 patients every year in the 7 major markets

3 AP-HP: Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris

4 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/20220728005714/en/

Contacts:

MaaT Pharma Investor relations

Herve AFFAGARD

Co-Founder and CEO

Sian Crouzet, COO/ CFO

+33 4 28 29 14 00

invest@maat-pharma.com

MaaT Pharma -media relations

Pauline RICHAUD

Senior PR Corporate Communications Manager

+33 6 07 55 25 36

prichaud@maat-pharma.com

Trophic Communications

Corporate and medical Communications

Jacob VERGHESE or Gretchen SCHWEITZER

+49 89 23 88 77 31

maat@trophic.eu
Wavestone's Combined Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting was held on Thursday July 28, 2022 under the chairmanship of Michel Dancoisne, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, and in the presence of the Company's Statutory Auditors.

The voting results for each resolution submitted to the Shareholders' Meeting for approval will be made available on the Company's website at www.wavestone.com (section Investors, Annual general meetings) within the statutory time frame.

Approval of 0.38 per share dividend to be distributed on August 5, 2022

Wavestone shareholders adopted the annual and consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, and the proposed appropriation of profits.

Accordingly, Wavestone will distribute a dividend payout of 0.38 per share for the 2021/22 fiscal year. This dividend marks a return to the usual payout rate of 15% of the group share of net income.

Payment of the dividend, which will be paid as a cash dividend, will take place on August 5, 2022.

Change of governance and appointment of members of the Board of Directors

The Combined General Meeting approved the 10th resolution, deciding the modification of Wavestone's mode of administration and management by adopting a Board of Directors in place of a structure with a Management Board and a Supervisory Board. This change in structure, which is part of the Impact strategic plan, contributes to Wavestone's future development in terms of governance.

The General Meeting thus approved the 25th to 30th resolutions, appointing as members of the Board of Directors the following members of the former Supervisory Board, for the remaining term of their office:

Ms. Marlene Ribeiro, Ms. Veronique Beaumont, Ms. Marie-Ange Verdickt, Ms. Sarah Lamigeon, Mr. Rafael Vivier and Mr. Christophe Aulnette.

By approving the 31st to 33rd resolutions, the General Meeting appointed the company FDCH, represented by Mr. Michel Dancoisne, and Mr. Pascal Imbert and Mr. Patrick Hirigoyen as members of the Board of Directors.

Lastly, as the 34th resolution received more favorable votes than the 35th resolution, Mr. Pierre Allard is appointed as member of the Board of Directors representing employee shareholders.

Approval of resolutions, except for resolution 20, in accordance with the proposal of the Management Board

Wavestone shareholders voted against resolution 20, in accordance with the Management Board proposal. More information on these resolutions is available in the Management Board Report - General Report of the 2021/22 universal registration document.

About Wavestone

In a world where knowing how to drive transformation is the key to success, Wavestone's mission is to inform and guide large organizations in their most critical transformations, with the ambition of a positive outcome for all stakeholders. This ambition is anchored in the firm's DNA and summarized in its signature approach -"The Positive Way."

Wavestone brings together nearly 4,000 employees in Europe - where it is one of the leading independent consultants - in the United States and in Asia.

Wavestone is listed on Euronext Paris and recognized as a Great Place to Work.

Wavestone

Pascal Imbert

CEO

Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 03 20 00

Benjamin Clement

Financial Communication

Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 03 20 00 Actus

Mathieu Omnes

Investor and Analyst Relations

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92

Deborah Schwartz

Press relations

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 35

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2022) - Dynasty Gold Corp. (TSXV: DYG) (FSE: D5G1) (OTC Pink: DGDCF) ("Dynasty" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the high resolution airborne magnetic survey has now been competed at the Thundercloud Project in northwest Ontario by Pioneer Exploration Consultants Ltd. The program, which was drone supported, used 50-meter spaced flight lines oriented approximately east-west over the entire survey block. As well, a detailed area using north flight lines covered the Pelham Zone area where an NI 43-101 resource of 182,000 ounces of gold was established in a 3D resource model by Fladgate Exploration Consulting. Please see Dynasty News Release dated January 4, 2022. It involved a total of approximately 250-line kilometers of flying.

Results

Historical geophysical surveys at Thundercloud were conducted along relatively widely spaced survey lines and in the case of the Pelham area were partly sub-parallel to known mineralized structures. The new survey with closely spaced flight lines nearly perpendicular to the known structures has provided much better resolution of the relationship of the magnetic signatures to known mineralization. It will be very useful in defining the geometry of the magnetic units associated with the gold mineralization particularly at Pelham. It will also give greater confidence to drill other new targets in the Pelham Zone.

The Pelham Zone trends roughly east-west and is in part related to zones of magnetic gabbro. Examination of the preliminary total field magnetic data indicates an extension of the Pelham magnetic area to the east and the possible existence of previously unrecognized gabbro bodies. Gold mineralization at Pelham is interpreted to plunge eastwards and these new data seem to confirm this interpretation. New drilling will be designed to enlarge and enhance the Pelham resource and will include testing the down plunge extension of the mineralization to the east.

The new magnetic data will also be used to interpret historic Induced Polarization ('IP") anomalies in the West Contact exploration area south of Pelham to better define structures and locate new drill targets. Previous trench samples in the West Contact area returned average grades of 5.85 g/t gold over 69 meters (8.02 g/t over 39 meters, and 3 g/t over 30 meters). The 2021 trenching program defined a new continuous zone of 7 meters in length which averaged 2.0 grams per tonne gold, and within this zone values ranged between 0.82 and 3.9 grams per tonne gold. Elsewhere grab samples taken from mineralization associated with soil geochemical anomalies returned values of up to 7.04 grams per tonne gold.

Going Forward

Dynasty is currently in discussions with drilling contractors in the area to undertake the work and expects to have a contract in place shortly. The first phase of drilling in the Pelham Zone will be aimed at expanding the historic resource by testing the interpreted down dip and down plunge extensions of the known mineralization occurring in altered gabbro. Initially, up to 3000-meter drill program is planned. New drill data generated from this drilling will allow the Company to evaluate the existing resource model and design additional drill holes to test for additional mineralization at depth and down plunge. The west contact targets are expected to be tested in a second phase drill program.

The technical information in this release has been reviewed by A. Lee Barker, a technical advisor to the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Dynasty Gold Corp.

Dynasty Gold Corp. is a Canadian exploration company currently focused on gold exploration in North America with projects located in the Manitou-Stormy Lake greenstone belt in Ontario and in the Midas gold camp in Nevada. The Company is currently advancing its Thundercloud gold deposit which contains 182,000 oz gold. The 43-101 Mineral Resource report and related press release with details on the resource are available on the Company's website and were filed on www.sedar.com. The 100% owned Golden Repeat gold project in the Midas gold camp in Elko County, Nevada, is surrounded by a number of large-scale operating mines. In addition, Dynasty owns a 70% interest in the Hatu Qi2 gold mine in the Tien Shan Gold belt, Xinjiang, China, with which it is in legal dispute with Xinjiang Non-Ferrous Industrial Metals Group and its subsidiary Western Region Gold Co. Ltd. For more information, please visit the Company's website www.dynastygoldcorp.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DYNASTY GOLD CORP.

"Ivy Chong"

_________________________________

Ivy Chong, President & CEO

For additional information please contact:

Vancouver Office:

Ivy Chong

Phone: 604.633.2100. Email: ichong@dynastygoldcorp.com

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept 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/132215
DGAP-News: Polyus Finance Plc / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Polyus Finance Plc: Consent Solicitation Results and Extension



28.07.2022 / 20:00

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



28 July 2022 Polyus Finance Plc announces the results of the Consent Solicitation for its outstanding U.S.$800,000,000 5.250% Guaranteed Notes due 2023 and U.S.$500,000,000 4.70% Guaranteed Notes due 2024 and extension of the Consent Solicitation for its outstanding U.S.$700,000,000 3.25% Guaranteed Notes due 2028 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO, OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN, ANY JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO RELEASE, PUBLISH OR DISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR THE MEMORANDUM. Polyus Finance Plc (the "Issuer") today formally announces that it has concluded its consent solicitation (the "Consent Solicitation") in relation to the outstanding U.S.$800,000,000 5.250% Guaranteed Notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes") and U.S.$500,000,000 4.70% Guaranteed Notes due 2024 (the "2024 Notes") issued by the Issuer on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Consent Solicitation Memorandum dated 20 July 2022 (the "Memorandum"). Capitalised terms used in this announcement but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Memorandum. The Issuer thanks all Noteholders who have responded promptly and participated in the Consent Solicitation and notifies that, on 27 July 2022, the Requisite Consents to implement the Proposals in respect of the 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes have been obtained and, accordingly, the Written Resolutions in respect of the 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes have been passed. Consents were distributed in the following way from outstanding amounts of respective notes: 2023 Notes - 76.70%

2024 Notes - 75.88% Consequently, the amendment and waiver of certain terms of the Trust Deeds, Paying Agency Agreements and Terms and Conditions of the Notes have been approved by the Written Resolutions in respect of the 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes, as outlined above. The Issuer also announces and hereby notifies the Noteholders of U.S.$700,000,000 3.25% Guaranteed Notes due 2028 (the "2028 Notes") that it has decided to extend the Consent Deadline from 27 July 2022 (5:00 p.m. (London time)) to 11 August 2022 (5:00 p.m. (London time)) (subject to the right of the Issuer to extend, reopen, amend and/or terminate the Consent Solicitation, subject to applicable law and the provisions of the Trust Deed) in respect of the Consent Solicitation for the 2028 Notes (the "New Consent Deadline (2028 Notes)"). No further actions are required from Noteholders of the 2028 Notes who have already delivered Consent Instructions in the Consent Solicitation. Amendments to the Consent Solicitation for the 2028 Notes are limited to the New Consent Deadline (2028 Notes), as outlined above. All other terms of the Consent Solicitation for the 2028 Notes will remain the same. New Expected Timetable: Consent Deadline (2028 Notes) - 11 August 2022 (5 p.m. (London time)) The following table sets forth details of the Notes: Description of the Notes ISIN Code/

Common Code

(Regulation S Notes) ISIN Code/

Common Code/

CUSIP Code

(Rule 144A Notes) Outstanding Principal Amount U.S.$800,000,000 5.250% Guaranteed Notes due 2023 XS1533922933

153392293 US73180YAC84

111731179

73180YAC8 U.S.$330,007,000 U.S.$500,000,000 4.70% Guaranteed Notes due 2024 XS1713474325

171347432 US73181LAA98

111730962

73181LAA9 U.S.$322,604,000 U.S.$700,000,000 3.25% Guaranteed Notes due 2028 XS2396900685

239690068 US73181LAB71

239725104

73181LAB7 U.S.$700,000,000 Copies of the Memorandum can be obtained by registering on the Consent Solicitation Website at https://i2capmark.com/event-details/59/Holder/polyusfinance-plc Announcements in connection with the Consent Solicitation will be disclosed by the Issuer on the website of the London Stock Exchange. Copies of all announcements, notices and press releases are available on the Consent Solicitation Website https://i2capmark.com/event-details/59/Holder/polyusfinance-plc Questions and requests for assistance in connection with the Consent Solicitation and in connection with delivery of Consent Instruction may be directed to the Information and Tabulation Agent. Information and Tabulation Agent: i2 Capital Markets Ltd Kemp House, 160 City Road London, ECV 2NX, United Kingdom Email: info@i2capmark.com Phone: +44 203 633 1212 Consent Solicitation Website:

https://i2capmark.com/event-details/59/Holder/polyus-finance-plc Questions and requests for assistance in connection with the Consent Solicitation may also be directed to the Investor Relations Department of PJSC Polyus. PJSC Polyus Investor Relations 3 bldg 1, Krasina St., Moscow, 123056, Russia Email: ir@polyus.com Phone: +7 495 641 33 77



DISCLAIMER This announcement must be read in conjunction with the Memorandum. This announcement and the Memorandum contain important information which should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Consent Solicitation. If any Noteholder is in any doubt as to the action it should take or is unsure of the impact of its participation in the Consent Solicitation, it is recommended to seek its own financial advice, including in respect of any tax consequences, immediately from its stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent financial or legal adviser. Any individual or company whose Notes are held on its behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company or other nominee must contact such entity if it wishes to participate in the Consent Solicitation. None of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Information and Tabulation Agent or any director, officer, employee, agent or affiliate of any such person, is acting for any Noteholder, or will be responsible to any Noteholder for providing any protections which would be afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Consent Solicitation, and accordingly none of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Information and Tabulation Agent or their respective directors, officers, employees, affiliates, advisers or agents makes any recommendation as to whether Noteholders should provide Consent, or refrain from taking any action in the Consent Solicitation with respect to their Notes, and none of them has authorised any person to make such recommendation. The Information and Tabulation Agent is agent of the Issuer and owe no duty to any Noteholder. The Consents are only being solicited pursuant to the Memorandum and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

28.07.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2022) - Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. (TSXV: LPC) ("LPCP") today announced that, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Company's Employee Share Savings Plan, it has issued a total of 71,876 common shares of LPCP to eligible employees at a price of $1.20. Of these common shares, 25,616 were issued to certain directors and officers of the Company.

About Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc.

LPCP was created to bring together boutique investment management and wealth advisory firms in order to deliver robust, cost-effective investment solutions to affluent investors, foundations, estates and trusts. LPCP's unique strategy creates better alignment between investment managers and wealth advisors while providing them with additional resources to accelerate their growth.

For further information, please contact:

Robert Sewell

Chief Executive Officer

Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc.

investor.relations@lpcp.ca

(905) 337-2227

Cautionary Notes

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", "plan", and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information addresses possible future events, conditions and financial performance based upon management's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. In particular, the forward-looking information contained in this news release reflects assumptions about the timing and results of the issuance of common shares of LPCP pursuant to the Employee Share Savings Plan. Management of LPCP considers the assumptions on which the forward-looking information contained herein are based to be reasonable. However, by its very nature, forward-looking information inherently involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such information. Such risks include, without limitation, changes in economic conditions, applicable laws or regulations. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. LPCP disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES, ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132217
Revenue increases another 20% in the second quarter versus the first quarter of 2022; profit up more than 600% versus the second quarter of 2021

Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2022) - Forza Petroleum Limited (TSX: FORZ) ("Forza Petroleum" or the "Corporation") today announces its financial and operational results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. All dollar amounts set forth in this news release are in United States dollars.

Financial Highlights:

Revenue of $98.8 million for Q2 2022, consisting of an average realized sales price of $94.28/barrel of oil ("bbl") on working interest oil sales of 877,500 bbl and $16.0 million in recovery of carried costs The Corporation has received full payment in accordance with production sharing contract entitlements for all oil sales into the Kurdistan Oil Export Pipeline through April 2022

Field operating costs, representing the Corporation's working interest share of operating expenses, of $6.0 million ($6.85/bbl) for Q2 2022 versus $4.8 million ($6.56/bbl) for Q2 2021 Field operating costs per bbl are up 4% versus the comparable period because of increases in security, diesel and consumable costs, partially offset by a 20% increase in sales volumes

Profit of $31.5 million ($0.05 per common share) in Q2 2022 versus $4.4 million ($0.01 per common share) in Q2 2021 primarily the result of an increase in net revenue

Net cash generated from operating activities was $45.6 million in Q2 2022 versus $14.6 million in Q2 2021

Net cash used in investing activities during Q2 2022 was $18.7 million, including payments related to drilling and facilities work in the Hawler license area, versus $6.5 million in Q2 2021

$43.5 million of cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2022

Operations Update:

Average gross (100%) oil production of 14,800 bbl/d (working interest 9,600 bbl/d) in Q2 2022.

During the second quarter of 2022, the Demir Dagh-14 well was completed in the Cretaceous reservoir and turned over to production. The well has since been connected by flowline to Demir Dagh production facilities.

A sidetrack of the previously drilled Demir Dagh-9H well targeting the Cretaceous reservoir reached total depth on July 2, 2022. Clean-up and evaluation of the well is underway.

Workover operations on the Demir Dagh-13 well were undertaken mid-July to replace a leased jet pump with a progressive cavity pump owned by the Corporation.

Mobilization of a drilling rig is underway to convert the previously drilled Zey Gawra-2 well to a water disposal well.

For the balance of 2022, the Corporation will continue to advance its forecasted 2022 work program including the completion of the Ain al Safra-2 well, drilling one new well in each of the Tertiary and Cretaceous reservoirs of the Zey Gawra field, and redrilling the horizontal drain of the temporarily abandoned Zey Gawra-6 well in the Cretaceous reservoir.

Planned facilities' work for the balance of 2022 includes installation of a pipeline connecting the Banan field to the Hawler production facilities at the Demir Dagh field.

Liquidity Outlook:

The Corporation expects cash on hand as of June 30, 2022, and cash receipts from net revenues from sales, exclusively made to the Kurdistan Regional Government at the tie-in to the Kurdistan Oil Export Pipeline, will fund its forecasted capital expenditures and operating and administrative costs through the end of September 2023 and the $76.2 million in deferred purchase consideration, falling due at end of March 2023, owing in connection with the original acquisition of the Hawler license area.

CEO's Comment

Commenting today, Forza Petroleum's Chief Executive Officer, Vance Querio, stated:

"Higher oil prices and stable production further strengthened Forza Petroleum's financial position during the second quarter of 2022, as demonstrated by a cash and cash equivalents balance of $43.5 million at period end. The Corporation's liquidity permits continued execution of our work program for 2022.

"Although not immune to supply chain challenges and higher costs for certain operating items, we continue to maintain a high level of activity in the Hawler area while we pursue efforts to identify operating efficiencies and reduce unit operating cost. 2022 is on track to be Forza Petroleum's most successful year yet."

Selected Financial Results

Financial results are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and the reporting currency is US dollars. The following table summarizes selected financial highlights for Forza Petroleum for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, as well as the year ended December 31, 2021.

Three Months

Ended June 30 Six Months

Ended June 30 Year

Ended

December 31 ($ in millions unless otherwise indicated) 2022 2021 2022 2021 2021 Revenue 98.8 45.7 181.1 81.4 187.8 Working Interest Production (bbl) 873,200 730,700 1,725,800 1,406,200 2,886,600 Average WI Production per day (bbl/d) 9,600 8,000 9,500 7,800 7,900 Working Interest Oil Sales (bbl) 877,500 731,200 1,728,500 1,404,500 2,885,300 Average Realised Sales Price ($/bbl) 94.28 52.32 87.77 48.55 54.52 Operating Expense 9.3 7.4 17.9 13.5 30.1 Field Operating Costs ($/bbl)(1) 6.85 6.56 6.75 6.24 6.78 Operating Expenses ($/bbl) 10.54 10.09 10.38 9.60 10.42 Profit (Loss) 31.5 4.4 53.8 25.5 10.3 Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss)

per Share ($/sh) 0.05 0.01 0.09 0.04 0.02 Net Cash generated from

Operating Activities 45.6 14.6 58.2 15.9 51.2 Net Cash used in Investing Activities (18.7) (6.5) (39.4) (10.8) (34.7) Capital Additions(2) 10.3 9.3 29.3 15.3 45.8 Cash and Cash Equivalents 43.5 18.2 43.5 18.2 24.7 Total Assets 633.9 594.8 633.9 594.8 587.7 Total Liabilities 112.9 112.6 112.9 112.6 120.9 Total Equity 521.1 482.2 521.1 482.2 466.8



(1)Field operating costs represent Forza Petroleum's working interest share of gross operating costs and exclude the partner share of operating costs carried by Forza Petroleum.

(2)Excludes non-cash changes to the decommissioning obligation.

Revenue increased to $98.8 million in Q2 2022 versus $45.7 million in Q2 2021 due primarily to an 80% increase in realized average oil sales prices and a 20% increase in oil sales volumes. Gross (working interest) production and sales of oil in Q2 2022 were 873,200 barrels and 877,500 barrels, respectively, versus 730,700 barrels and 731,200 barrels, respectively, for Q2 2021. The increase in sales volumes versus the earlier period reflects the success of drilling activity in the last four quarters. The average oil sales price realized in Q2 2022 was $94.28 per barrel versus $52.32 for Q2 2021. In addition to oil sales, revenue for Q2 2022 includes the recovery of $16.0 million of carried costs, versus the recovery of $7.4 million of carried costs in Q2 2021.

Operating expense, which includes the Corporation's carry of partner costs, increased to $9.3 million in Q2 2022 versus $7.4 million in Q2 2021 and is primarily attributable to increased security, consumables, and diesel costs. The increased security costs were due to increased activity. Diesel costs have increased due to both higher costs and increased activity. Operating expenses on a per barrel basis increased in Q2 2022 versus Q2 2021 due to a 25% increase in operating expense partially offset by a 20% increase in sales volumes.

General and administration expense increased to $1.4 million in Q2 2022 versus $0.9 million in Q2 2021 due primarily to higher consulting costs and increased accruals for discretionary compensation. Of general and administration expense, 41% is forecast to be cost recoverable from the Corporation's oil and gas operations.

Profit for the three months ended June 30, 2022, was $31.5 million compared to $4.4 million for Q2 2021. The improved result is primarily attributable to a $31.4 million increase in net revenue.

Sales volumes were 20% higher in Q2 2022 versus Q2 2021 due primarily to successful drilling activity during the last four quarters, and 3% higher versus Q1 2022.

Cash generated from operating activities was $45.6 million in Q2 2022 compared to $14.6 million in Q2 2021. The increase mainly relates to higher crude oil sales revenue received during the period resulting from both higher average oil sales prices and the settlement of four months' of sales invoices during the period versus three months' of sales invoices in Q2 2021.

Cash used in investing activities was $18.7 million in Q2 2022 compared to $6.5 million in Q2 2021.

Capital additions in Q2 2022, which excludes non-cash changes to the decommissioning obligation, totalled $10.3 million compared to $9.3 million in Q2 2021. In Q2 2022, $9.2 million was invested in drilling activities in the Hawler license area at the Demir Dagh and Zey Gawra fields. Q2 2022 capital expenditures also included $0.7 million of facilities expenditures and $0.4 million of directly attributable support costs.

Cash and cash equivalents increased to $43.5 million at June 30, 2022, from $16.6 million at March 31, 2022, reflecting $45.6 million generated from operating activities partially offset by $18.7 million used in investing activities.

The Corporation is obligated to make a further payment to the seller of the Hawler license area in the amount of $76.2 million. In accordance with a forbearance agreement entered with the seller of the Hawler license area, and subject to pending negotiations to restructure the obligation, the full amount is forecast to become payable at the end of March 2023.

As at July 28, 2022, there are outstanding: (i) 584,976,202 common shares, (ii) unvested Long Term Incentive Plan awards which are expected to result in the issuance of up to an additional 20,742,033 common shares upon vesting, and (iii) 33,149,000 warrants that were issued in 2020 in connection with an amendment to a loan agreement that was subsequently settled in full.

Regulatory Filings

This announcement coincides with the filing with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities of Forza Petroleum's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and the related management's discussion and analysis thereon. Copies of these documents filed by Forza Petroleum may be obtained via www.sedar.com and the Corporation's website, www.forzapetroleum.com.

ABOUT FORZA PETROLEUM LIMITED

Forza Petroleum Limited is an international oil exploration, development and production company. The Corporation's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol "FORZ". Forza Petroleum has a 65% working interest in and operates the Hawler license area in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which has yielded oil discoveries in four areas, three of which are contributing to production while appraisal and development activity continues. Further information about Forza Petroleum is available at www.forzapetroleum.com or under Forza Petroleum's profile at www.sedar.com.

For additional information about Forza Petroleum, please contact:

Kevin McPhee

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Tel.: +41 (0) 58 702 93 00

info@forzapetroleum.com

Reader Advisory Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking information", including statements related to forecast work program and capital expenditure, drilling and well workover plans, development plans and schedules and chance of success, future drilling of wells and the reservoirs to be targeted, future facilities work, ultimate recoverability of current and long-term assets, possible commerciality of our projects, future expenditures and sources of financing for such expenditures, expectations that cash on hand as of June 30, 2022 and cash receipts from net revenues from export sales exclusively through the Kurdistan Oil Export Pipeline will fund the Corporation's forecasted capital expenditures and operating and administrative costs through the end of September 2023 and the $76.2 million in deferred purchase consideration owing in connection with the original acquisition of the Hawler license area, the issuance of shares as a result of the vesting of Long Term Incentive Plan awards and the exercise of warrants, future requirements for additional funding, estimates for the fair value of the deferred purchase consideration arising from the acquisition of OP Hawler Kurdistan Limited in 2011, the expected timing for settlement of liabilities including the deferred purchase consideration arising from the acquisition of OP Hawler Kurdistan Limited in 2011, cost recoverability of general and administration expense, and statements that contain words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "expect", "plan", "estimate", "potentially", "project", or the negative of such expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical fact, constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.

Although Forza Petroleum believes these statements to be reasonable, the assumptions upon which they are based may prove to be incorrect. For more information about these assumptions and risks facing the Corporation, refer to the Corporation's Annual Information Form dated March 23, 2022 available at www.sedar.com and the Corporation's website at www.forzapetroleum.com. Further, statements including forward-looking information in this news release are made as at the date they are given and, except as required by applicable law, Forza Petroleum does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise. If the Corporation does update one or more statements containing forward-looking information, it is not obligated to, and no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Reader Advisory Regarding Certain Figures

Unless provided otherwise, all production and capacity figures and volumes cited in this news release are gross (100%) values, indicating that figures (i) have not been adjusted for deductions specified in the production sharing contract applicable to the Hawler license area, and (ii) are attributed to the license area as a whole and do not represent Forza Petroleum's working interest in such production, capacity or volumes.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132254
LAGUNA HILLS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2022 / BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX:BRN)(OTCQX:BRCHF)(ADR:BCHPY), the world's first commercial producer of neuromorphic AI IP, today announced that Jan Jongboom, co-founder and CTO at Edge Impulse, is the featured guest on the latest "This is our Mission" podcast. Jongboom joins BrainChip Vice President of Worldwide Sales, Rob Telson to discuss how machine learning on neuromorphic computing can make IoT devices smarter, faster and more efficient. The podcast will be available Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at 4 p.m. PDT on BrainChip's website and across popular podcast platforms.

Jongboom is an embedded engineer and machine learning advocate, always looking for ways to gather more intelligence from the real world. He has shipped devices, worked on the latest network tech, simulated microcontrollers, and there's a monument in San Francisco with his name on it. Edge Impulse, the leading development platform for edge machine learning with 85,000+ projects, earlier this year partnered with BrainChip to deliver next-generation platforms to customers looking to develop products utilizing the companies' unique machine learning capabilities.

"Jan is one of the people who we work with to help drive neuromorphic compute and ML at the Edge to enable more intelligence for billions of IoT devices," said Telson. "It was a treat to listen to his insight into how our technologies can work together to create a simpler, more efficient design implementation for device manufactures - and more importantly how these devices can provide better data-driven decisions to users. Hopefully, listeners of this podcast will come away with a better understanding of our vision of making devices smarter as IoT becomes more prevalent in today's world."

The "This is Our Mission" podcast provides AI industry insight to listeners including users, developers, analysts, technical and financial press, and investors. Past episodes are available at https://brainchipinc.com/brainchip-podcasts.

About BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX:BRN, OTCQX:BRCHF, ADR:BCHPY)

BrainChip is the worldwide leader in edge AI on-chip processing and learning. The company's first-to-market neuromorphic processor, AkidaTM, mimics the human brain to analyze only essential sensor inputs at the point of acquisition, processing data with unparalleled efficiency, precision, and economy of energy. Keeping machine learning local to the chip, independent of the cloud, also dramatically reduces latency while improving privacy and data security. In enabling effective edge compute to be universally deployable across real world applications such as connected cars, consumer electronics, and industrial IoT, BrainChip is proving that on-chip AI, close to the sensor, is the future, for its customers' products, as well as the planet. Explore the benefits of Essential AI at www.brainchip.com.

Follow BrainChip on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BrainChip_inc

Follow BrainChip on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7792006

Media Contact:

Mark Smith

JPR Communications

818-398-1424

Investor Contact:

Mark Komonoski

Integrous Communications

Direct: 877-255-8483

Mobile: 403-470-8384

mkomonoski@integcom.us

SOURCE: Brainchip Holdings Limited/ADR

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/710212/Media-Alert-BrainChip-Talks-ML-at-the-Edge-with-Jan-Jongboom-on-Latest-This-is-our-Mission-Podcast
FinanZero, a Sao Paulo, Brazil-based online credit marketplace, raised USD4m in fourth funding.

Backers included existing investors VEF, Dunross & Co, Atlant Fonder and Webrock Ventures.

The company, which has raised US$27m in total funding, intends to use the funds for further expansion across the country.

Founded by Swedish entrepreneurs Olle Widen and Kristian Jakobsson, FinanZero is an online credit marketplace for personal loans, auto equity, and home equity. The company acts as an independent broker where consumers choose the loan that best suits their financial needs by comparing multiple offers from a network of 60 lenders in a single search. FinanZero currently has 75 employees.

FinSMEs

27/07/2022
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On 21 July, Chinese Ambassador to Canada, H. E. CONG Peiwu Published an Article titled Serve the People, Contribute to Mankind the Journey of Chinas Armed Forces over the Past 95 Years in Esprit_De_Corps magazine, marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Liberation Army of China.The full article are following.

August 1, 2022 marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Liberation Army of China. Ninety-five years ago, Canada had already emerged from the shadow of the Great War. However at that same juncture, the land of China was laid to waste and the Chinese people were plunged into unprecedented misery and suffering of a long bloody civil war. When leading the Chinese people in the great anti-imperialist and anti-feudal struggle, the Communist Party of China represented by Mao Zedong fully realized that without a Peoples army, the people have nothing. At that critical milestone of the Chinese nation, the Communist Party of China resolutely fired the opening shot of armed resistance against reactionaries in Nanchang city on August 1, 1927. Since then, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) which was created and led by the Communist Party of China, bearing the hopes of a future nation, has made invaluable contributions to the cause of Chinas revolution, construction, and reform through faith and perseverance.

In 1938, Norman Bethune, a Canadian doctor, made the arduous trek to wartorn China. He worked selflessly and made great contributions to humankind until the end of his life. Bethune established health schools for the Eighth Route Army which was then fighting on the frontline against the Japanese invaders. He trained a large number of medical workers, compiled a variety of field medical textbooks, and treated a multitude of wounded people. After Bethune's death, Mao Zedong wrote, Now we are all commemorating him, which shows how profoundly his spirit inspires everyone. We must all learn the spirit of absolute selflessness from him. With this spirit, everyone can be very useful to the people.

Like Mao Zedongs depiction of Bethune, the PLA have always relied upon the Chinese people and their mission is to do their utmost for the people. They remain close to the people, and their fundamental tenet of serving the people wholeheartedly has not changed and will never change. From fighting floods and plugging breaches, to earthquake search and rescue missions undertaken despite the risk of aftershocks, from the Xiaotangshan military Hospital in the fight against SARS to the Huoshenshan military Hospital established in 2020 to combat COVID-19, the PLA have always been on the front lines to protect the people of China. The PLA have always played their role as an innovative spearhead, towards making great contributions to the protection of peoples lives and property. In the face of the tough campaign aimed at lifting all poor people in China out of poverty, Chinas armed forces have made full use of their resources to actively engage in various forms of targeted poverty-alleviation actions. As a result the PLA helped 4,100 impoverished villages, 293,000 struggling households, and 924,000 poor individuals to rise up out of poverty. Without a doubt, the PLA have become an important force on the special battlefield of poverty alleviation.

Mr. Lester B. Pearson, the 14th Prime Minister of Canada, was an active advocate of multilateralism. He consciously linked Canadas active participation in those UN activities and operations aimed at stabilizing international relations, enhancing national security, and exerting its own influence on the international stage. Located near the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, is the Peacekeepers monument which is emblazoned with the words Reconciliation: The Peacekeeping Monument and is a manifestation of Canadas contributions to UN peacekeeping missions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said, being able to enjoy peace is a blessing for the people and it is the responsibility of the PLA to protect it. The world is not entirely a peaceful one and peace needs to be safeguarded. The PLA also hold high the banner of peace and justice. They have actively participated in UN peacekeeping missions, international counter-terrorism, escort missions, humanitarian aid efforts, and actively conducted exchanges and mutual cooperation with the armed forces of other countries. The PLA's image as a force of peace, justice, and valour has not changed and will never change. To date, as the second largest contributor to the UN's regular and peacekeeping budgets, China has sent over 40,000 peacekeepers to 25 UN peacekeeping missions, ranking the PLA first among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Twenty Chinese military peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives during these missions. Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations of UN said publicly, We are very grateful for Chinas support to the work of the United Nations in the field of peace and security. We also appreciate Chinas commitment to the protection of civilians and to community outreach, as well as to key areas such as medicine and engineering. The performance of Chinese peacekeepers is highly commendable and it has contributed to high operational efficiency of our operations.

Since December 2008, a message sent by escort fleets dispatched by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy has been continuously broadcast across the waters of the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast. We are the Chinese Navy escort fleet, please call us on channel 16 if you need help. This message has become a signal of safety for nearly 8,000 Chinese and foreign merchant ships transmitting this pirate-infested seaway. Since being commissioned in 2008, the naval hospital ship Peace Ark has carried out its Harmonious Mission on seven separate occasions. On those missions Peace Ark traveled to 43 countries, and provided medical services to over 230,000 thankful patients who have subsequently dubbed Peace Ark the ship of life. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the PLA have sent teams of military experts to 4 countries, provided assistance and anti-pandemic supplies for the armed forces of more than 50 countries, and shared COVID response experience with more than 10 countries, thereby contributing Chinese strength to international cooperation against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Changes to our world, our times and of history are unfolding today in ways like never before.This poses challenges that must be taken seriously by all of humanity. China stands ready to work with those peace-loving countries and peoples committed to development in order to carry out the Global Security Initiative and Global Development Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping. It is Chinas vision open up a broad path toward lasting peace and universal security, and to forge a strong synergy in order to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Let the torch of peace be passed on from generation to generation and the sound of peace echo throughout the world.
Graduating in 1972 from Oregon State University with a degree in sociology, Jim DeBoer did not anticipate working as a hobbyist but a childhood love for radio control model airplanes changed his life's trajectory.

That same year he graduated, DeBoer learned an old friend, Jim Trump, was opening a hobby store on Van Buren Avenue. DeBoer opted to work at Trumps Hobbies  a job that would endure for a half-century.

Now, the store, since relocated to the Timberhill Shopping Center, will be closing its doors soon for the final time.

Jim Trump is 78, and Im 72, so first and foremost we need to retire, DeBoer said. And secondly, its no longer a viable business. Hobby shops have been closing all over the United States for years.

DeBoer acknowledged that the rise of the digital era has dealt a heavy blow to the hobby industry. Due to the convenience of ordering online, he has seen a dramatic drop in customers over the past few years.

While some hobby shops have set up online shops, selling exclusively planes or cars, Trumps Hobbies has struggled to adjust.

The millennials hobbies are electronics. Theyre not building model airplanes and car kits, not nearly as much as they used to, he said.

Dave Patana, president of the Benton County Radio Control Club who has been helping out at the store as a "volunteer," has been a customer since 1972. He was 12 years old when he bought his first model car from DeBoer. He marks the heydays from the '80s into the early 2000s, but now, there's not enough demand to sustain both merchandise and expenses.

Theres a point where youre just not bringing in enough money to continue running a store, Patana said. Its just a part of business: You need to have the right stuff to be turning over, and you need to have the right inventory for it.

So many hobby stores around Oregon have closed in the past 20 years that its just ridiculous, Patana said.

Now that Jim (Trump) is 78, you have to adapt with the times, and even that doesnt guarantee you anything, he said. You have to pretty much have a lot of money behind it. You cant be paying interest on that for a long period of time things turn over.

Trump said he has never once taken a salary in his 50 years of running the shop. Choosing to work seven days a week, along with building planes and models from scratch, is a testament to the care he has devoted to his business for decades.

I dont even know when he last missed a day of work here, Patana said. I think he takes Christmas Day off, and that was about the only day he ever took off.

Today, while many shelves in Trumps Hobbies stand empty, others still feature a bounty of products waiting to be bought. Model airplanes hang from the ceiling, with planes, trains, cars and boats spilling over on the walls. Stacks of puzzles occupy a nearby bookcase. Assorted toy parts and paint cans accumulate in the aisles.

Its been a full-blown hobby store for a lot of years, Patana said. A lot of people would come in from another state, and they would say, This is the nicest shop weve ever seen. Everybody thats been coming in here is sad to see it go.

The store is set to close permanently around Aug. 14.

Right now, were just trying to make sure were covering all of the overhead and getting rid of the inventory as best we can, Patana said. We want to make sure all of our bills are paid off. Everythings been selling, and weve been way above what we had been bringing in daily.

Currently, Trumps Hobbies is offering all merchandise at 15% off. The shop is open weekly from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. It is located at 2401 NW Kings Blvd.
Tania Burianova, who organised the effort with the Repair Together initiative, told AP that ravers have had to swap nights out for hard work because of the Russian Invasion.

Volunteering is my lifestyle now, she said.

I like electronic music and I used to party. But now its wartime and we want to help, and were doing it with music.

One of the DJs, Oleksandr Buchinskiy, said the volunteers would love to just party without worrying, but the devastation the war has brought to their lives has made them feel obligated to help their country out.

These are all young people that still have a passion for life, but they feel pain and are very sad and angry because of the war, he said.

They feel a need to take part in this historical moment, and help people, and make Ukraine a better place with a smile on their faces.

So far, the legends - which also include volunteers from Portugal, the USA, Germany, and more - have repaired 15 homes in the village and plan on moving to other villages when they finish in Yahdine.

A 68-year-old villager, Nina, said theres no way their village could have been restored without the help of the ravers.

They already repaired our windows, doors, and entrances. We couldnt do it ourselves with our salaries or pensions. Im thankful that they helped us.


Alan Ganoo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail attended the 9th meeting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers of Trade held from 25-26 July 2022 in Accra, Ghana.

The objectives of the meeting were to, amongst others, consider the progress made in the negotiations ongoing for Trade in goods, Trade in services, Competition Policy, Intellectual Property Rights and Investment at the continental level.

The Agreement establishing the AfCFTA came into force on 01 January 2021. Work is still ongoing to operationalise the Agreement.

During the 9th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Trade, African Ministers deliberated on a number of issues including market access issues and the rules of origin. Regarding Trade in goods, the Provisional Schedules of Concessions of Algeria and EAC Member States were adopted by the Council. This increased the total number of Provisional Schedules of Concessions under the AfCFTA from 29 to 36.

On Trade in Services, the Council of Ministers further adopted the Schedules of Commitments of Republic of Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mauritius, the Republic of Seychelles, the Republic of Zambia, the Republic of Zimbabwe, and the combined Schedule of the East African Community Partner States.

The adoption of these Schedules of specific commitments would enable trade in services among these countries in the five priority sectors, namely Business Services, Communication Services, Financial Services, Transport Services and Tourism Services.

The meeting further extended the September 2022 deadline to conclude phase II issues which covers Investment, Competition Policy and Intellectual Property Right by six months. A comprehensive work programme has been adopted by the Council of Ministers to work towards achieving the target of completing the negotiations for the phase II issues.

Tools which are key for countries to begin preferential trade under the AfCFTA trade regime were also launched during the meeting. These include the AfCFTA Website, the Rules of origin manual and the e-tariff book.

During the meeting, the Hon Minister A. Ganoo intervened on a number of key issues including trade in services, the need for flexible regulations on Special Economic Zones and the urgency to conclude the outstanding rules of origin on textiles to boost the confidence of investors and provide a predictable framework for investment on the continent

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Lithuanian electricity transmission operator LITGRID AB (company code 302564383, registered office address Karlo Emilio Gustavo Manerheimo st. 8, Vilnius, Lithuania), informs that on 27th July 2022 the opinion of the Audit Committee of the holding company UAB EPSO-G was received on the planned transactions with related party AB Ignitis gamyba. On 25th July 2022, the Audit Committee of UAB EPSO-G considered the Transactions with related party and adopted the following decisions by means of a survey:

After evaluating all the submitted information of LITGRID AB, the Audit Committee of UAB EPSO-G, in accordance with Article 372 of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania, gives an opinion on the planned Isolated Operation Service Agreement (hereinafter  Additional agreement No. 3):

The additional agreement No.3 is in line with market conditions, since the costs incurred by IG will be calculated same as it would be for other unrelated parties, i.e., the difference between balancing energy price and the electricity price on the exchange market. Balancing energy prices are specified in the Isolated Operation Service Agreement. The additional agreement No. 3 is concluded in accordance with the requirements of the legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania, ensuring the reliable and stable operation of the electricity system of the Republic of Lithuania, is fair and reasonable with respect to all shareholders of LITGRID AB taking into account the objective necessity of concluding the additional agreement. To draw the attention of the Board of LITGRID AB that based on the provided information, in case LITGRID AB would have an obligation to compensate the price difference for the IG (difference between balancing energy price and the electricity price set out in the exchange), the compensation amount would directly reduce LITGRIDS EBITDA and as the result, loan covenants would not be enforced, therefore, is recommended to assess related risks and plan measures to mitigate these risks.

The individual authorized by LITGRID AB to provide additional information:



Jurga Eivaite

Communications project manager

phone: +370 613 19977

e-mail: jurga.eivaite@litgrid.eu
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX-V) ("Aton" or the "Corporation") announces that further to its news release of July 14, 2022, it has drawn an additional $608,860 pursuant to its bridge loan facility (the Loan) with Ou Moonrider (Moonrider). The proceeds of the Loan will be used by the Corporation for ongoing working capital expenses and continuing its drilling program at Rodruin.



In connection with this draw, Moonrider has been issued 2,214,036 non-transferable warrants exercisable for one common share at a price of $0.275 per warrant with an expiration date of July 27, 2023. The Corporation has now fully drawn down the $1,000,000 available to it under the Loan and has issued a total of 3,475,777 non-transferable warrants to Moonrider. The warrants and any shares issuable on their exercise are subject to a hold period which expires four months from the date of issuance, being November 22, 2022, for the first tranche warrants and November 28, 2022, for the second tranche warrants.

About Aton Resources Inc.



Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX-V) is focused on its 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession ("Abu Marawat"), located in Egypt's Arabian-Nubian Shield, approximately 200 km north of Centamin's world-class Sukari gold mine. Aton has identified numerous gold and base metal exploration targets at Abu Marawat, including the Hamama deposit in the west, the Abu Marawat deposit in the northeast, and the advanced Rodruin exploration prospect in the south of the Concession. Two historic British gold mines are also located on the Concession at Sir Bakis and Semna. Aton has identified several distinct geological trends within Abu Marawat, which display potential for the development of a variety of styles of precious and base metal mineralisation. Abu Marawat is 447.7 km2 in size and is located in an area of excellent infrastructure; a four-lane highway, a 220kV power line, and a water pipeline are in close proximity, as are the international airports at Hurghada and Luxor.



For further information regarding Aton Resources Inc., please visit us at www.atonresources.com or contact:



Tonno Vahk



Interim CEO

Tel: +1 604 318 0390

Email: info@atonresources.com

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements



Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions; by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.



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.
Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses



LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Energy Transfer LP (Energy Transfer or the Company) (NYSE: ET) investors that a class action has been filed on behalf of investors. Energy Transfer investors that lost money on their investment are encouraged to contact Lesley Portnoy, Esq.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 844-767-8529 or email: lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

On August 8, 2019, Energy Transfer disclosed that in mid-2017, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Enforcement Staff initiated a non-public formal investigation regarding allegations that diesel fuel may have been included in the drilling mud at the Tuscarawas River HDD [i.e., Horizontal Directional Drilling Activities].

On this news, Energy Transfers stock fell $0.65, or 4.6%, over two trading days to close at $13.38 per share on August 12, 2019, thereby injuring investors.

Then, on December 16, 2021, FERC publicly issued to Energy Transfer the Order To Show Cause and Notice of Proposed Penalty, directing the Company to show cause why it should not be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of $40 million. The order alleged that the HDD crews intentionally included diesel fuel and other toxic substances and unapproved additives in the drilling mud during its HDDs under the Tuscarawas River.

On this news, Energy Transfers stock fell $0.24, or 2.8%, over two trading days to close at $8.25 per share on December 20, 2021, thereby injuring investors further.

The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Energy Transfer had inadequate internal controls and procedures to prevent contractors from engaging in illegal conduct with regards to drilling activities, and/or failed to properly mitigate known issues related to such controls and procedures; (2) Energy Transfer through its subsidiary Rover Pipeline, LLC hired third-party contractor to conduct HDD for the Rover Pipeline Project, whose conduct of adding illegal additives in the drilling mud caused severe pollution near the Tuscarawas River when a large inadvertent release took place on April 13, 2017; (3) Energy Transfer continually downplayed its potential civil liabilities when the FERC was actively investigating the Companys wrongdoing related to the April 13 Release and consistently provided it with updated information about FERCs findings on this matter; (4) these issues were foreseeably likely to subject Energy Transfer to increased governmental scrutiny and enforcement, as well as increased reputational and financial harm, and would also materially impact Energy Transfers financial results; and (5) as a result, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims against caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

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Overview of two decades of research to be presented, including development of gantenerumab

Detailed results from phase II study evaluating crenezumab in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease

Data around biomarker selection for the Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel, a blood-based biomarker test to aid in the detection of people with amyloid pathology, recently granted FDA Breakthrough Device Designation





Basel, 28 July 2022 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced that data from 41 abstracts across its portfolio of Alzheimers disease pharmaceuticals and diagnostics will be presented at the 2022 Alzheimers Association International Conference (AAIC), which will be held in San Diego 31 July -4 August. Among the data are new presentations on Roches investigational subcutaneously administered anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody gantenerumab and the Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel. Additionally, detailed results from the Alzheimers Prevention Initiative Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease (API ADAD) Trial evaluating the investigational monoclonal antibody crenezumab will be presented to inform future Alzheimers prevention research.

Following the science represents the foundation of our company. Our work in Alzheimers disease over the past 20 years has helped to transform disease understanding and ongoing approaches to clinical research, said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Roches Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. We are pleased to bring a strong scientific presence to this years meeting and we look forward to sharing our learnings in Alzheimers biology, diagnosis, and treatment with the broader community.

Gantenerumab data underscore long-term commitment to advancing Alzheimers therapeutic research

The history of gantenerumabs clinical development will be presented during an AAIC Scientific Session on Wednesday, 3 August at 8:00 a.m. PT. This will include:

How the needs of people living with Alzheimer's disease informed the design of current gantenerumab clinical studies and key learnings regarding treatment exposure, target population, enrichment strategies and ARIA management.

Future development plans, including opportunities to offer greater flexibility of treatment administration to meet the needs of people living with Alzheimers.

Opportunities to address barriers to inclusive research and equitable access.

The Phase III GRADUATE programme in early Alzheimers disease includes two global, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials, GRADUATE I and II. Data will be available in Q4, 2022; topline results will be presented at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimers Disease (CTAD) Conference on Wednesday, 30 November, 2022.

Crenezumab data advance understanding of prevention efforts for autosomal dominant Alzheimers

Detailed results from the phase II Alzheimers Prevention Initiative Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease (API ADAD) Trial will be presented. The trial did not demonstrate a statistically significant clinical benefit in either of its co-primary endpoints, evaluating crenezumabs ability to slow or prevent Alzheimers disease in people with a specific genetic mutation after five to eight years of treatment compared with placebo. Data will be featured in the AAIC News Briefing on Tuesday, 2 August at 7:00 a.m. PT followed by a Scientific Session at 8:00 a.m. PT. Researchers will discuss the trials design, clinical outcomes, brain imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker findings.

Diagnostics continues to drive innovation in improving timely diagnosis of Alzheimers

Study results leading to the selection of blood based biomarkers used in the Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel, a test with the potential to aid in the detection of people with amyloid pathology, will be presented on Tuesday, 2 August. The Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel, which was recently granted FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, has the potential to better direct individuals towards a confirmatory Alzheimers diagnosis, either with amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing, where appropriate.

Data presentations across Roches Alzheimers disease portfolio

Investigational Medicine and/or Diagnostics Abstract Title Presentation Number (type), Session Title







Presentation Date + Time (PT) Gantenerumab







































Open RoAD: Design and baseline characteristics of an open-label rollover study evaluating long-term safety and tolerability of subcutaneous gantenerumab in participants with early Alzheimers disease In-Person Poster







Sun, Jul 31

7:00 a.m. - 11:55 p.m. Linking amyloid to clinical outcome: A quantitative semi-mechanistic model based on the A/T/N biomarker framework to simulate the natural history of Alzheimers disease and the effects of anti-amyloid treatment. In-Person Poster







Sun, Jul 31

7:00 a.m. - 11:55 p.m. Using an external control to contextualise efficacy data from patients with prodromal and mild Alzheimers disease treated with gantenerumab in SCarlet RoAD and Marguerite RoAD open-label extension studies Hybrid Oral Session







Sun, Jul 31

3:05 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Baseline participant characteristics of GRADUATION: a study to evaluate once-weekly subcutaneous administration of gantenerumab Virtual Only Poster







Sun, Jul 31

7:00 a.m. - 11:55 p.m. Mortality across the Alzheimer's disease clinical stages: an analysis using the U.S. National Alzheimers Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set Virtual Only Poster







Sun, Jul 31

7:00 a.m. - 11:55 p.m. Allowing rescue therapy in preclinical Alzheimers trials In-Person Poster







Tue, Aug 02

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. The clinical development history of gantenerumab a subcutaneous anti-A monoclonal antibody for early Alzheimers disease Building on lessons from the past and paving a path for the future Hybrid Focussed Topic Session







Wed, Aug 03

8:00am - 8:45am Gantenerumab treatment increases plasma beta-amyloid (142) and decreases plasma ptau In-Person Poster







Wed, Aug 03

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Blood-based biomarker pre-screening in the SKYLINE secondary prevention study with gantenerumab In-Person Poster







Wed, Aug 03

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Determining the amyloid PET and CSF inclusion criteria for the SKYLINE secondary prevention study with gantenerumab In-Person Poster







Wed, Aug 03

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Comparing ARIA-E severity scales and effects of treatment management thresholds In-Person Poster







Wed, Aug 03

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Crenezumab















Electrocardiogram differences in cognitively unimpaired

PSEN1-E280A carriers

and non-carriers

from the Alzheimers

Prevention Initiative

Autosomal-Dominant

Alzheimers Disease

Colombia trial Virtual Only Poster







Sun, Jul 31

7:00 a.m. - 11:55 p.m. Longitudinal lumbar puncture tolerability and adherence in the Alzheimers Prevention Initiative Autosomal-Dominant Alzheimers Disease Colombia Trial Virtual Only Poster







Sun, Jul 31

7:00 a.m. - 11:55 p.m. Age at menarche and relationship to baseline brain imaging and cognitive measurements related to PSEN1 E280A mutation from the API ADAD Trial Poster







Wed, Aug 03

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. API ADAD Colombia Trial initial findings: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel- group study in cognitively unimpaired PSEN1 E280A mutation carriers evaluating efficacy and safety of crenezumab Featured Topic Session







Tues, Aug 02

08:00 am. - 08:45 a.m. Clinical Profiles of Persons Who Progress to Cognitive Impairment in the Alzheimers Prevention Initiative (API) ADAD Colombia Trial In-Person Poster







Sun Jul 31

9:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Semorinemab















In vivo head-to-head comparison of [18f]GTP1 and [18f]PI2620 in Alzheimers disease In-Person Poster







Sat, Jul 30

12:25 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. Prognostic utility of baseline [18F]GTP1 tau PET signal for subsequent cognitive and functional decline in prodromal-to-mild Alzheimers disease In-Person Poster







Sat, Jul 30

12:25 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. Evaluation of longitudinal [18F]GTP1 tau burden metrics in the Tauriel phase II study Hybrid Oral Session







Sun, Jul 31

11:35 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Characterizing progressive speech changes in prodromal-to-mild Alzheimers disease using natural language processing In-Person Poster







Sun, Jul 31

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Selecting appropriate meaningful change thresholds for trials of early (prodromal-to-mild) AD: A caregiver-rated, anchor-based analysis based on the Tauriel Study Virtual Oral Session







Mon, Aug 01

12:05 p.m. - 12:15 p.m. Diagnostics







































































Current diagnostic pathways for Alzheimer's Disease - a comparison of six countries In-Person Poster







Sun, Jul 31

7:00 a.m. - 11:55 p.m. Improving statistical modeling with a neuropathology-Based Apoe Genetic Risk Score Virtual Only Poster







Sun, Jul 31

7:00 a.m. - 11:55 p.m. Cerebrospinal fluid soluble TREM2 is associated with accelerated AD-related longitudinal neurodegeneration in preclinical Alzheimers disease Virtual Only poster







Sun, Jul 31

7:00 a.m. - 11:55 p.m.



Best combination of CSF biomarkers for predicting cognitive decline and clinical progression: A multi-cohort study Virtual Oral Session







Sun, Jul 31

9:15 a.m.  9:25 a.m.



Second-generation fully automated Elecsys cerebrospinal fluid immunoassays demonstrate high precision, reproducibility, and sample stability suitable for clinical routine In-Person Poster







Mon, Aug 01

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Modifying effect of AD pathology in the association between CSF synaptic biomarkers and brain function and structure in preclinical Alzheimer Virtual Lightning Presentation Round







Mon, Aug 01

8:00 a.m. - 8:04 a.m. Air pollution has a more deleterious effect on Alzheimers disease biomarkers in genetic predisposition to larger hippocampal volumes Virtual Oral Session







Mon, Aug 01

3:03 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Associations between semantic memory for proper names in story recall and CSF amyloid and tau in a cognitively unimpaired sample In-Person Poster







Mon, Aug 01

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Sex differences in CSF biomarkers profile of accelerated biological aging individuals at risk of AD In-Person Poster







Mon, Aug 01

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Impact of CSF pTau/A42 on brain structure and metabolism in middle-aged cognitively unimpaired individuals In-Person Poster







Tue, Aug 02

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Clinical performance and robustness of blood-based biomarkers to rule-out amyloid pathology associated with Alzheimers disease In-Person Poster







Tue, Aug 02

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Predicting CSF neurogranin and neurofilament light chain protein levels with a neuropathology-based APOE genetic risk score In-Person Poster







Tue, Aug 02

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Impact of pre-analytical factors on blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimers disease In-Person Poster







Tue, Aug 02

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. The effects of stressful life events on Alzheimers disease biomarkers, neuroinflammation and brain integrity in later life: a life course perspective Hybrid Lightning Presentation Round







Wed, Aug 03

8:08 a.m. - 8:12 a.m. Gut microbe-modulated metabolites are longitudinally associated with higher neurodegeneration biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Hybrid Oral Session







Wed, Aug 03

2:45 p.m. - 2:55 p.m. Structural and metabolic brain correlates of excess A accumulation at the earliest AD continuum In-Person Poster







Wed, Aug 03

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Biological brain age prediction using machine learning on structural neuroimaging data: multi-cohort validation against biomarkers of Alzheimers disease and neurodegeneration In-Person Poster







Wed, Aug 03

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Roadmap to implementation of a fully automated blood-based biomarker test to facilitate diagnosis and treatment in early Alzheimers disease In-Person Poster







Wed, Aug 03

12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.



Becoming physically active or maintaining activity during midlife is associated with biomarkers of amyloid-beta, microglia, and temporal lobe integrity Hybrid Oral Session







Thu, Aug 04

10:05 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

About Roche in Alzheimers disease

With over two decades of scientific research in Alzheimers, Roche is working towards a day when we can detect the disease early and stop its progression to preserve what makes people who they are. Today, the companys Alzheimers portfolio spans investigational medicines for different targets, types and stages of the disease. It also includes diagnostic tools, including digital, blood-based and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests, aiming to more effectively detect, diagnose, and monitor the disease. Yet the global challenges of Alzheimers go well beyond the capabilities of science, and making a meaningful impact requires collaboration both within the Alzheimers community and outside of healthcare. Roche will continue to work together with numerous partners with the hope of transforming millions of lives.

About gantenerumab

Gantenerumab is a fully-human monoclonal IgG1 antibody, an investigational medicine that is subcutaneously administered and designed to target and bind to aggregated forms of beta-amyloid and activate immune cells in the brain (microglia) to clear amyloid plaques and prevent further accumulation.

Gantenerumab is currently being investigated in eight clinical trials, including:

GRADUATE I and II , two Phase III studies investigating the efficacy and safety of gantenerumab compared with placebo in up to 1000 participants per study who have early Alzheimers over 27 months. Results are expected in Q4, 2022.

, two Phase III studies investigating the efficacy and safety of gantenerumab compared with placebo in up to 1000 participants per study who have early Alzheimers over 27 months. Results are expected in Q4, 2022. GRADUATION , an open-label study to evaluate the pharmacodynamic effects of once weekly administration in participants with early Alzheimers.

, an open-label study to evaluate the pharmacodynamic effects of once weekly administration in participants with early Alzheimers. Post-GRADUATE , a rollover open-label study for GRADUATE I and II to continue assessing the efficacy and safety of gantenerumab in participants with early AD.

, a rollover open-label study for GRADUATE I and II to continue assessing the efficacy and safety of gantenerumab in participants with early AD. Open RoAD , a rollover open-label study for the former SCarlet RoAD and Marguerite RoAD OLEs to continue to evaluate the safety and tolerability of long-term administration of gantenerumab in participants with Alzheimers.

, a rollover open-label study for the former SCarlet RoAD and Marguerite RoAD OLEs to continue to evaluate the safety and tolerability of long-term administration of gantenerumab in participants with Alzheimers. DIAN-TU-002 Primary Prevention , an investigator-initiated study evaluating whether Alzheimers can be prevented in people with a genetic predisposition to developing rare, early-onset forms of the disease called Autosomal Dominant Alzheimers disease (ADAD). Unlike most Alzheimers prevention studies, it enrols people up to 25 years before the disease has started in the brain.

, an investigator-initiated study evaluating whether Alzheimers can be prevented in people with a genetic predisposition to developing rare, early-onset forms of the disease called Autosomal Dominant Alzheimers disease (ADAD). Unlike most Alzheimers prevention studies, it enrols people up to 25 years before the disease has started in the brain. DIAN-TU-001 OLE , an exploratory extension study in people with ADAD who presented with or were close to the expected symptoms of Alzheimers at baseline of the double-blind study, aiming to further investigate the relationship of biomarker changes with cognitive and clinical findings.

, an exploratory extension study in people with ADAD who presented with or were close to the expected symptoms of Alzheimers at baseline of the double-blind study, aiming to further investigate the relationship of biomarker changes with cognitive and clinical findings. SKYLINE, a Phase III secondary prevention trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gantenerumab in participants at risk for or at the earliest stages of Alzheimer's.

About crenezumab

Crenezumab is an investigational, monoclonal antibody designed to neutralise neurotoxic oligomers, a form of beta-amyloid. Crenezumab has an antibody backbone (IgG4) designed to minimise the inflammatory response in the brain, which may result in a lower risk of certain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) abnormalities known as ARIA (Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities). The investigational medicine is being developed by Genentech and is part of a collaboration with AC Immune SA.

About semorinemab

Semorinemab is an investigational monoclonal anti-tau antibody that targets the N-terminal portion of the tau protein, and is designed to bind to tau and slow its spread between neurons. In tauopathies such as Alzheimers, tau misfolds and forms tangles, which cause cell damage and ultimately neuronal death. It is hypothesised that abnormal tau protein then spreads between neurons, gradually involving more areas of the brain, and leading to clinical disease progression. Tau-targeting antibody therapies are designed to slow or stop this process of tau spread. The investigational medicine is being developed by Genentech and is part of a collaboration with AC Immune SA.

About the Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel

The Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel measures phosphorylated Tau (pTau) 181 protein assay and apolipoprotein (APOE) E4 assay in human blood plasma. Elevations in pTau occur in early stages of Alzheimers, while the presence of APOE E4 constitutes the most common genetic risk factor for Alzheimers disease. The result is intended for consideration in conjunction with other clinical information to advise physicians on whether there is a need for further confirmatory testing for Alzheimers disease with amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing. Individuals testing negative with the Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel are unlikely to be amyloid positive and should be investigated for other causes of cognitive decline

About Roche in neuroscience

Neuroscience is a major focus of research and development at Roche. Our goal is to pursue groundbreaking science to develop new treatments that help improve the lives of people with chronic and potentially devastating diseases.

Roche has approved and investigational medicines across multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, myasthenia gravis, Alzheimers disease, Huntingtons disease, Parkinsons disease and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Together with our partners, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding to solve some of the most difficult challenges in neuroscience today.

About Roche

Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the worlds largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

In recognising our endeavor to pursue a long-term perspective in all we do, Roche has been named one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceuticals industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the thirteenth consecutive year. This distinction also reflects our efforts to improve access to healthcare together with local partners in every country we work.

Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com .

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.





Roche Group Media Relations

Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com

Hans Trees, PhD

Phone: +41 61 687 41 47 Nathalie Altermatt

Phone: +41 61 687 43 05



Karsten Kleine

Phone: +41 61 682 28 31 Nina Mahlitz

Phone: +41 79 327 54 74



Dr. Barbara von Schnurbein

Phone: +41 61 687 89 67 Sileia Urech

Phone: +41 79 935 81 48

Attachment
MONACO, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Costamare Inc. (Costamare or the Company) (NYSE: CMRE) today reported unaudited financial results for the second quarter (Q2 2022) and six-months ended June 30, 2022.



I. RECORD PROFITABILITY IN A SECOND QUARTER SINCE NYSE LISTING

Q2 2022 Net Income available to common stockholders of $114.1 million ($0.92 per share) vs $82.8 million ($0.67 per share) in Q2 2021.

Q2 2022 Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders 1 of $118.6 million ($0.95 per share) vs $58.3 million ($0.47 per share) in Q2 2021.

of $118.6 million ($0.95 per share) vs $58.3 million ($0.47 per share) in Q2 2021. Q2 2022 liquidity of $854.1 million2 vs $564.6 million in Q2 2021.

II. CLOSING OF $500 MILLION SYNDICATED LOAN FACILITY

Refinancing of existing indebtedness of 17 vessels, secured by long term contracted cash flows, with a tenor of 5 years.

Additional liquidity raised of approximately $200 million.

Participation of 12 U.S., European and Asian financing institutions, most of which represent new financing relationships.

Significant reduction of funding cost, and extension of repayment schedule for 16 out of the 17 refinanced vessels.

III. SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM TO DATE

Repurchase of 4,736,702 common shares (representing 3.8% of total common shares) at an average price of $12.67 per share, for a total consideration of approximately $60 million.

Available funds remaining under the share repurchase program of approximately $90 million for common shares and $150 million for preferred shares.

IV. NEW CHARTER ARRANGEMENTS AND FULLY EMPLOYED CONTAINERSHIP FLEET3 FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

Containership fleet fully employed for the remainder of 2022.

More than 95% of the containership fleet 4 is fixed for 2023.

is fixed for 2023. Forward fixing of two 2004-built, 6,492 TEU containerships, Aries and Argus, for a minimum tenor of 3 years at a daily rate of $58,500.

Entered into a total of 27 chartering agreements for the dry bulk fleet since Q1 2022 earnings release.

V. SALE AND PURCHASE ACTIVITY

Conclusion of the sale of the 2009-built, 57,334 DWT dry bulk vessel Thunder, resulting in a capital gain of $3.5 million.

VI. DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENTS

On July 1, 2022, the Company declared a dividend of $0.115 per share on the common stock, which will be paid on August 8, 2022, to holders of record of common stock as of July 21, 2022.

On July 1, 2022, the Company declared a dividend of $0.476563 per share on the Series B Preferred Stock, $0.531250 per share on the Series C Preferred Stock, $0.546875 per share on the Series D Preferred Stock and $0.554688 per share on the Series E Preferred Stock, which were all paid on July 15, 2022 to holders of record as of July 14, 2022.

__________________________

1 Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and respective per share figures are non-GAAP measures and should not be used in isolation or as substitutes for Costamares financial results presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). For the definition and reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please refer to Exhibit I.

2 Including our share of cash amounting to $3.6 million held by vessel owning-companies (the Framework Deed) set-up pursuant to the Framework Deed dated May 15, 2013, as amended and restated from time to time, between the Company and York Capital Management Global Advisors LLC and an affiliated fund (collectively, York), short term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills amounting to $10.0 million and $152.5 million of available undrawn funds from our two hunting license facilities as of June 30, 2022.

3 Please refer to the Fleet List table for additional information on vessel employment details for our containership fleet.

4 Calculated on a TEU basis, including vessels owned by vessel owning-companies set-up pursuant to the Framework Deed, and excluding vessels we have agreed to sell.



Mr. Gregory Zikos, Chief Financial Officer of Costamare Inc., commented:

During the second quarter revenues reached approx. $290 million and Adjusted Net Income more than doubled to $119 million, compared to $58 million for the same period last year. As of quarter end, cash balances stood at around $700 million and total liquidity, including undrawn credit lines, was above $850 million.

Over the last months we executed on our previously announced share buy-back program, buying $60 million worth of common shares. At the same time, we concluded a 5-year syndicated loan facility of $500 million, proactively refinancing the indebtedness of 16 vessels and significantly reducing our cost of funding at competitive terms.

Regarding the market, congestion and pressured supply chains remain challenging as we enter the second half of the year. On the container market, asset values and charter rates remain at healthy and historically high levels, as also evidenced by our latest fixtures.

On the dry bulk market, rates have recently been under pressure but still remain at profitable levels, especially for owners who entered the market the year before. We view any potential softening of asset values as a compelling buying opportunity as we feel comfortable with the long-term supply and demand dynamics of the sector.

On the back of our increased liquidity, we are actively evaluating new investment opportunities in the shipping sector that have the potential to provide enhanced returns at acceptable risk levels.

Financial Summary

Six-month period ended

June 30,

Three-month period ended

June 30,

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) 2021 2022 2021 2022 Voyage revenue $ 293,495 $ 558,937 $ 166,770 $ 290,927 Accrued charter revenue (1) $ 2,146 $ 5,069 $ 1,114 $ 1,712 Amortization of time-charter assumed $ (345 ) $ 98 $ (345 ) $ 49 Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis (2) $ 295,296 $ 564,104 $ 167,539 $ 292,688 Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders (3) $ 96,262 $ 223,058 $ 58,275 $ 118,563 Weighted Average number of shares 122,615,427 124,228,628 122,844,260 124,306,059 Adjusted Earnings per share (3) $ 0.79 $ 1.80 $ 0.47 $ 0.95 Net Income $ 158,757 $ 245,024 $ 90,616 $ 121,987 Net Income available to common stockholders $ 143,309 $ 229,576 $ 82,762 $ 114,133 Weighted Average number of shares 122,615,427 124,228,628 122,844,260 124,306,059 Earnings per share $ 1.17 $ 1.85 $ 0.67 $ 0.92

(1) Accrued charter revenue represents the difference between cash received during the period and revenue recognized on a straight-line basis. In the early years of a charter with escalating charter rates, voyage revenue will exceed cash received during the period and during the last years of such charter cash received will exceed revenue recognized on a straight-line basis. The reverse is true for charters with descending rates.

(2) Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis represents Voyage revenue after adjusting for non-cash Accrued charter revenue recorded under charters with escalating charter rates. However, Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis is not a recognized measurement under U.S. GAAP. We believe that the presentation of Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis is useful to investors because it presents the charter revenue for the relevant period based on the then current daily charter rates. The increases or decreases in daily charter rates under our charter party agreements of our containership fleet are described in the notes to the Fleet List table below.

(3) Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income.

Non-GAAP Measures

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures used in managing the business may provide users of these financial measures additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures can provide additional meaningful reflection of underlying trends of the business because they provide a comparison of historical information that excludes certain items that impact the overall comparability. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Companys performance. The tables below set out supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial measures for the three-month and the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, voyage revenue or net income as determined in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures include (i) Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis (reconciled above), (ii) Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and (iii) Adjusted Earnings per Share.

Exhibit I

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share

Six-month period ended

June 30, Three-month period ended

June 30, (Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) 2021 2022 2021 2022 Net Income $ 158,757 $ 245,024 $ 90,616 $ 121,987 Earnings allocated to Preferred Stock (15,448 ) (15,448 ) (7,854 ) (7,854 ) Net Income available to common stockholders 143,309 229,576 82,762 114,133 Accrued charter revenue 2,146 5,069 1,114 1,712 General and administrative expenses - non-cash component 3,207 4,360 1,768 1,808 Amortization of Time charter assumed (345 ) 98 (345 ) 49 Realized (gain) / loss on Euro/USD forward contracts (1) (174 ) 950 (96 ) 619 Gain on sale of vessels, net (1,406 ) (21,250 ) (1,666 ) (3,452 ) Non-recurring, non-cash write-off of loan deferred financing costs 363 2,339 - 1,705 (Gain) / Loss on derivative instruments, excluding interest accrued and realized on non-hedging derivative instruments (1) 1,012 910 (105 ) 983 Non-recurring payments for loan cancellation fees - 1,006 - 1,006 Fair value measurement / Change in fair value of equity securities (51,094 ) - (25,157 ) - Other non-recurring, non-cash items (756 ) - - - Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders $ 96,262 $ 223,058 $ 58,275 $ 118,563 Adjusted Earnings per Share $ 0.79 $ 1.80 $ 0.47 $ 0.95 Weighted average number of shares 122,615,427 124,228,628 122,844,260 124,306,059

Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share represent Net Income after earnings allocated to preferred stock and gain on retirement of preferred stock, but before non-cash Accrued charter revenue recorded under charters with escalating or descending charter rates, realized (gain)/loss on Euro/USD forward contracts, gain on sale of vessels, net, fair value measurement of equity securities / change in fair value of equity securities, non-recurring, non-cash write-off of loan deferred financing costs, non-recurring payments for loan cancellation fees, general and administrative expenses - non-cash component, non-cash changes in fair value of derivatives and other non-recurring, non-cash items. Accrued charter revenue is attributed to the timing difference between the revenue recognition and the cash collection. However, Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share are not recognized measurements under U.S. GAAP. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share are useful to investors because they are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. We also believe that Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share are useful in evaluating our ability to service additional debt and make capital expenditures. In addition, we believe that Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share are useful in evaluating our operating performance and liquidity position compared to that of other companies in our industry because the calculation of Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share generally eliminates the effects of the accounting effects of capital expenditures and acquisitions, certain hedging instruments and other accounting treatments, items which may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance and liquidity. In evaluating Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

(1) Items to consider for comparability include gains and charges. Gains positively impacting Net Income available to common stockholders are reflected as deductions to Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders. Charges negatively impacting Net Income available to common stockholders are reflected as increases to Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders.



Results of Operations

Three-month period ended June 30, 2022 compared to the three-month period ended June 30, 2021

During the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, we had an average of 117.7 and 71.5 vessels, respectively, in our fleet.

In the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, we sold the dry bulk vessel Thunder with DWT of 57,334.

In the three-month period ended June 30, 2021, we accepted delivery of the newbuild container vessel YM Tiptop with a TEU capacity of 12,690 and the secondhand container vessels Androusa, Norfolk, Porto Cheli, Porto Kagio and Porto Germeno with an aggregate TEU capacity of 26,705, and we sold the container vessel Prosper with a TEU capacity of 1,504.

Furthermore, in the three-month period ended June 30, 2021, we acquired all of the equity interest of sixteen companies (which owned or had committed to acquire dry bulk vessels) owned by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos. We agreed to acquire these companies from Mr. Konstantakopoulos at cost with no mark-up or premium payable to Mr. Konstantakopoulos or his affiliated entities. Mr. Konstantakopoulos did not receive a profit as a result of the acquisition. Three of the dry bulk vessels that were part of the acquisition, the Builder, Pegasus and Adventure (with an aggregate DWT of 171,997), were delivered to us during the three-month period ended June 30, 2021.

In the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, our fleet ownership days totaled 10,715 and 6,509 days, respectively. Ownership days are one of the primary drivers of voyage revenue and vessels operating expenses and represent the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet is owned.

Consolidated Financial Results and Vessels Operational Data(1)





(Expressed in millions of U.S. dollars,

except percentages) Three-month period ended

June 30,

Percentage

Change 2021 2022 Change Voyage revenue $ 166.8 $ 290.9 $ 124.1 74.4 % Voyage expenses (2.0 ) (11.3 ) 9.3 n.m. Voyage expenses  related parties (2.4 ) (4.0 ) 1.6 66.7 % Vessels operating expenses (37.8 ) (67.6 ) 29.8 78.8 % General and administrative expenses (1.7 ) (3.5 ) 1.8 105.9 % Management fees  related parties (6.3 ) (11.0 ) 4.7 74.6 % General and administrative expenses - non-cash component (1.8 ) (1.8 ) - - Amortization of dry-docking and special survey costs (2.5 ) (2.9 ) 0.4 16.0 % Depreciation (31.6 ) (41.3 ) 9.7 30.7 % Gain on sale of vessels 1.7 3.5 1.8 105.9 % Foreign exchange gains - 0.3 0.3 n.m. Interest income 1.1 0.1 (1.0 ) (90.9 %) Interest and finance costs (20.4 ) (30.1 ) 9.7 47.5 % Change in fair value of equity securities 25.1 - (25.1 ) n.m. Income from equity method investments 1.0 0.5 (0.5 ) (50.0 %) Other 1.3 1.2 (0.1 ) (7.7 %) Gain / (loss) on derivative instruments 0.1 (1.0 ) (1.1 ) n.m. Net Income $ 90.6 $ 122.0





(Expressed in millions of U.S. dollars,

except percentages) Three-month period ended

June 30, Change Percentage

Change 2021 2022 Voyage revenue $ 166.8 $ 290.9 $ 124.1 74.4 % Accrued charter revenue 1.1 1.7 0.6 54.5 % Amortization of time charter assumed (0.3 ) - 0.3 n.m. Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis (1) $ 167.6 $ 292.6 $ 125.0 74.6 %





Vessels operational data Three-month period ended

June 30, Percentage

Change 2021 2022 Change Average number of vessels 71.5 117.7 46.2 64.6 % Ownership days 6,509 10,715 4,206 64.6 % Number of vessels under dry-docking 6 10 4

Segmental Financial Summary



Three-month period ended June 30, 2021 Container

vessels Dry bulk

vessels (2) Other Total Voyage revenue $ 165.9 $ 0.9 $ - $ 166.8 Voyage expenses (1.9 ) (0.1 ) - (2.0 ) Voyage expenses  related parties (2.4 ) - - (2.4 ) Vessels operating expenses (37.6 ) (0.2 ) - (37.8 ) General and administrative expenses (1.7 ) - - (1.7 ) Management fees  related parties (6.3 ) - - (6.3 ) General and administrative expenses - non-cash component (1.8 ) - - (1.8 ) Amortization of dry-docking and special survey costs (2.5 ) - - (2.5 ) Depreciation (31.5 ) (0.1 ) - (31.6 ) Gain on sale of vessels 1.7 - - 1.7 Interest income 1.1 - - 1.1 Interest and finance costs (20.4 ) - - (20.4 ) Change in fair value of equity securities - - 25.1 25.1 Income from equity method investments - - 1.0 1.0 Other 1.3 - - 1.3 Gain on derivative instruments 0.1 - - 0.1 Net Income $ 64.0 $ 0.5 $ 26.1 $ 90.6 Three-month period ended June 30, 2022 Container

vessels Dry bulk

vessels Other Total Voyage revenue $ 190.8 $ 100.1 $ - $ 290.9 Voyage expenses (2.4 ) (8.9 ) - (11.3 ) Voyage expenses  related parties (2.7 ) (1.3 ) - (4.0 ) Vessels operating expenses (42.4 ) (25.2 ) - (67.6 ) General and administrative expenses (2.3 ) (1.2 ) - (3.5 ) Management fees  related parties (6.7 ) (4.3 ) - (11.0 ) General and administrative expenses - non-cash component (1.1 ) (0.7 ) - (1.8 ) Amortization of dry-docking and special survey costs (2.7 ) (0.2 ) - (2.9 ) Depreciation (31.4 ) (9.9 ) - (41.3 ) Gain on sale of vessels - 3.5 - 3.5 Foreign exchange gains 0.2 0.1 - 0.3 Interest income 0.1 - - 0.1 Interest and finance costs (25.6 ) (4.5 ) - (30.1 ) Income from equity method investments - - 0.5 0.5 Other 0.3 0.9 - 1.2 Loss on derivative instruments (0.6 ) (0.4 ) - (1.0 ) Net Income $ 73.5 $ 48.0 $ 0.5 $ 122.0

(1) Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis is not a recognized measurement under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Refer to Consolidated Financial Results and Vessels Operational Data above for the reconciliation of Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis.

(2) The results of dry bulk vessels are included from June 14, 2021. Prior to that, our results were attributable to container vessels only.

Voyage Revenue

Voyage revenue increased by 74.4%, or $124.1 million, to $290.9 million during the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, from $166.8 million during the three-month period ended June 30, 2021. The increase is mainly attributable to (i) revenue earned by one container vessel and three dry bulk vessels acquired during the first quarter of 2022, as well as by seven container vessels and 43 dry bulk vessels acquired during the nine-month ended December 31, 2021 and (ii) increased charter rates in certain of our container vessels, partly off-set by revenue not earned by one container vessel and one dry bulk vessel sold during the six-month period ended June 30, 2022 and four container vessels sold during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2021.

Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis (which eliminates non-cash Accrued charter revenue) increased by 74.6%, or $125.0 million, to $292.6 million during the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, from $167.6 million during the three-month period ended June 30, 2021. Accrued charter revenue for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was a positive amount of $1.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

Voyage Expenses

Voyage expenses were $11.3 million and $2.0 million for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Voyage expenses mainly include (i) off-hire expenses of our vessels, primarily related to fuel consumption and (ii) third party commissions.

Voyage Expenses  related parties

Voyage expenses  related parties were $4.0 million and $2.4 million for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Voyage expenses  related parties represent (i) fees of 1.25%, in the aggregate, on voyage revenues charged by a related manager and a service provider and (ii) charter brokerage fees (in respect of our container vessels) payable to two related charter brokerage companies for an amount of approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million, in the aggregate, for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Vessels Operating Expenses

Vessels operating expenses, which also include the realized gain/(loss) under derivative contracts entered into in relation to foreign currency exposure, were $67.6 million and $37.8 million during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Daily vessels operating expenses were $6,309 and $5,811 for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in the daily operating expenses during the quarter ended June 30, 2022 is mainly attributable to increased crew costs related to COVID-19 pandemic measures. Daily operating expenses are calculated as vessels operating expenses for the period over the ownership days of the period.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $3.5 million and $1.7 million during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and include amounts of $0.67 million and $0.63 million, respectively, that were paid to a related manager.

Management Fees  related parties

Management fees paid to our related party managers were $11.0 million and $6.3 million during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

General and Administrative Expenses - non-cash component

General and administrative expenses - non-cash component for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022 amounted to $1.8 million, representing the value of the shares issued to a related party manager on June 30, 2022. General and administrative expenses - non-cash component for the three-month period ended June 30, 2021 amounted to $1.8 million, representing the value of the shares issued to a related party manager on June 30, 2021.

Amortization of Dry-Docking and Special Survey

Amortization of deferred dry-docking and special survey costs was $2.9 million and $2.5 million during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, seven vessels underwent and completed their dry-docking and special survey and three vessels were in the process of completing their dry-docking and special survey. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2021, five vessels underwent and completed their dry-docking and special survey and one vessel was in the process of completing its dry-docking and special survey.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $41.3 million and $31.6 million, respectively.

Gain on Sale of Vessels

During the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, we recorded a gain of $3.5 million from the sale of the dry bulk vessel Thunder, which was classified as vessel held for sale during the first quarter of 2022. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2021, we recorded a gain of $1.7 million from the sale of the container vessel Prosper, which was classified as vessel held for sale during the first quarter of 2021.

Vessels Held for Sale

As of June 30, 2022, the container vessels Sealand Illinois, Sealand Michigan, York (initially classified as vessels held for sale during the fourth quarter of 2021), Sealand Washington, and Maersk Kalamata (initially classified as vessels held for sale during the first quarter of 2022) continue to be classified as vessels held for sale. No loss on vessels held for sale was recorded during the second quarter of 2022 since each vessels fair value less cost to sell exceeded each vessels carrying value.

During the three-month period ended June 30, 2021, the container vessels Zim New York, and Zim Shanghai were classified as vessels held for sale and the container vessel Venetiko continued to be classified as vessel held for sale (initially classified as vessel held for sale during the first quarter of 2021). No loss on vessels held for sale was recorded during the second quarter of 2021, since each vessels fair value less cost to sell exceeded each vessels carrying value.

Interest Income

Interest income amounted to $0.1 million and $1.1 million for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Interest and Finance Costs

Interest and finance costs were $30.1 million and $20.4 million during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase is mainly attributable to the increased average loan balances and increased financing costs during the three-month period ended June 30, 2022 compared to the three-month period ended June 30, 2021.

Change in Fair Value of Equity Securities

Change in fair value of equity securities of $25.1 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2021, represents the difference between the aggregate fair value of 1,221,800 ordinary shares of ZIM that we owned as at June 30, 2021 compared to the fair value of such shares as of March 31, 2021. During the fourth quarter of 2021 we sold all the ordinary shares of ZIM we owned.

Income from Equity Method Investments

Income from equity method investments for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022 was $0.5 million ($1.0 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2021) representing our share of the income in jointly owned companies set up pursuant to the Framework Deed dated May 15, 2013, as amended and restated from time to time (the Framework Deed), with York. As of June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 six and six companies, respectively, were jointly owned pursuant to the Framework Deed out of which four and five companies, respectively, owned container vessels. The decreased income from equity method investments in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021 is mainly attributable to the decreased number of container vessels jointly owned with York during the respective periods.

Gain / (loss) on Derivative Instruments

As of June 30, 2022, we hold 27 interest rate derivatives and two cross currency rate swaps all of which qualify for hedge accounting. As a result, the change in the fair value of each instrument is recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI). As of June 30, 2022, the fair value of these instruments, in aggregate, amounted to a net asset of $17.4 million. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, a gain of $7.6 million has been included in OCI and a loss of $0.1 million has been included in Gain/(loss) on Derivative Instruments.

Cash Flows

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

Condensed cash flows Three-month period ended

June 30, (Expressed in millions of U.S. dollars) 2021 2022 Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $ 104.0 $ 161.1 Net Cash Provided by / (Used in) Investing Activities $ (195.1 ) $ 24.9 Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities $ 204.2 $ 14.0

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash flows provided by operating activities for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, increased by $57.1 million to $161.1 million, from $104.0 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2021. The increase is mainly attributable to increased cash from operations of $125.1 million; partly off-set by the unfavorable change in working capital position, excluding the current portion of long-term debt and the accrued charter revenue (representing the difference between cash received in that period and revenue recognized on a straight-line basis) of $5.0 million, by the increased payments for interest (including swap payments) of $6.9 million during the three-month period ended June 30, 2022 compared to the three-month period ended June 30, 2021 and by the increased dry-docking and special survey costs of $8.5 million during the three-month period ended June 30, 2022 compared to the three-month period ended June 30, 2021.

Net Cash Provided by / (Used in) Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities was $24.9 million in the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, which mainly consisted of proceeds we received from (i) the sale of the dry bulk vessel Thunder and (ii) the maturity of short-term investments in US Treasury Bills; partly off-set by payments (i) for upgrades for certain of our container and dry bulk vessels and (ii) for the purchase of short-term investments in US Treasury Bills.

Net cash used in investing activities was $195.1 million in the three-month period ended June 30, 2021, which mainly consisted of (i) net payments for the acquisition of the 51% equity interest in one company, previously jointly owned with York pursuant to the Framework Deed, (ii) payments for the delivery of one newbuild container vessel, four secondhand container vessels and one dry bulk vessel, (iii) advance payments for the acquisition of twelve secondhand dry bulk vessels and (iv) payments for upgrades for certain of our vessels; partly off-set by proceeds we received from the sale of one vessel.

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $14.0 million in the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, which mainly consisted of (a) $143.5 million net proceeds relating to our debt financing agreements (including proceeds of $551.3 million we received from our debt financing agreements), (b) $52.4 million we paid for the re-purchase of 4.1 million of our common shares, (c) $57.5 million we paid for dividends to holders of our common stock for the first quarter of 2022 (including a special dividend to holders of our common stock of $46.7 million), (d) $0.9 million we paid for dividends to holders of our 7.625% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (Series B Preferred Stock), $2.1 million we paid for dividends to holders of our 8.500% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (Series C Preferred Stock), $2.2 million we paid for dividends to holders of our 8.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (Series D Preferred Stock) and $2.5 million we paid for dividends to holders of our 8.875% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (Series E Preferred Stock) for the period from January 15, 2022 to April 14, 2022.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $204.2 million in the three-month period ended June 30, 2021, which mainly consisted of (a) $227.8 million net proceeds relating to our debt financing agreements (including proceeds we received from the issuance of 100.0 million unsecured bond on the Athens Exchange), (b) $9.4 million we paid for dividends to holders of our common stock for the first quarter of 2021 and (c) $0.9 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series B Preferred Stock, $2.1 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series C Preferred Stock, $2.2 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series D Preferred Stock and $2.5 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series E Preferred Stock for the period from January 15, 2021 to April 14, 2021.

Six-month period ended June 30, 2022 compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2021

During the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, we had an average of 117.6 and 67.1 vessels, respectively, in our fleet.

In the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, we accepted delivery of (i) the secondhand container vessel Dyros (ex. Co Kobe) with a TEU capacity of 4,578 and (ii) the secondhand dry bulk vessels Oracle (ex. Belstar), Libra (ex. Universal Bremen) and Norma (ex. Magda) with an aggregate DWT of 172,717. Furthermore, in the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, we sold the container vessel Messini, with a TEU capacity of 2,458, and the dry bulk vessel Thunder, with DWT of 57,334.

In the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, (i) we accepted delivery of the newbuild container vessels YM Target and YM Tiptop with an aggregate TEU capacity of 25,380, the secondhand container vessels Aries, Argus, Glen Canyon, Androusa, Norfolk, Porto Cheli, Porto Kagio and Porto Germeno with an aggregate TEU capacity of 45,331 and we sold the container vessels Halifax Express and Prosper with an aggregate TEU capacity of 6,394 and (ii) we acquired (a) the 75% equity interest of York Capital Management in each of the 11,010 TEU container vessels Cape Kortia and Cape Sounio and (b) the 51% equity interest of York Capital Management in each of the 11,010 TEU container vessels Cape Tainaro, Cape Artemisio and Cape Akritas and as a result we obtained 100% of the equity interest in each of these five vessels.

Furthermore, in the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, we acquired all of the equity interest of sixteen companies (which owned or had committed to acquire dry bulk vessels) owned by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos. We agreed to acquire these companies from Mr. Konstantakopoulos at cost with no mark-up or premium payable to Mr. Konstantakopoulos or his affiliated entities. Mr. Konstantakopoulos did not receive a profit as a result of the acquisition. Three of the dry bulk vessels that were part of the acquisition, the Builder, Pegasus and Adventure (with an aggregate DWT of 171,997), were delivered to us during the six-month period ended June 30, 2021.

In the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, our fleet ownership days totaled 21,279 and 12,149 days, respectively. Ownership days are one of the primary drivers of voyage revenue and vessels operating expenses and represent the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet is owned.

Consolidated Financial Results and Vessels Operational Data (1)

(Expressed in millions of U.S. dollars,

except percentages) Six-month period ended

June 30,

Percentage

Change 2021 2022 Change Voyage revenue $ 293.5 $ 558.9 $ 265.4 90.4 % Voyage expenses (3.1 ) (19.8 ) 16.7 n.m. Voyage expenses  related parties (4.3 ) (7.7 ) 3.4 79.1 % Vessels operating expenses (69.6 ) (133.4 ) 63.8 91.7 % General and administrative expenses (3.7 ) (6.7 ) 3.0 81.1 % Management fees  related parties (11.8 ) (21.9 ) 10.1 85.6 % General and administrative expenses - non-cash component (3.2 ) (4.4 ) 1.2 37.5 % Amortization of dry-docking and special survey costs (4.8 ) (5.6 ) 0.8 16.7 % Depreciation (58.7 ) (82.5 ) 23.8 40.5 % Gain on sale of vessels, net 1.4 21.3 19.9 n.m. Foreign exchange gains 0.1 0.4 0.3 n.m. Interest income 1.5 0.1 (1.4 ) (93.3 %) Interest and finance costs (36.5 ) (55.2 ) 18.7 51.2 % Fair value measurement of equity securities 51.1 - (51.1 ) n.m. Income from equity method investments 5.0 0.8 (4.2 ) (84.0 %) Other 2.9 1.6 (1.3 ) (44.8 %) Loss on derivative instruments (1.0 ) (0.9 ) (0.1 ) (10.0 %) Net Income $ 158.8 $ 245.0





(Expressed in millions of U.S. dollars,

except percentages) Six-month period ended

June 30, Change Percentage

Change 2021 2022 Voyage revenue $ 293.5 $ 558.9 $ 265.4 90.4 % Accrued charter revenue 2.1 5.1 3.0 n.m. Amortization of time charter assumed (0.3 ) 0.1 0.4 n.m. Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis (1) $ 295.3 $ 564.1 $ 268.8 91.0 %









Vessels operational data Six-month period ended

June 30, Percentage

Change 2021 2022 Change Average number of vessels 67.1 117.6 50.5 75.3 % Ownership days 12,149 21,279 9,130 75.2 % Number of vessels under dry-docking 9 12 3





Segmental Financial Summary





Six-month period ended June 30, 2021 Container

vessels Dry bulk

vessels (2) Other Total Voyage revenue $ 292.6 $ 0.9 $ - $ 293.5 Voyage expenses (3.0 ) (0.1 ) - (3.1 ) Voyage expenses  related parties (4.3 ) - - (4.3 ) Vessels operating expenses (69.4 ) (0.2 ) - (69.6 ) General and administrative expenses (3.7 ) - - (3.7 ) Management fees  related parties (11.8 ) - - (11.8 ) General and administrative expenses - non-cash component (3.2 ) - - (3.2 ) Amortization of dry-docking and special survey costs (4.8 ) - - (4.8 ) Depreciation (58.6 ) (0.1 ) - (58.7 ) Gain on sale of Vessels, net 1.4 - - 1.4 Foreign exchange gains 0.1 - - 0.1 Interest income 1.5 - - 1.5 Interest and finance costs (36.5 ) - - (36.5 ) Fair value measurement of equity securities - - 51.1 51.1 Income from equity method investments - - 5.0 5.0 Other 2.9 - - 2.9 Loss on derivative instruments (1.0 ) - - (1.0 ) Net Income $ 102.2 $ 0.5 $ 56.1 $ 158.8





Six-month period ended June 30, 2022 Container

vessels Dry bulk

vessels Other Total Voyage revenue $ 380.3 $ 178.6 $ - $ 558.9 Voyage expenses (4.4 ) (15.4 ) - (19.8 ) Voyage expenses  related parties (5.5 ) (2.2 ) - (7.7 ) Vessels operating expenses (84.2 ) (49.2 ) - (133.4 ) General and administrative expenses (4.4 ) (2.3 ) - (6.7 ) Management fees  related parties (13.5 ) (8.4 ) - (21.9 ) General and administrative expenses  non-cash component (2.7 ) (1.7 ) - (4.4 ) Amortization of dry-docking and special survey costs (5.3 ) (0.3 ) - (5.6 ) Depreciation (62.9 ) (19.6 ) - (82.5 ) Gain on sale of vessels 17.8 3.5 - 21.3 Foreign exchange gains 0.4 - - 0.4 Interest income 0.1 - - 0.1 Interest and finance costs (47.2 ) (8.0 ) - (55.2 ) Income from equity method investments - - 0.8 0.8 Other 0.7 0.9 - 1.6 Loss on derivative instruments (0.6 ) (0.3 ) - (0.9 ) Net Income $ 168.6 $ 75.6 $ 0.8 $ 245.0

(1) Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis is not a recognized measurement under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Refer to Consolidated Financial Results and Vessels Operational Data above for the reconciliation of Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis.

(2) The results of dry bulk vessels are included from June 14, 2021. Prior to that, our results were attributable to container vessels only.

Voyage Revenue

Voyage revenue increased by 90.4%, or $265.4 million, to $558.9 million during the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, from $293.5 million during the six-month period June 30, 2021. The increase is mainly attributable to (i) revenue earned by one container vessel and three dry bulk vessels acquired during the first quarter of 2022, as well as by revenue earned by 16 container vessels and 43 dry bulk vessels acquired during the year ended December 31, 2021, and (ii) increased charter rates in certain of our container vessels during the six-month period ended June 30, 2022 compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, partly off-set by revenue not earned by one container vessel and one dry bulk vessel sold during the six-month period ended June 30, 2022 and five container vessels sold during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis (which eliminates non-cash Accrued charter revenue), increased by 91.0%, or $268.8 million, to $564.1 million during the six-month June 30, 2022, from $295.3 million during the six-month June 30, 2021. Accrued charter revenue for the six-month June 30, 2022 and 2021 was a positive amount of $5.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

Voyage Expenses

Voyage expenses were $19.8 million and $3.1 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Voyage expenses mainly include (i) off-hire expenses of our vessels, primarily related to fuel consumption and (ii) third party commissions.

Voyage Expenses  related parties

Voyage expenses  related parties were $7.7 million and $4.3 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Voyage expenses  related parties represent (i) fees of 1.25% in the aggregate on voyage revenues charged by a related manager and a service provider and (ii) charter brokerage fees (in respect of our container vessels) payable to two related charter brokerage companies for an amount of approximately $0.8 million and $0.6 million, in the aggregate, for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Vessels Operating Expenses

Vessels operating expenses, which also include the realized gain/(loss) under derivative contracts entered into in relation to foreign currency exposure, were $133.4 million and $69.6 million during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Daily vessels operating expenses were $6,267 and $5,729 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in the daily operating expenses during the six-month period ended June 30, 2022 is mainly attributable to increased crew costs related to COVID-19 pandemic measures. Daily operating expenses are calculated as vessels operating expenses for the period over the ownership days of the period.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $6.7 million and $3.7 million during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and both include $1.3 million paid to a related manager.

Management Fees  related parties

Management fees paid to our related party managers were $21.9 million and $11.8 million during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

General and Administrative Expenses  non-cash component

General and administrative expenses  non-cash component for the six-month period ended June 30, 2022 amounted to $4.4 million, representing the value of the shares issued to a related party manager on March 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022. General and administrative expenses - non-cash component for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 amounted to $3.2 million, representing the value of the shares issued to a related party manager on March 31, 2021 and on June 30, 2021.

Amortization of Dry-Docking and Special Survey

Amortization of deferred dry-docking and special survey costs was $5.6 million and $4.8 million during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, nine vessels underwent and completed their dry-docking and special survey and three vessels were in the process of completing their dry-docking and special survey. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, eight vessels underwent and completed their dry-docking and special survey and one vessel was in the process of completing its dry-docking and special survey.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $82.5 million and $58.7 million, respectively.

Gain on Sale of Vessels, net

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, we recorded an aggregate gain of $21.3 million from the sale of the container vessel Messini (vessel classified as held for sale during the fourth quarter of 2021) and the dry bulk vessel Thunder (vessel classified as held for sale during the first quarter of 2022). During the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, we recorded a net gain of $1.4 million from the sale of the container vessels Halifax Express (vessel classified as held for sale during the fourth quarter of 2020) and Prosper.

Vessels Held for Sale

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, the container vessels Sealand Washington, and Maersk Kalamata were classified as vessels held for sale and the container vessels Sealand Illinois, Sealand Michigan, York (initially classified as vessels held for sale during the fourth quarter of 2021) continued to be classified as vessels held for sale. No loss on vessels held for sale was recorded during the six-month period ended June 30, 2022 since each vessels fair value less cost to sell exceeded each vessels carrying value.

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, the container vessels Venetiko, Zim New York and Zim Shanghai were classified as vessels held for sale. No loss on vessels held for sale was recorded during the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 since each vessels fair value less cost to sell exceeded each vessels carrying value.

Interest Income

Interest income amounted to $0.1 million and $1.5 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Interest and Finance Costs

Interest and finance costs were $55.2 million and $36.5 million during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase is mainly attributable to the increased average loan balances and increased financing costs during the six-month period ended June 30, 2022 compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2021.

Fair value measurement of equity securities

Fair value measurement of equity securities of $51.1 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, represents the difference between the aggregate fair value of 1,221,800 ordinary shares of ZIM that we owned as at June 30, 2021 of $54.9 million compared to the book value of these shares of $3.8 million as of December 31, 2020. During the fourth quarter of 2021 we sold all the ordinary shares of ZIM we owned. ZIM completed its initial public offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange of its ordinary shares on January 27, 2021.

Income from Equity Method Investments

Income from equity method investments for the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, was $0.8 million ($5.0 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021), representing our share of the income in jointly owned companies set up pursuant to the Framework Deed dated May 15, 2013, as amended and restated from time to time (the Framework Deed), with York. As of June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 six and six companies, respectively, were jointly owned pursuant to the Framework Deed out of which four and five companies, respectively, owned container vessels. The decreased income from equity method investments in the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021 is mainly attributable to the decreased number of container vessels jointly owned with York during the respective periods.

Loss on Derivative Instruments

As of June 30, 2022, we hold 27 interest rate derivatives and two cross currency rate swaps, all of which qualify for hedge accounting. As a result, the change in the fair value of each instrument is recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI). As of June 30, 2022, the fair value of these instruments, in aggregate, amounted to a net asset of $17.4 million. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, a gain of $28.8 million has been included in OCI and a loss of $0.2 million has been included in Loss on Derivative Instruments.

Cash Flows

Six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

Condensed cash flows Six-month period ended June 30, (Expressed in millions of U.S. dollars) 2021 2022 Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $ 175.2 $ 315.4 Net Cash Used in Investing Activities $ (281.5 ) $ (21.9 ) Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities $ 263.3 $ 40.9

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash flows provided by operating activities for the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, increased by $140.2 million to $315.4 million, from $175.2 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021. The increase is mainly attributable to increased cash from operations of $268.8 million; partly off-set by the unfavorable change in working capital position, excluding the current portion of long-term debt and the accrued charter revenue (representing the difference between cash received in that period and revenue recognized on a straight-line basis) of $7.4 million, by the increased payments for interest (including swap payments) of $11.0 million during the six-month period ended June 30, 2022 compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 and by the increased dry-docking and special survey costs of $8.9 million during the six-month period ended June 30, 2022 compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2021.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $21.9 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, which mainly consisted of (i) payments for the acquisition of two secondhand dry bulk vessels, (ii) settlement payment for the delivery of one secondhand dry bulk vessel, (iii) payment for the purchase of short-term investments in US Treasury Bills and (iv) payments for upgrades for certain of our container and dry bulk vessels; partly off-set by proceeds we received from (i) the sale of the container vessel Messini and the dry bulk vessel Thunder and (ii) the maturity of short-term investments in US Treasury Bills.

Net cash used in investing activities was $281.5 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, which mainly consisted of (i) net payments for the acquisition of the 75% equity interest in two companies and of the 51% equity interest in three companies, previously jointly owned with York pursuant to the Framework Deed, (ii) payments for the delivery of two newbuild container vessels, eight secondhand container vessels and one dry bulk vessel, (iii) advance payments for the acquisition of two secondhand container vessels and twelve secondhand dry bulk vessels and (iv) payments for upgrades for certain of our vessels; partly off-set by proceeds we received from the sale of two container vessels.

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $40.9 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, which mainly consisted of (a) $191.4 million net proceeds relating to our debt financing agreements (including proceeds of $770.4 million we received from our debt financing agreements), (b) $68.2 million we paid for dividends to holders of our common stock for the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022 (including a special dividend paid to holders of our common stock of $46.7 million for the first quarter of 2022) and (c) $1.9 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series B Preferred Stock, $4.2 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series C Preferred Stock, $4.4 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series D Preferred Stock and $5.1 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series E Preferred Stock for the period from October 15, 2021 to January 14, 2022 and January 15, 2022 to April 14, 2022.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $263.3 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, which mainly consisted of (a) $309.4 million net proceeds relating to our debt financing agreements (including proceeds we received from the issuance of 100.0 million unsecured bond on the Athens Exchange), (b) $18.6 million we paid for dividends to holders of our common stock for the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021 and (c) $1.9 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series B Preferred Stock, $4.2 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series C Preferred Stock, $4.4 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series D Preferred Stock and $5.1 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series E Preferred Stock for the period from October 15, 2020 to January 14, 2021 and January 15, 2021 to April 14, 2021.

Liquidity and Unencumbered Vessels

Cash and cash equivalents

As of June 30, 2022, we had Cash and cash equivalents of $688.0 million, consisting of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and $10.0 million invested in short dated US Treasury Bills (Short-term investments). Furthermore, as of June 30, 2022, our liquidity stood at $854.1 million including (a) our share of cash amounting to $3.6 million held in joint venture companies set up pursuant to the Framework Deed and (b) $152.5 million of available undrawn funds from our two hunting license facilities.

Debt-free vessels

As of July 28, 2022, the following vessels were free of debt.

Unencumbered Vessels

(Refer to Fleet list for full details)

Vessel Name Year

Built TEU

Capacity Containerships MAERSK KOWLOON 2005 7,471 ETOILE 2005 2,556 MICHIGAN 2008 1,300 MONEMVASIA (*) 1998 2,472 ARKADIA (*) 2001 1,550

(*) Vessels acquired pursuant to the Framework Deed with York.

Conference Call details:

On Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. EST, Costamares management team will hold a conference call to discuss the financial results. Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1-844-887-9405 (from the US), 0808-238-9064 (from the UK) or +1-412-317-9258 (from outside the US and the UK). Please quote Costamare. A replay of the conference call will be available until August 4, 2022. The United States replay number is +1-877-344-7529; the standard international replay number is +1-412-317-0088; and the access code required for the replay is: 4253103.

Live webcast:

There will also be a simultaneous live webcast over the Internet, through the Costamare Inc. website (www.costamare.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

About Costamare Inc.

Costamare Inc. is one of the worlds leading owners and providers of containerships and dry bulk vessels for charter. The Company has 48 years of history in the international shipping industry and a fleet of 76 containerships, with a total capacity of approximately 557,000 TEU (including five vessels that we have agreed to sell) and 45 dry bulk vessels with a total capacity of approximately 2,436,000 DWT. Four of our containerships have been acquired pursuant to the Framework Deed with York by vessel-owning joint venture companies in which we hold a minority equity interest. The Companys common stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock and Series E Preferred Stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols CMRE, CMRE PR B, CMRE PR C, CMRE PR D and CMRE PR E, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as believe, intend, anticipate, estimate, project, forecast, plan, potential, may, should, could, expect and similar expressions. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only Costamares belief regarding future results, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Costamares control. It is possible that actual results may differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect future results, see the discussion in the Companys Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34934) under the caption Risk Factors.

Company Contacts:



Gregory Zikos  Chief Financial Officer

Konstantinos Tsakalidis  Business Development



Costamare Inc., Monaco

Tel: (+377) 93 25 09 40

Email: ir@costamare.com

Containership Fleet List

The table below provides additional information, as of July 28, 2022, about our fleet of containerships, including the vessels we have agreed to sell, the vessels acquired pursuant to the Framework Deed and those vessels subject to sale and leaseback agreements. Each vessel is a cellular containership, meaning it is a dedicated container vessel.

Vessel Name Charterer Year

Built Capacity

(TEU) Current Daily

Charter Rate(1)

(U.S. dollars) Expiration of

Charter(2) 1 TRITON Evergreen 2016 14,424 (*) March 2026 2 TITAN(ii) Evergreen 2016 14,424 (*) April 2026 3 TALOS(ii) Evergreen 2016 14,424 (*) July 2026 4 TAURUS(ii) Evergreen 2016 14,424 (*) August 2026 5 THESEUS(ii) Evergreen 2016 14,424 (*) August 2026 6 YM TRIUMPH(ii) Yang Ming 2020 12,690 (*) May 2030 7 YM TRUTH(ii) Yang Ming 2020 12,690 (*) May 2030 8 YM TOTALITY(ii) Yang Ming 2020 12,690 (*) July 2030 9 YM TARGET(ii) Yang Ming 2021 12,690 (*) November 2030 10 YM TIPTOP(ii) Yang Ming 2021 12,690 (*) March 2031 11 CAPE AKRITAS MSC 2016 11,010 33,000 August 2031 12 CAPE TAINARO MSC 2017 11,010 33,000 April 2031 13 CAPE KORTIA MSC 2017 11,010 33,000 August 2031 14 CAPE SOUNIO MSC 2017 11,010 33,000 April 2031 15 CAPE ARTEMISIO Hapag Lloyd 2017 11,010 36,650 March 2025 16 ZIM SHANGHAI (ex. COSCO GUANGZHOU) ZIM 2006 9,469 72,700 July 2025 17 ZIM YANTIAN (ex. COSCO NINGBO) ZIM 2006 9,469 72,700 June 2025 18 YANTIAN COSCO 2006 9,469 39,600 February 2024 19 COSCO HELLAS COSCO 2006 9,469 39,600 February 2024 20 BEIJING COSCO 2006 9,469 39,600 March 2024 21 MSC AZOV MSC 2014 9,403 46,300 December 2026(3) 22 MSC AMALFI MSC 2014 9,403 46,300 March 2027(4) 23 MSC AJACCIO MSC 2014 9,403 46,300 February 2027(5) 24 MSC ATHENS MSC 2013 8,827 45,300 January 2026(6) 25 MSC ATHOS MSC 2013 8,827 45,300 February 20267) 26 VALOR Hapag Lloyd 2013 8,827 32,400 April 2025 27 VALUE Hapag Lloyd 2013 8,827 32,400 April 2025 28 VALIANT Hapag Lloyd 2013 8,827 32,400 June 2025 29 VALENCE Hapag Lloyd 2013 8,827 32,400 July 2025 30 VANTAGE Hapag Lloyd 2013 8,827 32,400 September 2025 31 NAVARINO MSC 2010 8,531 31,000 January 2025 32 MAERSK KLEVEN Maersk/MSC 1996 8,044 25,000/41,500 June 2026(8) 33 MAERSK KOTKA Maersk/MSC 1996 8,044 25,000/41,500 June 2026(8) 34 MAERSK KOWLOON Maersk 2005 7,471 18,500 August 2025 35 KURE COSCO/MSC 1996 7,403 31,000/41,500 March 2026(9) 36 METHONI Maersk 2003 6,724 46,500 August 2026 37 PORTO CHELI Maersk 2001 6,712 30,075 June 2026 38 YORK(iii) Maersk 2000 6,648 21,250 November 2022(10) 39 ZIM TAMPA ZIM 2000 6,648 45,000 July 2025 40 SEALAND WASHINGTON(iii) Maersk 2000 6,648 25,000 January 2023 (11) 41 SEALAND MICHIGAN(iii) Maersk 2000 6,648 25,000 October 2022(11) 42 SEALAND ILLINOIS(iii) Maersk 2000 6,648 25,000 October 2022 (11) 43 MAERSK KALAMATA(iii) Maersk 2003 6,644 25,000 December 2022(11) 44 MAERSK KOLKATA Maersk/ZIM 2003 6,644 25,000/53,000 October 2025 (12) 45 MAERSK KINGSTON Maersk/ZIM 2003 6,644 25,000/53,000 October 2025 (12) 46 ARIES (*)/(*) 2004 6,492 (*)/58,500 March 2026(13) 47 ARGUS (*)/(*) 2004 6,492 (*)/58,500 April 2026(14) 48 PORTO KAGIO Maersk 2002 5,908 28,822 June 2026 49 GLEN CANYON ZIM 2006 5,642 62,500 June 2025 50 PORTO GERMENO Maersk 2002 5,570 28,822 June 2026 51 LEONIDIO Maersk 2014 4,957 14,200 December 2024(15) 52 KYPARISSIA Maersk 2014 4,957 14,200 November 2024(15) 53 MEGALOPOLIS Maersk 2013 4,957 13,500 July 2025(16) 54 MARATHOPOLIS Maersk 2013 4,957 13,500 July 2025(16) 55 OAKLAND Maersk 2000 4,890 24,500 March 2023 56 GIALOVA ZIM 2009 4,578 25,500 April 2024 57 DYROS Maersk 2008 4,578 22,750 January 2024 58 NORFOLK Maersk 2009 4,259 30,000 May 2023 59 VULPECULA OOCL/ZIM 2010 4,258 22,700/43,250 (on average) February 2028(17) 60 VOLANS ZIM 2010 4,258 24,250 April 2024 61 VIRGO Maersk 2009 4,258 30,200 February 2024 62 VELA OOCL/ZIM 2009 4,258 22,700/43,250 (on average) January 2028(18) 63 ANDROUSA Maersk 2010 4,256 22,750 May 2023 64 NEOKASTRO CMA CGM 2011 4,178 39,000 February 2027 65 ULSAN Maersk 2002 4,132 34,730 January 2026 66 POLAR ARGENTINA(i)(ii) Maersk 2018 3,800 19,700 October 2024(19) 67 POLAR BRASIL(i)(ii) Maersk 2018 3,800 19,700 January 2025(19) 68 LAKONIA COSCO 2004 2,586 26,500 March 2025 69 SCORPIUS Hapag Lloyd 2007 2,572 17,750 January 2023 70 ETOILE (*) 2005 2,556 (*) February 2023 71 AREOPOLIS COSCO 2000 2,474 26,500 April 2025 72 MONEMVASIA(i) Maersk 1998 2,472 9,250 January 2023(20) 73 ARKADIA(i) Swire Shipping 2001 1,550 21,500 May 2023 74 MICHIGAN MSC 2008 1,300 18,700 September 2023 75 TRADER (*) 2008 1,300 (*) October 2024 76 LUEBECK MSC 2001 1,078 15,000 March 2024





(1) Daily charter rates are gross, unless stated otherwise. Amounts set out for current daily charter rate are the amounts contained in the charter contracts. (2) Charter terms and expiration dates are based on the earliest date charters (unless otherwise noted) could expire. (3) This charter rate will be earned by MSC Azov until December 2, 2023. From the aforementioned date until the expiry of the charter, the daily rate will be $35,300. (4) This charter rate will be earned by MSC Amalfi until March 16, 2024. From the aforementioned date until the expiry of the charter, the daily rate will be $35,300. (5) This charter rate will be earned by MSC Ajaccio until February 1, 2024. From the aforementioned date until the expiry of the charter, the daily rate will be $35,300. (6) This charter rate will be earned by MSC Athens until January 29, 2023. From the aforementioned date until the expiry of the charter, the daily rate will be $35,300. (7) This charter rate will be earned by MSC Athos until February 24, 2023. From the aforementioned date until the expiry of the charter, the daily rate will be $35,300. (8) The current daily rate of each of Maersk Kleven and Maersk Kotka is a base rate of $17,000, adjusted pursuant to the terms of a 50:50 profit/loss sharing mechanism based on market conditions with a minimum charter rate of $12,000 and a maximum charter rate of $25,000. Upon redelivery of each vessel from Maersk between June 2023 and October 2023, each vessel will commence a new charter with MSC for a period of 36 to 38 months at a fixed daily rate of $41,500. (9) Upon redelivery of Kure from COSCO between March 2023 and July 2023, the vessel will commence a new charter with MSC for a period of 36 to 38 months at a daily rate of $41,500. Until then the daily charter rate will be $31,000. (10) Expiration of charter represents latest redelivery date. (11) The daily rate for Sealand Washington, Sealand Michigan, Sealand Illinois and Maersk Kalamata is a base rate of $16,000, adjusted pursuant to the terms of a 50:50 profit/loss sharing mechanism based on market conditions with a minimum charter rate of $12,000 and a maximum charter rate of $25,000. Expiration dates of the charters of these vessels represent latest redelivery dates. (12) The current daily rate for Maersk Kolkata and Maersk Kingston is a base rate of $16,000, adjusted pursuant to the terms of a 50:50 profit/loss sharing mechanism based on market conditions with a minimum charter rate of $12,000 and a maximum charter rate of $25,000. Upon expiry of their current employment in October 2022 (estimated on the latest redelivery date) the vessels will enter into a new charter with ZIM for a period of 36 to 40 months at a daily rate of $53,000. (13) Vessels daily charter rate will be $58,500 from March 2023. Until then the vessel is chartered at an undisclosed rate. (14) Vessels daily charter rate will be $58,500 from April 2023. Until then the vessel is chartered at an undisclosed rate. (15) Charterer has the option to extend the current time charter for an additional period of 12 to 24 months at a daily rate of $17,000. (16) Charterer has the option to extend the current time charter for an additional period of approximately 24 months at a daily rate of $14,500. (17) The current daily rate for Vulpecula is $22,700. Upon expiry of its current employment in February 2023 (estimated on the earliest redelivery date) the vessel will enter into a new charter with ZIM for a period of 60 to 64 months at a daily rate of $43,250, on average. For this new charter, the daily rate will be $99,000 for the first 12 month period, $91,250 for the second 12 month period, $10,000 for the third 12 month period and $8,000 for the remaining duration of the charter. (18) The current daily rate for Vela is $22,700. Upon expiry of its current employment in January 2023 (estimated on the earliest redelivery date) the vessel will enter into a new charter with ZIM for a period of 60 to 64 months at a daily rate of $43,250, on average. For this new charter, the daily rate will be $99,000 for the first 12 month period, $91,250 for the second 12 month period, $10,000 for the third 12 month period and $8,000 for the remaining duration of the charter. (19) Charterer has the option to extend the current time charter for three additional one-year periods at a daily rate of $21,000. (20) Expiration of charter represents latest redelivery date. (i) Denotes vessels acquired pursuant to the Framework Deed. The Company holds an equity interest of 49% in each of the vessel-owning companies. (ii) Denotes vessels subject to a sale and leaseback transaction. (iii) Denotes vessels that we have agreed to sell. (*) Denotes charterers identity and/or current daily charter rates and/or charter expiration dates, which are treated as confidential.





Dry Bulk Vessel Fleet List



The table below provides information, as of July 28, 2022, about our fleet of dry bulk vessels.

Vessel Name Year Built Capacity (DWT) 1 AEOLIAN 2012 83,478 2 GRENETA 2010 82,166 3 HYDRUS 2011 81,601 4 PHOENIX 2012 81,569 5 BUILDER 2012 81,541 6 FARMER 2012 81,541 7 SAUVAN 2010 79,700 8 ROSE 2008 76,619 9 MERCHIA 2015 63,800 10 SEABIRD 2016 63,553 11 DAWN 2018 63,530 12 ORION 2015 63,473 13 DAMON 2012 63,227 14 TITAN I 2009 58,090 15 ERACLE 2012 58,018 16 PYTHIAS 2010 58,018 17 NORMA 2010 58,018 18 ORACLE 2009 57,970 19 CURACAO 2011 57,937 20 URUGUAY 2011 57,937 21 ATHENA 2012 57,809 22 SERENA 2010 57,266 23 LIBRA 2010 56,729 24 PEGASUS 2011 56,726 25 MERIDA 2012 56,670 26 CLARA 2008 56,557 27 PEACE 2006 55,709 28 PRIDE 2006 55,705 29 BERMONDI 2009 55,469 30 COMITY 2010 37,302 31 VERITY 2012 37,163 32 PARITY 2012 37,152 33 ACUITY 2011 37,149 34 EQUITY 2013 37,071 35 DISCOVERY 2012 37,019 36 TAIBO 2011 35,112 37 BERNIS 2011 34,627 38 MANZANILLO 2010 34,426 39 ADVENTURE 2011 33,755 40 ALLIANCE 2012 33,751 41 CETUS 2010 32,527 42 PROGRESS 2011 32,400 43 MINER 2010 32,300 44 KONSTANTINOS 2012 32,178 45 RESOURCE 2010 31,776

Consolidated Statements of Income

Six months ended June 30, Three months ended June 30, (Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)

2021 2022 2021 2022 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) REVENUES: Voyage revenue $ 293,495 $ 558,937 $ 166,770 $ 290,927 EXPENSES: Voyage expenses (3,071 ) (19,833 ) (2,030 ) (11,262 ) Voyage expenses  related parties (4,301 ) (7,740 ) (2,395 ) (3,995 ) Vessels operating expenses (69,600 ) (133,351 ) (37,821 ) (67,604 ) General and administrative expenses (3,709 ) (6,725 ) (1,741 ) (3,463 ) Management fees  related parties (11,786 ) (21,892 ) (6,310 ) (11,025 ) General and administrative expenses  non-cash component (3,207 ) (4,360 ) (1,768 ) (1,808 ) Amortization of dry-docking and special survey costs (4,847 ) (5,646 ) (2,520 ) (2,939 ) Depreciation (58,726 ) (82,476 ) (31,630 ) (41,326 ) Gain on sale of vessels, net 1,406 21,250 1,666 3,452 Foreign exchange gains / (losses) 146 387 (3 ) 277 Operating income $ 135,800 $ 298,551 $ 82,218 $ 151,234 OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES): Interest income $ 1,489 $ 138 $ 1,122 $ 124 Interest and finance costs (36,548 ) (55,211 ) (20,441 ) (30,081 ) Income from equity method investments 4,951 776 960 488 Fair value measurement of equity securities 51,094 - 25,157 - Other 2,983 1,680 1,495 1,205 Gain / (loss) on derivative instruments (1,012 ) (910 ) 105 (983 ) Total other income / (expenses) $ 22,957 $ (53,527 ) $ 8,398 $ (29,247 ) Net Income $ 158,757 $ 245,024 $ 90,616 $ 121,987 Earnings allocated to Preferred Stock (15,448 ) (15,448 ) (7,854 ) (7,854 ) Net Income available to common stockholders $ 143,309 $ 229,576 $ 82,762 $ 114,133 Earnings per common share, basic and diluted $ 1.17 $ 1.85 $ 0.67 $ 0.92 Weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted 122,615,427 124,228,628 122,844,260 124,306,059





COSTAMARE INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company or Algernon) (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW0) (OTCQB: AGNPF) a clinical stage Canadian pharmaceutical development company, is pleased to announce additional results from its Phase 2a Study of NP-120 (Ifenprodil) for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic cough. After further review of the topline data, Ifenprodil was shown to be much more effective at reducing cough in patients than initially reported.



Additional review showed a significant improvement in mean objective 24-hour and waking cough counts after 4 and 12 weeks. The data came as the result of a statistical review by the Companys lead scientific and medical advisor, Dr. Jacky Smith, a global expert on cough. The analysis showed that:

The geometric mean 24-hour cough counts were reduced by 32.0% at 4 weeks (p = 0.023) and 39.5% at 12 weeks (p = 0.001) compared to baseline

The geometric mean awake cough counts were reduced by 30.2% at 4 weeks (p = 0.038) and 37.4% at 12 weeks (p = 0.002) compared to baseline

Analysis of geometric means is preferred to arithmetic means when raw data is not normally distributed, and is the standard method employed in trials measuring objective cough counts, where data are heavily skewed.

This additional analysis confirms my initial positive impression of the study, said Dr. Jacky Smith, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Manchester, and an Honorary Consultant at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. The NMDA receptor has always been an interesting target for cough, but other agents have been poorly tolerated. To see effects of this magnitude in an IPF population, where other drugs have failed to demonstrate a benefit, is notable, and I look forward to seeing the Companys full data set next month.

Ifenprodils potential as a potent cough treatment just increased, said Christopher J. Moreau CEO of Algernon. We have to remember that cough in IPF patients has been historically even more difficult to treat than stand-alone chronic cough. It is quite possible that Ifenprodil may show an even greater efficacy if tested directly in patients that only have chronic cough in the absence of IPF.

About Ifenprodil

Ifenprodil is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist specifically targeting the NMDA-type subunit 2B (GluN2B), which prevents glutamate signalling. Ifenprodil represents a novel first in class treatment for both IPF and chronic cough.

About Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Algernon is a drug re-purposing company that investigates safe, already approved drugs for new disease applications, moving them efficiently and safely into new human trials, developing new formulations and seeking new regulatory approvals in global markets. Algernon specifically investigates compounds that have never been approved in the U.S. or Europe to avoid off label prescription writing.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Christopher J. Moreau

CEO

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

604.398.4175 ext 701

info@algernonpharmaceuticals.com

investors@algernonpharmaceuticals.com

www.algernonpharmaceuticals.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: No Securities Exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, licensing, commercialization and regulatory compliance issues and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as will, may, should, anticipate, expects and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.
TORONTO, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EV Technology Group Ltd. (the Company or EV Technology Group) (NEO: EVTG, OTCQB: EVTGF, DE: B96A) announces today that its wholly owned subsidiary MOKE France SAS (MOKE France) has finished renovating its flagship MOKE showroom and is open for business in the heart of Saint-Tropez.



Casa MOKE is a built-for-purpose experience and retail centre where MOKE France will display the new electric MOKE vehicles. The development of Casa MOKE was a made-to-order project and has been designed by architects Olivia Siri and Julien Fuentes, as a laid-back charming hub for the much-loved beach and luxury lifestyle brand. Additionally, MOKE France has collaborated with French artist Quentin Monge who has installed a life-size wall mural and created limited-edition artworks dedicated to the brand.

The Cote dAzur has been a popular home to the MOKE brand since it was founded by Sir Alec Issigonis in the 1960s, with many associating the vehicle as a staple vacation accessory, suitable for adventures on country roads to sand dunes. MOKE France is now making it much easier for clients to experience the brand in Casa MOKE Saint-Tropez, the flagship retail store which will carve the way for the future of MOKE across the world.

In an initial pilot of direct-to-consumer sales, MOKE France generated over 500,000 in total value for orders.

















This summer is the perfect opportunity to bring the Electric MOKE to Saint-Tropez and we are so excited to be able to revive the brand in an authentic spirit! Said Willy Gruyelle, CEO of MOKE France. I am really proud of what the design team has achieved: a house combining the glory of the Sixties, the spirit of the Mediterranean Sea and modern touches to welcome our clients and share past and future MOKE stories together!

The French Riviera was the obvious place to open our first hub as the area resonates with our brand so well. We hope to learn from our successes with the Electric MOKE in France, as EV Technology Group takes the brand to a global level, said Wouter Witvoet, CEO and Founder of EV Technology Group.

EV Technology Group

EV Technology Group was founded in 2021 with the vision to electrify iconic brands  and the mission to redefine the joy of motoring for the electric age. By acquiring iconic brands and bringing beloved motoring experiences to the electric age, EV Technology Group is driving the EV revolution forward. Backed by a diversified team of passionate entrepreneurs, engineers and driving enthusiasts, EV Technology Group creates value for its customers by owning the total customer experience  acquiring and partnering with iconic brands with significant growth potential in unique markets, and controlling end-to-end capabilities. To learn more visit: https://evtgroup.com/

MOKE

MOKE and the MOKE logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of MOKE International Limited (MOKE International) in the European Union and other territories. MOKE International, a company registered in England, is the only manufacturer of genuine MOKE vehicles worldwide. The mark was acquired from Casti S.p.A. and derives from the original 1964 British Motor Corporation registration. MOKE France is the official French licensee. For more information visit: https://mokeinternational.com

Media

Rachael DAmore

rachael@talkshopmedia.com

+1519-564-9850

Investor Relations

Dave Gentry

dave@redchip.com

+14074914498

EV Technology Group

Wouter Witvoet

CEO and Chairman of the Board

wouter@evtgroup.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to: its Casa MOKE flagship store and orders for the electric MOKE. Often, but not always, these Forward-looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as estimated, potential, open, future, assumed, projected, used, detailed, has been, gain, planned, reflecting, will, containing, remaining, to be, or statements that events, could or should occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-looking Statements, including those factors discussed under Risk Factors in the filing statement of the Company. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except where required by law. There can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

THE NEO STOCK EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE
Dublin, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Disposable Syringes Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global disposable syringes market reached a value of US$ 13.01 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach a value of US$ 20.5 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.87% during 2021-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Disposable syringes are widely utilized for injecting medicines through intravenous or intramuscular ways to treat different diseases. They are plastic syringes designed for one-time use in the medical, veterinary, and research and development (R&D) fields. They are cheaper compared to traditional syringes without any maintenance costs. They assist in maintaining the safety of the patients while reducing the chances of cross-contamination.



Disposable Syringes Market Trends:

At present, there is a rise in the use of disposable syringes to support the diagnosis and treatment of various chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory disease, injuries, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, influenza, and pneumonia. This, along with the growing number of surgeries across the globe, represents one of the key factors driving the market.

In addition, there is an increase in the number of patients suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) around the world due to unprotected sexual contact and contact with infected blood. This, coupled with the burgeoning healthcare industry, is propelling the growth of the market. Besides this, key market players are focusing on efficient sterilizing surgery while avoiding infections among healthcare practitioners and patients, especially after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Moreover, the growing incidences of needlestick injuries among patients are catalyzing the demand for disposable syringes. Besides this, the rising trend of self-injecting medicines is offering lucrative growth opportunities to industry investors. Apart from this, governments of several countries are undertaking initiatives to encourage the adoption of disposable medical supplies for preventing the spread of infections in operating rooms. These initiatives are projected to bolster the growth of the market in the coming years.

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being B. Braun Melsungen AG, Baxter International Inc., Becton Dickinson and Company, Cardinal Health Inc., Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Henke-Sass Wolf GmbH, Nipro Corporation, Novo Nordisk A/S, Retractable Technologies Inc., Terumo Corporation and Vita Needle Company.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global disposable syringes market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global disposable syringes market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the product type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end user?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global disposable syringes market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Disposable Syringes Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Product Type

6.1 Conventional Syringes

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Safety Syringes

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Key Segments

6.2.2.1 Retractable Safety Syringes

6.2.2.2 Non-Retractable Safety Syringes

6.2.3 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Application

7.1 Immunization Injections

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Therapeutic Injections

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by End User

8.1 Hospitals

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Diagnostic Laboratories

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Others

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Region



10 SWOT Analysis



11 Value Chain Analysis



12 Porters Five Forces Analysis

13 Price Analysis



14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Market Structure

14.2 Key Players

14.3 Profiles of Key Players

14.3.1 B. Braun Melsungen AG

14.3.1.1 Company Overview

14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.1.3 SWOT Analysis

14.3.2 Baxter International Inc.

14.3.2.1 Company Overview

14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2.3 Financials

14.3.3 Becton Dickinson and Company

14.3.3.1 Company Overview

14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.3.3 Financials

14.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.4 Cardinal Health Inc.

14.3.4.1 Company Overview

14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.4.3 Financials

14.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.5 Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

14.3.5.1 Company Overview

14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.5.3 Financials

14.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.6 Henke-Sass Wolf GmbH

14.3.6.1 Company Overview

14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.7 Nipro Corporation

14.3.7.1 Company Overview

14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.7.3 Financials

14.3.7.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.8 Novo Nordisk A/S

14.3.8.1 Company Overview

14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8.3 Financials

14.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.9 Retractable Technologies Inc.

14.3.9.1 Company Overview

14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.9.3 Financials

14.3.10 Terumo Corporation

14.3.10.1 Company Overview

14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10.3 Financials

14.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.11 Vita Needle Company

14.3.11.1 Company Overview

14.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4gpm5i

Attachment
ATLANTA, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rausch Advisory Services LLC, a leading veteran-led & owned Business Advisory firm headquartered in Georgia, announced today that it has been awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Contract (CONTRACT #47QRAA22D00BC). This award provides all Federal Civilian Agencies (FCA), Department of Defense (DOD) agencies, and state and local governments the ability to purchase professional services in Internal Auditing, Highly Adaptive Cybersecurity, and Accounting & Finance from Rausch Advisory Services through the approved GSA Schedule Contract.

"We are incredibly proud of this achievement. This contract is further validation of the unmatched value we bring to our clients and the trust that they have placed in us," said Michael Lisenby, CEO of Rausch Advisory Services LLC. "Through our delivery model we have successfully performed services for clients nationally in every business sector across 23 countries to date. Our expertise and our customer oriented results coupled with a transparent pricing model and the strength of our team, ensured our credibility with the GSA and the award of the contract."

One of Rausch Advisory Services' differentiators is the Rausch Assessment Platform, which delivers assessments in up to 46 languages to help our clients manage their regulatory compliance concerns. This, together with an experienced hiring model, has been instrumental in Rausch Advisory Services' growth in the areas of Finance & Accounting, Internal Audit, Information Security, and Professional Personnel Placement.

"This is an ideal opportunity for Rausch Advisory Services to enhance and grow their service offerings in the government sector," said Marie Mouchet, Rausch Advisory Board Member and former CIO. "Rausch is a uniquely positioned company to deliver excellence in this new partnership."

ABOUT RAUSCH ADVISORY SERVICES LLC:

Founded in 2013, Rausch Advisory Services is headquartered in Atlanta, GA, with a west coast office in San Francisco. Rausch serves clients in the areas of Finance & Accounting, Internal Audit, Information Security, and Professional Placement. Rausch delivers innovative solutions that address compliance, enterprise risk, information technology, and human resource capital. Rausch delivers globally through project lead solutions, co-sourcing, staff augmentation, professional placement services, and customized technology deployment. For more information, visit https://rauschadvisory.com

Press Contact Information

Name: Michael Lisenby

Email: mlisenby@rauschadvisory.com

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Fall geophysics and 1,500 m drill program at Hatchet Lake

Winter 6,000 m drill program at East Preston

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP. (Azincourt or the Company) (TSX.V: AAZ, OTCQB: AZURF), is pleased to provide an update on plans for the fully funded upcoming fall and winter field season at the East Preston and Hatchet Lake projects in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada.

East Preston

The primary target area on the East Preston Project is the conductive corridors from the A-Zone through to the G-Zone (A-G Trend) and the K-Zone through to the H and Q-Zones (K-H-Q Trend) (Figures 2 and 3). The selection of these trends is based on a compilation of results from the 2018 through 2020 ground-based EM and gravity surveys, property wide VTEM and magnetic surveys, and the 2019 through 2022 drill programs, the 2020 HLEM survey indicates multiple prospective conductors and structural complexity along these corridors.

Drilling to date has confirmed that identified geophysical conductors comprise structurally disrupted zones that are host to accumulations of graphite, sulphides, and carbonates. Hydrothermal alteration, anomalous radioactivity, and elevated uranium have been demonstrated to exist within these structurally disrupted conductor zones.

The Company is planning an extensive drill program for the fall and winter of 2022-2023. The program will consist of approximately 6,000 meters of drilling in 20+ diamond drill holes. The priority will be to continue to evaluate the alteration zones and elevated uranium identified in the winter of 2022 and reported in news releases dated March 29th, 2022, and July 13, 2022.

The south end of the G-Zone responded well in the 2022 drill program. The structure and alteration within EP0030 and EP0037 warrant additional drilling to confirm target enhancement for follow-up in this area.

Drilling within the K-Zone will focus on expanding on the weak clay alteration and elevated uranium identified in EP0035. This is the only zone where alteration and structure resulted in poor ground conditions preventing completion of a drill hole. This is indicative of strong structure and alteration which are both good signs for possible uranium deposition. The alteration zone is still open along strike in both directions north and south.

Within the H-Zone, drilling will continue to evaluate the alteration zone and identify priority targets for additional focus. The thick structural package identified in this zone is a promising sign for extensive ground preparation to allow fluid pooling and uranium deposition. Holes will also be drilled between the H- and K- Zones to seek continuity between the zones and enhancement of the alteration and uranium present.

The Q-Zone remains untested, and the Company is eager to drill this zone during the 2023 program to evaluate the prospectivity of this target area.

Up to this point, drilling has been quite wide spaced while we evaluate the various trends to identify the best areas to focus our efforts, said VP, Exploration Trevor Perkins. While this will continue in the upcoming program, we also plan to narrow our focus and begin vectoring within the alteration zones and follow where the alteration and geochemistry is leading, continued Mr. Perkins.

Mobilization is anticipated to begin in December, with drilling to commence in January 2023.

While the A-G and K-H-Q trends are the primary focus, many additional trends and zones exist to the east and west of the primary trends on the East Preston property (Figure 2). These additional target areas will require ground geophysics to constrain conductor locations and drilling to properly evaluate their potential.

Were of course eager to get back on the ground at East Preston and follow up the promising results from last winter, said CEO, Alex Klenman. The more work we do, the more compelling East Preston becomes. Weve gone from grass roots to the development of top tier exploration targets on what is a large and highly prospective property. We have the right rocks, the right geochemistry, the right structures, and weve now produced evidence that uranium is present within large alteration zones. Step by step, we continue to progress East Preston in a very positive way. This next drill program is another important step towards our goal of meaningful discovery, continued Mr. Klenman.

Hatchet Lake

The Hatchet Lake Project is a recent addition to the Companys portfolio (see news release dated November 10, 2021), wherein Azincourt can earn a 75% interest in the project from ValOre Metals Corp. Hatchet Lake sits just outside the northeastern margin of the Athabasca Basin, situated along the underexplored northeast extension of the Western Wollaston Domain (WWD) within the Wollaston-Mudjatik Transition Zone (WMTZ). This highly prospective structural corridor hosts the majority of known high-grade uranium deposits and all of Canadas operating uranium mines.

The first program the Company is proposing for the project will consist of ground reconnaissance to verify targets, ground geophysics (Horizontal Loop Electromagnetic HLEM) to verify conductor locations, and a helicopter supported diamond drill program to be conducted in the fall of 2022. The drill program is expected to consist of up to 1,500 meters in 8-10 diamond drill holes.

Three target areas have been selected on the Hatchet Lake property for initial work. (Figure 5) The priority drill targets are the SW Scrimes and Upper Manson areas, which are considered drill ready once some initial ground reconnaissance is completed. Drilling will focus on conductive packages with associated radioactive boulders to identify and vector towards potential sources for said boulders.

Geochemical anomalies highlight a variety of uraniferous host rocks that are coincident with identified conductive geophysical targets. Uraniferous rocks are typically referred to as containing uranium significantly above normal expected values. 24 radioactive rock samples with assay results up to 2.43% U3O8 have been identified in the area.

A priority target requiring more preparatory work has been identified, NE Scrimes, where a ground based HLEM geophysical survey will be conducted to help resolve a complex structural and conductive fold sequence prior to drill testing.

The estimated budget for this program will be a minimum of $1M CDN to meet earn-in obligations of the option agreement with ValOre Metals. Groundwork is anticipated to commence in September with drilling to take place in October and into November.

Getting on the ground with this first program will be exciting, as this property has not had a good drill test, said VP Exploration Trevor Perkins. We are excited to see how the model holds up to the first drill hole, and will adjust as needed to maximize impactful discovery potential, continued Mr. Perkins

Hatchet Lake is a tremendous second project for Azincourt, said CEO, Alex Klenman. We already know high grade mineralization is present. We know that is an under explored target, which really hasnt utilized modern exploration techniques and knowledge applied in the past in terms of the drill targeting. We feel very strongly that based on what we know today, compared to what was known when the property was first explored, we have a very compelling opportunity for discovery. The next 8-12 months will be a busy and exciting time for Azincourt, continued Mr. Klenman.



Permitting and Community Engagement.

The permitting process is underway to obtain authorization for the fall and winter 2022-2023 drill programs on both projects.

Azincourt Energy continues to be engaged in regular meetings with the Clearwater River Dene Nation and other rights holders to ensure that concerns of the local communities are addressed with regards to the East Preston project. Azincourt looks forward to a continued close working relationship with CRDN and other rights holders to ensure that any potential impacts and concerns are addressed and that the communities can benefit from activities in the area through support of local business, employment opportunities, and sponsorship of select community programs and initiatives. Several members of the Clearwater River Dene Nation have been directly employed on site or to provide support and services to keep the camp and programs running.

The Company has also been in contact with the Yathi Nene Land and Resource Office representing the Hatchet Lake First Nation and expects additional discussions to take place with them and other rights holders to ensure that concerns of the local communities are addressed. Azincourt looks forward to developing a close working relationship with the Hatchet Lake community.

Figure 1: East Preston Project Location  Western Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada







Figure 2: Priority target corridors at the East Preston Uranium Project, Western Athabasca Basin Saskatchewan







Figure 3: 2022 Drill Holes and Target areas at the East Preston Uranium Project







Figure 4: Hatchet Lake Project Location  Eastern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada







Figure 5: Hatchet Lake Target Areas





About East Preston

Azincourt controls a majority 72.8% interest in the 25,000+ hectare East Preston project as part of a joint venture agreement with Skyharbour Resources (TSX.V: SYH), and Dixie Gold. Three prospective conductive, low magnetic signature corridors have been discovered on the property. The three distinct corridors have a total strike length of over 25 km, each with multiple EM conductor trends identified. Ground prospecting and sampling work completed to date has identified outcrop, soil, biogeochemical and radon anomalies, which are key pathfinder elements for unconformity uranium deposit discovery.

The East Preston Project has multiple long linear conductors with flexural changes in orientation and offset breaks in the vicinity of interpreted fault lineaments  classic targets for basement-hosted unconformity uranium deposits. These are not just simple basement conductors; they are clearly upgraded/enhanced prospectively targets because of the structural complexity.

The targets are basement-hosted unconformity related uranium deposits similar to NexGens Arrow deposit and Camecos Eagle Point mine. East Preston is near the southern edge of the western Athabasca Basin, where targets are in a near surface environment without Athabasca sandstone cover  therefore they are relatively shallow targets but can have great depth extent when discovered. The project ground is located along a parallel conductive trend between the PLS-Arrow trend and Camecos Centennial deposit (Virgin River-Dufferin Lake trend).

About Hatchet Lake

Azincourt entered into an option agreement with ValOre Metals Corp. on November 9th, 2021, to earn up to a 75% interest in the Hatchet Lake property. Previous work on the property identified multiple, shallow, unconformity-related basement uranium targets. Previous work includes diamond drilling, geophysics, boulder, soil, lake sediment and bio-geochemical sampling. The project contains substantial historic exploration datasets with identified uranium anomalism and showings to help guide exploration programs. Historical operators include Gulf Minerals, Saskatchewan Mining and Development Corp, Hathor Exploration Ltd., and Rio Tinto.

Two high-priority zones on the property have currently been identified; the Upper Manson and Southwest Scrimes zones. Geochemical anomalies highlight a variety of uraniferous host rocks that are coincident with identified conductive geophysical targets. Rock samples have returned assay results up to 2.43% U3O8 (Valore Metals presentation).

The targets are basement-hosted unconformity related uranium deposits similar to Camecos Eagle Point mine.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by C. Trevor Perkins, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Azincourt Energy, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Azincourt Energy Corp.

Azincourt Energy is a Canadian-based resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration, and development of alternative energy/fuel projects, including uranium, lithium, and other critical clean energy elements. The Company is currently active at its joint venture East Preston uranium project and its Hatchet Lake option, both in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada, and the Escalera Group uranium-lithium project located on the Picotani Plateau in southeastern Peru.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP.

Alex Klenman

Alex Klenman, President & 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 press release includes forward-looking statements, including forecasts, estimates, expectations and objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Azincourt. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information represents managements best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially.

For further information please contact:

Alex Klenman, President & CEO

Tel: 604-638-8063

info@azincourtenergy.com

Azincourt Energy Corp.

1430  800 West Pender Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 2V6

www.azincourtenergy.com

Figures accompanying this announcement are available at:



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ab05e8b9-77af-40b7-bb65-4d7529032589

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/95d05373-10c1-44e4-8b6b-39319f445655

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Pune India, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The market has been studied for the below mentioned-segmentation and regional analysis for North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Middle East and Africa. These are the key regions where the Dog Food market is operating currently and is predicted to expand in the near future. The manufacturers and suppliers involved in the Dog Food market is present across various countries in the above-mentioned regions.

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The report provides detailed understanding of the market segments which have been formed by combining different prospects such as the product type, pricing type, ingredient type, distribution channel, and others. Apart from this, the key driving factors, restraints, potential growth opportunities and market challenges are also discussed in the below paragraphs.

The significant players operating in the global Dog Food market are Mars Petcare, Inc., Nestle Purina Pet Care, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Del Monte Foods, The J.M. 0053mucker Company, The Hartz Mountain Corporation, Total Alimentos SA, WellPet LLC, Diamond Pet Foods, and Lupus Alimentos among others. To achieve a substantial market share in the worldwide Dog Food market and strengthen their position, manufacturers are pursuing expansion methods such as current developments, mergers and acquisitions, product innovations, collaborations, and partnerships, joint ventures. Among these, Mars Petcare, Inc. is one of the most significant manufacturers and distributors present in the global Dog Food market.

Dog food is mainly formulated and projected to be consumed by dogs as well as other related canines. An exact composition of this food differs from one manufacturer to another; however, the common dog food is consists of meats, cereals, meat byproducts, grains, minerals, and vitamins. This food is extremely regulated by government authorities; hence, pet food manufacturer needs to meet such regulations. For instance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates pet food products as well as their ingredients.

Dogs and cats are the most popular pet companions across the globe. In addition, the pet ownership is growing at rapid pace across the globe. For instance, according to the 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 70% of U.S. households, or about 90.5 million families, own a pet. Also, this survey indicated that the U.S. spending on dog food increased about 11%.

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Scope of Dog Food Market Report

Report Metric Information Study Period 2021-2029 Base Year 2021 Forecast Period 2022-2029 Market Share Unit USD Billion Segments Covered Product Type, Pricing Type, Ingredient Type, Distribution Channel, and region Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle-East and Africa Major Players Mars Petcare, Inc., Nestle Purina Pet Care, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Del Monte Foods, The J.M. 0053mucker Company, The Hartz Mountain Corporation, Total Alimentos SA, WellPet LLC, Diamond Pet Foods, and Lupus Alimentos among others

Segmentation Analysis

Dog treats segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment in 2021.

The product type segment includes dry dog food, dog treats, and wet dog food. Dog treats is expected to witness highest growth rate during the forecast period. Treats are the key product in pet food sector that induces positive behavior in pets. In addition, treats with safe, healthy, and natural ingredients makes dogs happier. Such attributes of treats is mainly fueling its demand across the globe.

Furthermore, a COVID-19 pandemic led to an upsurge in demand for low-calorie functional treats as pet dog parents were working from home. This demand for treats is opportunistic for growth of the market in upcoming years.

Plant derived segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment in 2021.

The ingredient type segment includes animal derived and plant derived. Plant derived segment is projected to witness highest CAGR during the forecast period. An increased awareness about obvious benefits associated with plant derived dog food has mainly boosted growth of this segment. For instance, along with the weight management, a plant derived dog food helps in reducing the risk of certain diseases including cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, hypertension, and diabetes among the dogs.

Online segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment in 2021.

The distribution channel segment includes offline and online. Online segment is expected to witness highest CAGR during the forecast period. Growth of this segment is mainly attributed to the factors such as rising preference to personalization, extensive availability of greater discounts as compared with the offline stores, and more consumer convenience. Moreover, according to the November 2021 survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), even after end to COVID-19 pandemic, about 22% of pet owners are planning to continue purchase of pet food products online. This trend has contributed to the global market growth.

Regional Analysis

The regional analysis provides a detailed perception about the key regions and the countries. Some of the key countries analyzed for the Dog Food include US, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Russia, China, Japan India, Brazil, Peru, UAE, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

North America region witnessed a major share. Increased trend of humanization of pets and upsurge in awareness about pet health has mainly driven growth of the market in this region. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness considerable growth rate during the forecast period. Increased disposable income and changes in consumer lifestyles in the region has primarily driven growth of the Asia-Pacific market.

Country Analysis

Germany

Germany Dog Food market size was valued at USD 6.94 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 10.44 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2022 to 2029.

Germany is one of the leading nations in the Europe dog food market. This is mainly attributed to changing lifestyles, increasing disposable incomes of population, and rising online sales of dog food products.

In addition, the country is seeing rapid growth in pet ownership. For instance, according to the German Pet Trade and Industry Association (ZZF) and Industrial Association of Pet Care Producers, about 43% of households in this country owns a pet. This huge pet ownership in the Germany further boosts demand for dog food.

China

China Dog Food market size was valued at USD 12.61 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 18.70 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2022 to 2029. China is one of the leading consuming as well as exporting country of Dog Food. Increasing spending power of population, burgeoning middle class, growing humanization of pets, and significant exports and imports of dog food is primarily boosting growth of the market. For instance, according to the Chinese Customs data, the export value of pet foods from this country accounted for $983 million in 2020.

India

India Dog Food market size was valued at USD 2.52 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 3.89 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2029. India is one of the strongest growing economies in Asia. Significant rise in pet population across the country has primarily driven growth of market in India. In addition, the rapid growth in influence of social media, rising disposable income, and increased awareness about health of dogs is further fueling demand for dog food.

Moreover, according to Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), with an estimated pet animal population of about 29 million, the country is facing a pet foods supply challenges

Covid-19 Impact

Covid-19 had a major impact on almost all of the industries such as electronics, semiconductors, manufacturing, and, automobile, etc. However, several companies operating in life sciences sector has seen upsurge in their revenue due to significant changes in consumer preferences towards seeking online services. However, the pandemic has caused decreased purchases of Dog Food from offline stores due to social distancing norms and lockdowns.

On the other hand, the pandemic has caused upsurge in online sales of Dog Food. Also, this situation caused increased demand for dog food. Hence, Dog Food market had seen considerable growth during the pandemic.

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DENVER, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEF, a global industry association of network, cloud, and technology providers accelerating enterprise digital transformation, today announced the results of the 2022-2023 Board of Directors elections held at the MEF Annual Members Meeting. MEFs new Board includes an accomplished team of service and technology visionaries and leaders focused on advancing a better-together ecosystem to deliver secure, automated, standardized services for on-demand, cloud-like experiences for customers.



MEF 2022-2023 Board of Directors

Debika Bhattacharya, Chief Product Officer, Verizon Business

Nan Chen, Head of The One Network, Ericsson

Frederick Chui, Chief Commercial Officer, PCCW Global

Andrew Dugan, Chief Technology Officer, Lumen

Shawn Hakl, Vice President, 5G Strategy, Microsoft

Daniele Mancuso, Senior Vice President Chief Product Management, Sparkle

Franck Morales, Vice President, Evolution Platform, Orange Business Services

John Nolan, Vice President, Global Connection Management, AT&T

Bob Victor, Senior Vice President of Customer Solutions, Comcast Business

Mirko Voltolini, Vice President, Innovation, Colt Technology Services

Jeremy Wubs, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing and Professional Services for Bell Business Markets, Bell Canada



MEF Officers

Nan Chen, President

Andrew Dugan, Chairman

Bob Victor, Treasurer

Pascal Menezes, Chief Technology Officer, MEF

Kevin Vachon, Chief Operating Officer, MEF

Daniel Bar-Lev, Vice President, Strategic Programs, MEF

The expertise within MEFs world-class Board of Directors will provide vital insight and leadership to the MEF community, as we work to drive business growth and innovation, said Nan Chen, President, MEF. We are privileged to welcome this team of distinguished industry leaders and look forward to collaborating to move the industry into the future.

About MEF

MEF is a global industry association of network, cloud, and technology providers working together to accelerate enterprise digital transformation through a better-together ecosystem. MEF delivers service standards, LSO frameworks and automation APIs, and training and certification programs for services, technologies, APIs, and professionals. The MEF 3.0 Framework enables automated delivery of standardized Carrier Ethernet, IP, Optical Transport, SD-WAN, SASE, and other digital services across multiple provider networks. For more information visit MEF.net and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media Contact:

Melissa Power

MEF

pr@mef.net

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NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After working in parallel to strengthen democracy, the Forward Party, the Renew America Movement, and the Serve America Movement have announced the merger of their three organizations to create the launchpad for a transformational American political party under one name: Forward.

The merged groupcomprised of leading national Democrats, Republicans, and Independentswill build a new kind of political party that represents the interests of the majority of Americans who reject extremism and division. Forward advisors include former U.S. presidential candidates, members of Congress, governors, cabinet officials, entrepreneurs, and grassroots leaders, in addition to thousands of volunteers in all 50 states.

The new Forward Party is launching a national building tour this fall to hear from voters and begin laying the groundwork for expanded state-by-state party registration and ballot access, relying on the combined nationwide network of the three organizations. Forward plans to achieve legal recognition in 15 states by the end of 2022, twice that number in 2023, and in almost all U.S. states by the end of 2024. The tour will culminate in a national convention in Summer 2023.

Three building blocks will unite our broad coalition and serve as the springboard for the leadership and policymaking by Forward Party leaders: free people; thriving communities; and a vibrant democracy.

The group has pledged to recruit solutions-oriented candidates to run for officeespecially in local, state, and national races where political extremists do not reflect the majority of Americans. While Forward will not have its own candidates in the 2022 midterm elections, the group announced it will support select candidates in November who stand up for our democracy, even if they come from outside the new party.

The new Forward Party team includes veterans of successful presidential campaigns from both major parties, long-time operatives in the "new politics" space, and democracy reform champions. The organization plans exciting announcements in the months to come. For more information, please go to www.fwdtogether.org.

ABOUT:

The Forward Party was established in 2021 by former U.S. presidential candidate Andrew Yang to fight for the American people with practical, common-sense solutions, alongside leaders of the independent voting movement such as Jackie Salit. While other political parties look to divide America into different camps, the Forward Party aims to bring them together.

The Renew America Movement (RAM) began in 2017 as Stand Up Republic to encourage people to protect our democracy and put country over party. It later became RAM, led by former GOP officials, including New Jersey Governor Christine Todd-Whitman, Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, and former members of Congress, national leaders, and cabinet officials, including ex-Trump administration whistleblower Miles Taylor.

The Serve America Movement (SAM Party) was established in 2017 by current and former Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, with a common goal to build a new kind of political party that puts people at the heart of the political process. SAM is led by former U.S. Congressman David Jolly.

Media Contact:

Mary Anna Mancuso

media@forwardparty.com

929-334-7994

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TORONTO, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: MON) (Montero or the Company) provides an update on its fully funded arbitration proceedings against the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania) over the expropriation of the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Element Project before International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), part of the World Bank group.



Montero submitted its Memorial on the Merits (Memorial) to the ICSID arbitral tribunal in May 2022 as per the time schedule agreed by the parties and the tribunal. The Memorial contains the basis for compensation to Montero for CAD$ 90 million including interest up until May 2022, which interest continues to accrue. The damages claimed are for Tanzanias unlawful expropriation and mistreatment of Monteros investment, this is in breach of the Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Tanzania for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (BIT) signed in 2013.

Dr Tony Harwood, President and CEO of Montero commented: Montero has submitted a claim to the ICSID for damages of CAD$ 90 million. The Company has made repeated attempts to work with Tanzanian Government to reach an amicable settlement without success, while the discovery and development of the Wigu Hill project has created significant value for Tanzania. We are committed to pursuing fair treatment of our shareholders and a return on our substantial investment of time and money in Tanzania through a fully funded arbitration process governed by ICSID, a part of the World Bank.

Background to Claims

Montero commenced exploration activities on the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Element project in March 2008 under a Prospecting License and spent over CAD$ 15.5 million on discovery and development of the project. In 2015 a five-year Retention License was awarded by the Tanzanian Government on the property. The Wigu Hill Retention License was expropriated by the Tanzanian Government in 2018 when the Mining (Local Content) Regulations 2018, cancelled all previously issued Retention Licenses. Since that time Montero has made repeated attempts to reach an amicable solution with the Government with no success.

Montero filed a request for arbitration with the ICSID on January 8, 2021. On February 9, 2021, ICSID registered Monteros request for the institution of arbitration proceedings to resolve the illegal expropriation matter. The arbitral tribunal was constituted on November 18, 2021, with the appointment of the President, and appointees from Montero and Tanzania.

Montero has retained Mr. Thierry Lauriol of Jeantet AARPI as legal counsel and Dr. Neal Rigby of SRK Consulting (US) Inc. as quantum expert. Mr. Lauriol is highly experienced in international arbitration and has an excellent track record of achieving successful outcomes for clients in Africa. Dr. Rigby has acted in this capacity and as mining and valuation expert in many international mining disputes that have been resolved through ICSID arbitrations. Montero also secured dispute funding from Omni Bridgeway, a leading global dispute funder.

Montero is one of a number of companies that have filed arbitration procedures with ICSID against the Government of Tanzania for the expropriation of Retention Licenses. These include Winshear Gold Corp. with a claim of CAD$ 124 million (https://winshear.com) for the loss of the SMP Gold Project and Indiana Resources Limited with a claim of AUD$ 127 million for the loss of the Ntaka Hill Nickel Project (https://indianaresources.com.au).

Next Steps

According to the arbitral tribunals Procedural Order No 1 dated February 18, 2022, Tanzania will respond to Monteros Memorial by October 2022, after which a new round of written submissions will follow in Q2 and Q3 2023.

For further information, please see the Montero recent press releases (PR134 dated 12 April 2022, PR132 dated 29 November 2021 and PR119 dated 8 January 2021) and the ICSID website:

(https://icsid.worldbank.org/services/arbitration/convention/process/overview).

Qualified Person's Statement

This press release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Mike Evans, M.Sc. Pr.Sci.Nat., a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. It has also been reviewed by Mr Thierry Lauriol, avocat a la cour (Paris, France).

About Montero

Montero is a junior exploration company focused on finding, exploring, and advancing globally significant gold, silver, and base metal deposits in Chile. Monteros board of directors and management have an impressive track record of successfully discovering and advancing precious metal and copper projects. Montero trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MON and has 38,647,485 shares outstanding.

For more information, contact:

Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd.

Dr. Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: ir@monteromining.com

Tel: +1 416 840 9197 | Fax: +1 866 688 4671

www.monteromining.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements, projections and estimates with respect to the Share Consolidation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Such information is based on information currently available to Montero and Montero provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking information by its very nature involves inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Montero to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Actual results relating to, among other things, completion of the agreement, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Monteros mineral properties, and financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to complete the agreement on the terms as announced or at all; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Monteros activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Monteros forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Montero does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Dallas, TX, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Priority Aviation, Inc. (OTC Pink: PJET) (PJET) today announced the company plans to soon launch the companys Student Housing By Owner Application (SHBO APP).

PJET is a technology company developing applications designed to enhance university student life. The central application (SHBO APP) connects the local university community with students by facilitating the advertisement by property owners of real estate available for student rental. The company plans to expand the APPs reach into additional aspects of student life and build a lifelong relationship with students even after their college experience.

CEO Steven Rash reiterated a statement made earlier this year stating that For all intents and purposes, the SHBO APP is ready to launch. Mr. Rash added, weve been looking for a window to launch the APP into better market receptivity for new technologies and we think that window is now imminent.

Mr. Rash explained his view on the unique and potentially ideal market conditions. In my opinion, while the market is far from bullish, the prevailing market is now the new normal. When the market is bullish, conditions are favorable for most innovative high growth ventures to take advantage of trends. Bullish conditions can even make it difficult for any one innovative company to standout in the crowd of companies trying to take advantage of the bullish market. When markets are relatively stable, even if that stability is less than favorable, than conditions, in my opinion, are at least acceptable and maybe even ideal for launching innovative new strategies. I tend to believe the market is even hungry for a one-off bullish exception to otherwise bearish conditions creating a potentially ideal situation for launching a new innovation. So, were ready and will be announcing a launch schedule soon.

Company Website  www.pjet-info.com

Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.
Preliminary results of Sativus Techs recent research findings show that it has successfully produced high-quality saffron in its indoor vertical farms.

The preliminary results prove Sativus Tech protocol allows 4 cycles of saffron harvests a year.

Sativus Tech now is advancing its investor relations as it is positioned to scale their business activity globally.





Tel Aviv, Israel, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sativus Tech Corp (OTC: SATT) today announced the results of an evaluation conducted by an independent lab which concluded that the saffron produced in this growth cycle shows that in most categories, it was of the highest quality with other traits close to optimum. In addition, preliminary results from the latest lab results shows that saffron can be harvested in a 3-month growth cycle which indicates that there is a strong chance that Saffron Tech will be able to successfully complete 4 cycles per year. Traditional agriculture is only able to produce one production cycle annually through a labor-intensive harvest process using manual labor and dependent on capricious climate conditions.

The groundbreaking developments allow the company to advance its business plan by expanding production facilities worldwide. Sativus Tech has initiated a new crowdfunding to raise capital as it seeks to create a high-tech facility that uses robotics and automation to foster the various stages of the growing and breeding process.

This is an exciting milestone that shows that Sativus Tech is progressing as planned on all fronts, says Tal Wilk Glazer, CEO of Sativus Tech. We are now in an excellent position to grow our business. As we enter this next phase, we will focus on completing investments that can allow us to setup the first large-scale indoor vertical saffron farm.

The comprehensive analysis of this growth cycle will be available before its next growth cycle starting in September of 2022.

Saffron market growth has been hindered due to low annual production yield and a complicated supply chain. Sativus Tech seeks to produce a reliable supply of saffron to expand the market in multiple sectors including retail, pharmaceutical, culinary, beauty and wellness.

Sativus Tech has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise capital that will allow the company to expand into retail markets by creating facilities worldwide that will be able to supply saffron to a variety of businesses.

About Sativus Tech Corp:



Sativus Tech Corp (OTC: SATT) is an AgriTech company that uses advanced vertical farming technology to increase the production of low yield food products in the global marketplace. The company focuses on the research, development, and commercialization of agriculture products that are high in demand but scarce in the marketplace. Sativus Tech Corps subsidiary, Saffron Tech, is revolutionizing the AgriTech world by creating the protocols to grow saffron in indoor vertical farms. It is also increasing the production of the spice by multiplying the number of annual harvests. Sativus Tech Corps technology offers a responsible and sustainable way to grow crops in a world confronted by environmental challenges and dwindling earth reserves, diminishing water sources and unstable weather conditions.

Forward-Looking Statements:

All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, which may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as expects, anticipates, intends, estimates, plans, potential, possible, probable, believes, seeks, may, will, should, could or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These factors include uncertainties as to the Companys international manufacturing and supply chain, market acceptance of the Companys smart luggage, successfully implementing the Companys growth strategy, dependence on key Company personnel, changes in economic conditions, competition and other risks including, but not limited to, those described from in the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16th, 2022 (the SEC), and other filings and submissions with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligations to update these statements except as may be required by law. The Company intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Investor Relations Contact:

Tal Wilk Glazer

Chief Exectutive Officer

info@saffron.ag

800-608-6432

Attachment
NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company LLC (GREC or Greenbacker), a leading green energy investment company and independent power producer, announced that its Graphite Solar project in Carbon County, Utah has entered commercial operation. With a power capacity of 104 MWdc / 80 MWac, Graphite is now the largest operational asset in Greenbackers clean energy fleet.



Greenbacker joined project partners and local officials at a July 12 commissioning ceremony hosted by developer rPlus Energies (rPlus) to celebrate the projects completion and the benefits it provides for the area. Graphite supports local green jobs and generates increased tax revenue for the community, while expanding the regions contributions to Americas energy landscape.

Its very special that Graphite Solar can play a role in helping Carbon County diversify its contributions to the local energy infrastructure, said Charles Wheeler, CEO of GREC. A place with a long history of power production is now home to Greenbackers largest operating clean energy project. (Previously, the companys 61 MWdc Turquoise Solar in Nevada held that title.)

The project has begun delivering solar energy to the Meta (formerly Facebook) data center in nearby Eagle Mountain, UT, helping the company power its operations exclusively with renewable energy.

Bringing new renewable energy and investment to communities where we operate is a priority for Meta, said Urvi Parekh, Director, Renewable Energy at Meta. We appreciate the partnership with rPlus and Greenbacker that is delivering this new solar energy to the Utah grid in support of our local operations.

Graphite has a long-term power purchase agreement with PacifiCorp on behalf of Meta. The contract was developed under Rocky Mountain Powers Schedule 34 green energy tariff, which helps sizable energy consumers source renewables to meet their clean energy targets.

Rocky Mountain Power is committed to helping our customers, and the communities we serve, meet their renewable energy goals, said Merlin Rushton, regional business manager in Price, Utah. Projects like this are a demonstration of our companys commitment to expand energy choices for our customers and manage the transition to a 21st Century electricity network.

Greenbacker, rPlus, and Sundt Renewables (the projects engineering, procurement, and construction contractor) have also invested in the community and its workforce with a scholarship program. The Local First Scholarship - Graphite Solar program provides $75,000 to students who reside in Carbon County and who plan to pursue their career goals locally after completing their certificate or degree.

A lot of work, dedication, and collaboration has been made to get to this point, said Luigi Resta, rPlus Energies President & CEO. We are immensely proud that we can contribute to the continuation of the energy legacy that is Carbon County.

Greenbacker acquired Graphite Solar from rPlus in December 2020, contracting with the developer to manage the project through construction. Construction involved installing 1.5 miles of transmission lines and 257,700 solar modules and supported 273,800 hours of construction labor.

Greenbackers fleet of clean energy projects comprises over 2.6 GW of generating capacity (including Graphite and assets that are to be constructed). Since 2016, Greenbackers real assets have produced nearly 4.3 million megawatt-hours1 of clean energy, abating more than 3.0 million metric tons of carbon.2 Today these projects support over 4,700 green jobs.3

About Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company

Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company LLC is a publicly reporting, non-traded limited liability sustainable infrastructure company that acquires and manages income-producing renewable energy and other energy-related businesses, including solar and wind farms. We seek to invest in high-quality projects that sell clean power under long-term contract to high-creditworthy counterparties such as utilities, municipalities, and corporations. We are long-term owner-operators, who strive to be good stewards of the land and responsible members of the communities in which we operate. We believe our focus on power production and income generation creates value that we can then pass on to our shareholderswhile facilitating the transition toward a clean energy future. For more information, please visit www.greenbackercapital.com.

About rPlus Energies

rPlus Energies develops modern power plants to contribute to the rebuilding of Americas energy infrastructure. Through partnership with the private sector, municipalities, and utilities, rPlus Energies develops utility-scale power plants to access a regions best mix of renewable resources to enable a more dispatchable and reliable power supply. rPlus Energies has over 30 projects across 15 market areas in the U.S. in active development including solar, wind, pumped storage hydro, and solar plus battery. rPlus Energies is a subsidiary of The Gardner Company, family owned and operated since 1976, which is dedicated to building better communities through thoughtful, sustainable practices in developing and managing real estate, renewable energy and technology, and providing results-oriented philanthropy. Learn more at www.rplusenergies.com.

About PacifiCorp

PacifiCorp is one of the lowest-cost electrical providers in the United States, serving 2 million customers. The company operates as Rocky Mountain Power in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming and as Pacific Power in California, Oregon, and Washington. PacifiCorp provides safe and reliable service through a vast, integrated system of generation and transmission that connects communities as the largest regulated utility owner of wind power in the West. For more information, visit www.pacificorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. Although Greenbacker believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that the expectations will be attained or that any deviation will not be material. Greenbacker undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained herein to conform to actual results or changes in its expectations.

Media contacts: Greenbacker rPlus Energies Chris Larson Maile Resta Senior Writer & Media Communications Communications Associate, rPlus Energies 847.313.9035 707-776-7773 c.larson@greenbackercapital.com mresta@rplusenergies.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7c307a6-b0d2-408c-aef3-bdbf0a9194be

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ffc1d4ad-5096-4b73-a205-0bc71c897c0c

_________________________________

1 Data is as of March 31, 2022.

2 EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator. Data is as of March 31, 2022.

3 Green jobs are calculated from the International Renewable Energy Agency's measurement that one megawatt of renewable power supports 3.8 jobs. Data is as of March 31, 2022.
LOS ANGELES, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Irwin Naturals Inc. (CSE: IWIN) (OTC: IWINF) (FRA: 97X) (Irwin or the Company) completed the acquisition of the assets of New England Ketamine, which is located in Salem, New Hampshire and serves clients in six different states in the Northeast.



This is the third acquisition that Irwin Naturals Emergence has completed in the past five months as it builds a national chain of mental-health clinics providing psychedelic treatment using ketamine. Additionally, Irwin Naturals Emergence has reached binding agreements to acquire facilities in Georgia and in Vermont.

Klee Irwin, CEO of Irwin Naturals said, Were executing the plan we laid out earlier this year, putting the full weight of our brand behind these life-changing treatments that have the capacity to fundamentally change the way we care for mental health in this country. Were doing more than just exploring the opportunities here. Were adding to what we hope will become the biggest national chain of psychedelic mental-health clinics in the United States.

Casey Brachvogel, CRNA & founder of New England Ketamine, added that Becoming part of Irwin Naturals Emergence gives us a boost that comes from being part of a truly household brand name. The trust and equity that Irwin Naturals has built up over the past 28 years will help us bring these treatments to even more people in need.

As part of this deal, Irwin Naturals Emergence will donate $50,000 to Operation Airway, a Massachusetts-based global surgery program that helps care for children in developing countries who can not breathe or speak due to airway complications. Operation Airway is a collaborative program between Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and Massachusetts Eye and Ear. A cause near and dear to Brachvogel and the New England Ketamine family.

The goal of expanding access to life-changing care is a central component for Irwin Naturals Emergence. Developing economies of scale and the companys best practices will drive down operating costs for psychedelic mental health clinics, and those savings can translate into sliding-scale discounts. This will enable the company to eventually serve as a bridge as insurance plans catch up to the importance and power of these treatments.

It's not just the efficiency that will help, though. Irwin Naturals is a brand name known by more than 100 million people and is recognized in 80 percent of all U.S. households.1 Irwin Naturals products are stocked on the shelves of more than 100,000 storefronts in North America, and now that brand is moving to the forefront of this new frontier of healthcare.

The acquisition was first agreed to in May, and the completion of the deal gives Irwin Naturals Emergence a total of seven ketamine clinics in three different states. Additionally, Irwin Naturals Emergence reached binding agreements to acquire two facilities in Georgia and one in Vermont. The Company is pleased to announce that it will issue an aggregate of 24,000 subordinate voting shares to a provider of capital markets advisory services of the Company, as partial payment of fees owed to such service provider. The aggregate deemed value of the common shares to be issued is CAD$68,400.00, and the shares will be subject to a hold period of four months. The shares are being issued in lieu of cash in order to conserve the cash resources of the Company.

Transaction terms

As consideration for the acquisition, the Company has issued 2,692 Proportionate Voting Shares (PVS) and 31 Subordinate Voting Shares (SVS). Furthermore, the transaction includes an additional contingent consideration based on future milestones related to operational and profitability targets, to be satisfied in shares.

_______________

1 Based on a formal Company survey with a sample size of 500 randomly selected adults



About Irwin Naturals

Irwin Naturals has been a household name and best-in-class herbal supplement formulator since 1994. It is now leveraging its brand to enter into both the cannabis and psychedelic industries. On a mission to heal the world with plant medicine, Irwin has operated profitably for over 27 years2. Irwins growing portfolio of products is available in more than 100,000 retail doors across North America, where nearly 100 million people know the Irwin Naturals brand.3 In 2018, the Company first leveraged its brand to expand into the cannabis industry by launching hemp-based CBD products into the mass market. The Company is now leveraging its famous halo of brand trust with an objective to become one of the first household name brands to offer THC-based products and psychedelic mental health treatment. Irwin Naturals became a publicly traded company on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) in August 2021. The Companys shares began to be traded on the OTCQB Venture Market in November 2021. More information on the Companys stock can be found via Bloomberg as well as the Wall Street Journal.

Klee Irwin

Chief Executive Officer

T: 310-306-3636

investors@irwinnaturals.com

IR Information

For investor-related information, please visit ir.irwinnaturals.com/, call (800) 883-4851, or email Investors@IrwinNaturals.com.

Press Contact

Irwin Naturals Investor Relations

Cassandra Bassanetti-Drumm

T: 310-306-3636

investors@irwinnaturals.com

_______________

2 Under several corporate structures, Klee Irwin has operated the Irwin brand profitably since 1994, as measured by EBITDA adjusted for extraordinary costs.

3 Consumer brand recognition information is based on a formal Company survey with a sample size of 500 randomly selected adults.



Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of management of the Company with respect to performance, business and future events. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "expects", "plans", "intends", "anticipates", "targeted", "continues", "forecasts", "designed", "goal", objective, or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the industry and markets in which the Company operates. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements related to information concerning the ability of the Company to perform the terms of the transaction referenced herein; the receipt of all necessary approvals, including regulatory approvals; expectations for other economic, market, business, and competitive factors; and the Company actually entering into and doing business in the U.S. cannabis and psychedelics markets. The potential entrance by the Company into these new business segments are in their preliminary stages and may be subject to approval from the board of directors of the Company as well as any regulatory approval, including that of the Canadian Securities Exchange. These statements are based on numerous assumptions that are believed by management to be reasonable in the circumstances, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation: board and regulatory approval, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange; Irwin being able to acquire and/or enter into business relationships to enter into these new markets; the Company obtaining the required licenses; and changes to regulations and laws regarding cannabis or psychedelics. Further information on the regulatory environment and risks will be contained in future disclosures. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from that which are expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law.

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Irwin Naturals Inc.
New York, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Genital Herpes Treatment Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2022-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06310512/?utm_source=GNW

The genitals of those who have genital herpes develop painful blisters. Blisters can form on the anus or inside it. Oral and vaginal herpes is usually asymptomatic or unnoticed, but they can cause painful blisters or ulcers at the injection site, ranging from mild to severe. The infection is permanent, and symptoms might repeat for years.



The World Health Organization estimates that 20% of people living with HIV / AIDS are in their 20s and that 1 in 20 adolescents get STI each year. Adolescents are more likely to engage in unprotected sex, have multiple sexual partners, and engage in transgenerational transactional sex. The cervical lining in female adults and young women makes them more susceptible to STIs. According to the CDC, roughly 20% of the U.S. population - approximately one out of every five people in the U.S. had an STI on any given day in 2018; October 13 is National Herpes Awareness Day, an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the causes and treatment of various types of herpes contaminations, particularly genital herpes. The disease and treatment searches are increasing with the high internet penetration around the globe. Young adults are giving more time to internet browsing. They frequently search about the treatment methods for STIs and their prevention. MSM are vulnerable demographics to spreading STIs. While anyone who has sex can get an STD, the sexually active LGBT population, including gay, bisexual, and MSM, are at greater risk. In addition to getting higher rates of HSV, more than half of all new HIV infections happen among MSM. Many aspects contribute to the higher rates of STIs among LGBT.



Promising Investigational Therapies for Treating Genital Herpes



 Researchers have been working on the development of herpes vaccines for decades. Several clinical trials have been conducted to test therapeutic (to reduce recurrence and viral shedding in people already infected with HSV) and prophylactic (to prevent infection) drug candidates.

 mRNA-1608 a Modernas HSV vaccine candidate is a vaccine candidate against HSV-2 infection. Moderna believes that an HSV-2 vaccine could provide cross-protection against HSV-1. With mRNA-1608, the Company intends to bring a strong antibody reaction with neutralizing and effector functionality shared with cell-mediated immunity.

 HSV 2 Vaccines, RVx-201, NE HSV-2 Vaccine, HDIT 101, Pritelivir, UB-621, and other critical Genital Herpes pipeline medicines are in various stages of clinical trials for the treatment of Genital Herpes.

 Sanofi, Rational Vaccines, BlueWillow Biologics, Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics, AiCuris, and United Biopharma are some of the most well-known pharmaceutical companies active in the field.

 X-Vax Technology announced in May 2021 that it is preparing to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its experimental herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 vaccines (HSV-1 and -2).

 The FDA granted AiCuris Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Pritelivir to treat HSV infections in immunocompromised patients in June 2020.



Increasing Demand for Genital Herpes Treatment by Homosexuals



 Homosexual acceptance increased by double digits between 2002 and 2019. This includes a 21-point increase in South Africa since 2002 and a 19-point increase in South Korea over the same period. India has also seen a rise of 22 points since 2014.

 MSM groups are at increased risk of HIV and other STIs due to sexual networks, the number of concurrent partners, and behavioral or biological factors such as condom-less sex, anal sex, drug use, etc.

 MSM are vulnerable demographics to spreading STIs. While anyone having sex can get an STD, the sexually active LGBT population, including gay, bisexual, and MSM, are at greater risk.

 In addition to getting higher rates of HSV, more than half of all new HIV infections happen among MSM. Many aspects contribute to the higher rates of STIs among MSM.



Growing Burden of Sexually Transmitted Diseases



 As the latest data from WHO, an expected 3.7 billion individuals younger than 50, or 67% of the populace, in 2016 had HSV-1 contamination (oral or genital). The assessed predominance of the contamination was most elevated in Africa (88%) and least in the Americas (45%).

 Genital herpes caused by HSV-2 is a global problem. According to WHO data published in 2022, an estimated 491 million (13%) aged 15-49 years suffered from infections worldwide in 2016. More women than men are infected with HSV-2. In 2016, an estimated 313 million women and 178 million men lived with the infection. This is because male-to-female sexually transmitted HSV is more efficient than female-to-male sexual transmission.

 Genital herpes is a worldwide issue, and an expected 491 million (around 13%) individuals between 15 and 49 years suffer from this STD. In 2016, around 313 million women and 178 million men had genital herpes. This is because sexual transmission of HSV is more proficient from men to ladies than from ladies to men. The pervasiveness of HSV-2 disease was assessed to be most noteworthy in Africa (44% in ladies and 25% in men), trailed by the Americas (24% in ladies and 12% in men).



MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS



The global genital herpes treatment market is segmented based on drug type, distribution channel, virus type, route of administration, and geography.



The Acyclovir segment reported a significant share of around 50.44% among all drug types. The Acyclovir is the leading segment due to availability in all three major routes of administration. The key player in the genital herpes treatment GSK has the branded drug Zovirax. Acyclovir is the oldest drug in the antiviral category and has many generic versions of Zovirax available on the market.



The Retail pharmacies segment reported a significant share of around 49.79% among all distribution channels. The retail pharmacy segment is showing the highest share due to the availability of branded and generic versions of all antiviral drugs in retail pharmacies. People who have genital herpes is most referred to go to nearby retail pharmacy outlet for anti-genital herpes treatment because of the stigma related to sexually transmitted diseases.



The HSV-2 segment reported a major share of around 84.10% among all virus types. HSV-2 is the leading virus type segment as HSV-2 is the leading cause of genital herpes. According to WHO data published in 2022, an estimated 491 million (13%) aged 15-49 years were suffering from infections worldwide in 2016. More women than men are infected with HSV-2.



Among all routes of administration, the oral segment reported a major share of around 64.03%. Mostly all the anti-genital herpes drugs are available in an oral formulation. Chronic suppressive doses of oral antivirals, including Acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir, have significantly reduced the incidence of clinical recurrence and the rate of asymptomatic excretion. Oral administration of Acyclovir effectively suppresses recurrent genital herpes. Daily administration of Acyclovir reduces the recurrence rate by up to 80%, and 25-30% of patients have no further recurrence while taking the drug.



Segmentation by Drug Type

 Acyclovir

 Valacyclovir

 Famciclovir

 Other Drugs



Segmentation by Distribution Channel

 Retail Pharmacies

 Hospital Pharmacies

 Online Pharmacies



Segmentation by Virus Type

 HSV-2

 HSV-1



Segmentation by Route of Administration:

 Oral

 Topical

 Injection



GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS



North America is the major revenue contributor to the global genital herpes treatment market, with a share of more than 40%. In North America, the US is the key revenue contributor mainly due to an increase in the demand for genital herpes drugs reflecting the growing awareness of various antiviral drugs and their benefits against different STIs, including genital herpes. Europe is the second-largest regional market and is witnessing steady growth owing to increasing acceptance of both branded and OTC antiviral drugs for treating genital herpes. However, APAC is likely to see faster growth than all other regions. Around 1 in every ten people in APAC are infected with HSV-2, which majorly causes genital herpes. The APAC region is witnessing high demand for off-label, generic, and OTC drugs for treating genital herpes. The region has many regional and local vendors offering generic and OTC antiviral drugs, which are majorly used for treating genital herpes.



Segmentation by Region



 North America

o US

o Canada

 Europe

o Germany

o France

o UK

o Italy

o Spain

 APAC

o China

o Japan

o India

o South Korea

o Australia

 Latin America

o Brazil

o Mexico

o Argentina

 Middle East & Africa

o South Africa

o Turkey

o Saudi Arabia



Key Vendors

 GlaxoSmithKline

 Glenmark pharmaceuticals

 Viatris

 Novartis

 Teva Pharmaceuticals

 Bausch Health Companies



Other Prominent Vendors

 Reddys Laboratories

 Cipla

 Pfizer

 Eli Lilly & Company

 Avet Pharmaceuticals

 Aurobindo Pharma

 Centurion Remedies

 Abbott

 Macleods Pharmaceuticals

 FDC

 Hetero

 Zydus Group

 Torrent Pharma

 Finecure Pharmaceuticals

 ADLEY FORMULATIONS

 Medico Remedies

 Zeelab Pharmacy



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

1. HOW BIG IS THE GLOBAL GENITAL HERPES TREATMENT MARKET?

2. WHAT IS THE GROWTH RATE OF THE GLOBAL GENITAL HERPES TREATMENT MARKET?

3. WHO ARE THE KEY PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL GENITAL HERPES TREATMENT MARKET?

4. WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS & OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GLOBAL GENITAL HERPES TREATMENT MARKET?

5. WHICH REGION HOLDS THE LARGEST SHARE IN THE GLOBAL GENITAL HERPES TREATMENT MARKET?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06310512/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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New York, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Food Grade Lubricants Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2022-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06310510/?utm_source=GNW

It plays a vital role in protecting the devices from rust, corrosion, oxidation, breakdown, and heat. Furthermore, the food industry prevents health hazards in case of incidental or accidental contact with food.



Food grade oil is widely used in the manufacturing equipment of food & beverages, food packaging, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and animal feed as they are:



 Tasteless

 Odorless

 Physiologically inert

 Colorless



"In the food & beverage industry, food-safe machine lubricants are crucial. The production of food, beverages, and related products such as packaging puts the strictest requirements on lubricants used in the manufacturing process", says Giles Cutter, Lubritech Divisional Manager, FUCHS Lubricants South Africa.



Food grade lubricants are more regulated than other lubricating oils because they are highly used in the food & beverage industry and cosmetic and medicine processing plants. These products are highly prone to microbial contamination, reducing their nutritional value. If the safety standards are not met during processing, storage, and packaging, it can lead to microbial contamination. Henceforth, several regulatory bodies such as US FDA, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and ISO 21469 have set the regulations and standards to specify the hygiene requirement for the formulation, manufacturing, and handling of lubricants. Thus, the regulatory landscape is a significant hindrance to scaling up operations by small and medium enterprises. But at the same time, it is driving the market because these standards and regulations ensure the customer regarding the products safety, quality, and hygiene.



RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY



 In September 2021, Fuchs announced the local production of food grade lubricant product range "CASSIDA" in South Africa. This will enable the company to become a dominant player and save production costs as SADC does not apply duties on the locally produced product.

 In January 2022, Petro Canada Lubricants launched PURITY FG Synthetic Compressor Fluid, a new product line. NSF registers this product as an H1 lubricant. It fits entirely in HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) plans, demonstrating that the product is high quality and meets the food industry standards.

 In 2018, Petro Canada Lubricants became the first global supplier of food grade and non-food grade hydraulic fluid to Husky Injection Molding Systems for the "PURITY FG Synthetic Fluid 46" product.

 In 2021, Petro Canada Lubricants enhanced "PURITY FG2" food grade lubricant by adding MICROL MAX grease in its formulation. Micro is an antimicrobial preservative registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in food grade lubricant products.



MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS



Rising Demand for Packaged and Processed Food



The increasing urbanization, changing lifestyles, a time constraint for preparing food, expanding population, and the growing purchasing power, especially in the economies of China and India, is stimulating the demand for processed and packaged food worldwide. According to the study conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), India, and Grant Thornton, UK, by 2024, Indias food processing sector is likely to attract USD 33 billion investment as the total food production in India is estimated to be double by 2024. This growth is creating a demand for food-grade oils. The food grade oils are primarily used in the food processing machines to reduce the friction & heat between mechanical components, prevent the breakdown of devices, and, most importantly, prevent the food from entering contaminated. However, the food grade lubricants market is highly fragmented, and product differentiation is essential, with several brands competing for attention.



Increasing Food Grade Regulation



The increasing concern for reducing foodborne illness and promoting hygiene factors in food processing facilities positively impacts the food grade lubricants market growth. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are the regulatory bodies that monitor the use of components in food grade lubricants to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination from both biological agents such as a microorganism, and chemical agents, such as toxins, mutagens, or carcinogens, to avoid foodborne disease, and ensures customers about the safety of the food product.



Performance Limitations of H1 Food Grade Lubricants



The major challenge faced in the food grade lubricant industry is the performance limitation of H1 food-grade lubricant. As per USDA regulation, the top 10 parts per million of oil are allowed in the H1 food-grade rule or lubricant that comes in contact with food. This exhibits that H1 food-grade lubricant is not safe in those machines producing moderate or small quantities of food. In addition, it can adversely affect the performance of the devices in terms of rust and corrosion. Similarly, H1 food grade lubricant is not optimal for a can seaming machine. Relatively solid or dry oil is required to generate high friction, wear, and heat. Hence, there are high chances of food contamination due to these circumstances.



MARKET SEGMENTATION OVERVIEW



H1 lubricants are estimated to be the largest segment in the food grade lubricants market. H2 food grade lubricant is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period and is projected to witness higher growth. H1 lubricants are a globally recognized certification used in the food & beverage industry where incidental food contact is possible. It is used across food & beverage processing machines such as conveyor belts, pumps, and mixers for blending, canning, cutting, cooking, slicing, peeling, brewing, and bottling. Food grade lubricants certified with NSF-H1 ensures the safety standard of the food, and the chemical constituted in the lubricating oils are non-toxic, thus eliminating the chances of foodborne disease.

The mineral oil market held the largest share in the food grade lubricants market in 2021; however, the synthetic lubricant market is expected to lead the industry during the forecast period. Food grade lubricant is highly formulated with white mineral oil where possible incidental food contact. It is a highly refined premium quality base oil with no additives. It offers excellent protection against rust, and corrosion offers oxidative stability and protects the equipment from wear & tear.



The food-grade lubricating oils are primarily used across food & beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and animal food processing plants. In the future also, the food industry is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. This is primarily due to the rising demand for bakery food, dairy products, cereals, seafood, poultry, and ready-to-eat food driven by the increasing population and the increasing purchasing power, specifically in emerging economies. For instance, according to the United Nations (U.N.) report, by 2030, the global population is expected to reach 8.5 billion.



Segmentation by Base Oil

 Mineral

 Synthetic

 Bio-Based



Segmentation by Grade

 H1

 H2

 H3



Segmentation by Application

 Food

 Pharmaceutical

 Cosmetic

 Beverage

 Others



APAC was the 3rd largest and fastest-growing food grade lubricants market. China led the region as food grade oils are highly used due to the massive presence of food processing, medicine & its supplements, and the animal feed processing industry. The outbreak of Covid-19 played a vital role in stimulating the demand for packaged and quick-frozen foods due to the strict regulations enforced in China. In 2021, the production volume increased by 6.3% despite continued lockdowns and virus spread. Countries such as India, South Korea, and Japan are also supporting the market growth due to the countrys rising young and middle-class population and purchasing power. For instance, Indias middle-class population is expected to reach around 800 million people with a spending of 80% by 2030, as per the report by World data. Thus, higher disposable incomes mean an increased demand for packaged food, premium food, and cosmetics, fueling the need for food-grade lubricating oils.



Segmentation by Region



 North America

o US

o Canada

 Europe

o Germany

o France

o Russia

o Italy

o Rest Of Europe

 APAC

o China

o India

o Japan

o Indonesia

o Australia

o Rest of APAC

 Latin America

o Brazil

o Mexico

o Rest Of Latin America

 Middle East & Africa

o Turkey

o Egypt

o Iran

o Rest of MEA



COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS



The competitive scenario in the global food grade lubricants market is currently intensifying. The rapidly changing technological environment and sustainability scenario can adversely affect vendors as customers expect continual innovations and upgrades. The market is fragmented, with several players providing products with high functionality.



Key Vendors

 Exxon Mobil Corporation

 TotalEnergies

 FUCHS

 Petro Canada Lubricants

 Castrol



Other Prominent Vendors

 Valvoline Inc.

 Kluber Lubrication

 Metalube

 Renewable lubricants

 Cortec Corporation

 Interflon

 Repsol

 Haynes Lubricants

 DuBois Chemicals

 Lubriplate Lubricants Company

 Carl Bechem Lubricant India Private Limited

 Mosil Lubricants

 Petrelplus Inc.

 Vinayak Oil

 Condat

 Addinol



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

1. WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE FOOD GRADE LUBRICANTS MARKET?

2. WHAT IS THE GROWTH RATE OF THE FOOD GRADE LUBRICANTS MARKET?

3. WHAT ARE THE GROWTH FACTORS IN THE FOOD GRADE LUBRICANTS MARKET?

4. WHO ARE THE KEY PLAYERS IN THE FOOD GRADE LUBRICANTS MARKET?

5. WHICH REGION HOLDS THE LARGEST SHARE IN THE FOOD GRADE LUBRICANTS MARKET?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06310510/?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.



__________________________
New York, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Modular Data Center Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06129715/?utm_source=GNW

Modular data centers encompass functional modules such as IT modules, power modules, and cooling modules. A combination of available modules from a modular data center can be placed anywhere. Modular data centers come in various sizes, forms, and shapes, depending upon the requirement.



Advantages of Modular Infrastructure:



 The time and the labor cost required for modular data center deployment are less compared to the traditional data center deployment

 The systems and the infrastructures installed in the modular data center are pre-engineered and tightly fit, offering high efficiency.

 The agility offered by the modular data centers helps to save the cost

 The flexible assembly of power, cooling, and racks promotes flexibility for the data center operators.



SEGMENT ANALYSIS:



Regarding the infrastructure segment, the functional module is expected to dominate the market with a share of around 60% in 2027. In terms of the functional module segment, the IT module is expected to dominate the market with a share of around 43% in 2027.

Increasing Modular data center design & deployment

 Continuous evolution in the design and engineering of a data center facility by key operators and architecture and engineering firms will bring in multiple innovations in the development and operations of a green data center

 Modular data center buildouts tackle challenges such as a high PUE, high operational costs of traditional data centers, and high environmental impact

 Modular data center deployment using a templatized plug-and-play method to build modules makes requirement gathering of each material type easier, ensuring there is very little or no wastage.

 The countries that have deployed 5G will witness the development of Performance-Optimized Data center (POD) facilities in countries such as Australia, the US, and China

 Developing regions such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East & Africa will witness modular deployment to operate a green environment.

Increase in the adoption of cloud at Edge, Big Data, and IoT

 The edge cloud is a modern method for deploying cloud data centers at several locations nearer to customers, which is boosted by the growth in the deployment of modular data centers

 The major cloud service providers such as Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure are aiming at cloud edge computing capabilities

 Several data center operators such as Equinix, Digital Realty, Vantage Data Centers, Cologix, NEXTDC, ST Telemedia Global Data Centers, NTT Global Data Centers, Global Switch, EdgeConneX, and others host cloud on-ramps to access hyperscale cloud service providers directly and privately

 Big data and IoT are fueling the market for modular data centers as modular solutions offer flexibility to support HPC solutions such as IoT and big data

 The growing adoption of smart devices, the increasing demand for analytics, cloud adoption, and the growth of wireless networking technologies have led several organizations to invest in big data and IoT technology.



Market Segments



Infrastructure

 All-in One Module

 Functional Module



Functional Module

 IT Module

 Power Module

 Cooling Module



GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

APAC region is a developing modular data center market, with China & Hong Kong leading the market in terms of investment and power capacity. The countries include China & Hong Kong, Australia & New Zealand, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia.



The North American modular data center market is among the worlds most developed and advanced markets. The US and Canada are included in the North America modular data center market, contributing to over 39% of the global investment.



Latin America is among the top regions expected to witness the highest absolute growth during 2022-2027. Brazil alone accounts for over half of the market share in the Latin America Modular data center market.



In the MEA region, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa are among the top countries that hold most of the market share in the region. The region has high growth potential, with Huawei Technologies being the primary player.



In the European region, Western Europe accounted for the highest market share the part followed by the Nordics and then the Central & Eastern Europe. Some of the top modular countries in the area include the UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark.



Geography



 North America

o US

o Canada

 Latin America

o Brazil

o Rest of Latin America

 Western Europe

o UK

o Germany

o France

o Netherlands

o Ireland

o Other Western European Countries

 Nordics

o Sweden

o Denmark

o Rest of Nordics

 Central & Eastern Europe

o Russia

o Other Central and Eastern European countries

 Middle East

o UAE

o Saudi Arabia

o Other Middle Eastern Countries

 Africa

o South Africa

o Other African Countries

 APAC

o China & Hong Kong

o Australia & New Zealand

o Japan

o India

o Rest Of APAC

o Southeast Asian Countries



VENDOR ANALYSIS

Some of the prominent vendors operating in the data center market that offer modular data center solutions include ABB, Atos, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Delta Electronics, Huawei Technologies, IBM, Rittal, STULZ, Vertiv, and others. Among the vendors mentioned above, Huawei Technologies has the highest market share and presence in major regions such as Latin America, Middle East & Africa. Other vendors operating in the market include Actemium, Attom Technology, BASELAYER, BladeRoom Data Centres, Cannon Technologies, Canovate, Datapod, and Edge Mission Critical Systems (Edge MCS), Fuji Electric, Master Power Technologies, Rahi, Shenzhen Consnant Technology, TAS, ZTE, and others.



Key Vendors

 ABB

 ATOS

 Cisco Systems

 Dell Technologies

 Delta Electronics

 Eaton

 Hewlett Packard Enterprise(HPE)

 Huawei Technologies

 IBM

 Rittal

 Schneider Electric

 Stulz

 Vertiv



Other Prominent Vendors

 Actemium

 American Portwell Technology

 American Tower

 Attom Technology

 AUTOMATION

 BASELAYER (IE Corporation)

 Bladeroom Data Centres

 BMARKO Structures

 BOX Modul

 CANCOM

 Cannon Technologies

 Canovate

 Commscope

 Compass Datacentres

 Certified Technology Services ( CTSL)

 Cupertino Electric

 DARTPOINTS

 DATAPOD

 DATA CENTER GROUP

 DDC Cabinet Technology

 DXN

 E3 NV

 Edge Mission Critical Systems ( EDGE MCS)

 FIBERHOME

 Fuji Electric

 GESAB

 Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ)

 Integra Mission Critical

 KEHUA DATA (KEHUA Tech)

 LIQUIDSTACK

 MASTER POWER TECHNOLOGIES

 Mission Critical Facilities International

 Motivair

 Nanjing Huamai Technology

 Pacific Star Communications (PACSTAR)

 PCX

 PRASA Infocom & Power Solutions (PRASA)

 Prime Modular Data Centers

 RAHI

 RK

 Shenzhen Consnant Technology

 Shenzhen KSTAR Science & Technology

 Silent-Aire (Johnson Controls)

 Sterling Generator

 Submer

 Swedish Modules (Keyplants)

 TAS

 The mavin Group

 USDC Technology

 Vapor IO

 ZTE



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

1. WHAT WILL BE THE SIZE OF THE MODULAR DATA CENTER MARKET BY 2027?

2. WHO ARE THE KEY INVESTORS IN THE MODULAR DATA CENTER MARKET?

3. WHICH REGIONS ARE PROJECTED TO HAVE THE HIGHEST MODULAR DATA CENTER INVESTMENT GROWTH RATE?

4. WHAT ARE THE FACTORS DRIVING THE GLOBAL MODULAR DATA CENTER MARKET?

5. WHAT ARE THE SEGMENTS COVERED IN THE REPORT?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06129715/?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.



__________________________
CHICAGO, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are advised that journalists and other readers should disregard the news release, Petros Pharmaceuticals to be Acquired by Henry Crown and Company for $3.25 per share issued July 28, 2022, over GlobeNewswire.
English French

Communication setting out the arrangements for the supplying of the Interim Financial Report for the first half of 2022

Paris, 28 July 2022  17.45

Copies of Cofaces Interim Financial Report for the first half of 2022 are available, free of charge and on request by writing to the Company at 1 place Costes et Bellonte, 92270 Bois-Colombes, France, as well as on the websites of the Company (www.coface.com/Investors) and the AMF (www.amf-france.org).

The present press release and the full regulated information concerning COFACE SA are available on the Groups website https://www.coface.com/Investors.

CONTACTS

ANALYSTS / INVESTORS

Thomas JACQUET: +33 1 49 02 12 58  thomas.jacquet@coface.com

Benoit CHASTEL: +33 1 49 02 22 28  benoit.chastel@coface.com

MEDIA RELATIONS

Saphia GAOUAOUI: +33 1 49 02 14 91  saphia.gaouaoui@coface.com

Corentin HENRY: +33 1 49 02 23 94  corentin.henry@coface.com

FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2021/2022

(subject to change)

9M-2022 results: 27 October 2022 (after market close

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This press release, as well as COFACE SAs integral regulatory information, can be found on the Groups website:

http://www.coface.com/Investors

For regulated information on Alternative Performance Measures (APM), please refer to our Interim Financial Report for H1-2022 and our 2021 Universal Registration Document (see part 3.7 Key financial performance indicators).

Regulated documents posted by COFACE SA have been secured and authenticated with the blockchain technology by Wiztrust. You can check the authenticity on the website www.wiztrust.com.









COFACE: FOR TRADE

With more than 75 years of experience and the most extensive international network, Coface is a leader in trade credit insurance and adjacent specialty services, including Factoring, Single Risk insurance, Bonding and Information services. Cofaces experts work to the beat of the global economy, helping ~50,000 clients build successful, growing, and dynamic businesses across the world. Coface helps companies in their credit decisions. The Group's services and solutions strengthen their ability to sell by protecting them against the risks of non-payment in their domestic and export markets. In 2021, Coface employed ~4,538 people and registered a turnover of 1.57 billion.



www.coface.com









COFACE SA is quoted in Compartment A of Euronext Paris

Code ISIN: FR0010667147 / Mnemonique : COFA





DISCLAIMER - Certain declarations featured in this press release may contain forecasts that notably relate to future events, trends, projects or targets. By nature, these forecasts include identified or unidentified risks and uncertainties, and may be affected by many factors likely to give rise to a significant discrepancy between the real results and those stated in these declarations. Please refer to chapter 5 Main risk factors and their management within the Group of the Coface Group's 2021 Universal Registration Document filed with AMF on 6 April 2022 under the number D.22-0244 in order to obtain a description of certain major factors, risks and uncertainties likely to influence the Coface Group's businesses. The Coface Group disclaims any intention or obligation to publish an update of these forecasts, or provide new information on future events or any other circumstance.

Attachment
Montreal, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montreal, Quebec -

Frank And Oak, one of Canadas most prominent and successful sustainable fashion brands, is promoting its line of innerwear for women and particularly, the Organic Cotton High Waisted Panty in black, which is currently on sale for $24.50. Readers can view the item at the link: https://ca.frankandoak.com/products/the-cotton-high-waist-panty-in-black-2710015-003?

The item is available in 5 sizes  XS, S, M, L, and XL. The website provides a sizing chart for customers who need help determining the right size. The sizing chart offers measurements in both centimetres and inches.

A spokesperson for Frank And Oak talks about the features of the innerwear item stating: This underwear truly feels great and fits you like a second skin. This is made possible due to the carefully selected combination of fabrics that make up the Organic Cotton High Waisted Panty. As the name suggests, the item is made from organic cotton which comprises 95% of its total weight. However, we have also intertwined the organic cotton threads with Spandex (5% of the weight) to offer you the flexibility and elasticity that makes the underwear a snug fit. You will forget that you even have it on!

In terms of design, the high-waisted underwear provides plenty of comfortable coverage. There is an elastic finish at the waist and leg openings to make the item the perfect fit for diverse body contours. The fit is true to size, which flatters the wearers figure and makes them feel like a stunner on the inside as well.

As previously announced, the company is also drawing attention to the fact that the cotton used in manufacturing the underpants is responsibly grown and harvested via sustainable methods. This is a result of the companys goal to source all its raw materials from hardworking farmers. The company makes sure they are compensated well for their efforts and that the equipment and manufacturing processes used further down the supply chain are eco-friendly and contribute to a healthy local economy as well.

To explain this quest for sustainability and eco-friendliness, the companys spokesperson states: We started in 2012 in Montreal with a simple mission  to create an apparel brand that speaks to a new generation of creatives and entrepreneurs. We realized that the tides were changing as consumers were increasingly demanding products from companies that stood for something more, something bigger, than just the pure pursuit of profit. Consumers today want to back an entity that knows it has something to contribute to the world. Frank And Oak is the result of starting with that clear goal in mind. Today, 78% of our product assortment is responsible as the items contain certified low-impact, cruelty-free, organic, biodegradable, or recycled fibres. We are a leader in sustainable fashion and one of Canadas leading lifestyle brands and digital retailers. We are proud of what we have achieved, having started with a simple vision. We have managed to build a company that is exactly the kind of fashion brand that we wanted to see in the world.

Frank And Oak provides free standard shipping on orders over $75 on its website. Online orders take 2 to 3 days to fulfil and a further 3 to 5 days to ship using standard shipping. Customers can also opt for an express shipping option which guarantees delivery in 2 to 4 days. The company charges $10 and $15 for standard shipping for orders below $75 and $20 and $25 for express shipping for Canadian and American addresses respectively. Customers are also given a 15-day period where they can request a prepaid return shipping label. Visit the Frank And Oak website to learn more: https://ca.frankandoak.com/pages/women.

###

For more information about Frank And Oak, contact the company here:



Frank And Oak

Anne Gael Plante

+1-514-889-8701

anne-gael.plante@frankandoak.com

702 St-Viateur E, Suite 702,

Montreal, QC H2T 1A8,

Canada
Wilmington, Delaware, United States, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The value of the global building-integrated photovoltaics market stood at US$ 11.7 Bn in 2021. The global market is projected to rise at a CAGR of 23.2% during the forecast period, from 2022 to 2031. The global building-integrated photovoltaics market is anticipated to attain value of US$ 94.4 Bn by 2031. Global population growth, an expansion in infrastructural development, and overall industrial expansion are all likely to driving up power requirement. The market for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is likely to be driven by the increase in usage of electricity and building integrated photovoltaics advantages.



Due to the implementation of strict government legislation surrounding greenhouse gas emissions, building integrated photovoltaics manufacturers are focusing on developing low-cost renewable energy production options. New plants are being installed in nations all over the world to increase their capacity for producing electricity. In order to meet the increasing demand for electricity, they are also bolstering the capacity of the existing facilities. In addition to that, it is anticipated that lucrative opportunities are expected to arise for businesses to engage in the BIPV sector due to the construction sector's rapid growth. Besides, market players are anticipated to benefit from the profitable opportunities and are engaging in the building-integrated photovoltaics market due to the construction industry's planned rapid growth.

In 2021, Europe accounted for 43.06% of the building integrated photovoltaics market shares based on volume. The Europe market is expected to be driven by a positive outlook for renewable energy as well as customer perception about the same in nations across Europe during the forecast period. Solar energy utilization is being emphasized more and more in Italy and Germany. Consequently, usage of building-integrated solar panel is anticipated to increase in these nations.

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Key Findings of Market Report

Owing to the unavailability of suitable ground space as well as the existence of underutilized roof space, rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are becoming more and more common. Since BIPVs don't need brackets or rails, BIPV technology lowers the overall cost of building materials, which is likely to boost growth of building integrated photovoltaics market. Besides, the costs of building-integrated photovoltaics are low, which is why its popularity has been steadily increasing.





Based on technology, the crystalline silicon category is likely to account for a 68 % of the overall revenue of the market in 2021. Utilizing clever mounting techniques that replace the roof's sections whilst maintaining structural integrity, crystalline silicon cells are fitted into building roofs. This kind of integration is highly effective and does not require huge investments, which is likely to render is segment an important revenue generating building integrated photovoltaics market segmentation.





Depending on application type, the facades category commanded about 48% of the global building-integrated photovoltaics market. BIPV facade demand is very strong, especially in developed nations with well-established electricity distribution systems. As photovoltaic installations rise in the business world, there is a rising demand for their incorporation into facades.



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Global Building-integrated Photovoltaics Market: Growth Drivers

As more retrofit projects use these installations, there is a rising use of building-integrated photovoltaics within commercial buildings. The global market is likely to be fueled by the greater focus on the visual attractiveness of solar energy harnessing devices, particularly in commercial enterprises.





The Asia Pacific market is expected to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period. As governments make more attempts to implement these solutions, it is projected that the demand for BIPV services and products is likely to grow in Japan and China.



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Global Building-integrated Photovoltaics Market: Key Players

Some of the key market players are

Jiaxing Feiya New Energy Co., Ltd

Hermans Techniglaz BV

ertex solartechnik GmbH

Onyx Solar Group LLC

Navitas Green Solutions Pvt. Ltd

Sphelar Power Corporation

Global Building-integrated Photovoltaics Market: Segmentation

Technology

Crystalline Silicon

Thin Film

Others



Application

Roofs

Facades

Windows

Others

End User

Residential

Commercial

Industrial



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About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. The firm scrutinizes factors shaping the dynamics of demand in various markets. The insights and perspectives on the markets evaluate opportunities in various segments. The opportunities in the segments based on source, application, demographics, sales channel, and end-use are analysed, which will determine growth in the markets over the next decade.

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MIAMI, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Porter is transforming the care-at-home journey and producing positive ROI for our clients. Porter helps patients find the resources necessary to self-manage their care at home during an illness or injury. Doing so without Porter is complicated because finding information about services and products is time-consuming and not personalized. Porter's online platform is a single source for knowledge, personalized recommendations for products, services, and health information. Through their premium service offering, Porter helps people navigate and connect with what they need to manage at home during an illness or injury, via a Porter Care Guide.

For providers and health plans, Porter supports efficient discharge planning and post-acute careand their work for a national provider is producing impressive ROI. In working with a leading acute and post-acute healthcare provider, Porter produced on over $1 per minute in labor savings per patient discharge to home. Porter Care Guides saved time in:

Post-discharge coordination

Communication with Home Health agencies, insurance plans and social determinants of health (SDOH) needs

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) ordering and documentation oversight

Pre-authorization with insurance company

Additional scheduling/rescheduling primary care physician (PCP) follow-up appointments

Porter Care Guides were also able to reduce length of stay, helping patients return home sooner. Porter was able to reduce length of stay for 40% of patients with the same national provider over the same time period. This was done by providing patients with curated content and education, improving coordination with DME suppliers, and improving communication with home health agencies and health plans.

The average savings per discharge for patients receiving Porter was $643.16 in operational and labor costs, generating a 3:1 ROI for the national provider.

The numbers above are supported by Porter's success in a Midwestern, not-for-profit, community-owned health system where Porter supported the above return on investment for the health system. Porter's ultimate model produced savings in:

Conversion to in-network sites of care (new revenue)

Labor cost savings

Operating expense savings

Gains from investment

Porter can add value in many other ways such as reducing penalties on value-based arrangements and in CMS's Hospital Readmission Reduction Program. Its insights provide data and feedback to the care team, free up care team members to focus on other needs and increase member satisfaction. Porter is beneficial to providers in value-based care reimbursement models and equally meaningful to health plans seeking to hold down the cost of complex care members and improve their member experience.

For inquiries, call (786) 224-7130 or e-mail neil.blanchard@helloporter.com. Visit helloporter.com for more information on Porter.

Related Images











Image 1: 3:1 ROI provided by Porter





By using Porter's AI-driven platform, a major long-term care provider saw a 3:1 return.









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SAN FRANCISCO and MONTREAL, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coveo Solutions Inc, (TSX:CVO), a leader in AI-powered relevance platforms that transform search, recommendations, and personalization within digital experiences, today announced it has been recognized as the champion in the 2022 Enterprise Search Emotional Footprint from SoftwareReviews, a division of IT research and consulting firm Info-Tech Research Group. The award is based on the collective knowledge of real users and placement is based on user sentiment, alongside the value index which captures user satisfaction given the costs they are paying.



SoftwareReviews named Coveo the leader as it received a 8.7 CX score, which represents the complete and aggregated satisfaction score from end users. Coveo also received the highest Emotional Footprint with a score of +94, receiving perfect scores in respect, reliability, and client friendly policies. Coveo led multiple categories of customer satisfaction, including:

100% Enabling Productivity

100% Effective

100% Inspiring

100% Reliable

100% Security

95% Fair

92% Trustworthy

92% Performance Enhancing

The Emotional Footprint makes the SoftwareReviews Data Quadrant unique as it is the inclusion of aggregated emotional response ratings in the areas of service, negotiation, product impact, conflict resolution, and strategy and innovation. This creates a powerful indicator of overall user feeling toward the vendor and its product from the software users point of view.



Were honored to be recognized as the champion in the 2022 Enterprise Search market, earning the highest score including our emotional footprint, said Louis Tetu, Chairman and CEO at Coveo. At Coveo, we partner with our leading organizations across the world to help them achieve their digital transformation and business goals. We couldnt do that without their trust and a very tight partnership, in everything we do together.

Download the 2022 Enterprise Search Emotional Footprint from SoftwareReviews report.

About SoftwareReviews Data Quadrant Awards and Software Reports:

SoftwareReviews Data Quadrant Awards recognize outstanding vendors in the technology marketplace as evaluated by their users annually. Top vendors in a software category are eligible to receive Data Quadrant Gold Medals, provided their net-promoter scores meet the threshold for sufficiently high user satisfaction across four areas of evaluation: vendor capabilities, product features, likeliness to recommend, and vendor experience. In-depth product evaluation reports are available at http://www.softwarereviews.com.

About SoftwareReviews

SoftwareReviews is a division of Info-Tech Research Group, a world-class IT research and consulting firm established in 1997. Backed by two decades of IT research and advisory experience, SoftwareReviews is a leading source of expertise and insight into the enterprise software landscape and client-vendor relationships.

By collecting real data from IT and business professionals, the SoftwareReviews methodology produces the most detailed and authentic insights into the experience of evaluating and purchasing enterprise software.

About Coveo Solutions

We believe that relevance and personalization are critical for businesses to win in the new digital experience economy, to serve people the way they expect, and that applied AI is an imperative. Coveo is a market-leading AI-powered relevance platform. Our SaaS-native, multi-tenant platform injects search, recommendations, and personalization solutions into digital experiences. We provide solutions for commerce, service, website, and workplace applications. Our solutions are designed to provide tangible value to our customers by helping drive conversion and revenue growth, increase profitability, reduce customer support costs, increase customer satisfaction and website engagement, and improve employee proficiency and satisfaction.

Coveo is a trademark of Coveo Solutions, Inc.

Stay up to date on the latest Coveo news and content by subscribing to the Coveo blog, and following Coveo on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Highwire PR

Coveo

media@coveo.com

+1 418-263-1111

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2f76de8-67b9-42eb-9687-72f5db860933
NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- USPA Nationwide Security announced that Brian Fitzgibbons has joined the company as Vice President. Fitzgibbons is a seasoned professional with a proven background in sales, operations, and logistics. Fitzgibbons is a graduate of Bowdoin College and a Marine Corps veteran (Iraq). Recently, he has worked to evacuate U.S. allies from Afghanistan with Project Exodus Relief and was instrumental in the widely covered Kingsman Philanthropic 2022 rescue missions of women and children in Ukraine.

Serving clients on six continents, USPA's physical security division, headquartered in Manhattan, is a leading provider of close protection officers, security guards and other niche protective services. In his role, Fitzgibbons will report directly to Dan Manning, USPA, CEO. He will be responsible for driving the expansion of USPA's services across the country. Additionally, he will manage and grow USPA's existing U.S.-based partnerships.

"Our first order of business will be supporting our current partners with twenty-first-century innovation coupled with old-fashioned-style customer service," says Dan Manning, CEO. "Attending to our local operations here in the United States is fundamental in strengthening our position as the fastest growing security company in the U.S. With a proven track record of managing, supporting, and coordinating multi-national, high-risk operations across the globe, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Iraq, Fitzgibbons is well-qualified to lead this initiative for USPA."

The addition of Fitzgibbons to USPA came naturally after he worked with Dan Manning on projects for Kingsman Philanthropic. "Over the past year, I have worked closely with Dan and Mike - most recently assisting in complex evacuations from Ukraine after the Russian invasion in February. To transition to a full-time role with USPA is truly a great honor. I am excited to be on this team full-time and grow our company's footprint under Dan's leadership and vision," Fitzgibbons said.

About USPA Nationwide Security

Founded in 2005, USPA Nationwide Security is a global leader and provider of protective services. Assisting clients on six continents, USPA is led by Daniel Manning, who assumed the position of CEO in 2021 after the retirement of Michael Evans, the founder of the firm. USPA operates a protective division, an investigative section, and a fire protection unit in 50 states.

Featured Security Services:

Executive Protection Agents (protecting people)

Traditional Security Guard Service (safeguarding property)

Fire Protection Service (preventing fire damage to structures)

Caribbean Security Services (bodyguards operating in vacation destinations)

USPA has a nonprofit wing, Kingsman Philanthropic Corp., a registered 501c3 organization, which performs rescues of trafficked women, investigates and locates missing children, and performs witness protection and relocation of women in grave circumstances among other services offered at no cost to women since 2005. Kingsman has been featured in Forbes Magazine, Yahoo News, and NBC among other media outlets.

Media Contact:

Daniel Manning, CEO

dmanning@uspasecurity.com

(800) 214-1448

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Image 1: Brian Fitzgibbons





Vice President of USPA Nationwide Security









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WESTFORD, Mass., July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kadant Inc. (NYSE: KAI) announced it will release its 2022 second quarter results after the market closes on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 and will hold a webcast the next day, Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. eastern time. During the call the Company will discuss its second quarter financial performance and future expectations.



Please note that there is a new process to access the call. To listen to the call, go to the Investors section of the Companys website at www.kadant.com to access the webcast link. Participants interested in joining the calls live question and answer session are required to register by either clicking here or the Q&A link on our website to receive a dial-in number and unique PIN. It is recommended that you join the call 10 minutes prior to the start of the event. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Companys website through September 2, 2022. The earnings release and webcast presentation will be posted in the Investors section of the Companys website.

About Kadant

Kadant is a global supplier of technologies and engineered systems that drive Sustainable Industrial Processing. The Companys products and services play an integral role in enhancing efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in process industries. Kadant is based in Westford, Massachusetts, with approximately 3,000 employees in 20 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kadant.com.

Contacts

Investor Contact Information:

Michael McKenney, 978-776-2000

IR@kadant.com

or

Media Contact Information:

Wes Martz, 269-278-1715

media@kadant.com
BEIJING, July 28 -- China urges NATO to stop making up lies, stirring up camp confrontation and creating tensions, said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

It is reported that the recent NATO Summit in Madrid released a new strategic concept document, which mentioned China for the first time, defining it as a systemic challenge to NATO, and laying heavy accusations on its defense building.

In response to that, the spokesperson said that NATOs new strategic concept document confounds right and wrong, stirs up confrontation, and makes irresponsible remarks and arbitrary accusations against Chinas normal military development and national defense policy. China is firmly opposed to it.

He stressed that China adheres to the path of peaceful development, actively promotes the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and remains a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of international order and a provider of public goods. The construction and development of the Chinese military is an objective requirement to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as a real need to safeguard world peace and stability and provide more international public security products. In recent years, the Chinese military has played a more active role in international peacekeeping, far-sea escort, humanitarian rescue and anti-pandemic cooperation, and made important contributions to safeguarding world peace. Facts have proved time and again that the development of the Chinese military brings opportunities for world peace rather than challenges.

The spokesperson pointed out that NATO, on the other hand, since its establishment, has launched and participated in wars and killed innocent people from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Kosovo, from Iraq to Afghanistan and Libya. The wars launched and participated in by NATO after 2001 have killed 900,000 people and displaced tens of millions of refugees. The Chinese people will never forget the atrocity of NATOs bombing the Chinese Embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 23 years ago. NATO is the abbreviation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, but in recent years, it has come to the Asia-Pacific region to throw its weight around, constantly stirring up the camp confrontation and continuously threatening regional security. It should be said that wherever NATO goes, it brings turmoil. In essence, NATO is a war machine, a military tool for the US to pursue hegemony, and a systematic challenge to world peace and stability.

China warns NATO that suppression and containment will not scare the Chinese military, and lying and smearing will not deceive the people around the world. The era of bullying China has gone forever, said the spokesperson. "We urge NATO to stop making up lies, stirring up camp confrontation and creating tensions. China will firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, and will not allow outside forces to mess up the Asia-Pacific region."
WASHINGTON, DC, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Humane, the countrys first national humane organization, today announced that voting is open for the ninth annual American Humane Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Nurse Awards, presented by Zoetis. Following the review of more than 500 nominations from animal lovers across the country, a blue-ribbon judging panel of veterinary professionals and animal care experts has selected 10 of the countrys top veterinarians and veterinary nurses as finalists. The public is invited to visit www.HeroVetAwards.org every day between now and September 15 to vote for the 2022 Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Nurse.

The worlds animals depend on veterinarians and veterinary nurses, and we are honored to recognize their achievements in saving lives, conducting groundbreaking research, and working on the front lines of animal welfare, said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. Congratulations to this years incredible finalists! We encourage every animal lover to join us in giving them our heartfelt thanks by voting in this years campaign.

For millions of Americans, animals are not just their best friends, but their heroes. Behind almost every hero pet (and millions more animals) is a hero veterinarian or hero veterinary nurse. These often-little-known benefactors save and improve the lives of animals every day, and for the past eight years, the American Humane Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Nurse Awards has honored their tremendous achievements. These awards are not limited to companion animal veterinarians. Professionals from all fields of veterinary medicine are eligible for entry including, but not limited to those who work in research, emergency services, shelters, and those who work with large and exotic animals.

Veterinary teams continue to serve and strengthen our communities during these evolving times by leading the efforts that support the health and wellbeing of the animals that make our lives better, said Tara Bidgood, DVM, PhD, DACVCP, executive director, Zoetis Petcare Veterinary Professional Services & Medical Affairs. Zoetis is proud to honor Americas veterinary community by highlighting their life-changing contributions to society, alongside American Humane.

The winning veterinarian and veterinary nurse, based on public votes, will be recognized at the star-studded American Humane Hero Dog Awards gala on November 11 in Palm Beach, Florida.

Meet the 10 heroic veterinarian and veterinary nurse finalists!

Here are the nomination essays written by their supporters:

American Hero Veterinarian finalists

Dr. Lara Croft (Denver, Colorado) - In early fall of 2021, the great resignation became apparent in Denver Zoos animal health department. A team of four veterinarians and four certified veterinary technicians (CVTs) was suddenly a team of two veterinarians and three CVTs. With a collection of over 3,000 individual animals across all taxa to care for, the stress was heavy and the workload immense. The continued challenges of Covid and the rise of the Omicron variant, led to many days where team members stayed home to protect themselves and others, leaving an ever more reduced staff. Dr. Lara Croft, one of Denver Zoos remaining associate veterinarians, was a true hero for her team, Denver Zoo, and the animals in her care during this time.

Faced with daunting circumstances, Dr. Croft quickly recognized the need to support and guide the animal health and animal care teams, providing a calming voice in the chaos and navigating both difficult and rewarding cases with grace, calm, and a focus. Whether it was a quality-of-life discussion, development of a birth plan, or continuing to make sure we collected life-saving plasma from our elephants, Dr. Croft helped her team tremendously to navigate a path to success. Her ability to support the teams efforts by helping prioritize cases, adapt to an ever-changing schedule, and work extra hours and days ensured that every animal received the best care possible and that the team was ready for the next case.

Dr. Croft is surrounded by an amazing team at Denver Zoo and could not have done any of this without them. Through her leadership and positive can-do attitude she united the team providing a continued sense of hope that ensured the medical care of the Zoos animals did not falter. It is this dedication to the care of the animals, the care of the team, and the willingness to step up during challenging times that make Dr. Croft a hero worthy of recognition for the work she did and continues to do every day.

Dr. Raquel Fagan (Mount Dora, Florida) - Since becoming the owner of Shamrock Animal Hospital in 2016, Dr. Fagan and her team at Shamrock Animal Hospital have pursued a simple mission. Do Great Work, Have Fun and Give Back.

Since 2019, Dr. Fagan has served as the Medical Director for Patriot Service Dogs, a nonprofit organization training service dogs for veterans. PSD trains service dogs from 8 weeks until around 2 years of age and matches them with a disabled US Veteran at no cost. By donating her time and resources, along with generous donations of products and services from veterinary industry partners, Dr. Fagan is able to provide all vaccinations, heartworm prevention, spay/neuter services at no cost to Patriot Service Dogs. On some occasions, that might mean bringing multiple puppies to the office for vaccines, exams or other treatments that may be necessary. She also speaks with the recipient veterans to go over the basic standards of care to keep the dogs healthy, productive and ready to work after they have been paired with a Patriot Service Dog.

PSD completes a significant portion of training in the largest womens prison in Florida. The WOOF program allows incarcerated women to work with and train the dogs on approximately 85 different commands that are critical to their success upon placement. On multiple occasions throughout each year, Dr. Fagan will come to the prison, along with her technicians, to provide wellness exams and/or vaccinations for dogs that are currently in training at the prison. Not only does it allow her to see the environment that the dogs are being trained in, but it is also an opportunity to educate the inmate-trainers on a broad range of canine health topics and about opportunities that they may have in the animal health field following their release.

While there are hundreds of volunteers that help to fulfill the Patriot Service Dogs mission, Dr. Fagan and her entire team feel fortunate to be able to make positive changes in the daily lives of Veterans and their families that may have seemed out of reach to many.

Dr. Fagan and her team are a vital part of the PSD team!

Dr. Tarah Hadley (San Antonio, Texas) - Dr. Tarah Hadley, Assistant Director of Veterinary Care at San Antonio Zoo, has been a true champion dedicated to helping exotic animals. She helps lead an 18-person team at the 501c3 non-profit zoo where she was instrumental in setting up protocols to protect endangered species during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Hadley paved the way with grace by ensuring the zoo's at-risk species, including lions, tigers and primates, were at the front of the line to receive vaccinations for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. With Dr. Hadley's help, San Antonio Zoo was one of the first in the nation to administer COVID vaccines to their animals.

Her transformational leadership, unwavering dedication and positive outlook guaranteed the safety of the zoo's animals during low, record-setting temperatures in 2021. As the worst winter storm to hit San Antonio in decades disrupted the power grid, Dr. Hadley and her team acted fast to evaluate and temporarily rehome hundreds of animals.

A 2002 graduate of Tufts University, Dr. Hadley has always been a passionate advocate for all exotic animals. For years she provided free veterinary care to injured and orphaned wildlife at AWARE Wildlife Center, a 501c3 non-profit in the Atlanta metro area. When she became its Executive Director in 2011, she turned the small center into Georgias largest center for wildlife rehabilitation. Under her direction, AWARE rescued, rehabilitated and released more than 3,500 native species each year, including turtles, rabbits and birds. In 2014, she preserved the lives of dozens of animals when an unexpected winter storm brought Atlanta to its knees for days, preventing help from reaching the center.

Recently, Dr. Hadley has been aiding the homeless pet population in San Antonio. She privately hands out free food to the owners of any dog in need. Dr. Tarah Hadley is an exceptional example of a heroic veterinarian who has uplifted many lives with her kindheartedness.

Dr. Joanna Reen (Heath, Ohio) - Dr. Joanna Reen is the heart and soul of the TNVR effort that has spayed/neutered and provided medical care for more than two thousand cats in Licking County over the past four years. More than 800 cats received care through the program last year alone. Through her efforts, Licking County TNR became a 501 (c) (3) in October 2018. Shes organized those who care for community cats, colony caregivers, volunteers who help trap, hold and/or transport cats for TNVR, and volunteers who help care for the cats at scheduled clinics. One or two Sundays a month are spent providing spay/neuter, rabies vaccine, parasite treatment and other essential medical care such as limb amputations or antibiotics for upper respiratory issues as indicated in their assessment, even holding cats in her own home for foster or follow-up care in unique situations. She receives no compensation for any of this. Colony assessments, organizing the administrative functions, medical paperwork, emergency medical care for community cats and coordinating TNVR clinics are all done on her own time. Somehow, she has managed to accomplish this while keeping the effort donation-only so that those caring for the cats are able to afford to get their colonies fixed. She has even pulled together the resources to launch a mobile spay/neuter surgical unit, the Tipmobile, this summer, doing the renovation of the RV mostly on her own. She is truly an amazing woman without whom there would be no TNR program in Licking County, Ohio.

Dr. Logan Wood (Minot, North Dakota) - I have known Dr. Logan for several years. When I first met Dr. Logan, he was working full time as the veterinarian of our local zoo and volunteering in the evenings at our shelter. He would put in a full day at the zoo then spend another 6 hours at the shelter completing intake exams on 100-150 animals coming off transport vehicles from high kill shelters to our no kill shelter.

As the veterinarian for the Souris Valley Animal Shelter, Dr. Logan is required to work long hours and is on call 24/7. He cares for and does all the initial intakes for the shelter as well as continued follow up care for the animals as they wait in foster homes and in the shelter for their forever homes. Dr. Logan goes above and beyond for these animals. He calls and texts foster families to provide continued care for sick or injured animals and gives advice and encouragement to the family members. Dr. Logan was instrumental in the design and layout of the multimillion-dollar upgrade to our shelter. He will oversee the whole surgical ward and perform required surgical intervention for the shelter animals, in the hopes to eventually open the clinic up to the animals even after they find their forever families.

Dr. Logan has even made house calls on his own time to evaluate sick and/or pregnant dogs, pups, cats, and kittens. He is a humble man that does not want to be in the spotlight, but I have never met anyone so dedicated to the care and wellbeing of animals in our community.

He also volunteers his time with several local indigenous communities, in North Dakota, providing free vaccine clinics and medical care to the people of the Turtle Mountains and MHA (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara) nations.

American Hero Veterinary Nurse finalists

Cheri Herschell (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) - It is my pleasure to nominate Cheri Herschell, CVT, for the Hero Veterinary Nurse Award 2022. Cheri offers immeasurable contributions to Crisis Center North (CCN) and our PAWS for Empowerment Program.

My first exposure to Cheri was in 2010, at a Canine Good Citizen class. My dog, Penny, had made a connection with a counseling client at CCN, the domestic violence (DV) program where I have served as the Executive Director for 23 years. Penny and I graduated with our AKC Canine Good Citizen title after six weeks of training and went on to get our Therapy Dog International certification, as well. My goal was to integrate shelter dogs into our trauma informed services. My second goal was to ensure that Cheri joined our team.

Cheri is instrumental on the nationally recognized PAWS for Empowerment Program. She trains CCN staff on appropriate interactions with working dogs, as well as certifies our canine handler teams who work hands-on with clients in counseling and court work. Her medical expertise as a veterinary technician is invaluable in creating guidelines for our working dogs, ensuring they are both mentally and physically healthy.

In 2018, Cheri joined the team at CCN as a Canine Intervention Specialist. In this position, she has taken on two important roles, one of which is attending magisterial court two days per week as a legal advocate with our newest Canine Advocate, Rune. Her other role ties to her roots as a Veterinary Nurse. DV organizations are keenly aware of the connection between animal neglect/abuse and domestic violence: where animal neglect/abuse exists, it is likely that human abuse exists too. Veterinarians and their staff are at the forefront of recognizing animal neglect and abuse. Utilizing her extensive experience as a Veterinary Nurse, Cheri develops and offers presentations for veterinary staff and students about the intersectionality of human and animal abuse.

Cheris 15+ years working as a Veterinary Nurse allow her to make a connection with a community which plays an invaluable role in keeping victims and their companion animals safe. Cheri has reached over 600 veterinary professionals with a tiered curriculum designed to help vets recognize their role as advocates in the fight against family violence. The presentations not only inform veterinary staff of the correlation between animal abuse and DV, but also assist them in recognizing and reporting animal neglect and abuse; signs of human abuse; and how to assist victims to get help. Most recently, Cheri was invited to speak at the AVMA Convention 2022, in Philadelphia, with her presentation titled, When Domestic Violence Arrives at the Clinic: Intersectionality of Animal Neglect/Abuse and Domestic Violence. We are delighted that Cheri is taking her message to a national veterinary audience, which will encourage veterinarians to partner with their local DV organizations, be advocates in the prevention of family violence, and keep both ends of the leash safe.

Kayla Stein (Lincolnshire, Illinois)  Kayla Stein is a Veterinary Technician at Lincolnshire Animal Hospital. I first met Kayla when she was working at a clinic near my house when I got a boxer puppy seven years ago. She has been there for all the medical milestones in my dogs lives. She has always provided the best care for my babies as their nurse. Through the years we have become friends, and she treats and loves on my babies like they are her own. She has always been a kind and compassionate nurse that goes the extra mile.

Upon her getting a new position at a different facility, she found out I was going to have to put my older boxer down. Even though she could not be there during one of the hardest times of my life and an unbearable decision, she was in touch with the clinic and worked with the staff there to ensure that everything was in place. That, for me, made it a little more bearable when I was losing my best friend.

She has been the nurse to sit in the kennels with my babies after surgery and let me know they are ok. I trust her immensely with my dogs care. I truly believe that someone who loves your babies is important when it comes to their medical care. I started going to a new clinic, even though its 45 minutes away, because of Kayla and the trust I have in her, and I am so happy I did because the whole staff there is amazing.

Frank Torres (Tucson, Arizona) - I am nominating veterinary technician Frank Torres from Desert Paws Mobile Veterinary Care. When I made my first appointment for my dogs, I was expecting a female technician to come with the veterinarian because the majority of technicians seem to be female (at least from my personal experience). Frank came into the house with the veterinarian, and I was nervous because my dogs can be very nervous. I neednt have worried at all. Frank sat down and got some treats out and started just tossing them to my dogs since he could see they werent sure. Soon one of my dogs was hanging out near him and he was able to help the vet complete her exam with only gentle handling and yummy treats. He is gentle, knowledgeable and friendly; exactly what I needed to feel comfortable with the care my dogs were getting. Note when they have a vet appointment, my dogs know that they will be taken care of, and they know they will get some delicious snacks. Franks demeanor, knowledge and willingness to meet the animals at their comfort level make him an excellent veterinary nurse and person.

Katherine Wolcott (Youngstown, Ohio) - Katherine Kaci Wolcott, RVT has saved more than 2,400 animals that have been rescued through the Humane Department of Animal Charity of Ohio, since June 2017. She has worked at Animal Charity for six years and has helped treat THOUSANDS more. The 2,400 animals brought into our Humane Department have been abused, neglected, hoarded, abandoned and tortured. She works on felony abuse cases and helps bring justice to many animals who have lost their lives at the hands of their abusers. Kaci is on call 24 hours each day, 365 days per year. Last year, when she was going through cancer treatment, she still worked from home every day and made herself available for emergencies as needed. She currently not only runs appointments in our affordable veterinary clinic during the week, but she maintains the care of more than 130 animals in our shelter daily. Working with Kaci is full of moments that keep our staff motivated and supported. She is the shoulder to cry on, the one with the answers, and the one the whole staff can call a friend. Many animals would have lost their lives if it wasnt for Kaci. We could not be prouder of her work and spirit.

Cassie Woodward (Gallatin, Tennessee) - I'm not sure how long Cassie has been at the Critter Clinic, but I do know it has been since she was in high school. Through the years we learned that we lived near each other, and she would always wave if she saw us outside.

On a professional side, she really loves these animals! When my dogs go in, she seems to be the only one that they will go get weighed for freely without pulling back. One funny story was when my mom was visiting, she dressed her chihuahua in a Santa suit and the dog got so mad we couldn't get her out of it. I was so embarrassed to call them, but they told us to bring her down and they would try. Apparently, Cassie is the chihuahua whisperer. She was truly the only one that dog would allow to try to get her out of the outfit. Imagine Cassie's reaction when I showed up two days later with my mom's dog AGAIN stuffed in a Santa suit and mad as all heck!

Once when my cat became acutely ill, I contacted Cassie in tears. It was after hours, but she came to my home to assess him, and it was obvious he needed to be humanly euthanized. Cassie called one of the vets that agreed to meet us at the clinic to do it. This was an unexpected and extremely emotional time. I don't think I could have survived that day without her.

Cassie has a smile and southern charm that you can't help but love. And her heart for these animals is as true as they come. Going to the vet can always be challenging with nervous animals, but Cassie always puts the animals AND the humans at ease.

To read each of the finalists stories, as told by the people who nominated them, and to vote daily for one of the five finalists in the Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Nurse categories, please visit www.HeroVetAwards.org.

ABOUT AMERICAN HUMANE

American Humane is the countrys first national humane organization and the worlds largest certifier of animal welfare, overseeing the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. Founded in 1877, American Humane has been First to Serve the cause of animals and for 145 years has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in the humane movement. For more information or to support our lifesaving work, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our channel on YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth.

ABOUT ZOETIS

As the worlds leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After 70 years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide - from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The companys leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $7.8 billion in 2021 with approximately 12,100 employees. For more, visit www.zoetis.com.

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TOKYO, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global HR Payroll Software Market Size accounted for USD 23,489 Million in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 52,867 Million by 2030, with a CAGR of 9.5% from 2022 to 2030.



The growing workforce all around the world is the primary HR payroll software market trend that is fueling the demand. In addition, companies' shift towards automated software for their businesses is another trend that is boosting the HR payroll software market revenue. Payroll is the process by which an employer compensates an employee for work completed. An effective payroll process guarantees that employees are paid correctly and consistently, allowing HR to focus on other attributes of the workplace.

COVID-19 Impact on Global HR Payroll Software Market

The demand-supply situation worsened day by day as a result of the closure. However, the lockdown policies forced people to stay at their workplaces, and many businesses asked their staff to work from home, increasing the demand for HR payroll software. Salary payment is facilitated by HR payroll solutions. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, when mobility was restricted globally, the HR payroll software business assisted in data management and produced precise transactions. The numerous HR payroll software market prospects such as generation and distribution of pay slips, as well as customization benefits, helped to keep the HR payroll software industry growing progressively in these difficult times.

Request For Free Sample Report @

https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-sample/3055

Report Coverage:

Market HR Payroll Software Market Market Size 2021 USD 23,489 Million Market Forecast 2030 USD 52,867 Million CAGR During 2022 - 2030 9.5% Analysis Period 2018 - 2030 Base Year 2021 Forecast Data 2022 - 2030 Segments Covered By Component, By Deployment Model, By Organization Size, By Industry Vertical, And By Geography

Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Key Companies Profiled SAP SE, Ascentis Corporation, ADP, LLC, Cornerstone On Demand, Inc., Paycom software inc, Oracle Corporation, Patriot software, Sage Plc., Epicore Software, and SumTotal Systems Inc. Report Coverage

Market Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Competitive Analysis, Player Profiling, Regulation Analysis Customization Scope 10 hrs of free customization and expert consultation

Global HR Payroll Software Market Growth Aspects

The HR payroll software industry has emerged quickly in recent years and is likely to hit peak in the years to come. The HR payroll software industry's wide-ranging and flexible solutions enable the organization, integration, and generalization of complex business or company processes, which drives the HR payroll software industry share. Reporting and dependable processing are increasing the demand for HR payroll software in the market.

The demand for AI-powered payroll solutions is growing because artificial intelligence and machine learning functionalities help to reduce the severity of human errors and improve compliance performance. AI payroll solutions can interpret the data and use it to come up with a decision strategically and proactively. AI payroll solutions also detect systematic challenges by monitoring how data is collected and processed, and they offer strategies for increasing efficiency. AI features compute and track employees' working hours and pay rates, then send the data to payroll for processing without requiring employees to enter specific data.

Furthermore, the increased implementation of app-based HR payroll software between many businesses and individuals is anticipated to provide the market with lucrative growth opportunities in the coming years. However, data security and privacy concerns, as well as a lack of payroll professionals, are impeding the growth of the HR payroll software market value.

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HR Payroll Software Market Segmentation

The global market has been split into component, deployment mode, organisation size, industry vertical, and region segments. The market is divided into two components: software and services. According to our HR payroll software industry analysis, software dominated the market with the highest market shares, while services grew the fastest.

The market is divided into large enterprises and SMEs based on organization size. Large enterprises use the majority of HR payroll software, while SMEs are poised to significantly support the industry in the coming years.

The market is divided into cloud and on-premise deployment models. According to our HR payroll software industry analysis, on-premise will account for the greatest share of the HR payroll software market in 2021.

Furthermore, the market is divided into IT & telecom, retail, BFSI, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and others. According to our HR payroll software market forecast, the healthcare industry will generate a significant CAGR and market share in the coming years.

HR Payroll Software Market Regional Outlook

The global HR payroll software market is divided into five regions: North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. The North America region accounted for a principal market share in 2021 and is expected to continue its dominance throughout the forecast period from 2022 to 2030. This is credited to the rise in client base for software of online HR administration as well as the increase in HR solutions in countries like the US and Canada. Europe is also expected to grow at a positive rate in the coming years. Moreover, Asia-Pacific countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea are expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the HR payroll software market revenue in the forecast years.

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HR Payroll Software Market Players

Some key HR payroll software companies covered in the industry are Ascentis Corporation, ADP, LLC, Epicore Software, SAP SE, Cornerstone On Demand, Inc., Oracle Corporation, Patriot Software, Paycom software Inc, Sage Plc., and SumTotal Systems Inc.

Browse More Research Topic on ICT Sector:

The Global Team Collaboration Software Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 13.5% from 2021 to 2028 and expected to reach the market value of around USD 27.8 Billion by 2028.

The Global Automation Software Market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 16.9% during the forecast period 2021 to 2027 and to reach around USD 46.6 Billion by 2027.

The Global Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety Software Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 7.8% from 2020 to 2027 and expected to reach the market value of around USD 294.6 Million by 2027.

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Alexandria, Va, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) is pleased to announce Brenda Goss Andrews, Retired Deputy Chief of the Detroit Police Department, as its new 45th National President.

Goss Andrews was sworn in by Ronald Gatehe, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, Wednesday night during the Presidential Gala at NOBLEs 46th Annual Training Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.

Im fired up and ready to hit the ground running. NOBLE National President Goss Andrews said. In the past year, NOBLE has been sought out to advise and support the highest levels of our U.S. government. I will continue to be strategic in elevating our status as thought leaders and advisors when it comes to keeping our citizens safe and fight for the equitable administration of justice.

Goss Andrews most recently served as the organizations First Vice President to the immediate past President Frederick L. Thomas. She was elected as NOBLEs second vice president in 2021. Goss Andrews is a longtime NOBLE member and has served in other leadership roles, including Region IV vice president and former president of the Metro Detroit Chapter.

A new time has come. I know that as your new President, Brenda Goss Andrews will continue the momentum and serve you well, Thomas said in his final address as president before passing the torch. I have no doubt a new era of excellence, dedication and integrity is upon us. A period where we will continue redefining law enforcement and public safety across America.

During Goss Andrews inaugural address, she noted that NOBLEs work has to continue at the chapter levels with more boots on the ground, collaborating with federal, state, local government and community and faith-based organizations. Her three-pillar strategy focuses on Getting Out To Vote (GOTV), gun safety and recruitment and retention.

Goss Andrews chose an African theme for her presidential gala  A Tribute to Our Roots  after recently learning her ancestors were from Burkina Faso in West Africa. The theme was woven into all areas of the event and she and many attendees embraced it, wearing Afro-centric attire.

Goss Andrews received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in criminal justice at Walden University. She is a graduate of the 171st class of the FBI National Associates Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

About 1,300 law enforcement officers from around the county and beyond attended the six-day conference at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel from July 22 to July 27.



NOBLE would also like to congratulate the following members on their election to the 2022-2023 Executive Board:

National First Vice President Rodney Bryant, Chief of Police (Retired), Atlanta Police Department

Rodney Bryant, Chief of Police (Retired), Atlanta Police Department National Second Vice President Jeffrey D. Glover, Chief of Police, Tempe, Police Department

Jeffrey D. Glover, Chief of Police, Tempe, Police Department Immediate Past President Frederick L. Thomas, Captain/Commander East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office

Frederick L. Thomas, Captain/Commander East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office Financial Secretary Quovella Maeweather, Director Public Safety, Franklin Township

Quovella Maeweather, Director Public Safety, Franklin Township Recording Secretary Judith Harrison, Assistant Chief, New York City Police Department

Judith Harrison, Assistant Chief, New York City Police Department Treasurer Tina P. Laguna, Assistant Chief of Police, Manassas City Police Department

Tina P. Laguna, Assistant Chief of Police, Manassas City Police Department Parliamentarian Dr. Booker Hodges, Chief of Police, City of Bloomington Police Department

Dr. Booker Hodges, Chief of Police, City of Bloomington Police Department Sergeant-At-Arms Braxton Cotton, Chief of Staff, Cobb County Sheriffs Office

Braxton Cotton, Chief of Staff, Cobb County Sheriffs Office Associate Member Representative Dr. Kenneth Terrell, Senior Sergeant, Dallas County Sheriff's Office

Dr. Kenneth Terrell, Senior Sergeant, Dallas County Sheriff's Office Federal Assistant to the President William Bill Borden, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Defense Intelligence Agency

William Bill Borden, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Defense Intelligence Agency Special Assistant to the President Anthony Holt, Chief of Police, Wayne State University Police Department

Anthony Holt, Chief of Police, Wayne State University Police Department Special Assistant to the President Raphael Washington, Sheriff, Wayne County Sheriffs Office

Raphael Washington, Sheriff, Wayne County Sheriffs Office Special Assistant to the President for International Affairs Michelle Tege, Detective 1st Grade (Retired), New York City Police Department

for International Affairs Michelle Tege, Detective 1st Grade (Retired), New York City Police Department Region One Vice President Steven W. Tompkins, Sheriff Suffolk County Sheriffs Department

Steven W. Tompkins, Sheriff Suffolk County Sheriffs Department Region Two Vice President Estella J. Thomas, Supervisor (Retired) Transportation Security Administration

Estella J. Thomas, Supervisor (Retired) Transportation Security Administration Region Three Vice President Robert Ford, Assistant Chief (Retired), Lumpkin Police Department

Robert Ford, Assistant Chief (Retired), Lumpkin Police Department Region Four Vice President Tiffany Inskeep, Chief of Police, Hocking College Police Department

Tiffany Inskeep, Chief of Police, Hocking College Police Department Region Five Vice President Dr. E. Jacob Rieux, Special Agent/ASSA, LADPS&C Division of Probation and Parole

Dr. E. Jacob Rieux, Special Agent/ASSA, LADPS&C Division of Probation and Parole Region Six Vice President Jacob Green, Chapter President, Washington State Chapter

Jacob Green, Chapter President, Washington State Chapter National Chaplain Bishop Edgar L. Vann II, Second Ebenezar Church

Bishop Edgar L. Vann II, Second Ebenezar Church General Counsel to the National President Michael R.D. Adams, Esq. Partner Decuir Clark & Adams, LLC.

Michael R.D. Adams, Esq. Partner Decuir Clark & Adams, LLC. General Counsel to the National President Joseph E. Turner, Esq. Clark Hill

President's Advisory Council:

Chief Of Police Elaine Bryant, Columbus, Ohio Police Department

Commissioner Michael Harrison, Baltimore, Maryland Police Department, PERF

Director Tirrell Stevenson, Transportation Security Administration (Tsa) Federal Air Marshalls Service

Chief Of Police Murphy Paul, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Police Department

For more information on the NOBLE 46th Annual Training Conference and Exhibition click here.

NOBLE National President Brenda Goss Andrew bio click here.

###

About the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives

Since 1976, The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) has served as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action. NOBLE represents over 3,000 members internationally, who are primarily African American chief executive officers of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, county, and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter. For more information, visit www.NOBLENational.org.

Attachments
The US Department of Energys (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) has closed a $102.1-million loan to Australia-based Syrah Technologies LLC for the expansion of its Syrah Vidalia Facility in Louisianaa processing facility that produces graphite-based active anode material (AAM), a critical material used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean energy technologies. (Earlier post.)

This marks the first loan from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program since 2011, and the first ATVM loan exclusively for a supply chain manufacturing project.

The project is expected to create approximately 150 construction jobs and 98 good-paying, highly skilled operations jobs.





Vidalia Battery Anode Material Project Site Overview

The loan will help finance the construction of the Syrah Vidalia Facility. Natural graphite for the Syrah Vidalia Facility will come from the mining and processing operation in Balama, Mozambique, which is also owned and controlled by Syrah Technologies parent-owner, making the Syrah Vidalia Facility the only vertically integrated, large-scale AAM producer outside of China, and the first such supplier in the United States.

Syrah will transport the natural graphite concentrate (-100 mesh fines material) from Balama Graphite Operation to Vidalia. There the natural graphite is shaped into a spherical shape and purified to produce an anode precursor material. The precursor material is then coated and heat treated to produce a finished AAM.





Syrah has executed a four-year offtake agreement with Tesla to sell the majority of AAM produced from the Syrah Vidalia Facility. The remaining capacity is expected to be sold to other auto and EV battery manufacturers.

With this expanded production capacity, the Syrah Vidalia Facility is expected to produce enough natural graphite-based AAM to support approximately 2.5 million EVs by 2040.

This latest loan closing supports the Departments first comprehensive strategy to increase the domestic availability of the critical minerals and related materials for clean energy technologies.

Across all its programs, LPO has attracted 77 active applications for projects totaling more than $79 billion in requested loans and loan guarantees as of June 2022. With this loan closing, LPO now has $15.1 billion in remaining ATVM loan authority.
A local taxidermist has been ordered to pay restitution to several clients following an investigation by Wyoming Game and Fish Department Game Wardens. The investigation began in April 2021 after Game Warden Kim Olson reported to Game Warden Kelli Pauling that the owner of White Mountain Skulls, Naomie Martinez, had failed to submit her records for 2020. Martinez had also failed to renew her taxidermist license for 2021. Game Warden Pauling contacted Martinez who was in possession of over seventy unfinished taxidermy specimens.

During the course of the investigation Game and Fish wardens learned that Martinez's husband, Julian, had purchased a Utah resident turkey license in April, 2018 and subsequently purchased a Wyoming resident deer license in September, 2018. In January, 2022 Julian Martinez pleaded guilty to making a false statement to obtain his deer license, he was fined $750 and sentenced to six months unsupervised probation.

Naomie Martinez was charged as a taxidermist operating without a license, a taxidermist who failed to submit records in a timely manner, and ship/transport game without game tag within Wyoming. In January, 2022 Naomie Martinez pleaded guilty to failing to submit records, and ship\transport without a game tag within Wyoming. Naomie Martinez was fined $435.00 and will pay restitution to clients/victims totaling $2,858.55. She was also placed on twelve months unsupervised probation. The charge for operating without a license was dismissed.

The majority of the wildlife specimens seized during the investigation have been returned to their legal owners who were able to claim their property by producing photos from the field which were compared to the specimens seized from Martinez. Game and Fish has been unable to identify the owners of 3 skulls with antlers that were part of this case.

If you are missing property that you had left in the care of White Mountain Skulls, please contact the Green River Regional Office at 307-875-3223.
Former Young at Heart director allegedly embezzled over $1 million

Rock Springs Young at Heart (RSYAH) has filed a civil suit against Candace Rachelle Morris, the center's former executive director, for embezzling funds from the center. The total amount of funds Morris allegedly embezzled could be over $1 million.

According to the complaint, Morris created a false business, set up a separate bank account, and used an internet-based payment processor in order to funnel money away from the Early Learning Center.

A hearing was held in the case July 14, during which Young at Heart, represented by Clark Stith, "presented credible evidence of damages in the amount of approximately $1,025,249.38 for which Defendant Candace Rachelle Morris is indebted to RSYAH," according to court documents.

The complaint was filed in Sweetwater County district court, and Judge Richard L. Lavery is presiding over the case.

No criminal charges had been filed against Morris as of press time. Chief Deputy County Attorney Teresa Tybo said a criminal investigation is ongoing.

The original civil complaint, filed July 5, is against Morris, her husband William Morris, and the Early Learning Center, LLC, which is the company Morris created. The complaint lists offenses including conversion, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, constructive trust, fraudulent conveyance and unjust enrichment.

Young at Heart is a nonprofit corporation in Rock Springs which serves as a senior citizen center and operates a daycare service, the Early Learning Center (ELC). Morris, a Green River resident, worked as the director of the ELC for years, and her plans to divert funds from the ELC began in 2016, according to RSYAH's filed complaint.

Jeanine Cox announced her retirement as RSYAH's executive director at the beginning of 2016, and Morris allegedly sought to be appointed as executive director. The RSYAH board hired Ryan Rust instead.

"Morris was disappointed that she was not picked to be the RSYAH executive director," the complaint says, based on testimony of affidavit statements filed with the complaint.

After Rust's appointment, Morris allegedly suggested to him that "it is unusual for a senior citizens center to operate a daycare facility for small children," and the Early Learning Center should be a separate company she would own and control which would pay RSYAH for the use of the facility.

While the RSYAH board of directors considered this option, Morris began taking steps toward separating the ELC, according to the complaint. In June 2016 she created what the complaint refers to as the "Phony ELC," a Wyoming limited liability company, by filing articles of organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State. She also applied for an employer identification number with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), listing herself as the "sole member" of the company. Morris then opened a bank account with Bank of America under the name of the Early Learning Center, LLC.

"The Early Learning Center, LLC conducts no legitimate business," the complaint alleges of the Phony ELC. "Its sole purpose is to act as a vehicle for a fraudulent scheme perpetrated by Defendant Candace R. Morris to defraud RSYAH of revenue generated by its child day care service. Candace R. Morris named it the Early Learning Center, LLC for the purpose of sowing confusion with their parties so that it could pretend to be the legitimate Early Learning Center that provides day care services for the children of Sweetwater County and which is owned and operated by RSYAH."

In September 2016, Morris applied for an account with an internet payment processor called Tuition Express and provided a voided check in the name of the Phony ELC for the Bank of America account, listing her home address in Green River for the address. This meant all payments from Real ELC parents paid through Tuition Express went to the bank account Morris set up.

Morris also listed her husband William Morris as a co-owner of the Phony ELC, and Tuition Express documents have signatures for both, although the complaint specifies "RSYAH does not have knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief" on William Morris's involvement and whether he signed the documents or his wife forged his signature.

William Morris later claimed in an affidavit that his wife had forged his signature on some documents.

In October 2016, the RSYAH board rejected Morris's proposal to separate the Real ELC and RSYAH as different organizations.

"Having been thwarted in her efforts to obtain ownership and control of the Real ELC with RSYAH board consent, Morris embarked upon a scheme to defraud the RSYAH," the complaint states. "Her scheme was simple: she would have the parents of children attending the Real ELC enroll in a new, internet app based payment system called 'Tuition Express.'"

The complaint alleges Morris began using Tuition Express to charge parents enrolling children at the Real ELC in the fall of 2016, "thus diverting revenue that should have gone to the Real ELC to the Phony ELC."

In 2020, after Rust left RSYAH, Morris was promoted to the position of executive director by the board of trustees. Brianna Romero was hired as the new ELC director and was instructed by Morris to encourage parents to sign up to pay through the Tuition Express app, according to the complaint.

Romero was aware of the Bank of America account the funds went into, but Misty Wilson, the RSYAH bookkeeper, was unaware of the account, so Morris "discouraged communication" between Romero and Wilson, according to the complaint. Morris allegedly also told Romero not to speak with the board.

"Through her payment diversion scam, between January 1, 2018 and June 23, 2022, Morris embezzled $970,060.50 from RSYAH," the complaint said, noting at the time data for 2016 and 2017 had not yet been made available.

"Morris used funds embezzled from the Real ELC to support a lavish lifestyle, spending approximately $410,000 on a variety of vehicles, including a 2022 Jeep Wagoneer, a 2020 Jeep, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, a 2021 Toyota pickup and a 2018 Mercedes convertible," the complaint states. "Morris embezzled much more each year than her $68,000 salary, raking in an average of $215,569 per year since January 2018 in embezzled funds through her payment diversion scheme."

The complaint also specifies none of the funds embezzled by Morris have been paid to RSYAH, "the rightful owner of those funds."

Morris' embezzlement was discovered at the end of June, when she was away on vacation, the complaint alleges. Board Chairman Suzette Williams and Board treasurer Kevin Maloney were reviewing accounts payable by the Real ELC when Maloney questioned an annual insurance premium that wasn't being paid, and he was told the Real ELC's bank account was nearly depleted.

"As tuition payments for the Real ELC would have been recently paid by parents, Williams and Maloney thought it strange for the RSYAH Commerce Bank account to be low," the complaint states.

Romero explained the tuition went to a Bank of America account, which was the first time anyone from the board had heard about the second bank account.

"Williams called Morris, who initially denied any knowledge of the Bank of America account," the complaint says. "During a second conversation on the same day, however, Morris admitted that she knew of the Bank of America Account where funds had been diverted to the Phony ELC."

Williams said in an affidavit statement that Morris "said she was sorry."

On June 27, the RSYAH board met for a special, emergency meeting and suspended Morris without pay pending further investigation. Williams invited Morris to another special board meeting on July 1 to explain her actions, but Morris declined to attend.

"The RSYAH board met on July 1, 2022 and, in Morris's absence, terminated her for cause," the complaint explained.

Brianna Romero is the current Interim Executive Director and Early Learning Center Director.

Court documents in the case docket also indicate Morris and her husband William Morris sold three of the five vehicles purchased with embezzled funds to Fremont Motors on July 2, a day after Morris was terminated. The sales went through July 5, the same day the complaint was filed. Documents indicate Morris didn't disclose she was being investigated for embezzlement, and that she and William said they were a married couple planning to get divorced.

Court documents filed after the hearing indicate two of the vehicles Morris bought have been seized by the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office.
Around 7:30 a.m., Andrew Kneeland found what he was looking for. It was an aspen tree, the leaves creating dappled shadows on the trunk in the early morning light. Andrew set up his blank canvas, got his painting supplies out of a small wooden box, and got to work.

Within four hours the painting was done, and by the afternoon it was sold.

"It's fast," Andrew said. "This, for me, is just cramming it out."

Typically Andrew can spend 100 to 200 hours on a painting in his studio. For example, a painting of an eagle took nine months of on and off work to complete.

While painting an aspen tree in a few hours was a challenge outside of his normal comfort zone, Andrew enjoyed the experience.

"I keep learning so much every time I try this en plein air style," he said.

The aspen tree painting was done for the Plein Air Fest at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole in June. Andrew was the only artist to have a studio and live full-time in Sweetwater County who competed in the annual event. It was his third time taking part in the museum's competition, and just one of the art competitions he hopes to be part of this year.

Plein Air Fest

Every year the National Museum of Wildlife Art hosts an en plein air competition, with artists from across Wyoming, neighboring states, and even as far away as Texas coming to take part.

"It's a really, really fun event that's been going on for quite a few years," Andrew said.

The competition is kept short in order to fit the en plein air style of painting outdoors and working quickly.

Artists are required to have their canvas stamped before they begin to prove they started with a blank canvas and the painting was done within the time limit. They can either start the day before and choose a location from anywhere in Teton County or show up on the morning of the competition and paint from the museum grounds, which overlook the National Elk Refuge. Regardless of when they start, all artists have to finish their paintings at the museum within a time limit on the day of the competition.

During the competition, the museum is open to the public for free, so anyone can watch the artists at work.

Once the artists finish, the paintings are displayed and an auction is held where buyers can meet the painters. The event serves as a fundraiser for the museum, with proceeds from the paintings being split 50/50 between the museum and the artists.

Andrew's history with the Plein Air Fest goes back to the summers of 2018 and 2019 when he interned at the museum and helped put the competition on. His first year competing in the event was in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic made it an unusual year, with artists doing their paintings remotely anywhere in the state they chose.

Andrew's first time competing on-location at the museum was last year, when his painting was chosen as Best in Show. Winning was a surprise for Andrew, who not only doesn't consider himself an en plein air painter but also forgot the event was a competition.

"I was showing up just to paint a picture," Andrew said. "I didn't even notice judges walking around until someone grabbed a microphone."

Andrew described his winning painting as "a typical scene in an untypical way." He chose to paint a landscape of the National Elk Refuge, but used a vertical canvas instead of a horizontal one, creating "a portrait of a landscape" showing the layers of the mountains and the creek.

This year, Andrew decided to paint something more "up close and personal," which is how he settled on the aspen tree.

"It ended up being much much harder than just a landscape painting," Andrew said. "But I learned a ton as I did it."

En Plein Air

"En plein air" is a French expression meaning "in the open air."

"That style of painting is all done outside on location, observing directly from life and painting it," Andrew explained, noting the style has a long tradition behind it, especially in the American West.

"Artists would be taken along on expeditions into the West to capture the scenes of the mountains, the ranges, the rivers - everything that they saw," he said.

The tradition has continued on, according to Andrew, and has created a unique format.

"It tends to be a much looser style of painting," he explained. "You're trying to go really fast because everything's changing, the shadows are shifting. . . It's just a more gestural style of painting because you're having to move so quickly before the colors change, before light changes - you're dealing with so many elements."

Other challenges are presented by dealing with natural elements like changes in weather, as well as logistical concerns, like carrying supplies and using paints that don't dry out too quickly.

En plein air painting always presents new challenges for Andrew, who typically does detailed studio art and not impressionism. However, since he took part in the competitions, he's started to like the style more. Learning from the challenges it presents also helps him with his other artwork.

"Everyone gets it a loop of trusting what we think we see, not what we actually see," Andrew said. "[En plein air painting] teaches you to not trust your instincts as much as you trust what you see right in front of you."

Future competitions

Going forward, Andrew hopes to continue taking part in more painting competitions throughout Wyoming and in Sweetwater County.

Within the next few months, several en plein air competitions are being held, including the first Sweetwater County Plein Air Competition in August and two plein air competitions taking place in Sheridan and Cheyenne in September hosted by the Wyoming Arts Council. Andrew hopes to be able to fit some of these competitions into his schedule.

One competition he already knows he will be taking part in is the annual Art on the Green, the local 24-hour art competition that takes place every year during River Fest at Expedition Island.

"This is my first year to try it out, but I'm very excited to give it a shot," he said.

Being part of competitions with other artists helps encourage Andrew to keep going.

"It's really inspirational," he said. "You get to meet people who are doing what you do, and living a life similar to what you're living. In Sweetwater County, there's not a lot of full-time artists. And it definitely feels encouraging and inspiring to be surrounded by that kind of group where you're like, 'Oh, I'm not alone.' I feel like I'm just getting my creative juices filled up."

Painting in Sweetwater County

Andrew describes being a full-time artist in Sweetwater County as "an adventure."

One of Andrew's motivating forces is his desire to show people the beauty of all parts of Wyoming, not just places like Teton County.

Many people's view of Southwest Wyoming is what they can see from I-80, but Andrew said he tells people to get off the interstate so they can experience the beauty that exists here.

"Down here we have such a diversity and such a unique landscape that you'll find nowhere else, and I think it deserves to be expressed through painting and through art, and the fact that it's been neglected is kind of exciting for me, because it gives me the opportunity to express things that I've seen no one else express," he said.

In addition to showcasing the beauty he sees around him, Andrew hopes others will connect with that beauty as well.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Kneeland Andrew Kneeland stands with Michelle Dickson who purchased the painting of an aspen tree he did during this year's Plein Air Fest in Jackson.

"I have a lot of personal drive and a lot of personal desire to bring beautiful art into a place where it feels like it's missing," he said. "It is kind of this creative struggle where I'm trying to figure out what works for the business and what communicates to people and brings beauty to their lives and what connects with people. Whether or not people are going to buy the artwork, it's an adventure to figure out what connects with people's emotions, like what parts of Sweetwater County, what parts of Wyoming resonate with people."

Andrew's ultimate goals are to serve people with what he creates and to reflect the creativity of creation.

"For me, I feel like an artist who's just imitating the greatest artist, who is God," Andrew explained. "For me, God is the master artist of everything, of the entire world. And so when I walk through a forest or look out across the desert, I see a painting - that's God's painting. That's what He did. And I think that for me is what connects with me the most and what I want to imitate and reflect back to God and to others. . . That's ultimately where my inspiration comes from, is God's artistry."

Andrew's work can be found in his art studio, Kneeland Fine Art, at 203 D Street in Rock Springs, or through his website or Facebook page under Kneeland Fine Art.
RIO VISTA, Calif. (AP)  Four people were killed and six were injured in a head-on crash between a sedan and an SUV carrying a Mexican family of seven on a one-week California vacation, authorities said.

The crash on a two-lane highway in the San Francisco Bay Area that is notorious for collisions happened Wednesday night in the small city of Rio Vista, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) from San Francisco, Rio Vista Police Chief John Mazer said.

He said the three occupants of the sedan traveling in the westbound lane were killed after the driver went off the road, overcorrected, entered the eastbound lane and collided with the SUV. The driver and the rear passenger were ejected from the car, Mazer said in a statement Thursday.

The driver was identified as a 20-year-old man from Rancho Cordova, near Sacramento. The passengers killed were two 19-year-old women, including the owner of the car who is from Vacaville, Mazer said. Their identities were withheld pending notification of next of kin.

A passenger in the SUV, Laura Poiret, in her 70s, was also killed, Mazer said.

Six of her family members, including an 8-year-old girl, were injured and hospitalized in stable condition, he said.

Police found numerous opened alcoholic beverage containers at the crash scene near the sedan and were investigating whether drunk driving was a crash factor, said Mazer, who called the crash the worst he has seen on the highway.

While the speed limit on the stretch of State Route 12 where the accident happened is 55 mph (88 kph), many people drive faster, Mazer said.

People see wide open roads and they just go for it and often it ends like this, he said.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  A man accused of raping and impregnating a 9-year-old Ohio girl who traveled to Indiana for an abortion was ordered held without bond Thursday by a judge who cited overwhelming evidence and the fact that he apparently is living in the U.S. illegally.

Gerson Fuentes, 27, faces two counts of raping the girl, who turned 10 before having the abortion in a case that has become a flashpoint in the national discussion about access to the procedure since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. He has pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, Fuentes, who is from Guatemala, faces the possibility of life in prison with no chance of parole. That penalty and not having any ties to this community that can be proved legally makes it a substantial flight risk, Franklin County Judge Julie Lynch said after a 35-minute hearing.

The girl confirmed that Fuentes attacked her, Fuentes confessed to Columbus police detectives, and DNA testing of the aborted fetus confirmed Fuentes was the father, Franklin County Prosecutor Dan Meyer and detective Jeffrey Huhn said in court Thursday.

Huhn said he was unable, when searching multiple databases, to find any evidence that Fuentes was in the country legally.

In denying bond, Lynch cited that evidence, the violence of the crime and the fact that Fuentes had been living in the same home with the girl and her mother.

To allow him to return to that home, the traumatic and psychological impact would be undeserving to an alleged victim, Lynch said. She also cited the physical, and mental and emotional trauma the girl suffered from enduring the rapes and the abortion, and finding her case at the center of the country's abortion debate.

The case gained national attention after an Indianapolis physician, Dr. Caitlin Bernard, said the child had to travel to Indiana due to Ohio banning abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.

President Joe Biden cited the case when he signed an order July 8 trying to protect abortion access. Some conservatives and prominent Republicans, including Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, cast doubt on the story initially, then condemned the attack after Fuentes was arrested.

Fuentes' attorney, Bryan Bowen, argued against a no-bond hearing and unsuccessfully asked Lynch to set a reasonable bond. He said there was no evidence that there was physical abuse outside of the rapes or that the girl had been put under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He also said that Fuentes had family ties in Columbus, that he had a job, and that there was no evidence of a criminal history. Fuentes has lived in the area about seven years.

We've heard evidence about the nature of the offense, but we have not heard any evidence presented about any danger that Mr. Fuentes would pose to any particular person or to the community, he said. He declined to comment after Lynch's ruling.

Dan Meyer, an assistant Franklin County prosecutor, said Thursday that Fuentes was providing for the girl's family, including her mother.

Columbus police learned about the girls pregnancy after her mother alerted Franklin County Children Services on June 22. Huhn said Fuentes confessed to raping the girl, who turned 10 on May 28, on two occasions.

The girl saw a Columbus-area doctor in late June with a plan to have an abortion locally, but that wasnt possible due to the gestational age, determined to be six weeks and four days, Huhn testified.

Ohio's heartbeat abortion ban includes an exception only for an emergency that is life-threatening or involving a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.

Indianas Republican Senate leaders proposed a bill this month that would prohibit abortions from the time an egg is implanted in a uterus, with exceptions in cases of rape and incest and to protect the life of the mother. The proposal followed the controversy over the Ohio girl's abortion in Indiana.
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Samsungs in-house Exynos chipset has been losing ground to its Qualcomm rival in the Galaxy S flagship series. This year only European units got the Exynos 2200, the rest were powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon revealed that 75% of S22 units were powered by the Snapdragon chip in an earnings call for the second quarter.

The CEO suggested that this proportion will go up next year, lending credence the claim by analysts that the Galaxy S23 series will use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 exclusively. [W]e were 75% on Galaxy S22 before the agreement. You should be thinking about we're going to be much better than that on Galaxy S23 and beyond, said Amon. To be fair, he didnt claim it will be 100%, but there isnt much room between 75% and 100% when you consider that the separate versions will double software support efforts.

Qualcomms partnership with Samsung expands beyond Galaxy smartphones to include Galaxy books, Windows PCs, Galaxy tablets, future extended reality devices and other devices, said Amon. The two companies extended their patent licensing agreement to 2030, which covers 3G, 4G, 5G and (eventually) 6G devices.

Is this the end for the Exynos division? No, says Samsung, but it needs to be reorganized. In the short term, the company will seek to expand Exynos chips to other form factors such as wearables. There are the mid-range and entry-level Exynos chips too, these will seemingly stick around and Samsung is looking for new customers for them.

While it wasnt confirmed officially, observers claim that Samsung has assembled a team to develop a new smartphone chipset. This could take a while and the Galaxy S series is expected to use Snapdragon chips exclusively into 2024. According to rumors, the idea is to skip iterative improvements and use these couple of years to develop a new chipset basically from scratch.

This is again just in the realm of speculation, but it seems that it might have been the upcoming Exynos 2230 5G that didnt live up to expectations, which in turn tanked the Exynos 2300 (the 5G modem is embedded). Instead, the Snapdragon X70 from Samsung will be used.

Samsungs foldables have been using Snapdragon chips exclusively since the beginning and we believe the same is true of the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold 4. They will most likely get the 8+ Gen 1.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will be unveiled in mid-November with the first phones to use it expected in December. Then the Galaxy S23 series should arrive at the beginning of 2023.

Source 1 (Qualcomm earning call transcript) | Via 1 | Source 2 (in Korean) | Via 2
A Black Construction Company employee uses a water cannon atop a water tanker truck along Route 3 in Dededo Oct. 24, 2019. The company, along with Core Tech and others, was awarded contract modifications this week by Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific.
A 43-year-old man recovered from Ritidian Beach yesterday was confirmed to have drowned, according to Guam Fire Department spokesman Nick Garrido.

At around 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, GFD rescue units were dispatched to a report of a distressed swimmer at Ritidian Beach and were able to recover a 43-year-old man before 4 p.m., Garrido said.

CPR was then conducted on the man en route to the Hagatna Marina before he was taken to Naval Hospital Guam, where CPR continued, added Garrido.

Garrido confirmed on Thursday morning the man had drowned.

Guam Police Department spokeswoman Officer Berlyn Savella said the department has not initiated a complaint or report connected to the drowning.

The drowning is the third this month and fourth in total for the year.

Tanguisson

On Sunday, GFD recovered the body of a 57-year-old man who went missing while swimming at Tanguisson Beach.

Units from the Navys HSC-25 helicopter squadron and the Coast Guard assisted in the search before finding the man about 300 feet outside the reef, according to Garrido.

GPD then initiated an investigation into the drowning, which is pending the completion of an autopsy, according to Savella.

Ipan

The first drowning this month happened on July 16 at a beach in Ipan.

GFD units responded to Moylans Beach where the victim was pulled from the water by bystanders. CPR was conducted on the victim before being taken to Naval Hospital, PDN files state.

Another drowning occurred on April 27 in Tumon, according to Garrido.
A Guam Police Department officer has been indicted on manslaughter and negligent homicide charges in connection with a deadly shooting at a Shell gas station in Dededo earlier this year.

The Independent Investigative Team found officer Justin A.L. Quengas actions were not clearly justified when he shot and killed a man armed with a slingshot, Attorney General Leevin Camacho said during a press conference Thursday.

Quenga was indicted on charges of manslaughter as a first-degree felony and negligent homicide as a third-degree felony in connection with the March 9 death of Iopy Rudolph.

Quenga has been summoned to court as opposed to being arrested, said Chief Prosecutor Basil OMallan, who did not have the court date on hand at the press conference.

Camacho explained the information about the indictment has been turned over to Chief of Police Stephen Ignacio.

GPD placed Quenga on administrative leave and launched an internal affairs investigation, spokeswoman Officer Berlyn Savella said in a news release.

"Police officers are faced with the dangers while on or off duty. Decisions involving lethal force are dictated by situations an officer is faced with," she said in the release. "As we move forward and allow Officer Quenga his due process, we are mindful Officer Quenga is presumed innocent till proven guilty."

The Independent Investigative Team was established last year to investigate officer-involved shootings that result in serious physical injury, and it was activated after the shooting of Rudolph.

Encounter

The encounter between Rudolph and police began at 8 p.m., when Guam Police Department received a call about a man firing a slingshot near the gas station.

Officers arrived and tried to detain the man.

In the ensuing moments, the details of which are under investigation, an officer discharged his firearm, striking the individual, attorney generals office spokeswoman Carlina Charfauros said in a news release at the time of the shooting.

Rudolph was taken to Guam Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The Independent Investigative Team then took over and completed their investigation on March 24.
The University of Guam is now an official Sea Grant institution with the official approval designation being granted from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, according to a news release from UOG.

The UOG Sea Grant program underwent a comprehensive two-week review by the National Sea Grant Advisory Board in October 2021. The programs leadership, organization, productivity and continuity of performance, among other factors, were evaluated closely and earned a unanimous recommendation from the national advisory board, along with the official designation from NOAAs senior leadership.

We are thankful to the National Sea Grant College Program for recognizing us as a trusted leader and partner in our community capable of executing effective programs relevant to local, regional and national priorities, said UOG Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton in UOGs news release.

Guam Sea Grant has earned Sea Grant Institutional Program status by demonstrating excellence in research, education and public service dedicated to the environmentally responsible management and development of Guams marine and coastal resources, said Jonathan Pennock, director of the National Sea Grant College Program, in the news release. Congratulations to the University of Guam, Guam Sea Grant leadership, and all of the staff involved in the remarkable growth of Guam Sea Grant over the past several years that made this designation a clear and well-earned advancement.

UOG this year celebrates its 70th anniversary and its 50th year as a land-grant institution. The National Sea Grant College program was established by Congress in 1966 and works to create and maintain a healthy coastal environment and economy, according to NOAAs Sea Grant program website.

Earning the official designation as a Sea Grant institution is a transformational accomplishment for us. Reaching this milestone gives us another reason to celebrate this year, said UOG President Thomas Krise in the news release.

UOG officials will be hosting a graduation ceremony on Aug. 11, at the UOG Calvo Field House in celebration of the schools milestone.
Michael Lujan Bevacqua is an author, artist, activist and the curator for The Guam Museum.
UNIVERSITY of Zimbabwe (UZ) has hiked accommodation fees from $71 000 to US$616 or the equivalent in local currency for the August to December semester.

Accommodation fees for the semester that ended on July 22 were equivalent to US$350.

In a notice seen by NewsDay, UZ acting registrar Munyaradzi Madambi advised students that the payment is due on July 31.

Those who have been offered on-campus accommodation for the August-December semester are required to pay the accommodation fees amounting to US$616 or its ZWL interbank rate equivalent at the time of payment, Madambi wrote.

The university has, therefore, maintained the rate of accommodation fees at US$5,50 per day or its Zimbabwe dollar equivalent for a 112-day semester. As you are aware, the university has now changed its accommodation allocation policy, giving students the opportunity to apply for accommodation for the subsequent semester at the end of each semester. Those who do not take up their offers on or before the above-mentioned deadline will have their provisionally allocated rooms revoked and extended to other students on the waiting list.

Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) president Benon Ncube said the fee hike was unjustified.

The accommodation fee hike is not justified because this is a government institution. US$616 is too much considering that many parents who send their children to universities get paid in local currency, Ncube said.

These fee hikes remain the biggest problem hindering students from completing studies. As it stands, rentals off campus are ranging from US$70 to US$150 per head per month. They have also gone up to the extent that most students would not be able to afford.

A survey by NewsDay revealed that other universities have not yet reviewed their accommodation fees for the forthcoming semesters.

Great Zimbabwe Universitys accommodation fees was $30 000 for the semester ending on Friday, Midlands State University ($25 000), while Chinhoyi University of Technologys was equivalent to US$120. Newsday




Haiti - FLASH : The transitional Cathedral of Port-au-Prince attacked, vandalized and partially burned





Wednesday, July 27 around 10:00 a.m., the transitional Cathedral of Port-au-Prince Notre Dame de l'Assomption where the celebration of the patronal feast is scheduled for August 15, located on Street Dr Aubry, downtown of Port-au-Prince was the subject of an attack by gang members, of vandalism and partial arson.



Let's remember that this area has been the subject for several days of violent armed clashes between the men of the G9 and those of Bel-Air...



Faced with the intensity of the shooting, the firefighters had to turn back first before being able to reach the cathedral in a second time to contain the disaster and extinguish the fire.



Father Sander Louis-Jean, pastor of the Cathedral, reports that armed individuals used a heavy machine to break down the main barrier.



According to the report of the firefighters, the bandits demolished part of the wall of the facade of the building before entering the premises and setting fire which took in the front gates and the side doors towards Saint Laurent street. The flames burned several benches and also damaged part of the ceiling and floor of the church.



Bullet holes are visible on the facade of the Cathedral according to witnesses.



In a note, the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince "[...] thanks all those who showed their closeness to the clergy of the cathedral, as well as the police forces and the firefighters who helped us to save the transitional cathedral building. We expect the authorities to carry out a serious investigation in order to find and punish the perpetrators of this fire.



May the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, intercede for the people of Haiti and for peace in our country."



It is not known why the Transitional Cathedral was the target of this attack...



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Turkey : 135 Haitians voluntarily repatriated to Haiti





This Thursday, July 28, 2022, 135 Haitians are expected at Toussaint Louverture International Airport on board a special flight from Turkey.



According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is a voluntary repatriation.



After spending thousands of dollars to go to Turkey hoping to find a better life there, a year later after a failure of integration and a series of disappointments, at the end of their financial resources, while their dream of El Dorado is transformed in a nightmare, 135 Haitians sought the help of the Haitian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to return to Haiti, unable to afford the plane ticket.



The Chancellery stresses that this operation was made possible thanks to the steps of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with the support of the diplomatic missions of Haiti.



The Ministry affirms that "all the arrangements have already been made to welcome these compatriots with dignity upon their arrival in the country."



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Bahamas : Latest information on the Haitian survivors of the shipwreck





Tuesday, July 26, 2022, Keith Bell, the Minister of Immigration of the Bahamas, after a visit to the "Carmichael Road" detention center, with several psychotherapists, declared that the 25 Haitian survivors of the shipwreck on Sunday July 24, in which 17 of their compatriots died (15 women, 1 man and a girl) "are still in a state of shock" where they receive psychological support.



Authorities confirmed that at least one of the 25 survivors had a legal permit to work in the Bahamas.



William Sturrup, the Commander of the "Royal Bahamas Defense Force" clarified that 45 people were on board and not about sixty as the authorities had initially estimated "we are therefore looking for three missing."



He announced that he had changed the status of the investigation from "search and rescue" to "search and recovery" considering that it is unlikely that more people will be rescued alive, explaining that officers are helping the investigation using drones for search tasks by land and sea in an area that stretches from Blackbeard Cay to near the Berry Islands.



Sturrup believes the chances of finding survivors are minimal because it is unknown if they had floats, if they could swim, or how long they can go without food or water. So far no other bodies or objects belonging to the migrants have been found.



Three Bahamians, two of them aged 35 to 48, were arrested on suspicion of being the smugglers. Two of those arrested were traveling with the group of Haitians making the illegal trip to the United States, while the third was arrested at a residence in New Providence.



This event is the second deadliest drama in the waters of the Bahamas after the sinking in February 2019 near Abaco, one of the islands of the Atlantic archipelago https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26837-haiti-flash-toll-rising-at-least-28-haitians-die-drowned-off-the-bahamas-update.html where 28 Haitian migrants lost their lives.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37242-haiti-shipwreck-in-the-bahamas-investigation-details-and-reactions.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37241-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37234-haiti-flash-shipwreck-in-the-bahamas-16-haitians-dead-and-21-survivors-provisional-report.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26837-haiti-flash-toll-rising-at-least-28-haitians-die-drowned-off-the-bahamas-update.html



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





6 members of the"5 Seconds" gang arrested

Wednesday July 27, 2022, 6 individuals including the driver of Izo, Leader of the "5 Seconds" Gang, operating in Village de Dieu and Jean Andre alias "ti Andre" were arrested in Croix-des-Pres (Pacot, Port-au-Prince). They are accused of criminal association, armed robbery, kidnapping and murder.



DJ Wayne and collaborators released without ransom

Kidnapped Wednesday morning in Liancourt, "DJ Wayne" whose real name is Frantz Bazile and his two collaborators were released in the afternoon without ransom payment.



Junior Charles alias "Ti Junior", of the "Krache Dife" gang arrested

Tuesday Junior Charles alias "Ti Junior", of the "Krache Dife" gang operating in downtown Port-au-Prince was found in a house in Belladere serving him where he was hiding with his companion Freda Ravix. Both were arrested.



UEH : The Faculty of Sciences suspends its activities

In a notice published Wednesday, July 27, officials of the Faculty of Sciences of the State University of Haiti (UEH) announce that due to growing insecurity, all academic activities are temporarily suspended. Several stray bullets were found in the courtyard and in classrooms, officials said.



Cap-Haitien : Fort Saint-Joseph renovated

Fort Saint-Joseph in Cap-Haitien is now ready to receive visitors. The site is absolutely beautiful following its redevelopment at the initiative of the private sector of Cap-Haitien.



Signature sale: "HAITI, a world tourist destination"

Sale-signature of the book "HAITI, a World tourist destination" (HAITI, une destination touristique Mondiale) by the CEO of Sco Tour Haiti, Eunice CINCIR https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37258-haiti-news-zapping.html on Friday, July 29 2022, between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. PM. Price: 1,750 Gourdes Students: 1,000 Gourdes. Address: Mauka Lounge located at #8, Rue Chavannes, Petion-Ville.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















TOP lawyer, Arshiel Mugiya, lost tyres worth US$14 000 after a Mbare trio broke into his warehouse, a Harare court heard yesterday.

Collen Chibowa, Kenneth Murahwa and Tinashe Mvindi, appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda, who remanded them in custody pending a bail hearing.

The complainant, King Tyres, is being represented by Mugiya, its managing director.

The court heard that on Sunday, the three and their accomplices currently on the run, connived to break into Mugiyas warehouse at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show Exhibition Park.

It is the States case that they drove to the warehouse in a Mitsubishi Canter vehicle, which was being driven by Murahwa, and a Toyota Hilux KZ being driven by Chibowa.

They allegedly broke the security door and gained entry into the warehouse where tyres of different sizes were stored.

The trio, and their accomplices, stole 461 tyres, which they loaded into their vehicles and left the scene.

They returned a second time and loaded the cars with more tyres and fled.

Preliminary investigations, through review of a Close Circuit Television installed around the Harare Showground area, picked the two vehicles coming from the direction of the crime scene. It prompted an intense investigation, which led to the arrest of the three.

Only 31 tyres were recovered.

Anesu Chirenje appeared for the State. H Metro




We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here
BEIJING, July 28 -- Senior Colonel Wu Qian, the spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of National Defense, expressed a serious warning against the United States attempt to deploy intermediate-range ballistic missile in Japan at a news conference held on Thursday. If it is put into practice, China will take resolute countermeasures, and the US and Japan should have no illusions about this, said the spokesperson.

Recently, the media has revealed that since 2021, Japan and the US have conspired for many times to induce and pressure the Kishida government to cooperate with and assist the US military in deploying intermediate-range ballistic missile forces on the southwestern islands of Japan.

Against such background, the spokesperson lashed out at Americans dangerous move. The United States pushing for the deployment of the intermediate-range missile in Japan is a dangerous move that will seriously threaten the security of regional countries and undermine regional peace and stability, said the spokesperson.
Marriott International, Inc. today announced it has signed an agreement with Gulf Islamic Investments (GII) to introduce The Lucan, Autograph Collection Residences in London, the first standalone Autograph Collection Residences globally. The sophisticated project is set to include 31 contemporary, stylish homes in a historic redeveloped property located within the storied Chelsea neighborhood in London. The Lucan, Autograph Collection Residences is expected to welcome its first residents in 2024.

With this milestone agreement, Gulf Islamic Investments (GII) introduces a new landmark London property and signs its first real estate management agreement with a global hospitality brand, setting the stage for the debut of the Autograph Collection Residences brand in the United Kingdom and debuting the first standalone residential product for the brand globally.

Marriott International continues to lead in the branded residential segment with nearly 225 total open and pipeline residential projects across 42 countries and territories. With 16 distinct residential brands, Marriott International's portfolio of branded residences offers an expansive array of lifestyle and location choices with both luxury and premium brands. Marriott International's global residential portfolio is expected to grow by approximately 60% by 2025.

Located in the heart of one of London's most elite neighborhoods: the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, The Lucan, Autograph Collection Residences is located off of Kings Road, midway between Sloane Square and South Kensington underground stations in south-west London. The walkable urban location is in close proximity to Sloane Avenue, Harrods, the Saatchi Art Gallery, and the Royal Court Theatre.

The Lucan, Autograph Collection Residences will bring discerning lifestyle and amenities to the sought-after neighborhood. With 31 gracious residences ranging in size from one-, two-, and three-bedroom units as well as a signature penthouse, owners will have access to stylish common areas designed by renowned British luxury interiors studio Rive Gauche, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, and 24-hour valet service with underground garage parking. Residents living in The Lucan, Autograph Collection Residences will have similar perks to staying at a hotel, with services such as housekeeping, personal trainers, pet care, and floristry. The 24-hour in-house concierge team will offer unparalleled connections to an extensive network of exclusive opportunities available only to residents, including private dining with top London chefs, parties and events, and personal shopping connections.

Autograph Collection Residences is a growing collection of independently designed homes, handpicked for their creative vision, heartfelt design, and authentic sense of place. Rich in character, these branded homes reflect the spirit of individual Owners and are equally as unique. Every carefully crafted residence is a true original and defies convention.

Legal Disclaimer

The Lucan, Autograph Collection Residences are not owned, developed, or sold by Marriott International, Inc. or its affiliates ("Marriott"). Gulf Islamic Investments LLC uses Autograph Collection marks under a license from Marriott, which has not confirmed the accuracy of any of the statements or representations made herein.

About Marriott International's Portfolio of Branded Residences

With more than 20 years of managing whole-ownership, luxury residences, Marriott International's portfolio of branded residences is recognized worldwide for their high level of service, and unique and exceptional design, with every aspect considered with meticulous care and attention provided to every detail. Marriott International's portfolio of branded residences include a collection of over 105 properties across 20 countries and territories under 16 globally trusted brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residences, St. Regis Residences, W Residences, EDITION Residences, JW Marriott Residences, The Luxury Collection Residences, Marriott Residences, Sheraton Residences, The Residences at Delta Hotels by Marriott, Westin Residences, Le Meridien Residences, Autograph Collection Residences, Tribute Portfolio Residences, and Renaissance Residences. For more information about Marriott's whole-ownership communities, visit https://marriottresidences.com .

Marriott International's portfolio of branded residences are not owned, developed, or sold by Marriott International, Inc. or its affiliates ("Marriott").

Hotel website
Continuing the luxury brand's expansion in the U.S., the high-end property will debut in 2023 as Long Beach's first luxury boutique hotel, restoring one of California's most storied properties to its original grandeur.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of world leading hospitality group Accor, in partnership with Long Beach-based investment and development group Pacific6, today announced the redevelopment of the iconic Breakers Hotel in Long Beach, California. A timeless feature of the Long Beach skyline, Fairmont The Breakers, Long Beach has a character and soul all its own. Originally opened in the roaring twenties as a lavish hotel on the waterfront, The Breakers was a sought-after destination for celebrities and dignitaries, including Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Babe Ruth and Clark Gable, among other Hollywood stars. The historic property is currently undergoing a significant restoration and redevelopment, and is slated to reopen in 2023 as Long Beach's first luxury boutique hotel.

The reimagined Fairmont The Breakers, Long Beach will feature high-end accommodations and amenities, including 185 boutique hotel rooms and suites; a rooftop pool and terrace overlooking the Terrace Theater Plaza; an open-air rooftop lounge and bar with 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and Los Angeles basin; a lavish two-story spa, wellness and fitness center; a live jazz club and music lounge; and more than 12,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and function space. The hotel's culinary program will include five innovative food & beverage venues, including the reopening of the famed Sky Room restaurant.

With more than 80 locations around the globe, and a record-breaking pipeline under development, Fairmont boasts some of the most renowned hotel addresses in the world, including The Plaza in New York City and The Savoy in London, both Fairmont managed hotels. Fairmont The Breakers, Long Beach joins a growing collection of luxury properties in California, including the recently reimagined Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles; seaside standout Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica; Forbes 5-star triple threat Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego; historic Bay icon Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel; and the brand's original hotel, flagship Fairmont San Francisco. Other notable properties that will soon join the exceptional Fairmont brand portfolio include Fairmont La Paz Puerta Cortes Resort and Residences in Mexico, Fairmont Phoenix and Fairmont Orlando. Fairmont hotels are a place of occasion, offering world-class dining, luxurious rooms, thoughtful service and unforgettable experiences in beautiful locations.

Fairmont The Breakers, Long Beach is located on Ocean Boulevard in the city of Long Beach, which serves as a major destination for tourism and other leisure travel as well as a hub for regional commercial activity. The area is known for its waterfront attractions, such as the RMS Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific, and boasts cultural charms such as Restaurant Row on Pine Avenue and the East Village Arts District. The hotel is adjacent to the Long Beach Convention Center and is a short walk from the Metro Blue Line station, which connects downtown Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles via rail.

The project will bring together a world-class team of architects and designers to develop a stunning luxury hotel. The property's renovation will be a major economic benefit to Long Beach, providing employment opportunities to more than 1,500 during the redevelopment, and more than 230 hospitality jobs upon reopening.

Fairmont is part of Accor, the second largest operator of luxury hotels in the world. Additional luxury brands in the Accor portfolio include Raffles, Orient Express, Sofitel, and many more. Upon its opening, Fairmont The Breakers, Long Beach will join ALL - Accor Live Limitless, Accor's award-winning lifestyle loyalty program.

Hotel website
A passionate and result-oriented professional, the new Director of Sales & Marketing, Airika Sirak, brings over 25 years of industry knowledge and expertise.The Estonian national has previously contributed to the growth of a prolific portfolio of notable international hotel chains, such as Hilton and Marriott International, in Europe and UK, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and now Maldives. Within her new role, Airika will orchestrate impactful business, sales, and marketing initiatives to drive business growth, and greater brand awareness, as well as mentor her team members to reach their goals and advance within their respective organisations.

Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa

Lhaviyani Atoll

Maldives Website
Following over 11 years in various hotel sales roles, Kelly Catherine joins Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria as Director of Sales and Marketing. Beginning her hospitality career as a Front Desk Agent for Hospitality Partners, Catherine quickly moved her way up to a manager role, and continued working in hotels where she gained hands-on experience working at prestigious companies such as Hilton, Marriott, Legacy Starwood, Choice, Hyatt, and Independently branded projects (both limited & full service). Catherine will oversee all components of sales, marketing, and revenue in her role while simultaneously cultivating relationships with clients and customers.

Catherine was awarded the Island Hospitality's "Champions Cup" in 2019 for her outstanding performance and now intends to bring this same fire and passion to Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria. Catherine's passion for hospitality began as early as five years old while making room keys and cookies during her mother's MOD shifts. Catherine is excited to start this new chapter and is eager to support the expansion of Hyatt Centric's footprint in the Washington DC Metro region. Catherine hopes to emulate Hyatt Centric's brand positioning and immerse itself in the local market.
Prior to joining the InterContinental New York Times Square team, Dawna spent 20 years in various senior sales and marketing roles including the Westin New York at Times Square, Westin Grand Central, and W Hoboken. Most recently, Dawna was an Area Sales Leader for Marriott International where she oversaw three full-service hotels and helped increase overall sales for those properties within a year. In her new role, Dawna will oversee and implement a direct sales strategy to ensure the property meets revenue goals.

InterContinental New York Times Square

New York, New York

United States Website
As Assistant Director of Rooms, Chauntel Brown will be operational, but also firmly focused upon shaping the experience of all guests, from the moment they arrive to departure. Brown joined the pre-opening team of Four Seasons Hotel Nashville after an impressive career with the Hyatt brand, including recent stints with Hyatt House Nashville Downtown SoBro and Grand Hyatt Nashville. A native of Fort Myers, Florida, Brown received a bachelor's degree in Resort and Hospitality Management and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Development from Florida Gulf Coast University. During her tenure with Hyatt, she worked at properties in San Antonio, Texas; Baltimore, Maryland; and Bonita Springs, Florida, as well as in positions for Hyatt Corporate and the Hyatt Global Contact Center, before accepting her role as Assistant Director of Rooms for Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, her first appointment with the company.

Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee

United States Website
As Spa Manager, Coleman Phillips will spearhead the 7th floor's wellness space comprised of six treatment rooms, with additional responsibility for the state-of-the-art fitness centre and salon on the same floor. A licensed massage therapist and spa manager with 15 years of experience in five-star resorts, Phillips joins The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Nashville after positions at some of the best resorts in the country. A graduate of Utah College of Massage Therapy, Phillips began his career at the award-winning Spa Ojai at the five-star Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in Ojai, California. After launching his own massage therapy business for athletes, Phillips spent two years at Meadowood Spa Napa Valley, where he moved into spa management. Following that, he worked as the spa manager and interim spa director at award-winning Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee, overseeing the spa's operations during the pandemic. In April 2022, Phillips joined the pre-opening team of Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, where he will apply his experience in luxury hospitality and spa leadership to his role as Spa Manager.

Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee

United States Website
As Event Sales Manager, Chanel Lewis will bring luxury meetings and events to life at Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, with an impressive array of spaces on hand, including a 10,000 square foot (935 square metre) grand ballroom, a junior ballroom and six other state-of-the-art function rooms.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Lewis studied hospitality and business at the College of Charleston, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Upon graduation, she attended an accelerated culinary arts program at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley and earned a certificate in plant-based nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell. She worked in restaurants  including Ford Fry's The Optimist in Atlanta - before joining InterContinental Hotels Group in 2015 to work in catering sales, service and management for properties in Boston, Massachusetts. In April 2021, she accepted her first appointment with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as a Catering Sales Manager for Four Seasons Hotel Boston. She joined the pre-opening team of Four Seasons Hotel Nashville as Event Sales Manager in spring 2022.
Australian International Hotel Company, TFE Hotels, has announced the appointment of Brian Delaney to their executive leadership team in the role of Chief Financial Officer.

The appointment comes as TFE Hotels continues its global expansion with the SE Asian debut of Adina Singapore Orchard this month; the announcement of a boutique-style Collection by TFE Hotels' property within the TOGA group's $200 million mixed-used project in Sydney's Surry Hills; the expansion of its European portfolio by almost 50%; and more than 10 in the pipeline including Adina Pentridge Melbourne and Vibe Hotel Adelaide in the next 6 months.

Irish-born Delaney joins TFE Hotels direct from Minor International PCL (MINT) where he spent 9 years - most recently as Chief Financial Officer for the group, where he oversaw the hospitality, restaurant and lifestyle businesses; supporting MINT to grow to be one of the largest hospitality companies in the Asia Pacific region.

Brian has extensive operational experience having previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Minor Hotel Group Ltd; Chief Financial Officer at Oaks Hotels, Resorts and suites and Head-Fund Accounting at AMP Capital Holdings in Sydney. Prior to this, Brian spent a number of years in the Financial Services sector with Helaba, J.P. Morgan and Citibank in his native Ireland.

TFE Hotels Chief Executive Officer, Antony Ritch said he looked forward to welcoming Brian to TFE's growing Global Leadership Team.

In his new role, Brian will oversee all global financial matters of the group, working with the Leadership team to execute an ambitious growth agenda including seven brands - A by Adina, Adina Hotels, Vibe Hotels, Quincy Hotels, Travelodge Hotels, Rendezvous and Collection by TFE Hotels - in six countries, with additional markets on the horizon.

A Chartered Accountant by trade, Brian holds a Master of Accounting from the University College Dublin Graduate Business School and a Bachelor of Business Studies (Accounting) from the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Having been at the financial helm of a global hospitality business, Brian knows the challenges the hotel industry has faced and understands the great opportunities that lie ahead.

Brian will relocate to TFE Hotel's Sydney headquarters this month.
Leading an official UNWTO delegation to Paraguay, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with President Abdo Benitez to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities for tourism in Paraguay and identify ways of working together to grow and the sector in both size and relevance. Paraguay currently serves as Chair of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas and is a member of its Executive Council. Such an active role in the mission of UNWTO underscores the governments commitment to establishing the country as one of the regions top tourist destinations and the sector as a driver of sustainable development.

Making tourism a priority for Paraguay

Secretary-General Pololikashvili noted that Paraguay is already on the world map as a destination, and that, working together, UNWTO and the government can make this beautiful country better known and make tourism a priority for creating jobs and opportunities for economic growth.

Opening a special session on Renewable Energy and Sustainable Tourism, held against the backdrop of the UNWTO visit, President Mario Abdo Benitez, said: The task of the National Government is to promote Paraguay as a destination as part of our strategy to generate income, strengthen our culture and give opportunity to a large number of young people who, as the UNWTO Secretary General said, have the potential to be tourisms greatest strength.

Alongside meeting with the President, the UNWTO delegation also met with Minister of Tourism for Paraguay Sofia Montiel de Afara, with the National Tourism Advisory Council of Paraguay, as well as with representatives from the World Bank and from across the private sector. The presence of high-level representatives from the Ministries of the Interior, of Industry and Commerce and of Education and Sciences, underlined the cross-cutting importance of tourism for Paraguay and for the wider region. The Minister of Tourism stated her desire to build on her Ministrys existing work with UNWTO and develop a new series of capacity-building initiatives to guide tourism in sector out of the pandemic and towards a more resilient future.

Youth empowerment and rural development

Reflecting one of UNWTOs core priorities, as illustrated by the recent inaugural Global Youth Tourism Summit, Secretary-General Pololikashvili also met with young tourism leaders and advocates from every part of Paraguay to hear their thoughts on the future of the sector and to ensure that they are part of the decision-making process. The UNWTO delegation also visited the historic community of San Cosme y San Damian, named one of UNWTOs Best Tourism Villages in 2021 in recognition of its significance preserving the countrys unique cultural heritage and as a provider of rural development.

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About The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations specialized agency fostering tourism as a vehicle for equal, inclusive and sustainable development. Working with its Member States, international organizations and the private sector, UNWTO promotes safe and seamless travel for all. UNWTO also works to make tourism the foundation of trust and international cooperation and a central pillar of recovery. As part of the wider UN system, UNWTO is at the forefront of global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through its ability to create decent jobs, promote equality and preserve natural and cultural heritage.

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Holding an owner-centric business model has put La Vie Hotels & Resorts in a winning position and is how the group has managed to turbo charge its growth in 2022.

Working hand in hand with owners to procure franchise agreements with major hotel brands, La Vie Hotels & Resorts has in the last four months, signed agreements with Radisson in Sri Lanka, Choice Hotels in Phuket and Accor in Australia. In October 2021 the group also signed an agreement with IHG to badge its Bondi Junction property under their Holiday Inn & Suites brand.

In addition, La Vie secured the exclusive rights to manage the design-led YOO brand in Australia, which led to the announcement in May that Melbourne would call home to Australias first By YOO Luxury Lifestyle hotel in 2025, with other exciting announcements regarding the YOO brand expected to be released in the coming months.

Craig Bond, Managing Director of La Vie Hotels & Resorts stated that it is due to the management structure and the groups point of difference that has seen its growth expedite.

We are the first Australian headquartered company that has sought to champion the franchise model in Australia. In Europe and America, franchise hotels make up approximately 80% of the hotel pool. In Australia and South East Asia the franchise model isnt as prevalent. We see an opportunity in the market to capitalise on this and partner with owners to find the right brand for the right location and work in conjunction with owners to get the most out of their assets and drive performance from the brands loyalty, distribution networks and global reach."

We see great synergies working with the big hotel brands and value the global distribution the brands bring, though a lot of the time, we find owners are left wanting. We cross that threshold and work alongside owners and their teams to optimise performance across all facets of the hotel business.

Jerry Xu, CEO of La Vie Hotels & Resorts commented, We have an incredibly strong team in Australia and our regional offices in Bangkok, Singapore and Dubai supports our growth across the various regions. Our portfolio represents a collection of diverse properties: business hotels in bustling CBDs, family resorts in popular tourism destinations and boutique art hotels in sought- after neighbourhoods."

Particularly as people look to indulge and spend quality time with friends and loved ones following the recent lockdowns, we see great potential for growth in resort destinations. So much so, we are currently developing our very own brand that will launch in one of the worlds most iconic resort destinations later this year.

As we continue to see great traction outside the traditional hotel business model, we will keep pushing the boundaries to deliver the best possible returns for owners and work with our teams to deliver memorable guest experiences.

About La Vie Hotels and Resorts

La Vie Hotels and Resorts is an owner focused third-party hotel management company, that provides a unique "one-stop shop' approach resulting in a cohesive and strategic response to their clients' real estate objectives within Hospitality. The portfolio represents a collection of diverse properties: business hotels in bustling CBD, family resorts in popular tourism destinations or boutique art hotels hidden in sought after neighbourhoods. The group currently operates hotels across Australia, South & South East Asia, Greater China, Maldives and Eastern Europe.

For more information, head to www.laviehotels.com.
With an average expenditure of $2,177 per outbound tourist, Brazil was the seventh highest spending outbound market globally in 2021. This is forecasted to increase to $2,325 by 2025, to become the sixth highest behind Australia, the US, Iceland, Singapore and Mauritius, found GlobalData. The leading data and analytics company notes that the Brazilian markets high average overseas expenditure, coupled with the fact that affordability and accessibility are not the primary factors influencing destination choice, means there is significant scope to attract these tourists to long-haul or luxury destinations.

GlobalDatas latest report,Brazil Source Tourism Insight Report including International Departures, Domestic Trips, Key Destinations, Trends, Tourist Profiles, Analysis of Consumer Survey Responses, Spend Analysis, Risks and Future Opportunities, 2022 Update, reveals that the increasingly valuable Brazilian source market largely defies global travel trends with recommendations from friends and family taking precedence over affordability and accessibility.

Source: GlobalData Plc

Hannah Free, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: A GlobalData Survey* revealed that 60% of Brazilian respondents reported recommendations by friends and family being an influencing factor in destination choice, this was the most influential factor and far exceeded the global average of 47%. Savvy industry players will harness the power of personal recommendations to help build a repeat customer base and create a community of powerful advocates around their product, service or destination.

Meanwhile, 51% of Brazilian consumers consider accessibility key for traveling, such as direct flights, and 49% of the Brazilian market consider affordability as an influencing factor when deciding where to go on holiday, far below the global average of 58%. Indicative of this and further defying conventional travel trends, Brazils outbound destination mix was dominated by Europe. The continent accounted for 68.2% of international departures from Brazil in 2021, followed by North America (28.3%) and South and Central America (3.3%).

Free concludes: Overall, there is significant scope for international shopping destinations to attract the Brazilian source market, due to high taxes levied on imported luxury goods and the Brazilian markets willingness to dedicate a significant portion of income on outbound travel.

*GlobalData Q3 2021 Consumer Survey  22,499 respondents

Quotes provided by Hannah Free, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData

Brazil Source Tourism Insight Report including International Departures, Domestic Trips, Key Destinations, Trends, Tourist Profiles, Analysis of Consumer Survey Responses, Spend Analysis, Risks and Future Opportunities, 2022 Update

GlobalDatas Tourism Source Market Insight: Brazil report provides a thorough insight into Brazils domestic and outbound tourism market. The report looks at the profiles of Brazilian tourists and summarizes the key reasons that they travel. The report offers an in-depth analysis of traveler flows, spending patterns, main destination markets and current and future opportunities for tourism businesses seeking to tap into the Brazilian outbound travel market.

About GlobalData

4,000 of the world's largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData's unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData's mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.

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When the pandemic hit, the hospitality and tourism (H&T) industry immediately responded to the crisis with furloughs and layoffs. It did not take long for the industry to realize that it must deal with the labor shortage challenge. In fact, the labor shortage challenge is not new to the H&T industry, but the Great Resignation during the pandemic has worsened the situation.

In one of my recent publications in the Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, I presented three propositions about the labor shortage issue facing the H&T industry. The paper aims to initiate a conversation between our industry leaders and administrators/professors in academic programs with some collaboration ideas. The following are some key ideas.

The three questions being discussed

Will the worsening labor shortage challenge facing the H&T industry improve in the short term? How can industry professionals and academic leaders/professors work together to address the labor shortage issue? How can academic research help address the labor shortage challenge?

The three propositions/conclusions

To answer the first question, I presented three propositions (P1  P3) based on a review of relevant business reports and research about the labor shortage situation. I concluded that the H&T industry would likely be one of the slower sectors to recruit its workforce back to employment.

P1: The increasing demands by both organizations and customers have made H&T jobs more challenging and stressful, resulting in more employment separations in the H&T industry.

P2: As more H&T companies adopt AI-empowered automatic services in operations, new skillsets (e.g., human-machine interactions) are needed to perform the jobs.

P3: Low labor supply for managerial talents, especially from accredited academic programs, will persist in the H&T industry for at least a few more years.

I presented my recommendations under three primary areas of talent management to answer the second question. Some suggestions are for H&T companies; others are for H&T programs, plus a few collaboration initiatives (as the following).

Talent acquisition

To feature recent graduates positive experience in the industry regularly as a co-branding and content marketing strategy. To include selective students in companies social activities to engage candidates with current employees. To establish structured college recruitment programs for interns and graduates. To establish a work-study program, supporting employees to go back to school and students to work in the industry.

Learning and Development

To extend the college education program in the industry (e.g., The Disney College Program). To embed the real industry experience into the students learning experience in all courses. To develop intensive training or certificate programs together for continuous education either at work or in school. To train faculty with the most updated industry knowledge in a real business setting (e.g., faculty internship).

Talent retention

To co-host cultural activities that involve employees and students. Present various career options within the industry, encouraging people to stay within the industry even if they do not like their current jobs.

To answer the third question, I made recommendations for academic research. In the end, I echo the reviewers comments that it will take more than just industry-academia collaboration to address the worsening labor shortage issue, but I hope my critical reflection, although with a narrow focus on two primary stakeholders of the industry, will become a starting point for a conversation that will eventually spark an on-going and more in-depth discussion to address the labor shortage challenge.

References

Kwok, L. (2022). Labor shortage: A critical reflection and a call for industry-academia collaboration. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJCHM-01-2022-0103/full/html

Linchi Kwok

Professor at The Collins College of Hospitality Management, Cal Poly Pomona

CAL Poly Pomona

View source
WASHINGTON - The spending package agreed to by Sen. Joe Manchin and Democratic leaders Wednesday includes an expansion of oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters, including the Gulf of Mexico.

Under the legislation the Department of Interior would need to hold three previously cancelled oil and gas lease sales for the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska's Cook Inlet, and reinstate a Gulf lease sale that was vacated by a federal judge earlier this year. And the department could not issue permits for solar and wind projects on federal lands and waters without holding regular lease sales for oil and gas drilling.

Those provisions represent a major coup for oil and gas companies facing a Biden administration that sought to limit oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters out of concern for the long-term impact on climate change.

"Senator Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have negotiated an energy and climate deal grounded in reality: a package that promotes zero and low carbon energy and supports domestic production of offshore oil and natural gas," Erik Milito, president of trade group National Ocean Industries Association, said in a statement. "We are still reviewing the language, but it appears to offer a serious path forward that lifts offshore energy of all types."

CLIMATE TALKS: Manchin strikes deal with Democrats on clean energy spending and deficit reduction

Offshore oil and gas projects take years to develop and cost billions of dollars, locking in carbon emissions for decades at a time nations worldwide are seeking to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Last year the International Energy Agency warned that if nations were to meet their goal of net zero emissions by 2050, they should halt the development of new oil and gas fields and rely on those that were already established.

"This is a climate suicide pact, said Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity. Its self-defeating to handcuff renewable energy development to massive new oil and gas extraction. The new leasing required in this bill will fan the flames of the climate disasters torching our country."

With gasoline prices near record highs, Democrats have come under pressure to back off climate policies that would limit oil drilling.

Under the legislation, which still requires a majority vote to pass the Senate, the Interior Department would need to make available for lease at least 2 million acres of public lands and 60 million acres of offshore waters per year for the next decade.

But oil and gas companies would also be required to pay increased royalty rates and a fee on methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, that would reach up to $1,500 per ton by 2025.

In a statement Wednesday evening, President Joe Biden offered the bill his support, saying it would, "improve our energy security and tackle the climate crisis."
Billy Smith II/Chronicle

Kinder Morgan is adding to its roster of landfill assets that can produce renewable natural gas as part of its strategy to reduce emissions and develop more environmentally friendly fuels.

The Houston pipeline giant closed last week on assets at three landfills, including an RNG facility in Arlington, which it bought from Atlanta-based Mas CanAm for $355 million. The deal also included assets at landfills in Victoria and Shreveport that produce lower-grade gasses that could be used for fuel.
An 11-year-old girl was killed in a boating incident while wearing a life jacket and helmet in southern Michigan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported.

Conservation officers for the DNR are investigating the incident and said the girl was struck by a boat around 3 p.m. Wednesday on Lake Michindoh, according to a press release issued by the DNR Thursday. The lake is offshore of the Michindoh Conference Center, a Christian camp and conference center located along Bacon Road on the east side of the lake.

A 25-year-old lifeguard from the conference center was operating a 1989 Supra Sunsport that was pulling 12 children on a banana boat, which is a non-motorized inflatable tube people ride on pulled by a motorized boat, according to the DNR in the release. The boat and tube belonged to the Michindoh Conference Center.

A 29-year-old woman was also on the boat, watching the children as a "spotter," according to the DNR in the release. All children were wearing life jackets and helmets.

Three children fell from the banana boat into the water. When the operator returned to pick up the children, the vessel struck the 11-year-old girl who was not previously seen in the water, according to the DNR in the release.

The man operating the boat "immediately jumped into the water to help the girl and a woman from the conference center called 911 requesting an ambulance," according to the DNR in the release.

A second person called 911 providing additional details.

The girl was transported to the conference center dock and emergency responders met her there for medical treatment. EMS personnel rushed the girl by ambulance to Hillsdale County Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries, according to the DNR in the release.

Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor, authorities said. Weather conditions were favorable for boating and the boat was the only operating vessel on the lake when the incident occurred.

The boat operator has a Michigan boater safety certificate and is cooperating with the investigation, authorities said.

Authorities have not yet released the names of those involved as the investigation is ongoing. Assisting agencies are the Hillsdale County Sheriffs Office, Michigan State Police, North Adam Fire Department and Reading Emergency Unit.
LENORAH, Texas (AP)  To the naked eye, the Mako Compressor Station outside the dusty West Texas crossroads of Lenorah appears unremarkable, similar to tens of thousands of oil and gas operations scattered throughout the oil-rich Permian Basin.

Whats not visible through the chain-link fence is the plume of invisible gas, primarily methane, billowing from the gleaming white storage tanks up into the cloudless blue sky.

The Mako station, owned by a subsidiary of West Texas Gas Inc., was observed releasing an estimated 870 kilograms of methane  an extraordinarily potent greenhouse gas  into the atmosphere each hour. Thats the equivalent of burning seven tanker trucks full of gasoline every day.

But Makos outsized emissions arent illegal, or even regulated. And it was only one of 533 methane super emitters detected during a 2021 aerial survey of the Permian conducted by Carbon Mapper, a partnership of university researchers and NASA.

The group documented massive amounts of methane venting into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations across the Permian, a 250-mile-wide bone-dry expanse along the Texas-New Mexico border. Hundreds of those sites were seen spewing the gas over and over again. Ongoing leaks, gushers, going unfixed.

We see the same sites active from year to year. Its not just month to month or season to season, said Riley Duren, a research scientist at the University of Arizona who leads Carbon Mapper.

Methanes earth-warming power is some 83 times stronger over 20 years than the carbon dioxide that comes from car tailpipes and power plant smokestacks. Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency have largely failed to regulate the invisible gas. That leaves it up to oil and gas producers  in some cases the very companies who have been fighting regulations  to cut methane emissions on their own.

The Associated Press took the coordinates of the 533 super-emitting sites identified by Carbon Mapper and cross-referenced the locations with public records to piece together the corporations most likely responsible.

Just 10 companies owned at least 164 of those sites, according to an AP analysis of Carbon Mappers data. West Texas Gas owned 11.

The methane released by these companies will be disrupting the climate for decades, contributing to more heat waves, hurricanes, wildfires and floods. Theres now nearly three times as much methane in the air than there was before industrial times. The year 2021 saw the worst single increase ever.

Last October, AP journalists visited more than two dozen sites flagged as persistent methane super emitters by Carbon Mapper with a FLIR infrared camera and recorded video of large plumes of hydrocarbon gas containing methane escaping from pipeline compressors, tank batteries, flare stacks and other production infrastructure.

In addition to West Texas Gass Mako site, AP observed a large plume of gas escaping from tanks at a WTG compressor station about 15 miles away in the Sale Ranch oil field. Carbon Mapper estimated that emissions from that site averaged about 410 kilos of methane an hour.

In a statement, Midland-based West Texas Gas said it routinely conducts its own overflights with gas detection equipment and within the last six months had either repaired or upgraded nine of the super emitting sites that AP asked about, including Mako. The company was actively addressing another site, though it declined to provide specifics. WTG said it inspected the last site and found no leak.

AP found Targa Resources, a Houston-based natural gas storage, processing and distribution company, was the closest operator to 30 sites that were emitting a combined 3,000 kilograms of methane per hour. Targa did not respond to a detailed list of questions from the AP.

Reducing air emissions from the oil and natural gas sector is a top priority for the administration and for EPA, said Tomas Carbonell, EPAs deputy assistant administrator for stationary sources. Methane, he added, is helping drive impacts that communities across the country are already seeing every day, including heat waves and wildfires and sea level rise.

But proposed rules to address emissions most oil and gas sites are still under review, and if implemented will likely face legal challenges.

To track emissions, the U.S. government keeps an inventory of methane released into the atmosphere. Those figures are used by policy makers and scientists to help calculate how much the planet will warm.

AP found the government database often fails to account for the true rate of emissions observed in the Permian.

For example, Devon Energy reported releasing methane equivalent to 42,000 metric tons of CO2 for a year of operations in the Permian Basin. APs analysis, using the detected emissions, shows they would emit that much in just 46 days.

A spokesperson for Devon said the company is committed to reducing its methane emissions and being transparent about its progress.

The EPA could not provide AP with a single example of a polluter being fined or cited for failing to report, or underreporting emissions.

At an international climate summit in November, the United States and more than 100 other countries signed on to a Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. To meet that deadline, the American oil and gas industry would have to reduce emissions at a rate far beyond anything currently seen.

The industry says it is working toward that goal.

To be able to capture more methane emissions makes sense from a business perspective, said Frank Macchiarola, a senior vice president at the American Petroleum Institute, an industry trade group. "It's the product that we ultimately want to bring to market.

But climate scientists and environmentalists warn the industrys incremental efforts are nowhere near enough to avoid dire consequences for humanity.

Methane is responsible for 25% of todays global warming, and we cant limit future warming to 2 degrees Celsius if we dont drastically cut those emissions, said Ilissa Ocko, a senior climate scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, a group that campaigns for climate action. We have the tools to cut methane in half and the faster we do that, the better off our climate and communities will be.

___

Associated Press data journalist Nicky Forster contributed from New York.

___

Follow AP investigative reporters Michael Biesecker at twitter.com/mbieseck and Helen Wieffering at twitter.com/helenwieffering
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  A man accused of raping and impregnating a 9-year-old Ohio girl who traveled to Indiana for an abortion was ordered held without bond Thursday by a judge who cited overwhelming evidence and the fact that he apparently is living in the U.S. illegally.

Gerson Fuentes, 27, faces two counts of raping the girl, who turned 10 before having the abortion in a case that has become a flashpoint in the national discussion about access to the procedure since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. He has pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, Fuentes, who is from Guatemala, faces the possibility of life in prison with no chance of parole. That penalty and not having any ties to this community that can be proved legally makes it a substantial flight risk, Franklin County Judge Julie Lynch said after a 35-minute hearing.

The girl confirmed that Fuentes attacked her, Fuentes confessed to Columbus police detectives, and DNA testing of the aborted fetus confirmed Fuentes was the father, Franklin County Prosecutor Dan Meyer and detective Jeffrey Huhn said in court Thursday.

Huhn said he was unable, when searching multiple databases, to find any evidence that Fuentes was in the country legally.

In denying bond, Lynch cited that evidence, the violence of the crime and the fact that Fuentes had been living in the same home with the girl and her mother.

To allow him to return to that home, the traumatic and psychological impact would be undeserving to an alleged victim, Lynch said. She also cited the physical, and mental and emotional trauma the girl suffered from enduring the rapes and the abortion, and finding her case at the center of the country's abortion debate.

The case gained national attention after an Indianapolis physician, Dr. Caitlin Bernard, said the child had to travel to Indiana due to Ohio banning abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.

President Joe Biden cited the case when he signed an order July 8 trying to protect abortion access. Some conservatives and prominent Republicans, including Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, cast doubt on the story initially, then condemned the attack after Fuentes was arrested.

Fuentes' attorney, Bryan Bowen, argued against a no-bond hearing and unsuccessfully asked Lynch to set a reasonable bond. He said there was no evidence that there was physical abuse outside of the rapes or that the girl had been put under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He also said that Fuentes had family ties in Columbus, that he had a job, and that there was no evidence of a criminal history. Fuentes has lived in the area about seven years.

We've heard evidence about the nature of the offense, but we have not heard any evidence presented about any danger that Mr. Fuentes would pose to any particular person or to the community, he said. He declined to comment after Lynch's ruling.

Dan Meyer, an assistant Franklin County prosecutor, said Thursday that Fuentes was providing for the girl's family, including her mother.

Columbus police learned about the girls pregnancy after her mother alerted Franklin County Children Services on June 22. Huhn said Fuentes confessed to raping the girl, who turned 10 on May 28, on two occasions.

The girl saw a Columbus-area doctor in late June with a plan to have an abortion locally, but that wasnt possible due to the gestational age, determined to be six weeks and four days, Huhn testified.

Ohio's heartbeat abortion ban includes an exception only for an emergency that is life-threatening or involving a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.

Indianas Republican Senate leaders proposed a bill this month that would prohibit abortions from the time an egg is implanted in a uterus, with exceptions in cases of rape and incest and to protect the life of the mother. The proposal followed the controversy over the Ohio girl's abortion in Indiana.
DENVER (AP)  A wealthy dentist accused of shooting and killing his wife in their cabin at the end of an African safari trip testified Wednesday that an unfamiliar shotgun they brought with them to hunt a leopard accidentally went off, wounding her as she hurried to pack early in the morning.

I did not kill my wife. I could not murder my wife. I would not murder my wife, Lawrence Larry Rudolph told jurors Wednesday.

His voice cracked at times as he testified for over two hours about his open marriage to Bianca Rudolph and her death in October 2016 in Zambia. He said he was in the bathroom when he heard the shot and came out and found his wife on the floor, bleeding.

Rudolph, 67, is charged with murder and mail fraud in what prosecutors describe as a premeditated crime. He faces a maximum term of life in prison or the death penalty if convicted of murder in the trial, which is being held in federal court in Denver because the insurance companies that paid him nearly $5 million for his wife's death were based in Colorado.

Prosecutors allege Rudolph killed his wife of 34 years to be with his girlfriend, Lori Milliron, who is charged with lying to a grand jury and being an accessory after the fact. She is being tried alongside Rudolph. In opening statements, the prosecution told jurors that Rudolph was overheard blurting out I killed my f---g wife for you!" during an argument with Milliron at a Phoenix steakhouse in 2020 after he learned that the FBI was investigating his wife's death.

Rudolph denied confessing to his wife's killing. He said he and Milliron were having an argument about their finances and how the COVID-19 pandemic, then at its start, would affect the Pennsylvania dental franchise that had made him a small fortune. But he was irritated because he said his top concern was the FBI's probe.

Rudolph said what he actually said was Now they're saying I killed my f---g wife for you."

After being close to divorce twice, Rudolph said he and his wife, who had two children, agreed to stay married in 2000 but pursue sexual relationships with other people. He said the tension in their marriage eased after that, describing themselves as reasonably happy in their arrangement. Rudolph said neither Milliron nor his wife issued him any ultimatums about ending his relationship with the other.

Rudolph's lawyer, David Markus, has argued that Rudolph had no financial motive for murder. Rudolph was worth more than $15 million when his wife died and the insurance payout went into a trust for their children.

Zambian authorities determined two days after the Oct. 11, 2016, shooting that it was accidental, according to the defense. Investigators for the insurers who later paid $4.8 million reached the same conclusion.

Prosecutors counter that evidence shows Bianca Rudolph's wounds came from a shot fired from 2 to 3.5 feet (1 meter) away.
Houston Chronicle

A divorcing couples argument turned deadly after the husband shot and killed his wifes boyfriend Wednesday afternoon inside a restaurant near Klein, the Harris County sheriffs office said.

The spouses and the wifes boyfriend met at a restaurant on the 4500 block of Cypress Creek Parkway just after 11 a.m. Wednesday to discuss the terms of the divorce, but an argument broke out, according to Major Susan Cotter.
A Houston woman was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder over the death of a man inside a Harris County motel room.

Symphony Griffin, 27, of Houston, was charged with murder, according to Harris County District Court records.

Griffin is accused of killing Johnny Ray Johnson on Sunday morning inside a room in the Stafford Inn & Suites, a motel at 12111 Murphy Road, in southwest Harris County.

Johnson, 61, died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

Griffin is accused of shooting Johnson, and then walking outside the room and calling 9-1-1, according to a bail motion filed by the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Griffin allegedly told dispatchers she shot someone "but didn't known where she was or the name of the motel," according to the filing.

More on Houstonchronicle.com: Argument among divorcing couple leads to boyfriend's death, sheriff says

On Sunday, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said the woman who called 9-1-1 said the man she shot had been sexually aggressive with her.

She then threw away the cell phone and left the motel in Johnson's Cadillac, according to the filing.

Police located Griffin after finding her car at Johnson's home, according to the filing.

Griffin was held on $1 million bond, according to court documents. She is scheduled to make a preliminary court appearance on Friday morning in the Harris County 174th District Court.

john.ferguson@chron.com
PORT BOLIVAR  Hannah Kaplan kept kosher during her childhood in Houston. She never ate an oyster. Now she is the first person to figure out how to farm oysters in Galveston Bay. Some of the first she ate were from her own harvest.

Kaplan, 32, and her father Joe Kaplan, 67, who has a background in private equity, are determined to succeed with what Hannah calls the new niche industry. It hasnt been easy. Environmental advocates, chefs and oyster fishermen are watching to see if they can pull it off.

The Kaplans are launching their business, Barrier Beauties, when the future of wild oysters is in question. Heavy rains and storm surges have badly damaged natural Texas reefs. State regulators closed almost every public harvest area last season to try to let them recover.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Will Texas oysters be plentiful again? The state is re-thinking how to make it happen.

Farmed oysters are a new offering to help meet the Texas oyster demand. They provide some environmental benefits like wild ones; for example, they filter ocean water. The business success will hinge in part on how many storms hit and whether restaurants and wholesalers are willing to pay for a product they havent seen before.

Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Its the start of the industry, says Hannah Kaplan, undaunted. You have to build consumer knowledge.

Texas legislators didnt legalize oyster farming until 2019, years behind other states. Two other farmers have since been permitted to start, one near Rockport and another by Palacios. The Kaplans were first of these shellfish pioneers to harvest and send farmed oysters off to restaurants, including go-to spots La Lucha and State of Grace in Houston.

The state until recently was missing out on the economic opportunity of supplying farmed oysters and the research opportunities for scientists, said Joe Fox, a senior fellow with the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, who pushed to get the farming industry started in Texas. Fox wanted to see more jobs on the water since wild oyster harvesting and coastal communities that depended on it had suffered.

Its moving forward actually, Fox said, adding, Its almost every day that we have people interested in starting.

For their operation in the bay, the Kaplans boat displays permit number two.

Playing Tetris

Hannah Kaplan was working in service at an Aspen, Colorado, hotel in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, eliminating her job. She was trying to figure out what to do when her dad  who is active in the Jewish community but grew up eating shellfish  suggested farming oysters. His friend in Florida was trying it, too.

The concept intrigued Kaplan. Shes one of five kids and knew nothing about oyster farming. So she started researching: Where could she get baby oysters? What gear did she need to grow them? What did the permitting process entail?

More from Emily Foxhall: Rising sea levels pose an existential threat to Galveston. Heres how islanders are grappling with it.

Kaplan now travels to Houston regularly.

To start an oyster farm, Kaplan had to follow Texas Parks and Wildlife rules approved in May 2020. Regulations required her to find a spot a certain distance away from oil and gas pipelines, wild oyster reefs and sea grass. It was like piecing together a puzzle, she said.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Emma Clarkson, the agencys director of the ecosystem resources program, likens the permitting process to playing Tetris. It was rigorous to get approved. The agency needed to ensure there would be no problems with an aspiring farmers plan, especially as the industry grew.

Theres no cap on the number of farms, or how many acres they can be, Clarkson said. So the point of this is, at the end, we can feel comfortable having as many farms as can fit without having concerns that its having a negative impact to sea grass, or oysters, or nesting birds, or to recreational activities.

The business also needed permission from multiple other state agencies to start. These included the General Land Office, which watches over the bay bottom; state environmental regulators, who oversee water quality and the state health department, which is responsible for seafood.

The process was far from streamlined. On Sept. 24, 2021, Kaplans license was approved.

Farmed oysters dont slow storm surges like wild oysters do, but they do help the ecosystem. With pressure so high on the wild reefs to produce, Galveston Bay Foundation President Bob Stokes noted increasing the supply of oysters from Texas couldnt hurt. (Some argue wild and farmed oyster markets dont overlap. They taste similar but farmed ones have more petite shells.)

Regulators are still puzzling through how to help wild oysters recover. Fishermen held protests earlier this year and testified at a hearing in Austin about how they needed to be working the reefs. A group tasked with addressing the issue is just getting started.

To me its only additive, Stokes said of farmed oysters, and therefore positive for the whole ecosystem.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Out-of-work Texas oyster fishermen are protesting reef closures. Theyd rather be out on the water.

Way to go

Barrier Beauties operates from an unassuming metal boathouse on Bolivar Peninsula. Its rustic, with a portable john for a bathroom. They have two refrigerators to store their harvest and a long metal tumbler under a tarp.

Kaplan started with a purchase of 300 wild Texas oysters, which were shipped to Auburn University. Staff there helped to facilitate reproduction. The original shellfish spawned 560,000 baby oysters, which grew a bit bigger when they were relocated to an underwater nursery. Barrier Beauties General Manager Gordon Lipscomb drove across Texas to pick them up.

Lipscomb, 61, had experience in shrimp and fish farming. But oysters? I did not know a lot, he admits.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Contractors built the farm about 1,050 feet from the shoreline, dropping chains into the water and anchoring them into the ground. Buoys hold up each chain and 100-foot lines are strung between them, arranged neatly in rows across the surface of the water. Lipscomb and his team put the tiny oysters into bags with buoys and clipped them to the lines. Hed explain to curious passersby what they were doing.

Everybodys just Thumbs up. Way to go. Thats excellent for Galveston Bay, Lipscomb said.

Challenges emerged. Storms struck, including one in the middle of the night that pushed away 200 bags they had to go looking for. Now they use three clips to keep them on the line, instead of two.

Raz Halili, the vice president of Prestige Oysters, which harvests many of the wild oysters here, became Kaplans distributor. At last, farmed oysters did not have to be purchased from businesses on the East Coast or neighboring Gulf states. He looked for chef-driven restaurants where the hard work would be appreciated.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The heat of summer has been hard on the oysters, though, so for now Halili has slowed the pace of sending them into restaurants. He directed Kaplans business to leave them in the water so the oysters can grow and the temperatures can cool.

Chef Bobby Matos was still happy with the prospect.

GALVESTON RECORD: Galveston Bay Foundation recycled all-time high 181 tons of oyster shells from restaurants in 2021

Were going on seven years here, Matos said, sitting in his sunlight-filled oyster bar at State of Grace. To finally have something from Texas is pretty cool. Matos crew serves them on the half shell.

Out on the water, the Barrier Beauties staff of four fell into a rhythm. On a recent morning, the farm emerged like small black dots on the horizon as they motored a short way to it. Lipscomb pulled up to a line, hinged his body over the boats side and lugged a dripping bag partially filled with oysters onto the small motorboat.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Dirt streaked Lipscombs Magellan fishing shirt across the middle of his chest. Kaplan wore leggings and gold jewelry, fit for a luxury gym, but pulled on gloves and boots to help. She turned her cap backward as they motored into the wind.

The team returned to their Bolivar headquarters with multiple bags and pushed the oysters through the metal tumbler. This process chips the shell edges so the animals grow deeper instead of longer, and with more meat  the way customers prefer. Sitting on upside-down buckets, Lipscomb and another man sorted them by hand so they knew which would be ready to harvest soon.

The air smelled like bay water as the pair dropped small oysters into a yellow basket and big ones into a purple one. Texas requires that the oysters be at least 2.5 inches long in order to be harvested. The team rebagged them according to size, heaved them back to the boat and headed back to the bay to replant their crop.

emily.foxhall@chron.com
UPDATE: Houston lifted its pause on new appointments for the monkeypox vaccine late Thursday night, citing upcoming shipments of 16,780 doses. Call 832-393-4220 for more information, or to book an appointment if you are eligible.

The Houston Health Department has paused all new appointments for monkeypox vaccinations due to a limited supply, according to Houston Health Department officials.

The department expanded vaccine eligibility days ago after receiving a shipment of 5,000 JYNNEOS vaccine. It will announce the availability of more appointments when it receives more doses, according to the news release. Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Thursday morning, requesting more vaccines.

MORE HEALTH NEWS: River Oaks doctor sues Houston Methodist for $25M after suspension over COVID misinformation

The U.S. so far has distributed about 320,000 doses, which is not enough to meet the current demand. Federal health officials on Wednesday announced plans to distribute another 800,000 vaccines, but its unclear when those may arrive in Texas.

There are currently 58 confirmed cases in Houston and unincorporated Harris County. Cases in the U.S. have jumped from 351 four weeks ago to 4,563 this week, according to the CDC. Right now, the risk to the general public is low, but experts say uncontrolled spread may leave a wider swathe of the population vulnerable.

TRACKING MONKEYPOX: Interactive charts show spread of virus across Houston, Texas, rest of US

The majority of monkeypox cases are among men who have sex with men. Symptoms include a rash or sores that can look like pimples or blisters, fever, headache, weakness, chills and swollen lymph nodes. Monkeypox can spread from person to person through prolonged face-to-face contact, intimate contact and or close contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. Contact with items such as clothing or linens that previously touched the rash or body fluids is another way monkeypox spreads.

The illness usually lasts two to four weeks. It can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash fully heals and a fresh layer of skin has formed. People who suspect they have monkeypox symptoms such as new unexplained rash or sores need to contact their doctor to set up a screening appointment.
State plans for expanding Interstate 45 in Houston have officially been paused for over a year. But one thing remains in motion  the displacement of people living in the wider freeways proposed path.

People whove left in recent weeks include both tenants who have been officially relocated from public housing that would be torn down in the planned expansion and those sheltering in tents under highways who have heard through word of mouth that theyll have to leave. As in many areas impacted by the prospect of the I-45 expansion, the exodus from the northeastern corner of downtown echoes the areas past upheavals. Before the Clayton Homes public housing complex was built or the highways that shelter encampments were constructed, an entire neighborhood, now erased from the map, was forced to relocate.

LATEST ON I-45: Texas has $85B plan for expanding highways, but Houston I-45 project foes say no thanks

Clayton Homes residents relocated

In the past year, over 110 residents of Clayton Homes have been relocated by the Houston Housing Authority to make way for the expansion, said David A. Northern, chief executive of the authority, in an email. As of July 19, only 19 households remained. All but two had already found their next home, pending inspections and other paperwork.

Northern said two mixed-income communities planned nearby would include replacement units specifically reserved for displaced Clayton Homes residents, who will have the first right to return after construction is complete.

HHAs intention was to complete construction and welcome Clayton families to their new community before the TxDOT demolition of the original building, he said. He blamed not-in-my-backyard-minded developers in Second Ward of intentionally stalling plans to build two mixed-income communities within two miles of Clayton Homes.

Out of the families that have been relocated, approximately 10 percent moved to other public housing units throughout the city, Northern said.

Tents underneath interchange

People living in tents across the street from the housing complex said theyd been told theyd have to move in the coming weeks. Ive heard they want to move us out  something about a highway, said a woman living with her dog in a tent in the shadow of U.S. 59. She declined to give her name because family members were unaware shed lost her home after her husband died.

More from R.A. Schuetz: Houston's fight to end homelessness received national attention. Why are 'tent cities' still here?

Theyve said we have to get out so they can gate it up, concurred Leon Brown, who was picking up stray bits of metal that had flown off the highways overhead to take to a nearby scrapyard for money. He said he had been informed of an impending move by both officers and outreach workers. Brown had already heard about the Lofts at the Ballpark being slated for teardown (Houston officials moved in June to temporarily delay granting the demolition permits following protests), and he figured if people paying upward of $1,300 in monthly rents were being threatened with displacement, that meant the I-45 expansion was a sure thing.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Several people in an area called the Grove along the hike-and-bike trail near Clayton Homes said theyd been told by police and outreach workers theyd have to leave. But spokespeople for the Houston Police Department and two outreach groups denied that their teams had made such statements to people living in the path of the proposed expansion.

The Coalition for the Homeless in Houston and Harris County  which have been working with the county and partners to close down camps by offering all of their residents housing  said the group planned to move people living under the freeway near Clayton Homes into housing within the next year, but had not yet begun. The Texas Department of Transportation did not respond to a request for comment.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Houston Police officers and workers from the Downtown District clear out an area in a homeless encampment on July 15, 2022, under Highway 59, near Minute Maid Park, in Houston. (Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer) Houston Police officers and workers from the Downtown District clear out an area in a homeless encampment on July 15, 2022, under Highway 59, near Minute Maid Park, in Houston. (Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer)

Nonetheless, Brown, who was collecting scrap metal, said he was making plans to move. He shrugged, leaning against a shopping cart filled with twisted poles, empty cans and metal racks. I mean  you got to go, he said. I dont do anything illegal.

Memories of El Alacran

Long before Clayton Homes was built just south of Buffalo Bayou and the northern edge of one of the citys largest homeless encampments took root across the street, the area was a neighborhood known as Schrimpf Alley or El barrio del Alacran, Spanish for Neighborhood of the Scorpion.

Unknown / Houston Chronicle files

And long before current residents began moving out to make way for the I-45 expansion, El Alacran was razed in the name of urban renewal.

Since the 1800s, the neighborhood had been a gateway for people seeking an economic foothold in Houston. First German and Irish immigrants moved to the small clapboard rentals that bordered narrow alleyways in the neighborhood, then Eastern Europeans. After the Civil War, former slaves moved into the neighborhood. In the 1890s, Mexican Texans and immigrants from Mexico came, too.

Houston Chronicle

EL ALACRAN: Archaeologists. A Houston neighborhood called The Scorpion. A mystery coin.

By then, many of the small rental homes were growing dilapidated. Newspaper articles from the time describe houses with leaking roofs that offered little protection from the heat or the cold. The streets werent paved, few houses had running water and even fewer had electricity. Jesus Cantu Medel, who founded Museo Guadalupe Aztlan, was born in El Alacran in 1949, shortly before it was torn down, and remembered his cousins talking about seeing scorpions scuttling around in the neighborhood. A gang from the area began wearing scorpion tattoos, said Houston history expert Louis Aulbach, embracing the animals reputation for surviving in harsh environments.

Houston Chronicle Larry Evans, HC staff / Houston Chronicle A family photographed in 1950 in Schrimpf Alley, a low-cost housing neighborhood outside of downtown, near Navigation and Jensen Drive in Houston. /Family in 1951 waves goodbye before moving from Schrimpf Alley. Aboard the wagon are Frank Banda, 53, junk dealer and Full Gospel minister; his wife, Carmen Banda, 43, and two of their three children, Jimmy, 3, and Frank, 10. (Larry Evans, HC staff / Houston Chronicle) A family photographed in 1950 in Schrimpf Alley, a low-cost housing neighborhood outside of downtown, near Navigation and Jensen Drive in Houston. /Family in 1951 waves goodbye before moving from Schrimpf Alley. Aboard the wagon are Frank Banda, 53, junk dealer and Full Gospel minister; his wife, Carmen Banda, 43, and two of their three children, Jimmy, 3, and Frank, 10. (Larry Evans, HC staff / Houston Chronicle)

But the rents could not be beat. According to newspapers, rentals in 1951 could go for $1 to $5 a week, and Census records show that a diverse range of workers took advantage of those rates. Nearly every head of household and many older sons held jobs, including as workers along the Houston Ship Channel, bakers, cooks, preachers and plumbers. Many fought in World War II. Medels grandfather sold beer, candy and shoes; his grandmother was a devout Catholic Guadalupana.

When a wealthy cotton family, W. L. Clayton and his wife, Susan Vaughan Clayton, bought 24 acres of the neighborhood for $290,000 and donated it to the Houston Housing Authority to turn into public housing, they stipulated as part of the gift that no one was to be moved out of their homes unless there was a place for them to move. For many tenants, the Houston Chronicle reported at the time, that involved tenants finding homes in worse conditions than theyd experienced in El Alacran. They began looking for new places as soon as they heard news of the sale.

History fading, displacement still unfolding

Neighborhood activists protesting the rebuilding of I-45 have pointed out that the nations highways were historically mapped through low-income and minority communities, where residents had little power to prevent their homes and businesses from being torn down. Expansions of those highways retrace and enlarge upon those previous decisions by requiring more land be ceded by residents in those same low-income and minority communities.

PROJECT TOLL: TxDOT's $7 billion plan to shorten your I-45 commute may displace hundreds of families

For Medel, the displacement continues to ripple beyond the boundaries of the neighborhood where everyone was once told to leave and now are now leaving again. As a historian, he hasnt been able to preserve the buildings of El Alacran, but he has been working to preserve its stories by recording oral histories of the people who remember it. And increasingly, hes hearing that senior citizens who had moved to the Second Ward are being displaced by increasing costs, making it harder to learn their stories.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

With them, what little is left of El Alacran continues to fade. When they leave the community, then that becomes harder... to piece together what the history was in the early days of those communities.

Back under the freeway, as Brown loaded up his cart with scrap metal  that day he estimated hed be able to make $40  he thought about where hed go next.

It is what it is, he said. God told me, Ill deal with it.

Joyce Lee contributed research to this story, which also includes previous reporting by Lisa Gray.

rebecca.schuetz@chron.com;

twitter.com/raschuetz
Harris County will be one of four Texas counties to undergo an audit of its upcoming November election results by the Texas secretary of state's office.

It will be the second election audit in two years for Harris County, though the first to be conducted under election law the state legislature passed in 2021.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas says it's begun 2020 election audit in 4 counties, including Harris, after Trump letter

Eastland, Cameron and Guadalupe counties were selected for the audit process, as well.

By state law, four counties are to be audited at random every two years, two with a population greater than 300,000 and two counties with smaller populations. There are 18 Texas counties with populations greater than 300,000, meaning the states large urban counties will face the most audits. Texas has 254 counties.

The audits are to be conducted after November elections in all even-numbered years, and they will look at elections in the four selected counties from the preceding two years. The counties selected will not have to pay for the audits.

On Twitter, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee questioned the randomness of the selection process. In response, the secretary of states office tweeted a link to a video on Facebook that showed the process  the names of large counties and smaller counties are printed on individual labels, and then the four counties are drawn from a bucket. When an employee drops the labels of the large counties into the bucket, it does not happen on camera.

Menefees office put out a statement in which the county attorney called the latest audit a waste of time.

Harris County will comply, as weve always done, Menefee said. But this is a waste of time. Last year the state coincidentally launched an audit of the countys 2020 election just hours after former President Trump called on the governor to do so. That audit has been consuming the resources of our Elections Administrators office at a time where theyve had to hold a record number of elections. By the way, that audit has still not been completed.

Now, the state has randomly selected Harris County to be audited for the 2022 election, the statement continues. Voters should be asking themselves what purpose these audits serve beyond wasting taxpayer money. As has been shown time and again, our elections are secure. The entire premise of these auditsthat there is widespread fraud in our electionsis false.

In response to the new audit, Beth Stevens, Harris Countys interim elections administrator, said in a statement: "The EAs Office welcomes transparency and looks forward to continuing to work with the Secretary of States office to complete all of the audits."

Harris County has drawn intense scrutiny from conservative lawmakers for its elections over the last several years, particularly the 2020 presidential election when the county adopted drive-thru voting and other strategies to make it easier to cast ballots during the pandemic. Those measures inspired last years election security legislation that ignited an historic partisan battle at the Capitol.

That law has made it more arduous to cast mail ballots and led to a large number of them being tossed.

In September 2021, the secretary of states office announced it had begun a full and comprehensive forensic audit of the 2020 election in four Texas counties, including Dallas, Harris and Tarrant  the states three largest counties, all of which voted for President Joe Biden. The audit also encompassed Collin County, the largest in Texas carried by former President Donald Trump.

State law establishing the new audit process specifies: a county selected in the most recent audit cycle may not be selected in the current audit cycle. Though Harris Countys 2020 election results currently are being examined under a forensic audit by the state, the county still is eligible for a new audit in the current cycle because they are separate audit processes, according to Texas Secretary of State spokesperson Sam Taylor. He confirmed Harris County will not be eligible for an audit in the following election cycle.

In this years March primary elections, counting and announcements of results in Harris County were delayed after a series of glitches and mistakes in the elections office. The former elections administrator, Isabel Longoria, resigned as a result.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Harris County picks new elections administrator, with voting four months away

The Harris County GOP, which has been deeply critical of the county elections office, tweeted in response to the audit announcement: This is good news for all Harris County voters. Texans deserve transparency in our elections.

Harris County Democratic Party Chair Odus Evbagharu issued a statement questioning the states decision to spend taxpayer money further investigating election results when there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Texas.

There are already review processes in place, Evbagharu said. Why keep wasting money and time that would be better spent on things like improving our schools, ensuring public safety, or fixing our power grid?

Commissioners Court passed a resolution in September denouncing the state audit of the county's 2020 election results as a sham, with the three Democrats in favor and the two Republicans against.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said he welcomes the new audit.

"If there was ever a county that needs auditing, it's Harris County. When you look at the problems we've had in our last elections under the previous elections administrator, it's a very, very long list and very disconcerting to voters out there," Ramsey said. "I know the selection was random. It is providential that Harris County will be audited because it needs to be audited."

The countys new elections administrator, Clifford Tatum, is expected to take over the position in mid-August. Tatum served as general counsel for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission from 2015 to 2019. He is the former executive director of the District of Columbia Board of Elections, and served as the interim director for the Georgia State Elections Division.

jen.rice@chron.com

edward.mckinley@chron.com
Robb Elementary Principal Mandy Gutierrez defended herself Wednesday against a Texas House committees finding that she failed to address security lapses at the Uvalde school  making it easier for a gunman to enter the Uvalde school and slaughter 19 students and two teachers on May 24.

The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District placed Gutierrez on administrative leave with pay on Monday pending a review of the schools security practices. The reviews conclusions could determine whether she will keep her job.

In a report released July 17, the House special committee investigating the mass shooting said Robb Elementary administrators handled school security poorly.

CONGRESSMAN'S DEMANDS: Rep. Al Green demands Gov. Greg Abbott identify who misled him about massacre

Although the school had adopted security policies  including locking exterior doors and classroom doors  the report said, There was a regrettable culture of noncompliance by school personnel who frequently propped doors open and deliberately circumvented locks.

One of the doors cited in the report was to Room 111, which was unlocked that Tuesday morning, allowing the gunman to enter the classroom. Employees said its lock did not always work, and school officials hadnt issued a work order for its repair.

Salvador Ramos, 18, of Uvalde, committed the massacre in Room 111 and the adjoining Room 112.

The report also noted that Gutierrez did not issue a lockdown order over Robb Elementarys public address system after receiving word that a shooter was crossing the school yard, heading toward one of the campus buildings.

'NO RIGHT TO JUDGE MY SON': Uvalde shooter's mom caught in heated exchange with victim's family

In a letter to the Texas House committee on Wednesday, Gutierrez defended her decision not to use the PA system to alert staff and students.

Our training emphasized that using the public address system could compound the problem in creating a panic situation with students and an alert to the one or more gunmen that was present to do maximum harm, she said in the letter, obtained by the Express-News. I was trained to consider the PA system as communication with perpetrators that could be used to hurt more students and teachers.

Robb Elementary also had poor Wi-Fi connectivity, which the committee report said sometimes hobbled the schools web-based danger notification alert system, known as Raptor.

Gutierrez said she successfully worked around a weak Wi-Fi signal the day of the massacre.

I encountered buffering and did what I always do. I went to a window and held my phone up, Gutierrez said. At the same time, I called UCISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo. He picked up the phone and was already aware of the Raptor alert, saying to me before I uttered a single word, Shut it down, Mandy. Shut it down. 

Gutierrez also disputed the committees finding that Room 111s door didnt lock properly. She said the door to Room 111 was locked and checked the night before the shooting, and that custodians checked all school doors nightly to ensure they were locked.

The teacher in Room 111, Arnulfo Reyes, unlocked the door the morning of the shooting to let himself in  which Gutierrez said showed the doors lock worked.

The teacher in charge of that classroom complained on more than one occasion that because the door DID lock, his work- day was interrupted because the printer for several classrooms was located in that room, she said.

(Reyes) was severely wounded and has undergone a tremendous ordeal, Gutierrez said. His memory of the events have not added clarity to answer all questions on how the gunman entered the classroom, but it is inaccurate to conclude that it was because the door to classroom 111 did not lock.

The teacher in charge of Room 111 seems to recall that he complained about the door not locking to me for the last three years, she said. Again taking into account his horrific ordeal, I point out that I am in my first year as principal, and my predecessor has no recollection or record of those complaints.

Calls claims unfair

Gutierrez was completing her first year as Robb Elementary principal when the shooting occurred.

She has worked for Uvalde CISD for more than two decades, starting as a fourth-grade teacher at Robb.

In 2018, she became assistant principal, and she was promoted to principal in 2021.

She said she received an accomplished rating for school safety in a recent review of her performance.

It is unfair and inaccurate to conclude that I ever (became) complacent on any security issue of Robb Elementary, she said in her letter, which was obtained by the Express-News.

The committee report also faulted school officials for becoming lax about safety procedures because of the frequency of campus lockdowns stemming from bailouts  when human traffickers trying to outrun police crash their vehicles so their passengers can flee on foot.

I wholeheartedly deny that the numerous bailout alerts created any complacency on my part to relax the procedures necessary to ensure the safety of the campus, she said. We were trained to treat every alert from any law enforcement agency as a situation with the high potential to escalate into a dangerous episode for students, teachers, and administrators.

Gutierrez ended her letter with a plea to remain a principal.

Finally, I will live with the horror of these events for the rest of my life, she wrote. I want to keep my job not only so that I can provide for my family, but so that I can continue to be on the front lines helping children who survived, the families of all affected, and the entire Uvalde community that I love and want to continue to protect.

guillermo.contreras@

express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland
Regarding Editorial: A question for Trump supporters. After eight Jan. 6 hearings, havent you seen enough? (July 22): Funny, I must have missed your editorial posing the same question about our current president. Runaway inflation, record gasoline prices, uncontrolled borders, epidemic fentanyl deaths, indoctrination of our youngest children in schools, botched handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, a prolonged war in Ukraine, increased threats from Russia, Iran, and others, and a president who cannot make a speech here or abroad without stumbling all over his thoughts and requiring clarification from administrative staff.

The Jan. 6 hearings are a show trial, a sham. Why is the committee composed solely of Democrats and two Republican Trump haters?

Given the sorry current state of the country now, versus when Trump left office  no, it is not enough  I'd welcome Trump back in a heartbeat.

Bill Kristinik, Kingwood

I voted against Trump twice, and agree that he should never be president again, but make no mistake about it, Donald Trump is the symptom, not the illness.

The illness is the corruption endemic of both major political parties, where professional politicians use their positions mainly to engage in shameless self-dealing, enriching themselves and their friends while the big problems of our day go unattended. Seeing this, people have become increasingly angry, frustrated and disillusioned.

In 2016, Trump tapped into that anger and frustration, helped by the fact that he was running against an opponent who in the eyes of many epitomized all that was wrong with our politics.

Even though I didnt vote for Trump, I could see why many did. Our southern border was being overrun, the Chinese government was abusing us on trade and stealing our intellectual property, the NATO countries were freeloading off the U.S. on defense, many businesses were being choked by excessive regulations and so on.

Trump told people what they already knew: that politicians had no intention of fixing these problems. In fact, many had found ways to use these problems to enrich themselves. When Trump gave speeches about our rigged system, many nodded in agreement, and they werent all wearing red hats.

Wed better start treating this real illness  the staggering corruption and dysfunction of our current politics  or the next symptom could be even worse.

David Bradley, Spring

What a quaint idea for the Chronicle to publish an editorial summarizing the facts exposed by the Jan. 6 committee about Donald Trumps attempted coup to stay in power and deliberate inaction during the seditious attack on our Capitol, with the question For supporters of Trump, isnt this enough? Unfortunately, with history as our guide, we know that the answer is no. There is no amount of information that will convince MAGA voters to abandon Trump.

The notion that Trump voters are impervious to damning information about him has been reflected in polling since 2015. However, one sign of his supporters fealty to Trump towers above all others. In 2016, Hillary Clinton identified Trump as Putins puppet. History has proved Clinton right. Despite the results of several investigations showing questionable ties between Trump, his associates and Russian actors, which were widely reported before the 2020 election, 74 million Americans voted for Vladimir Putins pick for president of the United States. So, the answer to the Chronicles question is already obvious, and it is a resounding no.

Rand Nolen, Houston

What everyone seems to forget is how Donald Trump became president to begin with. Most people did not vote for him, they voted against both establishment parties. People were in a Vote the Bums Out mood, and still are. People did not vote for Biden, they voted against Trump. Neither party is giving us something to vote for. Assuming the Florida governor will take up Trumps mantle is wrong; he is just another professional vote-seeker like all the others that Trump defeated. Just calling Trump evil is not enough, people need to understand the entire system is broken. Until someone can address the crooked bums in both parties, many more unfortunate events will be in our future.

Joe Williams, League City

The editorial asks if Trump supporters have seen enough to change their minds. It very well should and would be  if the diehards were to have watched any of the select committee's hearings. From what I gather, very few did. Which says a lot about the electorate.

Robert Mueller, Houston

Fresh faces

Regarding One thing voters agree on: Fresh voices needed in politics, (July 24): Michelle Price makes a solid argument that supports an upheaval of the members in Congress that have long overstayed their welcome. The old codgers still lingering in office seem to have forgotten that they represent their constituents, not their own agenda. It is wonderful that fresh faces arrive in Congress who have the interests of those they represent in mind and have the ability to work with others, as opposed to the distasteful manner that is prevalent in our current Congress. The time is right for a new energetic team to tackle the issues facing our country.

However, the fresh faces mentioned in the article on the Democratic side lack a lot in terms of representing anything but their own interests and on the Republican side they cannot seem to generate the enthusiasm to move on past Trump. It is truly time for term limits to be introduced to not only enable change in Congress after three consecutive terms but also to require a politician to retire at age 72 unless they are in their final year of service. Let's get that ball rolling and insist on fresh faces in tune with what America needs to remain free from oppression, economically strong, energy independent and aligned with the values established in our Constitution.

Robert A. Petty, Houston
It is not often that President Biden follows through on his promises. However, there is one he is determined to deliver on: his campaign pledge to end fossil fuels and his continuing down this path despite the high energy prices that are driving up costs on everything from gas to groceries, wreaking havoc on the budgets of all Americans. Biden is dead serious about his attack on fossil fuels. Most recently, the Biden administration, through the Environmental Protection Agency, is pursuing sleight-of-hand policies that will further aggravate the global market and jeopardize industry access to the Permian Basin, a key supply of oil and natural gas.

I am fortunate to represent the Permian Basin, the largest secure supply of crude oil in the world and a critical tool for American national security. The region delivers more than 40 percent of the oil and 16 percent of the natural gas produced in the U.S. If the federal government slows down production in the Permian Basin, Americans will be deprived of the energy our economy and our allies desperately need.

Regrettably, his administration is continuing its attempts to cripple the region by announcing that the EPA may redesignate parts of the Permian as nonattainment zones in violation of 2015 ozone standards, meaning the state must work to lower pollution in the region. This nonattainment designation could significantly slow down production in the Permian  impeding one of the most productive shale plays in North America  and completely devastate local economies in the process.

If redesignated, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will develop plans to lower ozone levels across the Permian and effectively extend federal oversight to private lands with regulatory burdens on permitting, transporting, processing and more. As oil drilling often produces ozone precursors, restrictions on exploration and production are likely to be included in nonattainment restrictions.

COUNTERPOINT: Opinion: More oil and gas production in the Permian Basin? We need to cut emissions. Leaks, flares and vents all release potent greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. See More Collapse

It is no coincidence that this discretionary and unfounded proposal comes after an environmental group, WildEarth Guardians, petitioned EPA for the redesignation in March 2021. Roughly six months later, the organization warned the agency it intended to sue to force action.

No other stakeholder groups I know of  including local health care providers  provided input regarding the necessity of a nonattainment redesignation. Clearly, the Biden administration is prioritizing the satisfaction of radical green groups over affordable and reliable energy.

Air quality also continues to improve nationwide. Between 1990 and 2019, ozone concentrations in the U.S. decreased by 25 percent, and emissions of ozone precursors, such as volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides, have dropped by 47 percent and 65 percent respectively according to a 2020 EPA report. Federally overhauling local communities will be counterproductive to the ongoing efforts to maintain satisfactory air quality in the Permian Basin.

In rural America, the energy industry generates high-paying jobs for working families and is the driver of the Texas economy. The industry annually contributes over $15 billion to state and local coffers to fund public education, emergency responders, hospitals, conservation projects and more. If the EPA finalizes this redesignation, many rural communities will face substantial and irreversible economic hardship.

An even more sinister reality of this additional layer of red tape is that big producers will weather the storm while local independents built by entrepreneurs will be the ones facing the most significant burden. The workers employed by these small businesses should not be forced to default on their monthly mortgage payments or give up saving for their childrens college tuition because of President Bidens green dream.

While the Supreme Court recently delivered a win in the effort to rein in the climate activists running the EPA, those who champion American-made energy cannot underestimate the ability of a dead snake to bite. Unelected bureaucrats at the EPA will only get more creative in their attempts to throttle reliable energy production.

President Biden may think that Americans are not paying attention to these backdoor policies, but Texans, especially those in the Permian Basin, are on full alert. For us, the stakes have never been higher. Our livelihoods, communities and national security depend on it.

August Pfluger is the U.S. representative for 11th Texas congressional district.
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Are music streaming farms really that bad? Take a closer look

In this post, learn not only what exactly streaming farms are, but also how they positively and negatively impact up-and-coming artists and whether or not to use them.

by Janelle Borg of AmplifyYou

According to Rolling Stone, musicians could potentially be losing around $300 million per year due to streaming farms. Its important to note that the streaming platforms themselves are not losing money, as streaming farms still need to use the streaming platform to operate. However, by inflating streams, they essentially steal money from artists that depend on organic streams. But what are streaming farms exactly? And can they actually benefit an artists career?

What are streaming farms?

Streaming farms are services designed to inflate streams or add a lot of fake listens to a song. By taking advantage of the business model of streaming platforms like Spotify, they massively increase the number of listeners and in turn raise the hype surrounding the artist.

It is a fake it until you make it approach that, although useful for a few, is harmful to artists who do not engage in such activities. Sure, this is not the first time in history that artists have engages in such behaviour to jump-start their careers: funk group Vulpeck manipulated Spotifys business model to make $20,000, while Soulja Boy broke through when he uploaded a song to LimeWire disguised as a hit song. Streaming farms, however, are a relatively new concept.

Unlike other methods, they do not require a person to be a tech or marketing genius to set them up. In fact, Vice journalist William Bedellmanaged to set up a streaming farm without requiring any mega-sophisticated equipment.

In his article, he mentions Peter Fillmore, the security consultant who was one of the first people to generate royalties using automated programs in 2013. He managed to earn about $1,000 in royalties and even topped the Australian charts of Rdio. To date, the biggest example of streaming fraud took place in 2017, when a fraudster from Bulgaria managed to make about $1 million from fake streams.

Inflated streaming services as a by-product of the attention economy

Nowadays, its extremely easy to find a streaming farm, ready to inflate your numbers. Artists are attracted to them just because of how scarce attention is in what we call the attention economy.

According to Eric Dott, an associate professor of music theory at the University of Texas: Under these conditions, the ability to command public attention has become a highly prized and highly lucrative attribute, important not just for content producers and distributors, but for advertisers and marketers as well.

He continues, On music streaming platforms, by contrast, the connection between measures of user attention and financial compensation is more direct, in that revenue is typically shared with rights holders on the basis of the number of streams.

Therefore, inflating your streaming numbers not only affects your stats but also your actual revenue  and how much money you receive in your bank account. Furthermore, if a song gets enough streams, it can break into charts, land spots on editorial playlists, and even lead to organic listens.

According to Dotts research, the surplus artistic population is competing for attention. Since the financial wealth as well as the symbolic power are in the hands of a few, artists are ready to opt for less ethical measures. These artists are desperate to make a splash, and, despite the diminished role of online gatekeepers, they are still struggling to make ends meet. Streaming farms are seen as a way to level the playing field to win in a market climate that failed them.

Are streaming farms worth it?

This analysis raises the question: Can streaming farms be beneficial? Is it worth paying a company to inflate your streams if it increases your chances of going viral?

While it may initially seem like a good idea, streaming farms are sabotaging musicians with honest streams and doing more harm than good when it comes to overall artist payouts. According to a Rolling Stone article, three to four per cent of global streams are illegitimate streamsThats around $300 million in potential lost revenue moved from legitimate streams to illegitimate, illegal streams.

Moreover, faking hundreds or thousands of listeners could backfire. Music professionals can spot fake streams from a mile away, leaving you in a precarious position when applying for legitimate opportunities.

Things like random top cities, a weird selection of similar artists and a monthly listener-follower ratio that makes no sense are clear indications of artists with inflated streams. Word travels quickly and can lead to a bad reputation that you definitely do not need in an industry as connected as the music industry.

All in all, while engineering your own breakthrough via streaming farms might seem like a good idea, it can do far more harm than good. A clear focus on long-term goals and opportunities, coupled with a community of true fans is, by far, the superior way to engineer your success.

Janelle Borg knows a thing or two about the music industry. Having been involved in the industry since the age of 13, shes now involved in a variety of music-related projects and is always keen to share industry tips n tricks with fellow musicians.

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Cannabis Facility Proposed for Berkshire Mall

A cannabis cultivator is proposing to set up shop in the former Sears and Macy's stores at the vacant Berkshire Mall.

LANESBOROUGH, Mass.  The shuttered Berkshire Mall may have a revival of business activity -- in cannabis.

The Selectmen on Tuesday authorized negotiations for a Host Community Agreement with JMJ Holdings Corp. for a project that includes making former anchor stores into manufacturing and cultivation facilities.



"What we seek to do is basically revive that property to a state of business. We are focused on the supply chain side. I'm aware that Lanesborough does not have any retail cannabis establishments so that's certainly not on the table for us," applicant Blake Mensing said.



"The rough outline of the proposal would be to benefit from the mall as a currently existing condo structure and separately deed some of the larger units and in particular, the Sears and the Macy's. We will create some entities and get those entities licensed as cultivators and manufacturers."



He later clarified that they are not initially asking for cultivation permissions.



The corporation plans to close on the property on Friday and Mensing reported that it takes about 18 to 24 months to get to opening day. Though he reported that the board's OK is not a guarantee that it will come to fruition, as the applicant still has to go through the rest of the municipal and state processes.



This includes a community outreach meeting, which is planned for August or September, and public hearings for permitting.



"We're going to have far fewer vehicle trips than if it were operating as a mall," Mensing said about the proposed operation. "At full build-out, I'd say with all the proposed tenants the goal of getting tenants is around 100 people working."



He also pointed out that operations will be focused on the opposite end of the facility to not "step on the toes" of Target.



JMJ Holdings will retain about 350,000 square feet to run themselves.



"I always tell folks, if you wonder what a stoner looks like, this is what a stoner looks like," Mensing said about himself.



"I've smoked weed for 25 years every day, I have three graduate degrees, I've started eight businesses in the last four years, I have two lovely children, I just consume cannabis once my kids are asleep to make my brain stop going a mile a minute."



The Selectmen first grappled with continuing the HCA vote, asking questions about odor and security, but then recognized that there will be more opportunities for discussion on the project in the future. The vote was an OK to begin negotiations with KP Law as town counsel.



Selectman Michael Murphy spoke in support of the cannabis industry as a medical cardholder and a former assistant manager at a local dispensary. He did have some concerns with the location in terms of when the "bottom drops out" of the business and town panels having a personal interest in the sale of the mall.



"I could think of better purposes for the property but this gentleman has stepped up to try and do the best he can to property," Chairman John Goerlach said.

The mall has been closed for about three years with Target operating as its own entity in the space that it owns. Last summer, a management consulting firm spoke about trying to revitalize the mall as a turnkey property.



One resident urged the board to hold off on a vote, claiming that the presentation was last minute and that she felt like she was being sold a car.



In other news, the town will hold a special town meeting to discuss a $50,000 American Rescue Plan Act request for a boiler replacement at Lanesborough Elementary School.



On Tuesday, the Selectmen voted to host a town meeting on the request "as soon as possible" to avoid rising costs. It is planned for Aug. 18 at 6 pm.



Earlier this month, Superintendent Jason McCandless told the School Committee that one of the two boilers original to the 20-year-old school had a system failure and the request for funds went before the ARPA Committee last week.

The committee suggested that the school consider looking for another funding source from the town. Town Administrator Joshua Lang suggested free cash as another potential funding option.



At this meeting, Lang reported that the town can't use free cash until it is certified in the fall so it would have to be taken out of the general stabilization fund and then returned to free cash.



If ARPA funds were used for the project, Lanesborough would have about $70,000 of unallocated funds.



"Unfortunately, it's something that has to be done for the kids at the school and it's also our emergency evacuation center to house people if something happens, the town loses," Selectman Timothy Sorrell said.



"I mean, I think the price is only going to go up the longer we drag our feet."



Goerlach and Murphy expressed concern that they are talking about replacing one boiler, not two, and that this discussion is happening after the town meeting.



The board also voted to offer the town's administrative assistant job to Pittsfield native Beth Carroll.



There was some controversy over former Administrative Assistant Makayla Zonfrilli, who is the fiancee of Lang.



An Open Meeting Law complaint was filed early this year that alleged the board committed several violations at a Dec. 21 meeting, including entering an executive session without it being on the meeting agenda, not informing the public of the executive session, and interviewing a candidate for the open town secretary position without informing the public.
Dalton Police Chief Deanna Strout will lead both the Dalton and Hinsdale forces next year if both towns approve a merger. With her are Officers Tyler Miller, left, and Joseph Coote, and Wendell, the department's comfort dog.

Dalton, Hinsdale Start Study for Merged Police Force



Sean Kelly of Municipal Resources Inc., a consulting firm, explains the feasibility study of the police departments in Dalton and Hinsdale in this screenshot from Dalton Community Television. See the full video here. DALTON, Mass.  Residents seemed open to a merged police force with Hinsdale, but officials are concerned at the low numbers that attended the informational meeting Tuesday at Wahconah Regional High School.

Select Board members said they will look into sending a questionnaire to residents to gather more input based on the recommendations of one citizen who raised the concern of lack of attendance and responses from the audience. Only about a dozen or so people attended.

A majority of residents who did attend the meeting were open to the prospect of this merger.

"We're in the infancy stage. Like [Chief Deanna Strout] said, let them do the work. I don't feel like I had the experience to figure out, as a taxpayer, what's more appropriate, let the experts figure out what needs to be done. I just wanted to say that I support our department. I think they're great. It took us a million years to get to a superb chief. I think you're doing a great job," one resident said.

The town hired Municipal Resources Inc. , through a grant, to conduct a study that reviews and determines if this is an appropriate option for the towns. The consultants have also done a study for the town on municipal salaries.

"We hope to come out of this with a really good understanding of what kind of regional system would look like, what the options for that are and be able to take that to our town meetings, maybe this year, maybe not this year," said Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson. "But it's the start of a conversation, which would change pretty fundamentally the shape of policing in Dalton and Hinsdale. ... "We want to make sure we're covering all the bases."

The experience that the consultants had as police chiefs in New Hampshire communities informs how they look at the data and they have traveled across the country helping others determine if this type of strategy is right for them. Sean Kelly is former chief of Weare, Andrew Lavoie retired as the Nashua chief, and David L. Kurz is an FBI Academy graduate and former chief in Durham.

The only concerns that were raised were location and cost, which will be looked into during the study. Hutcheson said Hinsdale is seeing a "substantial" burden because of the police reforms and a merger could work at this time since Hinsdale Police Chief Susan Rathbun is looking at retirement.

"We started out now almost a month ago, with a ridiculously long request for documents from both police chiefs asking for historic data over the last several years of how this department is running in terms of, how many cars do they stop, how many calls for service that aren't law enforcement related are you responding to each year, what do your work schedules look like, what's your population look like, what's your most severe type of calls for service, response, budgets and so forth," said Kelly.

"Now we've had an opportunity, we'll pick some of those documents, not all of them. The team here will assume like those for both departments and kind of the melting pot theory that we're going to take a look at see what that would look like, if there was a combined law enforcement agency."

Officials say pooling their resources will help relieve the strain that the state's police reform law has had on small departments because of new training requirements for part-time officers and will offer more opportunities for officers within a larger force.

Once the feasibility study is done, both towns will have to vote to approve before a merger can happen. How this merger will affect the budgets for both towns is also being studied.

Strout said she couldn't answer questions about costs and operations at this point.

"This is the very beginning of the process and I think there's a misunderstanding out there that people think we're farther along in the process than we are. We're not," said Strout. "It's like the infant stage right now."

Although both Rathbun and Strout of Dalton believe that the reform bill is a step in the right direction they say the implementation could have been better planned during an interview with iBerkshires earlier this spring. Strout described it as an unfunded mandate.

"I am big on training. I am big on standardization. I think every police officer in the state of Massachusetts should have the exact same training, because we're dealing with the same laws," Rathbun said. "I think it's a good thing. I think what happened is that you had an incident that made this come about. And all they did is they put the horse before the cart."

Rathbun believed that it would have been better for the state to wait to get the details "ironed out" and make it effective on July 1 of this year.

"It just would have been a better way better transition, more information for the chiefs, stuff like that," she said.

The reform bill requires all part-time officers to be certified the same as full-time officers. In an effort to certify current reserve officers, the state has created a three-year Bridge Academy.

The academy offers training and testing on firearms, driving, and defense training on top of classroom time. The officers are required to complete 40 hours of firearm training, 40 hours of Emergency Vehicle Operator Course training, 40 hours of defense tactics, and 200 hours of classroom time over the course of the six-month period.

"What the bridge is trying to do is to bring these part-time officers that want to stay with the job and continue with police officers up to the standard of a full-time police officer," Rathbun said.

In the past, individuals could become officers by going to reserve and then part time at a department while also being able to keep a full-time job elsewhere. They could be added to the Civil Service list and, once hired, sent to the full-time academy.

The result of the change is that individuals are not able to keep a full-time job while being certified because of the course time requirements.

To make up for the loss of the reserve officers, the chiefs have been utilizing overtime budgets but there is not enough money. This is another reason for a merger.

"Smaller departments can't absorb that kind of staff shortage, which is why when I took over, I went to the town and I said, 'Listen, we need two more extra full-time officers to cushion that blow. If we lose somebody, it's 18 months to get someone trained and hired," Strout said.

"If we don't have the extra staff, then we immediately have to fill that on overtime. Because our shift minimum is two. And if you're going below that you're contractually obligated to fill those shifts ... And you know Hinsdale is in that same boat, if they lose someone. That means they go without coverage for 18 months, unless the town wants to pay overtime."

"New officers coming in the door, and they have to go to this full-time academy and nobody's going to want to go through that nightmare and work in a part-time capacity. It's just too much, it's very intensive training," Strout said.

"And they would have to give up their other employment to go. So, I just don't think a part-time position  after going through that type of rigorous training  is really a realistic expectation for anyone."

New officers who were not previously reserve officers have to go through an 18-month academy to be certified.

Strout was unaware at first that she was no longer allowed to utilize part-time officers.

"I could chalk it up to maybe it was the transition period when I became chief that I just didn't get the proper notice. But I had no idea there wasn't going to be a reserve academy until, you know, because again, it was a transitional thing," she said. "And there's probably just communication loss. So I won't say that we weren't notified, but I definitely didn't know. So therefore, that officer was in the wind."

In February, Strout hired a person who was 27th on the waitlist for the June academy because it had filled up immediately. The sole Western Massachusetts academy was accepting applicants from across the state despite the fact that there are more programs in eastern Mass.

"I hired our new officer in February. First, she went through the process, she went through the medical, the physical fitness, the psychological. And then once those steps are completed, we can sign her up for that academy, she was immediately waitlisted  the academy was already full," Strout said.

According to Strout, the next academy is probably going to start in January. There's the potential of one in September depending on how difficult it will be for the Municipal Police Training Committee to get instructors but she thinks that is unlikely because the instructors are difficult to come by.

"I will believe that when I see it," she said. "So that means she will probably get to start in academy in January, graduate in May of '23. A four months field training program. So by the end of September of 2023, I can see her on my streets working a normal patrol schedule."

Dalton voted at town meeting to leave Civil Service in order to improve its ability to hire officers; Hinsdale was never part of Civil Service.

A common occurrence for departments that are part of Civil Service is officers from other areas coming to smaller departments so that they can get trained and then leaving two years later to go back to their hometowns, if they can get officers at all.

"We were getting all these candidates from out east who just wanted the golden ticket and then they were leaving after we spent $45,000 on their training," said Strout.

Hinsdale had two officers in the Bridge Academy this year and anticipates two more next year, with the final reserve officer completing training in 2023.

It is costing the towns approximately $6,000 to train these officers. After they have completed training the departments can apply for grants to will cover half the cost.

Another reason for the merger is to provide better advancement opportunities for the officers in the area. A larger department is going to give the towns the capability to create different positions.

"It's very hard for a patrol person to do everything from the call all the way to court, there's just too much involved. So this is a really good thing as far as the officers being able to expand their careers and move on to different positions," said Rathbun. "Because if you come to Hinsdale as a 25-year-old patrol person, you're basically staying for 30 years as a patrol person. So there's no movement within my department. So to me, it's a good thing all around, if we can figure it out, and the assessment shows that it's a good thing."

The number of hires that the department has a year is based on how many leave or retire. The departments are hoping that once a merger is finalized, and Rathbun is retired, Strout will not have to hire and pay for as many people to be trained because Hinsdale's department is young.

Rathbun turns 65 in February and, as part of the state mandate, is due to retire. She received a two-year extension so that she can see a merger through until when Strout takes over.

If the merger happens, the combined department will have 18 officers including Strout.
Clarksburg Hoping for MassWorks Grant to Fix Middle Road

CLARKSBURG, Mass.  The town's again applied for a MassWorks grant to address the crumbling section of Middle Road.

Town Administrator Carl McKinney told the Select Board on Wednesday that the application for a $1 million grant was submitted prior to July 6 and the town should hear if it's been accepted by the end of August.

The section targeted is just over a mile from River Road to Wood Road and would include repairs, paving, updated guardrails near the state park and some culvert work.

"That's really a tough road," McKinney said.

He anticipated they may need to use "a little bit" of the $400,000 the town has saved in Chapter 90 road funds.

The project would be done in the same way as West Cross Road, the recipient of a Massworks grant in 2014. The Select Board agreed that that road has held up well.

The town last applied for what's also called the STRAP, or Small Town Rural Assistance Program, in 2019. It can only apply every three years. Residents and travelers along Middle Road have been complaining for years about its condition. That road and River Road are main connectors to Vermont as well.

McKinney also updated the board on the progress of the pavilion at the town park. Town meeting last year had approved spending up to $65,000 to repair the structure's broken concrete pad and failing roof.

Initial bids came in higher so the town went forward with pavilion pad and has so far put off the roof.

"We've bid out on the roof a few times. We're still not there yet," McKinney said.

The crumbling broken pad, however, has been completely removed and McKinney said the contractor dug down 18 inches and found only a sand base.

"That's not something you put under a concrete slab so it was poorly constructed," he said. "That was dug out and gravel was put in and compacted."

Drainage was installed and the pad is now even with the ground so it is fully Americans With Disabilities Act compliant. McKinney said it performed very well during the intense rain storm on Sunday and Monday. The large poplar tree that was dropping limbs and leaves on the roof has also been removed.

As for the roof, it will be put out to bid again but he has contacted McCann Technical School about the carpentry program possibly taking it on.

"The roof bids we've gotten, we can't work with in the budget so I reached out to McCann to see if they want to do it," McKinney said. "We have $25,190 left for the roof."

The board agreed with him that McCann "has been a good friend to Clarksburg," with the students taking on projects including roofing and siding the police garage and painting and siding the front facade of Town Hall.

Select Board member Robert Norcross suggested having the town treasurer reappointed by the full board to show their support. Danielle Luchi had been appointed in April under emergency conditions by Chair Jeffrey Levanos, the sole board member at the time. The two newest members, Norcross and Daniel Haskins, were were elected in May.

Norcross said the circumstances of her appointment had come up often when he was running for the board.

"I know she's doing a good job and I would like to show that she has the support of all of us," he said.

Levanos thought it a good idea and said he would speak to Luchi and they could put it on the agenda when the full board was there. Haskins was absent Wednesday.

In other business:

 McKinney said he had spoken with Northern Berkshire Community Television about relocating the camera back to Town Hall. The TV station can't do participatory remote so he is talking with the town's IT manager Jason Morin about necessary equipment. He told the board he thinks the state is moving toward making remote participation a standard.

 The board appointed Danielle Luchi, Mary Ann Maroni, and Alan Reutlinger to the Board of Registrars, Jean Landry to the Council on Aging and Keith Blanchard to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

 McKinney was formally signed as ADA coordinator and the board affirmed the appointment of two officers to be at the polling station for the primary election, as now required by state law, for documentation with the state.

 The board will send a letter to a resident on McArthur Drive alerting them that the bushes on their property block visibility when exiting the road. The town will cut them back if the homeowner is unable.

McKinney pointed out the three-person highway crew is busy during the summer and often working with only two people. He asked that residents keep that in mind and please take care of their neighborhoods.
Calls for a ban on the BBC by the Somaliland authorities to be lifted have increased, amid accusations that the silencing of the broadcaster is part of an information blackout. The International Federation of Journalists joins its affiliate, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) in condemning the ban, which undermines media freedom and citizens right to freedom of information.

The government of the Somaliland region imposed an indefinite ban on the BBC on 19 July. On July 23, the police raided the BBC Media Action office in the capital, Hargeisa, and briefly detained five journalists.

Broadcasts of the BBC Somali Service have been off air in the Somaliland region since 19 July, when the Ministry of Information announced its indefinite suspension. According to the official statement, the decision was arrived at because the broadcaster had become an enemy to the sovereignty and existence of Somaliland.

Somaliland authorities have a long-record of media violations, according to the latest Annual Report on the State of the Media in Somalia published by the NUSOJ.

The media freedom situation in Somaliland has for some time been under a sustained attack by the very people entrusted with ensuring that citizens enjoy their right to freedom of information, said NUSOJ Secretary General, Omar Faruk Osman. Somaliland has put local media under siege and has now moved to impose an information blackout over the region, he added.

IFJ Secretary General Anthony Bellanger said:We condemn all attempts to crack down on media freedom by the Somaliland authorities. The ban on the BBC is the latest shameful episode in a long list. We call on the government to respect independent journalism and citizens right to freedom of information.
The South East Asia Journalists Unions (SEAJU) has strongly condemned the Myanmar military juntas execution of four pro-democracy activists and the continued assault on human rights and press freedom under the regime. The regions media unions said the military must immediately cease the state-sanctioned violence, arbitrary arrests and draconian laws that have suppressed activists and stifled freedom of expression.

An activist takes part in a rally to protest against Myanmar's junta execution of four prisoners, outside the United Nations University in Tokyo on July 26, 2022. Credit: Philip Fong / AFP

In the first use of capital punishment since 1988, four pro-democracy activists were executed including veteran activist, Kyaw Min Yu, also known as Ko Jimmy, and National League for Democracy lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw.

The four activists were sentenced to death under the 2014 Counterterrorism Law and Penal Code in a closed trial by what the United Nations has referred to as an illegitimate court of an illegitimate junta.

Myanmars junta arrested former student leader Ko Jimmy in October 2021, accusing him of inciting unrest and threatening the public after he criticised the military coup on social media. In 1988, Ko Jimmy was imprisoned for political activities and released in 1996. He was arrested again in 2007, following the Saffron Revolution, and imprisoned until 2012.

Phyo Zeya Thaw was arrested for allegedly overseeing the deadly attacks on the military regime in Yangon. Two other activists, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw, were executed for killing an alleged junta informant.

The activists families were refused access to their bodies following the executions.

According to the United Nations, since the military coup on February 1, 2021, at least 117 people have been sentenced to death, with 41 people tried in absentia. The Assistance Association For Political Prisoners recorded 14,883 arrests and 2,123 junta killings in Myanmar as of July 26.

SEAJU is concerned that the imposition of the death penalty and the increase of extrajudicial killings throughout the country demonstrate a trend of brutal and indiscriminate violence to quell political dissent.

Myanmar has a Martial Law Order 3/2021 which allows the death penalty for 23 ambiguous offences including treason provisions and criticisms of the military. SEAJU notes that the ruling military will likely continue its egregious human rights violations given military spokesperson Zaw Min Tuns defence of the executions legitimacy.

Since the military coup, media freedoms and protections for journalists in Myanmar have also rapidly declined. As of March 31 2022, 122 journalists and media staff have been arrested, 48 are currently detained, and 22 have been convicted.

The SEAJU said: The executions indicate that the military junta has and will continue to use violence to instill fear, intimidate and quash independent and critical voices. SEAJU urges the Myanmar military to urgently halt its onslaught of human rights abuses and immediately release political prisoners who are illegitimately imprisoned.

SEAJU members

Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists (CAPJ)

Cambodian Journalist Alliance Association (CamboJA)

Timor Leste Press Union (TLPU)

Alliance of Independent Journalists Indonesia (AJI)

Sindikasi

National Union of Journalists (Peninsula Malaysia) (NUJM)

Myanmar Journalist Association (MJA)

Myanmar Journalists Network (MJN)

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)

National Union of Journalists, Thailand (NUJT)
Several journalists and demonstrators were attacked with nerve gas by security forces in Tunis on 22 July, during a protest against the new draft constitution which was ultimately adopted on 25 July. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has joined its affiliate, the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) in condemning targeted violence against journalists and called on the judicial authorities to investigate the attacks.

Members of the SNJT executive board were among the targets of police violence, including its president Mohammed Yassine Jelassi, whose face was sprayed with nerve gas at close range, and required urgent treatment. Some attacks were explicitly directed at female journalists.

The demonstration, organised by civil society and youth organisations, as well as political parties in Habib Bourguiba Avenue, was attacked by hundreds of heavily armed agents mobilised by the Ministry of Interior.

Several protestors were seriously injured and required medical assistance, and others were unlawfully arrested while exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate.

The Tunisian draft constitution, which was officially endorsed on 25 July following a popular referendum, gives the President absolute powers. The IFJ and SNJT have voiced their concerns about the threats to media freedom that the new amendments pose.

The SNJT calls on the judicial authorities to assume their responsibilities and launch an investigation into the arbitrary police practices that have targeted dozens of Tunisians. The union calls for the law to be applied and for an end to the impunity of the perpetrators.

In their statement, the SNJT said: we reaffirm our absolute support for all forms of demonstration, protest and expression, which are considered as the most important achievements of the Revolution.

IFJ Secretary General Anthony Bellanger said: We call on the Tunisian authorities to halt repression against journalists and media workers. All media professionals should be allowed to carry out their professional duty of informing the public without being subject to any kind of violence.
realme, the PHs no. 1 smartphone brand for 2021 (based on Canalys and IDC sell-in reports for Q1-Q4 2021), is back in full swing to break the high-end market with the GT Neo 3. As the newest flagship disruptor in the local market, the realme GT Neo 3 takes Filipinos to the #NextLevelSpeed with its impressive gaming and battery charging speed.

Get ready to be taken to a next-level speed with the realme GT Neo 3 at a discounted rate

Launched via a special livestream event on July 28, the realme GT Neo 3 offers impressive features that cater to heavy-duty mobile gamers and mobile photography enthusiasts. This time around, the brand was dedicated to developing battery, charging, and performance features for a next-level gaming experience. Coming from this, the GT Neo 3 is equipped with a 6.7 120Hz OLED Reality Display, 5000mAh Battery with SuperDart Charge, MediaTek Dimensity 8100 5G Processor, and a Vapor Chamber Cooling System Max, among its other notable features.

Next-Level Charging and Gaming Speed

The realme GT Neo 3 is equipped with a 5000mAh Battery with 80W SuperDart Charge which can power a fully drained phone from 0% to 100% in just 38 minutes. Complementing this is the use of an upgraded Vapor Chamber Cooling System Max which ensures that battery health is maximized through an improved cooling and much faster heat dissipation.

In addition, the realme GT Neo 3 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8100 5G Processor with Mali G610 MC6 GPU and a 120Hz Refresh Rate, providing a smooth gaming experience and transition between apps as well as support for high fps games.

Designed for mobile photography enthusiasts

When it comes to camera capabilities, the realme GT Neo 3 boasts a triple camera setup with a 50MP Sony IMX766 OIS Rear Camera that has a larger sensor at 1/1.56, allowing more light to enter for better image and video production. For a Street Photography 2.0 experience, the realme GT Neo 3 also has a dedicated street mode with features such as Peak & Zoom, 90s Pop Filter, and DIS (Dynamic Image Snapshot). In terms of front camera, the realme GT Neo 3 is equipped with a 16MP Selfie Camera that is perfect not just for capturing clearer selfie shots, but also for livestream and online video calls. The GT Neo 3 is packed with a screen-to-body ratio of 94.2% and a touch-sampling rate of 360Hz.

To complement all the mentioned innovative features is a sleek, Racing Stripe Design inspired by the Ford GT40 that beat a Ferrari for the first time at Le Mans back in the 1960s. This symbolizes the next level speed that realme GT Neo 3 can provide every Filipino.

Get the realme GT Neo 3 for Php4,000 OFF starting July 29

Available in the 8GB+256GB storage variant and in two colors: Sprint White and Nitro Blue, the realme GT Neo 3 is now available for an SRP of only Php29,999 nationwide. As an exclusive early bird offer, the realme GT Neo 3 will be available at the lowest price guaranteed of Php25,999 during the Lazada Payday Sale starting from July 29 to July 31 only in the realme Flagship Store on Lazada. In addition, those who purchase the realme GT Neo 3 during the Payday Sale on Lazada will get an additional 1-year warranty for their units.

Buckle up for realmes month-long 2022 Fanfest in August

realme also revealed their highly anticipated realme Fan Festival #DareToBeYou during the livestream. As realme continues the #realmesupports local campaign, this years Dare To Be You will focus on celebrating Filipinos who dared to stay true to themselves and express their own uniqueness. The realme Fanfest will also celebrate those who took the courage to follow their passions and dreams to become internationally known in their respective fields.

The annual celebration is the smartphone brands initiative not just to stay connected with its customers, but also to give back to its community through social media engagements, CSR activities as well as fan and employee treats.

realme Squad can enjoy month-long activities as well as exclusive discounts and offers, starting with the launch of the GT Neo 3 and the realme Buds Q2s. This will also be followed by the payday sale and 8.8 mega campaigns on both Lazada and Shopee. Starting August 1, buyers of the realme Pad will receive a free DIZO GoPods D and buyers of the realme Pad mini will get a free DIZO Wireless Power. Customers who purchase any realme items in their official stores nationwide can get a chance to win realme Powerbank 2 by joining the TikTok challenge together with their realme promoter. realme fans are also in for a treat as they get to enjoy a music-filled night with local OPM artists in culmination of the month-long realme Fanfest too! These are just some of the treats that realme has in store for us for next month. Be sure to follow their social media pages as they unlock the surprises in the next coming days!

Go all out with other realme products!

Joining the fun is the realme Buds Q2s which was launched together with the realme GT Neo 3. This realme Buds Q2s invites Filipinos to #GrooveAllDay Long with its 30 Hours of total playback time, large 10mm Bass Driver with support for Dolby Atmos, and a super low latency at 88ms. It is available in three colors: Paper White, Paper Green, and Night Black that each retails for only Php1,490. As part of Lazadas Payday Sale, the realme Buds Q2s will be available at a discounted price at only Php990 on realme Flagship Store on Lazada from July 29 to July 31 as well.

Meanwhile, the latest addition to realmes C series entry-level line-up was launched earlier this month. The new C30 is designed with a Unisoc T612 Processor, 5000mAh Massive Battery and an 8.5mm Ultra Slim Vertical Stripe Design with flat edges. It only weighs 182g with a screen-to-body ratio of 88.70% that makes it very easy and comfortable to hold so users can enjoy using the phone anywhere and anytime. The realme C30 is available in three (3) fun colors: Bamboo Green, Lake Blue, and Denim Black and retails for Php5,499 for the 2GB+32GB variant and Php6,499 for the 4GB+64GB variant.

For news and updates, follow the official realme Philippines Facebook page and visit the official realme PH website.
Growing a company is challenging, intense, and exhilarating. It's the hardest thing you'll ever do. It will stretch you past your limits in every way possible. You will have to dig deeper than you thought you could. There are ups and downs, roadblocks and dead ends, frustrations, and successes, all in one roller coaster of a journey that continues to change and evolve daily.

While there are inherently many challenges with growing a business, some are more prominent when scaling a tech-based startup. Here are some insights into what I learned while growing my software-as-a-service (SaaS) company, SetSchedule, to a $500 million company.

8 lessons for growing a company

When building a startup, you are constantly figuring out the best way to run your business. Here are eight lessons I learned along the way.

1. Don't be afraid of change, and don't be tied to your initial vision

To build a successful business, you must be willing to make changes. My original vision was to provide real estate agents with leads to grow their sales pipelines. As SetSchedule began doing this, we realized the technology available wasn't up to par. Building this technology was painful--it meant three years of work. But I knew we had to pivot to be a technology-based company in order to grow. As a result, we focused on providing SaaS systems for solopreneurs to network and grow their businesses.

2. It helps to have a rock star team; find the best people and treat them well

The most important puzzle piece for any business is its people. If your employees are happy, motivated, and treated well, they will work hard for you! That doesn't mean you need to pay them more than other companies in your industry, but you need to create an environment where they feel valued, and their ideas respected. What worked well for me was investing in my upper and middle management. I spend quality time outside of the office with my big players, whether it's dinner, social events, or company events, getting to know the team on a personal level.

3. Network, network, network

Networking isn't just about finding new clients or leads, it's also about finding new future partners and possibly even investors for your company. Get involved with other startups or small businesses in your area. You never know what kind of connections might emerge by just introducing yourself.

The more people you meet and connect with who are doing exciting things, the better off you will be as an entrepreneur. You never know where connections will lead or what opportunities they will open up for you down the road.

4. Flexibility and adjustments are key

One of the most important things I learned about growing a startup is that we need to be flexible for things to work smoothly. When making decisions, whether hiring new employees or changing business model strategies, it's essential to weigh all the options before making any decisions. This reduces unnecessary risks.

As an example, our sales reps were each struggling to complete more than five presentations daily due to time limitations. After evaluating the business development team's capacity, we realized that adding a new sales associate to schedule demos would allow each sales rep to conduct seven to eight demos each, resulting in more sales. This realization and action improved our revenue by 20% within a week!

5. SWOT everything!

As an entrepreneur, it's easy to assume that everyone knows what they're doing. In order to scale a startup, all team members should be on board with company goals and priorities before any significant activities. To ensure a common understanding, I recommend using a SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. By going through this process before providing new protocols to your team, you are ensuring everyone understands what they need to do and why--especially before making any important decisions. Knowing your strengths and opportunities provides your team with a strong basis to work from. More importantly, knowing your weaknesses and threats helps your team understand possible failure points to monitor and report back when needed.

6. Learn from mistakes, but don't dwell on them too long

Every company will make mistakes as it grows and evolves. Some will be minor, some serious. But each error has a lesson attached to it. If you learn from those lessons and apply them going forward, your organization can avoid repeating those mistakes. Otherwise, mistakes will compound over time until they become unmanageable, damaging your company.

When you make a mistake, it's natural to dwell on it, thinking about how you could have done things differently. But that isn't always helpful or productive. After learning from past mistakes and applying those lessons, you should get over them so you can keep moving forward. I use the five-second rule. I count down from five to allow myself the time to process my emotions, and then I get back to it. I learned this exercise when I was in the military, and it's become a staple for me. Start by taking 30 seconds and working your way down to five.

7. Take care of yourself

Eat, sleep, exercise, and take time for yourself. You can't give 100 percent when you only have 50 percent left in your tank. You're the driving force for the company and your team needs you at your best. To be your best, you need to feel your best. As entrepreneurs, it's ingrained in us to forget to eat, work late hours, get up early, and make our business our priority. Don't do it.

8. Automate as soon as possible

If you are running a tech company or use technology, incorporate automation and an application programming interface (API) as soon as possible after launch. This allows you to start building partnerships with other companies and refine your product based on user behavior.
Sarah LaFleur feared that her New York City-based women's e-commerce clothing brand, M.M.LaFleur, might go out of business during the pandemic. Sales dropped 60 percent at one point, and the company closed its nine stores and cut jobs.

In a recent livestream with Inc., LaFleur spoke about how she started and grew her business and steered it through Covid-19's darkest days. In this candid and far-ranging interview, how she built and managed her team took center stage. Here are some takeaways from the session for anyone leading a team.

Promote from within

LaFleur says it's important to show employees that they can have career progression and development at the company. The average tenure at M.M.LaFleur is close to five years, she says. "I don't want to create a company where people are coming and going every two to three years," says LaFleur.

Further, she tends to try out consultants and freelancers before making a new hire. "I'm not a big fan of hiring fast and firing fast," says LaFleur. By building a lean team, she says, the company will run more efficiently during a crisis.

Manage layoffs humanely

During the pandemic, M.M.LaFleur had several rounds of layoffs. The company took pains to help people find new jobs, creating a resume packet for those who wanted to participate, and sharing it with investors, friends, and other contacts with companies that had jobs to fill. She also invited people to look at her LinkedIn profile, offering to make introductions on request.

At even small companies not using an outplacement firm, she says, "There are a lot of other ways to use your network to at least let [a former employee] know that you're there, should that person decide that they want help with their search."

Prioritize self-care

Don't discount the critical role that your well-being plays when it comes to leading your team.

"Your mental health is everything," says LaFleur. She says she's "religious" when it comes to exercise, even if it's just a 30-minute walk. What's more, she says that she has been seeing a psychiatrist for a decade.

"People would laugh if they knew how much I spend, both time- and money-wise, on my mental health," she says.

Family and friends are part of your personal support team, too. LaFleur spoke frankly about how she leans on her husband and mother. For example, she says, in 2019 panic attacks kept her up at night, and she was popping "a ton of anti-anxiety pills to get through the day." On a weekend when her husband had to travel, her mother, who lives in Japan, flew to the U.S. to stay with her for four days. "I'm kind of oversharing here, but I think my point is you need to make sure that you've got the support you need to put your head back in a good place," she says.

Have a good "right hand"

LaFleur says it's crucial to have a partner with whom you can talk and share ideas freely. For example, she'll say to them, "I'm going to just be crazy here and suggest a bunch of crazy things. And we're going to talk about all of them."
BEIJING, July 28  In the 16th round of China-India Corps Commander-Level Meeting, the two sides discussed issues in a constructive and forward-looking way, and reached four consensuses, said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.

The Chinese and Indian militaries have recently held the 16th round of Corps Commander-Level Meeting, and discussed the settlement of the friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

In reply to the reporters request for detailed information about the meeting, the spokesperson shared the above message and introduced the four concensuses reached at the meeting, which are:

First, adhering to the political guidance and earnestly implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries; second, focusing on the overall situation and maintaining the resumption momentum of bilateral relations; third, effectively managing and controlling differences, and safeguarding the security and stability in border areas until the issue is solved; fourth, maintaining communication and dialogue, and reaching a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible.

According to the spokesperson, at present, the situation in the border areas between China and India is generally stable, and the communication through the military and diplomatic channels between the two sides has never stopped.
Political leaders from different parties have been pointing the finger at one another for the distribution of disaster relief funds in the wake of the recent heavy rains and flooding. There have also been claims made that the Union Government is biassed and unfair. The discussion has recently been reignited by a response to a query in the Lok Sabha regarding the support provided to Telangana by the Union Government in the shape of an NDRF release.

economictimes/Representational Image

Let us see, what is the issue of disaster relief, the various funds available and the rules surrounding their release.



Disaster management in India

The Disaster Management Act of 2005 governs disasters in India. It required the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and corresponding State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to be established . Thus, the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) are established in accordance with sections 46(1) and 48(1)(a) of the aforementioned act.

Firstpost

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 defines a disaster as a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.

ANI

In accordance with the rules for the creation and management of State and National Disaster Response Funds, disasters such as cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloud bursts, pest attacks, and frost and cold waves are taken into consideration for the utilisation of SDRF. However, for NDRF releases to be made, these disasters must be of "Severe nature" and require the expenditure of much more.

How is disaster relief funded by the government?

Disaster assistance should be analysed from two angles: first, how it affects the public purse by creating contingent liabilities, and second, whether it helps reduce population vulnerability and risk. Disasters subject governments to potential obligations. The State and the Union Governments both keep a corpus to cope with these contingent obligations because they are unclear and in the future.

Ani/Representational Image

According to the response given in the parliament, money under the NDRF and SDRF are distributed in accordance with the recommendations of the successive Finance Commissions established in accordance with Article 280 of the Constitution. While the States and the Union split financing for the SDRF in a ratio of 75:25 for States in the general category and 90:10 for States in the North-Eastern and Himalayan regions, the Union Government provides all of the funding for the NDRF. The "Guidelines on constitution and administration of SDRF/NDRF" and other directives and standards established by the Ministry of Home Affairs apply to any disbursements from these funds .

Statistics for disaster relief

Details on the distribution and release of money under the SDRF and NDRF for the years 201819 are provided in a recent answer to the parliament dated July 2022. Data from 201415 through 201819 are provided in a second response from July 2019. With rare exceptions, the money provided through the NDRF is declining. There is no evident explanation for this drop.

Two of the major issues on the 15th Finance Commission's agenda are the SDRF's quantum and interstate distribution. Since they saw the SDRF as the primary source of money for disaster response, state governments expressed grave worries about this.

AFP/Representational Image

Each state's allocation of funds for disaster management has been determined by a series of Finance Commissions based on expenditures. Comparatively speaking, the wealthier statesthose that can show bigger expendituresare more likely to gain from expenditure-based distribution. Some states that have received reduced SDRF money have seen this imbalance brought on by the expenditure-driven methodology. If this strategy is used in the future, the inter-state allocation gap will only get worse.

As long as climate change and global warming continue to pose concerns, it's highly probable that no amount of money will be sufficient to avert a catastrophe. How far we slide down the hill will be determined by each and every single choice we make today. Investing in preventive, mitigation, preparedness, and response techniques is the only long-term solution.
From Sex and the City to Grace and Frankie, sex toys have made steamy appearances in some of the most popular films and movies. Take a hint, guys!

Its time to deviate from vanilla sex, and swing open our bedroom doors for these trusty toys - ready to embrace new heights of pleasure.

But, Arent Sex Toys For Single People?

Busting this myth in 32...1

iStock

Come on! Sex toys arent just for those riding solo. Couples swear by these vibrating and pulsating toys which have opened new realms of pleasure in their relationship.



And hey, its also a misconception that couples who use sex toys have boring sex lives. Negative! In fact, they desire each other enough to welcome a sex toy into their lives. Whats not to like?

How To Choose The Right Toy?

The market is brimming with promising sex toys - but which ones right for you? This comes down to your body, needs and the kind of sex youre having. Whether youre someone who enjoys heightened pleasure during foreplay, or prefers penetrative sex or oral or literally anything in between - know that theres a sex toy out there waiting to make your experience better!

iStock

Most Importantly, Where To Buy Them From?

When talking of sex toys, Ive often heard people ask - where do we buy sex toys in India? Do we even get them in India? The answer is a big YES. We recently discovered the platform Love Depot and boy does it have a world of exciting sex toys!

iStock

Air pulse to G-spot vibrators and kegel toys - Love Depot is a bonafide treasuresorry pleasure box! (*winks*)



If youre someone who is ready to experiment with a sex toy but dont know where to start, were here to your rescue! Heres are our favourite picks from Love Depot -

1) MsChief Adagio - Wand Massager

Surrender to the most sensual orgasms with this wand massager. Right from a body massage to clitoral rub, trust this product for a steamy time with your partner (or alone). Its easy to use, and offers 10 vibration modes at varying speeds. Worth a try, dont you think?

Click here to buy.

2) We-Vibe Wearable Vibrator

Yes, you heard that right! This app-controller vibrator is easy-to-insert, and is quick to turn up the heat - anytime, anywhere. Its like wearing your little erotic secret on the go!

Click here to buy.

3) Fifty Shades Of Grey - Male Masturbator

Heres presenting one of the most iconic products from Love Depot - the male stroker. This travel-friendly, no-noise product is ideal for foreplay (or solo play) as it mimics real-life movements and leads you to the big-O with all its might.

Click here to buy.

4) G-Spot Massager

Make way for explosive G-spot orgasms with just one click, all thanks to this glorious vibrator. This slender product comes in a pretty purple design, and offers 10 dynamic vibrating modes. Whats more? Its waterproof so you can take it to the shower with you!

Click here to buy.

5) Royal One Blue Ring

Weve found the perfect sex toy for couples - yes, it provides pleasure to him and her simultaneously. It guarantees heightened pleasure and can be controlled using an application.

Click here to buy.

While these were our top 5 products from Love Depot, you can head straight to their website and scroll through the mind-blowing range of pleasure toys they have for sale.

So in a nutshell, sex toys have become more mainstream than ever and theres no reason why you shouldnt introduce one into your bedroom and add that extra zing to your sex life.
The Union Health Ministry has said there is no data on the number of doctors who died in India due to the coronavirus infection since the pandemic in March 2020, as per the Central governments statement in the Rajya Sabha.

Representational Image

In a written reply on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said, Indian government maintains data of total cases and deaths due to Covid-19 as reported by States/UTs. As of July 23, 2022, a total of 5,25,997 deaths due to Covid-19 have been reported in the country. Disaggregated data on deaths due to Covid-19 by profession or otherwise is not maintained centrally.

Representational Image

Health Minister Pawar was answering a written question on the number of doctors and health workers who have died since March 2020.

Rs 50 lakh insurance provided

She also said that under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP), an Insurance scheme for health care workers fighting Covid-19', the government of India has provided comprehensive insurance of Rs. 50 lakhs to health care providers, including community health workers and private health workers who may have been in direct contact and care of Covid-19 patients and may be at risk of being impacted by this or due to accidental death on account of Covid-19-related duty.

Representational Image

She further said that the implementation of the schemes is primarily coordinated at state-level.

She added that the National Disaster Management Authority has recommended giving Rs 50,000 as compensation to those who died due to the infection.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.






A tragic plane crash in Rajasthan's Barmer has killed two pilots. The collector confirmed that an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft crashed Thursday in Rajasthan's Barmer district.



ANI

"It was an IAF plane that crashed near Bhimda village in Baytoo," Barmer District Collector Lok Bandu told PTI. He said he was on the way to the site of the incident.



Rajasthan | A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Barmer district. Further details awaited pic.twitter.com/egJweDNL4a  ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022

The death of both pilots of the doomed fighter plane was confirmed by the district collector Lokbandhu Yadav.

Both the pilots in the MiG-21 Trainer aircraft lost their lives in the crash. IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families. A court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident: Indian Air Force (IAF) pic.twitter.com/alUaMqTPqy  ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022

According to one of the reports, the fighter plane was on a training sortie at night.

#WATCH | Rajasthan: A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Barmer district. Further details regarding the pilots awaited pic.twitter.com/5KfO24hZB6  ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022

Regarding the crash of a MiG-21 fighter plane at Barmer, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke with the head of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.

The IAF head gave him a comprehensive explanation of the incident.

Photographs obtained on the scene showed flames coming out of the plane wreck.

The plane's debris was scattered across an area of 0.5 kilometers. Witnesses reported that one of the pilots' bodies was entirely burnt while the other's was severely wounded. Even some villagers posted distressing images of the tragic fighter jet online.

The villagers were alerted to the tragedy by a loud explosion they heard at nine o'clock in the evening. The administration sent out representatives to look into the situation and provide assistance.

At 9:10 pm this evening, an IAF MiG 21 trainer aircraft met with an accident in the western sector during a training sortie.

Both pilots sustained fatal injuries.  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 28, 2022

"A twin seater Mig-21 trainer aircraft of the IAF was airborne for a training sortie from Utarlai air base in Rajasthan this evening. Around 9:10 pm, the aircraft met with an accident near Barmer. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries," the Air Force said.

"IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families," it further said.

IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families.

A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 28, 2022

It said a court of Inquiry had been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


Some people have purely selfless love and compassion for dogs. While we have seen and heard countless stories of people's undying love for animals, this one is special for reasons more than one.

Kanak, a 90-old-year woman, starts her day by cooking for more than 120 stray dogs. She doesn't just cook food, but she also loves to experiment with her recipes.

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It's heartening to watch the woman in the Instagram video that went viral. The story came to everyone's notice after an Instagram account pawsinpuddle shared it.



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Grandma Kanak is seen at the beginning of the video making biryani. But this was the first time her granddaughter had joined her to feed some stray dogs.

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The heartwarming video shows how she fed the stray dogs with love and compassion.



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"My 90-year-old grandmother, who has severe osteoporosis, has gone through multiple major operations, became bedridden, and hasnt let anything come in between her and her love for the dogs. She gets up every morning at 4:30 am to cook for 120+ dogs and tries experimenting with her recipes because her heart only feels full when they relish everything she makes. After each feeding, I come back, and she asks, "aaj sabne achese khaya? Sabko pasand aaya?" Then I show her the videos, which makes her face carry a big smile. Today I decided I would take her with me for the first time. There were severe risks regarding her physical health, but she told me - "there is no medicine, but there is a dog's love, aaj meri umar jo hai inki wajah se hai itni lambi, mai banau, ye khaaye, bas yahi khushi chaiye muje". And look, the way she smiles? The way she could touch them after all those years? The way she talks to them? Before you tell me a thousand reasons to why you cant help a community animal, please look at this."



Kanak's story again won hearts on the internet after 'Humans of Bombay' shared her story.

Kanak's story:

Kanak was not that big a dog lover until her granddaughter got a puppy into the house. Kanak felt drawn toward their new furry friend in just a few days.

She experienced such a drastic change of heart that she has spent the last two years feeding and caring for other stray dogs in her area.

Screengrab

In the video by Humans of Bombay, Kanak is seen preparing food and feeding dogs lovingly near her home. She uses a walker to go around, yet she always remembers to feed her friends.



"A few years back, my granddaughter, Sana, got Coco, a puppy at our house. And honestly, I never liked dogs; bas nahi pasand the (I just didnt like them). And I genuinely thought nothing could change my mind. But Coco changed everything. Aur aisa kuch nahi kara tha ussne (He didnt do anything special) hed just eat, play, or laze around. But even when he did such simple things, he looked very cute. I couldnt believe myself when I first said, Kitna pyaara lag raha hai (He looks so cute), while looking at him. Mera toh dil aa gaya tha Coco pe (I had had fallen in love with Coco)!" Humans of Bombay cited Kanak as saying.

Kanak said her granddaughter Sana had expressed an interest in opening a dog shelter in their neighborhood roughly two years ago. She was severely impacted when a neighborhood dog passed away.

Screengrab

Later, she did establish a nearby shelter for stray dogs. On the other hand, Kanak is too old to visit the shelter. However, she adds to the effort by preparing meals for her furry friends at 4:30 am.



At Sana's shelter, Kanak continues to prepare meals for stray dogs despite suffering a fracture in 2021.

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Andhra Pradesh is experiencing severe rains. Most of the reservoirs in the state were filled due to the rains. While some people have been having trouble with the continuous downpour, some have taken this opportunity to catch fish.

Andhra villagers catch fish using umbrellas and mosquito nets

The villagers of Daivalaravuru of Korisapadu Mandal in the Bapatla district have been catching fish in these over-flooded canals in the most efficient way possible. They are catching a huge quantity of fish with the help of umbrellas and mosquito nets instead of traditional fishing nets. Taking a cue from the Daivalaravuru youngsters, the people surrounding villagers also started fishing and catching in huge quantities.

Thanks to the heavy rains, the villagers of this area are getting bountiful fish.

News18

Marine animals like fish get transported away from their natural habitat due to the weather phenomenon. Now, while the occurrence may be rare, this wasnt the first time fish have actually reached the doorstep. In fact, in many parts of the world, people have seen fish falling from the sky.



Fish falling from the sky

At the beginning of the year, the city of Texarkana in the US state of Texas witnessed a phenomenon called "animal rain" that happens when small water animals such as frogs, crabs or small fish are swept into waterspouts.

That is not it, just a few days ago, people in the Jagtial town of Telangana were left puzzled as they witnessed fish raining down the sky. People took videos of the same and uploaded them on YouTube. In one video, a person can be seen trying to hold a flapping fish that came down along with the rain.

This is not it. Just recently in June, there were reports of fish falling from the sky in San Francisco, in the U.S. Residents across the city were complaining of loud splats on their roofs and finding anchovies.

Watch: Fish Falls From Sky, Slams Into Car In Bizarre Videohttps://t.co/C3AjvmBET7 pic.twitter.com/9iPlB3DGB0  Archaeological News, Paranormal, Space and UFO (@nevadaknight67) August 17, 2021

Nature truly is beautiful.

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Shell, the UK-headquartered energy supermajor, has shattered its quarterly profit record for the second consecutive quarter and launched a $6bn share buyback program as the conflict in Ukraine continues to deliver bumper profits. Shell is one of the first supermajors to disclose its results for the year's first half. In the coming days, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and BP will likely reveal good performances.





The supermajor announced adjusted earnings of $11.5 billion in the year's second quarter, shattering the $9.1 billion achieved in the previous quarter. This result was significantly higher than the previous year's total of $5.5 billion, which was more than twice as much as the average projection of $11 billion. The cash flow from operations for the first half of 2022 reached $23 billion, higher than the average expert projection of $19.2 billion. Working capital movements were not included in this figure. The net debt was reduced from $48.5 billion three months earlier to the lower figure of $46.4 billion.





Shell maintained its dividend at $0.25 per share but stated that, with the $6 billion buyback plan, total distributions to shareholders would be "significantly in excess" of 30 percent of cash flow from operations. In addition, a new round of share purchases has been initiated following the completion of buybacks totaling $8.5 billion during the first half of the year. Despite this, the dividend has not yet recovered to the level before the epidemic, which was $0.47 per share. In 2020, Shell cut their dividend by two-thirds, bringing it down to $0.16 per share. That was the company's first dividend cut since the conclusion of the second world war. In addition, COVID lockdowns negatively impacted demand, contributing to oil prices falling below $20 per barrel.





Shell produced less oil than it did in the first quarter, but the company profited from higher pricing. This reflects the skyrocketing cost of crude in April, May, and June due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February. The company's chemicals and products division performance was driven by higher refining margins, while the company also reported "exceptionally robust" profitability from its gas and power trading division.





On Monday, Shell announced that the Jackdaw gasfield in the UK North Sea had given the green light for development. But despite the skyrocketing revenues, the company has not changed its plans for worldwide investment; its capital expenditures for 2022 are still expected to be in the range of $23 billion to $27 billion.





This year, energy corporations in several countries, including the United Kingdom, have been subjected to higher taxes than in previous years; nonetheless, another year of record earnings may result in calls for even higher tax rates. Ben van Beurden, the chief executive of Shell, voiced his opposition to the energy earnings levy that the United Kingdom government implemented in May. In response to proposals for further tax rises, he argued that there should be more significant investment in the energy sector.





During the morning trading session in London, Shell shares increased by almost one percent.





Note: TotalEnergies of France, which also released its results on Thursday, stated that its profits for the second quarter had almost tripled to $9.8 billion compared to the same period a year earlier. During the recent energy crisis in the UK, Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, reported a rise in operating earnings that were five times higher than before.
James has excelled in a diverse array of roles, and repeatedly demonstrated his impressive

insurance industry and technology expertise, said CSIO chairman Cam Loeppky, adding that Warburtons presence on the board would undoubtedly strengthen [CSIOs] team and the property & casualty (P&C) insurance broker channel.

Im proud to join the CSIO board of directors as I have seen first-hand how important data standards and technology are to our industry, commented Warburton. Im grateful for the opportunity to directly contribute to our brokers success as a CSIO board member.

Read more: CSIO welcomes Aviva Canada exec as new board member

In May, CSIO added another member to its board of directors  Zoey Todorovic, chief information officer at Aviva Canada. Todorovic was welcomed to the board as another member, Elaine Basque, stepped down from membership.
We are so excited to be able to introduce speed skating to some new to Canada kids and their families, said Kamloops Long Blades Association treasurer Trish Archibald. The Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award will allow these kids to skate with our club, make new friends and have fun, without having to worry about the cost.

Four other speed skating clubs were named as finalists for this years awards  Peninsula Speed Skating Club (North Saanich, BC), Milton Speed Skating Club (Milton, ON), Richmond Rockets Speed Skating Club (Richmond, BC) and Club de patinage de vitesse Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (Montreal, QC). They will each be awarded a $2,500 cash prize to finance their own initiatives.

Intact Insurance is proud to be a long-time sponsor of Speed Skating Canada and see the direct and positive impact this partnership has on local clubs across the country, said Intact Insurance vice president of marketing, customer experience, and data marketing Humberto Valencia.

The funding provided through the Club Excellence Award will go a long way in helping these five clubs grow the sport in their respective communities, something that would not be possible without Intact Insurances ongoing support, added Speed Skating Canada CEO Susan Auch.

Read more: Intact Insurance awards $10,000 to speed skating club

Last year, Speed Skating Canada and Intact Insurance conferred the award to Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating Club. The funds were used by the club to reach out to families with limited financial resources, as well as those new to Canada.
Most businesses are grappling with rapidly rising cyber risk, and rapidly increasing cyber insurance claims have caused premiums to surge. According to a report by Fitch Ratings, the number of cyber claims increased by 100% over the past three years, with prices up 130% in the US and 92% in the UK. This rate of increase is much higher than those of other commercial business lines.

With coverage becoming more expensive, Andrew Barnett (pictured above), cybersecurity expert and chief strategy officer of Cymulate, is urging businesses to rethink their current cyber risk assessment models, as they are not working against the rising threat.

The typical risk assessment is based on reviewing existing documentation and conducting interviews with stakeholders and department leads, Barnett told Corporate Risk and Insurance. On occasion, the assessor may ask to see some actual configurations or screen shots. These responses and evidence are then reviewed and scored as yes, no or partial. With dynamic enterprise environments and an always-evolving threat landscape, these types of activities will never demonstrate an organizations actual ability to detect, prevent and respond to cyber threats.

Another point that Barnett said businesses should pay attention to is their cybersecurity infrastructure. While some businesses have inadequate cybersecurity tools in place, others have too many tools  more than they can use properly. He cited a report by Oracle and KPMG which found that 78% of respondent organizations used more than 50 discrete cybersecurity products to address security issues, leading to a patchwork response to cyber threats.

If majority of organizations have over 50 tools, then the chance of something being deployed incorrectly, misconfigured or underutilized is very high, Barnett said. Most of these products do not operate well together out of the box and require careful consideration to their deployments and customization to work effectively in an organizations unique environment. Companies should continuously look for these unintentional errors, or gaps, as we often see environmental drift over time and their security posture regress.

To avoid critical gaps in cybersecurity, Barnett recommended that organizations make several changes to their cyber risk assessment procedures.

Barnett said that companies should be aware of the regulations they must comply with, but the focus should be on building a security program that is in line with the organizations risk tolerance.

Build compliance into your security program so you can demonstrate to assessors what they need to see, but dont let compliance be the driver, he said.

In relation to compliance, Barnett said that organizations that have adopted a continuous security validation methodology have a much easier time when the auditors come around. This methodology gives the companys leaders in charge of cyber the ability to always know what their security posture looks like, leading to fewer surprises during an assessment.

Risk and IT managers should work with top management to understand all of the inherent risks faced by the organization and the cyber implications of those risks.

When calculating residual risk, use technology (like breach and attack simulation) to measure the effectiveness of your mitigating controls, Barnett said. Oftentimes, we make assumptions or guess at how a tool or process is working and its effect on reducing likelihood or impact. This can lead to a false sense of security.

Lastly, Barnett said organizations must practice dealing with various cyber risk scenarios by setting times for teams to test themselves and run through table-top or war game exercises to see how they would respond in the event of a cyber incident or breach.

Moving forward, Barnett expects that cyber risk management will require more vigilance, with an always-on or continuous monitoring for risk and compliance.

It is fairly common knowledge that annual or biannual assessments only provide a small snapshot of what is really going on inside an organization, and this model has never been able to keep up with the pace of changing environments and the cyber risks they face, Barnett said. If the purpose of an assessment is to give all those involved visibility and confidence into how an organization is doing, we need to change how and how often we are conducting those assessments.

Due to the amount of sensitive data many businesses hold, privacy regulations are also expected to become tighter in the future.

With regulators adding more and more requirements on leaders around cyber, executives and board members will have to take cyber risks seriously, Barnett said. As a result, I think well see more innovation and focus on improving and simplifying the approach to compliance and risk reporting. Platforms that help distill very technical data into layman's terms and produce meaningful, repeatable reports will become obligatory for cybersecurity leaders.
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Legislation to ban discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles  such as Afros, cornrows or tightly coiled twists  in workplaces, school districts and school-related organizations in Massachusetts was signed into law Tuesday by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.

Black women in particular have faced pressure in school and on the job to alter their hair to conform to policies that are biased against natural hairstyles, according to supporters of the law.

The bill had been unanimously approved by the Democrat-controlled Massachusetts House and Senate. The new law defines natural and protective hairstyles as including braids, locks, twists, Bantu knots and other formations, and tasks the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination with enforcing the protections.

Policies that limit or prohibit natural hairstyles in all school districts are now banned. The law also prohibits hair discrimination in employment, business, advertising and public spaces.

Massachusetts is the 18th state to adopt a version of the the bill known as the Crown Act  into law, legislators said.

The law has its roots in the case of a Massachusetts charter school that came under fire in 2017 for a policy of banning hair braid extensions.

The issue came to light when the parents of then-15-year-old Black girls said their twin daughters  Deanna and Mya Cook  were punished for wearing extensions, while white students hadnt been punished for violations of hairstyle regulations.

After intense criticism, including from Democratic Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, the school abandoned the policy.

The sisters attended Tuesdays bill signing.

It really took me back to that first time when I got my detention. I was thinking about how hard this would be, Deanna said before becoming emotional, adding that no one will go through that again.

Mya pointed to what the laws supporters say will be its far-reaching effects.

It feels amazing to know that weve changed so many lives, she said.

In 2019, California became the first state to ban workplace and school discrimination against Black people for wearing hairstyles such as braids, twists and locks.

In March, the U.S. House approved a similar bill that would bar discrimination against Black people who wear hairstyles like Afros, cornrows or tightly coiled twists in society, school and the workplace. The federal bill would explicitly say such discrimination is a violation of federal civil rights law. President Joe Biden has said he would sign the federal bill.

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley co-sponsored the House bill. The Massachusetts Democrat praised state lawmakers for adopting the law.

For far too long, Black folks have been punished for the hair that grows on our heads and the way we move through and show up in this world, Pressley said in a written statement.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Massachusetts K-12
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A Maryland man has died after police say his Lyft driver ordered him out of the car in the middle of a Delaware highway.

Delaware State Police say the crash occurred Sunday around 2 a.m. A group of six friends ordered a Lyft ride from Dewey Beach back to their residence in Bethany Beach.

The group was traveling south on U.S. 1 when a dispute arose with the Lyft driver.

Police say the Lyft driver stopped in the left lane of the highway and demanded the group get out of the car.

A 43-year-old man from Clarksburg, Maryland, got out of the car on the right side and was struck by a passing Toyota Corolla. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other injuries were reported.

Police said they are looking for the Lyft driver, who fled the scene after the crash.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Auto Law Enforcement Personal Auto Maryland
A group of ex-Greensill Capital employees sued the defunct firm in London, accusing management of unfairly keeping them in the dark about the companys imminent danger of collapse.

A group of 277 employees  less than half the UK workforce  are claiming 4.5 million ($5.4 million) for not being consulted properly on their redundancy. They say the firm did not tell them about potential job-loss risks despite being aware of its obvious financial problems. A judge will decide Thursday whether the claimants are entitled to that level of award.

The London-based supply chain financing company imploded in March 2021 after Credit Suisse froze the $10 billion group of funds that Greensill effectively ran. The Swiss bank decided to liquidate the funds after Greensill failed to obtain insurance coverage for some of the loans.

The claimants allege they were first told by chief executive officer Lex Greensill late on a March 8 Zoom call that the business was going into administration. He said on the call that administrators Grant Thornton would be working toward completing a sale of part of the business to another firm, according to court documents.

Thank you it has been an absolute privilege and I very much hope that each of you achieve everything in life that you wish and you look back on your experience here in this family with fond memories, Greensill said, according to a transcript of the call.

Four days later, Grant Thornton organized a second afternoon call that told them the firm planned to fire as many as 460 employees with immediate effect.

Greensills collapse has sparked a number of inquiries and investigations in several countries. The firm, with the backing of SoftBank Group Corp. and General Atlantic LLC, went from a small startup to a tech unicorn with an estimated $7 billion valuation at one point. David Cameron, the former UK Prime minister, was an adviser to the firm and has faced criticism for his well-paid role at the company.

Lawyers for Greensills administrators said that they did make efforts to keep employees informed. In the best interests of the creditors the administrators had no option but to make the employees redundant and they only had a matter of days in which to do so, according to court documents.

The lawyers claim that when the company was put into administration it was anticipated that a potential sale to Apollo Global Management Inc. would go ahead and no redundancies would have happened.

The UK governments business department has been brought in as a second party in the case. If Greensill is unable to pay, the claimants will seek a capped award of around 2 million.

With assistance from Lucca de Paoli.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits Profit Loss Talent
The European Union found evidence that smartphones used by some of its staff were compromised by an Israeli companys spy software, the blocs top justice official said in a letter seen by Reuters.

In a July 25 letter sent to European lawmaker Sophie in t Veld, EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said iPhone maker Apple had told him in 2021 that his iPhone had possibly been hacked using Pegasus, a tool developed and sold to government clients by Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group.

The warning from Apple triggered the inspection of Reynders personal and professional devices as well as other phones used by European Commission employees, the letter said.

Beware of Zero-Click Hacks That Exploit Security Flaws in Phones Operating Systems

Though the investigation did not find conclusive proof that Reynders or EU staff phones were hacked, investigators discovered indicators of compromise  a term used by security researchers to describe that evidence exists showing a hack occurred.

Reynders letter did not provide further detail and he said, it is impossible to attribute these indicators to a specific perpetrator with full certainty. It added that the investigation was still active.

Messages left with Reynders, the European Commission, and Reynders spokesman David Marechal were not immediately returned.

An NSO spokeswoman said the firm would willingly cooperate with an EU investigation.

Our assistance is even more crucial, as there is no concrete proof so far that a breach occurred, the spokeswoman said in a statement to Reuters. Any illegal use by a customer targeting activists, journalists, etc., is considered a serious misuse.

NSO Group is being sued by Apple Inc (AAPL.O) for violating its user terms and services agreement.

Lawmakers Questions

Reuters first reported in April that the European Union was investigating whether phones used by Reynders and other senior European officials had been hacked using software designed in Israel. Reynders and the European Commission declined to comment on the report at the time.

Reynders acknowledgement in the letter of hacking activity was made in response to inquiries from European lawmakers, who earlier this year formed a committee to investigate the use of surveillance software in Europe.

Last week the committee announced that its investigation found 14 EU member states had purchased NSO technology in the past.

Reynders letter  which was shared with Reuters by in t Veld, the committees rapporteur  said officials in Hungary, Poland and Spain had been or were in the process of being questioned about their use of Pegasus.

In t Veld said it was imperative to find out who targeted the EU Commission, suggesting it would be especially scandalous if it were found that an EU member state was responsible.

The European Commission also raised the issue with Israeli authorities, asking them to take steps to prevent the misuse of their products in the EU, the letter said.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Apples alerts, sent late last year, told targeted users that a hacking tool, dubbed ForcedEntry, may have been used against their devices to download spyware. Apple said in a lawsuit that ForcedEntry had been the work of NSO Group. Reuters also previously reported that another, smaller Israeli firm named QuaDream had developed a nearly identical tool.

In November, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden gave NSO Group a designation that makes it harder for U.S. companies to do business with them, after determining that its phone-hacking technology had been used by foreign governments to maliciously target political dissidents around the world.

NSO, which has kept its client list confidential, has said that it sells its products only to vetted and legitimate government clients.

(Reporting by Raphael Satter and Christopher Bing in Washington; editing by Grant McCool)

Topics Europe
The European Commission is considering creating a new directorate that may be headed by two top antitrust officials to enforce tough new rules aimed at reining in the powers of Big Tech, two people familiar with the matter said.

Such a move could ease concerns that the EU competition watchdog may struggle to get technology giants such as Alphabet unit Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta and Microsoft to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

EU Lawmakers Pass Landmark Rules to Rein In Tech Giants, but Enforcement a Concern

The landmark rules, agreed in March, will go into force next year. They will bar the companies from setting their own products as preferences, forcing app developers to use their payment systems, and leveraging users data to push competing services.

The new directorate at the Commissions powerful antitrust arm may be headed by Alberto Bacchiega, director of information, communication and media, in charge of antitrust and merger cases involving the tech, media and consumer electronics industries, one of the people said.

Bacchiega could also be assisted by Thomas Kramler, head of the unit dealing with antitrust cases in e-commerce and data economy, and currently spearheading investigations into Apple and Amazon, the person said.

Both officials are already liaising with those at the Commissions Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology which will jointly enforce the DMA, a third person said.

Bacchiega and Kramler could not be reached for comment as they are away on their summer holiday.

The EU executive said it was organizing itself internally so that it can enforce the DMA effectively.

The enforcement of the DMA is estimated to require approximately 80 staff who would be redeployed internally, as appropriate, a spokeswoman said.

The internal organization will be based on the relevant expertise of all DGs (directorate-generals) and services involved, and ensure appropriate staffing of the relevant DGs and services, she said.

Topics InsurTech Tech Europe
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A medical helicopter responding to the scene of a fatal accident in southwestern Ohio crashed this week when it hit power lines, but no one aboard the aircraft was seriously injured, authorities said.

Three crew members were in the CareFlight helicopter, en route to a two-vehicle accident involving two pickup trucks that occurred around 4:15 a.m. in Milford Township, according to the Butler County Sheriffs Office. The aircraft was approaching the scene when it crashed into the power lines and went down.

According to a statement issued by CareFlight, no patients were in the aircraft, which was being operated by Air Methods, and the crew members were able to safely exit the helicopter. The cause of the crash will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Butler County Chief Deputy Anthony Dwyer told WXIX-TV that one crew member suffered an unknown injury and was taken to a hospital. The other two crew members were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and authorities said all three were expected to fully recover. Their names have not been released.

Authorities said a 69-year-old woman from Richmond, Indiana, was pronounced dead at the scene of the vehicle accident. A 43-year-old woman was also hospitalized with serious injuries and two other people were being treated for undisclosed minor injuries. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Ohio
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones repeatedly lied and attacked the parents of murdered children when he told his Infowars audience that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, an attorney for one of the victims parents said Tuesday at the outset of a civil trial to determine how much Jones must pay for defaming them.

The jury in the Texas capital could deal Jones a major financial blow that would put his constellation of conspiracy peddling businesses into deeper jeopardy. He has already been banned from YouTube, Facebook and Spotify for violating their hate-speech policies and he claims hes millions of dollars in debt  a claim the plaintiffs reject.

During his opening statement, plaintiffs attorney Mark Bankston said Jones created a massive campaign of lies and recruited wild extremists from the fringes of the internet  who were as cruel as Mr. Jones wanted them to be to the families of the 26 people who were killed in the 2012 attack on the Newtown, Connecticut, school, including 20 first-graders and six educators.

Jones tapped into the explosive popularity of Sandy Hook conspiracy stories that became an obsession for the website, even years after the shooting, said Bankston, who played video clips of Jones claiming on his program that the shooting was a hoax and the whole thing was completely fake.  It just didnt happen.

Anticipating Jones attorneys expected strategy, Bankston told the jury, This has nothing to do with the Constitution. Defamation is not protected by freedom of speech.  Speech is free, but lies you have to pay for.

He said his clients will ask for $150 million for emotional distress and reputational damage and more money in punitive damages.

Jones was in the courtroom Tuesday and only rarely seemed interested in watching the video clips of himself played for the jury. He sometimes fidgeted in his seat and occasionally shook his head while listening to the case being laid out against him.

Immediately after the plaintiffs opening statement, Jones stepped outside of the courtroom to rant to reporters, calling it a kangaroo court and show trial that was an assault on the First Amendment.

Among those expected to testify Tuesday are Daniel Jewiss, who was the Connecticut State Police lead investigator of Sandy Hook, and Daria Karpova, a producer at Infowars.

In questioning the jury pool on Monday, Jones attorney Andino Reynal acknowledged that Jones is a very polarizing and controversial figure, but he also said hed ask the jury to cap the damages at $1.

During jury selection, most in the 100-person jury pool raised their hands when asked if they had heard of Jones, and nearly two dozen agreed when Reynal asked who among them had a firm negative impression of him.

Were very happy with the jury weve seated, Reynal said. Its a very important First Amendment case. On trial right now is not just peoples freedom of speech, but its also peoples freedom to listen. To choose what they watch on television, to make those choices for themselves, instead of having a personal injury lawyer make those choices for them.

The Texas court and another in Connecticut found Jones liable for defamation for his portrayal of the Sandy Hook massacre as a hoax involving actors aimed at increasing gun control. In both states, the judges issued default judgements against Jones without trials because he failed to respond to court orders and turn over documents.

In total, the families of eight of the Sandy Hook victims and an FBI agent who responded to the school are suing Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems.

Jones has since acknowledged that the shooting took place. During a deposition in April, Jones insisted he wasnt responsible for the suffering that Sandy Hook parents say they have endured because of the hoax conspiracy, including death threats and harassment by Jones followers.

Jones claimed in court records last year that he had a negative net worth of $20 million, but attorneys for Sandy Hook families have painted a different financial picture.

Court records show that Jones Infowars store, which sells nutritional supplements and survival gear, made more than $165 million between 2015 and 2018. Jones has also urged listeners on his Infowars program to donate money.

The Texas trial begins about two months after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, which is about 145 miles southwest of Austin. It was the deadliest school shooting since Sandy Hook.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits
Houston, Texas-based RSL Insurance added Ryan Colville as an insurance advisor on the commercial business team.

Colville will serve the insurance needs of business owners in the West Texas region.

He previously worked in the agriculture business as an agronomy consultant and chemical, fertilizer, and seed broker.

RSL Insurance is an affiliate of Leavitt Group, a privately held insurance brokerage.

FIRST Insurance Funding named Ryan Riolo as a relationship manager in Austin, Texas.

Riolo has nine years of experience in developing relationships with independent agents, brokers, and general agents. Prior to joining FIRST, Riolo worked at Bank Direct Capital Finance as vice president of sales.

FIRST is a premium finance company with more than $10 billion in loans financed annually.

Topics Texas
Neighbors of an open field from which a grass fire spread into their suburban Dallas subdivision, destroying nine homes, had complained that the fields owner wouldnt mow the grass, officials said this week.

The owner had the area in Balch Springs cut Monday after inaction following two city requests prompted a citation for a code violation, said city Fire Marshal Sean Davis.

That was when Davis said a spark from the mower ignited the tinder-dry grass, and a fire sped into the adjacent subdivision, damaging 26 homes, destroying nine of them.

Damage estimates topped $6 million, according to a city statement.

Field-mowing crews had been urged to have a spotter watch for sparks and ignitions, Davis said.

North Texas has been vulnerable to explosive wildfires for at least two weeks with temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit with 20-mph wind gusts and 20% humidity.

Fire crews working a 10 1/2-square-mile wildfire that destroyed 16 homes and damaged five others turned their attention Tuesday toward hot spots inside the fire footprint, officials said.

In a statement, the Southern Area Blue, Type-I Incident Management Team said significant hotspots throughout the Chalk Mountain Fire involved unburned and partially burned fuels.

Fire crews are performing grid searches throughout the fire zone 50 miles southwest of Fort Worth, with particular emphasis given near homes within the fire zone.

With the fire 20% contained, crews also are working to secure fire lines around the fire zone.

And fire crews are standing down on the western shore of Possum Kingdom Lake after a fire that destroyed five homes was declared 100% contained.

This year has been plagued by wildfires fostered by severe to extreme drought throughout the West.

In California, firefighters were making progress Tuesday against a huge wildfire that spread to a forest near Yosemite National Park, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate mountain communities. The fire is the second to strike the area. Another fire that broke out in the area earlier this month burned to the edge of a grove of giant sequoias.

In New Mexico, a prescribed burn in early April got out of control and grew to the biggest wildfire in the states history, blackening more than 500 square miles in the north of the state.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Texas
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Insureds cannot recover damages from the insurance company if they failed to comply with the policy and failed to allow the insurer to make the needed repairs, a Florida appeals court decided Wednesday.

Floridas 3rd District Court of Appeal upheld without comment a 2020 decision by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mark Blumstein.

As a result of plaintiffs actions, inactions and lack of cooperation, Florida Peninsula was unable to restore the property to its pre-loss condition, although Florida Peninsula was ready, willing, and able to do so, Blumstein wrote. Thus, plaintiffs failure to comply with the option to repair bars any recovery under the policy.

An insurers right to repair with its own contractors has been a point of contention for at least a decade, with a number of homeowners and plaintiffs attorneys arguing that some restoration work has been incomplete and subpar in quality. But appeals courts have upheld the policy provisions in several cases.

In this case, John Rose vs. Florida Peninsula, the insurer actually paid for some plumbing repairs that were not covered by the policy. But the insureds refusal to cooperate with Florida Peninsulas other repair efforts, as well as legal maneuvering by the claimants attorney, ultimately doomed any attempt to win damages through litigation, the circuit court found.

Even a court order could not get the plaintiffs to allow the repairs to commence, Judge Blumstein wrote.

The claim began almost a decade ago after the Roses said their home suffered water damage from a leak. Florida Peninsula notified them that it was exercising its option to repair, in keeping with the policy. Months later, in October 2013, the insurer said the claim would be denied if the repair work did not begin within 14 days.

Despite that, the homeowners still would not allow the repairs and their attorney, with the Alvarez, Carbonell and Feltman firm in Coral Gables, alleged that the invocation of the insurer repair clause was improper for reasons left unstated, the court explained. The lawyer then requested copies of all estimates, communications, emails, and invoices between Florida Peninsula and its contractor.

In the lawsuit complaint, the Roses lawyer argued that the couple had, in fact, allowed access to the property and the insurance company had improperly denied the claim.

The judge didnt agree.

In sum, the uncontested facts show that Florida Peninsula exercised the option to repair the damages at the plaintiffs property consistent with the policys option to repair provision, Blumstein wrote. Despite Florida Peninsulas request and a court order, the plaintiffs failed and/or refused to allow the repairs to commence. Instead, they used threats and unsupported conditions to prevent the repairs from commencing. This was in violation of Florida law and the policy.

The 3rd DCA also upheld a Miami-Dade courts ruling against Citizens Property Insurance Corp. In the decision, Citizens vs. Carlos Hernandez, the court also agreed to a motion by Hernandez to award his attorneys fees.

Topics Lawsuits Carriers Florida
Providence St. Joseph Health, the largest healthcare system in Washington state, failed to provide in-person American Sign Language interpreters for deaf patients, leaving them at the mercy of virtual interpreters whose work was often beset by technological difficulties, according to a new lawsuit.

The California-based nonprofit law firm Disability Rights Advocates filed the complaint in U.S. District Court in Seattle this week, saying its clients requested in-person ASL interpreters well before their appointments, but that Providences Seattle-area facilities frequently failed to provide them.

Instead, patients often had to deal with video remote interpreters on screens that often froze or cut out, making it difficult for patients to receive and understand critical health care information. Staff sometimes moved the machines around the room in an effort to find a better signal, a distraction from the serious medical conversations patients were attempting to have with their providers.

Patients sometimes resorted to communicating with health care providers by pen and paper, which was demeaning and left them without all their questions answered, the lawsuit said.

Providence did not immediately issue a response to the lawsuit, which seeks class-action status.

We deserve to be able to go to appointments, have procedures, and visit the emergency room without worrying whether we will be able to communicate clearly or understand important medical information, plaintiff Kate Spencer, of Snohomish County, said in a news release announcing the case. We should never be forced to choose between our communication needs and our healthcare.

Disability Rights Advocates attorney Meredith Weaver said video interpretation services can be useful, especially in rural locations where interpreters are not available, but they require a high standard of technical capacity and staff capabilities _ neither of which Providence ensured, Weaver said.

The lawsuit alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Affordable Care Act. It asks the court to ensure that Providence provide qualified interpreters when necessary, modify its policies to ensure deaf individuals are not discriminated against, make sure the necessary technical requirements are in place to support video interpreters when appropriate, and train staff and doctors on interacting with deaf patients.

It also seeks reasonable attorneys fees and costs.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Washington Medical Professional Liability
The parents of a 14-year-old girl killed by Los Angeles police in a clothing store last year have filed a lawsuit against the department and the officer whose rifle round pierced a dressing room wall.

Valentina Orellana Peralta and her mother were shopping for Christmas clothes on Dec. 23 at a Burlington store in the San Fernando Valleys North Hollywood neighborhood. They were inside a dressing room when they heard screams and Orellana Peralta locked the door.

Elsewhere in the store, 24-year-old Daniel Elena Lopez was behaving erratically and wielding a bike lock. He brutally attacked two women, including one who fell to the floor before he dragged her by her feet through the stores aisles as she tried to crawl away.

Following 911 calls, Los Angeles police walked through the store in a formation, body-camera video shows. Officer William Dorsey Jones Jr., wielding a rifle, pushed to the front of the pack even as other officers repeatedly said slow down and slow it down.

The officers saw a woman crawling on the blood-stained floor and Lopez on the other side of the aisle, according to the video footage. Hold up! Hold up! another officer screamed just before Jones fired three shots.

One of the bullets went through the dressing room wall and fatally struck Orellana Peralta as her mother, Soledad Peralta, held her. Peralta felt her daughters body go limp and watched helplessly as her daughter died while still in her arms, the lawsuit states.

Police ordered Peralta to leave the dressing room and wait for what seemed like an eternity, according to the lawsuit. She was not told that her daughter had died.

Her family, who had left Chile to get away from violence and injustice in search of a better life in the U.S., remembered Orellana Peralta as a happy teen with many friends who loved sports, adored animals and excelled in school.

Her father, Juan Pablo Orellana Larenas, and Peralta allege that LAPD failed to adequately train and supervise the responding officers and fostered an environment that allowed and permitted this shooting to occur, the lawsuit states.

Filing this lawsuit is the first step for Soledad and Juan Pablo in seeking the transparency and justice promised to them by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti following the fatal shooting of their daughter, Valentina, the familys attorney, Rahul Ravipudi, said in a statement Tuesday.

Ravipudi added: It is their deepest hope that those responsible for her death will be held accountable and that changes will be made to LAPD policies, practices, and standards for using deadly force that will prevent yet another senseless tragedy at the hands of law enforcement.

Lopez was also shot and killed by police. An autopsy report showed he was on methamphetamine at the time of his death.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on July 14, alleges wrongful death and negligence, as well as negligent infliction of emotional distress, and seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages. In addition to the LAPD and Jones, the lawsuit also names the city of Los Angeles and Burlington Stores Inc. as defendants.

The LAPD declined to comment Tuesday and it was not immediately clear whether Jones had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The city attorneys office said it was reviewing the complaint and Burlington Stores Inc. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The California Department of Justice is investigating the shooting, as is the LAPD.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Law Enforcement
Los Angeles, CA., June 27, 2022  The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), a unique nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities and enriching lives, on June 1, 2022, launched their new Global Membership program to insurance professionals in the US and worldwide. The IICF Global Membership program represents an opportunity for individuals working in insurance to amplify their efforts to advance social good through IICF. For the first time, those who are passionate about giving back in their communities and forward-thinking about their careers have the unique opportunity to engage on an individual basis with the foundation that serves to unite the insurance industry in philanthropy and leadership.

Membership is open to all industry professionals currently working in insurance or supporting businesses, retired industry professionals who wish to remain active, as well as to interns and apprentices working in insurance or related fields.

IICF Global Membership offers any industry colleague an alternative means of engaging with the Foundation, irrespective of their employers involvement or stage in their career, said Hank Watkins, President and Regional Director, Americas, Lloyds and Chair, IICF International Board of Governors. An industry dedicated to assisting policyholders in their time of need is much more than that and now, through IICF Global Membership, were providing everyone with an opportunity to expand their outreach beyond the scope of an insurance claim. You bring the commitment to helping others and well provide the volunteer and philanthropic initiatives our board members and IICF staff have launched in your neighborhood. Were excited to share the unique networking and leadership development opportunities available through IICF Global Membership, in the process doing our part to develop the industry leaders of tomorrow.

Those wishing to join the membership can select from three tiers of benefits:

Global Member: For $100 a year, members have access to philanthropic opportunities, a nonprofit directory resource, professional development programming such as IICFs new quarterly Insight Series and monthly virtual mentoring Coffee Chats, and networking with exclusive access to industry leaders.

For $100 a year, members have access to philanthropic opportunities, a nonprofit directory resource, professional development programming such as IICFs new quarterly Insight Series and monthly virtual mentoring Coffee Chats, and networking with exclusive access to industry leaders. Executive Member: For $250 a year members enjoy all Global Member benefits, plus the opportunity to be featured in exclusive professional development sessions, access as an Executive Member on the Membership portal and the ability to give one complimentary IICF Membership annually to a friend, colleague, employee or anyone they designate.

For $250 a year members enjoy all Global Member benefits, plus the opportunity to be featured in exclusive professional development sessions, access as an Executive Member on the Membership portal and the ability to give one complimentary IICF Membership annually to a friend, colleague, employee or anyone they designate. Founding Circle Member: For $1,000 the first year and then $250 each consecutive year, this esteemed group has access to all Global Membership benefits, recognition as a Founding Circle Member, an exclusive Founding Circle Member badge for LinkedIn or a company website, prominent placement on the IICF Membership hub, opportunities to contribute to Insight Series programming and the ability to gift up to three Global Memberships in the launch year.

In addition to these benefits, members will have opportunities to connect with like-minded socially conscious insurance professionals, including peer-level to executive leadership, across the globe through the IICF Membership Directory, and will have access to educational content such as whitepapers and impact reports through the Member Resource Library. Additionally, members can connect through exclusive volunteer and professional development events including:

July 8: The Importance of Philanthropy in Building your Career Coffee Chat featuring Hank Watkins, Regional Director and President, Americas, Lloyds and Chair, IICF International Board of Governors

August 4: Insurance, Society and Giving Back Insight Series featuring Brian Duperreault, Former CEO, AIG

August 18: Cards & Coffee with Covenant House  a new volunteer opportunity to provide encouragement and connection with at-risk teens

August 25: How to Caffeinate your Career Coffee Chat featuring Carmen Duarte, Vice President Diversity, Inclusion & Social Impact, Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions

We are excited to launch IICF Global Membership as a natural extension of our nearly thirty-year history convening the insurance industry in volunteerism, awarding community grants and leadership initiatives, said Melissa-Anne Duncan, IICF Western Division Executive Director and head of IICF Global Membership. Weve long heard from individuals working in the industry who would like to give back and be involved more directly through IICF. With the support of global industry leaders and valuable feedback from the Founding Circle members, we are confident the benefits and programming were offering will fulfill unique networking, professional development and community engagement interests of todays insurance professionals. To learn more about the Global Membership Program and how to join, give back and enjoy unique professional development and networking opportunities, please contact Melissa-Anne Duncan at maduncan@iicf.com. Registration and more information, including an informative video, can be found here: https://membership.iicf.org/

About the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF)

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is a unique nonprofit that unites the collective strengths of the insurance industry to help communities and enrich lives through grants, volunteer service and leadership. Established in 1994, IICF has served as the philanthropic foundation of the insurance industry for more than twenty-five years, contributing $42 million in community grants along with 300,000 volunteer hours by more than 110,000 industry professionals. IICF reinvests locally where funds are raised, serving hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations, for maximum community impact. IICF is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Learn more at www.iicf.org or follow us on social media: @doubleicf.

Topics Market New Markets
News

Global market trend 2022-2028 The risk of gas supply shortages is spreading from Europe to Japan to impact m63 cable gland by Newsintegra927

The risk of gas shortages is spreading from Europe to Japan as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to simmer.

Concerns in Japan about the "lack of gas" have grown since the end of June, when Russia announced it would set up a new company to take over operations of Sakhalin II. In desperation, the Japanese government recently frequently sent help signals to the United States and Australia, hoping to obtain energy supplies from the two countries to make up for Japan's potential energy gap. However, the distant will not quench the near thirst, and the US and Australia do not seem to have much desire to help Japan in its current predicament.

July 25, kyodo news agency reported that the Japanese economy, trade and industry, said although the Japanese has not immediately appear the situation of gas supply and demand of nervous, but under the background of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Japan can sustain in Russia's far east oil and gas development project "sakhalin ii" the rights and interests of uncertainty, so the Japanese government will intensify the adoption of countermeasures to restrain gas demand.

Since the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Japan has followed the footsteps of the US and Europe in imposing multiple rounds of sanctions on Russia. Not only that, Japan also actively cooperated with the United States, intent on suppressing the price of Russian oil in the international market. In response, Russia put Japan on the "unfriendly countries and regions list" and retaliated against Japan in the energy sector, intending to cut off natural gas supplies to Japan.

On June 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree requiring the establishment of a new company to take over the operation of "Sakhalin 2". The original foreign shareholders of the project should apply to retain shares in the new company within one month, and the Russian government will decide whether to approve it. Japan's Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Corp. previously held 12.5 percent and 10 percent stakes in the project, respectively. The remaining foreign shareholder, Shell, has said it will pull out.

The news caused concern in Japan. By the Japanese industry organization composed of several gas company "Japan gas association, said" considering "sakhalin ii project faces all sorts of uncertainty may affect gas imported from Japan, association recommends that the Japanese government to consider the solution as soon as possible, including looking for alternative sources of natural gas imports, coordinate between the gas company we adopted, Even when the supply is tight, the gas demand is limited.

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The m63 cable gland industry background

The m63 cable gland industry background Wire and cable are widely used in all departments of the national economy, which is the fundamental guarantee for the regular operation of the modern economy and society. The development level of the wire and cable industry is also a symbol and epitome of a country's manufacturing level. Europe, America and Japan, such as developed countries, early industrialization at the end of the 20th century, have formed a mature cable industry chain . Contributed to most of the global m63 cable gland capacity and demand at that time, still occupied an important position in the worldwide supply and marketing, leading the industry's development and monopolizing the global high-end market.

T he global demand of m63 cable gland

According to the use scenario, the commonly used international m63 cable gland divide into two categories indoors and outdoor. Outdoor m63 cable gland due to wind and snow and environmental climate, working conditions, so its structure is more complex. Indoor m63 cable gland working conditions are better and do not need a waterproof device. The cable core can directly connect with equipment. At present, indoor and outdoor m63 cable gland for 10KV and below and outdoor cables sometimes use metal m63 cable gland . According to data released by CRU, in 2021, global demand for metal m63 cable gland (conductor weight) slowed significantly due to weak demand in China, with 19 million tons in 2021, up nearly 1% year on year. CRU reported in December 2022 that the global market for m63 cable gland except in China would shrink by almost double digits in 2021 due to the impact of the pandemic.While market demand is recovering, early weakness will drive double-digit declines in multiple regions in 2021. As a result, the global need for insulated metal m63 cable gland will shrink by about 5% -6% yearly. According to preliminary estimates, the global demand for metal-insulated wires and cables will fall to 17.86 million tons in 2022.

The global market of m63 cable gland may be shrinking

The wire and cable market size are above 20 billion dollars as one of the most important manufacturing industries globally. From 2018 to 2021, the market size of the global wire and cable industry generally showed a trend of fluctuation. According to the data released by CRU, the market size of the international metal cable industry was $161 billion in 2019.Up slightly to $172 billion in 2020. The global market size fell slightly to $164 billion in 2021 due to falling demand in China. According to preliminary estimates, the global metal m63 cable gland market in 2022 was affected by the epidemic, shrinking demand, with market size of $152 billion.

The market share of m63 cable gland

In recent years, the economic growth of emerging countries and other Asian countries has been fast. The production focus of the world wire and cable production has shifted to Asia, which has driven the rapid development of the wire and cable industry in China, Vietnam, the Philippines and Egypt in the Middle East.According to the report released by the CRU, the outbreak in 2021 led to different effects on the world's other parts except for China. Combined with multiple market data, we summarize the overall development of the power cable industry in the global scope. Manifested by the rapid rise in Asia, the slight decline in America, and the unstable growth in Europe in recent years, which is greatly affected by economic and political factors. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for about 49% of global consumption, while Europe and the Americas account for 15% and 10%.

The Global Market Distribution of m63 cable gland

After years of developing the wire and cable industry in developed countries, especially in the face of fluctuations in raw material prices, small enterprises gradually withdrew from the market, and the industrial concentration increased significantly. The top 10 American cable manufacturers (GM, Best, Corning, South, etc.) occupy about 70% of the market share. Seven Japanese cable enterprises (such as Wuhe, Sumitomo, Tengcang, Hitachi, Showa, etc.) account for more than 65% of the market share. Five French cable enterprises (Nexan, etc.) occupy the French market turnover, occupying more than 90% of the French market share. And China's entire wire and cable industry concentration is deficient. CR10 is 17.7%.

Emerging markets for m63 cable gland

In 2021, the global m63 cable gland market was in turmoil due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the global economy recovers, China invests in new energy and infrastructure construction, and the global m63 cable gland market is expected to recover in 2021. The global metal m63 cable gland market will rebound to $180 billion in 2022.However, in the medium term, the global wire and cable industry will return to healthy growth, driven by government and private investment, after the end of COVID-19 but slowing slightly from the previous five years. Among them, represented by Africa and Southeast Asia, the rapid development of emerging market economies will accelerate their construction, infrastructure, utilities, and industrial development activities. These activities will provide the substantial upward potential for emerging market wire and cable demand. Emerging market demand growth will continue to support the recovery and growth of global demand.

According to the CRU forecast, after 2023, the international wire and cable industry market demand will recover to the level of 2019. The international wire and cable market is expected to expand at an annual growth rate of 5% from 2022 to 2026. The global m63 cable gland industry market will reach $230 billion in 2026.

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With a 25% cut to emissions now formally expected of the agricultural sector by 2030, farm groups have reacted with dismay.

Government leaders agreed on the figure on Thursday afternoon, with Cabinet to meet and sign off on a memo.

It had been hoped that a figure would be agreed by Government leaders ahead of a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning, however, that decision had been further delayed.

The Climate Action Plan 2021 sets out an emissions reduction range for the agriculture sector of between 22% to 30% by 2030.

President of the Irish Farmers' Association Tim Cullinan has described the sectoral emissions ceiling for agriculture as a "potentially devastating blow for Irish farming and the rural economy".

The IFA said that this deal "is all about the survival of the Government rather than survival of rural Ireland".

The Government has agreed to a target without any pathway to get there or any budget to assist farmers in reducing emissions," Mr Cullinan said.

"They have no idea of the economic and social impact of todays decision on the farming sector or rural Ireland. Farmers across the country will be rightly worried about what this means for their future.

The implementation plan to achieve the target will be vital.

"I want to make it clear that any attempt to undermine farmers' livelihoods or the viability of sector, in order to achieve these targets, will be opposed vigorously by the IFA."

Mr Cullinan stressed that the Government will have to come forward "with real proposals and proper funding" to support climate measures, including on-farm renewable energy, and "ensure that farmers get full credit for this".

We are still strongly of the view that the Government has not complied with the requirements in the Climate Act in relation to carbon leakage and the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane. These will have to be taken on board by the Government, Mr Cullinan said.

Stephen Arthur, IFA dairy chairman told the Irish Examiner that "this is going to be a serious hit on the most viable enterprises in agriculture".

"A sell-out"

One of the sectors most under the spotlight is the dairy industry.

However, speaking to the Irish Examiner, Dairy Industry Ireland director Conor Mulvihill said while the targets set for agriculture and Industry are "hugely challenging", the organisation welcomes clarity,

"We will actively work with our suppliers and staff in our processing facilities to achieve metric-based improvements," he said.

"In recent years the Irish dairy industry has navigated Brexit, Covid and the Ukraine Crisis and has come out even stronger. While we do not underestimate the extreme challenge of these targets given existing technologies, we will strain every sinew to achieve them with our partners.

"We call on government to give appropriate supports to enable us to positively achieve these targets and protect the social and economic sustainability of rural Ireland."

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association has said that the Government's decision would have "wholly negative and predictable economic, social and demographic consequences for the massive areas of the state that depended on farming".

Pat McCormack, president of the ICMSA, described the 25% target as "a sell-out" of Ireland's family farm model.

Mr McCormack said that farmers and the communities they formed and which depended upon them, "were not interested in hearing any more platitudes from politicians and groups who professed to appreciate the dilemma faced by farming communities but who cheerfully signed-off on policy that at a stroke made whole classes of farms unviable".

He said that politicians "were happy to sacrifice the one sector in which Ireland enjoyed a unique natural benefit, global reputation, and which had been the one and only economic sector left working after the crash of a decade ago".

Mr McCormack said that the decision to go past 22% to 25% represented "much more than just an additional 3%".

"The original target was going to be very difficult but at least warranted an effort," he said.

"Pushing that to 25% reduction over an eight-year timeframe now moved policy from difficult to impossible and actually meant that the policy was now literally incredible in that it was not credible or possible to have confidence in."

He said that if the sector is to move towards a low-emissions model, "then the ambitions and targets must be possible and achievable".

"If the historic process and transition is to win the confidence that will be necessary for it to succeed, then it simply must be realistic," Mr McCormack added.

"If it is not realistic  and 25% is not realistic  then the whole process loses all momentum, trust and confidence."

He added that Government has "badly let down family farms and their communities".

"We wont be fobbed off by vague promises of future income streams," he said.

"Our livestock industry - both dairy and beef - is the lifeblood of rural Ireland and Minister McConalogue and the three party leaders of the coalition have struck it at its very heart today."

Money will have to be "front-loaded"

Dermot Kelleher, president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association added that Government "must now insist on a complete blanket ban at EU level on meat imports from outside the EU, given the incredible stress farmers have been put under in recent weeks".

"Farmers have been made to feel that the high quality, high protein, nutritious food they supply to European markets is now something to be ashamed of," Mr Kelleher said.

"It would now be hypocrisy on a grandiose scale if farmers are forced to watch beef, chicken, and dairy from all over the world being shipped into the EU on favourable terms while Irish farmers are faced with cuts."

Mr Kelleher said that while farmers are "willing to do everything they can" to improve sustainability and reduce emissions, the Government will "have to step up to the plate and deliver on the financial support that farmers need to implement existing and soon-to-be available technologies".

Moreover, money will have to be front-loaded into research on carbon storage in soil, trees, and hedgerows with a view to farmers being able to either offset emissions like other sectors or to sell carbon credits," he said.

Farmers are already innovating in terms of being more sustainable with a lot of focus on manure management, improved genetics, and reduced fertiliser and energy use. A lot will depend on a viable price being paid to beef farmers to finish cattle earlier because this costs money.

"Nonetheless, farmers have always adapted, and we know that farmers will do their best to achieve ever-greater results on producing the best, most nutritious and sustainable food in the world.

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association president Vincent Roddy has cautioned that any reduction in agricultural output will "also impact heavily on the rural economy".

This, he added, is something that many rural businesses have not yet woken up to and my hope is that they recognise how this is a battle for them, just as much as it is for our farmers".

"Vague remarks about diversification will no longer do"

Agri environment advisor and farmer Thomas Duffy said more detail was needed on the specifics of how the additional reduction will be achieved.

"25% will be extremely challenging," he said. "Firstly, we will need to see 100% adoption of the Teagasc MACC [Marginal Abatement Cost Curve] - including protected urea, clovers and improved breeding. But there will be that will need to be made up between what the MACC can achieve and 25%.

"We will need to see clear plans and strong actions and supports for farmers to achieve alternative income on-farm. Vague remarks about diversification will no longer do."
A retired cold case detective has said that the body of Deirdre Jacob, who went missing aged 18 in Kildare this day 24 years ago, must be located before anyone can be convicted for her murder.

Ms Jacob disappeared as she was walking home in Newbridge, Co Kildare on July 28, 1998, with it believed she was murdered.

While rapist and attempted murderer Larry Murphy has long been a murder suspect, it was recently decided by the DPP that gardai didn't have enough evidence to charge him.

However, Mr Murphy remains a major person of interest according to Alan Bailey, who was the lead detective in the Garda Cold Case Unit before his retirement.

Mr Bailey told Newstalk this morning that this is "based on his modus operandi when he was involved in the abduction, rape and attempted murder of another female in the Year 2000".

Mr Bailey added that Ms Jacob's body would need to be found to solve the case, saying: It is very difficult to prove somebody has been murdered if you dont have the body to say, well this is the body of so and so.

If the body is located tomorrow morning, I have no doubt it will be carefully examined."

Mr Bailey said that "with all the advances in DNA investigation and things like that, there is the possibility of locating some bit of evidence on the body or at the body dump scene which might help secure a conviction.

Garda inspector John Fitzgrald holds a media briefing at a search a wooded area of Brewel East, on the Kildare/Wicklow border in 2021 for the remains of Deirdre Jacob.

Anyone who knows anything about Ms Jacob's disappearance is urged to contact gardai, no matter how minor the information may seem.

It is a difficult thing to live with, taking a life, but it is also difficult to live with the knowledge of what happened and the knowledge that there is a family still grieving and still looking for answers and that all it would take is maybe a phone call," said Mr Bailey.

It might be time for that person that they pick up the phone and say this is what happened. Deirdre would be 43 years of age this October, he added.

It has been a long, long time for her family, and they have lost an awful lot of milestones in the meantime with losing Deirdre.
Trans women are being demonised as a threat to other women in places like female-only bathrooms to create fear and division, a Cork Pride conference heard.

Speaking at the Work With Pride event at Cork City Hall, trans advocate Saoirse Mackin said that figures show that Republican Congressmen in the US, a cohort known to peddle this fear, are in fact many times more likely to assault someone in a bathroom.

Between three and seven Republican congressmen have been accused of bathroom sexual assaults while that figure is zero for transwomen, she said.

Work With Pride speaker Saoirse Mackin also spoke at the Trans Pride demonstration at Grand Parade in Cork City on July 9. Picture: Larry Cummins

There is misinformation from right wing media and politicians on the rise, about the danger of trans people. They create a discourse that cisgender women are not safe in the bathroom with trans women."

Quoting an article by feminist historian Rebecca Solnit, Ms Mackin said trans women often need a place of refuge in female-only places as much as cis women.

Trans women pose no threat to cis women, she added, but cis women pose a threat to trans women if they make them outcasts.

Although a third gender may seem like a new concept to many, civilisations across the world have recognised more than two genders for as long as theyve existed," Ms Mackin said.

Native American, Indian, Mexican, and Filipino cultures have all embraced a third or fluid gender for many years, she said:

But our culture made a deliberate attempt to erase these people and their identities, we tried to cast them out of society.

Many tell us that our struggle is new, our fight is new, we just need to be patient. But history shows us we are not new, our struggle was just forgotten. We never went extinct, we were always there, but we were suppressed in our lives.

And in 2022, trans rights are still being repressed, she said.

Growing up in a small, Catholic, conservative village like mine, if you were any bit different to the traditional farming culchie, you were an outcast. So help you if you were gay, never mind trans.

There is a lack of education around what being transgender is. If you experience gender dysphoria [discomfort or distress because there's a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity] you generally know at a young age that something is different about you.

"Growing up with that gender dysphoria is difficult, but you cant just go on hormones overnight and begin a medical transition.

"You have to convince a number of medical professionals that you are trans. You need confirmation from two psychologists that they believe youre transgender. Usually that involves hours of sessions, speaking in deep detail and being asked a myriad of sexual questions to decide if you are who you say you are.

"And there will almost always be three to ten years before you ever get your hands on a bottle of oestrogen, or testosterone for trans men.

Nikki Gallagher of Ibec addressing the Work With Pride conference at Cork City Hall.

Here in Ireland, theres a wait list of five years or more for endocrinology, and there are two endocrinologists in the country who can deal with trans people through the public system.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin, speaking in a recorded message at the conference, said that Ireland must continually strive to foster a society that cherishes all its people equally.

As a nation we have made great strides over recent decades to embrace and promote equality. The growth of Pride celebrations here in Cork and around the country is testament to our growing diversity in communities and peoples respect for that diversity. I am very clear that this diversity is something that should be celebrated. Ireland is a better nation for it."

Read More Pride in a community growing stronger every year

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said that despite great strides towards equality in Ireland, much more progress was needed to attain equality of opportunity, not just equality before the law.

Pride is a celebration but also a protest, he said.

A protest for further progress and equality and a protest in solidarity with members of the community around the world who still face criminalisation and have to live their lives in secret."

Feminist activist and academic Ailbhe Smyth said that she was afraid when she first came out as lesbian in 1980s Ireland.

Trans Pride demonstration at Grand Parade in Cork City on Saturday July 9. Picture: Larry Cummins

"I really experienced fear that I was going to lose my job, lose the support of my friends and family," she said.

Although things have improved in Ireland, there is still a powerful world of hate and intolerance which must to be challenged in places like Afghanistan, Turkey, Poland and Hungary where people are still at risk because of their sexuality or gender identity.

Theres a whole world out there where theres an extreme right-wing movement which is bearing down on us, as women, with abortion, and is bearing down on all of us, as lesbian, gay, bisexual, non-conforming, trans, intersex," Ms Smyth said.

"It is coming for us and we have to be there and stand up, whether were in a company, a university, whether were our own little selves out there on the street," she said.

"We have to stand up and say no, you dont, no further. And absolutely not surrender to that.
WARNING: Some readers may find this report upsetting

A judge has described the contents of a pre-sentencing probation report on Barbie Kardashian who threatened to torture, rape, and kill her mother, as deeply disturbing.

The defendant, Barbie Kardashian, (20), of no fixed abode, was convicted following a four-day trial last May of seven counts of threatening to kill or seriously harm her mother, Maria Luque, on various dates in 2020.

Ms Kardashian, who has legally changed her gender and name, was acquitted of an additional four counts of threatening to kill or seriously harm a social care worker, Michael Mannix, on dates between 2019 and 2020.

The alleged death threats were made after Kardashian had her residency extended at Coovagh House which is a secure unit for children aged 11-17 years who have serious psychological issues.

Ms Kardashian appeared before Limerick Circuit on Thursday for sentencing. Defence barrister, Mark Nicholas told judge Tom ODonnell, that the probation report has been completed, but that a psychological report had yet to be finialised due to Ms Kardashian being assessed for a complex psychological issue.

The judge said he had read the probation report, and I consider this to be very serious.

The probation report has flagged that a psychological report is as yet outstanding, and the contents of the probation report, I would say, are deeply disturbing, the judge said.

The judge described the author of the probation report, Mr Frank Cahill, as a very experienced probation officer and he reiterated that Mr Cahills conclusions are a concern. Mr Nicholas said he expected the psychological report to be completed within the next seven weeks.

Judge ODonnell remanded Kardashian, who denied all the charges at her trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court last May, in continuing custody for sentencing on November 7.

Read More Barbie Kardashian found guilty of threatening to kill her mother

During the trial, Mr Nicholas said he accepted Kardashian had told staff at Coovagh House, at a meeting to discuss discharging her into the community, after she had turned 18, that she planned to travel to her mothers house, overpower her, torture her with a knife, a screwdriver, and boiling water.

Notes of the meeting were recorded by staff and Mr Nicholas accepted Kardashian told them: If I got into (my mothers) house I would run towards her and put the knife into her body and into her genitalia...prolong my mums suffering for as long as possible...I would stab her, but not in her heart or neck, Id want to put her through lots of torture, fear and humiliation.

I would bring a screwdriver to insert inside her genitalia because I am a woman and women rape using objects. I know that my mum is smaller than me, she is physically weak and she is frail, when I was living with her since I was nine or 10 I was stronger than her then and I know she would be overpowered by me.

Kardashian told staff she planned to only exit her mothers house once she was satisfied she had left her mother to bleed out. Kardashian told staff she would check her mothers pulse to ensure she was dead.

'Shock behaviour'

Mr Nicholas argued Kardashians plan was all fantasy, he said Kardashians social care workers gave evidence in the trial that they did not immediately alert gardai about the threats as they felt she was merely looking for attention by saying shocking things.

The barrister argued that care workers involved in Kardashians care, including one of the alleged injured parties, Michael Mannix, had, under oath, agreed Kardashian was diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder and that she would engage in shock behaviour in order to get attention.

Staff told the court they were also aware Kardashian and they were aware she had suffered alleged sexual abuse as a child. Mr Nicholas told the trial Kardashian had had a horrible life, and had been in State care since she was 10 years old.

He reiterated there had been an absence of alarm in the secure unit in the immediate aftermath of Kardashians threats, until, Nicholas said, it was time for her to be released into the community, which was almost two years after she made the first alleged threat to kill Mr Mannix, in January 2019.

There are a total of 15 beds in only three secure units in the state, including Coovagh House, for children who are a risk of being a danger to themselves or others, the trial heard.

Following the jury verdicts last May, Judge Tom ODonnell said he had concerns that Kardashian might, at some point, after her sentence is completed be left to their own devices and he sought guidance from the probation service about a long-term plan for her.
A 12-year-old primary school student from Cashel, Co Tipperary, met with the Taoiseach on Thursday to urge the government to act urgently on the lack of supports for autistic children in Ireland.

Cara Darmody, who attends Ardfinnan National School, has two younger brothers, Neil and John, who are both non-verbal with autism.

Micheal Martin said it was a great privilege to meet the Tipp campaigner, praising her "powerful and passionate advocacy on behalf of her two younger brothers, and for children with autism and special needs".

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Cara said children with autism in Ireland were being treated disgracefully, and she planned on telling Taoiseach Micheal Martin the situation needs to be treated as a crisis emergency.

Cara explained it can take three to four years to be assessed for autism in Ireland at present, and it is almost impossible for many to access psychiatry, occupational therapy and educational supports.

There's consequences for no services, she said on RTE radio. And what I mean is that there's permanent damage done when there's no services.

She said the issue hurts her as she sees her sibling harming himself as he is not able to access the care he needs.

Autistic children are being treated absolutely disgracefully... we as a family need to be heard on this.

Caras younger brothers both attend Scoil Chormaic Special School in Cashel, though her father, Mark, said the two boys have received drastically different levels of support since their diagnosis.

Mr Darmody echoed the words of his daughter that change must happen immediately, saying the time has come for real action.

As Cara said, it needs to be treated like a crisis. And I just feel that it's kind of accepted now that a parent has to wait three to four years [to be assessed] and that cannot be the case anymore.

Mr Darmody said recruitment issues were something that needed to be tackled with priority, followed by issues surrounding diagnosis delays.

Speaking about the Government, he said: They say well, we're going to try and recruit but that's not good enough for families who are walking in the door tomorrow morning just to be told it's three to four years before you'll even be seen. It's just not acceptable anymore.

He added he and his daughter would like to see a change in attitude arise from their meeting on Thursday, and for the Taoiseach to recognise the issue as a crisis.

Cara Darmody, 12, met with the Taoiseach on Thursday as part of her campaign to improve autism services for her brothers and other children in Ireland who she says are being treated 'disgracefully'.

We will give him a list of different things but to be fair, and I want to be very fair to him. I've heard the Taoiseach speak about this. I don't think that there's any arguments here. I think every politician accepts that as a serious problem.

But they're not treating it like a crisis. And that's the difference. So there's no urgency. So they seem to accept that they don't have to do anything today or tomorrow or this week. And that's what has to come to an end very quickly.

Last month, maths-lover Cara raised 38,119 by sitting the Junior Cycle Maths paper after studying the whole three-year secondary school curriculum in eight months with the help of her school and parents.

Mr Darmody said it went brilliantly and that she will sit the Leaving Certificate paper next year in another bid to raise funds for families of autistic children.
Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork is celebrating the birth of three critically endangered black and white ruffed lemur babies.

The baby lemurs  whose gender is still unknown  were delivered on June 19 after a lengthy gestation period of 102 days, to mother Cloud, 20, and 10-year-old father Paraic.

Lemurs, which are endemic to Madagascar, are one of the most threatened mammal families on earth, with 79 of the 81 species considered to be in danger of extinction.

Fota is home to three species of lemur, the black and white ruffed lemur, ring-tailed lemur, and red-bellied lemur and take part in breeding and management programmes for all three species.

In 2019, Fota Wildlife Park opened the Madagascan Village to highlight the plight of the Madagascan ecosystems and biodiversity that are under severe threat and to educate the public on the need for conservation globally.

The three new arrivals "so far seem very confident and active". Picture: Michael O'Sullivan /OSM PHOTO

Senior Ranger, Cathriona Ni Scanaill, said they are delighted with the new arrivals.

"Having ongoing success with this critically endangered species indicates how happy and healthy these primates are at Fota.

"Cloud is a very experienced mother who takes it all in her stride. The three youngsters so far seem very confident and active. Most days, they play in the tunnel leading onto their island habitat.

Less than 250 black and white ruffed lemurs remain in the wild today. Ruffed lemurs are an unusual lemur species that display very primitive primate behaviour in that they build and give birth to their young in a nest.

Meanwhile, Fota Wildlife Park is asking for the public to help in naming the lemurs. The public can enter individual name suggestions on the Fota's website to be in with a chance of winning one of three year-long conservation annual passes.
This week has reminded us again of just how close to home human trafficking really is, as we learned of a young Ukrainian girl who appears to have been groomed and then trafficked into Ireland by a man known but unrelated to her.

Age-old methods were used by the trafficker  preying on this young girls multiple vulnerabilities including, in this case, her youth, her learning disability, her experiences of neglect, and the fact she is fleeing a war  to groom and then ultimately to exploit her on Irish shores.

We must remain alert to the fact that, especially in times of crisis and upheaval, human trafficking continues apace, both off and online.

The 2022 theme for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which takes place this Friday, Use and Abuse of Technology, is a timely reminder that many of todays pimps and traffickers spend much of their days on keyboards and glued to screens rather than lurking around the darker edges of town.

The global trade in sexual exploitation has moved overwhelmingly online, and it doesnt even have to hide of the dark corners of the web. It is accessible in just a couple of clicks, there for everyone to see, dodging justice and overcoming Irish law by switching servers and often locating its business operations outside our jurisdiction.

Across every platform victims  mostly women and children, typically during the most vulnerable periods of their lives  are tricked, blackmailed and coerced into the sex trade.

Often in a process which begins with a false promise of support or the chance to "start a new life". Recruited via inexpensive online means, victims are later advertised online to meet the demands of sex buyers.

There should be no doubt. Just as this latest case highlights, it is happening here. Our communities are not immune to commercial sexual exploitation.

We know online searches by Irish sex buyers for Ukrainian escorts had increased by 250% just three weeks after the Russian invasion.

These buyers, mostly middle-aged men in relationships, were invited by prostitution advertisers to "live out their war-inspired fantasies" by purchasing sexual access to the bodies of young Ukrainian women new to Ireland.

Several weeks later, frontline agencies received their first reports of Ukrainian women trafficked to Ireland for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Vulnerable refugees escaping conflict were being marketed as playthings to satisfy the sexual demands of men.

While women and children were fleeing the carnage visited upon them by Vladimir Putins troops, Irish buyers were helping to drive a criminal trade which saw those in the gravest of danger being openly targeted.

Using a website hosted on a foreign server to buy sexual access to a woman or girl in Ireland does not isolate these buyers from heinous crimes. Anyone who believes this offshore hosting provides some sort of tech safety blanket, or puts them ethically at arms-length, needs to think again. The crimes sex buyers fuel with their credit card and a tap of their screen stretch across continents.

While women and children were fleeing the carnage visited upon them by Vladimir Putins troops, Irish buyers were helping to drive a criminal trade which saw those in the gravest of danger being openly targeted. File picture: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

This month the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Valiant Richey highlighted emerging trafficking trends. These include trafficking for the purpose of remote sexual abuse (eg, online pornography), increased risks of online child exploitation, and substantial increases in forced criminality and forced begging, as well as trafficking for sham marriages.

The scale of what is happening is beyond question. Our own research tells us at least 1,000 women are involved in the Irish sex trade at any one time  the majority are vulnerable migrants and most are advertised online.

We have a reached a key turning point in Ireland in terms of tackling commercial sexual exploitation. The unequivocal recognition of prostitution as a form of gender-based violence in the Governments new Zero Tolerance National Strategy to Combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence should be a watershed moment.

Commitments in the strategy and its accompanying implementation plan to sustainably support women and girls to exit prostitution and rebuild their lives are very welcome.

Particularly as they follow plans to expunge old criminal records for the sale of sex, reflecting a seismic shift in the burden of criminality from the seller to the buyer, in line with the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, which outlawed the purchase of sex whilst decriminalising its sale.

It is progress like this that has helped Ireland to improve its standing in the annual US State Departments global Trafficking In Persons Report. The fact that Ireland is no longer on a Tier 2 watchlist is a great relief.

However, while this is a welcome development, it cannot be the end of our progress. Tier 2 is not a place we should be especially proud of, given that most of Western Europe has attained Tier 1. We still have plenty of ground to make up to prevent traffickers from viewing Ireland as a weak spot to exploit.

Zero tolerance of commercial sexual exploitation must encompass a truly victim-centred approach, in which those who have been exploited can be assured they will be believed, supported and not prosecuted. This approach must be central to the Governments long-awaited new national action plan to prevent and combat human trafficking.

However, in terms of truly disrupting Irelands highly exploitative sex trade, we need to be just as tech-savvy as the pimps. We must use the tech tools that have so effectively enhanced their profits against them.

The Ireland-based firms which have made us the much-lauded Silicon Valley of Europe have a significant role to play here. As do our lawmakers, who must ensure our laws keep pace with other countries so there is no more hiding on foreign servers.

Meanwhile, our law enforcement agencies must be able to match the tech know-how of the criminal gangs themselves.

We can prevent the buying of tobacco, alcohol and other products via duty-dodging websites, yet somehow we seem to be powerless to prevent the online sale of sexual access to vulnerable women and girls.

This has to be addressed.

With good reason, the theme for this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons reflects both the abuse and use of technology. But with the right policies and resources in place, we surely have it within our grasp to shut down online sexual exploitation once and for all.

Ruth Breslin is lead researcher at the Sexual Exploitation Research Programme in UCDs Geary Institute for Public Policy.
We have yet to see the contents of Remy Farrells much-anticipated review of the ongoings at An Bord Pleanala, and yet the whole project already feels like it has been an elaborate ruse by Government to take the sting out of the situation and preserve the status quo.

First announced on April 27, the senior counsels review was tasked with investigating three specific planning decisions and possible financial conflicts on the part of Paul Hyde, the former deputy chair of An Bord Pleanala and head of its strategic housing division.

The reviews announcement signalled that the stories regarding Hydes alleged conflicts of interest had reached sufficient pitch that the Government felt something needed to be done. Or it needed to be seen to be done.

This is no criticism of Farrell, who is by all accounts a conscientious and diligent worker not given to doing any job by half measures. Nevertheless, that the review was only to focus upon Hyde, who resigned from the planning body on July 8, and then only on quite a narrow swathe of the former deputy chairs decisions, is laughable.

Further issues about the planning board Consider just some of the other information that has come to light regarding An Bord Pleanala in the interim. Board members have been making decisions, apparently as a matter of routine, regarding proposed developments within their own residential communities. If not in direct contravention of the An Bord Pleanala code of conduct, which precludes board members from knowingly engaging with an appeal case concerning their own immediate neighbourhood, it certainly seems to fracture its spirit. Separately, it emerged that board members had repeatedly pushed for planning inspectors to amend their reports, or edited them themselves, prior to the board taking its final decision. It emerged that the boards director of planning told a developers investment conference in early May that the current applications appeals system is misused or exploited by a small minority in order to prevent the building of 80,000 residences. Heaven forbid people should object to shoddy planning decisions on their doorsteps. News then broke that Hyde was first nominated for elevation to An Bord Pleanala in 2013 by an organisation  the Irish Rural Dwellers Association, a sort of reverse An Taisce encouraging rural one-off developments  which had ceased to exist the year before. Paul Hyde. File picture When questioned, three of the associations former board members had no recollection of who Hyde even was. In late May, this newspaper revealed that Hyde, together predominantly with fellow board member Michelle Fagan, had been overruling his own planning inspectors in nine out of 10 cases in granting permission for the construction of telecommunications masts in communities across the country. The Irish Examiner reported that over 40% of planning permissions granted for constructing those masts, between September 2020 and May of this year, could have been challenged legally had the statute of limitations for legal judicial review not expired. Online news outlet The Ditch, which first raised the issue of Hydes potential conflicts of interest back in April, reported that Fagan and Hyde had been approving, as a team of two, as many as 26 planning cases in one go during afternoon sessions in the Bord Pleanala boardroom. An analysis of the court cases the board has been losing concerning strategic housing developments, the housing policy set to be discontinued later this year, showed that Hyde  An Bord Pleanalas sector head of SHDs since their inception  had voted for approval of those applications in all 32 instances in which the board had lost a subsequent judicial review. Legal fees for defending such actions now account for fully one third of An Bord Pleanalas budget. All this and more has come to light since Farrells review was first announced and the terms of reference were published. None of it will contribute to his findings.

Two other probes into An Bord Pleanala, including one internal review of its processes, have been announced. The internal review is also due to report shortly. Board chair Dave Walsh has said he plans to publish it subject to legal advice.

It differs from the Farrell report in that it is allowing for certain revelations which have emerged in the past two months to be considered. It will search for identifiable trends in terms of the boards decisions (think the mast decisions), and will evaluate the current systems for making statutory declarations of interest, among other things.

But the review that matters, the one commissioned by the housing minister, he who appoints An Bord Pleanalas board members in the first place, remains as it was first announced on May 12.

One week after that, Social Democrats housing spokesman Cian OCallaghan stood up in the Dail and stated that the terms of reference already appear to be out of date, and called for them to be widened in order to ensure the absolute necessity that [An Bord Pleanala] retains the confidence of the public.

The man at the centre of it all has subsequently resigned. Hyde left the board on July 8, two months after stepping aside from his role, without prejudice, pending the result of the Farrell report.

But this was always about much more than one mans allegedly flawed decision-making.

If the incessant revelations about An Bord Pleanala have taught us anything, it is that the culture in place at the body is a problem and needs to be dealt with meaningfully. Planning is too important to the country and population at large. It is no exaggeration to say that planning decisions can serve to make or break lives.

An Bord Pleanala was trusted once. It would be hard to argue that is still the case. And yet, what has changed over the past three months?

Two weeks ago, the Government reacted to people using their statutory right to judicial review by passing legislation to make it immeasurably more difficult to do so.

Two weeks ago, chairman Dave Walsh appeared before the public accounts committee and refused to apologise for any of the details which have emerged regarding decision taken under his watch. He said the system in place is based on personal responsibility and integrity, which would be almost funny if it wasnt so serious.

All of this may seem overly cynical.

Perhaps both reviews by Farrell and An Bord Pleanala itself will be published and will contain meaningful recommendations to restore transparency to the planning process.

Perhaps the Taoiseachs suggestion that the system by which An Bord Pleanala board members are appointed needs to change will be acted upon.

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.
Burma Almost 20 Myanmar Regime Forces Killed in Retaliation for Executed Activists

Demoso PDF resistance fighters. / Demoso-PDF

Almost 20 Myanmar junta personnel have reportedly been killed by Peoples Defense Forces (PDF) nationwide in retaliation for the military regimes execution of four anti-coup activists.

The junta executed former National League for Democracy lawmaker Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, veteran democracy activist Ko Jimmy, Ko Hla Myo Aung and Ko Aung Thura Zaw at Yangons Insein Prison over the weekend, after accusing them of masterminding armed resistance against the regime and being involved in anti-junta activities.

In the last three days, several PDF groups conducted a series of revenge attacks targeting regime forces and their informants in Yangon, Mandalay and Magwe regions and Chin, Kayah and Mon States.

On Wednesday night, resistance group Daung Sit The claimed to have bombed two police stations in Yangons Thaketa Township in an operation named Zeya Thaw after one of the executed activists.

A local resident told The Irrawaddy that there was a loud blast followed by a lot of gunfire.

Daung Sit The said that their fighters managed to escape. However, regime casualties are still unknown.

Chin Defense Force-Kanpetlet claimed to have killed four junta soldiers and police in a raid on regime forces stationed at the government offices in Kanpetlet Town, Chin State on Wednesday. There were no resistance casualties, according to the group.

Mon State Revolutionary Organization said it killed a regime soldier in an attack on a checkpoint in Ye Township, Mon State on early Wednesday morning in retaliation for the executions,

Also early on Wednesday, three regime soldiers were killed and many others injured when Yesagyo Revolution Group used a motorbike to bomb a military checkpoint near the Technological University in Yesagyo Township, Magwe Region.

The PDF said that they set a bomb in the motorbikes toolbox, before placing it near the junta checkpoint in front of the university. The bomb went off after a regime soldier seized the motorbike and opened the toolbox.

Yesagyo Revolution Group claimed the attack was in response to the juntas execution of the four democracy activists.

Elsewhere in Magwe Region, a combined force of eight PDFs launched an operation named Zeya Thaw early on Tuesday, raiding Tatkone Village in Pauk Township, where Myanmar military units and pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia are based.

During the raid, seven regime soldiers were killed and many others injured, said Young Revolution Front, who coordinated the attack and submitted photos of a weapon, grenade and ammunition seized in the raid.

Taungoo District PDF claimed to have killed former soldier U Aung Zaw Oo, a military informant, on Tuesday in Taungoo in Bago Region. The PDF claimed that the victim was also a leader of a local Pyu Saw Htee group.

It said the assassination was in retaliation for the execution of the four democracy activists.

Demoso PDF claimed to have killed three regime troops on Monday, when a combined force of resistance groups attacked soldiers deployed at Daw Ngan Khar Village in Demoso Township, Kayah State. Two PDF fighters were injured in the raid, said Demoso PDF.

On Monday night, PDF fighters attacked one of the entry gates of Insein Prison in retaliation for the hanging of the four political prisoners, said Yangon Ghost Ranger Force, the resistance group that conducted the attack.

In Mandalay Region, a combined PDF group ambushed regime forces on Monday night with a mine in Amarapura Township. Military casualties are unknown.

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Burma Families of Executed Myanmar Activists Face Harassment, Interrogation

Four anti-regime activists executed by the junta

The families of four executed pro-democracy activists who were hanged by the junta last weekend were harassed by the regime and pro-military thugs just hours after learning of the shocking executions of their loved ones.

The junta hanged former lawmaker of the National League for Democracy Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, veteran democracy activist Ko Jimmy, and two other men, Ko Aung Thura Zaw and Ko Hla Myo Aungboth from Yangons Hlaing Tharyar Townshipduring the weekend without notifying their families beforehand.

The junta sentenced the four to death under the counter-terrorism law for masterminding the armed struggle against the regime and being involved in anti-junta activities.

Their families only found out about the deaths on Monday when the junta announced the executions had been carried out through its state-run newspapers. Furthermore, the bodies of the victims were not released to the families for funerals.

After the executions, the family members of the executed activists told local and international media they were proud of their loved ones sacrifice. Shortly after that, the junta and its thugs began harassing the families.

Junta forces on Tuesday arrested the mother of the youngest of the four executed activists, Ko Aung Thura Zaw, 27.

A source close to the family confirmed that the bereaved mother, Daw Myint Myint Than, was taken from her home at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday and sent to an interrogation center.

On Wednesday, the houses of executed prominent democracy activists Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw in Yangon were attacked by mobs of pro-regime thugs who denounced the two men for their anti-junta activities.

Nearly a dozen junta-backed thugs gathered in front of the apartment of Ko Phyo Zeya Thaws parents and the house of the late Ko Jimmy, hurling stones and other projectiles at the buildings, while cursing the parents and relatives of the executed activists for telling the media they were proud of them following the executions.

The attacks came one day after the regimes spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said at a press conference that those executed were not democracy activists, but killers deserving of their punishment.

They have committed crimes for which they should have been given death sentences many times, said Zaw Min Tun.

Junta-appointed local authorities also warned the executed 41-year-old Ko Hla Myo Aungs family not to hold a funeral and to keep a low profile, according to a source close to his family.

The junta told the parents of Ko Hla Myo Aung not to hold a funeral and I didnt see that they had held a funeral for him at his home, said a source close to the family.

The harassment and attacks of the bereaved families following the executions have drawn widespread attention; outrage and condemnation have poured in from around the world after the junta went ahead with the executions despite appeals for restraint from neighboring and other countries and international organizations.

They were the first executions in the country in around four decades.

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday condemned the executions and called for the release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including President U Win Myint and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Fears are now growing for the other 74 prisoners who have been sentenced to death by the junta for anti-regime activities.
Burma Foreign Firms in Myanmar's SEZ Struggle Under Junta Restrictions

Thilawa SEZ.

Myanmar regimes restrictions on export and import licenses, limited availability of supplies and the weak kyat are forcing foreign businesses in the Japanese-backed Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Yangon to halt operations.

Of 113 companies that have invested in Thilawa SEZ, only 45 factories are in full operation while some 27 factories have reduced their production by half and others have suspended work, according to a Thilawa SEZ management committee source.

As foreign companies operating in Thilawa SEZ are 100 percent foreign entities, they are exempt from the junta-controlled Central Bank of Myanmars (CBM) currency rules.

In April, the CBM ordered financial institutions to convert foreign currency earned by its customers into kyats within one business day at an official exchange rate of 1,850 kyats to the US dollar.

However, factories in Thilawa that are intended for the domestic market are suffering as demand slumps amid limited availability of supplies, cash flow problems resulting from the banking crisis and inconsistent junta policies.

Some companies that were still building factories in Thilawa SEZ have put off construction. Some companies have only opened offices and are doing nothing, said the source.

The CBMs order to companies and individual borrowers to suspend repayments of foreign loans, both on the interest and principal loan, is also affecting companies in Thilawa SEZ, said the source.

Among the companies that have suspended operations are Japanese automaker Suzuki and Acecook, which produces instant noodles. Companies including Japans Ajinomoto and US-owned Ball Metal Container are having supply issues.

Most companies declined to comment to The Irrawaddy.

A manager who suspended operations a few months after last years coup said the company has no plans to restart work.

Many factories have no plans to shut down and withdraw because they have made long-term investments in Thilawa.

However, it is unlikely that Thilawa will attract new investment, said the committee source.

Whether companies will leave depends on [regime] policies. If policies are relaxed, businesses may return but if policies are tightened, they may leave, said the source.

Thilawa SEZ is the best example of economic reforms initiated under U Thein Seins quasi-civilian government and the National League for Democracy administration and showcased bilateral economic cooperation with Japan.

At least three large-scale projects outside Thilawa with an estimated total investment of US$1.3 billion backed by Japanese investors have been put on ice since the coup, according to Nikkei Asia.
Burma Sagaing Villagers Flee Again After New Myanmar Junta Raid

Salingyi civilians flee a junta raid in June.

More than 1,000 villagers in northern Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region, have fled after a Myanmar junta raid on Thursday.

Around 150 soldiers torched Yay Khar and Shwe Htauk villages, according to Salingyi Information.

The villagers only returned a few days ago after fleeing a raid last month, a Salingyi resident said.

Yay Khar had more than 100 houses and Shwe Htauk had around 150. The villagers could not verify the number of houses burned down by the soldiers. Ten villages in the area have been abandoned.

They urgently need food, the resident said.

Three Yay Mein Taung villagers in Salingyi and two other civilians were killed by regime soldiers on Tuesday.

Regime troops raided numerous villages in Salingyi in June and tens of thousands of civilians fled their homes.

Salingyi is a resistance stronghold that borders Yinmarbin Township. Numerous Sagaing Region villages have been torched by the junta.

The United Nations refugee agency, the UNHCR, estimated that Sagaing Region has the highest number of displaced civilians since the 2021 coup with an estimated 260,600.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported in its Myanmar Humanitarian Update for July that Myanmar has 857,900 displaced civilians, up from 758,000 in June.

Myanmar had a large displaced population before the coup and the UN agency estimated on Wednesday that over 1.2 million people are now displaced.

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Burma Shan Armed Group Poised for Myanmar Junta Attack

A Shan State Progress Party fighter. / SSPP Info

Military tensions are escalating between the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) and Myanmars regime in Mong Hsu Township, southern Shan Township, as junta reinforcements arrive in the town, according to residents.

At least 16 trucks full of troops and seven armored vehicles have arrived in Mong Hsu and around three armored vehicles reached Tangyan north of Mong Hsu since Monday, sources said.

The regime has a battalion in Mong Hsu town and a tactical unit in Mong Paw forest. Many more troops have been sent from the Central Eastern Command. The two sides are preparing to fight. The SSPP will fight back if it is attacked, said a Mong Hsu resident.

The regime is expected to target Lwel Nai village to the north of Mong Hsu where the SSPP has three bases.

The area is controlled by the SSPP and is strategically important as a crossing of the Salween River. It appears that the regime will attack and the SSPP is preparing, said the resident.

The juntas National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee led by Lieutenant General Yar Pyae met SSPP leaders at Mong Nawng where the North Western Command is based on July 14 and told the armed group to remove its bases in Lwel Nai by July 21.

The SSPP refused.

Shan news agencies close to the SSPP reported that the regime has redeployed three battalions from Lashio, Kengtung and Kholam near Lwel Nai.

The SSPP has deployed three battalions in Lwel Nai and clashes could break out any time, they reported.

The SSPPs Facebook page on Tuesday posted a video warning of aerial attacks.

The Irrawaddy was unable to contact the SSPP.

There have been reports that the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the most powerful ethnic minority armed group in Myanmar and an ally of the SSPP, has sent troops to Lwel Nai.

The UWSAs liaison officer in Lashio, refused to comment.

A Shan analyst said SSPP and UWSA troops appear to be determined to repulse any junta attack to the west of the Salween.

The UWSA and SSPP will not attack but they will fight back decisively. Any fighting will be much worse than in Rakhine State. The UWSA has much more ammunition than the Arakan Army, the analyst told The Irrawaddy.

On July 18, a six-year-old boy and his parents were killed by the regime in Mong Hsu Township.

Mong Hsu resident, who asked for anonymity, said: There has never been safety for residents. People will flee if clashes happen.
Guest Column Is the WHO Dancing to the Tune of the Myanmar Regime?

Orange lighting at the WHO Myanmar office building to celebrate 16 days of activism to End Violence against Women and Girls in November 2020. / World Health Organization Myanmar Facebook

Does the World Health Organization (WHO) have a conscience? And do the United Nations (UN) agencies have a conscience? What about the staff working for the UN in Myanmar? Do they feel guilty over what is happening in the country? Myanmar people are not sure if the WHO and UN have consciences, but they do see those organizations as useless and ineffective and they are now the subject of ridicule. A standard criticism-cum-joke for Myanmar people in response to any UN statement on the country is to be highly concerned for the health of the UN staff.

The criticism and mocking of the UN didnt stop even when a WHO driver from Mawlamyine was shot dead on 8 June. Unconfirmed reports said that the Mawlamyine Peoples Defense Force killed the driver because of his relationship with the Myanmar military.

In response, both the WHO and the UN immediately issued statements condemning the killing. Mr. Ramanathan Balakrishnan, the UN Resident Coordinator, even asked all parties and stakeholders to respect the neutrality of the United Nations and humanitarian aid providers, and called for an impartial investigation.

Although people do not support the killing of a person without sound justification, there are still points to be made about those statements. Some people sarcastically asked if this killing had been committed by the military, would the WHO have had the guts to demand an impartial investigation? The WHO kept its mouth closed tight when the junta was committing targeted killings and arbitrary arrests of striking healthcare workers, aid workers and members of civil society organizations (CSOs). Many Myanmar netizens assumed that the WHO only dared to speak out on the Mawlamyine killing because they knew it was not committed by the military.

In addition, people suggested that if the WHO genuinely wants justice for its slain staff, they can submit a formal complaint to the Ministry of Defense under the National Unity Government (NUG), a legitimate body supported by the people. It is an outright challenge to the WHO and other UN organizations who avoid engaging with the NUG, a legitimate government supported by the people, out of fear of the military regime, a gang of armed men killing its own people. It is also rooted in the logical assumption that justice can be only be expected from a government that protects its people. Nothing can be expected from the junta, which brutalizes the country and health workers.

Militarys inhumanity towards health workers

Since the February 2021 coup, Myanmar has become a dangerous place for health workers, who are being targeted by the regime. Over 30 health workers were killed, while 286 were arbitrarily arrested, within a year of the coup, according to Physicians for Human Rights. The junta has been constantly raiding, shutting down and destroying hospitals and clinics. In one recent case, the regime arrested Dr. Aung Aung Htun, from the well-known Thuriya Clinic in Mandalay, and his family without any reason. The WHO said nothing about the arrest. It is highly doubtful whether they are even aware of it.

Even worse, the WHO did nothing when Dr. Htar Htar Lin, who worked closely with the WHO, was arrested by junta forces in June last year. Dr. Htar Htar Lin was the National Immunization Director at the Ministry of Health (MOH) and known for her leadership in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. At the time, she said: The military is trying to take advantage of the vaccination program. We cant let the dictator use the vaccination program as a weapon. Regime forces inhumanely arrested Dr. Htar Htar Lins seven-year-old son along with her. But despite that grave human rights violation, the WHO stayed silent.

Vaccination and health services situation in Myanmar

While the WHO has failed to deter the killings and arrests of health workers, it was also unable to prevent the dangerous actions of the junta during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The second COVID-19 wave came just as the health system had collapsed because of the coup. People had no clinics to visit and no COVID-19 treatment centers as had existed under the ousted National League for Democracy government. In addition, the junta was recklessly arresting the health workers and volunteers of charities providing emergency care. CSOs had to run essential health services in secret out of fear of military reprisals. Even when people were facing a shortage of much-needed oxygen, the military confiscated supplies of oxygen for its own use and so put the lives of people in danger.

But the WHO was unable to convince the junta-controlled MOH to initiate or support a community-based response, the central component to any crisis response. Some of the WHOs staff said that they could not implement any response activities as planned and just used their funds mainly to pay their staffs salaries. There was a widespread joke within the health community that said that while thousands of people were dying of COVID-19, the WHO was busy drafting treatment guidelines, posting them online, while also re-posting MOH figures provided by the junta without verifying them.

Currently, national vaccination programs are hardly operating. For example, BCG [tuberculosis] vaccine coverage was over 80 per cent even during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic period, but in 2021, it was only just over 40 per cent. If children cannot receive the necessary vaccines, the public health consequences will be huge. The WHOs reaction has only been to aim to revitalize mechanisms via the junta-run MOH to reach the children. The WHOs lack of creativity means that they probably dont know any alternative approaches.

In fact, it is the junta who for no reason restricts the transportation of medicines to conflict-affected areas such as Sagaing and Magwe regions. No one in their right mind believes that the regime-run MOH, which doesnt put the health of the people first, would be able to get vaccines to the places where they were most needed. Public health experts and CSOs are pushing for the cross-border vaccination campaign, but the WHO continues to ignore them as it follows the will of the regime. The WHOs argument that it is too much of a technical challenge to implement a cross-border campaign is just a lame excuse.

If the WHO and UN accept the reality that Myanmar is heading for a bigger public health crisis, they must act now. Providing unfettered humanitarian assistance and essential health services to the people, regardless of where they live, is a must. In response to the killing of the Mawlamyine WHO driver, the UN Resident Coordinator called on all parties to respect the neutrality of the UN. But is the UN acting in a neutral manner?

The reality suggests otherwise. WHO senior staff have been going back and forth to the capital Naypyitaw and waiting for a green light from the MOH. It has been suggested that the WHO is eager to return to business as usual by refusing to see what is actually happening: a public health emergency. One recent example of that is the fact that the WHO is recruiting staff to support the MOH in Naypyitaw. The job ads state clearly that the responsibilities of successful applicants will be to cooperate and provide technical assistance and supervision to the MOH, although no specific activities are mentioned.

Is the WHO acting alone here? Perhaps it isnt. As the UNs main public health body, the WHO has to follow strictly the direction set by the UN resolutions on Myanmar to not recognize the regime. In order to do that, there are guidelines for all UN organizations in Myanmar to carry out risk assessments before resuming operations. The risk assessment is meant to assess whether a UN program legitimizes the military or not. It is only allowed to run a program if it doesnt.

Only the WHO leadership and staff know if the organization is following these instructions, because no public information is available. One also has to question whether the UN Resident Coordinator agrees with the current approach. As for the people of Myanmar, they will continue to keep a close eye on the WHO. They wont hesitate to blame any organization that dances to the tune of the military.

Desmond studies international development with a focus on peace processes and transitional issues.

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Today

Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 85F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

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Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 85F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 108F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Today

Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 85F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 85F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Sunshine and some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 108F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
The International Criminal Court said Thursday it had issued an arrest warrant for a Central African Republic rebel leader for war crimes and crimes against humanity during civil strife in 2013.

Nourredine Adam, head of an armed faction of former rebels from the mainly Muslim Seleka group, is wanted over crimes allegedly committed while he was security minister at the time, the ICC said in a statement.

He is wanted for crimes including torture, imprisonment, persecution, enforced disappearance and cruel treatment at detention centres run by the then-ruling regime, prosecutors said.

One of the world's poorest nations, the CAR was plunged into a bloody civil war after a coup in 2013 and while the violence has decreased over the past three years, armed groups still control large swathes of the country.

The warrant was originally issued under seal in January 2019 but ICC judges had now ordered it to be unsealed, the ICC said.

It identified him as Mahamat Nouradine Adam and said was also known by a series of aliases including Nourreddine Adam.

The ICC decided that the warrant "may be communicated to any state or international organisation for the purposes of its execution".

Adam is now the leader of the Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic (FPRC), a former Seleka militia that is now one of the country's remaining main rebel groups.

His group was one of two that last year refused to put down their weapons in response to a ceasefire offer by CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera.

The 2013 coup toppled president Francois Bozize, who seized power a decade earlier.

The fighting was waged between a coalition of armed groups that overthrew Bozize, the predominantly Muslim Seleka, and militias supporting him, the mainly Christian anti-Balaka.

Adam is already subject to UN sanctions, the arrest warrant says.

Two former Central African warlords, Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and Alfred Yekatom, who led anti-Balaka militias, are currently on trial at the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The trial of Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, an alleged Seleka commander, also accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, is due to open in September.
The United States on Thursday urged the Democratic Republic of Congo to protect UN peacekeepers after deadly anti-UN protests in the country's volatile east claimed at least 19 lives.

Three peacekeepers, from India and Morocco, were killed Tuesday in an attack on a base of the UN mission in DRC, known as MONUSCO, which many local people resent as having failed to stop decades of armed conflict.

"MONUSCO plays a critical role in fostering peace and security, protecting civilians and facilitating delivery of humanitarian assistance," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

"We call on the national and local authorities in the DRC to ensure the protection of MONUSCO sites and personnel and for protesters to express their sentiments peacefully," he said.

The United States -- the top funder of UN peacekeeping operations -- voiced appreciation for the Kinshasa government's deployment Wednesday of soldiers and police to boost security.

The UN Security Council, in a rare joint statement amid soaring tensions between the West and veto-wielding Russia, on Wednesday condemned the attacks in DR Congo "in the strongest terms" and warned thar targeting peacekeepers may constitute a war crime.
Jung Woo Sung and Lee Jung Jae reveal the difference working with their upcoming movie "Hunt" versus their 1998 film "City of the Rising Sun." The duo had their press conference ahead of the film's premiere alongside co-stars Jeon Hye Jin, Heo Seong Tae, and Goo Yoon Jung. At the media briefing, they introduced "Hunt," which is the directorial debut of Lee Jung Jae, and shared thoughts on filming the movie.

Lee Jung Jae, Jung Woo Sung Recalls Filming Their First Movie.

"Hunt" is an espionage action film focusing on agents Park Pyung Ho and Kim Jung Do of the National Intelligence Service (NIS.)

During their mission to locate North Korean spies, top information secrets leaked that caused them to be the subject of investigation and were accused of being the mole in operation.

In the upcoming movie, Lee Jung Jae Plays KCIA Foreign Unit chief Park Pyong Ho, while Jung Woo Sung takes the role of Domestic Unit chief Kim Jung Do.

At the "Hunt" press conference, the lead stars recalled the first time they worked together. It was an action crime film, "City of the Rising Sun," where they both played the main character.

As noted by an outlet, Lee Jung Jae shared that their passion and drive for movies have been the same since they started, but the only difference is doing the physical stunts.

"The passion and temperature for movies are almost the same as when filming "City of the Rising Sun," he said and jokingly added; "however, my stamina dropped a little, so if I had to take more than five takes on the field, my fatigue increased."

On the other hand, Jung Woo Sung expressed his thoughts on reuniting with Lee Jung Jae as a director and co-star.

The award-winning star says he is proud of his new achievement, adding that it means a lot to star in his directorial debut.

"Every time we were together on set, I really thought, 'You have walked well through the time that has passed within the boundaries of being an actor and being a filmmaker," he said.

Moreover, he described that reuniting with him for their first movie since 1998 was "special, filled with good memories."

'Hunt' Release Date

Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung's movie initially premiered at Cannes Film Festival 2022 after they were invited to join the non-competitive Midnight Screening section.

Interestingly, the movie received a standing ovation from the crowd, suggesting how the film moved the audience.

As the movie's theatrical release, "Hunt" is slated to premiere on the big screen this August 10 in South Korea.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Squid Game' Star Heo Sung Tae Reveals the Scariest Scene He Filmed in the Drama + Talks About Reuniting with Lee Jung Jae

KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Geca Wills
Kim Tae Ri's agency confirmed that the actress tested positive for COVID-19 following "Alien" director and co-star So Ji Sub. On July 27, CJ ENM, the distributor of the movie released a statement confirming that director Choi Dong Hoon and actor So Ji Sub were diagnosed with the virus. Keep on reading for all the details.

Kim Tae Ri Test Positive For COVID-19

As obtained by E-Daily Korea, Kim Tae Ri's agency, Management mmm, released an official statement noting that the actress had acquired COVID-19 after being in close contact with director Choi Dong Hoon and So Ji Sub.

The label also shared that the actress took a self-diagnosis kit test on the 27th after discovering her co-stars' health diagnosis. Unfortunately, she tested positive and immediately proceeded with a PCR test.

On the 28th, Kim Tae Ri's PCR test results were positive for COVD-19.

According to Management mmm, the actress is currently on self-isolation and receiving treatments under the quarantine authorities' guidelines. Thankfully, Kim Tae Ri has no special symptoms despite the diagnosis.

To recall, the 32-year-old star contracted COVID-19 amid filming for her K-drama "Twenty-Five, Twenty-One" and had to push back the production of the series.

The same goes for the "Alien" movie after officials announced they would halting all promotional activities, including stage greetings and interviews.

Ryu Jun Yeol and Kim Woo Bin Test Negative

Amid the health status of Kim Tae Ri, So Ji Sub, and director Choi Dong Hoon, lead stars Ryu Jun Yeol and Kim Woo Bin tested negative for the virus.

The "Our Blues" star had been diagnosed with COVID-19 in May and had to cancel his upcoming events, including the photo exhibit with Jaeger-LeCoultre, where he serves as the global brand ambassador.

'Alien' Promotional Activities 'Inevitably Canceled' After Cast Members' COVID-19 Diagnosis

CJ ENM apologizes for postponing the activity scheduled on July 27 following the diagnosis of the "Alien" director and So Ji Sub.

In a statement released on the company's official Instagram, the distributor shared that the scheduled stage greeting was "inevitably canceled due to issues such as COVID-19 confirmation and close contact among major participants." They added that they are, "looking forward to seeing everyone who took precious time to watch the movie on the spot."

However, the company added that the activities set throughout the weekend were also halted as the "director and some cast members of the first part of "Alien" decided to cancel the stage greeting inevitably."

CJ ENM also added that they "have repeatedly worried about meeting the audience who love the first part of "Alien," but we have to cancel it for the safety of everyone."

However, despite the cases of COVID-19 among the cast members, "Alien" is still showing in theaters and was able to hit the 1 million mark amid the movie's popularity.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Ryu Jun Yeol Showcases Bromance With 'Alien' Co-Stars So Ji Sub, Kim Woo Bin

KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Geca Wills
Kim Yo Han (Kang Ha Neul) finally starts his revenge against Yoon Byung Wook (Heo Sung Tae). The former judicial apprentice loses Noh Seung Hwan but gives him the confidential files to prove his innocence in "Insider" Episode 15. Keep on reading to learn what else happened in the episode.

'Insider' Episode 15: Oh Su Yeon Betrays Yoon Byung Wook

Kim Yo Han struggled to overcome the crisis after being suspected of the murderer of Noh Seung Hwan's (Choi Dae Hoon) death. Meanwhile, Oh Su Yeon (Lee Yoo Young) visited Yoon Byung Wook but was still angry with his unrepentant appearance. Su Yeon's anger almost put her in danger. Luckily, Yo Han arrived to protect and calm her.

At that moment, Yo Han found a clue to Lee Tae Kwang's video that would turn the tables to punish all the evils. Thankfully, with the help of prosecutor Kim Woo Jae (Lee Ha Yul), who was on the same side as Kim Yo Han, he brought Yoon Byung Wook into a secret room for confrontation. This gave Yo Han the upper hand to manipulate the shameless prosecutor.

Noh Seung Hwan Sacrifices His Life In Front of Kim Yo Han

Before Yo Han and Su Yeon cornered Byung Wook, the judicial apprentice was chased by police officers. He almost ran for his life and fortunately was able to survive the chase without being caught. Oh Su Yeon then picked him up.

Later, he received a call from Noh Seung Hwan, who was alone in the manager's room. Yo Han went to rescue him but too late because the room suddenly turned into a battlefield as if everyone's goal was to kill Yo Han.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 'Insider' Episode 13: Kang Ha Neul Deceives Heo Sung Tae

Noh Seung Hwan sacrificed himself and jumped in front of the sword, which caused his death. The sword struck him instead of Yang Joon (Heo Dong Won). But before he died, Seung Hwan successfully handed the USB to Kim Yo Han. He asked Yo Han to take care of his daughter.

He had no time to be sad and immediately dragged Yang Joon outside. But unfortunately, Yang Hwa came and got his brother Yang Joon in the hands of Yo Han. Knowing there are still ways to make his enemies suffer, Yo Han joined forces with prosecutor Kim Woo Jae.

With his help, Kim Yo Han and Oh Su Yeon were able to interrogate the criminal Yoon Byung Wook. Later the duo finds out that the evidence they need is all in the USB that Noh Seung Hwan handed to him.

The two began to collect more evidence to support their claims and prove all the allegations against Yoon Byung Wook.

In the last remaining episode, Kim Yo Han and Oh Su Yeon will have their final fight against Byung Wook, who is in charge of their sufferings.

Catch "Insider" episode 16 on July 28 on JTBC at 10:30 p.m. (KST).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Insider' Episode 14: Fan Bingbing Declares War Against Kang Ha Neul

Are you ready for "Insider's" finale episode? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
South Africa: Nzimande extends condolences on passing of Ikhala TVET College employees

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has sent his condolences following the death of employees at Ikhala Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in the Eastern Cape.

Three staff members and two interns passed away following a head-on collision on Wednesday.

The incident happened when the deceased were travelling towards the Aliwal North Campus and crashed with a truck.

According to the report, the deceased were driving a college vehicle from Ikhala TVET College Central Office to do some work at the Aliwal North Campus.

The five-deceased -- Monwabisi Siwa: Senior Exam Officer; Christina Tingashe-Caba: Secretary to the Deputy Principal Academic Services, Melisizwe Manzi: Intern in the Office of the Principal, Bukelwa Baleka: Intern in Corporate Services, and Yandiswa Cwayi: Intern at Ezibeleni Engineering Campus, were certified dead at the scene by medical and emergency personnel.

Nzimande has sent his condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and fellow students of Ikhala College.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased at this difficult moment, Nzimande said.

He noted that the unfortunate incident happened at a time when the Department of Higher Education and Training is holding the inaugural two-day TVET Colleges Strategic Industry Partnerships Summit, which aims to foster dynamic and strategic partnerships between the department, TVET colleges and the industry.

The Minister has directed Higher Health to join the management of the college in providing the necessary psychosocial support and comfort to the family and immediate staff members of the deceased.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-07-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.


File photo of Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense. [Photo/mod.gov.cn]

Rumor mongers will fail in their attempts to smear China, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday in response to some officials from the United States who have hyped up the "China threat" theory recently.

"All rumor mongers will have only one ending, and that is a total collapse," said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, adding that spreading the so-called "China threat" theory is a customary tactic of some US politicians.

He made the remarks after General Mark Milley, the US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, early this week accused China of becoming more aggressive both in terms of rhetoric and activity. US Defense Secretary Austin Lloyd and Charles Brown, chief of staff of the US Air Force, also made similar comments recently.

Wu expressed firm opposition to their comments and said there are two reasons they were made.

"The first is to make excuses for its own military development through hyping up threats," he said. "The second is to smear China to serve its strategic purpose of containing and suppressing the nation."

The spokesman reiterated that China firmly refuted those "lies" and that the Chinese military would always be a "staunch force for safeguarding world peace" by its practical actions. He also stressed that the country will "certainly not give up its right to develop because of the slander from the US side".

"The development and growth of the Chinese military cannot be changed by any others' will, and no force can stop it," he said.
The wildly popular Taste of Wisconsin Festival is going on in Downtown Kenosha for its final season this weekend.

The three-day festival produced by the Kiwanis Club of Western Kenosha opened Thursday and continues through Saturday at Celebration Place, 5501 Calabria Way.

The festival features 30-plus food and beverage vendors from across the area offering specialty foods and trusted favorites like roasted corn on the cob, egg rolls and tacos. A vendor map is available at the site and follows a circuit around the festival site.

Also, live music will take place on four stages, with 80 local acts donating their time to the event.

There will also be culinary demonstrations and other activities.

The Kiwanis Club of Western Kenosha uses the event as its major fundraiser for the year. Proceeds are used to support the clubs charitable activities including scholarships, youth programs and donations to local charities.

The festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Candy Eisenhower expects more than 65,000 people to attend this weekend.

So far, so good, said Eisenhower, a member of the club said. Were ready to go. The tents are up. Were ready.

Eisenhower said it will be a beautiful weekend.

Still, Eisenhower said this year is bittersweet because its the last Taste of Wisconsin Festival produced by the Kiwanis Club of Western Kenosha.

Our club is aging out, were getting older, she said, adding the club wont have the manpower to produce the event in the coming years.

Pedro Nunes, owner of Pedros Authentic Mexican Cuisine, said hes happy to be back at the event hes participated in for about a decade. He will sell elotes (grilled Mexican street corn), tacos, snow cones and tamales.

This is one of my favorite events, he said. This is a great event for Kenosha.

Amy Smith, owner of Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm, said she plans to sell fresh roasted sweet corn.

This will be the first picking, she said. I tasted it raw and its delicious.

The festival takes place at Kenoshas harbor, at 54th Street and Calabria Way (formerly Ring Road). This is east of The Civil War Museum and Kenosha Public Museum.

Festival hours were set to continue through 10 p.m. Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday in HarborPark. Both admission and parking are free.

For more details, go to tasteofwi.com.
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Nurses are notoriously tough, resilient, and caring. Their ability to deliver health care with a mindful spirit is uncanny. Multitasking is soon ingrained in even the greenest of this kind.

Go ahead, inundate them with requests, some admittedly regretful, and you will witness amazing things being accomplished with few exceptions. They can be mischievous as well. After all, theyre human, right? Surely the new haughty unsuspecting intern deserves a 2:45 a.m. wake-up call for a not-so-critical lab value, right? But dont worry, the nurses will be smiling next time he shows up to write an order. Nurses are called on to be all things to all people, and my mother was no exception.

On a warm California day in the early 1960s, my mum pulled me by the hand up the street to check on Ruth, an elderly neighbor. According to her recollection, we had only been visiting Ruth for a minute when I bolted through an unlatched screen door, leaped off the porch, and ran to the backyard. I remember seeing a Coca-Cola bottle filled with brown liquid sitting on the patio. It was a fantastic find, and I wasted no time raising it to my mouth and drinking from the bottle. My mother was right behind me, but I was quick, and she was unable to stop me from guzzling the liquid. To everyones horror, the substance turned out to be the now banned lethal weed-killer, Chlordane.

My mother learned later that the neighbor had transferred the poison into the Coke bottle but had neglected to put it away. After the swig, my mother frantically pressed my cheeks together, trying to remove the liquid, but a white froth and pungent odor were all that remained. Thankfully my father was just a few houses away and able to drive me to the emergency department. I somehow survived once intubated but would suffer grand mal seizures during three days of touch-and-go hospitalization on life-support. Although I had survived, my mother felt much guilt after the emergency physician chided her, You are a nurse! How could you let this happen to your own child? As a conscientious nurse and mother, she was devastated and filled with regret. But she was not a quitter.

One thing I learned from my mother was that things happen in life that are well beyond our control, and we must move forward. And my mother was always moving forward but almost never in a car. As in the case of Ruth, trekking on foot to visit the elderly and any infirm neighbors was common for my mother, a registered nurse (RN) originally from Vancouver, Canada.

After graduating as president of her nursing school, she met my American father, and they ended up settling in Northern California. Once in the states, she took a break from hospital nursing to be a stay-at-home mum with her three kids. My father was a traveling salesman and worked long days going many miles from home.

Unfortunately, my mother never learned to drive due to poor vision. Because of this, she was often seen walking around our town running errands, volunteering at our school, and grocery shopping. More importantly, she walked many blocks daily on her mission to visit the elderly in need. Whether it was to help bathe someone, clean the house, or just a visit to lift a fragile spirit, my mother did it all on foot.

I love old people, she would say. They are my good friends. Her sense of humor and quick wit were magnetic, especially to the people she served. And it was commonplace over the years to have anyone in need at our house on most holidays. She was acutely aware of the poor, the sick, and the lonely living in our community.

When I went to college, my parents moved back to mums home country of Canada. Despite the wear and tear on her body, she continued walking everywhere she needed. Determined to return to nursing, she took a job as a nurses aide at a geriatric care center, given that her nursing license had expired years earlier.

As in California, her odyssey on foot continued. Like our trusty mail carriers, neither rain nor snow would deter her from caring for her favorite patients. They are like family to me. She would say with a big smile. When they get smart with me, I give it right back to them. I love people.

Now well into her mid-60s, mum continued walking back and forth to work. Her supervisors eventually took note of her tireless compassion and excellent work ethic, reinstating her as a full RN. She was thrilled as she was already performing most of the duties required of an RN. Her schedule remained full and eventually consisted of caring for her own elderly mother at home, walking to work daily, and checking on her neighbors.

She eventually retired from the elder care center but continued walking about town, serving people, visiting the sick, and volunteering at the local soup kitchen. Mum enjoyed caring for the elderly and all people in need throughout her life. She never once complained about having to walk everywhere, although later, she would undergo bilateral hip replacements and suffer painful arthritis given the mileage her body had endured. She passed away on June 27th, 2022, from inoperable cancer.

She was the epitome of a nurse and caregiver  an asset to each community she lived in, both in the U.S. and Canada. She had countless friends and people who adored her for her kindness, compassion, and ability to connect with people. As a physician and son, I have known her to be a wonderful example of how to treat our precious elderly and, in fact, all people in our challenging world. I dedicate this note to my mother, Nancy Nyte, RN, and to all nurses everywhere, including my wife, who serve tirelessly in the trenches every day.

Christopher Nyte is an otolaryngologist.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Speculation is mounting that famous actor George Clooney might visit Kilkenny this summer to further explore his family roots.

Georges fathers great-great-grandfather Nicholas Clooney was baptised in Windgap on July 23, 1829.

Nicholas was from Knockeen, Tullahought and emigrated to America shortly after the Famine.

In 2019, George Clooney visited relatives in County Laois and had made plans to return to Ireland in 2020 to further explore his roots but the pandemic and travel restrictions scuppered those plans.

Now, according to a report in the Irish Examiner, Clooney is once-again adamant to make a return to the nation of his ancestors.

Given the actor's interest in his family heritage, surely County Kilkenny is on top of the to-visit list.

Clooney is the recipient of three Golden Globe Awards, two Academy Awards, and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is also noted for his political activism.
Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr David Fitzgerald, has extended an open invitation to George Clooney to visit Kilkenny.

Speculation has been mounting that famous actor George Clooney might visit the county this summer to further explore his roots.

"Delighted to issue an open invitation to the worlds most famous Kilkenny man to visit his native home," said Mayor Fitzgerald.

Delighted to issue an open invitation to the worlds most famous Kilkenny man to visit his native home. We might even throw in Mayoral reception too!!! @KKPeopleNews @kclr96fm @CRKC1 https://t.co/iL8GFg7A2w July 28, 2022

"We might even throw in Mayoral reception too!"

Georges fathers great-great-grandfather Nicholas Clooney was baptised in Windgap on July 23, 1829.

Nicholas was from Knockeen, Tullahought and emigrated to America shortly after the Famine.

In 2019, George Clooney visited relatives in County Laois and had made plans to return to Ireland in 2020 to further explore his roots but the pandemic and travel restrictions scuppered those plans.

Now, according to a report in the Irish Examiner, Clooney is once-again adamant to make a return to the nation of his ancestors.

Given the actor's interest in his family heritage, surely County Kilkenny is on top of the to-visit list.

Clooney is the recipient of three Golden Globe Awards, two Academy Awards, and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is also noted for his political activism.
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Businesses, organisations, clubs, and individuals in Kilkenny registered 441 new .ie domains in the first half of 2022, according to new figures from .IE, Irelands country domain manager.

Identifying with place proved very popular for new .ie registrations in H1 2022. In Kilkenny, the top three keywords in new .ie domain registrations were Kilkenny, parts and agri.

The .IE Domain Profile Report H1 2022, which analyses the .ie database over the period 1 January to 30 June, shows that 15,209 new .ie domains were registered in Leinster and 23,809 in total on the island of Ireland.

At the end of June, the total .ie database stood at 332,642 domains.

Limerick recorded the highest percentage growth among the major urban counties (Dublin, Cork, Galway and Waterford) in H1 2022 compared to H1 2019.

This latest .IE Domain Profile Report signals that SMEs in Kilkenny are using their .ie online identity and their websites as a core part of their business post-pandemic, ensuring that their customers can continue to avail of hybrid business models by seamlessly linking their physical premises with their digital presence, said David Curtin, Chief Executive of .IE.

.IE, through the services of Netcraft and with cooperation from the Registrar community, identified 211 cybersecurity attacks in the 6 months to 30 June, and 386 in the 13-month period from 1 June 2021 to 30 June 2022. The most common cybersecurity attacks during H1 2022 were phishing (52%), malware (17%), web shell (13%) and shopping site skimmer (8%).

65% of content-rich.ie websites are now secured with a security certificate. A much smaller percentage of .ie domains use other cybersecurity features, such as DNSSEC (0.17%), which adds an additional layer of cryptographic security to a domain, and Registry Lock (0.02%), which protects a domain from malicious or accidental changes.

As digital usage expands rapidly, keeping the .ie namespace safe from cyber criminals is a key focus for us, says .IE Chief Executive, David Curtin. Through our policies and protocols, we proactively tackle technical DNS abuse in the .ie namespace and we are dedicated to fighting malware and phishing. Together with our partners, we are enabling a better Ireland online through our technical and policy-based guardianship of the national critical infrastructure.

We would continue to urge all SMEs in Kilkenny particularly businesses and those with a responsibility to protect sensitive information, to do as much as they can to protect their customers and mitigate the risk of their internal systems falling foul of cyberattacks.

The .ie domain now accounts for 53% of all top-level domains hosted in Ireland. In comparison, .com accounts for 30% of all domains, followed by .uk (7%) and .eu (2%). 91% of all .ie domains are registered on the island of Ireland.

Just under half of all .ie domains (48%) have a content-rich website, with almost 1 in 4 (23%) of these e-commerce enabled, including features such as automated bookings and reservations.

The measures we take, including manually reviewing the evidence provided by new customers, to validate identity and connection to Ireland, means that the level of security threat to .ie websites is a lot lower than .com. Collectively, we cannot become complacent when it comes to improving or enhancing our national cybersecurity.
With many people continuing to enjoy the summer holidays or planning a break this weekend, the organisations are asking people to be particularly mindful to check weather forecasts and tide times before venturing out and if planning on entering the sea to know how to spot and safely handle a rip current. If planning other activities such as paddleboarding, the ask is to always go prepared so the water can be enjoyed safely.

Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting in Met Eireann says: While there will be some warm sunny spells the weather will be mixed this weekend. For a detailed forecast for 10-days ahead for over 1,000 locations around Ireland including the beaches, lakes and mountains go to www.met.ie.

If heading out on the water or visiting the coast:

Always check the weather and tide times

Carry a reliable means of raising the alarm should you get into difficulty such as VHF radio or PLB if going afloat and a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch as a back up.

Tell someone where you are going and what time you are due back

If going afloat, wear a lifejacket or suitable Personal Flotation Device for your activity

Never ever swim alone. Only swim in areas that are supervised by Lifeguards or in areas with which you are familiar.

Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard

Kevin Rahill, RNLI Water Safety Lead said: "This weekend will see spring tides so we would encourage anyone planning a walk or activity near the coast to check tide times before venturing out to avoid becoming cut off. The RNLI is also urging everyone to remember to Float to Live if they do get into trouble in the water this weekend. To do this: lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coast Guard."

Irish Coast Guard Operations Manager Micheal OToole said:

"We wish to thank the public for their cooperation and support and for the responsible approach displayed when participating in any water based or coastal activity. We would also advise people to avoid bringing inflatable toys to the beach, rivers or lake side as users can easily get swept away from the shore."
A girl receives the flu vaccination shot from a nurse at a free clinic held at a local library on October 14, 2020 in Lakewood, California.
At least 8 dead in eastern Kentucky flooding, and 'hundreds will lose their homes,' governor says
Larry Nassar sits in court listening to statements before being sentenced by Judge Janice Cunningham for three counts of criminal sexual assault in Eaton County Circuit Court on February 5, 2018 in Charlotte, Michigan.
North County, Missouri flood victims say they are fending for themselves and demand help.
Song-A, an 11-year-old North Korean vlogger, introduces her favorite book, "Harry Potter," in her first video uploaded on April 26. Screenshot from the Sary Voline YouTube channel



By Lee Yeon-woo



An 11-year-old vlogger whose favorite book is "Harry Potter," written by J.K. Rowling, and who speaks fluent English is not the sort of person you can see often in North Korea. However, on the YouTube channel, "Sary Voline," you can.



Her YouTube channel is filled with four propaganda videos describing North Korea as a paradise for children, with plenty of amusement parks, children's hospitals and caring healthcare workers who came by her home when she and her other family members were infected with COVID-19.



Through her channel, Song-A introduces her "magnificent" life in Pyongyang in English with a fluent British accent. In the latest video uploaded on Tuesday, she said that Pyongyang citizens enjoy shaved ice, a traditional dessert with sweet toppings known in Korean as "bingsu," which is sold by street vendors all over the North's capital. She promised to introduce the best shaved ice shop to viewers who visit Pyongyang.





Song-A claimed military doctors visited her home to deliver medicine when she and her family were infected with COVID-19. Screenshot from the Sary Voline YouTube channel




South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin plans to attend next week's annual gatherings, led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in Cambodia and outline the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's policy on the key regional bloc, his ministry announced Thursday.







He will also seek to use the occasion to drum up global support for measures to counter North Korea's evolving military threats.







Park is scheduled to join the South Korea-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting and the ASEAN plus three meeting, also involving China and Japan, on Aug. 4, according to his ministry. The following day, he will take part in the East Asia Summit (EAS) meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).







Park is expected to demonstrate the Yoon government's commitment to deepening ties with the ASEAN  South Korea's increasingly crucial partner for its growth potential, rich resources and diplomatic ties with North Korea.







Yoon's ASEAN policy focuses on expanding "practical, strategic" cooperation in various areas, including economic, maritime and cyber security, public health, energy and climate change, the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.







The ASEAN plus three gathering is set to discuss regional efforts to beef up public health cooperation and promote an early economic recovery through such efforts as stabilizing supply chains, according to the ministry.







At the EAS and ARF sessions, Park and his counterparts are expected to discuss an array of regional and global issues, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, North Korea's continued pursuit of nuclear arms, China's assertiveness in the South and East China Seas, and an apparently stalled democratic transition in Myanmar.







Particularly at the ARF session, the only multilateral security forum attended by the North, Park plans to explain Seoul's policy approach toward Pyongyang and highlight concerns that the regime could further ratchet up tensions through a nuclear test, according to the official.







Pyongyang is reportedly expected to send An Kwang-il, its point man on ASEAN and Indonesia, to this year's ARF session on behalf of its top diplomat, Choe Son-hui, amid the secretive nation's border lockdowns aimed at curbing COVID-19 infections. (Yonhap)


A delegation from Uzbekistan discuss the Central Asian country's constitutional reform during their visit to Korea at Lotte Hotel Seoul, July 20. Courtesy of Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea



By Kwon Mee-yoo



A delegation from Uzbekistan visited Korea last week to discuss the details of Uzbekistan's constitutional reforms with Korean experts. The latter supported the Central Asian country's moves to promote human rights and strengthen democracy.



Eom Gu-ho, a professor of Russian Studies at Hanyang University Graduate School of International Studies and director of the Asia-Pacific Research Center, noted that the constitutional reforms of Uzbekistan are based on procedural legitimacy.



"During the constitutional reforms, the constitutional commission received over 60,000 proposals from the people of Uzbekistan and the constitutional amendments will be finalized by a referendum," Eom said.



"It signals that the constitutional reforms meet procedural justifications and the changes chart a roadmap for Uzbekistan becoming a leading democratic country."



Eom mentioned the four main pillars of the reforms: elevating human dignity, pursuing a welfare state, developing a free and fair civil society and promoting a law-governed country.



As one of the few countries that have special strategic relations with Korea, Eom spoke highly of Uzbekistan pushing for constitutional changes despite the difficult international situation, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine.



"I believe that these constitutional reforms will bring Uzbekistan a step further not only in terms of economic growth but also as a democratic country," Eom said.



Byun Hyun-sub of the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation said the cooperative platform between Korea and Uzbekistan represents a successful case in Central Asia.



"When President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev began his second term last year, he presented a development strategy targeting 2026, including economic cooperation," Byun said.



"The constitutional reforms could build a better foundation for economic development as well as democratization, and Korea and Uzbekistan could cooperate further in new fields such as the digital economy and electric vehicle production," Byun said.



Kim Chang-keon, the executive vice president of the Korea Uzbekistan Business Association, said he has witnessed epoch-making changes and the rapid development of Uzbekistan as he runs businesses bridging Korea and Uzbekistan.



"As a person who has businesses in Uzbekistan, I feel the changes in Uzbekistan," Kim said.



"We believe that the constitutional reforms will open up Uzbekistan more, propelling the country to be the center of the New Silk Road," Kim continued.



From Uzbekistan, Sodiq Safoev, the first deputy chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (parliament), led the delegation, which included Viktor Pak, a member of the Constitutional Commission and member of the Committee on Budget and Economic Reforms of the parliament, and Uzbek lawmaker Mukhtabar Khusanova, also a member of the Constitutional Commission.


President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks as Indonesian President Joko Widodo listens during their press conference at the former's office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap



Two leaders agree to strengthen partnership in supply chain, economic security



By Nam Hyun-woo



President Yoon Suk-yeol and Indonesian President Joko Widodo agreed to work together in the Southeast Asian country's ongoing project to relocate its capital during their summit in the presidential office in Seoul, Thursday.



The two sides also pledged to enhance their cooperation in the areas of supply chain, economic security and a joint fighter jet program.



"We agreed to cooperate closely in President Jokowi's policy priority to relocate Indonesia's capital," President Yoon said during a joint press conference held after the summit, referring to the Indonesian president by his popular nickname. "I believe South Korea's experience of constructing Sejong City will be a good reference for Indonesia."



Sejong, located 144 kilometers south of Seoul, is a planned city founded in 2012 to ease congestion in the capital. It is currently serving as an administrative capital of the country, with most government ministries being located in a giant government complex there.



"Through today's summit, the two countries revised the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on (Indonesia's) capital relocation," Yoon said. "With this, the revised MOU will be the foundation for South Korean companies to contribute in establishing infrastructure, e-government and smart city construction for the new Indonesian capital."



Indonesia first announced in 2019 the relocation of its capital from Jakarta to a new capital on the island of Borneo, and announced in January this year that the capital will be called Nusantara.



The revised MOU has its crux in the two countries' cooperation in design, development and urban planning for the project, as well as handling infrastructure facilities such as roads, bridges, water resources and dams. This will expand Korean builders' and other infrastructure companies' entry into the Indonesian market, Korea's presidential office said.











President Yoon Suk-yeol shakes hands with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during their summit at the former's office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, second from right, greets Indonesian President Joko Widodo, third from left, at Lotte Hotel in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group



Widodo meets Korean business leaders to encourage investments



By Park Jae-hyuk



Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun had a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who arrived in Korea for his summit with President Yoon Suk-yeol, the company said Thursday.



During the meeting, held four months after they met previously at the opening ceremony of Hyundai Motor Group's new Indonesian factory in March, they reportedly talked about the automotive group's visions for smart city technology and future mobility, given that the Southeast Asian country has been seeking to build a new capital city.



Widodo is said to have asked the Korean company to play a major role in the new capital city project by offering its eco-friendly vehicles.



According to Hyundai Motor Group, Chung expressed his gratitude to Widodo for selecting G80 and IONIQ 5 electric vehicles as the official cars for the G20 summit to be held in Bali in November. Indonesia assumes the G20 presidency this year.



Chung also asked the Indonesian president to support Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030, although the Southeast Asian country officially decided last month to back Saudi Arabia's Riyadh.



On the same day, the Indonesian delegation, including Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Panjaitan, visited Hyundai Motor Group's R&D center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, for a close look at its future mobility technologies, such as self-driving cars.



Widodo was initially supposed to visit the facility along with Chung and Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Lee Chang-yang, but he ended up deciding to meet with the Hyundai Motor Group chief and other Korean business leaders at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Thursday morning.











Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, applauds as POSCO CEO Kim Hag-dong, second from right, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian government and PT Krakatau Steel officials at Lotte Hotel in Seoul, Thursday. From left are Widodo, PT Krakatau Steel President Director Silmy Karim, Indonesia's Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia, Kim and Indonesia's Minister of State Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir. Courtesy of POSCO
By Yi Fuxian





MADISON, WISCONSIN  Even though everyone knows that China's official demographic figures are systematically overestimated, the authorities have consistently cracked down on anyone who questions the data. For example, my book "Big Country with an Empty Nest" was quickly banned when it appeared in 2007, because it voiced concerns about China's one-child policy and predicted that the Chinese population would begin to shrink in 2017, not in 2033-34, as Chinese officials and the United Nations' 2006 World Population Prospects (WPP) had projected.



Then, in 2019, I concluded that China's population had already been overtaken by India in 2014 and begun to decline in 2018 (one year later than my initial estimate due to the two-child policy). In response, the head of the Chinese statistics bureau went on China Central Television to accuse me of creating rumors, and People's Daily Online ranked my conclusion third in its "Top Ten Rumors of 2019 in China."



Now, the U.N. has released its 2022 WPP, which concludes that China's population began to decline this year (10 years earlier than its 2019 projection), and that India's population will surpass China's in 2023 (seven years ahead of the 2019 forecast). And yet, as in previous revisions, the WPP is still overestimating China's population figures.



The 2022 WPP, the Chinese statistics bureau, and China's 2020 census all overstate the country's post-1990 births. While the 2020 census and the 2022 WPP show a birth peak starting in 2004, the statistics bureau puts the peak in 2011, and all three data sets have roughly the same number of post-2010 births.



It is worth remembering that China did not replace its one-child policy with a selective two-child policy until 2014, before enacting a universal two-child policy in 2016. Because the one-child policy has irreversibly altered the Chinese concept of fertility and reshaped the economy, there was no baby boom in 2015, 2017, or thereafter. What, then, are we to make of the reported birth peaks in 2004 and 2011?



In 2010, the population aged 3-14 was only 169 million, according to the 2010 household registration database, and 176 million, according to the 2010 census. Yet, according to the Chinese statistics bureau, there were 210 million births in the 1996-2007 period. Similarly, the 2022 WPP counts 195 million people aged 15-26 in 2022.



Consider that fertility rates tend to decline with improvements in health and education, and that Taiwan is about 15 years ahead of mainland China in terms of both factors. While Taiwan had an average fertility rate of only 1.6 for the 1989-2004 period and 1.08 for the 2005-21 period, the 2022 WPP puts China's average fertility rate for 2004-19 at 1.68. Are we supposed to believe that instead of lowering the fertility rate, the one-child policy actually boosted it?



In China's 2000 and 2010 censuses, its total fertility rate was 1.22 and 1.18, respectively, and its first-order fertility rates  the average number of first children born to a woman during her childbearing years (15-49)  were 0.86 and 0.73. That is consistent with Taiwan's 1985-95 average first-order fertility rate of 0.75.



But the 2022 WPP's 2000 and 2010 total fertility rates of 1.63 and 1.68 imply first-order fertility rates as high as 1.15 and 1.03. Such figures are not credible: China's first-order fertility rate should be well below 1.0, owing to the country's rate of infertility, impaired fecundity, low probability of twins, and number of unmarried and dual income, no kids (DINK) households.



Moreover, Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination (against tuberculosis) is mandatory in China for every newborn within 24 hours of birth, and we know that an average of 1.2-1.5 newborns can be vaccinated with one dose of BCG (from one newborn in small hospitals to as many as three in large hospitals). For example, because 11.54 million doses of BCG were distributed in 2010, and the 2010 census showed 13.79 million people aged 0, then an average of 1.2 newborns were vaccinated per dose.



In 2018, 2019, and 2020, the numbers of BCG doses distributed were 6.21 million, 5.73 million, and 5.37 million, respectively. That means China's population began to decline in 2018 (when deaths totaled 9.93 million), and it suggests that China will soon have fewer births per year than Nigeria and Pakistan. (This finding is further supported by Baidu Trends  China's equivalent of Google Trends  which shows a decline for newborn-related purchases such as maternity wear, strollers, and cribs in 2018.)



Yet, according to the 2022 WPP's population figures for 2018, 2019, and 2020, each dose of BCG would had to have been stretched out to 2.7, 2.6, and 2.5 newborns, respectively. That defies medical common sense.



What are we to make of these discrepancies? Fortunately, a massive leak from the Shanghai Police Department this past June helps to demystify the data. Claiming to have obtained personal data about roughly one billion Chinese citizens, an anonymous hacker released a sample of about 750,000 records, including the household registration data of 250,000 people of all ages. The sample data are highly dispersed and random, covering almost every county, including in remote, sparsely populated areas in Tibet. All appear to align with data from the 2010 census in terms of population shares by surname.



Since sampling is not perfectly uniform, it is not possible to pinpoint the number of people in each age group nationwide; but the overall pattern of the age distribution is consistent with past censuses. It suggests that post-1990 births continued to decline faster than I had predicted, and in fact did not peak in 2004 or 2011.



That means China's real population is not 1.41 billion (the official figure) and could be even smaller than my own estimate of 1.28 billion. It also means that China's economic, social, foreign, and defense policies  as well as those of the United States and other countries toward China  are based on erroneous demographic data.



Unexpectedly rapid aging is slowing China's economy, reducing revenues, and increasing government debt, with provinces cutting civil servants' wages and infrastructure investment this year. Clearly, the population base that supported China's strategic expansion is gone.



Will China adjust its strategy and seek better relations with the West, or will it follow Russia in desperately trying to undermine the global order? The first option is obviously in the interest of both China and the West, which is also facing an aging crisis that will require it to pursue a strategic contraction. The second is a surefire formula for prolonged decline.





Yi Fuxian, a senior scientist in OB/GYN at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is the author of "Big Country with an Empty Nest." This article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org).


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CSR poses at their showcase commemorating the release of their first mini-album "Sequence: 7272," held at the Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Seoul on the 27th.
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Boy group ATBO held their debut showcase at the Centennial Memorial Hall of Yonsei University's Sinchon Campus in Seoul on July 27.

At this event, ATBO released their debut song "Monochrome" and their b-side "Graffiti," and shared their impressions of their debut and the story of the album.
On July 27, Mnet's "TMI NEWS SHOW" revealed the top 10 Korean celebrities with the highest sales in the first half of 2022- and some K-pop groups are included. The list was made based on individual sales and not the sales as a whole team. Check out the list below!

K-pop Groups With Most Sales in First Half of 2022: TWICE, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids

Stray Kids secured the No. 10 spot with a total sales of 30.4 billion KRW, which when divided among the eight members, each one of them gained 3.8 billion KRW.

The K-pop group's fan meeting "SKZ"s Chocolate Factory" held in February was sold out on both days. The ticket price was up to 77,000 won, and the event sales were 385 million won.

Moreover, Stray Kids' "ODDINARY" released in March surpassed 850,000 copies in the first week of release. The total album sales amounted to 16.7 billion won.

The JYP group also held concerts in the past six months as part of their "MANIAC" world tour. They first held a three-night show in Seoul, which recorded about 1.9 billion KRW in sales. During their four-day concert in Japan, the sales totaled about 4.8 billion KRW.

Finally, the sales of their North American tour with two additional shows recorded about 6.5 billion KRW.

SEVENTEEN came in at No. 9 with 62.4 billion KRW, meaning each of the 13 members of the group earned 4.8 billion KRW.

The Pledis boy group held a fan meeting in Seoul for three days (called "SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND") in March, and the event generated 1.55 billion KRW sales. They also held a two-day concert in Seoul as the start of their "Be The Sun" world tour, and it recorded 5.8 billion KRW.

Meanwhile, the sales of SEVENTEEN's fourth studio album "Face the Sun" made about 49.4 billion KRW in sales.

READ MORE: TWICE Members Share Messages to ONCEs Following Contract Renewal With JYP

TWICE is the K-pop group with the third most sales in the first half of 2022. The JYP artist ranked eighth on the top 10 list with 50 billion KRW in sales. This means that each of the nine members earned about 5.5 billion KRW.

Their concerts in America accumulated 22.8 billion KRW, while their concerts at the Tokyo Dome in Japan made 18 billion KRW. The sales from the live streaming of their Japan concert on the second day were about 900 million KRW. They also held another encore concert in the United States.

Apart from their concerts, TWICE also earned from advertising. They had three advertisements in the first half of the year, and their estimated sales from those are 1.5 billion KRW based on their advertising fees of 500 million KRW last year.

K-pop Groups With Most Sales in First Half of 2022: BTS, NCT Dream

NCT Dream is the K-pop group with the second most sales in the first half of 2022, recording a total of 49.8 billion KRW and each member gaining 7.1 billion KRW. With this impressive sales figure, the SM artist landed on the No. 7 spot on the top 10 list.

According to Mnet's "TMI NEWS SHOW," NCT Dream exceeded 49 billion KRW thanks to the sales of their two albums "Glitch Mode" and "Beatbox." It was stated that "Glitch Mode" sold 1.4 million copies in the first week on the Hanteo Chart- which converts to 30.1 billion KRW in sales.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Blue House Petition to Ban Activities of Chinese Idols in Korea Amasses 10,000+ Signs Following NCT Dream Controvers

Last but not least, the K-pop group with the No. 1 most sales in the first half of 2022 is none other than BTS. The boy band placed second on the overall list with a total of 246.4 billion KRW in sales, so when divided by 7, each member gets 35.2 billion KRW.

The septet recently dropped their anthology album "Proof," which became a double-million seller on the first day of its release,

Bts ranked second with a total of 246.4 billion KRW in sales, so when divided by 7, each group member gets 35.2 billion KRW.

Bts recently released their anthology album in celebration of their 9th anniversary "Proof" and the album became a double-million seller on the first day of its release. The album's first-week sales were about 35.2 billion KRW.

10 Korean Stars With Most Sales in the First Half of 2022:

Lim Young Woong - 37.6 billion won BTS members - 35.2 billion won Actress Jeon Jihyun - 13 billion won Actor Ma Dongseok - 12 billion won Actor Lee Byunghun - 7.8 billion won Yoo Jae Suk - 7.8 billion won NCT Dream members - 7.1 billion won TWICE members - 5.5 billion won SEVENTEEN members - 4.8 billion won Stray Kids members - 3.8 billion won

For more K-pop news, follow and subscribe to KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Maria Scott
Lake Geneva officials are considering amending an ordinance to regulate murals within the city, as they get ready to launch a new Downtown mural program.

Representatives from the Lake Geneva Business Improvement District have proposed establishing a mural program in Lake Genevas central business district, located in the Downtown area.

Members of the Lake Geneva Plan Commission discussed proposed zoning ordinance amendments, July 18, which would regulate and allow for such a mural program.

Jackie Mich of city planning group Vandewalle & Associates said the city currently does not have an ordinance regulating murals. She said amending the ordinance would help regulate a mural program in the Downtown area.

This proposed ordinance removes any zoning barriers to the BID mural program by proposing some modest changes to the Downtown design standards, Mich said. The citys ordinances are pretty much silent on murals, and therefore these are essentially allowed, even though were not seeing a lot of them right now in the city. These amendments address some basic precautions.

The proposed amendments would allow for murals to be painted on or installed on side walls or alleys facing walls. However, murals could not be installed on front facades, windows, doors, awning, fences, architectural elements or historic details.

If you got nice historic details on a building, of course, we dont want to see a mural on top of any of those things, Mich said.

Plan commission member Joel Hoiland said he would not want a mural to be painted over any historic elements.

I would want to preserve the historic look, Hoiland said. I would concur that we would prohibit murals on walls where theres historic features. Thats my view.

The ordinance amendments also propose that murals cannot be painted on unpainted brick, natural stone or stucco.

If you want to put a mural on those surfaces, you have to put them on a removable board or panel, Mich said.

The murals also could not promote a specific business, product or service.

We do have the ability and are obligated to distinguish from signs in terms of a commercial message, Mich said. So the mural has to be non-commercial in nature. If they do want to do a commercial message, that would come under the sign ordinance. They could still potentially do it, but it would just be under another set of rules.

The ordinance amendments would not regulate murals in residential areas. However, offensive language or images would not be allowed.

At this time, the citys code does not regulate this at all, so they can do (a mural in a residential area) tomorrow as far as the zoning ordinance is concerned, Mich said. These changes would not change that. Because of first amendment issues, I kind of want to avoid that question. The changes would remove barriers to the potential BID mural program.

The plan commission members discussed potential size limits for the murals. Several of the plan commission members indicated that they did not want the murals to exceed 50% of the total surface of a wall.

Im thinking maybe limiting the size of the mural would be a good idea, Cindy Fueredi, plan commission member, said. If they put in a pretty mural, were all happy. But if they dont, thats bad. So I think limiting the size might be a safer route to go.

The plan commission members are set to discuss the proposed ordinance changes again and conduct a public hearing regarding the mural program during their Aug. 15 meeting.

Hoiland said he feels establishing a mural program would help improve the appearance of the city and attract more people to the Downtown area.

My impression would be that murals would be enhancing the image of the City of Lake Geneva and the Lake Geneva area, Hoiland said. Its kind of like advertising. Advertising has the intent of not only attracting new customers but also, in this case, the residents.

Members of the Business Improvement District Board briefly discussed the proposed mural program during their July 13 meeting.

Board member Alethea Salgado said they are in the process of finding artists to paint the murals. She also confirmed that Lake Geneva officials are in the process of amending city ordinances to regulate and allow the program to occur.

Were just trying to figure out who is going to do the painting and the ordinance changes to get it done, Salgado said. Were getting there, sort of.

Board member Janine Osbourne said a sub-committee has been formed to further discuss the program and determine what type of murals might be presented to city officials.

We have to have a small group of people to approve whats going to go in front of the city, Osbourne said.

Dimitri Anagnos, vice president of the Business Improvement Board, said he is pleased with the progress that has been made on the proposed mural program.

Members of the Business Improvement Board presented plans for the mural program earlier this year.

Its great. Im happy how things are moving forward here when we take our time and do it right instead of rushing through, Anagnos said.

Osbourne said they want to take their time and make sure the program includes quality murals.

Its really finding the right artist. I dont want to rush through it, Osbourne said. One bad mural on a wall is going to shoot the whole program down. So were going to take our time and get it right.
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden on the phone at the request of the latter on Thursday evening. The two presidents had a candid communication and exchange on China-U.S. relations and issues of mutual interest.

Xi pointed out that in the world today, the trends of turbulence and transformation are evolving, and deficits in development and security are looming large. Faced with a world of change and disorder, the international community and the people around the world expect China and the United States to take the lead in upholding world peace and security and in promoting global development and prosperity. This is the responsibility of China and the United States as two major countries.

He underscored that to approach and define China-U.S. relations in terms of strategic competition and view China as the primary rival and the most serious long-term challenge would be misperceiving China-U.S. relations and misreading China's development, and would mislead the people of the two countries and the international community. The two sides need to maintain communication at all levels and make good use of existing communication channels to promote bilateral cooperation.

Recognizing the many challenges facing the global economy, Xi underscored the need for China and the United States to maintain communication on such important issues as coordinating macroeconomic policies, keeping global industrial and supply chains stable, and protecting global energy and food security. Attempts at decoupling or severing supply chains in defiance of underlying laws would not help boost the U.S. economy. They would only make the world economy more vulnerable.

He said the two sides need to work for deescalation of regional hotspots, help rid the world of COVID-19 as early as possible, reduce the risk of stagflation and recession, and safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law.

Xi elaborated on China's principled position on the Taiwan question. He highlighted that the historical context of the Taiwan question is crystal clear, and so are the fact and status quo that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China.

The three China-U.S. joint communiques embody the political commitments made by the two sides, and the one-China principle is the political foundation for China-U.S. relations, Xi said, adding that China firmly opposes secession aimed at "Taiwan independence" and external interference, and never allows any room for "Taiwan independence" forces in whatever form.

The position of the Chinese government and people on the Taiwan question is consistent, and resolutely safeguarding China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, he said.

The will of the people cannot be defied and those who play with fire will perish by it, he said, adding that it is hoped that the United States will be clear-eyed about this.

He also called on the United States to honor the one-China principle and implement the three China-U.S. joint communiques both in word and in deed.

Biden said the world is at a critical moment, adding that U.S.-China cooperation benefits not only the people of the two countries, but also the people of all countries.

The United States hopes to keep an open line of communication with China to enhance mutual understanding and avoid misperception and miscalculation, and will work with China where the interests of the two countries align and, at the same time, properly manage differences, he said.

He reiterated that the one-China policy of the United States has not changed and will not change, and that the United States does not support "Taiwan independence."

The two presidents also exchanged views on issues including the Ukraine crisis. Xi reiterated China's principled position.

Both presidents viewed their call as candid and in-depth. They agreed to stay in touch and instructed the two teams to keep up communication and cooperation.
Lake Geneva schools new superintendent is settling into his new job.

Peter Wilson began his new job as the superintendent of the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union High School District and Lake Geneva Joint No. 1 School District, July 1.

Wilson was hired as the superintendent by the board members of both school districts, March 8. He replaces former Superintendent James Gottinger, who retired as the districts superintendent, June 24.

Gottinger had worked in the education field for about 51 years, 23 of those years as superintendent for Lake Geneva schools.

Meeting the community

Wilson said, since starting his new job, he has met with department heads, district staff and residents to help become more familiar with the school districts and the Lake Geneva area. He said the district staff seems to be willing to work with him to provide a quality education for students.

Ive not had a negative interaction with anyone, Wilson said. People are friendly. They care about the school system. They are supportive. You can tell they want me to be successful and they want the school system to be successful.

Wilson said some of his goals for the upcoming school year include developing a positive relationship with students and working with staff to determine what methods are working and what methods need to be improved on for educating students.

Im coming into a situation where there has been a strong leader for a long time, Wilson said. I dont want to be a leader that comes in with all the answers. I have ideas and suggestions, but there are a lot of things that have been done right here, and I really need to make sure Im listening and learning on what has worked and what these district stakeholders really want for their schools moving forward.

Test scores

Representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction released their district report cards for the 2020-2021 school year last fall, and the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union High School District received a two-star rating of meeting few expectations, while the Lake Geneva Joint No. 1 School District received a three-star rating of meeting expectations.

Wilson said he plans to review how staff is working with students and how staff is trained to determine if any changes need to be made for how students are learning. He said he also plans to review recent ACT scores to determine if there are any trends for how students are performing on standardized tests.

He said he also wants to review how different groups of students are performing on standardized tests and in the classroom.

Were just not looking collectively on how all our kids did at the high school and at the other buildings, but then looking at how our economically disadvantaged students performed, how our English learner students did, then using that data to say, Why do you think they scored high or low or in between, Wilson said. The plan for that is to develop some goals for the upcoming year, then taking those goals and making action plans off of that.

School renovations

Wilson recently toured Badger High School to review the progress of the renovation project that is being completed to the building.

Residents in the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union High School District approved a $6 million referendum question during the April 6, 2021 spring election to help pay for various projects at the high school.

The entrance and cafeteria area are currently being renovated. A new gymnasium floor and bleachers were installed last summer. The project also includes upgrading auditorium lights and sound system, installing a new roof and renovating the 1958 portions of the building.

Wilson said the majority of the project should be completed by the beginning of the upcoming school year.

Theres a few items that are behind. Theyre not going to prevent the opening of the school, but it is absolutely going to be beautiful, Wilson said. The new entranceway is going to be a marquee component. We took away some of the drop ceilings, so its bigger and brighter. Theres some natural components were bringing back. Its going to look stunning.

Before starting his new job, Wilson became familiar with the superintendent position and the school district by attending school board meetings, reviewing the districts curriculum and meeting with Gottinger on a regular basis.

Part of my transition plan was really to learn as much as possible about the school district, Wilson said. I really became a student of learning about what the current and best practices are and the history of the school districts.

Wilson has worked in the education field for about 21 years.

Before coming to Lake Geneva, Wilson worked as the director of administrative services for the DeForest Area School District.

He also has served as the director of student services for the Stoughton Area School District, principal for the Stoughton Area School District and Waunakee Community School District in Stoughton. Wilson also worked as a fifth-grade teacher for the Waunakee Community School District.

Learning process

Wilson said he feels his past experiences will help him become a quality superintendent, but he also realizes that it will be a learning process.

Im a rookie superintendent, Wilson said. Theres certainly a lot to learn.

Wilson received his doctor of philosophy degree in educational leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2015; master of science degree in educational leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2008; and bachelor of arts degree in social studies from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan in 2001.

He said his family helped spark his interest in the education field. His grandmother and mother worked as teachers. He has several aunts and uncles who have worked in the education field. His grandfather worked as a university professor, and his father worked as a pastor.

So education has kind of been in the blood. Ive always been involved in the people business and trying to help support people, Wilson said. Caring and having that servants heart is something I grew up with, and thats what I hope to bring forward here in my work in Lake Geneva as the superintendent.
The ongoing fight between GOP gubernatorial frontrunners Tim Michels and Rebecca Kleefisch over the fuel tax carried over into a Wednesday debate between the three top candidates running for the chance to face Democratic Gov. Tony Evers this November.

As the discourse between Kleefisch, who served eight years as lieutenant governor under former Gov. Scott Walker, and Michels, the millionaire co-owner of Brownsville-based construction company Michels Corp., continues to ramp up, so too are the high-profile endorsements, with former Vice President Mike Pence putting his support behind Kleefisch on Wednesday  less than two weeks before the Aug. 9 primary.

The heated exchange between Kleefisch and Michels took place in a Wednesday debate hosted by WISN-AM. State Rep. Timothy Ramthun, of Campbellsport, also participated in the debate. Recent statewide polling found Kleefisch and Michels were leading the race, separated by 1 percentage point.

Kleefisch took aim at Michels previous leadership roles with lobbying groups that supported fuel tax increases, asking Michels, Do the people you say you lead just do not listen, or are you not taking responsibility?

Michels vehemently denied Kleefischs allegations, adding that the vast majority of his companys business is work that consumes massive amounts of fossil fuel, of gasoline, of diesel.

I would have to be the dumbest businessman in the history of the world to want to raise fuel costs, to want to raise the cost on 96% of my business, Michels said.

Ive stated all along I have never once said I want to raise the gas tax, he added. I think its very unfair, very disingenuous to use words lightly to say that I am a gas tax raiser.

Kleefisch was referencing Michels time as president of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, a group that lobbied for a federal gas tax increase that was also a member of a coalition created to improve state roads and infrastructure. That coalition said the fuel tax was becoming necessary to fund state roads.

Michels also served on the executive board of the Transportation Development Association. That groups former leader, who currently serves as Evers transportation secretary, advocated for higher gas taxes and vehicle registration fees in 2018. Michels Corp. is currently a member of the Transportation Development Association.

Michels said he was one of several individuals to vet issues raised by the groups and he didnt always agree with the final decision.

This is not an authoritarian rule when youre leader of an organization. You need to come to consensus and if you can, so be it, Michels said.

Kleefisch responded to previous reporting on Michels ties to the groups, adding, Youve got to take responsibility for some of these organizations.

Michels referenced his military and business experience, adding, Im telling you, my word is good.

You dont get to grow a business to 8,000 employees if you have an integrity problem, he said. When I say Ive said I will never raise gas taxes, and I pledge I will never raise gas taxes, you can take it to the bank.

Fuel tax feud

Kleefisch and Michels have been sparring over the fuel tax for weeks now, with the former lieutenant governor attacking Michels by name  along with President Joe Biden and Evers  in a recent ad in which she criticized high gas prices while she fills up her minivan at the pump.

Tim Michels pushed for years to raise our gas tax while getting rich from massive government contracts, Kleefisch said in the ad. Tim Michels is out for himself.

Michels called Kleefischs ad completely false and days later released his own ad showing an image of Kleefisch while describing attacks from the corrupt establishment.

These attacks on me, its what happens when the establishment gets desperate, Michels said in the ad while sitting behind the wheel of a pickup.

The former Lieutenant Governor continues to amp up the falsehoods, Michels tweeted last week. Ronald Reagan is rolling over in his grave with her violation of the 11th commandment. All this lying makes her unfit to be governor.

The Eleventh Commandment was a phrase coined by former President Reagan that stated, Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.

The June Marquette Law School Poll found that 27% of Republican primary voters supported Michels, while 26% supported Kleefisch. Ramthun polled more than 20 points below Michels and Kleefisch in June. Business owner Adam Fischer, who was not included in the poll, is also running in the Aug. 9 primary.

The winner will go on to face Evers, who is seeking a second term, on Nov. 8.

Pence backs Kleefisch

Pence, a once close ally to former President Donald Trump, on Wednesday endorsed Kleefisch as the only candidate that will deliver a stronger and more prosperous Wisconsin, and I am proud to support her.

Conservatives across the Badger State can fight back against the radical left in Wisconsin and join me in supporting Rebecca Kleefisch for governor, Pence said in a statement.

Pences endorsement puts him at odds with Trump, who plans to hold a rally in Waukesha on Aug. 5 to support Michels, his chosen candidate.

Vice President Pence fought against the extreme Left to help America thrive, Kleefisch said in a statement. As a former governor, he knows what it takes to enact conservative reform at the state level.

Michels has also been endorsed by former Gov. Tommy Thompson, while Kleefisch recently secured an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a fierce rival turned close ally of Trumps. Walker and more than 50 Republican state lawmakers, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, have also backed Kleefisch.
New Delhi [India], July 28 (ANI): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology and Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh said India has a target of USD 300 billion in bioeconomy by 2030.

Bioeconomy is the production, utilization, and conservation of biological resources, including related knowledge, science, technology, and innovation, to provide information, products, processes, and services across all economic sectors.

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In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, minister Singh said India registered a sustained growth in bioeconomy from USD 44 billion in 2019 to 80.1 billion in 2021.

The Indian biotech industry is aligned around five major segments -- BioPharma, BioAgriculture, BioIndustrial, Bio-energy and a combined segment of BioServices comprising of BioIT, CROs, and Research Services. Bioeconomy is seen as a means to address societal challenges.

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For example, the use of bio-mass or renewable resources in energy production processes, use of green chemicals and materials, biofertilizers, and waste reduction may impact and have a cascading effect on carbon footprint, food and nutrition, health, energy independence, and environmental sustainability.

"New innovative solutions are expected from the biotech Industry, research institutes, and growing biotech startup ecosystem," Singh said.

Earlier this month, the Bioeconomy will be key to India's future economy over the next 25 years.

The Minister urged all the stakeholders of the Biotech sector, particularly Industry, Startup Ecosystem, Investors, Scientists, Scholars, Entrepreneurs, and enablers like DBT, BIRAC to collectively work to achieve the ambitious target.

The number of biotech Startups in the country has increased from 50 to over 5,300 in the last 10 years, because of the growing enabling ecosystem and prioritization provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He hoped that Biotech startups arising from a strong talent pool are expected to further increase by 2 times, to 10,000 by 2025.

The minister had also launched a special Biotech Ignition Grant call for the northeast Region (BIG-NER) and announced financial support of up to Rs 50 Lakhs each to 25 startups and entrepreneurs from North East Region to develop biotech solutions. He said India's northeast has huge potential and talent to take forward the Biotech sector and asked the Ministry to reach out to them. (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, Jul 28 (PTI) Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed when their twin-seater Mig-21 trainer aircraft met with an accident near Barmer in Rajasthan Friday night.

The IAF said the accident took place around 9:10 pm.

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"A twin seater Mig-21 trainer aircraft of the IAF was airborne for a training sortie from Utarlai air base in Rajasthan this evening," it said.

"Around 9:10 pm, the aircraft met with an accident near Barmer. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families," the IAF said in a statement.

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A court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari following the crash.

"Deeply anguished by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF's Mig-21 trainer aircraft near Barmer in Rajasthan," Singh said on Twitter.

"Their service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Palghar, Jul 28 (PTI) Police have arrested three persons for allegedly stealing several old laptops and hard disks from an electronic goods shop in Maharashtra's Palghar district, an official said on Thursday.

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The theft took place on the intervening night of July 17-18 at the shop located in Valiv area, senior police inspector Kailas Barve said.

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Acting on intelligence inputs and CCTV footage, the police nabbed the three accused on Tuesday, he said.

The police recovered from them 187 laptops and hard disks worth Rs 12.86 lakh, the official said.

The accused have been identified as Mohammad Mohatab Anwar Ali (29), Karimuddin alias Chot Jalaluddin Khan (24) and Ikramuddin Jalaluddin Khan (32).

The police were trying to find out if the accused were involved in more such offences, the official added.

(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 28 (PTI) The AAP government in Delhi hit out at the Centre on Thursday over Lieutenant Governor Saxena rejecting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's proposed visit to Singapore, claiming this has caused humiliation to the country and the city.

The Delhi L-G had last week returned the proposal regarding the foreign visit of Kejriwal and advised him to not attend the World Cities Summit in Singapore next month since it is a conference of mayors and won't be befitting for a chief minister to attend it.

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The file seeking the Centre's permission for the chief minister's visit to Singapore was sent to the L-G on June 7. He returned the file on July 21.

"Not only was there too much delay, the last date of July 20 for completing the formalities of the visit has also passed," the statement said.

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As the chief minister is unable to go and the Centre is to be blamed, it added.

The Delhi government also alleged the Centre's intention was to stop the chief minister from speaking at an international forum about the world-class works done in Delhi in health, education and other fields.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, Jul 28 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Thursday slammed Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for his "rashtrapatni" remark, saying the country can never accept such a comment for the President.

The Chief Minister also said the Congress could not shy away from its accountability on such a remark which also "insults" the Constitution.

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"The indecent remark of a Congress MP towards the President of the country is highly condemnable... This remark is an insult to the Constitution of India and is also an insult to the 'matri shakti' (women) of India and the tribal community," the chief minister said in a statement.

"Along with the President sitting on the highest constitutional post, the country is also insulted in a wayI condemn the Congress MP and Congress for this indecent remark, they should apologise to the countrymen for this condemnable act.

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"This country can never accept any such comment...the Congress party cannot shy away from its accountability," Adityanath added.

The Congress MP has been castigated by the BJP for referring to President Droupadi Murmu as 'rashtrapatni'.

Chowdhury, however, has claimed it was a "slip of the tongue". He alleged the BJP was making a "mountain out of a molehill" over the issue.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], July 28 (ANI): Aam Admi Party (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will undertake another visit to Gujarat on August 1, said Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson on Thursday.

Kejriwal is aggressively campaigning for the upcoming State Assembly polls.

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CM Kejriwal will address a public meeting in Somnath and will also tour the State.

Kejriwal will be in Gujarat on August 6,7 and 10.

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The Delhi CM had visited Surat last Thursday and promised 300 units of free electricity to all domestic consumers and 24x7 supply to cities and villages across Gujarat if his party is voted to power in the state Assembly elections that are scheduled to be held this year.

Addressing a press conference in Gujarat's Surat, the AAP national convenor said also promised to waive all pending electricity bills up to December 31, 2021.

Earlier on July 26, Delhi CM met people and their families who fell ill after drinking spurious liquor, in Botad district of Gujarat.

At least 28 people died due to the consumption of chemical-laced liquor or spurious liquor in Gujarat's Botad district.

"A very sad incident came to my knowledge that more than 25 people have died in Bhavnagar after drinking spurious liquor and several others are admitted to the hospitals. I wish them a speedy recovery," said Delhi CM Kejriwal.

Delhi CM Kejriwal further questioned the Gujarat government that if the state is a dry state then how is alcohol being sold openly in the state and who is benefitting from this?

"Why is the state government not looking after this or is there any internal conspiracy behind it?" he said.

He further claimed, that there is a business of thousands of crores of liquor in Gujarat.

After meeting victims and their families, Kejriwal alleged that "This is not the first time people of Gujarat have died due to spurious liquor".

"People's lives are at stake," said Delhi CM.

Kejriwal met people and their families who fell ill after drinking spurious liquor, in Gujarat's Bhavnagar.

The number of deaths due to the consumption of chemical-laced liquor or spurious liquor in Gujarat's Botad district has gone up to 28 while three FIRs have been registered at Barwala, Ranpur and Ahmedabad Rural, informed the officials. Over a dozen were hospitalised due to the consumption of spurious liquor. A Committee to inquire into the incident of chemical misuse in Botad, Banvala and Dhandhuka Talukas has been formed.

"A total of 28 people have died in the tragedy. The chemical was directly mixed with water and consumed by people, 600 litres of this was sold at Rs 40,000," informed the Director general of police (DGP), Ashish Bhatia.

DGP Bhatia also informed that the local police will constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) over the matter.

"Three FIRs registered at Barwala, Ranpur and Ahmedabad Rural...Local Police will constitute SIT," he added. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi took note of the situation and chaired a meeting regarding the case.

The incident came to light last night when several people were rushed to hospitals after consuming liquor infused with dangerous chemicals.Further investigation is under process. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mangaluru, Jul 28 (PTI) The BJP leadership in Karnataka is trying to grapple with the backlash against its state top brass after the brutal killing of youth leader Praveen Nettar at Bellare in Dakshina Kannada district.

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In the aftermath of the murder in the party stronghold of Dakshina Kannada, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced late on Wednesday night that he is cancelling the first-year anniversary celebrations of his government.

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Meanwhile, no untoward incident was reported from Sullia or other places in the district so far on Thursday, police said.

Anger and grief were writ large on the faces of youth workers who gathered for the funeral procession of the slain leader on Wednesday.

A section of youth workers of the party in Chikkamagaluru announced on Wednesday that they were resigning as the party had failed to protect its own cadre.

BJP state president and Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel sought to pacify the party workers, saying their anger and disappointment was understandable.

The conspiracy behind Nettar's murder at Bellare will be revealed and justice will be ensured, Kateel said, adding he will convince the workers who resigned to reconsider their decision.

Party workers and Hindu activists had vented their anger against Kateel, ministers V Sunil Kumar, S Angara and Puttur MLA Sanjeeva Matandoor during their visit to the house of the deceased leader. Kateel's car was blocked for about half an hour before he could move with police security.

Kateel said the party is answerable to the workers and the government will take swift action to nab the culprits and expose the conspiracy behind the murder.

He said the reported links of the murder to Kerala will also be investigated. The assailants who had attacked Nettar had come on Tuesday night on a motorbike with a Kerala registration number.

Dakshina Kannada district-in-charge Minister V Sunil Kumar also assuaged the feelings of party workers, saying seven people have already been taken into custody and the conspiracy behind the murder will be revealed soon.

The government is aware of the anguish of party workers and will take swift action to arrest the culprits, he said.

The incident has also threatened to take a communal turn with suspicions being raised by right-wing outfits that the murder is in retaliation for another killing of a youth belonging to minority community in the same locality recently.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bengaluru, Jul 28 (PTI) In the wake of the murder of a BJP Yuva Morcha member in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has cancelled events organised to mark his government's one year in office on Thursday.

In a hurriedly called press conference at his residence on Wednesday midnight, he announced about the cancellation of an official event at Vidhana Soudha, and 'Janotsava', a mega rally at Doddaballapur that was scheduled to be attended by BJP national President J P Nadda.

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The chief minister also announced that the government has decided to raise a specially trained commando force in the state to eliminate anti-national and terrorist forces. The details of it will be revealed after discussion with officials.

"There is anger in our hearts following this killing. This incident within few months after Harsha's (Bajarang Dal activists) murder in Shivamogga has pained me," Bommai said.

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"My government completes one year and it is three years of the BJP rule after coming to power under B S Yediyurappa. We had planned for Janotsava but after looking at the pain of the victim's mother and family, I have decided to cancel tomorrow's events," Bommai added.

Flanked by BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel and his cabinet colleagues, the CM said he will, however, be addressing a press conference regarding programmes for the poor, backward communities and the youth.

"I apologise to people who were eager to attend the events on Thursday, also to party leaders, ministers and workers who had worked for organising it. We had to cancel it as my conscience did not approve," he said, adding the same has been communicated to Nadda.

Praveen Nettar, a zilla BJP Yuva Morcha committee member, was hacked to death in front of his broiler shop in Bellare by three bike-borne people on Tuesday night.

A resident of Nettaru in Bellare in Dakshina Kannada district, he was murdered when he was heading home after closing his shop.

Following the killing, tension prevailed at several places in Dakshina Kannada district on Wednesday, with instances of stone-pelting and police lathicharge being reported.

The BJP and Sangh Parivar supporters had turned their angst against the state government accusing it of not standing up to protect the lives of Hindu workers.

Noting that the killing is part of a conspiracy by anti-national and terrorist forces to disturb peace, sow the seeds of hatred among people, and thereby create a communal rift in the country, Bommai said such incidents have taken places in other states too and it is a pan India conspiracy.

"During the Congress regime in Karnataka, 22 such killings of youths have taken place and unfortunately there was no immediate action, instead more than 200 cases against the organisation behind such incidents were withdrawn, and this gave courage to those forces and they are indulging in such incidents," he said.

Stressing that his government has decided to end this, the chief minister said, "Along with routine investigation, stricter laws and punishment to completely eliminate organisations and individuals involved in such terror activities such as PFI, we have decided to raise a specially trained commando force in the state, along with training and ammunition support for it."

The government has taken this killing seriously as life of every citizen is important, irrespective of their religious background, he said.

"The end time has come for these evil forces and action will be taken against them, and its results will be before people very soon," 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)
New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) The Delhi government Thursday blamed the Centre for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being unable to visit Singapore for the World Cities Summit, saying this has brought humiliation to the country and the city.

The file for the Centre's permission for the chief minister's visit was sent to the LG on June 7, which was returned on July 21.

Also Read | Goa: 4 Killed in Road Accident After SUV Falls Into River.

"Not only there was too much delay by then but the last date of July 20 for completing the travel formalities had also passed," the Delhi government said in a statement.

It also claimed the Centre's intention was to stop the chief minister from speaking at an international forum "about world class works done in Delhi in health, education and other fields".

Also Read | Haryana Shocker: Debt-Ridden Farmer Kills Himself in Ambala.

"Only the Central government can be held responsible for CM Arvind Kejriwal not being able to attend the World Cities Summit in Singapore and the subsequent humiliation the country has had to face," the statement said.

"It is clear from this that the intention of the Central government was to prevent the Chief Minister from talking about the world-class work done in Delhi," it said.

"The goal of the Central government may have been accomplished, but it is also responsible for the way the country has faced disgrace amongst the global community," claimed the statement.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs said it had received a request last week for political clearance for Delhi Chief Minister's visit to Singapore but it is given to understand that the host government has shared certain updates and changes in its invitation with the Delhi government.

Asked about the Delhi chief minister's political clearance request, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "As we conveyed last week, we received an entry on our political clearance portal on July 21."

The Delhi government had directly applied to the MEA for clearance to Kejriwal's visit the day LG office returned the file commenting it was not befitting of a chief minister to attend a mayors' conference.

Kejriwal had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking permission to attend the summit.

Last month, High Commissioner of Singapore, Simon Wong, had invited Kejriwal for the World Cities Summit.

(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 28 (PTI) The Delhi BJP staged a protest here on Thursday, demanding an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi for the 'rashtrapatni' remark made by her party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury against President Droupadi Murmu.

Leading the protest, Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta said the Congress' mentality has gone down to such a low level that its leaders can not accept the daughter of a poor holding the highest constitutional post of the country.

Also Read | Punjab Shocker: Class 12 Girl Raped in Ludhiana, Accused Booked.

"The disrespect shown to the president by the Congress leader is extremely condemnable and exposes the anti-tribal and anti women thinking of the party.

"Sonia Gandhi should apologise to the nation for derogatory word used by her party leader," Gupta said.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: Students Given COVID Jab With One Syringe Safe, Says Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang.

The protesters tried to reach the the Congress headquarters but were stopped by the police. The protesters also burnt an effigy of Sonia Gandhi.

The demonstration was also attended by party's south Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri and leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri.

Chowdhury's 'rashtrapatni' remark snowballed into a major political row on Thursday with the BJP accusing the opposition party of insulting President Droupadi Murmu and demanding that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi should apologise to the nation.

In his defence, Chowdhury, who is the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, said he never intended to disrespect the President and his 'rashtrapatni' remark was a "slip of the tongue". He accused the BJP of making a "mountain out of a molehill" over the issue. VIT

(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 28 (PTI) The Delhi University (DU) has constituted a seven-member committee to study and discuss provisions related to the student-teacher ratio, days after Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh blamed the imbalance between their number for the slip in the National Institutional Ranking Framework's (NIRF) rankings.

The DU slipped by a spot to the 13th position this year in the Ministry of Education's NIRF rankings issued earlier this month.

Also Read | Maharashtra: CM Eknath Shinde Calls on Two Shiv Sena Veterans, Including Former CM Manohar Joshi.

The committee headed by DU Director South Campus Prakash Singh will also hold discussions on the size of the student groups for lectures, practicals and tutorials to ensure the optimal use of the varsity's facilities including lab equipment.

"The University of Delhi has constituted a committee to study, discuss and revisit provisions related to the student-teacher ratio and size of the student groups for lectures/practicals/tutorials," read the notification issued by the varsity.

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The Delhi University is ranked behind city-based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), which bagged the second and third positions, respectively, in the NIRF under the university category.

Prakash Singh, the head of the newly-formed committee, said the body is an outcome of the NIRF ranking.

"These exercises are the outcome of that (NIRF) ranking. We have been publishing a lot. You will be surprised to know that our publication ratio is much more than our other universities but we are placed on the 13th. It is also an alarming situation for us," he said.

"We have been doing much better in other areas because of several reasons including perception and student-teacher ratio and because of faculty strength. We are somewhere below," he added.

The committee will focus on improving the student-teacher ratio and ensuring facilities provided by the varsity are used optimally, told Prakash Singh

"The number of students in the varsity has increased owing to the rise in the number of seats due to the introduction of various kinds of reservations including OBC and EWS. But the university did not work on improving the student-teacher ratio. The focus of the committee would be to improve that ratio. Moreover, we will also focus on ensuring whatever facilities we have in our university are used optimally," he informed.

Last year, the university was ranked 12th in the NIRF rankings, while it was ranked 11th in 2020, at the 13th spot in 2019 and ranked seventh in the university category in 2018.

The Delhi University has scored 43.1 in teaching, learning and resources (TLR), a marginal improvement from last year when it had scored 42.65 in the same domain. However, it is way behind JNU and JMI which have a TLR of 71.94 and 68.17, respectively.

Speaking to PTI, DU VC Yogesh Singh had noted, "We will have to improve on the research factor. The low student-teacher ratio could be one of the reasons for the decline in rankings."

"We are in the process of hiring teachers, but the results will show in the next couple of years. Some changes might be visible the next year, but the actual results will only be seen in the next two years," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Greater Noida, July 28: As many as five Chinese nationals were detained by the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. According to Police, all of them worked for a private company and possessed valid passports, but their business visas had expired. The accused were staying in rented accommodations in the Beta-2 Police Station area of Greater Noida.

The apprehended accused have been identified as civil engineer Wang Zhonghuang, material engineer Guan Zhiwu, accountant Ji Mengqiang, construction safety engineer Jiang Shunyong and civil engineer Hu Yalin. Noida: 14 Chinese Nationals Staying Illegally in India Detained, Says Police Officials.

Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) Gautam Budh Nagar took all Chinese citizens into custody with the help of local police and sent them to Detention Centre in Delhi. They have been sent to Detention Center for the deportation process and related investigation.

The arrest comes after an intensive campaign is underway against illegal activities and activities of foreign nationals residing illegally after the expiry of visas.

Under the campaign, so far a total of 23 including four Chinese nationals, one Korean national and 18 African nationals have been arrested and sent to district jail Gautam Buddh Nagar due to their involvement in criminal activities. Apart from this, over 27 Chinese nationals were found staying illegally in Noida and Greater Noida near Delhi.

On July 14, Delhi Police detained fourteen Chinese nationals from Sector 49 police station area in Delhi for allegedly staying in the country illegally since 2020.

The police said, the detained Chinese nationals' business visas had expired in 2020 and they had applied for a visa extension which was recently rejected. Among the arrested Chinese nationals, there were 13 males and one female.

Last year, Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested two Chinese nationals from Gautam Buddh Nagar in connection with a money laundering case, said an official statement on Sunday. Both foreign nationals identified as Xu Xunfu aka July and Li Teng Li aka Alice were arrested on a red corner notice which was issued by the UP Police earlier.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police had arrested five people namely Mohd Sahil, Wasim, Mohd Yusuf, Ashish Chawla and Mayank Babbar and recovered 14,053 prohibited, button-activated knives, which were illegally traded from China for selling online. A case has been registered under the Arms Act at Chittaranjan Park Police Station.

The accused Mohd Sahil disclosed that he registered himself on Online Shopping Apps so as to sell these knives online through his company in the name of 'My Style.' He further disclosed that Mohd. Yusuf was working for him and transported the illegal knives from Sadar Bazar to Malviya Nagar.

The sale of such knives is banned in India under the Arms Act. Section 4 of the Arms Act, 1956 read with rules in Arms Rule, 1962 states that no person should by any way acquire, possess, sell and use knives having a blade which is 9" long and has a wide breadth up to 2" broader for any purpose other than the purpose of domestic, agricultural, scientific, industrial purposes, or steel batons.

The use of knives to create disturbance or rupture in any way public tranquillity, peace or if such piece of weapon creates an environment of fear would also be charged under the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.

(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 28 (PTI) The government spent Rs 3,339.49 crore on advertisements in the print and electronic media over a five-year period from 2017, Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

In a written reply, Thakur said the government had spent Rs 1,756.48 crore on advertisements in the print media from 2017-18 till July 12 this year.

Also Read | Punjab Shocker: Class 12 Girl Raped in Ludhiana, Accused Booked.

The expenditure on advertisements in the electronic media in the same period was Rs 1,583.01 crore.

The expenditure was incurred by the government through the Central Bureau of Communication, Thakur said.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: Students Given COVID Jab With One Syringe Safe, Says Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang.

The minister said there was no expenditure incurred by any ministry or department of the government on advertisements in foreign media through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

(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 28 (PTI) Lok Sabha proceedings were on Thursday adjourned till 12 noon amid uproar as the BJP strongly protested against Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's remark on President Droupadi Murmu.

As soon as the House met at 11 am, Union Minister Smriti Irani accused Chowdhury of disrespecting Murmu by calling her 'Rashtrapatni' on Wednesday.

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Irani claimed that Choudhury has disrespected the entire tribal community, women, poor and the downtrodden by his remark.

She demanded an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi for Chowdhury's remark, claiming that Gandhi sanctioned the humiliation of a poor tribal woman who has become the country's president.

Also Read | Weather Forecast: Rainfall With Thunderstorms Very Likely Over Central, West, East, and South India During the Next 2-3 Days, Says IMD.

BJP MPs strongly supported Irani, inviting counter protests from Congress members.

As the turmoil continued for a few minutes, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till 12 noon.

Chowdhury is the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha and used the remark while talking to the media during his party's protests over a host of issues.

The President is called "rashtrapati" in Hindi.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shillong, Jul 28 (PTI) Meghalaya Police found explosive materials and traditional arms from the farmhouse of BJP vice-president Bernard N Marak who was arrested on the charge of running a sex racket from there, an official said on Thursday.

New charges under Explosive Substances Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act were added to the original FIR lodged against Marak who was brought to Tura in West Garo Hills district during the day from Hapur in Uttar Pradesh where he was arrested on Tuesday.

Also Read | Punjab Shocker: Class 12 Girl Raped in Ludhiana, Accused Booked.

Marak, a former militant leader, had gone missing following a police raid  which started on 22 July night and ran till the next morning  at the farmhouse in Tura. The police have said they arrested 73 people from there and rescued six minors -- four boys and two girls.

A total of 35 gelatine sticks and 100 detonators, four crossbows and 15 arrows were seized from the farmhouse, West Garo Hills district police chief Vivekanand Singh told PTI.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: Students Given COVID-19 Jab With One Syringe Safe, Says Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang.

The explosives and arms were recovered when a team of the district Child Protection Unit and the police went there to collect the clothes and books left by the rescued children. It led to the registration of a case under Explosive Substances Act against the BJP leader.

A case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) was also registered against him after medical examinations conducted on one of the six rescued minors revealed that the child was sexually assaulted, Singh said.

Marak, who is also a member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, was earlier facing charges under various sections of the IPC and the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act, 1956. He has more than 25 criminal cases registered against him since the early 2000s across the North-eastern state.

Marak has been brought to Tura by a special police team. He underwent a thorough medical examination by a team of doctors, the police officer said.

The West Garo Hills district administration has instituted a magisterial inquiry into the episode.

The police in Hapur and the Special Operations Group (SOG) took Marak into custody near a toll plaza at the Ghaziabad border on July 26, hours after a look-out notice was issued against him by the authorities in Meghalaya.

A look-out notice is issued to make sure that a wanted person is not able to leave the country. A court in Tura had on Monday issued a non-bailable warrant against the BJP leader.

The BJP is a part of the state's ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), led by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma of the National People's Party (NPP).

Marak, a militant-turned-politician, has claimed he was innocent and alleged he is the target of political vendetta by the chief minister and fears for his life. The state BJP also backed his claim.

There were speculations that in the assembly elections due next year, the saffron party would field Marak against Sangma.

The Meghalaya chief minister told reporters on Tuesday that he did not issue any order to put the BJP vice-president behind the bars.

Marak was the chairman of the now-disbanded armed rebel group ANVC(B), a breakaway faction of the Achik National Volunteer Council, before he joined the BJP and won the tribal council elections from Tura.

(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 28 (ANI): Both the Houses of the Parliament were adjourned till 12 noon on Thursday as BJP MPs demanded for an apology from the Congress over Congress MP Adhir Chowdhury's controversial remark against President Droupadi Murmu.

Union Minister Smriti Irani lashed out at the Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi in Lok Sabh claiming she had sanctioned the "humiliation" of Murmu.

Also Read | Independence Day 2022 Celebrations: Lucknow to Deck Up 75 Markets With Tricolour Lights and 75,000 National Flags To Mark the Occasion.

"Sonia Gandhi, you sanctioned the humiliation of Droupadi Murmu. Sonia ji sanctioned humiliation of a woman in the highest constitutional post," said the Union minister.

Sonia Gandhi was present in the House before it was adjourned till 12 noon.

Also Read | Weather Forecast: Rainfall With Thunderstorms Very Likely Over Central, West, East, and South India During the Next 2-3 Days, Says IMD.

Meanwhile, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary said that he had used the term "Rashtrapatni" for President Murmu by mistake and that the ruling party was deliberately trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi told ANI that Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury "has already apologised".

In Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi.

"It was a deliberate sexist insult. Sonia Gandhi should apologise to the President of India and the country," said the Union finance minister.

Union Parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad Joshi also slammed the Opposition and said Adhir should immediately apologize.

"This is an insult to the tribal people of the country and the President of India. He should immediately apologize. Sonia Gandhi should also apologize for appointing someone like him," said Joshi.

Meanwhile, BJP MPs including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday staged a protest at Parliament against the Congress MP's remark.

Both the Houses have been facing adjournments on various issues due to the Opposition ruckus since the Parliament's Monsoon Session started.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced on July 18 and will continue till August 12. There will be 18 sittings during the Session. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kochi, Jul 28 (PTI) A Special NIA court here has convicted three accused persons in the Kalamassery bus burning case.

According to NIA, Thadiyantavidatha Nazeer, Sabir Buhari and Thajudin were convicted by the court on July 27 under various offences of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and UA (P) Act for causing damage to a Tamil Nadu government bus plying between Ernakulam and Salem in support of their demand for release of Abdul Nasar Madani, Chairman of PDP, who was detained in Coimbatore Jail in 2005. The quantum of punishment would be pronounced on August 1. The statement said the NIA investigations have established that the accused persons had entered into a criminal conspiracy in the first week of September 2005 to wage war, to strike terror, and damage government property in retaliation to the continued detention of Abdul Nasar Madani. The accused persons had assembled on September 8, 2005 at Aluva Masjid and chalked out their plan, at the instance and instigation of accused Majid Parambai and Sufia, to set fire to a Tamil Nadu government owned bus.

Also Read | Haryana Shocker: Debt-Ridden Farmer Kills Himself in Ambala.

After thorough investigations, NIA had filed chargesheet against 13 accused on December, 17, 2010 in the case.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 28 (PTI) Children in state-run schools will soon have high speed internet connectivity, thanks to a Kerala government initiative.

Also Read | Weather Forecast: Rainfall With Thunderstorms Very Likely Over Central, West, East, and South India During the Next 2-3 Days, Says IMD.

The Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) and BSNL have joined hands for providing 100 Mbps broadband internet connectivity in high schools, higher secondary schools and vocational higher secondary schools in the southern state.

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The present 8 Mbps FTTH (Fibre to the Home) connections in schools will now be upgraded to 100 Mbps which is 12.5 times faster as part of the initiative.

The MoU was signed by K Anvar Sadath, CEO, KITE and C V Vinod, CGM, Kerala Circle, BSNL in the presence of Minister for General Education V Sivankutty and Principal Secretary A P M Mohammad Hanish on Wednesday, an official statement said.

The 100 Mbps internet connectivity would benefit 45,000 classrooms in 4,685 schools included in the Hi-Tech school project, with better ICT-enabled education.

As part of the Hi-Tech school project in 2018, KITE had deployed laptops, projectors, USB speakers and networking in these classes.

Even though at present Samagra Resource Portal and Sahitham mentoring portal is available in all classrooms in offline mode, with the availability of 100 Mbps connection in classrooms, all such digital/online systems can now be used more effectively, it said.

This would also enable the availability of KITE VICTERS educational channel in all classrooms.

BSNL has agreed to enhance the broadband connection in schools to 100 Mbps without any additional cost and adhering to the existing rate of Rs 10,000 (plus GST) by which the earlier 8 Mbps broadband connection was provided. Each school can now use up to 3,300 GB data per month as per this plan.

"This step, which is the first in the country, would indeed strengthen the initiatives of the state towards becoming a knowledge society," Sivankutty said.

(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 28 (PTI) Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday dissolved the organizational structure of the party, in pursuance of the recommendations of a committee formed to analyse the reasons for the party's debacle in the 2022 Punjab assembly polls.

Also Read | Goa: 4 Killed in Road Accident After SUV Falls Into River.

All bodies, including the core committee, the working committee, and other units as well as all wings of the party stand dissolved, according to a party release issued here Thursday evening.

Also Read | Haryana Shocker: Debt-Ridden Farmer Kills Himself in Ambala.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder had on Wednesday said the 13-member committee did not recommend a change in its leadership.

Badal has been given full powers to rejig the party structure in line with the Jhundan panel recommendations.

The panel, led by Iqbal Singh Jhundan, visited 100 assembly constituencies to take feedback from party workers and other people. The report is yet to be made public.

According to the release, the party's core committee, its highest decision making body, had on Thursday deliberated, accepted and applauded the recommendations of the Jhundan Committee and had empowered the SAD president to "take all necessary steps for the implementation of the recommendations".

"The committe had recommended dissolution and reconstitution of the party's organisational structure as well as several other steps to rejuvenate the party in line with Panthic and Punjabis interests and values and in the light of the sentiments of the party's grassroot workers, cadre and leadership," said the release.

The committee had recommended that the party's organsiational structure must be reconstituted as the first step towards its rejuvenation.

It had also recommended norms for restructuring of the party and its hierarchy in the light of the values that had originally inspired the party and its glorious heritage. It had also sought special focus on the aspirations of the youth.

The party president will now start the process of wider ranging consultations with senior colleagues as well as workers and cadre at grassroots for the reconstitution of the party's structure.

Badal will also reach out to various Punjabi and 'Panthic' personalities, including intellectuals, writers, religio-political ideologues, opinion makers, and representatives of various bodies from different sections of society, including farmers, employees, students, teachers, traders, housewives, youth, etc.

The committee has recommended special emphasis on articulating and fulfilling the aspirations of the youth and to give them prominent representation in the party's new organisational structure.

"The party's new structure and its image will fully conform both to youth's aspirations, dreams and goals as well as to the traditional ideals and values that had inspired our ancestors in various struggles for the Panth and Punjab in the past," said a party spokesperson, adding that Punjab's and Panth's interests will continue to be the guiding spirit behind rejuvenation of the party.

SAD MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali had on July 18 boycotted the presidential polls, claiming various issues related to Punjab remain unresolved. He had sought implementation of the Jhundan panel report and also spoken about bringing change in the party leadership.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Raipur, July 28: The Chhattisgarh government is all set to start purchasing 'gaumutra' (cow urine) from 'Hareli' festival which is falling this year on July 28.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will launch this initiative by purchasing 'gaumutra' from Gauthan established in village Karsa of Patan block of Durg district. In Raipur district, the purchase of 'gaumutra' will start from Gauthans established in Navagaon (L) of Abhanpur block and village Badgaon in Arang block, the Chief Minister's office informed. Chhattisgarh Government Issues Nodal Officer Contact Details For Ukraine-Related Issues Amid Russia-Ukraine.

The state government started a first-of-its-kind scheme in the country--Godhan Nyay Yojana--two years ago on July 20, 2020, on the auspicious occasion of Hareli. Under this scheme, cow dung is being purchased at the rate of Rs 2 per kg from the cattle rearers. The dung thus purchased is used to produce organic manure on a large scale which is being used by farmers in their fields, thereby promoting organic farming in the state.

The scheme has been recognized by many states across the country. After the success of this innovative scheme, the government has decided to purchase 'gaumutra' as well.

The cow urine purchased under this scheme will be used to make pest control products and 'Jeevamrut' (liquid organic fertilizer). The move aims to minimize use of expensive chemical pesticides and promote organic farming in the state by making organic pesticides available to farmers at nominal prices.

In addition, it also aims to minimize residue of chemical pesticides in food items which destroys its nutritional value and cause harmful effects on human health. Agricultural scientists suggest that cow urine insecticide is a superior and cheaper alternative to chemical pesticides. Its disease resistance is much higher than chemical pesticides. These pesticides are effective against leaf eating, fruit piercing and stem borer pests.

Notably, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took the initiative of conservation and promotion of local resources to improve the economic condition of farming community and strengthen the rural economy.

In keeping with this spirit, 'Narva, Garwa, Ghurwa, Bari' programme was started under 'Suraji Gaon Yojana' for recharging streams and drains, protecting and promoting of livestock, promoting organic farming and improving the nutritional level.

Under the 'Garwa' program of Suraji Gaon Yojna, Gauthans has been established in 8408 villages of the state where an arrangement of free-of-cost fodder, water and care has been made for the cattle.

In these Gauthans, cow dung is being procured for the last two years under the Godhan Nyay Yojana, using which women groups are preparing organic fertilizers and other products. Over 76 lakh quintals of cow dung has been procured in the state in the last two years, in lieu of which an amount of more than Rs 153 crore has been paid to the beneficiaries.

Women's groups have prepared more than 22 quintals of organic manure so far including Vermicompost, Super Compost, the Super Compost Plus from the purchased cow dung which has been made available to the farmers of the state. Along with manufacturing of organic manure from cow dung, women are also conducting other income-oriented activities, which have earned them an additional income of Rs 74 crore in the last two years.

(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 28 (PTI) Rajya Sabha was adjourned for almost an hour on Thursday as the Opposition stuck to its demand for a discussion on price rise and the treasury benches sought an apology from Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury over his "sexist insult" of the President.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu took exception to opposition MPs rushing into the well holding placards over the issue of price rise, saying the members doing so are being named and they have to go out.

Also Read | Independence Day 2022 Celebrations: Lucknow to Deck Up 75 Markets With Tricolour Lights and 75,000 National Flags To Mark the Occasion.

He allowed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to make a submission on Chowdhury calling President Droupadi Murmu "rashtrapatni".

After Sitharaman sought an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi over Chowdhury's remarks, women MPs from the treasury benches also joined her in raising the issue.

Also Read | Weather Forecast: Rainfall With Thunderstorms Very Likely Over Central, West, East, and South India During the Next 2-3 Days, Says IMD.

Opposition MPs continued shouting slogans, forcing Naidu to adjourn the proceedings till 12 noon.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, Jul 28 (PTI) West Bengal's industry minister Partha Chatterjee, arrested in the SSC scam, should be removed immediately from his post and expelled from the Trinamool Congress, the party's state general secretary Kunal Ghosh demanded on Thursday.

Nearly Rs 50 crore in cash, and gold believed to be in kilograms were recovered from apartments linked to Chatterjee, besides documents of properties and foreign exchange, as per officials of the Enforcement Directorate which arrested him.

Also Read | Weather Forecast: Rainfall With Thunderstorms Very Likely Over Central, West, East, and South India During the Next 2-3 Days, Says IMD.

"Partha Chatterjee should be removed from ministry and all party posts immediately. He should be expelled. If this statement considered wrong, party has every right to remove me from all posts. I shall continue as a soldier of @AITCofficial (TMC)," Ghosh, also the party's spokesperson, tweeted.

Later, he said that he has full faith in Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

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"I think they will take the appropriate decision," he said.

Ghosh's comment came amid the opposition BJP and CPI(M)'s attack on the TMC government in the state for not taking any action against Chatterjee even as huge amounts of cash were recovered.

However, the chief minister has said that if someone is found guilty, she would not spare that person even if he is a minister.

Chatterjee, a powerful minister in the Mamata Banerjee government and the secretary-general of Trinamool Congress, was arrested on Saturday in the SSC scam.

The CBI, as directed by the Calcutta High Court, is probing the alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Group-C and D staff as well as teachers in government-sponsored and aided schools on recommendations of the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC). The ED is tracking the money trail in the scam.

Chatterjee was the education minister when the alleged irregularities took place.

(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 28 (PTI) The Ministry of External Affairs Thursday said it had received a request last week for political clearance for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's visit to Singapore but it is given to understand that the host government has shared certain updates and changes in its invitation with the Delhi government.

Asked about Delhi chief minister's political clearance request, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "As we conveyed last week, we received an entry on our political clearance portal on July 21."

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"Given to understand that the host government Singapore has shared certain updates and changes to its invitation with the Delhi government. I would request you to check with the Delhi government on what is the status of that," he said.

Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking permission to attend the summit. Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has rejected the AAP government's request for Kejriwal's travel to Singapore, saying his attendance at the mayors' conference will set a "bad precedent".

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Last month, High Commissioner of Singapore, Simon Wong, invited Kejriwal for the World Cities Summit.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thane, Jul 28 (PTI) Maharashtra's Thane district has reported 141 new cases of coronavirus, taking its infection tally to 7,33,777, a health official said on Thursday.

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These new cases were recorded on Wednesday, he said, adding that the district currently has 829 active COVID-19 cases.

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The COVID-19 death toll in Thane remained unchanged at 11,927.

The recovery count has reached 7,20,879, 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)
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 28 (ANI): Trinamool Congress, which had been distancing itself from its arrested leader Partha Chatterjee, axed him as a minister on Thursday and suspended him from the party leaving it to him to defend himself in the Enforcement Directorate probe in the teacher recruitment scam in which crores of rupees have been seized from residences linked to his aide Arpita Mukherjee.

Trinamool Congress' decision to part ways with one of its most senior leaders was announced by party leader Abhishek Banerjee at a press conference in which he said "if anyone commits something wrong then Trinamool Congress will not spare him" and 'there will be zero tolerance for corruption". He said Partha Chatterjee will remain suspended till probe is underway.

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Party leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier in the day removed Partha Chatterjee as a minister in the state government. Partha Chatterjee was considered one of the most trusted lieutenants of Chief Minister, a "go-to" man and was regarded third in party hierarchy after the chief Minister and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee.

After his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday, Partha Chatterjee had called Mamata Banerjee four times. She did not take his calls.

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Political observers said that Partha Chatterjee has been virtually left in the cold by the party to defend himself in the face of apparently onerous allegations in the ED probe. They said that the Trinamool Congress move is also aimed at cutting any losses due to ED probe in the teacher recruitment scam.

Partha Chatterjee was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the School Service Commission (SSC) scam in West Bengal on Saturday.

Abhishek Banerjee told the media here that Partha Chatterjee has been removed from TMC along with the post of general secretary, national vice president and three other posts.

"He has been suspended till the investigation is underway. He can come back if proven not guilty. CM took the decision and the (Partha Chatterjee) minister was removed. The probe into the matter is underway. If anyone commits something wrong then TMC won't spare him," he said

Abhishek Banerjee said the investigating agency must complete the probe in a time-bound manner.

"There will be zero tolerance for corruption. Investigating agency must complete the probe within the time limit. Even in Sarada case nothing happened, it's just lingering. There should be a time-bound investigation," he said.

"The one (Arpita Mukherjee) from whose house sums of money were recovered isn't from TMC. We want stringent action against those who are linked to this matter. I am saying this in a hypothetical way that if Partha Chatterjee goes to BJP after two months then he will become a saint. Since he is in TMC, all of these things are happening," he added.

Admitting that huge sums of money had been recovered, Abhishek Banerjee said "TMC is the only party that intervened within seven days in the matter."

" I agree huge sums of money were recovered. But, everyday bank frauds are happening what action did BJP take? Nirav Modi flew away, did BJP sack Nirmala Sitharaman, it's TMC who walk the talk," he said.

He also took a dig at BJP leader and actor-politician Mithun Chakraborty that 38 TMC MLAs were in touch with the party.

"Mithun Chakraborty doesn't even know how many Assembly seats and districts are there in Bengal. He just wants to brag about how big a leader he has become, if he wants to make a mockery of himself, then, so be it," Abhishek Banerjee said.

The arrest of Partha Chatterjee followed Rs 21 crore in cash and jewellery worth above Rs 1 crore being recovered from the Kolkata residence of Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of the former education minister.

The ED unearthed many disproportionate assets allegedly of Partha Chatterjee since his arrest, of which were three flats in West Bengal's Diamond City.

The ED raided Arpita Mukerjee's house in connection with an alleged teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal. "The said amount is suspected to be proceeds of crime of the said SSC scam," the probe agency had said in a statement.

The searches by Enforcement Directorate on premises linked to Arpita Mukherjee are continuing and earlier on Thursday, a team of officials reached the New Town residence of Arpita Mukherjee.

The officials reached her residence at the Royal Residency flat at Chinar Park in New Town in West Bengal's Kolkata along with the Central Force personnel.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had on Thursday morning left the Belgharia residence of Arpita Mukherjee after filling ten trunks with cash amounting to approximately Rs 27.90 crore that was found there.

ED sleuths on Wednesday began their fresh searches on the premises linked to Arpita Mukherjee.

The flat of her mother at Belgharia Club town in North 24 Parganas and three other premises was covered in the action initiated on Wednesday. One of the two flats of Arpita Mukherjee, in Belghoria, has been sealed by ED.

ED officials also conducted a raid at the residence of businessman Manoj Jain in Ballygunge. Jain is reportedly an aide of Partha Chatterjee.

A five-time MLA, Chatterjee was appointed as the minister-in-charge of higher education and school education in 2014 and he held the portfolio till 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)
New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) A day after the Supreme Court upheld certain powers of the Enforcement Directorate, the Congress on Thursday said "unbridled powers" to investigating agencies promise "devastating consequences" for democracy.

At a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that while his party has the greatest respect for the Supreme Court, it feels that the court has not considered the "consistent pattern of selective and motivated deployment" that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been put to in the last eight years.

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"It is no one's case, that the government should not investigate money laundering or build strong mechanisms to tackle the problem of financial crimes.

"However, in the absence of meaningful safeguards, and with a government that has routinely stood and argued against the grant of fundamental rights to citizens before the very same Supreme Court, unbridled powers to investigating agencies promise devastating consequences for our democracy," he said.

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The apex court on Wednesday had upheld the ED's powers relating to arrest, attach property, search and seize under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in a huge leg up for the central agency often accused of abusing its authority to target the government's political adversaries.

Singhvi alleged that the ED has functioned as an extension of the ruling party.

"Through the weapon of the ED, we have said earlier the BJP is suppressing, sabotaging and subjugating the Opposition," Singhvi said.

As per official records presented before Parliament, in comparison with 112 raids conducted between 2004-2014, the number between 2014-2022 is over 3,000, Singhvi said.

"They illustrate the weaponization of the ED against political rivals and those who routinely expose this government," he said.

Singhvi said a vast number of cases have been filed against opposition leaders, but almost none have been filed against those who are members of the ruling party or bear proximity to the same.

He said cases initiated against members of the opposition have been put into "cold storage or abandoned" altogether once the accused have switched loyalties towards the ruling party.

This is also the case with cases pending against BJP leaders, Singhvi said.

"This pattern by the government of malicious use also exposes the necessity of safeguards many of which have been dismantled by this government through amendment after amendment," Singhvi said.

"For example, prior to an amendment in 2019, seizure could only be carried out after a report had been presented to a magistrate. This has been done away with and seizures can take place without any notice and entirely at the discretion of the ED," the Congress leader said.

Furthermore, it was pointed out that the Appellate Tribunal for PMLA hasn't had a full-time chairman since September 2019 and this again speaks to the Modi government's intentions for whom the safeguarding of rights is simply not a priority, he alleged.

"It is our humble and respectful view some of these considerations merited greater attention and intervention by the Hon'ble Supreme Court," Singhvi said.

Singhvi said it is ultimately the citizenry of the country looks up to the Supreme Court which needs to provide safeguard, security and safety to the Opposition from the vendetta of the ED to ensure stability in democracy.

The Congress shall continue to speak out and expose this government without fear or favour, Singhvi asserted.

Top opposition politicians, including Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, P Chidambaram and his son and MP Karti, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee, also a TMC MP, and Delhi minister Satyendar Jain are among those under the ED's lens for alleged money laundering.

Observing that it is a common experience world over that money laundering can be a "threat" to the good functioning of a financial system, a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar upheld the validity of certain provisions of the PMLA, underlining it is not an "ordinary offence".

The court was hearing a clutch of over 200 petitions filed by individuals and other entities questioning various provisions of the PMLA, a law which the Opposition has often claimed has been weaponised by the government to harass its political adversaries.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Jul 28 (PTI) Passenger vehicle sales are expected to be robust in July, driven by a large order book and production ramp-up, while commercial vehicle volumes may remain in an uptrend, a report said on Thursday.

However, tractor volumes are likely to decline due to a high base and uneven spread of the monsoon, according to brokerage firm Emkay Global Financial Services, which has retained a positive view on the auto sector.

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Emkay Global also expects an improvement in two-wheeler sales on the back of higher production and inventory build-up with dealers.

Passenger vehicle segment should witness a robust growth on a large order book and production ramp-up, with automakers such as Tata Motors, M&M and Maruti Suzuki expected to log 49 per cent, 28 per cent and 8 per cent volume growth, respectively, in July, the brokerage firm said.

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For the two-wheeler segment, the brokerage estimates a 35 per cent improvement in domestic sales for Eicher Motor-Royal Enfield, 6 per cent each for TVS Motor and Hero MotoCorp.

Bajaj Auto is likely to see a 2 per cent improvement in the domestic two-wheeler volumes in the month, Emkay Global said.

In the previous month, the passenger vehicle domestic sales grew 19.06 per cent year-on-year at 275,788 units. Two-wheeler sales during this period surged 23.4 per cent to 13, 08,764 units over the same month last year, while three-wheeler sales rose 184 per cent year-on-year to 26,701 units, as per SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) June data.

Commercial vehicles should remain in an uptrend, with robust growth in passenger and cargo segments. E-way bill trends indicate better freight availability compared with last year, Emkay Global said.

The brokerage firm said it expects a positive 58 per cent year-on-year growth in domestic sales for Ashok Leyland, 55 per cent for Eicher Motor-Volve Eicher Commercial Vehicle, 42 per cent for Tata Motors, and 13 per cent for M&M in the domestic market.

Tractor volumes are likely to decline due to a high base and uneven spread of the monsoons, it said and added that it expects a 13 per cent decline in domestic volumes for M&M and 16 per cent for Escorts.

(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 28 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair NITI Aayog's Governing Council meeting on August 7, where issues related to agriculture, health and economy will be discussed, official sources said on Thursday.

The Council, the apex body of NITI Aayog, includes all chief ministers, lieutenant governors of Union Territories, and several union ministers.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the chairman of NITI Aayog.

The Governing Council meets regularly, and its first meeting took place on February 8, 2015.

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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)
New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) Capital markets regulator Sebi on Thursday imposed a penalty totalling Rs 60 crore on 10 entities, including Malvinder Mohan Singh and Shivinder Mohan Singh, in a case involving the diversion of funds of Religare Finvest.

In addition, the Singh brothers have been barred from the securities market for three years, or till the recovery of the diverted money along with interest, while other entities have been prohibited for two years.

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They have been directed to pay the penalty within 45 days, according to an order passed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

The case relates to the diversion of funds to the tune of Rs 2,473.66 crore of Religare Finvest Ltd (RFL), a subsidiary of Religare Enterprises Ltd (REL), during FY 2014-15 till FY 2017-18, in the garb of loans through layers of entities for the ultimate benefits of entities controlled by the erstwhile promoters -- Singh brothers.

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Sebi noted that these diverted funds never came back to RFL.

The diversion of funds was never disclosed to the shareholders of REL, which misled them to remain invested in the shares of REL or deal in the securities of REL. Thus, the apparent diversion of funds led to indirect manipulation of the price of shares of REL, Sebi said in its 127-page order.

By indulging in such acts, they violated the provisions of PFUTP (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices) norms.

Accordingly, the regulator has levied a fine of Rs 10 crore each on the Singh brothers, Rs 5 crore each on RHC Holding, A-1 Book Company, Religare Corporate Services (now Finserve Shared Services), Malav Holdings, Shivi Holdings, ANR Securities, Sunil Godhwan and Anil Saxena.

Further, the Singh brothers have been restrained from accessing the securities market or "being associated with the securities market including as a director or key managerial personnel in a listed company or an intermediary registered with Sebi of any market infrastructure institution, for a period of three years".

It, further, said that brothers will continue to remain prohibited for a period of three years or till recovery of the money whichever is later. In addition, eight other entities have been prohibited from the securities markets for two years.

The regulator has directed REL and RFL to continue to pursue the measures, which have already been put into motion, to recover the amount due along with the interest.

Sebi, through its interim and confirmatory orders, has already directed REL and RFL to take all necessary steps to recover the amount along with due interest from the Singh brothers and others.

Singh brothers resigned from the board of directors of REL in February 2018. Also, they were de-classified as 'promoters' of REL. PTI SP

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Toronto, Jul 28 (PTI) Canadian police have arrested two persons and charged them with first-degree murder in the targeted shooting of Ripudaman Singh Malik, the Sikh man acquitted in the tragic 1985 Air India Kanishka terrorist bombing case that killed 331 people.

On July 15, Malik was shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia. Malik and co-accused Ajaib Singh Bagri were acquitted in 2005 of mass murder and conspiracy charges related to the two bombings in 1985.

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The 1985 Air India bombing is among the worst terrorist attacks in Canadian history and in the history of the airline.

Tanner Fox, a 21-year-old from Abbotsford, British Columbia, a city about 75 kilometres east of Vancouver and 23-year-old Jose Lopez, from the Vancouver suburb of New Westminster, were both arrested on Tuesday, said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) at a news conference in Surrey on Wednesday.

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Police were tight-lipped, only saying the two were arrested peacefully in their respective cities and that collaboration between police helped lead to the arrests, the Toronto Star newspaper reported.

Through conventional investigative techniques and amazing police work we were able to identify and arrest two suspects in relation to this homicide. Both of these individuals are known to police, said superintendent Mandeep Mooker, a spokesperson for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).

A few kilometres away, Malik's son, Jaspreet Singh Malik, said his family took the news with mixed emotions.

No matter where the investigation goes and no matter how these charges turn out, we have lost a great man, said Jaspreet.

We are glad the IHIT team has made progress and we support the work they're doing. At the same time, we are saddened that these two young men made such poor life choices. We trust the justice system to deal with them properly and fairly, he said.

Jaspreet said police have not told the family any more than it has divulged publicly, and did not want to speculate on why his father was targeted.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the probe into the slaying of controversial Surrey businessman Malik continues despite first-degree murder charges being laid Wednesday, the Vancouver Sun newspaper reported.

Fox, who grew up in Abbotsford, and Lopez, of New Westminster, both appeared in Surrey provincial court on Wednesday and have been remanded in custody until their next court date on August 10.

Lopez was charged in Kelowna last summer with nine criminal counts, including possession of a firearm with ammunition, pointing a gun, violating a court order to possess firearms and resisting arrest.

Fox was convicted this past April of resisting or obstructing a peace officer and sentenced to four days in jail. Last fall, he was charged with aggravated assault related to a New Westminster incident. He was released on bail.

He was earlier convicted of assault causing bodily harm related to a November 2019 stabbing in Abbotsford and sentenced to 119 days in jail, as well as a 10-year firearms prohibition.

Surrey RCMP commander Brian Edwards thanked city residents for their assistance in the high-profile case.

Thank you for your trust, your patience and your assistance in solving this matter  the involvement of the public at all stages of investigations is how we solve crime, Edwards said.

Malik was shot while sitting in his car at a Surrey business complex, of which he was the strata president, on July 14. A suspect vehicle was found on fire nearby, according to RCMP, who at the time said the shooting appeared targeted.

On July 16, Canada's top homicide unit released footage showing a white car that it says was linked to the targeted killing of Malik and urged the public not to jump to conclusions over the motive as it investigates the complex high-profile case.

The killing prompted mixed reactions from the community, with many mourning Malik as the co-founder of the Khalsa School and Khalsa Credit Union. At the shooting scene, some who knew him were visibly shaken as officers swarmed the complex.

Others who continue to suspect Malik was involved in the Air India attack had more complicated feelings as they continue to seek accountability for the bombing.

On June 23, 1985, Air India flight 182, carrying 329 people, including 268 Canadian citizens and 24 Indian citizens, flew from Toronto and stopped in Montreal from where it was en route to London and then onwards to its final destination Bombay.

The plane was flying 31,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean when a suitcase bomb exploded in the front cargo, killing all on board.

Another bomb was meant to be planted in an Air India flight scheduled to take off from Japan but it exploded at Tokyo's Narita airport killing two baggage handlers.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bamako, Jul 28 (AP) At least three civilians and 15 soldiers have been killed in separate attacks in central Mali, the army said, the latest round of attacks as insecurity worsens in the West African nation.

Two attacks Wednesday targeted Mali army positions in the center of the country, and the army fought back killing at least 48 assailants, said army spokesman Col. Souleymane Dembele.

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Malian Armed Forces repelled terrorist attacks targeting positions in Sevare, Sokolo and Kalumba early this Wednesday, he said in a statement.

The soldiers killed include six dead in Sokolo and 12 dead, including 3 civilians, in Kalumba, in the Nara region, the statement said.

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No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they bear the mark of jihadi groups linked to al-Qaida which are present in those areas and whose local leader, Amadou Koufa, sent a message a few weeks ago urging his fighters to intensify attacks against the Malian army.

The attacks in central Mali come days after the attack on Mali's largest military base, Kati, just 15 kilometers outside the capital, Bamako, in which at least one person was killed.

Since a coup in 2020 in which democratically-elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was overthrown, Mali has been ruled by a military junta, led by Lt. Col. Assimi Goita, who has had himself appointed president.

The military regime has said it will govern in the transitional period until elections are held in 2024.

In recent weeks the junta has reduced the presence of foreign troops assisting its fight against extremist rebels.

The government withdrew Mali from the G5 Sahel alliance, composed of five neighbouring countries working together to battle jihadi violence, and asked a French and European military force fighting extremists to leave the country.

Attacks have circled the capital as the French military, in Mali since 2013, withdraws. Mali has enlisted support from the Russian mercenary outfit, the Wagner Group. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Phnom Penh [Cambodia], July 28 (ANI/Xinhua): Cambodia's National Assembly on Thursday ratified an agreement between the country and China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government for avoiding double taxation and preventing fiscal evasion concerning the taxes on income.

The pact was signed between the Southeast Asian country and the Macao SAR government in 2019.

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Cambodian Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth said the kingdom has also signed similar agreements with China, China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Turkey.

"The agreement will attract and facilitate international investment and trade as well as prevent fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income," he told the parliament.

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Chheang Vun, chairman of the parliament's committee on economy, finance, banking and audit, said the deal was vital to promoting bilateral investment and trade, capital flow, and sharing of technology and expertise.

"This is a legal instrument that will help attract foreign direct investment to Cambodia through tax incentives," he said.After a review by the senate, the pact will be submitted to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni for endorsement. (ANI/Xinhua)

(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 28 (ANI): Referring to leaders of Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) as thieves, The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that he can hold talks with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the separatists of Balochistan and Sindh, but cannot sit down for talks with the Shahbaz Sharif government.

The remarks came while the former prime minister was expressing his gratitude over Supreme Court's decision to elect Parvez Elahi as the Punjab Chief Minister on Wednesday night.

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"I can talk to the [Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan], the separatists of Balochistan and Sindh, but not with thieves. Will you speak to someone who robs your home?" he said as quoted by the Dawn newspaper.

PTI termed the Supreme Court's decision as "supremacy of the Constitution" and said, "Throughout my life, I have witnessed such enthusiasm only once before, and that was during the 1965 war; at that time, everybody thought that the nation was fighting. And now, I saw the same enthusiasm among the masses during the by-polls in the 20 constituencies of Punjab."

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The PTI chief said that he does not want bad relations with the US and added that death is better than slavery.

"I do not want bad relations with the US, where we export more than any other country and where a large number of the Pakistani community resides. But death is better than slavery and we have to live with self-respect," Imran Khan said.

The former prime minister termed the general elections as the sole solution to the prevailing economic crisis in the country and said that he would only ask overseas Pakistanis and not the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for financial assistance once he comes to power, local media reported.

Khan alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja was involved in rigging during the recent by-elections.

The PTI chief promised to resume the Sehat Card and Ehsas Ration, two major schemes that were launched when he was in power.

He vowed to resume these schemes in Punjab to eliminate the perception of dissolving Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies in an attempt to pressurise the federal government to step down and announce general elections.

The former prime minister added that as per the constitution, the parliamentary leader, not the party head, could decide which side the party will vote for in the polls, the publication said.

"But leaders of the ruling coalition bashed institutions and the judiciary when the decision came against them," Khan said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London, Jul 28 (The Conversation) Between April and July of this year, 1,010 cases of severe hepatitis without any explainable cause were reported in children in more than 35 countries. Nearly half of these cases were in Europe, including over a quarter in the UK.

Usually, childhood hepatitis is caused by an infection from one of the hepatitis viruses (such as hepatitis A or hepatitis C). But although children were presenting with elevated levels of hepatitis markers in their blood, no traces of hepatitis viruses were detected in these children, nor in any of the related cases since.

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Initial investigations found a potential link between adenovirus infection and these cases of hepatitis. Adenoviruses are very common viral infections, especially in children. They typically cause infections such as mild colds, pink eye (conjunctivitis) or stomach problems. However, if they get to the liver they can on rare occasion cause hepatitis.

However, given how common adenoviruses are in children  and because they rarely cause hepatitis in healthy people  it was difficult to say this was the probable cause.

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A new study suggests that the spate of severe hepatitis cases seen in children may be the result of three factors working together: adenovirus, adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) and an underlying genetic predisposition to the disease.

A potential cause emerges

In a pre-print study (which means it has not yet been reviewed by other scientists), a team of researchers looked at nine of the original hepatitis cases in April and conducted a large range of tests, seeking to find new or previously undetected viruses or genetic factors that may have caused hepatitis in the children.

The team found that all nine children had been infected with adeno-associated virus 2. They then compared their findings with 13 healthy children and 12 children who'd had adenovirus infections but no hepatitis. Adeno-associated virus 2 was not detected in any of these children. This was a strong indicator that AAV2 was a cause of these mystery hepatitis cases.

Adeno-associated virus 2 belongs to a group of viruses called Dependoparvovirus which infects both humans and some primates. But what's particularly interesting about AAV2 is that in order to infect the host, it requires another virus to also be infecting the host at the same time. It uses this helper virus in order to replicate inside human cells. The most common helper viruses of AAV2 are adenovirus and herpesvirus.

The researchers found that six out of the nine patients they looked at had an adenovirus, while three had signs of a herpes virus. This makes it's likely these hepatitis infections were caused by a combination of AAV2 and one of these helper viruses.

Immune systems and infections

But both AAV2 and infections such as adenovirus and herpes virus are quite common in children, and most children infected with these don't go on to develop hepatitis. This means there must be an additional factor at play here, perhaps even at the genetic level.

The team of researchers then analysed the children's genomes to look for specific immune system markers, called human leucocyte antigens. Immune system cells use human leucocyte antigens to detect other viruses and pathogens, and engulf them.

This then sends a signal to other immune cells which come along and destroy the pathogen. There are many different types of human leucocyte antigens, and depending on why type a person has can determine which infections they may be more susceptible to.

The researchers found that eight out of the nine children had a higher genetic prevalence of a certain type of human leucocyte antigen, which may have increased their likelihood of getting hepatitis symptoms from these viral infections. This type is also more common in people of European descent, which may further explain why these hepatitis cases were mainly seen in Europe.

Although it appears from this study that a combination of factors may explain the sudden, severe hepatitis cases spotted in children, the study itself was small and only conducted on participants in Scotland. A much larger, peer-reviewed study will need to be done in order to fully figure out the exact link and how best to protect children going forward.

Another factor that might have played into this were COVID-19 restrictions, which meant many children weren't being exposed to these viruses and developing immunity at the ages they normally would have. This meant that when restrictions were lifted, children were exposed to these viruses all at once, which would overwhelm their immune system which is not prepared to deal with it.

However, research will need to be done in order to investigate whether or not this really played a role in the severe hepatitis cases. But if it is shown to be a cause, then it's likely we will see fewer and fewer cases of hepatitis in children as the months pass since the last lockdown. (The Conversation)

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Erez Military Base (Israel), Jul 28 (AP) The Israeli army said on Wednesday that Hamas has rebuilt some of the capabilities that were damaged during last year's Gaza war, including three new tunnels and a series of weapons manufacturing and storage sites.

The army published aerial imagery and maps showing what it said are tunnels, weapons factories and arms depots. It said the installations were near al-Azhar University in Gaza City, a Pepsi factory, mosques, United Nations facilities and hospitals elsewhere in Gaza.

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Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the army's claims are 'pure lies and fabrications.

Israel and Hamas are bitter enemies that have fought four wars and numerous skirmishes since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007.

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In the most recent round of fighting, in May 2021, over 260 Palestinians were killed, more than half of them civilians, and tens of thousands displaced, according to U.N. figures.

The Israeli army says it tries to prevent civilian casualties and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields by operating and firing rockets from residential areas.

Human rights groups have accused Israel of failing to do enough to prevent civilian casualties, and striking targets with no evident military purpose. Rights groups have also criticized Hamas for aiming aiming rockets at population centers in Israel.

Israel claimed to have inflicted heavy damage on Hamas last year. A military official said Wednesday that more than 100 kilometers (60 miles) of tunnels were destroyed last year.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity under military briefing guidelines, declined to say how much of that network Hamas has rebuilt. (AP)

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New Delhi [India], July 28 (ANI): Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is set to visit India next week to review the progress made in this wide-ranging partnership between the two countries.

During his India visit, Solih will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Speaking at a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also call on the Maldives President.

"Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will pay an official visit to India from August 1-4. President Solih will be accompanied by high-level officials and a business delegation. During the visit, President Solih will meet the President of India and hold talks with the Prime Minister. External Affairs Minister will call on President Solih," said Bagchi.

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"Besides his official engagements in New Delhi, President Solih will be holding a discussion with an Indian business delegation. During his visit, he will visit Mumbai and participate in business events there," he added.

The MEA spokesperson noted that the Maldives is India's key neighbour in the Indian Ocean region and occupies a special place in the country's Neighbourhood First policy.

"In recent years, the partnership has seen rapid growth in all areas of partnership and President Solih's upcoming visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to review the progress made in this wide-ranging partnership and impart direction to the two sides that lent further momentum to this strong partnership that we have," he said.

For India, the Maldives has always been a close and important maritime neighbour. Multifaceted ties between the two countries have strengthened despite the pandemic-related disruptions.

India's "Neighborhood First" policy and Maldives's "India First" policy work in tandem to tackle shared concerns and advance mutual interests.

Back in March, President Solih highlighted the positive role played by India in the country's affairs in the last two years.

In a national address, Solih thanked the Indian government for its role in helping his country cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, including gifting vaccines.

Solih mentioned several friendly bilateral partners. However, he singled out New Delhi for assisting the Maldives' COVID-19 response efforts. (ANI)

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Colombo, Jul 28 (PTI) Political risks pose a major challenge to cash-strapped Sri Lanka's emergence from debt default, New York-based credit ratings agency Fitch said on Thursday, even as it welcomed the successful formation of a new government under President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Last week, Sri Lanka's Parliament elected six-time Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as Gotabaya Rajapaksa's successor, who resigned after fleeing to the Maldives and then to Singapore.

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"The new president was confirmed by a large majority in parliament, and his government has drawn in some opposition members. This gives some hope that it will have sufficient support to negotiate and carry out difficult reforms as part of efforts to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability," Fitch said in a statement.

The credit ratings agency said having a stable government could help Sri Lanka unlock funding support from the IMF.

Also Read | Lulo Rose: Big 170-Carat Pink Diamond Discovered in Angola, Largest in 300 Years.

The Washington-based lender on Wednesday said the newly-elected Sri Lankan government must begin debt restructuring talks with its creditors, including China, before it can hope of getting the bailout package sanctioned.

"Sri Lanka needs to reach a debt restructuring agreement with creditors, including China before an agreement can be reached between the IMF and the Sri Lankan Government," International Monetary Fund Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said.

Fitch said that while the Sri Lankan government's parliamentary position appears strong, public support remains weaker, as the Parliament and the government remain dominated by politicians from the Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance, which is closely affiliated with the Rajapaksa family.

"This may increase the risk of further destabilising protests if economic conditions do not improve and/or reforms generate public opposition," it said.

Sri Lanka is in the midst of the worst economic crisis since 1948 that has led to a debilitating political crisis in Sri Lanka where Rajapaksa was forced out of power due to his poor handling of the economy.

"We expect any reform package agreed with the IMF by the government to include elements such as higher taxes, expenditure rationalisation and a commitment to a greater degree of exchange-rate flexibility," Fitch said.

"There is a significant risk that such reforms could cause public opposition that might impede their implementation. In the absence of an IMF deal, we expect Sri Lanka to face a very strained external position in the near term," it stated.

A massive protest on July 13 attempted to break into the parliamentary complex in continuation with the July 9 popular uprising, forcing Rajapaksa to leave the country to the Maldives and then to Singapore.

On July 9, anti-government protesters occupied the official residence of Rajapaksa and the private home of Wickremesinghe.

The mob also torched the private residence of Wickremesinghe.

In a statement on June 30, Fitch noted that it assessed Sri Lanka's public debt as unsustainable and confirmed that it would require adequate financing assurances from Sri Lanka's creditors so that debt sustainability would be restored.

"The country has little foreign exchange to pay even for essential imports such as fuel, food and medicines, with official reserve assets at just USD1.9 billion (just over one month of imports) as of end-June," it said.

Debt negotiations could be complicated by debt owed to China.

This amounted to USD 5 billion at end-2020, including bilateral official lending and loans from the China Development Bank and Export-Import Bank of China, accounting for around 13 per cent of Sri Lanka's external debt, according to the IMF.

China has traditionally preferred to offer relief for large loans through deferrals such as maturity extensions, payment rescheduling or grace periods, rather than through write-downs, Fitch said.

However, this approach could increase challenges for Sri Lanka to successfully negotiate debt restructuring with other creditors, including private creditors, that delivers the debt sustainability sought by the IMF, it explained.

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Kyiv [Ukraine], July 28 (ANI): Amid intense fighting between Russia and Ukraine, the Russian forces have started massive redeployment of troops to Ukraine's occupied Kherson and partially occupied Zaporizhia regions, Kyiv adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said in a statement.

Describing it as the change of tactics by Moscow, Arestovych said that Russia is switching from offence to strategic defence, using tactical attacks in a bid to weaken Ukraine's offensive potential in the crucial eastern Donetsk industrial region, Al Jazeera reported.

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Oleksiy Arestovych said in a YouTube interview that Russian forces had taken over Ukraine's second-biggest power plant. Russian-backed forces had earlier announced the capture of the Soviet-era, coal-fired Vuhlehirsk plant in eastern Ukraine.

Arestovych said Russia seemed to be switching from offence to strategic defence, using tactical attacks in a bid to weaken Ukraine's offensive potential in the crucial eastern Donetsk industrial region.

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"[This would] place us in a position where we are unable to liberate all our territory and call for talks," he said.

Ukraine shelled an important bridge in Kherson recently, closing it to traffic, and Zelenskyy promised to rebuild Antonivskyi bridge in the Russian-occupied Kherson region after it was struck by Ukrainian forces with what a Moscow-appointed local administrator said were US-supplied high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS).

The Antonivskyi bridge is the city of Kherson's sole span across the river and Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Russian-appointed city administration, told Russia's RIA news agency it had been closed to traffic after the attack. according to Al Jazeera.

The Ukrainian army, emboldened by deliveries of Western-supplied long-range artillery has been clawing back territory in the southern Kherson region in recent weeks.

Just a day after Ukraine and Russia agreed on a grain deal. Russian missiles hit the southern Ukrainian port of Odessa.At least two missiles hit the infrastructure of the port and two were shot down by Ukraine's air defence.

This attack came one day after Ukraine and Russian ministers signed an agreement, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in Istanbul, to allow grain exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports aimed at easing the global food crisis sparked by the war.

Earlier, on Friday, a deal was reached between Ukraine and Russia where Russia promised to unblock ports on the Black Sea to allow the safe passage of grain and oilseeds, some of Ukraine's most important exports.

Russia has so far been blocking maritime access to those ports, meaning that millions of tons of Ukrainian grain have not been exported to the many countries that rely on it, according to CNN.

"Today, there is a beacon on the Black Sea. A beacon of hope -- a beacon of possibility -- a beacon of relief -- in a world that needs it more than ever," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday at the signing ceremony, which was attended by Ukrainian and Russian ministers.

On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics requested help in defending themselves. The Russian Defense Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger. (ANI)

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Seoul [South Korea], July 28 (ANI/Xinhua): South Korea on Thursday launched an 8,200-ton Aegis-equipped destroyer, designed and developed indigenously.

The launching ceremony was held at the shipyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, around 310 km southeast of the capital Seoul, attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol, according to the presidential office.

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Yoon said at the ceremony that Jeongjo The Great, the Aegis destroyer, would further strengthen the South Korean navy's combat capabilities.

The destroyer was the fourth Aegis-equipped destroyer of the South Korean Navy.

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The 170-meter-long, a 21-meter-wide destroyer is fitted with enhanced radar-evading functions and the up-to-date Aegis combat system capable of detecting, tracking and intercepting ballistic missiles. (ANI/Xinhua)

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United Nations, Jul 28 (PTI) The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the attack on the UN mission in Congo in which two peacekeepers from India and one person from Morocco were killed, urging the Congolese authorities to swiftly investigate the assault and bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a press statement, tabled by India and France, the powerful 15-nation Council expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to India and Morocco.

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The council also expressed its condolences to the United Nations and the civilians who lost their lives, besides wishing a speedy recovery to peacekeepers and civilians injured in the July 26 attack in Butembo, North Kivu province.

"The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the recent attacks on the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in North Kivu, which resulted in the death of three peacekeepers from India and Morocco, as well as in injuries to peacekeepers, said the statement issued on Wednesday.

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India's Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday confirmed the death of two of its personnel in the attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The two Border Security Force personnel killed in the attack have been identified as Head Constables Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi.

India, currently a non-permanent member of the Council and among the largest troop contributing country to the UN peacekeeping missions, played a very active role in bringing Council members together and ensuring that a strong-worded statement goes out that condemns the attack on peacekeepers, sources said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also strongly condemned the July 26 fatal attack and expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers, as well as to the governments and the people of India and Morocco.

At the MONUSCO Butembo base, violent attackers snatched weapons from Congolese police and fired upon the uniformed personnel. MONUSCO's Acting Head Khassim Diagne told reporters from Kinshasa that the past two days have been intensive and tragic for the mission.

The culmination of the violence and the tragedy resulted in the killing of three of our brave peacekeepers, two Indians of the Formed Police Unit and one Moroccan from the military contingent and another Egyptian colleague from the police also wounded, he said.

We once again express our deepest condolences to the families and the government of India and Morocco. And we will not leave any stone unturned to get to the bottom of it, to the investigation. This was clearly a hostile act against our troops. This may be a war crime, he said.

Diagne added that the mortal remains of the fallen peacekeepers have been transferred now to the northeastern city of Beni.

We're looking at arrangements for these remains to go back quickly to their families in India and Morocco, Diagne said.

In the press statement, the Security Council members condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against MONUSCO and underlined that deliberate attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

They called on the Congolese authorities to swiftly investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice, and keep the relevant troop-and police-contributing countries informed of the progress consistent with relevant Security Council resolutions.

They requested the Secretary-General for an update consistent with para 4(a) of Security Council resolution 2589 (2021) on measures undertaken to promote accountability for such acts.

The UNSC resolution 2589 was adopted in August last year under India's Presidency of the Council and it called upon the Member States hosting or having hosted United Nations peacekeeping operations to promote accountability for the killing of, and all acts of violence against United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping operations.

It also recognises the need to enhance support to help these countries address impunity.

As of November 2021, India was the second-highest military contributor to MONUSCO with 1888 troops and the fifth highest police contributor with 139 personnel. The mission has a total of over 17,700 personnel.

The members of the Security Council called for calm and dialogue in order to resolve the current tensions and to ensure the protection of civilians. They encouraged further efforts of the Congolese Government to restore law and order as well as to conduct investigations into the underlying causes of the current tensions and to ensure accountability, the statement said.

The Council members called on all parties to cooperate fully with MONUSCO and to remain committed to the full and objective implementation of the Mission's mandate and under the Status of Forces Agreement with MONUSCO.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Congo.

They reiterated their full support to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bintou Keita, and for the stabilising action of MONUSCO, in line with the basic principles of peacekeeping, including consent of the parties, and its mandate and expressed their deep appreciation to MONUSCO's troop- and police-contributing countries.

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KL Agrawal, Director, Ranchi Airport on Thursday said that they received a call from an unknown person regarding a bomb threat at Ranchi airport. "A thorough security check was done and nothing suspicious found. The call is declared a hoax." Agrawal said.

Check tweet:

Jharkhand | A call from an unknown caller regarding a bomb threat received at Ranchi airport. A thorough security check was done and nothing suspicious found. The call is declared a hoax: KL Agrawal, Director, Ranchi Airport  ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022

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Institute for the Study of War: Russian proxies withhold humanitarian aid to force civilians to cooperate in Mariupol.



The experts said Russian proxies are leveraging food aid and other humanitarian assistance to force the population to demine and clear rubble in Mariupol. The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) July 28, 2022

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President Joe Biden compared his COVID-19 experience with former President Donald Trump on Wednesday while giving an address to the American public after spending five days in isolation.

On Wednesday, Biden recalled Trump's diagnosis of the virus during the early days of the pandemic when he was still the president of the United States.

"Here's the bottom line: When my predecessor got COVID he had to get helicoptered to Walter Reed Medical Center," Biden said. The president also emphasized that Trump, during his diagnosis, was "severely ill," adding that thankfully, he recovered.

Biden then noted that when he tested positive for COVID, he was not brought to the hospital and was working upstairs, thanks to the vaccines.

In October 2020, former President Donald Trump announced on Twitter that he and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19. He was not vaccinated as COVID vaccines were still developed during that time.

On the day he announced his COVID diagnosis, Trump was transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The former president spent the weekend at the said hospital, where he was treated with an eight-gram dose of experimental antibody therapy cocktail from Regeneron.

In March last year, Trump announced that he was then vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID vaccine before he left the White House.

READ NEXT: Joe Biden COVID Update: President's Symptoms 'Continue to Improve' After Testing Positive for the Virus - Physician

Pres. Joe Biden Promotes COVID Boosters to Avoid Severe Symptoms

Biden took a moment on Wednesday to promote the COVID boosters among Americans, claiming that the public can mitigate or avoid winding up severe cases through booster shots, at-home tests, and easy-to-use effective medications, per ABC News.

The president added he got through COVID without fear due to the life-saving tools that can be accessed by the public.

"You don't need to be president to get these tools used for your defense," Biden underscored.

Biden then added that the public can live without fear by getting boosted, tested, and treated. He also made sure that his administration is still vigilant amid the pandemic. He emphasized that the federal government has the tools to keep people from getting ill or dying of COVID.

President Joe Biden also urged Americans to consider wearing face masks indoors during his public address on Wednesday. Biden said that high-quality face masks were made available for free, which is why the public should consider wearing them in crowded indoor spaces. However, he also acknowledged that even people who wear face masks may still get sick of COVID.

Pres. Joe Biden COVID

The White House announced last Thursday that President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19.

On Wednesday, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's physician, said that the president tested negative on Tuesday evening and again in the morning of his sixth isolation day.

Back to the Oval.



Thanks to Doc for the good care, and to all of you for your support. pic.twitter.com/Cfzn1zAKJF  President Biden (@POTUS) July 27, 2022

Biden was also enthusiastic about his negative test results, with the president posting a photo of it on his Twitter.

According to the White House, President Joe Biden was infected with the BA.5 variant of COVID, which is responsible for the fresh surge in cases around the world.

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Biden Tests Negative For Covid - From MSNBC
A courthouse near the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince was burned early Tuesday. Prosecutors suspect gang members were responsible for lighting up the courthouse on fire, as they are targeting the country's judicial system.

A prosecutor for the Croix-des-Bouquets region, Roosevelt Zamor, spoke with the Associated Press and said that important documents have been burned in the fire, which partially burned the courthouse, which is located northeast of Port-au-Prince.

The region where the courthouse was burned is under the control of the 400 Mawozo Gang, who are also accused of killing a police inspector while attending a church in Croix-des-Bouquets. The gang later also lit the building on fire. Zamor said that police are working day and night to stabilize the community that is currently under the dangerous gang.

The gang that burned the church and courthouse previously raided the Court of First Instance in downtown Port-au-Prince. They looted and burned case files, as well as pieces of evidence, and are still currently in control of parts of that courthouse.

Rise in Gang Violence in Haiti After Assassination of President Jovenel Moise

According to the Washington Post, gang activity and violence, as well as kidnappings, have all skyrocketed following the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moise. Violent turf wars have shut down once-busy main roads which lead to the country's northern and southern regions.

Police are currently trying to put down a recent spate of gang-related violence in the Port-au-Prince slum of Cite de Soleil. The UN reported that over 470 people have already been killed, injured, or gone missing. Another estimated 3,000 people have now been forced to flee their homes as well.

Gangs have so far overwhelmed the Haitian National Police. The situation has grown so dire in the country that the United Nations has warned that Haiti's police need immediate help in order to fight crime. The United States and other countries are currently providing training and resources for the Haitian police, which only has 12,800 active police officers. They are serving 11 million people, and are understaffed and outgunned as the gangs continue their rampage.

The recent gang violence has also fueled mass migrations out of the country, with many seeking to enter the United States illegally. Many of these migrants brave harsh conditions and rough seas to escape the country.

READ MORE: Haiti: President Jovenel Moise Assassination Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

Courthouse Proceedings Have Not Yet Resumed After Gang Invasion

Another Haitian gang is known as the "Five Segonn" gang, or "5 Seconds" Gang, also took over a courthouse in Port-au-Prince. They invaded the city's main courthouse last June 10, and broke windows, vandalized courtrooms, seized court files, and also shot a security guard.

The courthouse was considered one of the country's highest courthouses. Police struggled to regain control of the building, as the gang held it hostage for several days.

According to the Haitian Times, the invasion forced several cases to be postponed. The takeover lasted over a week, and some cases are still pending. Judges, lawyers, litigants, and prisoners narrowly escaped injury and death.

READ NEXT: Haiti: 17 Migrants Dead After Boat Turns Over in the Bahamas During Human Smuggling Attempt

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Nearly 90 dead in Haiti gang violence  FRANCE 24 English
Johnny Depp's lawyer Camille Vasquez revealed what she felt when the actor picked her to defend him in his defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

In a teaser clip of Vasquez's one-on-one interview with "CBS Mornings" host Gayle King, Vasquez said she felt "lucky" that Depp picked her, according to New York Post.

When asked why she thinks the actor specifically picked her to be part of his legal team in the defamation case, Vasquez noted that her experience working for the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star may have contributed to it.

"I've had the pleasure of working for Johnny for four and a half years now. So I've worked on all his litigation matters before," the lawyer said, adding that the defamation case against Amber Heard was the most personal for the actor.

EXCLUSIVE: @GayleKing sits down with attorney Camille Vasquez, who represented Johnny Depp in his defamation trial win against ex-wife Amber Heard, for her first interview since Heard filed a motion to appeal. pic.twitter.com/uf3Rqrn3vH  CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) July 27, 2022

READ NEXT: Johnny Depp's Attorney Camille Vasquez Promoted After Big Win; Amber Heard Could Be Out of 'Aquaman 2' [RUMOR]

Camille Vasquez Says a Woman's Perspective is Needed in Johnny Depp's Lawsuit

Camille Vasquez also said she was asked to be one of Johnny Depp's legal counsel because his defamation case against Amber Heard calls for a woman on the team.

"This case called for a woman's perspective... and I was the lucky person chosen to do this job," Vasquez noted.

The lawyer added that hard work and luck were the combinations of why she also got to defend Depp. The lawyer noted that her job required a "tremendous amount of hours," and even though luck may be on her side, she did not take her job lightly.

"This was his name. This was his life. It was important," Vasquez said.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have battled over a 2018 op-ed the actress wrote for the Washington Post, calling herself a domestic violence survivor.

The piece did not mention Depp by name, but the actor claimed he was booted from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise due to the "clear implication" that he was the abuser in his ex-wife's op-ed.

Depp also alleged that Heard was the actual "perpetrator" of the violent encounters that damaged their relationship. He asked for $50 million in damages. The actress countersued for $100 million for nuisance.

On June 1, a Virginia court ruled that Heard must pay her ex-husband $10 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages.

And with Depp's lawyer referring to Heards' claims as a "hoax," the actress was awarded $2 million by the jury in compensatory damages for her counterclaim but nothing in punitive damages.

Camille Vasquez and Johnny Depp Dating Rumors

Johnny Depp and Camille Vasquez had once been rumored to be dating. The pair sparked dating rumors when fans gave meaning to the body language between the two during the six-week defamation trial against Amber Heard.

However, Vasquez has shut down the dating rumors surrounding her and the actor. Vasquez earlier told People that she was aware of those online romance rumors and resented them.

The lawyer noted that it was disappointing that some outlets "kind of ran with it" or said that her interactions with the actor were inappropriate or unprofessional.

Vasquez said Depp was a friend, and she had known and represented him "for four-and-a-half years now." The lawyer noted that she was "very happy" in her relationship and it was "unethical" for lawyers to date their clients.

She also explained why she was hugging Depp. She said she cares deeply about her clients, and her being Cuban and Colombian makes her tactile, adding that she hugs everyone.

Camille Vasquez added that if she could provide any bit of comfort to Johnny Depp, whether by holding his hands or letting him know that they were there to fight for him, she would do it because the actor deserves it.

READ MORE: Johnny Depp's Ex Kate Moss Reveals Why She Testified in the Actor's Defamation Trial Against Amber Heard

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Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Why Johnny Depp's Lawyer Camille Vasquez Got Emotional During Amber Heard Trial - From Access
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is celebrating his current win after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled blocking the state's school mask mandate.

Austin District Judge Lee Yeakel has previously ruled against Abbott's ban on mask mandates in Texas schools. In his ruling, Yeakel argued that the country's Disabilities Act should be upheld instead of Abbott's directive.

Court of Appeals Upholds Texas Governor Greg Abbott's Ban on Mask Mandate

In a written ruling on July 25, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal ruled the ban on mask mandate in the state of Texas. It favored Greg Abbott's ban on the mandatory use of face masks in schools.

The 2-1 decision effectively junked Austin District Judge Lee Yeakel's ruling last November. Fighting against the ban pushback, the state of Texas has sought the help of the appellate court to overturn Yeakel's ruling.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, the appeals court did not allow the establishment of Yeakel's injunction for the duration of the case assessment.

In ruling on the case, Judge Andrew Oldham argued that the "Americans with Disabilities Act," Yeakel's main argument, apparently does not apply to mask-related issues, as it only guarantees that the concerned students can attend school.

On the other hand, Judge Eugene Davis, the sole opposition to the ruling, sided with the safety of the students. According to KVUE, Davis said Oldham's argument "mischaracterized the students' argument."

"The students argued that state Attorney General Ken Paxton's dogged defense of Abbott's ban on mask mandates, including lawsuits against school districts and threats of additional litigation, amounted to disability discrimination," Davis noted.

Despite the favorable outcome on Abbott's camp, The stateman said the ruling does not affect the other cases they have to decide, questioning the legality of the governor's ban on mask mandates awaiting at the Texas Supreme Court.

READ NEXT: Uvalde Police Who Responded to School Shooting Next in Line for Suspension as Victims' Families Call for It

Austin District Judge Lee Yeakel's Ruling Against Texas Governor Greg Abbott

In a stunning overturn last November, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel of Austin ruled that the Texas Governor's executive order banning mask mandates on schools should be lifted. Yeakel argued that prohibiting schools from enacting mask mandates violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"The spread of COVID-19 poses an even greater risk for children with special health needs. Children with certain underlying conditions who contract COVID-19 are more likely to experience severe acute biological effects and to require admission to a hospital and the hospital's intensive-care unit," Yeakel said at the time.

Asserting the right of disabled students to safe education, Yeakel also stated that Greg Abbott's order "impedes" children with disabilities from the benefits of the public school program in the state.

READ MORE: San Diego School Board Under Fire for Reinstating Mask Mandate | Angry Parents Gunning for Board Positions

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Written by: Ivan Korrs

WATCH: Appeals Court Sides With Texas Officials on Banning School Mask Mandates - From WFAAs
People outside of Mexico often only hear about the actions of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. However, his wife, Beatriz Gutierrez Muller, is just as fiery as her husband.

While she is officially the first lady of Mexico, she rejected the title because she said it had no concrete roles or functions.

Gutierrez Muller was born in Mexico City to Juan Gutierrez Canet and Nora Beatriz Muller Bentjerodt, who was a Chilean of German descent.

Before she became the first lady of Mexico, even though she rejected the title, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications at the Ibero-American University Puebla in 1998.

She continued to have a master's degree at the same university in 2002. Beatriz Gutierrez Muller also became a writer, publishing several written works, including La Tierra Prometida. She was also a journalist, working for El Universal after graduating from the Ibero-American University Puebla.

Beatriz Gutierrez Muller's Marriage With Mexico's President and Having a Son Together

Before his marriage to Beatriz Gutierrez Muller, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was previously married to Rocio Beltran Medina. They were married from 1979 until she died in 2003.

The single Lopez Obrador met his second wife, Gutierrez Muller, when she first joined the government during the period when he was the head of government for Mexico City. They started dating and eventually got married on October 16, 2006.

Eventually, the two were blessed with a son, Jesus Ernesto Lopez Gutierrez, who was born in April 2007. Unfortunately, their son also became a target of fat jokes online.

The 15-year-old was called "el chocoflan" online, ridiculing him as something as soft as chocolate flan. Both parents came to the aid of their son.

According to Border Report, the Mexican president said that those calling his son names online have a problem with him and not with his son.

READ NEXT: Journalist in Mexico Tells Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador He's Afraid for His Life During Press Briefing

Beatriz Gutierrez Muller Wanted to Become a Different Kind of First Lady

Even though Beatriz Gutierrez Muller rejected the title of First Lady of Mexico, she still attends to the position's many ceremonial duties. These include a recent visit to the White House, meeting President Joe Biden and Jill Biden, and attending various functions.

When her husband was still campaigning for president, Gutierrez Muller said she wanted to be a different kind of the first lady. However, according to Agencia EFE, she also said she will loosely adhere to Mexico's political traditions.

As Mexico's first lady, she heads the country's National Honorary Council for the Coordination of Historical and Cultural Heritage. She also fulfills the role of honorary president of the Comprehensive Family Development System (DIF). However, it is an unpaid post and serves mainly a ceremonial function.

Much like her U.S. counterpart, Jill Biden, Beatriz Gutierrez Muller continues to teach despite her husband having the highest office in the land. She does not receive a government salary, but she still continues her work on cultural affairs.

READ MORE: Mexico's Maya Train Project Threatens to Endanger Prehistoric Caves With Oldest Human Remains in North America

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Beatriz Gutierrez Muller: "No hay autentico feminismo sin igualdad economica" - From Television Publica Noticias
Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed his intention to file a lawsuit against CNN and other media outlets for defamation.

According to Forbes, the involved media outlets reported Trump to be wrong for suggesting that there was widespread fraud during the 2020 election.

Trump has filed numerous lawsuits concerning his false claims of election fraud, which he repeatedly lost. The former president released a 282-page letter that his attorney, Jim Trusty, sent last week to CNN CEO Christ Licht, demanding the network to take down the "false" and "defamatory publications."

Trump and his legal team also wanted the media outlet to issue retraction statements. Trusty said in the letter that CNN rushed to brand the former president a "liar" for his unsupported and unproven voter fraud allegations.

Trusty further noted that the media outlet has "consistently fed a narrative that denounced" Trump's legitimacy and competency.

The letter also claimed that "CNN treated Trump worse" than other public figures found to be "dishonest." The letter cited as an example actor Jussie Smollett, who falsely claimed he was the victim of a hate crime.

In a statement released by his Save America PAC on Wednesday, the former president said he will also be taking legal action against other media outlets that "defrauded the public" about the "overwhelming evidence of fraud."

READ NEXT: Jan. 6 Hearings: Donald Trump Could Face Multiple Criminal Referrals to DOJ -Rep. Liz Cheney

Donald Trump to Sue CNN

Donald Trump's lawyer wrote in the letter that failure to publish any retraction, correction, or apology will result in the filing of a lawsuit and damages being sought against CNN, according to New York Post.

Trusty said Trump harbored a subjective belief that he was unfairly deprived of a second term in office.

"This is particularly valid in the context of an incumbent president receiving over 74 million votes, a record number for any Republican candidate in history," the lawyer noted.

The former president has repeatedly claimed that the 2020 election was stolen or "rigged" against him. Trusty estimated that CNN has aired "defamatory comments" about Trump roughly 7,700 times.

According to reports, many of the CNN articles that Trusty highlighted in the letter were labeled "opinion." Trump's lawyer called on the outlet to "immediately cease and desist" its use of "Big Lie" when reporting Trump's subjective belief on the 2020 election.

Trusty said the letter is for all journalists, correspondents, editors, and directors to preserve "any and all evidence" related to the accusations mentioned regarding the former president.

Donald Trump Lawsuits

In 2021, Donald Trump has sued The New York Times, including David Barstow, Susanne Craig, and Russ Buettner, and the source that helped them obtain the documents for their report.

Their 2018 series of reporting focused on the former president's finances, showing evidence refuting claims that Trump was a self-made billionaire. It also showed a history of tax schemes and even "outright fraud," Forbes reported.

Trump also filed a lawsuit against CNN, which a federal judge tossed in 2020. The lawsuit claimed that the network was biased against Trump and was wrong to publish an opinion piece that suggested that the former president might have asked for Russia's help to influence the 2020 election.

Last month, CNN's new CEO, Chris Licht, reportedly told its staff they should tamp down on referring to Donald Trump's baseless claims about a "stolen" 2020 election as "the Big Lie" amid complaints that the network has been biased toward the political left in its coverage.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Admits He Didn't Win Presidential Election 2020 During Interview With Presidential Historians

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Donald Trump Threatens to Sue CNN for Defamation - From Sky News Australia
South America encompasses many countries that are rich in beautiful tourist spots and destinations, such as the country of Paraguay.

Given the nickname the "Heart of South America," Paraguay is a land known to be formed from the interfaces of Europe and Guarani Indians. Paraguay offers different tourist spots that every foreigner who has not been to the country will love.

READ NEXT: Ecuador: Top 5 Tourist Spots Worth Visiting in the South American Country

5 Famous Paraguay Tourist Spots You Need to Check

Paraguay is known for the combination of culture among its locals, making your adventure in the South American country worthwhile.

To give you an idea of how beautiful Paraguay is, here is a list of the five famous tourist spots in the land called the "Heart of South America."

Ita Letra

If you love history and pieces of evidence from the past, then Ita Letra is the destination for you. This tourist spot features ancient petroglyphs carved into the caves of Amambay Hill near Villarica.

The said carvings were dated between 5000 and 2500 BC. The carvings depict paw prints, fertility symbols, and constellations of the galaxy that appear to move from the flickering of the candlelight. These petroglyphs are considered to be one of the great mysteries of the Paraguayan settlement.

Saltos Del Monday

A destination to a foreign land will not be completed without taking a deep at the local waters. Saltos del Monday is one of the tourist spots you need to check out if you want to have a nice and relaxing bath.

This place features several waterfalls that are magnificent and pleasing to look at. Saltos del Monday is also accessible by public transport buses. Bringing hiking shoes when visiting this place is encouraged to keep you safe from the sharp edges.

Cerro Cora National Park

Who would say no to a trip on a foreign land's terrains? Paraguay's Cerro Cora National Park offers a magnificent view of the country's savannah and highland terrains.

Muralia Peak is a must when visiting this park, as it offers a panoramic view of the region's forest and plains. Indigenous interactions are also waiting for you, as tribes are also present in the area.

La Santisima Trinidad de Parana

This place offers Trinidad's Jesuit ruins. The La Santisima Trinidad del Parana is the least visited UNESCO World Heritage site on the planet. This city was before within the walls, but the advancement of time left it to be a crumbling ruin and a haunting relic of the colonial age.

Asuncion

Paraguay also offers a place known to be the oldest city on the continent. The city of Asuncion is easy to access as the place is well connected to the airport by taxi and bus.

This place holds a historical background, as Asuncion was once the base of Spaniards and their starting point when they ventured out of the country westward. The city is gilded with the great National Pantheon of Heroes, along with one throbbing nightlife in Paseo Carmelitas.

READ MORE: 5 Famous Guatemala Tourist Spots to Visit When in the Central American Country

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Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: 10 Things NOT To Do in Paraguay - From Destination Tips
Meghan Markle is trying to dismiss the defamation lawsuit filed by her half-sister against her over some things she said in her 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview.

According to Newsweek, Meghan's legal team said the Duchess of Sussex cannot be sued over a claim made during the interview because the statements were "subjective."

Samantha Markle, Meghan's half-sister, filed the lawsuit in Florida in March. The lawsuit said the royal had defamed her during her interview with Oprah Winfrey and in statements given to Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, the authors of the biography Finding Freedom.

The alleged defamatory remarks include Meghan describing herself as an "only child" during the Oprah Winfrey interview, and she only met Samantha a "handful of times."

Samantha also contested Meghan's claim that her half-sister on her father's side only changed her last name to Markle after Meghan's relationship with Prince Harry became public knowledge.

READ NEXT: Queen Elizabeth Takes Note of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Daughter Lilibet in Her Christmas Speech

Samantha Markle's Lawsuit Against Meghan Markle

Samantha Markle has accused her half-sister of social climbing and complained about not being invited to the royal wedding, according to The Cut.

She also published a memoir entitled "The Diary of Princess Pushy's Sister," which may have something to do with her current lawsuit.

Meghan Markle claimed in an open letter to Congress about parental leave that she started working at 13 to help her family "make ends meet."

However, Samantha said Meghan did not grow up with the financial strain she has discussed publicly, adding that their father, Thomas Markle, paid for Meghan to attend "elite and expensive private schools," as well as dance and acting classes.

Samantha's lawsuit also repeated Thomas' claims that he paid for Meghan's tuition and expenses as a college student at Northwestern, which the Duchess of Sussex said both in the Oprah interview and on the "Ellen DeGeneres Show" that she worked to pay herself.

She added that Meghan's claims about her family in the press have also prevented her from getting jobs and caused her emotional and mental distress.

However, Samantha's lawsuit did not mention Meghan experiencing harassment and racism, triggered further by the press and social media trolls, and worsened by attacks from her own family.

Meghan Markle's legal team filed Monday a statement supporting the request for a motion to dismiss her half-sister's lawsuit refuting the alleged examples of defamation.

An initial motion for dismissal filed earlier this year was denied last month. The case will likely go in front of a jury if it is not dismissed.

History of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Lawsuits

According to Newsweek, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been involved in 10 lawsuits since 2019. The ninth case was the libel case Meghan is facing against her half-sister.

Harry's lawyers recently noted that they had started the early stages of a 10th lawsuit, which they expect to see at the High Court in London soon. It is a case between Harry and the British government over the removal of his police security.

In February 2020, Harry sued the U.K. Home Office over the decision to remove his security detail. The duke's legal team argued that it was unsafe for him in the U.K. without the Metropolitan Police bodyguards.

Prince Harry's legal team also recently filed a libel case against The Mail on Sunday after the newspaper accused him of "attempting to mislead and confuse the public" regarding the nature of his Home Office litigation.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also filed one lawsuit in the U.S. after paparazzi agency X17 used a drone to capture a photo of their son Archie in the summer of 2020.

Archie was playing with his grandmother Doria Ragland on the grounds of Tyler Perry's Los Angeles mansion, where the Sussex family lived at the time. The photos were published in the German celebrity magazine Bunte.

READ MORE: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Opt Not to Hold Daughter Lilibet's Christening in the U.K. As It's Likely Be in California: Royal Sources

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Meghan Markle Denies Half-Sister's Claim She Lied In Oprah Interview About Growing Up As Only Child - From Access
Gas prices may be going down slightly worldwide, but it's still pretty high. In the United States, it has forced motorists to travel south of the border to fill their tanks with cheaper gasoline in Mexico.

According to the New York Post, the gas prices in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico can reach up to $3.11 per gallon. It is already cheaper than the gas a few miles up north in El Paso, Texas, where gas prices are as high at $4.03.

Situations Have Reversed For Gas Stations in Mexico

Bloomberg reported that a gas station attendant in Mexico was surprised as luxury vehicles from the United States started piling up at the gas station he was working for.

The gas attendant, Ivan Escogido, spoke to Bloomberg about his experience. He said people in Ciudad Juarez used to cross the border to El Paso just to get gas. Now, he noted that the situation had been reversed.

Gas prices are steadily improving in the United States in recent weeks. The prices hit an all-time high in mid-June at $5.016 per gallon. However, the national average has declined. It is at $4.355 per gallon as of Monday.

Unfortunately, this is still not as cheap as the gas in Mexico. During a recent meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador cited the gas price disparity.

Lopez Obrador, who has poured money into the country's fossil fuel industry, told Biden that they had allowed American motorists who live close to the border to fill their tanks with cheaper gas in Mexico.

READ NEXT: Mexico's Maya Train Project Threatens to Endanger Prehistoric Caves With Oldest Human Remains in North America

Where to Find the Cheapest Gas in Mexico?

With gas prices soaring, Infobae has released a list of gas stations in Mexico with low gas prices. Note that gas prices are volatile right now and are subject to change.

The list was compiled for July 27, so it may have gone up or down a bit. Here are the five gas stations with the lowest prices for magna gasoline.

Location: Reynosa, Tamaulipas.

Address: Avenida Puente Pharr, number 400.

Price per liter: 15.93 pesos ($0.78)

Location: Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.

Address: Technological Avenue, number 5312

Price per liter: 16.29 pesos ($0.80).

Location: Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.

Address: Avenida Carlos Anaya, number 5439, corner with Olmecas.

Price per liter: 16.29 pesos ($0.80).

Location : Matamoros, Tamaulipas.

Address : Extension Gonzalez and Avenida Leyes de Reforma, number 2035

Price per liter: 17.95 pesos ($0.88).

Location: Mexicali, Baja California.

Address: Boulevard Adolfo Lopez Mateos, number 2101.

Price per liter: 18.99 pesos ($0.93).

The list above contains the cheapest gas in Mexico overall, as they featured prices lower than 20 pesos ($0.98). Other gas stations in the country, such as Mexico City, offer a bit more expensive gas prices.

Magna gasoline costs 20.19 pesos ($0.99) per liter in one gas station in Toluca, while another in the same area sells premium gasoline at 22.47 pesos ($1.10) per liter.

The cheapest gas station in Mexico City for diesel can be found in Via Morelos Avenue, number 416, in Ecatepec, where they sell 21.65 pesos ($1.06) per liter.

These prices reflect the average prices for gas in Mexico, which are currently at 21.86 pesos ($1.07) per liter for the magna, 23.93 pesos ($1.17) per liter for the premium, and 23.52 pesos ($1.15) per liter for diesel.

READ MORE: Mexico Declares State of Emergency in Areas Hit by Drought Related to La Nina, Threatening Livelihoods

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Californians Find Bargain Gas Prices in Mexico - From Los Angeles Times
The cocaine queen of Honduras, Herlinda Bobadilla, who faces charges for drug trafficking, appeared in U.S. federal court on Wednesday.

According to The Washington Post, Bobadilla stood silently during her initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Ivan Davis in Alexandria federal court in Virginia. Her bond hearing is set for Friday. Bobadilla's attorney, Manuel Leiva, reportedly declined to provide details.

Federal prosecutors claimed that the 61-year-old matriarch of the family-run Montes-Bobadilla drug cartel smuggled large quantities of cocaine into the United States from 2006 to 2015.

The Montes-Bobadilla cartel is based on Honduras' northeastern coast on the Caribbean Sea. American officials said this location has allowed the group to receive air and maritime drug shipments from Colombia and other Southern American countries before smuggling them into the U.S.

In 2012, almost 75 percent of cocaine-smuggling flights from South America first landed in Honduras, according to prosecutors. Court filings noted that the Montes-Bobadilla cartel had used airplanes, boats, and land motor vehicles to ship cocaine, including semi-submersible vessels.

Officials said the cartel trafficked multiple tons of cocaine destined for the U.S., adding that the group profited millions of dollars.

According to prosecutors, the cartel was known to have operated throughout Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. The group has reportedly kept authorities at bay through bribes, threats, and violence.

In 2008, the organized crime group received a planeload of more than 3,300 pounds of cocaine on an island in Honduras. The drug cartel also received 2,200 pounds of cocaine from Venezuela carried by a U.S.-registered airplane in 2013.

READ NEXT: Honduras Arrests Alleged Drug Cartel Boss Herlinda Bobadilla; Son Killed During Capture

Honduras' Cocaine Queen Herlinda Bobadilla's Arrest and Extradition

Herlinda Bobadilla, also known as "La Chinda," was extradited to the U.S. on Tuesday. According to Vice, the cocaine queen's extradition comes a little over two months after her arrest.

Bobadilla was captured with three other people in the mountains of the northeastern province of Colon in Honduras on May 15. One of her sons, Tito Montes, was reportedly killed after he opened fire on police during the operation.

Authorities reportedly received several tips after the U.S. government placed a $5 million bounty on each of the heads of Bobadilla and Tito, along with her third son, Juan Carlos Montes, who is still on the run.

Bobadilla's fourth son, Noe, was extradited to the U.S. in 2019 and is currently serving a 37-year-sentence for his role in the drug cartel.

Bobadilla's extradition was the latest from the government of President Xiomara Castro, who took the oath of office in January. The new president of Honduras has promised to eradicate narco-corruption in the country.

Who is Cocaine Queen Herlinda Bobadilla of Honduras?

According to the indictment and court documents, Herlinda Bobadilla and her two sons, Juan Carlos and Tito, were the leaders of the drug cartel.

The Montes-Bobadilla cartel or "Los Montes" cartel is a family-based criminal group operating in Honduras, engaging in violence and public corruption to further the drug trafficking operations in the country, the State Department noted.

According to Vice, Honduras is a key transit country for cocaine headed for Mexico and the U.S.

READ MORE: Honduras Travel: Safety Advisories and Tourist Attractions You Should See During Your Visit in Honduras

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Honduras Extradito Hacia EE. UU. A Lideresa Del Clan Montes Bobadilla - From El Tiempo
Speculation is mounting that famous actor George Clooney might visit Laois again this summer as he further explores his family roots in Ireland.

The Hollywood actor George Clooney, his wife Amal and two children have spent a number of days in Laois in 2019 getting to know his Irish relatives.

They attended a planned family get together which was organised by his parents Nicholas and Nina. The couple hosted the family reunion at the five star award winning luxury hotel Ballyfin House in Co Laois.

Clooneys Irish roots are in Windgap, Co Kilkenny and around Abbeyleix where he still has relatives. Georges fathers great-great-grandfather Nicholas Clooney emigrated to America shortly after the Famine.

Andy Ring, a distant cousin of Clooney's and the owner of irishheritagetowns.com met the actor at Ballyfin in 2019.

"The first thing he said when he arrived at Ballyfin House was, 'The Irish Clooneys are doing okay', he's an absolute gentleman," said Andy.

According to a report in the Irish Examiner, Clooney wants to return to the nation of his ancestors.

Clooney is the recipient of three Golden Globe Awards, two Academy Awards, and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.
Portlaoises Rail and Sleeper Depot has been hailed as a key anchor employer for Co Laois.

Minister of State Sean Fleming said he was very pleased to attend a major infrastructure showcase organised by Iarnrod Eireann/Irish Rail at the Rail and Sleeper Depot in Portlaoise recently.

He said generations of local people have worked in the sleeper plant and it is a key anchor employer in Co Laois.

It was good to attend this event which demonstrated the companys capabilities in the area of infrastructure maintenance and renewal, including the utilisation of new and emerging technologies to deliver a cost effective, safe and reliable infrastructure. The event also gave an insight into the application of the signalling system in the control of train operations, said Minister Fleming.

He noted Portlaoise is a central location for rail infrastructure in Ireland and there are many local businesses that supply products and services to Irish Rail.

All the materials together with some of the heavy equipment that they use for installing new railway tracks and sleepers and for levelling the ground under the track and compacting it, all with high tech mechanical equipment, was on display, he explained.

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Some of this equipment is supplied by European manufacturers in countries where they have a much greater rail network. I was pleased to hear that some of the local staff were being trained to operate such equipment so that we will not be as reliant on people coming in on a temporary basis to operate here in the future, said Minister Fleming.

There was a very large attendance on the day including Irish Rail employees from all over Ireland to see whats being carried out in upgrading the rail network throughout the Country together with key suppliers and the Board of Directors of Iarnrod Eireann, he added.

Overall everybody in Ireland can clearly benefit from much improved and greater rail facilities and a reduced level of motor vehicles on our road network which is better for our environment.Everybody is a winner including the public, the employees, the environment and Iarnrod Eireann/Irish Rail, Minister Fleming concluded.
Three men who died as a result of an anti-treaty IRA Laois ambush 100 years ago were remembered in a special event on Thursday, July 28.

Over 200 people gathered in Raheen near the spot where a landmine was detonated on the main Portlaoise to Abbeyleix Road in July 1922.

A new memorial and inscription was unveiled at 6pm by reknowned RTE presenter John Bowman, followed by a history discussion chaired by him at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel.

The explosion came near the start of a conflict between former comrades who, just a few months earlier, had fought side-by-side against the British army and its paramilitary allies. Michael Collins even questioned the prisoners in Portlaoise Gaol the following day to ascertain what happened.

A 22-year-old private, Vol Thomas Grace from Mountrath who enlisted just 17 days earlier, was killed on the day.

Later that evening the Free State forces mounted an operation to capture the IRA column. During that engagement Comdt. Austin MacCurtin from Nenagh and Comdt. Jack Collison from Moneygall were killed. The IRA column surrendered.

Commdt Collison was a great grand uncle of the new owner of Abbey Leix House, John Collison.

What became known as the Tonduff Ambush was part of a wider series of tragic events that have reverberated through Irish history for more than a century.

The commemoration is to be attended by families of the dead. A booklet will be issued on the night about the event, co-written by Laois historian Mike Rafter and John Flannery. The event is organised by the Tonduff Commemoration Committee.

More information is available on a new website called www.tonduffambush.ie
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a man in an incident in Co Louth.

Marius Juodenas, 44, died in hospital on Tuesday after sustaining injuries earlier this month.

The Garda said he was found with serious injuries at a house on Barrack Street in Dundalk shortly before 7pm on July 5 after gardai attended the scene.

He was brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda before being transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where he was placed on life support .

He later died of his injuries.

A post-mortem was conducted at Dublin City mortuary on Wednesday. The results are not being released for operational reasons.

An incident room has been put in place at Dundalk Garda station. A family liaison officer has been appointed to keep the family informed of the investigation.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone who was in the vicinity of Barrack Street between 6.30pm and 7pm on Tuesday July 5, to come forward.
Talks are expected to resume on Thursday between the three Coalition leaders on emission reduction targets for the agriculture sector.

It is understood agreement may be reached in the coming days.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan held lengthy discussions late into Wednesday night on how to assign emission reduction targets across key sectors of the economy, in particular the agriculture sector.

It comes after the Government failed on Wednesday to come to an agreement on the matter during the last scheduled Cabinet meeting before the summer recess.

The Governments Climate Action Plan 2021 set out a 22-30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions target for the agriculture sector, as part of Irelands aim to reduce its total emissions by 51% by 2030.

Some backbench TDs have said the emissions ceiling should be set on the lower end of that range, with climate scientists and some opposition parties calling for a reduction on the higher end.

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Mr Ryan said he was still hopeful a deal could be reached.

The Environment Minister told RTE News: We need momentum. We need to create opportunity for Irish farmers and make sure they get a good income out of whatever changes we make.

Im still hopeful and were working hard to get there.

Speaking to reporters after he left the meeting, he would not comment on Green Senator Pauline OReillys claim on RTE Radio that the Green Party could walk from government if a 22% or 23% reduction in emissions was set for the agriculture sector.

I dont think that the Green Party can put up with that kind of a low figure, she said.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue was seen giving a thumbs up and smiling to the media as he left Dublin Castle.

Following Cabinet, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee told RTE Radio that this is not a straightforward process.

Negotiations are ongoing and no we havent reached an agreement yet. Whether we will reach it today or this week, I dont know.

She said that the delay was caused by the government trying to get the right agreement here and that it was not just about agriculture.

[Its] that we understand what it is were agreeing to, that whatever we agree to is realistic, that its ambitious, because everybody needs to be ambitious here.

But that there is full agreement, not just on all parts of the three government parties, but that we have the support and the buy-in of everybody who is involved in reaching the overall targets, Ms McEntee said.

Speaking before the Cabinet meeting, the Taoiseach said it was not easy to reach an agreement but the Government was determined to get this resolved.

He said: What the difficulties reflect in reaching an agreement, they reflect the significance of the challenges. I think its important that we get a resolution, but that we do it in a way that facilitates delivery down the road and real momentum in relation to climate change.

Mr Martin added that part of the challenge with agriculture is in acknowledging the greater part it will play in the energy sector in the future and to recognise the importance of food production.

Ireland has legally committed to halving its carbon emissions by 2030 and to achieving net-zero by 2050.
The Irish Government has agreed bold and ambitious targets to limit emissions in key sectors of the economy, the Green Party leader has said.

Eamon Ryan said it was a hugely significant and important day.

An agreement was reached on Thursday on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in key sectors of the Irish economy after reaching a compromise rate of 25% for agriculture.

A reduction rate of 75% was set for the electricity sector and a 50% reduction for the transport sector.

Speaking at Government Buildings on Thursday evening, Mr Ryan said: We have to be ambitious. We have to be bold. We have to take the action now. We cannot delay and thats what this Government has committed to.

The Climate Minister said it was a huge challenge but he believed it will be possible to achieve an overall reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030.

The scale of the challenge is so great that we do have to go to the max do the absolute everything because its such a critical time  theres so little time left, Mr Ryan said.

In this we will start and make a really good strong start and as we learn by doing we could speed up. But we have to start working together. We wont do it if its divisive,.

For those who say its too much, maybe on the agricultural side. Id say one thing more than anything else. We need the environmental movement and the agricultural movements to come together.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said the agriculture target of 25% reflected a very challenging, but ultimately achievable, ambition for the sector.

He said: This is an important day, but its not the end of the journey. It is not even the beginning of one.

Farmers and this sector have been on a pathway to reduce emissions for many years, but we are now stepping up those ambitions.

I will back farm families and this Government will too, over the course of the next decade, to reach for ambitious targets. We will support them every step of the way.

It comes after the Government failed on Wednesday to come to an agreement during the last scheduled Cabinet meeting before the summer recess.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister for Transport and the Environment Mr Ryan held discussions late into the night on how to assign emission reduction targets across key sectors of the economy, in particular the agriculture sector.

An agreement on reduction targets for all sectors was signed off by Cabinet ministers on Thursday afternoon.

The Governments Climate Action Plan 2021 set out a 22-30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions target for the agriculture sector, as part of Irelands aim to reduce its total emissions by 51% by 2030.

A reduction in the range of 62-81% was outlined for electricity, with a 42-50% reduction in transport.

Some backbench TDs wanted the agricultural emissions ceiling to be set on the lower end of that range, with climate scientists and some opposition parties calling for a reduction on the higher end.

Ireland has legally committed to halving its carbon emissions by 2030 and to achieving net-zero by 2050.
A new town for more than 20,000 people is set to be built off the N7 on the border of Kildare and Dublin.

The government signed off on a 186 million funding package on Wednesday to help build 8,700 new homes in the new Clonburris town located between Lucan, Clondalkin and Liffey Valley.

The funds will be used to provide the housing for some 23,000 people, along with transport, water, community and public park infrastructure.

The development of the area, led by South Dublin County Council, is set to see the construction of two train stations, 15.5 kilometres of cycle and walkways, more than three kilometres of canal frontage, and links to roads including the M50, N7 and N4.

Eight schools will also be built, along with 31,115 square metres of employment offices.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien, said the development will be the first project of its kind in a generation.

He added: This funding will make it possible for a whole new town to be built in west Dublin, the first project of its kind in a generation, one which was strongly supported by the Taoiseach and the wider Government.



Clonburris will be a well-designed town with over 8,700 homes, good transport links and vital amenities and services. Up to 2,600 of these homes will be social and affordable homes delivered by my Department and South Dublin County Council.

Todays announcement illustrates the ever-growing reach of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund in revitalising our cities and towns, improving their offering as places in which to live, work, visit or invest.
RTE together with ZDF Studies has announced that a new thriller drama Clean Sweep starring Charlene McKenna is set to premiere on RTE and Sundance Now in the US with ZDF Studios having secured international distribution rights to the thriller drama (6 x 52).



The series is being co-produced in Ireland, by one of Irelands biggest and most successful indie producers ShinAwiL (Dancing with the Stars Ireland, Miss Scarlet and the Duke) and Canadas Incendo (Be Mine Valentine, Terror Train), internationally renowned for producing and distributing high quality content.



RTE continues to be the home of quality Irish drama with filming now underway. The award-winning Irish actress Charlene McKenna (Bloodlands, Peaky Blinders, Vienna Blood) stars in the lead role as Shelly Mohan, a housewife, mother of three, married to a Garda detective, who kills her former partner in crime when he threatens to expose her dark past. With her unsuspecting husband hunting for the killer, Shelly must cope with pressures of the tightening noose as well as continue caring for an ailing son, her unfaithful husband and all usual burdens of motherhood. Inspired by true events, it is a compelling and relentless story of mothering and the price paid for long-buried sins. Clean Sweep is created by Gary Tieche who has written on Preacher for AMC, I Know What You Did Last Summer for Amazon as well as worked on Medium for CBS.

Dermot Horan, Director of Acquisitions and Co-Productions for RTE says: Clean Sweep is a compelling thriller with a rich backdrop of strong Irish characters and the unique Irish landscape. RTE believes it will attract a very large audience on RTE One and on the RTE Player, but that the story will be equally attractive to an international audience. As such we are delighted to be working with such a great range of partners - Incendo, Sundance Now, ZDF Studios and of course Shinawil, one of Ireland's most renowned production companies.



Larry Bass, CEO ShinAwiL and Executive Producer, says: When we first read Garys script we knew this was a story for a global audience, a classic why done it? that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. ShinAwiL are delighted to partner with Incendo and ZDF Studios in delivering this exciting modern thriller. From the time RTE first boarded Clean Sweep, we have been looking to find the best distributor to take this story to the world, we look forward to working with ZDF Studios on making this a global success. "



Yi Qiao, Director Drama, ZDF Studios, says: Clean Sweep is a binge-worthy addition to our growing slate of English language productions. Irish content has significantly gained in importance in the international market so we are proud to partner in this production, a thriller full of twists and turns that will captivate audiences worldwide.

Clean Sweep radiates elevated, smart writing, brought to life by an incredible cast led by Charlene McKenna. This gripping drama is sure to have audiences on the edge of their seats. Were thankful to Element 8 for bringing us into the fold, and elated to debut the series on Sundance Now, said Shannon Cooper, Vice President, Programming, Sundance Now.



Clean Sweep is written by Gary Tieche alongside Francesca Harris in Ireland. Executive Producers include Patty Lenahan Ishimoto, Larry Bass, Aaron Farrell, Mary Callery, Jin Ishimoto, Harvey Myman, Gary Tieche (ShinAwiL); David Crean and Dermot Horan for RTE; Shannon Cooper (Sundance Now); Graham Ludlow, Jean-Philippe Normandeau and Shari Segal (Incendo). Ronan Burke (Harry Wild) will direct.
Newly announced grants worth over 170,000 will be shared among fifteen regional museums across Ireland.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, confirmed news of the Regional Museum Exhibitions Scheme funding today (Thursday July 28).

It's hoped the funding will enhance the cultural offering of museums, encourage greater access to museums and promote the use of museums as tourism resources in their locality or region.

Money will go towards fifteen projects, including 2,000 for picture framing at the Irish Jewish Museum, 6,000 for tracing the pattern of Limerick lace at Limerick Museum, and 15,000 for an exhibition on Tipperary's Civil War at Tipperary Museum of Hidden History.

Fifteen thousand euro in funding will go towards showcases and fitouts for a new visitor attraction at Waterford Treasures Museum, with 15,000 for a revamp of the Boeing 314 flying boat replica at Foynes Flying Boat Museum in Limerick and 15,000 for new exhibition cases at Monaghan County Museum's Peace Campus.

Speaking today, Minister Martin said, "Our local and regional museums are an extremely important resource for accessing culture and heritage in towns and villages across the country and I am delighted to be able to offer them support through the Regional Museum Exhibitions Scheme.

"Funding provided under this scheme allows local and regional bodies to continue to enhance their exhibitions which improves the cultural offering for their communities and visitors.

"Cultural spaces are really important and can bring communities together, make people feel more engaged and part of something bigger than themselves."

The full list of museums benefitting from the funding can be viewed here.
A new GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report Q2 2022 has highlighted that 38 residential buildings were under construction in Leitrim in June 2022 but that residential vacancy rate in Leitrim stood at 12.8%, higher than the average national vacancy rate of 4.2%

92 new residential address points were added to the GeoDirectory database in the twelve months to June 2022 with the average residential property price in Leitrim was 158,663 in May 2022



The residential vacancy rate of 12.8% in June 2022 is higher than the national residential vacancy rate of 4.2% according to figures released in the latest report.

The twice-annual residential buildings report, prepared by EY, found that a total of 86,708 residential buildings were classified as vacant across Ireland by GeoDirectory, a 5.9% drop when compared to the previous year.

Out of the 26 counties surveyed, the residential vacancy rate decreased in all but one, Wicklow. The highest vacancy rates in the country were found in the west and north-west of the country. At 12.8%, Leitrim was the county with the highest vacancy rate, although it did post a year-on-year vacancy decline of 2.0pp. Mayo (11.4%), Roscommon (11.0%) and Donegal (9.7%) were the other counties to post notably high vacancy rates.

Dublin was the county with the lowest vacancy rate in the country at 1.5%, closely followed by Kildare at 1.6%. Meath (2.5%), Waterford (2.6%) and Louth (2.6%) all recorded residential vacancy rates under the 3.0% mark.

In addition to vacancies, 21,897 residential address points were classified as derelict. This total was 3.8% lower than the corresponding figure in Q2 2021.

Buildings under Construction

In Leitrim, 38 residential buildings were under construction in June 2022. Nationally, residential construction activity accelerated in the first half of the year, with 22,390 residential buildings under construction in June 2022 that the number of buildings under of construction was 18.4% higher than the corresponding period in 2021.

Of the total number, 17.4% were located in Dublin, 14.2% in Kildare and 12.0% in Cork. Notably, the year-on-year increase of buildings under construction in Kildare was 74.4%.

Sharp Increase in Number of New Residential Address Points Recorded

In Leitrim, 92 new residential address points were added to the GeoDirectory database in the twelve months to June 2022.

Nationally, a total of 34,198 new residential addresses were added to the GeoDirectory database in the twelve months to June 2022. This represents an increase of 34.1% on the total recorded between June 2020 and June 2021.

Dublin had the largest share of new address points, with 12,288 addresses added (35.9% of the total), followed by Cork (9.5%), Kildare (9.1%), Meath (6.7%) and Wicklow (5.2%).

57% of all new address points were added in the Greater Dublin Area of Dublin, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare. At the other end of the spectrum, Leitrim (0.3%), Longford (0.4%), and Roscommon (0.6%) had the smallest share of new address points.

Number of Residential Property Transactions increases

The number of residential property transactions increased by 13.5% in the twelve months to May 2022, representing an additional 5,500 transactions on the corresponding figure for the previous twelve months.

In Leitrim, there were 404 residential property transactions, 4% of which were new dwellings. The average property price in the county was 158,663.

The average property price nationally in the twelve months to May 2022 was 338,394. The highest average property price was recorded in Dublin (514,796), while the lowest was in Longford (154,306). When Dublin is excluded, the average property price nationally fell to 267,351.

Commenting on the findings of the GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report, Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory said, The level of residential construction has increased significantly over the past twelve months as Covid-19 public health measures on the construction sector were gradually eased then removed. This activity indicates a strong pipeline of residential properties that we would expect to enter the market in the months ahead. The GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report found that the number of vacant properties has also fallen in the last year, although when combined with derelict properties, there are still over 100,000 potential properties which could re-enter the market.
Staff members bring out a lectern ahead of a statement by Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson in front of 10 Downing Street in central London on July 7, 2022. JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP

The race to replace Boris Johnson in Downing Street is shaping up to be a crowded one, paved with unrealistic promises and leaning hard toward the right. On Monday, July 11, five days after the charismatic but blundering and cynical leader was pushed out by his own camp, 11 candidates were already rushing to take his place at the head of the British government. The lucky man or woman will be revealed on September 5, following an internal primary open exclusively to Conservative MPs.

Among the contenders are familiar names, ministers preparing their candidacy for weeks such as Rishi Sunak, the former chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sajid Javid, the former health minister, whose resignations on July 5 precipitated Mr. Johnson's fall. Another is Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, and Jeremy Hunt, a former health minister who had already tried his luck in the internal bid to replace Theresa May in mid-2019. Others are lining up without much chance of winning (Suella Braverman, Rehman Chishti), most probably to push a specific agenda or secure a place in the future government. On Monday night, Home Minister Priti Patel was also mulling over whether to enter the fray.

Read more Subscribers only Boris Johnson, from a victorious election to a humiliating fall

Concerned that this profusion of contenders would slow down the selection process for the next prime minister, the members of the 1922 Committee, an internal Conservative club determining party rules, have set a tight timetable and stringent conditions for candidates wishing to stay in the race.

Only those who have secured the support of at least 20 Tory MPs by Tuesday evening will be allowed to run. After three or four elimination votes among the 360 Tory MPs  the first round will take place on July 13  only two names will be left by July 20, when Parliament adjourns for the summer. The winner between these last two candidates will then be decided by the 180,000 or so members of the Conservative Party and the identity of the future Prime Minister will be known on September 5.

Thatcherite one-upmanship

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Rarely has an internal primary of the Tories presented such diversity: At least four women are trying their luck, and six of the 11 candidates on Monday are children of immigrants. The parents of Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman are of Indian origin, and those of Mr. Javid and Rehman Chishti are of Pakistani origin. Nadhim Zahawi came to the UK as a child after fleeing Iraq with his family of Kurdish origin and Kemi Badenoch is from Nigeria.

Yet this is where the diversity stops: For now, the candidates' proposals revolve almost exclusively around tax cuts. A real Thatcherite type of one-upmanship is unfolding at a time when British public services are suffering from chronic under-investment, after 12 years of Conservative rule, and the health system is on the verge of collapse as a result of the pandemic.

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French President Emmanuel Macron and his Beninese counterpart Patrice Talon visit an exhibition in Cotonou on July 27, 2022. JEAN-CLAUDE COUTAUSSE POUR LE MONDE

Benin's president Patrice Talon boasted of his "uncomplicated relationship" with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, July 27, after their bilateral meeting in Cotonou. At a time when Paris is withdrawing its troops from Mali, the two leaders had just spoken face-to-face about the future of France's security support for Benin in order to contain the increasingly active jihadist groups in the north of the country, bordering Burkina Faso.

But while speaking to journalists from his presidential palace, Mr. Talon questioned the delays in French deliveries, particularly on the drones he planned to acquire. "Unfortunately, we failed to convince the French military authorities on certain aspects of military cooperation till now, particularly the delivery of the equipment, but I welcome France's support in terms of intelligence and training," explained the former businessman in a very direct manner.

Read more Emmanuel Macron's tricky visit to Africa

Mr. Macron blamed these delays on the absence of an equivalent to the French General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) in Benin, a procurement agency for military equipment. In order to fill in this gap as quickly as possible, it was agreed to send experts from the French DGA to Cotonou. And Mr. Macron said that deliveries of pick-up trucks, demining equipment and night vision goggles were "imminent," as if to reassure his eager host.

Triple support to make up for military retreat

Such is the nature of France's security offer during the period of withdrawal of French forces engaged in Mali. The retreat decided in February should be complete by the end of summer. No more than 2,500 French troops are expected to remain in the region, half of the peak number during Operation Barkhane. Paris is redeploying some of its soldiers in Niger and Chad, but does not intend to strengthen its military presence elsewhere in the Gulf of Guinea (which includes Benin), where countries are increasingly worried about the southward push of the local branches of al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

During the visit of the exhibition "Art of Benin of yesterday and today: from restitution to revelation" with the Beninese president, Patrice Talon. In Cotonou, July 27, 2022. JEAN-CLAUDE COUTAUSSE POUR LE MONDE

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Paris is therefore promising to triple support to Benin in the areas of intelligence, training and military equipment. "It will be on a case-by-case basis," said the Elysee. "Togo has a well-equipped army, and Benin needs to have one, but it does not really have a tradition of purchasing arms."

At this stage, Mr. Talon is not asking for a backup of troops. "If the need was felt, and if a request was made by the president of Benin, then we would respond quickly," said Mr. Macron. The two countries are working to finalize the conditions of possible support from the French air force in the north of the country, particularly in event of a need for strikes. Mr. Macron has also been invited to participate in a meeting of the Accra initiative in October, which brings together the countries of the Gulf of Guinea and Burkina Faso. The idea is to work together to deal with threats.

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A JUDGE has jailed a 21-year-old Limerick man following a viral assault on a female garda sergeant in County Clare.

At Kilrush Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford imposed a six prison month sentence on Stephen Cotter of Oakfield, Fr Russell Road, Dooradoyle.

The apprentice mechanic had pleaded guilty to the assault causing harm of Sgt Edel Burke on August 1, the Saturday night of the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2020. The incident happened in Kilkee.

As part of her victim impact statement, the married mother of three stated she has been unable to return to work due to continuing pain and trouble sleeping following the assault.

Sgt Burke, who is attached to the community policing unit in Kilrush, said: My unit has lost their sergeant and I have lost my unit. I am unsure of my return to work date or what responsibilities I will have but I am not able for full confrontational duty at present.

Sgt Burke stated that the two minute interaction with Mr Cotter should not have left me in constant pain since August 2020.

Imposing sentence, Judge Comerford said: Even though Stephen Cotter didnt intend to do this level of damage to Sgt Burke he did do this level of damage to Sgt Burke.

In an interview with gardai after the assault, Mr Cotter - who was drunk on the night - said: I didnt mean to harm her - it wasnt on purpose.

Judge Comerford said that he accepted that it wasnt a premeditated attack and that Mr Cotter made no deliberate attempt to cause this level of harm to the garda sergeant.

However, Judge Comerford stated the actual offending does have to be marked by an immediate prison term.

Counsel for the State, Lorcan Connolly BL said that the incident was filmed on a mobile phone and widely circulated on social media but that Mr Cotter was not responsible for this.

Sgt Katie Carthy told the court that Sgt Burke came across video footage of the the incident from clips that were posted on TikTok and Snapchat.

In her victim impact statement, Sgt Burke said: A video of this assault was circulated widely on social media and a photo of me falling was used in national newspapers condemning the assault - this was hard to view.

In her witness statement Sgt Burke said large crowds had gathered at the Strandline in Kilkee on the night and it was challenging to police as there was alcohol consumed and a number of public order incidents had already taken place.

Sgt Carthy said that when Sgt Burke approached Mr Cotter to carry out a drugs search on Mr Cotter, he spat at her while wearing a facemask. No salvia was spat on Sgt Burke and he spat inside the mask.

Sgt Carthy said that according to Sgt Burke, Mr Cotter then said it is the f**king pigs who have the virus. Not me. I will get it off the f**king pigs.

The defendant resisted arrest, shoving Sgt Burke back who fell back with her left hand and elbow hitting the ground.

The court heard that to date she has spent 6,000 on various medical and physio bills to deal with the injury sustained from the assault.

Sgt Burke said that a MRI scan detected a partial tear of a tendon in her shoulder. My swallow has been affected by this assault. The muscles in my throat have been damaged and I have to do a double swallow. It has affected my speech also but a consultant in Galway has told me that hopefully time will work this out," she stated.

While surgery has been successful, she added that she has been left with a two inch scar and severe stiffness and is receiving ongoing physical therapy.

Sgt Burke stated that a doctor has advised her that surgery would be too risky to address another nerve compression injury and she receives five grams of two injections into her elbow every six to eight weeks to deal with the pain.

A further MRI in December 2021 found fluid on the nerve and this is causing pain that I am still suffering with.

Prior to the assault, Sgt Burke said her sick record was excellent.

Pat Whyms BL, for Mr Cotter, stated his client had no drugs on him on the night and his purpose was to get away and not a deliberate attack to knock the garda on the ground.

He added that his judgment was seriously impaired. What should have been a minor matter was escalated by Mr Cotter to a significant issue."

Mr Whyms added that it was never Mr Cotters purpose to cause injury to the garda and or assault the garda This victim has been very unlucky from just being pushed over and sustaining the injuries we have heard about.

While 2,000 was offered in compensation, Judge Comerford did not make any formal order in relation to the money.

A 30-month prison sentence was imposed with the final 24 months suspended.

The court was told that Mr Cotter has a previous assault conviction and two for drug possession.
COUNCILLORS in Limerick have called for CCTV cameras to be installed at a number of locations across the city.

Cllr Elena Secas has proposed that councillors from the Metropolitan District of Limerick City and County Council engage with the Data Protection Commissioner and An Garda Siochana regarding the installation of cameras at specific locations.

Cllr Secas called for the feasibility of installing cameras at Castletroy Playground, Boro Park in Janesboro and Plassey Credit Union bottle bank in Castletroy to be examined.

Calls for the devices to be installed come after an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour in the areas.

The newly refurbished Castletroy Playground only reopened in May and it has already been the target of extensive graffiti damage.

Cllr Secas accepted that it could be an issue to install surveillance cameras in the playground because children would be involved.

Cllr Sarah Kiely seconded Cllr Secas' motion and asked that the bottle bank in Roxboro be added to the list of possible locations for cameras to be installed.

Cllr Kiely said people had started travelling from the county to dump rubbish at the site as they knew there were no cameras in operation there.

Alan Dooley, Head of Digital Strategy for the local authority said that the process of applying for cameras to be installed is lengthy.

He said that there is a high bar to have cameras in operation and it is an intense process.

A number of steps must be followed including the preparation of crime stats from the area before it can go before the advisory committee.

Mr Dooley said in the meantime they can look at alternative measures for the areas mentioned and several requests for CCTV had already been sent to the Joint Policing Committee and had been refused.

The council confirmed in May that 60 CCTV cameras across the city and county had been decommissioned following a review.

The review was undertaken after the Data Protection Commission fined the local authority 110,000 for multiple breaches of GDPR and data protection regulations relating to its use of CCTV cameras.
TWO Limerick women have appeared in court charged with money laundering offences.

Ciara Lynch, aged 31, with an address at OMalley Park, Southill, Limerick and Kathleen OReilly, aged 41, of Castletroy Halting Site, Limerick each faced one charge on money laundering in relation to a sum of 50,000 which was seized at Conkeen, Portlaoise on April 6, 2020.

The DPP has directed trial on indictment and solicitor Aonghus McCarthy, representing Ms Lynch and Ms OReilly, said his client's were not consenting to an application, by the State, for more time to facilitate the service of the Book of Evidence.

Making the application, Sgt Micheal Tarpey had said the book wasnt ready.

In light of further information in relation to the case, he said the DPP was also considering whether the Special Criminal Court might be a more suitable venue than the Circuit Court.

Sgt Tarpey said the note from the DPPs office in relation to further evidence was dated July 7.

In a submission to the court, Mr McCarthy said said there is a statutory timeline "in which that book must be served and he insisted his clients were not agreeing to an extension.

Judge Andrew Cody said the case has only been before the court since May. He accepted the DPP received additional information in the recent past and he said and he was prepared to extend time.

Two other defendants - Francis Maguire, aged 37, of Cement Road, Drogheda and Simon McGinley, aged 23, of St Anthonys Park, Cement Road, Drogheda are also charged with money laundering offences relating to the same date.

Those charges relate to a sum of 50,000 at Midway Food Court car park, Meelick, Portlaoise.

Two other defendants - Francis Maguire, aged 37, of Cement Road, Drogheda and Simon McGinley, aged 23, of St Anthonys Park, Cement Road, Drogheda are also charged with money laundering offences relating to an offence which is alleged to have occurred on the same date at Midway Food Court car park, Meelick, Portlaoise.
THE PLANNING regulator has urged elements of Limerick's new development plan to be changed, in a move which is likely to delay its start.

Last month, councillors signed off on the strategy covering from 2022 to 2028, and it was expected to come into effect this weekend.

However, the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) has written to Local Government and Planning Minister Peter Burke expressing concern over the change of use of several patches of land and the impact it might have on flooding - and calling on him to reject these elements.

The focus now switches to the minister, as it is ultimately his decision as to whether to act on the recommendations of the regulator - but it's very rare for the views of the OPR to be disregarded.

Councillors had rejected several recommendations from chief executive Dr Pat Daly and moved to rezone patches of land.

This is important, as the way the land is zoned will impact what type of developments - if any - can go ahead on them.

For example, if land is zoned open space, planners are bound to reject any kind of developments on them. If land is zoned residential, it's unlikely anything other than housing can be built on site.

This development plan is the first strategy for all of Limerick since the 2014 merger.

Councillors sought to rezone an area of 33 hectares of land in Ballysimon for a data centre.

But the planning regulator has called upon this to be deleted, on the basis the land is "isolated and peripheral", adding it is "not consistent" with strategies which are focused on compact growth.

"There is no evidence to demonstrate that an assessment of the zoning of the lands has been carried out to determine whether such development could generate significant additional traffic with the potential to impact on the N24," the regulator adds in its letter to Mr Burke.

In the 45-page communication, he was also asked to adopt the plan without a number of other changes-of-use of lands, saying the councillors, in rejecting Dr Daly's recommendations to not alter areas, have in some cases seen members "misapply or fundamentally misunderstand" flood guidelines.

In essence, flood guidelines limit development on areas close to waterways in an era of climate change which sees rivers butst their banks more often.

Crucially, a recommendation from the OPR could impact on the development of housing at the former Greenpark Racecourse.

Here, councillors initially voted to rezone the land from enterprise and employment to new residential.

It comes off the back of planning permission being granted for 371 new homes, but with the owners of the land Voyage Properties envisaging a new village with up to 900 living spaces on the vast site.

In rejecting Dr Daly's recommendation, members stated: "Limerick as a city and Ireland as a country is currently facing an unprecedented housing crisis. Delivery of well-located, suitable and affordable homes for the people of Limerick must be the number one priority for the elected members of this council."

They pointed to the fact that An Bord Pleanala had green-lit the first phase of these plans.

While the planning regulator acknowledged the land where the housing was permitted is in a low flood risk zone, there are "significant concerns" that the overall area "is essentially not suitable for the development type envisaged."

Consequent to this, the regulator urged Mr Burke to reject the rezoning, and keep the land earmarked for enterprise, employment, open space and recreation - apart from the area where An Bord Pleanala has approved the housing.

It's also urged the minister to reverse the zoning changes at four other patches of land in Limerick's environs.

Land in Ballykeeffe should remain designed for agriculture, as opposed to enterprise and employment.

An area in the Pa Healy Road should remain designed for community and education, as opposed to mixed use.

And a site near the Crescent Shopping Centre should remain zoned as open space, rather than it being developed for enterprise and employment, the regulator said.
People are being urged to take care on or near bodies of water over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

The Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland issued a joint safety statement today (Thursday July 28) ahead of the long weekend, as mixed weather including warm sunny spells is expected by Met Eireann.

The organisations are asking water users to be particularly mindful by taking preparatory actions such as checking weather forecasts and tide times, and knowing how to spot and safely handle a rip current.

Advice includes telling someone your location, wearing a lifejacket, never swimming alone and carrying a reliable means of raising alarm should you get into difficulty (such as a VHF radio or PLB as well as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch ).

Water users should only swim in areas that are supervised by lifeguards or in familiar areas.

Kevin Rahill, RNLI Water Safety Lead said, "This weekend will see spring tides so we would encourage anyone planning a walk or activity near the coast to check tide times before venturing out to avoid becoming cut off.

"The RNLI is also urging everyone to remember to Float to Live if they do get into trouble in the water this weekend. To do this: lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coast Guard."

Irish Coast Guard Operations Manager Micheal OToole also commented, stating, "We wish to thank the public for their cooperation and support and for the responsible approach displayed when participating in any water based or coastal activity. We would also advise people to avoid bringing inflatable toys to the beach, rivers or lake side as users can easily get swept away from the shore."

Water Safety Irelands Acting CEO, Roger Sweeney said, "We would advise anyone planning on entering the sea to watch out for rip currents which can be difficult to spot. Rips are sometimes identified by a channel of churning, choppy water on the seas surface. The best way to avoid them is to swim at lifeguarded beach between the red and yellow flags.

"Should you find yourself caught in one, dont try to swim against it or you will get exhausted. If you can stand, wade, dont swim. If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for the shore."

Should anyone get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard
Gross domestic product slipped again last quarter. You dont have to think that the U.S. is in a recession to think it isnt good.
Despite continuous disputes between India and China on several issues, India is unable to curb its imports from Beijing. The reason why India's trade deficit with China is increasing every year.

In the ongoing Lok Sabha session, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel informed that India's total imports from China increased by nearly 29 percent in the past five years. She further informed that the annual imports from China rose from USD 89714.23 million to USD 115,419.96 million between 2017-18 and 2021-22.

The minister was responding to a question on the details of commodity-wise trade with China during the last five years. Along with the increased import, Commerce Ministry's data show that there has been a constant decline in India's export to China.

India's y-o-y export fell by 25% in May this year. As per the data, India exported commodities worth $1.6 billion to China. This marks a straight 25% decline from its exports worth 2.1 billion dollars in May 2021

The impact of COVID might have reduced our daily lives in terms of health, but the pandemic continues to deeply impact the economy at the macro level. The resurgence of COVID in China has resulted in a strict lockdown in the country. This means a reduction in the industry operation in the country causing a decline in demand for products like iron ore, cotton, and meat. Notably, these were the things that were exported from India to China.

Whereas, as India's manufacturing sector is growing, the requirement for raw materials is fulfilled by the exports from China.

A large portion of the total imports are animal or vegetable fats; ores, slag, and ash; mineral fuels, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, fertilizers, tanning or dyeing extracts, miscellaneous chemical products, plastic articles, paper, and paperboard, etc, government data showed.

On whether the Government is taking measures to reduce dependence on imports from China, especially since the mid-2020 Galwan clash, the minister replied the Government has launched Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes in 14 sectors which will make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investment in the areas of core competency/cutting-edge technology. Under the scheme, companies will get incentives for ramping up production from their domestic units. Along with this, the scheme also promotes the set up of new manufacturing units by the companies in the country. The scheme will ultimately help in enhancing Indian export to the countries.

PLI has been implemented in certain key sectors that receive high imports from other countries. These sectors include Key Starting Materials/drug Intermediates Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and large-scale electronics manufacturing.

India's import heavy medical and pharmaceutical industry is also included in the PLI scheme. The scheme has been implemented in the manufacturing of medical devices, electronic products, pharmaceutical drugs, food products, large electronic items like AC LED, etc.

The solar and automotive industry is also included in the scheme as high-efficiency solar PV Module, automobiles and auto components, and advanced chemistry cell batteries, also receive huge imports from other countries.

"Technical Regulations (TRs) have been framed for several products for the maintenance of standards/quality of imported products. This will check the import of substandard products," the minister said.

Several trade remedial actions have been taken against imports from China to protect the domestic industry from serious injury against unfair trade, the minister further said in her reply.

There had been several calls to shun Chinese products after a border clash with China in 2020 in which 20 Indian soldiers and several PLA soldiers were killed. Following the event, India imposed a ban on 59 apps including Tik Tok, UC Browser, and other apps. Almost all the apps banned have some preferential Chinese interest and the majority have parent Chinese companies.

Notably, the government procurement portal GeM has made it mandatory for sellers to mention "country of origin" on products they wish to sell through the platform, a move aimed at promoting Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. Also, all e-commerce companies operating in India have to mention the country of origin of products being offered for sale.
Googles massive advertising business had some heavy lifting to do with its second-quarter results. It managedbarely.
There are around 1,350 "potentially active volcanoes worldwide," according to the U.S. Department of the Interior (opens in new tab), and just over one-third of them are known to have erupted at some point during recorded history.

But where are most volcanoes located? If you wanted to see an active volcano, where would you have the greatest chance of finding one?

"Most of the planet's volcanoes are located underwater, along the 65,000-km-long [40,000 miles] mid-ocean ridge system," Ed Llewellin, a professor of volcanology at Durham University in the United Kingdom, told Live Science in an email.

"About 80% of the Earth 's magma output comes from volcanoes along these ridges, which are typically 3 to 4 km [1.8 to 2.5 miles] below the ocean surface," he added. "Some of the ridge system  around 9,000 km [5,600 miles]  runs through the eastern Pacific, but it also runs through all of the major oceans, including 16,000 km [9,900 miles] along the middle of the Atlantic."

Related: Why does wood catch fire, but metal doesn't?

"It can be easy to forget about these volcanoes," Llewellin said, because they are hidden far beneath the ocean's surface, and as a result, their eruptions rarely affect us. But what about volcanoes that are above the ocean's surface?

"Of the volcanoes that are on land, many of them are located around the Pacific Ocean," Llewellin said. "This is because the Pacific Ocean is fringed with 'subduction zones,' which are places around the edges of tectonic plates where one plate slides underneath another."

As a result of this tectonic activity, the Pacific is home to the Ring of Fire, a 25,000-mile-long (40,000 km), horseshoe-shaped, seismically active belt that is the epicenter of around 90% of the world's earthquakes (opens in new tab) and 75% of the world's active land volcanoes (opens in new tab).

Around the Pacific, old, cold, dense oceanic plates "slide underneath the adjacent continental plates," Llewellin noted. As these plates descend back into the mantle, they release water from minerals formed at the ocean floor, and this water causes the mantle above to melt, producing magma.

"The magma rises up from the mantle above the descending plate and finds its way through the overlying continental plate," Llewellin explained. "This is why there are ranges of volcanoes all around the Pacific, such as the Andes in South America, the Cascades in North America, the Aleutians between Alaska and Siberia, and so on."

In the western Pacific, the subduction zones "mainly feature one oceanic plate sliding underneath another oceanic plate," Llewellin said. This can form chains of volcanic islands, such as the Japanese archipelago, and much of Melanesia, a subregion of Oceania in the South Pacific that contains Fiji, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

However, because of the nature of tectonic movements, the Pacific has not always been a volcano hotspot. Indeed, 252 million years ago, as the Permian period turned into the Triassic, Earth would have been far less hospitable due to the scale of volcanic activity occurring planetwide. At this time, what is thought to be the largest ever mass extinction event took place, with an estimated 96% of marine life and 70% of terrestrial life going extinct largely because of powerful volcanic eruptions, according to a 2017 article in the journal Nature (opens in new tab).

Fortunately for humans and Earths other current inhabitants, volcanic eruptions aren't as numerous these days as they were in the planet's past.

"If we include submarine volcanoes along the mid-ocean ridges, the bulk of volcanic activity on Earth has been located outside the Pacific area," Llewellin said. "Over the whole history of the Earth, the frequency of volcanic activity has slowly fallen. The early Earth was much hotter than it is today  so hot that we think there were periods when the whole surface of the Earth was covered in a magma ocean."

Evidence of this red hot ocean is " preserved in the chemistry (opens in new tab) of ancient rocks from Greenland," which indicates that, 3.6 billion years ago, "a deep sea of incandescent magma" stretched across Earth's surface, according to a 2021 study published in the journal Science Advances (opens in new tab).

"The last time this happened was following the giant impact of a Mars-sized proto-planet, which led to the formation of the moon around 100 million years after the Earth formed," Llewellin said, describing the theory known as the Big Splash, or the Theia Impact. "During these magma ocean periods, you could argue that the whole planet was a giant volcano!"



Earth is far cooler and more hospitable now than it was during its seas of magma phase, and according to Llewellin, volcanoes will eventually become a thing of the past on our planet given the planet seems likely to continue cooling over time.

"This has already happened on the moon," Llewellin said. "It is much smaller than the Earth, and so it cooled more quickly. There was intense volcanic activity on the moon billions of years ago  the large dark patches we see are giant 'seas' of solidified lava  but it has been volcanically 'dead' for around a billion years."

However, it seems unlikely that volcanoes will disappear any time soon. In fact, some experts have suggested it could take 91 billion years (opens in new tab) for the Earth's core to lose all its heat, meaning volcanoes are likely to be around for far longer than humans, and could even outlast the sun , which will likely die in 5 billion years .



So, if you're a budding volcanologist or you're merely curious about what an eruption might look like in real life, where is the best place in the world to go?

"If you want to see an actual eruption, your best bet is to go to Stromboli, a small island off the toe of Italy," Llewellin said. "It has been erupting, almost without pause, for the last 1,500 years or so. If you take a guided tour up the volcano, you are almost certain to see one of the small explosions it produces every few minutes from one of the many vents near the summit."

Originally published on Live Science on Jan. 18, 2013 and rewritten on July 28, 2022.
Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe and often fatal infection caused by viruses in the genus Ebolavirus.

The largest Ebola outbreak to date took place between 2014 and 2016 and primarily affected countries in West Africa, including Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (opens in new tab) (CDC). Limited cases also occured in Italy, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S. In total, 28,652 suspected, probable and confirmed Ebola cases were reported during the outbreak, 11,325 of which were fatal.

Ebola virus belongs to the same family of viruses as the Marburg virus, which causes similarly severe disease to its cousin, according to the World Health Organization (opens in new tab) (WHO). Marburg virus disease was first discovered in 1967 during two major outbreaks in Germany and Serbia, which were linked to monkeys imported from Africa. Since then, sporadic cases have been reported, mostly in African countries; in July 2022, the WHO reported two fatal cases (opens in new tab) in Ghana, where the disease hadn't been seen before.

Related: The deadliest viruses in history

When was Ebola discovered?

Ebola was first discovered in 1976 when outbreaks erupted in the areas that are now South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the CDC (opens in new tab). The outbreak in DRC  then the Republic of Zaire  took place in a village near the Ebola River, after which the virus was named.

Although initially thought to be part of the same large outbreak, the two 1976 outbreaks were later found to be caused by genetically distinct viruses that likely originated from different sources and independently spread through each locale. These species of Ebola virus were named Zaire ebolavirus and Sudan ebolavirus after the areas where they were identified.

What are Ebola viruses?

EVD is caused by viruses in the genus Ebolavirus within the family Filoviridae; these viruses most commonly cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates, including monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees, according to the CDC (opens in new tab).

To date, six species of Ebolavirus have been identified, four of which cause severe disease in humans. These include:

Ebola virus (species Zaire ebolavirus)

Sudan virus (species Sudan ebolavirus)

Tai Forest virus (species Tai Forest ebolavirus, formerly Cote dIvoire ebolavirus)

Bundibugyo virus (species Bundibugyo ebolavirus)

The remaining two Ebola virus species include the Reston virus (species Reston ebolavirus) and Bombali virus (species Bombali ebolavirus). The first has been reported to cause illness in nonhuman primates and pigs, but it's not yet known whether the latter causes disease in either people or animals, other than bats.

Scientists discovered the Bombali virus fairly recently, in 2018, while they were analyzing oral and rectal swab samples taken from free-tailed bats (Chaerephon pumilus and Mops condylurus) in Sierra Leone, according to a 2018 report in the journal Nature Microbiology (opens in new tab).

Related: Scientists discover a sixth species of Ebola virus  in bats

Where did Ebola viruses come from?

Fruit bats are thought to be the reservoir for Ebola viruses. (Image credit: Michele D'Amico supersky77 via Getty Images)

Ebola viruses are zoonotic, meaning they spread to humans from infected animals during what's called a "spillover event." Animals that can carry Ebola virus include chimpanzees , gorillas, monkeys , forest antelope, porcupines and bats , according to the WHO (opens in new tab).

Current evidence suggests that African fruit bats likely serve as the natural "reservoir" for Ebola viruses in the wild, according to the CDC. That means the animals likely carry the viruses without falling ill and instead act as the primary vessels that the viruses replicate in. In theory, the viruses can then spread from bats to other animal species and to humans.

While fruit bats are suspected to be the virus' reservoir host, however, scientists have not pinpointed a specific species that serves as the main host. In addition, Ebola viruses have also been detected in insect-eating bat species, such as the free-tailed bats of Sierra Leone.

How does Ebola spread?

Ebola viruses jump from animals to humans when people come into close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals, according to the WHO.

Similarly, Ebola spreads from person to person via direct contact; that means that the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids containing the virus must come into contact with broken skin or the mucous membranes of a healthy individual in order for the virus to be transmitted. The fluids may come directly from the infected patient or from surfaces touched by the sick individual, such as bedding or clothing.

A WHO Ebola Situation Assessment for Oct. 6, 2014 states that the virus is most easily transmitted through blood, feces and vomit. The virus can also be transmitted through urine, saliva, sweat, breast milk, amniotic fluid and semen, according to the CDC (opens in new tab).

"The virus can remain in certain body fluids (including semen) of a patient who has recovered from EVD, even if they no longer have symptoms of severe illness," the CDC notes. For this reason, the WHO recommends that EVD survivors with penises practice abstain from sex or practice correct and consistent condom use until their semen has twice tested negative for Ebola or until 12 month have passed since their initial symptoms.

"There is no evidence that Ebola can be spread through sex or other contact with vaginal fluids from a woman who has had Ebola," the CDC states. That said, the virus can persist in the placenta, amniotic fluid and fetus of people who became infected while pregnant, even after they've recovered, and the virus may also hang around in the breast milk of people who become infected while breastfeeding, according to the WHO.

Ebola does not spread through the air, meaning a person cannot contract the virus from breathing the same air as an infected individual. However, if an infected individual directly sneezes on a person and the mucus from that sneeze comes into contact with an open cut or the eyes, nose or mouth of someone else, there is a chance of infection. WHO has not documented cases of this actually happening, though.

What are the symptoms of Ebola?

Health care workers put on protective gear before entering an Ebola treatment unit in Liberia during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. (Image credit: CDC/Sally Ezra/Athalia Christie (Public Domain))

Symptoms of EVD may appear two to 21 days after exposure to the Ebola virus, and on average, symptoms tend to appear within eight to 10 days, the CDC says.

"The symptoms are extremely nonspecific in the beginning  Ebola looks like almost anything," Dr. Bruce Hirsch, an infectious-disease specialist at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York, told Live Science. For example, the early stages of an Ebola infection may resemble influenza (flu), malaria or typhoid fever, the CDC states.

According to the CDC, the patient will usually experience the following symptoms:

Fever

Aches and pains, such as severe headache and muscle and joint pain

Weakness and fatigue

Sore throat

Loss of appetite

Gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting

Unexplained hemorrhaging, bleeding or bruising; bleeding can be both internal and external

Patients often progress from the "dry" symptoms (fever, aches and pains, fatigue) to the "wet" symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting) over the course of their illness, the CDC says. Hemorrhagic syndrome  where patients bleed from the nose and mouth  usually occurs only in the late stages of the disease. Typically, the Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic syndrome in 30% to 50% of patients, said Angela Rasmussen, a research assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Washington.

Other symptoms that occur in advanced stages of EVD include rash and symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, according to WHO. People may also develop red eyes and hiccups in late stages of the disease, the CDC says.

Because the symptoms of Ebola resemble those of other diseases, medical professionals use a series of tests to diagnose EVD. According to WHO, common tests include:

Virus isolation by cell culture

Antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Serum neutralization test

Antigen-capture detection tests

Electron microscopy

Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay

How deadly is Ebola?

EVD is often fatal. The average case fatality rate of the disease is estimated at 50%, and in past outbreaks, the case fatality rates have ranged from 25% to 90%, according to the WHO.

During the West Africa Ebola epidemic, the largest Ebola outbreak in history, 11,308 deaths were reported out of 28,610 total cases, meaning about 39% of cases were fatal, according to the CDC (opens in new tab).

In response to a virus, the human body produces antibodies . "Antibodies are the protein 'workhorses' of the immune system ; in less severe infections (like the flu), antibodies stop the virus from spreading and help clear it from the body," said Jonathan Lai, associate professor of biochemistry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. The problem with Ebola is that the virus spreads so rapidly that it can easily overcome the body's immune response," he told Live Science.

How to prevent Ebola transmission

The CDC (opens in new tab) offers the following tips to avoid EVD when living in or traveling to a region where Ebola virus is potentially present:

Avoid contact with blood and body fluids (such as urine, feces, saliva, sweat, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, semen, and vaginal fluids) of people who are sick with EVD.

Avoid contact with semen from a man who has recovered from EVD, until testing shows that the virus is gone from his semen.

Avoid contact with items that may have come in contact with an infected persons blood or body fluids (such as clothes, bedding, needles, and medical equipment).

Avoid funeral or burial practices that involve touching the body of someone who died from EVD or suspect EVD.

Avoid contact with bats, forest antelopes, and nonhuman primates, such as monkeys and chimpanzees, blood, fluids, or raw meat prepared from these or unknown animals.

Are there vaccines for Ebola?

Two Ebola vaccines are now in use. (Image credit: ISSOUF SANOGO / Contributor via Getty Images)

Recently, two vaccines were developed for the prevention of EVD, according to the WHO (opens in new tab).

The first vaccine, called Ervebo or rVSV-ZEBOV, was approved in November 2019 by the European Medicines Agency and in December 2019 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since then, it's been cleared for use in Burundi, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.

The single-dose vaccine is approved for use in individuals 18 years of age and older, excluding pregnant and breastfeeding women, and has been found to be highly safe and against Zaire ebolavirus, the Ebola virus species responsible for the largest and most deadly Ebola outbreaks to date.

The second vaccine is administered in two doses approximately eight weeks apart; the first dose is a formulation called Zabdeno (Ad26.ZEBOV) and the second is called Mvabea (MVA-BN-Filo). Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that the two-dose vaccine is safe and induces an immune response against Zaire ebolavirus; however, the exact level of protection the vaccine provides is unknown, according to the WHO.

In 2020, the European Medicines Agency recommended granting "marketing authorization" (opens in new tab) to Zabdeno-and-Mvabea for use in individuals as young as 1 year old. This vaccine has not been approved for routine use by the FDA but it has been used under a research protocol, according to the CDC (opens in new tab).

How is Ebola treated?

In 2020, the FDA approved two treatments for EVD caused by Zaire ebolavirus, according to the CDC (opens in new tab). One, called Inmazeb, contains three monoclonal antibodies  lab-made proteins that latch onto the virus and prevent it from infecting cells. The second treatment, Ebanga, contains a single monoclonal antibody that works the same way.

Both treatments were tested during a clinical trial held during the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and were shown to increase patients' chance of survival. (Neither treatment has been evaluated for efficacy against virus species other than Zaire ebolavirus.)

In the event that neither Inmazeb nor Ebanga is available, supportive care measures can improve patients' chances of survival. Such care includes:

Providing fluids and electrolytes (body salts) orally or through infusion into the vein (intravenously).

Using medication to support blood pressure, reduce vomiting and diarrhea, and to manage fever and pain.

Treating other infections, if they occur.

What recovery from Ebola looks like

EVD survivors are often faced with long-lasting medical problems and other changes in their bodies.

Ebola virtual particles can persist in certain areas of the body, including the testicles, the inside of the eye and the central nervous system, according to the WHO. "Whether the virus is present in these body parts and for how long varies by survivor," the CDC states.

Related: Ebola may have lingered in a survivor for 5 years before sparking new outbreak

And as previously stated, the viruses can also linger in semen; in the placenta, amniotic fluid and fetus of people who have been infected while pregnant; and in the breast milk of people who have been infected while breastfeeding. (The WHO provides specific guidance (opens in new tab) for managing pregnancy and breastfeeding in the context of EVD.)

EVD survivors often report tiredness; headaches; muscle and joint pain; stomach pain or loss of appetite; and eye and vision problems, including blurry vision, pain, redness, and light sensitivity, the CDC says (opens in new tab). Other long-term complications of the infection include:

Memory loss

Neck swelling

Dry mouth

Tightness of the chest

Hair loss

Hearing problems (ringing in the ears and hearing loss)

Pain or tingling in the hands and feet

Inflammation of the pericardium (tissue around the heart)

Inflammation of one or both testicles

Impotence

Decreased or lost interest in sex

Changes in menstruation

Difficulty falling or remaining asleep

Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

One survivor experienced a change in eye color due to inflammation and very high blood pressure in his left eye, according to a 2015 report in The New England Journal of Medicine (opens in new tab). When fluid in the eye was tested, it was found to contain Ebola virus, but was believed to not be contagious.

EVD survivors can develop antibodies that will likely protect them from the virus for at least 10 years, or possibly even longer, the CDC states. However, it is not known if people who recover are immune for life or if they can later become infected with a different species of Ebola virus, the agency notes.

Additional resources

Learn about the FDA-approved treatments for Ebola with SciShow (opens in new tab). Learn about why bats carry so many dangerous viruses in Science Magazine (opens in new tab). Learn about the strategies uses to prevent and control Ebola outbreaks from Doctors Without Borders (opens in new tab).

This article is for informational purposes only, and is not meant to offer medical advice. This article was originally published on Live Science in 2016 and was partially rewritten July, 28 2022.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Acting Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and Mission Coordinator, Raisedon Zenenga, has urged the 5+5 Joint Military Commission to continue its efforts towards the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and its contribution to the reunification of the military institution
In early 2020, ornithologist Noah Strycker found himself walking amongst several thousand chinstrap penguins on Elephant Island, a remote blip of snow-covered rock just off the Antarctic Peninsula. He was there to carry out a census of the island's penguin colony, which hadn't been properly surveyed since 1970. "I'll never forget the sight, sound, and...smell," joked Strycker, a graduate student at Stony Brook University in New York, as well as a professional bird watcher, and author.

The survey that he and his colleagues eventually produced revealed that chinstrap penguin numbers are in decline. But despite this, this species actually forms one of the biggest colonies of penguins on Earth  gathering in the millions in some Antarctic locations. But counting these animals doesn't daunt Strycker, who has actually developed something of a hobby for this task.

It started a few years ago when he found himself pondering how many starlings were contained in the magical murmurations that these birds form, and which swell and undulate across the evening sky in many parts of the world. "They are quite beautiful. It almost looks like smoke," Strycker told Live Science. "And it just gets you wondering, how many of them are there?" The answer, he discovered, was that there are roughly 1 million in the average murmuration, all soaring and swooping in unison. That discovery spurred Strycker on to answer an even more ambitious question: beyond birds, what's the biggest group of animals ever recorded on Earth?

Related: What's the first species humans drove to extinction?

Answering this question takes us to some very interesting places  back into the past, up into the sky, down into the ocean and sweeping across desert plains. It offers magnificent proof of the abundance of animal life on Earth, but it also points to humanity's role in reducing  and, unexpectedly, increasing it too.

Thousands, millions, billions

When Strycker embarked upon his unusual quest, he shared his discoveries in his book called " The Thing with Feathers: The Surprising Lives of Birds and What They Reveal About Being Human (opens in new tab)" (Penguin Random House, 2014). As the title suggests, birds are high contenders for the title of most numerous group. At 1 million per flock, starling numbers are jaw-droppingly high  but they're easily outnumbered by chinstrap penguins, which can reach 2 million on the South Sandwich Islands off Antarctica.

But those charismatic penguins fall far behind the red-billed quelea : this small species that can gather in single flocks of several million over savannah and grassland areas in sub-Saharan Africa  so huge that they seem to roar as they pass overhead. "I think they're considered now to be the most abundant species of bird in the world. And they do make very large flocks in the millions  tens of millions, maybe hundreds of millions," Strycker said. Their explosive success as a species may be helped by agriculture's spread: these birds consume grass seeds, but they'll also settle for fields of cultivated grain. As such, they're loathed by embattled farmers who lose huge shares of barley, buckwheat and sorghum harvests to these birds every year.

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) at Point Wild on Elephant Island, an island in the South Shetland Islands archipelago off the Antarctic Peninsula. (Image credit: Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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Quelea are so numerous that observers say it can take five hours for a flock to pass overhead. But here is where this species yields to an even more populous bird that once was abundant across American skies: the passenger pigeon. "There are stories of people standing there and watching a single flock of passenger pigeons fly over them for hours or days at a time, which is crazy!" Strycker said. One gathering in 1866 was recorded as 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) wide and 300 miles (482 km) long, and was estimated to contain about 3.5 billion birds , based on the number of pigeons per square mile and extrapolated across the size of the flock. Of course, that was before hunting drove this successful species to extinction .

So surely with that grand tally, this pigeon of yore takes the prize for most populous creature on Earth? Not so fast: there are quite a few other contenders to consider still.

Related: Why are there so many pigeons?

Shifting our gaze down from the skies, and into the ocean's depths, there are records of fish species  specifically Atlantic herring  gathering in schools that exceed 4 billion  the passenger pigeon's closest contender for the reigning title so far. Other species don't come close to the numbers tallied up so far  but they're still so impressive to behold that they deserve a mention. These include migratory mammals like springbok and wildebeest in southern Africa that have, in the past, gathered in herds exceeding 1 million, forming vast processionals that march across the sun-beaten savanna for weeks. These are further outstripped by their winged mammalian cousins: in Texas, there's a single cave that's home to more than 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats, whose closely-packed bodies transform the cave's interior into a rippling, writhing mass.

Yet there's one animal whose enormous gatherings leave all these other contenders behind in a trail of dust. (Or rather, a trail of decimated vegetation and ravaged crops.)

A gathering swarm

In East Africa earlier this year, a veil of insects swept across the sky, forming a mass of spiky legs and fluttering wings that spanned nearly 930 square miles (2,400 square km). "It was literally like a black blanket that went over the clouds. It was difficult to even see the clouds," said Emily Kimathi, a researcher at the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Kenya.

That swarm was composed of desert locusts , a species that turns up in huge numbers sporadically in East and North Africa, as well as parts of the Middle East and South Asia. That particular event was the largest swarm seen in the Horn of Africa in 25 years. Experts estimate that locusts swarm at a density of about 50 million per 0.3 square miles (1 square km), so that means the single 2020 throng would have contained roughly 200 billion locusts , said Kimathi, who studies the desert locust. "[The species] can increase up to 20 times its population in a span of three months."

A picture taken on Feb. 9, 2021, shows a swarm of desert locusts covering the ground in Meru, Kenya. (Image credit: Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Image)

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What Kimathi is concerned about is how much more frequent  and larger  these swarms could become. The desert locust needs two things to thrive: heat, and moisture, which is crucial for the eggs to hatch from the desert sands. And fortuitously for locusts, climate change is increasing these conditions across their vast range. "These areas are getting more arid, and when they do receive the rainfall, it's torrential rain," Kimathi said. "These conditions are becoming more frequent. And so these areas are becoming more favorable for locusts to breed."

Related: What makes grasshoppers swarm?

In this case, the gathering of gregarious animals isn't just a spectacle to behold; a voracious swarm of locusts can decimate farmers' crops in a matter of hours, ruining livelihoods and increasing food insecurity for millions.

Kimathi is trying to tackle this enormous challenge in her research. In a recent study published in July in the journal Scientific Reports, (opens in new tab) she used meteorological data, paired with information on the breeding patterns of desert locusts, to develop models that identify precise geographical locations across the region where species are most likely to breed in the future. She's hoping her findings will inform early-warning systems that countries can use to predict where locusts will breed, so they can be intercepted before eggs hatch and take to the skies in ever-growing swarms.

Two-hundred billion is an eye-popping number. But a clue from history suggests that locust swarms can grow much more numerous, given the perfect conditions. In 1875, an amateur meteorologist named Albert Child stood, bewitched, as locusts whizzed across the sky in a swarm that ultimately cloaked a large portion of the western United States. The species was the Rocky Mountain locust, and Child estimated the swarm covered an area of 198,000 square miles (512,800 square km).

This historical event became known as 'Albert's Swarm' , and based on Childs estimates, it was thought to contain not millions, not billions, but trillions of insects. Three-and-a-half trillion, to be exact. And that, in fact, is thought to be the largest number of animals in a group ever recorded by a human. Rocky Mountain locusts have since gone extinct  but their historic flight offers us a cautionary look at those other swarms, gathering across the planet today.

Will we ever know?

It's overwhelming to contemplate what several trillion locusts looks like. But, take a breath, because there's one final contender on our list  if we go with a slightly more liberal definition of what a 'group' entails. That's because beneath the Earth's surface, we find creatures that gather in colonies so vast, it's almost inconceivable that they form a unit.

This is the Argentine ant, which was unintentionally introduced from South America to Europe about 100 years ago. This industrious creature has formed the world's largest known continuous colony: a behemoth that stretches 3,700 miles (6,000 km) underground across vast swathes of Europe. The stretch is made up of several hundred nests that each contain billions of ants  so it's likely that the whole system collectively contains trillions. But getting to a closer estimate has proven elusive: the task of counting these insects may simply be too challenging.

This underscores the difficulty of answering this deceptively simple question, of what animal forms the biggest group. "It seems like such a quantifiable question, and yet the more you dig down into it, the harder it becomes to define what do you mean by a 'group'. It's so difficult to estimate large concentrations," Strycker said. And what's more, as the case of the locusts reveals, "The more you dive into it, the more you can't answer that question without talking about ourselves," he said. The boom and bust of animal populations isnt something we can separate from human influence.

Maybe the important thing is that contemplating the sheer abundance of life on Earth  and the roles humans play in making it fall, and rise  will help us do a better job of protecting it.

Editor's Note: This piece was updated Dec. 23 to clarify that chinstrap penguins form one of the largest penguin colonies on Earth, but not, in fact, the largest.

Originally published on Live Science Dec. 19, 2020, and republished on July 28, 2022.
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Margot Robbie, Delta Goodrem, Jesse Spencer, Kym Valentine and Carla Bonner will appear in the final episode of Neighbours on Thursday.

Robbie featured in the long-running Aussie soap from 2008 to 2011 as Donna Freedman and has since gone on to star in massive Hollywood films including The Wolf of Wallstreet, I, Tonya and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

Network 10 said Robbies return to Neighbours will be a small cameo role.

ARIA Award-winning Delta Goodrem will also return to say goodbye to the show.

Goodrem was originally on the show from 2002 to 2003 as Nina Tucker. The show helped launch her mainstream music career, when she performed the debut single from Innocent Eyes, Born To Try in an episode. The single debuted at No. 3 on the ARIA charts and peaked at No. 1, while the album spent 29 weeks at the top of the charts.

On-screen siblings Billy and Libby Kennedy, played by Jesse Spencer and Kym Valentine respectively, will also feature in the finale.

The pair started out in 1994 as the children of Susan and Karl Kennedy, characters who remain a part of the show.

Network 10 has also announced the return of Carla Bonner, who started in 1999 as Stephane Scully. She has returned to the program numerous times to reprise the role.

Network 10 has been drip-feeding information about its final episode, having previously revealed Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan would be back to pick up their character arcs from the 1980s. It then released pictures of the two on set together.

The return of the big-name stars as their original characters will assist Neighbours in wrapping up its 37-year run.

The shows woes commenced when Network 10 and the shows producer Fremantle Australia failed to secure a UK production partner after Channel 5 decided to pull its partnership and funding.

Beverley McGarvey, chief content officer and executive vice president of Paramount ANZ  Network 10s parent company  has previously expressed hope there could be a future for the show, however it is now in its final week.

This Thursday, July 28, the final 90-minute episode will screen on its recent home, multi-channel, 10 Peach, as well as the primary Channel 10.

McGarvey noted that Neighbours is an iconic program and the Australian screen production sector will be worse off when its gone.

Its a devastating loss for that skills gathering. And people often start out on those big shows, she said.

No matter what way you cut it, Neighbours is still a loss and one that were very very sad about. We really didnt want it to happen.

Daniel Monaghan, Paramount ANZs senior vice president of content and programming, told Variety Australia that things hadnt gone to plan.

When Fremantle told us they werent going to be able to get the funding out of the UK  we needed that funding. Everyone needed that UK partner to keep the show. It was incredibly disappointing. It does good numbers on 10 Peach. Its got an incredibly loyal fan base. Its been around for almost 40 years. [Its] a stalwart.

But unfortunately when they couldnt find a partner, it just wasnt a viable proposition for us. And we were really hopeful for a long time But it hasnt worked out the way that we would have liked.

It is expected that more former Neighbours stars will appear on the final episode on Thursday night.

This story originally appeared on Variety Australia.

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A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer has been sentenced to prison for allowing contraband into the country, according to the U.S. Attorneys office.

Simon Medina III, 41, pleaded guilty March 8 to his role in a conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo sentenced Medina to serve 24 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.

In handing down the sentence, the court noted Medina was in a position of power and was law enforcement and, as such, more aware of his actions. She highlighted the facts surrounding the severity of the actions and the danger in which he put the community, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

As a then-CBP officer, Medina allowed several individuals to enter the United States with contraband in their vehicles on about 20 occasions between May 25, 2020, and Aug. 6, 2020.

Medina would open a lane and allow his co-conspirators to pass through without inspecting their cargo, although he was not assigned to the entry lanes at the Laredo Port of Entry.

Medina also accepted gratuities from his partners, authorities said. He was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Department of Homeland Security-Office of Professional Responsibility and CBP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Angel Moreno prosecuted the case.
A drug deal gone bad left a man with multiple stab wounds and a collapsed lung, according to Laredo police.

Christian Dominguez, 28, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Laredo police officers responded to a stabbing report at about 8:09 a.m. May 27 in the 1600 block of San Agustin Avenue. Officers encountered a male with multiple stab wounds to the left side of his torso.

Laredo Fire Department crews arrived to render aid and took the male to the Laredo Medical Center. Medical staff told police the male was stabbed four times and had a collapsed lung, states an arrest affidavit.

The male then stated Dominguez had stabbed him multiple times. He stated he was at the Bruni Plaza on 1120 San Bernardo Ave. trying to buy rock or crack cocaine from Dominguez for $3.

Dominguez did not provide the rock. The complainant got upset and assaulted Dominguez. The complainant was then walking to a friends house when Dominguez caught up to him and stabbed him, according to court documents.
A man wanted in a family violence case assaulted two Laredo police officers during a traffic stop, according to authorities.

At about 12:32 p.m. July 20, officers responded to the 900 block of San Bernardo Avenue. Responding officers observed a Chrysler 300 accelerating causing the car to peel off the tires while traveling south on San Bernardo.

An officer attempted to pull over the vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver pulled over into a plaza located on San Bernardo and Park Street. A woman with a child started to exit the vehicle followed by a man exiting via the driver side door.

Police told them they needed to get back inside the vehicle. But they allegedly stated they were going to eat at a restaurant located at the plaza. Both then complied and got back into the vehicle. The driver initially identified himself as Rodolfo Marquez.

During the traffic stop, a physical struggle ensued. The male allegedly assaulted two cops during the altercation. Authorities would identify him as Edgar Ivan Marquez-Vega, 27.

Marquez-Vega had a warrant out for his arrest for assault, family violence. Marquez-Vega was additionally charged with resisting arrest, failure to identify and two counts of assault on a public servant.
PARIS (AP)  French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to his presidential palace Thursday for controversial dinner that marks another step in the Saudi leaders diplomatic rehabilitation -- a move that has drawn harsh criticism in France after the gruesome Saudi killing of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

The visit from the prince of the oil-rich state comes after France and other European nations are seeking to secure sources of energy to lessen their dependence on oil and gas supplies from Russia amid its war on Ukraine. France is also a major weapons and defense supplier to Gulf nations.

This was the second stop  after Greece  of the crown princes first official visit to the European Union since Khashoggis death.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said Macron could be counted on to raise human rights concerns with the prince, while also seeking to secure energy supplies from elsewhere than Russia.

Obviously, this isn't about casting aside our principles. It's not about calling into question our commitment in favor of human rights. The president will surely have an opportunity to talk about this with Mr. Mohammed bin Salman," Borne said.

But she added: In a context where we know that Russia is cutting, is threatening to cut, and is again cutting gas supplies and where we have tensions over energy prices, I think the French would not understand if we didn't talk to the countries that are the exact producers of energy.

Russian energy corporation Gazprom on Wednesday cut the amount of natural gas flowing through a major pipeline from Russia to Europe to 20% of capacity, blaming technical problems. Germany, however, called it a deliberate move to sow uncertainty and push up prices amid the war in Ukraine.

European nations are rushing to bolster gas storage levels for winter amid fears that Russia could completely cut off gas exports  which are used for industry and to generate electricity and heat homes  to try to gain political leverage over the bloc.

Hours before the leaders' meeting, the crown prince was targeted in a legal complaint filed Thursday in a Paris court by a human rights group that alleged his complicity in Khashoggi's killing.

A Washington-based group, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), called on French authorities to open a criminal investigation into the crown prince. The group said it filed a complaint arguing that the prince was an accomplice to the torture of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey and his disappearance.

It said two other rights groups backed its call for a French investigation and argued that the prince should not have immunity from prosecution because he is not the Saudi head of state.

The Paris prosecutors office said it had no information about the complaint.

The prince's trip is being seen as far from noble from other rights groups, too.

By meeting with the crown prince on French soil, while Saudi dissidents remain wrongfully detained, trapped in the country through travel bans and targeted abroad, President Macron risks contributing to the dangerous normalization of a brutal man, said James A. Goldston, executive director of the Justice Initiative.

Macron's dinner will cap a long day for the French leader: He was in Guinea-Bissau, wrapping up a three-nation, four-day tour of Africa, on Thursday morning.

The Elysee palace said the war in Ukraine will be high on the working dinners agenda and added that Macron would address human rights, without elaborating. A press spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with the French presidencys customary practice, said we have constantly said that the facts (of the killing) should be established.

The crown prince has been steadily attracting big-name investors back to the kingdom since Khashoggis killing. He has also reset Saudi relations with Turkey, a key step toward rehabilitating his international standing.

Western intelligence determined that Prince Mohammed was complicit in the killing. The journalists body was dismembered with a bone saw, according to Turkish officials. The crown prince lost supporters in the West who were appalled and had previously been cheering his social reforms at home. He maintains he had no knowledge of the operation, despite it being carried out by people who directly reported to him.

Macron was one of the highest-profile world leaders to meet the prince shortly after the killing, during a tense chat caught on camera at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina in 2018. They have met several times since.

___

Batrawy reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Abdullah al-Shihri in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and John Leicester contributed from Le Pecq, France.
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russian forces launched a missile attack on the Kyiv area for the first time in weeks Thursday and pounded the northern Chernihiv region as well, in what Ukraine said was revenge for standing up to the Kremlin.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, announced a counteroffensive to take back the occupied Kherson region in the country's south, territory seized by Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces early in the war.

Russia attacked the Kyiv region with six missiles launched from the Black Sea, hitting a military unit in the village of Liutizh on the outskirts of the capital, according to Oleksii Hromov, a senior official with Ukraines General Staff.

He said that the attack ruined one building and damaged two others, and that Ukrainian forces shot down one of the missiles in the town of Bucha.

Fifteen people were wounded in the Russian strikes, five of them civilians, Kyiv regional Gov. Oleksiy Kuleba said.

Kuleba linked the assaults to the Day of Statehood, a commemoration that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instituted last year and Ukraine marked for the time on Thursday.

Russia, with the help of missiles, is mounting revenge for the widespread popular resistance, which the Ukrainians were able to organize precisely because of their statehood, Kuleba told Ukrainian television. Ukraine has already broken Russias plans and will continue to defend itself.

Chernihiv regional Gov. Vyacheslav Chaus reported that the Russians also fired missiles from the territory of Belarus at the village of Honcharivska. The Chernihiv region had not been targeted in weeks.

Russian troops withdrew from the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions months ago after failing to capture either. The renewed strikes come a day after the leader of pro-Kremlin separatists in the east, Denis Pushilin, urged Russian forces to liberate Russian cities founded by the Russian people  Kyiv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lutsk.

Elsewhere around the country, five people were killed and 25 wounded in a Russian rocket attack on the city of Kropvynytskyi, about 250 kilometers (150 miles) southeast of Kyiv, according to the deputy governor of Ukraines Kirovohrad region, Andriy Raikovich. He said the attack hit hangars at an air academy, damaging civilian planes.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, also came under a barrage of shelling overnight, according to the mayor. Authorities said a police officer was killed in Russian shelling of a power plant in the Kharkiv region.

The southern city of Mykolaiv was fired on as well, with one person reported injured.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military kept up a counterattack in the Kherson region, knocking out of commission a key bridge over the Dnieper River on Wednesday.

Ukrainian media quoted Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovich as saying the operation to liberate Kherson is underway, with Kyiv's forces planning to isolate Russian troops and leave them with three options  "retreat, if possible, surrender or be destroyed."

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, said the Russians are concentrating maximum forces in the direction of Kherson, warning: A very large-scale movement of their troops has begun.

The British military said Ukraine has used its new, Western-supplied long-range artillery to damage at least three of the bridges across the Dnieper that Russia relies on to supply its forces.

Ukraine's presidential office said Thursday morning that Russian shelling of cities and villages over the past 24 hours killed at least five civilians, all of them in the eastern Donetsk province, and wounded nine.

Fighting in recent weeks has focused on Donetsk province. It has intensified in recent days as Russian forces appeared to emerge from a reported operational pause after capturing neighboring Luhansk province.

Ukrainian emergency authorities said two civilians were killed in a Russian bombardment of the town of Toretsk. A missile struck a residential building there early Thursday morning, destroying two floors, officials said.

Missile terror again. We will not give up. ... We will not be intimidated, Donetsk regional Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said on Telegram.

Military analysts believe Russian forces are focusing their efforts on capturing the cities of Bakhmut and Siversk in Donetsk province.

Zelenskyy instituted the Day of Statehood to remind Ukrainians about the country's history as an independent state. The commemoration honors Prince Vladimir, who made Christianity the official religion of the medieval state of Kyivan Rus more than 1,000 years ago.

You could say that for us, every day is a statehood day," the president said in a Day of Statehood address.

"We fight every day so that everyone on the planet can finally understand: We are not a colony or enclave or protectorate, not a province, an eyalet, or a crown land, not a part of foreign empires, not a part of a country, not a federal republic, not an autonomy, not a province, but a free, independent, sovereign, indivisible and independent state, Zelenskyy said.

The Kremlin also lays claim to the heritage of the Kyivan Rus. In 2016, Putin erected a monument to Prince Vladimir near the Kremlin.

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Follow the APs coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  Triple-digit heat was being investigated Thursday as the cause of death for four people in Oregon as a sweltering heat wave enveloped the Pacific Northwest  and the forecast showed no sign of letting up soon in a region unaccustomed to such temperatures.

The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office said at least three people have died from suspected hyperthermia during the heat wave in Multnomah County, which is home to Portland. A fourth death was suspected due to heat in Umatilla County in the eastern part of the state, the state agency told KGW-TV.

The deaths occurred on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The state medical examiners office said the heat-related death designation is preliminary and could change after further investigation.

The state has roasted since Monday and temperatures at or near triple digits were forecast into the weekend. Portland could be on track to break a record for the duration of the hot spell, authorities said, as local governments and non-profits scrambled to expand capacity at cooling centers.

For the next several days through Saturday were going to be within a few degrees of 100 every day, said Colby Neuman, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Portland, Oregon.

Temperatures in Oregons largest city are forecast to soar to 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 Celsius) again on Friday. On Tuesday, Portland set daily record 102 F (38.9 C).

Seattle on Tuesday also reported a new record daily high of 94 F (34.4 C). The heat spell was forecast to last into Saturday in western Washington as well.

The National Weather Service has extended the excessive heat warnings from Thursday through Saturday evening.

The duration of the heat wave puts Portland in the running for tying its longest streak of six consecutive days of 95 F (35 C) or higher, Neuman said.

Climate change is fueling longer heat waves in the Pacific Northwest, a region where weeklong heat spells were historically rare, according to climate experts.

Heat-related 911 calls in Portland have tripled in recent days, from an estimated eight calls on Sunday to 28 calls on Tuesday, said Dan Douthit, a spokesperson for the citys Bureau of Emergency Management. Most calls involved a medical response, Douthit added.

Multnomah County said more people have been visiting emergency departments for heat-related symptoms.

Emergency department visits have remained elevated since Sunday, the county said in a statement. In the past three days, hospitals have treated 13 people for heat illness, when they would normally expect to see two or three.

People working or exercising outside, along with older people, were among those taken to emergency departments, the statement added.

People in Portlands iconic food cart industry are among those who work outside. Many food trucks have shut down as sidewalks sizzle.

Rico Loverde, the chef and owner of the food cart Monster Smash Burgers, said the temperature inside his cart is generally 20 degrees hotter than the outdoor temperature, making it 120 F (48.9 C) inside his tiny business this week.

Loverde said he closes down if it reaches above 95 F (35 C) because his refrigerators overheat and shut down. Last week, even with slightly cooler temperatures in the mid-90s, Loverde got heat stroke from working in his cart for hours, he said.

It hurts; it definitely hurts. I still pay my employees when were closed like this because they have to pay the bills too, but for a small business its not good, he said Tuesday.

Multnomah County said its four emergency overnight cooling shelters were at half capacity on Tuesday with 130 people spending the night. But anticipating more demand, officials decided to expand capacity at the four sites to accommodate nearly 300 people.

William Nonluecha, who lives in a tent in Portland, sought out shade with some friends as the temperature soared Wednesday afternoon. Nonluecha was less than a minutes walk from a cooling shelter set up by local authorities but wasnt aware it was open. He said the heat in his tent was almost unbearable.

His friend Mel Taylor, who was homeless last year but now has transitional housing, said during a record-breaking heat wave last summer a man in a tent near his died from heat exhaustion and no one realized it. Hes afraid the same thing might happen this summer.

He was in his tent for like a week and the smell, thats how they figured out that he was dead, Taylor said. Its sad.

Residents and officials in the Northwest have been trying to adjust to the likely reality of longer, hotter heat waves following last summers deadly heat dome weather phenomenon that prompted record temperatures and deaths.

About 800 people died in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia during that heat wave, which hit in late June and early July. The temperature at the time soared to an all-time high of 116 F (46.7 C) in Portland and smashed heat records in cities and towns across the region. Many of those who died were older and lived alone.

Other regions of the U.S. often experience temperatures of 100 degrees. But in regions like the Pacific Northwest, people are not as acclimated to the heat and are more susceptible to it, said Craig Crandall, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Theres a much greater risk for individuals in areas such as the Northwest to have higher instances of heat-related injuries and death, Crandall said.

Officials in Seattle and Portland on Tuesday issued air quality advisories expected to last through Saturday, warning that smog may reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Farther south, the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory on Wednesday for western Nevada and northeast California that is set to last from the late Thursday morning until Saturday night. Across the region, near record daytime high temperatures will range from 99 to 104 degrees F (37.22 to 40 C).

___

AP reporter Gabe Stern contributed from Carson City, Nevada.

___

Claire Rush is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow her on Twitter.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Cotonou, Benin (PANA)  French President Emmanuel Macron has witnessed the signing of 11 bilateral agreements with the Beninese government aimed at bolstering educational, youth employment and urban development in the West African nation
At about 5:30am, officers found that the four men breached an exterior door and scaled the perimeter barbed wire fence.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The latest armed clashes between rival armed groups in Tripoli and Misrata, particularly the deadly one in the Libyan capital that killed 16 people and wounded 52 others, have heightened the already feverish tension in the country
Paul Wright had just returned from a project in Puerto Rico and was working in Atlanta when the news broke the 1996 Olympics would be held in Polk County.
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Irish Rail are treating Longford people as second class citizens and must address staffing issues at the local rail station members of Longford County Council heard at the July meeting of the authority.

Cllr Peggy Nolan tabled the motion saying: I call on Longford County Council to write to Iarnrod Eireann in the interest of public safety to ensure the continuation of services at Longford Railway station and firmly request the return of full services with immediate effect.

Addressing the chamber Cllr Nolan said: I am calling on Longford County Council to engage with the necessary authority to address the closure of the building at the station from 2pm daily.

She explained the reason she brought the issue to the local authority: It was brought to my attention by members of the public that the offices at the station closes from 2pm. Customers purchase tickets from a machine in the gateway. It's no fault of the staff in Longford station.

There are a number of staff out sick with long Covid, so there is only one man manning the station. He starts work at 6am and works to 2pm. When he leaves the building is locked up, so there is no toilet facilities for buses. Trying to find out information is like dealing with a secret society, I have received no return calls from Irish Rail.

Cllr Nolan decried the closure saying: From Longford to Dublin, we are the only station affected in this way. Longford is the easy target. Despite Transport for Ireland's promotion of rail services or the millions spent on advertising to inform the public to use public transport, we in Longford are totally disadvantaged.

Those most disadvantaged are those with mobility problems. There is nobody to put a ramp at the train door. If you are in a wheelchair or have a walking aid, or just unsteady on your feet you are disrespected, she said.

Cllr Nolan demanded action on the issue: I am writing to Irish Rail to demand that someone is seconded from another station to provide the people of Longford with a proper service, not a second class service. They are treating us as second class citizens. I am not going to stand for it.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Colm Murray, while Cllr Uruemu Adejinmi also spoke in support of the proposal.

A recent statement from Iarnrod Eireann to the Longford Leader said normal service will resume as soon as the staffing difficulties are addressed: The station at Longford is ordinarily manned. Due to annual leave there were a number of days where the station was closed, but once the annual leave is finished the station will revert to its usual opening hours, a spokesperson told the Longford Leader.
The gradual return to a new post Covid world brought with it one of the most successful social gatherings south Longford has seen in recent times at the weekend.

A very enjoyable ASADO, organised by the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society was held in Abbeyshrule's Rustic Inn last Saturday (July 23).

There was great excitement in the Society leading up to the event as this years Asado was the first since 2019 and from the evidence of last Saturday it didn't disappoint.

The Longford Westmeath Argentina Society was founded to celebrate the strong connection between the Longford Westmeath area and Argentina.

Sixty per cent of the Irish in Argentina have links to this area with members of the Society being joined on Saturday night by family and friends from Ireland and Argentina.

The Chairperson of the Society, Peter Wallace, welcomed all to the Rustic Inn, especially special guests, Her Excellency the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, Moira Wilkinson, her family and members of the Embassy Staff.

He also remembered the previous Ambassador Laura Bernal who sadly passed away in 2020.

Mr Wallace thanked the committee for the work put in to make the ASADO such a success.

He also thanked Edward McGoey and staff for the superb food and service, Hernan and Tara for the exhibition of Tango and Milonga, and Johnny Carroll and band.

Ms Wilkinson then addressed the gathering.

She thanked the Society for the invitation to Abbeyshrule and welcomed the opportunity to celebrate the strong links between Ireland and Argentina and wanted to reinforce and increase the links between the two countries going forward.

She said that the Argentine Navy Frigate Libertad, one of the largest and fastest tall ships in the world, will visit Dublin this week.

The Libertad will be docked on Sir John Rogersons Quay on Saturday 30 July and is open to the public to visit between 2pm and 6pm.
An Irish politician has been included on a list compiled by Ukraine's secret service who "promote narratives consonant with Russian propaganda".

Irish MEP Clare Daly is one of 72 public figures around the world who Ukraine deems to be sharing such narratives.

Ms Daly is the only Irish figure on the list. US Republican senator Rand Paul, former Democrat Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and US journalist Glenn Greenwald are others included on the list.

Titled speakers who promote narratives consonant with Russian propaganda, the list was published by the Centre for Countering Disinformation, a unit within the national security and defence council of Ukraine which is headed by president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ms Daly is being accused of sharing two narratives - that sanctions against Russia make innocent people suffer, and that the Ukrainian conflict is a proxy war between Nato and Russia.

Ms Daly and fellow MEP Mick Wallace have been vocally critical of the EU and NATO policy towards Ukraine.

Ms Daly told The Irish Times that the list includes a diverse range of people with nothing in common politically, except that they are critical of Nato and the Wests policies towards Ukraine.

Now comes an attempt at a blacklist issued by a government propaganda department, she told the Times.

But that is what a free and open discussion in a democratic society looks like. Ukraine trying to shut it down is a mirror image of the repressive behaviour we rightfully criticise in Russia. We shouldnt be encouraging it, she added.

On her website, she states that the opening of hostilities lies solely with President Putin.

"Predictably, hawkish elements in government and in the press are now exploiting the crisis to attack the anti-war movement, to propagandise on behalf of NATO, and to undermine Irelands policy of neutrality," she adds.


































New York, US (PANA) - With 161 votes in favour, and eight abstentions, the UN General Assembly adopted a historic resolution on Thursday, declaring access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, a universal human right
The Irish Government has agreed targets to limit emissions in key sectors of the Irish economy after reaching a compromise rate of 25% for agriculture, it is understood.

It is further understood that a reduction rate of 75% was set for the electricity sector and a 50% reduction for the transport sector.

It comes after the Government failed on Wednesday to come to an agreement during the last scheduled Cabinet meeting before the summer recess.

Afterwards, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister for Transport and the Environment Eamon Ryan held discussions late into the night on how to assign emission reduction targets across key sectors of the economy, in particular the agriculture sector.

On Thursday afternoon, ministers signed off on the targets for each sector, with a 25% target agreed for agriculture.

The Governments Climate Action Plan 2021 set out a 22-30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions target for the agriculture sector, as part of Irelands aim to reduce its total emissions by 51% by 2030.

A reduction in the range of 62-81% was outlined for electricity, with a 42-50% reduction in transport.

Some backbench TDs wanted the agricultural emissions ceiling to be set on the lower end of that range, with climate scientists and some opposition parties calling for a reduction on the higher end.

Green Party leader Mr Ryan had admitted on Wednesday that talks had been tricky, while Mr Martin the said it is not easy to come to an agreement.

He said on Wednesday: What the difficulties reflect in reaching an agreement, they reflect the significance of the challenges. I think its important that we get a resolution, but that we do it in a way that facilitates delivery down the road and real momentum in relation to climate change.

Ireland has legally committed to halving its carbon emissions by 2030 and to achieving net-zero by 2050.
Samaritans is reminding the public that its volunteers are here around the clock to offer a listening ear to anyone who is struggling to cope.

Amid continuing uncertainty, Samaritans is highlighting the power of talking as part of the charitys annual Talk to Us awareness campaign which takes place throughout July.

Several branches across Ireland will also mark Samaritans Awareness Day on Sunday 24 July (24/7), one of the most important days in the charitys calendar, to help spread the message that volunteers are available to listen to anyone who is struggling - 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7).

Aileen Spitere, Acting Regional Director and volunteer in Cork Samaritans, said: It has been a challenging few years for everyone, and we know that many people are still facing all kinds of pressure, however, we want to remind the public that they are not alone. It doesnt matter how great or small the problems feel, our volunteers are here at any time of day or night, whatever they are facing.

Anyone can contact Samaritans for free any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit, or you can email jo@samaritans.ie

Were looking forward to spreading the word about Talk to Us in person this July. Now that the pandemic restrictions have lifted, many of our volunteers will be out and about to make sure people know that we are always available.

Several branches across the country are organising 7km walks or outreach events on July 24th, to highlight how Samaritans are there 24/7. These include Athlone, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Ennis, Limerick and Sligo, as well as Belfast, Coleraine, Craigavon and Omagh in Northern Ireland.

In Kilkenny, volunteers will take part in a Dawn to Dusk walk on July 23rd.

Elsewhere volunteers with Samaritans Festival branch will be offering to emotional support to people attending Galway Arts Festival (July 15-17) and Belfast Pride (July 29-31), as well as Electric Picnic and Lisdoonvarna in September.

Aileen added: Our volunteers are delighted to be back meeting people face to face and raising awareness of our service. Were urging anyone who sees Samaritans at events this month to join us and find out more about the branch and its work in the local area too. You can also join in the conversation on social media using #TalkToUs.

Samaritans volunteers across Ireland spent over 100,000 hours responding to calls for help last year and continue to be there for anyone struggling to cope.

For further information or to interview a Samaritans volunteer, please contact press@samaritans.org

Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number wont show up on your phone bill. Or you can email jo@samaritans.ie or visit www.samaritans.ie for more information.

Details of events around the country will be online the w/c July 18th or available via branches' social media pages.

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Wildcat, Possibly a Lynx, Still on the Loose on Long Island

Pets & Animal, Local News

By Ls Cohen Published: July 27 2022

The exotic cat was first seen outside a West Islip home.

A real life big cat crisis has descended upon Long Island drawing in the likes of Netflix documentary Tiger Kings Carole Baskin, who allegedly helped to identify the wildcat that was spotted stalking outside a West Islip home on Tuesday.

Suffolk County police were called about a wildcat in the area of Boulevard Avenue in West Islip on July 26 at approximately 10:40 am. Although police responded to the area, the animal was not located.

Original Facebook post from Humane Long Island.

Since then social media has lit up with theories about what kind of cat it is and where it might have come from. Speculation is that it was an illegally held exotic pet but that has not been confirmed by police yet.

On Wednesday, Humane Long Island, an animal advocacy organization, posted on Facebook that the big cat had yet to be located.

But a plan has been formulated when and if they are located, the post read. We are in touch with the New York DEC and Suffolk County SPCA and have informed these authorities that Save The Animals Rescue (STAR) Foundation is willing and able to foster the big cat and Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge has offered to give them a permanent home.

Humane Long Island thanked Big Cat Rescue for helping with the identification of the animal and Wild Cat Sanctuary for offering their expertise.

If Big Cat Rescue sounds familiar, thats because Carole Baskin, founder and CEO of the organization, was featured on the Netflix documentary Tiger King.

Baskin commented that the wildcat could actually be a Siberian Lynx.

The New York Post interviewed Roy Gross, of the Suffolk County SPCA, who said the animal can be extremely dangerous.

Safeguard your children, safeguard your pets, he told the newspaper.

Authorities urge anyone who comes in contact with the wildcat to keep their distance and dial 911 or the non-emergency police number, 631-852-COPS.
Pets & Animal, Local News

By Long Island Published: July 28 2022

A 70-year-old Long Island woman was killed after she was viciously attacked by her familys pit bull in Albertson on Wednesday afternoon, according to Nassau police.

According to Nassau Police, a70-year-old Long Island woman was killed after she was viciously attacked by her familys pit bull in Albertson, Long Island on Wednesday afternoon.

Marina Verriests husband returned home from work at around 1 p.m. and discovered his wifes mutilated body being dragged through the backyard by their 7-year-old dog, according to Nassau County Police and neighbors.

Its not clear when the attack began, but police said when the husband arrived at home, the dog was still eating on the body.

The husband immediately called the police. When they arrived, the dog turned and charged at the first officer on the scene, who then opened fire, killing the dog.

EMS arrived on scene and declared the victim dead
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of London-listed company director and manager changes announced on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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Cohort PLC - Reading-based defence and security markets-focussed technology - Stanley Carter will depart as non-executive director at Cohort's annual general meeting on September 27. Carter co-founded Cohort in 2006, serving first as chief executive and then as co-chair in 2009, before stepping down to non-executive director in 2015. Nick Prest, who co-founded Cohort with Carter, remains chair. Carter remains a 22% shareholder.

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Nuformix PLC - London-based pharmaceutical firm targeting fibrosis and oncology via drug repurposing - Dan Gooding rejoins company as executive director. Gooding was a co-founder of Nuformix and its CEO until June 2020. He has been acting as a consultant to the company since March. Also promotes Non-Executive Director Julian Gilbert to non-executive chair. The board now will have three members, including also Non-Executive Director Maddy Kennedy.

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Fusion Antibodies PLC - Belfast-based pre-clinical antibody discovery, engineering and supply for therapeutic drug and diagnostic applications - Hires Adrian Kinkaid as CEO, starting August 15. Says Kinkaid has 25 years experience in life science and biotherapeutics industries. He joins from Vortex Liquid Biopsy Solutions Ltd and Vortex Biosciences Inc, where he was CEO.

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ECSC Group PLC - Bradford, West Yorkshire-based cyber security services provider - Hires Matthew Briggs as CEO, starting immediately, while Ian Mann will move to executive chair from CEO. Briggs was chief commercial officer for motor breakdown cover provider RAC Ltd, a divisional managing director at Aviva PLC, and CEO of Capita Insurance, part of Capita PLC.

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Alien Metals Ltd - mineral exploration in Australia, Mexico and Greenland - Hires Rod McIllree as executive chair. As a result, Bill Brodie Good steps down immediately as a company director but remains as non-board CEO, focused on operations, particularly at the Hancock iron ore project in Western Australia. Dan Smith steps down as chair but remains as a non-executive director. McIllree was most recently executive chair of fellow AIM listing Bluejay Mining PLC.

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Sportech PLC - London-based betting technology - Chief Financial Officer Nicola Rowlands will leave Sportech at the end of September to become deputy CFO of an unnamed marketing services firm. Sportech says it will appoint a replacement "in due course", though also says it is "considering its appropriate composition going forward". Rowlands will remain in place through the release of interim results in September, Sportech says.

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Wincanton PLC - Wiltshire, England-based logistics - Hires Tom Hinton as CFO and board member, starting August 15. Most recently, Hinton was CFO at WE Soda Ltd, a mining and chemicals firm.

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By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Ireland's yearly retail sales declined worsened in June, provisional figures on Thursday showed.

According to early figures from the Central Statistics Office, retail sales dropped 6.6% annually in June, the decline picking up speed from a 3.0% fall in May.

Retail sales fell 1.3% in June from May. In May, they had also fallen 1.3% on a monthly basis.

The largest monthly declines came in electrical goods sales, down 14%.

On an annual basis, sales in bars surged 54%, lapping an easier Covid-hit comparison. However, the CSO noted bar sales are 24% below pre-virus levels.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
MOSCOW, July 28 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan plans to stop oil and gas condensate production at Karachaganak oilfield for maintenance from Sept. 12 to Oct. 6, the energy ministry said this week.

Oil and gas condensate at Karachaganak rose to 6.096 million tonnes in the first six months of the year from 5.989 million tonnes in the same period last year.

Field operator Karachaganak Petroleum Operating (KPO) did not respond to a request for comment.

Oil from Karachaganak is mainly supplied via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium from the Black Sea terminal.

KPO stakeholders are Eni (29.25%), Shell (29.25%), Chevron (18%), Lukoil (13.5%) and Kazmunaygaz (10%). (Reporting by Reuters Editing by David Goodman )
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A steady, heavy rain in the morning. Showers continuing in the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
The Champions League's second qualifying round didn't come without controversy, though the issues came in the stands as Fenerbahce fans taunted opponents Dynamo Kyiv.

The home fans on Wednesday night chanted the name of Russian president Vladimir Putin, clearly aiming to get under the skin of the Ukrainian team's players.

A video posted on Twitter by Batu Bozkurk showed the Fenerbahce supporters chant 'Vladimir Putin' during the second leg of their Champions League second-round qualifier against Dynamo Kyiv.

"Fenerbahce fans chanted 'Vladimir Putin' after a Dynamo Kyiv player celebrated a goal," Bozkurk wrote, alongside the video.

The incident happened just before the hour mark, when Vitaliy Buyalskyi opened the scoring in the tie, giving the Ukrainian side a 1-0 lead on the night and on aggregate.

The 29-year-old Ukraine international then appeared to provoke the home fans by making a gesture that many have said was a reference to Fenerbahce's rivals, Besiktas.

Attila Szalai equalised for the Turkish side two minutes before the end of the 90, though Dynamo Kyiv won in extra time thanks to a goal from Oleksandr Karavayev.
Famed attorney Camille Vasquez expressed her gratitude to Johnny Depp for the opportunity to defend him in court against Amber Heard, his ex-wife and alleged batterer.

Vasquez was asked in a teaser clip before a sit-down interview by "CBS Mornings" host Gayle King why she believes the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor chose her specifically to participate in the widely reported defamation case.

"It was important to have a woman on the team," the 38-year-old lawyer said, in part. "Why?" King asked. "This case called for a woman's perspective," Vasquez answered, "and I was the lucky person chosen to do this job."

"Do you feel lucky? Is lucky the word?" King interrupted again. "I think so, yeah," said Vasquez. "I think hard work and luck - you can't underestimate there was a combination there. Of course, it's a tremendous amount of hours, but it's also a little bit of luck, and it's not a job that I took lightly.

The interview was conducted a week after Heard submitted an appeal motion against the jury's decision, which favored Depp last month.

The Depp vs Heard trial aftermath for Camille

The seven jurors concluded that her claims that he physically abused her while they were dating defamed him. Although Virginia law caps punitive damages at $350,000, they gave the "Edward Scissorhands" actor $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in monetary penalties.

Throughout the trial, Vasquez rose to fame on her own. TikTok was initially persuaded that the young professional and the actor might have a romantic relationship, but her incisive questions during the cross-examination and commanding presence on behalf of her client soon cemented her place in history.

On July 15, at one of Depp's concerts in Europe, admirers recorded video of Vasquez and Depp reuniting. The lawyer introduced her boyfriend, British businessman Edward Owen, to the "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" actor.
The fourth season of Stranger Things premiered its final episodes on Netflix on July 1.

One of the most beloved characters for fans was undoubtedly that of Eddie Munson, played by Joseph Quinn. The British-born actor recently suffered a curious episode at New York airport when he was held up before his visit to Jimmy Fallon's show.

"I almost didn't make it to this interview. They took me to what you might call a dungeon. And they asked me to wait there for about 20 minutes and then they called me up to this counter where somebody asked me, 'What are you doing in America?' I said I'm actually here to meet Jimmy Fallon on the show tonight. And he didn't believe me," Quinn recounted during his time on NBC.

Saved by a Stranger Things fan

The actor was flying in from London for the interview, but he didn't have an easy time convincing New York airport security.

In fact, Joseph Quinn was held up and only thanks to the intervention of another security member, who turned out to be a fan, was he able to avoid the hold: "One of his buddies looked at him, looked at me and said, 'Leave Eddie alone! It's Eddie from Stranger Things. And then he said to me, 'Are you Eddie Munson?'"

After that, with the situation calmer, the guard wanted to know if Eddie's character would return for the fifth and final season. "I don't know," Quinn replied. A sentence that didn't reassure the man, who warned him: "You better hope so."

Fortunately, after that curious anecdote, his passport was returned and he finally arrived in time for his interview with Fallon.
Northwestern CS had a strong presence at the Twenty-Third Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Conference on Economics and Computation (EC'22), held July 11-15 at the University of Colorado Boulder and sponsored by the ACM Special Interest Group on Economics and Computation (SIGecom).

Northwestern Engineerings Jason Hartline and several of his current and former PhD students presented multiple papers at the event, which is an annual forum for advances in theory, empirics, and applications at the interface of economics and computation.

A leader in CS+Economics research, Hartline is a professor of computer science and, by courtesy, professor of managerial economics and decision sciences in Northwesterns Kellogg School of Management and professor of economics at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. He applies design and analysis methodologies from computer science to explain and improve the behavior and outcomes of complex economic systems.

Its great to see the leadership and impact that researchers across three Northwestern departments, and alumni, are having on the interdisciplinary field of Economics and Computation, Hartline said. In addition to the long list of Northwestern papers that were accepted, many of our junior PhD students attended the conference, asked questions during talks, and got to really experience being part of the wonderful research community of the ACM Special Interest Group on Economics and Computation.

Hartline collaborated with Liren Shan, a fourth-year PhD student in the Northwestern CS Theory Group, advised by professor of computer science Konstantin Makarychev; Yifan Wu, a second-year PhD student advised by Hartline; and former advisee Yingkai Li (PhD 22), currently a postdoc at the Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics at Yale University, on the paper Optimization of Scoring Rules.

The team presented a framework for optimizing proper scoring rules with practical application in peer grading, peer prediction, and exam scoring. Scoring rules are used to elicit information from a strategic agent. Proper scoring rules incentivize forecasters to report their belief distributions about unknown and probabilistic states truthfully. The proposed framework uses proper scoring rules to prompt effort from the agent, for instance algorithmically grading peer reviews to incentivize effort to improve learning outcomes.

The team also presented related outcomes, titled Optimal Scoring Rules for Multi-dimensional Effort, during the Recent Research: Delegation and Scoring Rules track at the Algorithmic Contract Design: Present and Future EC22 workshop.

Modibo Camara (PhD 22), who was jointly advised by Hartline and Eddie Dekel, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Economics at Northwesterns Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, won the ACM SIGecom Best Paper with a Student Lead Author and an Exemplary Theory Track Award for his paper Computationally Tractable Choice. The theoretical framework incorporates computational constraints into decision theory to examine how cognitive limitations and common heuristics affect behavior. Applying the Turing machine computational model to a general model of choice under risk, Camara demonstrated the potential value of computational tractability to economic theory and predictions about economic behavior.

Camara also presented his paper Mechanism Design with a Common Dataset. He plans to join the faculty of the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2023 following a position as a Saieh Family Fellow at the University of Chicago's Becker-Friedman Institute.

Annie Liang, assistant professor of economics at Northwesterns Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and the Karr Family Assistant Professor of Computer Science, chaired the conference parallel session Equilibrium in Games. She also presented the paper Algorithmic Design: Fairness Versus Accuracy with collaborators Jay Lu (University of California, Los Angeles) and Xiaosheng Mu (Princeton University).

Northwestern invested early in building a strong program in the emerging CS+Econ space, and this huge presence at the conference indicates clearly why such investments can pay off handsomely, said Samir Khuller, Peter and Adrienne Barris Chair of Computer Science at Northwestern Engineering. We now have one of the top graduate programs in the country in this area.

Additional Northwestern contributions to the EC22 technical program and virtual poster session included:
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SC asks Centre to play proactive role in matter to hold Under-17 Women's World Cup in India & facilitate in lifting suspension of AIFF.

Centre tells SC that two meeting have been held with FIFA, efforts being made to "break some ice" on holding of U-17 Women's World Cup.
As the summer of 2022 is slowly coming to a close, farmers across Huron County are wrapping up their harvests after a turbulent year.

Wheat farmers in particular had a lot of ups and downs in 2022, starting in the fall of 2021, when their crop is typically planted. Due to inconvenient weather, the planting season for many was late, with some unable to plant until November. However, according to Farmers' Cooperative Grain Company Grain Merchandiser Colin Booms, the harvest yield as of July 26 has been of high quality.

The Kinde co-op is only waiting on a few other members to finish drying their crop to turn in. Some farmers dry the crop themselves to lower the wheat's water weight before turning it in. Since this means the co-op won't have to dry as much itself, the farmers that do this get what's called a "moisture discount."

This wasn't the only financial tactic that farmers used to navigate the rough waters of the market this year.

When Russia invaded Ukraine at the beginning of 2022, the global price of wheat sky-rocketed, since both countries are, or were, major wheat and grain producers.

"It's been hard for farmers to follow prices because at one point we were at $15 for a bushel of wheat, but now we're at the $7-$8 range," Booms explained.

Because of this unpredictability, many farmers used forward contracting to ensure stability with their crops. This is where a farmer will lock down a price for their output, using whatever the commodity price is at the time. Even this can be a risky play, though, as the price could rise between then and when it's time to sell the crop. However, it seems most farmers preferred this stability to relying on the market.

"It's a way of protecting themselves at a certain price," Booms summarized.
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ROME (AP)  Italys president, marking the 100th anniversary of one of the attacks that helped bring dictator Benito Mussolini to power, on Thursday encouraged Italians to reinvigorate their countrys democracy as a bulwark against fascism.

President Sergio Mattarella was commemorating the trashing and torching by fascist thugs of a farm cooperative building in the northeastern city of Ravenna 100 years ago. The violent attack was one in a series launched by fascist supporters of the dictator, whose iron-rule would last into World War II.

Italy's fascist legacy faces increasingly closer scrutiny these days as the country holds an early parliamentary election on Sept 25. Opinion polls indicate the far-right Brothers of Italy, which has neo-fascist roots, would be the top vote-getter, with the party's leader, Giorgia Meloni, eager to become premier.

She has never disavowed her party's fascist roots but has distanced it from Mussolini's racial laws targeting Jews.

Meloni is now the dominant force in an alliance with the right-wing League party led by Matteo Salvini and the center-right Forza Italia party led by former Premier Silvio Berlusconi. The two latter parties have seen their support erode in recent local elections.

Mattarella, as head of state, serves as a guarantor of the republic's post-war Constitution. He called the Ravenna attack a chapter of our history that would lead to the loss of freedom for Italians, with the start of the dark season of the fascist dictatorship."

Mussolini took power in a march on Rome by his followers in October 1922.

In his speech, Mattarella said Italy's democracy had survived World War I only to be rocked by "dramatic social emergencies, turbulence, strikes, the occupation of factories" and other violence in the immediate post-war period.

Mussolini came to power during a period of weak government, the president said, adding that democracy is born of the widespread conscience of responsibility of each one of us in the defense of common freedoms.

It's up to us to regenerate it every day, Mattarella said, appealing to young people in particular to take up that responsibility.

After Italian Premier Mario Draghi's wide-ranging coalition collapsed last week, Mattarella dissolved Parliament, triggering the early election.

Sinking Draghi's pandemic unity government were Salvini, Berlusconi and the populist 5-Star Movement, all refusing to back him in a confidence vote.

Meloni was the only major leader to refuse to join Draghi's pandemic unity government when it was formed in early 2021 after he was tapped by Mattarella. She argued that Italians should decide their leader in an election.

When it appeared that Berlusconi and Salvini were waffling at the prospect of Meloni becoming the next premier  and the first woman to hold that office  she demanded the three of them huddle to confirm the alliance's long-standing rule: whoever gets the most votes becomes its pick for the premiership.
Midland Daily News

The Professional Women in Building Council of the Home Builders Association of Saginaw has announced its four Residential Building Trades Scholarship recipients.

Students receiving a scholarship are either beginning or continuing their education in the building industry.
MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP)  Sections of a renowned peatland tropical forest in the Congo Basin that plays a crucial role in Africa's climate system go up for oil and gas auction in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday.

The DRC government will auction 30 oil and gas blocks in the Cuvette-Centrale Peatlands in the Congo Basin forest  the worlds largest tropical peatland. Peatland soils are known as carbon sinks because packed into them are immense stores of carbon that get released into the atmosphere when the ecosystem is disturbed.

Some of the areas, or blocs, marked for oil leasing lie within Africas iconic first conservation area, the Virunga National Park, created in 1925 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the last bastion of mountain gorillas.

The Congo basin covers 530 million hectares (1.3 billion acres) in central Africa and represents 70% of the continent's forested land. It hosts over a thousand bird species and more primates than any other place in the world, including the great apes: gorillas, chimpanzees and Bonobos.

People are at risk, too. Members of the Mbuti and Baka people could be displaced or evicted.

The move by the Congo-Kinshasa Ministry of Hydrocarbons has angered environmentalists and climate activists who say that oil drilling will pose significant risks to a continent already inundated by harsh climate effects. The Centre for International Forest Research puts the massive Cuvette-Centrale carbon sink at 145,000 square kilometers (56,000 square miles) and said it stores up to 20 years' equivalent of the carbon emissions emitted by the United States.

Other blocs the DRC plans to auction include some located on Lake Kivu, Lake Tanganyika, and one in a coastal region alongside the Albertine-Grabben region, the western side of the Eastern African Rift Valley system.

"These are the last refuges of nature biodiversity," and our last carbon sinks, said Ken Mwathe, of BirdLife International in Africa. "We must not sacrifice these valuable natural assets for damaging development.

The auction of part of the Congo Basin rainforest, which represents 5% of the global tropical forests, comes barely a week after the International Union for the Conservation of Nature hosted the inaugural Africa Protected Areas Congress in Kigali, Rwanda. There, attendees resolved to strengthen protection of Africas key biodiversity hotspots.

The DRC is one of 17 nations in the world classified as megadiverse. In September last year, at the World Conservation Congress meeting in France, 137 resolutions dubbed the Marseille Manifesto highlighted the significant role the Congo Basin is expected to play in the global commitment to protect 30% of the Earth by 2030.

Last year at the U.N. climate conference COP26, a dozen donors dubbed the Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forests and Land Use, pledged some $1.5 billion to working collectively to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.

The Democratic Republic's carbon sponge is also at risk from large-scale logging, expansion of agriculture and the planned diversion of the Congo Rivers waters into the shrinking Lake Chad.

___

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.
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KINSHASA, Congo (AP)  Four people participating in demonstrations against the United Nations peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo were killed Wednesday when a high-voltage power line fell on them, officials said.

Their deaths came on the third day of anti-U.N. protests. At least 15 people, including three U.N. personnel, died and more than 60 people were injured during the earlier demonstrations, Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said.

Andre Byadunia, a civil society coordinator in the city of Uvira in South Kivu province, said the four demonstrators were electrocuted when a power cable gave way in the Kilomoni district.

Uvira Deputy Mayor Kyky Kifara confirmed the incident and said he was at the demonstration site when the cable fell. He said he thinks the death toll could have been higher if police and security forces had not already dispersed the crowd.

I was there, Ive been there since morning. There was a bullet that cut a high-voltage wire. I almost died myself. Luckily, I barely escaped, Kifara said.

Khassim Diagne, acting head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, said later in the day that in the protests Monday and Tuesday, seven Congolese civilians were killed in Butembo in North Kivu province along with one U.N. peacekeeper from Morocco and two U.N. policemen from India. Five people were killed in eastern Congos main city, Goma, including an army officer hit by a stray bullet, he said.

Diagne said in a virtual news conference from the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, called the situation fragile, and said reinforcements from the United Nations and Congolese forces were securing U.N. bases and installations. He welcomed a strong statement by the governor of North Kivu on Tuesday night banning protests and calling on demonstrators to move out of the streets.

While some demonstrators were peaceful, there were also criminals and looters who were photographed walking out of a U.N. warehouse with bags of rice and dry goods, Diagne said.

Protesters accuse the peacekeepers of failing to protect civilians amid rising violence and are calling for the U.N. forces that have been in Congo for years to leave. The mission has more than 16,000 uniformed personnel in Congo, according to the U.N.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the violence, calling on the government to enforce justice on the perpetrators. He also underscored that any attack directed at U.N. peacekeepers might constitute a war crime.

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday strongly condemned the attacks and peacekeeper deaths and called for calm and dialogue to resolve current tensions and to ensure protection of civilians." It also underscored the Congolese government's primary responsibility for the safety and security of U.N. peacekeepers and U.N. assets.

Diagne said the United Nations will investigate the killings of the three members of the U.N. peacekeeping mission and seek to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He said the U.N. has seen reports that U.N. troops were firing at civilians, but has no evidence of it. This is why the U.N. wants a joint investigation of the civilian deaths with the government, including an examination of the bullets, to determine exactly where the shooting came from, Diagne said.

Congos mineral-rich east is home to myriad rebel groups. Security has worsened there despite a year of emergency operations by a joint force of the armies of Congo and Uganda. Civilians in the east have faced violence from jihadi rebels linked to the Islamic State group.

In June 2021 and June 2022, the peacekeeping mission closed its office in Congos Kasai Central and Tanganyika regions.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the U.N. made plans to draw down its peacekeeping force and even withdraw from Congo but the force remained because the situation on the ground was too dangerous to contemplate its departure. The U.N. has reduced the number of provinces it operates in from 10 in the early 2000s to three today, Daigne said.

Fighting has escalated between Congolese troops and the M23 rebels, forcing nearly 200,000 people to flee their homes. The M23 forces have demonstrated increased firepower and defense capabilities, according to a report by Human Rights Watch.

The protests are taking place after Senate President Modeste Bahati told his supporters that the U.N. mission should pack its bags, saying the peacekeepers have brought no solutions to deter the thousands of deaths at the hands of rebels in eastern Congo.

Augustin Kalume, a political analyst in Congo, said that while the demonstrations have a political element, there is also genuine anger as every passing population continues to count deaths, and the looting of natural resources.

The population is fed up that despite the millions of dollars that the U.N. mission has cost, these peacekeepers are unable to restore peace and security in the eastern part of Congo, Kalume said.

Diagne was asked whether he thought the Congolese people wanted the U.N. mission to remain and replied absolutely. He cited messages saying it would be a disaster if the U.N. left, but he said the peacekeeping mission needs to better communicate what it does.

The U.N. childrens agency said Wednesday that many children were manipulated into joining the demonstrations, where they were exposed to violence.

UNICEF condemns the instrumentalization of children for political purposes and calls on authorities, members of civil society and parents to keep children safe from protests in order to protect them, Grant Leaity, the UNICEF representative in Congo, said.

___

Associated Press writers Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Al-Hadji Kudra Maliro in Beni, Congo, contributed to this report.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  The presidents of South Korea and Indonesia agreed Thursday to boost their bilateral cooperation on supply chains, economic security and defense.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrived in South Korea on Wednesday as part of a regional trip that already took him to China and Japan.
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Michigan was admitted in 1837 as the 26th state in the Union, and it continues to be considered a beautiful place to live and to visit.

Whether one is interested in history, wine country, beaches, waterfalls, or lakes  Michigan has all of the above. Check out these titles while planning the next trip and vacation.

 For those interested in armchair travel, Lost Detroit: Stories Behind the Motor Citys Majestic Ruins by Dan Austin is an homage to Detroit at its best. The rise and decline of 12 historic buildings, accompanied by full-color photographs, takes the reader back in time.

 Get to know Michigan like never before with Matt Forsters scenic tours from the southern state line to the Canadian border in the north. Featuring points of interest, maps and photographs, Backroads & Byways of Michigan: Drives, Day Trips, & Weekend Excursions'' is a great way to explore Michigan.

 Featuring 20 of the 129 lighthouses that dot the Michigan coastline, Birds & Beacons of Michigan by Kimberly Kotzain combines two hobbies: bird watching and exploring lighthouses. Birds have long sought refuge in these landmarks, making them the perfect place to visit.

 Haunted Travels of Michigan by Kathleen Tedsen might convince readers that Michigan is quite a haunted place. The author and her sister have done their research and provide an abundance of evidence of the paranormal.

 Join author Mike Sonnenberg as he explores various regions throughout the state in Lost in Michigan: History and Travel Stories From an Endless Road Trip. Readers can find pictures, maps, history and stories of famous people from Michigan.

Submitted photo/Manistee County Library

 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Grand Hotel has intrigued and entertained generations of visitors. Mackinac Islands Grand Hotel by Mike Fornes tells the story of this luxurious setting that has welcomed presidents, conferences, families on vacation and was even featured in the Hollywood film, Somewhere in Time.

 Michigan: Off the Beaten Path by Jim DuFresne takes travelers to the attractions that are often missed. Featuring unique dining experiences, little-known museums, maps and contact information, its everything one needs for a fun-filled weekend.

 Bring family and friends along on an extraordinary travel experience.Michigan Day Trips by Theme by Kathryn Houghton highlights everything from museums, festivals to beaches and shipwrecks.

 Moon Travel Guides offers Michigans Upper Peninsula by Paul Vachon as a directory for adventure, relaxation, fun and exploration. The guide includes photos and maps.

 Located in the Detroit River and technically owned by Canada, Bob-Lo Island, now called Bois Blanc Island, was home to a beloved amusement park that Michigan residents flocked to during the summer. Summer Dreams: the Story of Bob-Lo Island''

Submitted photo/Manistee County Library

 Michigan began placing historical markers throughout the state in 1955. Traveling Through Time: a Guide to Michigans Historical Markers is a compilation of the stories behind the markers.

 Whether one prefers the deep woods, a sandy beach, solitude or tourist attractions, 50 Hikes in Michigan by Jim Dufresne has information on distance, difficulty, terrain, scenic features, rest stops and more.

Manistee County Library has many travel guides. Check out our selection through our online catalog at manisteelibrary.org or visit any of the six locations to browse the shelves.
State Senate candidate Christian Velasquez intends to "vigorously defend" himself against a recent lawsuit that names him as one of the defendants.

Velasquez, of Midland, is one of two 35th District State Senate Republican candidates who were named in a lawsuit filed on July 21, communicated through a statement released by his attorney late Wednesday afternoon to the Daily News.

Sharon Schram, a former Dow Corning employee, is suing Velasquez, fellow State Senate candidate State Rep. Annette Glenn, and Dow, citing invasion of privacy (Velasquez), defamation (Glenn and Velasquez) and breach of contract (Velasquez and Dow). The lawsuit is seeking in excess of $75,000 in damages.

Attorney Zachary B. Mack of Salvatore Prescott Porter & Porter, which has offices in Detroit and Chicago, wrote a 429-word statement on behalf of Velasquez.

"We are unable to comment in detail on the lawsuit given its early stages, and because it also has its origins in previous litigation between the plaintiff Ms. Schram and Dow to which Christian was not a party," the statement reads in part. "Further, the present litigation in the Midland County Circuit Court surrounds terms of an alleged agreement between Ms. Schram and Dow to which, again, Christian was not a party or signatory to. Efforts have been made to obtain a copy of that agreement from Ms. Schrams counsel, but they are unwilling to provide it at this time."

Schram filed the July 21 lawsuit after a series of public comments was made by both Velasquez and Glenn related to a 2016 lawsuit filed by Schram against Dow Corning Corporation in U.S. District Court. That lawsuit alleged retaliation by Dow Corning contrary to the federal Family & Medical Leave Act; disability discrimination under the Michigan Persons With Disabilities Civil Rights Act; retaliation under the Michigan Workers Disability Compensation Act; and gender discrimination under the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

Velasquez, a Dow Corning manager at the time, was one of multiple Dow Corning employees who were deposed in the lawsuit. Schram's case against Dow Corning was eventually settled out of court in 2018.

Chris Velasquez.jpg

The statement from Mack concludes by defending Velasquez's reputation.

"Christian and his campaign intend to vigorously defend this present case filed in the last week  the timing of which is not lost on his campaign. In the meantime, Christian would simply like to reiterate that in his 29 year career with Dow and Dow Corning, he earned a solid reputation for being fair and strongly advocating for the advancement of others careers regardless of their gender. Suggestions to the contrary, including in the recent skewed attacks, are just further examples of career politicians and their supporters engaging in the type of mudslinging Christian would like removed from politics."
MIDDLETOWN  Connecticut officials are expected to continue the maximum-security confinement of a psychiatric hospital patient who killed a 9-year-old girl after walking away from a state treatment facility.

The state Psychiatric Security Review Board has scheduled a hearing on David Peterson for Nov. 3. The board must review his mental health and confinement every two years. An agenda for the meeting indicates there are no requests to change his confinement conditions.

Peterson wandered off the grounds of a low-security section of Connecticut Valley Hospital in July 1989 and stabbed Jessica Short of Wallingford to death at a city street fair.

Peterson, 37, who was on an eight-hour pass after being ordered to CVH on a 15-year sentence in May 1968, stabbed 9-year-old Jessica Short repeatedly in the head and chest with a large hunting knife, according to news reports at the time.

The stabbing took place on Main Street during one of the citys annual summer sidewalk sales that routinely drew thousands to the downtown area. Peterson grabbed Short after she walked out of the F. W. Woolworth store at 428-432 Main St., (now Irreplaceable Artifacts) and attacked her with the knife before a passerby and two officers pulled him off her, press reports said.

The Facebook page In Loving Memory of Jessica Short posts links to periodic articles on the case.

Peterson had been found guilty by reason of insanity an assault and burglary charges, Martha Lewis, executive director of the state Psychiatric Security Review Board, said in a July 29, 1989, Associated Press story.

Peterson was acquitted of murder and escape March 30, 1990, in the case. According to the New York Times story, Peterson, a chronic paranoid schizophrenic with a history of mental illness and violence since his youth, chose his victim randomly.

When he was sentenced in 1990, the New York Times, reported, Peterson had spent 15 years in mental institutions and was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 1971 and 1988 in other stabbing attacks and was committed to state hospitals for those crimes.

Mr. Peterson told the police that he had killed Miss Short to take revenge on his doctors because they wouldnt change his medication, the Times reported.

He was committed to state care for a 70-year term that expires in 2060. Hes currently being treated at the maximum-security Whiting Forensic Division of Connecticut Valley Hospital.

Middletown Press staff reports contributed to this story.
Veterans living overseas can get help receiving their VA benefits directly from the VA through a special program.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Overseas Military Service Coordinator (OMSC) program offers specialized assistance to veterans living overseas, with either in-person or virtual assistance.

With the advent of COVID-19, the virtual assistance program has been expanded and extended to at least Oct. 1, 2022, according to a July 22 email newsletter.

The virtual assistance program is in addition to the in-person assistance offered at Landstuhl Air Force Base, Germany, and Camp Humphreys, South Korea.

Veterans living in Europe should contact the Landstuhl OMSC using the following information:

Phone: DSN 314.590.8200; Commercial :+49 (0) 6371 9464 8200

E-mail: GermanyBDD.VBAPIT@VA.GOV

Location: Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Building 3724, Rooms 110 and 112 Landstuhl, AE 66849

Visitor hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon and 1:15-3 p.m local time.

Veterans living in Asia should contact the Camp Humphreys OMSC using the following Information:

Phone: DSN 757-2914; commercial: 050-3357-2914

E-mail: KoreaBDD.vbapit@va.gov

Location: Camp Humphreys Department of Veterans Affairs USAG Camp Humphreys BLDG P-6400 APO, AP 96271-5228

Visitor hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m local.

Veterans wishing to make appointments at either location are encouraged to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment on the Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA), the VA's appointment scheduler.

The same VA office that processes Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claims also assists overseas veterans. The Benefits Delivery at Discharge program is a VA program that allows separating military members to file their disability claim up to 180 days before being discharged, to speed up receipt of benefits.

In addition to the OMSC program, the VA offers several contact methods for veterans wishing to receive assistance or solve problems with their benefits:

Online: Ask VA website

Telephone: 412-395-6272 from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Eastern, Monday-Friday

GI Bill questions: 918-781-5678 from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Eastern, Monday-Friday

Direct deposit and currency conversion: 918-781-7550 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Eastern, Monday-Friday

Overseas veterans can also receive benefits assistance from the American embassy or consulate in their local country. They can visit Social Securitys Foreign Country Service Information page for a list of federal benefits units with specially trained staff that can provide assistance with all types of government benefits and assistance questions.

Veterans living in the Philippines can also visit the Manila VA office for assistance with benefits and medical issues. There is also a VA hospital in Manila.

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The Marine Corps lifted a freeze on water-based training for its new landing craft a week after two of its vehicles became disabled in the surf off the California coast.

On July 19, two Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs] got caught in the high surf at Camp Pendleton, disabling both and tipping one on its side. The Marine Corps emphasized that no one was injured in the incident and both vehicles were recovered by July 21, but the service put a halt on letting Marines train with the vehicles in the water.

In a statement released late Tuesday afternoon, the Marine Corps announced that "after initial review of the factors involved in the July 19 [Amphibious Combat Vehicle, or ACV] incident, Headquarters Marine Corps authorized ACV water operations in protected waters only" -- meaning oceans are still off-limits.

Read Next: Air Force Moves F-22s to Poland in Bid to Protect Allies Against Russia

Lt. Noah Richardson, a spokesman for the 1st Marine Division, also confirmed that the troops who were taking part in the exercise when the ACVs got stranded were from 1st Battalion, 4th Marines -- the same unit that lost eight Marines in 2020 when an amphibious assault vehicle, or AAV, the ACV's predecessor, took on water and sank. Meanwhile, the ACVs came from the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion -- the same unit that supplied the AAVs two years ago.

Four subsequent investigations by both the Marine Corps and the Navy found that the sinking was "preventable" and cited, among other things, poorly maintained vehicles and inadequate training.

Critics said that this latest incident raises concerns that the Marines have learned little since the deadly sinking.

Michael McDowell, a fellow at a Washington, D.C., think tank and military safety advocate, told Military.com that he has serious questions about the Corps' commitment to safety after the beaching.

McDowell's son, 1st Lt. H. Conor McDowell, 24, was killed in a rollover at Camp Pendleton on May 9, 2019. Since then, McDowell has advocated and lobbied for more safety during vehicle training and greater accountability for leaders following incidents.

McDowell wants to know why the unit chose to go into the water despite the dangerous weather forecast. The National Weather Service had issued a high-surf advisory for both San Diego and Orange counties at the time of the incident -- an area that includes Camp Pendleton and its 16-mile Pacific Ocean shoreline.

"Why was utmost caution not exercised?" McDowell said. "Aren't we supposed to learn lessons from that previous painful experience?"

Richardson, however, when asked about the comparison, pointed out that the incidents involve two different vehicles. The AAV that was involved in the 2020 incident was a Vietnam-era craft that was built 17 years before the youngest Marine who perished inside it was born. Since that incident, the vehicles are no longer allowed in the water. The ACVs have been in service only since 2020.

The service also noted that, since the sinking of the AAV in 2020, ACV units had to complete 18 tasks that focused on safety measures, evacuation training, and water survival qualifications before they could get back in the water.

Marine Corps spokesman Capt. Ryan Bruce told Military.com that "preliminary accounts indicate [the Marines] performed as trained, conducting the correct responsive actions during an uncertain and chaotic situation."

Also, while the units involved are the same, the Marines noted that the battalion commanders for both are now different. Both commanders in charge at the time of the 2020 incident received reprimands. Lt. Col. Michael J. Regner, commanding officer of Battalion Landing Team for the 1/4, was removed from his job in October 2020. Lt. Col. Keith Brenize, the commander of the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, is now at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He was censured by Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro in June of this year for failing to properly train the Marines under his charge.

The Corps also fired Maj. Gen. Robert Castellvi last June as the service's inspector general, effectively ending his career. Castellvi was the commanding general of the California-based 1st Marine Division at the time of the deadly mishap and oversaw both battalions.

McDowell, however, is less convinced that the lesson has sunk in. "Safety should be Job 1 for leaders, especially after a second serious 'mishap,'" he argued.

Last week, Lt. Gen. David Furness, the deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for Plans, Policies and Operations, said that the service is investigating this latest incident in an effort to "learn from this event, and ensure our assault amphibian community remains ready to support our nation."

"This is the right thing to do," Furness added in the emailed statement to Military.com.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Marine Corps Grounds Its New Landing Craft After 2 Are Disabled in Big Waves During Exercise
The Army's top general is vowing not to lower the service's standards despite a recruiting crisis reaching a head with a shrinking pool of young Amercans eligible to serve and difficulty enticing new soldiers.

"What I don't want to do, and we've done this historically, is lower standards and convince ourselves that's the right thing to do," Gen. James McConville, the Army's chief of staff, told reporters Thursday. "We're not going to achieve squat."

The Army's trouble recruiting is expected to result in a drop in the size of the force by about 14,000 soldiers by the end of 2023. Recruiting struggles are an amalgamation of issues, most notably the military largely being out of the minds of young Americans as a job opportunity with no widespread call to arms like the one seen after 9/11.

Read Next: Marine Amphibious Craft Go Back into Protected Waters as Questions over Safety Loom

That sharp reduction in troop numbers has prompted the Army to examine how it structures the force. While McConville said no major formations are on the chopping block, fewer soldiers could lead to some reorganization.

"We are taking a look at every single position in [the Army]," McConville said. "We've done the analysis, and we've found out where there's positions that we don't necessarily require, but our intent is not to reduce any brigade combat teams at the same time."

The service has been making minor adjustments on the margins that Army planners hope will make recruiting slightly easier, such as more relaxed tattoo policies; generous enlistment bonuses up to $50,000; and allowing new recruits to pick their first duty station, with limitations. But none of those efforts are expected to radically change the trend line.

It has been difficult simply to find potential recruits even qualified to join, McConville noted. Only about 23% of young Americans are eligible to join the ranks, mostly due to the obesity crisis in the U.S., which has been dubbed a national security issue.

McConville told reporters the academic side of the recruiting process is equally grim, with applicants struggling to pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, an SAT-style quiz. In the past, McConville said the pass rate was about two-thirds of applicants, but that has fallen to about one-third in recent years.

"We've had a valedictorian that couldn't pass the ASVAB. We just haven't seen those types of things before," he said.

Behind the scenes, service leaders are self-conscious about public perception on allowing less qualified people to join the ranks. In June, the service opened the door to recruits without a high school diploma or GED, but anxiety over the Army lowering its standards led to that policy being swiftly retracted after only a week.

"Quality is more important than quantity," McConville said.

That narrative of standards being reduced has slowly become a talking point among Republican lawmakers and pundits, after the Army was effectively forced to implement gendered standards for its new fitness test, when roughly half the women in the force were struggling to pass it. Democrats and Army Secretary Christine Wormuth voiced concerns that not creating differentiation for the test standards could lead to long-term problems with recruiting and retaining women.

In August, the Army is set to open its doors to new recruits who are slightly too overweight or who underperformed on the ASVAB. New 90-day programs will train those recruits on the academic test or exercise, depending on which standards they came up short on.

Meanwhile, Army planners are still trying to figure out how to reach young Americans. The military is mostly out of the headlines, with no major ongoing conflict to motivate enlistments. McConville noted the Army is still making commercials, but that may be a moot effort, given that young Americans largely do not watch cable TV and are instead on newer social media networks like TikTok. But Army officials are hesitant to use the platform over concerns the app, which is owned by a Chinese company, might be used to mine data on service members.

"We're trying to stay within the guardrails of what we can do," McConville said. "We are trying to be more innovative."

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: Army Opens its Doors to Recruits Who Fail to Meet Initial Body Fat and Academic Standards Amid Recruiting Crisis
After Joseph Beyrle and other prisoners of war bribed a German guard with 10 packs of cigarettes to allow them to escape, they boarded a train supposedly headed to Poland.

The train actually was destined for Berlin, and when the Gestapo later discovered the POWs in a safe house, they suffered the harsh consequences.

"We were interrogated, tortured, kicked, knocked around, walked on, hung up by our arms backwards [and] hit with whips, clubs and rifle butts," Beyrle recalled during a recorded account of his experiences during World War II, a transcript of which was provided to Military.com by the Eisenhower Center for American Studies at the University of New Orleans. "When you thought they could do no more, they would think of other ways to torture you. When you would slip into semi-consciousness, they would start again."

A U.S. Army paratrooper, Beyrle was captured three times by the Germans after taking part in the D-Day invasion. He also escaped three times, leading him to become what is believed to be the only soldier to fight for the both U.S. and Russian armies during the war.

While a POW, Beyrle was not only beaten, but also required to march long distances without food or water, not allowed to shower or shave, and confined alone for days. He was declared killed in action; his family was notified and a funeral was held.

Several months after Pearl Harbor was bombed, Beyrle joined the Army after graduating from high school in Michigan. He volunteered for airborne training, earning the nickname "Jumpin' Joe" and eventually was assigned to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.

The regiment, known as the Screaming Eagles, was sent to England to prepare for Operation Overlord. On the night of June 5, 1944, some of the 506th's C-47 planes exploded or crashed after taking enemy fire. Beyrle had no choice but to jump early, and he found himself under attack after landing on a church roof in Saint-Come-du-Mont.

Separated from his regiment, Beyrle fought alone for much of D-Day, during which time he destroyed a power station, according to his recollection. He was taken prisoner for the first time after climbing over a hedgerow, right into a German machine gun nest.

When Allied planes later strafed him and other POWs as they were being transported, Beyrle saw his first chance to flee. Despite sustaining shrapnel wounds, Beyrle made a run for it. About a half-day later, he was apprehended.

Sometime during Beyrle's imprisonment, his dog tags were taken away and given to a German soldier. That soldier later was killed and the dog tags were retrieved, leading the Americans to believe Beyrle had died.

Beyrle was very much alive, but he endured unimaginable cruelty.

He was hospitalized "with a big headache and a bashed head" after calling a German officer an "SOB" during a lengthy interrogation at a POW site dubbed Starvation Hill.

Along with other POWs, he was forced to march through Paris in a show of propaganda, during which people flung rotten food at them and spit on them.

He was confined in a "Forty and Eight" boxcar -- so called because they could hold 40 men or eight horses -- with about 80 other men for a week. During that span, planes strafed the convoy, leading to the deaths of several men, Beyrle's account said.

Beyrle was not registered as a POW -- or allowed to shower or shave -- until he had reached Stalag XIIA at Limburg, Germany. He did not try to escape again until after he was moved to Stalag IIIC near Krustin, Poland.

Beyrle won 60 packs of cigarettes while playing dice, giving him the collateral to barter as part of the POWs' escape plan. They were later discovered at the safe house "by five men in civilian clothes, armed with Lugers" and were tortured.

They then were sentenced to solitary confinement in "a cage-like box about six foot long, four foot wide and five foot high" for 30 days, a punishment that ended after a week -- only because a Red Cross representative advocated for them while inspecting the camp.

In early 1945, Beyrle tried again with an escape plan that involved one POW acting as if he were having a seizure while two others (one was Beyrle) ran for a stretcher. Meanwhile, other POWs were to fake a brawl.

In the confusion, Beyrle and two others hid in wooden barrels on the back of a wagon, but as the vehicle was departing, it overturned after striking a stone. The barrels -- and the men inside them -- toppled over, and the Germans opened fire, killing two of them.

Beyrle avoided capture, hiding in a stream initially and thus eluding detection by the guards' German Shepherds. He hid during the day and traveled at night before encountering Soviet tanks.

"The Soviet soldiers stopped him and pointed their guns at him as they thought he was a German fighter," according to historyofyesterday.com. "At which point, Beyrle pulled out a packet of Lucky Strike cigarettes [American cigarettes] and he shouted the only phrase he knew in Russian: 'Amerikansky tovarishch [sic; American friend]."

Beyrle identified himself as an escaped U.S. POW who wanted "[to] go to Berlin with them and kill Nazis." After some debate, he was handed a submachine gun.

While with the Red Army, Beyrle was involved in several firefights with Germans and helped blow open a safe at one of the POW camps from which he had escaped. While there, he also retrieved his POW record and picture.

When dive bombers attacked their tank column, Beyrle's right leg was injured. While recuperating in the hospital, Beyrle told a Soviet general that he had lost his military identification. At the generals urging, Beyrle was provided a letter, in Russian, that identified him as a U.S. Army paratrooper and ordered help in getting him to Moscow.

Once Beyrle reached the U.S. Embassy there, he produced the letter. As officials had believed Beyrle had been killed in action, he was detained until the records could be fixed. Once they were, Beyrle was on his way. He arrived in the United States in April 1945.

Beyrle and his wife visited Russia at least seven times before he died in 2004 at the age of 81. One of the Beyrles' three children, John, later became the U.S. ambassador to Russia.

-- Stephen Ruiz can be reached at stephen.ruiz@military.com.

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If the 1979 film "Apocalypse Now" seems like an emotional roller coaster of a war movie, that's because it is, almost literally. Director Francis Ford Coppola had to put up $30 million of his own money, using his home and winery as collateral to finish the movie the way he wanted. What began as a 14-week shoot would last more than a year.

Along the way, he suffered from seizures, had a nervous breakdown and allegedly threatened to kill himself three times. One of his main characters came to the set vastly overweight and demanded to ad-lib his lines. His other main character had a heart attack in the middle of the fim.

If that wasn't bad enough, Coppola couldn't actually look at any of the scenes on set in the Philippines. Since they had to be processed in the United States, he was forced to shoot the entire movie blind. Here are just a few other facts about the movie, and how they might have contributed to Coppola's frayed nerves.

1. The Story Was Based on an 1899 Novel Set in the Belgian Congo.

"Apocalypse Now" is based on the Joseph Conrad book "Heart of Darkness," which is about a sailor traveling upriver to find an ivory trader named Kurtz who is supposedly ill and is being worshiped by the natives. Instead of killing Kurtz, which is the mission in the 1979 movie, Conrad's character is out to rescue him.

A central theme in Conrad's book is that there isn't much difference between so-called "civilized" people and "savages."

Coppola expected everyone in the film to be familiar with "Heart of Darkness," but when actor Marlon Brando arrived on set, he had neither read the book nor the movie's script. The director would spend several days reading the book to Brando during production.

2. The Rogue Col. Kurtz Is Based on a Real Person.

Robert Rheault was a West Point graduate who received the Silver Star during the Korean War. He later joined the Army's Special Forces and would command the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam. He was almost guaranteed a general's position, but that was cut short when he was court-martialed for the extrajudicial killing of a South Vietnamese double agent. The charges were later dropped, but Rheault's career was ruined.

A newspaper clipping of Col. Robert Rheault, who is not 300 pounds and is also not bald.

Col. Kurtz was supposed to be a fit, lithe Special Forces officer, but Brando arrived weighing 300 pounds and demanding to be filmed in shadows. Coppola got so frustrated with the actor that assistant director Jerry Ziesmer had to film his scenes.

3. The Movie Uses Real Dead Bodies as Props.

Some of the movie's scenes were intensely detailed and complex, including the helicopter assault and the arrival at Col. Kurtz's compound. For weeks, rumors flew among the production staff that some of the dead bodies were actual human remains, but most shrugged it off as just rumor.

When producer Gray Frederickson looked into the rumor, he discovered that the prop tent had acquired real cadavers from a medical school supplier. It later turned out that the supplier was actually a grave robber.

Not pictured: cadavers. Not in this shot, anyway. (United Artists)

4. A Water Buffalo Is Really Sacrificed on Screen.

While filming in the Philippines, one of the local tribes, the Ifugao, was slaughtering a water buffalo as a sacrifice. The crew had provided a number of animals to the tribes as payment for filming on their land, including two water buffalo.

And you thought the plot was dark. (United Artists)

Coppola's wife filmed one of the water buffalo sacrifices. The director himself filmed the second sacrifice. He didn't direct the action; he just filmed it and included the footage in the final scenes of "Apocalypse Now."

5. Martin Sheen's Breakdown Scene Is Real.

In the beginning of the movie, Martin Sheen's character, Capt. Benjamin Willard, returns to South Vietnam after being home in the states. He is seen having a breakdown in a hotel room, where he breaks a mirror, cuts his hand and begins crying. The scene, it turns out, is entirely unscripted.

Sheen was struggling with alcoholism during the production and was drunk during Willard's breakdown scene. As Willard the character broke down, so did Sheen. Coppola tried to stop filming, but Sheen begged him to keep rolling. The result made it into the final cut of the film.

"I had done that scene at bars; I had done that scene at home," Sheen later said. "I had to come to grips with it. I had to exorcize that out of myself."

6. The Combat Troops Were Really Fighting.

The movie didn't get support from the U.S. military because of Capt. Willard's mission to kill Col. Kurtz. Instead, Coppola got the Philippine Army to provide helicopters and pilots for the production. During filming, especially the "Ride of the Valkyries" helicopter assault scene, they had to be called away for actual combat.

While "Apocalypse Now" was filming, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos' government was busy fighting communist rebels who were fighting nearby. The movie's pilots had to be called away and were replaced by pilots unfamiliar with the production.

7. 'Apocalypse Now' Inspired Its Own Documentary Film.

While Coppola was making his magnum opus, his wife Eleanor was filming behind-the-scenes footage on her own. When any problem arose during production -- including a typhoon, Sheen's alcohol-induced heart attack, and the delays and cost overruns -- she documented the reactions of the cast, crew and her husband, the director.

In 1990, she handed the film over to two documentary filmmakers, George Hickenlooper and Fax Bahr. They interviewed cast members about the making of the movie decades later. The result was an edited documentary called "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse." It won numerous awards.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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How to use the mindat.org media viewer

Click/touch this help panel to close it.

Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image)

Controls - all media types

Zoom in and out of media using your mousewheel or with a two-finger 'resize' action on a touch device.

Use the mouse or your finger to drag the image or the view area of the image around the screen.

< and > at the left and right hand side of the screen move forwards and backwards for the other images associated with the media you selected. Usually this is used for previous/next photo in a gallery, in an article or in search results. Keyboard shortcuts: use shift + the left and right arrow keys.

< and > in the bottom center are used for switching between the photos of the same specimen. Keyboard shortcuts: use the left and right arrow keys.

> in the bottom center, raises the information box giving details and further options for the media, < at the top of this box then hides it. Keyboard shortcuts: use the up and down arrow keys.

? opens this help window. Keyboard shortcuts: use the H key or the ? key.

Other keyboard shortcuts:

1 Fit image to screen 2 Fill screen with image 5 Display at full resolution < Make background darker > Make background lighter space Hide/dim titles and buttons

Scalebar

If the field of view (FOV) is specified for the photo, the scalebar appears in the left bottom corner of the viewer. The scalebar is draggable and resizeable. Drag the right edge to resize it. Double click will reset the scalebar to it's default size and position. If the scalebar is in default position, double click will make it circular.

Controls - Video

Video files have a standard set of video controls: - Reset to start, - Skip back, - Play, - Pause, - Skip forwards. Keyboard shortcuts: You can stop/start video play with the P key.

Controls - Animation (Spin Rotation)

Animation (usually 360 degree spin rotations) have their own controls: - enable spin mode. Note that while images are loading this option will not be available but will be automatically activated when the animation has loaded. Once active you can spin the image/change the animation by moving your mouse or finger on the image left/right or by pressing the [ or ] keys.

The button switches to move mode so that you can use your mouse/fingers to move the image around the screen as with other media types.

The button, or the P key will start playing the animation directly, you can interrupt this by using the mouse or finger on the image to regain manual movement control.

Controls - 3D Stereoscopic images

If a stereoscopic 3D image is opened in the viewer, the 3D button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "3D settings" menu. The 3D images can be viewed in several ways:

- without any special equipment using cross-eyed or parallel-eyed method

- with stereoscope

- with anaglyph glasses.

- on a suitable 3D TV or monitor (passive 3D system)

For details about 3D refer to: Mindat manuals: Mindat Media Viewer: 3D

To enable/disable 3D stereo display of a compatible stereo pair image press the 3 key. If the left/right images are reversed on your display (this often happens in full-screen mode) press the 4 key to reverse them.

Controls - photo comparison mode

If a photo with activated comparison mode is opened in the viewer, the button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "Comparison mode settings" menu.

Several layouts are supported: slider and side by-side comparison with up to 6 photos shown synchronously on the screen. On each of the compared photos a view selector is placed, e.g.: Longwave UV . It shows the name of currently selected view and allows to select a view for each placeholder.

Summary of all keyboard shortcuts
Amnesty International, July 26, 2022

The lives of women and girls in Afghanistan are being devastated by the Talibans crackdown on their human rights, Amnesty International said in a new report published today.

Since they took control of the country in August 2021, the Taliban have violated womens and girls rights to education, work and free movement; decimated the system of protection and support for those fleeing domestic violence; detained women and girls for minor violations of discriminatory rules; and contributed to a surge in the rates of child, early and forced marriage in Afghanistan.

The report, Death in Slow Motion: Women and Girls Under Taliban Rule, also reveals how women who peacefully protested against these oppressive rules have been threatened, arrested, detained, tortured, and forcibly disappeared.

Less than one year after the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan, their draconian policies are depriving millions of women and girls of their right to lead safe, free and fulfilling lives, said Agnes Callamard, Amnesty Internationals Secretary General.

Taken together, these policies form a system of repression that discriminates against women and girls in almost every aspect of their lives. Every daily detail  whether they go to school, if and how they work, if and how they leave the house  is controlled and heavily restricted.

This suffocating crackdown against Afghanistans female population is increasing day-by-day. The international community must urgently demand that the Taliban respect and protect the rights of women and girls.

Amnesty International is calling on the Taliban to implement major policy changes and measures to uphold the rights of women and girls. Governments and international organizations, including all UN member states and the UN Security Council, must urgently develop and implement a robust and coordinated strategy that pressures the Taliban to bring about these changes.

Amnesty International researchers visited Afghanistan in March 2022. The comprehensive investigation was conducted from September 2021 to June 2022, and includes interviews with 90 Afghan women and 11 girls, aged between 14 and 74 years old, living in 20 of Afghanistans 34 provinces.

Detention and torture of peaceful protesters

Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have been the countrys de facto authorities. Despite initial public commitments to uphold the rights of women and girls, the Taliban introduced policies of systematic discrimination that violate their rights.

Women and girls across Afghanistan reacted to this crackdown with a wave of protests. In response, the Taliban targeted protesters with harassment and abuse, arbitrary arrest and detention, enforced disappearance, and physical and psychological torture.

Amnesty International interviewed one protester who was arrested and detained for several days in 2022. Describing her treatment in detention, she told Amnesty International: [The Taliban guards] kept coming to my room and showing me pictures of my family. They kept repeating We can kill them, all of them, and you wont be able to do anything Dont cry, dont make a scene. After protesting, you should have expected days like this.

She also described being severely beaten: They locked the door. They started screaming at me [One Taliban member] said, You nasty woman America is not giving us the money because of you bitches Then he kicked me. It was so strong that my back was injured, and he kicked my chin too I still feel the pain in my mouth. It hurts whenever I want to talk.

Two women said that after photos were posted of a fellow protesters injuries on social media, Taliban members developed a new strategy to prevent them from showing their injuries publicly.

One of the women told Amnesty International: We were beaten on our breasts and between the legs. They did this to us so that we couldnt show the world. A soldier who was walking next to me hit me in my breast, and he said, I can kill you right now, and no one would say anything. This happened every time we went out: we were insulted  physically, verbally, and emotionally.

Detained protesters had inadequate access to food, water, ventilation, sanitary products and health care. To secure their release, the women were forced to sign agreements that they and their family members would neither protest again, nor speak publicly about their experiences in detention.

Arbitrary arrest and detention, including for moral corruption

According to four whistleblowers from Taliban-run detention centres, the Taliban has increasingly arrested and detained women and girls for minor violations of their discriminatory policies, such as the rule against appearing in public without a mahram [male chaperone] or with a man who does not qualify as a mahram. Those arrested are usually charged with the ambiguous crime of moral corruption.

A prison staff member explained: Sometimes they bring the boys and girls from the coffee shop [Or] if they see a woman who is not with a mahram, she can be arrested Before these kinds of cases were not in the prison The numbers are increasing each month.

One university student, who was detained in 2022, told Amnesty International that she was threatened and beaten after being arrested on charges related to the mahram restrictions.

She said that Taliban members started giving me electric shocks on my shoulder, face, neck, everywhere they could They were calling me a prostitute [and] a bitch The one holding the gun said, I will kill you, and no one will be able to find your body.

The whistleblowers said that survivors of gender-based violence, who previously lived in shelters or who attempted to flee abuse after the Talibans takeover, are now being imprisoned in detention centres. One of the staff members said: Some came by approaching the Taliban themselves, and asking, Where is your shelter? [The Taliban] had no place, so they ended up in prison.

These women and girls have been subjected to solitary confinement, beatings and other forms of torture, and forced to endure inhumane conditions, including overcrowding and inadequate access to food, water, and heating in winter months.

Child, early and forced marriage

According to Amnesty Internationals research  corroborated by national and international organizations operating in Afghanistan, local activists and other experts  the rates of child, early and forced marriage in Afghanistan are surging under Taliban rule. The key causal factors for the increase include the economic and humanitarian crisis; the lack of educational and professional prospects for women and girls; families forcing women and girls to marry Taliban members; and Taliban members forcing women and girls to marry them.

Stephanie Sinclair, director of Too Young to Wed, an organization working on child, early and forced marriage, explained: In Afghanistan, its a perfect storm for child marriage. You have a patriarchal government, war, poverty, drought, girls out of school  with all of these factors combined we knew child marriage was going to go through the roof.

Khorsheed*, a 35-year-old from a central province of Afghanistan, told Amnesty International that the economic crisis compelled her to marry off her 13-year-old daughter to a 30-year-old neighbor in September 2021, in exchange for a bride price of 60,000 Afghanis (around US$670). She said that after her daughters marriage, she felt relieved and added: She wont be hungry anymore.

Khorsheed said she was also considering marrying off her 10-year-old daughter, but was reluctant to do so, as she hoped this daughter might provide for the family in the future. She explained: I wanted her to study more. She would be able to read and write, and speak English, and earn I have a hope that this daughter will become something, and she will support the family. Of course, if they dont open the school, I will have to marry her off.

Lack of access to education

The Taliban continue to block education for the vast majority of secondary school girls. Their scheduled return to school on March 23, 2022 was short-lived. Later the same day, the Taliban sent the girls home, citing a technical issue related to their uniforms. Four months later, the Taliban continues to deny girls access to education.

Fatima*, a 25-year-old high school teacher based in Nangarhar province, told Amnesty International: These young girls just wanted to have a future, and now they dont see any future ahead of them.

At university level, the Talibans harassment of female students  as well as restrictions on students behavior, dress and opportunities  has created an unsafe environment where female students are systematically disadvantaged. Many female students have now either stopped attending, or decided not to enroll in university at all.

Brishna*, a 21-year-old student at Kabul University, told Amnesty International: [The] guards outside the university yell at us and say, Fix your clothes, your scarf Why are your feet visible? [The] head of our department came to our class and told us, Be careful  we can only protect you when you are inside the faculty building If Taliban members try to harm you or harass you, we wont be able to stop them.

International community responsibility

Amnesty International is calling for international community to impose consequences on the Taliban for their conduct, such as targeted sanctions or travel bans applied through a UN Security Council Resolution, or employ other forms of leverage that can hold the Taliban accountable for their treatment of women and girls without harming the Afghan people.

The Taliban are deliberately depriving millions of women and girls of their human rights, and subjecting them to systematic discrimination, said Agnes Callamard.

If the international community fails to act, it will be abandoning women and girls in Afghanistan, and undermining human rights everywhere.

To read the full report, please click here.
The Red Sox and veteran utilityman Danny Santana are in agreement on a minor league deal, as noted on the teams transactions log at MLB.com. MassLive.coms Chris Cotillo tweets that Santana will head to the teams spring facility in Fort Myers before eventually joining their Triple-A affiliate in Worcester. Santana has not yet played in a professional game this season, as hes been serving an 80-game suspension following a positive PED test.

Santana, 31, spent the 2021 season in the Red Sox organization as well, appearing in 38 big league games but hitting just .181/.252/.345 in 127 trips to the plate. The switch-hitter posted huge minor league numbers in Bostons system last season but did so in just 76 plate appearances, several of which came in Class-A Advanced and Double-A as he worked back from an injury.

Its been a boom-or-bust big league career for Santana, who burst onto the scene with the 2014 Twins and would surely have finished higher in Rookie of the Year voting had he not been up against Jose Abreus MVP-caliber rookie campaign. Santana hit .319/.353/.472 in 430 plate appearances as a rookie, popping seven homers, 27 doubles and seven triples while also swiping 20 bags. He looked to have seized an everyday spot in Minnesotas lineup for years to come, but his production completely evaporated in 2015.

Santana was out of the Twins organization by 2017 and continued floundering with the Braves in parts of two seasons there. Overall, he followed that incredible MLB debut with four seasons and 735 plate appearances of .219/.256/.319 output at the plate.

Santana caught on with the 2019 Rangers and delivered an out-of-the-blue .283/.324/.534 batting line with 28 home runs, 23 doubles, six triples and 21 steals. That resurgence came amid whats widely regarded as the juiced ball season, however, and has mustered only a .170/.247/.322 slash in 190 plate appearances since that time. Injuries  most notably elbow surgery and foot surgery  have slowed him during that time, but Santanas massive 2019 showing certainly appears anomalous in nature, given the surrounding seven seasons of context.

Its little more than a depth pickup for the Sox, who have placed a premium on acquiring versatile players of this ilk in recent seasons. Santanas first run with the team didnt prove productive, obviously, but hell nonetheless return and give the Sox some cover in the event of injuries down the stretch (or, perhaps, some trades of veterans currently on the roster).
The Tigers announced Thursday that theyve placed left-hander Andrew Chafin on the restricted list in advance of the teams upcoming road series in Toronto. Right-hander Bryan Garcia has has his contract selected from Triple-A Toledo and been designated as a Covid-related replacement player for Chafin (meaning he can be removed from the 40-man roster and sent back to Toledo without needing to first pass through waivers).

Chafin, 32, has been one of the best relievers in a quietly solid Tigers bullpen this season, pitching to a 2.53 ERA with a 29.3% strikeout rate, a 7.5% walk rate and a 49.4% ground-ball rate. Hes playing the current season on a $5.5MM salary and has a $6.5MM player option for the 2023 season that, barring an injury or unexpected collapse, he seems likely to reject in favor of a return to free agency (and another, potentially more lucrative multi-year deal).

The majority of Major League teams have had to place at least one player on the restricted list in advance of series in Toronto this season, as unvaccinated professional athletes are prohibited from entering Canada to participate in their teams games. (The U.S., it should be pointed out, has a similar policy.) Other teams may well consider Chafins status when weighing potential trades over the next few days, though as we saw with the Yankees acquisition of Andrew Benintendi last night, its not necessarily a dealbreaker  even for teams in the American League East.

Taking Chafins place on the Tigers roster for the next few days, at least, will be the 27-year-old Garcia, who has pitched to a 2.90 ERA through 40 1/3 innings in Toledo so far. Garcia logged time with the Tigers in each of the past three seasons but has limped to a 6.12 ERA through 67 2/3 big league frames, due largely to a pedestrian strikeout rate (16%), lofty walk rate (12.6%) and penchant for serving up home runs (1.46 HR/9).

Depending on how Garcia fares, this could be viewed as yet another audition for him. Chafin, Michael Fulmer, Joe Jimenez and Alex Lange are among the Tigers relievers whove commanded trade interest with the Aug. 2 trade deadline approaching. At the very least, it seems fair to expect Fulmer and Chafin to be on the move in the coming days, as both can be free agents at seasons end. Jimenez, controlled through the 2023 season via arbitration, has a decent chance as well. Lange (five seasons of remaining club control) and closer Gregory Soto (three seasons) would surely require larger returns.
Following the huge success of Afro Nation Portugal this July, the worlds biggest Afrobeats festival announces the follow-up to 2019s African debut event in Ghana.

Founded to unite the diaspora in a celebration of Black joy, Afro Nation Ghana comes home to a site of cultural significance.

Taking place at Marine Drive, Black Star Square, the West African countrys capital will host the biggest names and future stars whilst thousands rediscover their historic connection with Accra and the African continent as a whole.

Expanding massively since the Portugal debut in 2019, the festivals giant new mainstage will now be transported to Ghana. A stage of this quality does not exist anywhere else in West Africa, and serves as a vital building block for the live industry on the continent.

Afro Nations aim has always been to elevate the scene and artists from or inspired by the modern sounds of Africa, and by establishing this stage in Ghana and bringing the exact same high production value from Portugal to West Africa, is just one step towards a bright new future of live events in the region.

As with Afro Nation Portugal and Afro Nation Puerto Rico, Afro Nation Ghana will work alongside and train local teams to produce the show, and bring business to as many local vendors as possible, bringing a positive impact to Ghanas cultural and tourism economy.

Afro Nation made a sensational return to the Algarve coast in Europe at the start of July, a moment that had been a long time in the making and saw the biggest global breakout superstars like Wizkid perform  who declared his love onstage for fellow 2022 headliners Burna Boy and Davido.

Drawing crowds of over 35,000 fans from 134 different countries on the beach over three days of dancing in the sun and celebrating the unifying power of Afrobeats, the festival now looks to bring this movement home to Ghana.

The festival site is located next to the spot where Ghanas Independence was declared by the First President and BBC Africas Man of the Century Kwame Nkrumah, next to the Famous Osu Castle.

Accra has blossomed as a cultural and musical hub and during the turn of the new year welcomes thousands from the global diaspora who travel home to party and be together with friends and family.

Afro Nation Ghana looks to foster even stronger ties with the continent around the world, re-connecting, educating, and creating, whilst putting on a festival never seen before on this scale.

Speaking about the landmark event this year and the Afro Nation stage, the festival organisers said

We started Afro Nation to give a global platform to the artists that we love. After just 4 shows we have seen over 150 live performances in front of over 100,000 people across 3 different continents, Africa, Europe and America.

Afrobeats is a special genre, not only does it unite the diaspora but it connects nations in a truly unique way. Our commitment to Afrobeats exists beyond Afro Nation festival, in 2020 we launched the worlds first official Afrobeats Chart with the Official Charts Company in the United Kingdom, followed by the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart earlier this year in the United States.

To round off what has been an incredible year, in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government and our festival partners in Ghana, Benjamin Ntim & Kojo Annan of Event Blackstar Limited, we have purchased the main stage used at Afro Nation Portugal 2022 and it is currently being shipped to Accra for Afro Nation Ghana 2022. We have initiated a training programme, where a full stage crew will travel from Europe to Ghana with us and train a local crew on how to build and run the stage. By 2025, this world class festival stage will be fully operated by the West African team, without any assistance from the UK.

We will continue to support our culture and look forward to seeing many global artists perform on this stage in the near future across the continent. Thank you for your support

By the culture, for the culture, Afro Nation and Afrobeats is always on the rise. Afro Nation Ghana takes place 29th & 30th December 2022 at Marine Drive, Black Star Square, Accra.
The Associate Pastor of the Agape Church Ministry International in Kumasi, Rev David Armstrong Amoah says government must honour the founder and leader of the Anointed Palace Chapel (APC) Rev Obofour for his philanthropic gestures.

Commenting on the numerous gestures and contributions Rev Obofour has made to improve the lives of many in society across the country, the man of God believes his colleague man of God deserves national recognition to do more.

He observed that there are several rich people including renowned men of God who are capable of supporting the poor in society but have chosen to ignore.

According to Osofo Armstrong, through Obofour's kind gestures most of his church members and other individuals have been able to establish their own small businesses to support their families.

For this reason, Rev David Armstrong is asking Ghanaian authorities to honour the leader of APC and encourage him to do more for the poor in society.
Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, Member of Parliament (MP) for Effiduase/Asokore Constituency in the Ashanti Region has expressed disappointment in the Akufo-Addo administration for turning their constituents against them.

He said government little or no development in the Ashanti Region is creating disaffection for the Members of Parliament in the Region.

Dr. Ayew Afriyie, speaking on Accra-based Wontumi TV's 'The Privilege' morning show, expressed surprise that the NPP government has ignored the Ashanti region, knowing very well that the NPP is still in power because of the votes from the region.

"Where you get your votes, you have decided not to send your money there and decide to turn away from the Ashanti Region and construct interchanges in other regions, yet, you will turn back to the Ashanti Region for votes," he quizzes.

Dr. Ayew stated, gradually, voters are turning against those that they have voted for to represent them in Parliament, but those who are to take the decision regarding the progress, growth and development are the ministers of state, including the Ministers of Finance and Roads and Highways and not MPs."

The Effiduase/Asokore MP further warned that Nothing happens to the Ministers of Roads and Highways and Finance that take the decisions, but MPs are attacked just because of their decisions which is not right and whatever they do is needless, so when I start going hard on the government, nobody should talk to me.

He was speaking on the recent demonstration against the Majority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Honourable Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu.

On Thursday, July 14, some disgruntled youth in Suame, Ashanti region, pelted their MP with sachet water over the poor state of the constituency roads.
28.07.2022 LISTEN

In its continued efforts to support the countrys health care sector with medical and surgical equipment, BB Best Brand has donated items worth thousands of Ghana cedis to Trauma and Specialist Hospital in Winneba.

The presentation aimed at supporting the hospital as the hospital marked its decade of existence.

Items donated include Delivery Bed, Face mask, Hand Sanitizer, Veronica, Buckets, Customize Caps, Wall Clock, and Diagnostic Set to help in running their daily activities.

Commenting, Bismark Agyin, Managing Director, BB Best Brand said, We are grateful for the service provided by the dedicated medical teams at the Trauma and Specialist Hospital who are working tirelessly around the clock to care for their patients, even amidst the challenges posed by the economic crisis.

"We are pleased that this donation will ease the burden on the hospitals patients and the medical professionals while supporting all those in need of critical care. This initiative is a step forward in our communal duty of further enabling and supporting the country's healthcare sector during these abnormal times.

In her acceptance remarks, Mrs. Josephine Okine, Deputy Director of Nursing Services at Trauma and Specialist Hospital commended BB Best Brand for its kind gesture. She added that the items will go a long way to minimise the burden on the hospital.

We greatly appreciate BB Best Brand for stepping forward to donate these items towards our 10th-anniversary celebration. This donation is an act of goodwill by the Company as we are still fighting covid 19 and the emergence of Monkeypox and Marburgvirus in the country. The donation of these lifesaving medical equipment will enable critically ill paediatric patients to get required and appropriate care in a timely manner. We are grateful for the longstanding relationship we shared with BB Best Brand in these years," she stated.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Miners in Angola have unearthed a rare pure pink diamond, believed to be the largest found in 300 years. Following the US ban on imports of Russian gems, "Lulo Rose" could give Angola's troubled diamond mining industry a welcome boost.

A 170-carat pink diamond  dubbed The Lulo Rose  was discovered at Lulo mine in the diamond-rich northeast of the country.

Australia's Lucapa Diamond Company, which operates the site, told investors it was among the largest pink diamonds ever found.

The Angolan government, which is also a partner in the mine, welcomed the "historic" find of the Type IIa diamond  one of the rarest and purest categories of natural stones.

"This record and spectacular pink diamond recovered from Lulo continues to showcase Angola as an important player on the world stage," Angola's Mineral Resources Minister Diamantino Azevedo said.

Angola is the world's fourth-ranked diamond producer, but around 60 percent of its diamond deposits remain unexplored.

Lulo Rose will undoubtedly generate interest in Angolan diamonds and give President Joao Lourenco some timely publicity as he prepares for general elections next month.

Worth millions, but will it sell?

The Lulo Rose will be sold by international tender.

It would have to be cut and polished to realise its true value, in a process that can see a stone lose 50 percent of its weight.

Similar pink diamonds have sold for eye-wateringly high sumes.

The 59.6 carat "Pink Star", sold at a Hong Kong auction in 2017 for 71.2 million US dollars, remains the most expensive diamond ever sold.

But in November 2017, the 37.30 carat Raj Pink diamond failed to find a bidder at auction in Geneva.

The pre-sale estimate for that stone, found in South Africa in 2015, was between $20 million and $30 million.

The Raj Pink was not an easy diamond to sell, Eric Valdieu, a Geneva-based jewellery dealer told Reuters at the time.

It was a modern, recent stone and not a 10 out of 10 in terms of its colour and form," he said.

Angola's untapped potential

Angola's diamond industry has a troubled history.

The late, former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos, and his daughter Isabel dos Santos in particular, had uncomfortably close ties to the diamond business.

In 2015, a court in Angola sentenced award-winning Angolan journalist Rafael Marques to a six-month suspended prison term for "malicious denunciation" after he wrote a book about rights violations in the diamond industry.

Since Joao Lourenco took over from Dos Santos in 2017, Angola has divested interests in the Swiss jeweller De Grisogono  at the heart of many of the corruption allegations against Isabel dos Santos.

Poor infrastructure continues to hamper the exploration of Angola's diamond deposits. In August 2021 Lourenco inaugurated the $77m Saurimo Diamond Development Hub.

Industry leader De Beers Group, which left Angola a decade ago, recently signed two mineral investment contracts to renew diamond exploration and mining in the country.

Russia sanctions

The demand for diamonds has become more intense since Western countries banned the import of Russian luxury goods following the invasion of Ukraine.

In April, the US blacklisted Russian state-controlled diamond miner Alrosa, complicating the Russian company's operations in the global diamond market.

Alrosa, the world's largest diamond miner, is one of the three diamond majors operating in Angola.

In June, the Financial Times daily reported that the Angolan government had bought a stake in the country's biggest diamond miner, Catoca, whose owners include Alrosa.
Benin President Patrice Talon on Wednesday dismissed criticism that his government was holding political prisoners after the jailing of two opposition leaders late last year.

The West African state sitting between Nigeria and Togo was long praised for its thriving multi-party democracy, but critics say freedoms have steadily eroded under Talon, a 64-year-old cotton magnate first elected in 2016.

Talon was speaking during a one-day visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Benin's economic capital Cotonou after the French leader had travelled to Cameroon.

"In Benin, there are no political detainees, no one is detained in Benin for their political opinion," Talon said, answering questions from journalists with Macron at his side.

"But people are detained for having acted, for having committed offenses and crimes in the political field, that is true."

Macron did not talk about the political situation in Benin during his speech.

Talon said it was possible that an amnesty or pardon may be given to detained opposition figures, when asked about releasing the two leaders.

"We have to be able to adjust the political situation so that it gives a good image, favourable to economic development," Talon said.

"Our image is a little tarnished by the political situation that Benin has experienced lately. I am not ashamed of that."

Benin opposition leader Reckya Madougou was sentenced in December to 20 years in prison for "terrorism" by a special court in the capital Porto-Novo after a brief trial that her attorneys condemned as a "political attack".

Madougou was one of several Benin opposition leaders banned from running in last year's April election when Talon won a second term with 86 percent of the vote.

A former justice minister, she was arrested in Cotonou in March -- just weeks before the election -- accused of financing an operation to assassinate political figures to prevent the vote and trying to "destabilise" the country.

Another opposition leader Joel Aivo, a professor who had been held for eight months, was also found guilty last December of money laundering and plotting against the state.

Both were tried by a special court dealing with terrorism and economic crimes, known as the CRIET. Critics say the court, created by Talon's government in 2016, has been used crack down on his opponents.

Less than a week before the April election, a judge from the CRIET fled Benin denouncing political pressure to make rulings, in particular in the case of Madougou's arrest.

Some opposition figures have fled the country while others have been disqualified from running in elections or targeted for probes by the government, critics say.
Road safety expert, Cecil Gabrah has warned drivers about the dangers of having sex before embarking on long journeys.

He said sex before a long journey trip will make them sleepy and tired behind the steering wheel.

He issued this warning in an interview with the Accra-based JoyNews Drive Safe campaign team, which Mondernghana News monitored.

He admonished drivers to stop the practice of sex before driving long hours.

"God created sex. If you are a man [and have sex], you are knocked off and you will be sleepy, and that is why immediately after sex, you find the man either snoring.

"He is tired, hes run for more than 100 metres, so you dont go and sit behind the steering wheel to drive," he warns.

Aside from the sex, he also advised drivers to sleep early when embarking on long journeys to avoid fatigue.

"If you are travelling, sleep early and wake up early, but dont set off too early, like 4 or 5 am. You will meet those who did not sleep, especially those heavy-duty drivers who will not sleep, the expert added.

Mr. Gabrah added, "Who suffers from fatigue? Drivers who do not plan their trips; drivers who drink at night; drivers who work overnight; drivers who have sex during their journeysthey are all part of it."
An engagement meeting has been held in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region by the Forum for Natural Regeneration (FONAR) and World Vision Ghana (WVG) to scale up the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), as a priority landscape restoration solution.

After 10 years of FMNRs implementation, from 2009 to 2019, the WVG Talensi Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) project has undoubtedly established the immense potential of reviewing and using this traditional practice and cost-effective land restoration technique to reverse land degradation in the region and elsewhere in Northern Ghana.

Addressing the advocacy meeting, the Executive Director of FONAR, Sumaila Seidu Saaka indicated that, the concept of FMNR has not been given the needed attention from local and national policy-makers, it is recognized in the national re-greening policy strategy mix. He added that relevant regional and district sector technocrats who have worked with the project acknowledged that FMNR is a more feasible tree cover restoration option.

Against this backdrop, Mr. Saaka indicated the need to share lessons learned from the Talenti FMNR project experience and that of the global FMNR success story to regional and local government policy-makers and implementers through policy engagements. The aim of sharing lessons he said is that relevant information would be communicated to key local government decision makers to help shift Agriculture land management and restoration mindsets.

This he added, would provide the basis for increased policy attention to scaling up FMNR and related conservation agricultural practices. Mr. Saaka reiterated that sufficient local, regional and national political support is crucial in scaling up FMNR hence, the need to broaden policy dialogues with key local and national government key stakeholders.

The Development facilitator, FMNR for Sustainable Economic Empowerment and Development Kassena-Nankana West Jonas Dogbilla Bugre, illustrated systematically, the success story of the Talensi FMNR project, and its impact on the lives of people, especially women and children. He stated that FMNR is the cost-effective and sustainable option for low-income countries and for the rural poor in bringing back the lost vegetation.

The Nabdam District Chief Executive Agnes Anamoo in her welcome address said the District is largely rural and agrarian. She noted that sustainable agriculture was relevant, and the concept would be supported by all stakeholders to lay the proper foundation for effective project initiation and implementation.
Dhaka  The International Organization for Migrations (IOM) Deputy Director General (DDG) for Operations, Ugochi Daniels has called for continued and flexible support to Rohingya refugees and host communities. During the five-day visit to Bangladesh (22-26 July), she applauded the Governments exemplary role in migration management and tackling climate change.

IOM has been supporting the Government of Bangladesh since 1992 and has had uninterrupted presence in the country since 1998.

"Bangladesh should be recognized for the important role they play in hosting more than 900,000 Rohingya refugees and their leadership as a champion country of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration," said DDG Daniels.

In Coxs Bazar, IOM has been providing life-saving assistance, including shelter, health services, water and other emergency items to Rohingya Refugees since 2017.

During her visit, DDG Daniels viewed environmentally friendly initiatives such as a sustainable solid waste management facility, the worlds largest humanitarian solar powered water supply system and a cleaner energy provision system all designed and implemented by IOM. She noted that many of these initiatives could be scalable at the national level.

The protracted nature of this crisis requires us to scale up the creative and innovative response to this unique situation. We need to continue to build the resilience of the refugees to ensure they live with dignity in the face of reduced humanitarian funding, DDG Daniels added.

Earlier this year, IOM issued an appeal for USD 139 million to support 1.4 million refugees and host community members in the country.

IOM in Bangladesh provides technical assistance to the Government in various areas of migration management to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration. This includes support to improved migration governance, assistance to vulnerable migrants, immigration and border management, migration health, migration data and displacement tracking and humanitarian assistance.

In Dhaka, DDG Daniels met with Secretary Dr. Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment; Dr. Md. Enamur Rahman, State Minister, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; and Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among other diplomats, UN officials and civil society representatives.

DDG Daniels attended a high-level policy dialogue on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change: Towards a Common Narrative and Action Pathway jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IOM, where she met Bangladeshs Foreign Minister, Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, and the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Mr. Saber Hossain Chowdhury. During her discussions with government officials and international humanitarian and development actors, she advocated for greater efforts to jointly address climate change and human mobility at national, regional and global levels.

The World Bank estimates that by 2050 one in every seven people in Bangladesh will have been displaced by climate change. DDG Daniels added that "ahead of COP 27, we need to redouble our efforts to ensure the climate change discourse reflects the climate migration nexus, and that this is recognized by the international community.

Commenting on the DDGs visit to Bangladesh, Abdusattor Esoev, IOM Bangladeshs Chief of Mission, noted that the high-level visit is very timely and reflects the importance of the Government of Bangladesh to IOM, and the organizations continued commitment to support people on the move in this country.

Every year, approximately one million Bangladeshis migrate abroad, while the 13 million nationals who have been employed overseas since 1976 contribute to national development through remittances. Bangladesh is ranked 6th in the world as migrant sending country and 8th in remittances received.
Dr Cassel Ato Forson, Ranking Member on Finance has stated that Ghana's public debt is estimated to hit 90 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the end of 2022.

Mr Speaker I won't be surprised that by the year 2023 our debt situation would be 100 percent of our GDP, that is where we are. this budget brings no hope for the people of Ghana.

Dr Forson made the comment when the House started the debate on the 2022 Mid-Year review budget and economic policy of government with both Majority and Minority sides holding on to their partisan positions.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on Monday, July 25, 2022, presented 2022 Mid-Year budget review and economic policy of Government in Parliament.

The mid-year budget presentation is in fulfilment of section 28 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) and Regulation 24 of the Public Financial Management Regulations (L.I.2378).

Dr Forson also accused the Bank of Ghana (BoG) of engaging in the illegal printing of 22 billion cedis without recourse to Parliament.

He explained in the 2022 budget the government projected not to borrow any money from the Central Bank, only for them to see in the same document that between January to June this year the government have taken over 22 billion cedis from Bank of Ghana (BoG).

Mr Speaker, when the Central Bank or BoG gives money to the Government of Ghana in economics it is call printing of money, he added.

Dr Forson further cited for example that section 30 of BoG Act 612 as amended states that total revenue advances, purchases of treasury bills and securities made under subsection 1 shall not at any time exceed five percent of total revenue of the previous fiscal year.

Mr Speaker the previous total revenue for the fiscal year was 70 billion cedis and five percent of 70 billion is about 3.5 billion cedisthey have taken 22 billion cedis without parliamentary approval, he said.

However, Dr John Kuma, Deputy Minister for Finance, rejected the claim by Dr Forson that the BoG was engaged in illegal printing of money.

He argued that section 30 of the BoG Act states clearly that it is within the remit of the law for BoG to grant overdraft and support to central government without printing money.

He said the Finance Minister right from beginning of the year made it clear to the House to ensure fiscal consolidation to reposition the economy from the difficult condition the country finds itself.

Dr Kuma also stated the government in the 2022 budget announced that there would be a fiscal deficit of 7.4 compared to the 9.4 percent deficit last year.

He said in furtherance to that the government announced 30 percent discretionary cut in fiscal activities.

Mr Speaker, that this is reflected in the mid-year budget, where the fiscal deficit has been reviewed downwards to 6.6 percent. That is an indication that the government is committed to ensuring that indeed the fiscal consolidation and the measures put in place to ensure we bring down debts to sustainable level are achieved, Dr Kuma said.

GNA
Speaking to some Catholic Bishops at the 19th plenary assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar at Christ the King Church in Accra On Tuesday, July 26, President Akufo-Addo addressed the controversy surrounding the National Cathedral project.

He outlined the benefits the nation and the entire African continent stand to gain from the project when completed.

The President indicated that there will never be an appropriate time to construct a national cathedral.

Our National Cathedral would provide an interdenominational space for worship, and will serve to insert God at the centre of our nation building efforts, providing an official venue of worship for state occasions in a nation that is predominantly Christian, that is a nation where more than seventy per cent (70%) of the people are self-confessed Christians.

It will also serve as a fulcrum for propagating the Christian faith, unifying the Christian community, and serve as a tribute to religious liberty. But, more importantly, it will serve as our collective thanksgiving to the Almighty for the blessings He has bestowed on our nation, sparing us the ravages of civil war that have bedevilled the histories of virtually all our neighbours, and the outbreak of mass epidemics, he explained.

Regarding the calls for its suspension in the face of the economic hardships the president said My personal view has always been that, even though the Cathedral will be very much a national institution, the cost should be largely borne by the Christian community, with the state providing the land and initial funding to get the project off the ground.

Looking through the history of all the great cathedrals of the world, there has never been, what can be called, an appropriate time to build a cathedral.

In reaction, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the President failed to address several important issues.

In a tweet spotted by this portal today, Wednesday, July 27, the MP who has been accusing the government of deception over the allocation of GHS200 million taxpayers' money to fund the project without recourse to the state or parliamentary said the President's speech was nothing more than an insult.

President Akufo-Addo deliberately failed to address the real and germane concerns of the Ghanaian people in his latest rather obfuscating and offensive speech on his infamous national cathedral project.

These are the fundamental issues he refused to address:

Why did he and his government engage in a grand putrefying deception about the true funding model?

What is the specific amount of taxpayer funds earmarked for the construction of the national cathedral? portions of his post read.

See his full post below:
A senior US official voiced cautious hope Wednesday for a start of Ethiopian peace talks after next month's election in neighboring Kenya, which has played a key diplomatic role.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in June raised the possibility of talks with the Tigray People's Liberation Front to try to end a brutal war that first erupted in northern Ethiopia in November 2020.

But Abiy said the African Union, based in Addis Ababa, should take the lead in mediation -- a stance rejected by the rebels, who instead want to negotiate under Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Molly Phee, the top US diplomat for Africa, played down the row, saying that Abiy had "positive relations" with Kenyatta but noting that Kenya holds elections on August 9.

"It's our expectation that a natural focus on that event may be affecting the scheduling of these talks," Phee told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Mike Hammer, the new US envoy for the Horn of Africa, will travel to Ethiopia this week and "will be having discussions with the parties to see what we can do to move forward on those talks," she said.

The conflict erupted when Abiy, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, sent in troops to topple the once-dominant Tigrayan rebels after an attack on the federal military. Untold numbers have died.

The United States accused Ethiopia, a longtime ally, of ethnic cleansing and President Joe Biden as of January 1 expelled sub-Saharan Africa's most populous country from a key trade pact that offered duty-free access for most goods.

The decision galvanized the Ethiopian-American diaspora which has led a lobbying campaign to return the country to the pact, the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

"The freezing of AGOA impacts the people throughout Ethiopia. It doesn't specifically punish the government. It hurts farmers, no matter where they live, and other entrepreneurs," said Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, which has a large Ethiopian-American community.

Phee said the Biden administration was "looking closely" at whether to restore Ethiopia's participation and that "we are in a much better place" on addressing US concerns.
Some 372 Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from the Agbogbloshie Timber Market and Makola Markets have benefited from a two-day PrecisionQuality (PQ) edutainment training programme organised by the Design & Technology Institute (DTI).

The drama-cum-educational piece titled Joe Sharp mirrors the lives, work, successes and failures of master crafts persons, their relationship with customers and how they can enhance it through the application of PQ principles. It is a unique way of training informal sector operators who have immense skills and potential but require refinement to churn out quality products and services.

Through the drama series, DTI expects to improve the work skills and practices of 5,000 master crafts persons and 1,000 SMEs. The training forms part of DTIs strategy to work with key stakeholders to enable three (3) million young people, particularly women, to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030 using a multiplier approach.

The current drama series-based training is under the Transforming youth TVET livelihood for sustainable jobs project in partnership with the Mastercard Foundations Young Africa Work (YAW) Strategy, which seeks to create 40,000 direct and indirect work opportunities for the youth, especially young women, through TVET in Ghana.

Miss Constance Swaniker, Founder and CEO of DTI, urged the SMEs to adopt the principles of PQ to develop standardized products and services to remain competitive in the market, especially with the coming into effect of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Africa has become one big market, making it easier for African countries to trade among themselves. Ghanaian businesses can only thrive and grow when goods and services produced meet internationally accepted quality standards. PQ is the guarantee to achieve that, she added.

She tasked the President of the Greater Accra Market Association to ensure that beneficiaries of the training adopt PQ in their work to produce goods and services that meet international standards and to secure high-paying jobs.

Since 2020, DTI has been leading the movement for the adoption of PQ by businesses to address the quality gap among artisans and SMEs and standardize the process of producing goods and services in Ghana to benefit the economy.

Madam Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan, President of the Greater Accra Market Association, commended DTI for the training programme and for choosing the Timber and Makola Markets, which are amongst the busy markets in the country.

She said the market was a place for selling quality products, and customers who patronize them need to be respected by offering them high-quality products and services that meet their needs. It will go a long way to increase the income levels of SMEs and improve their livelihoods.

PrecisionQuality is to enhance the operations of SMEs to compete favourably for government contracts, reposition them to be competitive on the continent with the AfCFTA in force, improve our livelihoods and generate revenue for the government, she added.

She urged all participants to be open-minded and accept and adopt PQ techniques in their work to enhance their service delivery and improve their livelihoods.

Topics covered in the drama included mindset change, creating a mission and vision, registering your business, and creating accounts.

Participants expressed their excitement on how the initiative has made it easier for them to understand and appreciate precision and quality and how it affects their income levels and business growth. They commended DTI for providing a forum to learn about soft skills and how they can use the knowledge to grow their business.
Dr. Kojo Asante, the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) says the police should work to address its negative corruption perception instead of protesting.

Given multiple studies over the years that consistently place the police on the wrong end of corruption surveys, Dr. Asante suggested that the polices defence was not justified.

If people start seeing that those things have stopped, you would probably see a reflection in the surveys, he said on The Point of View on Citi TV.

Mr Asante was speaking after the Afrobarometer study that noted that 65 percent of Ghanaians believe most police are corrupt, while 31 percent believe only some police are corrupt.

The police responded to the survey including the one conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service and its partners by saying the corruption tag was unsubstantiated .

The survey indicated a general lack of trust in key government institutions.

Aside from police, the presidency, legislators, judges and magistrates and tax officials rounded up the top five perceived corrupt institutions.

Dr. Asante said this spelt bad news for Ghanas corruption fight because that really goes to the stability and foundation of the state.

If you are just making a logical deduction, there is no way you are going to be able to fight corruption with the institutions you have entrusted to fight corruption.

If people dont have trust in key institutions of the state then they dont believe what they say, they are likely not to follow instruction or direction in terms of what the government wants to do so we really are in a very precarious situation, Dr. Asante said.

citinewsroom
The Akufo-Addo's government has consistently blamed the Russia-Ukraine war for the current economic crisis, but Russian Embassy has responded by denying responsibility for Ghana's food shortages.

The Embassy explained that Ghana's food shortage situation dates back to 2021 at the time there was no war.

To that end, Sam Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, has taken a swipe at government.

In a tweet seen by Modernghana News on Wednesday, July 27, the vocal legislator asks if the government would blame the food shortages on something else since the Russia-Ukraine excuses has been refuted.

So now that the Russian Embassy has challenged the govt of @NAkufoAddo on their claim that the Russian-Ukraine conflict is the cause of spiralling food costs, what is the next lie to be told by govt spin masters? You cannot hide forever behind a lie, he tweeted with a report by the Russian Embassy.
Following the recent Afrobameter report which ranked the Judiciary as the fourth most corrupt public institution, Saviour Kudze, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has said judges should not be entirely blamed.

He explains that judges and magistrates do not force anyone to pay a bribe.

According to him, judges are being induced by the public.

Speaking on the Accra-based Joy News' PM Express monitored by Modernghana News on Wednesday, July 27, he stated, Judges and Magistrates are rated such because those who influence them are court users so we should not wholely blame these judges."

According to him, he is confident that not all judges fall to these temptations.

I don't believe many judges will demand bribes, but it's the court users who will make such attempts and I expect them to report such people to the police.

All the Judges involved in the Anas expose have been sent home. If you know any Judge who is corrupt, report them and the system will deal with them, he stated during a discussion themed democracy in decline.
The Minister for Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has paid a working visit to the National Information Contact Centre (311) to obtain an update on its operations.

In an interaction with the management and staff of the Centre, he noted that the National Information Contact Centre was key ambassador to the dissemination of information.

He advised management to develop strategies to generate revenue to cater for the day-to-day administrational cost of the Centre.

Find a structured approach to acquire customers that would require the services of a Contact Centre to work with. By so doing you would be diverting calls from the public to those services, and this would help you generate enough revenue for the Centre.

Quickly grow beyond what you are currently doing, be more aggressive in the execution of your mandate, he added.

Accompanying him were the Acting Chief Information Officer of ISD, Mr David Owusu-Amoah, the Head of the Access to Information Division, Dr Winifred Nafisa Mahama and a Deputy Chief Information Officer of ISD (Finance and Administration), Frank Kwabena Siaw-Otu.
The Ministry of Information together with its press corps has donated blood to beef up the stock at the National Blood Bank.

The Ministry targeted 100-unit pints of blood to the National Blood Bank.

Speaking to the media, the Deputy Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar said the Ministry sought to exceed the number of pints of blood donated to the Korle-Bu blood bank last year.

The Ministry of Information together with its press pool was able to donate 78 units pints of blood to the National Blood Bank last year during the blood donation exercise. This year, our target is to exceed last years figure, she said.

On her part, the Principal Blood Donor Recruitment Officer at The National Blood Bank, Madam Joyce Oppong Adu said the exercise was a good course and thanked the donors for saving lives.

When someone is down with malaria the person needs drugs, the same way if someone is down with a sickness and needs to undergo a blood transfusion, it is only blood that can save the life of that person at that moment therefore the need to donate blood, she added.

She urged the public to participate in subsequent blood donation exercises to help save lives and also commended the Ministry for taking such an initiative worthy of emulation.
28.07.2022 LISTEN

A new report, In Danger, launched by UNAIDS just ahead of the 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022) in Montreal, Canada, paints a grim picture of the global HIV epidemic. It reveals that during the last two years, progress in prevention and treatment of HIV has slowed down and resources have shrunk, putting millions of lives at risk.

As per the report, there were 650,000 AIDS related deaths in 2021, despite there being effective HIV treatment and tools to prevent, diagnose and treat opportunistic infections.

Also 1.5 million new infections occurred in 2021 over 1 million more than the 2025 global targets. This amounts to the smallest annual decline in new HIV infections since 2016  a drop of only 3.6% between 2020 and 2021.

While 75% (28.7 million) of all people living with HIV have access to antiretroviral treatment, approximately 10 million still do not, and only 52% of the children living with HIV have access to lifesaving medicine. The HIV response is failing to meet the needs of children. Children comprised 4% of people living with HIV in 2021 but 15% of AIDS related deaths, and the gap in HIV treatment coverage between children and adults is increasing rather than narrowing.

Another cause of worry is that new infections have affected young women and adolescent girls disproportionately, with a new infection occurring every two minutes in them in 2021. In 2021, an estimated 250,000 adolescent girls and young women were newly infected with HIVfive times more than the 2025 target. Moreover, in sub-Saharan Africa, girls and young women were three times more likely to acquire HIV in comparison to adolescent boys and young men.

Key populations (people who inject drugs, gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender women) account for less than 5% of the global population, but they and their sexual partners comprised 70% of new HIV infections in 2021. Thus key populations are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection and yet one in four of them are not aware of their HIV status.

Data also show insufficient progress on removing punitive laws that increase the risk of HIV infection and death in marginalised people including LGBTI people, people who inject drugs, and sex workers.

The report records marked inequalities within and between countries, including racial inequalities, that are stalling progress. In the UK and USA, declines in new HIV cases have been greater in white populations than among Black people. Also HIV acquisition rates are higher in indigenous communities than in non-indigenous communities in Canada, Australia and USA.

The report points out that unless urgent action is taken to tackle the inequalities which drive the pandemic, the number of new infections per year would be more than 1.2 million in 2025  over three times more than the goal of 370, 000 new infections - a goal set and pledged by UN member states.

Community-led responses are proving to be game changers in reducing inequalities and supporting effective and resilient HIV responses. However, the ability of communities to lead efforts to end AIDS is impeded by inadequate funding, shrinking space for civil society engagement, and punitive legal and policy environments.

Other than the USA, overseas development assistance for HIV from bilateral donors has plummeted by 57% over the last decade. The HIV response in low- and middle-income countries is US$ 8 billion short of the amount needed by 2025. And yet, ending AIDS will cost much less money than not ending AIDS.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima's words are bang on the spot: Data show that the global AIDS response is in severe danger. These figures are about political will. Do we care about empowering and protecting our girls? Do we want to stop AIDS deaths among children? Do we put saving lives ahead of criminalisation? If we do, then we must get the AIDS response back on track. We can end AIDS by 2030 as promised, but what it takes is courage.

Ending AIDS definitely requires political will and courage. We have the tools we need to do so. But the curve will not bend itself. The challenge is to summon the courage required to close the gaps in the response and end HIV-related inequalities.

Shobha Shukla  CNS (Citizen News Service)

(Shobha Shukla is currently in Montreal, Canada, writing from AIDS 2022. She is the award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service) and is a feminist, health and development justice advocate. She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College and current Coordinator of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media). Follow her on Twitter @shobha1shukla or read her writings here www.bit.ly/ShobhaShukla)
28.07.2022 LISTEN

Peg compulsory retirement age at 65 years instead of the current 60 years, Mr Patrick Tetteh Binyemi, Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Council of Labour, of the Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC) has stated, stressing that there was an urgent need to consider reviewing the pension age to enable workers to contribute more and enjoy enhanced pensions upon retirement.

Mr. Binyemi stated at a days engagement organized by Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) with leadership and members of the TUC in the Greater Accra Region on pension-related issues.

The engagement which was held in Tema was attended by members of the TUC from its district councils in Tema, Ada, Amasaman, Shai-Osudoku, and Accra Metro and monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema.

He, therefore, called on the parties involved, employer, labour unions, pension fund administrators especially SSNIT to upscale discussion on the issue immediately.

Mr Binyemi also charged labour unions to also negotiate with employers to ensure that a chunk of the workers earnings goes into payment of SSNIT contribution to enable workers to earn a meaningful pension.

Mr Joseph Poku, SSNIT Chief Actuary in a presentation on Understanding the value proposition of the SSNIT Scheme said currently, the scheme has 1.7 million active contributors out of the five million registered.

He said out of the active number of contributors, those in the private sector accounted for 1,130,069 representing 63 percent, while the public sector has 649,072 representing 36 percent while only one percent (17,006) of the contributors were self-employed.

On the invalidity pension, he explained that it was the benefit paid to contributors who might have contributed continuously for a minimum of a year before being declared by a medical doctor and approved by a committee that they could no longer work due to invalidity.

He said with that, the beneficiary would be entitled to a monthly benefit just like he or she was on pension till their death.

He disclosed that currently SSNIT has 1,536 people on the invalidity pension and has so far paid about 18.4 million cedis in benefits to them.

Mr. Poku further disclosed that the youngest person on the invalidity pension was 31 years old and started benefitting from age 29 while the oldest was 83 years and was put on it at the age of 53.

He urged union leaders to consider asking for the consolidation of basic salaries with allowances to ensure that workers contributions were appreciated for a good pension package when they retire from active service.

Mr. Joshua Ansah, TUC Deputy Secretary-General said the suggestion on the need to consolidate basic salaries with allowances was welcome and gave the assurance that the TUC would take a look at that adding that it that if not possible then there was the need to have good basic salaries to cushion workers.

Mr Ansah urged workers to prioritize their pension the moment they were employed, stressing that workers must learn from what happened to some of their predecessors.
The Kremlin vowed to further restrict Western media in Russia on Wednesday after the EU's top court upheld European sanctions that took Moscow's RT (Russia Today) channel off-air across the continent.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg threw out an appeal from state-owned RT France against a broadcast ban which was introduced as part of EU sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.

Finding that the channel "actively supported" Moscow's destabilisation of Ukraine and broadcast pro-war propaganda, the court concluded that the EU's decision was legal and proportionate.

"In the light of those considerations, the general court dismisses the action in its entirety," the judges ruled, referring to RT France's bid to overturn the ban and restrictions on its website.

The channel immediately announced an appeal, while the Kremlin said it would take retaliatory measures.

"Of course, we will take similar measures of pressure on Western media that operate in our country," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow.

"We will also not let them work in our country," he said, describing the Kremlin's reaction to the ban as "extremely negative".

He added: "Essentially, RT has been blocked and cannot operate in Europe," Peskov said. "Europeans are trampling on their own ideals."

Most Western media outlets are off-air in Russia and have seen their websites banned, while many foreign journalists have left because of draconian new laws that muzzle independent reporters.

Freedom of expression concerns

Launched in 2005 as Russia Today, RT has grown its reach through broadcasts and websites in several languages including English, French, Spanish, German and Arabic.

The EU's decision to ban RT as well as fellow Kremlin-funded news service Sputnik raised questions about freedom of expression in the 27-member bloc and formed part of RT France's legal appeal.

France's national journalists' union, the SNJ, issued a statement at the end of February calling the targeting of Russian media "an act of censorship."

But the ECJ judges noted that the sanction was temporary - until July 2022 - and found that it was "appropriate and necessary to the aims pursued" given the "extraordinary context".

"RT France actively supported... the policy of destabilisation and aggression conducted by the Russian Federation towards Ukraine, which ultimately resulted in a large-scale military offensive," the court's statement said.

"RT France broadcast, in particular, information justifying the military aggression against Ukraine, capable of constituting a significant and direct threat to the Union's public order and security," it continued.

Evidence presented to the court by RT France was "not capable of demonstrating an overall balanced treatment by the latter of information concerning the ongoing war," the judges concluded.

'Unfriendly' media organisations

Most Western broadcasters in Russia were dropped by their local Russian providers after the invasion and websites including the BBC, France's RFI or Germany's Deutsche Welle are blocked.

Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that gave the government powers to shut media organisations from countries that were considered "unfriendly."

Western social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are also banned.

(with AFP)
28.07.2022 LISTEN

A young man whose name is yet to be known is currently in the grips of the Ashanti Regional Police Command over identification theft and also defrauding residents of Ejisu, under guise of recruiting them into the Army.

The suspect, as gathered claimed to be the brother of the Deputy Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Ejisu, John A. Kumah, and used his name to scam the constituents on the claims of recruiting them into the military.

He ended up defrauding a lot of the youth by taking huge amount of money from them, in the name of recruiting and issuing fake Identification cards to them.

However, the Deputy Minister upon intelligence laid an ambush on him and got him arrested by the Police.

In a statement, Dr. Kumah noted that he is not related to the suspect, or has any contact with him to recruit anybody into the army.

He also urged the Ghana Army Forces to investigate the matter and prosecute the suspect.

Below is his full statement:

My attention has been drawn to a viral video of a gentleman arrested for impersonation as a soldier in the Ghana Armed Forces and promising people recruitment into the Military.

The claims by the said gentleman that he is my brother are false and he is not related to me in any form or shape.

I also do not know the said gentleman, never met him before, and have not assigned him to execute any assignment in my name.

I will like to call on the Ghana Armed Forces to investigate the gentleman and to take the necessary punitive measures against him if he is found culpable.

Furthermore, I call on the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, and allied security services to make a strong intervention to reduce the increasing rate of impersonation and fraud that are being committed in the name of political actors.

Finally, I will like to call on the general public to be extra vigilant when dealing with people who claim to be acting under the authority of a public figure and when dealing with social media accounts they believe belong to political figures.

Thank you

DGN online
As part of efforts by government to mitigate the devastating impact of Covid-19 pandemic on businesses, some 300 operators in the hospitality and tourism industry in the Bono East region are being supported under the Ghana CARES Obaatanpa programme.

This support is primarily meant to keep the operators in business and help them even expand their frontiers to create more employment opportunities for people as the tourism sector was one of the hardest hit areas by covid-19.

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), with support from the government under the Ghana CARES Obaatanpa programme therefore mobilized these businessmen and equipped them with skills that would enable them revitalise their businesses to keep them on their feet.

The training was also expected to sharpen their skills in marketing, promotion and improving their service delivery to attract more tourists and other customers into the country, and further help increase the contribution of tourism to GDP by at least two per cent.

In his brief remarks at the training programme held in Techiman, the Bono East regional capital, the Techiman Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Benjamin Yaw Gyarko on behalf of the Regional Minister, urged the participants to make the Bono East the preferred destination for tourists considering the numerous tourism potentials that abound in the region.

He assured them of the governments resolve to ensure that they remain in business to contribute their quota toward national development.

The Bono East Regional Director of GTA, Mr. Joseph Appiagyei, indicated that the training was aimed at helping the sector's players in the region to overcome their losses as a result of the covid-19 pandemic and also help them become competitive in the global tourism value chain links.

Some of the areas covered by the 300 beneficiaries during the training were E-marketing, digital ecotourism and quality tourism assets among others.

Ghana CARES Obaatanpa programme

The GH100 billion Ghana COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalization of Enterprises Support (CARES) Obaatan pa programme is a three and half year comprehensive programme by the Akufo-Addo-led government to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, return the country to a sustained path of robust growth and to create a more resilient and transformed economy.

The Ghana CARES (Obaatan pa) programme is an unprecedented, bold and audacious GH100 billion post COVID programme to stabilize, revitalize and transform Ghanas economy to create jobs and prosperity for Ghanaians over a three-year period. It is sequenced in two phases: a Stabilization Phase that is running from July to the end of the year (2020); and a medium-term Revitalization Phase from 2021-2023.

The first phase of the programme builds on the actions already taken by Government under the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme, including stabilization of the economy, ensuring food security, support businesses and workers, strengthening the health system and passage of legislation to facilitate quick economic recovery.

The second phase aims at revitalizing and transforming the economy from 2021-2023 will focus on supporting commercial farming and attracting educated youth into agriculture, building Ghanas light manufacturing sector, developing engineering/machine tools and ICT/digital economy, developing Ghanas housing and construction industry, reviewing and optimizing the implementation of Government flagships and key programmes among others.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has been without its substantive minister, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Sarfo for close to a year on the back of attending to very pressing family issues abroad.

It is important to make the point that we all may have a very serious family issue which may require being given some time off our busy work schedules to pay critical attention to it and deal with it head on so this article does not seek to impugn ill motives relative to the Hon. minister for seeking to do so.

However, it is also important to highlight the point that when permission of this nature is given, the person's general disposition and behaviour matter and must not seem to portray a contrary position relative to the reason for taking such permission.

The general disposition of Hon. Adwoa Sarfo so far has been contrary in view of the evidence seen in the videos on social media so far.

Her show of opulence on the airplane, songs, videos on tiktok and social media in general, betray her and cast a negative figure of her in the sight of most Ghanaians including her constituents and make her appears as if she's making fun of the very people whom she swore to serve.

The teasing also appears to send a very strong message to Ghanaians that she is untouchable and could go to the weirdest extent and still have her job intact.

In the wake of the above reservations on her conduct so far, one wonders if the then candidate Akufo-Addo who was presented as the 'no nonsense man' in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 elections is still the one in the helm of affairs as the President of the Republic of Ghana.

His loud silence and inaction in the face of Hon. Adwoa Sarfo's long absence, opulence, tiktok and social media theatrics is one bad example which will only go a long way to serve as a point of reference for not only political appointees but also trickle down to public servants generally.

It is the very reason the Minority group in Parliament will also incur the wrath of Ghanaians for the shield they consistently continue to provide her in the ongoing process to have her seat declared vacant to pave way for a bye election for the Dome Kwabena Constituency.

One wonders the seeming connectivity between the Minority and Hon. Adwoa Sarfo which will make them hell bent to provide her cover in this case.

Whatever the case is, her continuous stay in office as both a minister of state and a Member of Parliament smacks of a weakness in leadership and reverses the notion that "the Black man is capable of managing his own affairs".
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is the only political party in record time to have documented its history.

According to Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate to the 2020 NDC flagbearer, this act nullifies negative assertions by critics of the party.

Speaking at the launch of the NDC's Administrative History, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said that the NDC will always be a pacesetter.

The NDC is a unique party in the sense that even though some accuse us of not reading and not being to school, arent we the party that has come up with a book? What does it tell of who we truly are? So this act only upsets so many of the misperceptions about us.

The party also accused the United Gold Coast Convention and United Party tradition of deliberately distorting the history of Ghana.

NDCs General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said the offspring of that tradition, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has further changed the history of the country making them appear to be the original founders of Ghana.

Now history has been reconstructed to make the [NPP] look like the true founders of the country. So, part of the book will set the record straight on who the true founders of Ghana are and those who came to serve their selfish interests.

The NDC said it should be credited for the resilience Ghana showed during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Party Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo explained that, for the needed health infrastructure built by the NDC administration, Ghana could not have managed the pandemic properly.

It would have been very difficult for Ghana to withstand the challenges that COVID-19 brought us but for the far-sight leadership that the NDC always provides by thinking ahead. We are very proud of our achievements, and it is important to note that, after 30 years of existence, the party is able to chronicle its history for future generations and those interested in knowing our political history.
This week's visit to Benin by French President Emmanuel Macron was marked by the release of 30 opposition figures, imprisoned during the April 2021 election campaign. Macron's host, President Patrice Talon, comfortably won that election, from which the vast majority of opposition candidates were barred.

The 30 men were freed during the visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Benin was long praised for its vibrant multi-party democracy, but critics say freedoms have been eroded under Talon, a 64-year-old cotton magnate, first elected in 2016.

The special court for economic and terrorist crimes, known as Criet, freed 30 people who were arrested during the election, placing them under temporary judicial supervision.

Among those freed were leaders and youth activists of the opposition Democrats party, the party itself has confirmed.

'There are no political detainees in Benin'

The announcement came hours after Talon dismissed suggestions that his government was holding political prisoners after the jailing last year of two top opposition leaders.

"In Benin, there are no political detainees, no one is detained in Benin for their political opinion," Talon said, answering questions from journalists with Macron at his side.

"But people are detained for having acted, for having committed offenses and crimes in the political field, that is true," Talon continued.

Macron did not mention the political situation in Benin during his speech.

Talon said it was possible that an amnesty or pardon may be given to detained opposition figures.

"We have to be able to adjust the political situation so that it gives a good image, favourable to economic development," Talon said.

"Our image is a little tarnished by the political situation that Benin has experienced lately. I am not ashamed of that."

Doubts about special court decisions

Benin opposition leader Reckya Madougou was sentenced in December to 20 years in prison for terrorism by a special court in the capital Porto-Novo after a brief trial that her attorneys condemned as a "political attack".

Madougou was one of several Benin opposition leaders banned from running in last year's election in April in which Talon won a second term with 86 percent of the vote.

A former justice minister, she was arrested in Cotonou in March -- just weeks before the election. She was accused of financing an operation to assassinate political figures to prevent the vote and of trying to "destabilise" the country.

Another opposition leader, Joel Aivo, a professor who had been held for eight months, was also found guilty last year of plotting against the state and of money laundering.

Aivo was also barred from running in the election.

Both were tried by the special court dealing with terrorism and economic crimes. Critics say the court, created by Talon's government in 2016, has been used to crack down on political opponents.
The Minority in Parliament is demanding an independent probe into alleged financial malfeasance at Bulk Oil and Transportation Company (BOST).

According to the ranking member on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, John Abu Jinapor, the construction of an ultra-modern twin tower office for BOST in 2015 which cost $39 million has now jumped to a whopping $79 million without any tangible reason.

Addressing the Parliamentary Press corps today, Thursday, 28 July 2022, he said it is obvious some officials are culpable and neck deep in this scandal.

We do not have any confidence in the Akufo-Addo led Government as far as resolving this conundrum is concerned. Officialdom has demonstrated a lack of professionalism and competence in this whole debacle, as BOST has been converted into one of the milking cows, he stated.

He called on President Akufo-Addo to gather courage to cause and independent investigation into this scandal and punish his officials whose negligence, recklessness and complicity has led to this huge mess.

We the Minority in Parliament, hereby serve notice that anything short of an independent investigation shall be rejected and denounced by the NDC and the good people of Ghana. We shall remain vigilant and resolute in our quest to ensure that the continuous looting and plundering of the resources of BOST which is our collective strategic national asset is brought to an immediate halt, he said.

Find below details of the presser:

Press Statement

28th July, 2022

FRESH SCANDAL AT BOST.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, permit me to use this opportunity to thank you for honouring this invitation.

We have invited you today once again on very serious and grave issues of national interest emanating from Ghanas energy sector under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, you may be aware that the Bulk Oil and Transportation Company (BOST) under the able leadership of Mr. Kwame Awuah Darko commenced the process of constructing an ultra-modern twin tower office in the year 2015 to serve as office accommodation and to enhance internally generated funds to augment the cash flow of the BOST.

However, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia newly constituted management of BOST that assumed office, falsely accused Mr. Awuah Darko of inflating and padding the contract and as a result the suspended the project.

Characteristic of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, Mr. Awuah Darko and several government appointees of the erstwhile Mahama administration were subjected to thorough and detailed investigations by the Economic and Organized Crime Unit (EOCO), which of cause is nothing but witch-hunting and whitewashing.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is worthy of mention that not only was Mr. Awuah Darko exonerated of any wrongdoing by the EOCO investigations, but it was also established that the contract met all the necessary ingredients of value for money.

We have, however, noted from recent developments based on documents available to us that the original contact which was valued at $39,000,000.00 (Thirty-Nine Million Dollars) ballooned to a whopping $78,000,000.00, if the two-tower building is accounted for based on the current cost of the single unit valued at $39,000,000.00 (Thirty-Nine Million Dollars). This means the building has been inflated by 100% over the original contract.

We say so because we have noted that the current Management of BOST decided to acquire only one of the twin unit building due to the precarious financial position of the company, however, it applied to the Public Procurement Authority for approval to vary the original contract for the single unit from the original price of $19,500,000.00 per unit to a new cost of $24,000,000.00,

Members of the press, fellow Ghanaians, to our utmost shock and dismay, but of cause as usual of this government, the PPA without any reasonable justification in granting the approval hiked the contract sum to an inflated figure of $39,000,000.00 (Thirty-Nine Million United Sates Dollars) for a single unit when BOST could have originally constructed the twin-tower office at the original price of $39,000,000.00.

We are firm in our conviction that this is a classic case of causing financial loss to the state. This is another PDS, Ameri and Movinpinnna scandal in the making. The Energy sector under the current NPP administration has become a Pollution Haven for regularized corruption, inflated favouritism, and rusted nepotism.

How come a twin-tower office complex originally awarded at a cost of $39,000,000.00 has now metamorphosed into a colossal figure of $78,000,000.00 based on the current cost of the single unit is mind boggling. Why would the PPA vary the request for approval from BOST for the purchase of the single unit building from $24,000,000.00 to an inflated figure of $39,000,000.00? Who are the people behind this outrageous deal?

From the foregoing, it is obvious some officials are culpable and neck deep in this huge scandal. We do not have any confidence in the Akufo-Addo led Government as far as resolving this conundrum is concerned. Officialdom has demonstrated a lack of professionalism and competence in this whole debacle, as BOST has been converted into one of the milking cows.

It is our hope that for the first time, the President will gather courage to cause and independent investigation into this scandal which is of monumental proportion and v punish his officials whose negligence, recklessness and complicity has led us into this huge mess.

We, the Minority in Parliament, hereby serve notice that anything short of an independent investigation shall be rejected and denounced by the NDC and the good people of Ghana. We shall remain vigilant and resolute in our quest to ensure that the continuous looting and plundering of the resources of BOST which is our collective strategic national asset is brought to an immediate halt.

Thank you.

Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor (MP)

(Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency)

Ranking Member, Mines and Energy Committee

Source:Classfmonline.com
WOMEN'S RIGHTS activist, Margaret Brew Ward, has revealed that a young girl who scored aggregate 30 in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) was branded a witch.

Recently, there was a case we heard when we visited one of the communities that a girl who got around aggregate 30 in the BECE was [branded a witch] meanwhile you know in the cities people are striving for aggregate 8, eight 1s and what not.

Speaking on Joy News on the 'Probe' recently, she said the incident happened as result of the girl's ability to gain admission to Senior High School in that community.

Just because in that community, no girl had passed to go to the secondary school, so for a girl to do that, she must have been a witch, she said.

According to her, it took the intervention of her outfit and some state institutions to get the student the needed support.

She mentioned also that some inhumane treatment meted out to young women in some parts of the country had to be addressed.

Dr. Angela Dwamena Aboagye, Executive Director of the Ark Foundation, also asked the state to take critical steps to address such challenges.

Executive Director of The Sanneh Institute, Prof John Azumah, said such challenges confronting women in some parts of the country could be addressed through legislation as politicians like to tiptoe around it in their own interest.

DGN online
A building and roads consultant, Ing. Abdulai Mahama is calling on the Akufo-Addo's government to officially announce the resumption of toll collection in the country.

He contends that government owes a number of road contractors and bringing toll collection back will help in the revenue generation for the country.

His call comes after the Finance Minister disclosed that users of the Accra-Tema Motorway will pay tolls post the completion of the expansion project.

Speaking to Citi News, Ing Mahama stressed on the need for toll collection to be digitalized in order to monitor at real time the monies realized.

The tolls should be brought back because government is over-burdened. There are so many arrears that are owed all the contractors who are even doing normal routine maintenance to ensure improvement on our roads. Government is owing contractors. I even think that, the 38 toll booths in the country are not even enough. The earlier you bring the tolls back, the better. The digitization has to be apt so that we can make about four times of what we are already making.

Ing. Abdulai Mahama further questioned the government's plans to reintroduce tolls on newly constructed Public Private Partnership (PPP) roads after completion, beginning with the Accra-Tema Motorway.

If you start to toll the Motorway and any other new road, how many new roads are we going to construct? How many are going to be heavy to attract PPP because the investor is coming to make money within a stipulated time.

Government suspended the collection of road and bridge tolls during the 2022 budget statement.

But following Ofori-Atta's disclosure of the tolling of some new roads during the mid-year budget review presented on Monday, July 25, 2022, some Ghanaians lambasted the government over the issue.

In a statement, the Roads Ministry insisted that government does not intend to re-introduce the road tolls which were suspended a few months ago.

The Minority in Parliament has been putting pressure on government to reinstate the collection of road tolls .

According to the caucus, bringing back road tolls will help government in its revenue drive following current economic challenges.

citinewsroom
French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Paris on Thursday, defying criticism that the invitation is inappropriate barely four years after the murder by Saudi agents of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, has told the French leader she is "shocked and outraged" by the meeting.

The meeting will be seen as the latest step in the readmission of the de-facto ruler of the kingdom into the international fold, after US President Joe Biden met the man universally known as MBS earlier this month.

The fiancee of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi has expressed outrage at French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to host Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks.

"I am scandalised and outraged that Emmanuel Macron is receiving with all the honours the executioner of my fiance, Jamal Khashoggi," Hatice Cengiz told the AFP news agency.

Macron's talks in Paris with the oil-rich kingdom's de facto ruler come as Western powers search for new sources of energy that rely less on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

Khashoggi was killed and dismembered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to complete paperwork needed to allow him to marry Cengiz in October 2018.

A UN probe described Khashoggi's death as an "extrajudicial killing for which Saudi Arabia is responsible".

The Saudi crown prince has denied ordering Khashoggi's murder.

"The surge in energy prices because of the war in Ukraine cannot justify that -- in the name of alleged realpolitik -- we absolve the person responsible for Saudi policy towards political opponents," Cengiz said.

Russian gas, Iranian nuclear potential

The topics set to loom over the Macron meeting include energy supply as concern grows over possible power shortages due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as reining in the nuclear programme of Riyadh's top regional foe Iran.

MBS, as the prince is known, is portrayed at home as a champion of social and economic reform but is seen by critics as a murderous tyrant. He arrives in France fresh from a trip to Greece to discuss energy ties.

Greece and Saudi Arabia are also planning a data cable link worth a reported 800 million euros that would run under the Mediterranean Sea and be completed in 2025.

The Saudi Prince's trip to Greece follows his meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with US President Joe Biden, which was widely criticised by human rights activists.

Criticism follows the prince on his European tour as well. "I feel profoundly troubled by the visit, because of what it means for our world and what is means for Jamal (Khashoggi) and people like him," Amnesty International secretary general Agnes Callamard told AFP, describing MBS as a man who "does not tolerate any dissent".

The visits mark MBS' first trip to the EU since the murder of Khashoggi by Saudi agents at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

US intelligence agencies determined that MBS had "approved" the operation that led to Khashoggi's death, though Riyadh denies this, blaming rogue operatives.

'Double standards'

The killing provoked outrage not just over the elimination of a prominent critic of the Saudi regime, but also for the manner in which it was carried out. Khashoggi was lured into the Saudi consulate on October 2, 2018, strangled and dismembered.

"The visit by MBS to France and Joe Biden to Saudi Arabia do not change the fact that MBS is anything other than a killer," said Callamard, who at the time of the killing was the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings and led the independent probe.

His reception by world leaders is "all the more shocking given many of them at the time expressed disgust (over the killing) and a commitment not to bring MBS back into the international community", she added, denouncing the "double standard".

But despite the concern over Saudi Arabia's rights record, the kingdom is seen by many in the West as an essential partner due to its energy resources, purchases of weaponry and staunch opposition to Iran's theocratic regime.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made the oil and gas reserves of the kingdom all the more important for the West.

Callamard expressed concern that "values were being obliterated in the face of concern about the rising price of oil".

'Political leverage'

The French president travelled to the kingdom in December 2021 for talks with MBS, a visit that raised some eyebrows at the time.

MBS is in charge of the country's day-to-day business due to the ailing condition of his father, King Salman.

Macron will be meeting MBS fresh from talks with two close allies of the kingdom, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. The red carpet welcome for both leaders dismayed rights activists.

Macron will also be arriving from a three-nation tour of Africa, where he visited Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau, none of which is seen as an exemplary democracy.

After the recent fist-bump greeting from Biden that for many symbolised the West's re-acceptance of MBS, there will be huge interest in the body language between Macron and Prince Mohammed.

The talks are set to get under way late in the day, at 8:30 pm Paris time, and include a working dinner at the Elysee Palace. MBS reportedly arrived late Wednesday at a Paris airport and headed to a private residence outside the city.

"The war in Ukraine has put the energy-producing countries back in the spotlight, and they are taking advantage of it," said Camille Lons, research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

"This gives them political leverage that they will use to reassert their importance on the international stage," she added.
Vegetarian steak can continue to be labelled as such after a French court delayed a government bid to ban the use of meat-related terms to describe products made from plants.

The prohibition was due to come into force on 1 October following a long campaign from French meat and livestock groups, seeking to uphold the country's famously fastidious conventions for the naming of food and drink.

The government said terms including sausage, lardon, dumpling and carpaccio should be reserved for meat products.

But on Wednesday the Council of State administrative court sided with Proteines France, an organisation that represents the vegetable protein sector.

It accepted concerns over the speed and scope of the legislation, and granted a suspension.

Proteines France was relieved the government now has to regroup on the issue, but remains "cautious" over further legal action, the organisation's lawyer told French news agency AFP.

Question of origin

"The Council of State has accepted our argument that it is impossible for vegetable products to be excluded from the lexical field," Guillaume Hannotin said.

He argued some terms were originally unconnected to meat, such as "steak", which can mean a "slice" in English, or "carpaccio", named after an Italian Renaissance painter renowned for his use of the colour red.

In October 2020, the European Parliament rejected a move to ban the use of terms of animal origin for plant products - except when words like "yoghurt", "cream" or "cheese" are applied to products without animal milk.

With the publication of its decree in June, France became the only country in the EU to go against this decision.

(with newswires)
28.07.2022 LISTEN

Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu constituency, John Abdulai Jinapor has accused the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) of misappropriation of state funds.

He said BOST has inflated a contract sum meant for the construction of a twin tower office by 100%.

In a press statement on July 28 sighted by ModernGhana News, Mr. Jinapor who is a ranking member of the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament alleged that the new leadership of BOST has inflated US$39 million meant for the construction of a twin tower office building to US$78 million, double of the contract sum.

Mr. Jinapor indicated that, before the former CEO of BOST, Kwame Awuah Darko was ousted he began the process of constructing an ultra-modern twin tower office to serve as an office accommodation and enhance the generation of funds in 2015.

According to him, the contract sum for the twin tower office was US$39 million at the time.

However, Mr. Jinapor asserts that documents made available prove that the contract sum has been padded and stands at a staggering $78 million if a twin tower office is constructed.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, you may be aware that the Bulk Oil and Transportation Company (BOST) under the able leadership of Mr. Kwame Awuah Darko commenced the process of constructing an ultra-modern twin tower office in the year 2015 to serve as office accommodation and to enhance internally generated funds to augment the cash flow of the BOST.

We have however noted from recent developments based on documents available to us that the original contract which was valued at $39,000,000.00 (Thirty-Nine Million Dollars) ballooned to a whopping $78,000,000.00, if the two-tower building is accounted for based on the current cost of the single unit valued at $39,000,000.00 (Thirty-Nine Million Dollars). This means the building has been inflated by 100% over the original contract.

"We say so because we have noted that the current Management of BOST decided to acquire only one of the twin unit building due to the precarious financial position of the company, however it applied to the Public Procurement Authority for approval to vary the original contract for the single unit from the original price of $19,500,000.00 per unit to a new cost of $24,000,000.00, he revealed.

Mr. Jinapor further alleges that the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) approved the inflated contract to a sum even from $24million to $39 million more for a single unit when BOST could have constructed the twin tower building at the same cost.

He asserted that the energy sector had become a pollution haven for regularized corruption, inflated favouritism, and rusted nepotism."

The minority is therefore calling on government to open an independent investigation into the matter and punish those found culpable in creating such a problem.

Read full statement below:

Press Statement

28th July, 2022

FRESH SCANDAL AT BOST

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, permit me to use this opportunity to thank you for honouring this invitation.

We have invited you today once again on very serious and grave issues of national interest emanating from Ghanas energy sector under the Akuffo-Addo/Bawumiah Government.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, you may be aware that the Bulk Oil and Transportation Company (BOST) under the able leadership of Mr. Kwame Awuah Darko commenced the process of constructing an ultra-modern twin tower office in the year 2015 to serve as office accommodation and to enhance internally generated funds to augment the cash flow of the BOST.

However, the Akuffo-Addo/Bawumia newly constituted management of BOST that assumed office falsely accused Mr. Awuah Darko of inflating and padding the contract and as a result suspended the project.

Characteristic of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumiah government, Mr. Awuah Darko and several government appointees of the erstwhile Mahama administration were subjected to thorough and detailed investigations by the Economic and Organized Crime Unit (EOCO), which of cause is nothing but witch-hunting and whitewashing.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is worthy to mention that not only was Mr. Awuah Darko exonerated of any wrongdoing by the EOCO investigations, but it was also established that the contract met all the necessary ingredients of value for money.

We have however noted from recent developments based on documents available to us that the original contract which was valued at $39,000,000.00 (Thirty-Nine Million Dollars) ballooned to a whopping $78,000,000.00, if the two-tower building is accounted for based on the current cost of the single unit valued at $39,000,000.00 (Thirty-Nine Million Dollars). This means the building has been inflated by 100% over the original contract.

We say so because we have noted that the current Management of BOST decided to acquire only one of the twin unit building due to the precarious financial position of the company, however it applied to the Public Procurement Authority for approval to vary the original contract for the single unit from the original price of $19,500,000.00 per unit to a new cost of $24,000,000.00,

Members of the press, fellow Ghanaians, to our utmost shock and dismay, but of cause as usual of this government, the PPA without any reasonable justification in granting the approval hiked the contract sum to an inflated figure of $39,000,000.00 (Thirty-Nine Million United Sates Dollars) for a single unit when BOST could have originally constructed the twin-tower office at the original price of $39,000,000.00.

We are firm in our conviction that this is a classic case of causing financial loss to the state. This is another PDS, Ameri and Movinpinnna scandal in the making. The Energy sector under the current NPP administration has become a Pollution Haven for regularized corruption, inflated favouritism, and rusted nepotism.

How come a twin-tower office complex originally awarded at a cost of $39,000,000.00 has now metamorphosed into a colossal figure of $78,000,000.00 based on the current cost of the single unit is mind boggling. Why would the PPA vary the request for approval from BOST for the purchase of the single unit building from $24,000,000.00 to an inflated figure of $39,000,000.00? Who are the people behind this outrageous deal?

From the foregoing, it is obvious some officials are culpable and neck deep in this huge scandal. We do not have any confidence in the Akufo-Addo led Government as far as resolving this conundrum is concerned. Officialdom has demonstrated a lack of professionalism and competence in this whole debacle, as BOST has been converted into one of the milking cows.

It is our hope that for the first time, the President will gather courage to cause and independent investigation into this scandal which is of monumental proportion and punish his officials whose negligence, recklessness and complicity has led us into this huge mess.

We, the Minority in Parliament, hereby serve notice that anything short of an independent investigation shall be rejected and denounced by the NDC and the good people of Ghana. We shall remain vigilant and resolute in our quest to ensure that the continuous looting and plundering of the resources of BOST which is our collective strategic national asset is brought to an immediate halt.

Thank you.

Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor (MP)

(Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency)

Ranking Member, Mines and Energy Committee
Government has released GHS57,460,000 as feeding grant for the 46 Colleges of Education in the country.

Part of the money is also to cater for student allowances.

The Ministry of Education noted in a statement that it was committed to improving and sustaining quality education.

The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Education has released an amount of GH57,460.000.00 covering feeding grants and Student allowance to the 46 Colleges of Education in Ghana.

The Ministry hereby reiterates Its commitment to sufficiently resource and collaborates with all institutions under its ambit in the quest to improve and sustain quality education in Ghana, the statement said.

Source: Classfmonline.com
While South Africa has been preoccupied with rolling electricity blackouts , security of liquid fuels supply has been overlooked even though  by my calculations  by value of sales it is 60% larger than electricity sales.

The one liquid fuels related story that attracted attention in the local media was the temporary closure of an inland oil refinery due to delays in crude oil supplies. The refinery is owned by Natref, a joint venture between the chemical and energy company Sasol  the majority shareholder  and Total Energies.

No details have been given about the closure. But it is a rare occurrence and probably a consequence of disruptions to global logistics and oil supplies caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Natref is the last surviving oil refinery in South Africa. Three others were closed in the past two years.

These refinery closures and the possible permanent closure of the Natref refinery are shots fired in the long running contestation between the oil refiners and the government, which has been trying to introduce cleaner fuels specifications . And, in parallel, policies requiring oil companies to keep some stocks to act as a buffer against occasional supply interruptions.

Both policies are in line with international trends.

The attempt to move to cleaner fuel specifications began in 2006 and is aimed at assisting the domestic auto manufacturing industry, which produces mainly for European markets, where engines need to match Europe's cleaner fuels.

The oil industry's response to the government's cleaner fuels initiatives has been robust. Initially, it sought to blackmail the government by threatening closure unless the government gave it the capital to upgrade its refineries, without any consequent ownership rights. The industry euphemistically termed this a cost recovery mechanism . The government eventually backed down from its deadlines. But it did not succumb to the demands for cash gifts.

In the latest round, the two Durban refineries made good on their threats. Engen (Petronas) in 2020, following an explosion and fire , and Sapref (Shell and BP) after its temporary closure during the insurrection in July 2021 . Natref appears to be playing a waiting game on the government's latest deadline, which has been shifted from 2023 to 2027.

If the government holds the line Natref may also close, with possible knock-on effects for Sasol's coal-to-liquids plant in Secunda, whose production is partially integrated with Natref's.

The closures of South Africa's small, old and inefficient refineries are economically painful in the short term. But they also offer the prospect of better outcomes  economic, environmental and security of supply  if government acts sensibly, particularly in relation to electric vehicles.

Auto manufacturing

The government has pursued an import substitution industrialisation approach to the liquid fuels industry since the 1930s and has used various regulatory instruments to protect the oil refiners.

But the need to move to cleaner fuels to support local auto manufacture has proved to be a tipping point. The difficulty for the auto manufacturers is that it does not make commercial sense to manufacture two engines for each vehicle  one for South Africa's dirty fuels and another for Europe's cleaner fuels. The domestic auto industry has, like refining, long been protected by the government. It occupies a key position at the heart of South Africa's manufacturing industry and its interests appear to have been chosen over those of the oil refining industry.

The refinery closures hold implications for the future of auto manufacturing and transport in the country.

In the short term, fuel imports are meeting demand. But the auto manufacturers face a new threat to their European markets  electric vehicles. Some local auto manufacturers have appealed to the government to include electric vehicles within its support and subsidy programmes. At present the import of electric vehicles is actively discriminated against. But the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is dragging its heels.

There is a good prima facie case for South Africa to switch to electric vehicles. Imported US dollar denominated petroleum could be substituted by mainly rand denominated solar and wind-based power generation. The productivity gains from more efficient electric vehicles and the impetus to South Africa's emerging battery manufacturing industry are part of the case. This could also be seen as the ultimate version of the government's long-running import substitution industrialisation.

The closure of the oil refineries has actually made it easier for the government to switch its attention to electric vehicles, which would also assist in meeting its international emissions targets. It also means that the adjustments envisaged in the just energy transition have, in effect, already happened in the refining industry.

Security of supply?

Returning to the question of security of supply for internal combustion engines, there are also advantages for the government in so far as strategic stocks are concerned. Since there are fewer oil refineries, less crude oil stocks are required. This may be a good thing given the troubles associated with them.

Firstly, there is the economic argument that strategic stocks sterilise large quantities of cash. In turn, this has a high opportunity cost in South Africa with its many other pressing social needs.

The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy told Parliament in 2022 that the strategic oil stocks were valued at R1,750,764,252 .

Secondly, there are governance issues. In 2015 the Strategic Fuel Fund illegally sold 10.3 million barrels (the entire stock) at bargain basement prices to oil traders. In 2020 the High Court returned the stocks to the fuel fund .

The closure of oil refineries has inadvertently provided a windfall for fuel users  it has allowed government to sell off some of the stocks and use the proceeds to subsidise fuel prices during an oil price spike.

These subsidies are to be partially funded by the sale of strategic oil stocks to the value of R6 billion . By my estimates this represents approximately half of the strategic stocks, which leaves a bit more than the surviving refineries need.

A much better solution would be to hold strategic stocks of refined products in the inland market, which is approximately 60% of the South African market. Although discussed in government at least 20 years ago, this option has not been pursued.

Does the closure of the refineries affect South Africa's security of supply? Not much. The country has merely swapped reliance on crude oil imports for refined product imports. Rather than international supply risks, the bigger risks seem to be domestic .

So what is the government's policy on the security of supply?

The 1998 White Paper on Energy Policy said that the government would maintain three months of oil supplies. But there has never been a budget allocation to allow the country to reach this level.

In 2012 government gazetted a draft plan proposing that its holdings be reduced to 60 days, supplemented by the industry holding 14 days of refined products. The draft has never progressed to a final policy, probably due to financial constraints and the industry's unwillingness to foot a part of the bill.

There has been no shortage of ideas and policy proposals on strategic stocks in democratic South Africa. The shortage is of cash to fund the ideas. Given South Africa's increasingly constrained finances, there seems to be little prospect of security of supply being resolved soon. Security of supply may only be improved when South Africa switches to electric vehicles.

Rod Crompton has received funding from the United Nations University. He is affiliated with the African Energy Leadership Centre at Wits Business School. He is a non-Executive Director of Eskom and SANEA.

By Rod Crompton, Adjunct professor African Energy Leadership Centre Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand
28.07.2022 LISTEN

Two teenagers aged 18 years each have been sentenced to 34 years imprisonment to spend 17 years each behind bars.

The sentence has been given by the Mankessim Circuit Court in the Central Region presided over by Her Honour Gloria Laryea.

The two who have been jailed include Emmanuel Arthur, a tricycle rider, and Isaac Antwi, a tricycle rider and farmer.

Speaking to the media on the case that has landed the two in prison, the Registrar of the Mankessim Circuit Court, Mr. Godfred Kofi Adu, disclosed that on July 4, a scrap dealer by the name of Shaibu Alidu lodged a complaint to the Waakrom town folks that he had been attacked and robbed by the young men.

After a complaint to the Police, Sergeant John Ahinful-Essel who was assigned to the case led the investigations.

Intelligence gathered by the complainant and Waakrom town folks led to the discovery of the suspects hideout which helped the Police to arrest the two.

After interrogation, the accused led the Police to Obiremadzi, a suburb of Waakrom in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District of the Central Region where several items including two MTN SIM cards, a black cap, a hand glove, and a piece of the board were retrieved.

In addition, an amount of GHS520 which had been stolen by the accused was also retrieved.

In Court, they were charged with two counts, conspiracy to commit crime; namely robbery contrary to Section 23 and 43 of the criminal offences act 1960 (Act 29) and robbery contrary to Section 49 of the criminal offences act 1960 (Act 29).

Found guilty of the charges, Emmanuel Arthur and Isaac Antwi have now been sentenced to 17 years each in prison.
The General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua has expressed optimism about the ability of the government to turn things around for the economy to stand on its feet once again.

Speaking at a media engagement on Thursday, July 28, to usher in the partys 30th anniversary, the newly-elected general secretary charged appointees of the government to put in more work to fuel the ambition of the government to turn around the economic woes of the country.

In 2001 that the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition had its second opportunity at governance following the swearing-in of John Agyekum Kuffour as president, it was a trying time to assume office, and some felt we had been served a poisoned chalice because of the very challenging economic conditions the country was in.

The Kufuor administration took the brave but unpopular decision to subscribe to the IMF Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) programme. Despite the gloomy economic conditions at the onset of his administration, the Kufuor government would perform what many have termed as a miraculous economic turnaround, by his second tenure in office.

Notable among his achievements was the attainment of a lower middle-income status economy in 2007, introduction of the national health insurance scheme, school feeding programme, livelihood empowerment against poverty (LEAP), national youth employment programme, metro mass transport system, cocoa mass spraying, repeal of criminal libel law and capitation grant.

We believe this can and will be done and therefore, admonish government appointees to put in extra efforts to aid the countrys economic renaissance, Justine Frimpong Kodua said.

Ghanas economy has been in severe distress since the start of the year and has gotten worse in the last few months.

According to the government, the challenges have been exacerbated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the blowback from the Russia-Ukraine war.
28.07.2022 LISTEN

There are concerns about the lack of a clear pass mark in the notice sent out to eligible candidates preparing for this year's entrance examination of the Ghana School of law.

The independent examinations committee of the General Legal Council stating the admission procedure said Eligible applicants who attain the minimum threshold mark set by the General Legal Council for this particular year will be offered admission for the 2022/2023 academic year to pursue the professional law course.

The use of the term minimum threshold is raising eyebrows amongst some lawyers and legal brains.

Reacting to the issue, a former acting director of the Ghana School of law, Maxwell Opoku Agyeman questioned why the pass mark was opaque.

Also, US-based Ghanaian legal practitioner, Professor Kwaku Asare said this should be nipped in the bud before September 23 when the exams are expected to take place

The reason for not stating a pass mark for the exams is unclear, but last year, 499 students who took part in the entrance examination were denied admission although they attained the 50% pass mark.

This caused the students to petition various institutions about the matter. They later gained admission after several calls and have since been inducted into the Ghana School of Law.

By Citi Newsroom
Lorries blocked at the border between DRC and Zambia. Poor roads are a major stumbling block to trade. - Source: Lucien Kahozi/AFP via Getty Images)

28.07.2022 LISTEN

African countries face great challenges in adapting to climate change to meet growing demand for food. The current drought in East Africa is the latest manifestation of changing weather patterns.

But countries such as Zambia, where there is good land and water , have major opportunities to meet food demand by growing agriculture exports and processing their produce. Zambian farmers can earn substantial returns from increased production. Their production can also alleviate the pressures in countries such as Kenya.

To realise these opportunities, Zambian products have to reach export markets at good prices. For this, Zambia needs competitive cross-border markets and efficient transport and logistics services. However, regional grain and oilseeds trade is not working for producers in Zambia or for buyers in East Africa, with huge variances in agricultural commodity prices in Kenya and in Zambia.

Our reality check on the workings of cross-border markets points to regional integration being the key to unlocking massive potential for Zambia to anchor sustainable agricultural growth in Africa. But effective regional integration remains a dream, undermining Zambia's potential.

How are markets really working for Zambia?

Zambian agriculture has been a growth story with expanding net exports in important products such as soybeans . However, this performance is very short of where it should be. Zambia should be the grain basket for the whole region. Malawi has shown what is possible in soybeans . It almost doubled production in 2019/2020, to 421,000 million tonnes , more than Zambia in that year.

A major issue is how cross-border markets are working, or not working. Zambian suppliers report having substantial volumes of soybeans which can meet the huge regional demand.

Market prices for maize in Nairobi climbed to over US$500/Mt in June 2022 , reaching similar levels in Kampala, Uganda (Figure 1). In early July, prices were reported to have climbed well above US$750/Mt in Kenya. Meanwhile prices in Zambia were around US$220/Mt or 3,700 kwacha/Mt.

Though lower than Kenya's, Zambian maize prices are still substantially higher than last year's. This is in line with global trends . With higher input costs, farmers need higher output prices to incentivise production.

The gap between prices in Zambia and those in Nairobi and Kampala is close to US$300/Mt. This is double what would be explained by the efficient cost of transporting maize from Zambia to these countries. Efficient transport costs take account of reasonable trucking, logistics and border costs.

Even with the higher fuel costs, grain should cost around US$150/Mt to be transported from Lusaka to Kampala and Nairobi. Of course, quoted transport rates may be much higher, but this reflects the many problems in cross-border transport which need to be addressed.

The situation is even more extreme in soybeans, which are a much higher value commodity. Zambia's bumper soybean harvest in 2022 was being sold at prices around US$550/Mt in June, with prices even being quoted as low as US$439/Mt at the end of the month. Prices in East Africa were well over US$1,000/Mt, some US$500-700/Mt above those in Zambia. This is three to four times the transport costs.

In other words, producers in Zambia should be getting more for their crops and buyers in East Africa should be paying less, alleviating the food price spikes there.

How can this be and what is to be done?

A combination of factors is undermining the growth of Zambia.

First, reliable market information is required to link buyers and suppliers, and to enable markets to work. In the absence of information, it's risky to export. This lack of information affects small and medium sized farmers and businesses. Large-scale traders who have operations across the region have an advantage over smaller businesses and farmers because they have private information.

Second, the market players require clear trade policy signals to take advantage of export opportunities. Any hesitation or mixed signals tend to undermine the ability to make deals with confidence. It is therefore important for Zambia's new government not to impose ad hoc trade restrictions, for example, as the previous government did in August 2021 to restrict maize exports. Such restrictions, imposed and lifted from month to month, mean deals cannot be made with the confidence that they can be fulfilled.

Third, the market opportunities in East Africa require urgent regional co-operation to improve transport corridors on the ground rather than in rhetoric.

Malawian soybean suppliers have shown the value. Small suppliers have already been using the African Market Observatory data on East African prices in 2022 to negotiate better prices for their exports. This increased realised prices by around $200/Mt more than they would otherwise have accepted.

Zambian farmers could reap similar benefits too. This would support a big push in production, enabling Zambian farmers to invest in improved agricultural systems. This is even more essential as next year is likely to be another La Nina weather pattern which sees good rains in Zambia and poor rains in parts of East Africa and the Horn of Africa.

The ongoing effects of climate change mean more investment is required to make agriculture resilient. This involves investments in water management, irrigation, storage facilities, advice and information systems.

The vulnerability of the whole of Southern and East Africa as a climate hotspot means urgent and coordinated regional action is required.

But Zambia doesn't have to wait for this action.

It can lead in championing sustainable agricultural growth in the knowledge that this is essential for resilient food supplies across the region. This requires good policies with a longer-term vision. The country needs, without any reservations, to fully back regional integration and competitive regional markets. Excessive margins cannot be captured by connected so-called middlemen.

Greater certainty for businesses needs to be accompanied by enforcement of clear rules for company power. Regional competition enforcement by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission of Zambia together with the COMESA Competition Commission is a key part of fair and competitive markets which work for all.

Investment is required in critical infrastructure such as storage for smaller market participants to use on fair terms. Finance can be mobilised, such as that being made available by the African Development Bank .

It is essential to support regional research networks, such as those led by the Indaba Agricultural Policy Institute and the African Market Observatory of the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development and partners.

The Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development at the University of Johannesburg has received funding for related work from the COMESA Competition Commission and the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

Antony Chapoto and Ntombifuthi Tshabalala do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Antony Chapoto, Research Director, Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) And

Ntombifuthi Tshabalala, Economist at Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg And

Simon Roberts, Professor of Economics and Lead Researcher, Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, UJ, University of Johannesburg
Bolgatanga Central Member of Parliament (MP), Isaac Adongo is confident that Ghanaians will vote out the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) from government in the next general election.

According to him, the 2024 elections will not be a contest between the NPP and the largest opposition, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In an interview with Asempa FM on the Ekosii sen programme, Isaac Adongo insisted that the election will be between the NPP and the rest of the country.

The MP is optimistic that at the end of the polls, Ghanaians who are unhappy with the governance of the NPP will boot the party out of government.

Election 2024 is between NPP and Ghana. Ghanaians would boot them out, Isaac Adongo shared.

He further lamented the poor handling of the Ghanaian economy by the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government, adding that Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta should swallow his pride and ask for help.

The economy is not good at all due to the recklessness of the government.

The worst Finance Minister under the 4th Republic is Ken Ofori-Atta.

The minority hasn't been consulted on Gov't's plans for the IMF programme.

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is not available for conversation and consensus building. He's running a one-man show.

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta should stop the arrogance and call for help. Everything about the economy going negative, the Bolgatanga Central MP noted.

Two more years to the next general election, the two biggest political parties in the country are gearing up for another battle at the polls.

In the midst of the economic challenges facing the country, the NDC is confident Ghanaians will vote for the party to return to power.

For the NPP, the ambition is to break the 8-year cycle of governance to stay in power beyond President Akufo-Addos two-term.
Dettol Ghana manufactured by Reckitt has been endorsed by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) as the hygiene product of choice to promote good hygiene for expectant, nursing mothers and Ghanaians at large.

The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the partnership.

The GRNMA is a professional association for all categories of Nurses and Midwives in Ghana with a mission to develop the nurse professionally to cope with contemporary challenges of the profession towards the promotion of the health of their clientele and their socio-economic status.

Speaking on behalf of Dettol at the signing ceremony, Country Sales Manager Reckitt, Mr Henry Ankrah, stated that Dettol is one of the most trusted brands in the world backed by research and innovation. It is safe, easy to use and an effective hygiene product that kills up to 100 illness-causing germs. Dettols partnership with GRNMA is in line with the brands purpose to protect life, reduce the burden of illness, and drive behaviour change to create lasting hygiene habits."

He added the partnership aims to further encourage good hygiene practices in hospitals, communities and the public through an array of activities. "It will also help to create and release public awareness messages, campaigns on public health and personal hygiene to promote awareness of health and hygiene matters among the public," President of GRNMA, Mrs. Perpetual Ofori Ampofo said.

Mr. Ankrah further commended the nurses and midwives for their roles, which ensured safe child delivery and provided extensive healthcare for Ghanaians. He expressed delight at the partnership with GRNMA and expressed the hope that nurses and midwives throughout the country would be ambassadors for the Dettol range of products.

With the Memorandum of Understanding signing, the association has granted Dettol the exclusive right to use its official logo on all its products and brand materials. Every Dettol product and brand on all media platforms will likewise carry the associations official endorsement and logo.
Parliament watchdog, Odekro, has called for 30 other MPs in addition to Sarah Adwoa Safo, Henry Quartey and Kennedy Agyapong to face the privileges committee of Parliament for absenteeism.

In a statement, Odekro noted that its analysis found that the three MPs were not alone in absenting themselves for 15 sitting days.

The forty-one (41) Votes and Proceedings analysed were all sourced from the Parliament of Ghana. The Votes and Proceedings from the absolute basis for our conclusion  no outside data sources or opinions were used in our analysis, Odekro stated.

The list of the other 30 includes Ministers like Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Dormaa Central MP; Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, the Ofoase/Ayirebi MP and Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Ablekuma West MP.

While the vast majority of the 30 MPs are part of the Majority group, a Minority MP, Cassiel Ato Forson is also cited by Odekro for missing 18 days of Parliamentary sittings.

Of the initial three already hauled before the privileges committee, Kennedy Agyepong and Henry Quartey have been cleared for absenting themselves.

The committee determined that their excuses for absenting themselves were reasonable.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbinis deferred his pronouncement on the fate of Dome Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo, who did not show up before the committee.

Find below the list of MPs cited by Odekro

---citinewsroom
Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority of Ghana, will be discussing trends across Ghanas downstream sector at this years Africa Energy Week (AEW).

The conference and exhibition will take place from 18  21 October 2022, in Cape Town.

Representing one of Africas rapidly expanding hydrocarbon markets, Dr. Abdul-Hamid will lead a delegation from NPA at Africas premier event for the oil and gas industry, driving critical discussions around boosting investment across the downstream sector, strategies for improving energy security, making energy poverty history and driving socioeconomic development on the back of oil and gas.

Established with the aim of regulating the petroleum downstream industry in Ghana, the NPA governs commercial activities across the sector including the importation and refining of crude oil as well as the sale, marketing and distribution of refined petroleum products. Since its establishment in 2005, the NPA has prioritized efficiency and productivity in Ghanas downstream sector, paving the way for increased investment as well as the participation of the private sector, resulting in the growth of the market into a $2 billion industry, which represents about 6% of the countrys GDP.

Under the leadership of Dr. Abdul-Hamid, the NPA continues to optimize operations across the oil and gas downstream sector through supervising the acceleration of storage and transportation infrastructure whilst ensuring fair energy trading as the country seeks to become a regional energy hub. With energy poverty increasing across the African continent due to various issues including limited investment in the hydrocarbons sector, the COVID-19 pandemic and global geopolitical tensions, Ghana is one of the African countries at the forefront of maximizing the exploitation of hydrocarbons to address energy access, affordability and reliability constraints.

Ghanas 0.8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas reserves and 660 million barrels of oil reserves provide an opportunity for the country to address its energy problems and achieve its 2030 target of 100% universal access to electricity. While efforts to maximize the exploitation of local energy resources are underway, the NPA has managed to leverage Ghanas strategic location, positioning the country as a reliable regional point for energy exportation whilst additionally taking advantage of petroleum imports to secure energy supply and drive economic growth.

At AEW 2022, Dr. Abdul-Hamid will promote investment opportunities across Ghanas downstream sector, discussing the vital role Africas 600 tcf of gas reserves and 125.3 billion barrels of crude oil reserves will play in diversifying the energy mix, securing energy supply and lifting the over 600 million Africans out of energy poverty whilst driving industrialization and positioning the continent ahead of the energy transition.

With African countries optimizing gas production to drive these socioeconomic benefits, Ghana is leading the race, with the country implementing a series of market-driven policy reforms, driving massive oil and gas infrastructure projects. With the NPA overseeing these energy optimization projects including the development of gas processing, storage, transmission and distribution, at AEW 2022, Dr. Abdul-Hamid will provide an update on experiences and innovations from within Ghana that can be replicated continent-wide.

The Chamber is honored to host Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid at AEW 2022 as we expand on the discussion around how Africa can accelerate investment as well as the exploitation of oil and gas to enhance energy security. The strengthening of Africas downstream industry is key to ending energy poverty and for enhancing bilateral trade relations and boosting economic development in Africa, states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, adding that, We are very impressed with Dr. Abdul-Hamids leadership at the NPA in facilitating a resilient downstream sector. This is what Africa needs to achieve energy independence and reliability.

As the global focus shifts towards cleaner and sustainable energy, the NPA firmly believes in the need to strengthen energy security in Africa, specifically through the maximization of the continents oil and gas, so that self-reliance is achieved, and economic development ensured, while at the same time providing capacity to prospect and develop future alternatives. At AEW 2022, Dr. Abdul-Hamid will participate in high-level meetings and panel discussions to drive dialogue around boosting the oil and gas downstream industry for energy security whilst promoting investment opportunities within the Ghanas hydrocarbons sector.

AEW 2022 is the AECs annual conference, exhibition and networking event. AEW 2022 unites African energy stakeholders with investors and international partners to drive industry growth and development and promote Africa as the destination for energy investments. Key organizations such as the African Petroleum Producers Organization, as well as African heavyweights including Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria, have partnered with AEW, strengthening the role the event will play in Africas energy future.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), with support from the Netherlands Embassy in Ghana, has build the capacity of journalists with the requisite professional knowledge to ensure their safety in the field of work.

The program, which was held at the Alisa in Hotel Accra on Thursday, July 28, was attended by over a hundred (100) participants.

Delivering the welcome address on behalf of Mr. Suleymana Braimah, the Executive Director for MFWA, was Miss Dora Mawutor, a member of MFWA, who reiterated the Foundation's interest in ensuring the safety of journalists.

She noted that they have made it so because of the critical role they (the journalists) play in the development of democracy in a country, particularly in electoral education and sensitization of government policies.

Indeed, the issue of media professionalism and safety is of great concern to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)... This is due to the media's central role in democracy, particularly in informing and educating the public about electoral processes and governance issues, as well as facilitating dialogues between officials and the public." But they can only perform these watchdog functions if they practice safely, she stated.

The keynote address was delivered by Madam Fatima Abubakar, Deputy Information Minister, who mentioned the need to differentiate between content creators and journalists for the protection of the good image of the media.

"With digital evolution, a lot of practices mimic what journalists do. "It is, however, important for us to distinguish between journalists and content creators," she said.

She adds, "The government is not interested in shielding perpetrators of attacks against journalists."

Mr. Alexander Nii Katey Bannerman, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), also raised a concern that "fluent local language speakers are employed by media houses without any form of training. This contributes to the worsening journalistic standards."

He also urged journalists to use their platforms to advocate for their rights and educate people about the importance of tolerating their work.

At the forum, ways of sustainably enhancing media professional standards in Ghana including the mode of dressing were discussed.

The forum was organized as part of MFWA's efforts to promote and protect media freedom as well as media professionalism in Ghana.

In attendance were the National Media Commission, Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, Ghana Community Radio Network, Private Newspaper Paper Publishers Association of Ghana, the Judiciary, security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, and students from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, among others.
28.07.2022 LISTEN

The legal team of Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah says it is disappointed in the ruling by the Kumasi High Court dismissing a 10 million dollar defamation case it brought against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi.

The lead lawyer for Dr. Spio-Garbrah, Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo told Citi News that his client has instructed them to immediately file an appeal.

The court has given a decision in respect of our lawsuit. We disagree with the decision because we feel that it goes against the weight of evidence that was adduced in the court. So, the instructions that we have is to file an immediate appeal against the decision. So, we expect that God willing by tomorrow (29th July 2022) or Monday (1st August 2022) that notice of appeal would be filed. We will vigorously pursue the appeal. We clearly are dissatisfied with the decision, and we dont think that decision should stand.

He said they are ready to pursue the matter even up to the Supreme Court level.

This matter will be fought to the highest courts. My client is determined to set an example with this case. We are firmly resolved.

Dr. Spio-Garbrahs lawyers say they are very much disappointed in the fact that a cost of GH150,000 was also awarded against him (Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah), although he is the one who was being described as a thief by the defendant.

Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo said they are thus appealing both the judgement and the cost awarded against them.

The court has awarded a cost against us and that is part of the things that we would be appealing. We will be appealing against the decision, and we would be appealing against the cost that was awarded as well.

Dr. Spio-Garbrahs lawyers insist that the words that Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako used to describe him that he is a thief while contributing to a discussion on his media platform, Wontumi TV and FM was malicious.

At least from the conclusion that was read in court, the decision is that the statement made by Mr. Wontumi was not made maliciously and that the court did not believe that he had endorsed a substantive relief on our writ so, obviously, we filed the writ in respect of defamation and so, we cannot agree with any of the conclusions of the court. If calling somebody a thief is not defamatory, then we dont know what it is. We are going to definitely file an appeal, and then we take it from there and the appeal would be immediate.

The Kumasi High Court on Thursday, July 28, 2022, dismissed a $10 million defamation suit brought before it by a former Trade and Industry Minister, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The court also awarded a cost of GH150,000 against Dr. Spio-Garbrah.

---citinewsroom
Cancer diagnostics company Pacific Edge (NZX, ASX: PEB) is today pleased to announce the appointment of Darrell Morgan as Chief Operating Officer.

Darrell has extensive experience in senior leadership and executive roles in large, mid-sized and virtual pharmaceutical companies in the UK, Europe and New Zealand. He has more than 37 years experience in pharmaceutical R&D, immunodiagnostics and device development for drug delivery across human and animal health, in R&D, technical operations and customer-facing roles.

As Chief Operating Officer, Darrell will be a key leader in the Dunedin office, and responsible for Pacific Edges global laboratory operations, manufacturing, logistics, inventory management, the quality and regulatory compliance functions and operationalizing people and culture initiatives. He will have a focus on project management, people and culture, and operational excellence to optimize effectiveness, efficiency and on time delivery of products and services.

Darrell will join Pacific Edge on 3 October 2022 and report to Chief Executive Dr Peter Meintjes as a member of the C-Suite team. He will be based in Dunedin.

Since 2013, Darrell has been a senior leader with animal health company Argenta Research where his roles have included Global Head of Pharmaceutical Sciences, VP Customer Relationships  Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Product Development Director  Technical Operations. Prior to Argenta Research, he worked for global biopharmaceutical company UCB in the UK for eight years in senior roles with a focus on sterile drug product and medical device development.

Pacific Edge Chief Executive Dr Peter Meintjes, said: We are delighted to welcome Darrell to Pacific Edge. His experience in global organizations of varied sizes in a range of roles focused on product and service delivery will be of great value to Pacific Edge and its partners and customers as we continue to drive increased adoption of our suite of Cxbladder diagnostics.

Darrell said: I have been impressed by the strong momentum I have seen from Pacific Edge as it expands globally, with a focus on the US. I look forward to working with the team to ensure quality and scale continues as the company grows.

Darrell is a chartered biologist, with post graduate diplomas in industrial pharmaceutical sciences and management, people and change.

Released for and on behalf of Pacific Edge by Grant Gibson Chief Financial Officer.

Pacific Edge Appoints Chief Operating Officer

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The Minority in Parliament have called on the government to rescind its decision to deactivate unregistered SIM cards from the 1st of August, 2022.

At a press briefing earlier today, Thursday, 28 July 2022, the Deputy Ranking on the communication committee of Parliament, Sam Nartey George, drew the attention of the minister of communication and digitisation Ursula Owusu-Ekuful that many Ghanaians, due to institutional failures and no fault of theirs have not acquired their Ghana cards to enable them register their SIM cards.

He said many attempts to convince the communications minister to rescind her decision has failed.

To this end he said I want to use this means to call on His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to instruct his Minister for Communications and Digitalisation to rescind her decision on the deadline as it holds potential national security implications for millions of Ghanaians who have not been able, due to no fault of the theirs [received their Ghana cards]. We urge the President and the national security minister to take cognizance of the fact that millions of Ghanaians earn a living by use of their SIM cards on a daily basis.

He further noted that the Minority will use every legal means to force the NIA and the communications minister to heed to their call.

Meanwhile thousands of Ghanaians have massed up at various offices of the NIA to collect theur cards but are unable to get them for reasons they have no control over.

Find below details of the Minoritys press conference:

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE NDC MINORITY COMMUNICATIONS CAUCUS IN PARLIAMENT ON THURSDAY,28TH JULY 2022

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, Honourable colleagues and our friends from the media. Thank you for taking time to join us in this all important press briefing on what has been termed the deadline for SIM card registrations in the country by the Minister for Communications and Digitalization.

Let me state emphatically and without any iota of doubt that as a caucus, the minority caucus, we are not against any policy initiative that seeks to provide a clean, credible, reliable database of persons who hold SIM cards in our country and use same for transacting private or public business. However, we are against any attempt to illegally carry out what should be a legal mandate. We have maintained that the Parliament of Ghana has passed only one legislation for the registration of SIM cards. That legislation is LI. 2006 which is known as the Subscriber Identity Module Registration Regulations. It remains a wonder and worry why the Minister would want to abandon LI. 2006 which is specific to SIM registration and rely on another legislative instrument . LI. 2006 which is specifically for the creation of a National Identification Register cannot be used as the enabling law for SIM card registration. It simply defies logic and any technical explanation. Let us be clear, when Parliament passes specific legislative instruments, these legislative instruments are not omnibus laws. They are specific legislations that have specific use and so you cannot take for example, an LI for DVLA operations and apply same to the operations of SSNIT or the Bank of Ghana.

Now let us explain what LI. 2006 says in section 2. It reads that a network operator or service provider shall register a subscriber identity module(SIM) of a subscriber. It goes on to say what the registrants must provide to the network operator. These are the date of birth, in the case of an individual, the date of incorporation in the case of a body corporate or company, the date of registration in the case of a partnership on unincorporated bodies of persons and see an IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT(emphasis mine). This is what the law says. Now the law does not end there. The law goes on in section 10 of the LI which is the interpretation section to define, explain and interpret what the legislation means by identification document. Section 10 of LI. 2006 reads in this regulations, unless the context otherwise requires identification document for a citizen includes

A valid driver's licence.

A valid national health insurance identification card.

A valid passport

A valid voters identification card

A valid national identity card or

Any other valid form of identification document, the authority may be determined by publication in the Gazette and a daily newspaper of national circulation.

For the avoidance of any doubt six document types are specified in the law as acceptable for the registration of SIM cards. Of the five documents accepted by the law, I would admit that one is no longer valid since the passage of this law and by the effect of the rulings of the courts has become null and void. This is a valid national health insurance identification card. And this is because of the Abu Ramadan v Electoral Commission case where it was determined by Supreme Court that the National Health Insurance Identification card is not a document good enough in the eye of the law to identify a Ghanaian.

However, a driver's licence, a passport, a voter ID card, or a national ID card, which we call the Ghana card are legal and acceptable identification documents by the law passed in Parliament. Our question therefore is why the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation through the NCA is avoiding the use of the other three documents and insisting that we must use only the Ghana Card. Ghana is governed by laws and the respect for our laws and the respect for Parliament, which the Minister is a member of, is sacrosanct. Parliament cannot continue to sit aloof and watch for laws to be misapplied or ignored by members of the executive.

Ghana's international standing as a beacon of digital growth and development is threatened by the policy incoherence between government agencies. The National Identification Authority, a state agency, an agency under the Ministry of Interior, being the sole body responsible for the issuance of Ghana cards has proven to be unable to meet the demand of Ghanaians who have made a request for a Ghana card. The NIAs operations are fraught with a lot of systemic challenges. There are a number of categories of affected persons;

1 Persons whose cards have been missing and have tried to go for replacement.

2 Persons who registered since 2018 and whose cards have been printed but are in different locations.

3 Persons who registered but have errors on the cards either with a wrong picture or misspelt name

4 Persons who have married or had change of names and need same to reflect on their cards

Persons who in attempting to deal with any of the issues above reregister and get flagged by the system as double registration

Some of these persons have traversed the length and breadth of our country in the past six months, some for almost two years trying to get rectification of this cards to no avail and this is due to no fault of theirs. This is a failure of a state agency. You then have another state agency saying that it is going to block the use of SIM cards because another state agency has failed in its mandate. One is left to ask himself if the policy incoherence of this government has become a fashion statement where state agencies compete to outdo each other with their policy incoherence. Let us state without equivocation, that the NIA is currently in no state at this point in time to even in the next six months deal with the backlog and deal with the crisis that has been created.

We are aware of the myriad of issues across regional and district capitals of our country facing operations of the NIA. In most NIA Offices, only 15 - 30 people at the maximum are being processed on a daily basis. As we speak to you, at the NIA office in Ho, which is a regional office, the next available date for you to have your application processed is end of August this year. How does a citizen go to the NIA office and is given a date for the end of August comply with this of obnoxious, capricious, malicious, whimsical and unrighteous directive from the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation?

We have evidence that due to the inability of persons to acquire their own Ghana Card, we currently have a situation where individuals are registering SIM cards for other persons who do not have Ghana cards. This is counterproductive. This will lead to having SIM cards that are in the hands of citizens but are not registered in their names. What then would the Minister have achieved by developing a new database whose integrity is compromised from the onset? The minister is simply cutting her nose to spite her face.

The foregoing leads us to say that the Minister must as a matter of urgency, rescind her position on this matter. The Minister must exercise administrative authority in a way complies with article 296 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana, which says that discretionary power must not be used in an arbitrary manner. The minister's actions are in flagrant disregard for article 296 and seek to create a situation where telcos who have invested in infrastructure in Ghana would lose out on the very clients for whom they have made the investment. How do we say we are making giant strides in digitization if we are taking away the access and the tool to the digital world from the hands of persons.

I wish to state unequivocally that as a minority caucus, we would resist using all lawful methods at our disposal, any attempt to deprive our citizens and Constituents the use of their SIM cards from the 1st of August because of this, malicious, ill-intended, capricious, obnoxious, atrocious and whimsical directive of the Minister of Communications and Digitalization. We have engaged with the minister, but it appears that the Minister is adamant in her ways and has decided not to listen to the sound voice of reason and the words of all the stakeholders in the industry. We urge the regulator, the National Communications Authority to show their competence and technical abilities by notifying the sector minister of the impropriety of her actions and directive. We wish to assure the telecom companies operating in our jurisdiction that as a minority, we are concerned about their well being and operations for anything that affects their operations affects their workers who are constituents. We can assure them that the minority caucus will continue to use all means available to us and Parliament to ensure that their operations are not affected by poor policy decisions taken by persons at the helm of affairs today.

And we hope that within the next 24 to 48 hours reason would apply. I want to use this means to call on His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to instruct his Minister for Communications and Digitalisation to rescind her decision on the deadline as it holds potential national security implications for millions of Ghanians who have not been able, due to no fault of the theirs. We urge the President and the national security minister to take cognizance of the fact that millions of Ghanaians earn a living by use of their SIM cards on a daily basis.

Thank you so much for your patience and for listening to us.

Source: Classfmonline.com
Protests against Guinea's ruling junta held in defiance of a protest ban brought the capital Conakry to a standstill Wednesday, with clashes breaking out in some neighbourhoods.

The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), an influential coalition of political parties, trade unions and civil society organisations, called the demonstrations to denounce the junta's "contempt and arrogance" and "unilateral management" of any return to civilian rule.

It accused the military leaders, who seized power in a coup in September last year, of "systematically refusing" to establish a "credible dialogue" to define the terms of the transition.

The former ruling Rally for the Guinean People (RPG) and the National Alliance for Change and Democracy (ANAD), another coalition of parties and associations, then called on their supporters to join the demonstrations.

Clashes broke out Thursday morning between young demonstrators and the police in several so-called opposition areas of the capital, an AFP reporter said.

Protestors erected barricades and burned tyres while police fired tear gas to disperse small groups throwing stones.

Most parts of the city centre remained calm, but activity nonetheless ground to a halt.

The Boulevard du Commerce, a major roadway usually full of people, was almost deserted by midday.

"We are delighted with the success of our call to demonstrate -- it was perfect," Ibrahima Diallo, the FNDC's head of operations, told AFP.

"The city has been quiet everywhere, the administration is paralysed -- it's been a great success for us."

'Authoritarian conduct'

Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who overthrew President Alpha Conde last year, has pledged to hand over power to elected civilians within three years. But regional powers have rejected this timeline.

The junta in May banned any public demonstrations that could be construed as threatening public order.

The FNDC had announced protests for June 23 but later called them off, indicating they were prepared to give the transitional government a "chance" and start dialogue.

But their patience snapped after a meeting with the authorities that the FNDC slammed as a "parody".

It denounced the "solitary and authoritarian conduct of the transition" and its "serious attacks on fundamental rights and freedoms".

Three FNDC leaders were arrested on July 5, provoking violent demonstrations that were some of the first since the junta seized power.

All three were released after being found not guilty of contempt of court over comments they had posted on social media criticising the prosecutor's office and the military-appointed parliament.
Parliament on Thursday approved a $1.3 billion cocoa syndicated loan to finance the purchase of cocoa for the 2022/2023 crop season by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

The receivable-backed trade finance facility is between COCOBOD and a Consortium of Banks and financial institutions, with the Government of Ghana as the guarantor.

The facility had waiver of Stamp Duty amounting up to GHC6.5 million, which is in accordance with article 174(2) of the 1992 constitution, Section 36 of the Stamp Duty Act, 2005 (Act 689) and Standing Orders of the House.

Mr Kwaku Kwarteng, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament said the Committee had carefully considered the agreement and the request and finds that the syndicated facility was integral to the successful management of operations related to the purchasing, quality assurance, storage, and export of cocoa by the COCOBOD.

Touching on the late submission of the facility to Parliament, the Chairman said the Committee expressed serious concern about the fact that the instant agreement and request were only presented to Parliament in the final week in which the House was scheduled to rise sine die.

He said Members of the Committee were worried that the House and Members had not been given adequate time to scrutinize the documents on the finance facility and the request for the waiver of Stamp Duty.

While agreeing that the urgent approval of the instant facility and request is in the national interest, the Committee strongly iterate that going forward, COCOBOD's annual syndicated facility (and waiver request) should be presented to the House early to afford Members a much longer period to peruse and approve same before Parliament rises sine die.

The Committee noted that for the 2022/2023 crop season, cocoa production had conservatively forecasted to be 850,000 tonnes, which was based on the trend of cocoa production over the past years and relevant agronomic practices being adopted by COCOBOD.

Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Ranking Member of the Finance Committee/Member of Parliament (MP) for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, said the COCOBOD had a bad balance sheet with the security rate going up.

He said the issues of cocoa needed to be important to all Ghanaians; adding that the Government must ensure that sector does not collapse.

Dr Forson said the sustainability of the cocoa industry depended on the production and that COCOBOD needed the money to survive industry-wise.

He, however, urged stakeholders to pull themselves up in making sure that the sector thrive.

Mr Partick Yaw Boamah, MP Okaikwei Central, said the approval of the syndicated was precise to support the sector to live up to expectation.

Mr Eric Opoku, Ranking Member for Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee/MP Asunafo South, urged the COCOBOD to make resources available to contractors within the Cocoa value-chain.

He also appealed to the Government to ensure that cocoa farmers were paid on time for their produce.

Dr Kwabena Donkor, MP Pru East, who said Ghana had for over three decades been depending on syndicated loans to finance the cocoa crop season, urged the country to wean itself from the syndication.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, said going forward, COCOBOD must ensure that the submission of the cocoa syndicated loan agreement document to Parliament was done on time to enable Members of the House to could do proper scrutiny of it.

Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader, who said COCOBOD was facing enormous challenges such as high prices of fertilizers and agro-chemicals, also urged Members of the House to approve the cocoa syndicated loan agreement.

GNA
Students of Colleges of Education across the country have received some exciting news following the issuance of a press release from the Ministry of Education (MoE).

The press release dated July 27, has confirmed that the government has released over GHS57 million to cover the feeding grants and student allowance to Colleges of Education in the country.

The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Education has released an amount of GH57,460.000.00 covering feeding grants and Student allowance to the 46 Colleges of Education in Ghana, the release signed by Kwasi Kwarteng reads.

According to the Ministry of Education, the release of the funds is an indication of the commitment of the government to improving quality education in the country.

The Ministry hereby reiterates its commitment to sufficiently resource and collaborates with all institutions under its ambit in the quest to improve and sustain quality education in Ghana, the Ministry of Education press release adds.

Below is a copy of the release:
Parliament has gone on recess without bringing finality to the Sarah Adwoa Safo case.

The Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament (MP) has been hot over the past few months after breaching the Standings Orders of Parliament.

Today, Parliament was expected to decide the fate of the embattled Parliamentarian before rising.

However, after listening to the Majority and Minoritys stances on the matter, Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin indicated that he needed more time to decide on his ruling.

Honourable Members, I have consulted the old lady, the old lady has given me an advice and I think that advice is correct. The issue raised by the Majority Leader is both substantive and procedural law.

I need time to submit to this house a reasoned, written ruling. I cannot in a haste of today, give you the ruling. In the circumstance, I will urge this House for us to call it a day, Speaker Alban Bagbin told the house.

Sarah Adwoa Safo is among two Majority MPs who were dragged to the Privileges Committee of Parliament for consecutively absenting themselves from 15 sittings.

Although the two others, Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, and Henry Quartey Ayawaso Central honoured the invitations and appeared before the Committee, attempts to get in touch with Sara Adwoa Safo have not yielded results.

She will remain MP of Dome-Kwabenya following the failure of Parliament to decide on her fate today.

Parliament is not expected to resume sitting in October 2022.
The Akyemansa District Police Command in the Eastern Region has begun investigations into a clash between two youth groups which led to the death of one person on Wednesday.

The deceased is reported to have sustained gunshot wounds together with four other persons when Ofoase Zongo youth clashed with Brenase youth on Wednesday.

According to Citi News sources, a young man from Brenase who had his motorbike damaged was allegedly brutalized by some youth group in Ofoase Zongo.

The father of the victim in the company of one other who went to the community upon hearing the incident were also attacked and handed over to the police.

The police in the area managed to foil retaliation from the youth of Brenase who had planned to attack when they heard about the assault and detention of their colleagues.

---citinewsroom
The Asokore Mampong District court has remanded a police officer, Lance Corporal Frank Adu Poku and a final year student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Joel Osei Owusu for allegedly gang-raping a first-year student of the university.

The head of the Ashanti Regional legal and prosecutions, ACP Kofi Blagodzi, disclosed to Citi News that the police officer involved has been interdicted by the police administration.

The two persons-the police officer and the KNUST final year student, have been charged with two counts; conspiracy to commit rape and rape.

According to the polices charge sheet, the two persons last week Tuesday, 19th July 2022 took turns and forcibly raped the first-year student at a hostel at Bomso.

Appearing before the Asokore Mampong District court, the prosecutor, ACP Kofi Blagodzi said the alleged victim, who deals in ladies clothing displayed some of the items on the internet for sale.

He said the final year student upon seeing the advert contacted her and assured her of having similar ones which he wants to supply to her for which she could make more profit.

The complainant then agreed to meet him, and he led her to his room under the pretext of showing her the clothes, but suddenly locked the door and put the key into his pocket.

According to the prosecutor, ACP Kofi Blagodzi, the final year student then told the victim that he is a scammer and that he will only let her leave the room after she undresses for him to take pictures and a video of her nakedness to be sent to his business partner abroad for money out of which the complainant will have 30% share.

Out of fear, the complainant told the police that she reluctantly obliged and removed her clothes where the final year student took pictures and videos of her nudity and she was further compelled to recite some words which the first accused person sent to his partner for the payment of the money.

The complainant further told the police that the final year student who is the first accused person ordered her to perform oral sex on him which was videoed and then went ahead to have unprotected sex with her.

After satisfying himself, he then went out of the room, locked the door but returned with the second accused person, the police officer who was armed with a pistol whom he introduced as his friend and business partner.

The final year student left the room locked, as it was left with the complainant and the police officer, who also took his turn in having sexual intercourse with her.

After the police officer had also forcibly had sex with the complainant, the first accused person then returned to the room and forcefully administered LYDIA contraceptive pills to the complainant in order to prevent any unwanted pregnancy, after which the complainant was sent out of the room, traumatized.

The victim went home and later confided in the University authorities (at KNUST) who decided to report to the police on 21st July 2022.

On 22nd July 2022, KNUST authorities arrested the final year student and handed him over to the police.

The police say in his investigations caution statement, the final year student admitted the offence and mentioned the police officer as his accomplice who was arrested the same day.

Appearing before the Asokore Mampong District court, the court remanded the two persons, as they are supposed to reappear before it on 9th August 2022.

ACP Kofi Blagodzi said the police are liaising with the authorities of KNUST to offer psychological support to the victim.

He also noted that the police administration will not shield any officer who commits such an act.
The Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) has donated 20 laptop computers to the University of Ghana (UG) in support of the schools One student, One laptop initiative.

The One Student, One Laptop initiative, which was announced by the VC earlier this year, is aimed at supporting needy students in the new virtual learning environment. Under the project, less-privileged members of the University community will each be given a laptop to help facilitate online teaching and learning.

The laptops were presented by the outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CBOD, Senyo Hosi, to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, on Wednesday, July 27.

Mr. Hosi congratulated the Vice Chancellor and her team on the commencement of the universitys digitisation project, which he described as visionary and affirmed CBODs interest in supporting the cause.

The world has now become a global village, and our children are competing on a global scale. The world is getting very competitive, and it therefore needs visionary leadership to see that and start preparing for our childrens future. I see you and your management doing just that.

I believe that steps like these can help reverse the entire status quo, and position this university where it really belongs as the foremost university in Africa and the torchbearer of knowledge and direction for future generations beyond our time, he stated.

On her part, Prof. Appiah Amfo expressed gratitude to Mr. Hosi and the CBOD delegation for the donation. She reiterated that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to make significant changes to traditional teaching and learning methods and that the University of Ghana is appreciative of CBODs decision to support the universitys initiative.

We are very grateful for this support, she said. It will contribute immensely to one component of our One Student, One Laptop initiative, which is for needy students who are unable to afford their own devices to help them navigate the digital terrain for their academic work. It is to help them in such a way that by the time they graduate, they have their disciplinary content and are also adept at using computers.

Pro Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs, Professor Gordon A. Awandare, also thanked Mr Hosi and CBOD for their benevolence.
Minority MP, Hon. Samuel Nartey George

28.07.2022 LISTEN

The Minority in Parliament says there could be national security implications if the deadline for the ongoing re-registration exercise of SIM Cards is not extended.

Addressing the media in Parliament on Thursday, July 28, Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament Samuel Nartey George urged President Akufo-Addo to instruct the Minister in charge of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful to rescind the decision not to extend the deadline.

We wish to assure the telecom companies operating in our jurisdiction that as a minority, we are concerned about their well-being and operations for anything that affects their operations affects their workers who are constituents. We can assure them that the minority caucus will continue to use all means available to us and Parliament to ensure that their operations are not affected by poor policy decisions taken by persons at the helm of affairs today.

And we hope that within the next 24 to 48 hours reason would apply. I want to use this means to call on His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to instruct his Minister for Communications and Digitalisation to rescind her decision on the deadline as it holds potential national security implications for millions of Ghanaians who have not been able, due to no fault of theirs. We urge the President and the national security minister to take cognizance of the fact that millions of Ghanaians earn a living by use of their SIM cards on a daily basis, Sam George told the media.

The Ningo Prampram MP added that as a minority caucus, they will use all lawful methods at their disposal to ensure constituents and citizens are not deprived of using their SIM Cards after the July 31 deadline.

Speaking at a forum by the National Communications Authority (NCA) in Kumasi on July 22, Communications and Digitalisation Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful charged all Ghanaians who have not registered their SIM Cards with the Ghana Card to do so before the deadline day of July 31.

She warned that the Ministry is sticking to the deadline as part of its drive to deal with fraudsters in the system.

Most people access their internet through their mobile devices. We must make sure that they do so safely. We must make it difficult for the criminals who hack our systems and defraud us through multiple online channels to operate, and this SIM registration exercise is one of the steps the government is taking in that regard. Essentially this stresses the point that this exercise will enable the establishment of a subscriber database with integrity to keep the consumers safe from scams and fraud.

I, therefore, take this opportunity to urge all those whove not registered their SIM cards to do so as the deadline of 31st July 2022 will not be extended, she noted.
The Ministry of Finance has been urged to make available various budgetary statements to the public and involve citizens during the process to put together documents to ensure needs are factored in.

This is a recommendation in the country's 2021 Open Budget Survey (OBS) released by advocacy group, SEND Ghana in collaboration with the International Budget Partnership (IBP).

At an event in Accra on Thursday, July 28, organised by SEND Ghana to launch Ghanas 2021 Open Budget Survey findings, it was revealed that the countrys Transparency score has reached 56% after appreciating by 2 percentage points in the past year,

In addition, the scores of 20% and 39% for the categories of Public Participation and Budget Oversight respectively are an improvement of the score from the last edition of the survey although it remains relatively low.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the launch event after presenting Ghanas 2021 Open Budget Survey Findings, Mr. Godson Aloryito who is Budget Credibility Officer at the International Budget Partnership said the improvement in the scores is a good sign for Ghana.

He however advised that there should be more openness from the Ministry of Finance when it comes to matters of the countrys budget to involve the public more.

According to him, when that happens, Ghanas score in the Open Budget Survey will continue to improve while citizens problems will also be addressed.

In the Open Budget Survey 2021, one of the key findings for us is that Ghana improved marginally on transparency score from 54 out of 100 in 2019 to 56 in 2021. And so what that means is that the public has some level of information to engage about the budget. For best practice countries a score of 61 out of 100 and above is considered more ideal.

We are urging government that though we have improved on our score marginally, there is a lot that can be done and that is what government must look it. We advise government to publish details of individual programmes and their budget allocations together with performance after execution, Mr. Godson Aloryito told the media.

On his part, SEND West Africa's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Siapha Kamara explained his outfits continuous work on Ghanas Open Budget Survey project, noting that the advocacy group wants to ensure issues confronting citizens are addressed.

Mr. Siapha Kamara

For the past 10 years or so SEND Ghana supported by the International Budget Partnership has been doing the Open Budget Survey. We have been working closely with the Ministry of Finance and the objective is to increase transparency and accountability in our budget cycle.

Ultimately it is to empower citizens to know more information about the budget processes so that they can be able to use the processes to contribute to ensuring that the budget addresses issues that matter to their lives, Mr. Siapha Kamara told the media.

He urged the Finance Ministry to be more open about the countrys budget to promote healthy discussions that will be geared towards seeing to it that the citizenry enjoys the full benefits of inputs in the budget.

Sharing their thoughts at the launch, Mr. Lawrence Ndaago Ayagiba, Deputy Auditor-General, and Dr. Alex Amankwah-Poku both welcomed the findings and assured that the recommendations will be put to use.

Mr. Lawrence Ndaago Ayagiba in an appeal admonished Ghanaians to help his outfit execute its role.

He called on the citizenry to report abandoned projects through its CITIZENSEYE application platform for necessary actions to be taken.

About the Open Budget Survey:

The Open Budget Survey (OBS) is the worlds only independent, comparative, and fact-based research instrument that uses internationally accepted criteria to assess public access to central government budget information; formal opportunities for the public to participate in the national budget process; and the role of budget oversight institutions, such as legislatures and national audit offices, in terms budget process.

The Survey helps local civil society assess and confer with their government on the reporting and use of public funds. This 8th edition of the OBS covers 120 countries:
29.07.2022 LISTEN

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon Simon Osei Mensah on Thursday, July 28, 2022 inspected the progress of work on some ongoing infrastructural projects in the region.

The inspection which focused mainly on infrastructural projects in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality saw the minister visiting over five monumental projects in the area.

The regional inspected a rice processing facility at Agogo owned by Mini Atiepe rice mills which have the capacity to produce bags of rice in 50 and 70kilo.

The one day tour which formed part of the ministers routine field visits was also aimed at among other things touching base with the district and municipal assemblies in the region.

Some areas the minister visited include, ongoing works on the Plantain and Onion Market at Agogo, construction of 3-Storey office complex for the assembly, the building of a Municipal Fire Station at Agogo, construction of an ECG Sub-Station among other.

The minister used the opportunity to meet chiefs, residents and all workers at the Municipal assembly in two separate meetings to understand their problems and proffer pragmatic solutions for them.

Speaking to journalists during the tour, Hon Simon Osei Mensah explained that the projects being funded by the government are to ensure equitable distribution of developmental projects across the region and the country as a whole.

The Regional Minister after the tour expressed satisfaction at the progress of work on the various projects and assured residents in the area of governments support in all sectors of the economy in the municipality.

Touching on the menace of the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the area, Hon Simon Osei Mensah hailed the government and other stakeholders for successfully halting the destructive invasion of Nomadic herdsmen in the area.

He emphasized that, although the situation has not been dealt with completely, governments intervention has saved one of the Ashanti region's food basket from losing thousands of tonnes of farm produce.

He again assured farmers in the area of governments total support to boost food security in the region.
The Founder and leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Percival Kofi Akpaloo has expressed grave concern over the increasing rate at which the country is being polarised between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lines.

He said the development had the propensity to destroy the fabric of society and open it to attendant repercussions.

He called on Ghanaians to brainstorm and evolve strategies to ensure that the canker was halted and also make the perpetrators of such polarisation realise that they were Ghanaians first before any affiliation to any political party.

He said it was very disturbing that people did not care about the quality of persons appointed to or nominated for certain positions but all they wanted was that such persons must of necessity be members of their party, irrespective of their capacity to deliver the job.

He described the situation as very dangerous, noting that it demanded the urgent attention of all well-meaning Ghanaians because if it was allowed to continue it would not augur well for the future of the country.

He said another disturbing aspect of the development was that even when a President had made appointments based on merit, with the view that those appointed would best solve the problems at hand, people claiming to be party activists stood up against those appointments because they claimed that the appointed or nominated persons were not fully-fledged party members, Percival Kofi Akpaloo told Accra-based Neat FM.
SURREY, British Columbia (AP)  Two men have been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Ripudaman Singh Malik, a man acquitted in 2005 for the bombings of two Air India jets that killed 331 people.

Malik, 75, was shot while sitting inside his car outside his Surrey business July 14.

Police said Wednesday that Tanner Fox, 21, and Jose Lopez, 23, had been charged.

A vehicle with people inside had waited for hours that morning before Malik showed up and he was shot at about 9:30 a.m., police said. The same vehicle, a white Honda CRV, was found burned not far from the scene of the shooting.

An employee who works at a nearby car wash said he heard shots and ran outside to find Malik unconscious in his red Tesla.

At an afternoon news conference, police said only that the investigation was continuing when asked about a possible motive or if there was any relationship between the alleged killers and the victim.

A similar response was given when reporters asked if anyone else was involved or if other suspects were at large.

"Were going to follow the evidence, and wherever that evidence leads us is where well go next, said Supt. Mandeep Mooker of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

Malik and his co-accused, Ajaib Singh Bagri, were found not guilty of murder and conspiracy in the Air India bombings on June 23, 1985.

During Maliks trial, British Columbia Supreme Court heard that a suitcase bomb was loaded onto a plane at Vancouvers airport and then transferred in Toronto to Air India Flight 182. The aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland, killing 329 passengers and crew.

About an hour later, a bomb destined for another Air India plane exploded prematurely at Tokyos Narita Airport, where two baggage handlers died.

Inderjit Singh Reyat, the only man convicted in the bombings, testified for the prosecution at Malik and Bagris trial and was later convicted of perjury.
Chinese booster rocket tumbles back to Earth: 'Non-zero' chance of hitting populated area

Space boffins are watching the skies for a 23 metric ton Chinese rocket booster that is expected to crash back to Earth.

The debris measures 53.6 meters in length and is a remnant of a mission earlier this week to deliver the Wentian laboratory module to China's Tiangong space station. Wentian itself is an exciting addition to the Chinese orbital complex and is the first module to extend the existing Tianhe core module, which was launched in 2021.

However, being a hefty beast, Wentian required a hefty rocket. In this case, the heavy-lift Long March 5B, used previously to launch Tianhe. Other variants of the Long March 5 were used to launch the Chang'e 5 lunar mission and the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars.

The problem is that the massive first stage of the Long March 5B also performs the duties of the upper stages of other rockets and so has not been dumped downrange. Instead it entered orbit and, inevitably, will come back down to Earth. The problem is working out when and where.

While other rockets (including some of China's own) are capable of restarting their engines on orbit and disposing of themselves in a controlled manner, this does not apply this time around. Instead, the descent will be uncontrolled as the orbit decays and, according to federally funded researchers at The Aerospace Corporation "there is a non-zero probability of the surviving debris landing in a populated area."

How much debris? The Aerospace engineering and space experts reckon that something this big won't simply burn up in the atmosphere. Instead, the rule of thumb of 20 to 40 percent of the mass reaching the ground is quoted.

Read the full The Register article here

https://www.theregister.com/2022/07/27/long_march_5b_returns/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=top-article
NEW YORK (AP)  A germ that causes a rare and sometimes deadly disease  long thought to be confined to tropical climates  has been found in soil and water in the continental United States, U.S. health officials said Wednesday.

The bacteria was found on the property of a Mississippi man who had come down with the disease, melioidosis. Officials don't know how long it had been there, but they say it likely is occurring in other areas along the Gulf Coast.

U.S. physicians should consider melioidosis even in patients who haven't traveled to other countries, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a health alert.

Once it's in the soil, it can be a health threat for people in the area, said the CDC's Julia Petras, who oversaw the investigation.

The illness can start with a wide range of symptoms like fever, joint pain and headaches. It's treatable with the right antibiotics if its caught early, but it can lead to pneumonia, blood infections and even death if not properly treated.

About 12 cases are reported annually in the U.S. The vast majority have been in people who traveled to places where the bacteria is endemic, including certain regions of Australia, Thailand, and Central and South America.

People can get the illness through direct contact with contaminated soil and water, especially if they have a cut on their hand or foot. It is also possible to inhale the bacteria.

The bacteria may not bother healthy people. But it can be dangerous to those with diabetes, chronic kidney or lung disease and weakened immune systems.

Last year, four people came down with the disease even though none had traveled internationally. Officials blamed their illnesses on a contaminated aromatherapy spray imported from India.

The new findings explain two Mississippi cases in men who hadn't traveled internationally, officials said. One got melioidosis in 2020 and the other, who lives about 10 miles away, got it this year. Both have recovered.

Health officials didn't say exactly where in Mississippi the men live, but investigators took 109 soil and water samples from the area. The bacteria was found in three spots  two in soil and one in a puddle  on the property of the man who was sickened two years ago.

Finding the bacteria in U.S. soil is significant, but not surprising. Investigators have long believed that local soil contamination was behind infections in Texas's Atascosa County in 2004 and 2018, CDC officials said.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  The International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant Thursday for a former government minister in Central African Republic for crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during sectarian hostilities in 2013.

Prosecutors at the global court accused Mahamat Nouradine Adam of crimes including torture, persecution, enforced disappearances and cruel treatment at two detention centers in the capital, Bangui. The warrant was first issued under seal in January 2019.

A judge who reviewed evidence prosecutors submitted to support their request for an arrest warrant wrote that it was sufficient to establish reasonable grounds to believe that Adam bears individual criminal responsibility for the crimes listed in his warrant.

Prosecutors say Adam was part of Central African Republic's government in 2013 after the predominantly Muslim Seleka group seized power and forced then-President Francois Bozize from office.

Mainly Christian militias known as anti-Balaka later fought back, targeting civilians and sending most of the Muslim residents of the capital, Bangui, fleeing in fear.

Fighting between the two groups left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands in 2013 and 2014.

Prosecutors alleged that at the time the Muslim group overran Bangui in 2013, Adam was considered as the person with the most power in the Seleka, even more influential than Michel Djotodia, who was named president to replace Bozize.

The court said in its warrant that the United Nations imposed a travel ban on Adam, but he still seems to be moving uninhibitedly in several countries within the region. He also is on a U.N. sanctions list for engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the CAR, the court said.

Two alleged anti-Balaka commanders, Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, are already on trial at the ICC; another was surrendered to the court earlier this year.

An alleged Seleka commander, Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, was handed to the court last year. His trial is scheduled to open in September.
Marilyn Nieves/Getty Image

A Pecos man pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of possession of child pornography, according to a press release from the United States Attorneys Office Western District of Texas.

Miguel Angel Ortega, 39, was found to have about 54 videos containing child pornography of prepubescent children on his cell phone. Authorities found the videos on Jan. 4 after executing a search warrant on Ortega's cell phone, according to the press release.
On Tuesday, Midland ISD President Bryan Murry had a chance to reflect on the 2021-22 school year and one of the first things that came to mind was he was exceedingly happy with the growth of the district, especially in elementary areas.

Not all performance is where it needs to be, but we are on the right track, Murry said, addressing a question about the review of Midland ISD Superintendent Angelica Ramsey.

Right track is something for a district that came out on the wrong side of the report card the last time the Texas Education Agency provided campus grades. In 2019, those grades were two A grades, two B-rated schools, 15 C-rated schools, 10 D-rated schools and nine failing campuses. Midland ISD leaders have had to stew on that for around three years.

The lack of performance internally and externally forced the boards hand to make a change that resulted in Ramseys arrival in Midland. And this change, unlike any Midland has experienced in the last 15-plus years, appears to be delivering results. A big indication of improvement will come in mid-August when the Texas Education Agency hands out campus grades.

But like Murry said Tuesday, the anxiety usually associated with the TEA report card arriving in the mail has turned to the right type of anticipation.

Murry said Ramsey has made the necessary changes, starting with turning a central office of administrators into a district service center for campuses. Ramsey made changes to the centers structure and personnel, basically starting anew with leaders in teaching and learning.

Murry, the husband of an elementary school teacher, also said new leadership is making a huge difference in how we are viewing academics in the classroom and getting professional development to those at the classroom level.

Concepts like Achievement zone campuses are giving campuses assets needed to improve, he said, while the 1882 schools  partnership schools like IDEA Travis and Houston Collegiate Prep operated by Third Future  are performing well. In that respect, she has helped the boards vision come to fruition.

Whats next

Part of the review, Murry said, was about determining areas of focus for year 2 and beyond. The Lone Star Governance model helps give specific criteria to improvement across the board, but it is easy to feel that much of the attention goes to elementary schools. Murry said that more focus will go to the secondary level that didnt see the growth that has been reported at the elementary school level.

Midland ISD must get back on track with college-career-military readiness. That means working on partnerships with entities like Midland College, when it comes to Career and Technical Education (CTE).

It goes back to Midland ISDs mission  that all students are prepared and ready for college and career.

That is ongoing, Murry said about those efforts.
James Durbin

City Talk



Priorities and concerns on city services, neighborhood issues and quality of life: These are three main hitters for the citys new public survey tool launching in late July. By asking Midlanders to rate their experience with different aspects of Tall City living  affordable housing, education, transportation and public safety  the city will be able to measure resident satisfaction and enhance their responsiveness to community concerns.

The survey will appear through digital ads on news websites, social media platforms, blogs and apps. There will also be a link on midlandtexas.gov.
The Safety in the Straits commissioning event takes place Aug. 12 at Bridge View Park in St. Ignace, Michigan, from 1 to 2 p.m., with time afterward for a demonstration and photos.

Hosted by Michigan Technological University and the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS)  the regional node of NOAAs Integrated Ocean Observing System program  Safety in the Straits will bring together elected officials, state agencies, community members, businesses and researchers to commission a high-frequency radar (HFR) system installed in the Straits of Mackinac.

Home to the Mackinac Bridge, the Straits of Mackinac share space with other transportation and energy infrastructure, heavy recreational boat traffic and busy commercial shipping lanes, all in one of the most unpredictable waterways of the Great Lakes.

We chose the Straits for its strategic importance, said oceanographer Lorelle Meadows, a research associate professor in cognitive and learning sciences at Michigan Tech and founding dean of the Pavlis Honors College. Its imperative for us to have the best technology available for environmental monitoring, search and rescue, shipping and other important applications that rely on a more complete understanding of the currents in this complicated area.

Researchers, mariners and natural resource managers have long needed a better way to understand the water currents in real time  to assist with navigation, research, search and rescue, and real-time intelligence in the event of a pipeline spill.

After seeing high-frequency radar applied in ocean communities, we knew it would be useful to monitor many of the Great Lakes critical waterways, said Kelli Paige, CEO of GLOS. The need for quality, real-time current data in the Straits was clear.

To help put actionable, high-value water data into peoples hands, Michigan Tech  with funding from GLOS and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)  undertook the HFRs multiyear installation.

Now, in 2022, the installation of the CODAR Ocean Sensors system is complete. As the ice melted this spring, data began to flow to the public through Upper Great Lakes Observing System web apps, realizing a vision of making the Straits safer for generations to come. Live data will also be available in the near future on the GLOS Seagull platform.

The high-frequency radar that Michigan Tech deployed in the Straits of Mackinac is a great example of the power of collaboration, said Tim Havens, director of Michigan Techs Great Lakes Research Center. Together with GLOS, EGLE and CODAR, the GLRC was able to install the very first current-monitoring radar on fresh water, showing that we can accurately track the movement of the water in the Straits. This capability can, for example, provide emergency responders vital real-time information for search and recovery efforts.

The event will be livestreamed.
Pakistans recent efforts for promotion of trade relations with Afghanistan are also a part of that long-time series of cooperation.

by Ali Sukhanver

All missiles, all nuclear bombs and all guns and cannons are going to lose their nuisance importance very soon in near future; these hazardous tools would be replaced by rice, wheat, medicine, energy resources and above all by water. In short the aims and objectives would remain the same but modes and methods, tools and devices would be changed. Simply the scarcity of grain and water would be enough for wiping off a population of thousands and thousands of people. To counter the expected horrible situation, now countries and nations will have to form new groups and new alliances particularly the neighbouring ones. Keeping in view the future scenario and feeling the horrible expected situation of tomorrow, the government of Pakistan has started acting upon a very well-calculated plan of strengthening trade-relationship with the neighbouring countries. The decision of launching a luxury bus service between Pakistan and Afghanistan is one of the important steps being taken in this regard.

The Pak-Afghan Bus Service is expected to start by the end of this August. A delegation of Pakistans officials recently visited Kabul and held meetings with the acting Afghan ministers for commerce and foreign affairs along with other senior officials. It was a three-day visit from 18th July to 20th July 2022. Pakistans delegation included senior officials of different ministries and businessmen. Both sides agreed to continue efforts to promote trade relations between the two countries. The two countries also agreed to increase bilateral trade by allowing free movement of trucks and other goods carrying vehicles. There would be two routes for the proposed bus-service; from Peshawar to Jalalabad and from Quetta to Kandahar. The officials also approved the implementation of the Temporary Admission Document which allows free movement of bilateral trade vehicles and prevents the loading and unloading of goods at the border crossing points. It was also decided that more efforts would be done for making border crossing points more efficient. This step would provide ease in process of early clearance of trade and transit traffic. It is something very encouraging that when Pakistani officials were having talks in Kabul, a delegation from Afghan business community was on its visit to Pakistan. The delegation was there to participate in a round-table conference of the stakeholders of Pak-Afghan trade. The basic purpose of that round-table conference was to explore new avenues for trade, provide support to both governments in policy formulation and above all suggest how to remove trade barriers. Hopefully, things would get better and better with the passage of time and this betterment would directly benefit the people of both countries.

It is a bitter reality that Afghanistan has been facing a lot of hardships for the last many decades because of foreign military and socio-political interference. The poisonous game of guns and bullets got new speed after the Twin-Towers incident. In the name of the so-called War on Terror, the whole fibre of the Afghan society was ruthlessly smashed. Thousands of innocent Afghans lost their lives and countless got severely injured. Even today, in the streets of Afghanistan, one finds a large number of people moving with the help of walking sticks and artificial limbs. For the last three decades, Afghanistan has been facing the most pitiable human tragedy and more tragic is the fact that those who are responsible for all this disaster are behaving as if they are strangers to all that is happening there. It makes them no difference if the people of Afghanistan are facing a severe shortage of food, water, and medicine along with worst economic conditions. It is always no one but Pakistan standing by its Afghan brothers at every time of need. Pakistans recent efforts to promote trade relations with Afghanistan are also a part of that long-time series of cooperation. Certainly, there are a few elements which feel very uneasy rather disturbed whenever Pakistan steps forward and tries to strengthen its relations with the neighbouring counties. Be it China or Iran or Afghanistan, whenever Pakistan tries to extend its hands of cooperation towards these countries for the betterment of the region, these hostile elements become active; the result of their activeness comes in form of killing of Chinese, Iranian and Afghani citizens in Pakistan. It is being feared that the expected plan of proposed bus service would be sabotaged by the elements hostile to Pakistan as they had ever been trying to sabotage the projects like Karakoram Highway, Gwadar and the CPEC. Now the Pak-Afghan Bus Service would be their next target. Pakistan will have to keep a very vigilant eye on all such nefarious activities of the forces hostile to its peace and prosperity.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned hes ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media said Thursday, as he unleashed fiery rhetoric against rivals he says are pushing the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war.

Kims speech to war veterans on the 69th anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War was apparently meant to boost internal unity in the impoverished country amid pandemic-related economic difficulties. While Kim has increasingly threatened his rivals with nuclear weapons, its unlikely that he would use them first against the superior militaries of the U.S. and its allies, observers say.

Our armed forces are completely prepared to respond to any crisis, and our countrys nuclear war deterrent is also ready to mobilize its absolute power dutifully, exactly and swiftly in accordance with its mission, Kim said in Wednesday's speech, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

He accused the United States of demonizing North Korea to justify its hostile policies. Kim said regular U.S.-South Korea military drills that he claimed target the North highlight U.S. double standards and gangster-like aspects because it brands North Koreas routine military activities  an apparent reference to its missile tests  as provocations or threats.

Kim also alleged the new South Korean government of President Yoon Suk Yeol is led by confrontation maniacs and gangsters who have gone further than previous South Korean conservative governments. Since taking office in May, the Yoon government has moved to strengthen Seouls military alliance with the United States and bolster its own capacity to neutralize North Korean nuclear threats including a preemptive strike capability.

Talking about military action against our nation, which possesses absolute weapons that they fear the most, is preposterous and is very dangerous suicidal action, Kim said. Such a dangerous attempt will be immediately punished by our powerful strength and the Yoon Suk Yeol government and his military will be annihilated.

South Korea expressed deep regret over Kims threat and said it maintains a readiness to cope with any provocation by North Korea in a powerful, effective manner.

In a statement read by spokesperson Kang In-sun, Yoons presidential national security office said South Korea will safeguard its national security and citizens safety based on a solid alliance with the United States. It urged North Korea to return to talks to take steps toward denuclearization.

Earlier Thursday, South Korea's Defense Ministry repeated its earlier position that it's been boosting its military capacity and joint defense posture with the United States to cope with escalating North Korean nuclear threats.

In April, Kim said North Korea could preemptively use nuclear weapons if threatened, saying they would never be confined to the single mission of war deterrent. Kims military has also test-launched nuclear-capable missiles that place both the U.S. mainland and South Korea within striking distance. U.S. and South Korean officials have repeatedly said in the past few months that North Korea is ready to conduct its first nuclear test in five years.

Kim is seeking greater public support as his countrys economy has been battered by pandemic-related border shutdowns, U.S.-led sanctions and his own mismanagement. In May, North Korea also admitted to its first COVID-19 outbreak, though the scale of illness and death is widely disputed in a country that lacks the modern medical capacity to handle it.

Kims rhetoric inflates external threats to justify his militarily focused and economically struggling regime, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. North Koreas nuclear and missile programs are in violation of international law, but Kim tries to depict his destabilizing arms buildup as a righteous effort at self-defense.

Experts say North Korea will likely intensify its threats against the U.S. and South Korea as the allies prepare to expand summertime exercises. In recent years, the South Korean and U.S. militaries have canceled or downsized some of their regular exercises due to concerns about COVID-19 and to support now-stalled U.S.-led diplomacy aimed at convincing North Korea to give up its nuclear program in return for economic and political benefits.

During Wednesdays speech, Kim said his government recently set tasks to improve its military capability more speedily to respond to military pressure campaigns by its enemies, suggesting that he intends to go ahead with an expected nuclear test.

But Cheong Seong-Chang at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea said North Korea wont likely conduct its nuclear test before China, its major ally and biggest aid benefactor, holds its Communist Party convention in the autumn. He said China worries that a North Korean nuclear test could give the United States a justification to boost its security partnerships with its allies that it could use to check Chinese influence in the region.

North Korea recently said it is moving to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak amid plummeting fever cases, but experts say its unclear if the country can lift its strict restrictions soon because it could face a viral resurgence later this year. During Wednesdays event, Kim, veterans and others didnt wear masks, state media photos showed. On Thursday, North Korea reported 11 fever cases, a huge drop from the peak of about 400,000 a day in May.

North Korea has rejected U.S. and South Korean offers for medical relief items. It has also said it wont return to talks with the United States unless it first abandons its hostile polices on the North, in an apparent reference to U.S.-led sanctions and U.S.-South Korean military drills.
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Kosovo has signed a $236.7 million (242 million-euro) agreement with a United States government agency to support its energy sector, promote women's participation and boost development.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmanis office on Thursday said the deal with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, or MCC, was signed a day earlier at the American Congress in Washington.

Today, the USA through the MCC, reaffirmed its steadfast support for our new republic and its willingness to help us advance further in terms of sustainable economic development, Osmani said.

She added that it was the "biggest energy investment in our country for decades and will help Kosovo create flexibility and stability in the electricity grid by enabling greater integration of renewable resources.

It will also develop skills and strengthen the engagement of women in the energy sector and the labor market.

Kosovo, whose energy production mainly is based on coal, is confronted with a deep crisis due to the global energy price hike, although it has so far only slightly increased the power price for consumers.

This signing represents  our commitment to work together to build modern, sustainable energy solutions which will benefit nearly 2 million Kosovars, said MCC head Alice Albright.

Two years ago the MCC implemented another $49 million program to support Kosovo.

Kosovo was part of Serbia until an armed uprising in 1998-1999 by the ethnic Albanian majority population triggered a bloody Serb crackdown. A NATO bombing campaign to force Serbias troops out of Kosovo ended the war.

Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovos 2008 declaration of independence despite more than 11 years of efforts in mediation from the European Union.
Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-noon, Pathway Plaza, 1905 W. Morton Ave. Prices vary. | Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through Oct. 31. Link cards accepted.

Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 9 a.m.-noon, Jacksonville Food Center, 316 E. State St. Free | For Morgan County residents.

Free Noon Meal: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. | Meals in to-go containers can be picked up at side door.

Walking for Wellness: 12:30-3 p.m., First Christian Church, 2106 S. Main St. Free | Indoor walking program offered year-round Monday-Thursday. For more information, call 217-243-6445.

Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen: 3:30-4 p.m., Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen, 105 E. Dunlap St. Free | Serving meals to go for anyone in need.

Waverly Queen Pageant: 7 p.m., Salter Park, Waverly | Part of the Waverly Picnic celebration. Variety of events and carnival throughout the weekend. For more information, call 217-971-9710 or 217-883-8283.

Author Event with Reg Ankrom: Stephen A. Douglas, Right and Wrong: 7-8:45 p.m., Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College. | Reg Ankrom discusses his research on former U.S. senator and 19th Century Jacksonville resident, Stephen A. Douglas. For more information, contact Andy Mitchell at 217-243-5435 or amitchell@jaxpl.org.

Friday

Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 9 a.m.-noon, Jacksonville Food Center, 316 E. State St. Free | For Morgan County residents.

Summer Bookmobile for Kids: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., various locations, Jacksonville. | The library is coming to various locations in Jacksonville every Friday. Anyone from age 2 to seniors in high school can check out two books a week. Library card not required, no late fees and no registration. For more information, call 217-243-5435 or email bspradlin@jaxpl.org.

Baby Storytime: 10 a.m., Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave. | For caregivers and babies to 24 months. For more information, call 217-243-5435 or email clangdon@jaxpl.org.

River Country Quilt Show: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Jacksonville High School, 1211 N. Diamond St. Weekend admission $6 | For more information, call 217-602-0426 or email bobarbara79@mchsi.com. Event continues tomorrow.

Archaeology Fridays: 10-11:30 a.m., Old Kampsville Grade School. Free | For children Kindergarten through third grades. Sessions held each Friday through Aug. 8. Make-and-take craft activity and game. Registration suggested by emailing education@caa-archeology.org or calling 618-653-4316.

Free Noon Meal: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. | Meals in to-go containers can be picked up at side door.

Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 12:30-1 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. Free.

Midwest Youth Services Friday Funday: 2-3 p.m., Bowl Inn, 224 N. East St. Free | Two games and shoe rental provided. For Morgan County youth ages 11-17.

PB & J: 2-6 p.m., Grafton Pub, 225 W. Main St. | Live music.

Rogers & Nienhaus and Frank Palliser: 4 p.m., Salter Park, Waverly. Free | Part of the Waverly Picnic celebration. Music starts at 4 p.m. with Frank Palliser. Rogers & Niehaus take the stage at 7 p.m. Vareity of events and carnival throughout the weekend. For more information, contact 217-971-9710 or 217-883-8283.

The Standrige: 7 p.m., Jacksonville Speedway, 110 N. Westgate Ave. | 410 Wing Sprints, 305 Sprints, Modifieds and Midgets. Pit gates open at 4 p.m. Grandstand open 5 p.m. Hot laps 6:15 p.m. Racing begins at 7 p.m. For more information, call 217-371-3653.

Jacksonville Main Street Downtown Concert Series: 7-9 p.m., Central Park, downtown Jacksonville | Cody Hibbard performs. Refreshments on sale 6 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Catfish Willie: 8 p.m., The Bloody Bucket, 201 E. Main St. | Live music.

Spencer Theatre Company presents Driving Miss Daisy: 8 p.m., Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., Springfield. $20 | For tickets and information, go to hcfta.org.

Movie Under The Stars: 8:30 p.m., Green Pastures Christian Retreat Center, 1936 US-67, Meredosia. Free | "The Prince of Egypt" Bring blankets, chairs, drinks, snacks and bug spray.

To submit items to the calendar, go to myjournalcourier.com and select calendar, or email jjcsocial@myjournalcourier.com. Items must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance.
Security Council condemns Myanmar executions of 4 activists View Photo

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday unanimously condemned Myanmars executions of four political prisoners and called for an immediate halt to all violence and full respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The statement approved by all 15 council members noted Myanmar had hanged the men after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other members of the 10-nation bloc that includes Myanmar appealed for the sentences to be reconsidered. Council members also reiterated their full support for Myanmars democratic transition and their strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Myanmar.

ASEAN has been leading global efforts to bring peace to Myanmar, which has been rocked by civil unrest and and widespread fighting since the military ousted an elected government in February 2021. But it has stonewalled on ASEANs peacemaking efforts.

This week, ASEAN denounced the executions as highly reprehensible and said they set back its efforts to facilitate dialogue between the military leadership and opponents.

The four men hanged over the weekend were a former National League for Democracy lawmaker, a democracy activist and two men accused of killing a woman they allegedly believed was a military informant. All were tried, convicted and sentenced by a military tribunal with no possibility of appeal. They were Myanmars first judicial executions in nearly 50 years and came as a surprise even to family members of the men.

ASEANs five-point plan to restore peace and stability to Myanmar includes an immediate halt to violence, a dialogue among all parties, and appointment of an ASEAN special envoy who would visit Myanmar to meet all concerned parties. Myanmars military-installed government initially agreed to the consensus reached in April 2021 but has made little effort to implement it, and the country has slipped into a situation that some U.N. experts have characterized as a civil war.

The Security Council echoed ASEANs call for concrete actions to effectively and fully implement the five-point consensus and took note of the blocs view that the death sentences presented a gross lack of will to support the ASEAN chairs efforts to expedite implementation.

Earlier this week, U.N. special envoy Noeleen Heyzer said the U.N. views the executions as a blatant violation of a persons right to life, liberty and security.

The Security Council underlined the importance of Heyzers role and encouraged close cooperation with the ASEAN special envoy, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn. ASEAN foreign ministers begin meetings in Cambodia in a week.

China, which is Myanmars biggest trading partner and an old ally, welcomed the Security Councils alignment of views with the ASEAN chairs statement after the executions, which diplomats said Beijing sought.

A spokesperson for Chinas U.N. Mission cited the particular importance of the council statements call for an immediate cessation of all forms of violence, including attacks on infrastructure, health and education facilities.

We believe this sends a strong signal of the councils rejection of all violence, unjustifiable wherever and by whoever committed, said the spokesperson, who was not authorized to speak publicly. And we hope these important messages from the council could be heeded by all relevant parties.

By EDITH M. LEDERER

Associated Press
Russia attacks Kyiv area for the first time in weeks

Russia attacks Kyiv area for the first time in weeks View Photo

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russian forces launched a missile attack on the Kyiv area for the first time in weeks Thursday and pounded the northern Chernihiv region as well, in what Ukraine said was revenge for standing up to the Kremlin.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, announced a counteroffensive to take back the occupied Kherson region in the countrys south, territory seized by Russian President Vladimir Putins forces early in the war.

Russia attacked the Kyiv region with six missiles launched from the Black Sea, hitting a military unit in the village of Liutizh on the outskirts of the capital, according to Oleksii Hromov, a senior official with Ukraines General Staff.

He said that the attack ruined one building and damaged two others, and that Ukrainian forces shot down one of the missiles in the town of Bucha.

Fifteen people were wounded in the Russian strikes, five of them civilians, Kyiv regional Gov. Oleksiy Kuleba said.

Kuleba linked the assaults to the Day of Statehood, a commemoration that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instituted last year and Ukraine marked for the time on Thursday.

Russia, with the help of missiles, is mounting revenge for the widespread popular resistance, which the Ukrainians were able to organize precisely because of their statehood, Kuleba told Ukrainian television. Ukraine has already broken Russias plans and will continue to defend itself.

Chernihiv regional Gov. Vyacheslav Chaus reported that the Russians also fired missiles from the territory of Belarus at the village of Honcharivska. The Chernihiv region had not been targeted in weeks.

Russian troops withdrew from the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions months ago after failing to capture either. The renewed strikes come a day after the leader of pro-Kremlin separatists in the east, Denis Pushilin, urged Russian forces to liberate Russian cities founded by the Russian people  Kyiv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lutsk.

Elsewhere around the country, five people were killed and 25 wounded in a Russian rocket attack on the city of Kropvynytskyi, about 250 kilometers (150 miles) southeast of Kyiv, according to the deputy governor of Ukraines Kirovohrad region, Andriy Raikovich. He said the attack hit hangars at an air academy, damaging civilian planes.

Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, also came under a barrage of shelling overnight, according to the mayor. Authorities said a police officer was killed in Russian shelling of a power plant in the Kharkiv region.

The southern city of Mykolaiv was fired on as well, with one person reported injured.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military kept up a counterattack in the Kherson region, knocking out of commission a key bridge over the Dnieper River on Wednesday.

Ukrainian media quoted Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovich as saying the operation to liberate Kherson is underway, with Kyivs forces planning to isolate Russian troops and leave them with three options  retreat, if possible, surrender or be destroyed.

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, said the Russians are concentrating maximum forces in the direction of Kherson, warning: A very large-scale movement of their troops has begun.

The British military said Ukraine has used its new, Western-supplied long-range artillery to damage at least three of the bridges across the Dnieper that Russia relies on to supply its forces.

Ukraines presidential office said Thursday morning that Russian shelling of cities and villages over the past 24 hours killed at least five civilians, all of them in the eastern Donetsk province, and wounded nine.

Fighting in recent weeks has focused on Donetsk province. It has intensified in recent days as Russian forces appeared to emerge from a reported operational pause after capturing neighboring Luhansk province.

Ukrainian emergency authorities said two civilians were killed in a Russian bombardment of the town of Toretsk. A missile struck a residential building there early Thursday morning, destroying two floors, officials said.

Missile terror again. We will not give up.  We will not be intimidated, Donetsk regional Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said on Telegram.

Military analysts believe Russian forces are focusing their efforts on capturing the cities of Bakhmut and Siversk in Donetsk province.

Zelenskyy instituted the Day of Statehood to remind Ukrainians about the countrys history as an independent state. The commemoration honors Prince Vladimir, who made Christianity the official religion of the medieval state of Kyivan Rus more than 1,000 years ago.

You could say that for us, every day is a statehood day, the president said in a Day of Statehood address.

We fight every day so that everyone on the planet can finally understand: We are not a colony or enclave or protectorate, not a province, an eyalet, or a crown land, not a part of foreign empires, not a part of a country, not a federal republic, not an autonomy, not a province, but a free, independent, sovereign, indivisible and independent state, Zelenskyy said.

The Kremlin also lays claim to the heritage of the Kyivan Rus. In 2016, Putin erected a monument to Prince Vladimir near the Kremlin.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

By SUSIE BLANN

Associated Press
Tuolumne, CA  A shooting that sent a man to the hospital started an investigation by the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office on June 21st. The details of that can be found here.

Detectives located a semi-automatic handgun near the crime scene. The handgun did not have a serial number or manufacturer information which makes it a Ghost gun. The detectives interviewed witnesses, looked at surveillance footage, and processed the crime scene. Over the next month, interviews and several search warrants generated additional evidence.

Detectives were able to determine a 17-year juvenile had confronted and shot the adult male after a dispute involving several people. On Wednesday, July 27th, the juvenile was arrested and booked at the Mother Lode Regional Juvenile Detention Facility on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem, possession of an unregistered firearm, and minor in possession of a handgun.
Evacuations and road closures for the Oak Fire burning in Mariposa County -7-28-22 View Photo

Update at 1:40 p.m.: The Mariposa Sheriffs Office has reduced and lifted some additional areas closed by the Oak fire and has provided this update.

Evacuations reduced to advisements:

All of East Westfall Rd., including Smithers Road and Old Mill Rd.

These areas will be open to residents living in the area only, and they should still be prepared to evacuate should conditions change. The potential for a re-evaluation of this area remains high, according to sheriffs officials.

Evacuation Advisements lifted for the following areas:

All areas West of Hwy 140

Carlteon Road including all side roads

Allred Road including all side roads

Morningstar Road including all side roads

Cole Road including all side roads

Hwy 140 from Slaughterhouse Road to Triangle Road

Hwy 49S from Allred Road to Woodland Drive including all side roads

Darrah Rd from Hwy 49S to Deer Springs including all side roads

Remaining Road Closures:

Triangle Road from Hwy 140 to Darrah Rd including all side roads

Jerseydale Rd including all side roads

Silva Road from Van Ness Drive to Triangle Road

Darrah Road from Deer Springs to Triangle Rd

Carstens Road including all side roads

Update at 8:15am and below written by BJ Hansen: CAL Fire announced during the morning briefing that the Oak Fire is now 19,156 acres and there is 39 percent containment.

Officials now say at least 116 structures have been destroyed and 10 more have been damaged.

Fire behavior was moderate overnight with most of the fire activity occurring on the northeast side of the fire. Hand crews will continue to construct direct line in areas inaccessible to equipment. With higher tempratures and lower humidity, crews may observe increased fire behavior today. Work will continue to address hazards and repair infrastructure within the fire perimeter. Damage inspection is ongoing and will continue until the entire fire area is assessed.

Original story posted at 6:57am: Mariposa, CA  As fire activity has slowed, CAL Fire reports that teams have been able to better assess the impacts of the Oak Fire burning in Mariposa County.

Three teams are now going through the burn area to determine how much damage the fire caused. CAL Fire reports that at least 100 structures have been destroyed and an additional 10 have been damaged.

Firefighters continue to build control lines and put out hot spots. More areas were moved yesterday from evacuation order to advisory.

The fire is 18,824 acres and there is 36 percent containment.

Emergency officials will provide another update to the Mariposa community about efforts to contain the Oak Fire. There will be a town hall meeting today at 7pm in the Mariposa High School Gym.

Evacuation Orders

 Carstens Rd

 Buckingham Mountain Road

 Plumbar Creek Rd

 Jerseydale Road and all side roads

 Darrah Rd from Deer Springs with Deer Springs being open to Triangle Rd including all side roads

 East Westfall Road from Triangle to Oliver Creek including all side

 Silva from Van Ness to Triangle

 Sweetwater Ridge / Mine area

 Feliciana Mountain Rd

 Ferguson / Apperson Mine Rd area

 Savage Lundy Trail

 Carter Road Including all side roads

 Hites Cove Rd

 Footman Ridge Area

 Devils Gulch area

Evacuation Advisement

 Hwy 140 from Colorado Road to Grosjean Road

 Oak Road from Hwy 140 to Yosemite Oaks

 Yosemite Oaks Rd from East Whitlock to Hwy 140

 Silva Rd from Carleton Road to Hwy 49S including all side roads

 East Whitlock from Hwy 140 to Yosemite Oaks Rd

 Stumpfield Mountain Rd from Hwy 49S to the Madera County Line including

all side roads

 East Westfall from Oliver Creek to Chowchilla Mountain Rd

 Chowchilla Mountain Rd from 49S to East Westfall

 Ponderosa Basin Subdivision including:

All of Chowchilla Mountain Rd and all side roads

All of Harris Cutoff Rd and all side roads

All of Harris Rd and all side roads

 5S25 and 4S04

 Hwy 49S from Stumpfield Mountain Road to the Madera County Line

including all side roads

*This includes: Watt Rd, Watt Rd Extension, Harris Rd, Kimble Rd

and all side roads

 Hwy 140 from Ponderosa Way to Briceburg both side of the roads

 Colorado from Hwy 140 to East Whitlock Including all side roads

 Grosjean Rd from Hwy 140 to Alta vista Rd including all side roads

 Foran Rd to East Whitlock

 East Whitlock from Foran to Hwy 140 including all side roads

 Devils Gulch to Signal Peak Area including Chowchilla Mountain Rd

 Tip Top Rd including all side roads

 North side of Hwy 49S from Silva to Triangle Rd including all side roads

 Cole Road including all side roads

 Silva Road from Carleton Road to Van Ness Road

 Carleton Road

 Allred Road

 Morningstar Road including all side roads

 Ponderosa Way including all side roads to the Sierra National Boundary

 Lushmeadows Subdivision  NOT INCLUDING Vista Lago and Monte Vista

*Residents must use Triangle Rd from Hwy 49S to access the Lushmeadows

Subdivision

 Triangle Rd from Darrah Rd to East Westfall

 Darrah Road including all side roads from Hwy 49S to Deer Springs including

all side roads

 All Hwy 140 addresses including Cobey Ln

 Vista Lago Rd

 Monte Vista Rd
Beirut port blast survivors relive trauma as silos burns View Photo

BEIRUT (AP)  Rita Qadans heart skips a beat whenever talks about how she survived the devastating explosion in Beiruts Port two years ago. And every time she sees the massive port silos, she is reminded again of her trauma.

The ports grain silos destroyed in the blast  a massive, charred ruin jutting into the sky  has been burning for weeks after remnants of the grains that withstood the 2020 explosion started fermenting and ignited in the summer heat. The Lebanese government said last week the fire expanded after flames reached nearby electrical cables. Experts warn the structure could collapse at any time.

On that fateful Aug. 4, 2020, hundreds of tons of explosive ammonium nitrate improperly stored in the port for years, detonated, killing more than 200 people injuring over 6,000. Entire parts of the city around the port were destroyed in the blast, and the tragedy became a searing trauma on the psyche of the entire Lebanese population.

Today, Qadan still works as a concierge at a building in Beiruts Mar Mikhael neighborhood, where she has lived for decades, her small apartment tucked in the corner of the ground floor.

The area along Beiruts waterfront has a direct view of the port and the smoldering silos. The smoke brings back horrible memories, Qadan says as she waters her plants.

The stench, seeping into her modest two-room apartment, is dizzying, she says. I just wear my mask and stay indoors, Qadan told The Associated Press, her voice trembling. Im really scared that they could fall.

Emmanuel Durand, a French civil engineer who volunteered for the government-commissioned team of experts, says the north blocks collapse in the port is inevitable and just a matter of time.

In Geneva, he has been monitoring the tilting silos from thousands of miles away using data produced by sensors he installed over a year ago, and updating a team of Lebanese government and security officials on the developments in a WhatsApp group.

Two weeks ago the silos were tilting at 2 millimeters per day, and in the last week that has accelerated to 2.5 millimeters per hour, and that rapidly accelerates as the fire continues and causes more structural damage, Durand told the AP. Its now  a steady 6 millimeters per hour.

Even before the fire, the northern block was on its last legs. The fire is just finishing it off, he said.

Durand first visited Beirut as a volunteer two weeks after the 2020 explosion, assessing damaged buildings with engineering students. He had no idea the port silos would later come occupy so much of his free time.

Im very wired with that particular site and with the country, he said. All this has been an emotional experience, but as long as nobody gets killed, Ill be okay.

From work, Mohammad Daife can also see the Beirut port silos. Daife, whose family-run company provides customs assistance to shipping clients, said he remained in shock for three months after the blast.

He closes his windows and keeps the air conditioner running to avoid the stench We are very disturbed  something could happen to our employees and families, Daife said. I dont know what the government will do, but I hope they make a decision so this can end.

Johnny Assaf can also see the silos from his small real estate agency. In the explosion, shards of glass from the windows pierced his back  one piece still hasnt been removed.

Our fear is that it tips over, because we dont what could happen to us if it did, he said.

The Lebanese health and environment ministries on Monday urged residents in the area to close their windows and wear facemasks, offering instructions on how to clean dust from their cars and homes should the silos fall. But the residents are still fearful.

My friends are leaving the area, Assaf explained. But there are people with nowhere else to go.

By KAREEM CHEHAYEB

Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A man was arrested on suspicion of killing a woman who was found dismembered at her suburban Sacramento home, authorities announced Wednesday.

Darnell Erby, 44, of Sacramento was arrested on July 19, on the same day that authorities found the body of 77-year-old Pamela Garrett May in North Highlands, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office announced.

The victims body was dismembered beyond recognition and required the coroner to positively identify, the Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

Erby was jailed without bail on suspicion of murder. It wasnt immediately clear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf.

Other details of the killing werent immediately released.
California court OKs death penalty in 80s sex slave murders View Photo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  The California Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the conviction and death penalty for one of two men implicated in at least 11 notorious horrific torture-slayings in the mid-1980s in which the duo kept their victims hidden in a secret bunker in the Northern California woods.

Thirty-seven years later, authorities are still trying to identify the remains of some of their victims.

Charles Ng, now 61, was convicted in 1999 of killing six men, three women and two baby boys in 1984 and 1985. He was initially accused of 13 slayings  12 in Calaveras County and one in San Francisco.

He and his criminal partner, Leonard Lake, committed a series of kidnappings in which they engaged in bondage and sadism ending in murder. They were initially suspected of killing up to 25 people.

This is one of those stories thats been passed down through time in this community, said Calaveras County Lt. Greg Stark, whose father worked for the department at the time of the slayings. Theres been wild estimates and theres been conservative estimates, and honestly I dont think anybody will ever know, due to how they were disposing of the bodies.

Ng and Lake held their victims in a remote 2 1/2-acre Sierra Nevada fenced compound about 150 miles (241 kilometers) east of San Francisco. It included a bunker with three rooms, two of them behind a hidden doorway. One hidden, locked room was furnished like a cell with a bed covered with a foam pad, a plastic bucket and a roll of toilet paper.

Lake killed himself with a cyanide capsule after police arrested him for shoplifting in San Francisco in 1985 and were questioning him before any bodies were found.

The justices said in a detailed 181-page analysis of the case that Ng received a fair trial, including a change of venue from Calaveras County to Orange County because of pre-trial publicity.

It was one of Californias longest and most expensive trials at the time, costing millions of dollars, partly because the court said Ng repeatedly attempted to delay and disrupt his own trial. That included extended debates over whether he could represent himself and who would be his attorneys.

The justices unanimously also concluded that Ng was properly extradited after he fled to Canada, where he was arrested in Calgary, Alberta, in 1985 for shoplifting and wounding a store guard. He fought extradition for six years before the Supreme Court of Canada ordered him returned.

The men incriminated themselves with videotapes of them tormenting bound, terrified women they used as sex slaves before their murders.

Jurors were shown a tape of one woman pleading in vain for the men to spare her husband and baby as Ng cut off her shirt and bra with a knife in front of the camera.

Investigators also discovered piles of charred bones, blood-stained tools, shallow graves and a 250-page diary kept by Lake.

Four law enforcement agencies spent five weeks scouring the property, according to the courts detailed description.

They found thousands of buried teeth and bone fragments throughout the property, with at least four of the dental specimens belonging to a child under age 3. Many hundreds of the bone fragments had been burned.

Two forensic anthropologists eventually concluded that the remains belonged to at least four adults, one child, and one infant. Two men were found in a shallow grave not far from the property. They had been bound, gagged and fatally shot.

Officials in Calaveras County last year exhumed additional bones and other human remains from a crypt in a cemetery where they had been kept since Ngs conviction, in hopes that modern DNA tracing could reveal their identities.

A sheriffs chaplain read a brief invocation, and soon California Department of Justice criminalists and two forensic anthropologists began sorting and analyzing the remains.

They are initially hopeful that enough viable DNA is left for a comparison, said Stark, but the Department of Justice hasnt yet been able to run the comparisons in part because of more urgent active cases.

Investigators plan to compare the DNA to that from cooperating next of kin of the known victims, and run it through DNA databases in hopes of a comparison.

Regardless if there are 11 (slayings) or more than 11, were hoping to categorize the remains and if possible return them to the families to give them their due respect and internment, Stark said. If we find additional identifications, well definitely look into them and their connection to the case.

Ng joined the Marine Corps after he came to the United States from Hong Kong. He earlier was imprisoned at Leavenworth, Kansas, for weapons theft while serving in the Marine Corps.

He and his defense attorneys argued that he was under the influence of Lake, an older man and survivalist who they said engineered the serial slayings. Ng denied participating in many of the crimes.

His attorneys argued at the time that Ng was shaped as a child, when he was beaten by his father.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has imposed a moratorium on the death penalty so long as he is governor, and Ng still has the possibility of other federal appeals.

By DON THOMPSON

Associated Press
ST-ANNE-DE-BEAUPRE, Quebec (AP)  Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Thursday at Canadas national shrine and came face-to-face with a long-standing demand from Indigenous peoples: to rescind the papal decrees underpinning the so-called Doctrine of Discovery and repudiate the theories that legitimized the colonial-era seizure of Native lands and form the basis of some property law today.

Right before Mass began, two Indigenous women unfurled a banner at the altar of the National Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre that read: Rescind the Doctrine in bright red and black letters. The protesters were escorted away and the Mass proceeded without incident, though the women later marched the banner out of the basilica and draped it on the railing.

The brief protest underscored one of the issues facing the Holy See following Francis historic apology for the Catholic Churchs involvement in Canadas notorious residential schools, where generations of Indigenous peoples were forcibly removed from their families and cultures to assimilate them into Christian, Canadian society. Francis has spent the week in Canada seeking to atone for the legacy and on Thursday added in another request for forgiveness from victims for the evil of clergy sexual abuse.

Beyond the apology, Indigenous peoples have called on Francis to formally rescind the 15th century papal bulls, or decrees, that provided the Portuguese and Spanish kingdoms the religious backing to expand their territories in Africa and the Americas for the sake of spreading Christianity. Those decrees underpin the Doctrine of Discovery, a legal concept coined in a 1823 U.S. Supreme Court decision that has come to be understood as meaning that ownership and sovereignty over land passed to Europeans because they discovered it. It was cited as recently as a 2005 Supreme Court decision involving the Oneida Indian Nation.

These colonizing nation states, in particular Canada and the United States, have utilized this doctrine as the basis for their title to land, which ultimately really means the dispossession of land of Indigenous peoples, said Michelle Schenandoah, a member of the Oneida Nation Wolf Clan. She was in Quebec City with a delegation from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to raise the issue with church leaders.

Its been a long genocide over 500 years, and it still is valid law to this day," she said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited the need for the Holy See to address the Doctrine of Discovery, as well as other issues including the return of Indigenous artifacts in the Vatican Museums, in his private talks with Francis on Wednesday, Trudeau's office said.

Several Christian denominations in recent years have formally repudiated the doctrine. The Canadian bishops did so in 2016 and the umbrella organization of U.S. female Catholic religious orders, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, formally asked Francis to do so in 2014 saying he should repudiate the period of Christian history that used religion to justify political and personal violence against Indigenous nations and peoples and their cultural, religious, and territorial identities."

Murray Sinclair, the First Nations chairman of Canadas Truth and Reconciliation Commission, cited the doctrine in a statement this week welcoming Francis apology but calling on him to take responsibility for the full role of the church in the Canadian residential school system.

Driven by the Doctrine of Discovery and other church beliefs and doctrines, Catholic leaders not only enabled the government of Canada, but pushed it even further in its work to commit cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples, Sinclair said.

Church officials have insisted those papal decrees have long since been rescinded or superseded by other ones fully recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples to live on their lands, and say the original bulls have no legal or moral bearing today. During the trip, Francis has reasserted repeatedly those rights and rejected the policies of assimilation that drove the residential school system.

But both the Vatican and Canadian trip organizers have confirmed that a new church statement is being prepared to address demands for a current, formal repudiation, though it is not expected to be released during Francis visit.

We understand the desire to name these texts, acknowledge their impact and renounce the concepts associated with them, Neil MacCarthy, in charge of communications for the papal visit, told The Associated Press in an email.

Asked about the protest Thursday, MacCarthy said: "We recognize that there are very passionate feelings about a number of issues including the Doctrine of Discovery. The brief peaceful protest did not disrupt the service and the group had a chance to express their concerns.

The Vatican clearly anticipated that the issue would arise during the trip. In an essay in the current issue of the Vatican-vetted Jesuit journal La Civilta Cattolica, the Rev. Federico Lombardi acknowledged that the issue remains an important one for Indigenous peoples, but stressed that the Holy Sees position in repudiating the discovery doctrine is clear.

Lombardi, the retired Vatican spokesman, cited the subsequent 1538 bull Sublimis Deus that asserted that Indigenous peoples cannot be deprived of their freedom or possession of their property "nor should they be in any way enslaved.

But Philip Arnold, chair of the department of religion at Syracuse University in New York, which sits on Onondaga Nation territory, said the 1538 bull was effectively a ruse since it didn't call for European colonial powers to give back the land they had already claimed, but rather elaborated the "freedom that comes with submission to the Catholic Church and that sponsoring monarch."

The Vaticans role in justifying the Doctrine of Christian Discovery in the 15th century is the origin story of transatlantic slave trade, land theft, and a settler-colonial extractive economies throughout Africa and the Americas, he said.

Felix Hoehn, a property and administrative law professor at the University of Saskatchewan, said any repudiation of papal bulls or doctrines would have no legal bearing on land claims today, but would have symbolic value.

The Vatican doesnt make Canadian law. Courts arent bound by papal bulls or anything of that notion but it would be symbolic, Hoehn said. It would add moral pressure.

___

Winfield reported from Quebec City.

___

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.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate

And they said the drive-in theater was dead. For a cool $3.99 million, however, any film buff (or rockabilly enthusiast) can own Doc's Drive-In, a 7.9-acre property in Buda. Located at 1540 Satterwhite Rd, Buda, TX 78610, the property includes, per the listing, "three fully furnished movie-themed casitas, as well as a subterranean members-only speakeasy style private club."

The sale includes everything Doc's has to offer, including the commercial kitchen and bar, short term rental income from the casitas, and, crucially  if the buyer is so inclined  "all proprietary elements and income of business to be disclosed to inquiring buyers." That means that anyone who purchases Doc's Drive In can keep the name and operate, and potentially expand on, the existing business.
H-E-B

H-E-B's plans for Dallas-area grocery domination continue to play out as the San Antonio-based company purchases two parcels of land just east of Garland and Lake Ray Hubbard.

The grocery store giant purchased 12 acres on the southwest corner of I-30 and John King Boulevard in Rockwall, Texas, the Dallas Morning News reports. A H-E-B spokesperson confirmed the land purchase to the Dallas Morning News, but didn't divulge any plans for construction on the property.
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With more than 15 years having passed since the end of That 70s Show, its understandable that it may have been a bit trippy for series star Ashton Kutcher to return for shows upcoming Netflix spinoff, That 90s Show.

It was really nostalgic to be back on the set, Kutcher told Varietys Carson Burton at the red carpet premiere of Vengeance at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles Monday evening. Its all the same folks that made That 70s Show, so it was pretty bizarre.

Kutcher went on to explain that he and his wife, his That 70s Show costar Mila Kunis, felt a return to the property was the right thing to do  beyond being a blast, of course.

Mila and I were contemplating it, Kutcher said. We thought, Listen, were only in the position that were in because of that show, so lets just go back and do this. We just went back and had fun for a week. It was so random and fun.

Kutcher also gave some encouraging words about the new 90s-set series: Its really funny. The new cast is phenomenal.

That 90s Show is set to follow Eric (Topher Grace) and Donnas (Laura Prepon) daughter Leia Forman (Callie Haverda) as she visits her grandparents for the summer. Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp are returning from the original cast to once again play Red and Kitty. The series, set in 1995, will follow a new generation of Point Place kids and includes newcomers Haverda, Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Maxwell Acee Donovan, Reyn Doi and Sam Morelos.

Kutcher will reprise his character of Michael Kelso in a guest role for the new series. Fellow original castmates, including Grace, Prepon, Kunis and Wilmer Valderrama, are also all set to join in guest appearances.

On the immediate horizon, Kutcher plays a supporting role in Vengeance, the directorial debut of The Office alum B.J. Novak, who wrote and stars in the film. Vengeance follows an aspiring podcaster, played by Novak, as he travels from New York to Texas to investigate the death of a woman he had a relationship with. Kutcher plays Quinten Sellers in the film, a music producer in Texas.

Vengeance is set to hit theaters Friday, while That 90s Show has no official release date announced.

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Dominique "Domsquiat Cortez" Beltran, is a nationally-recognized photographer and visual artist that lives to document the people and places that define San Antonio. Her subjects run the gambit of local figures: from former mayor and presidential candidate Julian Castro to downtown street vendors, community activists, and musicians you might see posted up in front San Anto Cultural Arts Center on the Westside.

In 2020, she was named by Buzzfeed as one of 13 "Latinx Artists Creating Impact Within Their Culture."

What began as a Steele High School hobby is now a lifestyle for Beltran, who spends her free time capturing San Antonio's essence through the lens. Her art extends into her freelance photography business, Rise and Shine. Her work has been featured in galleries across town, most recently in Southtown Art Gallery.

Pursuing a career in art for Beltran has always been contextualized by her background as a child of immigrants. She hopes her platform will encourage other Latinx artists coming from a similar place.

"Life has always been about working, so when you're growing up and you say you want to be an artist, it's not always the safest route," she said. "I come from migrant workers and street workers, so to do something that I'm actually passionate about and make a difference, that means a lot to me."

She currently resides in downtown San Antonio.

Want to show off your San Antonio? Reach out to us at mysa@mysa.com.

Dominique Beltran Dominique Beltran Work by Dominique Beltran.

Catch up with Beltran and learn all about her San Antonio below:

What do you find in your part of town that you dont find anywhere else?

Historical landmarks and for lease buildings.

Where is your 'third place' that you enjoy spending time at when youre not at home or work?

Im embarrassed to say but Im always at H-E-B way more than I should be. I always need something.

If you had two hours to show a visitor around, where would you take them?

Wed cruise to the Westside of town to see the community murals, then were going to Taquitos West Ave.

Whats your ideal day look like in your part of San Antonio?

My ideal day in San Antonio. Spending my time at home, meditating, editing photos from photo sessions, going outside and catching up with homies at their art studios and wandering around the city looking for people and places to photograph. Anywhere with good music and good food is my favorite.

Are there any businesses or projects youd like to see introduced to your area?

Id love to see more affordable bookstores and open gallery spaces on the Eastside.

Whats one word youd use to describe your part of town?

Resilient.

Dominique Beltran

How has your San Antonio changed?

There are so many people moving from Austin, California, and New York, traffic is getting crazy and homes are becoming harder to afford. Ive also been sad ever since they tore down Splashtown, that place has so many great memories. Also seeing The Big 3 leave the Spurs was sad too.

Whats your go-to breakfast taco order and from where?

Ill probably get criticized for this, but my FAVORITE breakfast tacos are two barbacoa tacos with pico de gallo on tortillas de maiz, extra limes, and a cup of coffee. Morenita Barbacoa on South Flores St. or Santos Cafe off Isom Road.

How does San Antonio inspire you?

San Antonio inspires me because were so overlooked and underrated, there are so many talented people here whos stories we havent heard. I cant help but want to go extra hard for the city. People here are actually really kind. I love how we always come together in hard times to support each other. I also really love that there are so many young leaders here who arent afraid to be outspoken.

What's your favorite street in S.A. and why?

I love FM 78 because I grew up on the Northeast side of town, so some of my favorite memories are driving through Converse to 410 with my friends.

Pretend you have a hot date this week. Which local establishments would you take them to?

Lets eat at Osaka off Broadway, check out the McNay Art Museum, then listen to some good music at Amor Eterno.

Isaiah Alonzo for MySA

What's your San Antonio pet peeve?

Why does everyone slow down so abruptly when we go down a slight hill on any highway?

If you're from here, have you ever lived somewhere else? What brought you back? If you're a transplant, what keeps you here?

I was born in Brownsville, Texas (Puro 956) but moved a few years later when my mom joined the Air Force. We lived in Washington State and Dallas, Texas before we settled in San Antonio in 2005 when my stepdad got stationed here. I joined the Air Force in 2014 and lived in Colorado Springs for a few years until I moved back in 2017. The cost of living was too much for me to stay in Colorado and theres no H-E-B.

What do you think the AT&T Center should be renamed as?

Lila Cockrell Stadium
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Harvey Weinstein sent wide-ranging subpoenas to several of his Jane Doe accusers last month ordering them to either hand over documents ranging from personal emails with family members to financial statements or appear at a secret court hearing on July 21, prosecutors allege in a new filing obtained by Rolling Stone.

The subpoenas, sent to the womens lawyers, did not specifically inform the accusers they had a right under California law to oppose the demand, and Weinsteins lawyers did not inform prosecutors the subpoenas were pending, the filing from Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Paul Thompson says.

Thompson now is asking the court to kill the subpoenas.

At an in-chambers conference with Judge Lisa Lench on June 30, Thompson argued, The defense set a secret court date, has not consulted with the people about that court date, and has essentially required the Jane Does come to court on that court date to assert their rights. It is an absurd position to say that the people do not have a right to be involved in that process. Its completely improper to subpoena our charged victims to come to court on a date that we have not been consulted about.

Weinsteins lawyer Alan Jackson attended the same June 30 meeting and defended the way the subpoenas went out. We are not trying to hide the ball. Were trying to build our defense without blueprinting our defense to the prosecution, Jackson said, according to a transcript of the proceeding obtained by Rolling Stone.

Judge Lench told Jackson that she believed prosecutors were indeed entitled to notice because they have standing to make a motion to quash. She also said the Jane Does have specific rights under Marcys Law, also known as the California Victims Bill of Rights.

They have a right to refuse, and the prosecution has a right to articulate that refusal, and they cant possibly do that if they dont know about it, Judge Lench said.

The judge vacated the July 21 compliance date and ordered Jackson to notify the Jane Does. She set a follow-up hearing for Aug. 1, when Thompson is set to argue the motion to quash.

According to Thompsons motion, a Marcys Law attorney representing Jane Doe 1 sent a July 6 email to Weinsteins defense stating that Jane Doe 1 had invoked her right under California law to refuse to comply. On July 7, one of Weinsteins lawyers allegedly responded that we do not agree to withdraw the subpoena. We believe the documents and communications requested in the subpoena are relevant and discoverable.

Mark Werksman, another defense lawyer representing Weinstein, tells Rolling Stone, We are fighting for the right to a fair trial, and that requires that we be able to subpoena relevant and useful evidence that the prosecutors dont want us to have. We will of course obey the law, but we will not stop our efforts.

Werksman wrote in a Tuesday filing that it was manifestly false for Thompson to suggest Weinstein had attempted to circumvent court process by directly contacting the alleged victims.

The prosecutor knew that all the potential subpoena recipients had counsel; that their counsel were aware of the proposed subpoenas; that their counsel had not accepted service; that no one had contacted the witnesses; and that no one was being forced into court,' Werksman wrote in the filing.

Weinstein, 70, has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of sexual assault involving five unidentified victims in the case. The DAs office claims the disgraced movie producer raped three of the women  one of them on two separate occasions a year apart  and sexually assaulted two others during attacks at hotels in and around Beverly Hills between 2004 and 2013.

Now serving 23 years in prison after a New York jury convicted him in 2020 of felony sex crimes in Manhattan, Weinstein is set to begin his estimated eight-week trial in Los Angeles on Oct. 10.
The Alamo City prizes itself, and is often regarded, as being one of the best cities for Tex-Mex food. While San Antonio will forever fight for its claim on breakfast tacos, theres another type of taco that the city cant help but proudly represent.

Thats right, Im talking about puffy tacos.

In the latest video from Munchies, a dedicated food column from Vice, San Antonio was given high praise for its commitment to making puffy tacos just right. The video acknowledges that San Antonio is a hub where a mix of cultures came together and created a new culture in and of itself. With influence from Texas and Mexico (and other times from the states history, like the indigenous, French, and Germans), staples like puffy tacos came to be and have since been loved and devoured by locals and tourists alike.

In the video, Rose, a co-owner at Taco House, calls San Antonio the home of the puffy taco. Rose explains its popularity as being due to the mix of textures and flavor profiles that are possible due to the special masa used for the tortilla.

It is a San Antonio staple, she says, calling the city a hub of Tex-Mex favorites. Everybodys got to try it at least once.

Francisco Paco Gomez, the foodie tasting his way through the citys different offerings of the dish on behalf of Vice, also got some background on the dish from a rideshare driver named Antonio, who filled him in on the spots to try throughout the Alamo City.

Gomez admits that San Antonio is regarded as where the puffy taco was invented. He also stopped by Lalas Gorditas, where he spoke with Steven Pizzini. The San Antonian, whose father opened Taco Hut in the late 1950s, shared the process that the restaurant uses to make its puffy tacos, a process influenced by Aztec cooking and that uses a machine invented by his uncle nearly a century ago.

My grandmother brought this recipe up with her from Mexico, Pizzini tells Gomez. Its a lot of legacy.

While everyone that Gomez talks to can admit how iconic the puffy taco is, they also all agree that the dish is synonymous with San Antonio.

Its a very unique flavor profile here, Pizzini says. That Tex-Mex profile is San Antonio. It is the home of Tex-Mex.

Diana Barrios Trevino, whose family owns the local favorite Los Barrios restaurants, agrees, calling puffy tacos a little bit of heaven on a plate.

In San Antonio, Tex-Mex food is different from the rest of the world, she says, explaining that the citys location plays a role in its food culture even long after it became part of the U.S.

Barrios Trevino, who has kept the familys influence on San Antonios restaurant scene, says the family has more Mexico-influenced recipes from her mother, the late Viola Barrios, as well as Tex-Mex heavy recipes that she says are of a standard hard to find outside of San Antonio.

This is not something that my family invented, she says. We just perfected it.
Low rain continues to hurt Jacob's Well Natural Area's iconic swimming hole as it has hit one of it's worst recordings ever. The popular Hill Country swim spot isn't the only spot being hurt by the drought. The effects can be seen from space.

On Wednesday, July 27, Jacob's Well Natural Area, in Wimberley, announced via social media that Jacob's Well had zero cubic square-feet of flow discharge after a measurement completed by the U.S. Geologic Survey.

"It has been over a year since we've had recharging rain fall," said Hays County Parks Lead Parks Specialist Jay Taylor. Taylor said the last time Jacob's Well had a zero cubic square-foot flow discharge reading was in 2011.

The nature area is still open for guests to hike, view the spring, or do any other activity the park offers, but swimming is a no-go.

Park goers are voicing their concerns, a comment by Michelle Each says, "so sad! We were just swimming there in June!"

Reservations for guests to save a spot to swim in Jacob's Well began in March for the 2022 swim season, which is from May 1 to September 30. Swimming was closed earlier at Jacob's Well on June 28 due to the threat of high bacteria levels, poor visibility, and other pollutants, according to a MySA report.

Park guests that have made reservations can get their money back. On July 19, Hays County Commissioners approved the parks department to issue refunds to those people that already paid for a day to swim.

"This is beyond sad and scary," said Paula Gaddis Pulley in a comment. The drought is effecting the entire Hill Country area, which can be seen from space.

On Wednesday, the National Weather System released a "high-resolution, true color satellite" image, which shows a massive change in the "lush greenness" area of the Hill Country from July 23, 2021 to July 23, 2022. The area is now much browner and drier.

Other local watering spots with steady rivers flows are also battling the drought. Two weeks ago, San Antonio resident Stephan Overton was at the $5 Spot in Spring Branch and two weeks later he returned to a shell of it's former glory.

"So much for the $5 dollar spot. All dried up," Overton said in the video.
With Shark Week 2022 running from Sunday, July 24 to Saturday, July 30, we decided to share the craziest shark catches in Texas waters we've reported on so far this year. Shark Week is a yearly, week-long grouping of shark-related shows, documentaries, and movies that air on the Discovery Channel.

Featured annually, Shark Week was originally devoted to conservation efforts and correcting misconceptions about sharks. According to the Coastal Fisheries Division with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, about 40 shark species are swimming around the Texas waters.

Here are the catches we've reported on so far this year:

Christopher Cls Smith

The pier catch in Port Aransas

A Houston man saw the strangest thing he's ever seen while at a fishing pier in Port Aransas on July 6. Christopher Smith took a picture of a group of anglers who caught a shark and brought it up from the Keepers Port Aransas Fishing Pier.

Smith told MySA that he was concerned about how the anglers would conduct a safe release of the shark, which he believed was a bull or tiger shark. However, he said it was harvested and the meat was shared among the people who watched and helped bring the shark up.

Read more here.

Stevie Jo Tipton

Shark caught 100 yards away from shoreline

A beachgoer captured a moment when anglers reeled in a large shark 100 yards away from the shoreline at Surfside Beach on June 4. Stevie Jo Tipton told MySA that she witnessed the fishermen use a fishing pole to catch the shark and then release it shortly after.

"It was released and walked back out to the water," Tipton assured. "They stood there and made sure it was good before they came back in."

Read more here.

Christian Haltermann

The monster catch at PINS

After 36 hours of fishing, Christian Haltermann, a 36-year-old angler from Kyle, outside of Austin, reeled in a monster catch from the shores at Padre Island National Seashore on Saturday, May 14. Haltermann caught his personal best, a 12-foot-5-inch tiger shark.

The angler told MySA that he estimates the female tiger shark weighed over 1,000 pounds. Haltermann noted that he didn't have time to officially weigh the shark as he volunteers with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and only tags and releases sharks.

Read more here.

Michael Ploch

The 9.5-foot tiger shark in Port Aransas

A San Antonio angler reeled in a bucket list catch after landing a 9.5-foot tiger shark on the shores at Port Aransas beach on April 28. Local fisherman Michael Ploch told MySA that it was an "exhausting but exciting" two-hour fight.

Ploch said he used a drone to drop his baited hook near the end of the south jetty at the Texas beach. When the tiger shark hooked, Ploch said he walked his rod down the pier and toward his friend, Patrick Reyes from Poteet.

Read more here.
Maskot/Getty Images/Maskot

Texas joined a 22-state lawsuit against the Biden administration over new guidelines from the USDA on sex discrimination for schools and programs that receive federal nutritional assistance, a press release from Attorney General Ken Paxton said. On May 5, the USDA Food Nutrition Service (FNS) added discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to their prohibition on discrimination based on sex, a release from the organization said.

The new guidance orders state and local programs that receive funds from FNS to investigate allegations of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and update their policies to reflect the USDAs changes. Paxton said in the release that the new guidelines put Texas "Title IX and SNAP school lunch funding at risk. Texas received $6.28 billion in SNAP funding in 2020, according to a document provided with the lawsuit.
PHOENIX (AP)  The Biden administration on Thursday authorized completion of the Trump-funded U.S.-Mexico border wall in an open area of southern Arizona near Yuma that has become one of the busiest corridors for illegal crossings.

Biden had pledged during his campaign to cease all future wall construction, but the administration later agreed to some barriers, citing safety. The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday the work to close four wide gaps in the wall near Yuma will better protect migrants who can slip down a slope or drown walking through a low section of the Colorado River.

The agency said in a statement that Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas authorized completion of the project near the Morelos Dam, reflecting the administrations priority to deploy modern, effective border measures and also improving safety and security along the Southwest Border. It was initially to be funded by the Defense Department but will now be paid for out of Homeland Securitys 2021 budget.

The Border Patrol Yuma sector has quickly emerged as the third busiest of nine sectors along the border, with much of the traffic funneling through the Morelos Dam. Migrants arrive in the small town of Algodones and walk unencumbered across a concrete ledge on the dam to U.S. soil, where they wait for Border Patrol agents to take them into custody.

Completion of the wall was at the top of former President Donald Trump's agenda, and border security remains a potent issue for candidates of both parties going into this year's primary elections. President Joe Biden halted new wall construction after he took office, but he has since made closing the gaps just south of Yuma a priority.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, who is seeking his party nomination's next week to defend the seat in November, has pressed the Biden administration to close the gaps, calling them a challenge for officials trying to secure the border.

Agents stopped migrants more than 160,000 times from January through June in the Yuma sector, nearly quadruple from the same period last year. The only other sectors with more traffic were Del Rio and Rio Grande Valley in South Texas.

The area has been especially attractive to Colombians, Venezuelans and others who have flown to Mexicali, Mexico, and taken a short bus or taxi ride to Algodones to walk across the border before being released into the United States.

But Arizona environmentalist Myles Traphagen, who has been mapping ecological damage left by border wall construction under the Trump administration, said that closing the gaps wont be much of a deterrent.

Traphagen said the Yuma area has become the new Ellis Island for Arizona, with people arriving there from countries as disparate as Ethiopia, Cuba, Russia, Ukraine, India, Colombia and Nicaragua.

People have traveled half way around the globe on planes, trains and automobiles, he said, so to expect that closing four small gaps is going to make them turn around and book a return flight on Air Ethiopia is sheer fallacy.

A 5-year-old migrant girl crossing the water in a group drowned near the dam June 6 when she became separated from her mother. The childs body was later found in the river.

U.S. officials didn't release the girl's identity or nationality. But Jamaican newspapers have said she was believed to be from that country.

It was unclear when construction would begin. The statement said officials will move as expeditiously as possible, while still maintaining environmental stewardship by consulting affected parties.

Advocates in San Diego say the Border Patrol there has told them of plans to erect two 30-foot- (9.1-meter) high bollard-style barriers through the border's iconic Friendship Park. Like the Yuma project, the additional construction was funded during Trump's administration but not completed before his presidency ended.

The new barriers will replace shorter walls and severely impede cross-border views, including to San Diegos skyline from Tijuana, said the Rev. John Fanestil of Friends of Friendship Park, a group that advocates for public access to the binational park inaugurated in 1971 by-then first lady Pat Nixon.

Environmentalists like Traphagen, meanwhile, have called for removal of other sections of barrier they say hurt local wildlife like bobcats, mountain lions, javelinas and mule deer.

The Tucson-based Wildlands Network this week released a new report on sites along the U.S.-Mexico border that it considers in the greatest need of environmental restoration.

Traphagen, the group's borderlands program coordinator, traveled the international boundary across New Mexico, Arizona and California this and last year to identify damaged wildlife corridors and other environmental harm.

The group calls for native foliage to be replanted in areas that were stripped bare during wall construction, and widening spaces between steel borders, now just 4 inches (10 cm) apart, to allow more wildlife to pass through.

It also calls for the removal of 180 miles (290 km) of razor wire that were installed along pedestrian bollard fencing in all border states in 2019 and 2020 both as an eyesore and a danger to the public and wild animals.

___

Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat contributed to this report from San Diego.
TxDot Cameras

UPDATE: 5:50 p.m., Wednesday, July 27: A 70-year-old man was killed riding his motorcycle after he collided with another vehicle trying to turn off of Highway 151 and Alamo Ranch Parkway, according to the San Antonio Police Department.

San Antonio Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Washington Moscoso said the motorcyclist was heading eastbound 151 around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27, when he came to the traffic lights at the Westward Loop intersection in front of Casa Blanca. The motorcyclist had a green light but a maroon-colored sedan traveling westbound on 151 tried to turn left at the light and collided with the motorcycle.
After a video showing moms in Texas declaring they're ready to fight to vote Gov. Greg Abbott out of office, the Mothers Against Greg Abbott (MAGA) group has released a new video showing the "hard choice" a person makes when it comes to abortion.

The video was released on Monday, July 25, across social media depicting a fictional scenario where a woman and her significant other are told a decision needs to be made on terminating pregnancy. The doctor tells the woman and her significant other that the baby would be born with a "catastrophic brain abnormality."

The doctor in the video says the baby would only live hours after birth and experience "a multitude of seizures" and then inhale its own body fluids. But the decision to abort the pregnancy isn't up to the woman, the doctor says, it's up to "Greg."

"Who the f**k is Greg?" the man in the video asks.

The doctor then pulls out a phone that is supposed to be a direct line to Abbott and asks if the woman can have an abortion. The doctor says Abbott says "No" and walks out of the office with a "Best of luck to you."

The video then asks, "Whose choice should it be?"

MAGA, an obvious play on the President Donald Trump-era chant, is a political action committee started by Texas mother Nancy Thompson.

"The idea came about from our film team because we were trying to get a message across that not every abortion issue is black and white," Thompson says. "Its not always easy. Its a hard choice."

Thompson says this while pointing out that she believes people fail to consider that most parents do love a baby at conception, but sometimes these medical emergencies present themselves. She said she has had friends who lost their lives due to blood loss from pregnancy and birth.

Abortions in Texas have become illegal since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. Since then, confusion has ensued over miscarriages and abortion in cases where the birth poses a "reasonable risk" to the person.

Thompson referred back to the Uvalde massacre at Robb Elementary School, where 19 children and two teachers were killed by a gunman. She said Abbott's actions after the mass shooting show that he is not fighting for the rights of "babies" who die from gun violence

"The lives of women are not expendable," Thompson says. "I do think that most Texas women want what's best for their families. We need to fight for Texas families and take Texas back."
Courtesy CPS Energy

San Antonio and most of Texas trying to keep cool amid the heat wave put stress on the state's power grid last month, but it also strained people's coffers as CPS Energy bills increased by more than 50% in the month of June. Here's what you need to know.

CPS Energy residential bills saw an increase of $147 year over year to $225 in the month of June, the Express-News reports. Residents running their air conditioning to combat temperatures that reached over 100 degrees can be attributed to half of that bill increase.
Editor's note: The number of signees for the petition was corrected from 3,700 to 4,667. The former number is how many signed the petition but were not counted due to voter registration status. Mano Amiga is seeking to register these 3,700 signers for the November election.

A measure to decriminalize marijuana could be sent to the ballot for San Marcos voters depending on city council's decision in August. On Wednesday, July 27, the City of San Marcos certified a petition with 4,667 signatures to decriminalize marijuana offenses in the city, according to a Mano Amiga news release.

"Ive been following this campaign closely and I have seen the incredible and unprecedented effort put forth by community members. Volunteers worked in the blistering cold, pouring rain, scorching heat, and everything in between to create change," said San Marcos councilmember Alyssa Garza. "Clearly, a substantial portion of the San Marcos electorate has spoken and it is now the duty of City Council to afford voters the opportunity to approve it at the ballot box."

Photo by Eric Morales

San Marcos city clerk Liz Trevino sent a memo to council members on Wednesday, which said, "a new City of San Marcos ordinance to eliminate enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses is valid," according to a news release.

Mano Amiga and Ground Game Texas collected 4,667 signatures. However, some 3,700 of them were not counted due to voter registration status issues, such as being out of date, a Mano Amiga representative said. The coalition will now seek to register those who signed, but weren't counted, for the November election.

"As we prepare for the get out the vote phase of this campaign, our team looks forward to registering thousands of their campus peers to vote this Fall, which they have already proven profoundly talented at doing last March!" said Elle Cross, Right to Justice Coordinator with Mano Amiga.

Ground Game Texas political director Mike Siegel said in the release that the people-powered campaign focuses on a transparent policy that will halt tickets and arrest for low-level marijuana arrests.

"Not only will it reduce incarceration and protect San Marcos residents from biased police enforcement, however. This campaign is also engaging young voters and infrequent voters, and helping us identify thousands of local residents who care about public policy but need to update their registration," Siegel said. "We are excited to partner with Mano Amiga in this effort."

MySA reached out to the City of San Marcos for a comment on the petition.
John Raoux /AP

A Texas family is set to receive a major payout from a telecommunications company after an employee killed an elderly woman using a tool given on the job. This week, a jury in Dallas County found Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum, negligent in hiring a field technician who later killed Betty Thomas, one of the internet providers customers.

According to reports, former Spectrum employee Roy Holden Jr. robbed and stabbed 83-year-old Thomas inside her home in December 2019. The then-technician reportedly went back to Thomas home a day after helping her with a phone line, driving a Spectrum van and using a utility knife supplied by the company to fatally stab her multiple times.
At least 30 people have been killed in state police car chases connected to Texas expansive border security operation since it began last March, according to a new complaint by civil rights groups.

The death tally, which includes five people not involved in the chases, was compiled from news reports and sent Thursday to the U.S. Department of Justice in an official complaint of alleged civil rights violations. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project are pleading for federal intervention to halt policing practices under Gov. Greg Abbotts multibillion-dollar Operation Lone Star, including the deadly car chases and an abundance of traffic stops and searches that disproportionately target Latinos.

The Texas Department of Public Safety reported in December that in the nine months after troopers flooded the region searching for people smuggling drugs or people into the United States, its officers engaged in more than 1,000 vehicle pursuits in border communities.

In recent years, police chases have been scrutinized nationwide, and policing experts have encouraged departments to narrow their use, citing the danger they pose to police, suspects and bystanders. A DPS policy from 2017 and a spokespersons comments in December indicated the agency does not restrict when officers can chase a car, leaving the decision up to the individual officer.

The civil rights groups also allege troopers excessively pull over Latinos  who make up the vast majority of border county populations  for minor traffic violations. They argue troopers prolong stops of Latinos to search for illegal activity based solely on their ethnicity.

The allegations come on the heels of a state-imposed review of 2021 traffic stops released Monday. The analysis by Tarleton State University flagged DPS as possibly racially profiling Hispanics based on a disproportionate number of stops and searches, despite finding less contraband in cars with Hispanic drivers than white ones.

There is significant evidence that DPS is engaged in racial profiling  discriminating against Latinx drivers and passengers  in these stops, reads the federal complaint penned by the ACLU of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project. And, troublingly, the stops turn into deadly vehicle pursuits with alarming frequency.

DPS did not respond to questions sent Wednesday about its chase policies or complaints of racial profiling. Neither DPS nor Abbotts office immediately responded to the complaint Thursday.

Operation Lone Star was launched by Abbott to combat a rise in illegal immigration and what he argued were lax federal policies. Border counties said they were overwhelmed and either wanted humanitarian assistance for migrants or increased law enforcement, typically depending on whether they were in more Democratic or Republican areas. Abbott has focused on enforcement, but his operation to catch-and-jail migrants and accused smugglers has been marred by controversy and an ever-expanding price tag.

The civil rights groups complaint follows one they sent with other groups in December, which called for the DOJ to investigate the operation for its practice of arresting migrants en masse on potential trespassing charges and jailing them for weeks and months in state prisons. Congressional Democrats have also called for a federal investigation after repeated wrongful arrests, illegal detentions and due-process violations in the new criminal justice system for migrants were reported by The Texas Tribune.

This month, state records obtained by the Tribune and ProPublica revealed the federal agency is investigating the operation. Now, the civil rights groups want the same officials to also consider alleged civil rights abuses by DPS for its fatal car chases and alleged racial profiling.

Federal action is critically necessary to protect Black and Brown individuals caught up in the OLS migrant arrest program  and Latinx drivers and passengers in South Texas communities, the groups said in their complaint.

Texas governors have repeatedly sent law enforcement south for border security operations throughout state history. Although the increased police presence is meant to tackle human smuggling and drug trafficking, border residents also see a rise in traffic citations as police say they pull people over to investigate possible other crimes.

A KRGV-TV analysis of citations in the Rio Grande Valleys Starr County revealed there was a more than 1,000% increase in the number of citations for having things like stickers or tinting on a car windshield in the first months of Operation Lone Star.

This is an old tool being pulled out once again from the state to make a political point, said Erin Thorn, a senior attorney at the Texas Civil Rights Project. It just feels like a systemized way to further entrench that militarization, which affects border communities with harassment and fines and fees they cant afford.

The civil rights groups argued that DPS uses ethnicity alone as a reason to conduct more thorough searches after a traffic stop. From a sample of human smuggling arrest reports the groups received, they alleged there were multiple instances of officers prolonging a minor stop to investigate possible smuggling based on the occupants being Hispanic.

In one instance, an officer further investigated smuggling because he smelled an odor he said was distinct to undocumented immigrants due to sweat and being exposed to the environment. The civil rights groups argue the justification was plainly outrageous, and it is bias-based policing.

The allegations align with findings from a statewide study of traffic stop data initiated by the Texas Legislature. The Institute for Predictive Analytics in Criminal Justice of the Texas A&M University System showed DPS officers in 2021 were more likely to search Hispanic drivers than white ones, despite the searches of Hispanic drivers being less likely to turn up contraband than white drivers.

If you have a significant number of searches that you make on minorities, but most of them dont result in contraband being found, that is a big, big red flag for us, said Alex del Carmen, the director of the institute. Racial profiling is not necessarily based on who the officer stops, but what the officer does once the stop is made.

In Kinney County, whose leaders are vocal supporters of Abbotts operation and have jailed by far the most migrants for allegedly trespassing, a sheriffs spokesperson said residents are more tolerant of increased traffic stops. Matt Benacci said the community is aware drug cartel operatives have cloned vehicles, as was the case in San Antonio last month, when 53 migrants died after being trapped in a sweltering tractor-trailer imitating a Texas company truck.

But even residents who want more statewide enforcement of immigration in the Hispanic-majority county are unhappy with what seems to be daily high-speed chases through their sleepy town.

A lot of people are terrified that these kids are going to get run over, Benacci said. There are safety concerns about chases in the city limits and police driving over the speed limit without lights and sirens.

Those fears have come to light in other border communities. Of the 30 people killed and more than 70 injured in police chases involving DPS reported by the civil rights groups, five were in other vehicles but just happened to be on the same road as the pursuit. Other bystanders were hospitalized, including a child.

The groups argue that the departments lack of restrictions on chases has led to the tragedies, which surpassed the 23 deaths connected to U.S. Border Patrol in the entire southern border, from California to Texas, in 2021, according to ACLU data. DPS spokesperson Chris Olivarez said at a briefing in December that chases increased because smugglers are getting bolder.

Were starting to see this more often, a lot of these crashes, especially not only with the innocent bystanders as far as motorists, but were also seeing illegal immigrants that are being killed because of the way these human smugglers are transporting them, he said.

The departments most recently released policy for vehicle pursuits from 2017 is minimal, leaving the decision of chasing a fleeing person entirely up to individual officers without specific guidelines. The policy, which an agency spokesperson said in December was still in effect, does not meet best practices set by national policing groups, which suggest only chasing violent suspects who pose an imminent danger.

You have to ask yourself, what is the threat? said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum in Washington, D.C. Is the threat worth endangering the people youre chasing and the police officer who is chasing them? If something should happen, or a third party should somehow cross the street while this chase is going on and you kill that person, does that justify the pursuit?

Disclosure: The ACLU of Texas and the 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 Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Lambert and I, and many readers, agree that Ukraine has prompted the worst informational environment ever. We hope readers will collaborate in mitigating the fog of war  both real fog and stage fog  in comments. None of us need more cheerleading and link-free repetition of memes; there are platforms for that. Low-value, link-free pom pom-wavers will be summarily whacked.

And for those who are new here, this is not a mere polite request. We have written site Policies and those who comment have accepted those terms. To prevent having to resort to the nuclear option of shutting comments down entirely until more sanity prevails, as we did during the 2015 Greek bailout negotiations and shortly after the 2020 election, we are going to be ruthless about moderating and blacklisting offenders.

Yves

P.S. Also, before further stressing our already stressed moderators, read our site policies:

Please do not write us to ask why a comment has not appeared. We do not have the bandwidth to investigate and reply. Using the comments section to complain about moderation decisions/tripwires earns that commenter troll points. Please dont do it. Those comments will also be removed if we encounter them.

* * *

The Great Naturalist John Burroughs on the Art of Noticing and What Artists Can Learn from Naturalists The Marginalian

A Fed-induced recession is a medicine worse than the disease Claudia Sahm, FT

The Great Resignation Is Long Over Barry Ritholtz, The Big Picture

Faceblocked Matt Stoller, BIG

Sunset of the social network Axios (PR).

Listerine Royalties: The Origin Story and Valuation of a Uniquely Enduring Asset Invariant

Climate

A Seaweed Farming Boom Is Preparing Maine for Life After Lobsters Reasons to be Cheerful

#COVID19

Why Monkeypox Is a Threat to All of Us Bloomberg

China?

UK/EU

New Not-So-Cold War

AMLOs way Africa is a Country

Biden Adminstration

Guillotine Watch

Suburbanites Fight Over New Dinner Services in Mercedes Vans WSJ

Class Warfare

Bicycle graveyards: why do so many bikes end up underwater? Guardian

Penn Station Expansion is Based on Fraud Pedestrian Observations

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Sadly, charging Western leaders with incompetence has become a dog bites man story. Nevertheless, the consequences of all these screw-ups is so high that we feel compelled to chronicle them.

Well put the military mess in Ukraine to one side for now. Suffice it to say that Russia is beating a military trained and equipped to NATO standards over eight year, which had the additional advantage of building extensive, layered bunkers in Donbass. Russia is wearing it down with a peacetime expeditionary force, battle-hardened local militias, the Chechens, the Wagner Group (somewhere between volunteers and mercs) and most importantly lots of ammo and missiles. Russia has depleted Ukraines armored vehicles, heavy weapons, and seasoned fighters, as well as draining NATO caches, while reportedly manufacturing ammo and weapons at a rate so high that Russia is keeping up with the usage in the Special Military Operation. Russia has also demonstrated superiority to the West in missiles, missile defenses, and signal jamming. Yet somehow our strategists had convinced themselves that Russia was a military paper tiger, when that is increasingly looking like projection.

Apparently, the latest state of play is that Ukraine keeps shelling some bridges and a dam in Kherson. Bridges and dams are very sturdy, so realistically the worst Ukraine is likely to do is take a roadway or railway out of commission for a bit (one of the bridges under attack may be damaged to that degree). It appears the Ukraine forces there arent large or cohesive enough to launch the much-bruited August offensive, at least not big enough to do more than make some short-term gains. The most credible interpretation is that this effort is yet more PR: by going (not effectively) against visible targets, Ukraine is trying to persuade the locals that they still could return.

Things look even less good for Ukraine in Donbass. Military Summary reports that Russia has broken though in the southern part of the former zero line on the front that is ultimately defending Slaviansk and Kramatorsk, the final areas to be cleared in the Donestsk oblast. Military Summary also reports that there are many video of large-scale evacuation of Slaviansk and Kramatorsk. The Russian forces also started an aggressive assault on the very-well-bunkered defenses just to the west of Donetsk city, and are reported to have broken through part of that defense line. Its been an embarrassment to Russia that Ukraine has continued to shell civilians in Donetsk. Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu promised a few weeks back that Russia would Do Something.

EUs Gas Insanity

The EU and US both still appear unable to accept that having failed to kill Russia with their shock and awe sanctions, they are now caught in their own booby trap by reducing access to Russia commodities, particularly ones on which they depend like gas, oil, fertilizers, neon, titanium, aluminum, platinum, palladium.

And then they get pissy when Russia is less than fully cooperative in continuing to supply them, even as they also threaten to stop/reduce buying from Russia (admittedly on largely imaginary timelines).

Gas in the UK and Europe is already entering crisis mode, in the summer, yet all the officials seem able to do is announce unrealistic schemes. In the meantime, the shortages train is bearing down on the EU economy and its citizens. And Russia is not only winning the gas war but also the large PR war around it outside the collective West.

Recall that Germany, with Italy is one of the two EU countries most dependent on Russian gas. Recall also that the European Commission announced the EU would reduce its Russian gas buys by 2/3 by year end. DW triumphally reported, Russian gas edging toward extinction in Europe.

It now seems churlish for Europe to be mad at Russia for helping them to achieve that end. Prices of over 2200 Euros per 1000 cubic meters, the peak over the last few days, will most assuredly cut demand. That contrasts with 100 Euros per 1000 cubic meters in early 2020 and 250 Euros per 1000 cubic meters in early 2021.

Admittedly Europe did take some key moves on its own.

First, at least Germany and perhaps some other countries too were cheating on how one counted the reduce gas purchases by 2/3 by year end by increasing their deliveries in March and April and acknowledging they were stockpiling.

Germany stole Gazprom Germania assets, which led to Russian counter-sanctions. I have yet to see any data on how much impact that had.

Poland and Bulgaria stopped buying gas directly from Russia, allegedly because they didnt want to play gas for roubles. Instead of buying gas from Russia at spot prices, they instead shifted to buying it from Germany at a markup over Germanys price under long-term contract, which was lower than the old direct from Russia price. So its hard to take Polands sanctimoniousness about We are not violating sanctions seriously.

Now let us turn to the Nord Stream 1 row. Nord Stream 1 supplied roughly 55 billion cubic meters annually to Europe (I have seen varying estimates of total buys from Russia, ranging from 140 billion cubic meters to 155 billion). Russia cut the supply (first reported as by 40% then as to 40% and I still not sure which is correct) on that pipeline due its famous part taking a jaunt to a spa in Canada and then being detained there. Siemens confirmed the part was being fixed. Europeans grumble that Russia didnt need to cut the gas so much but no one (importantly not Siemens) has said otherwise.

Putin said at least twice, starting >3 weeks ago, that there was another sick part. One can argue that Gazprom was remiss in not getting its parts serviced sooner, given that that was permitted under its contract with Siemens. But given what happened to the world-touring turbine, one cant say definitively that Gazprom was acting in bad faith in waiting after the fate of its stranded part was in doubt.

So Gazprom has further cut its supply to 33 million cubic meters a day (yes, a different time frame) versus pipeline capacity of 160 million cubic meters a day. So a bit over 20%.

So lets go back to the annual math. 55 billion cubic meters x an 80% reduction is 44 billion cubic meters. OMG how awful! Some of that might come back if Gazprom gets its fixes made, but the EU top brass appears to have written that off.1

The part that EU leaders and the press conveniently omit is that the EU has lost 34 billion cubic meters of thanks to no fault of Russia. Thats the annual supply that went formerly through Yamal-Europe. Bet hardly any of you recall hearing that name.

Yamal-Europe has two trunks. One goes through Lugansk Republic, then Ukraine. Even though the Special Military Operation started at the end of February, and a junction at issue was then in separatist hands, Ukraine one day got the bright idea of cutting supply to Europe because those untrustworthy separatists. Mind you, Ukraine steals gas from the Gazprom pipeline to the degree that Gazprom shut it off for a while to try to teach Ukraine a lesson. But Ukraine made it sound as if the pipeline assets were imperiled, not that Lugansk might steal gas for its own nefarious purposes. Even though that was nasty to Europe, not a critical word was spoken.

Oh, and remember our discussion of Poland pretending not to buy gas from Russia but instead buying gas out of Germanys supply? They were the big buyer on the other Yamal-Europe trunk. So when they told Russia they werent paying for gas, Russia cut off that supply.

And also remember that Putin has repeatedly offered to open up Nord Stream 2. Its capacity is double that of Nord Stream 1. Nord Stream 2 was good to go except for a final certification which was delayed due to US pressure (the US took other moves to interfere earlier, like trying to prevent financing, so if I recall correctly, Russia took care of that). Scholz gave Putin a non-answer about two months ago. Putin mentioned his offer again, last week, but said Russia was using half the capacity now and would take up more if Europe waited too long. Even half of Nord Stream 2 would be more than the shortfall on Nord Stream 1.

Even though German national leaders, above all the Greens, reject the idea of resorting to Nord Stream 2 with extreme hostility, seven mayors from the island of Reugen wrote a letter asking for Nord Stream 2 to be put to use. Expect to see more of this sort of noise.

Now even if you can say that Russia is being nefarious and trying to screw Europe over its sanctions, they should hardly be surprised if Russia were retaliating. The US has admitted Ukraine is a proxy war. American and other national leaders act as if they can get Russians to rise up and turf out Putin, as if that would be so good for the West. All of his conceivable replacements are more hawkish. The West has also shown blatant, multi-faceted Russia hatred, and expressed a desire to break up Russia, presumably so as to better loot it, like in the good old Yeltsin days. Even if Russia is playing gas games, it has still been comparatively measured in its responses.

And the non-collective-West observers will not be too sympathetic with Europe. Europe cut off Yamal-Europe. They are refusing the not-at-all-required Russian offer of Nord Stream 2 (which Russia can service itself, no need for parts to go on international treks). Its pretty likely that most will conclude Europe could get the gas if it wanted to but is cutting off its nose to spite its face.

Europe is trying to pretend that it can manage a winter of energy starvation. Alexander Mercouris discussed the Financial Times report on the EUs plan, where they were all chuffed because everyone ex Hungary agreed so quickly.

They could agree so quickly because the plan is a napkin doodle.

First, its effective in the event of a complete shutoff of Russian gas. Russia is still providing 12 billion cubic meters a year to Europe though TurkStream, and apparently also another 14 billion cubic meters of LNG (note all the sources I have identified so far are at least 26 billion cubic meters short, so there appear to be other gas routes missing). Na ga happen unless the EU makes it happen.

Second, the EU vowed to lower gas consumption by 15% from August 1 to the end of March, or 45 billion cubic meters.

Did you miss the elephant in the room? To lower gas consumption starting August 1, as in next Monday, the EU would have had to have started on detailed planning and implementation, particularly legal and regulatory, at least six months ago! This plan is a con.

Third, the math also does not appear to work. problem is theyve already lost Yamal-Europe, and it will be nearly a full year of supply by the end of March next year, so 34 billion cubic meters from that alone. The problems with Gazprom will be less than a full year, so assume 3/4 of a year of 60% loss. Thats another 25 billion cubic meter shortfall. So they plan to cut 45 billion cubic meters when they look likely to be nearly 60 billion cubic meters short. There were optimistic projection that the US could provide 15 billion cubic meters of LNG but production facility outages and other issues make that look outdated.

In other words, there looks to be a gap using reasonable extrapolations from the current situation, let alone the full cutoff it pretends to address.

Fourth, the 15% reduction has lots of carveouts, so even on paper, it probably wont get to a 45 billion cubic meter cut. From the pink paper:

Depending on the exemptions that would be ultimately invoked, the overall reduction would be between 38bn and 43bn cubic metres, one official said, citing internal estimates.

Fifth, the scheme is VOLUNTARY! This is all empty talk! Each country has to act on its own. Do you think that countries that are better positioned will make their citizens suffer more than they need to and share with others? I wouldnt bet on it. Again from the Financial Times:

The compromise includes clauses that put the power to make the targets binding in the hands of EU capitals and reducing the length of time that the gas reduction plan would be in place from two years to one.

Sixth, this problem is going to be significantly solved by Mr. Market, and not in a very nice way. I havent seen current gas prices, but I believe they are still over 1700 Euros per 1000 cubic meters. If that level is sustained or worsens, well see all sorts of pain and dislocations, starting with business cutbacks and failures. That then rolls into rises in unemployment, collapses in tax revenues, loan defaults, and banking system stress. There will be mounting economic costs by the start of October, if not sooner.

Oil Lunacy

Because we had so much fun with gas, I will be much more terse on the remaining topics.

The G-7 is refusing to drop its widely-ridiculed oil price cap scheme. From Reuters:

The Group of Seven richest economies aim to have a price-capping mechanism on Russian oil exports in place by Dec. 5, when European Union sanctions banning seaborne imports of Russian crude come into force, a senior G7 official said on Wednesday.

Given the high odds of Europe being in a major economic crisis by October-November if it refused to relent and agrees to open up Nord Stream 2, the odds favor this dopey plan being quietly shelved. If it does go ahead, it will simply add to damage in Europe, since Russia has said it wont sell oil at a capped price.

If this idea still goes ahead, Russia by then will have worked out how to have the Russian government insure tankers, so it could presumably still supply oil to friendlieswho still would launder it back to the EU. So it is possible that less will change than it appears now. But Russia probably would cut output to send a message.

As an aside, this entire idea is based on the notion that reducing Russian oil revenues will severely damage Russias ability to wage war. The oil and gas sectors together account for 15% to a bit over 20% of GDP, depending on prices. So oil alone is lower.

Russia chooses to rely heavily on oil for taxes, not out of necessity, but out of the old principle, Taxation is the art of plucking the most feathers with minimum hissing. Russia could tax other commodities or other exports or even more purely domestic sources. For instance, it imposed a windfall profits tax on Gazprom. So this perception of dependence is another misunderstanding of Russia. Yes, it might be a nuisance to shift taxation somewhat away from oil in the unlikely event that were to look prudent, but it would not be catastrophic.

Oh, and on top of this oil cap scheme expected to goose oil prices instead, analysts are already expecting more demand for oil in 2023, since the US will have to replace the oil it removed from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

American Scheduling Bumbles

This topic is tertiary, but it indicates a lack of competence in basic staff work. Quite a few Chinese media outlets were saying as of yesterday that China had not confirmed that the Biden-Xi call for Thursday was on, and the articles strongly implied that that was unusual. The fact and timing of the call was confirmed by the White House only as of this morning, barely an hour before the call time (8:30 AM EDT). This looks messy. Our readers who know official protocol please weigh in.

I personally think if China is as serious as it seems to be about making an aggressive military response if Pelosi and now others were to visit Taiwan, the best way for Xi to have conveyed the message would have been to refused the call as premature. Xi is not the type to stoop to being blunt enough to penetrate Bidens hubris and stubbornness.

The reason for taking note of the Chinese side apparently digging in its heels over some hidden process issue (I assume there was a procedure issue in addition to substantive; as again indicated, the strongest way to signal Chinese displeasure would be to put off the chat) is if my surmise is correct, it is not an isolated case. Kevin W noticed another gaffe in AntiWar:

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that he will speak with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, although Blinken said the conversation will not be a negotiation about Ukraine. Later in the day, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that there have not yet received requests for a Blinken-Lavrov call. There have been no requests, only media reports, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

More evidence, as if it were really needed, that the crowd in charge in the US lacks manners as well as common sense.

____

1 The odds favor Gazprom turning the taps back up at some point, for the fun of literally gaslighting Europe and to play to China, India, and the Global South: See, we gave them more gas when we could.
Yves here. Those dark delivery trucks are already bake ovens. And in a place like New York City, the buildings and pavement also radiate heat. The article describes heat-induced driver hospitalizations and even a death. How long will this continue before UPS and Fedex and Amazon are forced to change? It wont come voluntarily. Workplace conditions have been at the bottom of their list of priorities.

By Claudia Irizarry Aponte and Samantha Maldonado. Originally published at THE CITY on July 27, 2022

A UPS worker delivers packages in the Financial District, July 27, 2022. Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

UPS workers are turning up the heat on their employer after their union said at least six package delivery drivers in the New York City region experienced heat-related illness on the job during last weeks heat wave.

Chris Cappadonna, 26, says he sought emergency care for heat exhaustion an hour into his shift Thursday morning in Brooklyn. With outside temperatures nearing 100 degrees, he started experiencing difficulty breathing and cramped hands, he told THE CITY.

He said he was moving heavy furniture in Mill Basin and was about to pass out when two city sanitation workers, who apparently noticed he was struggling, stopped him and came to his aid.

They let Cappadonna sit in their air-conditioned truck to cool off, and he later went to an urgent care and then the emergency room at Mount Sinai Kings Highway, he said.

Ive been working for two years and Ive never felt heat like that. That was crazy, Cappadonna said. Its just not a good situation for anybody to be working in that heat.

He and other workers say UPS management is not taking needed measures to protect them from the heat, whether thats ensuring their trucks have fans or air conditioning, or giving them adequate breaks during heat waves.

Theyre steamed that the company has invested in new automation technology, drones, surveillance cameras and tracking devices  but not its employees comfort One worker told THE CITY a supervisor reprimanded him for taking a 47-second pause for a sip of water  because it was stealing company time.

UPS workers represented by Local 804 and Teamsters Joint Council 16 will protest outside the companys Foster Avenue warehouse in Canarsie, Brooklyn, on Thursday morning, demanding that the company provide air-conditioned trucks  something many drivers for Amazon, FedEx and even the U.S. Postal Service can take for granted.

Their call comes as New York state and federal regulators are taking a closer look at how to protect vulnerable workers from the ever-growing threat of extreme heat.

Atlanta-headquartered UPS remains the largest private parcel delivery company in the United States, with 450,000 delivery drivers.

A company spokesperson says UPS pays attention to keeping its workers healthy in the heat.

The health and safety of our employees is our highest priority. UPS drivers are trained to work outdoors and to manage the effects of hot weather, UPS spokesperson Matthew OConnor said in a statement to THE CITY. Preparation, rest, hydration and maintaining good health practices are key to working outdoors.

I Cant Take it Anymore

Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause serious health complications and even death. Emissions from burning fossil fuels cause average temperatures to rise, with scientists predicting that heat waves will become longer and more frequent in the future.

Workers need protection with or without climate change, but climate change is definitely making everything more urgent, said Juanita Constible, senior climate and health advocate with National Resources Defense Councils healthy people and thriving communities program.

Last Thursday afternoon, Brooklyn UPS worker Angelique Dawkins, 50, sought respite at a nail salon after she started hyperventilating while driving her truck down 13th Avenue in Dyker Heights. Exhausted, she said fell asleep for 20 minutes before continuing her shift.

Were told to cool down, drink water, sit in the shade  when the temperatures that high, there is no shade, she later said in an interview. You get to the point where you say, I cant take it anymore.

This month in Pasadena, Calif., UPS driver Esteban Chavez collapsed in his truck shortly after making his final delivery of the day and was later pronounced dead. His family told local media they suspect the 24-year-old died of heat stroke.

Two more UPS workers, one on Long Island and another in Brooklyn, say they were rushed to the hospital with symptoms of heat exhaustion on Thursday and Friday.

Nick Gubell, 26, had delivered more than 200 packages on his route spanning central Long Island by the time he fell ill at around 8 p.m. Thursday, near the end of his shift, with a headache and clammy hands.

He was panting like a dog, Gubell told THE CITY.

Paramedics called onto the scene ripped open his shirt and covered him in ice packs, he said. He remained in the hospital until 2 a.m. and missed work that day.

Gubell is also the worker who had been scolded for the water break.

And on Friday, a UPS driver in Red Hook who declined to be named out of fear of retaliation, was rushed to urgent care and later to the emergency room by an off-the-clock co-worker and a supervisor after experiencing a dizzy spell while working that afternoon as the temperature reached 95 degrees.

When its hot out, those trucks. Its like walking into hell, he said.

This is a company that in the past  forever  has always insisted on performance on how fast their drivers and warehouse workers could work, Vincent Perrone, president of Teamsters Local 804, which represents the regions UPS workers, told THE CITY on Wednesday. Its just production-driven. Thats what it is.

OConnor, the UPS spokesperson, said in a statement: We never want our employees to continue working to the point that they risk their health or work in an unsafe manner.

From Hot to Not

Under the federal Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers must provide workplaces free from hazards that are likely to cause death or physical harm. Still, nearly 400 workers across the country died from heat exposure between 2010 and 2020.

We know its a pretty basic equation in terms of how to keep people safe, and if someone dies on the job because of the heat related illness, it typically was a preventable death, and its tragic, said Rachel Licker, a principal climate scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists climate and energy program, who has done extensive research on heats dangers to workers.

OConner, the UPS spokesperson, said the company had several practices in place to protect workers from extreme heat, including a program developed with OSHA promoting best practices to deal with heat, as well as daily briefings on the days forecast.

He also added that the company has studied heat mitigation with our vehicles and installed forced air systems with venting to create air flow around the driver, changed the roof of vehicles to minimize heat in the cargo area, and insulated the roof of the cab.

He also said the company provides fans to drivers upon request. Perrone, the Local 804 president, said that approvals for the fans are in fact very rare.

OSHA in October began a rulemaking process to create a possible federal workplace heat standard in an attempt to protect people who work in agriculture, construction, factories, warehouses, kitchens and delivery.

A workplace heat standard could mandate workers take paid work breaks as well as have access to sufficient shade and drinking water.

But it may take years for a standard to be created  absent federal legislation to speed up the timeline  and subsequent administrations could overturn or change the standard, Licker said.

States can take the lead on instituting workplace protections related to heat, but New York lacks specific protections. A bill introduced in the state Senate wouldve required employers to keep their employees safe from extreme heat, but it did not pass.

Still, the federal rulemaking is shaping New Yorks creation of state-level actions and regulations on worker safety during extreme heat, according to a state report of interim recommendations to prepare for extreme heat, released Saturday.

To really protect workers, we need a statewide temperature standard that sets restrictions on dangerously low and dangerously high temperatures for workers, said Charlene Obernauer, executive director of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health.
My Nashville Post role has evolved since 2000 when I joined the now-defunct The City Paper. TCP became a Post sister publication in 2008 (when I began doing some Post work) and folded in 2013. I have been managing editor of the Post since late 2011.

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KateLynn White graduated from Tennessee State University, where she was an editor of the student newspaper. She interned for The Tennessean and The Tennessee Tribune before joining the Nashville Post in 2022. She also contributes to the Nashville Scene.

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(Natural News) In an interview Monday on The HillTVs Rising, Dr. Anthony Fauci claimed that he didnt recommend locking anything down through the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci is, of course, free to claim what he wants and spin history however he pleases, but hes not entitled to his own facts.

First of all, I didnt recommend locking anything down. Fauci joining others in the COVID expert crew trying to rewrite history. pic.twitter.com/litXRelNb3  Spencer Brown (@itsSpencerBrown) July 26, 2022

In no particular order, here are 9 times Dr. Fauci made public statements that included recommending or affirming lockdown and closure decisions due to COVID-19.

(Article by Spencer Brown republished from TownHall.com)

1. Told then-President Trump to shut down the entire country  October 6, 2020

When it became clear that we had community spread in the country, with a few cases of community spread  this was way before there was a major explosion like we saw in the Northeastern corridor driven by New York City metropolitan area  I recommended to the president that we shut the country down, Fauci  data-origwidth=800 data-origheight=450>told students at his alma mater when asked about the most crucial decision hed made. Unfortunately, since we actually did not shut down completely the way China did, the way Korea did, the way Taiwan did, we actually did see spread even though we shut down.

2. Gave his blessing for Bill de Blasios plan to extend the closure of New York City schools  April 12, 2020

Mayor Bill de Blasio made the momentous decision to keep New York Citys 1,800 public schools closed through the end of June. He told just a select few, including Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the countrys top infectious disease expert, who gave his blessing, reported The New York Times.

3. Attacked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for considering reopening schools  April 10, 2020

If you have a situation where you dont have a real good control over an outbreak and you allow children together, they will likely get infected, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during the daily news briefing of the White House coronavirus task force, POLITICO reported.

4. Said schools should stay closed to prevent the spread of COVID while endorsing remote learning  August 4, 2020

There may be some areas where the level of virus is so high that it would not be prudent to bring children back to school, Fauci said.

8/4/20 Fauci on schools: There may be some areas where the level of virus is so high that it would not be prudent to bring children back to school. In clip, he endorses Zoom education & school closures in areas w/ COVID transmission. Fauci has never been for full reopening. pic.twitter.com/eORstr2Lf8  Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.substack.com (@JordanSchachtel) November 30, 2020

5. Called for bars to be closed when he finally said schools should be open  August 13, 2020

You have a choice  either close the bars or close the schools. Because, if you have people congregating in bars, its likely youre going to stay red, Fauci said in a line that he repeated again in November 2020 on ABC News World News Tonight.

Close the bars and keep the schools open, Dr. Anthony Fauci says, adding that while there is no solution that is one size fits all, the best way to ensure the safety of the children in school is to get the community level of the spread low. https://t.co/kUSbAXCqpEpic.twitter.com/47TC3QuLp5  World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) November 29, 2020

6. Said states should shut down depending on the level of COVID spread  July 9, 2020

Any state that is having a serious problem, that state should seriously look at shutting down, Fauci said without singling any state out because, according to Fauci, [i]ts not for me to say because each state is different, according to CNBC.

Read more at: TownHall.com
(Natural News) The FBIs investigation into Hunter Biden wrongly labeled verified evidence as disinformation, agency whistleblowers claimed.

(Article by Jerry Dunleavy republished from WashingtonExaminer.com)

Agents investigating President Joe Bidens son opened an assessment which was used by an FBI headquarters team to improperly discredit negative Hunter Biden information as disinformation and caused investigative activity to cease, according to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Grassley revealed the claim after his office received a significant number of protected communications from highly credible whistleblowers about the investigation. The Republican claimed one of the communications shows verified and verifiable derogatory information on Hunter Biden was falsely labeled as disinformation.

FBI supervisory intelligence agent Brian Auten opened in August 2020 the assessment that was later used by the agency, according to the disclosures. One of the whistleblowers claimed the FBI assistant special agent in charge of the Washington field office, Timothy Thibault, shut down a line of inquiry into Hunter Biden in October 2020 despite some of the details being known to be true at the time.

A whistleblower also said Thibault ordered closed an avenue of additional derogatory Hunter Biden reporting, according to Grassley, even though all of the reporting was either verified or verifiable via criminal search warrants. The senator said Thibault ordered the matter closed without providing a valid reason as required and that FBI officials subsequently attempted to improperly mark the matter in FBI systems so that it could not be opened in the future, according to the disclosures.

Whistleblowers alleged investigators from an FBI headquarters team were in communication with FBI agents responsible for the Hunter Biden information targeted by Mr. Autens assessment and that their findings on whether the claims were true or disinformation were placed in a restricted access sub-file in September 2020, according to the senator.

The whistleblower disclosures appear to indicate that there was a scheme in place among certain FBI officials to undermine derogatory information connected to Hunter Biden by falsely suggesting it was disinformation, Grassley said. The new allegations, summarized by Grassley in a Monday letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray, were previously unknown.

The new information comes after Auten was involved in the Trump-Russia investigation, including interviewing Igor Danchenko, the alleged main source for British ex-spy Christopher Steeles dossier in 2017. Congressional sources confirmed to the Washington Examiner that Auten is the Supervisory Intel Agent from DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitzs 2019 report on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act abuse.

Grassley said the volume and consistency of the whistleblower allegations substantiate their credibility. The claims come as the U.S. attorneys office in Delaware is reportedly nearing a decision on whether to charge Hunter Biden, who has denied any wrongdoing.

Read more at: WashingtonExaminer.com
(Natural News) To protect the climate from warming, the government of Ireland has decided to join the Netherlands in forcing its farmers to cull their herds because of carbon emissions.

Nitrogen and other natural elements exist in and around cattle and farms, and according to Irish officials these have got to go in order to save the world from having to experience a climate that changes from time to time.

Upwards of 28 percent of the countrys emissions  as the government defines those emissions, just to be clear  will have to be eliminated. And the number-one sector that will bear the brunt of these changes is farming, aka the people who produce food for the population.

For some time now, Irelands green political leaders have been haggling over how much damage to inflict upon farmers and ranchers throughout the country, which are having to bear all the blame for everything bad that happens with the climate  just like the Dutch government is doing.

Charlie McConalogue, Irelands Minister for Agriculture, is already planning to force an either 27 or 28 percent cut to the nations farming sector, which will greatly disrupt and upend local businesses, not to mention damage an already fragile food supply.

Some even further-left interests are pushing for a 30 percent cut, which would likely devastate the nations food economy past the point of recovery  which seems to be the goal, quite frankly.

A target of 30 percent would result in significantly reduced production, which could devastate the farming sector in Ireland, warned Irish Farmers Association president Tim Cullinan.

You will starve and you will have to accept it

Even at 28 percent, the food supply and farming sector in Ireland would not be business as usual, one news outlet reported, resulting in drastic changes to the countrys landscape.

The targets assigned to each sector must be proportionate and reflective of the overall contribution, added Department of Agriculture chief inspector Bill Callanan during a recent parliamentary committee meeting.

Unlike in other sectors where technologies and / or lifestyle changes can be utilized, there are no silver-bullet solutions to reducing emissions from the agriculture and land use sector.

The Dutch approach is even more extreme than Irelands as officials there aim to trim down agriculture by as much as 95 percent in some areas. The Netherlands is a large agricultural economy, by the way, without which the country will more than likely collapse.

For some reason, they arent coming after the airlines or other industries that actually are contributors to these emissions apart from the Dutch farmers, said political commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek in a recent interview.

They are saying that the farmers need to give up 30 per cent of their land by 2030 and for a lot of these farmers that means they will go completely out of business depending on where they are in the country, and that land goes to the state, surprise, surprise.

Vlaardingerbroek, who is Dutch herself, says farmers in her country are having their land and livelihoods stolen by the government. The result is oftentimes multi-generational farms coming to an end, leaving families destitute with no way to survive.

These are businesses that they have had in their families for centuries on end because the farming industry in the Netherlands is very strong, Vlaardingerbroek further explained, noting that Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is tied to Klaus Schwabs World Economic Forum (WEF), which is pushing a great reset.

Population reduction by starvation policy? asked someone in the comments about the true endgame with all this.

The latest news about the engineered destruction of the global food supply can be found at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) A new prospective observational study that includes over 223,000 participants from Southern Brazil has found that ivermectin reduces covid-19 mortality by 92%. Ivermectin use was associated with reductions not only in COVID-19 mortality, but also in hospitalizations as well as infection rates.

As a prophylactic, ivermectin was found to be more effective in a dose-dependent manner. As the dose of ivermectin increased, patients were more likely to recover from covid-19. Preliminary evidence also shows that patients recover faster on ivermectin.

Thousands of lives saved in Southern Brazil using ivermectin

The latest study on ivermectin was conducted in Southern Brazil, in the city of Itajai. In the study of confirmed covid-19 cases, 45,716 subjects (28.7%) did not use ivermectin and 113,844 subjects (71.3%) did use ivermectin. Out of those who used ivermectin to treat covid-19, 33,971 (29.8% of users) took the medicine irregularly. Irregular use was classified as dosages not exceeding 60mg. The most important group in the study were the 8,325 subjects who used ivermectin regularly. Regular use was classified as dosages greater than 180mg. Intermediate users included 71,548 (62.9%) of the ivermectin group and included dosages between 60mg and 180mg. This group was not compared in the study.

The study found that covid-19 infection was 49% lower for those who used ivermectin regularly when compared to non-users and was 25% lower when compared to irregular users. Furthermore, the infection rate was 32% lower for irregular users than non-users. Ivermectin was more effective for regular users, even though regular users were older on average and had pre-existing conditions such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. This is great news for individuals who are higher risk. Individuals who are deemed high risk have been coerced and manipulated into taking ineffective and harmful vaccinations to feel safe. Ivermectin has proven to be a more efficacious treatment for those who have pre-existing conditions.

The same positive trends were found for both covid-19 hospitalization and mortality. The hospitalization rate was reduced by 100% for regular ivermectin users, when compared to non-users and irregular users. Moreover, irregular users were 29% less likely to be hospitalized than non-users. Most importantly, the mortality rate for regular users was 84% lower than irregular users and 92% lower than non-users! There was even a 51% reduction in mortality for irregular users over non-users.

The authors of the study concluded: Non-use of ivermectin was associated with a 12.5-fold increase in mortality rate and seven-fold increased risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to the regular use of ivermectin in a PSM comparison of a strictly controlled population. This dose-response efficacy reinforces the prophylactic effects of ivermectin against COVID-19.

The conspiracy against efficacious treatments continues, as regulatory agencies enforce criminal enterprise

Ivermectin is more than a horse de-wormer. This inexpensive medicine is also approved by the FDA as an anti-parasitic agent for humans. Anti-parasitic agents often possess anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties that help the immune system fight common infections. However, a quick Google search of ivermectin quickly displays propaganda about its efficacy and use. The FDA is the greatest offender. This agency is captured by the very industry it was intended to regulate. This is apparent because the FDA routinely downplays ivermectins role for treating covid-19 while pushing out propaganda to sell more lucrative drugs and ongoing vaccine programs.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have spent tremendous resources trying to bury evidence on the efficacy of this inexpensive medication. Despite being vilified by the most powerful public health agencies, ivermectin has been the center focus of multiple independent studies for treating covid-19. The cumulative data show that ivermectin is a more efficacious treatment for covid-19 than the governments current protocol. These compromised regulatory agencies have forced inhumane, fraudulent and deadly protocols on people during this ongoing national emergency which has only wrought unethical, limitless liability protections for hospitals and vaccine makers, a tidal wave of propaganda, colossal pharmaceutical racketeering, money laundering, medical fraud, and an ever-increasing death count that the government psychotically advertises to justify their destructive actions.

Sources include:

SteveKirsch.substack.com

NaturalNews.com

ResearchGate.net

FDA.gov

IVMMeta.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Oh, the lengths the vaccine industrial complex will go to sell Americans on getting injected with experimental, toxic prions for the ultimate scamdemic, the Wuhan Flu. As of late, Novavax has created a fourth Fauci-Flu jab that incorporates tree bark and moth cells, clearly trying to make the vaccine sound natural which is stupid, because you dont go around INJECTING tree sap into your blood.

This is just a sinister attempt at trying to make experimental COVID vaccines sound like they are herbal medicine. What a joke. Realizing nobody trusts Bill Gates/CCP death jabs anymore, and since people do trust NATURAL medicine, Novovax is trying to position their new virus stab as herbal. One major problem. In herbal medicine, we dont INJECT herbs into our blood. Nice try pharma goons.

4th COVID-19 vaccine using spike proteins already authorized in US

A Big Pharma shill at the University of Nebraska Medical Center says diversity in vaccine production should convince people who are terrified of mRNA and other deadly allergens in COVID jabs to get injected with some new proteins from moths and trees that allegedly and magically prevent you from catching China Flu, or spreading it, or getting a bad case of it, or something like that.

Dont be fooled. The Novavax vaccine does use coronavirus spike proteins (SARS-CoV-2 antigens) to influence the immune system to create antibodies. There is ZERO proof this protects against future COVID-19 infection, or any of its variants, for that matter.

The scientists basically put the SARS-CoV-2 genes into an insect virus, infecting the moth cells until it begins replicating them. Then they extract the spike proteins and claim this is the traditional way to get the purified spike proteins.

Theres nothing traditional or herbal about it though. Again, in herbal medicine, nobody is injecting herbs and tinctures into their veins. Ready for your moth ball and tree sap injection sir/maam? Its very safe and effective dont you know.

Soapbark tree extract used as adjuvant to increase immune response to spike proteins

Supposedly, humans can get injected with fewer spike proteins than the typical billion that are being used now in the protein payload injections from J&J, or from the relentless spike-protein-creating, DNA-reconfiguring mRNA jabs, and still create immunity against gain of function syndrome, a.k.a. the Fauci Flu. Dangerous adjuvants are used in nearly all vaccines to conjure up an unnatural, fight-or-flight style immune response, and this alone can cause severe, deadly side effects and adverse events.

Injecting soapbark tree extract from the Quillaja Saponaria (a.k.a. Matrix-M) allegedly encourages immune cells to activate thus conjuring up a potent immune response. Theres nothing at all natural about injecting this extract, and the immune response cannot simply be calibrated or up-regulated in some scientifically-formulated fashion thats safe and effective, as pharma and the CDC ALWAYS claim about all vaccines.

The fact of the matter is that COVID-19 vaccines have already killed 750,000 people in the USA, and thats just whats reported at VAERS. Imagine all the vaccine-induced deaths that were counted as deaths by COVID, or heart attack, or stroke, or blood clots, or vaccidents (traffic deaths caused by vaccines).

Bookmark Vaccines.news to your favorite independent websites for updates on experimental vaccines that cause blood clots, myocarditis, and severe, chronic inflammation. This has been a public service announcement from Natural Health News. Avoid experimental clot shots and moth cell injections at all costs. They are not what the corrupt CDC and sinister FDA would have you believe.

Sources for this article include:

NebraskaMed.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The central bank of Ukraine has sold over $12 billion of its gold reserves since the start of the Russian invasion.

This is according to the deputy head of the National Bank of Ukraine, who confirmed on July 17 that the bank has sold $12.4 billion of its gold reserves since late February.

We are selling [this gold] so that our importers are able to buy necessary goods for the country, said Deputy Governor Kateryna Rozhkova during an interview with a state-owned television station. She denied claims that the gold was being sold to shore up the countrys currency, the hryvnia. (Related: Where did the money go? Ukraine set to default on loans after American taxpayers provided tens of billions in aid.)

The claimed amount of sold gold reserves far exceeds the countrys reported reserves just prior to the war. During the first quarter of 2022, Ukraines reserves totaled 27.06 tons of gold.

Estimates of the value of this entire reserve differ. The World Gold Council has pegged the value of Ukraines gold reserve at $1.69 billion. The Computer and Enterprise Investigations Conference found Ukraines total gold reserves in May amounted to around $1.605 billion. The most valuable the countrys reserve has ever been was in Sept. 2012, when it was valued at $1.978 billion.

If Ukraine was able to sell over $12.4 billion worth of gold since late February, this means that the country has around 491 tons of gold  18 times larger than its reported gold reserves.

Most of this gold went to the United States

According to Chris Powell, managing editor of the Journal Inquirer, most of the gold reserves Ukraine sold off went to the United States.

Powell claimed that Ukraine first shipped off its gold reserves to the U.S. in 2014 following the Russian invasion and annexation of the Crimean Peninsula for fear that Russia would soon launch an invasion to occupy and annex the rest of the country.

Reports that came out of the country at the time noted that Ukraine moved about 40 tons of gold out of the country via unidentified aircraft that landed at Bristol Airport before taking off again to the United States. The gold transfer was ordered by then-acting Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who was supported by the U.S. Department of State.

The Federal Reserve and the State Department acknowledged the acquisition at the time, but Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly denied it.

Today, the Ukrainian central bank acknowledged that $12 billion of its gold reserves recently was sold under pressure of the war with Russia, wrote Powell.

Since Russia began its attack on Ukraines non-Crimean territory in February, the United States and its allies have appropriated tens of billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, he continued.

So, why would Ukraine need to sell its gold reserves unless doing so was a condition of all that U.S. and European assistance, especially since the United States already had taken custody of the Ukrainian gold? Stripping the wounded of their valuables in wartime always suggests greed or desperation  like desperation to keep the gold price down to support the U.S. dollar and other Western currencies.

Learn more about the war in Ukraine at UkraineWitness.com.

Watch this clip as The American Journal host Harrison Smith talks about how American mainstream media outlets are finally acknowledging the rampant corruption in Ukraine.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related articles:

Russia continues gaining ground in Ukraine as US, NATO pour in weapons to prolong the inevitable.

Biden announces MASSIVE military expansion in Europe in response to string of Russian victories in Ukraine.

Announcement of Russia defaulting on debts an attempt to divert attention away from the Wests endless money printing.

Russia is considering bringing back the GOLD STANDARD to maintain financial sovereignty amid economic sanctions.

Dollar collapse could be the most significant result of the Russia-Ukraine war as gold rises, analysis warns.

Sources include:

GlobalResearch.ca

Reuters.com

WashingtonExaminer.com

GoldSeek.com

News.Metal.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) A group of doctors has found that unvaccinated people are less contagious 10 days after catching the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) than vaccinated and boosted people.

The doctors from hospitals across Massachusetts noted their findings in a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). The letter, originally published in late June, showed that individuals injected with the COVID-19 vaccine and subsequently catch the disease remain infectious for a longer duration.

The doctors examined 66 study participants who contracted COVID-19 between July 2021 and January 2022. Of this total, 32 were infected with the B16172 delta variant, while 34 were infected with the milder B11529 omicron variant. Only one participant manifested symptoms of COVID-19 infection, the letter stated. (Related: BOMBSHELL: Could OMICRON be the CURE for covid? Highly infectious strain with mild symptoms could deliver worldwide natural immunity and make vaccines obsolete.)

Using both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and viral cultures, the researchers compiled several charts outlining how long infected people remained contagious with SARS-CoV-2. They separated their findings based on vaccination status  unvaccinated, vaccinated and boosted.

They found that 68.75 percent of unvaccinated people were no longer contagious after the first 10 days of infection, based on PCR tests. In contrast, only 38.46 percent of boosted people and 29.72 percent of vaccinated people were no longer contagious after that duration.

Furthermore, 93.75 percent of unvaccinated participants and 92.31 percent of boosted people were no longer contagious after 15 days. Meanwhile, just 78.38 percent of vaccinated people were no longer contagious after that period.

We did not find large differences in the median duration of viral shedding among participants who were unvaccinated; those who were vaccinated, but not boosted; and those who were vaccinated and boosted, the researchers wrote in their letter to the NEJM.

Our data suggests that some persons who are infected with the omicron and delta SARS-CoV-2 variants shed culturable virus more than five days after symptom onset or an initial positive test.

Natural immunity still effective against severe COVID after 14 months

A pre-print study in the Middle East also proved the superiority of natural immunity to vaccine immunity. Researchers in Qatar found that natural immunity remains 97 percent effective against COVID-19, even 14 months after primary infection.

In a pre-print study posted July 7 in medRxiv, the researchers from Qatar University found that unvaccinated people who survive a bout of COVID-19 had outstanding protection against severe COVID-19 disease or death caused by it.

The study authors looked at three earlier papers scrutinizing the Middle Eastern countrys unvaccinated population between February 2020 and June 2022. The July 7 paper sought to answer questions about the duration of natural immunity when faced with omicron and earlier strains.

Effectiveness of primary infection against severe, critical or fatal COVID-19 reinfection was 97.3 percent, irrespective of the variant of primary infection or reinfection, and with no evidence of waning. Similar results were found in sub-group analyses for those [less than] 50 years of age, they wrote.

Despite waning protection against reinfection, strikingly, there was no evidence for the waning of protection against severe COVID-19 at reinfection. This remained [at around] 100 percent, even 14 months after the primary infection, with no appreciable effect for omicron immune evasion in reducing it.

Before the emergence of omicron in late November 2021, natural immunity against COVID-19 dropped to only 70 percent after 16 months  which the study authors attributed to a genuine waning in biological immunity.

While much more infectious than earlier strains, omicron caused milder symptoms in infected individuals. The BA4 and BA5 sub-variants of omicron are now the most dominant strain of SARS-CoV-2.

Vaccine immunity may last for only a year, but natural immunity may last for three years, the study authors stated.

Watch this Fox News report about natural immunity against COVID-19 being more effective against reinfection.

This video is from the Heaven Reigns channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

South Koreas CDC says recovered coronavirus patients arent contagious, as country grapples with another surge of new cases.

Qatari study finds natural immunity is 97% EFFECTIVE against severe COVID even after 14 months.

Mutation has caused the coronavirus to become more contagious but less deadly, says new study.

STUDY: Natural immunity to covid never wanes, but fully jabbed are developing AIDS.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NEJM.org

TheStarNewsNetwork.com

medRxiv.org

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Patients with a Vitamin D deficiency have as much as a 50% higher probability of death from COVID-19, according to a study by researchers in Israel and Russia.

(Article by Art Moore republished from WND.com)

The boost to the immune system from Vitamin D can be found in supplements as well as foods such as egg yolks, fatty salmon, sardines, herring, canned tuna, beef liver, fortified milk, cereals, yogurt and orange juice.

The study, published in the Israel Medical Association Journal, analyzed published clinical trials showing patients with low vitamin D levels are more prone to infection from COVID-19, and severe illness and death from the disease, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The researchers were Yehuda Shoenfeld of Ariel University and Sheba Medical Center and Dr. Vania Borba of the Laboratory of the Mosaics of Autoimmunity at the First Moscow State University in Russia.

They concluded the trials demonstrate that vitamin D levels are inversely correlated with the COVID-19 severity, serum levels of inflammatory markers and fatality rates, mainly through the modulation of the innate immune response and possible enhancement of antibody generation post-vaccination.

The researchers cautioned that there is ongoing discussion regarding whether low vitamin D is caused by the infection or if its deficiency negatively affects the immune disease.

In any case, they said, giving vitamin D supplements to COVID patients has improved their immune function, mainly by increasing the percentage of blood lymphocytes.

They concluded: A growing body of evidence supports the safety and beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation to fight COVID-19 disease, reducing disease incidence, severity and mortality among those with sub-optimal levels.

In February, Israeli scientists said they had accumulated the most convincing evidence so far that taking vitamin D supplements can help COVID-19 patients reduce the risk of serious illness or death.

In a peer-reviewed study published in the journal PLOS, researchers from Bar Ilan University and the Galilee Medical Center said the impact was so strong that they could predict how infected people would fare based on only their ages and vitamin D levels.

We found it remarkable, and striking, to see the difference in the chances of becoming a severe patient when you are lacking in vitamin D compared to when youre not, said Dr. Amiel Dror, a Galilee Medical Center physician and Bar Ilan researcher.

He said vitamin D strengthens the immune systems to deal with viral pathogens that attack the respiratory system.

This is equally relevant for omicron as it was for previous variants, he told the Times of Israel.

The researchers published preliminary findings in June 2021 that showed 26% of coronavirus patients died if they were vitamin D deficient soon before hospitalization. That compared to 3% who had normal levels of vitamin D.

And hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were vitamin D deficient were 14 times more likely than others to end up in severe or critical condition.

Dror said his team addressed the question in the scientific community of whether recent health conditions among the patients might have been skewed the results. In other words, was vitamin deficiency a symptom rather than a contributing factor?

To account for that possibility, the researchers examined each patients vitamin D levels over the two-year period prior coronavirus infection.

We checked a range of timeframes, and found that wherever you look over the two years before infection, the correlation between vitamin D and disease severity is extremely strong, Dror said.

Because of its wide scope, he added, the study offers stronger support than anything seen so far emphasizing the importance of boosting vitamin D levels during the pandemic.

Read more at: WND.com
(Natural News) The White House is recommending breaching four dams in the Pacific Northwest to ensure the survival of an endangered species of salmon, a move that is likely to worsen the countrys energy crisis.

A draft report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which manages the protection of marine animals and endangered species, has suggested breaching at least four dams in the Lower Snake River.

Salmon recovery depends on large-scale actions, stated the NOAA report. Inaction will result in the catastrophic loss of the majority of Columbia River basin salmon and steelhead stocks.

Brenda Mallory, the chairperson of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, supported the draft report and said this is the necessary action needed to restore salmon to healthy and harvestable numbers.

Business as usual will not restore the health and abundance of Pacific Northwest Salmon, she said. We need a durable, inclusive and regionally-crafted long-term strategy for the management of the Columbia River Basin.

In 2016, these four dams provided 3,033 megawatts of energy to the entire Pacific Northwest. Replacing these dams with other power sources would cost taxpayers between $415 million to $860 million per year until 2045, amounting to nearly $20 billion. It is also expected to increase electricity costs for households by between eight to 18 percent during the same period. (Related: Biden and the globalists will destroy the oil industry and collapse the American energy grid.)

Three thousand and thirty-three megawatts of capacity to the Pacific Northwest would evaporate,  noted David DuByne of Adapt 2030.

I remember, as a child growing up, hydroelectric was the cell to the green era of my childhood. That was the solution for us earlier, now its being rescinded. And where the power going to come from? Were already having power outages and shortages  and they want to take further amounts of power away.

White House considering similar plan to save Maine salmon

The federal government is currently conducting a review of four dams on the Maine River. The government could choose to breach these dams under the Endangered Species Act if the investigation finds that it would be necessary to save the last wild Atlantic salmon in the United States.

These four dams are owned by Brookfield Renewable U.S., a leading owner, operator and developer of renewable power. The company wanted to amend its federal licenses for these four dams and receive a new 40-year operating license for one of them. This requires a review of the impact these four dams had on salmon.

NOAAs review could result in Brookfield being forced to enact mitigation measures to protect wild salmon, including breaching one or more of the dams. Brookfield is pulling out all the stops to make sure this doesnt happen, including publishing a $40 million plan for structural modifications to its projects.

But scientists with the National Resources Council of Maine are pushing for the dams to be removed altogether. Nick Bennett, one of those scientists, said it would open up access to the Sandy River, a tributary of the Columbia River, which is prime salmon habitat.

If we could get those four dams removed, the best big chunk of Atlantic salmon spawning and rearing habitat, which is the Sandy River and its tributaries, would be direct free swim from the ocean, said Bennett.

Learn more about the energy crisis in America at EnergySupply.news.

Watch this video from David DuByne as he discusses, among other things, the federal plan to cripple hydroelectric power generation in the Pacific Northwest during an energy crisis.

This video is from the channel Adapt 2030 | Solar Minimum on Brighteon.com.

More related articles:

Glen Canyon Dam close to shutting down as Lake Powell water levels continue to drop.

Who is behind a series of mysterious explosions at natural gas facilities in the United States?

Texans urged to conserve energy as state wind farms CANT produce enough power to meet demand.

Blackouts loom as increased energy demand puts strain on energy grids this summer.

Green energy push to blame for coming wave of power outages across America.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

DailyWire.com

SpokanePublicRadio.org

NewsCenterMaine.com
(Natural News) The Biden regime, which is essentially Barack Obamas third term, is moving closer to transforming the U.S. military, once filled with patriots who despise left-wing authoritarianism, into a force replete with Marxist wannabes whose primary mission is eliminating conservative political opposition.

The evidence can be seen in the details of the current National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual Pentagon funding bill.

For example, there is an entire section (Chapter 89) on countering extremism, which  since the Jan. 6 false flag attack on the U.S. Capitol  means right-leaning, conservative Trump supporters.

First of all, the NDAA establishes a new Office of Countering Extremism, with a director appointed by the secretary of defense under consultations with the Homeland Security secretary:

(b) Duties.The Director shall (1) be responsible for policy of countering extremism within the armed forces; (2) in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, develop and implement programs, resources, and activities to counter extremism within the armed forces; (3) establish policies to ensure adequate protection, transparency of process, and availability of resources for individuals who report incidents of extremism; (4) facilitate and coordinate with the Secretaries of the military departments, law enforcement organizations, security organizations, and insider threat programs in the armed forces; (5) engage and interact with, and solicit recommendations from, outside experts on extremism

Until the Biden regime, there wasnt an extremist problem within the U.S. military, but suddenly now that the left-wing wokesters are in charge, its so bad there needs to be a new office created just to combat it.

Again, in todays Democratic political vernacular, extremist is anyone with a conservative view on any issue (imagine anyone in uniform speaking up in favor of the recent Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade; to the Democrat-run military, that is an extreme view that is somehow unconstitutional, despite the fact that the justices found no constitutional right to get an abortion).

Theres more:

Sec. 1802. Training and education (a) In General.The Secretary of each military department, in coordination with the Director, shall develop and implement training and education programs and related materials to assist members of the armed forces and civilian employees of the armed forces in identifying, preventing, responding to, reporting, and mitigating the risk of extremism. (b) Extremist Insider Threat Training.(1) The training and education programs and materials described in subsection (a) shall include information on the following: (A) What constitutes an extremist insider threat. (B) Risks posed by extremist insider threats. (C) How to identify extremist insider threats. (D) How to recognize when an individual is being influenced by extremism or targeted for recruitment by extremist groups. (E) Information about procedures on when and how to report detected extremist insider threats. (F) Resources for reporting outside the chain of command. (G) Media literacy training. (H) Whistleblower protections.

First and foremost, it is completely against all existing military procedures for reporting outside the chain of command. The military hierarchy is literally based on a chain of command, and when enlisted personnel or officers go outside of it, the punishment can often be severe and career-ending.

But note the urgency in this section: Bidens Pentagon is going to spend precious tax dollars standing up an Office of Countering Extremism and then on materials to train personnel on how to spot it supposedly (again, this will be all right-leaning views and behaviors) while Russia and China use their resources to build next-gen weapons capable of defeating us.

Its madness.

Finally, there is a provision in Chapter 89 that aims to essentially build a left-wing force of Democrat-abiding drones: The prohibition of an individual who engages in extremist activities or is a member of an extremist organization from serving as a member of the armed forces.

Potential recruits who regularly attend Christian church, or who may have belonged to a college Republican organization or the Boy Scouts, or hold traditional beliefs will be banned from serving.

The regime is creating a nightmare situation with our military in which more than half the country will be politically persecuted.

Sources include:

Congress.gov

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Dr. Anthony Fauci recently claimed in an interview that he never recommended that the government institute a lockdown at the beginning of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020.

Fauci, who currently serves as the chief medical counsel to the White House and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, made this claim during an interview on the program Rising on The Hill TV. He claimed that it was the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that made recommendations to institute lockdowns.

First of all, I didnt recommend locking anything down, he claimed in his interview with The Hill journalist Batya Ungar-Sargon. Youre asking me questions, youre talking about the CDC, [which is] the public health agency that uses their epidemiologists and their science-based approach to make recommendations. (Related: COVID-19 lockdowns failed: Fauci and whole lockdown crew blame public for not following rules sufficiently.)

He further claimed that he had always known that the lockdowns had negative effects on people, especially children who are affected by school closures.

Clearly, whenever you close schools, there are collateral effects that are negative. I have always been well aware of that and I have always felt  and go back and look at my statements  that we need to do everything we can to keep the schools open and safe, he said.

Fauci explained that safe meant forcing children to wear masks and get vaccinated and surrounding them with teachers and other school employees who are also vaccinated.

Again, I have been on the record of saying that. Always try, to the best of your ability, to keep the children in school, but in a safe environment, he added. Locally, a decision is often made when there is so much infection to close the school, but I would always see that as a last resort, and I have always felt that way.

Faucis previous statements contradict his claims

Faucis claim is easily contradicted by his statements from the past two years. For example, on March 12, 2020, Fauci spoke outside the White House about closing down schools as a form of disease mitigation.

The one thing I do advise, and I said this in multiple hearings and multiple briefings, that right now we have to start implementing both containment and mitigation. And what was done when you close the school is mitigation.

The next month, Fauci attacked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for considering reopening schools, and then two days later gave his blessing to former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasios plan to extend the closure of schools.

In June 2020, he then approved of states shutting down almost all activity within their borders. Any state that is having a serious problem, that state should seriously look at shutting down, said Fauci.

And then, in Oct. 2020, Fauci told then-President Donald Trump to shut down the entire country.

When it became clear that we had community spread in the country, with a few cases of community spread  I recommended to the president that we shut the country down, he said. Unfortunately, since we did not shut down completely the way China did  we actually did see spread even though we shut down.

Faucis revisionism met with criticism

The response to Faucis claim that he never supported nor encouraged lockdowns has been met with near-universal criticism.

Well, its absurd to suggest he didnt, said former Republican representative and chairman of the House Oversight Committee Jason Chaffetz. I mean, he was clearly out there showing everybody  lock it down, put on your mask, dont go to school, put restrictions on travel  all of those things.

Hes unashamed and unrepentant, wrote Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky on his Twitter account. But he knows the shutdowns were a catastrophic mistake, so hes trying to rewrite history

Its clear that the people who were in charge of our nations COVID response are trying to rewrite history regarding the pandemic, wrote Matt Margolis for PJ Media.

Watch this clip from InfoWars as Owen Shroyer calls Faucis claim that he never supported the lockdowns the biggest lie he has ever told.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

VIRUS MANIA PART II: Anthony Fauci is just the latest in a long line of virus hucksters and con artists going way back in history.

LOCKDOWN LUNACY: Social isolation harms brain health and increases dementia risk, warn researchers.

Did this single Lancet article collapse economies of the world by falsely justifying covid lockdowns?

Fauci admits that lockdowns are part of tactics to STRONG-ARM people into getting the COVID poison shots.

CDC knows lockdowns harm the mental health children  but it supports them anyway.

Sources include:

Townhall.com

Grabien.com

TheBlaze.com

PJMedia.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) An intelligence analyst behind the FBIs botched Trump-Russia collusion probe is now accused of using the bureaus authority to discredit reports about Hunter Bidens criminal activity months before the 2020 presidential election.

(Article by Chuck Ross republished from FreeBeacon.com)

Meet Brian Auten. The FBI analyst is hardly a household name, but whistleblowers who contacted the office of GOP senator Chuck Grassley say he was behind an August 2020 report that FBI officials used as part of a schemeto undermine derogatory information connected to Hunter Biden by falsely suggesting it was disinformation.

Autens report also caused the FBI to cease investigative activity into the younger Biden, according to a letter Grassley sent the Justice Department and FBI.

The whistleblower allegations are the latest evidence of politicization at the FBI. Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the allegations, if accurate, show the FBI and Justice Department are institutionally corrupted to their very core.

Auten was a key figure in Crossfire Hurricane, the counterintelligence investigation into Donald Trumps potential ties to Russia. The Justice Department inspector general said in a December 2019 report that an FBI intelligence analyst who has since been identified as Auten failed to advise others at the FBI about inconsistencies in the Steele dossier, the controversial report the bureau used to investigate Trump.

Autens involvement in the Hunter Biden saga, which was not previously known, is likely to come under scrutiny because of his involvement in the Trump-Russia probe. Auten took part in the Hunter Biden matter even though he was seemingly referred to the FBIs disciplinary office for investigation because of the inspector generals findings. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in February 2020 that every FBI employee mentioned in the inspector generals report, which accused the FBI of significant abuses of the foreign surveillance process, was referred to the Office of Professional Responsibility for investigation. It is unclear whether Auten faced any discipline.

Auten, an expert on Russia, pushed aggressively for surveillance warrants against Trump adviser Carter Page, according to the inspector general. He urged colleagues at the FBI in a Sept. 19, 2016, email to obtain Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants against Page based on information in the dossier. The Justice Department watchdog criticized the FBI for failing to verify Steeles allegations before citing them in the spy warrant. The Justice Department has invalidated two surveillance warrants granted against Page because of FBI malfeasance.

Auten also took part in several interviews in which the FBI withheld information that undercut the theory that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. Auten and his colleagues failed to disclose that dossier author Christopher Steele, in an Oct. 3, 2016, interview, said that a purported source of his dossier was a boaster or embellisher. Auten conducted a January 2017 interview with Steeles primary source, Igor Danchenko, in which Danchenko said aspects of the dossier appeared to be exaggerated or inaccurate.

Grassley did not disclose details of Autens report on Hunter Biden. He asked Attorney General Merrick Garland and Wray to provide copies of the documents.

Autens assessment about Hunter Biden came two months before the New York Post published documents from Bidens abandoned laptop. Allies of Joe Biden, including more than 50 former national security officials, quickly dismissed the report at the time as Russian disinformation, but forensic analysis has confirmed the authenticity of the emails. Hunter Biden disclosed in December 2020 that he had been under investigation since 2019 for tax evasion and foreign lobbying.

The FBI press office told the Washington Free Beacon that the bureau declines to comment on personnel matters. Both the bureau and the Department of Justice confirmed receipt of Grassleys letter to CBS News.

Update July 26, 5:34 p.m.: This piece has been updated with a response from the FBI.

Read more at: FreeBeacon.com
(Natural News) Germany is now teetering close to a recession, as reflected by a survey measuring business confidence in the country.

The Ifo Institute for Economic Researchs Business Climate Index (BCI), which measures business sentiment in Germany, fell to 88.6 in July from 92.2 the previous month. The Munich-based think tanks index, which polls 9,000 managers across German businesses, fell to its lowest level since June 2020.

Ifo Institute President Clemens Fuest remarked that the threat of a gas shortage and high energy prices were weighing on the German economy, the largest in Europe.

Companies are expecting business to become much more difficult in the coming months. They were also less satisfied with their current situation, Fuest said in a July 25 statement. Germany is on the cusp of a recession.

Commerzbank economic analyst Jorge Kraemer concurred with Fuests comments. The Ifo BCI, like the purchasing managers index, now clearly points to a downturn in the German economy, Kraemer said. He added that the impact of the recession lies mainly in the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The July 25 release of the BCIs results came as the Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom announced it would reduce natural gas flows to Europe by 20 percent effective July 27. Moscow restarted the Nord Stream 1 pipeline on July 21 after finishing a 10-day scheduled maintenance, but kept gas flows to 40 percent of their capacity.

Germany relies on Russia for 40 percent of its natural gas, which is used to provide cooking fuel for homes and firing power plants. Most of the fuel to Europe is delivered via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, but reduced gas supply has sent most of the continent into a mad scramble for fuel this winter.

According to Gazprom, an equipment issue was to blame for the reduction in natural gas flows. However, the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action retorted that there was no technical reason for the diminished flows.

Predictions of energy-related recession coming true

The latest result from the Ifo Institutes BCI appeared to line up with an earlier prediction by German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, who warned that the country could experience a financial collapse similar to the one in 2008 if the problem is not addressed.

Companies would have to stop production [and] lay off their workers. Supply chains would collapse. People would go into debt to pay their heating bills, [and those] people would become poorer, he said.

Habeck, who also serves as Germanys economy and climate minister, added there could be a kind of Lehman Brothers effect in the energy market  and then a domino effect that would lead to a severe recession. (Related: Germanys economic minister warns of catastrophic economic collapse stemming from energy shortage.)

Other executives issued similar warnings about Germany sinking into a recession due to diminished natural gas flows from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.

BNP Paribas Germany CEO Lutz Diederichs predicted that Europes largest economy will fall into a recession, adding that lenders will be required to bolster corporate loans with more capital. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing warned that a complete loss of access to natural gas from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline would force a deep recession that would hit the German economy hard.

Klaus Muller, the president of the German Federal Network Agency that regulates electricity and gas usage, warned on July 21 that Germany could only live off its gas reserves for less than three months.

If the storage facilities in Germany were mathematically 100 percent full, we could do without Russian gas completely for just about two-and-a-half months, and then the storage tanks will be empty, he said.

Watch this G News report about the resumption of gas flows from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, albeit in a reduced capacity.

This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Gas flows from Russia to Germany halted INDEFINITELY following Gazprom force majeure declaration.

BLACKMAIL: Canada may be withholding Nord Stream gas turbine until Germany signs LNG contract.

German banks prepare for companies to default on loans due to energy crunch.

Gas shortages in Germany could force government to shut down schools.

EU energy firms racking up more DEBT to offset exorbitant energy costs.

Sources include:

BusinessInsider.com

Breitbart.com

RT.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Hutchinson commiserated with other targets of the probe about how little information she had about any wrongdoing on Jan. 6.

(Article by Mollie Hemingway & Tristan Justice republished from TheFederalist.com)

Nearly 18 months of private chats between friends from the Trump White House show that Jan. 6 Committee star witness Cassidy Hutchinson dramatically changed her story about what she knew and how she felt about what she witnessed as a White House staffer.

When Hutchinson testified in Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosis Soviet-style show trial last month, the former White House aide to Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said she still struggle[s] to work through the emotions of Jan. 6.

As an American, I was disgusted. It was unpatriotic, Hutchinson said. We were watching the Capitol building get defaced over a lie, and it was something that was really hard in that moment to digest.

In her two hours of testimony, Hutchinson made a series of blockbuster claims incriminating former President Donald Trump, her White House colleagues, and even her direct superiors over their conduct as security at the U.S. Capitol was compromised by a horde of demonstrators. Relying on third-party conversations, Hutchinson claimed the president tried to violently hijack the presidential limousine to drive himself down to the rioters on Jan. 6. The claim was denounced as fabricated hours later. She said the president was aware that White House protesters were well-equipped with deadly weapons and still invited them onto government grounds anyway dismissing security concerns, never mind the fact that only a few face charges. And she said former White House Counsel Pat Cipollone personally warned her not to allow Trump to go to the Capitol or Were going to get charged with every crime imaginable. Never mind Cipollone was not at the White House when Hutchinson claimed, according to multiple witnesses. Former White House lawyer Eric Herschmann also disputed another claim by Hutchinson, saying he wrote a note she took credit for.

Left-wing media outlets were quick to brand the 25-year-old aide as the show-stopping witness whose testimony was on par with the most devastating revelations from Watergate. The Boston Globe said that while some call her the new John Dean  the Watergate witness whose testimony harmed Richard Nixon  she was actually more impressive. CNN said Hutchinsons revelations were worse. NPR called them explosive. The Bulwark called her a heroine. The Washington Post declared her commentary damning and even illustrated her appearance in an online graphic novel. The New York Times published an op-ed headlined, Cassidy Hutchinson Changes Everything.

Yet in a series of private communications from December 2020 through May 2021, shared exclusively with The Federalist, Hutchinson commiserated with other targets of the probe about how little information she had about any wrongdoing that day, and lamented how corrupt the politicized committee was. Far from being upset with Trump, Hutchinson repeatedly spoke in favor of him and his presidency.

I would rather shoot myself dead into the Potomac than see marine one flying around this city without 45 again, Hutchinson wrote in one message nearly three months after the Capitol riot.

In November 2021, Hutchinson was among the first former White House staffers to be subpoenaed by the Select Committee. In the weeks and months following, Hutchinson continued to disparage the politicized committee in private, and repeatedly joked about the same riot she now says leaves her with emotional scars today. Six days after she was issued a subpoena, Hutchinson called the Jan. 6 panel a phony committee. Around the same time, she told a former colleague her testimony would have nothing to offer.

Other than a handful of irrelevant texts, I have literally no documents or anything theyre asking about, one ex-White House staffer texted her.

Same, she wrote back.

Of being subpoenaed in November, Hutchinson wrote, we were [f] by Bennie Thompson, the titular chair of the committee. She joked that he would be sending her to jail, and hoped that another friend would come visit her. In a text published by the Daily Caller earlier this month, Hutchinson called the panels probe bs.

In a group chat, a friend shared a tweet from another former White House colleague.

Hutchinson praised the tweet, adding, When we win again, were making her comms director Or press sec. Back in December 2020, Hutchinson had been happy to use the phrase STOP THE STEAL to describe efforts to contest the 2020 election. A Jan. 5, 2021, tweet notes that she stopped by the Capitol, where Trump supporters had gathered. Gotta see our PEOPLE, she wrote. In dramatic contrast to her new claims of being disgusted with the Jan. 6 riot, in November 2021, she joked about trying to invade a friends apartment in a building called Park Chelsea. Lets have an insurrection at parc Chelsea, she wrote. How about  jan 6, 2023?

By March, she was joking about placing a prominent image of Trump addressing his supporters from the White House Ellipse on Jan. 6 in the background of her Zoom-recorded deposition with the Select Committee. She also joked she might use an image from an infamous scene in the Oval Office where Vice President Mike Pence awkwardly sat between Nancy Pelosi and President Trump.

Im gonna position myself so Im sitting in mikes chair, she joked.

In May, Hutchinson outlined a conversation she had with a stranger in D.C.

A real conversation that just took place, she began:

Person on sidewalk: your sweatshirt says 45. Me: yes Person: like, Trump? Me: yes Person: stares Me: Im an insurrectionist. And then I put my headphones in. The end.

Before Their Public Embrace, A Different View Of Liz Cheney

Hutchinson also aimed fire at Committee Vice Chair Liz Cheney, the Wyoming Republican so consumed by her opposition to Trump and his voters that polls show she is about to lose her re-election bid. The two women publicly embraced in the committee room immediately after Hutchinsons testimony, an unusual interaction for congressional proceedings purporting to be legitimate. In a gauzy puff piece for The New York Times, the two were described as forming an unlikely bond. It was particularly unlikely given what Hutchinson was saying about Cheney until recently.

In September, Hutchinson disparaged Cheney and Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, the two Republicans hand-picked to serve on the committee by Pelosi, as a crop of losers. Discussing how other anti-Trump extremists had declined to run for re-election rather than face certain defeat at the hands of Republican voters, Hutchinson said she didnt think Kinzinger or Cheney would take that approach because, Their egos are too [f] big. She mocked their self-conception as The REPUBLICAN MARTYRS.

I think Liz being the future of the GOP is a massive stretch, Hutchinson wrote in one string of messages just two months before her appearance. I think she does have the power to cement the anti-Trump, RINO movement and really capitalize off it on a national scale. Shell never ever turn the tides in her favor. Ever.

Even if Trump were to fall off the face of the Earth, her neocon policies are not where the bases ideological politics currently are nor will head, she wrote. Still, she conceded that Cheneys hatred of Trump had tremendous sway thanks to corporate medias amplification and assistance. But I do think this maneuver is by consequence future-shifting for the GOP in that she does have the power of the media, the determination and the cut-throat mentality to capitalize off this.

Less than one year later, Hutchinson was embracing Cheney, radically changing her story to match what Cheney and the corporate media desired.

Hutchinsons earlier comments were made while she was represented by Trump-allied lawyers and talking with friends about Trumps second term. But she suddenly changed her legal representation weeks before she testified publicly. Former Rep. Barbara Comstock, who, like Cheney, is a NeverTrumper from Northern Virginia, offered a way to help pay Hutchinsons legal bills. But a well-positioned lawyer offered to represent her pro bono. The change in attorneys coincided with a complete turnabout in her story, and a dramatically different posture toward Cheney.

Alyssa Farah, the former Trump staffer who has been named The View co-host because of her willingness to denounce conservatives and renounce the policy positions she once claimed to hold, publicly said she was responsible for convincing Hutchinson to work with Cheney. Thats how this shocking testimony came about, she said.

Read more at: TheFederalist.com
(Natural News) Nuclear fusion technology has attracted $2.8 billion investment globally over the past year, surpassing the $2 billion total investment it received in the past decade. In the United States, Google and Chevron are part of the $250 million funding for nuclear fusion startup TAE Technologies.

The startup has so far raised a total of $1.2 billion.

According to the Fusion Industry Association, more than 93 percent of companies that responded to its survey believes that fusion power will be feeding electricity into power grids by the 2030s.

Nuclear fusion is referred to as the holy grail of clean energy because of its promise of generating nearly unlimited emission-free energy without the equivalent of harmful, long-lasting radioactive waste generated by nuclear fission.

It reverses the process in nuclear fission, which is used by conventional nuclear power plants. During nuclear fission, a neutron collides with a uranium atom and splits it, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation.

During nuclear fusion, on the other hand, two atomic nuclei are joined together to form a single, larger nucleus while releasing energy in the process. Its the same process that powers the sun, where hydrogen atoms are fused together to form helium.

For decades, scientists have tried to use nuclear fusion to produce electricity on a usable scale. However, replicating such a reaction on Earth is highly challenging and requires large amounts of heat and pressure. (Related: Experts warn that shutting down nuclear plants would negate efforts to transition to clean energy.)

But there had been signs of progress. For instance, scientists were able to achieve a record of 59 megajoules of energy in an experiment at a facility in Culham near Oxford earlier this year. That amount is enough to boil water in roughly 60 kettles.

Massive increase in investment renews optimism in nuclear fusion venture

The United Kingdom is home to some of the worlds leading fusion energy prospects, such as Oxford-based Tokamak Energy and First Light Fusion.

First Light Fusion raised $45 million in February from investors, including Chinese technology giant Tencent. This brings its outside backing for the venture to $107 million.

The Fusion Industry Association also revealed that eight new companies have entered the race for fusion over the past 12 months  reflecting renewed optimism in the energy source.

The U.K. government backs the technology, with the U.K. Atomic Energy Authority working on plans to build a prototype fusion power plant in the country.

Jim Gable, president of Chevron Technology Ventures, the energy companys corporate venture capital arm, said in a statement that fusion technology as a whole has the potential to be a scalable source of no-carbon energy generation and a key enabler of grid stability as renewable energy becomes a greater portion of the energy sources.

Search giant Google has partnered with TAE since 2014 and has provided the fusion startup with artificial intelligence and computational power.

Japanese investment company Sumitomo Corporation of Americas has also helped with the funding. According to reports, the investment company is helping TAE bring its fusion technology to the Asia-Pacific region.

The investment follows an announcement in October that TAE had partnered with Japans National Institute for Fusion Science. Japan currently gets the majority of its energy from coal, oil and natural gas, according to the International Energy Association. (Related: Protesters gather in Tokyo for mass demonstration against nuclear energy.)

Visit Power.news for more updates about energy sources.

Watch the video below to know more about nuclear energy.

This video is from the ChangeIsNear channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

INSANELY VULNERABLE: If Russia cuts off supply of enriched uranium to US power companies, Americas nuclear energy reactors will close within a year.

Japanese prime minister warns of energy shortage, orders activation of up to nine nuclear reactors this winter.

As Germanys green dream becomes a nightmare, Asia and Russia power ahead with nuclear power.

Scientists think that AI and deep learning can help develop limitless nuclear fusion energy  were letting robots take over the nuclear industry?

Climate activists funded by major corporations fail to see the big picture: Nuclear war is the actual threat, NOT carbon dioxide.

Sources include:

OilPrice.com

CNBC.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The British government recently issued a report revealing that more than 90 percent of patients who died of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) were injected with at least one dose.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) report spanned the period between Jan. 1 and May 31. It broke down the number of COVID-19 deaths during the five-month period in England, classifying them by vaccination status.

According to the ONS report, the month of February saw a total of 2,711 individuals die of COVID-19. Of this total, 2,447 individuals (90 percent) received at least one dose of the vaccine. Meanwhile, only 264 individuals (10 percent) of COVID-19 deaths that month were unvaccinated.

For the month of March, England saw a total of 2,860 COVID-19 fatalities. Of this total, 2,658 individuals (93 percent) were vaccinated while only 202 individuals  a measly seven percent  were unvaccinated.

A total of 3,571 COVID-19 deaths were recorded in April, with 3,365 (94 percent) of them being vaccinated. In contrast, only 206 unvaccinated individuals  six percent  died in England during that month.

Lastly, the ONS report stated that England recorded 1,364 COVID-19 deaths for May. Following a trend from the previous months, vaccinated individuals again comprised a majority of fatalities with 1,282 having been injected with at least one dose. Only 82 unvaccinated individuals died of COVID-19 that month, the lowest in the period.

A general trend observed during the ONS reports five-month period was that deaths among the vaccinated population started increasing from February until May. In contrast, deaths among the unvaccinated were on a downward trend  aside from a slight uptick in April.

Ultimately, 91 percent of COVID-19 deaths are vaccinated individuals based on a five-month average of all the fatalities. (Related: Government data shows fully vaxxed account for more than 90% of COVID DEATHS in the UK.)

Huge percentage of COVID-19 deaths in England among the boosted

Many people may attribute the higher death counts to individuals who received only one or two COVID-19 vaccine doses. According to the U.K. Health Security Agency, almost half of Englands population turned down the third booster dose. Unfortunately, this is not the case  as the ONS report already included those who received the third and fourth booster doses.

From Jan. 1, 2022 until May 31, 2022, there were 15,113 COVID-19 deaths recorded. An astonishing 13,666 individuals (90.4 percent) part of this total received at least one dose of the vaccine. Of the 13,666 vaccinated individuals who died of COVID-19, 12,442 were among the boosted population  those who are triple- or quadruple-vaccinated.

It appears that those who turned down the boosters made a prudent decision, as only 1,224 single- or double-vaccinated individuals died within that five-month period.

Despite the concerning findings revealed by the ONS report, Britons are being primed to fear COVID-19 with the purported increase of deaths and to anticipate COVID-19 restrictions such as face masks and mandatory booster shots.

True enough, experts in the U.K. have been calling for another booster dose to be given by fall.

This led the Daily Expose to quip: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. Judging by the latest calls for a fifth [vaccine dose], it looks like experts in the UK really have lost their marbles.

Follow VaccineDeaths.com for more news about COVID deaths among the vaccinated and boosted.

Watch Ben Armstrong of the New American talking about U.K. government data that reveals 90 percent of COVID deaths are vaccinated individuals.

More related stories:

COVID-19 vaccines linked to higher rates of infections, deaths in Australia.

NEEDLES FOREVER: United Kingdoms NHS launches FIFTH COVID jab.

Majority of COVID deaths in Sweden and the UK are among the fully vaccinated.

UK government confirms triple-vaccinated account for 76% of COVID deaths.

Sources include:

Expose-News.com

Brighteon.com
When several waterspouts were observed spinning simultaneously in an area where such a weather phenomenon has not frequently been reported, many people rushed to take pictures.

Awe Now, Fear Later

Usually, when stormy weather is predicted, many people stay away from the beach or board a boat. But for many tourists in southwest Finland who flocked to the water last weekend to see an amazing weather phenomenon, that was not the case.

Nina Rantanen, a tourist in Kustavi on Finland's southwest coast, watched in awe as five waterspouts started swirling in the sea as a storm moved in and the sky turned dark. Rantanen quickly reached for her phone to snap a photo of the amazing scene.

According to Rantanen, who spoke to the local media, spectators lined up to watch as these enormous waterspouts spun away. Some, she claimed, were "stronger," while others were "narrower."

Effect of Low Pressure

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys, the unusual sight was caused by an area of low pressure that was moving away from southern Finland and into Russia as well as another area of low pressure that came up the border between the Russian and Baltic states.

A cargo ship encountered some of the same weather off the island of Isokari, which is located on Finland's southwest coast, to the southeast of Kustavi. The ship's captain, Jeffery Ripson, revealed to Storyful that on July 9, his crew saw an unusual occurrence.

To record the moment three swirling waterspouts struck the water at once, crew members on board the ship quickly reached for their phones.

Viikonloppuna Pyhamaan ja Kustavin valisella merialueella kulki nayttavia merenpintaa parskyttavia trombeja, jotka voivat olla tuhoisia merella ja maalla. Trombeja nakyi samaan aikaan parhaimmillaan 7. Kuvan ottanut LSMV:n tyontekija Pohjois-Ahvenanmaalla. #trombi pic.twitter.com/bmU1ZR1oTc  Merivartiosto - LSMV (@meriraja) July 11, 2022

Hazardous at Any Size

According to Ville Siiskonen, a meteorologist with the Finnish Meteorological Institute, these waterspouts are particularly hazardous for watercraft. A waterspout of any size can gather enough water to sink boats in the water.

The stormy weather persisted as the weekend came to an end and a new week began, and more waterspout reports were made.

A member of the Finnish Border Guard saw up to seven waterspouts at once on July 11 off the northern part of Land, a group of islands off Finland's southwest coast.

Read also: Waterspout Turns Into a Tornado at Landfall in a Fort Myers Beach Resort in Florida

Waterspouts

Waterspouts, according to Roys, are tornadoes that form over water. It frequently follows showers or thunderstorms.

When the right conditions are met and there isn't a thunderstorm present, waterspouts can also form. When there are significant temperature differences between the water and the air, "fair weather" waterspouts can form. These frequently happen all along the American Great Lakes, AccuWeather reports.

Although waterspouts are common in the area, it is unusual that so many of them happened at the same time.

According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, it is unusual to see so many waterspouts close together.

The European Severe Weather Database estimates that the area has seen about 100 waterspout reports since 1980. Given that severe weather was largely not reported for the past 40 years, Roys claims that this figure is likely an underestimate and that there were probably more waterspouts than 100.

Related article: Waterspouts: What You Need to Know About the Shifting Weather Patterns Over Great Lakes
According to a study published in the Journal of Virology - a publication of the American Society of Microbiology - Jordi Serra-Cobo, lecturer of the Faculty of Biology and the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio) of the University of Barcelona, and expert on Eco epidemiological studies, bat cells have specific molecular barriers to deal with SARS-CoV-2 replication.

How are bats immuned to Sars-Cov 2

Coronaviruses are found in numerous animal species across the world, including bats (chiropteans). In this regard, the scientific literature has long highlighted the high resilience of several chiropteran species to viral infection.

The immune system in these flying animals is on pre-alert, which allows for speedier response to viral infections.

Most animals would experience inflammatory issues if their immune systems were always on high alert, but this is not the case for bats, which is why they are the subject of several worldwide epidemiological and immunological research.

The scientists examined the potential of primary cells from several bat species to sustain SARS-CoV-2 replication as part of the study, as per ScienceDaily.

"The results show that none of these cells were permissive to infection, not even those expressing detectable levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a metallopeptidase that serves as a viral receptor in many mammalian species," says Jordi Serra-Cobo, a member of the UB's Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences and the study's sole expert in Spain.

In humans, it is known that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interacts to the cell membrane receptor ACE2, causing the virus to infect the cell. "In the case of chiropteran cells, either the amount of ACE2 enzyme is tiny and it no longer penetrates the cell, or the virus binds to ACE2 and is unable to infect the cell," Serra-Cobo emphasizes.

Globally, this work leads to a better knowledge of the defense systems against viral infections. This is a line of study that has been pursued for many years by the team led by Serra-Cobo at the UB and IRBio, and which is currently gaining traction within the scope of the EvoDevo-Cat research group at the UB's Faculty of Biology.

Read more: Record Breaking: Cancer Survivor Carries COVID-19 for 335 Days - the Longest Duration Known

The amazing immunity response of bats

Despite the global deployment of COVID-19 vaccinations, the discovery of novel variations has emphasized the ongoing need for medicines that can alleviate severe respiratory distress in patients.

Monash University researchers investigated the function of the microbiome in the immune response to respiratory infections earlier this year.

Based on their findings, they hypothesized that the chemical L-tyrosine may be used to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19 patients.

Monash researchers analyzed seven types of COVID-19 treatments that have been researched and, in some cases, authorized for use in patients, including direct antivirals like Gilead's Veklury (remdesivir), convalescent plasma, and kinase inhibitors.

They emphasized that hundreds of therapeutic therapies for the virus are now being tested in preclinical and clinical studies and that the area "will continue to change."

The researchers also observed that understanding bats' immune responses to coronaviruses has identified research gaps.

According to the researchers, the biochemistry underpinning SARS-capacity CoV-2s to elude the human immune system is currently poorly known.

They emphasized that much more might be done to investigate the possible relationships between SARS-CoV-2 and the microbiota.

Related article: COVID-19: Moderna Vaccine Booster Also Effective Against Omicron Variant
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Immersive jellyfish installation by Rimini Protokoll in Eco-Visionaries exhibition at Royal Academy of Arts on November 20, 2019 in London, England. The theatrical installation win > < win is a tank of 50 moon jellyfish, one of the few species which actually benefit from the effects of global warming. (Photo : Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

Scientists discovered a 560-million-year-old fossil in the UK which could be the world's oldest known predator.

According to LiveScience, the ancient fossil resembles a modern jellyfish with 'bizarre' tentacles and may be the earliest known predator in the animal kingdom. The tentacled creature also resembled a "goblet crammed full of wriggling fingers", analysis shows.

The newly identified fossil was uncovered more than a decade ago in an outcrop of volcanic and sedimentary rocks called the Bradgate Formation in Leicestershire, England, located in Charnwood Forest. It was dated back to about 557 million to 562 million years ago, during the Ediacaran period (635 million to 541 million years ago).

Almost 'Unheard of' and 'Exceptional'

Although not involved in the study, Philip Donoghue, a palaeobiology professor at the University of Bristol, England, said that the discovery of the Ediacaran animal resembling a jellyfish is exceptional, considering that even a Precambrian fossil resembling the form of animals today is "almost unheard of".

"This fossil's probably the oldest one recognized, with quite convincing evidence, to be a member of one of the living phyla," or large groups of related animals, Donoghue said.

The creature was named Auroralumina attenboroughii in honor of Sir David Attenborough and described in a new study, published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

"I think it looks like the Olympic torch, with its tentacles being the flames," said Oxford University's Dr Frankie Dunn, who reported the discovery.

Also read: Black Bear Superpower: How do These Bears Hibernate for Months and Still Remain Fit and Healthy?





First Animal to Grow a Skeleton

After the first major fossil discoveries in Charnwood Forest which date back to the 1950s, many paleontologists have traveled there to hunt for Precambrian life. In fact, on a 2007 expedition, the team dug and exposed a thousand fossils found on a rockface that rose from the forest floor at a 45-degree angle, underneath a thick coat of dirt.

The fossils which represented 20 to 30 different species were "beautifully preserved", some "absolutely stunning", according to paleobiologist Philip Wilby, a team leader for Palaeontology at the British Geological Survey and senior author of the study.

Analysis of the A. attenboroughii suggests that there was predation in the animal kingdom by about 20 million years, and it's probably also the first example of an organism with a true skeleton, BBC reported.

It was proved that it is likely a forerunner of cnidaria - the group of species that today includes jellyfish - which has a heritage that stretches further back into the Ediacaran.

"This is the cast-iron evidence of modern-looking organisms in the Pre-Cambrian. That means the fuse for the Cambrian explosion was probably quite long," Dr Wilby said. The analysis of Auroralumina's features also links it to the medusozoa sub-grouping within the cnidaria, and therefore most closely resembles a medusozoan in its immobile, rooted stage.

The fossil analysis also implies that cnidarians and their sibling lineage must have also evolved by this time, shedding light on what animals were like before them.

Related article: World's Five Largest and Terrifying Deep Sea Sharks!
TOPSHOT - A young female walrus nicknamed Freya rests on a boat in Frognerkilen, Oslo Fjord, Norway, on July 19, 2022. - For a week, a young female walrus nicknamed Freya has enamoured Norwegians by basking in the sun of the Oslo fjord, making a splash in the media and bending a few boats. - Norway OUT (Photo : Photo by TOR ERIK SCHRDER/NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

A youthful female has picked Oslo, Norway's metropolis, as her tourist spot for 2022. Spectators saw the ocean creature leaping atop sailboats, which frequently appear to be ready to sink the ship due to her not insignificant 600kg (94 stone) weight.

The creature has been quite a sensation in the nation, having been given the title Freya; following the Norse deity of love.

Freya the Walrus

Freya had first been spotted in the Norwegian counties of Troms and Finnmark in 2019, as per the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, BBC news updated. From then on, glimpses of her have been recorded in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, even in Sweden.

According with World Wildlife Fund, she is believed to have traveled south from the Arctic, wherein otters are known to reside. Freya the walrus drew headlines this summertime in Norway when she was seen jumping atop sailboats in the southern seaside city of Kragero in June. She just arrived in Oslo, where crowds gathered to capture a sight of her from the town's pier.

However, her appearance has alarmed several people. According to news press, some paddler had a scary encounter with the creature when it got too near to his vessel. According to the Norwegian newspaper website Nettavisen, another child slipped into the sea nearby the walrus while surfboarding and had to be saved by a speed boat.

Considering the episodes, several proposed that the walrus be relocated or perhaps euthanized. However, upon closely watching Freya's activities, Norway's aquaculture department issued a notice on Monday stating that the animal is in excellent health and may continue where she is.

It does, nonetheless, emphasize the need of keeping a safe range and exercising caution when surfing in the water. It went on to say that walruses are normally harmless to people as much as they maintain their path length. However, if they are disturbed, they may feel intimidated and assault individuals around, Newsbreak recently reported.

Also read: Black Bear Superpower: How do These Bears Hibernate for Months and Still Remain Fit and Healthy?





Worry of Norwegian Boats Due to Walrus Visit

According to experts, when Freya the walrus is relaxing, she is neither usually as sluggish and awkward as someone would expect. While WWF has recently stated that walruses are a critically endangered wildlife that pass the summertime in frigid seas.

However, their environment is constantly shifting, with sea ice failure compared by global warming restricting their exposure to it, according to the report. In a whole other report concerning walrus, experts shared fun facts about the creature. As per the experts in the field, there are two main subspecies of walrus, wherein the Northern and Southern oceans, which inhabit distinct regions of the North.

The Atlantic walrus lives in the ice-covered northwestern waterways of Canada, Greenland, Norway, as well as Russia during the winter. The Western walrus ranges from Russia to the United States (Alaska), from the Bering to the Chukchi Islands, and the Laptev Ocean. It is estimated that there are 25,000 Atlantic and 200,000 Pacific walrus in the environment.

More so, male walrus can weigh over a tonne. Specialist said that masculine Western walruses may grow to be 3.6 m tall and weighs more than 1,500kg (1.5 tonnes!). And huge is attractive because they require excess weight to survive.

And lastly, both male and female walruses have tusks, walruses lift themselves up of the ocean and then into the ice extent with their horns. Their horns are often employed to breathe deeply openings in the ice available, to battle with all fellow walruses, and to defend themselves from enemies, as per Flipboard.

Related article: World's Five Largest and Terrifying Deep Sea Sharks!




A zebrafish, which shares a similar genetic structure to humans, is seen in a fish bowl during a press conference by Kelvin Leung at the Baptist University in Hong Kong on October 4, 2018, on his research which found that UV filters commonly used in sunscreen are polluting surrounding waters and could endanger human health. - New research in Hong Kong has found that UV filters commonly used in sunscreen are polluting surrounding waters and could endanger human health, one of the city's leading universities said on October 4. (Photo : Photo credit should read ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Zebrafish are amazing animals. They are nonetheless fully transparent; however, they can even develop fresh parts.

Researchers previously recognized that these transparent tiny fish would restore retinal pigment in their pupils, but recent study indicates that they can also grow heart muscles following an accident.

Repairing Damaged Hearts

According to Jan Philipp Junker, an evolutionary scientist and research writer from Germany's Berlin Center for Medical Systems Biology, the researchers sought to figure out how this small fish achieves it and if humans might gain from it.

The latest report, released in Nature Genetics, was conducted by Junker and Daniela Panakova, a cell communication specialist at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine. It recounts the chronology of activities that leads to heart repair in zebrafish.

Wherein the scientists examined roughly 200,000 heart tissue separated from zebrafish prior and afterwards treatment, gathering genetic data from existing units to discover which cells were functional in injured ventricle.

While fibroblasts may contribute, previous zebrafish study has found that proinflammatory cytokines known as macrophages are quick mediators to cardiac assaults and essential for cardiovascular repair, Science Alert reported.

According to the findings of this latest analysis, elastic structure tissues known as fibroblasts are the drivers of the cardiac restoration mechanism in zebrafish, generating peptides that function as healing messengers.

The researchers therefore wish to investigate extra thoroughly at the markers that are active in triggered fibroblasts, generating molecules that seem to induce cardiac muscle tissue repair in zebrafish.

Researchers successfully 'healed' a cardiac arrest in rodents in June using an mRNA approach that gives hereditary information to cardiomyocytes to fix itself, this is seen in the latest update from the American Health Association Journals.

Experts identified the biological antioxidants that produce the human cardiac repair itself following a myocardial infarction in May. Single-cell genotyping approaches, such as the ones employed in this work to identify cardiac cells pumping out regeneration messages, are at the vanguard of rapidly evolving genetic technology.

The experts shot the rodents' small hearts with an ultra-cold probe to simulate a human cardiac arrest, which is commonly known as a myocardial infarction and observed what transpired.

Also read: World's Five Largest and Terrifying Deep Sea Sharks!





The Amazing Ability of Zebrafish

The epicardium, the heart's outermost part, is also recognized as a center for heart rejuvenation, which this latest research confirms. The stimulated fibroblasts are created in the zebrafish aortic arch, where the cells manufacture collagen XII.

As of publication, the research presents further information on the biochemical mechanisms that occur in reaction to a cardiac arrest, providing findings that could assist prevent recurrent cardiovascular episodes that grow further hazardous later the initial strike.

Cardiomyocytes, which are cardiac muscle tissues in humans, could never renew unlike zebrafish heart cells. When human cardiomyocytes are deprived of oxygen throughout a cardiac event, they get harmed, and irreversible fibrosis grows in lieu of missing tissue, rendering the heart negligible than ever before.

Exhilaratingly, the latest results follow on the heels of earlier intriguing cell therapy initiatives aimed at replacing or repairing injured hearts with cell-based treatments or medications that replicate chemicals present in zebrafish, as per Nature.

Whereas single-cell primers are extensively utilized and gives outstanding data regarding solitary cellular metabolism, further investigations are required to confirm the research outcomes in various design species.

Bastiaan Spanjaard who's the research writer and evolutionary scientist and also affiliated with the Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology explained that heart repair is a delicate procedure that is impacted by a variety of factors.

Related article: Black Bear Superpower: How do These Bears Hibernate for Months and Still Remain Fit and Healthy?




View of thet "Kankuamus Marquezi" tarantula -recently discovered in Colombia- at the Natural Sciences University in Montevideo, on July 7, 2016. A new species of tarantula has been identified near the home town of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and in an unusual posthumous honor, the spider has been named for the late Nobel literature laureate. (Photo : Photo credit should read MIGUEL ROJO/AFP via Getty Images)

When mechanical engineering graduate candidate Faye Yap noticed a lifeless spider stretched taut in the corridor, she wondered if it could be utilized as an automation part.

Transforming deceased spiders into robotic pliers may sound like a horror situation to a few, yet it might offer practical advantages. Spider claws could securely and tenderly grasp huge, fragile, and oddly formed things sans damaging them.

Robotic Dead Spiders

Yap and together with her Rice University partners devised a means to enable a lifeless wolf spider's limbs unfold and cling around items in partnership with mechanical engineer Daniel Preston, Science Alert posted. This novel sort of automation was dubbed 'necrobotics.'

Strangely, as per The New York Post, spider appendages do not have musculature for elongation and rather operate their limbs using hydraulic force - they have a prosoma cavity, or cephalothorax, which compresses, pushing inner body liquids into their limbs, causing them to expand.

Therefore, the scientists placed a needle into the spider's prosoma chamber and used a blob of adhesive to bind the tip of the syringe.

Pressing a little burst of air into the needle would be sufficient to engage the spider's limbs, allowing it to move throughout its whole flexion and extension in under a second.

As Yap asserts in a clip uploaded on the Rice University website, researchers got the spider and stuck the syringe in it, not having a clue as to what might well occur.

Designers had an idea as to where they intended to put the syringe, and when researchers began, it functioned straight away. as to experts, they don't even comprehend how to explain that instant. The scientists managed to get the lifeless spider to grab a little ball and utilized that research to calculate a maximal handgrip strength of 0.35 millinewtons.

Furthermore, they then exhibited the capability of a lifeless spider to scoop up fragile items and devices, like removing a jumper cable tied to an electrical prototype and moving a piece of polyurethane cushion.

Also read: Black Bear Superpower: How do These Bears Hibernate for Months and Still Remain Fit and Healthy?





Innovation in Robotics





Researchers further demonstrated that the spider may support the load of some other spider of similar proportion.

Because spiders stretch their limbs by generating hydraulic force from their cephalothorax, the hydraulic mechanism ceases to function after spiders perish. The spider's flexor muscle fibers go into rigor dominus, however because the muscles hardly collaborate from one manner, the spider snuggles up, as seen in the journal of Advanced Science.

Whereas most man-made electronics pieces are fairly hard to produce, spiders are inherently sophisticated and (sadly for arachnophobes) numerous.

As the authors conclude in their report, the necrobotics idea suggested in this study draws use of interesting patterns provided by environment that could be difficult, if not unattainable, to recreate mechanically. Because spiders are biodegradable, utilizing them as mechanical components will reduce trash in automation.

Designers might envision this being utilized for micro-manipulation, which may encompass stuff such as micro-electronic circuits. Another disadvantage of the deceased spider gripper is that it begins to show signs of wear and tear following two days or 1,000 open-and-close repetitions.

Scientists believe it is connected to concerns with bone dryness, which researchers believe may be remedied by putting polymeric coverings.

The investigators wrapped the wolf spiders in beeswax and discovered that its mass reduction was 17-fold less than the untreated spider throughout 10 days, indicating that it was storing more moisture and its air compressor might work more hours, according to Flipboard.

Related article: Nocturnal Pollinators: Scientists Catch Moths Visiting Red Clovers After Dark




HALLE, GERMANY - APRIL 20: Technical installations of the Untergrundgasspeicher Bad Lauchstaedt underground natural gas storage facility of VNG Gasspeicher GmbH on April 20, 2022 near Halle, Germany. While Germany is supporting international sanctions against Russia due to Russia's ongoing military invasion of Ukraine, it is struggling to find ways to reduce its high dependency on Russian energy imports, particularly of oil and natural gas. (Photo : Photo by Stringer/Getty Images)

With fears that Russia might cut off gas supply in retaliation over the Ukraine war and after "continuously using energy supplies as a weapon", ministers of the European Union have agreed to reduce gas use with exemptions on some countries to "avoid rationing".

As reported by BBC, the EU members had agreed to voluntarily reduce 15% of gas use between August and March, after the agreement was suggested last week, to save and store gas ahead of winter. Should the supply reach "crisis levels", the voluntary agreement shall become mandatory except for some countries that aren't connected to the EU's gas pipe lines, such as Ireland, Malta and Cyprus.

The exemption of the mandatory gas reduction order is to counter the limited source of alternative supplies in said countries.

Not a Mission Impossible!

Czech Republic, the current holder of EU presidency tweeted on Tuesday that the political agreement on gas demand reduction was "not a Mission Impossible."

Exemptions reach the Baltic nations which are heavily reliant on gas for electricity production. Other countries that exceed gas storage filling targets can also ask to be exempt, as well as critical industries and others with gas consumption that increased by at least 8% in the past year compared to the average of the past five years.

According to Reuters, the cuts could be made binding in a supply emergency, provided a majority of EU countries agree. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russia's supply curb was to impose "price terror" against Europe, and an oil and gas analyst for Investec confirms there is a "high political and economic price" as the EU looks to reduce its dependence on Russian gas. However, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said initial calculations indicate that even with all the exemptions, the EU as a whole would still reduce demand to a level that would get them safely through an average winter.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said the union's agreement would show Russian President Vladimir Putin that they remain united nonetheless.

"You will not split us," Habeck stated.

Also read: State of Emergency Declared: Oak Fire in California Remains Uncontainable

Time of Crisis

According to Habeck, there could be a packed full of compromises and problems might occur as exemptions cause "too much bureaucracy", but were "reasonable". "This is how Europe works," he said.

Among the EU members, Hungary was the only country to oppose to the deal, raising concerns over implementation of the plan. There was also a talk in Brussels that the whole scheme was rushed ahead of the August break and ministers were under even more pressure to act with winter around the corner.

EU had relied 40% of its gas on Russia last year, but have held talks over how to reduce its dependence on Russia since the Ukraine invasion. In fact, they agreed to ban imports of Russian oil last May, BBC reported. While UK would not be directly impacted by the disruption of gas supply, prices in global market would be affected as demand in Europe increases.

Related article: A Qatari Farmer Has Been Planted Medicinal Plants in the Desert
At the ocean's bottom, scientists discover 30 possible new species. Scientists at the Natural History Museum are working to solve riddles of the deep sea, but some worry that their work may upset the variety of the depths.

Scientists have discovered more than 30 possibly brand-new species at the ocean's depths.

Studying the Depths

The central Pacific's abyssal plains of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone were the site of specimen collection by researchers from the UK's Natural History Museum using a remotely controlled vehicle. The only way to study the critters from this region before was through pictures.

Underwater Creatures

Larger animals in the abyss have a high species variety, according to the study published in the journal Zookeys. 48 of the 55 retrieved specimens belonged to distinct species.

Segmented worms, invertebrates from the same family as centipedes, marine creatures from the same family as jellyfish, and several varieties of coral are among the discovered creatures.

Thirty-six specimens were discovered in depths of over 4,800 meters, two were located at 4,125 meters on a seamount slope, and 17 were discovered at depths between 3,095 and 3,562 meters.

Also Read: Ocean Mapping Specialist Aims to Map Earth's Deepest Point



Importance o the Discovery

The discoveries may have significant ramifications for deep-sea mining as people become more interested in mining for minerals from the seabed, and it appears that this activity may disrupt a variety of organisms.

The study's primary author is Dr. Guadalupe Bribiesca-Contreras of the Natural History Museum. She stated: "This Discovery is crucial since these megafauna specimens have only ever been researched via photographs taken from the bottom. We cannot correctly identify the creatures or comprehend how many distinct species there are without the specimens and the DNA information they contain.

According to Dr. Adrian Glover, who heads the Natural History Museum's deep-sea research team, we know that millimeter-sized organisms termed macrofauna are extraordinarily biodiverse in the abyss. However, because so few samples have been obtained, we don't learn very much about the bigger species or megafauna. This study is the first to make the case that diversity within these groups may also be great.

How many species live in the ocean?

It is unclear how many species exist in the ocean. It is hard to determine the precise number of species that live in the ocean due to its enormous vastness. However, research indicates that the ocean's biological diversity is declining. The ability of species to develop to withstand the conditions of our fast-changing world is probably being surpassed by the ongoing loss in the health of many ecosystems and growing extinction rates. But there is some good news as well. Researchers worldwide are still learning more about marine habitats and life to help create fresh approaches to protecting important ocean ecosystems.

According to scientists, 91 percent of ocean species have not yet been categorized, and more than 80 percent of the ocean has not yet been surveyed, seen, or explored. These numbers may seem alarming, but they haven't deterred the world's scientists from working on learning as much as they can about marine life.

Related Article: Crabotage: Research Team Battles Crab While Studying Underwater Volcano

For similar news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
After deadly flash floods inundated the St. Louis metro region, hundreds were saved. By Wednesday, the St. Louis region was still experiencing light rain as locals started to assess the damage left by the area's unprecedented rainfall the day before.

Historic Rainfall and Flooding

The St. Louis area had further rains and thunderstorms on Wednesday morning, one day after a massive, life-threatening downpour flooded streets, homes, downtown structures, and train stations.

Cleaning up around the flooded city was starting, and MetroLink rail service delays were being reported. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, fire departments in St. Charles County and St. Louis County saved at least 400 individuals on Tuesday.

Tuesday, just before noon local time, St. Louis municipal officials announced one death caused by the rapidly rising floodwaters. The corpse of a man was subsequently retrieved from a car that was buried in roughly 8.5 feet of water in a low-lying part of the city, according to the city's fire chief, Dennis Jenkerson. Throughout the morning, the fire department responded to around 70 requests for help or rescue, according to Jenkerson.

Also Read: Incoming Tropical Rainstorm May Bring Relief to Drought Stricken Southest

Sending Rescue

The Post-Dispatch stated that the victim was an unnamed guy in his 60s.

As a result of the floods, St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page issued an executive order on Tuesday afternoon declaring a state of emergency. This opened the door for federal money to aid individuals and small businesses with the expenses of damage relief.

On behalf of the state's governor, Mike Parson, the lieutenant governor of Missouri, Mike Kehoe, also signed an executive order activating the state's emergency operations plan.

In a release on Tuesday, Parson stated, "We want to make sure that our towns have every resource possible to respond and safeguard Missourians."

Tuesday saw over 9 inches of rainfall in St. Louis, breaking the city's all-time daily rainfall record. The majority of the rain came for five hours. The previous record was 6.85 inches, which was achieved 107 years prior, on August 20, 1915, when the remnants of the Galveston Hurricane of that year pummeled the city.

St. Louis received 9.04 inches of rain in only 24 hours, establishing a record for the shortest 24-hour period and exceeding the city's average monthly rainfall of 7.31 inches and almost one-fourth of the average yearly rainfall. Nearby areas, including the Missouri suburb of St. Peters, had more than a foot of rain.

Breaking Records

While some locations broke records, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in St. Louis acknowledged the hyperlocal character of the downpour by tweeting that rainfall totals "varied greatly." At the same time, other places just received a trace of rain.

According to the NWS, many rounds of thunderstorms repeatedly traveled over the I-70 corridor in Missouri and the I-64 corridor in Illinois as the extreme rainfall event developed.

Keeping Safe

Authorities in the area asked residents to stay away from the roads because of the high water levels. As shown on video, segments of Interstate 70 were submerged by floodwaters, forcing the shutdown of the roadway in both directions just before the regularly busy morning commute. Additionally, reports of closures on I-64, I-270, and U.S. Route 61.

About 18 residences with trapped inhabitants and significant water were the subject of St. Louis Fire Department responses. Fifteen others chose to stay put while six humans and six pets were saved by boat. By 10 a.m., the number of power outages in the area had surpassed 20,000. Tuesday at CDT, after Ameren Missouri, the electricity supplier, reported "severe damage" to several regional substations and electrical infrastructure, many people had their electricity restored by the afternoon.

Around 3 a.m., the fire department received its initial call. On Tuesday, a substantial amount of smoke was reportedly present in the Market Street basement of the downtown post office. According to Jenkerson, a substantial volume of water caused an electrical problem in the structure.

Jenkerson reported partial roof collapses on structures, including some abandoned houses, that were pressured by the weight of the water as the floods subsided throughout Tuesday. Up to two inches of rain are anticipated in the area from widespread showers and storms likely to last through early Wednesday. It is potential for isolated flash flooding episodes to occur in regions that have previously experienced floods.

City authorities in adjacent Saint Charles, Missouri, reported that a pedestrian bridge fell due to erosion brought on by the severe rain.

Affecting Everyone

Nearly 1 million residents of the densely populated metro region were at one time on Tuesday during the early morning hours within a flash flooding emergency. A National Weather Service notice is kept only for the most catastrophic flooding situations.

The St. Louis Lambert International Airport was also severely flooded, but it was still open at 8 a.m. Tuesday, CDT. Due to the unprecedented rains, the city's famous Gateway Arch was closed on Tuesday.

According to AccuWeather Meteorologist Dean DeVore, the main lesson is that flash flooding doesn't stop when the rain does.

More Threats

According to AccuWeather meteorologists, flash flood threats are predicted to remain high throughout the week from Kansas and Missouri to Virginia due to more rounds of strong rainfall.

Related Article: Exposure to Major Disasters Can Cause Long-Term Mental Health Problems

For more climate and weather updates, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
FLORIDA - The 1,500-pound Breton is a great white shark - one of the many great whites being monitored by OCEARCH, a global non-profit organization conducting in-depth research on ocean giants.

The marine research group OCEARCH had previously fitted the great white shark, known as "Breton," with a tracking device, as the non-profit organization does with other ocean giants.

Each time the dorsal fin of the shark breaks the water's surface, the tag "pings." The device sends out a signal whenever this occurs, allowing OCEARCH researchers to locate it.

On July 24, the shark was located in the Atlantic Ocean when Breton's latest ping was detected east of Anastasia Island, about 60 miles out on Florida's east coast. The location of the shark's previous ping on July 12 along the Florida coast was a little bit further south.

Breton of Cape Breton

Breton, a 13.3-foot-long adult male great white shark weighing 1,437 pounds, was first tagged by OCEARCH on September 12, 2020. His tagging took place in Canadian waters close to Cape Breton, which is located in the province of Nova Scotia.

The shark was given that name by OCEARCH researchers in honor of the province's easternmost island, Cape Breton.

This #SundayFunday is brought to you by Breton  , a great white shark who, accidentally or not, drew a self-portrait along the Atlantic coastline  https://t.co/fpvWdySLNa  The Ocean Foundation (@oceanfdn) June 26, 2022

In two years of working in the region, Breton is the fifth shark that OCEARCH has tagged at Scatarie Island, which is located just off Cape Breton Island.

Breton has traveled a remarkable 19,500 miles since being tagged, according to OCEARCH. This equates to roughly four-fifths of the circumference of the Earth.

During the time that OCEARCH has been following him, Breton has been swimming in the waters off the coast of the southeastern United States, venturing further out into the Atlantic, and spending time in the waters close to Cape Breton.

Read also: Great White Sharks Show Color-Changing Ability to Camouflage

OCEARCH Data

Since 2007, OCEARCH has been tagging many sharks of various sizes and species all over the world. Data gathered during that time has shown that, in addition to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Nova Scotia is a significant great white hotspot in the Northwest Atlantic.

Every year in the late summer and early fall, white sharks gather in groups in Nova Scotia and Cape Cod to feed on the profusion of seals-and other prey-that are not accessible along the southeast coast, where they spend the rest of the year.

According to the tracking information gathered by OCEARCH, there may be two subpopulations of great white sharks in the Northwest Atlantic, each of which prefers to feed near Cape Cod or Nova Scotia.

Sharks are captured by OCEARCH experts using a modified drumline before being led back to the research vessel, which is a ship that is geared with a special lift that can carry sharks onto the deck. Once there, researchers fit the animals with tracking devices after they collect a variety of samples.

Social media users pointed out earlier this year how Breton's tracking path posted on the OCEARCH website accidentally resulted in an image that uncannily resembled a shark, Newsweek reports.

Related article: Massive 13-Feet-Long Great White Shark Detected Just 20 Miles Off North Carolina Coast
Could there be an increase in shark sightings in the Midwest?

Sharks have traveled up the Mississippi River to the area in the past.

Additionally, some shark scientists think that one species may come back more frequently in the future.

Most Shark Species

The majority of shark species are marine creatures.

Many of the tens of millions of residents in the Midwest's landlocked region may have never witnessed one.

Sharks that can flourish in freshwater include the bull shark, and they may now be migrating deeper inland than ever before, according to AccuWeather.

According to Kevin Feldheim, manager of the Pritzker Laboratory at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, "Bull sharks are generally in the top three in terms of [being] harmful to humans, but they're gorgeous animals."

He further noted two sightings in the Mississippi River over the previous century, one in Alton, Illinois, in 1937, and the other in Columbia, Missouri, in 1995.

Also Read: Apex Predators: Hammerhead vs Tiger Shark, Study Looks at Which Has Meaner Bite?

Bull Sharks

According to the National Wildlife Federation, bull sharks may be found worldwide.

They often wander the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico shorelines in the United States. Because of how much the sharks prefer the shallow coastal waters, people regularly encounter them.

According to Feldheim, other sharks can survive in environments with less salt, but they cannot navigate rivers and lakes like the bull shark.

This allows them to swim out of the ocean and deep into the north-central United States, where summer temperatures might rise by up to 11 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century due to climate change.

Bull sharks and their use of freshwater could change as the climate changes, according to Mike Heithaus, a marine biologist at Florida International University.

"We're seeing them shift their ranges. Some cold-blooded species are being found further north than where they used to be found."

Heithaus claimed that even if the sharks' behavior could alter, there is very little chance that anyone will witness one this far from the water.

Traveling Upstream

Heithaus said several obstacles might stop these sharks from traveling upstream.

"Their population isn't what it used to be, so I wouldn't worry about a bull shark swimming in waters in the Midwest," he noted.

Scientists who strive to find out what causes these occurrences frequently come up with even more questions.

Are these Isolated Cases?

According to Ryan Shell, a U.S. paleontologist, "We don't know how physical impediments like dams and locks play a role or what would drive the sharks to travel upstream. The Forest Service notified the Alton Telegraph. We can explain the what, when, and where of the sharks' actions, but not the how or why."

Although uncommon, there may still be bull shark sightings in the Mississippi.

It's simple to brush these situations off as isolated incidents, according to Shell.

However, that dismisses the intriguing query of how these creatures managed to capture and travel upstream in the first place.

Related Article: Sharks Have Been Around Longer Than Trees: 5 Astounding Facts About This Apex Predator!

For more animal news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
According to a report written by Luise Orsted Brandt of the University of Copenhagen and colleagues and published on July 27, 2022, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, beaver fur was a sign of wealth and a significant commerce commodity in 10th century Denmark.

Beavers as a sign of high status on Vikings

Fur doesn't frequently preserve well in the archaeological record, therefore there isn't much concrete evidence to support the idea that fur was a major commodity during the Viking Age, which lasted between 800 and 1050 CE, as per ScienceDaily.

In earlier instances, species of origin have been determined using the microscopic anatomy of ancient fur, however, this technique is frequently inaccurate.

Overall, nothing is known about the types of furs that the Vikings favored.

For this investigation, Brandt and colleagues examined animal bones from six prestigious tombs in 10th-century Denmark.

Identifiable proteins were retrieved by two distinct analytical techniques from the materials, even if no ancient DNA was, perhaps as a result of treatment procedures used on furs and skins and presumably as a result of preservation circumstances.

Fur from wild animals, notably a weasel, a squirrel, and beavers, was shown on clothes, while grave decorations and accessories featured skins from domestic animals.

These results provide credence to the hypothesis that during the Viking Age, fur represented prosperity.

Because beavers are not indigenous to Denmark, it is likely that this fur was a luxury commodity that was traded for.

Some clothing pieces had fur from many distinct species, displaying an understanding of the various use of various animal hides, and maybe indicating a wish to flaunt special furs.

The greatest obstacle to this kind of research, according to scientists, is the scarcity of comparative protein databases.

As these databases grow, it will be feasible to identify ancient animal skins and furs with greater specificity.

Also Read: Scientists Found Drought May Have Driven the Vikings Out of Greenland

Viking clothing

Wool, linen, animal skins, and, for the affluent, silk, were the materials used to make Viking clothes.

Combs were made from antler, bone, ivory, and wood and were kept in their own cases. It appeared that practically every Viking carried one.

The top class ornamented themselves with jewelry made of silver, gold, jewels, and polished glass, while the lower class also accessorized themselves within their means with tin, lead, iron, and maybe copper.

There were no heels on the animal skin shoes and boots. Scandinavians, with the exception of slaves, were often well-dressed and took great care in their appearance.

Each morning they performed a personal hygiene routine, and Saturday was reserved for bathing and washing clothing, a custom that the Anglo-Saxon chroniclers found both weird and intriguing, as per World History.

Although not all Scandinavians were Vikings, the emphasis the Vikings placed on appearance reflected the values of the greater civilization.

It has been proposed that the idea of fate had a role in this since no one knew when they would die, thus they should always present their finest selves for the inevitable entrance into the hereafter.

The necessity of starting the day "combed and bathed" is stressed in Norse poetry, particularly in the Havamal and Reginsmal, because one never knew where they would be by nightfall or even if they would still be alive.

Related article: A New Vikings Site Discovered In North America Could Rewrite History
According to a report published by the US Congressional Research Service on July 27, 2022, the Virginia class program experienced cost growth in its early years and delays relative to targeted delivery dates. What will Australia decide next?

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Virginia class attack submarine USS Vermont. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

This comes after Australia's previous defense minister, Mr Dutton, said on 13 June 2022 that his plan was to buy two Virginia-class submarines from the US by 2030.

In September 2021 Australia scraped its French contract of Barracuda-class submarines to sign a trilateral security pact called AUKUS with the United Kingdom and the United States.

Under the pact, the United States and the United Kingdom agree to help Australia to develop and deploy nuclear-powered submarines. The other option for the Royal Australian Navy is the future British Astute class submarine.

About the Virginia class submarines

The Virginia class, also known as the SSN-774 class, is a class of nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarines, in service in the United States Navy.

They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare, and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or preparation of regional crises.

The Virginia-class submarine has a length of 114.8 m, and a beam of 10.36 m. The submarine can reach a top speed of 28 miles per hour (45 km/h). She has a crew of 132 people including 15 officers and 117 enlisted.

The Virginia Class is equipped with twelve Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes and four torpedo tubes (starting with SSN 784 North Dakota [Block II], the 12 VLS tubes are replaced by 2 large-diameter payload tubes).

The submarines also carry Mk 48 ADCAP Torpedoes, UGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles, Mk 60 CAPTOR mines, advanced mobile mines, and unmanned underwater vehicles.
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For DVR alerts, film recommendations and movie news, follow Koplinski on Twitter (@ckoplinski). His email is chuckkoplinski@gmail.com.
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Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
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Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's Our County section and former editor of the Rantoul Press. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com.
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NHLANGANO  Director of the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) Khanya Mabuza is calling for the criminalisation of deliberate HIV transmission.

Mabuza was speaking during the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and HIV Campaign in the Shiselweni Region yesterday. The event was held at Nhlangano Park. He was narrating that the recent figures of HIV infections were not good-looking and it was a concern because in as much as Shiselweni was the region with the highest HIV infections, the region was first to have reached the 95-95-95 goal of fighting HIV and AIDS but now, things had gone back to square one. He said the country being hit by COVID-19 affected the improvement of the fight against HIV, adding that some had to be on lockdown, which made it hard for them to access services.

When we could finally step out, we found that the situation was worse and when we went to the regions, we established that there was a lot not being done right, he said. Mabuza said most of the HIV positive people were the perpetrators of gender-based violence in the name of love.

Mabuza stated that people who deliberately transmitted HIV to other people had to be arrested. He said they were calling for the lawmakers to look into it. Mabuza went on to state that they understood that these were matters that were prior not discussed in courts but were calling for them to be considered as it was criminal to deliberately infect another person with HIV.

According to Mabuza, there were people, in particular men, who refused to use protection with their partners even though they knew that they were HIV positive. He narrated that most men refused to get tested but opted for their wives to test and by extension, they (men) would know their status.

Mabuza said there were cases where when one of the partners was positive, especially if it was the woman, the husband would accuse them of cheating and it ended in violence as they would then assault the woman. He said some of the men denied testing when they were the ones who engaged in sexual relations with young girls, hence spreading the virus. He said the current statistics showed that the highest HIV infections were among the girl-child, which spoke much on gender based violence.

Men should know that using money to persuade the young girls to have sexual relations with them is gender-based violence on its own, said Mabuza. Another challenge that has seen the increase in HIV cases, according to Mabuza, was the issue of men who did not want to circumcise. He said such was setting them back of the milestone they had achieved in fighting new infections. Meanwhile, Shiselweni Regional Administrator Representative Sibongile Mamba stated that the seven cases of women murder in the country, four of which were from Shiselweni, raised their eyebrows that there was need to end gender-based violence. She further presented a schedule to be used by different stakeholders in fighting gender-based violence in the region. We, as a region are determined to fight gender-based violence, she said.

The Church Forum on the other hand, through Pastor Reginald Sibiya, said they were calling for government to declare GBV a national disaster as there were lives lost every day. He further encouraged them to talk about GBV in church and educate members about it. Meanwhile, UNFPA promised to continue assisting the country in fighting GBV.
Despite a federal mandate requiring access to early intervention programs (EIP) for children with disabilities, fewer than half of autistic children in four New Jersey counties received services before 36 months of age, according to a Rutgers study.

Income and race-based disparities were significant obstacles to accessing EIP support, researchers found.

"For infants and toddlers on the autism spectrum, early intervention is important for improved later-life outcomes," said Josephine Shenouda, an adjunct professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and lead author of the study published in JAMA Pediatrics. "We wanted to understand the level of early intervention participation among children with autism."

In the U.S., access to EIP for young children is mandated by law as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. However, the extent to which children with autism participate in early intervention programs had not previously been measured.

Shenouda and her colleagues analyzed data collected between 2006 and 2016 by the New Jersey Autism Study, an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) monitoring system developed and maintained by researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

By analyzing the medical and special education records of 23,441 children in Essex, Hudson, Ocean and Union counties, the researchers identified 4,050 8-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder. Fewer than half (1,887; 47 percent) had received EIP services.

The researchers linked cases to data representing different indicators of wealth, including median household income, and found that ASD children residing in affluent areas were 80 percent more likely to receive EIP services than children residing in disadvantaged areas. Black and Hispanic children also were less likely to participate in EIP.

While the study was conducted in New Jersey metropolitan areas, Shenouda said the findings have important implications nationwide.

New Jersey is known as an epicenter of autism, but it also has many resources for autism detection and treatment. If only half of the children with autism in our study area are getting early interventions, chances are the disparities are even more pronounced in other communities and regions with fewer services." Josephine Shenouda, adjunct professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and lead author of the study

Shenouda said there may be multiple reasons why children from disadvantaged and minority areas aren't enrolled in EIP, such as lower rates of ASD screening or less likely follow-through with recommendations. In either case, focused outreach can help increase EIP referrals and participation.

Shenouda added: "With autism prevalence estimates approaching 7 percent in some areas, we need universal autism screening between 18 and 36 months and enhanced support for the early intervention system. These actions will reduce economic and race-based disparities in autism identification and care."
New research has advanced COVID-19 vaccine work in several ways: using a modified live attenuated mumps virus for delivery, showing that a more stable coronavirus spike protein stimulates a stronger immune response, and suggesting a dose up the nose has an advantage over a shot.

Based on these combined findings in rodent experiments, Ohio State University scientists envision one day incorporating a coronavirus antigen into the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine as a way to produce COVID-19 immunity in kids.

We were pushing to make a vaccine for infants and children with the idea that if we could incorporate the mumps COVID vaccine into the MMR vaccine, you'd have protection against four pathogens  measles, mumps, rubella and SARS-CoV-2  in a single immunization program." Jianrong Li, senior author of the study and professor of virology in Ohio State's Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Infectious Diseases Institute

"If infants and children could develop immunity against COVID infection with the MMR vaccine, that would be great  no extra immunization needed."

The research is published today (July 27, 2022) in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

To create the antigen that stimulates immunity in this vaccine candidate, researchers used a prefusion version of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein  the shape it is in on the surface of the virus before the virus infects a cell. The spike was locked into this form by changing six of its amino acids to prolines, an inflexible amino acid.

Experiments comparing the six-proline protein, 6P, to a spike protein with two prolines, 2P, showed that the 6P induces significantly more neutralizing antibodies in mice and golden Syrian hamsters than the 2P version. These are the first published results showing the 6P antigen is more effective than the 2P spike protein with which the existing mRNA and adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines were created, the researchers said.

"The 6P antigen is about 8 1/2 times better than 2P. That's a big deal  that's a lot more antibody production, which may become important since it looks like the virus is going to keep on evolving," said study co-author Mark Peeples, professor of pediatrics at Ohio State and a researcher at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus.

Li, in collaboration with Peeples and Veterinary Biosciences Professor Stefan Niewiesk, previously led development of a measles-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate, but found that the mumps virus genome is even more amenable than measles to insertion of the spike protein gene. The study used a mumps vaccine strain that has been a component of the current MMR vaccine used in children since the 1960s. Once the 6P spike protein gene is inserted into the genome, the recombinant mumps virus replicates more slowly but is genetically stable and grows well in a World Health Organization-approved cell line for vaccine production.

In animals, the live attenuated mumps vaccine modified in this way generated high levels of the 6P protein antigen, which triggered a strong immune response.

Researchers compared the 6P spike protein vaccine candidate's effectiveness to a 2P version in mumps, and to mumps without the spike protein, in mice engineered to be highly susceptible to mumps infection and in golden Syrian hamsters, a standard animal model for SARS-CoV-2 studies. In all experiments, the 6P vaccine produced the best results: higher concentrations of neutralizing antibodies after vaccination and, after introduction of a SARS-CoV-2 virus challenge a few weeks later, protection from lung damage and significantly fewer viral particles in the lungs and nasal cavity.

"We didn't test the omicron variant for this paper, but the 6P vaccine induced neutralizing antibodies and T cell activity against several variants of concern and offered complete protection from disease caused by the parent SARS-CoV-2 virus and the delta variant," Li said. "That's very important and suggests that if we use the 6P spike protein for vaccine protection in the future, we can enhance a vaccine's ability to protect humans."

In addition, the Li laboratory developed a rapid recombination system that enables the insertion of any antigen into a mumps or measles virus in a week. "With this technique, the MMR vaccine can be rapidly updated to protect against new SARS-CoV-2 variants as they emerge," said study first author Yuexiu Zhang, a major contributor to this technology in Li's lab.

Researchers vaccinated study animals by both injections and by drops into the nose, an attractive needle-free option that, the results suggested, provides superior protection against the coronavirus by inducing not only system-wide antibodies, but a broad response of specialized antibodies called IgA on mucosal surfaces of the airways as well, Li said.

"Like most of the injected vaccines, current mRNA and adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines primarily induce antibodies in the bloodstream. Unfortunately, antibodies in the bloodstream do not protect the mucosal site of the airways very well, which is the initial site of infection with SARS-CoV-2. In contrast to injected vaccines, our new intranasal vaccine may be the next generation of COVID-19 vaccine because it can induce robust IgA, which directly neutralizes the SARS-CoV-2 in the nose and airways tissues," said co-author Prosper Boyaka, professor of mucosal immunology and chair of veterinary biosciences at Ohio State.

Added Peeples, "Having those antibodies on the surface of the airways could be a real advantage compared to hoping that some of the antibodies in the bloodstream will end up in the respiratory tract."

The study findings also suggest that existing immunity to mumps from vaccination or previous infection may slow the initial stimulation of antibodies by the mumps-based COVID-19 vaccine, but does not prevent a strong, protective antibody response.

"That finding suggests this candidate can be used not only in infants, but also in adults who have mumps antibodies," Li said.

The team began work on this mumps-based vaccine almost a year ago, long before the June 17 federal approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months or older. Given the MMR's 50-plus-year history as a safe childhood vaccine, the scientists are now evaluating ways to modify the MMR with coronavirus antigens from multiple variants.

This study was supported by startup fund and bridge funding from Ohio State's Department of Veterinary Biosciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, a seed grant from Nationwide Children's Hospital and grants from the National Institutes of Health. Jason McLellan of the University of Texas at Austin provided the stabilized spike genes for this study.

Additional co-authors include Mijia Lu, Eunsoo Kim, Mohamed Shamseldin, Michelle Chamblee, Jesse Hall, Adam Kenny, Xueya Liang, Jacob Yount and Purnima Dubey of Ohio State; Mahesh K C, Piyush Dravid, Sheetal Trivedi, Supranee Chaiwatpongsakorn, Satyapramod Srinivasa Murthy, Himanshu Sharma and Amit Kapoor of Nationwide Children's Hospital; and Chengjin Ye, Jun-Gyu Park and Luis Martinez-Sobrido of the Texas Biomedical Research Institute.

The Ohio State Research Foundation and the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital have filed an invention report for the mumps virus-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
Scientists with the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were among those providing the biochemical tools needed to help save a man's life through a unique emergency intervention in 2016.

Now those Center for Phage Technology scientists in the Texas A&M Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Bryan-College Station, have completed a study about that treatment as well as other opportunities for phage therapy.

Their study, "Comparative genomics of Acinetobacter baumannii and therapeutic bacteriophages from a patient undergoing phage therapy," was published recently in the scientific journal Nature Communications.

The threat of antimicrobial resistance has become a worldwide concern, with the World Health Organization estimating at least 50 million people per year worldwide could die from it by 2050. Center for Phage Technology scientists believe phage therapeutics can be used to fight these resistant bacterial infections.

The premiere case involved phage center scientists working in collaboration with other scientists and physicians at University of California San Diego, UC San Diego, School of Medicine and the U.S. Navy Medical Research Center  Biological Defense Research Directorate. Together, they worked to identify phages and determine a treatment plan for Tom Patterson, a professor of psychiatry at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, who was infected by a deadly pathogen while vacationing in Egypt.

About phages

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that can infect and kill bacteria without having a negative effect on human or animal cells. Phages can be used alone or in combination with antibiotics or other drugs to treat bacterial infections.

Bacteriophage therapy is an emerging field that many researchers think could yield novel ways to fight antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. At the center, we are interested in the applications of phage therapeutics to fight multidrug-resistant bacterial infections." Mei Liu, Ph.D., program director at the Center for Phage Technology and a primary investigator for the study

She said the center's work is aided by the team's deep knowledge of phage biology, particularly in the areas of phage lysis and phage genomics.

Patterson's predicament

In 2015, while on vacation in Egypt during the Thanksgiving holiday, Patterson began to experience severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Local doctors diagnosed him with pancreatitis and treated him accordingly, but the treatments didn't work and his condition worsened.

He was later transported to Germany, where doctors found fluid around his pancreas and took cultures from the fluid's contents. The cultures showed he had been infected with a multidrug-resistant strain of Acinetobacter baumannii, an often-deadly pathogen found in hospital settings and in the Middle East. The same pathogen was also identified in many injured U.S. military members returning home after serving in that part of the world.

In Germany, Patterson was treated with a combination of antibiotics, and his condition improved to a degree where he could be airlifted to the intensive care unit at Thornton Hospital in the UC San Diego Health academic health system. There, however, the medical team discovered that the bacteria had become resistant to antibiotics.

Tom Patterson, in hospital bed, received phage therapy from Robert "Chip" Schooley, MD, left, of UC San Diego Health. (Courtesy photo used with permission of Dr. Tom Patterson)

A "compassionate use" exemption for phage therapy was requested by Dr. Robert "Chip" Schooley, the UC San Diego physician treating Patterson. He was given rapid approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, to proceed.

Shortly after the phage treatment began, Patterson awakened from a months-long coma. After a long recovery, his health improved greatly, and he was able to return to life as it was before the infection.

Acinetobacter baumannii and other resistant pathogens

Acinetobacter baumannii is recognized as a significant bacterial pathogen in health care-associated infections. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report from 2019 stated that antibiotic-resistant pathogens cause more than 2.8 million infections and more than 35,000 deaths annually in the U.S.

Several characteristics of the pathogen that infected Patterson impacted the treatment regimens and outcomes, said Ry Young, Ph.D., director of the Center for Phage Technology.

Patterson's wife, Steffanie Strathdee, Ph.D., associate dean of global health sciences with UC San Diego School of Medicine and an infectious disease epidemiologist, had contacted Young to seek his help in finding a treatment for her husband once she became aware of Young's extensive work with phages.

Young and his lab team took up the challenge and worked almost nonstop for three months to help find a solution.

Phages are viruses that can infect and kill bacteria without affecting human or animal cells. Phage therapy was used extensively in the early 20th century prior to the use of antibiotics. (Stock illustration)

"Cases of resistant infections are becoming more prevalent and very few new antibiotics are available, so the use of bacteriophages to treat or control multidrug-resistant infections is being reconsidered as an alternative strategy," Young said. "Phage therapy is actually a very old concept, having been used extensively in the early 20th century during the pre-antibiotic era."

Phage treatment also has been successful in several more recent case studies involving multidrug-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria.

"Phages had been sidelined as a potential treatment for bacterial infections when antibiotics came into wide use in the U.S.," Liu said. "But in other areas of the world, particularly where antibiotics were not immediately available, researchers and doctors have continued developing and practicing phage therapy. Now we are seeing more instances of how phage therapy can be used when antibiotics alone are not sufficient to treat bacterial infections."

Lessons from the Patterson case

Jason Gill, Ph.D., professor in the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science and associate director of the Center for Phage Technology, said while the Patterson case and similar case studies treating multidrug-resistant bacteria have been encouraging in terms of clinical outcome, a more in-depth examination of the phage-host interaction during treatment and its implications is needed.

"The recent study showed that resistance to the therapeutic phages emerged early, and the acquisition of new mobile elements by the bacteria can occur during treatment," said Gill, a corresponding author of the study. "It is important to have a thorough genomic analysis of phages prior to phage treatment in order to maximize treatment success and minimize both effort and resources. There is also a need for conventional experimental testing for phage host range and growth characteristics."

Gill also noted the use of well-characterized phages in a phage cocktail can avoid redundancy and significantly save time and effort in phage production and purification. Eight of the nine phages used for treatment in the Patterson case turned out to be closely related, and this knowledge could have been used to streamline the process if the investigators had known this when assembling the treatment.

"The Patterson case has done a lot to increase awareness of phage therapy and its effectiveness as an alternative therapy for multidrug-resistant pathogenic strains," Liu said. "The success of phage therapy in that case and other cases has brought wider attention to its use and efficacy."

Liu added that the Center for Phage Technology is focusing on developing the technology, standardizing optimal delivery procedures and securing necessary approvals from regulatory agencies to make phage treatment available to patients in the U.S.

"Much of what we did in the Patterson case was unconventional due to the context of phage therapy at that time," Liu said. "But there have been many advances in genomic sequencing and other technologies since then. Today, it would be a much quicker and more efficient process to develop and implement phage therapy if there was another case similar to Patterson's."
Physical and mental activities, such as household chores, exercise, and visiting with family and friends, may help lower the risk of dementia, according to a new study published in the July 27, 2022, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study looked at the effects of these activities, as well as mental activities and use of electronic devices in people both with and without higher genetic risk for dementia.

Many studies have identified potential risk factors for dementia, but we wanted to know more about a wide variety of lifestyle habits and their potential role in the prevention of dementia. Our study found that exercise, household chores, and social visits were linked to a reduced risk of various types of dementia." Huan Song, MD, PhD, study author, Sichuan University in Chengdu, China

The study involved 501,376 people from a UK database without dementia with an average age of 56.

Participants filled out questionnaires at the beginning of the study, including one on physical activities. They were asked how often they participated in activities such as climbing a flight of stairs, walking, and participating in strenuous sports. They were also asked about household chores, job-related activities, and what kind of transportation they used, including walking or biking to work.

Participants completed another questionnaire on mental activities. They were asked about their education level, whether they attend adult education classes, how often they visit with friends and family, visit pubs or social clubs or religious groups, and how often they use electronic devices such as playing computer games, watching TV, and talking on the phone.

Additionally, participants reported whether they had any immediate family members with dementia. This helped researchers determine if they had a genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. Study participants were followed an average of 11 years. At the end of the study, 5,185 people had developed dementia.

After adjusting for multiple factors such as age, income, and smoking, researchers found that most physical and mental activities studied showed links to the risk of dementia. Importantly, the findings remain after considering the high correlations and interactions of these activities. People who were highly engaged in activity patterns including frequent exercises, household chores, and daily visits of family and friends had 35%, 21%, and 15% lower risk of dementia, respectively, compared to people who were the least engaged in these activity patterns.

Researchers also looked at dementia incidence rates by identified activity patterns. The rate in people who exercised frequently was 0.45 cases for every 1,000 person-years compared to 1.59 for people who rarely exercised. Person-years take into account the number of people in a study as well as the amount of time spent in the study. Those who frequently did household chores had a rate of 0.86 cases for every 1,000 person-years compared to 1.02 for people who rarely did household chores. People who visited family daily had a rate of 0.62 cases for every 1,000 person-years compared to 0.8 cases for those who only visited friends and family once every few months.

"Our study has found that by engaging more frequently in healthy physical and mental activities people may reduce their risk of dementia," Song said. "More research is needed to confirm our findings. However, our results are encouraging that making these simple lifestyle changes may be beneficial."

The researchers found that all participants benefited from the protective effect of physical and mental activities, whether or not they had a family history of dementia.

A limitation of the study was that people reported their own physical and mental activity, so they may not have remembered and reported these activities correctly.

The study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics.
Ancient genomes from the herpes virus that commonly causes lip sores  and currently infects some 3.7 billion people globally  have been uncovered and sequenced for the first time by an international team of scientists led by the University of Cambridge.

Latest research suggests that the HSV-1 virus strain behind facial herpes as we know it today arose around five thousand years ago, in the wake of vast Bronze Age migrations into Europe from the Steppe grasslands of Eurasia, and associated population booms that drove rates of transmission.

Herpes has a history stretching back millions of years, and forms of the virus infect species from bats to coral. Despite its contemporary prevalence among humans, however, scientists say that ancient examples of HSV-1 were surprisingly hard to find.

The authors of the study, published in the journal Science Advances, say the Neolithic flourishing of facial herpes detected in the ancient DNA may have coincided with the advent of a new cultural practice imported from the east: romantic and sexual kissing.

The world has watched COVID-19 mutate at a rapid rate over weeks and months. A virus like herpes evolves on a far grander timescale." Dr Charlotte Houldcroft, co-senior author, Cambridge's Department of Genetics

"Facial herpes hides in its host for life and only transmits through oral contact, so mutations occur slowly over centuries and millennia. We need to do deep time investigations to understand how DNA viruses like this evolve," she said. "Previously, genetic data for herpes only went back to 1925."

The team managed to hunt down herpes in the remains of four individuals stretching over a thousand-year period, and extract viral DNA from the roots of teeth. Herpes often flares up with mouth infections: at least two of the ancient cadavers had gum disease and a third smoked tobacco.

The oldest sample came from an adult male excavated in Russia's Ural Mountain region, dating from the late Iron Age around 1,500 years ago.

Two further samples were local to Cambridge, UK. One a female from an early Anglo-Saxon cemetery a few miles south of the city, dating from 6-7th centuries CE. The other a young adult male from the late 14th century, buried in the grounds of medieval Cambridge's charitable hospital (later to become St. John's College), who had suffered appalling dental abscesses.

The final sample came from a young adult male excavated in Holland: a fervent clay pipe smoker, most likely massacred by a French attack on his village by the banks of the Rhine in 1672.

"We screened ancient DNA samples from around 3,000 archaeological finds and got just four herpes hits," said co-lead author Dr Meriam Guellil, from Tartu University's Institute of Genomics.

"By comparing ancient DNA with herpes samples from the 20th century, we were able to analyse the differences and estimate a mutation rate, and consequently a timeline for virus evolution," said co-lead author Dr Lucy van Dorp, from the UCL Genetics Institute.

Co-senior author Dr Christiana Scheib, Research Fellow at St. John's College, University of Cambridge, and Head of the Ancient DNA lab at Tartu University, said: "Every primate species has a form of herpes, so we assume it has been with us since our own species left Africa."

"However, something happened around five thousand years ago that allowed one strain of herpes to overtake all others, possibly an increase in transmissions, which could have been linked to kissing."

The researchers point out that the earliest known record of kissing is a Bronze Age manuscript from South Asia, and suggest the custom  far from universal in human cultures  may have travelled westward with migrations into Europe from Eurasia.

In fact, centuries later, the Roman Emperor Tiberius tried to ban kissing at official functions to prevent disease spread, a decree that may have been herpes-related. However, for most of human prehistory, HSV-1 transmission would have been "vertical": the same strain passing from infected mother to newborn child.

Two-thirds of the global population under the age of 50 now carry HSV-1, according to the World Health Organisation. For most of us, the occasional lip sores that result are embarrassing and uncomfortable, but in combination with other ailments  sepsis or even COVID-19, for example  the virus can be fatal. In 2018, two women died of HSV-1 infection in the UK following Caesarean births.

"Only genetic samples that are hundreds or even thousands of years old will allow us to understand how DNA viruses such as herpes and monkeypox, as well as our own immune systems, are adapting in response to each other," said Houldcroft.

The team would like to trace this hardy primordial disease even deeper through time, to investigate its infection of early hominins. "Neanderthal herpes is my next mountain to climb," added Scheib.
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, investigators explored the likelihood of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron BA.2 and BA.5 vaccine breakthrough infections.

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 lineage was first discovered in February 2022 in South Africa, shortly after the discovery of the BA.4 lineage. Soon after, both have taken over as the predominant SARS-CoV-2 variants in South Africa, with an increase in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidences in other nations like Portugal.

On 8 May 2022, Doutor Ricardo Jorge of the Portuguese National Institute of Health (INSA) predicted that 37% of SARS-CoV-2 cases in Portugal would be associated with BA.5. At the end of May, it was anticipated that BA.5 might overtake all other SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Portugal. This estimation was based on the 13% projected growth advantage per day and a doubling period of roughly six days of the Omicron BA.5 lineage. Further, Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 were reclassified by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) from variants of interest (VOI) to variants of concern (VOC) as of 12 May 2022.

Clarifying the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and prior infections on the likelihood of infection and critical post-infection outcomes is pertinent given the circulation of numerous Omicron lineages. Alternative study methods that only incorporate infected patients and measure the vaccine's relative effect might be helpful in the setting of substantially vaccinated communities when it is challenging to construct a negative control cohort.

About the study

The present research draws on an earlier assessment of the severity and effectiveness of the SARS-CoV-2 variant vaccination to investigate the comparative efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine towards Omicron sublineages.

To compare the effectiveness of the complete primary and booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine against infection, COVID-19-linked hospitalization, and death, the team conducted case-case and cohort studies covering the time of Omicron BA.2/BA.5 lineage replacement across Portugal utilizing electronic health records and SARS-CoV-2 laboratory monitoring data. They categorized SARS-CoV-2 variants using spike gene target failure (SGTF) or whole-genome sequencing (WGS).

The authors adopted two different strategies to conduct the study. Initially, they performed a case-case analysis to assess the chances of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine breakthrough infection between Omicron BA.5- and BA.2-infected people. Secondly, the scientists leveraged a cohort study design to examine the vaccine efficiency following COVID-19 against infection-related death and hospitalization in BA.5- and BA.2-infected subjects. Instead of considering uninfected persons in comparisons, post-infection vaccine efficacy (VEp) was calculated by comparing the likelihood of catastrophic outcomes in vaccinated infected and unvaccinated infected individuals.

Results

Out of the 27,702 samples collected between 25 April and 10 June 2022, 55.5% were categorized as BA.2 and the rest as BA.5. The present investigation demonstrated no variations in probabilities of vaccination between BA.5 and BA.2 cases throughout the Portuguese adult population by a case-case analysis method, indicating equivalent vaccine efficacy against BA.5 and BA.2 infection. The investigators found no proof of diminished vaccine efficacy for the initial complete vaccination or booster shot against BA.5 compared to BA.2 infection.

Comparing BA.5 cases to BA.2, the vaccine-induced immunity against SARS-CoV-2 reinfection was less effective. Across BA.5-infected people, COVID-19 booster vaccination was linked to an 88% and 77% decrease in the probability of COVID-19-related death and hospitalization, respectively. However, a heightened risk reduction was identified for BA.2 patients, with 94% and 93% for SARS-CoV-2-linked mortality and hospital admission, respectively. While the researchers discovered that BA.5 patients who received a booster vaccination had 3.4 times greater odds of being hospitalized than BA.2 cases, the first booster had a moderate protective impact in lowering the likelihood of hospital admission.

Conclusions

The study findings offer significant evidence that might inform public health policies in Portugal and other nations where the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 lineage is spreading more widely. It implies that the rise in COVID-19 instances observed in countries with elevated BA.5 frequency may be associated with the increased immune escape of BA.5.

In addition, the study data showed that irrespective of vaccination status, the Omicron BA.5 lineage was linked to higher probabilities of reinfection than Omicron BA.2. SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccine provided significant protection against catastrophic outcomes after BA.5 infection, albeit being less effective than BA.2.

In short, the current work enables the detection of COVID-19-related hospital admissions and deaths and provides a reliable categorization of SARS-CoV-2 outcomes centered on electronic health record linkage. It gives a thorough overview of the risk of BA.5 vaccine breakthrough infection, hospitalization, and mortality.

The team demonstrated that vaccinations were less effective in lowering the risk of catastrophic outcomes for BA.5 than for BA.2, thus offering proof to alter public health interventions during the BA.5 wave. Further, they restricted the analysis to the transitional time between BA.2 and BA.5 and a short period afterward, thereby reducing the likelihood of biases brought about by shifting testing practices.

*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.
The rapidly growing cannabis business is attracting considerable interest from investors, business developers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. The Green Rush presents many opportunities for analytical testing labs in the following areas: Heavy Metal Screening, Residual Solvents, Pesticides & Herbicides, Potency Analysis, Cannabinoid Characterization, Quality Control, and other areas.

For those planning to enter the business, the best intentions for success will fall short without a sound strategy and a reliable partner for instrumentation and other resources.

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Having the right people with the proper expertise to guide you will increase the odds considerably in your favor. Take a moment - step back - and ask yourself a few important questions regarding your plans for a cannabis testing business.

Why do you want to get into the cannabis testing business?

Perhaps you see a need for a high-quality cannabis testing lab in your area. Maybe you want to apply your skills in business management or expertise in cannabis production. Or perhaps you want to ensure that a safe, high-quality product is available for patients relying on medicinal cannabis. Regardless of your motivation, the driving forces behind your actions are crucial.

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Cannabinoid potency testing can make use of stand-alone HPLC systems with methods and standard operating procedures customized for a given lab. Depending on the product and sample type, a dedicated LC/MS system may be more appropriate to unmask and decipher analytes in complex matrices. Volatile cannabis compounds will often require a GC or GC/MS system for accurate analysis. In terpene or residual solvent testing, a headspace unit paired with GC/MS is often required to account for increased sample volatility.

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Cannabis testing solutions

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In a recent study published in Science, the researchers demonstrated that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) zoonotic spillover to humans involved two separate cross-species transmission events, and lineages A and B viruses.

Background

It is crucial to understand the circumstances which lead to a pandemic to prevent future pandemics. In the case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which began in late 2019 in the Huanan market of Wuhan, China, the diversity of SARS-CoV-2 quickly increased, leading to the emergence of multiple variants of concern (VOCs). However, its initial phase was marked by only two major lineages, 'A and B.

The reference genome, Wuhan/Hu-1/2019, and the earliest genome, Wuhan/IPBCAMS-WH-01/2019, sampled on 24 and 26 December 2019, respectively, belonged to lineage B, which remained the most common throughout the pandemic. Later, two samples collected on 30 December 2019 and 5 January 2020 from Wuhan showed the presence of lineage A viruses.

While SARS-CoV-2 lineage B has a C/T pattern at nucleotide positions, C8782, T28144, lineage A viruses have a T/C pattern at nucleotide positions, C8782T, T28144C. Studies have not answered several questions about the evolution of these two SARS-CoV-2 lineages. For instance, why did lineage B predominate in the early pandemic phase despite being distantly related to sarbecoviruses from Rhinolophus bats, the presumed host reservoir of SARS-CoV-2?

About the study

In the present study, researchers gathered genomic and epidemiological data from the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic to determine the ancestral haplotype and the genomic characteristics of the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of SARS-CoV-2 to help understand the evolution of lineages A and B.

They deployed phylodynamic rooting methods combined with epidemic simulations to study SARS-CoV-2 genomic diversity before February 2020. The researchers reconstructed the genome of a hypothetical progenitor of SARS-CoV-2 to study its mutational pattern. Further, they used a random-effects substitution model to infer the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 haplotype. Finally, the researchers inferred the time of the lineage B and lineage A primary cases, accounting for the symptom onset date and earliest documented COVID-19 hospitalization date.

Study findings

By February 14, 2020, the researchers identified 787 near-full length genomes from SARS-CoV-2 lineages A and B. Due to convergent evolution, the authors continually observed C/C and T/T genomes throughout the pandemic. The genome of the recombinant common ancestor (recCA) differed from Hu-1 by just 381 substitutions, including C8782T and T28144C. This finding indicated that genetic similarity to related viruses was a poor substitute for the ancestral haplotype. The authors observed 23 unique reversions and 631 unique substitutions across the SARS-CoV-2 phylogeny by February 2020.

The authors also successfully inferred the ancestral haplotype of the 787 lineage A and B genomes sampled by 14 February 2020. Phylodynamic rooting favored a lineage B or C/C ancestral haplotype, although lineage B exhibited more divergence from the root of the SARS-CoV-2 phylogeny tree than expected. Further, it showed that a lineage A ancestral haplotype was inconsistent with the molecular clock, with Bayes factor (BF) = 48.1. Due to the C-to-T transition bias, the T/T ancestral haplotype, with BF>10 was also disfavored. Epidemic simulations did not support the notion that a single introduction of SARS-CoV-2 gave rise to the observed phylogeny.

The researchers could infer only three possible ancestral haplotypes -lineage A, lineage B, and C/C. Further, they inferred the time of most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) for SARS-CoV-2 to be 11 December 2019 which remained consistent in the recCA-rooted and fixed ancestral haplotype studies. The genomes sequenced early during the pandemic had 35.2% and 64.8% of lineages A and B, respectively. Moreover, they had a large polytomy, which refers to the descending of multiple lineages from a single node on the phylogenetic tree. The infection dates of the lineage B and lineage A primary cases were 18 and 25 November 2019, respectively. In 64.6% of the posterior samples, the lineage B cases predated lineage A cases by an average of seven days.

Conclusions

The study results defined a narrow window during which SARS-CoV-2 first spilled over into humans to cause the first cases of COVID-19. Interestingly, it involved two independent zoonotic events, with lineage A and B progenitor viruses co-circulating in non-human mammals before their spillover into humans. The first event occurred around 18 November 2019 and involved lineage B viruses, while the second occurred within weeks of the first event and involved lineage A viruses. Additional, cryptic introductions also likely accompanied these two zoonotic events, and the authors also raised the possibility of failed introductions of intermediate SARS-CoV-2 haplotypes.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to reverse zoonosis in Syrian hamsters and white-tailed deer. Overall, these findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 did not have to adapt within humans to spread.
MBABANE  Business Eswatini has filed an application to participate in the matter to determine whether pension benefits of parastal employees suspected of stealing from their employer can be withheld pending proceedings to recover the money.

Business Eswatini (BE) wants the High Court to grant it leave to intervene and be joined in the matter between Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) and Mzwandile Gugulethu Tsela. Tsela, who was a mail sorter based at Riverstone Post Office, is accused of stealing E1 050 982 from EPTC. He resigned from work, prompting EPTC to rush to court, where it obtained an order to withhold his pension benefits pending proceedings for the recovery of the money. Tsela is opposed to the application.

Bench

The matter will be heard by a full bench comprising Judge Mzwandile Fakudze, who will preside, Judge Doris Tshabalala and Judge Ticheme Dlamini. EPTC is represented by Mxolisi Dlamini of Dynasty Inc Attorneys. In the application to intervene, which EPTC is not opposed to, Nathi Dlamini, the BE Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said the purpose of the application is to seek an order to be joined in the main proceedings to enable BE to take part in the matter, representing the interests of members of the business community or employers who are its members as an employer federation.

Dlamini described human capital as an important aspect of commerce and trade. He said issues affecting employees, like the deduction of pension benefits for theft or fraud, equally affected employers and investors. The CEO said employers had an interest in recovering funds stolen or defrauded by their employees, which in some instances could add up to millions of Emalangeni, depending on the extent of the fraud per given instance.

Investors

It would indeed be a bitter pill to swallow for investors to realise that having invested immensely and created employment opportunities in the country, they will be left empty handed when employees turn around to defraud them, knowing very well that their pension benefits will be untouchable, except for deductions related to maintenance, said Dlamini. The CEO further submitted that the judgment of the court on the issue of pension benefits and allowable deductions, for purposes of recouping funds stolen by employees by means of a dissipation interdict, will affect employers across the board. It is in that light that, therefore, that BE seeks to intervene and partake in the proceedings as an employers federation representing the interests of its members, Dlamini said.

He informed the court that BE received a report advising about a pending court application between EPTC and Tsela, who had allegedly committed fraud and resigned from EPTC before disciplinary proceedings could be instituted. Dlamini argued that BE had direct and substantial interest in the matter as an employers federation protecting the interests of its members and fulfilling its role in safeguarding the interests of the business community and trading environment in Eswatini. Any order that the court would make, in determining the issue regarding an employers right to an anti-dissipate interdict, in respect of pension benefits pending civil action for recovering monies defrauding by former employees, would directly affect the rights and interests of the members of BE, added Dlamini.The CEO also informed the court that an adverse order that the court would make would mean that the prohibition on deduction of pension benefits other than for maintenance purposes, would not be restricted to the public service or public officers but would extend to the private sector.

Repercussions

Such an order, according to Dlamini, would have negative repercussions on the economy of the country and its efforts to attract foreign direct investment. He informed the court that the country would be seen as condoning fraud and theft of investors funds, and as such it would be lowly ranked in the international index for ease of doing business. Investor confidence would be eroded since investors/employers would have no real recourse against employees who defraud them amounts in the region of millions knowing very well that their employers cannot recover same from their pension benefits. There would be no certainty that even if judgment were to be granted in favour of the employer it would be executable to recover the stolen amounts. In the eyes of investors and or the international business community, the country would be seen as promotion fraud and or theft of investors monies by preventing employers from recovering the stolen amounts from the stolen amounts from former employees pension benefits, the CEO further said.

Negativity

He submitted that the country could not afford such negativity or erosion of investors confidence in its endeavour to attract foreign direct investment, which creates employment opportunities for the betterment of the lives of the ordinary citizens. Dlamini pointed out that already the unemployment rate as published by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security stands at 33.3 per cent and youth unemployment is at 58.2 per cent. The application by BE will be argued tomorrow.
Dementia doesn't just involve cognitive decline, it also involves deteriorating physical function. This major cause of limitation in activities of daily living in older adults with dementia requires safe, effective, and evidence-based nonpharmacological approaches. One such approach is chair yoga. A noninvasive and low-impact intervention, chair yoga is practiced sitting or standing using a chair for support and combines flexibility, balance, strength, breathing, relaxation, and mindfulness training.

Unfortunately, barriers such as lack of transportation, living in rural areas, relying on caregivers and especially the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented many older adults with dementia from participating in group-based in-person chair yoga classes. These burdens call for an innovative way to deliver a chair yoga intervention for those who cannot travel to a community center.

The considerable time and cost associated with traveling to in-person yoga sessions over several weeks could be burdensome to many patients." Juyoung Park, Ph.D., senior author, principal investigator and professor in the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work within Florida Atlantic University's College of Social Work and Criminal Justice

Researchers from FAU's College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and Schmidt College of Medicine and collaborators, conducted a novel interdisciplinary study to evaluate a remotely supervised online chair yoga intervention targeted at older adults with dementia and measured clinical outcomes virtually via Zoom under the remote guidance. The study assessed the feasibility of this intervention and explored the relationship between chair yoga and clinical outcomes of pain interference, mobility, risk of falling, sleep disturbance, autonomic reactivity, and loneliness.

Results of the study, published in the journal Complimentary Therapies in Clinical Practice, showed that remotely supervised online chair yoga is a feasible approach for managing physical and psychological symptoms in socially isolated older adults with dementia based on retention (70 percent) and adherence (87.5 percent), with no injury or other adverse events.

"This finding is important, as older adults with dementia and their caregivers may be challenged in attempts to attend chair yoga programs at community facilities," said Park, who conducted the research with her mentee and co-author Hannah Levine, a medical student at FAU. "Our telehealth-based chair yoga intervention was found to be convenient for both participants and their caregivers because it was easily accessible from home and did not require transportation or getting dressed, which reduced caregiver burden and stress."

Participants in the pilot study took part in twice weekly 60-minute sessions for eight weeks. During the chair yoga session, the yoga interventionist was spotlighted in the Zoom screen to allow participants to see only the interventionist. This spotlighting enabled participants to focus on the yoga sessions without being distracted by other participants on the screen.

"Our study participants worked with a certified yoga interventionist and their caregivers and practiced breathing techniques and intentional practice; physical postures; and guided relaxation and visualization," said Park.

Participants also interacted on Zoom with other participants or with the facilitator to maintain social bonds while maintaining physical distance. Psychosocial and physiological (i.e., cardiac) data were collected remotely at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention.

"Remotely collected cardiac and psychosocial data can provide a more complete assessment of the effects of an intervention," said Maria de los Angeles Ortega Hernandez, DNP, APRN, GNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, CDP, FAANP, FAAN, director of the FAU Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center, associate dean of clinical practice and professor, FAU Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. "Importantly, online chair yoga classes provide a means of reducing health disparities by opening access to interventions for persons who are unable to travel to a clinic or facility."

The primary aim of the study was to assess the feasibility (retention, adherence, and safety) of conducting a remotely supervised, home-based, online chair intervention and completing outcome measures virtually. The secondary aim was to examine the relationship between the intervention and chronic pain, physical function, or psychological symptoms. Finally, an exploratory aim was to evaluate the ease and ability of caregivers and participants to record cardiac data remotely for offline analyses of the effect of the intervention on parasympathetic regulation and overall heart rate.

"An important feature of our technology-based intervention is that it could allow socially isolated older adults with dementia who are living at home, especially those in underserved communities where people are becoming more digitally connected, to receive remotely supervised chair yoga that provides physical, social and psychological benefits," said Lisa Ann Kirk Wiese, Ph.D., co-author and an associate professor, FAU's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.

Study co-authors are Keri Heilman, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Marlysa Sullivan and Jayshree Surage, both with the Maryland University of Integrative Health; Lillian Hung, Ph.D., an assistant professor and Canada Research Chair in Senior Care, University of British Columbia, School of Nursing; and Hyochol "Brian" Ahn, Ph.D., a professor and associate dean for research, Florida State University, College of Nursing.

"Results from our study can inform future research and practice in implementation of online chair yoga or other exercise program for promoting health and wellness in older adults with dementia living at home," said Park.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's 988 phone number, which launched July 16, was designed as a universal mental health support tool for callers at any time anywhere.

But the U.S. is a patchwork of resources for crisis assistance, so what comes next isn't universal. The level of support that 988 callers receive depends on their ZIP code.

In particular, rural Americans, who die by suicide at a far higher rate than residents of urban areas, often have trouble accessing mental health services. While 988 can connect them to a call center close to home, they could end up being directed to far-away resources.

The new system is supposed to give people an alternative to 911, yet callers from rural areas who are experiencing a mental health crisis may still be met by law enforcement personnel, rather than mental health specialists.

More than 150 million people in the U.S.  most from rural or partially rural communities  live in places designated as mental health professional shortage areas by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. That means their communities don't have enough mental health providers  usually psychiatrists  to serve the population.

The Biden administration distributed about $105 million to states to help increase local crisis call center staffing for the new 988 system. But states are responsible for filling any gaps in the continuum of care that callers rely on if they need more than a phone conversation. States also shoulder most of the responsibility for staffing and funding their 988 call centers once the federal funding runs dry.

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which runs the existing 800-273-8255 lifeline that 988 expands upon, has said that a state that launches a successful 988 program will ensure callers have a mental health professional to talk to, a mobile crisis team to respond to them, and a place to go  such as a short-term residential crisis stabilization facility  that offers diagnosis and treatment. The federal agency also intends for 988 to reduce reliance on law enforcement, expand access to mental health care, and relieve pressure on emergency rooms.

Those objectives may not play out equally in all states or communities.

If a call center has no mobile crisis team to dispatch, "you don't have the stabilization, then you're basically going from the call center  if they can't meet your needs  to the emergency room," said Dr. Brian Hepburn, executive director of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. The group developed model 988 legislation for states that emphasizes the need for consistent services regardless of caller location.

For the new call system to be consistent, "you really need that full continuum of care," Hepburn said. "The expectation isn't that it's available now. The expectation is," he said, "your state would eventually get you there."

But as 988 launched, most states had not passed legislation to fill gaps in mental health care.

In South Dakota, which has the eighth-highest suicide rate among states, health officials said responding to mental health crises in rural counties will be a challenge. So they plan to incorporate volunteer emergency medical services and fire department personnel into the emergency response to 988 calls on the ground. More than two-thirds of South Dakotans live in a mental health professional shortage area.

The state has only one professional mobile crisis team that responds to emergencies in person, according to South Dakota Department of Social Services Cabinet Secretary Laurie Gill. The mobile response team is located in South Dakota's largest city, Sioux Falls, and serves the southeastern corner of the state.

"Some of our communities have virtual mobile crisis teams," said Janet Kittams, CEO of Helpline Center, the South Dakota nonprofit that will answer the state's 988 calls. "Some of our communities have co-responder models. Some of our communities will do direct response with law enforcement. So it really does vary quite a bit across the state."

Sioux Falls is also home to one of the state's two short-term crisis facilities. The other is more than 300 miles away, in Rapid City. South Dakota also has 11 community mental health centers that assess patients and provide outpatient treatment. Those centers also use law enforcement agencies to respond to mental health crises.

A Helpline Center counselor could direct a 988 caller to one of those centers.

"Sometimes, yes, you will have to drive a couple hours to get to a community mental health center, but sometimes not," Kittams said. "Generally speaking, people who live in the rural parts of South Dakota very much understand that they potentially are going to have to drive to a resource, because thats probably true in the other aspects of their life, not just for mental health care, but for other types of care or resources that they need."

Helpline Center reported that its operators de-escalate 80% of calls without deploying a crisis team. But Vibrant Emotional Health, a nonprofit that co-administers the nationwide lifeline, has projected a fivefold increase in calls for South Dakota in the first year that 988 is in place. Any spike in calls will likely increase the demand on crisis teams.

Vibrant has said that 988 will reach at least an additional 2 million people nationwide in its first year. Half of them are expected to come through the diversion of mental health-related calls from 911 and other crisis centers to 988.

Just next door to South Dakota, Iowa entered the 988 era with a more robust mobile crisis response system  "at least on paper," said Peggy Huppert, executive director of the Iowa chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Eighty-seven of the state's 99 counties have a mobile crisis provider, but most Iowans live in a mental health professional shortage area.

The remaining 12 counties  all rural  rely on law enforcement and emergency medical technicians, Huppert said.

"We still have a long way to go with properly training all first responders, especially law enforcement, because law enforcement are trained to come to a scene and take control of the scene," she said. "People who are in a behavioral health crisis, who are perhaps psychotic, sometimes they're hearing voices, they're hallucinating, they're in an altered state. They are not prone to obeying commands. That's where things often go sideways."

Officials at a 988 call center for nine counties in east-central Iowa operated by CommUnity Crisis Services said that their mobile crisis teams will be composed only of counselors but that law enforcement agencies may be called if a team determines that's necessary for its safety.

CommUnity Crisis Services has three mobile crisis service providers who arrive in unmarked vehicles.

Adrianne Korbakes, chief operating officer at CommUnity, said the mobile crisis teams are a great option in rural communities where seeking mental health treatment might carry a stigma. And with 988, she said, "you can call or text or chat from the privacy of your own home  nobody has to know that you're accessing services."

To prepare for those contacts, CommUnity has nearly doubled its staff during the past seven months  expanding from 88 employees in January to 175 in July.

Despite the 988 preparations in Iowa and South Dakota, neither state's legislature has funded the system long term. In the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, Congress gave states the authority to cover 988 expenses by adding a surcharge to cellphone service, but most have not done so.

Only 13 states have enacted 988 legislation, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, with varying applications and prescriptions on the continuum of care.

In Iowa, Huppert said, "there's very much a wait-and-see approach."
Spotlight: Navigating Social Media After Mass Shootings Play

Click here for a transcript of the interview.

A University of Pennsylvania professor shares advice on navigating the intersection of gun violence and social media as part of KHN's new "Spotlight" interview series.

Buffalo, New York. Uvalde, Texas. Highland Park, Illinois. Graphic imagery and news about the recent string of mass shootings has ricocheted across social media, and professor Desmond Patton shares advice on how to navigate it. Earlier this year, Patton, the Brian and Randi Schwartz university professor at the University of Pennsylvania, spoke with Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony about the wrapping of caskets in colorful images to pay tribute to young lives lost to trauma and violence.

This video is part of KHN's new "Spotlight" interview series, which aims to amplify the voices of health experts, patients, and really anyone interacting with the U.S. health care system.
(Newser)  After his ex-wife discussed their "toxic" marriage and divorce on TikTok, a Georgia man allegedly drove 11 hours, shot and killed the woman, then turned the gun on himself as cops closed in. That's according to Chicago police, who heard a gunshot and a groan as they arrived for a welfare check at the apartment of Sania Khan on July 18, per WTVC. They found the 29-year-old, with dried blood on her face, dead from a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Raheel Ahmad, 36, found holding a gun with a suicide note nearby, also suffered a fatal gunshot to the head. He'd traveled to Chicago from Alpharetta, Ga., hoping "to salvage the marriage," police in the Atlanta suburb said, per the Chicago Sun-Times. But friends of Khan say that wasn't possible.

One friend tells WTVC that Ahmad had previously tried to "jump out of their 20-story apartment window and take her with him." Khan, a Pakistani-American photographer, had posted on TikTok about moving on from her toxic marriage, which had lasted less than a year. "I've never been happier," she wrote June 19. In other posts, she claimed family members had told her to remain in the marriage and threatened to kill themselves if she moved back to her hometown, per Law & Crime. "Going through a divorce as a Southasian woman feels like you failed at life sometimes," she wrote June 1, describing a lack of support from the community. "It makes it harder for women to leave marriages that they shouldnt have been in to begin with."

"There's this stigma in our community that puts pressure on women to sacrifice," Rachna Khare, executive director of Daya, a Houston organization that aims to empower South Asian survivors of abuse, tells NBC News. Friends and relatives will say, "'We don't want to break up a family,'" Khare adds. "That's fine, but now there's a woman who's dead. How is that not the ultimate breaking of a family?" Khan, who put a spotlight on patriarchy and other issues within the community, was planning to return to Georgia to live with a friend, who flew to Chicago on July 18 to help her relocate, per the Chattanooga Free-Press. The friend suggests Ahmad drove to Chicago to kill Khan because "he knew that was his last opportunity, his last time to get her alone." (Read more murder-suicide stories.)
(Newser)  A 282-page letter from former President Trump's lawyers to CNN lists dozens of on-air statements and online articles about his claims of election fraud that Trump wants retracted, accompanied by a threat to file defamation lawsuits against the network and other outlets. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that the coverage has "defamed me and defrauded the public regarding the overwhelming evidence of fraud throughout the 2020 Election," the Hill reports. The letter says CNN has referred to Trump as a liar and "the purveyor of the Big Lie.'"

Many of the articles Trump cited are opinion or analysis pieces, some of them connecting his claims about the election to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Others are news articles listing his inaccurate statements about fraud, per the Hill. Trump threatens to sue more often than he sues, and he's argued before that libel laws should be changed to make it easier to win suits against the media. Trump had filed 42 lawsuits since last February over the election and lost all of them. He did win a ruling last December in an effort to make Trump pay Wisconsin's legal fees involved in his failed suit there, per Yahoo News. (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
(Newser)  The Canadian government made clear Wednesday that Pope Francis' apology to Indigenous peoples for abuses in the country's church-run residential schools didn't go far enough, suggesting that reconciliation over the fraught history is still very much a work in progress. The official government reaction came as Francis arrived in Quebec City for meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor-General Mary Simon, the AP reports. The government's criticisms echo those of survivors and concern Francis' omission of any reference to the sexual abuse suffered by Indigenous children in the schools, as well as his refusal to name the Catholic Church as an institution bearing any responsibility.

Francis has said he is on a "penitential pilgrimage" to atone for the church's role in the residential school system, in which generations of Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their homes and forced to attend church-run, government-funded boarding schools to assimilate them into Christian, Canadian society. The Canadian government has said physical and sexual abuse were rampant. Francis on Monday apologized for the "evil" of church personnel in the schools and the "catastrophic" effect of the schools on Indigenous families. In a speech before government authorities Wednesday, Francis apologized anew and blasted the school system as "deplorable." He asked forgiveness "for the wrongs done by so many Christians to Indigenous peoples" as well as "local Catholic institutions." But Francis also noted that the school system was "promoted by the governmental authorities at the time" as part of a policy in which "local Catholic institutions had a part."

Trudeau, a Catholic whose father, Pierre Trudeau, was prime minister while the last residential schools were in operation, insisted that the Catholic Church as an institution bore blame and needed to do more to atone. Speaking before Francis, he noted that Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 had called for a papal apology to be delivered on Canadian soil"apologies for the role that the Roman Catholic Church, as an institution, played in the mistreatment on the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical and sexual abuse that Indigenous children suffered in residential schools run by the church." The Canadian government has apologized for its role. Trudeau implied that much more needed to be done by the church and that while Francis' visit had "an enormous impact" on survivors, it was but a first step. Before Francis arrived in Quebec City, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller said the "gaps" in Francis' apology could not be ignored.

(Read more Pope Francis stories.)
(Newser)  The imprisoned Russian arms dealer the Biden administration has reportedly offered to swap for Russian detainees Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan is known here as the "Merchant of Death." Viktor Boutwho reportedly inspired Nicolas Cage's arms dealer character in 2005's Lord of Waris serving a 25-year sentence in an Illinois prison following his 2011 conviction of conspiracy to kill Americans, conspiracy to deliver anti-aircraft missiles, and aiding a terrorist organization. The former Soviet military translator who speaks six languages was arrested in 2008 in Thailand after offering $20 million in weapons and explosives to US agents posing as Colombian rebels, per Fox News.

US prosecutors said the man who for years eluded international arrest warrants and asset freezes had armed some of the world's most violent conflicts since the 1990s, including in Sierra Leone and Afghanistan, per CNN. Bout denied the charges, claiming he was only a businessman in "air transportation." Russia called him a political prisoner. But swapping him for Griner, a WNBA star who faces up to 10 years in prison for drug smuggling, and Whelan, a former US Marine serving a 16-year sentence for espionage, "would be a big mistake," former Defense Intelligence Agency officer Rebekah Koffler, who wrote a book about Russian President Vladimir Putin's tactics, tells Fox.

"Moscow wants him back because he possesses critical insights that he can share with [Russia's military intelligence service]," she says. "Having been in a US prison and interrogated by US officials, he knows what our intelligence requirements are and other information that is valuable for the Russians." CNN's Stephen Collinson argues he might also "be useful in procuring weapons for Russia to use in Ukraine." Even Whelan's brother tells the Washington Post that there are "many more names that might be palatable" to Russia. But Bout could be on his way home in five years regardless, his lawyer, Steve Zissou, tells the Post, noting he'll file a request for compassionate release. (Read more Viktor Bout stories.)
(Newser)  Russian forces on Thursday launched massive missile strikes on Ukraine's Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, areas that haven't been targeted in weeks, while Ukrainian officials announced an operation to liberate an occupied region in the country's south. Kyiv regional governor Oleksiy Kuleba said on Telegram that a settlement in the Vyshgorod district of the region was targeted early on Thursday; an "infrastructure object" was hit. It wasn't immediately clear if there were any casualties. Vyshhgorod is located about 12 miles north of downtown Kyiv. Kuleba linked the strikes with the Day of Statehood, which Ukraine was marking for the first time on Thursday, the AP reports.

"Russia, with the help of missiles, is mounting revenge for the widespread popular resistance," Kuleba told Ukrainian television. Ukraine has already broken Russias plans and will continue to defend itself." Chernihiv governor Vyacheslav Chaus reported that multiple missiles were fired from the territory of Belarus at the village of Honcharivska. Russian troops withdrew from the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions months ago after failing to capture either. The renewed strikes on the areas come a day after the leader of pro-Kremlin separatists in the east, Denis Pushilin, publicly called on the Russian forces to liberate Russian cities founded by the Russian peopleKyiv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lutsk.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military continued to counterattack in the occupied southern region of Kherson, striking a key bridge over the Dnieper River on Wednesday. Ukrainian media on Thursday quoted Ukraine's presidential adviser, Oleksiy Arestovich, as saying that the operation to liberate Kherson "has already begun." Arestovich said Kyiv's forces were planning to isolate Russian troops there and leave them with three optionsto "retreat, if possible, surrender, or be destroyed." The British military estimated Thursday that Ukraines counteroffensive in Kherson is "gathering momentum." (Read more Russia-Ukraine conflict stories.)
(Newser)  While there's been no comment from the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen's manager has addressed outrage over ticket prices for Springsteen's 2023 tour. After tickets went on sale for some dates last week, Ticketmaster price for some seats rose to thousands of dollars because of its "dynamic pricing" system. "In pricing tickets for this tour, we looked carefully at what our peers have been doing," manager Jon Landau said in a statement to the New York Times. "We chose prices that are lower than some and on par with others." Ticketmaster says it sold most seats for face values ranging from $59.50 to $399 before service fees.

"Regardless of the commentary about a modest number of tickets costing $1,000 or more, our true average ticket price has been in the mid-$200 range," Landau said. "I believe that in todays environment, that is a fair price to see someone universally regarded as among the very greatest artists of his generation." According to Ticketmaster, only 11.2% of tickets were sold under the supply-and-demand "platinum" plan. Variety reports that prices for those tickets hit a high of over $5,000 in some cities, though they have now fallen a little. Artists have the option of pulling out of the platinum system or setting a cap on prices, though either move would leave "more on the table" for scalpers, the Times notes.

Chris Willman at Variety notes that the issue has been "magnified more because of Springsteens populist image than it might be if the Rolling Stones or Paul McCartney were offering platinum tickets at amounts in the thousands." He offers Landau some advice: "If you haven't been reading the comments, don't start now." This is Springsteen's first major US tour with his band since 2016 and demand for tickets has been driven even higher than usual by rumors that it could be his last, the New York Daily News reports. Tickets for Springsteen's New York dates and the Newark tour finale go on sale Friday. (Read more Bruce Springsteen stories.)
(Newser)  In 1984, a lodge was built high up in the Pennine Alps in what was then Italy. Now most of it is technically part of Switzerland, though its managerat the center of an international border disputewill refute that. The alpine border between the two countries has been traditionally decided by the point at which meltwater runs down either side of the border-straddling mountain Testa Grigia. But like many other glaciers, the nearby Theodul Glacier has been steadily melting, shifting the watershed further in the direction of Italy. That means two-thirds of the Rifugio Guide del Cervino lodge at 11,417 feet elevation, including its restaurant and most of its 40 beds, now rests on Swiss territory, per AFP.

But "the refuge remains Italian because we have always been Italian," manager Lucio Trucco tells the outlet. "The menu is Italian, the wine is Italian, and the taxes are Italian." After negotiations began in 2018, the two countries decided to redraw a 100-yard stretch of border, with an accord signed in November. But the agreement is being kept under wraps until the Swiss parliament gives its approval, which is expected sometime next year. "We agreed to split the difference," is how Alain Wicht, chief border official at Switzerland's national mapping agency Swisstopo, describes it, noting the presence of the lodge gives the land added "economic value." "Even if neither side came out winners, at least nobody lost," he says.

Italian officials declined to comment "due to the complex international situation." However Trucco says he's been told the lodge, situated between the Swiss ski resort of Zermatt and the Italian town of Valtournenche, will remain part of Italy. The designation is important not only for tax considerations but for building codes, too. Amid the years-long dispute, the lodge has been unable to acquire a building permit for renovations, unsure which country's authorities it should apply to. But Trucco is mostly concerned about the state of the glacier, which lost nearly 25% of its mass from 1973 to 2010. "It has never been so hot as it has been this year," he tells the Telegraph. "It is a huge concern." (Read more border dispute stories.)
(Newser)  Joe Manchin stunned DC Wednesday by announcing that he had reversed himself and would back Democrats' sweeping spending plan after all. The surprise deal the West Virginia senator struck with Sen. Chuck Schumer has provided Democrats with their "best news" in weeks, notes Politico, because it means the party should be able to push through President Biden's agenda on climate change and health care. "Should" is the operative word there, however. Because as Axios points out, it's still unclear whether Arizona Sen. Krysten Sinemawho with Manchin has bucked her party on tax issues previouslywill go along. Democrats cannot afford even one defection because all Republicans oppose the plan.

"We do not have a comment, as she will need to review the text," a Sinema spokesperson says. On Thursday, Manchin confirmed to CNN that she was not part of the deal he struck with Schumer. "I have not spoken to her about this. ... I would hope that she would be receptive," he said, per a tweet from CNN's Manu Raju. The Wall Street Journal reports that Sinema did not attend a party caucus meeting on Thursday led by Schumer. One potential sticking point: Manchin agreed to close a tax loophole known as "carried interest," which concerns how investments are taxed, but Sinema has long opposed such a move, per Hot Air. In general, she has resisted any moves that would result in higher taxes.

Assuming Democrats can get Sinema on board and pass the legislation, it would represent a "massive victory" for them, per Axios. At the New York Times, David Leonhardt writes that the resulting climate legislation in particular would "probably have more lasting importance than anything else President Biden signs in his first two years in office." The Republican view on all this? The deal's 15% corporate minimum tax and increased spending are "reckless" in the current economic climate, says Sen. John Barrasso, per Reuters. And Sen. Joni Ernst called for more production of domestic oil and natural gas as a way to lower gasoline prices, rather than adding new tax incentives for electric vehicles, as Biden's climate plan does. (Read more Kyrsten Sinema stories.)
The first International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEC) that will take place in Ghanas capital city Accra from October 11-12 aims to strengthen international and regional cooperation to combat terrorism and organised crimes.

Hosted by Ghana Armed Forces, the two-day international exhibition and conference that will be held at the Burma Hall within the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters in Accra, will bring international defence equipment manufacturers, technology providers, procurement officials as well as other industry stakeholders who aim to contribute towards the $20 billion annual defence market, a statement said.

Welcoming the regional and international defence delegates, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, Chief of the Defence Staff, Ghana, said: I bring you warm greetings from Accra, Ghana. As you may be aware, global peace and security continue to deteriorate amid the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and the current Russia-Ukraine crisis. These events have had a significant impact on livelihoods and human security, particularly on the African continent.

The West African sub region in particular is currently experiencing a surge in activities by armed groups. I am happy to note that several steps have been taken to deal with these threats. However, a lot remains to be done, that is why I, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces wish to invite you to the maiden International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Accra from 11th to 12th October 2022 under the theme Strengthening International Collaboration to Combat Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crimes.

I am by this invitation calling on all stakeholders in academia, media, industry, defence and other government security apparatus as well as the international community to converge in Accra to find practical solutions to the litany of security challenges facing the region and beyond. It is my hope that by the end of the 2nd Day event our collective aspirations would be achieved.

At stake is the safety and security of 422 million people of West Africa with a combined GDP of $659 billion. The rising cost of terrorism in Africa prompting the governments to not only upgrade the security capabilities of each country, but also to increase cross-border security cooperation.

The International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEC), hosted by the Ghana Armed Forces in Accra will build upon the endeavours of Africas Armed Forces to enhance combined capabilities to counter the continents leading security challenges. This unprecedented event will showcase the importance of integrating strategies and solutions across land, sea and air to solve challenges such as extremism, cross-border crime and maritime security in this region, Air Vice Marshal Mike Kwame Appiah Agyekum, Deputy Chief of Staff (Admin), General Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces and Head of the Organising Committee, said.

The overarching objective is to improve regional development and security by promoting defence partnership, both regionally and internationally. Through a series of unique platforms, the two-day event aims to assemble Africas Defence Chiefs of Staff and senior officers and executives from security agencies and global partners and advanced solution providers to improve combined combat operations and regional development initiatives.

A large number of defence procurement officials of the African countries will participate at the event to check out the latest defence equipment, technologies, systems and services  before making a purchase decision as the defence forces are looking at acquiring the latest defence equipment to strengthen their capabilities and reinforce regional security.

IDEC provides an ideal platform for the global defence suppliers to showcase their latest products and services and to meet the defence buyers to negotiate fresh supplies. The two-day event creates a unique platform to establish and strengthen cross-border cooperation among the regional armed forces  land, navy and air forces.

In 2021 military expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa totaled $20.1 billion, 4.1 percent higher than in 2020, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a global peace watchdog. The increase in 2021 was the first in sub-Saharan Africa since 2014 and was primarily driven by Nigeria, the biggest spender in the subregion.

Between 2020 and 2021, Nigeria raised its military spending by 56 percent, to reach $4.5 billion. The increase came in response to Nigerias various security challenges, such as attacks by extremists and separatist insurgents, SIPRI said in a latest report published in April 2022.

In 2021 Kenya, Uganda and Angola were, respectively, the third, fourth and fifth largest military spenders in sub-Saharan Africa, it said in a report. Over the decade 201221, Kenya and Uganda have both faced insurgencies that have influenced their military spending.

Between 2012 and 2021, military expenditure rose by 203 percent in Uganda but remained relatively stable in Kenya (down by 4.5 percent), it said.

The event will be attended by more than 5 Chiefs of Defence Staff, 8 Ministers and Secretaries of Defence, 6 Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Forces, 40 VIP Speakers, 60 Sponsors and Exhibitors from 60 countries.

Some of the main themes of the IDEC conference, include terrorism and counter-terrorism, transnational organised crime, maritime security, cybercrime, advancements in surveillance and monitoring and border security.

The organisers of major events such as the Africa Maritime Security Forum, the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference, the Air Force Africa Forum and the International Conference of Crime Prevention- The Great Minds Event Management have been officially appointed to support the organising committee along with the non-profit think-tank Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute.--TradeArabia News Service
(Newser)  Devastating rain hit St. Louis first. Now it's Kentucky's turn. Rescue workers plucked people off rooftops amid fast-rising water Thursday in central Appalachia, where torrential rains unleashed devastating flooding that caused at least three deaths in Kentucky, per the AP. Gov. Andy Beshear announced the deaths but predicted the states death toll could reach double digits, with hundreds of properties destroyed. In a word, this event is devastating, the governor said Thursday. And I do believe it will end up being one of the most significant, deadly floods that we have had in Kentucky in at least a very long time."

One emergency official in hard-hit eastern Kentucky described the situation as catastrophic as rescue crews searched for stranded people. Rising waters swamped roads, displaced families, and caused widespread damage. Flash flooding and mudslides were reported across the mountainous region of eastern Kentucky, western Virginia, and southern West Virginia, where thunderstorms have dumped several inches of rain over the past few days. There are a lot of people in eastern Kentucky on top of roofs waiting to be rescued," Beshear said earlier Thursday. "There are a number of people that are unaccounted for and Im nearly certain this is a situation where we are going to lose some of them.

In Kentucky's Perry, Leslie, and Clay counties, people in low areas were urged to seek higher ground after multiple swift water rescues. Breathitt County's courthouse was opened overnight. The storms hit an Appalachian mountain region where communities and homes are built on steep hillsides or down in the hollows between them, where the only flat land often shoulders creeks and streams that can rise in a hurry. But this one is far worse than a typical flood, said Emergency Management Director Jerry Stacy. "Ive lived here in Perry County all my life and this is by the far the worst event Ive ever seen, said the 54-year-old.

(Read more Kentucky stories.)
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 54F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 54F. Winds light and variable.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

A high-level Bahraini delegation, led by Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Mohammed bin Thamer Al Kaabi, attended the Farnborough International Airshow, held in Farnborough on July 18-21.

The participation in the world event is within the framework of the efforts exerted by the work team of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS), in line with the directives of HM the Kings Personal Representative and President of BIAS Supreme Organising Committee, His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to highlight BIAS at the international level and attract mega world aviation companies and international partners to take part in it.

The sixth edition of BIAS, set to be held at Al Sakhir Airbase on November 9-11, 2022, will coincide with its 10th anniversary. Al Kaabi said that the kingdoms participation in the Farnborough International Airshow follows the outstanding success of BIAS 2018, in which more than 187 companies and 120 civilian and military delegations took part.

It is also part of the work teams efforts to attract a large number of international companies to participate in BIAS 2022, he added. The minister indicated that BIAS is the largest aviation event in the Kingdom, and is part of its integrated strategy to develop the aviation sector and attract investments, adding that it contributes to promoting Bahrains status as a stimulating destination for pioneering businesses, as well as creating new job opportunities for Bahrainis and honing their skills through their interaction with the participating companies.

During the Farnborough International Airshow, opened by UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the minister held meetings with the companies that had confirmed their participation in BIAS 2022, and discussed with them issues of mutual concern. The minister held meetings with senior officials of Air Bus, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Leonardo, Thales, CFM, Gulf Stream and Bell Helicopters, in addition to the CEO of Farnborough International Limited, the organisers of the Airshow.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday issued Decree-Law (31) of 2022. The decree-law amends some provisions of Decree-Law (6) of 1991 on the establishment of a Pension Fund for Bahraini and Non-Bahraini Officers and Personnel at the Bahrain Defence Force and Public Security Force.

It also amends some provisions of Decree-Law (47) of 2010 on the Management and Competencies of the Pension Fund for Bahraini and Non-Bahraini Officers and Personnel at the Bahrain Defence Force and Public Security Force, established as per Decree-Law (6) of 1991.

The BDF Commander-in-Chief, the National Guard Commander, the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Interior, the National Security Agency Chief, and the Strategic Security Agency Chief- each in his capacity  shall issue the necessary edicts to implement the provisions of this decree-law.

Article (3) of Decree-Law (6) of 1991 on the establishment of a Pension Fund for Bahraini and Non-Bahraini Officers and Personnel at the Bahrain Defence Force and Public Security Force shall be abrogated. Any text that conflicts the provisions of this decree-law shall also be repealed.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife Iriana Joko Widodo meet with Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, July 27, 2022.

The leaders of Japan and Indonesia agreed Wednesday to bolster their ties in maritime security and their cooperation on climate change, energy and investment between the Asian archipelago nations.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, at a joint news conference after holding talks with Widodo in Tokyo, said Japan will provide support to "further reinforce Indonesian maritime security capability to ensure peace and safety at sea in the Indo-Pacific region."

Kishida also announced that Tokyo is loaning $318 million to fund Indonesian infrastructure projects and disaster prevention. ...continue reading
Twenty-one investment deals have been signed by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia and private sector firms with their Greek counterparts as a follow-up to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud's visit to Greece.

Deals were penned in the fields of logistics and transportation, renewable energies, manufacturing, environment services, aquaculture, defence, import and export, engineering and agriculture.

Thirty-two representatives from Greek companies, chambers of commerce and trade associations attended the event, taking part in B2B and G2B meetings to explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities.

FDI influx

Saudi Arabia has seen strong growth in foreign direct investment in recent years as the kingdoms economic reforms have unlocked a broad range of opportunities for international investors. Last year net FDI growth increased by an unprecedented 257.2%, with inflows totalling almost $20 billion for the year  the highest they have been for a decade.

The investment meeting was opened by Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia; Costas Fragoyiannis, Deputy Minister of Economic Diplomacy and Openness of the Republic of Greece; and Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Development and Investment of the Republic of Greece. Also in attendance were Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia; and Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Minister of Commerce and Acting Minister of Media of Saudi Arabia.

Exploring opportunities

The meeting included presentations by both Greek and Saudi entities. From Greece, representatives from the leading global industrial and energy company Mytilineos highlighted opportunities available to Saudi investors. Saudi officials from Ajlan and Bros Holding Group, one of the Middle Easts largest private sector conglomerates, showcased areas of investment available in the kingdom in renewable energy and infrastructure.

Greek investment in Saudi Arabia has continued to grow over recent years across several sectors, from professional, scientific and technical activities, through manufacturing and construction, to finance and insurance.

The partnerships forged during the Athens meeting underscore the deepening and widening of investment relations between Greece and Saudi Arabia. In September 2021, the launch of the Joint Saudi-Greek Business Council in Athens aimed at establishing closer cooperation between private sector actors in the two countries.-- TradeArabia News Service

Saudi-Greek Business Forum

In March 2022, the inaugural Saudi-Greek Business Forum in Riyadh saw the participation of 43 Greek companies and 110 Saudi companies and featured a flurry of activities across a range of sectors including renewable energy and hydrogen, maritime shipping and logistics, tourism and hospitality, and construction and infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia and Greece are implementing a joint project to build a submarine cable and data line to connect the two countries and are collaborating closely to leverage synergies in such key sectors as tourism and shipping.
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DANBURY  Another Chipotle could be coming to the city under a proposal to build the fast food restaurant, along with a medical office, at the former Pier 1 Imports property.

The plan calls for razing the nearly 9,900-square-foot vacant Pier 1 building near the Danbury Fair mall and erecting an almost 5,200-square-foot building that would house the Chipotle, which would include a drive-thru, and the medical space.

The intent from the applicant is to really re-utilize whats already there, said Jake Modestow of Stonefield Engineering and Design, as he described to the Planning Commission last week how the developer plans to lay out the site, enhance green space and limit any disturbance to nearby wetlands.

Danburys Environmental Impact Commission already green lit the project, proposed by G&J Partners/Danbury Retail Management LLC.

Danbury Planning Commission has continued its public hearing on the plan, but not before members asked questions about traffic and whether the proposed medical building could be a cannabis dispensary.

Their peers on the Zoning Commission closed a public hearing on Tuesday night on regulations that would permit four types of marijuana businesses, including recreational pot sales, in parts of the city.

But the Pier I property developers say thats not in their plans.

We are not entertaining any cannabis-related use there, said Max Nathan, project manager with Danbury Retail Management. Its either going to be some type of ... urgent care facility or possibly a dental office, but we think more of the urgent care, easy access medical type use for that type of space.

Danbury already has three Chipotle restaurants  one on Newtown Road opened in March 2021, another on Mill Plain Road and a third at the Danbury Fair mall  within a half-mile radius of the proposed new location. A representative for the Danbury Fair mall did not return a request for comment on Tuesday.

A spokesperson with Chipotle confirmed a new restaurant with a Chipotlane digital drive thru pickup lane is scheduled to open in Danbury at some point next year, but declined to provide further details.

Modestow said Chipotle is eager to open at the property.

We know for sure that Chipotle is extremely interested and wants to move quickly on this property, he said.

Effect on traffic

The Chipotle would be on the west side of the building, with the medical office to its right. Under the plan, the entrance and exit at Backus Avenue would be eliminated so drivers would come in and out through Sugar Hollow Road.

That cleans up the city and cleans up the internal circulation, as well as puts traffic on the minor road, said Greg Del Rio, principal traffic engineer with Hardesty & Hanover. Sugar Hollow has about half the traffic that Backus Avenue has.

The project, however, is expected to add traffic.

During peak mid-day hours, the proposal would generate 116 trips compared with the 28 trips Pier 1 generated, according to the traffic study Hardesty & Hanover conducted in November 2021. The change would be less drastic in the evening peak hours, with the number of trips going from 105 to 129. On Saturday peak hours, 122 trips would be generated, compared with 52 trips for the former business.

Del Rio cautioned the traffic study was conducted prior to the decision to build a medical office, so the data is based on a retail plaza land use, which has higher trip generation rates than a medical office, particularly on Saturdays.

Traffic levels would remain the same at some intersections, but worsen in others, particularly the Backus Avenue at Danbury mall access drive/U.S. Route 7 ramps on Saturday midday peak hours, according to the report. The study recommends that the city adjust the traffic signal timing by a couple seconds to reduce the impact at the intersection, Del Rio said.

The proposed project will not create conditions adversely affecting traffic safety or which will cause undue traffic congestion with the minor fine-tuning of the traffic signal timing plans splits at the intersection of Backus Avenue at Danbury Mall Access Drive/U.S. Route 7 Ramps during the Saturday midday peak hour, the study states.

The plan calls for 53 parking spaces, including eight spaces on the adjacent property and three handicap accessible spaces. City regulations require 37 parking spaces, including 15 spaces for the restaurant and 22 spaces for the medical office, according to comments provided to the Planning Commission by the deputy planning director.

Inside, the Chipotle would completely function as any other Chipotle you may go to, Modestow said. But the drive-thru would be for the pick-up of online orders only.

Its not your typical drive-thru, Modestow said.

There would be room for eight cars to wait, but its unusual for that many to queue up at once, based on similar drive-thrus at other Chipotles, he said.

Modestow said the team has worked closely with planners in City Hall on the layout of the site, including the drive-thru.

Weve done quite a bit of due diligence on our end to ensure that what were providing or proposing in front of you is the best fit for the property as it relates to the proposed tenants, he said.

Jennifer Emminger, the citys deputy planning director, provided a number of written requests and comments on the application related to motor vehicle access, landscape requirements, off-street parking and loading and more. The citys fire marshal and traffic engineer, among other city officials, still need to provide feedback.

The Department awaits comments from the City of Danbury Traffic Engineer with respect to impacts to Sugar Hollow Road and the area roadways, Emmingers report stated.
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UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday unanimously condemned Myanmars executions of four political prisoners and called for an immediate halt to all violence and full respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The statement approved by all 15 council members noted Myanmar had hanged the men after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other members of the 10-nation bloc that includes Myanmar appealed for the sentences to be reconsidered. Council members also reiterated their full support for Myanmars democratic transition and their strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Myanmar.

ASEAN has been leading global efforts to bring peace to Myanmar, which has been rocked by civil unrest and and widespread fighting since the military ousted an elected government in February 2021. But it has stonewalled on ASEAN's peacemaking efforts.

This week, ASEAN denounced the executions as highly reprehensible" and said they set back its efforts to facilitate dialogue between the military leadership and opponents.

The four men hanged over the weekend were a former National League for Democracy lawmaker, a democracy activist and two men accused of killing a woman they allegedly believed was a military informant. All were tried, convicted and sentenced by a military tribunal with no possibility of appeal. They were Myanmar's first judicial executions in nearly 50 years and came as a surprise even to family members of the men.

ASEAN's five-point plan to restore peace and stability to Myanmar includes an immediate halt to violence, a dialogue among all parties, and appointment of an ASEAN special envoy who would visit Myanmar to meet all concerned parties. Myanmars military-installed government initially agreed to the consensus reached in April 2021 but has made little effort to implement it, and the country has slipped into a situation that some U.N. experts have characterized as a civil war.

The Security Council echoed ASEANs call for concrete actions to effectively and fully implement the five-point consensus and took note of the blocs view that the death sentences presented a gross lack of will to support the ASEAN chairs efforts to expedite implementation.

Earlier this week, U.N. special envoy Noeleen Heyzer said the U.N. views the executions as a blatant violation of a persons right to life, liberty and security.

The Security Council underlined the importance of Heyzers role and encouraged close cooperation with the ASEAN special envoy, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn. ASEAN foreign ministers begin meetings in Cambodia in a week.

China, which is Myanmars biggest trading partner and an old ally, welcomed the Security Councils alignment of views with the ASEAN chairs statement after the executions, which diplomats said Beijing sought.

A spokesperson for Chinas U.N. Mission cited the particular importance of the council statements call for an immediate cessation of all forms of violence, including attacks on infrastructure, health and education facilities.

We believe this sends a strong signal of the councils rejection of all violence, unjustifiable wherever and by whoever committed, said the spokesperson, who was not authorized to speak publicly. And we hope these important messages from the council could be heeded by all relevant parties.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Tazreena Sajjad, American University School of International Service

(THE CONVERSATION) The U.K. government was due to begin its first deportation flight to remove asylum-seekers to the East African country of Rwanda on June 14, 2022, exactly two months after signing the U.K.-Rwanda agreement. The asylum-seekers were from several war-torn and politically unstable countries, including Syria, Sudan and Iran.

Each year, thousands of people  many fleeing repressive governments or poverty  attempt to cross the English Channel in fragile boats in the hope of starting a new life in the U.K.

Boris Johnson, the U.K. prime minister, defended the U.K.-Rwanda deal in June 2022, saying it would remove the illegal cross-Channel trafficking of people whose lives are being put at risk.

In exchange for Rwanda receiving the deportees, the U.K. has paid the country about US$142 million to cover the initial costs of operating the program as well as economic development projects in Rwanda.

The U.K. deportees were expected to integrate their lives into Rwandan social communities.

But the first Rwanda deportation flight did not take off as planned.

Deterring refugees and asylum-seekers

The European Court of Human Rights, the regional judicial human rights body in Europe, issued what are called interim urgent measures to stop the scheduled flights.

Such measures are most often issued in cases where there is imminent risk of death or torture.

Member states are bound by the decisions of the Court, and its rulings are enforced by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe  Europes leading human rights organization.

But instead of abiding by the decision, the U.K. government not only stressed its commitment to deportation flights, it also signaled its intention to pull out of the European Court of Human Rights.

As a scholar of refugees and postwar reconstruction, I see the deportation flights to Rwanda as part of a growing list of what are euphemistically known as migrant deterrence practices. These practices are used by Western countries to deter future migration of mainly people of color from countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Oceania, collectively known as the Global South.

In exchange for money paid to the receiving country, asylum-seekers are sent to those poorer countries to enable wealthier nations to circumvent international legal obligations to those seeking asylum.

Beyond Rwanda

The use of countries like Rwanda by Western states is on the rise.

The recent U.S.-Mexico Migrant Protection Protocol and the U.S.-Guatemala third country safe agreement follow a similar principle.

Since 1992, Australia has had a mandatory detention policy for unauthorized arrivals, which have included asylum-seekers.

Since 2001, it has also been removing asylum-seekers to Manus Island in Papua New Guinea and Nauru  a poor island country in the Pacific Ocean  for processing.

This has been the case even if arrivals applied for asylum in mainland Australia immediately upon arrival.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, externalization of Australias asylum obligations has undermined the rights of those seeking safety and protection and significantly harmed their physical and mental health.

European countries have also been pursuing similar programs with Libya, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and West African nations such as Nigeria.

They each provide financial aid packages to the respective low-income countries in exchange for preventing migrant mobility and absorbing deported asylum-seekers.

Thus far, Austria, Denmark and the Flemish far-right in Belgium have welcomed the U.K.-Rwanda agreement with the hope that more European states will seek partnerships with countries outside the continent to address irregular immigration.

Johnsons resignation on July 7, 2022, is not expected to halt the U.K. governments plans to continue deportations to Rwanda. But in a new turn of events, Rwanda said on July 22 that it can only accommodate 200 deported asylum-seekers and will not be able to stop their efforts to cross the English Channel again.

The 2022 Nationality and Borders Act

Deportations to Rwanda are part of the U.K.s 2022 Nationality and Borders Act, a law that drastically changed citizenship and asylum rules in the U.K.

In addition to deportations, the act allows the government to strip citizenship from British people without notice for reasons related to, among other things, national security or counterterrorism.

In the U.K., the reasons to strip citizenship can be defined broadly and may affect about 6 million Britons from immigrant backgrounds.

The 2022 Nationality and Borders Act also allows for the criminal prosecution of those who cross the English Channel on small boats to seek asylum.

The U.N. Refugee Agency has criticized the legislation on which the act is based for being at odds with the United Kingdoms international obligations under the Refugee Convention. These obligations include not expelling refugees who are lawfully in the territory except on grounds of national security or public order.

Back into chaos

Deportations under such conditions are controversial because they are violations of the principle of non-refoulement in international refugee law.

The goal of the principle is to prevent individuals from being returned to countries where they have fled and may still be in danger of torture, persecution or death.

Despite this, the U.K. and other European countries have continued to deport asylum-seekers to such places.

Between 2007 and 2016, the U.K. deported 2,748 young people to war-torn and unstable countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Libya and Syria.

At least 605 of them were Afghans who had arrived unaccompanied as asylum-seeking children from their war-ravaged country.

According to Amnesty International, many of the deportees face arbitrary detention, kidnapping, torture and even death in the the countries where theyre sent.

In addition, studies have shown deportations like the kind that have taken place in Europe have caused long-term damage.

These include undue burdens on family members, such as loss of family income to meet basic needs, family separation that causes psychological damage including depression and trauma, especially in children.

Rwandas acceptance of asylum-seekers

In recent years, Rwanda has become a host country for approximately 130,000 refugees from around East Africa, particularly from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.

In addition, between 2013 and 2018, Israel paid $5,000 for every African migrant deported to Rwanda under a voluntary migration agreement.

Israel made a similar arrangement with Uganda. Under the terms of the controversial arrangement, several thousand Sudanese and Eritrean asylum-seekers had to choose between immigration detention in Israel or to voluntarily agree to be deported to Rwanda and Uganda.

Many of those deported to Rwanda have consistently struggled with lack of documentation and poverty, and have mostly fled the country and attempted to return to Europe.

Facing international and national criticism, the Israeli program was later abandoned.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/western-countries-are-shipping-refugees-to-poorer-nations-in-exchange-for-cash-185758.
Quebec-based business in Saint-Roch neighbourhood receives $100,000 in financial assistance from CED.

QUEBEC, July 28, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

A key economic driver, the Canadian tourism industry generated more than $100 billion in annual revenue before being hit hard by the pandemic. Today, the Government of Canada is ensuring that tourism once again thrives and reaches its full potential.

The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED, and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Quebec and Minister of Health, today announced a non-repayable contribution of $100,000 for 11671936 Canada inc. (Apikol).

This CED support, granted under the Tourism Relief Fund, will enable the business to start up and implement a unique agri-tourism circuit focused around beekeeping and its spin-off products.

Founded in 2019, Apikol is an agri-tourism business that raises bees and processes honey into spirits through a craft microdistillery. Located in the Saint-Roch neighbourhood, it aims to promote urban agriculture while generating a buzz around the neighbourhood as a tourism microdestination close to Quebec's Old Port. Apikol is proposing a unique concept, from bee to bottle, where alcohol will be distilled on site from the business's agricultural production from 100 hives around the Quebec region, including some on site. This will be the first microdistillery founded on urban agriculture. CED's assistance will enable the business to make leasehold improvements and develop interpretive facilities.

The Government of Canada recognizes and supports businesses and organizations that are a source of pride in their communities. Quebec's economic recovery relies on a strong tourism industry made up of organizations rooted in the regional economy. The players in this sector are major contributors to growth, as well as key assets in rebuilding a stronger, more resilient, greener, and more just economy for all.

Quotes

"The tourism industry is a forum to showcase Canada's culture and diversity to visitors from around the world. Our government continues to be here for businesses and organizations in the tourism sector to ensure they recover. Today, we are announcing investments to enable them to look towards the future. This CED financial contribution for Apikol represents excellent news for the SaintRoch neighbourhood and Quebec's drawing power!"

The Honourable Pascale StOnge, Member of Parliament for BromeMissisquoi, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED

"I am delighted that our government is supporting businesses in the tourism industry in the Quebec region. We must seize opportunities arising out of the economic crisis to rethink the sector's products, services, and processes. This is precisely what Apikol is doing with its craft micro distillery project, which will process honey into spirits, improving what the agri-tourism circuit around Quebec's Port has to offer. Quebecers will have the opportunity to test out these new ideas and, without a doubt, become valuable ambassadors as tourism comes to life again!"

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Quebec and Minister of Health

"Tourism is one of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. We will continue to support this sector during this difficult time. We will also continue to emphasize safety and ensure businesses receive the assistance they need to quickly regain their footing and prosper. The Tourism Relief Fund will help businesses adapt, make improvements and be ready to welcome back their guests. It also feeds into a broader strategy to help the sector withstand the pandemic, recover, and eventually grow. The Canadian economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers."

The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

"CED's support for our launch has been vital, especially in a situation where construction costs and timelines have increased considerably. Thanks to this assistance, Apikol has succeeded in setting up right downtown, providing an agri-tourism activity that does not require you to take your car to get there. This offering is part of our approach to tourism based on sustainability, a value that is important to us and that aligns with actions we have already taken, including the use of ecodesigned bottles and closed loop energy."

Frederic Dutil, President, Apikol

Quick facts

Tourism accounts for $102 billion in annual economic activity, 1.8 million jobs and 2% of Canada's GDP.

in annual economic activity, 1.8 million jobs and 2% of GDP. Today's announcement is part of a series of strategic investments by CED in projects aimed at fostering the recovery of the tourism industry and contributing to the economy of tomorrow.

The funding has been granted under the Tourism Relief Fund, which was specifically created to help tourism businesses and organizations offer innovative products and services for visitors and prepare to welcome international travellers again.

CED is a key federal partner in Quebec's regional economic development. With its 12 regional business offices, CED accompanies businesses, supporting organizations and all regions across Quebec into tomorrow's economy.

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

For further information: Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, [email protected]; Ariane Joazard-Belizaire, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, [email protected]
Unprecedented 5G+ speeds now available in select communities across Ontario

With 5G+, speeds in Toronto are now over 50% faster than before

MONTREAL, July 28, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced the availability of 5G+ service in southern Ontario, offering customers the country's fastest mobile technology yet on Canada's top-ranked 5G wireless network.

Earlier this month, Bell began deploying 3500 MHz wireless spectrum, unleashing the next phase of 5G advancement. Available today in Toronto, Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Barrie and select areas of Mississauga, Bell 5G+ is expected to be faster and more responsive, allowing for a superior mobile experience. In Toronto, speeds with 5G+ are now over 50% faster than before.

Bell 5G+ expands across Ontario offering Canadians its fastest mobile speeds ever (CNW Group/Bell Canada)

"Bell is taking its most-awarded 5G network and making it even better with 5G+, offering customers access to even faster mobile speeds than before. Ontario is just the beginning, and we look forward to rolling it out to more Canadians, and delivering on our promise to provide the latest technology and best experience for our customers."

- Stephen Howe, Chief Technology and Information Officer, Bell

5G customers with a compatible 5G+ device and rate plan, and who are inside Ontario's 5G+ coverage areas, can immediately take advantage of Bell 5G+ speeds. Those outside of the coverage areas can continue to enjoy 4G, LTE and 5G on Canada's best network. Bell will continue to expand 5G+ across the country and is on track to offer coverage to approximately 40% of the Canadian population by the end of 2022, including the availability of peak theoretical download speeds of 3 Gbps in select markets.

For more details about 5G+, including coverage, pricing, availability and compatible devices, please visit Bell.ca/network.

Introducing 5G standalone (SA) core

Bell will soon roll out its nationwide 5G standalone (SA) core network, starting in Toronto. The addition of 3500 MHz wireless spectrum allows Bell to deliver a new 5G core network to Canadian businesses, supported by world-class SA architecture, and which is expected to unlock even faster speeds and ultra-low latency. Over time, 5G SA core will provide additional benefits such as network slicing, and will enable a full range of 5G features and functionality for both enterprise and consumer use cases and support the massive growth of IoT.

Bell works with leading global and domestic 5G partners with a common goal of accelerating Canada's 5G innovation ecosystem. Right now, Bell and its partners are trialing SA network slicing to demonstrate its optimal use. Trials include allocating speeds and dedicating capacity for use cases like first responder live video applications.

Additionally, Bell funds robust 5G R&D programs at several Canadian institutions including Western University. Western's 'Campus of the Future' is a living lab helping shape smarter cities and communities. Western is among the first to leverage Bell's new 5G+ network, testing the new capabilities with projects like immersive VR learning with live 3D viewing and blind spot technology, which uses real-time positioning technology to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

Bell 5G SA will soon be available for enterprise customers in Toronto with a compatible device and the appropriate provisions. New enterprise customers can call Bell directly for more information. Existing customers should reach out to their account representative for more details.

Quick facts

Bell 5G+ offers Canadians its fastest mobile speeds ever

Bell 5G+ is expanding across southern Ontario for customers in Toronto , Guelph , Kitchener-Waterloo , London , Barrie and select areas of Mississauga

for customers in , , , , Barrie and select areas of With 5G+, speeds in Toronto are now over 50% faster than before

are now over 50% faster than before Bell is on track to cover approximately 40% of the Canadian population with 5G+ by the end of 2022, including the availability of peak theoretical download speeds of 3 Gbps in select markets

Bell's 5G standalone (SA) core network will soon roll out nationwide for Canadian businesses, starting with Toronto

About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet, media and business communication services throughout the country. Founded in Montreal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.

Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities with a commitment to the highest environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Media inquiries

Jessica Benzinger, [email protected]

@Bell_News

Investor inquiries

Richard Bengian, [email protected]

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements, including statements relating to our network deployment plans and anticipated capital expenditures as well as the benefits expected to result therefrom, our business outlook, objectives, plans and strategic priorities, and other statements that are not historical facts. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events, and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe our expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Our network deployment plans and anticipated capital expenditures and the benefits expected to result therefrom are subject to risks and, accordingly, there can be no assurance that our network deployment plans will be completed, that our anticipated capital expenditures will be made or that the benefits expected to result therefrom will be realized. The completion of our network deployment plans assumes, among others, the availability of sufficient equipment, labour and capital. However, there can be no certainty that the required equipment, labour and sources of capital will be available with the result that our actual network deployments and capital expenditures could materially differ from current expectations. For additional information on assumptions and risks underlying certain of our forward-looking statements made in this news release, please consult BCE Inc.'s (BCE) 2021 Annual MD&A dated March 3, 2022, BCE's 2022 First Quarter MD&A dated May 4, 2022 and BCE's news release dated May 5, 2022 announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2022, filed by BCE with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities (available at Sedar.com) and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at SEC.gov). These documents are also available at BCE.ca.

SOURCE Bell Canada
UNWTO has underscored Paraguays commitment to establishing the country as one of the regions top tourist destinations and the sector as a driver of sustainable development in a special session on Renewable Energy and Sustainable Tourism.



Leading an official UNWTO delegation to Paraguay, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with President Abdo Benitez to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities for tourism in Paraguay and identify ways of working together to grow and the sector in both size and relevance. Paraguay currently serves as Chair of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas and is a member of its Executive Council.



Making tourism a priority for Paraguay



Secretary-General Pololikashvili noted that Paraguay is already on the world map as a destination, and that, working together, UNWTO and the government can make this beautiful country better known and make tourism a priority for creating jobs and opportunities for economic growth.



Opening the session, held against the backdrop of the UNWTO visit, President Mario Abdo Benitez, said: The task of the National Government is to promote Paraguay as a destination as part of our strategy to generate income, strengthen our culture and give opportunity to a large number of young people who, as the UNWTO Secretary General said, have the potential to be tourisms greatest strength.



Alongside meeting with the President, the UNWTO delegation also met with Minister of Tourism for Paraguay Sofia Montiel de Afara, with the National Tourism Advisory Council of Paraguay, as well as with representatives from the World Bank and from across the private sector. The presence of high-level representatives from the Ministries of the Interior, of Industry and Commerce and of Education and Sciences, underlined the cross-cutting importance of tourism for Paraguay and for the wider region.



The Minister of Tourism stated her desire to build on her Ministrys existing work with UNWTO and develop a new series of capacity-building initiatives to guide tourism in sector out of the pandemic and towards a more resilient future.



Youth empowerment and rural development



Reflecting one of UNWTOs core priorities, as illustrated by the recent inaugural Global Youth Tourism Summit, Secretary-General Pololikashvili also met with young tourism leaders and advocates from every part of Paraguay to hear their thoughts on the future of the sector and to ensure that they are part of the decision-making process.



The UNWTO delegation also visited the historic community of San Cosme y San Damian, named one of UNWTOs Best Tourism Villages in 2021 in recognition of its significance preserving the countrys unique cultural heritage and as a provider of rural development.  TradeArabia News Service
OTTAWA, ON, July 27, 2022 /CNW/ - The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Health, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, the Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Marco Mendicino, and the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, issued this update today on progress being made by the Government of Canada and industry partners to reduce traveller wait times and congestion at Canadian airports.

The Government of Canada and air industry partners continue to make efforts to increase resources and streamline processes across the air system to ease airport congestion and help keep travellers moving, including:

Collaborating with air industry partners

Minister Alghabra continues to meet with senior leadership at airports and airlines of all sizes across the country to ensure ongoing collaboration that will help reduce delays and keep travellers moving. This week, the Minister met with the leadership of the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport to discuss the recovery of the sector. The Minister also had similar meetings last week with senior officials from the Edmonton, Vancouver, Kamloops and Prince George airports.

Transport Canada continues to meet regularly with airports and airlines alongside the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and NAV CANADA to find solutions to address bottlenecks affecting travel.

Increasing staffing for security screening and customs processing

Since April, more than 1,600 CATSA screening officers have been hired across Canada. The number of screening officers at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Vancouver International Airport are now over 100 percent of summer target levels. Efforts to increase screening officer staff levels at all airports continue.

CBSA is making more border services officers available at the most congested airports, has temporarily re-hired retired officers and has hired additional student border services officers.

Streamlining customs processing at Toronto Pearson International Airport

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority and the CBSA are adding 10 new eGates and 30 more primary inspection kiosks at Toronto Pearson International Airport by the end of this week. CBSA continues to monitor and prepare for peak arrival times to maximize efficiencies.

Improving ArriveCAN

Travellers arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport or Vancouver International Airport, and later this month at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, can save time by using the Advance CBSA Declaration optional feature in ArriveCAN to submit their customs and immigration declaration in advance of arrival. This feature will also be expanded to other international airports in the coming months.

Information resource for passengers experiencing flight delays, cancellations and lost or delayed baggage

The Canadian Transportation Agency developed an information resource to help passengers who are experiencing issues during their travel. This guide provides answers to many frequently asked travel questions and advises passengers of their rights under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations should their flights be delayed or cancelled, or in the event their baggage is lost, damaged or delayed.

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.

SOURCE Transport Canada

For further information: Laurel Lennox, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, [email protected]; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, [email protected], 613-993-0055
In the midst of continuous tensions and responses from several political heavyweights about murder of BJP Yuva Morcha worker Praveen Nettaru, victims mother called for the death sentence for perpetrators on Wednesday.

She further emphasised that without her son, there is no one to take care of them.

I dont feel good. His father likewise suffers from cardiac issues. The perpetrators must be punished, and they must be hung  remarked mother of Nettaru.

Displeased mother said, He intended to construct a house for us because he was our only son. Who will now construct it?

Late on Tuesday night in Bellare in Dakshina Kannada, unidentified individuals on a bike assaulted Nettaru, a young BJP activist, with deadly weapons.

Earlier, Basavaraj Bommai, chief minister of Karnataka, gave victims family assurance that justice would be done and that those responsible for the horrible deed would not escape punishment.

Notably, on Tuesday night, in the states Dakshin Kannada district, Praveen Nettar, a member of Zilla BJP Yuva Morcha committee, was hacked to death. Three individuals riding bikes murdered Nettar in front of his broiler store in Bellare.
S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs will go to Uzbekistan on Thursday to attend a meeting of SCO Council of Foreign Ministers.

At the SCO Foreign Ministers gathering, Jaishankar will sit at a table alongside Bilawal Bhutto of Pakistan. After the establishment of new coalition government in Islamabad, led by Shehbaz Sharif and including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Bhutto would be seeing EAM Jaishankar in person for first time.

According to MEA press statement, Jaishankar is attending conference at Vladimir Norovs request as Republic of Uzbekistans acting foreign affairs minister.

The conference is significant because Foreign Ministers will debate and make plans for forthcoming Council of Heads of State gathering, which is scheduled to take place in Samarkand on September 1516, 2022.

The debate will examine continued collaboration in SCO Organizations expansion and exchange viewpoints on regional and global trends of shared interest, according to press release.

Meanwhile, Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China, will also be present at conference. To discuss the results of most recent 16th round of talks between military commanders of India and China to end the standoff along LAC in Eastern Ladakh, Jaishankar and Wang Yi may meet privately.
EAST HARTFORD  A local 16-year-old drowned overnight at Terry Pool, police said Thursday.

Officers responded to the pool, located on High Street, shortly after midnight for a report of minors inside the fenced-in area of the property, Officer Marc Caruso said.

While en route, police received further information that someone may be underwater. Police rushed to the scene, jumped the fence, and found juveniles attempting to pull an unresponsive male from the pool, Caruso said.

Caruso said officers removed the teen from the water and performed CPR until medics arrived.

The teen, identified as Tresor Boroze, 16, was taken to Connecticut Childrens Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Caruso said.

At this time, police are treating this incident as a tragic accident, Caruso said.

In a statement, Mayor Mike Walsh offered condolences and said the town would work with police to better understand the situation.

At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victim, Walsh said. We are working with law enforcement to understand just how this tragedy occurred.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media

July 29 is National Chicken Wing Day and many restaurants across Connecticut are cooking up some savory deals in order to celebrate.

The day was first started in 1977 after Buffalo Mayor Stanley Makowski, whose city was famous for creating Buffalo wings, made an official declaration to celebrate each July 29, according to TIME.
Connecticut State Police contributed photo

NEW HAVEN  Part of Interstate 95 in New Haven was closed for hours early Thursday morning after officials say a wrong-way driver crashed into a tractor trailer, sparking a fire.

The left and center lanes for northbound traffic were closed between exits 48 and 50, the state Department of Transportation said.
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Three former Minneapolis police officers went before a federal judge during the last week to be sentenced for violating George Floyds civil rights, and for each man, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson handed out penalties well below what prosecutors sought and below federal guidelines.

Tou Thao, who held back concerned bystanders as Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyds neck, got 3 1/2 years. J. Alexander Kueng, who pinned Floyd's back, got three. And Thomas Lane, who held Floyd's feet and asked twice about rolling the Black man on his side, got 2 1/2.

For some Floyd family members and activists, the penalties were too small  and a bitter reminder of a justice system they say does not treat all people equally.

Once again, our judicial system favored people that should be locked up forever," Floyd's uncle, Selwyn Jones, said Thursday. The officers, he said, contributed to the most brutal, heinous killing in most of our lifetimes.

Floyd, 46, died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, who is white, knelt on his neck for 9 1/2 minutes as Floyd repeatedly said he couldn't breathe and eventually grew still. The killing, recorded by bystanders, sparked protests worldwide and a reckoning over racial injustice in policing.

Chauvin, who pleaded guilty to a federal count in which he admitted willfully depriving Floyd of his right to be free from unreasonable seizure, was sentenced to 21 years for that and for an unrelated case involving a 14-year-old boy.

Lane, Thao and Kueng were all convicted of depriving Floyd of medical care; Kueng and Thao were also convicted on a second count of failing to intervene. When issuing sentences in cases that include multiple defendants, judges have to look at each defendant's level of culpability and issue sentences that are proportional. Legal experts who spoke to The Associated Press did not expect any of them to receive sentences as long as Chauvin's.

Mark Osler, a professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and former federal prosecutor, called the sentences for the three groundbreaking," saying it's rare for officers who don't directly commit killings to be held accountable.

Paris Stevens, Floyd's cousin and a co-chair of the George Floyd Global Memorial, said she didn't think Lane, Kueng and Thao should have gotten the same penalty as Chauvin  but the sentences they got were too low. She said police officers should be punished more harshly because of the power they hold, and said the three men could have helped Floyd, but didn't.

They stood by and kind of watched, she said.

Stevens saw favoritism in Magnuson's sentences.

I think all officers get favoritism in the court of law. Because historically thats the way its played out, she said.

At their sentencing hearings, Magnuson said Lane, who is white, and Kueng, who is Black, were rookies. He called Thao, who is Hmong American, a good police officer, father and husband. While he said the officers were culpable for violating Floyds rights, Magnuson also mentioned numerous letters of support that each officer received. And during Chauvin's sentencing, Magnuson appeared to suggest that Chauvin bore the most blame in the case, telling him: You absolutely destroyed the lives of three young officers by taking command of the scene.

Toshira Garraway, an activist who attended the sentencing hearings on Wednesday to support Floyds girlfriend, took exception to Magnuson's assessment of Thao as a good police officer, father and husband."

That was irrelevant to what he did on May 25, 2020, Garraway said.

Ayesha Bell Hardaway, who directs the Social Justice Law Center at Case Western Reserve University, said the judge seemed to really have lost track of what occurred during those 9 minutes and 30 seconds" and what she called an egregious killing.

She said Floyds killing sparked widespread awareness of the harm that excessive force and tactics can have, but worried that the sentences will undermine momentum for police reform.

When someone dies and were only talking about the potential of two years in prison, I think theres a strong concern, a well-founded concern, that this removes the motivation for police to be more mindful of the way they choose to use force against individuals on the street, Hardaway said.

Osler said any prison time for a police officer would likely make other officers think twice about declining to intervene.

We should hope that it has the impact of changing behavior and prodding them to intervene when a life can be saved, he said.

Angela Harrelson, an aunt of Floyds, said the judge showed favoritism when he allowed the three men to remain free pending sentencing and afterward  although that is frequently done in federal cases. Still, she celebrated the guilty verdicts as progress toward holding police accountable for their actions.

"Theres a lot of triumphs that have been made in pushing forward. We are on the right track and police officers are being held accountable, Harrelson said. For Black and brown people, we are dismantling the system. It is peeling away before our eyes.

In separate proceedings in state court, Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter and was sentenced to a 22 1/2 years, which is being served at the same time as his federal sentence. Lane pleaded guilty in state court to one count of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter and is awaiting sentencing there. Kueng and Thao face an Oct. 24 trial on charges of aiding and abetting both murder and manslaughter.

___

This story was first published July 28, 2022. It was updated July 29, 2022, to correct the spelling of Toshira Garraway's last name.

___

Groves reported from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Associated Press/Report for America reporter Trisha Ahmed contributed from Minneapolis.

___

Find APs full coverage of the killing of George Floyd at: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd
STAMFORD  As a state prosecutor vowed to continue searching for the remains of Jennifer Dulos, she also agreed to return electronic items to Michelle Troconis that were seized as part of the investigation and provide her attorney with copies of any outstanding evidence.

We still have an investigation going that involves the recovery of Jennifer Dulos and were never going to stop, Stamford Senior States Attorney Michelle Manning, who took over prosecuting the case a few months ago, said Thursday during a remote hearing.

Manning was willing to return several electronic items seized during the investigation into the death and disappearance of Jennifer Dulos and provide Troconis attorney with any evidence he needed to press forward with a defense.

Troconis has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution in the Dulos case.

During the remote appearance, Superior Superior Court Judge John Blawie ordered Troconis to remain on electronic monitoring as her cases continue.

Troconis, however, will no longer need a judges approval to travel within the United States, Blawie said.

Troconis will only need to notify bail officials when traveling within the country, Blawie ruled.

Your client has been compliant with the conditions of release, Blawie said.

Blawie told Troconis attorney Jon Schoenhorn and Manning that he was unaware of a parallel federal investigation into the New Canaan mothers disappearance.

But he wanted to give Manning time to consider a motion filed Wednesday by Schoenhorn seeking particulars about other potential suspects in the case  even those who have not been charged with a crime.

Schoenhorn contended in the document that New Canaan and state police sought the help of the federal Department of Homeland Security about a month after Jennifer Dulos disappeared on May 24, 2019, but he and prosecutors were never notified until earlier this year.

That motion will be heard at a later date, Blawie said.

Schoenhorn also told the court during Thursdays proceedings that he wanted a deadline for when prosecutors could provide him with evidence since he had just received reports indicating that his clients DNA had been found on a screwdriver and wrench that were likely seized in 2019. He also recently received five terabytes of information related to the case that he plans to review over the next month, Schoenhorn said.

Blawie also agreed to a plan approved by Manning to give Troconis and her family members any electronics that had been seized as part of the investigation.

Troconis and attorney Kent Mawhinney, a friend of Fotis Dulos, are the remaining defendants in the case.

Jennifer Dulos is presumed dead by her family and police. While her body has never been found, police said based on evidence found in the garage of her New Canaan home, the 50-year-old mother of five would not have survived the attack without immediate medical assistance.

Her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, died by suicide in January 2020 while facing murder, kidnapping and other charges in the case.

Troconis and Mawhinney have each pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder. Troconis has also pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution charges.

An attorney representing Mawhinney has indicated that his client will likely testify against Troconis in a trial. But Manning and Schoenhorn agreed that Mawhinneys potential role will have to be discussed because he has been charged in the case.

Is he a witness or a co-conspirator? Schoenhorn asked.

Mawhinney is accused of attempting to provide an alibi for Fotis Dulos on the morning his estranged wife vanished, according to arrest warrants.

On the night of the disappearance, police said Troconis was seen on surveillance video in Fotis Dulos pickup truck as he made a series of stops in Hartford. Police said Fotis Dulos was dumping trash bags in bins along Albany Avenue. Police said they later recovered some of the bags, which contained Jennifer Dulos blood and clothing.

Police said Troconis also helped Fotis Dulos get a pickup truck belonging to one of his employees cleaned in the days after the disappearance. Police said they believe Fotis Dulos used the truck the day of the crime and later discovered his estranged wifes blood on one of the seats.
4 killed as roof caves in Afghanistan

Jalalabad (Afghanistan), July 28 (UNI) Four members of a family were killed and three others wounded as the roof of their house caved in Spinghar district of Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported on Thursday.

The incident happened on Wednesday night when a wedding was going on at the house, the report said, adding that all the victims including women and children belonged to the same family.

UNI/XINHUA GNK MR
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SEMINOLE, Okla. (AP)  An Oklahoma man and a woman described as his girlfriend were arrested for the death of a young child whose burned body was found in central Oklahoma, authorities said.

Police in Seminole, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Oklahoma City, found the child's burned body Wednesday after receiving a tip, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said.
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LONDON (AP)  The parents of a 12-year-old boy who was left in a comatose state after suffering brain damage have failed to persuade the U.K. Supreme Court to intervene in a life-support treatment battle.

Archie Battersbee's parents filed an urgent appeal to the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking to halt rulings by lower courts to allow doctors to legally withdraw life support from their son.
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First, there was a Stamford home with an ice rink and Zamboni featured on the viral Instagram and TikTok account, Zillow Gone Wild. Then, a modern Weston farmhouse with a horse lamp and wine wall, followed by a Greenwich manor and a Woodstock castle. With over 1.9 million followers, the social media account chooses one-of-a-kind house listings from around the United States and recently, it set its sights on a home in New Haven county.

The home on 175 Chestnut Lane in Hamden was featured among the nearly 800 unique homes on Zillow Gone Wild. Posted on July 18, the posts caption quipped that it looks like we are all moving to Connecticut and living [there] together, noting its custom kitchen and teak wood counters. The post gained followers attention with more than 61.4K likes and over 1,200 comments to date.

Some of the commenters marveled at the homes angular style. One wrote, I feel like this is inspired by the millennium falcon, while another wrote, This home is sponsored by trigonometry.

Now on the market for $629,000, the home was designed in the late 1960s, with the current owners wanting to build a home located in the woods of Hamden's Sleeping Giant State Park. To do this, they teamed up with their friend and Yale School of Architecture alum, David Sellers. According to the owners, they called Sellers to help design a two-story colonial home, but he responded that he would design something better.

The Vermont-based architect used a cellular approach, in which the rooms are designed to isolate sound in the downstairs rooms as well as childrens bedrooms on the second floor, according to the owners description. The owners also had established some must-haves in the home, including windows on both sides of the dining room, to create an outdoor picnic feel. They also requested having an accessible kitchen from both the family and dining room with a large pantry.

Jennifer Higham of Jennifer Higham Photography LLC / Contributed Photo Jennifer Higham of Jennifer Higham Photography LLC / Contributed Photo The home on 175 Chestnut Lane in Hamden, Conn. was featured on viral social media account, "Zillow Gone Wild." (Jennifer Higham of Jennifer Higham Photography LLC / Contributed Photos) The home on 175 Chestnut Lane in Hamden, Conn. was featured on viral social media account, "Zillow Gone Wild." (Jennifer Higham of Jennifer Higham Photography LLC / Contributed Photos)

The home was completed in 1969 and still maintains all the original features, according to listing agent Wojtek Borowski of Pearce Real Estate. Borowski describes the home as a time capsule due to its mid-century influence. The distant look of geometric patterns, bright colors and streamlined furniture were popularized in the 1960s through 1970s, according to home decor site DecoratedLife.com.

The 2,912 square-foot home consists of four bedrooms and three bathrooms. There are a total of four decks throughout the home. One outside of the kitchen for outdoor dining, the other decks are attached to the living room, master bedroom and childrens bedroom.

The kitchen was designed by another Yale School of Architecture graduate, Tom Luckey of Luckey Climbers. The materials in the kitchen are made of teak, a tropical hardwood tree species. The counter blends into the carved sink and colorful cabinets that are described as playful, by the listing details.

Borowski emphasized the seclusion of the home and its access to nature, sitting on 4.2 acres of land. On the inside, he pointed out the homes large pantry, a rare feature in most mid-century homes.

The home offers comfortable living, said Borowski on the homes feel. It has a contemporary flow setting.

Just down the road from Hamdens campus of Quinnipiac University, the home on 175 Chestnut Lane hugs the borders of North Haven and Wallingford. Homes in the 06518 ZIP code sell for a median price of $283,5oo, which was a 9.2 percent increase from last year, according to national real estate brokerage Redfin. In June 2022, Hamden houses are staying on the market for an average of 37 days, down from 46 days the same time last year, according to Redfin; this past June, there were 80 homes sold compared to the 73 sold in June 2021.

The 175 Chestnut Lane home is listed by Pearce Real Estate and is presented by Wojtek Borowski (203.606.9898).
If emissions continue to rise, and countries make no effort to curb climate change, the resulting impact could be even more grim, a new analysis suggests.
No fewer than one hundred and nineteen (119) princes from Oyo town have declared interest to ascend the Alaafin of Oyo stool. The Alaafin of...





No fewer than one hundred and nineteen (119) princes from Oyo town have declared interest to ascend the Alaafin of Oyo stool.





The Alaafin of Oyo stool is currently vacant due to the demise of the 45 Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi 111.





Oba Adeyemi, who ascended the throne in 1971, joined his ancestors at the age of 83.





It was gathered that at least 119 applicants have declared interest to ascend the throne.





The Baba Iyaji (Head of Princes) of Oyo, Chief Mukaila Afonja made this disclosure.





He said that various things such as educational background, wealth, influence, knowledge of the Yoruba culture and ability to speak Yoruba language without any mixup would be considered while choosing the next Alaafin.





He added that it was now left for the Oyomesi (King makers) to screen the candidates and pick one person as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
Bandits are reported to have attacked Damari town of Kazaga Ward, in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State and killed thr...

Bandits are reported to have attacked Damari town of Kazaga Ward, in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State and killed three while no fewer than 13 villagers were abducted.





This was contained in a statement by the chairman, Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union, Ishaq Kasai, released to newsmen in Kaduna, late Wednesday.





It was learnt that the hoodlums in large numbers and on motorcycles raided the village between Monday and Tuesday unchallenged.

The statement noted that the bandits attacked the community after the Ansaru terror group withdrew from the area.





It can be recalled that about three weeks ago, a clash between some bandits and a splinter Boko Haram sect  the Ansaru terror sect  had left two locals dead while the casualty figures on the sides of the hoodlums could not be ascertained.





The attacks came after Ansaru members, who were considered to be defending the locals, deserted the area for about four days now, the chairman said.





He added that following the continued attacked on the community, residents including women and children, had fled the community for their safety.





The BEPU boss said, On Monday 25th July, 2022 around 6:00pm, bandits in large number on motorcycles wielding sophisticated weapons invaded Damari town of Kazage Ward in the Eastern part of the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing three people, namely; Hashimu Dan-Daura, Nazifi Adamu and Alhaji Dangude.

The bandits operated in the town stylishly unchallenged for about an hour.





The bandits also returned the following day on 26th July, 2022 around 6:00pm, forcefully looted many shops of traders in the town and on their way back to the forests kidnapped 13 persons at Hayin-Gada of the same Damari community.





The attacks came after Ansaru members who were considered to be defending the locals deserted the area for about four days now.





It could be recalled that Ansaru members clashed with the bandits when they earlier invaded the town on 13th July, 2022 where damages were made to the town including burning of private hospital, two vehicles and one shop.





However, following the recent series of attacks, residents, including women and children, continued to flee the community for safety.





We, therefore, call on government to address the continued loss of lives and property in the area.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the state government nor the state police command confirmed the attack.





The state Police Commands Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, when contacted on the telephone, did not take his call or respond to a text message sent to him by one of our correspondents in the state.
The federal government says it will penalise the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Daily Trust over their documentaries on terroris...

The federal government says it will penalise the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Daily Trust over their documentaries on terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.

Lai Mohammad, minister of information and culture, said this in Abuja on Thursday.

Let me assure you, they will not get away with this naked glorification of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria, Mohammad said.

When otherwise reputable platforms like BBC give their platform to terrorists, showing their faces as if theyre Nollywood stars I want to assure them that they wont get away with it, the appropriate sanctions will be meted.

In a 50-minute documentary titled The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara, published on Monday, the BBC Africa Eye provided insight into the mindset of bandit kingpins, the booming kidnap-for-ransom industry, and how Zamfaras insecurity may have been brought on by the ethnic conflict between Hausa and Fulani groups.

In March, Daily Trust TV, an arm of Daily Trust Newspaper, published a special report and documentary which exposed major issues around banditry in Nigeria. Non-state actors like Bello Turji was interviewed in the documentary.

Bello Kachalla, better known as Turji, is a notorious bandit leader who operates in northern Nigeria, particularly Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger state.

All I can say is that there is a regulatory body, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and they are also aware of these incidents and are looking at which part of the broadcasting codes have been violated by both the BBC and the Daily Trust, the minister said.

But I can assure you that there will be consequences. For those who will argue that BBC is a foreign broadcaster and as such, it is not licensed by NBC, let me assure you, they will not get away with this naked glorification of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.

I have said it many times here that the media is the oxygen that the terrorists and bandits need to breathe. When other reputable platforms like BBC now give their platform to terrorists, showing their faces as if they are Nollywood stars, what does that means? I want to assure them they wont get away with it. There are sanctions to be meted on both the BBC and the Daily Trust.
Suspected terrorists have again invaded the city of Owo, Ondo State, as NigerianEye reliably gathered that sporadic gunshots rocked some p...

Suspected terrorists have again invaded the city of Owo, Ondo State, as NigerianEye reliably gathered that sporadic gunshots rocked some parts of the town on Wednesday night

NE gathered that the gunmen invaded Craneburg Construction Company around 10:00 p.m. and opened fire on the premises.

The number of casualties was yet to be verified as of the time of writing this report but some a residents of the community confirmed the development to NigerianEye

Some of the residents told NigerianEye that gunshots were heard when some people suspected to be terrorists invaded the town.

The residents said the incident occurred in the premises of the Cranburg Construction Company around Folahanmi Street in Owo. At least, three persons were said to have been hit by bullets of the gunmen.

Meanwhile the state police command confirmed the incident in a tweet on its Twitter handle.

The tweet from the command read: Tonight, there was a shooting incident at Craneburg Construction Company, Owo.

Policemen are currently at the scene, victims have been taken to hospital and they are in stable condition.

Security personnel have been drafted to the area.

Ondo State Police spokesman, Fumilayo Odunlami, denied reports of bomb explosion in Owo but said it was a shooting incident that left three persons injured.

She said investigations were already on and urged residents not to panic.

NigerianEye recalls that terrorists had in June attacked the St. Francis Catholic church in Owo, killing over 40 worshippers and injuring dozens of parishioners during a Sunday service.

The terrorist attack on the church had been described as a massacre and drew condemnation from both local and international organisations.
New Delhi, July 27 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday described advanced ammunition as the reality of the "new age warfare," adding that it is a must for India, given its regional and global imperatives, besides security challenges.

He called for innovations in the field of ammunition for the creation of a strong and self-reliant base that keeps the armed forces fully prepared to deal with future challenges.

He was addressing the inaugural session of the second conference on Military Ammunition (Ammo India) on the theme Make in India Opportunities and Challenges here.

"Scientific and technological as well as economic development of a nation is reflected in the capacity of its weapons and ammunition. The development of ammunition is crucial not only for security, but also for socio-economic progress of the country," he said.

"For India to become a world power and one of the leading countries in defence production, we must move forward in the indigenous design, development and production of ammunition," he added.

The Minister asserted that the government understands the crucial role private sector can play in strengthening the defence sector and to enhance their participation in the field of ammunition, many barriers, which were earlier prevalent, have been removed.

He exhorted the public and private sectors, research and development establishments, start-ups, academia and individual innovators to explore newer avenues, which can create a base that caters to the needs of the Armed Forces, ensuring their enhanced preparedness.

He also emphasised the importance of precision guided ammunition, saying that it will play a major role in future warfare, equal to weapons/platforms, due to its constantly evolving nature.

"The employment of precision guided ammunition at Muntho Dhalo base played an important role in Indias victory in 1999 Kargil war. Precision strike of ammunition during 2019 strikes on terror camps in Balakot also ensured our success in the operation," he said.

"Ammunition in modern battlefields is emerging in its new avatar, which once programmed, can automatically take inputs, make course corrections and target the appropriate location at the right time. Earlier, only the size and explosive capacity of bombs mattered, but now their smartness is equally important," he added.

The two-day conference, jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), will cover an extensive range of ammunition requirements of the armed forces.

UNI ASU RJ
A 37-year-old driver, one Emmanuel, was on Wednesday burnt to death in Ilorin, Kwara State capital. The tragedy occurred at about 20:44hrs (...





A 37-year-old driver, one Emmanuel, was on Wednesday burnt to death in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.





The tragedy occurred at about 20:44hrs (08:44 p.m.) while the driver was in a car, with Reg. No: LSR966GD, which suddenly caught fire and burnt him to death.





According to the spokesman of the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, in Ilorin on Thursday, the car exploded and the victim was burnt to death at the main gate of the Softfort Table Water, situated at Block 2, Obanisuwa Agbejila, along Airport Road, in Ilorin, Kwara State.





However, firemen were able to retrieve the casualty from the motorcar on time and gave the body to the manager of the water factory named Mr. Surajudeen (the victims boss).





The driver was coming back from a filling station and fully rolled up inside the car, forgetting that he carried 3 gallons of 30 liters of petrol.





On getting to the factory gate, the petrol suddenly exploded, thereby causing the fire incident.





The victims name was Emmanuel and the cause of the incident was due to lack of proper ventilation in the car, Hassan disclosed.





The Director, Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, sympathized with the family of the victim over the irreparable loss.





He also urged the general public to take safety measures as paramount, especially whenever they were performing their day-to-day activities, in order to protect their lives and property.
President Muhammadu Buhari has summoned his service chiefs for an emergency meeting on Thursday (Tomorrow).

President Muhammadu Buhari has summoned his service chiefs for an emergency meeting on Thursday (Tomorrow).

This comes barely 48 hours after the Presidential Brigade Guards came under attack by terrorists.

Buharis Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, confirmed the meeting on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Televisions Politics Today.

Tomorrow the President has summoned another security meeting with the heads of the security agencies, Adesina said.

NigerianEye recalls that senators from opposition parties issued Buhari a six-week ultimatum to tackle the security challenges bedeviling the country.

The minority leader, Senator Philip Aduda, flanked by other lawmakers at a press briefing today, demanded that Buhari resolves terrorist attacks in the country or be impeached.
The recent upsurge in terrorist attacks in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has begun to affect economic activities, causing fear and tr...





The recent upsurge in terrorist attacks in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has begun to affect economic activities, causing fear and trepidation among residents, who fear being attacked, killed or kidnapped from their homes.





It was reported that daredevil gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram insurgents, causing havoc in many parts of the country have been on a rampage in the nations capital.





Recall that on July 5, terrorists attacked the medium correctional centre (Kuje prison) in Abuja and killed at least one person while many others were injured.





During the attack, over 800 inmates including members of Boko Haram and the bloodthirsty Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents, being remanded in the facility were let loose.





There has been a series of killing and kidnapping incidents in many parts of the territory, particularly in Kwali and Bwari Area Council of the FCT.





Recall that bandits on Sunday night attacked a community in Kwali, near the Federal Government College, in Sheda village, on the ever-busy Abuja-Lokoja highway.





Sequel to the unfortunate development, parents on Monday morning stormed the Federal Government College (FGC) Kwali, to evacuate their children and wards as tension enveloped residents and management of the school.





Subsequently, the Federal Ministry of Education directed the closure of all Federal Government Colleges (FGCs) in Abuja in a bid to prevent attacks on students.





The Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Ben Goong, had said in a statement that the decision was to forestall any violent attack on innocent children following the rising insecurity and threats by the insurgents.





More worrisome was the attack on some officials of the 7 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army Presidential Guards Brigade on Friday when at least five soldiers were killed leaving several others injured.





The incident, which took place late Friday night around the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, left three soldiers wounded and eight personnel killed.





In another incident, two army captains and one soldier, died as heroes after battling insurgents around the Kubwa-Bwari Road, near Abuja, while on routine patrol on Sunday night.





It was observed that many residents no longer go about their daily activities for fear of being attacked by daredevil terrorists who are suspected to have infiltrated the city and are hibernating, waiting to attack.





Clubs and other nightlife activities are beginning to fold up owing to the lack of patronage as fear of more attacks envelops the territory.





A commercial driver with a cab-hailing agency who identified himself as Ademola KT said that some of his colleagues have stopped working at night following the deteriorating security crisis in the nations capital.





He said, In this our job, we make more money at night but I can tell you now that it is one of the most dangerous things to do in Abuja these days. Aside from the news of terrorist attacks in many places, people are missing every day.





There are things we see at night that we cant tell. People are being killed and kidnapped on a daily basis but unfortunately, only a few we see in the media.





It was reported that while some private business owners now shut down their businesses to arrive home before nightfall, civil servants still live with the fear of being whisked away by terrorists while returning home at night.





Intelligence reports have also emerged that Boko Haram, Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) and bandits are currently planning to attack some States in Nigeria, particularly, the FCT





The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) raised the alarm in a memo issued to Commands across the country on Tuesday.





However, in a move to douse the tension, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Alkali Baba Usman, ordered an additional deployment of assets to strategic areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.





In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi the IGP stated that the force is not leaving any stone unturned to fortify the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has condemned the decision of presidential candidate Bola Tinubu and the Al...

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has condemned the decision of presidential candidate Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field a Muslim/Muslim ticket in 2023. The action threatens the unity of the country, he says.

Speaking at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)s 12th General Assembly and Leadership Transition Ceremony, Mr Dogara declared that political permutations which do not reflect religious balance in the country are against the unity and stability of the country.

He commended CANs position on the matter, describing it has Godly.

I want to say emphatically that CANs position on Muslim/Muslim ticket in this country, at this moment of national peril, is not CANs only position, I believe that is Gods position.

We serve a God of justice, our God is righteous, our God is the author of diversity, and he wants as diverse as we are to come together. So, CANs position as much as it is a righteous position, it is the position of all of us who live righteousness, justice, diversity and are working to harness it for the advancement of this country, he said.

Mr Dogaras featured among a select list of northern Christian politicians that had been suggested to Mr Tinubu as his probable running mate. The presidential candidate however turned them down.

CAN leaders have said over the past month that the same faith ticket is an insult to the vast population of competent Christians in the North and across the country. It also added that the decision is insensitive and capable of setting the nation on fire.

We are all aware that in the past weeks, the Nigerian mainstream media and the general public have been occupied with the discussions on the Muslim-Muslim ticket by the All Progressive Congress (APC), one of the political parties in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.

We clearly want to emphasize that this is not healthy for the highly diversified Nigerian space, especially in the face of the growing and alarming insecurity in our nation at the moment. Any well meaning presidential candidate will focus the all inclusive Federal Character.

Consequently, the Nigerian Christian youth are not unaware of division and tension currently overheating an heated polity in Nigeria and, therefore, will not support or encourage any action or decision capable of further dividing and setting this nation on fire.

Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket insults the sensitivity of Nigerians and the Christian youths are saying a big NO! Alfred Olushola, North Central president of the body had said.

Despite public discomfort and wide criticism of the same faith ticket of the APC, its flag bearer Mr Tinubu and other stalwarts have insisted that the party is making the right choice and other marginalised groups such as the northern Christians have nothing to fear.
The leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, yesterday, said Nigeria needs foreign assistance to...

The leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, yesterday, said Nigeria needs foreign assistance to tackle its worsening insecurity situation.

Reacting to the planned attack by terrorists and bandits in Zamfara, Kano and Lagos States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the Afenifere leader lamented the Federal Government has failed in securing Nigerians.

Adebanjo said: My reaction to the alarm is that it has shown the inability of the Buhari government to protect lives and properties. I have said it severally that this government should have left the place for an interim government to take over to tackle our security challenges and conduct a new election. If we dont do that, the whole country will be finished before Buhari leaves office. I am not surprised but, unfortunately, Nigerians are incapable of defending themselves.

The terrorists are now bold enough to threaten our Commander in Chief, they have attacked our military guard, attacked our defence academy, attacked strategic places and they have told us that their target is Aso Rock. They know our government is incapable of taking out the terrorists and protecting people. I have said that before that no one can come and help us except the international community comes to our aid.

When asked whether Nigerians should resort to self-help, the Afenifere leader said: What else can we do if the government has failed to help us? We need foreigners to come and help us but in the meantime, we need to help ourselves. The authority cannot help itself and it cannot help us. We have seen how the terrorists attacked the presidents guard and they threatened to kidnap him and another governor; where does that leave us? Nigerians will have to resort to self-help when they cant help themselves. That is why we need foreign intervention if we must tackle insecurity.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), says sponsoring civil servants for studies in foreign varsities amounts to misus...

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), says sponsoring civil servants for studies in foreign varsities amounts to misuse of public funds.

In a series of tweets on Thursday, Obi said it is a misuse of taxpayers money for the government to sponsor public officials to foreign universities while the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is on strike.

Officials of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) had recently attended the advanced leadership programme of Judge Business School (JBS) at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Also, Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, was recently criticised by Nigerians for a recent post in which he shared pictures of him taking a course at Harvard University.

According to Obi, if government employees must be sponsored for studies with public funds, such training must take place in Nigeria.

Our public universities have been shut since 14 February, some five months and counting. Our students and future leaders are idling away at homes or in some undesirable places, while our government is spending millions in foreign currency, supposedly training public office holders in Ivy League universities across the world, he wrote.

Such misplaced priorities and government misuse of public funds is no longer acceptable, while the future of our youths are being neglected.

Through such policy neglect, we are unwittingly breeding some societal misfits who will someday embark on vendettas & take revenge on our society.

As a matter as adaptive leadership, such trainings being sponsored with public funds should stop forthwith, until all our schools start functioning optimally.

Meanwhile, such trainings if need be, must be mandated to happen only within Nigeria.
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo on Thursday expressed surprise when his wife ambushed him with an unplanned birthday party. ...

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo on Thursday expressed surprise when his wife ambushed him with an unplanned birthday party.

It was learnt that Soludos wife in connivance with some members of the state executives organized a birthday party, which began with a Catholic mass, even without the knowledge of the governor.

An elated Soludo took to his Facebook page to thank God for the opportunity of another birthday, while also expressing surprise about the organisation of the celebration, without his knowledge.

Soludo said: For the most part of my years of marriage, my wife has continued to pull a coup on me every 28th of July.

Today(Thursday), as usual, Nonye in connivance with family, friends and members of the Anambra State Executive Council pulled another birthday surprise on me.

I can only thank providence for yet another privilege of marking another birthday. I remember, in a special way, my age mates who have journeyed to the great beyond, and all those killed needlessly.

It is my prayer that God accepts their souls in paradise and grant us the grace to ensure that their death is not in vain.

I celebrate our lives. I celebrate our State. I celebrate providence. I thank you all for the good wishes. Ill be proceeding to the Nigeria Correctional Service, Awka custodial centre where I will be celebrating with the inmates.

Soludo, a former Central Bank Governor and renowned Economist on Thursday marked his 62nd birthday.
Buba Galadima, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, probably knows a lot more about the terrorists on a rampage in some parts of the...





Buba Galadima, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, probably knows a lot more about the terrorists on a rampage in some parts of the country than he is telling Nigerians, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has said.





It said the manner Galadima spoke on the possibility of the President being kidnapped soon showed that the man knows more than he is telling.





In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, the group said that Galadima spoke like someone who knows what the terrorists want, and probably how to get it.





Our attention has been drawn to Buba Galadimas recent interview with BBC Hausa service, and the confidence with which he spoke about terrorists abducting President Buhari.





That the assertion came a few days after what many Nigerians thought was an empty abduction threat by a terrorist group which attacked a Kaduna-bound train and is still holding 39 passengers since March, should give all patriots cause for concern.





We heard him saying in that interview that bandits were disdainful of the Buhari administration and we wonder how he knew this, if not that he is in regular touch with the leadership of the criminals.





Also, being a former ally of President Buhari and likely to know his routine, we are concerned that Buba Galadima may have passed on some valuable information to the terrorists.





It is against this backdrop that we urge security agencies not to overlook him in the course of investigating the terrorists threat to abduct the President, it said.





BMO said that the Buhari administration has not failed in securing the country and urged the authorities to step up their intelligence gathering capacity to counter the fresh wave of security challenges in the country.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has stated that the shooting at the Craneburg Construction yard in Owo on Wednesday was inten...

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has stated that the shooting at the Craneburg Construction yard in Owo on Wednesday was intended and designed to damage some of their equipment rather than injure or kill anyone.

Akeredolu, who visited the construction site with the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, and heads of security agencies in the state, advised the residents not to panic.

On Wednesday night the gunmen launched an attack on the ancient town with residents scampering for safety.

According to the governor I want to allay the fear of our people. Clearly, what happened here on Wednesday night was not an attempt to kidnap anybody because they went away with nobody. And we have on the premises over hundred people living there.

Yes, there were sporadic gunshots at the wall but they never went inside to kill anybody. It is better for everybody to know.

They didnt go inside there to kill anybody. The only two people who had some gunshots were security men who they saw outside the premises.

So, it is clear to us that their intention was to attack one or two equipment here, which they did. Their explosives affected the tyres and the windscreen of another vehicle.

He also informed the populace of his administrations dedication to safeguarding lives and property, emphasizing that the shooting on Wednesday night was nothing near the attack on the Saint Francis Catholic Church in the town on June 5.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the house of representatives have given President Muhammadu Buhari six weeks to improve th...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the house of representatives have given President Muhammadu Buhari six weeks to improve the nations security or risk impeachment.

Ndudi Elumelu, minority leader of the house of representatives, said this on Thursday while briefing journalists after a closed-door meeting of PDP members in the national assembly.

The meeting was chaired by Philip Aduda, senate minority leader.

The development comes about 24 hours after the PDP legislators in the senate handed Buhari a six-week ultimatum to improve security in the country.

According to Elumelu, Nigeria is at a standstill and lawmakers cant stand and see the country collapse.

Both chambers have tried several times either by resolution or by security submit to draw the attention of Mr President as to why there is a need for us to address the insecurity of this nation, but that has not been taken seriously, he said.

Of course, so many outcries by our people. Our farmers can no longer go to their various farms and I believe that we are the worst hit in terms of food production.

Looking at the reason our colleagues walked out in the senate, we are of the opinion that we will also join them in the same way.

They have given six to eight weeks for Mr President to address the insecurity that is affecting this nation and I want to also join, on behalf of my colleagues to say that upon the expiration, we will proffer ways of ensuring that we gather all the signatures.

Elumelu said the impeachment proceedings will be supported by other lawmakers who are not in the opposition because all are affected.

They may not be speaking but we may be speaking for them, he added.


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A jury on Thursday acquitted Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams of the federal tax fraud charges against him, clearing away a dark cloud that had hung over him since before his 2020 election as New Orleans' top prosecutor.

The jury found Williams and his co-defendant, lawyer Nicole Burdett, not guilty of each of the 10 felony charges against them, which alleged the pair conspired to lower Williams' tax burden by more than $200,000 over five successive years.

Even so, the same jury found Burdett guilty of four counts of falsifying four years' worth of her own taxes, allegedly shaving nearly $130,000 off of her tax bill.

Williams bowed his head as the verdict was read count by count, and cried as the final "not guilty" was said aloud. His wife, Liz Marcell Williams, and a cousin, Clarence Williams, held one another in the front row of the gallery, sobbing.

Burdett cried, too. After the jury was dismissed, she held on to Williams and sobbed. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 30.

"We and Nicole respect the process and the jurys verdict," Michael Magner, Burdett's defense attorney, said in a written statement following the verdict. "However, Nicole was collateral damage of a politically motivated and wrongheaded prosecution  one that resulted in not guilty verdicts on 10 counts. There is no way that Nicole ever would have been charged but for the governments overreach."

Complete coverage of District Attorney Jason Williams' tax fraud trial in New Orleans Jason Williams, the Orleans Parish district attorney, was found not guilty Thursday, July 28, 2022, of the tax fraud charges against him.



In addition to the charges of conspiracy and aiding in the filing of false tax returns, Williams and Burdett had also been charged with failing to file the proper forms for cash payments of more than $10,000 on four occasions. The forms, created by the Internal Revenue Service, help law enforcement agents track the flow of cash and find financial crimes, such as money laundering.

A key witness for the government, Henry Timothy, faltered on the witness stand early in the more than weeklong trial. Timothy, who acted as the pair's tax preparer for the years in which they had been charged, has pleaded guilty to lying on his own taxes  a fact which defense attorneys highlighted multiple times.

While prosecutors strongly contended that Timothy only manipulated Williams and Burdett's taxes at their request, defense attorneys argued that Timothy  who had falsely held himself out as a certified public accountant  had acted without instruction, often filing the pair's returns before they had reviewed them.

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Timothy has yet to be sentenced in his own tax fraud case.

And while prosecutors pointed to multiple large cash payments given to Williams' law firm and argued that the attorneys knew they had to file certain government forms on the transactions, defense attorneys argued Williams and Burdett were unaware of the requirement. They also disputed the recipients of the cash, claiming that at least two of the sums were paid to another attorney at the firm.

The defense put on no case. After the verdict Thursday, Lisa Wayne, a defense attorney for Williams, said that the jury "heard his [Williams'] side. He pled not guilty."

From the steps of the Hale Boggs Federal Building, Wayne added, "This never should have even been here in the courthouse."

The verdict came after about 16 hours of deliberation. The jury, which included nine women and three men, four of whom were Black, was drawn from the 13-parish Eastern District of Louisiana.

U.S. District Court Judge Lance Africk, who presided over the trial, thanked the jury for its careful consideration of the case. "Theres no more solemn task than that," he said.

The U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District recused itself from the case, so Western District prosecutors took it to trial.

More to come on this breaking news story.
GFRS Makes Good Progress in Fighting Tunnel Fire

The Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service have this afternoon continued to combat a fire in Powers Drive Tunnel, located on the East Side of the Rock.

GFRS crews have, throughout the day, tackled the fire in extremely hot and difficult conditions, with almost no visibility. Good progress has been made and the fire has now been extinguished in Vault 3 of the tunnel. Firefighters are now actively working to gain direct access to the next section, Vault 4, in which it is believed that the remaining fire is contained.

Smoke release has improved significantly through the afternoon. This is a positive sign that the GFRS offensive is working and there is no current indication of any further spread of fire past Vault 4.

In a statement, GFRS said that whilst there has been major collapse further down the tunnel, there is no current evidence that this has caused any damage to infrastructure contained within the tunnel. A priority throughout the day has been to safeguard AquaGibs Reverse Osmosis Plant in the immediate area. There has been no risk to the plant itself and, at present, there is no evidence of damage to any of the plants infrastructure.

The Chief Fire Officer, Colin Ramirez, said: Good progress has been made throughout the day and firefighters have successfully extinguished the fire in one section of the tunnel and are working to gain direct access to the next. The GFRS crews have been working in immensely difficult conditions with no visibility and in temperatures of up to 120 Celsius. The safety and wellbeing of our firefighters is the first priority, and the significant risk of collapse in the tunnel, coupled with the extreme heat conditions, have hampered progress. Id like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank and commend them for their professionalism and tireless efforts.
At the invitation of the H.E Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), spoke at the opening session of the 9th AfCFTA Council of Ministers meeting, which took place on 25 and 26 July 2022 in Accra, Ghana.

During the meeting, the AfCFTA Secretariat reported major strides towards achieving the African common market: 54 signatories of the agreement, 43 states had ratified the agreement, and 46 schedules deposited.

In his opening speech, Secretary General Mikuriya emphasized Customs importance in implementing trade agreements, basing their operations on international standards developed by the WCO, including the Revised Kyoto Convention and the SAFE Framework of Standards, that would ensure connectivity at borders. He mentioned the HS and Rules of Origin and how the WCO had been able to support the AfCFTA, leading to the launch of the E-Tariff Book and the Rule of Origin Manual as concrete examples of cooperation. He informed ministers of the recent WCO Council sessions' focus on data strategy, green Customs, and fragile borders. In conclusion, he stated that there remained much room to enhance collaboration between Customs and trade ministries to achieve the common goal of a prosperous and integrated Africa and asked for political support of trade ministers present in this respect.

Secretary General Mikuriya seized the opportunity to visit the port of Tema, to appreciate the progress in the implementation of the Ghanaian Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) and the airport Customs to see the e-commerce operations and the Customs Laboratory. He also held discussions with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) management team and the GRA Board Chair.
Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 99F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with scattered thunderstorms mainly before midnight. Low 74F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Two Saudi sisters found dead in their Sydney apartment in unusual circumstances last month have been identified by police, as authorities appealed for more information.

Police discovered the bodies of Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24, and Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, 23, on June 7, following a concern for welfare report, according to a statement on Wednesday from New South Wales Police.

Despite extensive inquiries, detectives have been unable to ascertain how the women died, the statement said. However, it is believed the women had been deceased for some time prior to being located.

The sisters arrived in Australia from Saudi Arabia in 2017, NSW Police confirmed to CNN. The circumstances of their death was unusual because they have no signs of injury, police said.

NSW Police detective inspector Claudia Allcroft said any information from the public could hold the key to solving the investigation.

Detectives are interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen or who may have information about the womens movements in the days and weeks prior to their deathswhich we believe occurred in early May, Allcroft said in the NSW Police statement.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the Saudi Consulate in Sydney said it was in contact with Australian authorities about the case. The Consulate also expresses its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, it said.

CNN has reached out to the Saudi Embassy in Canberra for comment.

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From September 2021 to July, the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded three crude oil contracts with a combined value of roughly $464 million to Unipec America, the U.S. trading arm of Chinese state-owned oil company Sinopec. A Chinese firm with ties to Hunter Biden had made an investment in the national oil giant. Republicans tried to amend legislation that would stop the sale of oil to China. Democrats overruled it, and the DOE plans to buy the oil back cheaper after Fiscal year 2023 when oil prices are expected to be lower.
Franciscan Health Michigan City is working with local churches to prevent diabetes in Michigan City.

The hospital is teaming up with the houses of worship to educate parishioners on a chronic disease statistically more likely to affect the African American and Hispanic communities.

It's the second-year Franciscan Health Michigan City is offering the free Fan Out Diabetes program, which follows Sunday church services.

"At the first session, diabetes educators will provide a presentation on diabetes with information on healthy eating and exercise tips," Franciscan Health said in a press release. "Free screenings will be offered, along with insurance enrollment assistance and healthy snacks and giveaways. Guests are asked to also attend a second session where the church will be presented with fans for the entire congregation, along with a screening follow-up, health planning and referral information."

The first session will take place at 11 a.m. on July 31 at Temple Worship Center at 1916 E. U.S. 20 in Michigan City with a follow-up session on Aug. 21. People are encouraged to attend both sessions.

Additional sessions will take place at 11 a.m. Sept. 11 and Oct. 2 at Mount Zion Baptist Church at 123 Helen St. in Michigan City, and at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 23 and Nov. 13 at Bethany Lutheran Church at 102 G St. in LaPorte.

We have to meet people where they are and where they feel the most comfortable, Franciscan Health Michigan City Community Health Improvement Coordinator Nila Williams said.

Diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in Indiana. Non-Hispanic blacks are twice as likely to die while Hispanics are 1.3 times more likely to die of the chronic disease, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

I want people to be educated on the prevention of diabetes, chronic illnesses and break those cycles. Lets begin to change eating habits and learn to eat mindfully. Small steps can lead to big rewards, Williams said.

No registration is required.

For more information, email Nila.Williams@FranciscanAlliance.org.
Marion Kellum moved to Crown Point with his wife Rosemary in the 1960s to assume a teaching position at Crown Point High School.

He was licensed in art, English, and theater education, and while he taught all three throughout his career, he focused on art and theater classes, and he directed the school's plays for all but a brief period.

Kellum was the auditorium director from the addition of the auditorium to the CPHS building on Joliet Street in the fall of 1975. The opening of the new auditorium sparked an interest in community theater, and Kellum was involved with Playmakers from their first show until their last. Sometimes he was just on the board and handled tech, and other times he was all in, such as when he adapted "A Christmas Carol" and directed it, and one year even played Scrooge.

He did all of this while raising four children and later being a very involved grandparent.

Kellum retired from teaching in 1995, and was asked to paint a mural for Col. Wheeler Middle School  so he painted seven over the course of a few years. They are all based on local history, from the native peoples who lived on the land that is now under the school to the founding of the town and building of the courthouse to the Civil War, including a tribute to Col. John Wheeler.

When Crown Point Community Theater started in 2005, Kellum was of course involved. He did a term or two on the board, directed a couple of plays, played Friar Lawrence in "Romeo and Juliet," and was just all around helpful when his help was needed. Maintaining a community theater is expensive, and CPCT also dissolved from financial difficulties.

By this point Kellum was on the board of directors for the Lake Court House Foundation, and his love of local history was making him itch to write and direct plays about it. In the summer of 1984, he had written and directed a massive show called "The Best Old Courthouse," and it was performed through the Playmakers.

Then, in the early 2000s, he wrote and directed "Lake Court House," a 30-minute piece on the founding of Crown Point, for a courthouse foundation event.

With his desire to write more creative pieces that still tied to the local history, a theater group of sorts was born.

Kellum throws plays like some people throw parties. He writes something he likes, and then he invites his friends to put it on. If the cast is coming up a little short, his friends put out an all-call to find more friends.

This troupe doesnt have a name, a 501(c)3 designation, or a particular home. For their first productions they rehearsed and performed at the courthouse, sometimes in the Maki Ballroom and sometimes in the courtroom upstairs, with all proceeds supporting the Lake Court House Foundation.

Now they are rehearsing and performing in the ARC building on Burrell Drive to raise funds for the Community Help Network. The troupe with no name performs where they can in order to help raise money for an excellent cause.

The first history-based play was performed in 2012. "Frozen Stiff," set in the 1910s, is a comedic murder mystery surrounding the seating of the first city council.

Next was the farce "Lets Get Hitched," performed in 2015 and set in the 1920s Marriage Mill. In 2017 there was the 1930s drama "Lillian," based on Lillian Holley and the events surrounding her time as sheriff when John Dillinger escaped the Lake County Jail.

This historical set was followed by a play of monologues for women, not written by Marion Kellum, called "Talking With."

Then he wrote another adaptation of "A Christmas Carol," this one called "A Dickens of a Christmas" with the premise of Grandpa Cratchit being told the Scrooge story by his grandchildren with the intention of having a cast almost entirely of children creating a shortened version that would provide an entry into live theater for an audience of children.

Now, as he is turning 87, the theater group has yet another historically based play with "Ruffle Shirt Hill." This one, however, is an adaptation of the book "The House on the Hill" written by Anne Putnam and published in 1930.

The interesting thing about this story is that the locals believed Putnam was exposing the secrets of the people in town with this novel, even to the extent that they were fairly certain of who was who in the text. Its entirely possible that it is fully a work of fiction, but the local connection is that this book was written by a local author and that there was a local uproar about it.

This time, Kellum has handed the directing reins over to Dana Zurbriggen, who has been functioning as his Girl Friday since she was in high school. When she came to teach at CPHS, she was his assistant director. They worked together on a few productions with CPCT, and she has been involved both onstage and as Kellums assistant with every one of the recent productions.

She said she is both honored and daunted to be stepping into Kellums shoes this time.

FYI: "Ruffle Shirt Hill" will be presented at 7 p.m. July 29 and 30 and Aug. 5 and 6, and at 2 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 7 at the ARC of Northwest Indiana, 550 E. Burrell Drive, Crown Point. Doors open one half-hour before the performances begin. Tickets are $20 per person, and include refreshments before and after the show. For reservations, call 219-216-1747 or email Joe_culley@msn.com. Proceeds benefit Community Help Network.
HAMMOND  The U.S. attorney is accusing a Gary man of counterfeiting money in the neighborhood of six figures.

Federal prosecutors filed a charge in U.S. District Court this week against 41-year-old Kevin Lee Myers, alleging he forged more than $176,000 in United State currency.

Joshua Furmage, a special agent of the U.S. Secret Service based in Chicago, outlined the case in a 12-page affidavit filed in federal court.

He said undercover secret service agents and members of the Portage Police Department first went to Myers' home, in the 6200 block of Miller Street in Garys Miller section, March 1 and took away refuse put out on the street, by the driveway, for trash collection.

Furmage alleges they recovered $3,775 of counterfeit U.S. currency, wrappers designed to hold large amounts of paper bills and discarded pages of printer test paper.

The investigators returned to the home 10 more times over the course of the next three months for what Furmage calls trash pulls.

Furmage alleges they found more counterfeit bills worth thousands of dollars, as well as an undetermined quantity of shredded counterfeit U.S. Federal Reserve Notes, printer ink cartridges as well as empty firearms ammunition casings.

The agents finally obtained a search warrant earlier this month from a federal magistrate judge and raided Myers' home July 21.

Inside the houses basement, Furmage alleges they found a briefcase containing nearly $139,000 of counterfeit bills in various denominations.

They also recovered three laptop computers and five printers, including one with counterfeit money in its output printing tray.

They further confiscated a half-dozen firearms, live ammunition, an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin F. Wolff has been assigned to prosecute the case. Court records dont indicate whether Myers has retained a defense attorney.

Myers was reported to be in federal custody, but no court records document any hearings having taken place before a magistrate judge.
CROWN POINT  An Urbana, Illinois, man charged in 2015 with six counts of child molesting pleaded guilty last week to one count of misdemeanor battery.

A. Bernard Coffer, 68, admitted in a plea agreement he caused bodily injury to a girl in July 2012 at a residence in Gary.

In exchange for his plea, Lake County prosecutors agreed to dismiss all six counts of child molesting.

If Lake Criminal Court Judge Samuel Cappas accepts Coffer's plea agreement, he could face up to a year in jail.

Coffer was charged in November 2015 after police interviewed several witnesses, who alleged he repeatedly molested a relative when she was between the ages of 6 and 12.

Coffer was represented by attorney Matthew Fech.

Cappas set Coffer's sentencing for Aug. 19.
CROWN POINT  A Chicago man admitted Thursday he struck two police cars during a chase last year in Lake Station.

Dandre M. Hunter, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of battery by means of a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony.

Level 5 felonies typically carry a sentence of one to six years, but Lake County prosecutors agreed to a cap of four years on each count.

If Lake Criminal Court Judge Natalie Bokota accepts Hunter's plea agreement, defense attorney Kirk Marrie and Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Doug Shaw will argue the length of Hunter's sentence at a hearing set for Sept. 13. He could face one to eight years.

Hunter admitted in his plea agreement he was driving a silver Buick with no rear license plate that was stopped Jan. 31, 2021, in the area of Central Avenue and Howard Street obstructing traffic.

Hunter fled from officers when they attempted a traffic stop and intentionally struck a Lake Station officer's patrol vehicle, records state.

As more police officers joined the chase, Hunter spun the Buick around and accelerated head-on into another officer's patrol car, according to court documents.

Both officers suffered soreness to their bodies as a result of being struck, and one cut his finger.

The Buick Hunter was driving had been reported stolen in a carjacking in Chicago, police said at the time of Hunter's arrest.
A top legislative priority for U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Northwest Indiana Congressman Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, is headed to the president's desk to be signed into law.

The CHIPS-Plus Act seeks to make American manufacturing more competitive with China by incentivizing the production of semiconductors in the United States, funding university and private sector research into advanced technologies, and establishing 20 regional "tech hubs" to support job creation and economic development in places, like Indiana, that are not currently leading technology centers.

"This bill is about securing our country, giving our people the tools to flourish and ensuring America continues its global research role," Young said. "Simply put, this bill will make America stronger, safer and more prosperous."

"It's been a long journey to get to this point, but history will show that by passing this CHIPS-Plus bill, we are confronting the challenges of today and building a prosperous and secure tomorrow for all Americans," he added.

Mrvan, who presided over the House as acting speaker during most of the debate on the measure, said Northwest Indiana's "incredible" manufacturing, steel and industrial workforce stands to benefit from the legislation, which he said takes "historic action to shorten supply chains, increase the production of American-made semiconductors and protect our national security."

"Today is a good day for Northwest Indiana, and the state of Indiana," Mrvan said. "This bipartisan legislation is an investment in research and technology and STEM. It enhances global competitiveness, it makes us less reliant upon other countries for chips and semiconductors, it invests in the America worker and in ingenuity. It allows for our auto workers to complete production without stoppages, it allows for continuity for our steel industry and steelworkers, and for productivity."

Indeed, Indiana is poised to immediately benefit once Democratic President Joe Biden officially enacts House Bill 4346 in the days ahead.

SkyWater, a major supplier of semiconductors to the Department of Defense, last week announced plans to construct a $1.8 billion, 600,000-square-foot semiconductor research and development production facility that will employ 750 Hoosiers in West Lafayette, as part of a partnership with Purdue University.

"This endeavor to bolster our chip fabrication facilities will rely on funding from the CHIPS Act. Federal investment will enable SkyWater to more quickly expand our efforts to address the need for strategic reshoring of semiconductor manufacturing," said Thomas Sonderman, SkyWater president and CEO.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb said he views CHIPS-Plus as "once-in-a-generation legislation that invests in American technology to keep our country safe from any and all of our adversaries."

"If the U.S. wants to be a leader in 21st century industries, semiconductors must be our first objective," Holcomb said. "(Skywater's) ability to make an investment of this magnitude is reliant upon the passage of CHIPS Plus and federal investment to boost this critical industry sector. This exact legislation also invests in research at our great universities, workforce programs and tech-hubs tailor-made for our state."

To that point, Mrvan is optimistic the Region's numerous higher education institutions, advanced manufacturing facilities and convenient location will prompt the U.S. Department of Commerce to designate Northwest Indiana as one of the 20 tech hubs created by the legislation that will see a total of $10 billion in federal investment between 2023 and 2027.

The Democratic-controlled House voted 243-187 Thursday to give final approval to the measure, formerly known as the Endless Frontier Act and the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act.

Among Hoosier congressmen, it was supported only by Mrvan; U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Indianapolis; U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, R-Jeffersonville; and U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, R-Greencastle, whose 4th District, which includes Newton and Jasper counties, will be home to the SkyWater facility.

Five of the seven Republicans representing Indiana in the House, including U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Elkhart, whose district includes part of LaPorte County, voted against the proposal, despite the state's senior senator, a Republican, spearheading the initiative.

The legislation was approved Wednesday by a 64-33 margin in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Opponents, including U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., described the federal spending as excessive and complained the measure will do little to improve America's competitive standing versus China.

"This bill fails to meaningfully hold China accountable, is packed with unrelated junk, and will spend hundreds of billions we dont have  adding to the national debt which is our biggest threat to competing with China in the long run," Braun said.
VALPARAISO  Valparaiso is moving forward with a financing plan for the 354-spot parking garage coming to downtown.

Dubbed "The Lincoln Highway Garage," the four-story structure will be located at the northeast corner of Lincolnway and Morgan Boulevard, across the street from the planned Linc apartment complex. The garage will be built in conjunction with the first phase of the Linc, a project that will ultimately consist of 121 units distributed among three separate four-story buildings.

The city finalized the size of the garage after completing a $19,700 downtown parking study. The goal is to address existing downtown parking needs while creating spots for Linc residents.

During a Monday night City Council meeting, City Attorney Patrick Lyp said 121 spaces in the garage will be reserved for Linc residents. Another 79 will be "flex" spots, meaning Linc residents will use the spots in the evening only. Hageman, the Linc developer, will pay for the maintenance and upkeep of spots specifically set aside for tenants.

In March, the City Council approved the creation of a Redevelopment Authority, essentially a holding entity that will own the garage. The RDA was created because the city's existing Redevelopment Commission cannot own certain tangible assets.

The RDC will lease the garage from the RDA; however the RDC cannot make any lease payments until the garage is built.

To cover the "gap" in payments before the garage is built, the idea of using 7.43 miles of city road as a sort of "placeholder" asset was proposed.

Sections of Joliet Street, Morgan Boulevard, Calumet Avenue and Roosevelt Road will be transferred from the city to the RDA. The RDA will give the city the funds needed to construct the parking garage. The money will come from bonds issued by the RDA, Lyp explained in an email to The Times.

While the garage is being constructed, the RDC will lease the roads from the RDA. The lease payments will equal the debt payments for the bonds issued by the RDA, ultimately funding the construction of the garage, Lyp wrote.

Once the garage is complete, the roads can be transferred back to the city.

"The ability of the RDC to finance the parking garage stems from its historically strong bond rating," Lyp wrote.

The 7.43 miles of roads have been valued at about $17.5 million, meaning that is the maximum amount of debt that can be issued. Lyp said he expects the actual cost of the garage to be lower than $17.5 million, and the city hopes to finalize the total cost of the project by early October.

The council unanimously approved two resolutions enabling the transfer of the streets and the lease between the RDA and the RDC.

Tonn and Blank Construction was selected to complete the garage. Lyp said construction will likely start this fall and be completed by spring 2024.

Valparaiso Director of Development George Douglas said the city has not yet determined if residents will be charged a fee to use the garage.

Resident Tom Davis said the fees currently charged at downtown city lots discourage use.

"If you charge, they (drivers) are not going to park in it," Davis said. "They are going to take up more residential spots."
VALPARAISO  Wes Barnes, who led a U.S. Marine Corps, mobile assault platoon in Afghanistan, told a Porter County Fair crowd of his experiences there and training to become an officer.

Barnes, who became a captain in the USMC Reserves, said he had a 20-hour flight from California to Afghanistan with about 74 other Marines to contemplate what he was getting into during his first command.

Barnes was a 26-year-old second lieutenant with some Marines who had deployed to combat missions elsewhere, but this was completely unknown territory to him. Ill admit, I didnt know what to expect going into Afghanistan.

His platoon of 40 Marines was in the field two days on, two days off, often tracking suspicious vehicles.

Often, patrols would track suspicious vehicles. On one occasion we were able to detain a member of the Taliban who had been involved in laying IEDs that had hurt U.S. troops, he said.

By that point in the war, a decade after 9/11, the U.S. military was focused on training Afghani troops to take over the mission, he said.

Barnes took a detour on his path to the military.

Growing up, Id watch the military movies with my dad, he said. In college, during a military history course, he got a sense of what the Marine Corps was all about.

I was sitting in my HS Spanish class when my nation was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, Bares said. Terrorists hijacked planes that hit the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and one crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Barnes life was all planned out by that time. He was heading to college. You sort of get an unsettling, confused look when explaining to parents about your desire to join the military, he said.

His parents were patriotic. His mother put an American flag on the house and yellow ribbons on trees in the yard and a yellow ribbon magnet on the car. But sending a son or daughter to war is a tough decision.

I always wanted to make my parents proud, Barnes said, so he went to college and revisited the military path later.

As an able-bodied person, I felt a little bit guilty knowing others were fighting to protect his freedoms while he was a college student, he said. He graduated, then passed his difficult exam to become a certified financial planner. That was nothing compared to the tests he would face while training to become a USMC officer.

I decided to put a pause on my professional career as a financial adviser in 2011, he said. Barnes has since returned to it. He also owns, with his wife, the Parlour Doughnuts store at U.S. 30 and Ind. 2.

My desire was to join a branch where there was a high likelihood I would deploy and serve my branch in combat, he said. Barnes did his research and learned it would be difficult to survive Officer Candidate School. The challenge and unlikely odds only solidified my decision to join the Marine Corps.

If you didnt have a strong 3-mile run time, you werent going to make it in the Marines, he said, so his 20 minutes on a treadmill werent good enough. He trained harder.

The Marine Corps had a minimum standard for physical fitness, but it was expected the officers would far exceed the minimum standards, Barnes said.

Our recruiter tried to help us as much as possible, Barnes said. They will make you fail at times and wait to see how you react, he learned. You really see someones true self come out, good or bad, during times of discomfort.

In December 2011, when he graduated from OCS, his proud mom got a red USMC Mom sweatshirt at the PX.

Then began six months of training to get his military occupation specialty. His dream was to be an infantry officer. The training was physical as well as mental. In infantry, we carry everything we need with us on foot, he explained.

It was a 95-degree day in July when he took his infantry officer command test: I was nervous because I knew it was going to be hard, mentally and physically.

Just after midnight, the candidates got their instructions. At 3 a.m., they were dropped off with no further instructions.

By the time he finished, he knew he was dehydrated. A guy in front of him collapsed and had a seizure. He wasnt allowed to repeat the test. Once you fall out as a heat case, youre more likely to do that again, Barnes said.

Based on his military experience, Barnes offered three life lessons.

Set the example, he said. You hear this all the time, but I never really understand how important this was until becoming a Marine officer.

Stay humble, he added. Like everything, theres a balance. Theres a time to be proud, but theres a time to be humble.

Never sacrifice integrity, he said. We have to fight back and find a way to win with integrity.
MUNSTER  While it became official July 1, The Salvation Army is now inviting the public to share in celebrating the merger of The Salvation Army of Lake County and The Salvation Army of Porter County to become The Salvation Army Northwest Indiana Area Command.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Hammond-Munster Community Center/NWI Area Command Headquarters, 8225 Columbia Ave., Munster.

The ribbon cutting will be followed immediately by check presentations from Jeff Strack, CEO of Strack & Van Til Food Markets, from the successful Checkout Challenge campaign held at stores in both Lake and Porter counties.

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce and Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce will be on hand to coordinate the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Capt. Bersabe Vera-Hernandez, commander of the new Northwest Indiana Area Command for The Salvation Army, will be cutting the ribbon. Pizzeria UNO will offer guests a slice of pizza. Ice cream and other refreshments will be available as well.

The Salvation Army will continue to serve residents of both counties the same as before through existing facilities in East Chicago, Gary, Munster and Valparaiso, Vera-Hernandez said. There will be no decrease in the quality of our services or numbers of families and individuals served. In fact, these changes will help us to do more and help more people in the communities served."

As part of The Salvation Army Central Territorys Project Advance, the new Northwest Indiana Area Command will also be joining the Indiana Division of The Salvation Army, which is headquartered in Indianapolis. Major Marc S. Johnson, divisional commander for The Salvation Army Indiana Division, and members of his team will also be joining the festivities.

Kevin Feldman, director of development for The Salvation Army of Lake County, said the generous donors who support the work in both Lake and Porter counties can rest assured that their financial support will continue to remain in their communities helping to feed families, prevent homelessness and provide excellent activities and programs for children, youth and seniors.
This spring, FEMA notified Ms. Robicheaux that her family had until October to clear out. And then well all be homeless, she said.

FEMA sells most of its vacated mobile homes instead of reusing them. Most are sold for about 10 to 15 percent of what it cost FEMA to provide them, including hauling, installation and the trailer itself, based on agency data.

FEMA could extend the time that people like Ms. Robicheaux and Ms. Bertrand can stay in their trailers. But Ms. Criswell, the FEMA administrator, said that wouldnt be in their best interest.

By having a set time frame, it gives people that focus, Ms. Criswell said. We want to help people get on their road to their permanent solution.

Among those who have already moved out of their FEMA trailer is Ms. Swope.

A few months after her son died, FEMA told Ms. Swope to start paying almost $900 in rent or vacate the trailer. Her house wasnt finished, but Ms. Swopes monthly Social Security check was just $905, so she moved back into the house anyway.

I mean, make up your mind, Ms. Swope said. Are you going to help us, or are you going to get all your trailers back?

Audio produced by Kate Winslett .
Before Pennsylvanias May 17 primary, Gab endorsed Mr. Mastriano, who was at the forefront of Republican efforts to overturn the 2020 results in the state.

Mr. Mastriano won the nomination in a divided field, despite warnings by some Republican officials that he was too extreme to win in November. Recent polls have shown him running an unexpectedly close race against the Democratic nominee, Josh Shapiro.

According to reporting by HuffPost, Mr. Mastriano may be paying Gab to increase his following on the site: New users appeared to be automatically assigned as followers of the Republican nominee.

In a series of live-streamed videos in recent days, Mr. Torba, who is based in Pennsylvania, responded repeatedly to criticism of him and Mr. Mastriano by reinforcing his own Christian nationalist and antisemitic views.

The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday quoted Mr. Torba as saying in one video that neither he nor Mr. Mastriano would give interviews to non-Christian journalists.

My policy is not to conduct interviews with reporters who arent Christian or with outlets who arent Christian, and Doug has a very similar media strategy where he does not do interviews with these people, Mr. Torba reportedly said. He does not talk to these people. He does not give press access to these people. These people are dishonest. Theyre liars. Theyre a den of vipers and they want to destroy you.
The Senate unanimously approved a nonbinding resolution on Wednesday calling for Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism for actions in Chechnya, Georgia, Syria and Ukraine that resulted in the deaths of countless innocent men, women and children.

A similar measure had been introduced in the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to be a strong supporter of its passage. However, the power to designate a state sponsor of terror resides with the State Department.

Nevertheless, the Senates passage of the resolution puts yet more congressional pressure on the Biden administration to add Russia to a list of state sponsors of terrorism that includes Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria. Congress has approved more than $50 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Explosions lit up the sky over the southern city of Kherson overnight, and as dawn broke on Wednesday it was clear that Ukrainian long-range missiles had once again found their target: a bridge that is critical in the Russian effort to resupply the forces charged with holding the port city.

At the same time, dozens of Russian missiles struck targets across the southern regions of Odesa and Mykolaiv, hitting port and transport infrastructure, two leisure centers, houses, a parking lot and two restaurants, according to Ukraines southern military command.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said its forces struck Ukrainian military strongholds, killing scores of soldiers, and other key Ukrainian infrastructure. The claims could not be verified. But it was clear that both armies were trying to limit their opponents logistical operations.
When President Biden gets on a call with President Xi Jinping of China on Thursday to try to tamp down tension over Taiwan, the two will have a laundry list of mutual grievances to address. But one source of recent friction may be something not on the list: Chinas domestic troubles.

The United States and China have been at odds lately over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, aggressive Chinese action in the Pacific, continuing American tariffs and a possible trip to Taiwan by Speaker Nancy Pelosi over Beijings strenuous objections. Any of those could provide the spark for a more dangerous confrontation.

But some American officials suspect that what is really driving Mr. Xi to lash out recently is a desire to divert attention from his own economic and pandemic problems at home or at least a need to demonstrate strength internationally. His zero Covid policy has resulted in drastic lockdowns, but cases are rising again and China still has no mRNA vaccine. His economy has slowed almost to a halt even as unemployment among young people soars and many parts of China are experiencing mortgage and debt crises.
KYIV, Ukraine  The rave had been planned for weeks, with the space secured and the D.J.s, the drinks, the invites and the security all lined up.

But after a recent missile strike far from the front lines killed more than 25 people, including children, in central Ukraine, an attack that deeply unsettled all Ukraine, the rave organizers met to make a hard, last-minute decision. Should they postpone the party?

They decided: No way.

Thats exactly what the Russians want, said Dmytro Vasylkov, one of the organizers.
Its an amazing moment not only for him, but for the institution, said Georgina Pazcoguin, a fellow dancer who, as an activist, has worked to eliminate degrading depictions of Asian people in ballet. I cant underline enough how wonderfully joyous this is and how proud I am  and, in the same breath, also know that we have still more to do.

Chan wants to help reinvent an art form whose main lineage is from Europe, and to change perceptions about ballet dancers. Im the first one, but I really hope its not going to take another 70 years to have another, he said. Princes can be Asian, too.

At a young age, Chans parents, with Olympic aspirations in mind, enrolled him in swimming lessons. But after he accompanied his sister to ballet classes, he had other ideas.
Supporters of a plan to expand benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances and fumes are furious after a surprising defeat in a Senate procedural vote left the bill in limbo.

Veterans advocates and lawmakers who support the bill are vowing to keep fighting for its passage, framing Wednesday night's shocking development as a delay rather than a defeat. Still, it's a delay they say could cost cancer-stricken veterans their lives as they wait for care and should be blamed on a group of Republican senators they described as "liars," "hypocrites" and "cowards."

"How are these people human? Where's any sense of decency?" comedian and veterans advocate Jon Stewart said. "And sadly, [the veterans] are the people that fought and defended their right to this f---ery."

Read Next: Army's Top General Vows Not to Lower Recruiting Standards Despite Trouble Finding New Soldiers

"We just got screwed by 41 senators," said Tom Porter, executive vice president of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

"The next time I come back here, it better be to sign the damn bill at the White House because I'm sick and tired of this bulls---," said Susan Dyer, the mother-in-law of the bill's namesake. Earlier in Dyer's remarks, her 9-year-old granddaughter, Brielle, teared up as she described Heath Robinson's battle with cancer.

The comments came at a news conference Thursday morning that was originally planned as a victory lap ahead of the expected passage of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act, which would expand health care and disability benefits for an estimated 3.5 million veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances during their military service.

Instead, the feeling of betrayal was palpable among the assembled veterans advocates and Democratic lawmakers after a majority of Senate Republicans blocked the bill from advancing in a procedural vote, despite having supported it just a month ago.

"I have never seen anything that's happened like happened yesterday," Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont., said at the news conference. "This delay might not sound like a big thing, but number one, we don't have the bill passed, and number two, there are going to be veterans die between now and when this bill passes. And this is a piece of legislation, by the way, that everybody thought on June 16 was a done deal."

On Wednesday, the Senate voted 55-42 to advance the bill, short of the 60 votes needed for the procedural motion to pass. One of the "no" votes was Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who needed to switch his vote from "yes" in order to be able to bring the bill up for a vote again in the future. The rest of the "no" votes were Republicans, including 25 who supported a nearly identical version of the bill in June.

At the heart of the bill is an expansion of benefits for post-9/11 veterans who breathed in toxic fumes from massive trash fires known as burn pits, where U.S. forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the region incinerated everything from plastic bottles to computers to Humvees.

To do that, the bill would designate 23 diseases as presumed to be linked to military service. That means veterans with those ailments will no longer have to prove to the Department of Veterans Affairs that their illness was caused by their time in uniform in order to get health care and disability benefits.

While much of the bill is focused on the post-9/11 generation of veterans, there are also several provisions meant to help prior generations exposed to other toxins, including broadening coverage for veterans exposed to radiation during nuclear waste cleanup in the 1960s and for Vietnam-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange.

The Senate previously approved the bill in an 84-14 vote in June, appearing to put it on a glide path to becoming law. But shortly after the Senate vote, House lawmakers discovered language that ran afoul of the Constitution's requirement that tax-related issues originate in the lower chamber. The problematic section would have provided a tax incentive to entice health care workers to move to rural VA facilities.

So, the House passed a version of the bill without the tax language in a 342-88 vote earlier this month, kicking it back to the Senate for a second vote.

The Senate's second vote had been expected to go smoothly, despite objections from Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., about one of the bill's funding mechanisms. But Toomey apparently lobbied enough of his Republican colleagues to his side to tank the procedural vote.

"My concern about this bill has nothing to do with the purpose of the bill," Toomey said on the Senate floor after the failed procedural vote. "There is a mechanism created in this bill. It's a budgetary gimmick that has the intent of making it possible to have a huge explosion in unrelated spending."

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee ranking member Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., co-author of the bill and one of eight Republicans who voted in favor of advancing it Wednesday, also suggested some of his colleagues were mad about an unrelated deal announced around the time of the vote between Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on a climate change, tax and health care bill.

"There may have been emotion," Moran told reporters.

The path forward on the bill now is unclear. The Senate is scheduled to leave town at the end of next week until after Labor Day, meaning the earliest the bill could come back to the floor is likely September. Veterans advocates and some Democrats are now calling on the Senate to postpone its recess until the bill is passed.

"We're going to be pushing to get it done before September, but we'll see, and the decision hasn't been made yet," Tester told reporters.

Asked whether he could make a deal with Toomey, Tester railed against the senator.

"Toomey wants to take away the ability of appropriators to do their job," Tester said. "Every appropriator should be mad as hell about that. Unfortunately, many of the appropriators voted with Toomey. But I'm not going to allow that to happen."

Moran said he is open to "whatever solution is necessary to get it done." While he said he thinks Toomey's position has merit, his preference would be to pass the bill and then pass separate legislation later to address Toomey's concern.

"I will tell veterans that I have no doubt that we'll get there and that I am working with Republicans and Democrats to make certain that it happens sooner rather than later," Moran said.

In the meantime, veterans advocates are warning they will not let up their fight, with Rosie Torres, executive director and co-founder of Burn Pits 360, vowing to "organize at every one of your district offices."

"What about we pay attention to those that are sick and dying? What about we pay attention to those that are putting a gun to their head because Congress and these senators have screwed them so badly," Torres said at the news conference. "It's bulls---."

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

Related: Estimated Cost of Toxic Exposure Bill More Than One-Quarter Trillion Dollars But Bipartisan Backing Holds
High on a wall of the Palazzo Pitti, in Florence, hangs a famous painting that Rubens completed in the last years of his life.

At its center is Mars, the god of war, surging out in battle armor from the doors of the Temple of Janus.

In Roman peacetime, this temples gates were always closed. Now they have burst open, and the frenzy has begun.

Beneath Marss feet lie victims about to be trampled. You see a mother looking up with terror at the gathering violence, desperate to protect her wailing child.

Next to her are two figures who have fallen to the ground and are on the verge of destruction. One is a woman with a lute, her instrument already broken. Another is a personified Architecture, his compass falling from his hand.

These are The Consequences of War, as Rubens saw them in 1638. Civilians suffer, but not only them; culture is a casualty too.
The portrait of Beethoven that Yannick Nezet-Seguin creates through his conducting tends to be one of monumental grandeur, of this composer as a towering Great Man. Sometimes thats true; but in the nine symphonies there is also wit and lightness, and sweetness between the storms.

Nezet-Seguin treaded this territory last season, in a survey of the symphonies at Carnegie Hall with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Reviewing the final concert, of the First and Ninth, I heard a conductor struggling to navigate the contrasting scales of these two works, which were both played with outsize, unreliably balanced sound.

This cycle, recorded last year with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, is on balance better than the Carnegie performances. The First is here appropriately fleet, with an emphasis on the innovative swerve the symphony takes in its third movement. There are still some perplexing balance choices  a muddled opening of the Seventh, and a Fifth that luxuriates too much in its drama. But Nezet-Seguins treatment of Beethoven as ahead of his time pays off in an illuminating Second, a poetically compelling Third and a delicate, patient Sixth.

That the Ninth here is markedly different from my memory of the Philadelphia concert  or even Nezet-Seguins recently released account with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra  is a sign that his interpretation is not fixed. If he returns to this material, I hope experience will lead to more assured restraint. JOSHUA BARONE
It was just a beautiful, open-minded, warm, interested first meeting with the ensemble, Sondergard, 52, said in an interview. I just felt instantly that there was a connection.

Sondergard brings an anti-authoritative spirit to an orchestra that, perhaps more than most, values a democratic approach, following a contentious period between musicians and orchestra leadership about a decade ago. In Scotland, he said, he has sought to encourage a collaborative ethos among musicians by asking them to rehearse  and sometimes perform  without a conductor during one week of the year; instead, the concertmaster steps in when a leader is required.

Musicians have long educations and loads of ideas about how music-making can be done, Sondergard said. They arent puppets.

In a news release announcing the appointment, R. Douglas Wright, the orchestras principal trombone, said that in the performance of Ein Heldenleben, Sondergard trusted the musicians to do our job in a way that gave us great freedom.
Woven into this portrait of depressions maelstrom is the authors own queer coming-of-age. Of his abandoned Catholicism, Hewitt confesses that the shape of myself was molded by it, the routines of my body colored by its sounds and movements, the imagery of my mind rinsed with it, and to our benefit; even his depictions of cruising have a holy aura. As a dedicated nonfiction writer, I sometimes meet poets memoirs with a caginess that is utterly disgraced by a book like this, whose structure is nearly as immaculate as its sentences. Near the books end, the lovers collaborate on a poetic translation and work to piece together a voice in the space between us. Writing is always an act of translation, and Hewitt beautifully illuminates his own darknesses so that we might also see our own.

A photographer by training, Stuart Palley understands the power of opening a story in medias res. His debut memoir, INTO THE INFERNO: A Photographers Journey Through Californias Megafires and Fallout (259 pp., Blackstone Publishing, $28.99), a kind of narrative companion to his stunning 2018 volume of photographs, Terra Flamma: Wildfires at Night, opens: A wall of fire careened toward me from a few hundred yards away. It is 2013 and the Powerhouse Fire is ravaging Southern California, prompting the then-novice wildfire photographer  who almost died in the blaze  to get proper training for his vocation. Though it was scorched earth, Palley reflects that the Powerhouse pales in comparison to fires now. It was but an ominous foreshadowing. Part California bro-odyssey, part education in fire science, the book asserts its thesis early and delivers on that promise: to tell a thrilling tale that persuades its reader to mind the devastating consequences of climate change.

Aspiring photographers and wildfire fetishists will be eager for the bountiful details of Palleys routines and training, as well as the litany of his dances with the gods of fire. More relevant to a broader audience is Palleys rousing argument about human responsibility for the crescendo of megafires that are rendering his home state increasingly uninhabitable. In all his buoyant thrill-seeking, Palley has seen more wreckage than most of us will in a lifetime, and the psychological consequences render him a veteran of sorts. The camera is not a shield, he writes. Like a book, it is a portal through which we might perceive a greater sense of our own responsibility, to both our planet and our fellow creatures.

The poet and best-selling Y.A. novelist Erika L. Sanchezs CRYING IN THE BATHROOM: A Memoir (239 pp., Viking, $27) is quippy, earnest and occasionally prone to reaching George Costanza levels of pettiness. She describes growing up in Chicago as the precocious and sensitive daughter of Mexican immigrants, and how when you dont belong, you learn to make a nest in the unknown. The book traces her triumphant if turbulent trajectory, from her years as a tormented teenage misanthrope to her adult life as a successful writer who has suffered severe depressive episodes and anxiety attacks. Her candid divulgences about sex, vaginal infections, abortion and body shame reveal how when youre a young woman, simply having a body is a hazard; and these plainly told personal truths are as absorbing as a deep and wide-ranging conversation with a trusted friend. On the heels of an annihilating depression, she admits: I always believed that I felt too much, cursed my sensitivity, but who would I be without it? The counterpoint is her joyful exuberance: The thought of a laughing baby sea otter gives me so much irrational hope and happiness that it makes me want to kick a table over.
The tax provision echoes a similar measure that was initially included in the sprawling climate and tax bill that House Democrats passed last year but that ultimately stalled in the Senate. The carried interest language was removed amid concern that Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Democrat of Arizona, who opposed the measure, would block the overall legislation. Ms. Sinema has so far not indicated whether she would agree to any of the new packages tax provisions. Democrats were essentially betting that she would not block the larger bill over a relatively small change that raises revenue.

Why hasnt the loophole been closed by now?

Many Democrats have tried for years to completely eliminate the tax benefits private equity partners enjoy. Democrats have sought to redefine the management fees they get from partnerships as gross income, just like any other kind of income, and to treat capital gains from partners investments as ordinary income.

Such a move was included in legislation proposed by House Democrats in 2015. The legislation would also have increased the penalties on investors who did not properly apply the proposed changes to their own tax filings.

The private equity industry has fought back hard, rejecting outright the basic concepts on which the proposed changes were based.

No such loophole exists, Steven B. Klinsky, the founder and chief executive of the private equity firm New Mountain Capital, wrote in an opinion article published in The New York Times in 2016. Mr. Klinsky said that when other taxes, including those levied by New York City and the state government, were accounted for, his effective tax rate was between 40 and 50 percent.

What would the change mean for private equity?

The private equity industry has defended the tax treatment of carried interest, arguing that it creates incentives for entrepreneurship, healthy risk-taking and investment.
Mr. Moore said U.S. Bancorp had avoided inclusion on the states list of so-called restricted financial institutions because it had decided to eliminate policies against financing coal from its environmental and social risk policy.

Coal is the most polluting fossil fuel. U.S. coal production has been declining for more than a decade, thanks largely to the expansion of lower-cost natural gas.

Some of the targeted financial institutions currently have banking relationships with the state, including JPMorgan, which works with the West Virginia public university system, and is one of 25 designated depositories for the state, holding about $46 million, according to Mr. Moore.

Mr. Moore said those contracts would be wound down by the end of the year and that the state would begin looking for new service providers that did not have policies targeting the coal industry. The law does not affect the holdings of the West Virginia pension system.

JPMorgan said, This decision is shortsighted and disconnected from the facts, adding that its business practices are not in conflict with this anti-free market law.

BlackRock said it does not boycott energy companies and does not pursue divestment from sectors and industries as a policy.
The report on last weeks heat was produced by World Weather Attribution, an alliance of climate scientists that specializes in rapid studies of extreme weather events to evaluate the degree to which global warming was behind them. Using computer simulations, the scientists compare the existing world, in which humans have spent more than a century adding heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere, to a world that might have been without that activity.

The groups analysis of the heat in Britain has not yet been peer reviewed or published in an academic journal, but it relies on peer-reviewed methods.

Using similar techniques, the group found that the heat wave that broiled South Asia this spring had been 30 times as likely to occur because of planet-warming emissions.

Much of Western and Central Europe had a very hot start to the summer, driven by a high-pressure area that brought in warm air from North Africa. England is having its driest July in more than a century. When the soil is parched, energy from the sun goes toward heating the air instead of evaporating water on the ground, which can contribute to even hotter temperatures.

Scientists reported this month that heat waves in Europe have grown in frequency and intensity over the past four decades, at least partly because of changes in the jet stream.
Wine writers can be tireless, or perhaps tiresome, in recommending the virtues of perennially unloved wines.

Loire reds are one example of a category that receives little affection no matter how often writers tout their value, versatility and deliciousness. German rieslings are another.

People fear sweet rieslings, yet it seems to do little good reminding them that most rieslings consumed in Germany are dry, not sweet. (By the way, sweet rieslings, whether modestly so or lusciously honeyed, are thrilling in their knife-edge balance and refreshment.)
Indeed, as the wine warmed to what I considered lightly chilled, it grew more delicious. The flavors were of tart fruit and herbs, maybe a bit of anise, with a lingering bitterness that refreshed and cleaned the mouth.

Broc, like each of these producers, relies on ambient yeasts for fermentation and does not manipulate the wines or add anything except, maybe, a small amount of sulfur dioxide, a stabilizer and antioxidant.

Unlike the Broc, the other two bottles were not necessarily intended for immediate consumption. Yes, they are generally enjoyable young. But each of them possess the ability to age and improve for at least a few years.

They werent tannic, like young Bordeaux, Barolo or Burgundy, which are often made for the long haul, aging and improving for 20 years or more. But they had enough tannins that anything more than a light chill emphasized the astringency and effectively closed the wines down.

Paradoxically, the Brun Morgon, though a Beaujolais, was not made with carbonic or semicarbonic maceration. Jean-Paul Brun, the proprietor, is part of a small but growing group of producers in Beaujolais who believe the character of the vineyard is better expressed through a conventional fermentation, which in Beaujolais is often referred to as Burgundian style.

In addition, Mr. Brun allows the grapes, 100 percent gamay, to macerate with the skins for four to six weeks, giving the wine some structure before aging it in concrete vats or oak barrels. The Morgon, reticent after a half-hour out of the fridge, was much better with just the slightest chill, bright, lively and floral. It was very gently tannic, but that was enough for the wine, colder than a slight chill, to be adversely affected.
Black people have also kept masking at greater rates, national polls indicate, a split that rural residents said was still on sharp display. Its more the Black who wear their masks, said Roy Lee McKenzie, 78, of South Carolina, who is still recovering from a 2020 Covid case.

In rural areas, hospital closures, job losses, low vaccination rates and health problems stemming from poorer medical access have all exacerbated the effects of the pandemic. Inoculation rates were much lower in rural counties that voted more for Donald Trump, research has shown, but also in rural areas with health worker shortages and with more Black residents.

Janice Probst, who studies rural health at the University of South Carolina, said that the states strategy of funneling vaccines first through hospitals, and then through large chain pharmacies, had the effect of leaving behind more disadvantaged rural residents whose towns had neither.

In some places, though, even progress in vaccinating nonwhite communities has not been enough.

In Minnesota, Black, Hispanic and Asian adults under 65 were more highly vaccinated than white residents during the first Omicron wave, according to research led by Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota. But middle-aged nonwhite people were killed more often by Covid anyway. Black people suffered double the death rate of white people.

The whole way that the pandemic is framed now from political leaders is very much that people can choose their level of risk, Dr. Wrigley-Field said. But, she said, the risk that social groups have does not fall in lock step with their vaccination. Its decoupled from that because of all the other things in our society that put some people at more risk than others.
The National Health Service in England announced on Thursday that it was shutting down the countrys only youth gender clinic in favor of a more distributed and comprehensive network of medical care for adolescents seeking hormones and other gender treatments.

The closure followed an external review of the Tavistock clinic in London, which has served thousands of transgender patients since the 1990s. The review, which is ongoing, has raised several concerns, including about long wait times, insufficient mental health support and the surging number of young people seeking gender treatments.

The overhaul of services for transgender young people in England is part of a notable shift in medical practice across some European countries with nationalized health care systems. Some doctors there are concerned about the increase in numbers as well as the dearth of data on long-term safety and outcomes of medical transitions.
In Ali & Ava the writer-director Clio Barnard (The Arbor, The Selfish Giant) leans into the emotional alchemy of an unexpected romance between Ali (Adeel Akhtar), a British-Pakistani D.J. who has recently separated from his wife, and Ava (Claire Rushbrook), an Irish-British teacher and mother of four.

The two are brought together by their mutual affection for one of Avas students, and this understated indie film clings uncomfortably to the surface of their relationship, yet still delivers something pure, melodic and precise. Focusing on vivid blue and peach pops of color bursting through a Northern England towns foggy daylight and moonlit nights, Barnard and the cinematographer Ole Bratt Birkeland manage to imbue the film with an undeniable warmth. The handheld-heavy camerawork prioritizes close-up images, especially when depicting the growing bond between Ali and Ava.
Blue Island shows how Hong Kong residents have redefined themselves over time. Tam, while playing Young in 1967, defiantly tells a British official that he is Chinese. A moment later, Tam, still in costume but now appearing as himself, insists to an interrogator that he is not Chinese, but a Hong Konger.

The movie concludes with a lengthy, silent montage of people who have faced charges for their involvement in pro-democracy activism. It is impossible to watch Blue Island without admiring their courage. The past-present parallelism is provocative, but it also seems faintly superficial  a way of eliding distinctions and streamlining history.

Blue Island

Not rated. In Cantonese, Mandarin and English, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 37 minutes. In theaters.
Theres a species of Young Adult novels  and their attendant film adaptations  that wears sophistication on its sleeve. Mostly for the purpose of demonstrating that sophistication wont save the anguished teenage soul  see The Perks of Being a Wallflower. In the teen rom-com, sophistication usually manifests itself in a near-endless stream of pop culture references.

Honor Society, directed by Oran Zegman from a script by David A. Goodman, comes out of the gate flashing a formal and thematic sophistication so dazzling it might take you a while to realize its actually a Young Adult movie. The relentlessly driven title character, Honor (Angourie Rice, whom you may remember from The Nice Guys, terrifically appealing throughout), snidely dismissive of her working-class parents, has crafted a persona ruthlessly focused on getting out of her one-horse town and into Harvard. A place where mediocre people get outsized opportunities, she tells the camera.
Most of my friends are not having sex or they are just being really selective, said Mr. Ehigie, the bartender. He also knows men who are opposed to vaccines in general because they think the vaccines have a political agenda or will cause bad side effects.

Others, he said, had embraced a potentially dangerous approach  in which they waited a few days after having sex to see if a rash broke out before resuming sexual activity  that he thought they may have adopted after reading the wrong things online.

Two years of pandemic isolation have made people eager for human connection. There has so far been little appetite in the L.G.B.T.Q. community to cancel events.

Some events have made minor concessions to monkeypox, including Pines Party, a large annual gathering on Fire Island in July, which asked partygoers to get vaccinated and not attend if they feel unwell.

But the outbreak has caused the cancellation of other events in the city, including several regular sex parties that are less high profile but more high risk than dance parties.

At smaller bars like 4West Lounge, things have been quieter lately. Some of that probably had to do with the hot weather, or with a clientele that partied too hard during Pride Month in June, its staff said.
Those cases can be appealed  and at least some are likely to be.

Many of the challenges were filed before New York passed a new law this month restricting the public carrying of guns. Most parts of that measure take effect in September and Mr. Zeidman said that motions challenging it in state criminal court would be the ones to watch.

The flurry of motions, first reported by the City, attests to the way the Courts decision shifted the ground on gun laws even in the most liberal of cities.

The Legal Aid Society would not say how many motions citing the Supreme Court ruling it has filed. But the chief attorney of the organizations criminal defense practice, Tina Luongo, said in a statement, As we have always done, we will advance all valid and available legal arguments in defense of our clients and continue to urge policymakers to focus on real solutions to gun violence, which lie outside of the criminal legal system.

Public defender organizations are primarily motivated by the interests of clients. That sometimes drives them to make unexpected alliances, as with gun rights organizations in the Supreme Court case. Forty years ago, they teamed up with the Police Benevolent Association of New York City to successfully fight a state law that would have stripped away some protections grand jury witnesses receive.

Aidan Johnston, director of federal affairs for Gun Owners of America, a lobbying group, said that he supported the goal of the defenders motions.

Violent criminals should be punished to the fullest extent of the law, he said. But possessing a firearm, carrying a firearm in public, is not a crime. And New York has been violating the right of New Yorkers to carry firearms in public for decades.
In an interview, she said her memory of that night was hazy because she had been drinking. Case files she obtained suggest that no one made much of an effort to help shed more light on what happened.

A friend who sent Meghan home in a cab was not interviewed, nor was the driver. Surveillance video was not collected. Witnesses who might have heard her screams were not sought.

Instead, Special Victims detectives insisted that Meghan call the perpetrator to see if he would incriminate himself.

The technique, known as a controlled phone call, can be a crucial tool in cases of acquaintance rape, the most common kind, where the central question is not whether sex occurred, but if it was consensual. In practice, however, investigators often do not have experience or time to properly prepare the victim.

Meghan refused the call, and the police closed her case.

A month later, investigators reopened it after a DNA test on the underwear she wore when she was raped. When they contacted her in January, she was 11 weeks pregnant by her rapist and had decided to get an abortion. Moments before her operation, the police asked her to postpone so that they could collect the fetuss DNA. She reasoned that it would not prove she was raped, and went through with the abortion.

The case was closed again. The police described her in the file as uncooperative.

She shared her experience publicly last fall at a City Council hearing, where women who had reported attacks as recently as 2020 recounted similar experiences. Many later spoke to federal prosecutors.
The Zeldin campaign attributed the flawed petitions to mistakes made by an entirely grass-roots effort.

Yet Eric Amidon, who describes himself on Twitter as Zeldins campaign manager, signed off on all 47 volumes of the petition submitted to the state, affirming in the official paperwork that the submission contained enough signatures to qualify and listing himself as the contact person to correct deficiencies.

Mr. Amidon, who gave a Zeldin campaign email address on the petitions, told The New York Times in an email that he was shocked to hear there were copies placed in the petitions and said he was positive no one working for the campaign made any copies.

We run a virtually paper-free campaign and dont even own a copier, he said. But Mr. Amidon and the Zeldin campaign ignored follow-up questions and wouldnt say who assembled the petitions, or whether paid vendors helped out.

As the deadline for turning in the signatures drew near in late May, a post on the Facebook page of the far right group Long Island Loud Majority practically begged for help to get the signatures to boost Zeldins political fortunes.

Anyone looking to make some extra money this weekend (30 an hour) and help out OUR NEXT GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK LEE ZELDIN. We need people to get Petitions signed to get Lee on the Independent Line, the post said. It urged those interested to contact Jordana at the Zeldin team and listed an email address affiliated with Zeldins campaign website.
But the most devastating recent Oz taunt came from outside the Fetterman campaign, in the form of an ad that documented the doctors recurring promotion of bogus miracle cures and used footage from The Wizard of Oz to shame him for it. Dorothy, Toto and the gang never performed a nobler service.

Oz is off. He responded to the sneak Snooki attack with a cringe-inducing game of famous-acquaintance one-upmanship. Shes been on my show, he told Dom Giordano, a Philadelphia talk-radio host. I know all these celebrities. I could actually have celebrities do my campaign for me.

Take that, John Fetterman! You may have a consistent political ideology. Oz has been to the Emmys.

Therein lies a Republican predicament. With Oz in Pennsylvania, Herschel Walker in Georgia and, to a lesser extent, J.D. Vance in Ohio, the party has nominated Senate candidates whose star statuses arent paired with comparable political acumen and whose flaws or fumbles have given their Democratic counterparts a better chance than they might have had against more experienced, more traditional candidates.

Fame is funny that way. It can be redeemed for many things but not for everything. And the blessing of Donald Trump  which Oz, Vance and Walker all received  is funny, too. It giveth in the primary, only to taketh away in the general, or at least (fingers crossed) thats a distinct possibility.

Despite Fettermans stroke and convalescence, he has been raising much more money than Oz has. He was more than five points ahead of Oz in two June polls. The National Review columnist Jim Geraghty called Oz the wildly underperforming Ford Pinto of Republican Senate candidates.

Not even a Tesla in vain search of a charging station? Whatever the beleaguered vehicles make and model, I cant take my eyes off this car wreck.
To the Editor:

Re Why a Middle-Class Lifestyle Remains Out of Reach for So Many, by Ezra Klein (column, July 20):

Mr. Klein has labeled the issue an affordability crisis, which seems a euphemistic labeling of the fundamental flaw in the whole American political/economic system. Yes, it is ridiculously expensive to attend college, buy health insurance, pay for health care and buy or rent a home. Because of this there is little economic security, with many only a paycheck away from bankruptcy or homelessness.

The tinkerings that he mentions are never going to correct this. A society can provide affordable health care, housing and college education as other developed countries do, but it means a totally different role for government and set of beliefs, values and economic rules.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in his Second Bill of Rights 78 years ago, listed among these the right to a decent home, a good education and adequate medical care.
In 2020, an artificial intelligence lab called DeepMind unveiled technology that could predict the shape of proteins  the microscopic mechanisms that drive the behavior of the human body and all other living things.

A year later, the lab shared the tool, called AlphaFold, with scientists and released predicted shapes for more than 350,000 proteins, including all proteins expressed by the human genome. It immediately shifted the course of biological research. If scientists can identify the shapes of proteins, they can accelerate the ability to understand diseases, create new medicines and otherwise probe the mysteries of life on Earth.

Now, DeepMind has released predictions for nearly every protein known to science. On Thursday, the London-based lab, owned by the same parent company as Google, said it had added more than 200 million predictions to an online database freely available to scientists across the globe.
The question the scientists are posing, to themselves and to the public in posts on Twitter and Facebook, is: What is creating those marks, with the holes spaced 4 or more inches apart and the lines extending from 5 feet to more than 6 feet, on the ocean floor?

The origin of the holes has scientists stumped, said the post on Twitter from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Ocean Exploration project. The holes look human made, but the little piles of sediment around them suggest they were excavated by  something.

Nearly two decades ago, just about 27 miles away from the location of the current expeditions initial sighting, scientists spotted similar holes during an exploration, Emily Crum, a NOAA spokeswoman, said.

But the passage of time has not provided any clear answers, said Michael Vecchione, a NOAA deep-sea biologist who participated in that project and is also involved in part of this latest expedition.
Move over birds and bees, there is another pollinator on planet Earth, and it lives in the sea.

In a study, published Thursday in the journal Science, scientists found that a tiny crustacean, Idotea balthica, played the role of pollinator for a species of seaweed. They do this by inadvertently collecting the algaes sticky spermatia, its equivalent of pollen, on their bodies and sprinkling it around as they move from frond to frond in search of food and shelter.

This is the first time an animal has been observed fertilizing an algae. This discovery not only extends the scope of species that use this reproductive strategy, it also raises questions about whether it first evolved on land or in the sea.

It was long thought that animals only pollinated plants on land. However, in 2016 scientists discovered that zooplankton pollinate Thalassia testudinum, a sea grass species found in the Caribbean. Sea grasses are the only flowering plants that grow in marine environments, but they remain closely related to terrestrial plants. Seaweeds on the other hand, while technically plants themselves, are not closely related to terrestrial plants.
When three of the most prestigious Shakespeare companies in the world staged Richard III this summer, each took a different approach to casting its scheming title character in ways that illuminate the fraught debate over which actors should play which roles.

At the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, Richard was played by the actor Arthur Hughes, who has radial dysplasia, which means he has a shorter right arm and a missing thumb. The company said it was the first time it had cast a disabled actor to play the character, who describes himself in the opening scene as deformed. The productions director, Gregory Doran, who was until recently the Royal Shakespeares artistic director, told The Times of London earlier this year that having actors pretend to be disabled to play Richard III would probably not be acceptable these days.

The Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada, took a different tack: It cast Colm Feore, who is not disabled, to play a Richard who has a deformed spine but who is not a hunchback. And in New York City, the Public Theaters Free Shakespeare in the Park went in yet another direction, casting Danai Gurira, a Black woman who does not have a disability, as the duke who schemes and kills his way to the throne of England.
It was the nicest welcome Id ever gotten stepping off an Amtrak train, Mr. Gottesman, 27, said.

For the first time in 50 years, a passenger train from New York had arrived in Pittsfield, a city of more than 40,000 people that is often overlooked by tourists going to better-known parts of the county like Tanglewood in Lenox, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, or the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams.

More than 60 people arrived that evening on the Berkshire Flyer, which runs only once on Friday and returns Sunday afternoon. The number of passengers was modest but it still encouraged business owners and state officials who are closely watching the pilot program, which will run through Labor Day.

Also encouraging: the number of sold-out trains. After the inaugural journey, trains to Pittsfield continued to fill up regularly, and while northern-bound seats remain available in August, trains back to New York have a limited number of tickets, with some sold out through Labor Day weekend, according to Amtrak. Travelers should check back to see if seats have opened up since there may be cancellations.
Of course, these California figures are averages, so they mask variation across different regions of the state. Its entirely possible your pocket of California has felt anything but normal this summer.

In coastal regions, for example, a persistent marine layer has kept temperatures closer to the historical average, or sometimes even below, experts say.

A weather station at Los Angeles International Airport, four miles from the beach, has been recording temperatures this month that are slightly below the 30-year average, said Todd Hall, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services Los Angeles/Oxnard forecasting office.

But the southern San Joaquin Valley has endured triple-digit heat for more than two weeks. And today, the north end of the Sacramento Valley has an excessive heat warning, with temperatures potentially reaching up to 115 degrees.

In Southern California, 80 miles inland in Lancaster, the average temperature for July has been nearly 3 degrees above whats typical for this month, Hall said. In Burbank, its 2.5 degrees higher than average.

Its been really hot away from the coast, Hall told me.

Forecasts for August predict above-normal temperatures in California, so we dont yet know whether this summer will ultimately become another record-breaking one, Carpenter said. (September also tends to be a sizzling month in the Golden State, though its not included in what meteorologists consider summer.)
I believe climate change is real, Governor Beshear, a Democrat, told reporters. I believe that it is causing more severe weather. With that said, I dont know about this one and whether it is or is not connected, and I dont want to cheapen or politicize what these folks are going through.

Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency in eastern Kentucky. The flooding was a dynamic and ongoing situation, he said, adding that the water had yet to recede or even crest in many areas.

It has been a tough night and maybe even a tougher morning, he said.

Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton of the Kentucky National Guard said that state officials had helicopters and boats to rescue residents. Governor Beshear said that two faculty members at a school were among those who had been stranded.

Henry Johnson and his fiancee, Jennifer Richie, spent at least three hours clinging to, and then huddling on top of, their flooded trailer after storm water carried it a short distance from where it had sat in Chavies, Ky. Ms. Richies mother was stuck inside, and they initially feared she had drowned.

Mr. Johnson, 32, and Ms. Richie, 41, lost everything in the storm, including their home, cars, shoes and eyeglasses, Diane Johnson, Mr. Johnsons mother, said. Mrs. Johnson said she received a text at about 12:30 a.m. from her son saying that the flood had come for their property.

Mrs. Johnson said that her son and Ms. Richie ducked underwater and swam out of the trailer as it flooded.
Allen Rodriguez, a 25-year-old warehouse worker who grew up in Boyle Heights on the east side of the bridge, said he had imagined the project when he first heard about it and walked across with his parents when it opened. How did it compare?

I think its better, Mr. Rodriguez said. He was so impressed, in fact, that he returned the second day it was open and skated it end to end  legally  with his teenage brother. He pulled his phone out of his pocket to reveal a photograph of himself standing on the bridge walking path, with downtown Los Angeles behind him and, at his feet, his skateboard.

Architectural critics have compared the project to the transformative High Line of New York City. The bridge eventually will overlook a 12-acre riverbed park that will help anchor a long-term restoration of the famously concrete-covered Los Angeles River. Designed by the architect Michael Maltzan, the Sixth Street Viaduct replaces a landmark that, at 3,500 feet, was the longest bridge in California when it was built in 1932.

At one end, in those early days, was Los Angeless city core; at the other was Boyle Heights, then a working class melting pot of Japanese, Eastern European, Russian and Mexican laborers. Underneath, the Los Angeles River was still a flood-prone body of water.

But over the generations, the old bridge became seismically unstable. Demolition began in 2016 with a three-year time frame. By then, the river was a storm channel scribbled over with graffiti, and the bridge spanned not only that hard expanse, but also freeways and railways. The downtown side had evolved from a warehouse district into an arts district so pricey that few artists could afford to live there, and Boyle Heights was struggling against gentrification to maintain its character as a majority Latino neighborhood.
WASHINGTON  The F.B.I. has indicated that it is willing to settle scores of lawsuits filed against the bureau for its failure to investigate Lawrence G. Nassar, the former doctor for U.S.A. Gymnastics who was later convicted on state sexual abuse charges.

In a letter to lawyers representing women who have sued the F.B.I., the bureau said it was interested in considering all options to reach a resolution, including settlement discussions, according to a copy of the letter reviewed by The New York Times on Thursday.

John C. Manly, a lawyer representing many of the plaintiffs, declined to comment.

In June, more than 90 women filed their civil suits after the Justice Department declined to prosecute two former F.B.I. agents who were accused by the departments watchdog of bungling a 2015 inquiry into Mr. Nassar. Mr. Manly said at the time that the plaintiffs were seeking different amounts in damages, but their total claims would exceed $1 billion.
Attorney General Garland and those investigating the high-level efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election are acutely aware of how any misstep, whether by the F.B.I. or prosecutors, will be amplified and used for political purposes, said Mary B. McCord, a top Justice Department official during the Obama administration. I expect there are added layers of review and scrutiny of every investigative step.

Mr. Wray appears to be proceeding with the same level of caution, in hopes of armoring the bureau against future attacks by making sure his agents operate by the book and keeping Justice Department leadership informed.

That means following the F.B.I.s stringent rules and not just doing the right thing, but doing it in the right way, Mr. Wray has often said. It also means Mr. Wray would not go it alone, as his predecessor, James B. Comey, famously did.

The typically aggressive bureau, which used every investigative tool in its arsenal during the Russia investigation, had not even opened a case targeting fake electors by early fall 2021, months after details of the wide-ranging scheme were known publicly, two former federal law enforcement officials said.

In 2015, amid the outcry over Mrs. Clintons use of a personal email account, senior F.B.I. officials  without consulting with top department officials, including Mr. Comey  opened a criminal investigation into whether she had mishandled classified information.

In May 2017, the F.B.I. opened an obstruction investigation into Mr. Trump on its own, catching the leadership of the Justice Department off guard and setting off a political firestorm. The decision also fueled the suspicions of Mr. Trump and his supporters that the so-called deep state wanted to undermine his presidency.
Francis, who has also talked about the difficulty of leaving the role of a protagonist, has said that if he did retire, he would become a bishop emeritus of Rome, probably reverting back to his given name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, and hearing confessions in Romes basilica.

But for now, he clearly feels that he has a lot to say, and do, including a consistory next month that will create cardinals who will help choose his successor and the direction of a church he is still trying to change.

On Tuesday in Lac Ste. Anne, his papal butler wheeled him to the lip of the lake, unlocked the popes footrests so his feet could touch the sacred ground and stepped back as Francis prayed alone.

Rochelle Knibb, 50, a Catholic from the Cree Nation, stood a few feet away with her mother, Margaret, 74, who wore a bandage on her arm.

In our culture, we put our elders first. The pope does that too, Ms. Knibb said, adding that she saw the face of all the old in his.

People are taking care of him, which is good, she said. Thats what I want for our elders as well.
MELBOURNE, Australia  Australia, gripped by growing anxiety about Chinas influence on its internal affairs, introduced sweeping legislation a few years ago to prevent foreign interference, but until now the laws have never been tested in court.

On Thursday, a judge ruled that the one man who has so far been charged under the new laws will stand trial. The evidence against him is largely circumstantial, and his case raises issues that some experts voiced concern about when the legislation was enacted in 2018.

The man, Di Sanh Duong, 67, was charged in 2020 with preparing for an act of foreign interference, an offense that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Australias federal police say earlier that year, Mr. Duong used a donation to cultivate a relationship with Alan Tudge, then a federal minister, so that he could approach Mr. Tudge in the future with the aim of influencing government policy to the advantage of the Chinese government.
STUTTGART, Germany  It takes a village to help Ukraine fight the Russians.

Consider a recent shipment of 105-millimeter howitzers. Britain donated the weapons, and New Zealand trained Ukrainian soldiers how to use them and provided spare parts. The United States supplied the ammunition and the vehicles to tow them and flew the load to a base near Ukraines border.

Choreographing the sequence was the job of dozens of military logistics specialists ensconced in a large, secure attic room at the U.S. European Command headquarters in Germany. The little-known group is playing a pivotal role in keeping the Ukrainian military armed and equipped as its battlefield needs become more complicated.

Think of the cell as a cross between a wedding registry for bombs, bullets and rocket artillery, and a military version of FedEx. Uniformed officers from more than two dozen countries try to match Ukraines requests with donations from more than 40 nations, then arrange to move the shipments by air, land or sea from the donor countries to Ukraines border for pickup. All within about 72 hours.
Shortly after Russia shocked the world by attacking Ukraine on Feb. 24, Ilya V. Yashin, a local Moscow councilman and prominent opposition figure, decided it was time to see a dentist.

The Kremlin was in the process of criminalizing criticism of the war, and Mr. Yashin, a very vocal critic, had decided to stay in his home country and continue to oppose President Vladimir V. Putin. Eventually, he reasoned, jail time was highly likely.

Im honestly terrified of dentists, Mr. Yashin said in a recent interview on YouTube, but I got ahold of myself and did it because I realized that if I ended up in prison, there wouldnt be any dentists there.
DAKAR, Senegal  President Emmanuel Macron of France traveled to West and Central Africa this week and denounced the hypocrisy of African leaders who have refused to call out Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Mr. Macron also warned against the growing influence of Russian disinformation in the region and accused Russia of using energy and food in a new type of hybrid war.

The French presidents three-day tour of West African countries came as Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, was wrapping up a competing trip to Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda and the Republic of Congo. Mr. Lavrov argued that Russia was not responsible for global food shortages and called on African leaders to refuse a global order imposed by the West.
Each piece has a story, said Serhii Petrov, a well-known artist working in Lviv. Hes now incorporating spent bullet cartridges into the masks he makes.

As he handled one, he mused, Maybe it was someones last bullet.

At a charity auction in Lviv on Sunday, Valentyn Lapotkov, a computer programmer, paid more than $500 for an empty missile tube that had been used, the auctioneers said, to blow up a Russian armored personnel carrier. He said that when he touched it he felt close to our heroes.

Memorializing the war, even when its likely far from over, is a way to show solidarity with the soldiers and those who have suffered. One of Kyivs biggest museums recently staged an exhibition of war artifacts collected since the Russians invaded in February. The rooms are full of gas masks, missile tubes and charred debris. The message is clear: See, this is what real war really looks like.
Ukraine already celebrates Independence Day, on Aug. 24, to mark the countrys break from the Soviet Union in 1991. But officials have said the government felt the need to create the new holiday last summer after Russia illegally annexed Crimea, fomented rebellion in the east and threatened further aggression.

In contrast to Independence Day, Statehood Day is meant to address a more existential question by stretching back a millennium to demonstrate that Ukraine has its own history and culture independent of Russia.

Questions of history  and how to interpret that history  might have once been the subject of nuanced discussion in university lecture halls. But they were weaponized in the run-up to the war in Ukraine as President Vladimir V. Putin sought to justify his unprovoked invasion of a neighbor that shared deep cultural and historical ties.

Only three days before launching the first missiles at targets across Ukraine on Feb. 24, Mr. Putin declared Ukraine an invention of the Bolshevik revolutionary leader, Vladimir Lenin. He argued that the very idea of Ukrainian statehood was a fiction and that it had been a mistake to endow Ukraine with a sense of statehood by allowing it autonomy within the newly created Soviet state.
The fact that newer drones, such as the Mohajer-6, are now being seen in places like the Horn of Africa shows that countries see them as a potential game-changer, he added, referring to an advanced Iranian drone claimed to have a range of about 125 miles and the ability to carry precision-guided munitions.

Its amazing warfare on the cheap, said Mr. Frantzman, adding that Iranian drones cost less than other models on the market but were growing in sophistication, and had proved their worth on battlefields across the Middle East.

Tehran began drone development in the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq war. Despite crippling sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear and missile programs in recent years, it has managed to produce and field a vast array of military drones, used for both surveillance and attack, according to analysis by experts.

That program has become a major concern for Israel and the United States in recent years. Israel has targeted drone production and storage sites in its escalating shadow war with Tehran. And the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement on July 21 that the Iran-proliferated network of attack unmanned aerial systems, or drones, was a key topic of discussion at a recent regional security meeting in Qatar.

Iranian drones still remain largely on the margins of the global market, and are primarily bought by low-income or sanctions-hit countries unable to buy them elsewhere, according to Mr. Frantzman. Iran also faces stiff competition from powers like Turkey, whose Bayraktar TB2 drone has been bought by countries like Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Ethiopia, and has been embraced by Ukraine in its war with Russia.
The city will administer vaccines at five new sites  three in Brooklyn and one each in Queens and Manhattan  in addition to the Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic and the Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic, where appointments are already fully booked through mid-August.

The Health Department has said it will directly inform close contacts of infected people about how to schedule an appointment.

How do people contract monkeypox?

In the current epidemic, monkeypox has spread mainly through close physical contact with an infected person. In New York, the virus has been spreading primarily among men who have sex with men. It causes rashes and pustules to form, and its primary mode of transmission is direct physical contact with sores.

It can also spread through contaminated objects from a patient, such as bedsheets and clothing, and via respiratory droplets. Researchers have found the virus in bodily fluids like saliva, urine and semen, but there is still debate over whether it is transmitted sexually or just through skin-to-skin contact.

Who is eligible for a vaccine in New York City?

Adult men who have sex with men and who have had multiple sexual partners in the past 14 days are eligible for a vaccine in New York City. Close contacts of infected people are also eligible.

Within the group of eligible people, the Health Department is especially encouraging people who have partners showing monkeypox symptoms to get vaccinated, as well as those who met their partners at large gatherings or through dating apps like Grindr.
Unearthing the Secret Superpowers of Fungus In the fight against warming, a formidable ally hides just beneath our feet.

Toby Kiers, evolutionary biologist, taking soil samples beneath one of the oldest trees in the world.

 Toby Kiers took long strides across the spongy forest floor, felt the adrenaline rush in her veins and stopped at the spot she had traveled so far to reach. Into the ground went a hollow metal cylinder. Out came a scoop of soil.

Dr. Kiers stuck her nose into the dirt, inhaled its scent, imagined what secrets it contained to help us live on a hotter planet. Whats under here? she asked. What mysteries are we going to unveil?

The soil was deposited into a clear plastic bag, then labeled with the coordinates of this exact location on Earth.

Dr. Kiers, 45, an evolutionary biologist based at the Free University of Amsterdam, is on a novel mission. She is probing a vast and poorly understood universe of underground fungi that can be vital, in her view, in the era of climate change.

Some species of fungi can store exceptional levels of carbon underground, keeping it out of the air and preventing it from heating up the Earths atmosphere. Others help plants survive brutal droughts or fight off pests. There are those especially good at feeding nutrients to crops, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

In short, they are what she called levers to address the hazards of a warming climate.

Dr. Kiers, right, mapping an area for soil sampling with Merlin Sheldrake.

Dr. Kiers and Dr. Sheldrake inspecting fungus.

Yet they remain a mystery.

Dr. Kiers wants to know which fungi species are where, what they do, and which should be immediately protected. In short, she wants to create an atlas of all that which we cannot see. And all that is right under our feet.

Its seeing Earths metabolism, she said. Who is there? What is their function? Right now, we are concerned so heavily on the overground, we are literally missing half the picture.

Beneath our feet, fungal networks are an intriguing ally in efforts to tame global warming. The research is focused on mycorrhizal fungi, a type that clings to roots and has a symbiotic relationship with plants. This network is like a secret Silk Road. Fungi give the trees much-needed nutrients extracted from the soil. In exchange, the trees supply carbon theyve pulled from the air by photosynthesis. Fungi need carbon to grow. Carbon travels one way, and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous the other. This underground entanglement is vital to life above. Fungal filaments, which are much finer than plant roots, enlarged for visibility.  Illustration by Emma Roulette

By one estimate, 5 billion tons of carbon flow from plants to mycorrhizal fungi annually. Without help from the fungi, that carbon would likely stay in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, the powerful greenhouse gas that is heating the planet and fueling dangerous weather. Keeping this fungal network protected is paramount as we face climate change, Dr. Kiers said.

In addition, the biodiversity of underground fungi is a huge factor in soil health, which is crucial to the worlds ability to feed itself as the planet warms.

Specific knowledge of the power of these networks, said Tim G. Benton, a biologist at Leeds University who isnt involved in Dr. Kierss work, is very patchy.

More information would be very valuable, he said.

Yet so little is known about fungi that they are not even counted in the Convention on Biodiversity, the global treaty aimed at protecting nature. That treaty is aimed at plants and animals. Fungi are neither. They make up a separate kingdom of life altogether.

Underground, mycorrhizal fungi are crucial trading partners. Trees crave the nutrients they offer. Fungi gobble up the carbon that trees provide in return.

To understand this kingdom, fungi aficionados argue, is to see the natural world differently  less as a collection of individual species, with humans dominating them all, and more as a web of organisms dealing with crises together.

The origin of life

Fungi made the world as we know it. As some of the first life forms on the planet, they consumed minerals locked in rocks, creating what we now know as soil. Without them, there would be no plants on land, and therefore, no animals. No us.

Dr. Kierss expedition to southern Chile aims to fill in some of the gaps in knowledge about fungi, specifically the mycorrhizal fungi that live symbiotically with plant roots and drive carbon into the soil. That is what gives them such an urgent role on a hotter planet.

Mycorrhizal networks, Dr. Kiers said, are a major global carbon sink.

The expedition was shaped by Big Data. With the help of scientists in Switzerland, an algorithm had crunched all kinds of above-ground information  temperature, soil moisture, types of trees  and predicted where in the world Dr. Kiers might find high and low levels of underground fungal biodiversity. Then it offered coordinates, as if to say, Go here, take a soil sample, see if Im right.

For their first expedition, in Chile, the researchers arrived at each location, pinpointed by the algorithm, drew a grid 30 by 30 meters, collected spoonfuls of soil, bagged it and sent it to a local lab for genetic analysis. Once we know whos there, we can see what theyre good at, Dr. Kiers said.

Her partner on this expedition was Giuliana Furci, a Chilean environmentalist who, as the head of the Fungi Foundation, an advocacy group, successfully lobbied to include fungi for protection under Chilean environmental law.

Also on the expedition was the biologist and writer Merlin Sheldrake and his musician brother, Cosmo, who stuck microphones into the earth to record the sounds underground. Sometimes he captured the noise of gurgling liquids or the scratching, marching busywork of invisible organisms. Other times, just the thud of the researchers boots nearby.

Cosmo Sheldrake, seated, shared a recording.

Giuliana Furci, in red, smelled the soil.

They scooped soil from under a volcano, crisscrossed pine and eucalyptus plantations, bushwhacked through brambles, climbed up rocks jutting into the Pacific, coaxed homeowners to let them onto their properties to take a bit of dirt. They rescued an injured parrot one day and a lost hiker on another.

Sometimes, the algorithm led them to peaceful places, where Dr. Sheldrake said the zen factor was high. Other times, not so much. One day, they walked into a rainforest full of leeches.

Every day, they smelled the soil they sampled, declared their verdicts.

Ms. Furci: Peppery.

Dr. Kiers: Kind of pondish.

Dr. Sheldrake: Bit farty.

Each sample, representing one square kilometer of land, would be used to identify the genetic properties of fungal species that were storing particularly high levels of carbon in the dirt, or which species might help trees adapt to drought.

Dr. Kiers said she aimed to collect 10,000 samples over 18 months.

Mushroom whisperer

Volva. Volva! Ms. Furci yelled in excitement.

In her hand she held a thing that looked like an egg cup from which a mushroom had emerged, pale and cloudy like milk  a volva. A native amanita, she said, smiling.

Look at the volva. Volva. With an O.

Mushrooms are the above-ground avatars of the fungi kingdom, but they represent a fraction of the fungal web underground.

Ms. Furci spots them everywhere. Concealed on the forest floor, wrapped around fallen twigs, attached like luminescent clams on branches. You have to be there in the brief window of time when they are visible. All mushrooms are magic, she said.

Theres just a brief window of time when mushrooms are visible.

All mushrooms are magic, Ms. Furci said.

Ms. Furci was born and raised in England, where her mother, a political dissident, lived in exile during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. She came to Chile when her mother returned home, and, a few years later, had what she calls an encounter. She saw a striking, rust-orange mushroom in a forest (she later learned it was part of the genus Gymnopilus) and wanted to know more. An obsession began.

Since then, Ms. Furci has written guidebooks on fungi and named unnamed species (a pitch-black mushroom with white scales she called galactica). She has helped persuade the International Union for the Conservation of Nature to include fungi as a category to protect, alongside flora and fauna.

When asked what fungi do, or how they behave, Ms. Furci became visibly annoyed. Their vast biodiversity is not only under-explored, she said, they are misunderstood. They are thought to be just one thing, but they are not.

A morel and a button mushroom are as closely related as a flea and an elephant, she said.

In the course of a day, she identified nine different mushrooms. One resembled a hamburger bun top. Another, a witchs hat. The colors ranged from vanilla to deep raspberry to the speckled back of a fawn.

By the end of a brief trek, she had scooped up two fistfuls of lactarius deliciosus, which grew abundantly alongside the pine trees planted there to harvest timber, one of Chiles main exports. Without this fungi, Ms. Furci pointed out, pines wouldnt survive.

For dinner that night, the lactarius were sauteed in butter.

An old trees oldest friends

Dr. Kiers grew up in small towns in Connecticut and Maine. Her parents sent her out with her sister to collect morels in summer. The underground became her passion.

She studied biology at Bowdoin College, worked at a research station in Panama and earned her doctorate at the University of California, Davis. She co-founded a nonprofit advocacy group, the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks.

One Thursday afternoon recently, Dr. Kiers walked through a dark, gnarly rainforest with a fellow underground fungus scholar, Cesar Marin, from the Universidad Santo Tomas in Chile.

How many did you sample so far, Dr. Marin asked.

Fifteen, Dr. Kiers said. Far fewer than she had hoped to.

It always happens, Dr. Marin replied.

I knew youd understand, said Dr. Kiers.

Taking soil samples is time-consuming, tedious work. Drive for hours. Walk for hours. Bushwhack. Squish around in bogs. Gather a spoonful of dirt. Do it all again.

They were walking in an extraordinary place. A very old, very slow-growing rainforest, this section of the forest potentially holds some of the largest and oldest stores of carbon on Earth. It is home to one of the oldest trees on Earth, a massive Fitzroya, or alerce in Spanish, estimated to be at least 3,500 years old, known here as the great-grandfather alerce.

Dr. Kiers said the data they collect here will signal which mycorrhizal fungi species are doing the work of sequestering so much carbon underground.

Soil sampling beneath the ancient tree.

Cosmo Sheldrake

Fungi are sensitive to human activity. Chemical fertilizers diminish their volume and diversity. Logging destroys them.

Climate change is the latest stressor, which is why Dr. Marin was keen for Dr. Kiers to sample the same three plots he had tested seven years ago. He wanted to know if the megadrought that has been melting Chiles glaciers over the past few years has also changed the mycorrhizal networks underground.

Fungi have helped trees adapt on a millennial scale. They could be crucial to helping trees adapt in the climate crisis. In difficult times, organisms find new symbiotic relationships in order to expand their reach, said Dr. Sheldrake, the biologist. Crisis is the crucible of new relationships.

They walked briskly. Fern fanned out in the understory, along with canelo trees, bamboo, and tall, slender alerce, for which this park is named.

Dr. Kiers approached the great-grandfather tree in silence. She took off her hiking boots, walked gently around the fragile roots.

Cosmo Sheldrake took out a pennywhistle and played.

The tree stood 30 meters tall. Its craggy trunk was half dead. Hundreds of fungal species are associated with its root system, Dr. Marin said.

Being near it, Dr. Kiers said, felt dizzying.

Wouldnt you want to know about this healthy partnership thats lasted 5,000 years through so many changes? she said. It was clearly a rhetorical question.

A mushroom rises from the forest floor.

Roots rise from shallow soil.

On the last Friday evening of their weeklong expedition, they hiked to a rocky outcropping on the coast. Zen factor is high, Dr. Sheldrake said.

An otter played in the water. The sun shone golden on the lapping waves. Some of the boulders were dotted with lichen the color of marigold. As they have for millennia, Dr. Sheldrake observed, fungi were eating rock.

By the end of this one-week outing, they had collected 30 bags of soil. Nearby, over the next several weeks, Dr. Marins team would gather 64 more. Its a drop in the bucket, considering the thousands needed to construct the global map they envision.

This week, Dr. Kiers is on the other side of the world, in the Apennines, the mountain range in Italy. North of the place she planned to collect samples, a glacier has collapsed. Wildfires rage nearby.

This is a race against time, she said in an email. We are nervous these fungal communities are disappearing before we can even document who is there.
Whats a word or phrase that comes to mind when you hear American democracy? Whats a word or phrase that comes to mind when you hear American democracy?

If American democracy is going to thrive again, regular people on the left and right have to find more ways to deal with each other. We have to understand why we disagree rather than merely stew in those disagreements. Some on the left characterize conservatives as fascists and nut jobs; some on the right paint progressives as communists and criminals. Where does a democracy go from there? Nowhere good, at least not without more talking and listening. Which is why we asked Frank Luntz to convene our latest Times Opinion focus group: a mix of Biden voters and Trump voters who started with something in common: They all echoed the movie Network in saying, Im as mad as hell, and not going to take this anymore. In that shared outlook, could the participants find common ground?

Our intent wasnt to have some big American group hug but to better understand some of the opinions, assumptions and emotions that drive polarization. In the course of our two-hour discussion, it became clear that though all the participants were angry, they channeled that anger in very different directions. One woman blamed the majority of white America for polarization in the United States, while another participant responded that the racism hed experienced had come from the liberal left. Some of the conservative participants expressed concern over what they saw as a violent left, whereas the progressive participants were quick to point to the violence of Jan. 6.

Violence, said one participant, is not the American way.

Why do you insist on saying violence is not the American way? responded another participant. This country was built on violence.

This was our most heated focus group in the 16 weve done this year. Still, most of the group were able to agree on some things: their low opinion of Congress (read more on that in the discussion), a desire for systemic changes like term limits and a hope that neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump runs for president in 2024. Trumps nickname for Biden, Sleepy Joe, is right, conceded one progressive. The lone participant who wanted Mr. Biden to run again said the president wouldnt because hed realize that at 80 years old, he is not capable. And of Trump, one conservative participant said, What we need now is a uniter. Thats why I dont want him to run again.

Who might that be? Does he or she exist at all?
Linda Burgess believes that age is just a number. When she set off last year to buy a house in the Los Angeles area, her goal was to find not just the ideal home, but the ideal community to support her active social life.

She was hoping it would be in the South Bay. Ms. Burgess, 73, had been a longtime resident of this coastal pocket of southern Los Angeles County, which includes the cities of El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. She never married and has no children; over the decades, a tight-knit group of friends had become her family.

When her role as an underwriter for the health care company Kaiser Permanente took her to Oregon in 2007, it wasnt just the lack of sunshine that made her homesick. I really missed my people in Southern California, she said. I moved there when I was in my 50s, and it was so hard to build a social circle. So I decided to come home.

In 2017, she bought a two-bedroom house in the waterfront neighborhood of San Pedro that she could share with her foster dogs, who sometimes number as many as nine. But Ms. Burgess, a self-professed serial homebuyer, soon felt itchy feet. I get restless every five years or so, she said. I dont stay put for long.

Kathleen Callahan, a broker with eXp Realty, whom Ms. Burgess met through a friend in her book club, signed on to help her find the next spot. Lindas in maintenance mode at this point in her life, she said. She just wanted to cash out and maintain her lifestyle.

[Did you recently buy or rent a home in California? We want to hear from you. Email: thehuntCA@nytimes.com]

They looked at several homes in the South Bay, but with a budget of around $450,000 in a frenzied pandemic market, Ms. Burgess knew she would have to make a choice: pay more and rent out part of the house to defray costs or leave her friends behind and head inland, where prices were lower. Nothing near the beach cities was affordable, she said.

She felt her options expand slightly, however, when she visited a friend in Arizona who had recently moved into an active-adult community, where owners must be at least 55 years old. Ms. Burgess had never considered 55-plus housing, and she was intrigued by the swimming pools, walking trails and busy calendar of activities.

Everything about it was awesome  except I dont want to live in Arizona, she said.

But she began to think that, with the right fit, she might be willing to leave the South Bay. Affordable homes in desirable 55-plus communities were much farther inland  in Beaumont, for example, a fast-growing bedroom community 90 miles east of San Pedro. But some developments were subject to Mello-Roos, a special tax paid by residents at many planned communities in California. So she kept an eye on conventional homes in the South Bay as she hunted.

Among her options:
Meriel McCaffery

Ford Hutman Media, which focuses on clients in the life sciences sector, names Meriel McCaffery vice president, head of corporate communications. McCaffery most recently served as director at Wachsman. Before that, she was senior director, corporate and strategy at W2O (now Real Chemistry). Her expertise includes executive positioning, product launches, digital communications integration, influencer identification and engagement, media outreach and branding. Meriel has had a legacy of success advising the leaders of todays most influential and innovative companies throughout her career, said Ford Hutman Media CEO Rachel Ford Hutman.

Calvin Daniels

Solution Tree, an educational publisher and professional development provider, names Calvin Daniels chief marketing officer. Daniels joins the company from global pharmaceutical company UCB, where he served as customer experience marketing lead. He was previously director of consumer marketing at Roche and held several senior marketing posts at Eli Lilly. At Solution Tree, Daniels will lead and drive the companys enterprise marketing strategy and develop and implement a corporate strategic marketing plan to addresses all products, content, partners, distribution channels and customer touchpoints. Calvin brings a comprehensive understanding and demonstrated performance of highly successful full-spectrum marketing, branding, and communications initiatives, said Solution Tree president Ed Ackerman.

Richard Fenning

Sherlock Communications appoints Richard Fenning as director of search engine optimization. Fenning was most recently SEO manager at ecommerce group Americanas s.a. in Rio de Janeiro. Before that, he worked at Mercado Libre in Buenos Aires as SEO Team Leader. In his new role, Fenning will lead the growth and expansion of a team of specialists across technical search, performance, content and digital PR. While he will primarily be based at the companys offices in Brazil, he will collaborate with Sherlock Communications staff across its operations in Latin America. Having Richard on the team will be highly beneficial for our clients as we now have the ability to provide even higher quality and ROI on all our SEO projects, said Sherlock Communications managing partner Patrick ONeill.

Kathryn Pratt

Saucony, a running shoe and apparel company, appoints Kathryn Pratt as chief marketing officer. Pratt comes to the company from LLBean, where she most recently served as director of brand engagement. Before joining LLBean, she was group vp, marketing at Kenneth Cole Productions. At Saucony, Pratt will provide strategic development and execution of the companys global branding initiatives, including brand positioning, direct-to-consumer, advertising, digital strategies, international growth initiatives, and expansion of Originals, its heritage lifestyle business. Kathryns deep expertise in global marketing and thought leadership will help us further develop and implement strategic initiatives focused on future expansion, said Saucony global brand president Anne Cavassa.


Fraser Seitel

In March of 1991, the country was riveted by a video of an unarmed Black man in Los Angeles being pummeled by eight LAPD officers. Rodney King suffered a fractured facial bone, a broken right ankle and multiple lacerations. And in the aftermath of the beating, race riots erupted in major cities across the U.S.

The riots subsided only after King went on television, pleading for peace. Why cant we all just get along, he famously implored. Thirty years later, in a nation torn by division and polarization, where people jump ugly at the bat of an eye, Rodney Kings simple declaration has never been more relevant.

Why cant we just get along?

The practice of public relations has always been about moderationabout first listening to opposing views and then responding in a logical and dispassionate manner with the position of your client.

The job of a public relations professional is unique in an organization. The public relations executive is the only one who represents both the best interests of the client, and also the best interests of the clients publics. Thats why in a crisis, smart officials turn to public relations counselors rather than lawyers, so the views of all sidesnot just the clientare considered before taking action.

Today, of course, with more people dug in on one side or the other, its much more difficult to be objective, counsel moderation, just get along with your adversaries. If you work for a client like Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders or Chik-fil-A or Ben & Jerrys, neutrality and even-handedness are probably the last qualities your employer will tolerate.

Nonetheless, public relations ought to be about, well, relations. That is, building rapport and trust even with those who hold opposing views. This is particularly the case today when dealing with the media.

In 2022, media relations remains a foundational skill for successful public relations people. While knowledge of social media is also obligatory for todays public relations professional, major clients still care deeply about how theyre treated by the New York Times, the Washington Post, TV networks, cable news, TMZ and all the rest of the so-called mainstream media.

For public relations people, dealing effectively with these traditional media has become another polarized minefield. Journalistswho once prided themselves on being objectiveare today, by and large, just as biased and one-sided as the rest of society. And they make no bones about it.

So, if youre on the wrong side of a Paul Krugman, or Maggie Haberman at the New York Times, or a Sean Hannity or Laura Ingraham at Fox News, or a Rachel Maddow, or Joy Reid at MSNBC, or a Jim Acosta or Don Lemon at CNNforget about it.

Youre wasting your time. Theyre simply not interested in listening to your side of an argument. In the old days, responsible publications strictly forbade their reporters from double-dipping as contributors to broadcast competitors. Today, the practice is commonplace, with reporters primarily concerned about cultivating their own, individual brand. And if a reporter for the Times or the Post or another major outlet is also employed at right-leaning Fox or left-leaning MSNBC or CNN, theyre unlikely to approach their reporting with much neutrality.

The sad fact is that the default position for most mainstream journalists today is to dismiss out-of-hand any argument that doesnt agree with their own predetermined bias. A dwindling number of reporters or editors are willing even to listen to an opposing argument.

But there are still a few independent stalwarts left, even among the deeply-partisan cable news anchors. These three, in particular, stand above all others.

Brett Baier, Fox News

Before Brett Baier, there was Chris Wallace. Wallace, the son of 60 Minutes Mike, prided himself on being a lone voice of objectivity on right-wing Fox. But as his star ascended, Wallace, like others around himsee Tucker Carlsongot a bit full of himself. And when he finally abandoned ship earlier this year to grab the brass ring at CNNs ill-fated streaming service, Baier slid right in to replace him at Fox.

As host of Foxs nightly Special Report, Baier plays most things right down the middle, distinguishing himself by featuring guests who denounce Donald Trump for January 6 and others who denounce Joe Biden for incoherent energy policy. And unlike his predecessor, Wallace, and most of his Fox News colleagues, Baier never flashes arrogance or makes the proceedings about himself.

Erin Burnett, CNN

CNN, which cashed in for four years on a format of anti-Trump all-the-time, is shifting emphasis. In February, the network brought in buttoned-up TV executive Chris Licht to replace glitzy, headline-grabbing Jeff Zucker as president. Licht described his challenge as one of restoring more hard news and offering a less sensationalistic focus at CNN.

Burnett represents that hard news focus. She spent her formative years reporting financial news at both Bloomberg and CNBC, interviewing and being friendly with business and financial leaders, most of whom resided firmly in conservative territory. Accordingly, Burnetts nightly Out Front program discusses the news of the day in a generally straightforward manner.

While Burnett and her fellow anchors continue to exhibit little on-air love for Donald Trump and who can blame them?its likely that under Lichts leadership, other CNN veterans like Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer will also become increasingly more dispassionate in their commentary.

Ari Melber, MSNBC

In the vast left-wing wasteland that is MSNBC, Ari Melber is a beacon of sanity.

How Melber sneaked through the cracks to land his own show is anybodys guess. But there he is every night, surrounded by the likes of GOP turncoat Nicole Wallace and the right Rev. Al Sharpton, hosting The Beat, a refreshingly-apolitical examination of the issues of the day.

Its a credit to Melber that hes just about the only MSNBC anchor who attracts Republicans as well as Democrats as guests. A former courtroom lawyer, Melber disdains the faux outrage that fuels his colleagues and instead politely pushes and probes, forcing interviewees to abandon their talking points and expose their true beliefs.

Baier, Burnett and Melber are three cable journalists who will give public relations clients a fair hearing because they accept the time-honored proposition that one can be skeptical and challenging without being hostile and rude.

In other words, a successful professional communicator can also just get along.

***

Fraser P. Seitel has been a communications consultant, author and teacher for 40 years. He is the author of the Pearson text The Practice of Public Relations, now in its 14th edition, and co-author of Rethinking Reputation" and "Idea Wise. He may be reached directly at [email protected].
Jared Kushner

Bad move, Jared. President Trumps egomaniacal son-in-law Jared Kushner has written a memoir modestly called Breaking History: A White House Memoir set to be published on August 23. Geez.

But there will be at least one buyer of the mammoth 500-page book and future doorstop.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, is sure to crack open the pages of Kushners tell-all.

She will be looking for insights into his cushy ties with Saudi Arabia and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammend bin Salman.

The Wall Street Journal, which reviewed portions of the book, notes that it details how Kushner stood with Prince Mohammed in the aftermath of the murder and dismemberment of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi and how members of the Trump administration were uneasy with the first son-in-laws cozy relationship with the top Saudi.

Maloney is already investigating Saudi Arabias decision to plow a cool $2B into Kushners investment company. That investment was made six months after Trump left office. Kaching.

Did Prince Mohammed reward his buddy for his whitewashing of the Kingdoms lousy human rights abuses in Yemen, murder of Khashoggi and crackdown on political dissent at home?

Inquiring minds want to know. Breaking History may provide grist for probers of Kushner.

Some questions for Jared: Why in the world would you want to bring more attention to yourself? Do you really think the book will benefit you in any way? How out of touch can you possibly be?

Sad saga comes to an end. Frank Okunak, former COO of Weber Shandwick pleaded guilty to wire fraud and falsifying records on July 27. The fraud occurred from 2011 to 2020.

He was accused of embezzling more than $16M from the PR firm and its parent company Interpublic.

The funds were used for his own personal business ventures, tickets for sporting events and charitable donations

Interpublic fired Okunak once his wrongdoing was discovered. No client funds were embezzled.

Okunak, who is 56, has agreed to forfeit $10.8M and pay $16M in restitution. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 6.

Get rid of the S and G in environmental, social and governance and you are in business, said The Economist on July 21. It believes the ESG term lumps too many dizzying objects together, rendering it meaningless.

The magazine notes that Elon Musk is a G nightmare but an E champion for popularizing electric cars.

Closing a coal mine deserves praise on the E front but brickbats in the S category because of the negative impact on workers, communities and suppliers.

The Economist recommends focusing entirely on the E though it would be recast as emissions.

The current E is too broad because it covers biodiversity, water scarcity and other issues, according to the magazine.

Emissions pose the biggest danger to the planet, particularly from gas-belching industries.

Not a bad idea. The Economist gets an "A" for effort.
AFTER a three year gap Birr Airdisplay is back on August 1st with its biggest show in its 10 year history.

The many thousands of spectators each year at previous shows know how truly unique this event is. Its Ireland only over land airshow and one of only a handful throughout Ireland and the UK that is based at an Aerodrome meaning visitors can see aircraft take off and land and meet the pilots.

Birr Airdisplay will showcase the best of Irish, UK and international aerobatic pilots and and display teams. As part of their 100 year celebrations the Irish Air Corps will have a special display with their Silver Swallows display team of PC9s along with a helicopter display and static stand showcasing their history and giving information about joining the Air Corps. This year will see the first visit of the Royal Jordanian Falcons to Birr displaying their exciting four ship Extra 330 aircraft. The Royal Jordanian Falcons are one the top international display teams and only perform at a select number of air shows throughout Europe each year.

Other Irish talents will include Gerry Humphreys in his RV7 flying Cow, David Bruton based in Abbeyshrule displaying his Sukhoi SU31, Sligos Andrew Fenton in his Christean Eagle and the flying dentist Eddie Goggins in is Mudry CAP.

The ever popular and talented Team Raven from Wales will be back with their brand new RV8 addition bringing their display team to six aircraft and always put on a stunning show. Over the last number of years Team Raven are building a reputation for themselves that rates them as one of the top European display teams. This years Team Raven display will be sponsored by Hugo Loonam Motors Cloghan. Birr Airdisplay are delighted to partner with Hugo Loonam Motors for the 2022 Airdisplay.

The jaw dropping display of the Aerosuperbatic wing walkers are back. The wingwalkers are a real crowd thriller as spectators can watch them prepare on the ground and as the professional wingwalkers strap themselves to the wings of their Boeing Stearman aircraft. If you want to see the most amazing take off and hear the gasps of thousands of spectators then you will have to be there to watch Richard Goodwin take off and display his Pitts special biplane as it is one of the most unique displays that can be seen at any Airdisplay in the world.

The sound of the Coastguard Sikorsky S92 up close is something not be missed and watch as they display the awesome rescue helicopter. The Irish parachute club based in Clonbologue will be on hand to show their talent completing and formation parachute jump on the runway.

And if that wasnt enough for the second time they will have the a display from the iconic Mustang P51. The P51 display is a sight to behold with famous roar of it roll Royce merlin engine. This year's P51 is known as Contrary Mary.

Tickets available on www.birrairdisplay.ie
Some valuable stakes kicked off this week with big money finals taking place in Shelbourne, Cork and Limerick. Second round of the National Sprint in Dundalk plus loads of top class action around the tracks.



Early Week Racing



Similar to last week the heat impacted racing on Monday and Tuesday. It was Thursday before we got action of any quality. In Enniscorthy, in the first round of the Slaneyside Kennels A3 Goodbye Stake, six heats with Longslip Roger going fastest for Laurence Bolton - Lee in 29.17 (20 slow) by four lengths. There was a double on the night for local trainers George Roche and Donal Kehoe.

Friday Racing



Kilkenny hosted the first round of the Boylesports A3 Bitch Stake, six heats again, Black Summer delivered the fastest run in 28.86 (20 slow) by five lengths at 5/4 fav for Sean Leahy and Thomas Norton. Double for Waterford trainer Declan Byrne. First Offaly winner of the week was in Newbridge, in an SO Sprint, Droopys Timing was first home for Edenderry owner Paul Cronin in a fast 17.43 by four lengths at 2/1.



In Shelbourne Park, in the first round of the RCETS Open Unraced stake, three heats with three quality winners, Trinity Junior for Peter Cronin in 28.48, Garryvoe Joe for Graham Holland in 28.47 and Sporty Sydney for Joe Hurley in 28.53. Only a length separating these three winners moving into Fridays semifinals. Two finals of consequence, both worth 1.75k to the winners. In an A2 575, Ballymac Tiara (Ballymac Best - Are Nagini) in 31.75 by two lengths at 6/1 for Pat Whelan. The other final was an A1 550, Kilcolgan Comet (Pat C Sabbath - Razldazl Valerie) was first home in 29.80 by one length at 6/1 for Nelius OConnell. One Offaly winner on the supporting card, in an A2 contest, Highview Reality got his second career win for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman in 29.10 by three lengths at 4/1.

Saturday Racing



In Curraheen Park in Cork, in the final of the Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open bitch stake, Bockos Melody (Droopys Sydney - Ballymac Razl) won the 4.5k first prize after a strong finish for Graham Holland in 28.41 (10 fast) by three lengths at a generous 6/1. In Dundalk, in the second round of the Bar One Racing Irish National Sprint, six heats with champion sprinter Serene Ace going fastest for Michael ODonovan in 20.96 by three lengths. Three of the six heats were won by trainer Adam Dunford, Fantasy Jesse, Fantasy Reece and Shancol Johnny.



Great crowd in Limerick for the final of the John Whelan Memorial A3 Kennedy Cup, class won out here as Streams Of Sydney (Droopys Sydney - Jet Stream Proof) went through the stake unbeaten and winning the final by seven lengths in a rapid 28.29 at 4/5 fav for Pat Buckley with a handsome cheque of 5k going his way.



One Offaly winner in Mullingar, in an A8 525, Lingrawn Focus won for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 30.18 (60 slow) by seven lengths at 4/6 fav. In Shelbourne Park, one of the countrys top events got underway, the 2022 Boylesports Champion Stakes open 550. Three semifinals with two qualifying from each for Saturdays final. This stake was won last year by De Machine for Brendan Mathews. Sentimental Lad won the first for Eimear and Michael Heeney Syndicate in 29.57, One Time Only the second for Thomas ODonovan in 29.63 and Droopys Nice One the final heat in 29.83 for Murt Leahy.



Thurles played host to the quarter-finals of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup, Bobsleigh Dream was fastest for Buckley in 29.06 (20 slow) by three lengths at 7/4. Another Offaly winner here as Totos Day won for Birr owner Tony McCormack and Denis Fogarty in an A4 grade in 29.76 (20 slow) by one length at 6/4.

Sunday Racing



Four Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar. First one was for Clara owner P.J. Cleary as Coldwater Wispa won an A5 race in 30.33 by two lengths at 5/2. Next three were for the Joness in Moneygall, Lingrawn Roxy won an A4 contest in a fast 29.25 by a wide margin of fourteen lengths at 6/4 for Kevin Jones, Kevin also won the next as Lingrawn Grace won an A5 race in 30.38 by two lengths at 9/4. Liam Jones had our final winner of the week as Lingrawn Woody won an A4 race in 30.20 by two lengths at 11/2. All races in Mullingar on Sunday were rated .70 slow.



At the evening meeting in Clonmel, in the final of an A1 sweepstake, Coolbunnia Frank (Laughil Blake - Market Glory) won the 1.6k first prize in 28.77 by two lengths for Lester Power.



Upcoming Events



Thursday, quarter-finals of the Slaneyside Kennels A3 stake in Enniscorthy.

Friday, quarterfinals of the Boylesports A3 Bitch stake in kilkenny, Shelbourne, semifinals of the RCETS Open Unraced stake. Saturday, Dundalk, quarterfinals of the National Sprint, semifinals of the Tipperary Cup in Thurles and final of the Boylesports Champion Stakes in Shelbourne. Loads of top class action to look forward to this week.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week



Lingrawn Roxy get the vote this week winning an A4 contest in Mullingar on Sunday in 29.25 (70 slow) by a whopping fourteen lengths for Kevin Jones.



Offaly Winners

Eight Offaly winners this week. Congratulations to all involved.
A TOTAL of 385 residential buildings were under construction and 471 new residential address points were recorded by GeoDirectory in Offaly in the twelve months to June 2022

The residential vacancy rate in Offaly was 4.2% in June 2022. This was equal to the national residential vacancy rate of 4.2% according to figures released in the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report.

The twice-annual residential buildings report, prepared by EY, found that a total of 86,708 residential buildings were classified as vacant across Ireland by GeoDirectory, a 5.9% drop when compared to the previous year.

Out of the 26 counties surveyed, the residential vacancy rate decreased in all but one, Wicklow. The highest vacancy rates in the country were found in the west and north-west of the country. At 12.8%, Leitrim was the county with the highest vacancy rate, although it did post a year-on-year vacancy decline of 2.0pp. Mayo (11.4%), Roscommon (11.0%) and Donegal (9.7%) were the other counties to post notably high vacancy rates.

Dublin was the county with the lowest vacancy rate in the country at 1.5%, closely followed by Kildare at 1.6%. Meath (2.5%), Waterford (2.6%) and Louth (2.6%) all recorded residential vacancy rates under the 3.0% mark.

In addition to vacancies, 21,897 residential address points were classified as derelict. This total was 3.8% lower than the corresponding figure in Q2 2021.

Buildings under Construction

In Offaly, 385 residential buildings were under construction in June 2022. Nationally, residential construction activity accelerated in the first half of the year, with 22,390 residential buildings under construction in June 2022 that the number of buildings under of construction was 18.4% higher than the corresponding period in 2021.

Of the total number, 17.4% were located in Dublin, 14.2% in Kildare and 12.0% in Cork. Notably, the year-on-year increase of buildings under construction in Kildare was 74.4%.

Sharp Increase in Number of New Residential Address Points Recorded

In Offaly, 471 new residential address points were added to the GeoDirectory database in the twelve months to June 2022.

Nationally, a total of 34,198 new residential addresses were added to the GeoDirectory database in the twelve months to June 2022. This represents an increase of 34.1% on the total recorded between June 2020 and June 2021.

Dublin had the largest share of new address points, with 12,288 addresses added (35.9% of the total), followed by Cork (9.5%), Kildare (9.1%), Meath (6.7%) and Wicklow (5.2%).

57% of all new address points were added in the Greater Dublin Area of Dublin, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare. At the other end of the spectrum, Leitrim (0.3%), Longford (0.4%), and Roscommon (0.6%) had the smallest share of new address points.

Number of Residential Property Transactions increases

The number of residential property transactions increased by 13.5% in the twelve months to May 2022, representing an additional 5,500 transactions on the corresponding figure for the previous twelve months.

In Offaly, there were 679 residential property transactions, 19.3% of which were new dwellings. The average property price in the county was 223,122.

The average property price nationally in the twelve months to May 2022 was 338,394. The highest average property price was recorded in Dublin (514,796), while the lowest was in Longford (154,306). When Dublin is excluded, the average property price nationally fell to 267,351.

Commenting on the findings of the GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report, Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory said, The level of residential construction has increased significantly over the past twelve months as Covid-19 public health measures on the construction sector were gradually eased then removed. This activity indicates a strong pipeline of residential properties that we would expect to enter the market in the months ahead. The GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report found that the number of vacant properties has also fallen in the last year, although when combined with derelict properties, there are still over 100,000 potential properties which could re-enter the market.
ON Monday July 18th Denis Maher and Tommy Houlihan left Lorrha to travel to Malin Head and cycle back all in the name of raising funds for Pieta House charity. They were driven by Tommys nephew Stephen who was providing the necessary supplies and back up. Later on in the week, Tommys brother Bernie joined them on their journey.

The two cycled 354km over the following four days coming through places such as Sligo, Roscommon, Athlone, Cloghan and back to Lorrha arriving back on Friday evening last tired, sore and delighted to be home where they were met by family and well wishers. They cycled through all kinds of weather too, thunder, lightning, rain and sunshine, but never once did they get a puncture or did the bicycles let them down. They did, however, experience melting fresh tar which stuck to their legs and their bicycles.

The two said that despite all the weather problems they experienced, they enjoyed every minute and made plenty of lasting memories. They also said they met many very generous people along the way, who gave them supplies and refreshments with one even giving them a meal. Such encouragement meant a lot to their weary legs coupled with all the donations they received through the Go Fund Me Page.

After a long soak in a hot bath and a few good long comfortable nights sleep and rest, feeling so encouraged by their experience so far, Denis and Tommy set off last Monday morning July 25th for the second leg of the journey, this time to Mizen. They plan on returning back to Lorrha on Thursday night as the journey they say is somewhat shorter and hoping that nothing goes wrong on the way.

All the effort that Denis and Tommy are making is in aid of the Charity Pieta House who provide valuable help for anyone suffering from depression or feeling suicidal. When they set out to do this fundraiser, their plan was to raise 2,000 but the fund has already attracted 5,105, exceeding all their expectations. They believe that if their efforts can save just one life, then their efforts will have been well worth the time and trouble. If you would like to donate you can do so on idonate.ie/thomas-denis. Follow them too on facebook at Thomas & Denis Cycle Malin to Mizen Head in Aid of Pieta House.

By donating, you are providing a lifeline to people across Ireland who are in suicidal distress or have been bereaved by suicide at some stage. Pieta's professional therapists are taking phone calls and their Helpline will be available free of charge to everyone who needs their support. They rely on the generosity of supporters like you because more than 80% of their income comes from public donations and you make their life-saving counselling services possible. Through your kindness and generosity, you are ensuring that Pieta can keep going and keep being there for people in crisis.
Irish Water is replacing almost 500 meters of old and damaged, cast-iron water mains, at Marian Square Estate in Clara with new state-of-the-art pipes.

The Water Utility Company is working with Offaly County Council to carry out the work.

''Replacing these old, damaged pipes with new, modern pipework will greatly improve water quality and reduce the instances of bursts, outages, and low-pressure affecting customers in the area. The project, which will begin next week, represents a significant investment by Irish Water,'' they say.

''Securing the water supply in Offaly remains a top priority for Irish Water as the intensive campaign continues to drive down leakage across the county and improve the water supply to homes and businesses,'' a statement outlines.

The work is part of the Irish Water's national leakage reduction programme which they say is ''delivering significant benefits to local communities across Ireland, including improved water quality, a more secure water supply and considerable water savings.

Highlighting the importance of these upgrades, Joe Carroll, Regional Delivery Lead at Irish Water said, We are delighted to announce this major investment for Offaly. Replacing these old and damaged, pipes is a first step in tackling water quality, pressure and leakage issues which have been affecting homes and businesses. The works will not only reduce the amount of drinking water lost to leakage, but will also significantly improve water quality for the local community as well as delivering a much more reliable supply for generations to come.

Joe added, On behalf of Irish Water, Id like thank the local community in advance for their patience and cooperation as traffic management will be necessary as the project progresses, however, based on previous experiences, we know that the short-term inconvenience will be overshadowed by the long-term benefits.

The works also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers property boundaries and connecting it to the customers water supply. The project may involve some short-term supply interruptions which we understand may cause inconvenience, however, the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours notice prior to any planned water interruptions.

To minimise the impact on the local community, we are delivering these works on a phased basis with areas of work limited to short sections. The project is being carried out by Ward & Burke Construction Ltd on behalf of Irish Water and is expected to be completed by the end of October 2022.

''Fixing leaks can be complicated but we are making progress. In 2018 the rate of leakage nationally was 46%, by the end of 2021 it was reduced to 38%. We are on track to achieve a national leakage rate of 25% by the end of 2030. For more information, please visitwww.water.ie/reducingleaks.

The Irish Water customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website.
Wales Online 27 Jul 2022

Police in Bangladesh have confirmed they are investigating the incident involving a family of five from Cardiff
Mayor Eric Adams at Bayside High School in Queens.



The decision is in response to a lawsuit filed by parents and teachers hoping to roll back an estimated $370 million in cuts to public school budgets for the coming school year. The case will move to a hearing scheduled for August 4th. [ more  ]
Rumble 29 Apr 2022

The nation may endure more riots and fires as Derek Chauvin's attorney has filed an appeal, which seems to have some..
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SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP)  Two people died and 10 were injured Wednesday when the SUV they were in rolled over in southeastern New Mexico about eight miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, officials said.

A thirteenth person also was in the Chevrolet Tahoe but it was unclear whether that person was injured, said Sunland Park Fire Chief Daniel Medrano. His agency responded to the crash, which occurred around 4:45 a.m. about 13 miles (21 kilometers) northwest of El Paso, Texas.

New Mexico State Police confirmed the two fatalities but did not respond to repeated requests for comment on whether law enforcement officers were pursuing the SUV when the rollover happened. Medrano said two of the people who were hurt suffered critical injuries and that all of the injured were taken to hospitals.

Federal officials in a statement said U.S. Border Patrol agents provided assistance at the crash scene, but declined to specify what type of help or whether agents were involved in a pursuit.

The Mexican Consulate in El Paso said in a statement that nine of the injured people were Mexican and that it is providing assistance to them.

While authorities did not identify the people in the SUV as immigrants, the stretch of border in southeastern New Mexico where the crash happened is among the spots where migrants regularly are smuggled across from Mexico in SUVs.

Nearly a month ago in the nearby New Mexico community of Santa Teresa, 15 immigrants were found crammed inside an SUV after a caller told the Border Patrol that the vehicle was picking up people on a state highway.

Last year, the driver of an SUV packed with smuggled migrants was struck by tractor-trailer shortly after driving through a hole in the border fence about 125 miles (200 kilometers) east of San Diego. The crash killed 13 of 25 people crammed into the SUV that was built to hold a maximum of eight. All the dead were from Mexico and Guatemala.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Tereasa Nims.

Wednesday, July 27

11:12 p.m. - A deputy was dispatched to a Jasper Township location for a report of a vehicle partially in the roadway with nobody around. A deputy attempted to contact the 41-year-old Hemlock man registered owner with no success. The vehicle was impounded.

10:39 p.m. - Catalytic Converter Theft in Edenville Township. A deputy was sent to Edenville Township for a report of a stolen catalytic converter. There are no suspects currently. The catalytic converter is valued at $500.00 to replace.

9:50 p.m. - A deputy was sent to a Greendale Township home for a report of a suspicious woman walking through the complainants yard. The area was checked but the suspicious woman was not located.

11:16 p.m. - A 54-year-old Isabella County man was arrested for drug and traffic offenses after a traffic stop in Greendale Township. A report has been forwarded to the prosecutor for review.

9:39 p.m. - Greendale Township. Deputies were dispatched to Greendale Township in reference to a 53-year-old woman reporting an abandoned vehicle parked on her private property. Deputies found no signs of foul play upon investigation. The woman was assisted in arranging to have the vehicle towed from her property.

8:28 p.m. - Deputies responded to a Geneva Township residence for a possible personal protection order violation. Deputies did not locate the suspect and determined a violation did not occur.

7:51 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to Lee Township regarding shots fired report. Upon searching the area, deputies contacted a 21-year-old man who said he was target practicing on private property. Deputies found no violations upon investigating the incident.

7:46 p.m. - Police responded to the area of S. Saginaw and E. Patrick roads for an injury accident.

7:10 p.m. - A City of Coleman gas station report that $77.47 in gasoline was stolen. There are no suspects currently.

4:32 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to west bound US-10 west of West River Road regarding a man walking along the shoulder. The 44-year-old Beaverton man said his car had overheated and he had just gone for a walk. The man was given a ride back to his car, which had cooled down and he was going to try to get to a gas station.

2:04 p.m. - A 61-year-old Isabella County woman requested a well check on her 42-year-old niece in Greendale Township due to her having substance abuse issues and family not having contact with her. A deputy checked the two residences located at the stated location and they advised they did not know the niece.

2:15 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a property owned by a nonprofit organization in Lincoln Township for the destruction of some educational signs. The organization estimates the damage caused at $400.00. The nonprofit wanted this incident documented.

1:20 p.m. - Police were called to the 4800 block of East East Patrick Road for a civil complaint and verbal domestic.

1:15 p.m. - A 58-year-old Mills Township woman reported hearing a gunshot near her residence the previous night. The woman did not see anyone or anything around her yard when she checked and just wanted it documented.

12:11 a.m.  Police were called to the 7200 block of South Aster Street for an ordinance violation.

12:03 a.m. - A 31-year-old Grand Rapids man contacted the Midland County Sheriff's Office and requested a wellbeing check of his children's grandmother, a 51-year-old Mount Haley Township woman. Deputies spoke with the woman who did not need any assistance.
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Watch out for con artists with an interest in instruments  "The Music Man" has arrived in Midland.

Teenage Musicals Inc. (TMI) is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the classic musical, July 28-31 at the Midland Center for the Arts.

In this rom-com musical set in the summer of 1912, con man Harold Hill creates a stir by recruiting kids for a marching band in River City, Iowa. The lead is played by 21-year-old Kyler Syring, who describes his character as a grifter with a heart of gold. Syring graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in Manhattan.

He has to exude confidence, Syring said about playing the role of Harold Hill. That's something that personally I struggle with sometimes, so it's a really good challenge to try and have that confidence and gravitas in my character.

As the titular character, he has many wordy, rhythmic and difficult solos that take someone with just the right skill set to pull off. One of his favorite songs in the musical is Ya Got Trouble, a four-minute song with more than 800 words  one of many tricky Harold Hill solos.

Syring said he has a lot of fun working with the younger kids in the cast.

More Information Teenage Musicals Inc. (TMI) will be taking you back to the summer of 1912 with the theatrical classic July 28-31 at the Midland Center for the Arts. See More Collapse

I love to be a reason for that spark of theater in younger kids  that's happened to me before, he said. I've been told that I've been that little spark for other people. It's just really fulfilling to me, and makes me feel like I'm doing something right.

Eleven-year-old Sadie Hahn plays one of the kids of River City.

I'm excited for the show, she said. I'm also really sad because this is the best cast ever.

Hahn is performing in the musical alongside her two sisters. Abby Hahn, 22, portrays Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn, the mayor's wife and the town gossip.

I've come to love theater, Hahn said. My first show, I absolutely did not want to try out, but my sister kind of convinced me to do it.

Hahn has been involved with theater ever since, but this could possibly be her last time being able to participate in a TMI production with her sisters due to their age gap.

For 22-year-old Denis Koepke, in the role of the River City mayor, this will be his first time back on stage after a two-year break due to COVID-19 and job responsibilities.

It's a blast, he said about getting to perform again alongside the kids in the cast. It definitely keeps you on your toes in a way because they're always running around.

Since the first week of June, the 60 actors and actresses, ages 8-24, have had their schedules full of rehearsals to perfect songs and scenes; many said they look forward to expanding sleep schedules when the show is complete.

The wide range of ages represents the wide range of talents possessed by the cast. Some younger, less experienced actors have gained performance skills throughout the show, while more advanced dancers spice up the choreography with lifts and twirls  or by balancing books on their heads.

Drew Hoag has 30 productions under his belt, including another previous production of "The Music Man," and got the role he wanted as one of the members of the barbershop quartet. The four boys spent many rehearsals together perfecting their harmonies: From tenor to bass, they hit all the right notes.

It's been great getting to work with all of them and we kind of have like a bond, we became such good friends, Hoag said.

Syring said "The Music Man" has a unique storyline different from other Golden Age classics, and encourages community members to come and see the show.

I'm just really excited to hear the audience's reaction, Syring said. There's so many funny jokes in the show, and there's so much beautiful music that I know the audience is just gonna love it.

"The Music Man" is set to perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 28 and Friday, July 29. Matinee shows are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, and TMI also offers a family four-pack for $45 including two adult and two student tickets.

Tickets and performance information can be found at https://cart.midlandcenter.org/29797
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HONOLULU (AP)  A U.S. defense contractor and his wife charged with fraudulently living for decades under the stolen identities of two dead infants told family they were going into the witness protection program before abruptly abandoning their house and leaving Texas about 40 years ago, a federal prosecutor said Thursday.

At some point, Walter Glenn Primrose and Gwynn Darle Morrison reemerged with new names and other explanations for lives cloaked in mystery.

The couple told people they were dodging legal and financial trouble, Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Myers said. Primrose told someone he was a government agent who couldnt be photographed.

Intriguing details that emerged during a bail hearing in a Honolulu court were enough to get Primrose detained without bail, but provided little clarity why the couple shed their past and whether the criminal case against them is more serious than identity theft.

Myers successfully sought to have Primrose detained because his life has been a fraud for the last several decades, including more than 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard where he earned a secret-level security clearance. After retiring in 2016, he used the secret clearance for his defense job.

A search of the couple's Hawaii home turned up Polaroids of the couple wearing jackets that appear to be authentic Russian KGB uniforms, Myers said. An expert determined the snapshots were taken in the 1980s.

The search also yielded an invisible ink kit, documents with coded language and maps showing military bases, Myers said.

When the couple were left in a room together, they were recorded saying things consistent with espionage, Myers said.

We think the defendant is obviously quite adept at impersonating other people, obtaining government ID documents, fraud, avoiding detection," Myers said. He may  were not saying for sure  but he may have some troubling foreign connections. And if he does, he might be able to use those to enlist help.

Federal defender Craig Jerome said the government only provided speculation and innuendo that the couple was involved in something more nefarious than purely white-collar nonviolent offenses.

"If it wasnt for the speculation that the governments injected into these proceedings without providing any real evidence ... he would certainly be released, Jerome said.

Morrison faces a bail hearing Tuesday.

Her lawyer said the couple  regardless of their names  had lived law-abiding lives. Attorney Megan Kau told The Associated Press the couple posed for photos in the purported KGB jacket for fun.

She wants everyone to know shes not a spy, Kau said. This has all been blown way out of proportion. Its government overreaching.

The couple, who were arrested Friday at their Kapolei home, are charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S., false statement in passport application and aggravated identity theft. They face up to 17 years in prison if convicted of all charges.

Inside their house, investigators discovered correspondence in which an associate believed Primrose had joined the CIA or had become a terrorist, Myers said.

When they left Texas in the early 1980s and claimed they were protected witnesses, they handed over the keys to their Nacogdoches house and told family members to take anything they wanted. The house was later foreclosed on.

In 1987, Primrose took on the identity of Bobby Edward Fort, an infant who died in 1967 in Burnet, Texas. Morrison took the identity of Julie Lyn Montague, who died in 1968 at the same hospital as Fort. Primrose and Morrison, both born in 1955, were more than a decade older than the birth dates listed on their new IDs.

The defendant and his wife reportedly told yet other associates that they needed to change their names because of legal and financial reasons, Myers said. And that going forward they can be contacted using their new names, Fort and Montague.

They remarried under their assumed names in 1988, according to court records.

Morrison used her real name to open a post office box, where she told family to contact her. When her father died, her family couldn't reach her and enlisted local law enforcement to track her down.

Even the defendant's family cannot find him when they need to," Myers said.

Prosecutors feared Primrose would flee if freed. They noted in court papers that he was an avionics electrical technician in the Coast Guard and was highly skilled to communicate secretly if released.

The judge said he based his detention order on the alleged fraud over multiple occasions spanning a long period of time.

___

Melley reported from Los Angeles.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. Security Council has been unable to agree on a statement welcoming last weeks deal to get grain and fertilizer moving from Ukraine and Russia to millions of hungry people around the world, Norway's U.N. ambassador said Wednesday.

The statement also would have commended Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkeys government for their key roles in arrranging the agreement.

Norway and Mexico have been working for days to unify the council in one message welcoming the significant deal to resume exports of grains, foodstuffs and fertilizers through the Black Sea, Norwegian Ambassador Mona Juul told The Associated Press. We regret that this was not possible.

Russia and Ukraine signed separate agreements Friday with Turkey and the U.N. clearing the way for Ukraine  one of the worlds key breadbaskets  to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural goods that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Russia's invasion.

The deal also aims to ensure that Russian food and fertilizer have unrestricted access to world markets.

Guterres described the deal as an unprecedented agreement between two parties engaged in a bloody conflict and called it a beacon of hope for millions of hungry people who have faced huge increases in the price of food.

A day after the signing, Russia staged an airstrike on the Ukrainian port of Odesa, one of three ports named in the deal for exporting grain. Under the agreement, Kyiv and Moscow agreed not to target vessels and port facilities involved in the initiative.

Guterres unequivocally condemned the reported airstrikes in Odesa, citing the commitments made by the parties at the signing ceremony in Istanbul, according to a statement from the U.N. spokesman. The U.N. chief stressed that full implementation of the agreements by Russia, Ukraine and Turkey is imperative," the U.N. spokesman said.

Council diplomats said Russia objected to the last draft statement on the grain deal because it mentioned Guterres condemnation of Saturdays airstrike.

The proposed statement from Norway and Mexico, obtained by AP, would have welcomed the progress at Fridays signing of the deal towards ensuring the safe and secure export of grains, foodstuffs and fertilizers from Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

It would have commended Guterres and Turkey and called for swift implementation of commitments made in Istanbul.

A unified statement from the council welcoming the deal and commending the secretary-general for his efforts would have been an important signal, Juul said.

Norway believes the personal efforts and engagement of the secretary-general has been essential in facilitating negotiations between the parties, Juul said. These efforts are more important than ever, as the effects of the war continue to be felt by the people of Ukraine and beyond.
Men have recently shown an increased interest in vasectomy procedures.

But the reason is not what you might assume.

A recent uptick in vasectomy interest comes from parents of babies conceived and born during the pandemic, according to Dr. Lorenzo Berlanga with the Medical Procedures Center of Midland. He said he has not yet seen an increased interest in the procedure due to the Supreme Court's recent overturning of Roe v. Wade.

"There will be a wave related to the Supreme Court decision, but I think the biggest reason for the uptick was COVID births and pregnancies," he said.

The Medical Procedures Center is known for its alternative approach to traditional vasectomy procedures. The technique, partly developed by center founder Dr. John Pfenninger, does not use a scalpel or needles. This approach is reportedly much less invasive than the common approach to the procedure and is more affordable than forms of sterilization that women undergo.

"Our guys can get their vasectomy on Friday and be back to work by Monday. That's not (widely) common," Dr. Berlanga said.

The recovery time is "not even close," he added, because the procedure wound is small and heals within seven days. By comparison, a more traditional approach can take up to four weeks to heal.

About 95% of the clientele for the procedure have come from the Great Lakes Bay Region, as the Medical Procedures Center is unique to the region. Dr. Berlanga said the remaining percentage comes from the Traverse City and Grand Rapids areas and from the states of Ohio and Indiana.

He even mentioned Canadian neighbors coming from Windsor, a city in Ontario, which is across the Detroit River.

Debunking myths: Does the procedure affect testosterone levels?

Even though male reproductive organs are being addressed for the procedure, the technique does not involve testicles. Therefore, male hormones are not impacted.

Dr. Berlanga said, "It has no effect whatsoever."

Does it impact sexual performance?

Dr. Berlanga said having the procedure may create a positive sex experience for couples who may be concerned about the risk of pregnancy.

"The female partner does not have to worry about pregnancy anymore," he said.

Medical Procedures Center in Midland offers telehealth services Men, and sperm carriers, have also had increased access in the procedure through telehealth options that widely emerged in response to the pandemic. "We found that men are much more appreciated that for the reason that one, it's a 15 minute consultation to cover all their questions. said Dr. Lorenzo Berlanga with the Center. "It's very efficient, and they don't have to leave work." He added patients are asked into the business office for examinations before conducting the procedure. For more information, visit www.mpcenter.net/telehealth. See More Collapse

The Medical Procedures Center is known for helping people achieve reproductive decisions and avoid "the snip." Dr. Berlanga believes time will tell about any potential relation to an increased interest in the procedure following the Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade.

"Things happen in waves, not instantaneously," he said. "Do I think it will? Absolutely, I do. I think vasectomy was an undervalued option for couples' contraception."
TO THE EDITOR:

I want to voice my support for Annette Glenn in the Michigan State Senate election for District 35. I appreciate her experience in Lansing as our representative and the fact that her actions have been consistent with her words. That quality is becoming rare in politics, regardless of what side of the political aisle you stand on.

It is also my experience that Annette pays attention to the people she represents. I have received notes of encouragement and congratulations from her on multiple occasions. To me, this communicates that she is in touch with the people she represents. I have had several occasions to share my thoughts and views with her, and she has always been willing to listen and consider my view, whether she agrees or not.

These reasons have prompted me to vote in the upcoming elections for Annette Glenn to be the next State Senator for the 35th District of Michigan. I would encourage you to get to know her and support her as well.

MARK DICKERSON

Midland
Director of Content and Operations

Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half.
New York, US (PANA)  The Moroccan authorities are using indirect and underhanded tactics to silence critical activists and journalists, Human Rights Watch said in a report published on Thursday
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on Thursday on a resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for three months
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A nine-year-old boy, Arlo Schmidt, was the lone survivor of a camp massacre at the Maquoketa Caves State Park at Cedar Falls in Iowa. The gruesome incident resulted in the death of his parents, Sarah and Tyler Schmidt, both 42, and his sister Lula, 6.

According to authorities, the 23-year-old Anthony Sherwin of Nebraska shot and killed the three family members, fled the park, and later killed himself.

The suspect's mom, Cecelia Sherwin, recalled that she heard two gunshots that morning. After a few minutes, the mom said Arlo rushed to their camp to tell her that a man clad in black had just killed his family.

Cecelia, however, refused to believe that her son killed the family as Anthony was wearing green, not black. She also said her son might have sensed trouble and grabbed the family's gun for safety. An investigation is still ongoing to determine if Anthony used the family weapon to kill the victims and himself.

Officials are also unaware if Anthony had any connection to the victims, which Cecelia did not clarify.

Random attack of violence

According to Omaha World-Herald, the park personnel called the police at 6:23 a.m. Friday for a reported shooting at the park campground. The officers discovered the bodies and determined that one camper, Anthony, was missing. After a search, they found Anthony's body with self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

According to Mitch Mortvedt from the Iowa Department of Public Safety and Ceder Falls, Mayor Rob Green, a neighbor of the Schmidts, said the attack may well have been a "random act of violence," and the motive for the attack was still unknown.

It is still unclear if Arlo was in the same place with his parents and sister when they were murdered. Mortvedt said autopsies on Anthony and the Schmidts would be done over the weekend.

There was no information yet if the suspect had the permit to carry a gun or what firearm was used in the shootings. Police can still not disclose what led to the killings and if the Schmidts and Anthony had an earlier interaction.

Read Also: Qantas Arline Books 13-Month-Old Baby on Separate Flight from Parents for an 11-Hour International Flight.

Anthony and their family are from La Vista, Nebraska, and were camping in the park with a legally-held gun safely stored when the killings happened. According to La Vista police, Anthon lived with his parents in a neat apartment with no known criminal record.

GoFund Me Page to support Arlo

Jana Morehouse, Sarah's sister, expressed her grief at losing her sibling, his brother-in-law, and her niece. She added that her nine-year-old nephew survived but has a "lifetime of trauma ahead."

The family created a GoFundMe page to help support Arlo and set up an education fund for his future.

Green also expressed his grief over the family's death and urged citizens to support Arlo. He knew Sarah as a neighbor and an employee at the Cedar Falls library.

As of 5:10 p.m. on Sunday, the fund drive received more than $146,000 donated from over 2,900 people, surpassing the target goal of $100,000. There was also a Meal Train fundraising page that collected $850 for the food budget of the lone family survivor, KCRG says.

Related Article: 76-Year-Old Errol Musk Admits Being Offered to Donate Sperms to Create "More Elon"
Photo: (Photo : MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

Scientists in the United Kingdom have made a major breakthrough, saying they have found strong circumstantial evidence linking an obscure type of sidekick virus called adeno-associated virus to unexplained cases of hepatitis in children around the world.

The research also suggests that affected kids may share a genetic susceptibility, though it is not clear what role it plays in them having liver damage. Over 1,000 kids worldwide, more than 350 of them in the United States, have been diagnosed with hepatitis, or swelling of the liver, with no known cause, since October of last year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Most of the children diagnosed with hepatitis are young, with the majority of the sick kids under the age of 5. Many of them were healthy before they suddenly got sick. At least 20 child patients in the United States have needed liver transplants, and 11 have died, according to the latest updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Scientists claim they have found the smoking gun in adeno-associated viruses

About half have tested positive for adenovirus 41, a stomach bug that commonly gives children diarrhea, vomiting, flu-like symptoms but has never been known to cause hepatitis before. Most of the kids who tested positive had low levels of adenovirus in their blood and no adenovirus infection in their livers, leading many doctors to suspect another cause such as COVID, or an environmental exposure or a complicating factor like genes.

Scientists said they may have found a smoking gun in adeno-associated virus 2, which is different from advenovirus 41, in two new studies. Adeno-associated virus 2 was present in high amounts in blood and liver tissue in nearly all the kids with unexplained hepatitis in the studies. And it was only rarely found in healthy children, those who had liver damage with a clear cause or those with only adenovirus infections but no liver damage.

Read Also: Heartbroken Parents Call for Major Change After Teen Son Dies on School Trip in Germany

What is causing the hepatitis outbreak in children?

So what are adeno-associated viruses? They are tiny bits of DNA that can't copy themselves until they are in the presence of another virus, usually herpes or adenovirus. Adeno-associated viruses belong to a family of viruses called dependoparvoviruses.

According to virologists, they are kind of like remoras, the fish that attach themselves to sharks and eat the leftovers of their meals. Alex Greninger, who is the assistant director of the clinical virology laboratory at the University of Washington, said that a remora is not like the best analogy, but it is sort of like that. He added that it is got to have a host virus.

Gary Ketner, who is a molecular microbiologist at Johns Hopkins University, describes adeno-associated viruses as very small, DNA-containing viruses. He said they have just two genes. Given that they are by themselves when they infect cells, they are unable to grow because they don't encode all of the functions required for the replication. Ketner told CNN adeno-associated viruses depend on cells being infected at the same time with a helper virus, and the helper is usually adenovirus.

Related Article: First-time Mother at 50 Shares Her Struggles With Infertility and Failed Rounds of IVF
Photo: (Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A debate has sparked among parents in Australia after a mother called out the odd use of "birthing parent" instead of "mother" in official medical forms for new babies. Sall Grover, a new mom, expressed her outrage on social media when she had to fill out digital government insurance documents for her child.

Grover told Daily Mail that she's aware of the implications of genderless terms because there are surrogate parents, transgendered parents, adoptive parents, lesbian parents, and so many more classifications. However, she said that removing "mother" from the forms felt "exclusionary, alienating and derogatory" for the new mom. She also felt that this was encroaching on her women's rights.

The new mom then proceeded to share the document on her Twitter, sparking a debate between feminist advocates and LGBTQ advocates.

Attention women in Australia:



On the form to put our newborn baby on our Medicare card, we are referred to as birthing parent.



Enough is enough.



This absolute bullsh*t is exclusionary, alienating and derogatory towards every woman wants to be and is called mother. pic.twitter.com/li8vQSWGu6  Sall Grover (@salltweets) July 19, 2022

Read Also: Schools Cancel Father's Day and Mother's Day, to Hold More Inclusive 'Grownups Who Love Us Day'

Medical forms reverted to "Mother"

Ally Langdon, an Australian TV host and mother, supported Grover's sentiments and said on her show that she found "birthing parent" to be off-putting and dehumanizing as well. She interviewed Grover on her program and also informed her that the Insurance and Government Services Minister, Bill Shorten, ordered to bring back the old forms with "mother" on them.

According to The Guardian, the digital medical forms using "birthing parent" were still on a trial basis at only three hospitals. The trials were managed by the previous administration and some 1,100 parents have filled out the forms, including Grover.

However, some netizens on Twitter disagreed with Grover and said that her new baby will still call her mother for the rest of her life. The forms, on the other hand, are for using inclusive language; it is not meant to erase women or women's rights.

Yet Grover believes that changing the language largely benefits "males who claim to be women." She believes this is an attempt to dismantle the true meaning of "mother" or "woman."

If you have to change the definition of female so that you're included in it, you're proving that you're not female pic.twitter.com/9WT12UYROi  Sall Grover (@salltweets) July 24, 2022

Senator clarifies issues and speaks up for women.

Meanwhile, Sen. Claire Chandler issued a statement to expound more clarity on why the forms erased "mother" in the first place. She said that Australia's federal Department of Health (DOH) has been deleting references to women in other forms, such as the COVID-19 vaccination guides, since 2021.

Chandler asked the DOH to explain the deletion and was told, after seven months of inquiry, that they received suggestions to use inclusive language in their forms from an LGBTQ group. However, the senator said that majority of the country is not into redefining gender terms and she's disturbed by the actions of select lobby groups.

She said that their actions do contradict "inclusivity" by disregarding women. The senator said this has no place in basic public services paid for by all taxpayers.

Related Article: New and Radical Birth Certificate Reforms to Make 'Mother' and 'Father' Optional Proposed in Australia
Photo: (Photo : Diana Bagnoli/Getty Images)

Due to the ongoing baby formula shortage, some new parents who might otherwise have fed their babies formula have decided to breastfeed them instead. However, for employees who breastfeed their babies, returning to work can be an overwhelming obstacle to continue nursing their infants.

Registered nurse Elaine-Marie Cannella, a director in the New York City health management practice of consultancy, WTW, told SHRM that often, people start to nurse, but then it becomes too stressful for them, and they decide to give up. She advised employers who are just beginning to focus on family well-being to support nursing mothers during those critical months after their return to work.

For instance, employers have found that lactation-support benefits help nursing parents stay productive and focused and are more likely to continue working. This kind of support from employers is particularly important for new female hires who are at an age when starting a family is a core issue.

State and local breastfeeding laws have additional mandates

Marshall Staton, director of HR for Aeroflow Healthcare, a medical equipment provider based in Asheville, North Carolina, said that her company had added lactation-support services for its employees, including access to lactation consultants and online classes for nursing parents.

Benefits that make the lives of nursing employees easier go beyond basic federal law requirements, under which employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must provide private space and time required to pump. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), local and state breastfeeding laws often have additional mandates and may apply to companies with fewer than 50 employees.

For instance, the labor code in California requires that lactation rooms, besides a bathroom, include a refrigerator or cooler for storing breast milk and a sink with running water. Employers with fewer than 50 employees are only exempt from this particular law if they can demonstrate that these requirements pose an undue hardship to them.

New York City also requires businesses with at least four workers to provide a lactation space to breastfeeding employees and create a written lactation-accommodation policy, which must be given to their workers when hired.

Read Also: FDA Official Targets On-shelf Availability for Baby Formula in August as Shortage Woes in the US Continue

Companies should support their nursing employees

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers some basic information on supporting nursing employees, with additional information given to employers in specific industries and work environments.

Kris Pender, chief HR officer of Hanscom Federal Credit Union, which has 22 branches across the United States, said that nursing is a relatively short period in a woman's life. Women make up 70 percent of the company's 250 employees.

Their operations centers maintain a dedicated room for pumping, with a refrigerator and a locking door. Pender said that mothers might pump without fear of being on view or interrupted and have a place to safely store their milk. She added that the organization also does everything to ensure nursing parents working at branch locations can access a private area whenever needed.

Related Article: Long Wait is Finally Over for US Parents as CDC Approves COVID Vaccines for Youngest Children
Photo: (Photo : Unsplash)

Julia Tomlin, a mother-of-ten, was sentenced to 55 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing Noah, her son with autism, in 2019. The medical examiner described that the injuries were so severe that it would have taken a lot of force to cause that kind of skull fracture on a toddler.

Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney Anton Bell said that the toddler was mutilated, tortured, and had a horrific death. After one week of search operations, the police found Noah's body stuffed in a diaper box inside a garbage bag and disposed of at a steam plant.

Murder with a life sentence of 55 years in prison

Six months after authorities discovered Noah's body, Tomlin was charged with murder. One of Tomlin's daughters testified during her sentencing and asked the judge to hand out the maximum penalty to their mother.

In December of last year, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, child abuse and neglect, and concealment of a body. The Sun reports that Tomlin received 40 years for second to third-degree murder, five years for concealment of evidence, and ten years of child abuse and neglect.

She said all ten of her siblings suffered abuse at their mother's hands, but baby Noah "received the worst from her." She added that no one deserves what her little brother had to endure.

The mom was convicted of child neglect in the past after placing her one-year-old daughter on a hot stove.

Chief Judge Michael Gaten said he did not know if he could live with himself if he did not issue the maximum amount of time allowed under the law for murder. He said the sentence needed to "speak the value" of Noah's life, per the Daily Press.

Read Also: Texas Student Adopts Haitian Baby He Found in Trash Can Covered with Ants

Horrific injuries

Bell said the system had failed Noah and that Tomlin should never have custody of the child.

The doctor said Noah's injuries were comparable to injuries inflicted from falling from a multiple-story building and legs being flung by the feet against the wall. The medical examiner noted that the toddler suffered from broken ribs and jaw before the mom killed him.

The autopsy also revealed that the two-year-old suffered many other injuries before his death, indicating that he was abused.

The medical examiner also noted that Noah's body showed signs of trauma even before he died. He found a jaw fracture and several broken ribs before his death.

According to WAVY, Tomlin was in the courtroom crying when she was given the maximum sentence for her son's death.

The medical examiner said the mom remembers the case well because the head injuries were so severe.

Prosecutors say Tomlin did not show remorse at the time of the crime because she tried to cover up her crime. She did not comment on the outcome of the case.

Related Article: 13-Year-Old Florida Teen Battles for Life from Infection Caused by Rare-Brain-Eating Amoeba
Photo: (Photo : JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

A family has launched a $50-million lawsuit against a New Jersey funeral home for placing the wrong body inside their mom's casket.

Central Funeral Home and Blackley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. are the respondents in the lawsuit filed by the family of Kyung Ja Kim, who died in November 2021. The Kim family claimed that they could not give their mom a proper sendoff because of the upsetting mistake in handling her remains.

During the church service for the deceased in Leonia, New Jersey, Kyung Ja's daughter Kummi Kim immediately noticed something was off. She informed the funeral home that her mom, who died at the age of 93, looked so much younger in the open casket. However, Haemin Gina Chong, the funeral director, assured Kummi it was her mom.

Relatives of the Kim family, some of whom flew from Korea to pay their final respects to Kyung Ja, remarked that the embalming technology in the U.S. must have gotten so good because her face looked young. The woman in the casket was also dressed in the traditional Korean clothes that Kummi's family provided.

The ceremony proceeded to the actual burial a few miles away in Valhalla, New York. But as Kyung Ja's body was lowered down the ground halfway through, Chong arrived to inform the family of their mistake. Kummi fainted, per ABC 7 New York.

Read Also: Georgia Family Inconsolable as Son's Murdered Body Still 'Lost in the Mail' for 3 Years

"All of a sudden, it was wrong"

Chong showed a picture of Kyung Ja to the family. After confirming her identity, she ordered the grave workers to lift the casket out of the hole. Without saying another word, Chong rushed out of the cemetery with the remains. The family could not ask any questions or clarification since Chong "ran away," per USA Today.

The Kims drove back to the funeral home, where they confronted Chong, who finally admitted to the mix-up. Later, they discovered that the woman in their mom's casket had perfect teeth. Their mother's dentures were hidden under the pillow of the dead woman's head.

Succeeding arrangements were made to bury Kyung Ja's actual body the next day. They were also offered a refund, but Kummi said their initial preparations had been ruined by this mistake.

In the lawsuit, the Kims said they could no longer have a church service since the second burial happened on a Sunday. Not everyone from the previous funeral was also able to go because it was raining hard.

Kummi said her mother's actual sendoff was a "sad farewell," and it was not Kyung Ja's dying wish.

"We were so peaceful, and we were admiring her life," the daughter said of the first funeral with the wrong body. "All of a sudden, it was wrong."

No tag to identify the bodies

Chong explained that they failed to put tags on the bodies, thus the mix-up. Kummi does not know if the other family, whose deceased was Whaja Kim, is also filing a lawsuit against the New Jersey funeral home. She knew Whaja's family could no longer have open casket rites since her body had started to decompose.

The Kims are claiming several damages, including emotional distress and battery, per NBC News. If they win the $50 million, the family plans to donate the money to two churches Kyung Ja supported while she was still alive.

Related Article: Grave Mistake! Family Shocked to Learn They Visited Wrong Burial Site of their Father for 17 Years
Photo: (Photo : LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)

A young woman from Chattanooga faces a harsh reality as cancer could claim both of her parents' lives. Morgan Taylor's mom and dad received cancer diagnoses within just a couple years of each other.

She shared her experience in a viral post online. Taylor said her parents wish to share their story to provide others in similar situations with realness, comfort, and most of all, hope. She added that it is in her best wishes that this story honors both of her parents and their individual and unique journeys, trials, and tribulations in the best possible way.

She first shared her mother's cancer story in a viral post. She said it all started in February 2019 when she was a Junior at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Taylor said she had just celebrated her 20th birthday the month prior.

Taylor shocked by her mom's triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis

She was still living with her parents at the time and vividly remembered getting a text saying that they needed to have a family meeting one night. They gathered around her parents' couch in the living room as they delivered the news that would change her life forever.

Taylor remembered her dad clearing his throat as he said with a wavering voice that their mom had a rare cancer, and it was stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. He apologized for taking a while to talk about the cancer diagnosis but explained that they had to get a second opinion before sharing the grim news.

According to Hopkins Medicine, triple-negative breast cancer accounts for about 10 to 20 percent of all breast cancer cases. It is a more aggressive type of tumor with a faster growth rate, higher risk of metastasis, and recurrence risk. That diagnosis means the three most common proteins that fuel the growth of breast cancer (progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor, and HER2) are not present in the tumor.

Read Also: Little-known Adeno-viruses May Be Key to Solving Unexplained Hepatitis in Children

Dad also diagnosed with brain cancer in June 2021

Overall, her mom had three rounds of chemo and a total of 13 different surgeries during her difficult cancer journey. As if her story is not enough for their family, they received a call from her mom while she was at work on May 21 last year, telling her that her dad fell off a ladder and thought he had a seizure while fixing a light bulb.

Taylor said her father had never had seizures ever in his life, and her mother knew something was not adding up. Her mom's instinct was proven right as her dad was first diagnosed with stage 2 Oligodendroglioma Brain Cancer in June 2021. Taylor said he had a brain tumor in his temporal lobe that would need to be removed.

There was more bad news for them as they were eventually told that her father had Glioblastoma Multiforme Brain Cancer, which is terminal, according to News Channel 9. They found out that her dad had a tumor regrow back in the temporal lobe of his brain back in May 2022.

Related Article: Heartbroken Parents Call for Major Change After Teen Son Dies on School Trip in Germany
In late June, Patently Apple posted a report titled Contrary to the facts known so far, Volkswagens CEO Bizarrely believes that Apples Project Titan is going to be limited to Software. Beyond pointing to Apples extensive patent portfolio on electric vehicle hardware systems, our report pointed to several high ranking Apple hires including Desi Ujkashevic with 31 years experience at Ford; Dr. Manfred Harrer, head of chassis development at Porsche and one of the best engineers at Volkswagen; or Dr. Anton Uselmann whose experience is in steering systems at Porsche? And the Volkswagen CEO is of the opinion that Apple needs such hires to development a new vehicle instrument cluster?

Diving deeper, its being reported this afternoon that Apple has nabbed a key Lamborghini executive to work on their electric car under Project Titan.

Bloombergs Mark Gurman reports that Apple Inc. has enlisted one of Lamborghinis top car-development managers in a sign that its stepping up work on a self-driving electric vehicle, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

The company hired Luigi Taraborrelli, a 20-year veteran of the Italian carmaker, to help lead the design of Apples future vehicle, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter isnt public. Taraborrelli was most recently Lamborghinis head of chassis and vehicle dynamics.

The move is another signal that Apple is committed to producing a car following years of setbacks and upheaval. With his experience, Taraborrelli becomes one of the most senior managers on Apples EV team and brings some exotic-car panache to the effort.

Patently Apple searched Taraborrellis LinkedIn profile that has yet to list Apple as his employer, though he only left Lamborghini in May.

Taraborrelli in-part states in his profile that he led the development of Chassis and Vehicle Dynamics for the Lamborghini car's business.

Taraborrelli further described his responsibilities: Chassis Concept Development, Car Characteristic, Overall vehicle laptime performances, Vehicle Dynamics targets, Handling & ride Characteristic, Suspension elasto-kinematics, Car Objectivation, Virtual simulation, Software coding and in-vehicle Software parametrization and calibration activities, Functional safety, Product liability.

I steer a unique and phenomenal team of engineers in the Design, Development and Sign-off of: Suspensions components, Rims & Tires, Steering and Brake system, ABS/ESC, Pedal box, Exhaust system, Fuel system, Drive-assistance systems, and much more.

Contrary to the Volkswagen CEO, who stepped down recently. Taraborrelli's experience has nothing to do with software.

Review the full Bloomberg report for more on this.
A year ago Patently Apple posted a report titled Apple's first retail store that was to open in India this year is now officially delayed until 2022 due to COVID. Were learning today that Apples first retail store in Mumbai India will be postponed a second time. The first store will hopefully materialize sometime in Q1 2023.

Indias Economic Times reports that The reasons are attributed in part to pandemic-related issues such as interior fitting and other supplies getting delayed due to the squeeze in shipping. Apple is planning a landmark store with lavish designs similar to the grandeur of those in Los Angeles, New York, Beijing, Milan and Singapore.

If plans proceed in 2023, Apple could also be planning a store for New Delhi at the Select Citywalk Mall in Saket.

An executive who's part of retail real estate negotiations with Apple said the company takes six months to a year for fitouts. The opening of the first store has been delayed as fixtures and decor are being imported from China and Europe with shipping lines squeezed due to the pandemic, he said.

For more on this, read the full report by India Times (The Economic Times).
Genser Energy on Wednesday announced that it has successfully achieved financial close for an eight-year USD425m funding package.



The funds, which comprise a syndicated senior loan facility of USD325m and a USD100m mezzanine loan facility, will be used to refinance existing debt and finance the next phase of expansion projects including:



__a 100km natural gas pipeline to Ghanas second-largest city, Kumasi

__a 200mmscfd gas conditioning plant at Prestea, Ghana

__and a Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) storage terminal at Takoradi Port as a major step in Gensers decarbonization strategy to achieve net zero carbon by 2035.



The construction of the natural gas pipeline to Kumasi and the gas processing plant in Prestea will have significant economic and environmental benefits not only for Genser but also for Ghana and the West African sub-region, Genser Energy said in a statement.



The transaction will support Gensers diversification from power to the gas midstream sector and mark a significant milestone in its decarbonization strategy to achieve net zero carbon by 2035 whilst contributing significantly to Ghanas national climate change targets on emission reduction.



The availability of cheaper and readily accessible piped natural gas in Kumasi and the central belt of Ghana via the new pipeline will encourage industries to switch from imported trucked diesel and heavy fuel oil (HFO) to indigenous natural gas as a low-carbon intensive fuel. The pipeline will also support relocation of power plants from coastal regions to reduce line losses and improve efficiency on the national grid. Moreover, the gas conditioning plant will produce cleaner fuels and establish Ghana as a significant producer and exporter of Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs).



Concurrent with the fundraising, Genser signed an offtake agreement with Trafigura for 100% of NGLs, primarily propane, butane and ethane, as well as Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to be produced from the gas conditioning plant in Prestea. In addition, Trafigura participated in Gensers mezzanine loan facility and provided additional funding to build increased storage capacity at the proposed Takoradi NGL Terminal, it said.



The senior loan facility was financed by a consortium of regional & commercial international banks, development financial institutions, and funds comprised of Standard Bank of South Africa, Absa Bank, Societe Generale, Mauritius Commercial Bank, Ninety One, Barak Fund SPC Limited and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. The mezzanine loan facility is provided by Trafigura, Barak Fund SPC Limited and the US Based Fund, Trilinc Global Sustainable Income Fund Master Ltd.



Genser Energy was advised in this transaction by Northcott Capital Limited as financial advisers and Clifford Chance LLP as legal advisers. The Senior Lenders were advised by Trinity International LLP (Legal), Advisian  Worley Group (Technical) and Indecs Consulting Limited (Insurance). Hogan Lovells acted as Legal counsel to the mezzanine Lenders.



Baafour Asiamah-Adjei, Gensers President and CEO, stated: This transaction underscores the hard work and considerable dedication by the management, employees and stakeholders of Genser to make it an attractive and highly valued investment. I would like to thank our existing Lenders [Standard Bank of South Africa, Absa Bank, Barak Fund SPC Limited and the Development Bank of Southern Africa] who have shown considerable support and commitment to Genser over many years. I am also delighted to welcome our new Lenders Societe Generale, Mauritius Commercial Bank and Ninety One, as well as Trafigura as an investor and strategic partner for Genser.



Cyril Amadi, Managing Director, Northcott Capital stated: We are very pleased that Genser has again entrusted Northcott to advise on another milestone transaction in the African Energy space. In 2019 we supported the company to successfully restructure their debt followed by the diversification of the shareholder base with significant investments in 2021 which set the stage for this transaction as one of the largest financings for a Ghanaian private company in international markets. The consortium of international financial institutions and investors re-affirms Gensers value proposition and business plan as one of the most successful and innovative African Energy solutions providers.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The government has made a part payment of GH50 million to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for the money it owes the council for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.

With the payment, it is now left with about GH46.7 million, which is the outstanding arrears to be cleared by the government.



The Head of Public Affairs of the WAEC, Agnes Teye-Cudjoe, made this known in an interview with the Daily Graphic.



Ranking



The Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe, had warned that WAEC might be forced to postpone the 2022 School Candidates WASSCE, if government failed to release an amount of GH96,694,432.40 to enable it to engage in a number of pre-examination activities, including the payment of transportation and allowances for examiners, supervisors, invigilators and depot-keepers.



Mr Nortsu-Kotoe, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Akatsi North, said information available to the Minority in Parliament indicated that to date, the Ministry of Education had not released any money to WAEC for the conduct of the 2022 WASSCE, which was expected to commence from August 1, 2022.



He said four other countries that constituted WAEC  Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Liberia  had all conducted their 2022 WASSCE already leaving out only Ghana and so, any further delay of the release of funds to WAEC could lead to the postponement of the examination.



Assurance



But Mrs Teye-Cudjoe gave an assurance that the WASSCE for school candidates would come off, adding that the examination was not in limbo as was being speculated.



We have always been sure that the examination would be written. The examination is not in limbo, she emphasised.



Mrs Teye-Cudjoe indicated that the council was very prepared for the examination, adding that it was starting with the project work for Visual Arts from August 1, 2022 to August 19, 2022 to end the practical works.



The written aspect would then commence on August 24, 2022.



Parallel exam



The Head of Public Affairs of WAEC explained that candidates in Ghana were going to have parallel examination questions with the same difficulty levels like the ones the candidates wrote in the other four member countries.



The questions would have the same difficulty levels and would not be the same questions that the candidates in the other countries wrote, because the past questions are already out there and we cannot write the same thing, she emphasised.



Mrs Teye-Cudjoe advised candidates who would be writing in Ghana to be on the look-out for persons who would lie to them that they had the questions and that they should part with some money, if they wanted them.



Astray



The candidates, she said, should, therefore, stick to their books and not allow themselves to be misled by some persons.



Regarding security, she said all the requisite and enhanced security measures had been put in place for a smooth conduct of the examination.



We have put in place enhanced security measures with the collaboration of the external security agencies. We have also done a few other things that we would like to keep to ourselves, so we are ready for the examination, she said.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Nigerian army says it has found two more female students abducted by Boko Haram militants from a secondary school more than eight years ago.



There was global outrage when Islamists seized nearly 300 girls in Nigeria's north-eastern town of Chibok in 2014.



Most of the victims have either been freed or escaped since then, but dozens remain unaccounted for.



It appears the two hostages gave birth while in captivity, as the army said they were both found with children.



One of the abductees was seen with a child, the other with two children.



Other victims of the mass abduction have described being forced to convert to Islam and marry the group's fighters.



The authorities said the ''intercepted Chibok girls and their children" were in a military medical facility.



Other abductees have been offered accommodation and rehabilitation by the Nigerian government following their freedom from Boko Haram.



The two women were found on Monday during military operations against extremists in north-eastern Nigeria.



In total, 276 girls seized were from their school dormitory in the middle of the night on 14 April 2014. Within hours of their kidnapping, 57 managed to escape mostly by jumping off the lorries and running off into the bushes.



It was not until May 2016 that the first girl was found. A few others have also managed to escape over the years.



Between 2016 and 2018, 103 of the victims were freed following negotiations between the Nigerian government and the militants.



Campaign group Bring Back Our Girls says around 100 are still missing.



Reports indicate that the militants have recently been abandoning their remaining captives, partly due to an intense multi-national military campaign against them.



A long-running jihadist insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria has left 40,000 dead and 2.2 million displaced, according to the AFP news agency.



Many other schools and universities in the region were attacked in the years following the 2014 Chibok kidnapping.



Some of the assaults have been by jihadists - but more frequently by criminal groups known locally as "bandits", who engage in mass abduction for ransom.



While the Nigerian government has reportedly paid Boko Haram some $3.3m (2.4m) as a ransom for Chibok girls freed in negotiations, recent school kidnappings have seen little government involvement.



Instead, parents and relatives have been left to pay the amounts demanded by the bandits for their children's release.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Parliament has approved an amount of 140 million for the contract agreement between the Government of Ghana and Rango Construction Company for the design and construction of phase one of the Suame interchange and ancillary works at Kumasi.



The project, which would start in September this year, is expected to be completed within a period of 36 months.



The objective of the project is to improve traffic efficiency through the relief of congestion, road safety, urban expansion, commercial development, and freight transport demands.



The project among others is aimed at reducing road accidents and injuries, travel time, transport cost in relation to freight, and incidence of flooding at Suame.



The breakdown of the project includes the general items, scope of works, earthmoving and demolition, structure and MSE wall, site clearance, mechanically stabilized earth, pavements, and road restraint systems.



The rest are road markings, complementary works, drainage works, electrical and lighting works, traffic lights, vertical road signs and contingency.



Mr Kennedy Osei Nyarko, Chairman of the Committee on Roads and Transport who presented the committees report, observed that the Committee after carefully examining the contract agreement was satisfied that the project would significantly improve the long-jam in the road transportation system in Kumasi.



He said the project would also enhance the quality of life and safety of all road users in the Suame area



Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, Ranking Member on the Committee on Roads and Transport welcomed the government effort to improve the infrastructure in the country.



When you build roads in a community it is not only for the benefit of the people in that communitythe Suame interchange will not only be used by the people who live in Suame, he said.



He argued that data available showed that the current roundabout at Suame is not fit-for-purse, hence, the construction of the interchange would go a long way to improve travel time and reduce waiting times within the Kumasi Metropolis.

Source: GNA









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The public has been urged to open their arms to ex-convicts by accepting them back to the communities to enable them to live their normal lives and work to earn a living, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.

He said although it was the duty of the Ghana Prisons Service (GPS) to reform and rehabilitate inmates for their re-integration into the communities, such effort would come to nought if the larger society continued to stigmatise and refuse to accept ex-convicts.



In as much as personnel of the Prisons Service owe it a duty to work to ensure ex-convicts are well reformed and rehabilitated back to the communities, the larger society must also prepare and take responsibility to welcome and work with them, so that they do not become repeat offenders, he added.



President Akufo-Addo was speaking at the graduation and commissioning of 198 career officers of the GPS in Accra yesterday after six months of intensive training.



The graduands comprised 127 men and 71 women with various academic and professional backgrounds.



They studied topics such as legal and policy foundation, penal, human rights and administrative laws, public sector management, stores administration, as well as prisons and prisoner management.



They were also taken through rigorous paramilitary training, physical fitness and psychology.



Present at the event were the Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery; the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan; the Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Julius A. Kuunuor, as well as the Director-General of GPS, Isaac K. Egyir, and other high-ranking officers of the service.



Addressing challenges



The President said the government was mindful of the increasing challenges confronting the GPS in the face of societys continuous expectations of the service to discharge completely changed ex-convicts.



He said the government was also working towards addressing issues of congestion and poor living conditions in the prisons.



President Akufo-Addo also said periodic amnesty would be granted deserving inmates, upon the advice of the Council of State.



Additionally, he said, work on the Remand Prison at Nsawam would be fast-tracked to help ease the pressure on the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, while calling for public-private partnerships in that regard.



Currently, he said, the project was 70 per cent complete, adding that it could commence operations by the close of this year.



Commendation



President Akufo-Addo commended the Church of Pentecost for its decision to support the GPS with five prison camps.



He said one of the camps in Ejura in the Ashanti Region had been completed, inaugurated and handed over to the service.



Three others at Nsawam, Obuasi and Damongo were at advanced stages of completion and would, hopefully, be opened by the end of the year, while work was expected to commence on the fifth prison camp at Enchi in the Western North Region, he said.



The President charged the graduands to continue to uphold the ideals of the service, which he said were inculcated in them in the course of training.



As new senior officers, you must bring meaning to your work and exhibit the competence required for good stewardship. Your call has come at a time when much is expected from the service, both in its domestic and international obligations, he said.



Award winners



The Overall Best Officer Cadet Award went to Homey Matthew Amegbor, with Paul Acheampong taking the Best in Academics Award, while the Commandants Award went to Philip Opoku Prempeh.



Sarah Ankamah-Yeboah received the Best Drill Award, while Collins Owusu Nyarko was presented with the Best in Physical Fitness Exercise Award.



Subject awardees were Mohammed Awal Ahmed - Stores Administration and Penal, Human Rights and Administration; Hoffmann Georgelta Naa Adoley - Computation; Grace Asare - Public Finance Management; Hammond Stephen Nii Martei - Crisis and Serious Incidents Management in Prisons; Portia Afua Aboagye - Psychology of Human Behaviour, and Emmanuel Akyea-Mensah - Staff Function.









Source: graphiconline.com









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated that the funds raised for the building of the controversial National Cathedral will be treated with sacred trust, transparency and accountability.



He challenged the Christian community across the globe to rise to the challenge and join in the fundraising funds for the construction of the Cathedral to glorify the most high God.



The President said these at the 19th plenary assembly of the symposium of episcopal conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), on Tuesday, 26th July 2022, on the theme Ownership of SECAM; security and migration in Africa and the islands.



Justifying why Ghana chose to build a Cathedral despite its economic challenges, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said looking through the history of all the great cathedrals of the world, there has never been, what can be called, an appropriate time to build a cathedral.



"Invariably, it has taken many years, sometimes centuries to complete," he added.



The National Cathedral in Washington DC took eighty-three (83) years to complete; it took one hundred and fifty (150) years to build St Peters Basilica in Rome; and it took one hundred and eighty-two (182) years to finish the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Indeed, the reigning medieval monarchs of the time made significant contributions towards the construction of Notre Dame in Paris, and, in the case of the Basilica, construction began and was completed during the era of the Papacys greatest temporal power, again in medieval times.



When these great Cathedrals were built, the societies that house them had not finished with the satisfaction of their major development needs  hospitals, schools, bridges, roads, homes needed to be built, and, I daresay, if one were to consider only those needs, there would never be a good time to build a Church, a Cathedral or any of the great buildings of faith around the world. But, once they are built, they have proven to be instruments that brought people together and deepened their spiritual and emotional experiences of people.



I am fortified by the words of Holy Scripture, in Ecclesiastes chapter eleven (11), verse four (4), which says: If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never sow anything and never harvest anything.



I am hoping that the Christian community in Ghana, Africa and abroad, will rise up to the challenge, and join in the fundraising for the construction of the National Cathedral. I do not envisage that this project will take a century to complete like the great historical cathedrals of the world. Technology has transformed building methods dramatically, and I am certain that, if the Christian community accepts the challenge, we shall construct this cathedral and quickly. Once completed, its value will be obvious to all.



Three (3) years ago, on 15th April 2019, the great Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was engulfed by a big fire. The next morning, the French President, His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, stood by the devastating monument and said, and I quote, Notre Dame is our history, our literature, part of our psyche, the place of all our great events, our epidemics, our wars, our liberations, the epicentre of our lives. That statement sparked a dramatic response amongst the French people, for it led many French men and women, great and small, to make generous contributions towards the restoration of the great, iconic monument, which is fully on course.



Those words struck a deep chord within me. That is what I see as the purpose of our national Cathedral. Let us build our National Cathedral to be the epicentre of our lives, the place for our great celebrations, our thanksgiving, our funerals, the place for great moments of silence and introspection, the place that symbolises the place of faith in our national psyche.



I give my personal undertaking that the funds raised for the building of the National Cathedral will be treated with the sacred trust that they deserve, with transparency and accountability. Eminent Clergy, I pray that you have fruitful discussions and your conference is successful. We look forward to hearing the results of your deliberations. And, let me, again, remind those of you who are visitors to make time to visit our beautiful country.



And let me, in conclusion, express great joy and gratitude to the Holy Father for the elevation of our worthy compatriot, Bishop Baaworb Richard Kuuia, and our fellow African, Bishop Peter Okpaleke, of Nigeria, to the enviable status of Cardinals of the Catholic Church. They are both to be warmly congratulated. I had the great privilege and pleasure to be part of the Government delegation in October 2003 as then Minister for Foreign Affairs that accompanied Bishop Peter Appiah Turkson to Rome, when he was elevated by Pope John Paul II to the status of Cardinal. It was a great eye opener for me, which I continue to cherish till today, including the companionship of Archbishop Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, who was with us in Rome at the time, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said as part of his speech.



Background



Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, North Tongu MP, has accused the government of using state funds to build the Cathedral; adding that the Finance Ministry has released an unapproved amount of GH200 million of the taxpayers money to be used for the building of the project.



The National Secretariat of the cathedral has however dismissed these claims by the MP.

















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Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has indicated that immediate steps may have to be taken by government of Ghana to apologize to Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to avoid incurring his wrath.



His comment comes on the back of a statement issued by the Russian embassy in Ghana which sought to distance the country from the skyrocketing prices of food products in Ghana.



Per the data put out by the embassy, Russia ranked 11th among countries that Ghana imported food and other agricultural products from.



Reacting to the development in a Facebook post, Ablakwa described the governments blame of Russia as the cause of the countrys economic downturn as provocative.



According to him, the government has mismanaged the economy which has led it to seek an International Monetary Fund programme to restore it on to a path of progress.



The legislator stressed that Ghanaians ought to appeal to Putin, distancing the country from governments propaganda that Russia is to be blamed for the economic crunch or risk becoming a target.



The rate at which the Akufo-Addo government keeps provoking the Russian Embassy in Accra to incessantly issue statements distancing their country from Ghanas mismanaged IMF economy, we may have to launch a special appeal to President Putin assuring him that majority of Ghanaians do not agree with our governments propaganda, else we risk becoming Putins next target after Ukraine, Ablakwa wrote on his timeline











Source: ghanaweb.com









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Residents of Asem Nda in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region are accusing the Ghana National Gas Company of destroying their livelihoods without commensurate compensation.



But the director of corporate communications for the company, Mr Ernest Owusu Bempah has strongly denied the claims  saying it false.



But the residents single out the gas flaring activities of the Company and are demanding immediate remedies against unforeseen health complications to them.



A tributary of the Amanzule River separates the Ghana National Gas Companys processing plant from the Asem Nda community in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.



The Asem Nda community has a population of close to 1,000, most of whom are peasant farmers.



Speaking to the media on the issue, Mr Bempah noted that their activities in the Asem Nda comply with all applicable environmental protection regulations.



According to him, every gas processing released in the form of Gas flaring goes through a proper environmental check before they are let out and that, it is environmentally free.



He also assured that other measures will be taken to prevent any inconvenience that may occur in future.







Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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SUBJECT: Exclusion of Tema GJA/Call for National Council Meeting



We, the undersigned Regional Chairmen of the Ghana Journalists Association, read with utmost surprise a press release issued by the National Executive of the GJA on Tuesday July 26, 2022 and signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Kofi Yeboah, replacing three members of the Association who were properly appointed by the former GJA executives to serve on the National Media Commission and the Public Interest and Accountability Committee.



Again, the unilateral decision by the National Executive to reduce the Tema Regional branch of the GJA into a Chapter without consulting the National Council and/or AGM and without regards to the GJA constitution has necessitated this Memo.



We are further surprised at the blatant disregard of the functions of the National Council as provided for in article 14 (b) of the GJA constitution 2004 and the current National Executive actions of not submitting its policies and programs to the Council for approval.



It is relevant to note that, the National Council is mandated by article 14 (b) (iv) of the GJA Constitution 2004 to supervise the administrative machinery of the Association at both National and Regional level but this check and balance provision has been blatantly disregarded.



We are by this Memo, as a matter of urgency, calling on the National Executive to immediately organize a National Council meeting and present its policies and programs for the year for consideration and also discuss some major actions and issues of national interest that appear to bring the name of the Association into disrepute.



On the matter of the NMC and PIAC replacement, we advise the National Executive to immediately write to withdraw its press release and apologize for the error in law.



It is worth adding that, the National Media Commission and the Public Interest and Accountability Committee are creatures of statute and cannot be controlled or allowed to be used by any individual or group of persons for their personal vendetta.



Section 6 (2) of the National Media Commission Act 1993 (ACT 449) states that, a member of the commission ceases to be a member if, in the case of person possessed of professional qualification, he is disqualified from practicing his profession in Ghana by any order of any competent authority made in respect of him personally or he ceases to be a member otherwise than at his own request.



Section 7 (1) of ACT 449 further guarantee a three-year uninterrupted tenure of office for members properly represented on the Commission.



To wit, members tenure of office is secured provided they are not caught by the provisions of Section 6 (1).



We also refer you to section 8 (2) of Act 449 on what happens when a member dies, resign or otherwise ceases to hold office.



On the matter of the PIAC replacement, we refer you to section 55 (6) of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act 2011, ACT 815 which provide that, Members appointed to the Accountability Committee have security of tenure and unless otherwise provided for by law, or for medical reasons, may not be suspended, retired or removed from office.



Were perplexed about the National Executives' ignorance of these provisions in the very laws they take consolation from.



The purported press release, has in our estimation, cast a dent on the knowledge and image of the GJA in the minds of right thinking Ghanaians and other stakeholders.



Our point is that, if the National Executives had complied with the provisions in article 15 (b) of the GJA constitution and consulted well with the National Council, this National disgrace would not have happened.



Respectfully, we call on the National Executive to immediately organize a National Council meeting in the interest of the GJA.



This is the time to rebuild the GJA in unity.





SIGNED



Maxwell Kudekor - Chairman - Eastern Region (Koforidua)



Larry Paa Kwasi Moses  Chairman  Brong Ahafo Region (Sunyani)



Yakubu Abdul Majeed - Chairman - Northern Region (Tamale)



William Nlanjerbor Jalulah - Chairman - Upper East (Bolga)



Kingsley E. Hope - Chairman - Ashanti Region



Dzifa Emma Tetteh - Chairman - Tema Region



David Yarboi - Tetteh - Chairman- Central Region (Cape Coast)

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Parliament of Ghana has been adjudged best Parliament according to the Africa Open Parliament Index (OPI).



The Index was launched under the auspices of the Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) and the Africa Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations Network (APMON).



The Index assessed the openness of Parliaments in Africa and was launched on Wednesday, 20th July 2022, in Accra.



In attendance was the RT. Hon. Speaker of Ghanas Parliament, Alban Bagbin.



The Africa OPI is a joint effort with the APMON Working Group, which is made up of renowned parliamentary monitoring organizations in Africa namely, Mzalendo Trust (Kenya), Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Parliamentary Monitoring Group (South Africa), Africa Parliamentary Press Network (APPN), and the Pan African Parliament Civil Society Forum which is coordinated by the Center for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria.



It also received technical support from Directorio Legislativo, an Argentina-based organization which co-founded the Latin America Legislative Transparency Index and Network about a decade ago.



The Index uses the three criteria of Open Parliament: Transparency, Civic Participation and Public Accountability, to assess Parliaments across Africa.



The Index according to the organizers would be subsequently released every two years.



This criterion has been chosen considering the standards of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), the Principles of Parliamentary Openness and the Inter-Parliamentary Unions (IPU) Indicators for Democratic Parliaments.



The Index will enable civil society to work together with national and regional parliaments to identify systemic challenges to achieving parliamentary openness and to co-create reforms that will strengthen the capacity of parliaments to enhance their openness.



The rationale for the Index includes:



Provide minimum standards to assess the level of parliamentary openness across African national and regional legislative institutions.



Empower parliamentary monitoring organizations (PMOs) and Parliaments to monitor the level of progress in enhancing the principles of open parliament; Document parliamentary best practices towards supporting parliaments to be more open; and Leverage the partnership between civil society and parliaments to co-create parliamentary reforms, policies and action plans that strengthen institutions of parliaments to effectively perform their role of oversight, law-making and representation.





Source: ghanaweb.com









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Former Acting General Secretary of the Convention People's Party (CPP), James Kwabena Bomfeh, popularly called 'Kabila', has made a strident call on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to reshuffle his Ministers.



In the face of the current economic challenges premised on the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine/Russia war coupled with the long leave of absence by the Member of Parliament for Dome/Kwabenya and Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, it has revived concerns over the size of the ministerial appointees.



President Nana Akufo-Addo is bombarded by incessant calls to reshuffle his Ministers but nothing has been done yet.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Kabila added his voice stressing the President will be making a powerful statement should he heed their calls.



"Some of the proofs that would show us that indeed you know we are suffering is when you reduce the size of your ministerial appointees . . . it's a positive statement. In fact, it's a powerful statement that no one can argue with," he said.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has slammed those calling for the resignation of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.



Speaking to host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" programme, Hon. Mireku Duker questioned the logic in requesting that the Finance Minister should resign when, to him, Ken Ofori-Atta has done nothing wrong but to work assiduously to better the nation.



He touted some achievements of Ken Ofori-Atta pre-COVID era stressing he was commended for his great management of the finances of the country.



"In 2017, what was the nature of our economy? All over the world, they commended Ghana about how our economy was progressing in 2017 including 2018. All over the world, in Africa, when you looked at how our economy was growing, he was being commended . . . If 2017, he did well. 2018, he performed better and in 2019 as well till we were hit by this global crisis that we all admit . . . now we are blaming the Finance Minister. I don't understand it," he said.



Hon. Mireku Duker chastised the critics stressing "it's for them to tell who should become the Finance Minister" of the country.





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Minority in Parliament on Wednesday said the Bank of Ghanas (BoG) response to the Caucus's alleged printing of new currency is a cover-up.



At a presser in Parliament disproving the central banks rejoinder on the matter, the Minority said the Bank of Ghana needed to credit Ghanaians with some intelligence.



We expect the BoG to do the honourable thing by admitting to their transgressions and asserting their independence, as they are guaranteed under Ghanaian law," Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Ranking Member on Parliament's Finance Committee said.



Dr Forson Monday accused the Governor of BoG of printing more currency for the country without approval from Parliament.



However, the BoG in a rejoinder on Tuesday said the amount of GH22.04 claimed to have been printed represented net claims on Government, and not new currency printed to support the Governments budget.



It said: "These claims include stocks and bonds sold by commercial banks to it under repurchase agreements, IMF SDR allocation disbursed to the government, draw-down of the governments deposits held with the Bank of Ghana and negative balance on the governments account with the Bank of Ghana."



Meanwhile, the Minority had singled out the BoG's claim, noting that GH6.2 billion out of the GH22billion reflected its on-lending of IMF SDR resources.



"In stark contrast, the Minister for Finances Mid-Year Review reports at the page in an issue that there was no such on-lending.



"Indeed, there was zero on-lending, contrary to the projected GH4.53billion, Dr Forson said.



According to the Minority spokesperson on Finance, the claim by the BoG that some GH2.8 billion out of the GH22billion was zero on-lending, was contrary to the projected GH4.53billion.



He told the Press that the claim by the BoG that some GH2.8 billion out of the GH22billion was a drawdown from the governments deposit for GETFund, DACF and NHIF was untrue.



"This cannot be factual considering that Appendix 2C on page 99 of the Finance Ministers Mid-Year Review reports that all those statutory payments had long been released by the Ministry of Finance and spent by GETFund, DACF and NHIF," Dr Forson said.

Source: GNA









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The Kodiak Chamber of Commerce will host debates focused on Alaskan fisheries this October featuring candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and the Alaska governorship.

Kodiak has hosted fisheries debates for over thirty years and the Kodiak Chamber of Commerces Debate Committee will be reaching out to the public and representatives from the seafood industry for questions and topics to discuss.

The debates will be held in-person in Kodiak and will be live streamed on Zoom and Facebook Live. They will also be made available on public radio stations stat...
Rhett Riviere's legal troubles continue to mount.

Riviere was arrested at 9:14 a.m. Thursday by officers from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and booked into the Aiken County Detention Center around 10 a.m. on two more charges of first offense voyeurism.

First offense voyeurism is a misdemeanor, and those found guilty face up to three years in jail, a fine of up to $500 or both.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division officer William Padgett Jr. said in warrants that between April and July 2001 Riviere knowingly recorded a male and a female without their knowledge or consent while the male and female were in the bedroom of a property in Aiken.

Deborah Barbier, an attorney representing the man and woman, said they were a couple and that they were renting a property at 785 Grace Ave., known as the Seahorse Cottage, from Riviere when they were recorded.

Aiken County Magistrate Lauren Maurice set Riviere's bond as a $5,000 personal recognizance bond on both charges. She required Riviere to give up his passport, something his attorneys, John Harte and Joe McCulloch, volunteered to do. Maurice also required Riviere to obey an order of no contact with the Aiken couple and to give up any interest in rental properties, something Harte and McCulloch said Riviere has already done.

Riviere, a member of a prominent Aiken Winter Colony family, was also arrested June 2, 2021, by officers from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and charged with one count of voyeurism.

For the 2021 charges, Riviere is accused of setting up security cameras inside of the bedrooms of two rental properties he leased on AirBNB he or a company controlled by him owned and recording women in the bedrooms.

AirBNB policy prohibits property owners from recording private areas of homes when the homes are occupied by renters.

Harte said Riviere had never seen the recordings he's accused of creating of the AirBNB guests, according to a recent court document filed in response to a lawsuit brought against Riviere.

Harte said Riviere was not aware two women had been recorded in a rental home on Third Avenue until he was told of the recordings by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. He said Riviere set up a security video camera to record trespassers when the home was not being rented through AirBNB. He added an ex-girlfriend of Riviere's rented the home while he was out of town.

"The security video camera was not used for the purpose of voyeurism or recording tenants," Harte says in the court document. "The only reason [a woman] and [another woman] were recorded was due to a lack of notice to Riviere when the unit was rented. The video card which was in the security video camera on May 17 and 18 has never been viewed or disseminated by Riviere."

In a warrant obtained on May 21, 2021, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Agent James C. Bushbee says the images were captured for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of any person. Bushbee does not indicate in the warrant if Riviere had viewed the recordings.

The two women that were recorded in the Third Avenue home and a woman that was allegedly recorded in a residence located at 785 Grace Ave. filed suits against Riviere over the recordings.

The suits of one of the women who was allegedly recorded at Third Avenue home and the woman who was allegedly recorded at the Grace Avenue residence were dismissed with prejudice  they can't be filed again  on June 16, 2021 and Oct. 11, 2021.

The suit of the third woman remains pending. She also filed a second suit against Riviere challenging a transfer of the Grace Avenue residence to a limited liability company owned by his children.

She said in the transfer suit that Riviere paid a "not insubstantial sum of money" to resolve the suits.

Harte confirmed that the suit of one of the women was settled in a motion filed to dismiss the transfer lawsuit.

He said the property transfer was done to satisfy a requirement of the confidential settlement agreement with the other woman who was recorded at the Third Avenue property.

"Pursuant to the terms of a confidential settlement of [the second woman]s claims, Riviere was required to no longer be involved in the ownership of any rental property," Harte continues. "[The second woman] agreed that transfer of the ownership of 785 Grace [the Seahorse Cottage] to Rivieres children would be sufficient to meet her expectation for that specific settlement term. The transfer of 785 Grace coincided with carrying out the remainder of the terms of settlement. That settlement term was a material part of the settlement agreement the parties reached."

Harte adds he will provide copies of the agreement with the third woman's attorneys, Wesley Few, Deborah Barbier and Ryan Beasley, and the judge.

The 2021 criminal case against Riviere is being prosecuted by the Second Judicial Circuit Solicitor Bill Weeks' office and is currently still pending.

South Carolina court records indicate the case is on a 180-day track.

Barbier said Thursday afternoon during the bond hearing the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division had recently provided her office with electronic copies of recordings made by Riviere. She said there were thousands of images, including young girls undressing. Before the bond hearing, she asked anyone who stayed in Riviere's rental properties or on his boat and thinks they were recorded should contact her, Wes Few or Ryan Beasley.

Barbier can be contacted at 803-445-1032 or at dbb@deborahbarbier.com. Few can be contacted at 864-527-5906 or wes@wesleyfew.com. Beasley can be contacted at 864-679-7777 or rlb@ryanbeasley.com.

Riviere's next hearing on the charges filed Tuesday will be at 9 a.m. on Sept. 2. His next appearance will be at 11 a.m. on Nov. 4.
AUGUSTA  The advisory board for the Savannah River Site wants to stay updated on its previous requests of the Department of Energy.

The Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board voted unanimously to make two recommendations to the Department of Energy and to close a previous recommendation at its meeting held Tuesday evening at the Doubletree by Hilton.

The first approved recommendation was for the Department of Energy to provide publicly available information regarding the implementation of previous board recommendations accepted or partially accepted by the department over the last five years.

Both Gregg Murray, chairman of the board, and Department of Energy Savannah River Manager Mike Budney said they supported the recommendation on Monday and Tuesday.

Murray called the recommendation the most important recommendation he would vote for during his tenure on the committee.

Budney said the information would help him and an eventual successor to understand what their priorities needed to be.

The second recommendation was for the department to begin the process of developing the required documentation when deactivating a high hazard facility.

The Department of Energy does not have a specific timeframe to respond to recommendations from the board. However, an internal goal is to respond within 30 days.

The recommendation that was closed related to the appointment of board members during the COVID-19 pandemic and asked the department to consider extending terms of members until new members could be appointed.

It was drafted when the board got down to six members in 2020. Since the board has increased to more than 20 members, the recommendation is no longer necessary.

The board received nine presentations on site activities during the two-day meeting.

George Wingard, of the Savannah River Archeological Program, made a presentation on efforts to learn about and preserve the pre-1952 history of the Savannah River Site on Monday afternoon.

And on Tuesday, Brian Hennessey, federal facility agreement project manager for the Department of Energy, presented information on the Lower Three Runs Integrator Operable Unit and efforts to mitigate any hazardous material in the watershed.

Department of Energy Spent Nuclear Fuel Program Manager Larry McDaniel gave a presentation on the spent fuel program's operations in L-Area and H-Canyon.

Tony Polk, director of the Savannah River National Laboratory office, gave an overview of the lab.

Les Patten of Savannah River Mission Completion updated the board on the Defense Waste Processing Facility.

Nuclear Materials Stabilization Senior Technical Advisor spoke about the containers holding plutonium on the site.

Lee Sims, K-Area Complex facility manager, presented on the storage and downblending of plutonium.

And Jon Richards of the Environmental Protection Agency and Susan Fulmer of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control gave overviews of how the agencies they work for work to regulate activity at the site.

The board also received an overview of activity at the site from Budney on Monday.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Increasing clouds with showers arriving sometime in the afternoon. High 82F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Finding a fix for frequent traffic chokepoints along Long Point Road at Interstate 526 could mean adding new lanes at the busy intersection.

The result would create a new interchange or give truckers another outlet to the Port of Charleston's busiest container terminal, according to proposals that will be presented in coming weeks by the S.C. Department of Transportation.

The DOT will be looking to get public input on several plans to help improve traffic flows at a juncture that handles more than 32,000 vehicles every day, according to agency data. That doesn't count the tens of thousands of additional cars and trucks passing by the intersection on I-526, making it even more difficult to maneuver the route's on- and off-ramps.

Much of the traffic is port-related, with up to 12,000 heavy-duty trucks each day heading to or from the Wando Welch Terminal where the only outlet is Long Point and I-526 is the main thoroughfare for moving cargo to highways headed inland.

In June alone, the SPA recorded 112,692 gate transactions  that is, a trucker either picking up or dropping off a container  at Wando Welch.

"It's a failing interchange because it just cannot process the number of people who are trying to turn left to get to Mount Pleasant, and you have trucks continuously clogging up the interchange as well," said Joy Riley, director for the Lowcountry Corridor project, which includes the Long Point Road intersection.

"It's not only bad during peak hours, but you have congestion all day long," she added.

It could get much worse if nothing is done. By 2050, overall traffic counts could increase by 66 percent if improvements aren't made.

"Think bumper-to-bumper traffic," DOT said.

To avoid that, the department plans to spend more than $150 million by 2024 on improvements either at the existing intersection or just west at a new access point along I-526.

"We're trying to fix two things  improve the operations, because right now everything backs up onto 526, and reduce those operational conflicts between trucks and local traffic," Riley said.

The most promising proposal would add an exit about a mile west of the intersection that would be geared toward truckers but open to all traffic. It would steer big rigs to a point on Long Point Road that's much closer to the terminal's front gate, largely avoiding local traffic.

The Federal Highway Administration would have to sign off on a new exit, and Riley said the DOT is "pretty confident" that would happen.

That's the alternative preferred by the State Ports Authority, which has been providing the DOT with data on cargo volumes, projected growth and gate operations.

Having a dedicated road between I-526 and Wando Welch Terminal would provide direct access for container trucks carrying cargo," SPA spokeswoman Liz Crumley said. "This would enhance safety and traffic fluidity for both the port and the community by having a large majority of truck traffic separated from residential traffic."

Another alternative would be to improve the existing intersection's on- and off-ramps in a way that could separate port traffic from local commuters, possibly adding turn lanes.

"There's so much development in all four quadrants in that interchange, so you really want to do the thing that has the least impact, which is why we're looking at several different models," Riley said.

Whichever alternative is chosen, the DOT plans to hire a single contractor to handle both the design and construction phases so that work can be streamlined rather than bidding out individual parts of the job.

To get involved The DOT will hold a meeting to get public input on the various interchange alternatives from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 2 at the R.L. Jones Center at 391 Egypt Road in Mount Pleasant. The public can also provide comments on the plan through Sept. 1 on the project's website at 526lcclongpoint.com. The website also includes documents, background and answers to frequently asked questions. A public hearing on the preferred alternative will be held in late 2022 or early 2023, with construction scheduled to begin by the summer of 2024. For more information, email the project's staff at info@526LowcountryCorridor.com or call the project hotline at 843-258-1135.

"It makes things go quicker ... when you're dealing with complex issues of maintaining traffic and building around traffic in a very heavy volume," Riley said. "We would get the environmental approvals and then hire a design-build team."

The DOT hopes to move quickly, with utility relocations planned for mid-2024 along with the start of construction in existing rights of way.

Improvements to the Long Point Road interchange are part of the bigger Lowcountry Corridor East project which would widen and improve the 13 miles of I-526 from North Charleston through Daniel Island and into Mount Pleasant. That $4 billion effort would double the width of the highway to eight lanes and replace the Don Holt and James B. Edwards bridges.

The separate Lowcountry Corridor West portion would widen I-526 through North Charleston and West Ashley and redesign the interchange with Interstate 26, all at a projected cost of about $3 billion.
ELGIN  A toxic chemical spill from a Kershaw County plant led to evacuation of residents and closure of a major interstate for four hours on July 27.

Local fire crews and hazardous materials teams worked to contain the leak of nitric acid at the WeylChem plant while nearby residents were evacuated, said Elgin Mayor Melissa Emmons, whose small town is three miles from the facility. The spill occurred around 6 p.m. when workers could not close a valve, she said.

Authorities learned about the leak 25 miles northeast of Columbia only after receiving reports of a vapor cloud wafting across Interstate 20, Kershaw County Fire Chief Will Glover said.

The spill at the plant, right along the busy highway stretching from Aiken to Florence, forced the closure of a 10-mile stretch of I-20. Lanes reopened shortly after 10 p.m.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, Glover said. Fire crews sprayed hoses high into the air at the plant to suppress fumes. No fire was reported.

Nitric acid is a colorless liquid that is toxic to inhale and can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, according to the National Institutes of Health. The acid, which produces red-brown fumes, is used to make explosives, fertilizer and dyes.

Authorities said the leak included a mixture of other chemicals made at the plant, but no details were released.

"If you can taste it, you know it's in the air," said Kelley Yopp, an employee at The White Pond Food Beverage Stop about a mile from the plant that closed early as a precaution.

Soon after 8 p.m., Glover said the leak was under control at the plant. Firefighters worked in near 90-degree heat well into the evening.

It is unclear how many residents were evacuated after the spill. No one was at a shelter set up at Lugoff-Elgin High School. Residents were allowed to return home around 10 p.m. Authorities also were monitoring livestock on farms near the plant, Glover said.

A portion of the plant will be closed after the leak, WeylChem said.

"We will not bring the unit back online until we can complete a full investigation and understand the source of the issue, the company said in a statement provided to WIS.

WeylChem did not provide any details about the spill, referring to it only as "an incident."

The maker of specialty chemicals used in pharmaceuticals, flavor enhancers, herbicides and pesticides employs 125 workers, according to Central SC Alliance, an economic development organization.

WeylChem's plant has a history of being cited for state and federal environmental violations.

The German-based company was fined $500,000 in 2013 for a series of pollution violations at its manufacturing and wastewater facilities in Elgin, according to an Environmental Protection Agency news release. The violations included mismanagement of hazardous waste and excessive air pollutant emissions and wastewater discharges into the Wateree River.

The company agreed to install enhanced leak testing based on results of an outside audit. WeylChem also was banned from trucking wastewater from the Elgin plant to the Lugoff treatment facility and discharging any wastewater into the Wateree River.

The company also was fined a total of $50,790 in five orders from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control between 2013 to 2018, according to online records. Violations included failing to properly label hazardous waste containers, transfer hazardous waste out of leaking containers and maintain air pollution control equipment.

WeylChem invested $4 million last December to expand the 55-year-old facility with a new research and development lab.

Elgin has been in the news recently as the epicenter for a swarm of 70 earthquakes since Christmas, though none of the tremors have been strong enough to cause major damage. The town of 1,600 residents was holding a question-and-answer session with earthquake and emergency experts when the chemical leak occurred.

Click here for more news from Columbia, South Carolina
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 80F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable.
Attorneys for the family of the mother and two daughters killed in a car crash with a Charleston County sheriff's deputy said they have drafted a lawsuit against the agency.

Rep. Marvin Pendarvis, one of the family's attorneys, called a press conference July 28 demanding Sheriff Kristin Graziano "take responsibility" for the crash allegedly caused by former deputy Emily Pelletier, who was charged last month in the women's deaths.

"Its time to mark the beginning of the end of this very dark chapter in the lives of this family and of the Sheriffs Office itself," the Charleston Democrat said.

Deputy Emily Pelletier ran a stop sign just before 11 p.m. May 8 while crossing U.S. Highway 17 on New Road, authorities say. Her patrol cruiser smashed into a car carrying Stephania Dantzler, 53, and her two daughters, Shanice Dantzler-Williams, 28, and Miranda Dantzler-Williams, 22.

All three victims died at the scene while Pelletier suffered injuries that were not life threatening.

The rookie deputy  who was fired by the Sheriff's Office following an internal investigation  was charged June 7 with three counts of reckless homicide. The 24-year-old is out of jail on $75,000 bail and is scheduled for a first court appearance July 29.

Members of the Dantzler-Williams family and their attorneys met with 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson July 28 to discuss the criminal case against Pelletier.

Following the meeting, the family and attorneys put pressure on the Sheriff's Office to implement reform, but they declined to say what changes they would like to see made at the department.

The Sheriff's Office fired Pelletier June 10 after an internal investigation determined she operated her vehicle in an unsafe manner.

Pelletier, who was responding to a stranded motorist's call for help, did not have her lights or sirens activated when she crashed into the family's car, authorities say.

Pendarvis chastised Graziano for not reaching out to the family.

Its been over two months since weve had some meaningful conversation with the Sheriffs Office," he said. "Were just asking to restore those lines, show us that theres a willingness on your part to atone for what happened, and tell us how that looks.

Charleston County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Amber Allen said the Sheriff's Office has been in regular contact with the family's attorneys, who include Clifford Bush III and Richard Hricik.

"We have not received any request from the attorneys or the family to meet and discuss any potential improvements our agency can make," Allen said. "We believe, at this time, it is best that we maintain appropriate communication through legal representation until the matter is resolved."
The S.C. Supreme Court's chief justice has barred a Colleton County magistrate from presiding over criminal cases after he was arrested earlier this month on a drunken driving offense.

Kenneth Campbell Jr. was arrested after a Walterboro police officer saw his vehicle swerving around 12:30 a.m. July 17 on Green Pond Highway near Robertson Boulevard, according to a police report.

The 65-year-old magistrate refused to take a breath test at the scene, according to Sgt. Tamara Edwards. A person who refuses to take a breath test faces an automatic six-month suspension of their driver's license and can still be charged with DUI.

Campbell was booked into Colleton County jail on one count of first-offense driving under the influence. He has requested a jury trial in the case, which is pending in Walterboro Municipal Court, according to court records.

S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Beatty ordered July 26 that Campbell would only be able to preside over civil summary court matters pending the outcome of the DUI case.

Campbell told The Post and Courier he believes the pending charge is irrelevant to his work behind the bench.

I dont see (how) the ability to make the decisions Ive been doing for 30 years has been affected," he said.

The magistrate said that he does not abuse alcohol.

Campbell earned a law degree from Ohio State University in 1982. He was admitted to the S.C. Bar the following year and remains in good standing, according to judicial branch records.
The latest genome sequencing results obtained from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 43 cases of the BA.2 subvariant of the omicron variant of COVID-19 from Guam samples. These samples, however, were collected in mid-April.

While officials wait for sequencing results for more recent samples, there is still no hard evidence that the BA.5 omicron subvariant  now the dominant strain in the United States  has reached the island's shores.

But as health authorities indicated Thursday, it is likely the newer variant is here already. That was the gut feeling of Dr. Robert "Bob" Leon Guerrero, the interim chief medical officer at the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services.

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Dr. Annette David, senior epidemiologist for the State Epidemiology Outcomes Workgroup, said Thursday that it was a good hypothesis to believe the BA.5 subvariant is on island, "given the openness of travel."

"We also know that BA.5 was documented in the Philippines about a month and a half ago. And there's been a lot of traffic between the Philippines and Guam. So it's very likely to be here. We won't know for sure until we get the results of the samples from this month. But that's probably one reason for the increase in cases," David said.

The pattern of transition among the omicron subvariants also supports the position that BA.5 is in Guam, the doctor said.

Leon Guerrero stated that regardless of the variant, all COVID-19 infections are of concern to health officials, and so they maintain their messaging with regard to immunization, masking in public and social distancing. David reinforced that statement, adding that the type of variant "doesn't really change what we do."

"So we just have to continue doing the same things that we know work: physical distancing, wearing masks in public, (and) getting vaccinated and boosted. And if you think you have it, or you've been exposed, get tested so you can diagnose it early. And if you're at high risk and you're positive, get the antiviral or the monoclonal antibody, if you meet the criteria, to prevent severe illness and hospitalization," David added.

The COVID-19 community risk level on island remains high.

Territorial epidemiologist Ann Pobutsky reported Thursday that the seven-day rolling average is more than 100 cases per day.

The islandwide daily hospitalization count rose somewhat on July 26, after having fallen since July 22, while the intensive care unit count largely remains low, although there was a slight uptick in the last couple of days, according to the latest surveillance report.

Leon Guerrero said Public Health officials are more concerned with hospitalizations than with the number of cases.

"With the last couple of variants, we've seen an increase in cases, but not severity of the cases. ... Hospitalizations have increased a slight, but the other portion of that equation, about deaths  we don't see deaths like we did with the delta (variant), where it was almost every other day or every day that we were having deaths. So, we're more concerned about those issues, the hospitalization and the death rate," Leon Guerrero said.

The Joint Information Center reported three deaths Wednesday, which occurred between July 20 and July 24. There have been 380 deaths on Guam since the beginning of the pandemic.

COVID-19-related fatalities continue to be sporadic, but the death rate overall is relatively high.

David said the COVID death rate for the nation overall is about half the rate in Guam, adding that serious consideration needs to be taken for conditions on island that put people at risk for severe disease and death. These include noncommunicable diseases, risk factors such as obesity and tobacco use, and the prevalence of diseases including diabetes, cancer, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

"All of which, relatively speaking, are higher for our population and would, therefore, put our people at higher risk for the severe morbidity and the mortality that we get get from this virus," David said.

Leon Guerrero said the pandemic is showing that it matters whether someone has underlying health issues, and a "nonchalant" attitude toward these issues has "got to go."

"You need to see your doctors, you need to get treatment, you need to get your disease process under control, so if ... we do have another pandemic, you're in better shape because your underlying health issues are more controlled," Leon Guerrero said.
One of my failings and regrets is not getting to know Pat Michaels better. Pats passing about 10 days ago, at the too early age of 72, ago shocked his many friends. I met him several times and knew his work, and we once had a long and very convivial evening together in a New York bar about 15 years back. But I didnt keep up with him as I should have, even though he was one of the premier climate change analysts of our time, ceaselessly toiling to debunk the exaggerations and errors of the so-called consensus about climate change.

Someone who knew him well and followed his work closely is our friend Ben Zycher of AEI (who is one of my go-to persons on climate and energy economics), and I asked Ben if hed work up a proper tribute to Michael for Power Line. Heres Ben (complete with footnotes!so this is more than an obituary; it is also a reference work):

Denier. Tool of the oil producers. Facilitator of planetary destruction. Such were among the more moderate epithets directed at Pat Michaels, a real climatologist: Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, former president of the American Association of State Climatologists, former program chairman for the Committee on Applied Climatology of the American Meteorological Society, for thirty years a Research Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia, and the state climatologist of Virginia for 27 years.

Pat published numerous papers in the peer-reviewed scientific journals; I have not taken the time to count them, but Chip Knappenberger reports that he and Pat co-authored 25+ papers on climate and climate change published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, penned hundreds of articles in the popular media, [and] countless blog pieces.[1] Needless to say, Pat published a lot more either alone or with other co-authors.

Pat published nine books, the most important of which in my view is Lukewarming: The New Climate Science That Changes Everything, co-authored with Knappenberger (Cato Institute, 2016). I believe it to be one of the five or thereabouts most important books on climate science and policy published in the last 30 years. In a nutshell: Anthropogenic climate change is real but vastly less important than commonly asserted. The mainstream climate models cannot predict the past or the present, and therefore are a highly unreliable guide for the future. The scientists that write the various working-group papers that together make up the periodic assessment reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to a significant degree are engaged in self-delusion, in no small part because they are exceedingly poor statisticians who, perhaps shockingly, do not understand the difference between drawing an observation out of a possibly-fat tail of a statistical distribution, versus a shift of the entire distribution.

Pats work showed that there is no evidence in support of the crisis narrative, about which more below. He made the point, obvious but usually ignored, that any evaluation of climate policy proposals should include the benefits of increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, among which are planetary greening, increased agricultural productivity, improved water use efficiency by plants, reductions in mortality from cold (vastly greater than heat-related mortality), longer growing seasons (for the U.S., it has increased by about two weeks since 1970.[2]

In a word, Pats work was comprehensive. I am but a lowly economist, and the central difference between economists and real scientists is straightforward: The latter actually have to know something. And so my intellectual debt to Pat is enormous, as I knew virtually nothing about climate science  despite decades of work on energy and environmental policy  until I began to interact with Pat. His collegiality, patience, invincible humor, objectivity, and supremely impressive stock of knowledge were tremendous assets in terms of my own intellectual development in this area.

My intellectual debt to Pat is one that defies satisfaction. I offer here a brief summary of the evidence on climate phenomena, as I know of no better way to honor Pats memory, and I believe that Powerline readers may find this of interest.

That anthropogenic climate change is real  that increasing GHG concentrations are having detectable effects  is incontrovertible, but that does not tell us the magnitude of the observable impacts, which must be measured empirically. Temperatures are rising, but as the Little Ice Age ended no later than 1850, it is not easy to separate natural from anthropogenic effects on temperatures and other climate phenomena.[3] The latest research in the peer-reviewed literature suggests that mankind is responsible for about half of the approximate temperature increase of 1.1 degrees C since 1880.[4]

The crisis assertions are unsupported by the evidence reported in the peer-reviewed, official, or scientific literature. There is little trend in the number of hot days for 18952017; 11 of the 12 years with the highest number of such days occurred before 1960.[5] NOAA has maintained since 2005 the U.S. Climate Reference Network, comprising 114 meticulously maintained temperature stations spaced more or less uniformly across the lower 48 states, 21 stations in Alaska, and two stations in Hawaii.[6] They are placed to avoid heat island effects and other such distortions as much as possible; the reported data show no trend over the available 200520 reporting period.[7] A reconstruction of global temperatures over the past one million years, using data from ice sheet formations, shows that there is nothing unusual about the current warm period.[8]

Global mean sea level has been increasing at about 3.3 mm per year since satellite measurements began in 1992. The tidal-gauge data before then show annual increases of about 1.9 mm per year, but that comparison does not show an acceleration in sea-level rise because the two datasets are not comparable. The tidal gauges do not measure sea levels per se; they measure the difference between sea levels and fixed points on land that in reality might not be fixed due to seismic activity, tectonic shifts, land settlement, etc. Accordingly, the data are unclear as to whether there is occurring an acceleration in sea level rise; it is reasonable to hypothesize that there has been such an acceleration simply because temperatures are rising due to both natural and anthropogenic influences, as noted above, and such increases should result in more melting ice and the thermal expansion of water. But because rising temperatures are the result of both natural and anthropogenic causes, we do not know the relative contributions of those causes to any such acceleration.[9]

The Northern and Southern Hemisphere sea ice changes tell different stories; the arctic sea ice has been declining, while the Antarctic sea ice has been stable or growing.[10] U.S. tornado activity shows either no trend or a downward trend since 1954.[11] Tropical storms, hurricanes, and accumulated cyclone energy show little trend since satellite measurements began in the early 1970s.[12] The number of U.S. wildfires shows no trend since 1985, and global acreage burned has declined over past decades.[13] The Palmer Drought Severity index shows no trend since 1895,[14] and during the past century the percent of the globe in drought has not changed.[15]

U.S. flooding over the past century is uncorrelated with increasing GHG concentrations.[16] The available datado not support the ubiquitous assertions about the dire impacts of declining pH levels in the oceans.[17] Global food availability and production have increased more or less monotonically over the past two decades on a per capita basis.[18]The IPCC itself in the Fifth Assessment Report was deeply dubious about the various severe effects often asserted to be looming as impacts of anthropogenic warming.[19]

If we apply the Environmental Protection Agency climate model, under the highest IPCC climate sensitivity assumption (4.5 degrees C as reported in the AR5), net-zero U.S. GHG emissions effective immediately would yield a reduction in global temperatures of 0.173 degrees C by 2100. That effect would be barely detectable given the standard deviation (about 0.11 degrees C) of the surface temperature record.[20] The entire Paris agreement: about 0.178 degrees C. A 50 percent reduction in Chinese GHG emissions: 0.184 degrees C. Net-zero emissions by the entire Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development: 0.352 degrees C. A global 50 percent reduction in GHG emissions implemented immediately and maintained strictly would reduce global temperatures in 2100 by 0.687 degrees C.[21]Note that GHG emissions in 2020 fell by about 6.4 percent as a result of the COVID-19 economic downturn.[22] Can anyone believe that even larger GHG reductions  and the attendant economic costs  are plausible politically? Is there a believable benefit/cost model that would justify such policies?

I betray no secret when I say that all of us are poorer as a result of Pats passing. May Patrick J. Michaels rest in peace, and may his memory inspire all of us to strive toward his standard of rigor, honesty, and courage.

[1] See Knappenbergers remembrance of Pat at https://www.masterresource.org/debate-issues/remembering-pat-michaels/.

[2] On the carbon dioxide greening effect see NOAA at https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/carbon-dioxide-fertilization-greening-earth; and Zaichun Zhu, et. al., Greening of the Earth and Its Drivers, Nature Climate Change, Vol. 6 (2016), pp. 791-795, at https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate3004. On the agricultural productivity effects, see, e.g., Goudriaan and Unsworth at https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2134/asaspecpub53.c8. On water use efficiency by plants, see, e.g., http://www.co2science.org/subject/w/summaries/wateruse.php. On the beneficial impacts of moderate warming on mortality, see https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(14)62114-0/fulltext. On the increase in the length of the U.S. growing season, see the EPA discussion at https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-length-growing-season.

[3] On the surface (land/ocean) temperature record, see UK Met Office, Hadley Centre/University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit, Tim Osborn: HadCRUT4 Global Temperature Graphs, https://crudata.uea.ac.uk/~timo/diag/tempdiag.htm. On the Little Ice Age, see Michael E. Mann, Little Ice Age, in Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change, Volume 1: The Earth System: Physical and Chemical Dimensions of Global Environmental Change, ed. Michael C. MacCracken, John S. Perry and Ted Munn (Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons, 2002), http://www.meteo.psu.edu/holocene/public_html/shared/articles/littleiceage.pdf.

[4] See https://crudata.uea.ac.uk/cru/data/temperature/HadCRUT5.0Analysis_300.png. See also Ross McKitrick and John Christy, A Test of the Tropical 200- to 300 hPa Warming Rate in Climate Models; Nicholas Lewis and Judith Curry, The Impact of Recent Forcing and Ocean Heat Uptake Data on Estimates of Climate Sensitivity, Journal of Climate 31 (August 2018): 605171, https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/JCLI-D-17-0667.1; and John R. Christy and Richard McNider, Satellite Bulk Tropospheric Temperatures as a Metric for Climate Sensitivity, Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Sciences 53 (2017): 51118, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13143-017-0070-z. For a chart summarizing the recent empirical estimates of equilibrium climate sensitivity as reported in the peer-reviewed literature, see Patrick J. Michaels and Paul C. Knappenberger, The Collection of Evidence for a Low Climate Sensitivity Continues to Grow, Cato Institute, September 25, 2014, https://www.cato.org/blog/collection-evidence-low-climate-sensitivity-continues-grow.

[5] For the reconstruction of the NASA data, see John R. Christy, Average per Station (1114 USHCN Stations) 18952017: Number of Days Daily Maximum Temperature Above 100F and 105F, drroyspencer.com, http://www.drroyspencer.com/wp-content/uploads/US-extreme-high-temperatures-1895-2017.jpg.

[6] For the Climate Reference Network program description, see National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Reference Network, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/crn/.

[7] For a visualization of a prototypical station, see Willis Eschenbach, NOAAs USCRN RevisitedNo Significant Warming in the USA in 12 Years, Watts Up with That?, November 8, 2017, https://wattsupwiththat.com/2017/11/08/the-uscrn-revisited/. For the monthly data and charts reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), see National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Temperature Index, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/temp-and-precip/national-temperature-index/time-series?datasets%5B%5D=uscrnmeter=anom-tavg&time_scale=p12&begyear=2005&endyear=2020&month=8.

[8] See R. Bintanja and R. S. W. van de Wal, North American Ice-Sheet Dynamics and the Onset of 100,000-Year Glacial Cycles, Nature 454, no. 7206 (August 14, 2008): 86972, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23171740_Bintanja_R_van_de_Wal_R_S_W_North_American_ice-sheet_dynamics_and_the_onset_of_100000-year_glacial_cycles_Nature_454_869-872. NOAA published the underlying data at R. Bintanja and R. S. W. van de Wal, Global 3Ma Temperature, Sea Level, and Ice Volume Reconstructions, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, August 14, 2008, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo-search/study/11933. For a chart showing the temperature record over one million years, see Institute for Energy Research, Temperature Fluctuations over the Past Million Years, https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/temperature-flucturations.png.

[9] See Frederikse et. al. at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2591-3. As a crude approximation, the data suggest that about two-thirds of such sea level increases are due to ice melt, and one-third to thermal expansion of water. See Judith Curry, Sea Level and Climate Change, Climate Forecast Applications Network, November 25, 2018, https://curryja.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/special-report-sea-level-rise3.pdf. Curry cites research from Xianyao Chen and colleagues, the central finding of which is that global mean sea level rise increased from 2.2  0.3 mm/year in 1993 to 3.3  0.3 mm/year in 2014. See Xianyao Chen et al., The Increasing Rate of Global Mean Sea-Level Rise During 19932014, Nature Climate Change 7 (June 26, 2017): 49295, https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate3325. Whether the trend from a 21-year period can yield important inferences is a topic not to be addressed here. For a different empirical conclusion from the tidal gauge record, see J. R. Houston and R. G. Green, Sea-Level Acceleration Based on U.S. Tide Gauges and Extensions of Previous Global-Gauge Analyses, Journal of Coastal Research 27, no. 3 (May 2011): 40917, https://meridian.allenpress.com/jcr/article-abstract/27/3/409/28456/Sea-Level-Acceleration-Based-on-U-S-Tide-Gauges?redirectedFrom=fulltext. For an example of temporary rapid sea-level rise in the 18th century, see W. R. Gehrels et al., A Preindustrial Sea-Level Rise Hotspot Along the Atlantic Coast of North America, Geophysical Research Letters 47 (2020), https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1029/2019GL085814. For further reported evidence of an acceleration, see Hans-Otto Portner et al., Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2019, https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/.

[10] See https://www.thegwpf.org/content/uploads/2021/12/Bates-Sea-Ice-Trends.pdf?mc_cid=dac7df538b&mc_eid=ad653edd6d; and https://www.thegwpf.org/content/uploads/2022/04/Humlum-State-of-Climate-2021-.pdf?mc_cid=dac7df538b&mc_eid=ad653edd6d. See also Patrick J. Michaels, Spinning Global Sea Ice, Cato Institute, February 12, 2015, https://www.cato.org/blog/spinning-global-sea-ice. It appears to be the case that the Antarctic eastern ice sheet  about two-thirds of the continent  is growing, while the western ice sheet (and the peninsula) may be shrinking. No agreed explanation for this phenomenon is reported in the literature.

[11] For the historical data reported by the NOAA, see National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, Historical Records and Trends, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climate-information/extreme-events/us-tornado-climatology/trends.

[12] For data on global tropical cyclone activity, see Ryan N. Maue, Global Tropical Cyclone Activity, updated March 16, 2021, at http://climatlas.com/tropical/.

[13] For the reported U.S. wildfire data, see National Interagency Fire Center, Total Wildland Fires and Acres (19262019), https://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/fireInfo_stats_totalFires.html. On the decline in global area burned over past decades, see Stefan H. Doerr and Cristina Santin, Global Trends in Wildfire and Its Impacts: Perceptions Versus Realities in a Changing World, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B, Biological Sciences 371, no. 1696 (2016), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4874420/pdf/rstb20150345.pdf.

[14] See US Environmental Protection Agency, Climate Change Indicators: Drought, https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-drought; and US Department of Commerce, National Climatic Data Center, Divisional Data Select, https://www7.ncdc.noaa.gov/CDO/CDODivisionalSelect.jsp.

[15] See Gregory J. McCabe and David M. Wolock, Variability and Trends in Global Drought, Earth and Space Science, Vol. 2, Issue 6 (June 2015) at https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2015EA000100.

[16] See R. M. Hirsch and K. R. Ryberg, Has the Magnitude of Floods Across the USA Changed with Global CO 2 Levels?, Hydrological Sciences Journal 57, no. 1 (2012): 19, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02626667.2011.621895?scroll=top&needAccess=true&.

[17] See CO 2 Science, Ocean Acidification Database, http://www.co2science.org/data/acidification/results.php. See also Alan Longhurst, Doubt and Certainty in Climate Science, pp. 21425, https://curryja.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/longhurst-print.pdf.

[18] See Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Food and Agriculture Statistical Pocketbook 2018, 2018, Charts 28 and 46, http://www.fao.org/3/CA1796EN/ca1796en.pdf. See also Kevin D. Dayaratna, Ross McKitrick, and Patrick J. Michaels, Climate Sensitivity, Agricultural Productivity and the Social Cost of Carbon in FUND, Environmental Economics and Policy Studies 22 (2020): 43348.

[19] Julie M. Arblaster et al., Long-Term Climate Change: Projections, Commitments and IrreversibilityFinal Draft Underlying Scientific-Technical Assessment, in Working Group I Contribution to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis, September 2326, 2013, Table 12.4, at https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/WG1AR5_Chapter12_FINAL.pdf.

[20] See https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/1999JD900835.

[21] Author computations using MAGICC 5.3. The MAGICC model can be found at http://www.magicc.org/.

[22] See https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00090-3.
As regular readers know, I am a fan of Ron DeSantis. I think other Republicans, like Marco Rubio, could also make good presidential candidates in 2024. And I think former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo should be included in that mix.

Pompeo is a brilliant and extraordinarily competent guy who has succeeded spectacularly in every part of his career, from the military to academia to business to Congress to the highest reaches of the Executive Branch. In that regard, you could say he is sort of an anti-Joe Biden. Pompeo was the keynote speaker at American Experiments Annual Dinner in May. That gave me the opportunity to spend some time with him. What struck me that evening was how personable Pompeo isfar more the natural politician than I expected.

I did a Q and A with Pompeo after his speech that night, and subsequently we recorded a similar conversation for the current issue of Thinking Minnesota, which hit mailboxes this week and became available online today. You can read my full Q and A with Pompeo here. This was our exchange on the current left-leaning leadership of Americas armed forces:

The Ukraine war as its progressed so far has illustrated how important morale is in combat. Some people are concerned that the woke ideologies that seem to be infiltrating our armed forces could adversely impact our own morale. Is that a valid concern? Ive written about this. As a former soldier, Im very worried when I see leadership in the United States military focused on anything but excellence; focused on anything but war fighting; focused on anything but actually being prepared to execute the dangerous mission that the commander in chief will have to call on them to do. And the United States military has always been good about diversity and bringing in those best suited to particular skill sets. But when you begin to focus on diversity, inclusion and equity  when you start to talk about things that arent directly related to war fighting, and the capacity to deliver lethal outcomes to your adversaries  not only will you have a less capable fighting force, but morale will fall. We have an all-volunteer service. The young men and women who have always come forward, who have gone to their recruiters office and signed up for OCS  theyve volunteered to serve. They will say, I dont want to be part of any organization that doesnt understand its central mission. And Ill go take my talents and skills elsewhere. Im worried about what this might mean for our military, two or five or 10 years from now.

As you probably know, Irans mullahs have issued a fatwa calling for Pompeo to be assassinated. Security for our May event was extraordinarily tight, if mostly unobtrusive; our venue was probably the safest place in the U.S. that evening. I asked Pompeo about the killing of Soleimani, which may have put his own life at risk:

You mentioned Iran. How has the killing of Soleimani, their head terrorist, changed the military and political calculus in the region? The strike on Soleimani mattered for multiple reasons. The first was he was trying to kill Americans. He was actively engaged in a real-time plot to kill more Americans. He had already killed some 500 or 600 Americans in the Iran-Iraq war. Soleimani was the head of the IRGC Quds Force, their external terror operation. He was a bad guy, and he didnt like America. Even the day we struck him, he was engaged in a mission in Baghdad, Iraq, to build out a plot to kill even more Americans. So, in the first instance, we slowed that down. Second, the world saw what we did. Deterrence matters. It comes from strength. It comes from being real. It comes from actually executing on the things you told people you would do. And we had made a commitment. We had made a commitment that we were not going to let Iran push us around. Theyd shot down two American UAVs, and we had the opportunity to strike their most senior general. It sent notice to the world and to Iraq. And their behavior changed. We saw them change the way they thought about the United States. They knew we were serious. They knew if we drew a line, we were going to defend it, and we didnt draw lines everywhere. We didnt send the 82nd Airborne. We didnt send the 101st Airborne Division. We didnt send a Marine amphibious force. We used American power in a restrained way to reflect a real situation on the ground. And not only did we place deterrence on stronger footing with Iran, but the whole world noticed. They all saw that the United States was serious and determined.

The whole conversation is worth your time, and Mike Pompeo is worth considering as a 2024 presidential candidate.
Actually, he hasnt sued them yet, but his lawyers have announced an intent to sue CNN, and cases against other media outlets are said to be waiting in the wings. Trumps lawyers, a D.C. firm called Ifrah Law, wrote to CNN on July 21, giving notice of their intent to bring a defamation case under Florida law. The lawyers letter, with exhibits, is long, but its point is simple.

The letter says that CNN defamed Trump more than 7,000 times by accusing him of lying when he said that he thought the 2020 election was rigged, or stolen. But that is what Trump honestly believes:

President Trump harbors a subjective belief that he was unfairly deprived of a second term in office. This is particularly valid in the context of an incumbent president receiving over 74 million votes, a record number for any republican candidate in history.32 By refusing to acknowledge President Trump could be correct or that he could genuinely believe his contention is correct, CNN has willfully acted in disregard for the truth and has acted with reckless disregard for the truth. CNNs relentless and willful campaign to brand President Trump a liar and purveyor of the Big Lie is defamatory in nature. Without regard for President Trumps genuine belief in his statements, CNN has published numerous articles characterizing him as a liar and the purveyor of the Big Lie.

Trumps lawyers are right. If Trump believed what he said, he could have been wrong (although many millions of Americans agree with him, as the letter points out), but he isnt lying.

The letter makes out a good, detailed case of journalistic malpractice and bias. But do CNNs actions constitute actionable defamation? The conventional wisdom is that under current law, it is almost impossible for any public figure to win a defamation case. And if it is almost impossible for anyone, it is triply impossible for Donald Trump.

The problem is that the actual malice standard, like the standard for whether someone is lying, is subjective. Reporters can be wrong all day long, and their reporting may be politically motivated and maliciousi.e., motivated by hatredbut if they are writing about a public figure like Trump, they cant just be wrong and hateful. They have to be lying. The plaintiff must show that they knew that what they said or wrote was false, or likely false, and said it anyway.

So CNN will argue, first, that whether Trump lied is a matter of opinion, not fact, and therefore they cant be liable. They likely will win on that ground. They then will go on to say, in any event, our reporters and editors had a subjective belief that Trump was lying, just like Trump had a subjective belief that the election was stolen. Thus there can be no actual malice. So in a sense, CNNs defense is a mirror image of Trumps claim.

Under existing law, I dont see Trumps claims going far. Others who disagree might weigh in in the comments.

What I would really like to see is discovery on Trumps claims. Wouldnt it be interesting to see a few years worth of emails and texts among CNN employees, and employees of other news organizations who may also be sued, where they talk about their efforts to destroy Donald Trump? And perhaps acknowledge that, while they disagree with him, Trump is honestly stating his views of the 2020 election? The letter from Trumps lawyers demands that CNN preserve all relevant electronic and physical documents for discovery purposes.

Of course, CNN will fight discovery tooth and nail. Their strategy will be to engage in motion practice for months and years, based on the opinion defense and whatever else they come up with. They want to write legal briefs until no one cares anymore, not to turn emails and memos over to hostile lawyers. How this plays out will depend on the Florida judge, I assume a federal judge, who winds up with the case.

Finally, I note that the D.C. firm representing Trump is tiny. They might be an excellent boutique firm, I dont know. But whether they have the capacity to handle this kind of litigation, especially if Trump sues multiple media outlets, is doubtful.

But hope springs eternal. I wish Trump success in whatever lawsuits he brings.

Via PJ Media.
Explosions and gunshots have occured in Owo, Ondo State, with an unspecified number of people sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

There are fears that there may be fatalities, but the police in Ondo have yet to confirm any deaths.

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying its operatives were on the ground to calm the situation.

The shooting is coming barely two months after bandits attacked St Francis Catholic Church, also in the ancient town.

Not less than 41 persons lost their lives in the attack.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that gunmen suspected to be terrorists attacked Folahanmin Street in Owo town on Wednesday night.

Tonight, there was a shooting incident at Craneburg Construction Company, Owo, the police wrote on its official twitter handle, @OndoPoliceNG.

Policemen are currently at the scene, victims have been taken to Hospital and they are in stable condition.

Details of the attack were still scanty as of the time of filing this report.

Officials at the Ondo State Government were not responding to calls made to them by our reporter.
Arms and ammunition seizures by security forces in Nigers Agadez and Tahoua regions between January 2021 and February 2022 helped dismantle trafficking networks in the country. This is positive, but what do the seizures say about the extent of the problem? Is arms trafficking from Libya to countries in the south on the rise again?

After the fall of Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, southward arms flows from Libya rose significantly. In 2012, this enabled Malis Tuareg rebels and armed groups operating in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin to acquire weapons and ammunition in a period of widespread regional turmoil.

The weapons, transported from the Libyan south-west by Tuareg fighters and traffickers, were moved along the Algerian and Nigerien borders. They were transported along the roads that cross the Agadez, Tahoua and Tillaberi regions, joining Mali via the Niger-Mali-Burkina Faso tri-border area and Lake Chad Basin via Nigers Diffa Region.

But the military presence in northern Niger and the outbreak of Libyas second civil war in 2014 saw arms flows to the south slow down. As demand for guns in Libya increased, Jihadist groups looked elsewhere  escalating attacks on army barracks in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to loot their arms and ammunition stockpiles.

Several drivers of insecurity in northern Niger facilitate the trafficking of Libyan arms. Vehicles of civilians and gold transporters have been attacked in the Air area. On 21 March 2021, armed bandits killed 137 people in various attacks in the Tillia commune. The violence prompted the population of the Agadez, Tahoua and Tillaberi regions to arm themselves in self-defence. Infuriated by the states failure to keep them safe, some civilians have explored the creation of militias for protection.

The high demand for arms and ammunition has given traffickers an opportunity to continue their lucrative trade. Stocks gathered in south-western Libya are sold to civilians (for self-defence) and armed groups in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. The weapons are transported in 44 vehicles, suitable for the deserts sandy tracks.

The various flows enter Niger from the Libyan border, using tracks that circumvent or cross Passe de Salvador. They follow the old trans-Sahel trading routes, avoiding surveillance systems put in place by the United States and Niger in recent years. Vehicles carry weapons  often hidden under other goods  through a corridor heading towards Agadez, Tassara or Tchin-Tabaradene, to reach Mali.

The transport of weapons to Nigeria follows two routes. One heads east through the Dirkou area towards Diffa or Tasker (Zinder region) and the other to the centre through Agadez. The latter is split into three routes: to Aderbissinat and Zinder; to Abalak, Tahoua and Birni Nkonni; and the Madaoua, Guidan Roumji and Maradi route.

Institute for Security Studies (ISS) research has found that some traffickers store arms and ammunition in caches across Agadez and Tahoua before selling them through their dealers. These dealers unload them in the Tillaberi, Maradi, Zinder and Diffa areas to various buyers, including terrorist groups and cross-border bandits.

Other networks use back routes to transport shipments to Malis Menaka region, where they trade with those involved in violence and organised crime in the Liptako-Gourma region. ISS research found that in March, weapons were delivered to this area where fighting is ongoing between the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara and the coalition made up of the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad and the Imghad Tuareg and Allies Self-Defense Group.

The new arms flow from Libya is not as substantial as those preceding the countrys second civil war, which ended with a ceasefire in October 2020. However, a solution to Libyas current crisis could increase trafficking to neighbouring countries as the local need for weapons decreases.

The excess of arms and ammunition accumulated during the 2014-20 civil war could feed trafficking networks and be transported through Niger to countries in the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin and West African regions. This would supply various non-state armed groups and increase regional instability.

Nigers responses to arms trafficking must be strengthened to address this risk. These include the National Commission for the Collection and Control of Illicit Weapons and reinforcing border patrols in northern Niger. However, a regional initiative would be better suited to preventing a southward resurgence of weapons flows if Libyas conflict ends. Such an initiative should include better military and security cooperation between Niger, Algeria and Chad, and joint border patrols.

At the same time, the Economic Community of West African States should step up its efforts to combat small arms proliferation in the region. For their part, international partners could provide better-tailored assistance, including intelligence, air support and training.

Hassane Kone, Senior Researcher, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Regional Office for West Africa, the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin

This article was produced with the support of the governments of Denmark and the Netherlands.

(This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, granted bail to the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Idris Ahmed, and his co-defendants charged with N109 billion fraud.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, opposed the defendants bail applications, arguing that their alleged offences were in the scale of crimes against humanity.

But ruling on Thursday, the trial judge, J.O Adeyemi-Ajayi, granted bail to the defendants saying the defendants were entitled to bail in spite of the allegations levelled against them.

She said granting them bail was in line with the rule of law, especially because they were presumed innocent as the allegations against them had yet to be proved.

She also said the prosecution did not mention that the defendants misbehaved while in EFCC custody.

The court went on to grant bail to the defendants mainly on the terms and conditions of the administrative bail the EFCC had earlier granted them during investigations.

Part of the bail conditions imposed by the judge is an order restricting the defendants to the FCT. The judge said the defendants shall not leave the capital city without permission of the court.

The judge also ordered that the defendants not to procure alternate passports until the case is expensed, having deposited their original passports with the EFCC.

She directed the defendants to sign an undertaking to abide by the bail conditions by the EFCC.

Trial began shortly after the court granted bail to the defendants on Thursday.

Background

EFCC had, on July 22, arraigned Mr Idris alongside three others  Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited  over alleged N109 billion fraud.

All the four defendants pleaded not guilty to the 14 charges filed by the EFCC.

Mr Idris lawyer, Mr Uche, made futile efforts to secure the defendants bail through an oral application he made to the court shortly after the defendants took their pleas.

The oral application was opposed by the prosecuting lawyer, Mr Jacobs, who insisted that the application must be in written form for the court to hear it.

The judge, agreeing with the prosecuting counsel, held that the court would not entertain an oral bail application.

The court then ordered the remand of the defendants, and directed the parties to file their position on the bail. It fixed the hearing of the bail applications for Wednesday.

(NAN)
Two security men of a construction firm were injured on Wednesday when gunmen attacked the companys construction site in Owo, Ondo State.

Adetunji Adeleye, Ondo State Commander of Amotekun Corps, the sub-regional security outfit in the south-west, confirmed the attack on Thursday.

He said the gunmen shot sporadically into the air and damaged the windshields of two earthmovers at the site.

I have just left the scene and I realised that the two security men were injured as the attackers shot into the air.

They damaged the windshields of two earthmovers of the construction company. The injured men have been taken to a hospital, he stated.

The incident is coming barely two months after gunmen attacked St Francis Catholic Church, also in the ancient town.

Mr Adeleye, who also the Special Adviser to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Security Matters, said normalcy had since returned to the area.

The police in Ondo State also confirmed the attack on their verified Twitter handle.

There was a shooting at a construction site in Owo on Wednesday night.

Policemen are currently at the scene; victims have been taken to hospital and they are in stable condition, the police stated.

There have been at least four gunmen attacks in Nigerias southwest this week, highlighting a growing sense of insecurity in the region.

On Monday, gunmen killed a police officer during a midnight attack on a police division in Akure, Ondo State.

On the same day in Ifewara, Osun State, suspected kidnappers attacked a vehicle conveying two expatriates working for a mining company, killing a police Inspector attached to the firm.

On Wednesday, suspected cultists attacked a team of police officers at Lafenwa in Abeokuta, Ogun State, destroying a patrol vehicle.

(NAN)
The PDP caucus in the House of Representatives has joined its Senate counterpart in issuing a six-week ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari to address insecurity or risk impeachment.

The Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, gave the notice on Thursday, after a meeting of the National Assembly PDP Caucus at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

The meeting was chaired by the Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda (PDP, FCT), with more than 20 lawmakers in attendance.

The lawmakers held a closed-door meeting, after which Mr Elumelu briefed journalists on the resolution reached.

He stated that members of the House will also present a formal impeachment notice against the president if the general insecurity in the country is not addressed.

Walkout by PDP Senators

PREMIUM TIMES reported that on Wednesday PDP senators staged a walkout during a plenary session over insecurity in the country.

The lawmakers walked out of the chamber after the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, disallowed a motion on insecurity and impeachment of Mr Buhari.

We will gather signatures at the expiration of the ultimatum Elumelu

Mr Elumelu said the lower chamber will commence the collation of signatures to trigger impeachment proceedings against Mr Buhari if the security situation is not addressed at the expiration of the six-week ultimatum.

He noted that the lawmakers have exhausted all means to address insecurity in the country, through resolutions and security summits.

According to him, Mr Buhari has ignored all recommendations of the lawmakers to address insecurity in the country.

He said the impeachment move is not a partisan matter, but rather, a cross-party affair. He stated that lawmakers in the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in support of the impeachment move but many are not willing to speak out.

They have given six to eight weeks for Mr President to address the insecurity that is affecting this country.

I want to join my colleagues that upon expiration, we will prefer ways of ensuring we will gather all the signatureslet me make it clear, for those who are thinking it is an issue of only PDP or Minority caucus, no, many of our colleagues, under the bipartisanshipall of them are affected. All of them are affectedmany of them. So, they may not be speaking but we will be speaking for them.

We are asking Mr President to address the insecurity in this country within six to eight weeks unless we will find the constitutional means to ensure that we will serve him impeachment notice, he said.

Position of the constitution on impeachment of president, vice-president

Section 143 of the 1999 constitution provides the process for the removal of the President or Vice-President. To commence the process, the notice must be signed by one-third (1/3) of the members of the National Assembly.

Section 143(2) of the constitution provides that whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the National Assembly.

The National Assembly is made up of 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members.

The one-third of the 469-member National Assembly stands at 157.

Furthermore, the notice, which must contain the offence of the president, must be presented to the President of the Senate, who has the responsibility to serve the notice to the president and every member of the National Assembly within seven days.

The motion must also get the approval of two-third (2/3) members of each chamber before an investigation could be launched.

Our action was spontaneousAduda

Mr Aduda said the Senate caucus had to brief their counterpart in the House because the walk-out was spontaneous.

He disclosed that all senators across all parties agreed on impeachment notice, noting that all senators agreed that the security architecture is failing.

Our action yesterday was spontaneous from the issues raised from the floor of the Senate. This issue is not just about PDP members, this is a bipartisan issue.

We all agreed that the security architecture in the country is failing and there is a need to salvage it immediately. We also agreed thatthe issue is to issue an impeachment notice to the president, he said.

The lawmakers are currently on holiday till September 20.
The Kano State High Court has sentenced Abdulmalik Tanko, a teacher who murdered his pupil, Hanifa Abubakar, last December to death

Mr Tanko, the proprietor of Noble Kids College, was sentenced to death by hanging.

Mr Tanko, alongside his accomplice, Hashim Isyaku and Fatima Musa, were arraigned before the Kano State High court on a five-count charge of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, confinement, and culpable homicide contrary to sections 97, 274, 277, 221 of the penal code.

Mr Tanko kidnapped and killed Hanifa, a five-year-old pupil on 4 December 2021, while she was returning from Islamiyya school and subsequently buried her in a shallow grave.

The judge, Usman Nababa, sentenced, Mr Tanko,38, and Hashimu Isyaku, 38 to death by hanging for the kidnapping, and killing of Hanifa Abubakar.

The convicts were sentenced to five years each for conspiracy.

One other suspect, Fatima Musa, was sentenced to one-year imprisonment for conspiracy and another one year for an attempt to commit a felony.

To prove its case, the prosecution team led by Kano State Attorney-General, Musa Lawan, called eight witnesses and tendered fourteen exhibits.

Mr Tanko had confessed to kidnapping and killing the victim with N100 rat poison before burying her in a shallow grave in one of his schools but later withdrew his confessional statement.

The killing of Hanifa was widely condemned by many Nigerians including President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Nigerian government has finally confirmed that elite soldiers guarding the president were ambushed and many of them were killed.

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, said the soldiers of the Presidential Guards Brigade were ambushed and decimated, an indication of the worsening security situation in the country.

Mr Monguno addressed journalists in Abuja Thursday after the National Security Council meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari.

A few days ago, troops of the guards brigade were ambushed and decimated.

Had there been a collective effort by way of just snippets of information we might have averted that incident, that is not to say that the responsibility is for those outside the security domain. Its a collective responsibility, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the attack on the members of the guards brigade, a unit of the Nigerian Army, leading to the death of eight soldiers including two officers.

At least four other soldiers were injured in the attack which occured Friday night in Bwari Area Council of Abuja.

The Kogi State Government on Tuesday confirmed that the two officers that died in the attack were from the state.

However, both the army and the federal government kept mum on the attack until Thursdays statement by the NSA.

Serial attacks

The attack on the guards brigade, whose duty is to protect the president, comes a few weeks after terrorists launched a similar attack on a presidential convoy in Dutsinma, Katsina State.

On the same day, terrorists invaded the Kuje prison in Abuja and freed hundreds of inmates, including Boko Haram suspects.

Fridays attack also occurred two days before terrorists released a video showing them manhandling persons kidnapped from the Abuja-Kaduna train.

One of the terrorists in the video threatened that his group would abduct President Buhari, Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai and other prominent Nigerians and destabilise the country if their demands were not met.

The terrorists also threatened to kill and sell some of the remaining Abuja-Kaduna train passengers in their custody.

This is our message to the government of Nigeria and just as you have seen these people here, by Gods grace, you will see your leaders; your senators and governors will come before us. These ones you are seeing here, we will keep some as our slaves and sell them off just as our Imam told you in the past.

Just like the Chibok girls that were sold off, we will equally sell these ones as slaves. If you dont adhere to our demands, we will kill the ones we need to kill and sell the remaining. By Gods grace, El-Rufai, Buhari, we will bring you here, the terrorist said in the video.

Until recently, the FCT had enjoyed relative peace, compared to some neighbouring states such as Niger and Kaduna where terrorists, locally called bandits, operate almost on daily basis.

Despite the deteriorating security situation, the Buhari government has repeatedly insisted that security has improved under the president.
The National Security Council (NSC) says it is concerned about the nature of media reporting incidents with regards to insecurity.

This was disclosed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, at the end of Thursdays council meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting was held a day after opposition senators threatened to commence the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari if the worsening security situation across the country is not dealt with in six weeks.

Many Nigerians have blamed the president and his appointees for the worsening security situation that has seen killings and kidnappings become the norm in many parts of the country.

At the end of the Thursday meeting, Mr Monguno told journalists that media reports can aggravate the security situation in the country.

It is important for the media to understand that certain reports being generated by the media, either the way, the manner, in which they report can also aggravate this delicate situation, he said.

So, council is urging the media to be very careful in whatever it reports, whatever gets out to the public space, can have a debilitating effect on the population.

However, it is not just the media that the Buhari-led NSC is worried about, it is also concerned about the statements of political elites.

Equally, the political elite is also urged to take into account the consequences of utterances, especially from people who have established a reputation, people who are considered leaders of thought, people who are considered to have some kind of influence in society.

Whatever goes out, may be harmful, not just to the government, if that is the intention, which I doubt may not be a deliberate thing, but at the end of the day, it will affect the wider society.

At a sitting of Nigerias House of Representatives, a lawmaker, Ndidi Elumelu, advised his colleagues not to spend their vacation in Abuja because the Nigerian capital was not safe.

Worrisome

Nigeria has been described as a county under siege. Virtually all parts of country currently battle with one form of violent crime or the other largely unabated.

Parts of the North-west have been overrun by rampaging bandits who kidnap for ransom, sack villages and kill victims who cannot pay for their freedom.

While the North-central is also plagued by bandits and criminal herders who operate in parts of Kogi, Benue and Nassarawa States, the North-east is embroiled in a war with Boko-Haram and other insurgency groups such as ISWAP.

Even though authorities claim the insurgents have largely been degraded and are now focusing more on soft targets and solitary military formations, Boko-Haram is still able to carry out attacks in many parts of the North-east including on military posts and formations.

While criminals under the guise of herders are also causing perpetrating crimes in the South-west and South-south regions, the South-east region is a hotbed of violent secessionist crisis.
About three days after terrorists fatally ambushed soldiers of an elite unit of the Nigerian Army in Abuja, the military reinforced and returned to the area of the attack to conduct a clearance patrol.

At the end of the exercise which was conducted over three days, at least 30 terrorists were killed, the defence headquarters said on Thursday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the Friday night attack on the 7 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army Presidential Guards Brigade. At least eight soldiers including two officers were killed in the July 22 attack in Bwari Area Council of the Nigerian capital.

However, on July 24, the military commenced its clearance operation in the local government using ground forces and attack aircraft.

Troops of 7 Guards Battalion and 167 Special Force Battalion in conjunction with the air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH conducted a clearance patrol around Bwari general area between 24  26 July 2022, Benard Onyeuko, a major general and spokesperson of the defence headquarters, said in a press briefing on Thursday.

Troops successfully clear Kawu and Ido villages. Consequently, about 30 terrorists were neutralized and their enclave and hide out destroyed.

Mr Onyeuko, according to the text of the press briefing, which was shared on the Facebook page of the defence headquarters, said the military also recovered weapons from the terrorists.

Ground troops also recovered 6 x motorcycles, 2 x AK47 rifles, 1 x fully loaded LMG magazine amongst others during mob up, he said.

The Attack

PREMIUM TIMES reported how troops of the guards brigade, responsible for the security of the Nigerian president, were ambushed.

Two officers (a lieutenant and a captain) and six soldiers were killed in the attack while at least four others, including the commanding officer who is said to be a lieutenant colonel, were injured and taken to the hospital.

While the military and the Nigerian government kept mum on the attack, the Kogi State Government on Tuesday announced that the two officers killed were from the state.

On Thursday, the federal government finally confirmed the attack with the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, saying the soldiers were ambushed and decimated by the terrorists.

Troubled FCT

Until recently, the FCT had enjoyed relative peace, compared to some states surrounding it such as Niger and Kaduna where bandits operate almost on a daily basis.

The attack on the guards brigade occurred in the same month that terrorists invaded the Kuje prison in Abuja and freed hundreds of inmates, including Boko Haram suspects.

Some weeks before then, terrorists also attacked a presidential convoy in Katsina, injuring one person.

It is not clear if all the attacks were carried out by the same group or different ones.

Different terror groups operate in different parts of Nigeria despite the efforts of the military which has deployed soldiers to over 30 of Nigerias 36 states.

ISWAP, a faction of the Boko Haram terror group, claimed responsibility for the attack on the Kuje prison and released a video of the incident.

No group has, however, claimed responsibility for the attack on the presidential convoy and that of the guards brigade.
The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has confirmed the suspension of the Provost of the institutions College of Medicine, Godfrey Iyalomhe, and two other principal officers of the college over allegations of financial impropriety and abuse of office.

Other officers who were suspended along with Mr Iyalomhe are the Acting Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Harrison Otamere, and the Head of Department of Nursing, Ifeanyi Nwadike.

The new development came barely three weeks after the suspended provost approved an internal memo threatening that medical students would lose their studentship if they failed to pay a mandatory N50,000 hostel construction fee.

The university management in a memo signed by an administrative official and Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the institution, Lawrence Isiraojie, noted that the decision was taken to allow independent investigations into the petitions by students and staff of the university against the provost and the other two officials of the college.

Hostel fee

On 5th of July, an internal memo containing the threat to the students was shared by sources in the college. It was personally signed by the provost, Mr Iyalomhe, a professor, with a strict warning that failure to heed the instruction would earn the defaulters dismissal in the case of old students and withdrawal of admission in the case of fresh students.

Many sources confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the decision forced some fresh students to reconsider the admission offer while returning students also panicked.

Mr Iyalomhes memo noted that a consensus was reached on 7th March, 2020 by the college management, a consultative forum and students association that every medical student should pay N50,000 to complete a hostel under construction.

The memo also stated that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has made the hostel one of the prerequisites for further induction of graduated doctors or admission of new students to the college.

Consequently, I am to direct that every medical student must show evidence of payment of the above levy before taking part in any End-of-Posting Examination, Professional Examinations or resuming any new Clinical Posting.

When PREMIUM TIMES called the suspended provost at the time, Mr Iyalomhe said the matter was not for public consumption because it was not a matter for the newspaper.

Please the memo is a private one and doesnt have anything to do with newspapers, he said.

Suspension order

The memo announcing Mr Iyalomhes suspension, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, reads in part: I am directed to inform staff and students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, that the University Management on the directive of the Special Intervention Team (S.I.T -AAUE) has suspended the Provost, College of Medicine, Professor G.B.S Iyalomhe, Acting Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Dr Harrison Oghogho O. Otamere and the Head of Department of Nursing, Mr I Nwadike from their offices.

The suspension is sequel to several petitions received from staff and students of the College of Medicine on allegations of abuse of office and financial impropriety levelled against them.

The suspension of the officers from office is to enable the Management of the University carry out a detailed and unbiased investigation into the said allegations.

When asked if the suspension was in connection with the hostel fee, Mr Isiraojie said he could not give specifics.

I can only tell you to simply use the memo at your disposal, he said.

Other allegations against provost

Meanwhile, further findings have shown that Mr Iyalomhes professorial promotion had been criticised by some petitioners.

The petitioners called for an investigation to ascertain if his promotion was procedural, merited and in consonance with the appraisal and promotion criteria of the university as well as global best practices.

Daily Independent Newspaper on 7th February reported that a staff in the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ujaddughe Oriasotie, submitted a petition to the authorities against Mr Iyalomhe on 2nd February.

The petition which was addressed to then Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Sonnie Adagbonyi, alleged that Mr Iyalomhes promotion to the ranks of both Reader and full professorship were manipulated in violation of the universitys appraisal and promotion criteria and best global practices by the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University, Ignatius Onimawo.

The newspaper further reported that while reacting to the allegation, Mr Iyalomhe said his appointment as provost followed laid down procedures.

He described the petitions as frivolous.

Student reacts to hostel charges

When contacted, a graduating student and former students union leader at the medical college, who does not want to be quoted for fear of victimisation, said he feared that a newspaper report would not affect their chances of graduation.

What we want right now is to graduate and leave the school after spending more than the expected time, the student said.

He noted that the leadership of the students union met to appraise the situations, weigh options and concluded to pay the fee since it seems we dont have a choice for now.

The source added; It is not actually imposed on us as the media thinks. We met with the management to take the decision because since the government could not complete the building and it is part of the accreditation criteria, it is the best decision at the moment.

The school is in a mess and it is only the medical school that seems afloat at the moment. Anything to upset this balance will see some of us who have a few months to go spending extra years.
The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has expressed reservations about the University Teaching Hospitals (UTHs) Amendment Bill, which is aimed at restructuring the composition of the Governing Board of the institutions.

Mr Ehanire said this at the public hearing of a bill for the amendment of the UTHs Act by the House Committee on Health Institutions in Abuja on Wednesday.

The minister said that the passage of the bill into law would lead to a huge disruption in the health sector.

He added that it would worsen the brain drain syndrome being experienced in the country and lower the standard of healthcare services in Nigeria.

Rather than this bill, expertise should be placed on addressing the brain drain and improving hospital infrastructure, Mr Ehanire said.

The minister, represented by Adebimpe Adebiyi, the Director of Hospital Services, said the UTH was a well-organised system under the Ministry of Health with a mandate on manpower training.

He said that the UTHs were designed primarily to train medical students, adding that the Chief Medical Director of the hospital was not only an administrator but they also have the responsibility to ensure that standards were maintained.

Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Uche Ojinmah, said that the Association rejected the bill in its entirety.

Mr Ojinmah said that the bill sought to defeat the purpose of the enactment of the law it was seeking to amend.

It is important for us to know that, unlike other government hospitals, UTHs, starting with UCH, Ibadan, were established primarily for the purpose of training the medical students.

Prior to the enactment of the principal act, UCHs were run by directors of administration.

This caused a lot of crisis as the Directors of Administrations were more focused on the financial bottom line to the detriment of training and research, Mr Ojinmah said.

He said that the principal act made the position of the Chief Medical Director, a full-time position to be occupied by a person who possessed professional qualifications.

This, he said, must be similar to those of the Dean or Provost of the associate medical schools and with cognate administrative experience in matters of health.

According to him, the principal act vested the control of teaching hospitals in the person whose primary field of competence as a fully registered medical practitioner and dental surgeon imbued him with knowledge.

This, according to him, included legal standing to take charge of the management of patients and training of medical students who owned the teaching hospital.

He said that the requirement of the principal act that a CMD must be a person who was a fully registered medical practitioner or dental surgeon was not a mistake.

Mr Ojinmah explained that it was not the headship of the teaching hospitals that was the problem, but the state of the nation.

Speaking earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, said that stakeholders views either for or against the subject would be addressed.

He said that it would add to the quality of legislations of the 9th Assembly which it would bequeath to the citizenry at the end of its tenure.

(NAN)
Austin Umahi has declined his appointment as the secretary of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Mr Umahi, who is the younger brother of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, in a statement on Thursday in Abakaliki, however, appreciated those who congratulated him on the appointment.

I am honestly humbled by this show of love but regret to inform you that I declined the appointment.

This is because it is best for job seekers, retired civil servants or anyone who loves the job.

I am also convinced that at my age and work experience, it is not in doubt that I know what I want in life.

Anyone interested in the position should not hesitate to approach our indefatigable governor to do the needful. This is because to my knowledge, the position is still vacant, Mr Umahi said.

READ ALSO: Senate confirms Mohammed Bello as RMAFC Chairman

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Mr Umahi won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for Ebonyi South District held on 28 May.

He was reported to have relinquished his senatorial candidacy to the governor who failed to clinch the partys presidential ticket.

The APC has fixed a re-run of the primary for July 31 in compliance with a Federal High Court ruling that the governor could not hold the ticket.

(NAN)
The police in Ondo have justified the arrest of a social media user, Oladotun Olorunfemi, after a post about the state governments neglect of the victims of the June 5 attack at the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo.

A brief statement from the police on Tuesday said they arrested Mr Olorunfemi after receiving a petition against him.

A case of Character Assassination and Conduct likely to cause the breach of Peace was reported against him through a written Petition, the police said through its official Twitter handle, @OndoPoliceNg.

You can do well to ask questions before posting false or misleading news.

At least 41 persons died in the Owo church attack, and many more were injured.

While some had been treated and discharged from the hospital, some are still nursing injuries and are still hospitalised.

The state government had promised to handle the hospital bills of the victims financially, but Mr Olorunfemi alleged in his post that the victims were paying for their treatment.

His post rebuked the state governor and the Olowo of Owo for neglecting the victims.

It was gathered that Mr Olorunfemis sister was one of those injured in the attack and had visited her in the hospital when he saw patients paying for their medical bills against the promise that the government would bear on financial responsibilities.

He was also upset at the fact that there were huge donations by well-meaning persons and organisations for the purpose of caring for the victims.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) donated drugs, equipment, and consumables to the victims, and several individuals, mostly politicians, donated millions in cash.

Among them were the Nigerian Governors Forum; APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu; and the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Also, the Ondo government had, shortly after the attack, opened an account for public donations to the victims of the church attack.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it will establish an aircraft manufacturing plant in Osogbo, Osun State, just as it takes over construction of the state airport runway in Ido-Osun.

Oladayo Amao, the Chief of Air Staff, made this known in Osogbo at the official handing over of the proposed state airport Runway and Airport Corridor to the Nigerian Air Force by the Osun Government.

Mr Amao, represented at the event by M.O Onilede, said the Air Force, as part of the agreement reached with the state government to take over the state airport site, had already moved its Research and Development Centre from Kaduna to Osogbo.

He said NAF would also develop an Aviation City in Osun, adding that discussions were already ongoing with necessary foreign partners and that work would commence as soon as the agreement was reached.

Mr Amao, an Air Marshal, said the Aviation City would be the first of its kind in the continent of Africa.

The project in the state would also include an aircraft manufacturing plant, a maintenance repair organisation, and an unmanned aerial vehicle production centre, among many others, he said.

Mr Amao said that Air Force would develop the runway and terminal building of the Osun Airport site as it remains a critical facility for the Air Force projects and to also aid commercial flights.

According to him, the runway is a critical requirement for these facilities.

If we manufacture aircraft, there will be a need to test fly the aircraft, he said.

We are going to develop the runway; we are going to build a terminal that will be dual purpose.

Instead of people going to Akure, Ibadan, or Lagos to take a flight, once that airport runway is ready, it would be available for civil flight operations, he said.

In his remarks, Governor Gboyega Oyetola thanked the NAF for bringing the projects to the state, adding that the airstrip at the Ido-Osun airport site was built in 1936 and used by the then African Volunteer Force during World War II.

Mr Oyetola said the Federal Government gave the state the go-ahead to embark on the development of the Airport upon the state appeal, with the hope that its construction would stimulate the socioeconomic development of the state.

The airport approval was given based on similar financial and technical assistance extended to some state governments at the time.

But, while these states today have their airports, ours remain stillbirth until this administration took the bull by the horns.

Our untiring efforts to ensure we keep the dream of having an airport in Osun alive birthed todays occasion, he said.

The governor said the handing over of the airport project to the Nigerian Air Force marked the beginning of a mutually-beneficial relationship with the NAF, thanking the force for its sustained support for the state.

He said the state government was able to provide the Air Force with the 100 hectares of land needed for its barracks and the aviation city projects.

Mr Oyetola said the state government got 60 hectares at Ido-Osun, while additional 50 hectares were acquired from the military land along the Osogbo-Kelebe axis of Osogbo.

(NAN)
An ally of former Osun governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who served as the commissioner for finance in his government, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

Wale Bolorunduro, a member of the All Progressives Congress, announced his defection while speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday.

He described the APC in Osun State as leadership of deceit, injustice, lack of fairness, unhealthy/needless rivalry and poor reward system that are aliens to what Awolowo stood for..

He said his decision to quit the APC was after wide consultation and has been accepted by his followers.

I have consulted wisely and widely with my followers, admirers, friends, and families, who felt we should pitch our tent with PDP, to join this party and to work with them to shine the light (Imole Osun), said Mr Bolorunduro.

We would have done this before the 2022 gubernatorial election, but knowing them it was better to err on the side of caution for us to have today, tomorrow and future.

My records are there in Zenith Bank, where I pioneered different financing groups (upstream oil and gas, telecom, power sector, infrastructure group) at different times when God allowed me to conquer one front after another. My adrenalin is usually fired by new challenges.

Mr Bolorunduros defection is the first high-profile defection from the APC to the PDP after the latter won the governorship election in the state.

Before the election, Kolapo Alimi, a two-term commissioner during Mr Aregbesolas administration, defected to the PDP.

Mr Alimi, who defected in June, was reportedly appointed the Deputy Director-General of Adeleke Campaign Organisation.

Mr Aregbesola, the current Minister of Interior, has been at loggerheads with Governor Gboyega Oyetola, leading to divisions in the state chapter of the APC.

Ahead of the July 16 governorship election, The Osun Progressives, the faction of the party loyal to Mr Aregbesola, reiterated their support for the APC; though they remained silent on supporting Mr Oyetola.

On the eve of the election, Mr Aregbesola jetted out to Germany to attend a conference, scheduled two days after the election.

Mr Oyetola eventually lost his re-election bid to Ademola Adeleke, the PDP candidate, who polled 403,371 votes against his 375,027 votes.

Oladele Oluwabamji, the director of media and publicity of PDP in the state, confirmed the defection of the ex-finance commissioner.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to rescue Zamfara State from terrorist gangs that have killed, abducted and displaced thousands of people, if elected president.

Mr Abubakar made this promise on Wednesday night after he met with PDPs gubernatorial candidate in Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal  Dare.

Atiku said rescue was on its way for the people of the state.

He blamed the All Progressives Congress government for allowing violence to fester in the state, a situation he said has left the state backward and its people vulnerable.

According to a statement by the media office of the partys governorship candidate in the state, Atiku said the first step of rescuing the state was to vote out the APC.

In order to achieve that, there is the need for having a united PDP which will be formidable enough to face any opposition no matter how difficult it may be, Atiku was quoted as saying.

The best thing to do for the people of Zamfara State is to bring about peace, secure farms, and provide businesses.

But the situation now is otherwise. We must unseat the APC to rescue and rebuild the state and the country. PDP administration will also resuscitate the textile industry, he reportedly added.

Mr Abubakar said the party would continue to mobilise support for its gubernatorial candidate.

During the visit, Atiku received former APC stalwarts in the state, who decamped to the PDP.

Mr Lawal  Dare said the former APC bigwigs got tired of the lies in the APC and decided to join the winning party.

Lawal expressed confidence that Nigerians are now comfortable with the PDP having felt the brunt of the bad governance of the ruling All Progressive Congress.

Getting these stalwarts is a big harvest for PDP in Zamfara state, considering the calibre, status, and political value of the persons who left the APC.

Some of the decamping politicians, according to the statement, were: Salihu Mai Buhu, Sahabi Liman, Illili Bakura, Garba Yandi, Ikra Bilbis, NaAllah Isa  Mayana, Mukhtar Lugga, among others.
A 17-year-old girl, Munachi Obasi-Igwe, has been found dead in a bush along the Agbabor-Isu Road in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigerias South-east.

Obasi Igwe, a relative of the deceased, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that she was a Senior Secondary 1 student.

Mr Igwe said the girl was suspected to have been killed on the evening of Monday.

She was on her way back to her ancestral home, Amakporo, Onicha community.

She was gruesomely murdered on Monday on her way back to Amakporo, from our neighbouring village, Agbabor Isu.

We, the family, need justice. The security agencies should come to our aid. We do not know what was her crime that led to her death.

She was only 17 years old, an SS 1 student. We need justice. The police and army should help us to fish out the perpetrators of the wicked act, Mr Igwe said.

The police spokesperson in Ebonyi, Chris Anyanwu, said the command was aware of the incident.

We are aware of the incident. The command has started an investigation into the matter. I believe the perpetrators will surely be brought to the book, Mr Anyanwu, a superintendent of police, said.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Information, Uchenna Orji, has said there was no evidence so far to link the killing to herdsmen.

The commissioner said there were no herdsmen residing in the area.

Mr Orji said the deceased is believed to have been attacked by criminals in the area.

We condemn the ugly incident. The unfortunate incident is the handiwork of yet-to-be identified criminals, he stated.

(NAN)
The PREMIUM TIMES reporter, Saviour Imukudo, who was detained on Wednesday, on the order of the Akwa Ibom Chief Judge, Ekaette Obot, has been released.

Mr Imukudo was released at about 5 p.m. Wednesday after PREMIUM TIMES Assistant Managing Editor (Southern Operations), Cletus Ukpong, met with the chief judge in her office.

The judge said her grouse with the reporter was that he used his telephone to do audio recording of proceedings in her court without her permission.

Mr Imukudo admitted recording the proceedings but explained that he did so to enable him accurately report what transpired in court.

Because the case had become controversial, I wanted to be careful, the reporter said. I wanted to capture the highlights on tape so there is no risk of misquoting anyone.

The reporter was compelled to delete the recording he made, with Justice Obot saying permission must be granted before any recording of proceedings must be made in her court.

Mr Imukudo was then released and his telephone returned to him.

PREMIUM TIMES is a responsible organisation, Mr Ukpong said. We will continue to report the defamation case and other cases in the state responsibly, with no bias and in line with global best practices and the ethics of our profession.

We urge the Chief Judge to consider journalists as partners in the temple of justice. She should be more tolerant of journalists who, like a good number of judges, are on a mission to make our world a more just, prosperous and peaceful place.

The reporter was in court to cover the proceedings of a defamation suit between the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, and the defendant, Leo Ekpenyong, a lawyer.

Mr Ekpenyongs lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, was on the same day imprisoned by Justice Obot after she accused him of contempt of court.

The judge first asked Mr Imukudo to leave her court. But as he exited, the judge directed her police orderlies to intercept him, confiscate his telephone and detain him.

The journalist was detained in an office within the judiciary complex before being transferred to a nearby divisional police station, where he was made to write a statement.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday presented its first prosecution witness in the trial of the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, and three others facing N109 billion fraud charges.

The witness is Hayatudeen Ahmed, an operative of the EFCC who investigated the allegations against the defendants.

He stepped into the witness box shortly after the judge, J. O Adeyemi-Ajayi, delivered a ruling granting bail to the defendants on Thursday.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how the judge dismissed EFCCs objection to granting bail to the defendants.

The judge said they were entitled to bail since they are still presumed innocent.

The other defendants, apart from Mr Idris, are Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Usman and a firm, Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.

EFCC had, on July 22, arraigned them on 14 charges of alleged misappropriation of N109.5 billion.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts and were immediately remanded in prison until they were granted bail on Thursday

Testifying on Thursday, EFCCs first prosecution witness, Mr Ahmed, narrated how payments were made and moved from one source to another.

The prosecution also tendered some documents through the witness.

But while the testimony of the witness was going on, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that counsel for the first defendant, Chris Uche, prayed the court to grant them a short time to consult his clients.

Mr Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, added that the documents tendered by the prosecution were already so much that he needed to speak with their clients on them.

Other defendants counsel, P.B Abalaka, for the third defendant and Mohammed Ndayako, also a senior advocate, for the fourth defendant aligned with Mr Uche.

The judge, Ms Adeyemi-Ajayi, agreed; then granted the request for adjournment and fixed August 10 and 11 for further proceedings.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants committed the alleged N109 billion fraud between February and December 2021.

It alleged Mr Idris accepted from Olusegun Akindele, a gratification of N15 billion as a motive for accelerating the payment of 13 per cent derivation to the nine (9) oil producing States in the Federation, through the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

It also alleged that N84,390,000,00 from the federal governments account was converted by the first and second defendants between February and November 2021.

The EFCC said the offence contravenes Section 155 and 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations against them.

(NAN)
The United States on Wednesday said it will invest an additional $55 million in food security relief for Nigerians as part of President Joe Bidens recent pledge at the G-7 Leaders Summit in Germany.

According to a press release by the US Embassy in Nigeria, the fund is to protect the most vulnerable nations from an escalating global food crisis and will be administered through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under its agriculture, nutrition, and humanitarian assistance programme.

This is, however, subject to congressional approval.

The funds will help immediately address the economic, food and nutrition needs of vulnerable communities in Nigeria most adversely impacted by higher food, fuel, and fertilizer prices, it said.

Commenting on the proposed investment, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said the United States is committed to mitigating the adverse effect of the current global food crisis on the people of Nigeria. We strongly support Nigerias economic prosperity and well-being, and our decades-long partnership with the Nigerian government, the private sector, and NGO community to address the countrys most urgent development and humanitarian needs.

She added that the US empathises with the hardships and suffering of Nigerian citizens which has been exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its negative impact on global food security.

We fully expect President Bidens initiative will significantly soften the blow of these war-related international price shocks, Ms Leonard said.

Chiamaka Okafor 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.
The police in Ondo State say the gunmen who attacked the construction company in Owo, Ondo State, on Wednesday night, used explosives to destroy one of the earth-moving machines at the site.

Funmilayo Odunlami, the police spokesperson in the state, said in a statement that the command has begun investigations to unravel those behind the attack.

Gunmen attacked Craneburg Construction Company in the ancient town, injuring two security men, according to Adetunji Adeleye, the Ondo State Commander of Amotekun Corps.

Oyeyemi Oyediran, the police commissioner in the state, led a team of officers of the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD)  Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield Explosives (CBRNE), also known as Anti-Bomb Squad, to the scene on Thursday, according to the police statement.

The statement said the incident occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on July 27 and was promptly responded to by officers covering the jurisdiction.

At the scene, the officers met the duo of one Rifum Lawrence aged 50 years, and Abraham Opara aged 45 years old, with bullet wounds, Ms Odunlami said.

They were immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo where they were admitted and are currently in stable condition.

The Anti Bomb squad confirmed that an Improvised Explosive Device was used to burst a tractor tyre at the scene of the crime.

She said the police commissioner sued for calm and encouraged well-meaning residents of Ondo State to cooperate with the police in the course of the investigations.

The Command urges the people of the state to be calm as the affected area has been cordoned and investigation has commenced to unravel the mystery behind the incident, she said.

In the same vein, the command is using this medium to warn those who do not know the real situation of things not to cause unnecessary panic within the state by peddling unconfirmed stories relating to the incident.

The Ondo State Commander of Amotekun, the states security outfit, Adetunji Adeleye, had earlier visited the site for inspection.

He said the gunmen shot sporadically into the air and damaged the windshields of two earthmovers at the site.

I have just left the scene and I realised that the two security men were injured as the attackers shot into the air, he said.

They damaged the windshields of two earthmovers of the construction company. The injured men have been taken to a hospital.

Owo was in the news on 5 June when gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church leaving 41 dead and several others injured.

A similar attack on a police division in Akure occurred on Monday, resulting in the death of a police officer.
The leadership of the Nigerian military has told President Muhammadu Buhari that the armed forces have adopted a new strategy to deal with the insecurity across the country.

This was disclosed by the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, who briefed journalists after Thursdays National Security Council meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The members of the armed forces have also made a commitment that in the coming weeks, they have already started working on a new strategy to deal with these snippets of violence, Mr Monguno said. And theyve given their word their commitment to the President, that there will be a change in momentum, regardless of the fact that there might be certain institutional limitations which they face. But they understood the enormity of the responsibilities that they have.

The NSA did not disclose the new strategy by the military which has deployed soldiers to over 30 of Nigerias 36 states due to insecurity in those states.

Thursdays security council meeting was held a day after opposition lawmakers threatened to impeach President Buhari if he does not act to check the insecurity across the country in the next six weeks.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how senators from opposition parties made the threat on Wednesday while their counterparts in the House of Representatives declared their support for the threat on Thursday.

Details later
The federal government says it will sanction the BBC and Trust Tv for airing documentaries that allegedly glorify and fuel terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Mohammed said the federal government is aware of the unprofessional documentary by the BBC Africa Eye, where interviews were granted to bandit warlords and terror gangs, thereby promoting terror in the country.

He condemned the BBC for not upholding the same standards and tenets as they would have done in the UK.

The minister also condemned Trust Tv, owned by Media Trust Ltd, for using its platform to grant an interview to a bandit, Shehu Rekeb, thereby promoting the activities of terrorists.

According to him, both platforms by their actions have become accomplices to terrorists and bandits in the name of reporting.

The minister said the appropriate regulatory body was already looking at the infractions and appropriate sanctions would be meted out to both platforms.

There is a regulatory body regulating broadcasting which is the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and they are also aware of these two incidents.

They are looking at which part of the Broadcasting Code that has been violated by the BBC and Trust TV.

Media is the oxygen that terrorists and bandits use to breathe.

When otherwise reputable platforms like BBC can give their platform to terrorists showing their faces as if they are Nollywood stars, it is unfortunate.

I want to assure them that they will not get away with it, appropriate sanctions will be meted to both the BBC and the Trust Tv, he said.

The minister said that the fact that the BBC is a foreign medium and not under NBC regulations, notwithstanding, sanctions will be meted out to the medium.

Let me assure you that they will not get away with the naked glorification of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.

If they are not registered in Nigeria and they are only sending their signals to Nigeria, we will ask them to stop sending the signals.

I know that during the IRA days, the BBC will not dare do what they are doing now in Nigeria.

It is because there is a country called Nigeria that they are operating here, he said.

The minister reiterated that the government would not tolerate any attempt by any media organisation to use its platform to set the country on fire.

(NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari says the poor welfare and working conditions of the nations judiciary, are serious and will be treated as such.

He said this would be done despite the country currently battling insecurity, corruption and economic challenges, aggravated by the COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.

Mr Buhari stated this when he hosted the chairman and representatives of the Body of Benchers, a body concerned with calling new lawyers to the Nigerian Bar and setting regulations for the legal profession, in the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

According to the president, a democratic government like the one he leads, standing on a tripod comprising the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, cannot stand where one of its three pillars, the Judiciary is not properly nurtured, maintained and sustained to deliver on its very pivotal constitutional duties.

He, therefore, promised to act quickly on the report of the committee he set up on his own back in 2018 to review the welfare and working conditions of the judiciary.

Let me assure you that the issues would be given due and urgent attention within the resources available to government, he said.

The President congratulated the Body of Benchers on the successful completion of the Benchers complex at Jabi, a building described as impressive that would house the body and provide conference facilities and accepted their invitation to personally commission the structure.

In his presentation, the chairman of the Body of Benchers, Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, described the condition under which judges, especially the Justices of the Supreme Court work as pathetic, appalling and below the minimum standards.

He said: We want to plead with you. We need to bail out the Judiciary. The situation is bad. Let us sympathise with the Judiciary. I know you to have respect, and feelings for the Judiciary.

You have sympathy, empathy and consideration. The Body of Benchers as elders of the legal profession makes these recommendations to Your Excellency, with a plea that they should be attended to urgently.

In his introductory remarks, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made a case for collaboration of the executive and the judicial arms, to open the books to enable both sides to see the depth of the decay and know how far to go in putting in place the necessary remedial measures.

There have been concerns over the poor work conditions and remuneration package of Nigerian judges.

The industrial court in Abuja, earlier this month, ordered the federal government and its relevant institutions to increase judges salary which has remained stagnant since 2008.

Both the Attorney-General of the Federation, Malami, and the National Assembly, who opposed the suit seeking the upward review of the judges salaries, have yet to commit to the implementation of the judgement.

Also, the longtime agitation for the financial autonomy of the judiciary has failed to yield the desired results, particularly at the state levels.

(NAN)
While the BVAS offers a technological leap that improves electoral integrity, the INEC Results Viewing (IREV) Portal and electronic transmission of election results have become a masterstroke that promotes transparency in the results collation process, while preventing malpractice during the physical transmission of results from polling units to collation centres. This, to a very large extent, enables ordinary citizens to access election results from the comfort of their homes, thereby encouraging accountability in the process.

The recently concluded Ekiti and Osun governorship elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in June and July have continued to enjoy rave reviews and be described as marked improvements over preceding elections. This is largely in terms of timeliness in the deployment of electoral materials and personnel, accountability on the level of the process, and the transparency of the results collation. Even though the elections were blighted by the criminal menace of vote merchandising, there are great signs that the power of the ballot truly belongs to the people.

Thus, election observer groups commended INEC, the Nigerian Police, other election stakeholders and, of course, the residents of the states for their resilience and commitment to credible and non-violent elections. Going into the all-important 2023 general elections without the baggage of perennial logistics concerns is, no doubt, a major morale booster. As a matter of fact, Yiaga Africa, an elections observer group, reported that for the Osun election, 77 per cent of polling units were open on time and 99 per cent of them had commenced accreditation and voting by 9.30 a.m. This was a major improvement over the 2021 governorship election in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory Area council elections earlier in February.

The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is the latest technological device introduced into the electoral terrain, which verifies fingerprints and authenticates facial features to ensure that only those eligible are allowed to vote and prevents voting by proxy. This is steadily making electoral malpractice difficult or impossible, while boosting citizens confidence in the process. With the deployment and optimal functionality of the BVAS across all the 3,763 polling units, 332 Registration Area Centres and 30 local government areas of Osun State, this is a major statement of how important the role of innovations in technology will be, especially going into the 2023 general elections.

While the BVAS offers a technological leap that improves electoral integrity, the INEC Results Viewing (IREV) Portal and electronic transmission of election results have become a masterstroke that promotes transparency in the results collation process, while preventing malpractice during the physical transmission of results from polling units to collation centres. This, to a very large extent, enables ordinary citizens to access election results from the comfort of their homes, thereby encouraging accountability in the process. Thus, it was no surprise to see civil society organisations (CSOs) fighting tooth and nail to ensure the passage of the Electoral Act 2022 and specifically ensuring legal backing for the deployment of technology and electronic transmission of election results.

While technology may not be a silver bullet that would solve all our electoral problems, it is indeed proving to be an act of genius in promoting electoral transparency and integrity. It is however not yet uhuru, as low voter turnout remains a proof that more needs to be done to boost citizens confidence, while vote merchandising must be curtailed to eradicate the transactional relationship between the government and the governed.

Certainly, innovations in technology have impacted positively on the election day deployment but the impact of technology was right from the pre-election preparation activities. Eyebrows were raised when INEC rightly chose not to deposit sensitive materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria due to the openly partisan tendencies of the governor of the Bank, Godwin Emefiele. However, the Commission successfully circulated its sensitive materials to all the local government areas and 332 Registration Area Centres, with trackers, to ensure that materials are deployed to appropriate locations. Similarly, unlike in previous years, the submission of the details of party agents and list of observers for elections are now done through the online portal. This has further standardised preparations for elections, while evading all forms of backdoor activities and, by extension, ensuring the religious implementation of the activities on the Commissions timeline, going into the election.

It is also important to state that the only group that deployed a Parallel Vote Tabulation to verify the accuracy of election results, Yiaga Africa, had said that INECs official announcement on the votes cast for the 2022 Osun State gubernatorial election is overall consistent with its election observation findings. There is also a high tendency that if official results had been changed at the ward, LGA or state collation centres, the electronically transmitted results and those from the IREV would have tracked inconsistencies.

While technology may not be a silver bullet that would solve all our electoral problems, it is indeed proving to be an act of genius in promoting electoral transparency and integrity. It is however not yet uhuru, as low voter turnout remains a proof that more needs to be done to boost citizens confidence, while vote merchandising must be curtailed to eradicate the transactional relationship between the government and the governed.

In this vein, intentional steps like grassroot engagements, town hall meetings, and community organising must be taken to mobilise eligible voters to participate in the electoral process from an informed perspective. Citizens must understand the implication of abdicating their civic responsibility and how this is directly connected to the standard and cost of living. Similarly, election stakeholders, especially security and other law enforcement agencies, must devise proactive and strategic ways of fighting vote-trading, as it continues to delegitimise political mandates and devalues the Nigerian citizenship.

Olasupo Abideen is a good governance, youth investment and public policy enthusiast. Abideen serves as the Kwara state coordinator of the NotTooYoungToRun movement and he is the executive director, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative. Please send comments and feedback to abideenolasupo@gmail.com. He tweets @opegoogle.
What is oxygen? Oxygen is a bandit saying on camera that guns and bullets are the only acceptable language of protest; it is a bandit warlord telling his interviewer that he doesnt kidnap, he only kills his victims; it is Abu Sani saying in the BBC interview that will be watched over and over again by hundreds of his victims, that when he kills, he feels no guilt.

After BBC Africa service promoted a story last Friday of an interview with the bandit warlords of Zamfara State, a senior Nigerian journalist, Kadaria Ahmed, called out the broadcaster in a tweet.

Kadaria, an ex-Beeb, said the interview would give the terrorists oxygen, stoke hysteria and bring nothing but pain and misery to hundreds of victims and their families.

In the thread that followed, the BBC Eye co-founding executive producer and others who weighed in disagreed with Kadaria. They said that without understanding the enemy, you cannot solve the problem. Or perhaps get the government to see the seriousness of the situation.

Not long after the exchange, Kadaria, who bears many scars for her calls for restraint and responsibility, for which she is considered too far to the journalistic right, removed herself from Twitter.

The deactivation of her account was unrelated but the coincidence raised genuine suspicions that she might be avoiding fresh attacks. She was asking for trouble. I knew she would get more than a harvest.

How far is too far? There are those who hold the view that this question is irrelevant  that the Nigerian media is sleeping on its watch, in bed with a government that has since lost its way. Thats a fair criticism, yet it does not diminish the importance of the question, how far is too far?

In the medias quest to understand and highlight insurgency, a scourge that has claimed over 35,000 lives since 2009, destroyed thousands of families and created in Nigerias North East, one of Africas largest pools of internally displaced persons, should the BBC be stoking the flames?

In addition to claiming lives and ruining families and communities, the Boko Haram/ISWAP terror has made President Muhammadu Buhari, a two-star general and veteran of Nigerias civil war, look worse than a Boys Scout. His promises and pledges to curb the vile criminality have paled into statement after meaningless statement of sympathy. Seven years after he took office, Nigerians are still waiting for him to take responsibility.

And in the week that the BBC promised to air its interview with the terrorists of Zamfara, Buharis presidency issued yet another statement that the president had done more than is expected of him by the Army. As if that was not sufficient admission of impotence, he crowned it with a curious trip to Liberia to give a lecture on security, hours after at least three members of his own elite guards were killed in an ambush in Bwari, 23 kilometres from the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

But this is about the media, not about a commander-in-chief fighting terrorists with statements. How far, for the media, is too far?

Yet, BBC is, in fact, a bit of a latecomer to this business of voyaging insurgency. Al-Jazeera was a much earlier courier. After the extra-judicial murder of the Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, the international network generously distributed gory videos of the incident, which may have set the tone for the viciousness of the post-Yusuf Boko Haram.

A minister in Buharis cabinet once expressed the view that reporting that the government was planning to deploy drones in the war against Boko Haram was a bridge too far. He was upset that LEADERSHIP published the story and said I should be sorry. I replied that his suggestion was ridiculous because the debate was held in the Senates plenary, in full public view.

But Kadarias objection to the BBCs interview is a different thing. The dilemma of how far is too far is eloquently captured in Broken Truths, the new book by the Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah.

Although the book is a collection of long convocation lectures by Kukah, delivered over decades, it offers extraordinary insights into the origins of violent insurgency in Nigeria, its spread and mutations, and the role of various institutions, including the media.

Its difficult to read the book and still give the BBC a soft pass after its interview with the vile and reprehensible bandit warlords of Zamfara. That interview may have been a journalistic coup, but it was, on the whole, another rich supply of oxygen for twats who should be rotting in hell.

It may be convenient to justify it as making a case for understanding the grievances of the terrorists (as if we didnt know theyre mostly in it for the blood, the money and God-knows-what-else). But it might also be useful for the BBC to remind itself of how former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, dealt with a similar situation.

At the height of their wicked bombings of the United Kingdom, Kukah wrote, the late Mrs. Margaret Thatcher managed to get Parliament to enact a law that criminalised allowing members of the IRA access to the British media. They could be quoted, but their voices could not be heard. She insisted that the IRA be denied what she called the oxygen of publicity.

What the BBC could not do in Thatchers time or even more recently in David Camerons Britain, after the brutal murder of British soldier, Lee Rigby, is justified in Buharis Nigeria as necessary for understanding the anatomy of some idiots. I find that hard to swallow.

Yet, BBC is, in fact, a bit of a latecomer to this business of voyaging insurgency. Al-Jazeera was a much earlier courier. After the extra-judicial murder of the Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, the international network generously distributed gory videos of the incident, which may have set the tone for the viciousness of the post-Yusuf Boko Haram.

At the height of Qatars three-year conflict with Saudi Arabia, it would have been interesting to see how Doha would respond to a Nigerian Television Authority documentary on the alleged links of the Gulf state with some of the most violent extremist groups in the Middle East, including Al-Qaeda.

Nigerias political class has been largely irresponsible, having neither the aptitude to understand and tackle insurgency nor the honesty to admit its complicity. That is why the problem has grown from a few misguided itinerants proselytising for a theocratic state to armed terror.

Its fair to argue that a failing government, bereft in the face of the daily loss of lives and cries of despair, would be unable to lift a finger without pressure or scrutiny. But the line between scrutiny and sensitivity needs not be drawn at the governments comfort zone. It should, instead, be a matter of public safety and security and our collective mental health.

Through it all, politicians have fueled the fire. They have used these itinerants as fodder. Sometimes, they send them bribes through emissaries. Yet at other times, they have posed with them for public photographs, while the insurgents were decked in automatic rifles. And recently, they even made one of them a member of the state Emirate council. Its absurd.

Yet, the only thing absurdum ad infinitum is giving them oxygen. Its like throwing petrol into the fire to quench it.

What does it matter, some may say? If the mainstream media does not do it, social media will. If social media was available at the height of the IRA insurgency, the argument continues, Sinn Fein would not need access to BBC. Members of the group would have simply ignored Thatcher and made their own blogs and videos. Perhaps. But regulation is slowly but surely curtailing the malicious negligence of big tech, too.

Even though the distinction is becoming increasingly blurred, and even meaningless, mainstream media is different from non-mainstream because society believes that perhaps the media could still save them from the sludge. For the victims of terrorists and their families, giving oxygen to terrorists is a painful nightmare.

What is oxygen? Oxygen is a bandit saying on camera that guns and bullets are the only acceptable language of protest; it is a bandit warlord telling his interviewer that he doesnt kidnap, he only kills his victims; it is Abu Sani saying in the BBC interview that will be watched over and over again by hundreds of his victims, that when he kills, he feels no guilt.

To be fair, unlike the widely shared video of the torture and lashing of victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, in which one of the terrorists gloated about his release from Kuje Prisons and promised more attacks, BBC went the extra mile. It spoke with a few victims and included interviews with their families, too.

But disciples of Abu Sani watching him gloat in that BBC documentary about replenishing his arms supply with millions of naira received as ransom have also been re-energised. That is oxygen.

Its fair to argue that a failing government, bereft in the face of the daily loss of lives and cries of despair, would be unable to lift a finger without pressure or scrutiny. But the line between scrutiny and sensitivity needs not be drawn at the governments comfort zone. It should, instead, be a matter of public safety and security and our collective mental health.

That vital oxygen should be reserved for the victims and those on the frontlines.

Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP.
The satellites can be used for demography, including the planning and mapping of population surveys, the mapping of census enumeration areas, the planning and monitoring of rural and urban growth, and the provision of early warnings for natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and storms.

At an inter-governmental summit in Addis Ababa in 1976, the then Head of State of Nigeria, Murtala Mohammed, informed member nations of the Economic Council of Africa/Organisation of Africa Union (ECA/OAU) about the history of satellites.

The Federal Government created a development plan to invest N10 million in satellites between 1976 and 1980.

After carefully weighing various policy options, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, which had previously been a council in 1970, was elevated to the status of a full-fledged ministry in 1980. The National Space Research and Development Agency was later separated from the Ministry in 1988.

On September 26, 2003, at Plesetek, Russia, the Federal Government launched the first satellite, NigSat-1, into orbit after certain specialists had received training at Surrey Satellite Technology in London.

NigSat-1 is one of the five disaster monitoring satellites that make up the Disaster Monitoring Constellation network. When disaster monitoring is required, the satellites will communicate with one another and share information.

However, the second communication satellite (Nigcomsat), which was launched in May 2007, was lost owing to a break in the fuel supply link of the panel, which resulted in a solar flare. The first satellite, NigSat-1, was designed to live for five years but is still operating in orbit today.

The launch of NigComSat-1R in 2011, after the incorporation of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) in 2006, was critical for both the country and the world. Another significant accomplishment for Nigeria was the launch that took place at Yasny, which is about a two-hour flight from Moscow, the Russian capital.

Also noteworthy is the fact that the NigComSat-1R point, a 2.5-metre high spatial resolution sensor, was manufactured and designed entirely by Nigerian engineers.

The Nigerian Satellite (NigComSat1R) is one of the critical national (solid) infrastructures under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy that can be leveraged to deepen broadband penetration as well as to deliver Direct to Home (DTH) services in the country.

The satellites can be used for demography, including the planning and mapping of population surveys, the mapping of census enumeration areas, the planning and monitoring of rural and urban growth, and the provision of early warnings for natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and storms.

Over places that terrestrial network carriers are unable to cover, NigComSat-1R offers omnipresent high-speed coverage. NigComSat-1R will always provide consistent, dependable, and fast internet services at an affordable price, even in the most distant areas of Nigeria or West Africa.

High-speed data and video Internet connections, cost-effectiveness, and security are all features of their services. The solutions are customised for the best possible delivery in applications for communications, disaster recovery, and security.

NigComSat-1R provides transponder leasing services on Ku-band, C-band, and Ka-band platforms. In addition to greater look angles and lower latency for intra-African communications traffic, 28 transponders and seven antennas ensure stronger footprints and centre beams spanning Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Broadcasters rely on NigComsat-1R to transmit a variety of media content to their customers homes, including normal TV, HDTV, and Ultra HD channels, thanks to more than 50 DTH platforms. The platform offers video-on-demand programming, in addition to free-to-air, free-to-view, and pay-tv channels.

NigComSat-1R offers locally produced, ground-breaking, value-added services that take advantage of its experience to address industry-specific needs and raise the quality of our satellite communications services. It also contributes to the provision of services that improve efficiency and procedures at work.

NigComSat-1R, Nigerias only communications satellite will outlive its usefulness by 2026, meaning that the satellite will expire by then.

I join other optimistic citizens to advocate that NIGCOMSAT should face its primary purpose of commercialising Nigerias space products and soon, I believe, we would tell our own success story in space.

The relentless efforts of Mallam Ibrahim Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, in building a digital Nigeria, as well as supporting NIGCOMSAT in the growth of the nations Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has leveraged the Nigerian Satellite (NigComSat-1R) to deepen broadband penetration in the country.

He said this in Abuja during the formal announcement of the National Policy on VSAT installation essential skills for Nigerians and the flag-off of the policy implementation through the training of 600 youths nationwide.

According to Pantami, the NigComSat-1R is a crucial piece of national infrastructure that the government wishes to use to improve broadband connection and benefit rural and underserved regions.

The Nigerian Satellite (NigComSat1R) is one of the critical national (solid) infrastructures under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy that can be leveraged to deepen broadband penetration as well as to deliver Direct to Home (DTH) services in the country.

The minister noted that broadband connectivity plays a critical role in the development of Nigerias digital economy, and said: We are developing skill acquisition policies for the various infrastructure required to drive the digital economy.

He further asserted that filling the capacity gap in satellite-based service delivery is now seen as an urgent necessity to improve the quality of life, particularly in rural communities and remote areas, where the majority of the population resides.

I join other optimistic citizens to advocate that NIGCOMSAT should face its primary purpose of commercialising Nigerias space products and soon, I believe, we would tell our own success story in space.

Fom Gyem writes from Abuja.
Architects and Designers Can Now Visualize Designs in Real Time on the Mac Platform

KARLSRUHE, Germany, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Enscape announced its popular real-time rendering software used by architects and designers worldwide to turn their models into immersive 3D experiences is now available for the Mac platform. Following a successful open beta, Enscape for Mac is now shipping for SketchUp 2021 and 2022.

Enscape for Mac: Join the Visualization Revolution. Enscape for Mac is now available for SketchUp 2021 and SketchUp 2022. Integrate design and visualization into one workflow and enjoy super-fast rendering with Enscape in your Mac. Get your free 14-day trial now!

As a direct plug-in to the modeling software, architects and designers can enjoy an integrated real-time visualization and design workflow, quickly turn models into 3D experiences, iterate more effectively, and easily communicate their vision with teams, partners, and clients, leaving more time to focus on designing great spaces.

"The release of Enscape for Mac now brings a truly integrated real-time visualization workflow to the Mac platform. Many customers have helped develop this product through our open beta program, and they are excited to now have the choice of two great platforms: Windows and Mac," said Petr Mitev, Vice President, Visualization Product Group at Enscape.

"We are thrilled that our SketchUp users can now enjoy this popular real-time rendering software on the Mac platform. Enscape's Mac version integrates directly into SketchUp, and no syncing, importing, or exporting is required. We know our Mac user base will be excited to now be able to seamlessly design and visualize their models in real time," said Hugh McEvoy, Director of Strategy and Business Development at Trimble.

Available Features and Functionality

The initial version of Enscape for Mac for Sketchup 2021 and 2022 includes the following features:

Real-time visualization  visualize models in real time in the Enscape rendering window.

 visualize models in real time in the Enscape rendering window. Real-time walkthrough  navigate rendered projects with the walk, fly, and perspective modes.

 navigate rendered projects with the walk, fly, and perspective modes. Export options  export and share design ideas with still renders, 360-degree panoramas, and web standalone options.

 export and share design ideas with still renders, 360-degree panoramas, and web standalone options. Visual Settings  use a range of atmosphere, image, capture, and rendering settings to create the perfect look.

 use a range of atmosphere, image, capture, and rendering settings to create the perfect look. Material Editor  use height maps and adjust textures to increase the level of realism.

 use height maps and adjust textures to increase the level of realism. Synchronized views  have the Enscape rendering window show the same view as the project.

 have the Enscape rendering window show the same view as the project. Enscape Asset Library  choose from more than 3,000 high-quality, low-poly 3D models to add to a project.

 choose from more than 3,000 high-quality, low-poly 3D models to add to a project. Manage views  create saved views to easily refer back to a project and seamlessly present it from the best angles.

 create saved views to easily refer back to a project and seamlessly present it from the best angles. Batch rendering  render views in batches to save time in rendering them individually.

 render views in batches to save time in rendering them individually. Panorama Tour  create a navigation mode within the Panorama Gallery to easily share designs.

 create a navigation mode within the Panorama Gallery to easily share designs. Language support  Enscape for Mac is available in English, German, Italian, Portuguese ( Brazil ), Spanish, French, Polish, and Dutch.

To see Enscape for Mac in action, watch this video or register for the upcoming webinar on August 3, 2022.

Sign up to receive information on future functionality and support for additional CAD programs.

Apply for a free educational license.

For more information and pricing, visit the Enscape website at Enscape3d.com.

About Enscape

Enscape develops high-quality real-time rendering, visualization, and virtual reality software for the global AEC industry that integrates design and visualization workflows into one. Enscape gives designers the power to create high-quality renderings based on their existing planning data and easily produce videos, panoramic images, and VR simulations. Enscape software is compatible with Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Archicad, and Vectorworks and is used by renowned architecture firms in over 150 countries.

In 2022, Enscape merged with Chaos, a developer of visualization technologies that empower artists and designers to create photorealistic imagery and animation across all creative industries. Together, the newly-combined company is creating an end-to-end ecosystem of 3D visualization tools accessible to everyone.

For more information, visit enscape3d.com and chaos.com.

Note for Editors:

Download images here.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_XBgRCh7zo

SOURCE Enscape
NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Israel Ministry of Tourism has announced that tourism arrival numbers, for the first time in over two years, are approaching the same record-breaking numbers of summer, 2019. This upward trend comes on the heels of the country reopening to international travelers regardless of vaccination status in March.

"We are thrilled that travelers from all over the world are eager to visit Israel again; ever since our total reopening to all travelers, we are seeing an influx of visitors," said Eyal Carlin, Tourism Commissioner for North America. "With new hotels, restorations and renovations to many historical sites, new tour offerings, and new restaurants in every region we are seeing that the demand to visit Israel is very high--and with all the amazing things to do in Israel, there's never been a better time to visit."

Since March of this year, the Ministry has seen exponential growth month over month, and the country expects to be back to pre-COVID, 2019 numbers very soon. During June of 2022, Israel saw 112.7k North American tourists (excluding day visitors & cruise passengers) while in June of 2019 there were around 131.8k North American tourists who entered the country.

"It's exciting to see continuous growth in travel to Israel from the Canadian market," said Gal Hana, Director Counsel of Canada for the Israel Ministry of Tourism. "With a number of upgrades in accessibility, hotel openings, and of course the natural beauty of the country Israel should be at the top of everyone's travel list this year!"

With tourism on the brink of returning and exceeding 2019 numbers, the country has put forward several announcements highlighting how Israel remains focused on the tourism sector including:

Israel's Ministry of Tourism and the Investment Administration recently announced 107 entrepreneurs have applied for grants from the Ministry of Tourism to establish new hotels. Investors are seeking to establish and convert existing buildings to hotels and expand existing buildings or restore them to their original purpose. The Israel Ministry of Tourism has earmarked NIS 165 million ( $49 million ) in grants to support plans for the establishment.

Investors are seeking to establish and convert existing buildings to hotels and expand existing buildings or restore them to their original purpose. The Israel Ministry of Tourism has earmarked ( ) in grants to support plans for the establishment. Numerous hotels have opened over the last six months and more plan to open throughout 2022 and 2023 including the Six Senses Shaharut, Brut Brown Hotel, The David Kempinski Tel Aviv, Nobu Hotel Tel Aviv, Isrotel's Port Tower Hotel, Alberto Tel Aviv , and more.

and more plan to open throughout 2022 and 2023 including the Six Senses Shaharut, Brut Brown Hotel, The David Kempinski Tel Aviv, Nobu Hotel Tel Aviv, Isrotel's Port Tower Hotel, , and more. Tel Aviv Pride 2022 saw 10K+ tourists this year and the Pride parade, which took place on June 10 , saw over 170,000 people marching and celebrating.

this year and the Pride parade, which took place on , saw over 170,000 people marching and celebrating. Free guided tours to the public were brought back in February meaning, tens of thousands of free tours are now being offered every day of the week. To-date, more than 1,800 tour guides have responded to the invitation to participate in this project and tours are being offered in English, Russian, French and Arabic in addition to the Hebrew-guided tours currently available.

were brought back in February meaning, tens of thousands of free tours are now being offered every day of the week. To-date, more than 1,800 tour guides have responded to the invitation to participate in this project and tours are being offered in English, Russian, French and Arabic in addition to the Hebrew-guided tours currently available. The food and beverage scene continues to thrive as Israel remains a top foodie destination. Travelers can expect to see over 300 wineries, new breweries and distilleries including Jerusalem's new Thinker's Distillery, more restaurants in local markets using fresh local produce, vegan options galore, and more.

as remains a top foodie destination. Travelers can expect to see over 300 wineries, new breweries and distilleries including new Thinker's Distillery, more restaurants in local markets using fresh local produce, vegan options galore, and more. Accessibility in the Old City has greatly improved . Years in the making, nearly 4 miles of streets and alleyways in the Old City have been made accessible with the installation of hand railings and ramps. Another great advancement is the addition of the app, Step-Hear, which assists and supports the visually impaired.

. Years in the making, nearly 4 miles of streets and alleyways in the Old City have been made accessible with the installation of hand railings and ramps. Another great advancement is the addition of the app, Step-Hear, which assists and supports the visually impaired. Western Wall infrastructure upgrades are in progress. As one of Israel's most iconic and top-visited sites, Israel has approved a $35 million upgrade to the Western Wall. The plan aims to encourage more visits to the site by improving public transportation accessibility, developing new educational programs and continuing existing development projects.

As one of most iconic and top-visited sites, has approved a upgrade to the Western Wall. The plan aims to encourage more visits to the site by improving public transportation accessibility, developing new educational programs and continuing existing development projects. New flight routes continue to hit the market. Beginning on October 29 , American Airlines will be upgrading its Miami to Tel Aviv flight to daily service. El Al has resumed their non-stop service from Boston's Logan Airport and added a third weekly flight to the destination, and in May, Delta announced a non-stop route from Boston .

For more information, please visit Israel.Travel. and Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to receive the latest updates.

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Israel Ministry of Tourism
3Phase deepens its presence in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA, adding Next Level Elevator to Specialized Elevator's and 3Phase Elevator's west coast family of IUEC independents

ORANGE, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 3Phase Elevator, a leading independent elevator and escalator services provider, has merged with Next Level Elevator, a provider of top-tier maintenance, repair, modernization and testing services for all types and brands of commercial elevators and vertical conveyance systems in the Los Angeles market. The merger deepens 3Phase's presence in California where it already has a strong foothold with Specialized Elevator from San Francisco to San Diego.

'Powered by 3Phase Elevator' represents the technical and financial support enjoyed by the 3Phase family of independent IUEC elevator and escalator service providers.

Next Level Elevator, a locally owned independent elevator company, takes pride in providing quality service and making each customer a priority. The company has achieved growth by building long-term relationships with customers and targeting specific modernization projects where it has expertise. The existing Next Level Elevator team, led by Jevon Hadley and Lance Green, will remain in place and the company will continue to serve customers under the Next Level Elevator brand.

"We have a long-standing relationship with Specialized in the Los Angeles market, and it was apparent to us that our partnership would be a powerful combination. Both companies have built their businesses based on making the right decisions for customers." said Jevon Hadley, co-owner and operator of Next Level Elevator. Hadley added "This partnership gives us access to the resources to expand geographically and take risks in the Los Angeles market that are difficult to justify as a small independent. We already have plans to expand beyond our current footprint and we are excited about the future with Specialized and 3Phase." Donovan McKeever, the President leading the West for 3Phase commented, "In addition to serving and working with Next Level's customers, we are especially excited to add Jevon and Lance to the team in Los Angeles. They've built an impressive company and we are looking forward to continuing their tradition as a strong independent elevator company in the Los Angeles market."

"Deepening our presence in the Los Angeles area has been a strategic priority for 3Phase, and Next Level boasts a stellar reputation in this market that will complement the Specialized team. When we first met Jevon and Lance, we knew they were like-minded partners," said Mike Strachan, CEO of 3Phase Elevator. "This partnership further establishes our presence as a leading provider in the West."

About 3Phase Elevator

Founded in 1997, and headquartered in Canton, Mass., 3Phase Elevator is a leading independent provider of elevator and escalator maintenance, repair, modernization and new installation services in 20 states across the United States and the District of Columbia. The company has grown in part through 18 acquisitions of other independent elevator and escalator providers. 3Phase maintains more than 23,500 units for building owners and property managers. The company is built on a foundation of exceptional customer service. For additional information, visit www.3phaseelevator.com.

SOURCE 3Phase Elevator
BAYPORT, Minn., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Andersen Corporation, manufacturer of America's most loved brand of windows and doors*, has been named a Forbes Best Employer for Women 2022. Honorees were chosen based on an independent survey by Statista Inc. Respondents identifying as women were asked to rate their own employers regarding parental leave, family support, flexibility, discrimination, representation and career, and pay equity.

Andersen Corporation has been named a Forbes Best Employer for Women 2022.

"We are proud to be recognized by Forbes for the work we have accomplished to ensure Andersen is a special place to work for all employees," said Annie Zipfel, senior vice president, chief marketing officer and executive sponsor of the Women Leaders of Andersen employee resource network. "As a leader in the fenestration industry, with women representing 28 percent of our total workforce and nearly 30 percent of our leadership team, we are committed to furthering a culture of parity for our current and future employees who identify as women."

Expanding its inclusive and equitable workplace policies, in 2022, Andersen expanded benefits eligibility to same- and different-gender domestic partners and their children. Additionally, the company updated its parental leave to include added flexibility  offering employees the ability to take their paid parental leave in one-week increments versus requiring employees to use it all at once.

"From Kitty Andersen, wife of Andersen's second president, Fred Andersen, who hired women to work in Andersen's manufacturing facility during World War II, to the generations of women who have followed in her path, the women of Andersen have always inspired positive change and shaped the company we are today," said Jay Lund, Andersen Corporation chairman and chief executive officer.

Kitty Andersen went on to serve on the corporate Board of Directors for nearly 50 years. Since the 1930s, Andersen has had a female from the Andersen family as a representative on the corporate Board of Directors.

Andersen's senior leadership team is comprised of nearly 40 percent women, including the following executives:

Kelly Aronson , senior vice president and chief information officer

, senior vice president and chief information officer Jeanne Junker , senior vice president of Renewal by Andersen affiliate operations

, senior vice president of Renewal by Andersen affiliate operations Karen Richard , senior vice president and chief human resources officer

, senior vice president and chief human resources officer Annie Zipfel , senior vice president and chief marketing officer

This America's Best Employers for Women recognition is the latest accolade for Andersen's commitment to being a company where all employees feel welcomed, valued and inspired to achieve their full potential, including:

View the full list of Forbes Best Employer for Women 2022 award-winners. To learn more about Andersen's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, visit AndersenWindows.com.

*2022 Andersen brand survey of U.S. homeowners

ABOUT ANDERSEN

Andersen was founded in 1903 on the philosophy of working "all together" to deliver on its promise to its customers. Every day, the company's more than 13,000 employees are empowered to imagine what's possible and do what's right. Andersen delivers products for the way people live, unmatched performance for the comfort and security homeowners desire, and endless design options to achieve any style.

Headquartered in Bayport, Minn., Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen, Renewal by Andersen, EMCO and MQ brands. Andersen, a privately held company, operates manufacturing sites across North America and Europe. Andersen has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2022 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year  Sustained Excellence Award. Visit us at andersenwindows.com.

SOURCE Andersen Corporation
Wink, Blink and Dance with Your Eyes for a Chance to Win a Makeover with Vincent Oquendo, Celebrity Makeup Artist and LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops Brand Ambassador, and Participate in LUMIFY National Sampling Tour

VAUGHAN, ON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE/TSX: BLCO) ("Bausch + Lomb"), a leading global eye health company dedicated to helping people see better to live better, today announced the U.S. launch of the #LUMIFYEyeDance Challenge on TikTok.

The #LUMIFYEyeDance will challenge consumers to dance with their eyes to the beat of the LUMIFY audio track for a chance to win an A-List makeover with celebrity makeup artist and LUMIFY eye drops brand ambassador, Vincent Oquendo.

The #LUMIFYEyeDance will challenge consumers to dance with their eyes to the beat of the LUMIFY audio track for a chance to win an A-List makeover with celebrity makeup artist and LUMIFY eye drops brand ambassador, Vincent Oquendo. The $10,500 prize package will include travel and accommodations for two to New York, a $500 AMEX gift card, a "dream kit" featuring products used during the makeover session, and professionally shot photographs to commemorate the event.

"The enthusiasm for LUMIFY is evident on TikTok, where the LUMIFY hashtag has organically amassed nearly 14 million views to date. We believe the LUMIFY Eye Dance Challenge will help build upon the existing excitement on TikTok and inspire consumers to celebrate what makes them and their eyes unique," said Joe Gordon, president, Global Consumer, Surgical and Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb. "Since we first launched LUMIFY in May 2018, the product has cultivated a loyal fanbase who praise these eye drops for their ability to significantly reduce redness to help eyes look whiter and brighter in just one minute and last up to eight hours. We look forward to extending this fanbase even further through this exciting new TikTok challenge."

To enter the challenge sweepstakes, which begins on July 25, 2022 and ends on August 31, 2022, consumers must post a video of their eye dance on TikTok set to the LUMIFY song (found in the TikTok audio library) using the two official hashtags, #LUMIFYEyeDance and #WinIt.1 Prominent TikTok creators will help kick off the challenge by posting their own eye dance and encouraging others to participate.

In addition to the #LUMIFYEyeDance challenge, Bausch + Lomb is also launching a national product sampling tour that will run through four major U.S. metropolitan cities during the month of August. Two day-long pop-up events will occur at each tour location and feature a LUMIFY branded tiny home. The tiny home will offer visitors a refreshment bar with beverages and treats supplied by popular local chains and interactive experiences, such as mini masterclass sessions taught by prominent local makeup artists. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet local social media influencers and record their TikTok eye dance videos at a selfie station.

The LUMIFY sampling tour schedule is as follows:

Aug. 5-7, 2022 : Chicago, IL

: Aug. 13-14, 2022 : Dallas, TX

: Aug. 20-21, 2022 : Los Angeles, CA

: Aug. 27-28, 2022 : New York, NY

For more information on the LUMIFY Challenge, search #LUMIFYEyeDance on TikTok. To learn about the LUMIFY national sampling tour, visit www.lumifydrops.com/samplingtour.

About LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops

LUMIFY is the first and only over-the-counter eye drop formulated with low-dose brimonidine tartrate 0.025% for the treatment of ocular redness. Unlike other redness relievers, LUMIFY contains a unique formulation that selectively targets redness. In clinical trials, LUMIFY was shown to have a reduced incidence of side effects common to other redness relievers, like rebound redness and loss of efficacy over time, when used as directed. LUMIFY is also the No. 1 eye doctor recommended redness reliever eye drop brand with approximately 87% of doctor recommendations.2

About Bausch + Lomb

Bausch + Lomb is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the gift of sight for millions of people around the world  from the moment of birth through every phase of life. Its comprehensive portfolio of more than 400 products includes contact lenses, lens care products, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb has a significant global research and development, manufacturing and commercial footprint with more than 12,000 employees and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Bausch + Lomb is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario with corporate offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.bausch.com and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements, which may generally be identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "hopes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "believes," "estimates," "potential," "target," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed in Bausch + Lomb's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. They also include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties caused by or relating to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and the fear of that pandemic and its potential effects, the severity, duration and future impact of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, and which may have a material adverse impact on Bausch + Lomb, including but not limited to its project development timelines, launches and costs (which may increase). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Bausch + Lomb undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law.

References

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. 7/25/22 - 8/31/22. Must be adult legal resident of 50 U.S. states or D.C. See Complete Rules at www.lumifydrops.com/winit. IQVIA, Average Share of Weekly Doctor Recommendations, Q1 2022.

LUMIFY is a trademark of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.

Any other product/brand names and/or logos are trademarks of the respective owners.

 2022 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.

LUM.0106.USA.22

SOURCE Bausch + Lomb Corporation
-- Company to Appeal Expected Court Decision on Certain XIFAXAN Patents 

LAVAL, Quebec, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC), and its gastroenterology business Salix Pharmaceuticals, today announced the U.S. District Court of Delaware issued an Oral Order in the matter of Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. et al v. Norwich Pharmaceuticals, Inc. regarding the infringement and validity of certain U.S. Patents protecting the composition and use of XIFAXAN (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence.

The Oral Order indicates that the Court will find certain U.S. Patents protecting the use of XIFAXAN (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets for the reduction in risk of HE recurrence valid and infringed and U.S. Patents protecting the composition, and use of XIFAXAN for treating IBS-D invalid. While the Court has not yet entered any final judgement, absent Norwich's removal of the HE indication and data from their Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA), it is expected that the Court will enjoin Norwich's pending ANDA until expiration of the XIFAXAN HE Patents in 2029. The Company intends to vigorously oppose any attempt by Norwich to remove the HE safety data from its ANDA in an effort to avoid the XIFAXAN HE Patents.

The FDA has stated that they plan to make a major revision to the rifaximin product specific guidance to add an in vivo bioequivalency study. Until an approval of a revised ANDA is granted by the FDA and the expected injunction modified by the Court, Norwich is not permitted to launch a generic equivalent of XIFAXAN.

When the Court enters a final order, Bausch Health will consider all available options to vigorously defend the intellectual property protecting XIFAXAN and will appeal the Court's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

"We are disappointed with today's development. We strongly disagree with any conclusion that our patents are not valid and intend to file an appeal to any such order," Thomas J. Appio, CEO, Bausch Health, said. "As a leader in gastrointestinal health, protecting our intellectual property is essential to our ability to continue to develop innovative therapies. We intend to vigorously pursue all available options to challenge any final ruling, while also continuing to drive growth and innovation for our XIFAXAN franchise."

Bausch Health has previously entered into settlement agreements with Teva, Sun Pharmaceuticals, and Sandoz to permit a generic rifaximin product entry in 2028 or upon an earlier approval and launch of a generic rifaximin product. Until, and if, Norwich secures FDA approval for its generic rifaximin product and subsequently launches a generic rifaximin product, Teva, Sun Pharmaceuticals, and Sandoz will not be permitted to launch a generic version of XIFAXAN tablets before 2028.

The Company intends to file an appeal immediately after any final order is issued, assuming it is consistent with the Oral Order.

About XIFAXAN

XIFAXAN (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets are indicated for the reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in adults and for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adults.

About Salix

Salix Pharmaceuticals is one of the largest specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world committed to the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. For more than 30 years, Salix has licensed, developed and marketed innovative products to improve patients' lives and arm health care providers with life-changing solutions for many chronic and debilitating conditions. Salix currently markets its product line to U.S. health care providers through an expanded sales force that focuses on gastroenterology, hepatology, pain specialists and primary care. Salix is headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey. For more information about Salix, visit www.Salix.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Bausch Health

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global diversified pharmaceutical company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, international pharmaceuticals and eye health, through our approximately 90% ownership of Bausch + Lomb Corporation. With our leading durable brands, we are delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health. For more information, visit www.bauschhealth.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements about the future performance of Bausch Health, which may generally be identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "hopes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "believes," "subject to" and variations or similar expressions, including statements about the timing and details of the future plans for Solta and its future performance. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. In particular, Bausch Health can offer no assurance that the Court will issue a final judgment consistent with the Oral Order, as to the timing of any approval by the FDA of any ANDA or amended ANDA and as to the outcome of any appeal. Actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to Bausch Health's overall business, including those more fully described in Bausch Health's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and detailed from time to time in Bausch Health's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference.

SOURCE Bausch Health Companies Inc.
The beer market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying growth strategies based on the type, price, and quality to compete in the market. Also, to make the most of the opportunities and recover from post COVID-19 impact, market vendors are focusing more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Learn More about Beer Market Driver:

Rising demand for premium beers in emerging economies:

The demand for premium beer is rising in emerging economies owing to the changing lifestyle of people, rapid urbanization, increasing disposable income, and the popularity of beer among millennials.



A significant rise in per capita income in developed and developing economies is increasing the demand for premium varieties of beer among consumers. Global vendors are focusing on strengthening their distribution channels and promoting the online sales of beer across various emerging economies.



Emerging countries are dependent on imports to address the rising demand for global premium beer brands and craft beers. Premium varieties of beers are widely preferred because of their authenticity, taste, and brand. Owing to the increasing demand for such beers, vendors offer premium varieties of beer.

Find additional information about various other market Drivers, Trends, & Challenges available with Technavio. REQUEST SAMPLE REPORT (INCLUDING GRAPHS & TABLES) OF THIS MARKET

Vendor Insights-

The beer market report offers information on several market vendors, including Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Carlsberg Breweries AS, Diageo Plc, Heineken NV, Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd., Molson Coors Beverage Co., Royal Unibrew AS, Sapporo Holdings Ltd., and The Boston Beer Co. Inc. among others.

Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV - The company offers beer through global brands such as Budweiser, Stella Artois, Castle Lager Hoegaarden and Corona.

Carlsberg Breweries AS - The company offers beer through different brands. International brands include Amstel, Desperados, Sol, Tiger, Tecate, and Red Stripe.

Diageo Plc - The company offers beer through global brands such as Apatinsko, Barmen, Black Horse. It also includes low-alcoholic beers such as Ozujsko Fresh, Jelen Fresh , and Kamenitza Fresh.

Find additional highlights on the vendors and their product offerings. DOWNLOAD SAMPLE COPY OF THIS MARKET

Highlights-

Segmentation- The report extensively covers market segmentation by Distribution Channel (on-trade and off-trade) and Geography (APAC, Europe , North America , South America , and MEA).

The report extensively covers market segmentation by Distribution Channel (on-trade and off-trade) and Geography (APAC, , , , and MEA). Key Companies- Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Carlsberg Breweries AS, Diageo Plc, Heineken NV, Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd., Molson Coors Beverage Co., Royal Unibrew AS, Sapporo Holdings Ltd., and The Boston Beer Co. Inc. among others.

Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Carlsberg Breweries AS, Diageo Plc, Heineken NV, Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd., Molson Coors Beverage Co., Royal Unibrew AS, Sapporo Holdings Ltd., and The Boston Beer Co. Inc. among others. Driver- Rising demand for premium beers in emerging economies to drive the market.

Rising demand for premium beers in emerging economies to drive the market. Challenge- Presence of stringent regulations and high rate of taxes on alcoholic beverages to challenge the market growth.

For more additional information about the Beer Market. READ A SAMPLE COPY OF THIS REPORT

Segmentation by Geography (In-Scope/Out-of-Scope)

In-Scope:

APAC:

The 40% of the market's growth will originate from APAC during the forecast period. China is the key country for the beer market in APAC. Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in Europe and North America. The rising gross domestic product (GDP) and economic growth in the region, and the increasing popularity and acceptance of beer in various countries of the region will facilitate the beer market growth in APAC over the forecast period.

Out-of-Scope:

Europe



North America



South America



MEA

Segmentation by Distribution Channel (In-Scope/Out-of-Scope)

In-Scope:

On-trade:

The beer market share growth by the on-trade segment will be significant during the forecast period. On-trade distribution, which is also called on-premise distribution, includes establishments in which customers can purchase and consume beer. The on-trade segment is estimated to grow significantly during the forecast period, owing to the rising number of microbreweries and the popularity of macro breweries drives the growth of the on-trade segment.

Out-of-Scope:

Off-trade

To gain further insights on the market contribution & share of various segments & regions. VIEW SAMPLE COPY OF THIS REPORT

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For? Customize Report-

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Here are Some Similar Topics-

Beer Market in APAC by Distribution Channel, Product, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The market value is set to grow by USD 37.82 billion, progressing at a CAGR of 3% from 2020 to 2025, as per the latest report by Technavio. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by Distribution Channel (on-trade and off-trade), Geography (China, Japan, India, Australia, and the Rest of APAC), and Product (standard lager, premium lager, ales and stouts, specialty beers, and low-alcohol beers). FIND MORE RESEARCH INSIGHTS HERE

Ginger Beer Market by Distribution Channel and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The market value is set to grow by USD 4.08 billion, progressing at a CAGR of 7.68% from 2021 to 2026, as per the latest report by Technavio. The ginger beer market report also offers information on several market vendors, including Barritts, Brooklyn Crafted, Bruce Cost Ginger Beer, and more. FIND MORE RESEARCH INSIGHTS HERE

Beer Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.45% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 88.7 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 2.07 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution APAC at 40% Key consumer countries China, US, Russian Federation, Brazil, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Carlsberg Breweries AS, Diageo Plc, Heineken NV, Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd., Molson Coors Beverage Co., Royal Unibrew AS, Sapporo Holdings Ltd., and The Boston Beer Co. Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period, Customization preview 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

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 01: Parent market

2.2 Market characteristics

Exhibit 02: Market characteristics

2.3 Value chain analysis

Exhibit 03: Value chain analysis: Distillers and vintners market

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 04: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 05: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2020

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Exhibit 06: Global - Market size and forecast 2020 - 2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 07: Global market: Year-over-year growth 2020 - 2025 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 08: Five forces analysis 2020 & 2025

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 09: Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 10: Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 11: Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 12: Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 13: Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 14: Market condition - Five forces 2020

5 Market Segmentation by Distribution channel

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 15: Distribution channel - Market share 2020-2025 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Distribution channel

Exhibit 16: Comparison by Distribution channel

5.3 On-trade - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 17: On-trade - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 18: On-trade - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.4 Off-trade - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 19: Off-trade - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 20: Off-trade - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Distribution channel

Exhibit 21: Market opportunity by Distribution channel

6 Customer Landscape

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 23: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 24: Geographic comparison

7.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 25: APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 26: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 27: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

Exhibit 28: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 29: North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

Exhibit 30: North America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 31: South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

Exhibit 32: South America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.7 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 33: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 34: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.8 Key leading countries

Exhibit 35: Key leading countries

7.9 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

Exhibit 37: Impact of drivers and challenges

8.3 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor Landscape

Exhibit 38: Vendor landscape

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 39: Landscape disruption



Exhibit 40: Industry risks

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 41: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 42: Market positioning of vendors

10.3 Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV

Exhibit 43: Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV - Overview



Exhibit 44: Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV - Business segments



Exhibit 45: Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV - Key news



Exhibit 46: Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV - Key offerings



Exhibit 47: Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV - Segment focus

10.4 Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

Exhibit 48: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 49: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 50: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 51: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 52: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Segment focus

10.5 Carlsberg Breweries AS

Exhibit 53: Carlsberg Breweries AS - Overview



Exhibit 54: Carlsberg Breweries AS - Business segments



Exhibit 55: Carlsberg Breweries AS - Key news



Exhibit 56: Carlsberg Breweries AS - Key offerings



Exhibit 57: Carlsberg Breweries AS - Segment focus

10.6 Diageo Plc

10.7 Heineken NV

Exhibit 63: Heineken NV - Overview



Exhibit 64: Heineken NV - Business segments



Exhibit 65: Heineken NV - Key news



Exhibit 66: Heineken NV - Key offerings



Exhibit 67: Heineken NV - Segment focus

10.8 Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 68: Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 69: Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 70: Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 71: Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 72: Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

10.9 Molson Coors Beverage Co.

Exhibit 73: Molson Coors Beverage Co. - Overview



Exhibit 74: Molson Coors Beverage Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 75: Molson Coors Brewing Co. - Key news



Exhibit 76: Molson Coors Beverage Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 77: Molson Coors Beverage Co. - Segment focus

10.10 Royal Unibrew AS

Exhibit 78: Royal Unibrew AS - Overview



Exhibit 79: Royal Unibrew AS - Business segments



Exhibit 80: Royal Unibrew AS - Key offerings



Exhibit 81: Royal Unibrew AS - Segment focus

10.11 Sapporo Holdings Ltd.

Exhibit 82: Sapporo Holdings Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 83: Sapporo Holdings Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 84: Sapporo Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 85: Sapporo Holdings Ltd. - Segment focus

10.12 The Boston Beer Co. Inc.

Exhibit 86: The Boston Beer Co. Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 87: The Boston Beer Co. Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 88: The Boston Beer Co. Inc. - Key offerings

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 89: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research methodology

Exhibit 90: Research Methodology



Exhibit 91: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 92: Information sources

11.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 93: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library 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

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Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
"Blackstock Development is an accomplished entity, and we are happy to work with their team. This investment helps CapStone expand its real estate portfolio and explore other related opportunities," says CapStone's chairman and founder, Keith J. Stone.

The Restoration at Westgate is a 62,000-square-foot assisted living community designed exclusively for those who need continuous care. The development includes 82 units which will accommodate 100 residents. Blackstock Development is developing multiple sites across the southeast region of the United States. The company is led by experienced real estate developers and entrepreneurs who focus on creatively transforming under-utilized properties and land.

"CapStone's investment helps take the multi-million-dollar project through to the finish line," said Seth Henry, Principal at Blackstock Development. "We sought out investors that offered a partnership beyond just funding, but a relationship for future opportunities. We found that in the CapStone team."

CapStone continues to build a robust real estate investment portfolio and offers a unique diversified investment platform. In recent months, CapStone has continued its strategic partnership in real estate with Blaq Projects, an innovative property development, construction, and investment company in Australia. In addition, one of its significant real estate developments includes the fast-growing City Foundry STL in St. Louis.

To view a list of CapStone's investments, visit www.capstoneholdingsinc.com/portfolio.

About CapStone Holdings, Inc.

CapStone Holdings, Inc. is a family office-structured holding company that keeps a balanced portfolio through investment strategies that maximize innovation and return with minimal risk. CapStone Holdings and its founders have invested across a wide range of industries for over 33 years and engage in focused philanthropic efforts. For more information about CapStone Holdings, visit www.capstoneholdingsinc.com.

About Blackstock Development

Blackstock Development is a privately held commercial real estate owner and developer headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. Founded in 2017, Blackstock Development is currently developing multiple sites across the Southeast. With over 50 years of experience as developers and entrepreneurs, they bring to their projects a unique focus on creatively transforming under-utilized properties to help them realize their full potential.

SOURCE CapStone Holdings, Inc.
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Centric Bank, ("the Bank") the banking subsidiary of Centric Financial Corporation (OTC: CFCX) ("Centric" or "the Company") announces the appointment of Sandra J. Schultz as interim Chief Operations Officer until a replacement is hired for this role. Ms. Schultz is Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and has been in executive leadership at Centric Bank since 2008.

Ms. Schultz previously held the responsibility of the Bank's deposit operations beginning in 2008, with the addition of the loan operations and technology functions in 2014, and held oversight for these departments until 2017. She brings this expertise to the interim role. Ms. Schultz has over 30 years of banking experience.

Prior to joining Centric Bank, Ms. Schultz was with Sterling Financial as Treasury Analyst and Officer, Assistant Treasurer and Controller at Pennsylvania State Bank, and has held varying roles in the finance area of community banks. She received her MBA from Mount St. Mary's University in 2007 and is a graduate of Western Maryland College, with a Bachelors' Degree in Accounting and Economics.

Ms. Schultz has been recognized nationally four times for her role on a "Top Team" in American Banker's 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking recognition, an honor she has shared with the other women who comprise the senior leadership team at Centric Bank.

Ms. Schultz is a member of the PA Bankers Association Women in Banking Advisory Committee. She serves as a Trustee for the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, as well as its Finance Committee and Investment Committee. She is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants and has previously served as Treasurer for the Parents Association of Harrisburg Academy.

ABOUT CENTRIC BANK

An American Banker 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 Best Banks to Work For, four-time American Banker Most Powerful Women in Banking Top Team, three-time Best Places to Work, and Top 50 Fastest-Growing Companies for eight years, Centric Bank is headquartered in south central Pennsylvania with assets of $1.1 billion and remains a leader in organic loan growth. A locally owned, locally loaned community bank, Centric Bank provides highly competitive and pro-growth financial services to businesses, professionals, individuals, families, and to the health care and dental industries with the Doctor Centric Bank Division. Centric Bank was named one of the Top 200 Community Banks in the U.S. in 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019.

Founded in 2007, Pennsylvania-based Centric Bank has financial centers located in Harrisburg, Hershey, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Doylestown, Devon, and Lancaster, as well as commercial loan offices in Devon, Doylestown, Lancaster, and an Operations and Executive Office campus in Hampden Township, Cumberland County. To learn more about Centric Bank, call 888.274.2033 or visit CentricBank.com. Connect with them on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Centric Financial Corporation is traded over the counter (OTC-Pink) with the ticker symbol CFCX.

Contact: Patricia A. Husic

President & CEO

717.909.8309

SOURCE Centric Financial Corporation
MIAMI, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ceros Financial Services announced that it has reached a partnership agreement with Forte Capital Group, a financial advisory firm based in New York City with approximately $1 billion in client assets and 45 registered representatives and its affiliate, Innovation X Advisors, a leading late stage venture capital firm. The Innovation X family of funds have over $2 billion of capital commitments and have realized many successful exits including Airbnb, Spotify, Uber, Palantir and Pinterest. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"We think that Forte will be a highly strategic complement to both our Ceros Capital Markets investment bank and our Advisors Preferred mutual fund business. I have known Roger, a veteran of the markets, for many years, going back to our early careers when we worked together at National Securities. With Forte Capital we will become a significantly larger firm, offering wider distribution and greater product diversification," said Mark Goldwasser, CEO of Ceros Financial Services.

"I am very pleased to be combining forces with Mark, who has built Ceros into a substantial firm in just a few short years. I am looking forward to working together and exploring the many growth opportunities for the future," said Roger Monteforte, CEO of Forte Capital.

Goldwasser acquired Ceros Financial Services in 2019 with partners Chris Dewey and David Brown. Ceros Capital Markets, the firm's investment bank based in Miami, focuses on fundraising and private placements for early-stage medical technology companies, particularly those developing disruptive technology for diagnostic and non-invasive procedures. Ceros completed $117 million in transactions in the medtech sector in 2021 and $145 million since 2020.

Advisors Preferred, the firm's mutual fund platform based in Rockville, Maryland, is a boutique asset manager that manages and distributes mutual funds to financial advisors and financial professionals.

About Ceros Financial Services, Inc.

Ceros Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC (www.cerosfs.com) offers a comprehensive asset management and mutual fund suite for financial advisors. Ceros and Advisors Preferred services include RIA custody, hybrid advisors, corporate RIA, mutual fund advisory and distribution, and an outsourced trade desk. In addition, Ceros Capital Markets, a division of Ceros Financial, is a digital and traditional platform for the distribution of primary offerings in medical devices and secondaries in unicorns via Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).

Investing in the securities markets involves risk, including loss of principal. Private Placements are not appropriate for all investors. Most if not all investments in Private Placements are illiquid and many such investments are speculative in nature. Investing in a Private Placement can result in a significant risk of loss of principal. Risk factors for private offerings are listed in the Private Placement Memorandum; and should be read carefully prior to investing.

SOURCE Ceros Financial Services
JACKSON, Mich., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CMS Energy announced today reported earnings per share of $0.50 for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $0.61 per share for the same quarter in 2021. The company's adjusted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2022 were $0.53, compared to $0.55 per share for the same quarter in 2021. For the first six months of the year, the company reported $1.71 per share compared to $1.82 per share for the same timeframe in 2021. On an adjusted earnings per share basis year to date, the company reported $1.73 per share in 2022, compared to $1.64 per share in 2021.

CMS Energy reaffirmed its 2022 adjusted earnings guidance of $2.85 to $2.89* 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.

"Our company took a major step forward with the regulatory approvals of our natural gas rate case settlement and the Integrated Resource Plan, eliminating coal generation by 2025 and leading the clean energy transformation by adding more solar and battery storage, while increasing reliability," said Garrick Rochow, President and CEO of CMS Energy and Consumers Energy. "These approvals strengthen our financial outlook for investors while driving the decarbonatization of our electric and gas systems at affordable prices for our customers and the communities we serve."

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 2022 second quarter results and provide a business and financial outlook on Thursday, July 28 at 9:30 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, changes in accounting principles, 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 CMS Enterprises' 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



6/30/22

6/30/21

6/30/22

6/30/21

























Operating revenue $ 1,920

$ 1,558

$ 4,294

$ 3,571

























Operating expenses

1,681



1,306



3,599



2,889

























Operating Income

239



252



695



682

























Other income

43



48



91



92

























Interest charges

126



125



250



249

























Income Before Income Taxes

156



175



536



525

























Income tax expense

14



22



53



64

























Income From Continuing Operations

142



153



483



461

























Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

-



18



4



52

























Net Income

142



171



487



513

























Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

(6)



(5)



(14)



(12)

























Net Income Attributable to CMS Energy

148



176



501



525

























Preferred stock dividends

3



-



5



-

























Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $ 145

$ 176

$ 496

$ 525

























Diluted Earnings Per Average Common Share





















Income from continuing operations per average common share

available to common stockholders





















$ 0.50

$ 0.55

$ 1.70

$ 1.64 Income from discontinued operations per average common share

available to common stockholders























-



0.06



0.01



0.18 Diluted earnings per average common share $ 0.50

$ 0.61

$ 1.71

$ 1.82

CMS ENERGY CORPORATION

Summarized Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)





In Millions



















As of



















6/30/22

12/31/21















Assets





























Current assets





























Cash and cash equivalents

$ 77



$ 452















Restricted cash and cash equivalents



19





24















Other current assets



2,297





2,151















Total current assets



2,393





2,627















Non-current assets





























Plant, property, and equipment



21,627





22,352















Other non-current assets



5,020





3,774















Total Assets

$ 29,040



$ 28,753

















































Liabilities and Equity





























Current liabilities (1)

$ 1,670



$ 1,822















Non-current liabilities (1)



7,469





7,269















Capitalization





























Debt, finance leases, and other financing (excluding securitization debt) (2)





























Debt, finance leases, and other financing (excluding non-recourse and securitization debt)



12,246





12,200















Non-recourse debt



-





76















Total debt, finance leases, and other financing (excluding securitization debt)



12,246





12,276















Preferred stock and securities



224





224















Noncontrolling interests



593





557















Common stockholders' equity



6,654





6,407















Total capitalization (excluding securitization debt)



19,717





19,464















Securitization debt (2)



184





198















Total Liabilities and Equity

$ 29,040



$ 28,753

















































(1) Excludes debt, finance leases, and other financing.

















































(2) Includes current and non-current portions.

















































CMS ENERGY CORPORATION















Summarized Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows















(Unaudited)





















































In Millions



















Six Months Ended



















6/30/22

6/30/21

















































Beginning of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, Including Restricted Amounts

$ 476



$ 185

















































Net cash provided by operating activities



1,059





1,367















Net cash used in investing activities



(1,139)





(851)















Cash flows from operating and investing activities



(80)





516















Net cash used in financing activities



(300)





(409)

















































Total Cash Flows

$ (380)



$ 107

















































End of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, Including Restricted Amounts

$ 96



$ 292



















































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



6/30/22

6/30/21

6/30/22

6/30/21

























Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $ 145

$ 176

$ 496

$ 525 Reconciling items:





















Disposal of discontinued operations (gain) loss

*



5



(5)



5 Tax impact

(*)



(1)



1



(1) Discontinued operations income

-



(30)



-



(73) Tax impact

-



8



-



17 Other exclusions from adjusted earnings**

(*)



*



(1)



(1) Tax impact

*



(*)



*



* Voluntary separation program

11



-



11



- Tax impact

(3)



-



(3)



-

























Adjusted net income  non-GAAP $ 153

$ 158

$ 499

$ 472

























Average Common Shares Outstanding





















Diluted

290.1



289.4



290.0



289.3

























Diluted Earnings Per Average Common Share





















Reported net income per share $ 0.50

$ 0.61

$ 1.71

$ 1.82 Reconciling items:





















Disposal of discontinued operations (gain) loss

*



0.02



(0.01)



0.02 Tax impact

(*)



(0.01)



*



(0.01) Discontinued operations income

-



(0.10)



-



(0.25) Tax impact

-



0.03



-



0.06 Other exclusions from adjusted earnings**

(*)



*



(*)



(*) Tax impact

*



(*)



*



* Voluntary separation program

0.04



-



0.04



- Tax impact

(0.01)



-



(0.01)



-

























Adjusted net income per share  non-GAAP $ 0.53

$ 0.55

$ 1.73

$ 1.64



* Less than $0.5 million or $0.01 per share.





















** Includes restructuring costs and unrealized gains or losses, recognized in net income, from mark-to-market adjustments related to CMS Enterprises' 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, changes in accounting principles, 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 CMS Enterprises' 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.

SOURCE CMS Energy
Inspired by the French ethos of pleasure with restraint, De Soi (de-swa) aperitifs serve as an elegant alternative to alcohol, but with better ingredients, natural adaptogens, low calories, and no refined sugar. The sparkling beverages, which have garnered celebrity fans like Kris Jenner, Amy Schumer, and Chelsea Handler, come in three distinct flavors that contain their own unique functional benefits, including:

Golden Hour - A bright and zesty concoction made with maca and L-theanine derived from green tea that spurs creativity, with notes of warm citrus, lemongrass, and leafy herbs.

- A bright and zesty concoction made with maca and L-theanine derived from green tea that spurs creativity, with notes of warm citrus, lemongrass, and leafy herbs. Purple Lune - A rich and delicate elixir made with ashwagandha and tart cherry to bring balance to the body, with notes of blackberry nectar, vanilla oak, and rose petals.

- A rich and delicate elixir made with ashwagandha and tart cherry to bring balance to the body, with notes of blackberry nectar, vanilla oak, and rose petals. Champignon Dreams - A juicy and balanced pour made with reishi mushroom and passion flower that eases you into the evening, with notes of sticky summer strawberries, bitter grapefruit, and earth.

"I would define wellness as caring for yourself in the best way you know how without sacrificing life's simplest pleasures, and that is exactly what we want to offer," said Perry. "De Soi is all about balance - being able to enjoy the evening AND the next morning! It allows busy toddler-moms like Morgan and me, or anyone who just might want a drink without the hangover, to enjoy the social ritual of a drink with friends and still be the life of the party!"

De Soi's decadent, celebratory selections offer complexity, delicious flavor, and mood-boosting properties any time of day without getting in the way of early mornings and long nights. The breakout brand was built upon Perry and McLachlan's shared love for a spritz and mutual desire for a drink that was bubbly and delicious but encompassed their passion for plants and better-for-you choices.

"During and after my pregnancy, I went through a prolonged dry period. I didn't miss alcohol per se, but I did find that I missed the ritual of enjoying the complexity of a nice glass of wine or having an elegant cocktail as a way to unwind after work." said McLachlan. "I wanted the fun and sophistication of a drink, without the alcohol. With the trust and support from our team of investors, we're confident that we can make non-alcoholic beverages an equally indulgent, select choice for drinking."

McLachlan and Perry met in early 2020, when they both were both pregnant and looking for ways to unwind without booze. McLachlan, one of Food & Wine's Drinks Innovators of the Year, is a master distiller of over a decade with a focus on quality botanical spirits at AMASS. As an internationally acclaimed pop star, Perry's several global tours have sparked her passion for building a more future-forward and better planet. Her dedication for wellness has inspired several entrepreneurial successes, including sitting on the Board of Bragg and serving as a key investor of Impossible Food and Apeel Sciences.

You can shop De Soi online, through their website and Amazon, and in store at Foxtrot, Erewhon, Boisson, and Total Wine, as well as other locations in California. For more information, please visit www.drinkdesoi.com .

Media Contact: LaRue PR | [email protected]

Sources:

1 Non-Alcoholic Drinks Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends Analysis Report, Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2022 to 2031 - Digital Journal

SOURCE De Soi
Technavio offers information about the current global market scenario as well as the

market landscape. Download a Sample Report

Dental Implant Abutment Systems Market: Trend

Technological advances are a trend in the market. Some of these advances include the development of next-generation dental implant abutment systems. For instance, in June 2019, Nobel Biocare Services launched Xeal abutment surface and TiUltra implant surface, which provide enhanced early tissue integration and long-term tissue stability through the Mucointegration concept. Moreover, rapid advances in 3D printed technology have led to the development of customized and biocompatible 3D-printed dental implant abutment systems. For instance, in February 2022, Byrnes Dental Lab implemented an automated post-printing solution. Such advances will fuel the demand for dental implant abutment systems.

Find out which trends will impact the future of the dental implants market. View our

Sample Report

Dental Implant Abutment Systems Market: Segmentation Analysis

This report segments the dental implant abutment systems market by product (stock/pre-fabricated abutment systems and custom abutment systems), technology (pre-mill and CAD/CAM), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)).

North America will contribute 37% of the market's growth during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to factors such as the increasing prevalence of dental disorders, the growing popularity of dental procedures, the rising awareness and concerns about oral health, and the growing adoption of CAD/CAM technology. Moreover, market growth in this region will be faster than the market growth in other regions. The US is a key country for the dental implant abutment systems market in North America. The high prevalence of dental diseases requiring dental implants is likely to drive the growth of the market focus in the US. For instance, in the US, 63% of adults visited dentists in 2020.

The stock/prefabricated abutment systems segment by technology will contribute the highest market share growth during the forecast period. These systems are less expensive and easy to use. They have advanced mechanical properties and provide significant biocompatibility. Such factors are driving the growth of this segment.

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a Sample Report

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Dental Implant Abutment Systems Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.54% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 604.06 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 6.97 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 37% Key consumer countries US, Germany, France, Japan, and China Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Adamas Implants Ltd., Argen Corp., Arum Europe GmbH, Bio3 Implants GmbH, Bioconcept Co. Ltd., Bone System Srl, BTI Biotechnology Institute S.L., Cendres Metaux Management SA, Cortex Dental Implants Industries Ltd., Danaher Corp., DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc., DESS Dental Smart Solutions, Ditron Dental, Dyna Dental Engineering B.V., Dynamic Abutment Solutions, Straumann Holding AG, Nobel Biocare Services AG., ZEST Anchors LLC, and Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Technology



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 18: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 19: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 20: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 21: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 22: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 23: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 24: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 25: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 26: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 27: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 28: Data Table on Comparison by Product

5.3 Stock/pre-fabricated abutment systems - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 29: Chart on Stock/pre-fabricated abutment systems - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Data Table on Stock/pre-fabricated abutment systems - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Chart on Stock/pre-fabricated abutment systems - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Stock/pre-fabricated abutment systems - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Custom abutment systems - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 33: Chart on Custom abutment systems - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Custom abutment systems - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Chart on Custom abutment systems - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Custom abutment systems - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 37: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

6 Market Segmentation by Technology

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 38: Chart on Technology - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Technology - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Technology

Exhibit 40: Chart on Comparison by Technology



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Comparison by Technology

6.3 Pre-mill - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 42: Chart on Pre-mill - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Pre-mill - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Pre-mill - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Pre-mill - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 CAD /CAM - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

/CAM - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on CAD/CAM - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on CAD/CAM - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on CAD/CAM - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on CAD/CAM - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Technology

Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by Technology ($ million)

7 Customer Landscape

7.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 51: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

8 Geographic Landscape

8.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 52: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

8.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 54: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Geographic comparison

8.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 56: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 58: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 60: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 62: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 63: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 64: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 65: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 66: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 68: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 69: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 70: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.7 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 72: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 74: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 75: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.8 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 76: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.9 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 80: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.10 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 84: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 87: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.11 France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 88: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 89: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 91: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.12 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 92: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 93: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

9.4 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 94: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

10.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 95: Overview on factors of disruption

10.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 96: Impact of key risks on business

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 97: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 98: Matrix on vendor position and classification

11.3 Adamas Implants Ltd.

Exhibit 99: Adamas Implants Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 100: Adamas Implants Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 101: Adamas Implants Ltd. - Key offerings

11.4 Argen Corp.

Exhibit 102: Argen Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 103: Argen Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 104: Argen Corp. - Key offerings

11.5 Bio3 Implants GmbH

Exhibit 105: Bio3 Implants GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 106: Bio3 Implants GmbH - Product / Service



Exhibit 107: Bio3 Implants GmbH - Key offerings

11.6 Danaher Corp.

Exhibit 108: Danaher Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 109: Danaher Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 110: Danaher Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 111: Danaher Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 112: Danaher Corp. - Segment focus

11.7 DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

Exhibit 113: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 114: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 115: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 116: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 117: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. - Segment focus

11.8 Dynamic Abutment Solutions

Exhibit 118: Dynamic Abutment Solutions - Overview



Exhibit 119: Dynamic Abutment Solutions - Product / Service



Exhibit 120: Dynamic Abutment Solutions - Key offerings

11.9 Straumann Holding AG

Exhibit 121: Straumann Holding AG - Overview



Exhibit 122: Straumann Holding AG - Business segments



Exhibit 123: Straumann Holding AG - Key news



Exhibit 124: Straumann Holding AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 125: Straumann Holding AG - Segment focus

11.10 Nobel Biocare Services AG.

Exhibit 126: Nobel Biocare Services AG. - Overview



Exhibit 127: Nobel Biocare Services AG. - Product / Service



Exhibit 128: Nobel Biocare Services AG. - Key offerings

11.11 ZEST Anchors LLC

Exhibit 129: ZEST Anchors LLC - Overview



Exhibit 130: ZEST Anchors LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 131: ZEST Anchors LLC - Key offerings

11.12 Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

Exhibit 132: Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 133: Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 134: Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 135: Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 136: Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. - Segment focus

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 137: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 138: Exclusions checklist

12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 139: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 140: Research methodology



Exhibit 141: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 142: Information sources

12.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 143: List of abbreviations

About Technavio

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 across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
BOSTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Diagnostic Robotics, a leading provider of Artificial Intelligence & Care Management solutions for Healthcare plans and providers, today announced the closing of a $45M Series B funding round led by StageOne investors, with participation from Mayo Clinic, thus becoming a Mayo Clinic Platform portfolio company. Technion  Israel Institute of Technology, as well as other existing investors. Strategic angel investor Bradley Bloom, co-founder of Berkshire Partners, participated in this funding round as well.

The new funding will be used to accelerate product development, go-to-market growth, including investment in sales and marketing, and other key hires across the organization.

Diagnostic Robotics experienced significant growth through 2022, tripling its revenues year-over-year since 2020.

Diagnostic Robotics has helped notable customers such as Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, carry out care management programs and leverage AI to home in on predicting patient risk in a precise and impactful way to improve patient outcomes and care paths. Before co-founding Diagnostic Robotics in her current role as CEO, Dr. Kira Radinsky was eBay's director of data science and chief scientist in Israel. Dr Radinsky is a visiting Professor at the Technion  Israel Institute of Technology and was previously a board member at HSBC as a leading expert in AI.

"Diagnostic Robotics is using the most precise predictive models, leveraging nuanced definitions of risk and shifting focus away from purely risk-based targeting to clinically-actionable targeting to not only change how health plans approach their members, but to drastically improve member clinical care journeys," said Radinsky.

To date, Diagnostic Robotics has engineered predictive models focused on avoidable emergency room visits, prevention of congestive heart failures deterioration, and serious mental illness, among others. The company continues to engineer additional models and other platforms as part of its expanding product offering.

"We are incredibly excited to be partnering with Kira and the team as they expand and change the way health plans address risk, while helping to drive immensely improved care management for members," added Yossi Vinitski, of StageOne Ventures.

To learn more about Diagnostic Robotics, please visit diagnosticrobotics.com

About Diagnostic Robotics

Diagnostic Robotics has brought together the leading artificial intelligence researchers to create powerful AI solutions for healthcare institutions and organizations. Trained on tens of billions of claims data points and nearly 100 million patient visits, Diagnostic Robotics' solutions are actively in use at several leading health plans around the globe. The company's systems integrate seamlessly into major touchpoints along the patient journey, providing high-value decision support while slashing administrative burdens, massively reducing cost of care, and improving patient experiences.

Media Contact: Jonathan Nissan, (917) 370 - 4107

SOURCE Diagnostic Robotics
Cease And Desist Injunction Issued Against Chemeon For All Use Of Metalast Trademark in Commerce

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 23, 2021 the United States District Court, District of Nevada, Reno (District Court) issued a Cease and Desist Injunction and ruled against metal finishing specialty chemical company Chemeon Surface Technology, LLC (Chemeon) of Minden, Nevada. Under court order this injunction prohibits the unlawful use in commerce by anyone of the name " Metalast ", a USPTO registered trademark owned by David Semas.

Chemeon appealed the District Court order and on June 2, 2022, with a Mandate issued on June 24, 2022 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals further upheld the District Court's FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW. Any unauthorized use of the Metalast name by Chemeon, Chemetall, a business unit of BASF, QualiChem or Chemeon's distributors after June 11, 2015 is a False Designation of Origin . All products or piece parts surface treated or processed after that date cannot be labeled, and are not, nor have even been "formerly Metalast", or "formerly known as Metalast." Any business marketing, distributing, selling or advertising any product characterized as such after June 11, 2015 does so without license or permission.

Chemeon, and its owners Dean and Madylon Meiling entered into a court approved contract promising after June 10, 2015, their business entities, therefore also Chemetall, QualiChem and their other distributors would "no longer be able to use the name Metalast in any fashion or manner whatsoever." David Semas has not licensed or in any way otherwise or consented to the characterization of any business entity as being "Metalast.".

Effective June 10, 2015, David Semas hereby disclaims any and all liability for any product defects, wrongful death, personal injury, or property damage in anyway attributed, or alleged to be attributed to, any product advertised, represented, distributed, or sold as a Metalast product, or under the "formerly Metalast" moniker, with or without the  symbol. To view court orders, other relevant court documents and additional information go to www.metalastinc.com.

Founded by David Semas in 1994, Metalast International, Inc., as Manager for Metalast International, LLC was a provider of METALAST anodizing technologies and its chemical products were used for corrosion control and other metal finishing processes. METALAST branded chemicals were approved and/or specified by Apple, BAE Systems, Bath Iron Works, The Boeing Company, Delphi, Ford, GE, General Dynamics, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and hundreds of leading manufacturers and metal finishing job shops worldwide including many Fortune 500 companies and the US Military. The company is perhaps best known for its development partnership with the US Navy and manufacturing and distribution partnership with Chemetall, a Business Unit of the global giant BASF Group, for the METALAST TCP-HF line of products, the green chemical replacement to the harmful carcinogenic anti-corrosion chemical hexavalent chromium.

SOURCE Metalast, Inc.
All media inquiries should be directed to legal counsel

PITTSBURGH, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandon Fink, the father of 5-year old Khaleesi Fink who was tragically killed in a motor vehicle collision that occurred in Ashland, Wisconsin on July 22, 2022 involving a vehicle operated by Senator Janet Bewley, has authorized the following statement to be released by his attorneys from the law firms of Edgar Snyder & Associates, LLC, based in Pennsylvania, and Gruber Law Offices, based in Wisconsin:

"We are deeply saddened by the death of our beloved Khali, who was only 5-years old. She had a smile that could light up even the darkest of rooms, and a laugh that was contagious. She was even awarded 'Most Infectious Laugh' from her Pre-School Class. We want to thank everyone for the support we've received during this period of grief, and for remembering her for the joy that she brought the world. However, we are requesting privacy during this difficult time to allow our family to grieve."

The family has asked that all media inquiries be directed to Attorney Christine Zaremski-Young of Edgar Snyder & Associates, LLC.

SOURCE Edgar Snyder
FiscalNote ESG Solutions is a Complete ESG360TM Platform and Advisory Service to Equip Organizations to Become Sustainability Leaders on a Global Scale

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FiscalNote , a leading AI-driven enterprise SaaS company that delivers legal and regulatory data and insights, today announced it is launching FiscalNote ESG Solutions in Singapore and Australia, two critical markets for ESG in the APAC region.

FiscalNote ESG Solutions is a multi-dimensional suite, which brings together critical ESG assets, tools, products, and services to super-serve every organization's ESG needs at every stage of their ESG journey. Its broad and impactful combination of essential ESG tools and workflows includes: an AI-powered Platform to help organizations streamline and unify carbon, climate and ESG data management across their operations, supply chain, and portfolio; Global ESG Advisory Services, comprised of seasoned Climate and ESG strategists who are equipped to help improve ESG awareness for customers while providing mission-critical intelligence and advising on strategies, operations, policies, and investments; Essential ESG Intelligence encompassing news, research, and analysis, including the flagship monthly ESG Landscape Monitor report and tailored briefings; and, Community & Peer ESG Insights and Best Practices, providing unbiased peer insights through a confidential, vendor-free membership community.

"At FiscalNote, our mission is to empower people and organizations with the right insights and the tools to turn them into action, including by staying ahead of the changing ESG landscape," said Gerald Yao, Co-founder, Global Head of ESG, and Chief Strategy Officer, FiscalNote. "With the launch of FiscalNote ESG Solutions in Singapore and Australia, we want to help companies orchestrate their ESG success by helping them accelerate their sustainability transformation through our ESG360 approach, expert advisory, and peer insights approach. We are excited not only about the business potential we see in this region, but in the opportunity to enable companies to drive real, measurable, and value-led ESG impact to their business and to the larger community."

Australia



FiscalNote ESG Solutions' expansion in Australia comes as the push toward carbon neutrality and net-zero targets in the country intensifies under the newly elected government. Scrutiny from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on the ESG claims of organizations is also intensifying. ASIC recently outlined its expectations to investment managers and funds offering sustainability-related products, following the rapid growth of the sector in sustainable funds topped AUD $33.4 billion in Australia and New Zealand last year. This move increases pressure on organisations to connect internal data, layer external data, and integrate policies with constant legislation and regulatory changes.

"Decarbonisation is a massive priority in the Australian private sector, especially with the progressive side of politics holding a majority in both houses and aggressively pushing the climate agenda towards net-zero. While local corporates have long championed the pathway to net-zero and decarbonisation, we know it can be expensive to achieve these goals," said Frank Meehan, General Manager, FiscalNote ESG Solutions. "Over the last decade, companies have bought carbon credits at a rising cost to hit carbon neutral targets, but that kind of greenwashing approach isn't going to fly in the next couple of years. To keep moving in the right direction as scrutiny on greenwashing claims amplifies, companies need the right tools on hand to manage an incredibly complicated process that moves beyond Scope 1 Carbon Emissions."

Singapore & APAC



FiscalNote ESG Solutions is currently working with leading brands in Singapore and the APAC region to kick-start their ESG journey or to support them to evolve existing ESG strategies. The company is focused on enabling them to elevate the importance of ESG across the organization to efficiently manage sustainability data, cut through organizational silos, and drive a comprehensive approach to ESG in a single, central platform.

A recent report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) highlights how the Asia Pacific region is at risk of falling behind to achieve the 2030 targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). One of the key challenges is the availability of data in the region to track accurate progress, led by factors such as delayed data collection as several economies in the region postponed censuses and surveys due to movement restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic.

FiscalNote also announced the appointment of Quentin Fouesnant as Managing Director, Asia Pacific, overseeing the company's expansion in Asia-Pacific, and managing customer relationships in Singapore, Korea, and Australia. Quentin brings over ten years of experience in the region's energy, industrial, and technology ecosystem, thrives on hands-on sales, customer relationships, and project management, and has an enviable track record of building scale in both business and people growth.

About FiscalNote ESG Solutions

FiscalNote ESG Solutions is the most comprehensive ESG platform and advisory solution in the market helping organizations become sustainability leaders  from getting started with strategic insights, benchmarking, and reporting to embedding ESG into an organization's DNA. FiscalNote ESG Solutions brings together Equilibrium's AI-powered platform, award-winning analysis, global advisory, and a peer community to help an organization achieve its ESG goals. Visit: fiscalnote.com/esg.

About FiscalNote

FiscalNote is a leading technology provider of global policy and market intelligence. By uniquely combining AI technology, actionable data, and expert and peer insights, FiscalNote empowers customers to manage policy, address regulatory developments, and mitigate global risk. Since 2013, FiscalNote has pioneered technology that delivers mission-critical insights and the tools to turn them into action. Home to CQ, Equilibrium, FrontierView, Oxford Analytica, VoterVoice, and many other industry-leading brands, FiscalNote serves more than 5,000 customers worldwide with global offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. To learn more about FiscalNote and its family of brands, visit FiscalNote.com and follow @FiscalNote.

Media Contact

Nicholas Graham

FiscalNote

[email protected]

SOURCE FiscalNote
DETROIT, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) announced today it has launched an offering of senior unsecured fixed rate notes. GM intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, eligible projects described in GM's Sustainable Finance Framework.

Additionally, GM has filed a registration statement, including a prospectus and preliminary prospectus supplement, with the SEC for this offering. Prospective investors should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the preliminary prospectus supplement and other documents GM has filed with the SEC for more complete information about GM and this offering.

The documents are available for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained by contacting the joint book-running managers:

Barclays Capital Inc.

c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717 (or by email at [email protected] or telephone at 1-888-603-5847)

BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

787 7th Avenue, 3rd Floor New York, New York 10019 or by calling toll-free at 1-800-854-5674

BofA Securities, Inc.

200 North College Street, NC1-004-03-43, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department, Toll-free: 1-800-294-1322, E-mail: [email protected]

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717 or by telephone at 1-800-831-9146

Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc.

Attention: Fixed Income Syndicate, 1301 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10019 or by calling toll-free at 1-866-807-6030

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, telephone: 1-866-471-2526, facsimile: 212-902-9316 or by emailing [email protected]

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, 10179, Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, 3rd Floor, telephone collect at 1-212-834-4533

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014 or by calling toll-free at 1-866-718-1649

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Any offer or sale of these securities will be made only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the related registration statement.

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that represent our current judgment about possible future events. In making these statements we rely on assumptions and analysis based on our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we consider appropriate under the circumstances. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors, both positive and negative. A list and description of these factors can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors that affect the subject of these statements, except where we are expressly required to do so by law.

SOURCE General Motors Co.
Student-designed project will investigate basis of telomere lengthening in astronauts

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Student Pristine Onuoha has won the eighth national Genes in Space STEM competition. Onuoha, who attends East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, NC, seeks to understand the mechanism behind telomere lengthening, a chromosomal change that has been observed in space travelers. Her experiment will be performed by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) next year.

Genes in Space 2022 winner Pristine Onuoha accepts her trophy from miniPCR bio's Zeke Alvarez Saavedra (left) and Boeing's Scott Copeland (right). miniPCR bio and Boeing are the founding partners behind the Genes in Space competition.

Telomeres are structures that protect DNA from damage, and shorten with age and wear. Surprisingly, telomere lengthening has been observed in space travelers, notably Astronaut Scott Kelly, the subject of NASA's Twin Study. Onuoha's experiment will explore the possibility that telomere lengthening is caused by a space-induced proliferation of stem cellsundifferentiated cells from which specialized body components arise and which typically have long telomeres.

Onuoha developed her proposal with guidance from her teacher, Kimberly Manning, and her mentor, Harvard University scientist Ana Karla Cepeda Diaz. In their company, Onuoha will travel to NASA's Kennedy Space Center to watch her experiment launch to space in 2023.

This announcement concludes the 2022 Genes in Space competition. Founded by Boeing and miniPCR bio, Genes in Space invites students in grades 7 through 12 to design biology experiments that address real-world challenges in space exploration. Previous contest winners have explored phenomena ranging from DNA repair to immune dysfunction that have achieved significant experimental milestones, including the first use of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in space. The competition receives additional sponsorship from the ISS National Laboratory and New England Biolabs.

Onuoha's proposal was selected from a competitive field of 602 submissions from 1,175 students across the U.S. Authors of the top five proposals were invited to present their ideas to a distinguished panel of scientists, educators, and technologists at the ISS Research & Development Conference in Washington, D.C. The judges announced their selection at the conference Thursday afternoon.

For more information about the Genes in Space contest and all other awardees, visit: www.genesinspace.org .

Media contact: Katy Martin, [email protected], +1 781-990-8727

SOURCE Genes in Space
ROSTOCK, Germany, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OncoBeta GmbH has announced University Clinic of Rostock is participating in the global phase IV EPIC-Skin Study (Efficacy of Personalised Irradiation with Rhenium-SCT  for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer [NMSC]) treating its first patients with Rhenium-SCT as part of the international study.

The first German patients were treated on 21st July, and are now part of 210 adults participating in the international study that will follow their progress over the next 24 months. The EPIC-Skin study is being conducted through study centres located in Australia, Austria, United Kingdom and Germany.

Rhenium-SCT has been used in Rostock and in other parts of Germany as an NMSC treatment for some time. In addition to this EPIC-Skin Study, The University Clinic of Rostock has also been involved in a local clinical study using Rhenium-SCT, with results due to be presented later this year.

Treating physician in the EPIC-Skin study - University Clinic of Rostock, Dr. Martin Heuschkel (Nuclear Medicine) said, "Rhenium-SCT is viewed as a favourable treatment due to its ability to be applied directly to an affected area, without harming or scarring surrounding tissue. This study presents the unqiue opportunity to further evaluate this new non-invasive epidermal radioisotope therapy and its long-term efficacy in improving patient outcomes."

There are more than 7.7 million cases of NMSC each year, and incidence rates are increasing globally1,2 with Germany currently ranked 8th in the world3. Standard treatments for NMSCs are surgery-based approaches, which may have a risk of scarring or loss of function. Rhenium-SCT uses a non-invasive paste containing -emitting particles directly to the lesion, which eliminate cancer cells without the need for surgery, in one single session.4-6

Dr Gerhard Dahlhoff, Medical Director at OncoBeta GmbH, says, "The role of the EPIC-Skin Study is not to challenge the existing treatment options but rather to show Rhenium-SCT is a treatment alternative with which NMSCs can be cured effectively, with a strong focus on patient perspectives."

The EPIC-Skin study will measure Patient Reported Outcomes such as quality of life, treatment comfort and cosmetic outcomes, as well as further evaluating the efficacy of Rhenium-SCT for the treatment of NMSC. To provide a simple and streamlined way to record their experiences, patients in the study will utilise OncoBeta's Clinical Study app.

Shannon D. Brown III, CEO and Managing Director at OncoBeta, says, "OncoBeta's goal is to provide the best innovative solutions for patients suffering from NMSCs. Rostock is the second centre in Europe participating in the EPIC-Skin study providing important multi-centre data that will offer new insights in the treatment of NMSC's and the role of Rhenium-SCT as a treatment alternative for patients."

Clinicians who are interested in enrolling patients in the study can contact OncoBeta directly at www.oncobeta.com/contact.



About the Rhenium-SCT (Skin Cancer Therapy)

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common form of cancer in humans.2 The most common cause of NMSC is sun exposure, while other predisposing factors include genetic skin conditions and immunosuppressive diseases or treatments.7

The Rhenium-SCT is a painless*, single session, non-invasive therapy providing for unparalleled aesthetic results, even in cases otherwise considered difficult to treat.4-6 The Rhenium-SCT utilizes the radioisotope Rhenium-188 in an epidermal application with optimal properties for the treatment of NMSCs (non-melanoma skin cancers). The Rhenium-SCT is a precise, personalised therapy that is only applied to the area needed to treat without affecting the healthy tissue. The specially designed device ensures the Rhenium-SCT compound never comes in direct contact with the patient's skin and the application is safe and simple for the applying physician. Most cases of NMSCs (Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas) can be treated using the Rhenium-SCT in one single session.6 Scar-free healing of the treated lesion area and the regeneration of healthy tissue occurs usually within a few weeks after treatment.6

About OncoBeta

OncoBeta, with its headquarters located in Garching near Munich, Germany, is a privately held medical device company, specializing in the development and commercialization of state-of-the-art, innovative therapies. Since its foundation, OncoBeta has concentrated its efforts on the development, regulatory approval(s) and commercialization of the epidermal radioisotope therapy Rhenium-SCT (Skin Cancer Therapy), targeting NMSCs. OncoBeta has perfected the customized application and device management system in conformity with all health, safety and environmental protection regulatory standards.

Find out more about the Rhenium-SCT at www.oncobeta.com

Follow us on social media:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/oncobeta-gmbh/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/oncobeta/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/oncobeta_gmbh/

Forward-looking statements

This announcement includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of OncoBeta's control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning OncoBeta's plans, objectives, goals, future events, performance and/or other information that is not historical information. All such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. OncoBeta undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date made, except as required by law.

*No reported pain4,5

Complete tumour regression in 98.5% of lesions treated6

References

Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration, et al. JAMA Oncol. 2019;5(12):1749-1768. Ciazynska M, et al. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):4337. https://www.wcrf.org/cancer-trends/skin-cancer-statistics/ Cipriani C, et al. J Dermatolog Treat. 2020; Jul 22:1-7. Sedda AF, et al. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2008;33(6):745-749. Cipriani C, Sedda AF. Epidermal Radionuclide Therapy - Dermatological High-Dose-Rate. Brachytherapy for the Treatment of Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. In: Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, editor Baum RP; New York : Springer, 2014. Cancer.net. Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma): Risk Factors and Prevention. October 2020 . https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/skin-cancer-non-melanoma/risk-factors-and-prevention (accessed November 2021 ).

Contact:

Jane Morey

***@moreymedia.com.au

Photos:

https://www.prlog.org/12926854

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE OncoBeta GmbH
New features, new partnerships, and ongoing growth mark the company's celebratory year

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Featuring expanded functionality, strong financial performance, and several new key strategic alliances, Greenshades Software marks its 20th year of continuous operations with accelerating momentum, innovation, and growth.

"When we launched Greenshades in the summer of 2002, calculating and filing payroll taxes electronically was still a relatively novel concept. Today, through our cloud-based Payroll and HR platform, we proudly continue the tradition of helping hardworking midmarket companies enhance their workplaces through technology," stated David Rosas, Greenshades' Co-Founder and CEO.

Today, the company serves nearly 4,000 customers across the United States and is a perennial "top performer" in all major crowdsourced review sites, including Capterra, G2, and GetApp.

In addition to impressive market adoption rates, Greenshades is also rapidly emerging as an "employer of choice" in the HR technology space. The Greenshades team comprises 160 people, 40% of which have been with the company for more than five years. The company also boasts a 4.4/5-star Glassdoor rating, a 97% CEO approval rating, and 94% of employees would recommend the company to a friend.

Market growth and platform expansion

Through the first half of 2022, Greenshades has increased year-over-year revenue by 33%. This growth has been fueled by largescale adoption of the Greenshades Payroll/HR Platform. The Greenshades platform combines modern payroll and robust HR functionality with world-class customer support, providing an increasingly popular alternative for midsized US businesses.

"We are seeing more employers wanting greater flexibility, visibility, and control of their payroll dollars," said Andrew Roe, Greenshades' Chief Revenue Officer. "Greenshades combines the convenience and automation of outsourced payroll providers with the transparency and peace of mind that comes with managing it all in-house. When combined with our compliance and regulatory expertise, this flexibility is a perfect combination for addressing today's challenges."

Through a combination of in-house development efforts and an expanded slate of strategic alliances, Greenshades has recently introduced a host of expanded capabilities, including certifications and license management, earned wage access, advanced time tracking and data collection, and the ability for employees to pay for unforeseen healthcare expenses over time via payroll deduction. Each of these capabilities is designed to boost employee engagement, improve day-to-day operations, and help employers support workers in a more direct and complete way.

Insight and Expertise

As part of the company's 20th-anniversary celebration, Greenshades has also announced its inaugural GLUG, Greenshades Live User Group. Slated for November 6  8 at the Red Rock Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, NV, the Greenshades Live User Group features two full days of hands-on learning, peer collaboration, and social events aimed at helping Greenshades users to get the most out of their Payroll and HR strategies and investments.

Greenshades will announce additional activities, promotions, and events throughout the year.

For more information, visit the Greenshades website.

About Greenshades Software

Since 2002, Greenshades has been singularly devoted to helping hardworking companies fulfill the promises they make to their employees. With intuitive technology and best-in-class customer support, Greenshades empowers Payroll and HR departments to give their teams everything they need to thrive. Delivering accurate payroll, proactive compliance, automated tax calculations, and robust employee engagement through one powerful platform supported by world-class customer care.

SOURCE Greenshades Software
RICHMOND, Va., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilb Group announced today that, effective July 1, 2022, it has partnered with Massachusetts-based King and Cushman Agency, further expanding the company's presence throughout New England.

Based in Northampton, Massachusetts, King and Cushman has served the area for nearly 100 years, developing a proven reputation for expert professional advice supported by strong, established community connections. The agency focuses on property & casualty offerings for their clients in both commercial and personal lines. Agency Principal Scott King and his team of insurance professionals will join Hilb Group's New England regional operations.

"Joining the Hilb Group presents an exciting opportunity for our business and those we serve," stated Scott King. "We look forward to providing the same local, trusted service, while ultimately delivering even greater solutions, resources, and value to our customers."

"We are pleased to welcome King and Cushman to the Hilb Group," said Hilb Group CEO Ricky Spiro. "With a terrific reputation and long-standing community ties, they represent a perfect complement to our growth strategy of teaming with strong partners who have developed solid relationships with their local client base. We look forward to our next steps together."

About Hilb Group: The Hilb Group is a leading property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Hilb Group is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Hilb Group seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions and by leveraging its resources and expertise to drive organic growth in its acquired agencies. The company has completed more than 135 acquisitions with over 100 offices in 22 states. Hilb Group is rated as one of the Fastest Growing Brokers by Business Insurance, a Top P/C Agency by Insurance Journal, and one of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Inc. 5000. For more information on Hilb Group's growth as well as career opportunities, please visit our website at http://hilbgroup.com.

Media Contact:

Peter Lobred

804.548.4629

[email protected]

M&A Contact:

Ryan Havermann

804.414.6508

[email protected]

SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC
Randy Parker is Named CEO of Hyundai Motor America

Edgar Carranza is Named CEO of Hyundai Motor Mexico

Tedros Mengiste is Promoted to Vice President, Genesis Sales Operations, Genesis Motor America

Bob Kim is Promoted to Vice President, National Sales, Hyundai Motor America

David VandeLinde is Promoted to Vice President, After-Sales, Hyundai Motor America

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jose Munoz, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor North America (HMNA) announced today the promotion of five key members of his HMNA executive team. The five promotions are effective Aug.1.

Randy Parker is promoted to CEO of Hyundai Motor America (HMA). Parker will be responsible for Hyundai's commercial automotive operations in the United States and report to Munoz. Parker was previously the senior vice president of national sales at HMA.

Edgar Carranza is promoted to CEO of Hyundai Motor Mexico. Carranza will oversee commercial automotive operations in Mexico reporting to Munoz. Carranza was previously the chief operating officer of HMM.

Tedros Mengiste is promoted to vice president, Genesis sales operations, Genesis Motor America. Mengiste will continue to oversee Genesis sales, production, distribution, incentives, and field operations in the United States. He will continue to report to Claudia Marquez, chief operating officer, Genesis Motor North America. Mengiste was previously the executive director of Genesis sales.

Bob Kim is promoted to vice president, national sales, Hyundai Motor America. Kim will oversee sales and field operations in the United States and report to Parker. Kim was previously the general manager of the southern region.

David VandeLinde is promoted to vice president, after-sales, Hyundai Motor America. VandeLinde will continue to be responsible for leading dealer service programs and operations, parts and accessory sales, and owner marketing, and will report to Parker.

"I am excited to have Randy and Edgar leading these two markets in North America," said Munoz. I know that they will continue the remarkable growth and expansion of the Hyundai brand that we have experienced during the past three years. And having Ted and Bob leading sales efforts for GMA and HMA will ensure we continue to increase market share across both brands in the U.S."

Hyundai Motor North America

Hyundai Motor North America (HMNA) was established in 2018 to provide strategic oversight of Hyundai Motor America, Hyundai Motor Canada, Hyundai Motor Mexico, Genesis Motor America, and Genesis Motor Canada. HMNA also provides operational oversight of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. HMNA's 1,400 dealerships sold 956,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles in 2021, a 22% increase compared with 2020. HMNA is committed to achieving long-term sustainable growth and promoting Hyundai's global vision of 'Progress for Humanity.'

SOURCE Hyundai Motor North America
MEXICO CITY, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor North America has named Edgar Carranza, Hyundai Motor Mexico (HMM), Chief Executive Officer effective August 1. Currently, Carranza is Chief Operations Officer for HMM. As CEO, Mr. Carranza will have overall responsibility for operations, marketing, sales, service and customer satisfaction activities. He will be responsible for developing and executing a strategy to increase profits and grow market share. In his new role, Carranza will focus on delivering the best customer experience in partnership with our distributors.

Hyundai Motor North America has named Edgar Carranza, Hyundai Motor Mexico (HMM), Chief Executive Officer effective August 1.

"Hyundai continues to position itself strategically in the Mexican market, given our focus on customer satisfaction and providing them with products that are innovative, safe and offer differentiated quality", said Edgar Carranza, CEO of Hyundai Motor Mexico. "This appointment motivates me to continue positioning Hyundai in the country," he concluded.

Edgar's leadership has been critical to Hyundai's growth in Mexico. In 2021, Hyundai achieved an all-time market share record of 3.7%. Currently, Hyundai's total market share is 3.8%, which positions Hyundai among the top 10 brands in the country. Additionally, the brand ranked second on the Customer Service Index (CSI) and Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI). Under Carranza's leadership, Hyundai Mexico's operations are profitable and its dealerships, are well-positioned to enjoy sustained business momentum for the next few years.

"Edgar has the right experience and leadership skills to take HMM to the next level of excellence", said Jose Munoz, President and COO of HMC and President and CEO of HMNA. "The Mexican market is an integral part of our North American team, and we look forward to seeing Edgar's continued positive impact for the region's growth."

Edgar has a significant track record of more than 21 years in the automotive industry and has stood out for his strategic and leadership skills, as well as his high performance and focus on results. Before joining Hyundai Motor de Mexico, he held key positions within Nissan Motor Company in Mexico, the United States and Japan.

About Hyundai Motor Mexico

At Hyundai Motor de Mexico we have evolved from being an automobile manufacturer to become a provider of intelligent mobility solutions and transform people's interactions, thereby improving their quality of life. Thanks to our brand vision of "Progress for Humanity", we show our commitment to the future of mobility through the technology applied to our products and our search for improvements to achieve cleaner, connected and sustainable energies, in addition to guaranteeing more and better safety in all our products.

With 68 dealerships throughout Mexico and as a pioneer in improving the customer shopping experience through our Hyundai Live interactive tool, we are positioned among the top ten best-selling brands in the country thanks to the trust, quality, equipment and price-value ratio we provide.

Hyundai Motor North America

Hyundai Motor North America (HMNA) was established in 2018 to provide strategic oversight of Hyundai Motor America, Hyundai Motor Canada, Hyundai Motor Mexico, Genesis Motor America, and Genesis Motor Canada. HMNA also provides operational oversight of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. HMNA's 1,400 dealerships sold 956,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles in 2021, a 22% increase compared with 2020. HMNA is committed to achieving long-term sustainable growth and promoting Hyundai's global vision of 'Progress for Humanity.'

SOURCE Hyundai Motor North America
Innago's innovative, free property management software has been named the #1 best property management software company by G2 for overall rating.

CINCINNATI, Ohio, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Innago is excited to announce an additional $4 million in funding led by Allison Wood Ventures. This next round of funding further solidifies the partnership between the innovative real estate tech company and the venture capital firm.

Innago Receives Another $4 Million In Funding For Its Property Management Software Business

Growing fast, Innago has transformed the rental process for landlords, turning tedious tasks into simple and automated to-dos. Among other accolades, the cutting edge software has been named the #1 best property management software in terms of ease-of-use, and overall rating by G2. Through their easy-to-use and free property management software , company founders Dave Spooner and Yasir Drabu have continued to redefine what it means to be a property owner.

The latest round of funding brings Allison Wood Venture's total backing of Innago to $7.7 million over the last five years, a clear indicator that CEO Allison Wood truly believes in the fledgling tech company. In addition to the most recent investment, Allison Wood Ventures invested $1.2 million in 2017 and $2.5 million in 2020.

"I have been impressed by Dave and Yasir at every turn over the last five years," Wood said. "Not only did they create this groundbreaking software and make it accessible to all, they've worked to truly better the lives of their users. I am so excited to see them continue to grow and am grateful to be a part of this next step forward."

Spooner and Drabu launched Innago in 2017 after tinkering with pricing models, user interfaces and other important components of what makes a property management software valuable to landlords and their tenants. Not only does Innago allow property owners to create applications, screen tenants, sign leases, collect rent, manage work orders, organize finances and communicate with renters, it also provides world-class customer service that gives users peace of mind.

Innago is, in one word, simple. Unlike other rental management software and websites, it provides only what is necessary and cuts out the often-redundant features that drive up cost and slow down processing. Last year, Innago launched a landlord app that allows property owners to track applications, maintenance requests, payments and more from a smartphone.

"We are confident that, at this point, we have the best product, the best marketing and the best customer support of any similar company on the market," Spooner said. "As a landlord now myself, I couldn't manage my properties without the ease our service provides. We know we are poised to continue to grow and improve, and we are so grateful to Allison Wood Ventures for helping to make that a reality."

For more information visit: www.innago.com

Media Contact:

Dave Spooner

[email protected]

(513) 572-1708

About Innago

Innago is a free, easy-to-use property management software solution, designed to save landlords time & money. Their mission is to make renting simple, accessible, & affordable for landlords of any size. The company is based in Cincinnati, OH.

PRESS CONTACT

NAME

Dave Spooner

PHONE

(513) 572-1708

WEBSITE

https://innago.com/

SOURCE Innago
The pizza chain celebrated 400 locations in Jefferson Park in Chicago, IL.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. , July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jet's Pizza opened their 400th location in the pizza chain's franchise. The 400th store is in the neighborhood of Jefferson Park in Chicago, IL. This location is owned by Bryan Gilbert and Dan O'Donohue.

On Wednesday, July 27, John Jetts, the President and CEO of Jet's America, along with his business partners and cousin, Jeff Galloway, V.P. of store operations and Jim Galloway, V.P. of franchise sales went to Chicago to celebrate the 400th Jet's Pizza location.

Jim Galloway, Dan O'Donohue, Bryan Gilbert, John Jetts, and Jeff Galloway Detroit-Style Jet's Pizza

Alongside the corporate owners, Gilbert and O'Donohue gave out free slices and customers could spin a prize wheel to win some Jet's merch.

As announced earlier this year, Jet's Pizza continues to grow with plans to open 30 new locations in 2022. The chain known best for its Detroit-Style Pizza will be introducing themselves in Utah, Kansas, New Mexico, Washington, and Nevada.

"It's incredible to think we just opened our 400th location when it feels like just yesterday, I was sitting on milk crates with my brother Eugene outside our first location, dreaming of this," said John Jetts, President and CEO of Jet's America, Inc. "We're so proud of the product we put out there and the family of franchisees we've formed who have all made this dream possible."

To find a Jet's Pizza near you, go to jetspizza.com.

About Jet's Pizza

Jet's Pizza is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. It was founded as Jetts Party Shoppe and Pizzeria in 1978 by brothers, John and Eugene Jetts. Since then, it has now grown to 400 stores in 19 states. Jet's Pizza is known for its Detroit-style, deep-dish pizzas, and fresh, high-quality ingredients. Every morning the dough is prepared by hand, premium mozzarella is grated, vegetables are hand-cut, and sauce is made with fresh vine-ripened tomatoes mixed with Jet's proprietary spice and herb blend.

Media Contact:

Gabriella Galloway

Jet's America

586-795-8403

[email protected]a.com

SOURCE Jet's Pizza
Renata Caine Named as Chief Commercial Officer and Lissa Andrews Named as VP of Global Marketing

TEL AVIV, Israel and SAN FRANCISCO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Justt, a leading fintech revolutionizing the chargeback process through machine learning, today announced the expansion of its senior leadership team with two key hires: Renata Caine as Chief Commercial Officer and Lissa Andrews as VP of Global Marketing. The two female fintech veterans will spearhead the company's rapid expansion into new markets including the United States.

Justt's explosive global growth will be led by US-based Renata Caine, who joins after 4+ years at market-leading modern card issuer Marqeta, where she served as SVP of International, Strategy, and Planning and saw the company through their 2021 initial public offering. A veteran in the fintech and payments space, Caine previously spent 11 years at WEX most recently as VP of Commercial, Virtual Payments.

"After years of seeing the burden that chargebacks imposed on both issuers and downstream customers, I was thrilled to see Justt's technology solving a real need in the payments ecosystem," Caine said. Justt's core AI-powered solution helps merchants to efficiently contest payment chargebacks, which currently cost merchants over $125B a year in lost revenues. "Justt's platform leverages human expertise and innovation to automate what has historically been a laborious process. This is the scalable, tech-driven solution our industry urgently needs," Caine added.

Joining Caine is Lissa Andrews, a B2B and FinTech marketing veteran with over 20 years of experience. Andrews joins Justt from Billtrust the category-leading order-to-cash SaaS platform, where she was Director of Product Marketing. She previously served as Global Marketing Director for Corporate Payments at WEX, where she led teams across North America, EMEA, and APAC, and also held key marketing leadership positions at GE Capital and American Express.

The two appointments affirm Justt's commitment to diversity and gender equity in fintech, a space that has long been male-dominated. "Women are deservedly stepping up and taking leadership roles in the fintech space, and at Oak HC/FT we expect all our portfolio companies to give women and other diverse leaders the opportunity to shine," said Tricia Kemp, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Oak HC/FT, which led Justt's recent $70M Series B funding round. "This isn't altruism: research shows that startups with strong, diverse leadership teams perform better over time. We're proud to see Justt walking the walk, and we know that Renata and Lissa are the right people to lead the company's global growth."

At Justt, we've always believed that effective chargeback mitigation depends on having both the right technologies and the right people. With these new appointments, we're bringing together some of North America's top FinTech experts to meet the needs of U.S. merchants," said Justt CEO Ofir Tahor. "These battle-tested leaders recognize the importance of Justt's mission and the power of our solution. Under Renata's leadership, they will help merchants across the globe transform the way they address chargebacks, and help them leverage Justt's technologies to beat friendly fraud and retain more of their revenues."

About Justt

Founded in February 2020, Justt is dedicated to helping online merchants navigate the complex and costly system for credit card disputes. Leveraging machine learning and deep domain-specific expertise, Justt deploys hands-off tailored solutions to fight chargebacks and gather and submit evidence on merchants' behalf. The result: a sophisticated, fully customized end-to-end solution that addresses chargeback fraud and provides industry leading success rates.

Media Contact:

David Wamsley

415-259-9104

[email protected]

SOURCE Justt
The product spots feature a full cast of La Colombe employees and takes a shot at the leading ready to drink coffee brand claiming 60% less sugar

PHILADELPHIA, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning in July, La Colombe Coffee Roasters, a premium, specialty coffee roaster with 32 cafes nationwide and the iconic Latte on-the-go beverages, will unveil its integrated summer marketing campaign, For the Love of Real, to celebrate increased national distribution of its beloved ready-to-drink, Cold Brew products and continued commitment to real taste, real ingredients, and real impact that La Colombe delivers.

La Colombe Coffee Roasters Launches First-Ever National Advertising Campaign, For the Love of Real

The integrated summer campaign features a cast of six and a voice-over sourced from the brand's employee network, which underpins the platform of realness and authenticism.

La Colombe's real taste is helping them to outpace category growth and serve as sweet relief from the traditional ready to drink brands' overly sugared offerings. Their first national ad campaign highlights the 60% less sugar that La Colombe lattes have vs. the leading flavored coffee drink, one of the key insights that help drive the 'real' tone of the creative campaign.

The media will target the coffee curious nationwide, working to build brand and product awareness through video (streaming + mobile), social, display, search, affiliate, OOH and audio, as well as experiential, field, and influencer marketing.

La Colombe worked with New York City-based media agency, big, on integrated strategy and cross channel media activation and award-winning branding and advertising agency, Circus Maximus , on the creative. They are also working on an event and experience plan to roll out in late August.

"I am so excited to launch the first national brand campaign this summer. "For the Love of Real" reflects our brand from many angles - from the heritage of our cafes to the craft of our cold brews," said Kathryn O'Connor, SVP of Brand, Marketing, and eComm for La Colombe. "We pride ourselves on leaning into the craft of making coffee and doing everything from sourcing to roasting to cold brewing. Having all of our folks featured in the spot and shooting it at our flagship cafe illustrates what matters most to us perfectly."

The commercial highlights the process of making coffee, from bean to cup, and showcases some of La Colombe's beloved products like its roasted blends and iconic canned lattes. The talent and voice-over were done by La Colombe employees - from baristas to managers to marketing team members - and offer a unique aspect to the realness of the spots.

The tagline, For the Love of Real, speaks to the real ingredients used to make their coffee, real taste with less sugar, real roots founded in Philadelphia, and real impact within their communities.

The For the Love of Real coffee tour will surprise and delight people in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas with local collaborations, flavors and merch drops in August and September.

This campaign comes during a time of continued successful growth for La Colombe and at the height of cold brew season. The total ready-to-drink coffee category is over $5.1 billion in annual sales and growing. La Colombe is driving category growth with a 15% year over year vs. the ready to drink category which is growing at just 7%. [i] *Source - IRI - Total US Mulo+C - Latest 52 Weeks Ending 07.10.2022

This campaign is positioned to continue the successful trajectory of La Colombe's super premium ready to drink coffee products, which are the number one ready to drink coffee brand at Whole Foods and number two brand at Target and a top 5 brand in Food, Drug, and Mulo channels.

For more information on the campaign, the products, or the summer activations, visit www.lacolombe.com or follow our summer adventures using #FortheLoveofReal.

ABOUT LA COLOMBE

La Colombe (www.lacolombe.com ) is a leading coffee roaster known for ethical, long-term trade practices with growers. Considered one of the pioneers of the third wave of coffee, it provides signature classic blends and exceptional single-origin coffees to cafes, hotels, restaurants, and retailers around the world. In addition, the company owns and operates 32 cafes in Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Austin  with additional locations and new markets scheduled to open in 2022-2023. The company has also made headlines in the ready-to-drink business with its ready-to-drink (RTD) LATTE  the world's first-ever textured cold latte.

SOURCE La Colombe
ARLINGTON, Mass., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leader Bank is proud to announce that it has been named an honoree in the 2022 Boston Business Journal Corporate Citizenship Awards with more than $250,000 donated to Massachusetts charities, non-profits, local municipalities, and community groups in 2021.

This marks the sixth year in a row Leader Bank has been recognized by the publication as one of the Commonwealth's top charitable contributors for donations made by the Bank directly as well as through the Leader Bank Charitable Foundation. The Bank will be honored for the recognition at an award ceremony in September.

"Leader Bank is proud to have been recognized by the Boston Business Journal as one of the most charitable companies in the Commonwealth," said Sushil Tuli, Chairman and CEO of Leader Bank. "Supporting the charitable organizations that serve our communities both financially and through our team members volunteering their time remains an integral part of Leader Bank's mission and values."

The Boston Business Journal Annual Corporate Citizenship Awards showcase companies that promote and prioritize giving back to their communities by donating at least $100,000 to Massachusetts-based charities  a feat that is even more important during times of hardship such as those we continued to experience throughout 2021.

"We are proud to celebrate these organizations who give both money and time to make Boston a stronger and better place for all," said Boston Business Journal Market President and Publisher Carolyn Jones.

ABOUT LEADER BANK

Founded in 2002, Leader Bank is a Massachusetts-based entrepreneurial financial institution that approaches banking differently. The core tenets of Leader Bank include world-class client service, exemplary products, and innovation to meet the needs of its clients. At its founding, Leader Bank had $6.5 million in assets  in the two decades since, the Bank has grown into one of the most successful financial institutions in the Commonwealth with $3.7 billion in assets. Leader Bank's team members have been at the forefront of supporting the Bank's rapid growth and client-oriented solutions over the last two decades as the Bank has expanded its commercial and retail products and solutions. Leader Bank is a committed corporate citizen and prides itself on partnering with and supporting philanthropic organizations. More information on Leader Bank can be found at www.LeaderBank.com.

SOURCE Leader Bank
Lenstec Inc. has announced that its SBL-3 IOL has been approved by the FDA.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lenstec SBL-3 IOL (Segmented Bifocal Lens) is a next-generation asymmetric multifocal refractive IOL which provides patients with near, intermediate and distance vision. Its patented design allows for improved contrast sensitivity and minimized halo and glare (dysphotopsias) commonly associated with other traditional 'concentric ring' multifocal IOLs.

Next generation multifocal intraocular lens FDA approved for sale in the US. Tweet this Lenstec SBL-3 multifocal intraocular lens

The segmented optic design is the first of its kind in the US. Lenstec's patented four-point fixation and design allow surgeons confidence in the IOLs effective lens position within the capsule. Its availability in 0.25 diopter power increments, along with the tightest industry tolerances (+/- 0.11 diopters from labeled power), assists surgeons in achieving the best refractive outcomes possible.

James Loden, MD (Nashville, TN), a principal investigator in the FDA trial, notes, "SBL-3 lens patients reported high quality distance and near vision, without the headache of severe dysphotopsia issues, and we had no complaints with computer vision."

Sebastian Heersink, MD (Dothan, AL), another FDA trial principal investigator, stated, "in my own experience with the SBL-3, I have been very impressed with the quality and range of functional vision patients obtained, as well as their overall happiness. It performs well in low lighting and patients report excellent night driving. It's a great lens that I wouldn't hesitate to have implanted in my own eyes."

About Lenstec

Lenstec is a leading designer and manufacturer of intraocular Lenses (IOLs) to treat patients with a range of vision disorders. Founded in 1992, the company is dedicated to advancing possibilities for ophthalmic professionals and their patients worldwide.

More information about the SBL-3 and Lenstec's line of Precision Series IOLs is available at www.lenstec.com

SOURCE Lenstec Inc
DALLAS, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, LERMA/ was named Ad Age Gold Small Agency of the Year: 11-75 employees at the 14th Annual Ad Age Small Agency Awards. The newly independent firm has evolved from a multicultural aficionado to a cross-cultural powerhouse.

"Multicultural marketing used to be an afterthought, but our country has changed, and we have evolved with it," Pedro Lerma Founder & CEO of LERMA/ said. "As an independent certified minority-owned agency, it is exciting to be recognized for all the work we have accomplished, and we are eager to dream even bigger."

LERMA/ is innovating the industry on all fronts with the development of its Brand Inclusivity Performance Index (BIPI), a first-of-its-kind communication tool that measures brands' commitment to multiculturalism. Continuing to further its commitment to innovation and thought leadership, LERMA/ has partnered with The University of Texas to publish ongoing reports about Millennials and Gen Z, with a key focus on multicultural insights.

With over 400 entries nationally, the Ad Age Small Agency Awards recognizes standout independent agencies with fewer than 150 employees that are producing both noteworthy creative work and strong business results.

About LERMA/

LERMA/ is a full-service branding and creative advertising agency dedicated to channeling creativity for good. Based in Dallas, LERMA/ was founded by Pedro Lerma with an emphasis on omniculturalism and a belief that they can positively affect our increasingly diverse culture by first embodying it themselves. The agency's work includes award-winning campaigns for clients such as The Home Depot, Avocados From Mexico, The Salvation Army, Interstate Batteries and He Gets Us, among others. For more information, visit www.lermaagency.com

Contact:

Mary Lester

[email protected]

214-490-3480

SOURCE LERMA/
Nonprofit benefits from leader who re-envisioned service delivery

MILWAUKEE , July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wipfli LLP, a top 20 national consulting and accounting firm, is pleased to announce Liz Kuoppala, executive director of the MAHUBE-OTWA Community Action Partnership in western Minnesota, is the winner of the Evelyn Wright Moore Award for Innovation Excellence.

Kuoppala was presented with the award earlier this month during Wipfli's 2022 Stronger to Serve nonprofit training conference for nonprofit leaders in Las Vegas.

Nonprofit benefits from leader who re-envisioned service delivery Tweet this

"Liz transformed the agency's service delivery model using a whole-family approach focused on equity to create multi-generational, upward mobility for low-income and elderly residents in five Minnesota counties," said Kathleen DuBois, nonprofit, government and education industry leader for Wipfli. "What a tremendous feat. Her clients are lucky to have her leading the organization."

The Evelyn Wright Moore Award provides $5,000 to support the life-changing efforts of the winning recipient's agency. The award's namesake was a Head Start leader from Angleton, Texas, who attended the conference for 17 years until her passing in 2017.

Kuoppala, who assumed her leadership role in 2017, said her team's vision at the time pivoted from focusing on funders to putting families at the center of the agency's work.

"The agency used to look at regulations as the ceiling of what could be done. But we shifted our view. If the regulations we must follow are the floor, we began to look at where we could launch from that," Kuoppala said. "If we see what families need, but government funding doesn't support it, we go to private sources."

The agency, with a $19 million budget, serves 7,000 households, including 16,000 individuals over a sprawling 5,000 square-mile area.

About Wipfli LLP

For more than 90 years, Wipfli has been serving clients with a mission of creating a lasting, positive impact through deep empathy and relationships. With more than 2,900 associates and 88,000 clients, Wipfli ranks among the top 20 accounting and business consulting firms in the nation.

Business today is more fluid than ever. Helping firms achieve their goals takes imagination, discipline and a process that delivers results today while anticipating tomorrow's demands.

Wipfli provides holistic services that include business optimization, finance and accounting, regulatory compliance, digital services, and talent and change management. Learn more at wipfli.com.

Contact:

Sara Snyder

Wipfli PR Manager

920-659-3857

SOURCE Wipfli LLP
CLEVELAND, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Patrick Murphy has joined McDonald Hopkins LLC in Cleveland as an associate in the Business Department.

He focuses his practice on business, corporate and transactional law, mergers and acquisitions, business reorganization and succession planning, private equity, executive compensation, and federal, state and local taxation law.

Patrick Murphy has joined McDonald Hopkins LLC in Cleveland as an associate in the Business Department.

Murphy has worked in a number of capacities on various business contracts, transactional deals, and purchase agreements. During his time as an appeals attorney in the Chief Counsel's office of the Ohio Department of Taxation, Murphy focused on a variety of tax issues and has drafted numerous final determinations on a variety of novel topics and legal controversies. Murphy worked directly with taxpayers and their representatives to negotiate settlements and to arrive at a suitable legal solution. Murphy has also worked on creditor and debtor sides of real estate foreclosures, drafted land contracts, performed title searches, and has experience in a variety of litigation and dispute resolution matters.

As an involved member of the legal community, Murphy is a part of the Columbus Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He also served as a VITA volunteer and has volunteered as judge for college and law school mock trial and moot court competitions throughout Ohio.

Murphy earned B.A.'s in political science and English at Capital University, a J.D. at Capital University Law School, an LL.M in taxation and business law at Capital University Law School and an MBA at The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business.

He can be reached at 216.430.2025 or [email protected].

About McDonald Hopkins

Founded in 1930, McDonald Hopkins is a business advisory and advocacy law firm with locations in Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, and West Palm Beach. With more than 50 service and industry teams, the firm has the expertise and knowledge to meet the growing number of legal and business challenges our clients face. For more information about McDonald Hopkins, visit mcdonaldhopkins.com .

CONTACT:

Cynthia Stewart

McDonald Hopkins LLC

600 Superior Avenue, East, Suite 2100

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Phone: 216.348.5733

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE McDonald Hopkins
NYS Department of Health Grant Brings More Resources and Training Throughout the Region

YONKERS, N.Y., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York State Department of Health has continued Montefiore Health System's designation as a Center of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease (CEAD) with a $2.3 million grant over five years to provide comprehensive screening and care planning for individuals with memory impairments and their caregivers in the Hudson Valley.

Jessica Zwerling, M.D., a neurologist and director of the Montefiore CEAD, professor in the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine

The population of the seven counties in the Hudson Valley is 2.3 million, according to the 2019 American Community Survey. More than 388,000 of these individuals (16.7%) are 65 or older, slightly higher than the state rate of 16.4%. By 2030, that number is expected to grow by 19%, meaning that by the end of the decade there will be more than 400,000 residents in the region who are 65 or older, significantly increasing the likely incidence of Alzheimer's disease.

The Montefiore CEAD, one of 10 in the state, promotes early diagnosis and assessment by a team of neurologists, geriatricians, neuropsychologists and social workers to determine if an individual's memory issues are caused by Alzheimer's disease, another form of dementia, or are the result of an unrelated medical issue.

"Early and accurate diagnosis offers benefits to both patients and caregivers, including education and advance financial, legal, medical and caregiving planning; access to new treatment modalities and to community-based support services," said Jessica Zwerling, M.D., a neurologist and director of the Montefiore CEAD who is also a professor in the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "The funds from NYS Department of Health will help us expand specialized dementia training to more clinicians, psychologists, residents, nurses and social workers throughout the region. We'll also be bolstering education in this area for students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, ensuring the workforce is best positioned to assist people with memory impairments. Focus will include why care plans must address medical, social and caregiving needs, accounting for each person's native language, level of education, vocation and cultural background. Additionally, it'll note the role of clinical trials in identifying new treatments."

The CEAD is based at Montefiore's Center for the Aging Brain in Yonkers, which partners with multi-specialty practices in the Hudson Valley, resulting in more than 1,200 new diagnostic assessments in the region (plus another 1,000 in the Bronx) in the past year alone.

In addition to training other healthcare providers and creating personalized treatment plans, Montefiore partners with community organizations like the Alzheimer's Association, Westchester Jewish Community Services, the Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA) and CaringKind to help families get non-medical support.

About Montefiore Health System

Montefiore Health System is one of New York's premier academic health systems and is a recognized leader in providing exceptional quality and personalized, accountable care to approximately three million people in communities across the Bronx, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley. It is comprised of 10 hospitals, including the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and more than 200 outpatient ambulatory care sites. The advanced clinical and translational research at its medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, directly informs patient care and improves outcomes. From the Montefiore-Einstein Centers of Excellence in cancer, cardiology and vascular care, pediatrics, and transplantation, to its preeminent school-based health program, Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system providing coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families. For more information, please visit www.montefiore.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and LinkedIn, or view us on Facebook and YouTube.

SOURCE Montefiore Health System
HUNTINGTON, Ind., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Northeast Indiana Bancorp, Inc., (OTCQB: NIDB), the parent company of First Federal Savings Bank, has announced that the Corporation will pay a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share. The dividend will be payable on August 25, 2022 to shareholders of record on August 11, 2022.

The book value of NIDB's stock was $34.88 per common share as of June 30, 2022. At the close of business on July 26, 2022, the stock price was $43.00 per common share and the number of outstanding shares was 1,205,135. The annualized dividend yield at the current stock price is 2.8%.

Northeast Indiana Bancorp, Inc. is headquartered at 648 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, Indiana. The company offers a full array of banking and financial brokerage services to its customers through its main office in Huntington and six full-service Indiana offices in Huntington (2), Warsaw (2) and Fort Wayne (2). The Company is traded on the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (www.otcmarkets.com) utilizing the OTCQB platform under the symbol "NIDB". Our web site address is www.firstfedindiana.bank.

SOURCE Northeast Indiana Bancorp, Inc.
Vetcetera and Vet Candy join forces to introduce four new studio-quality continuing education courses focused on internal veterinary medicine

WAUKESHA, Wis., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vetcetera, an online community for professional development and education for veterinary professionals and students, and Vet Candy, a veterinary news source and continuing education provider, today announced a new partnership that will expand access to continuing education for practicing veterinarians. This partnership provides informative and high quality content that both entertains and educates.

"More Americans are turning to pet adoption and ownership than ever before, which in turn has the ripple effect of a sharp increase in demand for veterinary care in communities across the country," said Dr. Jill Lopez, CEO of Vet Candy. "This new continuing education option will ensure that veterinary pros gain access to vital instruction needed for licensure and exam prepand that pets receive the quality care they need to lead healthy, lasting lives."

Demand for veterinary care and services continues to spike as a result of the so-called COVID-19 pet boom and an aging veterinary workforce. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, domestic dog and cat populations in the U.S. are expected to increase to 100 million and 85 million, respectively, by 2030. Due to limited access to in-person continuing education during COVID-19, online veterinary continuing education options have become increasingly popular.

To help meet the growing demand for veterinary care, the two organizations will collaborate to create and deliver continuing education courses that qualify for approval by the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE). The initial courses will focus on internal medicine, covering topics such as Addison's Disease, Cushing's Disease, Diabetes in Dogs, and Diabetes in Cats. Courses will be available exclusively to Vetcetera members beginning in the fall of 2022.

Through the new continuing education partnership, members of Vetcetera will gain access to the online courses developed in collaboration with Vet Candy. Dr. Forrest Cummings, an internal medicine specialist in Louisville, KY, will lead the four exclusive courses in endocrinology. Dr. Cummings acquired his DVM at Tuskegee University, completed a Small Animal Medicine & Surgery internship at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and returned to Louisville to complete his internal medicine residency. Dr. Cummings is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

"Expanding our library with studio-quality content to support continuing education and exam prep are important components of Vetcetera and what we provide to our ever-growing community," said Katie Krothapalli, DVM, MBA, Director of Healthcare Education at Vetcetera. "By bringing high-quality continuing education content to this popular online community, veterinary pros will receive the engaging content they need to support their full career trajectory  from student to practitioner."

For more information on the RACE-approved options, visit Vetcetera , which offers a range of membership options for veterinary professionals, including an affordable student membership and discounted memberships for veterinary technicians.

About Vet Candy: Founded and led by veterinary professionals, Vet Candy delivers world class content with engaging voices and inspirational messages created by a network of top influencers and experts. The company seeks to accelerate a culture shift within the veterinary profession that supports diversity, inclusion, and gender balance. Follow us @myvetcandy on social media or visit myvetcandy.com .

About Vetcetera: Vetcetera is an online community designed to support and educate veterinary professionals throughout the lifecycle of their careers. Through Vetcetera, veterinary professionals have access to the RACE-approved continuing education they need to successfully maintain their licenses, serve their patients, grow and maintain their practices, and find support in a community of like-minded professionals.

To learn more, visit vet-etc.com .

SOURCE Edcetera
More than 200 Custom-Curated Voyages Departing from More Homeports than Ever Before, Visiting Spectacular Destinations throughout the California Coast, Mexico, Hawaii, Tahiti, the Caribbean and Panama Canal

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises today announced its most expansive Americas schedule ever with 47 itineraries across 214 departures from seven convenient North American homeports, highlighted by new voyages to the South Pacific and Hawaii.

Princess Cruises 2023-24 Americas Cruise Season to Feature 47 Itineraries, Including New Voyages to the South Pacific and Hawaii and Departures from Galveston

New for the 2023-24 season are Sapphire Princess' two South Pacific Islands & Hawaii cruises roundtrip from Los Angeles featuring "More Ashore" late-night stays in Honolulu and Tahiti, and for the first time ever visiting Fiji, along with a pair of Hawaii cruises with overnight stays in Honolulu on Discovery Princess  the ship's first-ever sailings to the Aloha State. Princess will also sail again from Galveston with a series of voyages on Regal Princess providing consumers with hassle-free drive or fly options for enjoying the sun-splashed islands of the Western Caribbean.

In addition to sailing from Galveston, the 2023-24 Americas program will offer consumers a broad spectrum of departure points for roundtrip cruises including Los Angeles, Ft. Lauderdale, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver, as well as one open-jaw departure from New York, making it easier than ever to create memorable cruise vacations to sought-after destinations with just a short drive or domestic flight.

With the new program, vacationers have even more opportunities to visit iconic destinations along the California Coast, the flavorful cruising of Mexico, the laid-back vibe of Hawaii and Tahiti, tropical Caribbean shores, and the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal, which complement the line's vast array of itinerary choices featuring two- to 111-day voyages to Alaska, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, Asia, Canada/New England, and all around the globe on World Cruises.

"No one can match our unique combination of unparalleled itinerary choices with the authentic, personalized MedallionClass experience that makes a Princess cruise so special and memorable. So whether you're looking for a quick Caribbean getaway or a 'bucket list' trip to the South Pacific  or anything in between  Princess has got you covered," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.

Princess' 2023-24 destination highlights and deployments include:

Hawaii & Tahiti (Crown Princess, Diamond Princess, Discovery Princess, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess and Sapphire Princess)

17 destinations, including four Hawaiian Islands and six South Pacific Islands

18 departures on five itineraries, ranging in length from 15 to 32 days, sailing from Los Angeles , San Francisco , Seattle , and Vancouver :

, , , and : NEW  Discovery Princess sails two 15-day Hawaii cruises  her first ever to the Aloha State  featuring overnight stays in Honolulu .

 Discovery Princess sails two 15-day cruises  her first ever to the Aloha State  featuring overnight stays in .

NEW  Sapphire Princess offers a new 32-day South Pacific Islands & Hawaii itinerary on two voyages roundtrip from Los Angeles , including Fiji for the first time ever, and "More Ashore" late-night stays in Honolulu and Tahiti.

The Caribbean (Caribbean Princess, Emerald Princess, Enchanted Princess, Island Princess, Regal Princess, Ruby Princess, and Sky Princess)

126 departures on 18 itineraries, ranging in length from five to 21 days, sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale and Galveston

25 Caribbean islands, including Cozumel , Grand Cayman , St. Kitts , St. Thomas , Grand Turk and Princess Cays, the cruise line's private island resort

islands, including , , , , Grand Turk and Princess Cays, the cruise line's private island resort "More Ashore" late-night stays in Aruba , Bonaire , Curacao , San Juan , St. Maarten and St. Thomas on select itineraries

Mexico (Crown Princess, Diamond Princess and Discovery Princess)

8 destinations, including Cabo San Lucas , Puerto Vallarta , Manzanillo , La Paz , and Loreto

, , , , and 24 departures on five unique itineraries, from five to 10 days, sailing from Los Angeles and San Francisco :

and : Discovery Princess also returns to the west coast offering five- to seven-day Mexico cruises from Los Angeles and a special 10-day Mexican Riviera with Total Solar Eclipse, roundtrip from Los Angeles , including a port call in Mazatlan on the day of the eclipse ( April 8, 2024 ).

cruises from and a special 10-day Mexican Riviera with Total Solar Eclipse, roundtrip from , including a port call in Mazatlan on the day of the eclipse ( ).

Crown Princess sails 10-day Mexican Riviera cruises from San Francisco .

.

Diamond Princess sails a 10-day Baja Peninsula & Sea of Cortez cruise from Los Angeles .

& Sea of Cortez cruise from . "More Ashore" overnight stays in Cabo San Lucas are featured on every five-day Cabo San Lucas Getaway cruise.

California Coast (Crown Princess, Discovery Princess (newest ship) Grand Princess, Ruby Princess and Sapphire Princess)

11 destinations in three countries, including six destinations in California : Santa Barbara , San Francisco , Monterey , Catalina Island , San Diego , and Ensenada

: , , , , , and 25 total departures on 13 unique itineraries from three to 11 days, sailing from Los Angeles , San Francisco , Seattle , and Vancouver :

, , , and : Discovery Princess returns for her west coast season sailing roundtrip California Coast voyages from Los Angeles .

.

Crown Princess returns, sailing the California and Pacific Northwest coasts with five-day and seven-day sailings roundtrip from San Francisco .

and Pacific Northwest coasts with five-day and seven-day sailings roundtrip from .

Sapphire Princess also offers one roundtrip 11-day California Coast cruise from Vancouver .

. Select itineraries feature "More Ashore" late-night stays in San Francisco , San Diego , Seattle , Victoria and Vancouver .

Panama Canal (Emerald Princess, Island Princess and Ruby Princess)

Two ways to see the Panama Canal: Roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale (partial transit) or ocean-to-ocean (full transit) between Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles or San Francisco

or 18 destinations, including Falmouth , Fuerte Amador ( Panama ), Cartagena and Puntarenas ( Costa Rica )

, ( ), and Puntarenas ( ) 23 departures on six itineraries, ranging from 10- to 15-days

Princess MedallionClass Vacations

Princess delivers Princess MedallionClass Vacations which begins with the Medallion wearable, a quarter-sized, device that enables everything from expedited contactless boarding to locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced service like having whatever guests need, delivered directly to them, wherever they are on the ship. In addition, guests can share their favorite cruise moments using MedallionNet, the best Wi-Fi at sea, as well as stay connected with friends and family back home, work remotely anywhere on the ship, quickly post content and stream favorite movies and shows.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com/.

About Princess Cruises

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the world's leading international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 15 modern cruise ships, carrying millions of guests each year to 330 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously recognized as "Best Cruise Line for Itineraries." In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass Vacations enabled by the Medallion device, the vacation industry's most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to an effortless personalized vacation, giving guests more time to do the things they love most. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).

SOURCE Princess Cruises
DENVER, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Schwazze, (OTCQX: SHWZ) (NEO: SHWZ) ("Schwazze" or the "Company"), announces that it will host a second quarter 2022 conference call and webcast on August 11, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET.

Investors and stakeholders may participate in the conference call by dialing 416 764 8650 or by dialing North American toll free 1-888-664-6383 or listen to the webcast from the Company's website at https://ir.schwazze.com . The webcast will be available on the Company's website and on replay until August 18, 2022, and may be accessed by dialing 1-888-390-0541 / # 575833

Following their prepared remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Justin Dye and Chief Financial Officer, Nancy Huber will answer investor questions. Investors may submit questions in advance or during the conference call itself through the weblink: https://app.webinar.net/lwXbZbBZmKN This weblink has been posted to the Company's website and will be archived on the website. All Company SEC filings can also be accessed on the Company website at https://ir.schwazze.com/sec-filings

About Schwazze

Schwazze (OTCQX: SHWZ; NEO: SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale. The Company is committed to unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant to improve the human condition. Schwazze is anchored by a high- performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company's leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. Schwazze is passionate about making a difference in our communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and doing our part to incorporate climate-conscious best practices. Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze's former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "may," "estimates", "predicts," or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) our inability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (ii) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (iii) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (iv) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; (v) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to market our products and product candidates; (vi) our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy in Colorado and outside the state, (vii) our ability to identify and consummate future acquisitions that meet our criteria, (viii) our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and realize synergies therefrom, (ix) the actual revenues derived from the Company's Star Buds assets, * the Company's actual revenue and adjusted EBITDA for 2021, (xi) the Company's ability to generate positive cash flow for the rest of 2021 (xii) the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, (xiii) the timing and extent of governmental stimulus programs, and (xiv) the uncertainty in the application of federal, state and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov . The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law.

SOURCE Schwazze
Sigma Beauty is excited to announce new steps in Amazon and Sephora partnerships

NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After their first successful partnership in 2021, Sigma Beauty is excited to launch two products in collaboration with Sephora, the Sigma X Sephora SigMagic Brushampoo and Brush Cleaning Mat, exclusively available in Sephora and at Sephora.com.

Sigma releases two exclusive brush cleaning tools in collaboration with Sephora.

Sigma X Sephora SigMagic Brushampoo features the patented, all-natural SigMagic liquid formula to give your brushes a deep, gentle clean. The Sigma X Sephora Brush Cleaning Mat allows you to swirl away makeup residue and build-up on seven patented textures that condition brushes for better performance and results. The cleanser and mat each feature a sleek black finish exclusive to Sephora's collection.

Sigma X Sephora SigMagic Brushampoo retails for $19 and the Brush Cleaning Mat retails for $29 and will be available at Sephora and Sephora.com starting July 28, 2022.

Sigma is also pleased to be expanding its relationship with the biggest name in retail, Amazon. The Minnesota-based brand is looking forward to launching virtual storefronts in France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Poland, Germany, and the UK.

"We are excited to expand our retail partnerships with two of the best shopping destinations for beauty products," said Dr. Simone Xavier, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Sigma Beauty. "Sigma first partnered with Sephora in 2021, offering two exclusive brush care gadgets. In 2022, we are expanding our partnership with two new individual products for our Sephora Collection: our best-selling SigMagic Brushampoo Liquid and patented Express Cleaning Mat. We are excited for Sephora clients to have easy access to these world-class beauty innovations."

"Sigma joined Amazon US in 2020 with a store front offering a varied assortment of brushes, brush care gadgets, and makeup," Dr. Xavier continued. "Our Amazon US business has experienced exponential growth with sales increasing 400% YOY. We are thrilled to join Amazon EU, and to make our top selling products available to 8 new European countries. We expect our Amazon EU business to be as successful as our Amazon US business. Shipping costs from the US are definitely a roadblock for international clients, so we are happy to be able to eliminate this cost by making our products widely available internationally through Amazon, and look forward to additional expansion in the coming years."

SOURCE Sigma Beauty
Small Batch Premium Tulchan Gin Hails From Scotland

NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stoli Group, the leading global ultra-premium spirits and wine company, announced the official global launch of their super-premium gin from Scotland. Taking its name from Tulchan Estate in Scotland, Tulchan Gin is a small batch gin distilled in Speyside, with flavors inspired by the terroir of the Estate located on the banks of the River Spey.

Tulchan Gin

"We are delighted to bring a slice of our wondrous estate to your glass," commented Damian McKinney, CEO of Stoli Group, in making the announcement. "Distilled in Speyside, in the heart of whisky country, we're looking forward to introducing Tulchan Gin to whisky drinkers as well as gin lovers throughout the world."

Born on one of the most admired estates in Scotland, Tulchan Gin is inspired by its natural surroundings with botanicals including sloe berries, elderflower and blackberry leaves which are found on the Tulchan Estate. One unusual botanical is asparagus, which provides the gin with a bitter edge and unusually long finish. The distillation takes place in Speyside using the Estate's recipe.

Tulchan Gin is presented in a luxury embossed blue glass bottle with the official Tulchan estate tartan running down the side, reflecting the gin's Scottish heritage. The label on the front of the bottle includes an illustration of the Estate mascot The Grouse Piper playing the bagpipes and the wooden cork stopper has a Scottish thistle stamp. Tulchan Gin is a full bodied, juniper forward London Dry gin elevated with the Scottish botanicals that shine through

Tulchan Gin is part of the Stoli Group portfolio of spirits brands and is distributed in the UK by Indie Brands, part of Amber Beverage Group and distributed globally through the Stoli Group. Tom Jones, Ultra Premium Spirits Ambassador, will be working with trade accounts and retailers to support the launch of the brand in the UK and around the world. Tom is based in Scotland and is a regular visitor to Tulchan Estate.

Tulchan Gin will be available initially in the UK and US and will be rolling out to Latin America, the Caribbean, Panama, the Dominican Republic in 2022. Next year Tulchan Gin's distribution will expand to include Italy, Kenya, South Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Tasting Notes

Style: fresh, crisp and smooth

Nose: floral and gentle juniper

Taste: herbal juniper,sweet blend of candied citrus peel, resin, cardamom, liquorice and coriander

Finish: medium in length with kumquat and lemon curd tones

Serving Suggestion

Tulchan Tonic

1 part Tulchan / 3 parts premium tonic

Website: www.tulchangin.com

Instagram: @tulchangin

About Tulchan Estate

Tulchan Estate is located in East Scotland in the heart of Speyside, an area famous some of the world's best Scotch whiskies. The Victorian hunting lodge has played host to many royal guests, reflecting its reputation as one of the leading sporting estates in Scotland. Surrounded by 22,000 acres of moors, lakes and valleys, Tulchan Estate captures the essence of Scotland itself, as does the gin that carries its name.

About Stoli Group

Stoli Group was established in 2013 and is responsible for the production, management, and distribution of a global spirits and wines portfolio. Mainly known for the Stoli Vodka brand, Stoli Group has expanded to appeal to luxury on-premise and more sophisticated global consumers. Signature brands are: Stoli Vodka, elitVodka, Bayou Rum, Kentucky Owl, Villa One, Gator Bite Rum Liqueurs, Cenote Tequila, Tulchan Gin, Se Busca Mezcal and Stoli Group's wine division, Tenute del Mondo. With a presence across a network of more than 176 markets, Stoli Group works with a passionate team of 200 distributors around the world. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Stoli has production facilities in Spain, Italy, Argentina, and the United States, some of which are steeped in history dating back to the early part of the last century. For more information, visit stoli-group.com.

For trade sales enquiries please contact: [email protected]

For further information or hi-res images, please contact Charlotte Edwards or Rebecca Tudor at MPR Communications:

[email protected] +44 7811070711

[email protected] +44 7792 525525

SOURCE Stoli Group
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TacoTime (www.TacoTime.com), known for serving freshly prepared, home-style Mexican fare, is offering a new option with the Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla now available for a limited time in stores until October 25, 2022.

The Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla features chipotle cheese sauce, shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, and all-white meat chicken grilled to perfection in a cheese flavored tortilla.

TacoTime Makes Cheese Lovers Dreams Come True with the New Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla Tweet this TacoTime Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla

"We are thrilled to feature this new menu item that is truly a cheese lover's dream," said Kim Heath, senior director of marketing for Kahala Brands, parent company of TacoTime. "Layered with three types of cheeses and wrapped in a cheese flavored tortilla, our new quesadilla is one TacoTime customers are sure to crave again and again!"

The Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla is available at our participating US TacoTime locations, and excludes Western Washington, E. Wenatchee, Grant and Chelan counties. Please visit www.TacoTime.com to learn more.

About TacoTime

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., TacoTime has been an industry leader in quality quick-service Mexican food for over 60 years. Founded in 1960, TacoTime has over 200 franchised restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. In 2003, TacoTime became part of Kahala Brands, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world with a portfolio of nearly 30 fast-casual and quick-service restaurant brands with approximately 3,000 locations in over 30 countries.

For more information about TacoTime, please visit www.TacoTime.com.

SOURCE TacoTime
MADISON, Wis., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Elephas Biosciences Corporation (Elephas), a company developing novel cancer diagnostic solutions, announced today the appointment of Steven Galson, M.D., M.P.H., as a member of the Board of Directors.

Dr. Galson is a consultant to Amgen and serves on the Board of Directors of Insilico Medicine and Biocryst Pharmaceuticals. Until June 2020 he was a Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Amgen. He joined the company in 2010 as Vice President of Global Regulatory Affairs.

"I chose to join Elephas because they are developing a platform that will increase access to effective cancer therapies. I am excited to help a team focused on making a positive difference in cancer patients' lives," stated Dr. Galson.

Galson spent more than 20 years in government service, including two years as acting Surgeon General of the United States. Previously, he served as Director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), where he provided leadership for the center's broad national and international programs in pharmaceutical regulation.

"The mission of Elephas is to improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients and provide hope during the difficult battle they face," said Maneesh Arora, Elephas Founder and CEO. "Adding Dr. Galson's perspective, driven by his deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical, regulatory, and medical industries, will drive that pursuit forward. We are honored to have him join our board."

Dr. Galson is the recipient of the Surgeon General's Medallion and the Secretary of Energy Gold Award. He holds a B.S. from Stony Brook University, an M.D. from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and an M.P.H. from the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Galson is a Trustee of the Keck Graduate Institute and a founding Governor of the KGI School of Community Medicine. In 2008, he received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Drexel University School of Public Health. In 2015 he received the Jacobi Medallion Award from Icahn Mount Sinai School of Medicine. In 2018, he was named Health Leader of the Year by the Commissioned Officers Association of the United States Public Health Service. Dr. Galson is on the Executive Committee of the Clinical Trial Transformation Initiative and is a Member of the Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation at the National Academy of Medicine.

About Elephas

Disruption in healthcare is being accelerated by the need for improved diagnostics, novel pharmaceutical therapies, and the shift to patient-centric solutions. With the mission to tackle the massive oncology dilemma, Elephas is leading the way to change how clinicians treat cancer patients. By harnessing the latest advances in cancer biology, multimodal microscopy, and artificial intelligence, the Elephas platform has the ability to empower clinical decision making and accelerate drug development. We plan to use the power of our platform to deliver a global solution that can revolutionize cancer treatment for every individual. To learn more, visit us at www.elephas.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Elephas
Cudahy, WI, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 27th, 2022, The Porkie Company Of Wisconsin was acquired by Pork King Good, a quirky and unique pork rind brand with a fanatically loyal customer base, led by Lauren Koston.

Pork King Good launched in 2018 as a customer of the Porkie Company of Wisconsin and quickly grew into one of the Porkie Company's largest customers with their innovative flavor lineup of Pork Rinds along with their best-selling Pork Rind Crumbs, a zero carb breadcrumb alternative.

Pork King Good Acquires Porkie Co of Wisconsin and Becomes the Only Woman Owned Pork Rind Manufacturer in the Country. Tweet this

With this acquisition, Pork King Good & The Porkie Company become the only woman-owned pork rind manufacturing business in the country!

The acquisition of The Porkie Company and its facility will position the team to best support the record-breaking growth of the Pork King Good brand. Pork King Good initially launched online and quickly became a leading brand, shaking up the pork rind world. Recently, the team has begun to focus more on building a strong retail presence with their flavored Pork Rinds, Seasonings, and their top-selling Pork Rind Crumbs.

"Owning & operating our own manufacturing will really allow us to support our national distribution and retail growth strategy" said Lauren Koston, founder of Pork King Good.

The team intends to expand its retail business by building strategic partnerships with direct-store-delivery operators and retailers alike. In addition to supporting the growth of the Pork King Good brand, the team is actively pursuing opportunities to partner with retailers to develop private-label programs across multiple categories, including their pork rinds.

For more information, feel free to reach out to [email protected].

SOURCE Pork King Good
MONROVIA, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trader Joe's offers its Crew Members a package of pay, benefits, and working conditions that is among the best in the grocery business. Despite this, employees in our Hadley, MA store recently voted to be represented by a union. We are prepared to immediately begin discussions with union representatives for the employees at this store to negotiate a contract. We are willing to use any current union contract for a multi-state grocery company with stores in the area, selected by the union representatives, as a template to negotiate a new structure for the employees in this store; including pay, retirement, healthcare, and working conditions such as scheduling and job flexibility.

Trader Joe's began in 1967 in the Los Angeles area and has since expanded to more than 535 stores in 42 states and Washington, D.C.  Learn more at www.traderjoes.com.

SOURCE Trader Joe's
LIMASSOL, Cyprus , July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AdTech Holding, an innovation lab focused on creating vibrant startup ecosystems in the marketing industry, has joined TechIsland, the IT association, to transform Cyprus into a global technological hub.

Let's dive in deeper and analyze what this means for Cyprus' economic growth potential as well as the advertising and marketing technology industry as a whole.

AdTech Holding

AdTech Joins the TechIsland

AdTech is the newest member of TechIsland, a non-profit association of leading innovators that are looking to create a technology and business haven for tech companies and SMEs on the marvelous island of Cyprus.

This will allow AdTech to directly contribute to TechIsland's long-term goals. These include the betterment of conditions for SMEs in this sector, accelerated adoption of entrepreneurial education in the technology community, and the creation of a strong professional network in Cyprus.

What Is TechIsland?

TechIsland was born after a transcendent coalition of groundbreaking entrepreneurs created a vision for what the future of Cyprus could be if certain key areas were improved.

The result has been nothing but stellar - almost 180 technology companies employing almost 13500+ individuals, all of which are part of TechIsland and are, therefore, looking to transform Cyprus into one of the world's innovation capitals.

A Brief Introduction to AdTech

Known for its plethora of cutting-edge projects, the AdTech company has spent the last decade gestating and bringing to life some of the brightest additions to the AdTech and MarTech world.

"I want to thank TechIsland on behalf of the entire AdTech family, this is a very exciting time for everyone involved in our projects including myself," said Alex Vasekin, Chief Executive Officer at AdTech Holding.

"We are very proud and thrilled to join the TechIsland association. Our objective is to share technologies, experience, and ideas, as well as to learn and get inspired by TechIsland members."

AdTech's Leading Projects

AdTech is responsible for developing a wide range of projects in the digital advertising and marketing technology industry.

PropellerAds

PropellerAds is a leading multi-award-winning advertising platform that provides high-quality traffic and innovative advertising technologies.

Notix

Notix has become one of the best audience engagement and re-engagement tools for both desktop and mobile devices.

Adex

Adex can help you block invalid traffic such as bots and fraudulent connections through real-time reports that give you more control over your campaigns.

Zeydoo

An affiliate network specializing solely in CPA offers, Zeydoo has become one of the top places for affiliates to find the best offers.

Media Contact:

Mari Yash

+35795989881

[email protected]

SOURCE AdTech Holding
MEXICO CITY, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Akkodis, a global leader in the engineering and R&D market, has begun supporting its clients from Mexico with the opening of a new Operations Center in Santa Fe, one of the largest and most modern business districts in Mexico City.

Complementing existing offshore Operations Centers, the new Mexico location will provide Akkodis clients with nearshore support services that will enable them to scale fast and jump-start critical business initiatives.

The launch team is comprised of IT specialists who will provide recruitment and selection services for specialized candidate profiles as well as support onboarding and monitoring of new employees.

"Our new Operations Center in Mexico City will help us provide more support options for both new and existing clients," said Mike Small, Head of Akkodis North America. "Many of our clients in North America are looking to bring critical support functions closer to home and Mexico's growing base of professional and technical talent make it a compelling proposition."

"Mexico City offers a vibrant tech community and a highly skilled, English-speaking workforce," said Lane Greever, COO of Akkodis North America. "A new generation of talent is taking advantage of the region's investments in higher education and skills training and we're excited to support our clients with this growing talent pool from our new Operations Center."

About Akkodis

AKKA & Modis, soon to become Akkodis, is a global leader in the engineering and R&D market that is leveraging the power of connected data to accelerate innovation and digital transformation.

With a shared passion for technology and talent, 50,000 engineers and digital experts deliver deep cross-sector expertise in 30 countries across North America, EMEA and APAC. AKKA & Modis offers broad industry experience, and strong know-how in key technology sectors such as mobility, software & technology services, robotics, testing, simulations, data security, AI & data analytics. The combined IT and engineering expertise brings a unique end-to-end solution offering, with four service lines  Consulting, Solutions, Talents and Academy  to support clients in rethinking their product development and business processes, improve productivity, minimize time to market and shape a smarter and more sustainable tomorrow. AKKA & Modis is part of the Adecco Group.

www.akkodis.com

SOURCE Akkodis
SAN DIEGO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) has been named one of the nation's Best and Brightest Companies in Wellness for 2022 by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR). The distinction recognizes companies that promote employee wellbeing, worksite health, and wellness. The company's San Diego office had earned six consecutive regional wellness wins in prior years; this marks ASH's first national win for this wellness award.

"It is a great privilege to be named one of the nation's leaders in employee health and wellness, especially this year, on the 35th anniversary of our company," said co-founder, Chairman, and CEO George DeVries. "Over the years, we have been able to develop a team of over 1,500 employees. I am so grateful for each of our employees. Together, we've been able to grow the company year after year, staying true to our longstanding guiding principles and a strong spirit of innovation."

American Specialty Health named a national leader in employee wellness on eve of its 35th anniversary in healthcare. Tweet this

ASH was grown into a $600+ million national company dedicated to providing musculoskeletal health programs, fitness programs, and health management solutions for health plans, insurance carriers, employers, and others.

"This national recognition is quite an honor," said Vice President of Human Resources Kristin Bragg. "It's especially meaningful given the work we have done to successfully transition a large part of our workforce to remote work amidst the COVID-19 pandemic."

In the early weeks of COVID-19, ASH rapidly adapted to ever-evolving changes to equip employees to work from home. The company also established monthly, virtual all-staff meetings with regular updates to ensure team members felt connected, while prioritizing their safety.

"We took a strong, proactive stance early on by protecting our most valuable resource  our people," DeVries said. "And, along the way, we found that the new workplace model better served our employee's needs, and that we were still able to thrive despite obstacles presented by the pandemic. Now, more than 87% of our 1,500-plus employees continue to work remotely, with the remainder of employees working a schedule that allows most of them to work a hybrid arrangement where they work from both home and the office as needed.

The National Best and Brightest in Wellness company winners will be honored during NABR's Illuminate Business Summit, taking place November 7-10, 2022.

About American Specialty Health

American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) is one of the nation's premier independent and privately-owned specialty health organizations offering technology-enabled benefits management services, including musculoskeletal health provider networks and programs, fitness center networks and exercise programs, and well-being solutions for health plans, insurance carriers, employers, and others. With offices in Carmel (Indianapolis), IN, San Diego, CA and Fort Worth, TX. ASH has more than 1,500 employees. For more information, visit ASHCompanies or call 800-848-3555. Follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter at @ASHCompanies.

About the Best and Brightest in Wellness Program

The Best and Brightest in Wellness, a program of the National Association for Business Resources, celebrates the companies that are making their businesses flourish, the lives of their employees better, and the community a healthier place to live. The 2022 Best and Brightest National winning companies were evaluated by an outside survey and examined statistically for quantitative and qualitative data. Each survey was scored on a point system based upon criteria to benchmark and improve wellness program effectiveness. Visit www.thebestandbrightest.com for more information.

Contact:

Lisa Freeman

American Specialty Health

310-422-9200

[email protected]

SOURCE American Specialty Health Incorporated
A Brand That Is Focused on Delivering "Endless Care"

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- There are many reasons for an organization to enter the health industry. Too often these motivations revolve around things like profits, power, and influence. For Ananta Medicare, the goal has always been focused on the long-term health of the growing number of individuals around the world who use their products.

Ananta Medicare consists of a group of companies that were founded over twenty years ago. The health group currently has facilities located from India to Ukraine to the U.K. They are a global presence that is currently in the process of entering the North American marketplace, as well. As it had grown from a fledgling organization into a respected, worldwide brand, Ananta has maintained a singular focus on creating better health care standards for everyone.

The first part of this process has centered on the products that its companies create. These primarily focus on preventative care and include high-quality herbal products, food supplements, and medicines. Each Ananta-backed product utilizes unique in-house formulations that ensure quality control and predictable consistency.

While excellence in product offerings is a good first step, though, Ananta has done more than just build facilities to create elite supplements and effective medicines. The realization of its motto of "endless care about your health" extends to professionals within the field of health and medicine, as well. Ananta has built a network that allows its representatives to work closely with medical and pharmaceutical specialists in its pursuit of perpetual improvement.

This combination of a strong network and comprehensive product offerings has enabled Ananta to achieve, at least in part, its goal of improving healthcare culture and providing a more constant level of care for those in need of health solutions. While successful thus far, the company looks forward to continuing to realize this long-term vision of higher quality health care in the future as it continues to expand in the United States and beyond.

About Ananta Medicare: Ananta Medicare Limited was founded in 1999 and consists of a group of companies that specialize in the manufacturing and marketing of high-quality products with natural components. These include generic medicines, food supplements, and cosmetics. The brand has plants in India each dedicated to specific manufacturing needs. It also has offices in the UK, India, and Ukraine. The vision of the company is and always has been to protect and preserve health and increase quality of life. Learn more at anantamedicare.com .

Sourabh Kumar

Business Development Manager

Ananta Medicare Limited

+91 9570620303

[email protected]

SOURCE Ananta
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Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

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SOURCE SpendEdge
HERNDON, Va., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Artel, LLC, a leading supplier of classified secure government connectivity, today announced Nigel Sutton has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Business Development. In this new role, Nigel will be responsible for Artel's move to expand into adjacent markets. "We are thrilled Nigel joined the Artel team," said Paul Domorski, Artel Chief Executive Officer. "His extensive knowledge and experience make him the right leader to help accelerate our growth. Network convergence with best of breed solutions is enabling work from anywhere. Customers don't want to be tied to one platform; they want connectivity as a service. Artel is perfectly positioned to deliver it."

Nigel is an accomplished Senior Business & Operations Executive with more than 35 years of success across aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries. Throughout his executive career, Mr. Sutton has held leadership positions at companies including General Motors Defense, Orbital ATK, AeroVironment, and Raytheon. As VP of Business Development for General Motors Defense, he stood up and developed a capture management organization for new business growth. Since 2015 Nigel was the VP of International Business/Defense Systems Group for Orbital ATK, a defense avionics and armament manufacturer. He led operations, new program strategy, and corporate development. This followed his role as VP of Unmanned Air Systems International Business Division with AeroVironment from 2013 to 2015, and multiple senior roles with Raytheon from 2005 to 2013. As Director of International Business Development & Operations for Raytheon from 2007 to 2012, he oversaw bookings of more than $7.5 billion and coordinated export control policy with trade organizations in Washington D.C. He previously served 18 years in the U.S. Navy, rising to Program Director of Engineering. He has been responsible for executing international equity investments and global partner alliances for aircraft and weapon system program management, and has 23 years of professional leadership experience in the Department of Defense.

Nigel holds a BS in Computer Science from Park College, an MS in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee, Certification in Aircraft/Avionics Flight Test from the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School, an MS in Aerospace Engineering/Avionics from the Naval Postgraduate School, an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology, an Executive Masters in International Relations, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Public Administration from Syracuse University. As a seasoned Board Member, he has held board positions with organizations including Orbital ATK Middle East, World Affairs Councils of America, Precision Strike Association, Alliant Techsystems Operations Saudi Arabia, and the US-ASEAN Business Council.

About Artel

Artel is a communications, engineering and services leader specializing in solving challenges in the defense, intelligence, diplomatic, and homeland security markets. The company enables highly secure service levels approaching 5 nines around the world. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, Artel has been supporting the mission for 35 years. For more information about Artel, visit our web page, or email us at [email protected]

SOURCE Artel
NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Atrium Hospitality , one of the nation's largest hotel operators, today announced its partnership with DailyPay , the leading provider of on-demand pay. With DailyPay, Atrium Hospitality's thousands of Associates across the United States will have access to their earned pay as they earn it. This critical financial wellness benefit provides Atrium team members with the power of choice and control over their pay to take care of bills, spend, save or invest on their own schedule.

DailyPay & Atrium

Alpharetta, Georgia-based Atrium Hospitality was recently ranked #1 in customer satisfaction among third-party hotel management companies in the J.D. Power 2021 Third-Party Hotel Management Guest Satisfaction Benchmark. The company manages a portfolio of 82 hotels in 28 states, representing well-known brands such as Hilton, Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham and operates more than 20,000 guest rooms/suites and approximately 3 million square feet of event space. In 2022, Atrium Hospitality added another Atlanta Top Workplaces win to the company's accolades and celebrated being recognized by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for a second year.

"Atrium Hospitality's decision to partner with DailyPay centers on the individual Atrium family member and placing the power of choice in their hands by offering flexibility on pay," said Anneliesse Cooper, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Atrium Hospitality. "As a preferred employer in the hospitality industry, we listen to our Associates and are creating an even better place to work and grow through innovative partnerships and technologies, including addressing their financial well-being."

According to DailyPay's Job Satisfaction Index , hiring rates in the hospitality industry have been on a fast upward trend since the beginning of 2022, increasing from 10% in January to 27% in May. With DailyPay, employers can hire up to 2x faster than those who don't offer an on-demand pay benefit, according to a survey conducted by DailyPay.

About Atrium Hospitality

Atrium Hospitality is ranked as one of the nation's largest hotel operators. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, the company manages a portfolio of 82 hotels in 28 states, representing well-known brands such as: Hilton, Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham, among others. Atrium Hospitality's six core values of Service, Perseverance, Inclusion, Respect, Innovation and Teamwork guide the Atrium SPIRIT for creating a welcoming environment for all, encouraging the personal and professional growth of the company's Associates, and being a responsible community partner. Atrium is conserving the planet's natural resources and being more efficient in support of the company's commitment to sustainability, all while providing exceptional guest experiences. Atrium supports a range of civic and community activities, and Atrium-managed properties nationwide are proud to take part in Project SEARCH, a school-to-work program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information about Atrium, visit www.atriumhospitality.com .

About DailyPay

DailyPay, Inc., powered by its industry-leading technology platform, is on a mission to build a new financial system. Partnering with America's best-in-class employers, including Dollar Tree and Adecco, DailyPay is the recognized gold standard in on-demand pay. Through its massive data network, proprietary funding model, and connections into over 6,000 endpoints in the banking system, DailyPay works to ensure that money is always in the right place at the right time for employers, merchants, and financial institutions. DailyPay is building technology and the mindset to reimagine the way money moves, from the moment work starts. DailyPay is headquartered in New York City, with operations based in Minneapolis. For more information, visit www.dailypay.com/press .

Media Contacts

David Schwarz

Email: [email protected]

Adriana Ball

Email: [email protected]

Sheri Davidson Smith

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE DailyPay
ALPHARETTA, Ga., July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Avanos Medical, Inc. (NYSE: AVNS) will webcast its conference call discussing financial results and business highlights for the second quarter 2022 on Tuesday, August 9 at 9 a.m., ET. The company will issue a news release detailing its results before the market opens that same day.

The conference call will be hosted by Joe Woody, chief executive officer, and Michael Greiner, senior vice president and chief financial officer.

To join the live conference call, dial 877-240-5772 in the United States. A simultaneous webcast of the call and a related presentation will be accessible via the Investors section of the Avanos Medical website, https://avanos.investorroom.com/.

A replay of the conference call will be available August 10 at noon ET by dialing 877-344-7529 in the United States and entering passcode 8164434. It will be available for one week. A replay of the webcast also will be accessible in the Investors section of the website, approximately one hour following the completion of the conference call.

About Avanos Medical, Inc.

Avanos Medical (NYSE: AVNS) is a medical device company focused on delivering clinically superior breakthrough solutions that will help patients get back to the things that matter. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, Avanos is committed to addressing some of today's most important healthcare needs, such as reducing the use of opioids while helping patients move from surgery to recovery. Avanos develops, manufactures and markets its recognized brands in more than 90 countries. For more information, visit www.avanos.com and follow Avanos Medical on Twitter (@AvanosMedical), LinkedIn and Facebook.

SOURCE Avanos Medical, Inc.
NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AvoMD, a next-generation, application-based clinical decision support platform, is working with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) to transform algorithms developed by the AAFP journal American Family Physician (AFP) into actionable, instant guidance at the point-of-care. The partnership will begin with 20 commonly used algorithms from the AAFP's AFP, including those that focus on Hypothyroidism, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Premenopausal Women and Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.

Family physicians are among the busiest of all providers, having 82 patient encounters per week on average. In addition to comprehensive, preventive care, they perform a wide variety of services and procedures encompassing behavioral health care, chronic care management, pediatric and geriatric medicine, urgent care, skin procedures (e.g., biopsies), musculoskeletal injections and more. Because family physicians serve such a great volume of vastly different types of patients, having instant, point-of-care access to expert guidance in the form of algorithms is essential in ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care.

AvoMD's cloud-based solution - which will be available on AvoMD's web and mobile apps and accessible in the Electronic Health Record - supports and strengthens the ability of family physicians to provide critical services to patients of all ages. The tool empowers family physicians to deliver the best possible care tailored to individual patient needs. Healthcare organizations will have the ability to use AvoMD's no-code content management tool to customize the offering for local needs.

AvoMD co-founder and CEO Dr. Yair Saperstein commented, "We are thrilled to partner with the AAFP, the authority on family medicine and the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Combining the AAFP's clinical expertise with AvoMD's decision support technology furthers our shared mission of equipping primary care physicians and their support teams with the tools and expertise to provide high-quality, evidence-based care. We are excited to provide this offering to our growing base of health system customers and clinician users."

About AvoMD

AvoMD is a no-code software platform that transforms clinical content  guidelines, algorithms, pathways, and checklists - into "virtual clinical consults" available instantly at the point-of-care on standalone web/mobile apps and in the EHR. Leading societies and health systems partner with AvoMD to transform authoritative clinical expertise into instant expert guidance at the bedside. Studies show that AvoMD improves outcomes, saves costs, and saves clinicians ~50% of their time in accessing and using information at the point-of-care.

Learn more: avomd.io

Email: [email protected]

About American Academy of Family Physicians

Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 127,600 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits -- that's 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America's underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine's cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.

Learn more: aafp.org

Email: [email protected]

Media inquiries: [email protected]

SOURCE AvoMD
Companies: 10+  Including Amway Corp ., Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., Dr. Fresh LLC, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Johnson and Johnson Inc., Kao Corp., Lion Corp., and Sunstar Suisse SA among others.

10+  Including Amway Corp ., Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., Dr. Fresh LLC, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Johnson and Johnson Inc., Kao Corp., Lion Corp., and Sunstar Suisse SA among others. Coverage: Key drivers, trends, and challenges; Product insights & news; Value chain analysis; Parent market analysis; Vendor landscape

Key drivers, trends, and challenges; Product insights & news; Value chain analysis; Parent market analysis; Vendor landscape Segments: Product (baby toothpaste and baby toothbrush)

Product (baby toothpaste and baby toothbrush) Geography: Europe, North America , APAC, MEA, and South America

Get a comprehensive report summary describing the market size and forecast along with research methodology. The sample report is available in PDF format

According to the recent market study by Technavio, the baby oral care market size is expected to increase by USD 291.25 million from 2020 to 2025, with an accelerated CAGR of 2.59%. The report provides a detailed analysis of drivers & opportunities, top winning strategies, competitive scenarios, future market trends, market size & estimations, and major investment pockets.

Vendor Insights-

The global baby oral care market is concentrated. Vendors are deploying growth strategies such as product compliance, quality, brand, reliability, and price to compete in the market. The key developments of some of the vendors are listed below:

Amway Corp. - In July 2020 , the company partnered with Holzapfel Effective Microbes (HEM) to develop personalized probiotics with the goal of supporting wellness through gut-health-related benefits such as immunity, weight management, brain health, and skin health.

In , the company partnered with Holzapfel Effective Microbes (HEM) to develop personalized probiotics with the goal of supporting wellness through gut-health-related benefits such as immunity, weight management, brain health, and skin health. Church & Dwight Co. Inc. - In December 2020 , the company acquired Matrixx Initiatives, Inc.

In , the company acquired Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. Colgate-Palmolive Co. - In March 2021 , the company joined forces with Philips for electric toothbrushes in Latin America .

This report provides a full list of key vendors, their strategies, and the latest developments. Request a PDF Sample Now

Regional Market Outlook

The baby oral care market share growth in APAC will be significant during the forecast period. China is the key country for the market in the region. Moreover, market growth in APAC will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions. The growth of the market in this region is attributed to factors such as the growing awareness about reducing the prevalence of ECC.

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a PDF Sample Report

Latest Drivers & Trends in the Market-

Baby Oral Care Market Driver:

Growing awareness about reducing the prevalence of ECC

ECC or baby bottle tooth decay refers to tooth decay in infants and toddlers. It is a prevalent disease in children under the age of six. Major vendors are educating consumers on how to prevent ECC. For instance, on its website, Colgate-Palmolive has listed various factors that cause ECC. It has also provided preventive measures, such as regular brushing. Therefore, increasing awareness about the prevalence of ECC will drive the demand for baby oral care products such as toothpaste and toothbrush.

Baby Oral Care Market Trend:

Increasing emphasis on organic products:

Many baby oral care manufacturers use natural substances in their products owing to the increasing popularity of organic beauty and personal care products. For instance, Hain Celestial offers organic under the brand Earth's Best. Similarly, Colgate-Palmolive offers Colgate My First Fluoride-Free Toothpaste. Hence, the increasing emphasis on organic baby oral care products will be a key trend in the market during the forecast period.

Technavio provides information about major market drivers and trends to help businesses realize their potential. View our Sample Report

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Don't miss out on the opportunity to speak to our analyst and find more insights about this market. Technavio can also help you customize this report according to your needs. Our analysts and industry experts will work directly with you to understand your requirements and provide you with customized data in a short amount of time.

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Baby Oral Care Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.59% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 291.25 million Market structure Concentrated YoY growth (%) 1.71 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 35% Key consumer countries US, China, UK, Germany, and France Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Amway Corp ., Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., Dr. Fresh LLC, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Johnson and Johnson Inc., Kao Corp., Lion Corp., and Sunstar Suisse SA Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 01: Parent market



Exhibit 02: Market characteristics

2.2 Value chain analysis

Exhibit 03: Value chain analysis - Personal Products

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 04: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 05: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2020

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Exhibit 06: Global - Market size and forecast 2020 - 2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 07: Global market: Year-over-year growth 2020 - 2025 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 08: Five forces analysis 2020 & 2025

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 09: Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 10: Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 11: Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 12: Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 13: Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 14: Market condition - Five forces 2020

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 15: Product - Market share 2020-2025 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 16: Comparison by Product

5.3 Baby toothpaste - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 17: Baby toothpaste - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 18: Baby toothpaste - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.4 Baby toothbrush - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 19: Baby toothbrush - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 20: Baby toothbrush - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 21: Market opportunity by Product

6 Customer landscape

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 23: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 24: Geographic comparison

7.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 25: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 26: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 27: North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 28: North America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 29: APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.6 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 31: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 32: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 33: South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 34: South America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.8 Key leading countries

Exhibit 35: Key leading countries

7.9 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

Exhibit 37: Impact of drivers and challenges

8.3 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Competitive scenario

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 38: Vendor landscape

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 39: Landscape disruption



Exhibit 40: Industry risks

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 41: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 42: Market positioning of vendors

10.3 Amway Corp.

10.4 Church and Dwight Co. Inc.

Exhibit 48: Church and Dwight Co. Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 49: Church and Dwight Co. Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 50: Church & Dwight Co. Inc. -Key news



Exhibit 51: Church and Dwight Co. Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 52: Church and Dwight Co. Inc. - Segment focus

10.5 Colgate-Palmolive Co.

Exhibit 53: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Overview



Exhibit 54: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 55: Colgate-Palmolive Co. -Key news



Exhibit 56: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 57: Colgate-Palmolive Co. - Segment focus

10.6 Dr. Fresh LLC

Exhibit 58: Dr. Fresh LLC - Overview



Exhibit 59: Dr. Fresh LLC - Product and service



Exhibit 60: Dr. Fresh LLC - Key offerings

10.7 GlaxoSmithKline Plc

Exhibit 61: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Overview



Exhibit 62: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 63: GlaxoSmithKline Plc-Key news



Exhibit 64: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 65: GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Segment focus

10.8 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Exhibit 66: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA - Overview



Exhibit 67: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA - Business segments



Exhibit 68: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA- Key news



Exhibit 69: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA - Key offerings



Exhibit 70: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA - Segment focus

10.9 Johnson and Johnson Inc.

Exhibit 71: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 72: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 73: Johnson & Johnson- Key news



Exhibit 74: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 75: Johnson and Johnson Inc. - Segment focus

10.10 Kao Corp.

Exhibit 76: Kao Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 77: Kao Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 78: Kao Corp.-Key news



Exhibit 79: Kao Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 80: Kao Corp. - Segment focus

10.11 Lion Corp.

Exhibit 81: Lion Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 82: Lion Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 83: Lion Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 84: Lion Corp. - Segment focus

10.12 Sunstar Suisse SA

Exhibit 85: Sunstar Suisse SA - Overview



Exhibit 86: Sunstar Suisse SA - Business segments



Exhibit 87: Sunstar Suisse SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 88: Sunstar Suisse SA - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 89: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research methodology

Exhibit 90: Research Methodology



Exhibit 91: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 92: Information sources

11.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 93: 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 Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Chinese baijiu is the most consumed liquor in the world - with an estimated 40 per cent share of the global liquor market

Moutai Bulao stands out as the finest baijiu brand and continues to make its mark overseas by introducing innovative tasting experiences for new consumers

NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Powerful, distinctive, and clear as water, baijiu is often cited as the most consumed liquor in the world. While much of this consumption has been driven domestically, baijiu has been gaining massive popularity all across the world, and the best drinking cities in the world - from London and New York to Singapore - are quickly embracing the potential in baijiu's fragrant aroma and complex flavour.

Among the finest baijiu brands is Moutai, which continues to stand at the top of global consumer popularity, according to a 2021 report from valuation consultancy Brand Finance . As Moutai continues to gain momentum, the liquor brand Moutai Bulao is making its mark abroad by introducing its new concept, the "Tasting Era", which refers to innovative tasting experiences for consumers. Similar to how sake is synonymous with Japanese cuisine, the "Tasting Era" aims to shape accessible and delightful baijiu experiences for new consumers by introducing Moutai Bulao with Chinese food pairings. The grand launch of the "Tasting Era" was held in Singapore on 20 July, where around 350 guests were treated to a sumptuous dinner.

Chinese Baijiu starts from Tasting Era

Tasting Era starts with Moutai Bulao

Moutai Bulao starts with Chang Chang

Moutai Bulao is exclusively distributed worldwide (excluding Mainland China) by MTBL Global Pte Ltd (MTBL), a fully-owned subsidiary of Ascent Bridge Limited(formally known as AEI Corporation Limited), and has been its key strategic brand and product since 2018. Specially designed for overseas markets, Moutai Bulao 125ml comes in a smaller volume meant to encourage trial among people who are new to the liquor. MTBL Global USA Inc, a fully-owned subsidiary of MTBL launched the product in the United States of America (USA) in 2021.

Supporting the "Tasting Era" is MTBL's newly-launched 4th generation of smart liquor experience machines, which retails Moutai Bulao in a new volume  5 ml. Unlike traditional beverage supply and distribution channels, MTBL has leveraged technology to better manage supply to meet customers' needs by relying on digital network infrastructure, large-scale data collection and analysis, and a network of smart liquor experience machines.

With its precision marketing technology and mobile app, Chang Chang, consumers are able to sample Moutai Bulao at participating restaurants. Moutai Bulao comes in a 3-bottle bundle which makes a great present for family, friends and business partners. The full baijiu experience comes to life when consumers combine their liquor shots with curated Chinese cuisine pairings - a culture that dates more than a thousand years back.

"Baijiu is experiencing rapidly rising demand overseas and there is tremendous potential for growth. But beyond its novelty, baijiu is also rooted in centuries of culture and tradition - it is the spirit that binds and encourages social interconnectivity, perfect for large gatherings at banquet tables over a multi-course meal. By launching the latest generation of our smart machines at restaurants worldwide, our impetus is for consumers to be acquainted and immersed into the world of baijiu as authentically as possible - through a shared celebration of food and drinks," said Mr. Joe Sun, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Bridge, the Group that owns MTBL.

Moutai Bulao is distilled from fermented sorghum and rice, and is the first product in its category to include longan, wolfberry, hawthorn, and Angelica dahurica - giving it a much smoother taste instead of a fiery mouthfeel. It is also one of the most valuable spirits worldwide as the alcohol is derived from a thousand-year-old traditional brewing technique which is one of the most complicated brewing processes in the liquor industry.

With its strong alcohol content and long-lasting, prominent flavour, Moutai has often been a source of inspiration in the ever-evolving culinary art scene. Moutai Bulao goes well with strong flavours such as smoked, pickled or fatty meats including Buffalo wings and pork. Seafood and Moutai Bulao also go well together as the liquor brings out the natural sweetness of fresh seafood. Other natural pairings with Moutai Bulao include grilled Korean foods, caviar and Japanese sashimi.

Baijiu also possesses great potential in cocktails, and mixologists across the world are increasingly putting their own creative spin on the drink, such as by infusing Moutai with herbs and botanicals to unlock fresh and delicate flavours. This presents a great opportunity for Moutai Bulao to appeal to and introduce the brand to younger audiences who are adventurous and want to seek bold flavours.

To further raise awareness and appreciation for baijiu, MTBL plans to set up 16 Cultural Centres around the world. Visitors can expect interactive cultural exhibitions and liquor tasting spaces where they can learn more about the unique distillation and fermentation processes involved in making baijiu and Moutai Bulao through an immersive VR experience. MTBL also has an exclusive global membership programme where members get to enjoy fine dining experiences, a trip to Moutai town, MTBL global membership business networks and various other benefits at any of its cultural centres worldwide. In 2019, the first overseas MTBL Cultural Centre opened in Singapore.

For the first phase of the "Tasting Era", MTBL is targeting to deploy 300 units of its 4th generation of smart liquor machines in New York, New Jersey, California and Florida, by the end of this year. The brand will also be offering a special, limited-time treat for USA consumers by giving away 12,000 Moutai Bulao shots when the machines arrive in the last quarter of 2022, and the shots can be redeemed at participating F&B and lifestyle establishments via the Chang Chang app. More details will be announced at a later date.

The Chang Chang app can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play store. For more information about MTBL, please visit www.mtblglobal.com.

About Moutai Bulao

Moutai Bulao is a 53 mixed liquor manufactured by Guizhou Moutai Winery (Group) Health Wine Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of state-owned Kweichow Moutai Group. It shares the same roots and origin as Kweichow Moutai and has been selected as the key strategic brand and product in Moutai Group since 2018. It is available in bottles of 125 ml, a packaging specially designed to encourage consumption in global markets. Moutai Bulao is distilled from fermented sorghum and rice, and is the first product in its category to include four distinct ingredients - longan, wolfberry, hawthorn, and Angelica dahurica. Derived from a thousand-year-old traditional brewing technique, the entire process of producing one batch of Moutai Bulao takes a minimum of three to five years, setting this as one of the most complicated brewing processes in the entire liquor industry. Moutai Bulao has been the Group's key strategic global product since 2018.

About MTBL Global Pte Ltd & MTBL Global USA Inc

MTBL Global Pte Ltd (MTBL) owns the exclusive global distributor rights (excluding Mainland China) to market and sell Moutai Bulao, one of the most valuable spirits brands in the world, in 125ml bottles. Unlike traditional beverage supply and distribution channels, MTBL leverages technology to innovate its distribution channels, relying on digital network infrastructure, large-scale data collection and analysis, and a network of smart liquor experience machines to enable better accessibility for consumers. As part of its outreach strategy, MTBL will progressively launch these machines in 39 different countries through partner stores, with this serving as MTBL's primary distribution channel. MTBL Global USA Inc is responsible for the sales and promotion of Moutai Bulao in the United States of America.

MTBL also holds exclusive rights to establish MTBL Cultural Centres globally. The centres serve as a platform for people to learn about the long-standing culture of Chinese cuisine and baijiu pairings, and to showcase the unique distillation and fermentation processes involved in making baijiu. Consumers who join MTBL's exclusive global membership programme will get to enjoy fine dining experiences, a trip to Moutai and various other benefits at its cultural centres worldwide.

About Ascent Bridge Limited

Founded in 1983 and subsequently listed on SGX Main Board on 11 February 2004, Ascent Bridge Limited (formerly known as AEI Corporation Limited) is engaged in the business of production, sale and distribution of food and beverages. The Company acquired MTBL Global Pte Ltd ("MTBL") and changed the name of the company to Ascent Bridge Limited with a new logo and Chinese name (Li Shi Shi) in March 2022. The Chinese name reflects the new direction and focus of the Group. The new name carries a new logo with the tagline, New Spirit, New Impetus. Li stands for our product, Shi stands for People and Shi stands for right timing. The name embodies the combination of the elements of right timing, right place and right people to build a successful Group.

In acquiring MTBL, the company has achieved a milestone in its diversification into the food and beverage business. MTBL owns the exclusive global distributor rights (excluding Mainland China) to market and sell Moutai Bulao 125ml liquor product, one of the most valuable spirits brands worldwide. Unlike traditional beverage supply and distribution channels, MTBL has innovated its distribution channels by leveraging IT concepts, digital network infrastructure, big data, and a network of smart vending machines. The network of smart vending machines will span over our partners' stores in geographic markets, serving as MTBL's primary distribution channel.

For more information, please visit www.ascentbridge.com

Ascent Bridge Limited

9 Temasek Boulevard, #28-05,

Suntec Tower Two, Singapore 038989

Tel: (65) 6536 6228 Fax: (65) 6557 2136

For business queries, please contact:

Ms. Kristine Chen

Tel: (001) 9296230338

Email: [email protected]

Ms Haze Shi

Tel: (65) 6536 6228

Email: [email protected]

For media queries, please contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Ascent Bridge Limited
The Future of Financial Services Summit brings together fintech experts and thought leaders to share the latest insights on career opportunities, decentralized finance, and investment strategies.

NEW YORK, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BLACK ENTERPRISE will present its first Future of Financial Services Summit: Fintech, Cryptocurrency and Black Wealth beginning at 6:00 p.m. EST on July 28. With Black Americans more focused than ever on wealth creation, opportunities to build wealth have never been greater. The Black Enterprise Future of Financial Services Summit will inform and inspire attendees to become fully engaged participants in the latest in investment opportunities with cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance (DeFi), and more. The latest in a series of virtual events produced by BLACK ENTERPRISE to address the demand for diversity, equity, inclusion, and economic justice for Black Americans, the 2022 Wealth Building & Real Estate Summit is presented by Prudential.

The Future of Financial Services Summit will feature candid, engaging conversations with leading experts on cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, investing, and fintech careers. The one-day virtual event will provide attendees with actionable solutions and key resources to leverage opportunities presented by a financial services industry being transformed by fintech and the rising demand for cryptocurrency and digital tokens as an emerging asset class, especially among African Americans.

"We know that Black people are excited about the potential of cryptocurrency, NFTs, and blockchain to open up new avenues of Black wealth creation," says BLACK ENTERPRISE CEO Earl "Butch" Graves Jr. "According to the most recent Ariel Schwab Black Investor Survey, of six financial productsbank savings account, individual stocks, stock mutual funds, cryptocurrency, individual bonds, bond mutual fundscryptocurrency is the only one owned by a higher proportion of Black people than of white people. About 38% of Black investors under 40 own digital tokens, compared with 29% of their white counterparts. Overall, twice as many Black respondents than those who are white ranked crypto as the best investment choice overall."

Confirmed speakers for the Black Enterprise Future of Financial Services Summit include Larry Wade Sr. Director, Blockchain, Crypto & Digital Currencies, RLCO BP, PayPal; Imari Oliver, Founder & CEO, Bond & Play; Michael Grove, CFA, Financial Planner, Greater Metro Financial Group, Prudential Advisors; Deidra Ramsey-McIntyre, Founder, Black People & Cryptocurrency; Derek Jones, Founder & CEO, UnitedCoin Inc.; Matt Mitchell, Hacker & Founder, CryptoHarlem; LaMont Connie, Sr. Vice President & Sr Relationship Manager  Fintech Division, Bank of America; and Kenneth Johnson, President, East Coast Executives.

Attendees of the 2022 Black Enterprise Future of Financial Services Virtual Summit will gain insights on:

Cryptocurrency: A New Asset Class for Black Investors

Understanding and Exploring the Utility of Blockchain

Career Opportunities in Fintech

Financial Advisors and Crypto: Helping You Shape Your Investing Strategies

The Black Enterprise Wealth Building & Real Estate Summit takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST on Thursday, July 28, 2022. Prudential is the presenting sponsor for this event. For complimentary registration and more information about sessions and speakers, visit financial.blackenterprise.com/.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Interested press should contact Alfred Edmond Jr. at 201-243-8269 or via e-mail at [email protected].

BLACK ENTERPRISE is the No.1 Black media brand, with more than 10 million monthly unique visitors. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has been the premier business, career, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. BLACK ENTERPRISE produces video and podcast programming, virtual and in-person business and lifestyle events, and other digital media. Visit www.blackenterprise.com for more information.

Related Links

http://www.blackenterprise.com

SOURCE BLACK ENTERPRISE
New Recipe Reduces Total Sugars to An Average of 8g and Added Sugars to 5g Per Serving

CHICAGO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Capri Sun, the iconic brand kids and families have loved for generations, announced today the roll-out of its original juice drink pouches with an average of 40 percent less sugar than the current product. Each single serving will now have on average, 8g of total sugars and 5g of added sugars. All flavors will hit retailer shelves this August in new packaging highlighting the reduction.

Capri Sun Cuts Sugar by an Average of 40 Percent Across Its Entire Original Juice Drink Portfolio, Using Monk Fruit Concentrate to Maintain Iconic Taste Kids Love

Capri Sun, a Kraft Heinz Company brand, spent several years perfecting the reformulation to achieve a significant decrease in sugar while maintaining the iconic, delicious taste that earned Capri Sun the title of kids' #1 favorite juice drink. Still with great taste kids love, the major unlock was using monk fruit concentrate, a natural sweetener that is gaining popularity in the food and beverage industry.

The move was driven by parents' ever-increasing focus to reduce their kids' sugar intake.

"Sugar, especially in the beverage category, is a major pain point for parents," said Erica Watkins, Associate Brand Director for Capri Sun. "As a category leader and kids #1 favorite juice drink, it was critical that the renovation meet our brand's size and scale without compromising either our iconic taste or our commitment to using all natural ingredients."

This is the largest renovation Capri Sun has implemented since it first launched in 1986. It also marks a major milestone for the Kraft Heinz Company in its transformation journey to innovate across its portfolio and achieve one of its key ESG goals.

For more information on the reformulation and nutrition facts, visit www.caprisun.com or follow on social media at Facebook and Instagram @CapriSun and Twitter @Capri_Sun.

*this product, average 8g total sugars; leading regular juice drinks, 19g total sugars per 6fl oz serving.

ABOUT THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY

We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), inspired by our Purpose, Let's Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2020 net sales of approximately $26 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of six consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we're dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE Capri Sun
PITTSBURGH, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian issued the following statement on the passage of the CHIPs and Science Act of 2022:

"Today, after several years of hard work to build bipartisan consensus, Congress passed the landmark CHIPs and Science Act of 2022, which will help secure the future of innovation in America. This measure not only expands our nation's leadership in semiconductor technologies, but also supports STEM education in K-12, the postsecondary system and worker training programs. And, of urgent importance to America keeping pace with global innovation, this legislation grows critical federal support for science and technology research. It is a truly historic bipartisan commitment to U.S. innovation and economic growth.

"Passage of this legislation is vitally important for Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania. Like never before, these measures will unleash new opportunities for innovation, workforce and education partnerships that engage our communities with the advanced technologies that have transformed our region, such as AI, robotics, energy and advanced manufacturing. This legislation embodies the proven Pittsburgh model of successfully harnessing the power of research and innovation to drive economic development, create jobs, and spur regional revitalization for the benefit of all.

"I join the chorus of scientists, innovators, educators, students, and public and private sector leaders in expressing deep gratitude to our House and Senate Representatives for this tremendous legislative win that will benefit our entire nation."

SOURCE Carnegie Mellon University
SECOND-QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

TOTAL REVENUE UP 29.9%; SAME-UNIT REVENUE UP 11.4%

GAAP EPS UP 275.0%; ADJUSTED EPS UP 26.0%

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS UP 262.9%; ADJUSTED EBITDA UP 29.9%

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS:

TOTAL REVENUE UP 30.1%; SAME-UNIT REVENUE UP 10.5%

GAAP EPS UP 56.0%; ADJUSTED EPS UP 26.6%

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS UP 52.0%; ADJUSTED EBITDA UP 27.9%

CLEVELAND, July 28, 2022 /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, 2022.

For the 2022 second quarter, CBIZ recorded revenue of $362.0 million, an increase of $83.3 million, or 29.9%, compared with $278.6 million reported for the same period in 2021. Acquired operations, net of divestitures, contributed $51.6 million, or 18.5%, to second-quarter 2022 revenue growth. Same-unit revenue increased by $31.7 million, or 11.4%, for the quarter, compared with the same period a year ago. Income from continuing operations was $31.3 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, compared with $8.6 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago.

Adjusted income from continuing operations was $32.6 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, compared with $27.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $55.7 million, compared with $42.9 million for the same period in 2021.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, CBIZ recorded revenue of $753.7 million, an increase of $174.3 million, or 30.1%, over the $579.4 million recorded for the same period in 2021. Acquisitions, net of divestitures, contributed $113.8 million, or 19.6%, to revenue growth in the six months ended June 30, 2022. Same-unit revenue increased by $60.5 million, or 10.5%, compared with the same period a year ago. Income from continuing operations was $89.4 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared with $58.8 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago.

Adjusted income from continuing operations was $95.2 million, or $1.81 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared with $77.1 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA for the first half was $148.6 million, compared with $116.2 million for the same period in 2021.

In the second quarter of 2021, the Company recorded a non-recurring settlement charge of $30.5 million and a $6.4 million non-recurring gain on sale of operations. These items were eliminated to arrive at Adjusted earnings per diluted share for the second-quarter and first-half periods ended June 30, 2021. In 2022, the Company incurred non-recurring transaction and first-year integration expenses related to the Marks Paneth acquisition. These expenses were eliminated to report Adjusted earnings per diluted share for 2022. Schedules reconciling Adjusted income from continuing operations, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measures can be found in tables included in the release.

During the first half ended June 30, 2022, the Company repurchased approximately 884 thousand shares of its common stock on the open market. Between July 1, 2022, and July 27, 2022, the Company repurchased an additional 200 thousand shares. The balance outstanding on the Company's unsecured credit facility on June 30, 2022, was $266.0 million with $323.2 million of unused borrowing capacity.

Jerry Grisko, CBIZ President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our exceptional performance for the second quarter and first half of 2022 is a direct result of our long-term strategy and focus on organic growth, strategic acquisitions and investments that strengthen our business and position us for the future. We continue to see growth across every major service line due to the ongoing demand for both our essential, recurring services and our project-based advisory services. In addition, the performance of our recent acquisitions is also helping to bolster our strong results. Earlier this month, we were pleased to welcome our latest acquisition, Stinnett and Associates, a professional advisory firm with offices in Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado."

"As a result of our strong organic growth for the first half of the year combined with the performance of our recent acquisitions, we are raising our full-year 2022 guidance to reflect anticipated revenue growth between 23% and 25% and growth in Adjusted earnings per share between 25% and 27%," Grisko concluded.

2022 Outlook

The Company increased its revenue growth expectations to within a range of 23% to 25% over the prior year, up from previous guidance of 19% to 21% in revenue growth.

Although multiple factors may impact the tax rate, the Company expects an effective tax rate of approximately 25%.

The Company expects a weighted average fully diluted share count of 52.5 million to 53.0 million shares.

On a GAAP basis, the Company expects full-year fully diluted earnings per share from continuing operations to grow within a range of 45% to 48% per share, over the $1.32 per share reported in 2021, up from previous guidance of 43% to 46% per share.

per share reported in 2021, up from previous guidance of 43% to 46% per share. The Company expects Adjusted fully diluted earnings per share from continuing operations to grow within a range of 25% to 27% over the Adjusted $1.66 reported for 2021, up from previous guidance of a 20% to 22% increase per share. A schedule reconciling GAAP Diluted EPS to Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted EPS is attached.

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/10169243/f3ae1c6ba2 .

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 100 offices in 32 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 impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business and operations and those of our clients; the Company's ability to adequately manage and sustain its growth; the Company's dependence on the current trend of outsourcing business services; the Company's dependence on the services of its CEO and other key employees; competitive pricing pressures; general business and economic conditions; and changes in governmental regulation and tax laws affecting the Company's insurance business or its business services operations. 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, 2022 AND 2021 (In thousands, except percentages and per share data)





Three Months Ended June 30,



2022

%

2021

% Revenue

$ 361,952

100.0 %

$ 278,648

100.0 % Operating expenses (1)

289,736

80.0

236,934

85.0 Gross margin

72,216

20.0

41,714

15.0 Corporate general and administrative expenses (1)

10,926

3.0

13,816

5.0 Legal settlement, net





30,468

10.9 Operating income (loss)

61,290

17.0

(2,570)

(0.9) Other (expense) income:















Interest expense

(1,645)

(0.5)

(959)

(0.3) Gain on sale of operations, net

135



6,385

2.3 Other (expense) income, net (1) (2)

(15,898)

(4.4)

8,373

3.0 Total other (expense) income, net

(17,408)

(4.9)

13,799

5.0 Income from continuing operations before income tax expense

43,882

12.1

11,229

4.1 Income tax expense

12,622





2,616



Income from continuing operations

31,260

8.6

8,613

3.1 Loss from operations of discontinued businesses, net of tax

(5)





(6)



Net Income

$ 31,255

8.6 %

$ 8,607

3.1 %

















Diluted income per share:















Continuing operations

$ 0.60





$ 0.16



Discontinued operations











Net income

$ 0.60





$ 0.16





















Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

52,531





53,769



Other data from continuing operations:















Adjusted EBITDA (3)

$ 55,732





$ 42,895



Adjusted EPS (3)

$ 0.63





$ 0.50









(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

(expense) income, net." The deferred compensation plan has no impact on "Income from continuing operations before income tax expense."

Income and expenses related to the deferred compensation plan for the three months ended June 30, 2022, and 2021 are as follows (in thousands):









Three Months Ended June 30,



2022

% of Revenue

2021

% of Revenue Operating (income) expenses

$ (13,338)

(3.7) %

$ 6,761

2.4 % Corporate general and administrative (income) expenses

(1,811)

(0.5) %

850

0.3 % Other (expense) income, net

(15,149)

(4.1) %

7,611

2.7 %

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, 2022, and 2021 are as

follows (in thousands):





Three Months Ended June 30,

2022

2021

As

Reported

Deferred

Compensation

Plan

Adjusted

% of

Revenue

As

Reported

Deferred

Compensation

Plan

Adjusted

% of

Revenue Gross margin $ 72,216

$ (13,338)

$ 58,878

16.3 %

$ 41,714

$ 6,761

$ 48,475

17.4 % Operating income (expense) 61,290

(15,149)

46,141

12.7 %

(2,570)

7,611

5,041

1.8 % Other (expense) income, net (15,898)

15,149

(749)

(0.2) %

8,373

(7,611)

762

0.3 % Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 43,882



43,882

12.1 %

11,229



11,229

4.0 %





(2) Included in "Other (expense) income, net" for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, is expense of $0.8 million and $0.1 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, 2022 AND 2021 (In thousands, except percentages and per share data)





Six Months Ended June 30,



2022

%

2021

% Revenue

$ 753,674

100.0 %

$ 579,378

100.0 % Operating expenses (1)

580,035

77.0

460,905

79.6 Gross margin

173,639

23.0

118,473

20.4 Corporate general and administrative expenses (1)

27,235

3.6

28,299

4.9 Legal settlement, net





30,468

5.3 Operating income

146,404

19.4

59,706

10.2 Other income (expense):















Interest expense

(2,904)

(0.4)

(1,836)

(0.3) Gain on sale of operations, net

135



6,385

1.1 Other (expense) income, net (1) (2)

(22,301)

(3.0)

13,162

2.3 Total other (expense) income, net

(25,070)

(3.4)

17,711

3.1 Income from continuing operations before income tax expense

121,334

16.0

77,417

13.3 Income tax expense

31,943





18,588



Income from continuing operations

89,391

11.9

58,829

10.2 Loss from operations of discontinued businesses, net of tax

(9)





(13)



Net income

$ 89,382

11.9 %

$ 58,816

10.2 %

















Diluted income per share:















Continuing operations

$ 1.70





$ 1.09



Discontinued operations











Net income

$ 1.70





$ 1.09





















Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

52,736





54,109



Other data from continuing operations:















Adjusted EBITDA (3)

$ 148,629





$ 116,212



Adjusted EPS (3)

$ 1.81





$ 1.43









(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 (expense) income, net." The deferred

compensation plan has no impact on "Income from continuing operations before income tax expense."

Income and expenses related to the deferred compensation plan for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and 2021 are as follows (in thousands):









Six Months Ended June 30,



2022

% of Revenue

2021

% of Revenue Operating (income) expenses

$ (19,005)

(2.5) %

$ 11,377

2.0 % Corporate general and administrative (income) expenses

(2,622)

(0.3) %

1,346

0.2 % Other (expense) income, net

(21,627)

(2.9) %

12,723

2.2 %

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, 2022, and 2021 are as follows (in thousands):





Six Months Ended June 30,

2022

2021

As

Reported

Deferred

Compensation

Plan

Adjusted

% of

Revenue

As

Reported

Deferred

Compensation

Plan

Adjusted

% of

Revenue Gross margin $ 173,639

$ (19,005)

$ 154,634

20.5 %

$ 118,473

$ 11,377

$ 129,850

22.4 % Operating income (expense) 146,404

(21,627)

124,777

16.6 %

59,706

12,723

72,429

12.5 % Other (expense) income, net (22,301)

21,627

(674)

(0.1) %

13,162

(12,723)

439

0.1 % Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 121,334



121,334

16.1 %

77,417



77,417

13.4 %





(2) Included in "Other (expense) income, net" for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, is expense of $1.5 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) (In thousands) SELECT SEGMENT DATA





Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,



2022

2021

2022

2021 Revenue















Financial Services

$ 259,308

$ 186,589

$ 548,054

$ 390,738 Benefits and Insurance Services

91,708

82,620

184,194

169,859 National Practices

10,936

9,439

21,426

18,781 Total

$ 361,952

$ 278,648

$ 753,674

$ 579,378

















Gross Margin















Financial Services

$ 49,665

$ 35,669

$ 128,611

$ 98,072 Benefits and Insurance Services

16,688

14,844

36,517

35,150 National Practices

1,037

952

1,951

1,753 Operating expenses - unallocated (1):















Other expense

(8,512)

(2,990)

(12,445)

(5,125) Deferred compensation

13,338

(6,761)

19,005

(11,377) Total

$ 72,216

$ 41,714

$ 173,639

$ 118,473





(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 from continuing operations before income tax

expense" as they are directly offset by the same adjustment to "Other (expense) income, 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 (expense) income, net."

CBIZ, INC. SELECT CASH FLOW DATA (UNAUDITED) (In thousands)





Six Months Ended June 30,



2022

2021 Net income

$ 89,382

$ 58,816 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:







Depreciation and amortization expense

16,465

12,876 Gain on sale of operations, net

(135)

(6,385) Bad debt expense, net of recoveries

1,263

265 Adjustments to contingent earnout liability, net

1,478

753 Stock-based compensation expense

6,428

5,454 Other noncash adjustments

4,899

4,882 Net income, after adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

119,780

76,661 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures

(91,263)

(10,354) Operating cash flows provided by continuing operations

28,517

66,307 Operating cash used in discontinued operations

(9)

(13) Net cash provided by operating activities

28,508

66,294 Net cash used in investing activities

(89,756)

(40,137) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

91,655

(42,582) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

30,407

(16,425) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year

$ 150,474

$ 170,335 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$ 180,881

$ 153,910









Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the consolidated balance sheet:







Cash and cash equivalents

$ 3,881

$ 4,677 Restricted cash

42,188

39,268 Cash equivalents included in funds held for clients

134,812

109,965 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

$ 180,881

$ 153,910

CBIZ, INC. SELECT FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands)





June 30, 2022

December 31, 2021 Cash and cash equivalents

3,881

1,997 Restricted cash

42,188

30,383 Accounts receivable, net

410,481

242,168 Current assets before funds held for clients

468,771

293,765 Funds held for clients

185,271

157,909 Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

946,468

840,783









Total assets

1,972,597

1,627,934









Current liabilities before client fund obligations

344,219

265,174 Client fund obligations

187,129

158,115 Total long-term debt, net

263,718

154,851









Total liabilities

1,208,074

923,386









Treasury stock

(737,559)

(694,716)









Total stockholders' equity

764,523

704,548









Debt to equity

34.5 %

22.0 % Days sales outstanding (DSO) - continuing operations (1)

88

71









Shares outstanding

51,602

52,038 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

52,015

52,637 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

52,736

53,723





(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, 2021 was 84.

CBIZ, INC. GAAP RECONCILIATION Income from Continuing Operations to Adjusted EBITDA (1) (In thousands)





Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,



2022

2021

2022

2021 Income from continuing operations

$ 31,260

$ 8,613

$ 89,391

$ 58,829 Interest expense

1,645

959

2,904

1,836 Income tax expense

12,622

2,616

31,943

18,588 Gain on sale of operations, net

(135)

(6,385)

(135)

(6,385) Legal settlement, net



30,468



30,468 Transaction costs related to Marks Paneth (2)





1,329

 Integration & retention costs related to Marks Paneth (2)

2,048



6,732

 Depreciation

2,828

2,649

5,607

5,202 Amortization

5,464

3,975

10,858

7,674 Adjusted EBITDA

$ 55,732

$ 42,895

$ 148,629

$ 116,212





(1) CBIZ reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP. This table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable

GAAP financial measure, "Income from continuing operations." Adjusted EBITDA is not defined by GAAP and should not be

regarded as an alternative or replacement to any measurement of performance under GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is commonly used

by the Company, its shareholders and debt holders as a performance measurement 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.

CBIZ, INC. GAAP RECONCILIATION Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Income and EPS (1) (In thousands, except per share data)



Three Months Ended June 30, 2022

Three Months Ended June 30, 2021

Amounts

EPS

Amounts

EPS Income from continuing operations $ 31,260

$ 0.60

$ 8,613

$ 0.16 Adjustments:













Gain on sale of operations, net (135)



(6,385)

(0.12) Legal settlement, net 



30,468

0.56 Integration & retention costs related to Marks Paneth (2) 2,048

0.04



 Income tax effect related to adjustments (550)

(0.01)

(5,608)

(0.10) Adjusted income from continuing operations $ 32,623

$ 0.63

$ 27,088

$ 0.50





(1) CBIZ reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP. This table reconciles Adjusted Income and Adjusted EPS to the most directly

comparable GAAP financial measures, "Income from continuing operations" and "Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations."

Adjusted Income and Adjusted EPS are not defined by GAAP and should not be regarded as an alternative or replacement to any

measurement of performance under GAAP. Adjusted Income and Adjusted EPS, 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.



Six Months Ended June 30, 2022

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

Amounts

EPS

Amounts

EPS Income from continuing operations $ 89,391

$ 1.70

$ 58,829

$ 1.09 Adjustments:













Gain on sale of operations, net (135)



(6,385)

(0.12) Legal settlement, net 



30,468

0.56 Transaction costs related to Marks Paneth (2) 1,329

0.03



 Integration & retention costs related to Marks Paneth (2) 6,732

0.13



 Income tax effect related to adjustments (2,087)

(0.05)

(5,782)

(0.10) Adjusted income from continuing operations $ 95,230

$ 1.81

$ 77,130

$ 1.43





(1) CBIZ reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP. This table reconciles Adjusted Income and Adjusted EPS to the most directly

comparable GAAP financial measures, "Income from continuing operations" and "Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations."

Adjusted Income and Adjusted EPS are not defined by GAAP and should not be regarded as an alternative or replacement to any

measurement of performance under GAAP. Adjusted Income and Adjusted EPS, 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.

CBIZ, INC. GAAP RECONCILIATION Full Year 2022 EPS from Continuing Operations Guidance to Full Year 2022 Adjusted Diluted EPS



Full Year 2022 Guidance

Low

High Diluted EPS - GAAP Guidance $ 1.92

$ 1.95 Transaction and integration costs related to Marks Paneth (1) 0.16

0.16 Adjusted Diluted EPS Guidance $ 2.08

$ 2.11 GAAP Diluted EPS for 2021 $ 1.32

$ 1.32 Adjusted Diluted EPS for 2021 (2) $ 1.66

$ 1.66 GAAP Diluted EPS Range 45 %

48 % Adjusted Diluted EPS Range 25 %

27 %





(1) Includes estimated transaction and integration costs related to the Marks Paneth 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 income from continuing operations and adjusted income from continuing operations and a

reconciliation between GAAP Diluted EPS and Adjusted Diluted EPS for fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 are

presented as follows:







Year Ended December 31, 2021

In thousands

EPS Income from continuing operations $ 70,911

$ 1.32 Adjustments:





Gain on sale of operations, net (6,311)

(0.12) Legal settlement, net 30,468

0.57 Income tax effect related to adjustments (5,746)

(0.11) Adjusted income from continuing operations $ 89,322

$ 1.66

SOURCE CBIZ, Inc.
BEIJING, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), scheduled for the second half of this year, will look ahead to China's two-stage development plan toward the middle of the 21st century and outline strategic tasks in the next five years in particular.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a workshop for provincial and ministerial officials, held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing in preparation for the key Party congress.

The CPC drew up a two-stage development plan for the period from 2020 to the middle of this century at its 19th National Congress in October 2017. According to the plan, socialist modernization will be basically realized in China by 2035, and China will be developed into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful by the middle of the century.

'Brand new chapter'

Xi said the 20th CPC National Congress will be a very important event taking place at a crucial moment, with China embarking on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist country. He called for efforts to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and write a "brand new chapter" of fully building a modern socialist country.

The 20th CPC National Congress will make arrangements on strategic tasks for the country and important measures to be taken in the next five years, he said, adding that the period is crucial for achieving the Party's second centenary goal.

More efforts should be made to solve problems in terms of "unbalanced and inadequate development" in the next five years, he said.

The CPC has set two centenary goals: The first was to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2021 when the CPC celebrated its centenary, and the second is to build China into a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of the century to celebrate the centenary of the People's Republic of China.

The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, which have been accelerating, Xi said, stressing that China faces risks and challenges more complex than before.

The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is not an easy task, he said, calling for more strenuous efforts to achieve the goal.

He also stressed that there is no fixed model for modernization in the world, and underscored the CPC's leadership in China's socialist modernization drive.

On the journey ahead, the Party must adhere to its fundamental aim of serving the people heart and soul and always maintain close ties with the people, he said.

'Extraordinary' achievements since 2017

Xi reviewed China's development since the 19th CPC National Congress, hailing the past five years as "extraordinary." The Party has united and led the Chinese people to effectively address the "severe and complex" international situation and "huge risks and challenges" coming one after another, he said.

China has striven to advance the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, promote high-quality development, deepen reforms in a rapid and steady manner, and fight poverty, he said.

China had declared a victory in eradicating absolute poverty nationwide by the end of 2020. It had also announced the completion of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

During the past five years, China has made great efforts to boost ecological civilization, resolutely safeguard national security, modernize national defense and the military, and advance the major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, Xi said.

China has followed a people-first approach in the fight against COVID-19 and made maximum efforts to protect people's lives and health, he said. China has achieved the best outcome worldwide in coordinating economic development and epidemic prevention and control, he added.

Facing "drastic changes" in the international situation, China has striven to safeguard its dignity and core interests, he said.

He also underscored efforts made in the anti-corruption campaign that aims to guarantee officials "do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to engage in corruption."

The CPC National Congress is held every five years to set the Party's national policy goals and elect its top leadership.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-07-27/Xi-calls-for-advancing-national-rejuvenation-ahead-of-Party-congress-1c0S3rmON4k/index.html

SOURCE CGTN
Speakers include Chobani Founder & CEO Hamdi Ulukaya, Representative Michael McCaul, Representative Jason Crow, and leaders from the Tent Partnership for Refugees, Razom, and Save the Children

NEW BERLIN, N.Y., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As one of most significant humanitarian crises of our time continues to unfold, Chobani announced today that it will host the World Refugee Forum on Wednesday, August 10th to bring together leaders who are pushing for stronger government policies, as well as providing humanitarian support and employment pathways for refugees in the U.S. and abroad. The forum will take place as the world prepares to mark one year since the U.S. announced the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and six months into the Russian war on Ukraine. As such, discussions will focus on the dire situations for Afghans and Ukrainians alike, as well as the overall challenges confronting refugees around the globe.

The Chobani World Refugee Forum will be held on August 10 at 1:00 PM eastern standard time and is open to the public.

"I have worked alongside my refugee brothers and sisters for many years, and they are a testament to the power of the human spirit," said Chobani Founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya. "I am grateful that so many people are now paying attention to the refugee crisis, and we cannot let this moment pass without change. It is critical that we make sure our words translate into action, and that we work together on concrete solutions."

Hosted by Chobani, advocates, policymakers, and humanitarian agencies will discuss the social, political, and economic challenges facing refugees today, and the larger implications such as the global food crisis. With this forum, Chobani intends to inspire companies to hire refugees and generate support for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide much-needed humanitarian relief.

Speakers so far include:

Hamdi Ulukaya , Founder & CEO, Chobani; Founder, Tent Partnership for Refugees

, Founder & CEO, Chobani; Founder, Tent Partnership for Refugees Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX)

(R-TX) Representative Jason Crow (D-CO)

(D-CO) Jay Collins , Vice Chairman, Citi; Tent Partnership for Refugees Advisory Council; Save the Children Trustee

, Vice Chairman, Citi; Tent Partnership for Refugees Advisory Council; Save the Children Trustee Dora Chomiak , President, Razom

This virtual event will be held on August 10 at 1:00 PM eastern standard time and is free and open to the public. To register and learn more about the World Refugee Forum, visit www.chobanirefugeeforum.com. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming days.

Chobani has a long history of hiring refugees, starting in the company's earliest days when Ulukaya heard refugees resettled in Utica, New York and hired them to work in the nearby plant. Today, Chobani employees are from numerous backgrounds and lived experiences, including people from Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Somalia, and Bhutan who escaped violent and difficult experiences in their home countries and resettled in places like upstate New York and Idaho. Chobani recently partnered with UNSTUCK to launch Vanilla Greek Yogurt Tropical Fruit on the Bottom, which is crafted with fruit sourced from suppliers committed to employing refugees.

Ulukaya has inspired countless people, companies, and organizations to follow his lead in hiring refugees and helping them to integrate into new communities. Ulukaya's work in support of refugees has taken him to Colombia, Jordan, Italy, and Poland. His personal foundation, the Tent Partnership for Refugeesa global business network of 250 major companiesworks with companies to advance the economic integration of refugees, especially by hiring and training them.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Chobani has worked closely with non-profit partners such as Razom, Save the Children, and The Center for Refugees in Utica, New York to address the needs on the ground and to assist with preparations for Ukrainian refugees resettling in the U.S. Ulukaya also visited the Ukraine-Poland border with Tent and UNHCR in April.

About Chobani

Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, we are a values-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and have been since Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S., founded the company in 2005. We produce yogurt, oatmilk, dairy- and plant-based creamers, ready-to-drink coffee and plant-based probiotic drinks. Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, and it's made with only natural ingredients without artificial preservatives.

Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world  putting humanity first in everything we do. Our philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to our communities and beyond: working to eradicate child hunger, supporting immigrants, refugees and underrepresented people, honoring veterans, and protecting the planet. We manufacture our products in New York, Idaho, and Australia. Chobani products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets. For more information, please visit www.chobani.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Chobani, Inc.
HAIKOU, China, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2nd China International Consumer Products Expo (Hainan Expo) opened its doors on July 26 in Haikou City, the capital of southern China's Hainan Province. Drawing in over 2,800 brands representing over 60 countries, this year's Hainan Expo aims to be an expo of firsts, with many exhibitors making their first showing and a number of products debuting over the coming days. Over 100 thousand visitors have attended the expo over the past two days.

Attendees enter the 2nd China International Consumer Products Expo, which officially opened in Haikou, the capital of southern Chinas Hainan Province, on July 26. (Photo/Liu Yang) The French pavilion at the 2nd CICPE. (Photo/Li Hao) Explore the French pavilion at the 2nd CICPE with Lara in the video A French exhibitor shows guests around the French pavilion. (Photo/Wang Kai) The 2nd China International Consumer Products Expo is being held at Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center from July 26 to July 30. (Photo/Chen Yuancai)

Since opening, visitors have jostled to get a look at the high-end consumer goods and one-off designs on display from both Chinese domestic and international companies. Dell launched new offerings for each of their laptop ranges. The environmentally conscious Chinese jeweler GAONAS displayed a unique piece "The Miner's Tear" which reflects the Expo themes of environmental protection and sustainable development.

France, this year's guest-of-honor country, brought close to fifty enterprises and 250 brands ranging from skincare, beauty and fashion to fine French wines and gourmet offerings  to the Expo, making it the country with the largest number of exhibitors after China.

On opening day, L'Oreal launched Hainan tourist retail operations with two of its major brands, Prada Fragrance and Takami. Together with its partners, it also published the "Action Guide for Household Chemicals Industry to Promote Sustainable Consumption", the first guide of its kind in China. Haikou Global Boutique Duty-Free City and fashion label Karl Lagerfeld signed a strategic cooperation agreement.

A total of 74 events were held on opening day, most notably the 2nd Global Consumer Innovation and Duty-Free and Tourism Retail Conference and 25 separate events by the Global Consumer Forum. Over 20 consumer reports from various professional research and consulting firms on various industries were released. Meanwhile, the 2nd Hainan Expo Fashion Week opened and 48 product launches took place.

The China International Consumer Products Expo is China's only such exposition, and is also the largest in the Asia-Pacific region. Since the first Expo held over a year ago, Hainan has stepped up the pace in syncing its duty-free market with international standards in terms of product variety, brands and price. Hainan's offshore duty-free market saw rapid growth over 2021, with sales exceeding RMB60 billion (USD8.9 billion).

Hainan Expo has become an important window for companies outside China to learn more about the Hainan Free Trade Port, the world's largest free trade port, which has attracted an increasing number of international firms to set up operations within its borders. The last Expo saw Richemont, Taikoo and Pernod Ricard announce their plans to establish bases in Hainan. This year, France's LVMH and US business analytics heavyweight Dun & Bradstreet declared their intentions to follow suit, with LVMH due to set up a regional tourism retail supply center.

SOURCE Hainan International Media Center (HIMC)
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jenner & Block launched its Transitions in Energy and Climate Solutions (TECS) practice with the addition of Tatjana (Tanja) Vujic, a leader in climate change law and business innovation.

The cross-discipline TECS law practice meets the growing demand for solutions to climate change and ESG goals and operates at the intersection of new market mechanisms, emerging technologies, financial services, and rapidly evolving regulations, policy, and legislation.

"Every sector of our economy needs to be proactive when it comes to climate change and energy transition," said Ms. Vujic. "The TECS practice helps clients achieve their climate and clean energy end goals by navigating existing programs and incentives, developing novel approaches and policies, and executing new business ventures. Our competitive advantage is not only addressing immediate challenges, but drawing on our collective knowledge and experiences to anticipate and meet clients' long-term needs."

The TECS team provides strategic legal counseling on complex climate and sustainability issues including emission reduction commitments, natural climate solutions, renewables  including renewable natural gas, carbon offset development and purchasing, carbon in-setting, sustainable purchasing arrangements, and market-based solutions to sustainability problems and opportunities, all with a careful eye on complex regulatory systems and current and pending legal requirements and trends.

"Rules are being rewritten and long-standing paradigms disrupted as we race towards a more sustainable future," said Energy and TECS practices co-chair Tom O'Neill. "We have a track record of success in writing and defending changes in energy policy. With Tanja's addition, and the integration of our environmental, tax, and corporate practices, the TECS practice offers clients a unique legal service  all-in-one, innovative, and strategic counsel from lawyers with trailblazing experience in and around the energy sector."

Ms. Vujic brings to the TECS practice decades of experience guiding major institutions in the design and execution of strategies to address their greenhouse gas, renewable energy, and sustainability goals. In previous roles, she developed groundbreaking programs for institutions and businesses to achieve their greenhouse gas reduction commitments, including renewable natural gas development and renewable energy generation, carbon offset protocols, and funding programs to scale climate innovation and increase access to renewables.

The TECS practice has already completed projects for leading utilities, major corporations, universities, and Native American tribes including:

Advising a major utility in the development of electric vehicle enablement tariffs and programs;

Representing a gas distribution company to address gaps in state regulations to enable CO 2 transport via pipeline between capture and storage facilities;

transport via pipeline between capture and storage facilities; Developing regulatory regimes that facilitate economic production, transport, and end use of hydrogen, including as part of a Department of Energy funded hydrogen hub;

Negotiating green tariffs and specialized AgTech tariffs with regional electricity providers to help an applied technology company secure access to wholesale electricity markets for green power and monetize their energy efficiency gains;

Crafting and shepherding an historic utility/tribal financing partnership through numerous state and federal regulatory approvals to build and operate a transmission line for renewable energy across tribal land; and

Helping clients expand energy efficiency and clean energy service lines, and execute renewable natural gas goals.

"The TECS practice is already producing tangible and strategically-oriented business results," said Co-Managing Partner and Energy Practice co-chair Randy Mehrberg. "And just as importantly, this work aligns with our firm values. We are proud of our industry-leading commitment to DEI and pro bono service, and leading in the climate change space is an extension of that commitment to social responsibility."

Ms. Vujic and Mr. O'Neill are joined on the TECS leadership team by Partners Suedeen Kelly, a former FERC Commissioner, and Partner Gay Sigel, an industry leader in environmental law.

For more information on the TECS practice, its work, and lawyers, please see https://jenner.com/practices/521/

SOURCE Jenner & Block LLP
Silver Ray is revealed as the cruise line's second Nova-class ship, due to set sail for Northern Europe and the Mediterranean in 2024

Watch the video on Silversea's new voyage collection for 2024/2025.

MONACO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Silversea Cruises, the leading ultra-luxury cruise line, has unveiled its new 2024-2025 voyage collection, comprising 341 new sailings that will unlock 695 destinations in 120 countries between March 2024 and May 2025bringing the total number of destinations in Silversea's portfolio to over 900. The expansive offering is the largest in the cruise line's history, with more options for guests thanks to a 56 percent increase in capacity by 2024 when compared to 2020. Eleven of Silversea's ultra-luxury ships will embark upon the new sailings, with additional voyages aboard Silver Endeavour to be announced soon. The 2024/2025 voyage collection includes the inaugural season of Silver Ray, which will strengthen Silversea's commitment to sustainability when she debuts in summer 2024 as the cruise line's second Nova-class ship. Encompassing all corners of the world, the 2024-2025 itinerary collection includes an unprecedented variety of tailor-made experiences, immersive itineraries, and 25 maiden calls to inspire travelers' wanderlust.

Silversea Cruises has unveiled its new 2024-2025 voyage collection featuring 341 new sailings to 695 destinations. Tweet this Silversea Cruises, the leading ultra-luxury cruise line, has unveiled its new 2024-2025 voyage collection, comprising 341 new sailings that will unlock 695 destinations in 120 countries between March 2024 and May 2025bringing the total number of destinations in Silverseas portfolio to over 900.

Unveiling the new voyage collection, Silversea held an exclusive virtual premiere for selected guests and travel advisors on July 28, which incorporated a high-end fashion show. The cruise line challenged six celebrated designers to express the world's beauty through fashion, with each taking inspiration from the cultures, colors, and tastes of one region represented in the collection. Entitled 'Colour the World,' the innovative production was hosted by Fernando Barroso de Oliveira, Silversea's President's Ambassador to the Venetian Society, who presided over a catwalk-inspired journey through select destinations of the new collection. The event also featured a Q&A session with Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO, Barbara Muckermann, Chief Commercial Officer, and Conrad Combrink, SVP Expeditions, Destination and Itinerary Management, who shared their insight with curious guests and travel advisors.

"Our new voyage collection for summer 2024 and winter 2024/2025 reflects our guests' desire for new and unique experiences in the most iconic and remote destinations around the world," said Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises. "Our new collection features 11 ships in our fleetincluding Silver Ray, the second ship in our Nova classwith an increase in capacity of 56 percent by 2024 when compared to 2020; this will enable our guests to enjoy unprecedented choice in terms of ships and voyage options. Not only will these 341 new sailings immerse travelers deep into each destination, enabling even the most experienced travelers to discover lesser-visited destinations or venture off-season to rediscover the world from a new perspective, but they will also further expand Silversea's global reach. We also look forward to revealing new itineraries for Silver Endeavour, the most luxurious ship in expedition cruising, which will further diversify our industry-leading polar offering."

"In an industry first, we decided to reveal our new 2024/2025 itinerary collection with an exclusive fashion show," said Barbara Muckermann, Chief Commercial Officer, Silversea Cruises. "Not unlike haute couture, in which designers create exceptional collections that excite and inspire, we chose to 'colour the world' this year, unveiling our new itineraries by pairing featured regions with the unique interpretations of six celebrated designers to showcase the world's rich cultures, colors, and tastes. There are parallels between travel and fashion: both encourage a deep respect for diversity, an appreciation for different cultures, and an element of self-enrichment. I am proud of the powerful message that we have conveyed, and I hope our guests find inspiration for the experiences that await."

"Silversea has increased its industry-leading range of experiences with the launch of its largest itinerary collection to date for 2024/2025," said Conrad Combrink, SVP Expeditions, Destination and Itinerary Management, Silversea Cruises. "With 341 itineraries unlocking both Polar Regions, the South Pacific, Africa and the Indian Ocean, the Galapagos, and so much more, Silversea has once again demonstrated its destination leadership, immersing curious travelers into the world in a way that only we can."

The new 2024/2025 voyage collection includes the following highlights:

The inaugural season of Silver Ray

The sister ship to Silversea's pioneering Silver Nova , Silver Ray will strengthen the cruise line's commitment to sustainability, incorporating a trio of power sources that include a fuel cell system, battery technology and dual fuel engines that will use liquefied natural gas as the main fuel. She will begin her inaugural season in May 2024 in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. From the Atlantic Isles to the Greek Isles, a series of summer and autumn voyages, ranging from seven to 12 days, will feature a variety of options for travelers seeking to discover the region's cultural treasures, picturesque harbors, and storied cities. In December 2024 , Silver Ray will cross the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale to unlock the Caribbean and Central America for guests. Finally, a circumnavigation of South America , an Amazon River cruise, and a return to Fort Lauderdale will set the stage for a transatlantic crossing back to Europe , departing in April 2025 .



The sister ship to Silversea's Six ships undertaking 19 voyages to Africa and the Indian Ocean, including all-new expeditions

An unprecedented six ships will explore more than 60 destinations in 23 countries in Africa and the Indian Ocean, with expedition options aboard Silver Cloud and Silver Wind complemented by voyages aboard Silver Dawn , Silver Muse , Silver Whisper , and Silver Spirit . New expedition itineraries in South Africa will spotlight unique wildlife with game drives and water activities. A brand-new 18-day Silver Cloud voyage in April 2024 will explore East Africa's Indian Ocean islands, offering the chance to discover the fascinating coastal fishing culture of Madagascar's semi-nomadic Vezo people, marvel at the rich biodiversity of Madagascar's Kirindy Forest Reserve, and explore the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani a UNESCO World Heritage site in Tanzania . As well, six oceangoing voyages of 16 to 17 days will transit the Suez Canal. Two of these in November 2024 , aboard Silver Spirit and Silver Whisper , will offer access to the Nabataean ruins of Hegra in northwest Saudi Arabia , a UNESCO World Heritage Site.



An unprecedented six ships will explore more than 60 destinations in 23 countries in and the Indian Ocean, with expedition options aboard Vezo Kirindy Kilwa Kisiwani Nabataean Hegra 13 voyages to 59 destinations in the South Pacific Islands, including Hawaii and French Polynesia

In the pristine waters of the South Pacific, countless islands of great natural beauty are home to authentic cultures. Aboard expedition ship Silver Cloud and the oceangoing Silver Shadow and Silver Moon , guests will discover the remote region's lagoons, coral reefs, forests and waterfalls; visit local communities and learn about their customs; and admire the flora and fauna. Included among the 13 sailings are new programs spotlighting the islands of Hawaii and French Polynesia , including hidden gems like Fakarava . As well, Silver Cloud's expedition voyages will explore the cultures and secluded shores of Melanesia, Micronesia and Easter Island .



In the pristine waters of the South Pacific, countless islands of great natural beauty are home to authentic cultures. Aboard expedition ship Fakarava 31 voyages to 19 countries in Northern Europe , including circumnavigations of Iceland

One expedition ship, Silver Wind , and three ocean-going ships, Silver Spirit , Silver Dawn and Silver Ray , will journey to the authentic beauty of 105 destinations in Northern Europe , from the most iconic cities of the Baltic Sea to the pristine fjords of Norway and the idyllic landscapes of the British Isles. More sailings will be devoted to the Norwegian fjordsa total of nine. Silver Dawn will offer guests the chance to experience coastal Norway amid the colorful foliage of autumn and, perhaps, witness the Northern Lights, while the North Cape will take center stage on a mid-June 2024 voyage. Silver Spirit will circumnavigate Iceland to reveal its stunning scenery, geothermal wonders, and Viking history on three voyages during summer 2024. And a collection of Atlantic Coast voyages will include a September 2024 sailing aboard Silver Spirit that will spend 14 days exploring the region's picturesque towns, historic sites and harvesting traditions.



One expedition ship, 67 voyages aboard five ships in the Mediterranean during an extended season

Charming seaside villages, ancient archaeological treasures, and world-renowned cuisine will be the focus of an extended season in the Mediterranean, spanning from March to December 2024 . Ocean-going ships Silver Whisper , Silver Spirit , Silver Moon , Silver Dawn , and Silver Ray will call in 111 destinations in 20 countries. There are several iconic itineraries scheduled in the Greek Isles and Turkey , six voyages to the Holy Land, and, in September 2024 , a brand-new voyage to the Balearic Islands aboard Silver Whisper marking a return to Ibiza. Guests traveling aboard Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit in May will have the opportunity to experience the Monaco Grand Prix 2024 in style, with exclusive events. Silversea's innovative culinary program, S.A. L . T . (Sea and Land Taste), will enrich the Mediterranean experience aboard select ships, as will the Otium  wellness program aboard Silver Moon , Silver Dawn and Silver Ray.



Charming seaside villages, ancient archaeological treasures, and world-renowned cuisine will be the focus of an extended season in the Mediterranean, spanning from March to . Ocean-going ships Silversea's L T Otium Expanded variety in Alaska on 31 voyages designed to offer more time in ports

Silver Muse and Silver Nova will offer an expanded variety of options in Alaska , with 31 sailings devoted to exploring the region's incredible natural beauty and wildlife. A series of seven-day itineraries will showcase classic frontier towns, like Ketchikan and Sitka , as well as Valdez gateway to the magnificent Columbia Glacier, the second largest tidewater glacier in North America . Several new extended voyages of 10 and 11 days feature longer stays in Juneau to discover one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States , as well as the iconic Mendenhall Glacier and the Mendenhall Ice Caves. Also highlighting the new Alaska program are Silver Muse's 14-day combination voyages, which link back-to-back cruises of seven days to create one unforgettable journey.



Mendenhall Mendenhall Brand new summer voyages in Canada and New England, featuring longer itineraries

Quaint villages, historic lighthouses, and blazing autumn foliage are among the many treasures to be discovered on a cruise to Canada and New England. Silversea's new full-summer program offers longer, 12-day itinerariesdesigned to spotlight the region's summer festivals, rich colonial and maritime history, windswept coastlines, and the scenic mountain peaks of Acadia National Park . These itineraries aboard Silver Shadow include overnight calls in Quebec or Boston , as well as an exploration of the rugged, natural beauty of the rarely visited Iles de la Madeleine Archipelago or a visit to Saint John, New Brunswick , with its spectacular Reversing Falls. During autumn, a series of shorter, 10-day voyages will focus on the area's most iconic cities, such as Halifax and Boston , while offering the chance to witness the colorful autumn foliage.



Quaint villages, historic lighthouses, and blazing autumn foliage are among the many treasures to be discovered on a cruise to and New England. Silversea's Quebec Iles Madeleine 8 expeditions to the Arctic and Greenland , with a 24-day crossing of the Northwest Passage

Home to long summer nights and housing some of the world's most fascinating wildlife, the Arctic is Mother Nature's playground. In the summer of 2024, Silver Wind will explore the Arctic and Greenland on eight expedition voyages. Among the highlights are a collection of nine-day cruises that will journey to the glaciers and frozen tundra of Norway's Svalbard Archipelago, a haven for polar bears. Longer 12-day expeditions will also feature Iceland , the land of fire and ice. In-depth expeditions to Greenland and Arctic Canada offer the chance to experience authentic Inuit culture and spot an abundance of wildlife, from walruses, polar bears and bowhead whales, to orcas , narwhals, and beluga whales. Other highlights include a 24-day crossing of the fabled Northwest Passage aboard Silver Wind and a new 18-day expedition spotlighting wild Alaska .





Home to long summer nights and housing some of the world's most fascinating wildlife, the Arctic is Mother Nature's playground. In the summer of 2024, bowhead orcas 21 departures for Antarctica , with the opportunity to cruise Cape Horn from Puerto Williams

Few adventures stir the imagination as much as an expedition to the White Continent and the remote islands of the Southern Ocean, from the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands . Both Silver Cloud and Silver Wind will unlock the region's natural treasures on 21 expedition cruises, featuring an industry-high ratio of onboard expedition experts, complemented by an industry-high ratio of Zodiacsensuring guests are immersed into the destinations. Convenient six-day Antarctica Bridge options enable guests to skip the Drake Passage and fly in business-class comfort straight to Antarctica to start their cruise. Antarctic Peninsula voyages of 10 and 12 days offer the chance to cruise the iconic Cape Horn from the preferable gateway of Puerto Williams . Longer voyages calling in South Georgia and the Falkland Islands abound in opportunities to witness orcas , sea lions, seals and five different kinds of penguins.



Few adventures stir the imagination as much as an expedition to the White Continent and the remote islands of the Southern Ocean, from the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands to and the . Both orcas 25 departures for Australia and New Zealand , with regional debuts of Silver Nova and Silver Cloud

With 25 voyages scheduled aboard expedition ship Silver Cloud and the ocean-going Silver Muse and Silver Nova including inaugural seasons for Silver Nova in Australia and Silver Cloud in The Kimberley region2024 promises Silversea's largest-ever program in Australia and New Zealand . To mark her first season down under, Silver Nova will offer a set of seven longer and more diverse itineraries, exploring the coast of Australia , New Zealand , Melanesia and Micronesia , while shorter voyages that will focus on Australia and New Zealand highlight Silver Muse's schedule. The Kimberley's thundering waterfalls, sun-scorched gorges and 40,000 years of Aboriginal history are all on tap for Silver Cloud's debut in the remote coastal region, offering guests unforgettable experiences.

Other noteworthy deployments include a set of 27 voyages devoted to Asia, including Silver Nova's inaugural calls in the continent; 10 voyages to South America, including Silver Ray's debut in the land of the Inca, the Amazon and the tango; 18 voyages to the Caribbean and Central America aboard Silver Shadow and Silver Moon, as well as Silver Ray's inaugural voyage to the region; and 52 expeditions aboard Silver Origin, which will take guests closer to the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands.

In the coming weeks, Silversea will announce additional itineraries for the newest addition to its expedition fleet, Silver Endeavour, which will extend beyond the upcoming Antarctica season.

Watch the virtual premiere of Silversea's new voyage collection for 2024/2025, featuring Fernando Barroso de Oliveira, Silversea's President's Ambassador to the Venetian Society:

https://youtu.be/hJpkJSaIeKU

View Silversea's new 2024/2025 itineraries and learn more about Silversea's all-inclusive offering:

https://www.silversea.com/lp-new-itineraries-2024-2025.html

Please note: the pre-sale for Silversea's new 2024/2025 voyages opens today to all Venetian Society members, while sales open to the general public on August 11, 2022.

With the launch of Silversea's new 2024/2025 itineraries on July 28, the cruise line's guests willfor the first timebe able to book their shore excursions immediately, via my.Silversea.com, for all published sailings.

About Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Dawn, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit, Silver Muse, and Silver Moon  all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Origin, Silver Wind, Silver Explorer, and Silver Cloud, Silversea's itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Galapagos, both Polar Regions, and hundreds of fascinating destinations in between. Silversea is also looking forward to the launch of two new ultra-luxury Nova-class ships. Silversea Cruises is one of five cruise brands owned by global cruise company Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL).

About Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is one of the leading cruise companies in the world with a global fleet of 63 ships traveling to approximately 1,000 destinations around the world. Royal Caribbean Group is the owner and operator of three award-winning cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises, and it is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, the brands have an additional 10 ships on order as of June 30, 2022. Learn more at www.royalcaribbeangroup.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

SOURCE Silversea Cruises
MANILA, Philippines, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As more countries reopen their borders and restart their tourism industries, members of Conexus Mobile Alliance are enabling their traveling customers with more value-packed roaming offers.

"2022 marks the onset of revenge travel as travellers make up for lost time with bigger travel plans and longer holidays. Conexus members are at the forefront of enabling this resurgence by giving our customers more value for their money," said Katrina Luna-Abelarde, Conexus Board Chairman and First Vice President and Deputy CTO/Head, Transformation Office at PLDT, the Philippines' largest integrated telecommunications company and parent company of Conexus member Smart Communications.

Subscribers of FET roaming in Conexus countries/regions can get one day free when they buy multiple-day plans for data. Customers traveling to HK, Macau, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam can get the $99 offer, whereas customers roaming in Japan can buy the $199 offer until August.

KT subscribers roaming in Conexus countries/regions will get more available data with their purchase of multiple-day plans starting mid-July. KT has rolled out this promo adding 1GB for customers traveling to 116 countries/regions, including HK, Macau, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.

Smart customers roaming in HK, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam can get the GigaRoam Asia Plan for Php999, which includes 3GB open access data valid for 10 days. Smart subscribers just need to latch onto Conexus roaming partners. The roaming plan will also work even if subscribers move countries/regions within ten days, as long as they roam with a Conexus roaming partner. These roaming packages can be purchased via roam.smart.com.ph. Promo runs until end-2022.

StarHub subscribers can buy the DataTravel Plan to get double the amount of roaming data until end-July 2022. These include the DataTravel Asia-Pacific bundles and the DataTravel-Global bundles.

True customers roaming in Japan and South Korea can buy the Travel SIM to get more free data. For THB399, subscribers purchasing TRAVEL SIM Japan and South Korea for 10 days also get free 4GB data roaming. Promo runs from July until end-September 2022.

True customers roaming in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Macau, HK, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and 84 other countries/regions can also purchase the Travel Asia Data Roaming Pack 7GB 10 Days and TRAVEL World Data Pack Roaming 7GB 15 Days via iService Application to get free 3GB data roaming for THB399 and THB899, from today until end-2022.

SOURCE PLDT Inc.
InsureMyTrip researchers say trip insurance benefits offered through personal credit cards do not provide robust trip cancellation protection

WARWICK, R.I., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to researchers for InsureMyTrip.com, travel insurance benefits offered through some personal credit cards greatly vary and may not provide the level of coverage travelers expect or may need.

InsureMyTrip researchers evaluated more than 100 personal credit cards. While many cards offer travel insurance perks, few provide emergency medical coverage, robust trip cancellation protection or covered perils like hurricanes.

InsureMyTrip Travel Insurance Expert Meghan Walch answers some commonly asked questions about credit cards and travel insurance:

Question: How do you know if a credit card has travel insurance?

Walch: Many travelers will assume travel protection is included in their credit card benefits. However, many do not  or only offer limited coverage. It's best to contact the card company directly before booking a trip and ask questions like:

Does my credit card offer trip cancellation protection?

What are my reimbursement limits?

What are the covered reasons, restrictions, limitations, and exclusions?

How do I file a claim?

Q: What are some common travel insurance benefits offered through credit cards?

Walch: Travel insurance benefits can vary significantly, but we have found that some personal credit cards offer trip cancellation, or baggage loss/damage benefits. Although, credit card users may find it difficult to evaluate the level or scope of the coverage.

A select few premiere cards may advertise a "Cancel for Any Reason" reimbursement program. Many times, it is just the non-refundable flights that are covered and only if those flights were paid for with that credit card.

Q: Why should a traveler consider a policy from a third-party even if travel insurance is offered through a credit card company?

Walch: While your credit card may offer some protection, it will not provide the same amount of coverage available from traditional travel insurance .

A comprehensive travel insurance policy purchased through InsureMyTrip can cover the entire pre-paid non-refundable trip cost. Key benefits like emergency medical, emergency medical evacuation, trip interruption, trip delay, baggage coverage, and 24/7 emergency assistance are also available.

Also, the "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) protection, typically offered as a buy up on a traditional travel insurance plan, covers much more than a CFAR-style benefit offered through a credit card. Providers often require CFAR purchasers to insure the entire prepaid non-refundable trip cost, not just flights. (See below for CFAR details)

Travelers seeking additional assistance when evaluating their travel insurance options can contact a licensed travel insurance agent for help.

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage:

Cancel for Any Reason (also known as: CFAR) is an optional upgrade. CFAR offers the most trip cancellation flexibility and is the only option available to cover Covid-19 travel fear. Full terms of coverage will be listed in state-specific policy. If eligibility requirements are met, reimbursement is typically 50% - 75% of the insured prepaid non-refundable trip cost if all eligibility requirements are met (available in most states).



Note: coverages are governed by the specific plan certificate. Traditional travel insurance does not offer cancellation coverage for fear of travel, whether related to COVID-19 or not. Cancel For Any Reason is required.

About InsureMyTrip

It's simple. InsureMyTrip finds you the right travel insurance plan, every time. InsureMyTrip is the authority on travel insurance. We are committed to empowering travelers to make the best possible insurance decisions by leveraging our technology, data intelligence, and expertise. InsureMyTrip is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau.

Media Contact:

Meghan Kayata

[email protected]

SOURCE InsureMyTrip
Company Urges Builders to Be Prepared

CHICAGO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating 25-year of battery management innovation, CTEK, a leading global brand in battery charging solutions, is gearing up for the 2022 SEMA Show taking place November 1-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center with its booth #23129 in the Central Hall. As an official SEMA Authorized Battery Charger, the company has long supported builders before, during and after the Show. Builders spend months of work and long hours in the shop to prepare and to feature their creations at the Show. The industry knows the type of dedication it takes to make the vehicles builds among the best in the world displayed at the world-renowned SEMA Show. All of that effort can be thwarted in an instant by a dead battery.

"Over the many years of attending the SEMA Show, CTEK has been approached by builders asking for help with their vehicle batteries," said Bobbie DuMelle, Executive Vice President, CTEK North America. "We understand it is just as important for the battery to be in top condition at this event as it is at your own workshop."

From past experience, the knowledge, and training of 25 years, CTEK is ready to be the solution for all builders at the SEMA Show. The company has created ready-to-go kits for the battery needs of every vehicle and builder at the Show from hot rods, to muscle cars, to SUVs to 4x4s.

"Builders devote countless hours creating amazing custom vehicles. They don't want all of their hard work to be overshadowed because the battery's dead and their car won't start," explained DuMelle.

From the show floor to the SEMA Cruise presented by CTEK, and beyond, as an authorized SEMA sponsor for battery chargers, CTEK knows battery maintenance is paramount. To meet builders' 2022 needs, CTEK has created a trio of exclusive SEMA Show Battery Care Kits for builders each featuring a CTEK charger and accessories including a CTEK static window cling and vinyl decals.

Battery Care Kit 1 ($119.00)

This kit includes CTEK's popular MXS 5.0 (4.3 amp) battery charger which charges batteries up to 110AH and can maintain larger batteries up to 160AH. The MXS 5.0 is for all types of lead-acid 12V batteries (WET, EFB, MF, CA/CA, AGM and GEL).

The MXS 5.0 offers CTEK's unique 8-step approach to battery care with built-in temperature sensing capabilities and a unique reconditioning mode.

In addition, Battery Care Kit 1 includes a protective charger bumper to keep the car's finish perfect, as well as a COMFORT CONNECT extension cable and COMFORT INDICATOR cig plug. The extension cable helps reach and charge batteries in hard-to-access places while the indicator offers the easiest way to monitor a battery's charge.

Battery Care Kit 2 ($185.00)

CTEK's MULTI US 7002 (7 amp) charger gives you safe, fast, automatic charging of any 12V lead-acid battery and can even be used as a power supply unit.

Battery support is crucial during the build process. As builders are creating their one-of-a-kind cars, which often feature custom electronics and sophisticated sound systems, a power supply unit can provide power without a battery. The MULTI US 7002's supply mode is indispensable during the build process and allows builders to change the vehicle's battery without losing complicated program settings.

Like the first kit, Battery Care Kit 2 also contains a bumper, COMFORT CONNECT extension cable and COMFORT INDICATOR cig plug. In addition, Build Kit 2 includes a COMFORT INDICATOR panel, which offers a convenient way to check the status of hard-to-reach batteries.

Battery Care Kit 3 ($429.00)

This Builder Kit includes professional-level PRO25S, an innovative, versatile, and highly efficient 25A battery charger and power supply. The PRO25S works with any 12V vehicle battery, including lithium (LiFePO4, Li-Fe, Li-iron, LFP).

The PRO25S has low voltage and current ripple, so it's safe for the battery and the vehicle's delicate electronic systems. Lightweight and rugged, it can also handle the toughest workshop environments. To further protect the charger as well as a vehicle's paintwork, Battery Care Kit 3 also includes a protective bumper.

Battery Care Kit 4 ($399.00)

This Builder Kit includes the CS-FREE 4-in-1 battery charger, the CS-FREE Storage Bag and the CS -FREE USB-C Charge Cable Clamps.

The CS-FREE provides power where you are. The CS-FREE is a multi-functional portable charger with revolutionary Adaptive Boost technology. It features our cutting edge products in one portable unit  Adaptive Booster, battery charger, smart maintainer, and hi-tech power bank.

All four of CTEK's Battery Care Kits are available at smartercharger.com. A special early-bird rate with fast free 2-day shipping will be offered to builders through Oct. 1.

"If builders display the included CTEK static window cling or vinyl decal on their vehicle and tag us on social media, we'll share their post with our worldwide audience of followers," said DuMelle.

Be sure to bring your CTEK charger to the 2022 SEMA Show to ensure your battery starts and your build is able to participate in the SEMA Cruise. Visit CTEK at the SEMA Show at booth number 23129. To order, visit http://bit.ly/ctekbuilders

About CTEK

Established in Dalarna, Sweden, CTEK is the leading global brand in battery charging solutions, most specifically vehicle charging. CTEK offers products ranging from 12V and 24V battery chargers to charging solutions for electrical vehicles. CTEK's E-mobility solutions range from individual EV chargers to larger corporate and commercial installations with multiple charging stations that require load balancing and integrate seamlessly with monitoring and payment equipment. CTEK's products are sold via a carefully selected network of global distributors and retailers: as original equipment; supplied to more than 50 of the world's leading vehicle manufacturers; and through charge point operators, property owners and other organizations/individuals providing EV charging infrastructure. CTEK takes pride in its unique culture based on a passion for innovation and a deep commitment to supporting the transition to a greener mobility, by adhering to industry leading ESG standards.

PRESS CONTACT

Michelle Suzuki

310-444-7115

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SOURCE MSC for CTEK
TORONTO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - SoftwareReviews, a leading source for insights on the software provider landscape, has published its 2022 Unified Communications as a Service Platform Emotional Footprint Report, naming six providers as Champions.

UCaaS Emotional Footprint (CNW Group/SoftwareReviews)

Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) software delivers communication services on a single unified platform over the cloud, with features that include email, video conferencing, instant messaging, and file sharing. UCaaS platforms have become a critical piece of software for remote work, ushered in by the pandemic. Organizations are now adopting inter-company collaboration, where guest accounts are easily available for external contacts without interfering with company policy, security, or compliance.

"As voice functionalities become table stakes features, the key differentiators between UCaaS vendors often come down to the quality of their customer relationships and the ability to deliver," says Thomas Randall, senior research analyst at Info-Tech Research Group and UCaaS analyst. "Vendors competing to provide one hundred percent uptime are a reflection of the post-pandemic world. Hybrid and remote work have become the default mode of working, and there is significant value for UCaaS vendors to provide the connection between employees for voice, video, and messaging."

To support businesses selecting their next Unified Communications as a Service solution, SoftwareReviews has identified the top UCaaS software providers based on verified survey data collected from 917 end-user reviews. These providers have received high scores on SoftwareReviews' Emotional Footprint due to their expectational customer service feedback

The Net Emotional Footprint (NEF) of each software provider is a result of aggregated emotional response ratings across the areas of service, negotiation, product impact, conflict resolution, strategy, and innovation. The NEF is a powerful indicator of overall user sentiment toward the provider and its product from the software user's point of view.

The 2022 Unified Communications as a Service Software Champions are as follows:

SoftwareReviews' comprehensive software reviews provide the most accurate and detailed view of a complicated and ever-changing market. The data comes from real end users who use the software day in and day out and IT professionals who have worked with it intimately through procurement, implementation, and maintenance.

To compare and evaluate Unified Communications as a Service software providers using the most in-depth and unbiased analyst reports available, visit SoftwareReviews' UCaaS dedicated category page.

For more information about SoftwareReviews, the Data Quadrant, or the Emotional Footprint, or to access resources to support the software selection process, visit softwarereviews.com and connect via LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

About SoftwareReviews

SoftwareReviews is the most in-depth source of buyer data and insights for the enterprise software market. By collecting customer experience data from business and IT professionals, the SoftwareReviews methodology produces detailed and authentic insights into the experience of evaluating and purchasing enterprise software.

SOURCE SoftwareReviews
CANBERRA, Australia, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A Qualitative Research Study accomplished by Data Bridge Market research's database of 350 pages, titled as "Global Dental Lab Market" with 100+ market data Tables, Pie Charts, Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand detailed analysis. A dental laboratory primary role is to provide restorative dentistry is to perfectly copy all of the functional and aesthetic parameters that have been defined by the dentist into a restorative solution. Throughout the entire restorative process, from the initial patient consultation, diagnosis, and treatment planning to final restoration placement, the communication routes between the dentist and the laboratory technician now can provide a complete transfer of information. Functional components, occlusal parameters, phonetics, and aesthetic requirements are just some of the essential types of information that are necessary for technicians to complete the fabrication of successful, functional, and aesthetic restorations. Today, as in the past, the communication tools between the dentist and the technician include photography, written documentation, and impressions of the patient's existing dentition.

The global dental lab is supportive and aims to reduce the severity of the symptoms. Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the dental lab market will grow at a CAGR of 12.4% during the forecast period of 2022 to 2029.

Get PDF Sample of Dental Lab Market report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-dental-lab-market&PNW/27July2022

Market Overview:-

A dental laboratory primary role is to provide restorative dentistry is to perfectly copy all of the functional and aesthetic parameters that have been defined by the dentist into a restorative solution. Throughout the entire restorative process, from the initial patient consultation, diagnosis, and treatment planning to final restoration placement, the communication routes between the dentist and the laboratory technician now can provide a complete transfer of information

The equipment in the dental laboratory includes the full range of systems used for manufacturing fixed or removable dental prosthetics. The dental laboratory technician's task is to fabricate crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontic appliances based on the prescription of a dentist. Many of these tasks require high precision, and the technician's skill weighs heavily on the ultimate success of the treatment. Laboratory technicians are trained on the job or in formal education programs.

Opportunities

New Product Releases

The companies which are involved in the dental lab market have been coming up with various new products based on new technologies most noticeable launches amongst these in the field of dental labs are in the field of Dental Imaging and digital dentistry.

Some of the major players operating in the dental lab market are

Henry Schein , Inc.

, Inc. Dentsply Sirona

Danaher

PLANMECA OY

3M

Zimmer Biomet

3Shape A/S

A-dec Inc.

BioHorizons

BIOLASE, Inc.

Core3dcentres

Carestream Health

Dentatus

GC Corporation

KaVo Dental

Gnatus Medical-Dental Equipment's

Formlabs

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

Roland DGA Corporation

SCHEU DENTAL GmbH

Septodont, Inc.

Ultradent Products Inc.

VOCO GmbH

Young Innovations, Inc.

For instance,

In 2021, according to data by the Division of Oral Health , National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, nearly all adults (96%) aged 65 years or older have had a cavity; 1 in 5 have untreated tooth decay

, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, nearly all adults (96%) aged 65 years or older have had a cavity; 1 in 5 have untreated tooth decay In 2021, according to data by the Division of Oral Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, nearly all adults (96%) aged 65 years or older have had a cavity; 1 in 5 have untreated tooth decay

Access Full PDF Research Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/global-dental-lab-market?PNW/27July2022

Global Dental Lab Market Dynamics

Drivers

Rise In Research And Development Activity In Dental Industries

The pricing pressure has resulted in changes in the core dynamics of the dental implant industry. The innovations have created a substantial increase in the number of local and regional players involved in the creation of similar products and offering them at a lower cost.

Recent Developments,

In 2018, Young Innovations (U.S.) announced the acquisition of Johnson-Promidet (U.S.). The company focuses on high-quality dental handpiece solutions. This acquisition will result in delivering innovative, high-quality products and solutions to clinicians and their patients and also enhance their portfolio of brands and products through organic growth and acquisitions.

In 2018, Danaher (U.S.) announced its agreement with General Electric Company (U.S.) for the acquisition of the Biopharma business of GE Life Sciences for the cash price of USD 21.4 Billion . The business will be established as a stand-alone operating company within Danaher.

. The business will be established as a stand-alone operating company within Danaher. The increase in research and development activities has made the companies more active in extending their services in the market targeting more customers in the market leading to a growth in the global dental lab market.

Rapid Growth In The Geriatric Population

Oral health and hygiene are not very different from general health and unlike any other problem old age makes it difficult to maintain or keep check of the problem, so it becomes difficult to maintain oral health at an older age. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), from 2015 to 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%. The elderly population, majorly suffers from chronic dental disorders, due to the elderly population, being disabled, homebound, or institutionalized (e.g., seniors who live in nursing homes). These factors increase the risk of oral health, among the elderly population.

Important Facts about This Market Report:-

This research report reveals this business overview, product overview, market share, demand and supply ratio, supply chain analysis, and import/export details

The Industry report captivates different approaches and procedures endorsed by the market key players to make crucial business decisions

This research presents some parameters such as production value, marketing strategy analysis, Distributors/Traders and effect factors are also mentioned

The historical and current data is provided in the report based on which the future projections are made and the industry analysis is performed

The import and export details along with consumption value and production capability of every region is mentioned in the report

Porter's five forces analysis, value chain analysis, SWOT analysis are some additional important parameters used for the analysis of market growth

The report provides the clients with the facts and figures about the market on the basis of evaluation of the industry through primary and secondary research methodologies

Key Opportunities:-

New Product Releases

The companies which are involved in the dental lab market have been coming up with various new products based on new technologies most noticeable launches amongst these in the field of dental labs are in the field of Dental Imaging and digital dentistry.

Increased Aesthetic Dentistry In Dental Labs

Aesthetic dentistry has revolutionized the dentistry industry by providing a minimally invasive aesthetic enhancing approach along with the treatment. The dental treatment with braces is one such aesthetic treatment that helps to get desired teeth to shape for patients who are not satisfied with the shape of their teeth or those who have severe issues due to the misalignment of teeth. Various factors propel the growth of the market such as media influencers to encourage society to look beautiful and smile confidently. Men and women alike increasingly want less noticeable of their orthodontics procedures.

Gain More Insights into the Dental Lab Market Analysis @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-dental-lab-market?PNW/27July2022

Restraints/Challenges:-

High Cost Of Dental Equipment And Materials

Dental equipment varies a lot in terms of costs in the market but considering good technologies and quality equipment, the costs are fairly high leading them to be less accessible to dental professionals due to budget issues.

The advancements in the technologies and innovations in the product result in higher costs of this equipment. Moreover, there is a wide price range of materials used by dentists.

Key Segmentation: Dental Lab Market:-

Products

General & Diagnostic Devices

Treatment-Based Devices

Others

Dental lab Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The global dental lab market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by regions, product as referenced above.

The countries covered in the dental lab market report are the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland and Rest of Europe., China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Rest of South America. South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Israel and Rest of Middle East and Africa.

North America is expected to dominate the market due to rise in cases of periodontal disorders, rise in medical tourism about dental treatment in global region.

Key Pointers Covered in the Dental Implants Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029

Dental Lab Market Size

Dental Lab Market New Sales Volumes

Dental Lab Market Replacement Sales Volumes

Dental Lab Installed Base

Dental Lab Market By Brands

Dental Lab Market Procedure Volumes

Dental Lab Market Product Price Analysis

Dental Lab Market Healthcare Outcomes

Dental Lab Market Cost of Care Analysis

Dental Lab Regulatory Framework and Changes

Dental Lab Prices and Reimbursement Analysis

Dental Lab Market Shares in Different Regions

Dental Lab Recent Developments for Market Competitors

Dental Lab Market Upcoming Applications

Dental Lab Market Innovators Study

Get TOC Detail of Dental Lab Market Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-dental-lab-market&PNW/27July2022

Top Trending Reports: -

Europe Dental Lab Market, By Products (General and Diagnostic Devices, Treatment-Based Devices and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/europe-dental-lab-market

Asia-Pacific Dental Lab Market, By Products (General and Diagnostic Devices, Treatment-Based Devices and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/asia-pacific-dental-lab-market

North America Dental Lab Market, By Products (General and Diagnostic Devices, Treatment-Based Devices and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/north-america-dental-lab-market

Middle East and Africa Dental Lab Market, By Products (General and Diagnostic Devices, Treatment-Based Devices and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/middle-east-and-africa-dental-lab-market

Belgium Dental Lab Market By Product (General & Diagnostic Devices and Treatment Based Devices), Country (Belgium) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/belgium-dental-lab-market

Germany Dental Lab Market, By Material (Metal Ceramic, Ceramic (Zirconia, Glass Ceramic), Equipment (Milling Equipment, Scanner, Furnace, Articulators), Prosthetics (Bridge, Crown (Porcelain Fused to Metal, CAD CAM Ceramics), Dentures) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/germany-dental-lab-market

Netherlands Dental Lab Market, By Material (Metal Ceramic, Ceramic (Zirconia, Glass Ceramic), Equipment (Milling Equipment, Scanner, Furnace, Articulators), Prosthetics (Bridge, Crown (Porcelain Fused to Metal, CAD CAM Ceramics), Dentures) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/netherlands-dental-lab-market

Dental Laboratories Service Market, By Service Type (Implant Prosthesis Dental Service, Ceramic System Service, Cast Partial Dentures Service, Digital Service), Product (Restorative, Orthodontic, Endodontic, Oral Care, Implant), Equipment Type (Dental Radiology Equipment, Dental Lasers, Systems and Parts, Hygiene Maintenance Device, Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-dental-laboratories-service-market

Dental Implants Market, By Product Type (Endosteal Implants, Subperiosteal Implants, Transosteal Implants), Material Type (Titanium, Zirconium, Ceramic, Others), Procedure (Root-Form Dental Implants, Plate-Form Dental Implants), Demographics (Geriatric, Middle Aged, Adult, Others), Price (Premium Implants, Value Implants, Discounted Implants), Design (Tapered Implants, Parallel Walled Implants), End User (Dental Clinics, Dental Hospitals, Dental Academic and Research Institutes, Dental Laboratories) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-dental-implants-market

Dental Radiology Equipment Market, By Type (Diagnostic Dental Equipment and Therapeutic Dental Equipment), End Users (Hospitals, Diagnostic Centres, and Dental Clinics) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-dental-radiology-equipment-market

Dental Imaging (X-Ray) Market, By Product (Digital X-Ray, Analog X-Ray, Dental CBCT, Intraoral Cameras, Dental Optic Imaging), Type (Intraoral X-rays, Extraoral X-rays, Hybrid X-Ray Systems), Application (Medical, Cosmetic, Forensic, Diagnostics, Surgery, Research, Therapeutic), End Users (Dental Clinics, Dental Laboratories, Dental Academic and Research Institutes, Forensic Laboratories, Hospitals, Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/dental-imaging-market

Dental Equipment Market, By Product (Dental Radiology Equipment, Systems and Parts, Dental Lasers, Laboratory Machines, Hygiene Maintenance), Treatment (Orthodontic, Endodontic, Periodontic, Prosthodontic), End Use (Hospitals, Clinics, Dental Laboratories, Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-dental-equipment-market

About Data Bridge Market Research:

An absolute way to forecast what future holds is to comprehend the trend today!

Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavours to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Data Bridge is an aftermath of sheer wisdom and experience which was formulated and framed in the year 2015 in Pune.

Data Bridge Market Research has over 500 analysts working in different industries. We have catered more than 40% of the fortune 500 companies globally and have a network of more than 5000+ clientele around the globe. Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate.

Contact Us:-

Data Bridge Market Research

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UK: +44 208 089 1725

Hong Kong: +852 8192 7475

Email:- [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1011053/Data_Bridge_Market_Research_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Data Bridge Market Research
LONDON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, shipments of vehicles featuring camera-based Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) will jump from 8 million in 2022 to 47 million in 2027, more than 50% of global new vehicle sales. These systems offer reliable real-time driver distraction monitoring as means to prevent accidents. While mainly driven by regulation, they also enable a range of infotainment-related features that will provide carmakers with the opportunity to recoup their investments.

Because DMS will become mandated, carmakers, especially in the mass market, were initially interested in deploying the minimal EU General Safety Regulation (GSR) requirements. However, standard mandated ADAS features drive an additional cost into the vehicle that OEMs cannot quickly or easily recuperate. "Hence, envisioning additional use cases that use the available sensor technology has become imperative. With the realization that monetization opportunities could be realized with the same DMS hardware and minor incremental software investment, most carmakers' DMS RFQs now request two to three features beyond driver attention monitoring," explains Maite Bezerra, Smart Mobility & Automotive Industry Analyst at ABI Research.

DMS safety-related detection capabilities include drowsiness, distraction, seatbelt use, smoking, and phone use. However, DMS can also support several convenience features. For example, driver's head position and gaze direction input can enable Augmented Reality (AR) head-up displays and 3D dashboards to provide information about Points of Interest (e.g., Mercedes' MBUX Travel Knowledge) or to highlight or tone down information in the cockpit, decreasing energy consumption in EVs. Advanced cognitive load detection capabilities can be used by personal assistants to measure the driver's stress level, mood, or even health, and make suggestions or take actions accordingly. Examples include Cerence Co-Pilot, NVIDIA Concierge, and NIO's NOMI. "There is also interest in using the driver's medical status, such as heart and respiration rates, to determine stress level and medical condition after accidents," Bezerra points out.

Expanding the DMS scope to Occupant Monitoring Systems (OMSs) within the same camera is another clear trend due to the broad range of monetizable use cases enabled by camera-based OMSs. According to Bezerra, "OMSs primary use case is detecting children or pets left behind, but input can be used to enhance passenger safety and convenience. For example, the camera can detect incorrect use of seatbelts, and the occupant's position in the car can be used to regulate airbag deployment more effectively. Regarding convenience, the camera can be used for selfies, video conferences, remote vehicle motoring, and multi-user in-cabin and media content customization." ABI Research forecasts that nearly 10 million vehicles will be shipped with single-camera DMS and OMS, offered by companies including Seeing Machines, Cipia, Tobii, and Jungo, in 2028.

"Moving forward, DMS and OMS will be critical sensors enabling next-generation automotive HMI and UX. Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), multimodal input and output channels, and unprecedented integration with vehicle sensors, domains, location data, and other IoT devices will be combined to provide an intuitive, humanized, and seamless in-car user experience," Bezerra concludes.

These findings are from ABI Research's Next-Generation Automotive HMI application analysis report. This report is part of the company's Smart Mobility & Automotive research service, which includes research, data, and ABI Insights. Based on extensive primary interviews, Application Analysis reports present in-depth analysis on key market trends and factors for a specific technology.

About ABI Research

ABI Research is a global technology intelligence firm delivering actionable research and strategic guidance to technology leaders, innovators, and decision makers around the world. Our research focuses on the transformative technologies that are dramatically reshaping industries, economies, and workforces today.

ABI Research

For more information about ABI Research's services, contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific, or visit www.abiresearch.com.

Contact Info:

Global

Deborah Petrara

Tel: +1.516.624.2558

[email protected]

SOURCE ABI Research
DUBLIN, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Dry Bulk Materials Global Market Report 2022: By Application, By Vessel Type, By End Use" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Dry Bulk Materials Global Market Report 2022 provides the strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global dry bulk materials market as it emerges from the COVID-19 shut down.



The global dry bulk materials market is expected to grow from $330.42 billion in 2021 to $363.92 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. The market is expected to grow to $511.69 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%.

Rising demand for raw material for the manufacturing, defense, and infrastructure sectors is driving the growth of the dry bulk material trucking market. This upsurge in demand is attributed to the rise in industrialization, population, and urbanization.

For instance, according to the report of the World Bank, the European mineral raw materials industry demonstrated a considerable increase in the production of minerals needed for clean energy technologies. It additionally clarifies the requirement for a wide range of minerals and metals for implementing renewable energy strategies and their related infrastructure.

The demand for minerals such as graphite, lithium, and cobalt is expected to be as high as 500% by 2050. There is a need for efficient dry bulk trucks to carry these dry bulk materials, thereby driving the market for the dry bulk material trucking market.



The dry bulk material trucking market is increasingly using technology for higher output and efficiency which is gaining significant popularity in the dry bulk materials trucking market. The use of technology includes artificial intelligence, automation, the use of apps, and others.

Scope

Markets Covered:1) By Commodity Type: Iron Ore; Coal And Pet Coke; Grains And Agricultural Products; Cement/ Aggregates; Fertilizers; Other Commodity Types

2) By Application: Food And Beverages; Construction; Automotive; Energy And Mining; Agriculture; Chemicals; Other Applications

3) By Vessel Type: Capesize; Handysize; Pananmax; Handymax

4) By End Use: Iron Ore; Steel Products; Lumber or Log; Other End Users



Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market Characteristics



3. Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market Trends And Strategies



4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Dry Bulk Materials Trucking



5. Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market Size And Growth



6. Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market Segmentation



7. Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market Regional And Country Analysis



8. Asia-Pacific Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



9. China Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



10. India Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



11. Japan Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



12. Australia Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



13. Indonesia Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



14. South Korea Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



15. Western Europe Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



16. UK Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



17. Germany Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



18. France Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



19. Eastern Europe Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



20. Russia Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



21. North America Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



22. USA Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



23. South America Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



24. Brazil Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



25. Middle East Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



26. Africa Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



27. Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market Competitive Landscape And Company Profiles



29. Key Mergers And Acquisitions In The Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market



29. Dry Bulk Materials Trucking Market Future Outlook and Potential Analysis



30. Appendix



Companies Mentioned

Melvin Orr Trucking

C.H. Robinson

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.

YRC Freight

Swift Transportation

Landstar System Inc.

Transpro Burgener

Bulkmatic

Kenan Advantage Group

Quality Distribution

Trimac Transportation Services

Foodliner/Quest Liner

Heniff Transportation Systems

AAndR Logistics

Superior Bulk Logistics

Groendyke Transport

Ruan

Dupre Logistics

Eagle Transport Corp.

Martin Transport Inc.

Florida Rock And Tank Lines

United Petroleum Transports

Tankstar USA

Coastal Transport Co.

Apex Logistics

Cliff Viessman Inc.

JAndM Tank Lines Inc.

Andrews Logistics

Grammer Industries

Prime Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/77jjrl

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

SOURCE Research and Markets
The new installation will give park visitors the chance to see America's most majestic bird in its natural habitat.

PLAINFIELD, Ind., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is converting two electric transmission towers that have reached the end of their useful service life into nesting platforms for bald eagles at the Wabashiki Fish & Wildlife Area in West Terre Haute, Ind.

In early August, Duke Energy will deploy a specialty helicopter crew to begin stripping inactive electrical lines and equipment from 50-foot transmission towers that span approximately 1,000 feet in the floodplain along the Wabash River. Crews will then work to install two nesting platforms at the top of the towers. The platforms will each be 8 feet wide and 6 feet long and constructed with fiberglass grating and steel supports  strong and large enough to accommodate bald eagles' colossal nests, which are the largest of any North American bird. Eagle nests typically measure 5 to 6 feet wide and 2 feet deep and are lined with grass, moss and sometimes cattails.

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, more than 350 bald eagle nesting territories have been recorded in Indiana. The birds have periodically been spotted at Wabashiki Fish & Wildlife Area since it opened to the public in 2010. With the addition of these nesting platforms, park officials hope to attract even more of these once federal- and state-endangered species to the area.

"A lot of hard work has gone into restoring the bald eagle population in Indiana over the last 50 years, and their recovery is one of our state's great conservation success stories," said Adam Grossman, superintendent of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department. "The creation of nesting towers like these have been critical in supporting their survival here, and we're grateful for partners like Duke Energy that are finding creative ways to support these majestic birds and allow them to thrive right here in West Terre Haute."

The project will be completed in early September, long before eagles begin looking for nesting sites in January and February. Local residents can expect to see and hear helicopter activity in the area during daylight hours as the work progresses. Property owners near the impacted transmission line have been notified of this work by mail, and Duke Energy account holders are being notified through calls or text messages. The helicopter may cause wind disturbance at ground level. Homeowners have been advised to secure outdoor furniture or other items that could be moved by the wind.

"Conservation is an integral part of who we are as a company," said Rick Burger, government and community relations manager at Duke Energy. "We're proud to partner with the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department to repurpose these transmission towers in an innovative and sustainable way to build a better future for the environment and the communities we serve."

The Wabashiki Fish & Wildlife Area's 2,600 acres of lush marshland along the west bank of the Wabash River make it an ideal natural habitat for bald eagles. As the water level of the river rises and falls, receding floodwaters trap large numbers of fish in the floodplain. Pools of water abundant with stranded fish remain and offer rich hunting grounds for eagles and other wildlife.

The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department hopes to one day build a viewing platform at the Dewey Point trailhead for visitors to come and safely observe eagles that may eventually settle down at the nesting platforms.

Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), provides about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 870,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana's largest electric supplier.

Contact: McKenzie Barbknecht

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy
The leading decentralized derivatives exchange has surpassed $630.8B in cumulative volume and amassed over 59,000 users since its inception in July 2017

NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- dYdX Trading Inc. ("the Company"), developer of the leading decentralized derivatives exchange, dYdX, today celebrates its five-year anniversary with its partners and community. During the Company's five-year tenure, over $630B in volume across 38 markets has been traded on dYdX, and over the last year dYdX has seen cumulative volume grow by 233x. The five-year milestone comes shortly after the Company announced dYdX V4, which will mark the full decentralization of the exchange.

dYdX Trading CEO Antonio Juliano commented, "Today is an incredible milestone for dYdX. I am extremely proud of the team's accomplishments over the last five years, while envisioning even more progress over the next five years, and beyond. As we've grown over the past half decade, our goals have never wavered - we want to be the premier decentralized exchange in the industry and look forward to continuing our pursuit to reach that objective."

Throughout its first five years of operation, dYdX has consistently worked to improve the protocol. Most recently, the Company's announced dYdX V4, developed as a standalone blockchain based on the Cosmos SDK, which will fully decentralize the protocol later this year. In addition to protocol improvements, dYdX launched perpetual trading on its exchange, introduced Trading Leagues, developed an iOS mobile app for the exchange, listed dozens of markets, and unveiled 'Hedgies', a unique collection of 4,200 collectable avatars represented as NFTs on Ethereum distributed to the dYdX community. Since 2017, dYdX closed three rounds of funding, most recently a $65M Series C round led by Paradigm in June 2021.

The exchange now has around sixty thousand users, ranging from institutional funds to sophisticated day traders, catering to both the most experienced traders and users new to the space. By leveraging the best elements of both centralized and decentralized exchanges, dYdX has created a premier trading platform that continues to attract traders across the world.

Juliano continued, "We believe that decentralized finance is the future and we've only scratched the surface of what dYdX can achieve. There will be many more advances for our product and our company, and I'm excited to see what dYdX looks like when we are celebrating a decade of operations."

About dYdX

dYdX is the developer of a leading decentralized exchange on a mission to build open, secure, and powerful financial products. dYdX runs on audited smart contracts on Ethereum, which eliminates the need to trust a central exchange while trading. We combine the security and transparency of a decentralized exchange, with the speed and usability of a centralized exchange.

For more information, visit: https://dydx.exchange/blog/dydx-chain

Media Contact

Dillon Arace

M Group Strategic Communications (on behalf of dYdX)

315.512.6886

[email protected]

SOURCE dYdX
BOULDER, Colo., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Registration is open for the Working Together for an Equitable Energy Future Virtual National Workshop 2022, hosted by E Source and DEFG's Equity in a Clean Energy (ECEE) Collaborative. The workshop is open to the public.

The ECEE Collaborative is assembling stakeholders to discuss new approaches and tools to ensure affordability and equity in the US transition to clean energy.

This national workshop will feature keynote presentations by equity leaders, a variety of panel sessions, breakout sessions, new research, and customer survey findings with an emphasis on bringing voices of disadvantaged communities into the deliberations. The workshop is designed to be interactive to help build relationships between stakeholders. The online nature will ensure maximum participation nationwide.

The collaborative has invited musicians, videographers, and other artists to provide clips of their work and perspectives on equity and clean energy in their communities. And the event will premiere a voices-of-the-community documentary in partnership with NiSource, a dual-fuel utility serving nearly 4 million customers across six midwestern states.

"With the July 2022 acquisition of DEFG, E Source has gained important capabilities that help utilities with their transformation to a Sustainable Utility, in particular the component that focuses on customer equity. We can now help utilities improve their customer experience and manage affordability for customers as a whole, especially those who are most vulnerable," says Jamie Wimberly, senior vice president of Customer Strategy Solutions at E Source. "The ECEE collaborative and this national workshop play an essential role in helping utilities and communities come together to equitably serve all customers."

To learn more about the workshop, visit www.eceecollaborative.com and register today. Or email [email protected] to connect with the collaborative directly.

About E Source

E Source, the data authority for the utility industry, blends industry-leading research, predictive data science, and solution services to help utilities make better decisions to support their customers, their bottom line, and our planet. With a commitment to practical innovation, we use more than three decades of utility-focused experience and our unique solution set to help clients achieve their goal of becoming a Sustainable Utility. E Source is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with offices across the US. For more information, see www.esource.com.

Contacts:

Media inquiries:

Sannie Sieper

[email protected]

303-817-1996

SOURCE E Source Companies LLC
BOGOTA, Colombia, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL;NYSE: EC) announces that on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, after market close, it will release its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2022.

On Thursday, August 4, 2022, Ecopetrol's senior management will host two conference calls to review the results, one in Spanish and the other in English. Please find below the timing, dial-in, and links to access the conferences:

To access the webcast, the following links will be available:

Spanish:

https://onlinexperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=E8DA00BD-D6AE-4E05-86C9-04474345F0BB&LangLocaleID=1034

English:

https://onlinexperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=BFCC73C2-3E0E-42AB-93CD-6AFF7E83DDC4&LangLocaleID=1033

To ask a question, participants will need to access the conference through the following telephone lines:

Spanish Conference Call English Conference Call 08:00 a.m. CO Time 10:00 a.m. CO Time 09:00 a.m. NY Time 11:00 a.m. NY Time US Dial-in: 404 400 0571 US Dial-in (Toll Free): 866 374 5140 CO Dial-in: 57 601 485 0348 CO Dial-in (Toll Free): 57 800 519 0788 Spanish Passcode: 43162453 English Passcode: 81169886

Participants from different countries may search for different international numbers to the ones mentioned above by consulting the following link:

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AppisLgkpP8lzmUV-ekYg0rNK9JN?e=3prv6r

The earnings release, slide presentation, live webcast and recording of the conference call will be available on Ecopetrol's website: www.ecopetrol.com.co.

Please verify in advance the proper operation of the webcast in your browser. We recommend the use of the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia and one of the main integrated energy companies in the American continent, with more than 18,000 employees. In Colombia, it is responsible for more than 60% of the hydrocarbon production of most transportation, logistics, and hydrocarbon refining systems, and it holds leading positions in the petrochemicals and gas distribution segments. With the acquisition of 51.4% of ISA's shares, the company participates in energy transmission, the management of real-time systems (XM), and the Barranquilla - Cartagena coastal highway concession. At the international level, Ecopetrol has a stake in strategic basins in the American continent, with Drilling and Exploration operations in the United States (Permian basin and the Gulf of Mexico), Brazil, and Mexico, and, through ISA and its subsidiaries, Ecopetrol holds leading positions in the power transmission business in Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, road concessions in Chile, and the telecommunications sector. This press release contains business prospect statements, operating and financial result estimates, and statements related to Ecopetrol's growth prospects. These are all projections and, as such, they are based solely on the expectations of the managers regarding the future of the company and their continued access to capital to finance the company's business plan. The realization of said estimates in the future depends on the behavior of market conditions, regulations, competition, and the performance of the Colombian economy and the industry, among other factors, and are consequently subject to change without prior notice.

This release contains statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements, whether made in this release or in future filings or press releases, or orally, address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, including in respect of the Company's prospects for growth and its ongoing access to capital to fund the Company's business plan, among others. Consequently, changes in the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements: market prices of oil & gas, our exploration, and production activities, market conditions, applicable regulations, the exchange rate, the Company's competitiveness and the performance of Colombia's economy and industry, to mention a few. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact:

Head of Capital Markets

Tatiana Uribe Benninghoff

Email: [email protected]

Head of Corporate Communications

Mauricio Tellez

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A.
Rise in cases of brain infections, head injuries, and brain cancer is boosting the demand for epilepsy monitoring devices

The epilepsy monitoring devices market size is estimated to be valued at over US$ 737 Mn by 2031

WILMINGTON, Del., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The epilepsy monitoring devices market demand analysis by Transparency Market Research (TMR) estimates the global market to develop at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period, from 2022 to 2031.

Epilepsy monitoring devices are being utilized by different end-users, namely, home care settings, hospitals, and clinics. The manufacturers of epilepsy monitoring devices are likely to gain prominent business opportunities from the hospital & clinics segment during the forecast period owing to rise in the use of EEG monitoring and emergency medical services across hospitals and clinics.

The government authorities of several developing nations including India and China are focusing on the development of a sturdy healthcare infrastructure. As a result, players in the epilepsy monitoring devices market are expected to gain sizable growth prospects in Asia Pacific region during the forecast period. This aside, the Asia Pacific market is anticipated to expand at significant CAGR in the forthcoming years owing to increase in the demand for quality healthcare in the region and rise in the trend of medical tourism in many regional nations.

Key players in the epilepsy monitoring devices market are focusing on the launch of novel devices intended for the use in children. Moreover, companies are also using organic and inorganic strategies including mergers and acquisitions in order to stay ahead of the competition.

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Epilepsy Monitoring Devices Market: Key Findings

 As per the WHO, epilepsy is one of the prominent health disorder across the globe with approximately over 50 million population affected with this disease. The estimated number of people suffering from this condition at a given time is approximately 4 to 10 individuals in 1,000 people. This explains why the market share for epilepsy monitoring devices is prognosticated to be valued at over US$ 737 Mn by 2031.

 The incidences of brain malformations are being increasing across many developed and developing nations around the world. This factor is fueling the sales growth in the epilepsy monitoring devices market. Moreover, the market is being driven by many factors including advancements in the healthcare infrastructure across many emerging economies in the world.

 There are different conditions including convulsions and epileptic seizures such as myoclonic seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, and atonic seizures that can lead to epilepsy. In the recent years, the understanding pertaining to the treatment of panic attacks is being increasing among people from across the globe. This factor is boosting the demand for different types of epilepsy devices, notes a TMR study on the epilepsy monitoring devices market.

 Companies operating in the epilepsy monitoring devices market are investing in R&Ds in order to develop next-gen pediatric medical devices. Such efforts are expected to help them in maintaining their leading positions in the epilepsy monitoring devices market, note analysts at TMR.

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Epilepsy Monitoring Devices Market: Growth Boosters

Rise in the incidences of brain cancer, brain infections, and head injuries around the world is driving the demand for epilepsy monitoring devices market

Increasing focus of the market players on technological advancements and new product approvals is anticipated to help in the rapid expansion of the market during the forecast period

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Epilepsy Monitoring Devices Market: Key Players

Some of the key players profiled in the report are:

Medtronic plc

Koninklijke Philips N.V

Natus Medical Incorporated

Compumedics Limited

PulseGuard International Ltd.

Empatica, Inc.

Masimo

Epilepsy Monitoring Devices Market Segmentation

Product

Conventional Devices



Wearable Devices

End-user

Hospitals & Clinics



Home Care Settings



Others

Regions Covered

North America



Latin America



Europe



Asia Pacific



Middle East & Africa

Modernization of healthcare in terms of both infrastructure and services have pushed the healthcare industry to new heights, Stay Updated with Latest Healthcare Research Reports by Transparency Market Research:

Wearable Medical Devices Market: The global wearable medical devices market is anticipated to reach more than US$ 183.8 Bn by the end of 2031 and is projected to advance at a CAGR of 19.1% from 2022 to 2031.

Robotic Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Market: The size of the market is projected to reach more than US$ 5.5 Bn in 2031, advancing at a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period.

Respiratory Monitoring Devices Market: Increase in government expenditure on health care in emerging economies such as India and rise in prevalence of respiratory disorders are likely to augment the global market during the forecast period.

Negative-pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) Devices Market: Rise in preference for single-use NPWT devices in order to reduce cross-contamination and costly readmission is driving the negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) devices market.

Personal Mobility Devices Market: Rise in prevalence of chronic illnesses such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and arthritis among all age groups is projected to drive the demand for highly advanced mobility aid devices.

Pulmonary Drug Delivery Devices Market: eHealth apps and telehealth are giving rise to remote patient monitoring in the pulmonary drug delivery devices market.

Neurostimulation Devices Market: Rise in prevalence of neurological disorders, increase in geriatric population, favorable reimbursement rates, and introduction of innovative technologies.

Audiological Devices Market: Audiological devices market is significantly driven by rise in the number of cases of hearing loss across the globe, increase in the geriatric population, and awareness and adoption of audiological equipment among people.

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and business consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques to gather and analyze information.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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Contact:

Rohit Bhisey

Transparency Market Research Inc.

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Suite 1200, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 USA

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1682871/TMR_Logo_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Transparency Market Research
Navy Veteran to Recruit for Growing General Contractor

ESCONDIDO, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Helping to facilitate its growth, Erickson-Hall Construction Co. has welcomed Andrew (Drew) Roseberry to its team as a Talent Acquisition Specialist. A U.S. Navy veteran, Drew brings eight (8) years of experience in personnel management. Filling a newly created position within the company, Drew's hiring demonstrates Erickson-Hall's steady growth and projected need for additional team members to keep up with demand. An award-winning and employee-owned leader in California construction, Erickson-Hall has been growing steadily since 1998.

As a young adult, Drew enlisted in the Navy and attended bootcamp in the Great Lakes region. He subsequently spent time on the U.S.S. America (an Amphibius Assault Ship), Whidbey Island in Washington State, and in South America. During his eight (8) years in the Navy, he advanced to became a Senior Personnel Manager. He helped develop and design personnel policies and culture, implement HR improvements, and served as a career counselor. He was commended by leadership for growing and sustaining team engagement. While in the military, he earned his bachelor's degree in healthcare management and his MBA from Columbia Southern University.

Mat Gates, President of Erickson-Hall, states, "Drew brings a terrific combination of experience, maturity, and young energy to his work. I'm confident his efforts will continue to sustain our exciting growth as we transition to becoming a 100 percent employee-owned (ESOP) company."

At Erickson-Hall, Drew will be improving efficiencies, streamlining hiring processes, and developing relationships with the field staff to better understand their needs in order to recruit the best candidates. He states, "My singular focus is talent acquisition, and securing our reputation as a preferred employer."

About Erickson-Hall Construction Co.

Erickson-Hall is a recognized industry leader and has completed over $1.5 billion in successful construction projects, of which $1 billion has been for K-14 education developments. The employee-owned company has been serving the Southern California markets of San Diego, Imperial, Orange, South LA, and Riverside Counties since 1998. Services include preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, design-build, design assist-build, lease-leaseback and program management for educational, fire, essential services, civic, parks, recreation, faith-based, office and healthcare facilities. The company has an award-winning portfolio of completed projects and has received numerous awards for safety. For more information, visit www.ericksonhall.com and find us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/erickson-hall-construction-company.

Media Contact: Beth Binger

BCIpr

619-987-6658

[email protected]

SOURCE Erickson-Hall Construction Co.
NOIDA, India, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report published by UnivDatos Markets Insights the Essential Oils Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 9% from 2021-2027. The analysis has been segmented into Type (Orange, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, Citronella, Lemon, Tea Tree, Clove, Spearmint, and Others); Method of Extraction (Distillation, Carbon Dioxide Extraction, Cold Press Extraction, Solvent Extraction, and Others); Application (Food and Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetic & Personal Care, Home Care, and Others); Region/Country.

Click here to view the Report Description & TOC

The report has been aggregated by collecting informative data from various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the essential oils market. The report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors that are influencing market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the essential oils market at the regional levels.

Request for Sample Pages

Market Overview

The global essential oils market is expected to witness robust growth mainly due to the increase in demand for aromatherapy, the growing uses of essential oils in food & beverage, and cosmetic products, and the usage of essential oils in various applications such as flavor & fragrance, aromatherapies, and others. In the pharmaceutical industry, essential oils are extensively used in capsules and tablets. The functional properties of ethereal oils make them crucial ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of capsules and tablets.

The global Essential Oils market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated.

In 2020, orange oil accounted for a significant share of the global essential oils market. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the availability of orange essential oil, antimicrobial activity, pain relief, and anti-cancer properties. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information of India , d-Limonene, the most abundant constituent of navel orange essential oil, has been shown to have anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects, thus it has been used as a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent against multiple types of tumors.

, d-Limonene, the most abundant constituent of navel orange essential oil, has been shown to have anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects, thus it has been used as a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent against multiple types of tumors. Among these, the distillation segment held a prominent share in 2020 and will continue to grow at a steady rate during the forecast period. The efficiency of the distillation method is expected to drive the growth of this segment. Distillation, or classical distillation, is the process of separating the components or substances from a liquid mixture by using selective boiling and condensation. To separate a mixture of liquids, the mixture can be heated to force components, which have different boiling points, into the gas phase. The gas is then condensed back into liquid form and collected.

Have a Look at the Chapters

Essential Oils Market Geographical Segmentation Includes:

North America ( United States , Canada , and Rest of North America )

( , , and Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , United Kingdom , Italy , France , and the Rest of Europe )

( , , , , and the Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , India , South Korea , Japan , and the Rest of Asia-Pacific )

( , , , , and the Rest of ) Rest of the World

In 2020, Europe accounted for a significant amount of shares in the global essential oils market and it is expected to grow at a substantial growth rate in 2020. This is attributed to the presence of developed end-use industries and rising awareness about the benefits of essential oils amongst consumers. The presence of organizations such as the European Federation of Essential Oils (EFEO) has benefitted the industry growth in Europe. According to EFEO, its aim is to represent producers and traders of essential oils and related products within Europe. It protects and promotes their interest and acts in defense of these products at relevant national, European, and international levels.

The major players targeting the market include

Cargill Inc.

Firmenich SA

Rocky Mountain Oils LLC

Young Living Essential Oils LC.

Sydney Essential Oil Company

Essential Oils Of New Zealand Ltd.

Robertet SA

The Lebermuth Company Inc.

Givaudan SA

West India Spices Inc.

Competitive Landscape

The degree of competition among prominent companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating in the global context. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the essential oils market. The major players have been analyzed using different research methodologies for getting insight views on market competition.

Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include:

What are the latest trends, new patterns, and advancements in the essential oils market?

Which factors are influencing the essential oils market over the forecast period?

What are the challenges, threats, and risks in the essential oils market?

Which factors are propelling and restraining the essential oils market?

What are the demanding regions of the essential oils globally?

What will be the market size in the upcoming years?

What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by the companies?

We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature. Please let us know If you have any custom needs.

About UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI)

Browse Other Related Research Reports from UnivDatos Market Insights

About UnivDatos Market Insights

UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients.

Contact

UnivDatos Market Insights

Ankita Gupta

Director Operations

Ph: +91-7838604911

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://univdatos.com/

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1225049/UnivDatos_Logo.jpg

SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights Pvt. Ltd.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferrero Group, a global sweet-packaged foods leader, today announced the appointment of Alanna Cotton as President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America. Cotton will be responsible for Ferrero's business in the U.S., Canada, and Caribbean, building upon its growing footprint and capabilities for iconic brands like Kinder, Butterfinger, Nutella and Tic Tac, and cookie favorites such as Keebler, Famous Amos, and Mother's. She takes on the role effective September 1, 2022.

Cotton, who will report directly to Lapo Civiletti, CEO of Ferrero Group, joins the company to support Ferrero's global business strategy of strengthening its position in the sweet packaged food category. Ferrero North America, an important growth driver for the company, is the fastest growing confectionery company in the market, experiencing double digit growth and guiding multiple brand turnarounds over the years. The company is also expanding its capabilities in North America, with a new Innovation Center with R&D Lab in the U.S. and a chocolate processing plant and Kinder Bueno line in Bloomington, Illinois. In addition, with support from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, Ferrero is creating new jobs and automation at its Brantford, Ontario plant.

Cotton joins Ferrero most recently from The Coca-Cola Company where she was President of Operations for Central & Eastern Europe, serving as general manager for 26 diverse countries and over 150 brands. Prior to that, Cotton served as Senior Vice President and General Manager at Samsung Electronics America, where she led the high growth segments of the consumer technology markets, including personal computing, virtual reality, wearables, and mobile audio. She has also held executive positions at PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble where she can be credited with leading large-scale businesses and driving innovation and digital transformation across the organizations.

In addition, Cotton holds an MBA from Stanford University and a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University.

Cotton replaces Todd Siwak, who has decided to return to private equity and is stepping down from his role as President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America.

"I'm excited to join Ferrero North America and lead this incredible team and portfolio of beloved brands on its continued growth trajectory," said Cotton. "The company's global presence and rapid expansion on the continent is impressive and I'm thrilled to help move the business forward in this new chapter."

Follow @FerreroNACorp on Twitter and @FerreroNACorp on Instagram.

About Ferrero

The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with beloved treats including Kinder, Nutella, Ferrero Rocher and Tic Tac. Ferrero Group is one of the world's largest sweet-packaged food companies, with over 35 iconic brands sold in more than 170 countries. More than 35,000 "Ferrerians" are committed to helping people celebrate life's special moments with high-quality products. Commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate are at the heart of Ferrero Group's family culture. Our programs and partnerships ensure our work is environmentally sustainable and beneficial to local communities.

Ferrero entered the North American market in 1969 and has grown to 4,400 employees in eight offices and 12 plants and warehouses across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It has expanded its presence and portfolio with the addition of iconic brands such as Butterfinger, CRUNCH, Keebler, Famous Amos, Mother's Cookies, and other distinctive cookie and chocolate brands. Follow @FerreroNACorp on Twitter and Instagram. www.ferreronorthamerica.com

CONTACT:

Cheryll Forsatz

[email protected]

(732) 672-5917

SOURCE Ferrero North America
NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fine Arts Logistics Market size is expected to grow by USD 779.34 million between 2021 and 2026, at a CAGR of 4.22%, according to Technavio's latest market research report estimates. This report extensively covers fine arts logistics market segmentation by end-user (art dealers and galleries, auction houses, museums and art fairs, and others) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa).

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Fine Arts Logistics Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

The fine arts logistics market report also offers information on several market vendors, including AP Moller Maersk AS, Asian Logistics Agencies Srl, Charles Kendall Group, Clasquin SA, CONVELIO SAS, Crown Worldwide Group, DB Schenker, Deutsche Post AG, DMS International Ltd., FedEx Corp., Lotus Fine Arts, Star Worldwide Group Pvt. Ltd., United Artlogistics Pvt. Ltd., and Vulcan Fine Art among others.

Technavio offers an up-to-date analysis of the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. Read Sample Report

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. AP Moller Maersk AS, Asian Logistics Agencies Srl, Charles Kendall Group, Clasquin SA, CONVELIO SAS, Crown Worldwide Group, DB Schenker, Deutsche Post AG, DMS International Ltd., FedEx Corp., hasenkamp Holding GmbH, Katolec Corp., Kuehne Nagel International AG, Lotus Fine Arts, Nippon Express Holdings Inc., Rangel Logistics Solutions, SOS Global GmbH, Star Worldwide Group Pvt. Ltd., United Artlogistics Pvt. Ltd., and Vulcan Fine Art are some of the major market participants.

Fine Arts Logistics Market Segmentation

End-user

Art Dealers and Galleries



Auction Houses



Museum And Art Fair



Others

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



South America



The Middle East and Africa

Key Fine Arts Logistics Market Driver

The expansion of online retail and e-commerce platforms is one of the major drivers propelling the fine arts logistics industry. Fine artists are being pushed to sell their work at competitive prices through their internet portals by the rising popularity of online commerce, particularly in developing nations. Customers are influenced by marketing and advertising, and online platforms make it simple to find precise product information. One of the main reasons influencing the sales of fine arts products through online distribution channels is the availability of quick shipping options and a wide selection of products online. Buy Sample Report.

Key Fine Arts Logistics Market Challenge

The fine arts logistics market will face significant challenges from high operational expenses and competitive pricing. The fine arts logistics market is becoming more competitive in terms of service price due to the rise in demand for specialized professional supply chain solutions and value-added services (VAS) on a global scale. The industry requires a highly capital-intensive infrastructure, including a sizable fleet of vehicles and containers at ports, warehouses with cutting-edge technology that are dedicated to storing various types of fine art products, and experienced labor to handle delicate fine art products. To compete in the market, these logistics service providers must limit their operational expenses. Request Sample Report

Related Reports:

Freight Logistics Market in Spain by End-user and Type - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Cross-border E-commerce Logistics Market by Service and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Fine Arts Logistics Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.22% Market growth 2022-2026 $ 779.34 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 3.3 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, Middle East, and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 49% Key consumer countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and the UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled AP Moller Maersk AS, Asian Logistics Agencies Srl, Charles Kendall Group, Clasquin SA, CONVELIO SAS, Crown Worldwide Group, DB Schenker, Deutsche Post AG, DMS International Ltd., FedEx Corp., hasenkamp Holding GmbH, Katolec Corp., Kuehne Nagel International AG, Lotus Fine Arts, Nippon Express Holdings Inc., Rangel Logistics Solutions, SOS Global GmbH, Star Worldwide Group Pvt. Ltd., United Artlogistics Pvt. Ltd., and Vulcan Fine Art 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 of Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart of Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on the Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart of Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by End-user

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

5.3 Art dealers and galleries - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart of Art dealers and galleries - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Art dealers and galleries - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Art dealers and galleries - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Art dealers and galleries - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Auction houses - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Auction houses - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Auction houses - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Auction houses - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Auction houses - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Museum and art fair - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 36: Chart on Museum and art fair - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Museum and art fair - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Chart on Museum and art fair - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Museum and art fair - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 40: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 42: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.7 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 44: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 45: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 46: Chart of Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 48: Chart of Geographic comparison



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 51: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 52: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 53: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 58: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 63: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 64: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 65: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 the Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart of the Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on the Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Chart on the Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on the Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 70: Chart on the US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on the US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 72: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on the US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 86: Chart on the UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 87: Data Table on the UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 88: Chart on the UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 89: Data Table on the UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 90: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 91: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 92: Overview of Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 93: Overview of factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 94: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 95: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 96: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 Asian Logistics Agencies Srl

Exhibit 97: Asian Logistics Agencies Srl - Overview



Exhibit 98: Asian Logistics Agencies Srl - Product / Service



Exhibit 99: Asian Logistics Agencies Srl - Key offerings

10.4 Clasquin SA

Exhibit 100: Clasquin SA - Overview



Exhibit 101: Clasquin SA - Business segments



Exhibit 102: Clasquin SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 103: Clasquin SA - Segment focus

10.5 Crown Worldwide Group

Exhibit 104: Crown Worldwide Group - Overview



Exhibit 105: Crown Worldwide Group - Product / Service



Exhibit 106: Crown Worldwide Group - Key offerings

10.6 DB Schenker

Exhibit 107: DB Schenker - Overview



Exhibit 108: DB Schenker - Business segments



Exhibit 109: DB Schenker - Key offerings



Exhibit 110: DB Schenker - Segment focus

10.7 Deutsche Post AG

Exhibit 111: Deutsche Post AG - Overview



Exhibit 112: Deutsche Post AG - Product / Service



Exhibit 113: Deutsche Post AG - Key news



Exhibit 114: Deutsche Post AG - Key offerings

10.8 FedEx Corp.

Exhibit 115: FedEx Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 116: FedEx Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 117: FedEx Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 118: FedEx Corp. - Segment focus

10.9 hasenkamp Holding GmbH

Exhibit 119: hasenkamp Holding GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 120: hasenkamp Holding GmbH - Product / Service



Exhibit 121: hasenkamp Holding GmbH - Key offerings

10.10 Kuehne Nagel International AG

Exhibit 122: Kuehne Nagel International AG - Overview



Exhibit 123: Kuehne Nagel International AG - Business segments



Exhibit 124: Kuehne Nagel International AG - Key news



Exhibit 125: Kuehne Nagel International AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 126: Kuehne Nagel International AG - Segment focus

10.11 United Artlogistics Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 127: United Artlogistics Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 128: United Artlogistics Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 129: United Artlogistics Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.12 Vulcan Fine Art

Exhibit 130: Vulcan Fine Art - Overview



Exhibit 131: Vulcan Fine Art - Product / Service



Exhibit 132: Vulcan Fine Art - Key offerings

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 133: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 134: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 135: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 136: Research methodology



Exhibit 137: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 138: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 139: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
The awards, co-sponsored by Credit Union tech-talk, recognize outstanding achievement in credit union technology in 2021

SAN DIEGO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Finopotamus, the only online publication providing in-depth technology coverage exclusively to credit unions, today announced the winners of its 2022 Tekkie Awards. The second annual awards are co-sponsored by popular technology e-newsletter, Credit Union tech-talk.

Tekkie Award categories and winners are:

Finopotamus

Profiles of the award winners and their respective technology achievements are available by clicking the above links.

Several entrants also received honorable mention:

Artificial Intelligence

MSU Federal Credit Union



Wings Financial Credit Union

Core Integration

OMNI Community Credit Union

Lending

Advantis Credit Union



MAC Federal Credit Union



People First Federal Credit Union



Visions Federal Credit Union

Marketing

America's Credit Union



JSC Federal Credit Union

Self Service

SafeAmerica Credit Union



Summit Credit Union



Y-12 Federal Credit Union

Federal Credit Union Technologist of the Year

Michael Hostetler , Vice President of Marketing, Crane Credit Union

, Vice President of Marketing, Crane Credit Union

Mark Rowan , Chief Technology Officer, Credit Union of Colorado

About Credit Union tech-talk

Credit Union tech-talk is a technology newsletter that goes out every week to over 14,000 credit union professionals and 2,000 FinTech vendors. Since 1988, we have served as a clearinghouse for technology information to the credit union movement. Our goal is to be a leading source of technology information for credit unions of all sizes. We provide the latest information on such topics as the Internet, online banking, bill payment/presentment, debit/credit and smart cards, technology training, conferences, vendors, hardware, software, security, ATMs/kiosks, wireless access, biometrics, call centers, imaging, plus technology and marketing/merchandising. Learn more at www.cunews.com.

About Finopotamus

Finopotamus is an online publication created by industry veterans W.B. King, John San Filippo, and Roy Urrico to bring credit unions technology news and original content not found elsewhere. The publication looks at technology best practices across multiple industries to bring credit unions the broadest range of relevant information. The publication's tagline is Fintech News for Hungry CUs. Visit Finopotamus at www.finopotamus.com.

Contact: John San Filippo, (619) 467-0431, [email protected]

SOURCE Finopotamus
SHANGHAI, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/  FinVolution Group ("FinVolution," or the "Company") (NYSE: FINV), a leading fintech platform in China, today announced it has released its 2021 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, the Company's fourth consecutive annual ESG report. It highlights FinVolution's ESG policies and accomplishments in 2021 as well as ongoing endeavors, underscoring its commitment to achieving sustainability and ESG goals.

"At FinVolution, upholding long-term commitments and responsibilities to our industry, environment and society are at the heart of our core values embedded across our business operations. We continue to make strides in improving our ESG management practices and advancing our ESG initiatives," said Mr. Feng Zhang, Chief Executive Officer of FinVolution. "We were awarded a "low-risk" rating by Sustainalytics, a leading independent global provider in ESG research, ratings and data. In addition, we have become a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) in June, a testament to our relentless efforts as a responsible corporate citizen on a global scale."

"Committed as always, we strive to make financial services better and more transparent. The 2021 ESG report is a snapshot of our efforts and initiatives, demonstrating our commitment to driving sustainability and enhancing value creation for our stakeholders. We will continue to reinforce our ESG engagement and responsibilities, leveraging FinVolution's innovative technology and differentiators in ways that improve and sustain communities for generations to come," concluded Mr. Zhang.

Key highlights from FinVolution's 2021 ESG report include the Company's initiatives with respect to:

ESG management;

Comprehensive risk management;

Information security & privacy protection;

Responsible operations;

Access to finance;

Employee care and training & development mechanisms; and

Contribution to industry development.

These disclosures highlight the Company's strategy to grow and innovate in a responsible and sustainable manner. The ESG report has been prepared in compliance with the core option of the Global Reporting Initiative's Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards) and in accordance with MSCI ESG Rating Methodology. For more information regarding GRI Standard and MSCI ESG Rating Methodology, please visit:

https://www.globalreporting.org

https://www.msci.com

To download FinVolution ESG reports, please visit:

http://ir.finvgroup.com

About FinVolution Group

FinVolution Group is a leading fintech platform in China, connecting underserved borrowers with financial institutions. Established in 2007, the Company is a pioneer in China's online consumer finance industry and has developed strong 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, 2022, the Company had over 145.3 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

Tel: +86 (21) 8030 3200- Ext 8601

E-mail: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Jenny Cai

Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677

E-mail: [email protected]

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE FinVolution Group
Workers Join for Wages and Benefits Associated with Teamster Contract

WARRENSBURG, Mo., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Drivers, monitors and mechanics at First Student in Warrensburg, Mo. have voted overwhelmingly to affiliate with Teamsters Local 838.

"Congratulations to these drivers for standing strong and fighting for dignity, respect and a voice on the job," said Alexander Waschneck, Local 838 President. "The Teamsters already have a track record of getting great wages and benefits for First Student workers in Western Missouri, and we look forward to doing the same thing at this location."

Lisa Knisely has been a school bus driver for more than thirty years, and last year she helped evacuate Warrensburg High School after an emergency.

"We had bus drivers ready before they could even get the kids out of the school," Knisely said. "You don't have many people who can do that, and that's why we need a union  to guarantee the respect that we deserve. We have to watch out for multitude of things  how are the kids doing? Are they having a good day or a bad day? We end up being eyes and ears. We're everywhere during the school day. It's a way different job than anybody realizes."

Randy Huggins has been a driver at First Student for five years.

"When we won the election, I was elated  I was on Cloud Nine," said Huggins. "We've seen the Teamster contracts at the other bus yards, with the wages and benefits that the drivers had because they joined the union  better pay, paid days off, health insurance  there's a huge list of benefits from joining the union."

Teamsters Local 838 represents workers in a wide variety of industries. For more information go to http://www.teamsters838.org/.

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 838
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Realtors, the largest professional trade association in Florida, has been named one of Florida's "Best Companies To Work For."

The annual "Best Companies To Work For In Florida" list, featured in a special August issue of Florida Trend magazine, ranks 100 companies in small, medium and large employer categories. Florida Realtors ranked 26th in the mid-size employer category.

"Creating a culture of trust and empowerment is an everyday process," says Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant. "When given the opportunity to do the right thing at the right time, employees will choose to do so when they feel trusted and empowered. At Florida Realtors, we invite our employees into the discussion for our mission to be the 'Voice for Real Estate in Florida.' They are as important to our brand as any of our products, tools or services."

Florida Realtors has 140 employees and two Florida offices: its headquarters in Orlando and a public policy office in Tallahassee. As the state Realtor association, it provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 225,000 members in 51 local Realtor boards and associations.

To participate in the "Best Companies To Work For In Florida" program, companies or government entities were required to have at least 15 workers in Florida and to be in operation at least one year. Those that chose to participate underwent an evaluation of their workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The process also included a survey to measure employee satisfaction. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Workforce Research Group partners with Florida Trend magazine to conduct the process, do the survey, determine final rankings and manage the program.

"Nearly every business in Florida has had to implement new and creative ways to attract and retain employees as the nation experiences near historic lows in the unemployment rate," says Florida Trend Executive Editor Vickie Chachere. "The competition for high-quality talent has never been greater and employees are raising their expectations of their workplaces. Companies that support, elevate and celebrate their employees and are changemakers in creating positive workplace cultures will be the winners in the talent race."

Florida Trend Publisher David Denor adds, "Florida companies continue to lead, and lead by example. This impressive list of companies has not let adversity get in the way. They continue to innovate and step outside the box with critical thinking to ensure the success of not only their internal employees, but their clients as well. These inspirational and visionary companies provide a glimpse into what tomorrow's workplace and workforce will look like. Lessons learned from these industry pioneers span far and wide."

The "Best Companies To Work For In Florida" program is managed by Florida Trend and Workforce Research Group and is endorsed by the HR Florida State Council. Workforce Research Group handled the registration, survey and analysis and determined the final rankings. Check out Florida Trend's list of 100 Best Companies To Work For In Florida online.

Florida Trend business magazine is read by 270,000 business executives, civic leaders and government officials each month. It covers regional and statewide business news, industry executives and the business sectors they represent, as well as Florida's lifestyle, arts and culture scene.

Florida Realtors serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 225,000 members in 51 boards/associations. Florida Realtors Newsroom website is available at http://floridarealtors.org/newsroom.

SOURCE Florida Realtors
Leading global retail payments advisors adds e-commerce veteran

ATLANTA, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CMSPI, leading global payments advisors, today announced the hiring of Amy Andersen as its head of digital strategy. Formerly with Amazon, Andersen has spent two decades in the payments space, including tenures with American Express and GE Capital.

Andersen brings extensive payment product and partnerships experience to the team. Her expertise covers every aspect of payments, from e-commerce, cross-border and B2B payments to card-issuing.

Amy Anderson, Head of Digital Strategy at CMSPI

"Amy's customer-centric approach to digital commerce and cardholder experience will enhance CMSPI's service offerings for omnichannel merchant clients and bolster its engagement within the banking and fraud solution provider communities," said Liz Garner, CMSPI's head of strategic partnerships.

Andersen spent seven years at Amazon, most recently as a senior account manager in charge of payment experience, where she was responsible for developing go-to-market strategies, driving cross-function engagement, and leading an issuer outreach program for Amazon One, a revolutionary identity service and token-based payment method for in-store purchases. In her new role with CMSPI, Andersen will lead cross-industry digital collaboration aimed at improving transaction performance and productivity.

Andersen said she was drawn to CMSPI by its purpose-driven and innovative team.

"What stood out for me about CMSPI as I made my decision to join was not only their rich analytics and insights to help clients navigate the payments space and make more data-informed decisions but also their desire to improve the payments industry overall," Andersen said. "CMSPI has earned deep respect and trust within the payments industry while maintaining independence of thought."

Andersen's arrival comes during a time of exceptional growth for the global company. CMSPI recently announced the addition of a San Diego office to meet the demands of its growing list of West Coast clients.

"It's a fascinating time to work in payments, and I'm thrilled to leverage my extensive e-commerce and digital payments experience to add value to other merchants and industry participants," Andersen said. "With a trusted partner like CMSPI, our clients and partners can focus on the right things at the right time as our team helps them grow sales, prevent fraud and lower overall costs associated with payments."

About CMSPI

CMSPI is an independent data-powered global consultancy that advises clients on improving the productivity of payment arrangements by increasing revenue, reducing costs and minimizing fraud. For more information, visit cmspi.com.

For more information, contact

Emily Snelling

Digital Marketing Manager

[email protected]

SOURCE CMSPI
New name reflects broader expertise, expanded services

DENVER, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortis Warranty today announces that its company name going forward will be FORTIS. Founded in 2003 by industry experts, FORTIS is the only company to offer roof performance solutions that feature extensive initial and ongoing reconditioning for commercial buildings as an alternative to traditional replacement, with long-term performance guarantees that are backed by global leader, Lloyds of London.

"Since our inception nearly 20 years ago, we've come to offer so much more than just a warranty, and our name change reflects that evolution," said Rick Lewis, FORTIS President and CEO. "FORTIS offers a comprehensive range of roof performance management programs that provide financial security, extend the life of our customers' roofs, and make a significant impact on ROI."

"We've come to offer so much more than just a warranty, and our name change reflects that evolution." -- Rick Lewis Tweet this

The new FORTIS branding initiative includes logo design and tagline development that is representative of where FORTIS is today, as well as where it's going in the future. FORTIS has maintained its corporate colors, including an orange and yellow gradient design element showing dynamism or change. The gradient is now seen in an abstract representation of a building, symbolic not only of the architectural asset that FORTIS protects, but also the direction and growth of the company itself. The new tagline encapsulates the expanded and comprehensive offerings by FORTIS, with a promise of "Roof Performance & Financial Certainty, Guaranteed."

FORTIS is currently improving performance and increasing ROI for customers at more than 4,800 locations, with more than 140 million square feet protected, including many Fortune 500 companies that have turned to FORTIS to save money, gain financial certainty, and extend the life of their existing roofs.

Utilizing its unique FORTIS Roof Risk Assessment (FRRA) app with propriety roof scoring algorithm process, third party lab testing, and nearly 20-years of roof system data in its underwriting process, FORTIS has helped customers save more than $500 million in capital roof replacement costs, for an average ROI of over 250%.

"FORTIS helps our customers manage their roof performance," said Dave Schupmann, Chief Operating Officer. "By eliminating unnecessary roof replacement, FORTIS provides our customers a 60 to 70 percent savings on roofing costs. With a downturn in the economy, and at a time when materials and labor have proven to be expensive and in especially short supply, roof performance management is more important than ever. FORTIS just makes good business sense."

ABOUT FORTIS

FORTIS is the only company to offer roof performance solutions that feature extensive initial and ongoing reconditioning for commercial buildings as an alternative to traditional replacement, with long-term performance guarantees that are backed by global leader, Lloyds of London. FORTIS has more than 350 strategic contractor partners, and more than 70 percent of the FORTIS business is from repeat customers with large building portfolios. FORTIS solutions provide a promise of roof performance and financial certainty, guaranteed. These proven solutions save money and reduce capital spending, while providing proven performance, and significant return on investment (ROI). FORTIS works with customers for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments, including Solar Integration, Carbon Credits and more. For more information, visit on the web at www.fortis.us.com or call 720-505-2600.

SOURCE FORTIS
DUBLIN, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "French PPE Growth Opportunities" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The French PPE market was worth 1.3 billion in 2021 and will reach 1.5 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3% from 2021 to 2026.

Stricter safety regulations and increased manufacturing and construction employment will boost growth during the forecast period. Industry feedback shows that the demand for high-quality durable products, comfort, and economical pricing are top consumer preferences.

The most-purchased PPE products in France are hand protection, protective clothing, and foot protection products, which account for 69.7% of the total market revenue. Higher replacement rates and large-scale use of these products as basic protection equipment across diverse industries will contribute to revenue growth.

The French government announced France's Recovery and Resilience Plan in 2021, which will boost the domestic manufacturing industry and generate employment in the country. Other plans, such as Personalised Guidance Towards Employment And Autonomy (PACEA), will help train young workers to join the workforce. Additionally, the government's plan to restore old infrastructures and develop new ones will generate employment in the construction industry and increase the PPE product demand in these end-use industries.

The European Union (EU) passed new regulations (2016/425) in April 2018, which became active in April 2019 and will create higher awareness of risk prevention in manufacturers and consumers, enhance PPE product traceability, and bring safer PPE products to the market.

The French PPE market is highly fragmented, with many local and international companies. Distributors play a major role in the French PPE market and facilitate significant business. Increased competition has caused price pressures and resulted in price reductions by hampering companies' revenue growth.

Local French PPE production is limited, and Asia, North Africa, and Eastern Europe export raw materials and end products into France. Higher labor and production costs have caused lower domestic PPE production.

Connected PPE is an area of interest to French manufacturers, and players are positive about integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud-based technology in their products. For instance, T2S and NOV'IN developed a new AI-based lone worker alert device called Dati Plus, which integrates with the worker's hi-vis PPE. This device sends reliable alerts to the company's other employees if the isolated worker has an accident.

In 2019, a French connected PPE technology provider, Intellinium, collaborated with L'Organisme Professionnel de Prevention du Batiment et des Travaux Publics (OPPBTP), a safety and prevention organization for construction workers in France, to provide Construction 4.0 Smart PPE to prevent and reduce occupational accidents in the construction industry.

This smart PPE combines a worker-mounted safety pod and an equipment/infrastructure-mounted detection pod. The detection pod can detect a potential threat and notify the safety pod about it. This technology can prevent accidents, such as collisions or falls on roads, highways, and construction and forbidden sites and collisions between construction workers.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Strategic Imperatives

Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

The Strategic Imperative

The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the French Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Industry

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

2. Growth Opportunity Analysis

Key Findings

PPE Market Outlook

What Drives the PPE Market?

Scope of Analysis

Segmentation by Product

Segmentation by End-use Industry

Key Competitors

Key Distributors

Growth Metrics

Distribution Channels

Standards and Regulations

New PPE Legislation

New PPE Legislation Timeline

Growth Drivers

Growth Restraints

Forecast Assumptions

Revenue Forecast

Revenue Forecast by Product

Percent Revenue Forecast by Product

Revenue Forecast Analysis

3. Overview of French Population, Industries, and Demography

France - An Overview

- An Overview Unemployment Rate

Industrial Sector Employment Breakdown

France - Employment by Industry

- Employment by Industry France - Industry Overview

- Industry Overview Top Industrial End-user PPE Markets

PPE Requirement and Usage by End-use Industry

4. French PPE Market - Competitive Landscape

Competitive Environment

Competitive Landscape

Partial List of Market Participants by Product Type

5. French PPE Market - Distribution Trends

Distribution Structure

The Distribution Competitive Landscape

6. Growth Opportunity Analysis by Product Type

Forecast by Product Type

Above-the-Neck Protection

Respiratory Protection

Hand Protection (Non-disposable)

Protective Clothing

Foot Protection

Fall Protection

Gas Detection

7. Growth Opportunity Universe

Growth Opportunity 1: Construction and Wind Energy Industries to Generate Demand for PPE Products

Growth Opportunity 2: M&A to Consolidate the Fragmented French PPE Market

Growth Opportunity 3: Partnering with Occupational Safety Bodies to Help Companies Develop More Safety-Compliant PPE Products

Companies Mentioned

Intellinium

L'Organisme Professionnel de Prevention du Batiment et des Travaux Publics (OPPBTP)

NOV'IN

T2S

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gusr3z

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Generation has collaborated with The BlackRock Foundation, McKinsey & Company, Microsoft Corp. and Verizon to successfully tackle global unemployment, placing thousands of people into jobs that have generated more than $140 million in salary income to date

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Generation, the global nonprofit employment network, today announced that it has surpassed the milestone of 25,000 graduates across 16 countries since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, placing thousands of people into jobs and bringing total graduates to 65,000 since it launched more than seven years ago.

With the combined commitment of Generation's Global Jobs Recovery coalition  The BlackRock Foundation, McKinsey & Company, Microsoft Corp., and Verizon  the organization has trained, placed, and supported people of all ages into careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. In these new jobs, the 25,000 pandemic graduates have together already earned more than $140 million in salary income.

"We are thrilled to reach this milestone alongside our collaborators, and we are inspired by the hard work and dedication of the thousands of individuals who have transformed their lives through our programs during the pandemic," said Mona Mourshed, Founding Global CEO of Generation. "We have seen firsthand how, even in remote environments, people can learn new skills, demonstrate talents, and excel in the workplace. But truly inclusive employment still faces many challenges, and we continue to work alongside employers, governments, and practitioners to create opportunities for talented candidates of every race, gender, ethnicity, and educational background."

Notably, while the majority of Generation's programs moved permanently to online or blended delivery during the pandemic, results have remained strong. 74% of graduates have been placed in jobs within 3 months of program completion, rising to 85% within 6 months. They earn 3-4 times the income they had prior to Generation. At one year after job placement, 78% remain employed.

The individuals that Generation serves typically face a variety of challenges before participating in the employment program. 40% have been unemployed for 6 months or longer. For 2020 graduates, only 38% of them report being able to afford daily needs prior to the Generation program whereas 81% of them say they can do so today. They are a diverse group as well. Two-thirds of this group of pandemic graduates has only secondary school education or vocational training, 53% are female, the majority are from underrepresented communities where they live, and more than 30% have dependents.

Per dollar of support Generation has received to date from the Global Jobs Recovery coalition, these 25,000 graduates have generated $2.74 in earnings. The organization expects these graduates to earn an additional $474.5 million through 2027, which means that each dollar of philanthropic support to Generation will have produced $11.85 in five-year earnings for this group.

In late 2020, Generation received a commitment of $77 million in new funding and $50 million in in-kind resources over two years from BlackRock, McKinsey & Company, Microsoft Corp., and Verizon, encompassing cash funding, in-kind resources, and connections to employers in their ecosystems for Generation graduates. To date, this support, alongside that of other national and local funders, has enabled the significant expansion of Generation's collaboration with governments and other workforce partners, globally, supporting the embedding of Generation's approach within large-scale, existing systems.

Generation's work with its partners continues, and the organization expects to have 20,000 graduates in 2022, growing from ~12,000 last year.

Nasira, Generation Graduate and Disability Support Worker, Royal Rehab AFEA Care Services, said:

"When my son was born with Down syndrome, working was out of the question. Shortly after, the pandemic hit, and I felt incredibly useless stuck at home. In the depths of isolation, I received an email about Generation's disability support worker program. The course was fully online  meaning I could complete it around caring for my son. It changed the trajectory of family life forever, providing me with the knowledge to monetise my nurturing tendencies and turn them into a career".

Luciano, Generation Graduate and Programmer, Salesforce, said:

"Generation's facilitation of the digital economy and its mission to provide opportunities for those most affected by the global pandemic is so powerful. Covid's impact on commercial flights and the tourism industry meant that I lost my job right at the start of the pandemic. Before Generation, I was not that familiar with the world of programming , but guided by the placement team, I very soon discovered it was a fascinating field with continuous challenges and opportunities to learn, which very much matches my skill set."

Learn more at generation.org

SOURCE Generation
ST. PAUL, Minn., July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson // Becker, PLLC is a nationwide products liability law firm with experience representing victims of product liability injuries.

Johnson//Becker filed this Complaint on behalf of Priscilla Brown, a resident of Powder Springs, Georgia alleging that her Nutri Ninja blender caused injuries when its plastic container explosively separated from the base and spewed its hot contents onto her.

The Complaint alleges the explosion was the result of the blender pressurizing during use due to frictional energy created by rapidly rotating blades, which also causes a rise in temperature. Unsuspecting consumers have no way of knowing if the contents are at risk of exploding aside from handling the container cup, which immediately exposes them to a possible explosion. Nutri Ninja blenders are "unreasonably dangerous," according to the Complaint against manufacturer SharkNinja, and the company has failed to warn consumers of the risk of blenders overheating or exploding.

This suit is filed by Adam J. Kress of Johnson // Becker, PLLC. Adam exclusively handles injury cases, with an emphasis on national products liability litigation, including cases involving burn injuries from defective products.

Questions about a Nutri Ninja Blender Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker lawyer today for a free case review.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective Nutri Ninja blender, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker. We are actively filing new product liability lawsuits across the country, and you may be entitled to financial compensation for your defective pressure cooker injuries.

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/practice-areas/product-liability/, https://www.johnsonbecker.com/product-liability/ninja-blender-lawsuit/ or contact Johnson // Becker directly at (800) 279-6386.

SOURCE Johnson // Becker, PLLC
SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the back-to-school season approaching, both teachers and students are preparing for a new term. The start of a new school year is a great occasion to upgrade a hairstyle so that people can create a whole new themselves and emerge as focal points. Nadula hair is currently offering the biggest discount over previous years. Everyone can seize this chance to get new back-to-school hairstyles.

Nadula - Invisible HD Lace Wig

Nadula hair, one of the most popular human virgin hair brands, supplies various types of trendy African American hair wigs of different hairstyles, colors, and constructions. To meet the individual needs of global women all around the world, they have designed hundreds of wig products in 12 categories. Nadula promises to provide 100% human hair ready to wear glueless wigs, 360 ponytail wigs, 26 inch straight wigs, and bundles of hair, like loose wave bundles hair, with quality assurance at an affordable price, which is the reason why Nadula has received favor from global women.

For the girls who want to create stunning back-to-school hairstyles, Nadula provides a series of hot items for them to choose from. Headband wigs are always popular on account of the easy installation and affordable price. V part wigs attract much attention for the endless versatility, which can be restyled into any hairstyle according to personal preference and don't need any glue for the installation. When it comes to lace front wigs, they are wonderful to create a realistic hair look. Besides, they also have skunk stripe wigs and other ombre wigs to choose from.

Another good news is that all the products in Nadula mall support Buy Now Pay Later, so that all the customers with a limited budget can also get their favorite wigs.

About Nadula Hair

As a worldwide brand for human hair, Nadula has always been insisting on offering hair wigs and weaves with high standards and reasonable prices all the time. Real and natural hair roots, smooth and soft texture, and dynamic and gorgeous colors are the unique features of Nadula hair products. https://www.nadula.com

Nadula hair

marketing

Nadula Hair

[email protected]

This release was issued through WebWire. For more information, visit http://www.webwire.com.

SOURCE Nadula
DUBLIN, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Airline and Tourism Growth Opportunities" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This study investigates the relationship between popular tourist destinations and the airline agreements of their top carriers, identifying each destination's primary source countries of international tourism.

Europe topped the list of 10 destinations as the most popular tourist region in 2019, with 5 European countries having a footfall of more than 39 million international tourists each.

From the study's analysis, the 10 tourist destinations are found to have undertaken measures and drawn up plans for tourism recovery in their countries. Another key observation indicates that these destinations have a robust aviation network comprising a major full-service carrier (usually the country's flag carrier) and at least one low-cost carrier connecting them with a nearby source country of tourism.



This study found airline agreements to play an essential role in supporting tourism growth. Because airlines monitor tourist activity, most have secured multiple levels of partnerships with airlines from top source countries to capitalize on the booming tourism industry.

This study provides an overview of various airline partnerships, including interline agreements, codeshare agreements, airline alliances, and joint venture agreements.

KEY ISSUES ADDRESSED

What was the pandemic impact on the tourism industry, and what steps have some countries taken for tourism recovery?

Which destinations are the most popular for international tourists?

What are the different airline agreements currently in existence?

How are airlines using their agreements to position themselves in top tourist markets?

Which regions have not fully capitalized on their top source countries of international tourism, and how can airlines utilize this growth opportunity?

Key Topics Covered:

1. Strategic Imperatives

Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

The Strategic Imperative

The Impact of the Top Strategic 3 Imperatives on the Airline and Tourism Industries

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

2. Tourist Destinations

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Global Tourism

Initiatives and Efforts to Improve Tourism

3. Airline Agreements

Introduction and Interline Agreements

Codeshare Agreements

Airline Alliances

Joint Ventures

4. Airline Agreements in Top Tourist Destinations

France

Spain

United States

China

Italy

Turkey

Mexico

Thailand

United Kingdom

United Arab Emirates

5. Growth Opportunity Analysis

Growth Drivers

Growth Drivers Analysis

Growth Restraints

Growth Restraints Analysis

6. Growth Opportunity Universe

Growth Opportunity 1 - Adoption of Managed Virtual Interlining Solutions

Growth Opportunity 2 - Multifaceted Partnership between Air France and easyJet on UK-France Routes

Growth Opportunity 3 - Partnership between Aeromexico and a UK-based Regional Airline

Companies Mentioned

Aeromexico

Air France

easyJet

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/umpsv9

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global and China Passenger Car T-Box Market Report, 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Passenger car T-BOX research: T-Box OEM installation rate will reach 83.5% in China in 2025



Global and China Passenger Car T-Box Market Report 2022 summarizes and analyzes the T-Box installations and installation rates to passenger cars in China and the world, T-Box suppliers, T-Box development trends, and the App remote control function configuration of new models launched by OEMs.



Passenger car T-Box is developing towards:

T-Box OEM installation rate will reach 83.5% in China in 2025;

in 2025; 5G C-V2X T-Box seizes more and more market shares;

Automotive Ethernet is expected to replace CAN bus and FlexRay to become the main connection way of T-Box;

The remote vehicle control by mobile Apps becomes ever smarter (AVP, etc.).

T-Box is mainly used for the communication between vehicle and Internet of Vehicles (IoV) service platform and acts as the core hardware of OEM telematics.



In 2021, 12.94 million passenger cars were installed with T-Box by OEMs in China, a year-on-year increase of 31%; the installation rate hit 60%, up about 10 percentage points from last year. By 2025, over 20 million passenger cars will be equipped with T-Box, and the installation rate will climb to 83.5%, and. T-Box and telematics are growing indispensable to passenger cars.



In 2021, 6.301 million passenger cars of Chinese automakers carried T-Box, a year-on-year spike of 59.9%; 6.634 million passenger cars of joint venture carmakers did so, up 12.9% on a yearly basis. Chinese OEMs make much faster progress in Internet of Vehicles than JV brands.



T-Box installations to passenger cars will keep an uptrend, so will the installation rate, and passenger car Internet of Vehicles will be further popularized, which are contributed by the consumers' robust demand for intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs), the surge in new energy vehicle (NEV) sales, OEMs' needs for FOTA as well as regulatory requirements and other factors.



Top 10 OEMs command 64% market shares



Viewed from the market structure, the top 10 T-Box suppliers in China held 64% market shares together in 2021, with LG, Lanyou Technology and Neusoft at the top. Among them, Lanyou Technology, established in 2002 with DFS Industrial Group holding its 80% stake, mainly supplies T-Box products to Nissan and Dongfeng Motor. Lanyou's T-Box was installed to one million cars in 2021. Also in 2021, Neusoft served 940,000 vehicles, mainly from Geely and Great Wall Motor. Thanks to Great Wall's high sales, Neusoft witnessed fast-growing T-Box installations in 2021.



5G C-V2X T-Box will see the rising market shares



In 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT) granted two 5G T-Box models Network Access License. In 2021, 19 5G T-Box models secured Network Access License, making for 9.3% which jumped 8 percentage points year-on-year. From January to March of 2022, seven 5G T-Box models obtained Network Access License. The number is expected to rise throughout 2022. At present, 4G T-Box still prevails, but it will be gradually replaced by 5G T-Box in the long run.



T-Box vendors are vigorously developing T-Box products that integrate 5G, C-V2X, high-precision positioning and other functional modules to create differentiated advantages. As of March 2022, a total of 25 5G T-Box models had gained Network Access License, including one from Samsung Harman, one from Lear, six from Neusoft, three from Datang Gohigh, two from DIAS, two from Huawei, two from JOYNEXT, two from China Mobile IoT, one from HiRain Technologies, one from Lanyou Technology, one from YF Tech, one from China TSP, one from TAGE, and one from Chelutong Technology (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.



Lanyou Technology mass-produced its 5G C-V2X T-Box in August 2021. Based on 5G, it provides high bandwidth, integrates 5G, C-V2X and centimeter-level positioning, supports 5G only and 5G+V2X dual mode, and enables at least 25 C-V2X application scenarios. Lanyou in harness with Huawei, Qualcomm, MTK, UNISOC and other platforms now boasts 5G T-Box customers such as Dongfeng Voyah, Aeolus, Nissan, and Venucia.



Neusoft's 5G C-V2X T-Box bolsters 16 application scenarios based on three mainstream platforms and V2X national standards, as well as supports 5G NSA/SA communication, L1+L5 GNSS global positioning, Gigabit Ethernet technology, C-V2X communication, CANFD communication, LIN communication, Bluetooth 5.0+ communication, WiFi 6 communication, RKE, TPMS communication and ETC, etc. In 2021, Neusoft's 5G (V2X) BOX were massively available onto New Great Wall Haval H6, ZEEKR 001 and other models.



HiRain Technologies leverages the AP+NAD+MCU architecture for its 5G T-Box, provides multi-platform support (like Qualcomm, MTK), and presents various forms such as stand-alone type, smart antenna type, and multiple communication module integration. Functional interfaces cover 5G SA/NSA, C-V2X, CAN/CANFD, Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band GNSS, WiFi6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB, etc., and can also integrate TPMS, ETC, swap control, Bluetooth key (scalable UWB) and the like. For intelligent driving, centimeter-level positioning, parking lot/vehicle AVP, 10 Gigabit Ethernet high-speed channels and other services are available. Mass production for Dongfeng Voyah and other models has been achieved.



Some companies are also developing T-Box products that support 5G C-V2X. For example, the 5G T-Box being developed by Flaircomm Microelectronics will be compatible with mainstream 5G SOC solutions at home and abroad, and support SA/NSA networking technology, 5G V2X technology, centimeter-level positioning, Gigabit Automotive Ethernet and CAN FD bus technology.



Meanwhile, OEMs have begun to mount 5G C-V2X technology on more and more new models. For instance, SAIC Marvel R is equipped with 5G V2X i-BOX, a fusion of 5G, V2X and high-precision positioning; GAC Aion V, outfitted with Huawei MH5000 5G Module, features a 100M transmission channel and enables intelligent driving with C-V2X.



Automotive Ethernet is expected to replace CAN bus and FlexRay to become the main connection method of T-Box



New automotive functions (such as automated parking system, lane departure detection system, blind spot detection and advanced infotainment system) pose higher requirements on new data bus transmission.



With the release of the new Ethernet protocol in 2021, automotive Ethernet is expected to substitute for CAN bus and FlexRay and be the main connection method of T-Box by virtue of its low cost, low power consumption, low electromagnetic radiation, and strong scalability, thus speeding up updates and calibrations of firmware and software remarkably while reducing downtime caused by vehicle system updates. BMW and GM have confirmed that they will replace the CAN bus with 10BASE-T1S in their next-generation cars.



To date, the T-Box products of leading Chinese players (Lanyou Technology, Neusoft, Flaircomm Microelectronics, HiRain Technologies, etc.) have integrated Gigabit Ethernet to efficiently handle a universe of data from intelligent connected vehicle in the future.



Key Topics Covered:



1 T-Box

1.1 Definition and Functions

1.2 System Architecture and Remote Vehicle Control Business

1.3 Industry Chain

1.4 Summary of T-Box (Telematics) Policies

1.5 Development Trends (I)

1.5.1 5G C-V2X T-Box Layout of Major Suppliers

1.5.2 Installation of OEM 5G T-Box

1.6 Development Trends (II)

1.7 Development Trends (III)

1.8 Development Trends (IV)

1.9 Development Trends (V)



2 Global and China Passenger Car T-Box Market

2.1 Global Passenger Car T-Box Market

2.1.1 Global T-Box Installations in Passenger Cars, 2020-2025E

2.1.2 Comparison of Global Passenger Car T-Box Vendors: Company Scale and Customers

2.1.2 Comparison of Global Passenger Car T-Box Vendors: T-Box Functions (5G, V2X, High Precision Positioning, Safety, etc.)

2.2 China Passenger Car T-Box Market

2.2.1 Chinese Passenger Car T-Box Vendors and Products

2.2.2 T-Box Products with Network Access Licenses Issued in 2020

2.2.3 T-Box Products with Network Access Licenses Issued in 2021

2.2.4 T-Box Products with Network Access Licenses Issued in 2022

2.2.5 T-Box Installations in Passenger Cars in China, 2020-2025E

2.2.6 Structure of T-Box Installations in Passenger Cars in China in 2021: By TOP15 Vendors, Fuel Type, Country, Brand, Model, Price

2.2.7 Comparison of Major T-Box Vendors in China: Company Scale & Customers, T-Box Features (5G, V2X, High Precision Positioning, Safety, etc.)



3 Summary of Remote Control Functions Configured on New Models of Major OEMs in China

3.1 Comparison of Remote Control Functions between Major OEMs

3.1.1 Comparison of Remote Control Functions between Chinese Brands (Typical Models Launched during 2020-2022)

3.1.2 Comparison of Remote Control Functions between Emerging Carmakers (Typical Models Launched during 2020-2022)

3.1.3 Comparison of Remote Control Functions between Joint Venture Brands (Typical Models Launched during 2020-2022)

3.2 Comparison of Remote Control Functions between Chinese Brands (Typical Models Launched during 2020-2022)

3.2.1 BAIC: ARCFOX

3.2.2 BAIC: BEIJING

3.2.3 GAC: Aion

3.2.4 GAC: Trumpchi

3.2.5 Geely

3.2.6 Great Wall Motor: WEY

3.2.7 Great Wall Motor: Haval

3.2.8 Changan Automobile

3.2.9 BYD

3.2.10 ROEWE

3.3 Comparison of Remote Control Functions between Emerging Carmakers (Typical Models Launched during 2020-2022)

3.3.1 Xpeng Motors

3.3.2 NIO

3.3.3 WM Motor

3.3.4 Li Auto

3.3.5 AITO

3.3.6 AIWAYS

3.3.7 HiPhi

3.3.8 Voyah

3.3.9 Leapmotor

3.3.10 NETA

3.4 Comparison of Remote Control Functions between Joint Venture Brands (Typical Models Launched during 2020-2022)

3.4.1 BMW Brilliance

3.4.2 Beijing Benz

3.4.3 SAIC-GM: Buick

3.4.4 SAIC-GM: Cadillac

3.4.5 SAIC-GM: Chevrolet

3.4.6 Tesla

3.4.7 SAIC Volkswagen

3.4.8 Volvo

3.4.9 FAW-Volkswagen Audi

3.4.10 Dongfeng Nissan



4 Major Global T-Box Vendors

4.1 LG Electronics

4.1.1 Profile

4.1.2 Main Automotive Components and Revenue from Them

4.1.3 T-Box Product Features and Customers

4.1.4 Dynamics in 5G T-Box

4.2 Denso

4.3 Continental

4.4 Valeo

4.5 Harman

4.6 Visteon

4.7 Bosch

4.8 Ficosa



5 Major Chinese T-Box Vendors

5.1 LAN-YOU Technology

5.1.1 Profile

5.1.2 Vehicle Intelligent Terminal Integrated Solutions

5.1.3 4G/5G T-Box Products

5.1.4 Specifications of 4G/5G T-Box Products

5.1.5 T-Box Automaker Customers

5.2 Hirain Technologies

5.3 Flaircomm Microelectronics

5.4 Neusoft

5.5 THREAD

5.6 Huawei

5.7 Desay SV

5.8 Shanghai Changxing Software

5.9 ECARX

5.10 Gosuncn

5.11 INTEST

5.12 JOYNEXT

5.13 PATEO

5.14 BICV

5.15 SOLING

5.16 Hopechart

5.17 Yaxon Network

5.18 Yuwei Information &Technology

5.19 Unicom Continental Intelligent Transportation Technology (UCIT)

5.20 Honghu Technology

5.21 SiRun

5.22 iGentAI

5.23 Shenzhen SOFAR Communication

5.24 Sinocastel

5.25 Yunka Intelligent

52.6 VanJee Technology

5.27 China Mobile IoT

5.28 Quectel

5.29 MediaTek

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hdy2zb

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

SOURCE Research and Markets
JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gold and GemStone Mining, Inc. (OTC: GGSM); "the Company"), a leader in chartering to the World-Famous Mentawai Island and Beyond, Posts Positive Revenues poised for further growth as world travel to Indonesia opens for business.

The Company is highlighting significant achievements solidifying its strong foundation for growth in the coming year.

"We are very pleased with the performance of the Company through the pandemic." stated Volha Zvalinskaya, GGSM, President. "We continue to build a solid base of recurring revenue by issuing Visas, accommodations, and charter boat services into the World class surfing area of the Mentawai Islands. This is due to Company's CEO and CFO, Rudi Khelces, team hard work and determination to offer Clients charters to uncrowded beaches, marine and remote high-quality surfing waves, and providing an unforgettable experience."

Key Highlights April 30, 2022, Quarterly report, Company's Net income increased 43.29% to $2,320,641 from $1,619,530 in the April 30, 2021 Quarterly report, and assets grew to $5,201,804, an increase of 1452% compared to April 30, 2021.

GGSM anticipates further growth ahead with the world reopening as travelers chase the full excitement/exhilaration of the charter services and leisure boating vacation experience, immersing themselves in warm-weather remote uncrowded activities to beaches and marine and high-quality surfing. The GGSM management team is reviewing new opportunities and strategic partnerships while growing a proven business model for continued long-term growth and profitability.

ABOUT GGSM CORPORATION

GGSM is a publicly-traded company, engaged in the charter boat business in the Mentawai Islands and Beyond. The Kuda Laut's charter vessel is a Mentawai Surf Charter vessel to the World-Famous Mentawai Islands. The Kuda Laut has been chartering to the Mentawai, Telos, Nias, and Banyak Islands for over 25 seasons. From the Lagundri Bay in Nias, the Hinakos, the Bay of Plenty in the Banyaks, the Telos long rights, and the famous waves in the Mentawai, such as Rifles. No Kandui, Ebay, etc., in the Playground, to telescopes, Bintang, Lances Right.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "believes," "expects," "potential," "plans," "suggests," "may," "should," "could," "intends," or similar expressions. Many forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to continue to enhance our products and systems to address industry changes, our ability to expand our customer base and retain existing customers, our ability to effectively compete in our market segment, the lack of public information on our Company, our ability to raise sufficient capital to fund our business, operations, our ability to continue as a going concern, and a limited public market for our common stock, among other risks. Many factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

For More Information, visit https://ggsmglobal.com

Gold and Gemstone Mining, Inc., Investor Relations

SOURCE Gold and Gemstone Mining, Inc.
Accomplished Global Biopharma Executive Possesses Broad Leadership Experience

Spanning Executive Management and Corporate Development

Company to Draw Upon His Oncology Expertise as it Advances Toward Clinic with Lead

Development Candidate

MELBOURNE, Australia and OXFORD, England, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Grey Wolf Therapeutics, a biotechnology company generating entirely novel immune responses through targeted neoantigen creation, today announced the appointment of Brett Carter as a Non-Executive Director to the board of its Australian subsidiary. Mr. Carter brings more than 20 years of global biopharmaceutical industry experience highlighted by successfully leading cancer-focused biotechnology organizations, as well as successfully structuring and negotiating large licensing, acquisition, and financing transactions. Notably, he has deep expertise in the area of oncology, as well as a strong network within the Australian life sciences community, both of which will offer value to Grey Wolf as it advances its lead development candidate toward first-in-human clinical trials in Australia.

Mr. Carter previously served as chief executive officer of Australia's Cancer Therapeutics Cooperative Research Centre (now Canthera Discovery). During his tenure with Cancer Therapeutics he is credited with licensing two of the group's oncology programs to Pfizer in a deal valued at up to $670 million. He continues to play a significant role within the Australian life sciences community, serving as a strategic advisor to several biotechnology organizations. Prior to returning to his native Australia, Mr. Carter held several roles with GSK in London over an 11-year period, rising to Director within their global corporate transactions team. In this position, he was responsible for structuring and negotiating major pharmaceutical licensing, acquisition, investment, and divestment deals across Europe, Asia and the United States. Mr. Carter has an MBA from London Business School and a BSc from RMIT University, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

"Brett has a broad life science industry skillset with specific expertise in building and leading cancer-focused drug discovery and development organizations, as well as structuring large M&A deals designed to support the growth of those companies, particularly in the area of oncology," said Peter Joyce, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Grey Wolf Therapeutics. "He is also a well-connected and highly regarded member of the Australian life science industry, with a deep understanding of its ecosystem. We expect that his connections to key thought-leaders and institutions within Australia will prove particularly valuable as we work to initiate our first clinical trial of our lead drug candidate, GRWD5769, in Australia."

"The pioneering immuno-oncology platform that is being advanced by the Grey Wolf team holds great potential in advancing the field of cancer therapy and I am excited to have the opportunity to draw upon my experience in this field and offer my perspective to the team," said Mr. Carter. "In recent years, I have had the opportunity to witness the evolution of the immuno-oncology space firsthand. Grey Wolf's proprietary technology that results in mobilising a novel and differentiated T cell response against the tumour to bypass the problem of T cell exhaustion, is one of the most unique and exciting approaches that I have seen. I look forward to supporting the continued advancement of the platform as a member of the company's Australian subsidiary board."

Grey Wolf Therapeutics' first-of-its-kind immuno-oncology approach is centered on generating a novel immune response against the tumour that circumvents a key resistance mechanism to current immuno-oncology therapy, specifically T cell exhaustion. This is achieved through targeted inhibition of the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidases (ERAP1 or ERAP2), driving the generation and presentation of novel and potent neoantigens to the surface of tumour cells hence eliciting a de novo T cell response against the cancer.

About Grey Wolf Therapeutics

Grey Wolf Therapeutics is a UK and Australian based drug discovery and development biotechnology company spearheading a new therapeutic approach in immuno-oncology. The company's first-of-its-kind immuno-oncology approach is centered on inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidases (ERAP1 or ERAP2) which play a key role in the antigen presentation pathway. Inhibiting ERAP1 or ERAP2 generates novel neoantigens and upregulates certain neoantigens, resulting in the mobilisation of an entirely novel T cell response against the tumour and bypassing the challenge of T cell exhaustion. Based on this approach, the company is developing a portfolio of first-in-class small molecules that inhibit ERAP1 or ERAP2. The company's lead development candidate, GRWD5769, is a potent and selective ERAP1 inhibitor intended to elicit a powerful and differentiated immune response against the tumour and it is expected to enter the clinic in Q4 2022/Q1 2023 subject to ethics and regulatory approval. A second program, focused on ERAP2 inhibition, is advancing through the discovery process.

For more information, please visit: www.greywolftherapeutics.com

Contacts:

Grey Wolf Therapeutics

Peter Joyce

Chief Executive Officer

+44 (0) 01865 292 038

[email protected]

Vida Strategic Partners (on behalf of Grey Wolf Therapeutics)

Tim Brons (Media)

415-675-7402

[email protected]

SOURCE Grey Wolf Therapeutics
Get a comprehensive report summary describing the heparin market size and forecast along with research methodology. The sample report is available in PDF format

Heparin Market 2021-2025: Scope

The heparin market report covers the following areas:

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Heparin Market 2021-2025: Driver and Challenge

The increasing prevalence of coagulation disorders is driving the growth of the heparin market. Some of the common coagulation disorders include Von Willebrand disease, hemophilia, deep venous thrombosis, hypercoagulable states, and clotting factor deficiencies. The increasing prevalence of these coagulation disorders needs continuous monitoring for further medical interventions. Furthermore, physicians recommend coagulation tests during major surgeries.

The side effects of heparin will challenge the growth of the heparin market. Bleeding is the main side effect of heparin. Other adverse effects include heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, heparin-associated osteoporosis, skin reactions, eosinophilia, and allergic reactions. Among these, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and osteoporosis are the most common. Hence, the use of heparin is decreasing due to its side effects. Moreover, the increasing awareness about the side effects of heparin will hamper the growth of the global heparin market.

Heparin Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

Product

Low-molecular-weight Heparin: The low-molecular-weight heparin segment will contribute the highest market share growth during the forecast period. The adoption of low-molecular-weight heparin products is expected to grow during the forecast period owing to their advantages and efficacy and wide availability.



Others

Geography

Europe : Europe will account for 37% of the growth of the market during the forecast period. The rising prevalence of obesity and smoking and the high consumption of alcohol will drive the growth of the heparin market in the region during the forecast period. The UK, Germany , and France are the key countries for the heparin market in Europe . Moreover, market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of other regions.

: will account for 37% of the growth of the market during the forecast period. The rising prevalence of obesity and smoking and the high consumption of alcohol will drive the growth of the heparin market in the region during the forecast period. The UK, , and are the key countries for the heparin market in . Moreover, market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of other regions.

North America



Asia



ROW

Heparin Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist heparin market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the heparin market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the heparin market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of the heparin market vendors

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Heparin Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.06% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 2.29 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 5.75 Regional analysis Europe, North America, Asia, and ROW Performing market contribution Europe at 37% Key consumer countries US, UK, Germany, China, and France Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd., Baxter International Inc., Eisai Co. Ltd., Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA, Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc, Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi SA, Nanjing Kingfriend Biochemical Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Sanofi SA, and Viatris Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact 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

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 01: Parent market



Exhibit 02: Market characteristics

2.2 Value chain analysis

Exhibit 03: Value chain analysis: Pharmaceuticals

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 04: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 05: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2020

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Exhibit 06: Global - Market size and forecast 2020 - 2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 07: Global market: Year-over-year growth 2020 - 2025 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces analysis

Exhibit 08: Five forces analysis 2020 & 2025

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 09: Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 10: Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 11: Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 12: Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 13: Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 14: Market condition - Five forces 2020

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 15: Product - Market share 2020-2025 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 16: Comparison by Product

5.3 Low-molecular-weight heparin - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 17: Low-molecular-weight heparin - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

5.4 Low-molecular-weight heparin

Exhibit 18: Low-molecular-weight heparin - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.5 Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 19: Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 20: Others - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.6 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 21: Market opportunity by Product

6 Market Segmentation by Route of administration

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 22: Route of administration - Market share 2020-2025 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Route of administration

Exhibit 23: Comparison by Route of administration

6.3 Subcutaneous injection - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 24: Subcutaneous injection - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 25: Subcutaneous injection - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

6.4 Intravenous/infusion - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 26: Intravenous/infusion - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 27: Intravenous/infusion - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Route of administration

Exhibit 28: Market opportunity by Route of administration

7 Customer landscape

7.1 Customer landscape

Exhibit 29: Customer landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

8.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 30: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%)

8.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 31: Geographic comparison

8.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 32: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 33: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 34: North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 35: North America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 36: Asia - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 37: Asia - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.6 ROW - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 38: ROW - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: ROW - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.7 Key leading countries

Exhibit 40: Key leading countries

8.8 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 41: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

Exhibit 42: Impact of drivers and challenges

9.3 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

Exhibit 43: Vendor landscape

10.2 Landscape disruption

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 46: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 47: Market positioning of vendors

11.3 Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.

Exhibit 48: Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 49: Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 50: Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.- Key news



Exhibit 51: Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 52: Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. - Segment focus

11.4 Baxter International Inc.

Exhibit 53: Baxter International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 54: Baxter International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 55: Baxter International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 56: Baxter International Inc. - Segment focus

11.5 Eisai Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 57: Eisai Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 58: Eisai Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 59: Eisai Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 60: Eisai Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

11.6 Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA

Exhibit 61: Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA - Overview



Exhibit 62: Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA - Business segments



Exhibit 63: Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA - Key offerings



Exhibit 64: Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA - Segment focus

11.7 Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc

Exhibit 65: Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc - Overview



Exhibit 66: Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 67: Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc - Key news



Exhibit 68: Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 69: Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc - Segment focus

11.8 Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi SA

Exhibit 70: Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi SA - Overview



Exhibit 71: Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi SA - Business segments



Exhibit 72: Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 73: Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi SA - Segment focus

11.9 Nanjing Kingfriend Biochemical Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 74: Nanjing Kingfriend Biochemical Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 75: Nanjing Kingfriend Biochemical Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. - Product and service



Exhibit 76: Nanjing Kingfriend Biochemical Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

11.10 Pfizer Inc.

Exhibit 77: Pfizer Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 78: Pfizer Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 79: Pfizer Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 80: Pfizer Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 81: Pfizer Inc. - Segment focus

11.11 Sanofi SA

Exhibit 82: Sanofi SA - Overview



Exhibit 83: Sanofi SA - Business segments



Exhibit 84: Sanofi SA.- Key news



Exhibit 85: Sanofi SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 86: Sanofi SA - Segment focus

11.12 Viatris Inc.

Exhibit 87: Viatris Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 88: Viatris Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 89: Viatris Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 90: Viatris Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 91: Viatris Inc. - Segment focus

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 92: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.3 Research methodology

Exhibit 93: Research Methodology



Exhibit 94: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 95: Information sources

12.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 96: List of abbreviations

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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 across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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DUBLIN, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Household Food Storage Containers - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Valued to be $31.1 Billion by 2026, Household Food Storage Containers Slated for Robust Growth Worldwide

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Household Food Storage Containers estimated at US$24.8 Billion in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of US$31.1 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% over the analysis period.

The global market is growing at a brisk pace due to interplay of favorable factors like robust household demand, rapid urbanization, rising consumption of packaged foods and increasing disposable income. The market growth is augmented by rising share of women in working population, changing lifestyles and increasing number of double-income families.



Factors such as busy lifestyles, particularly in developed countries, are prompting customers to opt for quality containers to maintain food quality and reduce wastage. Consumers are increasingly opting for high-quality, micro able, airtight, leak-proof, and aesthetically appealing household food storage containers, driving manufacturers to focus on evolving consumer preferences.

Growing demand for food containers to store ready-to-eat meals, convenience foods, cake mixes, frozen dinners, desserts and snacks is prompting manufacturers to push up production capacities. In addition, availability of a broad range of product options coupled with continuous expansion of the application scope is slated to open new growth avenues for household food storage containers.

The food container market is led by the rigid packaging segment that claims the major share and is likely to maintain its strong position over the coming years. High uptake of rigid packaging is attributed to superior barrier qualities, impact strength and stiffness of the packaging option. Rigid food storage containers boast an extended lifespan and are gaining from strong demand for packaged food items owing to rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles.

Rigid packaging is set to benefit from continuous expansion of the beverage industry that is dominated by energy drinks and alcoholic beverages. On the other side, the flexible packaging segment is estimated to post the fastest growth due to increasing demand for thin-film packaging that presents an effective protective medium to extend shelf life of various processed foods in the nutritional domain.



The food container market is witnessing high demand for bags and pouches. These container options are gaining from their compelling merits like convenience, portability, visual appeal and effective freshness protection. Bags and pouches are anticipated to witness new growth avenues owing to their benefits like impressive branding opportunities and product differentiation.

By function, the household food storage container market is dominated by the storage segment due to increasing need to preserve food items to allow their use for extended periods.

In terms of purpose, the market is led by the airtight container category. The segment is gaining from rising demand for leakage-proof food storage containers intended to protect food from spoilage.

By shape, the square format remains the primary option and is highly popular in Asia-Pacific due to more convenient manufacturing process in comparison to other container shapes.

By appearance, the household food storage container market is led by the transparent format as it is free-from chemicals and holds a strong visual appeal.



Select Competitors (Total 82 Featured):

Accent-Fairchild

Newell Brands

S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

Sterilite Corporation

The Clorox Company

Tupperware Brands Corporation

Vacuvita Products B.V.

Key Topics Covered:



I. METHODOLOGY



II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



1. MARKET OVERVIEW

2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS



3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Food Containers Keep Frozen Foods Tasty and Safe

Food Consumption Patterns to Influence Market Prospects

Snacking Culture Pushes Up Demand

E-Commerce Leads to Boom in Food Storage Containers Market

Advent of Advanced Food Storage, Processing, and Preservation Techniques Minimize Risks Pertaining to Food Wastage and Loss

Introduction of Advanced Technologies Fuel Demand for Food Storage Containers

Increasing Environment Degradation Concerns Propel Demand for Sustainable Food Storage Containers

Demand for Eco-friendly and Compact Food Storage Containers Witnesses a Surge

Introduction of Stringent Guidelines for Curtailing Plastics Use Propel Demand for Sustainable Food Storage Units

Upsides of Plastic-based Food Storage Containers

Plastic Food Containers Mired Under Safety Concerns

Concerns over Plastic Pollution Throw Spotlight on Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Food Storage Containers

Average Time Taken for Different Packaging Solutions to Breakdown in the Environment

Strict Government Regulations Drive Growth in Eco-Friendly Food Storage Containers Market

Potential Adverse Effects of Chemicals Used in Food Packaging on Human Health

Glass vs. Plastic Food Storage Containers: Outperforming One Another in Specific Areas

Favorable Demographic & Economic Trends Strengthen Market Prospects

4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE



III. MARKET ANALYSIS



IV. COMPETITION

Companies Mentioned

Accent-Fairchild

Newell Brands

S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

Sterilite Corporation

The Clorox Company

Tupperware Brands Corporation

Vacuvita Products B.V.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/e1wmnm

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Research and Markets

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[email protected]

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With 30 years of experience in the HR space, Brown will provide insights to help tackle substance misuse in the U.S. workforce

MINNETONKA, Minn., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Verde Environmental Technologies Inc., maker of the Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal System, welcomes Allison Brown to its Advisory Council.

Founder of Health e(fx)  a solutions provider that helps employers with ACA compliance  Brown has 30 years of experience in the human resources space and is a nationally recognized health reform expert. Her past roles include director of employee services, health and welfare, benefits and payroll at Regis Corporation. Brown has also previously served as a market consultant to Verde and advised on the human resources space.

Formed in 2018, the Deterra Advisory Council works to educate policymakers and the public about the need for proper safe drug deactivation and disposal while touting the benefits of the Deterra Drug Deactivation System for convenient, permanent destruction of leftover prescription drugs. Advisory Council members bring a wealth of experience in substance misuse prevention and drug disposal policy to inform Deterra's mission.

Other Advisory Council members are:

William F. Alden : chairman of the board of directors of the DEA Educational Foundation; retired deputy director of DARE America; former chief of Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Office of Congressional and Public Affairs

: chairman of the board of directors of the DEA Educational Foundation; retired deputy director of DARE America; former chief of Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Office of Congressional and Public Affairs The Honorable Mary Bono: former U.S. Representative of California ; chairman and CEO of Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse; chairman of the board of CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America)

; chairman and CEO of Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse; chairman of the board of CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) Major General Arthur T. Dean (Ret.): chairman of the board of directors of CADCA; retired chairman and CEO of CADCA

(Ret.): chairman of the board of directors of CADCA; retired chairman and CEO of CADCA Steve Murphy : Retired special agent in charge with the DEA; inspiration for the Netflix's hit Narcos

"Allison brings a vital perspective on drug misuse in today's workforce," said Jason Sundby, chairman and CEO of Verde Environmental Technologies Inc. "With her expertise and guidance, we are excited to find new ways that Deterra can help improve the well-being of our nation's workforce."

"As an Advisory Council member, I will counsel Verde on the benefits and HR space and advocate for the company in that sphere. Substance misuse happens both on and off the clock and impacts employers and employees alike," said Brown. "Many companies still believe this isn't a problem for their workers, even though studies show 75% of people struggling with misuse are employed in the U.S. workforce. With the rise in drug overdoses in recent years and negative impacts on employee mental health and well-being, it is even more critical that employers are knowledgeable on these issues and provide their employees with education, support and prevention tools, like Deterra."

About Verde Environmental Technologies Inc.

Minneapolis-based Verde Environmental Technologies Inc., is a privately-owned company committed to developing research-based, scientifically proven solutions to reduce drug abuse, misuse, and negative environmental impact. The patented Deterra Drug Deactivation System is powered by activated carbon and is highly effective in adsorbing and firmly binding drugs, rendering them inert, unavailable for misuse and safe for the environment. For more information about Deterra System, visit DeterraSystem.com and follow Deterra on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.

SOURCE Verde Technologies
CHICAGO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HVAC controls market size is estimated to be USD 17.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 26.7 billion by 2027; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2022 to 2027, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth of this market can be attributed to the boom in the construction sector, the increased adoption of HVAC controls, benefits offered by IoT-enabled HVAC systems, and rising demand for energy-efficient HVAC systems in buildings and building automation systems (BAS).

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Browse in-depth TOC on "HVAC Controls Market"

197  Tables

62  Figures

246  Pages

The HVAC controls market includes major Tier I and II players like Honeywell International Inc. (US), Johnson Controls (US), Siemens (Germany), Carrier (US), Emerson Electric Co. (US) and others. These players have a strong market presence for HVAC controls across various countries in North America, Europe, APAC, and RoW.

Increasing government initiatives for sustainable and energy-efficient HVAC systems

Conventional HVAC systems use fossil fuels such as natural gas, LPG, kerosene, and fuel oil for boilers and space heaters. For air conditioning and cooling, different variants of hydrofluorocarbons such as R-410A, R-32, and R-134A are used, which have an impact on ozone layer depletion. Governments are executing policies on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by incentivizing sustainable technologies for new HVAC implementations as the reduction in carbon emissions can reduce its impact on climate change. The primary step is to implement energy-efficient HVAC systems such that the energy consumption by these systems is reduced.

Controllers and controlled equipment is expected to hold the highest market share during the forecast period

Controllers and controlled equipment are expected to hold the highest market share from 2022 to 2027. Most HVAC control systems are monitored using control valves for regulating steam or hot/chilled water flows as the means of trimming heat transfer; therefore, control valves are selected based on their size. In July 2021, Warren Controls, a leading manufacturer of control valves and specialty fluid handling products, announced its two and three-way electrically actuated HVAC/BAC control valves, designed for domestic use and to assist in the transport of low-pressure steam or hot/cold water within a building for temperature regulation.

Integrated control system to hold the highest CAGR of HVAC controls market during the forecast period

The HVAC controls market for integrated control systems is expected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2022 and 2027. Integrated control systems are finding more use cases across smart homes. Currently, there are 175 million households in the world, equipped with smart technologies and the number is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. This will enhance the market for smart HVAC, which includes smart thermostats, smart vents, smart humidifiers, and others. With the demand for smart homes growing, collaborations between HVAC providers and IoT industries are predicted to become the norm in the coming years.

Commercial applications to hold the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The commercial application segment is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. The rise in the construction of smart and green buildings has resulted in the increased use of smart sensors and HVAC control equipment such as programmable thermostats, saving a significant amount of energy in these buildings. The applications of HVAC controls in commercial buildings ensure switching on/off the HVAC equipment in a particular area, depending on its occupancy. In a huge commercial complex, all areas are not constantly occupied by several people; HVAC controls play an important role in sensing the number of occupants in the area to assure the efficient use of energy.

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HVAC controls market in APAC to hold the highest market share during the forecast period

APAC is expected to lead the global HVAC controls market. China held the largest size of the HVAC controls market in APAC in 2021. In February 2021, Carrier China signed a contract worth USD 17 million (RMB 100 million) with China Eastern Airlines Investment Co., Ltd. (CES Investment) to provide XCT7 variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems for commercial offices and residential projects throughout China. The contract is one of the largest single VRF contracts that Carrier has ever signed, representing a new milestone for Carrier Chinas Light Commercial business.

Honeywell International Inc. (US), Johnson Controls (US), Siemens (Germany), Carrier (US), Emerson Electric Co. (US), Schneider Electric (France), Trane Technologies plc, (US), DAIKIN INDUSTRIES (Japan), Delta Controls (Canada), Distech Controls (Canada), Danfoss (Denmark), Lennox (US), Fr. Sauter AG (Switzerland), LG Electronics (South Korea), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), KMC Controls (US), Jackson Systems & Supply (US), Astronics Corporation (US), OJ Electronics A/S (Denmark), Regin (Sweden), Azbil Corporation (Japan), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Computrols, Inc (US), Cubic Sensor and Instrument Co., Ltd. (China), and Reliable Controls Corporation (Canada) are among the many players in the HVAC controls market.

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The collaboration equips brand and agency ad buyers with added transparency for display and video ad formats in mobile gaming environments

NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Integral Ad Science (Nasdaq: IAS), a leader in digital media quality, today announced a partnership with Anzu, an in-game advertising leader. This partnership enables global brands and agencies to effectively monitor the quality of their in-game media investments in mobile gaming environments. Through this collaboration, IAS provides advertisers with Invalid Traffic (IVT) measurement and reports on Viewability through the IAS Signal platform.

The collaboration equips brand and agency ad buyers with added transparency for display and video ad formats in mobile gaming environments

"Gaming continues to emerge as a medium with broad appeal and growing reach. By partnering with Anzu, we now deliver in-game measurement and transparency for advertisers within gaming environments," said Tom Sharma, Chief Product Officer of IAS. "This integration sets the platform for quality standards within ad-supported gaming and allows advertisers to better understand and control the quality of their media on Anzu."

In-game environments have posed various challenges for verification measurement throughout the ad tech industry, such as multiple forms of device types, game developers, and platforms, all of which make it difficult to use a single tech suite for verification coverage. This strategic collaboration further delivers ad transparency into mobile gaming environments, continuing IAS's progress related to in-game brand safety, suitability, IVT, and viewability measurement everywhere in the digital advertising ecosystem.

"Anzu's new partnership with IAS is the next step in standardizing in-game viewability and performance in the mobile gaming industry, which is projected to reach $136 billion worldwide this year," said Itamar Benedy, Co-Founder and CEO of Anzu. "This new partnership means advertisers can now get enhanced visibility into the effectiveness of their campaigns. This further strengthens the already robust metrics and reporting advertisers benefit from when running in-game ad campaigns with Anzu."

"This important measurement advancement will help accelerate advertisers' ability to scale their in-game media investments by further demonstrating the high performance of the Anzu platform," said Joe Cady, EVP Advanced Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal. "We are excited to see Anzu and IAS partner to expand insights and streamline measurement operations for marketers as they evaluate their in-game media effectiveness."

For more information, visit https://integralads.com/.

Contacts

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About Integral Ad Science

Integral Ad Science (IAS) is a global leader in digital media quality. IAS makes every impression count, ensuring that ads are viewable by real people, in safe and suitable environments, activating contextual targeting, and driving supply path optimization. Our mission is to be the global benchmark for trust and transparency in digital media quality for the world's leading brands, publishers, and platforms. We do this through data-driven technologies with actionable real-time signals and insight. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in New York, IAS works with thousands of top advertisers and premium publishers worldwide. For more information, visit integralads.com.

About Anzu

Anzu is the world's most advanced in-game advertising solution. Available across mobile, PC, console, and Roblox, Anzu's blended in-game ads put players first and help the world's biggest advertisers, including American Eagle, PepsiCo, and Vodafone, reach audiences in a non-disruptive and highly engaging way. Anzu also helps leading game studios like Ubisoft and Saber Interactive monetize their titles with ad placements that complement the gameplay, resulting in reliable revenue streams. Backed by WPP, Sony Innovation Fund, NBCUniversal, HTC, and other prominent investors, Anzu has raised $37M to make advertising in games better. Better for brands, better for game developers, and better for gamers. Learn more at https://www.anzu.io/.

SOURCE Integral Ad Science, Inc.
New partnership aims to increase income for 100,000 Ivorian cocoa producers

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IDH - The Sustainable Trade Initiative and the Conseil du Cafe-Cacao started Cocoaperation. Through this new partnership they support the transition of cocoa farming towards a viable business activity for as many as possible cocoa farming families in Cote d'Ivoire. As the world's largest cocoa producer, Cote d'Ivoire holds nearly one million smallholder cocoa farmers; a quarter of the Ivorian population is directly or indirectly dependent on cocoa for their livelihood and income. Shockingly, only around eight percent of cocoa farmers earn a living income. Within Cocoaperation, IDH and the Conseil will mobilise cocoa traders, chocolate manufacturers and financial institutions to cooperate and align their activities. By working together cocoa farmers are enabled to make the transition to more profitable and resilient farming activities.

Cocoaperation is part of the IDH Living Income Roadmap and will link cocoa producers and their cooperatives with financial institutions, cocoa traders and other partners in the cocoa value chain. IDH and the Conseil du Cafe-Cacao aspire to increase the incomes of at least 100,000 cocoa producers before the end of 2025. They do this by promoting investment in cocoa farms to transform them into more profitable and resilient agricultural businesses. The provision of credit and other financial services should be aligned with the right input supplies, farm advise and access to reliable markets. Cooperatives have an important role to play as service provider to their farmers and where necessary, partners in Cocoaperation will support their development.

Funding millions

The Conseil and IDH will co-chair a Cocoaperation platform of cocoa sector players. Furthermore, the 2.5 million of IDH co-funding for innovation and scaling will facilitate viable improvements in cocoa farming. In addition, the IDH Farmfit Fund will assist lending organisations in Cote d'Ivoire to reduce risks or costs of credit provision to the cocoa farming sector. "IDH aims to contribute to a living income for smallholder producers," says Daan Wensing, CEO of IDH. "We intend to facilitate investments from the private sector and strengthen the support for more profitable and resilient cocoa farming systems. This may not lead to a living income for all cocoa farming households in the coming two to three years, but for the targeted group it will be the way forward towards closing the living income gap."

Closing the living income gap

With the help of Cocoaperation, at least 100,000 cocoa farming households in different production regions of the country should have reduced the average living income gap from more than fifty percent to less than thirty percent by the end of 2025. "We want to help cocoa farmers make their farms sustainable so they can continue to work independently. Therefore, we not only offer a new perspective to cocoa farmers, but also bring value to the entire cocoa supply chain in Cote d'Ivoire," explains Ms. Mbengone Ayivi , Senior Program Manager of Cocoaperation.

International commitments

The international alliance aimed at increasing incomes is a way to make cocoa farmers stronger. This involves offering technical assistance, investments in sustainable cocoa farm improvements and providing farmers and cooperatives better market terms and conditions. Also, mutual data sharing will contribute to the goal. Mbengone Ayivi: "Collaboration is essential to the success of our mission. Now that we have joined forces, I am convinced that we can achieve our ambition of providing 100,000 families of Ivorian cocoa farmers with more decent incomes. By combining knowledge, expertise, technology and better access to credit, we are looking for sustainable solutions. Together we aim to create the conditions for cocoa farmers to develop their farming business and earn more money."

About IDH - The Sustainable Trade Initiative

IDH puts people, planet, and progress at the heart of trade by leveraging the power of markets to create better jobs, better incomes, a better environment, and gender equity for all. To catalyse change at scale, IDH innovates, convenes, and invests in inclusive and sustainable solutions that enable businesses to create value for people and planet, while improving their own performance. To create the greatest impact in the shortest amount of time, IDH focuses on empowering people within corporations, farmer organisations, the global financial sector and governments that have the most influence over value chains.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, IDH has around 300 employees globally, operating in 20 landscapes and 12 commodities and sourcing regions with over 1000 public and private partners. In 13 years of operation, IDH has generated over 390 M in private sector investment and support for new business models that create better jobs, better incomes, a better environment, and gender equity for all.

IDH's work is made possible because of the funding and trust of a variety of public and private donors, among which the Governments of Netherlands, Denmark, and Switzerland private foundations. For more information, visit: https://www.idhsustainabletrade.com/

About IDH Farmfit Fund

The IDH Farmfit Fund is the world's biggest ever public-private impact fund for smallholder farmers. Its innovative structure de-risks investments in smallholder farming and helps drive sustainable impact by lowering risks and costs for both farmers and investors. The Fund is supported by a unique coalition of partners, including commercial banks, development banks, government bodies and value chain companies. Starting with EUR 100 million, the Fund is expected to raise billions of Euros to address the USD 170 billion financing gap in smallholder farming finance. For more information, visit: https://www.idhsustainabletrade.com/farmfit-fund/

SOURCE IDH
Rising application in quality assurance and inspection in multiple industries propelling revenue generation in industrial camera market; adoption of robotics-based smart camera systems presents incredible avenue

Strides in industry 4.0 to create several lucrative avenues; abundant uptake in manufacturing and automotive industries in Asia Pacific to unlock massive growth opportunities for market players

WILMINGTON, Del., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Industrial inspection and security products have been widely commercialized, particularly in the manufacturing sector. Incorporation of smart manufacturing technologies has impelled the adoption of systems for quality control automation and inspection in factories. Of note, quality assurance and inspection is one of the major applications, with the segment pegged to have held largest industrial camera market share in 2021. The overall size of the industrial camera market is projected to reach US$ 21.5 Bn by 2031.

Industrial camera manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers are witnessing value-grab opportunities in rigorous product quality testing in production units. Stridently, manufacturers have benefitted from automated quality control applications in real-time tracking of the manufacturing processes. Of note, best industrial cameras equipped with robotics and integrated with machine learning technologies are growing in demand in industrial inspection applications, thus opening up profitable avenues for firms in the industrial camera market.

New imaging technologies such as image analysis software will find industrial camera applications for measurement, quality, and inspection. Moreover, data collection technologies are gaining attention of end users in key manufacturing industries, thereby expanding the avenue for stakeholders in the industrial camera market.

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Key Findings of Industrial Camera Market Study

Use in Quality Assurance and Inspection in Factory Automation Expanding Industrial Camera Market Outlook: Widespread need for automated quality inspection in smart factories has generated incredible revenue potential for industrial camera manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers. The industrial camera market is expected to witness new revenue streams from the increasing trend of robotics technologies in Industry 4.0. The use is expected to proliferate in automated quality inspection. Growing R&D in robotic vision cameras will pave the way for new frontiers for use of cameras in industrial environment, thus catalyzing the growth of the industrial camera market. Increasing trend of robotic automation in the automotive, oil & gas, and medical industries has expanded the market prospects for smart cameras.

Widespread need for automated quality inspection in smart factories has generated incredible revenue potential for industrial camera manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers. The industrial camera market is expected to witness new revenue streams from the increasing trend of robotics technologies in Industry 4.0. The use is expected to proliferate in automated quality inspection. Growing R&D in robotic vision cameras will pave the way for new frontiers for use of cameras in industrial environment, thus catalyzing the growth of the industrial camera market. Increasing trend of robotic automation in the automotive, oil & gas, and medical industries has expanded the market prospects for smart cameras. R&D in Smart Camera Systems in Manufacturing Sector to Steer Revenue Growth: State-of-the art machine vision cameras are gathering traction in the manufacturing sector. Furthermore, advancement in networking technologies, practical use of artificial intelligence and deep learning systems in operational environments will stridently expand the window of opportunities for companies in the industrial camera market.

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Industrial Camera Market: Key Drivers

Factory automation is making swift inroads in the manufacturing sector to support Industry 4.0 initiatives. The trend is increasingly influencing the dynamics of the industrial camera market.

Advancements in sensors used in cameras for industrial applications, coupled with advances in industrial networking systems, are shaping the growth contours of the industrial camera market.

Industrial Camera Market: Regional Dynamics

North America has been contributing sizable revenues to the global industrial camera market. A bulk of demand for the products comes from pharmaceutical, automotive, and consumer electronics industries.

has been contributing sizable revenues to the global industrial camera market. A bulk of demand for the products comes from pharmaceutical, automotive, and consumer electronics industries. The authors of the TMR study projects the Asia Pacific market to lead globally during the forecast period (20222031). Rising use of the technologies in smart factory automation particularly in India , China , and Japan , will fuel revenue growth.

Industrial Camera Market: Competition Landscape

Some of the prominent players include names such as:

Industrial Video & Control Co.

Basler AG

IMPERX, Inc

The Imaging Source Europe GmbH

Pixelink

Keyence Corporation

Teledyne Technologies

Jenoptik AG

Allied Vision Technologies GmbH

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Industrial Camera Market Segmentation

By Product Type

Area Scan Camera



Line Scan Camera



3D Camera



Others (Thermographic Camera, Microscopy Camera, etc.)

By Interface Standards

GigE Vision



USB 3.0



Camera Link



CoaXPress



FireWire



Others (Pixel-Shift, etc.)

By Sensor Type

CCD



CMOS

By Application

Quality Assurance and Inspection



Measurement



Positioning and Guidance



Others (Traffic Control, etc.)

By End-use

Industrial Manufacturing



Automotive



Food & Beverages



Oil & Gas



Mining



Medical



Others (Packaging & Printing, etc.)

By Portability

Handheld



Stationary

By Distribution Channel

Direct



Indirect

Regional Segmentation

North America



U.S.





Canada





Rest of North America



Europe



U.K.





Germany





France





Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific



China





India





Japan





Rest of Asia Pacific



Middle East & Africa

&

GCC





South Africa





Rest of Middle East & Africa

&

South America



Brazil





Rest of South America

Factory Automation Research Reports

Industrial Automation Market - Industrial Automation Market is prognosticated to expand at a stellar CAGR of 7.56% over the period between 2019 and 2027.

Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Market - Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Market expand at a CAGR 5% with 37 US$ Bn by 2027.

Industrial Gloves Market - Industrial Gloves Market is expected to have a sales value of US$ 42.1 Bn by 2018. The market is expected to grow in terms of volume sales at a CAGR of 9.3% during the period 2019-2027.

Industrial Brushes Market - The Industrial Brushes Market to Reach Valuation Of US$ 922 Mn By 2027.

Industrial Gas Regulator Market - Industrial Gas Regulator Market valued at US$ 2537.5 Mn in 2018 and expected to grow with a CAGR of 2.8% from 2019 to 2027.

Industrial Floor Scrubber Market - The demand for industrial floor scrubbers is gaining pace amidst the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, since healthcare facilities are increasing efforts to ensure effective disinfection of floor surfaces.

Industrial Gear Market - Industrial Gear Market is estimated to exceed value of US$ 111.4 Bn by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period.

Industrial Dust Collector Market - The global industrial dust collector market is expected to reach US$ 10.65 Bn by the end of 2031, grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2022 to 2031

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, is a global market intelligence company provides syndicated research reports and business consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques to gather and analyze information.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
LOS ANGELES, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National probate and inheritance dispute law firm RMO LLP announced today that Chambers and Partners has named Founding Partner Scott Rahn as a leader in Private Wealth Disputes in their "2022 High Net Worth Guide."

The Chambers High Net Worth guide "offers market-leading rankings, reviews and insights to the world's leading professional advisers, covering private wealth management work and specialists across key jurisdictions." All Chambers-ranked law firms "are considered to be among the world's top service providers to ultra-high net worth and high net worth individuals and families and family offices." The guide ranks the top lawyers and law firms for international private wealth from more than 50 countries around the world and is used by family offices and professional advisers to wealthy individuals, providing objective guidance on an international scale. The recommendations within the guide are based on in-depth analysis following extensive research by Chambers' experienced team.

The publication states Rahn "represents clients on contested conservatorships and trusts and estates litigation. Sources say Rahn is a 'great lawyer' and commend his networking skills."

"We are grateful to be acknowledged by Chambers, especially as this recognition is based on feedback from clients and peers," said Rahn. "This honor is a testament to the commitment and efforts of all of the RMO team in creating solutions for our clients that add to their peace of mind."

Driven by a commitment to provide relief to people grieving the loss of a loved one, Rahn and the team at RMO collaborate closely with clients, pursuing and defending all types of probate litigation disputes, including claims involving incapacity, incompetence, undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference with expected inheritance, financial elder abuse, and other similar areas of conflict.

This year Rahn also was recognized by the Los Angeles Times as a "Legal Visionary" and named a "Top Litigator" by the Los Angeles Business Journal. He too has been honored by Best Lawyers since 2018 and named to the Top 100 by SuperLawyers since 2017. Rahn earned his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

RMO LLP provides personal, cost-effective inheritance dispute services to individual and institutional clients. The firm's attorneys focus on probate litigation involving contested trust, estate, probate, and conservatorship matters. RMO has offices serving clients with probate disputes throughout California, Florida, Texas, Kansas and Missouri. For more information, please visit https://rmolawyers.com/.

SOURCE RMO LLP
TAMPA, Fla., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa, Florida, cabinet company has completed its expansion plans. The planned expansion to their Tampa headquarters and distribution center includes building out a new facility and doubling the number of employees.

Innovation Cabinetry, a luxury all-wood residential cabinetry distributor, is located just north of the Tampa International Airport, at 7030 Anderson Road, where it employs 34 people. The company recently planned and executed a new 128,000-square-foot manufacturing and warehouse facility near 9252 East Columbus Drive, Ste 300 east of state route 301.

The new property accommodates two expansions, manufacturing, and a warehouse facility for Innovation Cabinetry. "We've added leading-edge automated equipment, software, and most importantly, highly specialized staff to expand our product offering," states John Huang, President and CEO of Innovation Cabinetry, Tampa." MADE IN AMERICA" is our future. I feel very proud to have the opportunity to expand my business here in Florida. For me, manufacturing in the Tampa Bay area means greater control over our products' quality, costs, and timeframes." Feedback from their customers has been fantastic. The first product to roll off the lines is a revolutionary outdoor cabinet collection- Endura. This unique collection will expand their customer's business while encouraging everyone to live a healthier lifestyle outdoors."

The multi-million-dollar expansion has created jobs in accounting, engineering, training, purchasing, project management, and other roles.

"Innovation Cabinetry has been thriving in Tampa since we established a presence here in 2005," said Mr. Huang. "It made perfect sense for us to expand our headquarters in this location, where we have excellent access to the interstate and plenty of room to grow."

For additional information or images regarding INNOVATION CABINETRY or this release, call toll-free at 1-888-206-1088 and visit the INNOVATION CABINETRY website at www.innovationcabientry.com.

ABOUT US: Innovation Cabinetry is an innovative provider of residential cabinetry for interior and exterior use. Founded in 2005 and based in Tampa, Florida, Innovation Cabinetry is one of America's fastest growing and most successful cabinet companies.

The 17-year history of our company began with the passion for providing only the highest quality cabinets with an absolute commitment to our customers. Today our diverse product offering includes cabinetry solutions for virtually every indoor and outdoor application. Our research and development department and selected designers are continually developing and sourcing new products for the ever-changing cabinetry market. We attribute our success not only to new innovative cabinetry products but to the strong relationships we have forged in the cabinet industry. Therefore, Innovation Cabinetry is a quality you can trust, a luxury you can afford.

SOURCE Innovation Cabinetry
K-12 blended E-learning Market Segmentation

By Product

Hardware



Content



System



Solutions



Others



The hardware segment will significantly increase its market share in K-12 blended e-learning. Many obstacles to a successful blended e-learning solution have vanished with the rise of mobile learning. The global K12 blended e-learning industry is home to vendors who provide interactive digital displays for classroom instruction that make it easy to record all of the material covered during lessons. The usage of blended e-learning techniques in K12 sectors is projected to rise as a result of such offers by worldwide market providers.

will significantly increase its market share in K-12 blended e-learning. Many obstacles to a successful blended e-learning solution have vanished with the rise of mobile learning. The global K12 blended e-learning industry is home to vendors who provide interactive digital displays for classroom instruction that make it easy to record all of the material covered during lessons. The usage of blended e-learning techniques in K12 sectors is projected to rise as a result of such offers by worldwide market providers. By Geography

North America



APAC



Europe



South America



MEA



North America will account for 36% of market growth . The main markets for K12 blended e-learning in North America are the US and Canada . The market in this region will grow more quickly than the markets in South America and the Middle East and Africa .

. The main markets for K12 blended e-learning in are the US and . The market in this region will grow more quickly than the markets in and the and .



The region's high Internet usage rate and the emphasis on blended e-learning will support the expansion of the K12 e-learning market in North America during the forecast period. Request Sample Report

Key Market Dynamics:

Market Driver

The demand for cost-effective teaching styles is one of the main reasons boosting growth in the K12 blended e-learning market.



The mixed e-learning strategy offers significant cost reductions to both the institutions and the students.



The price of developing, administering, storing, and distributing information to learners is further decreased by the emergence of cloud-based LMS. This lessens reliance on major publishers and aids the faculty in developing and managing interactive, diverse material for the K12 market.



The ability of vendors to cut costs and the rising availability of reasonably priced online courses for consumers will both contribute to the market's expansion.

Market Challenges

The K12 blended e-learning market will face significant challenges due to the rise in open-source learning content.



Vendors in the integrated e-learning environment are facing a serious threat from open-source education solutions like MOOCs, which are growing in popularity by providing a variety of advantages.



The open-source technologies enable limitless, cost-free participation from users. Students who desire to learn and participate in knowledge-development activities have a high demand for them.

To learn about additional key drivers, trends, and challenges available with Technavio. Download Sample Report!

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K-12 Blended E-Learning Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 17.52% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 19.59 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 16.83 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution North America at 36% Key consumer countries US, China, UK, Canada, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled D2L Corp., Docebo Inc., Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co., Instructure Inc., Pearson Plc, Promethean Ltd., Providence Equity Partners LLC, Scholastic Inc., Stride Inc., and Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for 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 C ontents

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 01: Parent market



Exhibit 02: Market characteristics

2.2 Value chain analysis

Exhibit 03: Value chain analysis: Education services

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 04: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 05: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2020

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Exhibit 06: Global - Market size and forecast 2020 - 2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 07: Global market: Year-over-year growth 2020 - 2025 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 08: Five forces analysis 2020 & 2025

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 09: Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 10: Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 11: Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 12: Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 13: Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 14: Market condition - Five forces 2020

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 15: Product - Market share 2020-2025 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 16: Comparison by Product

5.3 Hardware - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 17: Hardware - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 18: Hardware - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.4 Content - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 19: Content - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 20: Content - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.5 System - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 21: System - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 22: System - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.6 Solutions - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 23: Solutions - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 24: Solutions - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 25: Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 26: Others - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.8 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 27: Market opportunity by Product

6 Customer Landscape

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 29: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 30: Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 31: North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 32: North America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 33: APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 35: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 36: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 37: South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 38: South America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.7 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 39: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.8 Key leading countries

Exhibit 41: Key leading countries

7.9 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

Exhibit 43: Impact of drivers and challenges

8.3 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 44: Vendor landscape

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 45: Landscape disruption



Exhibit 46: Industry risks

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 48: Market positioning of vendors

10.3 D2L Corp.

Exhibit 49: D2L Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 50: D2L Corp. - Product and service



Exhibit 51: D2L Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 52: D2L Corp. - Key offerings

10.4 Docebo Inc.

Exhibit 53: Docebo Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 54: Docebo Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 55: Docebo Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 56: Docebo Inc. - Key offerings

10.5 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co.

Exhibit 57: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co. - Overview



Exhibit 58: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 59: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - Key news



Exhibit 60: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 61: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co. - Segment focus

10.6 Instructure Inc.

Exhibit 62: Instructure Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 63: Instructure Inc. - Product and service



Exhibit 64: Instructure Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 65: Instructure Inc. - Key offerings

10.7 Pearson Plc

Exhibit 66: Pearson Plc - Overview



Exhibit 67: Pearson Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 68: Pearson Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 69: Pearson Plc - Segment focus

10.8 Promethean Ltd.

Exhibit 70: Promethean Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 71: Promethean Ltd. - Product and service



Exhibit 72: Promethean Ltd. - Key offerings

10.9 Providence Equity Partners LLC

Exhibit 73: Providence Equity Partners LLC - Overview



Exhibit 74: Providence Equity Partners LLC - Business segments



Exhibit 75: Providence Equity Partners LLC - Key offerings



Exhibit 76: Providence Equity Partners LLC - Segment focus

10.10 Scholastic Inc.

Exhibit 77: Scholastic Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 78: Scholastic Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 79: Scholastic Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 80: Scholastic Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 81: Scholastic Inc. - Segment focus

10.11 Stride Inc.

Exhibit 82: Stride Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 83: Stride Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 84: Stride Inc. - Key offerings

10.12 Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 85: Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 86: Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd. - Product and service



Exhibit 87: Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 88: Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 89: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research methodology

Exhibit 90: Research Methodology



Exhibit 91: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 92: Information sources

11.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 93: List of abbreviations

About Us

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With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Buoyed by a $2 million pre-seed funding round that concluded in May this year, diversified crypto investment products platform, KoinBasket has now earned the distinction of being the first to offer basket investing in crypto assets for Coinbase users. With more than 89 million users registered on what is the largest crypto exchange in the US the move will not only introduce them to the world of diversified basket investing in crypto assets but also provide them with superlative fundamental analysis that KoinBasket has come to be known for. Backed by marquee investors that include Angellist quant fund, Stonks fund, Kube VC cryptopreneurs like Polygon founder Sandeep Nailwal and Global CXOs from Ripple, Binance, Citibank, Google, Accenture, Nomura, Fiserv and many more, the Singapore-based crypto startup has been making waves in the web3 world by cracking partnerships with global crypto exchanges.

KoinBasket becomes first crypto startup in the United States to launch single click portfolio investing for Coinbase Users

Created with the aim of solving the challenges faced by crypto investors in studying and investing in crypto assets like crypto tokens and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), KoinBasket is simplifying the entire process by offering thematic and sector-based crypto baskets such as its Moon basket, G.O.A.T basket, NFT & Gaming basket, Internet sensation basket and many more that are in the pipeline. Boasting of 0% transaction fees and initial investments starting from as low as $200, KoinBasket doesn't require investors to input any Secret API keys or undergo a separate KYC process. This is because the platform allows Coinbase users to access their exchange accounts by using their existing login credentials instead of taking the riskier secret API key approach, without losing control on their funds and crypto assets. Additionally, Coinbase users can trade in multiple crypto tokens simultaneously with KoinBasket's basket order facility while its unique health check engine scours crypto data for both red flags and lucrative investing opportunities, to provide them with alerts to take prompt action and rebalance their portfolios accordingly.

Elaborating on how KoinBasket's collaboration with Coinbase will transform the way the world invests in crypto assets, Founder and CEO Khaleelulla Baig quips, "Investing in crypto assets can be both fascinating and terrifying considering the mind-blowing returns on investment and the inherent volatility displayed by most crypto assets. At KoinBasket, we believe that investing in well-researched and curated baskets can be more rewarding in the long term and offers a hassle-free option for millions of investors who are still contemplating investing in this booming asset class."

He added, "With this partnership with Coinbase, KoinBasket will be catering to more than 300 million crypto users across the top crypto exchanges in the world and bowling them over with our secure, convenient and user-friendly investment interface that can help them build a diversified crypto portfolio offering a broader market exposure beyond the top cryptocurrencies. With more baskets in the offing, including those that focus on decentralized finance (DeFi), KoinBasket will soon be synonymous with ETF/Index investing, but for crypto assets."

With the ability to seamlessly manage one's portfolio on a single dashboard, KoinBasket's engine compiles complex crypto data and analyses current market trends, past performance and valuations to create ready-to-invest diversified crypto baskets tailored as per investor preferences. With more than 10,000 crypto assets listed on various crypto exchanges today, KoinBasket is spearheading the cause of helping investors in arriving at the most optimum investment decision when it comes to crypto assets.

About KoinBasket:

KoinBasket is solving the challenge of diversified investing for >300 Million crypto investors globally. Retail investors live in constant fear and self-doubt about their investment decisions made in the backdrop of social media frenzy and FOMO. The startup empowers investors to seamlessly buy and sell crypto baskets via their respective crypto exchange accounts. Hence, the platform does not seek custody of funds and assets nor any trade execution rights.

To know more please connect with:

Veritas Reputation PR Abhishek Savant [email protected] +91 810 88488 22 Veritas Reputation PR Rohit Sharma [email protected] +91 88982 01561

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868343/KoinBasket1.jpg

SOURCE KoinBasket
Preparing To Open Community Driven Dispensary in Jersey City Ushering in A New Era for Cannabis in New Jersey

JERSEY CITY, N.J., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Legendary actor, rapper and New Jersey native Ice T is awarded approval for a recreational cannabis dispensary from the Jersey City board. Ice T has partnered with longtime friend and cannabis expert Charis B, founder of The Medicine Woman, a leading cannabis brand and dispensary.

Ice T and Charis B Celebrate The License Approval of The Medicine Woman New Jersey

Slated to open later this year, the new dispensary is one of the few approved by the notoriously rigorous Jersey City Cannabis Control Board, which establishes and enforces the rules and regulations governing the licensing, cultivation, testing, and selling. With a fashion forward aesthetic and excellence in branding The Medicine Woman Jersey City will include 5000 square feet of premium retail space. Featuring the best of New Jersey cannabis brands, limited edition merch, education, and inspiration.

"I've dedicated my life and career to giving back and paving the way for minorities. As a New Jersey native, I'm excited for the opportunity legalization offers our community, and I look forward to ushering in a new era for Cannabis in the state," said legendary rapper and actor Ice T. "I've partnered with my friend of over 25 years, Charis B who is an authority in cannabis and founder of The Medicine Woman to ensure a premium experience for our customers and community."

Minorities and people of color have been disproportionately affected by unjust marijuana prosecutions in New Jersey and beyond. In fact, in New Jersey Black people are three times more likely to be charged with marijuana possession than white counterparts. The Medicine Woman Jersey City is committed to sourcing staff from the local community and has partnered with several local charitable organizations. Inaugural partnerships include The Last Prisoner Project, Jersey City Mural and Arts Program, Jersey City Employment and Training Program, Hudson County Community College, with more to be announced.

"The Medicine Woman started as a California non-profit delivery service, giving back to our community has and will always be a priority to us. We are passionately devoted to providing access to safe, affordable and quality plant medicinal remedies," said Charis B, founder of the Medicine Woman. "Partnering with Ice T to bring The Medicine Woman to New Jersey is a meaningful extension of our mission, to provide Nothing But The Best .

The Medicine Woman Jersey City is slated to open fall of 2022 and is currently accepting applications for employment for a variety of positions. To apply, send your resume to [email protected], they are committed to sourcing a local workforce with a focus on providing opportunities for former cannabis offenders.

ABOUT THE MEDICINE WOMAN

Founded in 2015 by Charis Burrett, and her husband, Luke Burrett, The Medicine Woman started as a California non-profit delivery service offering more than 300 products to our extensive patient network. We have now expanded to offer more than 1,000 products, have launched our own multi-collection private label product line. We're excited for the future of The Medicine Woman and to continue serving our local communities by providing access to safe, affordable and quality plant medicinal remedies.

MEDIA CONTACT

Jessica Penzari

[email protected]

571.244.6764

SOURCE The Medicine Woman
PHILADELPHIA, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Legendary trial and civil rights attorney William "Billy" Murphy Jr. and Malcom Ruff of Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, Martell Harris of the Trial Law Firm, and Jason Duncan of Duncan Legal Group announced today the filing of a class action lawsuit against the owners and operators of Sesame Place Philadelphia, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Inc. and SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment LLC, for discriminatory practices against African American children.

Civil Right's Attorney Billy Murphy files Class Action Lawsuit against Sesame Place in Pennsylvania Tweet this Related Documents View PDF LEGENDARY TRIAL ATTORNEY WILLIAM BILLY MURPHY ANNOUNCES CLASS ACTION AGAINST OPERATORS OF SESAME PLACE PHILADELPHIA, ALLEGING PARK DISCRIMINATED AGAINST MINORITY CHILDREN

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleges that costumed Sesame Street characters, "Elmo," "Ernie," "Telly Monster," and "Abby Cadabby" wrongfully refused to engage with African American children during "Meet and Greet" events, intentionally discriminating against the youngsters, while, at the same time, shaking hands, hugging and high-fiving white children.

"The behavior of Sesame Place's costumed park workers is reprehensible. Class members, some as young as 5 years old, adore these characters, and to be shunned by them so brazenly will have a lasting negative affect on their sense of self-worth. Sadly, discriminatorily behavior like this knows no bounds and can target even the most innocent," said Murphy.

The lawsuit alleges class representatives, Quinton Burns and his five-year-old daughter, Kennedi, traveled from Baltimore to Sesame Place Philadelphia to celebrate Father's Day, June 18, at the fun park only to be ignored by costumed characters during "Meet and Greet" events along with other African American guests. These same costumed park workers readily engaged with white patrons, according to the lawsuit.

The class action lawsuit comes on the heels of recent viral video clips depicting nearly identical behavior directed towards other Black youth at the park. The lawsuit seeks $25,000,000.00 in damages from the owners and operators of Sesame Place for civil rights violations, breach of contract and other causes of action on behalf of the class, which includes "[a]ll African American persons who entered contracts with SeaWorld for admission into Sesame Plaine Philadelphia from July 25, 2018, until the present, and who suffered disparate treatment from SeaWorld and/or its agents and/or employees, by their refusal to interact with African American children while openly interacting with similarly situated white children."

About Murphy, Falcon & Murphy

Murphy, Falcon & Murphy is a Baltimore-based law firm specializing in complex civil, criminal, and civil rights litigation. Our powerhouse legal team has a history of unrelenting dedication to its clients in Baltimore and across the country. Our team of seasoned trial lawyers has extensive experience in a wide variety of cases with success rates that dwarf national averages and is dedicated to providing smart strategies and creative approaches to complex litigation. Our team is driven and strategy-focused characteristics that have helped us secure more than $900 million in verdicts and settlements, including over $75 Million in police cases throughout the country. Our attorneys have won some of the largest verdicts in high-profile, high-stakes cases in some of the toughest jurisdictions around the country. The firm represented Freddie Gray, Jr. and William H. Green, achieving historic settlements of $6.4 million and $20 million, respectively, for federal and state civil rights violations that led to their deaths.

*Each case is different. Past success does not guarantee a favorable result in any future case.

Media Contact:

Adrian Harpool

443-326-4427

[email protected]

SOURCE MURPHY FALCON & MURPHY; Murphy, Falcon & Murphy
INDIANAPOLIS, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The leader of the nation's largest organization of U.S. military veterans today called on the Senate to stay in Washington until the PACT Act is on its way to the president's desk. The measure would provide VA health-care services and benefits for millions who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, contaminated water, atomic radiation and other toxic substances while serving the U.S. Armed Forces.

"The American Legion has fought for decades to bring health-care relief, accountability and VA disability benefits for veterans and families harmed by deadly contamination while in military service," American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard said. "The fight for passage of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act  the most comprehensive relief package for exposed veterans in history  is not over. No matter what it takes, the Senate, must get back to work now and pass the PACT Act. It has already passed both chambers of Congress in a bipartisan manner, and there is no reason that veterans with serious medical conditions should be denied access any longer to the health care they rightfully deserve. We call on the Senate to stay in Washington until the PACT Act is on its way to the president's desk. Veterans who suffer from toxic exposure were not allowed to walk away from unfinished missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Senate should likewise not be allowed to walk away from this unfinished business."

About The American Legion

The American Legion , the nation's largest veterans organization, is dedicated to the motto of "Veterans Strengthening America." Chartered by Congress in 1919, The American Legion is committed to mentoring youth and sponsoring wholesome community programs, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security and continued devotion to servicemembers and veterans. Nearly 1.8 million members in more than 12,500 posts across the nation and regions overseas serve their communities with a devotion to mutual helpfulness.

Media Contact: John Raughter, (317) 630-1350 [email protected]

SOURCE The American Legion
Subsequent Merger of Operations is Expected to Make Liberty Mutual the Largest Auto Insurer in Malaysia

BOSTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Mutual Insurance has completed its acquisition of Malaysian insurer AmGeneral Insurance Berhad (AmGeneral) following the receipt of regulatory approval in Malaysia and signing a purchase and sale agreement with AmBank Group (AmBank).

AmGeneral was previously 51%-owned by AmBank and 49%-owned by Insurance Australia Group. Liberty Insurance Berhad acquired 100% of the shares of AmGeneral, and AmBank continues to hold a 30% interest in the business through the consideration shares they received as part of the deal.

As part of the transaction, the prospective merged entity will enter into an exclusive 20-year bancassurance partnership with AmBank to distribute general insurance products. The AmGeneral and Liberty Insurance Berhad operations will, at a subsequent date, be formally merged, at which time it is expected that the combined entity will become the largest auto insurer and a leading general insurer in Malaysia.

"The acquisition of and subsequent merger with AmGeneral is instrumental in our aspiration to become a leading global property and casualty insurance company," said Liberty Mutual President, Global Retail Markets, Jim MacPhee. "Together, we will help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow so that individuals and businesses in Malaysia grow and win together. Combining Liberty's global capabilities with the strong team driving a well-respected and valued AmGeneral franchise will create a best-in-class insurance operation."

AmGeneral serves the Malaysian insurance market through approximately 1,400 employees at 33 branch locations. A top-three motor insurer with a growing business in additional product lines, the company distributes its personal and commercial insurance products under the AmAssurance and Kurnia brands through more than 6,000 agents, brokers, car dealers, franchises and affinity partners, and its fast-growing digital and direct capabilities.

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow.

In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, today we are the sixth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2020 gross written premium. We also rank 78 on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2021 revenue. As of December 31, 2021, we had $48.2 billion in annual consolidated revenue.

We employ over 45,000 people in 29 countries and economies around the world. We offer a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, specialty lines, reinsurance, commercial multiple-peril, workers compensation, commercial automobile, general liability, surety, and commercial property.

For more information, visit www.libertymutualinsurance.com.

About Liberty Insurance Berhad

Based in Kuala Lumpur, Liberty Insurance Berhad has approximately 450 employees at six regional offices and 24 branches across Malaysia. The company distributes its personal, commercial and other product lines through multiple channels, including a 2,000-agent force.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance
Mike Stipe brings 30 years' experience to managed service provider

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Logicalis US, an international IT solution and managed services provider, today announced the appointment of Mike Stipe as Vice President of its Microsoft practice. Stipe will be responsible for strengthening Logicalis US's Microsoft portfolio and aligning the practice with the company's business goals.

Mike Stipe, Vice President - Microsoft Practice, Logicalis

"Mike brings a deep knowledge of Microsoft solutions as well as a strong business acumen and ability to grow companies that make him a vital component of our team," said CEO Jon Groves. "We are excited to welcome Mike as an Architect of Change and look forward to how his contributions will help us continue guiding customers through their ongoing digital transformation efforts."

A 30-year veteran of the technology industry, Stipe joins Logicalis US with a strong knowledge of the Microsoft portfolio and services. In his most recent role, he leveraged the Microsoft portfolio and services to help clients with their digital transformation strategies, resulting in a 50% revenue growth for his organization. He has served in leadership positions at a variety of technology companies including Arynga, Teleca, Motorola and Wind River.

Aligned with its global strategy, Logicalis US holds a joint commitment with Microsoft to foster a strategic alliance to bring teams together and innovate with industry-leading solutions and services. Earlier this year, the leading MSP launched its Logicalis Collaboration suite, built on solutions from Microsoft and Cisco, as part of its Digital Workplace Center of Excellence.

"I am incredibly impressed by the partnership Logicalis has built with Microsoft, and I am excited to join the team," said Stipe. "I look forward to working with Microsoft to drive innovation and digital transformation for our customers across all verticals and industries."

About Logicalis US

Award-winning Logicalis US works alongside our customers to recommend, plan, and implement a digital transformation strategy that aligns with their business goals. Through our consulting and managed services and with our longtime strategic partners, we then deliver custom security, network, collaboration, cloud, and data center solutions.

Logicalis employs over 6,400 people worldwide, including highly trained service specialists who design, deploy and manage complex IT infrastructures to meet the needs of over 10,000 corporate and public sector customers. To achieve this, Logicalis maintains strong partnerships with technology leaders such as Cisco, HPE, IBM, EMC, NetApp, Microsoft, VMware and ServiceNow on an international basis. It has specialized solutions for enterprise and medium-sized companies in vertical markets covering financial services, TMT (telecommunications, media and technology), education, healthcare, retail, government, manufacturing and professional services, helping customers benefit from cutting-edge technologies in a cost-effective way.

The Logicalis Group has annualized revenues of over $1.5 billion from operations in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific and is one of the leading IT and communications solution integrators specializing in the areas of advanced technologies and services.

The Logicalis Group is a division of Datatec Limited, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, with revenues of over $4.1 billion.

SOURCE Logicalis
LOS ANGELES, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LookinLA is a full-service data-driven marketing agency comprised of B2C, strategy and content development experts to help businesses become industry leaders and go-to authorities. The firm announced Monday its new partnership with Clearco.

"We've partnered with Clearco to provide our clients with powerful financial tools to expand their business," said LookinLA CEO Ali Payani. "Clearco allows us to provide personalized growth insights to ensure that funds are being well-utilized to market competitively. Our partnership is a great development."

Clearco is on a mission to make data-driven, bias-free investing the standard for e-commerce Founders.

Clearco is the largest e-commerce investor and is a funding platform built by founders, for founders. Clearco has funded more than 7,000 businesses across three continents and has invested over $3 billion.

Co-founded as Clearbanc in 2015 by Michele Romanow from Canada's Shark Tank (Dragons' Den), Andrew D'Souza, Ivan Gritsiniak, Charlie Feng, and Tanay Delima, Clearco offers the most founder-friendly capital solutions for e-commerce, mobile apps, and SaaS founders.

"We are proud to partner with LookinLA and we are looking forward to the partnership yielding LookinLA's clients powerful results," said Romanow. "Innovation is changing the way companies gain access to capital, we are at the forefront of a new future of opportunity and prosperity."

Tech Titan, Romanow is the youngest ever entrepreneur to join CBC's hit show Dragons' Den. She previously co-founded e-commerce platforms SnapSaves (acquired by Groupon) and Buytopia. Michele is ranked in WXN's "100 Most Powerful in Canada" and listed as the only Canadian on Forbes' "Millennial on a Mission" list. She is a director on the board of Vail Resorts, Freshii, SHAD, Smith School of Business and League of Innovators.

Clearco is on a mission to democratize the way founders access capital. The company has invested in companies that struggled to gain access to the capital they needed to grow.

"Clearco is a game changer. You don't need to put up your house, drown in credit cards or give up a piece of your baby to fund ads and inventory," said Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerMedia, five-time NYT bestselling author and co-founder of Empathy Wines.

Clearco makes it clear that there is no equity, no hidden feeds, no interest, and no personal guarantee. The non-dilutive financing with no personal guarantee means that businesses can make money by selling their products, not their homes.

Clearco's services include the ability to join the partner matchmaking program. The program identifies growth opportunities based on sales and marketing data and then matches businesses with the most compatible partners in the Clearco ecosystem.

The benchmark and insights tools provided by Clearco guarantee that clients will always be aware of the health of their businesses.

"Technology, automation and AI are making it so data don't just swirl around in some virtual vortex, but are actually utilized to inform decision-making and create value," added Payani. "You can know in real-time what is happening with your business and better strategize. The future of business is here."

Media Contact:

Jonathan Lockwood

971-645-2099

[email protected]

SOURCE LookinLA
Luxury Cars Market 2022-2026: Vendor Analysis and Scope

The luxury cars market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as increasing their production capacity by opening new manufacturing plants or expanding existing plants to compete in the market.

To help businesses improve their market position, the luxury cars market provides a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the market. Some of these vendors include AB Volvo, Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd., BYD Co. Ltd., Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co., Honda Motor Co. Ltd., McLaren Group Ltd., Mercedes Benz Group AG, Pagani Automobili Spa, Renault sas, Stellantis NV, Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., Tesla Inc., Toyota Motor Corp., and Volkswagen AG.

The report also covers the following areas:

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billed annually at USD 5000.

Luxury Cars Market 2022-2026: Segmentation

Product

Executive Luxury Cars: The executive luxury cars segment will have the highest market share growth during the forecast period. The demand for luxury cars is rising across the world. Hence, auto manufacturers across the world are focusing on their luxury cars segment. Most auto manufacturers have a separate brand for luxury cars. The executive luxury cars segment is expected to grow steadily during the forecast period. This segment will be dominated by Mercedes-Benz during the forecast period.

segment will have the highest market share growth during the forecast period. The demand for luxury cars is rising across the world. Hence, auto manufacturers across the world are focusing on their luxury cars segment. Most auto manufacturers have a separate brand for luxury cars. The executive luxury cars segment is expected to grow steadily during the forecast period. This segment will be dominated by Mercedes-Benz during the forecast period.

Super Luxury Cars

Geography

APAC: This region will account for 37% of the market's growth during the forecast period. This growth is driven by factors such as the rising preference for crossovers. Moreover, market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions. China and Japan are the key countries for the luxury cars market in APAC.

and are the key countries for the luxury cars market in APAC.

Europe



North America



South America



Middle East And Africa

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics

and thorough descriptions. View a PDF Sample Report

Luxury Cars Market 2022-2026: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026

Detailed information on factors that will assist luxury cars market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the luxury cars market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the luxury cars market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of luxury cars market vendors

Related Reports:

Luxury Vehicle Market Growth, Size, Trends, Analysis Report by Type, Application, Region and Segment Forecast 2022-2026

Luxury Car Market in Australia Growth, Size, Trends, Analysis Report by Type, Application, Region and Segment Forecast 2022-2026

Luxury Cars Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.64% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 78.32 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 4.48 Regional analysis Europe, APAC, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 37% Key consumer countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled AB Volvo, Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd., BYD Co. Ltd., Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co., Honda Motor Co. Ltd., McLaren Group Ltd., Mercedes Benz Group AG, Pagani Automobili Spa, Renault sas, Stellantis NV, Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., Tesla Inc., Toyota Motor Corp., and Volkswagen AG Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact 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



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Product

5.3 Executive luxury cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Executive luxury cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Executive luxury cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Executive luxury cars - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Executive luxury cars - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Super luxury cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Super luxury cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Super luxury cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Super luxury cars - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Super luxury cars - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 37: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 38: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 40: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 43: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 44: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 45: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 46: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 51: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 52: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 53: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 60: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 62: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 72: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 73: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 74: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 75: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 76: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 77: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 82: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 83: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 84: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 85: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 86: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 87: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 88: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 AB Volvo

Exhibit 89: AB Volvo - Overview



Exhibit 90: AB Volvo - Business segments



Exhibit 91: AB Volvo - Key news



Exhibit 92: AB Volvo - Key offerings



Exhibit 93: AB Volvo - Segment focus

10.4 Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.

Exhibit 94: Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 95: Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 96: Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 97: Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. - Segment focus

10.5 BYD Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 98: BYD Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 99: BYD Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 100: BYD Co. Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 101: BYD Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 102: BYD Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

10.6 McLaren Group Ltd.

Exhibit 103: McLaren Group Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 104: McLaren Group Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 105: McLaren Group Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 106: McLaren Group Ltd. - Segment focus

10.7 Mercedes Benz Group AG

Exhibit 107: Mercedes Benz Group AG - Overview



Exhibit 108: Mercedes Benz Group AG - Business segments



Exhibit 109: Mercedes Benz Group AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 110: Mercedes Benz Group AG - Segment focus

10.8 Renault sas

Exhibit 111: Renault sas - Overview



Exhibit 112: Renault sas - Product / Service



Exhibit 113: Renault sas - Key news



Exhibit 114: Renault sas - Key offerings

10.9 Stellantis NV

Exhibit 115: Stellantis NV - Overview



Exhibit 116: Stellantis NV - Business segments



Exhibit 117: Stellantis NV - Key news



Exhibit 118: Stellantis NV - Key offerings



Exhibit 119: Stellantis NV - Segment focus

10.10 Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 120: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 121: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 122: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 123: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. - Segment focus

10.11 Toyota Motor Corp.

Exhibit 124: Toyota Motor Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 125: Toyota Motor Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 126: Toyota Motor Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 127: Toyota Motor Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 128: Toyota Motor Corp. - Segment focus

10.12 Volkswagen AG

Exhibit 129: Volkswagen AG - Overview



Exhibit 130: Volkswagen AG - Business segments



Exhibit 131: Volkswagen AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 132: Volkswagen AG - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 133: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 134: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 135: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 136: Research methodology



Exhibit 137: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 138: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 139: 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 across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
TSX-V: MKO;OTCQX: MAKOF

VANCOUVER, BC, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Mako Mining Corp. (TSXV: MKO) (OTCQX: MAKOF) ("Mako" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of a new gold bearing structure at the Las Conchitas-North area of its wholly-owned San Albino-Murra property. The "Crucita" structure was intersected in a diamond drill hole located approximately 1.44 kilometers south of the San Albino gold mine ("San Albino") which is currently in commercial production.

(CNW Group/Mako Mining Corp.) (CNW Group/Mako Mining Corp.) (CNW Group/Mako Mining Corp.) (CNW Group/Mako Mining Corp.) (CNW Group/Mako Mining Corp.)

The Company currently has five of its seven diamond drill rigs in the Las Conchitas area, which is located between the San Albino Mine and the historical El Golfo Mine located within the Company's El Jicaro Concession. Las Conchitas comprises an area of approximately 3.75km2 and it has been subdivided into three primary areas: Las Conchitas North ("LC-N"), Las Conchitas Central ("LC-C") and Las Conchitas South ("LC-S"). Each of these areas host multiple subparallel, northeast-southwest striking, gently dipping gold bearing veins.

Highlights of the recent drilling at Las Conchitas

Las Conchitas - North

Crucita ("Cc")  New Discovery

37.28 g/t Au and 34.9 g/t Ag over 2.60 m ( 2.5 m ETW)

( ETW) Intermediate ("Int")

7.69 g/t Au and 5.2 g/t Ag over 1.20 m (ETW)

(ETW) Mina Francisco ("MF")

24.75 g/t Au and 20.8 g/t Ag over 2.30 m ( 2.2 m ETW)

Las Conchitas - Central

Cruz Grande ("CG")

("CG") 16.92 g/t Au and 29.5 g/t Ag over 2.10 m ( 2.0 m ETW)

Las Conchitas - South

Mango ("Mg")

51.40 g/t Au and 82.3 g/t Ag over 0.70 m ( 0.6 m ETW)

( ETW) El Limon ("EL")

37.02 g/t Au and 54.4 g/t Ag over 2.30 m ( 2.0 m ETW)

Note * ETW is estimated true width measured from interpreted sections

Akiba Leisman, CEO of Mako states, "Crucita is the second shallow high-grade discovery the Company has announced over the past 2 months at Las Conchitas. Our objective was always to start producing with a small resource, on a fraction of the San Albino area, and to use the cash flow from San Albino to unlock the potential of our orogenic gold system. Even Las Conchitas, which is an area 5 times as big as San Albino, is a small part of our 188 km2 land package, and we expect the pace of additional discoveries to continue for many years to come across the 28 km of strike potential we have on our property. Over the course of the next few months, we will release additional exploration results that will continue to show the true potential of our burgeoning gold mining district."

Las Conchitas  North

Including the new discovery, five gold bearing structures have been identified in the LC-N area to date. Currently, three diamond drill rigs are operating at the LC-N area. Two rigs are testing the extension of the recently discovered Mina Francisco structure (see press release dated June 1, 2022), as well as the San Pablo and Tirado gold bearing veins. The third rig is designated to test the continuity of the previously indentified Intermediate zone and to test for additional high grade gold structures. To date, a total of 10,199 meters in the 2022 drilling campaign have been completed in 74 drill holes at the LC-N area, resulting in the second discovery over the last two months of a high-grade gold structure which has been named the Crucita vein.

The discovery drill hole, LC22-908, collared below the known mineralization at the Intermediate zone, intersected an interval of 37.28 g/t Au and 34.9 g/t Ag over 2.60 m (2.5 m ETW), starting at a vertical depth of 89.0 m (see attached long and cross section). This hole is the first drill intersect of the Crucita structure located 211.0 m down dip of a surface expression of the vein (historical Mina Crucita). Vertical sampling of the vein, in front of a collapsed historical tunnel, graded up to 55.90 g/t Au and 170.0 g/t Ag over 0.9 m and 37.60 g/t Au and 209.0 g/t Ag over 0.7 m.

Two additional drill holes, LC22-910 and LC22-911, designed to test continuity of the newly discovered high-grade Crucita vein, intersected mineralized intervals with similar minerology and widths (results pending), indicating that the strike of the structure extends for an additional 43 m, and 296 m down-dip from the surface exposure.

This newly discovered zone is open along strike and down dip. An additional 8 drill platforms are being prepared to further test the zone during the 2022 drill campaign. The structural model, developed by the Company, confirmed the prospective nature of our underexplored consolidated land package of 188 km2 and has been used to identify this and other drill targets within the entire Las Conchitas area.

The Company recently received additional results from drilling of the Mina Francisco zone. Drill hole LC22-522 intersected two high-grade intervals of 24.75 g/t Au and 20.8 g/t Ag over 2.30 m (2.2 m ETW) and 10.50 g/t Au and 14.4 g/t Ag over 0.70 m (ETW) at a vertical depth of 17.0 m and 31.5 m, respectively. This drill hole confirmed a 40 m SW strike extension of the high-grade mineralization intersected by hole LC22-524 of 51.80 g/t Au and 29.8 g/t Ag over 0.90 m (ETW) (see press release dated June 1, 2022). Drill hole LC22-526 intersected, at a vertical depth of 68.8 m, an interval of 35.90 g/t Au and 34.9 g/t Ag over 1.20 m (ETW) extending the strike towards the NE for an additional 26.0 m.

Drilling of the Intermediate zone intersected 7.69 g/t Au and 5.2 g/t Ag over 1.20 m (ETW), in hole LC22-902, at a vertical distance of 41.5 m. This drill hole extended the strike by 28.0 m to the SW of the high grade mineralization of 16.65 g/t Au and 12.1 g/t Ag over 1.20 m, intersected by INT18-19 (see press release dated November 28, 2018).

Las Conchitas  Central

At LC-C, drill hole LC22-800 intersected 16.92 g/t Au and 29.5 g/t Ag over 2.10 m (2.0 m ETW) at a vertical distance of 37.0 m. This hole extended the high grade mineralization along strike for an additional 36.0 m SW from hole CG18-24 which intersected 23.63 g/t Au and 25.1 g/t Ag over 5.65 m (see press release dated December 8, 2018).

Las Conchitas  South

LC-S is the most advanced area in terms of drilling, where 396 drill holes, totaling 36,290 m have been completed. This area is comprised of four mineralized zones; however, the recent drilling by the Company was designed to test the continuity of two high grade gold bearing structures.

Drilling designed to extend the Mango zone, intersected 51.40 g/t of Au and 82.3 g/t of Ag over 0.70 m (0.6 m ETW) at 126.0 m vertical depth, in drill hole LC22-458. This drill hole is located on a previously untested area and collared 275.0 m northeast from a surface exposure of the vein  Mina Mango. Vertical sampling of the vein, at the entrance of the Tunnel 2, graded up to 54.17 g/t Au and 57.5 g/t Ag over 1.3 m (see press release dated May 21, 2019).

The best results of drilling within the El Limon area were in hole LC22-467, which intersected 37.02 g/t Au and 54.4 g/t Ag over 2.30 m (2.0 m ETW) at a vertical depth 52.0 m. This drill hole confirmed a 124.0 m strike extension of the high grade mineralization of 138.29 g/t Au and 99.0 g/ Ag over 1.45 m, intersected in drill hole LC21-432 (see attached drill plan and press release dated March 17, 2022).

Table: Assay Results Reported in This Press Release

Note: The mineralized intervals shown above utilize a 1.0 g/t gold cut-off grade with not more than 1.0m of internal dilution. *Widths are reported as drill core lengths. **Estimated True Width is estimated from interpreted sections. In addition to the drill holes presented in the table above, the following drill holes returned only anomalous values: LC22-441, LC22-444, LC22-448, LC22-451, LC22-452, LC22-456, LC22-457, LC22-460, LC22-461, LC22-519, LC22-700, LC22-701 and LC22-900.

Sampling, Assaying, QA/QC and Data Verification

Drill core was continuously sampled from inception to termination of the entire drill hole. Sample intervals were typically one meter with a minimum sample width of 50 cm. Drill core diameter was HQ (6.35 centimeters). Geologic and geotechnical data was captured into a digital database, core was photographed, then one-half split of the core was collected for analysis and one-half was retained in the core library.

Samples were kept in a secured logging and storage facility until such time that they were delivered to the Managua facilities of Bureau Veritas and pulps were sent to the Bureau Veritas laboratory in Vancouver for analysis. Gold was analyzed by standard fire assay fusion, 30-gram aliquot, AAS finish. Samples returning over 10.0 g/t gold are analyzed utilizing standard Fire Assay-Gravimetric method. The Company follows industry standards in its QA&QC procedures. Control samples consisting of duplicates, standards, and blanks were inserted into the sample stream at a ratio of 1 control sample per every 10 samples. Analytical results of control samples confirmed reliability of the assay data. No top cut has been applied to the reported assay results.

Qualified Person

John M. Kowalchuk, P.Geo, a geologist and qualified person (as defined under NI 43-101) has read and approved the technical information contained in this press release. Mr. Kowalchuk is a senior geologist and a consultant to the Company.

On behalf of the Board,

Akiba Leisman

Chief Executive Officer

About Mako

Mako Mining Corp. is a publicly listed gold mining, development and exploration company. The Company operates the high-grade San Albino gold mine in Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua, which ranks as one of the highest-grade open pit gold mines globally. Mako's primary objective is to operate San Albino profitably and fund exploration of prospective targets on its district-scale land package.

Forward-Looking Information

Statements contained herein that are not historical fact are considered "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on management's current expectations, beliefs and assumptions, and includes, without limitation: the objectives of the drilling campaign; the expectation of additional discoveries to continue for many years to come across the 28 km of strike potential we have on our property; that we will release additional exploration results over the next few months that will continue to show the true potential of our burgeoning gold mining district; and that the Company meets its object of operating San Albino profitably while continuing to fund exploration of prospective targets. Such forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the risks that additional satisfactory exploration results will not be obtained; the risk that the Company will not release additional exploration results on the timeline expected; the risk that additional discoveries will not continue for many years to come; that exploration results will not translate into the discovery of an economically viable deposit; risks and uncertainties relating to political risks involving the Company's exploration and development of mineral properties interests; the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expense; commodity price fluctuations, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's public filings at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information contained herein is based on management's best judgment as of the date hereof, based on information currently available and is included for the purposes of providing investors with the Company's plans and expectations at the Las Conchitas area, and may not be appropriate for other purposes.

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.

Figure 1  Drill Hole Plan

Figure 2  Longitunal Section

Figure 3  Cross Section

SOURCE Mako Mining Corp.
Study published in Scientific Reports reviews new data-led approach to measuring and quantifying canine wellbeing

LEICESTER, England, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers from Mars Petcare, including Waltham Petcare Science Institute and Banfield Pet Hospital, developed a quality of life (QoL) assessment that evaluates dog health and wellbeing. The assessment is based on a 32-item questionnaire for pet owners to report on their dog's behaviours and activity. When processed, survey results provide a multi-faceted view of a dog's health and wellbeing, covering domains such as energy levels, happiness, mobility, sociability, and appetite. A new study published in Scientific Reports supports the validity of this QoL assessment for measuring and quantifying canine health and wellbeing.

"Wellbeing is a focal point for dog owners and veterinary professionals alike," said Nefertiti Greene, President, Science & Diagnostics, Mars Petcare. "This assessment will allow us to consistently capture dog health and wellbeing data which has been proven to provide scientifically validated insights into pets' health, ultimately advancing our Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS."

In the paper, the assessment's validity was studied by contrasting the owner survey results to Banfield medical records of the dogs studied. For example, energy and mobility scores were reduced in dogs with osteoarthritis; sociability and happiness domain scores were reduced with the advancing life stage of the dog and the presence of chronic diseases; and appetite scores were reduced in dogs with chronic dental disease. Results from the study also suggest this assessment can identify general malaise that could otherwise have been undetected when a dog is suffering from underlying pain that may not be easily identifiable.

"From a veterinarian's perspective, the QoL assessment will deliver valuable information on how veterinary care can help improve pet outcomes," said Jennifer Welser, DVM, DACVO, Chief Medical Officer, Mars Veterinary Health. "Based on these insights, we have the potential to understand which treatments and interventions positively impact pet health and wellbeing and improve communication with pet owners about the health of their pet."

Pending further validation, this QoL assessment can be used as the basis for digital tools to help dog owners and veterinary teams better track dog wellbeing throughout all stages of a dog's life.

For more information on the assessment and the study visit https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-16315-y.

About the QoL assessment and study

The QoL questionnaire quantifies dog health and wellbeing across five daytime domains and three mealtime domains. The daytime domains are classified as energetic (the dog's level of activity); mobile (underlying mechanistic ability); relaxed (general calmness and absence of fear and worry); happy (absence of a sad and depressed demeanor); and sociable (affectionate and loving behavior towards owners and other pets). The mealtime domains are classified as relaxed (calm behavior around the meal as evidenced by the absence of stress); interested (interest and excitement for the meal); and satisfied (extent to which the dog is full or satisfied after the meal).

The objective of the study was to develop a comprehensive canine quality of life assessment which can serve a wide range of applications and is amenable to large-scale data collection.

Data from 2813 dogs were used to develop the QoL assessment, which makes it the biggest study of its kind to date and ensures that the assessment is suitable for use in the general population of dogs.

About Mars Petcare

At Mars Petcare we have one purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Through comprehensive veterinary care, nutrition, breakthrough programs in diagnostics, wearable health monitoring, DNA testing and pet welfare we help pets in more than 130 countries. For decades we've supported research into the incredible science of human animal interaction at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute where scientists discover important advances in pet health and wellness. Mars Petcare is part of Mars, Incorporated, a global, family-owned business with a focus on becoming Sustainable in a Generation. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Waltham Petcare Science Institute

Waltham is the science centre for Mars Petcare. Our research teams work across multiple disciplines such as nutrient requirements for pets, the dog and cat microbiome, biomarkers of health and disease, and feeding behaviour. We also support research in partnership with organisations around the world to understand how our relationship with pets can help both pets and their owners to live healthy, happy lives together. The knowledge generated at Waltham is vital in bringing to life the Mars Petcare purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. We take pride in sharing our key findings with the scientific community, enabling pets around the world to benefit from our work. Since our first scientific paper over 50 years ago, we have shared our expertise through over 1700 publications, including more than 600 peer-reviewed journal articles. In addition, our researchers collaborate with some of the world's most renowned veterinary and nutrition scientists. Find out more at Waltham.com.

About Banfield Pet Hospital

Banfield Pet Hospital was founded in Portland, Ore. in 1955 and today is a pioneer in preventive veterinary care with more than 1,000 general veterinary hospitals in 42 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and Mexico. More than 3,600 Banfield veterinarians are committed to providing high-quality veterinary care to over three million pets annually. Banfield collects data from each of these visits in the U.S.'s largest electronic veterinary health records system. Our goal is to be here for pets, people, and society. As part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of practices, Banfield is committed to its purposeA BETTER WORLD FOR PETSbecause pets make a better world for us. Press seeking additional information are invited to call the Media Hotline: (888) 355-0595.

About Mars Veterinary Health

Mars Veterinary Health is a global division within Mars Petcare  more than 70,000 Associates strong  dedicated to delivering high-quality pet healthcare to further its collective Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Mars Veterinary Health's network operates more than 2,500 veterinary clinics and diagnostic labs around the world, putting pets, people, and the planet first. The Mars Veterinary Health network includes Associates at AniCura, Antech, Asia Veterinary Diagnostics, Banfield, BluePearl, Linnaeus, Mount Pleasant, VCA, VES, and VSH that demonstrate compassion and expertise by enabling more than 25 million pet visits each year.

Learn more at marsveterinary.com. Press seeking additional information are invited to contact [email protected].

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868201/Mars_Petcare_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Mars Petcare
SACREMENTO, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mary Alexander & Associates filed a lawsuit against dentist David Evans Webb, DDS in Solano County Superior Court alleging the oral surgeon sexually abused, harassed, and assaulted his patients.

The plaintiff, Jane Doe to protect her privacy, alleges Dr. Webb positioned himself next to her in order to place his private parts on her during her oral surgery. He then continued to turn up the level of the gas in her gas mask, against her will, even as she said "no."

Although Jane Doe fought the effects of the gas and attempted to move her arm so as not to come into contact with Dr. Webb's genitalia, he continued to hold her arm down against her will. Ms. Doe began crying as she was being sexually assaulted, and Webb became angry, and said "What's wrong with you, you have gas and Novocain."

"This is beyond outrageous," said attorney Mary Alexander. "My client went in for bridge work and instead was sexually assaulted. We've later discovered that many other women claim the same treatment, and it's high time this doctor lost his license and his freedom."

He was charged by the District Attorney in mid-July for his criminal behavior.

Dr. David E. Webb's online reviews are filled with stories of women who allege the same type of treatment. Including statements such as:

"He is very unprofessional when he is dealing with females. He has a history of making women feel uncomfortable in a flirtatious manor." On Google Reviews

"This guy is a total CREEP - I would not want to be sedated in a room alone with this guy." On Yelp

The firm is asking anyone who may have been abused by Dr. Webb or who knows of anyone to come forward and share their story to the police or to the firm.

The case is Jane Doe C.C. v. David Evans Webb, DDS, Northern California Facial & Oral Surgery, Solano County Superior Court.

About Mary Alexander & Associates

Mary Alexander & Associates has been successfully fighting for its clients for over 30 years. Our attorneys have handled various sexual abuse and clergy abuse cases, winning millions in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

CONTACT: Joe Marchelewski, [email protected]

SOURCE Mary Alexander & Associates
CHICAGO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, McDonald's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.38 per share of common stock payable on September 16, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2022.

Upcoming Communications

For important news and information regarding McDonald's, including the timing of future investor conferences and earnings calls, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's Internet home page at www.investor.mcdonalds.com. McDonald's uses this website as a primary channel for disclosing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information.

About McDonald's

McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice retailer with nearly 40,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements about future events and circumstances. Generally speaking, any statement not based upon historical fact is a forward-looking statement. In particular, statements regarding McDonald's plans, strategies, prospects and expectations regarding its business and industry are forward-looking statements. They reflect McDonald's expectations, are not guarantees of performance and speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, McDonald's does not undertake to update such forward-looking statements. You should not rely unduly on forward-looking statements. McDonald's business results are subject to a variety of risks, including those that are described in Exhibit 99.2 to its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on July 26, 2022 and subsequent filings with the SEC.

SOURCE McDonald's Corporation
Procure-to-Pay Veteran, Mary Flynn Barton joins as SVP of NA Sales to fuel growth following Medius's OnPay Solutions acquisition earlier this year

STOCKHOLM, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medius, a leading provider of AP Automation and wider spend management solutions, announces the appointment of a new Senior Vice President for its sales function across North America.



Based in Alabama, Mary Flynn Barton is an award-winning and top revenue-generating technology sales leader and spend management expert. Mary joins the company to build the sales teams and help develop a deep understanding of the Medius customer journey.



Mary joins Medius from iDonate, where she was the CRO responsible for all sales, marketing, and customer success functions. Prior to that, she spent a decade at Coupa in various positions throughout the company and ultimately became the sales lead for its North Central Region.



Mary graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans and has lived throughout the US in New Orleans, Austin, San Francisco, Dallas, and Minneapolis and is now proud to call Daphne, Alabama home.



Mary joins Medius as the company invests in its US operations. Earlier in 2022, Medius acquired US-based OnPay Solutions with the acquisition acting as a driving force for the SaaS leader to grow its sales and channel sales functions to improve the end-to-end invoice-to-pay processes for its customers. Furthermore, Mary's appointment is the latest in a series of senior leadership hires at Medius, most recently including Tanya Wills as VP of Channel Sales and Alliances.



Mary Flynn Barton, SVP of Sales North America, comments: "It's an exciting time to be working in SaaS and fintech. AP is a critical function where businesses can quickly improve control, reduce risk, drive efficiency, and reduce costs. In uncertain economic times, AP Automation is an area of digital transformation that pays dividends back to companies. I'm looking forward to bringing my experience to Medius as we're investing for significant growth in North America."



Jim Lucier, CEO of Medius, comments: "Mary has amazing experience in the SaaS Procure-to-Pay space, and it's clear that she has a great passion for delivering value to customers, for leadership at all levels, and making her teams successful. She's an excellent professional and cultural fit for us at Medius, and we are lucky to have her. As we continue our rapid growth in North America to transform the lives of financial teams, talent like this is incredibly valuable. I am excited to see the positive impact Mary has."

CONTACT:

For more information, please contact:

Dan Bird, Fight or Flight for Medius

[email protected] +44 7885 670798 / [email protected] +44 330 133 0985

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/medius/r/medius-continues-investment-in-u-s--with-appointment-of-new-senior-vice-president-of-sales,c3607863

The following files are available for download:

https://news.cision.com/medius/i/mary-flynn-barton,c3074570 Mary Flynn Barton

SOURCE Medius
MIAMI, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This past week, DC Swim Week created a major splash on Miami Beach with the largest global swimwear fashion show series in the world featuring more than 70 fabulous and diverse swimwear and resort wear fashion brands debuting new Summer 2023 swimwear collections on the runway at the SLS Hotel South Beach.

Miami Swim Week The Shows Created a Huge Splash on Miami Beach With The Hottest Swimwear Fashion, Parties and Event Activations Miami Swim Week The Shows Photos by Tom Concordia, Getty Images

Miami Swim Week The Shows also hosted numerous epic after parties, influencer dinners, and brand activations across Miami Beach with the swim industry's top designers, models, influencers and media from around the world. The company also hosted a three-day global swimwear trade show Hammock Shows, at the New World Center on Miami Beach, connecting international and North American fashion buyers and consumers with renowned and emerging swimwear and resort wear fashion brands from around the world.

Miami Swim Week The Shows is one of the most anticipated series of fashion runway events in the U.S., highlighting new swimwear trends, natural shapes, sustainable fabrics, slow fashion brands and ethical manufacturing from more than 70 designers who presented their visions for next summer's must-haves. The runway shows were executed beautifully while also offering an inclusive, fun and vibrant atmosphere for attendees and virtual show goers who watched the runway shows online via live stream on YouTube. This year's Miami Swim Week 2022 also included the first-ever swimwear Metaverse debut. "An estimated 1.6 billion global impressions were generated for Miami Swim Week this year across social media and live streaming platforms throughout the week-long series of shows, events and parties," Ducis said.

From curvy, plus-size brands, to black-owned, as well as Latina-owned and sustainable fashion brands, the swimwear fashion shows from Miami Swim Week The Shows did not disappoint. "Body positivity, self-love, and beautiful fashion as well as feminine empowerment were the major themes in this year's Miami Swim Week 2022 shows," said Moh Ducis, founder and CEO of DC Swim Week, the parent company that owns and operates Miami Swim Week The Shows.

Top couture fashion brands as well as emerging swimwear and resort wear brands debuted stunning new Summer 2023 collections including Ema Savahl, who opened Miami Swim Week on Wednesday night at the SLS Hotel South Beach with 36 beautiful, hand-painted swimwear looks. The opening kickoff show was hosted by The Little Lighthouse Foundation, a local Miami non-profit dedicated to supporting young underserved children and families across Miami-Dade County.

All proceeds from the Miami Swim Week kickoff opening show were donated to The Little Lighthouse Foundation two beautiful young girls from the non-profit organization kicked off the runway show in stunning dresses hand-made by Ema Savahl herself.

Other top designers celebrated the debut of new swimwear fashion collections at Miami Swim Week The Shows including Tiara Hawaii, luxury swimwear line Bikilinilista, luxury slow fashion swim and resort wear brand Island Tribe, SuperModel Swim wear , Uplive x HEKKA, Liliana Montoya, Maxine, Daze Dayz, Normal Culture, JAMS by Jillian, GoldBarr, Bodhi Miami, Humans The Brand and dozens more Click here to see the complete roster of showing swimwear designers.

This year's top Miami Swim Week sponsors and partners made the Miami Swim Week The Shows a fabulous week-long series of fashion shows, parties, and activation events including Mystic Tan, The Little Lighthouse Foundation, popular global social media live streaming platform, Uplive, Voga Italia, the world's second-largest wine and spirits seller, Pernod Ricard, Global Fashion Channel (GFC), fashion retailer brand wholesale platform, JOOR, and Runway Buy. Attendees from around the world visited and enjoyed Mystic Tan's Glow Suite Activation at the SLS Hotel South Beach with complimentary spray tans while perfecting their summer glows with the brand's new Mystic Tan Unity spray booth.

"From sustainable and eco-friendly fashion to Unisex swimwear and Metaverse digital fashion, this year's Miami Swim Week The Shows was unlike anything the fashion industry has ever seen," said Moh Ducis, Founder & CEO of Miami Swim Week The Shows.

About Miami Swim Week The Shows

Miami Swim Week The Shows is owned and managed by D.C. Swim Week Shows and is the fastest growing luxury fashion show production company specializing in innovative fashion concepts, production, and execution. The company has over 10 years of experience producing fashion shows at DC Swim Week, Miami Swim Week, and Hammock and shows at New York Fashion Week. For more information, please visit the Miami Swim Week The Shows website and follow the brand on instagram. To purchase tickets to select Miami Swim Week The Shows runway shows or parties, please visit our official Eventbrite page. To apply for official media credentials for Miami Swim Week The Shows, please visit here and apply.

Media Kit & Press Packet: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oazb7Y1DTR7EZYgnvQP83pTebnvkLdLQ

All Runway images

https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/sls-miami-swim?assettype=image&family=editorial&phrase=SLS%20Miami%20Swim&sort=newest

Media Contact:

Samantha Savory

3055825997

[email protected]

SOURCE DC Swim Week
Milliman PPFI funded ratio at 74.0% as of June 30

SEATTLE, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today released the latest results of its Public Pension Funding Index (PPFI), which consists of the nation's 100 largest public defined benefit pension plans.

During June, the Milliman 100 public pension funded ratio dropped from 78.4% on May 31, 2022, to 74.0% as of June 30, 2022. The drop in funding was the result of poor investment performance, with PPFI plans experiencing investment losses of 5.13% in aggregate for the month and shedding approximately $240 billion in the market value of assets.

"Public pensions have seen their funding tumble during June 2022, thanks to the continuing turmoil in financial markets" Tweet this

"Public pensions have seen their funding tumble during June 2022, thanks to the continuing turmoil in financial markets," said Becky Sielman, author of Milliman's PPFI. "Combined with the normal growth in liabilities, these public pensions saw their aggregate deficit rise by $262 billion in June alone."

The market decline pushed eight plans below the 90% funded mark as of June 30, 2022; now just 19 plans still stand above this benchmark, compared to 27 on May 31, 2022, and 46 at the close of 2021.

For more information and to view the full Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index, go to http://www.milliman.com/ppfi/. To see Milliman's full range of annual Pension Funding Studies, go to https://www.milliman.com/en/retirement-and-benefits/pension-funding-studies. To receive regular updates of Milliman's pension funding analysis, contact us at [email protected].

About Milliman

Milliman is among the world's largest providers of actuarial and related products and services. The firm has consulting practices in healthcare, property & casualty insurance, life insurance and financial services, and employee benefits. Founded in 1947, Milliman is an independent firm with offices in major cities around the globe. For further information, visit milliman.com.

SOURCE Milliman, Inc.
GUANGZHOU, China, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MINISO Group Holding Limited (NYSE: MNSO; HKEx: 9896) ("MINISO," "MINISO Group" or the "Company"), a global retailer offering a variety of design-led lifestyle products, today issued the following press release in response to allegations made in a report issued by Blue Orca Capital ("Blue Orca").

As the Company previously disclosed, on July 26, 2022, shortseller Blue Orca issued a report attacking the Company (the "Report"). In the past two days, the Company has been reporting its preliminary findings rebutting the Report's key allegations to the Independent Committee that the Company's Board of Directors had formed to oversee an independent investigation regarding the allegations made in the Report ("Independent Investigation").

Among the preliminary findings that the Company reported to the Independent Committee are the following:

1. Franchise Business Model

The Company believes that the allegation made in the Report about the Company's franchise business model is without merit. As disclosed in the Company's previous filings made in the United States and Hong Kong, the Company adopts the MINISO Retail Partner model as the Company's predominant business model for its operations in China. Under this model, when a MINISO Retail Partner joins the Company's store network, the MINISO Retail Partner  not the Company  shoulders the associated capital expenditure and operating expenses. The Company provides the MINISO Retail Partners only with operational guidance in the form of store management and consultation services. All of the Company's MINISO Retail Partners are independent of the Company and are not owned or controlled by the Company legally, operationally, or otherwise.

Historically, certain MINISO Retail Partners requested the Company's assistance with certain administrative tasks, such as corporate registration with the local administration of industry and commerce. From time to time, in providing the requested assistance, some Company employees may have found it necessary or expedient to provide their names and contact information to the local authorities and did so on their own initiative. This information, in turn, became part of the registration records of a number of stores owned and operated by MINISO Retail Partners. The Report's allegation that "over 620" stores are "registered to MINISO executives or persons connected to chairman" is erroneous. To the best of the Company's knowledge, the number of instances where Company employees provided their names in the manner described was only a very small fraction of the Company's total store counts. Moreover, most of these instances can be traced back to the same small group of employees whose duties and responsibilities included government relations such as corporate registrations. These unapproved practices by individual employees have been substantially curtailed. As of the date of this press release, to the best of the Company's knowledge, there are only three stores owned by retail partners with junior-level Company employees' name on their registration records. None of the Company's management's name, or that of their relatives, appears in any MINISO Retail Partners stores' registration records.

In any event, none of the above shows that these independently operated stores, simply by virtue of receiving ad hoc administrative assistance from the Company or its employees, thereby became Company-owned and Company-controlled stores. As disclosed in the Company's prior public filings in the United States and Hong Kong, other than the directly-operated and distributor-operated stores, all of the MINISO and TOP TOY stores in China were and are owned by MINISO Retail Partners that were and are independent of the Company and the Company's management. Moreover, as previously disclosed, under the MINISO Retail Partner model, the Company recognizes revenue, not when products are delivered to its MINISO Retail Partners, but only when products are sold by its MINISO Retail Partners to end-customers. Under this timing of revenue recognition, incentives to inflate the reported number of its MINISO Retail Partners are substantially reduced.

2. Land Deals Involving the Company's Chairman

The Company believes that the Report's allegation that Chairman Ye siphoned off IPO proceeds by a series of real estate transactions is also without merit. In December 2020, MINISO and Chairman Ye formed a joint venture ("JV") for the purpose of purchasing a piece of land to build an office building in China, with Chairman Ye holding 80% interest in the JV and MINISO holding the remaining 20%. In October 2021, MINISO bought out Chairman Ye's 80% interest for RMB 695 million. The above transactions were fully and accurately disclosed in the Company's prospectus for its Hong Kong IPO and the press releases dated December 11, 2020, and September 26, 2021. Moreover, these transactions were duly presented to and approved by the Company's Board of Directors and its Audit Committee.

Nonetheless, the Report alleges that Mr. Ye never contributed any cash to the JV. As a result, the Report alleges that the Company's buy-out of Mr. Ye's shares in October 2021 was "money for nothing." The Report is incorrect.

In exchange for his 80% stake in the JV, Mr. Ye contributed the following to the JV:

(i) On February 2, 2021, YGF MC Limited, a company solely owned by Mr. Ye, contributed USD 34.5 million (~RMB 222.95 million) to the JV;

(ii) On February 4, 2021, Mr. Ye, through another company owned and controlled by him, obtained a loan in the amount of RMB 319.9 million and contributed the loan proceeds to the JV; and

(iii) On May 25, 2021, YGF MC Limited contributed another RMB 200 million to the JV.

As the foregoing shows, Mr. Ye contributed a total of approximately RMB742.88 million to the JV. When MINISO bought out Mr. Ye's 80% stake in the JV in October 2021, the Company engaged an independent third-party appraiser to conduct a valuation on the JV. Together with Mr. Ye's other interest in the JV, Mr. Ye's total interest in the JV was estimated to be over RMB 700 million. Each of these numbers is in excess of the RMB 695 million that MINISO paid Mr. Ye to buy out Mr. Ye's shares in the JV.

3. The Company's Business Prospects

Finally, the Company believes that the Report's allegations about the Company's business prospects are likewise without merit. For example, far from a sign that the Company was struggling, the reduction of the Company's licensing fees was part of the Company's considered strategy to incentivize its MINISO Retail Partners to open stores in third- and lower-tier Chinese cities. This strategy succeeded. As disclosed on page 250 of the Hong Kong prospectus, the number of MINISO stores in third- and lower-tier cities in China increased from 806 as of June 30, 2019 to 894 as of June 30, 2020 and 1,137 as of June 30, 2021. Year to year, the number of MINISO stores in third- and lower-tier cities in China increased from 1,029 as of December 31, 2020 to 1,307 as of December 31, 2021.

The Company's revenue from licensing fees received from MINISO Retail Partners also increased during the relevant period. As the Company disclosed on pages 18 and 306 of the Hong Kong prospectus, revenue from license fees received from the Company's MINISO Retail Partners was RMB13.6 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019; RMB58.5 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020; and RMB54.0 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. For the six months ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, revenue from license fees received from the Company's MINISO Retail Partners was RMB20.3 million and RMB42.2 million, respectively.

With respect to store closure, the Report cites inaccurate store closure data reported by several media outlets from several years ago. The latest information about the number of stores closed in fiscal years ended June 30, 2019, 2020, and 2021, and the same metric for the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, can be found at pages 249 and 255 of the Hong Kong prospectus.

About MINISO Group

MINISO is a global 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. Design, quality and affordability are at the core of every MINISO product it delivers, and the Company continually and frequently rolls out products of 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 store network worldwide.

For more information, please visit https://ir.miniso.com/ .

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. MINISO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), 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. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's reports filed with, or furnished to the SEC. 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.

SOURCE MINISO Group Holding Limited
South Africa: Landlords encouraged to reduce electricity usage

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Patricia de Lille, has appealed to landlords to help drive down electricity demand in their private offices that the department rents from them.

I also appealed to the landlords that we want to see a reduction of 50% in electricity and water use within the next year [by] them implementing water and energy efficiency measures in their buildings, De Lille said.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the Landlords' Conference in Bokburg on Thursday, De Lille said the DPWI property portfolio is a big user of electricity and water, and generates a significant amount of waste.

De Lille said the aim of the conference was to forge a greater understanding and links between the department and private landlords to improve respective processes and operations, and work together more seamlessly and productively.

In line with the Presidents announcement on Monday evening for us reduce demand while we work on increasing supply, I appealed to the landlords to help drive down demand in their private offices that we rent from them, De Lille said.

She said in as much as companies exist to provide services and make a profit, government has a responsibility to delivery services but to do so effectively, while practising sound financial management.

While we want to support and do business with the private sector, we also have a duty to optimise utilisation of our many buildings we own as the State landlord and custodian of State-owned properties, De Lille said.

De Lille said the conference was a critical engagement, as there are a number of challenges in the work of letting properties for use by government departments.

The issues that we are confronted with in this work are complex at times but that does not mean we cant fix things. We simply must.

I conveyed to the landlords that as DPWI, we are doing our part and we now turn to the private sector to do their part by putting in measures to reduce water and energy demands in their buildings that we lease from them, the minister said.

De Lille explained that the DPWI, as the largest landlord and facilities manager in the country, has a responsibility to not only deliver and manage quality infrastructure but to combat climate change and enhance sustainable development through its mandate, including providing buildings for government service delivery.

In the 2021/22 financial year, DPWI spent over R764 million for the year and an average monthly payment of over R63 million on municipal services payments on leases from the private sector. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-07-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Rock Creek Location Becomes Third Dispensary to Affiliate with Union

JOLIET, Ill., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Workers at the Rise Rock Creek Dispensary in Joliet, Ill. have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 777. The facility is the third Rise location to affiliate with Local 777 in less than four months.

"We're making monumental progress in a short period of time because Illinois cannabis workers recognize that we're the strongest union out there," said Peter Finn, Teamsters Food Processing Division Director. "To all of the other Rise workers out there  join our movement! you'll be glad that you did."

"Legally-regulated recreational cannabis is a fairly new industry in our state, but it's been an honor to represent such an engaged, energetic and unified group of workers," said Jim Glimco, Local 777 President. "We welcome these men and women to our family and will continue to fight hard on their behalf as we stand together at the forefront of this twenty-first century labor movement."

Dan Hammond and Titus L. Lee, Jr. are Patient Care Specialists at Rise Rock Creek who voted in favor of joining the Teamsters.

"I support forming a union with the Teamsters because it's time for these big corporations to treat us like humans," said Lee.

"I support forming a union with the Teamsters because cannabis workers are stronger when stand together," said Hammond.

Founded in 1937, Teamsters Local 777 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout the Chicago area. For more information, go to https://www.teamsters777.org/.

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 777
"Hoo Knew" Delivers Delicious Chardonnay with 30% Less Calories

OAKVILLE, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JL WOOD, a family-owned winery, is a specialist in luxury Chardonnay.

Starting August 1, 2022, JL WOOD will ship their newest product, "Hoo Knew", a reduced alcohol Chardonnay (9.7% ALC/VOL). Provided in 750mL bottles, it is 80 calories per 5 ounce serving. Serving Facts on "Hoo Knew" can be found on the website JLWOODwine.com

JL WOOD Hoo Knew Label

Paul Morrison, JL WOOD Managing Director, summarizes the value proposition: "Our target buyer is concerned about alcohol levels or calories. Many customers want to control their intake of alcohol for a variety of reasons: health, help with weight loss, less potent drinking, etc. It is important to note that we make no representations about the health impacts of alcohol reduction. The Federal warning on the back of the bottle remains the same."

Paul continues: "We determined that the reduced alcohol customer wants a tasty wine experience. We take no short-cuts in the winery, nor do we ask our customers to accept trade-offs in quality. The same hand selected high-quality grapes from our own JL WOOD Ranch that go into our other luxury products are used in "Hoo Knew"."

Ed Filice, JL WOOD winemaker, explains the reduced alcohol technology behind "Hoo Knew". "We used a light touch "spinning cone" process. Our evaluations revealed that it has a minimum of quality and technical impacts on our final product. Like our other luxury Chardonnays, "Hoo Knew" is fully fermented with no added sugar or flavor reducing malolactic fermentation."

JL WOOD is very attentive to their consumer's focus on the environment. Having farmed the same land for over 100 years, the JL WOOD team thinks about sustainability and their carbon footprint in every process. Both vineyard and winery operations are sustainably certified.

"Hoo Knew" and other JL WOOD Chardonnays are available through selected distributors, retailers, and restaurants.

Consumers can order JL WOOD wines for direct home delivery through JLWOODwine.com to California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, DC, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, and Minnesota. The website includes a blog, Inside Modern Wine, and a gallery of photos of our vineyard and winery operations.

Contact:

Paul Morrison, Managing Director

(980) 621-9332

[email protected]

SOURCE JL WOOD
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will host a pair of briefings on Wednesday, Aug. 3, and Friday, Aug. 5, to preview the upcoming Artemis I lunar mission. The agency is currently targeting no earlier than Monday, Aug. 29, for the launch of the Space Launch System rocket to send the Orion spacecraft around the Moon and back to Earth. The mission will take place over the course of about six weeks to check out systems before crew fly aboard on Artemis II.

The first briefing will provide an overview of the Artemis I mission, and the second briefing will dive deeper into the Artemis I mission timeline and spacecraft operations. Both briefings will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, the agency's website.

Briefing participants include (all times Eastern):

Wednesday, Aug. 3

11 a.m.  Artemis I mission overview briefing with the following participants:

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson

Bhavya Lal, associate administrator for technology, policy, and strategy, NASA Headquarters

Mike Sarafin , Artemis I mission manager, NASA Headquarters

, Artemis I mission manager, NASA Headquarters Charlie Blackwell-Thompson , Artemis I launch director, NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida

, Artemis I launch director, NASA's in John Honeycutt , Space Launch System program manager, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama

, Space Launch System program manager, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Howard Hu , Orion program manager, NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston

This event will air live on NASA TV and media may join by telephone to ask questions. To participate by phone, media must send their full name, media affiliation, email address, and phone number no later than two hours prior to the start of the event to: [email protected].

Friday, Aug. 5

11:30 a.m.  Artemis I detailed mission briefing with the following participants:

Debbie Korth , Orion program deputy manager, NASA Johnson

, Orion program deputy manager, NASA Johnson Rick LaBrode , lead Artemis I flight director, NASA Johnson

, lead Artemis I flight director, NASA Johnson Judd Frieling , Artemis I ascent/entry flight director, NASA Johnson

, Artemis I ascent/entry flight director, NASA Johnson Melissa Jones , Artemis I recovery director, NASA Kennedy

, Artemis I recovery director, NASA Kennedy Reid Wiseman , chief astronaut, NASA Johnson

, chief astronaut, NASA Johnson Philippe Deloo, Orion European Service Module program manager, ESA (European Space Agency)

This event will air live on NASA TV and media may participate in person at Johnson or by phone. To participate in the briefings by phone, media must contact the Johnson newsroom by 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4. U.S. media interested in participating in person at Johnson must contact the Johnson newsroom no later than 5 p.m. Friday, July. 29, by calling: 281-483-5111 or emailing: [email protected].

Along with the briefings, NASA will host an Artemis I media day at Johnson Friday, Aug. 5, to showcase Artemis I mission hardware and offer interviews. Media attending will get an in-person look at development mockups, design simulators, flight control operations, and hardware in development for lunar exploration.

Artemis I is an uncrewed flight test, the first in a series of increasingly complex missions to the Moon.

Through Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term lunar presence and serving as a steppingstone to send astronauts to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis I mission at:

https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-i/

SOURCE NASA
www.spendedge.com/sample-report/network-cables-procurement-market-intelligence-report

Key Network Cables Sourcing and Procurement Report Highlights:

1. Market growth 2022-2026: USD 11.07 Billion

2. Growth momentum & CAGR: Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.54%

3. Top Pricing Models: Fixed pricing, Volume-based pricing, and Cost-plus pricing

4. Key consumer countries: North America, Europe, and APAC

5. Supplier Selection Scope: Cable performance, Regional presence, Environmental factors, and Cable installation

Know More About This Market: www.spendedge.com/sample-report/network-cables-procurement-market-intelligence-report

Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Network Cables market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Network Cables pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as Unit-based pricing, and Bundled pricing, category management strategies and best practices to fulfil their category objectives.

Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors.

Identify favorable opportunities in Network Cables TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

Smart Procurement Starts Here

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Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

Contacts

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New Zealand headquartered Software as a Service (SaaS) B2B tech scale-up Crossware and the eKomi Group today announced the acquisition of leading German email signature provider Gangl.de as part of its global expansion.

Crossware, a world-leading email signature solution for Microsoft 365, Microsoft Exchange and HCL Domino with over a million global subscribers acquired the Gangl.de to increase its footprint in the world's largest economic region - the European Union.

Founded by tech entrepreneur Per Andersen in 2001, Crossware is a homegrown success story with its software used annually on 1.8 billion emails across 80 countries  representing a 10 per cent share of the global email market. Crossware was acquired in 2021 by the eKomi Group - Europe's premiere & largest independent provider of transaction-based reviews & ratings.

For Troy Adams, Crossware's Managing Director, the acquisition of Gangl.de will help build Crossware's momentum as a vital technology partner while it thrives to become the premier centralized platform for email signature management worldwide.

"This acquisition allows Crossware to control its destiny as a tech firm by allowing us to significantly scale in the European Union," said Mr. Adams.

"Our partnership with Gangl.de is truly complementary and significantly increases our global reach, software development team and client footprint, which in turn allows us to build scale - one of the most critical components to the success of any technology firm. This acquisition, coupled with our recent rebrand will see us become the technology platform of choice for multi-national firms seeking to utilize their email signatures as a key component of their marketing and brand initiatives." Mr. Adams continued.

Gangl.de offers over 70 products and solutions based around the Microsoft email services universe, adding unrivaled value and efficiencies to its clients' businesses. With over 17,000 B2B clients in Europe's German-speaking region of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Ganlg.de enjoys a plethora of long-term relationships and partnerships while helping these organizations to add value and efficiencies to their business via email tracking and standardized branding.

For Gangl.de Founder and Managing Director Thomas Gangl, this partnership represents an opportunity for the organization to embark on its next growth phase in the global marketplace.

"Gangl.de and Crossware are working together to change, educate and transform the use of email by companies as a most powerful marketing and data collection tool in their arsenal," Mr. Gangl said.

"Our partnership allows us to share learnings and expertise as we seek to re-define the epitome of email management. I am looking forward to partnering with the Crossware team as we seek to go global as a merged company as our relationship continues to grow." Mr. Gangl added.

About Crossware

Founded in 1992 in Denmark by Per Andersen as a creator of software solutions for IBM Lotus (now HCL)., Mr. Andersen's love of New Zealand brought Crossware Down Under. Eventually settling in Auckland, Crossware quickly grew to become the largest and most experienced HCL Lotus Software vendor in the country. This growth occurred due to the key insight that in a time of cluttered inboxes and email fatigue, sending data-driven personalized and relevant emails matters more than ever.

Crossware's powerful tools allow its clients to personalize company emails with intelligently applied ad banners, email signatures, disclaimers and more. In 2013 as Microsoft business solutions grew, Crossware was the first to introduce an Email Signature Solution for Microsoft Office 365 . Today, Crossware Mail Signature has over a million users across 80 countries.

About Gangl.de

Founded in 1999 by entrepreneur Thomas Gangl, Gangl.de is the unchallenged market leader in the German-speaking region. Located east of Stuttgart, Germany, it develops and offers practical solutions for Outlook, Exchange-Server as well as Office 365 and Exchange Online. Today Gangl.de serves 5.500 companies with 17.000 installations and 650,000 active users whilst maintaining a massive catalogue of high-performance email integrations.

About eKomi

eKomi Holdings with its group companies, affiliates and partners is Europe's premiere & largest independent provider of transaction-based reviews & ratings with specialist expertise in intelligent feedback systems in social commerce and customer evaluation for businesses operating across a wide range of sectors. Headquartered in Berlin, eKomi has offices in Amsterdam, Auckland, Berlin, Brisbane, Cape Town, Dubai, Hannover, Kyiv, Lahore, Lisbon, London, Los Angeles and Madrid while cooperating with an extensive network of partners around the globe.

Contact:

Troy Adams

0466384140

[email protected]

SOURCE Crossware
DENVER, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickel Road Operating LLC ("Nickel Road") today announced that it has strategically divested a portion of its assets in the Denver-Julesberg ("DJ") Basin to Bayswater Exploration and Production, LLC ("Bayswater"). The assets are positioned next to Bayswater's existing holdings in Weld County and included 2,752 net leasehold acres; 161 mineral acres; 17 producing wells (5 operated, 12 non-operated); working interests in 18 DUCs; and 68 operated well permits.

After this divestiture, Nickel Road will retain the majority of its production and operated drilling and spacing units in the Wattenberg Field, as well as 100 approved permits for extended reach horizontal wells.

"We are pleased with the completion of this transaction," said Andrew Haney, Co-President of Nickel Road. "We are also excited about our 2022 development program and the fairway of opportunities that we have in front of us."

Nickel Road Co-President, Dana Johnson added, "The remainder of our assets are located in the oil-rich Northern Wattenberg Field where there is a concentration of current development activity. Nickel Road has excelled at operational execution in the DJ Basin, and we remain focused on responsible development for all of our stakeholders in Weld County."

Based in Denver, Colorado, Nickel Road is focused on acquiring, leasing, and developing oil and natural gas assets in the Wattenberg Field. The company is supported by an equity commitment from Vortus Investment Advisors, LLC of Fort Worth, Texas.

Nickel Road was advised by Evercore, Shearman & Sterling and Dickie McCamey.

About Nickel Road Operating

Nickel Road Operating LLC is a Denver-based oil and gas acquisition and development company. Nickel Road was formed in July 2017 by Andrew Haney and Kit Tincher with a capital investment from private investors. The company partnered with Vortus Investment Advisors to grow and develop the position. Nickel Road is currently led by Andrew Haney, Dana Johnson and Kit Tincher. For additional information please visit www.nickelroadoperating.com.

About Vortus Investment Advisors, LLC

Vortus Investment Advisors, LLC is a Fort Worth-based private equity firm focused on the lower to middle market upstream energy industry in North America. Vortus has an asset-based investment strategy, targeting privately negotiated transactions in the lower to middle market requiring approximately $25 million to $100 million of equity capital in partnership with successful owner/operators. For additional information, please visit www.vortus.com.

SOURCE Nickel Road Operating LLC
DUBLIN, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "North America Peer-To-Peer Electric Vehicle Charging Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Application (Residential and Commercial), By Charger Type (Level 2 and Level 1), By Country and Growth Forecast, 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The North America Peer-To-Peer Electric Vehicle Charging Market is expected to witness market growth of 19.9% CAGR during the forecast period (2022-2028).



To broaden the scope of peer-to-peer electric charging solutions, many companies are focused on collaborations with utilities and energy corporations. For example, in January 2020, EVmatch announced a trial initiative with companies in the U.S. state of Vermont, such as Green Mountain Power and Burlington Electric Department, to create EV charging affordable and logical for multi-family dwellings. EV charging stations are also becoming more popular among apartment owners as a way to generate additional cash, recoup electricity bills, and attract new renters.



Governments around the world are focusing on providing subsidies for the establishment of peer-to-peer networks to overcome range anxiety issues associated with electric vehicles. The United States government, for example, has formed the Northeast Corridor Regional Strategy, which aims to encourage the integration and growth of peer-to-peer electric car charging networks and infrastructures.

Peer-to-peer charging stations are being introduced by several businesses to boost consumer satisfaction. The increasing number of firms working in the peer-to-peer electric car charging industry across the United States is helping to drive up usage.

Furthermore, makers of electric vehicle charging stations are concentrating on expanding collaborations with automobile manufacturers to deliver a seamless charging experience. For example, Tesla has installed 18 general populace charging stations in the state of California. The SF Bay Area Activities & Coalition has designated 109 sites where public charging stations will be constructed beginning in 2009, due to ARRA funds.



In May 2019, Transport Canada introduced a pan-Canadian EV rebate program, offering a $5,000 rebate toward the purchase of a new electric vehicle. In the second quarter of 2019, electric vehicle sales accelerated across Canada. However, in all markets, the rate of the additional sales did not last through the second quarter, implying that the lesser incentive amount may have a smaller or more transient impact than the $10,000 incentive previously offered in Ontario. EV sales in other Canadian markets with legislative incentive programmes increased marginally after the initial bump in the second quarter of 2019.



Scope of the Study

Market Segments Covered in the Report:

By Application

Residential

Apartments



Private Homes

Commercial

Destination Charging Station



Fleet Charging Station



Workplace Charging Station



Others

By Charger Type

Level 2

Level 1

By Country

US

Canada

Mexico

Rest of North America

Key Market Players

List of Companies Profiled in the Report:

ChargePoint Holdings, Inc.

Enphase Energy, Inc. (ClipperCreek, Inc.)

Enel X Italia Srl (Enel Group)

EVBox (Engie SA)

EVmeter LTD.

Shell Recharge Solutions (Shell plc)

Innogy SE (E. ON SE)

Power Hero, Inc.

Webasto Group

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Market Scope & Methodology



Chapter 2. Market Overview



Chapter 3. Strategies deployed in Peer-To-Peer Electric Vehicle Charging Market



Chapter 4. North America Peer-To-Peer Electric Vehicle Charging Market by Application



Chapter 5. North America Peer-To-Peer Electric Vehicle Charging Market by Charger Type



Chapter 6. North America Peer-To-Peer Electric Vehicle Charging Market by Country



Chapter 7. Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/88pidb

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
MILWAUKEE, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual advisors represent more than one quarter of the honorees on Forbes' 2022 "Top 100 Financial Security Professionals" list, with over 270 advisors recognized as "Best-In-State Financial Security Professionals." Northwestern Mutual's majority representation in this year's Forbes ranking exceeds that of its competitors and marks the highest participation rate on a single industry recognition list in company history.

The Forbes list recognizes the nation's top-performing financial advisors who provide holistic financial planning, focusing on risk mitigation, wealth management and a personal planning experience. Honorees are selected using a broad set of criteria that includes production and premiums, assets under management, client retention rates and exhibition of best practices.

"Northwestern Mutual is the undeniable industry leader in financial security, and our record-breaking presence in this year's rankings proves it," said Tim Gerend, Northwestern Mutual's chief distribution officer and a member of the Forbes/SHOOK Financial Security Professionals Leadership Advisory Board. "In these uncertain times, Northwestern Mutual's advisors' approach to financial planning stands out from the crowd. Clients want a plan that creates financial security  protecting what is most important while creating future prosperity  and that's what we distinctly offer. Inclusion on this prestigious list is a testament to the value our advisors create every day."

The Top Financial Security Professionals Ranking follows the recognition of more than 120 Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management advisors on Forbes' "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" list and 10 advisors on Barron's "Top 1,200 Financial Advisors" ranking. Leading industry publications including Financial Planning, Financial Advisor, ThinkAdvisor and InvestmentNews consistently rank Northwestern Mutual Investment Services as a top independent broker-dealer by total revenue.

"Americans don't want a financial product  they want to worry less and live more, and they want a financial plan that helps them to address the anxiety they feel about their wealth management, risk management and asset management," said Aditi Javeri Gokhale, the company's chief strategy officer, president of retail investments and head of institutional investments. "Our unique approach to financial planning is resonating with clients and turning heads in the industry."

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a holistic planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than $560 billion in combined company and client assets, $34 billion in revenues, and $2.1 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to nearly five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 97 on the 2022 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2022.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual
Scheduled Picket for This Afternoon (Thursday, July 28) Cancelled

LAWRENCE, Mass., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The five hundred unionized nurses of Lawrence General Hospital, who are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, reached a tentative contract agreement with hospital management at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 28.

As a result, the nurses' informational picket that was scheduled for today (Thursday, July 28) from 2 to 5 p.m. will NOT occur.

Following a review of the tentative agreement by the union membership, as well as a still-to-be-scheduled ratification vote, highlights of the agreement will be shared in a subsequent media release.

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest registered nurse union in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 25,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association
VANCOUVER, BC, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE: PRR) (OTC: PRRSF) (FRA: OED) is pleased to announce that the drilling permits have been received for the flagship Knauss Creek and Holy Grail properties located 10 km's north of Terrace, BC.

Permit applications were compiled and submitted after a very successful 2021 field season that produced many high-grade results of gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc. These results along with Lidar surveying, and compilation of historical data have provided the expert team with numerous drill targets for 2022. Under the leadership of CEO, Michael Iverson, and President, Yan Ducharme, the team of geologists have identified primary targets located on the Knauss Creek property, including the historical high-grade producing Dorreen gold mine. The first 2 targets will be the Dorreen mine and the Jay Veins zone.

The company commenced the field season with prospecting in May and at the same time has lined up all drilling contractors and supplies in the starting blocks ready for the receipt of the drilling permits. Thanks to the organized preparation of all pertinent personnel and supplies, the teams will start the setup of the drill locations immediately. The helicopter supported drilling campaign will start tomorrow with the placement of all pad building materials and crews, followed immediately by the mobilization of the drilling team to run 24 hours per day until the planned program is fulfilled.

Michael Iverson, CEO states, "Here we are with permits in hand and the entire crew ready to go. We've been waiting with great excitement and anticipation to get out there and start hitting this initial targets. Yan and I have worked with our team to meticulously plan our attack and start proving up our assets. The helicopter is set to start getting guys to work this week. Stay tuned."

Qualified Person

All scientific or technical information included in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Yan Ducharme, P.Geo., President of the Company and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Holy Grail & Knauss Creek

The Holy Grail and Knauss properties start about 10 kilometers north of the town of Terrace in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. They are easily accessible by two highways and a network of logging roads. They are contiguous and form a horseshoe covering about 730 square kilometers.

The southern tip of the Golden Triangle arrives just northwest of the properties. The Bower Lake and the Hazelton Groups hosting most of the deposits and mines of this area are also underlying the Holy Grail and Knauss Creek properties.

A few gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc occurrences where found in the past. The most notable is the Dorreen mine where three levels were developed and, according to historical documents, around 700 tons of ore were mined out at an average grade of more than 10 g/t Au.

The properties hold more than 10 very interesting gold showings, sometimes with silver, copper, lead and zinc.

About Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.

Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a British Columbia based exploration and development company focused on gold exploration. Prospect Ridge's management and technical team cumulate over 100 years of mineral exploration experience and believes the Holy Grail and Knauss Creek properties to have the potential to extend the boundaries of the Golden Triangle to cover this vast under-explored region.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, positive exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects and the Company's use of proceeds from the Private Placement. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that future exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects will not be as anticipated and that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that future exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects will be as anticipated and that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

SOURCE Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.
TORONTO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Quarterhill Inc. ("Quarterhill") (TSX: QTRH) (OTCQX: QTRHF), will release its financial results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2022, on Thursday, August 11, 2022. Bret Kidd, President and CEO, and John Karnes, CFO, will host a conference call and audio webcast at 10:00 a.m. ET the same day.

Webcast Information

The live audio webcast will be available at:

https://app.webinar.net/38vZ7ERG16j

Dial-in Information

To access the call from Canada and U.S., dial 1.888.220.8474 (Toll Free)

and U.S., dial 1.888.220.8474 (Toll Free) To access the call from other locations, dial 1.647.484.0475 (International)

Replay Information

Webcast replay will be available for 365 days at:

https://app.webinar.net/38vZ7ERG16j

Telephone replay will be available from 1:00 p.m. ET on August 11, 2022, until 11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2022, at: 1.888.203.1112 (Toll Free North America) or 1.647.436.0148.

Conference ID: 7443681 and Replay Passcode: 7443681

About Quarterhill

Quarterhill is a leading provider of tolling and enforcement solutions in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) industry, as well as, through its Wi-LAN Inc. subsidiary, a leader in Intellectual Property licensing. Our goal is global leadership in ITS, via organic growth of the Electronic Transaction Consultants, LLC (ETC) and International Road Dynamics, Inc. (IRD) platforms, and by continuing an acquisition-oriented investment strategy that capitalizes on attractive growth opportunities within ITS and its adjacent markets. Quarterhill is listed on the TSX under the symbol QTRH and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol QTRHF. For more information, visit www.quarterhill.com

SOURCE Quarterhill Inc.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- California Attorney Douglas Borthwick has been given the high distinction of being named 2022 Litigator of The Year by American Institute of Trial Lawyers.

Award Photo

The American Institute of Trial Lawyers is an invitation only professional organization composed of premier trial attorneys from each state. These attorneys exemplify the very best qualities and qualifications of an attorney. Each attorney must meet stringent qualifications as a civil or criminal attorney. These attorneys' practice in a variety of fields to help and promote the ethical and elite practice of law. Selection is based on a thorough multi-phase process which includes peer nominations and third-party research. Each member must be in good standing with their local compliance organization.

Lawyers are selected based upon their exemplary work in the legal field, their positive standing with their local licensing authority and positive reviews from their peers. Less than .03% of all lawyers will be selected to become a member of the American Institute of Trial Lawyers.

Douglas Borthwick is also AV PREEMINENT RATED by Martindale-Hubbell. This is the highest possible attorney peer review rating in both legal ability and ethical standards.

Attorney Douglas Borthwick has further achieved a "SUPERB" Rating from Avvo, the highest evaluation given by the nationally acclaimed attorney rating agency.

Douglas Borthwick has earned the trust and respect of his clients and colleagues for his integrity, preparation, determination, and attention to detail.

Douglas Borthwick's experience includes, but is not exclusive of, the following areas: personal injury law, family law, criminal law, and general civil litigation practice.

"Life is the most precious thing we have and it's probably the thing most people take for granted. We're busy. We don't even take time to consciously think of our lives because we are too busy living them. Appreciate your life. We all only get one. Invest in what makes you happy. There is so much to be thankful for.

We all have rotten things happen to us and we all have unfortunate things. But there is good in everything that happens if you look for it. Give thanks every day. Live consciously with awareness and gratitude, appreciate the moments as they occur before they forever pass so quickly."- Attorney Douglas Borthwick, Esq.

To learn more about Law Offices of Douglas Borthwick, visit: www.borthwicklawyer.com.

Also visit: https://calbizjournal.com/attorney-douglas-borthwick/.

Also visit: https://www.acquisition-international.com/issues/2018-Leading-Adviser-Supplement/32/.

Media Contact:

John Walter

Phone: 714-564-9401

SOURCE Douglas Borthwick
SIMI VALLEY, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a celebration at the Reagan Library last month, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in partnership with GE recognized this year's class of GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program recipients. Selected for their exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship, the Scholars are:

GE-Reagan Foundation 2022 Scholarship Winners

Harvest Aquino of Frisco, Texas ; attending the University of Rochester

; attending the Miran Bhima of Charlotte, North Carolina ; attending Duke University

of ; attending Matthew Casertano of North Potomac, Maryland ; attending the California Institute of Technology

of ; attending the Austin Cowley of West Orange, New Jersey ; attending the University of Michigan

of ; attending the Alexander Fester of Palo Alto, California ; attending the Georgia Institute of Technology

of ; attending the Cellestine Harig of Deerfield, Illinois ; attending the University of Chicago

of ; attending the Ammi Hernandez of Cutler Bay, Florida ; attending Florida International University

of Cutler ; attending Peyton Hiatt of Rochester, Indiana ; attending Butler University

of ; attending Brendon Phuong of San Jose, California ; attending the University of California , Berkley

of ; attending the , Shannon Yeow of Chula Vista, California ; attending Princeton University

The 10 high school graduates will receive $10,000 per year for up to four years toward college expenses. To date, the scholarship program, now in its 12th year, has awarded $8.2 million to 205 students from 41 states and attending 113 undergraduate campuses. 2022 recipients, along with members of the 2020 and 2021 classes, were recognized at an exclusive Scholars Retreat at the Reagan Library, including leadership-development activities, a community service project, and a formal awards program.

"Each year, we are proud to recognize some of the nation's most dynamic young leaders through the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program," said Anthony Pennay, chief learning officer, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. "The character, leadership, and tenacity of the class of 2022 was particularly inspiring, and we are eager to see them showcase these qualities in college and beyond."

"We congratulate this year's deserving recipients of the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship," said Julie Grzeda, leader, global early career development, GE Aviation, and GE liaison for the scholarship. "It is our privilege to play a role in their leadership journeys and look forward to witnessing their individual and collective impact over the next four years."

The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program has been cited by U.S. News and World Report as one of four "huge scholarships worth $10,000 or more" that students should seriously consider. The scholarship selection committee evaluated the applicants on four values personified by President Reagan: leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship.

About The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute:

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is the nonprofit organization created by President Reagan himself and specifically charged by him with continuing his legacy and sharing his principles - individual liberty, economic opportunity, global democracy and national pride. The Foundation is a non-partisan organization which sustains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, CA, the Reagan Center for Public Affairs, the Presidential Learning Center, The Air Force One Pavilion and the award-winning Discovery Center, as well as the Reagan Institute, which carries out the Foundation's work in Washington, D.C.

The Reagan Library houses over 60 million pages of Gubernatorial, Presidential and personal papers, over 1.6 million photographs, a half million feet of motion picture film, 25,000 audio recordings, 22,000 video recordings, and over 83,000 objects chronicling the lives of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. It also serves as the final resting place of America's 40th President and his First Lady. www.reaganfoundation.org

About GE:

GE (NYSE: GE) drives the world forward by tackling its biggest challenges. By combining world-class engineering with software and analytics, GE helps the world work more efficiently, reliably, and safely. For more than 130 years, GE has invented the future of industry, and today it leads new paradigms in additive manufacturing, materials science, and data analytics. GE people are global, diverse and dedicated, operating with the highest integrity and passion to fulfill GE's mission and deliver for our customers. www.ge.com

Media Contacts:

Melissa Giller, Reagan Foundation

[email protected]

Jeff Caywood, GE

[email protected]

SOURCE The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
National trial firm Reid Collins & Tsai LLP handling pro bono prosecution of civil rights lawsuit alongside ACLU of Louisiana .

Violent May 2020 arrest of Teliah Perkins at her own home by Sheriff's Office deputies for misdemeanor traffic stop is basis for excessive force and First Amendment retaliation lawsuit.

Plaintiff defeats Defendants' motion for summary judgment, taking case closer to trial.

NEW ORLEANS, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, top national trial boutique Reid Collins & Tsai LLP obtained a key ruling on behalf of Teliah Perkins, a Black woman from Slidell, Louisiana, who was violently arrested at her own home in response to a minor traffic violation she did not commit. Reid Collins is representing Ms. Perkins pro bono in partnership with the ACLU of Louisiana's "Justice Lab" initiative.

On Tuesday, the Hon. Wendy B. Vitter of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana denied the bulk of the motion for summary judgment of the defendants, two St. Tammany Parish deputies. The Court held that the deputies are not entitled to qualified immunity on excessive force and First Amendment claims, as the facts and testimony show the violation of multiple, clearly established constitutional rights, including the right of a citizen arrested for a minor traffic violation to be free from unreasonable force, and the right of a minor child to peacefully record the police in his own driveway without the threat of physical harm.

Reid Collins & Tsai LLP obtained key ruling pro bono in civil rights lawsuit for discriminatory policing in Louisiana. Tweet this

Counsel for Ms. Perkins, Keith Cohan, said: "We appreciate the Court's thoughtful and detailed analysis of the evidence. Ms. Perkins looks forward to presenting her claims to a jury and to continuing her fight for justice - for herself and her family."

Reid Collins is proud to be a part of the ACLU of Louisiana's litigation campaign to challenge racially discriminatory policing practices.

The case is captioned Teliah C. Perkins, Individually and as Parent and Natural Guardian of D.J., a Minor, v. Kyle Hart and Ryan Moring, U.S.D.C. Eastern District of Louisiana, Civil Action No. 2:21-CV-00879

Click here to view Judge Vitter's opinion.

Click here to view the Perkins complaint.

Click here for video of the incident showing the deputies pressing Ms. Perkins' face and chest into the pavement and threatening to Taser her child for recording the arrest.

Click here to learn more about the Justice Lab project.

About Reid Collins

Reid Collins & Tsai LLP is one of the nation's leading plaintiffs' trial firms, litigating complex business disputes and achieving billions of dollars in settlements and judgments for its clients. Its team is comprised of accomplished trial lawyers who have extensive experience prosecuting financial fraud and corporate malfeasance cases, bankruptcy and insolvency related litigation, professional liability claims, and cross-border disputes. The firm represents fund managers, investor groups, trustees, receivers, liquidators, international banks, companies, governmental entities, and individuals in federal and state courts across the country.

For more information visit www.reidcollins.com

Austin | Dallas | New York | Washington D.C. | Wilmington

Source: Reid Collins & Tsai LLP

Contact:

Alexander Coxe

212.365.4792

[email protected]

SOURCE Reid Collins & Tsai LLP
Leading business Journal, NJBIZ, celebrates companies that benefit the state's economy, workforce and business realm

WESTFIELD, N.J., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Round Table Wealth Management (RTWM), an SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm, has been named by NJBIZ, New Jersey's leading business journal as a Best Places to Work in New Jersey 2022. The NJBIZ Best Places to Work in New Jersey awards program recognizes and celebrates top places of employment that benefit the state's economy, workforce and business. Scores were heavily based on a comprehensive confidential survey from employees evaluating their workplace experience and providing feedback on why their company is an ideal workplace.

"I could not be prouder of our team and the recognition of being named one of the best places to work in New Jersey," said Steven Giacona, Founder and CEO of Round Table Wealth Management. "It is a testament to each and every employee who contributes to a collegial culture where every person feels valued and appreciated. We stand behind our guiding principles of a collaborative partnership and recognize each associate's contribution to our success."

"This is a testament to our employees. Each contributes to a culture where people are valued and appreciated." Tweet this

Round Table Wealth Management made the NJBIZ list of Best Places to Work, in part, based on information provided on company policies and employee benefits. Subsequently, awards are recognized and categorized by company size across small (15  49 employees), medium (50  249 employees) and large (more than 250 employees).

The ranked list of winners will be honored at an awards ceremony being held on September 29, 2022, in Freehold, New Jersey.

To see the full list of the companies honored in all categories click here.

ABOUT ROUND TABLE WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Round Table Wealth Management (RTWM), an independent financial advisory firm established in 1999, is managed by four partners with over 100 years of industry experience. The 24-member firm brings a dedicated team of highly-credentialed wealth advisors, financial planners, and investment management professionals to support clients throughout all the ages and stages of life.

Global in their investing and personalized in their service, the firm provides objective strategies designed to meet the far-reaching goals of each client in a personal and comprehensive manner. Those clients are comprised of high-net-worth individuals, families (national and global), business owners, professionals, and women investors seeking thoughtful financial advice and guidance to grow and preserve their wealth. Assisting cross-border clients and expats with multi-national interests and a high degree of tax complexity is a key area of focus. In addition, the firm specializes in working with families and individuals who have multi-generational wealth concerns.

With approximately $1.6B in assets under management (AUM) for its clients, RTWM offers personalized advisory services supported by institutional knowledge, deep experience, and skilled expertise. Their fiduciary approach involves a suite of holistic planning services including investment, philanthropy, retirement, insurance, cash flow and tax and estate counsel.

Learn more at www.RoundTableWealth.com.

Media Contact:

Grace Vogelzang

Impact Communications, Inc.

913-649-5009

[email protected]

SOURCE Round Table Wealth Management
An accomplished leader in adult beverage, Dayna Dennington brings over 15 years of super-premium brand experience to fast-growing, Maryland rye distiller

BALTIMORE, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sagamore Spirit, the leading distiller of Maryland rye, today announced the appointment of Dayna Dennington as Executive Vice President of Sales, effective August 1. Dennington brings over 15 years of leadership and sales success at some of the world's most distinguished adult beverage portfolio companies, including Bacardi USA, Stoli Group, Treasury Wine Estates and most recently Fever-Tree USA.

Dayna Dennington, Executive Vice President of Sales

She joins Sagamore Spirit at a time of rapid growth, with the brand's core expressions  Signature, Cask Strength and Double Oak  continuously winning awards and reigniting passion for Maryland-style rye. Last month, the company nationally launched its line of Sagamore Spirit ready-to-drink cocktails, and last year released its first-ever Bottled-in-Bond rye whiskey, made entirely at its Baltimore distillery.

"Dayna brings invaluable, time-tested industry experience, a rare mix of strategic and creative thinking, a track record of building sales for today and tomorrow, and limitless energy," said Michael Misiorski, Sagamore Spirit CEO. "Her perseverance is inspiring and her presence on our leadership team will bring fresh perspectives and new ideas. Dayna is as passionate as anyone can be about the potential for Maryland-style rye whiskey, and proud of what our sales team has accomplished. We can't wait to see what the future holds with her onboard."

"Having worked for some of adult beverage's premier suppliers, I see at Sagamore Spirit a team fully up to its task -- creative, passionate, remarkably talented people committed to excellence and their brand's boundless potential," said Dennington. "To have something that is genuinely ownable in Maryland-distilled rye is a point of difference that isn't easy to come by, and that energizes me. I'm eager to become part of the leadership team, support our sales team the best way I can and bring new lips to some truly outstanding liquid."

For more information on Sagamore Spirit, visit www.SagamoreSpirit.com.

About Sagamore Spirit

Inspired by the legacy of Maryland Rye and today's spirit consumer, Sagamore Spirit is driven to craft the world's best Rye Whiskey while strengthening our collective communities. Its award-winning five-acre waterfront distillery in Baltimore is reclaiming the city's rightful place in America's whiskey history, where storied distillers perfected rye whiskey for more than 150 years before Kentucky was founded. Its work with Maryland farmers on grain-to-glass production is reviving local cultivation of exceptional rye grain for the benefit of all, from family farms to whiskey lovers across America.

Maryland Rye Whiskey was known to be full bodied yet notably more balanced than other regional rye styles, and Sagamore Spirit has picked up the torch. Its American Rye Whiskies have earned more than 150 awards internationally, including "World's Best Rye Whiskey" in 2019 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Sagamore Spirit's distillation team blends two different rye mash bills  a high rye and a low rye  and then adds pure Maryland limestone-filtered spring water, transported 22 miles from Sagamore Farm, to craft the brand's Signature Maryland-Style Rye Whiskey.

To learn more about Sagamore Spirit's core expressions, including Cask Strength Rye Whiskey and Double Oak Rye Whiskey, as well as limited-time Reserve Series releases, visit www.SagamoreSpirit.com.

SOURCE Sagamore Spirit
NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and other violations of law by the board of directors of PBF Logistics LP ("PBF Logistics" or the "Company") (NYSE: PBFX) in connection with the proposed acquisition of the Company by PBF Energy Inc. ("PBF Energy") (NYSE: PBF). Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding common unit of PBF Logistics that PBF Energy does not own will be converted into 0.270 shares of PBF Energy Class A common stock and $9.25 in cash, without interest. Currently, PBF Energy owns approximately 47.7% of the outstanding common units of PBF Logistics.

If you own PBF Logistics LP shares and wish to discuss this investigation or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, visit our website:

https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/pbfx

Or please contact:

Joshua Rubin, Esq.

Weiss Law

305 Broadway, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10007

(212) 682-3025

(888) 593-4771

[email protected]

Weiss Law is investigating whether (i) PBF Logistics' board of directors acted in the best interests of Company shareholders in agreeing to the proposed transaction, (ii) the share merger consideration adequately compensates PBF Logistics' shareholders, and (iii) all information regarding the sales process and valuation of the transaction will be fully and fairly disclosed.

Weiss Law has litigated hundreds of stockholder class and derivative actions for violations of corporate and fiduciary duties. We have recovered over a billion dollars for defrauded clients and obtained important corporate governance relief in many of these cases. If you have information or would like legal advice concerning possible corporate wrongdoing (including insider trading, waste of corporate assets, accounting fraud, or materially misleading information), consumer fraud (including false advertising, defective products, or other deceptive business practices), or anti-trust violations, please email us at [email protected]

SOURCE Weiss Law
DUBLIN, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "South Africa Construction Market Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

South Africa has the third-largest economy in Africa. Additionally, it is Africa's most industrialized, technologically advanced, and diversified economy.

The country's relative macroeconomic stability, stable democratic government, and well-developed infrastructure have given rise to a dynamic investment environment and established its position as a strategic gateway to other markets in the Southern African region and the rest of the African continent. Infrastructure investment is a central pillar of the South African government's post-COVID-19 economic recovery plans.

The 2022 budget allocated R812.5 billion (circa US$51.7 billion) over the next three years for infrastructure investment. The government's massive spending on major infrastructure projects is expected to drive a construction boom in the country. This report provides an overview of the South African construction market.

Summary

The country's construction industry was also one of the hardest hits by the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions in terms of employment, losing 259,118 jobs at the end of Q3 2020.

As part of efforts to revive the economy following the devastations of the COVID crisis, the South African government is implementing an economic reconstruction and recovery plan underpinned by massive investment in infrastructure - with a construction project pipeline worth R340 billion in industries such as energy, water, transport and telecommunications.

The government is also implementing a National Infrastructure Plan 2050 (NIP 2050). It aims to achieve an investment/GDP ratio of 30% to meet the infrastructure finance gap for public infrastructure, which is estimated at R2.15 trillion (circa US$140 billion) up to the year 2040. The NIP 2050 emphasises blended project finance and public-private cooperation to finance the delivery of public infrastructure.

The 2022 budget presented on 23 February 2022 allocated an amount of R812.5 billion (circa US$45.3 billion) to public-sector infrastructure projects across South Africa, including the repair and replacement of existing dams, bridges and railway lines, and the development of the housing, energy, agriculture, transport, water and sanitation and digital infrastructure sectors.

South Africa's construction industry is projected to achieve a growth of 9.1% in real terms in 2022, following a turnaround in 2021 from the COVID induced contraction of 16.5% in 2020. This report provides readers with detailed market analysis, information, and insights into the South African construction industry, including industry trends and issues, as well as an analysis of key risks and South Africa has the third-largest economy in Africa (after Nigeria and Egypt). However, it is Africa's most industrialized, technologically advanced, and diversified economy. According to the World Bank, the country has an upper-middle-income economy, one of only eight countries in Africa.



The South African construction sector is a crucial driver of socio-economic development and a key employment multiplier. In 2021, the industry employed well over 1.2 million people. In addition, it contributed an added value of approximately R111 billion (circa US$7.1 billion) to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

The output of South Africa's construction industry was severely affected by the Corona-virus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, with the country imposing a strict six-week lock down. This contributed to the industry value-add falling sharply by 21.6% year on year (YoY) in Q3 2020.

Key Topics Covered:



Foreword



1. Executive Summary.



2. South Africa Country Overview

2.1. Geography - Key Cities And Regions In South Africa

2.2. Economic Overview Of South Africa

2.3. South Africa's 2022 Budget

2.4. Spending On Construction

2.4.1. Public Sector Spending Vs Private Sector Spending

2.4.2. Drivers Of Public Sector Spending

2.4.3. Drivers Of Private Sector Spending

2.5. Key Indigenous Local And Foreign Players



3. The South African Construction Industry

3.1. Size And Structure Of The Construction Industry In South Africa

3.1.1. Market Size And Forecasts (By Value)

3.1.2. Market Size And Forecasts (By Industry Sector)

3.2. Opportunities By Sector

3.2.1. Transportation

3.2.2. Residential

3.2.3. Energy

3.2.4. Health

3.2.5. Water Supply & Treatment

3.2.6. Commercial Office Building

3.2.7. Retail (Shopping Centres, Malls Etc.)

3.2.8. Hotels And Tourism

3.2.9. Industrial And Mining

3.3. Challenges In The South African Construction Industry



4. How The South African Construction Market Operates

4.1. Competition

4.1.1. Barriers To Entry

4.1.2. Public Procurement And The Tendering Process

4.2. Industry Supply Chain

4.2.1. Construction Materials - Capacity, Quality & Security Of Supply

4.2.2. Construction Equipment

4.3. Tender Price And Construction Cost Trends

4.3.1. Tender Price Trends

4.3.2. Indicative Construction Costs

4.3.3. Costs Of Construction Inputs

4.4. Labour Resources

4.4.1. Training And Skills Development

4.4.2. Professional Licensing

4.4.3. Skills Shortage

4.4.4. Opportunities For Foreign Professionals

4.5. Contracts And Dispute Resolution

4.5.1. Forms Of Contract

4.5.2. Contractual Risks

4.5.3. Dispute Resolution

4.6. Main Government Clients And Target Sectors

4.7. Key Private Sector Players

4.7.1. Mining

4.7.2. Sustainable Energy

4.7.3. Commercial Real Estate



5. Doing Business In South Africa

5.1. Licences For Construction Contractors

5.2. Language

5.3. Corruption

5.4. Recruiting And Retaining Staff

5.5. Health And Safety



6. Swot Analysis

6.1. Strengths And Weakness

6.2. Opportunities And Threats



7. Future Outlook

7.1. Construction Industry Forecast

7.2. Macroeconomic Outlook

7.3. Political Outlook



8. Industry Associations



9. Key Contacts And Websites



10. Company Profiles

Alistair Group

Atlas Crane Hire

Aveng

Barloworld

Bosch Holdings

Calgro M3

Coastal Hire

Concor

Edwin Construction (Pty) Ltd

ELB Equipment

Enza Construction

Esor Limited

Exr Construction

Giuricich Bros Construction (Pty) Ltd

Group Five Construction (Pty) Ltd

H&I Engineering

Hitachi

Motheo Construction

Raubex

Stefanutti Stocks (Pty) Ltd

The Power Group

Whbo Construction (Pty) Ltd

Wk Construction

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lq0srs

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

SOURCE Research and Markets
HOUSTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE: SCM) will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, after the close of the stock market.

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation will host a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 11:00 AM, Central Daylight Time. The conference call will be led by Robert T. Ladd, Chief Executive Officer, and W. Todd Huskinson, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Conference Call Details

Via Phone: Dial (888) 394-8218. Use passcode 9390038. Starting approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available through Friday, August 12, 2022 by dialing (888) 203-1112 and entering passcode 9390038.

Via Live Webcast: Connect via the Public Company (SCIC) section of our website at www.stelluscapital.com, under the Events tab. A replay of the conference will be available on our website for approximately 90 days.

About Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

The Company is an externally-managed, closed-end, non-diversified investment management company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company's investment objective is to maximize the total return to its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in private middle-market companies (typically those with $5.0 million to $50.0 million of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)) through first lien, second lien, unitranche and mezzanine debt financing, and corresponding equity investments. The Company's investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Stellus Capital Management, LLC. To learn more about Stellus Capital Investment Corporation, visit www.stelluscapital.com under the Stellus Capital Investment Corporation link.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements included herein may contain "forward-looking statements" which relate to future performance or financial condition. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Contacts

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

W. Todd Huskinson, (713) 292-5414

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE Stellus Capital Investment Corporation
Legendary problem solver guiding operations for Cornerstone Consulting

TOLEDO, Ohio, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A pen used to map the path Steve Nolan has traveled from his birth in Ireland to his current role with Cornerstone Consulting would run out of ink somewhere around 1996 when he won the Henry Ford Technology Award. Starting with his arrival in Michigan in 1985, he has positively impacted manufacturing operations in the U.S., the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands and China, mentoring countless leaders along the way.

Steve Nolan joins the Cornerstone team with an emphasis on leadership development, driving success for CCO's clientele. Tweet this Steve Nolan is Cornerstones VP of Operations for a diverse group of clients including Aviation, Transportation and Heavy Equipment.

"Steve is a walking encyclopedia of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma brilliance who solves problems with incredible ease," said Bill Currence, CCO's President & Managing Partner. "His personal emphasis on leadership development drives his success with our clientele because people are the root of every solution and the core of our business."

The son of a serial entrepreneur, Nolan grew up learning the value of talent as the solution for business challenges. Those people skills, developed in his father's businesses, carried him to success in industries ranging from automotive and aviation to heavy equipment, e-bikes, and mining. At each stop, he drove productivity and profitability upward with his clear view into the prevailing situation and his direct manner of speaking to all involved.

"To ably counsel business leaders, one must certainly be able to prescribe material investments and recommend overhead reductions, but the top challenge is putting the right people in the right place to succeed," said Nolan, who holds two US patents and multiple European patents. "CCO's ability to not only identify key personnel needs but also fill them with our staffing capability is a combination that our competitors would be hard pressed to match."

Nolan also credits CCO's pragmatic approach to business as a key reason for joining the team.

"I often return to that famous quote by Winston Churchill: 'However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results,'" concluded Nolan. "Time is still money, so getting stuff done is more important than talking endlessly about it. I'm proud to be part of a company culture that consistently looks at results and delighted to know those results do so much for our clients."

To learn more about the Cornerstone Consulting Organization, visit CCOConsulting.com.

SOURCE Cornerstone Consulting Organization
AUSTIN, Texas, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Storable, the leading technology company for self-storage operators, announced today that it has struck a deal with Columbia, MO-based StorageMart to provide facility management software and payment processing services.

StorageMart will use Storable's storEDGE management software across its entire portfolio, which currently spans 267 facilities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The company was previously using a custom-built software solution to manage its facilities.

StorageMart, based in Columbia, MO, has selected Storable, the leading technology company for self-storage operators, for facility management software and payment processing services.

"Our proprietary operating software has served us well over these past decades, but the time to upgrade our system is overdue," said Cris Burnam, CEO of StorageMart. "We set out to find a solution that would allow for our own customizations yet retain the expertise of a tech company that will keep technical debt low and innovations high."

StorageMart will also use Storable Payments as its payment processor. Storable Payments comes standard with Storable management software and is fully integrated within the FMS.

The deal builds upon the company's existing client relationship with StorageMart, which has been a valued customer of Storable's online marketplace and web development services for many years prior. Chuck Gordon, CEO of Storable, said the deal represents a major milestone for both companies.

"StorageMart is one of the most sophisticated storage operators in the world and Storable is very excited to partner with them on their software journey. Our innovative storEDGE platform will give Cris and his team a rock-solid technology foundation to take them into the next chapter of innovation for our industry," Gordon said.

About StorageMart

StorageMart is the world's largest privately-owned self storage company, operating in the United Kingdom and Canada, and in the United States under StorageMart and Manhattan Mini Storage brands. The company is led by the Burnam family, which has been in the storage industry for four generations. The StorageMart company also owns and operates Manhattan Mini Storage properties in New York City. Through the "Store it Forward'' charitable giving program, StorageMart and Manhattan Mini Storage give back to the many communities it calls home. In recent years, the company donated more than half a million dollars to charities, in addition to donating storage space to charitable organizations throughout the US, UK, and Canada. Find out more at https://www.storage-mart.com.

About Storable

Based in Austin, Texas, Storable is the world's leading provider of self-storage technology. The business exists to help storage operators do more using their fully integrated suite of products. Offering management software, websites, access control, insurance, payment processing and the internet's largest marketplace for renting self-storage units, Storable products power the storage industry. Backed by decades of experience leading innovation, the Storable family of companies includes SiteLink, storEDGE and Easy Storage Solutions among others. With a fully distributed workforce, Storable is proud to serve more than 37,00 facilities with at least one of their products and more than 27,000 facilities with their system of record software. To learn more visit www.storable.com.

SOURCE Storable
ATLANTA, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stord, the Cloud Supply Chain leader, expands its Cloud Supply Chain offering with Stord One Commerce, a vendor- and sales channel-agnostic software platform that helps brands connect, orchestrate, and optimize their entire supply chains.

Most brands still struggle to piece together disparate logistics solutions and disconnected technology across providers, resulting in siloed data, costly software implementations, and complex integrations. Stord One Commerce connects to brands' existing systems through a marketplace of 100+ standard integrations, from ERPs and online marketplaces to retail partners and warehouse management systems, providing an unmatched ability to analyze and optimize their processes from one platform.

Specifically, B2B, B2C, and omnichannel brands now benefit from deep order management and orchestration, inventory management and planning, business intelligence and analytics, and system connectivity capabilities, all in one system. The Stord One Commerce software acts as the digital glue that connects all elements of a brand's supply chain and also acts as a control tower, giving brands a consolidated view of their operations, no matter where they sell, how they run their logistics, or which systems they leverage today.

"Better logistics alone will not solve today's supply chain woes," said Sean Henry, CEO and co-founder of Stord. "Physical logistics capabilities across transportation, warehousing, and fulfillment have been around since the dawn of retail. You won't find a single brand that doesn't have some way of handling these pieces today, but nonetheless, supply chain remains a massive challenge for most brands and consumers. Since starting Stord, we've talked to thousands of brands, and while each is unique, the common pain points that inevitably come up are around disconnected systems, access to actionable data insights, and the inability to efficiently orchestrate and optimize supply chain operations. That's why we built Stord One Commerce."

Stord One Commerce is also the technological underpinning of Stord's Cloud Supply Chain offering, combining scalable, reliable port-to-porch physical logistics with the speed, flexibility, and optimization of the cloud. With the software's extensive functionality, brands no longer need to license, implement, and maintain disparate stand-alone systems. Stord One Commerce does this via four fully-featured software components:

Visibility: Delivers unparalleled visibility into orders, inventory, and shipments supported with extensive operational metrics and dashboards.

Delivers unparalleled visibility into orders, inventory, and shipments supported with extensive operational metrics and dashboards. Orchestration: Manages the full order lifecycle from incoming sales channels to fulfillment channels while intelligently automating order routing across multiple locations, with analytics to manage performance both inside and beyond the warehouse.

Manages the full order lifecycle from incoming sales channels to fulfillment channels while intelligently automating order routing across multiple locations, with analytics to manage performance both inside and beyond the warehouse. Optimization: Powers smarter business decisions by maximizing inventory ROI and optimizing fulfillment across multiple channels.

Powers smarter business decisions by maximizing inventory ROI and optimizing fulfillment across multiple channels. Connectivity: Easily connects all of a brand's disparate systems from ERPs and warehouse management systems to online marketplaces and retail partner systems in a single platform.

"We started building this technology a few years back to support our own massively-complex, intricate supply chain network of both partner and first-party facilities enabling B2B, B2C, and omnichannel port-to-porch fulfillment," shared Jacob Boudreau, CTO and co-founder of Stord. "After battle testing our platform with customers like BODYARMOR, Advance Auto Parts, Thrasio, and Dollar General, we decided to make it available for all brands, regardless of whether they partner with us for logistics."

"Prior to using Stord, I always felt like we were operating in the darkwith no single source of truth as to what's going on with our supply chain," said Gary Boisvert, President of Sturbridge Yankee Workshop. "Stord One Commerce sheds light on our full operations and makes it possible to enact meaningful change that benefits our bottom line."

Today's announcement underscores Stord's continued momentum and comes on the heels of increasing its network capacity , expanding to include temperature-controlled logistics through a partnership with Fresh Del Monte , and extending its Series D round to over $200M in funding at a valuation of $1.3B with a new investment led by Franklin Templeton. To learn more about Stord's Cloud Supply Chain approach, visit stord.com .

About Stord

Stord is the leading Cloud Supply Chain provider enabling companies to compete and grow with world-class logisticsincluding warehousing, freight, and fulfillmentin a single, integrated platform that's available exactly when and where they need it. Hundreds of B2B and B2C companies like BODYARMOR, Native, Tula, Advance Auto Parts, Thrasio, and Dollar General use Stord to make their supply chains perform with the speed, flexibility, and ease of the cloud. Led by former operators from Amazon, XPO, and Manhattan Associates, Stord is headquartered in Atlanta and backed by leading investors, including Kleiner Perkins, BOND, Franklin Templeton, Founders Fund, Lux Capital, D1 Capital, Salesforce Ventures, Susa Ventures, and Lineage Logistics.

SOURCE Stord
Ceremony Set to Honor the Remarkable Achievements of Africa, Africans and African Descendants Across Industries

2022 Honorees Include:

The Republic of Botswana, Filmmaker Mahen Bonetti, Rockefeller Foundation Executive Betty Wambui Kibaara and IBM Executive Dr. Solomon Assefa

Hosted by Bozoma Saint John

Tuesday, September 20, 2022  6 P.M.

At Cipriani's 42nd St. in New York City

NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Africa-America Institute (AAI) - the premier U.S.-based international organization connecting Africa to America through education, training and dialogue - announced its 38th Annual Awards Gala celebrating the vast contributions of Africa and its worldwide diaspora. Returning to an in-person format, the Awards Gala will take place at Cipriani 42nd St. in New York City, on September 20th at 6 P.M.

Launched in 1984, the AAI Awards Gala is the most anticipated African-centered event convened in New York City. Held during the week of the United Nations General Assembly, the Gala brings together a host of distinguished notables including heads of state, diplomats, government officials, business and civil society leaders, scholars, journalists and other leading figures for an unforgettable evening.

Hosted by marketing executive, entrepreneur and author Bozoma Saint John, this year's awards will center around the theme of "Africa in the World." During the ceremony, AAI will honor an illustrious group of leaders across industries who have used their platforms to advance and affect substantive change locally, nationally and globally in their respective areas.

The 2022 Awards and Honorees include:

National Achievement Award

The Republic of Botswana to be accepted by His Excellency Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi

Science and Technology Leadership Award

Solomon Assefa - Vice President of IBM Research, Africa & Emerging Market Solutions

Ambassador of African Film Award

Mahen Bonetti - Founder of the African American Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) and Executive Director of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF)

Distinguished Alumnae Award

Betty Wambui Kibaara - Director of the Food Initiative at the Rockefeller Foundation

"This year's Gala is especially exciting as it marks our return to an in-person event. We are delighted to have the opportunity to honor the people of the Republic of Botswana for their steadfast commitment to democracy and ground-breaking global partnerships in medical research and education," said Kofi Appenteng, AAI's President & CEO. "We're also celebrating Dr. Solomon Assefa's crucial work in deploying AI to enable sustainable futures, Betty Kibaara's work championing food security and agribusiness investments, and Mahen Benetti's legacy of bringing African and Diasporan voices to the forefront of global cinema. In geographical, scientific, artistic, and cultural terms these honorees embody this year's Gala theme of Africa in the World."

For the past six decades, AAI has provided over 23,000 scholarships and fellowships to African students. The Annual Awards Gala raises funds to support AAI programs and initiatives.

For more information, please visit aaionline.org/gala.

ABOUT AAI

Since its founding in 1953, AAI has awarded scholarships and fellowships to over 23,000 Africans. These individuals comprise an esteemed network of alumni, many of whom are leaders and influencers across public, private, and governmental sectors in Africa and globally. Included in this network are current Heads of State, H.E. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia; H.E. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire; H.E. Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger; and H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa. Many of AAI's Alumni have left an indelible imprint, including the late 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Mathaai and the late Barack Obama, Sr.

SOURCE Africa America Institute
High 5 Plumbing explains the benefits of having a career in the home service industry

DENVER, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- High 5 Plumbing, a family-owned and operated plumbing company serving residents in the greater Denver metropolitan area, is dedicated to helping the home service industry thrive. With a shortage of skilled plumbing technicians, the company is encouraging new high school graduates or anyone looking for a new career to consider choosing a life in the trades.

High 5 Plumbing encourages new high school graduates or anyone looking for a new career to consider choosing a life in the trades.

"Right now, we are an industry that is high in demand but limited on the number of plumbers available to work," said Levi Torres, co-owner of High 5 Plumbing. "Far too often, there is a negative stigma associated with working in the trades that isn't true. Working in the trades is fulfilling because you are helping people day in and day out. You get to make a good living without going into debt. There are countless benefits to choosing a life in the trades."

When compared to the average salary of an upstart graduate fresh out of a four-year university, trade jobs pay more. Torres explains that new trade school graduates can earn well above $50,000 yearly with those wages nearing six figures after earning certifications and additional training.

In addition, high school graduates who attend a trade school are less likely to incur high levels of debt. According to Forbes, the average cost to attend a four-year university in 2021-22 was approximately $10,740. Those attending a trade school paid as little as $5,000.

Torres said given the national landscape, taking advantage of lower school tuition and higher salaries gives those looking for a career the chance to enter a field that is starving for technicians.

"On a nationwide scale, there is a high demand for skilled laborers in the home service industry," Torres said. "Companies are looking to hire individuals that can perform the work at a high level. With the jobs available, technicians have plenty of companies to choose from. It's important for us to spread the word that the trades are a viable option for those looking for a career.

"Going to a four-year college isn't the right fit for everyone. There are some that prefer a more hands-on approach right out of high school. For me, I started in the plumbing industry at the age of 16 and never looked back. Learning a trade is an excellent opportunity to enter a career that is meaningful while also earning a great living."

For more information on High 5 Plumbing, visit https://www.high5plumbing.com/.

About High 5 Plumbing

Founded in 2012, High 5 Plumbing is a local, family-owned company serving residents in the greater Denver metropolitan area. With a professional team that has extensive experience and a commitment to service, High 5 Plumbing offers comprehensive plumbing, sewer and drain services. The company was built on the values of solving plumbing problems and serving every customer with professionalism and respect. For more information about High 5 Plumbing, visit https://www.high5plumbing.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE High 5 Plumbing
CHICAGO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AACC welcomed thousands of medical professionals and healthcare leaders to the 2022 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo from July 24-28. The meeting featured groundbreaking diagnostic advances that will solve challenging patient health problems, and affirmed just how essential laboratory medicine professionals are to patient safety and care.

As of Wednesday, July 27, nearly 17,000 laboratory medicine professionals had registered for the meetinga clear sign that meeting attendance has bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. More attendees are expected today, the last day of the meeting.

A major highlight of the conference program was an in-depth discussion with Theranos whistleblowers Erika Cheung and Tyler Shultz about their efforts to reveal Theranos' fraud and protect patients. The session offered a vivid lesson in the standards of ethics and accountability at work within the profession.

Attendees also had the chance to see five plenary talks presented by life sciences pioneers.

In the opening keynote, Dr. Lucila Ohno-Machado discussed performance measures that may help clinicians select precision medicine artificial intelligence models for routine use.

Monday's plenary speaker, Dr. George Churchwinner of AACC's 2022 Wallace H. Coulter Lectureship Awardfocused on combining machine learning with multiplexing and how this is the key to unlocking the treasure chest of genomic technologies.

In Tuesday's plenary, Dr. Alysson Muotri explored brain organoids, which have been used to model the neurotropic effects of SARS-CoV-2 and provide insight into organogenesis and neurotoxicology.

On Wednesday, Dr. Thomas Lee described a three-component model for building trust between patients and the healthcare workforce.

In today's closing keynote, Dr. Livia Schiavinato Eberlin presented on the development and application of direct mass spectrometry techniques used in clinical microbiology labs, clinical pathology labs, and the operating room.

As part of AACC's Disruptive Technology Award competition, biotech innovators presented novel technologies that could help more patients get accurate diagnoses. Nanopath won with its solid-state biosensing platform, which provides clinically actionable genetic information in less than 15 minutes and could greatly improve routine women's health screening at the point of care.

The 2022 AACC Clinical Lab Expo also featured 781 exhibitors and covered 246,700 net square feet. This dynamic exhibit featured cutting-edge tests from all laboratory medicine disciplines, including COVID-19 testing, artificial intelligence, mobile health, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, point of care, and automation.

"We are thrilled to see the laboratory medicine and in vitro diagnostic community back in full force at the 2022 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting," said AACC CEO Mark J. Golden. "Laboratory medicine professionals have had a challenging two-plus years providing the testing that is crucial to managing the COVID-19 pandemic, and this meeting has been a vital opportunity for them to share lessons learned from this experience. It has also given our attendees the chance to look beyond the pandemic and prepare the field for the future. This year's AACC Annual Scientific Meeting showcased inspiring advances, and I am excited to see what next year's meeting will bring."

The 2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo will be held in Anaheim, California from July 23-27, 2023.

About the 2022 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo

The AACC Annual Scientific Meeting offers 5 days packed with opportunities to learn about exciting science from July 24-28. Plenary sessions will explore artificial intelligence-based clinical prediction models, advances in multiplex technologies, human brain organogenesis, building trust between the public and healthcare experts, and direct mass spectrometry techniques.

At the AACC Clinical Lab Expo, more than 750 exhibitors will fill the show floor of the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago with displays of the latest diagnostic technology, including but not limited to COVID-19 testing, artificial intelligence, mobile health, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, point-of-care, and automation.

About AACC

Dedicated to achieving better health through laboratory medicine, AACC brings together more than 70,000 clinical laboratory professionals, physicians, research scientists, and business leaders from around the world focused on clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab management, and other areas of progressing laboratory science. Since 1948, AACC has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing programs that advance scientific collaboration, knowledge, expertise, and innovation. For more information, visit www.aacc.org .

Christine DeLong

AACC

Senior Manager, Communications & PR

(p) 202.835.8722

[email protected]

Molly Polen

AACC

Senior Director, Communications & PR

(p) 202.420.7612

(c) 703.598.0472

[email protected]

SOURCE AACC
QINGDAO, China, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The St. Regis Qingdao will hold a series of celebrations on the occasion of its first glorious anniversary. One year ago, the inauguration of The St. Regis Qingdao marked a new era in the rapidly evolving luxury hospitality sector of this panoramic city. For the past year, the St. Regis Qingdao has become a famous social place highly esteemed by luminaries from all walks of life in the city. It has also become a new landmark of Qingdao tourism and has been awfully attractive to visitors from all over the country. By virtue of its century-old brand and impeccable services like the professional St. Regis Butler Service, exquisite space design, exceptional dining options, and thoughtful SPA service, The St. Regis Qingdao has created a unique moment for each and every guest.

The St. Regis Qingdao

Like the dazzling jade polished from rough stone, The St. Regis Qingdao radiates delicacy and exquisite. The first anniversary is its highlight moment and the beginning of a new journey. The St. Regis Qingdao sincerely invites luminaries from all walks of life to witness the splendid moment of its first anniversary.

Violet Hour

Inspired by the violet hour first appeared in The Hour: A Cocktail Manifesto by Bernard DeVoto, an American essayist, The St. Regis Bar notably created the iconic ritual to witness the romantic transition from day to night, inviting all guests to raise their glasses and welcome the infinite possibilities of the night. The St. Regis Bar Qingdao is among the first St. Regis bars to present the "Violet Hour" ritual in the Asia-Pacific region.

Our friends from the media have strongly supported our first-anniversary celebrations. . We hereby sincerely invite all friends from the media to gather at The St. Regis Bar on the 60th floor of The St. Regis Qingdao. Let's gather above the clouds and enjoy the romantic "Violet Hour". All friends from the media are invited to witness the glamour of The St. Regis Qingdao with the chief bartender on the coast of the city at sunset.

Yan Ting Wine Dinner * LongDai Winery

Located on the 5th floor of Yan Ting is a Chinese Restaurant presenting immersive grand banquets for luminaries. At the beginning of its design, the Restaurant integrated many Chinese traditional elements and local characteristics of Qingdao, aiming to offer an extraordinary dining experience with an elegant "new Chinese style" atmosphere.

On its first anniversary, The St. Regis Qingdao specially invited Leo Cao (Chinese Culinary Director Greater China, Marriott International) and Alex (the executive chef from Nanjing) to provide a tailored and unparalleled dinner for all guests jointly. Leo, a native of Guangzhou, has over 30 years of cuisine experience. He will present authentic Cantonese-style dishes to all diners with his superb skills and sticking to the original aspiration of food culture.

All the guests will gather at the Astor Ballroom atop mountains and beyond the sea and enjoy the delicacies. On that evening, reserved wines from local wineries and Domaine de Longdai will be presented. The vintage wines, delicacies, and dazzling lights will always linger in our memories for years to come.

The Carvery Champagne Dinner * Perrier Jouet

The Carvery, as a tribute to the New York Steakhouse, is located on the 60th floor and decorated in a classic style. Thanks to the open kitchen, guests can appreciate the culinary craftsmanship at close quarters. The Carvery intends to offer guests an unforgettable experience above the clouds and leave them a beautiful memory with keen attention to detail. Over the past year, The Carvery has cherished long-awaited reunions, exciting encounters, and sincere communication. Be it the joy of reunions or the romance of encounters, The Carvery is the perfect backdrop to your wonderful story.

On the prelude night of its first anniversary, The St. Regis Qingdao will invite guests to savor the authentic steak at The Carvery. Tim, the Executive Chef of The Carvery, will work with Chef Davide, who has traveled worldwide and worked in several Michelin restaurants, to make exquisite delicacies. With excellent cuisine by the masters and bubbles of the Perrier Jouet together, diners will appreciate the delicate flavors and enjoy them extraordinarily.

A Tipsy Night of Cocktails

When the day draws to a close and the evening lights are lit, all guests can go to The St. Regis Bar to feel its sophisticated resplendence reminiscent of the Gilded Age. The burgundy red matches the champagne gold to show a calm and solemn style, which blends perfectly with the city's charming and romantic night scene. A variety of rare vintage wines, handcrafted cocktails, and Qingdao local speciality beers will be served here. Besides, Bloody Mary, a classic cocktail of The St. Regis Qingdao, will also be presented innovatively.

As part of the celebrations of the first anniversary of The St. Regis Qingdao, The St. Regis Bar will join hands with Hope & Sesame, one of the "Top 50 Bars in Asia", inputting infinite imagination into beverages. Kevin (an experienced and award-winning bartender) and Tural (the "Mixologist of the Year" of Marriott Luxury's Bar) will devote all their enthusiasm to making a tipsy night at The St. Regis Qingdao to liven up the first anniversary. The two masters will make a special cocktail full of enthusiasm and blessings, and the cocktail will be presented for a limited time at the first anniversary of The St. Regis Qingdao.

Immersed here, guests will feel the legend of The St. Regis Bar and experience the classic masterpieces of bartenders while overlooking the city's brightly lit night view. All of these complement each other and make everything perfect. The pleasure of drinking has thus become "an inspirational journey about a tipsy feeling".

Afternoon Tea with Piano Duet

For the past year since The St. Regis Qingdao's opening, the afternoon tea at The St. Regis Qingdao has offered an exquisite and luxurious atmosphere with products of outstanding and consistent quality, and countless luminaries spent a splendid afternoon here above the clouds.

A hundred years ago in the Gilded Age of New York, Ms. Caroline Astor, mother of the founder of St. Regis, made the elegant afternoon tea an essential ritual for entertaining socialites, and it became a signature ritual of St. Regis ever after. Located in the sky lobby of The St. Regis Qingdao, the Drawing Room dwells amidst mountains and seas and lies off the historic sites and scenic spots in the city. The Drawing Room doubles as a rare social space high in the clouds and an ideal venue for a magnificent view and afternoon tea. The St. Regis Qingdao invites all guests to enjoy the classic Caroline afternoon tea above the clouds, appreciate the tradition of St. Regis, and spend a joyful afternoon.

On its first anniversary, The St. Regis Qingdao will invite Pol, a patisserie master, and Calvin, the executive chef of The St. Regis Qingdao Bakery, to present an ingenious afternoon tea set. Mr. Pol comes from Barcelona and has been under the guidance of a world-class Michelin dessert master. He has served in many Michelin star-level restaurants, famous dessert shops, and luxury hotel bakeries in France and Spain. Besides, Chef Calvin is familiar to guests and has won various international awards. Leaning against the window and overlooking the scenery, guests can get together happily and spend romantic afternoon tea time created jointly by the two dessert masters.

Birthday Dinner * Black Time Event - by Invitation

For its anniversary celebration, a selection of luminaries and distinguished guests will be invited to gather in the Caroline Meeting Room. They will surely spend a memorable night, sharing the delicious food and enjoying the moment's joy above the clouds.

The St. Regis Qingdao hopes to express thanks to all guests, friends of the media, and luminaries from all walks of life for your support of the first-anniversary celebrations. The first anniversary radiates with eternity. We sincerely invite you to join us to testify to the one-year growth of The St. Regis Qingdao and witness the commencement of a bright future together.

Brunch at The St. Regis Qingdao

The grand Astor Ballroom covering an area of more than 900 square meters, is the best option in the city to hold all kinds of celebrations and business meetings. With its long history, a series of iconic rituals, and unique design, the Astor Ballroom is full of an exquisite atmosphere of celebration.

In the morning in the city, you might as well start hard-won slow urban life with a brunch. At The St. Regis Qingdao, brunch is turned into an unparalleled "global food theater". During the anniversary activities, all the guests and chefs will gather to show their creativity. Besides, Turkish restaurant Istanbul, Italian restaurant Ciao, and Japanese Restaurant Kurogi, all of which are popular in Qingdao, are invited by The St. Regis Qingdao, and their chefs will also join the blast with their signature delicacies and collection of wines.

On the occasion of its first anniversary, The St. Regis Qingdao invites guests to let their imaginations about taste buds run wild at the hotel.

Refill Yoga * Mindful Valley

The nearly 270-square-meter presidential suite has always been one of the masterpieces of The St. Regis Qingdao guest rooms. As an iconic decorative element of The St. Regis brand, the crystal lamp romantically echoes the blue sky outside the window, making the big and exquisitely-designed guestroom above the clouds even more elegant. For the first anniversary activities, The St. Regis Qingdao turns the presidential suite into a "yoga space above the clouds".

The St. Regis Qingdao joins hands with Mindful Valley to offer a full range of deep physical and spiritual healing services in the refined atmosphere, letting our guests explore new inspirations with Himalayan singing bowls. The two-hour healing yoga activity will guide our guests to rejuvenate their body and soul in a graceful mood by the sea of clouds through various programs like kundalini practice, guided meditation in both Chinese and English, deep healing with the crystal singing bowl, etc.

In the past year, The St. Regis brand, with its one-hundred-year history, was vividly interpreted in the Astor Ballroom in the city. It also inherited its splendid traditional rituals with luminaries from all fields. Now, after a year of polishing, The St. Regis Qingdao has set sail and headed for the depths of the sea and is embracing an unlimited future. Above the clouds, The St. Regis Qingdao is speeding across the waves. Luxurious and comfortable, the Astor Ballroom in the city will forever radiate with eternality. The first anniversary radiates with eternity.

SOURCE The St. Regis Qingdao
OLC's Framework on Storying Digital Change Work is Recognized in United Nations Education Scientific And Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) International Database

BOSTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The OLC report, "Advancing Universal Access to Quality Digital Learning Through Global Coalitions and Narrative Practices" , is now featured in the prominent United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO ) database for the 3rd UNESCO World Higher Education Conference (WHEC2022) .

Published as an open knowledge product to be widely and freely accessible, this playbook helps educators document their current progress while roadmapping future initiatives. OLC's framework was designed in alignment with all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals , including Quality Education.

This playbook-style OLC report helps educators document their current progress while roadmapping future initiatives. Tweet this

"Our report serves as a concise guide to address the needs of educators seeking to ensure that online, blended, and digital learning is equitable within their own local contexts," said OLC Director of Community Strategy and Engagement Madeline Shellgren. "It provides models for professional learning, partnership, and collaboration on digital learning change work through global coalitions."

Indeed, the report's framework emphasizes collaboration with educators' local and global communities in order to create quality, equitable digital education at any scale. This includes individual digitally-mediated courses as well as those across online programs and within institutional, system-wide, and countrywide digital strategies.

Advancing Universal Access to Quality Digital Learning

In this two-part report , OLC shares a pair of case studies of digital learning change work in support of the advancement of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Beyond the application of the fourth goal (Quality Education), both sections of the report detail how all 17 of the goals were leveraged, using digital and collaborative storytelling, rhetoric, metaphor, and other practices to increase understanding, empathy, and impact across globally-situated communities of practice.

Part 1 - "Developing an International Leadership Institute on Global Coalition Building and Digital Learning Change Work" discusses the conception, design, and development of the Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL) Global , an ecosystem with an international leadership academy that builds global partnerships to increase access to quality education worldwide.

Part 2 - "Creating a Narrative Framework for Advancing Digital Learning Equity" presents the OLC's process for developing an interactive tool for capturing and sharing the stories of digital learning leaders to address locally contextualized challenges related to online, blended, and digital learning. OLC has created an open framework that anyone can use, remix, and redistribute on storytelling digital change work.

"All educators working across a multitude of modalities and contexts are invited to explore the action-oriented approaches shared within this report. Whether you are new to digital learning or global coalition building, this report will help you to create a foundation for quality and equitable digital education at any scale," said OLC Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Mathes, Ph.D.

Indeed, the report spans an important cornerstone of OLC's breadth of planning and resources for online and blended learning changemakers. This focal case study details the OLC's IELOL Global Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL) ecosystem, which encompasses expansive programming and virtual events to create intentional spaces for leaders around the world to collaborate and advance best practices in their field.

Taking Action with Us

To view the full report, please visit the UNESCO World Higher Education Conference website (or access the report directly ). Persons interested in working with the OLC on these important issues can apply to the OLC's IELOL Global's Core Program , register for the now fully asynchronous IELOL Regional Colloquy and contribute to OLC Global using the interactive version of the storytelling framework.

Additional Information

How To Cite The Report: Shellgren, M., Gunder, A. (2022). Advancing universal access to quality digital learning through global coalitions and narrative practices. Online Learning Consortium.

For more info and to get involved with the OLC, contact [email protected].

About the UNESCO WHEC2022 and the Call for Knowledge Contributions

This report is elaborated and disseminated as a contribution to the 3rd World Higher Education Conference (WHEC) organised by UNESCO on May 18-20, 2022, with the purpose of enhancing the contribution of higher education institutions and systems world-wide, under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, its pledge to leave no one behind, and looking at the Futures of Education. The content of this publication does not necessarily express the views of UNESCO or its Member States.

WHEC2022 issued a global invitation to organizations and alliances that wished to produce and share knowledge, research, practices, and impactful ideas to enhance higher education institutions and systems, locally and internationally. The invitation for submissions and the following review process was open to diverse entities (within and outside the UN system) willing to establish a partnership with UNESCO under the purpose and main themes of the WHEC2022.

Through its participation in WHEC2022, this OLC report is an open invitation and call-to-action to global educators and advocates to join in the efforts documented here, both in sharing their individual stories and amplifying the stories of those whose wisdom will otherwise be lost.

About the OLC

OLC is a collaborative community of higher education leaders and innovators, dedicated to advancing quality digital teaching and learning experiences designed to reach and engage the modern learner  anyone, anywhere, anytime. Learn more at onlinelearningconsortium.org .

Contact Madeline Shellgren

[email protected]

617-716-1414 ext. 329

SOURCE Online Learning Consortium
Achieves Top ISS ESG QualityScore Rating for Environmental and Social Disclosures

~40% of Wholly-Owned Multifamily Portfolio is Green Certified (LEED or equivalent)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veris Residential, Inc. (NYSE: VRE), a forward-thinking, environmentally- and socially-conscious REIT that primarily owns, operates, acquires, and develops Class A multifamily properties, today announced that it has further advanced its mission of being a responsible, sustainable, inclusive, and equitable member of the built environment while continuing to generate long-term value for shareholders.

As a result of the company's enhanced environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts, including the introduction of new, more sustainability-focused policies at the corporate and property levels, and enriched environmental and sustainability disclosures, for June 6, 2022, Veris Residential has earned a QualityScore rating of "1" for both Environmental and Social disclosures, up from 9 and 8, respectively, since October 2020, from Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS). The ISS QualityScore measures the depth and extent of a company's ESG disclosures relative to its industry peer group and is designed to help investors monitor the ESG risks in their portfolio companies. Scores are provided on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest risk rating.

Mahbod Nia, Chief Executive Officer of Veris Residential, said, "I am incredibly proud Veris Residential has earned sector-leading ISS ESG QualityScore ratings among our peer group from an independent third party with a data-driven scoring approach to measuring corporate environmental and social disclosures. These scores are a testament to the hard work our team has put into weaving ESG considerations into the fabric of our company. We recognize there is still much more to be done, and are excited to continue our journey toward a more sustainable future that positively impacts our properties, our people, and our planet while creating value for our shareholders."

Veris Residential today also announced that sustainability addendums to lease agreements have been signed for more than 20% of its residential portfolio, and nearly 40% of its wholly-owned multifamily portfolio is now Green Certified (LEED or equivalent), up from 33% just two months ago, as a result of the company's 313-unit property, RiverHouse 9 at Port Imperial, earning LEED Silver certification. Veris Residential undertook the following improvements at the property to meet certification criteria, including:

optimized energy performance in common areas and individual metering in apartments

installed LED lighting throughout common areas and Energy Star appliances in apartments

ensured that more than 50% of the property's roof is planted live green to enable mitigation of heat island effects and support stormwater management best practices

used sustainably sourced raw materials for new construction

improved indoor air quality measures to protect the health of residents and employees, including the use of ionization technology in clean air devices installed in elevator cabs to reduce airborne contaminants

installed electric vehicle charging stations and ample bicycle storage to promote resident use of alternative transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to RiverHouse 9, other Veris Residential properties that recently achieved Green Certification, include The Capstone, which was awarded LEED Silver certification in January 2022, and Portside I and Portside 2, which earned Energy Star scores of 95 and 98, respectively, in April 2022.

Karen Cusmano, Senior Vice President, Head of Sustainability and ESG at Veris Residential, said, "I am pleased that Veris Residential's unwavering efforts to reduce our carbon footprint have been independently recognized by ISS, LEED and Energy Star. Measuring and seeking to mitigate the impact our buildings and operations have on the environment is critical to the future of our company and our planet, which is why we have committed to continuing to increase green-certified buildings across our portfolio."

Veris Residential's 2021 Environmental Social Governance report, which outlines the company's plans for achieving its ESG goals, and more information on its commitment to making a positive impact, is available online here.

About Veris Residential, Inc.

Veris Residential, Inc. is a forward-thinking, environmentally- and socially-conscious real estate investment trust (REIT) that primarily owns, operates, acquires, and develops holistically-inspired, Class A multifamily properties that meet the sustainability-conscious lifestyle needs of today's residents while seeking to positively impact the communities it serves and the planet at large. The company is guided by an experienced management team and Board of Directors and is underpinned by leading corporate governance principles, a best-in-class and sustainable approach to operations, and an inclusive culture based on equality and meritocratic empowerment. For additional information on Veris Residential, Inc. and our properties available for lease, please visit verisresidential.com.

Media contact

Amanda Shpiner/Grace Cartwright

Gasthalter & Co.

212-257-4170

[email protected]

SOURCE Veris Residential, Inc.
Leading Fintech Firm Creates New Financial Opportunities via Fractional Trading in U.S. Equities for Fubon's Customers

JERSEY CITY, N.J., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fubon Financial Holdings ("Fubon"), the second-largest financial company in Taiwan, selects ViewTrade as its chosen technology provider to grant Fubon's clients access to U.S. markets for accounts of all sizes as well as the ability to buy fractional shares. Through its unique technology solutions, ViewTrade is now enabling Fubon's retail customers to easily and regularly invest in the U.S. markets.

"We are thrilled to be working with Fubon and providing their customers with this new financial opportunity," said Andy Liao, Business Development - Asia at ViewTrade. "Fractional trading via an omnibus account has made it possible to relieve the burden on retail investors to meet whole-share minimums. With fractional share trading, younger, newer investors can get an earlier start participating in the markets by investing."

Contributing to a regular savings plan through the U.S. Equities Market is becoming a popular way to invest in Taiwan. Fractional trading, with its ability to facilitate dollar-cost averaging, is an important component provided by ViewTrade in the Asia market.

"Fractional trading allows us to provide investors, with small investment amounts, the opportunity to invest in high-priced stocks, which was once a pain point that we were unable to solve. Now, they can enjoy being the shareholder of Amazon, Google, Berkshire Hathaway, Tesla, Costco, etc.," said Jiemin Wang, Head of Global Equities Product Team at Fubon.

About ViewTrade

ViewTrade is the force that powers fintech, providing everything  technology, support and brokerage services  that innovators need to quickly launch or enhance a retail trading platform or app. Over the past 20+ years, our approach has helped hundreds of firms  from startups to large banks, brokers and RIAs  create the differentiating investment experiences their clients demand.

Today, ViewTrade serves clients in more than 20 countries across five continents, representing millions of individual investors. Our offerings translate into multiple languages and provide client service in more than a dozen languages. As a B2B firm, we never compete with our clients for business.

For more information, visit https://viewtrade.com/, and follow the company on LinkedIn.

About Fubon:

Fubon was established in 1961 and currently employs 45,000 people globally. Fubon Financial Holdings is the second-largest financial company in Taiwan by assets. Fubon led the financial sector's earnings per share for 13 consecutive years, was selected to the Fortune Global 500 for the past four years, and Brand Finance's "Top 500 Most Valuable Brands" for the past two years.

Media Contact

Alex Shafer

[email protected]

973-934-5100

SOURCE ViewTrade
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vita Inclinata (Vita), developer and producer of precision aerospace and industrial stabilization devices, today announced a partnership with United Aero Group (UAG), an OEM authorized independent service provider focused on rotary support for both commercial and military customers around the world. The partnership will enable UAG to resell the Vita Rescue System (VRS) to search and rescue/combat search and rescue/emergency medical services (SAR/CSAR/EMS) customers who operate hoist-equipped aircraft throughout Africa and South America. UAG views the VRS as a critical life-saving tool paramount to helping these specific customers save lives.

Vita Rescue System Under A Black Hawk Helicopter

UAG is a General Electric service provider of engine spare parts and the exclusive Sikorsky S-61 distributor with over 6,000 line items of available inventory. The team is an expert in repairs, supply chain management, and significant logistics capabilities. Its customers operate helicopters worldwide in the energy and power and utility restricted category, firefighting, search and rescue, and military sectors.

The VRS enables helicopter crews greater speed, safety, and control on hoisting operations, allowing them to complete hoists four times faster than traditional taglines. Vita offers the only life-saving solution of its kind that will enable UAG to enter a new market with the potential to realize millions of added revenue dollars annually.

"Our teams recognize that offering the VRS through the UAG marketplace of customers is a win-win relationship for both companies," said Jamie Gelder, UAG President and CEO of UAG. "It will also propel market penetration to a customer base eager to learn more about this exciting product line."

"We are excited to be partnering with such a respected company within the aviation community," said Caleb Carr, President, and CEO of Vita. "The agreement represents an important channel to get a faster and more efficient means of helicopter rescue into the hands of those who require new life-saving innovations."

About Vita Inclinata

A friend's death during a rescue operationwith a helicopter close but unable to stabilize due to weather and terrainwas the genesis of Vita Inclinata. Founded in 2015 as a way to solve a real problem, Vita today controls chaotic swinging and spin and adds safety and precision for rotor-wing and fixed-wing aircraft and cranes. With the mission of "Bring them home, every time," Vita's technology changes the narrative while saving lives, time, and money across industries, including search and rescue, military, firefighting, public safety, construction, wind energy, and oil and gas. The company is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, with offices in Washington, DC, and Huntsville, Alabama. For more information, please visit www.vitatech.co.

For more information, contact:

Betsey Rogers, on behalf of Vita

BridgeView Marketing

603-821-0809

[email protected]

Craig Dempsey, on behalf of UAG

United Aero Group (UAG)

[email protected]

SOURCE Vita Inclinata
Ana Angarita brings nearly 20 years of fashion retail experience to Stand Out For Good, Inc. family of brands

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vow'd Weddings, part of the Stand Out For Good, Inc. family of brands, welcomes Ana Angarita as vice president of store experience, further elevating the wedding retail experience for Vow'd brides.

"I am delighted to join the Vow'd team and support the growth and guest experience of an extraordinary brand," said Angarita. "Vow'd and Stand Out For Good, Inc. are known for the highest quality merchandise, unparalleled service and having a heart for giving back. I look forward to advancing the brand and growing with this organization."

"I am delighted to join the Vow'd team and support the growth and guest experience of an extraordinary brand," said Ana Angarita, vice president of store experience. (PRNewsfoto/Stand Out For Good, Inc.)

Ana Angarita joins Vow'd and Stand Out For Good, Inc. after more than 19 years with Victoria's Secret. Most recently serving as the vice president of store operations and head of stores for the company's travel retail division, Angarita led visual merchandising and marketing operations and learning and development for the home office and store teams.

"Within a few short years, the Vow'd bride has been loud and clearour stores and guest experience are what distinguish our brand. Ana's arrival shows we are committed to continuing that journey and building a best-in-class bridal environment," said Nicole Sewall, senior vice president of Vow'd. "I'm excited to work with Ana to meld her wonderful experience with our brand vision and deliver a truly different kind of wedding brand."

Most recently, the company announced the addition of Tana Ward as brand president leading the company's new contemporary home brand.

About Vow'd

Vow'd is a different kind of wedding brand. Vow'd believes every bride deserves a beautifully crafted dress and accessories at an honest price and a shopping experience that is uncomplicated and fun. The Vow'd bride is thoughtful, adventurous and involved in her community. Her wedding day is a reflection of these values, and she seeks out brands that reflect her lifestyle. To meet her where she's at, Vow'd pairs its distinctive product assortment with best-in-class technology solutions for the modern bride, including try-at-home and virtual appointments. Launched in June 2020, Vow'd is a rapidly growing brand with six brick-and-mortar locations in Tennessee, North Carolina, Minnesota and Wisconsin, with plans to open 11 additional storefronts by mid-2023. For more information, visit vowdweddings.com.

About Stand Out For Good, Inc.

Stand Out For Good, Inc. is a purpose-based, inspiring lifestyle and fashion family of brands rooted in community and committed to giving back. From welcoming experiences and warm associates to thoughtfully curated products in-store and online, Stand Out For Good, Inc. represents 127 Altar'd State stores, 35 Arula boutiques, six Vow'd boutiques and three Tullabee boutiques in 39 states. Stand Out For Good is built upon the founding principles of giving back and making a difference in the world. Locally in communities nationwide and globally too, Stand Out For Good, Inc. has partnered with over 4,000 nonprofits that provide relief, compassion, resources, education and love. To learn more about the Stand Out For Good, Inc. family of brands, visit their websites at altardstate.com, arula.com, vowdweddings.com and tullabee.com.

Media Contact:

Laura Mansfield, APR

Tombras

[email protected]

865.599.9968

SOURCE Stand Out For Good, Inc.
- Conference Call Scheduled for 9 a.m. EDT Today -

EXTON, Pa., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST) today announced its financial results for the second-quarter 2022 and updated full-year 2022 financial guidance.

Second-Quarter 2022 Summary (comparisons to prior-year period)

Net sales of $771.3 million grew 6.6%; organic net sales growth was 13.1%.

grew 6.6%; organic net sales growth was 13.1%. Reported-diluted EPS of $2.48 , compared to $2.47 in the same period last year.

, compared to in the same period last year. Adjusted-diluted EPS of $2.47 , compared to $2.46 in the same period last year.

, compared to in the same period last year. The Company is updating full-year 2022 net sales guidance to a range of $2.950 billion to $2.975 billion , compared to a prior range of $3.050 billion to $3.075 billion , to reflect changes in foreign currency rates and a decline in expected COVID-19 related net sales.

to , compared to a prior range of to , to reflect changes in foreign currency rates and a decline in expected COVID-19 related net sales. The Company is updating full-year 2022 adjusted-diluted EPS guidance to a new range of $9.00 to $9.15 , compared to a prior range of $9.30 to $9.45 .

"We delivered excellent second-quarter results with Proprietary Products organic net sales growth in the high-teens, led by demand for our high-value products (HVPs)," said Eric M. Green, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board. "Our base business continues to be strong, reflecting our team's successful execution of strategic initiatives and dedication to improving patient lives. In the quarter, COVID-19 related net sales slightly declined. While we expect further declines in COVID-19 related demand over the next two quarters, we also anticipate a more robust base business. We remain on track to expand our global HVP manufacturing capacity to support increased demand across our Biologics, Generics and Pharma market units."

Proprietary Products Segment

Net sales grew by 11.3% to $653.7 million. Organic net sales growth was 18.3%, with currency translation decreasing sales growth by 700 basis points. HVP sales represented over 70% of segment sales and generated double-digit organic sales growth, led by customer demand for NovaPure, Envision and Daikyo Crystal Zenith components and for self-injection devices.

The Biologics and Generics market units had double-digit organic sales growth, and the Pharma market unit had mid-single digit organic sales growth.

Contract-Manufactured Products Segment

Net sales declined by 13.6% to $117.8 million. Organic net sales declined by 8.9% with currency translation decreasing sales growth by 470 basis points. Segment sales declined primarily due to a decrease in sales of components for diagnostic devices.

Financial Highlights (first six months of 2022)

Operating cash flow was $324.3 million, an increase of 39.1%. Capital expenditures were $131.9 million, an increase of 18.2% over the same period last year. Free cash flow (operating cash flow minus capital expenditures) was $192.4 million, an increase of 58.4%.

During the first-half 2022, the Company repurchased 476,667 shares for $175.7 million at an average share price of $368.54 under its share repurchase program.

Full-Year 2022 Financial Guidance

Full-year 2022 net sales are expected to be in the range of $2.950 billion to $2.975 billion , compared to a prior guidance range of $3.050 billion to $3.075 billion .

to , compared to a prior guidance range of to . Organic sales growth is expected to be approximately 11%, compared to a prior guidance range of 11% to 12%.



The Company expects a full-year decline in COVID-19 related sales of approximately 20%, or $85 million less than 2021 sales, compared to prior expectation of year-over-year growth. Higher base business sales are expected to partially offset the decline in COVID-19 related sales.

less than 2021 sales, compared to prior expectation of year-over-year growth. Higher base business sales are expected to partially offset the decline in COVID-19 related sales.

Net sales guidance, based on current foreign currency exchange rates, includes an estimated full-year 2022 headwind of $190 million , compared to prior guidance of a $115 million headwind.

, compared to prior guidance of a headwind. Full-year 2022 adjusted-diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $9.00 to $9.15 , compared to a prior guidance range of $9.30 to $9.45 .

to , compared to a prior guidance range of to . The full-year adjusted-diluted EPS guidance range, based on current foreign currency exchange rates, includes an estimated headwind of $0.55 , compared to a prior guidance of a $0.38 headwind.

, compared to a prior guidance of a headwind.

The revised guidance includes a $0.13 EPS positive impact from first-half 2022 tax benefits from stock-based compensation.

EPS positive impact from first-half 2022 tax benefits from stock-based compensation.

For second-half 2022, our EPS guidance range assumes a tax rate of 23% and does not include potential tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Any tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation beyond those recorded in first-half 2022 would provide a positive adjustment to our full-year adjusted-diluted EPS guidance.



Full-year 2022 capital spending is expected to be $380 million , unchanged from prior guidance. This includes incremental capital spending to support capacity expansions at existing HVP facilities.

Second-Quarter 2022 Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results and business expectations at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time today. The live audio-only webcast will be made available via the Company's Investor Relations website at https://bit.ly/3cgSM9S.

To participate and ask questions during the conference call, you must register in advance at https://bit.ly/3z4iU0g. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN number that will be used to access the call.

Management will refer to a slide presentation during the call, which will be made available on the day of the call. To view the presentation, select "Presentations" in the "Investors" section of the Company's website.

A replay of the conference call and webcast will be available on the Company's website for 30 days.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may include such words as, "expect," "anticipate," "remain," "assume," "guidance," "outlook," "potential," "estimate," "will," "would," and other similar terminology. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this release. There is no certainty that actual results will be achieved in-line with current expectations. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The following are some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or underlying our forward-looking statements: the duration and severity of the global COVID-19 pandemic, including prevailing economic conditions and general uncertainties relating thereto that may be unknown and unforeseeable; customers' changing inventory requirements and manufacturing plans and customer decisions to move forward with our new products and product categories, including any re-prioritization of product needs due to COVID-19; other potential impacts from COVID-19, including interruptions or weaknesses in our supply chain, illness in our workforce and access to transport for our products; average profitability, or mix, of the products we sell; dependence on third-party suppliers and partners; increased raw material costs; fluctuations in currency exchange; and the ability to meet development milestones with key customers. This list of important factors is not all inclusive. For a description of certain additional factors that could cause the Company's future results to differ from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements, see Part I Item 1A , entitled "Risk Factors," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Except as required by law or regulation, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including organic net sales and adjusted-diluted EPS. For the purpose of aiding the comparison of our year-over-year results, we may refer to net sales and other financial results excluding the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Organic net sales exclude the impact from acquisitions and/or divestitures and translate the current-period reported sales of subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. Dollar at the applicable foreign currency exchange rates in effect during the comparable prior-year period. We may also refer to financial results excluding the effects of unallocated items. The re-measured results excluding effects from currency translation and excluding the effects of unallocated items are not in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") and should not be used as a substitute for the comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures. The non-U.S. GAAP financial measures are incorporated into our discussion and analysis as management uses them in evaluating our results of operations and believes that this information provides users a valuable insight into our overall performance and financial position. A reconciliation of these adjusted non-U.S. GAAP measures to the comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures is included in the accompanying tables.

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (in millions, except per share data)





Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended

June 30,



2022 2021 2022 2021

Net sales $771.3 100 % $723.6 100 % $1,491.3 100 % $1,394.3 100 %

Cost of goods and services sold 449.8 58 408.5 56 885.2 59 807.3 58

Gross profit 321.5 42 315.1 44 606.1 41 587.0 42

Research and development 14.4 2 13.8 2 29.0 2 26.0 2

Selling, general and

administrative expenses 81.5 11 92.7 13 164.9 11 172.9 12

Other (income) expense, net (2.8) - (2.7) - (5.9) - 1.2 -

Operating profit 228.4 29 211.3 29 418.1 28 386.9 28

Interest expense, net 1.4 - 1.7 - 3.3 - 3.5 -

Other nonoperating (income)

expense (0.2) - (1.4) - (0.2) - (2.5) -

Income before income taxes 227.2 29 211.0 29 415.0 28 385.9 28

Income tax expense 44.2 6 32.3 4 65.4 5 61.0 5

Equity in net income of

affiliated companies (5.5) (1) (8.6) (1) (12.7) (1) (13.6) (1)

Net income $188.5 24 % $187.3 26 % $362.3 24 % $338.5 24 %





















Net income per share:

















Basic $2.53

$2.53

$4.87

$4.58



Diluted $2.48

$2.47

$4.77

$4.47























Average common shares

outstanding 74.4

74.0

74.4

74.0



Average shares assuming

dilution 75.8

75.7

75.9

75.8

























WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES REPORTING SEGMENT INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (in millions)



Three Months Ended Six Months Ended

June 30, June 30, Net Sales: 2022 2021 2022 2021 Proprietary Products $653.7 $587.3 $1,255.0 $1,131.0 Contract-Manufactured Products 117.8 136.4 236.5 263.5 Eliminations (0.2) (0.1) (0.2) (0.2) Consolidated Total $771.3 $723.6 $1,491.3 $1,394.3









Gross Profit:







Proprietary Products $302.3 $292.3 $563.0 $544.2 Contract-Manufactured Products 19.2 22.8 43.1 42.8 Gross Profit $321.5 $315.1 $606.1 $587.0 Gross Profit Margin 41.7 % 43.5 % 40.6 % 42.1 %









Operating Profit (Loss):







Proprietary Products $233.9 $216.2 $427.3 $398.8 Contract-Manufactured Products 14.2 18.7 33.3 35.1 Stock-based compensation expense (5.5) (10.3) (11.0) (16.2) General corporate costs (15.6) (13.4) (32.7) (27.3) Adjusted Operating Profit $227.0 $211.2 $416.9 $390.4 Adjusted Operating Profit Margin 29.4 % 29.2 % 28.0 % 28.0 % Other unallocated items 1.4 0.1 1.2 (3.5) Reported Operating Profit $228.4 $211.3 $418.1 $386.9 Reported Operating Profit Margin 29.6 % 29.2 % 28.0 % 27.7 %

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES RECONCILIATION OF NON-U.S. GAAP MEASURES (UNAUDITED) Please refer to "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" for more information (in millions, except per share data)

Reconciliation of Reported and Adjusted Operating Profit, Net Income and Diluted EPS

Three months ended June 30, 2022 Operating

profit Income

tax

expense Net

income Diluted

EPS Reported (U.S. GAAP) $228.4 $44.2 $188.5 $2.48 Unallocated items:







Restructuring and severance related

charges (1) (1.6) (0.4) (1.2) (0.01) Pension settlement (2) - 0.2 0.4 0.01 Amortization of acquisition-related

intangible assets (3) 0.2 - 0.7 0.01 Royalty acceleration (4) - 1.3 (1.3) (0.02) Adjusted (Non-U.S. GAAP) $227.0 $45.3 $187.1 $2.47









Six months ended June 30, 2022 Operating

profit Income

tax

expense Net

income Diluted

EPS Reported (U.S. GAAP) $418.1 $65.4 $362.3 $4.77 Unallocated items:







Restructuring and severance related

charges (1) (1.6) (0.4) (1.2) (0.01) Pension settlement (2) - 0.3 0.9 0.01 Amortization of acquisition-related

intangible assets (3) 0.4 - 1.4 0.02 Royalty acceleration (4) - 1.3 (1.3) (0.02) Adjusted (Non-U.S. GAAP) $416.9 $66.6 $362.1 $4.77









Three months ended June 30, 2021 Operating

profit Income

tax expense Net

income Diluted

EPS Reported (U.S. GAAP) $211.3 $32.3 $187.3 $2.47 Unallocated items:







Restructuring and related charges (1) 1.0 0.3 0.7 0.01 Pension settlement (2) - - 0.1 - Amortization of acquisition-related

intangible assets (3) 0.2 - 0.7 0.01 Cost investment activity (1.3) (0.3) (1.0) (0.01) Tax law changes - 1.4 (1.4) (0.02) Adjusted (Non-U.S. GAAP) $211.2 $33.7 $186.4 $2.46









Six months ended June 30, 2021 Operating

profit Income

tax

expense Net

income Diluted

EPS Reported (U.S. GAAP) $386.9 $61.0 $338.5 $4.47 Unallocated items:







Restructuring and relatedcharges (1) 2.2 0.5 1.7 0.02 Pension settlement (2) - 0.2 0.6 0.01 Amortization of acquisition-related

intangible assets (3) 0.4 0.1 1.4 0.02 Cost investment activity 0.9 (0.3) 1.2 0.01 Tax law changes - 1.4 (1.4) (0.02) Adjusted (Non-U.S. GAAP) $390.4 $62.9 $342.0 $4.51





(1) During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recorded a benefit of $1.6 million in restructuring and related costs in connection with its 2020 plan related to revised severance estimates. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recorded $1.0 million and $2.2 million of restructuring and related costs.



(2) The Company recorded a pension settlement charge within other nonoperating (income) expense, as it determined that normal-course-lump-sum payments for our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan exceeded the threshold for settlement accounting.



(3) During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recorded $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of amortization expense within operating profit associated with an intangible asset acquired during the second quarter of 2020. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recorded $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of amortization expense in association with an acquisition of increased ownership interest in Daikyo. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recorded $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of amortization expense within operating profit associated with an intangible asset acquired during the second quarter of 2020. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recorded $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of amortization expense in association with an acquisition of increased ownership interest in Daikyo.



(4) During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company increased its expected tax benefit related to the prepayment of future royalties from one of its subsidiaries by $1.3 million.

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES RECONCILIATION OF NON-U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED) Please refer to "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" for more information (in millions, except per share data)

Reconciliation of Net Sales to Organic Net Sales (5)

Three months ended June 30, 2022 Proprietary CM Eliminations Total Reported net sales (U.S. GAAP) $653.7 $117.8 $(0.2) $771.3 Effect of changes in currency translation rates 41.0 6.4 - 47.4 Organic net sales (Non-U.S. GAAP) (5) $694.7 $124.2 $(0.2) $818.7









Six months ended June 30, 2022 Proprietary CM Eliminations Total Reported net sales (U.S. GAAP) $1,255.0 $236.5 $(0.2) $1,491.3 Effect of changes in currency translation rates 61.6 10.0 - 71.6 Organic net sales (Non-U.S. GAAP) (5) $1,316.6 $246.5 $(0.2) $1,562.9





(5) Organic net sales exclude the impact from acquisitions and/or divestitures and translate the current-period reported sales of subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. Dollar at the applicable foreign currency exchange rates in effect during the comparable prior-year period.

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES RECONCILIATION OF NON-U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED) Please refer to "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" for more information (in millions, except per share data)

Reconciliation of Reported-Diluted EPS Guidance to Adjusted-Diluted EPS Guidance



2021 Actual 2022 Guidance % Change Reported-diluted EPS (U.S. GAAP) $8.67 $8.98 to $9.13 3.6% to 5.3% Pension settlement 0.02 0.01

Cost investment activity 0.06



Restructuring and severance related

charges 0.02 (0.01)

Amortization of acquisition-related

intangible assets 0.04 0.04

Asset impairment 0.04



Royalty acceleration (0.25) (0.02)

Tax law changes (0.02)



Adjusted-diluted EPS (Non-U.S. GAAP) (6) $8.58 $9.00 to $9.15 4.9% to 6.6%

Notes: See "Full-year 2022 Financial Guidance" and "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" in today's press

release for additional information regarding adjusted-diluted EPS.





(6) We have opted not to forecast 2022 tax benefits from stock-based compensation in upcoming quarters, as they are out of the Company's control. Instead, we recognize the benefits as they occur. In the first-half of 2022, tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation increased adjusted-diluted EPS by $0.13. Any future tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation that we receive in 2022 would provide a positive adjustment to our full-year EPS guidance. In full-year 2021, tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation increased adjusted-diluted EPS by $0.41.

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES CASH FLOW ITEMS (UNAUDITED) (in millions)



Six Months Ended June 30,

2022 2021 Depreciation and amortization $59.7 $57.9 Operating cash flow $324.3 $233.1 Capital expenditures $131.9 $111.6 Free cash flow $192.4 $121.5

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED) (in millions)



As of June 30, 2022 As of December 31, 2021 Cash and cash equivalents $718.5 $762.6 Accounts receivable, net $528.4 $489.0 Inventories $411.6 $378.4 Accounts payable $220.0 $232.2 Debt $252.0 $253.0 Equity $2,424.4 $2,335.4 Working capital $1,206.0 $1,147.9

Trademark Notices

Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., in the United States and other jurisdictions, unless noted otherwise.

Daikyo, Daikyo Crystal Zenith and Daikyo CZ are registered trademarks of Daikyo Seiko, Ltd. Daikyo Crystal Zenith technologies are licensed from Daikyo Seiko, Ltd.

SOURCE West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
Special offer of 10 Chicken Rings for just $2.99 coincides with milestone

Starting this summer, customers in non-restaurant and restaurant markets alike can pick up their beloved Chicken Rings in freezer aisles of grocery and retail stores across the U.S.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- White Castle might be renowned for The Original Slider, but the 101-year-old family-owned business has also been satisfying cravings for a certain chicken side for nearly three decades  to the tune of 3 billion Chicken Rings sold since 1995. When placed end-to-end, the total Chicken Rings sold would stretch nearly 95,000 miles, or 3.8 times the circumference of Earth.

White Castle might be renowned for The Original Slider, but the 101-year-old family-owned business has also been satisfying cravings for a certain chicken side for nearly three decades  to the tune of 3 billion Chicken Rings sold since 1995. When placed end-to-end, the total Chicken Rings sold would stretch nearly 95,000 miles, or 3.8 times the circumference of Earth.

White Castle Chicken Rings, the fun, uniquely shaped, crispy all-white meat chicken, lightly breaded to perfection, are beloved both on their own and with one of three favorite dipping sauces  honey mustard, BBQ and ranch.

"This crave satisfaction milestone vividly illustrates something we've known for nearly three decades  Chicken Rings run circles around any nugget out there," said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. "To reach the 3-billion-sold milestone is an accomplishment the White Castle team takes significant pride in."

With the 3-billion-Chicken-Ring milestone in hand, White Castle now has its sights set on serving up its 4-billionth Chicken Ring. For a limited time only, it is offering the 10-piece Chicken Rings for $2.99 ($3.99 in Arizona, not available in New York or New Jersey). And for those who crave White Castle's signature bun, the new Bacon Ranch Chicken Ring Slider is made with two all-white meat chicken rings, crispy bacon, and zesty and creamy Hidden Valley Original Ranch. Customers can purchase two of these delicious sliders for only $3 at participating White Castles.

In a collaboration with Bellisio Foods, Inc., White Castle Chicken Rings are heading to freezer aisles. Packaged in a stand-up, resealable pouch, they're ready to satisfy every crave any time in the comforts of Cravers' homes.

About White Castle

White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders as a family-owned business for 101 years. Based in Columbus, Ohio, White Castle started serving The Original Slider in 1921. Today, White Castle owns and operates more than 350 restaurants dedicated to satisfying customers' cravings morning, noon and night, and sells its famous fare in retail stores nationwide. The Original Slider, named in 2014 as Time magazine's "Most Influential Burger of All Time," is served alongside a menu of creatively crafted Sliders and other mouthwatering food options, including White Castle's Impossible Slider, named by Thrillist in 2019 as the "Best Plant-Based Fast-Food Burger." White Castle's commitment to maintaining the highest quality products extends to the company owning and operating its own meat processing plants, bakeries and frozen-food processing plants. In 2021, 100 years after the first Slider was sold, Fast Company named the fast-food pioneer one of the "10 Most Innovative Dining Companies." White Castle is known for the legendary loyalty of its team members, more than 1 in 4 of whom have worked for White Castle for at least 10 years, and also for its faithful fans ("Cravers"), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app, available at iTunes App Store or Google Play, makes it easy for Cravers to access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. They can also have their orders delivered using one of White Castle's delivery partners. For more information on White Castle, visit whitecastle.com.

SOURCE White Castle
RGHI to organise the world's first Global Hygiene Summit in Singapore February 15 th  16th 2023.

 16th 2023. The Global Hygiene Summit is being organised in partnership with the National Centre for Infectious Diseases ( Singapore ), and in collaboration with the World Bank.

), and in collaboration with the World Bank. The Global Hygiene Summit will create clarity around hygiene and the positive impact that improved standards could have on global health, including in the COVID-19 recovery period.

LONDON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Hygiene Summit 2023, organised in partnership with the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (Singapore), and in collaboration with the World Bank, is being hosted in Singapore on the 15th and 16th February 2023.

Professor Yee Sin Leo, Executive Director, NCID said: "Hygiene generally refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases. Despite its intimate link to health, hygiene is ill-defined and often intertwined with socioeconomic status, and cultural belief and practices. Hygiene is a fundamental pre-requisite for sustainable public health and with our dual mission of clinical and public health, NCID is pleased to partner for this inaugural summit in Singapore. Leveraging on prominent stakeholders, this summit will elevate hygiene to the highest global agenda in promoting and sustaining health."

The Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute (RGHI), a not-for-profit foundation that was established in 2020 with a multi-year $25 million grant from Reckitt, RGHI is focussed on plugging significant gaps in the health research space and improving access to information that will bridge epidemiology, public health, and behaviour change. The Global Hygiene Summit will align with this aim by informing the global health agenda stimulating discussion that could lead to the adoption of better and more sustainable hygienic practises globally.

The event will create a forum for multi-level and multi-disciplinary discussions around hygiene science, behaviour, economics, and real-world experiences and outcomes. It will bring together scientists, politicians, the private sector and civil society to generate impact through the intersection between health and hygiene ~ which is vital to safeguarding the physical and economic wellbeing of populations worldwide, both amid COVID-19 and beyond.

By articulating the shape, scope and importance of the hygiene field, motivating multi-level and multi-disciplinary working by bridging epidemiology, behaviour and policy, the Global Hygiene Summit intends to gain consensus on how to effectively measure and create behavioural change and economic impact (ROI), and how to present this to engage policymakers.

Global Hygiene Summit 2023 will also motivate the [Singapore] Declaration; a guide for structural change that will be brought about by co-discussion and global co-operation and set the agenda for future change.

[i] Early bird registration is available until 7th September 2022

[ii] To benefit from the student rate, you will need to submit evidence of your student status.

[iii] To benefit from the LIC and LMIC rates, you will need to submit evidence that you are resident in one of these countries (as classified by the World Bank).

SOURCE RGHI
SHANGHAI, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK: 2057) ("ZTO" or the "Company"), a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China, today announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the second quarter 2022 ended June 30, 2022, after the U.S. market closes on August 17, 2022.

ZTO's management team will host an earnings conference call at 8:30 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, which is 8:30 A.M. Beijing Time on Thursday, August 18, 2022.

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

United States: 1-888-317-6003 Hong Kong: 852-5808-1995 Singapore: 800-120-5863 Mainland China: 4001-206-115 International: 1-412-317-6061 Passcode: 1962226

A replay of the conference call may be accessible through August 24, 2022 by dialing the following numbers:

United States: 1-877-344-7529 International: 1-412-317-0088 Canada: 855-669-9658 Passcode: 4858141

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://zto.investorroom.com .

About ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK: 2057) ("ZTO" or the "Company") is a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. ZTO provides express delivery service as well as other value-added logistics services through its extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China.

ZTO operates a highly scalable network partner model, which the Company believes is best suited to support the significant growth of e-commerce in China. The Company leverages its network partners to provide pickup and last-mile delivery services, while controlling the mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting network within the express delivery service value chain.

For more information, please visit http://zto.investorroom.com .

For investor inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations

Tel: (86) 21 5980 4508

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.
Seraphim Space Investment Trust PLC (LSE:SSIT) saw its shares rocket after the market warmed to its latest trading update.

Shares in the SpaceTech investment company soared 7.32% to 77p as the Trust said investment in the space domain remained strong despite the macro-economic environment.

Whilst the space sector is not immune to the macro-economic backdrop, the last six months have demonstrated the crucial role space plays in global defence, food security and humanitarian support as well as addressing longer-term climate and sustainability solutions, said chief executive, Mark Boggett.

According to the statement, the group had net assets of 250mln as of March 31, with 75%, or 188mln, made up of investments and the remaining 25% made up of cash.

However, since the quarter ended June 30, the group made five private investments, meaning total cash fell to 57.7mln from 62.3mln.

Metal Tiger advances as 21% owned Cobre makes discovery

Metal Tiger PLC (AIM:MTR, OTC:MRTTF, ASX:MTR) shares advanced strongly after Cobre Limited announced the first intersection of significant copper mineralisation from its ongoing drill programme on Kalahari Metals Limiteds Ngami Copper Project licenses.

Metal Tiger has a 21% stake in Cobre and its shares jumped 16.07% to 16.25p on the back of the news.

Cobre Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Martin Holland, said: This new copper discovery represents a transformational moment for Cobre shareholders.

He added These results, which confirm the presence of significant copper mineralisation, validate the district scale opportunity of Cobres soon to be 100% owned, extensive licence package within the Kalahari Copper Belt.

Provident Financial (LSE:PFG) dips as costs increase more than expected

Provident Financial (LSE:PFG) topped the FTSE 250 fallers as a fall in profits and an increase in operating costs disappointed the market.

The group reported first half adjusted pre-tax profit of 54.3mln, 15% lower than the first half of 2021, while operating costs grew by 20% to 157mln.

Peel Hunt analysts Robert Sage and Stuart Duncan, commented that FY costs were now likely to total circa 314mln against their current estimate of 269m, although costs are seen falling back in 2023.

Lower impairment charges will offset some of this they said but they cautioned there was ground to be made up if the company was going to hit full year forecasts.

Quadrise deal provides fuel to share price

Quadrise Fuels International PLC (AIM:QFI, OTC:QDRSF) saw its shares advance strongly after announcing that it has signed a framework agreement with MSC Shipmanagement for proof-of-concept tests and operational trials.

By 10.50am shares were 15.94% higher at 1.60p.

Both bioMSAR and MSAR fuels will be tested on one or more commercial container vessel ahead of the intended commercial supply of the fuels to MSCs global fleet.

Jason Miles, CEO of QFI, commented:

This is an important milestone for the company as we progress our projects and deepen our relationships with leading energy suppliers and users to reduce energy consumption, costs and emissions.

House broker, Shore Capital, commented: We believe the scope to add value to one of the largest shipping companies in the world is huge, especially as environmental regulations in the industry are expected to tighten further.

The potential scale of the opportunities in Utah and Morocco are also huge and each potentially worth substantially more than Quadrise's current enterprise value.

Parsley Group dives as revenues and orders fall

Meal delivery service, Parsley Box Group PLC, saw its shares crash 30% to 12.25p after reporting a fall in revenues and order numbers.

Income fell to 9.6mln from 14mln in the first half while total order numbers in the first half were 212,000 against 385,000 in the first half of 2021.

As a result of the fall in orders, the company cautioned that it expects full year revenues of 19m

The cost of acquiring new customers also continued to rise, reaching 34 in the first half against 31 in 2021 and the cost of a repeat order increased to 6 from 3.

Kevin Dorren, CEO of Parsley Box, commented:

"We have continued our product innovation at pace to increase the opportunities for customers to order from us, and remain focused on balancing investment in customer acquisition and maintaining cash reserves, whilst we navigate the challenging consumer environment. 

We recently brought down the price of a range of customer favourite meals to 2.95 to help alleviate the rising cost of living, and have frozen all prices until September. We remain well funded and continue to deliver quality, good value, and nutritious food."
28 July 2022

*A corporate client of Hybridan LLP

** Arranged by most recent first

*** Alphabetically arranged

Dish of the day

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Whats cooking in the IPO kitchen?**

Inteliqo Limited, intends to join the Aquis Growth Market. Inteliqo Limited provides sales, marketing and distribution services to technology product owners under long-term distribution agreements. The Company has agreed its first such agreement in respect of the Ipedia iQ product range. The iQ product is a smart translation earphone (earbuds) system which offers integrated real time speech translation in 42 languages, built in smart assist (google and siri), multiple built-in microphones and high-definition sound. Expected 5 August.

Unigel Group, intends to join the Aquis Growth Market. Unigel Group is a pioneer in the field of thixotropic gels for the fibre optic cable industry. The Company is also a supplier of laminated steel tapes to the fibre optic cable industry in the US. Thixotropic gels and laminated steel tapes are essential components to the rapidly growing global fibre optic cable market. The Group exports to over 40 countries and is a key supplier to almost every leading fibre optic cable manufacturer worldwide and is the industrys only organisation with multiple manufacturing facilities spread across 3 continents. The Company acts as the holding company for its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Unitape Limited and its 60% owned operating subsidiary, Unigel (UK) Limited. Expected 1 August.

Equipmake Holdings intends to join the Aquis Growth Market. Equipmake is a UK-based technology company, which has developed a range of electrification products for the provision of electric vehicle drivetrains to meet the needs of the automotive, aerospace and other sectors in support of the transition from fossil-fuelled to zero emission powertrains. The Company now has a significant pipeline of opportunities of in excess of 400m at various stages of negotiation, as demand for electric vehicles increases as part of the global decarbonisation movement. Expected 29 July.

Georgina Energy, an early-stage resource company with a strategy of actively pursuing the exploration, commercial development and monetisation of helium, hydrogen and hydrocarbon interests located in the Amadeus and Officer Basins in Northern and Western Australia intends to join AIM. Georgina Energy has two principal onshore interests. The first, the Mount Winter Prospect is located in the Amadeus Basin in Northern Australia, which the Company has a right to earn an initial 75% interest. The second interest, the Hussar Prospect is 100% owned by the Company and is located in the Officer Basin in Western Australia. Expected late July.

Macaulay Capital is due to join the Aquis Growth Market on 29 July. The Group was formed to originate and manage corporate transactions, raise funds from third parties, invest the Groups own funds alongside those of external investors and to manage the Groups investment portfolio with the aim of maximising its value.

Banquet Buffet***

Altitude Group (LON: ALT) 26p 18.4m

The Group has announced results for the year ended 31 March 2022. Revenues increased by 54.9% to 11.9m (2021: 7.7m). Services revenue grew by 17.3%, surpassing the industry average. Adjusted operating profit increased 90.2% to 1.1m (2021: 0.6m). The Group held a cash balance at year end of 0.9m (2021 2.1m), down from 1.6m at 30 June 2022. AIM membership has continued to grow, and currently totals 2,425 global members, up from 1,917 at acquisition. The Board is confident in the scalability of the business and the management team's ability to execute upon the Group's strategy

Cambridge Cognition Holdings PLC (AIM:COG) 135.5p 42.2m

The developer of digital solutions to assess brain health, announces two agreements for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with a top 10 pharmaceutical company and the United States Department of Defense. The United States Department of Defense is developing a precision medicine approach to PTSD. Cambridge Cognition has been selected as a cognitive assessment provider for the project because CANTABTM offers accurate measurement of the potentially distinct pathophysiological processes involved in PTSD. In the contract with the top 10 pharmaceutical company, Cambridge Cognition will provide CANTABTM as an exploratory endpoint.

Epwin Group PLC (LSE:EPW) 77.5p 112.3m

The manufacturer of energy efficient and low maintenance building products, announces its half-year trading update. Revenues were 13% ahead of 2021 comparative period at 178m. Covenant net debt at 30 June 2022 has reduced to 7.3m (31 December 2021: 9.4m) which is 0.3x adjusted EBITDA, providing the Group with in excess of 65m of headroom on its facilities. Raw material costs continued to increase in the first half. Despite the supply chain disruption, the Group has been able to secure sufficient raw materials to meet demand and expects to be able to continue to do so. The Board remains confident of achieving expectations in 2022.

Fintel PLC (AIM:FNTL) 202.5p 209.1m

A provider of ntech and support services to the UK Retail Financial Services sector today issues a trading update for the six months ended 30 June 2022. Total revenue growth of 2% to 32.2m (HY21: 31.7m). Adjusted EBITDA up 5% to 8.7m (HY21: 8.3m). 7.6m cash and an undrawn 45m Revolving Credit Facility provides financial resources to fund growth both through organic investment and strategic acquisitions.

Fusion Antibodies PLC (AIM:FAB) 49p 12.7m

The specialists in pre-clinical antibody discovery, engineering and supply for both therapeutic drug and diagnostic applications, announces the appointment of Dr Adrian Kinkaid as Chief Executive Officer, effective from Monday 15 August 2022. Adrian Kinkaid is a seasoned life sciences executive with 25 years' experience in life science and biotherapeutics industries. He joins Fusion from Vortex Liquid Biopsy Solutions Ltd and Vortex Biosciences Inc.

Hotel Chocolat Group PLC (AIM:HOTC) 135.5p 186.1m

The premium chocolate brand, announces that Hotel Chocolat KK (HCKK), a Japanese joint venture 20% owned by the Group, has obtained Court approval for civil rehabilitation restructuring proceedings (Minji Saisei), pursuant to seeking new sources of capital. The Group had loaned 23m to HCKK in 2018-2022 as working capital. In addition, the Group has entered into guarantee arrangements of up to 5.8m for loans made to HCKK by Japanese leasing companies. The Board has previously acknowledged the potential for a full impairment charge in the FY22 accounts, under IFRS9 relating to revised assessment of probability of recovery on 23m of loans made to HCKK in 2018-2022.

Pod Point Group Holdings PLC (LSE:PODP) 108.8p 166.8m

The UK-based EV charging solutions provider announces its unaudited half-year results for the period ended 30 June 2022. Revenue grew 57% to 41.6m (H1 2021: 26.5m). Adjusted EBITDA loss of 1.4m (H1 2021: +0.5m) was a result of reduced gross margin due to higher component costs and the costs of being a listed business. Closing cash was 82.1m. Over 45k charge points installed and shipped in H1 2022 (H1 2021: 27,554), with market share in home charging up by to 22% in H1 2022 (H1 2021: 17%) driven by new deals with car manufacturers and operators of business car fleets.

Sareum Holdings PLC (AIM:SAR)* 197.5p 134.4m

The specialist drug development company, announces that it has submitted an application for a Clinical Trial Authorisation (CTA) to the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the development of SDC-1801 as a potential new therapeutic for a range of autoimmune diseases with a focus on psoriasis. The company plans to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials in 2022, with a study in psoriasis targeted for 2023. A presentation to investors will take place on 4 August 2022 at 10.00am via the Investor Meet Company platform. Existing and potential investors wishing to participate in the presentation can register here .

Thor Mining PLC (AIM:THR, OTC:THORF, ASX:THR) 0.5p 9.6m

The gold and tungsten exploration and development company announced the drill results of the diamond drilling program at the 100% owned Molyhil Critical Minerals Project, Northern Territory. Two of the three diamond drill holes completed in late 2021 intercepted disseminated scheelite-molybdenite-chalcopyrite mineralisation hosted in a massive magnetite skarn, validating a newly identified 3D magnetic target. The drilling demonstrates that tungsten-molybdenum-copper skarn mineralisation extends along strike, to the south of the Molyhil Resource. Assay results were lower than visible grade estimates and the samples have been resubmitted for analysis using two different analytical techniques, with further follow up using the coarse reject material.

Virgin Wines UK PLC (AIM:VINO) 67p 37.4m

The direct-to-consumer online wine retailers provides a trading update for the year ended 30 June 2022. Total revenue reached 69m (FY21: 73.6m). EBITDA post IFRS was 6.3m (FY21: 7m). Net cash was 7.8m (excluding customers WineBank funds) as at 30 June 2022 (FY21: 8.4m). Membership of WineBank (main subscription scheme) increased 8% YOY and revenue from WineBank customers increased 21% YOY. The Groups focus has been on customer acquisition during the year: 105k new customers acquired across all schemes, 5% ahead of expectations, with cost per recruit below budget and FY21 levels. Q422 customer acquisition are 37% ahead YOY and there is a comprehensive pipeline of new partnership opportunities, giving optimism for the FY23 customer acquisition strategy.

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Diamond drill rig set-up at the site of the first drill hole at the Corvette Prospect.

Magmatic Resources Ltd (ASX:MAG) has kicked off a high-impact diamond drilling program at Kingswood and Corvette prospects within the Myall Project in a copper-gold mining district of New South Wales that hosts the world-class Northparkes mine.

The drill program is set to be the most significant work the company has undertaken at Myall to date and will comprise around 3,000 metres of diamond drilling.

It will target up to four high-priority target areas in the greater Kingswood prospect area, which is already known to host porphyry-associated mineralisation.

Looking ahead, the drilling component of the program is expected to continue for about eight to 10 weeks, with the first assays expected in mid-September.

Most significant exploration effort to date

Magmatic managing director Dr Adam McKinnon said: After a particularly challenging period with heavy rainfall in the region, our team has done an excellent job working with local stakeholders to establish access and formed drill pads at the Kingswood site.

We already know the igneous complex we are exploring here is fertile, with previous drilling by majors including Newcrest and Gold Fields intercepting strong porphyry-associated copper, gold and molybdenum mineralisation.

With a large and intense basement geochemistry footprint and mineralisation open or poorly drilled in just about every direction, this will be the companys most significant exploration effort to date at Myall and we are very excited about the potential for a major Northparkes-style discovery.

High-impact drilling program

The start of drilling at the Kingswood site follows a review of the extensive copper-gold potential of the Myall Project area in the last quarter, with a high-impact drilling program of about 3,000 metres designed to test the broader prospect area.

The first drill hole will target mineralisation immediately west of Kingswood at the Corvette Prospect - last drilled by Newcrest two decades ago and which includes zones of above 1% copper.

Subsequent drill holes will target major step-out extensions to known mineralisation associated with holes MYACD001 and 21MYDD412 at the Kingswood Prospect and poorly drilled areas along strike of both the Kingswood and Corvette prospects.
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Australian Potash Ltd (ASX:APC) managing director and CEO Matt Shackleton joins Proactives Andrew Scott to highlight positive quarterly results and higher than expected grades and volumes from the Lake Wells Sulphate of Potash (SOP) Project in Western Australia. The company has now drilled 20 of 90 production wells on the project, and evidence has so far indicated APCs modelling is on the conservative side - in essence Australian Potash believes it will be able to produce more potash at lower capital expenditure than originally expected. APC also recently opened an entitlement offer to raise up to $7.68 million, intended to support the development of the companys projects.
Kraken was fined over US$1mln in 2021 for failing to register as a futures commission merchant

San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is under investigation by the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control for alleged sanctions violations, according to a New York Times report.

Five people affiliated with the company or with knowledge of the inquiry informed the NYT that the exchange has opened its doors to customers in Iran and other countries under US sanctions.

Krakens chief legal officer Marco Santori told Decrypt: Kraken has robust compliance measures in place and continues to grow its compliance team to match its business growth. Kraken closely monitors compliance with sanctions laws and, as a general matter, reports to regulators even potential issues.

Its not the first time Krakens business practices have come under fire.

In September 2021, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission imposed a US$1.25mln fine for failing to register as a futures commission merchant.

The US has imposed numerous sanctions on the Islamic republic ever since 1979, a policy which has continued through to the current Biden administration.
VolitionRx Limited announced that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of common stock. The size and scope of the offering will depend on market conditions, and the company noted that there are no assurances about when or whether the offering will be completed. Volition said it intends to grant the underwriter in the offering a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of shares of common stock offered in the offering at the public offering price.

AIM ImmunoTech Inc has announced what it calls positive preliminary pilot study data from its ongoing Expanded Access Program (EAP) evaluating its investigational drug Ampligen as a therapeutic for Long COVID. The immuno-pharma firm said the preliminary data from this uncontrolled clinical trial found that patients reported statistically significant improvements in chronic fatigue after treatment with Ampligen and, based on these early results, the company is working to move forward with a Phase 2 controlled trial.

Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd has said it is seeking substantial damages against the United Republic of Tanzania from its fully funded arbitration proceedings over the expropriation of the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Element Project before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes' (ICSID), part of the World Bank group. Montero submitted its Memorial on the Merits to the ICSID arbitral tribunal in May 2022 as per the time schedule agreed by the parties and the tribunal. The Memorial contains the basis for compensation to Montero for C$90 million including interest up until May 2022, which interest continues to accrue. In a statement, Dr Tony Harwood, president and CEO of Montero commented: "Montero has submitted a claim to the ICSID for damages of C$90 million. The company has made repeated attempts to work with Tanzanian Government to reach an amicable settlement without success, while the discovery and development of the Wigu Hill project has created significant value for Tanzania. We are committed to pursuing fair treatment of our shareholders and a return on our substantial investment of time and money in Tanzania through a fully funded arbitration process governed by ICSID, a part of the World Bank."

Healixa Inc has announced the appointment of award-winning executive Satyajit Deb to its advisory board. The company said Deb was a highly accomplished entrepreneurial, senior executive with more than 20 years of extensive global experience leading innovation, product development, marketing, and business development efforts. Highlights from his career include leading Global Innovation for McDonalds Happy Meal and Family Marketing Programs and orchestrating the development and market launch of multi-million-dollar revenue-generating product innovation Video-in-Print which was the world's first HD video embedded in print packaging and loyalty applications used by Fortune 500 Brands.

Noble Capital has repeated an 'Outperform' rating and C$1.35 (US$1.05) price target again tagged Ortho Regenerative Technologies Inc following news the first patient in the ORTHO-R rotator cuff Phase I/II trial has received surgical treatment. Ortho said recently that it had begun enrolling patients in its US phase I/II clinical trial of rotator cuff tear repair after the first patient surgery was completed in its US phase I/II clinical trial of rotator cuff tear repair. "If patient enrollment expectations hold. We consider the company's ORTHO-R/RESTORE platform safety profile to be excellent," analysts said.

Gold Resource Corporation said its has declared a quarterly dividend of one cent ($0.01) per common share for the third quarter of 2022 payable on September 30, 2022, to shareholders of record as of September 15, 2022. It said dividends may vary in amount and consistency or be discontinued at the board's discretion depending on variables including but not limited to operational cash flows, company development requirements and strategies, construction, spot gold and silver prices, taxation, general market conditions and other factors described in the company's public filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Planet 13 Holdings Inc said Planet 13 Illinois LLC, in which it owns 49%, has been awarded a conditional adult use dispensing organization license in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin region from the Illinois department of financial and professional regulation. "After a long wait, it is great to be granted our license and to have the opportunity to move forward with our Illinois dispensary plans," said Larry Scheffler, co-CEO of Planet 13 in a statement. "The Chicago region offers significant value for cannabis operators. It has strong cannabis sales, a large population base, an attractive tourist destination, and is ready for the Planet 13 experience," he added.

Gold Resource Corporation said it sold a total of 8,746 ounces of gold and 231,622 ounces of silver in the second quarter of 2022 for a gold-equivalent total of 11,475 ounces. Additionally, the company said it sold 3,590 tonnes of zinc, 286 tonnes of copper, and 1,755 tonnes of lead. "Production remains solid at the Don David Gold Mine in Mexico with significant improvements in financial measures over the same period last year. The volume of tonnes processed during the quarter declined slightly from Q1 as we continue to address ground support challenges common to our type of mineral deposit, Allen Palmiere, the company's CEO said in a statement.

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc, a clinical-stage Canadian pharmaceutical development company, has announced additional positive results from its phase 2a study of NP-120 (Ifenprodil) for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic cough. After a further review of the topline data, Ifenprodil was shown to be much more effective at reducing cough in patients than initially reported, the company said. "Ifenprodil's potential as a potent cough treatment just increased," said Christopher J Moreau, CEO of Algernon in a statement. "We have to remember that cough in IPF patients has been historically even more difficult to treat than stand-alone chronic cough. It is quite possible that Ifenprodil may show an even greater efficacy if tested directly in patients that only have chronic cough in the absence of IPF."

HighGold Mining Inc has said its $9 million 2022 exploration program at the Johnson Tract polymetallic gold project in Alaska is well underway. Our 2022 Johnson Tract drill program is in full swing, and we are very pleased with the early visual results from veined and brecciated intercepts at the Difficult Creek (DC) prospect and the potential opportunity to grow a second JT-style deposit on the property, HighGold CEO Darwin Green said in a statement. With the addition of the new on-site sample prep lab built this year, we hope to be receiving new assay results during our drilling season which will allow us to react immediately with follow-up holes, he added.

Versus Systems Inc said that it has launched Zaxbys PLAYMUSICITYGP.COM to support Zaxbys sponsorship of the Music City Grand Prix IndyCar Race. The company said it has partnered with Innovative Group's newly-formed Innovative New Media, which is working with Zaxby's and with Music City GP teams. "We are excited to support Innovative New Media, Zaxby's, and Music City while expanding IndyCar fans experience," Matthew Pierce, founder and CEO of Versus Systems said in a statement. "We are proud to work with Innovative New Media to bring more interactive and rewarding games and experiences to IndyCar, and to fans and audiences of all kinds of live events throughout the country."

Burcon NutraScience Corp announced that its joint venture (JV) company, Merit Functional Foods Corporation, has developed an innovation utilizing its non-genetically modified organism (GMO) Peazazz pea protein as part of a 100% protein-based clean label solution to replace methylcellulose, a synthetic ingredient widely used in food and meat alternative applications. The developer of plant-based proteins for foods and beverages said Merit's Peazazz pea protein can now help drive clean label food and beverage applications. We are very pleased with Merit's latest innovative protein-based solution that has the potential to disrupt a $1.96 billion methylcellulose market, Burcon NutraScience interim CEO Peter Kappel said in a statement.

Todos Medical Ltd announced that its CLIA/CAP certified clinical laboratory Provista Diagnostics has entered into an agreement with Amerimmune Diagnostics, a CLIA/CAP certified laboratory with expertise in immune diagnostics and a leader in the field of clinical immunology and immune assessment of acute and long-COVID. Under the agreement, Amerimmune will provide Provista with clinically validated immune panels to assess patients with acute and long-COVID. Provista will complement the testing by measuring the immune system's ability to produce neutralizing antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. "All of the tests that are part of long-COVID are currently covered by commercial insurance. The Long COVID Panel will provide key insights on inflammatory responses related to immune system cells, whether a patient is immune compromised, and whether a patient produces neutralizing antibodies," Todos said in a statement.

Aurion Resources Ltd said the winter drill program at its joint venture (JV) with B2Gold in Finland was "highly successful" such that the exploration budget for 2022 has been increased by C$3.5 million to C$13.5 million, and which will include 17,000 metres (m) of drilling. The venture, in which Aurion has a 30% stake, with operator B2Gold owning 70%, covers around 331 square kilometers (sq km) along the Sirkka Shear Zone in the Central Lapland greenstone belt and includes discoveries such as Helmi, Kutuvuoma, Soretiavuoma and Kettukuusikko. Aurion has now posted the results for the final 12 holes from the winter 2022 program, including six at the Helmi Discovery and six scout holes testing selected regional targets.

American Battery Technology Company said it has beefed up its research capabilities with new laboratories at the University of Nevada, Reno. The new labs are part of the company's Research Development Center housed at the Nevada Center for Applied Research (NCAR) at the university. The center is focused on domestically and sustainably sourced battery metals extraction and qualification processes.

Deepspatial Inc said it has been invited to present at the United Nations General Assembly Forum (UNESCO) Artificial Intelligence for Information Accessibility 2022 Global Conference, where the theme is promoting and understanding artificial intelligence (AI). The company said AI can be "very beneficial to society but if abused it can also be very harmful". The theme raises a range of issues, including the relationship between AI and law, AI and ethics, media and the right to know, creativity, and innovation. UNESCO's programs contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.

Perk Labs Inc said it has continued to invest in its technology platform in the second quarter of 2022, reporting a 9% increase in its research and development (R&D) expenses during this period. For the quarter ended May 31, 2022, the company spent $406,000 on R&D, compared to $372,000 in the same quarter in 2021. The company also increased its spending on general and administrative expenses by 14%, from $568,000 in 2Q 2021 to $645,000, to support the prioritization of investor relations through its market awareness campaign.

Logiq Inc said it has completed the distribution of GoLogiq spin-off shares to its shareholders on record as of the close of business on December 30, 2021, through a special dividend on a one-for-one basis. This completes the previously-disclosed separation of Logiq and GoLogiq - formerly known as Lovarra - into two independent, publicly traded companies, the New York-based provider of eCommerce and fintech business enablement solutions said. "The distribution of GoLogiq shares to our investors marks a long-awaited journey in which we successfully transformed our business into two standalone entities to enhance value for our shareholders, Logiq CEO Brent Suen said in a statement.

Evergen Infrastructure Corp said the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing a share purchase agreement dated July 13, 2022, between the company, and 2418207 Alberta Ltd. and 2418367 Alberta Ltd. Under the terms of the agreement, the company may acquire 67% of the issued and outstanding shares of Grow the Energy Circle Ltd. By way of consideration, the company will make a cash payment of $2,054,336, subject to working capital adjustments, and will issue 600,000 shares at a deemed price of $5.50 per share at closing of the agreement. Additional cash considerations of up to a total of $4 million can be paid to the vendors if certain contingent requirements are met as per the terms of the agreement.

Infinity Stone Ventures Corp has announced the closing of the second tranche of a financing through the issuance of 1,328,333 units at a price of $0.15 per unit, for gross proceeds of $199,250. Each unit is comprised of one Class A Subordinate Voting Share and one-half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable into one share at a price of $0.30 for a period of three years from the date of issuance. In connection with the first tranche, the company issued 15,600 finders' warrants, and paid finder's fees of $2,340. Each finders' warrant is exercisable at a price of $0.30 for a period of two years from the date of issuance. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the financing towards general working capital.

American Resources Corporation has announced the rebranding of its reELEMENT Technologies website, including newly produced industry and process and technology videos. Dave Sauve, vice president of reELEMENT Technologies commented: "Highlighting and showcasing the efficiency and low environmental impact of our process and technology is important as we are creating a domestic alternative to the existing environmentally and socially disastrous alternatives used across the globe. Our new website and informative videos illustrate the impact and needed solutions we are delivering. We are excited to share these with the public as we continue to hit important milestones." Mark Jensen, CEO of American Resources Corporation added: "The website update is a natural progression since rebranding American Rare Earth to reELEMENT Technologies and the previously discussed plans to grow reELEMENT and explore all avenues to maximize shareholder value. We believe this update and rebranding effort helps illustrate the value we are creating." The website redesign spotlights the unique and proprietary technology which has been incubated and synthesized through four leading universities and is being commercialized for the first time to create a domestic circular supply chain for end-of-life rare earth permanent magnets and lithium-ion batteries. reELEMENT is leading the way in redefining how critical and rare earth elements are sources and processed while also addressing our sustainability needs.

Looking Glass Labs Ltd said it has received approval from The Depository Trust Company (DTC) to make the companys common shares eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through DTC. DTC eligibility makes LGLs shares more accessible to investors in the United States. The companys shares are currently listed on the OTC Pink level market in the United States, in addition to primarily being listed on the NEO Exchange in Canada. We are happy for the company to receive DTC Eligibility, to go along with the listing of its shares on the OTC Pink-level market at this time, said Dorian Banks, CEO of Looking Glass Labs. This is a step in the right direction for LGL and we are happy to see things progressing on the US capital markets front, as part of a longer-term plan to make our shares more accessible to American investors.

Delta 9 Cannabis Inc has announced that Joanne Duhoux-Defehr has resigned from the board of directors of the company effective today. "Ms Duhoux-Defehr has been instrumental in her support of Delta 9 at the board level since 2017 as we have scaled the company into one of Canada's largest vertically integrated cannabis operators," said John Arbuthnot, Delta 9 CEO. "On behalf of the company, I wish to thank Ms Duhoux-Defehr for her years of service on the board of directors."

Globex Mining Enterprises Inc has announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) has approved the company's normal course issuer bid (NCIB). Under the NCIB, Globex will be entitled to repurchase for cancellation up to 1,000,000 common shares, representing approximately 1.8% of its issued and outstanding shares as of July 21, 2022, over a twelve-month period starting on August 2, 2022, and ending on August 1, 2023. The purchases by Globex will be effected through the facilities of the TSX and on other alternative trading systems in Canada, and will be made at the market price of the shares at the time of the purchase. Globex had 55,635,336 common shares issued and outstanding as of July 21, 2022, of which 49,224,245 shares constituted the "public float". Globex said it intends to acquire the common shares because it believes that the repurchase of common shares at certain market prices is beneficial to Globex and its shareholders. Globex intends to make any purchases on an opportunistic basis, taking share price and other considerations into account.

Xigem Technologies Corporation said it has cancelled 1,225,000 incentive stock options under its Stock Option Plan. The options had been granted between January and April 2022 to several of the company's directors, officers, consultants and advisory board members.

Harbor Custom Development Inc has said it will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 9.30am PT (12.30pm ET) to elaborate on the second quarter 2022 financial results and the company's outlook. The public may access the conference call and webcast at https://investors.harborcustomhomes.com/events. Harbor will be answering previously submitted questions during the webcast. For those who would like to submit written questions in advance, they may do so by emailing: IR@harborcustomdev.com. The conference call will be available by telephone at 1-877-407-0789 (for international callers, dial 1-201-689-8562), and refer to "Harbor", "Harbor Custom Development", or conference ID: 13731834. A replay of the conference call will be available for two weeks at 1-844-512-2921 (for international callers, dial 1-412-317-6671) using the replay PIN: 13731834. Harbor will issue its second quarter 2022 earnings release and supplemental presentation prior to the call on the morning of Monday, August 15, 2022, in the Investor Relations section of the Harbor website at https://harborcustomhomes.com.

Phunware Inc has said it will hold a conference call on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 4.30pm ET (1.30pm PST) to discuss its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022. Financial results will be issued in a press release prior to the call. Phunware management will host the conference call, followed by a question and answer period. Call details: US dial-in: 888-506-0062; International dial-in: 973-528-0011; access code: 575582. The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and via the investor relations section of the companys website at investors.phunware.com. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available after 8.00pm ET on the same day through Thursday, August 25, 2022: Toll-free replay number: 877-481-4010; International replay number: 919-882-2331; Replay ID: 46161

Nextech AR Solutions Corp has announced that its CEO, Evan Gappelberg, will present live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 10.30am EST via the following link: https://bit.ly/3u8UbFn. This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event. Gappelberg's real-time, interactive presentation will discuss ARway; Nextech's spatial computing platform, and the company's fast-growing 3D model business.

OTC Markets Group Inc, the operator of regulated markets for 12,000 US and international securities, has announced that Andean Precious Metals Corp, a Canadian silver producer operating in Bolivia, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market having upgraded from the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol 'ANPMF'. The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused US and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market from the OTCQB Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among US investors. Simon Griffiths, Andean Precious Metals's CEO said: "Trading on the OTCQX is the highest market tier of the OTC Markets and demonstrates our commitment to serving our U.S investors. This important milestone will not only enable us to increase our liquidity and capital markets profile, but also reaffirms our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governance and financial standards."
Being invited to speak at the conference and present to industry leaders marks a big milestone for Deepspatial

Deepspatial Inc (CSE:DSAI) said it has been invited to present at the United Nations General Assembly Forum (UNESCO) Artificial Intelligence for Information Accessibility 2022 Global Conference, where the theme is promoting and understanding artificial intelligence (AI).

The company said AI can be "very beneficial to society but if abused it can also be very harmful". The theme raises a range of issues, including the relationship between AI and law, AI and ethics, media and the right to know, creativity, and innovation.

UNESCO's programs contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.

The conference will take place on the International Day for Universal Access to Information on September 28 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Deepspatial said it will highlight the impact its Geo-AI Platform has made on many lives through its Education, Healthcare, and Agriculture platforms and how the company's work can contribute to UNESCO's mandate of achieving sustainable development goals.

By showcasing its AI-driven technology to international experts in AI, Toronto, Ontario-based Deepspatial is becoming well-positioned as a thought leader in the space of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence.

Deepspatial CEO Dr Rahul Kushwah said being invited to speak at the conference and present to industry leaders marks a big milestone for Deepspatial.

"I can say we are becoming well-respected in AI and paving our way to becoming an emerging leader in the industry, which will not only build long-term value for our shareholders but also bring value to the AI community as we continue to innovate with our novel solutions," said Kushwah in a statement.

Samridhi Arora Kalra, chair of the AI4IA conference and a member of UNESCO-IFAP, said: Artificial Intelligence methods may create a digital dashboard for the planet, allowing us to monitor, model, foresee and manage environmental systems on a global scale. Everything from monitoring deforestation, CO2 levels, sea levels, wildlife movement, illegal activity, and pollution, as well to predicting natural disasters better.

Kalra said now is the time for the approach to start, as resources are becoming too thin on a global scale to achieve environmental gains and AI and data are empirically necessary to make these changes the planets needs.

To achieve this, a global collaboration between research institutes, companies, industries, governments, and charities must start in the best interest of our planet and future quality of life. In a nutshell, AI applications can empower humanity in saving the planet and us, Kalra said in a statement.

Deepspatial is an outcome-based artificial intelligence company, enabling organizations to enhance their decision-making capabilities by leveraging the power of data and AI.

Contact the author at susie@proactiveinvestors.com
Jakarta, July 28 : Four million medical workers will receive a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine amid increasing transmissions triggered by the virus' sub-variants in Indonesia, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said.

Sadikin told local media on Wednesday that administering of the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine started in August 2021 and now it is the time for a new immunity shot, Xinhua news agency reported.

"So they need a fourth dose to re-strengthen their immune system. We prioritise medical workers," he added.

The available vaccine stock is sufficient for the use for all medical workers, Sadikin said.

The Southeast Asian country has seen a resurgence in cases recently, triggered by the spread of the Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5.

Authorities also have detected some cases with the BA.2.75 sub-variant which the World Health Organisation has categorised as a Variant of Concern Lineage Under Monitoring.
Moscow, July 28 : Russia's gas giant Gazprom has said that Siemens failed to fulfill its obligations and had not returned a repaired turbine engine for the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.

"Back in May, we expected to receive one repaired engine from Siemens, but to date we have not received this engine," local media reported citing Vitaly Markelov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Committee of Gazprom, on Wednesday.

"Open questions still remain in relation to sanctions risks, which prevent the return of this gas turbine engine to Russia, and the transportation of other engines for repair," he added.

According to Markelov, problems remain with unrepaired engines at the compressor station, and "Siemens is not carrying out work to eliminate these problems".

He said that six gas pumping units are usually used at the compressor station, and only one engine is in working order while the rest are not working due to technical problems, Xinhua news agency reported.

He added that the company hadn't experienced problems with the repair of the engines prior to the imposition of anti-Russian sanctions.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Bengaluru, July 28 : Amid the tensions over brutal murder of a BJP youth wing worker in Karnataka, the state Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has announced cancellation of all the events planned for celebrating the completion of his first year in office.

Bommai had taken over as Chief Minister in July 28, 2021, after B.S. Yeddyurappa had stepped down on July 26, 2021.

The celebrations planned for Thursday included functions at the Vidhana Soudha, and the Janotsava at Doddaballapura.

"I said I will address a press conference instead of celebrations," Bommai said on early Thursday morning at his residence.

Sources said this political development comes in the backdrop of the massive protests by BJP workers over the murder of a party worker on Tuesday.

BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Kumar Nettaru in Dakshina Kannada district of the state, was hacked to death for allegedly supporting slain tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Rajasthan recently.

This is the latest in a series of violent deaths of youth supporting the ruling BJP government in Karnataka.

On Wednesday, several BJP youth wing members had submitted their resignations over the inability of the party to protect its own workers.
United Nations, July 28 : The killing of the two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel involved with the UN peacekeeping operations in Congo may be a 'war crime', the UN Security Council has declared, backing an assertion by the Acting Head of the mission there, who also said the world body will spare no efforts to find those responsible for the killings.

Issuing a strong condemnation of the attacks on UN peacekeepers in Congo, the Security Council in a press statement on Wednesday "underlined that deliberate attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law" and asked the Congolese authorities "to swiftly investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice".

Kassim Diagne, the Deputy Special Representative of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the Congo mission, told reporters, "We will not leave any stone unturned to get to the bottom of the investigation." "This was clearly an act of hostility against our troops and, as you know, this may be a war crime," he said while speaking from Kinshasa, the Congo state capital, through a video link to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.

A declaration for revitalising peacekeeping that was unveiled by Guterres in 2017 and endorsed by India said that violence against UN personnel "may constitute war crimes" and it has been reiterated by the Security Council several times.

BSF Head Constables, Sanwala Ram Vishnoi and Shishupal Singh, died in the attack on peacekeepers in Butembo in North Kivu on Tuesday.

A Moroccan Army peacekeeper was also killed in the attack carried out by a mob that Diagne added had been infiltrated by gangs and armed groups.

He said that the bodies of the peacekeepers were being transferred to Beni, a bigger town in north-eastern Congo, with an airport.

"We're looking at arrangements for these remains to go back quickly to their families in India and Morocco," he added.

The BSF personnel were serving in the police component of the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in Congo, which is known as MONUSCO based on the initials of its name in French.

There were 139 police -- many of them women -- and 1,888 military personnel from India with MONUSCO.

With the killing of the two BSF personnel, the number of Indians killed in peacekeeping operations rises to 177.

MONUSCO was set up by the Security Council in 2010, succeeding an earlier mission created in 1999, to bring stability to the civil strife-torn country and end the free reign that some militias and rebel groups have in some parts of the country.

Diagne said that the situation was "increasingly under control" after two days of unrest, but the UN will "remain extremely vigilant and extremely cautious, because this situation may develop further".

He added that gangs and armed groups that had infiltrated the protests by some Congolese were responsible for firing on the peacekeepers.

"That's the group that we agreed with the government that we need to look (at), identify those who are involved and make sure that they go to justice," he said.

"I wouldn't even call them protesters, I would say looters and criminals," he added, describing the looting of supplies from the UN facilities and the vandalism seen on social media.

News reports from Congo said that the protests had been organised by a group within the ruling party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, complaining about the UN's inability to stop the attacks by rebel groups on civilians and the government.

One of the demands of the protesters was that the UN should withdraw from the country.

Diagne said that the UN was in communication with peaceful protesters and pointed out that the UN operation was in the process of transition and had pulled out in various places under the Security Council's decisions leaving it now only in two areas.

Many people in Congo, on the other hand, were against the MONUSCO withdrawals fearing the return of armed militias preying on the people.

He denied reports that 50 people had been killed in Congo riots and the claim by some reporters that UN forces had fired at protesters.

Congo's Interior Minister, Daniel Aselo Okito had said that only 15 people, including peacekeepers, had died in the riots, Diagne added.

He said that the UN wanted a thorough forensic investigation in cooperation with the Congolese government as it would show that the bullets that hit the protesters were not from the peacekeepers' armoury.

The UN forces had fired warning shots in the air, but there "would have been a disaster because there were thousands of people, you know, climbing the walls getting into the compound," he added.

The UN operations in Congo are among the deadliest for peacekeepers.

Since the first operation in the 1960s soon after the country gained independence from Belgium, 650 peacekeepers have died in three operations.

Of them, 246 were with MONUSCO, 161 with MONUC set up in 1999, and 243 with the operation in the 1960s.

Nineteen Indians have died serving MONUSCO and 13 with the operation before that called MONUC.

In addition, 39 Indian peacekeepers died in the UN operations there in the 1960s.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Damascus, July 28 : The Syrian army is ready to confront any possible attack by Turkish forces on its soil, the Syrian military said, in response to recent shelling by Turkish forces on military sites in northern Syria.

The "provocative" attacks by the Turkish forces on military sites and government-controlled areas in northern Syria have been increasing, the military said on Wednesday in a statement, citing the attacks in the countryside of the northeastern province of Hasakah and the northern provinces of Aleppo and Raqqa.

Turkiye has intended to carry out new military operations on the Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria to expand the buffer zone in the region, Xinhua news agency reported.

A recent trilateral summit of Russia, Iran and Turkiye, hosted in Iran, tried to defuse the tension but failed.
Bengaluru, July 28 : Amid massive protests against the killing of BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Kumar Nettary in Dakshina Kannada district, the Karnataka government has called off its first anniversary celebrations at Vidhana Soudha and Janotsava in Doddaballapur.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai made the announcement in a hurriedly convened press conference at his R T Nagar residence in Bengaluru late on Wednesday night. The decision was taken during an emergency meeting of the chief minister with State Party President Nalin Kumar Kateel and other cabinet colleagues.

"I took the decision on seeing the plight of slain leader's family. My conscience did not permit me to go ahead with celebrations after seeing the grieving mother and wife. This is not for fear of backlash. I have done it with a clean heart," Chief Minister Bommai said.

In place of celebrations, he will address a press conference, Bommai said. After the murder of Praveen, there is pain and tension. The police have been given necessary directions till late in the night.

Chief Minister Bommai further stated that innocent BJP worker's murder was part of a conspiracy. It is inhuman and condemnable.

"Instead of words, there is outrage in our minds. Especially few months after Bajrang Dal activist Harsha's murder this incident had happened which is a concern. "We will all go and pay respects to the bereaved family. The BJP President's gesture of visiting the spot is commendable," he said.

Though he was attending many programmes throughout the day he was not peaceful, the chief minister said. "The pictures of the grieving family, mother bothered me," he added.

"I apologise to the lakhs of workers who were all set to attend the massive convention planned at Doddaballapur, the neighbouring town of Bengaluru. It was a platform to exhibit the party's strength in the surrounding districts. However, as per my conscience I have cancelled celebrations," he said.
Hyderabad, July 28 : The Congress leadership has made it clear that Telangana MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy should decide whether to stay in the party or quit.

Taking strong view of the remarks made by the rebel MLA against the party and its leadership, top leaders decided that if he stays in the party he will get due respect but if he quits, the organisation will defeat him (in by-election).

Ever since his meeting with union Home minister Amit Shah a few days ago, Rajagopal Reddy stepped up attack on the Congress.

He stated that only BJP is capable of defeating Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). He also remarked that if summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should appear before it.

Amid growing demands from several Congress leaders to act against the rebel MLA, party's national general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Wednesday night held a meeting with the party's state leaders in New Delhi.

According to Congress sources, party in charge for Telangana Manickam Tagore, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president A. Revanth Reddy, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and MP Uttam Kumar Reddy attended the meeting.

It was decided that if Rajgopal Reddy decides to stay back in Congress, he would get due respect but if he wants to leave the party would take all steps to defeat him.

Though the MLA had been making bitter attack on the party, the leadership was handling the issue carefully in view of the fact that his brother Komatireddy Venkat Reddy is a MP in the party.

The party had also sent CLP chief to meet the rebel MLA and pacify him.

The meeting lasted for more than three hours on Monday but there was no change in Rajgopal Reddy. Talking to reporters after the meeting, the rebel MLA alleged that the Congress has no leaders who fought for statehood to Telangana.

He said those facing criminal cases were given key posts in the party. The MLA said it was a fact that the BJP is becoming stronger in the state.

Rajgopal had earlier dropped hints that he will soon switch loyalties to the BJP.

The member of Telangana Assembly from Munugode constituency, said that only BJP can defeat the ruling TRS.

The Congress leader also remarked that switching loyalties is a historic necessity. He told media persons that he feels that the time has come to move to another party.

The Congress MLA said if people of Munugode want, there will be a by-election in the constituency.

The MLA said the Congress leadership took some wrong decisions which weakened the party. He said that the Congress party is not in a position to take on TRS.

Without naming Telangana Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy, he said that he can't work under those who had gone to jail.

Rajgopal Reddy and his brother Komatireddy Venkat Reddy had openly criticised the appointment of Revanth Reddy as the party chief last year.

While Venkat Reddy recently mend fences with Revanth Reddy, his brother remained a bitter critic of TPCC president.
Kiev, July 28 : Operations have resumed in three Ukrainian Black Sea ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny in line with a grain exports deal signed between Kiev and Moscow last week in Istanbul, the Ukrainian Naval Forces said in a statement.

Currently, work is underway to prepare the ports for safe navigation, with military and civilian experts searching for underwater objects and installing special navigation equipment, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.

The ships navigating in the Ukrainian ports will form a caravan, which will be escorted by a lead ship for greater security, it said.

On July 22, Ukraine and Russia separately signed the deal with Turkiye and the UN in Istanbul to resume grain shipments from Ukrainian ports to international markets via the Black Sea.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the deal will enable Ukraine to export 20 million tonnes of 2021's grain harvest and part of this year's harvest.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Luanda, July 28 : A rare 170-carat pink diamond, weighing 34 grams, thought to be the largest in the last 300 years, has been discovered in Angola.

The pink stone has been named the "Lulo Rose", after the mine in Angola where it was found.

It will be sold later this year through an international tender to be conducted by Angolan state-owned diamond trading firm Sodium, reports Xinhua news agency.

This is the fifth largest diamond from a total of 27 diamonds with more than 100 carats extracted to date in the Lulo mining project.

In 2016, the operation yielded the largest ever diamond recovered in Angola, a 404-carat white stone later named the "4th February Stone".

The country's Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo said the discovery of the pink diamond continues to showcase Angola as an important player on the world stage for diamond mining and demonstrates the potential and rewards for commitment and investment in the country's growing diamond mining industry.

Pink diamonds are extremely rare, but the same physical attributes that make the stones scarce also make them very tough, and not easy to work into shapes.

The largest known pink diamond is the Daria-i-Noor, discovered in India, which experts believe was cut from an even larger stone.

The largest rough diamond of any colour ever recorded is the Cullinan diamond, found in South Africa in 1905.

Weighing 3,107 carats, more than half a kilogram, it was cut into 105 different stones.

The largest of these, the Cullinan I, is the biggest clear cut diamond in the world and forms part of the UK Crown Jewels.
New Delhi, July 28 : A 14-year-old girl has allegedly been kidnapped from outer Delhi's Mangolpuri, a police offcial said on Thursday.

A manhunt had been launched to nab the accused and rescue the girl.

On Wednesday, police got a PCR call regarding kidnapping of a girl in Mangolpuri. A case under section 363 IPC was registered and an investigation taken up.

While investigating, the police found that the suspected accused identified as Mukesh, 32, was missing from his house.

"The suspect's brother Laxman was interrogated and tuition teacher of the missing girl was also quizzed. CDRA of suspected person mobile number is awaited. Wireless message has been flashed. Sincere efforts are n to trace the girl," the official said.
New Delhi, July 28 : Microsoft has caught an Austrian company selling spyware based on multiple Windows and Adobe zero-day exploits to attack its customers.

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) and the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) found that the spyware developer -- officially named DSIRF and codenamed KNOTWEED -- developed a spyware called 'Subzero' that was used to target law firms, banks, and consultancy firms in the UK, Austria and Panama.

"It's important to note that the identification of targets in a country doesn't necessarily mean that a DSIRF customer resides in the same country, as international targeting is common," the company said in a blogpost late on Wednesday.

MSTIC has found multiple links between DSIRF and the exploits and malware used in these attacks.

These include command-and-control infrastructure used by the malware directly linking to DSIRF, a DSIRF-associated GitHub account being used in one attack, a code signing certificate issued to DSIRF being used to sign an exploit, and other open-source news reports attributing Subzero to DSIRF.

Such cyber mercenaries sell hacking tools or services through a variety of business models.

Two common models for this type of actor are access-as-a-service and hack-for-hire.

In access-as-a-service, the actor sells full end-to-end hacking tools that can be used by the purchaser in operations, with the private-sector offensive actor (PSOA) not involved in any targeting or running of the operation.

In hack-for-hire, detailed information is provided by the purchaser to the actor, who then runs the targeted operations.

Microsoft said that KNOTWEED may blend these models: they sell the Subzero malware to third parties but have also been observed using KNOTWEED-associated infrastructure in some attacks, suggesting more direct involvement.

"Customers are encouraged to expedite deployment of the July 2022 Microsoft security updates to protect their systems against exploits," the company advised.
Kolkata, July 28 : The Enforcement Directorate has recovered Rs 27.90 crore and six kg gold from another house of Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of arrested West Bengal Commerce & Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee.

A truck of RBI left Arpita's residence ferrying recovered cash and gold in ten steel trunks on Thursday morning.

Soon after the ED sleuths on Wednesday evening witnessed the bundles of cash in Rs 500 and Rs 2,0000 denominations in the cupboard of the bedroom in Arpita's Belgharia flat on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, they guessed that that the cash stacked here might be much higher than what was recovered from her Diamond City residence.

"So, we did not take the risk and requested jumbo currency counting machines which can count more notes at one go. Our request was adhered to and soon officials from State Bank of India reached with four such jumbo currency counting machines which can count 1,000 notes at one go and in a minute. Still, it took till early Thursday morning to complete the counting process as well as loading them in the steel trunks," the official said.

"In addition to that, we have also recovered around six kg of gold, in the form of bars and ornaments, valuing more than Rs 4 crore. So total cash recovery from the two flats of Arpita Mukherjee amounts to Rs 49.10 crore," the official said.

Several silver coins have also been recovered from the Belgharia residence, the market value of which is yet to be ascertained.

The officials said that the total cash recovery from the Belgharia residence of Arpita Mukherjee has been recorded at Rs 27.90 crore, as against Rs 21.20 crore recovered from her Diamond Park residence.

On the huge cash and gold recovery, Trinamool Congress' state general secretary and party spokesman Kunal Ghosh said that whatever is happening is a matter of grave concern and really very shameful.

"However, I am sure that the party leadership is keeping a close watch on the entire development and will take the appropriate decision at the right time," Ghosh said.

Leader of the opposition in the state assembly Suvendu Adhikari said that even after this huge cash recovery if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee does not remove Partha Chatterjee from the Cabinet, it will be evident that the share of the illegal cash is not just restricted to Partha Chatterjee.

Partha Chatterjee was arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff in government schools when he was the state education minister.
Puducherry, July 28 : Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who holds the finance portfolio, will present a full-fledged budget of the Union Territory before August 31.

The budget session of the Legislative Assembly will commence on August 10.

Governor Tamilisai Soundarrajan will the start the session with the customary address. The business advisory committee will meet after the Governor's address and decide on the date of the budget.

Notably, a Vote on Account for Rs 3,613 crore was passed in the Legislative Assembly to meet the government's expenditure for five months from April to August. The Planning board had met under the Lieutenant Governor and passed a budget outlay for Rs 11,000 crore for the UT for fiscal 2022-23. The previous year's budget outlay was Rs 9294.41 crore which is higher than Rs 1075.59 crore.

The Union government has already earmarked central assistance of Rs 1,729 crore for Puducherry in its budget. However, Puducherry is worried over the central government's decision to wind up the GST compensation, and the estimated revenue gap for the Union Territory, if the GST compensation is not continued beyond June 2022, will be Rs 1300 crore.

Meanwhile, the UT Government of Puducherry has shortlisted three consultants to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for construction of a new Integrated Legislative Assembly complex which is to come up at Thattanchavady near Ouragret municipal limits.

The budget for the construction of the Integrated Legislative Assembly Complex will be provided by the Union ministry for Home Affairs and Puducherry government has already sought special central assistance of Rs 335 crore in two installments for the construction of the legislative complex.
Los Angeles, July 28 : Actors Margot Robbie, Delta Goodrem, Jesse Spencer, Kym Valentine and Carla Bonner will appear in the final episode of 'Neighbours'.

According to 'Variety', Robbie featured in the long-running Aussie soap from 2008 to 2011 as Donna Freedman and has since gone on to star in massive Hollywood films including 'The Wolf of Wallstreet', 'I, Tonya' and 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood'.

Network 10 said Robbie's return to 'Neighbours' will be a "small cameo role", reports 'Variety'.

ARIA Award-winning Delta Goodrem will also return to say goodbye to the show.

Goodrem was originally on the show from 2002 to 2003 as Nina Tucker. The show helped launch her mainstream music career, when she performed the debut single from 'Innocent Eyes', 'Born To Try' in an episode.

The single debuted at No. 3 on the ARIA charts and peaked at No. 1, while the album spent 29 weeks at the top of the charts, reports 'Variety'.

On-screen siblings Billy and Libby Kennedy, played by Jesse Spencer and Kym Valentine respectively, will also feature in the finale.

The pair started out in 1994 as the children of Susan and Karl Kennedy, characters who remain a part of the show.

Network 10 has also announced the return of Carla Bonner, who started in 1999 as Stephane Scully. She has returned to the programme numerous times to reprise the role.

Network 10 has been drip-feeding information about its final episode, having previously revealed Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan would be back to pick up their character arcs from the 1980s.

It then released pictures of the two on set together.

The return of the big-name stars as their original characters will assist 'Neighbours' in wrapping up its 37-year run.

The show's woes commenced when Network 10 and the show's producer Fremantle Australia failed to secure a UK production partner after Channel 5 decided to pull its partnership and funding.

Beverley McGarvey, chief content officer and executive vice president of Paramount ANZ, Network 10's parent company, has previously expressed hope there could be a future for the show, however it is now in its final week.

This Thursday, July 28, the final 90-minute episode will screen on its recent home, multi-channel, 10 Peach, as well as the primary Channel 10.

McGarvey noted that 'Neighbours' is an iconic programme and the Australian screen production sector will be worse off when it's gone.

"It's a devastating loss for that skills gathering. And people often start out on those big shows," she said.

"No matter what way you cut it, 'Neighbours' is still a loss and one that we're very very sad about. We really didn't want it to happen." Daniel Monaghan, Paramount ANZ's senior vice president of content and programming, told Variety Australia that things hadn't gone to plan'.

"When Fremantle told us they weren't going to be able to get the funding out of the UK - we needed that funding. Everyone needed that UK partner to keep the show. It was incredibly disappointing. It does good numbers on 10 Peach. It's got an incredibly loyal fan base. It's been around for almost 40 years. (It's) a stalwart.

"But unfortunately when they couldn't find a partner, it just wasn't a viable proposition for us. And we were really hopeful for a long time... But it hasn't worked out the way that we would have liked." It is expected that more former 'Neighbours' stars will appear on the final episode on Thursday night.
Seoul, July 28 : Samsung Electronics on Thursday reported its second-quarter net profit of $8.5 billion, up 15.2 per cent from a year earlier, on the back of robust demand for server chips.

Operating profit for the April-June period rose 12.2 per cent on-year to 14.09 trillion won, the company said in a regulatory filing.

Revenue rose 21.3 percent to 77.2 trillion won, the second-highest quarterly revenue ever and a record for a second quarter.

The operating profit was in line with the average estimate, according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency.

The world's largest memory chip and smartphone maker said its chip division posted 28.5 trillion won in revenue and 9.98 trillion won in operating profit, performing better-than-expected, thanks to continued demand from server clients and a strong dollar.

Operating profit in the chip business took up 70 percent of Samsung's total profit in the three months ending in June.

The South Korean tech giant does its chip business mostly in US dollar but reports its earnings in Korean won.

Samsung said a weak South Korean currency against the U.S. dollar resulted in an approximately 1.3 trillion-won company-wide gain in operating profit compared with the previous quarter. A weak won drives up the value of an exporter's dollar-denominated earnings when converted into the Korean currency.

Its foundry business reported a record high quarterly profit as the company continued to supply advanced chips to global customers, it said.

Samsung said it aims to "exceed market growth by adding new global clients while continuing to reinforce technological competitiveness." Early this week, Samsung marked the first shipment of 3-nanometer semiconductors built on Gate-All-Around (GAA) technology, the fastest and most efficient chips to date, faster than its foundry rival TSMC of Taiwan.

Samsung's mobile and network business logged 29.34 trillion won in revenue and 2.62 trillion won in operating profit for the second quarter. Both demand and profitability have declined from the previous quarter.

Samsung eyes to boost its sluggish phone business with the launch of new foldable smartphones, scheduled to be unveiled on August 10, which the company hopes will become "mainstream" that would surpass sales of the Galaxy Note series.

"Smartphone market demand is forecast to stay similar year-on-year or show single-digit growth with prolonged geopolitical issues and economic uncertainties," the company said.
Mumbai, July 28 : Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company has launched factor-based funds such as Motilal Oswal S&P BSE Quality ETF & Motilal Oswal S&P BSE Quality Index Fund, and Motilal Oswal S&P BSE Enhanced Value ETF & Motilal Oswal S&P BSE Enhanced Value Index Fund, company said in a release.

The new fund offer will open for subscription on July 29 and closes on August 12. Investors can invest a minimum of Rs 500 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter. On an ongoing basis, investors can purchase/redeem units of the scheme through a financial advisor or through the company website.

"With an objective to cater the evolving needs of the investors, we have introduced ETFs & index funds in the factor investing segment. These new funds are based on the Quality and Value factors. We aspire to build a unique brand positing by establishing ourselves as a fund house to drive the factor investing category in India," Navin Agarwal, MD & CEO, Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company, was quoted saying in a release.

The Motilal Oswal S&P BSE Quality ETF & Index Fund are single factor-based investment strategies that aim to include the top 30 'Quality' stocks based on rule-based parameters. These companies tend to have durable business models and sustainable competitive advantages.

The index constituents are selected from the universe of the S&P BSE LargeMidCap Index.

While, the other two funds such as Motilal Oswal S&P BSE Enhanced, Value ETF & Index Fund are single factor-based investment strategies that aim to include 30 'Value' stocks that are most attractive in valuations based on rule-based parameters.

The index constituents are selected from the universe of the S&P BSE LargeMidCap Index.

"These single factor-based funds are suitable for investors looking to diversify their portfolio & gain exposure to the Quality or Value factor. The Quality funds aim to invest in companies that are generally resilient to setbacks & perform well in various market conditions, especially during bear and recovery markets," Pratik Oswal, Head of Passive Funds, Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company, was quoted saying in a release.
Vancouver, July 28 : Two hitmen have been charged with the killing of one-time Air India bombing suspect Ripudaman Singh Malik who was gunned down in Surrey near here on July 14.

The alleged killers Tanner Fox, 21, and Jose Lopez, 23, were arrested by The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team on the basis of tips from the public.

Police have not yet confirmed whether the two men were hired to kill Malik.

Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, who heads the investigation team, told the media: "We're in the infancy of this investigation as it's only 13 days old. So there's many follow-up tasks." About the hitmen's motive, he said: "I think that's going to be part of our ongoing tasks here. It's very difficult 13 days in as these investigation sometimes takes years to develop - and that's why in these initial stages, the swift reaction of all of our teams coming together was amazing work to identify these individuals, and charge them." Police said both the suspects have a criminal past. They were on bail in other criminal cases at the time of their arrest.

While one suspect was charged with nine gun-related criminal counts last year, the other faced gun charges.

Malik was gunned down when he reached his business office in Surrey in the morning. The hitmen burnt the stolen vehicle, a white Honda CRV, used in the crime just a few blocks away.

Public tips about the vehicle being seen near a business complex about 80 minutes before the killing, helped police nab the alleged hitmen.

Malik, along with Ajaib Singh Bagri, was an accused in the bombing of Air Indian Kanishka flight 182 in June 1985 off the Irish coast, killing all 329 people on board. The bombing was carried out by Sikh radicals to take revenge for the army action at the Golden Temple in June 1984 to flush out Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his supporters.

The two were acquitted in 2005.

Malik visited India after the Indian government in 2019 deleted black lists of pro-Khalistan radicals living abroad.

In January this year, Malik wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanking him for his pro-Sikh actions.

It is speculated that Malik's letter to Modi angered Sikh radicals and that's why he was targeted.

Malik was also targeted by hardliners when he printed the Sikh holy scripture at his printing press in Surrey.
Chennai, July 28 : Chennaiyin FC have signed local boy Ajith Kumar ahead of the upcoming season. The Chennai-born defender will be joining his home side following a two-year stint at Bengaluru FC.

Welcoming Ajith into the club, Chennaiyin FC co-owner Vita Dani said, "We always love it when we bring a performing Chennai player back to this city and that's exactly what Ajith Kumar is." The 25-year-old, who usually plays in the left-back position, featured in 13 matches in the last two Indian Super League seasons for Bengaluru FC. He also played in four AFC Cup as well as five Durand Cup matches for them.

Ajith is returning to the city where he began his professional career. In 2018, he made his professional debut with Chennai City FC and went on to play a crucial role in the club's maiden I-League title-winning campaign, appearing in all 20 league games.

"Feels good to come back to Chennai, but this time as a Chennaiyin FC player. I can't wait to play in front of the home fans," Ajith expressed his excitement on returning to home city.

During his two-year stint with Chennai City, Ajith made 42 appearances across competitions, including Super Cup and AFC Cup.
Islamabad, July 28 : The Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDA) in its summit meeting on Thursday will deliberate the suggestion put up by Quaid of the PML-N Nawaz Sharif for quitting the government at the earliest and make a movement for holding fresh polls in the country.

Sharif has worked out a strategic plan for giving up the government and it would also come up for discussion, The News reported.

Maulana Fazal ur Rehman will chair the meeting and Sharif will address it virtually.

Well-placed political sources told The News here Wednesday that judicial verdict in Punjab government has compelled Sharif to harden his position regarding dissolving National Assembly forthwith.

The sources pointed out that the PDM leadership will also discuss the conduct of the various institutions during the last four months.

The economic situation in the country will also come up for discussion.

The question of resignations submitted by the PTI MNAs on April 9 immediately before the tabling of no-trust motion against the PTI government which is pending with Speaker of NA Raja Pervez Ashraf.

The sources said that Sharif will be present in the meeting through video while Asif Ali Zardari will also be linked to the deliberations, The News reported.

Another proposal will also be taken up for consideration at the meeting for starting a mass contact campaign as part of new general elections in the country, the sources added.
Jammu, July 28 : The Army on Thursday rescued four trapped youth in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district.

Defence spokesman, Lt Colonel Devender Anand said: "On the night of July 27-28, in a daring rescue operation, Indian Army in coordination with SDRF and J&K Police rescued four precious lives at Jhulas, in Poonch.

"Indian Army swiftly responded to a critical situation, in which 4 youth were trapped in Poonch River flash flood due to incessant rains in the region."
New Delhi, July 28 : British luxury brand, Burberry, is winning people's hearts with its latest Autumn-Winter '22 collection for children by celebrating diversity in fashion. In a first for the brand, Burberry has featured its first Sikh child model.

Sahib Singh, is photographed dressed in a Burberry cardigan with a pair of sneakers and a matching black turban, known traditionally as a 'Patka.' The patka is worn by Sikh boys before they reach adolescence.

Posing for the camera in the cardigan and shorts, Singh's back-to-school look is completed with a Thomas Burberry Bear puffer jacket.

The campaign and photographs went live on Burberry's Instagram handle on Wednesday evening.

"Sahib had an incredible day with the Burberry team, who really looked after all the children they were shooting with. To see our son, who does look different from his peers, being given a chance by the iconic British brand was truly a milestone moment," Harjot Kaur, the child model's mother told Vogue India.

Little Sahib's mother, who manages his Instagram account, posted the photo of Sahib having a good time and tagged Burberry and South Coast Kidz Ltd.

Kaur captioned it, "On this journey, we have gone through so many different emotions. We have felt a few disappointments when Sahib wasn't chosen for a job. We never told him about any shoots until he's fully confirmed as he doesn't need to feel the emotions involved. The stress when the council refuses his license to "perform". Never underestimate a parent who wants the world for their child!" (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
New Delhi, July 28: The sudden resignation of Anmol Rattan Singh Sidhu as Advocate General (AG) of the Punjab government and the appointing of a controversial lawyer Vinodh Ghai as the new AG has landed the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in a major controversy.

Sources close to Sidhu reveal that the former AG was being pressured to appoint a majority of Additional Advocate Generals (AAGs), Deputy Advocate Generals (DAGs), and Assistant Advocate Generals (ADAGs) as per the recommendations of MP Raghav Chadda who is also the chairman of the advisory committee formed to help Chief Minister Mann run the government on day-to-day basis. There is a team of about 150 lawyers with these designations who represent the state government in the Punjab and Haryana High Court besides appearing in the Supreme Court.

Sidhu is learned to have been insisting that he should be allowed to recruit lawyers in his team as per merit and his choice to produce desired results. Though he was amenable to adjusting some candidates recommended by Chadda at the instance of AAP's Delhi headquarters. As the two could not come to an agreement on the issue, Sidhu decided to quit.

However, AAP sympathisers in the legal fraternity accuse former AG Sidhu of hobnobbing with his close friends from the Congress and trying to recruit lawyers as per their liking at the cost of the AAP government's list.

Although Sidhu resigned on July 19 citing personal reasons, the government kept the development under wraps and accepted his resignation on July 26 and appointed Ghai as the new AG.

What has added to the controversy is the selection of Ghai as the new AG, as he is the counsel of several tainted ministers of the erstwhile Congress regime and has been taking a position in the High Court against the present Punjab government.

It is being argued in legal circles that appointing an AG who has been assisting those who are now in the dock after the AAP formed the government may not prove to be a wise decision. It is understood that after being appointed as AG, Ghai would not be able to appear personally in all the mentioned cases but will he and his team of lawyers be able to be unbiased in their arguments before judges to serve the interests of the state after once having charged huge fees from his private clients? Ghai is the counsel for former food and supplies minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, seeking anticipatory bail. Ashu has been accused in an FIR of the embezzlement of Rs 20,000 crore. The Vigilance Bureau is in hot pursuit to arrest him under the Punjab government's policy of zero tolerance toward corruption.

He is also the counsel for former health and medical education minister O.P. Soni accused of purchasing hand sanitisers during the coronavirus pandemic at exorbitant rates putting the exchequer at a loss of several thousand crores of rupees. An inquiry ordered by the AAP government is on and the Vigilance Bureau is looking into it. Soni too has sought anticipatory bail from the High Court.

Next comes the name of Sangat Singh Gilzian, who remained forest minister for 3 months in the Congress' Charanjit Singh Channi government. Gilzian is accused of accepting a bribe to the tune of Rs 8 crore in a tree plantation drive. New AG being Gilzian's counsel argued against the state and managed to get his client anticipatory bail.

Ghai also argued against the state for being counsel of health minister Vijay Singla who was sacked from the Mann cabinet and arrested for demanding a 2 per cent commission from the contractors engaged in constructing buildings for government hospitals and dispensaries.

Ghai contested against the state government in the infamous Bargari sacrilege case as counsel for the jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Raheem Singh.

He is also the counsel for Sumedh Singh Saini, the former controversial DGP who has been accused of ordering firing on the unarmed protesters at Behbal Kalan killing two men.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative

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Bengaluru, July 28 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday announced that the state will adopt his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath's model to deal with communal forces only if required.

Addressing a press conference on the occasion of completion his government's first year in office, Bommai said that as per the existing situation in Uttar Pradesh, Yogi had been the taking right decisions, but in Karnataka, there are many regulating mechanisms to deal with the issues in the statement.

However, if the need arises, Yogi's model would be taken up, he reiterated.

The Chief Minister came under pressure to adopt Yogi's model in the wake of BJP activist Praveen Kumar Nettaru's murder.

He maintained that there is an organised network to disrupt the system in the state.

Regarding the hijab crisis, the Chief Minister said that his government has "totally controlled the situation and today most of them are following uniform rules".

"The government has also implemented rules on azaan as per the Supreme Court guidelines," he added.

Replying to a query on the ban of SDPI and PFI organisations, Bommai stated that the Central government is working on this front.

Many state governments have imposed bans and the courts have issued stay on ban orders. Planning is being done in this regard and throughout the country consensus is taken by states. The announcement will come from the centre, he added.

Bommai also announced a series of projects on the occasion, including the building of five new cities and six engineering colleges to be elevated to the standards of the IITs.

He further launched the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Shakti Scheme to help youngsters on the lines of Stree Shakthi scheme for women entrepreneurs.

This would help 5 lakh youths, he said.

He also announced free electricity for 25 lakh SC/ST families up to 75 units at a yearly cost of Rs 700 crore.

Bommai claimed that 8,000 school buildings were built across the state for the first time. The government has made an agreement with Amazon and other aggregators to help 8 lakh entrepreneurs.
Espire Hospitality Group announced the launch of a newly built hotel 'Country Inn Hall of Heritage, Amritsar', located within a walking distance of the stunning Golden Temple. This is the newest addition to the group's emerging portfolio in India.

New Delhi, July 28 (IANSlife) Espire Hospitality Group announced the launch of a newly built hotel 'Country Inn Hall of Heritage, Amritsar', located within a walking distance of the stunning Golden Temple. This is the newest addition to the group's emerging portfolio in India.

The 44-room hotel is located in the popular Hall Bazaar within the all Gate premises, just 800 metres away from the world-renowned sites Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh. The hotel features contemporary interiors, modern facilities, and a multi-cuisine restaurant for gourmet indulgence. Close proximity to the Airport, Railway Station, and key attractions such as Durgiana Mandir, Gobindgarh Fort, Partition Museum, and Hall Bazaar market, makes the hotel an ideal place to stay, and experience, and explore the vibrant city of Amritsar.

Commenting on the launch, Akhil Arora, Chief Operating Officer, Espire Hospitality Group said: "We are pleased to announce our entry into one of the most revered pilgrimage centres of India - Amritsar. Both, religious and leisure tourism in Amritsar is booming and demand for hotels is higher than ever. With the central location of the hotel, warm hospitality, and best-in-class service, I am confident that it will become a preferred choice for the guests in no time." "We are delighted to partner with the Espire Hospitality Group and look forward to a rewarding journey. We are certain that the operational acumen, service standards, and heartfelt hospitality that Country Inn Hotels & Resorts brand is known for, will add great value to the guests. Amritsar is known for its rich history, culture, and traditions and the hotel's inclusive offerings will allow the guests to experience the city with utmost comfort," added Harmeet Singh, Owner Partner, Hall of Heritage.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
New Delhi, July 28 : Noida Police on Thursday said that they have arrested nine Chinese, one Korean and 18 African nationals for their involvement in criminal activities.

A senior police official said that a special drive was launched to keep a check on those who have been staying in India illegally.

The official said that of the nine Chinese nationals, five were arrested on July 22 in Bita area. During probe, it was found that their visa had expired.

"Five Chinese nationals were held in the Bita police station area. Their Visa had expired but they were working with a chinese firm as engineers. They have been sent to detention centre. Four were held in Gautam Budhha Nagar who were involved in criminal activities. These four were sent to judicial custody," said the official.

So far, a total of 27 Chinese nationals have been detained by the Noida Police, he added.

The official said that the Korean and African nationals were also found to be involved in criminal activities and were placed under arrest and later on sent to a district jail.
The Hague, July 28 : Protests against the Dutch government's nitrogen policy continued as farmers laid piles of sand, straw bales, manure and rubble on a number of highways across the Netherlands, causing huge delays.

Former deputy prime minister Johan Remkes, who was appointed by the government as a mediator in early July, has invited parties relevant to the ongoing dispute over the nitrogen policy to talk with the cabinet in August, reports Xinhua news agency.

In response to the farmers' actions, Dutch authorities, including the police and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, called on the farmers to stop taking actions that create dangerous situations.

"Demonstrating is a fundamental right and we understand that you want to send a signal," the authorities said in a statement.

"But these actions seriously endanger road safety and can lead to life-threatening situations for road users. It can cause accidents and fires, and can have far-reaching consequences, especially with this drought." One accident occurred at one of the blockades on Wednesday morning, when a car drove into a blockade near Meppel in the province of Drenthe.

There were deaths or injuries.

The authorities also pointed out that the blockades hinder emergency services and can cause damage to the road.

"By deliberately setting fire to straw bales, dumping waste, including materials containing asbestos and spreading manure, they cause damage and unsafe situations," said the statement.

MP Caroline van der Plas, frontwoman of the farmers party BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB), also asked the farmers to stop their dangerous actions.

"I support all protests that are within the law," Van der Plas wrote on Twitter.

"I understand farmers' emotions very well and I support their struggle. However, I would like to call on farmers who cause fires and blockades and who carry out actions that endanger people and the environment to stop doing so." The protesting farmers do not agree with the planned nitrogen reduction policy of the government. The consequence of the proposed measures is that farmers have to consider how to continue with their business.

The Ministry sees three options for the farmers: to make further steps in sustainability, to relocate or to quit, which is unacceptable for the farmers.

On June 10 this year, Minister of Nature and Nitrogen Policy Christianne Van der Wal unveiled details of the government's nitrogen policy. The Netherlands needs far-reaching measures when it comes to improving nature, climate and water quality, and achieving the indicative nitrogen reduction targets, especially for agriculture, according to the government's policy.

It requires agricultural entrepreneurs to accelerate the transition to circular agriculture by 2030, according to the policy.

The farmers' protest started in October 2019 as a move against proposed plans to limit livestock farming in order to solve the nitrogen crisis. The protests have been generally peaceful, but became more violent recently after the minister made the plans concrete in June this year.

In early July, the government appointed Remkes as mediator to control the situation.
Mumbai, July 28 : The Chennai-based public sector Indian Bank has admitted to a major loan default of Rs 279 crore by the realty group, Housing Development & Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL) Mumbai, and its suspended Directors -- Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan and son Sarang Wadhawan.

HIDL and the Wadhawans are already accused in the sensational Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative Bank (PMC Bank) scam that blew up in the Indian banking sector three years ago in September 2019.

The Indian Bank has declared the Wadhawan father-son duo as 'Wilful Defaulters' for the sanctioned loan of Rs 197.60 crore, which has now grown to 278.80 crore, besides interest.

It has warned the people against entering into any deals with the properties of the HDIL and the Wadhawans and guarantors as a huge sum is recoverable from them.

Despite attempts by IANS, there was no response from the Indian Bank's top officials on the issue.

The Indian Bank's admission has again brought the PMC Bank scam of around Rs 6,500 crore to the fore with prominent players including the Wadhawans and many others.

The Bank Depositors Protection & Welfare Society (BDPWS) Secretary and banking expert Vishwas Utagi said it is "a matter of serious concern that the Wadhawans are now labelled as 'Wilful Defaulters' by a nationalised bank".

"In all such bank scams, the crime is known, the criminals are also known, but what about the recoveries? During the so-called efforts to discipline the errant players, the NCLT allows the banks to take upto 75-80 per cent 'hair-cuts', leading to barely 20-25 per cent recoveries. Ultimately, it's only the public which suffers," Utagi said sharply.

Citing the Indian Bank example, he called upon Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to immediately direct the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to order all other public or private sector banks that have exposure to the Wadhawans.

"This will reveal the real extent of the frauds these scamsters have perpetrated on the banking sector and the Members of Parliament of all parties must take note of this in public interest. A mechanism must be evolved to ensure the maximum amounts are recovered and return to the economic mainstream," Utagi urged.

Besides the PMC Bank and the Indian Bank, others from the Wadhawan clan -- Kapil Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan -- figure in the Yes Bank scam along with its founder Rana Kapoor and his family, and several other bigwigs, with probes by the SEBI, Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation.

Industry and banking circles claim that post-demonetisation, the realty sector alone could account for loan defaults of over Rs 12-lakh crores, but most of it has yet come to light, as millions suffer.

Utagi, through the BDPWS, is soon filing a PIL in Bombay High Court, highlighting the woes of all the bank depositors ruined by such scams and seeking suitable directions to ensure their amounts are recovered, the culprits punished and the banking system cleansed.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi, July 28 : Eggs are an excellent source of essential nutrients, including protein, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, and calcium. They're affordable, versatile, and lip-smacking. Also, you can easily find them anywhere in the world.

The Indian poultry market reached a value of Rs 1,708 Billion in 2021 and it is expected that the market will reach Rs 3,170 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.50 per cent during 2022-2027.

Nevertheless, the Indian poultry industry has been plagued with hygiene and quality issues. Mitsuko Takahashi, Chief Operating Officer, Director, Ise-Suzuki Egg India Pvt. Ltd. says, "Eggs are often laid with manure, thus increasing the risk of diseases due to salmonella and other bacteria. Another major constraint affecting the growth of the poultry industry in India is the lack of basic infrastructure such as storage and transportation, including the cold chain. The good news is that Japanese tech innovations can transform the process of producing and transporting eggs in India and have already started doing so. The Japanese technology of cold chain eggs offers immense benefits and opens new possibilities for India's poultry market." Why Cold Chain Eggs

In tropical weather, an eggs' quality can quickly deteriorate unless it is stored at a low temperature. But why are eggs not transported in cold chains in the same way that dairy and poultry products are? According to Mitsuko, "Only unwashed eggs have a longer shelf life at room temperature. The egg quality starts deteriorating the moment they are washed. Egg shells are porous, but nature gave eggs a micro membrane coating called 'bloom' to keep potential baby chicks and their environment safe and clean. Bacteria have a hard time getting inside a dry unwashed dirty egg. Washing eggs removes the bloom and washing eggs in cool water actually makes a vacuum, drawing unwanted bacteria inside even faster when kept at room temperature or under the sun. Here most people will argue that 'eggs don't get spoilt at room temperature' - Yes they don't but the quality sure deteriorates and as we all know it is best for human beings to eat fresh eggs for our health rather than not-rotten eggs. Post-washed eggs from a commercial washing plant need to be kept at a constant temperature only then the eggs are really fresh and safe for consumption. The main challenge is to make supermarkets and shopkeepers understand the importance of keeping eggs in the chiller at stores. Otherwise, all cold chain efforts will be wasted before they reach the consumers." Why Japanese Tech?

The average Japanese person eats around 320 eggs (Tamago) per year and we are very particular about the quality. Mitsuko Takahashi believes that the eggs in Japan are so fresh and safe that they can be eaten raw. This is why Japanese Cold Chain eggs are the best. With new technology, eggs are laid in a sterilised environment, are machine washed, and disinfected further with UV. Then the eggs go through rigorous quality testing to ensure that they adhere to a predefined standard. These steps ensure that all traces of bacteria are removed, and the eggs are safe for consumption and are transported via clean and hygienic cold reefer trucks.

"The concept of cold chain eggs has been gaining traction in various countries, including India as it stops food waste and also ensures that eggs are more nourishing and freer of harmful bacteria. Once Indian consumers start to understand they need to eat hygienic and fresh eggs, it could be a game changer to advance India's cold chain concept extending beyond just dairy, beverage, and ice creams. In June 2022, for the first time, we introduced the concept of cold chain logistics in the Indian egg market. It's all set to take the industry by a storm as more brands realise the benefits. With temperature-controlled transportation, producers can transport eggs over long distances without worrying about spoilage. Also, it'll help preserve the nutritional value of the eggs. Moreover, proper hygiene standards will mean that consumers don't have to worry about food poisoning or bacterial infections. That'll likely make eggs more popular in the country and escalate sales further," concludes Mitsuko Takahashi.

(N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in)
Chennai, July 28 : Several celebrities including actors Prakash Raj, Sivakarthikeyan, Radhika and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar joined fans of actor Dhanush in wishing him a very happy birthday on Thursday.

However, it was actor Prasanna's birthday wish that caught the attention of most netizens, as he shared a never before seen clip of actor Dhanush playing the piano.

Sharing the video clip, Prasanna, who played one of the lead actors in 'Pa Paandi', which happens to be Dhanush's first film as director, wrote, "Wishing only greater heights and even greater happiness to my dear bro Dhanush K Raja. And what more beautiful can you share to his fans on his birthday. Bro, don't kill me for sharing this. I kept it too long for just myself!" One of Tamil cinema's popular stars, Sivakarthikeyan also wished Dhanush. He wrote, "Happy birthday Dhanush K Raja sir. Have a great year." Varalaxmi Sarathkumar wished the popular actor a happy birthday and said she was proud of all that he had achieved. She wrote, "Happy birthday to our global rockstar Dhanush K Raja. So, so proud of everything you have achieved. Miles to go. Have a fantastic birthday. May you get all that you want. Wishing you a life full of happiness." Music director Santhosh Narayanan tweeted, "Happy birthday dearest baby darling Dhanush K Raja sir! You are such a special person and an incredible talent. This year is going to be so epic for you!" Actor Prakash Raj too took to Twitter to wish Dhanush on his birthday. He said, "Happy birthday dear Dhanush K Raja. Keep pushing boundaries. Continue to seek. Stay blessed. Wonderful knowing you!" Meanwhile, a special screening of Dhanush's superhit film, 'Karnan', is scheduled to be held at the Rohini cinema for fans to mark the actor's birthday.

Following the show, the teaser celebrations of his upcoming film, 'Vaathi' in Tamil and 'Sir' in Telugu will take place at the same venue.
Baghdad, July 28 : Hundreds of followers of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr broke into the Iraqi Parliament building in central Baghdad to protest against the nomination of Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for the post of Prime Minister.

The riot police fired tear gas canisters and warning shots to disperse the protesters, but there were no clashes between the protesters and the security forces, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua news agency.

Many videos aired by TV channels and social media showed dozens of demonstrators inside Parliament building waving Iraqi flags and chanting slogans hailing Moqtada al-Sadr.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi urged in a statement the protesters to withdraw from the building immediately.

Al-Sadr told the demonstrators to end the protest in a tweet late Wednesday night, saying "your message has arrived... Go back to your homes safely".

The protest came two days after the Coordination Framework, an umbrella group of Shia parliamentary parties, nominated Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani.

The Coordination Framework became the largest alliance in the Iraqi Parliament after al-Sadr ordered his followers in the Sadrist Movement, the biggest winner in the elections held on October 10, 2021, with 73 seats, to withdraw from Parliament.

During the past months, the continuing disputes among the Shiite parties have hampered the formation of a new Iraqi government, as Parliament has been unable to elect a new president by a two-thirds majority of the 329-seat Parliament under the constitution.

If elected, the President will appoint the prime minister nominated by the largest alliance in Parliament, the Coordination Framework, to form a new government that would rule the country for the coming four years.
Kheda, July 28 : Gujarat's Kheda police will inquire into allegations of rape and illegal confinement of a woman against state's Rural Development Minister and BJP MLA from Mahmedavad Arjunsinh Chauhan.

Kheda District Superintendent of Police Divy Mishra told IANS, "We have received an application from a person living in Haldarvas village of the Mehmedabad taluka. Police will first conduct preliminary inquiry into allegations of rape and illegal confinement of applicant's wife. If allegations are found true, criminal procedure will be followed." On Wednesday, a former Sarpanch of Haldarvas village submitted an application to the DSP.

Wishing anonymity, the former sarpanch alleged "sitting rural development minister Arjunsinh Chauhan had illegally confined his wife and raped her." The former sarpanch alleged, "My wife came into contact with Arjunsinh, when the latter was BJP's district committee president in 2015. He had nominated my wife as Taluka Panchayat candidate and she got elected. Between 2016 and 2021, she was called by Arjusinh at various places in the name of meetings and raped. The then district president was even forcing her to sleep with other influential people." "My wife told me how she was exploited during corona pandemic. Arjunsinh illegally confined her at his place and exploited her. When I asked my wife to file a criminal complaint against Chauhan, she refused, reasoning he is a powerful person and could harm our family." Two months ago, his wife left home and is living in another village, the former sarpanch claimed.

When IANS tried to get minister Arjunsinh's version on the issue, he was not reachable.
New Delhi, July 28 : Industry leaders on Thursday hailed the ongoing 5G spectrum auction that has touched nearly Rs 1.5 lakh crore in just two days of bidding, saying it is a watershed moment for the country and its communication and information services.

Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of the India Cellular and Electronic Association (ICEA) told IANS that the 5G auctions have also attracted robust investor interest.

"Although lowering of base prices would have further helped, steps such as no spectrum usage charges and no requirement of submitting a financial bank guarantee equivalent to one annual installment would be supportive for the industry and consumers,a Mohindroo said.

The government has so far received bids worth Rs 1.49 lakh crore amid aggressive bidding by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the telecom sector is brimming with new energy, expressing happiness over the response received for the pricey 700 MHz band which was left unsold in the last auctions.

Bands such as 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz saw the biggest investment bids.

According to Abhishek Malhotra, Managing Partner at TMT Law Practice, apart from the 5G airwaves that are being put up for auction, the more interesting development relates to the policy push for bandwidth to be provided by satellite communications.

"The growth of Satcom, especially in the light of the Spacecom policy being finalised, will be the real game changer," Malhotra told IANS.

The government is set to approve the much-awaited Spacecom Policy 2020 anytime soon aims at meeting the growing demands of space-based communication requirements of the nation and advancements in the relevant technologies for self-sustenance in areas of commercial, secured and societal.

According to Mohindroo, along with bringing efficient telecom and broadband services, the 5G services will bring a whole lot of change across sectors and upgrade them for good and usher in a new era of innovation and eventually ease the lives of people.

"It would be the backbone of the much talked about Industry 4.0," he added.

The mobile phone and appliances industry has already geared up for the 5G spectrum waves and the innovation it would help bring in.

Mohindroo said that the 5G services, once rolled out, would be a life-changing experience for the consumers and the industry too would take giant leaps going ahead.

According to Neil Shah, Vice President of Research, Counterpoint Research, opening of spectrum beyond telcos "is a bold and welcome step to empower tech companies, enterprises and ecosystem players to build Private 5G networks".
Gurugram, July 28 : With the arrest of four cattle smugglers, the police claimed to have rescued 29 cows on Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) expressway in Gurugram in the wee hours of Thursday. The cows were being taken to Nuh from Sonipat, the police said.

The accused were allegedly transporting the cattle to slaughterhouses. One truck and one pickup vehicle, in which the cattle were being smuggled, were also recovered after a tip-off by a group of cow vigilantes.

The video of the entire incident widely spread on several social media platforms.

"The cow smugglers sped up their vehicle when we signalled to stop them, somehow we managed to stop them. We overpowered and handed them over to the police," said a cow vigilante.

The cows were tied with ropes inside the vehicles. "We have arrested four accused in connection with the matter and search is on to nab the absconding criminals," said a police officer.

They have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sections of the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015 at Bilaspur police station.
New Delhi, July 28 : An elderly couple is spending sleepless nights outside their home as their tenant has refused to vacate their flat in Greater Noida West adjoining the national capital.

According to the flat owner Rakhi Gupta, the tenant has refused to vacate the house even after the expiry of rent agreement.

Talking to IANS, Rakhi Gupta said that she along with her husband Sunil Kumar arrived in Greater Noida from Mumbai on July 19 hoping to finally settle down in the city at their own apartment but the tenant has refused to vacate the house. And, they are compelled to live on the stairs, she said.

Gupta said that they had approached police, but to no avail.

Last night, police came here to make the tenant understand but that also didn't work, Gupta said.

"Last night she (tenant) signed an agreement that she will vacate the flat today morning but she is not inside the house. When I called her, she didn't pick the call. Later, I messaged her, she read it. But she has not replied yet", Gupta told IANS.

"Whenever some cops or anyone else comes, she starts crying like helpless and incapable poor woman, but when we approach her, she threatens us and says that she will not vacate the flat," Gupta said.
Islamabad, July 28 : An eight-month-old child was detected to be infected with polio in Pakistan's North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the 14th confirmed case in the country so far this year, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The victim had an onset of paralysis on June 30, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry as saying.

All the 14 cases have been reported in the province, 13 alone in North Waziristan.

The National Emergency Operations Centres of Afghanistan and Pakistan are continuing cross-border coordination efforts to stop the transmission of the virus, the Ministry said.

The countries have synchronized two polio campaigns in May and June and are ensuring vaccination of children under 10 on all major transit points, along with vaccinating all ages at the international borders, it added.
Jammu, July 28 : Due to incessant rains in the last 12 hours, river Chenab on Thursday crossed the danger mark and authorities sounded an alert throughout the areas close to the river.

Officials of the flood control and irrigation department said that the water level of Chenab River at Akhnoor in Jammu district touched 35 ft today.

"Danger level mark in the river is 35 ft. An alert has been sounded throughout the areas close to the river bank. The situation is being continuously monitored," officials said.

District Magistrate of Ramban has ordered closure of all educational institutions in the district. Students have been asked to stay safe at home.
Jaipur, July 28 : Curfew was clamped and internet services were suspended in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh after the villagers, who were demanding action against suspected cow-slaughterers, clashed with police, official sources said on Thursday.

As per the sources, alleging that a cow was slaughtered on Eid, the villagers had staged a sit-in since July 21 demanding action against the accused. The situation turned sensitive after the agitators were driven out of the protest site on Tuesday.

There was stone pelting and lathicharge in which cops and agitators were injured. Over 40 people were detained by police.

Police officials said that the villagers took out a rally on Wednesday afternoon. As section 144 was imposed in the village, police had to resort to lathi-charge for violation of Section-144.

Also, tear gas shells were lobbed to control the situation. Later, curfew was imposed in two villages -- Gandhibari and Chidiyagandhi -- of the district. Internet services were also suspended here.

During the lathi-charge and stone pelting between police and the agitators, Bhirani SHO Omprakash Suthar was hit on head, while another villager was also injured. District collector Nathmal Didel reached the location and additional forces were called from several nearby police stations and police lines and deployed in the area.

Meanwhile, curfew has been clamped and internet services will remained suspended till further orders in Bhadra tehsil of Hanumangarh district, said officials from collector's office.

On previous occasions, internet services were suspended in different parts of the desert state after communal tension erupted in Karauli, Jodhpur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh as well as after the recent beheading of Kanhaiyalal.
New York, July 28 : The UN has called on China to repeal a draconian national security law imposed on Hong Kong from July 1, 2020, citing a lack of protection for civil and political rights under a citywide crackdown on political opposition and public dissent.

In a report following its periodic review of China's compliance with international human rights covenants, the UN Human Rights Committee said it was "deeply concerned" that the national security law is being interpreted too broadly, citing a lack of clarity about the meaning of "national security", RFA reported.

"Since its enactment in 2020, the (law) has reportedly led to the arrests of over 200 people, including 12 children," the report said, adding that there is also provision under the law for people to be sent to China for investigation, prosecution, trial and to serve sentences.

The committee said China hasn't ratified the international covenants on civil and political rights, or economic rights, so the treaties wouldn't apply to such cases.

It called on the Hong Kong authorities to "take concrete steps to repeal the current National Security Law and, in the meantime, refrain from applying the Law", RFA reported.

The report added: "The excessive power of the Chief Executive and other measures provided for in the Law ... can effectively undermine the independence of judiciary and procedural safeguards for access to justice and right to a fair trial." It also called for an independent national human rights institution with a comprehensive mandate and appropriate powers to promote and protect human rights.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) defines "national security" broadly, and its laws at home and in Hong Kong criminalize overseas contacts and fundraising, criticism of the authorities and peaceful political opposition.

The law ushered in a crackdown on Hong Kong that has seen several 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", RFA reported.
Chennai, July 28 : After three people were arrested from Salem, Erode districts of Tamil Nadu for having terror links, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to make arrests in connection with it.

A police team comprising NIA officials, police from Tamil Nadu, and the elite 'Q' branch of the Tamil Nadu police arrested a person, Abdul Alim Mulla who is reportedly on the payrolls of a terror outfit. A team of Bengaluru police officers was present during the interrogation and arrest of Abdul Alim Mulla.

The arrest and questioning of Mulla led to the police teams from Karnataka. NIA and sleuths from the Salem police conducted a search in some places of Erode and took into custody two persons from West Bengal.

Sources in the Tamil Nadu police told IANS that there could be more arrests and this would be based on the statements given by those in custody.

The recent killing of a BJP youth leader at Sullya in Mangaluru in Karnataka has alerted the NIA and the local police forces to the possibility of any unrest in certain pockets of Tamil Nadu.

Sources in the Tamil Nadu police told IANS that the 'Q' branch police and anti-terror police in the state are on high alert after the murder and unrest in Karnataka, Kerala border. With the arrest of three persons from Salem and Erode, the agencies have upped their ante and, according to sources, are conducting checking of telephone data of several people in the area.
Dakshina Kannada : , July 28 (IANS) Two persons were arrested and 20 others were detained by Karnataka police on Thursday in connection with the murder case of BJP activist Praveen Kumar Nettaru.

Karnataka Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for Law and Order Alok Kumar and Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police (SP) Rishikesh Bhagavan Sonavane confirmed the arrest of the two and said that their connection with organisations is being investigated.

The arrested persons have been identified as Mohammad Shafeeq Bellare and Zakir Savanur. Zakir has a criminal case against him and investigation is on to ascertain the objective behind the murder and involvement of other individuals, stated SP Rishikesh Bhagavan Sonavane.

ADGP Alok Kumar explained that about 20 persons have been detained for questioning. The murder is being probed from all angles, he said. Both arrested accused are from Bellare town in Dakshina Kannada, he said. The deceased Praveen also hailed from Bellare city.

Sources explained that all the suspected individuals picked up by the police in connection with the murder have links with the Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). However, there is no official statement from the PFI or police department on this.

According to sources, one of the arrested accused was seen wandering in the area just before the murder took place. When grilled, he had confessed to having passed on information to the killers. The police are also looking at involvement of forces operating from abroad.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra stated that it is a pattern in the border district of Kerala that criminals commit crimes and escape to their states. "To end this trend Kerala police department has to come forward. The state police are in touch with Kerala counterparts and one team has already gone to Kerala," he added.

Minister for Higher Education, Information Technology-Biotechnology, Dr C.N. Ashwathnarayan has declared Rs 10 lakh compensation to the bereaved family of BJP activist Praveen. B.Y. Vijayendra, BJP's state vice-president said that he will soon meet the family members to pay homage to the departed soul.
Los Angeles, July 28 : Malaysian theatre operator Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) has announced that the Chris Hemsworth-starrer "Thor: Love and Thunder" will not get a theatrical release in the country.

This follows on from announcements two weeks ago that the film was indefinitely postponed, reports 'Variety'.

"Dear valued customers, please be informed that Disney has updated that marvel Studios' 'Thor Love and Thunder' will not be releasing in Malaysia after all. We appreciate your patience and we apologise for any inconvenience caused," GSC said in its social media feeds.

It finished with the rejoinder: "Please buy our merchandise, OK." That is the second piece of tongue in cheek criticism emanating from the country's largest cinema chain inside a week. Shortly after the Marvel Studios presentation at Comic-Con, GSC disseminated the forward calendar of Marvel film releases but crossed out "Thor".

Directed by Taika Waititi, the film was released on July 8 in North America, where it has grossed $283 million to date. Worldwide, "Thor" has already accumulated $685 million.

The postponement move is the second lost release of a Disney-handled movie in Malaysia in the space of two months.

In June, the release of Pixar animation "Lightyear" was cancelled in Malaysia after the country's censorship authority (LPF) asked for cuts to the film, understood to include a same-sex kiss, in order for the film to obtain release certification.

Disney declined to make the cuts and is expected to put "Lightyear" out directly on streaming service Disney+ Hotstar. Malaysia was one of nearly twenty, mostly Muslim-majority countries which objected to the homosexual tinges of "Lightyear".

Disney offered no comment on "Thor", but confirmed that that the release will not go forward.

GSC's pain at the loss of another major Hollywood title reflects the economic damage that Malaysian cinemas have suffered over two years of on-off Covid control measures.

Cinema admissions crashed from an average of 77 million per year in the 2017-2019 period to just 3.72 million in 2021. Exhibitors also complain that the theatrical window in the country has now halved from 90 days to just 45 days.
Chennai, July 28 : Swapna Cinema, one of the producers of the upcoming romantic entertainer 'Sita Ramam', on Friday released a touching video of actor Dulquer Salmaan looking to delight a bunch of underprivileged boys, who had written to him, by paying them a sudden visit.

Sharing the video on its Twitter timeline, Swapna Cinema said: "Ram turns into Santa Claus! It's such a pleasure to release this on his birthday. Happy Birthday Dulquer!" In the video, Dulquer says, "Amongst the many letters I have received, I got a really interesting one from a bunch of boys. We are gonna go and surprise them. Let's see..." One of the boys had apparently written the letter to the actor because in the trailer of his upcoming film 'Sita Ramam', Dulquer is seen saying that he has no one in this world to write a letter to him. The child had written a letter to comfort Dulquer and asked if the actor had received the letter.

The actor, who was visibly touched by the gesture, distributed gifts to all the children and spent time clicking selfies with them.

On his return, Dulquer says, "I thought I was making their day; They made mine."
Sabarkanta, July 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated mega milk powder plant and other projects of Sabarkantha District Co-operative Milk Producers' Union Ltd (Sabar Dairy) in Gujarat's Sabarkanta district.

The Prime Minister also e-inaugurated Sabar Dairy's 3 lakh litre per day Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk plant, and performed the groundbreaking ceremony of a 30 metric tonne per day cheese plant and whey processing plant.

Remembering the founder of Sabar cooperatives, the Prime Minister said, "The story remains incomplete if we don't remember Bhurabhai Patel, when it comes to Sabar Dairy. The efforts he started decades ago help change the lives of millions of people today. There is no corner that remains unknown to me or I have not visited it earlier. Even today, if I come to Sabarkantha, the faces of many people just pass before my eyes, you have also seen what the situation was two decades ago and I also know." Dairy provided stability and security to the rural economy and new opportunities for progress, he said.

Prime Minister Modi said the government has worked dedicatedly to increase farmers' incomes.

"From agriculture to animal husbandry, we have witnessed a substantial increase in the incomes of even the smallest farmers," the Prime Minister claimed.

He said, "Today, there has been a dairy market of Rs one lakh crore in Gujarat." On development works around Sabarkantha area, the Prime Minister said with new roads and broad gauge lines,

travel time from Himatnagar to Mehsana has reduced a lot.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, "This is an effort to keep the flow of milk flowing uninterruptedly in Gujarat, which has marked the country's path to prosperity through cooperation. This is the land where the tribals made invaluable sacrifices to the British. Sabarkantha will bring this white revolution to Aravalli and North Gujarat." "India is committed to becoming self-reliant in various areas under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi. We at Sabar Dairy are committed to supporting the government's vision and mission and contributing to increasing farmers' income," said Shamalbhai Patel, Chairman of Sabar Dairy, and Chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF).

Sabar dairy, which started with 19 milk cooperative societies, now has more than 1800 milk cooperatives.

Chief Minister Patel, Navsari MP and Gujarat BJP president CR Patil and state Cooperation & Industries Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma were the guests of honour on the occasion.
San Francisco, July 28 : With an aim to engage users, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said the company is planning to double the amount of content from recommended accounts that people see while using Instagram and Facebook by the end of 2023.

The tech giant's CEO said he thinks the overall artificial intelligence (AI) trend is much broader and covers all types of content, including text, images, links, group content and more.

"Right now, about 15 per cent of content in a person's Facebook feed and a little more than that of their Instagram feed is recommended by our AI, from people, groups, or accounts that you do not follow. And we expect these numbers to more than double by the end of next year," Zuckerberg said during the company's earnings call.

The company said its as its AI finds additional content that people will find interesting, that increases engagement and the quality of its feeds.

Zuckerberg said that since the company is already efficient in monetising most of these formats, this should increase their business opportunity over that period as well.

"Advances in AI enable us to deliver better-personalized ads while using less data. So it powers automated messaging and creation tools to let businesses run better-performing campaigns, which is particularly important for small businesses that don't have big marketing departments and that have been hit hard by Apple's policy changes," he added.
Kolkata, July 28 : The Mamata Banerjee government on Thursday removed Partha Chatterjee, who has been arrested in connection with the multi-crore West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), from all three of his ministerial posts.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet at the state Secretariat, Nabanna that lasted for little less than 15 minutes. Soon after the meeting, Chief Secretary, H.K. Dwivedi issued a notification on the removal of Chatterjee, who held the portfolios of Commerce and Industries, Parliamentary Affairs, and Information Technology and Electronics.

The Chief Minister said that for the time being, she will be in charge of the three departments held by Chatterjee. "I might not be able to do anything now. But till the time a fresh arrangement is reached, the present status will continue," she said.

A crucial meeting of the disciplinary committee of Trinamool Congress will be held on Thursday evening to decide on whether Chatterjee will be stripped of his party posts or not.

"The decision was inevitable since whatever is transpiring for the last few days is not just maligning Chatterjee's personal image but also the image of the party and the state government in general. Almost all the members of the cabinet present at the meeting voiced for his removal from the ministerial chairs," said a member of the state cabinet who did not wish to be named.

Indications on Chatterjee's removal became clear since the last couple of days after the Assembly Secretariat withdrew the vehicle allotted to him as a minister. The state government also removed his security personnel on Wednesday. The party's organ in Bengali Jago Bangla (Wake up Bengal) also stopped referring him as party Secretary General or minister. Pressure was also mounting from within the party to strip off Chatterjee of his ministerial and party portfolios.

The opposition parties, while welcoming the decision, said that it is unfortunate that Banerjee had to wait for the second round of treasure recovery from Arpita Mukherjee's Belgharia residence on Wednesday night. The opposition leaders also said that by just taking action against Chatterjee, the Trinamool or its government would not be able to wipe out the curse, since the beneficiaries of the scam were not just the minister and his close aide.
Bengaluru, July 28 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday will meet family members of BJP activist Praveen Kumar Nettare who was murdered in Dakshina Kannada's Bellare town on Tuesday.

State BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel and Home Minister Araga Jnanendra will accompany the Chief Minister. As per the scheduled plan, Chief Minister Bommai will spend 45 minutes with the grieving family and is expected to announce an ex-gratia.

The state BJP chief has stated that the party would fulfil the demands of Praveen's family -- "who was killed by communal forces".

The family has demanded that the murderers should be arrested and hanged immediately.

When asked about the outrage of Hindu activists against him, the state BJP chief maintained that the act was "prompted by grief and outrage" in the backdrop of the murder. On Wednesday, activists gheraoed his vehicle and tried to turn it upside down.
Bhopal, July 28 : Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang on Thursday said all the students who were administered Covid jab with one syringe are safe, but will be kept under observation for 28 days to monitor their health.

Talking to mediapersons, the Minister said, "No sign of any infectious diseases has been noticed from samples collected from the students, however, all of them will be kept under observation for 28 days so that their health could be monitored." On the violation of "one needle-one syringe-only one time" protocol, he said, "Definitely it was a major lapse and that's why an FIR has been lodged against the person who was guilty." On Wednesday, over 30 students at Jain Public School in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district were administered Covid-19 jab with a single syringe, a sheer violation of "one needle-one syringe-only one time" protocol.

When the vaccination was underway, father of a student noticed that the nursing student was not changing syringe and raised an alarm.

The nursing student defended himself stating that he has one syringe to vaccinate all students.

"I did what I was asked to do. The person who delivered the materials (vaccines and other kits) gave single syringe," said the nursing student.

An inquiry was initiated against Dr Rakesh Roshan, the District Immunisation Officer who was in-charge of sending the vaccination team.
Chennai, July 28 : From director Selvaraghavan, who happens to be the elder brother of actor Dhanush to Swedish actress Ellie Avvram, who plays the female lead in his upcoming film, 'Naane Varuven', several celebrities cutting across film industries joined scores of fans in greeting actor Dhanush on his 39th birthday.

Selvaraghavan, who was among the first to post his birthday wish to his brother, tweeted, "A special birthday for a special person. Happy birthday in advance my dear brother Dhanush K Raja." Actress Ellie, who plays the female lead opposite Dhanush in director Selvaraghavan's upcoming film, 'Naane Varuven', tweeted, "Happy birthday Dhanush K Raja! May you always keep shining and inspire us as the wonderful actor and human being that you are! God bless you Superstar." Actress Raashi Khanna, who plays one of the female leads in Dhanush's upcoming 'Thiruchitrambalam', too wished him on Twitter. She wrote, "Happy birthday to one of the most passionate and finest actors I have worked with, Dhanush K Raja! Wish you all things wonderful! Upwards and onwards my friend!" Actor Vaibhav said, "Many many happy returns of the day my dear D sir," while actress Indhuja tweeted, "Happy birthday Dhanush K Raja sir. One of the most capable and captivating actors who can turn the impossibles into possibles! May you continue to inspire us and make us more prouder. Glad to have worked with you. Have a blessed birthday sir." Music director Sean Roldan wrote, "Dearest Dhanush K Raja sir. No matter how much success you get, what heights you reach, you have always retained your integrity as an artiste and a human being. There's one word that doesn't suit you - impossible. Have a great year my friend and brother." Music director Santhosh Narayanan said, "Happy birthday dearest baby darling Dhanush K Raja sir! You are such a special person and an incredible talent. This year is going to be so epic for you !" Director Venkat Prabhu tweeted, "A very happy b'day Dhanush K Raja saar! God bless!! Keep rocking!!"

Actress Mirnaa too wished Dhanush on his birthday on Twitter.

She wrote, "Happiest birthday wishes D saar. You're a ray of hope for me and millions. Keep inspiring! Here's to a yet another blockbuster year ahead." Actress Aishwarya Rajesh, who is in Europe on a holiday, wrote, "Happy, happy birthday Dhanush K Raja. Wishing you many more blockbuster years ahead." Malayalam actress Mamta Mohan wrote, "Here's wishing Dan-boy who never stops dreaming and going after achieving them a very happy birthday Dhanush K Raja."
New Delhi, July 28 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the trial court not to consider the medical report of Delhi minister Satyender Jain, who is in judicial custody in a corruption case, from the city government-run Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital while deciding his bail application.

Justice Jasmeet Singh was hearing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) plea seeking directions that the medical examination of Jain be done at an independent hospital instead of the Delhi government-run health facility.

Issuing notice in the matter, the further hearing was posted for August 17 by the court. "It is directed that the special judge shall not consider the medical report from LNJP till the next date of hearing," the judge remarked. During the course of the hearing, the ED argued, that though Jain was in judicial custody since May 30, even after the passing of 46 days, the minister spent only 20 days in the jail dispensary as he was admitted to LNJP for 26 days.

ED's counsel also pointed out the Calcutta High Court's direction in the case of West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee not to admit him into a state run hospital and asked to send him to AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, appeared for the central probe agency.

The ED was challenging the July 6 and July 19 orders passed by the Special Judge rejecting its prayer and sought the medical evaluation of Jain to be done at hospitals like AIIMS, RML, or Safdarjung, instead of the present health facility.

The ED, in its plea, levelled serious allegations as on June 27, the Investigating Officer (IO) in the corruption case visited LNJP Hospital in connection with the crime. However, the official found that Jain was sleeping on the bed without any cannula on his hand and even the multipara patient monitor was switched off and he was not being monitored by any medical instrument. His wife was present in the room, the ED stated.

It added, "When the IO reached the room, the respondent immediately wore the oxygen mask, the BP apparatus belt, and the monitor was switched on. It was under these suspicious circumstances and the fact that prima facie the condition of the respondent was not such which required hospitalisation, an application was preferred (before the trial court) seeking a direction that he may be admitted to any independent hospital like the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital or AIIMS Hospital at New Delhi for an independent evaluation of his health." The CBI has accused Jain, his wife, and others of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. On March 31, the ED provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 4.81 crore belonging to companies beneficially owned and controlled by the minister.
New Delhi, July 28 : The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to examine a plea against the cutting of trees in Mumbai's Aarey colony for a Metro car shed.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayan mentioned the matter before a bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant, submitting that cutting of trees is going on overnight despite the stay order, which was issued earlier. The bench agreed to take up the matter.

Sankaranarayanan submitted that they have photographs and Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said the matter will be heard by this bench. Seeking urgent listing of the matter on Friday, counsel added that there is a probability that JCBs could be operated over the weekend and emphasised that the case should be heard urgently.

After hearing brief submissions in the matter, the bench agreed to list the matter for hearing on Friday.

Earlier this month, the Eknath Shinde-led state government removed the stay on construction of a Metro 3 car shed at Aarey Colony. The decision paved the way for construction of the Metro car shed at the green lung, which was stopped on November 29, 2019.

The stay was given by then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, barely 24 hours after he assumed office on November 28, 2019, and he later declared around 800 acres of land in Aarey Colony as 'forest' and planned shifting the car-shed to a new site in Kanjurmarg. Tree felling in the colony has been opposed by green activists and local residents.

In 2019, the apex court had taken suo motu cognisance of a letter petition addressed to the Chief Justice of India by a law student urging the court to stay on felling of trees in the colony.

The top court restrained the authorities from felling trees in Aarey colony after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was appearing for Maharashtra government, submitted that no further trees will be cut.
Shandong, July 28 : A court in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong has handed down a six-year jail term to an outspoken poet who called on ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping to step down, two years after his trial, a media outlet reported.

Zhang Guiqi, 49, who is widely known by his penname Lu Yang, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by the Liaocheng Intermediate People's Court, which found him guilty two years ago of "incitement to subvert state power", RFA reported.

"They informed his family by phone that he has been sentenced," Independent Chinese PEN's freelance coordinator Zhang Yu told RFA. "He was convicted of incitement to subvert state power, sentenced to six years in prison and deprived of political rights for three years." Lu pleaded not guilty, and plans to appeal, Zhang said.

"(His family) wanted to see the judgment, but they wouldn't show it to them because they said it was a crime involving national security, and was a state secret," Zhang said.

Lu's arrest came after he posted a video of himself calling on Xi to step down, and calling for "an end to the CCP dictatorship".

"At least three years of that sentence is linked to his mention of Xi Jinping, because if he'd called on anyone else to step down, it wouldn't have been aggravated, which would have meant a three-year sentence," Zhang said.

"That's one year each for each character (in Xi Jinping's name)." Zhang said the video had been seen by a fairly small number of people to start with.

"I'm guessing that he may have used his superior knowledge of the law to argue back, making them ... retaliate hard against him," Zhang was quoted as saying by RFA.

Lu Yang was among a group of rights activists who went to the Shandong Jianzhu University in January 2017 to support a former professor there, Deng Xiangchao, who was targeted by Maoist protesters after he retweeted a post satirizing late supreme leader Mao Zedong.

The Shandong authorities terminated Deng's teaching contract after the incident, while Maoist flash mobs attacked Deng's supporters at the scene, including Yang.

Independent Chinese PEN issued a statement condemning the sentencing of Lu on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Lu's wife, who gave only a surname, Zhang, said she has been barred from giving interviews to foreign media, and has been threatened with the loss of her job by her current employer.
Anand, : , July 28 (IANS) Anand Special Operation Group (SOG) team has arrested four youths with 19.680 gram MDMA drugs, the market value of which is Rs 1.96 lakh. One of the accused is Rohan Raiyani, whose father Suresh Raiyani is BJP's Rajkot Taluka Committee Secretary and also Sarpanch of Gunda village.

SOG Inspector G. N. Parmar said to local media: "Police carried out checking on Malataj-Dabhoi road. While checking the vehicle GJ-03-LB-0034, the police team found MDMA packets from four passengers. Its weight is 19.680 grams and its market values Rs 1.96 lakh. Four accused arrested with drugs are Rohan Raiyani, Tushar Sangani, Rohan Vasoya, and Mohit Parsana." Officer said that police is investigating from where and whom they purchased the drugs, and whether it was for personal consumption or for supply.

In another case, a BJP leader's mother was arrested with 8 litres of country liquor by Vadodara Rural police. Shailesh Chaudhary, Head Constable with Karjan police told IANS that three raids were conducted in Delwada village in which three women with more than 20 litres of country liquor were arrested.

One of them is Sobhana Vasava, mother of Jignesh Vasava, from whose possession police seized eight litres of country liquor. She has been arrested several times with country liquor.

Jignesh Vasava is an elected member of Karjan Taluka Panchayat, said Chaudhary.
Chennai, July 28 : The Censor Board of Film Certification has cleared director Rathna Kumar's much-awaited entertainer 'Gulu Gulu', featuring actor Santhanam and Athulya Chandra in the lead, with a U/A certificate.

The film, a comedy drama, has triggered huge expectations, both among fans and film critics.

In fact, sources say that this will be Santhanam's biggest release in Karnataka.

Already, the film's satellite and digital rights have been sold. While the satellite rights have been acquired by Sun TV, the digital rights of the film have gone to Sun NXT.

Santhanam plays an interesting character called 'Google' in the film. He plays a person who is widely travelled and knows 13 languages. Yet, his English is broken. He gets bashed up in the name of doing social service but knows about almost anything and everything. What's more, he'll give everybody who asks him a question a clear cut explanation. That is why he is lovingly called 'Google'. However, everytime people call him that, all he hears is 'Gulu Gulu'.

The film also features Namitha Krishnamurthy, Pradeep Rawat, Mariyam George, Sai Dheena, 'Lollu Sabha' Maaran and 'Lollu Sabha' Seshu among others.

Produced by Raj Narayanan, the film has cinematography by Vijay Kartik Kannan and editing by Philomin Raj.
New Delhi, July 28 : Extending support to Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Thursday claimed that the Congress leader was heckled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs.

Moitra, in a tweet, said Sonia Gandhi was "encircled and heckled" when she tried to speak to BJP parliamentarian Rama Devi who was upset over Congress floor leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's "Rashtrapatni" remark.

"Was in Lok Sabha when a 75 year old lady senior leader encircled & heckled pack-wolf style when all she did was walk over & speak (masked) to another senior lady panel chairperson. Disgusted to read BJP lies & false version in press," tweeted Moitra.

"All rules in Lok Sabha always only for Opposition. Today as soon as LS started before Speaker could even say 'Baithiye', mic was hijacked by BJP for 10 minute tirade. Different strokes for different folks," she added.

Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said she was unnecessarily being dragged into the controversy surrounding the 'Rashtrapatni' remark, saying Chowdhury has already apologised.

Chowdhury on Wednesday courted controversy after he referred to President Droupadi Murmu as 'Rashtrapatni' in the Lower House.

After the House adjourned on Thursday, Gandhi walked up to an agitated Rama Devi and reportedly asked her if he has already apologised, why was she being dragged into it? When Union Minister Smriti Irani, who was also present, tried to intervene, Gandhi asked her not to speak to her.

Later, Supriya Sule of the NCP and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi pacified the agitated members, sources said.

Taking to Twitter, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said: "Atrocious and outrageous behaviour by Union Minister Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha today! But will she be pulled up by the Speaker? Are rules only meant for the Opposition?" The Congress has alleged that Sonia Gandhi was heckled and the BJP should apologise on the issue and said that the BJP is twisting the facts.
Guwahati/Morigaon, July 28 : Assam police on Thursday arrested one madrasa teacher, while detained five others from another girls' madrasa in Morigaon district for allegedly having links with some jihadi groups.

In Saharai village of the Moirabari area of Morigaon, police nabbed Mufti Mustafa Ahmed who runs Jamiut-ul-Huda Madrassa. Police received intelligence input about some suspicious activities going on within the madrasa premise. It is adjacent to the house of Mustafa, who was caught by the police from his house earlier on Thursday.

Police have seized a few mobile phones, bank passbooks and other 'objectionable' materials from his possession.

According to sources, Mustafa was suspected to be carrying out terror modules from his madrasa.

Morigaon Superintendent of Police (SP) Aparna N. told IANS that after interrogating Mustafa, police produced him before the court in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, police have also raided another girls' madrasa in Saruchala area of the same district. Five teachers of that madrasa were also detained by the police. SP Aparna said: "Their interrogation is going on, we have not arrested them so far." She also said that more details can be divulged only after further investigation.

It has been learnt that the two madrasas were situated in interior areas of the district.

Reacting over the development, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: "The government-run madrasas have already been shut down in the state. These are two religious madrasas. We have already sealed one and the district administration was instructed to shift the children from there to a nearby school." Meanwhile, Assam's director general of police (DGP) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said that al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has shown signs of expanding its base in Northeast India. Recently, al-Qaeda leader Zawahiri issued an appeal to his groups to intrude in Assam, stated the Assam top cop.

He added: "Their quarterly magazine is now published in Bengali, with an aim to radicalise youths from Assam which may be very dangerous."
Mumbai, July 28 : The Nationalist Congress Party on Thursday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre for rejecting 99 per cent job applications and thus hitting the unemployed youth in the country badly.

NCP chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said that the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT)'s statement in the Lok Sabha has proved that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has totally failed in his promise of giving two crore jobs every year, as claimed in his election campaigns.

"The government has admitted to receiving 22 crore applications for government jobs since 2014. However, of these, only 7.22 lakh were considered. This means that more than 99 percent of the job applications were rejected and a mere 0.32 percent of all the applicants actually got employment," he said sharply.

Tapase recalled how Modi had come to power playing on the sentiments of the unemployed by promising "huge job opportunities" of 2 crore to be created each year, which has not materialised.

"However, the reality is far from the perceptions. Unemployment remains at its highest today owing to the disastrous policies of the Modi government, besides other problems confronting the nation," he added.

On the contrary, the BJP government is besieged with only politics of hatred, divide and rule and has no time for developmental issues of inclusion and growth, he said.
Amaravati, July 28 : YSRCP Parliamentary Party leader V. Vijayasai Reddy on Thursday claimed that Andhra Pradesh's finances are better than that of the Central government.

He said the financial position of Andhra Pradesh is also better than the financial position of many states.

Reddy said from 2019 to till now, the Centre's debts have gone up by 50 per cent while during the rule of the YSRCP in the same period, Andhra Pradesh's debts increased by only 43 per cent.

The YSRCP leader also alleged that the Centre is doing grave injustice to the states. He said the Centre was raising cesses and surcharges without giving the states their due share.

The Rajya Sabha member slammed Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for comparing the situation of Andhra Pradesh with Sri Lanka.

"Andhra Pradesh will not turn into a Sri Lanka but Chandrababu may flee to Singapore like Rajapaksa," he said referring to the former Sri Lankan President.

Reddy noted that Andhra Pradesh's exports are much higher than the exports of Sri Lanka.

He said it was the TDP government headed by Chandrababu Naidu which went for indiscriminate borrowings between 2014 and 2019. He claimed that the state's debts during the period rose by 119 per cent while the Centre's debts had gone up by only 60 per cent.

Stating that Andhra Pradesh is ruled by an effective leader like Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, he said Naidu was deliberately spreading falsehood about the state.
Bengaluru, July 28 : Hindu organisations have slammed the ruling BJP over the murder of Praveen Kumar Nettare, a member of the BJP Yuva Morcha. Shri Ram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik on Thursday chided the BJP that it is not bothered about the lives of Hindu activists.

The BJP leaders are playing the same tune of "strict action" and "immediate arrest" again and again while Hindu activists are being killed. "They (BJP) have taken a good decision not to celebrate the completion of one year in office by Chief Minister Bommai. Otherwise, the entire stage would have been filled with BJP and Hindu workers' footwear," he maintained.

Reacting to the backlash by BJP party workers and Hindu activists, BJP national general secretary and MLA C T Ravi asked the activists to act with discretion. Their outrage will only help anti-Hindu forces.

"It is a different matter that the organisations, individuals involved in this murder must be encountered or burnt alive. If there is a need, surgical strike could also be conducted," Ravi stated.

"We can't discuss certain issues with the media. I challenge let any Congress or JD (S) leaders call out on killing of Hindu activists. If at all anyone is there to protect Hindutva, it is only BJP. Only we have to do this, Ravi said.

When asked about banning the PFI and the SDPI, he stated that banning is not a solution as they will come into existence in another form. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had banned SIMI. Now, these two organisations are its present form, he claimed. "We have to go to the root. Along with killing the snake, we have to destroy the anthill it is taking shelter in, then only there could be peace," he said.
Washington, July 28 : Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is planning to give up total control of Ant Group amid pressure from the government regulators, media reports said on Thursday.

According to a report in Wall Street Journal, the move is aimed at part of the fintech giant's effort to move away from affiliate Alibaba Group Holding that is under immense scrutiny from the government.

Since last year, Chinese regulatory authorities have been cracking down harder on domestic tech giants like Alibaba and Ant Group to end their dominance in the internet sector.

The authorities called off Ant Group's $35 billion IPO two years ago, forcing the technology firm to reorganise as a financial holding company regulated by China's central bank.

"As the overhaul progresses, Ant is taking the opportunity to reduce the company's reliance on Ma, who founded Alibaba," the report noted.

"Diminishing his ownership could put back a potential revival of Ant's IPO for a year or more. Chinese securities regulations require a timeout on public listings for companies that have gone through a recent change in control," it added.

According to the report, Ma could relinquish his control by transferring some of his voting power to other Ant officials including Chief Executive Eric Jing.

Ma has controlled Ant since he carved its precursor assets out of Alibaba more than a decade ago.

In December last year, Alibaba announced a major reshuffle at the top, as the country tightened its stand against domestic Big Tech companies over data and internet regulations.

Alibaba also unveiled major reorganisation plans to boost its strategy of domestic and international e-commerce.

Founded in 1999, Alibaba went through a major reshuffle when Ma passed the baton as CEO to Daniel Zhang in 2015 and further appointed him as Chairman in 2019.

China's market regulator in November fined tech giants Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent and e-commerce platform JD.com Inc and Suning for violating the country's anti-monopoly rules in 34 mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals in which they failed to declare illegal implementation of operating concentration.

Rattled by the alleged data leak of nearly 1 billion residents, the Chinese authorities recently summoned executives and senior technicians from Alibaba Group, after the hacker claimed the data came from Alibaba server.

Alibaba executives were called by Shanghai police as the law enforcement agency suffered one of the biggest data breaches in history.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, July 28 : Impressed with the craze and passion for chess in India, Hungarian Grandmaster Judit Polgar said the 44th Chess Olympiad will be one of the best editions of the prestigious event and also lauded the efforts to organise it over a short period of time.

"I am very happy to be here in the Olympic village. It is amazing to see the interest and passion of the people here. The enthusiasm in the organising committee is amazing. To get ready for this Olympiad in just four months is incredible," the 45-year-old veteran said on Thursday.

"I have spoken to other people and see them appreciating the effort and I already feel from a distance that this Olympiad is going to be very special." Polgar is considered as the strongest female chess player of all time. She was speaking at the greet and meet session conducted by the All India Chess Federation (AICF) at the Chess Olympiad venue in Mamallapuram, Chennai.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, AICF President Sanjay Kapoor and AICF Secretary and Olympiad Director Bharat Singh Chauhan also present at the occasion.

India were handed hosting rights in April when FIDE decided to shift the event outside the original host country, Russia. And since then, AICF has been putting Herculean efforts, working round the clock, in preparation of this grand event which is happening in India for the first-time ever.

"The biennial Olympiad is a celebration of chess, the event is aimed at unifying as per our motto 'gens una sumus' which is Latin for 'we are one people'," FIDE President Dvorkovich commented.

AICF President Kapoor further explained the challenges in the preparation of this event and added, "It is the biggest extravaganza ever held in India. Enjoy the show. I think this is going to usher in a new era for chess in India." The 44th Chess Olympiad will be held from July 28 to August 10 with registration of 187 countries, a world record in terms of the number of participating countries in a single edition of the Olympiad.

"It still feels like a dream but it's true that we have managed to prepare for the Olympiad in just four months," Olympiad Director Chauhan said.

He also acknowledged and thanked the Tamil Nadu government and the Central government for their help and support.
Thiruvananthapuram, July 28 : Kerala Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, the son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has been allowed to breach the cap on ministers as far as keeping personal staff is concerned.

When the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front returned to power under Vijayan in May 2021, the general rule was each of the ministers can have a maximum of 25 personal staff, but on Thursday, there were reports that Riyas, who had 24 staff so far, increased it to 29.

This is because five staff members attached to state Culture Minister Saji Cherian, who quit early this month following a remark on the Indian Constitution, have been included in the office of Riyas.

It is not long when Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan went hammer and tongs against the practice of this huge number of personal staff and he, at one point of time, even threatened to take action, but after the initial outbursts, things have cooled down with him on this issue.

One reason why there is a huge rush to become the personal staff of ministers is after a period of 2 years service, all such staff members become eligible for lifelong pension and other benefits.

With five of Cherian's staff accommodated with Riyas, there are rumours that such an arrangement is expected for the remaining of Cherian's staff too, so once they complete two years, they will be asked to resign.

Incidentally the CPI-M, whenever it assumes office, allows every minister of its to select just two staff members of their choice and the rest are appointed by the CPI-M itself and are hardcore party workers drawn from the various socio-economic strata.

In Vijayan's second term, the biggest beneficiary has been Riyas, who, in his first outing in an Assembly election, was given a very sure seat and after an easy victory, was made a Minister and was given the plum portfolio of Public Works Department. This did not go well with many top CPI-M leaders, but given Vijayan's clout, there was not even a murmur.
Panaji, July 28 : Criticising BJP government for discontinuing subsidy scheme for electric vehicles in Goa, Aam Aadmi Party Vice President for the state Adv. Surel Tilve has said that the Pramod Sawant government should learn from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal about turning the EV scheme into a success rather than scrapping it.

Tilve pointed out that when people were complaining about the high cost of fuel, Goa BJP Minister Nilesh Cabral advised them to take advantage of the government's subsidy programme and purchase electric vehicles. "What advise Cabral would he give to the government in light of this decision (discontinuation of EV subsidy scheme)," Tilve questioned.

"Two years after Delhi government's Electric Vehicle Policy came into force, more than 60,000 EVs have been registered there. On the other hand, the BJP-led government in Goa ended the scheme within seven months of implementation," he said.

Tilve said that more than 2,300 charging stations have been made available by AAP in less than two years (in Delhi), and many more are currently being built.

"There are already 150 electric buses running in Delhi, and the AAP government plans to add 2,000 more by the end of 2023. Electric vehicles comprised 10 per cent of the vehicles sold this year, thus Delhi will soon become the EV capital," he added.

"Rather than trying to copy Arvind Kejriwal's strategies without understanding how to make them successful, CM Pramod Sawant should be modest and ask the Delhi Chief Minister to teach him," Tilve advised.
Bhopal, July 28 : A video surfaced on social media, in which over a dozen students, including girls from a village in Madhya Pradesh, are seen crossing a bridge as rainwater flows over it. The bridge built on a local river seems to be the only way to reach the other side.

The video surfaced on social media was reportedly recorded at a village in Madhya Pradesh's Harda district. Notably, Harda is home town of Kamal Patel, who is agriculture minister in Madhya Pradesh government.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi posted a video of students crossing the bridge saying, "Children are future of the country and their security is the responsibility of the government. Madhya Pradesh government should ensure to provide a safer route for these children to reach their school." Along with many other parts of the state, Harda district has received heavy rain in the last few days and there has been a flood like situation at may places. As per the reports, at least 200 people have been rescued from flood and were shifted to a safer place on Wednesday. Due to heavy rain in the district, a road connecting Bhopal and Betul was submerged into water.

Because of heavy rain for last one week, flood-like situation has arisen in almost all parts of the state, including Bhopal.

Two days back, a video went viral on social media showing the school children attending class with umbrellas amid the rain.

That incident was reported from Seoni district, where children were using umbrellas to protect themselves from rainwater dripping from rooftop of the school building.
Mumbai, July 28 : Amid the political suspense in Maharashtra over the cabinet expansion and the upcoming Supreme Court verdict on August 1, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari reached New Delhi for a 2-day visit on Thursday.

Koshyari's visit - details of which are not yet known - comes a day after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde abruptly cancelled his New Delhi trip late on Wednesday.

However, Shinde has reiterated that the much-delayed cabinet expansion "will happen very soon" though he did not specify any date for the same.

The opposition Nationalist Congress Party-Congress-Shiv Sena lashed out at the 29-day old Bharatiya Janata Party-propped Shinde government which took office on June 30 for the repeated postponement of the cabinet formation.

Shiv Sena chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut has predicted that "there will be a change of government soon in the state", referring to the apex court hearing on the disqualification proceedings against 15 rebel Sena MLAs including Shinde.

Dismissing the contentions, Shinde said that his government is "strong" as it enjoys two-third support in the Assembly with 166 MLAs on its side, plus 12 Lok Sabha MPs who have given their letters of support.

Criticising the Shinde regime, NCP leader and MLC Amol Mitkari warned that a fresh "political Mahabharat" is likely to erupt in the state next week after the SC judgement is delivered.

The 31-month-old Maha Vikas Aghadi government headed by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray fell on June 29 after a 10-day long political drama spanning three states - Gujarat, Assam and Goa.

On June 30, Shinde was sworn-in as CM and BJP's Devendra Fadnavis as the Deputy CM even as the apparently crumbling Sena cried foul and moved the Supreme Court for various reliefs, with the crucial hearing scheduled on Monday.
Chandigarh, July 28 : Close on the heels of recovery of big hauls of heroin from ports in Gujarat and Maharashtra, Punjab Police have arrested an interstate drug smuggler, who was wanted by the ATS Gujarat, in a 126 kg heroin case, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Thursday.

The arrested accused identified as Rajbir Singh, resident of Amritsar. He was into drug-peddling from long time and had been living discreetly in a rented house to evade arrest.

Divulging details, DGP Yadav said in an intelligence-led operation, a team of the State Special Operation Cell (Amritsar) has arrested Singh from Amritsar city.

During investigations, the police teams also recovered 128 gm heroin and Rs 9,60,000 drug money along with electronic weighing machine from his Toyota Glanza car, which has also been impounded.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the accused drug-peddler has been procuring heroin from his associate, identified as Prabhjit Singh of Tarn Taran, the DGP said, adding in March, both had also travelled to Gujarat's Jamnagar in two vehicles to procure large consignment of heroin.

Rajbir Singh had also taken his mother-in-law Rajwant Kaur along to evade detection by police, he added.

He said the role of the three came into the criminal case registered under the NDPS Act by the ATS Ahmedabad, where a fisherman, identified as Ameen of Dwarka, was arrested for collecting consignment of 126 kg heroin supplied via sea route on March 2.
New Delhi, July 28: The US is squeezing China over its crackdown on the Tibetan way of life by denying the community its right to practice its religion, culture and language. A few days back US lawmakers introduced a bipartisan legislation that rejects the Chinese claim that Tibet was a historic part of China.

Since at least one-and-a-half years the US has been advocating that Beijing needs to re-start talks with the Dalai Lama which Beijing had suspended many years back. The US support to the beleaguered community battered by the Communist Party of China (CPC) has given a boost to the Tibetan struggle worldwide.

With important moments popping up regularly in the Tibetan calendar lately, India Narrative catches up with one of Europe's top Tibetan leaders -- Sonam Frasi, from the Office of Tibet, London. Frasi says that the Tibetan campaign is striving hard to document with irrefutable evidence from Chinese imperial records that Tibet was never a part of China thus exposing one of its biggest lies.

Excerpts from the interview: IN: Has the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 (TPSA) passed by the US Congress made a difference to your campaign?

Frasi: The US is very much in support of Tibet. Within this law, there are certain work that the US executive must perform. The officials have to report to the US Congress about the progress they have made to restore the dialogue between the Dali Lama and China. Secondly, under this act the officials have to give a six-monthly report on what they have done under the provisions of the act.

Now as you see, the US plans to pass another law.

Over the past 15 years extensive studies by academicians, lawyers and sources in China are investigating the Chinese claims that Tibet has always been a part of China. At least two to three books have been published on the subject. The Tibet Brief 2020 also has been published. A retired professor from Hong Kong, who is now living in the US, has been scrutinising Chinese imperial records to find out when the China government laid claim over Tibet.

Though all of this, what we have found is that till the time the Communist Party of China (CPC) took over China in the 1950s, there was no mention in Chinese imperial records that Tibet was a part of China.

With this evidence, we are currently working on two issues -- that the Tibetans should be given their historical rights and Tibetan independence should be restored. The other issue we want to put in international records for all times is that Tibet was never a part of China even in their imperial records.

As recently as 23 June 2022, the US Congressional Executive Committee on China had a hearing on whether Tibet was a part of China as Beijing claims. We have given documents to the Congress to the effect that Tibet was never a part of China before 1950.

IN: Has China always maintained that Tibet was a part of the mainland? Frasi: We were independent till 1914 but the question of Tibet was always there. The British rulers in India, the Tibetans and the Chinese held a tripartite meeting to settle the boundaries and the McMahon line came up as the border between India and Tibet. Though it was an international agreement, China said that it was signed by a regional authority (Tibet) which did not have the power to sign the agreement.

Though China did not agree to Tibetan independence in 1914, it did accept Tibetan suzerainty till this time. Because the British government was a party to this agreement, we are working with the British foreign office regarding this.

IN: How bad is the situation for the common Tibetan under the Communist Party of China (CPC)? Frasi: Well, it will take me a year to explain how the bad the situation is for the Tibetans. The CPC is following Xi Jinping's policy of Sinicization... making everything Han Chinese.

Within this umbrella, they want to eliminate any reference or teaching that relates to the Dalai Lama and religious figures who are based in India. The CPC does not allow people to keep pictures or videos of the Dalai Lama.

The Chinese randomly take mobiles phones from ordinary Tibetans to search for the Dalai Lama's photos to punish them. By doing so, they are trying to cut the roots of Tibetan Buddhism in China.

Under this policy, Beijing is also assaulting our language and culture. Tibetan children between the ages of 6-18 are forcibly sent to a boarding school where they are taught only Chinese. They have very little interaction with family and the Tibetan society as they may visit home only on the weekends. The entire thought process is geared towards making the Tibetans similar to the Chinese.

Lastly, China is encouraging a huge migration of Han Chinese to Tibet. The PLA has been given incentives to settle in Tibet. People from mainland China are being provided business opportunities to come to Tibet. The Tibetan population is now becoming more and more Chinese.

China also passed a law in January 2021 to encourage inter-racial marriages in Tibet under which Chinese officials are given special recognition if the numbers of inter-racial marriages in their districts go up. The CPC has launched a full attack to dilute the Tibetan identity completely.

IN: Why does the Dalai Lama's birthday mean so much to the Tibetan community? Frasi: You see, his birth itself is significant. The Dalai Lama's birthday gives us an opportunity globally and individually to wish him a long life and follow his guiding principles.

His holiness is important for the future of Tibet as he is totally devoted to a solution through conflict resolution. The way forward for the Tibetans is what the Dalai Lama has said -- we are ready to live under the Chinese constitution as long as we are guaranteed a robust economy under a legal binding and international instrument or treaty.

IN: Are you saying that the Tibetans will settle for partial autonomy, 'the middle path', as the Dalai Lama advocates so often? Frasi: It is like this, we work under his Holiness's guidance. Since 1950 China has occupied Tibet through an illegal invasion and robbed the sovereignty of our country.

To resolve the conflict through non-violent means the Dalai Lama's 'middle path' gives us an opportunity. Under this the Tibetans are no longer seeking a resolution for independence. On the other hand, China wants total assimilation of Tibetan religion, culture and language.

Under these two extremes, we seek a peaceful path for the preservation of our culture, religion, language and way of life though the 'middle path'.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, July 28: The Balochistan provincial government has written a letter to the Balochistan High Court (BHC) seeking a judicial inquiry into the 'encounter killings' in which nine people were killed by the Pakistani army in Ziarat. The inquiry will find out the status of the slain people - whether they were missing people or not.

The Friday Times quoted the provincial government as saying: "Government of Balochistan intends to conduct a 'judicial inquiry' by a honourable judge of High Court of Balochistan into the killing of persons in Ziarat operation under 'The Balochistan Tribunal of Inquiry Ordinance 1969'... It is, therefore, requested that nomination of a judge... may kindly be conveyed to this department for the subject purpose".

On July 16, the Pakistani army had claimed to have killed nine 'terrorists' while searching for the kidnappers of Lt. Col. Laiq Baig Mirza -- an army officer who had been kidnapped with his cousin while travelling from Ziarat to Quetta. He was found dead while his cousin's body was discovered later in a different place.

Rebels from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) had claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of the senior Pakistani Army officer -- an unprecedented act by Baloch rebels that demonstrated how the Baloch insurgency has only grown bigger despite Pakistan's heavy-handed tactics in curbing the nationalist movement.

In response to the kidnapping and killing of a serving Pakistani army officer, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the public relations wing of the army, claimed to have killed nine "terrorists" in an encounter with the BLA.

The revenge killings by the Pakistani army has united the broad spectrum of Baloch society.

Baloch groups -- rebels as well as political parties -- have categorically said that five of the nine men were "forcibly disappeared persons" -- the Pakistani parlance for people kidnapped by the army and intelligence agencies taken to torture cells without being produced before courts.

Even Baloch political parties, which are supposedly close to the Pakistani government, came forward to denounce the 'encounter'.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-Mengal) told the media that he had even requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order an inquiry into the Ziarat encounter, adding: "We have evidence of who was picked up where and when".

The Baloch National Movement (BNM) said that five of the assassinated persons "had been whisked away by Pakistan Army at different times. All of them were in torture cells of Pakistan. The State took them out of the torture cells and killed them in the fake encounter".

The information secretary of the BNM, Qazi Rehman told India Narrative: "Shams Satakzai was abducted five years ago, Shahzad son of Khudabakhsh Dehwar resident of Kalat was whisked away on 4 June this year, Engineer Zaheer Ahmed was abducted on October 7, 2021, Salim son of Karim Baksh residents Balgatar on April 18, 2022 and Dr. Mukhtiar Ahmed son of Abdul Hai, resident of Naal Khuzdar, was forcibly disappeared by the Pakistani Army from the Polytechnic College in Quetta Sariab Road on June 11." Pakistan has literally handed over the province to the army besides imposing a total media blackout in the province. It has been using helicopter gunships in operations against the civilian population in a bid to intimidate the community.

This year, Balochistan has witnessed high profile attacks including the Shari Baloch suicide bombing on China's Confucius institute in Karachi leading to the deaths of three Chinese including the director of the institute. In other attacks the Baloch rebels occupied the Panjgur camp of Pakistani forces for three days resulting in scores of deaths of Pakistani security personnel.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Mumbai, July 28 : Actor Ayush Mehra who played the protagonist in the latest released short film titled 'Recommended For You' says it is hard to avoid the addiction to social media and video games especially for youngsters who live alone and the issue is real.

The story of the film revolves around a young man who stays alone and is quite addicted to video games; one day he got a game suggestion online that he started enjoying and eventually encountered a creepy experience that changes his perspective on life.

In conversation with IANS, Ayush said: "When I was in college, I used to play a lot of video games, you can say I was addicted to that." "Now, for me, the addiction has shifted from video games to watching series, binge-watching mostly. It is a real issue, social media and video games become addictions that we all know. Even though we are talking about it, and the importance of de-toxing from social media, we cannot stop doing it. It also affects intensely those people who stay alone, because there is nothing else to distract you, and social media becomes a best friend in alone time." The actor has earlier appeared and received appreciation for his acting skills in web series like 'Operation MBBS', 'Minus One', and Netflix series 'Call My Agent' among others.

Asked if increasing opportunities on OTT is somewhere narrowing down the chances for slice-of-life films on the big screen Ayush explained his thoughts on the matter.

"Yes, in recent times most of the films that worked in the theatres are larger than life films than slice-of-life. And yes, like many budding actors, my dream is also to be part of a big-budget Bollywood film. But what kind of film is working in which medium totally depends on the time that we are living in. What is working now on the big screen might just change after 5 years, because the trend keeps changing. So, instead of predicting that, I rather grab the opportunity to do roles that are challenging; and hopefully one day, I will also have my big Bollywood film!" Ayush signed off.

'Recommended For You', directed by Shamik Sen Gupta, and produced by Drishyam Films, is streaming on Amazon miniTV.
Surat, July 28 : A private bus cleaner is being treated at a government hospital after he fell unconscious on Wednesday evening in a bus parking lot in Surat, after having liquor in his village in Botad district two-three days ago.

Katargam police inspector B.D. Gohil told the local media that the private bus operator had informed the police that his cleaner Baldev Zala was admitted in the government hospital after he fell unconscious and complained about blurred vision.

The officer said the cleaner hails from Barwala taluka of the Botad district, from where the maximum cases of illicit liquor victims have surfaced.

The bus operator told the police, "Baldev had drunk country-made liquor in his native village last Saturday or Sunday, later he fell ill and was admitted in the local hospital. After recovering, he returned to Surat to resume duty, but again he fell sick and was hospitalised."
New Delhi, July 28: United States Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, is arriving in Kathmandu on Thursday evening amid heightened US-China rivalry.

Official sources said that the top State Department official is scheduled to hold separate meetings with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka on Friday.

A senior official at Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Lu is paying an unexpected visit that will dwell on various bilateral aspects ranging from economic cooperation to security.

"This is a sudden visit and has no specific agendas on the part of Nepal. However, the US side may take up the issue of the State Partnership Program (SPP) in which the government of Nepal has already decided not to join, believing that the programme is an integral part of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy," the top official privy to the development told Indian Narrative requesting anonymity.

On June 20, the government of Nepal had decided to stay away the SPP, fearing that the country could be part of an anti-China military alliance led by the United States. As expected, China was quick to welcome Nepal's decision not to be part of the SPP.

Even as the collation government headed by Sher Bahadur Deuba decided not to move ahead with the SPP, it has yet to officially communicate to the US government to that effect.

A foreign affairs committee under the House of Representatives, the lower house of Nepali parliament, on Wednesday, also instructed the government to communicate immediately to the US government that the country is no longer a part of the programme.

The US official's visit comes barely two weeks after Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s foreign affairs department chief Liu Jianchao with a mission to reunite the two Nepali communist parties-the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) ahead of crucial general elections that are taking place in November this year.

As the US and China are jostling for influence in Nepal through economic and strategic initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, observers say that Nepal is becoming a battleground among the big powers amid changing political scenario.

In February, the MCC Nepal Compact, a $500 million infrastructure and economic development grant from the US government, was passed through Nepal's parliament despite China's public displeasure. China and the US also engaged in war of words over the MCC Nepal Compact accusing each other of violating Nepal's sovereign decision.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the US of employing coercive diplomacy against Nepal while the US countered that it was China who was behind the delay in passing the US grant program MCC.

A month after the passage of the US grant programme MCC, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Kathmandu in March during which he said China would oppose any attempt to undermine Nepal's sovereignty and independence, interfere in its internal affairs and engage in "geopolitical games", indirectly hinting at growing US presence in the country.

(Santosh Ghimire is a Nepal-based journalist who writes exclusively for India Narrative) (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Sichuan : , July 28 (IANS) Chinese officials in a Tibetan-populated region of Sichuan this month arrested a Tibetan man accused of setting up a group honoring Tibetan religious leaders on the popular social media platform WeChat, media reports said, citing Tibetan sources.

Lotse, 57, a resident of Sichuan's Sershul county in the Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, was taken into custody in July for creating the chat group, which was set up to celebrate the birthdays of revered Tibetan lamas, a Tibetan living in exile told RFA this week.

"The group has around 100 members who come from all parts of Tibet," the source said, citing local contacts and speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Chinese authorities called Lotse's creation of the group "unlawful", the source added.

Lotse, a single father of two sons, is now believed to be detained by authorities somewhere in Sershul, and local Tibetans were questioned about him and pressured by police in the period leading up to his arrest, the source said, RFA reported.

"Chinese police also visited Lotse at his home before his arrest and threatened him for creating such a group without the government's permission," he added.

Sichuan authorities arrested two Tibetans in 2021 for celebrating the 86th birthday, on July 6, of exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The pair, a man named Kunchok Tashi and a woman named Dzapo, both in their 40s, were taken into custody in Kardze's Kyaglung town on suspicion of being part of a social media group that shared images and documents and encouraged the reciting of Tibetan prayers on the Dalai Lama's birthday, RFA reported.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet into exile in India in the midst of a failed 1959 Tibetan national uprising against rule by China, which marched into the formerly independent Himalayan country in 1950.

Displays by Tibetans of the Dalai Lama's photo, public celebrations of his birthday and the sharing of his teachings on mobile phones or other social media are often harshly punished.
Lahore, July 28 : In Pakistan, the king of the jungle can be bought for cheaper than a buffalo, media reports said.

The administration at the Lahore Safari Zoo, however, is willing to sell some of its African lions, who have been bred in captivity, at a meagre price of (Pakistani) Rs 150,000 per cat, Samaa TV reported.

Compared to this, a buffalo is available on the online marketplace for a hefty sum of Rs 350,000 to Rs 1 million, it added.

The Lahore Safari Zoo management hopes to sell as many as 12 of its lions in the first week of August to raise money.

Among the big cats up for sale, are three lionesses, who can be sold off to private housing schemes or animal husbandry enthusiasts at a premium.

The zoo administration decided to sell their animals in bid to meet rising costs of maintaining animals at the zoo and other expenses, Samaa TV reported.

Lahore's safari zoo, unlike other zoos around the country, is a mammoth facility. Sprawling over 142 acres, it houses a host of wild animals. Its pride, though, is its breed of 40 lions.

Not only is managing them difficult, but also quite expensive.

Therefore, the zoo administration said that they regularly sell off a few lions and use the proceeds to augment expenses, Samaa TV reported.

Last year, 14 lions were sold off to citizens on the pretext of limited space in the safari zoo.
Bhopal, July 28 : The Madhya Pradesh police have booked nine senior medical students under the 'Anti-Ragging Act-2009' for their alleged involvement in forcing juniors to perform obscene acts and to use abusive language with girl students on the pretext of ragging.

The incident was reported in Indore's MGM college on Sunday and it came into light after a group of junior medical students informed the University Grand Commission's (UGC) Anti-Ragging helpline on Tuesday.

Acting on the basis of this information, the police registered a case under IPC sections dealing with obscene acts and criminal intimidation, besides provisions under the 'Anti-Ragging Act -2009' against senior MBBS students.

The police said it has identified nine senior MBBS students so far.

"So far, nine seniors MBBS students of MGM college, who are suspected to be involved in the alleged ragging of the juniors, have been identified. Also, notices were issued to at least 98 junior students under Section 161 CrPC to record their statements about the alleged ragging," a senior police officer told IANS on Thursday.

The juniors had made a unanimous complaint and had submitted audio-visual evidence, including WhatsApp chats.

According to the complaint, the junior students were confined to a flat, and their mobile phones were snatched from them. They were forced to do sit-ups, slap each other so hard that the sound is loud and clear, made to perform sex acts with a pillow or with batchmates, and compelled to make abusive comments about female batchmates.

As per the complaint, the juniors were tortured inside a house located near the college campus for up to five hours per visit. They were warned by the seniors against reporting the matter to the authorities otherwise "their five years in the college would be ruined." The juniors said instead of helping them, some professors supported ragging. "There have been incidents when the professors have said ragging is necessary for personality development," the complaint said.
New Delhi, July 28 : The disappearance of an 82-year-old Covid patient, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, from a hospital has become a mystery.

The man had gone missing from the hospital during the second-wave of Covid, and he continues to remain untraceable. The family, which ran from pillar to post, is not content with compensation offered by the Uttar Pradesh government. Taking into consideration this scenario, the Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to conduct a proper investigation into the matter and submit a report in two months.

On Wednesday, a bench, headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli, said: "We are of the opinion that proper investigation has to be completed in the matter and the status report be filed. We direct the petitioners - state of UP - to conduct proper investigation of the incident and file a status report within a period of two months from today." The top court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on September 30. The Uttar Pradesh government was represented by Additional Advocate General Garima Prasad.

Advocate Vinod Kumar Tewari, representing the son of the man, said: "My client's father is untraceable. The state government is offering only Rs 50,000, as compensation which is not acceptable to us. The apex court had directed the UP government to conduct a proper investigation in two months, as there is no clue of the whereabouts of my client's father." The top court, in its order on Wednesday, noted: "Senior counsel appearing for the respondent (son of the missing person) has objected to the compensation proposed to be paid by the state and insists on prayer (a) made in the Writ Petition filed before the High Court." The top court passed the direction while hearing a plea by the Uttar Pradesh government against the Allahabad High Court's order to produce the man before it on May 6, failing which the state officers were to remain personally present before the court. The top court had stayed this order, however pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government for not being able to trace the man.

The top court had then queried UP's Additional Advocate General how could the man goAmissing, as his oxygen level was low and he was also unable to walk. "It has been one year he's been missing. Imagine the family's desperation. Look at the agony of family." it had said.

The AAG submitted that the state has not left any stone unturned to trace the man and deployed all resources to find him, yet he is untraceable. The bench further queried, has the state government looked for his body? Counsel replied that concerned authorities have checked all cremation centres in Prayagraj.

Justice Murari had then remarked: "Mean, he vanished in the air?" The counsel replied that the incident took place during the peak of the second Covid wave, and added that the Allahabad High Court has asked to produce the corpse, but in a missing person case, it is not possible. The counsel further elaborated that the authorities have even put up coloured posters and ran information regarding the missing person on TV and radio, however the high court had summoned 8 officers, including the Chief Secretary of the state.

The bench queried, how much compensation will the state government pay? "We are in your hands. He was 82 years old. He was a junior engineer in Kaushambi," said counsel, adding that FSL is still examining the CCTV footage.

A habeas corpus petition was filed by the man's son before the Allahabad High Court seeking his father's release from the hospital's custody. In April, the high court directed the state government officials to produce the man before the court on May 6, failing which, the state officers were to remain personally present before it. The Uttar Pradesh government moved the top court challenging this order.

The top court also directed the state to pay an amount of Rs 50,000 to the respondents as an initial amount to cover the litigation expenses.
Dhanbad, July 28 : A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Thursday convicted two accused in Jharkhand's additional district judge Uttam Anand murder case.

The court of Special CBI Judge Rajinikanth Pathak, Dhanbad, held Lakhan Verma and Rahul Verma guilty of murder, and convicted them under sections 302 and 201 of the IPC.

The hearing on the quantum of punishment of the two convicts will be held on August 6.

Anand was murdered exactly a year ago on 28 July 2021, when he was out for a morning walk and was mowed down by an auto-rickshaw, which led to his death on the spot.

The entire incident was captured in a CCTV installed nearby. It was seen in the footage that the auto had deliberately hit the judge.

The very next day Lakhan and his associate Rahul were arrested by the police.

Of the two convicts, Lakhan was behind the wheel of the vehicle while Rahul was his accomplice.

The investigation of the case was handed over to the CBI on the recommendation of the Jharkhand government.

The Supreme Court and the Jharkhand High Court had also taken suo motu cognizance of the judge's murder terming it "a very serious matter".

The court conducted a speedy trial in the murder case.

On October 20, 2021, the CBI had submitted the charge sheet against Lakhan and Rahul in the court under Sections 302, 201, 34 of the IPC.

The CBI had recorded the statements of 58 witnesses in the case.

According to the CBI, Lakhan and Rahul had deliberately hit the judge, which led to his death.
Washington, July 28 : Chinese authorities are promising to establish an initial rescue fund of $11.8 billion (80 billion yuan) to offset a looming crisis in the real estate sector, where home buyers routinely purchase residences from developers' plans and begin making mortgage payments before the dwellings are finished, media reports said.

By having customers purchase homes "off plan," builders can receive construction financing and shift risks - such as costly pandemic-related supply chain delays and bankrupt builders - to the middle-class homebuyers, the VOA reported.

For many buyers, the risks seemed worth it. But then China's Covid-cooled economy strained many family budgets, and draconian lockdowns stalled work on residential projects. As home prices fell, some buyers found themselves paying mortgages on properties worth less than what they had agreed to pay. That was followed by the tightening policies in August 2020, when the central government realized real estate developers' debt was getting out of control, and draconian lockdowns stalled work on residential projects.

Amid all this, many home buyers announced they would stop making mortgage payments to banks until work resumed on unfinished projects, VOA reported.

Experts say the boycott is a byproduct of two decades of insufficient oversight over a red-hot real estate sector. One economist likened the situation to a Ponzi scheme, a type of fraud that pays existing investors with funds collected from new investors.

An economist in China, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal said that real estate companies have never been regulated.

"When the economy is good, with the continuous expansion, most of the properties can be delivered. But when the economy is not good, it becomes a bit like a Ponzi scheme. If there is no follow-up funding, they will not able to complete construction," she said, VOA reported.
New Delhi, July 28 : A man who stabbed a rickshaw puller to death after being denied a 'chapati' (Indian flatbread) was arrested by the Central Delhi police from the Karol Bagh area, the police said on Thursday.

A police official said that the accused was identified as Firoz Khan alias Mannu.

"We questioned 200 vagabonds to identify the accused. He confessed that he stabbed the deceased after he was denied a roti (Indian flatbread)," the police said.

The police said that on July 26, they got a PCR call regarding a murder in the Karol Bagh area. The police team went to RML Hospital where doctors told them that one Munna, 40, was stabbed due to which he died. Police lodged an FIR of murder and started an investigation.

"We learnt that Munna was having dinner along with his friend. They started eating packed food that Munna had brought from a hotel.

"In the mean time, Firoz who was drunk and was wearing only short black jeans, came there. Firoz asked for food and the deceased gave him one roti from his food packet. Thereafter, the accused asked for another roti which the deceased refused," the police said.

The police said that this enraged Firoz and he took out a knife and stabbed Munna which led to his death.
Hyderabad, July 28 : Telangana's Labour Minister Malla Reddy on Thursday said he has nothing to do with the MLA sticker found on the car of Madhav Reddy, a casino dealer whose residence was searched by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

A sticker issued to Malla Reddy was found on the car of Madhav Reddy on Wednesday and this became a topic of discussion in political circles.

When the minister was asked about this, he said the sticker was issued in March and the same was removed from his vehicle and thrown away three months back. "Somebody may have picked up that sticker and pasted it on his car. I have nothing to do with this," he said.

Madhav Reddy's house in Bowenpally was searched by the ED along with some other places belonging to him and Praveen Chikoti in Telangana for alleged violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

Madhav Reddy is said to be a partner of Chikoti. They had allegedly taken punters from the two Telugu states to a casino organised in a hotel in Nepal in June and organised high stakes gambling.

The ED carried out searches at Chikoti's house at IS Sadan in Hyderabad and farmhouse at Kadthal on the city outskirts.

The duo are suspected to have facilitated the transfer of the stakes at the casino, running into lakhs of rupees, through hawala channels.

Both of them have been summoned by the ED for questioning. Sources said based on their statements, others may also be summoned.
Patna, July 28 : Vaishali police of Bihar registered an FIR against Aryan Singh, district president of Bajrang Dal, on Thursday for allegedly trying to provoke 'communal tension' in the society.

Aryan Singh is facing the charge of brutally assaulting six persons who posed as saints with 'Basaha' bull begging in the localities of Hajipur three days ago.

Aryan Singh along with his supporters managed to nab those persons and brutally assaulted them. They also made a video of the incident and uploaded it on social media. They later handed over them (Muslim youths) to Town Police Station.

Keeping this in view, Raghav Dayal, the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Vaishali (Sadar) said: "We have learnt that some persons were nabbed from the Kadam Ghat and brutally assaulted by a group of people. A video of this incident also went viral on social media. We have registered an FIR against one person and further investigation is underway." "The investigation is currently underway to find whether they are Rohingya Muslims or not," he said.

The Vaishali police called Aryan Singh for questioning in the Town Police Station.

Meanwhile, Aryan Singh uploaded a video statement on social media claiming that he and his supporters have not done anything wrong.

"They are Rohingya Muslims and posed as saints to create trouble in the pious month of Sawan. We have just beaten them to find out the truth but they (Muslim community) are openly slitting throats," Singh said in the video statement.

"We have got the training on how to teach a lesson. If needed, we will do the needful according to the situation," Singh said.

The arrested Muslim youths however claimed that they were just begging in the locality to earn money, hence, they changed the get-up.
New Delhi, July 28 : Pooja (name changed), a 10-month old baby, developed blisters on hands and feet. Fearing it to be monkeypox infection, the parents rushed the child to a dermatologist, who diagnosed it to be an insect bite reaction.

Pooja is not alone. The news of the monkeypox outbreak in India, along with the pictures of scary blisters and rashes being circulated via social media, news portals, and channels is creating a sense of panic and fear among people who are then increasingly flocking to dermatologists to check for their symptoms, city-based doctors said on Thursday.

"Yes, we are getting a lot of queries regarding people coming in thinking that rashes are monkeypox. While the rashes could be monkeypox, one has to understand that monkeypox will also have other systemic symptoms like fever etc," Dr Sachin Dhavan, Senior Consultant, Dermatologist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, who treated the 10-month-old baby, told IANS.

"We are getting more queries regarding rashes that may look like monkeypox or pictures that are floated around the internet, with water-filled blisters on the hands and feet, anything like that, which may be an insect bite or which may be an allergy or a rash. People are getting confused and worried about it," he said.

According to Dr Ramanjit Singh, Senior Consultant, Dermatology, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, "people who have acne on their face or back are also getting scared if the lesions are of monkeypox or not".

"There are other skin disorders like scabies or even molluscum where the lesions may look like monkeypox skin lesions but there is nothing to worry, as the disease also presents other symptoms along with skin lesions," he added.

But can the increasing influx to dermatologists play a role in spotting the disease? "Dermatologists can play a definite role in early diagnosis of the disease," Dr. Vijay Singhal, Senior Consultant, Dermatology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, told IANS.

"It is because many physicians do not have an idea of other blistering disorders like chickenpox, pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid, and herpes. Just by looking, a skin specialist can, in 90-95 per cent cases, rule out whether a skin condition is monkeypox or not," said Singhal, who also referred a patient with "an unusual blister", this week, to the Maulana Azad Medical College for further identification of the disease.

More than 18,000 monkeypox cases have now been reported to WHO from 78 countries and five deaths in Africa. India has so far recorded 4 confirmed cases of the virus, including one in the national capital; and a few suspected cases.

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease, related to smallpox and cowpox. The virus generally causes pimple or blister-like lesions and flu-like symptoms such as fever. The lesions typically concentrate on the arms and legs, but in the latest outbreak, they're showing up more frequently on the genital and perianal area, especially among men who have sex with men.

However, anyone can get exposed to monkeypox virus. "Transmission can also happen in households through close contact with people such as hugging, kissing and using contaminated towels or bedding," the World Health Organisation has said.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that a single lesion or lesions on the genitals, anus and surrounding area, lesions in the mouth all can indicate monkeypox infection. Anal or rectal pain and bleeding, known as proctitis, especially if the individual has had a new sexual partner recently can also signal the disease.

In addition to these, high fever, chills, headache, exhaustion, muscle aches (myalgia), joint pain (arthralgia), backache, and swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) are also indicative of a possible infection.

"If you have any doubt, of course, it's very very important that you show it to a dermatologist as well as your paediatrician or a physician," Dhavan said.

"Monkeypox is a communicable disease that gets transmitted through direct contact with body fluids and large respiratory droplets so we need all precautions but we should not panic but we need care of health so eat healthy, exercise and boost your immunity," Dr. Manju Kesari, Senior Dermatologist at Max Hospital, New Delhi, told IANS.

(Rachel V. Thomas can be contacted at rachel.t@ians.in) --IANS

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Latest updates on Monkeypox Virus Outbreak
New Delhi, July 28 : On time performance of various airlines recorded a decline in the last couple of months particularly during May and June. Flights have been delayed due to various reasons, such as weather, operational, air traffic congestion, technical, airport issues etc.

On time performance of Go First was 94.5 % during January 2022 which came down to 71.8 % in May and 76 % in June. Similarly, On time performance of Spicejet was 87.5 % in January and it reduced to 70.9 % in May and 79.4 % in June. Other airlines including Indigo, Alliance Air, Air Asia and a few others recorded similar trends during the last few months.

On time performance of scheduled domestic airlines are computed for congested metro airports namely Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

As per the provision specified in DGCA''s Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section-3, Series M, Part IV titled "Facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights and delays in flights", the airlines are required to provide meals & refreshments/alternate flight/full refund and/or hotel accommodation to the passengers affected due to the delay of flight depending on the expected delay from the original announced scheduled time of departure or a revised time of departure.

The civil aviation ministry in a Parliament reply said that in order to ensure appropriate protection for the air travellers in case of flight disruptions, in particular delays, and cancellations without due notice to the passengers, the DGCA has issued the CAR. Under the provision of CAR, airlines are required to provide facilities/compensation to the affected passengers due to delays and cancellations of scheduled flights. All the scheduled airlines are compliant to this regulation as on date.
Lucknow, July 28 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has "strongly condemned" the controversial remark made by Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury against President Droupadi Murmu in Parliament.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said that the remarks were an insult to the Constitution of India, to women and the entire tribal community.

He said that the Congress MP should apologise to the nation as such an offence is "unpardonable".

The Chief Minister also said that the Congress cannot escape its responsibility on the matter.
Los Angeles, July 28 : The official teaser trailer for Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" has arrived online after debuting exclusively in movie theatres last weekend attached to screenings of Jordan Peele's "Nope", reports 'Variety'.

Universal Pictures has uploaded the brief teaser to platforms such as YouTube and Twitter, but the clip is only playing on a continuous live-stream loop for now.

The teaser starts with the words "The world is changing, reforming. This is your moment," pronounced by Emily Blunt, who plays Katherine, wife of the American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who was the director of the Manhattan Project and therefore universally regarded as the "father of the atomic bomb".

A countdown appears on screen: "11 months, 24 days, 15 hours, 29 minutes". Nolan, according to 'Variety', loves a ticking-clock structure, and it appears he's again embracing one as the film counts down toward the day "the world changes forever", as the film's tagline reads on the poster and in the teaser.

"Oppenheimer" stars longtime Nolan collaborator and "Peaky Blinders" star Cillian Murphy playing the titular character. Joining him and Blunt is an all-star cast comprising Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Benny Safdie, Josh Hartnett, Dane DeHaan, Jack Quaid, Matthew Modine, Alden Ehrenreich, David Krumholtz, Michael Angarano, and Kenneth Branagh.

Robert Downey Jr's character is heard as the title appears on screen. He says, referring to Oppenheimer, "The man who moved the earth." Footage of fire and smoke are intercut between black-and-white shots of Murphy as Oppenheimer, notes 'Variety'.
New Delhi, July 28 : India on Thursday criticised the Pakistan's decision of pulling out its team from the 44th Chess Olympiad in Tamil Nadu, saying that it "extremely unfortunate" that Islamabad has "politicised" the prestigious international event.

Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that it is surprising that Pakistan suddenly decided to withdraw its team, which has already arrived in India, from the Chess Olympiad.

"It is extremely unfortunate that Pakistan has politicised the prestigious international event and withdrawing its participation after its team has already reached India," he said.

Pakistan has earlier announced its decision to withdraw from the Chess Olympiad, citing India's torch relay passing through Kashmir.

Commenting on the matter, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar, in a statement issued to Radio Pakistan, said that India politicised the matter by sending a torch relay to Kashmir.

Pakistan was invited by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to participate in the 44th Chess Olympiad scheduled to be held in Chennai, from July 28 to August 10.
Amaravati, July 28 : A man, who married five women and cheated them, has been arrested by police in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur town.

K. Satish Babu had cheated the women by posing as a software engineer employed in the US and was blackmailing them by threatening to post their intimate photographs and videos on the internet.

According to police, the accused, hailing from Palnadu district's Andakuru village, married Sri Lakshmi of Guntur last month. After a few days, he asked her to give Rs 80 lakh and threatened her that if the money is not arranged, he will upload on the Internet their intimate photographs and videos.

Sri Lakshmi later noticed his chatting with women and learnt that he had already married a few women. Sri Lakshmi and her parents approached Disha police in Guntur. The police investigations revealed how Satish Babu cheated his victims.

A police officer said Satish Babu had first married Sailaja of Visakhapatnam in 2005. He married another woman Lavanya in the US in 2014. He divorced his first wife in 2017 and the same year, married Lakshmi in Narasaraopet. Following some differences, she approached the women police station. He then married Divya of Nellore the same year.

After Divya came to know facts about Satish Babu, she filed a police complaint in Guntur last year. He, however, married for the fifth time. When Sri Lakshmi also filed a complaint with the Guntur police, the investigating officials realised that a complaint was already filed against him.

The police investigations revealed that he had been cheating the women. On Thursday, police arrested Satish Babu and his father Veerabhadra Rao. Police were trying to find out if the accused was trying to marry another woman.

A police officer said after every marriage, the accused was spending one or two months with the wife at some good place. He used to take pictures and videos of the intimate moments with them saying these would be good memories for him in the US. He was then demanding money to go to the US. If they refused, he threatened to post the photos and videos on porn websites.
Shillong, July 28 : BJP's Meghalaya state vice-president Bernard N. Marak, who was arrested in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday for allegedly running a 'brothel' in the West Garo Hills district, was brought to the hill state on Thursday and produced in a court in Tura.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Police on Thursday recovered a huge cache of explosives hidden in the farmhouse of Marak, who is also an elected leader of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.

Officials said that a team comprising District Child Protection Unit and Meghalaya Police, who had gone to Rimpu Bagan, the farmhouse of Marak, to collect the clothes and books of the children who were rescued from the premises following Saturday's raid, recovered the explosives from a locked room. The recovered material included 35 gelatine sticks, 100 detonators, four cross bows and 15 arrows.

Earlier, a team of the Meghalaya police, which went to Uttar Pradesh after Marak was arrested in Hapur district of the state on Tuesday, took custody of the BJP leader on Wednesday.

Before being produced in the Tura court, a medical check-up of Marak was done, who has been absconding following Saturday's police raid at the farmhouse. He has been booked under different sections of POCSO and the Immoral Trafficking Act. The Uttar Pradesh police arrested Marak soon after the Meghalaya police issued a look out notice after five children were rescued and 73 people were arrested on Saturday from his farmhouse.

A Meghalaya court had also issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Marak, who through several statements and video messages denied the charge and accused Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma of political vendetta.

The District Magistrate of West Garo Hills district on Wednesday ordered a magisterial probe to find out details about the police raid on Saturday in the farmhouse reportedly owned by Marak, alias Rimpu, a militant-turned-politician. District Magistrate Swapnil Tembe asked Executive Magistrate and Extra Assistant Commissioner, Rezia Ch Marak to conduct the inquiry into the police raid and submit the report within 15 days.

West Garo Hills district police chief Vivekanand Singh had said that police rescued five minors -- four boys and one girl -- who were found locked inside dingy unhygienic rooms at Rimpu Bagan, comprising of 30 rooms. The police also arrested 68 boys and girls and several farmhouse staff. They also seized 36 vehicles, 47 mobile phones, liquor, 500 unused condoms and other material.

A day after the police raid on Marak's farmhouse, the Meghalaya BJP in a statement on Sunday defended the party leader saying he has been 'unjustly framed and maligned'. With two MLAs, the BJP is a part of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, led by Sangma's National People's Party.
New Delhi, July 28 : Delhi Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena has turned down the proposal to hike fees in diploma-level technical institutions, operated and owned by private organisations in the national capital, a source said on Thursday.

The source added that the LG has advised the Chief Minister to 'postpone the proposed fee hike in privately owned Institutions that run diploma level courses and are affiliated to the Board of Technical Education, GNCTD, by one year'.

Saxena has cited the fact that "citizens are still recovering from the impact of economic restrictions imposed to contain the Covid pandemic".

The source added further that this particular file has raised the eyebrows as it saw the departure of general practice where the file is sent to the LG with a noting from the Chief Minister's PS stating that 'CM has seen the file', this file had specific recommendation and signature of Arvind Kejriwal himself.

"The AAP government that is strongly opposing a hike of merely 1 per cent in taxes, that also after as long as 2004 by MCD is discreetly supporting hike to tune of 7 per cent by private education mafia," said the source.

The LG has taken this decision in "larger public interest, to enable students from all sections of society, particularly those from the lower economic strata to pursue various diploma level courses for attaining employment", added the official source.
New Delhi, July 28 : India, France, and the UAE held a meeting on Thursday to discuss trilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, an MEA statement said.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs statement, the three sides exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region and explored the potential areas of trilateral cooperation.

These were identified as maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), 'Blue' economy, regional connectivity, cooperation in multilateral fora, energy and food security, innovation and startups, supply chain resilience, and cultural and people-to-people cooperation.

The three sides also discussed the next steps to be taken for furthering trilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Indian side was led by MEA's Joint Secretary, Europe West, Sandeep Chakravorty, and Joint Secretary, Gulf, Vipul, the French side was led by its Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs' Director, Asia and Oceania, Bertrand Lortholary and Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa, Emmanuel Suquet and the UAE delegation by its Foreign Ministry's Economic and Trade Affairs Department Deputy Director Ahmed Burhaima.
Imphal, July 28 : Various film related organisations in Manipur have urged the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to confer Dadasaheb Phalke Award upon legendary Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma.

Film Forum Manipur (FFM) Chairman Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma in a letter to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said that with active support from the Directorate of Film Festivals, Manipuri cinema has recently through a yearlong celebration celebrated 50 years of its cinematography having being released the first Manipuri feature film on April 9, 1972.

"If the government considers to confer Dadasaheb Phalke Award upon Syam Sharma it would be a fitting tribute to Manipuri Cinema on the eventful year of 2022 (1972 - 2022)," the letter said.

The film body said that credit for the milestone is largely due to Syam Sharma for his brilliance and dedication in creating masterpieces that have moved international audiences, furthering the growth of Indian cinema as a whole.

Apart from his films, Syam Sharma has also been the force to install an ecosystem for growth of committed filmmakers and technicians in Manipur.

The FFM said that Syam Sharma is the ground breaking doyen of Manipuri cinema who has been working relentlessly in portraying the cultural and emotional nuances with a humanitarian vision through cinematic storytelling with utmost simplicity and distinctive artistic signature.

He is considered the lighting lamp of creative Manipur, as one of the great masters, who has put the Indian cinema into the global discourse through his five decades of cinematic excellence making the native essence of life as an immersive experience beyond the regional cultural boundaries.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Aribam Syam Sharma would also help bridge the cultural gap and integrate Manipur and northeast emotionally with the national ethos, it said.

The film body said that Syam Sharma's 'Imagi Ningthem' and 'Ishanou' feature in the 100 greatest Indian films of all time. Considering his contribution in all of the three genres of cinema - Art, Commercial and Documentary, national award winning film critic, Meghachandra Kongbam, referred to him as the 'Genius of India Cinema'.

The FFM said that at the age of 86, the veteran Manipuri filmmaker is busy scripting for his next production.

So far, he has directed 15 feature films and 31 non-feature films and scored music for 25 films.

Nearly all of his films have been screened at the 'Indian Panorama' of the International Film Festival of India.

With 15 national awards - six for feature films and nine for non-features - a rare feat by any standards, Syam Sharma is an internationally acknowledged filmmaker of artistic excellence, the film organisation said.
New Delhi, July 28 : After hours of his much talked about statement that he was 'not consulted' before announcement of continuing with BJP-NDPP alliance, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton on Thursday made a U-turn saying the fresh tie up will "provide stability & clarity in governance".

"... I appeal to our karyakartas to continue working for the party's growth," he wrote in a series of tweets.

Patton is a BJP strongman and floor leader in the state assembly. His 'u-turn' would bring in relief to the saffron party but more to the Chief Minister Rio and his party, NDPP, who were more than 'desperate' for the alliance.

The 40:20 seat share in favour of NDPP was not palatable to several leaders and probable dissidents in the Nagaland unit of BJP and especially Patton. All these players had expressed confidence that there is now "a Tsunami of support" for the saffron party irrespective of the campaign by detractors on Christianity-Hinduism factor.

"The further strengthening of the BJP-NDPP alliance will provide stability and clarity in governance and ensure swift developments. As we ready ourselves for the election, I appeal to our karyakartas to continue working for the party's growth," Patton tweeted bringing an end to the entire row.

Sources said some amount of persuasion was 'required' to convince Patton to accept the continuing of the alliance.

The BJP-NDPP alliance (exactly 20:40) ratio was a brainchild of the then BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, who is often alleged of having a soft corner for Chief Minister Rio.

Even in 2018 the BJP's strike rate of 12 seats out of 20 it contested was much better (show) than the NDPP though the latter had contested 40 seats and Neiphiu Rio was projected as the chief ministerial face.

The NDPP could manage a modest 18 out of as many as 40 seats it had contested.

The Patton-Rio relationship had gone sour recently when the Chief Minister took away the juicy portfolio of Roads and Bridges from his deputy. In this case also, Patton had protested that he was not informed in advance and the NDPP argument was that it had consulted BJP's Nagaland in-charge Nalin Kohli.

On July 26, in an unprecedented move Home Minister Amit Shah met Rio and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and allowed a public statement on continuing the alliance.

Patton on Wednesday (July 27) accused Nalin Kohli of not consulting the state leaders including him before signing a paper to announce alliance with the existing partner NDPP for February 2023 elections.

An analyst says: "Amit Shah may have different and complex plans to agree to this alliance. He may give rope to Neiphiu Rio to deliver something." Is it linked to the stalled Naga peace talks is anybody's guess.

Rio was earlier urged by the central government to bring in NSCN-IM and its leader Thuingaleng Muivah on board for signing of a peace pact.

As of now the announcement of the alliance is seen as a "pain killer for NDPP" or even a life saving drug.

"But such decisions should not become toxic for the BJP in the Christian-dominated state," the analyst remarked.

The alliance gives a life saving drug to the NDPP whose leadership lately came under attack on various counts including corruption and promoting tribalism.

"A sinking ship called NDPP was being deserted. Last week (July 18) around 40 leaders left NDPP and joined BJP in Mon district. The alliance was announced by total disregard to the opinion and views of hundreds of BJP karyakartas.

Local BJP leaders feel the goodwill in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be used to form a BJP government in the state," one leader remarked on the condition of anonymity.

"Ours is a democratic party but with a centralised mechanism and the party is always right," the leader said.

There are a few other facets in the entire NDPP-BJP row.

Nagaland BJP leaders and ministers in the Rio cabinet owe allegiance to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and did not delay in welcoming the alliance. Most of them also fear defeat in their respective assembly segments in the event of contesting without any alliance with the cash-rich and otherwise resourceful partner.

"The alliance will prove strong and undisputed with blessings of central leadership & Shri. Neiphiu Rio as the Chief Minister for another term," tweeted Minister Paiwang Konyak, BJP legislator from Tizit.

BJP state unit president Temjen Imna Along, also an alleged 'Rio loyalist', also wasted no time to state that he "wholeheartedly welcomed the decision of the central leaders".

Technically, Shah though a very powerful leader as the Union Home Minister is not authorized to finalise such a political deal in the absence of a meeting of the Parliamentary Board.

Even organisational general secretary B.L. Santhosh and BJP national president J.P. Nadda were not present on the occasion when Shah gave his nod for the alliance.

One source says: "For states like Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland, often government's decisions and analyses take precedence. The party will not do anything which may harm the bigger national cause." All these could imply reference to Naga peace talks.

Rio might have some influence on the NSCN-IM strongman Muivah, it is being presumed.

Importantly, Patton and two other Naga BJP leaders met B L Santhosh in Delhi on July 24 (Sunday) and impressed upon him not to allow the alliance.

The argument was that the general mood in Nagaland was "overwhelmingly" in favour of the BJP and several leaders from other parties including NDPP were keen to join the saffron party.

Santhosh reportedly did not say 'no' to these Naga leaders. So far, Santhosh has not endorsed or at least did not tweet anything on the announcement of the alliance.

An influential Naga body, the Naga People's Action Committee on July 28 announced organising a rally demanding an early solution to the Naga issue.

Hence, it might be the call of the country's Home Minister and not Shah as a BJP leader.

Resolving the Naga political problem will certainly add a feather to Prime Minister Modi's cap. Shah as a die-hard Modi man and a shrewd operator must be just doing his job.

(Nirendra Dev is a New Delhi-based journalist. He is also author of books, 'The Talking Guns: North East India' and 'Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth'. Views are personal)
Indigenous aircraft carrier to enhance maritime security (IAC) 'Vikrant' to be inducted into Indian Navy soon. Image Source: IANS News

Indigenous aircraft carrier to enhance maritime security (IAC) 'Vikrant' to be inducted into Indian Navy soon. Image Source: IANS News

Indigenous aircraft carrier to enhance maritime security (IAC) 'Vikrant' to be inducted into Indian Navy soon. Image Source: IANS News

Indigenous aircraft carrier to enhance maritime security (IAC) 'Vikrant' to be inducted into Indian Navy soon. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 28 : Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, on Thursday handed over the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) to the Indian Navy, which will soon be inducting the vessel to enhance its maritime security.

Designed by the Indian Navy's Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built by CSL, a public sector shipyard under the Ministry of Shipping (MoS), the aircraft carrier is named after India's first aircraft carrier, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant, which played an important role in 1971.

The 262-metre-long carrier has a full displacement of about 45,000 tonne which is much larger and more advanced than its predecessor.

The aircraft carrier is powered by four gas turbines with a total power of 88 MW and has a maximum speed of 28 knots. Manufactured at a cost of about Rs 20,000 crore under a contract between the Ministry of Defence and CSL, the project has been carried forward in three phases, ending in May 2007, December 2014 and October 2019 respectively. The ship's keel was laid in February 2009, followed by a launch in August 2013.

With an overall indigenous content of 76 per cent, the IAC is a perfect example of the country's quest for "Self-reliant India", the Navy said.

With the delivery of the INS Vikrant, India has joined a select group of countries that have the capability to indigenously design and build aircraft carriers.

The INS Vikrant has been built with a high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability, and has been designed to accommodate an assortment of fixed wing and rotary aircraft.

The ship will be capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising indigenously built Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) besides MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters.

Using a novel aircraft-operation mode known as STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrest Landing), the IAC is equipped with ski-jumps to launch aircraft and a series of 'arrest wires' for their recovery onboard.

The ship has a large number of indigenous equipment and machinery, which includes major industrial houses of the country.

Indigenisation efforts by BEL, BHEL, GRSE, Keltron, Kirloskar, Larsen & Toubro, Wartsila India, along with more than 100 MSMEs, have led to the creation of employment opportunities at local as well as pan-India level, apart from the development of ancillary industries.

Several design iterations, including the use of 3D virtual reality models and advanced engineering software, were used by the Naval Design Directorate in shaping the design of the carrier.

CSL had upgraded its shipbuilding infrastructure as well as productivity skills during the construction of the ship.

The delivery of Vikrant was marked by the signing of acceptance documents on behalf of Navy by Vikrant's Designated Commanding Officer, representatives of Naval Headquarters and Warship Surveillance Team (Kochi), and Chairman and Managing Director on behalf of Cochin Shipyard Limited.

Vikrant has been delivered to the Indian Navy by CSL after extensive user-acceptance trials conducted between August 2021 and July 2022, during which the ship's performance, including rudder, main propulsion, accessories, aviation facilities, weapons and sensors, along with marine maintenance and the manoeuver ability were proved to be satisfactory as per the test protocol and system parameters.
Hyderabad, July 28 : Hyderabad police on Thursday filed the charge sheet in the sensational May 28 Jubilee Hills gang rape case.

The 350-page charge sheet was filed both in the Nampally Criminal Court and the Juvenile Justice Board as five of the six accused in the case are minors.

The police, however, made a plea to the Juvenile Justice Board to allow the minors to be treated as majors for trial in view of the serious nature of the offence.

Police listed 65 people as witnessed in the case, which had triggered national outrage. It gives a detailed account of the crime committed on May 28 in upscale Jubilee Hills.

Six accused, including a major, were arrested earlier last month for gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in a car.

They had trapped the victim after a daytime party at a bar and after offering a lift, sexually assaulted her.

Five accused including the son of a leader of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)have been charged with gang rape while sixth accused, who is the son of a legislator of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), is facing molestation charges.

Saduddin Malik and four minors have been booked under Indian Penal Code's (IPC) Sections 376 D (gang rape), 323 (causing hurt), Section 5 (G) (gang penetrative sexual assault on child), read with Section 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, IPC's Sections 366 (kidnapping a woman) and 366A (procuration of a minor girl) and Section 67 of Information Technology Act.

The sixth minor was not involved in the rape but he kissed the victim in the car. He has been booked under IPC's Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 323 and Section 9 (G) read with 10 of POCSO Act. He could face 5-7 years imprisonment.

The charge sheet was filed a day after five minors were released on bail.

Four minors were granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board while the sixth was given bail by the Telangana High Court.

Saduddin Malik, the only adult in the case, also remained in jail as his bail petition was already dismissed.

The police have filed the charge sheet with details of all the technical evidence gathered during the investigation.

These include identification parade, recording of statement of the survivor under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before the magistrate, DNA test and forensic examination of the car in which the minor victim was gang raped, report of the forensic analyses of the DNA samples collected from the victim's clothes, CCTV footage from bar, and other places.

According to police, two of the accused misbehaved the victim while attending a day-time party at a pub at Road Number 36 in Jubilee Hills.

They followed the girl outside the pub. Four CCLs (children in conflict with law) and the girl boarded a Mercedes to go to a bakery on Road Number 14 Banjara Hills. Saduddin and four other CCLs boarded an Innova. While on the way to the bakery, the youths in Mercedes forcibly kissed her, took videos and circulated them.

The two cars reached the bakery. The victim alighted from the Mercedes and boarded the Innova. At 6.15 p.m., the Innova left with Saduddin, five others, all CCLs and the victim. However, three minutes later, one CCL came back to the bakery as he had some urgent work. Saduddin and four other CCLs took the Innova to Road number 44 behind Pedamma temple, parked the vehicle there and there, raped the girl by rotation.

The Innova later came back to the pub and dropped the victim. The victim's father reached there to pick her up.

The case came to light only on May 31 after the victim's father lodged a complaint with the police and the police recorded the victim's statement the next day.
Kolkata, July 28 : Former West Bengal Minister's Partha Chatterjee, arrested in the multi-crore West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) recruitment irregularities scam, had a total assets, which include both movable and immovable, of just around Rs 1.16 crore.

This is what he claimed in the affidavit that he filed with the Election Commission, while contesting the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls from Behala (West) Assembly constituency.

In actual, the total asset value as declared in the affidavit was Rs 1,15,94,863 crore, out of which Rs 90,94,863 was movable assets, while Rs 25,00,000 was under the category of immovable assets.

The immovable asset, as per the affidavit was two-and-half storey building built over 1.4 cattahs of land, which Chatterjee claimed to have inherited as ancestral property.

The major components under the movable category includes Rs 1,48,676 cash, Rs 64,46,187 as deposits in banks, financial institutions and non-banking financial companies and Rs 25,00,000 as life insurance policies. In the affidavit, Chatterjee claimed that he neither owns any car or any jewellery or land or any other asset.

In the affidavit, he also declared that he was a zero-liability person. He also declared that there were no criminal cases pending against him.
New Delhi, July 28 : As many as 5.82 lakh people lost their lives in accidents in four years up to 2020 as per the data received from police department of all states/UTs, though the number of deaths have decreased down the years, the Parliament was told on Thursday.

In 2017, 464,910 accidents left 147,913 dead and 470,975 injured, while in 2018, the number of accidents were 467,044, killing 151,417 people and injuring 469,418, while in 2019, 449,002 accidents left 151,113 dead and in 2020, the number of accidents decreased to 366,138 which left 131,714 people dead and 348,279 injured, Road Transport Nitin Gadkari told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

He also said that the Ministry has formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on education, engineering - both of roads and vehicles, enforcement, and emergency care. Accordingly, various initiatives have been taken.

Gadkari said that to create effective public awareness about road safety, the Ministry undertakes various publicity measures and awareness campaigns on road safety through social media, electronic media, and print media. Further, it implements a scheme to provide financial assistance to various agencies for administering road safety advocacy.
Patna, July 28 : A Bihar Police Sub-Inspector in Begusarai was on Thursday suspended for an "inhuman act", in directing sanitation workers to drag a semi- decomposed body from the drain, Superintendent of Police Yogendra Kumar said on Thursday.

After local residents had on Wednesday complained about a semi-decomposed body in a drain under the Lakho police station area, Sub Inspector Anil Kumar Singh and his team reached the spot. As there was a foul smell coming from the body, none of the police personnel went in and called local sanitation workers, who tied the rope on both the legs of the body and dragged it out by a tractor.

All through, SI Anil Kumar Singh and his team stood like spectators and just directed the work. The body was later sent to Sadar hospital for the post-mortem examination.

The entire incident was caught on camera and went viral on social media on Thursday.

"Keeping this in view, we have suspended SI Anil Kumar Singh for his inhuman act. The officer, who was present at the spot, had not followed the rescue protocol. We have also asked for an explanation from the SHO of Lakho police station," the SP said.
Jaipur, July 28 : A twin-seater Mig-21 trainer aircraft, on a training sortie from Uttarlai airbase in Rajasthan, crashed on Thursday evening, killing both pilots, the IAF said.

The aircraft met with an accident near Barmer at 9.10 p.m. and both pilots sustained fatal injuries, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said in a tweet.

The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families, it said, adding that a court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

The aircraft had took off from Uttarlai airbase and crashed near Bhimda village.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reportedly spoken with the Air Force chief to seek details regarding the incident.
Mangalore, July 29 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday handed over a Rs 25 lakh cheque to Praveen Nettaru's family. He said that all efforts will be made to solve the murder case.

Bommai was speaking to the media after visiting slain BJP member Praveen Nettaru's residence here and offering condolences to the family. BJYM leader Praveen Neytaru was murdered on Tuesday night.

Praveen was the sole breadwinner of his family and his small shop was their only source of income. While Rs 25 lakh has been provided from the state government relief fund, the Bharatiya Janata Party has given Rs 25 lakh as compensation.

Praveen's family have been assured all cooperation by the party and the government.

"Praveen's soul will find peace only when the murderers are punished. Praveen's family also said the same thing.This should never happen to anyone again, they requested to take strict action against the organizations behind this.Punishment for those responsible will be definitely given," Bommai said.

The chief minister arrived in Mangalore on Thursday afternoon. Earlier, the government decided to cancel the celebrations organised on the first anniversary of the Bommai government. The chief minister opined that Praveen's murder was a premeditated act.

Condemning the murder of Praveen, the chief minister said such incidents have been going on in this part for the past ten years because of the support of anti-social forces.

"We are not treating this as a case of murder. It is considered a planned act of terrorism to tear apart the country.An investigation has begun. The accused may have crossed state borders. All these dimensions are being investigated.

Some have been taken into custody and the investigation will continue based on the information received from them. We are confident that the accused will be arrested very soon," Bommai said.

Bommai said that steps have been initiated to ban PFI.

"Such atrocities have taken place in various states of India." He expressed confidence that the central government will take appropriate action at the country level.
Bengaluru, July 29 : BJP Yuva Morcha President and Bengaluru South MP Tejaswi Surya's statement asking whether security guards can be provided to everyone has stoked controversy.

The statement comes in the backdrop of the murder of BJP Yuva Morcha leader Praveen Nettar in Dakshina Kannada district's Bellare in Karnataka.

Former Minister and Congress MLA from Ullal constituency U.T. Khader slammed Surya for making the statement and said that it shows his immaturity.

"... you (Tejaswi Surya), being from the ruling party, are questioning whether security to everyone is possible. It shows your inefficiency and helplessness. People are observing all developments...," Khader stated.

Meanwhile, a purported audio clip of Surya, saying stones could've been pelted if the current government was run by Congress has leaked.

Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, reacting to the leaked clip, stated,"Surya has been hatching a well-planned conspiracy for a long time. He has told directly what his party workers should do... he is not behaving like a parliamentarian." Surya, while commenting on BJP activist Nettare murder, had stated, "In Udaipur, Kanhaiya Lal was killed by those who had come to his shop disguised as customers. Can we provide a security guard to each and everyone in the state?" "Our responsibility as an organisation is to be sensitive towards Praveen's family. He has a 9-month-old baby. Where should Praveen's family go? For those who come and slit Hindu workers throats shouldn't be given a message that Hindu society will stand with the victims?," Surya maintained.

"... It is our duty to protect and help Praveen's family. There is a pattern of forgetting the incidents of murders after some times. The cycle repeats every time. If this has to stop there should be institutional changes in the state," he had stated.

He had further said that this case should be considered as an act of terrorism instead of murder and UAPA sections should be slapped. The case has to be investigated by the NIA, he said.
New Delhi, July 29 : A NIA Special Court in Ernakulam, Kerala, has convicted three accused persons in Kalamassery bus burning case under various offences of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act for damaging a Tamil Nadu government-owned bus plying between Ernakulum and Salem in support of their demand for release of Abdul Nasar Madani, People's Democratic Party Chairman, who was detained in Coimbatore jail in 2005.

The quantum of punishment would be pronounced on August 1.

The NIA's investigation established that the accused persons had entered into a criminal conspiracy in the first week of September 2005 to wage war, to strike terror and damage government property in retaliation to the continued detention of Madani.

The accused persons had assembled on September 8, 2005, at Aluva Masjid and chalked out their plan, at the instance and instigation of the accused Majid Parambai and Sufia, to set fire to a Tamil Nadu government-owned bus.

After thorough investigations, the NIA had filed charge-sheet against 13 accused persons in 2010.

All the three accused -- Nazeer Thadiyantavidatha, Sabir Buhari and Thajudin have been convicted under sections 120B, 121A of the IPC section 16(1)(b) and 18 of UA (P)Act.
Patna, July 29 : Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President J.P. Nadda attending a two-day party conclave in Patna on July 30-31, the saffron party has announced a new political strategy in the run-up to the 2025 Bihar Assembly polls after Harish Dwivedi, the Bihar BJP co-incharge, confirmed that the party has started a "Prawas programme" in 200 Assembly constituencies across the state.

Dwivedi, who arrived in Patna on Thursday, said: "The party organisation officials are staying in 200 Assembly constituencies in Bihar on July 28 and 29 to take feedback of the people. If necessary, we (BJP) will not hesitate to hold a "Prawas programme" in all 243 Assembly constituencies in future." Dwivedi's statement sends warning signals for BJP's ally JD(U), which is running a coalition government with it in Bihar.

However, the JD(U) is in the driving seat in Bihar but its think-tank is fully aware how BJP emerged as the single largest party due to which the JD(U) fared a distant third in the 2020 state Assembly polls.

During the 2020 Bihar Assembly election, JD(U)'s seat distribution was for 122 seats, of which it had given seven seats to Hindustani Awam Morcha. Hence, it contested on 115 seats.

On the other hand, BJP's seat share was for 121 seats, of which it gave 11 seats to Vikassheel Insaan Party from its own quota. BJP then contested on 110 seats and managed to win 74 seats. JD-U on the other hand, exhibited a poor show and won only 43 seats.

According to the Prawas programme, the BJP organisation officials will visit 200 assembly constituencies in Bihar and interact with the people.

The saffron party officials have been assigned to assess the situation of how people are thinking ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

The entire exercise by the BJP is taking place keeping in view the pulse of the people, especially for 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The saffron party officials will return to Patna and participate in the meeting which will be attended by Shah and Nadda on July 31.

Bihar BJP President Sanjay Jaiswal claims that the BJP National President will also hold a massive roadshow in Patna and the party is making sure that it turns out to be a grand event.
Gurugram, July 29 : To boost nature conservation and protection of natural resources to attain a sustainable ecosystem and spread awareness, M3M Foundation has started the 'Sankalp' programme, which was inaugurated by the Statistics and Programme Implementation Minister and Gurugram MP, Rao Inderjit Singh, on the occasion of World Nature Conservation Day in Gurugram on Thursday.

The M3M Foundation with its 'Sankalp' programme along with Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG) will work towards nature conservation through water sources, land levelling, rainwater harvesting and plantation in many villages of Tauru (Nuh), Sohna and Gurugram (blocks) and within the next five years, targets have been set to complete these works in three phases.

Under this programme, the rejuvenation of 100 ponds; construction of rainwater harvesting structures in 150 schools; construction of 500 different water conservation structures will create around 15,000 million litre of water storage capacity.

As per the initiative, plantation of more than two lakh fruit and fodder trees in identified project villages of Tauru (Nuh), Sohna, and Gurugram (blocks) will be undertaken.

The Union Minister emphasised environmental protection and said, "If we have to give a safe and healthy future to our coming generations, then we must understand our moral responsibility towards the environment and make our contribution to its conservation." GMDA, Additional CEO, Subhash Yadav told that under the MoU signed with GMDA and M3M Foundation, the foundation will make nearly 2.25 lakh saplings available for plantation in the entire city.

At the same time, under the MoU signed with the MCG, the company will also contribute to setting up a biodiversity park in an area of nearly 15 acre in the village of Darbaripur, Yadav said.

Payal Kanodia, Trustee, M3M Foundation, said, "The objective of the 'Sankalp' programme is to conserve natural resources as well as give a better future to the coming generation. We are thankful to the Haryana government and Sir Syed Trust, an organisation specialising in this area, for their valuable support."
Gilly Hicks, a brand in the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. portfolio offering activewear, loungewear and underwear, has today announced the signing of its new store, which will be in Belfasts iconic shopping destination, Victoria Square. This will be the first standalone Gilly Hicks store in Ireland.

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eG Innovations are pleased to announce that they have entered into a distribution agreement with UX Distribution (UXD) for their full solution range across the UK & Irish markets. UXD is a fast-growing cloud and digital workplace-focused distributor with a wealth of knowledge around Cloud management, End User Computing (EUC), DaaS and SaaS marketplace and is perfectly positioned to onboard and support Enterprise and specialist reseller partners, MSPs and the new generation of Cloud specialist resellers. UXDs specialist digital workplace knowledge and years of industry experience will significantly help support and reinforce the eG Innovations go-to-market messaging and localised market activities.

As companies embrace hybrid working and adopt new desktop provisioning technologies, such as DaaS and application cloud hosting, such as IaaS and PaaS, new tools and approaches will be needed to proactively manage and support users, application availability and performance, cloud optimisation and costs. eG Innovations suite of solutions provides the most comprehensive suite of capabilities and is available as an easy-to-deploy and consume cloud-hosted service or traditional self-hosted license.

Ainsley Brooks, UX Distributions Business Development Director said we are delighted to onboard the eG Innovations solution suite and offer this to our growing list of partners. eG Innovation has for over 20-years provided industry-leading solutions which have been at the forefront of innovation. As our partners look to build out their cloud and hybrid working solutions, I am positive that eG Innovations will be a core element of this.

Mike Ferioli, eG Innovations Channel Manager UK&I, said Having UXD as an integral part of our channel will enable us to reach many more partners and expand the types and size of our growing UK and Irish partner network. We look forward to working closely with UXD as we move beyond the past 2-years and drive forward with our territory expansion plans.

About eG Innovations:

eG Innovations is dedicated to helping businesses across the globe transform IT service delivery into a competitive advantage and a center for productivity, growth and profit. Many of the world's largest businesses use eG Enterprise to enhance IT service performance, increase operational efficiency, ensure IT effectiveness and deliver on the ROI promise of transformational IT investments across physical, virtual and cloud environments. Visit us at http://www.eginnovations.com or on Twitter at @eGInnovations.

About UX Distribution:

UX Distribution (UXD) is a specialist Cloud and Digital Workplace distributor focused on the cloud and hybrid workplace, covering Cloud, Security, Management, Endpoint and Networking. UX Distribution is unique in providing a complete solutions stack, from the edge to the data centre and cloud, helping their partners transform their customers to a cloud-first digital organisation.
"So many products on the market today can undermine long-term eye health. I wanted to develop a new product category that was gentle, natural, effective, and informed by science, one that would help support one of our most vital assets: our vision, said Dr. Brissette.

BeyondBrands announced today the launch of Daily Practices Eye Revive, the first product of a new innovative brand focused on ophthalmologist-formulated personal care. Eye Revive was developed by renowned New York ophthalmologist, Dr. Ashley Brissette, with leading support from BeyondBrand's Wellbeing Director, and former CEO of Dr. Hauschka Skincare Inc., Mirran Raphaely.

My mission has always been to help people protect their eyes and preserve their vision. However, so many products on the market today can undermine long-term eye health. I wanted to develop a new product category that was gentle, natural, effective, and informed by science, one that would help support one of our most vital assets: our vision, said Dr. Brissette.

Dr. Brissette recognized an imminent need for a product that bridged the gap between makeup removers, skin hydrators, and eyelid cleansers while addressing the current increase in consumers complaining of eye irritation, sensitivity, and dryness.

After 24 years in the industry, I still get excited when Im broached with a novel idea, a drive for innovation, a synergy of compelling natural and clinical ingredients, and a mission driven aim. Ashley came to me with a bold idea and despite her being an incredible subject matter expert, she was collaborative and expansive in her thinking. We both wanted to make sure that we were breaking new ground with a concept that met high standards and broad needs. Of course, it was no small undertaking to complete this project during enormous global challenges, but we tenaciously held the vision in our hearts, worked with world class designers and scientists to bring this remarkable product into life. Im thrilled, proud, and ready to watch it shine, as brightly as its wonderful founder does, said Mirran Raphaely, Chair of Well-Being vertical at BeyondBrands.

On a mission to create a differentiated and effective product with the highest degree of integrity, Brissette teamed up with BeyondBrands Well-Being in-house industry leader, Mirran Raphaely, known for her specialized and forerunning product formulations. Together, the powerhouse team worked with an organically certified laboratory to co-create Eye Revive, a first 3-in-1 hydrator, cleanser, and make-up remover, free from the harsh chemicals or irritants commonly found in eyelid washes, makeup removers, and other surfactant-based cleansers.

Through the many iterations of solution, Mirran was always incredible at responding to my questions and concerns, just a quick phone call or text away. I always felt she cared deeply about the brand's mission. Mirran has a wealth of knowledge to draw from and her expertise in the natural products industry was a great fit. She helped me bring my vision to life and I am grateful for her hard work and collaboration, added Dr. Brissette.

To meet Dr. Brissettes rigorous standards, the product contains natural and clinically proven ingredients such as antimicrobial botanicals that help dissolve debris and makeup, marine extracts, fruit stem cells to nourish the skin, and plant stem cells for strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The brand has additionally committed to using sustainable and circular packaging by sourcing post-consumer recycled materials. The Daily Practice team iterated more than 20 rounds of prototypes, revisions, and rigorous testing to perfect this game-changing product.

Daily Practice will amplify Dr. Brissettes mission to help people take better care of their eyes through several charitable initiatives, including supporting global foundations that specifically fight blindness. Dr. Brissette hopes to eventually establish the Daily Practice Eye Care Foundation, which would provide funding for vision-saving surgery to underserved communities worldwide.

Daily Practice, backed by science, formulated with intention and a first-to-market offering, is poised to disrupt multiple categories. The industry expertise of the BeyondBrands team combined with Dr. Brissettes medical background has positioned the company for success.

About Dr. Brissette

Dr. Ashley Brissette is a renowned ophthalmologist who has worked extensively with many patients across Manhattan, including many celebrities and VIPs. She has been voted as a Rising Star and Super Doctor multiple times by the Super Doctors listing, which publishes an annual list of top doctors in the US. Dr. B is the ophthalmologist for the New York Rangers. She is constantly tapped for expert advice and has been featured in The New York Times, Allure, New York Magazine, NBC News, USA Today and more.

About BeyondBrands

BeyondBrands, based in New York, is a full-service agency that partners with brands to level up their business from concept to on-shelf. With services spanning Go-to-Market strategy, Branding & Design, to Finance, PR, and Sales Management - BeyondBrands offers an immersive suite of strategic support that helps businesses cultivate their Passion and Purpose. BeyondBrands has proudly collaborated with some of the most disruptive brands in the Natural Products Industry. For more info visit: http://www.beyondbrands.org

Media Contact:

Margie Adelman

margie.adelman@beyondbrands.org

916-220-3500
"Summits longstanding history in the Colorado market combined with the additional resources at TFG will allow us to accelerate our progress in the Mountain West Region, stated Bryson Raver

Summit Service Group (Summit) was founded in 1981 and has been a staple in the janitorial and facility maintenance industry in Denver for over 40 years. Summit provides janitorial and facility maintenance services to the Denver, Colorado Springs, and surrounding markets. Summit specializes in education, single-tenant commercial buildings, industrial and manufacturing facilities, medical institutions, and more. Greg Ibsen, President of Summit, was searching for an industry partner with additional resources to add fuel to the growth strategics and goals of the Summit team. Joining the Facilities Group will not only expand our resources but allow us to maintain the Summit culture and work environment our employees have experience for the last four decades, Ibsen stated.

The Facilities Group, with 18 offices, now services more than 25,000 locations across the country. We are excited to welcome the Summit team to TFG. Summits longstanding history in the Colorado market combined with the additional resources at TFG will allow us to accelerate our progress in the Mountain West Region, stated Bryson Raver, Chief Executive Officer of The Facilities Group.

Adding Summit Service Group to The Facilities Group family, marks the twelfth company to join The Facilities Group since inception. Summit joins one of the fastest growing national providers of facilities maintenance and janitorial services in the United States, with additional acquisitions expected in 2022.

The Facilities Group  The Facilities Group partners with premier local, regional, and national facility maintenance providers, while maintaining brand legacy and driving high powered technology to provide the best-in-class service experience. For more information, please visit http://www.thefacilitiesgroup.com

Revolent Capital Solutions is a Tampa-based private investment enterprise founded and capitalized by entrepreneurs. We seek family and founder owned businesses looking for liquidity, while providing ownership opportunities for management teams and an ecosystem designed to foster organic and acquisitive growth. Revolent is distinct because we intentionally built our enterprise to be the catalyst for long-term advancement of companies and its stakeholders driven by our experience, capital, and professional network. We combine a long-term hold period, with a flexible approach to investing, tailored to meet the needs of both entrepreneurs and senior management teams. For more information, please visit http://www.revolentcapitalsolutions.com.
The Innovation Factory identifies start-ups around the world using AI to help advance the sustainable development goals and wouldnt be complete without leveraging Silicon Valleys innovative startup ecosystem

Tortora Brayda Institute, a non-profit organization for multi-stakeholder partnership development, announced today that they are bringing the AI for Good Innovation Factory contest to Silicon Valley for the third year running. The organization will be soliciting submissions from Artificial Intelligence entrepreneurs and innovators of AI businesses from across the United States.

The AI for Good Innovation Factory 2022 is an UN-based pitching platform to help start-ups grow and scale their innovative AI-powered and SDG-driven solutions by connecting them to potential business partners, investors, governments, big IT companies and more.

AI for Good is a year-round digital platform where AI innovators and problem owners learn, build and connect to identify practical AI solutions to advance the UN SDGs. AI for Good identifies practical applications of AI to accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and builds collaboration to assist these applications in achieving global impact. It also features weekly programming, including keynotes, expert webinars, interviews, networking and gatherings throughout the year.

The Tortora Brayda Institutes AI for Good Task Force has been working tirelessly to prepare for this years competition, and they are excited to announce that they are now accepting submissions for the Silicon Valley Innovation Factory contest. In addition, this years task force has put together mentoring opportunities to support the candidates as they prepare for the competition.

Companies are encouraged to submit their application by October 14, 2022. A judging panel will establish a shortlist of the most promising teams, which will be invited for a live and open pitching session. The best teams will advance to the Grand Pitching Finale in December, where the winner will be announced at the end of the AI for Good contest.

The Innovation Factory identifies start-ups around the world using AI to help advance the sustainable development goals and wouldnt be complete without leveraging Silicon Valleys innovative startup ecosystem. AI for Good is excited to be partnering with Tortora Brayda Institute for the third year to showcase US-driven solutions," said Reinhard Scholl, Deputy Director of the International Telecommunication Unions Telecommunication Standardization Bureau.

As a judge of the AI for Good Innovation Factory contest in 2021, it was inspiring to see such authentic innovation across industries stemming from inspiring developers and business leaders in Silicon Valley. As our world continues to grow more complex, simplicity and empathy embedded in innovation will be key for this years talent to incorporate into their solutions in order to help solve some of the most pressing challenges of our time, said Sarah Storelli, Board Member, Tortora Brayda Institute and Senior Global Public Sector Marketing Leader, Amazon Web Services.

About AI for Good

AI for Good is the leading action-oriented, global & inclusive United Nations platform on AI. AI for Good is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with 40 Sister United Nations agencies and co-convened with Switzerland. The goal is to identify practical applications of AI to advance the sustainable development goals and scale those solutions for global impact. To learn more about AI for Good, visit https://aiforgood.itu.int/.

About Tortora Brayda Institute

Tortora Brayda Institute for Partnership Excellence is an International Organization for Partnership Development. The organization engages business, cultural, government and thought leaders worldwide to reshape and develop collaboration and partnering practices with a view to improving and securing the world. It is established as a not-for-profit entity and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. To learn more about Tortora Brayda, visit https://www.tortorabrayda.org/.
NHC Customers have been migrating away from traditional POTS services for years, but there are still millions of business POTS lines in use today. NHC can now offer every type of POTS replacement solution to meet business users needs.

New Horizon Communications (NHC), THE Communications STACK Provider offering communications solutions from SMB to enterprise businesses in North America, expands its mix of POTS solutions to include wireless POTS.

NHC has entered into a strategic partnership with Ooma, Inc. to resell its Ooma AirDial POTS replacement solution. Ooma creates powerful, connected experiences for businesses and consumers, delivered from its smart, cloud-based SaaS platform.

As a certified telephone utility in 49 states and DC, NHC has been offering traditional POTS since its inception in 2002. They now provide four POTS solutions:



NHCs newVoice hosted VOIP and UCaaS services  feature-rich and priced right, available in the US and Canada.

Cable Co. POTS  a national footprint that is cheaper than LEC POTS, offers flat rate usage, and meets fire, life, and safety requirements.

Traditional POTS  commercial agreements with all the major local telcos to provide copper or fiber-based POTS, which can be very expensive.

Wireless POTS  adaptable and easily activated, built with fire, life, and safety requirements, and available in the US.

Customers have been migrating away from traditional POTS services for years, but there are still millions of business POTS lines in use today. NHC can now offer every type of POTS replacement solution to meet business users needs. Ooma offers the kind of easy to implement, feature-rich, wireless POTS solution we have been searching for, said Eric Anderson, NHCs VP of Technology.

We are very pleased to include NHC as a trusted reseller of Ooma AirDial solutions, and we look forward to working with the NHC team to transition businesses away from traditional POTS to the more redundant, feature-rich, and cost-saving benefits of wireless technology, said Rob Ferrer, Ooma, VP Business Sales.

About NHC: New Horizon Communications (NHC) has been delivering cloud-based and legacy Telco communications services to businesses nationwide since 2002. As THE Communications STACK Provider, NHC packages a wide range of technologies for business communications and collaboration. NHC stacks these packages into three layers; Network Services all types of network access | Overlay Services like UCaaS, VoIP, Contact Center, collaboration, SD-WAN, edge, and cloud cyber security | Managed Services like Managed Wi-Fi, Security Monitoring, and Disaster Recovery. All delivered on a single invoice, managed from a single pane of glass command portal with 7x24x365 NHC stateside support teams. NHC is obsessed with creating a positive Customer and Partner experience from design, quoting, provisioning, project management, billing, repair, and account management.

NHC is THE Communications STACK Provider for businesses, organizations, and government.

For more information, please visit nhcgrp.com. You can follow NHC on social using the hashtag #stackNHC.
AGB is an esteemed and essential organization enhancing higher education strategic governance every day, and we benefit tremendously from the combined leadership of our board. Im pleased that Ill be joined at the helm by such experienced and thoughtful colleagues. - Bev Seay, AGB Board Chair

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), the premier organization advocating strategic board governance in higher education, announced today that its Board of Directors has elected four new officers. Beverly Seay, Eleanor Horne, Ross Mugler, and Shauna Ryder Diggs began their new roles on July 1, 2022.

Im truly grateful for the chance to continue collaborating with these insightful leaders in their new board roles, said Henry Stoever, AGB president and CEO. Working with and learning from each of them has been a pleasure, and I look forward to strengthening our partnership in providing support and guidance to our college, university, and foundation governing board members. Im confident that the unique and valuable perspectives these officers bring will further advance AGBs mission to promote strategic board governance in higher education.



Beverly Seay, AGB board chair, has served on the AGB board since 2015. She is the immediate past board chair and member of the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees and the southeast regional director of the National Security Innovation Network. Seay also serves as past chair and member of the University of Central Floridas College of Engineering and Computer Science Deans Advisory Board, the Georgia Tech College of Computing Advisory Board, and the Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College Advisory Board.

Eleanor Horne, AGB board vice chair, has served on the AGB board since 2017. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of The College of New Jersey and the former vice president of the Educational Test Services Social Investment Fund and has leveraged her expertise and passion for her community in her philanthropy, fundraising, and grant writing. She is a trustee of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and has chaired The College of New Jersey Board of Trustees and the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation Board of Trustees. She is trustee emeritus of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and more.

Ross Mugler, AGB board vice chair, has served on the AGB board since 2018. He is a board member at Old Dominion University and the commissioner of the revenue for the City of Hampton, Virginia. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Peninsula Community College Education Foundation, the Hampton City Schools Education Foundation, the Virginia Air and Space Museum, and the Virginia Living Museum. He is also on U.S. Senator Mark Warners Board of Advisors.

Shauna Ryder Diggs, MD, AGB board secretary, has served on the AGB board since 2016. She is the immediate past board chair of AGB and regent emerita of the University of Michigan. An established physician and board-certified dermatologist, she is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons. Diggs is the board chair of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, serves on the boards of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Detroit Opera, and was a past board member of Blue Care Network, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Zoological Society, and Forgotten Harvesta nonprofit member of the Feeding American Network.

Im honored to chair the AGB Board of Directors, said Seay. AGB is an esteemed and essential organization enhancing higher education strategic governance every day, and we benefit tremendously from the combined leadership of our board. Im pleased that Ill be joined at the helm by such experienced and thoughtful colleagues.

The AGB Board of Directors comprises higher education board members, governance experts, and thought leaders. In addition to overseeing the associations strategic priorities, directors regularly contribute their knowledge to programs and content, such as webinars, blogs, and Trusteeship articles.

About AGB

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) is the premier membership organization that strengthens higher education governing boards and the strategic roles they serve within their organizations. Through our vast library of resources, educational events, and consulting services, and with 100 years of experience, we empower 40,000 AGB members from more than 2,000 institutions and foundations to navigate complex issues, implement leading practices, streamline operations, and govern with confidence. AGB is the trusted resource for board members, chief executives, and key administrators on higher education governance and leadership.
Our commitment to sustainability includes goals and actions for continuous improvement in the areas of our environment, customers, community and company. These key strategies align with the iMasons Climate Accord commitments, which are so important in the data center industry.

Tate Inc., a market leader in the manufacturing of raised access floors and data center airflow and infrastructure management solutions, announces its participation as a Foundation Partner of Infrastructure Masons and joins the organizations Climate Accord to promote sustainability in the data center industry.

Infrastructure Masons (iMasons) was established to provide infrastructure executives and technical professionals an independent forum to connect, grow and give back. As a Foundation Partner, Tate is making a commitment to dedicate time and resources to the organizations educational, networking and industry initiatives.

The iMasons Climate Accord (ICA) is a historic cooperative of companies committed to reducing carbon in digital infrastructure materials, products and power.

We established iMasons to unite the builders of the digital age, said Dean Nelson, Chairman and Founder of Infrastructure Masons. The ICA represents an unprecedented collaboration between leading digital infrastructure companies to accelerate our journey to carbon neutrality. Today, we are combining forces to compound the efforts of these firms to make meaningful and sustained progress toward that goal.

Additionally, Tates General Manager, Daniel Kennedy, has joined the iMasons Advisory Council to support and provide guidance to the organization. The Advisory Council includes a combination of End Users who are responsible for some of the largest and most progressive infrastructure portfolios in the world and Partners who provide a complete view of the industry, with the goal to foster effective collaboration between Partners and End Users.

Tate is excited to partner with an organization whose values so closely mirror our own. Our commitment to sustainability includes goals and actions for continuous improvement in the areas of our environment, customers, community and company, which is highlighted by our internal Planet Passionate initiative, said General Manager Daniel Kennedy. These key strategies align with the iMasons Climate Accord commitments, which are so important in the data center industry.

About Infrastructure Masons

Infrastructure Masons (iMasons) is a non-profit, professional association of technology and business leaders who represent over $150Bn in infrastructure projects in over 130 countries. The organization is guided by an Advisory Council composed of global leaders who manage some of the largest digital infrastructure portfolios in the world. The iMasons vision is to Unite the Builders of the Digital Age by enabling our global membership to Connect, Grow, and Give Back. Members leave their companies at the door and connect as individuals. iMasons has four strategic industry priorities  increase Awareness, enhance Education opportunities, champion Diversity & Inclusion, and inspire Sustainability through deep member engagement. Visit the website at imasons.org.

About Tate

Tate, Inc. is an industry leader in the research and development, sales and distribution of raised access floors and data center infrastructure solutions. Tates products include concrete and steel raised floor panels, structural ceilings and data center containment and infrastructure distribution solutions. The company provides its clients with floor-to-ceiling solutions which work together to maximize performance. Tate, Inc. is headquartered south of Baltimore in Jessup, Maryland, and is a member of the Kingspan Group of companies.
Leaders in biologic medical devices, NovaBone, is pleased to announce Sean Finnerty as the companys new Vice President of Sales in their Orthopedics Division. As the organization continues to grow and focus on developing biomaterials that meet the specific needs of orthopedic and dental surgeons, Finnertys addition to the leadership team was a strategic move to further improve their orthopedic sector.

With nearly two decades of experience in various orthopedic specialties, including Spine and Extremities, Mr. Finnerty brings to NovaBone an important skill set that will take the orthopedics division to the next level. Sean is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served as an officer in the United States Navy directly contributing to Operation Enduring Freedom.

It gives me great pleasure to announce our new VP of Sales, Orthopedics, Sean Finnerty. In Seans new role he will have global responsibility for the orthopedic business and will be charged with leading the next chapter of NovaBones growth journey. Sean will also serve on NovaBones Board of Directors.  NovaBone CEO, Brian Carlisle

As the organization expands and furthers its reach into the orthopedic and dental sectors, its new leadership team will play a vital part in the organizations success and mission to develop biomaterials that harness the bodys natural healing process to better meet the needs of surgeons.

For more information on the new team member and his position, visit NovaBone.com.

About NovaBone

NovaBone, a Halma company, is privately held and based in Florida since 2002. NovaBone developed the first bioactive synthetic bone graft offered to the orthopedic community and has long been at the forefront of bioactive glass bone graft devices. It has developed numerous formulations and delivery systems of its patented, bioactive technology platform that results in accelerated bone growth. In total, their exclusively formulated bone graft substitute has been used for the repair of osseous defects throughout the skeletal system for over a decade and used in over a million clinical applications with unparalleled success validating the safety and efficacy of NovaBone's technology.
Bellerose at Bees Ferry The real work begins now, added Matthew Beck, RangeWater development director for the Charleston and Nashville. Our teams ability to immerse ourselves in the fabric of an existing neighborhood is a defining quality in our process, and one we very much look forward to delivering on.

RangeWater Real Estate has closed on 17 acres at Bees Ferry Road and Bluewater Way in the vibrant West Ashley community, in Charleston, S.C.

The multifamily developer is planning an all 3-bedroom, 2-bath community of townhomes called Bellerose at Bees Ferry, a Storia neighborhood. The beautifully appointed homes will have one-car garages, 9-foot ceilings, gourmet kitchens with top-end appliances and stone countertops. The community will feature an open-air club house, pool, firepits and planned events to delight residents.

Were excited to be part of the thriving West Ashley community, said Palmer McArthur, RangeWaters Managing Director of the Carolinas and Tennessee. The city of Charleston is investing in Plan West Ashley to support this area as a future employment node and commercial hub.

Charleston Parks Conservancy is planning The West Ashley Greenway & Bikeway and the Charleston International Airport is less than a 20-minute drive away.

Charleston is one of our favorite places to develop because of the lifestyle and economic opportunity here, said Steven Shores, Chairman and CEO of RangeWater. Residents are attracted to the beautiful beaches and waterways of this area, as well as Charlestons historic charm and plentiful jobs. Were proud to bring a Storia neighborhood to best serve this demographic.

RangeWater closed on the 17-acre property and will break ground in August. First move-ins are slated for October 2023. Bellerose at Bees Ferry will be convenient to parks, waterways and popular destinations like Edisto River Brewing Company and Southern Roots Smokehouse.

The real work begins now, added Matthew Beck, RangeWater development director for the Charleston and Nashville. Our teams ability to immerse ourselves in the fabric of an existing neighborhood is a defining quality in our process, and one we very much look forward to delivering on.

Privately owned RangeWater was founded in 2006. The company acquires, develops, manages and invests in multifamily communities across the Southeastern and Southwestern United States, with a $6.3 billion portfolio.

RangeWaters Storia division is deploying more than $800 million in capital across the Sun Belt to build homes for rent (also known as BTR, or build-to-rent). RangeWater launched its first Storia properties in Georgia and has several thousand BTR units in the pipeline, with new communities under development from Atlanta in the Southeast to Boulder, Colorado, in the Mountain West to San Antonio and Fort Worth, Texas in the Southwest.

Today, BTR is more than 15 percent of RangeWaters portfolio. The company has been awarded 95 projects representing 12,488 homes in communities across the country under management or development in 64 cities in 11 states for more than 28 clients.

Bellerose at Bees Ferry will be the companys first Storia project in S.C., though RangeWater is active in the Charleston region with conventional multifamily properties. The company recently built and sold The Merchant, an award-winning community in a historic Charleston neighborhood that included 18 buildings spanning several city blocks. RangeWater has 11 communities under management in the state.

About RangeWater Real Estate

RangeWater is a fully integrated multifamily real estate company creating fulfilling experiences for its partners, clients, residents and employees across the Sun Belt. The Atlanta-based company has acquired and developed more than 20,000 multifamily units since its inception in 2006 representing in excess of $6.3 billion in total capitalization. RangeWater currently manages a balanced portfolio of over 86,000 multifamily units across 11 states. With offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Tampa and Salt Lake City, RangeWater targets high job growth markets with demand for new housing. For more information, visit http://www.liverangewater.com/LiveRangeWater.com.
The honorees are women who demonstrate a strong talent for leadership and expertise in their respective fields. These individuals have made huge contributions with new payment products, in-store services, crypto integration and so much more.

American Banker,, Arizents essential resource for senior executives in banking and financial services, has announced the honorees of its second annual The Most Influential Women in Payments: Next program, highlighting 12 women under the age of 40 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the payments sector.

The initiative celebrates women, ages 40 and under, whose achievements set them apart in their companies leadership pipelines. Among various qualifications, applicants must have an endorsement from a senior executive at their respective organization and demonstrate potential for an extraordinary and influential career.

"These women show unique promise for exceptional, innovative futures in payments," says Daniel Wolfe, Content Director at American Banker. "From major card companies to global retailers and fintechs, theyve helped their businesses survive and thrive in a new era of payments. This next generation of leaders will undoubtedly inspire generations to come."

This years honorees represent industry leaders like Mastercard and American Express, as well as retail operations like Walmart and fintech innovators like dLocal and Fiserv. Some of this years standouts include:



Sarah Arnio, Director of International Payments and Financial Services at Walmart, launched Walmart's first in-store technology services operation  which is expected to be a $250 million yearly business  as a competitor to Best Buy's Geek Squad. More recently, she led the team that enabled stores in El Salvador to accept Bitcoin.

Nidhi Arora, Vice President of Risk Management for American Express, played a pivotal role in developing the core platform for the checking product. The challenge allowed Arora to share her expertise on best practices, a task that led her to adopt many leadership roles, including educating business units on the types of risk involved with the launch of a new product.

Gabriela Viera, Senior Vice President of Compliance for dLocal, notes that crypto is one of the few areas in technology where men and women are on equal footing. "Men don't have years ahead of us in the space, so there's a real opportunity for women to innovate at the same pace, or fasterto become true pioneers."

The complete list of honorees and their stories can be found at https://www.americanbanker.com/payments/list/the-most-influential-women-in-payments-next-2022

The Most Influential Women in Payments: Next continues the mission of supporting, empowering, celebrating and advancing women in the payments community, while also being part of American Bankers continued coverage of the progress in diversity, equity and inclusion throughout financial services. Since 2013, The Most Influential Women in Payments has recognized the professional achievements and influence of top-performing female executives.

About American Banker

American Banker empowers banking professionals with unique analysis and insight into the ideas transforming their business and industry. Across its journalism, events, research and benchmarking, it helps drive the way forward through the complexity of business innovation, retail and commercial disruption, technology, regulation, and reform. With a banking community 850K strong, American Bankers transformative content connects leaders online, in person and in print every day.

About Arizent

Arizent is a business information company that advances professional communities by providing insights and analysis and convening industry leaders. The company uses deep industry expertise and a data-driven platform to deliver its services, which include subscriptions, marketing services, live events and access to Leaders, an executive forum. Arizent also connects business communities through leading financial services brands like American Banker, The Bond Buyer, Financial Planning and National Mortgage News, as well as professional services brands like Accounting Today, Employee Benefit News and Digital Insurance.
Were excited to once again be recognized for the outstanding work culture fostered by our employees and congratulate our Atlanta team for their proven dedication, said Ben Nichols, Amerisures regional vice president of Field Marketing and Underwriting for the Central region.

Amerisures Atlanta Core Service Center (CSC) has once again been named one of Atlantas Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the National Association for Business Resources. A seven-time recipient of this honor, the location was selected for its innovative business and human resources practices from among hundreds of companies in metro Atlanta.

Recipients of the award were evaluated based on key categories: Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions; Creative, Wellness and Wellbeing Solutions, Employee Enrichment, Engagement and Retention; Employee Education and Development; Recruitment and Selection; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Work-Life Blend; Community Initiatives and Corporate Responsibility; and Leadership, Strategy and Company Performance.

Were excited to once again be recognized for the outstanding work culture fostered by our employees and congratulate our Atlanta team for their proven dedication, said Ben Nichols, Amerisures regional vice president of Field Marketing and Underwriting for the Central region. To be honored with this recognition is a testament to our employees and our Atlanta-area leadership. Together, we are able to continuously deliver on our One Amerisure service promise to agency customers and policyholders.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For program identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in their human resource practices and employee enrichment.

As a recipient, Amerisures Atlanta CSC was invited to be recognized at a virtual awards celebration.

For more information and to see the complete list of winners, visit the Best and Brightest Atlanta page.

About Amerisure Insurance

Amerisure is a leading provider of commercial property and casualty insurance solutions for U.S.-based construction, manufacturing and healthcare businesses. Licensed in all fifty states and available through an exclusive network of elite independent agents, the company upholds an A (Excellent) financial strength rating, industry-leading service scores, and multiple awards for innovation. Amerisure has been in business for more than 100 years and is consistently named among the best places to work in the industry and throughout the nation. To learn more, visit Amerisure.com.
Boston Harbor Hotel to Expand Partnership with INTELITY "We are thrilled for this new chapter at Boston Harbor and to continue our strong relationship with the INTELITY platform and team," said Stephen Johnston, General Manager at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

Today, INTELITY, provider of hospitalitys leading guest experience and staff management platform, announced a continued strong partnership with Boston Harbor Hotel to invest in a tablet upgrade, promoting a digital smart-room experience for guests. Boston Harbor Hotel is upgrading their in-room tablets to Lenovo smart-room tablets powered by the INTELITY platform, including GEMS, INTELITYs suite of rich staff-facing tools for streamlined service and enhanced engagement between the hotel and guests.

A Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond hotel, the Boston Harbor Hotel looks to further rebrand the hotel with a focus to uniting the past with the future. The hotel plans to start transforming their current rooms to include INTELITYs smart-room tablets and platform. Boston Harbor is a brilliant beacon for many travelers, and upgrading the hotels digital offerings enhances the convenience, elegance and comfort guests have come to anticipate from a stay at the hotel.

"We are thrilled for this new chapter at Boston Harbor and to continue our strong relationship with the INTELITY platform and team," said Stephen Johnston, General Manager at the Boston Harbor Hotel. "Our property continues to set the standard for a five-star hospitality experience in Boston Harbor, and with this tablet refresh, our guests will be using the best software on the market to communicate to our staff in an efficient channel so our team can continue to provide the impeccable service were known for to every guest, every single day."

With INTELITYs smart-room tablets, Boston Harbor Hotel will be able to provide guests the ability to order food and beverages, request services, inquire about hotel amenities, and browse a menu of local attractions. Smart-room tablets continue to enrich guests' experience as well as provide hotel staff the ability to manage requests and orders for all guests, providing guests with a truly unique and personalized experience.

The INTELITY team is overjoyed to see our strong partnership with Boston Harbor blossom, said INTELITY CEO Robert Stevenson. They have long leveraged the INTELITY platform to enhance the guest and staff experience at their renowned property. We are excited to implement the latest smart-room tablets for this landmark hotel and further elevate the digital guest experience. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Boston Harbor and exploring new ways we can best service them and their guests.

For more information about the INTELITY platform or to request a demo, please visit intelity.com/demo. For more information about Boston Harbor, please visit http://www.bostonharborhotel.com.

About INTELITY

INTELITY is the global leader in contactless guest experience technology, uniting mobile, in-room, and operational tools into one fully-integrated hospitality platform. INTELITY has won numerous awards including becoming the Official Guest Engagement and Staff Management Platform Provider of the distinguished Forbes Travel Guide. The INTELITY platform is used at boutique hotels, casino-resorts, luxury residences, global hotel brands and more in over 60 countries across 6 continents. For more information, visit http://www.intelity.com.

About Boston Harbor Hotel

A social hub of activity, where paths converge for locals and guests from afar, Boston Harbor Hotel's 60-foot archway welcomes travelers to a hospitality experience unlike any other. Nestled on beautiful harbor waters, the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond urban resort pairs timeless beauty and modern elegance with a hint of magic. Comfort and elegance reimagined, the rooms are crafted for the modern traveler who appreciates thoughtfulness and intentionality in design. Discover iconic sweeping views, world-class dining, 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and a 34-slip marina. Come, capture the light at Boston Harbor. For more information follow @bostonharborhotel on Instagram or visit http://www.bostonharborhotel.com.
History of My Message: Historia de Mi Mensaje: Histoire de Mon Message: an engaging personal history that balances a key message of faith. History of My Message: Historia de Mi Mensaje: Histoire de Mon Message is the creation of published author Claude Nicolas, a loving husband and native of Haiti who later moved to Florida following a tragic event.

Nicolas shares, My book is relative to the message I wrote in a very early of the Sunday Easter April 15, 2001, about Jesus Christ and to testimonies that prove his willingness to be with us in any circumstance that overtakes our possibilities.

And now where Israeli and Palestinian youths are joining, engaging in conflict resolution, I think my message of Peace and plan of Peace for them, can encourage Jewish, Christian and Muslim, through a human fraternity, to embrace the Trinity One, manifesting in this way the symbol of Davids Star.

I pray everyday for this union in peace.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Claude Nicolass new book will draw readers in and encourage spiritual growth.

Nicolas shares his enjoyable and empowering message in English, Spanish, and French in hopes of reaching all those in need of Gods comfort.

Consumers can purchase History of My Message: Historia de Mi Mensaje: Histoire de Mon Message at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about History of My Message: Historia de Mi Mensaje: Histoire de Mon Message, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
The executives I work with know how to plan and execute an improvement process, but many see sales and marketing as different than operations. ORE, and this diagnostic break down that barrier and outline exactly how to bring the same rigor to the top line that made their operations world-class.

American manufacturers spent the 80s and 90s reacting to global manufacturing threats. The winning playbook used process engineering to improve operations and manufacturing by removing waste and inefficiency while incorporating quality and consistency.

But many companies haven't taken a similar approach to revenue growth. Therefore sales and marketing remain unpredictable black boxes even in companies with precisely measured and managed operations and production.

It's time to change that, and Ed Marsh is leading that effort with his Overall Revenue Effectiveness (ORE) methodology that takes a familiar approach to improving the top line operations of industrial companies.

Today he's publishing a self-paced diagnostic that executives and board directors in industrial firms can use to gauge the effectiveness of four components of an optimized revenue effort: Strategy, Marketing, Technology, and Sales.

The 20-page downloadable diagnostic asks 197 questions that are designed to illuminate areas for improvement and challenge traditional assumptions regarding revenue growth.

"I love working with America's advanced manufacturers who have done the hard work of optimizing their production," says Ed Marsh, founder of Consilium Global Business Advisors and a consultant that helps industrial manufacturers improve revenue growth. "But it frustrates me that they tolerate less rigor and accountability from their sales and marketing teams. I'm committed to helping them change that."

The ORE Diagnostic asks questions in four related areas of revenue growth based on best practice/advanced organizational maturity. It delivers three key values to executives and board directors of industrial manufacturing and capital equipment machinery companies.



Actionable Insights - by identifying areas where revenue effectiveness and integration of functions are missing, executives are able to focus on areas of maximum benefit

Challenges Traditional Approaches - creates a basis for conversation, introspection, and innovation in industrial sales, marketing and management teams

Roadmap to Revenue Growth - the diagnostic questions help executives visualize and plan the series of steps and priority tasks to create a culture of accountable, predictable, profitable growth

Most companies' revenue growth efforts are sabotaged by departmental silos, egos, and ossified tactics and organizational structure. Working backward from contemporary buyer and customer experience expectations allows teams to integrate all the important elements of a manufacturing revenue growth engine.

Once the structure of integrated strategy, marketing, technology and sales is clear, then iterative process engineering can optimize performance. The ORE diagnostic helps companies to identify areas where integration needs to be improved, and then how to adapt tactics and talent in a PDCA loop.

"The executives I work with know how to plan and execute an improvement process," continues Marsh. "But many see sales and marketing as different than operations. ORE, and this diagnostic break down that barrier and outline exactly how to bring the same rigor to the top line that made their operations world class."

The free diagnostic tool is available for immediate download on the Consilium Global Business Advisors website.

About Consilium Global Business Advisors: Consilium assists American manufacturers in applying process excellence to their business development. In other words, we help lean, well-managed companies with rock-solid bottom lines effectively and consistently grow their top lines to match. We work primarily with mid-size industrial manufacturing and capital equipment companies, guiding them through a journey toward Overall Revenue Effectiveness.
Im excited to be joining a company that was established on the foundational premise that the capital markets can be a powerful force for good"  Genie Cesar-Fabian, General Counsel at Ethic

Ethic, the tech-driven asset management platform that powers personalization for advisors, today announced the appointment of Eugenie (Genie) Cesar-Fabian as its first General Counsel. In this new role, Ms. Cesar-Fabian will lead the buildout of a robust internal legal department to support the companys growth while also advising leadership on regulatory matters, intellectual property law, general corporate transactions, and more. Further, she will coordinate with Ethics leadership team, including its chief compliance officer, to advocate for regulatory policies and industry practices that support sustainable investment opportunities for all investors.

Ms. Cesar-Fabian joins Ethic from Palladium Equity Partners (Palladium), the industrys oldest minority-owned private equity leveraged buyout firm. During her decade-plus tenure at Palladium, she served as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer before becoming a partner and transitioning into a new role as Head of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) & Sustainability. This most recent position saw her spearheading Palladiums B Corp certification process, working with key internal stakeholders to integrate ESG frameworks throughout the firms own operations and portfolio companies.

Cesar-Fabians eminent work to promote ESG best practices, as well as call attention to the business case for diversity and inclusion, has earned her prior industry recognition. In 2020, she was named by Crains New York Business as a Notable LGBTQ Leader & Executive and honored by the National Organization for Women as a Woman of Power and Influence. In 2021, she was recognized by Mergers & Acquisitions as a Private Equity Leader in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Were thrilled to welcome Genie to the Ethic team, said Doug Scott, CEO at Ethic. She brings impressive experience at the intersection of securities law and sustainable finance, both of which are integral to Ethics offering. I look forward to working with Genie to help raise the bar for the industryand ultimately bring Ethic closer to its vision of a world where all investing is sustainable investing.

Im excited to be joining a company that was established on the foundational premise that the capital markets can be a powerful force for good, added Genie Cesar-Fabian, General Counsel at Ethic. Its clear that Ethic doesnt see sustainability as an afterthought or a box to checkits been intentionally embedded throughout every corner of the business. Im energized by the opportunity to work with this incredible team, helping to accelerate its impact and cement Ethics position as a leading player in the sustainable investing space.

Earlier in Cesar-Fabians career, she worked in private practice in the securities litigation groups at Hughes, Hubbard & Reed, LLP and Bingham McCutchen, LLP (now Morgan Lewis), respectively. She holds a bachelors degree in political science from New York University and a Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law. In addition, Cesar-Fabian serves on the board of the St Johns University School of Law Alumni Association, and is a founding member of the St Johns Law Alumnae Leadership Council. She continues to serve as a mentor to law students, practicing attorneys, and aspiring young ESG professionals.

Ethic's latest hire comes amid continued strong demand for its personalized sustainable investment offerings; the company recently crossed $2 billion in assets under management and has increased team headcount significantly over the last year. Other recent key hires include former Envestnet executive Martha Strebinger as Director, Institutional Relationship Manager and Bank of America Merrill Lynch alumnus Amlan Sengupta as Head of Product & Engineering Delivery. To learn more about open positions at Ethic, recently ranked a Best Place to Work in Fintech for the second consecutive year, visit http://www.ethic.com/careers.

About Ethic

Ethic is a leading independent provider of personalized direct indexing strategies for financial intermediaries. Its scalable technology platform enables advisors to create custom portfolios tailored to clients unique values, financial goals, and tax preferences. Ethic also offers an array of supplemental features, including data-rich impact reporting and educational materials, that position advisors to lead meaningful conversations around sustainability.

The Ethic offering is available to advisors custodying with Fidelity, Charles Schwab / TD Ameritrade, U.S. Bank, Northern Trust, Morgan Stanley, BNY Mellon, or Pershing. The company is backed by investors including Oak HC/FT, Nyca Partners, Fidelity Investments, and ThirdStream Partners. Ethic is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser based in New York City.
While our firm has supported entrepreneurship generally and womens entrepreneurship specifically, its exciting to build on the program in a way that will help create equal opportunity for Black business founders.

Frazier & Deeter (FD) and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) announced a strategic partnership to invest in and provide support and education to Atlantas Black entrepreneurs and small business owners. The partnership includes pro bono tax consulting, a multi-year financial commitment and the launch of the reimagined Frazier & Deeter, a multi-use space that provides a welcoming place for all RICE stakeholders to gather, learn and collaborate.

FDs partnership with RICE is a comprehensive effort involving accountants and advisors from across the firms various practices. Its professionals will provide one-on-one advice as well as fireside chats and business fundamental videos. Educational topics will include, but not be limited to, choosing a type of entity structure, tax planning for owners and their business entities, tax credits and pitfalls, financial statement readiness, working with investors, organizational behavior and creating a sustainable culture.

Were excited to build on our long relationship with the Russell family, as well as our history of supporting entrepreneurs in Atlanta, said Seth McDaniel, Managing Partner of FD.

The partnership launched with FD offering tax planning advice related to COVID-era tax changes. The firm has already cohosted a panel for RICE stakeholders regarding entity selection and plans to have more panel discussions throughout the year, along with the launch of personalized pro bono support later in 2022.

We couldnt be more pleased with our new partnership with Frazier & Deeter, said James Bailey, CEO and President of RICE. We are confident this effort will be successful in providing opportunities for growth and strengthening connectivity in our community.

The collaboration with RICE builds on FDs long history of offering programming for entrepreneurs and specifically supporting women entrepreneurs. The firm began offering programming for women business owners across its markets more than ten years ago and has a history of supporting womens entrepreneur groups in Atlanta.

The RICE partnership is an exciting expansion of the firms programming for entrepreneurs, said Eddie Bradford, FD Tax Partner. While our firm has supported entrepreneurship generally and womens entrepreneurship specifically, its exciting to build on the program in a way that will help create equal opportunity for Black business founders.

About the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs

Founded in 2016 to honor the legacy of the late H.J. Russell Sr., the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs is a nonprofit organization that seeks to address systemic barriers and wealth disparity by educating, equipping and empowering Black entrepreneurs and business owners. Concentrating on the best resources in the country for small business growth and development under one roof, RICE is a single destination for moving companies forward. We are all about providing access - access to resources, capital, networks, information, education and guidance, the essential points of connectivity that are required for businesses to succeed and yet often are outside the reach of many. We invest in Black entrepreneurs, strengthen businesses and create community. RICE provides a way forward through innovative programming targeted at Black entrepreneurs and small business owners. Learn more about RICE at http://www.russellcenter.org.

About Frazier & Deeter

Frazier & Deeter is an award-winning Top 50 accounting and advisory firm that offers a full scope of tax, audit, internal controls advisory and business transformation services. FD and its family of brands serve clients worldwide, from the Fortune Global 500 companies to growing small businesses, and the firm has been recognized repeatedly as a Best of the Best Accounting firm, a Best Firm to Work For and a Best Firm for Women in Leadership. The firm is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Canadian Public Accountability Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. FDs brand promise is Investing in Relationships to Make a Difference, and the firm focuses on consistently exceeding expectations by supporting clients evolving needs as their businesses grow.
I am honored for the opportunity to help shape the future of robotic surgery at Lenox Hill and look forward to working with the exceptional team of skilled surgeons, says Dr. Frederick Buechel, Jr. M.D.

Lenox Hill Hospital, in the heart of New York City, is globally recognized for excellence in orthopedic care and has chosen Dr. Buechel as the new Director of Robotic Assisted Knee Surgery. Utilizing advanced robotic surgical technology provides Lenox Hill surgeons with unmatched precision that enables a minimally invasive approach for complex procedures with many benefits.

Frederick F. Buechel, Jr. M.D. is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of the Robotic Joint Center. In his new role, Dr. Buechels leadership will guide the robotic knee surgery program's growth and development to better serve the needs of patients. Dr. Buechel is one of the worlds most skilled users of the Mako robotic system. Partial knee replacement is a subspecialty that he has been a pioneer in with Mako robotics for the past decade, and his experience and deep understanding of the robotic system's capabilities make him a highly sought-after surgeon. Dr. Buechel will be seeing patients at two new locations, Lenox Health Greenwich Village at 200 West 13th Street, 6th Floor and Lenox Hill Hospital at 130 East 77th Street, 12th Floor in Manhattan. Dr. Buechel will also continue on in his surgical practice while taking on his new director responsibilities.

I am honored for the opportunity to help shape the future of robotic surgery at Lenox Hill and look forward to working with the exceptional team of skilled surgeons, says Dr. Frederick Buechel, Jr. M.D.

More about Frederick F. Buechel, Jr. M.D.:

Frederick F. Buechel, Jr., M.D. is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is an expert in partial and total knee joint replacements. He is the founder of the Robotic Joint Center in NYC and Taipei Postal Hospital in Taiwan. He graduated from Rutgers University Medical School and attended Drexel University in Philadelphia for his orthopedic surgery residency. Dr. Buechel then completed his fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania. He was in private practice where he started the Mako robotic program in Naples, FL, in 2009. Dr. Buechel spent 5 years living in Singapore and Taiwan as a surgeon and consultant, operating and teaching surgeons in Asia and Australia how to perform Mako robotic knee and hip replacement. Dr. Frederick Buechel, Jr.s practice, the Robotic Joint Center, is located at Lenox Health Greenwich Village at 200 West 13th Street, 6th Floor and Lenox Hill Hospital at 130 East 77th Street, 12th Floor in Manhattan. For more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Buechel, please call 212-308-3089 or visit http://www.roboticjointcenter.com.
Peter D. Kieselbach, an associate in the global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLPs Minneapolis office, was recognized by Minnesota Lawyer as a 2022 Up & Coming Attorney. Each year, Minnesota Lawyer recognizes a group of attorneys off to a fast start in their legal careers, all in their first decade of practice. The honorees will be recognized during an event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Minneapolis Sept. 16.

Kieselbach is a member of the firms Restructuring & Bankruptcy and Corporate Trust Services Practices. He has worked on the full spectrum of corporate and finance transactions, from front-end deal work, to litigation, to back-end defaults and restructurings. Kieselbach has experience in a wide range of corporate trust products, including municipal and corporate debt, qualified settlement funds, liquidating trusts, and related defaults, restructurings, and litigation. He has also worked extensively with clients on fraud remediation and asset recovery.

He maintains an active pro bono practice, focusing on matters involving children, education, and military members. Before going to law school, Kieselbach was a Teach for America corps member, working in elementary special education at a charter school in St. Paul, Minnesota.

About Greenberg Traurigs Minneapolis Office: Established in 2019, Greenberg Traurigs Minneapolis office provides clients with an innovative, business-minded perspective along with strong location connections to business, industry, and government. The offices core capabilities include commodities and structured finance, restructuring and bankruptcy, corporate trust and structured products litigation, finance and financial services litigation, complex commercial litigation, white collar crime and internal investigations, products liability and mass torts, environmental litigation, intellectual property, tax, and agribusiness.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2400 attorneys in 43 locations in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm, often recognized for its focus on philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono, reported gross revenue of over $2 Billion for FY 2021. The firm is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law 100, Am Law Global 100, NLJ 250, and Law360 (US) 400. On the debut 2022 Law360 Pulse Leaderboard, it is a Top 15 firm. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab and net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com.


Fast AR Funding provided a dynamic solution to our biggest fears about meeting our growing payroll needs, cashflow issues and meeting our customer demand.

When two Austin, Texas-based entrepreneurs identified an underserved opportunity within the healthcare staffing industry, they sought the payroll funding expertise of Fast AR Fundings dedicated working capital team. With the COVID-19 pandemic creating high demands on health care systems across the country, the need for nurses willing to travel to hotspots greatly increased.

The entrepreneurs needed to focus on growth, not payroll constraints. Fast AR Funding, a program of Republic Business Credit, provided a $400,000 growth-orientated selective factoring solution with a high advance rate to jumpstart the companys founding. The partnership with Fast AR and its decade-long track record of flexibility enabled the company to address market and customer needs without having to worry about how fast they were growing.

Fast AR Funding provided a dynamic solution to our biggest fears about meeting our growing payroll needs, cashflow issues and meeting our customer demand, the staffing company president said. Fast AR Fundings selective invoice financing and no term contract was just what the doctor ordered. It provided us with the true freedom to focus on growth.

The upstart company provides temporary and permanent employees to hospitals and medical centers located throughout the southwestern United States. Since the start of the pandemic, both urban and rural areas faced staffing challenges and needed quick solutions. Traveling nurse programs have exploded as a result. The upstart has already tripled its forecast so far in 2022 and sought an increase in its factoring facility to $1 million. Fast AR is the companys chosen product over other alternatives.

Fast AR provides a scalable, selective factoring facility with a seamless online application and technology-enabled approval process. It allowed the initial funding to flow within 48 hours of receiving the first invoice. The facility allows the client to submit invoices from specific customers that they needed to provide funding for a growing payroll without the hassle of minimum sales volumes or long-term contracts.

Republics VP of Business Development, William Kemp, said: Entrepreneurs in the temporary staffing business, especially healthcare, have limited options of financing to support their growth.

The exponential growth potential of staffing firms makes it difficult for them to obtain traditional bank financing. Factoring works seamlessly as they grow and develop, Republic CEO Stewart Chesters said.

Fast AR Funding supports temporary staffing, transportation, manufacturing, distribution, food, beverage and distribution companies located throughout the United States.

About Fast AR Funding. Fast AR Funding provides fast and flexible factoring solutions to help rapidly growing businesses, start-ups, and gig workers across the country. Fast AR Funding is the selective factoring product for Republic Business Credit. Republic Business Credit is a national provider of working capital facilities to private equity and entrepreneurial owned businesses. Republic provides asset-based lending, ledgered lines of credit, traditional factoring, direct to consumer loans, factoring and Fast AR Funding. Republic partners with its clients to provide up to $12,000,000 in senior credit facilities to rapidly growing businesses, start-ups and companies experiencing recoverable distress. Nationally recognized as Winner of 2015 Emerging Growth Company of the Year award from Association of Corporate Growth, expert and knowledgeable team boasts four Top 40 Under 40 winners, two Top Women in Secured Finance and a Top Women in Asset Based Lending by the Secured Finance Network and ABF journals respectively. Republic is recognized by the Secured Finance Network as one of the largest independently owned finance companies in the United States of America. The company is proudly headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana with client service offices in Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago.
His diverse experience in industry leadership is instrumental in helping SkillsUSA effectively deliver its mission to empower our members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible citizens

John Kett, CEO and President of IAA, Inc. (NYSE: IAA), was elected to serve as Vice President of the SkillsUSA Board of Directors at the boards June 21 meeting during the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta.

It is my honor to serve as Vice President of the SkillsUSA Board of Directors, Kett said. I look forward to continuing my work with the board and staff to help SkillsUSA continue to succeed in championing the future of our nations skilled workforce.

Kett is the CEO and President of IAA, a leading global digital marketplace connecting vehicle buyers and sellers. He has worked with IAA for 21 years and has demonstrated skills in finance, negotiations, management, strategic planning and business development. Kett formerly served as IAAs Senior Vice President of Planning and Business Development, CFO and President. He also sits on the Northern Illinois University Board of Executive Advisors and the Ravinia Board of Trustees, as well as its DEI subcommittee. Kett is also an active member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Alliance of Chief Executives, and is a Trustee of the Committee for Economic Development (CED). Prior to joining IAA, Kett held senior financial roles at Central Steel and Wire Co., and Safelite Glass Corporation, Newark Electronics and Deloitte LLP. He holds a masters degree from Northwestern University and a B.S. from Northern Illinois University.

SkillsUSA is honored to have John serve as Vice President on our board of directors, said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. His diverse experience in industry leadership is instrumental in helping SkillsUSA effectively deliver its mission to empower our members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible citizens.

About SkillsUSA

Founded in 1965, SkillsUSA is a nonprofit partnership of students, teachers and industry that empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. The SkillsUSA Framework of Personal, Workplace and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics inspires work and life success for students while helping industry close the skills gap currently leaving millions of skilled trade jobs unfilled. Through SkillsUSAs career competitions program and curricula, employers ensure schools are teaching relevant technical skills, and with SkillsUSAs credentialing process, they can assess the career-readiness of their future employees. SkillsUSAs membership of more than 330,000 students and instructors encompasses middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions in every state and three U.S. territories. SkillsUSA programming covers 130 trade, technical and skilled service occupations and is recognized by the U.S. departments of Education and Labor as integral to career and technical education. For more information: http://www.skillsusa.org.
George Cardoza is a highly accomplished financial and operations leader with a solid track record of success in the life sciences industry, said Slone Partners President Tara Kochis.

Slone Partners, a nationwide executive search firm for life sciences, biotechnology, and healthcare companies, has announced the placement of George Cardoza as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and as member of the Board of Directors at AccuraGen, a biotechnology research company that has pioneered the development of liquid biopsy technology to facilitate more personalized cancer treatment.

Cardoza joins AccuraGen following a 12-year tenure at NeoGenomics Laboratories where he served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from 2009-2018; President, Pharma Services Division from 2018-2021; and as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Lab Operations from 2021-2022. Earlier in his career Cardoza served as CFO at Protocol Integrated Direct Marketing; CFO of Protocol Marketing; and Controller, Central Region at Quest Diagnostics.

George Cardoza is a highly accomplished financial and operations leader with a solid track record of success in the life sciences industry, said Slone Partners President Tara Kochis. He is smart, passionate, and visionary with impeccable credentials, and will be a terrific addition to the AccuraGen leadership team.

We are thrilled to have George join AccuraGen as CEO and lead us into the next phase for the company. We also are grateful to Kang for his contribution as CEO and look forward to continuing to work closely with him in China and at the Board, said Dan Zabrowski, Board Member of AccuraGen and Venture Partner, Decheng Capital.

Im honored and excited to be the new CEO of AccuraGen, said Cardoza. Im looking forward to working with the teams in both United States and China. Ive been extremely impressed by the teams and the technology that they have developed as the Company is a hidden gem. AccuraGens platform can be used by laboratories around the world to improve patient care.

Cardoza earned his Bachelors Degree in Finance and Accounting from Syracuse University and his M.B.A. in Management from Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business.

ABOUT SLONE PARTNERS

Slone Partners delivers the leaders who build amazing and diverse life sciences and healthcare organizations  People Are Our Science. Founded in 2000, Slone Partners specializes in delivering world-class C-suite leadership, executive, and upper management talent to the most promising and established biotech, diagnostics, research tools, healthcare, precision medicine, medical device, and laboratory services companies. With national and global clients, Slone Partners uniquely and precisely provides an array of executive search and advisory services, including diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, to innovative life sciences and healthcare companies. To learn more about Slone Partners value proposition and processes, visit http://www.slonepartners.com or call 888.784.3422.

ABOUT ACCURAGEN

AccuraGen aims to revolutionize cancer management through technology innovation in molecular testing. AccuraGen focuses on the analysis of highly fragmented circulating nucleic acid in blood and has developed proprietary technologies enabling superior performance in the analysis of genomic, epigenetic, and RNA changes. AccuraGen is headquartered in San Jose, California, USA with CAP-accredited facility in Shanghai, China. To learn more about the company, visit https://www.accuragen.com/.


The utility-scale solar market, of course, puts up huge installation numbers each year, but the majority of workers in the industry are constructing projects in the commercial and residential markets, which continue to break records

Solar America, the leading solar and alternative energy company, has been awarded the Number 1 ranking on the 2022 Top Solar Contractors list as the nations leading sales partner for US solar installers by Solar Power World, the leading online and print resource for news and information regarding solar installation, development and technology..

The award recognizes Solar Americas outstanding sales success by ranking the company at Number #1 at a time when, despite concerns over supply chain interruptions and tariff investigations, the U.S. solar industry saw record solar and energy storage demand in 2021. As a result, Solar America has had one of its most successful years in business.

Solar America operates a national marketplace for solar, partnering with the top solar installers in the nation. The company connects people to the clean energy marketplace by giving them choices. More information is at https://solaramerica.io/.

The Top Solar Contractors list is developed each year by industry magazine Solar Power World to honor the work of solar installers in the United States. Solar firms in the utility, commercial and residential markets are ranked by number of kilowatts installed in the previous year. Companies are grouped and listed by specific services, markets and states.

The utility-scale solar market, of course, puts up huge installation numbers each year, but the majority of workers in the industry are constructing projects in the commercial and residential markets, which continue to break records, said Kelly Pickerel, editor in chief of Solar Power World. Over 85% of the companies on the 2022 Top Solar Contractors List primarily work in the residential and commercial sectors, and they all reported closing out the last year in a positive light.

About Solar America

Headquartered in Denver, CO, Solar America operates a national marketplace for solar, partnering with the top solar installers in the nation. The company connects people to the clean energy marketplace by giving them choices. More information is at https://solaramerica.io/.

About Solar Power World

Solar Power World is the leading online and print resource for news and information regarding solar installation, development and technology. Since 2011, SPW has helped U.S. solar contractors  including installers, developers and EPCs in all markets  grow their businesses and do their jobs better.
StevenDouglas Continues to Expand Our business is built on creating successful outcomes for our clients and adding proven industry leaders, which makes our company better positioned to service our customers - Matt Shore, CEO of StevenDouglas

Founded in 1984, StevenDouglas is one of the nations leading boutique Executive Search and Interim Resources firms with over 20 offices across the U.S., including a presence in Latin America and Canada. As the firm opportunistically expands services, it recently opened an office in Cleveland, OH, focused on Technology Search & Staffing, as well as a Finance & Accounting focused Search Practice in North Texas.

This new round of hires includes a line-up of accomplished and seasoned recruiting veterans for StevenDouglas. The new Ohio office is based in Cleveland, and will be led by Bryan Krieger, Managing Director, who brings a broad expertise in the Technology Recruiting sector supporting the Greater Cleveland region and the surrounding area. Rob Parker was named Vice President of North Texas, spending over twenty-five years providing senior-level talent to top industries nationally in the Finance & Accounting sector.

We are extremely excited about adding Bryan and Rob to lead their respective markets, said Matt Shore, CEO of StevenDouglas. He went on to say, Our business is built on creating successful outcomes for our clients and adding proven industry leaders, which makes our company better positioned to service our customers.

StevenDouglas ascended into the Top 25 Executive Search firms in America in 2021 through the firms triple digit growth that year, which also placed StevenDouglas in the top 10 fastest growing firms on the Top 50 list by Hunt Scanlon Media, as well as the #1 Executive Search firm based in the Southeast United States. The firm has experienced significant expansion over the last decade, attaining over 2000% growth since 2005, expanding from 1 office and 15 employees in 2006, to a national firm with 23 offices and 150 professionals today. The firm is forecasting over $125 million in revenue for 2022, more than doubling in size since its pre-pandemic peak in 2019.

Cleveland Office Location: 1468 West 9th Street, Suite 100, Cleveland, OH 44113

Dallas Office Location: 325 N. St. Paul Street, Suite 3100, Dallas, TX 75201

About StevenDouglas:

StevenDouglas, one of the nations leading boutique Search and Interim Resources firms, has been a recognized leader in identifying and providing access to top talent for clients since 1984. Our client base is industry agnostic and ranges from emerging middle-market to Fortune 500 companies, private equity and venture capital firms, hedge funds, family offices and wealth management firms. Recognized as a Top 25 Executive Search firm, our footprint has expanded to over 20 offices, and more than 150 professionals committed to creating successful outcomes for both clients and candidates.

The firm has been connecting premier candidates to their client base that spans an array of high- demand disciplines, and a broad range of industries. StevenDouglas is nationally known for search expertise in Finance & Accounting, Human Resource, Information Technology, Executive Leadership, Financial Services, Operations, Sales & Marketing, Legal, Risk & Compliance, Supply Chain & Logistics; As well as providing interim resources and staffing for Information Technology, Finance & Accounting, and Human Resources.
Unitek Learning is the parent company of several distinguished learning institutions: Unitek College, Unitek EMT, Eagle Gate College, Provo College, and Brookline College. The addition of Dr. Garcia marks another step forward as we continue to expand our programs, enabling us to partner with boards of nursing, healthcare organizations, and our local communities to help solve nursing workforce shortages.

Unitek Learning is thrilled to announce a new addition to their leadership team. In June, Rick Garcia, Ph.D., RN, CCM, FAAOHN, FNYAM, FAADN, joined Unitek as the Vice President of Nursing, Regulation, and Program Expansion.

The addition of Dr. Garcia marks another step forward as we continue to expand our programs, enabling us to partner with boards of nursing, healthcare organizations, and our local communities to help solve nursing workforce shortages, said Dr. Abdel Yosef, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Unitek Learning. Dr. Garcia will focus on nursing regulatory approvals and expansion initiatives. We are so proud of our outstanding leadership members who are incredibly dedicated, working around the clock to support the talented faculty and staff across all Unitek campuses.

Dr. Garcia has nearly three decades of active clinical nursing practice across a multitude of administrative and clinical settings. He served as the Director of Nursing Education for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, where he led the collaboration and development of position statements to include: 2022: Pathways to Excellence, 2021 The Essentials, 2019 AACNs Vision for Academic Nursing, and the 2018 Defining Scholarship for Academic Nursing. He has developed conference and webinar content and initiatives to help nursing faculty transition to competency-based education. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of the Florida Board of Nursing, focusing on the regulation, licensure, and discipline of nurses and nursing programs.

Dr. Garcia also serves as Chair of the Education Committee and a Registered Nurse Member of the District of Columbia Board of Nursing. In addition, Dr. Garcias professional contributions have been recognized by the Florida State Occupational Health Nurses Association (FSAOHN) with the awarding of the accolade of Nurse of the Year in 2016 and an Honorary Lifetime Membership.

We are so thrilled to welcome Dr. Garcia to Unitek, said Janis Paulson, Chief Executive Officer at Unitek Learning. In 2022, its crucial that we support workforce development and focus on the future of the nursing profession. As we continue to grow, adapt, and innovate, we can better serve communities across the United States.

Unitek Learning is the parent company of several distinguished learning institutions: Unitek College, Unitek EMT, Eagle Gate College, Provo College, and Brookline College. Unitek programs teach the clinical practices and theory used in the field today. Equipped with a multitude of sought-after skills, Unitek graduates are prepared to excel in many of the fastest-growing careers in healthcare and nursing.
Im so proud of every member of the Utah Youth Village team who works to accomplish our mission of healing and elevating lives.

Utah Youth Village is proud to announce that they have been added to the Federal Prevention Services Clearinghouse. This allows any state to add their services to their prevention state plan and receive federal matching IV-E funds.

The Federal Prevention Services Clearinghouse categorized Utah Youth Villages Families First Program as well-supported, which is the highest rating possible. Only 14 other programs in the world have been given this distinction.

President of Utah Youth Village, Shanna Draper, explains the advantages of the well-supported categorization saying, Federal money that was previously reserved for foster care can now be utilized on programs that are deemed successful in preventing the need for foster care, which is what the Families First program works to achieve.

Draper continues, Im so proud of every member of the Utah Youth Village team who works to accomplish our mission of healing and elevating lives.

Two studies were used by the Federal Prevention Services Clearinghouse to determine a rating. One spanned from 2007-2012 and the other from 2016-2019. The ratings speak to the longevity of the incredible service being provided by the team at Utah Youth Village.

About Utah Youth Village:

Utah Youth Village is one of Utah's oldest and most respected charities that help heal and elevate children's and families lives. Utah Youth Village operates over forty Treatment Foster Homes, and nine Alpine Academy Group Homes. Utah Youth Village also offers a unique in-home intervention program, called Families First. In addition, Utah Youth Village provides parenting classes and information to the general public, as well as higher education scholarships for Village graduates. Thousands of lives are impacted for the better every year thanks to Utah Youth Village.


The past two-plus years have been universally tumultuous, and couples therapists say they have been dealing with the fallout in their practices every day.

Even now, when the pandemic no longer dominates daily life, many Americans continue to work, shop and do so much online that they count on their partners to meet their social and emotional needs.

In my office, I see the burden this trend places on primary romantic relationships, said Laura Silverstein, a licensed clinical social worker and the author of Love Is an Action Verb. She co-owns a practice in Pennsylvania that has been struggling to keep up with the demand.



Read the whole story: The New York Times
Massacres in Russias Bryansk region during WWII recognized as genocide by court

Context Investigators establish facts of genocide in Bryansk region during WWII

MOSCOW, July 28 (RAPSI)  The Bryansk regional court has recognized as genocide the mass murders of civilians and prisoners of war committed in the region by the Nazis during the Great Patriotic War, the press service of the No Statute of Limitations project informs RAPSI.

The established and newly revealed crimes committed in 1941-1943 on the territory of the Bryansk region are to be qualified as genocide of national and ethnic groups representing the population of the USSR, Judge Nadezhda Petrakova declared in the court decision.

During the process, stakeholders, witnesses in the case - direct eyewitnesses of the events that took place on the territory of the Bryansk region during the period of military occupation, as well as relatives of the victims, supported the move of the prosecutor's office.

According to investigators, at least 80,000 people were kept in the Dulag-142 concentration camp located in the region, 40,000 of which were tortured to death. In total, during the occupation of the Bryansk region, the Nazis and their accomplices exterminated about 278,000 peaceful Soviet citizens and prisoners of war.

The trial in Bryansk in the case of the genocide of Soviet citizens by the Nazis during the Great Patriotic War is the sixth such trial in Russian history. Previously, similar processes have taken place in the Pskov, Novgorod, Rostov and Oryol regions and in the Republic of Crimea.
Larry Fink really has let all of those trips to Davos go to his head.

In what is, so far as I know, the BlackRock CEOs most recent act of public grandiloquence, he and BlackRock have urged the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) to modify its proposed greenhouse-gas emissions disclosure rule.

That standard Fink megalomania comes not from the request itself, but from its grounds. He does not ask that it be withdrawn because it is illegally beyond the SECs statutory remit, though it surely is, especially in light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. He doesnt seek its withdrawal because it will create massive expense for no possible benefit, though thats true too. He doesnt even oppose the rule because it will harm small farmers, small businesses and small investors while aggregating wealth and opportunity to his own private-equity class. (Well, no: of course not that.)

Rather, Finks objection to the rule is that it deviated from the disclosure demands that have issued from him  from him and from Mike Bloomberg and from the self-appointed New Ruling Class  embodied this time as the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). These new malefactors of great self-regard, you see, dont care for it when representatives of elected government dare to contradict the commandments of the World Economic Forum (WEF) set.

Mind you, the SECs proposed rule does violate its statutory authority; it does violate the Commissions basic responsibility of assisting Main Street shareholders and smaller corporations in the capital markets; it is vastly costly, entirely pointless and wholly biased. The TCFD proposals are also immensely costly and entirely pointless and biased (in favor of politicized decarbonization, against basic technological and economic reality) though, and they come without any statutory or moral authority at all. The TCFD, like the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board and the WEF, is just an agglomeration of billionaires who have decided that theyd quite like the world to be run according to their personal policy preferences  thank you very much  and that they dont intend to subject themselves to indignities like getting elected in order to achieve that end.

You can understand why theyve dropped any plans to earn democratic legitimacy. Recall the spectacular failure that was Mike Bloombergs campaign for the Democratic nomination in 2020. From revelations that he had demanded that women staffers abort pregnancies to disclosures that old Nanny Bloomberg was pretty much an authoritarian all around, the Little Dictator didnt come out of the experience very well. But that hasnt thwarted his desire to rule.

Nor did it serve as a lesson to Fink. One might think Fink would be more careful, given that he carries a raft of fiduciary duties to investors and shareholders that Bloomberg, as the owner of a private company, doesnt. But no. While he occasionally makes transparently false statements about the nonpartisan character of his interference with the governance and planning at the rest of U.S. publicly traded corporations, the truth invariably outs, as when he accidentally admitted that he is acting to force corporations, and through them all of us worldwide, to do his bidding, such as equity-based discrimination and politicized decarbonization, because he personally is very passionate about those policy goals.

In other words, Larry and Mike very much wish the world to dance to their tunes, exactly as they play them, and they dont want any interfering governments trying to play along, even if its pretty much the same stupid tune.

Larry, though, may wish to take a care as he seeks to set a crown upon his head. For as he accumulates the real power of dictatorship, he also collects the responsibility, and the dangers. Surely he is aware by now that forcing the West into climate-catastrophist decarbonization guarantees is already creating a pointless, but world-historical, disaster. Consider developments just in the last couple of weeks:

 Germany, and Europe generally, have delivered themselves, bound and on their knees, to Russia, having decarbonized according to their incoherent political schedules rather than according to technological and financial need  just as Larry wants to force the U.S. to do because he personally is very passionate about it. All of this threatens social peace in Germany and around the continent  which is fine, right? Nothing bad has ever followed from that.

 All of this has forced Europe to revert to coal use, meaning that political decarbonization leads to eventual recarbonization of the least-efficient sorts.

 China continues to ramp up its coal production and use, as do India and other non-western nations, with none indicating any serious willingness to stop such increases. This is fair enough; why should they be denied moving from developing to developed because western billionaires want to change the rules, pulling the ladders up behind themselves? The result: no amount of western decarbonization can have any real effect on the earths climate, the only conceivable legitimate justification for decarbonization. (The growing suspicion that the WEF set knows that political decarbonization cant achieve the stated goals, but really wants it as a way of keeping the hoi polloi trapped in constrained penury so that they can have the world to themselves is, of course, wholly illegitimate.)

 Japans long-struggling economy has been hit hard by the current energy crisis, leaving it less prepared to respond to any negative effects that might arise from the climate change that political decarbonization cant stop.

 The Netherlands has erupted in protests in response to government nitrogen-reduction regulations that threaten to destroy one of Europes strongest agricultural centers. These pointless regulations, based on doubtful science, do their work just as the world faces serious food shortages.

 Those food and energy deficiencies, driven by a series of green initiatives such as taking the whole country organic, have brought Sri Lanka to its knees  sending one president and prime minister already into exile, and the Sri Lankan people into dire suffering.

 Here at home, Texas inexplicable and undefendable embrace of wind power threatens its energy reliability and  again  forces it back on record fossil-fuel demand.

Theres plenty more, but I think these items make the point. Or most of the point. Consider one last fact: that as Larry and Mike (and Brian Moynihan of Bank of America and David Solomon of Goldman Sachs and the rest of the Davos crowd) force American corporations to sign on to political-schedule decarbonization because theyre so personally passionate about it, theyve also engineered an exemption from the European Unions new green fuel tax for  do you even have to guess?  private jets.

Larry & Co., you see, mean not only to rule like dictators, but to live like dictators.

All of this put me in mind of Patrick Henry. In 1765, when a separate set of dictators (a crowd just as unelected by any Americans as the WEFers) sought to strip proto-Americans of their basic and fundamental rights through the Stamp Act, Henry offered a warning to George III, the chief unelected despot of that era. In the peroration of a speech against the act in the Virginia House of Burgesses he reminded his fellows that Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell and George the Third ... may profit by their example.

As Larry, Mike, et al. grasp for themselves the power and trappings of tyranny in order to advance policies that will destroy both liberty and prosperity for the American people  just as George and his parliament did  let us hope that they, too, profit from those examples.
When the U.S. Supreme Court in June overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that established a right to abortion, it sparked legal changes and court challenges in states nationwide
Porterville, CA (93257)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. Hot. High 106F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear. Low 72F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 71F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Steady light rain in the evening. Showers continuing late. Low 59F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
BRIDGEPORT  A city woman is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond after police said she broke into another womans apartment and beat the victim with a pipe in front of the victims three children.

Nicole Barnes, 41, of Cottage Street, was charged with home invasion, first-degree assault, risk of injury to children and criminal mischief.

During Barnes arraignment Tuesday afternoon, Special Deputy Assistant States Attorney Stephen Lojo urged Superior Court Judge William Holden to set a high bond for Barnes.

The facts of this case are particularly disturbing, Lojo said.

But Barnes lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Carli Riccio, urged leniency for her client, arguing Barnes works full time as a certified nursing assistant and has four children.

Holden set the bond at $100,000 and continued the case to Aug. 9.

According to police, officers on Sunday were called to the P.T. Barnum Apartments on a call of an assault.

Police said the victim was being treated at the scene by medics for multiple bruises but refused to be taken to the hospital. A 12-year-old child was also being treated at the scene for a minor injury, police said.

Police said surveillance video showed Barnes and two other unidentified women bursting into the victims apartment carrying pipes and sticks. Barnes then began beating the victim with a pipe in front of the victims children, police said.

When Barnes lost her grip on the pipe, police said she then began beating the victim on the face with her fists.

Police said they have no motive for the assault at this time.
HARTFORD  A federal judge has ordered the detention of a pilot who is accused of trying to help smuggle nearly 2 tons of cocaine into the U.S. for a Connecticut drug ring.

Ronier Sanchez, 46, is facing a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.

On Dec. 14, 2016, Sanchez and three others were indicted by a U.S. grand jury in Bridgeport in connection with the plot.

Authorities allege that between 2015 and 2016, a drug trafficking organization based in Wolcott was responsible for acquiring and transporting large quantities of cocaine from Venezuela and Colombia. a filing in federal court states.

The drugs were then flown to Guatemala and Honduras, before portions of the shipments were brought to the U.S. for distribution, prosecutors said.

The investigation identified Sanchez as one of the organizations illicit aircraft pilots based in Mexico with illicit ties to [drug trafficking organization]s members and coordinators based in the Dominican Republic and Wolcott, Connecticut, a prosecutor wrote in a memo seeking Sanchezs detention.

Sanchezs duties within this drug trafficking organization primarily focused on his role and expertise as a pilot, which would further the [organizations] smuggling routes between Venezuela, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

Vicki Hutchinson, Sanchezs New Fairfield lawyer, said she did not oppose detention during the hearing on Monday. She said the only discovery she has received in the case is the sentencing memo, which she said she was given shortly before her clients appearance in court.

I dont know if they ever found the drugs, I dont know who owns the plane, Hutchinson said in an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

She said her client, who is a citizen of Mexico, has been in custody for one year and four months since his arrest by Paraguayan authorities.

To me, he appeared very healthy and mentally clear, she said, adding that he didnt seem to have any signs of ill treatment.

Hutchinson noted the case is scheduled for trial on Oct. 13  a date she said felt was very quick in the time of COVID.

In July 2016, Sanchez is alleged to have agreed to fly a private jet  serving as co-pilot  loaded down with cocaine from Venezuela to Honduras.

The plan, according to federal court filings, was for Sanchez and the pilot, Rupert De Las Casas, fly from the Dominican Republic to a secret landing strip in Venezuela. To cover their tracks, the crew filed a fake flight plan reporting the aircraft was headed to Brazil, when it actually was headed for Apure, Venezuela, prosecutors said.

Once at the secret airfield, the group would load between 1,600 and 1,700 kilograms onto the plane, refuel and head to Honduras where the drugs would be loaded onto trucks, prosecutors said.

A third man, the planes only passenger, would ensure the drugs were properly loaded on the plane during the flight.

The plan went south, however, after the jet made an emergency landing some 50 kilometers shy of the hidden runway.

That alerted Venezuelan authorities to the aircrafts presence  the plane had switched off its transponder shortly after takeoff  who ordered the aircraft be fired on to keep it grounded.

The three men hid in the treeline until they were ultimately rescued by members of the drug trafficking organization and provided safe passage and escort into Colombia, the detention memo states. The drugs were also diverted back to Colombia.

After the mishap at the clandestine airstrip, Sanchez disappeared from federal authorities radar until March 2021 when they learned he was in Paraguay where he was arrested.

Sanchez contested extradition, but ultimately lost his argument in the Paraguayan Supreme Court and was ordered deported, the U.S. Attorneys Office wrote in its detention memo.

He was brought to the United States with the help of U.S. marshals on Friday.

In a filing ordering Sanchez detained while his case is heard, U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish noted he is facing a charge that carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
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Small, ancient sculptures that have been gathering dust in an Albuquerque storage box are returning home to Mexico, where they are intertwined with the identity of Indigenous communities.

The Albuquerque Museum Foundation celebrated the repatriation of the dozen sculptures in a ceremony Wednesday. The local Consulate of Mexico accepted Olmec greenstone sculptures, a figure from the city of Zacatecas, bowls that were buried with tombs and other clay figurines that date back thousands of years.

The event came as Native, Indigenous and African communities have pushed for museums, universities and other institutions to repatriate items that are important parts of their cultures and histories.

Foundation President and CEO Andrew Rodgers said returning the sculptur es that have sat in storage for 15 years was the right thing to do. Even the foundation's board agreed. But some outside their organization had a different idea.

"We did encounter a couple people who suggested Oh you should just sell these ...'They may not be worth a ton so just keep them' or 'Mexico doesnt really care about this kind of stuff,'" Rodgers said.

Mexico, however, very much cares.

We appreciate and recognize actions taken by the Albuquerque Museum Foundation to voluntarily return these archaeological pieces back to the Mexican nation, Consul of Mexico Norma Ang Sanchez said in a statement. They are important elements of memory and identity for our native communities, and we are pleased they will be recovered.

The effort to research the artifacts' origins began over five months ago when they were discovered sitting in a box in storage. Rodgers' assistant obtained the original appraisal form from when a donor gifted them in 2007.

Immediately alarm bells started going off in our heads when they saw the label pre-Columbian, Rodgers said.

Playing internet detective, Rodgers found the original dealer. A New York woman in her 90s still had the original notecards from the items' sale to the donors in 1985. She said they either were purchased on a roadside in Mexico or from dealers in New England.

I dont think anybody had mal intent. I just think there was not much clarity or much transparency in that sort of a practice 30, 40, 50 years ago, Rodgers said.

Museum archaeologists at the University of New Mexico and Emory University in Atlanta authenticated the objects before talking with the local Mexican consulate. The Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History, which will end up with the figures, believes they were made in western Mexico between 300 and 600 B.C.

There has always been a desire to reclaim pre-Hispanic culture and artwork, according to Tessa Solomon, a reporter for the online publication ARTnews who has covered dozens of stories on the topic.

When Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador became president of Mexico in 2018, his administration made retrieving artifacts a priority. Culture Minister Alejandra Frausto Guerrero has tried to stop sales of cultural items at auction. The efforts spawned a social media movement called #MyHeritageIsNotForSale. It's estimated more than 5,500 archaeological objects from Mexico have been recovered in the last few years.

(Mexican officials) definitely have the most concerted effort to stop auction sales of these pieces, Solomon said. Placing these objects in a European or American gallery or museum is creating these gaps in the art history of these places that is difficult to fill. It shouldnt be up to other countries to create these histories."

Campaigns to restore artifacts and artwork to a country or a people are happening worldwide. The U.S. Department of Interior is weighing changes to a federal law that ensures the repatriation of Native American remains and sacred objects. The proposed revisions include more clarity, specific deadlines and heavier penalties for violating the law.

Indigenous groups from Canada are calling on the Vatican Museums to give up tens of thousands of artifacts and art. The Vatican says the feathered headdresses, carved walrus tusks, masks and embroidered animal skins were gifts to Pope Pius XI.

Germany and Nigeria signed an agreement on July 1 to facilitate the return of hundreds of artifacts known as the Benin Bronzes that the British stole from Africa over a century ago. Hundreds of bronzes were sold to museums all over the world. The Smithsonian had 29 at its National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. They will go back to the Nigerian government.

Other Smithsonian museums have been returning objects to their rightful owners for more than three decades, said Kevin Gover, undersecretary for museums and culture. Determining who owns the items can be a lengthy process.

Some of these things, remember, are often very old, said Gover, a citizen of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. So it does require a great deal of research to be sure we understand exactly what it is and exactly how it was acquired ...I 'm impressed that this Albuquerque Museum (Foundation) had it done in six months.

The racial reckoning that started in the U.S. in 2020 likely increased the number of calls for reclaiming antiquities and artwork. In April, the Smithsonian enacted an ethical returns policy" that requires a look at how an object came into the institution's possession.

Museums and other art venues must face they are in an age where they will be judged by their actions, not just their artwork.

The public is sort of expecting more from these institutions, Gover said. This is part of maintaining that trust, being able to say we came into possession of this object in an ethical way, in a fair way.

Rodgers, of the Albuquerque Museum Foundation, is taking the ordeal as a key learning opportunity.

This experience has especially given us exposure to this world and a better understanding," he said. So I think were certainly much better prepared to make sure that we never accept anything we shouldnt.
GROTON  City crews along with several other agencies responded to a fire on the scaffolding of a submarine under construction at General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard Wednesday morning, officials said.

No one was injured in the fire, which was reported at Electric Boat, 75 Eastern Point Road, about 11:10 a.m. Groton firefighters and surrounding agencies, including Naval firefighters and crews from Electric Boat, responded to the scene.

Officials at Electric Boat said the blaze was limited to the exterior of a portion of the hull of a submarine under construction. That portion of the submarine was being constructed on land and had no nuclear capabilities, officials said.

The submarine will be named the U.S.S. Idaho when it is officially commissioned, Electric Boat spokesperson Dan McFadden said.

There were no injuries, Groton fire Capt. Daniel Tompkins and McFadden said.

The fire, which McFadden described as small, was on top of a section of the unassembled submarine. It didnt have any radioactive material, he said.

The fire was out very quickly, McFadden said.

Groton firefighters were on the scene for about 90 minutes, Tompkins said. The city in conjunction with Electric Boat will be in charge of the investigation of how the blaze started, Tompkins said.

McFadden called the damage to the submarine minimal and said all personnel have been accounted for.
The warning comes amid reports of a possible trip by House Speaker Pelosi to the island next month.

Washington should avoid playing with fire on the issue of Taiwan, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned U.S. President Joe Biden Thursday, ahead of a possible trip by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the democratic island Beijing says is a runaway province.

Xi made the comments to Biden during a two-hour call  their fifth as heads of state  urging his counterpart to refrain from interfering in Beijings national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the official Xinhua news agency said in a report.

Playing with fire will only get you burned. I hope the U.S. is clear on this, the report quoted Xi as saying.

The U.S. side should abide by the one-China principle, he added, reiterating Beijings firm opposition to Taiwanese independence.

Thursdays call came amid reports that Pelosi would visit Taiwan in early August. Neither the U.S. government nor Pelosis office has confirmed the news, but Biden recently indicated that the military did not think it was a good idea right now for the House speaker to visit Taiwan.

China has already responded strongly against the rumored trip, with a PLA spokesman threatening that should Pelosi insist on making the visit, the Chinese military will never sit idly by, and will certainly take strong and resolute measures to retaliate.

A statement from the U.S. 7th Fleet said that the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group re-entered the South China Sea after having left Singapore on Tuesday, and projections show the vessel is headed north, amid the Chinese warnings.

Responding to Xis comments on Thursday, Biden made clear that Washington strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, according to a White House press release.

While the U.S. does not have official relations with Taiwan and recognizes Beijing diplomatically, rather than Taipei, as part of the so-called one-China policy, Washington is obligated by law to provide the island with defense capabilities. Lawmakers have called on the Biden administration to take a stronger stance on Taiwan.

In this file photo taken on July 14, 2022, US Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, speaks during her weekly press briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Credit: AFP Other issues

In addition to the Taiwan issue, Chinese state media said that the two leaders exchanged candid and in-depth views on a wide-range of bilateral concerns, including economic policy, supply chains and energy security, as well as global affairs, such as the developing world, the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and the role of the United Nations.

Xinhua said Biden and Xi exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, and that Xi Jinping reiterated China's principled position on the issue, without providing further detail.

Beijing has refrained from condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine and Biden had been expected to raise the idea of a price cap on Russian oil to punish Moscow over the conflict. During the two leaders previous call in March, Biden had warned of consequences if Beijing provided material support for Russias war, but the U.S. government has said there has been no indication that China had done so since.

The White House described Thursdays call as part of the Biden administrations efforts to maintain and deepen lines of communication between the United States and the PRC and responsibly manage our differences and work together where our interests align.

It said that following their discussion, the two presidents tasked their teams to follow up on the issues raised in the call, particularly those of climate change and health security.

Prior to the call, White House national security spokesman John Kirby described U.S. ties with China as one of the most consequential bilateral relationships that we have, not just in that region, but around the world, because it touches so much."

In a report on Thursday, Reuters news agency cited a person briefed on planning for the call as saying that the Biden administration believes leader-to-leader talks are the best way to lower tensions over Taiwan.

The report noted that some analysts believe Xi also has an interest in avoiding escalation as he seeks an unprecedented third term in office at a congress of China's ruling Communist Party expected in the fall.

The U.S. executive branch has little control over congressional travel and Kirby told reporters that the Biden administration has been in touch with Pelosi's office to make sure she has "all the context" she needs to make decisions about her travel.
People scan a QR code for the government's 'Leave Home Safe' app, used for contact tracing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to enter a restaurant in Hong Kong, Dec. 9, 2021.

UPDATED at 1:22 P.M. EST on 2022-08-01

An independent audit of the Hong Kong governments digital COVID-19 contact-tracing apps found significant security issues with the software but said the flaws werent necessarily intentionally added to allow for unauthorized tracking.

The Leave Home Safe mobile apps became available for download in November 2020, allowing users to scan a QR code at more than 9,000 locations in Hong Kong, including both public and private venues, and on identification labels in 18,000 taxis to record their movements.

The apps also notified users if a person confirmed with contagious respiratory virus had recently visited those places.

7ASecurity, a Poland-based computer network security and testing firm, conducted a privacy and a security audit of the Leave Home Safe Android and iOS apps in April and May on behalf of the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC).



Its work was funded by the Open Technology Fund (OTF), a U.S. nonprofit that supports global internet freedom technologies and, like Radio Free Asia, is part of the United States Agency for Global Media, an independent agency of the U.S. government that broadcasts news and information in 63 languages.

The parties issued the 55-page report on Wednesday.

When the Hong Kong government rolled out the apps, people there raised concern about potential security and privacy risks that they could introduce. Some feared the apps would be used to control Hongkongers amid a citywide crackdown on public protest and dissent over Chinas aggressive policies in the special administrative region, according to a previous report by RFA.

Less than half a million downloads of apps occurred during the first two weeks due in part to privacy concerns among citys roughly 7.5 million people, and many acquired a second mobile device to avoid having sensitive content on the same phone, OTF said in an announcement on its website.

As of Nov. 1, 2021, the Chinese government made use of the apps mandatory for anyone entering government-run buildings, including courts, swimming pools, public markets, hospitals, shopping malls and places of worship. The apps recently began requesting real name registration and tracking users movements.

The goal of the audit was to have an independent third party verify whether the official Leave Home Safe privacy and security claims are accurate.

On Wednesday, OTF issued 7ASecuritys report on the audit results with 12 findings, eight of which are classified as security vulnerabilities and four as general weaknesses with lower exploitation potential. Three of these findings had an estimated severity level of high or critical.

While no clear privacy violation could be conclusively proven during the audit at runtime, a number of application artifacts, likely inherited from underlying dependencies or simply security vulnerabilities introduced by mistake, were found during this exercise, the report says.

The privacy audit could not conclusively prove malicious intent or unauthorized tracking of Hongkongers, it says.

One of the identified vulnerabilities was that the Android app failed to validate certificates that secure internet connections by encrypting data sent between a browser, website and website server, allowing communications between two parties to be intercepted by a malicious user without any user warnings.

7ASecurity also found that the Android app stores COVID vaccination and test status images in the mobile devices Secure Digital (SD) memory storage cards when users try to import such QR Codes from safer locations, such as Google Drive. Android SD Cards are inappropriate locations for sensitive data because thieves can remove them and plug them into a computer to read the data.

Additionally, the audit determined that the Leave Home Safe Android app uses several cryptographic functions with known security weaknesses, either directly or through inherited libraries.

The iOS app does not implement available Data Protection features in iOS, so that most files have a default encryption that keeps the decryption key in memory while the device is locked  the least secure form of data protection available on iOS, according to the security auditors. A malicious attacker with physical access to the device could use it to read the decryption key from memory and gain access to local app data files, without needing to unlock the device, they said.

7ASecuritys test team experienced several significant limitations during the audit, according to the report.

The application could not be exercised fully at runtime due to a lack of Hong Kong health code system credentials, valid Hong Kong COVID vaccination QR codes, and valid Hong Kong COVID test QR codes, the report said. It is possible that additional vulnerabilities are present in the functional areas that could not be explored during this engagement.



This poor result strongly suggests that the Leave Home Safe mobile apps have not been audited by any competent security firm previously, 7ASecurity said in the report. This is in stark contrast to the documentation in the official Leave Home Safe website, which indicates the mobile applications were audited previously on December 10th 2021, and only a single low priority issue was identified.

7ASecurity recommended that the issues raised in the report be addressed to strengthen the security aspects of the Leave Home Safe platform, and that a thorough review, including a full code audit, be conducted. The firm also suggested regular testing of the platform at least once a year or when substantial changes are to be deployed, to ensure new features do not introduce security vulnerabilities.

Hong Kong's government issued a statement on Thursday which claimed that there has never been any security or privacy-related incidents in connection with its COVID-19 contact-tracing apps and dismissing what it called "inaccurate reports and unfair allegations" in 7ASecurity's findings.

RFA previously reported on Hong Kong police in Hong Kong investigating the origins of a fake app after the government made the Leave Home Safe app compulsory for those entering government-run facilities.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of the article incorrectly referred to OTF as OTC and attributed a quote to OTF's announcement instead of 7ASecurity's report. Clarifies that 7ASecurity's test team experienced several limitations during the audit and adds quote from the report. Adds information that the audit was conducted by the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC).



Updated to include Hong Kong government reaction.
Ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping has set out his political strategy for the next five years ahead of his bid for an unprecedented third term in office at the 20th party congress later in the year.



Xi told a high-level political symposium in Beijing this week that the CCP should "focus on deploying strategic tasks and major measures for the next five years."



"The next five years will be a critical time to start building a socialist modernized country in an all-round way," Xi told the symposium.



"We must firmly grasp the problem of unbalanced and insufficient development, focus on making up for shortcomings, strengths and weaknesses, consolidate the bottom line, and promote advantages, and study and propose new ideas and new measures to solve problems," state news agency Xinhua paraphrased him as saying.



Current affairs commentator Xiao Di said Xi's comments suggest he plans to take China back to a state-controlled, command economy.



"He's steering China away from the capitalist road, back in the direction of communism," Xiao told RFA. "That's why he says the next five years will be a critical period to determine whether CCP rule will last forever."



"There should be no obstacle to his being re-elected as general secretary [at the 20th party congress]," he said.



Some commentators have suggested that the fact that Xi's speech to the symposium was given prominent coverage by state news agency Xinhua and the CCP's official newspaper, the People's Daily, indicates that Xi will likely get his way.



The timing of the coverage ahead of the secretive annual leadership retreat in the resort town of Beidaihe suggests that Xi may be pre-empting any substantive discussion of his plan to serve a third term at that meeting.



Future political direction



Political scientist Ruan Guohong said the speech was a clear declaration to the outside world that Xi will be re-elected as general secretary of the CCP at the first plenary session of the 20th National Congress.



Ruan said the speech was probably in part a response to international speculation about his political trajectory.



"There has been a lot of speculation [on Xi's third term] from the outside world lately, both inside China and overseas," Ruan said.



"But I think he was more likely addressing party elders about China's future political direction."



In a conclusive break with the reformist thinking of the 1980s, Xi has already brought in constitutional changes nodded through in March 2018 by China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), removing presidential term limits.



The move has potentially paved the way for indefinite rule by Xi, although it may not yet be a done deal, Ruan said.



"He doesn't know how things will turn out in future," Ruan said. "But if he doesn't manage to get another term in office, then the constitutional amendments will have been meaningless."



Possible infighting



Exiled veteran dissident Wei Jingsheng said state media had been relatively quiet on the topic of Xi's third term, suggesting fierce political infighting in the corridors of Zhongnanhai.



But Wei also said in a commentary for RFA's Mandarin Service broadcast before Xi's speech was reported that the outcome of the 20th party congress was impossible to predict.



"There are all kinds of possibilities," Wei said. "But there is one outcome that can be predicted, that is, regardless of whether Xi Jinping is re-elected for a third term or not, further division [in party ranks] and the decline of the CCP are inevitable."



"If Xi Jinping is unsuccessful in his bid for another term, the Xi faction will inevitably be purged," Wei said. "If it resists, it will rise up in rebellion, which will also be beginning of the end of the CCP."



"If Xi Jinping is re-elected, his retaliation [against those who opposed him] will force officials to rebel, which is not a bad result for China's future. We will wait and see," he said.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
An analysis of the app's source code reveals that it checks users' location and insists on access to contacts.

A woman walks past the headquarters of ByteDance, the parent company of video sharing app TikTok, in Beijing, China, Sept. 16, 2020.

A recent report detailing massive amounts of user data collected by TikTok has sparked privacy concerns around the hugely popular video app, which is owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance.

In a technical analysis of TikTok's source code, security research firm Internet 2-0 found the app, which is the sixth most-used globally with forecast advertising revenues of U.S. $12 billion in 2022, was "overly intrusive" and data collection was "excessive."

"In our analysis the TikTok mobile application does not prioritize privacy," the report said. "Permissions and device information collection are overly intrusive and not necessary for the application to function."

The app retrieves information on all other apps on a phone, potentially providing a realistic diagram of a person's device.

It checks the device location at least once an hour, and has ongoing access to the calendar and contacts.

"If the user denies access, it continuously requests for access until the user gives access," the report said.

The app also scoops up Wi-Fi SSID information, serial numbers of devices and SIM cards, IMEI numbers, MAC addresses and other unique identifying data.

It also reads the device clipboard along with all active subscriptions and accounts on the device, the report said.

"Also of note is that TikTok IOS 25.1.1 [the version that runs on iPhones] has a server connection to mainland China which is run by a top 100 Chinese cyber security and data company Guizhou Baishan Cloud Technology Co., Ltd," the report said.

While TikTok claims user data is stored in the U.S. and Singapore, the report found evidence of "many subdomains in the iOS app scattered around the world," including Baishan, China.

As of September 2021 TikTok had more than one billion active users globally, 142.2 million of whom are in North America.

The report found that TikTok makes use of a number of permissions considered "dangerous" by industry experts.

"Unfortunately, TikTok makes use of a lot of these dangerous permissions," it said, adding that the IOS justification, whereby developers can't gain access to data on a device without good reason, made iPhones less of an easy target for data harvesting than Android devices.

Privacy concerns

Caitlin Chin, a fellow at the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said many security experts weren't surprised by the findings.

"It confirms what many of us were suspecting, which is that TikTok is indeed collecting a lot of information, and a lot of it," Chin told RFA. "It is very private information."

Chin said there are naturally concerns that user data will be acquired and used by the Chinese government.

"This information [harvested by TikTok] can immediately reveal or be used to infer a lot of information," she said. "For example, the data can show who you are in daily contact with, which political organizations you are associated with, and what you usually do."

Chin said TikTok is a potential backdoor for the Chinese government to gain access to highly sensitive personal information about users all over the world.

"It does raise questions about what types of data TikTok is collecting, especially if this is non-essential information that the Chinese government could potentially obtain, albeit stored outside of China," she said.

"It raises concerns about the privacy of private communications."

A spokesperson for TikTok denied the claims in the report that user data was sent to China.

"The IP address is in Singapore, and communications don't leave their region," the spokesperson said in comments emailed to RFA.

"It's absolutely untrue to suggest that there is a connection to China."

The spokesperson also denied that TikTok harvests as much data as the report said it did, and said it harvested less than many other popular apps.

The purpose of collecting data was to "improve the user experience," they said, adding that the access approval process is overseen by a security team in the United States.

Security threat to Western countries

The Biden administration reversed a Trump-era ban on TikTok and WeChat, which hadn't been fully implemented due to legal challenges.

BuzzFeed reported on June 17 that the data of U.S.-based TikTok users had been repeatedly accessed by the employees of TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

On the same day, Tiktok announced it had signed a deal with Oracle to store the private data of all U.S.-based users on its cloud servers, but experts said this didn't mean employees based in China couldn't access it.

On June 24, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr wrote to Google and Apple, asking them to remove TikTok from their app stores, citing the amount of data collected from users' devices.

Carr cited Chinese laws requiring Chinese companies to comply with requests to hand over data, and potentially spy on users, by the authorities.

Zhang Xiaogang, a doctoral student in computer science at UNSW Sydney, said China is keen to export its model of high-tech authoritarianism overseas, to extend Beijing's influence around the world.

"It's inevitable that TikTok's parent company would take this approach," Zhang told RFA. "The CCP [Chinese Communist Party] wants to control everything and export totalitarian rule overseas through high-tech companies."

"It will be using its monitoring technology, collecting a large amount of intelligence, stealing technology and finding out useful information through big data analysis," he said.

"This will pose a security threat to Western countries."

He said overseas governments are gradually waking up to what is happening.

"Now the CCP has gone too far, and intelligence agencies and defense agencies in Western countries are gradually starting to pay attention to this issue," Zhang said.

"Many politicians haven't yet realized that the CCP is using its position in the market to steal technology and information," he said.

"Western countries should impose restrictions on social media apps exported by the CCP," Zhang said. "If the CCP bans overseas social media, Western countries have reason to ban TikTok."

More evidence needed

Liu Lipeng, a former Weibo censor now living in the United States, said more details are needed.

"I'm still hoping for more technical details, or for a whistleblower to leak some ... direct evidence telling us how they operate," Liu said.

But he said there is a lot of evidence to show that TikTok is fully cooperating with the Chinese authorities, including by not allowing users based in China to register.

Current affairs commentator Tang Jingyuan agreed with Zhang's assessment.

"The Chinese authorities use TikTok and other companies for intelligence-gathering, even infiltration and the expansion [of influence] and to export ideological weapons," Tang said.

Companies that are controlled by the CCP and operate with malicious intent should be completely banned outside of China, Tang said.

Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The aircraft carrier may pass close to Taiwan in a couple of days

Lt. Eric Stein, right, and Lt. Brandon White of aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 during its deployment to Indo-Pacific region July 18, 2022.

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group re-entered the South China Sea and is heading north as China threatens military action should U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi make a visit to Taiwan.

The carrier left Singapore after a five-day port call on July 26, according to a statement from the U.S. 7th Fleet.

The statement did not specify the USS Ronald Reagans current location but the U.S. Navy released a couple of photos of the carrier refueling-at-sea with the replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe in the South China Sea on Wednesday.

Data provided by the ship-tracking website Marine Traffic show the USNS Tippecanoe was well inside the South China Sea at the time of the replenishment operation.

The ships projection shows it is moving northwards.

While this doesnt necessarily mean the aircraft carrier would take the same route, some Taiwan watchers say it may sail near the island in the coming days.

An analyst who wishes to stay anonymous due to the sensitivity of the issue told RFA they think the Ronald Reagan will sail close to the east side of Taiwan in a show of power but will not engage in any confrontation with Chinas Peoples Liberation Army.

Chinese state-supported Global Times meanwhile quoted Song Shingling, a Chinese military expert, as saying that if the U.S. carrier strike group attacks relevant islands in the South China Sea or clashes with Chinese warships and fighter jets, this may equal to creating a conflict.

USNS Tippecanoes past track from July 21 to July 28. CREDIT: Marine Traffic





Pelosi briefed on Taiwan trip

The Indo-Pacific Command declined to confirm whether the Ronald Reagan, the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, will sail near Taiwan.

We have nothing further on this, said Cmdr. Tiffani Walker, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command spokeswoman.

The democratic island, which China considers one of its provinces, has come under the spotlight after press reports that the Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi would visit Taiwan in early August.

Neither the U.S. Government nor Pelosis office confirmed the news but President Joe Biden indicated that the military did not think it was a good idea right now for Pelosi to visit Taiwan.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday he had spoken with Pelosi and given her a security assessment of the situation but did not comment on Taiwan, Reuters reported.

President Biden is expected to discuss the visit, among other issues, with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in a telephone call on Thursday. It would be the fifth such conversation since Biden became U.S. president in January 2021.

China has already responded strongly against the rumored trip, with a PLA spokesman threatening that should Pelosi insist on making the visit, the Chinese military will never sit idly by, and will certainly take strong and resolute measures to retaliate.

The USS Ronald Reagan is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. It has been deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, said the U.S. Navy.
Despite the penalties the trade had continued between the countries until COVID presented another obstacle.

An undated surveillance image provided in a U.S. Department of Justice complaint for forfeiture released May 9, 2019 shows what is described as the North Korean vessel Wise Honest being loaded with coal in Nampo, North Korea. A trade official in South Pyongan province says that North Korea is again exporting coal from the port.

North Korea has resumed shipping coal to energy-starved China to secure much needed foreign currency despite U.N. sanctions prohibiting the transactions, RFA has learned.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 2371, adopted in August 2017, forbids countries from buying coal that originates in North Korea. The sanctions are aimed at depriving Pyongyang of cash and resources that could be funneled into its nuclear and missile programs.

But Chinas energy needs are great, and North Koreas coal is of exceptionally high quality, so sales of coal stocks to Chinese buyers resumed in mid-July, a trade official in North Koreas South Pyongan province, north of Pyongyang, told RFAs Korean Service on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Trading companies affiliated with the party and the military resumed exporting coal to earn foreign currency on orders of the Central Committee, said the source.

Coal exported to China is transported from Nampo port to the West Sea, the source said, referring to the body of water west of the Korean peninsula, known internationally as the Yellow Sea.

It is common for the coal to be transferred from the North Korean trading companys ships to Chinese ships on the open sea, the source said.

The ship-to-ship transfers are an effort to avoid detection, although monitors have known the sales have continued since the sanctions were imposed. In 2019, the U.S. Treasury penalized two Taiwanese citizens and three shipping companies for transferring petroleum products with North Korean ships on the high seas.

In October 2021 RFA reported that coal exports from North Korea to China, sometimes through ship-to-ship transfers, were on the rise as China struggled with severe coal shortages that led to rolling blackouts in many parts of the country.

Maritime trade between the two countries has been on and off during the coronavirus pandemic. It was off again at the time that North Korea declared a maximum emergency in May when a major outbreak was traced to a military parade in late April. Authorities have apparently made an exception in the case of coal.

Some trading companies are getting bolder and forego ship-to-ship transfers entirely, the source said.

Some of the powerful party-affiliated trading companies bring the Chinese ships into the port of Nampo, where they are loaded with coal and then sail directly to Chinese ports. They can receive the cash right there on the spot, the source said.

Foreign currency earned from coal exports is not deposited into the Foreign Trade Bank of the DPRK but is collected directly by the party.

The coal shipped out of Nampo goes to various ports in Chinas Shandong province, with Longkou being the most popular destination, sources said.

Coal is also transferred over a much shorter distance between Ryongchon county in the northwestern province of North Pyongan and Donggang, China, a trade official in North Pyongan told RFA on condition of anonymity to speak freely.

These days, at Jinhung Wharf in Ryongchon county, military trading companies that have received permission to resume coal exports from the Central Committee are exporting coal through the sea, he said.

Powerful trading companies are earning foreign currency by exporting hundreds of thousands of tons of coal at a time by borrowing large ships from China, said the second source.

A ton of North Koreas high-quality anthracite coal can fetch between U.S. $100 and $110 in China, according to the second source. This is almost double the cost per ton quoted by sources in the RFA report from October 2021.

Military companies are using the foreign currency they earn from coal exports to secure fuel for Border Guard patrol boats and warships and food for military personnel, the second source said.

Sources told RFA that they were not able to determine if the resumption of coal exports is being carried out under any agreement with the Chinese government.

RFA contacted offices at the United Nations, including the U.S. mission to the U.N., by phone and email but had not received any response as of 4 p.m. Wednesday.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson told RFA that United Nations sanctions on the DPRK remain in place.

We will continue to implement them and encourage others to fully implement them, including at the United Nations and with the DPRKs neighbors, the spokesperson said. The DPRK continues to fund its WMD and ballistic missile programs through sanctions evasion efforts in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

It is important for the international community to send a strong, unified message that the DPRK must halt provocations, abide by its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions, and engage in sustained and intensive negotiations with the United States.

Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Bloc should suspend junta-ruled country de facto, even if its charter has no such provision, one analyst says.

Myanmar nationals chant slogans against the Burmese junta during a protest outside Myanmars Embassy in Bangkok in the wake of Naypyidaws executions of veteran pro-democracy activist Ko Jimmy and three other political prisoners, July 26, 2022.

Calls are mounting for ASEAN to punish Myanmars junta for executing four political prisoners, with one analyst proposing that the Southeast Asian bloc undertake the unprecedented move of suspending Naypyidaw as a member.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi echoed her Malaysian counterpart in calling for a special discussion on Myanmar at a ministerial-level meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations scheduled for next week.

On Tuesday, the 10-member association issued its harshest criticism of the Burmese junta to date, calling the executions of the four dissidents highly reprehensible, while Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah branded the hangings as a crime against humanity.

But political commentators across the region are saying that ASEAN, which operates by consensus, needs to follow up on its tough words by taking stricter action against the military-ruled member-state for violating a five-point consensus struck in April 2021 that included an end to violence in post-coup Myanmar.

The executions of veteran pro-democracy Ko Jimmy and the three other political prisoners might be the tipping point for ASEAN, according to Sharon Seah, a scholar at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

ASEAN needs to rethink seriously its approach to Myanmar, including a form of de facto temporary suspension even though the ASEAN Charter does not explicitly provide for it, Seah, coordinator of the ASEAN Studies Center and the Climate Change at the institute, wrote on Twitter.

If ASEAN doesnt take tougher actions, it will appear weak and lack credibility. Yet, if it does, it risks closing the door on negotiation with the SAC permanently, she said, referring to the State Administrative Council, the official name for the military regime led by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing.

In its 55-year history, the 10-member ASEAN has never banned or expelled a member. In 1997, when Cambodias then co-Prime Minister Hun Sen overthrew Prince Norodom Ranariddh, the country only had observer status in ASEAN.

Because of the coup, ASEAN held off on admitting Cambodia, and sent foreign ministers from Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines there to mediate for a peaceful resolution to the crisis, much like it tried to do with the special envoy in Myanmar.

The ASEAN charter says: In the case of a serious breach of the Charter or non-compliance, the matter will be referred to the ASEAN Summit for decision.

In the view of Aizat Khairi, a professor at the University of Kuala Lumpur, some form of punishment needs to be meted out for the executions.

It is likely difficult to expel Myanmar from ASEAN but it is a stand that, if taken, will send a strong message to the junta that ASEAN indeed stands united and does not tolerate crimes against humanity, he told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated news service.

Aizat said ASEAN could take junta leaders to the International Court of Justice and impose economic sanctions.

The bloc also needs to start engaging with the opposition National Unity Government (NUG) and National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), a shadow administration outlawed by the junta, he said.

Call for 'coherent approach'

The Burmese junta put to death Ko Jimmy (whose real name is Kyaw Min Yu), former National League for Democracy lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw, as well as activists Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw  likely on Saturday  but announced their executions on Monday.

A military court had convicted them over terrorist acts and they lost appeals against their death sentences. The junta had also rejected the possibility of a pardon for the condemned men.

Their executions have drawn worldwide condemnation.

Seah, of ISEAS, said although Myanmar has been barred from sending political representatives to ASEAN foreign ministerial meetings, it has been allowed to send political representative to other ministerial meetings.

She suggested that Myanmar be stripped of its ASEAN roles and duties.



ASEAN has no levers in this game of brinksmanship with the SAC. For a start, ASEAN needs to be coherent in its approach, she said.

In Indonesia, where ASEAN is headquartered, the English-language Jakarta Post called for tough action against the cold-blooded Myanmar junta.

Now President [Joko] Jokowi [Widodo] should show the world that ASEAN cannot tolerate the barbaric acts of Gen. [Min Aung] Hlaing, the Post said in an editorial that did not hold back.

ASEANs silence would only send the wrong signal that it condoned the brutality, it said.

The Post urged Retno, Indonesias top diplomat, to initiate an emergency meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers to discuss collective actions against the Myanmar junta for its blatant contempt of the five-point agreement.

Following criticism of a lack of condemnation from Indonesia, Retno said Wednesday that the executions had dealt a blow to the five-point consensus.

The president expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in the implementation [of the consensus], Retno told a press conference.

I have proposed that the ASEAN ministerial meeting in early August in Phnom Penh specifically discuss the latest development.

Muzliza Mustafa in Kuala Lumpur and Pimuk Rakkanam in Bangkok contributed to this report.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service.
The girl died as she ran to her grandfather for protection.

The four-year-old girl killed by junta heavy artillery at Kyar Pyit Kan Village, Pauk Township, Magway Region on July 26.

A four-year-old girl was killed by a heavy artillery shell when military forces and affiliated Pyu Saw Htee militia targeted a village in Myanmars Magway region, according to the childs parents.

Five people, including the childs grandfather, were injured in the attack on Kyar Pyit Kan village on Monday morning.

The girl, Theint Theint Phyu, was hit while playing in the yard.

Her mother, Khin Sway Oo, told RFA that her daughter died as she ran to her grandfather when she heard the sound of artillery shelling.

I was mowing grass for the cows with my elder child. I left my daughter at home because it was sunny and hot. I left her at home with her grandfather. The artillery landed in the yard. She was hit and critically injured in her back and head. I did not dare to look at my daughter. I went to the forest and I was away when she passed away, the mother told RFA.

The grandfather was injured in the thigh. Three neighbors and a female merchant were also injured, she added.

On Tuesday morning around 80 Pyu Saw Htee members and junta troops shelled the village again, forcing inhabitants to flee.

On Sunday, eight groups of joint local Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) based in the region attacked the village of Tatkone, also in Pauk. Pyu Saw Htee militia there have been heavily armed by the militia. Seven people, including two children, died.

There have been many young victims of the fighting since the coup in February last year.

UNICEF Myanmar reported on June 24, that up to 115 children were killed or injured by Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in the 15 months from February 2021 to April 2022.
UPDATED 4.46 P.M. EDT on 2022-7-27

Military troops have killed at least six people in a raid on a village in Myanmars Sagaing region, residents said Wednesday, amid reports that an anti-junta paramilitary group killed seven people in an attack intended as revenge for the executions of four democracy activists.

Sources from Salingyi townships Yae Mein (South) village said the bodies of six men were discovered when residents returned to the area on Wednesday following the raid a day earlier.

Four of the men were identified as Chit Shwe, 70; Aung Moe, 35; Aung Khaing, 40; and Moe Oo, a 30-year-old member of the anti-junta Peoples Defense Force (PDF). The two others had yet to be identified, sources said, adding that they might have been brought along by the troops.

A resident who spoke to RFA Burmese on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal, said that the body of PDF fighter Moe Oo was found buried in a shallow grave, while the rest of the bodies were discovered in nearby Yae Mein village (North).

"We found the body of the PDF guy and buried it. We found the bodies of the other three men from Yae Mein (South) village in Yae Mein (North) Village. Altogether, there were six bodies, the resident said.

After spending the night in Yay Mein, the soldiers killed them before leaving the village. They raided every village in their path and wreaked havoc. They arrested and tortured people in all of the villages, he added, without providing details of which other villages had been targeted by the troops.

Residents said the six victims all displayed signs of serious head injuries and gunshot wounds.

A family member of Aung Moe, who also declined to be named, said the troops had killed him as he returned home for a break from farming.

When the military entered the village, we all fled because we were afraid. But he came back from the fields for lunch and was nabbed, the family member said.

He was beaten up during interrogation the whole day and finally killed.

According to the relative, Aung Moes body was found shirtless with a scarf bearing the logo of the deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) around his neck and covered with htameins, or womens sarongs.

His hands were tied at the back and his body was dumped in a [rice] paddy bin, they said.

Family members of Chit Shwe and Aung Khaing said the two men were also killed when they returned to the village following the initial raid on Tuesday. They said Aung Khaing's eyeballs had been gouged out.

It was not immediately clear which military battalion was responsible for the raid and the killings.

The military had yet to release any information regarding the incident and calls by RFA to junta Deputy Minister of Information Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun went unanswered Wednesday.

Houses in Yae Mein (South) village, Salingyi township, July 27, 2022. Credit: Citizen journalist Act akin to war crime

A Salingyi-based member of parliament for Sagaing region, who also requested anonymity for security reasons, said the killings in Yae Mein (South) village amounted to a war crime.

The military no longer sees members of the public as citizens, but as enemies, they said.

Not all people are PDFs or even armed. They are living their lives peacefully. But when troops enter villages  they act in ways that are not in line with a soldier's ethics. They shoot people in the heads or cut their throats. These are war crimes committed against innocent people.

A resident of Lin Sa Kyet village, situated nearby Yae Mein (South), told RFA the killings were so horrible that people of nearby villages are now terrified of the junta troops.

The military is brutal. When they enter villages, they kill anyone they find suspicious. They simply shoot people in the heads, he said.

The local people are suffering tremendously. They have no place to live. [Those who have fled] are still taking shelter in the jungle. They are finding life very difficult.

A member of the Salingyi Revolution Army (SRA), a local PDF group, said his group will confront the military to prevent troops from harming any more residents of the township.

[The troops] no longer have the ability to fight on the ground, so they are bullying and attacking innocent people, he said.

We will retaliate. Our focus will be on the military. Our plan is to attack their [supporters]. Weve been fighting them guerrilla-style in the past, but now we're going to start fighting them head-on.

Residents of Salingyi told RFA that two columns of around 150 junta troops are currently operating in the township. They said some 3,000 people from 10 villages have fled their homes because of the militarys presence, and are taking shelter in the jungle.

The discovery of the six bodies in Salingyi township came amid reports by state media and the PDF that seven people were killed in fighting in a village in Magway region, where homes were set on fire in a revenge attack.

Eight local PDF groups raided the pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia-occupied village in Pauk township on Monday in retaliation for the weekend executions of four democracy activists, a statement from the PDF groups said.

Former student leader Ko Jimmy, former NLD MP Phyo Zeya Thaw, and two other democracy activists, were hanged Saturday in Yangons Insein prison - the first judicial executions in decades. That has further fueled opposition to the military council that seized power from an elected government in February 2021.

A PDF officer said the village had strong leanings towards pro-junta militias and locals were heavily armed.

Fighting started at 5.30 a.m. and continued beyond 7 a.m.," said the officer-in-charge of the Southern Pauk Guerrilla Force, who did not give his name for security reasons.

A PDF news release on Tuesday named the attack Operation Zeya Thaw.

It said eight joint PDFs, including the Southern Pauk Guerrilla Force, banded together to launch the attack. It said the seven people killed were Pyu Saw Htee militiamen.

Junta-aligned newspapers reported Tuesday that the seven fatalities were civilians, including two members of the village defense force and two children, and that 41 houses were burned down. Kyemon Daily newspaper printed blurred photos of blackened corpses.

The PDFs said they had warned the public about the attacks in advance and civilians had not been deliberately targeted.

This year has seen an upsurge in arson attacks and killings in Myanmar's Magway and Sagaing regions as violence has spiraled between junta forces and PDFs.

Last month, independent research group Data For Myanmar, which studies the effects of conflict on communities, said that at least 18,886 houses had been destroyed by military arson across the country since the coup.

Translated by Khin Maung Nyane.

Updated to include reports of six dead in Sagaing region's Salingyi township.
Sources say dozens of men hurled rocks and yelled obscenities at the activists family homes.

An unidentified man throws a rock at the family home of Phyo Zeya Thaw in Yangon's Insein township, July 27, 2022.

The homes of two democracy activists executed by Myanmars junta over the weekend were attacked by groups of unidentified men on Wednesday, according to residents who described the assailants as military supporters yelling obscenities and threatening the lives of the activists family members.

A source in Myanmars commercial capital Yangon told RFA Burmese that around 40 men in seven trucks pulled up to the home of former National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw on Bo Aung Kyaw Street in Kyauktada township at around 12:30 p.m. and began hurling projectiles at the building.

They were throwing stones and tomatoes and attacking with slingshots, at the same time cursing and swearing, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, but identified themselves as a neighbor of the lawmaker whose party was deposed by the military in a coup last year.

They seemed to be mostly supporters of the military. They were very mean  even threatening the lives of the elderly.

Witnesses said that the men drove away when security forces arrived at the scene, but vowed to return.

Phyo Zeya Thaws mother, Khin Win May, confirmed to The Irrawaddy online journal on Wednesday that the family home had been attacked.

A video circulating on a pro-military channel of the social media platform Telegram appeared to show several men standing outside the entrance to the building, throwing rocks and admonishing Khin Win May for expressing how proud she is of her son, which she did in an interview with RFA on Monday after learning of his execution.

A description posted along with the video read, people who do not want terrorism gathered to protest in front of the house of Phyo Zeya Thaws parents, who said they are proud of their son  a terrorist leader involved in the violent killing of many people.

State media announced the execution of Phyo Zeya Thaw, former student leader Ko Jimmy, whose real name is Kyaw Min Yu, and activists Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw, on Monday without reporting the date and method of killings. It is believed the men, who were convicted of terrorism against the military regime and the people of Myanmar, were hanged on Saturday in Yangons Insein Prison.

The act drew widespread condemnation from Western governments, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), international rights groups and Myanmar-based democracy activists, as well as the Southeast Asian nations shadow National Unity Government and the Peoples Defense Force (PDF) paramilitaries that are fighting the junta on the NUGs behalf.

Ko Jimmys home targeted

A group of unidentified men also attacked the home of Ko Jimmys parents in Yangons Insein township on Wednesday, according to a witness, who declined to be named citing security concerns.

The witness said that more than two dozen men armed with sticks and swords arrived at the house at around 1 p.m. in two vans and five pickup trucks and began pelting it with stones.

Those who attacked Ko Jimmy's house came with swords hidden in their umbrellas, about thirty people, they said.

When residents came out [to investigate], they left the neighborhood.

Another video posted to the same pro-military channel on Telegram appeared to show a group of men standing outside of Ko Jimmys parents home, cursing the former student leader as a traitor and threatening the lives of his family members.

RFA was unable to independently confirm which organizations the two groups of attackers are associated with or how they were able to obtain the home addresses of the late democracy activists and their family members.

Despite the blowback over the weekends executions, junta Deputy Information Minister Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun told a press conference held in the capital Naypyidaw on Tuesday that the consequences of the punishments had already been considered, but the decision was taken to mete out justice for those who died at their hands.

The crimes they committed deserved several more death sentences than the ones committed by those on the death row, he said at the time, adding that authorities decided to proceed with the punishment for the sake of innocent people and their relatives.

According to Thai NGO Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, authorities have killed at least 2,131 civilians and arrested nearly 14,900 since the military seized power from Myanmars democratically elected government in a Feb. 1, 2021 coup, mostly during peaceful anti-junta protests.

Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Vietnam's Interfaith Council said sentence was a serious violation of the issue of freedom of religion and belief.

The trial of six members from the Peng Lei Buddhist House in Duc Hoa district, Long An on July 20.

UPDATED at 01:07 p.m. EST on 2022-07-28

The Vietnam Interfaith Council has lashed out at the harsh sentences given to six members of the Peng Lei Buddhist House.

They were sentenced last week to a combined 23 years and six months in prison on charges of abusing democratic freedoms under Article 331 of the Criminal Code.

Police suspended investigations into further allegations of incest and fraud but indicated that other charges may follow.

The council, dedicated to fighting for religious freedom, has members representing five major religions in Vietnam: Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Cao Daism, and Hoa Hao Buddhism.

In a statement, the organization expressed "strong opposition to the unjust and illegal case, which is contrary to the basic principles of international justice."

At the same time, the group denounced the Vietnamese government for "defying the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations, depriving the Vietnamese people of basic freedoms, including freedom of religion and speech, freedom of association and the right to a fair trial."

Thich Khong Tanh, co-chair of the Interfaith Council, explained to RFA why the group released its statement.

The Interfaith Council has been present in Vietnam for ten years, and its stance has always been to advocate for freedom of religion, belief, and human rights in Vietnam,.

This [sentence] is a serious violation of the issue of freedom of religion and belief. It is also insulting the dignity of human beings, just as the human rights of the people in Vietnam are not respected."

During the trial, one of the issues raised by the judge was that the Peng Lei sect refused to register to join the Vietnamese Buddhist Church.

Retreat head Le Tung Van said this was because he feels the Vietnamese Buddhist Church is "unworthy" to participate.

Thich Khong Tanh said the Peng Lei sect has the right to practice Buddhism the way they want, not necessarily by joining the Vietnamese Buddhist church:

You naturally force people into your circle for you to manage, then how can that be called freedom of belief, freedom of thought, freedom of religion.

Vietnamese Buddhism is very diverse, and the practice takes many forms. Because of the Buddha's teachings, there are forty-eight thousand cultivation methods. So depending on the people, if we can access something taught by the Buddha and if we want to practice, we can all get it.

Since 2016 Thich Khong Tanh has held the role of Co-Deputy Director of the Executive Council of the Sangha of the Unified Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam, an organization separated from the church dating back to the Republic of Vietnam.

Another member of the Vietnam Interfaith Council, Cao Dai clerk Hua Phi, also told RFA that the statement the organization made to affirm the religious freedom of its members and to denounce the repressive policy of the Vietnamese state was justified:

We fight for Vietnam to have freedom of religion. No one has the right to force us to follow a religion that we don't like."

"Secondly, we find that for these unjust judgments, the online community as well as the activists need to speak up to let the world know that in Vietnam, rulers often impose their own versions of the law and use punishment to deter those who do not obey the will of the authorities.

He also said that the government initially falsely accused Le Tung Van of committing incest, but later used Article 331 to try to show the nature of this case is to abolish unregistered groups such as Peng Lei sect

On July 26, the leader of Long An Provincial Police said there was not enough evidence to charge Le Tung Van with incest and said he would stop accepting allegations of this crime.

The Interfaith Council also "requested the United Nations Human Rights Agency, international human rights organizations, and liberal and democratic countries around the world to pressure the communist government of Vietnam to respect human rights and comply with international judicial procedures and principles for the Vietnamese people."

The six members of the Peng Lei Buddhist House sentenced last week to a combined 23 years and six months in prison on charges of abusing democratic freedoms under Article 331 of the Criminal Code. Photo: RFA

Seventh defendant surrenders to police

Le Thu Van, a seventh defendant in the case, turned herself in to police on Thursday, sources said.

Van, 65 and now suffering from end-stage colon cancer, asked Dang Dinh Manh--one of the defense lawyers for the Peng Lai group-- to accompany her to the police station, Manh told RFA

"On the afternoon of July 27, I was informed that Le Thu Van was on the way to my home in Ho Chi Minh City and had asked me to accompany her to a police station," Manh said.

"At 10:00 p.m. she arrived at my place and informed me of her intention, so I contacted my ward police and asked them to receive her. I also told them about her critical health condition and her need for a medical check-up."

Police asked Manh to let Van stay at his home overnight and then took her into custody at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday morning.

"They had already contacted Long An police and received confirmation of the warrant for her arrest. The Long An police are now sending a car to pick her up," Manh added.

Writing on his Facebook page on Thursday evening, Manh said that Van was later released and had returned to the Peng Lai temple in Long An.

The story was updated to include information on the July 28 surrender to police of Le Thu Van, a seventh defendant in the Peng Lai Temple case.
The United States denounced as "inexcusable" remarks by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warning against creating "peoples of mixed race."

U.S. envoy against anti-Semitism Deborah Lipstadt said she was "deeply alarmed" by the right-wing nationalist prime minister's "use of rhetoric that clearly evokes Nazi racial ideology."

Decades after the end of the Holocaust, it is "inexcusable for a leader to make light of Nazi mass murder," Lipstadt said.

State Department spokesman Ned Price read Lipstadt's statement to reporters during a briefing on July 28. Price added that Orban's remarks "are not reflective of the shared values that tether the United States to Hungary."

Orban triggered a wave of scathing criticism after he warned on July 23 against mixing with "non-Europeans" in a speech in Romania's Transylvania region, home to a sizable ethnic Hungarian minority.

He defended his comments earlier on July 28, saying they represented a "cultural, civilizational standpoint."

"It happens sometimes that I speak in a way that can be misunderstood...the position that I represent is a cultural, civilizational standpoint," Orban told a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer during a one-day visit to neighboring Austria.

In his July 23 speech at Baile Tusnad Summer University, Orban said: "We move, we work elsewhere, we mix within Europe, but we don't want to be a mixed race," a "multi-ethnic" people who would mix with "non-Europeans."

During the same speech, Orban also seemed to allude to the gas chambers used by the Nazis in Germany when criticizing a Brussels plan to reduce European gas demand by 15 percent following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

For example, there is the latest proposal from the EU Commission, which says that everyone should be obliged to reduce their gas consumption by 15 percent. I dont see how that should be enforced, although there is German know-how for this, from the past, I think, Orban told the thousands-strong audience.

Hungary was the only EU member to oppose the gas-reduction plan, which passed on a majority vote this week.

A longtime adviser to Orban, Zsuzsa Hegedus, resigned on July 26, slamming Orban's speech as "a pure Nazi text," while Jewish community representatives voiced alarm.

Referring to Orban's speech as "stupid and dangerous," the International Auschwitz Committee called on the EU to continue to distance itself from "Orban's racist undertones and to make it clear to the world that a Mr. Orban has no future in Europe."

The speech reminds Holocaust survivors "of the dark times of their own exclusion and persecution," the organization's vice president, Christoph Heubner, said in a statement on July 26.

More than half a million Hungarian Jews were systematically exterminated during the Nazi Holocaust in World War II.

Heubner called on the EU and specifically on Austria's Nehammer to make a stand ahead of Orban's visit and distance themselves from "Orban's racist undertones."

Nehammer said on July 28 that the issue had been "resolved...amicably and in all clarity," adding his country "strongly condemned...any form of racism or anti-Semitism."

Austria is the first EU country to host Orban for talks since he won a fourth straight mandate in an April landslide.

The Hungarian premier has in the past targeted migrants from Africa and the Middle East, as well as NGOs that support them, restricting the right to seek asylum and putting up barriers at borders.

With reporting by AFP
A Russian ammunition storage unit in northern Crimea has exploded, Russia's Defense Ministry said, injuring at least two people and prompting the evacuation of thousands of nearby residents. The ministry blamed the blast on sabotage.

Local news organizations, meanwhile, reported a second explosion on August 16 at a nearby electrical substation in the Dzhankoy district of the Russian-occupied Black Sea peninsula.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

It was unclear if the two incidents, which occurred around the same time, were related.

Ukrainian officials avoided publicly or directly claiming responsibility for the incidents but some appeared to suggest Kyiv was involved.

Crimea was captured and annexed by Russia in 2014 and is still internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory, but Moscow has threatened severe reprisals for any attacks on the peninsula.

The New York Times quoted an unnamed senior Ukrainian official as saying an elite Ukrainian military unit that was operating behind enemy lines was responsible for the explosions.

The head of Zelenskiy's office, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Twitter that "the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue the filigree 'demilitarization' operation to fully rid our land of Russian invaders."

"Our soldiers are the best sponsors of a good mood," Yermak added, "Crimea is Ukraine."

Mykhaylo Podolyak, another top Zelenskiy aide, said on Twitter that thelatest blasts were a reminder that the "Crimea occupied by Russians is about warehouses, explosions and a high risk of death for invaders and thieves."

"What is stolen does not bring prosperity," Podolyak later told Ukrainian television.

Video and photographs posted on Telegram and other social media showed a series of blasts and explosions in the district, which is not far from the administrative border with the mainland Ukrainian region of Kherson, now occupied by Russian forces.

Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement that the explosion occurred at a temporary storage facility for ammunition. The ministry later blamed the blast on unidentified saboteurs.

"On the morning of August 16, as a result of sabotage, a military warehouse near the village of Dzhankoy was damaged. A number of civilian facilities, including power lines, a power plant, a railway track, as well as a number of residential buildings, were damaged," the ministry said in a statement.

"There are no serious casualties. Necessary measures are being taken to eliminate the consequences of sabotage," it added.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russia-appointed governor for the peninsula, said two people had been injured and that railway traffic had been disrupted. About 3,000 people were also evacuated from a nearby village, he said.

Refat Chubarov, a prominent leader of the Crimean Tatar community, also said in a post on Facebook that the explosion occurred at an ammunition depot.

Two local Crimea news organizations, Kryminform and Crimean Wind, reported that a transformer at an electrical substation had also exploded or caught fire.

Russia's Energy Ministry was quoted by news agencies as confirming a fire at the Crimea substation, but said it had been contained. No cause was given.

The incidents came roughly a week after a series of explosions tore through Russia's Saky air base in a western district of Crimea, destroying a number of Russian warplanes.

There's been no confirmation as to what caused those explosions, though satellite imagery showed extensive destruction at the base. Most observers suggest Ukrainian forces were responsible but Kyiv has not claimed any responsibility.

Mykhaylo Podolyak, a top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said in a post to Twitter that the latest blasts were a reminder that the "Crimea occupied by Russians is about warehouses, explosions and a high risk of death for invaders and thieves."

"What is stolen does not bring prosperity," Podolyak later told Ukrainian television.

The Dzhankoy district is about 50 kilometers from the Russian-occupied region of Kherson in southern Ukraine.

With reporting by Crimea.Realities, a project of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, and AP
Iranian police have arrested the leader and four other members of a suspected espionage network that Tehran says has links to Israeli intelligence services.

The announcement was made in a statement on July 28 by the counterespionage organization of Iran's law enforcement unit.



In the statement, published by the semiofficial Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA), authorities say the members of the network had been gathering "vital" information about Iran for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency in exchange for financial rewards.



The Israeli prime minster's office, which oversees Mossad, declined comment on the reported arrests.



The members of the group were also suspected of spreading anti-Iran slogans and propaganda, the statement said.



They received training in sabotage and armed operation, the statement said, without offering any proof.



Iranian authorities seized advanced electronic equipment, SIM cards, and mobile phones from the members, the statement said.



Iran has repeatedly accused archenemy Israel of alleged acts of sabotage at its nuclear research facilities, as well as cyberattacks and assassinations of nuclear scientists.

With reporting by Reuters
Anna Kosvinitseva is a web designer in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan who has been working mostly from home for the past few years. She says she has experienced numerous unpleasant encounters because of her sexual orientation and now ventures out in public as rarely as possible.

Like many in Russia's LGBT community, Kosvinitseva is worried about a new initiative wending its way through the State Duma, the lower chamber of parliament, that would make the country's 2013 law against distributing information about so-called nontraditional lifestyles among minors significantly harsher.

"Most likely, a mass migration of sexual minorities out of the country will begin," she said when asked what would happen if the harsher law is adopted. "In fact, our safety and our opportunities to leave the country at all might be in jeopardy. After all, we can't expect help from anyone. We are quite simply being forbidden to love and be loved."

Russia's controversial so-called gay propaganda law has been in effect for nearly a decade. New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) wrote in 2018 that the law increased the social hostility that sexual minorities have long experienced in Russia, calling the law a classic example of political homophobia.

"The law interferes with [the] ability to offer honest, scientifically accurate, and open counseling services," HRW wrote.

Now the Duma is processing amendments to the 2013 law that would ban the "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relationships" entirely. It would authorize the blocking of Internet resources that cover LGBT topics and ban films that the government interprets as containing such propaganda. Under the proposal, information about "nontraditional lifestyles" or "the rejection of family values" would be legally on par with pornography, promoting violence, or encouraging racial, ethnic, or religious enmity.

"We propose to fully extend the ban on that sort of propaganda among audiences of all ages -- offline, media outlets, the Internet, social media, as well as in cinemas," Aleksandr Khinshtein, chairman of the Duma's committee on information policy, wrote on Telegram, adding that his committee had proposed stricter punishment for violations of the law, as well.

Khinshtein also urged the public to send him suggestions for further "legislative steps in this direction" and said he considers the matter "particularly important not only as the chairman of a major Duma committee but also as the father of two sons."

Although the amendments are still at the committee level, analysts told RFE/RL it is likely that some form of the changes will be adopted when the Duma reconvenes in the fall.

"Such a measure until very recently seemed unimaginable," said Aleksei Kuroptev, a legal consultant for the Moscow Community Center. "But now, anything is possible. If you want my personal opinion, they are looking for ideological support for their confrontation with the West. When people ask why we have such bad relations with the West, they can answer, 'We are people with different values.'"

Vsevolod Galkin, a photographer and former art director of the magazine Kvir, argued that the authorities are trying to use what he called a culture war targeting gays to distract attention from the problematic war in Ukraine.

"There have been no clear successes in the war, so they are trying to switch the public discussion toward something scandalous, explosive," he told Current Time, a Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. "This isn't the first time this has happened. It comes along every seven years or so."

Feminist and LGBT activist Alla Chikinda agreed.

"This is being done so that people will think less about what is happening now in Ukraine and in Russia because of events in Ukraine," she said. "It is a very clever distraction maneuver."

It is a tactic, however, that is fraught with dangerous consequences for Russia's beleaguered LGBT community and its allies, Chikinda added. Publicly outspoken LGBT people will likely become more muted, and those who have not come out will be unlikely to do so.

Sergei Alekseyenko, an activist with the Russian LGBT Network from Murmansk, said that in 2021 his organization's hotline received 28,000 calls. The network also received over 5,200 appeals for help via social media, 330 requests for legal assistance, and 1,200 requests for psychological counseling. Requests for legal aid, he said, covered myriad issues from workplace discrimination to the refusal of law enforcement to investigate homophobic crimes.

The Russian LGBT Network, along with many other LGBT aid groups, has been placed on the Russian government's list of foreign agent organizations.

"About one-quarter of our activists have 'relocated,'" Alekseyenko said, meaning that they had left Russia. "We are talking about dozens of people. Many of them are from the North Caucasus and they left for Armenia or Georgia, Eastern Europe, or even Central Asia."

He said that in predominantly Muslim, socially conservative Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan "it is safer today than it is in Russia."

Mirona Rozanova, who works with the North Caucasus-based LGBT aid group CK SOS, says the new law will not only make it impossible to provide assistance to members of the LGBT community but will actually place them outside the framework of the law.

"They are creating a legal arena in which LGBTs cannot speak out about the problems of homophobia," Rozanova said. "In Chechnya, gays are being murdered, illegally detained, extorted. All this is happening at a quasi-official level with the involvement of the security forces. We see a lot of homophobic violence in other Caucasus republics as well, including 'conversion' tactics in which they try to cure homosexuality by driving out spirits and so on."

"Not a single case has been investigated by the authorities," she said.

"This bill supports and legitimizes homophobic discourse," Kuroptev added. "It is addressed both to gays and to those who have deeply internalized homophobia. The number of cases of discrimination and violence against LGBTs will increase."

"This law is just one big nightmare," said lawyer Yulia Fedotova, who consults for an LGBT center in Nizhny Novgorod. "It is just one continuous litany of discrimination and vague norms. There is no way to tell what you might be held accountable for."

RFE/RL feature writer Robert Coalson contributed to this report.
Russian forces pounded civilian settlements in the Kharkiv area while attempting to advance in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine's military said on August 17, as Russia blamed sabotage for explosions at one of its military bases in Moscow-annexed Crimea amid hints by Kyiv that it was responsible for the incident.

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The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Russian forces carried out air and artillery strikes near Stariy Saltiv and Mospanove in the Kharkiv region, adding that the Russians were conducting an offensive near Lebyazhe and Bazaliyivka, where the fighting continues.

In Donetsk, Russian troops attempted to advance near Bohorodychne but had to retreat, the General Staff reported, adding that fighting continued near Mazanivka and Novodmytrivka.

In Moscow, the Defense Ministry said a Russian ammunition storage unit in occupied Crimea exploded on August 16, wounding at least two people and prompting the evacuation of thousands of nearby residents.

The ministry blamed the blast on sabotage, in a rare admission that armed groups loyal to Ukraine are damaging military logistics and supply lines on territory it controls.

Ukrainian officials avoided publicly or directly claiming responsibility for the incidents, but some appeared to suggest that Kyiv was involved.

Crimea was captured and annexed by Russia in 2014 and is still internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory, but Moscow has threatened severe reprisals for any attacks on the peninsula.

After the blasts, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in his nightly address on August 16, called on Ukrainians living in the occupied territories to stay away from the military facilities of the Russian Army located in Crimea.

"Every day and every night we see new reports of explosions in the territory temporarily occupied by the invaders," Zelenskiy said, without admitting direct responsibility for the blasts. He said the explosions could have various causes, including incompetence.

"But they all mean the same thing -- the destruction of the occupiers' logistics, their ammunition, military and other equipment, and command posts saves the lives of our people," he said.

Earlier, The New York Times quoted an unnamed senior Ukrainian official as saying that an elite Ukrainian military unit that was operating behind enemy lines was responsible for the explosions.

Mykhaylo Podolyak, another top Zelenskiy aide, said in a post on Twitter that the latest blasts were a reminder that the "Crimea occupied by Russians is about warehouses, explosions, and a high risk of death for invaders and thieves."

"What is stolen does not bring prosperity," Podolyak later told Ukrainian television.

The incidents came roughly a week after a series of unexplained explosions tore through Russias Saky air base, in a western district of Crimea, destroying a number of Russian warplanes.

There's been no confirmation as to what caused those explosions, though satellite imagery showed extensive destruction at the base.

The Dzhankoy district is about 50 kilometers from the Russian-occupied region of Kherson in southern Ukraine.

With reporting by Crimea.Realities and AP
Ukrainian forces have stepped up their counteroffensive to regain lost territory in the south, as Russia launched deadly strikes in central Ukraine and near the capital amid reports that Moscow has been increasingly facing a shortage of personnel in the east.

Ukraine's military said its planes struck five Russian strongholds around the city of Kherson and another nearby city in the south, where it is concentrating its biggest counteroffensive since the start of the war, seeking to isolate the Russian troops in the area.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Ukraine has used Western-supplied long-range missile systems to badly damage three bridges across the Dnieper River in recent weeks, making it more difficult for Russia to supply its forces on the western bank.



The Kherson region, which borders Moscow-annexed Crimea, fell to the Russians soon after the the February 24 invasion.



Russian strikes on the central Ukrainian region of Kirovograd on July 28 killed five people and wounded 26 in the city of Kropyvnytskiy, officials said.



Near Kyiv, 15 people were hurt at a military base. Ukraine's northern and southern regions were also hit.



Russian missile strikes also hit the regions of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Mykolayiv, and Kharkiv. The attack on the Kyiv region -- the first in weeks -- hit a military unit in a village on the outskirts of the capital, according to Oleksiy Hromov, a senior official with Ukraines General Staff.



Fifteen people were wounded in the strikes, five of them civilians, Kyiv regional Governor Oleksiy Kuleba said.



Chernihiv regional Governor Vyacheslav Chaus reported that the Russians fired missiles from Belarus at the village of Honcharivska. The Chernihiv region had not been targeted in weeks.



There also has been heavy shelling along the entire front line in the eastern Donetsk region as Russian forces targeted Bakhmut and other cities. Three people died in Bakhmut, local officials said.



Britain's Defense Ministry said in its daily intelligence bulletin on July 29 that Moscow has been using mercenaries from the notorious Kremlin-linked Vagner Group in eastern Ukraine from the early days of the invasion alongside regular army units "in coordination with the Russian military."



Vagner, which is believed to be controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been involved in covert operations in Africa and the Middle East since 2015.



The use of mercenaries in overt military operations further undermines the Kremlins longstanding policy of denying links between private military contractors and the Russian state, British intelligence said in its report.



While the use of Vagner mercenaries in regular military operations was probably prompted by a "major shortage of combat infantry," British intel suggested that it is "highly unlikely" they would significantly influence the course of the war.



A U.S. lawmaker said on July 28 that more than 75,000 Russian soldiers -- about half the force sent by Moscow to invade Ukraine in February -- are believed to have been killed or wounded.

Representative Elissa Slotkin (Democrat-Michigan) who spoke to CNN after attending a classified briefing with officials from President Joe Biden's administration, said the figure was "huge."



Military casualties are a state secret in Russia even in peace time, and there are no updated official figures available on Moscow's military's death toll. The most recent CIA estimate was that 15,000 Russian forces had been killed in fighting and three times that number wounded.



Slotkin, who recently returned from a trip to Ukraine, said the next three to six weeks could be crucial for the direction the conflict would take.



"I think that what we heard very firmly from President Zelenskiy and reinforced today is that the Ukrainians really want to hit Russia in the teeth a few times before the winter comes, put them in the best position possible, particularly hitting them down south," Slotkin said.



U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith told RFE/RL in an interview that the Ukrainian military commanders can determine themselves the next steps in the counteroffensive, but NATO wants to hear which systems would be most useful.



We will continue to do everything we can to support Ukrainian military on the ground and make sure that they have what they need so that they can prevail in this conflict and stop Russian aggression, she said.

With reporting by Reuters, BBC, and AP
(Photo : Leah Kelley by Pexels)

Today, about 3.7 billion people across the globe are infected by the herpes virus, which typically causes lip sores. For the first time, a team of researchers led by University of Cambridge scientists have uncovered and sequenced the genome of the ancient herpes virus.

DNA Sequencing of Ancient Herpes Virus

The latest research suggests that what we know today as facial herpes caused by the HSV-1 virus strain first arose roughly 5,000 years ago, in the wake of the Bronze Age migration into Europe from the Eurasian Steppe grasslands, and is linked to a population boom that drove the virus rate transmissions, reports EurekAlert.

The study published in the journal Science Advances, titled "Ancient herpes simplex 1 genomes reveal recent viral structure in Eurasia," suggests the Neolithic flourishing of the virus that causes facial herpes detected in the ancient DNA coincides with the advent of new cultural practices imported from the east.

Dr. Charlotte Houldcroft, a co-author of the study from the Department of Genetics of the University of Cambridge, explains that the world has witnessed COVID-19 mutate rapidly over several weeks and months. Wherein a virus like herpes evolved in a grander timescale.

She adds that facial herpes hides in the life of its hosts and only transmits via oral contact. Hence, mutations commonly occur slowly over centuries and millennia. Houldcroft says that deep time investigation is needed to further understand how DNA viruses like herpes evolve.

Previous genetic data on the herpes virus only dates back to 1925.

ALSO READ: Celibacy Evolution Through Natural Selection: Men With Brothers Who Are Tibetan Monks Tend to Be Wealthier and Have More Children





Uncovering the Genomic and Cultural Origins of Ancient Herpes

Researchers traced ancient herpes strains in the remains of four individuals stretching over a thousand years. The team extracts viral DNA from the roots of the remains' teeth. Herpes commonly flares up with mouth infection: at least two ancient cadaver remains had gum diseases, and a third smoked tobacco.

The oldest sample retrieved belonged to an adult male unearthed in the Ural Mountains regions of Rusia, dating back roughly 1,500 years ago during the late Iron Age.

Dr. Meriam Guellil, the co-lead author from the Institute of Genomics of Tartu University, says that the team screened ancient DNA samples from roughly 3,000 archaeological finds and got four herpes hits.

By comparing the ancient herpes DNA samples with modern-day samples, scientists could analyze the differences and estimate the rate of mutation, which consequently provided an evolutionary timeline for the virus.

Dr. Christiana Scheib, a co-senior author and research fellow at St John's College, University of Cambridge, says every primate species has a type of herpes. Hence the team assumed it had been with our species since we left Africa. However, something occurred roughly 5,000 years ago that allowed a single strain of the virus to overtake all others, possibly increasing rates of transmission, which could have been linked to romance and kissing.

Two-thirds of the world's population under 50-years-of-age carry HSV-1. For most, the occasional lip sores are embarrassing and uncomfortable, but the virus can be fatal in combination with other ailments.





RELATED ARTICLE: Is Natural Selection Unequal? Experts Say Darwin's Theory Controlled by Income

Check out more news and information on Anthropology in Science Times.
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After an outcry from supporters of San Franciscos Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, the nursing homes chief executive announced Thursday that state and federal officials will no longer force it to discharge its medically fragile patients.

Laguna Honda will pause the discharge and transfer of all residents based on regulators agreeing to the citys urgent request, Roland Pickens, Laguna Hondas interim chief executive, told residents and their families in a letter obtained by The Chronicle. Its not clear how long the pause will last.

The announcement followed strong criticism of the mandated moves from politicians and families of patients when at least four patients died within days or weeks of being moved from Laguna Honda. In unconfirmed reports, at least three more people also died after being transferred  including an 81-year-old man with dementia.

It should not have taken tragic deaths and the outcry  letters, calls, petitions, resolutions  from every level of local government ... to get to this point, said Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who on Wednesday introduced a resolution urging the federal government to take action to halt the transfers, and another asking the states public health department to withdraw state approval of the relocation plan. Both passed unanimously.

U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure confirmed Thursday that the transfers and discharges will be paused while an assessment occurs over the coming weeks and that all transfers already done should be re-assessed to ensure patient safety.

We are deeply concerned about the reports that residents of Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehab Center have died after being transferred to other facilities, Brooks-LaSure said in a statement, noting that the agency posted an on-site representative there on Tuesday.

Supervisor Hillary Ronen said she was thrilled to learn that the discharges are over.

I feel a sense of relief and just overwhelming emotion that finally, finally weve gotten to people with power and moved them to act and stop the madness, Ronen said.

Read more: San Francisco sues federal government over Laguna Honda closure.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid decertified Laguna Honda in April, six months after state inspectors declared it to be in a state of substandard care. The agency, known as CMS, said it will no longer pay to care for the more than 600 medically fragile and often very poor residents of the skilled nursing facility  some of whom have lived there many years.

San Franciscos Department of Public Health, which operates Laguna Honda, is working to get the nursing home recertified ahead of a Sept. 13 deadline. Meanwhile, however, the 156-year-old facility was required to proceed with a closure plan.

Until Thursday, that included transferring out all patients. Laguna Honda has transferred or discharged 57 patients since, including a few to homeless shelters.

Joe Urban, whose mother-in-law is a resident at Laguna Honda, started a petition that has collected more than 1,400 signatures against the transfers.

Employees at Laguna Honda say they have been warned not to speak out about the transfers, which many have quietly criticized as medically unwise.

Thank goodness  not a moment too soon, one health care worker told The Chronicle on Thursday on condition of anonymity. Very, very sadly, though, it is, in fact, too late for the six people who have now died.

CMS and the California Department of Public Health are to blame for this appalling, disgraceful mess, the employee said. They have mandated these unsafe, poorly planned discharges for no good reason. CMS and CDPH should be ashamed of themselves for their criminally irresponsible behavior.

An official with the federal agency, speaking Tuesday on background, told The Chronicle that it is the California State Survey Agency within the state health department that has control over whether to halt the discharges.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Now that the discharges are paused, said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, the work of addressing the issues at Laguna Honda can continue without jeopardizing the lives and well-being of residents.

At Laguna Honda, Pickens letter said that the closure plan has had challenges and negative impacts for our community.

San Francisco Department of Public Health

As a result, he wrote, the facility has worked with the California Department of Public Health and the state Department of Health Care Services  and at the direction of the federal CMS  to pause the discharge and transfer of all residents.

At the same time, Pickens wrote, its not clear how long the pause can continue, based on the fact that the facility is still under orders to close.

We know the uncertainty is challenging but we hope this pause provides our community with relief, he concluded.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
Welcome to Pandemic Problems, an advice column from The Chronicles engagement reporters that aims to help Bay Area residents solve their pandemic and post-pandemic conundrums  personal, practical or professional.

As COVID evolves into an endemic issue, we know readers are trying to navigate the new normal. Send your questions and issues to pandemicproblems@sfchronicle.com.

Today, The Chronicles Kellie Hwang fields a question from a reader who is concerned about the COVID risk to ride-hailing drivers in the Bay Area.

Dear Advice Team:

Drivers can spend several hours a day transporting passengers. Lyft and Uber used to require passengers to wear masks. That mandate has stopped. Passengers now have the option. Many still do, but lots do not. That puts drivers at risk of catching COVID.

I liken the risk to a doctor's office visit. Doctors have likely been double vaccinated and boosted, and continue to wear a mask. But they ALSO require visiting patients to wear a mask. When I visited a hospital recently for a routine blood test, I was required to double mask. So if doctors and hospitals require masks of patients, but Lyft and Uber do not, that tells me that drivers are at risk of catching COVID.

More Information About Pandemic Problems Send your questions and issues to pandemicproblems@sfchronicle.com. We cannot respond to all questions, but your submission will be read and considered. Please be as specific as possible, but try to keep it concise. We may edit your submission for space, clarity or spelling and grammar. Keep the people and situations in your letter anonymous by changing the names (including yours) and details. We will remove any identifying information. Emails, letters, tweets or other messages you send become the property of The Chronicle and may be published online and in print. Important: This column cannot address immediate risks to your health and safety. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 to reach a counselor at a locally operated crisis center 24 hours a day for free. Text "Connect" to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor any time for free. Emails or other communications you send become the property of The Chronicle and may be published online and in print. By submitting a question, you agree to The Chronicle's Terms of Use, which are available for review at https://www.sfchronicle.com/terms_of_use/ , and acknowledge its Privacy Notice, which is available for review at https://www.sfchronicle.com/privacy_policy/. The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute for any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. If you have specific concerns or a situation in which you require professional, psychological or medical help, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified specialist. The opinions or views expressed in this column are not intended to treat or diagnose; nor are they meant to replace the treatment and care that you may be receiving from a licensed professional, physician or mental health professional. This column, its authors, the newspaper and publisher are not responsible for the outcome or results of following any advice in any given situation. You, and only you, are completely responsible for your actions. See More Collapse

I recently started driving again. But I double mask and keep as many windows as I can open. Often I can open at least three if my passenger closes theirs. I also carry hand wipes to wipe my hands if I think I need it. Beyond this, what advice would you have for Lyft and Uber drivers?

Dear Reader:

It makes sense that ride-hailing and taxi drivers would be concerned about COVID safety, considering the tight quarters they share with their passengers.

While cases from the highly transmissible BA.5 subvariant appear to have peaked in California, they still remain high, and as you noted, masks are no longer mandatory in most places  these days, people are required to wear them mainly in health care settings.

Also, traveling in vehicles can raise your risk of contracting the coronavirus, according to experts contacted for this column.

The more people one is in contact with in an enclosed space, the more likely it is one will be exposed to and possibly infected, wrote Art Reingold, a UC Berkeley epidemiologist, in an email  although, he added, No one can quantify that risk with any precision.

Abraar Karan, an infectious disease doctor at Stanford, said the close contact nature of being inside a car can be enough to spread the virus if a passenger is contagious.

But that doesnt mean drivers cant lower their risk through tried-and-true methods  as UCSF infectious disease expert Peter Chin-Hong calls them, the ABCs of maximal COVID protection.

 A stands for the air you want to ensure is as clean as possible.

That includes wearing a high quality mask, such as an N95, KN95 or KF94 mask.

This also means maximizing the ventilation in the car, Chin-Hong wrote in an email. Studies have shown that slightly opening the opposite windows to create a wind barrier was most effective if you cant crack open all the windows.

Turning on the air conditioning is OK, as long as you arent using the recirculated air function.

Fresh air is a million times better, Chin-Hong added.

If a passenger is unmasked and doesnt want their windows open, Chin-Hong said that as long as its a shorter trip and the driver is able to open the front windows, it should be a relatively safe situation.

He stressed that passengers should sit in the back, and ideally diagonal from the driver if possible.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

 B is for boosters and being up to date on your COVID vaccines.

Vaccinations and boosters are probably the most important thing you can do if you want to lower your chance of infection, and especially if you want to prevent getting seriously ill, Chin-Hong said.

Reingold also stressed that the most important precaution is being vaccinated and boosted.

If youre a parent, you should also get your children vaccinated so they are protected if you become exposed on the job, Chin-Hong said.

 C is for COVID testing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should take a test if you have any COVID symptoms or if its been at least five days after a known or suspected close contact to COVID-19. Other reasons to take a test can be found here.

If you test positive, isolate for five days. Find the CDCs full isolation and quarantine guidelines here.

If you put all of these risk-mitigation strategies in place, experts say you can lower your risk considerably while driving.

You didnt mention whether you have been vaccinated, but the precautions you said you are already taking will definitely help, experts said.

Keeping the windows open will allow for excellent ventilation, allowing fresh air into the car while it is moving, Karan wrote in an email. That plus wearing a high quality mask should be enough to make this relatively low risk.

Pandemic Problems is written by Chronicle Advice Team members Annie Vainshtein and Kellie Hwang, combining thorough reporting and guidance from Bay Area experts to help get answers and find a way forward.
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MARIPOSA  Descendants of Margarite and Garfield Carter, homesteaders who settled in the hills above Mariposa a century ago, were gathering on the family property in Carter Valley last Friday and preparing for a weekend family reunion when they smelled smoke.

Walking outside, they spotted a gray cloud emanating from a wildfire climbing over the mountain behind the house. They knew they would eventually have to flee, but thought theyd have time to get horses and cows evacuated, put pets into vehicles and pack some belongings.

Twenty-five minutes later, their plans changed when the fire closed in, winds whipped up and the blaze exploded into an inferno that boxed them in on two sides, turning a quiet afternoon into a fight to escape, and save the nine family homes on the property. They had to watch two of them burn to the ground.

It blew up, said Chuck Carter, 74, a former ski instructor and wildland firefighter who lives on the family land. It went everywhere around us. The flames were spinning. The winds must have been 70 miles an hour. Everything was blowing around; it was like being in a tornado  it was explosive.

Provided by Ann Thistle Reback

They knew it was time to get out  and fled, with Chucks wife forced to drive through flames to escape.

The Paradise fire taught us at least one lesson, said Ann Reback, 53, a family member who arrived from Atlanta just 20 minutes before the gathering scent of smoke became apparent. Dont stay. Dont get stuck.

The Oak Fire, which had burned through more than 19,000 acres by Saturday evening in the steep, wooded hills west of Yosemite National Park and sent a plume of smoke across the Sierra and beyond, is the largest wildfire to ignite in Northern California so far this season. It had destroyed 168 structures and threatened more than 1,000 more.

The rapid spread through drought-stressed forest and brush amid hot weather followed a pattern that has become all too familiar during Californias fire season, as larger, fast-moving wildfires force residents to flee with little notice.

On Friday, Ann and other family members waited at the bottom of Carter Road, the entrance to the valley, as neighbors poured out and a sheriffs deputy pulled in.

Chuck and his brother, Mike Carter, decided to stay and fight to save their homes. Luckily, the water and electricity needed to pump out water from wells, was still on. Chuck ran around putting out spot fires popping up all over the property. Then his mothers house, the original 1922 house passed down to his parents  the home he grew up in  went up in flames.

The corner of Chucks house caught fire, too, about the same time the electricity and the water supply finally cut out. Chuck frantically ran around grabbing whatever water he could find  from water bottles to dog bowls to toilets. But it wasnt enough. Nor were the two overhead water drops from Cal Fire helicopters.

The flames spread quickly and, with no water to douse them, Chuck was forced to relent.

He had to make a choice, said Reback, his cousin. Save his dogs lives and his life or save the house.

Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Resigned, he hopped into the cab of his pickup truck, joining his two dogs, and parked it in a safe spot in a field that had already burned. It offered a clear view of his childhood home and the house he built in 1989. Both were in flames.

We sat there for hours and watched everything burn, he said, his voice cracking slightly. I just wanted to see it happen. We stayed until everything burnt to the ground.

Mike Carters home survived. So did the horses, which were taken from the property and several cows, which were let loose during the fire. Mike found them later on a nearby road and led them home. Still missing are two cats Chuck was unable to find as the flames neared.

Then Chuck drove off, early, wearing the only shirt he has left  a San Francisco Giants T-shirt. Hes been staying with family in Mariposa. He hasnt tried to go back to the area, which remained under evacuation orders Wednesday.

The destruction of his home wasnt the end of the bad news. His home was not insured, he said, as the insurance company canceled the policy in December and he was unable to find another insurer and had temporarily put off the search.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

We waited too long, he said. We made a big mistake  but its all hindsight now. I dont think we can rebuild but thank goodness we have a place to live.

Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Chuck and his wife plan to move into a cabin on the familys property and start rebuilding their lives and replacing their belongings. Chuck lost a lot in the fire, he said. A barn on his property, also incinerated, contained the familys original farming and ranching equipment.

I lost a lot of stuff, he said, but nothing lasts forever. Im just grateful to be around this family and this community.

Mariposa folks have responded compassionately, Chuck said, bringing food and offering help, including financial assistance in some instances.

Mariposa is a small town and the outpouring of love is incredible, he said. Im overwhelmed by it.

And while the fire may have ruined two of the Carter family homes  and spoiled the family reunion  it brought an already tight-knit family closer in a time of need.

The family was all together here, said Trent Williams, one of Chucks cousins. It was a chance to support each other but also to mourn what was lost.

Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Michael Cabanatuan (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
Viks Chaat, the heavyweight champ of Indian street food in the Bay Area, turns 33 this year, and it remains one of the most unique culinary destinations of the region. From the sporks to the soaring butter-yellow and lavender walls of the warehouse dining room to the parade of telescope-shape dosas that march out of the kitchen, Viks embodies spectacle in the same manner as the House of Prime Rib, with its metal beef carts and martini shakers.

Recently, Id heard rumors that Amod Chopra, the second-generation owner, had re-entered the kitchen at Viks in West Berkeley, shouldering cooking duties alongside managing the companys import and grocery distribution operations. There does seem to be something extra going on with the food these days: crispier dosas, brighter flavors, more of that ineffable taste of home. If you havent been back lately, its worth a revisit.

Chopra, now 52, was an early recruit to Viks: In their teen years, under the tutelage of their grandmother, he and his sister would prep in the kitchen, working the fryer and getting the myriad of chaat components ready for the day. My first memories of the restaurant were of being woken up at 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday to start cooking, Chopra said. After graduating from college, he spent some years working as a financial analyst for a semiconductor company before returning to take over the business when his fathers health declined.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Until last year, hed mostly been coordinating the business from his office; now, hes making the daily lunch specials and tasting everything as it comes out. The look and feel of the dishes  the ratio of tamarind chutney to yogurt on the dahi papdi chaat ($10), the maximum circumference of the dosas  have been tattooed onto his brain after years of repetition. And he finds it exhilarating to go through these old motions again and calibrate the food to the tastes he remembers.

One of the interesting contradictions to Viks is that, while its focus is on street food, typified by its fluidity and culinary informality, it balances that dynamism with the specific demands of nostalgia.

Weve sort of backed ourselves into a very specific memory of India, Chopra said. Everywhere in India, cooks are constantly iterating on the classics, messing around with crumbled instant noodles, Parmesan cheese and quinoa, among many other things. But here in the Bay Area, people are longing for that original chaat. Our path is serving the expats, the immigrant community, traditional chaat  traditional memories.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

So at Viks, making chaat is like refining your movement in a choreographed dance: shifting your feet and shoulders by fractions of centimeters to get to the ideal.

I see that delicate balance in the dahi batata puri ($10). Punched open by a cooks fingertips and draped in yogurt, the crisp whole wheat puris look like sea urchin shells nestled in foam. Too much yogurt would drown them out, while too little would undermine the sea breeze whoosh of milky coolness that enhances each bite. The puris burst in the mouth with the starchy bloom of boiled potato, hidden inside, followed by the tang of tamarind chutney hit with just-hot-enough pinpricks of chile powder.

And then theres the bhatura cholle ($14), a picture-perfect rendition of the classic Punjabi dish. Cooked in hot oil, the blistered fried bread puffs like a whoopee cushion, exhaling with a hot sigh as the diner rips it open for dipping in the cooked chickpea mixture.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Despite all the virtues of the Viks menu, its the daily specials board behind the counter that has always attracted me the most. If youve mostly hyper-focused on dosas and pani puri while eating at Viks (reasonable), this is the deal: The specials range and are centered on thali-style presentation, with a main dish, always something warm and homey-feeling, served with a set of accompaniments. Though thalis are most often round platters, with a solar system of small, banchan-like dishes arranged in a circle, the ones at Viks are more like cafeteria trays. The compostable sporks only enhance my nostalgia for public school lunch.

Its the most varied cooking that youll find at Viks, with influences that span the many regions of India. On a recent visit, I enjoyed a thali featuring dumm murgh ($16) flanked by a rich chana dal, lightly pickled carrot and a sheet of garlic butter-slicked naan. The centerpiece was Chopras take on Hyderabadi chicken curry, with succulent morsels of chicken thigh swimming in a velvety and aromatic cashew gravy the color of suede. On other weeks, you might be drawn by something totally different: northern Indian-style mashed turnips spiked with ginger and garlic, or a comforting, cumin-scented mound of kheema made from minced free-range lamb.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Though Ive been numerous times already, I often feel delightfully overwhelmed at Viks, and I feel as if Ive just opened the instruction booklet to a new board game. Part of that is the chaotic energy of the ordering and pickup system. In the dining room, the pulsating thrums of Bollywood tunes are frequently interrupted with the summer camp crackle of a PA system, announcing names for food pickup to people who linger in the cavernous space like eager travelers waiting to board their plane. The open kitchen is divided into distinct stations  for chaat, biryani, thalis and others  and, if youve ordered a lot of different things, figuring out where to go and which dish is yours as the orders come up has a bit of a game show excitement to it. Really, the service style is mostly the same as it was when it opened in the warehouse space in 2010.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

On the surface, it seems like the biggest pandemic pivot at Viks is its outdoor seating area, a set of pleasantly colorful picnic tables set out in the parking lot. But on a subtler level, Chopras return to the kitchen is another welcome shift.

If anything, the pandemic clarified Chopras feelings about taking over the family business. I realized Id been doing it for 27 years, he said. I sort of backed into it. I really didnt have a choice, on a subconscious level.

As an immigrant, how could you say no to your parents? he mused.

For someone my age, what are my final years going to look like, to have no regrets? Returning to the kitchen, to the dance, was the answer.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Soleil Ho is The San Francisco Chronicles restaurant critic. Email: soleil@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hooleil
Members of San Franciscos LGBTQ community are expressing frustration and anger over the governments response to the monkeypox outbreak after the city declared a state of emergency in response to rising cases.

Referring to the population most affected by the outbreak so far, Dr. Susan Philip, city health officer, said Thursday that officials wanted to affirm our commitment to the health of our LGBTQ communities in San Francisco, as we have historically always done as a city.

But LGBTQ residents have expressed frustration over lines with hours-long waits for the vaccine and a shortage of education about best practices to avoid transmission, as well as a shortage of the vaccine itself. A lack of centralized information about vaccination appointments has also been a concern.

Information is trickling down in a lot of different ways, and its not getting to the people that really need it the most quick enough, said drag performer and LGBTQ activist Juanita More.

A well-known organizer in the citys queer scene, More was able to get an appointment for a first vaccine dose through her physician. But she said she worries that because of the lack of information, others in the nightlife community, as well as sex workers who are in contact with people all the time, are not being prioritized.

Anyone can get monkeypox, but during the current outbreak it has been spreading largely through male-to-male sex.

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Outside of Strut, the Castro district wellness center run by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, 68-year-old Tom Lappin said he had hoped he would receive the vaccine Thursday afternoon  after his doctor encouraged him to do so because he has cancer  but was told the waiting list had more than 1,000 people on it.

Im feeling apprehensive, Lappin said, adding that the dearth of clear information about the virus and the disorganized response are making him and his husband think twice about things like sharing laundry machines with their neighbors. He said many residents like him are hearing echoes of the AIDS crisis and questioning whether the current mindset is, Its just affecting gay people, and we dont care, so were not shipping vaccines?

San Francisco officials said Friday that 305 people had confirmed or probable monkeypox infections, with more than 30% of cases affecting Latinos across the city as of Wednesday. Officials said they anticipate cases will continue to grow in the coming weeks.

Honey Mahogany, chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party and candidate for District Six supervisor, was blunt in her assessment of the official response:

I feel like our government across the board has really failed us in this response to this outbreak, she said before the announcement of the state of emergency.

Ethan Swope/The Chronicle

We should have learned our lessons from the HIV and AIDS crisis: that just because it affects one community doesnt mean it cant quickly spread to affecting everybody else, Mahogany said.

Additionally, I dont think that weve learned our lesson from COVID-19, she said. We have just been through this, many of these systems havent even been completely dismantled yet. Why couldnt we have used these systems to get people to (the) monkeypox vaccine?

After San Franciscos announcement, she said it should be followed with action on the federal level: Its about time! We need a local but also a national emergency to be called so we can effectively nip this in the bud. We know how to do this, and we have the tools at hand.

Tyler TerMeer, executive director of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, said that while he applauded the decision to declare monkeypox a public health emergency, the foundation  and San Franciscos queer community  had been ringing the alarm about the rapid spread of monkeypox since May, and vaccine access is still severely lacking.

More than 7,300 people are waiting for a vaccine at the foundations sexual health clinics in San Francisco, he said, adding that there is no end to that demand in sight.

The emergency declaration could have happened sooner, but at the end of the day I believe this is the appropriate moment, TerMeer said. Anything beyond this would have been too late.

Juba Kalamka, community health care services director at St. James Infirmary, a nonprofit health care organization in San Francisco focusing on Bay Area sex workers, said he appreciates the urgency of the declaration.

The state of emergency gives us the opportunity as people who are working with more marginalized communities to have a very specific and grounded conversation about monkeypox, he said. So I think its a good thing.

Jupiter Peraza, director of social justice initiatives for the Transgender District, also saw the declaration as a positive development: We are definitely very pleased to hear that the city of San Francisco has officially declared a public emergency for monkeypox, she said. We think that that was a step that the city needed to take mostly because of their large and prominent LGBT population that the city possesses.

Ethan Swope/The Chronicle

The citys announcement came just a few days before Sundays Up Your Alley leather and fetish event, also known as Dore Alley because of its South of Market neighborhood location. The Tubesteak Connection party that was planned for Thursday evening was postponed because of concerns over lack of vaccine availability.

Organizers of Saturdays Sneaks party at Club Six advised guests on their e-vite page to Take care of yourself, think about what level of risk you are comfortable with, keep an eye out for symptoms and should you unfortunately suspect exposure or infection, take care not to spread it to others. Although they were not canceling the event, they noted: We accept refunds  please stay home if you are not well and we will see you next time.

Bob Goldfarb, the executive director of the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District in the South of Market area, said the organization was using its social media accounts to put out information about the virus ahead of the Dore Alley events this weekend.

I think that there is a lot of confusion about methods of transmission and the actual impact of an infection itself, Goldfarb said. The Department of Health recommends if youre going into a crowd that you be fully clothed and covered to avoid skin to skin contact, which is apparently the primary method of contracting the disease.

While Goldfarb noted that there will be gatherings and dance parties this weekend where it is atypical to be fully clothed, he has spoken to people who are taking various degrees of caution.

Some people are avoiding events, and some people  are just diving in as care-free as ever. (But we) are very happy to see people who are taking precautions to minimize that skin-to-skin contact and the risk of transmission.

Ethan Swope / The Chronicle

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Diamond Heights resident Todd Janzen, 60, said he was still planning to go to the main street fair for Up Your Alley on Sunday, but added that his risk calculation felt different as a married man no longer on the meat market.

Still, the chaos surrounding the outbreak brought back memories of the AIDS crisis, which he lived through as a San Francisco resident in the 1980s, he said.

I lost a lot of very close friends, Janzen said. To me that was a far more scary time. We didnt know. We had no idea. People were dropping like flies.

The fact that monkeypox is rarely fatal has come as a grounding comfort to many other queer San Franciscans who acutely remember the AIDS crisis and the citys response.

Lower Haight resident Jack Davis, 71, said he and his friends are wondering whether itll be the third pandemic theyll live through  while theyre still coping with PTSD from the past two.

This is not our first rodeo, said Davis, adding hes now asking his friends whether he can hug them, out of concern for how the virus is spreading. Everyone I talk to is aware of it and concerned about it. Some people are changing their sexual behavior, and some people are not.

In response to the emergency declaration, podcast host and adult film performer Kristofer Weston said he is glad that the increase in cases is being addressed.

Im noticing lots of gay men are quickly trying to find out where they can get the vaccine or at least get the first dose, Weston said. Im also noticing a few dropping out of events this weekend, out of caution.

Photos by Ethan Swope / The Chronicle

While he has seen some confusion over the vaccination rollout and transmission of the virus, he also believes that the LGBTQ community has been good at getting the message out as quickly as possible. Weston has had one vaccination as said that although he will still attend Dore Alley, he is changing his plans somewhat.

Im avoiding events where theres high volumes of skin to skin contact, like sweaty, shirtless men, Weston said. Im not so concerned about the fair itself because its outdoors and I can cover up if I want to. Im not so concerned about just casually getting it in a crowd.

Just after Thursdays announcement, the atmosphere along Castro Street seemed as jovial as any other day.

Groups gathered inside the districts storied saloons and bars for midafternoon ales, tourists gawked at the streets plethora of phallic cookies, a well-known San Francisco porn star strolled up toward Harvey Milk Plaza, and two men efficiently pasted posters up and down the block for X-Rated, a Dore Alley party scheduled for Saturday night at Space 550.

LGBTQ activist and AIDS Memorial Quilt founder Cleve Jones said that while he is disappointed by the federal response to the virus, he believes San Francisco has done a relatively good job.

Of concern to Jones, however, are both what he sees as the unserious nomenclature associated with the term monkeypox and the labeling of the virus as a gay disease.

That gives power to those who would like to ignore it or mock it as it only happens to other people, Jones said.

Because we thought of HIV as a gay disease, tens of millions of heterosexual men and women and their children would lose their lives, he said. The stigma associated with this is powerful. It gives people an excuse to not be concerned. It gives people an excuse to not take precautions. It gives government leaders an excuse to hesitate and hold off.

Were already seeing an abundance of this coming from the right wing, he added. It just seems like every time we have a public health crisis there are certain elements who want nothing more to do than mock the people that are afflicted to minimize the urgency.

Tony Bravo and Annie Vainshtein are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: tbravo@sfchronicle.com, avainshtein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TonyBravoSF, @annievain
UPDATE: Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency for California in response to spread of monkeypox.

San Francisco officials declared a public health state of emergency Thursday in response to the growing spread of monkeypox cases across the city.

The declaration allows Mayor London Breed and other city officials to marshal resources and personnel to confront the intensifying monkeypox outbreak. As of Thursday, the mayor said, the city has seen 281 people with monkeypox infections. Health officials said they anticipate that figure will only grow in the coming days and weeks.

The rapid monkeypox surge in San Francisco has collided with a scarcity of available vaccines. To date, city officials said theyve received about 8,200 doses of the Jynneos vaccine, which is intended to prevent monkeypox and smallpox in adults.

We want the flexibility to be able to use our resources to best serve the public and protect health, San Francisco Health Officer Susan Philip said Thursday. We also want to affirm our commitment to the health of our LGBTQ communities in San Francisco, as we have historically always done as a city, she added, referring to the population most impacted by monkeypox so far.

Philip emphasized that she was not planning to call for any closures or restrictions, a posture that distinguishes this emergency declaration from the health orders issued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perhaps more worrying than the sheer amount of infections was the trajectory, which continues to go up, Philip said, as we know there are more cases that have yet to be diagnosed. Testing has increased, she indicated, but not enough to make it universally accessible.

If there were any other community that was disproportionately impacted by monkeypox the way the gay community has been impacted, this whole country would be up in arms, Breed said during a news conference Thursday.

Standing with city health officials, Breed criticized what she called a sluggish federal response to the outbreak, and referenced the darkest days of the AIDS pandemic in San Francisco when the city was left to virtually fend for itself.

The mayor said the local emergency declaration will allow us to continue to support our most at-risk, while also better preparing for whats to come.

Our COVID-19 response has taught us that it is imperative that we mobilize city resources rapidly, said Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the Department of Public Health, joining the mayor at a Thursday evening news conference. He said the fight was personal for him as a gay man who came out and did his medical training during the peak of the AIDS pandemic.

Also criticizing what hes called a sluggish federal response, Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener told the news conference, What the experts told us would happen has happened. More vaccines are needed, and fast he added. Across the government, we are rowing in the same direction, we just need to row a lot faster, he said. He also said earlier that the federal response has improved somewhat.

Wiener said he is writing to Secretary Xavier Becerra of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department seeking more flexibility for states and counties to redirect COVID-19 funds toward monkeypox vaccines and treatment.

More for you Monkeypox surging in the Bay Area: Heres what you need to know

With the current case count, San Francisco and Los Angeles appear to be the two most worrisome hotbeds of the monkeypox outbreak in California, which, as of July 21, had the second-highest number of reported cases in the nation, after New York, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently the two cities are neck-in-neck, with roughly the same number of infections according to Philip.

The city requested an initial supply of 35,000 doses  although Breed said the need is really 70,000  and will prioritize vaccines for men and trans people who have sex with men, who currently, officials say, are the most vulnerable to infection of any population in the city. Within those communities Latino men have seen a disproportionate number of cases, a disparity that Philip attributes to the virus spreading through networks.

She attributed the national shortage of vaccines to a limited supply chain from one global manufacturer, Jynneos, which is based in Denmark. It provides vaccines for a federal stockpile that gets distributed to states, and in turn to cities.

The Department of Public Health said it will focus on distributing the first vaccine doses to as many at-risk people as possible, holding off appointments for second doses until the city receives enough supply to accommodate them. New York City adopted this strategy to deal with supply constraints, though the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not endorsed the method.

Declaring a state of emergency allows the city to access funds from the state and federal government reserved for emergencies and to broaden public awareness about the outbreak.

The emergency declaration will take effect Monday, city officials said.

While monkeypox is not a new disease, recent cases exploded in many countries at once. San Francisco reported its first case on June 3, and infections rose quickly, prompting concern among health officials still trying to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The illness causes a rash or sores on the skin that resemble blisters or pimples, along with flu-like symptoms. It appears to be transmitted by intimate contact including kissing, sharing bedding or clothes, or potentially, breathing in close proximity. It appears to be far less contagious than COVID-19 and poses less risk to the general population. Although many cases resolve on their own, in rare instances, monkeypox can become serious.

It is spread by very close skin-to-skin contact, or very close face-to-face contact, so that large droplets or saliva can spread this, Philip said, distinguishing monkeypox from COVID-19, which can proliferate through the air over a distance.

Tyler TerMeer, chief executive officer of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, applauded San Franciscos swift action but criticized the federal government for not declaring its own federal state of emergency.

Community-based organizations like San Francisco AIDS Foundation have been ringing the alarm for many weeks now about the crisis that our community is once again in, TerMeer said. Referring back to the 1980s AIDS epidemic, he said, We are once again in a moment of federal public health failure to cisgender and transgender men as well as nonbinary folks who have similar social and sexual networks.

Monkeypox lesions can cause intense pain and have has sown fear and panic among people who are hearing about the illness or watching friends fall ill, TerMeer said.

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman said health officials in San Francisco have been fairly effective at distributing vaccines by comparison to federal efforts. Nonetheless, he criticized the city for making people wait for hours and hours in line at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.

In the past several weeks, Mandelman has held a hearing, a news conference and a town hall on monkeypox, and wrote a legislative resolution calling on the Centers for Disease Control to step up its acquisition of vaccines. Mandelman is gay and represents the citys Castro district, one of the most prominent LGBTQ enclaves in the country.

Weve seen that there has been benefit in the COVID situation, and in some of the public health context around the Tenderloin, that the city is able to move more quickly  able to move in the ways I wish we could move all the time  when we declare something to be an emergency, Mandelman said.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation has provided 840 vaccinations at its clinic in the Castro and has 130 doses left on hand, according to TerMeer, who added that the waitlist of 7,300 people far dwarfs the number served.

Forty years ago, he said, the AIDS Foundation set up a hotline because people were living in fear and concern about something new that was happening in their community. Today, a similar climate prompted the foundations newest hotline, he said  this time focused on monkeypox.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Chase Difeliciantonio contributed to this report.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
The vote to recall Chesa Boudin demonstrates a repudiation of Boudins approach and signals voters want a change in leadership at the San Francisco District Attorneys Office. More voters participated in this election (46%) than when Boudin was elected (41%), and the recall won by 10% vs. the less than 2% margin by which Boudin won.

When elected, Boudin, a former public defender, installed his own lieutenants, nearly all of whom were public defenders and criminal defense attorneys with little to no prosecutorial experience.

He fired or pushed out several experienced prosecutors, most of whom were hired by, and worked for, his progressive predecessors. Boudins imbalanced approach became the major contributor to his recall.

Elections have consequences. Mayor London Breed appointed District Attorney Brooke Jenkins because Breed believes that Jenkins represents the change in leadership voters called for. Jenkins then installed a new leadership team to implement her vision, a responsible balance between public safety and reform.

Unsurprisingly, Boudins former staff members are coordinating to create a false narrative against Jenkins as a means of political retribution, Firings wont help D.A.s Office (Opinion, July 19).

Staff live-tweeted their terminations and told half-truths to create a media frenzy. They defamed a promoted prosecutor and made misleading accusations that Jenkins changes signaled the end of reform and a return to the War on Drugs.

These attacks show Boudin supporters will use any means to justify their political ends, no matter the cost, which was the defining theme of his tenure.

With Jenkins swift changes, we are hopeful San Francisco will achieve the balance between public safety and reform that voters have unequivocally mandated.

Nima Rahimi, San Francisco

 The writer is executive board member of the California Democratic Party.

More nuance needed

My thanks to Steve Kuppmans Comment on parenting and education not racist (Letters, July 26) for his refreshing perspective on Ann Hsu and his justified criticism of The Chronicle for its careless use of the term racist. (As the great Samuel Johnson remarked, hammering one nail into a board doesnt make a person a carpenter.)

While Ms Hsus comment was impolitic in that she singled out Black and brown families with no proof of their particular dereliction, it has been proved that a familys hands-on support for their childs education does reap rewards. The problems facing schools are never going to be solved just by throwing money at them.

Richard Friedlander, Berkeley

Proactive solutions

Thank you for reporting on the alarming decline of faith in American democratic values. Please also print stories that show readers how they can protect our democracy and feel more in control of their future.

Ideas include writing letters to editors, messaging elected representatives (at all levels of government), writing to voters who are discouraged from participating, thinking about success over the long-term and, above all, VOTING.

Another activity is participating in moderated discussion groups to understand the reasons for holding various points of view. The National Voter Corps website lists non-partisan, pro-voting rights organizations working at the national and local levels. Voters also need to call their senators, asking them to pass voting rights legislation.

Christine Witzel, Palo Alto

Less navel gazing, please

Why is a private club for the ultra-rich front-page news? This S.F. restaurant will serve pasta for the super-wealthy  with up to $100,000 initiation fees (Food, July 25). What happened to our once-great newspaper?

L.C. Lewis, Willits
A San Francisco school board member who made racist statements about Black and brown families and students continued to resist increasing calls for her resignation among some of the citys most powerful political voices.

The San Francisco Democratic Party voted late Wednesday to join the teachers union, the NAACP, several community groups and five supervisors, among others, calling for Ann Hsu to step down over the statements submitted as part of a candidate questionnaire.

She cited unstable family environments and lack of parental encouragement to focus on learning as one of the biggest challenges in educating Black and brown students.

The backlash was swift, with critics condemning the remarks, saying they reinforced the racist stereotype that Black and brown parents dont value their childrens education as much as white and Asian-American parents, a false narrative used to explain lower academic performance.

Hsu apologized for the statement and amended her answer in to the questionnaire.

While my intent was not to cause harm, my words did just that, she said in an email to The Chronicle. Whats important now is that I follow through on what I have vowed to do, which is to meet with and listen to people in the community, especially those families that were most affected by my comments. Im not going to repeatedly speak out on this subject until Ive had the opportunity to put in that work.

Mayor London Breed appointed Hsu to the board, along with two other commissioners, after the historic recall of three school board members in February. The two other appointees took steps to distance themselves from her this week.

Many people in the community have continued to support Hsu, saying she has apologized, is reaching out to Black and brown communities, and deserves a chance to learn from her mistake.

I understand she is going on a very long apology tour, said Nancy Tung, a member of the citys Democratic Party committee. I see Commissioner Hsu doing the work to try to address her implicit bias, and address the lack of understanding between communities.

Hsu did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday on the growing calls for her resignation.

Chronicle editors determined that the comment met the publications definition of racist, because the remark employed stereotypes of racial or ethnic groups.

The San Francisco Democratic Party central committee voted overwhelmingly to call for her resignation, with 13 yes votes and one no vote  although nine abstained and others were absent.

Its insulting and appalling to say Latino families do not care about the education of their children, Kevin Ortiz, founder of the Latinx Young Democrats, said during public comment before the vote. The reason for many Latino families even traveling to this country was in search of a better life for their children.

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Former school board member Faauuga Moliga, a member of the Democratic committee, supported the call for Hsu to step down.

Racism is racism, he said. For us, theres zero tolerance.

Moliga was among three school board members recalled in February. Mayor London Breed appointed Hsu, Lainie Motamedi and Lisa Weissman-Ward to replace them.

Breed has condemned Hsus remarks, but has declined to comment on calls for her resignation.

Motamedi and Weissman-Ward had been campaigning with Hsu as a candidate slate to retain their seats in the November election, but the two announced earlier this week they would be campaigning independently going forward.

Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is asking prosecutors in other nearby counties to take over two San Francisco cases  one involving Mayor London Breeds brother and another involving Jenkins family  in an effort to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Jenkins efforts come after the state Attorney Generals Office declined a similar request from Jenkins last week to take over the cases. Jenkins was appointed to the top prosecutor post by Breed earlier this month following the recall of former District Attorney Chesa Boudin. Concerns about potential conflicts surfaced right away over the notion that Breeds appointee would be tasked with decisions involving her brothers case.

The DAs office could not immediately specify who had been contacted to potentially take over the cases.

In the July 22 letter, Attorney General Rob Bontas office wrote that Jenkins appointment does not create a conflict requiring recusal of the San Francisco District Attorneys Office from either case.

The San Francisco DAs office had also taken appropriate measures to establish an ethical wall around DA Jenkins, which remains in place and eliminates any ethical concerns about the cases, Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Laurence wrote.

In a statement in response to the states decision, Jenkins said her stance has not changed and I will step away from both cases to avoid any appearance whatsoever of a conflict. I am exploring options whether or not its possible for another agency to take on the cases, she added. Regardless, these cases will be handled according to the law and with integrity.

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Napoleon Brown, Breeds older brother, is seeking a shortened prison term after serving about half of a 44-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter, armed robbery and carjacking tied to a 2000 crime spree that resulted in the death of his girlfriend. Browns attorney, Marc Zilversmit, said his client should be eligible for an earlier release due to new state laws.

The second case involves the prosecution of Sincere Pomar and Stevie Mitchell, who are accused in the July 2020 killing of Jerome Mallory, a cousin of Jenkins husband.

Jenkins, who worked under Boudin before quitting to help lead the recall campaign against him, had publicly criticized Boudins treatment of Mallorys case, arguing that it should have been prosecuted more aggressively.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
There goes Nancy Pelosi again, giving a master class in what leadership means.

The House Speakers supposed plans to visit the democratic and independent nation of Taiwan have sent Chinas authoritarian government into a fit of rage. China considers the island nation as its own possession, and tensions have been rising over whether China plans to invade Taiwan in a violent effort to take the country of nearly 24 million people by force.

Enter Pelosi, whose prospective visit to Taiwan has spurred an embarrassing overreaction from China. The Chinese government under Xi Jinping has threatened severe consequences if Pelosi dares to set foot in Taiwan.

Chinas possible reactions apparently include an escalation of military tactics if Pelosi proceeds with her visit. In response, the United States military has raised the prospect of sending fighter jets to protect Pelosi from any unwarranted Chinese aggression, according to the Associated Press.

Its clear why a visit from Pelosi would hurt Chinas feelings. She would be the first House Speaker to visit Taiwan since Newt Gingrich traveled there in 1997. Her presence in a free and independent nation that authoritarian China seeks to overpower and claim would send the message that the United States will not easily abandon the Taiwanese people and their struggle for freedom and human rights.

Chinas overwrought saber rattling only makes her visit more necessary  because its always important to stand up to authoritarian bullies with imperialist aspirations.

Pelosi, whose district has a large population of Chinese and Taiwanese Americans, has a long history of standing up to China. In 1991, as a relatively new member of Congress, she joined two of her colleagues in displaying a pro-democracy banner in Beijings Tiananmen Square, where the Chinese government had murdered protesting students in 1989.

To those who died for democracy in China, it read.

If you cannot stand up for human rights in China because of commercial interests, you lose all moral authority to speak out for it in any place, said Pelosi in a recent interview with Politico.

Yet not everyone is so bold when it comes to standing up for democracy when the going gets tough. Pelosis plan to stop in Taiwan as a part of an upcoming swing through Asia has set off hand-wringing in Washington, including from the Biden administration, which reportedly wants her to back down in the face of Chinas threats.

The military thinks its not a good idea right now, said President Joe Biden during a press conference on July 20, sparking a public firestorm and setting off Chinas demands for Pelosi to cancel her trip.

In May, Biden indicated the United States would be willing to respond militarily if China attacked Taiwan. His staff walked back the comment after public squawking from China.

Officially, the United States concurs with the One China policy that Taiwan is part of China. Yet the United States also provides defensive weapons that could help Taiwan fend off an invasion and has remained intentionally ambiguous on whether it would intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese attack, according to CNN.

Pelosi isnt threatening to start a war with China, nor will she be transporting weapons on her plane. The 82-year-old leader  second in line to the presidency, behind Vice President Kamala Harris  is simply considering a diplomatic visit to a democratic nation that is a major U.S. ally in Asia. Chinas hysterical reaction reveals both its authoritarian bent and its deep insecurity. It also pushes Pelosi to carry out her visit for the sake of principle.

If we can allow the Chinese to dictate who can visit Taiwan and who cannot, then we have already ceded Taiwan to the Chinese, said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez, D-N.J.

Nobody wants a war with China, the growing superpower that is one of our nations top trading partners. Yet world peace can never depend on a willingness to bow down to bullying from authoritarians who trample human rights and threaten to seize democratic nations by force. At a time when Russias failing war against Ukraine has shown the world that democracies are not so easily overthrown, its important for China to grasp the lesson.

Pelosis mere consideration of a visit to Taiwan has already been successful in sending a message about American support for the democratic island. Chinas overblown tantrum has sent a message as well  about Chinas status as a thin-skinned tyrant that threatens military escalation when a leader from one free country dares to visit another free country.

Pelosi has never backed down from China, and theres no reason to start now. Whether or not she goes through with the visit, however, she has already proven her point.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins has tapped Monifa Willis, a longtime psychiatric nurse, to lead her office's Victim Services Division.

The appointment is a critical one, as prosecutors alleged disregard for crime victims was a central component of the recall movement that ousted former District Attorney Chesa Boudin in June.

Willis appointment as chief of victim services is just one in a series of staffing changes made by Jenkins in recent days, including the firing of more than a dozen Boudin holdovers and hiring of a new leadership team.

Willis' career includes more than five years as a psychiatric nurse at UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital and, since 2020, she has been an Assistant Clinical Professor for the Department of Community Health Sciences at the UCSF School of Nursing.

In an interview with The Examiner, Willis said she's worked directly with crime victims and their advocates in her more than 20 years of providing clinical services, often in communities that "carry the burden of crime and violence on their shoulders."

"As a mental health clinician it has always been my heart and calling to make space for people and communities to heal," Willis said. "In my history I have been doing that one by one, one client at a time, and this is an opportunity to really impact communities at large."

Working with crime victims through a trauma-informed lens will be central to her approach, Willis added. That doesn't mean they'll always get the outcomes they desire, she noted, "but it's extremely important to ensure that survivors have a voice and feel supported."

The District Attorney's Office has to ensure "we're creating a safe environment where there's transparency...(and) they're at least able to voice their narrative and what they'd like to see," Willis said.

Before he was recalled, Boudin touted his office's work on behalf of victims. He announced in May that under his watch the Victim Services Division had served an increasing number of people even as crime rates dropped.

A column in the San Francisco Chronicle published the same month documented turnover in the division's staff and featured former employees who questioned Boudin's leadership and care for victims of crime.

The office turnover "has been something I am aware of," Willis said.

"Healers have to heal themselves, and that is one of the many priorities I have, but a top priority is to ensure that victims' advocates feel supported and cared for," Willis said.

Willis is taking the helm of a high-profile division within the District Attorney's office in a politically charged environment. Her boss, Jenkins, was appointed by Mayor London Breed earlier this month. Jenkins has already launched a campaign for the November election, but there's no guarantee she'll win.

Willis acknowledged that inherent instability, but said she's putting all of that aside.

"I've always put the work first, and my clients first, and in this case survivors first and the staff first," Willis said.

In a statement, Jenkins said her office will serve as a "champion" for victims and their rights.

Helping victims of crime and their families is a top priority for me and a critical service we provide for those who need support during the most desperate of circumstances," Jenkins said. "No longer will victims be left in the dark about the services or support that they deserve.
Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center is halting transfers for its remaining 600 residents following four deaths that occurred shortly after their relocation, according to a notice sent to residents on Thursday obtained by The Examiner. It is unclear exactly how long the transfers will be put on hold.

Federal regulators at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, had required that Laguna Honda discharge as many patients as possible before Sept. 13, the soonest possible date of closure for the hospital if recertification is unsuccessful.

RELATED: SF supervisors urge Washington to stop transfers at Laguna Honda

As part of implementing a closure plan required by federal regulators, Laguna Honda has transferred 57 out of 681 residents since May, according to a data dashboard updated by the hospital. At least four of those who moved died within just a few days after their relocation. Three others were sent to homeless shelters.

While Im glad weve reached an agreement with the federal government to pause a significant portion of these transfers, it shouldnt have come to this, said Mayor London Breed. When we entered this recertification process, we asked for 18 months window to ensure that our residents did not receive any disruption of care at Laguna Honda. We were given four months, and weve seen the disastrous results of that requirement. We are ready and willing to confront any and all challenges we have to make Laguna Honda work, but that commitment should not conflict with the care we have provided for so many for so many years.

We are glad to be in agreement with CMS and CDPH (California Department of Public Health) and all understand that Laguna Honda residents have complex needs and that transferring them is often a challenge, said Roland Pickens, CEO with the San Francisco Health Network and interim CEO with Laguna Honda Hospital. Our staff are providing Laguna Honda residents with the best care possible while we all work towards recertification with CMS. Laguna Honda has served San Franciscos most vulnerable residents for 150 years, and we plan to do so for another 150 years.

RELATED: Death and despair amid forced relocations at Laguna Honda In April, CMS decertified Laguna Honda and cut the facility off from government-subsidized health care after the hospital was found out of compliance on multiple safety inspections, including finding illicit substances and drug paraphernalia on site, and failure to adhere to some hygiene and equipment safety protocols.

Some nursing home experts have argued that Laguna Hondas violations pale in comparison to some of the abuses and issues at other skilled nursing facilities that have remained open. Laguna Honda itself had a high-profile scandal when staff took inappropriate photos of patients in 2019; however, the facility did not face the kind of threat of termination that it is navigating today.

It was absolutely unprecedented for this to happen in a facility that large. This is unreal, said Patricia L. McGinnis, executive director of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, a statewide consumer advocacy organization. We have facilities in this state that shouldnt be able to care for my cat, much less a human, and they stay open.

RELATED: Laguna Honda plans to cut 120 beds amid regulatory turmoil

Following mounting pressure from families, doctors and disability advocates, hospital officials told patients on Thursday that they would pause the transfers.

This is great and a step in the right direction, but they should make the pause permanent. The minute I got the news, I contacted the families Im in touch with at Laguna and they are just delighted, said former City Attorney Louise Renne. But now, everyone is wondering, what does the pause mean? At least for the time being, its a relief and a step in the right direction.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pass a resolution that calls on U.S. Secretary Xavier Becerra of the Department of Health and Human Services to suspend the requirement to relocate and transfer vulnerable patients at Laguna Honda Hospital while it is trying to regain certification.

The resolution also called for payments for government-subsidized health care plans to continue through the end of the year. However, at this point, funding is still slated to dry up in September or November, depending on if the hospital is given a possible two-month extension that federal regulators have stated is possible.

Advocates and family members of Laguna Honda patients said there was great relief from the decision to slow down the discharges. But ambiguity around the looming decision over whether the hospital will regain certification continues to worry many with connections to the hospital.

The Closure Plan has had challenges and negative impacts for our community. As a result, Laguna Honda worked with, and at the direction of, CMS, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to pause the discharge and transfer of all residents, a letter sent to Laguna Honda staff on Thursday reads.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have passed. As a system we must do better, said Ali Bay, a spokesperson for the California Department of Public Health. CDPH is providing technical assistance to the facility to improve its policies and procedures related to transfers.

The vast majority of patients at Laguna Honda are low-income and rely on Medi-Cal and Medicaid.

We are deeply concerned about the reports that residents of Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehab Center have died after being transferred to other facilities. Laguna Honda is under a closure plan that was developed and approved after significant health and safety violations were found at the facility, said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. Recent events at the facility are unacceptable, and it is our priority that regardless of income, people have access to safe, high quality care conditions.
Uber and taxis have long been mortal enemies. But now, disruptor and disrupted are joining forces in the hopes that each can provide what the other lacks: more drivers for Uber and more business for taxis.

San Franciscos first-in-the-nation program will allow riders to book taxi rides directly on the Uber app with the same user experience as booking an UberX. Though details are still being ironed out, the program is expected to begin in the coming weeks. Taxi drivers are waiting with excitement  or trepidation.

The ability for taxi drivers to access all those customers they lost, that is a huge change. Its almost like its come full circle, said Hansu Kim, president of Flywheel Technologies, a San Francisco-based taxi booking platform thats partnering with Uber. This is the future. Its going to be a collaborative effort between ride shares and taxis.

Eventually, all 1,075 taxis in San Francisco will be eligible to participate. Fares will be the same as those for UberX rides, enabling taxi drivers to take advantage of surge pricing. Taxi drivers will be able to see fares in advance and will have the power to decline any trip.

The partnership was made possible by a pilot program the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency approved in April that allows taxi dispatch apps like Flywheel and Yellow Cabs YoTaxi to offer upfront fares, showing riders how much theyll pay before they get into their taxi. As part of that policy change, SFMTA allowed the taxi dispatch companies to offer taxi rides on outside ride-hail platforms. So far, Uber is the only ride-hail app participating in the program.

In a statement, Uber described taxi partnerships as an increasingly important part of its business model, highlighting several examples in other countries. Taxis provide more choices on the Uber app and increase reliability for riders, the company said. Uber declined to provide a launch date for the San Francisco program.

Kim says the vast majority of taxi drivers in The City are looking forward to picking up Uber riders. But not everyone is convinced. The San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance, which represents a subset of drivers, and the SFMTAs Citizens Advisory Council have come out against the program. For many drivers, the problem isnt the program itself, its the company running it.

So many drivers have such a visceral dislike  maybe a much stronger word than dislike  disgust, hatred of Uber that they just wont touch it, said Mark Gruberg, a taxi driver and SFTWA board member, citing the damage Uber and Lyft did to San Franciscos taxi industry, as well as the companies labor practices. Personally, I dont plan to participate.

Still, Gruberg and fellow SFTWA board member Barry Taranto concede that many taxi drivers will likely take part. In fact, their biggest concern is the program will become so popular with drivers that there will be fewer taxis available for regular taxi riders, including elderly and disabled paratransit customers, and people using SFMTAs Essential Trip Card. Ride hailing apps do not serve people who cannot afford expensive smartphones, who do not have bank accounts, who do not have access to credit cards, Taranto said.

Chris Sweis, CEO of San Francisco Yellow Cab, predicts there wont be a big impact on paratransit passengers because Ubers surge pricing tends to happen when few paratransit customers are taking rides. Were going to be watching it very, very closely, Sweis said. Having an equitable transportation system is something that is certainly important to me and important to the MTA and everybody else.

Whatever happens in San Francisco, it will likely be a bellwether for other cities and states, said Matt Daus, president of the International Association of Transportation Regulators and the former head of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. Uber is working on a partnership with taxi dispatch companies in New York City, and other U.S. cities are expected to follow.

It really does help the taxi industry and the taxi driver, and theres no downside for them because they can reject the fare if its not enough, Daus said. Once they see the results, once they see the money rolling in, its kind of a no-brainer.

Taxi driver George Lama understands fellow taxi drivers distrust of Uber. But hes personally eager to pick up Uber passengers. For all those who object, you dont have to use it. Just dont ruin it for all of us, Lama said. Whether you like them or not, Uber is a brand, and theyre not going nowhere. This will kickstart our industry.

Lama is constantly reminded of Uber and Lyfts hold on the transportation industry. He often finds himself in a long line of empty taxis outside of a hotel, waiting to pick up passengers, while group after group comes out and orders an Uber. Other times, hell pick up passengers who say they only took a taxi because of Uber surge pricing. Trust me, were second choice, Lama said.

Sal, another taxi driver who gave only his first name, said the Uber option will be especially helpful outside of the taxicab comfort zone of downtown and Union Square. Typically when taxi drivers give rides out to the Sunset and the Richmond, they drive back downtown empty. With the Uber partnership, theyll be able to pick up customers within the neighborhoods.

Sal also highlighted the ways Uber riders could benefit from taxi drivers. Taxi drivers, they know how to get there, Sal said. All you have to say is the name of the restaurant, and thats it. Taxis have the additional benefit of accessing red transit-only lanes, and being allowed to travel down Market Street. This is a win for Uber, a win for the taxi cabs and a win for the residents.

Both those in favor of and against the program said it has the potential to bring taxi drivers back to work and increase the number of taxis on the streets. But for Gruberg, that scenario is concerning. I worry that if we eventually end up in a situation of dependence upon them where drivers come back, the industry grows, and drivers are taking lots and lots of Uber rides, (Uber) is going to be able to dictate the terms and conditions under which we operate.

For his part, Sal is happy picking up Uber riders, as long as the company doesnt tell him how to do his job. We love to joke, we love to talk with the customer, we love to give them a joyful, nice experience of being in the cab, unlike Uber drivers who are scared to be given one star or two stars for something, Sal said. I personally dont want to change. I want to keep talking to customers in the car.
Backed by affordable housing representatives and local leaders, Mayor London Breed kicked off the second housing development on Treasure Island for low-income residents on Wednesday.

Star View Court, to be built between Ninth Street and Avenue B, will offer 138 new homes for previously unhoused residents living in interim supportive housing, low-income families and legacy households living on the island. Amenities will include a courtyard, community room, parking and on-site property management.

It was named after its view of the bay and the former Star Barracks that one housed military members when the island was a naval base.

The project is a part of a larger Treasure Island Redevelopment Plan, passed by the city's board of supervisors in 2011. The goal is to build up more hotel rooms and shops, 290 acres of public open space and 8,000 new homes, 27 percent to be affordable.

Breed considers the development as an opportunity to create a whole new neighborhood that can serve all San Franciscans.

"As we do that work it's essential that we have affordable places for people to live that also provide housing for the existing residents of this community," Breed said in a statement. "I want to thank the community for their support of this project, as well as our state partners who are providing critical financial support for this project and others throughout San Francisco."

The project was funded by the mayor's housing agency, $100 million from a state housing grant and a $55.6 million reward through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Lead developer Mercy Housing collaborated with Catholic Charities, One Treasure Island, Treasure Island Development Authority and Treasure Island Community Development to bring the project to fruition.

"We're proud to be collaborating with the City of San Francisco and our longtime partner Catholic Charities to bring much needed affordable housing to Treasure Island while meeting the needs of current residents and their families," stated Doug Shoemaker, president of Mercy Housing California.
The tragedy unfolding at Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center has already claimed the lives of four people and pushed at least three patients back into homelessness. If local, state and federal officials dont figure out a way to protect these vulnerable patients from further harm, more will likely die or end up on the street.

The potential closure of Laguna Honda  one of the largest skilled nursing facilities in the United States  is a particularly bad omen at a time when local and state officials seek to put more people under conservatorships in order to place them in care facilities like this one. How can Californias proposed CARE Courts extend help to the thousands in need when we cant keep the doors open at a crucial institution that was established in 1866?

Clearly, Laguna Honda had serious problems in need of fixing. Last spring, federal officials stripped the facility of its ability to receive MediCal and Medicaid payments after multiple inspections found Laguna Honda to be out of compliance with safety rules.

Federal regulators decertified Laguna Honda in April after several regulatory inspections from 2021-22 found on-site illicit drug use and paraphernalia, as well as violations of other various safety protocols, wrote Sydney Johnson of The Examiner.

The failed inspections, along with the subsequent decertification, have created a looming public health crisis in San Francisco. The facility has until Sept. 13 to move out as many patients as possible or its recertification could be jeopardized. A closure would put its remaining patients, who number over 600, in dire straits.

The potential closure has created a deadly bureaucratic nightmare. Thats because, even as Laguna Honda attempts to regain its federal certification, federal rules require the hospital to start offloading patients just in case it is forced to close down. Of the 57 patients transferred out so far, four have died and three have returned to homelessness.

Further complicating matters is a demand by the United States Health and Human Services Department for Laguna Honda to cut 120 beds to comply with new federal rules. On June 30, federal authorities notified Laguna Honda staff that the facility must downscale from 769 beds to 649 beds to meet guidelines set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which is presiding over the hospitals effort to regain certification.

With even fewer beds to meet a demand for care thats expected to increase over time, this represents a big step backward of San Franciscos system of care. More immediate, however, is the threat posed by the potential shutdown of Laguna Honda and the nonsensical requirement that the facility move out all of its patients even as it attempts to salvage its certification and remain in service

This is a total mess, and its turning into a tragedy with the deaths we are hearing about now, Tony Chicotel, a staff attorney at California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, told The Examiners Johnson.

With lives on the line, every leader with a role in the situation must take whatever action necessary to make sure the facility remains open and its patients remain protected from further harm. Moving medically and mentally fragile patients can result in transfer trauma, which can increase stress levels and result in death.

The death rate, when people are moved like that, is much higher, Elizabeth Halifax, a UCSF research, told the San Francisco Standard.

Mayor London Breed, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have all raised the alarm and called for Laguna Honda to remain open. Members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors have called on HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to intercede and stop the forced relocations of patients. Over 1,300 people have signed a petition, circulated by the family member of a patient, urging Becerra to act.

Stop the discharge, said former City Attorney Louise Renne at a City Hall hearing last week. Lets not have any more deaths.

With such an outpouring of support  and with such high stakes  Becerra must take immediate steps to limit further damage. The problems that led to Laguna Hondas decertification must be fixed, but theres no good reason why Becerras agency should exacerbate the problem through a policy of forced relocation that will increase the death toll.

If the goal is to protect patients from harm, how does it make sense to endanger them with heartless and inflexible bureaucratic demands?
Following the Supreme Courts recent decision to strike down federal clean air regulations, state and local policymakers in California are rushing to take the lead in the battle against climate change, pursuing policies related to electric-powered buses to wildfire reduction and more.

But as the fight against the climate crisis takes on greater urgency, one pragmatic policy  building better electric vehicle fleet-charging infrastructure  may actually be taking a back seat in San Francisco.

EV fleets are an easy place to start if policymakers are serious about meeting state and local net-zero goals. Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. President Joe Biden and state officials have declared ambitious goals for moving the automotive industry toward a more sustainable future.

Climate change  coupled with a surge in fuel prices  has shifted our nations leaders and consumers attention toward electric vehicles as a sustainable alternative.

Over the next 10 years, the cumulative number of EVs nationwide is expected to skyrocket, reaching 35 million by 2030. The federal Government Accountability Office reported that more than 100,000 charging stations are needed to support the widespread use of EVs. And San Franciscos Planning Department reported a need for six times the current number of charging stations.

Unfortunately, the Board of Supervisors hasnt been willing to go the distance to ensure more charging stations are available.

After establishing the citys climate goal of net-zero emissions by 2040, Mayor London Breed proposed legislation that would streamline the permitting process and allow for the conversion of gas stations to EV charging stations without having to go through the laborious process of obtaining conditional use authorization from The City.

Simply put, a conventional gas station could easily be transformed into a charging hotspot for EVs. In the fight for cleaner air, Breeds proposal was a big step forward.

But then the Board of Supervisors stepped in, saying some EV innovators  those who, say, convert a fleet of diesel or gasoline vehicles to electric  will still have to seek city permission to install new EV chargers. This will make electrification less likely.

The amended rules would mean fewer EV charging stations and a more difficult road ahead for current and prospective EV owners and operators. Rather than galvanizing interest in electric vehicles, these drawbacks will cause more gas-powered cars to remain on Californias roads.

On top of that, the permission-slip approach will likely mean charging stations concentrated in the wealthiest parts of The City, further setting San Franciscos other neighborhoods behind in both electrification and air pollution reduction.

Opponents of electrification have also raised the concern that automated EV charging stations will hurt employment. While those fears and concerns are understandable, they are ultimately unwarranted as charging stations will still require regular maintenance and technical support, creating new green job opportunities.

Time is running out not only for The City to finalize its policy for the development of EV infrastructure but in our fight against climate change. We are at a critical stage in an energy and climate crisis where decisionmakers can choose to take bold, swift action to meet emissions targets or allow NIMBYism and special interests to set the course.

San Francisco should make it easier, not harder, for gas stations to convert to EV charging stations.
GENEVA (AP) _ STMicroelectronics NV (STM) on Thursday reported second-quarter profit of $867 million.

The Geneva-based company said it had net income of 92 cents per share.

The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 81 cents per share.

The chip company posted revenue of $3.84 billion in the period.

For the current quarter ending in October, STMicroelectronics said it expects revenue in the range of $4.24 billion.

_____

This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on STM at https://www.zacks.com/ap/STM
It has been a busy past few weeks for restaurateurs who debuted new bars and restaurants throughout the Bay Area.

The opening of Yellow Moto Pizzeria has been exciting for owner David White, who spent more than a month remodeling the Flour + Water Pizzeria space that shuttered in June. Yellow Moto Pizzeria is a rebrand of the former restaurant. White shared that he wanted to create a lively atmosphere.

We've certainly been busy, White told SFGATE. We've been so excited to welcome people back into the space. Its just great to feel the energy at the restaurant on a busy evening.

While Flour + Water Pizzeria is no more, owner David White told Eater SF that the restaurants concept was not going to change, and it has largely remained the same. White told SFGATE that the restaurant now has a clam pie and spicy coppa pizza available.

We don't feel a need to make big changes to the menu, White said.

Over in Oakland, Slug debuted at the former space of Downtown Wine Merchants, as first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another.) Jake Michahelles, the general manager at Slug, told SFGATE that the tavern is a play on neighboring Snail Bar, which is also owned by chef Andres Giraldo Florez.

Slug is the little sister bar, Michahelles said. I think the reaction so far has been great, and the vibe inside has been exactly what we wanted so far. In this first weekend, we've had an overlap of guests coming from Snail, but also a new crowd thats more local to downtown Oakland.

Take a look at other exciting July restaurant and bar openings below.

Yellow Moto Pizzeria

Earlier this month, Flour + Water Pizzeria closed and reopened as Yellow Moto Pizzeria inside the same storefront. Owner David White told SFGATE that beyond pizza pies, the restaurant has an extensive cocktail program in collaboration with Enrique Sanchez and Donny Henderson, who created a drink menu inspired by Italy and grounded in California flavors. Guests looking for a quick drink can enjoy the selection of cocktails in the outdoor parklets.

Yellow Moto Pizzeria, 702 Valencia St., San Francisco. Open daily, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Slug

Just a year after debuting Snail Bar in Oakland, chef-owner Andres Giraldo Florez opened his second bar, Slug. Florez envisioned a lively dining destination where locals can sip on quality drinks (the natural wine list includes small batches sourced from around the world) while live music performances (in partnership with Lower Grand Radio) will keep customers entertained through 12 a.m. Florez also hails from the fine dining world with stints in Saison, among others, which means that a razor-sharp eye for detail can be seen within the selection of menu bites.

Slug, 102 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. Open Thursday through Monday, 5 p.m.-12 a.m.

Melati Citrawireja / Courtesy of Square Pie Guys

Square Pie Guys at Ghirardelli Square

Square Pie Guys unveiled its third and largest Bay Area outpost at Ghirardelli Square, which officially opened early this month. When the restaurant was still in the middle of construction, co-owner Danny Stoller told SFGATE that the latest project was exciting. I feel fortunate, Stoller said. I mean, running restaurants is not easy and it's been so cool to put a team together. And it's a beautiful space. Upon opening, SFGATE checked out the new digs and found that the large space had plenty of seats available along with sweeping views of Alcatraz as an added bonus.

Square Pie Guys, 845 Beach St., San Francisco. Open Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m-10 p.m.

La Casa Mia

La Casa Mia opened in Santa Clara on July 15 and bills itself as a Japanese and Italian restaurant, Eater reports. Menu items include Wagyu sukiyaki tagliatelle, bacon and corn pizza, and lemon beef tongue, among others.

La Casa Mia, 3548 Homestead Road, Santa Clara. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.

Obaitori Ramen

Milpitas has a new restaurant that offers a selection of four different types of ramen. Obaitori Ramen, which opened on July 16, prepares its broth with a seafood and chicken base (and one seafood and squid base soy sauce broth) for the variety of ramen styles they make in-house.

Obaitori Ramen, 1708 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and dinner, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Proper Food

San Francisco International Airport has gained Proper Food within Harvey Milk Terminal 1. Proper Food, a chain known for its selection of grab-and-go sandwiches, salads and more, was unveiled July 11 and joined Asian Box restaurant among the newest dining destinations at the airport.

Proper Food, SFO Harvey Milk Terminal 1, San Francisco. Open daily, 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
JERSEYDALE, Calif. (AP)  At least 135 homes and other structures have been destroyed by a California forest fire near Yosemite National Park, officials said Thursday.

The Oak Fire in Mariposa County has charred nearly 30 square miles (77.7 square kilometers) of trees and brush, with 42% containment, Cal Fire said in an incident update.
Days after being publicly insulted by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., on Twitter, Olivia Julianna, a 19-year-old abortion rights advocate, wrote him a tongue-in-cheek thank-you note on the platform.

"Dear Matt, Although your intentions were hateful, your public shaming of my appearance has done nothing but benefit me," she wrote after his tweet about her spurred a load of harassment - as well as a flood of donations to her reproductive rights advocacy organization.

In just about a day, she's helped raise approximately $115,000 for the nonprofit Gen Z for Change.

At a rally last weekend in Tampa, Gaetz had mocked abortion rights activists, calling them "disgusting" and overweight. Olivia Julianna, who uses her first name and middle name publicly because of privacy concerns, criticized the remarks on Twitter, noting the sex-trafficking allegations against Gaetz. In apparent retaliation, Gaetz then tweeted an image of her next to a news story that mentioned his comments from the rally.

That Gaetz tweet has been retweeted hundreds of times since and has triggered online attacks against the teen.

In response, Olivia Julianna announced a fundraising campaign on behalf of Gen Z for Change, a 500-person youth-led group that says it seeks to create tangible change on "issues that disproportionately affect young people" and supports abortion rights.

"This is absolutely the most insane amount of donations we have had thus far from individuals, especially in such a short frame of time," she said in an email. "On a broader scale, this highlights the extreme power of social media mobilization, and it shows Republican politicians that their cheap attacks and political theater will no longer be tolerated."

After his comments at the weekend rally at the conservative Turning Point USA Student Action Summit drew condemnation, Gaetz was asked by a reporter whether he believed that women who attended abortion rights rallies were "ugly and overweight," and he doubled down on his comments. When asked what he had to say to people who were offended by those comments, he said: "Be offended."

Gaetz is an ally of former president Donald Trump and was first elected to Congress in 2016, representing a district in the Florida Panhandle, an area that has voted heavily Republican in recent decades. He has expressed opposition to abortion and abortion rights advocates, and this month voted against two bills aimed at ensuring access to abortion. In May, Gaetz drew criticism for saying that those protesting the overturning of Roe v. Wade are "overeducated, under-loved millennials."

"I would like Matt Gaetz to know he picked the wrong activist" to start a fight with, Olivia Julianna said.

The donations will be split among 50 abortion funds, with the goal of widening access to abortion services, birth control, contraceptives, among other reproductive health-care services, she said.

Olivia Julianna grew up as a queer Latina in a small conservative rural Texas community. "I've been mocked, ridiculed and harassed for most of my life. I will not tolerate that kind of behavior anymore," she said.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  At least five Haitian migrants drowned and 68 others were rescued Thursday after a suspected human smuggling boat dropped the group off in waters near an uninhabited island west of Puerto Rico, officials said.

The incident is the latest in a string of deadly voyages across the northern Caribbean carrying mostly Haitian migrants fleeing their country amid a deepening political and economic crisis and a spike in gang-related killings and kidnappings.

Federal and local authorities searched the area near Mona Island for several hours after receiving a call from rangers with Puerto Rico's Department of Natural Resources who first spotted the migrants. Officials determined that no additional people were missing, based on interviews with survivors, U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad told The Associated Press.

He said 41 men, 25 women and two children survived, adding that none had any urgent medical issues.

Jeffrey Quinones, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said all migrants aboard the boat were Haitians.

Most human smuggling boats that carry Haitian migrants to Puerto Rico depart from the neighboring Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Some capsize in the treacherous Mona Passage that separates the two islands while other boats drop off migrants in tiny uninhabited islands before reaching Puerto Rico.

In this case, the boat carrying the migrants fled the scene, Castrodad said.

The rescue comes just days after authorities in the Bahamas recovered the bodies of 17 migrants and rescued 25 more after their boat capsized early Sunday. A criminal investigation is underway.

In May, 11 Haitian women drowned and 38 others were saved after their boat sank near Puerto Rico.

This is happening every day, Castrodad said. Everyone runs the same risk and same danger.

A growing number of Haitians are fleeing their country as gangs grow more powerful following the July 7, 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. This week alone, authorities blamed gangs for setting a courthouse and a church on fire as turf wars in the capital of Port-au-Prince intensify. In addition, more than 470 people have been killed, injured or disappeared in less than a week amid gang fights in the nearby Cite Soleil slum, according to the United Nations.

The French medical charity Doctors Without Borders issued a statement on Thursday saying it has seen a significant increase in the number of victims hit by stray bullets. One of its emergency centers tended to nearly 80 bullet wounds, the majority of them stray bullets, the organization said, adding that many residents are trapped at home and unable to leave because of the escalating violence as their bullet wounds fester.

In some of these areas, (the agency) can only treat patients in basements or windowless rooms, due to the danger of crossfire and stray bullets, the medical charity said.
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NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Africa still does not have a single dose of the monkeypox vaccine even though its the only continent to have documented deaths from the disease thats newly declared a global emergency, its public health agency announced Thursday.

Let us get vaccines onto the continent, the acting head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ahmed Ogwell, said in a weekly media briefing. He described a situation where the African continent of 1.3 billion people is again being left behind in access to doses in an uncomfortable echo of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Less than a week ago, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox an extraordinary situation that qualifies as a global health emergency.

To date, more than 20,000 cases have been reported in 77 countries. More than 2,100 monkeypox cases have been recorded in 11 African countries and 75 people have died, the Africa CDC director said.

Although monkeypox has been established in parts of central and west Africa for decades, it was not known to spark large outbreaks beyond the continent or to spread widely among people until May, when authorities detected dozens of epidemics in Europe, North America and elsewhere.

Now the global race is on to obtain monkeypox vaccine doses. The European Commission, the European Union's executive arm, has secured the purchase of 160,000 doses of vaccines for the disease. On Wednesday, U.S. health regulators said nearly 800,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine will soon be available for distribution after what they described as weeks of delays.

Such delays are far more pronounced on the African continent, where the painful disease has been endemic in some countries for years.

Ogwell said the Africa CDC has engaged with international partners in attempts to obtain vaccines, and while he said good news is expected in the coming days, we cannot be able to give you a timeline.

Even doses of the smallpox vaccine, which has shown effectiveness against monkeypox, are not available in Africa, Ogwell said.

The solutions need to be global in nature, he said, in a warning to the international community. If were not safe, the rest of the world is not safe.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the global hoarding of vaccine doses were a jolt to African leaders, who quickly joined together in an unprecedented effort to obtain doses and establish the production of more vaccines on the continent.

Now, to their dismay, the monkeypox outbreak is again showing how the worlds richer countries hurry to protect their own people first.

WHO has said it is creating a vaccine-sharing mechanism for protection against monkeypox, but the organization has released few details, so theres no guarantee that African countries will get priority. No countries have yet agreed to share any vaccines with the WHO.

WHO officials have emphasized that monkeypox can infect anyone in close contact with a patient or their contaminated clothing or bedsheets. Researchers are still exploring how it spreads but believe its mainly through close, skin-to-skin contact and through contact with bedding and clothing that touched an infected persons rash or body fluids.

In Africa, monkeypox mainly spreads to people by infected wild animals like rodents in limited outbreaks that typically have not crossed borders. In Europe, North America and elsewhere, however, monkeypox is spreading among people with no links to animals or recent travel to Africa.

In the U.S. and Europe, the vast majority of infections have happened in men who have sex with men, though health officials have stressed that anyone can contract the virus.

___

AP journalist Maria Cheng in London contributed.
ATMORE, Ala. (AP)  An Alabama inmate convicted of killing his former girlfriend decades ago was executed Thursday night despite pleas from the victims family to spare his life.

Joe Nathan James Jr. received a lethal injection at a south Alabama prison after the U.S. Supreme Court denied his request for a stay. Officials said he was was pronounced dead at 9:27 p.m. after the start of execution was delayed by nearly three hours.

James, 50, was convicted and sentenced to death in the 1994 shooting death of Faith Hall, 26, in Birmingham. Hall's daughters have said they would rather James serve life in prison, but Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Wednesday that she planned to let the execution proceed.

Prosecutors said James briefly dated Hall and he became obsessed after she rejected him, stalking and harassing her for months before killing her. On Aug. 15, 1994, after Hall had been out shopping with a friend, James forced his way inside the friend's apartment, pulled a gun from his waistband and shot Hall three times, according to court documents.

Halls two daughters, who were 3 and 6 when their mother was killed, said they wanted James to serve life in prison instead of being executed. The family members not attend the execution.

Today is a tragic day for our family. We are having to relive the hurt that this caused us many years ago," the statement issued through state Rep. Juandalynn Givan's office read. Givan was a friend of Hall's.

We hoped the state wouldnt take a life simply because a life was taken and we have forgiven Mr. Joe Nathan James Jr. for his atrocities toward our family. ... We pray that God allows us to find healing after today and that one day our criminal justice system will listen to the cries of families like ours even if it goes against what the state wishes," the family's statement read.

Ivey said Thursday that she always deeply considers the feelings of the victims family and loved ones, but must always fulfill our responsibility to the law, to public safety and to justice.

Faith Hall, the victim of repetitive harassment, serious threats and ultimately, cold-blooded murder, was taken from this earth far too soon at the hands of Joe Nathan James, Jr. Now, after two convictions, a unanimous jury decision and nearly three decades on death row, Mr. James has been executed for capital murder, and justice has been served for Faith Hall.

She said the execution sends an," unmistakable message was sent that Alabama stands with victims of domestic violence.

The execution began a few minutes after 9 p.m. CDT following a nearly three hour delay. James did not open his eyes or show any deliberate movements at any point during the procedure. He did not speak when the warden asked if he had any final words. His breathing became labored, with deep pulsing breaths, and slowed until it was not visible.

Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm, responding to a question about why the execution was delayed, said the state is, very deliberate in our process in making sure everything goes according to plan. He did not elaborate. Hamm also said James, who showed no movements at any point, was not sedated.

The execution took place at a prison that houses the state's death row. An inmate put signs in a cell window calling the execution a murder."

A Jefferson County jury first convicted James of capital murder in 1996 and voted to recommend the death penalty, which a judge imposed. The conviction was overturned when a state appeals court ruled a judge had wrongly admitted some police reports into evidence. James was retried and again sentenced to death in 1999, when jurors rejected defense claims that he was under emotional duress at the time of the shooting.

James acted as his own attorney in his bid to stop his execution, mailing handwritten lawsuits and appeal notices to the courts from death row. A lawyer filed the latest appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court on his behalf Wednesday. But the request for a stay was rejected about 30 minutes before the execution was set to begin.

James asked justices for a stay, noting the opposition of Hall's family and arguing that Alabama did not give inmates adequate notice of their right to select an alternate execution method. He also argued that Iveys refusal violates religious freedom laws because the Koran and the Bible place the concept of forgiveness paramount in this situation.

The state argued that James waited too late to begin trying to postpone his execution and should not be rewarded for his transparent attempt to game the system."
CAIRO (AP)  A leading human rights watchdog on Thursday urged Egyptian authorities to allow the family of a prominent activist serving a five-year sentence access to him, and reiterated calls for his immediate release.

For nearly 10 days, Alaa Abdel-Fattah's family members had not received any word from him and were told by prison officials that he is refusing to meet with them, Amnesty International reported.

The London-based group also urged authorities to urgently grant the United Kingdom consular access to the 40-year-old computer programmer. Abdel-Fattah has been on a hunger strike for nearly 110 days to protest the conditions of his imprisonment, his family had said earlier.

The hunger strike is still going on and there has been no word of Abdel-Fattah's medical condition. He was sentenced last December to five years on charges of spreading false news, a charge often used to sentence opposition and pro-democracy activists in Egypt.

Earlier this year, Abdel-Fattah gained British citizenship through his mother, Laila Soueif, a math professor at Cairo University who was born in London, his family announced in April.

He must be granted immediate access to his family and a consular visit and to ensure his protection from renewed torture and other ill-treatment, Amnesty said in a statement.

Abdel-Fattah, an outspoken dissident, rose to prominence with the 2011 pro-democracy uprisings that swept the Middle East and in Egypt toppled long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak. Abdel-Fattah spent most of the past decade behind bars and his detention has become a symbol of Egypts return to autocratic rule.

On Thursday, Abdel-Fattah's mother filed a petition with Wadi El-Natrum Prison authorities, asking for an explanation as to why her son is allegedly refusing to receive any visitors, his sister Mona Seif wrote on Twitter.

How is Alaa? Why arent we visiting him? Whats happening inside? and what are we waiting for to resolve all of this and get to see him and see for our selves he is well? his sister said.

She also said their mother had been making a trip every day for five days to the prison, located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Cairo, where the family lives, hoping for any word of him.

Abdel-Fattah was first sentenced in 2014 after being convicted of taking part in an unauthorized protest and allegedly assaulting a police officer. He was released in 2019 after serving a five-year term but was rearrested later that year in a crackdown that followed rare anti-government protests.

The family said at the time that they sought a British passport for Abdel-Fattah as a way out of his impossible ordeal. Since then, the family has been asking authorities to grant him access to a consular visit.

Last year, Abdel-Fattahs family and his Egyptian lawyers accused prison authorities in Cairos Tora Prison of torturing him and denying him basic legal rights. They also called for prosecutors to investigate the claims. In April, authorities transferred him from the notorious facility to the newly-inaugurated Wadi El-Natrun Prison.

Since April, Egypt has been releasing political detainees as part of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi's efforts to reach out to the political opposition amid grinding economic crisis, spawned by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
BAMAKO, Mali (AP)  At least three civilians and 15 soldiers have been killed in separate attacks in central Mali, the army said, the latest round of attacks as insecurity worsens in the West African nation.

Two attacks Wednesday targeted Mali army positions in the center of the country, and the army fought back killing at least 48 assailants, said army spokesman Col. Souleymane Dembele.

Malian Armed Forces repelled terrorist attacks targeting positions in Sevare, Sokolo and Kalumba early this Wednesday, he said in a statement. The soldiers killed include six dead in Sokolo and 12 dead, including 3 civilians, in Kalumba, in the Nara region, the statement said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they bear the mark of jihadi groups linked to al-Qaida which are present in those areas and whose local leader, Amadou Koufa, sent a message a few weeks ago urging his fighters to intensify attacks against the Malian army.

The attacks in central Mali come days after the attack on Malis largest military base, Kati, just 15 kilometers (9 miles) outside the capital, Bamako, in which at least one person was killed.

Since a coup in 2020 in which democratically-elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was overthrown, Mali has been ruled by a military junta, led by Col. Assimi Goita, who has had himself appointed president. The military regime has said it will govern in the transitional period until elections are held in 2024.

In recent weeks the junta has reduced the presence of foreign troops assisting its fight against extremist rebels. The government withdrew Mali from the G5 Sahel alliance, composed of five neighboring countries working together to battle jihadi violence, and asked a French and European military force fighting extremists to leave the country.

Attacks have circled the capital as the French military, in Mali since 2013, withdraws. Mali has enlisted support from the Russian mercenary outfit, the Wagner Group.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Louisiana has dropped its case against a Black man whose severe beating before his arrest in 2019 led to criminal charges and lawsuits against a state trooper.

A traffic violation and charges of resisting an officer had been hanging over Aaron Bowman for two years. Court documents show the Louisiana Attorney Generals office moved to dismiss the charges against Bowman on Monday, citing insufficient evidence to support prosecution and credibility issues with the officers who arrested him.

Former state trooper Jacob Brown faces a federal charge of violating Bowman's civil rights in connection with the beating in May 2019. He has pleaded not guilty. A trial date of March 20 was set Tuesday.

The federal indictment accuses Brown of beating Bowman with a flashlight that had a tactical cap designed to break glass.

Video and police records show Bowman was struck 18 times with a flashlight in 24 seconds. Records show it happened when he pulled into the driveway of his home in Monroe after police tried to pull him over for improper lane usage. He was not immediately taken into custody after the beating, but was arrested on a warrant issued a few days later.

The Attorney Generals Office took over prosecution of the charges against Bowman after his attorneys asked a court to recuse the local prosecutor, 4th Judicial District Attorney Robert Tew.

Bowman is suing state police and multiple Ouachita Parish agencies in civil court.

In the federal criminal case, Brown is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law."

Bowman's case came to light as scrutiny of the Louisiana State Police intensified amid allegations of use of excessive force and racism.

The U.S. Justice Department last month announced a sweeping civil rights investigation of the agency amid mounting evidence of a pattern of looking away from beatings of mostly Black men, including the 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene, who died in custody after being beaten following a chase.

The announcement followed an Associated Press investigation that found at least a dozen cases over the past decade in which state police troopers or their bosses ignored or concealed evidence of beatings, deflected blame and impeded efforts to root out misconduct. Dozens of current and former troopers said the beatings were countenanced by a culture of impunity, nepotism and, in some cases, outright racism.
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BEIRUT (AP)  Rita Qadans heart skips a beat whenever talks about how she survived the devastating explosion in Beirut's Port two years ago. And every time she sees the massive port silos, she is reminded again of her trauma.

The ports grain silos destroyed in the blast  a massive, charred ruin jutting into the sky  has been burning for weeks after remnants of the grains that withstood the 2020 explosion started fermenting and ignited in the summer heat. The Lebanese government said last week the fire expanded after flames reached nearby electrical cables. Experts warn the structure could collapse at any time.

On that fateful Aug. 4, 2020, hundreds of tons of explosive ammonium nitrate improperly stored in the port for years, detonated, killing more than 200 people injuring over 6,000. Entire parts of the city around the port were destroyed in the blast, and the tragedy became a searing trauma on the psyche of the entire Lebanese population.

Today, Qadan still works as a concierge at a building in Beirut's Mar Mikhael neighborhood, where she has lived for decades, her small apartment tucked in the corner of the ground floor.

The area along Beirut's waterfront has a direct view of the port and the smoldering silos. The smoke brings back horrible memories, Qadan says as she waters her plants.

The stench, seeping into her modest two-room apartment, is dizzying, she says. I just wear my mask and stay indoors, Qadan told The Associated Press, her voice trembling. Im really scared that they could fall.

Emmanuel Durand, a French civil engineer who volunteered for the government-commissioned team of experts, says the north block's collapse in the port is inevitable and just a matter of time.

In Geneva, he has been monitoring the tilting silos from thousands of miles away using data produced by sensors he installed over a year ago, and updating a team of Lebanese government and security officials on the developments in a WhatsApp group.

Two weeks ago the silos were tilting at 2 millimeters per day, and in the last week that has accelerated to 2.5 millimeters per hour, and that rapidly accelerates as the fire continues and causes more structural damage, Durand told the AP. Its now ... a steady 6 millimeters per hour.

Even before the fire, the northern block was on its last legs. The fire is just finishing it off, he said.

Durand first visited Beirut as a volunteer two weeks after the 2020 explosion, assessing damaged buildings with engineering students. He had no idea the port silos would later come occupy so much of his free time.

Im very wired with that particular site and with the country, he said. All this has been an emotional experience, but as long as nobody gets killed, Ill be okay.

From work, Mohammad Daife can also see the Beirut port silos. Daife, whose family-run company provides customs assistance to shipping clients, said he remained in shock for three months after the blast.

He closes his windows and keeps the air conditioner running to avoid the stench We are very disturbed ... something could happen to our employees and families, Daife said. I dont know what the government will do, but I hope they make a decision so this can end.

Johnny Assaf can also see the silos from his small real estate agency. In the explosion, shards of glass from the windows pierced his back  one piece still hasn't been removed.

Our fear is that it tips over, because we dont what could happen to us if it did, he said.

The Lebanese health and environment ministries on Monday urged residents in the area to close their windows and wear facemasks, offering instructions on how to clean dust from their cars and homes should the silos fall. But the residents are still fearful.

My friends are leaving the area, Assaf explained. But there are people with nowhere else to go.
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TIJUANA, Mexico (AP)  Worsening climate largely from the burning of coal and gas is uprooting millions of people, with wildfires overrunning towns in California, rising seas overtaking island nations and drought exacerbating conflicts in various parts of the world.

Each year, natural disasters force an average of 21.5 million people from their homes around the world, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. And scientists predict migration will grow as the planet gets hotter. Over the next 30 years, 143 million people are likely to be uprooted by rising seas, drought, searing temperatures and other climate catastrophes, according to the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report published this year.

Still, the world has yet to officially recognize climate migrants or come up with formalized ways to assess their needs and help them. Heres a look at climate migration today.

WHO ARE CLIMATE MIGRANTS?

Most climate migrants move within the borders of their homelands, usually from rural areas to cities after losing their home or livelihood because of drought, rising seas or another weather calamity. Because cities also are facing their own climate-related problems, including soaring temperatures and water scarcity, people are increasingly being forced to flee across international borders to seek refuge.

Yet climate migrants are not afforded refugee status under the 1951 Refugee Convention, which provides legal protection only to people fleeing persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or particular social group.

DEFINING CLIMATE MIGRATION

Identifying climate migrants is not easy, especially in regions rife with poverty, violence and conflicts.

While worsening weather conditions are exacerbating poverty, crime and political instability, and fueling tensions over dwindling resources from Africa to Latin America, often climate change is overlooked as a contributing factor to people fleeing their homelands. According to the UNHCR, 90% of refugees under its mandate are from countries on the front lines of the climate emergency.

In El Salvador, for example, scores each year leave villages because of crop failure from drought or flooding, and end up in cities where they become victims of gang violence and ultimately flee their countries because of those attacks.

Its hard to say that someone moves just because of climate change. Is everyone who leaves Honduras after a hurricane a climate migrant? Elizabeth Ferris, a research professor at the Institute for the Study of International Migration at Georgetown University, wrote in an email to The Associated Press. And then there are non-climate related environmental hazards - people flee earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis - should they be treated differently than those displaced by weather-related phenomena?"

Despite the challenges, it's vital that governments identify climate-displaced people, Ferris added.

The whole definitional issue isnt a trivial question - how can you develop a policy for people if you arent clear on who it applies to? she wrote.

INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS

While no nation offers asylum to climate migrants, UNHCR published legal guidance in October 2020 that opens the door for offering protection to people displaced by the effects of global warming. It said that climate change should be taken into consideration in certain scenarios when it intersects with violence, though it stopped short of redefining the 1951 Refugee Convention.

The commission acknowledged that temporary protection may be insufficient if a country cannot remedy the situation from natural disasters, such as rising seas, suggesting that certain climate displaced people could be eligible for resettlement if their place of origin is considered uninhabitable.

An increasing number of countries are laying the groundwork to become safe havens for climate migrants. In May, Argentina created a special humanitarian visa for people from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean displaced by natural disasters to let them stay for three years.

Shortly after taking office, President Joe Biden ordered his national security adviser to conduct a months-long study that included looking at the options for protection and resettlement of individuals displaced directly or indirectly from climate change. A task force was set up, but so far the administration has not adopted such a program.

Low-lying Bangladesh, which is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, has been among the first to try to adapt to the new reality of migration. Efforts are underway to identify climate-resilient towns where people displaced by sea level rise, river erosion, cyclonic storms and intrusion of saline water can move to work, and in return help their new locations economically.

TRANSFORMING DEBATES ON MIGRATION

Policy debates on migration have long centered on locking down borders. Climate change is changing that.

With hundreds of millions of people expected to be uprooted by natural disasters, there is growing discussion about how to manage migration flows rather than stop them, as for many people migration will become a survival tool, according to advocates.

One problem is just the complete lack of understanding as to how climate is forcing people to move," said Amali Tower, founder and executive director of Climate Refugees, an advocacy group focused on raising awareness about people displaced because of climate change. There is still this idea in the Global North (industrialized nations) that people come here because they are fleeing poverty and seeking a better life, the American Dream. In Europe, it's the same spin of the same story. But no one wants to leave their home. We've got to approach climate displacement as a human security issue and not a border security issue."

____

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.
BOSTON (AP)  A former Massachusetts state senator and Republican candidate for Congress pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges including allegedly stealing a gun from an elderly constituent and misleading investigators about what happened.

Dean Tran, 46, of Fitchburg, stated in court that he was absolutely not guilty to each charge.

Investigators said Tran used his position as a public official to intimidate the woman into parting with her late husbands firearms, making her sign a pre-prepared contract and giving her $1,500 in cash for at least eight guns while visiting her in June 2019.

When asked to return them the next day, Tran complied. But a day after he gave the guns back, he returned to the womans home, forced his way in and demanded a key to the gun safe, according to investigators.

He then stole a Colt .45 while the constituent hid in her bedroom, investigators said. That gun was also later returned to the woman.

Tran issued a statement earlier this month calling the allegations untrue and categorically false.

Investigators say Tran allegedly gave conflicting stories and reasons for taking the guns when interviewed by police, including denying any type of firearm sale, later producing a sales contract for the weapons, and disparaging the constituents mental capacity before demanding a written apology from her.

Investigators also allege Tran made false statements on his May 2019 license-to-carry renewal application.

Tran is challenging two-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan for the congressional seat representing the states 3rd Congressional District.

On Wednesday, Tran filed a federal lawsuit against Attorney General Maura Healey, alleging that the timing of the charges was politically motivated, given Healey's support for Trahan, a fellow Democrat and the fact that the allegations date to 2019.

Healey is running for governor.

Now, because I am challenging a Democratic seat in Congress, these allegations are coming forward, Tran posted on Facebook Wednesday. I want to state emphatically, that I did not engage in any wrongdoing and that these charges are being maliciously utilized to benefit my political opponent."

A spokesperson for Healey declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Tran was indicted July 1 by a Worcester grand jury on the charges including larceny of a firearm, filing an application for a license to carry containing false information, obtaining a signature by false pretenses with intent to defraud, and misleading a police investigation.

The Massachusetts Senate barred Tran in 2020 from interacting with his staff except through official emails in the wake of an ethics investigation that found he had his staff conduct campaign work during regular Senate business hours.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  A Richmond man who was released from prison three years ago after serving 23 years for a federal drug trafficking conspiracy is going back behind bars for having a gun he bought on the street.

Following a hearing on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Keith L. Hopkins Jr., 54, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for his earlier guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP)  Cyprus and Greece plan to consult with other European Union members on how to respond if Turkey tries again to drill for oil and gas inside waters that Cyprus claims as its exclusive economic zone, the Cypriot foreign minister said Thursday.

Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said earlier this week that the countrys newest drill ship, the Abdullhamid Han, would set sail Aug. 9 for a drilling operation in the Mediterranean. The exact location has not been announced.
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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The parents of a teenager who was one of three people killed by a former Wisconsin police officer over a five-year span filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Thursday alleging that he used excessive force and that the department he worked for embraces and promotes racism.

Alvin Cole's parents, Tracy and Albert Cole, are seeking unspecified damages from former Wauwatosa Officer Joseph Mensah, the city's former police chief, Barry Weber, and its insurance company in connection with their son's death. Mensah shot the 17-year-old during a foot chase outside a mall in February 2020. Mensah said the teen fired first.

Alvin Cole was the third person Mensah shot and killed during a five-year stretch with the Wauwatosa Police Department. Mensah killed Antonio Gonzales in 2015 after Gonzales refused to drop a sword, according to prosecutors. He killed Jay Anderson in 2016 after he found Anderson sleeping in a car in a park after hours. Prosecutors said Anderson reached for a gun on the passenger seat.

Mensah is Black, Anderson and Alvin Cole were Black and Gonzales identified as Native American.

Mensah wasn't charged in any of the shootings. Anderson's and Gonzales' families filed federal civil lawsuits last year against Mensah, Weber and the city. Those cases are still pending.

The latest lawsuit alleges that Alvin Cole accidentally shot himself during the chase and was on the ground trying to comply with officers' commands when Mensah ran up and shot him five times without giving him any commands. This amounts to unconstitutional excessive force, the suit contends.

The lawsuit also asserts that race was a motivating factor in Mensah's decision to open fire, insisting that Mensah treated Alvin Cole worse than he would have treated a white person in the same situation.

The lawsuit also argues the Wauwatosa Police Department embraces and promotes racism, arguing that Black people were barred from living in certain parts of the city into the 1980s and that several members of the department attended so-called MLK parties in blackface in the 1980s and 1990s but were never disciplined. The lawsuit goes on to allege that 83% of the department's arrests in 2018 were of Black people even though Black people only made up 5.3% of the city's population that year.

Mensah's attorney, Jonathan Cermele, didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Weber retired in June 2021; his attorney, Ann Wirth, also didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Wauwatosa City Attorney Alan Kesner declined to comment, saying the city hadn't been served with the lawsuit yet and that he hadn't seen the filing.

Mensah resigned from the police department under pressure in 2020 and joined the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department.

Human rights attorney Kimberley Motley is representing the Cole, Anderson and Gonzales families in their lawsuits. She persuaded Milwaukee County Judge Glenn Yamahiro to revisit whether to file charges in Anderson's case last year. Two special prosecutors Yamahiro appointed to review the case declined to file charges in June, saying they wouldn't be able to prove Mensah didn't act in self-defense.
DETROIT (AP)  A Detroit firefighter was rescued Thursday after being trapped in a burning vacant home that collapsed, officials said.

Two firefighters originally were trapped in the structure on the city's east side but one was freed quickly, said James Harris, a Detroit Fire Department spokesman.
Midland-based Dow announced in a news release on Wednesday that Dow and the Saudi Arabia-based Al-Hejailan Group have agreed to form a joint venture to design, build and operate a methyl diethanolamine (MDEA) plant in the PlasChem Park in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

The joint venture, to be located in the PlasChem Park, is expected to be built and operated by the Al-Hejailan Group, with Dow holding a 25% stake and Al-Hejailan holding a 75% stake.

The facility will utilize Dow's manufacturing technologies, and Dow will be responsible for marketing of the plant's production of MDEA.

Construction of the plant is expected to begin in 2024, and it is scheduled to open in 2025.

The joint venture will enable Dow and Al-Hejailan to meet growing demand for natural gas purification in Saudi Arabia and in the broader Middle East region.

"This partnership is a demonstration of delivering solutions that will help advance the energy transition," Dow President and Chief Financial Officer Howard Ungerleider said. "We are excited for this opportunity with Al-Hejailan and appreciate the instrumental support of the Ministry of Energy & the Royal Commission."

The "energy transition" that Ungerleider mentioned refers to Dow's multi-phase initiative of enabling both cleaner fossil fuels and lower-carbon energy solutions, Dow Corporate Communications Leader J.D. Sterba told the Daily News.

Sterba also said MDEA produced from the joint venture will be used mainly as a solvent for amine gas treatment in refineries, petrochemical plants and natural gas processing plants. He said MDEA can also be supplied to construction, textile, paints and pharmaceuticals industries.

"Saudi Arabia is a significant player in both the regional and global petrochemicals market, with further growth expected in the coming years. We are therefore delighted to sign this agreement with Dow, as it aligns with our group's strategy of participating in the downstream industry," said Faisal J. Al-Hejailan, CEO Al-Hejailan Group.

In addition, Dow will build a Dow-owned downstream manufacturing facility, to open in late 2024, which will source raw materials from the new joint venture. This new facility will expand capacity of Dow's MDEA-based high performance UCARSOL products and will also blend Dow's ACCUTRACE fuel markers for the region. According to the news release, this investment will position Dow to further enable local solutions for the energy transition, including delivery of gas-treating, carbon-capture, and fuel-additive technology to the region.

In the context of manufacturing, "downstream" refers to the later stages in the process of converting raw materials into finished products.

Dow and the Al-Hejailan Group previously agreed on a joint venture in 2020 to design, build and operate a polyacrylic acid and emulsion polymers plant in Saudi Arabia.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  A senior Ethiopian official says the government is ready for talks with rival forces from the countrys northern Tigray region anytime, anywhere and without preconditions, in a notable break from the past.

The announcement on Thursday by Redwan Hussein, security adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, came amid hopes for dialogue to resolve the East African nations deadly war that erupted in November 2020.

Redwan tweeted after meeting with special envoys from the United Nations, the European Union and the United States, adding that the African Union continental body leads the process and can solicit logistical support from any source.

In June, after a cease-fire and the increasing delivery of desperately needed aid to long-blockaded Tigray, both sides in the conflict agreed to sit down for talks. Ethiopias federal government has assigned a team of seven negotiators led by the foreign minister, but Tigray leaders have said some preconditions should be met.

On Tuesday, the president of Tigrays regional government, Debretsion Gebremichael, said that if the federal government was really ready to make peace, it would have resumed basic public services in the region, referring to long-severed banking, electricity and telecom services.

Critics of the Tigray leaders have argued that they should be removed, and their forces disarmed, before talks begin. Others have said it would be illegal to enter talks with the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front while it remains on the federal governments list of designated terror groups.

Ethiopias government has been under international pressure to negotiate with Tigray leaders to end the war that is estimated to have killed tens of thousands of people in the Tigray and neighboring Amhara and Afar regions.

Concerns remain that the conflict could flare up again amid friction between the rival sides over conditions for the talks.

Their disagreement over whether African Union envoy (Olusegun) Obasanjo or a top Kenyan official will lead mediation efforts to end the civil war is a dangerous obstacle to negotiations beginning, William Davison with the International Crisis Group tweeted on Thursday. While the truce is holding, and theres no reason to think renewed federal-Tigray conflict is imminent, this impasse raises the risks of that.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  The federal government is pledging $401 million in grants and loans to expand the reach and improve the speed of internet for rural residents, tribes and businesses in remote parts of 11 states from Alaska to Arkansas.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters Wednesday, ahead of the Thursday announcement, that farmers, store owners, schoolchildren and people seeking telehealth medical checkups will benefit from the ReConnect and Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee programs.

Connectivity is critical to economic success in rural America, Vilsack said in a statement tallying the number of people who could be helped at about 31,000 in states also including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota and Texas.

The statement said the Department of Agriculture plans more spending on high-speed internet in coming weeks as part of a $65 billion Biden administration plan to expand affordable, high-speed internet to all communities in the U.S.

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto joined Vilsack and Mitch Landrieu, White House infrastructure coordinator, to point to the effect the grants and loans are expected to have in the northern Nevada community of Lovelock, home to fewer than 2,000 people, and the Lovelock Indian Colony.

There is a need for this connectivity on so many levels, Cortez Masto said, whether it brings telehealth, telemedicine, e-learning, workforce development. A connection is so important for so many Nevadans.

Internet provider Uprise LLC will receive more than $27 million to connect almost 4,900 people, 130 businesses, 22 farms and seven public schools in Lovelock and surrounding Pershing County, officials said.

Cortez Masto, a Democrat seeking reelection in November, said federal funds will offer eligible Nevada residents a $30-per-month discount on their internet bill discount and up to $100 toward a computer.

Elsewhere, Midvale Telephone Co. will get $10.6 million to bring high-speed fiber-optic internet to people, businesses and farms in four central Idaho counties  Elmore, Blaine, Custer and Boise  and five southeast Arizona counties: Gila, Graham, Pinal, Cochise and Pima.

The Arkansas Telephone Co. will receive $12 million to connect almost 1,000 people, 10 businesses and 145 farms to high-speed internet in Searcy and Van Buren counties, with low-cost with voice and voice/data starter packages.

Alaska Power & Telephone, Unicom Inc. and Cordova Telephone Cooperative, combined, are slated to receive almost $55.4 million in to connect almost 3,300 people, 118 businesses and seven schools in remote areas by fiber-optic network.

In New Mexico, Continental Divide Electric Cooperative and ENMP Telephone Cooperative are due to receive a combined $18 million in grants to install affordable fiber networks, and Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative will get a nearly $29 million loan to connect socially vulnerable communities in Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln and Otero counties.

Vilsack said the programs will particularly help residents in what he called persistent poverty counties, where he said most have access to broadband, but about one in three dont have high-speed networks needed for telemedicine and distance learning.

He said the goal was to do what is necessary to make sure every rural resident, regardless of ZIP code has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet.

____

This story corrects the full name reference Cortez Masto in the 8th paragraph.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)  A Florida man suspected of inhaling nitrous oxide from a whipped cream dispenser before causing a fatal crash has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide.

Tucker Hoopengarner, 29, also admitted Wednesday to a charge of unlawful distribution of nitrous oxide, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The July 1, 2020, crash killed Jill Lawniczak, 53.

Investigators said Hoopengarner was speeding in rush hour traffic near Tampa when he veered into an oncoming lane and crashed into Lawniczak's Kia.

On the passenger-side floorboard of his SUV, investigators found a black commercial-grade whipped cream dispenser, which uses nitrous oxide cannisters as propellant, several spent cannisters and a box marked XXX Platinum - 50 Triple Refined Cream Chargers."

None of the law enforcement officers working the crash said Hoopengarner appeared to be under the influence of a substance. But he did appear spaced out, according to a search warrant application.

A blood test taken after the crash detected marijuana, but yielded no other substances.

Though the evidence was thin, investigators alleged that Hoopengarner inhaled the gas and possibly went unconscious just before the crash. Nitrous oxide leaves the body within minutes, unlike alcohol and many drugs.

His defense attorney, Christopher Klemawesch, had argued the case should be dismissed, the Times reported.

But on Wednesday, Hoopengarner took a plea deal.

I know he took it extremely seriously, Klemawesch said. I know it had a profound effect on him. I know he certainly wishes it had never happened.

Prosecutors cited reckless driving at a high rate of speed in bringing the vehicular homicide charge.

His sentence is consistent with the law as well as the wishes of the victims family, and we are proud to achieve the justice they deserve, Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren said in a statement.

The judge sentenced Hoopengarner to six years in prison followed by 10 years of probation and 50 hours of community service.
BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP)  French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up a three-country Africa tour in Guinea-Bissau Thursday that saw him pledge funding for education and economic development as well as military support to fight extremism in West and Central Africa.

On Thursday he met with Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo who became the chair of the West African economic bloc ECOWAS earlier this month.

West Africa is facing security challenges with increased extremist attacks and several coups and attempted power grabs since August 2020.

Macron, in a press conference after his meeting, said they discussed bilateral relationships and the situation in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, all of which have experienced coups.

We spoke at length about the risk of destabilization that the situation in the Sahel poses to the entire West African region. And I reiterated Frances determination, first of all, to remain committed to the Sahel and the region, he said, adding that France could come to support armies with training and equipment and joint missions.

The strategy that alone can be effective in the face of the multiplication of terrorist groups, is a security agenda at the service of states and complemented by a political agenda, that aids in the development of projects that create educational and economic opportunities for the populations. It is the synergy between political, security and development strategies that can only be effective in the face of the scourge of terrorism.

Embalo spoke only briefly, saying that Macrons presence in Guinea-Bissau was key to highlighting Frances interest in West Africa and the continent.

I believe that cooperation is already good, but now it will strengthen even more in all areas and especially in the security field, he said. We are confronted with terrorism ... not just in the Sahel region, but all of Africa is confronted with this scourge, he added, welcoming Macrons support.

Macrons visit comes also as Guinea-Bissau faces political turmoil. In February, there was a failed coup attempt in which 11 people were killed, and then in May, Embalo dissolved the parliament and called for early parliamentary elections by the end of the year.

Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced four coup detats and more than a dozen attempted coups.
ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Germany's top diplomat visited refugees at a camp in Greece on Thursday after stressing that European Union countries should do more to safeguard people seeking refuge from war and hardship.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited a Holocaust memorial in Athens before sitting down with refugees at a camp west of the city. She used the visit to promote what she called a common European sea rescue policy" and to oppose summary deportations of asylum-seekers and migrants.
NEW YORK (AP)  For more than a decade, US Bank pressured its employees to open fake accounts in their customers' names in order to meet unrealistic sales goals, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Thursday, in a case that is deeply similar to the sales practices scandal uncovered at Wells Fargo last decade.

The CFPB alleged that US Bank accessed consumers credit reports to open checking and savings accounts, credit cards and lines of credit without their permission. Employees were encouraged to do so, in order to meet the bank's goals of selling multiple products to each customer with the bank.

The scale of US Banks's fake accounts scandal was not disclosed immediately by the CFPB, but the bank was forced to pay $37.5 million in fines and penalties and will have to refund customers any fees they paid for the fake accounts.

For over a decade, U.S. Bank knew its employees were taking advantage of its customers by misappropriating consumer data to create fictitious accounts, said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, in a statement.

A spokesman for US Bank said the bad sales practices were a legacy issue at the bank dating back to 2016, and that the bank has made significant improvements to its sales practices since then. The consent order reached with the CFPB acknowledges that US Bank did make improvements to its sales practices in recent years, which included no longer tying pay to opened accounts and requiring customers' consent to open new services.

"The action by the CFPB closes out a (more than five year) investigation. We are pleased to put this matter behind us, said Lee Henderson, a spokesman for the bank.

Wells Fargo's sales practices scandal rocked the financial world half a decade ago, when the bank was found to have encouraged employees to open millions of fake accounts to meet sales goals. The scandal ruined Wells Fargo's reputation as a well-run bank through the Great Recession, led to billions of dollars worth of fines against the bank, and almost immediately led to the resignation of the bank's CEO and eventually its board of directors.

Wells has been under tight supervision by the Federal Reserve since that scandal broke, keeping the bank from growing any bigger until it fixes its workplace culture. There are no signs that the Fed plans to release Wells from its regulatory leash any time soon.

US Bank, based in Minneapolis, is currently in the middle of purchasing the retail banking business of Japanese banking giant MUFG, a deal announced more than a year ago. The transaction is taking longer than expected, with both banks now expecting it to close some time in the second half of the year.

Shares of US Bancorp fell 4.3% to $46.12.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Twitter warned Thursday that governments around the globe are asking the company to remove content or snoop on private details of user accounts at an alarming rate.

The social media company revealed in a new report that it fielded a record number of legal demands  nearly 60,000 during a six-month period last year - from local, state or national governments that wanted Twitter to remove content from accounts or reveal confidential information such as direct messages or user locations.

Were seeing governments become more aggressive in how they try to use legal tactics to unmask the people using our service, collect information about account owners and also using legal demands as a way to try and silence people, Yoel Roth, the head of Twitter's safety and integrity, said in a conversation broadcast on the site Thursday.

The U.S. makes up the majority of demands for account information, accounting for 20% of the requests. India follows closely behind. Twitter says it complied fully with roughly 40% of all asks for information on user accounts.

Japan, which is also a frequent requestor for account information, makes the most requests of Twitter to take down content from accounts. Japan made more than 23,000 requests  half of all requests  for content to be removed. Russia followed closely behind on its takedown asks.

Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, also reported an increase in government asks for private user data during the same timeframe.

Twitter also reported a huge spike in requests from governments that targeted verified journalists and news outlets during the last half of 2021.

Governments also made a record number of legal demands on 349 accounts of verified journalists or news outlets around the globe between July and December of last year  a 103% increase.

Twitter did not provide a breakdown of which countries made those requests on journalists' accounts or how many of the asks they complied with.

Governments are using the social media companies to silence critics and censor journalists, Rob Mahoney, the executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press.

This surge in government demands for content takedowns and information on journalists is part of a global trend of increasing censorship and manipulation of information," Mahoney said. Social media platforms are vital for reporters and they must do more to resist government attempts to silence critical voices.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  The House Jan. 6 committee has interviewed former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and is in negotiations to talk to several other former members of Donald Trump's Cabinet as it scrutinizes the days after the Capitol insurrection and discussions about whether to try and remove the then-president from office.

The negotiations come as the committee was interviewing Trump's onetime chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, on Thursday. The former South Carolina congressman held that job until 2020 and later was special envoy for Northern Ireland, a post he resigned immediately after the riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

The interviews and negotiations were confirmed by three people familiar with the committees work who were not authorized to discuss the developments publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The committee asked Mnuchin about discussions among Cabinet secretaries to possibly invoke the constitutional process in the 25th Amendment to remove Trump after the attack on the Capitol, according to one of the people, and is in active talks to interview former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Pompeo is likely to appear in the coming days, the person said.

The committee had already interviewed former acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, former Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia and former acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller as it focuses on Trump and what he was doing in the days before, during and after the riot.

Lawmakers also are in discussions with John Ratcliffe, former director of national intelligence, according to two of the people, and are seeking interviews with several senior intelligence officials who had contact with the White House around that time.

Ratcliffe delivered a classified briefing on election security in late December 2020 at the request of Jeffrey Clark, a Justice Department official who promoted Trumps false claims of election fraud.

A person familiar with the matter said Ratcliffe summarized the findings of an election security report that said intelligence agencies had no indications that any foreign actors attempted to alter any technical aspect of the voting process in the 2020 U.S. elections, including voter registration, casting ballots, vote tabulation, or reporting results.

Trump and outside advisers who were pushing the false fraud claims had suggested that Venezuela had somehow tried to alter the count through voting machines.

The focus on the Cabinet is one of several threads the committee is pursuing after laying out much of its evidence in eight hearings this summer. After a yearlong investigation and more than 1,000 interviews, committee members say there is much more they want to learn.

The committee is expected to convene additional hearings in September.

Investigators have also reached out to former Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who resigned in the days after the riot, and lawmakers could call in other Trump Cabinet officials.

Betsy DeVos, Trump's education secretary at the time, previously told USA Today that she raised with Vice President Mike Pence the question of whether the Cabinet should consider invoking the 25th Amendment, which would have required the vice president and the majority of the Cabinet to agree that the president could no longer fulfill his duties.

DeVos resigned the day after the attack, blaming Trump for inciting the mob.

"There is no mistaking the impact your rhetoric had on the situation, and it is the inflection point for me, she wrote.

At a rally on the morning of Jan. 6, Trump had told a crowd of his supporters to fight like hell as Congress met to certify Joe Biden's election victory, and the rioters were repeating Trump's false claims as they broke into the Capitol and violently pushed past police.

Elaine Chao also quit as transportation secretary on Jan. 7. Chao, who is married to Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said the attack had deeply troubled me in a way that I simply cannot set aside.

Pompeo, who is now considering a 2024 presidential run, and Mnuchin were reported to have discussed the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment, according to Jonathan Karl of ABC News in his book Betrayal.

___

For full coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings, go to https://www.apnews.com/capitol-siege
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NEW YORK (AP)  For most of the six decades that monkeypox has been known to affect people, it was not known as a disease that spreads through sex. Now that has changed.

The current outbreak is by far the biggest involving the virus, and it's been designated a global emergency. So far, officials say, all evidence indicates that the disease has spread mainly through networks of men who have sex with men.

It clearly is spreading as an STI (sexually transmitted infection) at this point, said Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

To protect the people at highest risk while trying to contain the spread, public health agencies are focusing their attention on those men  and attacking the virus based on how it's behaving now.

On Wednesday, the head of the World Health Organization advised men at risk for monkeypox to consider reducing their sexual partners for the moment.

But this is a complicated outbreak that may shift in how it spreads and which population groups are most affected. There is also debate about whether monkeypox should be called a sexually transmitted disease, with some critics complaining that the term creates a stigma and could be used to vilify gay and bisexual men.

Monkeypox can spread in nonsexual ways too, and it's not enough to use condoms or other typical measures for stopping STDs, Inglesby and other experts say.

Here's what we know.

WHAT MAKES SOMETHING AN STD?

A sexually transmitted disease is commonly defined as one that mainly spreads through sexual contact. But some STDs can be spread in other ways, too. HIV can spread through shared needles. Syphilis can spread through kissing. A common, parasite-caused sexual infection called trichomoniasis has been found to spread through the sharing of damp, moist objects like sponges or towels.

Monkeypox has not usually spread easily among people, and experts are still trying to understand exactly how it moves from person to person. In Africa, where small outbreaks have been common for years, people have been infected through bites from rodents or small animals.

But in May, cases began emerging in Europe, the United States and elsewhere that showed a clear pattern of infection through intimate contact with an infected person, like many other sexually transmitted diseases.

The public health workers who respond to outbreaks play a large role how they are framed. Much of the work on monkeypox has been done by professionals who operate sexual health clinics or specialize in STDs.

Indeed, the U.S. government's response needs to be led by people with that expertise, said David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors.

The STD field has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in these areas developed over decades fighting various outbreaks and diseases affecting the very communities ... were seeing monkeypox taking a toll on today, Harvey said in a statement.

WHO IS GETTING MONKEYPOX?

WHO officials said last week that 99% of all the monkeypox cases beyond Africa were in men and that of those, 98% involved men who have sex with men. Experts suspect that monkeypox outbreaks in Europe and North America were ignited by sex at two raves in Belgium and Spain.

The statistics are the same for cases reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As in Europe, cases have emerged in other groups too, including at least 13 people who were female at birth and at least two children.

Last week, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study of hundreds of monkeypox infections in 16 countries. It found that the suspected means of transmission in 95% of the cases was sexual close contact, as reported by doctors. The researchers noted that it was impossible to confirm sexual transmission.

That idea seemed to be further supported by the finding that most of the men had lesions in the genital or anal areas or in the mouth  areas of sexual contact, the researchers said.

WHY IS THERE A DEBATE ABOUT CALLING IT AN STD?

While there is broad agreement among health officials that monkeypox is being transmitted during sexual encounters, some experts debate whether it should be called an STD. They worry that the term unfairly stigmatizes and that it could undermine efforts to identify infections and tame the outbreak.

When a disease is defined as a sexually transmitted infection that mainly affects men who have sex with men, many people may begin to think of it as a gay disease that poses no risk to them, said Jason Farley, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.

That's what happened in the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, which contributed to the spread of HIV to other groups. Farley said.

We learn nothing from our history, said Farley, who is gay.

The WHO recommendation that at-risk men limit their sexual partners is sensible public health advice, he said. But it also amplifies "the message that this is a gay disease, he said.

This is the fine line between having a public health approach that focuses on the epidemiology of now, compared to the likelihood of the continued emergence of new cases in" the general community, he said.

"Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted infection," he said. It is an infection that can be transmitted with sexual contact.

WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT TRANSMISSION?

Some researchers have found evidence of the monkeypox virus in semen. A study in Spain found monkeypox virus DNA in the semen of some infected men, as well as in saliva and other body fluids. But the study didn't answer whether the virus actually has spread through semen.

Sorting that out could affect the understanding of not only how men spread the infection, but also how long they might be contagious. Evidence of some other viruses  like Ebola and Zika  has been found in the semen of some men months after they were thought to be fully recovered.

Meanwhile, scientists believe the primary route of transmission during the current outbreak has been skin-to-skin contact during sexual encounters with someone who has symptoms. In that respect, it's similar to herpes, some experts noted.

The virus also may spread through saliva and respiratory droplets during prolonged, face-to-face contact, such as during kissing and cuddling  a kind of spread that can occur outside of sex.

Researchers are exploring how often, and in what situations, that kind of spread might happen, said Christopher Mores, a professor of global health at George Washington University.

We would do ourselves a disservice to try and exclude anything from the realm of possibility at this point, he said.

Officials also say people can catch monkeypox from touching items that previously touched an infected persons rash or body fluids, such as towels or bedsheets. That is thought to explain the infections of the U.S. children.

WHY ARE THESE DETAILS IMPORTANT?

Its important to understand exactly how monkeypox spreads in order to give people the information they need to protect themselves, health officials say.

That said, health officials believe those who are currently at the highest risk are gay or bisexual men who have sex with multiple partners. That understanding has shaped much of the work to contain the outbreak, including prioritization of the supply of vaccines and treatments.

The government has been shipping a monkeypox vaccine, but the supply is limited. So far its only been recommended as a post-exposure treatment or for people who have had multiple sex partners in the past two weeks in a place where monkeypox cases have been reported.

The vaccine is new, and officials are trying to gather data on exactly how well it works.

___

Associated Press Writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
CHESHIRE  Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski, who has campaigned thus far on a proudly tough-on-crime platform, knocked Gov. Ned Lamont over a surprising subject Thursday: conditions in Connecticut prisons.

Were here to advocate for the inmates and the corrections staff suffering in horrible conditions behind me, Stefanowski said, standing across the street from Cheshire Correctional Institute. Conditions that are so bad we should be ashamed that the great state of Connecticut is putting state employees and inmates through it.

Stefanowski said he has heard from correction officers and incarcerated people who are struggling with a lack of air conditioning amid the current heat wave, a dearth of working showers and a shortage in corrections staff that they say has created unsafe conditions. To combat these issues, he proposed the state conduct a review of correctional facilities, allow media into prisons to view conditions and offer hero pay bonuses to correction officers.

A spokesperson for the Department of Correction said there are no issues with the air conditioning at Cheshire Correctional and that people incarcerated in Connecticut have regular access to showers at multiple times throughout the day. She said that while a high number of staff are out with COVID-19 or on medical leave, the agency continues to be proactive in hiring correction officers.

Asked about prison conditions, Lamont spokesperson Max Reiss touted Connecticuts relatively low incarcerated population.

Connecticuts prison population continues to be at or near historic lows, which leads to less congested facilities, making our facilities easier to manage for all of our staff, Reiss said in an email. Routine maintenance is a regular occurrence in these facilities to ensure they are adequate for both offenders and staff.

Stefanowski said he requested to tour a prison earlier this year but had his application denied under a long-standing policy that prohibits visits for political candidates.

Throughout his campaign for governor, Stefanowski has cited an increase in murder in some Connecticut cities (amid a broader decrease in violent crime statewide) to justify proposals for stricter laws regarding juvenile crime and more money for police departments. On Thursday, however, he chided Lamont, a Democrat, for a recent rise in incarceration, which followed a dramatic decline early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Asked to square his tough-on-crime stances with his stated concern over rising incarceration, Stefanowski said the state should get help for young people convicted of minor crimes but crack down on violent offenders. As for whether his approach would lead to a further increase in incarceration, Stefanowski said, it might, it might not, but Ill tell you right now is unacceptable.

Over the past decade, first under Gov. Dannel Malloy and then under Lamont, Connecticut has sought to establish a less punitive justice system, focused more on rehabilitation and less on punishment for its own sake. As part of that effort, the state has closed prisons, legalized marijuana, raised the age at which teenagers are tried as adults for most crimes, reduced penalties for certain drug-related crimes and established an expedited parole process for nonviolent offenders, among other policies.

Despite his frequent focus on crime, which he describes as spiraling out-of-control, Stefanowski said Thursday that as governor he would favor a similarly rehabilitative approach, at least up to a point.

I think the objective is always to rehabilitate, especially with younger people, Stefanowski said. But I also think the issue right now is that you have to have safety and comfort while you do that.

According to the most recent FBI statistics, Connecticut had the fourth lowest level of violent crime of any state in 2020, having recorded an increase in property crime but a dip in violent crime.

Democrats this year helped pass a bill aimed at reducing juvenile crime but have argued that further tough-on-crime policies would harm Black and Latino communities while failing to meaningfully improve public safety.

alex.putterman@hearstmediact.com
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NEW DELHI (AP)  India has expressed "deep concern" at Myanmars executions of four political prisoners, joining other nations in condemning the hangings and raising concerns about a setback to efforts to bring peace to the country.

The former lawmaker and three activists were tried, convicted and sentenced by a military tribunal with no access to appeal. Myanmar announced Monday they were hanged over the weekend.

We have noted these developments with deep concern. As a neighboring country, we have always highlighted the need for a peaceful resolution to the issue. The rule of law and democratic process must be upheld, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

India supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations efforts to bring peace to Myanmar, which has been rocked by civil unrest and widespread fighting since the military seized power from an elected government in February 2021.

"As a friend of the people of Myanmar, we will continue to support Myanmar's return to democracy and stability," Bagchi said in the statement.

India and Myanmar share a long land border and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. Their proximity made Myanmar a key partner in Indias fight in the remote northeast against dozens of ethnic insurgent groups whose demands range from independent homelands to maximum autonomy within India.

India and Myanmar in recent years have signed defense cooperation agreements committing to peace and stability in border areas, and they promised to not allow anyone to use their respective soil for hostile activities against the other side.

On Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council, of which India is an elected member, unanimously condemned the executions and called for full respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the Group of Seven major economies said the executions showed the contempt Myanmar's military leadership has for democracy advocates in the country. In their statement Thursday, G-7 members called on Myanmar's leaders to refrain from further arbitrary executions, to free all political prisoners and to return the country to a democratic path.
GENEVA (AP)  Israel, the United States and Britain on Thursday criticized an expert commissioned by the U.N. human rights body to examine the situation in the Middle East, accusing him of antisemitic remarks.

Miloon Kothari was quoted in the media as questioning Israels right to be a U.N. member state and alluding to a Jewish lobby. The comments stoked longtime accusations by Israel, the U.S. and others that the rights body is biased against Israel.

Kothari, from India, is one of three members of the Commission of Inquiry on occupied Palestinian territory, created by the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council last year. The commission quickly countered that his comments had been deliberately misquoted.

The commission, headed by former U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay, was set up after the 11-day war last year between Israel and the militant Hamas group in Gaza. The fighting killed at least 261 people in Gaza and 14 people in Israel, according to the U.N. rights office.

Israels policies in the Palestinian territories have long faced international scrutiny. Last year, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into alleged Israeli crimes there, focusing on Israels repeated military operations in Gaza and the expansion of Jewish settlements in east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

The commission is the first to have an open-ended mandate from the U.N. rights body, and critics say such permanent scrutiny shows anti-Israel bias in the 47-member-state council. Proponents support the commission as a way to keep tabs on injustices faced by Palestinians under decades of Israeli rule.

In an interview published Monday by Mondoweiss, an online publication critical of Israels policies toward Palestinians, Kothari spoke about the commissions work and mandate. He cited a lack of cooperation from Israels government.

Asked about criticism by some governments, including that of Canada, he replied that he was very disheartened by the social media that is controlled largely by  whether its the Jewish lobby or its specific NGOs  a lot of money is being thrown into trying to discredit us.

The commission's role, Kothari said, was to look into humanitarian law, human rights law, and criminal law. On all three counts, Israel is in systematic violation of all the legislation, he said.

I would go as far as to raise the question as why are they even a member of the United Nations, because they dont respect  the Israeli government does not respect  its own obligations as a U.N. member state, he added.

Pillay, in a letter to the rights councils president that was made public Thursday, said Kotharis comments seem to have been taken out of context and that the commission feels it necessary to clarify certain issues given the seriousness of the accusations.

The commission does not question the status or United Nations membership of either of the concerned states of its mandate, Pillay wrote.

She maintained Kothari's comments on efforts to discredit the commission members were deliberately misquoted to imply that social media was controlled by the Jewish lobby.

Reached by email, Kothari referred to Pillays letter and declined to comment.

Keren Hajioff, a spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, said the international community should be outraged over Kothari's comments.

His racist remarks about the Jewish Lobby that controls the media and his questioning Israels right to exist as a member of the family of nations echo the darkest days of antisemitism, she said.

In a statement, the U.S. ambassador to the rights council, Michele Taylor, and the State Departments special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism, Deborah Lipstadt, called antisemitism and anti-Israel bias a poisonous venom that has affected international discourse for too long  including at U.N. institutions.

They said Kotharis comments were outrageous, inappropriate, and corrosive" and echoed age-old antisemitic tropes." Britains ambassador in Geneva, Simon Manley, called them unacceptable and offensive.

Council spokesman Rolando Gomez cited the Human Rights Council's long track record speaking out against all forms of discrimination and racism and vehemently condemns such abhorrent acts.
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JERUSALEM (AP)  The Israeli Supreme Court has cleared the way for Jewish settlers of an outpost in the occupied West Bank to remain in their homes, overturning an earlier eviction order that determined the outpost had been built improperly on privately owned Palestinian land.

In their decision, a panel of judges found that though the Mitzpe Kramim outpost was built on privately owned Palestinian land, it had been allocated to the settlers in good faith by the Israeli government. Therefor, the 40 Jewish families living there remain, the judges said.

Palestinians and human rights groups fear this could set a precedent for future disputes over Jewish settlements built on privately owned Palestinian land.

Peace Now, an Israeli anti-settlement watchdog, called the ruling an absurd decision. According to the group, an estimated 150 unauthorized outposts dot the West Bank. Peace Now fears that Wednesdays decision could open the floodgates for more similar rulings.

These outposts in the future might be recognized by Israeli law, said Mauricio Lapchik, a Peace Now spokesman. This is the biggest danger.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and has built more than 130 authorized settlements there, many of which resemble small towns, with apartment blocks, shopping malls and industrial zones. The Palestinians want the West Bank to form the main part of their future state.

While Israel differentiates between recognized settlements and unauthorized outposts, the international community overwhelmingly views all settlements as illegal and obstacles to peace.

Israel refers to the West Bank by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria, and considers it the heartland of the Jewish people. It sees the West Bank as disputed territory and says its fate should be subject to negotiations. Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed more than a decade ago.

In 2018, the Jerusalem District Court issued a decision legalizing Mitzpe Kramim, saying the settlers who purchased the land acted in good faith and were unaware they were building on privately owned Palestinian property.

That ruling was appealed to Israels Supreme Court, which ordered residents of Mitze Kramim to be evacuated. Wednesday's decision by a larger panel allows settlers to remain there.
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TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  A group of Japanese lawmakers including two former defense ministers met with Taiwan's president Thursday in a rare high-level visit to discuss regional security.

The delegation, led by lawmaker and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, said it wanted to reach an agreement with Taiwan on defense issues and prepare for any potential conflict in the region, while also seeking to prevent conflict from breaking out.

We need to think ahead about what kind of situations could happen, what kind of laws and agreements we should prepare, and what kind of armaments we could use, he said in prepared remarks at the Presidential Office. We need to work together to reach consensus on this ahead of anything that could happen.

Ishiba noted that Japan is also working closely with the U.S. to prevent conflict in the Indo-Pacific, saying the defense allies had no choice but to prepare.

Tensions in the region have risen amid increasing assertiveness from China, whose authoritarian ruling Communist Party considers democratic, self-ruling Taiwan its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary.

The group of Japanese lawmakers was welcomed by President Tsai Ing-wen and will also meet with Su Tseng-chang, president of the Executive Yuan, and representatives from Taiwans Defense Ministry.

Safeguarding Taiwan is not only about safeguarding sovereignty. It's also because on the issue of strategic safety Taiwan is a very critical line of defense of the first island chain," Tsai said. "We will continue to deepen our cooperation with Japan and other democratic partners to uphold the Indo-Pacific area's peace and stability.

Ishiba was accompanied by three other Japanese lawmakers  Yasukazu Hamada, Akihisa Nakashima and Takayuki Shimizu  who are all members of a cross-party national security group that is comprised of many who have served in the defense establishment.

Ishiba said Japan had a responsibility to promote regional security, economic development and rule of law.

It cannot just be at the level of thought, just words spoken out of one's mouth. Japan must take on concrete responsibilities in the Asia region, he said.
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NEW HAVEN  Republican Town Chairman John Carlson again is ready for the campaign trail, this time running against five-term incumbent state Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven.

Carlson, 53, is running against Winfield for the 10th District state Senate seat for the same reason he ran against Democrat Justin Elicker for mayor last year: to bring Democracy back to New Haven.

But thats not the only reason.

Im running against his record  and to bring Democracy back to New Haven, Carlson said Wednesday. One-party rule has not been good for anybody.

Carlson, a divorced father of two grown daughters, grew up in the Hill neighborhood and lives on the seam between the Hill and City Point  in the part of City Point north of Interstate 95. He teaches fourth grade at John Winthrop School in Bridgeport.

He said of Winfields record, I believe he goes 100 percent with whatever the Democrats want and we need someone there who is going to be solving problems and going 100 percent regardless of party.

Winfield, 48, who previously served two terms as New Havens 94th District state representative, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Carlson said he has applied for public financing via the citys Democracy Fund program and is close to qualifying for public financing. Anyone looking to support his candidacy can learn more at https://carlsonforsenate10.com.

Asked what issues he thinks are important, Carlson said education is one. How well a child is educated directly impacts his life. As a state senator, he said he would make sure funding is equitable across the state so each child could have the best chance at success.

There are a few ways we can do better. We can fund more tutoring and after-school programs, he said. I think we have to extend the school day and get the kids tutoring programs for the classes theyre already in, as opposed to having tutoring done during the school day at the expense of those students being in class. Carlson also wants to see increased funding for after-school programs that mothers who work can qualify for.

If anyone needs an afternoon program its a single mom who has a job and cant get to their kids, Carlson said. Right now the cutoff is so low that anyone with a job doesnt qualify. ... If we can help anyone its the parents who in this economy who are already having trouble paying bills.

Other key issues Carlson mentioned include the economy, publicy safety and the need for additional transparency in government.

With regard to the economy, Weve had tons of new taxes over the years that provide additional revenue, including legalized gambling and now legalized marijuana. We have to realize where we can make cuts and we have to make life more affordable.

As for public safety, Carlson said starts with reform.

We have to revisit or repeal entirely the Police Accountability Act and we have to give police the resources to do their jobs, Carlson said.

In addition, I think we need to repeal (the legislation the abolished the death penalty in Connecticut) and bring back ... the death penalty, Carlson said. I believe the Cheshire home invaders should be put to death.

And Connecticut needs more transparency in government to stop corruption, as seen in West Haven with the arrest of former Democratic state Rep. DiMassa, he said. We need open and honest government.

DiMassa, who also was a West Haven city employee, is charged with wire fraud in connection with an alleged scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars through fraudulent invoices to a shell company.
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LUCKNOW, India (AP)  Seven people, mostly farmers, were killed by lightning in a village in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state, police said Thursday, bringing the death toll by lightning to 49 people in the state this week.

The farmers had taken shelter under trees during a drenching monsoon rain when they were struck by lightning Tuesday and died instantly. The victims included four members of a family and some cattle grazers near the city of Kaushambi, according to police officer Hem Raj Meena.

The high death toll has prompted the government to issue new guidelines for how people can protect themselves during a lightning storm, said state government spokesperson Shishir Singh.

"People are dying more from lightning than rain-related incidents, though this is the time when people (typically) die of floods or other rain-related incidents, Singh said.

India's monsoon season runs from June through September.

Col. Sanjay Srivastava, whose organization Lightning India Resilient Campaign works with the Indian Meteorological Department, said lightning has killed nearly 750 people across India since April. That includes 20 people who died in eastern Bihar state in the past two days and 16 in Madhya Pradesh state in central India earlier this month.

Sunita Narain, director-general of the Center for Science and Environment, said global warming plays a role in the rising number of lightning strikes. A one-degree-Celsius rise in temperature increases lightning by 12 times.

Srivastava said that deforestation, the depletion of bodies of water, and pollution all contribute to climate change, which leads to more lightning.

J P Gupta, director of the Meteorological Department, said thunderstorms and lightning have increased this year due to an increase in pollution levels.

High ground temperature leads to evaporation from water bodies that adds moisture to the atmosphere. The presence of aerosols due to air pollution creates favorable conditions for thunderclouds to trigger lightning activity, Gupta said.

More than 200 people have been killed in heavy downpours and mudslides in Indian states including Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Sikkim, while 42 people have died in Bangladesh since May 17. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in the monsoon season.
BOGALUSA, La. (AP)  Louisiana rapper JayDaYoungan was fatally shot in his hometown of Bogalusa, north of New Orleans, police said.

The musician, whose real name is Javorius Scott, was killed Wednesday just after 6 p.m. He was 24.

Police said they received a call about a shooting just before 6 p.m. Wednesday. One of the injured people was brought to Our Lady of the Angels emergency room. Another victim, still on scene, was critically wounded and was transported there by ambulance.

Police were then notified of another shooting shortly after 7 p.m., about four miles from the first shooting. Authorities said a car was hit by bullets, but the occupants were not injured, police said.

In a Facebook post, Bogalusa Police confirmed Scott's death as a result of his injuries. The other victim, identified by multiple news outlets as Kenyatta Scott Sr., the rapper's father, was said to be in stable condition. Police said the surviving victim was a close relative of the rapper but would not discuss their relationship.

Bogalusa Police investigators said they believe the two shootings are linked. Investigators have connected Scott to crimes involving gang rivalries in parts of rural Louisiana in recent months. They said they believe the violence is retaliatory. An investigation is continuing.

In June 2021, Scott was released from prison after serving seven months on charges of possession of a firearm while under indictment for a crime. In September that year, he was arrested on charges of obstruction of justice and accessory to a second-degree murder that occurred in Louisiana. The next month, he was arrested for multiple felonies, including the illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of minors.

Bogalusa Mayor Wendy Perrette, in a statement, urged residents to remain calm while police investigate.

The senseless shooting in Bogalusa (is) another tragic reminder of the pain that violent crime brings with it," she said. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims' family and friends. As your Mayor and as a Mother I plead on behalf of our community and for our children, today must mean enough is finally enough. Stop the violence! See something, say something.

Perrette also asked that Louisiana State Police assist the Bogalusa Police Department and the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office in the investigation.

In 2016, Scott released his debut mixtape YOUNGANimal. He later signed to Atlantic Records and dropped his mixtape Misunderstood, featuring breakout hit 23 Island, in 2019. His major-label debut album Baby23 arrived in 2020. Earlier this year he released two EPs, Scarred and All Is Well. In his brief career, Scott had worked with Lil Durk, Latto, Moneybagg Yo and Kevin Gates.

Scott has more than 2.5 million followers on Instagram. His most recent video, First Day Out Pt2 had amassed 1.9 million views on YouTube. A spokesman for Atlantic Records could not immediately be reached for comment.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  The family of a Tennessee pharmacist who died on her honeymoon in Fiji decided to cremate her in the South Pacific nation rather than bring her home because her body was badly damaged, a lawyer representing the family said Thursday.

Christe Chen, 36, died earlier this month at the exclusive Turtle Island resort. Her husband Bradley Robert Dawson, 38, has been charged with her murder and made his first appearance Wednesday at Fiji's Lautoka High Court.

The case has been adjourned until next month and Dawson, who remains in jail, has not yet entered a plea. If found guilty, he could face a sentence of life imprisonment.

Lawyer Ronald Gordon, who is representing Chen's family, said Chen's parents traveled to Fiji after their daughter's death but didn't embalm her body and take her to the U.S. as they'd hoped. Instead, they took home her ashes.

Gordon said the newlyweds, who were based in Memphis, had arrived in Fiji on July 7 for their honeymoon at the resort, which is on a 500-acre island and limited to 14 couples at a time.

Gordon said the couple were heard arguing over dinner on July 8, and following an incident in their room, Dawson fled on a kayak to another island, taking his wallet but not his phone or GPS watch.

It wasn't until the following afternoon, after the couple had missed breakfast and lunch, that staff discovered Chen's body, Gordon said. He said she had multiple blunt trauma wounds to her head.

Dawson was found by police about 36 hours later, Gordon said. He said Dawson may have trying to get to Fiji's main island but stuck out on the remote island inhabited only by Indigenous people who had alerted others to Dawson's presence.

Dawson's lawyer Iqbal Khan said that from what he knows so far, he doesn't see the elements of murder. He said investigators haven't yet released to him all the information in the case, including the post-mortem report, but that what happened could have been an accident.

Khan said Dawson left the resort because he panicked, he was shocked. He said Dawson was distressed at losing his wife and had been slowly recovering.

Dawson worked in the information technology department at Youth Villages, a nonprofit child welfare and support organization based in Memphis, said Connie Mills, the organizations assistant director of communications. He has been fired, Mills said Thursday.

An online records search showed no criminal arrests for Dawson in Shelby County, which includes Memphis.

Chen worked as a pastry chef before returning to school to become a pharmacist, and had worked in that capacity at a Kroger supermarket in Memphis.

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy last year congratulated Chen on Facebook for winning an award, the Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information Award of Excellence in Clinical Communication.

-

Associated Press reporter Adrian Sainz contributed from Memphis, Tennessee.
DETROIT (AP)  The Michigan Supreme Court on Thursday said the state's anti-discrimination law covers sexual orientation, a victory for LGBTQ residents.

The court, in a 5-2 opinion, said the word sex in Michigan's key civil rights law applies to more than gender.

While the Legislature in 1976 might have intended to help women when it barred discrimination based on sex, this motivation does not curtail other applications of the plain statutory language, Justice Elizabeth Clement wrote for the majority.

She noted that the law has been applied in pregnancy discrimination cases, same-sex sexual harassment and disputes over retirement accounts.

The decision means legal protections for LGBTQ people in employment, housing, education and public accommodations, said Jay Kaplan of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan.

"All people belong," he said.

In 2019, Rouch World, an event center in Sturgis, Michigan, declined to host a same-sex wedding, saying it conflicted with the owners religious beliefs. That same year, a hair-removal business declined to serve a transgender woman.

Where the discriminator tolerates certain characteristics in one sex but not the other, discrimination on the basis of sex has occurred, the Supreme Court said.

Lawyers for Rouch World said it was up to the Legislature, not courts, to expressly state that Michigan law bars discrimination based on sexual orientation.

In a 33-page dissent, Justice Brian Zahra embraced that argument. He acknowledged that the result was a victory for a good many Michiganders but said the court's role is to say what the law is, not what it thinks the law ought to be.

No person familiar with the common usage of the English language in 1976 would have understood the ordinary meaning of sex to include sexual orientation, said Zahra, who added there's evidence that lawmakers at that time rejected those two words.

Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is gay and had argued in favor of an expansive interpretation of the law, praised the outcome.

Our residents deserve to live in a state that recognizes the value of diversity and rejects the notion that our own civil rights law could be used as a tool of discrimination," Nessel, a Democrat, said.

___

Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  North Carolinas Republican General Assembly leaders have asked a federal judge to reinstate a 20-week abortion ban previously thrown out by courts, despite the Democratic attorney generals refusal to seek enforcement of the ban after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned nationwide abortion protections.

Outside attorneys for Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore asked U.S. District Judge William Osteen on Wednesday to vacate his 2019 ruling that blocked execution of the 20-week ban based on precedents set in Roe v. Wade and an associated 1992 Supreme Court ruling, both struck down on June 24.

The legislative leaders say Attorney General Josh Stein, an abortion rights supporter, is unlikely to defend the 1973 state law that created the ban, even after the Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization eroded the foundation for the injunction preventing it from being enforced.

North Carolinas abortion statutes are undeniably lawful under Dobbs, and there is no longer any basis for an injunction to shackle the state from pursuing its legitimate interests, Berger and Moore wrote in their brief.

The Republican leaders were responding to Osteens request that parties in the case submit briefs by Aug. 7 that outline their positions on whether his previous ruling retains legal force after the recent Supreme Court decision. Osteen will consider lifting the injunction on the 1973 state law and may reinstate the 20-week ban without lawmaker involvement.

It appears the injunctive relief granted in this case may now be contrary to law, he wrote in his July 8 order.

Berger and Moore were not named parties in the case, prompting them to submit a request to have their say in the matter. As representatives of the North Carolina electorate, the lawmakers assert they have a significant interest in protecting unborn children from abortion procedures.

Represented by lawyers from the Alliance Defending Freedom, the Republican leaders filed their proposed brief Wednesday, arguing that Stein had failed to fulfill his duties to defend the law.

Within moments of the Dobbs decision being issued, the attorney general decried the ruling and posted on Twitter asking people to donate to his political campaign so that he could fight against pro-life laws, Berger and Moore wrote. (Stein) publicly opposes the statutes he is tasked with defending and is engaged in fundraising efforts based on his opposition.

Stein declined last week to meet the lawmakers demand that he bring the matter to a federal judge himself, saying he would not restrict womens ability to make their own reproductive health care decisions.

The attorney general's office, which has been representing defendants in the case, is expected to outline its position in a brief by the Aug. 7 deadline.

___

Schoenbaum is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow her at twitter.com/H_Schoenbaum.
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JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Russian, French and American leaders are crisscrossing Africa to win support for their positions on the war in Ukraine, waging what some say is the most intense competition for influence on the continent since the Cold War.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and French President Emmanuel Macron are each visiting several African countries this week. Samantha Power, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, went to Kenya and Somalia last week. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will go to Ghana and Uganda next week.

It's like a new Cold War is playing out in Africa, where the rival sides are trying to gain influence, said William Gumede, director of Democracy Works, a foundation promoting good governance.

Lavrov, in his travels across the continent where many countries are suffering drought and hunger, has sought to portray the West as the villain, blaming it for rising food prices, while the Western leaders have accused the Kremlin of cynically using food as a weapon and waging an imperial-style war of conquest  words calculated to appeal to listeners in post-colonial Africa.

Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has been working to win support in Africa for several years, reinvigorating friendships that date back a half-century, when the Soviet Union backed many African movements fighting to end colonial rule.

"Now that campaign has gone into high gear, Gumede said.

Moscow's influence in Africa was on display in March during the U.N. vote to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While 28 African nations voted in favor of the resolution, a significant minority of countries on the continent  25  either voted to abstain or did not vote at all.

Russia's top diplomat this week visited Egypt, Congo, Uganda and Ethiopia, pledging friendship and charging the U.S. and European countries with driving up food prices by pursuing reckless environmental policies. He also accused them of hoarding food during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The situation in Ukraine did additionally negatively affect food markets, but not due to the Russian special operation, rather due to the absolutely inadequate reaction of the West, which announced sanctions, Lavrov said in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital.

Lavrov was warmly received in Uganda by President Yoweri Museveni, who for years has been a U.S. ally but has refused to criticize Russia over the invasion. Museveni even suggested at the outbreak of the war that Putins actions might be understandable because Ukraine is in Russia's sphere of influence.

Lavrov voiced support for reform of the U.N. Security Council to give African countries permanent seats and greater influence.

Appearing with Lavrov, the Ugandan leader spoke fondly of old ties with Russia, asking how he could spurn Moscow when he has good relations with countries that participated in slavery.

Museveni, an opinion leader on the continent who has held power for three decades, is an obvious choice for Russia as someone to strengthen ties with, said Ugandan political analyst Asuman Bisiika.

Uganda is the center of gravity in East Africa, Bisiika said.

Museveni, 77, has been strictly wearing a mask in public since the COVID-19 outbreak. But he did not have one on when greeting Lavrov in front of photographers, apparently wanting to show warmth to the Russian. Museveni had a mask back on in his next public appearance a day later.

Russia is also courting African public opinion through its state television network, RT, formerly known as Russia Today. RT has announced that it will open a new bureau in Johannesburg.

RT was abruptly removed from Africa's biggest pay-TV platform in Africa, Johannesburg-based Multichoice, in March after the European Union and Britain imposed sanctions against Russia. It is not clear whether establishing the new bureau will enable RT to resume broadcasts to Africa through Multichoice, which claims nearly 22 million subscribers on the continent.

For Russia, it is the battle to be heard in Africa. It is not important for the actual war effort but for their long-term political influence," Anton Harber, professor of journalism at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. They see it as fertile ground to cultivate their influence, and, of course, votes in the U.N. are important."

On his tour of Africa, France's Macron accused the Kremlin of using TV channels like RT to spread propaganda in support of the war. And he charged the Kremlin with blackmailing the world by thwarting the export of grain from Ukraine.

"They are blackmailing because they are the ones who blocked cereals in Ukraine. They are the ones who regulate their cereals, he said in Benin. His itinerary also included Cameroon and Guinea-Bissau.

Macron appealed to Africans to side against Russia.

Im telling you here in Africa, a continent that has suffered from colonial imperialism: Russia is one of the last colonial, imperial powers. She decides to invade a neighboring country to defend her interests, he said. Thats the reality.

Power, the top U.S. AID official, was in East Africa to pledge aid to help the region's fight against hunger amid a devastating multi-year drought. She did not hold back in criticizing Russia.

By blockading Ukraines grain exports and restricting the trade of Russias own fertilizer, Putins actions have had the consequence of inflicting pain on the people of Kenya and on other countries throughout the world," Power said in Nairobi. He is hurting the people of Kenya in order to benefit his own situation.

___

AP journalist Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, contributed.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell signed an ordinance Thursday to partly reverse the citys ban on police use of facial recognition software.

She had pushed for the changes in a ban approved nearly two years ago, when crime was low.
A nursing student who saved the life of a Chicago boy through stem cell donation finally got to meet the boy and his family in person.

Mads Pomranky, 3, was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer in November 2019. His doctors said he would need a transplant. His parents were only partial matches.

Kaelynn Speed was a freshman at Wright State University studying nursing when she signed up for a DKMS booth on campus. She went through the process of becoming a registered donor and later found out she was a 10/10 match for someone.

After a successful transplant, Mads has been cancer free for two years.

The emotional meeting between both families happened Friday after Mads' family made the trip to Cincinnati from the Chicago area where they live.

"You're amazing. You're so nice. I love you," Jenn Pomranky, Mads' mom said through tears.

"I love you too, honey," Speed said. "I'm experiencing a lot of overwhelming joy. How do I feel? How do you put a mark on something so great? I don't know."

Mads' cancer journey was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospital regulations were tight, and plans around Mads' transplant changed due to hospitals limiting procedures.

"At first they were only allowing one parent, so I had to stay home for a while," Derrick Pomranky, Mads' father, said. "Yeah, it was terrible."

Mads' perfect match lived about 300 miles away. Speed was preparing for her finals when she got the call. She passed the testing requirements with ease.

In the spring of 2020, she received injections at home to boost her stem cell count. During an hours-long procedure, a machine filtered her blood and collected the blood-forming cells for Mads.

Mercy Health Cincinnati Cancer and Cellular Therapy Center harvest the cells. The University of Chicago completed the process.

A short time later Mads' doctors said he was cancer free.

"It was a huge relief, and then every time he's went in for another biopsy, it's always been a relief," Derrick Pomranky said.

The Pomranky and Speed families now share a special bond.

"As soon as I grabbed Kaelynn I couldn't stop crying," Jenn Pomranky said. "I mean what she did is so amazing, and we just love her so much. And it's just so exciting to actually be able to give her a huge hug and just say thank you in person."

"She feels like an extension of our family now," Derrick Pomranky said.

Speed said the decision to donate was easy, and it did not take a lot of her time.

"Ten hours of your life for the rest of someone else's is insane," she said.

Speed has become a fierce advocate for DKMS and is passionate about raising awareness for stem cell donation. It starts with a quick cheek swab. You can learn more here.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Two documentaries detailing the punishing effects of Russia's war on Ukraine will air on PBS' Frontline investigative series.

The specials are part of an extensive collaboration between the series and The Associated Press that includes gathering, verifying and cataloging potential war crimes and co-publishing stories and videos from AP and Frontline" war reporting.

Putins Attack on Ukraine: Documenting War Crimes, will describe the toll of previous Russian conflicts and the invasion of Ukraine.

The film, from director Tom Jennings, producer Annie Wong and AP investigative reporter Erika Kinetz and colleagues, aims to expose the challenges of trying to hold Russia to account, according to the announcement Wednesday.

The second documentary, 20 Days in Mariupol, will view Russia's attack on the Ukrainian city through the work of AP video journalist Mstyslav Chernov. He and two colleagues were the sole international journalists who remained in Mariupol to cover the attack, which included the bombing of a maternity hospital.

The two films are set to premiere on Frontline when it begins a new season in September. Specific airdates were not announced.

The Frontline and AP initiative, which includes the War Crimes Watch Ukraine interactive experience, has documented more than 300 incidents involving potential war crimes since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.

We hope our collaborative reporting efforts can expose the true toll of this war and preserve this moment in history, Raney Aronson-Rath, executive producer and editor-in-chief of Frontline, said in a statement.

During a virtual panel discussion with TV critics Wednesday, Chernov was asked how he weighs his personal safety against such critically important reporting.

There is a constant feeling of danger. It's impossible to get used to, he said. But again, this is something that pushes you to work and just motivates you to continue and to try to tell more.

Alison Kodjak, AP deputy global investigations editor, and Beatrice Dupuy, AP news verification journalist, also took part in the panel. Kodjak said the collaborative effort with Frontline is documenting evidence of incidents, as opposed to individual counts of criminal activity.

We aren't law enforcement, so were not in a position to determine how many crimes those incidents account for, Kodjak said. The number of criminal charges potentially could far exceed the hundreds of incidents tracked so far, she said.

We have been able, through the hard work of people like Beatrice, to say, This video is real. It happened at the time that it was claimed happened," Kodjak said. This actually was a school. This actually was a hospital. It wasnt being used by the military at the time that it was bombed.

Dupuy said the process of assessing each possible incident is painstaking and includes examining the flood of posts and video and photos on social media emerging from Ukraine, verifying key images and corroborating the findings with AP reporting and other information.

Were really taking the time to verify each one of them and have the evidence to show each incident and what took place as well, she said.

In March, the International Criminal Court prosecutor in launched an investigation that could target senior officials believed responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide during Russias invasion of Ukraine, which began Feb. 24.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  While Poland has welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war, third-country nationals fleeing the same conflict are not getting the same assistance, the U.N. special expert on migrants rights said Thursday.

Those affected include permanent residents of Ukraine, undocumented migrants and people who had sought asylum in Ukraine before the war forced them to flee again, Felipe Gonzalez Morales told journalists during a virtual press conference where he presented his findings following a mission to Poland and Belarus earlier this month.

This double standard approach has led to feelings of being discriminated, he said.

Gonzalez Morales commended Poland for hosting more than 2 million Ukrainian refugees, granting them permission to work, as well as access to health care, education and other public services. He also praised regular Poles who are hosting Ukrainians, most of whom are women and children, in their homes.

This explains why I do not see refugee camps in Poland, he said.

But Gonzalez Morales also denounced the fact that access to abortion in Poland for women who survived rape in Ukraine was virtually nonexistent in practice despite it being permitted by Polish law.

While the war in Ukraine has shifted the spotlight, the visit by the U.N. special rapporteur to Poland and Belarus also focused on the situation at these two nations' common border, where thousands of migrants and asylum-seekers became trapped starting last summer. At least 19 people have died on both sides of the border, according to Gonzalez Morales' findings, and many migrants remain missing.

The situation has improved significantly this year, but some migrants are still getting stranded in the border forest, Gonzalez Morales said.

The EU accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of using the migrants from Iraq, Syria and other nations as pawns to destabilize the 27-nation bloc in retaliation for its sanctions on his authoritarian regime. Belarusian authorities denied orchestrating the crisis but Gonzalez Morales said they presented no evidence to support their claims.

Belarus issued group visas for up to 30 people to Iraqi citizens on a regular basis in 2021, he said. In addition, Belarusian border guards had been fully aware of a group of 2,500 migrants approaching the border with Poland and did nothing about it.

On the Polish side of the border, migrants were rounded up and forcibly returned to Belarus without the ability to seek asylum, sometimes at night and despite harsh weather.

Migrants are being pushed back and forth still today, despite authorities on both sides denying it, Gonzalez Morales said. Journalists, civil society groups and humanitarian organizations had very limited access to the border throughout the fall, winter and spring as Poland built a tall, steel wall to keep migrants out, making it difficult to verify the conditions of migrants at the border and claims of use of violence.

The U.N. report also found migrants and asylum-seekers, including pregnant women and children, being detained on both sides of the border, sometimes for weeks and months on end.

There is a long catalog of human rights violated, Gonzalez Morales said.

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Follow APs migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  An Australian judge on Thursday ordered Samsung to pay 14 million Australian dollars ($9.8 million) in penalties for misleading advertising over how water-resistant some models of smartphones are.

Federal Court Justice Brendan Murphy gave Samsung Electronics Australia, a subsidiary of South Korea-based Samsung Electronics Co., 30 days to pay the fines.

Samsung must also pay AU$200,000 ($140,000) toward the costs of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the consumer watchdog that initiated an investigation of the phones four years ago.

Samsung admitted to making false and misleading claims in nine advertisements between 2016 and 2018 about the water resistance of seven models of Galaxy smartphones. They are the S7, S7 Edge, A5 (2017), A7 (2017), S8, S8 Plus and Note 8.

Samsung and the commission also agreed to the penalties imposed.

The misleading ads promoted the phones water resistance and suitability for use in swimming pools and seawater. But the charging ports could be damaged and stop working if the phones were recharged while the ports were still wet.

Samsung said the charging port issue only effected the seven models identified in the case that were launched between 2016 and 2017.

The issue does not arise for Samsungs current phones, a Samsung statement said.

Samsung sold 3.1 million of the vulnerable phones in Australia, but the court could not determine how many customers found faults in their charging ports.

An unknown number of customers had their ports replaced by authorized Samsung repairers. Some repairers did the job for free while others charged between AU$180 ($126) and AU$245 ($171), the court heard.

Murphy said customers were entitled to assume that a large company such as Samsung would not advertise that its Galaxy phones could safely be submerged in water if they could not.

A great many consumers are likely to have seen the offending advertisements and a significant number of those who did so are likely to have purchased one of the Galaxy phones, Murphy said in his judgment.

Commission Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said her investigation had received hundreds of complaints from phone owners.

They experienced issues with their Galaxy phones after it was exposed to water and, in may cases, they reported their Galaxy phones stopped working entirely, Cass-Gottlieb said in a statement.

The judge said the penalty exceeded Samsungs profit during the course of the misleading advertising campaign.

Samsungs lawyers had initially denied the ads were misleading and that the phones could be damaged by immersion in water, the judge said.

I do not consider Samsung Australia should be given much credit for its cooperation, Murphy said.

Samsung said it had cooperated with the commission's investigations, which originally included more than 600 ads and 15 Galaxy phone models.

Samsung endeavours to deliver the best possible experience to all our customers and we regret that a small number of our Galaxy users experienced an issue with their device pertaining to this matter, Samsung said.
Lee Jin-man/AP

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  Samsung Electronics Co. has reported its operating profit rose 12% in the April-June quarter thanks to strong demand for server chips.

The worlds top producer of smartphones and memory chips said in a statement Thursday that its operating profit for the last quarter rose to 14.1 trillion won ($10.8 billion) and its consolidated revenue climbed to a second-quarter record of 77.2 trillion won ($59 billion).
BANGOR, Maine (AP)  Senators from Maine and Maryland have proposed legislation they said would support older residents who are addicted to opioids.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland said Wednesday they've introduced a bill to address challenges that Medicare beneficiaries face when seeking treatment for addiction. Collins said the toll of the opioid epidemic on older adults is an underappreciated aspect of the crisis.
SALISBURY, N.C. (AP)  One person was arrested and authorities are looking for a second suspect after they made up a story about a home invasion to cover up an assault on a 73-year-old woman, a sheriff's office said.

Deputies from the Rowan County Sheriffs Office were called on Wednesday to a home by a woman who told them she had returned to the home to find her boyfriends mother badly beaten, news outlets reported. The woman told deputies two men had come to the back door of the house while the victim was home alone, forced their way in and then beat her severely before leaving, the sheriff's office said.
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MADRID (AP)  Spains government has a message for women who are uncomfortable about their bodies when they wear bathing suits: Dont be.

The governments Equality Ministry launched a summer campaign Thursday encouraging women to reject stereotypes and aesthetical violence  a reference to the social pressure some women feel to conform to beauty ideals.
WOOD RIVER  Statewide unemployment was up slightly in June, while Metro East unemployment rates showed a slight downward drop according to the latest figures from the Illinois Department of Employment Security and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

According to data released Thursday, statewide unemployment in June was up .2 percent to 4.7 percent. Last year statewide unemployment was at 5.7 percent.

Locally, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.2 percent, down from 4.6 percent in May, in the St. Louis metropolitan statistical area which includes Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties.

There were no real surprises in the numbers, according to Tony Fuhrmann, director of Madison County Employment and Training.

Its pretty consistent to what we would see in the summer, he said. Madison County is 4.0 (percent unemployment), which is a pretty good number. Year-over-year, down a percent and a half.

In June 2019 there were 105,456 jobs in Madison County. That dropped to 97,140 in June 2020 when the countys unemployment rate was more than 13 percent, but it rebounded and, as of June 2022, there were 106,855 jobs.

Were feeling pretty good, Fuhrmann said, adding there were a lot of opportunities and jobs available in a number of job sectors. He pointed to the continuing need for more workers in transportation, warehousing and logistics, and he noted the new retail development in Glen Carbon.

Those types of businesses keep coming, and the need for workers in those types of industries keep coming too, Fuhrmann said.

He said employers are becoming more sophisticated, with even the hospitality industry seeing a need to worry about worker retention.

Business culture is coming up more in the last six months than I have heard in the last 20 years, he said. Employers are trying to be flexible.

Local unemployment rates range from 2.9 percent in Clinton and Monroe counties to 4.9 percent in St. Clair County. Madison County was down by almost one-half percent to 4 percent in June, from 4.4 percent in May. Jersey County stood at 3.7 percent, down .2 percent; Macoupin County was down .4 percent to 3.8 percent; Bond County was at 3.7 percent; and Calhoun County was at 4.1 percent, down .2 percent.

Greene County, which is part of another statistical region, was at 3.8 percent, down .5 percent from May.

State officials continued to emphasize the year-to-year drop.

We continue to be encouraged by the ongoing pandemic-related economic recovery in every corner of the state, said Deputy Gov. Andy Manar. IDES and its local workforce partners remain committed to providing training employment services for the unique Illinois workforce.

With the statewide unemployment rate at its lowest since the onset of the pandemic, the data released today is a further reflection of continued economic recovery and evidence of a strengthening Illinois labor market, Manar added. As continued claims volumes reach record lows, the Pritzker Administration and IDES, working with local partners, are committed to providing employment and training resources to ensure a competitive labor force while assisting employers in finding versatile workers.

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Sylvia I. Garcia also touted the year-to-year improvements.

Illinois has made tremendous strides in the labor market, adding nearly 250,000 jobs over the past year and reaching the lowest unemployment rate since the onset of the pandemic, said DCEO Director Sylvia I. Garcia. Illinois remains laser-focused on supporting the states positive gains by expanding workforce training opportunities, attracting job creators and making resources available for priority industries, such as tourism and hospitality and small businesses.

Fuhrmann said the recent announcement that U.S. Steel was selling off part of its operation to SunCoke Energy Ltd. and closing large parts of its Granite City Works facility, costing about 1,000 jobs, is something they are thinking about. But because the closure will be at least two years before anything happens, there is little they can do right now.

Theres a lot of questions that need to be answered, he said, including the actual timing, and how many of those affected workers will be seeking different employment.

Two issues to be considered are the exact number of workers to be hired at SunCoke and how many workers will opt for retirement.

MCET offers services ranging from job postings and help with resumes or job searches, including funding for training in some fields.

For information about employment and workforce training opportunities, call 618-296-4301, visit the Madison County website at https://www.co.madison.il.us/ or visit the departments Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MCETD.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  A judge on New Yorks highest court has reversed her refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine months after not complying with a vaccination mandate.

Judge Jenny Rivera, one of seven jurists on the states Court of Appeals, said this week that she is now ready to receive the recently authorized Novavax vaccine once it's publicly available.

Rivera said in a statement Tuesday that she had declined to get vaccinated because of concerns about her personal health.

My doctors have confirmed that the recently approved Novavax COVID-19 vaccine does not present any health-related risks to me, and I am ready and eager to receive this vaccine as soon as it is publicly available, said Rivera, who was appointed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2013.

New York's court system has barred Rivera from court facilities for refusing to comply with its requirement for all employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. She has worked remotely since October.

Rivera is one of four judges statewide who have been referred to the states Commission on Judicial Conduct for failing to show proof of vaccination. Judges in New York can only be removed by the commission, which has never sanctioned or removed a Court of Appeals judge.

Rivera's announcement comes as the state's highest court faces the departure of Chief Judge Janet DiFiore at the end of August.

The court system is expected to announce an acting chief judge to temporarily replace DiFiore.

Novavax is a more traditional kind of vaccine. The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots train the body to fight the coronavirus by recognizing its outer coating, the spike protein, and essentially turning peoples cells into a temporary vaccine factory.

Novavax works by injecting copies of a spike protein that are grown in a lab and packaged into nanoparticles that to the immune system resemble a virus. Protein vaccines have been used for years to prevent other diseases including hepatitis B and shingles.

Health officials hope the Novavax vaccine will appeal to people who have been waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine built on a different technology.

Vaccinations are expected to begin in the next few weeks.
Michigan was admitted in 1837 as the 26th state in the Union, and it continues to be considered a beautiful place to live and to visit.

Whether one is interested in history, wine country, beaches, waterfalls, or lakes  Michigan has all of the above. Check out these titles while planning the next trip and vacation.

 For those interested in armchair travel, Lost Detroit: Stories Behind the Motor Citys Majestic Ruins by Dan Austin is an homage to Detroit at its best. The rise and decline of 12 historic buildings, accompanied by full-color photographs, takes the reader back in time.

 Get to know Michigan like never before with Matt Forsters scenic tours from the southern state line to the Canadian border in the north. Featuring points of interest, maps and photographs, Backroads & Byways of Michigan: Drives, Day Trips, & Weekend Excursions'' is a great way to explore Michigan.

 Featuring 20 of the 129 lighthouses that dot the Michigan coastline, Birds & Beacons of Michigan by Kimberly Kotzain combines two hobbies: bird watching and exploring lighthouses. Birds have long sought refuge in these landmarks, making them the perfect place to visit.

 Haunted Travels of Michigan by Kathleen Tedsen might convince readers that Michigan is quite a haunted place. The author and her sister have done their research and provide an abundance of evidence of the paranormal.

 Join author Mike Sonnenberg as he explores various regions throughout the state in Lost in Michigan: History and Travel Stories From an Endless Road Trip. Readers can find pictures, maps, history and stories of famous people from Michigan.

 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Grand Hotel has intrigued and entertained generations of visitors. Mackinac Islands Grand Hotel by Mike Fornes tells the story of this luxurious setting that has welcomed presidents, conferences, families on vacation and was even featured in the Hollywood film, Somewhere in Time.

 Michigan: Off the Beaten Path by Jim DuFresne takes travelers to the attractions that are often missed. Featuring unique dining experiences, little-known museums, maps and contact information, its everything one needs for a fun-filled weekend.

 Bring family and friends along on an extraordinary travel experience.Michigan Day Trips by Theme by Kathryn Houghton highlights everything from museums, festivals to beaches and shipwrecks.

 Moon Travel Guides offers Michigans Upper Peninsula by Paul Vachon as a directory for adventure, relaxation, fun and exploration. The guide includes photos and maps.

 Located in the Detroit River and technically owned by Canada, Bob-Lo Island, now called Bois Blanc Island, was home to a beloved amusement park that Michigan residents flocked to during the summer. Summer Dreams: the Story of Bob-Lo Island''

 Michigan began placing historical markers throughout the state in 1955. Traveling Through Time: a Guide to Michigans Historical Markers is a compilation of the stories behind the markers.

 Whether one prefers the deep woods, a sandy beach, solitude or tourist attractions, 50 Hikes in Michigan by Jim Dufresne has information on distance, difficulty, terrain, scenic features, rest stops and more.

Manistee County Library has many travel guides. Check out our selection through our online catalog at manisteelibrary.org or visit any of the six locations to browse the shelves.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  The countrys monkeypox outbreak can still be stopped, U.S. health officials said Thursday, despite rising case numbers and so far limited vaccine supplies.

The Biden administrations top health official pushed back against criticism about the pace of the response and worries that the U.S. has missed the window to contain the virus, which has been declared a global emergency.

We believe we have done everything we can at the federal level to work with our state and local partners and communities affected to make sure we can stay ahead of this and end this outbreak, Xavier Becerra, head of the Department of Health and Human Services, told reporters on a call.

But he added that local health officials must do their part. ... We don't have the authority to tell them what to do.

The pushback from federal leaders came as they announced distribution plans for 780,000 shots of the two-dose Jynneos vaccine. The doses will be allocated to states, cities and other localities based on their case numbers and the size of their populations that are considered high-risk for the disease.

Health departments in San Francisco;, New York, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere say they still dont have enough shots to meet demand and have stopped scheduling appointments for second vaccine doses to stretch supplies.

Becerra said the federal government has done its job and said the onus is now on local officials to use the tools available.

Weve made vaccines, tests and treatments well beyond the numbers that are currently needed available to all jurisdictions, he said.

But one representative for specialty health clinics said Becerra's comments showed a lack of understanding for the full breadth of this crisis.

"Clinics around the country are pleading with federal health officials for the information, supplies and staffing they need to successfully bring an end to this outbreak, said David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors, in a statement. The group is pressing for $100 million in emergency funding for local health departments and clinics.

There were more than 4,600 reported monkeypox cases in the U.S. as of late Wednesday, according to the CDC, and federal officials expect those numbers to rise.

More than 99% of reported cases are in men and the vast majority of those are among men who reported sexual contact with other men, though health officials have stressed that anyone can catch the virus.

The U.S. is now capable of testing 60,000 to 80,000 people per day, though Becerra said daily testing numbers are well below that.

The monkeypox virus mainly spreads through skin-on-skin contact, but it can also transmit through touching linens used by someone with the infection. People with monkeypox may experience fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. Many in the outbreak have developed sometimes-painful zit-like bumps.

The U.S. has ordered 5.5 million more vaccine doses for delivery by mid-2023 and has rights to the raw ingredients that could make 11.1 million more doses. U.S. officials said a massive vaccination campaign could still be avoided if communities and individuals take measures to avoid spread.

In San Francisco, Tom Temprano had an appointment to get his second dose next week but was recently notified that it was canceled due to limited supplies. Temprano, who is the political director of San Francisco-based Equality California, said he's frustrated that health authorities have taken so long to respond.

Especially coming out of, still, two-and-a-half years into a pandemic, its just a very disappointing response for the first larger-scale public health crisis were facing coming out of that, he said.

He also sees parallels to the slow government response to AIDS in the 1980s.

Ive heard from many folks ... that this feels similar in the lack of real concern and urgency to a disease that is right now disproportionately impacting the LGBTQ+ community, said Temprano, who is 36.

The CDC estimates about 1.5 million Americans currently meet suggested criteria for vaccination, primarily men who have sex with men.

But officials on Thursday declined to set a figure for how many vaccine doses would be needed to stop the outbreak. Nearly 340,000 vaccine doses have been distributed, but a CDC official acknowledged the federal government doesn't know how many have been administered.

The additional 780,000 shots being sent to states this week were delayed by shipping and regulatory hurdles. They sat for weeks in storage in Denmark as U.S. regulators finished inspecting and certifying the facility where they were manufactured.

California state Sen. Scott Wiener, who belongs to the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, called the additional vaccines significant. But he added: Of course, its not enough, and we know that were going to be getting millions more doses over the remainder of this year and into next year, which is not soon enough in terms of actually containing this outbreak.

Georgias health department hasnt had to postpone any second doses, but spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said: Demand is still very high. Every time a health department or other provider opens appointments or slots at an event, they are taken up in a matter of minutes.

___

Associated Press writer Andrew Selsky in Salem, Oregon, and Mike Stobbe in New York contributed to this story.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
An online guide is available to explain new laws for voters with disabilities.

The guide looks at ways to vote and includes information about rights those with disabilities have when it comes to elections. It also details laws that have expanded vote-by-mail options for those who are blind or have low vision, have physical dexterity limitations, or have learning or cognitive disabilities.
NEW YORK (AP)  The head of the nation's financial watchdog is having second thoughts about how useful fines are in deterring illegal behavior in the financial industry, saying some companies have gotten so big that the money makes little difference.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Rohit Chopra signaled that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau plans to deploy an array of tools that could limit the ability of a bank or financial firm to conduct business if they violate the law.

In less than a year at the helm of the CFPB, Chopra has moved to turn the agency back into the assertive regulator it was under President Obama. The bureau took far fewer enforcement actions during the Trump administration.

Some staff that had left the CFPB under President Trump have returned. The bureau has been adding enforcement staff and has reprioritized issues such fair lending that were set aside during the previous administration.

Chopra, in a video interview with The Associated Press, said that the changes at the bureau have been necessary because the financial services industry has been transformed dramatically. Apple is now one of the biggest payment processors and has a credit card, Facebook tried to launch its own digital currency, and Amazon acts a financial middle man between merchants and customers in a way unthinkable a few years ago.

There's also been the rapid growth of buy now, pay later companies, which offer ways for borrowers to split up a purchase into a small number of equal installments. It's a product that effectively did not exist in the U.S. even three or four years ago.

In some of his earliest moves, Chopra directed the bureau to investigate whether technology companies such as Apple, Amazon, PayPal, Square and others may be violating privacy laws when it comes to payments. The bureau is also investigating whether buy now, pay later companies are causing consumers to take on too much debt as well as how those loans should be reported on consumers' credit reports.

We are trying to make sure that we have a real-world understanding of today's markets, not in light of what happened in the pandemic, but in light of banking has really changed in the past few years, he said.

Banks and other businesses have taken notice of the bureau's shift. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched an advertising campaign this summer deliberately targeting Chopra, who the business lobbying group has alleged is trying to radically change the financially services industry.

Chopra is re-evaluating some of the traditional tools at regulators' disposal. Because of the size of some of these companies, he said that tools such as fines may no longer be sufficient to punish bad actors.

The CFPB is exploring other ways to rein in illegal practices, ranging from limitations on a firm's growth or banning a company from opening new accounts, as well as imposing fines and liability on individuals instead of just the company.

One option now being considered for repeat gross violations would be to revoke a bank's deposit insurance, under the premise it is operating in an unsafe and unsound manner. Revoking bank deposit insurance would be a crippling blow for any financial company.

In April, the CFPB sued TransUnion for allegedly engaging in deceptive marketing of credit products, in violation of a 2017 enforcement order. The bureau also sued one of TransUnion's executives as part of its lawsuit, which is seeking monetary fines as well as an injunction to stop the practices.

Were shifting our enforcement focus to these larger actors who knew something was a violation of the law but made a calculated decision to violate that law, Chopra said.

TransUnion has denied it violated the 2017 order and is fighting the CFPB's lawsuit.

Chopra's comments partly reflect his experience as one of the Democratic seats on the Federal Trade Commission under President Trump. During his tenure, Chopra was openly critical of the regulator's history of big investigations into anticompetitive behavior that ultimately ended in an inconsequential fine against a large company.

In 2019, the FTC fined Facebook $5 billion for the social media company's extensive privacy violations. While the fine was the largest ever imposed by the agency, it represented less than 10% of the company's total sales that year, and less than one-third of the company's annual profits. In the interview, Chopra reiterated that he believes the FTC's actions did little to stem Facebook's bad practices.

It felt like there were two standards at the FTC: hammer the little guy when they break the law, but when a big firm engaged in repeat offenses, it felt like nothing happened," he said.

Chopra publicly referenced the need for more forms of enforcement than just a fine Wednesday after a company owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway was found to have illegally discriminated against potential Black and Latino home owners.

We will continue to seek new remedies to ensure all lenders meet and fulfill their responsibilities and obligations, Chopra said.

Other financial regulators have also taken a multifaceted approach. Regulators have fined Wells Fargo billions of dollars for various bad practices, including pressuring its employees to illegally open millions of fake accounts in order to meet unrealistic sales goals.

But the Federal Reserve went further. Wells has remained under constraints set by the Fed since 2018, unable to grow its business until the central bank deems its culture problems to be resolved.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Pennsylvania's Democratic governor sued the state Legislature on Thursday over a package of proposed constitutional amendments that Republican lawmakers are pursuing, including one that would say the state constitution does not guarantee any rights relating to abortion or public funding of abortions.

The lawsuit filed in the state Supreme Court argues that the proposed abortion amendment would violate privacy protections. Gov. Tom Wolf wants the high court to throw out the amendments, declaring that they are not constitutionally valid.

The lawmakers are attempting to circumnavigate Wolfs power to veto legislation he does not support.

Wolf claims that bundling the abortion amendment together with four others in a bill that passed the General Assembly earlier this month as budget sessions were wrapping up runs afoul of a constitutional rule against passing legislation that addresses multiple, unrelated topics.

Wolf in a statement said the abortion-related amendment was part of GOP lawmakers' effort to dismantle access to abortion and implement a radical agenda.

The other four amendments would require voter ID, have gubernatorial candidates choose their own running mates, empower lawmakers to cancel regulations without facing a governors veto and establish election audits. Although the House and Senate voted for them as a package, mostly along partisan lines, voters would consider the questions individually.

The lawsuit describes the bill as a mishmash of changes to at least four different articles of the constitution, a set of measures Wolf claims abridges personal liberties and freedoms and alters our current balance of power and constitutional checks and balances.

Wolf's lawsuit says the proposed amendments are exactly the sort of complex changes that require careful deliberation at a constitutional convention prior to a fair and accurate presentation to the electorate.

House Republican spokesman Jason Gottesman said Wolf's lawsuit lacked merit and was an attempt to subvert the power of the people's voice in the General Assembly.

Republican leaders in the state Senate, Jake Corman of Centre County and Kim Ward of Westmoreland, issued a joint statement calling the lawsuit another reminder of Gov. Wolfs oppressive hand.

While the General Assembly asks the citizens to vote on important issues, Gov. Wolf runs to the courts in an effort to keep the citizens' voices quiet, the senators wrote.

Constitutional amendments need to pass both chambers in two consecutive two-year legislative sessions before going to voters for the final say.

The package passed its first round of approvals on July 8, 28-22 in the Senate and 107-92 in the House. After the new session starts in January, lawmakers could vote to put the constitutional amendment referendums before voters as early as the spring primary on May 16, 2023.

A sixth question, which would allow civil lawsuits over child sexual abuse that would otherwise be too old to pursue, was voted separately and also awaits the second round of legislative votes starting next year.

Wolf said he took action Thursday because of a requirement that the Department of State advertise the language of proposed amendments after the first round of votes by the House and Senate and at least three months before a fall election. That advertising period starts Tuesday, he said, and is why he also included as a plaintiff his own acting secretary of state, Leigh Chapman.

Republicans have increasingly turned to the constitutional amendment process to accomplish policy objectives that Wolf opposes. In 2021, they successfully got two amendments on the ballot to limit Wolf's authority during a pandemic emergency, and voters narrowly approved them.

The questions can be teed up for consideration during the spring primary, when Republican voters are more likely to turn out than Democrats. Amendments can pass with a simple majority  not the supermajorities required to override a veto  and the amendment process makes them much harder to reverse.

Wolf, a supporter of access to abortion, has previously vetoed anti-abortion legislation sent to him by the General Assembly, as well as proposals to establish elections audits and expand voter ID.
DANBURY, Conn. (AP)  A mother strangled her three young children to death in their Connecticut home before taking her own life, according to an initial investigation by police Thursday.

Officers found the bodies of 12-year-old Junior Panjon, 10-year-old Joselyn Panjon and 5-year-old Jonael Panjon inside their home in Danbury on Wednesday evening after responding to a call from a distraught man, city police said.

The body of the mother, 36-year-old Sonia Loja, was later discovered inside a shed behind the home.

Pending an official autopsy, preliminary findings indicate that Ms. Loja strangled her three children before killing herself. However, this is still an active investigation, police said in a news release.

The sudden deaths unnerved residents of this small city about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of New York City.

This is a very quiet neighborhood, if something happens, everybody on the block is bound to know, neighbor Atkin Guishard told Hearst Connecticut Media.

Its shocking. I cant believe it. Im still shaking, he said. I cant believe something like this happened on this street."

Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito said in a release that the city and its school system plan to provide mental health and counseling services to children impacted by the deaths. He promised: we will get through this together.

Authorities said the mother and children lived at the residence with two other adults who were not present when police arrived.

Areas around the house remained cordoned off with yellow caution tape Thursday. A well-maintained garden sits in the backyard by a childs playhouse and swing set.

Neighbor Ralph Biaugher told Hearst that children often played happily in the yard.

They always wave to me when I get out of the car, Biaugher said. When I get off work, theyre playing in the yard, laughing, riding their bikes. Nothing out of the ordinary. You would never think nothing like that would happen.
Jesse Powell, the controversial CEO of the once-San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, is throwing his financial weight behind a Republican U.S. Senate candidate who believes in a completely unregulated Bitcoin industry and describes himself as a cypherpunk stockbroker, according to FEC filings viewed by SFGATE.

Powell maxed out a $5,800 donation this year to Bruce Fenton, an ardent Bitcoin enthusiast and early crypto adoptee running a U.S. Senate campaign in New Hampshire against incumbent Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat. A libertarian-leaning candidate whos garnered little national attention thus far, Fenton  whos self-funding his campaign with $5 million in Bitcoin  has likened his political ideology to Republican stars like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan and, of course, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. Fenton has expressed strong opposition to COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates  same as Powell  and is also anti-gun control.

Earlier this month, Fenton spoke for 33 hours uninterrupted on a livestream in protest of ending the filibuster. It received 2,085 views on YouTube and another 1,100 on Twitter. (He later claimed that YouTube censored him.) Within the past few weeks, Fenton has only tweeted a few times about a political issue that wasnt related to his 33-hour livestream or pro-Bitcoin sentiments  and one of those times was to attack Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. His public sentiments are typically the following:

No one running for Federal office is as involved in #Bitcoin as I am & no one will fight for this industry like I will, Fenton said in a recent tweet.

The most recent poll that included Fenton took place in April, a preliminary survey conducted months before candidates filed for office. In that poll, he lost to Hassan by six percentage points. No polls conducted since have included him.

Powells donations this year have been made out to pro-crypto politicians, regardless of political party or ideological stance. In the first quarter of 2022, Powell donated to Bay Area Rep. Ro Khanna and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. (This week, Sinema co-sponsored a bill that would remove the capital gains tax on cryptocurrency transactions smaller than $50.) Powell also donated to progressive, crypto-friendly candidates Matt West and Aarika Rhodes.

But in this most recent quarter, stretching from April 1 to June 30, Powell stuck to right-wing candidates. In addition to Fenton, Powell maxed out donations to noted libertarian Sen. Paul and to rodeo doctor turned Trump loyalist Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.

Barrasso, a strong supporter of crippling sanctions against Iran, presumably doesnt see eye-to-eye with Powells reported interest in flouting said sanctions. On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that Kraken has been under investigation by the U.S. Department of Treasury for violating federal sanctions and permitting users in Iran on the service. According to the Times, Powell himself hinted that he would consider breaking the law in a wide range of situations if the advantages to the company outweighed potential penalties.

Powell has also received flak for debating whether white people can use the N-word, for calling American women brainwashed, for suing former employees who wrote critical reviews on Glassdoor and for refusing to use employees pronouns.
As the saying goes, its not about the destination, its about the journey. This Bay Area hike begs to differ.

Mission Peak Regional Preserve in Fremont is one of the most popular parks in the East Bay Regional Park District. Within the preserve, the Mission Peak summit sits over 2,500 feet high, offering a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Bay Area and beyond that once had crowds flocking to the park.

To get to the top, hikers embark on what Ashley Adams, a supervising naturalist with the district, describes as by far the most infamous hike within the 73 parks that the parkland system has to offer.

Bearing this in mind, I recruited my dad and sister to join me as we set out to reach the summit. The peak itself is accessible from a number of places. Adams recommends ascending via the 3-mile Peak Trail from Ohlone College, where theres also an abundance of parking for $4. Another popular method is scaling the Peak Meadow Trail, which begins at the Stanford Avenue staging area but has limited parking with only 43 spots. A road less traveled, and slightly longer, is hiking on the back side from the Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve, where a $2 yearlong permit will grant you access to not only the summit but also 30,000 acres of the Ohlone Regional Wilderness.

Zach Zafran/SFGATE

Already feeling foolish for trying to tackle what was made out to be a tedious hike, I took the experts word and started off from Ohlone College. The first stretch of the hike was telling  the trail went essentially straight up. While I knew I had to gain 2,000 feet of elevation somehow, the beginning of the hike took no prisoners.

After weaving through barren grasslands under the beaming sun for 15 minutes, shrubbery began to populate the edges of the path. An oak tree with a branch extending above provided the trail its first instance of shade thus far. One hiker I ran into was taking full advantage of it. Although she felt unwell, she assured us she just needed a rest. With a full water bottle, she said the heat of the day was simply getting to her. I was fear-stricken. If this was just the beginning, what more was to come?

Zach Zafran/SFGATE

Adams warned me of the heat prior to my expedition. Unfortunately, in our parks the most common injury is heat illness, she said. You are walking through beautiful grasslands, but youre climbing up this rocky peak where there are no trees. So prepare for that by bringing a nice shaded hat, plenty of sunscreen and lots and lots of water.

Zach Zafran/SFGATE

I was fortunate to choose a July day that only brought temperatures in the low 70s, but it was still enough for me to work up a good sweat. Luckily, the hike brought a fun surprise to take my mind off of the heat.

Twenty-five minutes into the hike, I turned a corner to what seemed largely out of place. Cows! Adjacent to the trail, a herd of cows were lounging, uninterrupted. What were they doing there? With no signs of human intervention in any direction, I continued on my way both bewildered and amused.

Zach Zafran/SFGATE

After another 20 minutes of meandering through golden grasslands and walking past an occasional patch of green, I encountered another fallen soldier, who rested on a tree providing what would be the last shade of the hike. I was tempted to give my own hike an intermission, but the emergence of Mission Peak in the distance kept me motivated enough to continue onward.

Nearly an hour after departing from the trailhead, Id reached a crossroads  literally. All three trails leading to the Mission Peak summit met at this juncture, which conveniently had a bathroom as well, the only one available in the preserve. A look back to where I had just walked revealed a panoramic view of the rolling hills and distant mountains. A turn of the head provided a clean shot of the bay with only a snippet blocked by the peak itself. The only thing left to do was make it to the top.

Zach Zafran/SFGATE

While talking had remained a constant between my sister, dad and me throughout the hike, this stretch of the trail was a different story. Conversation stalled as the silence grew louder, accompanied only by our gasps for air. After making it past what felt like Mount Everests Hillary Step, the only words anyone was able to muster came from my sister. Turning back to the steep path behind us, she muttered, That looks a lot shorter than it felt.

A final uphill segment exerted me to a sweat that streamed down my face, but it was enough to reach the summit. At last: Mission Peak in all its glory.

Zach Zafran/SFGATE

When you look one direction, its all wilderness, Adams said about the peak. And then you turn the other way and you see all of our civilization. And what I think is really interesting about Mission Peak is when you turn to the east and youre looking out over the wilderness and you see all of those rolling grasslands and groves of oak trees, thats kind of what the Bay Area would have looked like before Spanish contact and the missionization.

It felt like I was in a time machine. The juxtaposition of the uninterrupted wilderness with the place I call home felt impossible to conceive at once. But there it was, right in front of my eyes.

At the top, other groups of hikers gathered around an oddly shaped pillar taking turns posing for photos. Some climbed on it while others posed next to it. The structure in question is known as the Mission Peeker, a structure constructed in 1990 with tubes protruding from its side at every angle. Looking through the holes reveals to hikers the Bay Area's tallest peaks. Even with the sweeping view behind it, the pole seemed to be a main attraction.

People get to the top and they want to get to the Mission Peeker, Adams said. Its a really cool pole where when you look through it  you get a view of the whole Bay Area. You can see Mount Tamalpais, you can see the Santa Cruz Mountains, you can see Mount Hamilton and on a clear day you can see all the way to the Sierra Nevada.

Zach Zafran/SFGATE

After basking in the views of both the Bay Areas past and present, I set off to make my way down the mountain. This time, I decided to take the trail down to the Stanford Avenue staging area instead.

The path offered an encapsulating view of the bay and its surrounding areas. Everything from the nearby residential homes to Moffett Federal Airfield across the bay was in sight, all while falcons and hawks soared overhead. At the corner of many switchbacks, a bench offered hikers a chance to reel in the view (and take a break for people going up the strenuous hill).

Zach Zafran/SFGATE

Three miles later, I was back down to the trailhead, just down the road from Mission San Jose, from which the peak got its name. With an adventure spanning just under three hours under my belt, I stand by my claim that it was not about the journey, but the destination instead.

Dont get it twisted, its by no means a knock on the (tiring) hike itself. But the views that Mission Peak has to offer, coupled with its time machine-like ability to reveal what the Bay Area used to look like, absolutely make this a destination worth visiting.
WFO BINGHAMTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Western Yates County in central New York...

Northwestern Steuben County in central New York...

* Until noon EDT.

* At 1121 AM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near Hemlock to 10 miles southeast of Portageville,

moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Benton, Urbana, Potter, Wayland, Middlesex, Pulteney, Wheeler,

Italy, Avoca and Arkport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO BINGHAMTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Western Yates County in central New York...

Northwestern Steuben County in central New York...

* Until 1245 PM EDT.

* At 1158 AM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near Canandaigua to Haskinville, moving east at 25

mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Benton, Urbana, Potter, Wayland, Middlesex, Pulteney, Wheeler,

Italy, Avoca and Arkport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN LIVINGSTON AND

SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO COUNTIES HAS EXPIRED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.

Therefore, the warning has been allowed to expire.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO BINGHAMTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Binghamton NY

101 PM EDT Thu Jul 28 2022

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN YATES COUNTY IS

CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of

the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for

central New York.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 115 PM EDT

FOR SOUTHEASTERN SENECA...NORTHEASTERN SCHUYLER...SOUTHWESTERN CAYUGA

AND NORTHWESTERN TOMPKINS COUNTIES...

At 101 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Covert, or 14

miles northwest of Ithaca, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Law enforcement reported numerous downed trees and wires.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Lansing, Covert, Ledyard, Trumansburg, Aurora, Interlaken, King

Ferry, Sheldrake, Taughannock Falls and Townsendville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.

They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in

Binghamton.

If on or near a lake, get away from the water and move indoors or

inside a vehicle. remember, lightning can strike out to 15 miles

from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close

enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not

be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO BUFFALO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

TORNADO WARNING

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...

Southern Wyoming County in western New York...

Southwestern Livingston County in western New York...

* Until 1115 AM EDT.

* At 1036 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a

tornado was located 9 miles northeast of Arcade, or 16 miles west

of Letchworth State Park, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without

shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.

Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree

damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...

Letchworth State Park, Perry, Warsaw, Portageville, Nunda, Eagle,

Pike, Castile, Silver Springs and Gainesville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! 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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the

tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

If on or near Silver Lake, get away from the water and move to safe

shelter immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough

to be struck by lightning. Severe thunderstorms can produce large

capsizing waves, even on small bodies of water. Move into dock and

seek safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a

thunderstorm.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO BUFFALO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Jefferson County in central New York...

Northern Lewis County in central New York...

* Until 230 PM EDT.

* At 125 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near Cedar Point State Park to Adams, moving

northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...

Watertown, Fort Drum, Carthage, West Carthage, Clayton, Glen Park,

Herrings, Redwood, Copenhagen, Kring Point State Park and

Wellesley Island State Park.

This includes Interstate 81 between exits 45 and 52.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO BURLINGTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Burlington has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Central St. Lawrence County in northern New York...

* Until 245 PM EDT.

* At 137 PM EDT, a cluster of severe thunderstorms was located 12

miles southwest of South Hammond, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vehicles is possible. Expect wind

damage to trees and powerlines.

* Locations impacted include...

Potsdam, Massena, Gouverneur, Canton, Ogdensburg, Norfolk, Lisbon,

Louisville, De Kalb, Fowler, Morley, Massena International Airport

- Richards Field, Helena, Waddington, Richville, Hammond, Madrid,

Rensselaer Falls, Norwood and Edwardsville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO BURLINGTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 28, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Burlington has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

St. Lawrence County in northern New York...

* Until 315 PM EDT.

* At 220 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from West Fowler to 14 miles south of Pitcairn, moving

northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vehicles is possible. Expect wind

damage to trees and powerlines.

* Locations impacted include...

Potsdam, Gouverneur, Canton, Oswegatchie, Fowler, Parishville,

Colton, Piercefield, Degrasse, Carry Falls Reservoir, Cranberry

Lake, Hermon, Brasher Falls, Horseshoe Lake, Star Lake, Richville,

Norwood, Pierrepont, Russell and Fine.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO PENDLETON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, July 30, 2022

_____

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Pendleton OR

446 AM PDT Thu Jul 28 2022

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT

SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures approaching

110. Very warm overnight lows in the upper 60s to lower 70s.

* WHERE...Portions of central, south central and southeast

Washington and central, north central and northeast Oregon.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential

for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or

participating in outdoor activities. Warm overnight lows

compared to normal will continue to add to the heat stress into

the next day.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out

of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young

children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles

under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When

possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or

evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat

stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when

possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent

rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone

overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT SATURDAY...

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Temperatures 95 to 105. Warm overnight lows as high as

the upper 50s to mid 60s.

* WHERE...In Washington, Northwest Blue Mountains. In Oregon,

Grande Ronde Valley, Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon,

Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon and Ochoco-John Day

Highlands.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 105.

Very warm overnight lows in the mid to upper 60s.

* WHERE...East Slopes of the Washington Cascades.

* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the

potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those

working or participating in outdoor activities. Warm overnight

lows compared to normal will continue to add to the heat stress

into the next day.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SPOKANE Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, July 30, 2022

_____

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Spokane WA

724 AM PDT Thu Jul 28 2022

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT

SATURDAY...

* WHAT...High temperatures today through Saturday will range between

100 and 111 degrees and could possibly persist into Sunday.

Overnight temperatures will only cool into the mid 60s to mid 70s.

* WHERE...Loomis, Quincy, Winchester, Brewster, Waterville, Methow,

Nespelem, Ephrata, Wenatchee, Holden Village, Conconully, Telma,

Mansfield, Plain, Okanogan, Othello, Winton, Moses Lake,

Bridgeport, Omak, Stehekin, Leavenworth, Dryden, Malott, Mazama,

Lucerne, Cashmere, Peshastin, Entiat, Winthrop, Nighthawk,

Carlton, Monse, Twisp, Palisades, Oroville, and Chelan.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during

extreme heat and high humidity events.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of

the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose

fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning

or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and

heat stroke.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and

Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in

shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat

should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an

emergency! Call 9 1 1.

* WHAT...Afternoon temperatures will reach the upper 90s to around

108 today and remain relatively steady through at least Saturday.

Its now possible the heat will persist into Sunday. Overnight

temperatures will be in the 60s.

* WHERE...Portions of North and North Central Idaho. Portions of

East Central, North Central, Northeast, and Southeast Washington.

* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential

for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or

participating in outdoor activities. Residents without air

conditioners will experience a build up of heat within their homes

through late in the week.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Page Content

As companies in India adapt to the new hybrid workplace, HR teams have to tread a fine line in managing engagement for two sets of employeesthose working in the office versus those working from home.

Employers are following a range of different models. While some companies have specified how many days each week, as well as which days, staff must come into the office, others have left it to employees to decide. Some companies have embraced having some permanently remote employees, making the workplace highly distributed. Others are hiring employees for what had been full-time jobs but on a part-time basis onsite, which complicates the makeup of the workforce.

"When you juxtapose these realitiesof a highly complex workplace and a highly complex workforcethe challenge for HR leaders is immense," said Avadhesh Dixit, chief human resource officer for Acuity Knowledge Partners, a research and analytics provider in Delhi. "HR teams are going to struggle for a long time to get this entire cultural integration, communication integration and employee engagement right."

Communication Channels

With more offices reopening, companies are ramping up their in-person communication with employees. At the same time, many are stepping up their e-mail and other digital communication to stay connected with remote staff.

"We have enhanced our communication channels significantly in terms of the number of employee-connect initiatives that HR and managers are expected to take," Dixit said.

Acuity's policy is fully flexible, allowing employees to work from anywhere with no mandatory requirement to come into an office. Still, on any given day, 25 percent to 30 percent of their employees are present in person, Dixit said. The company is hosting more town halls and team meetings online, while also scheduling periodic in-person team meetings. In those cases, if a remote employee has to be called in, the cost of airfare and hotel is paid for by the company, Dixit said.

To build informal channels, Acuity is encouraging managers to take their teams out for lunch or other similar gatherings at the company's expense. "In the coming days, I will be enhancing the budget so people can come together more often face-to-face," Dixit said.



SHRM Resource Hub Page

Return to Work



Seeking Work/Life Balance

In a hybrid workplace, there's a risk that the line between the office and home is blurred, so more organizations are creating policies to keep the two separate. "It's important for the leader to establish and clearly communicate the company's policies around work/life integration to its employees and adhere by it," said Sailesh Menezes, India HR head for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) in Bengaluru, an information technology firm.

Since all employees are not present in the office daily, impromptu events to engage and support employees are a lot harder to pull off, said Garima Pant, group HR director at MullenLowe Lintas Group, an advertising and communications company headquartered in Mumbai.

Pant says staff is being called into the office two days a week, but those days are not fixed, which initially created a quandary. The HR team wanted to organize in-person activities twice a month to make people excited about returning. They found that midweek was the best time to hold such events because that's when most employees were working in person.

"Wednesday is the new Friday from an employee-engagement perspective," Pant said.

Accelerated Induction

In a remote environment, helping new employees connect with the organization becomes even more important. At the Indian arm of Stryker Corp., a medical devices and equipment manufacturer, onboarding was handled completely online during the past two years. Lately, however, it's being managed in person but differently from how it was done pre-pandemic, said Rajiv Oza, Mumbai-based head of HR in India.

The firm adopted an accelerated induction program two months ago when a group of new employees joined the division in Gurgaon, Oza said. Since company policy changed to require employees to be in the office for just 12 days each month, all new hires came to headquarters to attend a two-day orientation program with workshops and sessions with leaders. After the two days, many of these new employees returned to different geographical locations.

Oza said this induction program was more intense than before the pandemic, because staff back then would continue to be in the office five days a week, which provided more time and opportunity for them to be engaged. As a result, Oza said they're encouraging managers to schedule more frequent meetings and offsite functions with team members. "The culture should not get diluted because of [the hybrid environment]," he explained.

To cater to multiple employee audiences, HR teams also are using a mix of online, offline and hybrid engagement events. At the India unit of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, for example, most employees are working remotely but are expected to visit the office one to two times a week for team meetings, seminars and engagement activities. "Hence, we have redesigned all of our offices as spaces for collaboration," Menezes said. More than 25 percent of the overall workforce is in the office on any given day, he noted.

To familiarize employees with redesigned local offices, HPE launched a "Site QR Hunt" in which employees have to find QR codes hidden in different parts of the office. The company is also running in-person "speed-mentoring" sessions at the offices.

Online activities that were launched during the pandemic also continue. To connect employees in different geographical locations, HPE launched the "Mystery Coffee" initiative. In this, the system matches employees within HPE's global workforce based on interests, and then connects them for a 30-minute video meeting in which they can talk about their work, personal issues and more. "It's all about creating positive relationships and connecting with other people," Menezes said.

In addition, there are hybrid events in which some participants are present at the office and others participate virtually. These events feature interactive platforms, which encourage remote workers to participate.

"We believe the hybrid work environment is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future," Menezes said.

Shefali Anand is a New Delhi-based journalist and former correspondent for The Wall Street Journal. You can follow her on Twitter.
Page Content

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that local Grubhub delivery drivers are not exempt from the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), and those workers can be compelled to individually arbitrate their claims against the delivery app. The court's decision in Archer v. Grubhub, Inc. reverses an egregiously wrong trial court decision and joins a chorus of other courts that have decided this issue in favor of arbitration.

What do you need to know about today's decision?

Federal Arbitration Act 101

The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) generally allows businesses to enforce reasonably drafted agreements to arbitrate workplace claims, but the act does not apply to certain workers who are engaged in interstate commerce  for example, workers who are directly involved in transporting goods across state or international borders.

Arbitration, and especially arbitration of employment disputes, has been a frequent issue on court dockets across the country and has received outsized attention from the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years. In just the past five years, the U.S. Supreme Court has determined the following:

Arbitration agreements containing class-action waivers do not violate the National Labor Relations Act.

Interstate transportation workers are exempt from the FAA.

Class arbitration cannot be compelled without an express provision in the agreement.

Cargo loaders at an airport may be exempt from the FAA.

A California state law designed to avoid arbitration of collective disputes is partially preempted by the FAA.



Generally speaking, the U.S. Supreme Court grants significant deference to the FAA, requiring courts to enforce arbitration agreements "rigorously" according to their terms. Any doubts over the scope of an arbitration provision generally must be resolved in favor of arbitration. The Massachusetts court's decision rests on a narrow exception to the FAA, which exempts "contracts of employment of seamen, railroad employees, or any other class of workers engaged in foreign or interstate commerce."

Background

In 2019, former Grubhub drivers who delivered takeout orders sued the delivery app, claiming violations of the Massachusetts Wage Act and other state laws. Grubhub moved to dismiss the case and to compel arbitration, contending that each of the plaintiffs had signed an arbitration agreement that was enforceable under the FAA.

In denying the motion, a trial court seemingly ignored years of U.S. Supreme Court precedent and other court rulings on the same issue and instead concluded that the Grubhub drivers fell into a narrow exemption from the FAA  that the drivers were engaged in interstate commerce  and therefore Grubhub could not compel arbitration. Unsurprisingly, Grubhub appealed.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court dispensed with the workers' exemption claim in short order, acknowledging that it was not writing on a "blank slate" and instead looked to numerous relevant decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts. These cases have routinely held that the interstate commerce exemption only applies to transportation workers engaged in the movement of goods in interstate commerce.

The Massachusetts court also noted a federal court of appeals had already decided the exact same question in a case involving a different group of Grubhub workers. That court held that while the Grubhub workers are transportation workers, their work delivering food from local restaurants to local consumers did not mean the workers were engaged in interstate commerce. The Massachusetts court acknowledged every court that had considered this issue in the context of delivery drivers had reached the same conclusion, citing numerous federal court decisions in Massachusetts and elsewhere

What Do You Need to Know?

The Massachusetts court's decision confirms that the FAA's transportation worker exception is a narrow one and that most arbitration agreements should continue to be enforced. This is especially important in Massachusetts, where state law does not permit class-action waivers of wage and hour claims. In other words, if these workers were exempt from the FAA, they may have been able to proceed as a class action, despite the agreement to arbitrate.

This should bring peace of mind to you and your business, knowing you can avoid the costs of prolonged class or collective action litigation and instead resolve employment disputes on an individual basis with your employees in arbitration.

For multi-state employers, the decision is a welcome one because it does not make Massachusetts an outlier on this issue. In any event, we recommend that you routinely review employee arbitration agreements to make sure they continue to track near-constant developments in the law in this area.



Joshua D. Nadreau is an attorney with Fisher Phillips in Boston.  2022. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
Exterro, Inc., a portfolio company of Leeds Equity Partners (Leeds Equity), announced today that it has completed a strategic recapitalization and secured additional committed equity capital as part of a continuation vehicle transaction valuing Exterro at more than $1 billion (USD). With the support of a group of leading global institutional investors co-led by Coller Capital and Glendower Capital, this transaction will enable Exterro to devote more resources to the growth of its Legal GRC portfolio of products through M&A and product development. Exterro will continue to develop new initiatives for law firms and service providers, drive accelerated growth of its digital forensics product set and reinvest in its first-class global Training Academy, as it delivers new products to new geographies. As part of the recapitalization, Leeds Equity has made a significant new equity commitment from its latest flagship fund, Leeds Equity Partners VII, L.P., alongside the continuation vehicle and management.

Exterro is a leading provider of Legal Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) software, which provides deep data insights, workflow efficiencies, and process orchestration across e-discovery, digital forensics, data privacy, and cybersecurity use cases. The company operates in a large, fast-growing market with significant macro drivers, including increasing litigation volumes, the proliferation of corporate data, an increasingly complex regulatory environment, the convergence of data risks and the ubiquity of digital evidence in crime and terrorist activities.

Since our last funding with Leeds Equity, global demand for Exterros Legal GRC platform has grown exponentially, fueling our product innovation as weve continued building best-in-class e-discovery, data privacy, forensics, risk, and compliance technologies, said Bobby Balachandran, founder and CEO of Exterro. As the lines between legal, finance, IT, and security departments blur, Exterro is in a unique position, offering the only platform that can effectively unify and address the data and the legal requirements of those disparate business silos. Leeds Equity has been an incredible partner in Exterros growth, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with them as Exterro enters this new phase of growth.

Since Leeds Equitys initial investment in 2018, Exterro has more than quadrupled its revenue, and now serves more than 3,000 customers across the world. Exterros concerted growth strategy has focused on organic product innovation, geographic expansion, and strategic M&A, including the acquisition and integration of Jordan Lawrence and AccessData. It has also included significant R&D investments in e-discovery, privacy, digital forensics, and incident management as well as investments in the Exterro team. These business-critical activities are integrated into Exterros leading Legal GRC platform, which was designed specifically to manage the convergence between legal operations, litigation support, compliance, breach response, and internal investigations. In addition to Exterros corporate markets, the company has also increasingly served law enforcement forensics departments, providing enhanced efficiencies to those agencies that are experiencing budgetary and staffing constraints, most recently with the United Kingdoms West Midlands Police Department.

Bobby Balachandran and the entire Exterro team have built an industry-leading business uniquely positioned to help enterprises manage and analyze data and drive actionable business intelligence. These are critical requirements to operating in the face of challenges across e-discovery, data privacy, cybersecurity, and forensic investigations, said Jacques Galante, Partner at Leeds Equity Partners. We look forward to building on this great partnership as Exterro continues to capture the immense growth opportunity across its global markets.

Mr. Balachandran originally founded Exterro in 2008 with the conviction that the legal industry would benefit from, and that there was enormous demand for, process improvements that could be derived from lessons learned in other industries. Today, Exterro offers the only Legal GRC platform for corporations  which include global businesses including Boeing, United Healthcare, American Express, Aflac, and Oracle  to mitigate risks, control costs, and have complete end-to-end visibility into their legal processes. Exterro has won numerous industry awards and accolades, including the Global InfoSec Awards, Best Forensics Product (2022), KM World Readers Choice Awards, Best E-Discovery (2021), LegalTech Breakthrough, LegalTech CEO of Year (2021), and more. The company also contributes to numerous civic causes that are spearheaded by its Exterro Gives Back initiative, which supports several organizations, including Women Entrepreneurs of India, Operation Child in the US, the Safe Escape refuge in the UK, and the founding of the LifeRay Foundation, to mention a few.

The Legal GRC industry continues to be highly attractive given favorable macro tailwinds, and we are proud to continue our strong partnership with Exterro to build on its premier market position. We are excited to continue to support the business through organic investment and strategic M&A, said Kevin Malone, Principal at Leeds Equity Partners.

Jefferies Financial Group, Inc. acted as the financial advisor, while Kirkland & Ellis and Reed Smith served as legal counsel on the transaction.
Rahi, a leading global IT solutions provider with a brick-and-mortar presence across six continents and 41 countries, hosted its flagship tech event for the first time in India. The event was attended by 200+ C-suite executives from various customers, industry leaders, and professionals. Sponsors such as Zoom, Neat, Juniper Networks, Logitech, ZPE, USystems, Shure, Crestron, Vertiv, and Commscope showcased their forthcoming innovative technologies. The event covered a range of topics from data center solutions, cloud services, IT infrastructure solutions, unified communications, professional and managed services, and global services. Contemporary technologies such as virtualization, productivity solutions, digital signage, and network & security were discussed. Rahi Tech Day, which is a flagship event for the company, is held annually in the US at their headquarters with partners and customers registering attendance from across the USA.

The daylong tech gig was themed All Around the World with Rahi, and an invite-only event gave an opportunity to sponsored partners to exhibit their products/services. Rahi Tech Day brought together decision-makers to interact, network, and build relationships with like-minded industry peers. A keynote session by Matt Robinson, Chief Technology Officer at Rahi primarily focused on the current technology landscape and how Rahi plans to transform enterprises with its IT services and integrated solutions. Partners and customers presented papers around topics such as Adopting a Transformative Mindset To Create A Hybrid Workspace, Architecting the Optimal Edge, Propel your Data Center towards Terabit Ethernet, Return to Office - Challenges & Opportunities and Effortless Audio for the Modern Workplace.

Sushil Goyal, Co-Founder & COO, Rahi, says, We are delighted to host our flagship tech event for the first time in India and appreciate that our esteemed partners and customers participated actively. We are proud to provide a platform for our sponsored partners to deliver interesting and in-depth insights about their innovative products and solutions. With the success of todays event, we are planning to host Rahi Tech Day every year in India. This will provide an opportunity for our partners and customers to discuss ever-changing and evolving technologies and how to effectively implement them to generate maximum business output. In the coming years, Rahi is planning to enhance its tailor-made solutions that meet every organizations specific requirements and help our customers scale and adopt technologies in a flexible and effective manner.

Sameer Raje, General Manager and Head, India and SAARC, Zoom, We have a long-term partnership with Rahi and work closely towards helping our customers optimize their IT investments. The event will provide us with a good opportunity to showcase our collaboration tools to drive efficiency and give customers and their employees flexibility and freedom of choice to work from anywhere. Along with partners such as Rahi, we aim to enhance collaboration experiences of customers.

Matt Robinson, Chief Technology Officer, Rahi, Technology, today, is evolving rapidly with digital transformation. The adoption of remote and hybrid work culture is the new normal. Organizations have become more innovative, agile, flexible, and are investing in new technologies for business growth. Cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) not only provide enhanced customer satisfaction and competitive advantage but also are the future of business in the new normal.

Rahi Tech Day has been sponsored by partners. These include Zoom, the communication and collaboration platform, as their Platinum sponsor. The Audio/Video solution providers, Neat and Logitech along with Vertiv, the cloud-management data center provider, had signed up for the Gold Sponsorship. The Silver sponsorship slots were taken by Juniper and Commscope from Networking, ZPE and USystems from Data Center, and Shure and Crestron from audio/ video.

Comments from sponsored partners:

Niko Walraven, Regional Director for Asia, Neat, "Neat and Rahi Systems share a passion for solving customer challenges in the meeting space and delivering innovations that drive the future of video collaboration. Neat is glad to be a gold sponsor at this year's Rahi Tech Day and we look forward to working closely with Rahi to make Neat meeting spaces even more accessible to businesses of all sizes across the India region."

It had been a thrilling experience to be able to meet business decision-makers from different segments of the industry on a single platform. We not only had the opportunity to showcase some of our state-of-the-art modern & hybrid workplace solutions but also got to see how industry players are doing and what tech innovations they came up with post-pandemic, Gagan Verma, Executive Director, Crestron.

This is our first-ever partner event with Rahi Systems and we strongly believe that in-person events strengthen relationships. At this customer forum, we are bringing our new audio solutions that address todays challenge of having to quickly adapt to a collaboration environment. Solutions that would allow customers to continue to operate and manage their meetings effortlessly., Mr. Ravi Kant Sharma, Sr Manager - Sales, Shure Audio Technologies Pvt Ltd.

Logitech is proud to announce its partnership with Rahi and introduce you to the latest Video Collaboration Solutions portfolio for today's business environment. The event will be seen as an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our collaboration platform, which will drive overall effectiveness and provide clients and their employees with flexibility and the chance to choose their work-place anywhere in the world, Anand Lakshamanan, Head of B2B Sales, India and SWA, Logitech.

USystems is delighted to participate in this tech day. USystems has been consistently providing efficient cooling solutions with a vision that not only benefits the organization on the financial facet but also enhances the facilitys energy sustainability reducing the environmental carbon footprint. We look forward to working in collaboration with Rahi sharing the same passion. We believe this event would be an excellent platform to put forth our advanced and innovative technology that meets the current needs of the Data center industry, Ravi Shankar, VP Engineering APAC, USystems

"The next decade will be critical for India's digital transformation journey, especially with the much-anticipated rollout of 5G and Industrial IoT. While it appears to be a massive opportunity for all the technology suppliers, the channel partners will be the real key to building the network edge ecosystem. Vertiv has always believed in partnerships powered by purpose, and our association with Rahi is built on addressing dynamic challenges and enabling customers to leverage the benefits of digital transformation. As an industry leader in digital infrastructure, we are addressing the needs of the ecosystem through our offerings and channel partners." Rakesh Kumar  Director - Channel Alliance - IT Solution, Vertiv India. "The opportunities in the tech landscape in India are rich, and Rahi Tech Day will celebrate the spirit of innovation. This fun and informative event will serve as a melting pot of ideas from key opinion leaders and provide insight into the latest technologies. We look forward to showcasing our solutions that can aid in creating a robust digital infrastructure landscape."

ZPE Systems and Rahi Systems have enjoyed a long-standing, collaborative relationship that spans over a decade. Together we've provided best-in-breed solutions to a wide variety of shared customers. The relationship continues to improve through participation in Rahi's global events, including this first-ever Tech Day in India, says Rituraj Dixit, Director of APAC Sales at ZPE Systems

At CommScope - We continue to innovate to bring you the world's leading portfolio of networking solutions. Our solutions are redefining connectivity, solving todays challenges and driving the innovation that will meet the needs of whats next, Ashok Srinivasan RCCD, Technical Director, India & SAARC, CommScope
Tech Mahindra, a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting, and business re-engineering services and solutions and Google today announced a strategic partnership that licenses street-level imagery to Google toward the launch of their Street View feature in the country. The partnership will leverage output from Tech Mahindras Gullyfy project done in collaboration with eco-system partners, and is being carried out by Tech Mahindra in accordance with the accuracy thresholds laid out in the geospatial guidelines.

As a part of the partnership, Tech Mahindra will be responsible for GIS processes from data creation, resourcing, insights generation, and the actual collection of the street-level imagery. The GIS framework gathers, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of vital datasets used across sectors and industries for cartography, administration, relational database management, programming, and spatial analytics, among others.

Birendra Sen, Business Head, Business Process Services, Tech Mahindra, said, Technology is not just the backbone of the global economy, but is also a strategic tool which can turn insights into solutions, uncover trends and predictions, and transform businesses in a sustainable manner. Today, there is an increasing need for technologies that turn insights from GIS (Geographic Information Systems) into ready products that can be utilized by customers. The GIS industry has only grown manifold with time, owing to increased data availability and the development of smart cities all over the world. In line with this, our partnership with Google is another step toward delivering high-quality and immersive mapping experiences to the people of India.

Over the past few years, Tech Mahindra has partnered with Google in the areas like Google Cloud, Engineering, Content Management, Contact Center Operations, Network Services, etc. to providing benefits to customers all over the world. This collaboration will further strengthen our long-standing partnership with Google.

Miriam Karthika Daniel, VP - Google Maps Experiences, said, "We are pleased to partner with Tech Mahindra, and deeply appreciate their immense efforts toward facilitating the launch of Street View in India. At Google Maps, we have over the past 14 years continued to work on ways to bring helpful, local, and high-quality experiences to people across the nation. This launch is only possible through collaborations with local partners, and we look forward to finding more ways to deliver even more useful features and information on Maps."

This partnership is in line with Tech Mahindras NXT.NOWTM framework, which aims to enhance Human Centric Experience, and focuses on investing in emerging technologies and solutions that enables digital transformation and meet the evolving needs of the customer.
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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size They say that tragedy plus time equals comedy; less well acknowledged is that tragedy plus Iron Man equals amazing. Thats according to the five children involved in a coming production of Medea. Aged between six and 10, the members of this childrens council has reinterpreted Euripides tale of betrayal and revenge for a production to be performed by adults. For all their bloodlust and grim fates, the Greek myths are hardly off-limits for kids  one of the boys has already appeared in a production of Antigone, and plenty have heard of the exploits of Zeus, Athena and the rest of the godly pantheon. But Medea? Thats the one where the title character kills her own children. Siblings Charlie and Willow English Turnewitsch helped to create a new telling of Medea. Credit: Photo: Daniel Rabin Heres a plot refresher, courtesy of nine-year-old Willow: So Jason came from another country and he met Medea and he told her that he wanted to steal the Golden Fleece. Medea said she would help him steal it from her dad, and her dad got mad. When they stole it they went on a ship and tried to get away, and Medea got her brother and stabbed him and then threw him off the ship so the king could stop and they had time to run away. Then they came to a country and they had two children, and then they lived 10 years. Medea was suspicious about Jason. Then Medea made a dress and it had poison inside of it. The princess tried it on and then she started strangling, and she died. Then the king tried to help her and he died too. Then Medea killed her children and went away in a chariot on a dragon. And Jason saw that his kids died. You wont see that on YouTube Kids.

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When director Steven Mitchell Wright came up with the idea of filtering Medea through the perspectives of children, his goal was twofold. He wanted a production that didnt demonise one party or another, but possessed that ambivalent love/hate energy particular to childhood. He also hoped to channel some of the ways in which children tell stories differently: They dont psychologise and rationalise everything  they build worlds, thats what children do instinctively. The process of building this Medea began with an intensive weekend in which Wright presented the bare bones of the story to the kids. I left all of the details vague. I told them what happened but not how it happened. Then wed have a breakout session where Id get them to draw how they imagined those things happened. Charlie English Turnewitsch devised an ingenious laser-based revenge for Medea to exact revenge on her rival. Credit:Underground Media The children were given free rein to interpret the story through their own lenses, which might explain why two of the kids drew Jason as Marvels Iron Man. Thats kind of great, Wright says. They could have said Batman, they could have said Spider-Man, but they picked a rich, privileged dude who is nothing special but just has lots of money. I was, like, that does a whole lot of work for us. While the kids were drawing, Wright would take each aside for individual interviews. The resulting videos appear as part of the production, while their contents inform the ways in which the narrative unfurls onstage. Wright didnt scrub the play of its murders, but he let the children decide how they would play out. I didnt say and Medea chopped her brother up into pieces and threw him off the ship so his dad had to stop and get all the pieces, I just said she kidnapped her brother and threw him off the boat. I said she gave the new princess [Glauce, for whom Jason abandons Medea] a dress, and somehow that dress killed the princess, and I let them imagine how that happened.

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Sometimes the modes of gory retribution the kids came up with surprised the director  some decided Medea should cut off her rivals head with knives. Willows six-year-old brother, Charlie, preferred an ingenious laser-based revenge. Wright wasnt too concerned with the almost cartoonish violence of the original story. He established from the outset that they were working in a mythological, fairytale imaginative space, which the kids were used to exploring. The story of Medea, by Willow English Turnewitsch. To be honest, what I was more concerned about was them wrestling with the breakdown of a family. I was more worried about Jason deciding to leave Medea and the modern divorce story that so many kids experience. The kids understanding of family did inform their emotional responses  Willow says the saddest part of the play isnt when Medea kills her children, but when she murders her brother so that she can flee her father. The children left volumes for Wright to work with  folders of hand-drawn pictures that he provided to the design team, character sketches for the costume department, and five versions of a story that could be layered into a single narrative. Unsurprisingly, the kids version motors along at a rattling pace. All that wringing of hands that occurs in the original is gone, Wright says. Children arent interested in that umming and ahhing.

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The way the kids retold the myth also demanded an unusual approach to acting. The childrens depictions of these characters were always in a heightened and immediate state. Thats what were finding  they dont transition from this feeling to this feeling. Rather than an actor internalising that thought and then it feeding back in, were like, boom: there it is. When Medeas changing tactics its not, well, this isnt working, let me slowly try something else, its boom, different tactic, boom, different tactic. Its fascinating. Im loving whats coming up in the room. It moves. A drawing of Medea by Charlie English Turnewitsch. The rest of the production has also been guided by the childrens input  the costume department has been grappling with the challenge of rendering blocky 2D outfits in three dimensions, while the set has a charming directness: Kids dont draw a detailed lounge room, they draw a couch, Wright says. Loading Its intriguing that the director and his five young collaborators have found a fresh approach to a play thats two and a half millennia old. Its a tactic that aims for both contemporary relevance and honesty: Something that is not of interest to me is to reduce this story to a particular politic. We could do a post-#MeToo Medea, you could do the chronicles of Jason the gaslighter, and of course those themes are in there. But I didnt want to make the work solely about that. I wanted to tell the big story and go back to the origins of tragedy. Medea: Out of the Mouths of Babes is at Theatre Works, St Kilda, from July 30.
Earlier this week, Nine News Perth newsreader and former Today co-host Tracy Vo revealed she had been on the receiving end of a racist tirade while eating breakfast at a Perth cafe.

Vo was at the cafe with her partner Liam Connolly at the time and the couple found the encounter confronting as the woman questioned their relationship.

But by Thursday the week had turned around, with Vo and Connolly sharing the happy news they had become engaged while holidaying at El Questro in the Kimberley.

He took me to Miri Miri and asked me to marry him, she posted to Instagram.
Under-fire Trade Minister Stuart Ayres recommended a shortlist of candidates for a controversial US trade role but maintains he had no influence on the process that eventually led to John Barilaro being appointed to the plum government job.

The latest revelations will deepen the crisis that has consumed the state government since Barilaro secured the $500,000-a-year trade commissioner job after the first successful candidate, senior bureaucrat Jenny West, was dumped from the position. The former deputy premier has since quit the role.

Trade Minister Stuart Ayres and Premier Dominic Perrottet in Mumbai on Thursday. Credit:AAP

Premier Dominic Perrottet was joined by Ayres during his trade mission in India on Thursday, while at home a cache of previously secret documents revealed the minister played a role in shortlisting and adding candidates for the New York job in February.

The revelations challenge Ayres claims that the trade roles were conducted at arms length from government, prompting anger among senior Liberals over the scandal that has derailed the governments agenda for six weeks.
About 1200 units in towers up to 35 storeys will be built on the old Sydney Fish Market site at Blackwattle Bay under revised plans the NSW government prepared in response to fierce backlash against an earlier proposal.

The governments development arm, Infrastructure NSW, on Thursday published an updated plan to redevelop the site of the fish market  which will eventually be shifted to a $750 million building at the head of the bay.

The NSW government has released a revised proposal for the Blackwattle Bay redevelopment. Credit:Infrastructure NSW

The original proposal had triggered widespread opposition from the City of Sydney council, local MPs and residents of the Pyrmont peninsula. The government has earmarked Pyrmont for more intensive development.

Under the updated plans, the site will feature buildings of six-to-35 storeys, 30,000 square metres of green space  including a new park at Bank Street  and a 20-metre wide foreshore walk that will link Glebe and Pyrmont.
Two cake connoisseurs from South Australia were among a throng of people prepared to queue for more than an hour at a much-loved Melbourne cake shop thats due to close next week.

Sacha Wendt and Lucy Dalston flew from Adelaide on Thursday morning to attend an expo but first made a beeline for Beatrix Bakes in North Melbourne.

Lucy Dalston (left) and Sacha Wendt from South Australia came straight from the airport to queue at Beatrix Bakes in North Melbourne. Credit:Eddie Jim

Wendt, 39, from McLaren Vale, said she and Dalston, 38, loved chef Natalie Paulls cookbook, also called Beatrix Bakes, and seized their last chance to visit Paulls shop.

Wendt and Dalston bought seven cake slices between them, including both sour cream and angel food chocolate cakes and lamingtons.
Rachel Bowcott, a parent who also works as the principals assistant, said the heartbreaking situation left families in disbelief. Its a great school, its a wonderful community. The children, theyre absolutely devastated, she said. Rakesh and Cherry Puri have to find a new school, or schools, for their two children who are in years 5 and 8 at Colmont School in Kilmore. Credit:Adam Carey Among those seeking answers at the school gate on Thursday were Rakesh and Cherry Puri, who have two children at Colmont. The Puris uprooted their lives so their children could attend Colmont and study the International Baccalaureate. They moved to Craigieburn, and Rakesh quit his job in a bank to start a business near the school.

[Were] absolutely devastated, I dont know what to do, he said. We dont know where we are going to send our kids for the rest of this year, let alone next year. He said the school boards communication to families, giving them just two days notice, had been absolutely rubbish. New signage and a new name couldnt save Colmont School. Credit:Adam Carey Administrators told parents by email that classes for year 11 and 12 students would continue until alternative schools could be found for them, but younger students would need to find a new school from Friday, and staff would be employed until 5pm Tuesday. Ian Grant, one of the administrators, said the school experienced financial difficulties as a result of the decrease in international students during the period of COVID-19.

The school was running out of funds and sought additional funding from the Commonwealth and the state governments, as well as finance from various banking institutions and private lenders, he said. Loading As additional funding or lending was not forthcoming, the board of directors could not continue because the school was insolvent, or likely to become insolvent. On Thursday night, administrators told an emotionally charged room of families that they had left no stone unturned but said the school was not viable. Langdon said they would be investigating when the school became insolvent, and if it was trading while insolvent.

Parents and guardians called out for the school to remain open. The people who are sitting here paid the money, we paid upfront for the future of our kids, one parent said. Administrators said parents should contact their local school but Assumption College, St Patricks Primary School, Wallan Primary School, Aitken College, Hume Anglican Grammar School and IB schools Preshil, Salesian College and Ivanhoe Grammar had indicated they would try to support students where they could. Langdon said student welfare was front of mind and a Mitchell Shire Council officer provided details for mental health support for children and families in the shire that were struggling. The Department of Education said support would be provided to displaced students and their families.

Every Victorian child has the right to enrol at their designated local government school, or at another government school of their choice, provided it has sufficient space to accommodate them, it said. Kilmore has a large Catholic secondary school, Assumption College, but the closest state secondary schools are at Wallan and Broadford. Assumption College principal Kate Fogarty wrote to Colmont families on Thursday offering to waive enrolment fees. Cheryl Abela has a daughter in year 10 at the school who has been there since grade 3, but now has no idea where to send her, and fears shell have to withdraw from the International Baccalaureate. I just spoke to my daughter. She said her year level were all just sitting here crying. Some teachers are just finding out this morning, and its that much of a shock, Abela said. I actually feel blindsided. I dont understand why, if it was so dire, there wasnt more transparency. The kids feel blindsided.

Another Colmont parent, Steve Waterson, said the schools communication was chaotic, citing a hasty meeting with administrators called Wednesday night that he, and many other parents, were not informed of. I found out through other parents last night, probably at about 8-8.30pm, he said. So now weve got to find a location for my daughter [to go to school]. Horrified. Parent Jane Lamb said it was complicated for year 11 and 12 students to change schools mid-year. These kids are studying IB; its not VCE, so they cant just switch to VCE. So their opportunities are limited because they have to go to another IB school and those schools are [all] quite a distance to travel, Lamb said.

Her daughter Tiffany Lamb, a year 12 student, said it was also a blow to be split from trusted teachers.



Theyre absolutely critical. We couldnt be doing what were doing without them. We have got to this point, and they just want to take us in and get us to that end line, she said. According to the latest official statistics, more than half of Colmonts students did not speak English as their first language. International education agent Sonny Zhang said he had placed Chinese students at the school, and understood it had 60 or 70 international students before the pandemic, but less since then. In an email sent to parents in April, principal Peter Cooper and board chair Rod Dally claimed the White Street campus was nearing full capacity, saying they were planning to increase enrolments by expanding into grade 2 education and would change the uniform. They explained the school leased the site and was unable to add new buildings, so the board was seeking a new site within the surrounding district. Based on current demand and future enrolment modelling, the school will reach a stage, mid-decade, where we will outgrow our current site, they said.

The pair acknowledged it was a significant move to drop the name the Kilmore International School after more than 30 years, but said it was necessary because it did not own the name and the licensing arrangement to use it were no longer financially viable. Kews Preshil school  which also offers the IB  pledged to help Colmont students on Thursday, but later clarified the offer it made through the administrator, saying it could not unconditionally accommodate all the students free of charge and was not registered for international students. Loading Independent Schools Victoria chief Michelle Green said the schools efforts to secure short-term financial support failed. Mitchell Shire Mayor Bill Chisholm said: for a lot of people, this is a real disaster.
A potentially dangerous type of gas heater will be banned from being sold and installed in Victoria from Monday, as manufacturers and suppliers seek to delay the move to sell their remaining stock.

Energy Safe Victoria will ban open-flued gas space heaters without a mechanism to automatically shut down because of risks the heaters can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Open-flued space gas heater will be banned in Victoria if sold or installed without safety features. Credit:Justin McManus

The ban follows the 2017 death of Greensborough grandmother Sonia Sofianopoulos, who a Victorian coroner found was fatally poisoned by a Vulcan Heritage heater that had been manufactured about 25 years earlier.

The coroner warned in 2018 there were possibly tens of thousands of similar heaters in Victoria and recommended that Energy Safe Victoria work with the industry to phase out the heaters.
There are 1034 unallocated cases, meaning they dont have an officer dedicated to their welfare, and of these 636 are children in care. Hendon said caseworkers were burning out and leaving the job, resulting in not enough left to manage demand. Too many caseworkers had 15 or more cases. Some even had more than 18 to manage. The total number of children in care on the monitored list is 636 There are: 14 in the Pilbara District

103 in the South West District

28 in the East Kimberley District

27 in the West Kimberley District

385 in metropolitan locations. Currently, there are 75 caseworkers across the state with responsibility for the welfare of more than 15 cases each. The average number of cases per worker is 9.06.

A 2007 Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission order states child protection workers can hold an upper limit of 15 cases each, with up to 18 cases in certain circumstances. Something quite significant needs to be done in this space to provide that circuit breaker, Hendon said. Caseworkers are needed to approve children in care going on school camps and excursions, enrolling in daycare or school and travelling with their foster family. They arrange contact between the child and their biological family, approve or deny medical assessments and therapies, work with the NDIS and on legal issues for the child. A foster carer who spoke on condition of anonymity said children without their own caseworker were floating in the system with no one looking after their interests.

Caseworkers are meant to check on children once every three months. Many kids are massively at risk of being in unsafe situations and no one knowing, she said. The total number of all cases on the monitored list is 1034. There are: 24 in the Pilbara District

139 in the South West District

115 in the East Kimberley District

69 in the West Kimberley District

542 in metropolitan locations Commissioner for Children and Young People Jacqueline McGowan-Jones said she held grave concerns for any child or young person who may be at further risk due to a lack of resourcing. I would always be very concerned that children and young people may be at risk due to not having an allocated caseworker, she said.

Whilst we do not have the specific numbers we are aware that this does occur, and these matters are part of the ongoing conversations I have with the Director General of Communities. Loading She said she had spoken with the executive director of the Foster Care Association and some kinship carers who raised concerns about the challenges of not always receiving a timely response for even simple matters such as making medical appointments for children because caseworkers were overrun or their child didnt even have one. It is critical that children and young people in the WA out-of-home care system are provided a safe and nurturing environment to live, and active case managers are key to achieving this, she said. Department of Communities executive director, service delivery, Glenn Mace said the number of children on the monitored list changed daily.

Communities aims to ensure all children in care have an allocated caseworker but a range of factors such as planned/unplanned leave, recruitment, and vacancies can impact on the capacity to allocate a designated caseworker to all cases, he said. Being on the monitored list does not mean the child is not being cared for. It means the child or family does not have an allocated caseworker. He said the immediate safety of children was always actioned, even for children on the list. A team leader reviewed each case to ensure there were no tasks requiring immediate action. On Wednesday Opposition Leader Mia Davies said Communities was clearly dysfunctional while dealing with some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

Its time that the light was shone into all corners of that significantly large and complex department to make sure that we are actually doing whats right for the vulnerable people in Western Australia, she said. But Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk said her government had increased child protection spending by almost 25 per cent and provided 224 new case workers. It is my goal that every child in care has a dedicated caseworker they can build a relationship with  it is good for the children and good for staff, McGurk said. Unfortunately, there have been pressures on the workforce due to COVID, but we are working hard to overcome these issues. She said the best long term strategy was to invest in initiatives that support families so their children can remain safely with them.
McRae predicted other states would follow suit and create splinter memberships. He is one of three candidates for federal AMA president, to be chosen at the AMAs National Conference on Sunday. Khorshid said he did not support the Victorian move and neither did other states. He said he was working with the Victorian body to resolve the conflict and hoped it wouldnt continue for long. Anti-vaccination protesters and COVID-19 deniers gather in Melbourne. Credit:Penny Stephens The Victorian branch has been especially bullish about COVID-19. At one point McRae was quoted saying anti-vaxxers and COVID-deniers should update their advance care directives so they dont disturb the public hospital system for a disease they dont think exists, and instead let nature run its course. The branch later issued a clarification saying: It was not the Presidents intention to suggest that COVID deniers and anti-vaxxers should be denied treatment. And among the motions due to be debated at the AMA conference this weekend is a curly one from the Victorian branch demanding a royal commission into the medical regulator, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority.

Calls for an inquiry were heightened when AHPRA slapped a registration condition on Broome-based GP David Berger, who has built a large online following through his zero-COVID advocacy and criticism of those who disagree. AHPRA required Berger to complete a Medical Board-approved education program in behaving professionally and courteously to colleagues and other practitioners including when using social media. Khorshid weighs into the controversy carefully. He says the AMAs current position is that it does not support a royal commission, and it accepts the job of the regulator is to protect the public. The AMA is arguing for the reintroduction of indoor mask mandates. Credit:Tanya Lake The AMA is supportive of doctors acting professionally on social media and we do have an obligation to think about the broader impact of the things that we say and do, Khorshid says. On the flip side, its important doctors dont feel muzzled from speaking out on things they think are important. The wording of the decision has alarmed many of our members in terms of whether it could be more broadly applied.

The AMA is currently calling on governments to wind back the clock and reintroduce mask mandates indoors, a move politicians have resisted. The Perth-based Khorshid says the AMA was popular with the previous federal government when it was urging the public to follow orders in the pandemics early stages but the relationship soured as the lobby group became a louder critic. While the AMA may have sometimes been a thorn in the side of decision-makers, senior people in the room dont begrudge the organisation advocating on behalf of public health  thats its job. Dr Nick Coatsworth is an AMA critic. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen However, there have been vocal critics. In December, former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth called the AMA the peanut gallery association for complaining Australias booster program was falling behind; he believed it was far too early to make that call. (Coatsworth has since deleted the tweet.) His broader critique is that the AMA, led by Khorshid, was too risk-averse about COVID, too enthusiastic about broad-brush restrictions and engaged in COVID fearmongering.

Theyre very good at pointing out the symptom. Theyre seldom helpful in providing a cure, Coatsworth says now. There are many organisations that seem to continue to think that fear is the way to drive action and that whole-of-community action rather than targeted action is the right response at this stage of the pandemic. Loading Their thinking has been dominated by that and it hasnt shifted in the slightest. Ive always had an antipathy toward organisations or individuals who use fear as a method of community coercion. Khorshid rejects this attack. I think weve been very moderate. Weve not been on the extreme of the commentary that you see on social media. Ive had just as much criticism for not calling for action, not calling for things like mask mandates. Once regarded as a lobby group not to be messed with, the AMAs influence is now up for debate. It was a significant roadblock against voluntary assisted dying for many years, but the practice is now legal in every state (a territory rights bill is also going to the federal parliament next week which could overturn the Howard-era block in the NT and ACT).

In Canberra, the AMAs presence has literally shrunk. In 2018, it sold its flagship building in the Parliamentary Triangle for $15.6 million and moved staff to a smaller, rented office on Brisbane Avenue. The loss of the former AMA House was seen as symbolic of the groups decline, said one insider, speaking on condition of anonymity. Dr Tony Bartone, former president of the Australian Medical Association. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Any lobby group worth their salt will have their headquarters in the Parliamentary Triangle, they said. The powerful Pharmacy Guild, the Business Council of Australia and National Farmers Federation are all nearby. The following year, the board appointed Dr Martin Laverty as the AMAs new secretary-general (essentially the chief executive) and made a number of senior staff redundant. While in the AMAs heyday the president was seen as all powerful, mild-mannered Melbourne GP Tony Bartone held the position in 2019 and Martin sort of ran the show, the insider said.

Others feel the AMAs power is undiminished. Tony Abbotts former health adviser Terry Barnes, who clashed with the lobby group over the Abbott governments plan for a GP co-payment, says declining membership does not ipso facto mean declining influence. The AMA is a trade union. It always was, always will be. Their power is in the power of the white coat, he says. Ministers on both sides of politics are very wary, even run scared of the AMA. If the AMA doesnt like it, it is very hard to bring reform and change to healthcare and health policy. I dont think thats really changed. Barnes says one of the AMAs big advantages over, say, the RACGP, is that it is media savvy. Its an easy go to source of comment. If you want an opinion on COVID, if you want an opinion on a health issue, you ring the AMA. Broadly, Barnes believes the AMA used its powers for good during the pandemic by focusing on the health outcomes. But lately, he says the group has not fully grasped the level of COVID-fatigue in the wider community.
Australia has chosen a much more difficult option by pursuing nuclear-powered submarines over conventional vessels, a leading French naval commander has warned while celebrating a reset of relations between the two countries under the Albanese government.

Vice-Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, chief of operations of the joint staff for the French Navy, said he wanted to find ways to deepen military co-operation with Australia in the Pacific, including by holding new joint naval exercises.

Vice-Admiral Nicolas Vaujour says France and Australia have entered a new era of co-operation. Credit:Janie Barrett

I think that everything is on the table, Vaujour said of future French-Australian military co-operation.

He added the two countries had entered a promising new era after the breakdown of bilateral relations last year when Australia cancelled a $90 billion submarine contract with Frances Naval Group.
A growing rebellion in Liberal Party ranks threatens the federal governments push for bipartisan consensus on enshrining the Indigenous Voice to parliament in the constitution.

The fierce opposition of new Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to a Voice to parliament has prompted three senior Liberals to express grave concerns about the proposal to hold a referendum, which was a key Labor election promise.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a Welcome to Country ceremony to mark the start of the 47th parliament. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The division in Coalition ranks comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is due to deliver a major speech at the Garma Indigenous cultural festival in the Northern Territory on Saturday to outline details of Labors referendum plans.

The 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, which has been endorsed by hundreds of Indigenous leaders, calls for the creation of an Indigenous Voice to parliament, that would provide advice on laws and policies that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
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The high-flying Swans can boost their finals standing with a season-defining statement against the struggling Giants in Saturdays Sydney derby at the SCG.

Swans coach John Longmire has spoken about consistency this season but has been frustrated by his team failing to string more than three wins together.

Swans coach John Longmire and co-captain Callum Mills during the Sydney Derby press conference at the SCG. Credit:Phil Hillyard

Were still striving for it, Longmire said. It was the second time weve won three games in a row (this year), wed like to be able to play a consistent game again this week.

Swan co-captain Callum Mills believes the Swans are making progress.
The man hosting Scott Morrisons Tokyo address is a Japanese sect leader who has published more than 220 self-help books and claims to have 50,000 devout followers, and whose political influence reaches across Australia, Asia and Europe.

Haruhisa Handa has three names, and degrees in economics, fine arts and Chinese classics. The scion of a family of sake brewers, he leads the Shinto-based religion World Mate, a sect formerly known as Powerful Cosmo Mate. Powerful Cosmo Mate settled sexual harassment allegations and had a tax evasion claim dismissed in the 1990s.

Haruhisa Handa, the spiritual leader of the Shinto-based religion World Mate. Credit:Haruhisa Handa

The 71-year-olds latest campaign depicts him in the middle of The Last Supper. Now he will be at the centre of a gathering of former conservative leaders including Morrison, New Zealands John Key and Britains David Cameron at the Hilton Odaiba in Tokyo.

Morrison skipped the first sitting week of the new parliament to speak at the forum, called the World Opinion Leaders Summit, despite the event starting on Thursday, fuelling speculation about speaking fees he may be earning and adding to the expectation that he will quit politics during this term.
San Francisco: The mayor of San Francisco has announced a legal state of emergency over the growing number of monkeypox cases, allowing officials to mobilise resources and cut through red tape to get ahead of a public health crisis reminiscent of the AIDS epidemic that devastated the city.

London Breeds declaration takes effect on Monday and was welcomed by gay advocates who have grown increasingly frustrated by what they called San Franciscos lacklustre response to a virus that so far has affected primarily men who have sex with men, although anyone can get infected.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed speaks during a briefing outside City Hall in San Francisco in December. Credit:AP

Breed said cases had more than doubled in a week to 261. Thats out of about 800 in California and nearly 5000 nationwide, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health. A national shortage of vaccine has resulted in people waiting in line for hours for scarce doses, often to be turned away when the shots run out.

San Francisco is an epicentre for the country. Thirty per cent of all cases in California are in San Francisco, said the citys Public Health Officer Dr Susan Philip.
Washington: Conservative US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has brushed off criticism from prominent world figures of last months blockbuster ruling he authored that overturned Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 abortion rights decision.

In his first public remarks since the decision, which has led to various conservative US states imposing abortion bans, Alito dismissed criticism coming from the likes of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Justice Samuel Alito jnr wrote the majority opinion overruling Roe v Wade. Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, he declared. Credit:AP

He also took aim at Britains Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, who referenced the abortion ruling in a speech at the United Nations last week.

Alitos unannounced speech was delivered on July 21 at a conference on religious liberty in Rome hosted by the University of Notre Dame Law School. Video of the speech was posted online by Notre Dame on Friday.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Honorable Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Mr. Omar Ottley, met with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Director of the Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, Mr. Dennis Zulu, during a recent courtesy visit to Sint Maarten.

This visit was a great opportunity to further deepen cooperation with the ILO in bringing further emphasis to the Decent Work Agenda.

Labor-related matters such as; labor market information system (LMIS), replacing the Cessantia fund with the introduction of an unemployment benefit system, wages and productivity, short-term labor agreement amendments, training, and employment creation, promotion, and improvement of the labor dispute settlement system, and more were discussed in which technical assistance from the ILO will be requested to further enhance policy development and or legislation as it relates to the labor market of Sint Maarten. This is with the aim of building a more secure and resilient labor market in Sint Maarten in the best interest of both workers and employers alike.

It was a privilege to meet with Mr. Zulu and be given the opportunity to discuss such important labor-related matters. The discussion was brief but highlighted a few short-term changes that can be made to benefit the population. While the majority of the changes will require legislative amendments and will have a longer trajectory, we are committed to finding a solution that complies with local and international labor laws. Said Ottley
Aztec Commences 10-hole, 3000 meter Core Drill Program at its Cervantes Gold-Copper Project, Sonora, Mexico

Aztec Minerals Corp. (AZT: TSX-V, OTCQB: AZZTF  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/aztec-minerals-corp/ ) announces that core drilling has commenced at the Cervantes porphyry gold-copper property in Sonora, Mexico.A Aztec plans to drill the 10 hole, 3,000 m core program through September 2022 as a follow-up to the successful Phase 2 RC drill program earlier this year. The new program will test three main targets. View: Cervantes Planned Phase 3 Core Drilling Plan

1. At the California target, where Aztec previously discovered extensive porphyry gold-copper mineralization (drill intercepts up to 1.002 gpt gold over 165.68m), Aztec will drill 7 step-out holes and one metallurgical hole with 30m to 450m spacings to expand and better define the area of mineralization, including two 625m deep holes to test at depth the strong IP chargeability anomaly that at its top has demonstrated strong sulfides in phyllic alteration with elevated copper a molybdenum a gold values.

2. At the California North prospect, one hole will step out to the south to test the southern continuity of the gold a copper mineralization found at CAL22-017 (0.315 gpt over 24.32m towards the California target.

3. At the Jasper prospect, one hole will step out to the northwest to test the continuity of the broad copper a gold mineralization found at JAS22-001 (6m/0.117 % Cu).

The primary objectives of the drilling program are to better define the open pit, heap leach gold potential of the porphyry gold oxide cap at California, evaluate the potential for deeper copper-gold porphyry sulfide mineralization underlying the oxide cap, test for northern extensions of the California mineralization at California North and northwestern extensions of the Jasper mineralization.

Cervantes Project Overview

Cervantes is a highly prospective porphyry gold-copper-molybdenum property located in southeastern Sonora state, Mexico. The project lies 160 km east of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico within the famous Laramide porphyry copper belt approximately 265 km southeast of the Cananea porphyry copper-molybdenum mine (Grupo Mexico).A Cervantes also lies along an east-west trending gold belt 60 km west of the Mulatos epithermal gold mine (Alamos Gold), 45 km west of the La India mine (Agnico Eagle), and 40 km northwest of Santana gold deposit (Minera Alamos). A A View: Cervantes Project Location Map

Large well-located property (3,649 hectares) with good infrastructure, road access, local town, all private land, water wells on property, power grid nearby

Seven prospective mineralized zones related to high level porphyries and breccias along a 7.0 km east-northeast corridor with multiple intersecting northwest structures

Distinct geophysical anomalies, California target marked by high magnetic and low resistivity anomalies, high radiometric and chargeability anomalies responding to pervasive alteration

Extensive gold mineralization at California zone, 118 soil samples average 0.44 gpt gold over 900 m by 600 m area, trench rock-channel samples up to 0.47 gpt gold over 222m

Already drilled the first discovery hole at the California zone, intersected gold oxide cap to a classic gold-copper porphyry deposit, drill results up to 0.77 gpt gold over 160 m

Excellent gold recoveries from preliminary metallurgical tests on drill core from California zone; oxide gold recoveries in bottle roll tests range from 75% to 87%

California geophysical anomaly wide open laterally and at depth, IP chargeability strengthens and broadens to >500m depth over an area 1100 m by 1200 m

Three-Dimensional IP Survey conducted in 2019 extends strong chargeability anomalies to the southwest covering Estrella, Purisima East, and Purisima West, coinciding well with alteration and Au-Cu-Mo soil geochemical anomalies, all undrilled.

California Target

In 2017-18, Aztec completed a Phase 1, 17 diamond core hole drill program, totaling 2,675 meters (m) (see news release dated June 26, 2018).A Phase 1 drilling tested the California target 900m by 600m gold-in-soils anomaly that averaged 0.44gpt covering hydrothermal breccias within a quartz feldspar porphyry stock intruding Paleozoic siliciclastic sediments.A

The Phase 1 drill program consistently intersected an oxidized gold cap to a porphyry-type gold-copper-silver system at California, including multiple 100+ meter widths of exceeding 0.40 gpt gold, spanning an 800-meter length and a 200-meter breadth, to a maximum vertical depth of 150 meters. The area tested by Phase 1 drilling represented only 30% of the surface gold soil anomaly.

Mineralization at the California zone is open in all directions. Highlights of the 2017-18 Phase 1 diamond core and 2021-22 Phase 2 RC (see news release dated June 14, 2022) drill programs are as follows:

137m @ 1.49 gpT Au incl 51.7m @ 3.42 gpT Au, 119m @ 0.091% copper in CAL22-005

166m @ 1.00 gpT Au incl 24.4m @ 4.25 gpT Au, 160m @ 0.065% copper in CAL22-004

152m @ 0.87 gpT Au, incl 33.5m @ 2.05 gpT Au, 123m @ 0.95% copper in CAL22-012

160m @ 0.77 gpT gold incl 80m @ 1.04 gpT gold, 0.11% copper in 18CER010

139m @ 0.71 gpT gold incl 20m @ 2.10 gpT gold, 0.16% copper in 17CER005

94m @ 1.04 gpT Au incl 15.2m @ 3.96 gpT Au, 55m @ 0.36% copper in CAL22-001

118m @ 0.63 gpT gold incl 43m @ 1.18 gpT gold, 0.16% copper in 17CER003

100m @ 0.75 gpT Au incl 9.14m @ 3.087 gpT Au, 138m @ 0.10% copper in CAL22-006

122m @ 0.60 gpT gold incl 62m @ 0.88 gpT gold, 0.06% copper in 18CER007

170m @ 0.42 gpT gold incl 32m @ 0.87 gpT gold, 0.06% copper in 18CER006

Preliminary metallurgical tests on California drill cores were conducted in 2019 (see news release dated March 12, 2019).A Drill core samples were grouped into 4 separate types of mineralization: Oxide 1, Oxide 2, Mixed Oxide/Sulfide and Sulfide.A The preliminary results of bottle roll tests showed excellent potential for heap leach gold recovery, as follows:

85.1% recovery on 2.0mm material and 94.3% on 75-micron material in sample Oxide 1

87.7% recovery on 2.0mm material and 94.2% on 75-micron material in sample Oxide 2

77.9% recovery on 2.0mm material and 89.0% on 75-micron material in sample Mixed Oxide/Sulphide

51.2% recovery on 2.0mm material and 78.7% on 75-micron material in sample Sulphide

Additional Targets

Purisima East a outcropping gossans, altered and mineralized diatreme breccias and porphyry intrusions marked by a 700m by 600m geochemical soil anomaly in 193 samples that average 0.25 gpt gold, a small historic aglory holea? mine where rock chip sampling returned high-grade mineralization up to 44.6 gpt gold.

Estrella  outcrops of gossan and sulfides in silicified Paleozoic sediments near quartz porphyry dikes with rock chip samples up to 3.9 gpt gold and 2,010ppm copper.

Purisima West  a mirror image of Purisima East in size and type of gossans, altered and mineralized breccias and intrusions in association with gold and copper soil anomalies.

Jasper a 2017 trenching returned skarn/replacement-type mineralization up to 0.52% copper and 0.62 gpt gold over a 92.4 m length. In 2022 RC drilling found a broad zone of copper a gold mineralization in JAS22-001.

California North a coincident IP chargeability and gold-copper-molybdenum soil geochemical anomalies with demonstrated gold a copper mineralization by RC drilling, it may be a north extension of the California target

Other targets a porphyry alteration and geochemical soil anomalies mark the Jacobo and Brasil prospects but more work is required to expand and define these targets

Private Placement:

Bradford Cooke, Chairman and a Director of the Company, and Simon Dyakowski, the President and CEO of the Company, participated in the private placement that closed on June 6, 2022 by subscribing for 200,000 units and 125,000 units, respectively, which constitute related party transactions pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 a Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (aMI 61-101a). There has not been a material change in the percentage of the outstanding securities of the Company that are individually owned by Mr. Cooke or Mr. Dyakowski as a result of their participation in the private placement. The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the participation of the insiders in the private placement in reliance on the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively.

Allen David Heyl, B.Sc., CPG., VP Exploration, is the Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release.

aSimon DyakowskiaA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

Simon Dyakowski, Chief Executive Officer

Aztec Minerals Corp.

About Aztec Minerals a Aztec is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of large polymetallic mineral deposits in the Americas. Our core asset is the prospective Cervantes porphyry gold-copper property in Sonora, Mexico. The historic, district-scale Tombstone properties host both bulk tonnage epithermal gold-silver as well as CRD silver-lead-zinc mineralization in Cochise County, Arizona. Azteca?s shares trade on the TSX-V stock exchange (symbol AZT) and on the OTCQB (symbol AZZTF).

Contact Information  For more information, please contact:

Simon Dyakowski, CEO or Bradford Cooke, Chairman

Tel: (604) 619-7469

Fax: (604) 685-9744

Email:A simon@aztecminerals.com

Website: www.aztecminerals.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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements under Canadian securities legislation.A Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as aexpectsa or ait is expecteda, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results awilla occur. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.A Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.A When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.
Uranium Energy Corp Achieves Key Milestone at the Burke Hollow ISR Project with Installation of 106 Monitor Wells in the First Production Area

Highlights:

Located in South Texas, Burke Hollowa?s initial Production Area Authorization 1 (aPAA-1a) is the newest and largest In-Situ Recovery (aISRa) wellfield being developed in the United States.

Completing installation of the 106 monitor wells for PAA-1 marks a significant milestone achievement towards ISR uranium production at the Burke Hollow project (the aProjecta).

This is a significant development for UEC and an important step in Americaa?s nuclear fuel supply chain to provide safe, clean and reliable carbon-free energy.

Advancing Burke Hollow towards production is timely as the U.S. looks to reduce its imports of Russian uranium. The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has recently begun the process to acquire U.S. produced uranium for Americaa?s strategic Uranium Reserve. NNSA has issued an initial solicitation to purchase up to approximately one million pounds of domestically produced uranium.

With the successful installation of the PAA-1 monitor well ring, UEC plans to transition into additional exploration and delineation drilling within the 19,336-acre Project to define additional production areas.

UECa?s South Texas hub-and-spoke strategy is anchored by its fully licensed Hobson Processing Plant and five ISR projects, including its fully permitted Palangana, Goliad and Burke Hollow projects.

To learn more about the environmental, social and low-cost advantages of uranium In-Situ Recovery, visitA https://www.uraniumenergy.com/projects/isr/

Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American:A UEC; aUECa or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/uranium-energy-corp/) is pleased to announce that it has completed the installation of the 106 monitor wells necessary for its first Production Area Authorization at its Burke Hollow Project located in Bee County, Texas.A The planned production area is approximately two miles in length and, once complete, will constitute the largest production area ever to be developed in South Texas.A

Andy Kurrus, VP of Resource Development stated: aWe are pleased to have completed the installation of the Burke Hollow PAA-1 monitor well ring, a critical step towards uranium extraction.

We have also defined resources outside of PAA-1 at the Project, including several exploration targets and anomalous areas that have only been lightly explored. We expect this to translate into an extensive Project pipeline with additional exploration drilling and production area development in the near future. The development of Burke Hollow, the only recent uranium discovery in the United States, is the largest Goliad Formation deposit ever discovered in the South Texas Uranium Trend.a

In this stage of Project advancement, well development and baseline sampling are expected to be complete by mid-August followed by aquifer testing.A Preparation for an authorization application which sits within the current mine permit for the Project, is planned for submittal prior to the end of the calendar year.

The mineralization in PAA-1 is hosted within the Pliocene aged Goliad Formation, in what the Company has termed the aLower B Sanda. This unit, positioned at approximately 390 to 450 feet in depth, is comprised of four sub-units of mineralization.A

In 2017, UEC refocused and then concentrated its Burke Hollow efforts by specifically targeting this area with the delineation drilling necessary to expand the resources identified earlier in the Project.A Commencement of the permitting phase began in 2019 with the conclusion of the delineation campaign that was immediately followed by the first round of monitor well installations.A A A

About Uranium Energy Corp

Uranium Energy Corp is Americaa?s leading, fastest growing, uranium mining company listed on the NYSE American. UEC is a pure play uranium company and is advancing the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly In-Situ Recovery (ISR) mining uranium projects. The Company has two production ready ISR hub and spoke platforms in South Texas and Wyoming, anchored by fully licensed and operational processing capacity at the Hobson and Irigaray plants. UEC also has seven U.S. ISR uranium projects with all of their major permits in place.A Additionally, the Company has other diversified holdings of uranium assets, including: (1) one of the largest physical uranium portfolios of U.S. warehoused U3O8; (2) a major equity stake in the only royalty company in the sector, Uranium Royalty Corp.; and (3) a pipeline of resource-stage uranium projects in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Paraguay.A The Companya?s operations are managed by professionals with a recognized profile for excellence in their industry, a profile based on many decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining.

Contact Uranium Energy Corp Investor Relations at:

Toll Free: (866) 748-1030

Fax: (361) 888-5041

E-mail: info@uraniumenergy.com

Stock Exchange Information:

NYSE American: UEC

WKN: AAJDRR

ISN: US916896103

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes aforward-looking statementsa as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as aexpectsa or adoes not expecta, ais expecteda, aanticipatesa or adoes not anticipatea, aplans, aestimatesa or aintendsa, or stating that certain actions, events or results amaya, acoulda, awoulda, amighta or awilla be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as aforward-looking statementsa. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond the Companya?s ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company\-s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.
AMSTELVEEN, Netherlands (AP) _ Core Laboratories NV (CLB) on Wednesday reported second-quarter net income of $7.1 million.

The Amstelveen, Netherlands-based company said it had net income of 15 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring gains, came to 12 cents per share.

The results met Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was also for earnings of 12 cents per share.

The energy services company posted revenue of $120.9 million in the period, missing Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $121 million.

For the current quarter ending in October, Core Laboratories said it expects revenue in the range of $123 million to $129 million.

_____

This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on CLB at https://www.zacks.com/ap/CLB
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  A crypto mining company plans to redevelop a northeastern North Dakota anti-ballistic missile site abandoned in the 1970s into data center that may be used for the mining of bitcoin and other digital currencies, Gov. Doug Burgum announced Monday.

Bitzero Blockchain Inc., which is backed by strategic investor and Shark Tank star Kevin OLeary, announced last month that it planned to make North Dakota its headquarters for North American operations. The company said within three years it intends to build 200 megawatts of data centers in the state and is involved in a joint venture to become an assembly and distribution hub for graphene battery technology.

Long considered a white elephant and waste of taxpayers money, the site at Nekoma grew out of a 1972 treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The $6 billion Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex once housed a radar system within a concrete pyramid, with 7-foot-thick, steel-reinforced walls. It was deactivated in 1976 after only a few months of operation. Nekomas population reached several hundred, compared with about 30 today, and surrounding towns benefited from an influx of highly paid missile experts and support personnel.

The Cavalier County Job Development Authority has owned the site since 2017. Spokeswoman Carol Goodman said the facility would be sold to the company for $250,000.

Burgum said waste heat captured from the data centers servers will be used to heat an on-site greenhouse, and the company also is planning an interpretive center, representing a total investment estimated by Bitzero at $500 million.

This important piece of history will be restored and become a beacon for North Dakota innovation to the rest of the world, Burgum said.

Bitzero has signed leases in both Bismarck and Fargo for administrative operations. The Nekoma site will be their primary data center site in North Dakota, Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki said.

Separately, Burgum in January announced construction of a $1.9 billion data center located near the biggest city in the states oil-production region in northwest North Dakota.

The second-term Republican governor hailed the Atlas Power Data Center to be built by Missoula, Montana-based FX Solutions Inc. as one of the biggest such centers in the world, and one that will help diversify the economy in Williston-area that has suffered oil boom-bust cycles for decades.

Burgum, a wealthy former Microsoft executive, called data centers an incredible forward- looking industry not dependent on the price of oil.

Uses for data centers include the mining of bitcoin and other digital currencies. Cryptocurrency mining involves supercomputers to solve complex calculations needed to provide security for transactions in the digital currency.

The process requires vast amounts of power and generates much heat. Burgum has said North Dakota is an ideal place for data centers because it has a reliable and affordable power supply, and a climate that lowers cooling costs.

Burgum spokesman Nowatzki said no public money has been earmarked for any of the projects, though they are expected to qualify for tax credits already given to agriculture, energy and other industries.
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Strings of green vines in alternating shades of chartreuse and shamrock frame large plate-glass windowpanes against the black facade of Gather East Rocks storefront.

Housed beneath a century-old red brick building with tall, white bay windows jutting out over State Street, the East Rock cafe is now home to weekly Dungeons and Dragons nights, local singer-songwriters and even a self-improvement club.

Large pots and slatted wood planters growing peppers, tomatoes and marigold hug the curb of State Street where, for nearly 400 years, commuters have traversed between what would eventually become New Haven, the Neck (todays Fair Haven) and beyond.

But 44 years ago, the building at 952 State Street had a slightly different vibe.

It was called Satans Pool Parlor, photographer Karen Klugman said. It was less scary than I thought itd be with that name. It attracted a younger crowd. Much younger than anywhere else on the street. Just a few blocks over was Yale. But that wasnt the crowd. It was working class people from the neighborhood.

Upper State Street was a neighborhood in decline. Once a vital artery bridging the expanding urban core of New Haven to the meadows and farmlands on its outskirts, the Upper State Street of 1978 was in a state of disrepair with local merchants poised to take the neighborhoods glory back.

The Upper State Street Association formed to bring the blighted neighborhood, with its boarded up shops, crumbling buildings and rising crime rate, back to its former glory.

Six years later, the revitalized Upper State Street Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was barely recognizable.

She didnt know it at the time, but Klugman captured a community at its crossroads at the same time she faced one of her own.

Those moments will be on display throughout August at City Gallery for a show accompanying Klugmans latest book, "Upper State Street 1978: At the Height of its Decline."

In 1978, Klugman was working at Yale. She was part of a team that helped run the universitys computers. It was, she said, a primo job with companies like IBM scooping up young programmers for high-dollar jobs in the burgeoning information technology field.

Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media

But as Klugman stood on the brink of the digital age, she decided to side-step into the analog world. After seeing a Yale film student documenting land from a birds point of view, Klugmans own point of view shifted.

I thought, 'oh my god, I see things like that. And I want to share things like that' she said. I got a camera to basically express some of the things I knew I could express. That turned into an instant career.

While Klugmans house outside of the city was being built, she would walk to the Upper State Street neighborhood. She started bringing her new camera along. As she began documenting life on Upper State Street, she also began sending her photos out. Within a year, she quit her job to become a full-time photographer.

She was also about to become a mother for the first time.

There was this absolute joy of finding this new passion of being able to express things that werent mathematical. Other things Id seen in the world. That was lovely," she said. "Everything about my life changed just as everything about State Street changed. A lot was changing in the world.

The Upper State Street of today is a bustling hub of hip shops, restaurants and small businesses. There are salons, pottery studios, smoothie shops and an old Firehouse that now serves as a post-traumatic stress center looking to help neighborhoods heal.

Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media

The buildings of the neighborhood, in yellows, greens and rows of red brick are as colorful as its current occupants  young professionals, college and grad students and the working class families that have kept Upper State Street relevant since before New Haven was a city.

Its makeup is now as diverse as the various structures in Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, Romanesque, Gothic Revival, and Classical Revival styles that make up the neighborhoods architectural character.

Its the latest iteration of one of the countrys earliest colonial roads.

New Haven was incorporated in 1784. But State Street (though it wasnt named so until 1850) has existed in one form or another since the late 1630s, according to the New Haven Preservation Trust.

The Upper State Street Historic District runs along State from Bradley Street to Mill River.

Nerw Haven Preservation Trust

For the first few centuries the road existed, it served as the primary thoroughfare connecting the original nine-square settlement of New Haven to the Neck and its pastoral lands. But it was in the mid-19th century, when New Haven transitioned from mercantilism to manufacturing, that State Street began to take the shape it still holds. Most of the still-standing major structures of Upper State Street were built between 1850 and 1900.

As New Havens population boomed with an exponential increase in manufacturing, the city began to spread. As populations and real estate prices shot up around Wooster and Jocelyn Squares, the less-expensive Upper State Street area began to take shape as a mixed-use, commercial and residential community. Brick factories, sausage factories and dye shops merged around densely packed buildings housing business owners above shops and near the factories they owned.

By 1900, the upper State Street area had become firmly established as one of New Haven's most bustling and prosperous, as well as densely built-up outlying neighborhood commercial districts, according to Living Places, a website that tracks and preserves information on historic districts.

By the 1920s, the growing use of cars meant that people had increased mobility beyond anything known before. The increased mobility allowed some of the more affluent members of these neighborhoods to escape to less congested areas of the city or to suburban towns, Thomas Farnum wrote in Upper State Street 1640-1982.

That migration to the suburbs led to an influx of Italian-American residents from Wooster Square and Polish-Americans from Fair Haven. Now a mostly self-sufficient mixed-use neighborhood with nearly 100 business on its own, Upper State Street was a thriving neighborhood from the turn of the century through to the end of the second world war.

But with the advent of supermarkets and increased automobile traffic sent more and more residents to the suburbs.

Upper State Street 1978: At the Height of its Decline Opens Friday, Aug. 5 at the City Gallery, 994 State St., New Haven, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Klugman will be signing books during the opening.

Books will be available to purchase for $40

The gallery will run Fridays through Sundays from 1 p.m.-4 p.m., or by appointment, until Aug. 21. See More Collapse

Supermarkets came into their own, attracting shoppers away from independent meat markets, bakeries, and produce dealers, Farnum wrote. Many State Street merchants could no longer survive. Stores were now standing vacant for longer and longer periods between tenants.

And then the Interstate came. The construction of Interstate 91 eliminated the need for passers-by to stop in the district and by the late 60s Upper State Street was identified by the city if New Haven as a blighted area in need of revitalization.

The Upper State Street Association has existed in various forms since its founding in the late '70s. Toward the end of 2016, John Martin helped bring the association back. Martin, a former architect, now runs the Bradley Street Bicycle Coop in a corner building on State and Bradley his family has owned since the 60s. I-91 literally punched through neighborhoods, invoking eminent domain to demolish or spilt buildings in half.

"These highways just ripped through neighborhoods and cut them into pieces and built big walls through them," Martin said. "Totally changed the neighborhoods. It was a different street totally changed by the highway."

But some businesses held on. Grocers like John DeRose became lynchpins, providing their own hue among the neighborhoods cultural palette. Klugman recalls DeRose and his eponymous State Street grocery store, now a laundromat.

DeRose, cigar hanging in his mouth, would recite customers shopping lists like liturgical chants, she said. Crescendoing in the orders total and prompting cheers and chants of amen from spectating shoppers.

Karen Klugman

Thats the State Street Klugman found  a neighborhood filled with local holdouts who wouldnt let the mechanisms of modernization uproot their firmly planted lives.

In 1978, most of the businesses on State Street were antique stores and self-described junk shops. Browsing their combined merchandise was like sifting through an extravagant rummage sale of American history, Klugman wrote in her book.

It was that color and character that captivated her and drew the focus of her lens. She went on to publish numerous books of photography and teach the craft at schools like Wesleyan, Choate and Hopkins.

For more than four decades, the project that launched it all sat in boxes until she decided to do some pandemic-house cleaning.

Now, the next stop for the contents of an old box designated for a dumpster is the wall of a New Haven museum.

Sultan Tahir opened Gather East Rock about nine months ago. On a wing and prayer, the New Hampshire professor of film found himself the latest to carry a torch that predates the street lamps outside his shop.

"It's pretty neat to see this place had some punk rock funkiness back in the day," he said. "Everything is in flux all the time. It's amazing to see the progression from then to now."

Martin said State Street today is more like the State Street of 1922 than 1962.

"We want a walkable neighborhood. We want a neighborhood where maybe we know some people. Where we have some of our basic services maybe within walking distance," Martin said. "State Street is really special in that it has those things. Through a combination of people who care about it, businesses that have done well and a neighborhood that supports it, we've been lucky. And we've fought for it."
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BEIJING (AP)  Beijing grumbled but swallowed its irritation in 1997 when then-Speaker Newt Gingrich of the U.S. House of Representatives visited Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by the mainlands ruling Communist Party as its own territory.

China had other priorities. President Jiang Zemins government was preparing to celebrate Hong Kongs return and wanted to lock in Beijings emergence from diplomatic isolation after its 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square. Gingrich, a booster of closer U.S.-Chinese ties, had just helped that campaign by meeting Jiang in Beijing. China avoided a disruptive clash with Washington.

A quarter-century later, conditions have changed drastically. Chinese President Xi Jinpings government is richer, more heavily armed and less willing to compromise over Taiwan following news reports the current speaker, Nancy Pelosi, might become the most senior U.S. official since Gingrich to visit the island.

Beijing sees any official contact with Taiwan as recognition of its democratically elected government, which the mainland says has no right to conduct foreign relations.

The timing adds to political pressure. Xi is widely expected to try to award himself a third five-year term as party leader at a meeting in the autumn. That could be undercut if rivals can accuse Xi of failing to be tough enough in the face of what they consider American provocation.

Pelosi has yet to confirm whether she might visit, but Beijing is warning of forceful measures including military action if she does.

The United States must not arrange for Pelosi to visit Taiwan, a Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesman, Tan Kefei, said Tuesday.

If the United States goes ahead with this, the Chinese military will never watch and do nothing, Tan said. It will take strong measures to thwart any external interference and separatist plans for Taiwan independence and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Tan referred to Pelosi as No. 3 in the U.S. government, after her place in the line of succession to become president. That suggests Beijing sees her as President Joe Biden's subordinate, instead of his equal as head of one of three independent branches of the government.

Biden told reporters the American military thinks a visit is not a good idea right now." But, possibly in deference to her position, the president hasn't said Pelosi shouldn't go. U.S. officials told The Associated Press that if Pelosi goes, the American military would likely use fighter jets, ships and other forces to provide protection for her flight.

Chinese rhetoric about that is "quite disturbing, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. If were asked, well do what is necessary in order to ensure a safe visit.

U.S. officials have said the administration doubts China would take direct action against Pelosi herself or try to sabotage the visit. But they dont rule out the possibility that China could escalate provocative flights of military aircraft in or near Taiwanese airspace and naval patrols in the Taiwan Strait should the trip take place. And they dont preclude Chinese actions elsewhere in the region as a show of strength.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war that ended with a communist victory on the mainland. Both governments say they are one country but disagree about which is the national leader. The two sides have no official relations but are connected by billions of dollars of trade and investment.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but has extensive commercial and unofficial ties with the island. U.S. law obligates Washington to make sure Taiwan has the means to defend itself.

Beijing hasnt hesitated to try to intimidate Taiwan with shows of force.

The ruling partys military, the Peoples Liberation Army, fired missiles into the sea near Taiwan to drive voters away from then-President Lee Teng-hui in the islands first direct presidential election in early 1996. That backfired by allowing Lee to talk tough about standing up to Beijing in front of cheering supporters. He was elected with 54% of the vote in a four-way race.

The U.S. responded by dispatching two aircraft carrier battle groups to the area, a move that forced China to acknowledge it couldnt stop Washington from coming to Taiwans aid, which helped propel Beijings massive military upgrading in the years since.

The following year, Gingrich led a delegation of American lawmakers to Taiwan following a three-day visit to the mainland. That followed a visit to Beijing the previous week by Vice President Al Gore.

Previously one of Beijings fiercest critics in Washington on human rights and Taiwan, Gingrich praised Chinas economic development. He talked sympathetically about the challenges Beijing would face running Hong Kong after 150 years of British rule. He said Congress supported Chinas claim to Taiwan so long as unification was peaceful. He expressed hope the two sides might evolve to become one state.

Gingrich said he told Chinese leaders that we will defend Taiwan but said they responded that Beijing had no intention of attacking.

After Gingrich's comments, Chinas foreign ministry said it was confused about U.S. policy. What the U.S. government and the leaders of some government branches say and what they promised are not the same, a ministry spokesman, Shen Guofang, said at the time.

In the quarter-century since then, Beijing's stance toward Taiwan has hardened and its military resources have grown. And the mainland has warned it will invade if talks on uniting the two sides fail to make progress.

China passed Germany and Japan to become the second-largest economy behind the United States. Its military spending also is No. 2 after Washington at $293 billion in 2021 following a 27-year string of increases, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The political landscape also has been changed by the rise of Xi, who has amassed more power over the past decade than any Chinese leader since at least the 1980s and wants to be seen as restoring the country to its historic greatness. That includes being more assertive abroad and stepping up pressure on Taiwan.

The ruling party has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to develop fighter planes, submarines, an aircraft carrier and other high-tech weapons. It is working on carrier killer missiles that are believed to be meant to block the U.S. Navy from defending Taiwan in the event of an attack. The PLA sends growing numbers of fighters and bombers to fly near Taiwan.

Beijing's bigger economy and global role also give it more diplomatic tools to show its anger to Washington. The Biden administration wants Chinese cooperation on climate, fighting the coronavirus and other global challenges, all of which Beijing could disrupt.

Washington and Beijing already are mired in conflicts over trade, Hong Kong, Beijing's treatment of Muslim minorities and Chinese claims to large sections of the South China and East China Seas.

Pelosi is hardly new to irking Beijing. As a rookie member of Congress in 1991, she unfurled a black-and-white banner on Tiananmen Square that said, To those who died for democracy. This came two years after the bloody crackdown in which hundreds, perhaps thousands were killed. Diplomatic protocol prevented Chinese police from detaining Pelosi.

A visit to Taiwan could cause long-term harm to U.S.-Chinese relations, said Liu Jiangyong, an international relations specialist at Tsinghua University.

Allowing a visit to go ahead will affect the credibility of recent promises the Biden administration has made, Liu said. Dialogue between Biden and Xi about other issues may all be seriously affected.

___

AP researcher Yu Bing in Beijing and AP Writers David Rising in Bangkok and Lolita C. Baldor in Sydney contributed.
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FARGO, N.D. (AP)  A North Dakota judge on Wednesday put on hold the states trigger law banning abortion while a lawsuit moves forward that argues it violates the state constitution, ruling that the attorney general had prematurely calculated the date when the ban should take effect.

Burleigh County District Judge Bruce Romanick sided with the state's only abortion clinic, the Red River Women's Clinic in Fargo, that Attorney General Drew Wrigley prematurely attempted to execute the trigger language. The clinic had argued that a 30-day clock should not have started until the U.S. Supreme Court issued its certified judgment on Tuesday.

Therefore the Court finds a temporary restraining order appropriate at this time, Romanick wrote.

The ban had been set to take effect on Thursday. Shortly after the ruling, Wrigley said he was heading to the North Dakota Legislative Council's office to drop off another certification of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reversed Roe vs. Wade. He did not comment about the judge's order.

The ruling, which comes as various states grapple with potential bans and other restrictions often backed by Republican lawmakers, will give the Red River clinic more time to relocate a few miles away to Moorhead, Minnesota, where abortion remains legal. Clinic owner Tammi Kromenaker has said she will move there if litigation doesnt block the North Dakota ban.

Kromenaker has declined to say when the new clinic will be ready, and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Planned Parenthood, which at one point had said it would step in if needed, has since said that Kromenaker has assured them that there would be no interruption in service due to the clinics relocation.

Attorney Tom Dickson said the clinic was gratified by the court's ruling and looks forward to the next hearing.

Destini Spaeth, the volunteer leader of an independent group that helps fund abortions in North Dakota, said it was an emotional day with the prospect of Wednesday being the last day for medical procedures at the clinic. She said she screamed when she heard about the order.

More time is what we need, in terms of getting all our ducks in a row, Spaeth said. I'm not going to speculate on the rest of the lawsuit. We can't really depend on North Dakota in terms of legislation and the judicial branch. But this is a blessing.

Meetra Mehdizadeh, attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is helping the clinic with the suit, said the plaintiffs "will do everything in our power to fight this ban and keep abortion accessible in North Dakota for as long as possible.

As for the larger question in the suit, the clinic argues in its lawsuit that the North Dakota Constitution guarantees the rights of life, liberty, safety, and happiness, all of which protect the right to abortion. The judge did not address that part of the complaint in his order.

North Dakotas law would make abortion illegal in the state except in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother.
SOUTHBURY  A state trooper is under investigation on sexual assault allegations, state police said in a news release Wednesday evening.

Trooper Jose Campos has been suspended while Connecticut State Polices Central District Major Crime Squad investigates the accusation. His police powers have been revoked, state police added.

Southbury constables were called to a home on Old Field Road around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. The resident accused Campos of sexual assault, prompting an investigation from state police.

In order to protect the integrity of this active investigation, the Connecticut State Police will not be providing further information, state police said.

State police said further information about the case will be made available when the investigation is complete.
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DARIEN  A 52-acre parcel of land adjacent to Dariens Great Island has been put on the market for $85 million, according to a local real estate office.

Known as Ziegler Farm, the tract of land was listed earlier this week by Leslie McElwreath of Sothebys International Realty. The property provides the rarest of opportunities to live in coastal Darien, the listing says.

Ziegler Farm has 14 undeveloped building lots, on a total of 34.51 acres. Those lots include direct waterfront access, water views or open meadows, according to the listing.

It also boasts 13.92 acres of open space on Connecticuts Gold Coast, according to the listing.

In a statement, Darien First Selectman Monica McNally said the town is not currently considering purchasing Ziegler Farm. The tract of land neighbors Great Island, which the town Representative Town Meeting recently approved a plan to purchase for $103 million.

The Ziegler Farm property is an interesting development in land available for open space or other alternatives, but at this time we are trying hard to complete due diligence and close open items on our existing contract for purchase of Great Island, McNally said in an email.

The 60-acre Great Island property was marketed as the largest privately owned parcel of its kind on the East Coast. The town has not yet decided how it plans to use the property, which comes with nine buildings, including a 13,000-square-foot mansion.

Ziegler Farm and Great Island were originally packaged in a 110-acre offering, until the family decided to split it into the two parcels that currently exist, McElwreath said.

The properties are owned by separate branches of the Ziegler family, descendants of 20th-century baking soda magnate William Ziegler.

The Ziegler Farm tract was used to house the estates animals until the 1970s  which is why an old cow barn is the only building on the property.

Theyre basically what I call shovel-ready, McElwreath said of the 14 lots, which are currently zoned for single family homes. She said the property will likely receive much interest from developers.

The property also has two private paved roads as well as electric, sewer and water lines in place, according to the listing.

It is accessible through Pear Tree Point Road and Long Neck Point Road.

Its very rare as you can imagine, for an offering like this to be on the market with the subdivision already approved and the utilities all in place, McElwreath said. Thats what makes this so unusual. And you know, very exciting to developers.
WFO PENDLETON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, July 30, 2022

_____

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Pendleton OR

159 PM PDT Wed Jul 27 2022

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT

SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 105 to

115 in the lower elevations, and 90 to 105 in the mountains.

* WHERE...Portions of central, south central and southeast

Washington and central, north central and northeast Oregon.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the

potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those

working or participating in outdoor activities.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out

of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young

children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles

under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When

possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or

evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat

stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when

possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent

rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone

overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 105.

* WHERE...East Slopes of the Washington Cascades.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
The activity of the Border Police is of particular importance, especially in the current regional geopolitical context, in which this structure is called upon to ensure the protection and security of Romania's and the European Union's borders, the Minister of Interior, Lucian Bode, said on Thursday.

"Today I participated in the anniversary event organized by the Romanian Border Police on the occasion of the 158th anniversary of its institutional existence. Today, protecting Romania's borders means protecting the borders of the European Union," Bode wrote on Facebook.

He showed that it is important for the employees of the Border Police to remain mobilized in the daily surveillance and control missions at the crossing of the state border and it is essential to continue to pay more attention to the fight against cross-border criminality.

"I particularly underscored the need for involvement and collaboration between institutions in order to achieve as soon as possible the strategic objective for Romania of accession to the Schengen area. Our country has been meeting the conditions for accession for more than a decade, contributing to the security of Europe to the same extent like the Schengen states," added the minister.

Lucian Bode also highlighted the professional way in which the Border Police managed the security and humanitarian crisis caused by the military conflict in Ukraine, offering support to more than 1.7 million refugees who crossed the border in the last five months.

"I asked the border policemen to honour their duties with devotion and integrity because only in this way they will contribute to strengthening the prestige of the institution they belong to. I am convinced that the Border Police will continue on the path of modernization and institutional development and will continue to show the same major concern for ensuring a high level of equipment for the supervision and control of the external borders of the European Union," said Bode. AGERPRES
General Manager of the Bucharest-Ilfov Ambulance Service Alis Grasu told an event in Iasi on National Ambulance Day that the fleet of county ambulance services nationwide is overwhelmed and that there is a deficit of 43.34% of staff and 55.5% of doctors.

She said that in 2021 the responses of the county ambulance services were carried out by a staff of 12,733 versus 22,780 as provided for under the regulations approved by Health Minister's Order 1778 of 2006.

"Gentlemen, medicine cannot exist without doctors. And now, on this anniversary, everyone makes a wish. I wish for all of you, for all of us, that the ambulance services have a sufficient number of staff in relation to the population's demand, well trained, disciplined, altruistic, empathetic, in a word, real people who care about their fellows in suffering and, last but not least, adequate equipment with new and efficient ambulances that do not require high maintenance costs and training centres for the staff of the ambulance services, at least one per region, at the national level," said Grasu before several hundred people who came to Iasi from the county ambulance services.

According to her, the county ambulance services also face technical problems as more than half of the utility vehicles of the Public Ambulance Service meet the conditions for scrapping, which requires significant expenses to keep them in working order.

"In 2021, there were 2,358 functional ambulances. Divided by the number of vehicles, there were 1,498 responses for each vehicle. It should be noted that we work with an outdated ambulance fleet. In 2021, there were 3,903,697 cases involving ambulance workers all over Romania, which means a daily average of 10,695 responses," added Grasu.

Health Minister Alexandru Rafila told the attending journalists that a strategy for the development of the ambulance services has to be developed, emphasising at the same time that there must be elements of integration when there are emergencies, catastrophes, accidents. He said that the human resources of the services have to be secured, alongside their development and training and the provision of technical means. AGERPRES
The National Meteorological Administration (ANM) issued, on Thursday, an Orange Code warning of torrential showers in the Southern and Curvature Carpathians, while a Code Yellow of atmospheric instability targets Oltenia, locally in Muntenia, southern Moldova and of Banat, southern and eastern Transylvania and northern Dobrogea.

Throughout Thursday, in the Southern Carpathians and Curvature Carpathians, there will be periods of torrential downpours, frequent lightning. In short periods of time or through accumulation, rainfall is expected to exceed 40 - 60 liters/sqm.

On the other hand, until Friday morning at 6:00 hrs., in the counties of Oltenia, Muntenia, southern Moldova and Banat, southern and eastern Transylvania and northern Dobrogea, there will be torrential downpours, frequent lightning, gusty winds and isolated thunderstorms and hail. Local water quantities will exceed 25 - 30 liters/sqm.

The heatwave will persist in the west and locally in the south of the country in the next two days, and the maximum temperatures will range between 33 and 37 degrees, according to a Code Yellow warning issued on Thursday by ANM.

Thermal discomfort will be high and the temperature-humidity index (THI) will exceed the critical threshold of 80 units, especially on Friday afternoon.

On Saturday, most regions will experience thermal discomfort will be high, with locally hot weather, and from the second part of the day the atmospheric instability will increase first in the west and northwest of the country, then gradually in the rest of the territory.AGERPRES
Haferland Week cultural festival, now at its 10th edition, will take place between July 29-31 in ten villages of Haferland (Tara Ovazului / Oat Land).

The celebration dedicated to Saxon culture and traditions in Transylvania will take place in the villages of Archita, Saschiz, Cloasterf, Roades, Bunesti, Rupea, Homorod, Crit, Mesendorf and Viscri.

According to the organizers, 2022 was declared the year of intercultural education and environmental conservation.

For three days, visitors from the country and abroad are invited to discover the stories, traditions and history of the Saxon community in Romania and attend artistic performances.

The organizers have prepared for the visitors, at the anniversary edition, a spectacular program that will include traditional Saxon music and dances, plays, concerts in the fortified churches, three traditional Saxon balls, painting, pottery and felting workshops, public debates, exhibitions.

The fortified church in Archita will host, on Friday, on the fortified esplanade, the official inauguration of the Haferland Week Festival. After an opening with brass band music, there will be a welcome speech by the organizers and local officials, after which priest Johannes Halmen will make a presentation of the Saxon life in Archita both in German and Romanian.

The artistic program will continue in Archita with dances, music and theater, but also with a workshop for children.

After lunch, in Cloasterf, a jazz concert will take place inside Dominic Boutique, followed by a presentation of traditional medieval costumes.

The events of the first day will continue at the fortified Church of Saschiz with the panel "The role of the community in the villages of Haferland", held by Catalin Sefanescu.

The first day of the Haferland Week Festival ends with a traditional Saxon ball supported by the music of the Trio Saxones, at the cultural center in Cloasterf.

The weekend starts in Rodes with the students from the Tabaluga Foundation's After-School educational project with a cultural program, followed by the Junii Saceleni Ensemble from Sacele, set to present a program with folk dances and songs.

The fortified church in Bunessti will host, after lunch, a Saxon cultural program prepared by the local community, which will include music and theater, followed by the presentation titled "German Culture from Transylvania", held by associate professor Dr. Adina Lucia Nistor.

The trip through Haferland continues in Rupea, where people can attend the presentation "Rupea, spa town - history or future", delivered by architect Noemi Simo, and then they can admire traditional Saxon dances, followed by music, dances and recitals by young local talents.

In the evening, the fortified Church of Homorod will host an organ concert, and the day will end in the village of Crit with a Saxon ball featuring the Schlager Taxi band.

The main day of the festival, on Sunday, will be opened in Crit, where the fanfare will welcome the guests at the fortified church, followed by a service in the place of worship and organ music.

After lunch, a Saxon artistic program will be presented with dances, music, theater, wood painting and ceramic workshops and traditional craft workshops.

The events of the last day will continue at the fortified church in Mesendorf, where visitors will be able to taste and buy ecological products from the area. In the same space of the fortified church, the exhibition with traditional Saxon objects and costumes from the private collection of Hermina Antoni will be presented.

The courtyard of the fortified church in Mesendorf will also host a special program dedicated to children.

Then, there will be an organ concert, followed by a musical program provided by the Kulturwerk der Siebenbuerger Sachsen.

In the evening, a Johann Markel piano concert and a Dagmar Dusil book presentation will take place at the fortified Church in Viscri, followed by a concert offered by SoNoRo.

The Viscri Saxon Ball, supported by the Radu S. Band in the courtyard of the locality's parish house will conclude the events of the Haferland Week Festival.

The organizers of the Haferland Week Festival have also prepared a raffle for the visitors. The winner will be able to admire the beauties of the Saxon villages of the Country of Oats on board a helicopter. Those who wish to participate in the raffle are expected to register on the link https://www.maurerimobiliare.ro/tombola-haferland/.

There will be events both in physical format and online.AGERPRES
A part of the industry, such as the metallurgical one, has already cut down gas consumption against the background of the decrease in production due to market considerations, because of the reduction of orders and not because of considerations related to the availability of gas, the Minister of Economy, Florin Spataru, said in Sibiu on Thursday, in answering a question regarding the measure of voluntary reduction of gas consumption at the EU level by 15pct.

Asked about the industrial sectors considered to be non-essential and which could be affected by a possible decision to reduce gas consumption, the Minister of Economy said that the industry, especially the heavy industry is not included in the category of essential industries, and pointed out that, although there were no problems regarding the availability of gas, some of the companies have reduced consumption depending on the market.

"The EC discussed the possibility of a voluntary 15pct reduction in gas consumption. The industry, mostly the heavy industry, according to the definitions in force, is not included in the category of essential industries. (...) There is a very clear definition at the European level, we are talking about critical sectors and we know that population and energy production are critical sectors we will not touch. For the other industrial sectors, as far as I know, there is an order of the Ministry of Energy that says how action will be taken in crisis situations. An order that was published in April this year," said Florin Spataru, Agerpres.ro informs.

Minister Spataru underscored that there is currently no state initiative to reduce gas deliveries to the industry.

Florin Spataru said that part of the metallurgical industry has reduced gas consumption, in the context of reduced production, as a result of the decrease in orders.

Florin Spataru pointed out that currently our country has a gas reserve of 1.8 billion cubic metres, representing 55pct of the gas stock for the winter period, being exceeded by about 10pct compared to the intermediate storage target until August 1.

Spataru mentioned that, taking into account the current gas stock level and the situation from the previous year, there will be enough natural gas for the next winter period.

On Thursday, Florin Spataru paid a working visit to Sibiu, to companies that produce car spare parts and discussed with businessmen from the German Transylvania Economic Club.
Health Minister Alexandru Rafila said on Thursday in eastern Iasi, during a rally celebrating 116 years of existence of the Ambulance Service, that in the last year of the pandemic, the paramedical services in the country had about 4 million interventions.

"It's extraordinary, a professional body of roughly 12,000 people with 2,700 technical means. The performance is extraordinary and I am convinced that many more victims would have been in Romania if it had not been for a professional medical body next to people in need," the minister said in his speech.

Alexandru Rafila wanted to thank both those from the Ambulance and, "so that there is no room for interpretations", those from SMURD (Mobile Emergency, Resuscitation and Extrication Service) "who intervene to save lives and who are good to work with you."

He told the several hundred ambulances, nurses and doctors from the ambulance services from all over the country who came to the Square of the Palace of Culture in Iasi that people must trust the medical body in Romania.AGERPRES
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) "firmly" rejected, on Thursday, the move made by the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, who published on a social network "a map that, in a fantastical manner, assigns territories of Ukraine to Romania and other states neighbouring Ukraine."

According to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to AGERPRES, "such attitudes are part of the propaganda and disinformation tools used by the Russian Federation for a long time and which were amplified after the start of the illegal and illegitimate war of aggression against Ukraine."

"Such so-called "proposals" and "analyses" that aim at the random redrawing of the borders of some states and thus promote the violation of international law represent nothing more than completely unsuccessful attempts to justify their own conduct of disobeying the rules-based international order," said the MAE.

The Ministry reaffirmed Romania's "full" support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and reiterated its condemnation of Russia's unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine, Agerpres.ro informs.

"Romania is and will remain a partner of Ukraine and reconfirms its full support and deep compassion for the Ukrainian people, victims of brutal aggression. Granting the status of a candidate state for Ukraine's accession to the European Union represents a confirmation of both the visionary policy of the European Union, which is essentially a project to promote and consolidate peace in Europe, as well as the determination of the Ukrainian people to fully assume the principles and values of the European space, in an independent, sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders," underscored the MAE.

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, published on his Telegram account a map of Europe, where most of Ukraine belongs to other states, the Russian publication Vedomosti reported.

In his post, Medvedev claims that there are Western analysts - without naming them - who would see the future Ukrainian state in this manner, notes the cited daily.

On one of the maps published by the former Russian President, seven Ukrainian regions are transferred to Poland, one to Hungary, two to Romania and 13 regions plus the Crimean Peninsula to Russia.

Thus, Ukraine would remain only with the Kyiv region, according to the map published by Medvedev on the day when Ukraine celebrates, for the first time, Statehood Day.
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, will pay an official visit to Romania on Friday, at the invitation of the Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, who will welcome her at the Cotroceni Palace, the Presidential Administration informs.

This visit will provide the opportunity for the first direct bilateral meeting between the two president after the historic decision adopted at the European Council on June 23-24, by which the Republic of Moldova was granted the status of a candidate state for joining the European Union.

During the meeting, President Klaus Iohannis will reaffirm our country's firm support for the advancement of the reform process in the Republic of Moldova, necessary for the fulfillment of the objectives established by the European Commission's Opinion of June 17, the source states.

In addition to the theme of supporting Chisinau's European path, regional developments in the context of the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the ways to counteract its negative effects on the Republic of Moldova will be discussed.

"President Klaus Iohannis will highlight the multidimensional assistance that Romania provides to the Republic of Moldova, including for the management of the crisis situations it faces, and concrete ways of prioritizing and diversifying this assistance will be discussed. At the same time, the importance of the Platform of Support for the Republic of Moldova, an instrument launched by Romania, Germany and France, with solid relevance both in terms of politics and the development dimension, intended to keep the Republic of Moldova in the priority attention of donors and to mobilize support for the efforts of the authorities in Chisinau in what concerns the reforms necessary for European integration, will be tackled," the Presidential Administration reads.

The two presidents will also address topics of core interest on the bilateral agenda, such as the energy security of the Republic of Moldova and sectoral cooperation in key areas.

The official visit takes place by virtue of the substantial intensification of bilateral dialogue and cooperation both at the highest level and at the governmental and parliamentary level, in the spirit of the community of language, culture and history shared by the two countries, as well as the bilateral strategic partnership for European integration of the Republic of Moldova.AGERPRES
More than 30 migrants were discovered, in the last 24 hours, hiding in trucks loaded with goods, at border crossing points with Hungary, in the counties of Arad and Bihor, informs the Arad Border Police on Thursday, in a press release sent to AGERPRES.

15 migrants were discovered in two trucks driven by Bulgarian citizens at the Nadlac II Border Crossing Point.

"According to the documents accompanying the goods, the drivers were transporting metal boxes and refrigerators for companies in Germany and Belgium. Following the thorough control of the means of transport, 15 foreign citizens were discovered hidden in the cargo compartments. The persons were picked up and transported to the headquarters of the sector for investigations where, following the checks, the border police established that they are citizens from Afghanistan, India and Pakistan, asylum seekers in our country," the press release states.

12 migrants from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Congo were also found hiding in PTF Varsand, in two other trucks, driven by a Bulgarian and a Turk, most of them asylum seekers in our country. The drivers transported sunflower seeds and textiles to England and France.

The border police guards with the Bors 2 PTF also caught seven people from Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan while checking a truck loaded with plastic headed for Sweden.AGERPRES
Over 20 aircraft from seven NATO member states, as well as air surveillance and defence, with terrestrial base, are taking part in Romania's air space on Thursday, in an enhanced Vigilance Activities - eVA) exercise, led by NATO AIRCOM of Germany.

During the exercise, organized in accordance with legislation and current international standards, aircraft, air refill and early warning, directed by controllers from the Joint Terminal Attack Controllers - JTAC), will simulate removing potential enemy aircraft from combat, according to a press release sent by the Ministry of National Defence (MApN).

The purpose of the exercise is to demonstrate NATO's ability to plan, coordinate and execute complex, multinational mission for securing Alliance airspace in the event of any type of threat or attack upon the allied territory.

During the exercise, Romanian and allied aircraft will fly at low-altitude between 13:00 and 14:00 around the areas of Mihail Kogalniceanu and Capu Midia from the southeastern County of Constanta.

As a response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, NATO has significantly increased its defence and deterrence capacity, including by strengthening the presence on the Eastern flank, by deploying forces and additional allied means in all areas (ground, air, sea) in order to ensure the defence of the Alliance's territory against any type of threats.AGERPRES
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca announced, during a visit in western Alba County, on Thursday, that the Government is preparing a memorandum through which half of the profit of the Cupru Min company will no longer go to the state budget, but will go to retrofitting, mentioning that approximately 43 million RON will support the company's production, without affecting the environment.

"I arrived today in Tara Motilor in order to present the Government's firm message of supporting the development plans for this area, through investments and jobs. I went to Cupru Min, in Abrud, I discussed with the manager of the company, the largest employer in the area, about the retrofitting and streamlining projects. These investments will allow the company to continue having profits and will also offer solid perspectives for development and employment, by exploiting opportunities and processing non-ferrous minerals from the area," PM Ciuca wrote on Facebook.

The Prime Minister added that he encourages the company's management to continue in this direction, mentioning that "the future belongs to new, environmentally friendly technologies".

He specified that within the Government there was a decision made for decentralizing the allocation of financial resources, locally, so that the taxes paid by Cupru Min, 27 million RON, have reached local authorities for investments necessary for the community.

Cupru Min has been active in Romania for the past 45 years.AGERPRES
Prime Minister and Liberal Chairman Nicolae Ciuca visited on Thursday the 'Avram Iancu' Museum Complex in Incesti - Avram Iancu commune, which includes the memorial house of the leader of the 1848 Revolution in Transylvania, fondly nicknamed by the local highlanders 'Bonnie Prince of the Mountains'.

Accompanied by the sound of local traditional alpine horns called 'tulnic', Nicolae Ciuca laid a wreath of white flowers at Avram Iancu's bust in the courtyard of the museum complex. He then visited the interior of the museum.

Inaugurated in 1924 in celebrations that saw the participation of King Ferdinand I, the 'Avram Iancu' Museum Complex in Incesti reopened to the public in 2013 after three years of major rehabilitation works.

Avram Iancu is the most famous personality of 'Motilor Land'. A lawyer by profession, Avram Iancu played an extremely important role in the 1848 Revolution and commanded the Transylvanian Romanians' army against the Hungarian troops in 1849. AGERPRES
More than 9,300 new cases of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 were recorded in the last 24 hours in Romania, down 463 from the previous day, with over 28,000 RT-PCR and rapid antigenic tests performed, the Health Ministry informed on Thursday.

Of the new cases, 1,822 were in re-infected patients, who tested positive more than 90 days after the first time they recovered from the disease.

Most of the newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Romania since the previous reporting were recorded in Bucharest City - 2,569 and in the counties of Cluj - 619, Constanta - 460, Brasov - 392, Iasi - 328, Sibiu - 327, Dolj - 320, Ilfov - 311.

The highest rates are in Bucharest City - 7.76, followed by the counties of Cluj - 6.19, Ilfov - 5.49, Constanta - 4.94, Brasov - 4.71.

As of Thursday, 3,043,205 cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus were confirmed in Romania.

- Hospitalisations -

As many as 3,709 people with COVID-19, up 138 from the previous reporting, including 611 children, are hospitalised in Romania at specialist care facilities.

Out of the total number of hospitalised patients, 253 patients, up 20, including four minors, are in intensive care.

Of the 253 patients admitted to ICU, 214 are unvaccinated against COVID-19.

- Deaths -

According to the ministry, 12 Romanians, 6 men and 6 women, infected with SARS-CoV-2 are reported dead in the last 24 hours.

Of the 12 deaths, one was recorded in the age group 50-59 years, two in the age group 60-69 years, and three in the age group 70-79 years and 6 in the age range over 80 years.

All the patients who died had underlying medical conditions and nine were unvaccinated.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 65,935 people diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 infection have died in Romania.AGERPRES
Shipping companies are not rushing to export millions of tons of grain trapped in Ukraine, despite a breakthrough deal to provide safe corridors through the Black Sea. That is because explosive mines are drifting in the waters, ship owners are assessing the risks and many still have questions over how the deal will unfold.

The complexities of the agreement have set off a slow, cautious start, but it's only good for 120 days  and the clock began ticking last week.

The goal over the next four months is to get some 20 million tons of grain out of three Ukrainian sea ports blocked since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion. That provides time for about four to five large bulk carriers per day to transport grain from the ports to millions of impoverished people worldwide facing hunger.

It also provides ample time for things to go awry. Only hours after the signing Friday, Russian missiles struck Ukraines port of Odesa  one of those included in the agreement.

Another key element of the deal offers assurances that shipping and insurers carrying Russian grain and fertilizer will not get caught in the wider net of Western sanctions. But the agreement brokered by Turkey and the U.N. is running up against the reality of how difficult and risky the pact will be to carry out.

We have to work very hard to now understand the detail of how this is going to work practically, said Guy Platten, secretary-general of the International Chamber of Shipping, representing national shipowners associations that account for about 80% of the worlds merchant fleet.

Can we make sure and guarantee the safety of the crews? Whats going to happen with the mines and the minefields, as well? So lots of uncertainty and unknowns at the moment," he said.

Ukraine and Russia are key global suppliers of wheat, barley, corn and sunflower oil, with fighting in the Black Sea region, known as the breadbasket of the world, pushing up food prices, threatening political stability in developing nations and leading countries to ban some food exports, worsening the crisis.

U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths says work at the newly opened Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul overseeing the export deal is nonstop with the aim of seeing the shipments heading out of Ukrainian ports quickly, safely and effectively.

He said Frederick Kenney, Jr., director of legal and external affairs at the International Maritime Organization and a retired U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral and judge advocate, is leading the U.N.s efforts to get the grain deal up and running.

The deal stipulates that Russia and Ukraine will provide maximum assurances for ships that brave the journey through the Black Sea to the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny.

The primary risk thats faced is obviously going to be mines, said Munro Anderson, head of intelligence and a founding partner at Dryad. The maritime security advisory company is working with insurers and brokers to assess the risks that ships could face along the route as sea mines laid by Ukraine to deter Russia are drifting.

Turkey's defense minister on Wednesday said demining the waters was not immediately required but that could change.

Ukrainian officials have expressed hope that exports could resume from one port within days, but they also have said it could take two weeks for all three to become operational again. Experts in Ukraine are working on determining safe routes for ships.

Shipowners, charterers and insurance firms, meanwhile, are trying to understand how the deal will play out.

I think its going to come (down) to the position of the marine insurers that provide war risk and how much they are going to be adding in additional charges for vessels to go into that area, said Michelle Wiese Bockmann, shipping and commodities analyst at Lloyds List, a global shipping news publication.

Bockmann said vessels carrying this kind of load typically have between 20 to 25 seafarers on board.

You cant risk those lives without something concrete and acceptable to the shipowners and to their charterers to move grain, she said.

Oleksiy Melnyk, an analyst with the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center think tank, said safety issues are largely unresolved because Russian rockets can hit warehouses storing grain and ports.

Shipowners and insurance companies are scared, they havent received any reliable security guarantees, Melnyk said. Were seeing just words and promises, which are worth little at a time of war."

Marine insurers reached by AP declined to comment on whether they would provide coverage for these ships.

The war has wreaked havoc on global trade, stranding over 100 ships in Ukraine's many ports.

At the three ports in the export agreement, 13 bulk carriers and cargo ships have been stuck at Chornomorsk, six in Odesa and three at Yuzhny, data from Lloyds List Intelligence shows. Some of those ships might still have crews aboard that could be mobilized to start exporting grains.

Ukrainian traders have been able to send some grain through the Danube River, which helped buoy exports to about 1.5 million tons in May and up to 2 million tons in June, though that is still less than half the monthly grain shipments of 4 to 5 million tons prior to the war, according to Svetlana Malysh, a Black Sea agriculture markets analyst with Refinitiv.

Over the 2021-2022 marketing year, Russia exported about 30 million tons of wheat, according to Refinitiv trade flows. That is the lowest level since 2017, in part because of the chilling effect of sanctions. Russian fertilizer exports also dropped 25% in the first quarter of the year compared with the same period last year, Malysh said.

For ships heading to Ukraine's three ports, smaller Ukrainian pilot boats will guide the vessels through approved corridors. The entire operation will be overseen by a Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul staffed by officials from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations.

Once ships reach port, they will be loaded with tens of thousands of tons of grains before departing back to the Bosphorus Strait, where they will be boarded to inspect them for weapons. There will likely be inspections for ships embarking to Ukraine as well.

Because the process is so complex and slow-moving, its unlikely to have a significant impact on the price of grain worldwide.

The balance of power on this agreement still sits with Russia, said Anderson, Dryad's head of intelligence. Any Ukrainian ports outside the agreement face increased risk of attack, he said.

I think what Russia wants ... is to be seen as the state that controls the narrative within the Black Sea," Anderson said.

Associated Press writers Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Susie Blann in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report.
In 2022, it seems obvious to say that the internet has become a defining force of everyday life, shaping our social lives, influencing politics and becoming a place where most people interact. But despite its outsize influence, at times the internet still feels young, malleable and ill-defined, a Wild West rodeo of the collective id that many in power seem unable to wrangle. Many filmmakers have attempted to grapple with the past, present and future of the internet, seeking to understand or express something about how it has functioned, and will function, in our lives, in three very different projects hitting streaming services this week.

First up: The internets very recent history is plumbed in Rob Millers Netflix docuseries The Most Hated Man on the Internet, a three-episode depiction of the rise and fall of internet provocateur Hunter Moore. Though the events take place a mere 10 years ago, it feels like eons in internet cycles. In the late aughts, Moore, a posturing bad boy from the emo-adjacent music scene, started a website called IsAnyoneUp.com, on which he non-consensually posted nude photos of people, along with links to their social media profiles. Its shocking to consider that this was even within the realm of legality at the time, but it was, until Moore messed with the wrong young woman and her tenacious mother. Harkening back to a previous Netflix true-crime series, Dont F with Cats, The Most Hated Man on the Internet could ostensibly be called Dont F With Moms, for the dogged determination with which LA mother Charlotte Laws went after Moore, collecting evidence from 40 victims who were hacked by Moore and his associates, and reporting him to the FBI. Its a shocking look at one of the most vicious eras of the internet and a reminder that we are all, in ways, responsible for shaping the landscape of how we interact online.

From the past to the present, Quinn Shepherds sophomore feature film Not Okay arrives July 29 on Hulu. Zoey Deutch stars as a depressed young New York City woman who fakes a trip to Paris for the Instagram clout and then finds herself needing to fake surviving a terrorist attack when bombings hit the French city. High on likes, she drinks up the sympathy and career success that her false victimhood affords her and becomes embroiled in a complicated relationship with a young school shooting victim (Mia Isaac). Shepherd manages to distill the right now of the internet into this film: cancel culture, clout culture, misinformation, terrorism and school shootings, and to inspect the lingering desire to tear people down online  but for completely different reasons than Hunter Moore and IsAnyoneUp.com. Deutch, Isaac and Dylan OBrien are fantastic in this sharp social satire.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AP)  The Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan says if youre trying to smuggle its prized native dog breed out of the country, youre barking up the wrong tree.

The government is now requiring that its celebrated Alabay dogs receive a passport before they can leave the country.

A law that took effect Tuesday requires that all puppies of the breed, which is also known as the Central Asian shepherd dog, be marked in the governments pedigree book and register of pedigreed dogs. Passports will be issued including data on the dogs sex, date of birth, color, as well as details about the owner. Special government export permission will be required.

Turkmenistan, an isolated desert country of 6 million people, prides itself on its horses and dogs, honoring centuries-old herding traditions. Alabay, traditionally used for guarding livestock herds, are among the worlds largest dogs, weighing as much as 80 kilograms (175 pounds).

In 2020, then-President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov established a holiday honoring the dogs, and last year unveiled a 15-meter (50-foot)-tall golden statue of them in the nations capital, Ashgabat. The Turkmen leader extolled the Alabay for years. He published a book and wrote a song about the breed and presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with an Alabay puppy in 2017.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedovs son, Serdar, who was elected president this year, heads the international association of Alabays.
THURSDAY, July 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- While the herpes virus that causes lip sores is common today, it has been difficult for scientists to find traces of it among ancient remains.

Now, researchers report they have uncovered and sequenced four ancient herpes virus genomes for the first time.

What did they find?

It appears that most herpes cases in ancient times may have been passed vertically, from infected mother to newborn, rather than through kissing, a custom first seen in South Asia that may have later migrated to Europe.

The world has watched COVID-19 mutate at a rapid rate over weeks and months. A virus like herpes evolves on a far grander timescale, explained co-senior study author Dr. Charlotte Houldcroft, from the department of genetics at the University of Cambridge, in England.

Facial herpes hides in its host for life and only transmits through oral contact, so mutations occur slowly over centuries and millennia. We need to do deep time investigations to understand how DNA viruses like this evolve, Houldcroft said in a Cambridge news release. Previously, genetic data for herpes only went back to 1925.

The herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) virus strain, the modern-day facial herpes that infects 3.7 billion people globally, first surfaced about 5,000 years ago, after Bronze Age migrations into Europe from the Steppe grasslands of Eurasia, the researchers said. But herpes has a history going back millions of years and it infects multiple species.

We screened ancient DNA samples from around 3,000 archaeological finds and got just four herpes hits, said co-lead study author Dr. Meriam Guellil, from University of Tartus Institute of Genomics in Estonia.

The researchers extracted viral DNA from the roots of the teeth of the infected individuals. Herpes often flares during mouth infections and these ancient cadavers included two people with gum disease and one who smoked tobacco.

The individuals lived at various times over a thousand-year period. They included an adult male excavated in Russias Ural Mountain region. He lived during the Iron Age, about 1,500 years ago.

Another two samples were found near Cambridge. They were a female from an early Anglo-Saxon cemetery a few miles south of the city, dating from the 6th to the 7th centuries. The other was a young adult male from the late 14th century. He was buried in the grounds of medieval Cambridges charitable hospital and had suffered what researchers called appalling dental abscesses.

The fourth sample was from a young adult male excavated in Holland. They were able to surmise he had been a fervent clay pipe smoker, most likely massacred by a French attack on his village by the banks of the Rhine in 1672.

By comparing ancient DNA with herpes samples from the 20th century, we were able to analyze the differences and estimate a mutation rate and, consequently, a timeline for virus evolution, said co-lead study author Dr. Lucy van Dorp, from University College London's Genetics Institute.

According to co-senior study author Dr. Christiana Scheib, Every primate species has a form of herpes, so we assume it has been with us since our own species left Africa." Scheib is a research fellow at St. Johns College, University of Cambridge, and head of the Ancient DNA lab at University of Tartu.

However, something happened around 5,000 years ago that allowed one strain of herpes to overtake all others, possibly an increase in transmissions, which could have been linked to kissing, Scheib noted.

The World Health Organization estimates that two-thirds of the global population under the age of 50 now carries HSV-1. Though its mainly uncomfortable, it can be dangerous in combination with sepsis or COVID-19.

Only genetic samples that are hundreds or even thousands of years old will allow us to understand how DNA viruses such as herpes and monkeypox, as well as our own immune systems, are adapting in response to each other, Houldcroft said.

The research team hopes to investigate even earlier infections. Neanderthal herpes is my next mountain to climb, Scheib said.

The findings were published July 27 in the journal Science Advances.

More information

The World Health Organization has more on herpes.

SOURCE: University of Cambridge, news release, July 27, 2022

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The nations top public health agency is relaxing its COVID-19 guidelines and dropping the recommendation that Americans quarantine themselves if they come into close contact with an infected person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also said Thursday that people no longer need to stay at least 6 feet away from others. The changes come more than 2 1/2 years after the start of the pandemic. They are driven by a recognition that an estimated 95% of Americans 16 and older have acquired some level of immunity, either from being vaccinated or infected.
THURSDAY, July 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- There are many obstacles to opioid addiction treatment, but a new study shows one that one outgrowth of the COVID pandemic -- telehealth -- is enabling more U.S. veterans to get help.

Researchers examined care given to vets before and after a transition to telehealth visits in early 2020 for treatment of their opioid use disorder. Telehealth for patients receiving the prescription drug buphrenorphine to treat opioid dependence was relatively new in the Veterans Affairs health system before the pandemic, said lead author Dr. Allison Lin.

"The rapid switch to virtual visits for most patients kept people from dropping out of care, and telephone visits [also] played a key role," said Lin, an addiction psychiatrist at the Ann Arbor VA in Michigan and investigator at the VA Center for Clinical Management Research.

In 2020, phone appointments significantly outnumbered video and in-person visits, the study found. Even in early 2021, phone visits made up 50% of monthly visits for vets using buprenorphine; video visits, 32%; and in-person care, 17%.

Compared to March 2019, on a monthly basis there was a 14% increase in number of vets receiving buphrenorphine treatment in February of last year. Over that same period, 6% fewer vets overall received any kind of addiction treatment.

Lin and her colleagues at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and the University of Michigan published their findings July 28 in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

They said this new data on phone, video and in-person treatment could provide important policy insights at a crucial time.

Federal, state and VA policymakers are all debating decisions about the future of telehealth rules adopted during COVID era. Before the pandemic, audio-only visits were typically not allowed and video visits to patients at home were often not reimbursed.

Lin hopes policymakers will weigh the evidence carefully before making final rules.

Having phone access might be particularly crucial for those with opioid use disorders, many of whom lack stable housing, access to a computer or high-speed internet.

"Phone visits may provide flexibility to make it easier to keep people engaged in care over time," Lin said in a university news release. "These are also often some of the sickest patients we care for, who have some of the highest risk for overdose. Keeping these patients in care is a major priority."

Policies that make it as simple as possible for people to continue receiving addiction treatment may have a significant impact on their general outcomes, she said.

More study is needed to understand the preferences and experiences of patients and clinicians, and to assess the effectiveness of care delivered via telehealth, Lin said.

More information

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration has more about telehealth.

SOURCE: University of Michigan/Michigan Medicine, news release, July 28, 2022

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BANGKOK (AP)  A court in military-ruled Myanmar ruled Monday that there is sufficient evidence for the bribery trial of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to continue, a legal official said.

Suu Kyi, who was deposed last year by the military, has been charged with 11 counts of corruption, each punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The cases are one of many pursued by the military against her. If found guilty of all the charges, she could be sentenced to more than 100 years in prison.

Her supporters and human rights groups say it's meant to discredit her and keep her from running in an election that the military has promised in 2023.

A legal official who is familiar with Suu Kyis cases said she was formally indicted Monday on two corruption counts on charges of allegedly receiving $550,000 in bribes in 2019 and 2020 from Maung Weik, a tycoon who previously was convicted of drug trafficking.

State television last year showed a video in which Maung Weik claimed to have given payoffs to government ministers to help his businesses.

Suu Kyis trials are closed to the media and her lawyers were served with gag orders last year, restricting them from releasing information.

The legal official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information, said Suu Kyi pleaded not guilty after the court approved the indictments against her and allowed the trial to continue.

Suu Kyi has already been sentenced to 11 years imprisonment on charges of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions, sedition and another corruption charge.

She is also being tried on a charge of violating the Official Secrets Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years, and an election fraud charge, which carries a maximum sentence of three years.

The legal official said Suu Kyi appeared Monday to be in good health although she seemed sad when she was informed by her lawyers about the executions of four political prisoners before the trial began.

Myanmars military government announced earlier that it had carried out the executions of a former lawmaker from her party, a democracy activist and two men accused of a targeted killing. Suu Kyi did not issue any comments.
JEFFERSON CITY  Three Missouri residents are asking a judge to toss out a new map of the states Senate districts, arguing the new boundaries unconstitutionally dilute the power of Black voters.

Missouri Voters Guide for Tuesday's primary elections The Post-Dispatch and the League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis present this guide to the candidates and races on the Aug. 2 ballot.

The maps, which were produced by a judicial panel in March, split Hazelwood in north St. Louis County and Buchanan County in western Missouri into separate Senate districts. That, the lawsuit says, violates a constitutional requirement to preserve communities.

New constitutional rules recently approved by voters prioritize the requirement that counties and municipalities be kept whole if possible, the lawsuit notes.

The plaintiffs include Clara Faatz of Hazelwood and Jessica Estes of University City. The lawsuit is against Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, whose office oversees state elections.

Ashcroft did not respond to a request for comment.

The map is the work of the Judicial Redistricting Commission as part of the once-per-decade redistricting process that adjusts political boundaries to account for changes in the population.

After months of meetings, a bipartisan panel of citizens was unable to agree on a final version last year, triggering the call for the judicial commission to draw the new lines.

Western District Appeals Court Judge Cynthia L. Martin, who chaired the commission, said the judges worked to divide the population equally, while also creating districts that are contiguous and compact. The panel also considered the racial makeup of the population and current city and county boundaries.

But the lawsuit, which was filed in Cole County by Jefferson City attorney Chuck Hatfield, said the judges work fell short, primarily in what is now the 13th Senate District, encompassing north St. Louis County.

It was and is possible to draw maps that do not split Buchanan County or the City of Hazelwood, the suit says. The Constitution entitles Plaintiffs to districts that preserve communities and protect the voting power of communities of color.

Sen. Brian Williams, D-University City, represents the 14th District, while Sen. Angela Walton Mosley, D-Florissant, represents the 13th district. Williams is running unchallenged in the Aug. 2 primary. Mosley is not up for reelection until 2024.

Hazelwood, located north and west of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, has a population of about 25,000 residents. It is 52% white and 39% African American.

The lawsuit asks the court to throw out the new map and adopt one drawn by the plaintiffs that keeps Hazelwood whole. It wasnt clear Thursday whether Hazelwood would be placed in the 13th or 14th district under the alternative plan.

The Senate currently has 24 Republicans and 10 Democrats.
ST. LOUIS  Floodwater filled Third Degree Glass Factory on Delmar Boulevard with 2 to 3 feet of water on Thursday afternoon, sending glass artwork tumbling, forcing workers to evacuate and canceling the weeks events.

A worker at the site said the deluge wiped out the art studio and event space at 5200 Delmar Boulevard. At one point the water was high enough to bust through a front door, said Brian Kreitner, who does construction work there.

Third Degree said it would be closed until further notice.

The studio was co-founded in 2002 by glass-blowing artist Doug Auer and St. Louis entrepreneur Jim McKelvey, co-founder of San Francisco-based mobile payment company Square. With the help of other glass artists, the two renovated a 1930s-era car dealership into an 8,000-square-foot maker space and glass blowing educational center. It also became a popular destination for weddings and other events.

The water started rushing in around 3 p.m. on Thursday, said events director Jessica Labozzetta, as heavy rains hit the regions central corridor.

Waves of water were rolling down Delmar, said digital marketing specialist Kayla Colwell.

I never understood the meaning of flash flooding, she said later. Now I get what theyre saying.

Hundreds of pieces of glass artwork on plywood pedestals came crashing down, Labozzetta said.

By 3:30, 2 to 3 feet of water had filled the studio, and firefighters told the half-dozen workers still inside to evacuate. Some fled across Delmar; a fire truck picked them up midway.

But, within a couple of hours, water had receded and workers trickled back to the scene.

It wasnt as bad as they first thought, Labozzetta said.

The studio has not yet decided when it can reopen, but she hopes its sooner rather than later.

She said theyd save all the broken glass to turn into something new.
JEFFERSON CITY  Two leading candidates in Missouris U.S. Senate primary on Tuesday have distanced themselves from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the closing days of the race.

Missouri Voters Guide for Tuesday's primary elections The Post-Dispatch and the League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis present this guide to the candidates and races on the Aug. 2 ballot.

Attorney General Eric Schmitt, speaking at an event in Columbia on Wednesday, said Mitch McConnell hasnt endorsed me, and I dont endorse him for leadership, according to KOMU-TV, the NBC affiliate serving Columbia and Jefferson City.

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler followed Schmitts comments with a statement of her own on Thursday: Im not going to support Mitch McConnell for Majority Leader, she said.

Both had declined to take a position in any eventual party leadership race.

Former President Donald Trump has attempted to oust McConnell as party leader and Senate hopefuls in Missouri have been competing for the former presidents endorsement.

Trump and McConnell have feuded over the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol.

The former Republican president has not endorsed in Missouris U.S. Senate primary, but said earlier in July that he wouldnt back Hartzler, following a conversation he said he had with the congresswoman.

Trumps comments also followed remarks by Hartzler that she wasnt sure whether shed back the Kentucky Republican for majority leader.

Well see who runs, but Im not promising my vote to anyone, Hartzler said earlier this month, according to Spectrum News. Im going to support the most conservative one thats going to fight to take the country back.

Recent polls have shown Schmitt gaining in the Senate primary.

Trump has not endorsed former Gov. Eric Greitens, who has blasted McConnell throughout the campaign but who faces a laundry list of personal scandals that could weigh him down in the general election.

We need a true conservative leader who will stand up to Joe Biden and turn things around, Hartzler said in a statement Thursday afternoon. We need someone with backbone to fight against this train wreck.

Hartzler cited recent bipartisan gun legislation McConnell supported in her reasoning for distancing herself from the GOP Senate leader.

The gun legislation supported by Senate leadership had a red flag provision and I do not support that, Hartzler said in a statement. Kowtowing to Chuck Schumer is unacceptable.

Ive been watching Mitch McConnell and he just continues to acquiesce to Senate Democrats, she said. We need courageous conservative leadership. Its time to fight back.

Schmitt said McConnell was out of step with GOP priorities, citing his vote for the bipartisan infrastructure law and his recent vote in favor of gun legislation.

Ive been endorsed by Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Mike Lee, Id love to see one of them run, Schmitt said. Cruz represents Texas; Lee, Utah.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, Schmitt dodged questions on whether he would support McConnell.

I think thats a hypothetical, Schmitt said at the time.
ST. LOUIS  Mayor Tishaura O. Jones on Wednesday endorsed Trudy Busch Valentine, a nurse and an heiress to the Busch beer fortune, for U.S. Senate.

Lets do something different and send a nurse with tenacity and grit to the U.S. Senate, Jones wrote in a tweet. Jones did not immediately respond to a request for further comment Wednesday afternoon.

Valentine is considered a top contender for the Democratic nomination in the race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, a Republican. She led a recent poll conducted on the race with 39% of the vote; her closest competitor was Lucas Kunce, a former Marine, with 35% of the vote.

The primary elections are Tuesday.
JEFFERSON CITY  With the nation teetering on the cusp of a recession, a group that tracks Missouris budget says Republican Gov. Mike Parson should ditch his plans to slash the states income tax rate.

Amy Blouin, director of the St. Louis-based Missouri Budget Project, told the Post-Dispatch Thursday that cutting taxes during a recession could hamper the states ability to provide basic services.

Missouri is currently fortunate to have budget reserves as a result, largely, of federal funding. Permanently cutting state income taxes because of this federal aid is not fiscally sound policy. Coupled with any economic downturn would be devastating for Missouris ability to fully fund our schools, public safety, health care and other critical needs, Blouin said.

Parson, who is in Europe this week, earlier called on lawmakers to return to the capital city in the coming weeks to reduce the states current income tax rate to 4.8%, down from its current 5.4%, saying the states flush coffers offer a chance to reduce the tax burden on Missourians.

Income taxes represent the biggest source of revenue for the state at about $10 billion per year.

Rather than cutting the top rate of the state income tax, Blouin said state lawmakers could look at other options to help low-income Missourians, such as boosting the earned income tax credit.

A spokeswoman for Parson did not respond to a request for comment.

But, a leading Republican budget expert said he remains in favor of the tax cut plan.

Given the massive amount of revenue growth weve had I absolutely do think we can afford to accelerate some reductions in the tax rate, state Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick said during an interview Wednesday on Jefferson Citys KWOS radio.

Fitzpatrick, a Shell Knob businessman, is a former chairman of the House Budget Committee. He is locked in a primary battle with Rep. David Gregory, R-Sunset Hills, for the state auditor job being vacated by Democrat Nicole Galloway.

I think were already in a recession, Fitzpatrick said.

The U.S. Commerce Department reported Thursday that the nations economy shrank from April through June for a second straight quarter, contracting at a 0.9% annual pace and raising fears that the nation may be approaching a recession.

The decline in the gross domestic product followed a 1.6% annual drop from January through March. Consecutive quarters of falling GDP constitute one informal, though not definitive, indicator of a recession.

In Missouri, the state budget continues to outperform expectations.

According to Parsons budget office, net general revenue collections for the fiscal year ending June 30 increased 14.6%, from $11.24 billion last year to $12.88 billion this year.

Income tax revenue increased 11.8% for the year, from $8.92 billion last year to $9.97 billion this year.

Earlier this month, Parson met with GOP leaders in the House and Senate to discuss the parameters of a special session.

In addition to lowering the tax rate, Parson wants to raise the standard deduction to $16,000 for single filers and $32,000 for joint filers.

That would mean a taxpayer who earns $16,000 or less would owe no state income tax. A married couple with a spouse who does not work earning $32,000 or less also would owe no state income tax.

The current standard deduction for single filers is $12,950 and $25,900 for joint filers.

A date for the special session has not been set.
ST. LOUIS  Ellendale resident Debbie Boshans and her family were hard at work Thursday afternoon loading their dry belongings onto a trailer.

Boshans, her husband and their cat had been rescued by firefighters Tuesday morning from their home on Odell Street.

Then the rain came again.

At 3:26 p.m. Thursday, she took a cellphone video showing sheets of rain pouring onto the grass and patio in her backyard. By 3:38 p.m., the ground was covered and Boshans street was filling up.

I cant believe this happened again, Boshans son-in-law, Kyle Mathes, said when the rain stopped. Its a double whammy.

On Thursday, for the second time in three days, the St. Louis region was pounded with torrential rain. In addition to Ellendale, which also got hit hard during Tuesdays record-setting downpour, the citys central corridor and northwest side were drenched as interstates closed, businesses flooded and dozens of people needed rescuing from vehicles.

The storm lasted for only about 2 hours in the city, and dropped about 2 to 4 inches of rain, according to early National Weather Service estimates  shorter and shallower than Tuesdays deluge  but many residents were just beginning to deal with Tuesdays destruction when Thursdays flooding put them back at square one.

In Ellendale, after the rain stopped, a generator set up hours earlier by the city to help residents was soaked and leaking diesel fuel. A port-a-potty was on its side, and cars already ruined by water were swamped for a second time.

The city set up a large command center van, which provides air conditioning, coffee, water and snacks, said city spokesman Nick Desideri. The city has also secured some temporary housing for people at hotels and was working to get more, he said.

But the residents in Ellendale were growing visibly frustrated with the situation Thursday, complaining about frequent flooding in the area and looking for somewhere to place blame.

Boshans said her house has flooded seven times in the years shes lived there, though the highest the water had risen was 18 inches. This week, the water got so high it touched the subfloor. She said she hoped somebody would buy them out and give money for relocation.

We cant live in here, she said.

The second round

Thursdays flooding began around 3 p.m., and city roads quickly took on water and trapped cars, including in the Central West End, Wells-Goodfellow, Kingsway East, and West End neighborhoods. Some parts of St. Louis County and the Metro East were hit, too.

But unlike Tuesdays storm, which hung relentlessly over the region, Thursdays weather system moved to the east with relative speed, said Lydia Jaja, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis.

St. Louis firefighters were called to a flooded day care at a church in the 4700 block of Washington Boulevard, where three adults and 15 children were stuck inside, said Capt. Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department. No injuries were reported.

By 4 p.m., the fire department reported rescues in progress at 16 locations around the city. Most were people trapped in their cars, in rising water.

Several businesses in the Central West End took on water, including Left Bank Books, Third Degree Glass Factory, the sushi restaurant Drunken Fish, and Shake Shack.

Watch now: Third Degree Glass Factory flooded by second round of rain Brian Kreitner, a laborer at Third Degree Glass Factory surveys flood damage after torrential rainfall hit on Thursday, July 28, 2022. Video b

Mosby said emergency responders work was made more difficult by the number of people out driving when the storm hit. Unlike the downpour that began early Tuesday, Thursdays storm started in the middle of the afternoon. And in many cases, people drove around emergency vehicles into areas that had been intentionally blocked off, and then got stuck.

I dont think folks always think about the ripple effect, Mosby said. People have to understand that inconvenience is a part of this.

In other cases, people were forced to abandon their cars, which then blocked emergency responders routes.

At around 4 p.m., 19-year-old Julianna Henschen stood in the middle of Lindell Boulevard near Sarah Street. Her feet and hair soaked, she directed people away from the rising water and helped drivers navigate out of parking spaces that had flooded.

You cant get through this, Henschen told one driver as he inched closer and closer to the water. She motioned for him to turn around.

Henschen, a southern Californian who recently moved to St. Louis, stood next to her red Dodge. At least three cars nearby were trapped, submerged up to the wheel wells.

Ive never seen a flood or anything like that before in my life, she said.

Eastbound Interstate 70 at Union Boulevard and both directions of Highway 40 (Interstate 64) at Hampton Avenue were closed for part of the afternoon. Parts of I-64 reopened just before 5 p.m. By the time the citys flash flood warning expired by 6 p.m., calls for rescues had slowed down, and water had begun receding on most roads.

The region is finally expected to see some relief starting Thursday evening, with a dry forecast through Saturday.

Erin Heffernan of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP)  Abortion bans set to take effect this week in Wyoming and North Dakota were temporarily blocked Wednesday by judges in those states amid lawsuits arguing that the bans violate their state constitutions.

A judge in Wyoming sided with a firebombed womens health clinic and others who argued the ban would harm health care workers and their patients, while a North Dakota judge sided with the states only abortion clinic, Red River Womens Clinic in Fargo.

The Wyoming law was set to take effect Wednesday. The North Dakota law was set to take effect Thursday.

Meanwhile, West Virginia lawmakers moved ahead with a ban amid protests and dozens speaking against the measure.

During hours of debate leading up to the 69-23 vote in the Republican-dominated House of Delegates in West Virginia, the sound of screams and chants from protesters standing outside the chamber rang through the room.

Face us, the crowd yelled.

The latest court action in North Dakota and Wyoming put them among several states including Kentucky, Louisiana and Utah where judges have temporarily blocked implementation of trigger laws while lawsuits play out.

Attorneys arguing before Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens, in Jackson, Wyoming, disagreed over whether the state constitution provided a right to abortion that would nullify the state's abortion trigger law that took effect Wednesday.

Owens proved most sympathetic, though, with arguments that the ban left pregnant patients with dangerous complications and their doctors in a difficult position as they balanced serious medical risks against the possibility of prosecution.

That is a possible irreparable injury to the plaintiffs. They are left with no guidance, Owens said.

Several states including Wyoming recently passed abortion trigger bans should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, which happened June 24. The U.S. Supreme Court formally issued its judgment Tuesday.

After a more than three-week review, Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, last week gave the go-ahead for the Wyoming abortion ban he signed into law in March to take effect Wednesday but it is instead on hold after the ruling.

The Wyoming law would outlaw abortions except in cases of rape or incest or to protect the mothers life or health, not including psychological conditions. Doctors and others who provide illegal abortions under Wyomings new law could get up to 14 years in prison.

The four Wyoming women and two nonprofits that sued Monday to contest the new law claim it violates several rights guaranteed by the state constitution. Wyoming Special Assistant Attorney General Jay Jerde was skeptical, saying the state constitution neither explicitly nor implicitly allowed abortion.

No such right exists. You can't infringe what isnt there, Jerde told Owens.

The lawsuit claims the abortion ban will harm the women  two obstetricians, a pregnant nurse and a University of Wyoming law student  by outlawing potentially life-saving treatment options for their patients or themselves.

Those suing include a nonprofit opening a Casper womens and LGBTQ health clinic, Wellspring Health Access, that would have offered abortions. A May arson attack has set back the clinics opening from mid-June until at least the end of this year.

In North Dakota, Burleigh County District Judge Bruce Romanick sided with the states only abortion clinic that the state had moved fast to let the law take effect. The clinic had argued that a 30-day clock should not have started until the U.S. Supreme Court issued its certified judgment on Tuesday.

The ruling will give the Red River clinic more time to relocate a few miles away to Moorhead, Minnesota, where abortion remains legal. North Dakotas law would make abortion illegal in the state except in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother.

Meetra Mehdizadeh, attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is helping the clinic with the suit, said the plaintiffs will do everything in our power to fight this ban and keep abortion accessible in North Dakota for as long as possible.

In West Virginia, meanwhile, lawmakers on Wednesday debated a sweeping abortion ban bill on the House floor that would make providing the procedure a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill makes exceptions for rape or incest up to 14 weeks of gestation and for certain medical complications.

Whats ringing in my ears is not the noise of the people here, said one of the bills supporters, Republican Del. Brandon Steele of Raleigh County. Its the cries of the unborn, tens of thousands of unborn children that are dead today.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said a 19th century law banned abortion in the state. Last week, a state judge barred the state from enforcing that ban, saying it was superseded by conflicting, newer laws.

Hundreds of people descended on the state Capitol for the debate. Many stood outside the House chamber and Speaker Roger Hanshaws office chanting and holding signs reading we will not go quietly and stop stealing our health care. Security officers escorted some from the House chambers.

Dozens spoke against the bill on the House floor including Katie Quinonez, executive director of the Women's Health Center of West Virginia, who was cut off and asked to step down as she started to talk about the abortion she got when she was 17.

I chose life, she said, raising her voice to speak over the interruption. I chose my life, because my life is sacred.

Associated Press reporter Dave Kolpack contributed to this report from Fargo, North Dakota. Willingham reported from Charleston, West Virginia. Follow Mead Gruver on Twitter at https://twitter.com/meadgruver.
WASHINGTON (AP)  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi launched her political career being tough on China -- a new congresswoman who dared to unfurl a pro-democracy banner in Beijing's Tiananmen Square during a 1991 visit with other U.S. lawmakers shortly after the student massacre.

More than 30 years later, her interest in traveling to Taiwan presents a powerful diplomatic capstone. It has also contributed to tensions at the highest levels in Washington and Beijing among officials who worry a trip could prove provocative.

As the U.S. balances its high-stakes relations with China, whether Pelosi will lead a delegation trip to Taiwan remains unknown. But what is certain is that Pelosi's decision will be a defining foreign policy and human rights moment for the U.S. and its highest-ranking lawmaker with a long tenure leading the House.

This is part of who the speaker is, said Samuel Chu, president of The Campaign for Hong Kong, a Washington-based advocacy organization.

This is not a one-time, one-off publicity stunt, said Chu, whose father was among those who met with Pelosi and the U.S. lawmakers three decades ago in Hong Kong. Thirty years later, she's still connected.

Pelosi declined to disclose Wednesday any update on her plans for Taiwan, reiterating that she does not discuss travel plans, as is the norm, for security reasons. The top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, confirmed that he was invited to be a part of Pelosi's bipartisan delegation but is unable to join, though his office said he believes the speaker and other Americans should be able to visit Taiwan.

The Biden administration has declined to publicly weigh in on the rumored visit, though the military is making plans to bolster its security forces in the region to protect her potential travel against any reaction from China. While U.S. officials say they have little fear that Beijing would attack Pelosi's plane, they are aware that a mishap, misstep or misunderstanding could endanger her safety.

It all comes as President Joe Biden is set to speak Thursday with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for the first time in four months, and the potential Pelosi trip is looming over the conversation.

"Theres always issues of security," said John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, declining Wednesday to talk directly about the speaker's potential travel.

Not since Republican Newt Gingrich led a delegation to Taiwan 25 years ago has a U.S. House speaker, third in line to the presidency, visited the self-ruling region, which China claims as part of its own and has threatened to forcibly annex in a move the West would view unfavorably.

More than just a visit overseas, Pelosi's trip would signify a foreign policy thru-line to her long career in Congress as she has increasingly pointed the speaker's gavel outward expanding her job description to include the role of U.S. emissary abroad.

Particularly during the Trump administration, when the former president challenged America's commitments to its allies, and now alongside Biden, the Democrat Pelosi has presented herself as a world leader on the global stage  visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Pope Francis at the Vatican, and heads of state around the world.

She absolutely has to go, Gingrich told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday about Pelosi's potential trip.

She has always had a very tough position going back to Tiananmen Square. And this is one of those places where she and I actually sort of agreed, Gingrich said. I think for Nancy to back down would be an enormous blow to Taiwan, and it would be a very dangerous signal, trying to appease the Chinese Communists.

Pelosi has indicated the value she sees in her potential visit leading a delegation of lawmakers from the U.S.

"Its important for us to show support for Taiwan, Pelosi told reporters at her news conference last week.

"None of us has ever said we're for independence, when it comes to Taiwan. That's up to Taiwan to decide.

Pelosi was newly elected to Congress when the tanks rolled in to Tiananmen Square in 1989 against the pro-democracy student protests.

Two years later she joined more veteran lawmakers on the trip when they were briefly detained by police after unfurling the pro-democracy banner that read To those who died for democracy in China, trailed by news cameras.

We've been told for two days now that there's freedom of speech in China, she said in one video clip at the time.

The trip had a deep and abiding impact on Pelosi and became foundational to her style of leadership, Chu said.

Pelosi advocated for human rights in China by working against Beijing in 1993 as it eyed hosting the summer Olympics and she opposed its bid for the 2008 games. Pelosi sought over the years to link China's trade status with its human rights record, working to ensure China's entry to the World Trade Organization come with oversight.

Pelosi has often made physical gestures challenging China, including in 2009 when she hand-delivered a letter to then-President Hu Jintao calling for the release of political prisoners.

China is a very important country, she said upon her return days later recognizing the 20th anniversary of Tiananmen Square in a speech in Congress, and outlining the significance of the country's relationship in every way to the U.S.

"But the size of the economy, the size of the country, and the size of the relationship doesnt mean that we shouldnt speak out, Pelosi said. I have said that if we dont speak out about our concerns regarding human rights in China and Tibet, then we lose all moral authority to discuss it about any other country in the world.

In Congress, lawmakers of both parties have rallied around Pelosi's potential visit to Taiwan, viewing the delegation's trip as an important diplomatic mission as well as an expression of a co-equal branch of the U.S. government.

I understand all the sensitivities in the world, here's the one stark fact: If we allow the Chinese to basically tell us who can and cannot visit Taiwan, then Taiwan will be isolated," said Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We cant let the Chinese do that. Now, shell have to judge whether or not it makes the best sense at this time.

Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report.
Regarding the editorial Goldschmidt and Arenado embrace quackery in decision not to get vaccinated (July 26): In her role as a certified registered nurse practitioner at a public hospital, my wife has cared for coronavirus patients for two years. She wears an N-95 mask, a surgical mask and a face shield for the entirety of her 12-hour shift. Many of these patients have died on her shift. She says its beyond heartbreaking not be able to save them.

By contrast, Paul Goldschmidt of the Cardinals said, Over the last year-plus, Ive tried to talk to as many doctors and many medical professionals as I could and figured out as much as I could. That means either hes getting getting unsubstantiated, dishonest medical advice, or he is ignoring proper medical advice that the vaccine is safe.

The question for Goldschmidt is: Did medical professionals actually cause him to doubt the vaccines safety or effectiveness? If thats true, those medical professionals should be just as ashamed as Goldschmidt himself.

Phillip Tutor  Anniston, Alabama
If you could jump into a painting and walk around in it, what painting would you choose? Where would you go in the painting? The sun-splashed Riviera or foggy London? A forest filled with animals? A field of sunflowers or a haunting desert landscape?

Good museum conversation starters for adults as well as kids. Also a good way to engage kids when visiting an art museum, suggests Lindsay Genshaft, the senior manager of family and community programs at the Denver Art Museum, one of the most kid-friendly Ive visited.

Maybe its a rainy day on vacation, maybe youre home and the kids are whining that they are bored, maybe everyone has had too much sun. Maybe you have a child who is the best artist in his class, or the worst.

Whether you are art lovers or not, there is no better time to take the kids to an art museum as many are more kid-friendly than ever. That might turn a young art-hater into an aficionado.

You just have to plan your visit. Look online for special family tours and activities. Encourage the kids to peruse the museum website to see what exhibits might interest them  paintings, sculpture, Medieval armor, jewelry.

The august Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has #metkids with online and social media content developed by kids for kids. The Smithsonian, which includes the Getty Museum in LA, has a special free multimedia Getty Guide family tour and Art Detective Cards for kids to solve a mystery while exploring the museum. The Art Institute Chicago invites visitors to create their own museum journey with works from the museums extensive collections. Ready to fly through galleries like a superhero?

Of course you will find special family activities and programs at smaller art museums as well. Check out the Eric Carle Museum in Massachusetts with the original artwork your kids will recognize from his many books. Kids are invited to create their own art in the Everyday Art Project. The Heard Museum in Phoenix, which celebrates Native American culture and art, has a variety of hands-on activities and festivals, encouraging kids to build understanding.

(A tip: If you cant find a section on the museum website for families, search for what is offered for educators and students. Many of the activities and suggestions for school groups can be easily adapted for families.

At the Denver Art Museum, now reopened after a $175 million renovation, families are front and center in everything the museum does. Not only are kids and teens (up to 18) free but just about every gallery has a hands-on childrens activity and special exhibits have a kids audio guide, crafted with the help of the museums Youth Advisory Group. I really enjoyed seeing the special Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature at the Denver Art Museum, for example, told from the viewpoint of a little water lily.

With the help of her team and the Youth Advisory Group, Genshaft is working on the audio story for the fall special exhibit. Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools, which showcases 300 years of Flemish masterpieces.

Genshaft noted that the kids will help create the audio story.

I get so much from the kids, she said, as she showed us around the new Martin Building, recently opened as part of the museums large expansion.

Family Central offers drop-in activities. Kids can act out stories in costumes based on the museum exhibits, build sculptures, and create their own artworks to fit in a miniature museum. They can learn about the design process in the design studio and create their own button. Sometimes there is a long line, the activity is so popular, Genshaft said.

They can meet the native artist-in-residence and contribute to a project about Denver; design a box after seeing the beautiful Korean lacquer boxes. Customize details of a jacket in the Thread Studio or create jewelry designs in the Western Studio.

What is so unique here is that the family programs arent an afterthought, Genshaft said. We get to claim a spot in the gallery from the time an exhibit is designed.

Genshaft noted that art helps kids with early literacy and developing critical-thinking skills. It helps them develop empathy. When you ignore kids, she said, You are ignoring a massive population.

It would be interesting which image kids might want to jump in here  or if they have a favorite, another good question to ask. If they could choose an artwork theyve seen to take home, what would it be?

Perhaps the larger-than-life Mud Woman Rolls On by Roxanne Swentzell which shows a Native American female figure holding her four children, in the style of Pueblo Storytellers who pass knowledge down through the generations.

Genshaft noted that there are treasures inside the sculpture, including rocks and feathers that had meaning to the artist. New Art Venture tablets eventually will allow kids to see inside Mud Woman, and other interactive activities enabling them to gain more insight. Technology enhances their experience and makes them see things they wouldnt otherwise see, she explained.

Meanwhile, if you havent been to an art museum in a while, you may be surprised at what you will find to engage the kidsand yourselfas art museums work hard to welcome all visitors no matter how young. After all, they are the future of art museums, says Genshaft.

Have a discussion with the kids about art, she urged. There is nothing better.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February the Ukrainians have had special teams investigating sites where Russian guided missiles landed, seeking fragments of the guidance system to determine which components were imported from the West. Russia has found they could not mass-produce many Western electronic items and that it was cheaper and easier to import them from the West (which includes South Korea, Japan and sometimes even Taiwan). The 2022 economic sanctions imposed on Russia halted export of electronic components used in missiles and guided rockets.

It was noted that many Russian manufacturers did not stockpile these components but used the more efficient and less expensive just in time system that had needed components delivered days before they would be needed for production items. The Russian economy could not afford to maintain stockpiles of these expensive components, something that became evident after 2014, when the first and milder round of economic sanctions were imposed on Russia. After 2014 Russia had to halt production of some systems because they could no longer get key components from foreign suppliers. The 2022 sanctions took note of this and immediately halted shipment of a wide range of electronic components to Russia. As expected, a lot of Russian manufacturing operations soon halted. Russia sought to smuggle in key components via China but that did not solve the problem. This use of China as a middleman for high-tech smuggling was a known problem and China was warned that they would be added to the sanctions list if they assisted the Russians. Evidence of such smuggling could be detected via examination of the missile fragments.

Russia was more successful smuggling its oil but found it could earn more money via smuggled oil than it could spend to buy smuggled electronic components. Oil is a bulk item that is much easier to smuggle than electronic components that have identifying notations, often serial numbers, on them. Smuggling such items is much riskier and rather rare, especially on short notice. Russian ally Iran has lots of experience with this problem and over the decades developed many techniques to get around it. As the Iranian techniques became known they were added to the watch list. This makes it more difficult and expensive to smuggle such components.

Russia believed the Ukraine invasion would succeed quickly and be over within weeks. That was a major miscalculation because months of sustained combat have depleted Russian stockpiles of guided missiles and rockets as well as unguided artillery shells. That may seem odd but post-Soviet Russia could not afford to maintain manufacturing facilities capable of producing large quantities of ordinary artillery shells and unguided rockets. That was not going to be a problem if the Ukraine invasion was over quickly. It wasnt and now the Russians have less artillery ammo to fire at the Ukrainians. This got worse when Ukraine finally began receiving American GMLRS (guided rockets) in late June. The Russians lost lots of shells when these GMLRS rockets hit Russian ammo storage sites within range. Forced to establish new ammo storage sites farther away from the front line, the Russian also discovered that they did not have enough additional trucks to transport the shells to artillery units near the fighting.

This disruption of Russian ammo supplies was immediately noticeable on the front lines where there was much less artillery fire from the Russians and fewer attacks by Russian ground troops. Those attacks were dependent on heavy artillery support to disrupt Ukrainian defenses. Russian troops either refused to attack without artillery support or did so with so much hesitation that little was achieved. The Ukrainians could attack more frequently and with more success because of the reduced Russian ammo situation. The Ukrainians are to receive longer range guided rockets that will force Russia to store ammo even further away from the front line. In some cases, this means all ammo will have to be trucked from Russia to artillery units. Meanwhile Ukrainian troops receive more trucks, weapons and ammunition from NATO nations that can outproduce the Russians.

Ukrainian military intelligence and planners realized these Russian vulnerabilities long before the Russians did. After the 2014 Russian seizure of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine (Donbas) the Ukrainians had to operate more effectively to defeat a larger scale Russian attack. Ukrainian intel and staff officers did the math while their Russian counterparts did not. There were some Russian production and manufacturing specialists who noted the danger but their warnings were ignored by senior Russian leaders who were more inclined to gamble than plan.

It wasnt always like this. For example, Russia invented the use of unguided rockets in the MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket Systems) in the 1930s, but they were late to adopt the use of guided rockets in MLRS systems. The United States finally adopted MLRS in 1983, using an unguided 227mm rocket. That changed twenty years later when the U.S. added GPS navigation to the unguided MLRS rocket to produce GMLRS (Guided MLRS) rockets.

Russia saw some innovations in the original American MLRS and incorporated these into their BM-30 MLRS system that entered service in 1989 using 300mm unguided rockets. It took the Russians a decade to duplicate the American GMLRS and the Russian version was seen operating in Syria by 2016. Russia had problems producing their GMLRS and associated (in the MLRS vehicle) electronics. By 2017 a reliable GMLRS system (Tornado-S) was in mass production and many of the guided missiles'' used by Russian forces in Ukraine have been Tornado-S. Russia was unable to find a solution to its dependence on key foreign components to turn unguided rockets into much more effective GMLRS missiles.

Ukrainian military planners now predict that Russian forces will be weakened sufficiently by the end of August that Ukrainian forces will be able to go on the offensive on a wide scale. Russia never expected that and all they can respond with is threats of using nuclear weapons. That is a very unpopular option inside Russia, where most Russians have done the nuclear math and it is very unfavorable for Russia.
Economic disruptions created by the current Russian invasion of Ukraine has accelerated the decline of Roscosmos, the Russian government organization controlling all space program activities, as a major competitor in the SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle) business of building and successfully launching satellites. Roscosmos did not keep up with new developments in SLV tech and has been in decline since its creation in 2015. Meanwhile the SLV future arrived unexpectedly in the form of SpaceX, a new firm that required no guaranteed government contracts or any government subsidies and did what previous government subsidized firms did but faster and cheaper. This was demonstrated during the first half of 2022, when the partially reusable Falcon 9 SLV launched 26 times, its total for all of 2020. The last three launches were carried out within 36 hours at the end of June. SpaceX carried out six more launches in July, exceeding the 31 achieved in 2021. One of the June launches involved a Falcon 9 booster that had been used 13 times. By June Falcon 9s had been launched 160 times since its introduction in 2012. The innovation was that Falcon 9 booster rockets land under their own power and are refurbished for reuse.

In Russia the situation is less positive. The Russian Space agency Roscosmos became a state monopoly in 2015 when it absorbed the few remaining space program entities it did not already control. Roscosmos was not helped when Russia threatened to cease all cooperation on supporting the ISS (International Space Station), but quietly suggested that a deal was possible if adjustments were made to the economic sanctions recently inflicted on Russia because of its current Ukraine invasion. Russian threats have accelerated efforts by American and European firms to build supply and crew capsules to replace the Soyuz capsules. SpaceX has already developed a cargo capsule that has been in regular use since 2010 and its crew capsule was recently approved for regular use.

Roscosmos has long provided regular deliveries of supplies and transport of crew to and from the ISS. Russia uses its Soyuz SLV to put the Russian cargo and passenger capsules into orbit where they maneuver to and dock at the ISS. Russia and the United States are the major suppliers of new components to the ISS and use their own SLVs to get these components into orbit.

Despite the tension between Russia and the other nations responsible for operating the ISS, Russia is trying to maintain its duties up there. The latest (March 18) Soyuz crew capsule to arrive at the ISS carried three Russians, all wearing yellow and blue (the colors of the Ukrainian flag) flight suits. Russia insisted this had nothing to do with the Ukraine fighting. These three Russians will serve on the ISS for about 30 weeks as part of the seven people who operate the ISS. Most Roscosmos personnel support continued participation in maintaining the ISS until its retirement in 2030. That is not going to happen as Russia recently announced they would end support for and participation in the ISS program by 2024.

Some Roscosmos personnel also oppose the invasion of Ukraine but expressing that openly is now a felony in Russia and thousands of Russians have been arrested for demonstrating their opposition. The Russian ISS crew members went with their governments explanation that the colors of the flight suits were a coincidence.

Despite the professionalism and dedication of many Roscosmos personnel, key officials continue to cause problems with mismanagements and corruption. This causes problems with the contracts it already has. For example, in 2018 a Soyuz rocket failed as it was attempting to take two men (a Russian and an American) to the ISS. The two passengers survived because of the emergency recovery system that is part of the manned rocket. The failed Soyuz rocket was another example of the continued management and quality control problems in the Russian space program. Previously there had only been two failures of a Soyuz manned capsule, in 1975 and 1983. The 1983 failure involved a rocket catching fire on the launch pad and the crew rescue system saved the passengers, as was the case during the 2018 failure. As in the past, the Russians recovered and carried out a successful launch to deliver three people to the ISS.

Roscosmos has been burdened with corruption and mismanagement since its creation and has had six directors since 2015, with the latest one taking office recently (mid-July).

There have been over 1,900 launches of a Soyuz SLV since 1966 and the success rate has been 98 percent. The failures include inability to reach the correct orbit. The Soyuz FG SLV, used to carry passengers, has been used 65 times since entering service in 2001 and all were successful until the 2018 failure. The Soyuz FG is a more advanced and, until the recent failure, more reliable version of the Soyuz SLV design. There have been some recent problems with the Soyuz models used to launch satellites. Russia insisted that Soyuz FG was different but the personnel and management problems in the Russian space program could not be completely avoided.

Cheaper and more reliable Chinese SLVs are taking business away from Roscosmos. Russia lacks the cash to compete with the much more affluent China. There is also the entrepreneurial approach that China and the U.S. share. This is why China is working on an SLV design that can duplicate SpaceX innovations. Russia prefers not to risk scarce funds on duplicating SpaceX tech. Economic sanctions imposed after the Ukraine invasion have caused layoffs and pay cuts for Roscosmos staff. Construction of SLVs and satellites is hampered by the sanctions, which halted the import of key components, especially electronic items. The Russian government has warned Roscosmos that this situation will probably last at least two more years, meaning that Roscosmos will incur annual losses instead of a small profit.

Over the last few years 2020 SpaceX has been gradually eroding the Roscosmos monopoly on taking crews and cargo to the ISS. This became more urgent since a Soyuz passenger capsule that reached the ISS in 2018 was later found to have a tiny leak, which was apparently created during manufacture and not detected by quality control. The growing number of manufacturing defects in Russian spaceflight equipment is compounded by the growing failure to catch and repair defects. The problems with two Soyuz passenger capsules in 2018 were not just rare events but part of a trend that has gotten worse. The Soyuz SLV and crew capsule problems also reinforced the belief that more than one nation must be able to get people to and from the ISS.

The SpaceX Dragon passenger capsule had its first test flight in 2019. Boeing also had a manned capsule design (Starliner) but it is more expensive than Dragon, which has already been replaced by Dragon 2, which can be used to carry cargo or up to seven passengers. That means the Soyuz monopoly as a crew transport to ISS ended in 2022 when Dragon 2 began regular trips to the ISS with passengers. Dragon 2 costs a third less than Soyuz per passenger going to the ISS.

Russians have looked on with growing dismay as their space program, once a close competitor with the Americans, slips into bankruptcy and insignificance. But the Russians were already falling way behind when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and since then the government has, with increasing frustration, sought to revive Russian space efforts and restore that program to its former fame and glory. The latest major move towards that goal occurred at the end of 2015 when Russia abolished its government federal space agency and transferred all the assets and responsibilities to the newly created Roscosmos. Over the next two years, it became obvious that the problems remained, seemingly beyond solution. To make that failure obvious, by the end of 2017 Russia had fallen to third place, behind the Americans and Chinese in space efforts. This was not a surprise because over the last decade Russian space efforts have struggled to meet military space needs, often at the expense of the more profitable civilian market.

Russia recently made it illegal to publish details of Roscosmos problems without government permission. The ban included the Internet, where the bad news can still be found despite its disappearance from state- controlled media. The latest bad news involves the extent to which the new economic sanctions will prevent Roscosmos from freely importing foreign technology and the declining role Roscosmos plays in supplying SLV services.
Certification Covers Design, Manufacturing and Other Activities

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2022 / Electrovaya Inc. ("Electrovaya" or the "Company") (TSX:EFL)(OTCQB: EFLVF), a lithium-ion battery technology and manufacturing company, is pleased to announce that it has earned ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management system.

The scope of Electrovaya's certification includes the design, manufacturing, supply and repair of lithium-ion battery products.

"Achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification is a key milestone for Electrovaya, providing important third-party validation of our emphasis on quality processes," said Dr. Raj DasGupta, CEO. "Our lithium-ion batteries are designed and built to the highest quality standards and to meet the needs of some of the most demanding applications. This certification is a confirmation of our ongoing commitment to reliability, quality assurance and safety."

For more information, please contact:

Investor and Media Contact:

Jason Roy

Electrovaya Inc.

Telephone: 905-855-4618

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.electrovaya.com

About ISO 9001:2015

ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized quality management standard developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The certification provides a model for companies of all types and sizes to use in building an effective quality management system. The standard is based on several quality management principles, including having a strong customer focus, involvement of high-level company management, an outlined process-based approach, and ongoing improvement of the aforementioned approach.

About Electrovaya Inc.

Electrovaya Inc. (TSX:EFL) (OTCQB: EFLVF) is a pioneering leader in the global energy transformation, focused on contributing to the prevention of climate change by supplying safe and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries without compromising energy and power. Electrovaya is a technology-focused company with extensive IP, designs, develops, and manufactures proprietary lithium-ion batteries, battery systems, and battery-related products for energy storage, clean electric transportation, and other specialized applications. To learn more about how Electrovaya is powering mobility and energy storage, please explore www.electrovaya.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the deployment of the Company's products by the Company's customers and the timing for delivery thereof, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "likely", "possible", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "objective" and "continue" (or the negative thereof) and words and expressions of similar import. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors and assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Statements with respect to the purchase and deployment of the Company's products by the Company's customers and users, and the timing for delivery thereof, and levels of expected sales and expected further purchases and demand growth are based on an assumption that the Company's customers and users will deploy its products in accordance with communicated intentions, that the Company will be able to deliver the ordered products on a basis consistent with past deliveries, and the anticipation of the Company delivering batteries in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 certification procedures and the Company's ongoing commitment to reliability, quality assurance and safety are all based on assumptions by the company and its end users. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include but are not limited to macroeconomic effects on the Company and its business and on the Company's customers, economic conditions generally and their effect on consumer demand, labor shortages, supply chain constraints, the potential effect of COVID restrictions in Canada and internationally on the Company's ability to produce and deliver products, and on its customers' and end users' demand for and use of products, which effects are not predictable and may be affected by additional regional outbreaks and variants, and other factors which may cause disruptions in the Company's supply chain and Company's capability to deliver the products. Additional information about material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations and about material factors or assumptions applied in making forward-looking statements may be found in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended September 30, 2021 under "Risk Factors", and in the Company's most recent annual Management's Discussion and Analysis under "Qualitative And Quantitative Disclosures about Risk and Uncertainties" as well as in other public disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Electrovaya, Inc.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Fineqia and Silver Bullet Mines on 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.

Fineqia (CSE:FNQ) welcomes Cheryl Kong as new CFO

Fineqia International (FNQ) has appointed Cheryl Kong as its new Chief Financial Officer. Kong will lead the financial strategy of the company and will help amplify Fineqia's mission with her extensive skills. CFO designate Cheryl Kong sat down with Daniella Atkinson to discuss the opportunity.

For the full interview with Cheryl Kong and to learn more about Fineqia, click here

Silver Bullet Mines (TSXV:SBMI) reports "spectacular" assay results from its Buckeye Mine

Silver Bullet Mines Corp. (SBMI) has announced spectacular assay results from its Buckeye Mine in Arizona. A grab sample taken from behind the Treasure Chest at its Buckeye Mine resulted in two beads. One bead graded 2,214.4 oz/t silver and the other 2,363.8 oz/t silver. VP Capital Markets and Director Peter Clausi sat down with Daniella Atkinson to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Peter Clausi and to learn more about Silver Bullet Mines, 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

Charity Robertson

[email protected]

themarketherald.ca

SOURCE: The Market Herald

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Jack Ma, the co-founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA), is ready to cede control of Ant Group, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

The fintech giant is looking to reduce its dependency on Jack Ma as it works with the government to overhaul its business. The Chinese government targeted Jack Ma in a bid to reduce his influence on the countrys booming tech sector.

Ant hopes that by reducing the influence of Ma it will be able to finally go public. The company was supposed to be valued at over $300 billion had it gone public earlier.

Jack Mas absence from Ant Group should not affect operations but it could expedite IPO plans, according to Bloomberg Intelligences Analyst Catherine Lim.

Ma currently controls 50.52% of Ants shares, although he doesnt have an executive role or sit on the board. The report notes that one of the options discussed is Ma transferring some of his voting power to other Ant officials including Chief Executive Eric Jing.

This can help realise the value of Alibabas 30-plus holding in Ant, Lim added.

Mas desire to lower the grip on Ant Group wont surprise many people as he was reportedly contemplating such actions for years.

The company has already informed regulators about Mas intentions while it works to become a financial holding company. Regulators have given their blessing, the report added.

Ant Group is yet to receive an official green light from the Peoples Bank of China to become a financial holding company.

By Senad Karaahmetovic
MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a+ (Excellent) and the Mexico National Scale Rating of aaa.MX (Exceptional) of Atradius Seguros de Credito, S.A. (Atradius Mexico) (Mexico City, Mexico). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings of Atradius Mexico reflect its status as a member of the Atradius group, which on a consolidated basis has a balance sheet strength that AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The ratings reflect Atradius Mexicos strategic importance to the overall Atradius group, given its leading position within Mexicos credit insurance segment, its importance as a gateway to Latin Americas insurance markets, good financial flexibility derived from its strong capitalization, supportive reinsurance provided by the group, and its seasoned management team. These positive rating factors are offset partially by volatility in the companys net income due to the intrinsic volatility in the credit insurance market.

The company benefits from its integration within the Atradius group, which allows it to leverage operations on the same practices and procedures, reinsurance, draft facilities and underwriting selection. In addition, its ERM practices show a high level of integration to Atradius N.V.

Atradius Mexico offers credit insurance in its domestic market and was ranked as Mexicos largest credit insurer as of 2021. The three largest participants in this line of business hold more than 90% of the market share.

Even though the companys bottom line was pressured historically by an unrealized capital loss and material claims pre-pandemic, Atradius Mexicos financial performance has been enhanced significantly since 2020, driven by fine-tuning of underwriting and collection practices. The companys continued profitability was reflected in a combined ratio of 64.5% and a return on equity of 12.9% as of year-end 2021, comparing favorably with its peers in Mexicos credit insurance industry. AM Best expects Atradius Mexicos profitability to continue and rely mainly on the companys sound underwriting and expense control practices, as well as the high amount of commissions received by reinsurance that translate into negative acquisition costs and its consistent financial product, which leverages on the companys long position in U.S. dollars.

Atradius Mexicos risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) on a consolidated basis, was maintained at the strongest level, and as a result, the company maintains significant financial flexibility. Furthermore, AM Best expects the company to sustain its risk-adjusted capitalization level. Atradius Mexicos reinsurance program is placed with Atradius Reinsurance Designated Activity Company, further demonstrating the support received by the group.

If there are positive rating actions taken on the main operating subsidiaries of Atradius N.V., as a result of a change in the key rating fundamentals of Atradius N.V.s parent company, Grupo Catalana Occidente S.A., Atradius Mexicos ratings likely would move in tandem. Likewise, if there are negative rating actions taken on the Atradius group, as a result of a sustained decline in operating performance or a sustained and material deterioration in Atradius N.V.s consolidated risk-adjusted capitalization, Atradius Mexicos ratings would mirror those same rating actions.

A change in AM Bests perception regarding the actual or perceived level of strategic importance of Atradius Mexico to the Atradius group of companies also could impact the companys ratings.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2022 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/20220728005787/en/

Salvador Smith

Senior Financial Analyst

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 109

[email protected]

Eli Sanchez

Associate Director, Analytics

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 107

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

[email protected]

Jeff Mango

Managing Director,

Strategy & Communications

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5204

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
AUSTIN, Texas & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Babylon (NYSE: BBLN) today announced it will host its third Ask The CEO webcast featuring Dr. Ali Parsa, the Founder and CEO of Babylon, on August 11 at 1:00 pm EST (10:00 am PST), following the announcement of its second quarter 2022 financial results on August 9.

The Ask the CEO series, which kicked off on May 26, features sit-down fireside chats with Dr. Parsa to answer questions from the investor community. Dr. Parsa will often be accompanied by other key company executives and stakeholders.

To attend the event, please go to the Events page of the Investors section of the Companys website. A link to the live video webcast will also be available on this page, and a replay of the webcast will be available the day following the events. If you would like to submit a question for Dr. Parsa, please send it via email to [email protected] either in advance or during the call. For more information, please visit https://ir.babylonhealth.com/.

About Babylon

Babylon is one of the worlds fastest growing digital healthcare companies whose mission is to make high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable for every person on Earth.

Babylon is re-engineering how people engage with their care at every step of the healthcare continuum. By flipping the model from reactive sick care to proactive healthcare through the devices people already own, it offers millions of people globally ongoing, always-on care. Babylon has already shown that in environments as diverse as the developed UK or developing Rwanda, urban New York or rural Missouri, for people of all ages, it is possible to achieve its mission by leveraging its highly scalable, digital-first platform combined with high quality, virtual clinical operations to provide integrated, personalized healthcare.

Founded in 2013, Babylons technology and clinical services is supporting a global patient network across 15 countries, and is capable of operating in 16 languages. And through a combination of its value-based care model, Babylon 360, and its work in primary care through NHS GP at Hand, Babylon managed over 440k lives globally from the start of 2022. In 2021 alone, Babylon helped a patient every 6 seconds, with approximately 5.2 million consultations and AI interactions. Importantly, this was achieved with a 93% user retention rate in our NHS GP at Hand service and 4 or 5 star ratings from more than 90% of our users across all of our geographies.

Babylon is also working with governments, health providers, employers and insurers across the globe to provide them with a new infrastructure that any partner can use to deliver high-quality healthcare with lower costs and better outcomes. For more information, please visit www.babylonhealth.com.

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Media

[email protected]

Investors

[email protected]

Source: Babylon
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BAE Systems plc (LSE:BA.):

Half-yearly Report 2022

Results in brief

Financial performance measures as defined by the Group1 Financial performance measures derived from IFRS2 Six months ended

30 June 2022 Six months

ended

30 June

2021 Year

ended

31 December 2021 Six months ended

30 June

2022 Six months

ended

30 June

2021 Year

ended

31 December 2021 Sales 10,581m 10,035m 21,310m Revenue 9,739m 9,339m 19,521m Underlying EBIT 1,112m 1,028m 2,205m Operating profit 1,028m 1,303m 2,389m Underlying earnings per share Basic earnings per share 19.6p 31.3p 55.2p excluding one-off tax benefit (2021 only)3 24.5p 21.9p 47.8p including one-off tax benefit (2021 only)3 24.5p 24.8p 50.7p Net cash flow from operating activities 493m 623m 2,447m Free cash flow 123m 461m 1,864m Net debt (excluding lease liabilities) (3,135)m (2,745)m (2,160)m Order book 42.5bn 35.5bn 35.5bn Order intake 17,985m 10,582m 21,458m Dividend per share 10.4p4 9.9p4 25.1p Order backlog 52.7bn 44.6bn 44.0bn Groups share of the net post-employment benefits surplus/(deficit) 0.9bn (2.4)bn (2.1)bn

Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, said: Trading in the first half has been in line with expectations delivering strong order intake and good operational performance.

Our diverse portfolio, together with our focus on programme execution, cash generation and efficiencies are helping us navigate the current macroeconomic challenges and position us well for sustained top line and margin growth in the coming years. We see further opportunities to enhance the medium- and longterm outlook as our customers commit to increased defence spending to address the elevated threat environment.

The positive outcome of the UK pension triennial review, along with our performance and confidence in the outlook enable us to maintain our guidance, continue to invest in our business and progress our ESG agenda whilst increasing returns to our shareholders.

Good operational performance, execution on our strategy and confidence in the outlook enables us today to announce a 5% increase in the interim dividend as well as initiating a new, three-year share buyback programme for up to 1.5bn.

Guidance for 2022

The Groups full year 2022 guidance across all metrics is unchanged from that provided at the Preliminary announcement on 24 February 2022, which was provided on the basis of an exchange rate of $1.38:1 for the year.

Sales +2% to +4% (2021: 21,310m) Underlying EBIT +4% to +6% (2021: 2,205m) Underlying EPS3 +4% to +6% (2021: 47.8p) 2022 Free Cash Flow (FCF) >1bn Cumulative FCF 2022-2024 >4bn

Should the current dollar rate persist, this will be a tailwind to earnings with sensitivity to EPS being around 1 pence for every 5 cent movement.

The guidance is based on the measures used to monitor the underlying financial performance of the Group. Reconciliations from these measures to the financial performance measures derived from International Financial Reporting Standards for the six months ended 30 June 2022 are provided in the Group financial review on pages 12 to 18.

Financial highlights

Financial performance measures as defined by the Group1

Sales increased by 2.8% on a constant currency basis5 to 10.6bn.

Underlying EBIT of 1,112m increased by 4.4% on a constant currency basis5.

Underlying earnings per share increased by 11.9% to 24.5p3, excluding the impact in 2021 of the one-off tax benefit. The Groups underlying effective tax rate for the first half of the year was 19%.

Free cash inflow of 123m (2021 461m inflow, including 250m receipt in respect of the Filton and Broughton site disposals).

Net debt (excluding lease liabilities) at 3,135m (2,160m at 31 December 2021).

Order backlog of 52.7bn (44.0bn at 31 December 2021).

Financial performance measures derived from IFRS2

Revenue increased by 4.3% to 9.7bn.

Operating profit decreased by 21.1% to 1,028m.

Basic earnings per share decreased to 19.6p (2021 31.3p).

Net cash inflow from operating activities of 493m (2021 623m inflow).

Order book of 42.5bn (35.5bn at 31 December 2021).

Dividend

The directors have declared an interim dividend of 10.4p per share in respect of the half year ended 30 June 2022. This dividend will be payable on 30 November 2022. The directors have also approved a new share buyback programme of up to 1.5bn over the next three years, which will commence immediately.

Post-employment benefits

The Groups share of the accounting net post-employment benefits obligations has improved by 3.0bn moving from a deficit as of 31 December 2021 of 2.1bn to a surplus of 0.9bn, which is presented after deducting withholding tax which would be levied prior to the future refunding of any surplus.

1. We monitor the underlying financial performance of the Group using alternative performance measures. These measures are not defined in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and, therefore, are considered to be non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) measures. Accordingly, the relevant IFRS measures are also presented where appropriate. For alternative performance measure definitions see glossary on page 9. 2. International Financial Reporting Standards. 3. A one-off tax benefit of 94m was recognised in 2021, in respect of agreements reached regarding the exposure arising from the April 2019 European Commission decision regarding the UKs Controlled Foreign Company regime. Growth rate disclosed excludes the impact of the 2021 one-off tax benefit. 4. Interim dividends declared (see note 7). 5. Current period compared with prior period translated at current period exchange rates.

Operational and strategic key points

Ukraine

Closely engaged with our global customers to provide on-going support wherever requested.

Delivering on programme specific mission critical requirements of our customers.

COVID-19

Kept an agile and flexible business response to the ever-evolving situation.

Focus remained on employee safety and well-being whilst maintaining delivery on our customer commitments.

Group Portfolio actions

UK Triennial pension review completed.

Acquisition of Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) completed in March.

Agreement signed in July for the sale of BAE Systems financial crime detection business from Cyber & Intelligence, with completion expected in the next few months.

Reflecting the changes in operational reporting lines effective from the beginning of the year, the BAE Systems Australia business has moved from being reported in the Air segment to the Maritime segment. Additionally, the Group has established a new Digital Intelligence business, bringing together the non-US digital and data capabilities to further strengthen how we deliver these services and capabilities to our customers. Digital Intelligence is reported within the Cyber & Intelligence segment.

Electronic Systems

Cumulatively, over 1,100 electronic warfare systems have been delivered on the F-35 programme.

Deliveries continue of next-generation EW Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System to support upgrade of US Air Force F-15 platform and testing on F-15E and F-15EX test aircraft.

Awarded $176m (145m) for Airborne High Frequency Radio Modernization programme.

Selected to design, test and supply energy management components for GE Aviations megawatt class hybrid electric propulsion system supporting NASAs Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration project.

Platforms & Services

M109A7 programme is consistently delivering at full rate production levels and received a $299m (246m) contract.

Deliveries of all five variants of Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles to the US Army continue.

Amphibious Combat Vehicle deliveries to US Marine Corps continue, with design and development under way for new mission variants.

Bradley vehicle upgrade work continues on contracts for 459 vehicles.

BAE Systems Hagglunds is ramping to perform on multiple contracts for CV90 and BvS10.

CV90 wins Slovakias competitive evaluation for its Infantry Fighting Vehicle programme.

US Ship Repair profitability was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but continues to recover.

Air

Production on F-35 is at full rate levels. 74 rear fuselage assemblies have been completed in the period.

The Qatar Typhoon and Hawk programme is progressing well. The first Typhoon deliveries will commence in the second half of 2022.

Work continues on the Typhoon programme and the production programme has been extended further following the award in June of 20 further aircraft for Spain.

The future electronically scanned European Common Radar Solution continues in line with the Typhoon plan.

The sector continues to work closely with industry partners and the UK government to continue to fulfil contractual support arrangements in Saudi Arabia.

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme continues as anticipated with the initial Concept & Assessment Phase contract underway across national and international partners.

Saudi British Defence Co-operation Programme five-year renewal support funding agreed.

Maritime

2.5bn of further contract funding awarded as part of Delivery Phase 3 for the Dreadnought programme.

New Submarine Build Capability contract maintains BAE Systems' role as the lead for the design and build of nuclear submarines within the UK submarine enterprise.

The Submersible Ship Nuclear Replacement (SSNR) programme has moved into its Functional Design phase.

Ongoing support to the Royal Navys Portsmouth-based flotilla and the operation of HM Naval Base Portsmouth under the UK Ministry of Defences Future Maritime Support Programme, including support to the UKs two aircraft carriers.

The Hunter Class Frigate programme in Australia continues to make strong progress through the prototyping phase.

HMAS Toowoomba, the fifth ANZAC Class frigate to move through the ANZAC Mid Life Capability Assurance Programme (AMCAP) was returned to the Australian Navy following successful completion of the dry production phase of AMCAP.

Mobilisation of the Challenger 3 and Mechanised Infantry Vehicle contracts secured by the RBSL joint venture is advancing well.

Transition to the Next Generation Munitions Supply Solution (NGMS) contract is ongoing.

Cyber & Intelligence

Intelligence & Security

Strong operational performance and integration of Bohemia Interactive Simulations progressing well.

Awarded an 18-year contract to continue supporting the sustainment of U.S intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Won a $699m (575m), five-year contract for operations, maintenance, and management services for the US Armys Defense Supercomputing Resource Center.

Digital Intelligence

Ongoing integration and transformation of the newly-formed business.

Increasing underlying profitability supported by strong programme execution, productivity and cost base optimisation.

Continued integration and growth of the acquired In-Space Missions business, a UK-based satellite and satellite systems company, to accelerate our space capabilities.

HQ

Repayment of 400m bond in June from existing resources.

For further information please contact:

Analyst and investor presentation

A presentation, for analysts and investors, of the Groups first half results for 2022 will be available via WebEx at 11.00am BST today (28 July 2022).

Details can be found on investors.baesystems.com, together with presentation slides and a pdf copy of this report. A recording of the WebEx will be available for replay later in the day.

About BAE Systems

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the worlds most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of 91,400 people1 in over 40 countries. We help our customers to stay a step ahead when protecting people and national security, critical infrastructure and vital information. We also work closely with local partners to support economic development through the transfer of knowledge, skills and technology.

Including share of equity accounted investments.

For more information about this news release, please visit:

baesystems.com/results

For associated materials, please visit:

https://baesys.resourcespace.com/?c=12989&k=c9bf8bfa10

Ref: 105/2022

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005786/en/

Kristina Anderson, BAE Systems

M: +44 (0) 7540 628673

E: [email protected]

Beth Neilson, BAE Systems

M: +44 (0) 7787 669236

E: [email protected]

Issued by:

BAE Systems plc

Media hotline: +44 (0) 7801 717739

www.baesystems.com

@BAESystemsplc

Source: BAE Systems plc
MOSCOW--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- We welcome the statements of the European Council emphasising that no restrictive measures should be imposed on Russian fertilizers or foodstuffs. It is significant that the EU has officially affirmed its commitment to avoiding any steps that might undermine global food security.

Our country plays a key role in providing the world with food. Russia is, by a wide margin, the second-largest producer of fertilizers in the world (after China) and has become a key exporter of fertilizers globally. Last year, 29% of all fertilizers imported by Europe were produced in Russia.

Sanctions imposed by a number of countries, including the EU, are having a serious negative impact on the supply of fertilizers to world markets.

This is reflected, in particular, in the refusal of transport companies to provide vessels for the transportation of cargo of Russian origin (even if the cargo itself and/or the cargo owners are not under sanctions), in the refusal to provide insurance for transportation from Russia, in restrictions on vessel calls at Russian ports, and in difficulties with financial clearing for transactions due to time-consuming banking compliance procedures.

These artificially created barriers are destroying established logistics schemes and supply chains used to deliver fertilizers to end consumers, and are therefore further escalating the food crisis.

In this regard, we hope that an EU directive/resolution/authorisation or other document will be issued in the near future that will guarantee banks, insurance companies, shipping companies, and suppliers of technologies and equipment for the mineral fertilizer industry in the EU and third countries that their relations with Russian fertilizer producers will not be looked at through the prism of sanctions legislation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005669/en/

Media:

Maria Zhmurko

+7 (495) 735-42-28

Source: Russian Fertilizer Producers Association
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cutter Law PC announces that the international medical device company, Biotronik, Inc., has agreed to pay more than $12.95 million to the United States and various States to resolve claims that Biotronik unlawfully paid kickbacks to physicians. The case, U.S. ex rel. Bell et al. v. Biotronik, Inc. et al., case no. 18-cv-01391, was brought by two former Biotronik employees and whistleblowers who are clients of Cutter Law PC. Biotronik will pay the settlement funds to the United States and the Medicaid programs of various States, and will pay the California Department of Insurance $855,000 for false claims made to private insurers in California under a separate agreement.

This settlement represents an outstanding result for the government and for my clients, and proof that the False Claims Act is an essential tool for keeping companies like Biotronik in check and for fighting and punishing corporate fraud in healthcare, said attorney John R. Parker, Jr., who has served as lead counsel for the whistleblower relators while this case has been pending for more than four years.

In 2017, Mr. Parkers clients, who at the time both worked for Biotronik, disclosed to the United States that they believed Biotronik was improperly paying kickbacks to physicians implanting Biotronik devices in order to encourage them to implant Biotroniks cardiac rhythm management products and to discourage them from prescribing Biotroniks competitors products. Biotronik deliberately provided substantial monetary and non-monetary compensation to some of its most important implanting physicians.

Thereafter, in March 2018, Cutter Law PC filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on behalf of these whistleblowers under the federal False Claims Act and the false claims acts of several States. The federal False Claims Act and several state statutes allow persons to file qui tam claims on behalf of federal or state governments when they have knowledge of schemes to defraud them.

One of the primary schemes alleged by the relators was that Biotronik paid $400 per procedure to implanting physicians to train Biotronik employees in the operating room. But these employees who were trained would be trained up to 100 times; essentially, these Biotronik employees only job was to be in the room during a procedure so that an implanting physician would receive an extra $400 every time the physician implanted a Biotronik device. With implanting physicians performing as many or 10 or more implants a day, Biotronik was assured that the physicians it was paying would remain loyal implanting physicians.

The United States filed its notice to intervene in the case in 2021 after a lengthy and detailed investigation into Biotronik and its practices that confirmed the whistleblowers allegations. A settlement has subsequently been negotiated to resolve the claims of the United States and several states in exchange for a $12.95 million payment by Biotronik. The California Department of Insurance will receive a separate payment of $855,000.

As a result of the announced settlement, the whistleblowers will receive a $2.6 million share of the federal and state portion of the recovery and half of the California Department of Insurances recovery. Biotronik will also be paying $500,000 in statutory attorneys fees and costs and a total of $750,000 to resolve the relators individual employment claims. The whistleblowers were represented in the False Claims Act suit by John R. Parker, Jr. and his partner Brooks Cutter, founding member of Cutter Law PC. Cutter Law PC is a complex civil litigation firm in Sacramento and the Bay Area. Mr. Parker and Mr. Cutter specialize in representing qui tam whistleblowers, as well as other claimants in cases of individuals who have been injured by the wrongdoing of insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, manufacturers, multinational corporations, and employers.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005903/en/

John R. Parker, Jr.

Cutter Law PC

(916) 290-9402

[email protected]

Source: Cutter Law PC
HANOI, Vietnam--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: #FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) today officially cut the ribbon on its new Vietnam office, formalizing its relationship and reinforcing its commitment to one of the fastest growing markets in Southeast Asia. The new office is based in Hanois Ba Dinh District, the nations political center, alongside government offices and embassies.

With Vietnam targeting to achieve carbon emission neutrality by 2050, the French software developer  best known for its 3DEXPERIENCE platform  brings a firm sustainability commitment in line with its official market entry.

Samson Khaou, Executive Vice President, Asia Pacific, Dassault Systemes said: Sustainability is at the heart of Dassault Systemes Corporate Purpose. It is completely aligned with Vietnams commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the COP26 summit (2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference). The local presence that we are establishing here is an opportunity to support the countrys efforts to be a green manufacturing hub and facilitate the export of made-in-Vietnam products.

We have a long established track record in Vietnam, said Josephine Ong, Managing Director for Asia Pacific South, Dassault Systemes. This has seen us collaborate closely with some of the most prestigious universities nationwide, and develop a solid network of partners and resellers. We also have a growing base of customers across Vietnams key growth sectors looking to deploy our 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Through Dassault Systemes 3DEXPERIENCE platform, global leaders and innovators across 11 industries have been empowered to improve their product development, quality management and regulatory compliance. By connecting people, ideas and data in a single collaborative platform, customers are able to virtually design, simulate and test innovative products and services before they are produced and launched in the real world.

In Vietnam, we are working with the countrys largest private conglomerate, Vingroup, to support their digital transformation, namely for their VinFast and Vinhomes businesses, Ong added. We are active in the EV (electric vehicles) space globally and see this as a sector in which our 3DEXPERIENCE platform is ideally suited to optimize manufacturing processes and help propel the industry forward in Vietnam.

The company also has its sights set on Vietnams emerging smart-city developments, with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang announcing the deployment of smart technologies in sectors ranging from traffic management to health and education in the coming decade.

The Covid-19 pandemic serves as a clear demonstration of the need for public services to break silos, and act swiftly and decisively during times of crisis. By leveraging our collaborative 3DEXPERIENCE platform with virtual twin technologies, decision makers will be better equipped to plan for unforeseen crises, as well as the impact of new urban projects here in Vietnam, said Ong.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220726005630/en/

Dassault Systemes Press

Minming CHEN

[email protected]

+65 90221874

Source: Dassault Systemes
BRAMPTON, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- DATA Communications Management Corp. (TSX: DCM; OTCQX: DCMDF) (DCM or the "Company"), a leading provider of marketing and business communication solutions to companies across North America, today announced that it plans to issue its financial results for the second quarter of 2022 the evening of August 9, 2022.

The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 9.00 a.m. Eastern time. Richard Kellam, President and CEO of DCM, and James Lorimer, CFO, will present the second quarter 2022 results followed by a live Q&A period.

Instructions on how to access both the webcast and call are available below. For those unable to join live, a replay of the webcast will be available on the DCM Investor Relations page.

DCM will be using Microsoft Teams to broadcast our earnings call, which will be accessible via the options below:

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+1 647-749-9154, 914477492# Canada, Toronto

Phone Conference ID: 914 477 492#

The Companys full results will be posted on its Investor Relations page and on www.sedar.com. A video message from Richard Kellam, DCMs President and CEO, will also be posted on the Companys website.

About Data Communications Management Corp.

DCM is a marketing and business communications partner that helps companies simplify the complex ways they communicate and operate, so they can accomplish more with fewer steps and less effort. For over 60 years, DCM has been serving major brands in vertical markets including financial services, retail, healthcare, energy, other regulated industries, and the public sector. We integrate seamlessly into our clients businesses thanks to our deep understanding of their needs, transformative tech-enabled solutions, and end-to-end service offering. Whether were running technology platforms, sending marketing messages, or managing print pieces, our goal is to make every interaction with us surprisingly simple.

Additional information relating to DATA Communications Management Corp. is available on www.datacm.com, and in the disclosure documents filed by DATA Communications Management Corp. on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005648/en/

For further information, please contact:



Mr. Richard Kellam

President & Chief Executive Officer

DATA Communications Management Corp.

(905) 791-3151

Mr. James E. Lorimer

Chief Financial Officer

DATA Communications Management Corp.

(905) 791-3151

[email protected]

Source: DATA Communications Management Corp.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO ANY JURISDICTION INTO WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO EXCHANGE, PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES. THE TENDER OFFER DISCUSSED BELOW IS BEING MADE SOLELY PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE (AS DEFINED BELOW).

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (XETRA: DBKGn.DE / NYSE: DB) (Deutsche Bank) announced today an offer to purchase up to $1,000,000,000 of aggregate principal amount (subject to increase, the Tender Cap) of the 3.035% Eligible Liabilities Senior Notes due 2033, 2.311% Eligible Liabilities Senior Notes due 2027, 2.552% Eligible Liabilities Senior Notes due 2028, and its 2.129% Eligible Liabilities Senior Notes due 2026 (the Notes) for cash (the Tender Offer) at a purchase price determined in accordance with the procedures as described in the related Offer to Purchase also dated today (the Offer to Purchase).

The Offer to Purchase can be accessed at the following link: https://gbsc-usa.com/registration/db.

The purpose of this Tender Offer is to proactively manage Deutsche Banks debt maturity profile and to provide liquidity to current bond holders. The table below summarizes certain information regarding the Notes and the Tender Offer, including the order of priority and purchase price information for the Notes.

Acceptance Priority Level(1) Title of Notes CUSIP Number / ISIN Principal Amount Outstanding (millions) Par Call Date Maturity Date US Treasury Reference

Security (Reference Security) Bloomberg

Reference

Page Fixed Spread (bps)(2)(3) 1 3.035% Eligible Liabilities Senior Notes

due 2032 251526CK3 / US251526CK32 $1,500 28 May 2031 28 May 2032 2.875% U.S. Treasury Notes due 15 May 2032 PX1 295 2 2.552% Eligible Liabilities Senior Notes

due 2028 25160PAH0 / US25160PAH01 $1,750 7 January 2027 7 January 2028 2.750% U.S. Treasury Notes due 31 July 2027 PX1 295 3 2.311% Eligible Liabilities Senior Notes

due 2027 251526CP2 / US251526CP29 $1,800 16 November 2026 16 November 2027 2.750% U.S. Treasury Notes due 31 July 2027 PX1 290 4 2.129% Eligible Liabilities Senior Notes due 2026 251526CE7 / US251526CE71 $2,000 24 November 2025 24 November 2026 3.000% U.S. Treasury Notes due 15 July 2025 PX1 260

Deutsche Bank will purchase up to the Tender Cap of its Notes, subject to the Acceptance Priority Level as set forth in the table above (each, an Acceptance Priority Level). Deutsche Bank reserves the right, but is under no obligation, to increase the Tender Cap at any time, including at or after 10:00 a.m, New York City time, on 11 August 2022 (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the Price Determination Time), subject to applicable law. Calculated at the Price Determination Time and assumes an Early Settlement Date (as defined below) of 15 August 2022. The Full Tender Offer Consideration (as defined below) for Notes validly tendered prior to or at the Early Tender Time and accepted for purchase is calculated using the applicable Fixed Spread (as defined below) and is inclusive of the Early Tender Payment, which is equal to $30 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Time and accepted for purchase by Deutsche Bank (the Early Tender Payment). The Full Tender Offer Consideration will be determined by taking into account the par call date for each series of Notes.

The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase.

Holders must validly tender and not properly withdraw their Notes at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on 10 August 2022, unless extended by Deutsche Bank (such date and time with respect to the Tender Offer, as the same may be extended, the Early Tender Time), in order to be eligible to receive the Full Tender Offer Consideration, which includes the Early Tender Payment. Holders that validly tender their Notes after the Early Tender Time and at or prior to the Tender Expiration Time will not be eligible to receive the Early Tender Payment and will only be eligible to receive the Late Tender Offer Consideration. The price determination time for the Tender Offer will be 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on 11 August 2022, unless extended by Deutsche Bank. In each case, Holders that validly tender Notes that are accepted for purchase by Deutsche Bank will receive accrued and unpaid interest from, and including, the last interest payment date to, but not including, the Settlement Date (defined below), in each case rounded to the nearest cent. Notes validly tendered may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on 10 August 2022, unless extended by Deutsche Bank, but not thereafter.

All Notes tendered prior to or at the Early Tender Time will be accepted based on the Acceptance Priority Levels noted above, with 1 being the highest Acceptance Priority Level and 4 being the lowest Acceptance Priority Level. Acceptance of Notes is also subject to proration if the validly tendered principal amount exceeds the Tender Cap. See Acceptance Priority Levels and Proration in the Offer to Purchase for more details. Further, if the Tender Cap is exceeded by the Early Tender Time, Deutsche Bank will not accept for purchase any Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time.

The Tender Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on 24 August 2022, unless extended or earlier terminated by Deutsche Bank (such date and time with respect to the Tender Offer, as the same may be extended or earlier terminated, the Tender Expiration Time). Following the Early Tender Time and prior to the Tender Expiration Time, Deutsche Bank may, but is not obligated to, with respect to the Tender Offer, elect to accept the Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Time, provided that all conditions to the Tender Offer have been satisfied or waived by Deutsche Bank, and settle such Notes at such time or promptly thereafter (such date of settlement with respect to the Tender Offer, the Early Settlement Date). The Early Settlement Date is expected to be 15 August 2022. The Final Settlement Date with respect to the Tender Offer is the date that Deutsche Bank settles all Notes not previously settled on the Early Settlement Date, if any, and Deutsche Bank expects such date to be two business days following the Tender Expiration Time. The Final Settlement Date is expected to be 26 August 2022. Deutsche Bank refers to each of the Early Settlement Date and the Final Settlement Date as a Settlement Date. Each Settlement Date is subject to change without notice.

Capitalized terms used in this release and not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase.

Deutsche Banks affiliate, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., is serving as Dealer Manager in connection with the Tender Offer. For additional information regarding the terms of the Tender Offer, please contact: Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. at (866) 627-0391 (toll-free) or (212) 250-2955 (collect). Requests for the Offer to Purchase may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation, which is acting as the Tender Agent and Information Agent for the Tender Offer, at (212) 430-3774 or (855) 654-2015 (toll-free) or [email protected]. The Offer to Purchase can also be accessed at the following link: https://gbsc-usa.com/registration/db.

DISCLAIMERS

THIS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO PURCHASE NOTES. THE OFFER is BEING MADE SOLELY PURSUANT TO THE offer to purchase, WHICH SET FORTH THE COMPLETE TERMS OF THE OFFER THAT HOLDERS OF THE NOTES SHOULD CAREFULLY READ PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISION.

None of Deutsche Bank AG, the Information Agent, the tender agent or the Dealer Manager has expressed any opinion as to whether the terms of the Tender Offer are fair. None of Deutsche Bank AG, the Information Agent, the tender agent or the Dealer Manager makes any recommendation that holders tender their notes or refrain from doing so pursuant to the tender offer, and no one has been authorized by any of them to make any such recommendation. Any holder of notes should make its own assessment of the merits and risks of tendering its notes pursuant to the Tender Offer and should seek its own advice (including in respect of any tax consequences) from its stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent financial or legal adviser.

RESTRICTIONS

THE OFFER to purchase DOes NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO PURCHASE NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH, OR TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO OR FROM WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS. IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH securities, BLUE SKY OR OTHER LAWS REQUIRE THE OFFER TO BE MADE BY A LICENSED BROKER OR DEALER, THE OFFER WILL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE ON BEHALF OF THE deutsche bank BY the DEALER MANAGER, IF THE DEALER MANAGER is a LICENSED BROKER OR a DEALER UNDER THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION, OR BY ONE OR MORE REGISTERED BROKERS OR DEALERS THAT ARE LICENSED UNDER THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

This release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they include statements about our beliefs and expectations and the assumptions underlying them. These statements are based on plans, estimates and projections as they are currently available to the management of Deutsche Bank. Forward-looking statements therefore speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could therefore cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include the conditions in the financial markets in Germany, in Europe, in the United States and elsewhere from which we derive a substantial portion of our revenues and in which we hold a substantial portion of our assets, the development of asset prices and market volatility, potential defaults of borrowers or trading counterparties, the implementation of our strategic initiatives, the reliability of our risk management policies, procedures and methods, and other risks referenced in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such factors are described in detail in our SEC Form 20-F of 11 March 2022 under the heading Risk Factors. Copies of this document are readily available upon request or can be downloaded from www.db.com/ir.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728006024/en/

Deutsche Bank:

Investor Relations

+49 800 910-8000

[email protected]

Media Relations

Jon Laycock

Mobile: +447919103884

[email protected]

Source: Deutsche Bank AG
 FY22 AFFO per certificate guidance increased by Ps. 0.10 to Ps. 2.60-2.65

 AFFO per certificate growth of 2.3% QoQ and 10.6% YoY

 Record high occupancy of 97.1% for industrial portfolio and 96.2% for consolidated portfolio

 In progress industrial growth capex pipeline increases to approximately 1.5 million sqft of GLA

MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FIBRA Macquarie Mexico (FIBRAMQ) (BMV: FIBRAMQ) announced its financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

2022 Guidance Updates

FY22 AFFO per certificate guidance increased to Ps. 2.60  Ps. 2.65, up Ps. 0.10

FY22 distribution per certificate guidance of Ps. 2.00 reaffirmed

SECOND QUARTER 2022 HIGHLIGHTS

AFFO per certificate Ps. 0.6707, up 10.6% YoY

Consolidated occupancy at record 96.2%, up 185 bps YoY and up 14 bps sequentially

Industrial occupancy at record 97.1%, up 216 bps YoY and up 6 bps sequentially

Cash distribution of Ps. 0.5000 per certificate authorized, resulting in a 74.5% AFFO payout

Strategic acquisition of a 55 ha land parcel in Ciudad Juarez, for a long-term industrial development potential of 10 buildings comprising 2.5 million sqft of GLA

We delivered another strong quarter, with a 10.6% increase in AFFO per certificate, and an improved outlook for the full year, said Simon Hanna, FIBRA Macquaries chief executive officer. Industrial market conditions continue to be favorable even as global macroeconomic uncertainty increases, with low vacancy rates and strong demand from accelerating nearshoring trends due to supply chain realignments and increasing transportation costs, along with ecommerce-driven logistics needs. The lack of available quality inventory is resulting in strong lease renewal spreads and deliver compelling new development projects. At our retail centers, as economic activity in Mexico returns to normal, foot traffic has continued to rebound, retail occupancy increased by 60 basis points sequentially, and discounts to tenants have continued their downward trend.

Mr. Hanna continued, While benefiting from a lower LTV and a well-positioned balance sheet, we have advanced our industrial growth capex plans. The in-progress growth capex projects for delivery in the coming quarters has increased by approximately 0.5 million square feet to approximately 1.5 million square feet of GLA. This increase includes build-to-suit expansions, development, and stabilized acquisitions, and is expected to provide FIBRA Macquarie enhanced ability to sustainably increase earnings and total returns on a per certificate basis.

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

Consolidated Portfolio

FIBRAMQs consolidated results were as follows:

TOTAL PORTFOLIO 2Q22 2Q21 Variance 1H22 1H21 Variance Net Operating Income (NOI) Ps. 919.1m Ps. 879.4m 4.5% Ps. 1,848.7m Ps. 1,749.9m 5.6% EBITDA Ps. 851.8m Ps. 811.6m 5.0% Ps. 1,713.7m Ps. 1,618.5m 5.9% Funds From Operations (FFO) Ps. 619.3m Ps. 577.5m 7.2% Ps. 1,243.8m Ps. 1,145.0m 8.6% FFO per certificate 0.8135 0.7583 7.3% 1.6338 1.5034 8.7% Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO) Ps. 510.6m Ps. 462.0m 10.5% Ps. 1,009.8m Ps. 888.4m 13.7% AFFO per certificate Ps. 0.6707 Ps. 0.6066 10.6% Ps. 1.3265 Ps. 1.1666 13.7% NOI Margin 87.7% 87.9% (22 bps) 87.9% 87.7% 22 bps AFFO Margin 48.7% 46.2% 254 bps 48.0% 44.5% 350 bps GLA (000s sqft) EOP 34,514 34,533 (0.1%) 34,514 34,533 (0.1%) GLA (000s sqm) EOP 3,206 3,208 (0.1%) 3,206 3,208 (0.1%) Occupancy EOP 96.2% 94.4% 185 bps 96.2% 94.4% 185 bps Average Occupancy 96.2% 94.1% 211 bps 95.8% 93.8% 200 bps

Industrial Portfolio

The following table summarizes the results for FIBRAMQs industrial portfolio:

INDUSTRIAL PORTFOLIO 2Q22 2Q21 Variance 1H22 1H21 Variance Net Operating Income (NOI) Ps. 809.8m Ps. 782.9m 3.4% Ps. 1,631.6m Ps. 1,554.8m 4.9% NOI Margin 91.0% 91.2% (17 bps) 91.4% 91.4% (3 bps) GLA (000s sqft) EOP 29,931 29,952 (0.1%) 29,931 29,952 (0.1%) GLA (000s sqm) EOP 2,781 2,783 (0.1%) 2,781 2,783 (0.1%) Occupancy EOP 97.1% 95.0% 216 bps 97.1% 95.0% 216 bps Average Occupancy 97.1% 94.6% 251 bps 96.7% 94.3% 244 bps Average monthly rent per leased (US$/sqm) EOP $5.34 $5.12 4.4% $5.34 $5.12 4.4% Customer retention LTM 83.2% 76.5% 671 bps 83.2% 76.5% 671 bps Weighted Avg Lease Term Remaining (years) EOP 3.3 3.3 (1.1%) 3.3 3.3 (1.1%)

FIBRAMQs industrial portfolio performance remains robust, with solid increases in occupancy and rental rates. For the quarter ended June 30, 2022, FIBRAMQs industrial portfolio delivered NOI of Ps. 809.8 million, a 3.4% increase year over year. This result was driven by record quarterly lease revenues of US$42.5 million, up 7.2% in USD terms YoY.

At quarter-end, occupancy was a record 97.1%, up 216 basis points on an annual basis, and up 6 basis points sequentially. New leasing activity comprised 150 thousand sqft of GLA, with four new customers across three northern markets, each denominated in US Dollars. New leases featured a US domiciled Tier 1 EV supplier, two logistics providers and a contract manufacturer of consumer durables. Renewal leases comprised 12 leases and 1.1 million sqft, driving a healthy retention rate of 83.2% over the last 12 months. Moveouts were an exceptionally low at 88 thousand sqft of GLA.

Cash collections continue to be strong, and through June 30, 97.0% of scheduled 2Q22 rental income has been collected. Total cash collections for the quarter totaled Ps. 996.0 million, up 6.2% YoY.

As of June 30, 2022, trade receivables net of provisions were Ps. 15.2 million (excl. VAT), lower by 26.3% over the prior corresponding period, reflecting solid cash collections along with prudent provisioning.

Retail Portfolio

The following table summarizes the proportionally combined results for FIBRAMQs retail portfolio:

RETAIL PORTFOLIO 2Q22 2Q21 Variance 1H22 2H21 Variance Net Operating Income (NOI) Ps. 109.3m Ps. 96.5m 13.3% Ps. 217.0m Ps. 195.1m 11.3% NOI Margin 68.7% 67.7% 94 bps 68.5% 66.4% 213 bps GLA (000s sqft) EOP 4,583 4,580 0.1% 4,583 4,580 0.1% GLA (000s sqm) EOP 426 426 0.1% 426 426 0.1% Occupancy EOP 90.4% 90.6% (15 bps) 90.4% 90.6% (15 bps) Average Occupancy 90.2% 90.6% (44 bps) 90.0% 90.9% (89 bps) Average monthly rent per leased (Ps./sqm) EOP $161.54 $153.92 4.9% $161.54 $153.92 4.9% Customer retention LTM 80.5% 62.9% 1,758 bps 80.5% 62.9% 1,758 bps Weighted Avg Lease Term Remaining (years) EOP 3.2 3.4 (6.7%) 3.2 3.4 (6.7%)

FIBRAMQs retail portfolio benefited from improving trading conditions. Of note, average occupancy increased sequentially for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, up 66bps from the end of the first quarter, and up 41bps from the prior year average to 90.2% and closing occupancy of 90.4%.

NOI was higher by 13.3% year over year. Excluding the impact of IFRS non-cash straight line rent amortization, NOI was higher by 20.6% year over year.

Quarterly rent discounts of Ps. 0.1 million were lower sequentially and declined for the fifth consecutive quarter to the lowest level since the start of the pandemic. COVID-related rent discounts were down sequentially by 95.8%, and down 99.0% versus the prior corresponding period.

Retail portfolio cash collections during the quarter totaled Ps. 167.1 million, an increase of 19.6% versus the prior corresponding period and the highest quarterly cash collection since the onset of the pandemic.

During the second quarter, foot traffic at FIBRAMQs shopping centers was approximately 29% above the prior comparable period, and approximately 25% below pre-pandemic levels.

Lease renewal activity was strong for the quarter. FIBRAMQ signed 55 leases encompassing 13.8 thousand sqm of retail space during the second quarter of 2022. Leasing highlights included the renewal of an office space in Magnocentro, a new gym lease for Smart Fit in Multiplaza Cancun, and a new lease for MG auto dealership in Coacalco Power Center. The Retail portfolio also benefited from exceptionally low move out activity of 646 square meters during the quarter.

As of June 30, 2022, trade receivables net of provisions were Ps. 9.0 million (excl. VAT), lower 12.7% over the prior corresponding period.

Same Store Portfolio Results

For detail on FIBRAMQs industrial and retail same store portfolio results, please refer to Second Quarter 2022 Supplementary Information materials located at BMV Filings (fibramacquarie.com).

Lease Rental Rate Summary

Rental rates in the industrial portfolio increased by 13.4% for leases that renewed during the quarter, consistent with renewal spreads achieved in the first quarter of 2022. 58.7% of leases for FIBRAMQs consolidated portfolio are directly linked to either Mexican or US CPI.

For more detail on FIBRAMQs lease rental rate disclosures, including contractual rental rate increases and scheduled lease escalation, please refer to Second Quarter 2022 Supplementary Information materials located at BMV Filings (fibramacquarie.com).

CAPITAL ALLOCATION

FIBRAMQ continues to pursue a strategy of investing in and developing class A assets in core markets that demonstrate strong performance and a positive economic outlook. In addition, FIBRAMQ could pursue very selective acquisitions on an opportunistic basis where it believes it can create additional value.

Across expansions, development and opportunistic acquisitions, growth GLA of approximately 1.5 million square feet of GLA is expected to be added in the near term.

Industrial Development and Expansions

FIBRAMQ has approximately 1.2 million square feet of new GLA which in development across four markets, including four ground up developments and a build to suit expansion project.

Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua

On May 18 2022, FIBRA Macquarie completed the acquisition of a 54.5 ha land parcel in Ciudad Juarez for US$16.8 million including transfer taxes and closing costs of US$0.4 million. US$9.0 million of the purchase price was paid in May 2022, with scheduled remaining payments of US$4.9 million in May 2023 and US$2.4 million in May 2024.

The parcel is located in the prime southeast industrial submarket and is ideally situated for a diverse and growing base of manufacturing for export customers. FIBRA Macquaries long-term development plan considers a phased, multi-year construction of a 10-property Class A industrial park with a total potential GLA of approximately 2.5 million sqft, incorporating best in class sustainability elements.

Works are expected to commence in the third quarter of 2022 for the ground up development of the first property comprising 267 thousand sqft of GLA. The first phase of the project is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2023.

Apodaca, Nuevo Leon

FIBRAMQ currently anticipates completion of its 183 thousand sqft industrial property development in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon in the third quarter of 2022 and has received strong tenant interest in the property.

This property is part of an approximately 800 thousand sqft development project.

Cuautitlan, Mexico City Metropolitan Area

FIBRAMQ continued its industrial development project in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. FIBRAMQ expects to deliver the two-building project comprising 734 thousand sqft of industrial GLA on the site by the end of 2022.

Hermosillo, Sonora

FIBRAMQ is scheduled to complete a 46 thousand square foot build-to-suit expansion in the third quarter of 2022.

This expansion comprises a US$2.0 million investment for a going-in yield of 11.8%. The expansion lease is denominated in US dollars.

Industrial Acquisition

Subsequent to quarter end, on July 22, 2022, FIBRAMQ acquired a property in the Cuautitlan submarket of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. The strategically located property, coupled with attractive pricing, provided an opportunity for FIBRA Macquarie to allocate capital in a disciplined and accretive manner.

The fully occupied industrial property comprises 293 thousand sqft of GLA. It was acquired for Ps. 319.7 million including transfer taxes and closing costs of Ps. 12.2 million.

The property is leased to three tenants, with an in-place annual net operating income of approximately Ps. 26.0 million, equating to an initial NOI capitalization rate of approximately 8.2%.

Based on prevailing market rental rates for comparable properties, FIBRA Macquarie expects to achieve important increases through the leasing cycle resulting in an NOI capitalization rate of approximately 9.5%, delivering meaningful transaction value creation.

The existing leases are MXN-denominated and have a weighted average lease term remaining of 1.1 years.

Certificate repurchase program

At the April 2022 annual general meeting, FIBRA Macquarie received certificate holder approval for an extension of its Ps. 1,000.0 million CBFI repurchase-for-cancellation program through June 25, 2023. No certificates were repurchased during the quarter.

BALANCE SHEET

As of June 30, 2022, FIBRAMQ had approximately Ps. 16.7 billion of debt outstanding, Ps. 4.9 billion available on its undrawn committed revolving credit facility and Ps. 0.9 billion of unrestricted cash on hand.

As of June 30, 2022, FIBRAMQs indebtedness was 88.4% fixed rate, with 4.3 years weighted-average duration.

FIBRAMQs CNBV regulatory debt to total asset ratio was 32.2% and the debt service coverage ratio was 1.2x.

On a consolidated basis, NAV per certificate increased over the year by 25% to a record Ps. 42.3.

ESG

FIBRAMQ remains committed to protecting the environment, prioritizing governance, developing its employees, and serving its customers and the community. FIBRAMQ has been recognized for its ongoing focus on, amongst other things, green building and green leasing, stakeholder engagement and transparency, as well as the commitment to continual improvement.

During the second quarter FIBRA Macquarie was selected as Green Lease Leader for second consecutive year by the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) and the U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) Better Buildings Alliance. FIBRA Macquarie is being recognized at the Gold level, advancing from its prior Silver recognition, driven by its continued implementation of green lease guidelines in executed leases.

During the second quarter, FIBRA Macquarie achieved the EDGE certification on 38 industrial buildings. Cumulative green building certification coverage on FIBRAMQs consolidated portfolio now represents 30.0% of GLA.

DISTRIBUTION

On July 27, 2022, FIBRAMQ declared a cash distribution for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, of Ps. 0.5000 per certificate. The distribution is expected to be paid on September 28, 2022, to holders of record on September 27, 2022. FIBRAMQs certificates will commence trading ex-distribution on September 26, 2022.

FY22 GUIDANCE

AFFO per certificate

Reflecting positive momentum in underlying financial and operating results, FIBRA Macquarie is increasing its FY22 AFFO per certificate guidance to a range of Ps. 2.60 to Ps. 2.65, from its prior range of Ps. 2.50 to Ps. 2.55.

This guidance assumes:

an average exchange rate of Ps. 20.5 per US dollar for the remainder of FY22, compared to the prior assumption of an average exchange rate of Ps. 20.0;

no new government restrictions regarding retail trading activities;

no new acquisitions or divestments of stabilized properties, other than the 293 thousand sqft property acquisition closed on July 22, 2022;

no issuances or repurchases of certificates; and

no further deterioration in broader economic and market conditions.

Distribution per certificate

FIBRAMQ is reaffirming it guidance for cash distributions in FY22 of Ps. 2.00 per certificate at an expected rate of Ps. 0.5000 per certificate, per quarter.

The payment of cash distributions is subject to the approval of the Manager, stable market conditions and prudent management of FIBRAMQs capital position.

WEBCAST AND CONFERENCE CALL

FIBRAMQ will host an earnings conference call and webcast presentation on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at 7:30 a.m. CT / 8:30 a.m. ET. The conference call, which will also be webcast, can be accessed online at www.fibramacquarie.com or by dialing toll free +1-877-407-2988. Callers from Mexico may dial 01-800-522-0034 and other callers from outside the United States may dial +1-201-389-0923. Please ask for the FIBRA Macquarie Second Quarter 2022 Earnings Call. An audio replay will be available by dialing +1-877-660-6853 or +1-201-612-7415 for callers from outside the United States. A webcast archive of the conference call and a copy of FIBRA Macquaries financial information for the second quarter 2022 will also be available on FIBRA Macquaries website, www.fibramacquarie.com.

About FIBRA Macquarie

FIBRA Macquarie Mexico (FIBRA Macquarie) (BMV: FIBRAMQ) is a real estate investment trust (fideicomiso de inversion en bienes raices), or FIBRA, listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores) targeting industrial, retail and office real estate opportunities in Mexico, with a primary focus on stabilized income-producing properties. FIBRA Macquaries portfolio consists of 236 industrial properties and 17 retail properties, located in 20 cities across 16 Mexican states as of June 30, 2022. Nine of the retail properties are held through a 50/50 joint venture. For additional information about FIBRA Macquarie, please visit www.fibramacquarie.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ significantly from these forward-looking statements and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Other than Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (Macquarie Bank), any Macquarie Group entity noted in this document is not an authorized deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank. Macquarie Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities. In addition, if this document relates to an investment, (a) the investor is subject to investment risk including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested and (b) none of Macquarie Bank or any other Macquarie Group entity guarantees any particular rate of return on or the performance of the investment, nor do they guarantee repayment of capital in respect of the investment.

THIS RELEASE IS NOT AN OFFER FOR SALE OF SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES, AND SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE IN ANY MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220727006192/en/

Investor relations contact:

Tel: +52 (55) 9178 7763

Nikki Sacks

Tel: +1 203 682 8263

Email: [email protected]

For press queries, please contact:

FleishmanHillard Mexico

Contact: Arturo Garcia Arellano

Tel: +52 55 8664 0910

Email: [email protected]

Source: FIBRA Macquarie Mexico
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jacobi Asset Management (Jacobi), a pioneer in next-generation digital asset investment management, announces the appointment of Martin Bednall as its new CEO, effective 1st August 2022. Bednall will also continue in his role at FinEx Capital Management.

Martins predecessor, Jamie Khurshid, will step into a new role as Chairman of the Board while current Chairman Roy McGregor remains as a Director. McGregor also holds the position of Chairman of Jacobi Investment Funds PCC Limited.

As incoming CEO, Bednall brings unparalleled expertise in portfolio management, capital markets, operations and exchange-traded product development. Before working as Managing Director at FinEx for the last eight years, Bednall spent over thirteen years in various roles at BlackRock including as the Co-Head iShares Product Team. With the addition of Martin Bednall, Jacobi gains the experience and expertise of an ETF veteran to continue the firms aspirations of being the premier digital asset provider in Europe, building on the listing of Europes first Bitcoin ETF.

Commenting on the appointments, Jacobi Asset Management Chairman Roy McGregor said: I want to welcome Martin to the company. I see his appointment as a key step in our journey to bring digital assets into the mainstream investment infrastructure and his experience within ETFs, particularly, as a significant addition to an already deep pool of experience.

Incoming Chairman Jamie Khurshid added: Jacobi continues to develop its ambition to become Europes dominant digital asset ETF issuer. The launch of the Jacobi Bitcoin ETF is the beginning of an exciting roadmap for digital asset exchange-traded funds suitable for institutional, professional and sophisticated investors.

Martin Bednall responded: I am absolutely delighted to join Jacobi at this very exciting and pivotal time in the digital asset market, and to build on the significant milestones already achieved by the founders. Having the first Bitcoin ETF in Europe gives Jacobi a fantastic base on which to build more products and distribution avenues to provide the market with the institutional grade, regulated digital asset products it needs. The Jacobi Bitcoin ETF will launch in August 2022 in line with the new appointments.

For further information, visit Jacobiam.com

About Jacobi Asset Management

Launched in May 2021 to shape the future of digital asset management, Jacobi Asset Management is a European ETF issuer serving the institutional investment market. Jacobi brings together a diverse team of blockchain, technology, investment and regulatory experts deep-rooted in capital markets with a compelling pedigree in distributed ledger technology and digital asset management.

Important Disclosure and Disclaimer Information

Jacobi Asset Management offers its services to institutional, professional and sophisticated clients only. Any investment comes with risks and the value of an investment can decrease as well as increase.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005082/en/

For enquiries about Jacobi Asset Management, please contact:

Geneva Loader

Jacobi Asset Management

Tel: +44 (0)3330 165 232

Email: [email protected]



Media enquiries:

The Realization Group on behalf of Jacobi Asset Management

Helen Disney

[email protected]

M: +44 7792 376546

Source: Jacobi Asset Management
Solid long-term investment performance, with 50%, 60%, 65%, and 76% of assets under management (AUM) outperforming relevant benchmarks on a one-, three-, five-, and 10-year basis, respectively, as at 30 June 2022

AUM decreased 17% to US$299.7 billion compared to the prior quarter, due to challenged global markets, US dollar appreciation, and net outflows

Net outflows of US$(7.8) billion reflect a significant slowdown in intermediary gross sales and investment underperformance in key strategies

Second quarter 2022 diluted EPS of US$0.56, or US$0.63 on an adjusted basis

Completed US$56 million of share buybacks during the second quarter 2022, and Board declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.39 per share

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Janus Henderson Group plc (NYSE/ASX: JHG; Janus Henderson, JHG, the Group) published its second quarter 2022 results for the period ended 30 June 2022.

Second quarter 2022 operating income was US$143.9 million compared to US$124.6 million in the first quarter 2022 and US$225.0 million in the second quarter 2021. Adjusted operating income, adjusted for one-time, acquisition and transaction related costs, was US$149.3 million in the second quarter 2022 compared to US$178.8 million in the first quarter 2022 and US$269.3 million in the second quarter 2021.

Second quarter 2022 diluted earnings per share of US$0.56 compared to US$0.47 in the first quarter 2022 and US$0.79 in the second quarter 2021. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of US$0.63 in the second quarter 2022 compared to US$0.75 in the first quarter 2022 and compared to US$1.16 in the second quarter 2021.

Ali Dibadj, Chief Executive Officer of Janus Henderson Group plc, stated:

I am very pleased to be part of the Janus Henderson team. My first few weeks have reaffirmed my belief in the long-term opportunities ahead. I am excited by the talent, client focus, and strong financial foundation that we already have in place.

As this quarter illustrates, the difficult market environment, mixed investment performance in a few strategies, and loss of market share demonstrate that we have much work to do at Janus Henderson to deliver consistent organic growth with attractive operating margins. I am working with my team to turn the opportunities we see for Janus Henderson into a strategy with a winning execution plan. The foundation for being a premier, truly global active asset manager is here, but it will take time to deliver the full potential of the Company to our clients, shareholders, employees, and all our stakeholders.

RESULTS FOR ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE MARKET

These results for announcement to the market include the interim information required to be provided to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) under Listing Rule 4.2A and Appendix 4D.

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS (unaudited) (in US$ millions, except per share data or as noted)

The Group presents its financial results in US$ and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP or GAAP). However, JHG management evaluates the profitability of the Group and its ongoing operations using additional non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses these performance measures to evaluate the business, and adjusted values are consistent with internal management reporting. See Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial information below for additional information.

Six months ended 30 Jun 30 Jun 2022 2021 % change GAAP basis: Revenue 1,175.5 1,382.4 (15 )% Operating expenses 907.0 964.9 (6 )% Operating income 268.5 417.5 (36 )% Operating margin 22.8 % 30.2 % (7.4 )ppt Net income attributable to JHG 172.6 292.8 (41 )% Diluted earnings per share 1.03 1.67 (38 )% Adjusted basis: Revenue 905.9 1,120.2 (19 )% Operating expenses 577.8 649.4 (11 )% Operating income 328.1 470.8 (30 )% Operating margin 36.2 % 42.0 % (5.8 )ppt Net income attributable to JHG 230.7 362.0 (36 )% Diluted earnings per share 1.37 2.07 (34 )% Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun 2022 2022 2021 GAAP basis: Revenue 555.5 620.0 738.4 Operating expenses 411.6 495.4 513.4 Operating income 143.9 124.6 225.0 Operating margin 25.9 % 20.1 % 30.5 % Net income attributable to JHG 93.9 78.7 137.3 Diluted earnings per share 0.56 0.47 0.79 Adjusted basis: Revenue 427.7 478.2 603.6 Operating expenses 278.4 299.4 334.3 Operating income 149.3 178.8 269.3 Operating margin 34.9 % 37.4 % 44.6 % Net income attributable to JHG 104.9 125.8 200.5 Diluted earnings per share 0.63 0.75 1.16

DIVIDEND AND SHARE BUYBACK

On 27 July 2022, the Board declared a second quarter dividend in respect of the three months ended 30 June 2022 of US$0.39 per share. Shareholders on the register on the record date of 8 August 2022 will be paid the dividend on 24 August 2022. Janus Henderson does not offer a dividend reinvestment plan.

As part of the US$200 million on-market buyback programme approved by the Board in May 2022, JHG purchased approximately 2.1 million of its ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and its CHESS Depositary Interests (CDIs) on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in the second quarter, for a total outlay of US$56 million.

Net tangible assets per share

US$ 30 Jun 2022 30 Jun 2021 Net tangible assets / (liabilities) per ordinary share 3.82 3.56

Net tangible assets are defined by the ASX as being total assets less intangible assets less total liabilities ranking ahead of, or equally with, claims of ordinary shares.

AUM AND FLOWS (in US$ billions)

FX reflects movement in AUM resulting from changes in foreign currency rates as non-US$ denominated AUM is translated into US$. Redemptions include impact of client switches.

Total Group comparative AUM and flows

Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun 2022 2022 2021 Opening AUM 361.0 432.3 405.1 Sales 16.4 17.9 18.4 Redemptions (24.2) (29.8) (20.9) Net sales / (redemptions) (7.8) (11.9) (2.5) Market / FX (53.5) (31.1) 25.0 Reclassifications and disposals1  (28.3)  Closing AUM 299.7 361.0 427.6

1 Disposals relate to the sale of Intech, and reclassifications relate to a reclassification of existing funds from Quantitative Equities to Equities.

Quarterly AUM and flows by capability

Total excl Fixed Quantitative Quantitative Equities Income Multi-Asset Alternatives Equities Equities Total AUM 30 Jun 2021 240.1 80.5 53.2 10.4 384.2 43.4 427.6 Sales 7.5 4.7 2.6 1.1 15.9 0.1 16.0 Redemptions (10.1) (4.0) (1.8) (0.8) (16.7) (4.5) (21.2) Net sales / (redemptions) (2.6) 0.7 0.8 0.3 (0.8) (4.4) (5.2) Market / FX (1.3) (1.7) (0.1) (0.1) (3.2) 0.1 (3.1) AUM 30 Sep 2021 236.2 79.5 53.9 10.6 380.2 39.1 419.3 Sales 8.1 5.6 4.3 1.2 19.2 0.1 19.3 Redemptions (11.3) (5.5) (2.2) (1.2) (20.2) (4.3) (24.5) Net sales / (redemptions) (3.2) 0.1 2.1  (1.0) (4.2) (5.2) Market / FX 11.3  3.7 0.1 15.1 3.1 18.2 AUM 31 Dec 2021 244.3 79.6 59.7 10.7 394.3 38.0 432.3 Sales 8.5 6.0 2.3 0.9 17.7 0.2 17.9 Redemptions (12.3) (6.0) (4.5) (1.1) (23.9) (5.9) (29.8) Net sales / (redemptions) (3.8)  (2.2) (0.2) (6.2) (5.7) (11.9) Market / FX (20.5) (4.1) (3.6) (0.2) (28.4) (2.7) (31.1) Reclassification and disposals1 1.3    1.3 (29.6) (28.3) AUM 31 Mar 2022 221.3 75.5 53.9 10.3 361.0  361.0 Sales 5.5 4.9 1.6 4.4 16.4  16.4 Redemptions (11.3) (8.2) (2.5) (2.2) (24.2)  (24.2) Net sales / (redemptions) (5.8) (3.3) (0.9) 2.2 (7.8)  (7.8) Market / FX (38.5) (7.7) (6.5) (0.8) (53.5)  (53.5) AUM 30 Jun 2022 177.0 64.5 46.5 11.7 299.7  299.7

1 Disposals relate to the sale of Intech, and reclassifications relate to a reclassification of existing funds from Quantitative Equities to Equities.

Average AUM by capability

Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun 2022 2022 2021 Equities 197.0 222.9 235.3 Fixed Income 68.8 77.5 80.7 Multi-Asset 49.5 54.5 51.8 Quantitative Equities  31.2 42.9 Alternatives 13.2 10.6 10.1 Total 328.5 396.7 420.8

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

% of AUM outperforming benchmark (at 30 June 2022)

Capability 1-year 3-year 5-year 10-year Equities 41 % 43 % 47 % 63 % Fixed Income 45 % 79 % 93 % 99 % Multi-Asset 93 % 95 % 95 % 99 % Alternatives 31 % 100 % 100 % 100 % Total 50 % 60 % 65 % 76 %

Outperformance is measured based on composite performance gross of fees vs primary benchmark, except where a strategy has no benchmark index or corresponding composite in which case the most relevant metric is used: (1) composite gross of fees vs zero for absolute return strategies, (2) fund net of fees vs primary index, or (3) fund net of fees vs Morningstar peer group average or median. Non-discretionary and separately managed account assets are included with a corresponding composite where applicable.

Cash management vehicles, ETF-enhanced beta strategies, Managed CDOs, Private Equity funds, and custom non-discretionary accounts with no corresponding composite are excluded from the analysis. Performance across all time periods excludes Intech, the sale of which was completed 31 March 2022. Excluded assets represent 5% of AUM as at 30 June 2022. Capabilities defined by Janus Henderson.

% of mutual fund AUM in top 2 Morningstar quartiles (at 30 June 2022)

Capability 1-year 3-year 5-year 10-year Equities 56 % 52 % 71 % 88 % Fixed Income 45 % 68 % 81 % 84 % Multi-Asset 98 % 95 % 92 % 96 % Alternatives 62 % 95 % 70 % 100 % Total 63 % 64 % 76 % 90 %

Includes Janus Investment Fund, Janus Aspen Series and Clayton Street Trust (US Trusts), Janus Henderson Capital Funds (Dublin based), Dublin and UK OEIC and Investment Trusts, Luxembourg SICAVs, and Australian Managed Investment Schemes. Performance across all time periods excludes Intech, the sale of which was completed 31 March 2022. The top two Morningstar quartiles represent funds in the top half of their category based on total return. For the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods ending 30 June 2022, 55%, 54%, 57%, and 69% of the 186, 179, 174, and 148 total mutual funds, respectively, were in the top 2 Morningstar quartiles.

Analysis based on primary share class (Class I Shares, Institutional Shares or share class with longest history for US Trusts; Class A Shares or share class with longest history for Dublin based; primary share class as defined by Morningstar for other funds). Performance may vary by share class. Rankings may be based, in part, on the performance of a predecessor fund or share class and are calculated by Morningstar using a methodology that differs from that used by Janus Henderson. Methodology differences may have a material effect on the return and therefore the ranking. When an expense waiver is in effect, it may have a material effect on the total return, and therefore the ranking for the period.

ETFs and funds not ranked by Morningstar are excluded from the analysis. Capabilities defined by Janus Henderson.  2022 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

THIRD QUARTER 2022 RESULTS

Janus Henderson intends to publish its third quarter 2022 results on 27 October 2022.

SECOND QUARTER 2022 RESULTS BRIEFING INFORMATION

Chief Executive Officer Ali Dibadj and Chief Financial Officer Roger Thompson will present these results on 28 July 2022 on a conference call and webcast to be held at 8am EDT, 1pm BST, 10pm AEST.

Those wishing to participate should call:

United Kingdom 0808 189 6484 (toll free) United States 844 200 6205 (toll free) Australia 02 7908 3093 (this is not toll free) All other countries +1 929 526 1599 (this is not toll free) Conference ID 823583

Access to the webcast and accompanying slides will be available via the investor relations section of Janus Hendersons website (ir.janushenderson.com).

About Janus Henderson

Janus Henderson Group is a leading global active asset manager dedicated to helping investors achieve long-term financial goals through a broad range of investment solutions, including equities, fixed income, multi-asset, and alternative asset class strategies.

At 30 June 2022, Janus Henderson had approximately US$300 billion in assets under management, more than 2,000 employees, and offices in 23 cities worldwide. Headquartered in London, the company is listed on the NYSE and the ASX.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

Condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (unaudited)

Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun (in US$ millions, except per share data or as noted) 2022 2022 2021 Revenue: Management fees 453.6 514.0 544.1 Performance fees (3.4 ) (8.4 ) 77.4 Shareowner servicing fees 56.3 62.4 64.0 Other revenue 49.0 52.0 52.9 Total revenue 555.5 620.0 738.4 Operating expenses: Employee compensation and benefits 145.0 164.6 192.4 Long-term incentive plans 40.7 51.4 49.8 Distribution expenses 127.8 141.8 134.8 Investment administration 10.3 14.8 13.1 Marketing 7.8 7.4 6.7 General, administrative and occupancy 72.3 73.1 65.7 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets  32.8 40.8 Depreciation and amortisation 7.7 9.5 10.1 Total operating expenses 411.6 495.4 513.4 Operating income 143.9 124.6 225.0 Interest expense (3.2 ) (3.2 ) (3.2 ) Investment gains (losses), net (109.4 ) (32.2 ) 1.8 Other non-operating expenses, net (1.7 ) (7.8 ) (2.7 ) Income before taxes 29.6 81.4 220.9 Income tax provision (36.7 ) (22.8 ) (79.7 ) Net income (loss) (7.1 ) 58.6 141.2 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 101.0 20.1 (3.9 ) Net income attributable to JHG 93.9 78.7 137.3 Less: allocation of earnings to participating stock-based awards (2.9 ) (2.0 ) (3.9 ) Net income attributable to JHG common shareholders 91.0 76.7 133.4 Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions) 161.9 164.0 167.6 Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions) 162.2 164.5 168.1 Diluted earnings per share (in US$) 0.56 0.47 0.79

Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial information

In addition to financial results reported in accordance with GAAP, we compute certain financial measures using non-GAAP components, as defined by the SEC. These measures are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, GAAP, and our financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. We have provided a reconciliation of our non-GAAP components to the most directly comparable GAAP components. The following are reconciliations of US GAAP revenue, operating expenses, operating income, net income attributable to JHG, and diluted earnings per share to adjusted revenue, adjusted operating expenses, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to JHG, and adjusted diluted earnings per share.

Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun (in US$ millions, except per share data or as noted) 2022 2022 2021 Reconciliation of revenue to adjusted revenue Revenue 555.5 620.0 738.4 Management fees1 (50.9 ) (57.0 ) (49.6 ) Shareowner servicing fees1 (46.9 ) (52.2 ) (53.1 ) Other revenue1 (30.0 ) (32.6 ) (32.1 ) Adjusted revenue 427.7 478.2 603.6 Reconciliation of operating expenses to adjusted operating expenses Operating expenses 411.6 495.4 513.4 Long-term incentive plans2 (3.6 ) (13.0 ) 0.1 Distribution expenses1 (127.8 ) (141.8 ) (134.8 ) General, administration and occupancy2 (1.1 ) (6.5 ) (1.7 ) Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets3  (32.8 ) (40.8 ) Depreciation and amortisation3 (0.7 ) (1.9 ) (1.9 ) Adjusted operating expenses 278.4 299.4 334.3 Adjusted operating income 149.3 178.8 269.3 Operating margin 25.9 % 20.1 % 30.5 % Adjusted operating margin 34.9 % 37.4 % 44.6 % Reconciliation of net income attributable to JHG to adjusted net income attributable to JHG Net income attributable to JHG 93.9 78.7 137.3 Long-term incentive plans2 3.6 13.0 (0.1 ) General, administration and occupancy2 1.1 6.5 1.7 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets3  32.8 40.8 Depreciation and amortisation3 0.7 1.9 1.9 Other non-operating income (expense), net4 5.3 7.5 (1.7 ) Income tax benefit (provision)5 0.3 (14.6 ) 20.6 Adjusted net income attributable to JHG 104.9 125.8 200.5 Less: allocation of earnings to participating stock-based awards (3.3 ) (3.2 ) (5.7 ) Adjusted net income attributable to JHG common shareholders 101.6 122.6 194.8 Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding  diluted (two class) (in millions) 162.2 164.5 168.1 Diluted earnings per share (two class) (in US$) 0.56 0.47 0.79 Adjusted diluted earnings per share (two class) (in US$) 0.63 0.75 1.16

1 JHG contracts with third-party intermediaries to distribute and service certain of its investment products. Fees for distribution and servicing related activities are either provided for separately in an investment products prospectus or are part of the management fee. Under both arrangements, the fees are collected by JHG and passed through to third-party intermediaries who are responsible for performing the applicable services. The majority of distribution and servicing fees collected by JHG are passed through to third-party intermediaries. JHG management believes that the deduction of distribution and service fees from revenue in the computation of adjusted revenue reflects the pass-through nature of these revenues. In certain arrangements, JHG performs the distribution and servicing activities and retains the applicable fees. Revenues for distribution and servicing activities performed by JHG are not deducted from GAAP revenue. 2 Adjustments for the three months ended 30 June 2022 consist primarily of long-term incentive plan expense acceleration related to the departure of certain employees and rent expense for subleased office space. Adjustments for the three months ended 31 March 2022 consist primarily of long-term incentive plan expense associated with accelerated vesting of awards related to the retirement of our CEO and CIO, deal costs associated with the sale of Intech, and rent expense for subleased office space. JHG management believes these costs are not representative of the ongoing operations of the Group. 3 Investment management contracts have been identified as a separately identifiable intangible asset arising on the acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses. Such contracts are recognised at the net present value of the expected future cash flows arising from the contracts at the date of acquisition. For segregated mandate contracts, the intangible asset is amortised on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the contracts. In addition, the adjustment for the three months ended 31 March 2022 includes an out-of-period incremental goodwill impairment charge, and the adjustment for the three months ended 30 June 2021 includes an impairment charge of certain mutual fund investment management agreements. JHG management believes these non-cash and acquisition-related costs are not representative of the ongoing operations of the Group. 4 Adjustments primarily represent contingent consideration adjustments associated with prior acquisitions. In addition, the adjustment for the three months ended 30 June 2022 includes accumulated foreign currency translation expense related to liquidated JHG entities, and the adjustment for the three months ended 31 March 2022 includes a one-time charge related to the sale of Intech. JHG management believes these costs are not representative of the ongoing operations of the Group. 5 The tax impact of the adjustments is calculated based on the applicable US or foreign statutory tax rate as it relates to each adjustment. Certain adjustments are either not taxable or not tax-deductible.

Condensed consolidated balance sheets (unaudited)

30 Jun 31 Dec (in US$ millions) 2022 2021 Assets: Cash and cash equivalents 863.1 1,107.3 Investment securities 250.2 451.4 Property, equipment and software, net 52.6 63.3 Intangible assets and goodwill, net 3,715.4 3,917.0 Assets of consolidated variable interest entities 1,093.3 264.3 Other assets 925.0 924.2 Total assets 6,899.6 6,727.5 Liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity: Long-term debt 308.9 310.4 Deferred tax liabilities, net 606.2 619.2 Liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities 14.6 2.6 Other liabilities 700.8 968.7 Redeemable noncontrolling interests 921.1 163.4 Total equity 4,348.0 4,663.2 Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity 6,899.6 6,727.5

Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited)

Three months ended 30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun (in US$ millions) 2022 2022 2021 Cash provided by (used for): Operating activities 162.9 (57.5 ) 269.0 Investing activities 76.1 (16.9 ) (66.3 ) Financing activities (135.9 ) (214.8 ) (62.0 ) Effect of exchange rate changes (42.8 ) (16.0 )  Net change during period 60.3 (305.2 ) 140.7

STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

Associates and joint ventures

At 30 June 2022, the Group holds interests in the following associates and joint ventures managed through shareholder agreements with third-party investors, accounted for under the equity method:

LongTail Alpha LLC ownership 20%

Basis of preparation

In the opinion of management of Janus Henderson Group plc, the condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of JHG in accordance with US GAAP. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements and notes presented in Janus Henderson Groups Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended 31 December 2021, on file with the SEC (Commission file no. 00138103). Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the financial statements through the issuance date and are included in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Corporate governance principles and recommendations

In the opinion of the Directors, the financial records of the Group have been properly maintained, and the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements comply with the appropriate accounting standards and give a true and fair view of the financial position and performance of the Group. This opinion has been formed on the basis of a sound system of risk management and internal control which is operating effectively.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAIMER

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal and fluctuation of value.

This document includes statements concerning potential future events involving Janus Henderson Group plc that could differ materially from the events that actually occur. The differences could be caused by a number of factors, including those factors identified in Janus Henderson Groups Annual Report on Form 10K for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2021 and in other filings or furnishings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time (Commission file no. 00138103), including those that appear under headings such as Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Many of these factors are beyond the control of JHG and its management. Any forward-looking statements contained in this document are as at the date on which such statements were made. Janus Henderson Group undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Annualised, pro forma, projected, and estimated numbers are used for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts, and may not reflect actual results.

The information, statements, and opinions contained in this document do not constitute a public offer under any applicable legislation or an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any securities or financial instruments or any advice or recommendation with respect to such securities or other financial instruments.

Not all products or services are available in all jurisdictions.

Mutual funds in the US are distributed by Janus Henderson Distributors US LLC.

Please consider the charges, risks, expenses, and investment objectives carefully before investing. For a US fund prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this and other information, please contact your investment professional or call 800.668.0434. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

Janus Henderson is a trademark of Janus Henderson Group plc or one of its subsidiaries.

 Janus Henderson Group plc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005163/en/

Investor enquiries:

Jim Kurtz

Co-Head Investor Relations (US)

+1 303 336 4529

[email protected]



Melanie Horton

Co-Head Investor Relations (Non-US)

+44 (0)20 7818 2905

[email protected]



Or



Investor Relations

[email protected]



Media enquiries:

Stephen Sobey

Head of Media Relations

+44 (0)20 7818 2523

[email protected]



Sarah Johnson

Director, Media Relations & Corp Comms

+1 720 364 0708

[email protected]



United Kingdom: Edelman Smithfield

Latika Shah

+44 (0)7950 671 948

[email protected]



Andrew Wilde

+44 (0)7786 022 022

[email protected]



Asia Pacific: Honner

Craig Morris

+61 2 8248 3757

[email protected]

Source: Janus Henderson Group plc
PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) today announced its second quarter 2022 financial results through an earnings release available on the companys Investor Relations website at investor.mastercard.com. The earnings release will be furnished with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on a Form 8-K and available here.

At 9:00 a.m. ET today, the company will host a conference call to discuss these financial results.

Conference Call Details:

Toll-free dial-in: 888-330-2508

Toll dial-in: 1-240-789-2735

Conference ID: 6451878

A replay of the call will be available for 30 days using the following dial-in:

Toll-free dial-in: 800-770-2030

Toll dial-in: 1-647-362-9199

Conference ID: 6451878

The webcast recording and all related materials can also be accessed at investor.mastercard.com.

About Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005553/en/

Investor Relations: Warren Kneeshaw or Jud Staniar, [email protected], 914-249-4565

Communications: Seth Eisen, [email protected], 914-249-3153

Source: Mastercard Investor Relations
ISTANBUL, Turkiye--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Star Apple Labs Limited, a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), announced the issuance of the MNA tokens. These tokens are created on blockchain technology with an aim to solve the irrationality and inefficiency of the M&A market. People are aware of the ever-growing potential of the M&A market. However, with growth comes risks minimizing the efficiency and success rate of M&A deals.

An official representative of Star Apple said, We are delighted to enter the cryptocurrency exchange market. We want to achieve 100% transparency, reduce trust issues and attain cost reduction in all M&A deals. MNA Token is created to help companies conduct easy merger and acquisition processes. Our vision is to become a global exchange by creating a healthy cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Creators claim that to start with, MNA tokens will be used in corporate M&As, but the future goal is also to tokenize bonds, artworks, real estate, copyrights, and patents in the future, starting with corporate M&A.

CTBIT Exchange is a global virtual asset exchange that is scheduled to open soon in Turkey. As a professional cryptocurrency exchange, they are packed with some exciting features such as copy trading, system trading, and futures trading. They also exhibit an NFT marketplace where dividends are paid with exchange coins when setting up NFT product sales.

In order to reap the benefits of the synergy between MNA tokens and blockchain exchanges, Star Apple invested in CTBIT. By investing CTBIT, Star Apple aims not only to conduct extensive R&D on tokens but also to list their MNA tokens on the exchange. If the MNA token lists on its own exchange successfully, the probability of being listed on major exchanges around the world, such as Binance, Coinbase, and Bitget, is expected to be increased.

The official from Star Apple also said that through this investment, they would continue to research and develop blockchain technology and collaborate to expand the latest service products such as NFT (Non-Fungible Token) and DeFi. In addition, they will put their best foot forward to bring forth customer satisfaction and include various investment choices for MNA token holders and CTBIT users.

Due to the recent coin price drop, more and more companies are going bankrupt as there is a lack of liquidity in funds. However, Star Apple is among those companies that looked for opportunities to expand their business amidst these hurdles. In the past, when the dot-com bubble burst, many IT companies disappeared, but eventually, companies such as Google and Amazon emerged. As the saying goes, TOO BIG TO FAIL, it is worth waiting to witness whether Star Apples investment of CTBIT can help them overcome this market situation and pave the way to becoming a leading blockchain company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220725005962/en/

Media Contacts

Star Apple Labs Limited

Shirley Sabia

+90 242 501 8481

[email protected]

Source: Star Apple Labs Limited
VILLEURBANNE, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

NAVYA (FR0013018041- Navya), an autonomous mobility systems leader, announces that it has officially joined the United Nations Global Compact movement, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative.

As a strong player in the ecological transition through its shared, inclusive and zero-emission transportation solutions for people and goods, this is part of a more global action plan aimed at aligning all of its practices with its corporate social responsibility strategy.

By becoming a signatory to this charter, Navya builds on a solid existing framework, structured around the 10 Principles of the Global Compact, enabling action in parallel on key sustainability levers such as the respect of Human Rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and the fight against corruption.

An action plan structured around the Ten Principles of the Global Compact

In accordance with Global Compact obligations, Navya will publish an annual sustainability report at the end of the first half of 2023 to detail its action plan and initial results.

Navya's action plan will be based on concrete initiatives in four main areas: Human rights - International labor standards - Environment - Anti-corruption.

Concrete actions are already underway and others are being implemented in a continuous improvement process.

The actions already implemented to date are mainly focused on:

Respect and well-being of employees through diversity, inclusion and anti-discrimination programs,

Sustainable development and ecological transition through the implementation of a Responsible Purchasing policy, based on ethical and committed practices integrating CSR criteria in the evaluation of suppliers as well as in the implementation of a low-carbon strategy focused in particular on the digital footprint and waste recovery.

The next actions will aim to reinforce its societal impact to make Navya a humanistic, efficient and innovative company.

Sophie Desormiere, CEO of Navya: Navya's membership of the Global Compact is a significant step in our CSR and sustainable growth approach. This signature is perfectly in line with our vision and values to progress towards a responsible and committed business model. All our teams are mobilized and determined to contribute significantly to our initiatives to embody and promote the principles of the Global Compact to all our stakeholders.

About Global Compact

Created in 2000 at the initiative of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the Global Compact is the largest international voluntary commitment initiative for sustainable development, with more than 13,000 participants in 170 countries. The Global Compact offers a simple, universal and voluntary framework of commitment based on ten principles and an agenda to eradicate extreme poverty, combat climate change and ensure a life of dignity for all. The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal agenda to be implemented by 2030 to build the future of our societies together. We also support our local relay, the Global Compact France, which has been mandated by the UN to support the implementation of this agenda and the appropriation of the SDGs by the French business world.

www.unglobalcompact.org

About NAVYA

Created in 2014, NAVYA is a leading French name specialized in the supply of autonomous mobility systems and associated services. With 280 employees in France (Paris and Lyon), in the United States (Michigan) and in Singapore, NAVYA aims at becoming the leading player in Level 4 autonomous mobility systems for passenger and goods transport. Since 2015, NAVYA has been the first to market and put into service autonomous mobility solutions. The Autonom Shuttle, main development axis, is dedicated to passenger transport. Since its launch, more than 200 units have been sold in 25 countries as of 31 December 2021. The Autonom Tract is designed to goods transport. Engaged in an ambitious CSR approach, the Company has an active policy in this area, as illustrated by the obtaining of the ISO 9001 certification in September 2021. The Valeo and Keolis groups are among NAVYA's historical shareholders.

NAVYA is listed on the Euronext regulated market in Paris (ISIN code: FR0013018041- Navya).

Further details: www.navya.tech

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220727005724/en/

NAVYA

CSR, Marketing &

Communication Manager

Nathalie Marcy

[email protected]

+33 (0)7 63 20 00 52

Chief Financial Officer

Pierre Guibert

[email protected]

NewCap

Investor Relations

Thomas Grojean Nicolas Fossiez [email protected]

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

NewCap

Media Relations Nicolas Merigeau [email protected]

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 98

Source: NAVYA
10x growth in exceptional market conditions, FY 2022 guidance updated

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

NHOA (Paris: NHOA) (NHOA.PA, formerly Engie EPS) announces its First Half 2022 Results:

- 82.2 million in Revenues and Other Income at group level, growing by 10 times year-on-year

- FY 2022 revenue guidance updated, with 2022 revenues expected in the range of 140-160 million

First Half 2022 has been a transformational semester across all Global Business Lines:

Energy Storage, the technological backbone of NHOA Group, with: Sales up by over 30 times EBITDA breakeven Backlog at 143 million Pipeline of over 1 billion

the technological backbone of NHOA Group, with: e-Mobility , through its Joint Venture with Stellantis: Sales doubled year-on-year Conversion Rate on Stellantis brands stable at 17%

, through its Joint Venture with Stellantis: EV Fastcharging Infrastructure, with Atlante leveraging on NHOAs technological base and operational backbone:

over 900 Points of Charge online and under construction

c.1,500 sites in pipeline

With the difficult geopolitical situation on a global level for the pandemic that struck the whole world in recent years and wars spreading, I feel very lucky to comment on the unparalleled results registered for the first semester of 2022: these represent a milestone in NHOAs history and equity story, reinforced by the recognition of being selected among Euronext Tech Leaders, the new index dedicated to high-growth and leading Tech companies, commented Carlalberto Guglielminotti, CEO of NHOA Group.

H1 sales at group level reached 82.2 million euros, growing by 10 times year-on-year and representing 2.5x the 2021 full year revenues, with record growth in all Global Business Lines:

in Energy storage, which represents the technological heritage of the group, we reached EBITDA breakeven, with sales growing by over 30 times YoY to 73 million euros. Revenues growth is in line with the Backlog secured in Q4 last year, and we are very proud of having reached EBITDA breakeven in H1 2022. NHOA Energy managed to achieve this extraordinary result thanks to its execution focus, its industrial footprint built in the last 7 years, and the extraordinary work made by our business development team that after an over 200 million euros order intake in the last 12 months continued to work restlessly in 4 continents, increasing our pipeline which  in storage only, amounts to over 1 billion euros.

in e-Mobility we had to cope with a globally disrupted supply chain, with delivery dates of critical components changing overnight, but despite this difficult situation we managed to double our revenues, while keeping a stable conversion rate versus Stellantis EV sales, that have led the European EV market. The results we achieved, with a restless focus on profitability and the support of Stellantis and TCC, represent our resilience and confirm the potential to scale up along with EV sales in Europe and North America.

Atlante, our EV fastcharging infrastructure business line that we launched one year ago and with a roll-out that started in November 2021, already showed its ability to accelerate its 2025 targets: iconic sites are already under construction, service stations with IP, API Group, the largest fuel distribution and mobility service provider in Italy, e-Mobility Hubs with the Padua Municipality, and the largest airport in Italy. Atlante can now count on a total of over 900 points of charge online and under construction as of today in Southern Europe and a pipeline of around 1,500 new sites.

NHOA team now counts over 350 extraordinary people, an ever-growing team of excellence of 31 nationalities, managing large-scale projects in 4 continents which are proof of its strong focus on execution. Execution which, together with our outstanding technology and obviously the support of our crucial stakeholders, TCC and Stellantis, marks NHOAs competitiveness on global markets with our historic H1 results.

First Half 2022 Key Figures

Revenues and Other Income amount to 82.2 million, 10x the First Half 2021. The increase is mainly driven by the 73 million revenues and other income realized by the Energy Storage Global Business Line, which saw its sales growing over 30 times year-on-year despite the increasingly complex global scenario. e-Mobility, although coping with a disrupted supply chain, doubled its sales year-on-year, keeping a stable conversion rate versus Stellantis EV sales at 17%. The 12.5% Gross margin comes from revenues mix and is partially affected by the limited level of revenues booked by e-Mobility Global Business Line compared to the total revenues.

In light of the strong growth in H1, the high visibility in terms of revenue recognition for H2 and with updated assumptions in terms of geopolitical context and global supply chain disruption, NHOA now expects 2022 revenues to range between 140 and 160 million (compared to 100 - 150 million previously).

Personnel costs increased to 11.6 million compared to 5.7 million in First Half 2021, in line with the increase in headcount, which more than doubled over the period. As of 30 June 2022, NHOA has 359 employees, from 31 nationalities. The strengthening of the workforce is in line with NHOAs roadmap following the Masterplan10x and mainly devoted to the execution of storage projects in USA and Asia Pacific, the consolidation of the e-Mobility structure and its business expansion in Europe and US along with the ramp-up of Atlante.

R&D investments amount to 5.3 million, increasing by over 3 times compared with First Half 2021, confirming NHOAs strong commitment towards R&D and innovation.

Other Operating Expenses increased to 3.9 million, compared to 1.6 million in First Half 2021 expressing a physiological growth in this specific moment of the company.

EBITDA including non recurring income represents a 5.3 million loss compared to a 5.5 million loss in First Half 2021, this is the result of the anticipated breakeven reached by Energy Storage Global Business Line ahead of the expectations under the Masterplan10x, while impacted by the set up of the Atlante investment platform and by the costs incurred at the corporate level.

With reference to the FY 2022 revised revenue guidance outlined above, and in light of the EBITDA breakeven already reached by the Energy Storage Global Business Line, NHOA expects it can reach EBITDA breakeven in FY 2022 for the Masterplan10x perimeter (i.e. at the Global Business Line Energy Storage and Global Business Line e-Mobility level) in the high-end revenues scenario, i.e. 160 million. With reference to the low-end revenue scenario, i.e. 140 million revenues, the possibility to reach EBITDA breakeven remains however subject to many variables, including revenue and project mix, with the related implications in terms of margin recognition.

EBIT and Net Group Result as of 30 June 2022 stand, respectively, at -8.7 million and -11.1 million compared to -15.8 million and -15.9 on First Half 2021. Difference between EBIT and EBIT excluding non recurring items is marginal, as no extraordinary transaction has been carried out in H1 2022.

Net Financial Position as of 30 June 2022 stands at 69.1 million compared to 74.3 million on 31 December 2021.

First Half 2022 results by Global Business Line

Information by operating segment

(amounts in k Euro) Energy Storage e-Mobility Atlante Corporate Total Revenues 72.716 8.488 - - 81.204 Other Income including non recurring 292 657 76 - 1.026 TOTAL REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME 73.008 9.146 76 - 82.230 Cost of goods sold (66.205) (5.694) (60) - (71.959) GROSS MARGIN FROM SALES 6.803 3.452 16 - 10.271 % on Revenues and other income 9,3% 37,7% 21,2% - 12,5% Personnel costs (4.067) (3.708) (2.482) (1.355) (11.611) Other operating expenses (920) (1.234) (607) (1.171) (3.932) EBITDA 1.816 (1.490) (3.073) (2.525) (5.272) Amortization and depreciation (1.547) (529) (49) (598) (2.723) Impairment and write down (165) - - - (165) Stock options and Incentive plans (50) - - (167) (217) EBIT excluding non-recurring items 54 (2.019) (3.122) (3.290) (8.377) Non recurring expenses (168) 0 (15) (186) (369) EBIT (114) (2.019) (3.138) (3.476) (8.747) Net financial income and expenses (733) (38) 57 (413) (1.127) Income Taxes (1.212) - - - (1.212) NET INCOME (LOSS) (2.059) (2.057) (3.080) (3.889) (11.086)

Global Business Line Energy Storage

Energy Storage Global Business Line, that represents the technological heritage and the backbone of the Group, reaches the EBITDA breakeven in H1 2022, with 1.8 million of EBITDA realized over 72.7 million of sales, despite the increasingly complex global scenario.

In the first semester of 2022 Revenues and Other Income grew by over 30 times year-on-year, in line with expectations and the Backlog level secured as of FY 2021 showing NHOAs ability to execute and to convert Pipeline into Backlog and Backlog into Revenues while generating EBITDA. Energy Storage focused on the execution of the many awarded projects, among others the one in Australia, with a flagship 200MWh battery storage project, and the ones in Taiwan, for the supply of over 400MWh.

Backlog totalizes 143 million, 26% lower compared to FY 2021 mainly due to the significant portion of Backlog converted into revenues during the H1 2022. Backlog is represented by 751MWh in USA., APAC, Europe and South America. In the first semester of 2022 NHOA Energy was awarded with a 30MWh turn-key energy storage system for ENGIE Energia Peru in Chilca and with a 32MWh capacity addition to the first systems being installed in TCC HePing and SuAo Plants. In 2022 NHOA Energy also successfully commissioned a 10MWh storage system in Massachusetts (USA) to Kearsage Energy and after the commissioning NHOA Energy was awarded two further systems for an aggregate capacity of 12MWh.

Starting from the publication of H1 2022 results, NHOA will no longer disclose information related to Contracts Secured. In fact, Contracts Secured were represented exclusively by the tender awarded in Guam to ENGIE, former majority shareholder of NHOA, with NHOA acting as exclusive technology supplier. As indicated in the July 14, 2022 Q2 Trading and Operational Update, NHOA was informed that ENGIE notified the Guam Power Authority about the fact that 2019 pricing was no longer sustainable in current market conditions. Following such notification, on 21 July 2022, NHOA has been informed by ENGIE that the Guam Power Authority had further notified ENGIE of its decision to cancel the tender. As a result, of today, the value of Contracts Secured is nil and, starting from the publication of H1 2022 results, NHOA will no longer disclose information related to this performance indicator.

Pipeline in the Energy Storage Global Business Line increases by 35% compared to 31 December 2021, reaching over 1 billion, thanks to the rapid market acceleration we experienced across Asia Pacific, North America, Europe and Latin America. NHOA is shortlisted in 5 projects with the objective to convert at least one within the next 3 to 6 months.

Even with a Gross Margin standing at 9.3% affected by the start-up costs related to a completely new size of projects in execution and the expansion in new geographies, the Energy Storage Global Business Line not only successfully met the EBITDA breakeven but also realized 1.8 million positive EBITDA while continuing to invest in geographical expansion as well as in talent acquisition. In June 2022 NHOA Global Engineering Center in Milan received the visit of Western Australia Premier McGowan and his staff to illustrate NHOAs rapid expansion in Perth and how NHOA will support Western Australia Governments push towards the energy transition favoring the growth of cutting-edge expertise, technologies and intellectual properties in the region. NHOA Energy Graduate Program was launched on April 1st and successfully hired 10 new young talents joining NHOA and learning from experts of the field and top management.

EBIT excluding non-recurring is positive for 0.1 million, and Net Result its -2.1 million.

Global Business Line e-Mobility

Free2move eSolutions, the Global Business Line of NHOA Group dedicated to e-mobility in joint venture with Stellantis, is in full operation since May 2021. e-Mobility Global Business Line had to cope with a globally disrupted supply chain, critical components lead time increasing instantaneously.

Despite that, e-Mobility Revenues and Other Income doubled to 9.1 million on a year-on-year basis, while keeping a stable conversion rate of 17% versus Stellantis EV sales in the B2C sector in Europe. Gross Margin of the period standing at 37.7% is also due to the revenue mix and the presence of non recurring revenues.

EBITDA is affected by the limited amount of revenues booked during H1 2022, while Free2move eSolutions continued its expansion in the European and North American market, being Stellantis provider of e-mobility services and products for the region and to invest in developing its industrial footprint and capacity production. Free2move eSolution also secured the inventory of critical components, assuring regular flows starting from the end of Q3 and production capacity in order to be ready to face the demand increase expected starting from Q4 2022.

Free2move eSolutions also joined the AVERE network, the European Association for Electromobility promoting electric mobility and sustainable transports. AVERE is a platform which includes NGOs, research centers and corporates for continuous dialogue between all stakeholders to make possible the European goal of zero-emission mobility.

Free2move eSolutions participated, together with Atlante, to the 35th edition of EVS35 2022, the International Electric Vehicle Symposium & Exhibition held in Oslo in June 2022, and to other important exhibitions such as Autopromotec 2022.

EBIT excluding non-recurring stands at -2.0 million and Net Result stands respectively at -2.1 million.

Global Business Line EV Fastcharging Infrastructure

Atlante, Global Business Line of NHOA Group dedicated to electric vehicles fast and ultra-fast charging infrastructure, launched in July 2021 with operations started in November 2021 with the set up of a legal entity and the arrival of its CEO, already showed its ability to accelerate its 2025 targets, with over 900 points of charge online and under construction as of 30 June 2022 in Southern Europe and a pipeline of around 1,500 new sites with a number of strategic and iconic locations secured in less than 10 months.

Revenues and Other Income is still negligible as of H1 2022, as anticipated given the development cycle.

The -3.1 million of EBITDA reflects the start-up investments made in terms of people, technology, and tools required to build up the development platform, coherent with Atlantes 2025 ambitious targets.

During H1 2022 Atlante continued the development of its proprietary energy management system (leveraging on the 15 years of know-how developed by NHOA) and started to work on charging stations design booking asset.

In H1 2022 Atlante also set up two geographical subsidiaries and opened their respective headquarters: Atlante France (headquartered in Paris) and Atlante Iberia (in Barcelona). With teams in five locations across the four countries, Atlante in total counted 52 people as of 30 June 2022.

Most importantly, during H1 2022 Atlante continued to push the fast development of its network, in line with the higher purpose as part of the NHOA Group, which is to push for energy transition. In the case of Atlante this means also opening up charging stations to show potential users that they have options to recharge their cars.

* * *

The investor conference call to present NHOA First Half 2022 Results is scheduled on 29 July 2022 at 9:00am CEST, the dial-in details and the presentation will be available on NHOAs corporate website: nhoa.energy

* * *

NHOA

NHOA S.A. (formerly Engie EPS), global player in energy storage and e-mobility, active in the construction of the largest fast and ultra-fast charging infrastructure in Southern Europe, develops technologies enabling the transition towards clean energy and sustainable mobility, shaping the future of a next generation living in harmony with our planet.

Listed on Euronext Paris regulated market (NHOA.PA), NHOA forms part of the CAC Mid & Small and CAC All-Tradable financial indices.

NHOA, with offices in France, United States and Australia, maintains entirely in Italy research, development and production of its technologies.

For further information, go to www.nhoa.energy

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Forward looking statement

This release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are not undertakings as to the future performance of NHOA. Although NHOA considers that such statements are based on reasonable expectations and assumptions at the date of publication of this release, they are by their nature subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual performance to differ from those indicated or implied in such statements. These risks and uncertainties include without limitation those explained or identified in the public documents filed by NHOA with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), including those listed in the Risk Factors section of the NHOA 2021 Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on 6 April 2022 (under number D. 22-0251). Investors and NHOA shareholders should note that if some or all of these risks are realized they may have a significant unfavorable impact on NHOA.

These forward looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology, including the verbs or terms anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, intends, may, plans, build- up, under discussion or potential customer, should or will, projects, backlog or pipeline or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts and that are to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about the impacts of the Covid19 pandemic on NHOAs business operations, financial results and financial position and on the world economy. They appear throughout this announcement and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding NHOAs intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, NHOAs results of business development, operations, financial position, prospects, financing strategies, expectations for product design and development, regulatory applications and approvals, reimbursement arrangements, costs of sales and market penetration. Important factors that could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from managements expectations or could affect NHOAs ability to achieve its strategic goals, include the uncertainties relating to the impact of Covid-19 on NHOAs business, operations and employees. In addition, even if the NHOAs results of operations, financial position and growth, and the development of the markets and the industry in which NHOA operates, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. The forward-looking statements herein speak only at the date of this announcement. NHOA does not have the obligation and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements.

1.1 Consolidated Income Statement

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

(amounts in K Euro) 30/06/2022 31/12/2021 30/06/2021 Revenues 81.204 30.598 6.052 Other Income including non recurring 1.026 2.348 1.146 TOTAL REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME (including non recurring income) 82.230 32.946 7.198 Cost of goods sold (71.959) (25.896) (5.337) GROSS MARGIN FROM SALES (including non recurring income) 10.271 7.050 1.861 % on Revenues and other income 12,5% 21,4% 25,9% Personnel costs (11.611) (14.733) (5.736) Other operating expenses (3.932) (4.511) (1.645) EBITDA excluding Stock Option and Incentive Plans

expenses, including non recurring income (1) (5.272) (12.195) (5.520) Amortization and depreciation (2.723) (4.889) (2.815) Impairment and write down (165) (579) (56) Non recurring expenses and Integration costs (369) (4.045) (2.643) Stock options and Incentive plans (217) (5.204) (4.771) EBIT (8.747) (26.913) (15.806) Net financial income and expenses (1.127) (509) (54) Income Taxes (1.212) 11 (16) NET INCOME (LOSS) (11.086) (27.410) (15.876) Attributable to: Equity holders of the parent company (9.523) (26.710) (15.464) Non-controlling interests (1.563) (700) (412) Basic earnings per share (0,37) (1,93) (1,21) Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding 25.534 13.831 12.767 Diluted earnings per share (0,37) (1,93) (1,21)

(1) EBITDA excluding Stock Option and Incentive Plans expenses is not defined by IFRS. It is defined in notes 5.5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements

1.2 Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(amounts in K Euro) 30/06/2022 31/12/2021 30/06/2021 NET INCOME (LOSS) (9.523) (26.710) (15.464) Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations and other differences 323 (34) - Other comprehensive income not to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods (net of tax) - 8 - Actuarial gain and (losses) on employee benefits 436 52 218 Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year, net of tax 759 26 218 Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax (8.764) (26.683) (15.245) Attributable to Equity holders of the parent company (8.764) (26.683) (15.245)

1.3 Consolidated Balance Sheet

ASSETS

(amounts in K Euro) 30/06/2022 31/12/2021 30/06/2021 Property, plant and equipment 32.564 20.142 3.744 Intangible assets 18.887 14.725 8.751 Investments in entities accounted using the equity method - - 9 Other non current financial assets 4.347 16.904 4.890 Other non current assets 60 60 - TOTAL NON CURRENT ASSETS 55.859 51.831 17.395 Trade and other receivables 18.418 18.913 9.950 Contract assets 9.782 5.716 344 Inventories 8.118 3.483 2.804 Other current assets 16.051 22.092 3.609 Current financial assets 31.567 7.887 8.174 Cash and cash equivalent 90.606 122.810 9.082 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 174.541 180.901 33.964 TOTAL ASSETS 230.400 232.732 51.359 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

(amounts in K Euro) 30/06/2022 31/12/2021 30/06/2021 Issued capital 5.107 5.107 2.553 Share premium 180.589 180.589 48.148 Other Reserves 4.479 4.008 4.624 Retained Earnings (93.488) (67.066) (66.948) Profit (Loss) for the period (9.523) (26.710) (15.464) TOTAL GROUP EQUITY 87.165 95.929 (27.086) Minorities interest 18.234 19.797 20.188 TOTAL EQUITY 105.399 115.726 (6.899) Severance indemnity reserve and Employees' benefits 2.210 2.207 1.441 Non current financial liabilities 14.981 22.466 22.797 Other non current liabilities 16.908 10.258 2.858 Non current deferred tax liabilities 16 16 16 TOTAL NON CURRENT LIABILITIES 34.116 34.948 27.112 Trade payables 29.193 25.554 7.635 Other current liabilities 23.363 17.682 12.523 Current financial liabilities 38.329 38.823 10.987 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 90.886 82.059 31.145 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 230.400 232.732 51.359

1.4 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF

CHANGES IN EQUITY

(amounts in K Euro) Share Capital Premium Reserve Stock Option and Warrants plan reserve Other Reserves Retained Earnings

(Losses) Profit (Loss) for

the period Total Group Equity Minority interests TOTAL EQUITY Net Equity as of 31 December 2020 2.553 48.148 4.969 (570) (52.140) (14.815) (11.854) - (11.854) Previous year result allocation - - - - (14.815) 14.815 - - - Other movements - - - 7 7 - 13 - 13 Non controlling interests - - - - - - - 20.188 20.188 Loss for the period - - - - - (15.464) (15.464) - (15.464) Total comprehensive income - - - 218 - - 218 - 218 Net Equity as of 30 June 2021 2.553 48.148 4.969 (346) (66.948) (15.464) (27.086) 20.188 (6.899) Previous year result allocation - - - 71 (71) 15.464 15.464 (20.188) (4.724) Shareholder's capital increase 2.553 132.442 - - - - 134.995 - 134.995 Change in consolidation perimenther - - - (522) 3 - (519) - (519) Other movements - - - (7) (17) - (23) - (23) Non controlling interests - - - - - - - 20.497 20.497 Loss for the period - - - - - (26.710) (26.710) (700) (27.410) Total comprehensive income - - - (158) (34) - (192) - (192) Net Equity as of 31 December 2021 5.107 180.589 4.969 (961) (67.066) (26.710) 95.929 19.797 115.726 Previous year result allocation - - - 35 (26.745) 26.710 - (19.797) (19.797) Non controlling interests - - - - - - - 19.797 19.797 Loss for the period - - - - - (9.523) (9.523) (1.563) (11.086) Total comprehensive income - - - 436 323 - 759 - 759 Net Equity as of 30 June 2022 5.107 180.589 4.969 (490) (93.488) (9.523) 87.165 18.234 105.399

1.5 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

CASH FLOW STATEMENT

(amounts in K Euro) 30/06/2022 31/12/2021 30/06/2021 Net Income or Loss (11.086) (27.410) (15.876) Income Taxes 1.212 - - Amortisation and depreciation 2.725 5.199 2.815 Impairment and write down 164 270 56 Stock option and incentive plans impact 217 5.204 4.771 Defined Benefit Plan 3 (2.719) (3.485) Non-cash variation in equity (1.127) 52 - Decrease (increase) in tax assets (100) (187) (296) Decrease (increase) in trade and other receivables and prepayments (5.130) (31.173) 1.199 Decrease (increase) in inventories (4.635) (1.494) (815) Increase (decrease) in trade and other payables 9.320 29.574 6.709 Increase (decrease) in non current assets and liabilities 8.101 (17.361) (3.290) Net cash flows from operating activities (337) (40.045) (8.210) Investments Net Decrease (Increase) in intangible assets (5.774) (9.144) (3.372) Net Decrease (Increase) in tangible assets (13.535) (13.501) (144) Net Decrease (Increase) due to IFRS 16 FTA - - (1.255) Changes in consolidation perimether - (6.429) - Net cash flows from investments activities (19.309) (29.074) (4.771) Financing Increase (decrease) in bank debts (7.978) 36.083 8.578 Shareholders cash injection (0) 134.995 - Minorities cash injection 7.600 8.300 8.300 Decrease (increase) in current financial assets (18.980) - - Translation differences 323 (34) - Lease liabilities 6.476 8.654 1.255 Net cash flows from financing activities (12.558) 187.998 18.133 Net cash and cash equivalent at the beginning of the period 122.810 3.931 3.931 NET CASH FLOW FOR THE PERIOD (32.204) 118.880 5.151 NET CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD 90.606 122.810 9.082

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Press Office: Claudia Caracausi and Davide Bruzzese, Image Building, +39 02 89011300, [email protected]

Financial Communication and Institutional Relations: Chiara Cerri, +39 337 1484534, [email protected]

Source: NHOA
Major Changes in the ORPEA Board of Directors

Summary of Voting Results

Financial Calendar

PUTEAUX, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

ORPEA (Paris: ORP):

Changes in the Board of Directors and its Committees

Today's ORPEA Combined Annual General Meeting approved major changes in the ORPEA Board of Directors, appointing Guillaume Pepy1, Isabelle Calvez, John Glen and David Hale as independent directors, as well as Chief Executive Officer Laurent Guillot as a non-independent director.

In light of the expiring terms of office announced on 3 July 2022 and of these appointments, the ORPEA Board of Directors now comprises 14 directors and includes:

11 independent directors (i.e. 92%, excluding directors representing employees), the Chief Executive Officer and 2 directors representing employees;

6 women (i.e. 50%, excluding directors representing employees);

4 nationalities (American, British, French and Irish).

The new Board of Directors also confirmed the appointment of Guillaume Pepy as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Appendix contains a table providing personal and professional information on the members of the new Board of Directors.

During its first meeting, held at the end of the Combined Annual General Meeting, the new Board of Directors decided to change the duties assigned to its Committees. This reaffirmed its commitment to transformation, with the goal of better fulfilling its care mission, as well as accompanying fragile people and rise up to the associated challenges.

The composition of these Committees, which is set out below, was established in accordance with the recommendations of the AFEP-MEDEF Code, relating in particular to the proportion of independent members and the independence of their Chairmen.

The Audit Committee, renamed Audit and Risk Committee, has had its responsibility expanded and more clearly defined, in particular regarding risk-related duties.

As of 28 July 2022, it comprises six members: Olivier Lecomte (Chairman), Corine de Bilbao, Isabelle Calvez, David Hale, John Glen and Peugeot Invest Assets (represented by Bertrand Finet).

The Appointments and Remuneration Committee will take on more duties relating to overseeing talent pools to ensure a succession plan for the Executive Committee and other key roles, as well as to developing the HR policy.

As of 28 July 2022, it comprises five members: Peugeot Invest Assets (represented by Bertrand Finet, Chairman), Corine de Bilbao, Pascale Richetta, Joy Verle and Laurent Serris (director representing the employees).

Finally, the CSR and Innovation Committee has become the Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee. This reinforces the Board of Directors' work by ensuring that Ethics, Quality and CSR are at the heart of its mission and activity of the Group.

As of 28 July 2022, it comprises four members: Corine de Bilbao (Chair), Pascale Richetta, David Hale and Sophie Kalaidjian (director representing employees).

The Committees' duties are set out in the Internal Rules of the Board of Directors, as amended on 28 July 2022, which are available on ORPEA's website at the following address https://www.orpea-corp.com/en/2011-12-21-17-32-45/governance

Two new independent directors will join the new Board of Directors when they are released from their current obligations. The composition of the Committees will be adjusted accordingly.

Summary of voting results for other resolutions

During this Meeting, the required majority of Company shareholders approved the resolutions relating to:

the approval of the 2021 financial statements, the appropriation of net profit and the approval of a related-party agreement;

the appointment of Mazars S.A. and the re-appointment of Deloitte & Associes as Standing Statutory Auditors, and the non-renewal of BEAS's term of office as Alternate Statutory Auditor;

the remuneration components for 2021 (excluding those pertaining to Yves Le Masne), the remuneration policies for corporate officers for 2022 and Philippe Charrier's remuneration components for 2022;

the renewal of the Board of Directors' financial authorisations and delegations;

specific changes to the Articles of Association and other changes to the Articles of Association to ensure regulatory compliance;

powers for formalities.

In line with the Board of Directors' recommendation, the resolution relating to Yves Le Masne's remuneration components for 2021 was rejected. He will therefore receive no annual bonus payment for the 2021 financial year.

It is furthermore specified that Yves Le Masne will not receive any compensation related to the termination of his duties, as the 2022 remuneration policy for him has been approved, and that he has lost the benefit of the shares granted to him in 2020 and 2021 due to the end of his term of office on 30 January 2022.

During this Meeting, and in particular after Mirova requested the inclusion of an item to this effect on the agenda of the Combined Annual General Meeting, Laurent Guillot gave his overview of the situation and outlined the key priorities that have been identified to begin improving and transforming the Group.

The replay of this Annual General Meeting and the answers to written questions sent in by shareholders are available on ORPEA's website at the following address:https://www.orpea-corp.com/en/2011-12-21-17-09-36/shareholder-meeting/19-shareholders-en/372-%20general-shareholder-meeting-at-july-28-2022.

Voting results will be published on the website on 29 July 2022.

Financial calendar

Press releases relating to ORPEA's half-year results for 2022 and to revenue for Q3 2022 will be published, respectively, on 28 September 2022 and on 8 November 2022 after market close.

Appendix

Personal information Experience Position on the Board Involvement in Committees (C=Chair /M=Member) Age2 Gender Nationality Number of shares3 Number of offices held in listed companies Independence First date of appointment Term of office Length of service on the Board Guillaume Pepy 64 M French - 1 Yes 28/07/2022 AGM 2026 - - Laurent Guillot 53 M French 1 1 No 28/07/2022 AGM 2026 - - Laure Baume 46 F French 928 1 Yes 14/12/2016 AGM 2024 6 - Corine de Bilbao 55 F French 40 2 Yes 23/06/2020 AGM 2024 2 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (C) Audit and Risk Committee (M) Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) Isabelle Calvez 57 F French - 1 Yes 28/07/2022 AGM 2026 - Audit and Risk Committee (M) Bernadette Danet-Chevallier 63 F French 246 1 Yes 16/09/2014 AGM 2025 8 - Peugeot Invest Assets, represented by Bertrand Finet 56 M French 3,261,353 3 Yes 15/02/2012 AGM 2023 10 Appointments and Remuneration Committee (C) Audit and Risk Committee (M) John Glen4 62 M British and Irish - 1 Yes 28/07/2022 AGM 2026 - Audit and Risk Committee (M) David Hale 54 M Franco-American - 1 Yes 28/07/2022 AGM 2026 - Audit Committee (M) Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M) Olivier Lecomte 56 M French 230 2 Yes 16/11/2020 AGM 2025 2 Audit and Risk Committee (C) Pascale Richetta 63 F French 10 1 Yes 23/06/2020 AGM 2024 2 Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M) Joy Verle4 43 F Franco-British 1 2 Yes 27/04/2017 AGM 2023 5 Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) Sophie Kalaidjian (director representing the employees) 44 F French 20 1 No 15/01/2015 AGM 2024 7 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M) Laurent Serris (director representing the employees) 52 M French - 1 No 15/12/2020 AGM 2023 2 Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M)

About ORPEA

ORPEA is a leading global player, expert in the care of all types of frailty. The Group operates in 22 countries and covers three core businesses: care for the elderly (nursing homes, assisted living, home care), post-acute and rehabilitation care and mental health care (specialized clinics). It has more than 71,000 employees and welcomes more than 255,000 patients and residents each year.

https://www.orpea-group.com/

ORPEA is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000184798) and is a member of the SBF 120, STOXX 600 Europe, MSCI Small Cap Europe and CAC Mid 60 indices.

1 The Board of Directors considers, on the recommendation of the Appointments and Remuneration Committee, that Guillaume Pepy fulfils all the independence criteria of the AFEP-MEDEF Code and that, even beyond these criteria, his relationship with CPPIB, which had ended by the date of his appointment, is in no way likely to affect his independence. Guillaume Pepy's candidacy was selected in the context of the selection process for candidate directors, conducted by the Appointments and Remuneration Committee with the assistance of a leading headhunter. It was in no way proposed by CPPIB, which no longer has any links whatsoever with Guillaume Pepy. He was providing advice under a consultancy contract which ended on 5 July 2022 but was not linked to CPPIB by an employment contract or by a corporate mandate. Guillaume Pepy did not receive any remuneration linked, directly or indirectly, to ORPEA's performance and, more generally, he no longer receives his fixed remuneration as a consultant from CPPIB since his contract has ended. Finally, it is specified that neither he nor CPPIB have any business relationship with ORPEA.

2 At the time of publication of the 2022 Notice of Meeting Brochure.

3 At the time of publication of the 2021 Universal Registration Document.

4 Candidates proposed by CPPIB.

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Investor Relations

ORPEA

Benoit Lesieur

Investor Relations Director

[email protected]

Investor Relations

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

[email protected]

Media Relations

Image 7

Charlotte Le Barbier

Tel.: +33 (0)6 78 37 27 60

[email protected]



Laurence Heilbronn

Tel.: +33 (0)6 89 87 61 37

[email protected]

Source: ORPEA
Streamlining Engineering Best Practices for Large-Scale Nitrate Salt Storage

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Solar Dynamics LLC, EPRI, and Malta Inc., announced today the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected their team to develop a new design basis document intended to accelerate low-carbon energy applications that utilize nitrate salt storage.

The initiative will combine the organizations industry-leading knowledge and experience to present technical recommendations for future energy projects utilizing nitrate salt as a heat transport fluid and thermal storage medium.

Through the compilation of cutting-edge engineering practices and lessons learned from past projects, both successful and unsuccessful, this design basis document is intended to codify industry consensus and establish guidelines to assist future developers in planning reliable, efficient, and cost-effective designs.

This new design basis document could advance the next generation of nitrate salt thermal storage systems, which have applications in concentrated solar power, long-duration energy storage, and nuclear energy.

The team is very excited by this award and the key role that it can play in accelerating molten salt systems, said Hank Price, Managing Director of Solar Dynamics. EPRIs vast subject knowledge and stellar reputation, coupled with Maltas global expertise in energy storage, ensures that this document will represent the current state of the art in technical and practical expertise in salt systems.

Collaborating with Solar Dynamics and Malta to assemble the most effective benchmarks for molten salt energy storage and concentrated solar plants represents an opportunity to build awareness of this technology and help advance an entire class of energy systems, said Michael Caravaggio, Director of Research and Development, EPRI.

Malta is excited to be contributing knowledge gained from the development of our long-duration energy storage system to the advancement of the energy industry," said Malta CEO Ramya Swaminathan. Were delighted to provide our expertise and promote molten salt storage as a solution to some of the worlds biggest energy challenges.

The study is being led by molten salt expert Bruce Kelly and is scheduled to take 12 months. It involves direct interviews with plant operators, EPCs, and owners, and it will build upon the National Renewable Energy Laboratorys previous work on the subject.

By standardizing these design lessons into open source, best-practice instructions, we will accelerate our migration to more low-carbon energy systems and ultimately, reduce costs passed along to customers, said Price.

About Solar Dynamics

Solar Dynamics, based near Denver in Broomfield, Colorado, is a technology company leveraging practical experience, innovative designs, and state-of-the-art engineering tools to develop next-generation products and services for concentrating solar energy. Solar Dynamics proprietary technology focus is on molten salt tower technology, molten salt trough technology, and developing advanced heliostat and trough collector designs to make these systems more cost-effective.

www.solardynllc.com

About EPRI

Founded in 1972, EPRI is the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, with offices around the world. EPRI's trusted experts collaborate with more than 450 companies in 45 countries, driving innovation to ensure the public has clean, safe, reliable, affordable, and equitable access to electricity across the globe. Together, we are shaping the future of energy.

www.epri.com

About Malta Inc.

Based in Cambridge Massachusetts, Malta Inc. has developed a Pumped Heat Energy Storage (PHES) system to provide long-duration, large-scale, cost-effective, and safe energy storage. Maltas system stores electricity as thermal energy and then re-generates the electricity on demand for up to 200 hours, meeting daily and weekly needs. Maltas PHES system also generates clean heat for industrial and district heating applications. The company was originally incubated at Googles Moonshot Factory, X, and is backed by energy industry leaders Alfa Laval, Proman, Chevron Technology Ventures, and Trafigura Group, as well as investors Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Piva Capital.

www.maltainc.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220726005843/en/

Media

Solar Dynamics

Hank Price

(720) 955-6404

[email protected]

EPRI

Rachel Gantz

(202) 293-7517

[email protected]

Malta

Steven C. Sullivan

(518) 441-7272

[email protected]

Source: Malta Inc. and Solar Dynamics LLC and EPRI
HAMILTON, Bermuda--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) (Valaris or the Company) today issued a quarterly Fleet Status Report that provides the current status of the Companys fleet of offshore drilling rigs along with certain contract information for these assets. The Fleet Status Report can be found on the Investors section of the Companys website www.valaris.com.

About Valaris Limited

Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) is the industry leader in offshore drilling services across all water depths and geographies. Operating a high-quality rig fleet of ultra-deepwater drillships, versatile semisubmersibles and modern shallow-water jackups, Valaris has experience operating in nearly every major offshore basin. Valaris maintains an unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, with a focus on technology and innovation. Valaris Limited is a Bermuda exempted company (Bermuda No. 56245). To learn more, visit our website at www.valaris.com.

Cautionary Statements

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," likely, "plan," "project," "could," "may," "might," should, will and similar words. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated, including the COVID-19 outbreak and global pandemic and the related public health measures implemented by governments worldwide; the cancellation, suspension, renegotiation or termination of drilling contracts and programs, including drilling contracts which grant the customer termination rights if final investment decision (FID) is not received with respect to projects for which the drilling rig is contracted; oil and natural gas price volatility, customer demand for drilling rigs; downtime and other risks associated with offshore rig operations; severe weather or hurricanes; changes in worldwide rig supply, competition and technology; risks inherent to shipyard rig reactivation, upgrade, repair or maintenance; our ability to enter into, and the terms of, future drilling contracts; suitability of rigs for future contracts; governmental regulatory, legislative and permitting requirements affecting drilling operations; our ability to obtain financing, fund capital expenditures and pursue other business opportunities; the effects of our emergence from bankruptcy on the Company's business, relationships, comparability of our financial results and ability to access financing sources; actions taken by regulatory authorities or other third parties, including related to the COVID-19 global pandemic; increased scrutiny of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices and reporting responsibilities; changes in customer strategy; future levels of offshore drilling activity; governmental action, civil unrest and political and economic uncertainties; terrorism, piracy and military action; environmental or other liabilities, risks or losses; debt agreement restrictions that may limit our liquidity and flexibility; failure to satisfy our debt obligations; and cybersecurity risks and threats. In addition to the numerous factors described above, you should also carefully read and consider Item 1A. Risk Factors in Part I and Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, which is available on the Securities and Exchange Commissions website at www.sec.gov or on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.valaris.com. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

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Investor & Media Contact:

Tim Richardson

Director - Investor Relations

+1-713-979-4619

Source: Valaris Limited
Company to Appeal Expected Court Decision on Certain XIFAXAN Patents 

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC), and its gastroenterology business Salix Pharmaceuticals, today announced the U.S. District Court of Delaware issued an Oral Order in the matter of Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. et al v. Norwich Pharmaceuticals, Inc. regarding the infringement and validity of certain U.S. Patents protecting the composition and use of XIFAXAN (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence.

The Oral Order indicates that the Court will find certain U.S. Patents protecting the use of XIFAXAN (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets for the reduction in risk of HE recurrence valid and infringed and U.S. Patents protecting the composition, and use of XIFAXAN for treating IBS-D invalid. While the Court has not yet entered any final judgement, absent Norwich's removal of the HE indication and data from their Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA), it is expected that the Court will enjoin Norwich's pending ANDA until expiration of the XIFAXAN HE Patents in 2029. The Company intends to vigorously oppose any attempt by Norwich to remove the HE safety data from its ANDA in an effort to avoid the XIFAXAN HE Patents.

The FDA has stated that they plan to make a major revision to the rifaximin product specific guidance to add an in vivo bioequivalency study. Until an approval of a revised ANDA is granted by the FDA and the expected injunction modified by the Court, Norwich is not permitted to launch a generic equivalent of XIFAXAN.

When the Court enters a final order, Bausch Health will consider all available options to vigorously defend the intellectual property protecting XIFAXAN and will appeal the Court's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

"We are disappointed with today's development. We strongly disagree with any conclusion that our patents are not valid and intend to file an appeal to any such order," Thomas J. Appio, CEO, Bausch Health, said. "As a leader in gastrointestinal health, protecting our intellectual property is essential to our ability to continue to develop innovative therapies. We intend to vigorously pursue all available options to challenge any final ruling, while also continuing to drive growth and innovation for our XIFAXAN franchise."

Bausch Health has previously entered into settlement agreements with Teva, Sun Pharmaceuticals, and Sandoz to permit a generic rifaximin product entry in 2028 or upon an earlier approval and launch of a generic rifaximin product. Until, and if, Norwich secures FDA approval for its generic rifaximin product and subsequently launches a generic rifaximin product, Teva, Sun Pharmaceuticals, and Sandoz will not be permitted to launch a generic version of XIFAXAN tablets before 2028.

The Company intends to file an appeal immediately after any final order is issued, assuming it is consistent with the Oral Order.
MINISO Group Holding Limited (NYSE: MNSO), a global retailer offering a variety of design-led lifestyle products, today issued the following press release in response to allegations made in a report issued by Blue Orca Capital ("Blue Orca").

As the Company previously disclosed, on July 26, 2022, shortseller Blue Orca issued a report attacking the Company (the "Report"). In the past two days, the Company has been reporting its preliminary findings rebutting the Report's key allegations to the Independent Committee that the Company's Board of Directors had formed to oversee an independent investigation regarding the allegations made in the Report ("Independent Investigation").

Among the preliminary findings that the Company reported to the Independent Committee are the following:

1. Franchise Business Model

The Company believes that the allegation made in the Report about the Company's franchise business model is without merit. As disclosed in the Company's previous filings made in the United States and Hong Kong, the Company adopts the MINISO Retail Partner model as the Company's predominant business model for its operations in China. Under this model, when a MINISO Retail Partner joins the Company's store network, the MINISO Retail Partner  not the Company  shoulders the associated capital expenditure and operating expenses. The Company provides the MINISO Retail Partners only with operational guidance in the form of store management and consultation services. All of the Company's MINISO Retail Partners are independent of the Company and are not owned or controlled by the Company legally, operationally, or otherwise.

Historically, certain MINISO Retail Partners requested the Company's assistance with certain administrative tasks, such as corporate registration with the local administration of industry and commerce. From time to time, in providing the requested assistance, some Company employees may have found it necessary or expedient to provide their names and contact information to the local authorities and did so on their own initiative. This information, in turn, became part of the registration records of a number of stores owned and operated by MINISO Retail Partners. The Report's allegation that "over 620" stores are "registered to MINISO executives or persons connected to chairman" is erroneous. To the best of the Company's knowledge, the number of instances where Company employees provided their names in the manner described was only a very small fraction of the Company's total store counts. Moreover, most of these instances can be traced back to the same small group of employees whose duties and responsibilities included government relations such as corporate registrations. These unapproved practices by individual employees have been substantially curtailed. As of the date of this press release, to the best of the Company's knowledge, there are only three stores owned by retail partners with junior-level Company employees' name on their registration records. None of the Company's management's name, or that of their relatives, appears in any MINISO Retail Partners stores' registration records.

In any event, none of the above shows that these independently operated stores, simply by virtue of receiving ad hoc administrative assistance from the Company or its employees, thereby became Company-owned and Company-controlled stores. As disclosed in the Company's prior public filings in the United States and Hong Kong, other than the directly-operated and distributor-operated stores, all of the MINISO and TOP TOY stores in China were and are owned by MINISO Retail Partners that were and are independent of the Company and the Company's management. Moreover, as previously disclosed, under the MINISO Retail Partner model, the Company recognizes revenue, not when products are delivered to its MINISO Retail Partners, but only when products are sold by its MINISO Retail Partners to end-customers. Under this timing of revenue recognition, incentives to inflate the reported number of its MINISO Retail Partners are substantially reduced.

2. Land Deals Involving the Company's Chairman

The Company believes that the Report's allegation that Chairman Ye siphoned off IPO proceeds by a series of real estate transactions is also without merit. In December 2020, MINISO and Chairman Ye formed a joint venture ("JV") for the purpose of purchasing a piece of land to build an office building in China, with Chairman Ye holding 80% interest in the JV and MINISO holding the remaining 20%. In October 2021, MINISO bought out Chairman Ye's 80% interest for RMB 695 million. The above transactions were fully and accurately disclosed in the Company's prospectus for its Hong Kong IPO and the press releases dated December 11, 2020, and September 26, 2021. Moreover, these transactions were duly presented to and approved by the Company's Board of Directors and its Audit Committee.

Nonetheless, the Report alleges that Mr. Ye never contributed any cash to the JV. As a result, the Report alleges that the Company's buy-out of Mr. Ye's shares in October 2021 was "money for nothing." The Report is incorrect.

In exchange for his 80% stake in the JV, Mr. Ye contributed the following to the JV:

(i) On February 2, 2021, YGF MC Limited, a company solely owned by Mr. Ye, contributed USD 34.5 million (~RMB 222.95 million) to the JV;

(ii) On February 4, 2021, Mr. Ye, through another company owned and controlled by him, obtained a loan in the amount of RMB 319.9 million and contributed the loan proceeds to the JV; and

(iii) On May 25, 2021, YGF MC Limited contributed another RMB 200 million to the JV.

As the foregoing shows, Mr. Ye contributed a total of approximately RMB742.88 million to the JV. When MINISO bought out Mr. Ye's 80% stake in the JV in October 2021, the Company engaged an independent third-party appraiser to conduct a valuation on the JV. Together with Mr. Ye's other interest in the JV, Mr. Ye's total interest in the JV was estimated to be over RMB 700 million. Each of these numbers is in excess of the RMB 695 million that MINISO paid Mr. Ye to buy out Mr. Ye's shares in the JV.

3. The Company's Business Prospects

Finally, the Company believes that the Report's allegations about the Company's business prospects are likewise without merit. For example, far from a sign that the Company was struggling, the reduction of the Company's licensing fees was part of the Company's considered strategy to incentivize its MINISO Retail Partners to open stores in third- and lower-tier Chinese cities. This strategy succeeded. As disclosed on page 250 of the Hong Kong prospectus, the number of MINISO stores in third- and lower-tier cities in China increased from 806 as of June 30, 2019 to 894 as of June 30, 2020 and 1,137 as of June 30, 2021. Year to year, the number of MINISO stores in third- and lower-tier cities in China increased from 1,029 as of December 31, 2020 to 1,307 as of December 31, 2021.

The Company's revenue from licensing fees received from MINISO Retail Partners also increased during the relevant period. As the Company disclosed on pages 18 and 306 of the Hong Kong prospectus, revenue from license fees received from the Company's MINISO Retail Partners was RMB13.6 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019; RMB58.5 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020; and RMB54.0 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. For the six months ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, revenue from license fees received from the Company's MINISO Retail Partners was RMB20.3 million and RMB42.2 million, respectively.

With respect to store closure, the Report cites inaccurate store closure data reported by several media outlets from several years ago. The latest information about the number of stores closed in fiscal years ended June 30, 2019, 2020, and 2021, and the same metric for the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, can be found at pages 249 and 255 of the Hong Kong prospectus.
FILE PHOTO: The Apple Inc logo is seen hanging at the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, New York, U.S., October 16, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Segar

By Paresh Dave and Nivedita Balu

(Reuters) -Apple Inc on Thursday said parts shortages are easing and that demand for iPhones is unceasing despite consumers tightening other spending, helping it top Wall Street expectations and forecast faster sales growth ahead.

The Silicon Valley giant's shares rose 3.5% after hours following the release of the results.

Though macroeconomic indicators around the world are turning negative, Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri told Reuters there had been no slowdown in demand for iPhones, the company's biggest source of revenue.

Phone sales in the fiscal third quarter rose 3% to $40.7 billion, when Wall Street had braced for a 3% decline. By contrast, the overall global smartphone market dropped 9% during the just-ended quarter, according to Canalys data.

Apple's loyal and relatively affluent customer base has enabled it to weather consumer spending dips better than other brands in the past, and the company's latest quarterly results suggest a similar pattern emerging.

Canalys Research analyst Runar Bjorhovde said, "Apple in that sense has a certain robustness that will allow it to be impacted less than a lot of its competitors."

Apple offered some caution.

The slumping economy is hurting sales of advertising, accessories and home products, Apple's Maestri said in an interview, calling the units "pockets of weakness."

"Fortunately, we have a very broad portfolio, so we know we're going to be able to navigate that," he added.

The results show Apple's advertising business, which includes selling ads alongside news articles and app store search results, is vulnerable to marketing cuts just the same as rivals Snap Inc and Meta Platforms Inc.

Parts shortages will continue to hamper Mac and iPad sales, Maestri said, though the impact has been easing. They cost Apple under $4 billion in sales in the quarter ended June 25, less than it had forecast. Maestri said the company expects the hit to diminish further in the current quarter.

But Apple risks joining rivals in amassing an unsellable stockpile of tablets and PCs if more customers than expected hold off purchases due to rising inflation and interest rates.

"In terms of testing the demand, you can't really test the demand unless you have the supply," Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook told analysts on Thursday. "And we were so far from that last quarter that we have an estimate of what we believe demand was. But it is an estimate."

Citing the economic uncertainty, Apple said it was not providing specific revenue guidance. But it said sales compared to a year ago should rise faster in the current quarter than 2% growth it posted in the just-ended quarter.

'MORE DELIBERATE'

Overall, Apple said quarterly sales and profit were $83.0 billion and $1.20 per share, above estimates of $82.8 billion and $1.16 per share, according to Refinitiv data.

The rising U.S. dollar has hit many companies such as Apple that generate substantial foreign revenue and are getting less cash back when they convert it. Apple said currency fluctuations slashed sales by 3% in the June quarter and would crimp them by 6% in the current quarter.

Shuttering its business in Russia earlier this year due to the war also has hurt sales.

Apple, like many of its tech industry peers, is slowing hiring and cutting costs given the tough economic climate. Cook said Thursday that Apple was "being more deliberate in (hiring) in recognition of the realities of the environment."

The most recent economic woes include supply chain disruptions that have hit production of some Apple products such as iPads and Macs whose assembly locations were clustered near regions of China that went into COVID lockdowns.

While sales of iPhones and iPads topped expectations, revenue from services, Mac computers and accessories missed Wall Street targets and sales in the crucial China market fell 1% as consumers being on lockdown there limited sales.

Apple also is confronting slow overall economic growth in China, where its fiscal third-quarter sales were $14.6 billion.

Growth in the company's services business, which has provided a boost to sales and profits in recent years, was 12%, below the previous year's 33% rate and resulting in $19.6 billion in revenue, below estimates of $19.7 billion.

Apple said it now has 860 million paying subscribers to its services, up from the previous quarter's 825 million.

Sales of iPads and Macs were $7.2 billion and $7.4 billion, compared with estimates of $6.9 billion and $8.7 billion. Mac sales represented a 10% contraction, after record sales since 2020, first from a work-from-home boost and then from Apple's new proprietary processor chips.

Its shares closed Thursday down about 11% so far this year, slightly less than the broader S&P 500 index and also less than other consumer hardware makers such as Sonos Inc and Samsung Electronics Co, the only company that sells more smartphones than Apple.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis, Nivedita Balu and Paresh Dave; Editing by Peter Henderson and Lisa Shumaker)
FILE PHOTO: A smartphone with Facebook's logo is seen in front of displayed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta in this illustration taken October 28, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Eva Mathews

(Reuters) - Stiff competition from TikTok and Apple Inc's privacy changes will remain a cause for concern for Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc in the near term, Wall Street analysts said.

At least 16 brokerages cut their price targets on Meta after the company reported its first-ever quarterly revenue drop on Wednesday, highlighting challenges faced by U.S. companies from a stronger dollar and worries of an impending recession.

Shares of the company were down about 6% at $159.8, setting the Whatsapp owner on course to lose roughly $30 billion in market value for the day.

Last year, Meta's valuation hit the trillion-dollar mark and ended the year at more than $900 billion.

Apple upended the digital ad industry when it introduced new iPhone privacy controls last year that made it harder for companies such as Meta and Snap Inc to target and measure ads on their apps.

That, coupled with TikTok's aggressive growth, is worsening recessionary fears, according to analysts.

"Tough comps, macro and FX are certainly part of the near-term story, but TikTok competition and Apple iOS changes will both have a bigger impact than expected in 2022," J.P. Morgan analysts said.

Reels, a short video product that Meta is increasingly inserting into users' feeds to compete with TikTok, cannibalizes more profitable content and will be a headwind in the short term before eventually boosting income, company executives said.

Many analysts also expect Meta could return to stronger growth in 2023, but noted that the sputtering start to its metaverse dream, as regulators clamp down on big tech firms, would set back its innovation plans.

Also weighing on Meta's shares was the U.S. Federal Trade Commission seeking a court order to block the company from buying virtual reality content maker Within Unlimited.

(Reporting by Eva Mathews and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Devika Syamnath)
By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission is considering creating a new directorate that may be headed by two top antitrust officials to enforce tough new rules aimed at reining in the powers of Big Tech, two people familiar with the matter said.

Such a move could ease concerns that the EU competition watchdog may struggle to get technology giants such as Alphabet unit Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta and Microsoft to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The landmark rules, agreed in March, will go into force next year. They will bar the companies from setting their own products as preferences, forcing app developers to use their payment systems, and leveraging users' data to push competing services.

The new directorate at the Commission's powerful antitrust arm may be headed by Alberto Bacchiega, director of information, communication and media, in charge of antitrust and merger cases involving the tech, media and consumer electronics industries, one of the people said.

Bacchiega could also be assisted by Thomas Kramler, head of the unit dealing with antitrust cases in e-commerce and data economy, and currently spearheading investigations into Apple and Amazon, the person said.

Both officials are already liasing with those at the Commission's Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology which will jointly enforce the DMA, a third person said.

Bacchiega and Kramler could not be reached for comment as they are away on their summer holiday.

The EU executive said it was organising itself internally so that it can enforce the DMA effectively.

"The enforcement of the DMA is estimated to require approximately 80 staff who would be redeployed internally, as appropriate," a spokeswoman said.

"The internal organisation will be based on the relevant expertise of all DGs (directorate-generals) and services involved, and ensure appropriate staffing of the relevant DGs and services," she said.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
28 July 2022, 07:00 CET

ArcelorMittal (the Company) today announces it has signed an agreement with the shareholders of Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem (CSP) to acquire CSP for an enterprise value of approximately $2.2 billion. Transaction closing is subject to certain corporate and regulatory approvals, including CADE (Brazilian antitrust) approval which is expected by late 2022.

CSP is a world-class operation, producing high-quality slab at a globally competitive cost. CSPs state-of-the-art steel facility in the state of Ceara in northeast Brazil was commissioned in 2016 and produced its first slabs in June of that year. It operates a three million tonne capacity blast furnace and has access via conveyors to the Port of Pecem, a large scale, deep water port located 10 kilometers from the plant. CSP operates within Brazils first Export Processing Zone, and benefits from various tax incentives including a low corporate income tax rate.

The acquisition brings several strategic benefits to ArcelorMittal, including the potential to:

Expand the Companys position in the high-growth Brazilian steel industry.

Capitalise on the significant planned third-party investment to form a clean electricity and green hydrogen hub in Pecem.

Add 3 million tonnes of high-quality and cost-competitive slab capacity, with the potential to supply slab intra-group or to sell into North and South America.

Allow for further expansions by the Company, such as the option to add primary steelmaking capacity (including direct reduced iron) and rolling and finishing capacity.

Capture over $50 million of identified synergies, including SG&A, procurement and process optimisation.

The state of Ceara has ambitions to develop a low-cost green hydrogen hub. The Pecem Green Hydrogen Hub, a partnership between the Pecem Complex and Linde, a leading global industrial gases and engineering company, is a large-scale green hydrogen project at the Port of Pecem which is targeting to produce up to 5GW of renewable energy and 900 kt/y of green hydrogen in a series of phases. The first phase, which the partnership currently expects to be completed over the course of the next five years, targets the construction of 100-150MW of renewable energy capacity.

Commenting, ArcelorMittal CEO Aditya Mittal said:

In CSP, we are acquiring a modern, efficient, established and profitable business which further enhances our position in Brazil and adds immediate value to ArcelorMittal. There is significant potential to decarbonise the asset given the state of Cearas ambition to develop a low-cost green hydrogen hub and the huge potential the region holds for solar and wind power generation.

CSP produces high-quality slabs and is cost competitive, ensuring its products are competitive domestically and for export. In the short-term we will continue to supply CSPs existing customer base in North and South America. However, what makes this acquisition so exciting is the medium to long-term potential and options it presents. As we continue to develop the downstream capabilities of our NAFTA and Brazilian businesses over the medium-term, we have the option for CSP to become an important intra-group slab supplier. Over the longer-term there is also the option to significantly increase its slab capacity and add rolling and finishing capabilities on a low-carbon emissions basis.

ENDS

About ArcelorMittal

ArcelorMittal is the world's leading steel and mining company, with a presence in 60 countries and primary steelmaking facilities in 16 countries. In 2021, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $76.6 billion and crude steel production of 69.1 million metric tonnes, while iron ore production reached 50.9 million metric tonnes.

Our purpose is to produce ever smarter steels that have a positive benefit for people and planet. Steels made using innovative processes which use less energy, emit significantly less carbon and reduce costs. Steels that are cleaner, stronger and reusable. Steels for electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure that will support societies as they transform through this century. With steel at our core, our inventive people and an entrepreneurial culture at heart, we will support the world in making that change. This is what we believe it takes to be the steel company of the future.

ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).

For more information about ArcelorMittal please visit: http://corporate.arcelormittal.com/

Contact information ArcelorMittal Investor Relations General +44 20 7543 1128 Retail +44 20 3214 2893 SRI +44 20 3214 2801 Bonds/CreditE-mail +33 171 921 026 [email protected] Contact information ArcelorMittal Corporate Communications Paul WeighTel:E-mail: +44 20 3214 2419 [email protected]

Source: ArcelorMittal S.A.
SEATTLE, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CareListings, the nation's largest employment network exclusive to caregivers & nurses in senior care, is now utilized by over 20% of all senior care facilities in the U.S. to source candidates and reach families seeking care. This includes over 15,000 skilled nursing facilities, assisted living homes, home care agencies, and home health & hospice agencies.

"We launched four years ago to provide a better way for families to find senior care options and have now become the most comprehensive resource for caregivers & nurses to find senior care employers. It is a privilege to help so many facilities and caregiver heroes who continue to go above and beyond for our elderly loved ones throughout the Covid pandemic," says the founder and CEO of CareListings, Carl Rogers.

In addition to millions of people using CareListings to explore senior care options annually, thousands of experienced CNA, LPN/LVN, RN, and caregiver job seekers are now signing up every month on CareListings to access employment opportunities in all 50 states.

"The critical caregiver & nursing shortages in senior care are best addressed by connecting facilities directly with candidates for employment, not by overpaying temporary contractors or staffing agencies. With so many facilities struggling financially, it is more important than ever to improve the financial well-being of their employees vs paying third-party contractors."

About CareListings

CareListings is the nation's most comprehensive resource for families and healthcare professionals exploring senior care options online, with direct contact information for over 150,000 long-term care providers for free - including assisted living homes, home care & home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, hospices, dialysis facilities, and other types of senior care providers.

Senior care employers hiring nurses and caregivers have the ability to update their business listing information, post job listings, and browse employment profiles for nearby caregiver & nurse job seekers at no cost. CareListings' optional premium services are subscription-based and allow senior care facilities to reach even more families and source more candidates directly, without referral or placement fees.

Caregiver and nurse job seekers in senior care can create a centralized profile on the platform and notify hiring managers of their interest in available positions.

CareListings is based in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, and serves families, caregiver job seekers, and senior care employers across the United States. Learn more at carelistings.com.

Media Contacts:

Carl RogersEmail: [email protected]

Courtney ClaytonEmail: [email protected]

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Source: CareListings
CALGARY, Alberta, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wheatland County Alberta has been selected by CGC Inc., the Canadian division of USG Corporation, to build a new, state-of-the-art wallboard manufacturing plant.

This $210 million investment reinforces CGCs commitment to the Canadian market and will allow CGC to better serve its valued customers in Alberta and the West. Construction on the plant is expected to begin in 2023.

Our customers in Western Canada have said they want a more efficient way to access our CGC wallboard products, which they have been buying for over 100 years. Shipping our products from Eastern Canadian or American manufacturing plants no longer meets their growing demand, said Chris Griffin, President and CEO of USG Corporation. Which is why I am thrilled to announce our plans for a brand new CGC wallboard plant in Wheatland County, Alberta. A cutting-edge facility that will deliver industry-leading Sheetrock brand wallboard to our customers across Western Canada, helping them build faster, smarter and more sustainably.

Todays announcement is the result of close collaboration between CGC, Wheatland County, the Government of Alberta and Invest Alberta to fuel regional economic development by adding more than 100 high-value manufacturing jobs to the local economy at the plant long-term, as well as approximately 200 construction jobs during the site build. These new jobs will build on CGCs existing 750-strong workforce at six manufacturing locations and customer service and distribution centres across Canada.

Wheatland County was selected as the home for CGCs Western Canadian wallboard manufacturing plant because of the immediate economic benefits offered by local and regional governments, as well as long-term growth opportunities thanks to its proximity to Calgary, Alberta.

As a Canadian myself, expanding our presence in Western Canada and better serving our customers in the region has been a passion of mine since joining CGC over 20 years ago. More so, tapping into Albertans culture of innovation, entrepreneurism and talent attraction is incredibly valuable for our company, employees, and customers. It is an opportunity we couldnt miss, said Chris Griffin. I sincerely thank the Wheatland County Reeve and every representative from the Government of Alberta and Invest Alberta who helped us seize this opportunity. We look forward to having a significant presence in Wheatland County where we can better serve our customers and support local communities.

Wheatland County Council has been laser focused on cultivating a development landscape conducive to diversifying our rural economy and driving job creation through strategic growth, said Amber Link, Wheatland County Reeve. CGCs commitment to innovation, sustainability, and its entrepreneurial spirit align with Wheatland Countys commitment to innovative, sustainable municipal service delivery. CGC and Wheatlands alignment creates an environment where future employees, and their families, can experience the unparalleled quality of life that Wheatland County offers. On behalf of Team Wheatland, I am excited to work with CGC, stakeholders, our ratepayers, and businesses to create a development that works for everyone.

The Government of Alberta and Invest Alberta worked with CGC for more than a year on this project and will provide $3.74 million from the Investment and Growth Fund to support CGCs expansion to rural Alberta.

An unprecedented diversification of our economy is happening, said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. This investment by CGC to build a wallboard manufacturing plant in Wheatland County is proof of that, with more great news for Albertas economic recovery.

Albertas government has made a concerted effort to advance economic diversification and make our province the most attractive destination for investment in North America, said Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development. CGCs decision to locate their $210 million wallboard manufacturing plant in Wheatland County is more proof that our plan working, creating jobs, and delivering tangible wins to rural communities.

Investments like this one from CGC are proof positive that Alberta is once again the economic engine of Canada, said Doug Schweitzer, Minister Jobs, Economy and Innovation. Since we launched Albertas Recovery Plan two years ago, we have been unwavering about diversifying the economy, attracting investment and creating good jobs for Albertans. Thanks to collaboration between government, Invest Alberta, Wheatland County and CGC, weve achieved all three today.

Programs like the Investment and Growth Fund give Alberta a competitive advantage when attracting new and exciting investment to the province, said Rick Christiaanse, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Alberta. Todays announcement with CGC is another example of a high-impact, high-value investment in Alberta that creates jobs and grows Albertas innovative edge in the manufacturing sector.

About CGC Inc.

CGC Inc. is a leading marketer, manufacturer and distributor of gypsum wallboard products, interior finishing materials and suspended acoustical ceilings in Canada. First known as Canadian Gypsum Company, CGC began in Nova Scotia in 1907. Today, CGC is recognized as a key player in Canadas dynamic building materials industry, supplying innovative wall and ceiling products to the new construction and repair and remodel markets of the residential, commercial and institutional sectors. The company also supplies materials for industrial uses. CGC operates three mines, five plants and several distribution and customer service centres across Canada.

For more information about CGC Inc. Canada, visit: Drywall, Ceiling & Flooring Manufacturer | CGC (usg.com)

About Invest Alberta

Invest Alberta is dedicated to investment attraction, with a mandate to engage the world and provide high-end tailored support to companies, investors, and major new projects. With team members in key markets around the world, Invest Alberta works to break down barriers so investors and businesses can start up, scale up, and succeed without limits.

Learn more at www.investalberta.ca

Communications Invest Alberta [email protected] Kathleen Prause CGC/ USG Corporation 312 436 6607 [email protected]

Source: Invest Alberta Corporation
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Donlin Gold LLC (Donlin Gold), owned 50/50 by Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick) (TSX: ABX) (NYSE: GOLD) and NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. (NOVAGOLD) (TSX, NYSE American: NG), is pleased to report the initial assay results for the 2022 drill program.

The drill program is progressing ahead of schedule with 26,800 meters of the originally planned 34,000-meter drill program completed to date, and assay results received from approximately 9,870 meters of drilling. The results support the recent modelling concepts, and strategic mine planning work.

The site crew (150 employees, contractors, and student interns), a majority of which are local hires representing 24 Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) communities in Alaska, are working on a two-week rotation schedule and continue to advance project activities at a good pace.

With the largest budget in more than a decade, the owners are advancing the Donlin Gold project up the value chain and are working toward a feasibility study decision, subject to Donlin Gold LLC Board approval.

A workshop with Barrick and NOVAGOLD will take place in September at the Donlin Gold project in Alaska to review the work completed to date and lay the path forward.

Statements by the Owners

Barrick President and Chief Executive Mark Bristow said, as expected, the drill program for 2022 continues to enhance our understanding of the ore bodies that make up the Donlin project. Also encouraging is that this years drilling campaign is ahead of schedule and results so far support the most recent modelling concepts as we focus on moving the project toward a feasibility study decision. I look forward to the Donlin Gold workshop in Alaska in September to advance these efforts.

Greg Lang, NOVAGOLDs President and CEO, said, The 2022 drill program has been extremely exciting, not to mention rewarding. With the latest set of assays, we continue to enjoy some of the best gold intercepts in the mining industry. The outstanding results reported today, such as the high-grade at ACMA and the deep exploration work, further substantiate Donlin Golds potential, and the recent modelling concepts, in support of the strategic mine planning work and the engineering studies. We have significantly de-risked Donlin Gold over many years, taking it up the value chain so as to improve and enhance the value of the project for all our stakeholders. This progress is demonstrated through our commitment and dedication to building trust and transparency with our Alaska Native Corporation partners, Calista Corporation and The Kuskokwim Corporation, with whom we have created a model for responsible mining development.

Dan Graham, General Manager of Donlin Gold added, Donlin Golds top priorities continue to be the health and safety of our people following the best practices in environmental stewardship for the benefit of the people of Alaska. We could not be more pleased with the work of our 2022 Donlin Gold site crew. While exceeding productivity rates and running ahead of schedule, the overall morale of employees has been high and our safety record has remained strong. Moreover, we are most gratified to report that, during the program, the majority of our 150 employees and contractors were local hires from 24 Y-K communities in Alaska.

Delivering Results

The prime focus of our activities this year is to undertake a 34,000-meter drill program with tight-spaced grid drilling as well as in-pit and ex-pit exploration; and to input the results from this drilling into the geologic modelling and interpretation work that is being used for updated resource models. In June, the Donlin Gold LLC Board approved an additional 43 drill holes and 8,380 meters to infill one of the 20-meter grids to 10-meter spacing. In addition to the engineering studies underway to support the mining schedules and life of mine business plans, this program will enable us to proceed with the preparation of an updated feasibility study, subject to a formal decision by the Donlin Gold LLC Board.

Following the excellent results of 2021, we are encouraged by the expanded drill program for 2022, with drilling also focused on upside prospects in the ACMA and Lewis pits where drilling so far has been limited. The new assays we received have thus far yielded some outstanding intercepts, with the five top intervals released today being:

DC22-2040 intersected 52.27 m grading 14.63 g/t gold starting at 232.95 m drilled depth, including sub intervals of 13.94 m grading 33.95 g/t gold starting at 232.95 m drilled depth and 16.45 m grading 13.50 g/t gold starting at 257.18 m drilled depth;

DC22-2040 intersected 18.65 m grading 10.78 g/t gold starting at 197.60 m drilled depth, including a sub interval of 7.68 m grading 19.69 g/t gold starting at 199.35 m drilled depth;

DC22-2056 intersected 73.98 m grading 4.21 g/t gold starting at 99.82 m drilled depth, including a sub interval of 6.16 m grading 18.20 g/t gold starting at 109.12 m drilled depth;

DC22-2063 intersected 12.10 m grading 22.15 g/t gold starting at 130.04 m drilled depth, including a sub interval of 5.43 m grading 47.17 g/t starting 135.48 m drilled depth; and

DC22-2067 intersected 44.58 m grading 4.50 g/t gold starting at 464.06 m drilled depth, including sub intervals of 3.11 m grading 10.79 g/t gold starting at 464.06 m drilled depth and 6.35 m grading 10.26 g/t gold starting at 496.00 m drilled depth.

Drill-hole collar locations and five of the top intervals are shown in Figure 1.

Drill-hole orientations, depths and significant intervals are shown in Tables 1 and 2, respectively, in the Appendix at the end of this release.

DC22-2063 interval is subparallel to a mineralized fault zone and mineralized dyke.

DC22-2067 interval is subparallel to a mineralized fault zone.

The team of 150 people at Donlin Gold are advancing drilling activities at a fine pace, with the drilling expected to wrap-up in the fall. The health and safety of our workforce is a priority. Donlin Gold has implemented strict safety protocols, while COVID-19 mitigation measures remain in place to ensure that the staff rotations in and out of the camp are conducted in both an efficient and safe manner.

Donlin Gold 2022 Project Budget

The 2022 budget for Donlin Gold LLC (on a 100% basis) is set at $60 million, split equally between the two owners. The focus is to refresh geologic modelling and interpretation work for an updated resource model as well as engineering activities to inform an updated feasibility study decision. Approximately 34,000 meters of in-pit and below-pit drilling was planned under the original scope, in addition to fieldwork, for the Alaska Dam Safety Certifications, environmental studies, and external affairs efforts. An additional $4.8 million (100% basis) was approved by the Donlin Gold LLC Board for the additional 8,380 drill meter workplan.

The owners will continue to advance the Donlin Gold project as they have done for many years in a financially disciplined manner with a clear focus on a strong safety culture, engineering excellence, environmental stewardship, and active community engagement.

About Donlin Gold

The Donlin Gold project is located in Alaska, the second largest gold-producing state in the United States. With approximately 39 million ounces of gold grading 2.24 grams per tonne in the measured and indicated mineral resource categories (100 percent basis)1, Donlin Gold hosts one of the largest and highest-grade undeveloped open-pit gold endowments in the world. The planned pits in which the existing resources are sited occupy only three kilometers of an eight-kilometer mineralized belt, which itself is located on less than 5% of Donlin Golds land position. Current activities at Donlin Gold are focused on the drill program, optimization efforts, community outreach, and advancing the remaining State permitting actions.

Donlin Gold is a committed partner to the Alaska Native communities both surrounding the project and within the State as a whole. This commitment underpins our approach and is also reflected in the way in which the asset itself is structured. An important factor that distinguishes Donlin Gold from most other mining assets in Alaska is that the project is located on private land designated for mining activities under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Donlin Gold has entered into life-of-mine agreements with Calista, which owns the subsurface mineral rights and some surface land rights, and The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC), a collection of 10 village corporations, which owns the majority of surface land rights. Donlin Gold is committed to providing employment opportunities, scholarships, and preferential contract considerations to Calista and TKC shareholders. The life-of-mine agreements include a revenue-sharing structure established in the context of the ANCSA, which resolved Alaska Native land claims and allotted some 44 million acres of land for use by Alaska Native Corporations. Additionally, our long-term commitment to economic development in the Y-K region is exemplified by Donlin Golds support of TKCs initiative to launch energy and infrastructure projects in middle Kuskokwim villages. These partnerships, activities, and programs are illustrative of Donlin Golds commitment to sustainable and responsible development of the project for the benefit of all stakeholders.

FIGURE 1 Drill Hole Collar Locations

Depicted grid system is based on NAD83 UTM zone 4N coordinates. Longitudinal Section View orientation below taken at A  A orientation depicted above.

FIGURE 2 Longitudinal Section View of the ACMA and Lewis Deposits

QA/QC Procedures

The QA/QC procedures for the 2022 Donlin Gold project drill program and sampling protocol were developed and managed by Donlin Gold and overseen by Barrick and NOVAGOLD. The chain of custody from the drill site to the sample preparation facility was continuously monitored. All samples are HQ-diameter core. Approximately 94% core recovery has been achieved during the 2022 drill program. Core was logged, cut, and sampled at site by Donlin Gold employees. Samples were primarily collected on one- to two-meter lengths. Sampled half-core was crushed in Bureau Veritas Juneau and Fairbanks, Alaska sample preparation facilities. Crushed samples were sent to Bureau Veritas lab in Vancouver, British Columbia for pulverizing and gold assays and pulverized splits to an ALS Limited lab in Vancouver, British Columbia for multi-element analysis. Quality control samples were inserted (standards at 5% of primary samples, blanks at 5% of primary samples and duplicates at 2.5% of primary samples) into each batch of samples. The review of the quality control samples did not indicate any bias or error. Out of bounds quality control samples were handled with appropriate reruns and investigations. There are no known factors that would materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the drill program data referred to in this media release.

Downhole directional surveys were completed on all reported completed holes by Boart Longyear drill operators, and collar surveys were completed by Donlin Gold staff under the supervision of Professional Licensed Surveyors from Brice Engineering LLC.

Each of Bureau Veritas, ALS Limited, Boart Longyear, and Brice Engineering LLC are independent of Donlin Gold, Barrick, and NOVAGOLD.

Scientific and Technical Information

In mid-2021, NOVAGOLD engaged Wood Canada Limited (Wood) to update the Second Updated Feasibility Study on Donlin Gold completed in 2011 (the 2011 Technical Report). 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). In 2021, NOVAGOLD also engaged Wood to prepare a Donlin Gold technical report summary in accordance with Subpart 229.1300 of Regulation S-K  Disclosure by Registrants Engaged in Mining Operations (S-K 1300) as of November 30, 2021. The resulting report is titled S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA (S-K 1300 Report), current as of November 30, 2021. Wood incorporated 2020 costs and new gold price guidance to meet the NOVAGOLDs 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.

NOVAGOLD is a registrant with the SEC and is reporting its 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 (NI 43-101) rules in Canada, they are not identical and therefore two reports have been produced for the Donlin Gold project.

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 Report. Henry Kim, P.Geo., Senior Resource Geologist, Wood Canada Limited; 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). Wood prepared the S-K 1300 Report.

Paul Chilson, P.E., who is the Manager of Mine Engineering for NOVAGOLD and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, has approved and verified the scientific and technical information related to the 2021 and 2022 Donlin Gold project drill programs, the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Report contained in this media release. To verify the information related to the drilling programs, he has visited the property in the past year; discussed logging, sampling, and sample shipping processes with responsible site staff; discussed and reviewed assay and QA/QC results with responsible personnel; and reviewed supporting documentation, including drill hole location and orientation and significant assay interval calculations.

Octavia Bath, P.Geo., who is a Barrick Mineral Resource Manager and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the assay results for the Donlin Gold project contained in this media release.

Barrick Contacts:Kathy du PlessisInvestor and Media Relations+44 20 7557 7738Email: [email protected] Kevin AnnettCFO, North AmericaTel: +1 416-307-3660www.barrick.com NOVAGOLD Contacts:

Melanie HennesseyVice President, Corporate CommunicationsTel: +1 604-669-6227 or 1-866-669-6227Email: [email protected]www.novagold.com

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 Barrick and 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 assay results; the anticipated timing of a decision by the Board of Donlin Gold LLC to prepare a feasibility study update; anticipated benefits from recent drill programs including an improved geological model for Donlin Gold; the work program for the 2022 field season; the continuing priorities of Donlin Gold, including the health and safety of our people; ongoing support provided to key stakeholders including Native Corporation partners; the potential impact of the coronavirus global pandemic (COVID-19) on the development of Donlin Gold; the potential development and construction of Donlin Gold; the sufficiency of funds to continue to advance development of Donlin Gold; perceived merit of properties; mineral reserve and resource estimates; Donlin Golds ability to secure the permits needed to construct and operate the Donlin Gold project in a timely manner, if at all; and legal challenges to Donlin Golds existing permits. 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 management expectations of Donlin Golds, Barricks and NOVAGOLDs 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 securing permits; the need for additional financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; the spread and impact of COVID-19; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drill results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; 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 project; 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 a positive construction decision will be made regarding Donlin Gold; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Barricks most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Canadian provincial securities authorities, and NOVAGOLDs most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, particularly the "Risk Factors" sections of those reports and other documents filed by Barrick and 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, Barricks website at www.barrick.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 Donlin Gold, NOVAGOLD, and Barrick on the date the statements are made. Donlin Gold, NOVAGOLD and Barrick assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

APPENDIX

TABLE 1Drill Hole Orientations* and Depths

HOLE Azimuth () Inclination () Depth (m) DC22-2033 331 61 254.51 DC22-2034 331 62 287.43 DC22-2035 238 45 877.52 DC22-2036 328 59 245.06 DC22-2037 335 59 289.86 DC22-2038 331 61 248.72 DC22-2039 331 56 289.26 DC22-2040 333 60 309.37 DC22-2041 331 61 261.82 DC22-2042 336 58 264.57 DC22-2043 329 60 230.12 DC22-2044 331 59 288.34 DC22-2045 331 60 224.94 DC22-2046 333 60 239.57 DC22-2047 331 59 230.12 DC22-2048 331 61 166.73 DC22-2049 331 61 145.24 DC22-2050 333 59 219.46 DC22-2051 242 52 851.61 DC22-2052 335 61 139.90 DC22-2053 334 59 292.91 DC22-2054 334 60 188.37 DC22-2055 335 62 215.19 DC22-2056 334 60 184.40 DC22-2057 335 59 244.45 DC22-2058 332 61 196.90 DC22-2059 339 60 234.85 DC22-2060 330 59 157.28 DC22-2061 331 59 247.80 DC22-2062 332 60 239.88 DC22-2063 334 58 300.38 DC22-2064 334 58 230.12 DC22-2065 332 59 225.55 DC22-2066 334 59 225.55 DC22-2067 246 52 777.54 DC22-2068 333 62 240.18 DC22-2069 333 61 260.60 DC22-2070 332 60 240.79 DC22-2071 330 61 225.55 DC22-2072 333 59 223.88 DC22-2073 330 61 233.17 DC22-2074 332 61 240.03 DC22-2075 330 59 233.78 DC22-2076 333 60 227.99 DC22-2077 330 61 211.68 DC22-2078 333 59 230.12 DC22-2079 334 61 235.00 DC22-2080 332 58 256.34 DC22-2081 332 59 239.88 DC22-2082 245 54 789.43 DC22-2083 328 64 220.07 DC22-2084 335 62 209.09 DC22-2085 334 57 249.94 DC22-2086 334 58 210.31 DC22-2087 332 56 220.37 DC22-2088 334 59 219.46 DC22-2089 332 59 243.84 DC22-2090 330 58 220.07 DC22-2091 334 60 260.30 DC22-2092 333 59 225.55 DC22-2093 334 59 235.00 DC22-2094 327 63 915.10 DC22-2095 335 58 199.95 DC22-2096 332 60 275.84 DC22-2097 256 70 483.11 DC22-2098 337 58 199.95 DC22-2099 333 58 227.38 DC22-2100 334 57 216.56 DC22-2101 311 64 522.43 DC22-2102 331 60 227.08 DC22-2103 330 61 291.08 DC22-2104 330 60 239.57 DC22-2105 336 59 275.84 DC22-2106 324 62 920.95 DC22-2107 334 60 265.18 DC22-2108 294 67 557.78 DC22-2109 334 62 303.28 DC22-2110 331 61 289.56 DC22-2111 332 61 245.36 DC22-2113 334 63 259.99 DC22-2114 334 61 256.95 DC22-2115 334 60 311.05

* Note that azimuth and inclination values vary as each hole progresses. The stated values are hole averages, rounded to the nearest degree.

TABLE 22021 Donlin Gold Significant Assay Intervals

Hole ID Area From(Meters) To(Meters) Length(Meters) Au Grade (g/t) DC22-2033 ACMA 33.04 36.50 3.46 1.24 DC22-2033 42.17 50.01 7.84 2.79 DC22-2033 105.65 126.32 20.67 2.76 DC22-2033 172.08 176.43 4.35 1.03 DC22-2033 185.79 189.64 3.85 1.87 DC22-2033 TOTAL 40.17 2.36 DC22-2034 ACMA 44.35 48.16 3.81 1.78 DC22-2034 116.29 129.32 13.03 6.40 including 121.31 127.97 6.66 10.51 DC22-2034 140.80 145.80 5.00 10.39 DC22-2034 208.38 220.88 12.50 2.18 DC22-2034 TOTAL 34.34 4.93 DC22-2035 ACMA 433.53 440.95 7.42 6.30 DC22-2035 651.24 682.65 31.41 3.81 DC22-2035 751.88 756.10 4.22 8.15 DC22-2035 TOTAL 43.05 4.67 DC22-2036 ACMA 137.33 144.48 7.15 3.39 DC22-2036 152.57 159.29 6.72 2.94 DC22-2036 TOTAL 13.87 3.17 DC22-2037 ACMA 109.24 119.58 10.34 3.07 DC22-2037 TOTAL 10.34 3.07 DC22-2038 ACMA 114.50 126.63 12.13 3.24 DC22-2038 185.16 190.15 4.99 4.90 DC22-2038 TOTAL 17.12 3.72 DC22-2039 ACMA 122.46 126.13 3.67 3.46 DC22-2039 TOTAL 3.67 3.46 DC22-2040 ACMA 97.26 105.21 7.95 2.77 DC22-2040 114.45 122.41 7.96 1.50 DC22-2040 139.25 154.84 15.59 3.64 DC22-2040 197.60 216.25 18.65 10.78 including 199.35 207.03 7.68 19.69 DC22-2040 232.95 285.22 52.27 14.63 including 232.95 246.89 13.94 33.95 including 257.18 273.63 16.45 13.50 DC22-2040 TOTAL 102.42 10.31 DC22-2041 ACMA 75.03 81.99 6.96 4.60 DC22-2041 86.43 101.36 14.93 1.82 DC22-2041 105.74 113.42 7.68 4.43 DC22-2041 174.29 187.45 13.16 7.47 DC22-2041 TOTAL 42.73 4.48 DC22-2042 ACMA 19.80 34.44 14.64 3.09 DC22-2042 95.10 102.28 7.18 3.71 DC22-2042 152.80 162.62 9.82 2.93 DC22-2042 168.21 187.81 19.60 4.06 DC22-2042 196.04 205.46 9.42 5.22 DC22-2042 TOTAL 60.66 3.78 DC22-2043 ACMA 49.61 58.38 8.77 7.23 DC22-2043 144.97 168.48 23.51 6.20 DC22-2043 TOTAL 32.28 6.48 DC22-2044 ACMA 26.21 30.14 3.93 2.78 DC22-2044 157.31 166.42 9.11 3.62 DC22-2044 171.95 176.69 4.74 4.55 DC22-2044 TOTAL 17.78 3.69 DC22-2045 ACMA 12.53 18.23 5.70 3.95 DC22-2045 41.42 58.40 16.98 1.56 DC22-2045 63.84 73.05 9.21 2.40 DC22-2045 128.03 133.50 5.47 3.18 DC22-2045 138.75 146.20 7.45 1.74 DC22-2045 158.22 170.45 12.23 1.93 DC22-2045 205.38 213.77 8.39 1.92 DC22-2045 TOTAL 65.43 2.16 DC22-2046 ACMA 24.38 32.42 8.04 5.25 DC22-2046 109.52 135.25 25.73 5.22 DC22-2046 176.88 194.04 17.16 3.48 DC22-2046 207.43 212.14 4.71 1.32 DC22-2046 220.58 223.77 3.19 1.02 DC22-2046 TOTAL 58.83 4.18 DC22-2047 ACMA 37.19 47.66 10.47 2.37 DC22-2047 135.33 140.13 4.80 9.08 including 136.37 140.13 3.76 11.06 DC22-2047 151.83 176.24 24.41 3.76 DC22-2047 TOTAL 39.68 4.04 DC22-2048 ACMA 6.44 10.48 4.04 5.16 DC22-2048 23.77 30.48 6.71 7.43 DC22-2048 36.88 43.61 6.73 3.48 DC22-2048 94.64 106.83 12.19 3.11 DC22-2048 111.17 143.61 32.44 1.18 DC22-2048 TOTAL 62.11 2.74 DC22-2049 ACMA 10.97 16.20 5.23 6.51 DC22-2049 95.70 112.44 16.74 2.76 DC22-2049 TOTAL 21.97 3.65 DC22-2050 ACMA 38.40 42.93 4.53 1.22 DC22-2050 98.40 123.70 25.30 2.82 DC22-2050 137.98 162.88 24.90 2.74 DC22-2050 TOTAL 54.73 2.65 DC22-2051 ACMA 69.70 80.01 10.31 1.27 DC22-2051 119.52 126.19 6.67 1.72 DC22-2051 343.75 356.05 12.30 3.24 DC22-2051 437.45 474.88 37.43 2.35 DC22-2051 533.86 565.30 31.44 4.63 including 545.90 550.40 4.50 11.45 DC22-2051 693.27 708.65 15.38 6.81 including 698.89 703.53 4.64 16.59 DC22-2051 746.67 767.93 21.26 3.74 DC22-2051 TOTAL 134.79 3.58 DC22-2052 ACMA 6.36 17.07 10.71 2.43 DC22-2052 100.72 104.92 4.20 1.93 DC22-2052 TOTAL 14.91 2.29 DC22-2053 ACMA 39.82 43.55 3.73 2.24 DC22-2053 50.55 59.82 9.27 2.09 DC22-2053 169.41 172.63 3.22 3.72 DC22-2053 286.82 290.15 3.33 2.57 DC22-2053 TOTAL 19.55 2.47 DC22-2054 ACMA 10.05 13.42 3.37 3.44 DC22-2054 108.52 148.31 39.79 3.37 DC22-2054 152.89 179.89 27.00 2.70 DC22-2054 TOTAL 70.16 3.11 DC22-2055 ACMA 12.19 35.77 23.58 2.36 DC22-2055 115.85 124.30 8.45 5.11 DC22-2055 131.99 152.88 20.89 4.12 DC22-2055 181.66 187.45 5.79 2.03 DC22-2055 TOTAL 58.71 3.35 DC22-2056 ACMA 2.44 13.33 10.89 17.55 including 7.01 11.13 4.12 44.11 DC22-2056 83.31 86.37 3.06 8.51 DC22-2056 99.82 173.80 73.98 4.21 including 109.12 115.28 6.16 18.20 DC22-2056 TOTAL 87.93 6.02 DC22-2057 ACMA 10.97 21.25 10.28 2.59 DC22-2057 40.56 48.17 7.61 1.97 DC22-2057 52.57 60.64 8.07 1.05 DC22-2057 118.89 123.88 4.99 2.23 DC22-2057 135.23 142.04 6.81 6.04 DC22-2057 147.74 160.25 12.51 3.91 DC22-2057 166.47 173.36 6.89 2.48 DC22-2057 186.43 194.98 8.55 4.04 DC22-2057 TOTAL 65.71 3.09 DC22-2058 ACMA 5.18 14.02 8.84 2.81 DC22-2058 21.46 33.01 11.55 3.50 DC22-2058 112.19 118.57 6.38 3.84 DC22-2058 124.23 138.62 14.39 8.18 including 130.24 136.99 6.75 15.15 DC22-2058 151.79 172.17 20.38 2.83 DC22-2058 TOTAL 61.54 4.31 DC22-2059 Divide 57.65 76.04 18.39 3.64 DC22-2059 81.48 86.56 5.08 1.01 DC22-2059 95.38 109.70 14.32 2.75 DC22-2059 118.26 122.22 3.96 2.94 DC22-2059 TOTAL 41.75 2.95 DC22-2060 ACMA 10.02 16.48 6.46 7.99 DC22-2060 116.69 121.75 5.06 2.26 DC22-2060 TOTAL 11.52 5.47 DC22-2061 Divide 22.80 25.91 3.11 2.36 DC22-2061 32.72 41.90 9.18 2.10 DC22-2061 55.87 66.97 11.10 2.59 DC22-2061 73.76 81.30 7.54 1.80 DC22-2061 91.09 129.15 38.06 3.08 DC22-2061 172.94 176.31 3.37 2.49 DC22-2061 186.10 196.08 9.98 2.51 DC22-2061 TOTAL 82.34 2.67 DC22-2062 Divide 54.25 87.49 33.24 1.02 DC22-2062 110.99 115.21 4.22 4.76 DC22-2062 126.31 132.65 6.34 9.68 DC22-2062 147.06 197.82 50.76 3.28 DC22-2062 TOTAL 94.56 2.98 DC22-2063 Divide 9.14 15.75 6.61 1.32 DC22-2063 61.13 75.81 14.68 3.12 DC22-2063 130.04 142.14 12.10 22.15 including 135.48 140.91 5.43 47.17 DC22-2063 TOTAL 33.39 9.66 DC22-2067 ACMA 83.17 92.99 9.82 1.43 DC22-2067 123.01 130.91 7.90 2.41 DC22-2067 145.78 160.87 15.09 5.49 DC22-2067 251.68 260.64 8.96 1.05 DC22-2067 273.14 288.11 14.97 1.94 DC22-2067 416.80 434.50 17.70 4.26 DC22-2067 464.06 508.64 44.58 4.50 including 464.06 467.17 3.11 10.79 including 496.00 502.35 6.35 10.26 DC22-2067 582.22 592.53 10.31 2.82 DC22-2067 614.40 626.58 12.18 1.16 DC22-2067 644.08 652.25 8.17 1.79 DC22-2067 724.00 730.65 6.65 1.05 DC22-2067 TOTAL 156.33 3.17 DC22-2082 ACMA 20.56 47.61 27.05 2.53 DC22-2082 60.07 68.99 8.92 2.26 DC22-2082 88.83 94.25 5.42 2.23 DC22-2082 130.34 136.86 6.52 3.71 DC22-2082 400.20 407.52 7.32 2.67 DC22-2082 423.91 427.27 3.36 7.32 DC22-2082 555.07 564.83 9.76 7.75 DC22-2082 568.85 583.94 15.09 3.35 DC22-2082 632.16 641.42 9.26 2.85 DC22-2082 660.08 668.73 8.65 2.19 DC22-2082 684.64 701.30 16.66 4.29 DC22-2082 718.02 724.88 6.86 5.77 DC22-2082 TOTAL 124.87 3.62

Significant intervals represent drilled intervals and not necessarily true thickness of mineralization. Mineralized intervals meet or exceed 3 meters in length above 1 g/t. A maximum of 4 meters of continuous dilution (

1 Donlin Gold data as per the 2021 Technical Report and S-K 1300 Report (both as defined herein). 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.

Figures accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5c3fc405-5ef0-49ea-84e9-762f7ccd5489

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1cba6f95-4334-4787-a13f-fc1da017c18f

FIGURE 1 Drill Hole Collar Locations FIGURE 1 Drill Hole Collar Locations FIGURE 2 Longitudinal Section View of the ACMA and Lewis Deposits FIGURE 2 Longitudinal Section View of the ACMA and Lewis Deposits

Source: NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC.
EDMONTON, Alberta, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EPCOR Utilities Inc. (EPCOR) today filed its quarterly results for the three months and year-to-date period ended June 30, 2022.

Second quarter operating and financial performance continued to be ahead of expectations across EPCORs utilities and geographies, said Stuart Lee, EPCOR President & CEO. Despite global supply chain headwinds, in the first six months of 2022 our capital program invested $388 million into renewing utility infrastructure, connecting customers in growing communities, and meeting the complex energy and water needs of commercial partners.

EPCORs expertise is sought by partners across North America, continued Mr. Lee. In Alberta and British Columbia, EPCOR is successfully developing electrical infrastructure to support the Trans Mountain pipeline. In the Southern Bruce region of Ontario, 265 kilometres of natural gas pipeline is now in place, connecting industrial, agricultural and residential customers to a new energy supply. At the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, we have begun work on a new demineralized water treatment facility which we expect to complete in 2023. In Texas, we signed preliminary service agreements for design and early works for a large-scale groundwater supply system and an industrial water reclamation facility. These and other initiatives leverage the deep technical expertise of our people, disciplined project management approach, and commitments to sustainability and innovation.

Highlights of EPCORs financial performance are as follows:

Net income was $93 million and $167 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, compared with net income of $86 million and $141 million for the comparative periods in 2021, respectively. The increase of $7 million and $26 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, was primarily due to higher transmission system access service charge net collections and higher Adjusted EBITDA, as described below, partially offset by unfavorable fair value adjustments related to financial electricity purchase contracts and higher depreciation. In addition, for the six months ended June 30, 2022, there was higher net collection of U.S. natural gas procurement costs, partially offset by higher income tax expense.

Adjusted EBITDA was $233 million and $442 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, compared with $219 million and $413 million for the comparative periods in 2021, respectively. The increase of $14 million and $29 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, was primarily due to higher rates and customer growth and higher Energy Price Setting Plan margins, partially offset by lower Adjusted EBITDA due to expropriation of the Bullhead City water utility systems on September 1, 2021. In addition, for the six months ended June 30, 2022, there was a higher provision for expected credit losses from customers.

Investment in capital projects was $388 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared with $471 million for the corresponding period in 2021, primarily due to the acquisition of San Tan operations in 2021 with no corresponding acquisition in 2022, partially offset by higher capital spending in the Companys Water Services, Distribution and Transmission, U.S. Operations and Other segments.

Interim managements discussion and analysis and the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are available on EPCORs website (www.epcor.com) and SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

EPCOR, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, builds, owns and operates electrical, natural gas and water transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems, and infrastructure in Canada and the United States. The Company also provides electricity, natural gas and water products and services to residential and commercial customers. EPCOR, headquartered in Edmonton, is committed to conducting its business and operations safely and responsibly. Environmental Stewardship, public health and community well-being are at the heart of EPCORs mission to provide clean water and safe, reliable energy. EPCOR is an Alberta Top 75 employer and is ranked among Corporate Knights 2022 Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada.

For more information, contact:

Media Relations:Laura Ehrkamp (780) 721-9001 [email protected] Corporate Relations:Matt Lemay (780) 412-3711 or toll free (877) 969-8280 [email protected]

Managements Discussion and Analysis can be viewed at http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/0aee53a3-7354-4232-a169-3920ecc7ab02

Source: EPCOR Utilities Inc
Press release

First half 2022 results

First half of 2022 follows on from the trend seen in 2021 Continuing robust letting activity Financial occupancy rate up 1 point Annualised net rents up 2.0% Portfolio value up 0.6% Solid financial position with net LTV ratio of 40.7%

Proposed acquisition of two shopping centres from Altarea Commerce Simultaneous announcement of the signing of an agreement subject to conditions precedent concerning the acquisition of two shopping centres from Altarea for 90.4m (including transfer taxes)



At the same time as this press release on its first half 2022 results, MRM has published a second press release on the announcement of the signing of an agreement concerning the acquisition subject to conditions precedent of two shopping centres from Altarea for 90.4m (including transfer taxes). An information meeting to present the first half results and the proposed acquisition will be held at 10:00 a.m. on 29 July 2022 at the Companys head office. To attend, please contact the Company by email at: [email protected]

Paris, 28 July 2022: MRM (Euronext code ISIN FR00140085W6), a real estate investment company specialising in retail property, today announced its half-year results as at 30 June 2022. This press release follows on from the review and approval of the interim financial statements by the Board of Directors at its meeting held today.

Francois Matray, Chief Executive Officer of MRM, noted: With ongoing robust letting activity, MRMs operating performance in the first half of 2022 followed on from the trend seen last year. We achieved further improvement in the financial occupancy rate, annualised net rents and the portfolio value. Our half-year results are solid and our financial position is healthy. As well as focusing on managing our portfolio in a proactive manner, we have worked on acquisition opportunities and are pleased to announce today the agreement signed with Altarea with a view to acquiring two shopping centres for 90 million. This transformative move would result in a significant change of dimension for MRM, opening up new prospects for development. (see the dedicated press release published simultaneously).

Continued brisk letting activity

Letting activity remained robust in the first half of 2022. The eight leases1 signed during the period represent total rents of 0.7 million and a total floor area of 2,800 sqm. Taking account of the handful of contracts renegotiated under specific terms relating to the health crisis, the average reversion rate was -4%.

New leases signed concern in particular:

The ongoing letting of the Valentin shopping centre (near Besancon) with the signing of three leases representing a total floor area of 160 sqm. These agreements have enhanced MRMs offering in the areas of Beauty and Services.

The reletting of the 2,000 sqm medium-sized unit within the Carre Velizy mixed-used development (Velizy-Villacoublay) vacated by Office Depot in January 2022: the lease signed with fitness chain On Air came into effect on 29 April 2022. This fits in fully with the Household equipment and Foodservice outlets already present at the site.

Letting activity was reflected by a further increase in the financial occupancy rate to 89% at end-June 2022, from 88% at end-December 2021. The physical occupancy rate remained stable at 90%. Annualised net rents totalled 9.5 million as at 1 July 2022, an increase of 2.0% relative to 1 January 2022.

MRM collected 92% of rents and charges in the first half of 2022.

Slight increase in portfolio value

The value of MRMs portfolio was 163.0 million as at 30 June 2022. This increase of 0.6% reflects the improvement in its rental situation.

 million 30.06.2022 31.12.2021 Change Portfolio value

excl. transfer taxes 163.0 162.0 +0.6%

Financial results

Rental income

Gross rental income for the first half of 2022, corresponding to rents billed, amounted to 4.7 million, down 0.7% on a like-for-like basis2.

Thanks to its lettings successes, MRM benefited from the full effect of leases signed in 2021 for the Valentin shopping centre, Aria Parc (Allonnes) and Sud Canal (Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines), as well as new leases coming into effect over the period. The indexation effect was slightly positive.

These positive effects were offset by the temporary vacancy of the medium-sized unit vacated in January 2022 at Carre Velizy, which has already been relet under a lease that came into effect on 29 April 2022 (see above).

On a reported basis, taking account of the impact of the disposal of two non-strategic assets in October 2021, revenues were down 3.9% relative to the first half of 2021.

Half-year rental income

 million H1 2022 H1 2021 Change Like-for-like change2 Gross rental income 4.7 4.9 -3.9% -0.7% Recurring non-recovered property expenses (1.2) (1.2) Non-recurring items (0.2) 0.2 Net rental income 3.3 3.9 -16.8%





Compared with the first half of 2021, the amount of non-recovered property expenses was stable at 1.2 million. However, MRM recorded non-recurring items corresponding to adjustments of rental charges, representing an expense of 0.2 million in the first half of 2022 compared with a profit of 0.2 million in the first half of 2021, a change of -0.4 million.

Net rental income therefore came to 3.3 million, down 16.8% from 3.9 million during the same period in 2021.

Increase of 2% in operating income before disposals and change in fair value

Taking account of the signing during the period of Covid write-off agreements for which provisions had previously been booked, the subtotal of provisions net of reversals and other net operating expenses was zero in the first half of 2022, compared with an expense of 0.9 million in the first half of 2021 (including Covid provisions of 0.7 million).

Operating income before disposals and change in fair value in the first half of 2022 was 2.0 million, up 2.0% compared with the first half of 2021.

Positive impact of the change in fair value of properties on net income

The increase in appraised values resulted in a positive change in the portfolios fair value of 1.3 million, compared with 2.1 million in the first half of 2021.

As a result, operating income came to 3.3 million compared with 4.0 million in the first half of 2021.

Reflecting the financial terms of the refinancing of bank debt carried out in late 2021, net cost of debt increased by 9.5%, with an average cost of debt of 165 basis points for the first half of 2022. The first half of 2022 also benefited from a positive change in fair value of financial instruments of 0.4 million. As a result, net financial expense was -0.3 million compared with -0.7 million a year earlier.

Overall, consolidated net income for the first half of 2022 came to a 3.0 million compared with 3.3 million in the first half of 2021.

A condensed income statement is included in the appendix.

Net operating cash flow of 1.4m 3

Taking account of the asset sales carried out in 2021, the temporary vacancy of the 2,000 sqm at Carre Velizy (see above) and non-recurring items that weighed down net rental income, net operating cash flow was down 20.4% at 1.4 million compared with 1.8 million in the first half of 2021.

 million H1 2022 H1 2021 Change Net rental income 3.3 4.0 -16.6% Tenant support measures 0.1 (0.5) Operating expenses (1.3) (1.2) Other operating income and expenses (0.1) 0.1 EBITDA 2.0 2.4 -12.9% Net cost of debt (0.6) (0.6) Net operating cash flow 1.4 1.8 -20.4%

Solid financial position maintained

Gross debt stood at 74.5 million as at 30 June 2022, almost stable relative to end-December 2021 (74.4 million).

77% of this debt, which is subject to interest at a variable rate, is covered by caps.

The next major bank debt repayment is at the end of 2028.

At the end of June 2022, MRM had cash and cash equivalents of 8.1 million compared with 9.7 million six months earlier4. The net LTV ratio was 40.7% compared with 40.0% six months earlier.

Taking account of net operating cash flow generated during the first half of the year (1.4 million), the positive change in the fair value of properties (1.3 million) and the payout to shareholders in respect of 2021 (3.9 million), EPRA NDV was 96.4 million (44.2 per share) compared with 97.4 million (44.6 per share) at end-December 2021 (see table in the appendix).

Subsequent events

Proposed acquisition of two shopping centres

MRM today announced the signing of an agreement subject to conditions precedent with a view to acquiring two shopping centres from Altarea for a total of 90.4 million including transfer taxes. The press release providing details of this transformative move for MRM is available on the companys website: www.mrminvest.com.

Composition of the Board of Directors

At its meeting of 28 July 2022, MRMs Board of directors co-opted Karine Trebaticky to replace Gilles Castiel who has resigned from his duties. Karine Trebaticky becomes a member of the Audit committee and the Strategy committee.

As at 28 July 2022, the Board of Directors therefore consisted of six members, including two independent members, as follows:

 Francois de Varenne, Chairman of the Board of Directors

 Jacques Blanchard, Board member

 Brigitte Gauthier-Darcet, independent Board member

 Valerie Ohannessian, independent Board member

 Karine Trebaticky, Board member

 SCOR SE, Board member represented by Karina Lelievre

The ratification of the co-optation of Karine Trebaticky will be proposed to the General Meeting of shareholders.

Calendar

Financial information for the 3rd quarter of 2022 will be published before the market opens on 10 November 2022.

About MRM

MRM is a listed real estate investment company that owns and manages a portfolio of retail properties across several regions of France. Its majority shareholder is SCOR SE, which owns 59.9% of share capital. MRM is listed in Compartment C of Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR00140085W6 - Bloomberg code: MRM:FP  Reuters code: MRM.PA). MRM opted for SIIC status on 1 January 2008.

For more information:

MRM

5, avenue Kleber

75795 Paris Cedex 16

France

T +33 (0)1 58 44 70 00



[email protected] Isabelle Laurent, OPRG Financial

+33 (0)6 42 37 54 17

[email protected]





Website: www.mrminvest.com



Appendix 1: Income statement

Simplified IFRS income statement

m H1 2022 H1 2021 Net rental income 3.3 3.9 Operating expenses (1.3) (1.2) Provisions net of reversals 0.8 (0.7) Other operating income and expenses (0.8) (0.2) Operating income before disposals and change in fair value 2.0 1.9 Change in fair value of properties 1.3 2.1 Operating income 3.3 4.0 Net cost of debt (0.6) (0.6) Other financial income and expense 0.3 (0.1) Net income before tax 3.0 3.3 Tax - - Consolidated net income 3.0 3.3

Appendix 2: 2 nd quarter revenues

m Q2 2022 Q2 2021 Change Like-for-like change2 Gross rental income 2.36 2.47 -4.5% -1.3%

Appendix 3: Balance sheet

Simplified IFRS balance sheet

m 30.06.2022 31.12.2021 Investment properties 163.0 162.0 Current receivables and other assets 8.0 7.6 Cash and cash equivalents 8.1 9.7 Total assets 179.2 179.4 Equity 96.4 97.4 Bank debt 74.5 74.4 Other debt and liabilities 8.2 7.6 Total equity and liabilities 179.2 179.4

Appendix 4: Net Asset Value



Net Asset Value



30.06.2022 31.12.2021 Total

m Per share

 Total

m Per share5

 EPRA NDV 96.4 44.2 97.4 44.6 EPRA NRV 106.8 48.9 108.0 49.6 Number of shares

(adjusted for treasury stock) 2,182,310 43,625,327





1 New leases or renewals

2 Adjusted for disposals in 2021

3 Net operating cash flow = consolidated net income before tax adjusted for non-cash items

4 Cash burn relates primarily to the payout to shareholders of 3.9 million in June 2022.

5 Calculated on the basis of the number of shares after the reverse stock split of MRMs shares entered into for on 20 April 2022

Attachment
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The employment rate for Canadians between 15 and 64 years of age (working age) is at a historic high, but the overall labour market has yet to fully recover from the pandemic-induced recession due to the continued aging of the countrys population, finds a new study by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

The study compares labour statistics for the first five months of 2022 relative to the same period in 2019 to gauge the recovery of the countrys labour market. In total, there were 347,300 more potential workers aged 15 to 64 in 2022 compared to 2019. However, there were 533,120 more people employed in this age category in 2022 than 2019, vastly outstripping the growth in population.

Clearly the labour market, and more specifically employment levels for working-age Canadians, has more than rebounded from the pandemic-induced recession, commented Tegan Hill, economist at the Fraser Institute and co-author of An Aging Population: The Demographic Drag on Canadas Labour Market.

The lack of a full recovery in the employment rate is explained by Canadas aging population. The study shows how there were 729,100 more people over the age of 65 in 2022 compared to 2019 but that only 62,680 were employed. Put differently, only 8.6 per cent of the new people over the age of 65 in 2022 compared to 2019 are employed.

The aging of the population will continue to impose a drag on the labour market as seniors continue to represent a larger share of the population over the age of 15, assuming no changes in their participation or employment rates, said Alex Whalen, policy analyst at the Fraser Institute and co-author of the study.

Canada needs to re-assess policies impeding potential workers over the age of 65 from participating in the labour market.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tegan Hill, EconomistFraser Institute

Alex Whalen, Policy AnalystFraser Institute

To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:Drue MacPherson, 604-688-0221 ext. 721, [email protected]

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

Source: Fraser Institute
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- George Sanders, President of Goldcliff Resource Corporation (Goldcliff or the Company) (GCN: TSX.V, GCFFF: OTCBB PINKS) reports that all analytical results have been received for the five NQ size diamond drill holes (1,500m) completed in April 2022 on the Kettle Valley gold/silver (Au/Ag) project in southern B.C. This was a reconnaissance drill program conducted from the currently available infrastructure (logging roads). The wide spaced holes spanning 550 metres from north to south were drilled easterly at shallow angles (45 deg). The objective was to test a portion of the nearly one kilometre long, well defined north-south trending Au/Ag soil and rock geochemical anomaly.

Drilling provided important geologic information in the quest to locate a new epithermal gold/silver deposit. Epithermal Au/Ag deposits are structurally controlled with mineralization often occurring within discrete elevation ranges. All holes encountered one or more structures ranging from

The epithermal zones did not yield a discovery intercept and surprisingly did not carry significant precious metals, with Au/Ag values ranging from background to mildly anomalous. There were however, discrete mineralized sections such as in holes KV22-01 and KV22-05 near the southern end of the area tested. At 58.0m in hole KV22-01, a 1.50m interval assayed 0.257g/t Au and further downhole starting at 126.50m a 9.5m section graded 0.297g/t Au and 5.92g/t Ag. Contained within this interval is a 1.50m sample grading 1.272g/t Au and 11.42g/t Ag. In KV22-05 located 85m north a 1.50m interval at 48.5m downhole graded 0.237g/t Au and occurs near the same elevation as the upper intercept in KV22-01.

Although epithermal type structures were intersected the drilling may have been below the favourable elevations of such mineral systems. When viewed in section the drill holes were from 70 to over 250m below the Cliff Zone soil anomalies and bedrock mineralization.

All holes encountered basement granites and were terminated in these rocks. The granites vary in composition and texture, likely indicating different phases or pulses. All were fractured, often sericite altered, and contained local quartz-calcite veining but did not carry precious metals values.

Late in the program prospecting of mineralized epithermal breccia float led to the discovery of the bedrock source. Located at the current southern extent of the Cliff Zone a bedrock sample yielded 0.098g/t Au and 3.26g/t Ag. Prospecting revealed the Cliff Zone in this area has a potential east-west extent (width) of ~90m which is much more than seen elsewhere. This area is very significant not only for the size but that the zone appears to extend southerly beneath young volcanic cover.

As stated, the 2022 drilling program took advantage of existing logging roads and only utilized five of the Companys twenty permitted drill sites. During the program the feasibility of constructing a drill access road to the top of the Cliff Zone was examined. This would allow any future exploration and drilling to be near the height of land, directly over the soil/rock geochemical anomalies, mineralized bedrock occurrences and in the potentially favourable elevation levels of the epithermal system. Goldcliff plans further detailed prospecting over the areas of soil/rock geochemical anomalies and mineralized bedrock occurrences.

QA/QC

The Company employed a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program including the insertion of blanks, standards, and duplicates. Drill core samples were cut longitudinally using a diamond-blade rock saw. Half of the core was collected in labelled and tagged poly bags that were sealed with single use ties. The remainder of the core was retained in the original core box for permanent storage. Most sample lengths ranged from 1 to 2 metres and were controlled by mineralization, alteration and lithologic and/or structural contacts. Core samples were delivered to a commercial shipper in Kelowna for transport to MSA Labs in Langley, BC.

MSA Labs is an analytical facility that meets the requirements of AC89, IAS Accreditation Criteria for Testing Laboratories and has demonstrated compliance with ISO/IEC Standard 17025:2017.

Sample preparation (Method PRP-910) involves drying, crushing to 70% passing 2mm splitting off 250 grams which is then pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. Forty gram samples were digested by 1:1 Aqua Regia and analyzed by multi-element ICP-AES/MS (Method IMS112). Samples reporting >100 ppb gold were Fire Assayed using a 30 gm sample.

CORPORATE MATTERS

At the Companys Annual General Meeting held April 28, 2022 all items were passed including approval by shareholders of the Companys Rolling 10% Stock Option Plan.

Warner Gruenwald, P. Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has approved the technical content of this news release.

For further information, please contact George W. Sanders, President, at 250-764-8879, toll free at 1-866-769-4802 or email at [email protected].

GOLDCLIFF RESOURCE CORPORATION

Per: George W. Sanders

George W. Sanders, President

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this news release.

Source: Goldcliff Resource Corporation
H1 2022 results

Strong financial results and new record order intake

Key figures for the first half of 2022

Revenues: 144.2 million, EBITDA: 79.7 million

Core business: 88 LNG carrier orders (vs. 68 in 2021)

LNG as fuel: 38 containership orders (vs. 27 in 2021)

Interim dividend of 1.55 per share

Highlights

New record order intake for LNG carriers and LNG-powered vessels

Innovative technology approvals confirming the strong dynamism of GTTs R&D

Elogen: approval of Hydrogen IPCEI 1 and new flagship order

and new flagship order Update on GTTs exposure to Russia

Paris  July 28, 2022. GTT, the technological expert in membrane containment systems used to transport and store liquefied gases, today announces its results for the first half of 2022.

Commenting on the results, Philippe Berterottiere, Chairman and CEO of GTT, said: With 88 orders for LNG carriers, our core business sales performance for the first half of 2022 beats our record for the whole of 2021, highlighting particularly strong momentum. Furthermore, the final investment decisions on new liquefaction plants taken in the second quarter, the expected ramp-up of LNG carrier orders from Qatar and increasing demand for LNG in Europe have confirmed the need for infrastructure and LNG carriers in the years to come.

The first half is also promising for LNG as fuel, with 38 orders already placed, well above last years level. In addition, the growing number of mid-sized container ships in our order book is evidence of our enlarged market share in this sector.

In order to meet the needs of the market, new shipyards have been marketing our technologies since the first half of the year.

GTT maintains a tireless focus on R&D to meet its customers energy transition needs and the increased requirements they face. During the first half, we obtained a number of approvals from classification bodies to develop new innovative technologies across a wide range of fields, notably for our future NEXT1 containment system and for designing a LH 2 carrier as part of our partnership with Shell.

From a financial perspective, revenues for the first half of 2022 were, as expected, lower than for the first half of 2021. This decline is attributable to a base effect, as the first half of 2021 still benefitted from the excellent momentum experienced in 2020, whereas the first half of 2022 didnt get the full impact of the high order intake in 2021 and 2022. It is worth noting that revenues increased by 11.5% between Q1 and Q2 2022. Margin levels achieved in the first half of 2022 are also lower than in H1 2021, due to lower revenues, partly offset by cost reductions.

As regards 2022 targets, in the second quarter the Group noted some delays in shipbuilding schedules, resulting in a postponement of revenue recognition. These delays have various reasons: supply difficulties related to sanctions, lockdowns and social movements in Asia. Given these delays, we are confirming our annual targets, but we now expect to be in the lower half of the range announced in February.

Furthermore, work on projects in which the Group is involved in Russia is continuing in compliance with the applicable sanction regimes. However, given the increasing impact of international sanctions on LNG liquefaction projects in Russia, the continuation and proper execution of these contracts are exposed to risks of postponement or cancellation.

However, the crisis has highlighted the global scale of gas demand, the need for European countries to achieve energy independence in respect of Russia and, more specifically, the strategic importance of maritime transport of LNG, GTTs core business.

Business activity

- Record order intake for LNG carriers

In the first half of 2022, GTT booked 88 orders for LNG carriers, continuing the excellent sales momentum achieved in Q1 2022. Delivery is scheduled between Q3 2024 and Q2 2027. It should be noted that orders for projects in Qatar amounted to 24 vessels in the first half of the year.

- New record for fitting LNG-powered vessels

Following the record number of orders received in 2021 (27 vessels), GTT received 38 orders for LNG-powered vessels in the first half of 2022, confirming another record year in this segment. These orders were received from various Chinese and Korean shipyards on behalf of several major global ship-owners. Delivery of the vessels is scheduled between Q1 2024 and Q1 2026.

- Smart Shipping: flagship contract signed

GTT has signed a contract with a major player in the liquefied gas transport industry for GTT Digital to equip 30 vessels with Smart Shipping solutions. The contract includes the installation and activation of sensors, automatic data collection systems and smart software to manage and optimise the vessels energy and environmental performance. It also provides for the regular intervention of GTT Digital experts to carry out customised data analysis and produce dedicated operational reporting.

- Elogen reaches new key milestones in its development

Three key partnerships have been signed to facilitate Elogens international development:

Exclusive collaborative agreement with HIFraser Group to market and supply electrolysers in Australia and New Zealand for the production of green hydrogen. HIFraser will locally assemble the BOP 2 for Elogens electrolysers and adapt them to Australian standards and local customer requirements.

for Elogens electrolysers and adapt them to Australian standards and local customer requirements. Collaboration agreement between Elogen and Valmax Technology Corporation for the supply of electrolysers in South Korea. Valmax will locally assemble the BOP 2 for Elogens electrolysers and will work with local certification bodies, such as the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, in order to obtain approval and install the electrolysers.

for Elogens electrolysers and will work with local certification bodies, such as the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, in order to obtain approval and install the electrolysers. Non-binding letter of intent with Charbone Hydrogen Corporation (Charbone) to enter into a long-term framework supply agreement no later than November 30, 2022. Under the terms of the agreement, Elogen will supply Charbone with PEM3 electrolysers for a capacity of up to 100 megawatts over a four-year period (2023-2026) for Charbones green hydrogen projects in North America.





On July 15, 2022, Elogens gigafactory and R&D reinforcement project was selected by the European Commission to form part of the Hydrogen IPCEI4. As a reminder, the Elogen gigafactory will start production in 2025 with a production capacity of 1 GW.

Finally, in July, Elogen was selected by Symbio to supply an electrolyser with an initial capacity of 2.5 MW for Symbios new fuel cell plant. This new contract represents an important milestone for Elogen, as it highlights the companys ability to deploy its technologies on multi-megawatt capacities for large industrial projects.

Development of new technologies - GTT once again leading the way in number of patents filed

In 2021, for the third year in a row, GTT ranked first in the list of medium-sized companies filing patents published by the INPI. This ranking highlights GTTs outstanding innovative momentum.

In the first half of 2022, GTT received numerous approvals from classification bodies:

In March and April 2022, GTT received several approvals in principle in the field of LNG as fuel, including from Bureau Veritas for a new LNG conversion concept for very large container ships, from ClassNK for a new design of LNG fuel tank with 2 bar gauge pressure applicable to PCTC 5 vessels as well as LNG-powered cruise ships, and lastly from DNV for an innovative design for an LNG-powered PCTC vessel.





vessels as well as LNG-powered cruise ships, and lastly from DNV for an innovative design for an LNG-powered PCTC vessel. In the second quarter, GTT received further approvals in principle, including from Lloyds Register for its future NEXT1 containment system and from Bureau Veritas for Shear-Water, a ballast-free vessel concept for LNG bunkering and refuelling vessels.





Finally, late July 2022 GTT obtained approvals in principle from DNV for the containment system of the transport of liquid hydrogen, as well as for the concept of a hydrogen carrier vessel. These approvals in principle were obtained in the framework of the partnership with Shell announced early 2022 and reflect the progress of this project.





Order book at June 30, 2022

On January 1, 2022, GTTs order book excluding LNG as fuel comprised 161 units, and subsequently changed as follows:

Deliveries completed: 15 LNG carriers, 4 ethane carriers, 1 FLNG

Orders received: 88 LNG carriers

At June 30, 2022, the order book excluding LNG as fuel stood at 229 units, breaking down as follows:

210 LNG carriers

2 ethane carriers

2 FSUs

3 GBSs

12 onshore storage tanks





Regarding LNG as fuel, with the deliveries of two ultra-large container ships and orders for 38 container ships, the number of vessels in the order book stood at 68 units at June 30, 2022.

Change in consolidated revenues for the first half of 2022

(in thousands of euros) H1 2021 H1 2022 Change Revenues 165,286 144,223 -12.7% New builds 153,885 130,656 -15.1% LNG carriers/VLEC 132,542 112,704 -15.0% FSUs6 5,851 10,202 +74.4% FSRUs7 6,958 - nm FLNGs8 1,460 1,218 -16.6% Onshore storage tanks 611 3,116 +410.0% GBSs9 1,719 2,292 +33.3% LNG-powered vessels 4,745 1,124 -76.3% Electrolysers 2,466 1,723 -30.1% Services 8,935 11,844 +32.6%

Consolidated revenues for H1 2022 amounted to 144.2 million, down 12.7% versus H1 2021.

New build revenues totalled 130.7 million, down 15.1% versus H1 2021, when the cycle was still at its peak. Royalties amounted to 112.7 million from LNG and ethane carriers, 10.2 million from FSUs, 1.2 million from FLNGs, 3.1 million from onshore storage tanks and 2.3 million from GBSs. LNG as fuel royalties (1.1 million) were not yet impacted by the high order intake in 2021 and 2022.

First half revenues from Elogens electrolyser business amounted to 1.7 million.

First half revenues from services rose sharply, up 32.6% to 11.8 million, driven by growth in digital, maintenance and intervention operations on vessels in operation and new project studies.





Analysis of first half 2022 consolidated income statement

Summary consolidated income statement

(in thousands of euros, except earnings per share) H1 2021 H1 2022 Revenues 165,286 144,223 Operating income before depreciation and amortisation of non-current assets (EBITDA10) 96,478 79,706 EBITDA margin (on revenues, %) 58.4% 55.3% Operating income (EBIT11) 92,851 75,937 EBIT margin (on revenue, %) 56.2% 52.7% Net income 76,564 63,692 Net margin (on revenues, %) 46.3% 44.2% Net earnings per share12 (in euros) 2.07 1.73

Operating income before depreciation and amortisation of non-current assets (EBITDA) amounted to 79.7 million, down 17.4% versus H1 2021. The EBITDA margin on revenue evolved from 58.4% in H1 2021 to 55.3% in H1 2022. External expenses decreased by 5.9% versus H1 2021, mainly due to a 35.5% decrease in testing and research expenses. Personnel expenses rose 3.8%, mainly due to the increase in headcount in the subsidiaries.

First half operating income amounted to 75.9 million, down 18.2% from 92.9 million in H1 2021.

Net income decreased from 76.6 million in H1 2021 to 63.7 million in H1 2022, resulting in a reduction in the net margin from 46.3% to 44.2%.

Other consolidated financial data

(in thousands of euros) H1 2021 H1 2022 Capital expenditure



(including acquisitions of non-current assets) (6,115) (8,340) Dividends paid (65,951) (64,553) Cash position 164,209 168,242 Change in cash (vs. 31/12) +22,466 -35,563

The - 35.6 million change in cash at June 30, 2022 is mainly due to the temporary increase in trade receivables. At June 30, 2022, the Group had a positive net cash position of 168.2 million.

Update on Russian exposure

Work on projects in which the Group is involved in Russia is currently continuing in compliance with the applicable sanction regimes.

In Russia, the Group is involved in tank design for 15 ice-breaker LNG carriers currently being built at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex (Zvezda), as well as in the design of 3 GBSs currently under construction by Saren B.V.13 At July 1, 2022, 78 million of revenues has yet to be recognised in respect of the ice-breaker LNG carriers by 2025, including 11 million in 2022, while 13 million of revenues has yet to be recognised in respect of the GBSs by 2026, including 3 million in 2022.

Given the increasing impact of international sanctions on LNG liquefaction projects in Russia, the continuation and successful execution of these contracts are exposed to risks of postponement or cancellation. In particular, the Group notes that sanctions are affecting Russian imports of certain products and equipment used in current projects, including the Zvezda project. Furthermore, GTT was notified in July by Saren B.V. of its intention to terminate the contract between them. In this context, GTT is investigating solutions to ensure the proper implementation and integrity of its technology, in strict compliance with applicable international sanctions.

As a reminder, other orders in progress in Asian shipyards for six ice-breaker LNG carriers and two FSUs14 are specifically intended for Russian Arctic projects. To date, these projects are proceeding according to plan. At July 1, 2022, these orders represent for GTT a total of 38 million revenues to be recognised by 2023, including 17 million in 2022.

Finally, eight conventional LNG carriers ordered by international ship-owners, under construction in Asian shipyards, are intended for the Arctic LNG2 project, but can operate in all types of conditions.

Outlook for 2022

In its 2021 annual results press release dated February 17, 2022, the Group issued the following targets for 2022, assuming no significant order deferrals or cancellations:

consolidated revenues between 290 million and 320 million,

consolidated EBITDA between 140 million and 170 million,

a dividend amount for the 2022 financial year at least equivalent to the 2021 dividend.





Given the first half delays in some shipbuilding schedules, the Group now expects these figures to reach the lower half of the ranges of revenues and EBITDA announced in February.

The crisis has also highlighted the global scale of gas demand, the need for European countries to achieve energy independence in respect of Russia and, more specifically, the strategic importance of maritime transport of LNG, GTTs core business.

In the longer term, the Group should benefit from the current strong order momentum and expects to achieve significantly higher revenues and earnings from 2023 onwards versus 2022.

Interim dividend

On July 28, 2022, the Board of Directors decided on the distribution of an interim dividend of 1.55 per share for the 2022 financial year, to be paid in cash according to the following schedule:

December 13, 2022: Ex-dividend date;

December 15, 2022: Payment date.

***

First half 2022 results presentation

Philippe Berterottiere, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Virginie Aubagnac, Chief Financial Officer, will comment on GTTs first half results and answer questions from the financial community during a webcast held, in English, on Friday, July 29, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. (Paris time).

This conference will be broadcast live on GTTs website (www.gtt.fr/finance).

To participate in the conference call, please dial one of the following numbers five to ten minutes before the start of the conference:

France: + 33 1 70 91 87 04

UK: +44 1 212 818 004

USA: +1 718 705 87 96





Confirmation code: 555877

The presentation document will be available on the website on July 29, 2022 from 8:30 a.m.

Financial agenda

Q3 2022 results: October 27, 2022 (after close of trading)

Payment of an interim dividend of 1.55 per share for the 2022 financial year: December 15, 2022

About GTT

GTT is the technological expert in membrane containment systems dedicated to the transport and storage of liquefied gases. For over 50 years, GTT has been designing and marketing advanced technologies for improved energy performance. GTT technologies combine operational efficiency and safety to equip LNG carriers, floating terminals, onshore storage tanks and multi-gas carriers. The Group also offers systems for the use of LNG as fuel, as well as a wide range of services, including digital solutions in the field of Smart Shipping. GTT also operates in the hydrogen sector through its subsidiary Elogen, which designs and assembles electrolysers for the production of green hydrogen.

GTT is listed on Euronext Paris, Compartment A (ISIN FR0011726835 Euronext Paris: GTT) and is notably included in SBF 120, Stoxx Europe 600 and MSCI Small Cap indices.

Investor Relations Contact

[email protected] / +33 1 30 23 20 87

Press Contact

[email protected] / +33 1 30 23 20 43

For further information, please consult www.gtt.fr/en.

Important notice

The figures presented here are those customarily used and communicated to the markets by GTT. This message includes forward-looking information and statements. Such statements include financial projections and estimates, the assumptions on which they are based, as well as statements about projects, objectives and expectations regarding future operations, profits, or services, or future performance. Although GTT management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and GTT shareholders should be aware that such forward-looking information and statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties that are generally difficult to predict and beyond the control of GTT, and may cause results and developments to differ significantly from those expressed, implied or predicted in the forward-looking statements or information. Such risks include those explained or identified in the public documents filed by GTT with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF  Autorite des Marches Financiers), including those listed in the Risk Factors section of the GTT Registration Document filed with the AMF on April 25, 2022 and the half-year financial report released on July 28, 2022. Investors and GTT shareholders should note that if some or all of these risks are realised they may have a significant unfavourable impact on GTT.

Appendices (consolidated financial statements - IFRS 15)

Appendix 1: Consolidated balance sheet

In thousands of euros December 31, 2021 June 30, 2022 Intangible assets 10,404 13,703 Goodwill 15,365 15,365 Property, plant and equipment 30,830 31,936 Non-current financial assets 4,912 4,685 Deferred tax assets 3,799 2,612 Non-current assets 65,310 68,301 Inventories 9,602 11,718 Trade receivables 70,763 104,246 Current tax receivable 44,543 33,131 Other current assets 18,821 20,824 Current financial assets 41 44 Cash and cash equivalents 203,804 168,242 Current assets 347,574 338,205 TOTAL ASSETS 412,884 406,507 In thousands of euros December 31, 2021 June 30, 2022 Share capital 371 371 Share premium 2,932 2,932 Treasury shares (13,559) (13,565) Reserves 124,412 196,603 Net income 134,074 63,667 Equity - Group Share 248,230 250,007 Total equity - share attributable to non-controlling interests 8 32 Total equity 248,238 250,040 Non-current provisions 14,903 13,732 Financial liabilities - non-current part 3,954 3,818 Deferred tax liabilities 106 179 Non-current liabilities 18,963 17,728 Current provisions 7,364 4,314 Trade payables 21,554 19,360 Current tax payable 2,173 5,410 Current financial liabilities 588 341 Other current liabilities 114,004 109,314 Current liabilities 145,683 138,739 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 412,884 406,507



Appendix 2: Consolidated income statement

In thousands of euros H1 2021 H1 2022 Revenues from operating activities 165,286 144,223 Other operating revenues 368 735 Total operating revenues 165,654 144,958 Costs of sales (4,762) (5,957) External expenses (30,566) (28,757) Personnel expenses (33,319) (34,590) Tax and duties (2,354) (1,925) Depreciation, amortisation and provisions (4,298) (838) Other operating income and expenses 2,496 3,046 Operating income 92,851 75,937 Financial income 61 330 Share of earnings of associates - - Earnings before tax 92,912 76,267 Income tax (16,348) (12,575) Net income 76,564 63,692 Basic earnings per share (in euros) 2.07 1.73



Appendix 3: Consolidated cash flow statement

(In thousands of euros) H1 2021 H1 2022 Operating income 92,851 75,937 Non-cash items (provisions and impairment) 5,210 2,481 Taxes paid 194 3,190 Change in working capital 14,603 (44,558) Net cash flow from operating activities (Total I) 112,859 37,050 Acquisition (net of cash) - - Movements in Group shares (17,595) 26 Other investments (5,806) (8,328) Net cash flow from investing activities (Total II) (23,401) (8,302) Dividends paid to shareholders (65,951) (64,553) Other cash movements (1,076) (286) Net cash flow from nancing activities (Total III) (67,027) (64,839) Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates (Total IV) 35 529 Change in cash (I+II+III+IV) 22,466 (35,563) Opening cash 141,744 203,804 Closing cash 164,209 168,242 Change in cash 22,466 (35,563)

Appendix 4: 10 year order estimates

In units Order estimates* LNG carriers

Ethane carriers 400-450

25-40 FSRUs FLNGs 5 Onshore storage tanks and GBSs 25-30

* Period: mid-2022 to mid-2031 (10 years). The Company points out that the number of new orders may see large-scale variations from one half-year to another and even from one year to another, without the fundamentals on which its business model is based being called into question.

1 Important Project of Common European Interest

2 Balance of Plant: electrical, piping and other mechanical installations.

3 Proton Exchange Membrane.

4 Important Project of Common European Interest.

5 PCTC: Pure Car and Truck Carriers

6 Floating Storage Unit

7 Floating Storage Regasification Unit

8 Floating Liquefied Natural Gas unit

9 Gravity Based Structures: underwater tanks

10 EBITDA corresponds to EBIT excluding depreciation and amortisation of non-current assets.

11 EBIT stands for Earnings Before Interest and Tax.

12 H1 2022 earnings per share was calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding (excluding treasury shares), i.e. 36,887,043 shares.

13 Saren B.V. is a joint venture between Saipem and Ronesans.

14 Floating Storage Unit

Attachment
Washington, D.C., July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WASHINGTON, D.C. - New research compiled by the cultural intelligence firm, Collage Group, shows that Hispanic Americans are trendsetters in terms of using technology. As a segment, they are super users of the internet, social media, and tech tools. Hispanic consumers are more likely to post to social media daily, and use emerging social media platforms, such as TikTok, among other digital trends. While Americans overall are using such instruments to a greater degree compared to previous years, Hispanic Americans surpassed all groups usage rates.

The findings are a result of a study called Hispanic Passion Points, conducted by Collage Group and released to member brands during a virtual event in late June. Passion Points are part of the firms consumer fundamentals research and aim to provide deep insight into the activities and areas of life consumer segments prioritize.

Our mission is to reveal insights that go beyond the preconceptions most brands and marketers have about Hispanic and other diverse-led segments, says David Evans, Collage Group Chief Product Officer. In this case, the insight is that, for Hispanics, tech savviness is interwoven into many aspects of Hispanic culture and how its evolving.

Collage Group found that it is the Hispanic culture itself that directly leads to this group using tech to such a high degree. Hispanic Americans are very engaged in a wide variety of hobbies and interests where they seek connection and community  activities that can both directly and indirectly include technology.

For example, a key Passion Point for Hispanics is cooking and baking. A group of polled Hispanic Americans said cooking helps them be closer to loved ones and helps build meaningful relationships. According to this segment of people, an important aspect of cooking is presentation. This insight is tied to the segments prolific tech use as the Passion Points study found that Hispanic Americans are posting pictures on social media about their cooking and dining out experiences. Forty-six percent said they post pictures of the foods they cook and 42% said they share photos of the foods they eat while at restaurants, both significantly higher than the total American population.

Another Passion Point for Hispanics is exercise. Among those surveyed, 64% of Hispanic Americans said they work out simply because they enjoy it, which is 15% higher than the total population and highest across all racial / ethnic segments. Moreover, Hispanic Americans use a number of tech tools to aid in their fitness routine. Nearly a third of Hispanic Americans use online free workout videos in their pursuit to stay or get in shape and 16% use a workout app.

Hispanic Americans embrace of technology shows up in their everyday routines and habits, adds Bryan Miller, PhD, Senior Director of Content. Whether sharing meal photos on social media, watching online fitness videos, or downloading the latest workout apps, Hispanic Americans are decidedly in tune with these forms of technology.

Video game play is yet another Passion Point for Hispanic Americas. To the tune of 50%, Hispanic Americans said they like or love playing video games. Additionally, Collage Group research shows that, when viewed by age, it is revealed that younger Hispanics  those between the ages of 18 and 42  are more likely to prefer video games over board games or card games. Almost half  46%  stated that they play video games in order to play with other people from around the world. Also, similar to the Passion Point about exercise, Hispanic Americans when compared to other groups, show to be more interested than others in using video games as part of their fitness routine.

The Hispanic Passion Points study is an update from Collage Groups annual Passion Points survey last fielded in May 2022. The survey is a nationally representative sample of 4,514 consumers, including 1,300 Hispanic consumers.

This release can be reprinted in full or in part with attribution to Collage Groups Hispanic Passion Points.

ABOUT COLLAGE GROUP

Collage Group is the leading source of cultural intelligence about diverse consumers to more than 250 of Americas iconic brands across 15 industries. For more than 10 years, Collage Group has developed consumer insights across race and ethnicity, generation, sexual identity, gender and parent-child relationships with a focus on high-growth consumer segments. Members of the Collage Group Cultural Intelligence ProgramsMulticultural, Generations, LGBTQ+ & Gender and Parents & Kidshave access to 10+ years of consumer insights and 300+ studies with new data unveiled weekly. Learn more about why Americas iconic brands turn to Collage Group for diverse consumer insights and best practices.

Attachments

Quintin Simmons Collage Group [email protected]

Source: Collage Group
MONTREAL, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Imperial Mining Group Ltd. ("Imperial") (TSX VENTURE: IPG; OTCQB: IMPNF) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated June, 13, 2022, the Company has filed a technical report detailing the Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Crater Lake Scandium-Rare Earth Project east of Schefferville, Quebec (the "PEA").

The technical report was independently prepared for Imperial Mining Group Ltd. by WSP Canada. The report, titled "CRATER LAKE SCANDIUM PROJECT, PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT: NATIONAL INSTRUMENT(NI) 43-101 REPORT" has been filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com as at July 28, 2022 and is also available on Imperial Mining Groups website on the Crater Lake Project Page .

Further to its news release on June 13, 2022, the Company announced the results of this study report which concluded:

Gross metal revenue of the minerals produced from the operation total $15.2 billion over the life of the operation ;

; Gross earnings after-tax is $6.25 billion ;

; The Project has a pre-tax net present value (NPV) of $2.97 billion and an after-tax NPV of $1.72 billion (10% discount rate);

(10% discount rate); Pre-tax internal rate of return (IRR) is 42.9% and an after-tax IRR of 32.8%.

and an after-tax IRR of Annual Net revenues average $608.0 million from the sale of high-purity scandium oxide (Sc2O3), scandium-aluminum Master alloy (ScAl) and rare earth element (REE) hydroxide concentrate;

from the sale of high-purity scandium oxide (Sc2O3), scandium-aluminum Master alloy (ScAl) and rare earth element (REE) hydroxide concentrate; The pre-tax capital payback is 2.5 years from the start of production;

from the start of production; Total mined metal production over a minimum 25-year mining life based on the present resource base is expected to be 110 t Sc2O3, 57,298 t of ScAl Master alloy and 23,578 t of REE hydroxide concentrate;

based on the present resource base is expected to be 110 t Sc2O3, 57,298 t of ScAl Master alloy and 23,578 t of REE hydroxide concentrate; The prices and market segments were based on estimates from comprehensive market studies by Ernst Young for scandium and by Roskill Information Services for rare earths.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Mr. Pierre Guay, P. Geo, a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved all technical information referred to in this press release.

ABOUT IMPERIAL MINING GROUP LTD.

Imperial is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on the advancement of its technology metals projects in Quebec. Imperial is publicly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange as IPG and on the OTCQB Exchange as IMPNF and is led by an experienced team of mineral exploration and development professionals with a strong track record of mineral deposit discovery in numerous metal commodities.

For further information please contact:

Peter J. CashinPresident and Chief Executive OfficerPhone: +1 (514) 360-0571Email: [email protected]

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to the Companys operations or to its business environment. Such statements are based on the Companys operations, estimates, forecasts, and projections, but are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict or control. Several factors could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed. These factors include those set forth in the corporate filings. Although any such forward-looking statements are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot guarantee that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, for any reason. We also do not commit in any way to guarantee that we will continue reporting on items or issues that arise. Investors are cautioned that this press release contains quoted historical exploration results. These are derived from filed assessment reports and compiled from governmental databases. The Company and a QP have not independently verified and make no representations as to the accuracy of historical exploration results: these results should not be relied upon. Selected highlight results may not be indicative of average grades. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: Imperial Mining Group Ltd.
Charenton-le-Pont, 28 July 2022

H1 2022 revenues

MBWS posts first half revenues of 86.4m, up 5.9% versus H1 2021.

Solid first half 2022 performance in France despite an overall slowdown in the spirits market (sales up 2.5% versus H1 2021, up 1% in the second quarter), mainly driven by: a sharp improvement in on-trade business compared to first half 2021, when bars and restaurants were forced to close due to COVID regulations; a relative market share gain for William Peel amid a decline in the under-12-year blended whisky market; significant growth among other portfolio brands, particularly Marie Brizard, in both on-trade and off-trade markets.

Continued growth in international sales (up 9.2% versus H1 2021), reflecting contrasting trends across regions: continued recovery in Europe, particularly in the UK, after the health restrictions of 2021 and despite the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which led to a limited decline in nearby export markets; strong performances across all of the Groups strategic brands, particularly Marie Brizard and Gautier, in Canada, South Korea, Australia and Poland; decline in US sales of Sobieski vodka in a highly competitive market segment.



NB: All revenue growth figures reported herein are at constant exchange rates and consolidation scope, unless otherwise stated.

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits (Euronext: MBWS) today announces its unaudited revenues for the second quarter of 2022, covering the period from 1 April to 30 June 2022, and the first half of 2022.

H1 2022 revenues

m H1 2021 LFL

change Currency impact H1 2022 LFL change

(excl. currency impact) Reported growth (incl. currency impact) France 39.1 +1.0 - 40.1 +2.5% +2.5% International 41.9 +3.8 +0.6 46.3 +9.2% +10.6% TOTAL MBWS GROUP 81.0 +4.8 +0.6 86.4 +5.9% +6.7%

Q2 2022 revenues

m Q2 2021 LFL

change Currency impact Q2 2022 LFL change

(exc. currency impact) Reported growth (incl. currency impact) France 19.9 +0.2 - 20.1 +1.0% +1.0% International 22.7 +2.6 +0.4 25.7 +11.6% +13.2% TOTAL MBWS GROUP 42.6 +2.8 +0.4 45.8 +6.6% +7.5%

Breakdown by cluster

France cluster

The France cluster posted first half 2022 revenues of 40.1m, up 2.5% versus H1 2021, mainly due to a significant recovery in the on-trade business, albeit less pronounced in the second quarter, and flat sales in the off-trade market. As a result, overall revenue growth slowed in Q2 (1%) versus Q1 2022.

The Groups main brands posted a resilient performance in the first half of 2022, particularly Marie Brizard and San Jose. Other brands including Sobieski posted growth in the on-trade business, while off-trade sales dipped slightly in the second quarter. Despite a general slowdown in the under-12-year blended whisky market (down 6.7% in the first half), William Peel recorded a small decline in sales in the first half of 2022 compared to 2021, thanks to a new listing obtained in the second half of 2021 enabling it to gain market share.

The first half upswing in France cluster sales was impacted by severe disruption in raw material supply chains since the beginning of March, notably due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and soaring raw material costs, which have particularly affected the glassmaking industry since early April. The Group is dealing with this situation by adopting allocation measures per brand based on available volumes. Furthermore, sales pricing policy adjustments across all distribution channels have been and will continue to be necessary in order to adapt to this new volatile environment.

International cluster

The International cluster posted H1 2022 revenues of 46.3m, up 9.2% from H1 2021 at constant exchange rates.

In Western Europe, business in the first six months of 2022 benefited from a strong recovery including a Q2 upturn in UK sales (particularly on-trade versus 2021), driven by a strong performance by the Marie Brizard brand (in terms of value and percentage of business).

Sales in Spain fell 2.9% versus H1 2021, mainly due to a temporary decline in subcontracted operations resulting from difficulties with glass supplies (bottles), offset by strong growth among strategic brands (particularly Marie Brizard, Sobieski and William Peel).

Scandinavia posted a significant increase in H1 revenues, mainly driven by Marie Brizard and Gautier, particularly in the on-trade market in the second quarter.

Business continued to thrive in the Middle East driven by the development of the Marie Brizard range of syrups, which recorded significant growth in the first half.

In the Baltic States, first half revenues rose 8.8%, reflecting favourable economic conditions on the bulk market and brand growth on the domestic market thanks to a favourable product mix and pricing policy, despite the immediate consequences of the war in Ukraine, which affected exports to Russia and Belarus, albeit with an overall impact that is not deemed material at Group level.

Bulgaria also posted strong growth throughout the first half of 2022 (up 18.3%) across its entire brand portfolio (wines and spirits) in both domestic and export markets (Greece, Croatia, Serbia) as well as a sustained level of subcontracting activity for Romania.

In Poland, Group brand sales were boosted strongly by growth in Cognac Gautier sales and the launch of Marie Brizard liqueurs.

US revenues for the first half of 2022 were down versus 2021 due to the continuing decline in Sobieski sales due to aggressive promotional strategies by competitors in the vodka segment and ongoing pressure on sea transport capacity.

Brazil revenues fell sharply in the second quarter of 2022 across the entire brand portfolio except for Marie Brizard and Sobieski, due to the revision in early 2022 of the portfolio pricing policy. The new policy has however helped to limit the reduction in revenues.

Asia Pacific maintained revenue growth in the second quarter of 2022, as the decline in sales in the Chinese market was largely offset by strong performances in South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.

Outlook

As mentioned at the 30 June 2022 General Meeting, over the coming months, rising raw material and energy prices and the varying availability of supplier production are factors that must be taken into account in managing our business.

These factors could impact the Groups ability to supply all of its customers (both in France and abroad) notwithstanding the impact of higher prices on consumer demand. These considerations are all the more pertinent in view of the Groups need to adapt pricing policies to the new situation and, as such, the Group will continue to adopt a cautious stance regarding its forecasts over the coming months.

Financial calendar

H1 2022 results: 28 September 2022 after close of trading





Investors and Shareholders Relations Contact

MBWS Group

Emilie Drexler

[email protected]

Phone: +33 1 43 91 62 40 Press Contact

Image Sept

Claire Doligez - Laurence Maury

[email protected]  [email protected]

Phone: +33 1 53 70 74 70





About Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits is a Group of wines and spirits based in Europe and the United States. Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits stands out for its expertise, a combination of brands with a long tradition and a resolutely innovative spirit. Since the birth of the Maison Marie Brizard in 1755, the Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits Group has developed its brands in a spirit of modernity while respecting its origins. Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits' commitment is to offer its customers brands of confidence, daring and full of flavours and experiences. The Group now has a rich portfolio of leading brands in their market segments, including William Peel, Sobieski, Marie Brizard and Cognac Gautier. Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits is listed on Compartment B of Euronext Paris (FR0000060873 - MBWS) and is part of the EnterNext PEA-PME 150 index.



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CLEVELAND, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH), the global leader in motion and control technologies, today announced that Andrew M. Weeks, Vice President and President  Engineered Materials Group, will retire effective August 31, 2022.

We are grateful to Andy for his leadership of the Engineered Materials Group during a period of significant growth and transformation, said Tom Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He has held leadership positions spanning multiple operating groups within Parker and we appreciate his many years of service to our company. Our strategic approach to succession planning will allow us to fill this important leadership role in the very near future.

Weeks led the Engineered Materials Group through a period of substantial change driven by Parkers Acquisition of LORD Corporation in 2019, which doubled the size of the group. He was named Vice President and President - Hydraulics Group in September 2015 and became Vice President and President - Motion Systems Group in 2017, when the Hydraulics Group merged with the Pneumatics and Electromechanical businesses of the Automation Group. He joined Parker in 2013 as Vice President of Operations for the Aerospace Group after many years of leadership experience in the aerospace industry.

About Parker Hannifin

Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. For more than a century the company has been enabling engineering breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow. Parker has increased its annual dividend per share paid to shareholders for 66 consecutive fiscal years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index. Learn more at www.parker.com or @parkerhannifin.

###
BOERNE, Texas, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Texas-based software company Red Maple is celebrating a big milestone this summer with its 25thanniversary. For the past 25 years, Red Maple has helped thousands of clients increase productivity and protect their business and customer data. Founded by Jennifer Roberts in 1997, Red Maple has grown from a small locally owned software firm to an international software company.

"We're proud to hit this major milestone. For a quarter of a century, we've been helping companies offer their customers more products and services easier and faster using our software. We are grateful for their loyalty as well. As technology continues to change, Red Maple will continue to change and grow along with it so we can continue to take care of our customers. We are creating new products every day to help them grow their business while also protecting them from cybercrime," said Jennifer Roberts, Founder and CEO of Red Maple.

In 1990, Jennifer Robertson felt stuck in her career. Like many other women in technology, she was experience gender inequality in the workplace and hitting the glass ceiling. In 1997, she decided to make a change and launched her company. She has never looked back.

Today Red Maple is a multi-million-dollar company that specializes in providing a variety of software solutions to expand the functionality and capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 products. They include the following: Advanced Credit Cards, Advanced Commissions, Advanced Trade and Pricing, Advanced Warranty and Chargeback Claims.

In addition, Red Maple offers the innovative trademarked software Clever Division which helps companies safeguard their customers' payment information from cybercriminals. It's the most secure PCI platform on the market today.

Red Maple is considered one of the top software companies working with Microsoft, with clients ranging from small businesses to international retailers, merchants, and global companies. Notable clients include Stratus Innovations Group, Patagonia, Rodem, Hanna Andersson, and hundreds more.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Diane White at 918-770-3905 or [email protected].

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Image 1: Red Maple software company is celebrating 25 years Founded in 1997 by Jennifer Robertson, Red Maple is an internationally known software company. It is celebrating 25 years of helping businesses be more productive while protecting their business and customer data from cybercrime.

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Significant rise reflects the journals influence as often-cited research resource

CRANBURY, N.J., July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), the leading multimedia peer-reviewed journal dedicated to issues in managed care, today announced that its Journal Impact Factor (JIF) reached 3.247 in 2021, the highest in 20 years. Provided by Clarivate (formerly produced by Thomson Reuters), the JIF is the ratio of how frequently a journals articles are cited to the number of articles published by the journal.



According to Clarivate, the JIF is used to clarify the significance of total citation frequencies while eliminating some of the biases that may favor some journals over others. An important use of the impact factor is in the academic evaluation process.

We are extremely proud of the impact factor for AJMC, as it reflects the trust our readers have in our robust research content. We commend our outstanding co-editors-in-chief, A. Mark Fendrick, MD, and Michael E. Chernew, PhD, and editorial team for their uncompromising pursuit of the highest quality standards, said Mike Hennessy Jr., the president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences, the parent company of AJMC. For more than 25 years, AJMC has been an invaluable forum for peer-reviewed literature related to healthcare outcomes. As policy and the field of managed care evolve, we work to elevate the quality of AJMC even further and expand the delivery of digital content. We will continue to seek new ways to meet the discerning information needs of our readers.

As a demonstration of AJMCs innovation, its co-editors challenged the editorial team in 2019 to find ways to publish select articles online early, ahead of print publication. When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, the journal became a source of vital research and commentary to the health services and managed care community in close to real time.

We know study authors put a great deal of thought into the publications they choose for their most important research, and the impact factor is a quantifiable and well-respected tool used for this purpose, said Hennessy. Among AJMCs most cited articles were pieces on telehealth and care management, while new additions to the website that also drove engagement included a key opinion leader interview series and a highly accessed COVID-19 timeline.

While poised for continued growth, AJMC remains free for authors who wish to publish and free to read.

For more information, follow AJMC on Twitter @AJMC_Journal, Facebook @TheAmericanJournalOfManagedCare or LinkedIn The American Journal of Managed Care.

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 stakeholder 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.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fbba80a2-571e-4588-9853-34a8eb3d87a2
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westhaven Gold Corp. (TSX-V: WHN) announces that it is increasing the size of its previously announced proposed non-brokered private placement financing. As per the Companys July 25th, 2022, news release, the placement was to be up to 6,818,182 flow-through (FT) common shares of the Company at a price of $0.44 per FT share for gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000. The placement will now be for up to 9,739,847 FT common shares to raise gross proceeds of $4,285,533. The closing of the financing is anticipated to occur on July 29th, 2022. All other terms of the placement remain unchanged.

The gross proceeds from the Offering will be used to incur Canadian exploration expenses (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) related to Westhavens projects in British Columbia, Canada. The Company will renounce these expenses to the purchasers with an effective date of no later than December 31, 2022.

The private placement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Westhaven may pay finders' fees to eligible finders, as permitted by applicable securities laws and the rules of the TSX-V. All securities issued in the Offering are subject to a four-month hold period, during which time the securities may not be traded.

On behalf of the Board of DirectorsWESTHAVEN GOLD CORP."Shaun Pollard"

Shaun Pollard, CFO

Tel: 1.604.681.5558 Ext: 103[email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This new release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulators. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, other than as required by securities laws.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Westhaven Gold Corp.

Westhaven is a gold-focused exploration company advancing the high-grade discovery on the Shovelnose project in Canadas newest gold district, the Spences Bridge Gold Belt. Westhaven controls 37,000 hectares (370 square kilometres) with four 100% owned gold properties spread along this underexplored belt. The Shovelnose property is situated off a major highway, near power, rail, large producing mines, and within commuting distance from the city of Merritt, which translates into low-cost exploration. Westhaven trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol WHN. For further information, please call 604-681-5558 or visit Westhavens website at www.westhavengold.com.

Source: Westhaven Gold Corp.
TORONTO, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- YAMANA GOLD INC. (TSX:YRI; NYSE:AUY; LSE: AUY) (Yamana or the Company) declares a third quarter dividend of $0.03 per share (annual $0.12 per share). Shareholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 2022, will be entitled to receive payment of this dividend on October 14, 2022. The dividend is an eligible dividend for Canadian tax purposes.

About YamanaYamana Gold Inc. is a Canadian-based precious metals producer with significant gold and silver production, development stage properties, exploration properties, and land positions throughout the Americas, including Canada, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Yamana plans to continue to build on this base through expansion and optimization initiatives at existing operating mines, development of new mines, the advancement of its exploration properties and, at times, by targeting other consolidation opportunities with a primary focus in the Americas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:Investor Relations 416-815-02201-888-809-0925Email: [email protected]

FTI Consulting (UK Public Relations)Sara Powell / Ben Brewerton+44 7974 201 715223 / +44 203 727 1000

(All amounts are expressed in United States Dollars unless otherwise indicated.)

Source: Yamana Gold
Most of the world has stated decarbonization goals for the coming decades to protect the Earth

EverGen is a leader in renewable natural gas, a viable option today for reach carbon neutrality

EverGen has been growing rapidly in 18 months and recently struck a deal to generate enough RNG to power 19,000 homes in Ontario

136 countries, home to about 80 percent of the worlds population, have pledged to achieve carbon neutrality, most by the year 2050 with a few as soon as 2030 and others as far out as 2060. So far, Bhutan and Suriname both self-declared that they have achieved the lofty goal. For countries to stay on target, they need to look at available technologies that are simple alternatives to maneuver away from fossil fuels. In Canada, companies like EverGen Infrastructure (TSX.V: EVGN) (OTCQB: EVGIF) are working to develop the sustainable infrastructure that contributes to carbon-negative energy production and greening the province.

EverGen specializes in renewable natural gas, or RNG, a sustainable fuel source produced differently than conventional natural gas, without drilling wells. RNG is derived from biogas, which is captured from decomposing organic waste in landfills, food waste, agricultural waste matter and wastewater from

Read More>>

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to EVGIF are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/EVGIF

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InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, and (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, GES is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, GES brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. GES is where news, content and information converge.

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Cranbrook, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2022) - DLP Resources Inc. (TSXV: DLP) (OTCQB: DLPRF) ("DLP" or the "Company") announces the start of a 1800m-six hole diamond drill programme at the Hungry Creek, 711 copper target zone.

Hungry Creek - 711 Target Zone

The Hungry Creek property is comprised of 74 claims (Figure 1). The mineral claims cover just over 38,852.92 hectares. Geologically the property is hosted within the Mesoproterozoic Belt-Purcell basin and is being targeted for strata-bound Cu-Co-Ag analogous to other Belt-Purcell hosted deposits such as Sheep Creek, Spar Lake, Rock Creek, Montanore (Montana), and the Blackbird district (Idaho) - Figure 2.

The 711 Target zone at Hungry Creek will be the focus of the first six holes where very encouraging copper mineralization was reported from seven grab and two float samples (see DLP's press release dated November 30, 2021). Copper up to 1.15% and anomalous silver of up to 3.51ppm together with anomalous cobalt (up to 117.6ppm) and barium (up to 4,274 ppm) were also reported (Figure 3).

Expenses incurred by the Company on Hungry Creek, a copper-cobalt project, may qualify for the 30% Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit ("CMETC"), as provided for in the Canadian federal budget of April 7, 2022. For more information on the CMETC, see the annex on tax measures proposed in the budget available at https://budget.gc.ca/2022/report-rapport/tm-mf-en.html.

Ian Gendall, President & CEO of DLP, commented: "We are extremely pleased to have started the 1800m drill programme on the 711-copper target. Field evidence suggests we are dealing with an untested package of sediment hosted copper mineralization which extends both north and south over at least 11km. This first phase of drilling is planned to test the thickness and grade of copper mineralization at the 711 target."

Private Placement

The Company is also pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 2,000,000 flow-through common shares (each, a "FT Share") at a price of $0.25 per FT Share for gross proceeds of up to $500,000.

The Company intends to pay finder's fees in connection with the Private Placement to certain eligible finders in the form of: (i) a cash commission of 7% of the gross proceeds raised under the Private Placement from investors introduced to the Company by the finder; and (ii) the issuance of such number of non-transferable common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Finder's Warrants") equal to 7% of the FT Shares issued under the Private Placement from investors introduced to the Company by the finder. Each Finder's Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one common share of the Company for an exercise price of $0.25 per share for a period of 18 months from closing of the Private Placement.

The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Private Placement for drilling on its Hungry Creek Project.

The Private Placement will be made available to subscribers pursuant to the accredited investor and friends, family and business associate exemptions provided under sections 2.3(1) and 2.5(1) of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions.





Figure 1: DLP Project areas with Hungry Creek and Copper Creek properties shown.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6456/132149_4b10c38c14d2e97e_001full.jpg







Figure 2. Hungry Creek and Copper Creek Claims Shown within Belt Purcell Supergroup Outcrops and Comparative Stratigraphy for Sediment Hosted Copper Deposits in NW Montana and N Idaho.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Figure 3: The 711 Target Zone at Hungry Creek



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6456/132149_4b10c38c14d2e97e_003full.jpg

Grant of Stock Options

The company has granted a Contractor 200,000 incentive stock options. The options will have a term of 5 years expiring July 27, 2027. The options shall vest over a 24 month period with one third vesting immediately, one third after 12 months and one third after 24 months. Each option will allow the holder to purchase one common share in the company at a price of $0.20 per share.

Qualified Person

David L. Pighin, consulting geologist and co-founder of DLP Resources, is the qualified person of the Company as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Pighin has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release.

About DLP Resources Inc.

DLP Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company operating in Southeastern British Columbia and Peru, exploring for Base Metals and Cobalt. DLP is listed on the TSX-V, trading symbol DLP and on the OTCQB, trading symbol DLPRF. Please refer to our web site www.dlpresourcesinc.com for additional information.

Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

DLP RESOURCES INC.

Ian Gendall, CEO & President

Jim Stypula, Executive Chairman

Robin Sudo, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

Maxwell Reinhart, Investor Relations

Telephone: 250-426-7808

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding: future plans, estimates and forecasts of management with respect to drilling on the Hungry Creek-Copper Creek properties in SW British Columbia; the Company's expectation that expenses incurred on the Hungry Creek project will qualify for the CMETC; the anticipated proceeds to be raised under the Private Placement; the use of any proceeds raised under the Private Placement; and finder's fees to be paid in connection with the Private Placement.

These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the risk that drill results will not be as expected from the Company's Hungry Creek-Copper Creek properties in SW British Columbia; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required regulatory approvals for the Private Placement; market uncertainty; the inability of the Company to raise the anticipated proceeds under the Private Placement; and the risk that expenditures incurred on the Hungry Creek project will not qualify for the CMETC.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the results of drilling on the Hungry Creek project will be as currently anticipated; the Company will obtain the required regulatory approvals for the Private Placement; the Company will be able to raise the anticipated proceeds under the Private Placement; the Company will use the proceeds of the Private Placement as currently anticipated; and the Company's planned expenditures on the Hungry Creek project will qualify for the CMETC.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132149
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2022) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed Halberd Corporation (OTC Pink: HALB), a publicly traded company on the OTC Market, and is in full compliance with OTC Market reporting requirements. Chairman, CEO and President of the Company, William Hartman, joined Stock Day host Sever Copley.

Hartman began the interview by updating listeners on the Company's latest developments. "We have been a pink sheet company," explained Hartman. "We filed the Form-10 to be uplisted to the OTCQB index and become fully-reporting in May. In June, we received questions back from the SEC," he continued. "Our response to the questions is in process and will be screened and audited, then will be sent back to the SEC."

"We have four existing issued patents, and we have 22 pending patents," shared Hartman. "Our strategy is to remain very broad and come out with a lot of potential applications of our key patented technology, which is to work with bodily fluids extracorporeally to eradicate disease," he said, noting that the Company's technology does not require any injected or ingested drugs, and therefore eliminates side-effects from medications, a major cause of pain, suffering and even death.

"We remove from bodily fluids the inflammatory cytokines, antigens, etc. that cause disease, and we eradicate these using our patented extracorporeal process," continued Hartman, adding that this includes blood, and cerebrospinal, fluid. "Then we return the purified bodily fluids back into the patient. That is huge, that is unique, and revolutionary, and nobody else is doing this."

Copley then asked about the progress of the Company's government contract for the treatment of traumatic brain injury and neurological diseases. Hartman said. "We met with the Department of Defense and then Congressman Mike Kelly, who stated he is very interested in helping us forward this technology."

"Your technology takes a high caliber of skill; how have you continued to build this level of expertise?," asked Copley. "Everyone we've hired, I have personally interviewed," said Hartman. "We have secured the services of the brilliant Dr. Shawn Chen of Arizona State University, who develops antibodies and conjoins metallic nanoparticles to them through a proprietary process such that the antibody does not lose affinity for the target disease antigen. He then sends the combined antibody-nanoparticle mixture to Youngstown State University where the conjoined antibody is introduced to the antigen infected bodily fluid and eradicated through exposure to tuned laser energy."

"We have been successful in eliminating all 11 selected target antigens associated with neurodegenerative diseases," shared Hartman. "We have also worked on eliminating several strains of E. coli, which can lead to meningitis and blood sepsis which kills thousands of people each year."

"What does the future look like for the Halberd Corporation?," asked Copley. "We have expanded our extracorporeal research into developing cancer antibodies," said Hartman. "We are starting cancer research, initially focusing on PD-1 and PDL-1 antigens. We will follow this by working to eliminate BTLA and CTLA-4 antigens. This covers most cancer types. Because of our promising anticancer research developments, we are forming a dedicated cancer subsidiary as well as a COVID subsidiary. Both of these subsidiaries could eventually be spun off to the benefit of existing Halberd stockholders."

"We are planning to conduct animal tests at Mississippi State University," continued Hartman. "We are also beginning work on a nasal spray which could be administered to victims of traumatic brain injury," he said, adding that the spray is designed to reduce or prevent the expression of inflammatory neurotransmitters as a result of traumatic brain injury.

To close the interview, Hartman elaborated on the Company's potential within the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the potential for government contracts, which would significantly impact the Company's growth. He also encouraged listeners and shareholders to keep up-to-date on the Company's current projects and upcoming announcements by signing up through their website at www.halberdcorporation.com.

To hear the entire interview with William Hartman, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/8128878-halberd-corporation-discusses-otcqb-uplisting-and-growing-list-of-proprietary-technologies-with-t.

Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/.

About Halberd Corporation

Halberd Corporation (OTC Pink: HALB) is a publicly traded company on the OTC Market, and is in full compliance with OTC Market reporting requirements. Since its restructuring in April, 2020, Halberd has obtained exclusive worldwide rights to three issued patents and has filed 22 related provisional, PCT, or utility patent applications to enhance its value to its stockholders and to attract the interests of potential development partners.

Safe Harbor Notice

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements" (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). The Company cautions our readers that statements and assumptions made in this news release constitute forward-looking statements and makes no guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. These statements may address issues that involve significant risks, uncertainties and associated estimates made by management. Actual results could differ materially from current projections or implied results. Halberd Corporation undertakes no obligation to revise these statements following the date of this news release.

About The "Stock Day" Podcast

Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America.

SOURCE:

Stock Day Media

(602) 821-1102

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132186
Little Butterflies Learning Center provides childcare with new developmental strategies. Recently, the organization launched new techniques and learning strategies initiating the cross culture education.

Garland, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2022) - Little Butterflies Learning Center is an educational establishment for children in Texas. Recently, the learning center has improvised new techniques and learning strategies in its teachings and policies. The founder of Little Butterflies, Philip Austin Brooks, established Little Butterflies to bring racial equality to the community.





Little Butterflies Learning Center



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Little Butterflies Learning Center offers its new learning strategies by initiating the cross-cultural educational services where the children are exposed to many cultures and languages from across the world. At the same time, they have an interactive time in a setting staffed by teachers and trainers of childcare in elementary education. It was in 2021 that the LITTLE BUTTERFLIES Learning Center took things to a new level and introduced the childcare and education space again. They franchised their early education and childcare concept to expand the LITTLE BUTTERFLIES family.

In addition to that, the team at Little Butterflies is helping children feel confident about themselves, their families, and their communities and exposing them to differences, unfamiliar things, and experiences beyond their immediate lives. The staff also provides the tour to the coming parents for admission to their establishment for satisfaction. Their new techniques and learning strategies provide its childcare services with the following features:

Interactive Social experience: At Little Butterflies they provide a socially interactive environment by giving children an essential education with a diverse curriculum.

Health & Safety: From every detail of their classroom and playground design to their standards of cleanliness, the staff does everything to make children safe and secure. The Little Butterflies also includes a proximity WiFi check-in/out only to authorized parents and supervisors, pre-enabled on their smart device.

Standard of Care: They provide an enhanced learning and development environment supported by building nurturing relationships with teachers and other kids.

Long-term success: Guided by trained caregivers, their daily care curriculum offers children playful, age-appropriate learning opportunities.

Furthermore, after the launch of its new learning strategies of cross culture education, Little Butterflies is known to create a culturally diverse childcare environment that helps prepare children with the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to live and work successfully in a complex, diverse world. The children of Little Butterflies notice differences and evaluate others at a very early age.

About Little Butterflies Learning Center Team

LITTLE BUTTERFLIES Learning Center was first established in 2017, by founder Philip Austin Brooks and his wife in Dallas, Texas. LITTLE BUTTERFLIES began to gain a following in the Dallas region after expanding its curriculum to include foreign studies and the usual curriculum. The company's expansion continues in 2019, opening three other facilities in additional cities. The staff of Little Butterflies provides the new techniques and learning strategies to early childhood care in the United States including cross culture education. These factors have helped the learning center establish themselves as one of the prominent child educational and care centers in the U.S.A.

The organization is now accepting new enrollees for admission purposes and other information; intending parents must visit their official website.

https://www.instagram.com/philbrooks2021/?hl=en

Name: Philip Austin Brooks

Address: 2814 Lavon dr Garland Tx

Phone Number: 512-736-3459

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://littlebutterfliesofficial.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131710
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2022) - Prismo Metals Inc. (OTCQB: PMOMF) (CSE: PRIZ) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received an extension to its environmental permit which allows for drilling at its Palos Verdes project in Sinaloa State, Mexico to commence as planned in the first week of August. Crews have been mobilized to the project and preparation of the drilling sites is ongoing.

The agency responsible for environmental regulation in Mexico, Semarnat, has issued an extension to the original drill permit that allowed drilling on existing roads. Semarnat is also continuing its review of an additional application for a permit for new road construction.

The drill program is designed to test the Palos Verdes vein and a structural intersection with a second vein at depths where it is believed that potential for a large ore shoot is present, similar to the drilling accomplished by Vizsla Silver Corp. on their adjacent land package. A minimum 2,000-meter program has been contracted. Previous shallow drilling has 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).

Regarding the drill program, Dr. Craig Gibson, President and CEO of the Company, said: "We are pleased to be able to commence our plan to drill holes to intersect the Palos Verdes vein at significantly deeper levels than the previous drilling. We will be able to test the vein several hundred meters underneath the surface exposures."

About Prismo

Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is junior mining company focused on precious metal exploration in Mexico.

Contact: Craig Gibson, Chief Executive Officer and Director

1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6

[email protected]

Jason Frame, Manager of Communications

[email protected]

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning the warrants exercise financing, the proceeds received from such warrant exercise financing, the use of proceeds of the warrant exercise financing, the future performance of our business, its operations and its financial performance and condition, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements 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, competitive risks, the availability of financing, the potential impact of COVID-19 on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132146
Acquisition of SmartShops provide Red Light Holland with full vertical integration from production, packaging, distribution and now retail shops sales coupled with online sales

Red Light Holland to update and rebrand SmartShop Utrecht and SmartShop Oss to "Wellness World" in Q4 2022

Red Light Holland to consider creation of multiple Wellness World SmartShops across Netherlands and Europe through acquisitions, franchising and / or constructing innovative stores in new locations

Red Light Holland is committed to creating educational and responsible use messaging in relation to the use of any products made available via Wellness World, including media and technology education activations in each retail store

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 26, 2022) - Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTC Pink: TRUFF) ("Red Light Holland" or the "Company"), an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of functional mushroom home grow kits in North America, and a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is pleased to announce that its newly formed and wholly-owned subsidiaries, Wellness World OSS B.V. and Wellness World Utrecht B.V., will acquire two wellness retail stores: SmartShop OSS and SmartShop Utrecht (together, the "Wellness Shops"), two of the Netherlands' premiere retail shops for quality psychedelic truffles and wellness products. The Wellness Shops also sell CBD products, cannabis seeds, smart shop items, and other various popular wellness products. The Wellness Shops are profitable and have seen an increase in sales month over month during recent months.

The acquisitions are expected to close on or about August 1, 2022. With the acquisition of two premiere SmartShops, Red Light Holland is setting itself up to be a fully integrated company in the Netherlands:

Creating coveted brick and mortar sales channels and necessary online direct to consumer sales channels to support the growth of the continuing trend towards increased usage of psychedelics

The Wellness Shops will carry only Red Light Hollands Magic truffles products (iMicrodose, Maka and future brands) as Red Light Holland can curate the products sold by the retail locations

Red Light Holland to provide easy access and education to many new, unique and thoughtful wellness products including Conor McGregor's TIDL Sport and the Mushroom Wellness Brand: MISTERCAP affiliated with multi-platinum-selling, GRAMMY and Golden Globe Award-nominated recording artist Wiz Khalifa, who provides marketing advisory services to the Company

Red Light Holland plans to rebrand SmartShop Oss and SmartShop Utrecht to "Wellness World" for increased brand growth, exposure and expansion - focused on wellness products supporting a holistic view of mind and body health (www.wellnessworld.co - coming soon)

Red Light Holland to learn from initial acquisitions and consider creating multiple Wellness World SmartShops across Netherlands and Europe through acquisitions, franchising and / or constructing innovative stores in new locations

Allowing Red Light Holland a more robust direct to consumer business by expanding and selling their brands and other established brands, including a vast array of products in sectors outside of psychedelics, including existing inventory to increase sales opportunities and profit margins

Immediately becoming a retail sales leader with expertise and know how, committed to creating educational and responsible use messaging in relation to the use of any products made available via Wellness World, including media and technology education media activations in each retail location

Gaining invaluable access to data and personal connections and instantly growing the Red Light Holland infrastructure and staff with current leaders in the psychedelic industry in the Netherlands

"The acquisitions, expected to close within a week, of two profitable businesses SmartShop Oss and SmartShop Utrecht is another important decision for the overall growth and expansion strategy of the Company. We will be fully vertically integrated in the Netherlands, from substrate to sale, and that's exciting as we look to increase sales around psychedelics responsibly," said Todd Shapiro, the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company. "We like companies that make money in the psychedelic sector! The goal is to learn quickly and to create the Wellness World retail shop strategy focused on achieving revenue growth, profitability and value creation for our shareholders. We will also continue to build some of the most recognizable brands in the world around affordable and equitable access to recreational psilocybin. As well, we remain committed to creating educational and responsible use messaging in relation to the use of any products made available, including media and technology education media activations in each new retail location."

"I've been observing the SmartShop business for quite some time, and the industry really seems to be picking up as more and more people learn about psilocybin," said Hans Derix, Red Light Holland's President and Dutch native. "What we are most elated by is our plan to rebrand with the focus on wellness products. We want to continue to end stigmas and help educate people to make informed decisions on the products they buy. The Netherlands, in my opinion, is definitely ready to see advanced, well-designed sharp looking Wellness World shops. And our team at SR-Wholesale is excited to supply the products to the new shops in two beautiful city centres: Oss and Utrecth with lots of tourism and tons of foot traffic."

"Securing these locations unlocks the potential to accelerate our consumer centric innovation pipeline, through capturing real time consumer purchase data and trends from the unique store sales, which then unlocks new product and brand launches in other potential markets. My belief is that through leveraging this data, we will be able to test and adapt far more efficiently and continually stay ahead of the category through this first party consumer data," added Ridley Doolittle, Chief Marketing Officer of the Company.

Transaction Details

SmartShop OSS

The SmartShop OSS acquisition, which is considered to be an arm's length transaction, is subject to customary conditions of closing and is expected to be completed on or about August 1, 2022. Wellness World OSS B.V. and third-party vendors entered into an asset purchase agreement (the "OSS Asset Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which the aggregate consideration payable for the acquisition is comprised of 100,000, of which 70,000 is payable in cash and 30,000 is to be satisfied through the issuance of common shares in the capital of Red Light Holland ("Red Light Shares") calculated on the basis of a deemed price per Red Light Share equal to the greater of (i) the 10-day volume weighted average price of the Red Light Shares on Canadian Stock Exchange (the "CSE") ending on the day three business days prior to closing, and (ii) the discounted market price as defined by the CSE as of the date the OSS Asset Purchase Agreement is publicly announced (the "OSS Consideration Shares"). The OSS Consideration Shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day and, pursuant to the terms of the OSS Asset Purchase Agreement, shall be deposited into escrow and be released every six months in 25% allotments. [NTD: Todd to confirm an escrow agent has been appointed]

SmartShop Utrecht

The SmartShop Utrecht acquisition, which is considered to be an arm's length transaction, is subject to customary conditions of closing and is expected to be completed on or about August 1, 2022. Wellness World Utrecht B.V. and third-party vendors entered into an asset purchase agreement (the "Utrecht Asset Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which the aggregate consideration payable for the acquisition is comprised of 200,000, of which 140,000 is payable in cash and 60,000 is to be satisfied through the issuance of Red Light Shares calculated on the basis of a deemed price per Red Light Share equal to the greater of (i) the 10-day volume weighted average price of the Red Light Shares on the CSE ending on the day three business days prior to closing, and (ii) the discounted market price as defined by the CSE as of the date the Utrecht Asset Purchase Agreement is publicly announced (the "Utrecht Consideration Shares"). The Utrecth Consideration Shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day and, pursuant to the terms of the Utrecht Asset Purchase Agreement, shall be deposited into escrow and be released every six months in 25% allotments.

Red Light Holland is committed to creating educational and responsible use messaging in relation to the use of any products made available by the brand. Red Light Holland products are intended to help promote a healthy lifestyle. No products are intended to treat or cure any medical conditions and are in no event a substitute for professional medical care. No statements made by Red Light Holland have been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration or any other similar body of another jurisdiction, and are in no event a substitute for professional medical care. Red Light Holland encourages all consumers to speak with their doctors and professional medical advisors for any solutions that may be appropriate for each person individually.

For more information on the Wellness Shops, please visit https://SmartShop-utrecht.nl and https://www.SmartShoposs.nl.

About Red Light Holland

The company is an Ontario-based corporation that specializes in the mushroom industry, and specifically home grow kits for functional natural mushrooms, while being engaged in the production, growth and sale (through existing SmartShop operators and an advanced e-commerce platform) of premium brands of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in accordance with the highest standards, in compliance with all applicable laws.

For additional information:

Todd Shapiro

Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Director

Tel: 647-643-TRIP (8747)

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.RedLight.co

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Company completing the acquisitions upon the terms and timelines disclosed herein; the Company updating and rebranding the Wellness Shops and creating the Wellness World brand upon the terms and timelines disclosed herein; the Company gaining and utilizing synergies from the acquisitions; the plans and goals of the Company; future product offerings of the Company; the timelines and markets associated with launching products; the future educational, marketing and advertising campaigns of the Company; and future changes in legislation and the regulations surrounding, among other things, the ability to sell the Company's products in new markets.

Forward-looking information in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company completing the acquisitions upon the terms and timelines disclosed herein; the Company updating and rebranding the Wellness Shops and creating the Wellness World brand upon the terms and timelines disclosed herein; the Company gaining and utilizing synergies from the acquisitions; the Company meeting its future business plan targets; continued approval of the Company's activities by the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities; the continued growth of the Company; the Company meeting their anticipated timeline and process for growth, sales, production and commercialization; the Company's products being safe and providing their anticipated benefits; the Company fulfilling its future plans and goals; future product offerings of the Company succeeding; the Company, launching future educational, marketing and advertising campaigns; the Company's revenues will continue to grow; additional jurisdictions permitting sales of the brand's products in the future; and future changes in legislation and the regulations not impacting the Company's ability to fulfill its plans and goals, including the ability to sell the Company's products in new markets.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the Company will not complete the acquisitions upon the terms and timelines disclosed herein or at all; the Company will be unable to update and/or rebrand the Wellness Shops and/or be unable to create the Wellness World brand upon the terms and timelines disclosed herein or at all; the Company being unable to gain or utilize synergies from the acquisitions; expectations regarding future growth, expansion, production, sales and commercialization of the operations of the business; regulatory and licensing risks; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial and stock markets; risks related to infectious diseases, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; legal and regulatory risks inherent in the industry, including the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to the brand's products; political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; risks relating to anti-money laundering laws; compliance with extensive government regulation and the interpretation of various laws regulations and policies; public opinion and perception of the industry; risk that the Company's products will be unsafe for personal consumption and/or not provide their anticipated benefits; risk that there may not be continued demand for the Company's products and/or demand will plateau; risk that the Company may be unable to fulfill its future plans and goals; risk that the Wellness Word brand and/or the product offered under the brand will be unsuccessful and will not sell; risk that the Company will be unable to offer product under the Wellness World brand; risks surrounding future educational, marketing and advertising campaigns of the Company; risk that the Company will be unable to increase revenues; risks surrounding additional jurisdictions not permitting sales of the brand's products in the future; risk of future changes to regulations surrounding the brand's products and/or to the Company's business which may hinder the ability of the Company to attain its goals and/or pursue its plans and/or sell its products in additional markets; and such other risks contained in the public filings of the Company filed with Canadian securities regulators and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events, or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/131900
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2022) - UGE International Ltd. (TSXV: UGE) (OTCQB: UGEIF) (the "Company" or "UGE"), a leader in the commercial and community solar sector, is pleased to announce that it has closed the brokered "best efforts" private placement of debenture units of the Company (the "Green Debentures") previously disclosed in the Company's July 5, 2022 press release, for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,225,000 (the "Offering"). The Offering was led by Canaccord Genuity Corp, on behalf of a syndicate of agents including PI Financial Corp. and IA Securities (collectively, the "Agents") in accordance with the terms and conditions of an agency agreement (the "Agency Agreement") entered into on the Closing Date by the Company and the Agents.

The Green Debentures mature four years from the closing date of the Offering (the "Closing Date") and bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears calculated on the last calendar day of June and December, commencing December 31, 2022, and are secured against a pool of the Company's solar development projects. The Green Debentures are issued pursuant to a trust indenture ("Trust Indenture") entered into on the Closing Date with Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as debenture trustee and collateral agent thereunder. In accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture, UGE has covenanted to maintain a minimum coverage ratio of the total aggregate value of the secured projects equal to 150% of the aggregate amount of obligations outstanding under the Green Debentures.

Purchasers of the Green Debentures also received, for each Green Debenture purchased, 70 common share purchase warrants of the Company (each, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") at an exercise price of $1.50 for a period of 18 months from the Closing Date. The Warrants are issued pursuant to a common share purchase warrant indenture entered into on the Closing Date with TSX Trust Company, as warrant agent thereunder.

In consideration for the Agents' services under the Agency Agreement, the Company paid to the Agents at closing a fee equal to 6% of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Green Debentures and 66,750 common share purchase warrants of the Company (each, an "Agents' Warrant"), with each Agents' Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $1.50 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances) for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date. The Company also reimbursed the Agents on the Closing Date for their reasonable expenses in connection with the Offering.

Net proceeds from the Offering will be utilized for the development of solar projects of UGE and its subsidiaries. The Green Debentures, the Warrants and the Agents' Warrants are subject to a four month hold period from their date of issuance. The Company intends to seek to list the Green Debentures for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") after the four month hold period expires, on a best efforts basis.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any offer or sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been approved or disapproved by any regulatory authority nor has any such authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the short form base shelf prospectus or the prospectus supplement. The offer and sale of the securities has 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 United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

ABOUT UGE

UGE develops, owns, and operates commercial and community solar projects in the US and strategic markets abroad. Our distributed energy solutions deliver cheaper, cleaner energy to businesses and consumers with no upfront cost. With over 500MW of global experience, we work daily to power a more sustainable world.

Contact Information

Visit us at www.ugei.com. For more information, contact UGE at: [email protected] or +1 917 720 5685.

Nick Blitterswyk

Chief Executive Officer

1 (917) 720-5683

[email protected]

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, the anticipated use of proceeds, and the listing of the Green Debentures on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION TO THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132205
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.



The super popular team of Shanghai Taste has launched their Las Vegas-based Sea Fresh restaurant, where they are offering unique seafood cuisine. With daily air shipments from Maine and Seattle, the 16-seated u-shaped bar is already considered one of the best coastal seafood bars. The restaurant serves fish such as sweet-tasting diver scallops, lobster-like coral grouper, succulent abalone, and toothsome black cod, not delivered by many famous seafood restaurants. Despite only being open a few days, Sea Fresh is already receiving accolades, such as being listed as one of the top seafood restaurants in Las Vegas by Thrillist Magazine.

"It's very exciting to pick up live fish and seafood from the airport each day. Most of them are caught just hours before being shipped directly to us. While talking about the fresh availability of the food, chef Jimmy Li from Sea Fresh adds, "Most of our fish arrives still alive when we start our cooking process. It's an honor to cook with such pristine and fresh seafood. "

Specializing in day-boat fish and seafood, caught, hand-selected, and air shipped 6 days a week, exclusively for Sea Fresh, the new restaurant is fast gaining popularity for offering the most rarely found dishes that ensure a mouth-watering experience. Known for its exceptional customer service, the bar picks up the fish at the airport, after which they are often meticulously chosen and sent by Southwest Airlines and Alaska Air. Seafood rice is probably one of their most loved dishes as well as their Sicilian-inspired seafood focaccia.

Located in one of North Americas best foodie neighborhoods, Chinatown Vegas, Sea Fresh is created by the team of ShangHai Taste, a restaurant famous for xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings. The coastal seafood bar is a specialist eatery that serves the most delectable and appealing seafood cuisine to satiate the demands of fish and seafood enthusiasts.

Sea Fresh is well-known for its appealing serving styles, restaurant ambiance, and attractive architecture, apart from its obvious best cooking techniques. I believe this is a must-visit restaurant for seafood lovers like myself, as they offer a variety that any other restaurant in the town rarely delivers, notes Jennifer Kim from Las Vegas.

Sea Fresh is already one of the top-rated restaurants, and getting a spot at the bar is becoming very tough, so reservations well in advance are highly recommended. Sea Fresh is open 6 days a week from 5 pm to 1 am. The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays.

For further inquiries, please call 702-885-1679 or visit them on Facebook @seafreshvegas or send an email to [email protected]

Contact Info:

Name: Joe Muscaglione

Email: Send Email

Organization: Sea Fresh

Phone: 702-885-1679

Website: https://www.facebook.com/SeaFreshVegas/



Release ID: 89079157

If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours.
STAMFORD, Conn., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aircastle Limited ("Aircastle" or "the Company") announced today that Chief Financial Officer, Aaron Dahlke, will resign from the Company to pursue another opportunity outside of the industry. Mr. Dahlke has accepted the role of Vice President for Finance & Administration / Chief Financial Officer for Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. Roy Chandran will serve as interim Chief Financial Officer effective September 1, 2022.

Aaron Dahlke joined Aircastle in 2005 as Chief Accounting Officer and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in 2017. Roy Chandran was appointed Aircastle's Chief Strategy Officer in March 2020. Prior to being appointed Chief Strategy Officer, Mr. Chandran served in various strategy and capital markets roles for Aircastle since May 2008.

Mike Inglese, Aircastle's CEO, commented, "In his seventeen years of service, Aaron provided the discipline, versatility, and team-building leadership that enabled Aircastle to grow from a start-up to the global player we are in aircraft leasing today. Although we will greatly miss his contributions, we wish him all the best in his new role. We are also pleased to have Roy serve as interim CFO, which underscores our deep bench and provides continuity for our investors."

About Aircastle Limited

Aircastle Limited acquires, leases and sells commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world. As of May 31, 2022, Aircastle owned and managed on behalf of its joint ventures 250 aircraft leased to 74 customers located in 44 countries.

Contact:

Aircastle Advisor LLCJim Connelly, SVP ESG & Corporate CommunicationsTel: +1-203-504-1871[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aaron-dahlke-to-resign-as-aircastle-chief-financial-officer-301595269.html

SOURCE Aircastle Limited
HERNDON, Va., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Artel, LLC, a leading supplier of classified secure government connectivity, today announced Nigel Sutton has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Business Development. In this new role, Nigel will be responsible for Artel's move to expand into adjacent markets. "We are thrilled Nigel joined the Artel team," said Paul Domorski, Artel Chief Executive Officer. "His extensive knowledge and experience make him the right leader to help accelerate our growth. Network convergence with best of breed solutions is enabling work from anywhere. Customers don't want to be tied to one platform; they want connectivity as a service. Artel is perfectly positioned to deliver it."

Nigel is an accomplished Senior Business & Operations Executive with more than 35 years of success across aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries. Throughout his executive career, Mr. Sutton has held leadership positions at companies including General Motors Defense, Orbital ATK, AeroVironment, and Raytheon. As VP of Business Development for General Motors Defense, he stood up and developed a capture management organization for new business growth. Since 2015 Nigel was the VP of International Business/Defense Systems Group for Orbital ATK, a defense avionics and armament manufacturer. He led operations, new program strategy, and corporate development. This followed his role as VP of Unmanned Air Systems International Business Division with AeroVironment from 2013 to 2015, and multiple senior roles with Raytheon from 2005 to 2013. As Director of International Business Development & Operations for Raytheon from 2007 to 2012, he oversaw bookings of more than $7.5 billion and coordinated export control policy with trade organizations in Washington D.C. He previously served 18 years in the U.S. Navy, rising to Program Director of Engineering. He has been responsible for executing international equity investments and global partner alliances for aircraft and weapon system program management, and has 23 years of professional leadership experience in the Department of Defense.

Nigel holds a BS in Computer Science from Park College, an MS in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee, Certification in Aircraft/Avionics Flight Test from the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School, an MS in Aerospace Engineering/Avionics from the Naval Postgraduate School, an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology, an Executive Masters in International Relations, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Public Administration from Syracuse University. As a seasoned Board Member, he has held board positions with organizations including Orbital ATK Middle East, World Affairs Councils of America, Precision Strike Association, Alliant Techsystems Operations Saudi Arabia, and the US-ASEAN Business Council.

About ArtelArtel is a communications, engineering and services leader specializing in solving challenges in the defense, intelligence, diplomatic, and homeland security markets. The company enables highly secure service levels approaching 5 nines around the world. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, Artel has been supporting the mission for 35 years. For more information about Artel, visit our web page, or email us at [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artel-llc-taps-nigel-sutton-to-accelerate-artel-growth-301595767.html

SOURCE Artel
ALPHARETTA, Ga., July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Avanos Medical, Inc. (NYSE: AVNS) will webcast its conference call discussing financial results and business highlights for the second quarter 2022 on Tuesday, August 9 at 9 a.m., ET. The company will issue a news release detailing its results before the market opens that same day.

The conference call will be hosted by Joe Woody, chief executive officer, and Michael Greiner, senior vice president and chief financial officer.

To join the live conference call, dial 877-240-5772 in the United States. A simultaneous webcast of the call and a related presentation will be accessible via the Investors section of the Avanos Medical website, https://avanos.investorroom.com/.

A replay of the conference call will be available August 10 at noon ET by dialing 877-344-7529 in the United States and entering passcode 8164434. It will be available for one week. A replay of the webcast also will be accessible in the Investors section of the website, approximately one hour following the completion of the conference call.

About Avanos Medical, Inc. Avanos Medical (NYSE: AVNS) is a medical device company focused on delivering clinically superior breakthrough solutions that will help patients get back to the things that matter. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, Avanos is committed to addressing some of today's most important healthcare needs, such as reducing the use of opioids while helping patients move from surgery to recovery. Avanos develops, manufactures and markets its recognized brands in more than 90 countries. For more information, visit www.avanos.com and follow Avanos Medical on Twitter (@AvanosMedical), LinkedIn and Facebook.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/avanos-medical-inc-to-webcast-conference-call-discussing-second-quarter-2022-financial-results-301594923.html

SOURCE Avanos Medical, Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO), (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG), (NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") will release its second quarter of 2022 financial results after the North American markets close on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.

B2Gold executives will host a conference call to discuss the results on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 10:00 am PDT/1:00 pm EST. You may access the call by dialing the operator at +1 (778) 383-7413 / +1 (416) 764-8659 (Vancouver/Toronto) or toll free at +1 (888) 664-6392 prior to the scheduled start time or you may listen to the call via webcast by clicking here. A playback version will be available for two weeks after the call at +1 (416) 764-8677 (local or international) or toll free at +1 (888) 390-0541 (passcode 652410 #).

About B2Gold Corp.

B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has operating gold mines in Mali, Namibia and the Philippines and numerous exploration and development projects in various countries including Mali, Colombia, Finland and Uzbekistan.

On Behalf of B2GOLD CORP."Clive T. Johnson"President & Chief Executive Officer

For more information on B2Gold, please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact:

Randall Chatwin Cherry De Geer Senior Vice President, Legal & Corporate Director, Corporate Communications Communications +1 604-681-8371 +1 604-681-8371 [email protected] [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/b2gold-second-quarter-2022-financial-results--conference-call-and-webcast-details-301595764.html

SOURCE B2Gold Corp.
NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BizVibe, a business intelligence platform providing detailed company data for both buyers and suppliers, has recently added new insights for the non-metallic mineral product manufacturing industry. This platform contains 30M public and private company profiles spanning across 300+ industries and 200+ countries, and features more than 2,200 non-metallic mineral product companies. These company profiles range from global market leaders to specialized manufacturers, with each profile containing 50+ unique insights.

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BizVibe is transforming the way buyers and sellers do business online. Our supplier intelligence and sales intelligence tools provide best-in-class company insights to help businesses discover, track, monitor, and evaluate companies of interest. BizVibe's platform contains more than 30 million company profiles, each packed with 50+ unique insights. For more information, please visit www.bizvibe.com or start your free trial today.

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SOURCE BizVibe
YARDLEY, Pa., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) announced today that Angela M. Snyder has been elected to the Company's Board of Directors effective on July 28, 2022.

Ms. Snyder is currently the Chief Banking Officer and Senior Executive Vice President of Fulton Bank, a subsidiary of Pennsylvania-based Fulton Financial Corporation, a financial holding company with $25 billion in assets. Since joining Fulton in 2002, she has held several banking-related executive leadership positions, including serving as the Chairwoman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fulton Bank of New Jersey prior to its consolidation with Fulton Bank in 2019. Before joining Fulton, Ms. Snyder held a number of audit-related and management positions with Fleet Bank and its predecessors.

Ms. Snyder holds a Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia and is also a graduate of the University of Virginia's Consumer Banking School.

Timothy J. Donahue, the Company's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome Angela to the Board. With her extensive experience in the financial sector and proven track record of senior executive leadership, she will bring valuable knowledge and perspective to Crown."

About Crown Holdings, Inc.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products to consumer marketing companies, as well as transit and protective packaging products, equipment and services to a broad range of end markets. World headquarters are located in Yardley, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.crowncork.com.

For more information, contact:Thomas T. Fischer, Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs, (215) 552-3720

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SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.
FiscalNote ESG Solutions is a Complete ESG360TM Platform and Advisory Service to Equip Organizations to Become Sustainability Leaders on a Global Scale

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FiscalNote, a leading AI-driven enterprise SaaS company that delivers legal and regulatory data and insights, today announced it is launching FiscalNote ESG Solutions in Singapore and Australia, two critical markets for ESG in the APAC region.

FiscalNote ESG Solutions is a multi-dimensional suite, which brings together critical ESG assets, tools, products, and services to super-serve every organization's ESG needs at every stage of their ESG journey. Its broad and impactful combination of essential ESG tools and workflows includes: an AI-powered Platform to help organizations streamline and unify carbon, climate and ESG data management across their operations, supply chain, and portfolio; Global ESG Advisory Services, comprised of seasoned Climate and ESG strategists who are equipped to help improve ESG awareness for customers while providing mission-critical intelligence and advising on strategies, operations, policies, and investments; Essential ESG Intelligence encompassing news, research, and analysis, including the flagship monthly ESG Landscape Monitor report and tailored briefings; and, Community & Peer ESG Insights and Best Practices, providing unbiased peer insights through a confidential, vendor-free membership community.

"At FiscalNote, our mission is to empower people and organizations with the right insights and the tools to turn them into action, including by staying ahead of the changing ESG landscape," said Gerald Yao, Co-founder, Global Head of ESG, and Chief Strategy Officer, FiscalNote. "With the launch of FiscalNote ESG Solutions in Singapore and Australia, we want to help companies orchestrate their ESG success by helping them accelerate their sustainability transformation through our ESG360 approach, expert advisory, and peer insights approach. We are excited not only about the business potential we see in this region, but in the opportunity to enable companies to drive real, measurable, and value-led ESG impact to their business and to the larger community."

AustraliaFiscalNote ESG Solutions' expansion in Australia comes as the push toward carbon neutrality and net-zero targets in the country intensifies under the newly elected government. Scrutiny from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on the ESG claims of organizations is also intensifying. ASIC recently outlined its expectations to investment managers and funds offering sustainability-related products, following the rapid growth of the sector in sustainable funds topped AUD $33.4 billion in Australia and New Zealand last year. This move increases pressure on organisations to connect internal data, layer external data, and integrate policies with constant legislation and regulatory changes.

"Decarbonisation is a massive priority in the Australian private sector, especially with the progressive side of politics holding a majority in both houses and aggressively pushing the climate agenda towards net-zero. While local corporates have long championed the pathway to net-zero and decarbonisation, we know it can be expensive to achieve these goals," said Frank Meehan, General Manager, FiscalNote ESG Solutions. "Over the last decade, companies have bought carbon credits at a rising cost to hit carbon neutral targets, but that kind of greenwashing approach isn't going to fly in the next couple of years. To keep moving in the right direction as scrutiny on greenwashing claims amplifies, companies need the right tools on hand to manage an incredibly complicated process that moves beyond Scope 1 Carbon Emissions."

Singapore & APACFiscalNote ESG Solutions is currently working with leading brands in Singapore and the APAC region to kick-start their ESG journey or to support them to evolve existing ESG strategies. The company is focused on enabling them to elevate the importance of ESG across the organization to efficiently manage sustainability data, cut through organizational silos, and drive a comprehensive approach to ESG in a single, central platform.

A recent report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) highlights how the Asia Pacific region is at risk of falling behind to achieve the 2030 targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). One of the key challenges is the availability of data in the region to track accurate progress, led by factors such as delayed data collection as several economies in the region postponed censuses and surveys due to movement restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic.

FiscalNote also announced the appointment of Quentin Fouesnant as Managing Director, Asia Pacific, overseeing the company's expansion in Asia-Pacific, and managing customer relationships in Singapore, Korea, and Australia. Quentin brings over ten years of experience in the region's energy, industrial, and technology ecosystem, thrives on hands-on sales, customer relationships, and project management, and has an enviable track record of building scale in both business and people growth.

About FiscalNote ESG SolutionsFiscalNote ESG Solutions is the most comprehensive ESG platform and advisory solution in the market helping organizations become sustainability leaders  from getting started with strategic insights, benchmarking, and reporting to embedding ESG into an organization's DNA. FiscalNote ESG Solutions brings together Equilibrium's AI-powered platform, award-winning analysis, global advisory, and a peer community to help an organization achieve its ESG goals. Visit: fiscalnote.com/esg.

About FiscalNote

FiscalNote is a leading technology provider of global policy and market intelligence. By uniquely combining AI technology, actionable data, and expert and peer insights, FiscalNote empowers customers to manage policy, address regulatory developments, and mitigate global risk. Since 2013, FiscalNote has pioneered technology that delivers mission-critical insights and the tools to turn them into action. Home to CQ, Equilibrium, FrontierView, Oxford Analytica, VoterVoice, and many other industry-leading brands, FiscalNote serves more than 5,000 customers worldwide with global offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. To learn more about FiscalNote and its family of brands, visit FiscalNote.com and follow @FiscalNote.

Media Contact

Nicholas GrahamFiscalNote[email protected]

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SOURCE FiscalNote
JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gold and GemStone Mining, Inc. (OTC: GGSM); "the Company"), a leader in chartering to the World-Famous Mentawai Island and Beyond, Posts Positive Revenues poised for further growth as world travel to Indonesia opens for business.

The Company is highlighting significant achievements solidifying its strong foundation for growth in the coming year.

"We are very pleased with the performance of the Company through the pandemic." stated Volha Zvalinskaya, GGSM, President. "We continue to build a solid base of recurring revenue by issuing Visas, accommodations, and charter boat services into the World class surfing area of the Mentawai Islands. This is due to Company's CEO and CFO, Rudi Khelces, team hard work and determination to offer Clients charters to uncrowded beaches, marine and remote high-quality surfing waves, and providing an unforgettable experience."

Key Highlights April 30, 2022, Quarterly report, Company's Net income increased 43.29% to $2,320,641 from $1,619,530 in the April 30, 2021 Quarterly report, and assets grew to $5,201,804, an increase of 1452% compared to April 30, 2021.

GGSM anticipates further growth ahead with the world reopening as travelers chase the full excitement/exhilaration of the charter services and leisure boating vacation experience, immersing themselves in warm-weather remote uncrowded activities to beaches and marine and high-quality surfing. The GGSM management team is reviewing new opportunities and strategic partnerships while growing a proven business model for continued long-term growth and profitability.

ABOUT GGSM CORPORATION

GGSM is a publicly-traded company, engaged in the charter boat business in the Mentawai Islands and Beyond. The Kuda Laut's charter vessel is a Mentawai Surf Charter vessel to the World-Famous Mentawai Islands. The Kuda Laut has been chartering to the Mentawai, Telos, Nias, and Banyak Islands for over 25 seasons. From the Lagundri Bay in Nias, the Hinakos, the Bay of Plenty in the Banyaks, the Telos long rights, and the famous waves in the Mentawai, such as Rifles. No Kandui, Ebay, etc., in the Playground, to telescopes, Bintang, Lances Right.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "believes," "expects," "potential," "plans," "suggests," "may," "should," "could," "intends," or similar expressions. Many forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to continue to enhance our products and systems to address industry changes, our ability to expand our customer base and retain existing customers, our ability to effectively compete in our market segment, the lack of public information on our Company, our ability to raise sufficient capital to fund our business, operations, our ability to continue as a going concern, and a limited public market for our common stock, among other risks. Many factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

For More Information, visit https://ggsmglobal.com

Gold and Gemstone Mining, Inc., Investor Relations

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SOURCE Gold and Gemstone Mining, Inc.
Randy Parker is Named CEO of Hyundai Motor America

Edgar Carranza is Named CEO of Hyundai Motor Mexico

Tedros Mengiste is Promoted to Vice President, Genesis Sales Operations, Genesis Motor America

Bob Kim is Promoted to Vice President, National Sales, Hyundai Motor America

David VandeLinde is Promoted to Vice President, After-Sales, Hyundai Motor America

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jose Munoz, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor North America (HMNA) announced today the promotion of five key members of his HMNA executive team. The five promotions are effective Aug.1.

Randy Parker is promoted to CEO of Hyundai Motor America (HMA). Parker will be responsible for Hyundai's commercial automotive operations in the United States and report to Munoz. Parker was previously the senior vice president of national sales at HMA.

Edgar Carranza is promoted to CEO of Hyundai Motor Mexico. Carranza will oversee commercial automotive operations in Mexico reporting to Munoz. Carranza was previously the chief operating officer of HMM.

Tedros Mengiste is promoted to vice president, Genesis sales operations, Genesis Motor America. Mengiste will continue to oversee Genesis sales, production, distribution, incentives, and field operations in the United States. He will continue to report to Claudia Marquez, chief operating officer, Genesis Motor North America. Mengiste was previously the executive director of Genesis sales.

Bob Kim is promoted to vice president, national sales, Hyundai Motor America. Kim will oversee sales and field operations in the United States and report to Parker. Kim was previously the general manager of the southern region.

David VandeLinde is promoted to vice president, after-sales, Hyundai Motor America. VandeLinde will continue to be responsible for leading dealer service programs and operations, parts and accessory sales, and owner marketing, and will report to Parker.

"I am excited to have Randy and Edgar leading these two markets in North America," said Munoz. I know that they will continue the remarkable growth and expansion of the Hyundai brand that we have experienced during the past three years. And having Ted and Bob leading sales efforts for GMA and HMA will ensure we continue to increase market share across both brands in the U.S."

Hyundai Motor North AmericaHyundai Motor North America (HMNA) was established in 2018 to provide strategic oversight of Hyundai Motor America, Hyundai Motor Canada, Hyundai Motor Mexico, Genesis Motor America, and Genesis Motor Canada. HMNA also provides operational oversight of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. HMNA's 1,400 dealerships sold 956,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles in 2021, a 22% increase compared with 2020. HMNA is committed to achieving long-term sustainable growth and promoting Hyundai's global vision of 'Progress for Humanity.'

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor North America
BELLEVUE, Wash., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Icertis, the contract intelligence company that pushes the boundaries of what's possible with contract lifecycle management (CLM), announced today that former BMW CEO Harald Kruger has joined its Advisory Board. Mr. Kruger's exceptional career in the automotive industry, as well as board and advisory positions with global market leaders such as Deutsche Telekom AG Deutsche Lufthansa AG, and Salesforce (EMEA) offer Icertis invaluable expertise as the company transforms the foundation of commerce with the Icertis Contract Intelligence (ICI) platform.

Contracts are the single source of truth for all commercial, operational, and legal entitlements and obligations of a company. The ICI platform digitizes the contracting process, extracts the critical structured and unstructured data in contracts, connects this data to operational surround systems, and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure the intent of every contract is correctly memorialized and fully realized.

"Icertis Contract Intelligence has emerged as the best-practice SaaS platform as enterprises navigate unprecedented market challenges and business disruptions," said Icertis Advisory Board member Harald Kruger. "Icertis is helping companies increase revenue, reduce cost, manage risk, and ensure compliance across functions. This enterprise-wide value is fueled by Icertis' award-winning ICI platform, tier-one technology partnerships, and deep alliances with top SIs around the world, positioning the company to further leapfrog CLM competitors. I expect to see Icertis accelerate growth exponentially and am excited to be part of their journey."

Mr. Kruger's three-decade-long tenure with BMW Group began in 1992 and includes more than 10 years serving on BMW's board of management, including four as CEO. Earlier in his career, he worked at the Institute for Dynamics of Flight Systems of the German Aerospace Center in Oberpfaffenhofen. He currently serves on top strategic boards across industries.

"Harald joins the Icertis Advisory Board as the company continues to see strong momentum in 2022 after posting ARR growth of above 50% in 2021, with record customer and partner growth across the world. When I first met Harald, I was impressed with his deep curiosity, grasp of details, and lean-in-to-make-an-impact attitude. In addition, his business values and approach to company culture perfectly align with Icertis' FORTE values and culture," said Samir Bodas, CEO and Co-founder of Icertis. "I am looking forward to Harald's tenured insight in shaping our business growth, from product and go-to-market strategy to managing and leading high-performance global teams."

Icertis has been consistently recognized for its record growth, market leadership, employer practices, and contract management software innovations. The company has earned numerous top-tier analyst, partner, and industry accolades and awards in recent years, such as inclusion on the Forbes Cloud 100, Deloitte's Technology 500 List, and Inc.'s Best-Led Companies in America.

About Icertis

With unmatched technology and category-defining innovation, Icertis pushes the boundaries of what's possible with contract lifecycle management (CLM). The AI-powered, analyst-validated Icertis Contract Intelligence (ICI) platform turns contracts from static documents into strategic advantage by structuring and connecting the critical contract information that defines how an organization runs. Today, the world's most iconic brands and disruptive innovators trust Icertis to govern the rights and commitments in their 10 million+ contracts worth more than $1 trillion in 40+ languages and 90+ countries.

Contact Liza Colburn Director of Corporate Communications, Icertis [email protected] +1 (781) 562-0111

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SOURCE Icertis
As the Midwest region's largest Web3 event, Global VC Firm Decasonic Convenes Top Institutional Investors and Innovators to Chicago

CHICAGO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Decasonic, a global venture and digital assets fund, today welcomed over 300 registered participants for their inaugural Web3 Investor Day in Chicago. The single day conference on July 28, 2022 includes a series of panels with industry thought leaders from both web3 native and traditional institutions. The full day's agenda including speaker bios can be found at https://linktr.ee/web3id.

Global VC Firm Decasonic Convenes Top Institutional Investors and Innovators to Midwest region's largest Web3 event

"There should be no doubt that Chicago is a top-tier Web3 innovation hub," said Paul Hsu, Founder and CEO of Decasonic, the organizer of the Web3 Investor Day. "And our sold-out inaugural summit includes the best founders, innovators, and investors to explore the next frontier of innovation which will be transformational for the future of our economy and global startup ecosystem."

Speakers include Deputy Mayor for Economic & Neighborhood Development Samir Mayekar of the City of Chicago, Sam Yagan of Corazon Capital, Rumi Morales of Digital Currency Group, Jason Pritzker of The Pritzker Organization, Ben Weiss of CoinFlip, Brett Harrison of FTX U.S., Paul Hsu of Decasonic, and others who are headlining the inaugural Web3 flagship event in an effort to bring together institutional investors and web3 founders to learn about this technology's constant innovations, as well as to promote mainstream web3 adoption.

There are over 300 registered participants, over 160 of which are institutional investors, and over 50 are founders of web3 companies. The day's scheduled content includes 33 speakers, 10 of which are female leaders in web3.

Top technology talent is choosing to build in the city of Chicago. Currently many top tier innovators are headquartered in the technology centers around Fulton Market and River North. City developers are working on creating and defining a fresh epicenter of excellence surrounding this new wave of technology innovation.

Coming in summer of 2024, the Sterling Bay-developed Lincoln Yards is set to be the city's most metaverse-ready neighborhood. This innovation will cater to the use cases among the diverse set of industries that call Chicago their world headquarters, including healthcare, biotech, quantum technology, logistics, food and beverage, and financial services.

Web3 Investor Day is honored by the strong and diverse demand for attendance, as well as the support of our sponsors who made the conference possible. Presenting sponsors include Decasonic, Bridge Alternatives, Sterling Bay, and World Business Chicago.

You can follow the latest from the inaugural event via Twitter: @Web3InvestorDay or #Web3InvestorDay

ABOUT DECASONIC:

Decasonic is the venture and digital assets fund building blockchain and web3 innovation. They draw on decades of experience as tech investors and operators to help founders in blockchain accelerate product-market fit and scale growth. As believers, builders, and investors in blockchain since 2013, they've engineered a systematic approach to iconic growth  with people, data, and relationships as the north stars of the fund. Visit www.decasonic.com to learn more.

ABOUT BRIDGE ALTERNATIVE:

Bridge Alternative Investment Solutions continues to provide virtually every function that an in-house CFO, COO and/or Controller would provide, including books and records management, cash movements and controls, fee calculations and billing, audit management and coordination, tax compliance and coordination and service provider oversight and relationship management. For further information, please visit www.bridgealternatives.com.

ABOUT STERLING BAY:

Sterling Bay is a national real estate company that boldly transforms spaces, industries, and communities across the country, sparking growth and opportunity at every turn. Known for creating innovative urban headquarters for world-class companies such as Google, McDonald's, WPP, Pinterest, Dyson and Tyson Foods, Sterling Bay is consistently recognized for award-winning projects that strengthen a company's culture and brand. Sterling Bay's team of more than 185 professionals is responsible for a portfolio of creative office, multifamily, life sciences and industrial assets exceeding $20 billion. For more information, visit www.sterlingbay.com.

ABOUT WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO:

World Business Chicago serves a critical role in driving inclusive and equitable recovery throughout the city's 77 neighborhoods, focused on high growth sectors: transportation, distribution, & logistics; manufacturing; healthcare & life sciences, and our local innovation, startup, & venture ecosystem. As the City of Chicago's economic development agency, World Business Chicago leads corporate attraction & retention, workforce & talent, community impact, and promotion of Chicago as a leading global city. Supported by a council of 300+ local leaders, World Business Chicago's portfolio of innovation & venture programs include: the Chicago Venture Summit series, Startup Chicago, ThinkChicago, and Venture Engine with the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ISTC). Follow World Business Chicago on LinkedIn and Twitter for daily news and announcements on company relocation and expansion; industry and ecosystem growth, U.S. and world rankings, and more about Chicago's economic progress. More information can be found at www.worldbusinesschicago.com

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SOURCE World Business Chicago
The Momentus Capital family of companies is a founding member of the new coalition dedicated to addressing economic disparities and accelerating economic opportunities.

ARLINGTON, Va. and SAN DIEGO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Momentus Capital is honored to serve as one of the founding members of newly created Economic Opportunity Coalition (EOC).

Vice President Kamala Harris announced today historic efforts to catalyze and align both public and private investments  including formation of the new EOC  to address economic disparities and accelerate economic opportunity in communities of color and other underserved communities.

The EOC is made up of 23 companies and foundations, including 14 companies ranked in the Fortune 500. Their goal is to focus commitments in a few areas that will move the needle  aligning their major investments in communities of color with investments made by the Biden-Harris Administration.

"Momentus Capital is uniquely positioned to serve a significant role representing mission-driven financial institutions on the Economic Opportunity Coalition," said Ellis Carr, president and CEO of the Momentus Capital family of companies, which includes Capital Impact Partners, CDC Small Business Finance, and Ventures Lending Technologies. "Our team has extensive experience with small business and community development, and the ability to offer a continuum of capital at every growth stage to support economic mobility and wealth creation."

"We are thankful to the Biden-Harris Administration for its support of the Economic Opportunity Coalition. Working together in this public-private partnership will help create social and economic justice in disinvested communities," Mr. Carr added. "This coalition will bolster the work that Momentus Capital is doing to provide communities with the opportunities they deserve to succeed and thrive. We can accomplish much more, and much faster, by combining our efforts strategically than we would by acting separately."

The founding members of the EOC include Ariel Investments, Bank of America, BNY Mellon, Capital One, Citi, Discover, Ford Foundation, Goldman Sachs, Google, Key Bank, Kresge Foundation, Mastercard, McDonald's, McKinsey & Company, Micron, Momentus Capital, Moody's, Netflix, PayPal, PNC, The Rockefeller Foundation, TIAA, and Upstart.

The EOC will coordinate across public, private and social sector organizations. It will develop and deploy products that solve challenges in getting resources where they are needed most, and it will drive toward outcomes for meaningful action.

The coalition members have made significant commitments across each of the four focus areas, including a number of investments since the group formed earlier this year:

Investing in community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and minority depository institutions (MDIs)

Supporting entrepreneurship and minority-owned businesses

Expanding inclusive and equitable access to credit and other financial services facilitating financial health

Making infrastructure investments that create more community wealth

These commitments, which represent only a small fraction of total commitments from the EOC, show the immense resources these founding members bring to the table, but they acknowledge they must do more.

Over the coming months, the EOC will build on investments the Biden-Harris Administration has made and develop new solutions that reimagine how capital, technology, and talent are deployed in underserved communities. They will be built with and for the community, leveraging existing strengths and assets to address the root causes of economic inequality.

The Momentus Capital family of companies is already working to transform how investments and capital flow into communities. This includes:

Financial capital: a range of flexible debt and equity products to meet Momentus Capital's partners' needs, as well as access to new markets and potential investors

a range of flexible debt and equity products to meet Momentus Capital's partners' needs, as well as access to new markets and potential investors Knowledge capital: business advising, assistance, and training to develop the skills and insights that can help partners advance their enterprises

Social capital: connections to networks and people that can help Momentus Capital's partners succeed

Among the recent programs and initiatives from the Momentus Capital family of companies:

Launching an Impact Investing group to jumpstart growth-stage businesses that will impact their communities. Equity investments make up less than 2% of CDFI portfolios in the United States. This will fill a crucial gap for companies like this that need more than traditional debt products.

Coming Soon! Momentus Capital is developing a first-of-its kind mission-driven investment bank to better connect investors with community organizations through community-centric securities offerings.

Activate Detroit , a new loan product that is empowering Black entrepreneurs by focusing on character-based evaluations, rather than credit scores.

Impower , which helps business owners who have been denied a commercial real estate loan, assisting them with the opportunity to build wealth, create jobs and stay in the communities they serve.

The Equitable Development Initiative , Housing Equity Accelerator Fellowship , and Growing Diverse Housing Developers , all of which provide training, mentorship, connections, and pathways to financing for developers of color, helping them overcome racial barriers and systemic issues.

Housing Equity Accelerator Fellowship Growing Diverse Housing Developers Expanding access to Ventures+ , a proprietary loan processing and portfolio management tool that has become one of the top resources for small business and community lenders. This has helped other local lenders create an impact in their communities by providing access to high-level services they would otherwise be unlikely to manage on their own.

Leveraging 80 years of combined experience, a portfolio of nearly $3 billion, and strong community engagement, the Momentus Capital family of companies has delivered more than $23 billion in financing, created and preserved 250,000 jobs, and served 12,000 small businesses and five million people across their history.

More information is available on the Momentus Capital fact sheet (PDF).

About Momentus Capital

Momentus Capital is transforming how capital and investments flow into communities to provide people access to the capital and opportunities they deserve.

Through our family of mission-driven organizations including Capital Impact Partners, CDC Small Business Finance, and Ventures Lending Technologies, we are working to reinvent traditional financial systems that have failed to address systemic issues of inequality, economic empowerment, and the widening racial wealth gap.

Each organization under the Momentus Capital brand will continue operating as a separate entity committed to serving its key market and clients, albeit with additional resources and product offerings.

We offer a continuum of financial, knowledge, and social capital to help local leaders build inclusive and equitable communities and create generational wealth. This includes a comprehensive package of loan products, impact investment opportunities, training and business advising programs, and technology services that advance locally-led solutions.

Leveraging 80 years of combined experience, a portfolio of nearly $3 billion, and strong community engagement, the family of companies has delivered more than $23 billion in financing, created and preserved 250,000 jobs, and served 12,000 small businesses and five million people across their history.

With headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and San Diego, California, Momentus Capital operates nationally with a focus on larger urban areas and cities in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

Learn more at momentuscap.org.

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SOURCE Momentus Capital
SOMERSET, N.J., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- While many people fear the loss of their normal routine during cancer treatment, it weighs significantly higher among men, according to a recent poll of 400 New Jersey residents.

The poll, conducted by MW Healthcare on behalf of ProCure Proton Therapy Center, found that 26 percent of men listed the loss of their normal routine as their biggest fear about cancer treatment, compared to 20 percent of women. The poll was completed in early 2022 and examined attitudes on access to cancer care.

"Cancer care is significantly more successful if patients get their routine health screenings, and yet CDC data indicates that men go to doctors about a third less than women," said Brian H. Chon, M.D., Medical Director at ProCure Proton Therapy Center. "Is it important to understand what is keeping men from seeking care and how we can address those barriers."

ProCure, based in Somerset, NJ, offers proton therapy as an effective cancer treatment with fewer side effects than traditional radiation  enabling most patients to maintain their normal schedules during treatment. Dr. Chon said 20% of their patients have prostate cancer  the most common cancer among men.

Dr. Chon suggests for men over 55 to have a prostate cancer screening (also called a PSA) at least once a year so that cancer can be detected at an earlier, more treatable stage. While a bigger gap existed for men who were concerned about disrupting their normal routine during cancer treatment, more women feared the possible side effects of cancer care (45 percent compared to 38 percent for men).

The full survey is available upon request.

About ProCure:

ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, NJ, opened in March 2012 as the tri-state region's first proton therapy facility, treating a range of cancers including disease of the prostate, breast, lung, brain, head and neck, and gastrointestinal system, as well as sarcomas and many pediatric cases. Using the most advanced radiation treatment available ProCure has treated more than 6,000 patients and enables many cancer patients to choose a non-surgical treatment personalized to their medical needs and lifestyles, often with fewer side effects and less downtimegiving them more freedom to enjoy what matters most in their lives. For more information, visit ProCure.com.

Media Contact:Sarah Ferrington, Marketing ManagerPhone: 732-357-2609Email: [email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/poll-shows-what-nj-men-fear-most-about-cancer-treatment-301595500.html

SOURCE ProCure Proton Therapy Center
Parker is One of the First African Americans to Be Named CEO of a Major OEM Regional Market

Hyundai Achieved Significant Sales and Market Share Gains Under Parker's Tenure as Senior Vice President of National Sales

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor North America has promoted Randy Parker to be chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor America effective August 1. In this role, Parker assumes responsibility for Hyundai's commercial automotive operations in the United States. He will report to Jose Munoz, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America.

"Randy is the perfect person to continue Hyundai's recent successes in sales, market share, and growth in the U.S.," said Munoz. "I have no doubt that he will continue to strengthen the full Hyundai team and our dealer network."

"Hyundai has an incredible team assembled by Jose and our Korean leadership," Parker said. "I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to lead this organization and continuing the success of the past few years."

Parker is one of the first African Americans to be named CEO of a major OEM regional market, and he will lead the most diverse C-suite in the automotive industry. In May 2019, Parker was named vice president of national sales at Hyundai Motor America and was promoted to senior vice president in February 2021. During his tenure, Hyundai became one of the fastest growing mainstream brands in the United States, setting an all-time retail sales record in 2021 and growing retail market share 31% since 2020.

Prior to joining Hyundai, Parker was the vice president of Infiniti North America, where he led the brand's overall performance in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. He has had more than three decades of automotive industry experience and leadership roles at General Motors (GM), GM Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), Nissan, and Infiniti. At Nissan, he served as division vice president, Global Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales and marketing where he was responsible for the automaker's LCV business unit based in Yokohama, Japan. Parker also served as the regional vice president of Nissan USA's western region.

Parker holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Christian University. He also completed Executive Management Programs at Harvard and Penn State. In 2021, Parker was named to the Automotive News All-Star list and was also recognized by the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2022 in their prestigious list of industry influencers.

Parker was born in Nuremburg, Germany, but considers himself a native of Texas. He gives much of the credit for his success to the examples of tough, compassionate, and ethical decision making provided by his parents.

"I was raised in a military family that valued hard work, servant leadership, and esprit de corps," Parker said. "I am a firm believer in the maxim, 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.' I have no doubt that the Hyundai team can go farther than anyone ever imagined possible."

Bob Kim, the general manager for the southern region, has been promoted to vice president of national sales and will report to Parker. Additionally, David VandeLinde has been promoted to vice president, after-sales and will also report to Parker.

Hyundai Motor AmericaHyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs and electrified vehicles. Our 820 dealers sold more than 738,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
Strategic integrations enable users across hundreds of wallets, as well as a growing number of blockchains and protocols, to leverage a single application for DeFi management

DENVER, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ShapeShift DAO, a decentralized, non-custodial cryptocurrency platform and community, announced today that their open-source web app is now integrated with the WalletConnect v1.0 protocol as well as Keplr, XDEFI Wallet and Tally Ho wallets. These integrations potentially represent over a million qualified new users: WalletConnect provides a gateway to hundreds of ETH and EVM-compatible wallets and DApps and is chain agnostic; Keplr is the trusted wallet of the Cosmos ecosystem; XDEFI Wallet supports over 10,000 assets/DApps across 11 blockchains; and Tally Ho is a free, open-source, community-built Web3 wallet. Combined with ShapeShift's current wallet and chain support, app.shapeshift.com users can more easily manage all of their DeFi activities non-custodially and without fees. ShapeShift already supports more wallets, chains and protocols than any other free, community-owned crypto application.

"ShapeShift DAO is working hard to build the best interface to the decentralized universe: a single app where users can seamlessly interact with aggregated DeFi protocols across chains," said Willy Ogorzaly, Head of Decentralization for ShapeShift DAO. "At our core, we believe the ultimate interface should be open-source, community-owned, decentralized and free. This needs to exist but doesn't yet, so that's what we're building. We also believe the ultimate interface to the decentralized universe should support many wallets, and we're excited to finally welcome the 1M+ users of WalletConnect, Keplr, XDEFI Wallet and Tally Ho to ShapeShift."

WalletConnect is an open-source Web3 communications protocol connecting wallets and DApps. Its decentralized messaging backend enables a wallet to connect and interact with another wallet or DApp using a QR code or deep link. Because of its encrypted security, convenience and ease of use, WalletConnect is built into over a hundred leading wallets as well as hundreds of DApps. In this first integration, ShapeShift's application will support WalletConnect v1.0's ecosystem of walletsin an upcoming release, WalletConnect support will expand to enable ShapeShift users to connect to any DApp that supports WalletConnect and execute transactions from any wallet supported by app.shapeshift.com.

"WalletConnect is thrilled to provide the infrastructure support enabling ShapeShift to connect with a growing ecosystem of wallets and users," said Pedro Gomes, CEO of WalletConnect. "Our protocol enables any wallet and any DApp to connect with one another in a secure and seamless experience. We are excited to welcome ShapeShift as a partner and look forward to building the future of Web3, together."

Keplr is an open-source browser extension wallet for the Cosmos interchain ecosystem, also recently available for mobile devices. It provides the most flexible and versatile account management and wallet functionalities for all Cosmos SDK-based blockchains and is the preferred and most widely used wallet for Cosmos users. ShapeShift announced native wallet support for Cosmos functionality in April; supporting Keplr is an extension of the DAO's commitment to the Cosmos community.

XDEFI Wallet is a non-custodial, multi-chain wallet that allows you to securely store, swap and send crypto and NFTs across 11 blockchains. XDEFI Wallet is trusted by more than 80,000 users and has a five-star rating after 180 reviews in the Google Chrome store. Its native integration with THORChain as well as other leading DEXs and bridges means users can seamlessly swap and bridge across chains from a single wallet.

Tally Ho is an open-source and community-owned wallet built to support decentralized communities. Paralleling ShapeShift's core ethos and principles, Tally Ho is built on openness through its product, culture, code and community. The Tally community is also aligned with ShapeShift's vision for a multi-chain future, and we look forward to enabling Tally for other chains that ShapeShift supports as soon as Tally supports them.

About ShapeShift

Since 2014, ShapeShift has been pioneering self-custody for digital asset trading. Today's ShapeShift DAO is an engaged community of builders working to advance the state of crypto trading, investing and access to open, decentralized financial systems. Our web and mobile platforms empower users to safely buy, hold, trade, invest and interact with thousands of digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Cosmos.

All Chains, All Protocols, All Wallets. Share Our Vision at app.shapeshift.com.

Learn more at ShapeShift.com

Media Contact:

Lindsay Smith[email protected]

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SOURCE ShapeShift DAO
 Agreement to result in positive non-cash accounting adjustment of approximately $15.8 million 

OAKLAND, Calif. and TORONTO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - StateHouse Holdings Inc. ("StateHouse" or the "Company") (CSE: STHZ) (OTCQX: STHZF), a California-focused, vertically integrated cannabis enterprise, is pleased to announce that it has reached a Partial Payment Installment Agreement (the "Agreement") with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") related to the federal tax returns of its wholly-owned subsidiary Patients Mutual Assistance Collective Corporation ("PMACC") for the 2007 to 2012 fiscal years and the 2020 fiscal year.

At issue were federal taxes owed of approximately $22.1 million. Under the Agreement, StateHouse is resolving this liability through the payment of approximately $5.8 million, to be made through $50,000 per-month payments over an expected period of 116 months, beginning in August 2022. The monthly payment amount is subject to IRS review every two years. With each review, the payments may adjust up or down depending on PMACC's ability to pay at that time. The Company does not anticipate that these biennial reviews will result in a material increase to the payment plan.

The Company has maintained a provision on its balance sheet related to the taxes owed. This provision was approximately $21.6 million as at March 31, 2022 (the "Provision"). Given that the Provision is significantly higher than the anticipated repayments under the Agreement, the Company expects to record a positive non-cash accounting adjustment of approximately $15.8 million to reverse previous accruals in its financial results relating to the Provision. It is anticipated that the adjustment will be reflected in the Company's financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

In addition, the Agreement allows the Company to recategorize the majority of the related liability as a non-current liability, materially reducing the short-term obligations on its balance sheet.

"This is a landmark agreement for our Company," said Ed Schmults, StateHouse Chief Executive Officer. "By resolving this longstanding 280E obligation, and more recent federal tax obligations, in a satisfactory manner, StateHouse has demonstrated its leadership in the U.S. cannabis sector. This result provides significant clarity for investors on an issue of critical importance, and puts StateHouse in a much stronger competitive position. It is an important step on our path to building a flagship California cannabis company."

"We are grateful to the IRS for working with us to resolve this issue," Mr. Schmults continued. "The federal tax burden on legal cannabis businesses is highly punitive and very difficult to navigate while trying to achieve profitability. The Agreement demonstrates that we can successfully manage the challenging taxation issues arising from the IRS 280E Tax Code, until there is reform at the federal level. We believe the case for this reform is very strong, as it would create tax fairness for legal cannabis businesses and significantly weaken the illicit market, which would result in stronger tax collections for the federal government over the long term."

The Agreement primarily relates to PMACC's allocation of certain expenses to cost of goods sold in certain of its corporate tax returns. PMACC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Harborside Inc. prior to Harborside's name change to StateHouse, was among the first cannabis companies to challenge the federal tax rule against such allocations and the historic litigation was closely followed by the industry in the hope that the U.S. Tax Court (the "Court") would find in favor of the Company and the resolution would pave the way for future tax relief for state licensed operators. On November 29, 2018, the Court disallowed these allocations, holding that they were instead deductions barred by the IRS 280E Tax Code.

About StateHouse

StateHouse, a vertically integrated enterprise with cannabis licenses covering retail, major brands, distribution, cultivation, nursery and manufacturing, is one of the oldest and most respected cannabis companies in California. The Company was awarded one of the first six medical cannabis licenses granted in the United States. Today, the Company operates 14 dispensaries covering Northern and Southern California and one in Oregon, distribution facilities in San Jose and Los Angeles, California and integrated cultivation/production facilities in Salinas and Greenfield, California. StateHouse is a publicly listed company, currently trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the ticker symbol "STHZ" and the OTCQX under the ticker symbol "STHZF". The Company continues to play an instrumental role in making cannabis safe and accessible to a broad and diverse community of California and Oregon consumers.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. To the extent any forward-looking information in this news release constitutes "financial outlooks" or "future-oriented financial information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to the amount of taxes to ultimately be paid under the Agreement, the amounts and timing of the monthly payments to be made under the Agreement, the outcomes of any subsequent IRS review of payments to be made under the Agreement, the impact of the Agreement on the Company's financial position, the competitive position of the Company following this resolution, the impact that the decision of the IRS will have on the Company and the cannabis sector as a whole, and the Company's future business prospects.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the cannabis markets where the Company operates; changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion and acquisitions; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products in the markets where the Company operates; and the risk factors set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the period ended March 31, 2022 and the Company's listing statement dated May 30, 2019, which are available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

The Company, through several of its subsidiaries, is directly involved in the manufacture, possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the recreational and medicinal cannabis marketplace in the United States. Local state laws where the Company operates permit such activities however, investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the United States Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable United States federal money laundering legislation.

While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward non-enforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with recreational and medicinal cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve the Company of liability under United States federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of the Company and any proceedings brought against the Company thereunder may adversely affect the Company's operations and financial performance.

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 Company's 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.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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SOURCE StateHouse Holdings Inc.
Ceremony Set to Honor the Remarkable Achievements of Africa, Africans and African Descendants Across Industries

2022 Honorees Include:

The Republic of Botswana, Filmmaker Mahen Bonetti, Rockefeller Foundation Executive Betty Wambui Kibaara and IBM Executive Dr. Solomon Assefa

Hosted by Bozoma Saint John

Tuesday, September 20, 2022  6 P.M.At Cipriani's 42nd St. in New York City

NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Africa-America Institute (AAI) - the premier U.S.-based international organization connecting Africa to America through education, training and dialogue - announced its 38th Annual Awards Gala celebrating the vast contributions of Africa and its worldwide diaspora. Returning to an in-person format, the Awards Gala will take place at Cipriani 42nd St. in New York City, on September 20th at 6 P.M.

Launched in 1984, the AAI Awards Gala is the most anticipated African-centered event convened in New York City. Held during the week of the United Nations General Assembly, the Gala brings together a host of distinguished notables including heads of state, diplomats, government officials, business and civil society leaders, scholars, journalists and other leading figures for an unforgettable evening.

Hosted by marketing executive, entrepreneur and author Bozoma Saint John, this year's awards will center around the theme of "Africa in the World." During the ceremony, AAI will honor an illustrious group of leaders across industries who have used their platforms to advance and affect substantive change locally, nationally and globally in their respective areas.

The 2022 Awards and Honorees include:

National Achievement AwardThe Republic of Botswana to be accepted by His Excellency Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi

Science and Technology Leadership AwardSolomon Assefa - Vice President of IBM Research, Africa & Emerging Market Solutions

Ambassador of African Film AwardMahen Bonetti - Founder of the African American Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) and Executive Director of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF)

Distinguished Alumnae AwardBetty Wambui Kibaara - Director of the Food Initiative at the Rockefeller Foundation

"This year's Gala is especially exciting as it marks our return to an in-person event. We are delighted to have the opportunity to honor the people of the Republic of Botswana for their steadfast commitment to democracy and ground-breaking global partnerships in medical research and education," said Kofi Appenteng, AAI's President & CEO. "We're also celebrating Dr. Solomon Assefa's crucial work in deploying AI to enable sustainable futures, Betty Kibaara's work championing food security and agribusiness investments, and Mahen Benetti's legacy of bringing African and Diasporan voices to the forefront of global cinema. In geographical, scientific, artistic, and cultural terms these honorees embody this year's Gala theme of Africa in the World."

For the past six decades, AAI has provided over 23,000 scholarships and fellowships to African students. The Annual Awards Gala raises funds to support AAI programs and initiatives.

For more information, please visit aaionline.org/gala.

ABOUT AAI

Since its founding in 1953, AAI has awarded scholarships and fellowships to over 23,000 Africans. These individuals comprise an esteemed network of alumni, many of whom are leaders and influencers across public, private, and governmental sectors in Africa and globally. Included in this network are current Heads of State, H.E. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia; H.E. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire; H.E. Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger; and H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa. Many of AAI's Alumni have left an indelible imprint, including the late 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Mathaai and the late Barack Obama, Sr.

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SOURCE Africa America Institute
AUSTIN, Texas, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vyopta, the leader in digital collaboration and experience optimization, today announced the U.S. Department of Labor as the latest government agency to adopt Vyopta's technology.

Vyopta supports a wide range of U.S. government departments, agencies and bureaus. This includes the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Federal Reserve Bank, General Services Administration (GSA), Social Security Administration, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Courts, U.S. Senate, and more.

With over 16,000 employees, the mission of the U.S. Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

In October 2021, Vyopta achieved certification under the U.S. Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) in collaboration with the GSA and is the only digital user experience management for multi-vendor UC/collaboration technologies available in the FedRAMP Marketplace.

"It's an honor to provide the U.S. Department of Labor with a holistic view of their collaboration estate," said Alfredo Ramirez, CEO of Vyopta. "With many government employees working remotely as well as in different geographies, assuring best-in-class user experience by managing and optimizing collaboration technology performance is essential to workforce engagement, well-being and productivity."

Related:

About Vyopta Incorporated

Vyopta, a leader in digital user experience management for collaboration, has helped 40 million people collaborate better. Its Technology Insights and Space Insights applications have helped identify and address over 9 million issues. Vyopta helps organizations deliver the best UC user experience and optimize their UC and real estate investments. Hundreds of organizations worldwide spanning 20+ industries use Vyopta.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-department-of-labor-selects-vyopta-to-manage-and-optimize-digital-collaboration-experiences-301595690.html

SOURCE Vyopta Inc
CALGARY, AB, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Vermilion Energy Inc. ("Vermilion", "We", "Our", "Us" or the "Company") (TSX: VET) (NYSE: VET) will release its 2022 second quarter operating and condensed financial results on Thursday, August 11, 2022 after the close of North American markets. The unaudited financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 will be available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") at www.sedar.com, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, and on Vermilion's website at www.vermilionenergy.com.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Vermilion will discuss these results in a conference call and webcast presentation on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 7:00 AM MST (9:00 AM EST). To participate, call 1-888-394-8218 (Canada and US Toll Free) or 1-647-484-0475 (International and Toronto Area). A recording of the conference call will be available for replay by calling 1-888-203-1112 and using the conference ID 2192689 from August 12, 2022 at 12:00 MST to August 26, 2022 at 21:59 MST.

You may also access the webcast at https://app.webinar.net/7qKmxpmoJpv The webcast link, along with conference call slides, will be available on Vermilion's website at http://www.vermilionenergy.com/invest-with-us/events--presentations.cfm under Upcoming Events prior to the conference call.

About Vermilion

Vermilion is an international energy producer that seeks to create value through the acquisition, exploration, development and optimization of producing assets in North America, Europe and Australia. Our business model emphasizes free cash flow generation and returning capital to investors when economically warranted, augmented by value-adding acquisitions. Vermilion's operations are focused on the exploitation of light oil and liquids-rich natural gas conventional resource plays in North America and the exploration and development of conventional natural gas and oil opportunities in Europe and Australia.

Vermilion's priorities are health and safety, the environment, and profitability, in that order. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the public and those who work with us, and the protection of our natural surroundings. We have been recognized by leading ESG rating agencies for our transparency on and management of key environmental, social and governance issues. In addition, we emphasize strategic community investment in each of our operating areas.

Employees and directors hold approximately 4% of our outstanding shares and are committed to delivering long-term value for all stakeholders. Vermilion trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VET.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vermilion-energy-inc-announces-second-quarter-2022-release-date-and-conference-call-and-webcast-details-301595738.html

SOURCE Vermilion Energy Inc.
FILE PHOTO: A customer exits the lobby of JPMorgan Chase & Co. headquarters in New York May 14, 2012. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo

By Pete Schroeder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -West Virginia has barred five major financial institutions, including Blackrock Inc (NYSE: BLK) and JPMorgan Chase & Co , from new state business after determining that they were boycotting the fossil fuel industry.

Goldman Sachs , Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) and Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE: WFC) are also barred on similar grounds, according to State Treasurer Riley Moore.

Spokespeople for Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley said the banks disagreed with the decision, and a spokesperson for JPMorgan called it "disconnected from the facts." A BlackRock spokesperson said it also disagreed with the decision.

"BlackRock does not boycott energy companies, and we do not pursue divestment from sectors and industries as a policy," the spokesperson said.

Goldman Sachs did not immediately comment.

The move to kick out some of the world's largest financial institutions, including the world's largest asset manager, Blackrock, comes as Republicans are ramping up pressure on Wall Street to step back from efforts to address climate change and tackle other social issues.

Reuters had previously reported that states led by Republicans are rapidly expanding their efforts to punish financial firms for "woke" stances on issues like fossil fuels and guns.

West Virginia is the first state to move to kick out Wall Street firms, although some other states, including Texas, have enacted similar laws.

Moore said the firms were barred after a review of their policies and public statements found them to have policies "categorically limiting commercial relations with energy companies engaged in certain coal mining." He is authorized to prohibit financial firms from new state banking business under a law the state passed earlier this year.

Six banks were initially identified by West Virginia as potential boycotters of the fossil fuel industry. All the firms responded and disputed the claim, while noting they are often criticized by climate activists for doing too little to fight climate change.

One of them, U.S. Bancorp , was taken off the list after the bank removed policies against financing coal production, according to Moore. A bank spokesperson said it was pleased to not be excluded from the state, but that its policies were in place prior to the passage of the new West Virginia law.

(Reporting by Pete Schroeder; Additional reporting by Ross Kerber; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Mark Porter)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of July 2022

(Commission File No. 001-32221)

GOL LINHAS AEREAS INTELIGENTES S.A.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

GOL INTELLIGENT AIRLINES INC.

(Translation of registrants name into English)

Praca Comandante Linneu Gomes, Portaria 3, Predio 24

Jd. Aeroporto

04630-000 Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo

Federative Republic of Brazil

(Address of registrants principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file

annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.



Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F ______

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the

information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the

information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



Yes ______ No ___X___

Investor Update

Sao Paulo, July 28, 2022 - GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and B3: GOLL4), (GOL or Company) , Brazils largest domestic airline, provides an Investor Update. All information is presented in Brazilian Reais (R$). The information below is preliminary and unaudited .

GOL is updating its financial forecasts given the consecutive increases in Brazilian jet fuel prices since the beginning of the year, as well as pass-through effects on fares, resulting in higher sales and revenue levels. For 2022, the Company reinforces its focus on fleet transformation and expects that, by the end of the year, 44 737-MAX aircraft will be operating, which is around 32% of the total fleet.

To help investors and analysts understand how GOL addresses its near-term planning, the Company shares the following indicators:

Financial Outlook 2022E Previous 2022E Updated Total fleet (average) 130  140 132  138 Total operational fleet (average) 100  105 101  104 ASKs, System (% change yoy) 65  75% 55  65% Seats, System (% change yoy) 65  75% 55  65% Departures, System (% change yoy) 65  75% 55  65% Average load factor (%) ~82% ~80% Ancillary revenues. net1 (R$bn) ~0.8 ~1.0 Total net revenues (R$ billion) ~13.7 ~15.4 Non-fuel CASK2 (US$ cents) ~3.3 ~3.5 Fuel liters consumed (mm) ~1,200 ~1,150 Gross Global Scope 1 emissions (000 m t CO 2 ) ~3,060 ~2,950 Total Fuel Consumed (1.000 liters per RPK) ~34.6 ~33.7 GHG Emissions/Flight Hour (t CO 2 ) ~8.4 ~8.4 Fuel price (R$/liter) ~4.3 ~5.7 EBITDA margin (%) ~24% ~20% EBIT margin (%) ~10% ~8% Net financial expense3 (R$bn) ~1.8 ~1.8 Pre-tax margin3 (%) ~0% ~0% Effective income tax rate (%) ~0% ~0% Capex, net4 (R$ mm) ~700 ~700 MAX Aircraft Acquisitions (R$mm) ~1,100 ~1,000 Aircraft Debt (7x Annual Acft Lease Payments) (US$bn) ~3.3 ~3.2 Financial Debt (US$bn) ~2.1 ~2.0 Net Debt5 / EBITDA2 (x) ~8x ~8x Fully-diluted shares out6 (mm) ~435 ~455 EPS, fully diluted (R$) ~0 ~NA Fully-diluted ADS out.6 (mm) ~217.5 ~227,2 EPADS, fully diluted (US$) ~0 ~NA

(1) Cargo. loyalty. buy-on-board and other ancillary revenues; (2) Recurring operating results, does not include non-recurring maintenance costs related to fleet transformation; (3) Excluding currency gains and losses and Unrealized losses on Exchangeable Senior Notes; (4) Capex, net is calculated as Gross capex (fleet capitalized maintenance) subtracted by financed Capex (credit facilities to finance assets acquisition and capitalized maintenance costs) ; (5) Including 7x annual aircraft lease payments and excluding perpetual bonds; and (6) Includes stock option exercises that may be issued from the stock option program and related to Exchangeable Senior Notes.

1 GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A .

Investor Update

Investor Relations

[email protected]

www.voegol.com.br/ir

+55(11) 2128-4700

About GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A.

GOL is the largest airline in Brazil, leader in the corporate and leisure segments. Since founded in 2001, the Company has the lowest unit cost in Latin America, thus democratizing air transportation. The Company has alliances with American Airlines and Air France-KLM, besides several codeshare and interline agreements available to Customers, bringing more convenience and simple connections to any place served by these partnerships. With the purpose of Being the First for All, GOL offers the best travel experience to its passengers, including: the largest number of seats and more space between seats; the greatest platform with internet, movies and live TV; and the best frequent-flyer program, SMILES. In cargo transportation, GOLLOG delivers orders to different regions in Brazil and abroad. The Company has a team of 14,000 highly qualified aviation professionals focused on Safety, GOLs #1 value, and operates a standardized fleet of 144 Boeing 737 aircraft. The Company's shares are traded on the NYSE (GOL) and the B3 (GOLL4). For further information, visit www.voegol.com.br/ri .

Disclaimer

The information contained in this press release has not been subject to any independent audit or review and contains forward-looking statements, estimates and projections that relate to future events, which are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release including, without limitation, those regarding GOLs future financial position and results of operations, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, future developments in the markets in which GOL operates or is seeking to operate, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words believe, expect, aim, intend, will, may, project, estimate, anticipate, predict, seek, should or similar words or expressions, are forward-looking statements. The future events referred to in these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors, many of which are beyond GOLs control, that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. These forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding GOLs present and future business strategies and the environment in which GOL will operate in the future and are not a guarantee of future performance. Such forward-looking statements speak only as at the date on which they are made. None of GOL or any of its affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents undertakes any duty or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. None of GOL or any of its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, professional advisors and agents make any representation, warranty or prediction that the results anticipated by such forward-looking statements will be achieved, and such forward-looking statements represent, in each case, only one of many possible scenarios and should not be viewed as the most likely or standard scenario. Although GOL believes that the estimates and projections in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they may prove materially incorrect and actual results may materially differ. As a result, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Measures

To be consistent with industry practice, GOL discloses so-called non-GAAP financial measures which are not recognized under IFRS or U.S. GAAP, including Net Debt, Adjusted Net Debt, total liquidity and "EBITDA". The Companys management believes that disclosure of non-GAAP measures provides useful information to investors, financial analysts and the public in their review of its operating performance and their comparison of its operating performance to the operating performance of other companies in the same industry and other industries. However, these non-GAAP items do not have standardized meanings and may not be directly comparable to similarly-titled items adopted by other companies. Potential investors should not rely on information not recognized under IFRS as a substitute for the GAAP measures of earnings or liquidity in making an investment decision.

****

2 GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A .

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, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: July 28, 2022
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of: July 2022

Commission File Number: 001-33562

PLATINUM GROUP METALS LTD.

Suite 838 - 1100 Melville Street, Vancouver BC, V6E 4A6, CANADA

Address of Principal Executive Office

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover:

Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [ ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [ ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [ ]

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, thereunto duly authorized.

PLATINUM GROUP METALS LTD. /s/ Frank Hallam Date: July 28, 2022. Frank Hallam Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT 99.1 INCLUDED WITH THIS REPORT IS HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT TO THE REGISTRANT'S REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-10 (FILE NO. 333-265633), AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED, AND TO BE A PART THEREOF FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THIS REPORT IS SUBMITTED, TO THE EXTENT NOT SUPERSEDED BY DOCUMENTS OR REPORTS SUBSEQUENTLY FILED OR FURNISHED.

FORM 51-102F3

MATERIAL CHANGE REPORT

ITEM 1. NAME AND ADDRESS OF COMPANY

PLATINUM GROUP METALS LTD. (the "Company" or "Platinum Group")

838 - 1100 Melville Street Vancouver BC, V6E 4A6

Telephone: (604) 899-5450

ITEM 2. DATE OF MATERIAL CHANGE

July 27, 2022

ITEM 3. NEWS RELEASE

A news release was disseminated on July 27, 2022 to the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") as well as through various other approved public media and was SEDAR filed with the British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Yukon and Nunavut Securities Commissions.

ITEM 4. SUMMARY OF MATERIAL CHANGE

The Company announced that it has entered into a new equity distribution agreement effective as of July 27, 2022 (the "Distribution Agreement") with BMO Nesbit Burns Inc. (the "Canadian Agent") and BMO Capital Markets Corp. (the "U.S. Agent" and together with the Canadian Agent, the "Agents") for a new at-the-market equity program (the "2022 ATM Program").

ITEM 5. FULL DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL CHANGE

5.1 Full Description of Material Change

The Company announced that it has entered into Distribution Agreement with the Agents for the 2022 ATM Program.

The Distribution Agreement will allow the Company to distribute up to US$50.0 million (or the equivalent in Canadian dollars) of common shares of the Company (the "Offered Shares") under the 2022 ATM Program. The Offered Shares will be issued by the Company to the public from time to time, through the Agents, at the Company's discretion. The Offered Shares sold under the 2022 ATM Program, if any, will be sold at the prevailing market price at the time of sale. The net proceeds of any such sales under the 2022 ATM Program will be used for general working capital purposes, including Waterberg pre-construction site work, engineering and preparation.

Under the Distribution Agreement, sales of Offered Shares will be made by the Agents through "at-the-market distributions" as defined in National Instrument 44-102 - Shelf Distributions on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"), NYSE American, LLC ("NYSE American") or any other trading market for the Offered Shares in Canada or the United States. The Company is not obligated to make any sales of Offered Shares under the Distribution Agreement. Unless earlier terminated by the Company or the Agents as permitted therein, the Distribution Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) July 21, 2024 and (ii) the date that the aggregate gross sales proceeds of the Offered Shares sold under the 2022 ATM Program reaches the aggregate amount of US$50.0 million (or the equivalent in Canadian dollars).

2

The 2022 ATM Program is being made pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated June 21, 2022 and U.S. registration statement on Form F-10 filed June 15, 2022, as amended on June 21, 2022. The prospectus supplement relating to the 2022 ATM Program has been filed with the securities commissions in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company has relied on the exemption for "Eligible Interlisted Issuers" under Section 602.1 of the TSX Company Manual in connection with the listing of the Offered Shares on the TSX.

Copies of the prospectus supplement, the Distribution Agreement and other relevant documents are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov . Alternatively, copies of the prospectus supplement relating to the 2022 ATM Program may be obtained, when available from:

Canadian Short Form Base Shelf Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement:

BMO Capital Markets

Mississauga Distribution Centre C/O

The Data Group of Companies

80 Ambassador Drive

Mississauga, Ontario L5T 2Y9

Facsimile: (905) 696-8457

or by emailing [email protected] U.S. F-10 Registration Statement and Prospectus Supplement:

BMO Capital Markets

3 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

Facsimile: (212) 702-1205

Attention: Equity Capital Markets Desk

or by emailing [email protected]

This material change report does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of, the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Disclosure

The TSX and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this material change report, which has been prepared by management.

The COVID-19 pandemic and related measures taken by governments create uncertainty and have had, or may have in the future , an adverse impact on aspects of the Company's business, including employee health, workforce productivity and availability, travel restrictions, contractor availability, supply availability, the Company's ability to maintain its controls and procedures regarding financial and disclosure matters and the availability of capital and insurance and the costs thereof, some of which, individually or when aggregated with other impacts, may be material to the Company. Effective April 5, 2022, South Africa lifted its National State of Disaster declared in relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic and moved to reduce COVID-19 restrictions to below Alert level 1, its lowest level of alert. In response to uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has implemented additional testing and monitoring protocols for its work at the Waterberg Project site and elsewhere in South Africa.

This material change report contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "may", "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 material change report include, but are not limited to, the future issuance of Offered Shares sold under the 2022 ATM Program; the aggregate gross proceeds of the 2022 ATM Program; and the use of proceeds from any sales of Offered Shares under the 2022 ATM Program, and the Company's other future plans and expectations. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this material change report are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct.

3

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 Company may not sell any of the Offered Shares or may raise less than the maximum offering amount under the 2022 ATM Program; management has broad discretion in the use of proceeds from the 2022 ATM Program; compliance with regulatory requirements; possible adverse impacts due the global outbreak of COVID-19 (as described above), the Company's inability to generate sufficient cash flow or raise additional capital, and to comply with the terms of any new indebtedness; additional financing requirements; and any new indebtedness may be secured, which potentially could result in the loss of any assets pledged by the Company; the Company's history of losses and negative cash flow; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's properties may not be brought into a state of commercial production; uncertainty of estimated production, development plans and cost estimates for the Waterberg Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs, between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries and between estimated and actual production; fluctuations in the relative values of the U.S. Dollar, the Rand and the Canadian Dollar; volatility in metals prices; the uncertainty of alternative funding sources for Waterberg JV Co.; the Company may become subject to the U.S. Investment Company Act; the failure of the Company or the other shareholders to fund their pro rata share of funding obligations for the Waterberg Project; any disputes or disagreements with the other shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. or Mnombo; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; conflicts of interest; litigation or other administrative proceedings brought against the Company; actual or alleged breaches of governance processes or instances of fraud, bribery or corruption; exploration, development and mining risks and the inherently dangerous nature of the mining industry, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and other risks and uncertainties; property and mineral title risks including defective title to mineral claims or property; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and South Africa; equipment shortages and the ability of the Company to acquire necessary access rights and infrastructure for its mineral properties; environmental regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits, including environmental authorizations and water use licences; extreme competition in the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, permits necessary for current or future operations or failures to comply with the terms of such permits; risks of doing business in South Africa, including but not limited to, labour, economic and political instability and potential changes to and failures to comply with legislation; the Company's common shares may be delisted from the NYSE American or the TSX if it cannot maintain compliance with the applicable listing requirements; and other risk factors described in the Company's most recent Form 20-F annual report, AIF and other filings, including the short form base shelf prospectus, prospectus supplement and the Form F-10 registration statement, with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com, respectively. Proposed changes in the mineral law in South Africa if implemented as proposed would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and potential interest in projects. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

5.2 Disclosure for Restructuring Transactions

N/A

4

ITEM 6. RELIANCE ON SUBSECTION 7.1(2) OR (3) OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 51-102

N/A

ITEM 7. OMITTED INFORMATION

N/A

ITEM 8. EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The following senior officer of the Issuer is knowledgeable about the material change and may be contacted by the Commission at the following telephone number:

Frank Hallam, CEO

T: (604) 899-5450

ITEM 9. DATE OF REPORT

July 28, 2022
TICKERS: OCG; OCGSF; MRG1

Source: Streetwise Reports (7/28/22)

Outcrop Silver & Gold Corp., on its way to a maiden resource estimate at its Colombian flagship project, says it has returned its thickest and highest-grade intercepts yet.



Three drill holes in the Naranjos vein of Outcrop Silver & Gold Corp.s (OCG:TSX.V; OCGSF:OTCQX; MRG1:DB) 100%-owned Santa Ana silver-gold project in Colombia have returned the thickest and highest-grade intercepts for the project yet, the company announced Wednesday.

Hole DH270 returned 6.93 meters of 2,184 grams per tonne silver equivalent (g/t Ag eq), including 1.06 meters of 8,787 g/t Ag eq. Los Naranjos shows a weighted average grade of 1,651 g/t Ag eq over an average intercept width of 1.72 meters.

Analyst Stuart McDougall of Research Capital Corp. on Wednesday issued a note and kept his speculative buy rating on the stock with a CA$0.75 target price.

The result is the thickest intercept from the project so far and the best, when measured in terms of gram-meters, McDougall wrote.

Santa Ana covers 36,000 hectares of the Mariquita District of Colombia, mined back to at least 1585. Spanish Royal Archives reports said the area had 14 mines producing an average of 4000 g/t Ag over an average of 1.4 meters, with some mines finding as much as 17,000 g/t Ag.

Exploring a core area of colonial-era mines has resulted in the discovery of what is now 13 high-grade shoots measuring 2.8 kilometers in cumulative strike length and up to 480 meters down plunge, McDougall wrote. All remain open for expansion with further drilling.

Outcrop is expanding into untouched areas, leading to improved intercepts, Chief Executive Officer Joseph Hebert said this week.

Part of that is getting into areas that are devoid of any history of Spanish mining, but the other part is that were digging deeper, Hebert said.

Los Naranjos is 200 meters wide, extends 250 meters down, and is open in all directions, the company said. Eighteen holes have been drilled; eight have returned high-grade assays and the results from three holes are still pending.

The more drilling we complete on Santa Ana, the more resource potential we identify, Hebert said.

Maiden Resource Estimate Expected Soon

Research Capitals rating is based on an estimated resource of 50 million ounces silver equivalent (50 Moz Ag eq). So far, Outcrop has mapped and sampled some 32,000 meters of drilling at Santa Ana and outlined about 12 kilometers of continuous silver veins.

Its all part of an 18,000-meter drill campaign to establish a maiden resource estimate late this year or early next year.

Outcrop raised $6.9 million in a March public offering. Mining financier Eric Sprott bought 7.4 million units for just less than CA$2 million and controls almost 17% of the junior explorer.

Colombia last month elected its first leftist president, Gustavo Petro, who has promised to halt new gas and oil development and halt new permits for strip mining. But Hebert said Outcrop had little to worry about.

We dont expect his governing to be like his campaigning, Hebert said. Hes already put in some center-right advisers.  Underground-type projects that have a lot of local support and social engagement, I really dont think those are going to be a target.

Santa Ana is in the northern Tolima Department, about 190 kilometers from Bogota. Its comprised of five or more regional scale parallel vein systems across a trend 12 kilometers wide and 30 kilometers long.

Outcrop has a market cap of CA$19.16 million with 132.15 shares outstanding. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.36 and CA$0.10.



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Disclosures

1) Steve Sobek wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC. He or members of his household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. He or members of his household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.

2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Outcrop Silver & Gold Corp. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

3) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

4) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the decision to publish an article until three business days after the publication of the article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Outcrop Silver & Gold Corp., a company mentioned in this article.
A U.S. aircraft carrier and strike group have entered the South China Sea as part of what the 7th Fleet said was a scheduled operation amid rising tensions with China over a potential Taiwan visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The USS Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier, made its way to the disputed waters following a five-day port call to Singapore, departing Changi Naval Base on Tuesday, the US 7th Fleet said in reply to a query from Bloomberg News. The trip follows remarks this week by China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian that Beijing was getting "seriously prepared" for the possibility that Pelosi could visit Taiwan, a self-governing island that China considers part of its territory.

While the 7th Fleet declined to say where the carrier was heading following its first trip to the city-state since 2019, it had already been conducting maritime security operations in the South China Sea prior to its arrival, having left for its annual spring patrol in May from Yokosuka, Japan, where it's based. Those included flight operations with fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, maritime strike exercises and coordinated tactical training between surface and air units.

"USS Ronald Reagan and her strike group are underway, operating in the South China Sea following a successful port visit to Singapore," said Cmdr. Hayley Sims, a public affairs officer for the Japan-based US 7th Fleet. "I will add that Reagan is continuing normal, scheduled operations as part of her routine patrol in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

China claims more than 80% of the South China Sea, one of the world's busiest shipping routes, based on a 1947 map showing vague markings that has since become known as the "nine-dash line." The U.S. estimates that more than 30% of the global maritime crude oil trade passes through the waters.

"The United States, once again, sent vessels to the South China Sea to flex its muscles," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said during a regular briefing Thursday. "It is clear to us who is the biggest threat to security in the South China Sea and beyond."

China has ramped up military activity around Taiwan to signal its displeasure with past high-profile visits. While the People's Liberation Army could step up sea and air patrols during Pelosi's potential visit to Taiwan, anything more severe is unlikely, said Blake Herzinger, an Indo-Pacific defense policy specialist.

"I really don't think the PLA is going to start a war over Pelosi visiting Taipei," he said. "If you believe that Beijing is planning an imminent-ish invasion of Taiwan, as some do, kicking off a war next week would be suicide for their plans."

President Joe Biden is set to speak with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday amid the fresh tensions over Taiwan, according to people familiar with the matter. Biden told reporters last week that the U.S. military didn't think Pelosi's trip was a good idea, prompting consternation in Taiwan.

Pelosi is looking at a visit to Japan in early August as part of her trip to the region, Kyodo News reported. Officials from the biggest U.S. ally in Asia have increasingly spoken out about how Taiwan's security directly affects Japan, but Tokyo has emphasized there is no change to its policy on ties with Beijing, which sees the island as part of its territory.

Former Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba told Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen he wanted to see talks between Tokyo and Taipei aimed at fending off any contingency in the region.

"We must make preparations to ensure no contingency occurs in this region," Ishiba said during a visit to Taipei by a group of lawmakers. "What kind of situation do we foresee, based on what kind of treaties, based on what kind of laws, what kind of troops would be used? If both sides don't understand each other, there will be no deterrence," he added.

The carrier's movements in the South China Sea this month occurred as the USS Benfold, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, conducted a transit through the Taiwan Strait. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said onboard the USS Ronald Reagan last week without naming names that countries "misrepresent" U.S. maritime operations, including those of the Benfold and Ronald Reagan, and "aim to claim the resources of others."

"Unfortunately, there are nations in the world that would have one believe their sovereign territories extend well beyond the established rules and norms," he said.

Bloomberg's Isabel Reynolds and Dan Murtaugh contributed to this report.
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ORLANDO, Fla.  On the rare occasions when Vero Beach resident Neil Passmore goes out in public, he's often the only one in a mask.

When Passmore caught COVID-19 in June 2020, the virus hit him hard: He shook with chills, struggled to breathe, his heart raced and he had trouble regulating his body temperature. He also experienced disassociation and memory loss, among other symptoms.

In the weeks and months after his infection, he noticed some symptoms weren't going away, and some were getting worse. After five weeks, he was often confused, stuttering and calling things by the wrong name: mailboxes became post offices, coconuts became pine cones, palm trees became pine trees.

Doctors eventually discovered optic nerve and brainstem damage.

His second round of COVID-19 in August 2021 made all his symptoms worse, particularly his cardiac symptoms.

More than two years later, he still struggles with regulating his body temperature, a rapid heartbeat, tinnitus, dizziness and neurological symptoms. His ongoing cognitive issues make it impossible to return to his job as a Walgreens pharmacist. He's terrified of getting COVID-19 again.

"I went from having a very good job, living like you're supposed to, working hard... for months and months, helping sick people every day," he said. "Then I get sick, and blam! That's it. You don't know... if you're going to be able to keep your house and your vehicles. Your way of life has definitely changed."

Passmore has long COVID-19, known also as long-haul COVID-19, or Post COVID-19 condition.

The CDC estimates as many as one in five adults who catch COVID-19 may go on to develop long COVID-19, defined by the World Health Organization as symptoms in people previously infected that last for at least two months and cannot be attributed to anything else. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and cognitive dysfunction but the range is broad.

Now, as new, ultra-infectious subvariants of the COVID-19 omicron variant drive up COVID-19 cases, advocates say it is more important than ever to speed up awareness and research the origins and treatment for the condition.

"If in the future a significant portion of the population is suffering from COVID and long-haul COVID simultaneously, this will be an extraordinary burden financially for everyone," said Elena Cyrus, an infectious disease epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Central Florida.

More questions than answers

An estimated 1.5 million adults in Florida are currently experiencing symptoms of long COVID-19, based on a summer 2022 household pulse survey and 2020 population estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Other viruses can also cause symptoms that stick around after people recover, varying in severity or duration, Cyrus said.

"The only difference is that because of the scale of COVID, we are looking closer at it, because of the massive impact it can have," she wrote in an email.

Two years in, there are still more questions than answers as to the disease's origins: Could tiny blood clots be cutting off blood flow to some parts of the body? Does the coronavirus sometimes stick around in certain areas? Could COVID-19 make some people's immune systems go haywire, causing chronic inflammation? Those are three leading theories, researchers told Science Magazine in a June article. In all likelihood, there is no single cause, but rather multiple factors working together.

There are no go-to proven treatments either, said Dr. Irene Estores, who opened the UF Health COVID RESTORE (rehabilitation, support, training, outreach and research) Treatment Program in Gainesville in July 2021. This is one of just five post-COVID care centers listed by the Survivors Corp, a grassroots patient advocacy effort.

Estores tries treatments that are meant for conditions with similar symptoms.

She points out long COVID research is moving forward, albeit slowly.

"We know more about long COVID  both mechanisms and treatments  now than we did two years ago. So, we just keep on working," Estores said.

She has a long waitlist. Seeing patients is time-consuming, as is helping them apply for disability insurance benefits.

"Patients need to recognize that we do want to help, but physicians need resources to be able to help," Estores said. "It will take more than just commitment from physicians ... This requires a concerted effort from health systems and from the government."

The National Institutes of Health in February 2021 announced a $1.15 billion initiative, RECOVER, to fund investigations into the condition, though since then the initiative has faced criticism for its slow speed and lack of transparency, a June Science Magazine article reports.

Many of Estores' patients have made progress, and she emphasizes this. But she acknowledges that it can be easy to give up.

"I can understand why... they feel this way. My patients tell me how hard it is. And I can see it," Estores said. "... I can tell you that my patients who continue to work with me on this, we go somewhere."

Terrified of reinfection

Faced with chronic, often unexplainable symptoms and no proven treatments, having long COVID-19 can feel hopeless, said Danielle Jordan, 21, from Coral Gables.

Jordan caught COVID-19 as a healthy 19-year-old. She couldn't walk without pain, accurately taste or smell, or regulate her rapid heartbeat in the three months that followed. Though many symptoms faded, she still suffers from parosmia and dysgeusia:distorted smell and taste.

Jordan's mental state is in recovery, too.

"What I wish people knew about long covid was the effects it can have on one's mental health. It is a very lonely place to be in if no one around you is going through what you are going through," Jordan wrote in an email. "... It's been horrible."

When the University of Miami student was exposed to the virus again in September 2021, she had panic attacks multiple times a day out of fear she'd test positive again.

Brian Hartin, who spoke to the Orlando Sentinel in October about his lack of energy, brain fog and depression, is about 80% recovered from long COVID-19 after about two years. He's working again, though in a lower position than he was before because his health is still unpredictable.

The 37-year-old Lakeland resident, like Jordan, is desperate to get better and scared of catching COVID-19 again.

Their fears aren't unfounded.

Saint Louis Health Care System researchers found that each time a person catches COVID-19, their risk of new health problems may increase, a draft study of over 5.6 million people said. It is currently awaiting peer review.

Others have moved on

Hartin doesn't sense the same concern he has about COVID-19 in others, however.

A couple of weeks ago, he heard his coworkers joking that they were so burnt out, they wanted to catch COVID-19 just as an excuse to take time off.

"I was like, really? You don't want to have what happened to me happen to you, and you're talking about it just so casually," Hartin said.

Doctors, too, have dismissed Hartin because there's no clear cause for his symptoms.

"There's only so many times that you can go to the doctor or go to the ER and they tell you that everything's alright, you know, and that there's nothing wrong with you, and obviously that's not true, because I wouldn't feel the way that I feel if there wasn't something wrong," he said.

Some doubt long COVID's existence. Jeremy Devine, a resident psychiatrist at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, wrote a Wall Street Journal op-ed suggesting long COVID-19 can be explained in most cases by underlying mental health issues.

Florida Department of Health spokesperson Jeremy Redfern tweeted, "long COVID = anxiety" from his personal account to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis in June.

Both faced swift backlash from physicians, psychiatrists, other mental health professionals and activists.

Passmore says for their sakes and his, he hopes the general public takes long COVID-19 and the current wave seriously.

"Maybe the new variants aren't killing as many people, but there's still a lot of risks with them," he said.

Resources are growing

In the meantime, for those already struggling, there are resources, many of them established by long COVID-19 patients themselves.

Estores' program is accepting new patients at https://ufhealth.org/integrative-medicine/contact; patients can call 352-265-9355 and specify they're looking for long COVID-19 treatment.

She said patients should expect a waitlist at her clinic and others.

Other post-COVID-19 care centers and contact information can be found on the website of the Survivors Corp, a grassroots patient advocacy effort.

Support groups have also sprung up, such as COVID-19 Long Haulers Support on Facebook.

The Patient-Led Research Collaborative, a group of researchers with long COVID-19 born out of another support group, has resources as well.

2022 Orlando Sentinel.

Visit orlandosentinel.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Bergen-Hohne, Germany, May 1960: Tanks line up at the target area as the 7th Army conducts its 1960 tank gunnery program at Bergen-Hohne, Germany. By the end of the nine-week "big shoot," nearly 5,000 gunners of the 7th Army will have had a week of firing, and all combined will have used up $9 million worth of ammunition.
In Wes Studis potent and pioneering acting career, he has played vengeful warriors, dying prisoners and impassioned resistance leaders. For three decades, he has arrestingly crafted wide-ranging portraits of the Native American experience. But one thing he had never done in a movie is give someone a kiss.

I thought it was about time, yeah, Studi, 74, says chuckling.

In A Love Song, a tender indie drama starring another long-pigeonholed character actor, Dale Dickey, Studi is for the first time cast as a romantic co-star. Dickey ("Winter's Bone," Hell or High Water) plays a woman camping by a mountain lake awaiting the visit of an old flame.

Studi, the Cherokee actor who masterfully played the defiant Huron warrior Magua in Michael Manns The Last of the Mohicans and who got his first big break playing the character credited only as the toughest Pawnee in Dances With Wolves, hasnt been limited entirely to what he calls leather and feathers roles. But its sometimes taken some extra effort. When he heard Mann was making Heat, Studi called up the director and got himself a part as a police detective.

But recently, Studi is increasingly getting a chance to play a wider array of characters. Along with Max Walker-Silvermans A Love Song, which opens in theaters this weekend, hes a recurring, funny guest star on Sterlin Harjos Reservation Dogs, the second season of which debuts Aug. 3 on Hulu.

Hopefully it has to do with creating a better understanding of Native people by the general public, Studi said in an interview earlier this summer. It does still exist, the misconception that we were all killed off and we dont exist anymore as peoples.

Thats essentially what I want to work on, and being a godfather to Native people in the industry, he adds.

With that Studi, sitting outside the lobby of his East Village hotel in New York, lets out such a howl of laughter that he nearly doubles over.

Why does that notion, one many would eagerly endorse, strike him as so hysterical? He entered Hollywood at a time when Indigenous people were regularly played by white actors. (Sam Waterston is the one that kills me, Studi says, smiling.) A 2019 honorary Oscar made Studi the first Native American actor ever given an Academy Award.

I cant take myself seriously when I say that, thats why, he answers, wiping tears from his eyes. I guess it could be.

In person, Studi bears little resemblance to his fiercer screen roles. Hes more like his characters in A Love Song and Reservation Dogs. Amiable. Quick to laugh. Self-deprecating. A good storyteller. He exudes a bemused gratitude for the life hes found as an actor despite spending half his life without Hollywood ambitions. Studi grew up outside of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and spoke only Cherokee until he was 5. His father was a ranch hand.

I had never thought of acting, really, except once early in my life when I asked my dad when I saw Jay Silverheels on The Lone Ranger: Do you think anybody else can do what he does? Studi recalls. He said, Probably not. Most of the actors you find are 6-foot tall, blond and blue-eyed.

At 17, Studi joined the National Guard and volunteered to fight in Vietnam. He served a tour in South Vietnam, and saw heavy action. When he returned home, Studi joined the American Indian Movement, taking part in the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee. It wasnt until after he divorced in his late 30s that Studi gave acting a shot with a Tulsa community theater company his friend was involved with. Studi thought: What do I have to lose?

Studi performed wherever the theater company could mount a stage or in gaslight dinner theaters. In one play, he co-starred with Will Sampson and David Carradine. After a few years, Studi headed out to Los Angeles. He was in his early 40s.

I still get the feeling of: Will I ever work again? Thats always been a part of it, said Studi. On the other hand, things have worked out that I have continued to work. I dont take that lightly. Im especially grateful that Ive been able to buy a home and stay in a good car for an extended period of time.

Studi remembers the Screen Actors Guild book of actors being a hefty tome while the then-newly founded American Indian Registry for the Performing Arts, listing Native actors, was a thin sliver. The parts available to him were also limited.

The only real opening for a guy who looked like me was in Westerns, says Studi. Thats the only real door that was open to us in that point in time. It was simply a matter of being able to deliver lines and look like you mean it.

After a few roles, Studi landed Dances With Wolves. Two years later, Mann cast him as Magua in The Last of the Mohicans, the cunning Huron warrior who fervently believes in fighting, ruthlessly, for survival. With time, Studis steely, determined performance has only grown more searing.

Any Native thats cognizant of history and the back and forth weve had with the colonizers, if you will, can have empathy with how he felt about things, said Studi. When youre backed into a corner, you gotta fight. Its one way or the other. All those things had an emotional consistency to them that I could identify with having been through the turmoil of the 70s.

When first-time director Walker-Silverman reached out to Studi, he had little reason to expect the actor of Geronimo: An American Legend (1993), The New World (2005), Avatar (2009) and Hostiles (2017), would say yes to a production as small as A Love Song.

What are the chances hed want to come up here, eat my moms food, hang out with my friends and make this tiny film? says Walker-Silverman. But fortunately, Wes loves acting more than anything.

In the film, Studi and Dickey share a gentle duet, with Studi on guitar. Walker-Silverman planned for Studi to play a beat-up acoustic but Studi -- who has toured with his band Firecat of Discord -- came to the set with a red electric and a small amp. Walker-Silverman could tell the electric suited him better. During the Colorado shoot, Studi regularly strummed it with a big smile on his face.

Well over a hundred films between them, the director adds. That this was maybe the first time they had ever kissed someone on screen says perhaps all sorts of sad things about whos been allowed to fall in love in movies.
My four-day family visit to Nagoya, the fourth most populated city in Japan, included a trip to the must-see Legoland Japan Resort theme park, one of 10 Legoland parks across the globe.

There was a lot to see, including the Lego City, Knights Kingdom and the epic Miniland, where you get an eyeful of detail of the many sites of Japan on a small scale made from mini-Legos. The Nagoya park has been open since 2017.

The Lost Kingdom Adventure area was also cool with its replications of Egyptian scenery and statues infused with the Lego theme.

There were also more than enough rides to get on for the whole family to enjoy.

It was a sweltering day, and as we moved farther into the theme park, we found enough restaurants and food booths between rides and exhibits on the Lego landscape. Youll have little problem finding them and getting your much-needed hydration.

Customers may purchase tickets at one of the many windows outside the entrance. We bought our tickets online and simply showed them at the gate.

Walking into the theme park, we were greeted at the front by park employees who will take your temperature and direct you to slather on some hand sanitizer, which is available almost everywhere in the park. Its required along with wearing a mask.

Mostly Japanese is spoken throughout the park, but its not a big issue to be able to navigate and the park assistants seem to do their best to help English speakers out.

There is a large, main Lego shop near the entrance, but we opted to return later as we knew we would come out with bags to carry. They do have lockers available near the back side of the Photo Shop area for such situations.

Because the park was sparsely populated that day, we had practically free rein to jump on rides, shop at stores and get food with little to no wait. We went on at least 10 or more rides and my son happened to be the only rider on the Beetle Bounce, an attraction that takes you up and down in a carriage on a 20-foot-tall beam in a bouncy fashion.

Legoland Japan Hotel and Nagoya Sea Life are both right next to the theme park. Sea Life is another great option that is separate from the theme park. The whole Legoland experience was a wonderful treat and very family friendly.

On the QT

Directions: 2-2-1 Kinjoufutou, Minato-ku Nagoya-shi, Aichi 455-8605. From Nagoya Station, go 10 stops to Kinjofuto Station on the Aonami line, its an 8-minute walk from there.

From Tokyo Station its a 1 -hour ride on a shinkansen or bullet train to Nagoya.

Times: Open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Park operating hours are subject to change without notice.

Costs: Prices differ on peak and non-peak days; 3,400 yen, about $25, for children ages 3 to 12; age 13 to adult pays 4,600 yen. Ticket options include a one-day pass, annual pass and group discounts.

Food: There are many food locations throughout the park.

Information: 0570-05-8605; Online: legoland.jp
NAIROBI, Kenya  A senior Ethiopian official says the government is ready for talks with rival forces from the country's northern Tigray region "anytime, anywhere" and without preconditions, in a notable break from the past.

The announcement on Thursday by Redwan Hussein, security adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, came amid hopes for dialogue to resolve the East African nation's deadly war that erupted in November 2020.

Redwan tweeted after meeting with special envoys from the United Nations, the European Union and the United States, adding that the African Union continental body "leads the process and can solicit logistical support from any source."

In June, after a cease-fire and the increasing delivery of desperately needed aid to long-blockaded Tigray, both sides in the conflict agreed to sit down for talks. Ethiopia's federal government has assigned a team of seven negotiators led by the foreign minister, but Tigray leaders have said some preconditions should be met.

On Tuesday, the president of Tigray's regional government, Debretsion Gebremichael, said that "if the federal government was really ready to make peace, it would have resumed basic public services in the region," referring to long-severed banking, electricity and telecom services.

Critics of the Tigray leaders have argued that they should be removed, and their forces disarmed, before talks begin. Others have said it would be illegal to enter talks with the Tigray People's Liberation Front while it remains on the federal government's list of designated terror groups.

Ethiopia's government has been under international pressure to negotiate with Tigray leaders to end the war that is estimated to have killed tens of thousands of people in the Tigray and neighboring Amhara and Afar regions.

Concerns remain that the conflict could flare up again amid friction between the rival sides over conditions for the talks.

"Their disagreement over whether African Union envoy (Olusegun) Obasanjo or a top Kenyan official will lead mediation efforts to end the civil war is a dangerous obstacle to negotiations beginning," William Davison with the International Crisis Group tweeted on Thursday. "While the truce is holding, and there's no reason to think renewed federal-Tigray conflict is imminent, this impasse raises the risks of that."
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TOKYO  A Marine in Japan who refused a COVID-19 vaccine is being court-martialed for missing two flights to the United States to be discharged, the Marine Corps said Thursday.

Lance Cpl. Catherine Arnett, 24, is facing a special court-martial Aug. 3-4 on charges of missing a movement and disobeying a lawful order, according to the Navy and Marine Corps court docket.

Arnett said her troubles began last year when she missed a Marine Corps deadline to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

In a video posted online Wednesday by the Childrens Health Defense, an organization that opposes vaccinations, Arnett said she considers the Defense Departments vaccine mandate an unlawful order, and anything flowing from it as also unlawful, including orders to return home and exit the Marine Corps.

And if that means that theyre moving me from point A to point B whenever I really shouldnt be moved, then Im going to raise that issue with my chain of command, she told interviewer Stephanie Locricchio. Its my duty to challenge unlawful orders.

Arnett is charged with missing movements on May 7 and 14 and for refusing an order to take a pre-flight COVID-19 test, according to an email Thursday from 1st Lt. Aaron Ellis, a spokesman for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.

LCpl Arnett is not being court-martialed for refusing COVID-19 vaccination, he wrote.

Arnett, in an interview headlined Refusal to Comply  Medical Apartheid in the Military, said she refused in spring to board a flight from MCAS Iwakuni to California, where she would be discharged for refusing the vaccine.

So, with the vaccine mandate being unlawful, and, you know, my option not to participate in the vaccination program, that brought about administrative separation orders, which basically means  they curtail my service early, she said.

She said she feared losing her education benefits if she was given a general discharge under honorable conditions for refusing the vaccines.

Childrens Health Defense, a nonprofit founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., encourages its supporters to reject COVID-19 vaccines as experimental and dangerous, a view firmly rebutted by public health authorities like the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Arnett, originally of Fort Worth, Texas, is charged with disobeying a lawful order and missing a movement, offenses under articles 92 and 87, respectively, of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Arnett said she refused the COVID-19 vaccines because they are tested or produced using stem cell lines that descend from fetuses aborted in the 1970s and 80s. Her request as a Catholic for a religious exemption, she said, was denied by the Marine Corps and again on appeal.

I believe that Im protected from not having to get a vaccine if it contradicts my moral conscience or has components of it that now goes against my religious tenets, she told Stars and Stripes on July 1.

She told Locricchio: I dont have to get this vaccine because Im religiously, legally and administratively protected from it. I dont have to accept or participate in experimental drugs.

During the 30-minute interview, Arnett, who enlisted in 2018, said she considered becoming a conscientious objector to handling a rifle in the Marine Corps but did not seek a religious exemption to vaccines until 2021. She described feeling lightheaded after a battery of vaccinations in basic training at Parris Island, S.C., but had no serious side effects.

Whenever I heard that you could have submitted, you know, an exemption to vaccines before you entered the military, let me just say I wish I had known that, she said.

Arnett said shes been in limbo waiting for her court-martial and feels ostracized by her command. Sympathizers and friends have dwindled away, she said. Her car and drivers license were taken from her because shes considered a flight risk, she said.

Its been a slow burn, Arnett told Locricchio. She said she hoped her commander would allow her to work until a civil lawsuit she is party to overturns the DOD vaccine mandate. She is assigned to Marine Air Logistics Squadron 12, she told Stars and Stripes.

Arnett said a barracks manager ordered her to vacate her room on July 12, but Marine Corps underground media posted her story and I guess that did the trick for my command to hear about it. Arnett remained in her room.

In response, Ellis in his email stated: The United States Marine Corps takes the care and accountability of personnel seriously and regularly assesses circumstances involving Marines with pending court-martials.

Locricchio sympathized with Arnett throughout the half-hour interview.

Right now, thats the biggest enemy that we face, is these mandates, which are unconstitutional and go against all the freedoms this country was founded on, she said. So, I absolutely understand and appreciate wholeheartedly your stance and refusal to comply with whats happening right now. It is our duty as Americans to continue to stand against these mandates for sure.

More than 601 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the U.S., according to the CDC, which states they are safe and effective and meet rigorous scientific standards for safety.
FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  The U.S. Navys four unmanned surface vessel prototypes are being tested together for the first time during the monthlong Rim of the Pacific maritime exercise that ends next week.

The Navy described the first-ever gathering of the prototypes in waters off Hawaii as a milestone in a news release Monday.

Sea Hunter and Seahawk, designated by the Navy as medium unmanned vessels, are 132 feet long. Nomad and Ranger, which are classified as large vessels, are about 195 feet long.

The Navy envisions a future fleet of such drone ships that will operate seamlessly with manned ships.

This is the largest event that these vessels have participated in, and RIMPAC is a very large exercise, Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley, who heads the San Diego-based Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One, said by phone Tuesday.

Division One was established in May to manage at-sea experimentation with the prototypes looking at how unmanned vessels of this size could best be integrated with the Navys manned ships. Knowledge gleaned will be used as the Navy embarks on developing and procuring an operational drone fleet.

Nomad and Ranger were developed under the Pentagons Strategic Capabilities Office, with two similar prototypes still under development, according to a report Tuesday by the Congressional Research Service. The second pair are expected to be completed before the end of 2023, the report said.

Sea Hunter and Seahawk were developed by DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

The four drone vessels participating in RIMPAC carry various payloads, the sensors, radars, communication devices or weapons they were designed to transport, Daley said.

Each one of my unmanned surface vessels has different payloads, he said.

My charter and my role is to develop specific types of sensors and payloads as the warfighting operational commander desires, he said.

The Defense Department released video in September of an SM-6 missile being launched from Ranger. The SM-6, or Standard Missile-6, is used for anti-air warfare, ballistic missile defense and anti-ship strikes.

RIMPAC is a dedicated event that goes over the course of many weeks at sea so the opportunity to test and to integrate and to communicate tactically with manned platforms was a tremendous opportunity, Daley said. One of the benefits that every ship -- manned or unmanned  has the ability to take away from a large exercise is simply the ability to operate with a significant number of platforms and ships.

During RIMPAC, Sea Hunter and Seahawk have been paired with the destroyers USS Fitzgerald and USS William P. Lawrence.

Sensors and radars aboard the drones augment the same type of equipment on the destroyers.

The Navy requested just over $600 million for research and development of an unmanned surface fleet during the next fiscal year, the Congressional Research Service said in its report.

The Navy wants to acquire these large UVs as part of an effort to shift the Navy to a more distributed fleet architecture, meaning a mix of ships that spreads the Navys capabilities over an increased number of platforms and avoids concentrating a large portion of the fleets overall capability into a relatively small number of high-value ships, the report said.

The Navy projects a fleet of 27 to 153 unmanned surface vessels, depending upon various scenarios, according to the report.

Unmanned vessels will play a role in the Navys concept of distributed lethality.

Its fairly simple, Daley said. By the nature of having more platforms, manned or unmanned, you have the ability to have additional distributed lethality over a larger area.
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  South Korea must act prudently and preserve the status quo rather than deploy a second U.S.-made missile defense system, a Chinese diplomat said Wednesday on Twitter.

The United States, not South Korea, has a malicious intention to deliberately undermine Beijings security by deploying another Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system in South Korea, Liu Xiaoming, Chinas special envoy to the two Koreas, said in a tweet.

South Koreas government has long accused China of retaliating against South Korea for allowing the U.S. to deploy the first THAAD battery in 2017. Economic boycotts against South Korean businesses in 2017 racked up $7 billion in losses, according to an estimate from South Korean lawmakers.

The U.S. installed the $800 million missile defense battery at a South Korean military base in Seongju, roughly 130 miles south of Seoul. The batterys sole purpose was to defend South Korea from North Koreas provocations, according to a U.S. Forces Korea statement.

Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who left office in May after a five-year term, ruled out another THAAD battery and participating in the U.S.s strategic missile defense network.

Moons decision was widely seen by foreign policy experts as a move to placate and restore economic ties with China, its largest trading partner.

South Korean President Yoon Seok Youl, a member of the conservative People Power Party and a supporter of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, signaled he would reverse Moons policy. During his presidential campaign Yoon advocated for bolstering South Koreas missile defense capabilities and recently agreed to increase joint military exercises with the United States.

Speaking to lawmakers at the National Assembly on Monday, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin said the previous administrations missile defense policies were not a formal agreement with China and the question should be left to South Koreas security and sovereignty.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Beijing remembers vividly South Koreas stance on the THAAD in 2017. Zhao, at a press conference Wednesday, said Chinas government expects Yoon to continue his predecessors stance on the missile defense system.

It played a crucial role in boosting mutual trust and deepening cooperation between the two countries, Zhao said, according to a readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. A commitment made should be a commitment kept, despite change of government.
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  Labor for first-time mother Air Force Capt. Kaitlyn Betts went quickly.

She arrived at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center around 3 a.m. this month and was experiencing contractions. About two hours later, Raegan McKenna Betts was born.

If Betts had delivered a month ago, she and Raegan likely would have already been moved downstairs to the former mother-baby units for the remainder of postpartum recovery.

Instead, Betts will remain where she gave birth, with the nurses who helped with the delivery, as long as theres not a sudden influx of women in labor at the militarys largest hospital overseas.

I think its nice and I think its cool to see the team work together, she said. Ive had a good experience so far.

In early July, the hospital stood up the new labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum unit, and with it came a change in thinking.

It promotes continuity of care, said Air Force Maj. Khimea Sayles, a clinical nurse officer in charge with the merged unit. Its not Lets get you delivered and hurry up and get you downstairs,  she said. Its Now that youve delivered, what questions do you have for me? I am your nurse for the duration. 

The move also increases the available staffing pool and saves money by eliminating the need to staff both units, officials said.

Previously, if a postpartum nurse couldnt come to work, the labor and delivery unit might have to send down one of its nurses, Sayles said.

Now, since were all combined, we typically have the staff that we need on a shift, she said.

The former mother-baby unit, which has 10 rooms, will be reopened for postpartum recovery if the six labor and delivery rooms fill up, which has happened twice since the change, said Air Force Capt. Jenny Davis, assistant clinical nurse officer in charge for the new unit.

About 50 to 60 babies are delivered every month at LRMC on average, Davis said.

The numbers often reflect whats going on in the world. More babies tend to be born about nine months after a unit returns from a deployment, the nurses said. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic also triggered a boost in births.

Hospital officials say the merged unit will maintain the same quality of care provided by the previous two sections.

Only one labor and delivery room has a labor tub, which is used to manage pain during labor. But other labor rooms have showers, which also can be used to alleviate labor pains, officials said.

Some expectant mothers are seen often at the hospital, giving providers an idea of their due date, Sayles said. Some dont come in until theyre having contractions and, the next thing you know, youre delivering a baby.
WASHINGTON  D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has asked the Pentagon to activate the D.C. National Guard to help address a swelling number of migrants arriving in buses at the citys Union Station, she told reporters Thursday.

We need the federal government to be involved, so I've asked for the deployment of the Guard [for] as long as we need the Guard to deal with the humanitarian crisis that we expect to escalate, Bowser said.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in April began chartering buses to send asylum-seeking migrants from his state to Washington, D.C. Since then, 6,100 migrants riding on 155 buses have traveled to Washington, according to his office. Most of the migrants are from countries in Central and South America.

To board a bus to D.C., migrants must volunteer for the trip and must have been processed and released from federal custody, according to Abbotts office. He has blamed this and other measures hes taken at the Texas border with Mexico on President Joe Biden.

Washington, D.C., finally understands what Texans have been dealing with every single day, as our communities are overrun and overwhelmed by thousands of illegal immigrants thanks to President Bidens open border policies, said Renae Eze, a spokeswoman for Abbott. If the mayor wants a solution to this crisis, she should call on President Biden to take immediate action to secure the border  something he has failed to do.

Abbott has used the Texas National Guard to deter people in Mexico from entering his state illegally across the Rio Grande. Nearly 6,000 Texas troops are now deployed to the states southern border on a mission known as Operation Lone Star.

While the troops are not involved with the states busing operation, which the governor has raised more than $118,000 to fund privately, they do have the authority to detain anyone who is believed to have crossed into the U.S. illegally.

Bowser said she previously secured a $1 million grant to help set up a respite center in a neighboring jurisdiction and is now asking for the Defense Department to step up, as well.

The number of people crossing the border seeking asylum we expect to only go up, and we need to ensure that there is a national response  not an ad hoc city-by-city, state-by-state response, she said.

The mayor said the federal government has been able to help with Afghan and Ukrainian refugees with a robust federal response that helps people with transportation on to their final destinations, [and a] legal route to work.

We need a parallel system for the increasing numbers of people that we will see crossing the border seeking asylum, Bowser said.

The D.C. National Guard confirmed it had received a request from Bowser to activate but declined to say the purpose.

Stars and Stripes reporter Rose L. Thayer contributed to this report.
(Tribune News Service)  Welcome to the FBI at Redstone Arsenal.

With plans for two campuses at the Army post in Huntsville and eventually more than 5,000 employees, the FBI has released a photo of its well-known but rarely seen gateway to its sprawling north campus within the confines of the arsenal.

Its easily seen for those with access to the restricted Army base. But otherwise, the FBI has been reluctant to release a photo of the entrance. The bureau released a photo of the entrance on its website in May.

At a briefing at the annual Redstone Update in 2019, a now-former FBI official spoke about the entrance. Rob Hamilton, then a senior executive with the FBI, said a photo of the entrance went viral within the bureau. The FBI at the time declined to release the photo.

Somebody wrote back and said it looked like we are pulling up to the Magic Kingdom at Disney World, Hamilton said in 2019. Thats exactly what we want our people to feel like when they are pulling up to work every day. Thats part of that tone-setting thats very important to us.

Hamilton added, When they come in to work every day, there is no grander entrance to an FBI facility across the country than what we have here.

That entrance leads to what the FBI has described as a college-like campus on Redstone Arsenal that represents an investment of more than $2 billion, according to Sen. Richard Shelby  who spearheaded efforts to attract the bureau to north Alabama.

Nicolas Dimos, acting assistant director/CFO, FBI finance and facilities division, said at the Redstone Update last December that five facilities on the campus are scheduled to open by the end of 2022.

The investment that has been placed in us in the FBI in Redstone here is the largest single investment in the FBI in our history, Dimos said last December.

FBI Director Christopher Wray attended a groundbreaking at Redstone last year for the $200 million Innovation Center, which will be used as a training space focusing on technical and cyber training as well as data exploitation.

Dimos also said the FBI is ramping up its hiring to a planned peak of 5,200 employees by 2028. The FBI currently has more than 1,300 employees working at Redstone. Another 2,500 people are expected to attend training at the FBI facilities annually.

Redstone Arsenal has provided 1,600 acres to the FBI within its secured gates. The entrance to the north campus provides another layer of security.

The FBI also has plans, Dimos said, for major expansion on what it terms its south campus on the arsenal near its Hazardous Devices School. The south campus covers about 900 acres. Plans call for the south campus to be the site where we have a lot of our hands on advanced and specialized training, particularly for our law enforcement officers and electronic technicians.

The south campus will build upon the FBIs training headquarters at Quantico, Va., and create a real-world training environment in a controlled setting. A master plan has been completed and groundbreaking is expected next year. The south campus is expected to be operational by 2025.

2022 Advance Local Media LLC.

Visit al.com .
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(Tribune News Service)  The head buyer for a wholesale pharmaceutical business in Ocean Springs pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in a price-gouging scheme involving the purchase of personal protective gear later sold at inflated prices.

Brandon J. Reich, 36, of Broward County, Florida, first had an arraignment on the bill of information charging him with the crime before one judge Thursday before entering a second courtroom in federal court in Gulfport to plead guilty to the same offense.

After entering the plea, Reich was released on an unsecured bond of $25,000 pending sentencing in November. Hes facing up to 5 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

Reich worked as a head buyer for Gulf Coast Pharmaceuticals Plus under the leadership of Ocean Springs businessman Kenneth Ritchey.

Reich, who worked out of the companys Fort Lauderdale branch, is the first of 12 unnamed co-conspirators in Ritcheys pending federal case for conspiring with others to buy and hoard PPE gear for resale at inflated prices to various hospitals.

The conspiracy occurred in 2020 and targeted health care providers, including hospitals desperate to get the scarce PPE gear like masks and face shields to protect employees from catching the virus.

Ritchey is currently out of custody on bond awaiting trial on six counts of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, one count of making false statements, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and conspiracy to hoard designated scarce materials as a result of the same investigation.

If convicted on all counts, Ritchey could go to prison for life.

He did not attend Thursdays hearing for Reich.

Working with federal investigators

Long before he was charged, Reich testified in a pre-trial hearing in Ritcheys pending federal case.

At the hearing, Reich said he agreed to assist federal investigators in the criminal probe by providing them with confidential information in computer programs he had access to at GCPP because of his position and the trust Ritchey had in him to grant his authorization to access the material.

As a head buyer, Reich said he had to keep inventory in stock and work with other buyers to buy up all the PPE gear they could find at retail sites, and online through Amazon and eBay and other sellers.

In addition, federal prosecutors said some of the material came from a local Jackson County pharmacy that agreed to sell the gear to Ritchey at cost in exchange for the pharmacy receiving a portion of the profits from the resale of the items at the inflated prices.

In addition to having access to inventory lists, sales information, payroll information, and more, Reich could access emails between employees and more to assist investigators in looking into the alleged wrongdoing.

In an earlier hearing, Ritcheys attorney, Scott Gilbert, pointed out that Reich had signed a non-disclosure employment agreement that prevented Reich from disclosing confidential information to anyone.

Reich said he felt he had the authorization to do so once I was shown proof of illegal activity.

But, Gilbert argued that Ritchey had security measures in place, including non-disclosure agreements, to protect him against warrantless searches by the government.

 Mr. Ritchey would not have consented, Gilbert said the earlier hearing. The only person who could agree to the disclosure of information was Mr. Ritchey.

Gilbert said Reich essentially agreed to provide confidential information he had sworn not to share in his non-disclosure agreement for government requested and government-sponsored searches.

You dont give up your expectation of privacy ... by granting access to (privileged information) to some employee so they can work with investigators on a criminal investigation.

He had every reason to believe that a government intrusion would not occur without a warrant, Gilbert said.

In fact, Gilbert said, it was federal investigators who not only approached Reich to assist them but also allegedly instructed Reich to pull specific information from selected accounts for the investigators.

You were never given access to conduct a search (of GCPPs internal programs) on behalf of the government? Gilbert asked.

No, sir, Reich said.

A 300% markup on PPE gear

Ritchey learned he was a target of a federal criminal investigation as early as April 2020, when FBI agents raided his wholesale distribution business in Ocean Springs.

He is accused of defrauding health care providers, such as Veterans Affairs hospitals, out of $18 million.

The indictment says that the PPE gear Ritchey was selling was marked up as much as 300% over costs, and providers bought them out of fear of being unable to get the equipment during the national emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the indictment, health care providers did ask about the inflated prices for the PPE gear, but Reich and the other unnamed co-conspirators either sent them messages or called to discourage them from reporting the business for price gouging,

In other cases, court papers say, Ritchey created fraudulent receipts for the PPE gear to the providers to try to explain the inflated costs.

To carry out the scheme, Ritchey allegedly directed his employees, including Reich, to buy the gear and paid them, for example, 50 cents for each N-95 mask they acquired, plus expenses.

The staff mostly made purchases at home improvement stores in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, using military and other discounts in places where they could buy up masks and other gear in bulk.

GCPP paid an average of $3.49 each for the N-95 mask, but then sold them for $20 each to health care providers, the indictment says.

When authorities searched the Ocean Springs business, over 300,00 thousands items were seized.

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(c)2022 The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.)

Visit The Sun Herald at www.sunherald.com
MARIPOSA, Calif. (Tribune News Service)  Nearly 3,000 firefighters and first responders have flooded the Sierra foothills of Mariposa County battling the explosive Oak fire, but it's the guys in camouflage fatigues and surplus war vehicles that have most alarmed some evacuees and monitors of extremist groups.

As fire crews made headway Tuesday against a blaze that has roared through 18,000 acres, destroyed 25 homes and forced thousands to flee their homes, the presence of a self-described militia whose members handed out food and offered help to evacuees has raised concerns among some.

Calling itself the Echo Company of the California State Militia's 2nd Regiment, the group had set up a field kitchen off Highway 140 recently and told the Merced Sun-Star it was offering food, water and a place to stay for those in need. Online, the group posts videos of members training with rifles, shields and other equipment, along with the group's tagline: "We who dare."

The Mariposa County Sheriff's Office announced on Facebook on Sunday that it had been "made aware" of the presence of a local militia in the area. "We appreciate their efforts and any of the efforts of other private groups or entities helping our community," the statement read.

But those who monitor extremist groups questioned whether their actions were truly altruistic.

Self-described militia groups have often inserted themselves into natural disaster zones, they said. Sometimes the groups claim to provide help and supplies, while actually promoting right-wing extremist ideologies, anti-government sentiment and conspiracy theories.

"It puts these groups in a positive light and extends to them a type of de-facto authority that they really don't have under the law, which poses significant issues," said Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino. "When you have a system that allows unregulated extremists to cosplay at times of disaster, you get, well, unqualified extremists cosplaying at times of disaster."

The Sheriff's Office had not requested the militia's presence and said members were acting on "their own courteous accord."

"The public should be aware that the militia has not been activated or requested to act for any purpose by the Sheriff's Office or any agency working the Oak fire," the agency said on Facebook. "We are not unsupportive of groups helping those affected by the Oak fire, however, it is important that we inform the community of resources available to them by the incident and Mariposa County."

The group's presence came as firefighters appeared to make significant gains, even after the fire had destroyed 41 structures and kept thousands from their homes.

The northeast side of the fire was continuing to push against steep terrain and was at risk of bumping around the 2018 Ferguson fire burn scar, which could then ignite new brush and forest and make the fire harder to control, said Escondido Fire Department public information officer Dominic Polito, who was working with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection on the blaze.

"If it runs up around the Ferguson scar, then we're off to the races," he said. "If not, then we're looking very good."

By Tuesday, the fire reached 26% containment, according to Cal Fire. Several residents were allowed to return to their homes by Friday evening as evacuation orders for some areas were reduced to fire advisements.

Still, about 1,440 buildings remained threatened as the fire continued to press on the eastern boundary, and firefighters continued to fight through steep terrain.

"The terrain is very slippery," said Fresno Fire Capt. Chris Garcia. "Even putting firefighters up there is very hazardous. What can happen when walking is a dislodged rock can hit another firefighter, and we're currently hitting a lot of snags, which is what we call a burnt out tree that ends up falling."

Those residents that had been forced to flee were still reeling from the blur of packing up what they could and leaving their homes in uncertainty.

"I had never seen (smoke) that close before," said Richard Perez, a 40-year resident of Mariposa County.

He and his wife packed their belongings and stuffed them into two cars, including their dogs and chickens.

"That's my dream home, you know," he said, "I worked my whole life to finally get a place."

They ushered their three German shepherds into one car, and 11 of their chickens in the other. After one night at a local hotel, they stayed at the American Red Cross shelter at Mariposa Elementary along with about 40 other evacuees.

"I've been there for 20 years, and to lose everything," he said, his voice trailing off. "It's just material stuff, but it's home."

It's residents like Perez that the uniformed militia group said it was looking to help.

Daniel Latner, a member of the group, told the Mercury News that around 20 members arrived with large military-surplus vehicles to help feed residents. Members, he said, were not armed.

Yet some residents found their presence unsettling.

"The last thing I'm going to do is take a free tri-tip sandwich from a right-wing extremist group," a woman, who declined to be identified citing fear of provoking the group, told the Mercury News.

The group in Mariposa County had once been affiliated with a larger militia with a similar name, but the larger militia cut ties with Echo Company because of an incident in 2020, it said, when they inserted armed members between Black Lives Matter supporters and pro-police groups in a protest in Atwater.

In a 2020 statement, the larger group wrote online that it disavowed Echo Company because of "potential legal liability in light of the continued militant activities of other units," and called the actions "inciteful."

The Mariposa County Sheriff's Office did not respond to requests for comment.

The presence of militia in natural disaster zones can seem well-intentioned, but can in fact be harmful because members are taking on actions that can interfere with trained government agencies that are coordinating a response, Levin said.

Many extremists groups are also known to use similar incidents to gain media attention and recruit new members.

Militia groups have also gained newfound scrutiny after the involvement of similar groups in the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington, D.C. Members of groups including the Oath Keepers  which years earlier had appeared at hurricane zones and conducted training for local residents to prepare for natural disasters  have been indicted for their alleged role in the attack.

Levin said he is also concerned that, even if the group is providing assistance to residents, law enforcement's subtle approval raises questions about the public's interaction with them.

"If it turns out there's extremists within those ranks, that's a critical juncture where people are at their most vulnerable," he said. "Vulnerable people at vulnerable times require a qualified response, and they don't need to be exposed to the possibility of extremism."

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2022 Los Angeles Times.

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(Tribune News Service)  Veterans Secretary Denis McDonough said the country was poised to approve the "biggest expansion of veterans' benefits in history" and needed to make infrastructure investments to match that expansion in a talk with governors of the Western states on Wednesday.

"We want the governors to be part of this process. We need the governors to be part of this process," McDonough said. "And we'll stay close to you on every step of the way."

McDonough was not asked by the eight state executives in attendance at Wednesday's session of the Western Governors Association meeting in Coeur d'Alene about the contentious rollout of an electronic health care records system, first introduced at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane nearly two years ago. Gov. Jay Inslee was not in attendance. The effort, begun before McDonough was appointed by President Joe Biden, has been plagued by increasing cost estimates and internal watchdog reports found nearly 150 veterans had been harmed because of the system.

In an interview with reporters after a session with the governors, McDonough would not say what the future of that system, now delayed in Boise, could be.

"I don't want to get into hypotheticals," McDonough said. "But we're constantly looking at those issues, first among them patient safety."

Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dan Newhouse, along with other lawmakers in districts where the system created by Oracle Health has been deployed, wrote a letter to the VA this week requesting the agency use existing funding for records management to be used to hire more workers for scheduling and other clerical purposes. At a hearing on Capitol Hill last week, a VA official told lawmakers the system was working in Spokane because workers were "putting in double time, double-checking, triple-checking things."

"The medical centers in our districts should not have to choose between staffing up to continue safely caring for veterans and blowing a hole in their budgets, forcing painful cuts in the future," the letter reads.

McDonough said he didn't oppose additional staffing, and noted that had been a priority of the Biden administration.

"It may, in fact, be," McDonough said of increasing staffing as an answer to records concerns. "Our No. 1 legislative priority this year has been increasing our human resource performance and our human resource availability across the VA."

In a hearing on Capitol Hill following McDonough's appearance with the governors, McMorris Rodgers questioned senior VA officials and the director of the Spokane medical center about the delayed care for 150 veterans, citing specific examples contained in the internal reports. The congresswoman called the effort a "failed (electronic healthcare records) experiment."

"It's been frustrating to me, and the veterans in my community, to hear the VA executives brush aside concerns that we've been raising since go-live," McMorris Rodgers said.

McDonough also addressed in the interview ongoing care at the Spokane health care center. A previous recommendation called for the aging military hospital to shift from inpatient to outpatient care. A VA review of that recommendation is not moving forward because of opposition from key U.S. senators, including Washington Democrat Patty Murray, McDonough said.

"That is not going to happen," McDonough said of the review process. "Period, full stop, next paragraph."

"We do not envision a change in Spokane in terms of the care that we offer veterans," McDonough added. "But how we deliver that care, and what those facilities look like, will inevitably have to change over time."

McMorris Rodgers asked Robert Fischer, director at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, whether inpatient services were in jeopardy at the facility.

"I can tell you from my perspective, they are not," Fischer said. "But I'm not the decider in issues related to services."

To the governors, McDonough made a pitch for "modernizing our facilities, and building new facilities," noting the age of VA hospitals far surpasses that of most civilian facilities. He said that would come after a review of market conditions that would begin promptly and in consultation with governors, but said he hadn't yet seen legislation for an infrastructure review introduced this week by Sen. Jon Tester, D- MT, the chairman of the chamber's Veteran Affairs Committee.

"We'll be working with Dr. Teresa Boyd, who runs this region for us, to get to the bottom-line assessment of what the veterans in this market need today, what they'll need for the coming 30 years, what we can provide, what the private sector can provide, and where we need to modernize those facilities," McDonough said.

McDonough also anticipated passage of federal legislation that would extend free medical treatment to hundreds of thousands of combat veterans after 9/11 who were exposed to toxic chemicals in "burn pits" used to incinerate waste on battlefields in the Middle East and elsewhere, as well as increasing the number of toxin-related medical conditions covered by VA benefits.

The Senate is expected to send the bill to President Joe Biden as early as this week.

The secretary also said he anticipated the release of a report at the end of this week on the effectiveness of a Trump administration program designed to guide veterans who were facing delayed care at their local VA medical centers into community hospitals. McDonough told the governors he hoped the report would come with additional recommended rule changes, including one that would keep veterans at their VA center if, within a 28-day window, they can see a doctor virtually. Because, McDonough said, if that veteran was referred out into the community, it's likely they'll get a virtual appointment, anyway.

"Let's put our money where our mouth is, which is to say, virtual care is working pretty well," McDonough said, noting that such a rule change would need to go through a public comment process before taking effect.

McDonough planned visits to the VA clinic in Coeur d'Alene and the Boise VA Medical Center on Wednesday after speaking to the governors.

The Washington Governors Association meeting concludes Thursday morning in Coeur d'Alene, where governors are expected to hear from U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

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(c)2022 The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.)

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Judge Smyth said the court would "vary bail on a temporary basis".

A JUDGE has agreed to allow a short-term change of bail conditions imposed on a senior barrister charged with murdering a father of four in a shooting on farmland in Dublin.

Law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 53, is accused of the murder of Keith Conlon at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on February 22.

Following the shooting of his dog, Mr Conlon, from Kiltalown Park in Tallaght, was shot in the back of the head during the incident on Mr Phelan's farm.

The dog breeder was taken to Tallaght University Hospital but died two days later.

The High Court refused Mr Phelan bail in March, but the following month the Court of Appeal overturned that decision and released him on a 100,000 bond with a range of conditions.

The case was listed again at Dublin District Court yesterday for a defence application for "a temporary variation" of bail over six days in August.

Judge Bryan Smyth noted it had already been discussed and agreed upon between the parties.

The purpose of the variation was not stated publicly, and the terms of the agreed changes were not read out in open court. However, they were furnished to the judge.

Despite being excused from attending, Mr Phelan was present for the application and sat silently in the public gallery.

Judge Smyth said the court would "vary bail on a temporary basis". Jane McGowan BL, for the State, said it was not necessary to read out the terms, and she added that Mr Phelan's solicitor had gone through them with him.

Keith Conlon

Investigating officer Garda Sergeant Michael McGrath said there was a possibility of further charges, and he asked for an adjournment until September.

However, the case was put back until August 23 for another defence application to vary the bail terms.

Judge Smyth noted the Court of Appeal's order said the District Court could decide on that if gardai were on notice.

Defence solicitor Dara Robinson said it was an "unusual and complicated application", which would have to be "thrashed out".

In May, the court briefly suspended bail terms to allow the accused to go on a "short trip" for two days.

Later it also granted an order for gardai to hand over copies of his interview recordings to the defence.

Bail terms stated he must obey a 10 pm - 8 am curfew at a Garda-approved address, sign on daily at a Garda Station, and be contactable by mobile phone.

He had to give gardai access to all his Irish and foreign bank accounts.

He must stay out of Tallaght and out of his properties in Wexford and have no contact with prosecution witnesses in the case.

The lawyer had to surrender his passport, and must not leave the State, join a gun club, or purchase any firearms.

At a previous stage, the bail proceedings heard he shot a dog using his rifle or when the dog owner and his companions remonstrated that he had taken the revolver and fired three shots in their direction.

Mr Phelan claimed he was under various threats at the farm.
Out of work electrician David Hogan (31), residing in Tallaght, was working off a drug debt, the court heard

An out of work electrician who invaded a family home armed with a wheel brace in order to work off a drug debt has been jailed for six years.

Judge Melanie Greally said that David Hogan (31) was acting as an enforcer and a general dogs body for persons further up the drug dealing hierarchy.

On March 22, 2021 Hogan and another man went to a family home at The Gallops, Leopardstown and pushed their way inside.

Hogan was armed with a wheel brace and was shouting at the homeowners that their son had his stuff and they're going to kill me, where is he.

Six days later Hogan and two other men came back to the house and tried to get inside but the woman living there managed to get the door closed.

Hogan was shouting I want your son and one of the other men damaged the car, smashing the window, headlight and the bonnet.

That same day gardai went to Russell Crescent, Tallaght where Hogan was sleeping on a sofa. During a search gardai found over 45,000 of drugs here including 19,498 worth of cocaine and just under 24,000 worth of cannabis.

Hogan of no fixed abode and residing in the Tallaght area in Co Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to aggravated burglary at The Gallops, Leopardstown, on March 22, 2021.

He also pleaded guilty to burglary at the same address in Leopardstown and possession of drugs for sale or supply at Russell Crescent, Tallaght, both on March 28, 2021. He has 38 previous convictions, including convictions for possession of drugs for sale or supply and criminal damage.

Detective Garda Des Molloy agreed with Dean Kelly SC, defending, that his client lived a normal life until he was aged 25, when a drink driving conviction resulted in the loss of his driving licence, which subsequently led to him losing his job.

The detective agreed with counsel that his client engaged in very substantial drug use and amassed debts. He agreed Hogan was entrusted to carry out a task, but was not at the top of the chain.

Passing sentence on Wednesday afternoon, Judge Greally said the burglaries involved a high level of threats and aggression.

She said while there was no victim impact report there was evidence that the family felt intimidated and constantly afraid and that they kept their grandchildren away from the house.

She said Hogan had lived a conventional life into his 20s and he had worked successfully as a qualified electrician. She said she accepted that his life had unravelled and he became indebted and at the mercy of others.

But he was prepared to carry out the most distasteful of tasks for persons further up the hierarchy, she said.

She imposed an eight year sentence but suspended the final two years after taking into consideration the guilty pleas and the remorse and insight expressed by Hogan. She backdated the sentence to March 31, 2021 when Hogan went into custody on these charges.
Grealish has been one of the stand-out hurlers on the Henry Sheflin managed Galway senior hurling team this summer

At Gort District Court today, Judge Mary Larkin extended time by 14 days in which Mr Grealish (25) of Hawk Hill, Gort, Co Galway can appeal the mandatory two year driving ban Judge Larkin imposed on Mr Grealish two months ago.

Corner back, Mr Grealish has this summer been one of the stand-out hurlers on the Henry Sheflin managed Galway senior hurling team that ran All-Ireland champions, Limerick close in the All-Ireland semi-final earlier this month.

In relation to the two year driving ban imposed last May, Mr Grealish didnt avail of the initial 14 day period in which to appeal the conviction for driving with no insurance.

At Gort District Court today, Judge Larkin granted Mr Grealish recognisance and extended time in which to appeal.

Once Mr Grealish - who drives an articulated truck for a living - has formally lodged his appeal papers over the next 14 days with Galway Circuit Court he will be free to drive once more pending the hearing of his appeal in the circuit court.

It is not known at this time if Mr Grealish is appealing the conviction or only the severity of the sanction imposed.

At Gort District Court on May 26th last, Judge Larkin imposed the two year driving ban on Mr Grealish after he pleaded guilty to driving a 151 D registered vehicle with no insurance contrary to Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act at Queen Street, Gort on December 12th 2019.

In court in May, Gardai told Judge Larkin that Mr Grealish has a previous conviction from 2018 of driving with no insurance.

Solicitor for Mr Grealish, Olivia Lynch told Judge Larkin that the 2018 no insurance conviction related to an offence from 2016.

In response, Judge Larkin said: Am I supposed to be relieved that he only drives without insurance every three years?

Judge Larkin said: Mr Grealish now. Is he not working? Can he afford to get his own insurance?

In response, Ms Lynch said: "He did have his own insurance - and this is an unfortunate situation.

Mr Grealish had insurance on his own vehicle and he borrowed his brother's vehicle to go in and collect a take away because his own vehicle wasn't in a position to drive. He thought he was insured.

Ms Lynch told Judge Larkin that Mr Grealish is self employed as a driver and drives an articulated truck.

Judge Larkin said: The consequences are that I have to disqualify him from driving as this is his second no insurance offence and I have to disqualify him for two years."

Judge Larkin also imposed a fine of 200.

The appeal should be heard later in the year at Galway Circuit Court.
Niall Sheerin (29) from Derry, has been on remand since May and is awaiting sentence on a charge of storing the weapon

The unsuccessful application to release Niall Sheerin on compassionate bail to allow him to visit his newborn son was heard at Belfast Crown Court today.

The 29-year old, from Tyrconnell Street, has been on remand since May and is awaiting sentence on a charge of storing the weapon used to murder Ms McKee (29), who was killed whilst observing rioting in the Creggan area of the city in April 2018.

Sheerin admitted a charge of possessing a .22 calibre Hammerli self-loading pistol, magazine and a quantity of .22 calibre cartridges with intent to enable another person to endanger life or cause serious damage to property on dates between September 22, 2018, and June 6, 2020.

The defendant's barrister, Kieran Mallon QC, said this plea was on the grounds that he warehoused the weapon for a short period but was unaware of its history.

That history, Mr Mallon said, was that the gun in question was used by the New IRA to murder Ms McKee.

The barrister stressed Sheerins plea was to "second-limb possession and it was not the Crowns case in any way that Sheerin was present in Fanad Drive on the evening of the murder.

Urging Judge Roseanne McCormick to grant bail for a few days so Sheerin could return home and visit his partner and three children, including their newborn son, Mr Mallon said the visit would also allow Sheerin to support his family.

Reminding the judge that Sheerin had been "bail compliant for a number of years, Mr Mallon said that despite the sentence hearing initially being listed for June, for various reasons it has not yet taken place.

When Judge McCormick asked what the Crowns view was, prosecuting barrister Robin Steer said the application was opposed.

Mr Steer said it was accepted the plea was to second-limb possession and there was no suggestion or evidence Sheerin was involved in Ms McKees murder.

Pointing out that Sheerin had admitted his guilt and was awaiting a significant sentence, Mr Steer said: This is a very serious offence of possession of a firearm with intent.

It was a .22 pistol together with eight suitable cartridges. The pistol was a viable weapon. It was test-fired. It was found on June 5, 2020, and this applicants DNA was recovered from the swabs of the gun.

The weapon has been used in four paramilitary shootings between September 2018 and March 2019, and in the murder of Lyra McKee on April 18, 2019.

Mr Steer added that whilst its accepted Sheerin wasnt aware the gun had been used to murder Ms McKee, he would have been aware of New IRA activity in Derry at the time and of its involvement in the murder.

Addressing the reasons why the application was made, Mr Steer said that whilst it may appear hard-hearted to oppose one made on family grounds, the rights of the public and society also needed to be met.

Judge McCormick thanked both barristers for their submissions and said that due to her considerable experience in family courts, she was sympathetic to the pressures faced by parents.

She continued: However, it is not appropriate to admit Mr Sheerin to bail in circumstances where he faces, now imminently, a very significant custodial sentence.

Saying she has listened carefully to defence submissions regarding Sheerins lack of knowledge regarding the guns history  and in particular its use in Ms McKees murder  the judge added: Nonetheless this is a very significant weapon.

Judge McCormick refused the application and Sheerin was remanded back into custody ahead of sentencing, which is scheduled to take place on September 2, 2022.
There were emotional scenes as members of both mens families left the court as harrowing video footage was played of the moment the cageplunged into the river

Members of the O'Herlihy and Whelan families on their way to the inquiry into their sons' deaths which took place in 2015 at Thomond Bridge, Limerick. Photo: Brendan Gleeson

Two men plunged to their deaths in the River Shannon after a safety mechanism on a crane, which was holding a steel cage carrying the men, failed to operate, a court heard today.

There were emotional scenes as members of both mens families left the court as harrowing video footage was played of the moment the steel cage that carried their loved ones plunged into the river.

A safety mechanism aimed at preventing weight overloading on the crane failed, resulting in unbearable stress on a wire rope that snapped which was holding the cage carrying the men above the river, said senior prosecuting counsel Shane Costelloe SC.

The tragedy occurred at around 3.40pm, and was witnessed by members the public.

The two men who died, Bryan Whelan (29), OBriensbridge, Co Clare, and TJ OHerlihy (36), Castleisland, Co Kerry, drowned as they could not escape from the cage.

Both stonemasons had been harnessed into the cage and were wearing life-jackets, as was legally required under health and safety regulations, while they carried out specialised repair works on the south side of Thomond Bridge, Limerick City, on August 29, 2015.

A third worker, Paul Murphy, Askeaton, who was also working on the platform at the time, managed to free his harness and was rescued in the Shannon estuary by emergency personnel.

Members of the O'Herlihy and Whelan families on their way to the inquiry into their sons' deaths which took place in 2015 at Thomond Bridge, Limerick. Photo: Brendan Gleeson.

Separate investigations by the Gardai, and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) followed, resulting in criminal charges against two companies  Nationwide Crane Hire Ltd, Dock Road, Limerick, and Palfinger Ireland Ltd, Church Hill, Cloncollog, Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Both firms pleaded guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Palfinger supplied the winch crane to Nationwide on March 12, 2003, but unbeknown to Palfinger, the cranes user manual was missing a chapter on the importance of frequently carrying out testing of the cranes overload protection system, which it later emerged had failed on the day of the catastrophic tragedy.

The crane was mounted onto a flat-bed lorry on the bridge with an extendable telescopic winch that held the men in the platform cage via a wire rope or cable.

Palfinger pleaded guilty that it failed to take steps necessary to ensure Nationwide was provided with adequate information about the crane and its operations to ensure that when it was in use it would be safe.

Nationwide pleaded guilty that, being an employer, it failed to ensure that contracted workers were not exposed to risks to their safety, health and welfare, and that it failed to ensure the winch crane was in a safe condition, in particular, the overload protection system, and as a consequence, TJ OHerlihy and Bryan Whelan died.

There were emotional scenes in the court as Mr Costelloe read out a victim impact statement written by Mr OHerlihys partner Therese Tess Wigsten, mother to their two young children, Conor (10) and Katie (7), who all travelled to the court hearing from their home in Sweden.

Conor was three years old and Katie was six months when their Dad died. We were not the typical or normal family because our son has a progressive mitochondrial disease and has special needs, and he needs full-time help with everything, wrote Ms Wigsten.

My children have lost one of the most important persons in their life, their Dad. Katie didn't even get to know him, and will never experience how it is to be Daddys girl.

Katie Wigsten wrote how life would have been more beautiful and nicer if Dad was alive. We would have been a family of four, he could help me with homework and pick me up from school, and if I could turn back time I would tell Dad never to take the job so he could be with us.

Conor Wigsten, wrote: I miss my Dad, I wish he was here to help me, to carry me and play with me. I wish he could help me in school.

Therese Wigsten continued: What hurts most is that Katie has had to grow up faster, take more responsibility than other children her age, because I have to help Conor all the time [feed him, change his nappy, give him medicine, push his wheelchair, carry him and so on], and so Katie will always be second, because she has no other parent that can give her the love and attention she needs when the other is looking after Conor.

I have lost the love of my life. Every day is a struggle, our family is broken, added Ms Wigsten.

The scene at Thomond Bridge, Limerick, in August 2015 where Bryan Whelan and TJ OHerlihy drowned when the cable holding their cage broke and fell into the water as the men worked on the bridge. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22

Bryan Whelans brother, John Paul Whelan, speaking on behalf of his devastated family, told the court: What haunts us most as a family, other than being without Bryan, is the tragic circumstances of his death. It is a constant and conscious effort that weighs tirelessly on each of us to not dwell on Bryans final moments of fear and distress as we know he fought to survive on that fateful day.

Bryan was excited to be working so close to home and on a project such as Thomond Bridge, which he took great pride in. Its hard to believe it ended in such a tragedy. The Bridge now serves as a constant, painful reminder of the devastating and disastrous events of that day.

While we are relieved that responsibility was accepted by Palfinger Ireland and Nationwide Crane Hire, we have suffered immeasurable grief and heart-breaking loss. But it is our hope that lessons have been learnt and other families will not have to endure the torture and turmoil of such a catastrophic event which could have been avoided.

Dermot OBrien, lead investigator, HSA, said the two defendant companies had cooperated fully with the Authoritys probe, which he hoped would help to try to prevent further similar accidents recurring.

Judge Tom ODonnell said it would be inappropriate to deliver an immediate judgment given he had listened to a significant amount of evidence and deeply poignant victim impact statements.

He adjourned sentencing to October 7.
He has denied the charge and the matter has been set down for hearing.

Iosif Adam allegedly caused 1,500 of damage in the incident. Photo: Paddy Cummins/PCPhoto.ie   Paddy Cummins - PCPhoto.ie

THIS is the Dublin man accused of picking up a stool and throwing it at three televisions in a bookmakers.
Dean Ward (36) was today jailed for 17 years.

This is the Wexford man jailed for 17 years for raping, assaulting and coercively controlling a woman over the course of a six week relationship.

Shortly after Dean Ward (36) and Sinead O'Neill met on an online dating site in May 2019 Ward had effectively moved himself into the woman's home in Killybegs, Co. Donegal. Ward used lies and emotional manipulation to insinuate himself into the life, Justice Kerida Naidoo said on Thursday.

During the next six weeks Ward repeatedly attacked Ms O'Neill, spraying Mace into her face, tying her up, choking her and then raping her, threatening her with a hammer and punching her in the face. He controlled her access to friends and family, took over her online banking and monitored her whereabouts, social media and mobile phone use and removed her contraceptive device as she slept.

At the Central Criminal Court Justice Naidoo suspended the final year of an 18 year sentence for the most serious rape offence. He imposed a four year term, to run concurrently, for the offence of coercive control, which has a maximum sentence of five years.

Speaking outside court Ms O'Neill said she was speaking out to show others that support was available. She said that she felt stuck in fear but that she received amazing support from the moment she reached out to gardai for help.

Victim Sinead O'Neill speaks to the media outside Dublin circuit court this afternoon. Photo: Collins Courts

She said she hoped that her case would encourage anyone out there in an abusive relationship to seek help and confide in somebody. She said she believed that by getting Ward locked up she has saved other women from a similar ordeal.

Ward formerly of Ballintlea, Hollyfort, Gorey, Wexford was jailed in 2016 for four years for falsely imprisoning and assaulting a young mother in November 2015. Ward and that woman had met on the internet dating website Plenty of Fish and Ward attacked her on their third date in the woman's own home.

Speaking after the hearing, Garda Superintendant Karen Duffy of Ballyshannon Garda Station said the offence of coercive control is a relatively new one and she would encourage any women or men in an abusive relationship to come to gardai.

Ward, also known as Dean Alexander Fowkes, used a different name on first meeting his victim.

He was convicted following a trial earlier this year of twelve offences; four assaults, one false imprisonment, one making a threat to kill, two counts of production of articles, three counts of rape and one count of coercive control on dates between June 11 and July 17, 2019.

The offences occurred between the woman meeting the man for the first time and his arrest by armed gardai at her home on July 17 2019. Ward does not accept the verdict of the jury and continues to maintain his innocence. He has been in custody since his arrest.

The ordeal only came to an end when Ms O'Neill's boss realised something was wrong and spoke to her and advised her to go to gardai. Justice Naidoo said that such was Ward's level of control that they had to come up with an escape plan to get her out of the house long enough for armed gardai to move in and arrest Ward.

Ward tried to get away but was caught jumping over a back wall, with a can of incapacitant spray on him. Ward told gardai during interview that they had a happy relationship and were planning for marriage and a baby.

Mr Justice Naidoo noted that the rapes took place in a controlling relationship and that consent was not freely given. He said the victim's acquiescence to sexual intercourse was secured by fear in circumstances where she was subjected to force before the rape or fear as a result of the cumulative effect of Ward's behaviour over time.

He said the first offence of rape was aggravated by violence and extreme degradation. After a row Ward had broken into Ms O'Neill's home, punched her in the face and told he was going to kill her.

He took her upstairs and pulled out a knife which he used to cut a towel into shreds. He then used the shreds to tie her up and began choking her from behind. Justice Naidoo said Ms O'Neill believed she was going to die and she lost control of her bladder.

Ward knew she had a particular fear of drowning and said he would do this. The woman's terror at this prospect was so great that she offered to take her own life by slitting her wrists, the judge said. Ward then raped her.

Justice Naidoo set a headline sentence of 18 years for this offence, the most serious of all the offending. He said there was virtually no mitigation but he suspended one year on condition that Ward obey the instructions of the Probation Service after his release.

He imposed lesser sentences on the other offences, all of which to run concurrently.

At his sentence hearing earlier in July Ms O'Neill told the court she had led a quiet, happy life and had wanted someone to share it with.

It only took him six weeks to destroy me, she said. She described how she had previously just wanted to be happy but now just wanted a life without fear.

The court heard that Ward, who stayed in her house, removed her contraceptive device as she slept and moved money around in her bank accounts. Analysis of phone records and Facebook showed that Ward sent the woman 100's of messages a day, 165 on one particular day.

Ward blocked and deleted hundreds of her Facebook friends, messaged her friends pretending to be her and dictated responses for her to send to friends asking if she was ok.

Ward only allowed Ms O'Neill to leave the house to go to work. She would have to take photographs of furniture and her feet to send to Ward while she was at work to prove she was there.

He also had photographs of her on his phone she was ashamed of and refused to delete them.

On one particular night Ms O'Neill, who had been trying to figure out how to get Ward out of her home without being hurt, described how she was fully certain she was going to die during a terrifying ordeal in which Ward brutally assaulted her in her own home.

Her boss later noticed her distress and said she should go to gardai. They formulated a way to communicate and she left the house that night pretending to go to work.

Armed gardai arrested Ward as he attempted to flee the house. He told them during interview they had a happy relationship and were planning for marriage and a baby.

Ms O'Neill described in her victim impact statement how she had led a quiet life until the time came when she wanted to find someone to share the next part of her life with. She said Ward was very charming and complimentary and seemed to be looking for the same thing as her.

She said what she had gone through at the hands of Ward was life altering, leaving her with immense fear, anxiety and paranoia which would haunt her for the rest of her life.

She continues to be in fear that Ward would locate her, despite gardai reassuring her he is in prison. She described jumping in fear and panic at household noises or a ring of the doorbell.

She said she had to know she had done everything she could to protect herself and her family from Dean Ward and the thought of another woman undergoing the same thing kept her going.

She still fears she will have to face Ward again and told the court the events might as well have just happened yesterday. She said the fear and terror he had left in her was as strong and present today as it had been at the time. She thanked friends, family, gardai and the legal team for their support.

Ward has nine previous convictions in this jurisdiction including a prior conviction in 2016 for false imprisonment and assault of a woman with whom he was in relationship in 2015. His other Irish convictions include escape from lawful custody, endangerment and criminal damage.

He also has convictions from the United Kingdom for offences including assault, robbery, criminal damage, attempting to gain by deception and possession of cannabis.

Sergeant Michael McHugh told Anne Rowland SC, prosecuting, that Ms O'Neill was interested at that time in meeting someone for company and got involved with a dating website.

Ward, using the surname Fowkes, instigated contact with her and purported to be from a nearby town. They arranged to meet, got on well and at the end of the evening he told her he had no car. He stayed at her home for a number of days before leaving to do a course.

The woman subsequently found out he was not living locally and was annoyed. She was considering not seeing him again and unplugged her phone that night after a series of messages.

The following morning the man came into her house while she was having a shower after telling her he had spent the night in her shed.

He started crying and begging her not to leave or cheat on him. She was upset and promised she would not as long as he did not tell any more lies.

As time went on Ms O'Neill became aware that while she was at work Ward was tracking her on her home laptop and could see her google searches. She also became aware he was messaging her friends pretending to be her. She felt her privacy was being violated.

The court heard Ward accessed her Facebook page and blocked or deleted hundreds of friends without her authority.

It soon became apparent Ward did not like her going anywhere but work and bombarded her with messages all day asking what she was doing and asking for photos to prove she was at work.

On June 11, two weeks after they first met and following an argument about messages on a phone, Ward sprayed Mace into Ms O'Neill's face. The following day while out shopping together she became aware her savings and current accounts were accessed by Ward and money moved around.

She became upset and on the car trip home tried to figure out how to get Ward out of her home without being hurt. At the house she was careful not to say she was breaking up with him but said she needed time out.

She told him she would not open her door unless he waited outside and eventually she got inside.

She went to get his belongings but heard a loud bang and saw him flying down the stairs. She slammed the door shut but he opened it and punched her in the head. He kept her face down on the ground with his hand on her neck for a time, asking if she was finished crying.

He brought her upstairs and told her to get onto the bed. As he paced in the room he told her he could not let her go and would have to kill her. She promised she would not go to gardai.

He told her the whole situation was her fault and she had pushed him to it. Ward tied her up and then asked for PIN number, which she eventually gave him. She was fully certain she was going to die. Ward later told her again he was going to kill her.

She said later out of no where he began to cry and said he couldnt do it. She treated him like a child, telling him it was ok and he had not gone too far if he stopped now.

He untied her but she heard a bath running and he told her he knew she had a fear of dying by drowning or suffocation. She took this to mean he was going to drown her.

He tried to take her off the bed but she pushed back saying no. He then told her they would do it the hard way and she took this to mean he was going to suffocate her. She asked to take some melatonin tablets so she would be asleep and he allowed this.

Ward put his arm around her neck until she was unable to breath or speak, and she struggled a little but was in absolute despair and certain she was going to die. She prayed to family members who had passed on and finally lost control of her bladder.

When she wet herself Ward threw her to the ground and said to her in disgust: You pissed everywhere. She undressed and got into the bath with Ward, and despite him telling her its ok, its over now she felt he might still drown her.

He got ice for a large swelling on her head and she was very ill from the tablets. Ward had sex with her and she was disgusted but felt she had no choice as she did not want to trigger him and start the behaviour again.

The following day she went to work with lots of makeup on to cover marks on her face. Her throat was sore and voice raspy but she said Ward would not allow her go to a doctor.

Ward sent her messages that day encouraging her to lie about her obvious injuries: Hope you make that story stick I dont want drama. The woman had told people Ward was on holidays that week.

Ward continued to remain in Ms O'Neill's home. He removed her contraceptive device as she slept, telling her he wanted her to get pregnant.

On June 22, 2019 while in a pub together someone bought the woman a drink and a friend later found her outside in an alleyway with Ward shouting at her for several minutes asking who had bought her a drink. The friend noticed marks on her face and asked her to come home with her.

Later that night Ward again produced the can of Mace and sprayed it over her head demanding to know who bought her a drink. Again the woman felt she had no option but to have sex with him.

Her friend texted her and Ward dictated answers indicating she had been drunk and was fine.

Ms O'Neill described how she would have to take photographs of furniture and her feet to send to Ward while she was at work to prove she was there. She said Ward had changed furniture in her house, painted rooms a colour she did not like and moved her clothes around.

Her boss at work invited her to an event and said she would have her brother pick her up. She noticed the womans anguish and distress at the thought of a man coming to the house to pick her up while Ward was there and following a conversation told the woman she should go to gardai.

They formulated a method of communication and later the boss texted the woman asking her to come to work for two hours. Ward was annoyed, demanded she video-call him once she got to work.

Ms O'Neill got to work, sent Ward a picture of the building and left her phone in her car in case he was tracking her location. She was in a state of extreme panic until gardai told her he was arrested.

Local gardai and the armed support unit had gone to the womans house to arrest Ward. They found him fleeing over a wall with a can of incapacitant spray and fighting his way through undergrowth. A taser was fired and while it missed, he dropped the can and was arrested.

Ward was interviewed and told gardai they had a great relationship and were planning to get married and have a baby. He denied raping her and said he had never laid a hand on her.

Vincent Heneghan SC, defending, said his client does not accept the verdict as brought in by the jury and maintains his innocence which limited what he could say.

Mr Heneghan said his client had a history of working and it was accepted his mother was a respectable person. He asked the sentence be backdated to when he went into custody.
The Nigerian nationals, living in Ireland, were arrested by Gardai after the woman became suspicious

Three men have been jailed for their role in a romance fraud in which a woman in her sixties lost her life savings.

The three men were arrested by Gardai attached to the National Economic Crime Bureau after the woman became suspicious concerning a man whom she had been messaging online.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that a woman, who does not wish to be named, met a man calling himself Neil Turner on the dating website Plenty of Fish in November 2019.

The two began to message each other romantically, and over 800 pages of messages were downloaded by gardai. Gardai linked the fake profile of Neil Turner to three Nigerian nationals living in Ireland.

Omowale Owolabi (31) of Kentswood Court in Navan pleaded guilty to theft. Raak Sami Sadu (32) of Lohunda Downs, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, and Samson Ajayi pleaded guilty (33) of Park Wood, Grangerath in Co Meath pleaded guilty to three money laundering charges.

Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Owolabi to three years and three months in prison. He sentenced Ajayi to two and a half years in prison and Sadu to three years in prison.

The court heard that the fraudsters, using the fake profile, told the woman that Turner had business dealing with oil and gas off the coast of Cork. He also told the woman that he was due to receive a large inheritance.

Turner began to ask the woman for money to help him with his business. In November 2019, she transferred the first of ten payments to Turner. Over the course of six months, the woman transferred just over 254,000 to who she believed was Neil Turner.

Garda John McKenna told Eoghan Cole, BL, prosecuting, that Turner asked the woman to go to Dubai for business as he could not travel due to his work on an oil rig. She was told that her expenses would be reimbursed, and she booked her flights and accommodation and travelled to Dubai in 2019.

The woman was met in Dubai by a group who showed her a bundle of cash, which was told $3.25 million in US dollars. They asked her for ID and for $650,000 to release the funds.

She refused to pay the money and said she did not have it. The men told her they would be unable to do business with her and brought her back to her hotel.

The court heard that the woman became frightened after this experience and raised this with Turner.

Turner was now being quite persistent but the woman still believed everything that she was being told. He told her that he had high blood pressure and he didnt know what to do.

The woman went on to borrow a further 50,000 from a friend and gave it to Turner. After returning from Dubai, suspicions began to creep in, and she contacted gardai.

Investigators tracked the three accused down using the emails addresses and the bank accounts and went to their home addresses. Gardai seized several laptops and mobile phones and on these devices gardai found user names and passwords for the Neil Turner profile on the Plenty of Fish website.

An email account linked to Neil Turner was found, as well as messages outlining how the money collected should be divided up. Other online fake profiles were also found on the devices.

The bank accounts belonging to the three accused were analysed, and it could be seen that Owalabis bank account received 164,000 over a period of eight years, 78,000 of which was unexplained.

Ajayi had two bank accounts, one personal and one business account. His personal account received 85,000 over a five-year period, and his business account received 73,000 over a six-month period.

Over a period of three and a half years, 319,000 was received; 280,000 of this could not be explained.

The three men were arrested and interviewed. During Owolabis third interview, he made some admissions regarding the Neil Turner dating profile. He said he had been involved in the trip to Dubai and received 30,000 for his role in the scheme.

In addition, a Mercedes car valued at 16,000 and a Rolex watch which Owolabi said he bought in Africa for 25,000 were seized by gardai. The watch was appraised and valued at 10,000.

Admissions were also made by Ajayi, who denied being involved in wrongdoing and said he did receive money but did not know what he was doing was wrong. Sadu made limited admissions to gardai while being interviewed and exercised his right to silence.

A victim impact statement was handed into the court but not read aloud to protect the victims identity. Eoghan Cole, BL, prosecuting, stated the woman had her life savings taken.

Michael OHiggins SC, defending Ajayi, said his client has been living in Ireland for the past eight years. Ajayi, who is originally from Lagos in Nigeria, is the father of two children and lives in Drogheda. He is remorseful for his actions and entered an early guilty plea.

John Berry, BL, defending Owalabi, said his client was the first of the three men to plead guilty and that this plea should be seen as a sign of remorse. He said his client is aware of the damage he has caused to the victims life in this case and that he realises this is a serious crime.

Maurice Coffey, SC, defending Sadu, said his client had brought 2,000 to court for the victim in this case. This is the amount of money that he profited from during the scheme. He said his client has pleaded guilty and has never been before the court before.

The court heard he is remorseful for his actions and that he got involved when a friend asked him to do so. He said he did not realise the scale of the offence at the time.

Mr Coffey said that large amounts of money were being transferred abroad and that his client foolishly got involved and only a very small amount of money went into his account.

Judge Nolan said these men promised certain romantic fulfilment, and they never had any intention of fulfilling. Judge Nolan said the victim in this case fell for the collective charm of the three men and that he must punish their behaviour and sentence them in accordance with the law.

Taking their early guilty pleas, their cooperation, expressions of remorse as well as the lack of previous convictions as mitigating factors in the case.

Judge Nolan highlighted that this particular type of fraud was very wrong and can do damage to people who are so embarrassed and humiliated they dont want to come forward and inform the gardai.
He had carried out a four-year campaign of harassment using threats, assaults and coercive control over his cancer-stricken partner.

The former garda who carried out an appalling campaign of coercive control against his terminally ill partner had expected to be promoted to sergeant before his crimes came to light.

Instead, Paul Moody has begun a jail sentence as prisoner number 116829, separated from other inmates for his own safety.

Moody (42) has spent his second night in Mountjoy Prison ahead of his expected transfer to a special protection unit in either Arbour Hill Prison or the Midlands Prison in the coming days. He had been in line for promotion after having served around 20 years in the force.

However, that path was swiftly blocked after the full scale of the horrific allegations against Moody emerged last year.

On Tuesday, Moody was jailed for three years and three months at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He had carried out a four-year campaign of harassment using threats, assaults and coercive control over his cancer-stricken partner.

He resigned from the force this week, but there was outrage yesterday when it emerged he will be entitled to some of his garda pension.

However, a source said the benefits would be only a portion of what he would be entitled to had he completed his service in full.

Moody began his sentence in Mountjoy, in a single cell in the jails committal unit.

He was checked every 15 minutes by prison officers during the course of the night  a common safeguard for any new inmate.

Mountjoy Prison

Moody was expected to be moved to a special protection wing yesterday, ahead of his move to another facility, where he will also be kept apart from the prison population for his safety reasons.

Its not just because of the terrible nature of his crimes that he needs to be kept in a protective regime, its also because of his profession. As a former garda, he would be under threat from some prisoners, a source said.

Moody would normally be transferred quickly from Mountjoy, but the countrys prisons are at 96pc capacity  the highest level since before the Covid-19 pandemic  with 4,028 inmates nationwide.

This slows a lot of things down in terms of logistics, the source said.

If things were not so busy, it is likely he would have been transferred earlier, but it will happen in the next couple of days.

Moody spent most of his career working at Donnybrook and Irishtown garda stations on Dublins southside, apart from a stint in the now defunct Organised Crime Unit (OCU). Sources said he was not popular with many of his colleagues.

Of course, its easy to say this now, but he was not well got, an officer who worked with Moody for several years, said.

It was always considered that he cared far too much about socialising and going to nightclubs and so on, as well as being more obsessed about his appearance than his job. It definitely seemed he was burning the candle at both ends, with his life outside the force and all the socialising.

But when the details emerged about this case last year, it was clear he was far worse than that  he was a street angel and house devil, as the saying goes.

Another source, who attended secondary school with Moody in the south Dublin suburb of Templeogue, said he was always a black sheep, always running into trouble.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris   Gareth Chaney

He comes from a very decent family, some of whom work in the force. They must be disgusted at his behaviour, the source added.

The investigation into Moody was led by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).

The Sunday Worldhas learned GNBCI detectives interviewed other former girlfriends of his, and people who had personal dealings with him.

It seems he also treated other women badly over the years, in terms of acting in a controlling manner, but there are no plans for any fresh charges against him at this stage, another source said.

The profile built up of this individual shows he was, to say the least, a very unpleasant character.

After around 20 years in the force, it seemed likely last year that Moody was going to be promoted to sergeant after a number of unsuccessful applications.

However, when the allegations against him surfaced, it is understood Garda Commissioner Drew Harris decided he should be taken off the promotion list.

Earlier this week in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan said Moody engaged in a catalogue of humiliating criminal behaviour toward his 43-year-old ex-partner.

In a four-year period, he sent more than 30,000 messages, which were described in court as threatening, vile and abusive.

In one 14-hour period in July 2018, he sent her 652 messages, amounting to one every 90 seconds.
The killing of 63-year-old follows the brutal slaying of Jason Lee Martin in 2020

Forensic investigators at the scene in Orkney Drive in Ballymena   PA

A suspect is being questioned by detectives in connection with the murder of a man in Ballymena.

The 29-year-old male was arrested this morning over the death of Victor Hamilton.

The body of Mr Hamilton (63) was found on the driveway of his home in Orkney Drive in the town shortly after 7.50am yesterday. Local reports said he had been stabbed.

It is the second murder in Orkney Drive in as many years. Jason Lee Martin was stabbed to death in the same area just over two years ago.

It is understood Mr Hamilton was originally from Carrickfergus and had only moved to Ballymena recently.

Forensic officers were at the scene for much of yesterday and erected a white tent at the front of the property, while cordons were placed at the front and rear of the house.

A murder investigation was launched this morning.

Forensic investigators at the scene in Orkney Drive in Ballymena   PA

Orkney Drive was the scene of the murder of 31-year-old father-of-two Jason Lee Martin in June 2020. He was stabbed in the leg at a house party in the early hours of the morning, with the blade severing his femoral artery and causing him to bleed to death despite attempts to save him.

A 19-year-old man was later jailed for life for Mr Martins murder.

A vigil in memory of Mr Hamilton is set to take place in the Ballykeel estate on Thursday evening.

TUV councillor for the area Matthew Armstrong said he was deeply saddened to her the news of Mr Hamiltons death.

Sadly the area has been no stranger to tragedy over the last number of years. My sympathies are with his family and friends, he told the Belfast Telegraph.

Independent councillor Rodney Quigley said he knows some of the Hamilton family personally.

Victor wasnt from Ballymena and had not been living in the area for very long, but I got to know some of his family and I would like to offer them my deepest condolences following this tragic incident, he said.

For any family to lose a loved one is heart-breaking and my thoughts are with all who knew Victor. He didnt deserve to lose his life in such a tragic way.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Noel Williams also expressed his condolences.

He said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Victor Hamilton in Ballymena.

"My thoughts are with his family and friends, and I wish everyone connected with Victor strength and comfort at this difficult time.

"I appeal for anybody with any information regarding this sad loss of life to contact the PSNI."

SDLP councillor Eugene Reid was at the scene yesterday evening.

I have spoken to residents, who have been expressing sadness and concern, he said.

All I can do at this time is pass on my condolences, my thoughts and my prayers to this mans friends and family.

Alliance councillor John Hyland appealed for anyone with information on the murder to contact the PSNI.

This is a horrifying discovery and my sympathies are with the loved ones of Mr Hamilton. The whole community are in a state of shock, he said.

This afternoon, detectives from the PSNIs Major Investigation Team arrested a 29-year-old man on suspicion of Mr Hamiltons murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: The man was arrested just after 11.30am this morning, in the Spring Meadows area of Armagh. He is currently being questioned in the Serious Crime suite at Musgrave Police Station in Belfast.

While our investigation is ongoing, I would still urge to anyone with information or anyone who was in the Orkney Drive area of Ballymena on Tuesday night, July 26, into the early hours of Wednesday morning to contact detectives.
With the passage of time, some person may now be in a position to provide information to investigating Gardai that they could not provide at the time, or maybe some person who did provide information at the time may be now in a position to provide further information.

Gardai believe that a number of people have yet to come forward who could help solve the murder of Paul Gallagher in Co Meath eight years ago.

Gallagher (26) was shot and fatally wounded in a field at Ballymacan, Slane, on Monday, July 28, 2014.

Officers at Navan Garda Station, who are continuing to investigate his murder, made a fresh witness appeal on the eighth anniversary of his death.

They released details of Pauls last movement as part of the appeal.

At approximately 10.30pm on that July evening, Paul travelled to Ballymacan, Collon, Co Meath, in the company of a man.

In Tullyallen village, prior to arriving at Ballymacan, they were joined by two other men. Pauls body was discovered in a field two days later and reported to An Garda Siochana. It was later confirmed that Paul Gallagher had died from a number of gunshot wounds.

An Garda Siochana made appeals for public information at the time and on Crimecall in September 2014, gardai said this morning. A number of arrests have been made in relation to this investigation but to date no person has been charged with his murder.

Investigating gardai continue to appeal for information in this case and believe that a number of people have yet to come forward who may now be in a position to assist in bringing those responsible to justice.

With the passage of time, some person may now be in a position to provide information to investigating Gardai that they could not provide at the time, or maybe some person who did provide information at the time may be now in a position to provide further information.

Anyone with information can contact investigating Gardai at Navan Garda Station 046 9036100, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Last April we revealed how Pauls family reacted to the release of a man convicted of withholding information about the case after just 40 days in prison.

Describing it as a a slap in the face, Paul Gallaghers mother, Ger, said she was absolutely horrified, gutted," when she discovered that Sean Barrett (33) was granted temporary release from prison earlier that month.

Barrett, from Donaghmede in Dublin, had served just over one month of a six-month sentence.

Barrett is the only one person who has ever been charged in connection with the investigation into the death of Gallagher who was shot in the back and neck.

Dad-of-one Paul's body wasnt found until two days after the killing in Co Meath in July 2014.

No one has been brought to justice for the murder.

In March, Barrett was sentenced to two years in prison, with 18 months suspended, after pleading guilty to failing to disclose information in relation to the murder of Paul Gallagher..

The court was told he failed to tell gardai, when first interviewed as a witness, that he knew the first names of two men who had travelled with himself and Mr Gallagher to Ballymacan in Co Meath.

The Gallagher family said they were not informed about Barrett's early release and only found out by chance when someone spotted him

According to Marie Gallagher, the victims sister, a Victim Liaison Officer told her that Mr Barrett was not deemed a danger to the public.

"The judge said he was getting a six-month sentence to act as a deterrent," Marie told RTEs Prime Time.

"So how does it act as a deterrent if you only serve 40 days," she said.

"Six months I dont believe would act as a deterrent anyway, but 40 days  its a slap in the face."

"I was absolutely horrified. I was gutted," Ger, Paul Gallaghers mother, added.

"It took five years in court to get to where we got."

Marie Gallagher found her brothers body in July 2014, at Ballymacan, close to the Louth border.

"Paul was clearly running, because of the way he was lying here. We all knew he was mid-run," Marie previously told Prime Time.

"So how many people were chasing him? The fear must have been absolutely I dont think there is a word."

After being arrested on suspicion of withholding information, Barrett eventually told detectives that he knew the "Christian" names of both men.

He also told them that he had previously driven Paul to meet with one of the men at a property in Co Louth.

"Had this information been given at the time of the murder, the gardai could have got search warrants to get information about those people", Marie told Prime Time.

Her mother Ger, who attended every single court appearance of Sean Barrett, has a clear message.

"Had Sean Barrett given the information in a timely manner, we might be sitting in the High Court in Dublin with a murder trial," she said.

"The person or persons who murdered Paul so callously that night are still roaming around  and whos to say they wont do the same again?"
Mr Juodenas, originally from Lithuania, was set upon close to his home in what gardai believe was a targeted attack.

A man who was discovered with serious injuries earlier this month has died in hospital. Gardai in Co Louth have upgraded the case to a murder investigation.

A garda spokesperson said the force is investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of Marius Juodenas (44), following an incident in Dundalk on Tuesday, July 5.

Mr Juodenas, originally from Lithuania, was set upon close to his home in what gardai believe was a targeted attack.

He was beaten with a hatchet, or hatchets, and at least one other implement  possibly an iron bar.

He suffered very serious injuries and there was massive blood loss at the scene.

It was miracle that he lasted as long as he did after the sustained attack he suffered, a source said.

It is believed Mr Juodenas was attacked by three or four men, all believed to be Eastern European nationals connected to the area.

Gardai quickly identified suspects in the case. A number of searches have been carried out with items seized.

One of the suspects has had major interaction with gardai over the last number of years, it is understood.

Officers are following a definite line of inquiry.

An incident room has been set up at Dundalk Garda station and a murder investigation has now commenced under the guidance of a senior investigating officer. A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed.

Gardai are appealing or witnesses and are particularly appealing to those who were in the vicinity of Barrack Street between 6.30pm and 7pm on July 5, 2022, to come forward.

Any road users who were travelling in the area and who may have camera, including dash cam, footage are asked to make it available to investigating Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 938 8400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Thursday July 28th marks the 24th anniversary since her disappearance

A search of a wooded area on the Kildare/Wicklow border for the remains of Deirdre Jacob found nothing of evidential value, Gardai said

CCTV pictures of Deirdre Jacob taken in Newbridge

Thursday, July 28th marks the 24th anniversary of the disappearance of teenager Deirdre Jacob.

The 18-year-old was last seen metres from the front gate of her parents home in Newbridge, Co Kildare on Tuesday, July 28, 1998, at approximately 3.30 pm.

She never made it back inside the house.

That day, Deirdre had popped into town to visit a bank, the post office, and her grandmothers shop. She was captured on CCTV walking through the town carrying a black canvas bag with a yellow Caterpillar (CAT) logo.

When last seen she was also wearing a navy Nike jumper with a white collar, blue jeans and blue runners.

She was visiting her hometown from London, where she was studying in St Mary's Teacher Training College in Twickenham.

The student was due to return to the English capital the following week to start a job as a receptionist.

Just hours after her disappearance, the alarm was raised and searches began.

But little did Gardai, or her family know at the time, that she would become just the latest woman to be associated with Irelands so-called Vanishing Triangle.

CCTV pictures of Deirdre Jacob taken in Newbridge

The Vanishing Triangle is the name given to an area in the east of Ireland where six women; Annie McCarrick, JoJo Dullard, Fiona Pender, Ciara Breen, Fiona Sinnott, and Deirdre Jacobs, all vanished without a trace between 1993 and 1998.

Just months after Deirdre vanished in September 98, Gardai were stirred into action when Commissioner Pat Byrne set up Operation TRACE to re-examine the cases of missing women.

Based in Naas, Co. Kildare, detectives were tasked with collating and reviewing the cases of Irelands missing women.

Unable to link the victims to any perpetrator, in particular, prayers for a positive lead were answered in 2000 when the cold and calculated Larry Murphy was caught redhanded after he repeatedly raped, and attempted to kill a woman from Co. Carlow.

Murphy had abducted the woman from a car park and brought her to two locations in Wicklow where he carried out his brutal attack.

The woman was rescued when two hunters, who knew Murphy, came upon the scene and managed to scare Larry off.

After taking her to the Garda station, officers were dispatched the following morning to take him in for questioning.

When officers in the TRACE office got the call about the Baltinglass man, they began to assess the idea that he could be the man behind the disappearances of the women.

Operation Trace disbanded in 2003. Despite following every connection between Murphy and the missing women, no definitive conclusion was reached and there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges against him.

That was until almost 10 years later when a former cellmate of the notorious rapist came forward to reveal that Larry Murphy confessed to him that he was the one who murdered Deirdre Jacob.

The former fellow prisoner of the Beast of Baltinglass told Detective Alan Bailey that during Murphys stint behind bars for the incident in 2000 made the confession while drunk on prison hooch.

He relayed that Murphy admitted that he approached Deirdre outside her parents home to ask her for directions.

Murphy confessed he had scattered children's toys on the back seat of his car so that his victim would be more comfortable talking to him through the passenger window.

Larry Murphy

Once Deirdre leaned in he allegedly knocked her unconscious and dragged her into the front seat of the car.

The witness then told officers how Murphy wanted to take her to the mountains and rape her but that he couldn't control her when he took her out of the car and after putting up a good fight, he grabbed a hammer and hit her with it, killing her before dumping her body in a lake.

As a result, in December 2012, a specialist team with the assistance of the Garda Sub-Aqua team trawled parts of a Wicklow lake looking for the missing student's body. However, nothing was found.

Six years later, another break in the case came when Gardai announced that the case was being upgraded to a murder investigation.

Gardai saying that they had received vital new "credible and corroborated" information that led to Larry Murphy becoming the chief suspect in the murder of the 18-year-old.

By February 2020, gardai prepared all their evidence in the case and sent a file linking Murphy to the murder of Deirdre Jacob to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Last year, the DPP sent their file on to a specialist barrister for a "second opinion" on the case.

In 2021, a dig took place at a wooded area in Brewel East after a witness told gardai he saw a car with an open boot reversing into the area, almost 18km from Newbridge, on the day Deirdre vanished.

A search of a wooded area on the Kildare/Wicklow border for the remains of Deirdre Jacob found nothing of evidential value, Gardai said

Unfortunately, nothing relating to the case was found during the excavation.

As the Deirdres family, Gardai and the public waited with bated breath to find out what conclusion the DPP would come to, there was disappointment in July when it was determined that criminal charges would not be brought against Murphy.

On July 16th, it was revealed that the DPP returned to Gardai with a direction of no prosecution.

Following the disappointing news, Detective Alan Bailey told Sunday World that Gardai will need to find her body if they wish to press charges.

The investigation team was always up against it without her body having been found, he said.

That would be one of the biggest problems for the investigation team.

Without that, it is very difficult to prove there was an actual murder or that someone has died, he continued.

That was always a problem and it will be a problem with bringing a prosecution in relation to the cases of any of the women whose disappearances formed the basis of Operation Trace.

They have to keep looking for her body. And thats why they have never given up trying to find any of the missing women.

It was also revealed that the one piece of evidence filed was CCTV footage of a person of interest, believed to be Larry Murphy.

Larry Murphy escorted by a garda

The footage was put through rigorous forensic enhancement and showed a man, believed to be Murphy, outside the post office in Newbridge on the day Deirdre vanished.

The person was in and around the post office close to the time the teen called in to post a bank draft to London.

They tracked down a number of Murphys former work colleagues and other people who knew Murphy back in 1998, when he was a carpenter in Leinster.

Most were living overseas, requiring gardai to travel abroad to interview them.

Each was asked to identify the individual in the enhanced CCTV footage, but gardai received conflicting accounts.

However it is understood that at least one person identified the individual in the image as resembling Larry Murphy.

Following the news that the DPP would not be prosecuting Murphy, on July 24th, the Sunday Independent revealed a second person corroborated the story that Murphy admitted to murder behind bars.

The inmate came forward to Gardai in 2006 to allege that Murphy, told him "I killed too or "I killed two during an altercation at Arbour Hill prison.

The prisoner also alleged that on another occasion Murphy sat in the prison yard discussing good hiding places around Glencullen in the Dublin Mountains with convicted murderers Frank McCann and David Lawler.

He also claimed that he told another prisoner that Gardai would never be able to find DNA on his victims because he didnt leave any.

24 years on, the whereabouts of Deirdre Jacob remains a mystery. With the case still open and active, Gardai have appealed to anyone with information to contact the investigation team in Kildare Garda Station on 045 521222 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
CRIME WORLD | Episode 133: What next for Gerry 'the Monk' Hutch after his failed bid for freedom

Like a chess player, he is now facing the greatest game of his life and one which will set out the course of his future.

Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has failed in his latest bid to stop his trial for murder

Nicola Tallant Sunday World Thu 28 Jul 2022 at 11:45






chancers | Spanish police launch probe into Irish 'asphalt' scammers after they rake in over 2m

The scam came to the attention of police in 2019 when a man lodged a complaint after he was scammed by the group.

Stock Image | Deposit Photos

Clodagh Meaney article.copyright.R_CK Thu 28 Jul 2022 at 09:10







Police in Spain have launched a major investigation into an Irish group of asphalt scammers.
26-year-old Keith Coughlan was found dead after crashing his scooter into a drainage ditch

A fundraising appeal to bring the body of a young Irish MMA fighter killed in Bali back home to Ireland has more than doubled its original goal.

Dozens of heartfelt tributes have also been left on the Bring Keith home GoFundMe page for Keith Coughlan, who was originally from Galway but had been living in the city of Fremantle in Western Australia.

The 26-year-old was found dead after crashing his scooter into a drainage ditch.

His body was spotted by a local as he walked along a road in North Kuta at about 5am on Sunday morning.

The man called police after noticing that Mr Coughlans legs had become trapped under the wreckage in the ditch.

Now, a fundraising appeal has topped $52,000 AUD (34,295) of a $20,000 (13,719) goal to bring Keith home.

Writing on the page, organiser Robert Spelman said: Hi lads/ladies as most of you might have heard the news already about Aidan's brothers tragic accident in Bali.

I am just trying to put a little collection together to help bring Keith home.

Anything ye guys could share would be greatly appreciated and will be a massive help to Aidan and the family at this unfortunate time.

Under the appeal, numerous messages have also been left with one stating: You got me through some long nights in Boston Scientific chatting to you. The only thing I looked forward to on the night shift was chatting to you. Rip.

Another adds: My 3 daughters had met Keith on their travels in Galway & most recently in Bali during the past number of years, They were very fond of him & his kind & fun loving ways, a genuine, lovely young man taken far too soon. God help his family.

Another reads: Heartfelt sorrow to Margaret, Ger and boys, no words are appropriate at this time on the pain of your loss, while another simply states: RIP Keith, youll be missed.

Just one month ago, Mr Coughlan won his first MMA bout while competing on the Island at Canggu Fight Night 23.
Mascot Sheila was nicked from the side of the road last year

A GAA club has appealed for the return of a stole mascot ahead of the All-Ireland ladies SFC final.

The lucky mascot named Sheila was stolen following Meaths win over Dublin last year.

Clann na Ngael Ladies GAA club in Athboy, Co Meath has asked for the mascot to be returned as Meath goes head to head with Kerry on Sunday.

The Meath Chronicle has reported that the clubs assistant secretary Hilary Smith came up with the idea to place the mannequin, dressed head to toe in the royal colours of yellow and green, at the crossroads of the main Navan/Athboy road.

She said she was stunned upon realising it had been nicked.

"We had her for the Ladies All Ireland last year and someone robbed her from our crossroads," she said.

She was there for a couple of weeks and then all of a sudden she was gone. We have no idea what happened to her.

Everybody commented on her that went by the crossroads, we had her on the main Navan, Athboy Road, she got a lot of attention.

Explaining what happened, she continued: She was there for a couple of weeks and then all of a sudden she was gone!

"We have no idea what happened to her. Everybody commented on her that went by the crossroads, we had her on the main Navan, Athboy Road, she got a lot of attention."

"We thought someone did it as a joke and would come back with her but we never saw her again, it's a mystery."

"Maybe she'll show up at the match!"

Hilary wants Sheila back at the crossroads ahead of the match this weekend.

We are appealing for her return for this year's final, we want her reinstated at the crossroads where she belongs."
However, according to a statement issued by Ryanair it expects minimal, if any disruption, in Spain this winter

Ryanair passengers could be heading towards major disruption as flights to and from Spain are about to be hit by weekly strikes beginning in August.

Travellers had been hoping for some return to normality after cabin crew called for two bouts of industrial action earlier this month.

Ryanair had assured that there would be no disruption to its Irish flights in July as a result of such poorly supported Spanish labour strikes.

But now two Ryanair cabin crew unions, Union Sindical Obrera (USO) and Sitcpla, have called for a walk out that will last five months from August 8

The industrial action will take place every week, from Monday to Thursday, and will last 24 hours, it has been reported by Euronews.

According to USO sources quoted by Euronews, demands include a call for the immediate reinstatement of 11 workers fired for striking this July.

"We are seeing a trickle of dismissals almost daily. Last week it was the tenth worker and yesterday another colleague from Barcelona who had been with the company for 12 years," union sources have been quoted as saying.

They are also calling for an end to disciplinary proceedings against almost 100 workers who took part in the stoppages.

"They are using this as a way of intimidating the workforce. It is their way of warning workers to be careful about going on strike," a union spokeswoman added

"There has not yet been any kind of cooperation on their part," the USO claimed.

The 18 days of strikes since the beginning of the summer caused an estimated 310 cancellations and about 3,455 delays at 10 Ryanair bases in Spain.

This new action will mainly affect the airports of Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante, Seville and Palma de Mallorca. Both national and international connections will be disrupted.

The general secretary of the USO unions at Ryanair, Lidia Arasanz has said they were forced to stage new days of strike action due to the company not listening to its workers.

It is not worth sitting down at the negotiating table again, Ms Arasanz added. We are talking about the fact that we have 11 workers fire and more than 100 on file for exercising fundamental rights.

We have already said that we are not going to leave any worker behind.

The workers' demands include "the application of basic labour rights", that include 22 days of annual leave for cabin crew as well as 14 public holidays and the reinstatement of salary rates that were being paid pre-pandemic.

According to a statement issued by Ryanair it expects minimal, if any disruption, in Spain this winter.

It adds that Ryanair has reached an agreement with the main Spanish union CCOO on wages, rosters, and allowances for cabin crew.

Recent USO/SITCPLA strike have had little support and minimal effect, the statement reads, according to local media.

Ryanair has operated over 45,000 flights to/from Spain in the last three months with less that 1% of crew affected and expects minimal (if any) disruption to operations scheduled for this winter.
One of the first actions of the new British Secretary of State is signing off an application for the PSNI to conceal information

Northern Irelands new Secretary of State has been accused of helping police conceal information about the death of schoolboy Noah Donohoe.

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly said it is deeply concerning that one of Shailesh Varas first acts since taking office was signing off a Public Interest Immunity (PII) certificate.

The certificate would cover what the PSNI described as a "limited amount" of material in three police evidence folders.

Policing Board member Mr Kelly is calling on the PSNI to withdraw the application provide full transparency about its probe into what happened to the 14-year-old.

Noahs naked body was found in a Belfast storm drain, six days after being reported missing in June 2020. It raised questions around the initial police operation.

Gerry Kelly

One of the first actions of the new British Secretary of State, who has only been office for a number of weeks is signing off an application for the PSNI to conceal information related to the Noah Donohoe case, Mr Kelly said.

This is deeply concerning and I am again calling on the PSNI to withdraw this application, because the Donohoe family deserve answers, not secrecy and cover up.

The north Belfast representative said the PII certificates have only one purpose.

They were and are extensively used to hold back information in conflict legacy cases, Mr Kelly added.

This inquest is about the death of a 14-year-old child.

It is not conflict related.

We will continue to stand with the Donohoe family in their campaign for truth, transparency and accountability.

At a pre-inquest review hearing before coroner Joe McCrisken late last year, a lawyer representing the police insisted a PII application is not an unusual occurrence and is a common feature of many inquests.

The inquest is scheduled to begin on November 28.

Northern Ireland Secretary Shailesh Vara. (Pic: Brian Lawless/PA)

Donal Lunny QC said police would likely be seeking PII on a limited amount of material in three police evidence folders.

It is important to remember that PII applications are a not infrequent occurrence in inquests of all types, and they occur for various reasons, including most commonly to protect police methodology, he told Mr McCrisken.

In a statement on Thursday, Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said: The Police Service of Northern Ireland submitted an application for Public Interest Immunity (PII) to the Secretary of State in June 2022.

As always, the Coroner will continue to have full sight of all material in this case and he will have the final decision on PII.

The Northern Ireland Office has been asked for a response to the comments.
In Urn-est

In Urn-est |

Donna O'Connor arrived into Dublin Airport from Chicago via Toronto at the end of June with plans to scatter the remains of her Irish-American parents, Robert Emmett and Patricia O'Connor, in Co Mayo.

Donna O'Connor wanted to scatter her parents' ashes in Co Mayo because of her family's Irish heritage

An American woman has thanked the people of Ireland for their support and kindness after an airport worker helped her relocate her parents ashes.

Donna O'Connor arrived into Dublin Airport from Chicago via Toronto at the end of June with plans to scatter the remains of her Irish-American parents, Robert Emmett and Patricia O'Connor, in Co Mayo.

Her plans were interrupted when the suitcase carrying their ashes failed to show up, and she spent most of her time in Ireland desperately trying to find it.

She later found out that the suitcase had been sent back to her home in Chicago, and after trying to get in touch with the airline, Ms O'Connor received confirmation that they would ship the bag back to Dublin.

Donna's parents, Robert Emmett and Patricia O'Connor

However, Ms OConnor had already left Dublin by then and had moved on to different accommodation in Kildare.

But thanks to the kindness of Dublin Airport worker Dermot, who had heard her pleas to be reunited with her parents ashes, her problem was solved.

He kept looking for the luggage for me, and then texted me and said I think your luggage is coming in on a United flight, and I'm going to meet that flight and make sure that it gets to a courier and gets to you. Where are you now? she told Newstalks Lunchtime Live.

Donna said that she doesnt think shed see her luggage again without the kindness of Irish people.

I was in Maynooth, because I left Dublin after about eight or nine days. He got it out to me, and I'm so grateful to Dermot.

I don't believe I would have the luggage without the people in Ireland helping me with this.

It wasn't Air Canada; it was all the support and kindness that I got in Ireland that brought them back to me.

Donna said that, with Dermots help. she has since scattered her parents ashes in Castlebar.

"We're so happy to get my parents ashes back, and it took about two and a half weeks.

But I was thrilled to get them back and attended mass with my parents' ashes with me.

I'm now in Mayo, in Castlebar, and have spread their ashes as well.

She added: There's not a nicer population of people than in Ireland - they're just very welcoming and kind and generous.

"It's them that's held me up throughout".
Vincent Doran (33) smacked one man twice in the forehead with the claw part of the hammer sending spurts of blood flying across the Chinese restaurant

This is the deranged thug jailed this week for bludgeoning two men with a claw hammer during a shocking blood-soaked restaurant rampage.

Vincent Doran started a 41-month sentence at Maghaberry Prison after he walked into a Belfast eatery with a hammer hidden in a Lidl shopping bag.

Doran, from the Springfield Road in the west of the city, had admitted offences of affray, possessing a hammer as a weapon with intent to cause GBH, criminal damage and assaulting police on 7 July last year.

The 33-year-old smacked one man twice in the forehead with the claw part of the hammer sending spurts of blood flying across the Yangtze Chinese restaurant and over shocked customers enjoying their meal.

He then chased the second man into the Donegall Place restaurants kitchen before attacking him with the hammer too.

Doran also assaulted police officers and spat on them during his arrest.

Chantelle Collins outside the Yangtze restaurant in Belfast city centre this week

He also assaulted Belfast woman Chantelle Collins after slamming her into the ground as he made his way out from the scene leaving shoppers terrified.

She told the Sunday World this week it was a terrifying incident and while Belfast Crown Court failed to shed light on what started the shocking daylight incident, she reveals that a row over money was behind the sickening attack.

I didnt know who Vincent Doran was, Id never met him before until that day, she told us.

I was in the restaurant with John (Crockard) and David Weir. Next thing this man just comes in and takes out a hammer from his shopping bag and goes for David.

Apparently he was after David because theyd had a fall out over money. John got whacked with the hammer because he stood up to protect David. David ran into the kitchen and closed the door.

John got whacked a couple of times trying to stop Doran from getting to David. He got whacked with the claw part of the hammer when he got up there was blood spurting out everywhere.

I remember there was a couple sitting in the restaurant enjoying their dinner and he got covered in blood from Johns head.

The shocking incident saw the restaurant and other shops in the area close down for the day but bizarrely none of the people attacked made any complaints to the police.

He knocked me over when he pushed past me but luckily I wasnt badly hurt, says Chantelle.

It was really scary and there were loads of kids in the restaurant too so it must have been terrible for them to see that.

David hid in the kitchen but the staff at the restaurant wanted him out and Doran forced his way int through the door and thats when he got hit twice.

John got it worse because he was trying to protect his friend. He was supposed to go to hospital because of concussion but he didnt go. Instead we all just went for a drink.

I didnt even know this case was happening until you contacted me. We didnt know he had been jailed but Im glad he was because that was completely mental what he did.

On Tuesday at Craigavon Crown Court 33-year-old Doran was ordered to spend half his sentence in prison and half on licence.

Judge Patrick Lynch QC said the case was out of the ordinary given the two men he attacked had not made any complaints.

Prosecuting counsel Philip Henry told the court the two men were having a meal in Yangtze Restaurant on Donegall Place when Doran walked in and lifting a claw hammer out of a plastic shopping bag, whacked John Crockard twice to the head.

Doran also struck David Weir twice to the head, chasing after him shouting as he fled to a private staff area of the restaurant.

Witness: Chantelle Collins

Mr Henry said events then moved outside where Doran was seen shouting at a woman named Chantelle Collins before slamming her into the ground with such ferocity that the manager of the Gap store nearby felt compelled to close the shop to protect himself and customers.

The lawyer said while none of the people attacked by Doran had given statements to police, they were able to identify the assailant from CCTV footage, adding that cops spotted him on Castle Lane a short time after the incidents.

When he saw the police he put the bag down and started to walk away, said Mr Henry but when it was examined, cops found the hammer along with prescription medication in Dorans name.

When Doran was arrested, he was disruptive with police, spitting on two of them, coughing in their faces when they were asking him Covid related questions and then spitting on the inside of the police vehicle.

Commenting that there just have been an element of planning given the fact that Doran was carrying a hammer in a bag, Mr Henry submitted that the attack had all the hallmarks of a targeted incident.

Lodging a plea in mitigation, defence counsel Luke Curran said there is a paucity of evidence other than the CCTV footage of the hammer being used although he did concede the video is nasty.

Highlighting that Doran had a blackout so cannot remember anything about the incident, the lawyer said the judge had no evidence regarding the motivation for the attack of relating to any injuries which were inflicted apart from a gash visible on the footage.

Jailing Doran, Judge Lynch said he had a serious doubt whether his amnesia is a reality or not but I make no further comment on that.

There may be a connection between them all but because no one has given any explanation for any of the incidents, I cannot say that theyre connected but they are concerning of themselves, said the judge.

He told Doran he cannot ignore the fact that he spat at another human being, especially given the present circumstances of the pandemic so the charges of assaulting police and damaging the police vehicle warranted consecutive sentences.

The hammer wielding thug, revealed the judge, was also in breach of two suspended sentences which would also be imposed consecutively.

Speaking to the Sunday World after the sentencing Lisburn Road Sergeant Mike Brown said: I hope this sentencing sends out a clear message to anyone who thinks they can get away with this type of violent crime. We will work tirelessly to bring offenders before the courts so that that victims receive the justice they deserve.

I would ask anyone is a victim of crime to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, or 999 in an emergency. or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/."

Steven.moore@sundayworld.com
The Dublin model is gearing up to marry her long-term boyfriend Robert Barr and just ticked off a massive task on her wedding to-do list.

Lynn shared a photo of her wedding dress with her Instagram followers but kept it hidden inside a garment cover.

The Dublin model is gearing up to marry her long-term boyfriend Robert Barr and just ticked off a massive task on her wedding to-do list.

She took to Instagram on Wednesday to tease that she was heading to collect her gown and revealed that she said yes to the dress at Love Ellie Bridal Boutique.

The exclusive boutique is located in Virginia, Co Cavan, and stocks some of the finest wedding dresses on the market.

Speaking to her 61,000 Instagram followers from inside the store, Lynn said: Hello, I'm at the gorgeous Love Ellie Bridal today. I am picking up my wedding dress. I'm so, so excited. The girls are so lovely up here.

The bride-to-be looked the part as she collected her gown, opting for a white satin shirt dress with a gold belt paired with knee-high white leather boots.

She accessorised with double hoop gold earrings, a pendant necklace with the letters spelling 'love', and of course made sure to show off her sparkling engagement ring.

Lynn later shared a photo of herself posing with her dress, which was concealed in a dust bag, inside the boutique.

I said Yes to the Dress @loveelliebridal, she captioned the post, adding the hashtags #destinationwedding and #italianwedding.

Fans and friends flocked to the comments section to congratulate the model.

SOSU by SJ founder, Suzanne Jackson, wrote: Yay!! So happy for you. Youre going to be sensational xx

Bonnie Ryan shared some heart eye emojis and said that Lynns milestone was so exciting

And Glenda Gilson added: Exciting stuff Lynn

While businesswoman Pamela Laird wrote: youre going to be the most gorgeous bride

Love Ellie Bridal reshared the photo and said: We are all so excited for you Lynn, you chose a showstopper of a gown!! Congratulations xx

Lynn and Robert were on a romantic Greek holiday in Santorini celebrating their 15-year anniversary when they got engaged.

The 2008 Miss Universe Ireland said that she was on cloud nine after her now-fiance popped the question.
Angie Warren-Clark

Labour MP

Our Government has worked hard to lift incomes and make life more affordable for Kiwi families. Now, as we move forward with our plan to grow a secure economy for all, were providing further cost of living support for people here in the Bay of Plenty.

The new Cost of Living Payment starts from August 1, and will support more than two million New Zealanders. You will likely be eligible if you earned $70,000 or less over the period April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, and are aged 18-plus, but arent eligible for the Winter Energy Payment.

Theres nothing you need to do to apply for the payment, and the income threshold is based on your individual income, not household income.

If youre eligible, you will receive the payments directly from IRD. However, IRD does need your correct information, so please take a few minutes to make sure that everything is up-to-date. You can visit IRDs website for more details at: ird.govt.nz/cost-of-living-payment.

This new Cost of Living Payment sits alongside our Winter Energy Payment, and, when taken together, these payments will support 81 per cent of New Zealanders aged 18-plus with their bills this year.

We recently extended the fuel tax cut, reduced road user charges and half price public transport for everyone until the end of January next year. Were also fixing the supermarket sector and increasing competition, to make sure that Kiwis pay a fair price at the till.
New Zealand's goal of becoming free of the devastating harm caused by tobacco has moved a step closer as the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill passed its first reading on Tuesday.

We have more regulations in this country on the safety of a sandwich than a cigarette, this Bill is about taking urgent action needed to stop the leading cause of preventable death in Aotearoa, says Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall.

There are three key changes that will be enacted under this legislation including: cutting the number of retail outlets able to sell tobacco, reducing the amount of nicotine in allowed in smoked tobacco products and making sure tobacco cant be sold to anyone born on or after January 1 2009.

People living in areas where tobacco is readily available are at greatest risk of relapse. Currently there are more smoked tobacco retailers clustered in low-income communities, reducing the number of sellers will help end the deadly toll that tobacco has on poor communities," says Dr Verrall.

This Bill will limit the number of businesses allowed to sell smoked tobacco products and limit the number of retail premises to be set in a certain area.

Secondly it will prevent young people and successive generations from ever taking up smoking. This legislation will mean it will be illegal to sell smoked tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

Thirdly the Bill introduces measures which will allow us to reduce the nicotine levels in smoked tobacco products, reducing their appeal and addictiveness.

For decades we have permitted tobacco companies to maintain their market share by making their deadly product more and more addictive," says Dr Verrall.

We must end the harm caused by smoking particularly for Maori. Overall smoking rates are heading in the right direction however without this bill it will be decades before Maori smoking rates fall below 5 per cent."

Dr Ayesha Verrall says that last year in Budget 2021 the Government provided $36 million in funding for health promotion programmes, scaling up stop smoking services and for Pacific health providers so they can tailor support for Pacific communities.

We also set aside $28 million to support a tobacco regulator to carry out its functions and to ensure compliance with Smokefree regulations and another $10.3 million will go towards cracking down on tobacco smuggling into New Zealand," says Dr Verrall.

"In support we have invested heavily in public health compliance and enforcement capabilities with additional Budget 2022 funding of $5 million over four years to establish a tobacco products regulator and to support the implementation of the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan."

Weve made sure to have additional support in place for people wanting to quit smoking by increasing the funding and availability of support services. Additionally a new quit campaign will roll out later this year and this Bill will act as the final push toward a smokefree future, say Dr Verrall.
Wairere Falls, the highest waterfall in New Zealand's North Island, has been kicking it with what one observer calls a forceful torrent this week.

The usually gentle, cascading water at Wairere Falls [is] replaced by a forceful torrent following the severe weather, says a Hauraki Rail Trail spokesperson on their Facebook page.

The photo, taken by Jen Roberts from Wardvilles House with No Nails shows thousands of litres of water plunging 153 metres in what is usually two steps over the Kaimai escarpment. The waterfall is located between Te Aroha and Matamata.

I took that photo zooming in from my mobile phone sitting in the car looking directly up at it, says Jen.

Jen had driven some German backpackers up near the falls as part of her House with No Nails service before they went to Hobbiton.

They were bussing through the country, and had no car, so I drove them around and dropped them off. Glanced up and saw the waterfall, it was looking magnificent.

The Wairere Falls is part of the Okauia fault line which has created a series of gorges and valleys in the Kaimai Range.

Because I look at it from the barn every day I knew that after a a day or two when it stops raining it will be gone, just hardly dribbling, because it has an escarpment catchment up the top and drains away afterwards.

Jen Roberts has a view of the Kaimai Range from the House with No Nails. Photo: Jen Roberts.

Jen says another interesting factor about the falls  which she calls story tourism is some of the early history surrounding the area.

Its also a historic walkway for Maori when they crossed over from the Waikato to the Bay of Plenty, says Jen.

Legend has it that Ngahue came to New Zealand from Rarotonga on the back of a fish and walked over the Wairere track from Tauranga.

After travelling overland he brought back some greenstone and killed a moa at the bottom of the falls before returning to his homeland.

The Wairere Track for ever after was to provide a link between Matamata and the Bay of Plenty. It was a traditional route for Maori and was later also used by missionaries, explorers and scientists.

Sadly the Wairere track was also the scene for the murder of a young Maori girl, Tarore, in 1836.

There is an amazing story about a chiefs daughter Tarore who loved to read, says Jen. Her cemetery plot is in Waharoa.

Tarore is buried in Waharoa. Photo: Supplied.

Tarore was taught to read from the te reo Maori Gospel of Luke, from the Bible, by Charlotte Brown of the Church Missionary Society from the age of ten. She was considered a prodigy because of her ability to memorise much of the book. She would recite portions of the Gospel to crowds of 200300 of her people.

It had become very unsafe for children in Waharoa so a chief arranged to take the children over the waterfall, says Jen.

History accounts record that in October 1836, Tarore was evacuated with the other pupils from her CMS school in Matamata, because of a violent conflict between iwi. She took her father's rare te reo Maori Gospel of Luke in a small kete she wore around her neck. Whilst stopped for the night of October 18 near the Wairere Falls, her party of 24, including her peace-loving father, was attacked by a Ngati Whakaue war party from Rotorua.

Tarore was murdered and the book stolen by warrior Paora Te Uita. Her body was carried back to the Matamata mission station and was given a Christian burial. The Maori law of utu required revenge for her death, but at her tangi her Christian father spoke words of forgiveness and said "do not rise up to obtain satisfaction for her. God will do that.

Back then it was eye for eye and tooth for tooth, says Jen. They thought she had a gem on her neck as she had a woven basket, but it was the book of John and the theme of the book was forgiveness. That book was taken down the South Island and it transformed lives.

Several weeks following Tarores death, back in Rotorua, Uita asked visiting ex-slave, mission school educated Ripahau of Ngati Awa to explain the book to him. This led him to become a Christian and to ask for forgiveness from Ngakuku, leading to their reconciliation. The book, identified by Ngakuku's inscribed name, was then taken south and ended up in the hands of Ripahau again in Otaki. It continued to play a key role in Maori evangelising to Maori for years to come, including the introduction of the Gospel to the South Island for the first time.

Today the old Maori track as it is known, is rarely used however a new track has been built which contains 121 steep stairs. This walking track, which leads to the top of the falls, can be accessed via the carpark on Goodwin Road. There is one lookout halfway up the Wairere Falls track and it is a medium walk to this point, however it gets a little harder going to the top of the waterfall. It is approximately an hour and a half walk to the top of the falls where breathtaking views can been seen. It takes approximately the same amount of time to make the return journey down.

The 5km walking track weaves its way through moss covered rocks, tree roots, nikau, puriri and kohekohe, leading to a lookout with spectacular views of the falls, says a Hauraki Rail Trail spokesperson. Make time for this dramatic detour on foot after your ride from Te Aroha to Matamata.

The Hauraki Rail Trail section from Paeroa to Te Aroha is closed at present due to flooding this week.

The Trail is currently impassable south of Mangaiti through to Te Aroha. The trail section between Te Aroha and the Tirohia Paeroa-Tahuna Road is impassable until the flood water subsides, says a Hauraki Rail Trail spokesperson.

Section D of the Hauraki Rail Trail from Paeroa to Te Aroha is closed this week due to flooding. Image: Hauraki Rail Trail.

There is waist deep levels of water over the trail at a number of locations and in and around the Coulter Bridge in Te Aroha. We have been advised that Mace Road out of Te Aroha is closed due to flooding which also includes the trail heading towards Te Aroha West.

The Victoria Battery on the Hauraki Rail Trail. Photo: Supplied.

People are advised that when walking up Wairere Falls there can be some very slippery steps with a hazardous 90 metre drop off to the side of these steps.

It is not recommended that hikers take this track on a wet day.
Today the Ministry of Health are reporting 7,627 community cases, and 827 current hospitalisations. There are 34 current hospitalisations in the Bay of Plenty.

The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 7,776.

"There are now a total of 1,455 deaths confirmed as attributable to COVID-19, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor," says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

"The seven-day rolling average of the increase in deaths attributable to COVID-19 is now 18."

COVID-19 Hospitalisations

COVID-19 cases in hospital: total number 827: Northland: 18; Waitemata: 126; Counties Manukau: 55; Auckland: 100; Waikato: 88; Bay of Plenty: 34; Lakes: 19; Hawkes Bay: 43; MidCentral: 56; Whanganui: 15; Taranaki: 15; Tairawhiti: 4; Wairarapa: 11; Capital and Coast: 25; Hutt Valley: 15; Nelson Marlborough: 17; Canterbury: 127; West Coast: 1; South Canterbury: 14; Southern: 44.

Weekly COVID-19 Hospitalisations - 7 day rolling average: 790 (This time last week 766)

Average age of current COVID-19 hospitalisations: 65

Cases in ICU or HDU: 24

Vaccination status of new admissions to hospital*: Unvaccinated or not eligible (67 cases); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (5 cases); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (78 cases); received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (411 cases).

*These are new hospital admissions in the past 7 days prior to yesterday who had COVID at the time of admission or while in hospital, excluding hospitalisations that were admitted and discharged within 24hrs. This data is from Districts with tertiary hospitals: Auckland, Canterbury, Southern, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Capital, Coast and Hutt, and Northland.

COVID-19 vaccinations administered

Vaccines administered to date: 4,029,143 first doses; 3,981,967 second doses; 33,983 third primary doses; 2,703,819 first booster doses: 284,768 second booster doses: 265,822 paediatric first doses and 144,247 paediatric second doses

Vaccines administered yesterday: 20 first doses; 43 second doses; 27 third primary doses; 752 first booster doses; 11,455 second booster doses; 30 paediatric first doses and 169 paediatric second doses

More detailed information, including vaccine uptake by District, is available on the Ministry website.

Tests

Number of PCR tests total (last 24 hours): 8,029

Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 15,345

PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 3,968

Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last seven days as of 25 July 2022): 2 million.

COVID-19 Cases

Total number of new community cases: 7,627

Number of new cases that have recently travelled overseas: 312

Seven day rolling average of community cases: 7,776

Seven day rolling average of community cases (as at same day last week): 9,161

Number of active cases (total): 54,409 (cases identified in the past seven days and not yet classified as recovered)

Confirmed cases (total): 1,585,215

New cases by District and other more detailed case information

Please note, the Ministry of Healths daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a District or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO.

Winter illness update

(This update is provided each Thursday)

Of the 81 people in Auckland and Counties Manukau hospitals for SARI illnesses (severe acute respiratory infection) COVID-19 was the cause the infection for 7%, Human Metapneumovirus was the cause for 17% and Influenza was the cause for 1%

Other causes of infection, where known, were rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, parainfluenza virus and RSV (6%).

The current rate of hospitalisations in Auckland and Counties Manukau is in line with rates seen in pre-COVID-19 years.

COVID-19 deaths

"There are now a total of 1,455 deaths confirmed as attributable to COVID-19, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor. This is the number that will be reported to the World Health Organization as it provides the most accurate assessment of COVID-19 related mortality in New Zealand. In the past seven days there have been an average of 18 deaths confirmed each day as being attributable to COVID-19.

"This is a very sad time for whanau and friends of those who have died and our thoughts and condolences are with them.

"Information on the number of new deaths of people with COVID-19 reported to the Ministry of Health in the last 24 hours, and the seven-day rolling average, is available on the Ministry of Health website. This includes information on the age band and location of these newly reported deaths."

COVID-19 case data

"These newly reported deaths have not yet been categorised as to whether they are attributable to COVID-19, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor, or are unrelated to COVID-19. As this categorisation is made over coming days, the attributable deaths will be added to the total reported above."
Cols Butchery & Deli in Mount Maunganui has won a silver medal for their Boneless Ham in the 100% New Zealand Bacon and Ham Awards. The medal was announced on Thursday nightt at a formal awards ceremony in Auckland.

After a three-year break, the competition was back up and running with more entries than ever before  almost 200 being received across seven bacon and two ham categories.

Judging took place over two days, with a team of butchers and culinary experts inspecting and sampling our countrys finest bacon and ham products, all produced using 100% New Zealand born and raised pork.

Back after a three-year hiatus, the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards is a prestigious competition well regarded by the retail meat trade and consumers alike. With seven bacon categories, and two ham categories, the competition was open to all retailers who produce bacon and ham from New Zealand Pork.

With almost 200 entries, from around 40 retailers being judged, the competition sees bacon and ham producers from across the country submit their tasty products in the hope of being announced one of the Supreme Winners.

Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded in each of the bacon and ham categories and then all the gold medal winners were re-judged against each other to find the supreme winners producing the countrys top bacon and top ham.

Warkworth Butchery, just North of Auckland, took out New Zealands top bacon with their dry cured middle bacon entry and Aucklands Westmere Butchery has won New Zealands best ham award for their bone-in leg ham.

Competition judge, Hannah Miller Childs says when choosing the winning ham it was largely about finding something with great smoky characteristics as well as good texture.

You want it to be nice and meaty but still be moist and have enough fat content, says Hannah.

The judges found picking the ham winner fairly easy as Westmere Butcherys Bone-In Ham was insanely delicious.

In contrast to this the bacon was a very close competition, and the judges had to re-taste some of the products to ensure they picked the right one!

Its been an honour to be a part of the judging this year and incredible to see not only the quality of the beautiful New Zealand pork, but also the butchers talents improve over the years. This is definitely making our jobs a lot harder as judges," says Miller Childs.

While bacon is arguably a favourite any time of year, the announcement of New Zealands top ham comes just in time to inspire Kiwis to host a mid-winter Christmas, with a glazed ham as the centre piece!

100% New Zealand Bacon and Ham Awards 2022 results:

2022 Supreme Award - Bacon

Warkworth Butchery  Dry Cured Middle Bacon

2022 Supreme Award - Ham

Westmere Butchery  Bone In Leg Ham
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Australia bans AG Neptune tanker for underpaying wages and insufficient food and water onboard

Inspections by AMSA included crew members of the AG Neptune being collectively owed AUD $123,000 and evidence of lack of medical care and nutritional sustenance.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) today banned the Liberian-flagged oil tanker AG Neptune from Australian ports for six months. AMSA inspected the ship in the Port of Gladstone, in central Queensland, on 17 June 2022 after receiving a complaint regarding the underpayment of seafarers and welfare issues. During the inspection, AMSA found evidence the employment agreement with 21 seafarers on board the ship had not been met and the crew members were collectively owed approximately AUD $123,000. AMSA found evidence the food and drinking water were not of appropriate quality, quantity and nutritional value for seafarers. Its also understood a seafarer was not provided with adequate medical care after being injured onboard. As a result, AMSA detained the ship for multiple breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and the operator has been directed to pay the outstanding wages and address the deficiencies. AMSAs Executive Director of Operations Michael Drake said the seafarers were repeatedly not paid at regular intervals and two crew members had expired Seafarer Employment Agreements. Australia has zero tolerance for the underpayment of crew. This type of behaviour is unethical and in contravention to the MLC. The international conventions that protect seafarers rights are very clear, Mr Drake said. Ships visiting Australian ports are on notice that if we find deliberate underpaying of crew they can expect penalties. AMSA takes the MLC seriously and actively ensures seafarers health and well-being is upheld on all ships in Australia.




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mbudhraja Newbie

Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 16 Thanked: 119 Times

Dear Tata - What a Punch! (2000km / 4 month review of Tata Punch Pure MT)





Shortlisting

1. Brand - The old man's preference for Japanese cars - he clearly wanted to buy a Honda or Toyota after the Suzuki

2. Size - The garage space was a major constraint, restricting our search to sub 4m cars only

3. Gearbox - No automatics, I learnt that the joy of manual transmission over the comfort of automatics prevails even at the age of 60+

4. Safety - My wife wanted a safe car for her father, no compromise on that front

With Etios Liva being discontinued, based on the above and the fact that I already own a Jazz, we right away requested a Honda Jazz test drive. Unfortunately, we realized that even a full size 4m car could not properly fit in the garage. This meant that we would have to narrow the search down to smaller hatches only.

This was August 2021 and the choices were limited and simple - (1) New WagonR, Ignis or Celerio (Japanese touch, though no safety), (2) Tiago, (3) Santro or Nios. We did not give much consideration to DatsunGo or the KUV 100.



Options Considered

TBH, all these cars did not seem like an upgrade from the Wagon R

1. The Santro was not in consideration even back in 2003, so it made no sense now. Eliminating Hyundai altogether was simple, it's neither Japanese nor safe

2. We had been reading about the new Celerio for a while but the launch was delayed. Going for a new WagonR ticked most of the boxes, but it did not feel right to go for the same car again. After all, this was a new car after 19years.



The choices left were Ignis and Tiago. One was clearly safer while the other was clearly more refined. It was clearly a compromise and no one was happy. We had even considered parking the car outside of the garage in the street - after all, he deserved to buy a better car (Jazz or Urban Cruiser). After a lot of deliberation, we half heartedly booked the Ignis around mid of October 2021.



The road gets bumpier

Make no mistake, we did know the punch was launching within a week and were ok to consider it. Plus the pressure to make my father in law get a new car was mounting on me. My trip to Bhubaneshwar was about to end and if we didn't book it this time, the old man would get his WagonR's registration extended for another 5 years. My gut said - how small an SUV can it be ? If a 3.99m car cannot fit in the garage, how comfortable would it be to park a 3.8xx m inside each day.



Fasten your seatbelts

3 days after booking the Ignis, we went to the TATA Motors showroom. I personally was very excited to check the Punch - I knew TATA Motors had been rolling out great products lately, but all of them seemed to be packed with small glitches. Hence I knew the punch would not be a gamechanger either. An year ago, I was left heaart broken when I wanted to buy an Altroz for myself but went ahead with the Jazz because of the poor refinement and interior finishing in the Altroz.



BOOM - if looks could kill and all that moment... None of us were expecting the Punch to be such a looker. It looked heavy, it looked futuristic, it looked compact. It had pleasantly good interiors for a TATA car, and hardly any panel gaps whatsover. This was hard to believe.







The family went crazy that finally there is an option worthy of replacing the 1st gen WagonR. However I had my reservations. After all, this was a Tata car which in a way meant that you could be trading your peace of mind for good road presence. Plus the neck to neck parking space each day was going to be a challenge. In fact the sales agent refused to make a parking attempt in our garage. But taking measurements with a ruler in his hand, my father in law was confident that he could make it work.



We booked the Punch Pure variant (to avoid all the tech shenanigans) on October 26, 2021. We were committed a delivery within 3 months, but it took 4. The delivery was done on February 28, 2022.



9 months after making the booking, I am back in Bhubaneshwar and have been trying my hands on this beauty for the last few days. Here's my observations and honest views about the car -



2000KM / 4 month ownership review of my Tata Punch



Looks and Road Presence

Like I said, Punch is a looker (just like other TATA cars). While the front of the car has a Harrier/Nexon like presence, there is a futuristic touch to the rear like an EV concept car. The claddings in the side and across the body add the muscle. It doesnt look like a sub 10L car and no other cars at this price point come close in terms of road presence.



Space and Comfort

The seating position is nice and high and gives a proper SUV feel. The headroom and front legroom is extremely good while the rear space is sufficient to fit two adults and a kid. The boot can carry 2 large suitcases.



Interiors

Not an area of strength for Tata Motors, but they have done quite a neat job in the Punch. The dash is made of hard plastic but the quality is very good and there is no unnecessary rattle. The black and white schemed digital meters look classy. However some of the buttons seem to be delicate.



Drive Quality

The high ground clearance and the SUV nature of the vehicle ensures that this easily glides through any bumpy breakers or holes that a city has to offer. We have not tried off-roading but this certainly seems capable for the challenge. There are YouTube videos of punch doing extremely well in off roads. We went past some of the roads that were water and mud laden because of construction work, and we couldnt feel anything. This is a big plus over any of the hatches or compact sedans. Punch clearly beats my jazz when it comes to this department. High speed stability seems exceptionally well - I constantly did 100-120kmph speeds on the Bhubaneshwar-Puri highway and the car added a lot of confidence.



Engine Refinement and Power

The 1.2L Revetron Engine of Tata continues to be an Achilles heel. The power is sufficient for city driving and the pull in lower gears is very good. The ability to glide at triple digits in the highways is as good as any other 1.2L NA engine (other than Fords dragon engines, I miss Ford ). I struggled to push the car beyond 120kmph though. However it is the refinement and the NVH levels where the rivals have a big upper hand. My FIL too agreed that his Wagon R was way more refined. Having said that, I personally enjoyed the slight vibrations and cabin noise. It complements the high seating position and the SUV feel.



CONS of Tata Punch:

1. Engine refinement  like any other 3 cylinder TATA car.

2. Gear Shifts  While the gear shifting is smooth, it is not crisp. I would have preferred the gears to be more sharp and distinct.

3. Door Lock  The door locks seem to be integrated to the door lever. There is no separate physical button or knob in the doors for lock / unlock. Strangely, this seems to be a compromise in safety. The door gets unlocked once you pull the door leaver even from the passenger or rear side while driving. A single accidental pull of the lever even when the car is at high speed can open the door.



Lastly, the biggest positive of this vehicle in my view is the Value For Money that it brings to the table. Tata Punch is the most comprehensive value for money package that one can ask for. There is a price difference of 4L on road between the base variant (Pure) and the top variant (Kaziranga / AMT / iRA). This is too much for the same engine and an AMT gear box. Hence the lower variants become very value for money.



We booked Pure variant + Rhythm pack at <7L on road and this seemed like a steal to me. Eventually we did change our booking to just the Pure variant. The car has almost everything that an ordinary household requires. This should be an easy pick over the Ignis, Swift, Nios or even some of the compact sedans and premium hatches.















For quite sometime, we had been looking for a worthy replacement for our 19 year old Wagon R which had done 6 digit kms. The vehicle was dear to my father in law and we wanted the new car to be something modern, refreshing and as practical as his first gen wagonR. He lives in Bhubaneshwar and the car is used for city driving as well as trips to his village in the Puri district - for the uninitiated, the roads even in villages of this part of the country can give any highway a run for its money.1.- The old man's preference for Japanese cars - he clearly wanted to buy a Honda or Toyota after the Suzuki2.- The garage space was a major constraint, restricting our search to sub 4m cars only3.- No automatics, I learnt that the joy of manual transmission over the comfort of automatics prevails even at the age of 60+4.- My wife wanted a safe car for her father, no compromise on that frontWith Etios Liva being discontinued, based on the above and the fact that I already own a Jazz, we right away requested a Honda Jazz test drive. Unfortunately, we realized that even a full size 4m car could not properly fit in the garage. This meant that we would have to narrow the search down to smaller hatches only.This was August 2021 and the choices were limited and simple - (1) New WagonR, Ignis or Celerio (Japanese touch, though no safety), (2) Tiago, (3) Santro or Nios. We did not give much consideration to DatsunGo or the KUV 100.TBH, all these cars did not seem like an upgrade from the Wagon R1. The Santro was not in consideration even back in 2003, so it made no sense now. Eliminating Hyundai altogether was simple, it's neither Japanese nor safe2. We had been reading about the new Celerio for a while but the launch was delayed. Going for a new WagonR ticked most of the boxes, but it did not feel right to go for the same car again. After all, this was a new car after 19years.The choices left were Ignis and Tiago. One was clearly safer while the other was clearly more refined. It was clearly a compromise and no one was happy. We had even considered parking the car outside of the garage in the street - after all, he deserved to buy a better car (Jazz or Urban Cruiser). After a lot of deliberation, we half heartedly booked the Ignis around mid of October 2021.Make no mistake, we did know the punch was launching within a week and were ok to consider it. Plus the pressure to make my father in law get a new car was mounting on me. My trip to Bhubaneshwar was about to end and if we didn't book it this time, the old man would get his WagonR's registration extended for another 5 years. My gut said - how small an SUV can it be ? If a 3.99m car cannot fit in the garage, how comfortable would it be to park a 3.8xx m inside each day.3 days after booking the Ignis, we went to the TATA Motors showroom. I personally was very excited to check the Punch - I knew TATA Motors had been rolling out great products lately, but all of them seemed to be packed with small glitches. Hence I knew the punch would not be a gamechanger either. An year ago, I was left heaart broken when I wanted to buy an Altroz for myself but went ahead with the Jazz because of the poor refinement and interior finishing in the Altroz.BOOM - if looks could kill and all that moment... None of us were expecting the Punch to be such a looker. It looked heavy, it looked futuristic, it looked compact. It had pleasantly good interiors for a TATA car, and hardly any panel gaps whatsover. This was hard to believe.The family went crazy that finally there is an option worthy of replacing the 1st gen WagonR. However I had my reservations. After all, this was a Tata car which in a way meant that you could be trading your peace of mind for good road presence. Plus the neck to neck parking space each day was going to be a challenge. In fact the sales agent refused to make a parking attempt in our garage. But taking measurements with a ruler in his hand, my father in law was confident that he could make it work.We booked the Punch Pure variant (to avoid all the tech shenanigans) on October 26, 2021. We were committed a delivery within 3 months, but it took 4. The delivery was done on February 28, 2022.9 months after making the booking, I am back in Bhubaneshwar and have been trying my hands on this beauty for the last few days. Here's my observations and honest views about the car -Like I said, Punch is a looker (just like other TATA cars). While the front of the car has a Harrier/Nexon like presence, there is a futuristic touch to the rear like an EV concept car. The claddings in the side and across the body add the muscle. It doesnt look like a sub 10L car and no other cars at this price point come close in terms of road presence.The seating position is nice and high and gives a proper SUV feel. The headroom and front legroom is extremely good while the rear space is sufficient to fit two adults and a kid. The boot can carry 2 large suitcases.Not an area of strength for Tata Motors, but they have done quite a neat job in the Punch. The dash is made of hard plastic but the quality is very good and there is no unnecessary rattle. The black and white schemed digital meters look classy. However some of the buttons seem to be delicate.The high ground clearance and the SUV nature of the vehicle ensures that this easily glides through any bumpy breakers or holes that a city has to offer. We have not tried off-roading but this certainly seems capable for the challenge. There are YouTube videos of punch doing extremely well in off roads. We went past some of the roads that were water and mud laden because of construction work, and we couldnt feel anything. This is a big plus over any of the hatches or compact sedans. Punch clearly beats my jazz when it comes to this department. High speed stability seems exceptionally well - I constantly did 100-120kmph speeds on the Bhubaneshwar-Puri highway and the car added a lot of confidence.The 1.2L Revetron Engine of Tata continues to be an Achilles heel. The power is sufficient for city driving and the pull in lower gears is very good. The ability to glide at triple digits in the highways is as good as any other 1.2L NA engine (other than Fords dragon engines, I miss Ford). I struggled to push the car beyond 120kmph though. However it is the refinement and the NVH levels where the rivals have a big upper hand. My FIL too agreed that his Wagon R was way more refined. Having said that, I personally enjoyed the slight vibrations and cabin noise. It complements the high seating position and the SUV feel.1. Engine refinement  like any other 3 cylinder TATA car.2. Gear Shifts  While the gear shifting is smooth, it is not crisp. I would have preferred the gears to be more sharp and distinct.3. Door Lock  The door locks seem to be integrated to the door lever. There is no separate physical button or knob in the doors for lock / unlock. Strangely, this seems to be a compromise in safety. The door gets unlocked once you pull the door leaver even from the passenger or rear side while driving. A single accidental pull of the lever even when the car is at high speed can open the door.Lastly,. Tata Punch is the most comprehensive value for money package that one can ask for. There is a price difference of 4L on road between the base variant (Pure) and the top variant (Kaziranga / AMT / iRA). This is too much for the same engine and an AMT gear box. Hence the lower variants become very value for money.and this seemed like a steal to me. Eventually we did change our booking to just the Pure variant. The car has almost everything that an ordinary household requires. This should be an easy pick over the Ignis, Swift, Nios or even some of the compact sedans and premium hatches. Last edited by Rehaan : 28th July 2022 at 13:52 . Reason: As requested + Clarified about Pure variant.
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian



Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 7,167 Thanked: 13,796 Times

View My Garage





Which OEM tyre & battery brands do you prefer for your new commuter car? Broadly, the two factory fitted components in a new commuter car, that can only be chosen are the battery and the tyres.



Quite a few dealers oblige with the customer's choice, but these days many fail to do so, given the ant like population of factory fresh cars in their stockyards/godowns and the rush of customers out to grab their new drives.



My preferred brand of tyres is Bridgestone, while the battery brand preferred is Amaron for a new car. I also put forth my request to the dealer in case I am taken by friends to choose their new car. The colour shade choice is personal and the friend's family members have their way, where I do not normally put forth my say. But as far as tyre and battery choices are concerned, I usually suggest these two brands that they accept.



It would be preferable to know our fellow members views on the subject and maybe we all can modify our choices if proper justifications are put forth for other competing brands. Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 26th July 2022 at 21:27 .
What just happened? The US Senate has passed the CHIPS Act, giving the domestic semiconductor-production industry a $52 billion boost in the form of subsidies that will go toward the construction of new fabs. The long-term goal is to lessen reliance on Taiwan, especially in light of worsening relations with China, and mitigate against the worst effects of the current chip shortageand any future ones.

The Senate yesterday voted 64 - 33 in favor of passing the $280 billion Chips and Science Act, $52 billion of which will go toward subsidies for chip makers. There will also be an investment tax credit for chip plants estimated to be worth $24 billion. The incentives do come with some restrictions for companies that have a presence in China or wish to operate there, or in other unfriendly countries, in the future.

The House of Representatives plans to vote on the bill later today. If passed, as expected, President Biden should sign it into law early next week.

Earlier today, I was joined by industry and labor leaders to discuss the importance of passing the CHIPS for America Act to supercharge our efforts to make semiconductors right here in America.



I'm ready to sign this strong, bipartisan bill into law. pic.twitter.com/wNoSaWqcus  President Biden (@POTUS) July 26, 2022

The CHIPS Act, as it's known, came about through the chip crisis caused by the pandemic's lockdowns and massive increase in demand. Extreme weather, logistical problems, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have exacerbated what was already an unprecedented situation.

"We are moving forward on the Senate CHIPS bill," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. "It's going to take aim at the national semiconductor chip shortage, lower costs for American consumers, and boost scientific innovation and jobs."

Not every politician supports the bill. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders said: "The five biggest semi-conductor companies that will likely receive the lion's share of this taxpayer handout, Intel, Texas Instruments, Micron Technology, Global Foundries, and Samsung, made $70 billion in profits last year. Does it sound like these companies really need corporate welfare?" Intel has been a vocal supporter of the act, and even postponed the groundbreaking ceremony of its Ohio fab because of the delays.

With the Senate's passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, Congress has taken a key step toward enacting transformative investments to strengthen families' financial future, boost America's research advantage and safeguard our economic and national security for generations to come.  Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 27, 2022

Another major factor behind the act is the US' reliance on Taiwan for its chips. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo previously said that if the US is cut off from the country's chip-manufacturing industry, the United States will face a deep and immediate recession.

Such a nightmare scenario could be possible. China has long said it would have no qualms about using military force against Taiwan, which it says is a breakaway province that must be "reunited" with the mainland. Reports that US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to visit Taiwan have led to China threatening "firm and resolute measures" if the trip goes ahead.

As per Reuters, the Chinese Embassy in Washington said China "firmly opposed" the bill, which it said was "entrenched in the Cold-War and zero-sum game mentality and runs counter to the common aspiration of people from all sectors in China and the US to strengthen exchanges and cooperation."
Default Apple apps may soon be banned as the U.S. Congress proposes multiple antitrust bills to track the issues of giant tech firms' dominance in the market.

(Photo : Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

In this photo illustration, the Facebook and Instagram apps are seen on the screen of an iPhone on October 04, 2021 in San Anselmo, California. Social media applications Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are experiencing a global outage that started before 9 a.m. (P.S.T.) on Monday morning.

Two of these bills are now ready for voting. However, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hasn't scheduled the needed voting yet.

If these two bills make it through the Senate, there's a high chance that default apps of Apple will be banned. For the past few years, the iPhone maker has been criticized for pre-installing its apps.

Although there's a high chance that the two bills will be approved, experts said that Apple has its own tactics to encourage users to install its iOS applications.

Default Apple Apps Ban Might Happen

According to 9To5Mac's latest report, once the U.S. government bans default iOS apps, Apple can no longer pre-install its owned applications on iPhones.

(Photo : Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

This illustration photo shows the Apple app store logo reflected from an iPhone onto the back of an iMac in Los Angeles, August 26, 2021. - Apple has agreed to loosen payment restrictions on its App Store, a major change announced in a settlement with small developers as the US technology giant faces growing scrutiny.

Also Read: Apple's Patent History Shows Automotive-Related Technologies, Includes Hardware Related to Riding Comfort

This means that consumers will have more options. For example, if you purchase a new iOS smartphone, you will have to choose from the provided internet browsers.

These include Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Safari. This also goes with other kinds of applications, such as music and map apps.

Aside from this, you can also install other applications that are not from the official Apple App Store. Now, if ever this scenario really happens, here's what the tech giant manufacturer might do.

Will Apple Use Warning Pop-Up Messages?

MacWorld reported that Apple recently announced that Netflix subscribers can already use other payment methods.

Since Apple no longer controls the streaming service's payment method on iOS devices, it is using pop-up warning messages to persuade consumers.

Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, criticized this move of Apple.

"Though Netflix is escaping Apple's 30% revenue tax, Apple is imposing a new tax - the 'scare the hell out of customers by making all competing payment processors look untrustworthy' tax," said Sweeney via his official Twitter account.

Though Netflix is escaping Apples 30% revenue tax, Apple is imposing a new tax - the scare the hell out of customers by making all competing payment processors look untrustworthy tax. Shame on Apple for this horrid sham. https://t.co/VUDkVsrFvQ  Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) July 25, 2022

There's a high chance that Apple will also do this with its iOS apps if the U.S. government ever bans them.

On the other hand, Apple announced that developers can now increase iOS app subscription fees.

Meanwhile, two Apple features were allegedly used by scammers to bypass the official Apple App Store.

For more news updates about Apple apps and other related tech topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Scam iPhone Apps Remain on Apple App Store-Putting 7 Million Users At Risk! Install These Applications Now

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Two publications reported that Florida Power and Light or FPL, the largest utility company in Florida, allegedly funneled money to a news website in order to defend its position and attack its critics.

FPL Paid Website to Attack Critics

According to Orlando Sentinel, the FPL executives used consultants and shell companies to get pro-utility articles and hits against all of its political enemies. These articles are then published on a local news website called The Capitolist.

The leaked documents reviewed by Orlando Sentinel and Miami Herald show that the editor of the website, Brian Burgess, got his paycheck of $12,000 a month from shell companies that FPL's consultants control.

Burgess once worked as the communications director of Florida's former governor, Rick Scott.

Also Read: Fireball Lights Up Florida Night Sky: What's Happening?

The two new outlets reported that the FPL consultants were able to pre-screen articles that were published on The Capitloist, and they can order articles written on specific topics to be edited, from the headlines to the content.

The website did not disclose its financial relationship with FPL in its stories nor on its website.

FPL Denies Claims

An FPL spokesperson said that the utility company couldn't prove the veracity of the documents leaked by the Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel, but they have seen the evidence that "tried to make FPL look bad," and they've found no evidence of illegality or wrongdoing by FPL.

The spokesperson added that "owning a media organization is not and has never been a crime." The spokesperson used Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as an example, pointing out that he owns The Washington Post.

They also pointed out that Boston Red Sox owner John Henry owns The Boston Globe, and Miami Herald, one of the news companies reporting FPL's illegality, is owned by a private investment firm.

Although owning a news site is perfectly legal, the spokesperson said that FPL does not have an ownership interest in The Capitolist, may it directly or indirectly.

FPL also does not have editorial control over what The Capitolist writes or publishes and that the company distributes news releases to the website and when requested, responds to its media inquiries.

The process that The Capitolist follows is the same with other media organizations across the United States.

Burgess stated that the records that the Miami Herald has are filled with "errors that paint a widely inaccurate picture of The Capitolist and its operations," but he did not give any specifics.

According to Gizmodo, FPL is a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, the country's largest utility. FPL is the largest utility company in the state of Florida, serving some 12 million people.

The company is also a political powerhouse, and its behind-the-scenes maneuvering in the statehouse and beyond has been the subject of several recent investigations.

In 2022, an investigation exposed the utility for writing the text of a bill that would have affected rooftop solar in the state.

FPL was revealed to have given direct contributions to politicians who used utility-written text to introduce legislation in the House and Senate.

Related Article: Lone Tree Frog Climbs Utility Pole, Causes Power Outage To Over 800 In Florida City

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Social media network Facebook may stop removing COVID-19 misinformation on the platform and demote them instead.

Meta, Facebook's parent company, announced that it is considering the move as it seeks advice from the independent oversight board on whether to modify its COVID-19 misinformation policy.

Facebook's COVID-19 Post

According to PCMag, Facebook expanded its policy on harmful COVID-19 misinformation in 2020 as the virus spread around the world, allowing for posts that could lead to an "imminent risk of physical harm" to be removed worldwide instead of only being taken down when experts point it out.

The policy was designed by the platform to combat misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic, like false claims about the effectiveness of social distancing, masks, and transmissibility of the virus.

In late 2020, as the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccines started rolling out, Facebook updated its policy to remove any misleading or fake information about the vaccine, according to CNET.

Also Read: Facebook is Going Against Individuals Who Spread Misinformation, Fake News in the News Feed

According to Meta, they removed more than 25 million posts since the pandemic.

But now, amid the shifting trends and declining stocks of Meta in 2022, the company is looking into changing its policy, starting with input from its oversight board.

The company said that its Community Standards policies protect free expression while preventing dangerous content from being seen in its platform.

Meta admitted that resolving the tension between free expression and safety is not easy, especially when confronted with unprecedented and fast-moving challenges, as what they've seen during the pandemic.

Facebook's content moderation guidelines have been a contentious topic, with the company being accused of enabling hate speech and misinformation on the site to optimize profit and limiting free speech.

Meta's independent oversight board comprises legal advisers from several think tanks, professors from universities worldwide, journalists, and human rights advocates.

In this case, the company requested an advisory opinion from the oversight board, meaning the recommendations they give to Meta are nonbinding.

Meta's AI Tool

As Facebook announced its plan to stop removing COVID-19 misinformation on the social media site, its parent company revealed that it has a new AI tool that detects misleading posts.

The new AI-powered tool, Sphere, is intended to help detect and address misinformation on the internet.

Meta claims that it is the first AI model that is capable of automatically scanning thousands of citations at once in order to check whether they support the claims or not.

According to CNBC, Sphere's dataset includes 134 million public web pages. It relies on that collective knowledge of the internet to rapidly scan thousands of citations in search of factual errors.

Meta is training Sphere using entries on Wikipedia. The company said that the AI tool is already scanning pages on the crowd-sourced internet encyclopedia to test its ability to flag sources that do not support the claims in the entry.

The social media company also said that when the AI tool spots a questionable source, it can recommend a stronger one to help improve the entry's accuracy.

Related Article: Meta Executive Blames Users for the Spread of Fake News on Facebook

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General Motors and LG Energy Solutions will focus on producing three EV battery factories in the United States, which comes from their recent grant of a $2.5 billion loan from the US Department of Energy. The locations would focus on new battery factories that would bring lithium-ion power cells for the company's EVs, soon to distribute for its needs.

GM, LG to Bring 3 Battery EV Factories from $2.5B Loan

(Photo : Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 17: The General Motors logo on the world headquarters building is shown September 17, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan.

A report by Electrek claimed that GM and LG Energy Solutions had already chosen its locations for the EV battery factories that would help in manufacturing and delivering its needs. The three sites include Warren, Ohio, which will soon have 700 workers and begin its manufacturing by August; Tennessee, with a 2023 start date; and Michigan, which will begin by 2024.

According to Reuters, the total costs for the plant will be investing more than $7 billion in its battery efforts, and it will use the Department of Energy's $2.5 billion loan to help its production needs. The batteries would help in giving GM a chance to output one billion vehicles per year, starting in 2025, says the reports.

Read Also: GM Receives Joint Venture Loan for $2.5B on Battery-Cell Production from US Energy, Previously Tesla

US Energy's Loan to GM Already Sees Application

The US Department of Energy's loan already sees applications from GM and LG's ventures that will soon start its ventures.

The three plants would be focusing on bringing the world more EVs from GM, fitted with LG's batteries that will provide it power and mobility under its Ultium cell technology from General Motors.

GM's EV Manufacturing and LG's Batteries

General Motors is a significant company in the transition to electric vehicles, and that focuses on bringing the world a chance to get more EVs in the process from known brands present now.

One of the most significant ventures here is the Hummer EV pickup that brings the clean energy version of the adventure vehicle, but its 12 trucks a day production may be a problem for current orders.

On the other hand, LG is a known manufacturer of EV batteries that previously partnered with available brands, notably with Tesla, which currently powers some of its releases. Its focus is the famed million-mile battery, the 4680 power cells that come in at a million-dollar investment to focus on its production.

General Motors and LG Energy are the latest partners there is to the EV industry, and it focuses on giving the world more EVs which massively relies on battery production as well. It is known that EVs rely on electric power from batteries, and without their power cells, they cannot bring the vehicle its functions and features available for all.

Related Article: GM EV Mass Production 2025: Long-Term LG Chem Cathode Material, Livent's Lithium Supplies Now Secured

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Meta's plans to acquire "Supernatural" VR workout app creator, Within, gets a block from the Federal Trade Commission and is facing a significant dispute on the purchase. Not only that, but the FTC also filed an antitrust lawsuit against Meta for this acquisition, saying that it eliminates the competition by illegally acquiring the VR app development company.

Meta Within Acquisition: Blocked by the FTC for Illegal Purchase

(Photo : Within Unlimited via Oculus )

A release by the FTC's Competition Bureau talked about its recent blocking of Meta's acquisition for the world, and it said that it is not allowing the Meta Within purchase to take place now. According to the FTC, the Meta Within deal is an "illegal acquisition" that aims to expand its "virtual reality empire" with antitrust behavior.

Within Unlimited is a known company in the VR industry, and it made the famous "Supernatural" VR workout app that is available on the Meta Quest platform. The company also focuses on other AR features for the smartphone and tablets.

The "Supernatural" workout app was released for the Meta Quest last April 2020, and it is one massive app in the platform that offers a unique experience to its users.

Read Also: Facebook is Thinking of Changing COVID-19 Misinformation Policy, to Label and Demote Posts Instead of Removing Them

FTC Antitrust Lawsuit vs. Meta: Anticompetition Tactics

The FTC is bringing an antitrust lawsuit against Meta in their latest acquisition that focuses on an alleged anticompetition tactics to take the top spot for its VR department. Within's acquisition will not take place now, especially as Meta is facing this block from the FTC, and it would bring the case to court and hear out both sides of the lawsuit.

Meta and its VR Ventures

One of the latest ventures for Meta's VR venture is the price increase for its virtual reality hardware that ups the value of the Quest 2 headsets by August 1. Instead of the regular $299 for the 128GB variant and the $399 for the 256GB, it will now see an additional $100 on its price tags.

The devices will see a starting price of $399 for the base release and $499 for the larger storage capacity.

Its Meta Quest experience that introduces the VR to the world is now offering to bring the public more accessibility features with its updates and offers. Now, the company is no longer requiring users to have a Facebook account so that they may sign up for the online service, with the company previously asking for it from users.

Meta has massive VR ventures as the company focuses on other developments and add-ons to its brand that would help make it a prominent name in the industry. However, its acquisitions do not see that much support from regulatory agencies as they allegedly practice antitrust behavior to get to the top.

Related Article: Meta's Mark Zuckerberg Unhappy With Vacation Leave Question by Chicago-Based Employee

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The U.K. will experience blackouts this coming winter. Because of this, the National Grid, a British multinational electricity utility company, suggested continuing to import the EU's energy supplies.

(Photo : Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

United Kingdom: Steam rises from the eight cooling towers at the Ferrybridge power station near Leeds, in the north of England, 30 October 2006. The coal fired power plant was the first 2000MW power station in Europe and first supplied energy to the National Grid in 1966.

The alarming detail was shared by the electricity firm during its recent annual Winter Outlook, which happened on Thursday, July 28.

"While Britain is not reliant on Russian gas to the extent that the rest of Europe is, it is clear that the cessation of flows of gas into Europe could have knock-on impacts, including very high prices," said the National Grid via Reuters.

UK Blackouts Expected To Happen This Winter

According to Express UK's latest report, the United Kingdom needs to continue importing energy supplies from the EU so that blackouts can be prevented.

(Photo : Photo by GINTS IVUSKANS/AFP via Getty Images)

A tower of the electric power line Kurzeme Circle (Kurzemes Loks) is pictured on June 18, 2020, in Sloka, near Riga, Latvia. - Latvia completed a new high-voltage power line to Estonia on December 21, 2020, in the latest step in aligning electricity grids in the Baltic states with European Union neighbours instead of Russia. (Photo by Gints Ivuskans / AFP)

Also Read: US Cryptomining's Energy Consumption Affects Rising Utility Bills? Lawmakers Say Investigation's Results are Disturbing

As of writing, the U.K. imports electricity from its neighboring countries via cables. The nation acquires its needed energy supplies commonly from Europe, Norway, France, and Belgium.

However, the National Grid explained that these EU countries might be affected by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

European leaders explained that the Russian government has been making contingency plans to reduce natural gas flows. They added that the country might also cut its energy supplies going to the EU countries.

This means that the United Kingdom will have difficulty acquiring energy assistance from the EU if European Union countries are experiencing energy shortages.

Will EU's Energy Supplies Be Enough?

As of writing, the National Grid claimed that one of the EU countries might be able to meet the energy supply demands of the United Kingdom.

This is specifically France. The electricity utility company explained that they are still monitoring the outlook in France and will soon undertake further assessments.

The National Grid added that they are also working with the government to keep coal stations in reserve so there will be enough energy supplies by winter.

You can click this link to see further details about the expected blackouts in the United Kingdom.

Previously, G7 countries announced committing to eliminating coal power by 2030.

On the other hand, Australia's first low-cost, renewable energy effort has started.

For more news updates about the energy supply issues in the U.K. and other similar stories, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Ukrainian Tech Entrepreneur Develops Vertical Solar Power Panels Designed to Be Mounted Onto Balconies

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As the remains of a Chinese rocket continue to fall down towards the Earth, the country's space agency is closely monitoring its activity in the atmosphere.

The uncontrolled entry of the debris is expected to hit the planet as early as Saturday, July 30, according to the latest report.

Uncontrolled Chinese Rocket Debris to Land Soon

(Photo : SpaceX from Unsplash)

Rocket debris from a Chinese module might soon hit the planet as early as Saturday, July 30.

In an article by USA Today, The Aerospace Corporation, a California-based nonprofit space research center, said that the remnants of the approaching Chinese rocket could hit the Earth on the weekend.

The space debris came from the Wentian space module, which recently launched into space. The uncontrolled reentry of the parts will continue until they land on a specific spot on the planet.

This event has worried experts about its impact once it crashes down to the Earth. To note, China has already done this in the past. It allowed the space debris to fall back to the planet.

Last year, some scientists grew concerned when they noticed that the remaining debris in the Tiangong space station landed on the Indian Ocean.

At the time, experts and other space agencies all over the world had been monitoring its entry as it passed through the atmosphere.

Although there's already an estimated date of the reentry, no one still knows the exact spot where it will land soon.

Regarding the 2021's rocket reentry, the US Space Command previously said that there's no way to figure out the location of landing within hours of the event.

Related Article: 21-Ton Chinese Rocket is Falling to the Earth, But Scientists Can't Predict Where and When it Will Hit

Chinese Rocket Reentry Poses Low Risk

According to Reuters, the experts said that there's only a "fairly low" chance that the debris will crash on people and properties on the Earth. Since the majority of the planet is composed of water, there's a huge chance that it will fall into the oceans or seas.

"We estimate that basically only 3% of the ground track is over the U.S.," The Aerospace Corporation director Lael Woods said.

As per the company's Orbital and Reentry Debris Studies director Marlon Sorge, the impact of the reentry can be mitigated given that the object has a 1 in 10,000 chance of landing.

Another expert from the Aerospace Corporation said that the Chinese rocket reentry is a "low-risk" thing. He pointed out that it's 10 times higher than their thresholds.

Still, the impact shouldn't be underestimated. What happened back in May 2020 might possibly take place if no precautions are implemented for the public.

At that time, the remnants of the Long March 5B hit the Ivory Coast. The West African country saw a lot of destroyed buildings. However, no reports of casualties were reported in the region.

As for the Chinese side, the country's spokesman Zhao Lijan acknowledged that the chance of the rocket debris hitting humans and buildings was "very low."

Read Also: Experts Worry About Possibility That Debris From 25-Ton Chinese Rocket May Crash to Earth! China-Backed Media Says Warnings Are Exaggerated?

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Canada's online-streaming bill is now concerning U.S. officials. Ever since the controversial Bill C-11 was proposed, many content creators said that they are worried about the legislation's impacts if it ever becomes a law.

(Photo : Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

A visitor tries out a tablet computer next to a cloud computing and technology symbol at the Deutsche Telekom stand at the 2013 CeBIT technology trade fair on March 5, 2013 in Hanover, Germany. CeBIT will be open March 5-9.

Bill C-11 (Copywrite Modernization Act) aims to allow CRTC (Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications) to regulate American-owned online streaming services.

These include Amazon's Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, and other popular streaming platforms. If it becomes a law, CRTC will have more power to promote Canadian TV, movies, music, and videos.

But, Global News reported that some U.S. officials shared their concerns. Here's why.

Canada's Online-Streaming Bill Concerns the US

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai shared her worries about Canada's online-streaming legislation.

(Photo : Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

In this photo illustration a young man looks at a recent video by German YouTube star Rezo that heavily criticizes the German Christian Democrats (CDU) political party on May 28, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. The video aired shortly before European parliamentary elections and in it Rezo tears apart CDU policies over issues including education.

Also Read: Netflix To Sell Original Series To Other Networks? Rumors Claim Show Syndication Will Bring More Revenues

Aside from Tai, International Trade Minister Mary Ng also said she is concerned with the possible impacts of Bill C-11.

Both of these U.S. officials shared their concerns at the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) Free Trade Commission ministerial meeting.

Based on the U.S. government's recordings of the meeting, Ambassador Tai said that the pending legislation in Canada could impact digital streaming services once it is passed.

Aside from Tai and Ng, other experts also explained why the Canadian online-streaming bill is bad news for digital-first content creators.

Canada's Bill C-11 Poses Trade Risks?

The University of Ottawa's Canada Research Chair in internet law, Michael Geist, is also worried about the passing of Bill C-11.

He explained that it poses trade risks, claiming that the Canadian government ignores this possibility.

"By raising concerns before the bill even passes, there is an unmistakable signal that Canada could face hundreds of millions of dollars of retaliatory tariffs," said Geist via CTV News.

He added that this could happen as a consequence of the legislation, which Canadian digital-first creators already oppose.

Although many officials and experts have already explained why the online-streaming bill can negatively affect streaming services, the U.S. is still far from taking action against it.

On the other hand, digital service taxes are now expected to be imposed in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Meta asked the Facebook Oversight Board if COVID-19 misinformation policies should be adjusted.

For more news updates about Canada's Bill C-11 and other internet-related topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Canada's Industry Minister to Hold a Meeting with Rogers Telecommunications CEO Due to Effects of the Outage

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Sony has released a special mobile gaming controller that is perfectly suited for iPhone users. With the help of Backbone, the Japanese video game company brings Backbone One: PlayStation Edition.

This gaming accessory is versatile since it can fit in any iPhone variant. You can enjoy clicking its buttons and feel the vibes as if you are pressing a PlayStation controller.

Sony Launches iPhone Gaming Controller

(Photo : Amazon)

Sony partners with Backbone to bring Backbone One, a special iPhone controller with a touch of PlayStation buttons.

According to 9to5Mac, the Backbone One controller PlayStation Edition can allow gamers to access several PlayStation titles from PS4 and PS5 platforms.

With just a single click from your iPhone, you can easily access a special mobile app dubbed "Remote Play." This particular app from Sony will tour you to several titles that you can stream on your smartphone.

If you're wondering how much this controller costs, it will cost you just $99.99. Although it's quite expensive for a mobile gaming controller, it's a great substitute if you don't want to utilize your DualSense controller.

Speaking of this PlayStation-exclusive controller, DualSense is rechargeable, whereas the BackBone One relies on the power of the iPhone.

Why is the Backbone One Controller Worth it?

When you compare the 2020 BackBone One to the current PlayStation edition controller, there's only a minimal change that you will notice. According to The Verge, you can immediately spot that the latter has shape buttons instead of letter buttons. This interface suits well for mobile gaming.

Using the controller, you can access Stadia, Apple Arcade, and Xbox Game Pass. However, you will see that the button prompts don't match the display because these are programmed to have PS-based buttons.

This mobile gaming controller features a good trigger response, nice grips, and even a good button arrangement. It has an audio port and a Lightning charging capability.

Remote Play is best used if you have high-end Wi-Fi hardware. If your internet connection is decent, you can fully take advantage of it when playing video games.

Related Article: Backbone One Gaming Controller for Android is Coming But There's a Catch for iPhone Exclusive

The Downside of Backbone Controller

Having a good mobile gaming controller is a personal choice you need to make. It's not mandatory to grab this one, but it feels good to know that it elevates your gaming experience.

Once you get the "feels" of pressing Backbone's button, you will notice how it feels to return to the PS5 home screen once again. This is quite great, yet it bypasses the toolbar that instantly places the device in rest mode.

As a result, you still need to wake up the touchscreen capability of your iPhone to navigate this. It's quite a hassle because you need to reconnect the Remote Play app to your console for another time.

Regardless of its downside, it's clear that Sony is slowly approaching some solutions to enter the mobile gaming market.

Read Also: Ray Tracing to Android? ARM to Release Immortalis GPU For 'Ultimate' Mobile Gaming Experience'

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The new Tesla Supercharger Qubes officially roll out in Europe, thanks to the automaker's new partnership with bk World, Europe's leading property contractor.

(Photo : Screenshot from official Facebook post of bk World )

Tesla Supercharger Qubes Rolls Out in EuropeOffering Automated Coffee Machines and More!

If you are not familiar with the works of bk World, this company focuses on implementing sustainable and innovative interior design projects.

What makes bk World different from other construction companies is that it will maintain the structure it built for automakers, ensuring that the buildings always look brand new.

Now, Tesla and bk World decided to work together to enhance the EV maker's Supercharger stations across Europe using the new cube lounges.

Tesla Supercharger Qubes Rolls Out in Europe

According to Electrek's latest report, the new Tesla Supercharger Qubes are already deployed in Endsee, Germany.

(Photo : Screenshot from official Facebook post of bk World )

Tesla Supercharger Qubes Rolls Out in EuropeOffering Automated Coffee Machines and More!

Also Read: Aptera Wants to Adopt Tesla's Superchargers and Plugs, Launches Petition to Make Them the Standard

Of course, the new cube lounges are expected to be deployed in more EU countries. Thanks to the new partnership, Tesla Superchargers can now have amenities.

"The whole idea for bk World was conceived from the user perspective. In other words, as the driver of an electric car, what is it that I really need during a charging break?" said Marc Arnold, one of the founders of bk World via Teslarati.

The general contractor explained that, unlike other facilities, the new Tesla Supercharger Qubes could easily be transported to other locations.

Although they are not that big, these cube lounges still offer lots of benefits, especially those Tesla drivers who are traveling very long distances.

Tesla Supercharger Qubes' Features

The new Tesla Supercharger Qubes offer automated vending machines that provide coffee and snacks.

Some vending machines outside the cube lounges can prepare fresh pizza in just four minutes.

Aside from these, Qubes also come with full restrooms. If you have kids who are getting bored during the road trip, you can rely on the new cube lounges since they offer Nintendo Switch consoles.

On the other hand, there's also a working area where you can charge your laptop, smartphone, and other essential gadgets.

If you want to learn more about the new Tesla Supercharger Qubes, you can click this link.

Previously, the non-Tesla Supercharger project is expected to roll out in the United States before 2022 ends, offering more than 35,000 units.

Meanwhile, the automaker launched the world's longest Tesla Supercharger station in France!

For more news updates about the Tesla Supercharger and its upcoming enhancements, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Tesla Shows Off Final Renderings of its Visionary Supercharger Diner With Drive-In Theater

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Written by: Griffin Davis

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
"If you go to Thailand, be careful about what you eat." Without realizing it, can I use hemp?
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Commonwealth Banks chief executive says the failings uncovered during the financial services royal commission came about because the banks success led to complacency, ignorance and arrogance within its ranks.

Several years after the 2018 Hayne royal commission delved into misconduct at Commonwealth Bank of Australia and its rivals, chief Matt Comyn told an Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) conference on Thursday that in the past the bank had become insular, which led to mistakes.

CBA chief Matt Comyn has reflected on the banks past failings. Credit:Elke Meitzel/AFR

We had been successful. Some of that success led to complacency over time, some of it led to false beliefs about why we were successful, he said during a conversation about how to turn around a companys poor culture.

We were very weak at managing non-financial risk. We didnt have the capability. There was some naivety, ignorance. We had become arrogant, particularly dealing with some stakeholders, and that was very clear. And thats that sort of deterioration, it happens over a period of time.
Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn says tackling the current tech worker shortage will require a concerted effort to boost local worker training, as the nations biggest bank launches a new IT hub in Melbournes CBD.

Even with skilled migration increasing, we need to grow more capability within Australia, Comyn said on Thursday.

I think it is one of those examples where there are opportunities on both sides. It can be investments going into the education system. For us, a lot of that is around partnerships. Weve got a number of universities that were working with directly to increase our graduate intake.

CBA chief executive Matt Comyn. Credit:Michael Quelch

The federal government has announced it will hold a jobs summit at Parliament House in September, with shortages of key workers across the economy deemed a critical issue for Australian employers.
Melbourne-based mining company Syrah Resources has secured a $US102 million ($146 million) loan from the United States government to expand production of graphite, one of the key ingredients needed to make electric car batteries.

As the Biden administration accelerates efforts to grow the US electric vehicle manufacturing industry, the loan from the US Energy Department will be used to enlarge Syrahs Vidalia plant in Louisiana, which processes graphite mined in Mozambique into battery-ready material.

ASX-listed Syrah Resources has received a loan from the US Energy Department after striking graphite supply deals with Tesla and Ford. Credit:Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Importantly, the loan will allow Syrah to accelerate its growth strategy in its downstream business and support the rapidly growing electric vehicle and battery supply chain in the USA, Syrah managing director Shaun Verner said.

The US, Australia and other nations are seeking to diversify global supplies of a range of critical minerals needed to make important products including batteries, computers, wind turbines and military weapons, amid deepening concerns about Chinas dominance over the key markets.
They lived above a popular dessert bar and beside one of south-west Sydneys busiest roads, in a block with more than 200 apartments. Yet no-one noticed their deaths, and few knew much about the lives, of two young Saudi sisters whose bodies lay undiscovered for up to a month.

Asra and Amaal Alsehli, both in their early 20s, lived in one of the many apartment blocks that have cropped up across the once-sleepy suburb of Canterbury in the past few years, which have become home to people from all over the world.

Sisters Asra Abdullah Alsehli (left) and Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, whose bodies were found inside a unit in Canterbury last month. Credit:NSW Police

There are South American students, Mongolian families, and young couples from other parts of the city seeking an affordable flat. But for some, the sense of community has not grown as quickly as the population.

Thats one of the reasons why, one neighbour said, the bodies of the young women who likely died in early May were not discovered until early June.
Children in the western Sydney suburbs of Blacktown, Parramatta and Liverpool were the most likely to be fined for breaching COVID-19 rules, receiving multitudes more infringements than comparable centres around the city.

The top eight suburbs where minors were fined were all in western Sydney, with Penrith, Mount Druitt, Campbelltown, St Marys and Bankstown rounding out the list, followed by Haymarket in Sydneys CBD and Dubbo.

Police patrol outside a vaccination centre on a Bankstown shopping strip during the Delta lockdown in August 2021. Credit:Steven Siewert

Those western Sydney suburbs were mostly located in areas of concern where the government applied more severe restrictions, including curfews and banning people leaving the area for work unless they were an approved worker.

But the difference in the number of children fined was significant. While 220 minors were fined in Blacktown, 128 in Parramatta and 111 in Liverpool, just 26 were fined in Sydney CBD, three in Surry Hills, nine in Manly and 19 in Bondi, Bondi Beach and Bondi Junction combined.
An Olympic physiotherapist is accused of indecently treating five young female swimmers during a 20-year period. Peter John Wells, 52, has had further charges laid against him with the dates of the alleged offences starting in 2002 and extending to as recently as this year. Peter Wells was the head physiotherapist for the Australian swimming team at the London 2012 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. His alleged victims  who cannot be named for legal reasons  include athletes who won medals at various Olympic Games. It is alleged that Wells committed the offences at a business on Brisbanes northside, a sporting complex in Brisbanes south-east, a college in Brisbanes south-west, and a school in Cairns in Far North Queensland.

Wells was the head physiotherapist for the Australian swimming team at the London 2012 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He was then the head of physical therapies for the Australian Olympic teams headquarters clinic at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. In addition to his Olympic roles, Wells worked as a physiotherapist for the Queensland Academy of Sport and owned his Brisbane practice since 2001  however he is no longer listed on the companys staff profiles. In February 2021, his business posted on Instagram that Wells had been picked as a physiotherapist for the Australian swimming team for the Tokyo Olympic Games held in 2021. It is unclear whether he filled the role. Wells was charged in May and June this year by specialist Brisbane child protection investigators.
Prison worker accused of stealing from inmates

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It is a spiritual notion that describes the permanent connection the people have to their ancestors and to the land. That is very different to sovereignty as we generally use the term: namely to connote exclusive, territorial, political control. Indigenous sovereignty is not exclusive in the same way: in the phrasing of the statement, it co-exists with the sovereignty of the Crown.

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That accepts the legitimacy of the nation. To be more explicit, it has our First Nations accepting the legitimacy of the nation that dispossessed them. That is surely a generous posture. And this reconciliatory approach permeates the entire statement. So, it asserts that this ancient sovereignty can shine through as a fuller expression of Australias nationhood. It seeks to allow Indigenous people to take a rightful place in our own country. It wants their children to walk in two worlds with their culture being a gift to their country. This is entirely an ethos of connection, of contributing to a common project with a common future.

This is exactly why the Uluru statement faces opposition from the more radical end of the Indigenous political spectrum. Some delegates walked out of the four-day convention where the statement was ratified because it was too conciliatory, too generous, gave too much credence to the settler-state. Put bluntly, this more radical position does not accept the legitimacy of Australia as it stands, holding that such legitimacy can only be earned through a treaty.

At that point, those with this brand of politics will have to reconcile themselves with Australian sovereignty  its just a matter of on what terms it does so  but for now, it is very much a policy of resistance. This is the politics influencing the Greens, whose official position doesnt support the Voice to Parliament until after a process of truth-telling and treaty. It is this kind of approach that has led Greens Leader Adam Bandt not to appear at press conferences with the Australian flag.
A man who sustained shocking injuries during a bungled police raid of an LGBTQI bookshop has received a confidential settlement, despite Victorias anti-corruption taskforce clearing officers of using excessive force.

Event promoter Nik Dimopoulos was mistakenly arrested by police in May 2019, during a traumatic ordeal at the Hares & Hyenas bookstore in Fitzroy that resulted in his shoulder being ripped from its socket.

Nik Dimopoulos has reached a settlement with Victoria Police over the incident at Hares and Hyenas bookstore in 2019. Credit:Eddie Jim

He was sleeping in an apartment above the bookshop when members of the forces Critical Incident Response Team stormed the building searching for a suspect involved in a carjacking and home invasion.

In June 2020, Dimopoulos launched civil action against the state government accusing the police officers involved in the incident of false imprisonment, assault and battery, and failing to exercise reasonable care.
A group of die-hard fans braved the cold and damp conditions in Melbourne to gather at Federation Square on Thursday night for the Neighbours finale.

Armed with beanies and blankets, the early birds grabbed the best spots to watch the conclusion of the soaps 37-year run.

Fans Caroline Kilkenny and Liana Tieri secured beanbags and a chair to farewell Ramsay Street.

Neighbours fans Liana Tieri (left) and Caroline Kilkenny at Federation Square watching the final episode of Neighbours. Credit:Aaron Francis

The pair has watched the show for years.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size No one knew what Kathryn Janeway* was going through until she decided to leave. But after eight years in an abusive relationship she reached breaking point, took her daughter and went to a family friends house. Her ex had been a very controlling, very evil person, said Kathryn, who is using a pseudonym to protect her identity, but he makes himself out to be a saint when hes not behind closed doors. She had known him from a young age, and at just 17 years old he drugged and raped her. I felt very shameful and didnt know how to get out of the situation, so it just kept continuing on. Then when I was 19 I fell pregnant. Kathryn said her exs proposal on the same day of a family tragedy was the straw that broke the camels back that fortified her decision to leave. I was just like, I cannot live like this anymore, she said.

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Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Kathryn was only one of many women in a similar situation, with government restrictions creating an additional layer of stress on top of an abusive relationship. Loading Experts have reported serious cases of family and domestic violence increasing over the past three years, highlighting how pandemic restrictions created the perfect setting for offending to continue. I started trying to get help from a psychiatrist but COVID made that very difficult. I was on a waitlist for six months and my mental health was declining, but I am very high functioning and good at hiding it, Kathryn said. She felt trapped in her house, separated from other family and friends, and had reached out to Lifeline almost every day. There was a time when he wasnt working and that was hell; I had to wait until he was out the house to make any calls. Kathryn was also searching for a rental, but all inspections had between 30 and 60 people and almost nothing was affordable.

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Out of options, she went to a family friends house. Her ex-partner went to police and asked them to conduct wellness checks on her in an attempt to regain control over Kathryn. I explained the situation to [a police officer] and she told me that he had seemed a bit shady and recommended I go to a womens refuge. I was a bit unsure, I didnt even know those things existed ... but he kept going back to the police station and the officer called me again and gave me a number to ring, she said. Within the hour I had a spot, which never happens. The officer had clearly already organised it for me and she gave me the courage to go. COVID continued to impact Kathryn after she arrived at the refuge. She waited for months for transitional accommodation; much longer than before the pandemic. I didnt want to leave. I felt safe there for the first time in my life. I had never known what that felt like before, she said. I didnt realise how much I had lost myself. I had not been myself since I was 17, I became such a shell of a person and when I went to the refuge... the other women helped me heal.

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Now she faces delayed court dates while she fights to stop her ex-partner from gaining shared custody of their daughter, and is waiting for government housing, which she has been told will take at least six months, even being on the priority list. There is also an ongoing police investigation into the abuse. White Ribbon Australia National Director Allan Ball said nationally, the past 24 months had seen increased family violence cases, particularly during lockdowns. Around 20 women have been murdered this year already ... it is on track to be a really bad year, he said. In March, a WA woman was allegedly murdered by her partner at their Nollamara home. They had been isolating together after testing positive to COVID-19. The family of Shauna-Lee Headland: younger sister Shonnica, mother Janis and Janis partner Delson Stokes Jnr outside court in support of Veronica Headland as she called for more action to prevent family violence. Her grandmother made a public plea outside WAs Supreme Court for more domestic violence education for communities and families, as her granddaughters partner faced a magistrate via video link from prison.

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We need more to be done, we need the government to listen to us and to hear us because we will not remain silent, she said. We need to start when they are young, if you have daughters and sons, talk to them ... we always thought this would never happen to us. Sit around your dinner table as a family and talk about domestic violence and what impact it has on families. A WA auditor-general report on the impacts of COVID-19 from 2020 to 2021 found police records of family assault or threatening behaviour were 24 per cent higher than the three-year average before the pandemic, and 19.3 per cent above the five-year average. Crime statistics released on Thursday also show an increase in reports of domestic violence-related assaults and sexual assaults since 2019. There was also a spike in domestic violence-related homicides in 2020.

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Newly elected teal independent MP Kate Chaney has used her first speech to federal parliament to warn humanity was engineering its own extinction while revealing the idea of running for federal parliament had initially made her feel like vomiting.

Chaney is one of five new West Australian MPs who have already been making waves in the first week of the parliament.

Kate Chaney has delivered her first speech. Credit:James Brickwood

Her election ended a dynasty in an electorate considered one of the safest Liberal seats in the country.

Chaney is the daughter of current Wesfarmers and former Woodside chairman Michael Chaney, granddaughter of former Menzies government minister Fred Chaney and niece of former deputy Liberal leader Fred Chaney Jr.
Former deputy premier John Barilaro will front a parliamentary inquiry over two days to give his account of his controversial appointment to a lucrative trade role in New York months after he left politics.

The state government has also agreed to publicly release a swathe of documents related to Barilaros appointment, prompting NSW Labor to cancel an extraordinary sitting of parliament that it had called for Friday.

Former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro will face the parliamentary inquiry. Credit:Jessica Hromas

Barilaro, who has since withdrawn from the job, will face the upper house probe on August 8, one day before parliament resumes from the winter break. He will return for a second hearing at the end of the sitting week if there are leftover questions.

The upper house inquiry probing Barilaros recruitment has also called Investment NSW boss Amy Brown to return to give a second day of evidence next Wednesday, along with a panel of other bureaucrats on Friday.
Singapore: Indonesia is reporting zero cases of foot and mouth on Bali but experts warn the island is far from free of the dreaded livestock disease that threatens to infiltrate Australia to devastating effect.

The Albanese government has raised biosecurity measures at airports to their strongest ever levels to prevent the virus spreading from Indonesia and causing an outbreak in Australia that could shut down the $27 billion live export trade and cost the economy as much as $80 billion.

An Indonesian Agriculture Ministry official prepares to use a blowgun to administer a vaccine to a cow at a farm in Denpasar, Bali, last week. Credit:AP

Foot and mouth has taken off across the South-east Asian archipelago over the past two months, spreading to 22 of Indonesias 37 provinces after breaking out for the first time in the country in three decades.

Much concern in Australia has centred around Bali, to where 5000 Australians are travelling each day. Farmers and livestock industry figures fear travellers could inadvertently bring in the virus on their shoes or via animal products when they return home.
Singapore: Indonesia warns that the sharing of nuclear technology to power submarines could heighten the risk of new types of weapons of mass destruction emerging.

In a submission to next weeks United Nations nuclear non-proliferation review conference, Indonesia said the use of highly enriched uranium for naval propulsion was of growing concern.

Australia has tried to allay the concerns of neighbours in south-east Asia about its plans to build nuclear-powered submarines like the American Virginia class boats. Credit:

It comes as a group of American non-proliferation experts have written to US President Joe Biden ahead of the meeting in New York, urging him to abandon plans to sell Australia eight submarines fuelled with weapon-grade uranium.

China will also bring up the AUKUS submarines deal at the conference, believing it to be a dangerous precedent and a violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Steven Lopez, a co-defendant of the Central Park Five case, departs the state Supreme Court after being exonerated in New York on July 25, 2022. (David 'Dee' Delgado/Reuters)

6th Co-defendant Charged in Central Park Jogger Case Is Exonerated

NEW YORKA long overlooked co-defendant of the Central Park Five, a group of teenagers wrongly convicted of raping a woman jogger in 1989 based on false confessions, was exonerated of a related conviction by a New York judge on Monday.

Steven Lopez was 15 when he was first named in the indictment along with other teenagers for the night-time rape and attempted murder of Trisha Meili, an investment banker whose horrific injuries became the subject of media coverage.

Lopez later pleaded guilty to robbing a male jogger that same night in a deal with prosecutors that saw the charges alleging his involvement in the attack on Meili dropped, and was sentenced to between 1.5 and 4.5 years in a state prison.

On Monday, Judge Ellen Biben of the New York State Supreme Court agreed to a motion by Manhattans chief prosecutor and a lawyer representing Lopez to vacate the plea entered by Lopez when he was 17 years old, ruling that it was involuntary, unconstitutional, and based in part on false witness statements.

What happened to you was a profound injustice and an American injustice, Eric Shapiro Lopez, a defense lawyer who was not yet born when his client was indicted, said in remarks to Lopez before the court. They say justice delayed is justice denied and Im sorry weve had to wait for 30 years. Lopez, whose long beard is now graying, appeared to have tears in his eyes.

Meili was beaten and left for dead. The attack happened amid soaring crime rates in New York City in the 1980s.

Later, the five boys convicted at trial were exonerated when the true attacker confessed and was linked to the crime by DNA evidence.

Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise, and Yusef Salaam, now known as the Exonerated Five, spent years in prison. They brought a lawsuit against the city, which was settled for $41 million in 2014. Lopez was not part of that lawsuit.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told the court that there was no physical evidence linking Lopez to the attacks on either joggers, and that the witness statements naming him had been recanted.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. speaks during a press conference regarding Steven Lopez and the Central Park jogger case at the state Supreme Court in New York on July 25, 2022. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

That, coupled with Lopezs youth at the time, made the plea involuntary, Bragg told the court.

Mr. Lopez, we wish you peace and healing, the judge said after dismissing the indictment.

Thank you, Lopez replied, his only remarks in court.

It is so ordered, the judge said, as Lopez rose to shake the chief prosecutors hand.
A Climate Emergency Declaration Would Set Alarming Precedent and Must Be Avoided

Commentary

In a speech given to his most ardent allies and climate activists in Somerset, Massachusetts, on July 20, President Joe Biden asserted: Climate change is literally an existential threat to our nation and to the world.  This is an emergency, an emergency, and I will look at it that way.  As President, Ill use my executive powers to combat the climate crisis in the absence of congressional actions.

Though Biden has thus far abstained from formally declaring a national emergency, this becomes more likely by the day. Such a declaration would amount to an end-run around democratic processes and would have dramatic consequences on the integrity of our democratic institutions, further eroding the capacity of the legislative and judicial branches to provide a meaningful check upon an already powerful executive branch. Moreover, it would set an alarming precedent for future arrogation of power under future administrations.

Yet the activity surrounding declaring a climate emergency is just one microcosm of a much larger problem.

When presidents declare national emergencies, they unlock an arsenal of expanded powers; drawing from work conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice and the Congressional Research Service (pdf), there are 136 statutory authorities within the U.S. Code that become available for presidential use. Concerningly, these powersmany of which are mind-boggling in their scope and potential for abuseare nearly impervious to congressional or judicial review.

Though Congress had intended to restrain emergency powers via the 1976 National Emergencies Act (NEA), the NEA has both failed in its original purpose and led to the vast proliferation of emergency declarations, many of which have extended for decades. The NEA primarily failed due to two judicial rulings in the 1980s, which ultimately hamstrung Congresss ability to terminate emergency declarations.

The first ruling1983s Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadhafound the use of a legislative veto to be unconstitutional, thereby forcing Congress to pass a joint resolution that can be vetoed by the president. As a recent article from the Brennan Center explains: You can imagine that a president who has declared the emergency will most likely not sign that. They will veto that type of bill. And then you need a supermajority in Congress to override that veto. Especially in todays hyper-partisan environment, a congressional supermajority is nearly impossible to attain.

The second ruling1987s Beacon Products Corp. v. Reaganfound that emergencies are still legally binding even if Congress fails to meet at the six-month interval stipulated within the NEA. A president need only send an annual renewal notice to the Federal Register, and the national emergency can continue in perpetuity.

Unsurprisingly, presidents have abused this expanded authority with reckless abandon. Since the NEAs passage, an exorbitant 76 national emergencies have been declared, many of which span decades. In fact, the first national emergency declared under the NEABlocking Iranian Government Propertyhas been unilaterally renewed every year since 1979.

More than 40 national emergencies are currently in effect today, including five of the Clinton administrations, 10 of Bush Jr.s, nine of Obamas, 10 of Trumps, and all seven that Biden has declared in just 18 months on the job.

As mentioned, the statutory powers a president can invoke are substantial and wide-ranging, covering almost every conceivable subject area including the military, public health, trade, agriculture, transportation, communication, property rights, criminal law, land use, contracts, and more.

Specifically, some of these powers include the ability to shut down and take over television and radio stations, restrict travel, seize private property, freeze financial assets, and even suspend prohibitions on testing chemical and biological weapons on human subjects.

Even more concerning, the powers a president can unleash dont have to be specifically related to the emergency.

As the Brennan Centers Elizabeth Goitein writes in The Atlantic: The National Emergencies Act doesnt require that the powers invoked relate to the nature of the emergency. Even if the crisis at hand is, say, a nationwide crop blight, the president may activate the law that allows the secretary of transportation to requisition any privately owned vessel at sea.

In practice, emergency proclamations have historically been confined to the foreign policy realm. They are most often used to legally authorize the use of economic sanctions against foreign governments, companies, or individuals, as has been the case in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

While a presidents unilateral authority to freeze assets and suspend financial activity to any organization he or she chooses does present substantial problems, more concerning is the recent trend toward using emergency declarations to push domestic agendas.

President Barack Obama invoked the national emergency proclaimed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attackswhich still remains in effect todayto eliminate statutory pay increases for federal workers in 2010, clearly reflecting how a declared emergency and the powers that may be invoked can be completely disconnected.

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, working around Congress to reallocate military funding toward constructing his border wall. Despite an unprecedented bipartisan congressional effort to terminate the emergency, Trump vetoed both of the passed resolutions, illustrating the near-total inability of Congress to provide a meaningful check upon executive power.

Ironically, many of the members of Congress who excoriated Trump for overstepping his authority are now the same individuals exhorting Biden to declare a national climate emergency. This is not only immensely hypocritical, but also a blatant abdication of these elected leaders constitutional duty to limit the executive branch.

A climate emergency declaration could hypothetically be used to:

seize farmland on behalf of the federal government (under Title 7 of the U.S. Code)

direct the military to construct green-friendly infrastructure (Title 10)

direct federal agencies to use noncompetitive procurement procedures, executing contracts with only climate-friendly companies (Title 41)

impose a ban on crude oil exports (Title 42)

make direct federal loans to green energy companies with no spending cap (Title 50)

allow the Department of Transportation to curtail or restrict automobile or truck use (Title 49)

And thats just a small selection of the ways in which Biden could respond. Though unlikely, he could technically even censor media outlets that sponsored any climate-skeptic dialogue, implement economic sanctions upon individuals or companies friendly to the fossil fuel industry in the name of national security, and seize any ships transporting fossil fuels in federal waters, among many other methods.

To be clear, a declaration of a climate emergencyregardless of whether one believes that such an emergency exists in the first placewould give the president substantial means by which to expand executive power. Moreover, it would further erode the viability of Congress as a co-equal branch of government. Finally, it would set a disturbing precedent for future presidents to use national emergencies to solve whatever crises they unilaterally deem important, with no input from Congress, or the people.

That is how dictatorship begins and democracy dies.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Acquitted of Violating Social Gathering Rule

Leticia Wong Man-huen, former Civic Party Shatin District Councillor, and her then district councillor assistant were issued Fixed Penalty Tickets for violating the social gathering ban in Hong Kong when they set up the booth outside City One MTR (Mass Transit Railway) Station for distributing anti-pandemic materials with several members of the Hong Kong Students Concern Groups Alliance, which opposed the reformation of the subject of Liberal Studies in secondary schools, on Feb. 20, 2021.

They both pleaded not guilty and chose to defend themselves. The case was heard in the Shatin Magistrates Court on July 15, and Magistrate Pang Leung-ting denounced the four police officers testimony as one-sided, subjective, and unreliable.

They were acquitted of all charges as the prosecution failed to prove that the two groups involved were connected or had a common purpose.

Leticia said after the hearing that this was a summons for social distancing two years ago, and the judges ruling was just something reasonable. It was ridiculous that she had to appear in court many times for something with simple logic such as mother is a woman.

She did not think the acquittal meant justice had arrived, but she was glad to see that there is still some logic in the Justice system.

Leticia and her then assistant, Mr. Mai, were charged with participating in a prohibited group gathering. The two pleaded not guilty and chose to defend themselves.

According to the summons, they participated in a prohibited group gathering at Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Feb 20, 2021.

The prosecution alleged that the two defendants and several other members of the Hong Kong Students Concern Groups Alliance set up a booth to distribute leaflets on that day, violating the pandemic prevention regulations.

The defendants stated in self-defense that the Hong Kong Students Concern Groups Alliance were two different groups. They were only distributing anti-pandemic materials and performing the duties of district councillors. Therefore they should be exempted.

The magistrate pointed out in his ruling that the prosecution failed to provide communication records, such as WhatsApp records, to prove that the defendants had prior contact with the Hong Kong Students Concern Groups Alliance or jointly called others to go to the booth.

Meanwhile, the clip from police provided by the prosecution clearly showed that the second defendant distributed calendars to passersby, not the flyers claimed by the police officer when he gave evidence.

The magistrate pointed out that although the clip showed that Leticia had put away a Hong Kong Students Concern Groups Alliance banner, he believed that the prosecutions conclusion related to the Hong Kong Students Concern Groups Alliance was arbitrary and unfair to the defendant.

The magistrate judged the evidence of the police officers was not objective and reliable. One of the sergeants negotiated with the two defendants and seemed to have misunderstood the powers conferred on the police by the law. For example, he could not refer to which regulation empowered him to terminate the booths operation.

Case number: STFS15, 16/2021
Lots of older folks are turning to alternative medicine to help them with the pains of aging  but they dont necessarily think thats any of their doctors business.

About 40% of older adults use at least one alternative medicine practice to help with body aches or mental strains, be it chiropractic care, massage therapy, meditation, yoga or another non-conventional option, according to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.

But only 18% of those whove tried an alternative medicine practice have actually talked about it with their health care provider.

The results suggest that primary care docs should bring up the topic during checkups, said Dr. Rachael Maciasz, a general internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine who worked with the polling team on the report.

As research continues to show the importance of the mind-body connection in health, and as more rigorous studies are done to determine what effects integrative strategies can have on various conditions, its important for patients and providers to keep the lines of communication open, Maciasz said in a news release on the report.

Just about everyone surveyed said they believe that the mind impacts health, with 82% saying it has a major impact and 14% saying it has a minor impact.

The people surveyed said they had tried alternative medicine to treat or prevent pain, insomnia, digestive issues, to relax or manage stress, to address a physical injury, or to help with depression or anxiety.

About 38% of people 50 and older found alternative medicine very beneficial, while another 54% said it was somewhat beneficial.

Those who pursue such practices tend to pay for it out of pocket, the findings showed.

Only 15% said their health insurance covers them, 19% said they have no coverage, and two-thirds were unsure about their coverage.

About 84% said theyd be likely to try alternative medicine if health insurance covered it. Of those whove stopped using such a practice, more than one-quarter cited cost as one of the reasons.

More information

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has more about integrative health.

SOURCE: University of Michigan, news release, July 22, 2022
Democratic presidential candidate and former tech executive Andrew Yang is introduced before the Democratic presidential debate at Texas Southern University's Health and Physical Education Arena in Houston on Sept. 12, 2019. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Yang Merges Forward Party With Other Disaffected Democrats and Republicans

Several former Republican and Democratic officials have joined forces to form a new political party in an effort to provide Americans with an alternative to the two major parties.

Former Democratic New York City mayoral candidate and presidential candidate Andrew Yang announced the new Forward Party on July 27.

The centrist Forward Party is a merger between the former Forward Party, the Renew America Movement (RAM), and the Serve America Movement (SAM).

Yang said the new party will expand very quickly and is already on the ballot in several states.

Not Left. Not Right. Forward, the party states on its official website.

The party aims to be on the ballot in 15 states by the end of 2022 and hopes to be in all 50 states within two years.

After hundreds of hours of meetings and conversations, we realized that we could do more together than we could apart, Yang said on his website of the merger.

According to an official announcement (pdf) on the partys website, the Forward Party will be a political home for the majority of Americans who want to move past the era of divisiveness and do-nothing politiciansso that our government starts working again.

The party says it will look and feel different and that it celebrates diverse viewpoints and creativity, works to truly improve communities, and focuses on uniting people around common-sense solutions to foster free people, thriving communities, and vibrant democracy.

Convention Set for 2023

The Forward Party will officially launch at a national convention in the summer of 2023 but is inviting Americans to join the party in the meantime in an effort to fix our broken political system.

Over 70 percent of elected positions have only one candidate competing for them, and the two major parties have shut out competition, the group states.

The new party hopes to fix this by giving Americans other options through ranked choice voting and open primaries.

The party hasnt yet outlined any specific policies.

Yang left the Democratic Party in October 2021, stating at the time that he felt confident that it was the right thing to do. He also said that polarization in the United States is the worst its ever been.

The new Forward Party will initially be co-chaired by Yang and Christine Todd Whitman, the former Republican governor of New Jersey, Reuters reported.

RAM was founded in 2021 by dozens of former officials in previous Republican administrations and is led by former Trump White House official Miles Taylor, who also served in the George W. Bush administration.

SAM is made up of Democrats, independents, and Republicans and is chaired by former Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.).

The original Forward Party was founded by Yang in October 2021.

Former Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Penn.), Rev. Ira Acree of Chicago, and many others are also part of the Forward Partys leadership circle Yang noted, with more expected to join in the future.

Yang told Reuters that the Forward Party will start with a budget of roughly $5 million and has donors lined up, along with hundreds of thousands of grassroots members spread across the three groups.

Forward Party leaders also cited a 2021 Gallup poll which showed that two-thirds of Americans believe a third political party is needed.

Reuters contributed to this report.
An armed man waves his rifle as buildings and cars are engulfed in flames after being set on fire inside the U.S. consulate compound in Benghazi on September 11, 2012. STR/AFP/GettyImages

Appeals Court Rejects 22-Year Sentence for Benghazi Terrorist, Orders New Sentencing

A 22-year prison term isnt enough for a terrorist convicted for his role in the deadly attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, a decade ago, a federal appeals court ruled.

The Sept. 11, 2012, assault on the U.S. intelligence and diplomatic facilities led to the deaths of foreign service officer Sean Patrick Smith, security officers Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, and Ambassador Christopher Stevens. This was the first time in 40 years that a sitting U.S. ambassador had been killed in the line of duty.

The defendant, Ahmed Abu Khatallah, 51, was captured by U.S. forces in 2014. Khatallah is also known by several aliases, among them Ahmed Salimfaraj Abukhatallah. Khatallah was the leader of Ubaydah Bin Jarrah, an Islamist militia operating in the Benghazi area. Evidence linked the militia to Ansar al-Sharia, an organization affiliated with the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, which was founded by the late Osama bin Laden and carried out the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that brought down the World Trade Center, a commercial airliner in Pennsylvania, and inflicted heavy damage on the Pentagon, killing almost 3,000 people in the three locations.

Khatallah was convicted in November 2017 for his role in Benghazi. Months later, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper, an Obama appointee, imposed a 22-year sentence on him for conspiracy to provide and actually providing material support or resources to terrorists, maliciously destroying and injuring dwellings and property, placing lives in jeopardy within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, and using a semi-automatic assault rifle during a crime of violence.

Because two of the convictions related to terrorism, Cooper could have sentenced Khatallah to life imprisonment, but instead, the judge opted for the shorter sentence.

Both Khatallah and the government appealed the sentence.

On July 26, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously found that the sentence pronounced by Cooper was substantively unreasonably low in light of the gravity of his crimes of terrorism.

Two of the judges, Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao, were appointed by former President Donald Trump. The third judge, Patricia Millet, was appointed by former President Barack Obama.

The overly lenient sentence failed to take into account the gravity of such an assault on an American diplomatic facility and the district courts own recognition of the vital need to deter such crimes, according to the panel.

In sentencing Khatallah to just twelve years for the two support-of-terrorism counts and the property destruction count, the district court did notand could not on this recordsufficiently justify its additional variance so far below the sentencing range that would have been appropriate even without any consideration of acquitted conduct, the ruling reads.

Moreover, a reasonable juror could still find that Khatallah was liable for placing Americans lives in jeopardy, the appeals court found (pdf).

There was overwhelming evidence that Khatallahs co-conspirators attacked the Mission while Americans were present, but there is a much weaker link between Khatallah [and other deaths], the appeals court stated. So it was eminently sensible for the jury to find both that Khatallah was responsible for endangering American lives and that there was reasonable doubt that he was responsible for any deaths.

It was unclear at press time if Khatallah planned further appeals.
A view from K2 at 8500 meters. (Courtesy of Adrian Hayes)

Australian Mountaineer Dies in Attempt to Scale Worlds Second Highest Peak

Australias mountaineering community is mourning Matthew Eakin, who died while attempting to scale K2, the worlds second-highest peak.

The Sydneysider, who was in his early 40s, and Canadian Richard Cartier went missing last week on the mountains Camp 1 (6000 metres) and Camp 2 (6700 metres) in separate incidents.

Bodies of the climbers have been traced at a height of around 6500 metres, a spokesman for Alpine Club Pakistan told the DPA news agency on Wednesday.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade official says Eakin died on Thursday, and officials are providing consular assistance and condolences to his family and friends.

Eakin was an avid mountaineer who, according to his Linkedin account, attended school at St Josephs College Hunters Hill before completing a law and commerce degree at the University of Canberra.

He founded the Mountaineers Downunder Facebook page for people to discuss equipment, routes, trips and all great things related to mountaineering.

Eakins devastated friends posted tributes on social media, saying his death was a huge loss to the mountaineering community.

College friend Bree Shedden remembered his gorgeous, cheeky smile and absolutely boundless energy.

He always told me he was going to journey the world, he wanted to run all the way across Australia to start! she wrote.

Even at 19 years old, he was planning big things. He sure did live life to the fullest, which was exactly what he always said he would do.

Kashif Ali said his friend made a huge contribution to the mountaineering community in Australia.

Felicity Symons wrote about their 23 years of friendship.

I will always see your smile in the clouds. Rest easy, my dear friend, on the mountains you loved.

Animesh Duwadi lamented the mountaineering community had lost another beautiful soul, the third this year on K2.

Although heroes come and go, legends stay forever.

Gone too soon but you will always be in our heart and memories. You have been a pillar of support and inspiration for too many people, he wrote.

Rob Norman said anyone who spent time with Mr Eakin came away with a renewed zest for life.

Jo Nevin sent her love, writing: Youve grown your wings too soon.

Asghar Ali Porik, from the Jasmine tour operating company that arranges climbs, said a team of more than 20 porters was assisting in a mission to retrieve the bodies of the climbers.

At 8611m, K2 has earned the nickname Savage Mountain due to its tough conditions. It is located in northern Pakistan near the border with China.
Test tubes in front of a displayed Biontech logo in this illustration taken on May 21, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

BioNTech, Pfizer Sue CureVac in US Over COVID-19 Vaccine Patent Claims

FRANKFURTCOVID-19 vaccine maker BioNTech said on Tuesday that it and partner Pfizer have filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, seeking a judgment that they did not infringe U.S. patents held by rival CureVac.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, said CureVac is trying to profit from the success of BioNTech and Pfizers COVID-19 vaccines after CureVacs efforts to create its own vaccine failed.

CureVac earlier this month filed a patent lawsuit in Germany against BioNTech over its use of mRNA technology and did not rule out further legal action against BioNTechs partner Pfizer or rival mRNA vaccine maker Moderna Inc..

BioNTech said that CureVacs U.S. patents were equivalent to German patents invoked by CureVac in the German court case.

BioNTech and Pfizer asked the Boston court to declare that their Comirnaty vaccine does not violate three CureVac patents related to RNA-based vaccines. The companies told the court that Comirnaty does not work in the same way as CureVacs patented technology.

One of the patents concerns messenger RNA (mRNA) connected to lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which the vaccines use to deliver the molecules safely into the body. Pfizer, BioNTech, and Moderna have been hit with U.S. patent lawsuits by other biotech companies this year over the LNP technology used in their vaccines.

Pfizer has said that it expects $32 billion in revenue from Comirnaty this year.

CureVac said in a statement it was aware of BioNTechs legal action but had not yet been formally served.

We will review the matter legally in detail and represent our position accordingly, it added.

By Ludwig Burger
Activists including Burmese nationals take part in a rally to protest against Burma's junta execution of four prisoners, including a former lawmaker from Aung San Suu Kyi's party, outside the United Nations University in Tokyo on July 26, 2022. (Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images)

Burmas Junta Says Activists Executions Were Justice for the People

The ruling military of Burma, also known as Myanmar, defended its executions of four activists as lawful and carried out in the name of justice for the people.

State media reported that the punishment has been conducted, but did not say when, or by what means.

Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said the military authorities had given [the activists] the right to defend themselves according to court order.

If we compare their sentences to other death penalty cases, they have committed crimes for which they should be sentenced to death several times, he told a news conference in the capital Naypyidaw.

Zaw Min Tu said the executions were not personal, but legal, and the men were given a chance to defend themselves.

Burmas military spokesman General Zaw Min Tun attends a news conference ahead of the start of a new parliamentary term and the formation of the new government in Naypyitaw, Burma, on Jan. 26, 2021. (Thar Byaw/Reuters)

The prisonersformer lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw of the National League for Democracy (NLD), pro-democracy figure Kyaw Min Yu, and activists Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zawwere sentenced to death in closed-door trials, drawing widespread international condemnation. Growing fears of further escalation led to calls for serious international action against the already-isolated junta.

Human rights organizations were outraged, saying the death sentence was handed down without the right to appeal or legal counsel.

The countrys Foreign Ministry said it rejects in the strongest terms criticism from international powers such as the U.N., the EU, the United States, and former colonial ruler Britain.

Such concerns and criticisms on the Burmese governments legal actions could be tantamount to interfering in the internal affairs of the country and indirectly abetting terrorism, the ministry said in a statement.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), the junta failed to inform the families of each of the convicts regarding the status of the military court, the location of the trials, and the nature of the trial.

The execution announcement openly mocked the worlds efforts to abolish capital punishment. This calculated act uses political prisoners as hostage, to threaten a population resisting the military coup, the AAPP said in a June statement.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement.

The U.N. chief opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, the spokesman added.

Burma has been in chaos since a Feb. 1, 2021, coup, with the military junta led by top general Min Aung Hlaing ousting the elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

More than 440,000 people have been displaced since the military seized power, while at least 1,600 have been killed and more than 12,500 arrested, according to a March U.N. report.

U.N. special envoy Noeleen Heyzer said in a statement last month that about 14.4 million people, or a quarter of the entire population of Burma, are in dire need of humanitarian aid.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday that there could not be business as usual with Burmas ruling military after its execution of democracy activists, adding that all options are on the table as it considered further action to punish the junta. Price called on countries to ban sales of military equipment to Burma and refrain from any activities that would lend the junta any international credibility.

Reuters contributed to this report.
The download page for the TikTok app is displayed on an Apple iPhone in Washington DC, on Aug. 7, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

CCP Uses TikTok to Gather Overseas User Data: Studies

CCP does not respect privacy; collects all Android phone data via China servers

According to an Australian cybersecurity firm investigation, TikTok, the overseas version of Douyin, collects massive amounts of user data.

The TikTok app on Apples iOS system connects to servers in mainland China, while on Androids system, it collects data from all other running and installed apps.

A TikTok data investigation white paper report released by Internet 2.0, a cybersecurity company, on July 18 stated: TikToks smart mobile application is built on a platform that does not respect the principle of privacy, while most permissions required and device information collected are unnecessary for its operation.

Due to the limitations of Apples iOS system, the Internet 2.0 only performed a static analysis of TikTok on iPhones, that is, testing and examining the code without running the app. The investigation found that TikTok connected to servers in mainland China.

While TiTtok objected that the accusation of Internet 2.0 was groundless and insisted that the IP address was in Singapore, Internet 2.0 said: The IP addresses analyzed were in China and were often changing. However, from various IP addresses, it was possible to find that they were actually connected to Guizhou, China. This was confirmed by using certain safety products and confirmation methods, including the VirusTotal, Metasploit, the open source security vulnerabilities detection tool, security tracking, and sandbox testing.

The investigation found that TikTok on Android collects information about all other running and installed apps on users phones. And the information gathered did not aim at supporting the normal functioning of TikTok, and theoretically, it is sufficient to picture the actual status of a users phone.

Internet 2.0 analyzed two states of TikTok, running and not running the App in the Android system, and found that TikTok tracks the GPS location information of the Android device at least hourly, and even the user has denied its permission to the address book, the app keeps on asking for access to contact information until permission is granted.

It is normal for an app to ask for permission to access the contact information at the beginning, but it is not normal for Apps to harass users to persistently ask for access to contact information. This reflects a culture that the App does not prioritize privacy or users privacy preferences, the report said.

The report also found TikTok had excessive access to calendars. The survey found that TikTok can access continuously and modify user calendars, even if users only use TikTok at certain times, such as live broadcasts.

Internet 2.0 pointed out that TikToks access to external devices is also excessive. While accessing external storage is a standard command for social media apps to store videos and pictures, TikTok not only retrieves and views folders in the phone but also views everything available in the list of the external storage folder, which we consider as excessive,' the report said.

Robert Potter, co-CEO of Internet 2.0, told 3AW radio that the companys research showed that TikTok is collecting a lot more data than they say.

When you open TikTok, it has access to the entire hard drive of your phone, your calendar, your contact list, and all the photos.

Overwhelming Popularity Might Become Problematic

In a discussion about the evolution of search, Senior Vice President Prabhakar Raghavan, who runs Googles Knowledge & Information Organization, noted that younger users would now turn to popular social media apps like TikTok for discovery purposes. In the internal studies, almost 40 percent of young people, when looking for a place for lunch, dont go to Google Maps or Search, he continued. They go to TikTok or Instagram. said the vice president. Google also confirmed the figures were based on an internal survey of American users aged 18 to 24.

The studies showed that younger generations are more likely to download or have downloaded TikTok on their mobile devices without knowing their privacy had been breached.

The Internet 2.0 companys white paper report has been submitted to lawmakers in Australia and the United States.

James Paterson, Senator representing the Liberal Party in Australia, tweeted: It is worrying that user data is being collected and accessed by mainland China. It is even more disturbing to know what user data is collected by Tik Tok. The Anthony Albanese government must not sit on its hands and should take action to protect Australians cybersecurity and privacy.

TikTok replied to Paterson that it could collect information about users visiting Australia from mainland China.

This Chinese company should have been honest from the beginning, but its trying to hide its purpose. Americans need to know that when theyre on TikTok, the Chinese Communist Party will get the information, Marsha Blackburn, Republican Senator of Tennessee, told Bloomberg.
A woman walks past empty buildings in Conch Bay, opposite the new Yujiapu financial district, in Tianjin, China on May 14, 2015. The massive government project incorporates dozens of skyscrapers. But a slowdown in growth in China's economy has raised doubts about the viability of such large scale projects, and some reports have described the district as a "ghost town." (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinas Banking and Property Sector Problems Affect Hong Kong: Analyst

With the sluggish economy in mainland Chinas banking and property system, with bank depositors unable to withdraw their money, and home buyers boycotting mortgage repayments to banks, Hong Kong banks loans to the mainland are affected and its banks face increased risks.

The impaired loan ratios for Hong Kong banks mainland loans will likely further rise this year in light of Chinas economic slowdown, said Helen Zhang, an economic analyst, in a July 14 report by the U.S. credit rating agency Moodys.

The majority of loans banks make outside of Hong Kong are in mainland China, accounting for 5-35 percent of its overall loan book. It is estimated that real estate loans make up at least 20-30 percent of the Hong Kong banks lending in mainland China.

Since the end of 2021, the risk of refinancing increased due to the weakness of domestic property sales, which will reduce the repayment ability of domestic property companies and increase the asset risk for Hong Kong banks, said the report.

Bank Accounts in China Frozen, Affecting Hong Kong Residents

On July 14, a subcommittee meeting of the Hong Kong Legislative Council raised concerns over many Hong Kong residents bank accounts in Mainland China having been frozen in recent years.

Pro-establishment party member Leung Mei-fun said she made a special trip to the mainland last year to unblock her frozen account and increase her online transfer limit. Subsequently, she was isolated for two weeks to meet anti-virus measures on the mainland.

Another member Leung Hei said his account in China Construction Bank was shut down a year ago. The account was intended to handle expenses such as rent collection and property fees for his stores in Dongguan city, Guangdong Province.

According to Chinas bank rules, if a bank account has not been used for a long time or if ones Mainland Travel Permita travel document issued by China for Hong Kong and Macau residentsexpires, the account will be frozen.

This rule has already affected at least hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong residents, Leung said.

Because of the pandemic, the majority of Hong Kong people couldnt visit the Mainland in the past two years to use their accounts.

Account holders have been unable to withdraw funds from their accounts in village banks in Henan Province since late April, as previously reported in the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Time.

More than 300 depositors of a village Bank in Henan Province gathered in front of the Henan Supervisory Bureau to protest and demand that they be able to withdraw their money legally, on June 25, 2022. (Courtesy of the interviewee/ The Epoch Times)

On April 18, bank depositors in Henan Province were told they could not withdraw their money from banks in New Minsheng village of Yuzhou city, Huimin village of Shangcai County, Huanghuai village of Zhecheng Country, and New Oriental village of Kaifeng City.

Those banks issued notices saying bank withdrawal failures were due to a system upgrade and maintenance and that online banking and mobile banking services would also be suspended.

From May 18 to 21, depositors went to the provincial government and banking and insurance authorityboth in Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan Provinceto demand the banks return their deposits, but they were expelled, beaten, sprayed with pepper water, and arrested by police.

In June, some protesters found that their Health Code was marked red, which means they are required to be isolated. The Health Code is a mobile app through which the Communist ruling Party oversees individuals vaccination and health status, but its more often used as a tool when the authority want to limit peoples outdoor activities for political reasons. Thus the depositors were prevented from going to the banks to get money or to complain.

On July 10, when at least 2,000 depositors gathered in front of the Central Bank Zhengzhou Branch they were violently assaulted by plainclothes police.

Subsequently, the authorities announced that they would start the advance payment measures on July 15, but in fact, many depositors find they still cant access their deposits.

Similar cases also occurred in Shanghai. The phenomenon has spread from Shenzhen and Dandong in the south to Liaoning province in the north over the past months, sparking increased concern among Chinese nationals.

Observers see this as a sign that China is facing a financial system collapse, and the authorities are trying to find ways to stall for time so they can fix it.

Restrictions on Withdrawal of Money

In April, Agricultural Bank, Pudong Development Bank, and Everbright Bank successively announced they were lowering the transaction limits related to online business.

At the end of June, Agricultural Bank further restricted the daily spending limit to RMB1,000 (about $148) without informing depositors in advance.

Banks cutting spending limits is also happening in Hong Kong.

Nanyang Commercial Bank in Hong Kong announced on June 27 that it will reduce the daily limit for online banking, including transfers and remittances to third-party accounts, by half from HK$1 million (about $127,390) per day starting on July 24.

The Bank didnt explain the reason for such a move. While it has long been known as a CCP-owned bank in Hong Kong, the main owner is China Cinda Assets Management.

A Chinese worker walks past a new property development in Beijing on April 1, 2013. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)

People Withhold Mortgage Payments

With more and more rotten-tail or unfinished buildings emerging nationwide in recent years, a large number of home buyers have stopped payment of their mortgage loans to banks.

As of July 19, based on incomplete statistics, about 230 project owners have issued compulsory suspension of loans, involving 82 cities in 25 provinces and autonomous regions, said China Real Estate Information Corporation (CRIC), reported HK01 on July 21.

On July 14, thousands of property owners rallied at the Xian Banking and Insurance Supervision Bureau, accusing it of ignoring bank violations of housing loan regulations.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Huaxia Bank, and Bank of Zhengzhou are suspected of illegally granting loans and supervising funds during the pre-sale of houses, protesters said.

Cause of Unfinished Building in China: Analysis

Fearing a growing crisis over the financial system, Chinas real estate regulator is urging banks to fund housing developers so they can complete housing projects and expedite the delivery of homes to buyers, said people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported on July 18.

Its a vicious circle, said current affairs commentator Xiao Ruoyuan on his web program, further explaining that people are unwilling to buy off-plan property, property before it has been constructed, for fear that it will be a rotten-tail or unfinished building in the future. The developers do not have enough money, consequently, there are more and more unfinished buildings. Also, once a project is delayed, the cost of raw materials rises, and the amount of property pre-sold cannot support the completion of the buildings.

In an interview with New Tang Dynastys Asia Pacific Desk, The Epoch Times columnist Wang He said the cause of so many unfinished buildings is the result of collusion between banks, real estate companies, and the CCP authorities, who each take a share of the depositors money.

Many of the buyers whose buildings are unfinished have stopped making mortgage payments collectively, something they have never done before, which creates a further complication for the CCP. With the ongoing debt crisis, the government will not have the money to complete the unfinished construction, Wang said.

Some commentators said that the CCP is unable to suppress the wave of mortgage payment suspensions and will be temporarily adopting a gentle policy to dodge the broader outrage that might occur at the upcoming twentieth congress.

To secure Xi Jinpings re-election, the CCP will not make the problems bigger before the twentieth congress. It will delay six months to a year, that is, until the victims groups can be divided and dismantled, Xiao said.

Xiao estimated that at least 5 or 6 trillion RMB (about $741 billion to $889 billion) is needed to solve the problem of unfinished buildings, but the central government, local governments, banks, and housing enterprises would not offer money or do not have enough money to do so, Xiao said.

The deteriorating, unfinished property construction has increased the asset risk for Hong Kong banks.

Moreover, the majority of Hong Kong banks lending to the Chinese property sector is offshore, which is usually riskier than onshore, given the sources of loan repayment, collateral, and loan recovery issues, said Moodys.
Chinas Response to Pelosis Taiwan Visit Is Just Empty Threats: Former State Department Official

A proposed trip to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spurred something of a diplomatic event this week, as administration officials and experts publicly disagreed on the utility of the trip amid increased threats from communist China.

The White House subsequently clarified that Pelosi was receiving standard military input on the security situation in relation to Taiwan.

Its routine for us when she travels overseas to provide her facts and analysis, context, geopolitical realities that shes going to be facing wherever she goes, said John Kirby, an official at the White Houses National Security Council.

And theres always issues of security surrounded by her travel, too, that sometimes the Department of Defense participates in, depending on where she goes and how long shes going to stay and what the threats and challenges are.

Chinese communist leadership has threatened forceful measures against the United States and Taiwan if Pelosis trip went forward. Following those remarks, President Joe Biden publicly said that such a trip was not a good idea, and suggested that the military was against it.

Bidens statements raised eyebrows from legislators and experts alike, who believed that they overstepped the bounds of both the president and the military in attempting to control the personal travel of a sitting member of Congress.

For her part, Pelosi expressed some confusion over Bidens remarks and said that the military may have been concerned that Chinese forces would shoot her plane down should it try to land in Taiwan. Since then, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley has sworn that Pelosi would receive a military escort should she visit the island, raising concerns that China could launch a military strike near Taiwan.

Such a public falling out over the possibility of Pelosis trip may be a far greater security concern than actually visiting Taiwan, however.

People tend to go to extremes when they think about military action, Gen. David Stilwell, former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs told NTD, an affiliate of The Epoch Times. And if you look at the history of [Chinese] military responses, and especially in the Taiwan situation, theyve been muted.

[Meanwhile] We are talking ourselves out of things, and were doing it very publicly. Our internal debates need to stay internal.

As to the Chinese regimes various threats against Taiwan, the United States, and Pelosi herself, Stilwell said that it was mostly hot air. Further, he said, such empty threats were increasingly diminishing Beijings standing on the world stage.

They [China] still play the role of second-tier middle power, Stilwell said. Theyre still in that mentality of being a not a major power. You look at how they make promises or how they violate agreements. This is stuff that a mid-level power can do without real consequence.

But as a great power, empty threats, when demonstrated to be empty with no intent to prove them, makes it more difficult for them to actually create the desired deterrent effect with future threats.

Stilwell said that, if anything, Beijings increasingly bellicose rhetoric, which has included outright threats of war, would ultimately undermine Chinas communist government, as other nations would no longer take them seriously.

As for Chinese leader Xi Jinpings allegations, made during a July 28 call with Biden, that the United States was somehow playing with fire, Stilwell said that the U.S. maintained its commitments and thus had nothing to fear from China.

These are just idle, empty, hollow threats, [meant] to get us to back down for free, Stilwell said.

We know for a fact that what were doing is not in any way violating our commitments, because we do abide by our commitments.

The CCP maintains that Taiwan is a breakaway province of China. Xi has vowed to unite the island with the mainland, and has not ruled out the use of force to do so. For its part, Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949, has never been under CCP control, and boasts a thriving democracy and market economy.

The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is bound by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide it with the arms necessary for its self-defense. Washington also maintains a doctrine of strategic ambiguity in which it will neither confirm nor deny whether it would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.

In all, White House official Kirby reiterated that most of the military support that Pelosi is receiving is well in line with what would always be expected of such a situation, even if this particular situation played out far more publicly than normal.

Any time a member of Congress travels, we do share with them the geopolitical information thats happening in the country, in the region; the national security situation, Kirby said. And it doesnt matter if its Taiwan or any other place around the world, we share that information, and so we make very clear of what is happening currently, in that moment.
The Chinese military steps up its warnings over House Speaker Nancy Pelosis planned visit to Taiwan. But the United States is not backing down.

The U.S. space chief is warning against Beijings heightened aggression in space. He says it poses a threat to the United States.

Federal tax dollars are funneling into universities that host Chinese-backed institutions. Theyre said to promote Beijing-style censorship, and a group of lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon because of it.

The Senate has passed an over $200 billion bill aiming to boost semiconductor manufacturing on U.S. soil. But Sen. Marco Rubio says the bill lacks safeguards to protect American research.

Topics in this episode:

Chinese Military Vows to Act If Pelosi Visits Taiwan Senate Passes Bill to Boost Chip Production Space Force Chief: China Space Effort Threat to U.S. U.S.: Beijings Provocations Risk Major Incident China Sending Troops to Russias August Army Games Japan Defense Report Warns of Escalating Threats GOP Presses DOD Over Conflicting Funding Taiwans Parliament Speaker Visits Lithuania China Made 7NM Microchips, Accused of Copying Taiwan End CCP Cross-Country Road Tour

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A well-produced, highly informative documentary on the increasing crime rates of California

Not rated | 50m | Documentary | 2022

In recent years, crime in California has been rising at an increasing pace.

EpochTVs documentary, Californias Vanishing Dream: Behind the Rise in Crime, sheds much needed light on this problem.

Epoch Times Correspondent Siyamak Khorrami investigates how Californians are being affected by the rise in crime and what isand isntbeing done about it, through sound research and interviews with law enforcement officials, business owners, and other concerned parties.

As former Los Angeles County District Attorney, Steve Cooley, points out, the only way to effectively combat crime is through changes in policy and backing up the people who fight the criminal elementsin other words, lawmakers and law enforcers.

If you have weak, soft-on-crime laws and prosecutors, as well as equally ineffective law enforcement, the criminal elements see a big green light to commit more crimes.

When these unfortunate circumstancesunder which crime flourishesbecome common to Californians as a whole, society suffers and the overall quality of life in the Golden State is diminished.

Taking actionMarina Del Rey homeowner Greg Straus in Californias Vanishing Dream: Behind the Rise in Crime. (EpochTV)

Formerly safe gilded neighborhoods, such as Marina Del Rey in Los Angeles, have seen a sharp increase in crime.

As homeowner Greg Straus describes, when he and his family moved to Marina Del Rey in the 1990s, crime was relatively non-existent. It was a great place to live and raise a family. But for the past seven to eight years, there has been a rapid increase in all sorts of criminal activity.

As Mr. Straus recounts, the increase in crime culminated in a large numbers of nefarious individuals attempting to break into his home through various means, such as forcing the entry door or windows open. One night, he awoke during the dead of night to a beep, beep, beep sound, as someone was attempting to figure out his front doors security entry code.

As the criminal activity in Straus neighborhood began spiraling out of control, he took action to organize with his neighbors and coordinate with the local Home Owners Association. Together, they hired an armed security service to patrol the area.

He states that, had they voted for having such a service patrolling the neighborhood two or three years ago, local folks probably would have decided against such an act. But things have gotten so out of control more recently that most residents have become fed up with the rising crime in the area.

He further states that people arent just concerned with the rising crime rate in Los Angeles but within California as a whole.

A man being robbed in Hollywood, California in Californias Vanishing Dream: Behind the Rise in Crime. (EpochTV)

For example, in places such as San Francisco, where lax crime laws and a diminished law enforcement budget have resulted in a steep rise in crime, a survey indicated that over forty percent of residents there would like to move out of the city in the next few years.

Local businessman Michael Hsu has always loved shoes and so he took over a shoe store in the formerly safe, Asian-dominated Sunset neighborhood in San Francisco. But crime has exploded so ferociously in the past few years that not only his store, but many other businesses in the area have been broken into and looted by criminals.

As security camera footage rolls, showing various criminals burglarizing his store, a female newscasters voice reports that criminals are targeting many small businesses that are already struggling because of the recent lockdowns and fear-induced viral paranoia.

In downtown San Francisco, its a virtual free-for-all where so-called boostersor criminals who snatch and grab merchandise from storesare stealing from stores on an hourly basis. Security guards and undercover security in stores such as Nordstrom and Neiman Markus are so overwhelmed by the rampant boosting that they rarely do anything about it.

Likewise, police departments and sheriffs departments have had their resources decimated, to the extent that much of the time, they dont, or cant, respond to less serious crimes. This is the result of liberal Democrats slashing their resources.

Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva talks about the realities of crime in Californias Vanishing Dream: Behind the Rise in Crime. (EpochTV)

Good intentioned laws that were initially designed to be more rehabilitative rather than punitive, which have been passed in California, have also resulted in criminals receiving only a slap on their wrist for their crimes.

Knowing that they wont face much in the way of punishment has encouraged criminal elements to commit more crimes.

As the wise Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva puts it, we can all think of unicorns and play ukuleles  and sing kumbaya, but its just not reality.

Californias Vanishing Dream: Behind the Rise in Crime is a highly informative and revelatory expose of Californias exponentially increasing crime rate. This crime wave is only going to grow unless serious, decisive action is taken with regard to countering it. However, the time to do so is rapidly running out, prompting many people to leave the state, while others want to stay and fight.

Californias Vanishing Dream: Behind the Rise in Crime

Director: Hau Nguyen

Stars: Siyamak Khorrami, Steve Cooley, Greg Straus

Running Time: 50 minutes

MPAA Rating: Not rated

Release Date: May 14, 2022 (United States)

Rated: 4.5 stars out of 5

Ian Kane is a filmmaker and author. To learn more, visit iankanebooks.com/or contact him on Instagram @dreamflightent.

Watch on Epoch Cinemavisit the link here.



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Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Pro-life protesters stand near the gate of the Texas state capitol on May 29, 2021. (Sergio Flores/Getty Images)

Clock Is Ticking on Texas Abortion Trigger Law

Abortions will be outlawed next month

With few exceptions, Texas will outlaw abortions on Aug. 25 when the states trigger law goes into effect.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued its official judgment July 26 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the case that overturned Roe v. Wade. The judgment clears the way for Texas trigger law, which bans almost all abortions within 30 days.

The Republican-led legislature passed a trigger law last year in the event the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case legalizing abortion.

Under the legislation, Texas House Bill 1280, doctors who perform abortions could face life in prison and fines of no less than $100,000.

The law makes no exceptions for women who become pregnant due to rape or incest, or if severe or potentially lethal fetal abnormalities exist. Only women facing death or a substantial impairment of major bodily function will be able to access abortion legally in Texas.

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott praised the U.S. Supreme Courts decision that triggered the states new abortion law.

Texas will always fight for the innocent unborn, and I will continue working with the Texas legislature and all Texans to save every child from the ravages of abortion and help our expectant mothers in need, Abbott said in a statement after the U.S. Supreme Court decision on June 24.

Texas Democrats have vowed in a statement to turn Texas blue and overturn the states dystopian and extremist abortion law. They hope the ruling will motivate their base to turn out for Democrat Beto ORourke, who is challenging Abbott in the governors race this fall.

A vandal left pro-abortion slogans on Loreto House, a crisis pregnancy center in Denton, Texas, on May 7, 2022. (Courtesy of Loreto House)

Texas became a leader in pro-life legislation last year when it passed the Texas Heartbeat Act, which outlawed abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. The law offered a creative enforcement mechanism allowing private citizens to bring lawsuits against anyone who aided and abetted a prohibited abortion.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) closed his offices at the announcement last month in observance of the high courts decision. In a statement, Paxton said the closures honor nearly 70 million unborn babies killed in the womb since 1973.

The Texas Legislature also funded the Alternatives to Abortion program, which received $100 million for the biennium. This program assists with diapers, formula, car seats, and classes on pregnancy and parenting.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke speaks to the media after interrupting a press conference held by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in Uvalde, Texas, on May 25, 2022. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, state Democrats are preparing for a battle at the ballot box, according to Hannah Roe Beck, Texas Democratic Party Co-Executive Director.

It is more important than ever that we elect Beto ORourke as governor, flip the Texas Legislature, and elect Democrats up and down the ticket who will overturn Greg Abbotts draconian and brutal laws imposing the will of a tiny minority on the entirety of our state, she said in a June statement.
Convicted Murderer Released from Jail Under Gascons Policies Accused of New Crimes

LOS ANGELESA convicted murderer freed under Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascons policies last year is back in custody facing 11 new charges.

Los Angeles deputies found Palmdale native Andres Cachu, 25, slumped over his steering wheel on July 19 with a firearm in his waistband. They suspected he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

When deputies tapped on his window to awaken him, the man fled in the vehicle but crashed after driving the wrong way on a freeway.

Cachu is charged with one felony count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officers motor vehicle and driving against traffic, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession for sale of methamphetamine and possession for sale of cocaine. He also faces one misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence of a drug, possession of a controlled substance with a firearm and possession of cannabis for sale.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

We are disappointed to learn that Mr. Cachu has not availed himself of the support that he so clearly needs, grateful that no physical harm came to anyone, and are committed to holding him accountable as an adult in this case, Gascon said in a statement.

In October 2016, Cachu was convicted of murder and robbery in the shooting death of Louis Amela, 41, in Los Angeles. He admitted to the shooting while in a jail holding cell with two undercover deputies who secretly recorded their 45-minute conversation, according to an appellate court panel hearing his case.

Also in 2016, California voters approved Proposition 57, prohibiting prosecutors from charging juveniles as adults without a judges approval. The new law also allowed those convicted as adults for crimes committed as juveniles to appeal their sentences. Cachu, 17 at the time of Amelas killing, appealed his 50-years-to-life sentence. In November, Gascons office did not seek a court hearing to try to keep Cachu behind bars and an appellate panel ordered him to be released.

Gascon, who is facing a recall effort, said in a statement that the ruling to let the convict out last November was based upon the facts of the case and the individual characteristics of Mr. Cachu.

We determined that we would not likely prevail in a transfer hearing because we could not prove that he would not have benefited from juvenile resources at the time of the original offenseagain, as the law requires, Gascons statement read. We asked the court to remand Mr. Cachu to the Department of Juvenile Justice and that request was denied. We are frustrated to see that he is struggling, and again, will hold him accountable for the charged offenses.

The attorney who represented Amelas family, Kathleen Cady, said late last week that Cachu was released only because of Gascons policies and the actions of his special adviser handling the case, Alisa Blair, adding that they are the ones who must be held accountable.

Cachu is being held on $1.33 million bail while awaiting his hearing on Aug. 1. The court will determine if theres enough evidence to move the case forward in a trial.

City News Service contributed to this report.
United Conservative Party of Alberta leadership candidates (LR) Todd Loewen, Danielle Smith, Rajan Sawhney, Rebecca Schulz, Leela Aheer, Travis Toews, and Brian Jean attend the party leadership candidates' debate in Medicine Hat, Alta., on July 27, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

Alberta UCP Leadership Candidates Discuss Unity, Alberta-Ottawa Relations in First Debate

United Conservative Party (UCP) of Alberta leadership candidate Danielle Smith defended her prospective sovereignty act and past comments she made about cancer during the first UCP leadership debate on July 27.

All seven candidates participated in the debate, which was live-streamed from a helicopter hangar in Medicine Hat. The debate covered such issues as protecting the environment, maintaining party unity, and navigating Albertas relationship with the federal government.

Rajan Sawhney, who was the UCPs transportation minister before running in the leadership race, challenged Smith during the debate on her proposed provincial sovereignty act, which, if passed, would allow the Alberta government to refuse to enforce any federal law or policy it deemed harmful to the province.

Sawhney called the act divisive and impractical.

The problem is, when we shoot ourselves in the foot with provincial policies  like the sovereignty act, that is creating a politically risky environment and that is going to impact everything I said earlier: environmental initiatives, energy initiatives, agricultural initiatives, Sawhney said.

Sawhney also said Smiths sovereignty act would create a situation of turmoil and chaos in Alberta, to which Smith responded that the federal government is responsible.

Ottawa has created the chaos, said Smith. Ottawa has cancelled our projects.

Candidate Travis Toews, former UCP finance minister, also spoke against Smiths sovereignty plan, saying that it will harm Albertas economic state.

We cant wish all of Ottawas obstructionism away by waving the magic wand on the sovereignty act, Toews said.

On the topic of health care, Smith addressed comments she made about cancer during a recent episode of her podcast. In the episode, Smith said that natural treatments and lifestyle choices can help prevent cancer before it reaches the need for advanced medical treatment. Smith sought to clarify her comments during the debate, saying they were misunderstood.

I know cancer can strike anyone at any time without any relation to lifestyle.  Thats why I became such a proponent of early detection, early treatment, nutrition, and holistic medicine, Smith said. There are so many more options if you diagnose early, then you can treat early, and thats what I was trying to say, albeit very awkwardly.

Sawhney responded by saying that Smiths comments were still very hurtful to Albertans and Canadians who have lost someone to cancer or who are suffering from cancer.

Later in the debate, candidate Brian Jean said he wants Smith to promise she will not give bad medical advice again. Both Jean and Sawhney called on Smith to apologize for her remarks.

In response, Smith said that former UCP cabinet ministers should apologize for implementing lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When we look at what happened over the last two years of COVID lockdownsand I havent heard any apology from any of the cabinet ministers who imposed that on us for the last two yearsId like to see an apology there, said Smith.

The second leadership debate will take place at Edmontons Maclab Theatre on Aug. 30, and the UCP will announce its new leader at the Official Election Night Event at Calgarys BMO Centre on Oct. 6.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed on July 28 that she has asked for the help of the National Guard to deal with the influx of illegal immigrants. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has filed a complaint against a restaurant that hosts drag shows and is accused of exposing children to them.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit held at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida, on July 22, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

DeSantis to Take Action Against ESG

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 27 said he plans to take action against the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) movement, calling it a threat to the American economy.

The leveraging of corporate power to impose an ideological agenda on society represents an alarming trend, DeSantis said in a statement. From Wall Street banks to massive asset managers and big tech companies, we have seen the corporate elite use their economic power to impose policies on the country that they could not achieve at the ballot box.

Most Americans are not aware of what ESG is and what its goal is and leveraging corporate power to impose an ideological agenda on society is an alarming trend, DeSantis said.

Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), an investment research firm in New York, described ESG as investing as the consideration of environmental, social and governance factors alongside financial factors in the investment decision-making process.

But some view the movement as a sinister force. James Lindsay, the author of Race Marxism, described ESG as a weapon in the hands of social justice warriors to shake down corporations and a tool in the hands of those seeking to impose one world government.'

Florida House Speaker Designate Paul Renner said at Wednesdays press conference that ESG is a global elite weaponizing American capitalism against us, making it a national security issue as well as a pocketbook issue.

He warned that going down this path would lead to companies being choked off of their ability to get financing and would do the same in agriculture.

So, if youre a meat eater, get ready, he warned. Theyre against meat and so theyre driving up food prices  these people dont care  (they) will open our borders, choke off our agriculture sector and basically weaken this country for their own local agenda.

Justin Danhof, head of corporate governance at Strive Asset Management, told the Tampa crowd that America after declaring freedom 250 years ago is battling a new monarchy, its actually a behemoth ideological cartel.

Danhof explained that America has three large asset managers, BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard that manage more than $20 trillion in assets.

They use their shareholder vote and their financial influence to politicize business on issues ranging from climate to social justice, these big three are transforming the fabric of American society in ways that a majority of Americans disagree with, he said. DeSantis is saying to the big three, you arent going to politicize corporations with pension money.'

DeSantiss proposed legislation will amend Floridas Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices statute to stop discriminatory practices by large financial institutions based on ESG social credit score metric.

In addition to the legislation, DeSantis will propose an update to the fiduciary duties of the State Board of Administration Investment fund managers and investment advisors to define factors that fiduciaries are to consider when making investment decisions. ESG criteria, environmental, social or corporate governance factors will not be included, the governors office said in a written statement.

The governor said he hoped that Florida will lead the way in getting like-minded states to create a retirement system voting bloc.

A lot of these states could come together, and wed have a lot of money, a lot of voting power. We could be a real check against a lot of the excesses that weve seen and probably have enough resources to beat back a lot of stuff, he said.

Cindy Drukier and Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
Does Roes End Benefit Everyone?

Commentary

In a confusing and incoherent speech at the U.N. in July, Prince Harry linked what he called the rolling back of constitutional rights in the United States (i.e., the Supreme Courts Dobbs ruling) to the Russian war in Ukraine. Both were examples, as he saw it, of a global assault on democracy and freedom.

On the contrary, the Dobbs ruling is a triumph for democracy and the rule of law. It restored to the people and our representatives a say in the abortion debate.

How can we use this restored right to debate and decide the issue for the benefit of all?

Democracy and Debate

In Roe v. Wade (1973), the Court overrode the laws of 50 states and invented a new right to abortion. It was, as Justice Byron White, one of the dissenters in Roe, said, an exercise in raw judicial power. The Courts ruling then had no basis in the Constitution, which makes no mention of the practice of abortion and does not imply a right to it in any constitutional provision, including the 14th Amendment.

Stare decisis, the principle that favors following past decisions of the Court, as Justice Samuel Alito writes (pdf) in the Courts ruling in the Dobbs case, does not compel unending adherence to Roes abuse of judicial authority. Rather the Dobbs ruling corrects that abuse, as the Brown decision overruled Plessy v. Ferguson.

The Courts decision in the Dobbs case returns the question of abortion to the states in a country that is divided.

The Democrats as a party, ever more extreme in their pro-abortion stance, wanted the Court to impose its will on the people and their elected representatives by reaffirming Roe. They have not had to argue or debate their position for many decades but have relied on the Supreme Court to impose what they could not achieve in the democratic process. Now they will have to argue their case in the states, and those in the pro-life movement will need to consider and respond to them.

In the absence of debate, misconceptions arise and go unexamined. Philosopher Melissa Moschella, in her recent essay on the ethics of abortion, explains and clarifies the most common and influential of these misconceptions. To take just one example, she addresses the common view that justifies abortion by appealing to a womans right to do what she wants with her own body.

Yet the child is a distinct human being with his or her own self-directed development, not part of the womans body. Otherwise, as Moschella puts it, we would have to say that a pregnant woman has four legs, four arms, and two hearts beating at different speeds.  The mothers body only provides nutrition, protection, and a suitable environmentthings we all need to survive at any stage of life.

Improving Lives for Children and Families

Abortion has never been a single issue. As Helen Alvare argues, despite their differences, the majority and minority opinions in Dobbs illustrate how state abortion laws are inextricably linked to a large range of family matters. These include:

Respect for the lives of vulnerable members of the family, the degree of welcome offered to children no matter their sex, race, or level of abilities, the safety of pregnancy and childbirth, the ability of mothers to participate robustly and with a sense of support and equanimity in education and employment, and to be accepted as equals in all of these spheres.

Such concerns can be accommodated and addressed through post-Roe state abortion laws without ending the life of the baby.

In addition to picketing abortion clinics, supporters of the pro-life movement have built a nationwide network of community pregnancy centers and invited pro-choice activists to join them in helping women before and after the birth of their child. Such centers will continue to need support.

Paradoxically, pro-choice activists have directed their ire in particular at pregnancy resource centers that provide material help (like diapers) and services for mothers who need help and feel they have run out of options. Such clinics expand the capacity of a mother to choose life for her child, while pro-abortion activists aim to close off the mothers option to choose anything but death for the child shes carrying.

If abortion is no longer the first and only option, its advocates will have to look at alternatives if they really want to help women and their babies.

As Mary Eberstadt puts it, there is more work for the pro-life movement to do:

more checks to be written; more pro bono legal help; more therapy for fragile families; more roofs to shelter innocent heads; more adoption options; more attention to foster care; more time spent in prisons and other places, helping absent and estranged fathers become fathers. In a word, more love.



Abortion, like the sexual revolution more generally, has been a boon for the most predatory men. It breaks the natural link between sex and the consequences and responsibilities that sometimes result in the form of new life. The pill and the back stop of abortion reduce pregnancy and childbirth to the womans choice and so, in some mens view, her responsibility alone.

As women become more cautious and discriminating about the baby-making act, something like the traditional shotgun wedding may reassert itself in the culture. Young women may again elicit the promise of marriage that family and social pressures may again enforce.

Such insistence on holding men responsible for their offspring may express itself in policy that more rigorously holds men, whatever their marital status, legally and financially responsible for the children they father. Eberstadt suggests measures like strengthening laws against date-rape drugs, and toughening paternity and child-support laws. Or, as she says, we could take a closer look at a commercial surrogacy industry that treats mothers like domestic animals and babies like high-end consumer choices.

In addition to such deterrent measures, formal and informal, there are many ways to support children and families and recognize their importance for society, not only as burdens but as contributions. Welfare has sometimes been structured in ways that substitute the state for fathers and marriage, seeming to reward fatherless families.

But states can avoid such perverse incentives. Lawmakers can help children and their parents through programs that do not undermine marriage and family.

At the federal level Republicans, including those who are as far apart on other issues as Senators Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), have been developing proposals that aim to address the needs of mothers, children, and families.

The Way Forward

Roes end has placed new demands on the pro-life movement. Our focus can no longer be narrowly on the Supreme Court and shaping its composition through political action.

We need to upgrade activities and programs in our communities and churches that strengthen marriage and families. We need to engage anew in the debate about abortion, confronting its horrors without euphemisms. The aim should be to make it unthinkable.

And we need to rethink family policy to incentivize stable marriage and discourage sexual license and irresponsibility, to hold men accountable for the children they father and the women who bear them.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Election Observers Wont Be Allowed to View Vote-Counting in LA District Attorney Recall: Official

Election monitors wont be allowed to view vote-counting in the recall of controversial Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon, officials said Thursday.

[A] reference to monitors/observers in the presidential election is not an accurate comparison as an election does allow for public observation, and Los Angeles County does have an Election Observer Program where members of the public get to watch election-related activities, Los Angeles Registrar spokesman Michael Sanchez told the Washington Examiner. However, a recall attempt and its verification/certification activities are not the same.

Sanchez said that observers can participate in normal elections, but recalls have different requirements. He cited California Government Code 6253.5, which says that petitions for ballot measures arent public records and arent able to be inspected.

But Tim Lineberger, a spokesman for the recall campaign, told the paper that voters have the right to monitor the recall.

Clearly the examination of a recall petition is part of the recall process, Lineberger said. Other county elections officials allow for observations. This would be a very narrow interpretation on their part.

He cited California state Election Code 2300, which stipulates that Californians have the right to ask questions about election procedures and observe the election process and also have the right to ask questions of the precinct board and elections officials regarding election procedures and to receive an answer or be directed to the appropriate official for an answer.

Earlier this month, the recall effort hit a key milestone and delivered 715,833 signatures of Angelenos to the Los Angeles County Registrars office, exceeding the some 566,000 signatures needed to put Gascon on the ballot for a recall election.

Now the county clerks office said it will carry out a count of all signatures by Aug. 17.

We remain confident the requisite 566,857 verified signatures to qualify the recall were submitted, and that once the recall qualifies, Gascon will be removed from office in a landslide, Lineberger told The Epoch Times in mid-July. As we assumed, this was always going to be close, but we are right in line with where we need to be to qualify. Ultimately, we will exhaust every legal and statutory option available to demonstrate as much if necessary.

The recall was triggered amid a wave of criticism against Gascon, who was elected in late 2020 and promised to bring progressive change to the district attorneys office. However, top law enforcement officials and other critics say that hes pursued a left-wing agenda while allowing repeat offenders as well as violent criminals back on the streets.

The Epoch Times has contacted the registrars office for comment.
The White House is accused of redefining the word recession as the current-White House economic adviser Brian Deese insisted that two negative quarters of GDP growth is not the technical definition of recession.

But a resurfaced 2008 comment from Deese revealed that he used to believe that was the technical definition or recession.



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The U.S. economy shrinks again for the second quarter in a row. Experts say that even if were not in a recession, were close to one.

In a surprise reversal, Sen. Joe Manchin backs a Democrat bill focusing on climate, taxes, and health. Whats in it?

JetBlue wins the takeover battle for Spirit Airlines; now it faces antitrust regulators.

A sneak peek at films heading to theaters in August, from a Brad Pitt action flick to a Holocaust documentary.

We talk to a stamp collector and dealer who says, even though the hobby is dying out, his passion for it is still very much alive.

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A smartphone with Facebook's logo is seen in front of a displayed Meta logo in this illustration taken Oct. 28, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Facebook Parent Company Metas Q2 Revenue Falls to $28.8 Billion

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp, on Wednesday posted its second quarter results reporting a year-over-year revenue fall.

Total revenues for the social media and tech company were $28.82 billion, a 1 percent drop from $29.07 reported for the second quarter of 2021.

Meta, which describes itself as a business that builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses, also reported $20.46 billion in total costs and expenses in the quarter ending June 30, a 22 percent increase year-over-year.

On its subsidiary social media platforms, which Meta calls its family of apps, the parent company saw daily active users increase 4 percent to 2.88 billion on average for June 2022.

Overall in the second quarter of 2022, Metas family of apps, which includes Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Messenger, and other services, were down $402 million year-over-over to $28.37 billion.

Among these apps, the average price per ad went down 14 percent year-over-over, while ad impressions increased by 15 percent.

Citing macroeconomic uncertainty, Meta Chief Financial Officer David Wehner noted that revenue expectations in the third quarter of 2022 werent much better than the second, predicting them to be in the range of $26 to $28.5 billion.

This outlook reflects a continuation of the weak advertising demand environment we experienced throughout the second quarter, which we believe is being driven by broader macroeconomic uncertainty, he said.

Meta also expects a lower third quarter revenue for Reality Labs, its augmented and virtual reality arm, posting $452 million in the second quarter, up from $305 million for the same quarter last year.

The company is also predicting up to $88 billion in total costs for 2022.

Reels

In addition to economic pressures, Meta is fighting for users time with TikTok, a short-form video-sharing platform based in Beijing.

Metas answer to TikTok is Instagram and Facebook Reels, which Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg was pleased to see experiencing upward engagement.

It was good to see positive trajectory on our engagement trends this quarter coming from products like Reels and our investments in AI, Zuckerberg said in a statement.

Were putting increased energy and focus around our key company priorities that unlock both near and long term opportunities for Meta and the people and businesses that use our services.

In June, The Verge reported, citing obtained leaked documents, that Facebook was reorienting its user experience to be akin to TikTok, with short-form video reels algorithmically chosen. The changes would see Facebooks feed include posts displayed vertically.

Metas Instagram app has already morphed to become more like TikTok, featuring and prioritizing Reels over static images. Facebook did this once before by mimicking Snapchat, The Verge reported.

Meta executives told investors that Reels was now generating over $1 billion annually in revenue, Reuters reported.
A video still of Chen Zijuan, the wife of lawyer Chang Weiping's who was blocked by authorities from attending her husbands trial on July 26, 2022. (Twitter video screengrab)

Family Intercepted as Rights Lawyer Tried Behind Closed Door in Chinas Northwest

I am witnessing a crime scene, said Chen Zijuan, wife of detained human rights lawyer Chang Weiping, in a video posted on Twitter.

Chen made her video plea after she and other family members were blocked by police from attending her husbands closed trial in northwestern Shaanxi Province on Tuesday.

Im so sorry that I was unable to be there for you in person despite traveling more than 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) in the hope of seeing you with my own eyes, Chen says in the video.

But they have been holding me here on this highway for more than 10 hours now. I just heard from the lawyer that the trial is over already, she says.

But whatever the outcome, this has not been a fair trial. This trial wasnt yours; instead it was the scene of their crime.

Changs trial was in the Feng County local court where he faced subversion of state power charges.

Chen was also traveling with her son and mother. She had to stay overnight in her car.

Police reportedly used COVID restrictions as their excuse to not allow her into the county.

Chen later told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times that her husband was doing his jobwhat a lawyer is supposed to dopromoting rule of law and basic human rights.

I dont know what crime he has committed  The trial is unjust, she said.

Her husband has also reportedly been tortured while in detention.

The trial reportedly lasted 90 minutes with sentencing to be announced at a later date.

Mr. Lin (alias), a supporter of lawyer Chang, also expressed his disbelief in the closed-door trial.

The closed-door trial is a form of persecution. They trample on the law, they trample on human rights, Lin said.

He said Feng County had been heavily policed since Monday evening with the authorities mobilizing state police from several provinces.

Supporters wanted to express their support for the lawyers wife and their son and mom.

Chen must be under a lot of pressure. We just want to meet her and offer her some comfort, he said, but the regime would not allow it.

Lin said what occurred to Chen is typical of the regime which regarded the people as enemies.

They can take our physical bodies, but they cant move our determination to resist injustice, Lin added.

Several embassies, including those of the U.K. and Germany, also voiced concern over what occurred on Tuesday.

#ChangWeiping, arrested in 2020 after raising issues of torture and #humanrights in China (including his own mistreatment) is today scheduled for trial behind closed doors. The UK calls for the release of all those currently detained for promoting fundamental rights and freedoms. pic.twitter.com/NzdlNhNd8i  UK in China  (@ukinchina) July 26, 2022

12.26 Citizen Case

In early December of 2019, a group of Chinese rights lawyers such as Chang, Xu Zhiyong, and Ding Jiaxi, met in Xiamen, Fujian Province, to exchange thoughts and ideas to promote civil society.

Later that month Chinese authorities took action against the participants.

More than 20 citizens and lawyers of the private gathering were disappeared, summoned, or detained. Several were detained on the charge of inciting subversion of state power or picking quarrels and provoking trouble.

Both Xu and Ding had closed-door trials at the Linshu County Court on June 22 and June 24, respectively with sentencing said to be announced at a later date.

The lawyers for Chang, Xu, and Ding were asked prior to the trials to sign a confidentiality agreement to prohibit them from disclosing information about their trials.

Zhao Fenghua and Hong Ning contributed to this report.
Judge Sarah Munro QC made legal history as she sentenced 25-year-old Ben Oliver to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 10 years and eight months, in the first televised sentencing at the Old Bailey. (PA, High Court)

First Televised Sentencing at English Court Makes Legal History

Television cameras were allowed in an English court for the first time following a change in the law that allows the broadcasting of judges sentencing of serious crimes in the UK.

Judge Sarah Munro QC made legal history on July 28 as she sentenced 25-year-old Ben Oliver in front of cameras to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 10 years and eight months.

The move will open up some of the most high-profile courts across the country, including the Central Criminal Court, which is more commonly known as the Old Bailey, where cases against people accused of serious crimes are tried by a judge and jury.

Prohibited

Cameras have been prohibited in the courts in England and Wales since 1925, which is why there havent been any televised trials in the same vein as those of O.J. Simpson in the United States, Amanda Knox in Italy, and Oscar Pistorius in South Africa. Previously, proceedings were only broadcast from certain Court of Appeal cases.

On July 28, the government stated that the new rules mean that it will allow the public to see and hear judges explain the reasoning behind their sentences, giving a better understanding of how these decisions are reached. Only the judge will be filmed during any sentencing that is broadcast to protect the privacy of victims, witnesses, and jurors.

The footage was broadcast on news channels and made available online through Sky News, the BBC, ITN, and the PA news agency.

The sentencing of Oliver took place in Court Two, one of the Old Baileys oldest courtrooms.

He had been cleared of murder having admitted to the manslaughter of his 74-year-old grandfather, David Oliver, last year.

In 2016, the 25-year-old was convicted of sexual offences against a young girl when he was aged 15 and was released from youth detention in September 2019.

The court heard that he repeatedly stabbed his victim in the face and then confessed what he had done to his grandmother.

Prosecutor Louis Mably QC told jurors that Oliver carried out the killing after learning of allegations against his grandfather of historical sexual abuse.

Separately, the court was told that the defendant had depressed and suicidal thoughts and an autistic spectrum disorder which, combined with other emotional and mental factors, diminished his responsibility for the killing.

Improve Transparency and Reinforce Confidence

The move to allow cameras in courts was first promised nine years ago.

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said that opening up the courtroom to cameras to film the sentencing of some of the countrys most serious offenders will improve transparency and reinforce confidence in the justice system.

The public will now be able to see justice handed down, helping them understand better the complex decisions judges make, Raab said.

the government said in a statement, This provision is part of the governments wider court reform and digitalisation programme to increase access to justice, including the roll-out of video technology to facilitate thousands of remote hearings and the use of video-recorded evidence for victims of rape and sexual offences.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Florida Files Complaint Against Bar Over Lewd Drag Show With Children Present

A Florida bar that held a drag show with a nearly nude dancer while children were present could have its alcohol license revoked after a state agency filed a complaint.

R House, a bar in Miami, featured a nearly nude transgender dancer on or around July 3, according to video footage widely circulated online. That dancer was filmed holding a young girls hand and walking her around.

After learning of the incident, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation found out that the bar holds a drag show brunch for about three hours each Saturday and Sunday, and has been doing so since at least 2017. Officials also found that young children attend the brunch, according to the complaint, which was obtained by The Epoch Times.

Officials pointed to how R House promotes a kids brunch menu, which not only states which food options are available but says the children can enjoy our fabulous show.

In other words, Respondent is not merely aware that young children attend the Brunch, but specifically markets the Brunch performances to young children or to families with young children, it said.

Attached to the complaint are images, primarily screenshots of videos, showing how dancers at the brunches perform sexualized moves. Some of the videos have been posted online by R House.

The videos have drawn outrage online, including from Lauren Chen, a Turning Point USA contributor, who called for those responsible to be jailed.

On July 9, an investigator with the departments Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco visited the bar and observed a male dancer performing in the center of the room. The performer, dressed as a female, danced around a pole and gyrated.

Videos recorded by investigators and videos posted by others show young children observing the performances, including some estimated to be as young as 3 years old.

Florida law enables the division to revoke or suspend an alcohol license if a license holder is found to be maintaining a nuisance on the licensed premises, or if the premises becomes manifestly injurious to the morals or manners of the people.

The Florida Supreme Court has said that men impersonating women in the context of sexualized performances constitutes a nuisance.

Even if the performers were biological women, the nature of the performances would still meet the definition, according to state officials.

The complaint calls for the revocation of R Houses alcohol license because of the violation of multiple laws.

R House did not respond to a request for comment.
Workers inside the production chain at a semiconductor manufacturing factory in Beijing, China on May 14, 2020. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Head of Chinas Big Fund Management Company Is Under Investigation

The former head of the management company of Chinas National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund was placed under investigation after a string of Chinese chipmakers went broke.

According to a July 15 announcement by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Lu Jun, the former deputy director of the Fund Management Department at China Development Bank (CDB), is being investigated for alleged serious violations of discipline and law.

Lu was born in 1968 and is a native of Jiangsu Province. He has long worked at CDB and other related enterprises, with his highest rank being at the bureau level. Lu resigned from CDB in September 2021.

Lu is best known for his work in Chinas chip industry, and he helped manage the CCPs National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund. While working at CDB, Lu also held positions at three state-owned chip-related companies: Sino-IC Capital, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), and Xinxin Financial Leasing.

The National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund is known as the Big Fund in China. The first phase of the fund was established in September 2014 with a scale of more than 130 billion yuan (about $19 billion). The funds investment plan spans a total of 15 years, with three phases: an investment period from 2015 to 2019, an exit period from 2019 to 2024, and an extension period from 2025 to 2030.

The second phase of the Big Fund was established in October 2019 with registered capital of more than 204 billion yuan (approx. $30 billion). The fund fully entered the investment period in 2021.

The Big Fund has a two-tier management structure according to what is described as the principle of separate ownership and management rights, with Sino-IC Capital being the sole manager entrusted to undertake the fund investment business.

Lu served as the president of Sino-IC Capital since its establishment in 2014 and was involved in significant investment operations until he left the company in late 2020. Lu also served as the Big Funds director during the first and second phases.

Before Lu took office, other Big Fund executives have been sacked. Gao Songtao, a former vice president of Sino-IC Capital, was also investigated in November 2021 on suspicion of serious violations of discipline and law.

Chinas Chip Technology

Chips are at the core of modern industry. However, Chinas current chip technology is still far from the international mainstream. Under pressure from U.S. sanctions, the CCP began a Great Leap forward-style campaign to make chips a few years ago.

According to a survey by state-run China Economic Weekly, over 58,000 new companies related to integrated circuits were created in China from Jan. 1 to Oct. 27, 2020about 200 new enterprises per day. Even companies with no experience, technology, or talent are now joining the industry.

In July 2021, Tsinghua Unigroup, known as the aircraft carrier of Chinas chip industry, declared that it couldnt pay its maturing debts and went into bankruptcy reorganization. In 2015, the companys chairman, during a trip to Taiwan, made the grandiose statement that he would buy Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

Seven Chinese wafer manufacturersGlobalFoundries in Chengdu city, Hongxin in Wuhan city, Quanxin in Jinan city, Dehuai in Huaian city, Jiangsu Advanced Memory Semiconductor in Huaian city, Dekema in Nanjing city, and Kuntong in Shaanxi Provincehad their capital chains broken and collapsed between 2019 and 2020, according to Chinese integrated circuit portal Jiwe.com. They failed to produce even a single wafer, the report said.

However, the CCPs state-owned investment agencies have poured more than 10 billion yuan (about $1.5 billion) into each of these enterprises, including 128 billion yuan (about $19 billion) into Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation alone.
Former Officers Kueng, Thao Sentenced for Violating George Floyds Civil Rights

ST. PAUL, Minn.A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced two former Minneapolis police officers who were convicted of violating George Floyds civil rights to lighter terms than recommended in sentencing guidelines, calling one truly a rookie officer and describing the other as a good police officer, father, and husband.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson sentenced J. Alexander Kueng to three years in prison and Tou Thao to 3.5 years for violating Floyds rights in the May 25, 2020, killing in which then-officer Derek Chauvin pinned Floyds neck with his knee for more than nine minutes as the 46-year-old man eventually grew still.

Kueng pinned Floyds back, Thao held back concerned bystanders, and a fourth officer, Thomas Lane, held Floyds feet. Lane was sentenced last week to two years while Chauvin was sentenced earlier to 21 years. Floyds immediate family members did not attend Wednesdays hearings in person or comment afterward.

Floyds girlfriend, Courteney Ross, made statements at both mens sentencing hearings and said afterward that she was disappointed, particularly with Thaos sentence. It didnt really seem to match the crime to me. I was asking for the maximum sentence, she said.

The lower sentences for Kueng and Thao raise questions about whether they would consider a plea deal or risk a state court trial on Oct. 24, when they face counts of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Lane pleaded guilty to a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter and is awaiting sentencing in that case.

Federal sentencing guidelineswhich judges do not have to followrecommended 4 to 5 years for Kueng and 5  to 6  years for Thao. For both men, prosecutors argued for sentences higher than that. Prosecutor Manda Sertich argued that Kueng didnt say a word as Floyd lay dying. Prosecutor LeeAnn Bell said Thao had a birds-eye view of what was going on with Floyd, and had years on the force that meant he should have known better.

The federal government brought the civil rights charges against all four officers in May 2021, a month after Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in state court.

Magnuson said there was no question that Kueng violated Floyds rights by failing to get off him when Floyd became unresponsive. But he also mentioned what he called an incredible number of letters from other officers supporting Kueng.

You were truly a rookie officer, Magnuson told Kueng.

At his subsequent hearing, Thao spoke for more than 20 minutes, frequently quoting from the Bible as he said his arrest and time in jail led him to turn toward God, but did not directly address his actions or offer any words to Floyds family. Thaolike Lane and Kuengremains free on bond, but spent several weeks in jail after his 2020 arrest on the state charges.

Magnuson again acknowledged letters supporting the former officer, including one with 744 signatures, and cited what he called Thaos completely clean record.

You had a difficult childhood and have done well to become a good police officer, father, and husband, the judge said.

Both men are due to report to federal prison on Oct. 4, though Magnuson noted that could change because of their state trial. Magnuson said he would recommend that they be allowed to serve their time at minimum-security federal facilities in Duluth or in Yankton, South Dakota, to be near family. The final decision is up to the Bureau of Prisons.

Chauvin was the most senior officer at the scene and was sentenced to a 22.5-year state sentence that hes serving concurrently with his federal sentence. Hes been held in solitary confinement in the states maximum security prison at Oak Park Heights for his own safety since his murder conviction and will eventually be transferred to federal prison.
A group of Texas National Guardsmen walk toward a group of Cubans who just crossed the Rio Grande illegally from Mexico into Eagle Pass, Texas, on April 19, 2022. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Growing Number of Texas Counties Declare Invasion at Border

Two more Texas counties confirmed they have declared an invasion at the U.S.Mexico border in recent days amid historically high illegal immigration.

The Parker County Commissioners Court unanimously voted this week to invoke a law to say that the United States and Texas are under invasion, local media reported.

Because of the significant presence of illegal immigration and drug trafficking, the declaration says it is an invasion of Parker County, Texas, as the term invasion is used in Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution and in Article 4, Section 7 of the Texas Constitution.

I think we all know the border is a mess, Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier told commissioners during the meeting ahead of the vote. We see different aspects of it other than our partners who are on the border seeing the human side of the smuggling, trafficking of people. A lot of what were seeing here is the drug smuggling.

The Atascosa County Commissioners Court separately declared the surge of illegal immigration an invasion on July 25. Judge Russell Wilson signed the declaration affirming the invasion at the border.

Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith told The Center Square that with the declarations from Parker and Atascosa counties, the significance  cannot be overstated. Kinney County and several other Texas counties issued similar declarations earlier this month.

Goliad, Edwards, Jeff Davis, Terrell, and Presidio counties also announced invasion declarations.

More Details

A large group of illegal immigrants crowd under a shady tree as Border Patrol agents organize transport near Eagle Pass, Texas, on May 20, 2022. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

It clearly establishes that the border crisis impacts every county in the state and is not limited to those communities near the Rio Grande, Smith also told the outlet. The safety and security of every Texan is threatened by the federal governments abandonment of its constitutional duty. I encourage every county in the state to acknowledge the crisis is an invasion. If Texans dont save Texas, no one will.

Earlier in July, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an order authorizing the states National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety to apprehend illegal immigrants who cross the Mexican border into Texas and return them to the border. Unlike the counties, the Republican governor didnt declare an invasion.

While President Biden refuses to do his job and enforce the immigration laws enacted by Congress, the State of Texas is once again stepping up and taking unprecedented action to protect Americans and secure our southern border, he said at the time.

A section of the Texas Constitution allows the governor to declare an invasion to protect the state.

He shall be Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of the State, except when they are called into actual service of the United States. He shall have power to call forth the militia to execute the laws of the State, to suppress insurrections, and to repel invasions, the state Constitution says.

Along the border, apprehensions have surged past 1.7 million so far in the current fiscal yearwith three months to go, July data shows. Border Patrol agents between Brownsville, Texas, and San Diego apprehended 232,628 illegal border crossers in May, the highest monthly total in 23 years, officials have said.
(Left) Walter Glenn Primose, also known as Bobby Edward Fort. (Right) Gwynn Darle Morrison, also known as Julie Lyn Montague. (United States District Court District of Hawaii via AP)

Hawaii Couple Charged With Stealing IDs of Dead Texas Children

HONOLULUA U.S. defense contractor and his wife who lived for decades under the identities of two dead Texas children have been charged with identity theft and conspiring against the government, according to federal court records unsealed in Honolulu.

Walter Glenn Primrose and Gwynn Darle Morrison, both in their 60s, who allegedly lived for decades under the names Bobby Edward Fort and Julie Lyn Montague, respectively, were arrested Friday in Kapolei on the island of Oahu.

Prosecutors are seeking to have the couple held without bail, which could indicate the case is about more than fraudulently obtaining drivers licenses, passports and Defense Department credentials.

Those documents helped Primrose get secret security clearance with the U.S. Coast Guard and as a defense contractor and old photos show the couple wearing uniforms of the KGB, the former Russian spy agency, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Muehleck said in court papers. Faded Polaroids of each in uniform were included in the motion to have them held.

A close associate said Morrison lived in Romania while it was a Soviet bloc country, Muehleck said.

Morrisons attorney said her client never lived in Romania and that she and Primrose tried the same jacket on as a joke and posed for photos in it. Even if the couple used new identities, attorney Megan Kau told The Associated Press, they have lived law-abiding lives for three decades.

She wants everyone to know shes not a spy, Kau said. This has all been blown way out of proportion. Its government overreaching.

Prosecutors said there is a high risk the couple would flee if freed. They also suggested that Primrose, who was an avionics electrical technician in the Coast Guard, was highly skilled to communicate secretly if released.

The couple is also believed to have other aliases, Muehleck said.

A lawyer for Primrose declined comment. A bail hearing was scheduled for Thursday in U.S. District Court.

The secret clearance Primrose had provides access to information that is enormously valuable to our enemies, said Kevin OGrady, a Honolulu defense attorney not involved in the case.

The Coast Guard works closely with the Army and Navy, helps with counterintelligence and serves as the countrys maritime border patrol, said OGrady, an Army reservist and lieutenant colonel judge advocate.

The Coast Guard has a unique perspective on our vulnerabilities, he said, including how to infiltrate the country through water ports. Hawaii, a major military center, is a prime target for a lot of espionage and such, he said.

For one family whose deceased childs name was stolen, the news Wednesday came as a shock.

John Montague, who lost his daughter Julie in 1968 at 3 weeks of age, was stunned to learn someone had been living under her name for so long.

I still cant believe it happened, Montague, 91, told AP. The odds are like one-in-a-trillion that they found her and used her name. People stoop to do anything nowadays. Let kids rest in peace.

Primrose and Morrison were born in 1955 and they attended high school together in Port Lavaca, Texas, and then went to Stephen F. Austin University, according to court records. They married in 1980.

There is no indication in court papers why the couple in 1987 assumed the identities of deceased children who would have been more than a decade younger than them. But an affidavit filed by Special Agent Dennis Thomas of the State Departments Diplomatic Security Service noted that the couple lost their home in Nacogdoches, Texas, to foreclosure that year.

They remarried under their assumed names in 1988, Thomas said.

Court records dont provide any information about what happened from the time they assumed their new identities until 1994, when Primrose, then about 39, enlisted in the Coast Guard as Fort, who would have been about 27.

If there was an obvious age discrepancy between what Primrose looked like and the birth certificate he presented, thats an abject failure, OGrady said.

Thats something if they can figure it out now, they should have caught it then, he said.

Montague said that somebodys not doing their jobs.

Primrose and Morrison applied for and received multiple passports under their assumed names, according to court records. But in 1999 Primrose also applied for and was issued a passport under his legal name while also holding a passport in Forts name.

Primrose was in the service until 2016, when he began work for an unnamed defense contractor at the U.S. Coast Guard Air station at Barbers Point.

While he held that secret clearance with the U.S. Coast Guard, defendant Primrose was required to report any foreign travel, prosecutors wrote. Investigation has revealed that defendant Primrose did not report several trips to Canada while he did report other foreign travel.

The couple lived in a Honolulu suburb in a modest two-bedroom bungalow beneath palm trees. They owned a neighboring house they rented to military personnel, said Mai Ly Schara, who lived next door.

She knew them as Bob and Lynn, with Morrison apparently Julie Lyn Montagues middle name.

Primrose did yard work for Schara for $50 a month, she said. Morrison took in, fed and spayed and neutered cats. She also had several rabbits and dedicated a room to the pets.

They kept to themselves, but they were friendly, Schara said. They just kind of were, like, a little nerdy.

Schara wasnt sure what Primrose did for a living, but thought it was military related. Morrison once worked as a parking attendant at a Waikiki hotel but had been tutoring neighborhood children.

The FBI created a scene in the quiet neighborhood when they searched the house and took photos.

It was just shocking, like, oh my gosh, Schara said. It was pretty crazy.

The State Department declined to comment on the arrests.

The couple is charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, false statement in passport application, and aggravated identity theft.

Fort, who lived fewer than three months, died in October 1967 at the same hospital where Julie Montague passed away about three months later in January 1968. They are buried 14 miles apart.

When Tonda Ferguson learned from her father that Morrison had used her late sisters birth certificate to create an alias, she thought of her mother, who died in 2003, and how many years had gone by.

For all the mothers who are living and have to know this happened to their babies, I cant even begin to imagine, Ferguson said. Im glad my mamas with the Lord. This would be so traumatic for her.

Ferguson was in eighth grade when her sister died. She never got to see her little sister or hold her. She was buried in Burnet, Texas, the small town where they lived at the time outside of Austin.

She came from a place of love, deep love, Ferguson said. For someone to turn around to steal her identity for evil, its tough. Its hurtful.  I hope they rot.

By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher and Brian Melley
Hong Kong Police Arrest High School Student They Shot in the Chest in 2019

Four protesters in the anti-extradition movement, including Tsang Chi-kit, a former high school student shot in the chest by the police, were arrested on July 13 in Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung. The court had wanted them for failing to appear on the appointed date. They were reportedly arrested when they were about to flee to Taiwan.

To the medias surprise, these four men were handled differently by the police as they were escorted to court the day after their arrest. Current affairs commentators believe that this show by the police was intended to intimidate and divide the resistance and opposition.

In addition, this case has also been linked to the Democratic Party by the two major pro-CCP (Chinese Communist Party) newspapers in Hong Kong. Coincidentally, the Democratic Party has been bombarded by the two newspapers for days.

On July 14, the four men were transported by the police to court. To the reporters surprise, unlike in the past, they could take photos of the accused from a close distance. The video and photos released showed that the three accused were shackled with chains around their waist, had long hair, and were escorted by the police.

According to a report by Ming Pao, the arrangement on the day differed from before. Instead of being driven into the detention room of the court as in the past, the accused were dropped off in front of the detention room. They then walked into the court. The other defendant of the case was sent to Eastern Magistrates Courts for trial.

In the past, reporters could only take photos of the remanded person entering and leaving the court by putting their cameras as close as they could to the tinted glasses of the prison van. They have never been able to rub elbows with the remanded persons.

Further, the police National Security Department Senior Superintendent Steve Li Kwai-wah spoke to the press before the trial. He said that an organization had been involved in persuading the four men to escape and arranging a hideout for them. He said the organization had made a video about the mens lives to raise funds, which Li called ill-intentioned and eating human blood steamed buns.

Criticism from Scholars

Chung Kim-wah, former assistant professor in applied social science at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, said that it was the police who were eating human blood steamed buns and that the show was to mislead the public to believe that someone was making money out of this online, in an attempt to divide the opposition.

Current affairs commentator Sang Pu pointed out that the polices briefing was one-sided. Li described how the four men had been hiding, including being hidden in cardboard boxes, and how they had paid HK$400,000 (US$50,958) to flee Hong Kong. Sang Pu said, by using words such as ill-intentioned and eating human blood steamed bun, the police were trying to divide the opposition forces.

Sang Pu described the polices handling of this case as unexpected, unusual, and rather evil. He said it was evident that the police wanted the media to see the accused. It was orchestrated and insulting to the accused. On the other hand, the police pretended to be sympathetic to the accused, which is terrible.

In the past, the police handled these things in a low-key manner. As a lawyer, Sang Pu pointed out; that one should be assumed innocent before proven guilty. It was against the principles of judicial impartiality to expose the accused to the media without wearing a hood. He added, the police could be charged with Perverting the Course of Justice.

Sang Pu said it is up to the prosecution to provide evidence to prove everything in the trial. You said the police caught him in Pak Tam Chung; you said these guys were the suspects, but how do I know if you caught him in Pak Tam Chung that day? You show them to the media, and this show has no evidence to prove everything. He criticized the police for not adhering to the presumption of innocence, They are already treating every trial as a sham trial and every arrest as a show.

He believes that the motive of the police to speak to the media about the case was to divide the accused and their handlers. Police wanted the fugitives to be seen as the victims, being misled by their handlers, whereas their handlers are evil, greedy, and low. Sang Pu said this was to divide, smear and threaten. This is the purpose of the show put on by the CCP.

The Democratic Party Was Implicated

Meanwhile, Tai Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po, two pro-CCP newspapers, linked the case with the Democratic Party, which they have been bombarding for days. They accused the organization Friends of Hong Kong, who allegedly assisted the accused are connected to the Democratic Party, as they had invited the leaders of the Party, such as Emily Lau, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Party, Central Committee members Yuen Hoi-man and Leung Yik-ting to be on their live program in 2020.

Professor Chung said, as the two newspapers managed to kill the fundraising event of the Democratic Party, it looked like they wanted to concentrate their firepower and force the Democratic Party to kneel.

As to whether the Democratic Party will be the next target to disband, following organizations such as the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, the Alliance, and Hong Kong Professional Teachers Union, Chung said that it depends because Beijing does want to keep some tokens of democracy for show and the best choice is the Democratic Party. Among the pro-democracy parties, Beijing will not trust the attorneys of the Civic Party or The Hong Kong Association for Democracy and Peoples Livelihood, which is too small for their purpose. However, he believed that the Democratic Party must first admit wrongdoing, kneel, and be reigned in.

Victim of Police Brutality, Tsang Was in Critical Condition

On Oct. 1, 2019, when Tsang was still a high school student, he was shot in the chest by the police; the bullet passed within 3 centimeters of his heart. He was in critical condition.

He tried to take the perpetrator to court for compensation but was denied legal aid. He was told it was reasonable for the police officer to open fire on him.

Tsang was later charged with one count of rioting and two counts of assaulting a police officer. He failed to appear in court in December 2021, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. At that time, there were reports that he had gone into exile, but his whereabouts were unknown until he and the three others were arrested in Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung, on July 20.

The four men appeared in the district court recently. The prosecution opposed their bail, and they did not apply either. They will be detained until September 13 for trial.
An algorithm to rapidly predict COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness was developed by CUHKs Faculty of Medicine and researchers confirm it is 95% accurate. (From left) Ms. Lirong CAO, PhD student, the first author of the article; Prof. Benny ZEE, and Prof. Maggie WANG.

Hong Kong University Develops Algorithm to Predict a COVID Vaccines Effectiveness Before Delivery

The Chinese University of Hong Kongs (CUHK) Faculty of Medicine has developed the worlds first algorithm to rapidly evaluate the effectiveness of vaccines used to combat SARS-CoV-2 variants. According to the article published in the journal of Nature Medicine, the algorithm delivers a 95 percent rate of accuracy when predicting a vaccines efficacy and can be used to determine which ingredients would offer more protection.

CUHKs Faculty of Medicine staff introduced its new bioinformatic algorithm during a July 14 press conference held at the universitys Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care.

In developing the algorithm, the researchers studied the relationship between the Genetic Distance (GD) of circulating viruses against the vaccine strain and vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic infection. This is referred to as the VE-GD framework, which enabled the researchers to examine the binding domain of the viral spike protein receptor, and quickly assess a vaccines protective abilities.

The study was led by Associate Professor Maggie H. Wang and Professor Benny C. Zee, who is the director of CUHKs Center for Clinical Research and Biostatistics. During the study, they analyzed nearly 2 million SARS-CoV-2 virus sequences collected from 31 regions and vaccine efficacy data from 49 clinical trials and observational studies.

The results of the genomic analysis and validation experiments on independent datasets showed the algorithm was 95 percent accurate in assessing vaccine effectiveness.

According to Wang, the algorithm does more than allow for the rapid assessment of a vaccines effectiveness against novel variants. In addition, the information obtained from the VE-GD framework can be used to determine which ingredients for a vaccine would be most effective in protecting against the prevailing virus strains.

Wang said this new technology facilitates vaccine design, but also provides new ideas for vaccine development and evaluation for other viruses, including influenza.

Zee claims the new algorithm is particularly important for public health since it provides a real-time prediction of the effectiveness of new vaccines before their widespread use to prevent infections.

Zee suggests this new technology can help vaccine manufacturers select candidate vaccine antigens and design clinical trials. Healthcare professionals and policymakers can also use the technology to estimate the size of outbreaks caused by mutated viruses based on their predicted vaccine efficacy information.

Prior to the introduction of CUHKs algorithm, a vaccines effectiveness would only be measured after it was administered, and people had become infected. Now when a newly mutated virus emerges, scientists can use the algorithm to assess a vaccines potential efficacy before its administered, and even determine the most suitable ingredients for its manufacture.

CUHKs algorithm has innovated the use of sequencing data to provide real-time evaluation of a vaccines effectiveness against mutated viruses. The algorithm can also assist in the design of better vaccines and can be applied to clinical trial planning and pre-application evaluations.
US President Joe Biden meets with CEOs about the economy in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House, in Washington, on July 28, 2022. (Mandal Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

House Passes $280 Billion CHIPS Act Without China Provision, Sends Legislation to Bidens Desk

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the CHIPS and Science Act on July 28, allocating funding for a measure thats now nearly two years old. The new legislation, which now heads to President Joe Bidens desk for signing, will allocate $280 billion in subsidies, tax breaks, and research grants to prop up the domestic semiconductor industry.

Today, the House passed a bill that will make cars cheaper, appliances cheaper, and computers cheaper, Biden said in a statement. It will lower the costs of everyday goods. And, it will create high-paying manufacturing jobs across the country and strengthen U.S. leadership in the industries of the future at the same time.

The CHIPS and Science Act is exactly what we need to be doing to grow our economy right now. By making more semiconductors in the United States, this bill will increase domestic manufacturing and lower costs for families.

Many proponents of the legislation were pleased to see its passage and believe that it will be a boon to U.S. manufacturing.

Congress has recognized the importance of rising to the challenge of industrial planning, of supporting strategic industries, and making sure that we have high tech jobs here in America, but we cant stop here, Zach Mottl, chairman of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a nonprofit focusing on trade policy, told The Epoch Times.

I think that America has been kind of laissez-faire, hands off for a little bit too long here. And weve lost a lot of opportunities.

To that end, Biden said the measure would improve jobs and national security by making the United States less dependent on foreign supply chains.

However, many legislators disagree with that statement because Democrats removed a provision of the legislation at the last minute that would have prevented U.S. companies from outsourcing subsequent technologies to China. Because of the removal of that provision, tech companies in the United States will be able to research new semiconductor technologies using billions of dollars in taxpayer funds, then outsource the production of those new technologies to China.

The move drew unusual alliances of opposition across Democrats, independents, and Republicans. Most notably among them were Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who criticized the measure as corporate welfare that would grow already-thriving tech companies and taxpayer expense.

Senator Bernie Sanders said the senate CHIPS Act is a $53 billion bribe that semiconductor companies demanded in exchange for staying in the United States, Massie wrote on Twitter. Hes right. Taking money from working Americans and giving it to profitable corporations is immoral and wont even work.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green wrote on Twitter, Nancy Pelosis CHIPS plan is nothing but more corporate welfare that thriving big companies dont need. America Last policies forcing us to depend on foreign countries and shutting down our economy [are] why we dont have chips.

Semiconductors, which are used in the production of everything from personal computers to hypersonic missiles, have become a key point of anxiety over the past two years as a global supply chain crisis has wreaked havoc on Americas ability to obtain the chips.

The new CHIPS [Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America] and Science Act will provide hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies and tax breaks to technology corporations in an effort to spur new market growth, as well as funding for government-backed tech research.

Proponents of the legislation have long said that its necessary in order to maintain a competitive edge with China, which is pouring money into its own domestic chip production.

The legislation is expected to be signed into law on July 29, just before Congress begins its annual August recess.

David Zhang contributed to this report.
Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm takes questions during a media briefing at the White House in Washington on Nov. 23, 2021. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

House Passes Cybersecurity Legislation to Protect Americas Energy Sector, Infrastructure From Hackers

The House approved legislation on July 27 that seeks to address the issue of increasing cyber threats to U.S. energy infrastructure by providing grants to university students specializing in cybersecurity.

H.R. 7569, also called the Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2022, was passed with a package of other measures in a 33690 vote.

The legislation directs the secretary of energy to create a grant program to provide financial assistance to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers pursuing certain courses of study relating to cybersecurity and energy infrastructure.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm will be tasked with providing traineeship and research experiences to students and researchers at utilities and national labs owned by the Department of Energy.

The United States has witnessed an alarming rise in cybersecurity threats and attacks against our energy infrastructure, including in my home state of North Carolina, Rep. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) said in a statement, according to The Hill.

Our constituents rely on dependable energy sources for their lives and their livelihoods, and we cannot afford continued exposure to these types of attacks.

Ross and Rep. Mike Carey (R-Ohio) co-sponsored the legislation in the House.

It states that integrating cybersecurity considerations into the research, design, and development of energy infrastructure will be a cost-effective way to secure U.S. electric grids, oil and gas pipelines, and other generation, transmission, and distribution systems.

After one year, Granholm must submit a report on the development and implementation of the program to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Defending Against Ransomware, Other Attacks

The legislation was inspired by a spate of attacks on U.S. energy infrastructure over the past year, including the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline in May 2021, an attempt to poison a water treatment plant in Florida in February 2021, and a cyberattack against the Port of Houston in August 2021.

The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack forced the company to shell out 75 bitcoins, worth about $4.4 million, to the hackers in a bid to get the pipeline system back online.

It was the hardest decision Ive made in my 39 years in the energy industry, and I know how critical our pipeline is to the country, and I put the interests of the country first, Colonial Pipeline President and CEO Joseph Blount told a Senate panel in June 2021.

The legislation also comes as federal agencies are asking companies operating in critical industries to boost their cyber defenses because of the threat of Russian cyberattacks.

Another measure included in the legislation package approved on July 27 was the RANSOMWARE Act, an acronym for Reporting Attacks from Nations Selected for Oversight and Monitoring Web Attacks and Ransomware from Enemies.

The RANSOMWARE Act asks the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to provide a biennial report on ransomware and other cyberattacks from foreign groups or governments against U.S. targets, with a specific focus on Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.
House Speaker Pelosi Invites Senior Lawmakers to Join Taiwan Trip: NBC Report

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has invited at least three lawmakers to join her planned trip to Taiwan, according to some contacts familiar with the matter, NBC News reported.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas.), the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in an interview at the U.S. Capitol that he and Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) are on the list.

His remarks appeared to confirm Pelosis trip to the self-governing island, which the Chinese regime considers part of its territory, to be taken by force if necessary.

Both Pelosis office and the White House have declined to confirm the visit, citing security concerns.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee speaks with The Epoch Times at the Republican retreat in Ponte Vedra, Fla., on March 24, 2022. (The Epoch Times)

Leslie Shedd, McCauls spokesperson informed the news outlet the congressman cannot make the trip because of a pre-arranged personal engagement, but that he supports Pelosis intention.

Any member that wants to go, should, McCaul said, noting that it shows political deterrence to President Xi.

But she should also pay attention to the military, if its going to cause a blowback and escalate things, the congressman warned.

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) told NBC she also was invited to join the proposed trip, but had to decline.

Focus of Biden-Xi call

Pelosis proposed trip could loom over the call between President Joe Biden and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) head Xi Jinping scheduled for July 28, with Taiwan expected to be a key agenda item. The U.S.-Sino top leader call will be the fifth of its kind.

CCP leadership threatened forceful measures against the United States and Taiwan should Pelosi visit. Following the remarks, Biden publicly stated that Pelosi should not go to Taiwan as a matter of national security, in an apparent concession to the communist regime.

U.S.-based China affairs commentator Wang He told The Epoch Times on July 25, President Biden said last Wednesday [July 20] that he would talk to Chinese leader Xi Jinping by end of this month. He doesnt want to anger Beijing now, which is the reason he doesnt support Pelosis trip.

Concern overblown

Yet, Trump-era Defense Secretary Mark Esper expressed doubt that Beijing would make any serious military move against the top congressional visit to the democratically ruled island.

We should not be self-deterred, and we should not take all these declarations and proclamations from Beijing too seriously, Esper said. I mean, do we honestly think theyre going to start a war or do something because the speaker of the House of Representatives travels to Taipei?

U.S. officials reportedly echoed his view but took into account the possibility that China might escalate provocative overflights of military aircraft in or near Taiwanese airspace and send naval patrols into the Taiwan Strait.

The Pentagon would deploy military forces and assets available in the Pacific region to provide overlapping rings of protection for Pelosis flight to Taiwan and any time spent on the ground there, according to U.S. officials speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive security issues, AP reported.

U.S. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also asserted, if theres a decision made that Speaker Pelosi or anyone else is going to travel, and they asked for military support, we will do what is necessary to ensure a safe conduct of their visit.
The exceptional results the 'Iceman' has achieved are linked to measurable biological changes in the body

When the Solari Report announced Wim Hof to be the recipient of the 2021 Hero of the Year award in December 2021, we took notice. Calling Wim Hof one of the most likely men to make an enormous difference in natural health care in the coming years, they shared his extremely practical, results-driven, and virtually free techniques.

Whos Wim Hof?

Wim Hof is a Dutch 63-year-old motivational speaker, extreme athlete, and voluntary experimental candidate who has made it his mission to share what hes learned with the rest of the world. Nicknamed the Iceman, Wim Hof is most known for his ability to withstand extremely cold temperaturesso much so, that he holds the Guinness World Record for the longest ice bath (1 hour, 52 minutes, and 42 seconds) in addition to 26 other world records for a variety of equally admirable feats.

The backstory as to how he first experienced the method that he says saved his life is extraordinary, although sad. His wife, suffering from extreme depression, took her life by jumping from an eight-story building in the middle of the night, leaving him with four young children to raise.

What followed, as they say, is history.

A chance eventa swim in an icy lakeallowed Wim Hof a brief but intense escape from the grief that consumed him following his wifes death. After his first immersion into the frozen lake, he found himself drawn again and again to that icy water in an attempt to alleviate his suffering, if only for a few minutes each day, so that he could summon the strength he needed to cope with his grief and continue caring for his young family. The effects of the icy water demanded nothing less than his full attention.

The Wim Hof Method involves a particular method of breathing designed to stimulate and stress the bodys autonomic nervous system in such a way as to bring about health. It also includes cold therapy via icy baths, cold showers, or brutally cold outdoor experiences.

While many of us may shy away from experimenting with the extreme cold therapy that Wim Hof so powerfully demonstrates, any one of us can begin using his breathing exercises this very day. And once you discover the breathing benefits, you may be excited (or at least curious) to explore the extraordinary benefits of the cold therapy he promotes.

What Can the Wim Hof Method of Breathing Do For You?

The specialized breathing technique of the Wim Hof Method not only increases energy and reduces stress, but it ignites the bodys innate immune response, virtually rendering deadly pathogens harmless.

How can that be? And just how effective is this breathing technique in reducing pathogens?

In a 2014 study conducted at Radboud University in Nijmegen, 12 young men trained in the Wim Hof Method were injected with an endotoxin. In that controlled study, 12 other young men were similarly injected, having received no such training.

We indeed observed that in the trained subjects the release of inflammatory proteins was attenuated and that they experienced far less flu-like symptoms, intensive care researcher Dr. Matthijs Kox told Science Daily.

In stark contrast, the 12 untrained young men suffered a variety of intense and uncomfortable immune responses, including fever, chills, headaches, and overall body weakness.

More Adrenaline Than a First-Time Bungee Jump

The breathing technique Wim Hof teaches produces twice the amount of epinephrine (adrenaline) than a first-time bungee jump. Epinephrine levels peaked in the trained participants before and at the time they received the bacterial injection. It coincides with the time they began their learned breathing techniques.

Researchers said this method of breathing resulted in intermittent respiratory alkalosis and hypoxia resulting in significantly increased plasma epinephrine levels. In other words, the raised levels of epinephrine limited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha), while simultaneously increasing the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10.

The result? A demonstrably marked decrease in the bodys inflammatory response. It should also be noted that the increased epinephrine in the blood triggered an increase in white blood cells, those warriors of the immune system.

Simply put, within the first hour after receiving the endotoxin, the bodys immune system was on the job, rendering the toxin harmless.

Textbooks Rewritten

While scientists previously believed that the bodys innate sympathetic nervous system and immune system couldnt be voluntarily influenced, experiments involving the Wim Hof Method arguably prove otherwise. These studies have important implications for the treatment of a variety of conditions associated with the destructive effects of inflammation.

Wim Hof and his team continue to work with research institutions to explore the potential of the Wim Hof Method.

You can watch Wim Hof teach the technique to a volunteer on the Lewis Howe YouTube channel.

You can also learn more about the scientific basis behind the Wim Hof Method and the method itself at his website: WimHofMethod.com/science.

Note: The Wim Hof Method may not be recommended for people with epilepsy, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a history of serious health issues or migraines. Its also not recommended for pregnant women. If any of that describes you, please read Wim Hofs book and speak with your physician before you consider using the Wim Hof Method.

James Templeton founded Uni Key Health Systems in 1992 and now the Templeton Wellness Foundation as a way of giving back and helping others achieve the health and wellness they are seeking.
Illegal Immigrant Lived in the Same Home as Girl He Allegedly Raped

The illegal immigrant who authorities say confessed to raping a young girl in Ohio lived in the same home as the minor, according to testimony in court on July 27.

The girl, 10, was living with Gerson Fuentes, the illegal alien, when she underwent a forensic interview on June 23 after being raped, Columbus Police Department detective Jeffrey Huhn said in Franklin County court.

Prosecutors used the detail in arguing for Fuentes, who was previously granted $2 million bond but has not posted it, to be ordered held without bail.

This is a 10 year old child who is at the center of this who didnt ask for any of this, who was raised by this man who is providing for her mother and family, Dan Meyer, a prosecutor, told the court.

I would argue there are serious safety concerns for that child if Mr. Fuentes were to be given bail, he added.

Bryan Bowen, representing Fuentes, later claimed that there was no evidence that his client poses a danger to any particular person.

We have not heard any evidence presented about any danger that Mr. Fuentes would pose to any particular person or to the community, Bowen said, arguing that Fuentes should be granted bail.

Franklin County Judge Julie Lynch denied bond.

This man lived in the home with this child. To allow him to return to that home, the traumatic and psychological impact would be undeserving to an alleged victim, Lynch said.

The trauma the girl went through is enough that she should never again be around Fuentes, Lunch added.

Girls Mother Defends Fuentes

A woman identified as the girls mother by Telemundo told the broadcaster that Fuentes is innocent.

Everything that theyre saying against him is a lie, the woman said.

She also said that her daughter is fine.

Daisy Torres, a local, later told Telemundo that the woman was in a relationship with Fuentes, and that the woman is expecting a child with Fuentes.

Attempts to contact the girls mother have been unsuccessful.

99.99 Percent Match

Fuentes is accused of impregnating the girl on or around May 12, and raping her at least once before that.

The girls mother informed Franklin County child services about her daughters pregnancy, and child services alerted the police on June 22, detectives have said.

The girls mother took her to a healthcare facility in late June to determine the gestation age of the fetus, Huhn testified in court on Thursday. The girl traveled to Indiana about a week later to get an abortion.

Detectives retrieved the aborted fetus and compared it to DNA taken from Fuentes, who waived his rights.

The results of the testing showed a 99.99 percent match, Huhn said.

The girl also identified Fuentes as the rapist by, after being asked if it was him, crying and nodding, Huhn testified.

Fuentes pleaded not guilty on July 25.

Abortion Provider Under Investigation

Dr. Caitlin Bernard, the Indiana University doctor who performed the abortion, is being investigated by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, according to her lawyer.

Kathleen DeLaney, the lawyer, told news outlets this week that Rokita sent a notice to Bernards legal team, alerting them of the investigation.

We are in the process of reviewing this information, DeLaney said in a statement. Its unclear to us what is the nature of the investigation and what authority he has to investigate Dr. Bernard.

DeLaney and Rokita did not respond to requests for comment.

The girl went to another state because Ohio law prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. The law, however, contains an exception if the health of the mother is at risk. Some Ohio officials have said the girls case would have fit within the exception.

DeLaney previously sent a tort claim notice to Rokita, the first step towards suing him for alleged defamation. A spokesperson for Rokita responded, saying that the notice was part of a divisive narrative and an attempt to distract from the important work of the office, including the duty to determine whether practitioners have violated the standards of practice in his or her profession, as well as federal and state laws.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) holds her weekly press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 21, 2022. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Is the Protection of Taiwan a Vital Interest of Australia?

Commentary

Paul Keating, the former prime minister of Australia, has criticised the proposed congressional visit to Taiwan of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. In a statement, released on July 25, he said that the congressional delegation, headed by Pelosi, might degenerate into military hostilities and that it is hard to imagine a more reckless and provocative act.

It is not the first time that the former prime minister has waded into this nightmarish scenario by excoriating Australian and American policy critical of Beijing, arguing that the issue of Taiwan is merely an internal matter for China, and not a vital Australian interest.

Keatings understanding of the Australia-China relationship may well have been developed with Australias national interest in mind. However, raising the spectre of a military conflict is an example of scaremongering politics which, itself, may fan the embers of an armed confrontation between Australia and China.

According to Josh Rogin, writing in The Washington Post, the Chinese regime is planning massive retaliation if Pelosis congressional trip were to go ahead. Some doomsayers even suggest that the Chinese air force might intercept Pelosis plane.

Admittedly, Beijings response to the proposed visit is predictably unpredictable. However, while the precise nature of the retaliation, if indeed it were to eventuate, is unknown, one thing is certain: if Pelosis visit were delayed, or even cancelled, it will be interpreted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as a major victory because, using the language of Rogin, Beijing could conclude that its strong-arm tactics have worked.

He argues that Beijing cant be allowed to think it has a veto every time a congressional delegation wants to visit Taiwan.

On this issue, it is instructive to note that the United States does not speak with one voice on this matter. Indeed, according to reports, the White House is not in favour of Pelosis proposed congressional visit and the American military has warned her of possible CCP retaliatory action.

China and Taiwan

Keatings views are overshadowed by the tangible tension between two polarising political concepts: democracy and authoritarianism. Beijings authoritarian Communist regime obstinately argues that Taiwan is merely a renegade province of China.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating appears virtually to address the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, Nov. 10, 2021. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

However, such an argument is difficult to maintain in view of the fact that Taiwan has never been ruled by Communist China. Indeed, on April 17, 1895, the Qing Empire ceded Taiwan to Japan where it effectively became a Japanese colony until 1945. When the Communist party forces victoriously proclaimed the Peoples Republic of China in October 1949, the beaten Kuomintang forces fled to Taiwan and ruled the island until the country was transformed into a democracy in the 1980s.

So, Taiwan has not been ruled by China for the last 127 years. Hence, Beijings aggressive stance towards Taiwan and its intimidatory incursions into Taiwanese airspace constitute egregious examples of naked aggression and misplaced ambition. But the Chinese leader Xi Jinping, has vowed to conquer Taiwan by 2049, marking a century of China under communist control.

Of course, this expectation is an optimistic Chinese view of the future because it assumes that communism will survive that long. If the demise of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is an indication, the Chinese Communist Party may well implode from within, caused by its disdain for basic human rights and cruel suppression of democracy.

Protect Domestic Interests Without Giving Up Principles

Keatings contribution to this debate ignores the rights of Pelosi and her congressional colleagues to visit a democratic country. The politics of placatory accommodation, so keenly promoted by Keating as a viable strategy, clashes with the democratic rights of people.

Why should such a strategy trump the legitimate desire of politicians to visit a shining example of democracy in action? Indeed, Keatings strategy involves the sacrifice of principle at the altar of unprincipled political convenience. In the end, such a strategy merely prolongs the reality of intimidation, so effectively practised by Beijing.

In addition, the argument that the CCPs intentions regarding Taiwan do not affect the vital interests of Australia is wrong-headed. The recent conclusion of a treaty between the Solomon Islands and China is evidence of Beijings intention to pursue an expansionist policy which, at least potentially, affects the strategic interests of Australia.

Chinas ambassador to the Solomon Islands Li Ming (R), and Solomons Prime Pinister Manasseh Sogavare are cutting a ribbon during the opening ceremony of a China-funded national stadium complex in Honiara on April 22, 2022. (Mavis Podokolo/AFP via Getty Images)

If one also considers Chinas manufacturing of sophisticated weapons capable of striking any place in the South Pacific, its well-documented violations of human rights, and relentless pursuit of its social credit system to control its population, the view that Australias interests are not vitally affected is a puerile understanding of a complex situation.

Cost of Communism

Nevertheless, apologists of China in the West have argued that its economic and political systemcapitalism with Chinese characteristicshas achieved wondrous miracles by alleviating poverty.

For example, Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF) has consistently praised China and its leaders, saying that China has kept sustained high-speed economic growth for the past 30 years and has become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and that China is building an innovative open, fair and inclusive society.

But such a view fails to consider the abominable cost paid by millions of people to bring about this transformation. And while it is easy to give credit to China for its supposed economic miracle, it is impossible to know what could have been achieved if the country had been a functioning democracy.

The possibility, or even likelihood, that so much more could have been accomplished under a democratic system of government, may well explain why China is so keen on subduing Taiwan.

Taiwan is an excellent example of what could be achieved, under democratic conditions, to secure both economic prosperity and personal freedom. It is this comparison between a communist behemoth and a small democratic island that the CCP does not want to make.

Pelosis proposed congressional visit to Taiwan may thus well serve the vital interests of the United States and of Australia.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (center) and Taiwanese officials pose for photos with a Japanese delegation at the Presidential office in Taipei, Taiwan on July 28, 2022. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)

Japan Discusses Preparations for Conflict in a Rare Visit to Taiwan

A high-level Japanese delegation visited Taiwan to discuss preparations for potential conflicts as the self-governed island is bearing increased military pressures from the communist regime in Beijing.

We need to think ahead about what kind of situations could happen, Shigeru Ishiba, lawmaker and former Japanese defense minister, said during a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on July 28. And after it happens, what kind of laws and agreements we should prepare, and what kind of armed forces we could employ to address the resulting issues.

We need to work together to reach consensus on this ahead of anything that could happen, Ishiba said at the Presidential Office in Taipei.

Ishiba led the bipartisan delegation of Japanese lawmakers who arrived in Taiwan on July 27 for a four-day visit. The trip was focused on discussing regional security, which the Japanese lawmaker described as rare.

The trip came amid rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait as Beijing has ramped up military harassment around Taiwan by continuing to send warplanes to fly near the island on a regular basis for the past two years.

The Chinese regime views the self-ruled island roughly 100 miles off the mainland as its own territory to be taken by force, if necessary.

Following reports that Pelosi was planning a trip to Taiwan, the regime has threatened forceful measures against the United States and Taiwan.

The regimes provocation also drew the attention of neighboring Japan, which devoted significant space of this years defense report to Taiwan.

Delighted to welcome former #Japan Minister of Defense @shigeruishiba & the members of the cross-party delegation to #Taiwan. Today we held productive discussions on regional security & how our countries can keep working together to ensure peace & stability in the Indo-Pacific. pic.twitter.com/pcakZRpMsR   Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) July 28, 2022

Taiwan Welcomes Japanese Visit

The visit by Japanese lawmakers was welcomed by Tsai, who expressed hopes of bolstering ties with Japan to uphold regional security.

Defending Taiwan is not just about defending our own sovereignty, said Tsai. In terms of regional strategic security, it is also about Taiwans position as a critical line of defense in the first island chain.

The first island chain, situated east of mainland Asia, is a string of islands spanning the Japanese archipelago through Taiwan to Indonesia, access to which is vital for global supply lines.

We will continue to deepen cooperation with Japan and other democratic partners in order to jointly maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, said Tsai.

The groups visit also includes meetings with Su Tseng-chang, president of Taiwans Executive Yuan, and representatives from Taiwans Defense Ministry.

Ishiba was accompanied by former Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, and two other Japanese lawmakers, Akihisa Nakashima and Takayuki Shimizu, who are all members of a cross-party national security group.

Ishiba said Japan has a responsibility to the Indo-Pacific region to promote regional security, economic development, and the rule of law.

It cannot just be at the level of thought, just words spoken out of ones mouth, he said. Japan must take on concrete responsibilities in the Asia region.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An airplane model is placed on displayed Spirit Airlines and jetBlue Airways logos on June 21, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Illustrations/Reuters)

JetBlue Strikes Deal to Buy Spirit Airlines to Create 5th-Biggest US Carrier

JetBlue Airways has struck a deal to buy Spirit Airlines in a transaction valued at $3.8 billion, laying the foundation for the creation of a low-fare challenger to the dominant Big Four U.S. airlines.

The companies jointly announced on July 28 that their boards have given the green light to a definitive merger agreement, which came hours after Spirit scuttled plans for a combination with fellow discount carrier Frontier Airlines.

Under the deal, which is subject to approval by regulators and Spirit shareholders, JetBlue will buy Spirit for $33.50 per share in cash, including a prepayment of $2.50 per share thats payable once Spirit stockholders approve the transaction.

The companies said they expect the regulatory process to conclude and the transaction to close in the first half of 2024 at the latest. The airlines will carry on independently until then, and there will be no changes to their respective loyalty programs or customer accounts.

Shares of Spirit rose 4.7 percent in midafternoon trading to $25.45, while JetBlue fell 2.4 percent to $8.22.

In addition to the prepayment, JetBlue will also pay a ticking fee of $0.10 per month starting in January 2023 through closing, for an aggregate fully diluted equity value of $3.8 billion and an adjusted enterprise value of $7.6 billion, the companies said.

Spirit Airlines planes are prepared for flight at the Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on May 16, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

We are excited to deliver this compelling combination that turbocharges our strategic growth, enabling JetBlue to bring our unique blend of low fares and exceptional service to more customers, on more routes, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said in a statement.

Spirit and JetBlue will continue to advance our shared goal of disrupting the industry to bring down fares from the Big Four airlines.

The merger will establish the fifth-biggest airline in the United States.

We are thrilled to unite with JetBlue through our improved agreement to create the most compelling national low-fare challenger to the dominant U.S. carriers, and we look forward to working with JetBlue to complete the transaction, Spirit President and CEO Ted Christie said in a statement.

JetBlue Airways aircraft are pictured at departure gates at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on June 15, 2013. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)

For JetBlue, merging with Spirit is the path of least resistance to acquiring Spirits existing planesa fleet that will allow JetBlue to compete with the Big Four airlinesAmerican, Delta, United, and Southwest.

The combined airline will have a fleet of 458 aircraft and an order book of more than 300 Airbus planes, the companies said. It will have 9 percent of market share, compared to about 13 percent for United Airlines (the fourth-largest) and around 23 percent for Southwest, which is the largest carrier.

We believe we can uniquely be a solution to the lack of competition in the U.S. airline industry and the continued dominance of the Big Four, Hayes said.

JetBlue and Spirit said the merger will provide customers with more options and choices, while delivering more career growth options for employees.

The announcement follows a months-long bidding war between JetBlue and Frontier Group. Frontiers shares rose 15 percent to 12.99.
Members of U.S. Air Force prepare to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea on Dec. 29, 2020. (United States Forces Korea via Getty Images)

Judge Orders Air Force Not to Punish Members Seeking Religious Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

Air Force officials were ordered on July 27 not to discipline airmen who are seeking religious exemptions to the militarys COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

U.S. District Judge Matthew McFarland, a Trump appointee, entered a preliminary injunction against the military branch.

McFarland two weeks earlier issued a temporary restraining order. He asked the military to make its case as to why he shouldnt enter a preliminary injunction, a longer-lasting measure.

In a 16-page filing, government lawyers said blocking the military from punishing unvaccinated members would interfere with ongoing legal proceedings and would otherwise be improper, particularly in light of significant new developments.

Among the developments, they pointed to U.S. drug regulators authorizing a COVID-19 vaccine made by Novavax. Unlike the three shots previously available in the United States, the Novavax vaccine doesnt use fetal cells in its development, manufacturing, or production, government lawyers said, echoing statements from Novavax that have been disputed by some outside groups.

Those class members whose religious objections were based on mRNA technology or the use of fetal-derived cell lines are no longer substantially burdened by the COVID-19 vaccine requirement because this option is now available, the lawyers said.

Included in the opposition was a declaration from Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, the director of staff for the Air Forces headquarters. He claimed that unvaccinated members are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and substantially more likely to develop severe symptoms resulting in hospitalization or death and that exempting a large number of airmen would pose a significant and unprecedented risk to military readiness and our ability to defend the nation.

Of the 14 members who died with COVID-19 since March 14, according to Schneider, 12 were unvaccinated.

McFarland wasnt convinced.

Defendants fail to raise any persuasive arguments, he said.

Chris West, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, called the ruling such a big win on Twitter.

Thousands Affected

The Air Force has approximately 497,000 members. Of those, 97.1 percent have received a primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine as of July 11.

About 1,440 exemptions to the mandate have been granted, including 104 religious exemptions. Another 2,847 are pending, and 6,803 have been rejected.

The small number of religious exemptions granted is farcical, McFarland said earlier this year. He said that the Air Force has effectively stacked the deck against service members seeking religious exemptions.

Under the new order, the Air Force cant take disciplinary action against, or attempt to kick out, members who have requested a religious exemption on or after Sept. 1, 2021, and were deemed by a chaplain as having a sincerely held religious belief. Most military members who apply do and were either denied or havent had action on their request.

Editors Note: This story has been updated with more information about Novavaxs vaccine.
On July 15, federal court judge Leonie Brinkema denied Stefan Halpers motion to dismiss a lawsuit that had been brought against him by Svetlana Lokhova. In her lawsuit, Lokhova claimed that Halper had defamed and disparaged Lokhova to the publishers of her forthcoming book and had falsely accused her of knowingly publishing statements that were false. Lokhova claimed that Halpers accusations were not only untrue, but they were also designed to prevent the forthcoming publication of her book, The Spider: Stefan A. Halper and the Dark Web of a Coup.

But it wasnt the denial of Halpers motion thats been making waves in SpyGate circles; its comments made by the judge about Halpers interactions with the FBI. On July 20, it was reported that Judge Brinkema stated that Halper may have made clear misstatements to the FBI and may be responsible for some falsehoods about Michael Flynn and Lokhova.

There are now a fair number of documentations that do, in fact, link your client to being this source, and more specific information that the description about the meeting in England with Mr. Flynn that this witness that Mr. Halper was, in fact, not present and therefore may have made clear misstatements to the FBI, the court noted. At the early stage of the court proceedings, there would seem to be enough to suggest that there may, in fact, be some falsehoods going on here on your clients behalf, Brinkema said to Halpers attorney. These falsehoods from Halper extend beyond Lokhovareaching to former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page and General Michael Flynn.

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Pro-abortion protesters stand outside the U.S. Supreme Court as the court deliberates overturning Roe v. Wade in Washington on June 24, 2022. (Jim Bourg/Reuters)

Judge Temporarily Blocks North Dakotas Trigger Abortion Ban; Clinic Can Continue Operations

A judge in North Dakota has temporarily halted the states trigger law abortion ban from beginning on July 28, allowing the only remaining abortion clinic in the state to continue the procedure.

Burleigh County District Judge Bruce Romanick granted the order to the Red River Womens Clinic on July 27, one day before the states near complete ban on abortion was to take effect.

In 2007, North Dakota lawmakers approved a trigger law that, if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, would restore the states authority to prohibit abortion. The trigger lawwhich bans abortion except in the case of incest, rape, or the health of the motherwas supposed to take effect on the 30th day after the state attorney general certified that the official judgment had been issued by the Supreme Court.

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley took that step on June 28, meaning that the trigger abortion ban was scheduled to begin on July 28.

The states sole abortion clinic, Red River Womens Clinic, filed a lawsuit arguing that Wrigley acted prematurely and that it takes 25 days after the Supreme Court releases an opinion for the court to issue an official judgment.

On July 27, Romanick ruled in favor of the clinic, agreeing with the argument.

Although exceedingly rare, during the time for a petition for rehearing, the Supreme Court could alter or amended [sic] its original judgment and decisions, thereby rendering the original opinion moot, the judge said. Without the formal certification of the Supreme Courts opinion, the lower courts cannot be guaranteed of the finality of the Supreme Courts decision.

Wrigley prematurely attempted to implement the trigger law, and the attorney generals certification was improper without the U.S. Supreme Courts certified judgment, Romanick wrote in his opinion.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued its certified judgment in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization on July 24.

Abortion Clinic Will Move to Minnesota

The North Dakota court granted the motion from Red River Womens Clinic for a temporary restraining order prohibiting the implementation of the trigger law until the attorney general follows the provisions outlined in the triggering language or until future order of the Court.

In light of State District Court Judge Bruce Romanicks decision, Wrigley said, I will officially re-certify what has been clear from the day that the United States Supreme Court handed down its decision in Dobbs: Roe v. Wade has been reversed, and [North Dakotas abortion trigger law] shall be given its full effect, in accordance with its provisions.

Romanicks ruling allows Red River Womens Clinic, based in Fargo, to continue facilitating abortions in the state until the trigger law officially comes into effect.

Meanwhile, the clinic has plans to relocate a few miles across the state line to Moorhead, Minnesota, where abortion is still legal, ABC News reported.
LA County Supervisors Move to Put Sheriff Removal Measure on November Ballot

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors July 26 approved the first reading of an ordinance that would allow voters to decide whether the board should have the power to remove a county sheriff from office under certain conditions.

The ordinance, introduced by Board Chair Holly Mitchell and Supervisor Hilda Solis, received a 41 vote, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger dissenting. The board has to vote again on Aug. 2 to put the measure before county voters on November 8.

If passed in the general election, it would allow the board to remove an elected county sheriff for cause by a four-fifths vote.

The cause is defined in the measure as a violation of law related to a Sheriffs duties, flagrant or repeated neglect of duties, misappropriation of funds, willful falsification of documents, or obstructing an investigation.

Under the countys current system, a sheriff can be removed through regular elections, recall elections, a civil grand jury, or a legal challenge issued by the attorney general.

The motion was modeled after San Bernardino Countys 2002 ordinance that gave its Board of Supervisors the power to remove not only its sheriff but all other elected officials in the county government for cause by a four-fifths vote.

At the previous board meeting, supervisors who supported the motion said it is not targeting the current Sheriff Alex Villanueva but is a way to hold a county sheriff accountable for his or her actions.

The voters deserve an opportunity to decide whether this is the right way to enhance accountability of the Sheriff and protect the lives and liberties of County residents, Mitchell said in a July 12 statement.

Barger, who cast the only dissenting vote, said the move was politically motivated as it should not target just one elected position.

If this is about holding accountable across the board, as it relates to elected, why is it just the sheriff? she said during the July 12 board meeting.

Villanuevas campaign released a statement July 8 saying that the sheriff is an elected position, just like the supervisors. Just as the sheriff has no business asking for power to fire the supervisors, the reverse is also true.

In a letter to the board last month, he said the motion is an effort to sabotage his election campaign and a recipe for public corruption, particularly when cause remains so broad and undefined.

Villanueva, a registered Democrat, is up for reelection in November, facing off with former Long Beach police Chief Robert Luna, who has been endorsed by all county supervisors.

Villanueva has repeatedly clashed with the board this year over his law enforcement tactics and not requiring his deputies to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

He accused the board of defunding his department at the expense of public safety and refused to attend the countys Civilian Oversight Committee meetings over lawsuits alleging deputy gangs and excessive use of force under his leadership.

The board also imposed a hiring freeze on his department while voting to terminate unvaccinated county employees, including sheriffs deputies, in February.

City News Service contributed to this report.
Lawsuit Against Alameda County Alleges That Governmental Contract Awards Have Racial Quotas

The Californians for Equal Rights Foundation (CFER) and two co-plaintiffs filed a complaint against Alameda County in the Superior Court of California of Alameda on July 25, alleging that state programs encourage racial quotas.

The argument of the lawsuit is that the Alameda County government is violating both the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the California state constitution, the equal protection clause in the state constitutions, CFER executive director Wenyuan Wu told NTD, a sister outlet of The Epoch Times.

Represented by Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), CFER and its co-plaintiffs are suing [pdf] over the Alameda County Construction Compliance Program [pdf] and Enhanced Construction Outreach Program. Both programs set aside 15 percent of participation goals for minority-owned businesses that bid for county construction projects.

However, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against using racial quotas in governmental contract awards, as seen in the 1989 case of City of Richmond v. J.A. Cronson and in the 1996 case of Adarand Constructors v. Federico Pena. On the federal level, the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs prohibits the use of race to be weighed in on contract decisions.

Similarly, California voters rejected Proposition 16 in 2020, keeping the ban on affirmative action and ban on considering gender and ethnicity when making decisions on contracting, hiring, and student admissions.

The government should not be depriving opportunities for small businesses engaged in public contractingand the Alameda County public contracting programs are particularly pernicious because they deprive opportunities based on race, PLFs senior attorney, Wen Fa, said in a statement on July 25.

Many construction company owners, including those who would benefit from the racial quotas, have commented that these programs have had a negative effect.

Andrew Salazarm, a Los Angeles-based, mixed-race construction company planner, told the California Globe that set-asides and quotas are more harmful than good, adding that the government is choosing companies based on race instead of going with the quality or the lowest bidder.

The impact of having racial quotas under the ban of participation goal for minority-owned businesses is discrimination, said Wu. Businesses that are not minority-owned are going to be discriminated against even if their credentials are strong. They are not competing with all the other small businesses with equal footing.

According to the complaint, the law is taking advantage of taxpayers and denying equal opportunities for all contracting companies through government-sanctioned racial discrimination.

An Alameda County spokesperson told The Epoch Times the county was advised by legal counsel not to comment on the case.

A scheduled court date for the lawsuit is still pending.
Sushil Kumar Bind leads his family members towards the field where his wife Khushboo who was killed by lightning on July 25 at Piparaon village on the outskirts of Prayagraj, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, on July 28, 2022. (Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Photo)

Lightning Kills Nearly 50 This Week in Indias Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW, IndiaSeven people, mostly farmers, were killed by lightning in a village in Indias northern Uttar Pradesh state, police said Thursday, bringing the death toll by lightning to 49 people in the state this week.

The farmers had taken shelter under trees during a drenching monsoon rain when they were struck by lightning Tuesday and died instantly. The victims included four members of a family and some cattle grazers near the city of Kaushambi, according to police officer Hem Raj Meena.

The high death toll has prompted the government to issue new guidelines for how people can protect themselves during a lightning storm, said state government spokesman Shishir Singh.

People are dying more from lightning than rain-related incidents, though this is the time when people (typically) die of floods or other rain-related incidents, Singh said.

Indias monsoon season runs from June through September.

Col. Sanjay Srivastava, whose organization Lightning India Resilient Campaign works with the Indian Meteorological Department, said lightning has killed nearly 750 people across India since April. That includes 20 people who died in eastern Bihar state in the past two days and 16 in Madhya Pradesh state in central India earlier this month.

More than 200 people have been killed in heavy downpours and mudslides in Indian states including Assam, Manipur, Tripura, and Sikkim, while 42 people have died in Bangladesh since May 17. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in the monsoon season.

By Biswajeet Banerjee
Stickers for rent cancelations are pasted to a light fixture in front of Los Angeles City Hall on Nov. 8, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Los Angeles Could Make Changes to COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium

LOS ANGELESLos Angeles renters who have been relying on the citys COVID-19 eviction moratorium for the last two years could see changes, with several city councilors signaling an intent July 27 to discuss refining or possibly ending the moratorium.

Councilman John Lee, the only councilor to vote against extending the citys local emergency declaration due to the pandemic on Wednesday, held a news conference with a group of mom-and-pop landlords before the meeting, calling for a set date for the moratorium to end.

If it doesnt have an end date in sight, unfortunately these small property owners are left in limbo, Lee told City News Service. These people have to plan and make those decisions. Do they take out another loan to keep their property alive if they see the light at the end of the tunnel? We want to set that date so they can move forward with their decision.

Eviction protections for non-payment of rent due to the economic impact of COVID-19 in the city will be in effect through August 2023, or up to 12 months following the end of the declaration of the local emergency.

During the June 24 council meeting, the council directed the citys housing department to report back on recommendations and possible amendments to the moratorium. That report is expected within the next couple of weeks, according to Lee.

These small landlords are the ones that are working with their tenants, Lee said. These small landlords are the ones that deal with their tenants on a personal level. These are people who have saved all their lives to use this as potential income, some in their retirement.

Councilman Bob Blumenfield described the moratorium at the meeting as a band-aid that is rapidly losing its schtick. The states eviction moratorium expired at the end of June.

Its been two-and-a-half years, he said. We need new ways to protect our renters that are not simply the blunt tool of the COVID moratorium.

One suggestion from Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson to help smaller landlords was to separate landlords based on income levels while creating policy, just like tenants.

I think that we talk about small mom-and-pop landlords, and then we put forward policies that protect the big corporate landlords, Harris-Dawson said. I would suggest that we complicate this matter just a little bit more and think critically about what we can do and how can we lead on this matter.

Stakeholders on both sides of the debate turned out at the City Hall Wednesday, though most of the public speakers at the meeting supported keeping the moratorium.

Audre Lopez-King, a small rental property owner, said her income is now a quarter of what she would make without the moratorium because tenants are not paying rent and abusing the system.

Policymakers focus on tenant voting numbers and corporate interests, and they ignore the social contributions and rights of mom-and-pop landlords, Lopez-King said. We are forced to bear the cost of tenant cost issues and the citys homelessness crisis.

Opponents of the moratorium want a third party to be able to audit renters who claim a COVID-19 hardship for rent, according to Jeff Faller, president of the Apartment Owners Association of California. He told the City News Service that tenant rights groups want to paint landlords as villains.

We want to paint a wholesome picture, Faller said. If you think about it, down the middle, you have tenants that are good and housing providers that are good. You have tenants that are bad and housing providers that are bad.

But Sergio Vargas, lead organizer for the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, called on the state to bring back its COVID-19 rent relief program, Housing is Key, which allowed people to apply for help in paying for rent and utilities during the pandemic. The program expired at the end of March.

We are still living in the pandemic, Vargas said. There are small landlords suffering. We should all come together to lobby the state so they can send more money from the federal government so we can get more relief.
Man Who Tried Killing Brett Kavanaugh Was Shooting for 3 Justices

The California man whos facing life in prison after confessing to attempting to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh told an associate that he wanted to murder three justices in a bid to change the votes for decades to come, according to new court documents.

Nicholas Roske, who flew to Maryland in June and exited a taxi outside Kavanaughs home before calling the police on himself, told the associate in a chat on Discord that he was gonna stop roe v wade from being overturned, an FBI agent said in one of the documents.

What u tryna do, the associate asked.

Roske wrote, Remove some people from the supreme court.

After the person suggested that doing so wouldnt accomplish much, Roske outlined his plan, saying he could get at least one and was shooting for 3.

All of the major decisions for the past 10 years have been along party lines so if there are more liberal than conservative judges, they will have the power, he said.

The chat happened on May 25, after Politico published a leaked draft decision indicating that the Supreme Court was poised to strike down Roe v. Wade, the 1973 court ruling that declared access to abortion a constitutional right and barred states from imposing many restrictions on abortion.

The court ultimately did strike down the earlier ruling, after Roske was arrested.

The chat was reviewed by the FBI with permission from the associate, who hasnt been charged.

Authorities previously said Roske informed them after his arrest that he wanted to kill Kavanaugh because of fears the Trump appointee would help strike down Roe v. Wade and a gun-control law in New York.

The FBI submitted the information in support of a request for a search warrant to seize records from Discord, Google, and Reddit accounts that were used by Roske.

Gaining access to the accounts will help obtain evidence of a crime, illegally possessed items, and property intended for use or used in committing a crime, according to the search warrant application.

Roskes public defender didnt respond to a request for comment.

Searches

Agents already obtained permission to extract data from Roskes phone, from which they identified many of the accounts.

An initial review of the phones contents revealed that he posted on Reddit on May 10: Would Kavanaugh being removed from the SC help women long term? It also showed that he posted on Reddit on June 6: How difficult is it to covertly take out an HVT? HVT refers to high-value targets, according to the FBI.

Agents discovered that Roske, between May 5 and June 8, searched on his cell phone for quietest semi auto rifle, Reagan assassination attempt, most effective place to stab someone, supreme court, and assassin skills.

Roske also visited the current members page on the Supreme Courts website and a Wikipedia entry titled List of assassinations.
A man wearing a protective face mask walks past a sign requiring face masks posted on a storefront in Los Angeles on March 2, 2022. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

More Cities Vote Not to Enforce LA Countys Mask Mandate Proposal

With a decision expected tomorrow on whether Los Angeles County will re-impose an indoor mask mandate due to COVID-19, officials from several cities said they will not enforce such a rule if it is implemented.

Officials of Long Beach, Pasadena, and El Segundo said July 26 they would not follow such an order after evaluating the hospitalization metrics and local COVID case rates.

Hospitalizations among Long Beach residents remain stable, area hospitals have adequate capacity and fatalities remain low, reads a statement by the City of Long Beach. The City of Long Beach will continue to align with the California Department of Public Health, which strongly urges, but does not require, masking in most circumstances.

In the past seven days, the average number of daily new cases in Long Beach was 477 per 100,000 people with nearly 10 hospitalized. As the hospitalization rate remains stable, city officials said, local hospitals have an adequate capacity to serve more other patients.

Pasadenas health officials said new infections in their city declined in the past 10 days and the number of hospitalizations did not increase during that time.

Pasadena Public Health Department has determined that jurisdictional COVID-19 confirmed case rates have declined for about 10 days, and local hospitalization metrics have not continued to increase during that time,  reads a statement by the Pasadena Public Health Department.

The El Segundo City Council voted July 26 to not enforce a mask mandate.

My City Council colleagues and I strongly believe the decision to wear a mask should be the choice of the individual and should not be imposed by L.A. County, El Segundo Mayor Drew Boyles said in a statement.

The Beverly Hills City Council led the march on Monday, being the first to vote not to enforce the potential mandate.

The LA County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Wednesday the county may pause the implementation of universal masking that was anticipated to begin Friday due to COVID case and hospitalization rates trending down.

The department is expected to make the decision on the mandate after the updated hospital admission rates are released on Thursday.
RCMP Chief Supt. Chris Leather is questioned by lawyer Rachel Young at the Mass Casualty Commission inquiry into the mass murders in rural Nova Scotia on April 18/19, 2020, in Halifax on July 27, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Kelly Clark)

Mountie Has Impression Liberal Government Interfered With NS Mass Shooting Probe

A senior Mountie testified Thursday he believes political inference was behind RCMP Commissioner Brenda Luckis determination to have police release details on the guns used in the Nova Scotia mass shooting.

Chief Supt. Chris Leather made the comment at the public inquiry into the rampage that took 22 lives on April 18-19, 2020, during cross-examination by Tom MacDonald, a lawyer who represents two family members of victims.

MacDonald asked if Leather believed, after the officer participated in a teleconference with Lucki shortly after the shootings, that the commissioners comments reflected political interference in the criminal probe underway at the time.

Leather responded, Thats my impression, and he said he came to that conclusion after gathering the facts about the lead-up to the meeting with Lucki.

RCMP Chief Supt. Darren Campbell has alleged that during a meeting on April 28, 2020, Lucki said she promised the Prime Ministers Office that the information on the guns would be released in connection with the Liberal governments pending gun control legislation.

The government was in the midst of drafting fresh gun control measures to reduce access to semi-automatic weapons in the days following the mass shooting. Campbell and Leather both testified this week that releasing the information on the guns would have interfered with the ongoing investigation into who provided the killer with the semi-automatic weapons.

Leather, who is the head of criminal operations in Nova Scotia, testified on Wednesday that he had received a call on the evening of April 22three days after the mass shootingfrom Lucki and that she had asked him to send her details about the guns. The superintendent has said that a list of guns he had sent to Lucki was for internal purposes only.

Leathers statement about the April 22 call with Lucki, and about a series of emails that followed, didnt come up in a July 6 interview he gave to inquiry lawyers.

During cross-examination Thursday by Michael Scotta lawyer who represents the majority of the victims familiesLeather said he hadnt discussed the call or the emails on July 6 because lawyers with the federal Department of Justice had suggested he take a reactive posture.

The advice I received was not to proactively disclose the conversation (with Lucki) and the emails leading up to the meeting on April 28, (2020), Leather testified.

I knew from my notes and emails I had prepared and submitted that it was obviously relevant to what would become the infamous phone call (meeting) of April 28  and was troubled by that and wanted their advice and was advised to take a reactive posture.

Lori Ward, a lawyer for the federal Justice Department and the RCMP, told commissioners Thursday she believed there had been a misunderstanding from Leather about that advice. She said she and another federal lawyer had understood that Leather had a document relevant to the April 28, 2020, meeting with Lucki that they needed to review because it might contain privileged information.

Lucki has denied interfering in the police investigation. She testified Monday before a House of Commons committee that she didnt recall telling then-public safety minister Bill Blair that she had promised to have the details on the guns released. She said she remembered using different words with Blair.

Leather also faced questions from lawyers representing victims families about his forces poor relationship with other police forces before the mass shooting, and in the two years since then.

Truro police Chief Dave MacNeil testified in May that on the night of the mass shooting, the information coming from RCMP had been very sporadic and that Truro police didnt really have a tasking.

Leather said it wasnt feasible to have close collaboration with the Truro police during a lengthy and complex emergency, because the two forces hadnt trained together for mass shooting scenarios.

However, lawyer Josh Bryson asked Leather why the RCMP didnt at least call on municipal police forces to assist in canvassing the community of Portapique, N.S., on April 19, 2020, to see if there were more victims. It took the RCMP close to 18 hours from the start of the mass shooting to locate five of the victims bodies.

The officer agreed with Jane Lenehan, a lawyer who represents the family of victim Gina Goulet, that during his tenure, relations with municipal police forces had deteriorated, and that it was essential to the safety of Nova Scotians that this be remedied.

Leather said he was hopeful a major change in management of Nova Scotia RCMP would help decrease tensions.

He said he is being transferred to national headquarters in August to take on a new role, while the assistant commissioner at the time, Lee Bergerman, has retired, and Chief Supt. Darren Campbell was recently transferred to New Brunswick.

By Michael Tutton
Nick Sandmann from Covington Catholic High School stands in front of Native American activist Nathan Phillips while the latter bangs a drum in his face in Washington on Jan. 18, 2019. (Kaya Taitano via Reuters)

Nick Sandmann Defamation Lawsuits Against Media Dismissed by Federal Judge

Libel lawsuits brought by Nick Sandmann against a string of media outlets were dismissed by a U.S. District Court in Eastern Kentucky this week, which ruled that statements claiming that he blocked a Native American man were protected opinions.

Sandmann filed lawsuits against ABC, CBS, CNN, Gannett, NBC, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and The Washington Post in 2019 after an incident at a March for Life protest at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

The then-16-year-old Covington Catholic student was seen on camera wearing a MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat and standing opposite Nathan Phillips, a Native American who was banging a drum while participating in an Indigenous Peoples March.

Sandmann was seen smiling at Phillips, and it was alleged at the time that the teenager had harassed 64-year-old Philips.

Lawyers for the then-teenager said the media outlets publications of statements from Phillips claiming that the teen had stood in his way and blocked him were false and amounted to defamation.

The lawsuits that were dismissed by federal judge William Bertelsman pertained to The New York Times, CBS, ABC, Gannett, and Rolling Stone.

The media defendants were covering a matter of great public interest, and they reported Phillipss first-person view of what he experienced. This would put the reader on notice that Phillips was simply giving his perspective on the incident. Therefore, in the factual context of this case, Phillipss blocking statements are protected opinions. This holding moots all other motions before the Court, Bertelsman wrote in his July 27 opinion.

Reasonable Reader

Bertelsman also wrote that Phillipss assertions that Sandmann blocked him and wouldnt allow [him] to retreat are objectively unverifiable and thus unactionable opinions.

Instead, a reasonable reader would understand that Phillips was simply conveying his view of the situation, Bertelsman wrote. And because the reader knew from the articles that this encounter occurred at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, he or she would know that the confrontation occurred in the expansive area such that it would be difficult to know what might constitute blocking another person in that setting.

The judge also said Phillips statements, which were published in the articles, relied on assumptions concerning both Phillipss and Sandmanns state of mind and that Phillips had no way of knowing what Sandmann was thinking or intended when he made the challenged statements.

It has long been established that someones state of mind is not capable of being proven true or false, the judge wrote.

Sandmann had already reached settlements with NBC, CNN, and The Washington Post for undisclosed amounts.

His lawyer, Todd McMurty, told the Lexington Herald-Leader that they were disappointed with the judges decision and intend to file an appeal, but didnt provide any further comments.

Sandmann wrote on Twitter that hell be appealing the decision in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, noting that he believes he should be able to proceed with lawsuits against the publications because of the factual claim the defending media companies made which was used in conjunction with negative connotations of racism and harassment that defamed me.

Further video footage emerged after the initial viral video of Sandmann showing that he had been confronted and harassed by other people at the event and that it was Phillips who approached Sandmann and beat a drum, while Sandmann responded by standing still and smiling.
Ottawa Provides Few Details on Plans for New Tools to Fight Extremist Ideology

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in late May that new tools were needed to combat a host of threats, such as misinformation, social media being weaponized, and right-wing terrorism, but various government departments contacted by The Epoch Times provided few details on what those tools might be.

Public Safety mentioned investments in the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) to improve cyber capabilities, the Privy Council Office said its coordinating new measures across departments, and Global Affairs raised Canadas involvement in a G7 group to counter state-sponsored disinformation.

None of the responses, however, had a direct link to the domestic issues cited by Trudeau, nor were any specific tools revealed.

Phil Gurski, a 32-year veteran of the CSE and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) who now runs Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting, says the government should be more forthcoming about its plans while balancing the need for secrecy.

It worries me that the government is so tight-lipped about this, Gurski said in an interview.

You cant put out a note that were giving the security services more powers and more tools to do things without telling Canadians at least something about what those new powers and tools are, he said, noting the importance of transparency amid a tendency of public distrust toward police and security institutions.

On the issue of new tools, Gurski said there are currently rules in place requiring a court-issued warrant to intercept the communications of Canadians, and he doesnt think the new measures would get around that.

This leaves the possibility of deploying computer-assisted analytic capabilities to sift through social media and detect potential threats, but he has reservations about that approach.

He says even back in the late 1990s, the amount of data collected by the CSE was like drinking through a fire hose, whereas currently, it would be like drinking from Niagara Falls.

Gurski says technical tools applied against the data would generate an awful lot of false positives, and theres no algorithm that can differentiate between who is a good guy and a bad guy based on social media posts.

Extremist Ideology

In his comments regarding new threats weighing on our society and our country, on May 24, Trudeau said the government is investing in new tools to combat the rising prevalence of misinformation and disinformation amid a weaponized social media environment he characterized as being manipulated by foreign actors and domestic extremists.

Whether its extremist ideology and right-wing terrorism on the rise in Canada, or whether its examples like the illegal [Freedom Convoy] protests we saw in the winter, there are a whole new set of challenges that we need to be responding to, he said.

A sign for the Government of Canadas Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is seen outside their headquarters in the east end of Ottawa on July 23, 2015. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

The Epoch Times asked Public Safety to provide details on the new tools and investments Trudeau spoke about.

In an email, spokesperson Magali Deussing listed the investments announced in previous budgets to protect against cyber threats, as well as $852.9 million earmarked in the latest budget to enhance the Communications Security Establishment (CSE)s ability to conduct cyber operations, make critical government systems more resilient, and prevent and respond to cyber incidents on critical infrastructure.

Public Safety oversees several security agencies including CSIS, the RCMP, and the Canada Border Services Agency. It does not oversee the CSE, which falls under the Department of National Defence.

The CSE is precluded by law from targeting Canadians, unless through special authorization from the minister.

Its not clear how defensive and offensive CSE cyber capabilities, meant to counter threats from and disrupt mostly state actors and criminal and terrorist organizations abroad, relate to some of the issues Trudeau cited, such as extremist ideology and right-wing terrorism.

Gurski believes the Liberal governments persistent focus on the right wing is a sign that security agencies could be politicized.

This government seems, for reasons that I fail to understand, [to] try to convince us here in Canada the only threat worth worrying about is the far-right, Freedom Convoywhatever theyre calling it.

He says the issue of right-wing extremism is real and should be looked at, but its not the only phenomenon out there.

They think that white folk who are angry are the only threat and I point out, on a daily basis, that if you look beyond your belly button, you will notice that around the world globally, on a daily basis, Islamist terrorism still kills 99 percent of all people that die in terrorist acts.

Democracy Faces a Growing Threat

Despite alluding to the Freedom Convoy and related protests of last winter, Trudeau said in May his government would take measures in a way that continues to defend freedom of speech and freedom to protest.

He said his government is working closely with national security agencies and the CSE to respond to issues like extremist ideology and right-wing terrorism.

Given the CSEs foreign mandate, its involvement would be highly unlikely or extremely rare in domestic issues.

On the foreign front, the CSE has been publicly involved in countering disinformation from Russia since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

When asked how CSE cyber capabilities could be used to address Trudeaus concerns, Deussing responded by transferring The Epoch Times inquiry to the Privy Council Office (PCO) and Global Affairs Canada.

In response, PCO spokesperson Pierre-Alain Bujold highlighted $10 million allocated to the PCO in Budget 2022 to take a leadership role to coordinate, develop, and implement government-wide measures to combat disinformation and protect Canadas democracy.

In Canada, and around the world, democracy faces a growing threat from actors seeking to weaken its institutions and undermine citizens trust in their government, Bujold said in a July 14 email.

This threat includes the use of disinformation to undermine democratic processes and to hinder the governments ability to pursue core policy objectivessuch as ensuring public health, safety and securityby undermining trust in public institutions.

When asked specifically about the new tools Trudeau cited and whether the prime minister perhaps misspoke, Bujold responded that In this context, new tools and new measures carry the same meaning.

The PCO is an advisory body to the prime minister and cabinet. It is not a security agency that could require tools to address a threat.

Foreign Threat Actors

Global Affairs, which has no domestic mandate, also provided a response via Bujold on the issue of the new tools.

Foreign threat actors are targeting democratic institutions and processes; media and the information environment; and fundamental freedoms and human rights at an alarming rate, the email said.

It mentioned Canadas involvement in the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), established to identify and respond to foreign threats to democracy, including state-sponsored disinformation.

Budget 2022 earmarked $13.4 million over five years to support the RRM. Part of this work involves improving collective analytical capability to counter disinformation online, which could include the use of technical tools.
Paul Pelosi and Nancy Pelosi attend the TIME 100 Gala 2019 Cocktails at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 23, 2019. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME)

Pelosis Husband Sells Nvidia Shares at Major Loss Ahead of House Vote on Chipmaker Subsidies

A recent filing by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) shows that her financier husband Paul Pelosi offloaded nearly $5 million worth of graphics card giant Nvidia shares just days before House lawmakers are set to consider legislation that would provide billions in government subsidies for U.S. semiconductor production.

In a periodic transaction report signed on Tuesday, Pelosi disclosed (pdf) that her husband sold 25,000 shares of Nvidia at an average price of $165.05 with a total loss of $341,365.

In total, the shares are worth between $1 million and $5 million.

According to an earlier filing this month (pdf), Paul Pelosi exercised 200 call options, or 20,000 shares, of Nvidia at a strike price of $100 and expiration of June 17, 2022, worth between $1 million and $5 million.

At the same time, Paul Pelosi also sold portions of his Apple and Visa holdings, according to the speakers disclosure.

Paul Pelosi owns and operates a San Francisco-based real estate and consulting firm.

The move to purchase Nvidia stock in June raised questions about whether the financier had insider knowledge about the legislation, while Pelosi has drawn scrutiny in recent months over her husbands moves in the stock market.

However, Pelosis spokesman Drew Hammill told media outlets at the time that the speaker has no prior knowledge or subsequent involvement in any transactions, while adding that she also does not own any stocks.

To be clear, insider trading is already a serious federal criminal and civil violation and the Speaker strongly supports robust enforcement of the relevant statutes by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Hammill also said.

Senate Approves CHIPS

A Business Insider analysis from 2021 found that Pelosi is the 14th wealthiest member of Congress, with an estimated net worth of at least $46 million.

The latest regulatory filing came just one day before the Senate approved the CHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America) Act of 2022, a measure designed to bolster the U.S. semiconductor industry and encourage companies to build semiconductor plants in the United States.

The legislation, which passed in a 6433 vote on July 27, provides $280 billion in funding to aid domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research. Roughly $52 billion of that is set to go to microchip manufacturers.

The legislation would also allocate more than $170 billion provided over five years to bolster U.S. scientific research to compete with China.

The bill now heads to the House for debate.

When asked about Paul Pelosis offloading of shares around the same time the Senate prepared to vote on the latest measure, Hammill said in a statement to The Hill, Mr. Pelosi bought options to buy stock in this company more than a year ago and exercised them on June 17, 2022.

As always, he does not discuss these matters with the Speaker until trades have been made and required disclosures must be prepared and filed. Mr. Pelosi decided to sell the shares at a loss rather than allow the misinformation in the press regarding this trade to continue, he added.

The Epoch Times has contacted Pelosis office for comment.
U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) holds her weekly press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 21, 2022. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Pelosis Proposed Taiwan Trip Wins Bipartisan Support

U.S. Congress is rallying behind House Speaker Nancy Pelosis potential trip to Taiwan in seemingly bipartisan unity as lawmakers on both sides urge her to visit the self-governing island democracy despite warnings from China.

The move has seen a rare intraparty rift emerging with President Joe Biden, who is wary about escalating tensions with Chinas communist regime. Pelosi, the top congressional Democrat and the third in line to the presidency, would be the highest-ranking U.S. politician since 1997 to travel to the island of Taiwan, which China has claimed as its own in past decades.

Beijing had threatened serious consequences last week if the speaker follows through on her reported plan.

The next day, Biden cast doubt on the proposed visit, while Pelosi deflected questions about the trip, citing a security issue.

Nevertheless, she said at a news conference that it was important for us to show support for Taiwan and she believed Biden could be simply repeating warnings issued by the military.

Its important that she goes and its important eventually that Biden gets a backbone, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), the chairman of the Senate Republican campaign arm, told Breitbart News. Unfortunately the Biden administration doesnt know how to have backbones, but weve gotta stand up for our allies, Scott said.

Policy Crisis

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said a major foreign policy crisis would occur if Washington bows down to Chinas threat by calling off the visit.

Imagine what it will signal for the Chinese communists if they think they can threaten us into merely not traveling to Taiwan. It might in fact incite them and tempt them to go for the jugular in Taiwan, he told Fox News on July 26.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, a Republican who visited Taiwan in 1997, also called on Pelosi to visit Taiwan and ignore Chinas threat.

What is the Pentagon thinking when it publicly warns against Speaker Pelosi going to Taiwan? he wrote in a Twitter post on July 24. If we are so intimidated by the Chinese Communists [that] we cant even protect an American Speaker of the House, why should Beijing believe we can help Taiwan survive. Timidity is dangerous.

The White House and the Department of Defense did not immediately reply to a request for comment by The Epoch Times.

President Joe Biden listens during a virtual meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington on Nov. 15, 2021. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

House Armed Services Committee Chair Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said, I just dont think we can let China dictate to us where the Speaker of the House travels to. In a July 25 appearance on CNNs At This Hour, the Democrat criticized Beijings outrage, drawing a comparison with the Kremlin, both of which see everything as provocative and threatening.

Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) shared a similar view on CNNs Situation Room, asserting that a military response by China would be the worst thing they could do.

Pelosi had planned to visit Taiwan in April but postponed travel after contracting COVID-19. The top U.S. lawmaker has positioned herself as a vocal critic of China almost since the time she was sworn into Congress in 1987.

Some Democrats, however, said the current timing of a Taiwan trip carries both economic and geopolitical risks, as Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a phone conference on Thursday.

Reaction

A series of upcoming events could also animate a Chinese response to a Pelosi visit. One of those events is the convening of the Chinese Communist Party congress in November, at which Xi intends to further cement his hold on power.

Earlier on July 25, Taipei staged air raid drills and the islands military performed routine defense exercises amid rising tensions over the potential visit, although there was no direct link between those exercises and threats posed by Beijing should Pelosi make the trip.

China has dispatched hundreds of sorties in Taiwanese airspace since Biden took office 18 months ago. Washington is legally obligated to ensure that the island democracy can defend itself and treats any threats against it with grave concern.

At his weekly news conference on July 26, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), whose wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, was born in Taipei, said its much more important to make sure Taiwan is self-sufficient when it comes to potential threats from mainland China.

We ought to refocus on what kind of military equipment they haveis that the right kind? And if not, working with them to make sure they actually have weapons that will deter the Chinese in case there is such an attack, McConnell said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, is seen during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on April 18, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Rep. Comer Demands Answers From Hunter Bidens Financial Adviser

The top Republican on the House Oversight Committee is pressing financial adviser Edward Prewitt on Hunter Bidens allegedly suspicious foreign activities that have been flagged by U.S. banks.

More than 150 transactions from the Bidens business dealings have been flagged by U.S. banks through filings of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) wrote in a July 27 letter (pdf) to Prewitt, whos a managing director for investments at Prewitt Mahler Tucker Private Wealth Management Group.

U.S. banks are required by law to flag cash transactions exceeding $10,000 per day and automatically file SARs in an effort to prevent criminal activities, such as money laundering and tax evasion.

Text messages show that Hunter Biden was aware of these SARs and took steps to avoid detection in his financial dealings, Comer wrote. Information reviewed by Committee Republicans reveals you were advising Hunter Biden on financial transactions when U.S. banks were flagging suspicious activity by the Biden family.

Ranking Republican member Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) speaks at a hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in the Rayburn House Office Building on Nov. 16, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

His letter to Prewitt is Comers latest effort to seek information on the alleged suspicious transactions since CBS News disclosed them in April. In the following month, Comer sent letters to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and 13 banks seeking financial records and documents in connection to Hunter Biden; his uncle, James Biden; and business associates Eric Schwerin and Devon Archer, among others.

The 13 banks included Morgan Stanley, Citi Bank, Bank of America, TD Bank, Wells Fargo, and Bank of China.

On July 6, Comer reiterated his demand for information when he sent a second letter to Yellen, saying that her departments failure to respond should raise new questions about the degree to which the Biden Administration is using the federal government to provide cover for the Biden family and its associates.

Comer wrote in his letter to Prewitt: As Hunter Bidens financial advisor, you are in a unique position to know how these transactions originated and why they were flagged by U.S. banks. As such, we request information regarding Hunter Bidens financial transactions, including any documents related to SARs.

Comer wrote that other committee members had seen documents showing that Prewitt and his firm managed the accounts of several of Hunter Bidens businesses, including Owasco PC, Owasco LLC, Skaneateles, and Rosemont Seneca Partners.

Additionally, Comer alleged that Prewitts firm was at least aware of how Hunter Bidens company, Hudson West, was used in transferring millions of dollars from Chinese firm CEFC China Energy to Hunter and James Biden. The now-defunct CEFC was once effectively an arm of the Chinese government.

In March, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) presented bank records on the Senate floor, with one record showing a $1 million payment from CEFC to Hunter Biden for the purpose of representing Patrick Ho, a top lieutenant of CEFC Chairman Ye Jianming. In 2019, Ho was sentenced to three years in U.S. prison for bribery and money laundering.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) speaks during a congressional hearing in Washington on Feb. 24, 2021. (Greg Nash/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

In one instance, Prewitt alerted Hunter Biden with an email after the first sons accounts were flagged by Wells Fargo Corporate Compliance for further scrutiny, according to Comers letter.

Schwerin, who held meetings with Joe Biden when he was vice president in the Obama administration, was also named in Comers email. According to Comer, Prewitts firm managed accounts tied to Schwerin.

Schwerins inclusion in these transactions raises questions about President Bidens involvement in the management and knowledge of these various entities activities, the letter reads.

Comer gave Prewitt an Aug. 3 deadline to brief Republican staff on the committee and the matters and an Aug. 10 deadline to turn over financial records, documents, and communications.

The letter requested all documents, communications, and information related to SARs flagged by U.S. banks connected to Hunter Biden or any business entity connected to Hunter Biden, James Biden, or other Biden family members and associates.

Committee Republicans are committed to following Hunter Bidens money trailconsisting of many complex, international transactions worth millions of dollars, Comer wrote. The American people deserve to know the Presidents connections to his sons business deals, which have occurred at the expense of American interests and may represent a national security threat.

Prewitt didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.
China's DF-41 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles are seen during a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, on Oct. 1, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

Risk of Nuclear War With China Growing, UK Security Adviser Warns

The risk of an accidental nuclear war with China is growing as the regime expands its nuclear arsenal in disregard for international arms control mechanisms, according to UK national security adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove.

In a virtual speech at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, Lovegrove said the world is entering a dangerous new age of proliferation, in which technological change is increasing the damage potential of many weapons, and those weapons systems are more widely available.

He expressed concerns over the pace and scale with which China is expanding its nuclear and conventional arsenals and the disdain it has shown for engaging with any arms control agreements.

We have clear concerns about Chinas nuclear modernization programme that will increase both the number and types of nuclear weapon systems in its arsenal, Lovegrove said.

Greater Instability

Lovegrove said the risk of nuclear conflict could be greater today than at the height of the Cold War.

During the Cold War, we benefited from a series of negotiations and dialogues that improved our understanding of Soviet doctrine and capabilitiesand vice versa, he said. This gave us both a higher level of confidence that we would not miscalculate our way into nuclear war. Today, we do not have the same foundations with others who may threaten us in the futureparticularly with China.

The Cold Wars two monolithic blocs of the USSR and NATO, though not without alarming bumps, were able to reach a shared understanding of doctrine that is today absent.

Doctrine is opaque in Moscow and Beijing, let alone Pyongyang or Tehran. So the question is how we reset strategic stability for the new era, finding a balance amongst unprecedented complexity so there can be no collapse into uncontrolled conflict.

Expanding Arsenal

Russia currently has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, with roughly 1,500 deployed nuclear weapons and 6,257 warheads in total. The United States is next, with about 1,400 deployed systems and 5,550 warheads in total. Between 1,5002,000 warheads in both nations arsenals are retired and awaiting disarmament.

China is currently reported to have about 350 warheads, but a recent Pentagon report states that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime is drastically increasing the production and modernization of its nuclear arsenal and that it would have 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030.

Peter Pry, director of the U.S. nuclear strategy forum at the Center for Security Policy, a Washington-based think tank, believes that estimate to be far too low and said he expected the real number of Chinese warheads to reach around 4,000 by 2030, based on the speed with which the CCP is constructing new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and silos and producing uranium.

I dont think [China is] building up its forces just for the deterrence factor, Pry said during a recent interview with EpochTVs China Insider.

I think its building up its nuclear forces for global domination.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Rural America Getting $401 Million for High-Speed Internet

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $401 million investment to provide high-speed internet access to rural communities in the country.

The investment will benefit 31,000 rural residents in 11 statesAlaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texasaccording to a July 28 USDA press release.

As part of the program, Uprise LLC will receive a grant of $27.1 million to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network in Nevadas Pershing County that will connect seven public schools, 22 farms, 130 businesses, and 4,884 people to high-speed internet.

The Midvale Telephone Company will receive a $10.6 million loan to deploy a fiber-to-the-home network. This is expected to help individuals and businesses access high-speed internet in multiple counties in Idaho and Arizona.

A grant of $12 million will be awarded to the Arkansas Telephone Company Inc. for deploying a fiber-to-the-premises network in Van Buren and Searcy counties.

From the farm to the school, from households to international markets, connectivity drives positive change in our communities. The investments I am announcing today will help 31,000 people and businesses in large and diverse regions across the country access new and critical opportunities, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said.

The $401 million initiative includes investments from the ReConnect Program and an award funded through the USDAs Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee program.

The ReConnect program specifically aims to make broadband service available in rural areas. It sets aside grants of up to $350 million for tribal governments and socially vulnerable communities, as well as millions more in other grants and loans.

Rural Internet

Rural America has lower broadband access than citizens residing in urban areas. According to data from the American Community Survey conducted between 2015 and 2019, while 85 percent of households in the largest metropolitan areas had broadband access, only 75 percent of homes in the most rural areas had broadband. In 287 of the nations most rural counties, less than 70 percent reported high-speed internet access.

A Pew Research Center survey, conducted between Jan. 25 and Feb. 8, 2021, also reveals similar numbers, with only 72 percent of rural Americans admitting to having a broadband connection at home.

There also are issues with the service quality of providers. Frontier Communications, for example, was fined in May for failing to provide customers with internet speeds that had been promised. Frontier has 1.3 million customers across 25 American states, with many of them in rural areas.

High-speed broadband can be a key factor to greater prosperity in rural America. According to the USDA, the proper use of digital agriculture technologies can add at least $47 billion in gross benefit to the U.S. economy. But one-third of this potential benefit is dependent on rural broadband connectivity.
Ukrainian self-propelled artillery shoots towards Russian forces at a frontline in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, on July 27, 2022. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Photo)

Russia Attacks Kyiv Area for the First Time in Weeks

KYIV, UkraineRussian forces launched a missile attack on the Kyiv area for the first time in weeks Thursday and pounded the northern Chernihiv region as well, in what Ukraine said was revenge for standing up to the Kremlin.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, announced a counteroffensive to take back the occupied Kherson region in the countrys south, territory seized by Russian forces early in the war.

Russia attacked the Kyiv region with six missiles launched from the Black Sea, hitting a military unit in the village of Liutizh on the outskirts of the capital, according to Oleksii Hromov, a senior official with Ukraines General Staff.

He said that the attack ruined one building and damaged two others, and that Ukrainian forces also shot down one of the missiles in the town of Bucha.

Fifteen people were wounded in the Russian strikes, five of them civilians, Kyiv regional Gov. Oleksiy Kuleba said.

Kuleba linked the assaults to the Day of Statehood, a commemoration that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instituted last year and Ukraine marked for the time on Thursday.

Chernihiv regional Gov. Vyacheslav Chaus reported that the Russians also fired missiles from the territory of Belarus at the village of Honcharivska. The Chernihiv region had not been targeted in weeks.

Russian troops withdrew from the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions months ago. The renewed strikes come a day after the leader of pro-Kremlin separatists in the east, Denis Pushilin, urged Russian forces to liberate Russian cities founded by the Russian peopleKyiv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lutsk.

Rescuers remove debris after a Russian missile attack on Monday in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, on July 26, 2022. (Andrii Marienko/AP Photo)

Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, also came under a barrage of shelling overnight, according to the mayor. Authorities said a police officer was killed in Russian shelling of a power plant in the Kharkiv region.

The southern city of Mykolaiv was fired on as well, with one person reported injured.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military kept up a counterattack in the Kherson region, knocking out of commission a key bridge over the Dnieper River on Wednesday.

Ukrainian media quoted Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovich as saying the operation to liberate Kherson is underway, with Kyivs forces planning to isolate Russian troops and leave them with three optionsretreat, if possible, surrender or be destroyed.

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, said the Russians are concentrating maximum forces in the direction of Kherson, warning: A very large-scale movement of their troops has begun.

The British military said Ukraine has used its new, Western-supplied long-range artillery to damage at least three of the bridges across the Dnieper that Russia relies on to supply its forces.

Ukraines presidential office said Thursday morning that Russian shelling of cities and villages over the past 24 hours killed at least five civilians, all of them in the eastern Donetsk Province, and wounded nine.

Fighting in recent weeks has focused on Donetsk Province. It has intensified in recent days as Russian forces appeared to emerge from a reported operational pause after capturing neighboring Luhansk Province.

Military analysts believe Russian forces are focusing their efforts on capturing the cities of Bakhmut and Siversk in Donetsk Province.

By Susie Blann
Pipes at the landfall facilities of the 'Nord Stream 1' gas pipeline in Lubmin, Germany, on July 21, 2022. (Annegret Hilse/Reuters)

Russia Cuts Gas Flows Further as Europe Urges Energy Saving

FRANKFURT/LONDONRussia delivered less gas to Europe on Wednesday in a further escalation of an energy stand-off between Moscow and the European Union that will make it harder, and costlier, for the bloc to fill up storage ahead of the winter heating season.

The cut in supplies, flagged by Gazprom earlier this week, has reduced the capacity of Nord Stream 1 pipelinethe major delivery route to Europe for Russian gasto a mere fifth of its total capacity.

Nord Stream 1 accounts for around a third of all Russian gas exports to Europe.

On Tuesday, EU countries approved a weakened emergency plan to curb gas demand after striking compromise deals to limit cuts for some countries, hoping lower consumption will ease the impact in case Moscow stops supplies altogether.

The plan highlights fears that countries will be unable to meet goals to refill storage and keep their citizens warm during the winter months and that Europes fragile economic growth may take another hit if gas will have to be rationed.

Royal Bank of Canada analysts said the plan could help Europe get through the winter provided gas flows from Russia are at 2050 percent capacity, but warned against complacency in the market European politicians have now solved the issue of Russian gas dependence.

While Moscow has blamed the delayed return of a serviced turbine and sanctions for the supply cuts, Brussels has accused Russia of using energy as a weapon to blackmail the bloc and retaliate for Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.

Gazprom deputy CEO Vitaly Markelov said the company has still not received a Siemens turbine used at Nord Stream 1s Portovaya compressor station that has been undergoing servicing in Canada.

Markelov said there were sanctions risks associated with the machinery, while Siemens Energy said Gazprom needed to provide customs documents to bring the turbine back to Russia.

The logo of Gazprom on the facade of a business center in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on March 31, 2022. (Reuters)

On Wednesday, physical flows via Nord Stream 1 tumbled to 14.4 million kilowatt hours per hour (kWh/h) between 12001300 GMT from around 28 million kWh/h a day earlier, already just 40 percent of normal capacity. The drop comes less than a week after the pipeline restarted following a scheduled 10-day maintenance period.

European politicians have repeatedly warned Russia could stop gas flows completely this winter, which would thrust Germany into recession and send prices for consumers and industry soaring even further.

The Dutch wholesale gas price for August, the European benchmark, were up 7 percent at 210 euros per megawatt hour on Wednesday, up around 400 percent from a year ago.

Germany, Europes top economy and its largest importer of Russian gas, has been particularly hit by supply cuts since mid-June, with its gas importer Uniper requiring a 15 billion euro ($15.21 billion) state bailout as a result.

Italy, another major importer that typically gets 40 percent of gas from Russia, would face a gas supply crunch at the end of the coming winter if Russia were to totally halt supplies, Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani warned.

Uniper and Italys Eni both said they received less gas from Gazprom than in recent days.

German finance minister Christian Lindner said he was open to the use of nuclear power to avoid an electricity shortage.

Germany has said it could extend the life of its three remaining nuclear plants that produce 6 percent of its power, if Russia were to cut it off from its gas.

Klaus Mueller, head of the countrys network regulator, said Germany could still avoid a gas shortage that would prompt its rationing, while making another plea to households and industry to save gas.

German industry groups, however, have warned companies may have no choice but cut production to achieve bigger savings, pointing to slow approval for replacing natural gas with other, more polluting fuels.

Mercedes-Benz chief executive Ola Kaellenius said a mixture of efficiency measures, increased electricity consumption, lowering temperatures in production facilities, and switching to oil could lower gas use by up to 50 percent within the year, if necessary.

Germany is currently at Phase 2 of a three-stage emergency gas plan, with the final phase to kick in once rationing can no longer be avoided.

($1 = 0.9862 euros)

By Christoph Steitz and Nina Chestney
A vial of the investigational drug Remdesivir is visually inspected at a Gilead manufacturing site in March 2020. (Gilead Sciences via AP)

Santa Monica Hospital Sued for Wrongful Death After Husbands Remdesivir Treatment Fails

It wasnt until after Victor Javier had died that his wife learned he had been treated with the drug Remdesivir.

It was a complete surprise, said Maricela Javier. I didnt know what Remdesivir was.

The couple had gone to Providence Saint Johns Health hospital for help with Victor Javiers persistent hiccups.

Instead, the 54-year-old was allegedly improperly diagnosed with COVID-19, treated with Remdesivir and Dexamethasone without consent, and never came home.

People should be very careful when they go to the hospital because doctors might make life and death decisions behind your back, Maricela Javier told The Epoch Times.

Hospitals are not letting patients make their own decisions like they should.

The grieving widow sued the Santa Monica hospital on July 20 in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging three wrongful death causes of action including constructive fraud and medical negligence.

The facts in the case are heartbreaking, but they are not surprising to us, said attorney Matthew Tyson who is representing Maricela Javier.

We are helping many families bring claims for the loss of their loved ones after Remdesivir and other high-risk drugs were given without knowledge or consent.

They all involve outrageous conduct and terrible suffering.

The complaint alleges that Dexamethasone not only worsened Javiers hiccups and diabetes but also contributed to his blindness, leg amputations, and eventual death.

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that has not yet been approved by the FDA for COVID-19 treatment.

We hope to reaffirm the fiduciary duty of physicians to provide full and transparent disclosure of available treatment options and their risks, and the right of patients to make their own medical decision after receiving full disclosure, said co-counsel Bryan Garrie.

Providence Saint Johns Health did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Victors risk of death dramatically changed for the worse when he was given high-risk and contraindicated drugs Remdesivir and Dexamethasone without the knowledge, or informed consent, of Victor or Maricela, the complaint states.

Victor Javier did not receive a diagnosis or treatment for his hiccups and instead was diagnosed with COVID-19.

In 1975, the California legislature placed a limit on general damages in medical malpractice cases only, which is currently $250,000, however, there is no such cap on Javiers claim for constructive fraud.

We hope to establish that California healthcare providers are not immune from liability for certain types of misconduct relating to the pandemic, Garrie told The Epoch Times.

Providence Saint Johns Health is also accused of failing to disclose the availability of a safe outpatient multi-drug early treatment for COVID-19.

Remdesivir is an intravenous infusion given over five days but what they fail to tell people is that it causes acute kidney failure and it also can cause liver failure, said Dr Bryan Tyson, an El Centro physician who advocates for the use of Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19.

Although Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are currently in use in California, they became politicized treatments for COVID-19 under former president Donald Trumps administration.

Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin have been completely dismissed and they are completely safe drugs, Tyson said.

These two drugs have been around a lot longer than Remdesivir and when given in proper dosing, they are effective.

Hospitals like Providence Saint Johns Health are allegedly using Remdesivir because, according to Tyson, the treatments are valued at $3,000 to $6,000.

Remdesivir is one of these failed antivirals that the National Institutes of Health has been trying to use for Ebola and so heres a way to make our money back. Lets use it and see if it works for coronavirus, he said.

It really didnt work for coronavirus and just caused problems.
Surfers Paradise in Queensland, Australia has been selected as a location for a new Korean series. (Unsplash)

South Korean Series to Be Made in Australia

Queenslands iconic beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, and island escapes will be on the bucket list of millions of people in South Korea as one of the Asian nations biggest broadcast stations is set to produce a new TV series in Queensland later this year.

Titled Bucket List Travel to Australia, the show will follow five South Korean celebrities as they tour the Gold Coasts glitter strip and other parts of Queensland to uncover the states best experiences ahead of summer.

SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) plans to air the show weekly in a prime-time slot in South Korea later this year and feature a new Queensland region and its visitor experiences in each episode.

Destined to be a fan favourite, it will be headed by renowned producer Jiwon Lee who produced Law of the Jungle, which has become one of South Koreas most popular and long-running reality documentary series.

Lee said he chose Queensland for its great locations, scenery, and like-minded partners.

As the first destination for the new series, we wanted to choose a place that offered a good blend of city and nature, as well as a focus on ecotourism and great people living and working in that space, Lee said in a statement.

Queensland is the perfect destination with attractive cities like the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and world-famous natural icons like the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests.

Bucket List Travel to Australia producer Jiwon Lee. (Queensland Government)

Tourism Australia partnered with Destination Gold Coast and Tourism Events Queensland to lock in the series.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia OCallaghan said that pre-COVID, South Korea was our sixth largest market for international holiday visitors.

We know South Koreans have an affinity with nature, blue skies, and a relaxed lifestyle which are all attributes of a Gold Coast holiday, OCallaghan said.

Citys Gimmer of Hope Post-COVID

The reality TV series will not only showcase the breadth and depth of whats on offer for South Koreans in the Sunshine State after two years of border closures but help to keep the Gold Coast top-of-mind for future travel considerations.

Brisbane major Adrian Schrinner said the whole series could be based in his city, given its huge range of experiences.

This international interest just demonstrates how Brisbane keeps getting better and that the rest of the world is discovering the best city in Australia, Cr Schrinner said.

With our status as a future host city of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Im confident international interest in Brisbane will gather momentum.

The series is likely to provide a significant boost to the local tourism economy, with the show expected to generate publicity to the tune of more than $40 million ($US28 million).
People stand in a queue to buy kerosene oil for home use at a petrol station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 17, 2022. (Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images)

Sri Lankas Tragic Tale of Going Green

Commentary

The story of Sri Lankas demise into chaos, poverty, and lawlessness is tragicbut another warning sign of what happens when leftist ideas take hold.

If you havent been following the day-to-day crisis in Sri Lankaan Asian nation that was, not long ago, a thriving middle-class country with wealth and commercethe countrys demise into complete anarchy in the streets is almost too bizarre to believe.

Several years ago, Sri Lankas government started listening to the advice of the radical anti-growth greens. They went all-in on the anti-capitalist agendaso much so that Sri Lanka achieved one of the highest ESG (environmental, social, and governance) scores in the world. They were going to help save the planet and get rich and healthy in the process.

Oh, wait. Things arent going so well there.

Sri Lanka is in a state of total economic collapse and anarchy. The schools and businesses are shut down. The nation has run out of fuel. Earlier this month, violent demonstrators stormed the official residence of the president and then set fire to the residence of the prime minister. A few days later, the president boarded a plane in the middle of the night. He resigned and is now in exileand theres no real functioning government there today.

There are many factors behind Sri Lankas demise, but green policies are one of them.

Sri Lanka was self-sufficient in food production until 2021. Overnight, then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued a ban on all synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, in a drive to promote organic agriculture.

The production of rice, a staple food in Sri Lanka, fell by between 40 and 50 percent nationwide. Food prices rose by more than 80 percent, and now there are severe shortages, which has led to malnutrition and widespread hunger.

Michael Shellenberger, a liberal analyst who specializes in environmental issues, explains on his blog what went wrong. Sri Lankan leaders, he states, fell under the spell of Western green elites peddling organic agriculture and ESG.

Sri Lankas leaders bought into myths that organic farming is trouble-free and that pesticides and fertilizer are dangerous.

The enviros got what they wanted.

Sri Lanka has a near-perfect ESG score (98), which is higher than Sweden (96) or the United States (51), according to Shellenberger.

The country also cant feed its people and has run out of nearly everything.

Now, the country is under emergency law, and food is being shipped in to prevent hunger or even famine. Living standards have fallen by half or more for most residents. Decades of economic progress have been squandered.

How many times does this story have to be repeated? The rise of leftist Marxists in partnership with radical green environmentalists has destroyed one country after another. Chile became rich when it adopted free market policies in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, but now it has installed Marxist leaders, and the progress has faded fast. Colombia was marching in the right direction until last month when an anti-free market regime was elected into office. Capital is now flowing freelyout of the country. The same heartbreaking story can be told about Cuba, Venezuela, and Argentina.

Free market capitalism is the tried and tested way to march toward broad-based prosperity. But that lesson keeps getting lost in cries of equality, justice, and Save the planet.

Sri Lankas 20 million people are the latest victims of these false promises. Will we ever learn?

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Tavistock Transgender Clinic for Children to Close

A transgender clinic for minors that has been accused of rushing vulnerable children into treatment is to close, though a rise in gender dysphoria cases means that the NHS is moving to a new model with strong links to mental health services.

The Tavistock Centre in London, which runs Englands only NHS gender identity development service (GIDS), is to close by next spring after an official report in February found issues around safety (pdf).

There has been a considerable rise in gender dysphoria cases the NHS said. In 2021/22 there were over 5,000 referrals to the clinic, which compares to just under 250 referrals in 2011/12.

The interim Cass Review on Tavistock GIDS was carried out by top British paediatrician and past president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Dr. Hilary Cass.

At the time, Cass expressed deep concerns about the affirmative model, concluding that primary and secondary care staff have had to adopt an unquestioning affirmative approach.

It has become increasingly clear that a single specialist provider model is not a safe or viable long-term option in view of concerns about lack of peer review and the ability to respond to the increasing demand, she said.

Primary and secondary care staff have told us that they feel under pressure to adopt an unquestioning affirmative approach and that this is at odds with the standard process of clinical assessment and diagnosis that they have been trained to undertake in all other clinical encounters, added Cass.

NHS England will now move young people who believe they have gender dysphoria into regional centres which will take a more holistic approach with mental health support.

In a statement, the NHS added that there has been a dramatic change in the case-mix of referrals from predominantly birth-registered males to predominantly birth-registered females presenting with gender incongruence in early teen years.

Additionally, a significant number of children are also presenting with neurodiversity and other mental health needs and risky behaviours which requires careful consideration and needs to be better understood, it added.

New Regional Centres

The new regional centres should be specialised to manage the caseload of children requiring support around their gender identity, the NHS said. They should be experienced providers of tertiary paediatric care to ensure a focus on child health and development, with strong links to mental health services.

One site will be based in London and will be led by a partnership between Great Ormond Street Hospital and Evelina London Childrens Hospital, with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust providing specialist mental health support for children and young people.

The other will be based in the northwest, led by a partnership between Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital, where both trusts also provide specialist childrens mental health services.

The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and the endocrine teams based at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust will play a vital role in the new centres, the NHS said.

A comprehensive patient and family-centred service and package of care is needed to ensure children and young people who are questioning their gender identity or experiencing gender dysphoria get on the right pathway for them as an individual, wrote Cass in a July 19 letter to the NHS (pdf).

Also in Casss latest advice, she restated her position on the use of puberty blockers in under 16-year-olds: that there is insufficient evidence currently available for her to make any firm recommendations around their routine use.

Puberty Blockers

Keira Bell, 23, was given puberty blockers as a teenager after only three hours of consultation at the Tavistock Centre. Initially, her case won a judgement that children under the age of 16 considering gender reassignment were unlikely to be considered mature enough to give informed consent to be prescribed puberty-blocking drugs. However, the Court of Appeal overturned the judgement.

Last year, Sonia Appleby, childrens safeguarding lead for Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, which runs GIDS, won 20,000 ($24,200) in an employment tribunal case (pdf).

Appleby had concerns about the safety of children, including the high numbers being referred to GIDS, and a worry that some young children are being actively encouraged to be transgender without effective scrutiny of their circumstances.

In 2021, the Care Quality Commission released its report (pdf) on the gender identity services offered by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, giving it an inadequate score, and finding that staff did not always feel respected, supported, and valued. Some said they felt unable to raise concerns without fear of retribution.

We have over 30 years of experience and expertise in this field, wrote the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in a statement.

We will work closely with our partners and commissioners to ensure a smooth transition to the new model of delivery. Over the last couple of years, our staff in GIDS have worked tirelessly and under intense scrutiny in a difficult climate, delivering not just high-quality patient care during a pandemic, but an entire service transformation programme, it added.
Rescuers work following the flood in Imamzadeh Davoud village in the north of Tehran, Iran, on July 28, 2022. (Iranian Red Crescent Society/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via Reuters)

Tehran Landslide Caused by Heavy Rains Kill at Least 6

A landslide caused by heavy rains on Thursday killed at least six people in Tehran, Iranian state media reported, and as many as 14 people were reported still missing.

Officials warned that heavier rains were expected later Thursday.

Yahya Saleh Tabari, head of Tehrans emergency center, urged people to avoid mountainous areas and riversides in the capital.

At least nine people were injured in the mudslides triggered by flash floods that drenched the foothills of the Alborz mountains in the early hours of Thursday.

Tehrans governor Mohsen Mansouri said residents had largely failed to heed warnings of heavy rains and possible floods.

He said several other areas of Tehran were also hit by floods, including Pardis, Shemiranat, and Damavand.

The head of Irans Red Crescent Society, Pirhossein Kolivand, told state TV that 18 of the countrys 31 provinces had been hit by floods.

On Saturday, flash floods in Irans southern Fars killed 22 people.
And what America can learn from Africa

According to the World Health Organizations COVID-19 Dashboard, there have been approximately 9 million confirmed cases and 173,900 deaths from COVID in Africa as of July 2022.

These numbers are in sharp contrast to the rest of the worlds infection and death rates. From the start of the pandemic till now, Europe has reported over 239 million confirmed cases and more than 2 million deaths.

We consider it like a simple cold, said Illiasou Ibrahim, 53, who works with international non-profit groups in Niamey, the capital of Niger.

Niger is a landlocked country where malaria and meningitis are both endemic and the average life expectancy is only 63 years old.

Yet, Ibrahim told The Epoch Times, he does not know a single person who has died from COVID.

So, either Africans are simply not getting COVID nearly as often as Europeans or, when they do get it, they are not getting sick enough to report it. Either way, Africa is doing much better with COVID than Europe or the United States.

This is not what we would expect. Malnutrition, poverty, lack of access to clean drinking water make healthy living in many places in Sub-Saharan Africa difficult.

We have been told repeatedly by our public health officials that high income countries are more medically advanced and better suited to fight pandemics.

So how is it possible that underdeveloped countries like Niger are largely unaffected by COVID compared to developed countries in the Americas and Europe?

Help from Helminths

In a 2021 paper published in the journal Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, a team of scientists from Duke University Medical Center actually predicted that African and other developing countries would have fewer deaths and better outcomes than more economically developed places.

They explained how that modern sanitation can cause a lack of biodiversity within the human body and that this diversity helps the immune system not overreact to viral or bacterial infections.

According to these researchers, the absence of intestinal worms, also known as helminths, among people in high-income countries compromises their health, making them more prone to severe COVID infections.

While proper hygiene is important to stop the spread of infectious disease, not all effects of hygiene are beneficial. In fact, too much hygiene may actually make people more susceptible to some autoimmune conditions, according to the hygiene hypothesis that was first proposed in the British Medical Journal by a British epidemiologist, Dr. David Strachan, in the late 1980s.

Although the conventional view is that commensal worms like helminths are disease-causing parasites with no benefits, emerging evidence suggests that intestinal worms are crucial for our immune function and overall health to thrive.

As Dr. William Parker, an immunologist and expert in symbiotic worms, pointed out in a 2016 article, they may sound gross, but helminths are responsible for stimulating the body to produce anti-inflammatory molecules and stimulating build healthy immunity.

Parker is one of the co-authors of the 2021 paper in which the researchers detailed how the loss of helminths in the body due to too much hygiene can cause a susceptibility to chronic inflammatory diseases such as autoimmune disorders and allergies.

This could explain why the morbidity and mortality rates from COVID-19 are higher in developed countries where autoimmune diseases and biome depletion are common.

Biome depletion refers to a lack of diversity of organisms in humans, which include our own human cells, as well as bacteria, fungi, animal parasites, and protists.

These scientists hypothesize that the main reason why COVID-19 has not affected African countries is because a majority of the population in a country like Niger cohabitates with helminths and these helminths prevent major adverse effects from the virus.

Ivermectin-Improved Outcomes

Another reason that Africa has fared so much better than Europe and America may be the widespread use of ivermectin, according to a team of researchers in Colombia.

Ivermectin is used prophylactically to treat river blindness (Onchocerciasis).

A 2021 study published in the American Journal of Therapeutics examined the efficacy of ivermectin for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection. These researchers found that using ivermectin early in the clinical course may reduce numbers progressing to severe disease.

While ivermectin remains controversial, clinicians around the world have reported excellent outcomes using ivermectin as part of an early treatment protocol.

Measures That Made Things Worse

The aggressive treatments that have been employed in Western Countries to contain COVID-19 may, ironically, have actually been responsible for making things worse.

Illiasou Ibrahim told The Epoch Times that he only wore a mask a few times in the last two years but only to avoid dust and bad smells and that no one in Niger ever social distanced from each other.

We always maintained the same contact habits, Ibrahim explained.

According to recent science, the slogan masks save lives is not true.

In nearly every instance, when COVID infection rates in Californias Bay Area are compared in counties that require forced masking and counties that do not, rates are either higher where masking is forced or similar.

A 2022 study published in the journal Medicine compared the COVID death rates between counties in Kansas that had mask mandates with those that did not.

The counties with mask mandates experienced 50 percent more COVID-19 deaths than the mask-free counties.

As Zacharias Fogen, a doctor based in Germany, explained in this study, people wearing masks unconsciously preserved droplets from the virus within their facemasks and re-inhaled them into their lungs.

So, according to Dr. Fogen, masking actually increases viral load, causing people to re-breathe particles that the respiratory tract has already purposely removed.

In 2020 a large randomized controlled trial conducted in Denmark, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found no statistically significant protective effect for people wearing masks versus people who did not.

Other science has shown that moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration may result in increased risk of infection.

As The Epoch Times recently reported, neurologists have found that masking can also compromise brain health.

Social Distancing Harms Our Systems

Social distancing was another common measure put into place to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Europe and America, but was virtually unheard of in many African countries.

Dr. Byram Bridle, an immunologist from the University of Guelph in Canada told a reporter for The Guardian that socially isolating children limits their exposure to the natural world, which is full of microbes that help the immune system grow stronger.

People forced to socially distance lack microbes and are more at risk of suffering from an array of inflammatory diseases upon coming out of isolation.

Dr. Thomas Murray, a Yale professor of pediatrics and a specialist in infectious disease, has found this to be the case. As reported in a recent New York Post article, Murray and others are seeing a shockingly high rise in respiratory viruses following the lockdowns and school closures of 2020 and 2021.

Social distancing, it seems, led children to experience more severe viral and bacterial infections.

Social isolation failed to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Europe or the United States. But forcing humansboth children and adultsto isolate has had negative effects on both our physical and our emotional well-being.

The Virus Versus Vaccines

While the low vaccination rates in underdeveloped nations have been framed as a problem of global inequity, we now have data that suggests that not vaccinating may actually have a protective effect and lead to fewer COVID deaths.

As explained in an article by Dr. Joseph Mercola, author of The Truth About COVID-19 and a health practitioner who has been closely scrutinizing pandemic data, vaccination rates in Sub-Saharan Africa are less than 6 percent. Despite making up over 17 percent of the worlds population, Africa contributes only 3 percent to the global COVID-19 death total.

The unintended negative effects of high vaccination rates in developed countries like the United States are frightening. As of July 15th, 2022, there have been 1,350,947 adverse events reported to the CDC and the FDA via VAERS, the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System.

Included in these reports are 29,635 deaths following the COVID vaccines.

There may be other explanations for Africas better outcomes, including optimal vitamin D levels from sunlight and a population that skews younger. But it is highly likely that the diverse African biome, abundant with helminths and beneficial microbes; the lack of masking and social distancing; access to ivermectin; and the continents low vaccination rates have all put Africa at an advantage against COVID-19.

It sure looks like America has a lot to learn from Africa in terms of pandemic management.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
A health worker poses with a syringe with dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at the Museum of Tomorrow, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Jan. 18, 2022. (Carl de Souza/AFP via Getty Images)

The Brazilian Judiciarys Encroachment on Individual Rights

Commentary

To protect the fundamental rights of Brazilians, President Jair Bolsonaro announced the lifting of public health measures that were still in place in the country in April, with the health minister, Marcelo Queiroga, putting an end to such measures after signing a decree on April 22.

But the fact is that the president could have done much more were it not for the controversial actions of activist judges, which has been observable in the comments of Justice Dias Toffoli of the Brazilian Supreme Court who stated that presiding over Brazil is not easy and confessed that unelected judges like him have taken action to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic in Brazil.

Additionally, on April 15, 2020, the Supreme Court endorsed the power of mayors and governors to enact their own decrees on the pretext of combating the pandemic. This court ruling allowed these local authorities to decide on lockdowns and which non-essential services should not be suppressed. These authorities used their powers to close trade, suspend public transport, and isolate their local communities.

In April 2021, the Court confirmed that local authorities could also prohibit in-person religious services. According to Uziel Santana, president of Brazils evangelical lawyers association (ANAJURE), that decision was flawed from a technical and legal point of view. This form of judicial activism ends up interfering too much in the sphere of another branch of government, and this is not a good thing in a democratic state of law, he said.

Supreme Court and the President With Opposing Views

Meanwhile, Bolsonaro has expressed concerns about these gross violations of human rights. He would like to see congressmen investigate the actions of local authorities to whom the federal government provided emergency funds. The president alleges that these authorities are imposing a state of siege that is unconstitutional.

They cannot do this without the approval of Congress. They are humiliating the people while saying that they are saving lives. How can they be saving lives? Theyre starving people, he said.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro reacts during the exchange of the presidential guard at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on Dec. 16, 2021. (Andressa Anholete/Getty Images)

In 2021 alone, the Supreme Court made around 9,000 decisions regarding the management of the pandemic. These unelected judges argue that their activism is backed by scientific evidence that supports such initiatives as lockdowns and mandatory vaccination.

However, Martin Kulldorff, a professor of medicine at Harvard University, Sunetra Gupta, a professor of theoretical epidemiology at Oxford University, and Jay Bhattacharya, a professor of medicine at Stanford University, have all highlighted the damaging physical and mental health impacts of the prevailing COVID-19 policies. These three have also stated that lockdowns actually produce devastating effects on short- and long-term public health.

On Nov. 12, the Supreme Court overruled a federal law that prevented companies from forcing their employees to show proof of vaccination in order to keep their jobs. The legislation aimed to protect the rights of employees to bodily autonomy and freedom of choice.

Curiously, the decision was announced only a few days after Labor Minister Onyx Lorenzoni had stated that allowing companies to fire employees who refuse to get vaccinated was absurd and a gross violation of their basic rights.

Is It Justified?

Justifying his decision, Justice Luis Roberto Barroso considered the law invalid because, in his opinion, the lack of vaccination interferes with the rights of others.

However, his claim is false because, as demonstrated in a research paper by the British Medical Journal, from a public health standpoint, it makes poor sense to impose vaccine side-effects on people at minimal risk of severe COVID-19. The argument that it protects others is weak or contrary to evidence.

On Dec. 20, Justice Barroso went even further and decided to demand proof of vaccination against COVID-19 from all travellers arriving in Brazil.

Bolsonaro strongly criticised such a decision but was unable to prevent its eventual enforcement. Such activist judges falsely accuse the president of being a denialist in regard to vaccines and the epidemic.

One of these judges, Alexandre de Moraes, has even opened a recent inquiry against Bolsonaro because of his comments on possible associations between the Pfizer vaccine and the risks of contracting myocarditis.

A child under 12 years old receives a dose of Pfizer vaccine in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on Jan. 18, 2022. (Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)

Curiously, just last month the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology published a research paper showing that vaccination induces a profound impairment in Type I interferon signalling, which has diverse adverse consequences to human health.

These researchers identified that there was a potential for profound disturbances in regulatory control of protein synthesis and cancer surveillance, which have potential links to myocarditis and a long list of other diseases and health issues.

Health Concerns

Above all, the data on COVID-19 deaths reveal a concerning trend, where higher death rates are being seen among the highly vaccinated. It is reasonable to suspect that mRNA vaccines are actually suppressing the immune system as there seems to be a clear connection between getting vaccine boosters and falling ill.

This is not just the conclusion of one respected journal. Writing in the Journal of Virology, Dr. Kenji Yamamoto comments that immune function among vaccinated individuals eight months after the administration of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine was lower than among the unvaccinated individuals.

According to Dr. Robert Malone, inventor of mRNA vaccine technology used in the Pfizer vaccine, the current situation where the efficacy of these vaccines is fading should have been expected. The truth is now that its the highly vaccinated that are putting us all at risk for further evolution of this virus, he says.

Despite all this evidence, Justice Ricardo Lewandowski has ordered that all children aged five to 11 must be included in the National Vaccination Plan against COVID-19. Bolsonaro has opposed these mandatory vaccinations and said he would never allow his daughter, who is 11, to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

His concerns as a father are entirely justifiable. In fact, the United Kingdom (UK) governments Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has refused to endorse COVID-19 vaccination for children stating that the benefit to them of receiving such vaccination is virtually zero, whereas the already known risks of serious harm are not negligible.

To conclude, an unelected and unaccountable judicial elite continues to enforce mandatory vaccinations for COVID-19 on the Brazilian population. This violates not only the democratic principle but also the fundamental rights of the Brazilian people. Given the already known potential harms of being inoculated with such novel vaccines and the entirely unknown potential long-term adverse effects, the decision of these judges to impose mandatory vaccination regardless of age and health conditions is wrong and unsupported by scientific evidence.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The View Apologizes to Turning Point USA After Lawsuit Threat

ABCs The View apologized on air Wednesday to leading conservative youth organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) after it threatened to sue over the co-hosts comments linking the group to so-called neo-Nazis.

Co-host Sarah Haines read a statement on air correcting her co-hosts remarks made during the July 25 show to make clear that so-called neo-Nazi demonstrators were not part of TPUSAs Florida Student Action Summit in Tampa.

We want to make clear that these demonstrators were gathered outside the event and that they were not invited or endorsed by Turning Point USA, Haines said.

A Turning Point USA spokesman said the group 100 percent condemns those ideologies, and said Turning Point USA security tried to remove the neo-Nazis from the area but could not because they were on public property.

Also, Turning Point USA wanted us to clarify that this was a Turning Point USA summit and not a Republican Party event. So we apologize for anything we said that may have been unclear on these points, she said.

The Remarks

The apology came after TPUSA threatened to the sue over remarks made on air by the shows co-hosts two days earlier.

On Monday, co-host Joy Behar told viewers that neo-Nazis were out there in the front of the conference with antisemitic slurs and, you know, the Nazi swastika, and a picture of a so-called Jewish person with exaggerated features, just like Goebbels did during the Third Reich. Its the same thing, right out of that same playbook.

Later, Haines said she had a legal note and read a disclaimer informing viewers that TPUSA had condemned the so-called Nazi demonstrators, saying they had nothing to do with the organization.

Whoopi Goldberg chimed in to say: But you let them in. You let them in and you knew what they were, so you are complicit.

Protesters angry about restricted access to abortions and the recently passed Parental Rights in Education law in Florida heckled attendees at the Student Action Summit, put on by Turning Point USA in Tampa on July 23, 2022. (Natasha Holt/The Epoch Times)

Later in the show Goldberg walked this remark back somewhat, saying she wanted to make a quick clarification about the neo-Nazis.

They were outside protesters. My point was more metaphorical, that you embraced them at your thing, I felt. So, they were not in the building, she said.

Goldberg went on to emphasize that she knew the so-called neo-Nazis were not in the building, but insisted they were in the mix of people at the thing.

TPUSA said on Twitter that while The View co-hosts were forced by their legal department to correct two of these misrepresentations live on air, Whoopi continued to insist that TPUSA somehow welcomed nazis into our event metaphorically.'

Turning Point USA Still Entertaining Suing

Following the apology, TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk said the conservative organization for young people was still entertaining the idea of suing over The View co-hosts comments.

Were talking to some of the best lawyers out there that are experts in this. And as you know these things can be very complicated. Theres a lot of facts and circumstances around it, he told Fox News Jesse Watters Primetime show.

Kirk noted that it was one thing to attack him as the organizations founder, but he took exception to the ABC show smearing 5,000 students who traveled from across the country and may have to live for the rest of their life with a shadow over them because someone at ABC says that they might be linked to neo-Nazis.

People cheer as former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives on stage during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit held at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., on July 23, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

He also noted that it took the threat of a lawsuit for the media outlet to offer an apology.

Were not going to let this go. Because you should not be able to smear 5,000 high school and college kids and then just be able to walk away with it, Kirk added.

Kirk suggested the reason The View co-hosts felt they needed to do that is because they didnt want their audience to think twice about why 5,000 kids decided to spend a weekend in summer traveling across the country to go hear from conservative speakers when gas prices are high and flights are super expensive.

Thats why they felt so compelled to try to smear our wonderful summit this last week, he said.
Small figurines are seen in front of displayed World Health Organization logo in this illustration taken Feb. 11, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

They Are Right on Our Predicted Schedule: Retired US Generals Issue Warning About New Pandemic Declaration

Two retired U.S. generals, MG Paul Vallely, U.S. Army, and Thomas McInerney, USAF, raised concerns over the World Health Organizations recent declaration of monkeypox as a global health emergency, alleging potential ulterior motives.

Each of us should not be alarmed by this alert as the credibility of WHO is in great question based on their actions and notices on COVID-19, Vallely told The Epoch Times.

The rare designation means the WHO now views the outbreak as a significant enough threat to global health that a coordinated international response is needed to prevent the virus from spreading further and potentially escalating into a pandemic, Vallely said.

Beware of this politically driven global organization that is funded by the global elite.

Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a disease primarily transmitted through the sexual activity of gay and bisexual men.

I have decided that the global monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a July 23 statement.

Tedros Adhanom (L), Director General of the World Health Organization, shakes hands with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping before a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on Jan. 28, 2020. (Naohiko Hatta/Pool/Getty Images)

Ghebreyesus said that his decision was due to an increase of monkeypox cases in the world, now having been reported in over 75 countries and territories, with over 16,000 infections and five deaths.

A report published on July 23 lays out the reasons that the committee members had for and against declaring monkeypox a global emergency.

Although the declaration does not impose requirements on national governments, it serves as an urgent call for action. The WHO can only issue guidance and recommendations to its member states, not mandates. Member states are required to report events that pose a threat to global health, Vallely said.

WHO Director Tedros is not a medical doctor, he is a Marxist from Ethiopia, totally supported by the Chinese Communist Party. He lied about C-19 from the beginning to cover for China, Vallely added.

Paul E Vallely MG US Army (Ret) (Courtesy of Paul E Vallely)

McInerney says that they predicted that the declaration of another pandemic would happen around this time of the year.

They are right on our predicted schedule, McInerney said.

We shall not conform to their guidelines, we must resist lockdowns, he further stated, now is the time for America and the world and we the people to say no!

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me! the general exclaimed.

The Epoch Times reached out to the WHO for comment.
Sometimes it pays to have a pool.

Jim Battan, of West Linn, Oregon, has made revenue of $177,000 in less than two years renting out his pool through an app dubbed the Airbnb of pools, according to CNBC Make it. (The outlet said it verified the revenue through documentation.)

Swimply, a venture-backed startup founded in 2019, allows people to rent out their home pools by the hour. Hosts can require a minimum of hours when purchasing.

Battan told CNBC how he brings in the cash as a pool provider, from monitoring the chemicals to keeping it clean. He and his wife, Lisa, work on the side hustle.

Unless youre retired or dont have a day job, it takes a lot of time to learn about pool chemistry and management, he told the outlet. I look at my pool chemicals probably five to 10 times a day.

Battan added to CNBC Make It that he spent $110,000 on his pool initially and has spent about $37,000 in upkeep over the last 10 years.

Battan cites his love of luxury resorts for his success in bringing people in: He guessed 65 percent to 70 percent of his customers were repeat customers.

My wife and I are very used to five-star luxury resorts, so we know what excellent customer service looks like, Battan told CNBC Make It. Part of that is ensuring all the needs are anticipated: responding appropriately to queries, greeting [guests] with a smile and making sure that all their needs are satisfied, and then disappearing.

The reviews are enthusiastic, too. On the pools rental page, it appears that all of Battans 385+ reviews are five stars.

This is more than just a pool it is a little retreat! one Battan pool-renter wrote. Located in the rolling farmland of West Linn, this pool is located on a large and private property The hosts are wonderful!

Because the home is rural, there are no HOA regulations to deal with, Battan added to the outlet. (Though one day, he added, the couple hopes to move to Portugal.)

Like outside, the Swimply competition is heating up. More hosts are joining the platform, and, Battan added, people have more options for scratching the swimming itch as they start traveling more than they did during the early pandemic.

Still, Swimply CEO and co-founder Bunim Laskin told the outlet revenue from bookings is up 100 percent since last year.

In December 2021, Swimply raised $40 million in funding, less than a year after pulling in $10 million in backing, per TechCrunch.

As the word gets out about Swimply and we add additional hosts to the platform, we are also adding just as many additional users  Top pools will always be in demand, he told CNBC Make It.

The Epoch Times Copyright  2022 The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.
Top Former Rhode Island Health Official Unaware of Key Studies on Masking, Child Transmission

The doctor who headed the Rhode Island Department of Health and recommended mask mandates be imposed during the pandemic was unaware of recent studies that indicate masking is not effective and that children are not major drivers of COVID-19 transmission.

Dr. James McDonald, who stepped down as interim health director on June 25 but remains employed by the agency, was asked during a recent deposition what the department did after a judge in 2021 found evidence that the statewide school mask mandate was causing irreparable harm to students.

We did what we said we would do: we looked for scientific literature that supported this finding, McDonald said.

We have an open mind. We looked at all medical journals. I was open to anything I could find, McDonald said, adding that he was constantly reviewing new articles in journals.

But when McDonald was questioned about whether he was aware of recent research on masking, he said he was not.

That included a study that found no relationship between school masking and COVID-19 cases, a study that concluded cloth masks were very poor at filtering droplets, and a study that found children struggled to recognize people wearing masks.

These are studies youre talking about that are, seem to be in really poorly known journals. I guess Im not familiar with these poorly known journals, McDonald said.

Well, can you give me one study that youve looked at that studied the efficacy of masks in schools since November of last year? Gregory Piccirilli, representing a group of parents in the case, asked.

McDonald said he found great credibility in a science brief from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has not been updated since Dec. 6, 2021.

Ive looked for other articles. I havent seen credible articles in other reputable journals, he said, naming the New England Journal of Medicine and the American Journal of Public Health.

Piccirilli later brought up the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, with which McDonald said he was familiar. McDonald was asked if had reviewed an April study that concluded there is no convincing evidence to date, 2 years into the pandemic, that children are key drivers of the pandemic. McDonald said he had not.

I dont agree with that assessment, McDonald said.

Reaction

The doctors comments during the deposition, which was part of a lawsuit filed against the state over its school mask mandate, drew criticism.

McDonald has a complete lack of intellectual curiosity, Maddalena Cirignotta, a teacher and a plaintiff in the case, told The Epoch Times.

I have three children enrolled in a public school system in Rhode Island and I teach, so Im watching the harm unfold, and I have been for two years. The first thing they should have done was look into that, and yet even after a Superior Court ruling, theyre still not, she added.

Thats just unacceptable when it comes to evidence-based decisions, Dr. Andrew Bostom, the plaintiffs expert witness, told The Epoch Times. Thats not what he was supposedly trained to do as a public health professional.

Asked if other Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) officials had reviewed the studies in question, spokesman Joseph Wendelken declined to answer directly.

We have a team of clinicians and public health professionals that regularly reviews the latest research and data on COVID-19, which includes research and data on COVID-19 and masking, he told The Epoch Times in an email.

Must

The statewide school mask mandate was lifted on March 4, a decision made by the department and Gov. Dan McKee, a Democrat.

Defendants tried to get the case dismissed because they noted the mandate was no longer in effect, and said it was unlikely it would be brought back.

In a May 20 memorandum, though, McDonald told Rhode Island parents that students who test positive for COVID-19 must stay home and isolate for at least 5 days.

If the students wore a mask, they could return to school on day 6, but if they did not, they must isolate at home for the full 10 days following the positive test, the memo, discovered by plaintiffs, stated.

Under oath, McDonald said that that the memo was outlining recommendations from the CDC and was not a requirement, despite repeated use of the word must.

Its clearly recommendations. Theres nothing enforceable about this. Its simply a memo. Its not a rule. Its not a regulation. Its not a law. Its not an executive order, he said.

It is RIDOHs recommendation that a student who tests positive for COVID-19 either isolate for five days and wear a mask when in public for the next five days, or isolate for 10 days, Wendelken, the health department spokesman, said.

McDonald also said that a mandate could be reimposed in the future, including if a more transmissible variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 emerges.

Its like a looming dark threat, having a dark cloud hanging over me, Cirignotta, the teacher, said. I feel like, will I have to worry come November, that theyre going to just drop that mandate on our children again, on me and our kids? Of course, theyre going to, theyre clearly going to attempt to do so again.
UK Lawmakers Warn Against Shrinking Army Size Amid War in Ukraine

The UK government was urged on Thursday to reconsider its plan to cut the number of army personnel by 9,500 and shift focus from conventional capabilities, or at least review the timeline of the plans, in light of challenges exposed by the Afghan withdrawal and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In a report (pdf) published on Thursday, the Defence Committee said the two events demonstrated that the UK government is unprepared for international crises and has appeared to be arrogant and unwilling to learn lessons.

The report was a review of the UKs Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development, and Foreign Policy and its accompanying Defence Command Paperboth published last year, marking the biggest defence and foreign policy reset since the Cold War.

MP, Defence Committee Chair Tobias Ellwood speaking to the media on College Green outside the Houses of Parliament, London, on July 7, 2022. (Dominic Lipinski/PA Media)

MPs said although they were told by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that the Integrated Review anticipated the potential for conflict in Ukraine, capabilities were being cut and not replaced soon enough, and the procurement track record was abysmal.

The MOD is intent on adopting capabilities based on novel technologies but (as evidenced by the debacle around Ajax) is seemingly unable to procure and deploy the equipment which underpin[s] the concept, the report reads.

Ajax Programme

The Ajax programme, intended to provide a state-of-the-art reconnaissance vehicle for the Army, has already been running for 12 years and cost 3.2 billion but has so far failed to deliver a single deployable vehicle.

Originally intended to enter service in 2017, Ajax has been repeatedly delayed due to failures including noise and vibration problems that injured soldiers testing the vehicles.

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee said last month that the MoD still did not know when Ajax would enter service or whether the noise and vibration issues could even be fixed, and told the department to either fix or scrap the programme this year.

Undated photo of the AJAX (AFV) armoured fighting vehicle. (Richard Watt/PA)

Personnel Reduction

MPs on the Defence Committee also said they are especially concerned over the plan in the integrated review to cut the number of army personnel from 82,000, as set out in the 2015 National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review, to 72,500 by 2025, saying the war in Ukraine appears to undermine the MoDs assertion that mass is no longer of importance.

Apart from the increasing number of troops needed for NATOs eastern flank, MPs said they were further concerned that the UKs armed forces are being used as a backfill to perform civilian tasks by government departments which are seemingly unable to respond to crises themselves.

MPs said army personnel have been deployed to help with visa processing both in Afghanistan and Ukraine, and the Navy resources were dispatched to help the Home Office deal with illegal immigrants crossing the English Channel.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, army personnel were also deployed to assist in the vaccine rollout.

The Committee said the Integrated Review and the Defence Command Paper need to be updated to take into account the events in Afghanistan and Ukraine, or at least review the timeline of the planned changes given the potential for capability gaps which leave the UK Armed Forces vulnerable. 
Ukrainian refugees sorting out humanitarian aid for compatriots in the UK and Ukraine in Manchester, England, on March 29, 2022. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

UK to Accept Unaccompanied Children From Ukraine After Receiving 100,000 Refugees

More than 100,000 people have arrived in the UK under visa programmes designed to help Ukrainian refugees, according to government figures published on Thursday.

The government thanked the British public for their generosity and goodwill. It also said it will start processing on Thursday visa applications from unaccompanied children, as long as they have parental consent.

Under the UKs Ukraine Family Scheme, which opened after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, immediate or extended Ukrainian family members of UK nationals and residents can apply to come and stay in the UK for three years.

A separate Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, also known as Homes for Ukraine, allows willing applicants to sponsor Ukrainians and provide them with a home, also for three years.

Meanwhile, those who were already in the UK could apply to extend their visas under the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

According to official figures, 104,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the UK since the war started31,300 under the family scheme and 72,700 through the sponsorship scheme.

As of Tuesday, around 166,200 of 198,200 visa applications had been approved.

These include 55,000 applications under the family scheme, of which 47,200 visas had been granted, and 143,200 applications under the sponsorship scheme, of which 119,000 visas had been granted.

Around 1,000 under-18s have applied for visas without their parents or legal guardian under the sponsorship scheme despite the fact they were not eligible, but the UK government said it will start processing these applications and accepting new ones from unaccompanied children.

Such applicants will have to provide proof of consent by their parent or legal guardian that is notarised or certified by the Ukrainian authorities, commit to sponsorship for three years or until the child turns 18, and their sponsorship arrangement needs to be approved by their sponsors local authority.

The government said it aims to process Ukraine visas in under 48 hours with the now fully digital and simplified process.

6 Million Ukrainians Displaced: UN Figures

According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), since the war started in Ukraine, more than six million (6,162,309) Ukrainian refugees were recorded across 44 European countries by Tuesday.

Around 30 percent (1.8 million) of the displaced moved to Russia, around 6o percent (3.7 million) went to other countries under temporary protection or similar national protection schemes, and 10 percent went to other countries but were not registered for a protection scheme.

About 1.2 million of the refugees went to neighbouring Poland, almost 1 million went to Germany, 400,559 moved to the Czech Republic, 154,710 to Italy, 145,000 to Turkey, and 130,160 went to Spain.
A copy of the U.S. Constitution is seen in Washington on Dec. 17, 2019. (Andrew Harnik/Pool/Getty Images)

Understanding the Constitution: The Great Forgetting

Commentary

Here are five frequent assertions about the Constitution. Their common characteristic is that theyre all false:

The Constitution left the states with no power to regulate commerce.

The federal government has no power to regulate immigration.

The Constitution forbids the federal government from issuing paper money.

The Founders drew a sharp distinction between a republic and a democracy, and they created only a republic, not a democracy.

A convention for proposing amendments is a constitutional convention that cannot be limited by law.

All of these false assertions emerged from a historical processprimarily during the 19th centurythat Ive labeled The Great Forgetting.

Formative Influences on the Founders

Nearly all the leading American Founders were born and raised in the British Empire. The empire was a global entity that included England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, large parts of India and North America, and numerous other possessions.

The Founders education was based on a curriculum that emphasized, besides science and mathematics, Greek and Latin classics, subsequent European and American history, and British and European literature.

Most of the Founders were, or had been, practicing lawyers in the Anglo-American legal system. When James Wilson (a native of Scotland) or Alexander Hamilton (born on the British Caribbean island of Nevis) argued a case or drafted a document, they relied on English laws and court decisions. Even leading non-lawyers such as James Madison and George Washington were well-grounded in English legal concepts.

In addition, the Founders shared certain common experiences: recent colonial history, the struggle with Great Britain (17751783), and service in the Continental and Confederation Congresses (17751789).

The Great Forgetting

The Great Forgetting occurred when key influences on the Founders fell out of the American consciousness. Heres how it happened:

As individual Founders died out, their personal memories were lost. They left many documents behind, but many of those documents were inaccessible to most constitutional writers. For example, Madisons notes of the Constitutional Convention werent published until after his death in 1836. The debates of the state ratifying conventions werent freely available until about the same time, and when they were published, it was in imperfect form. The journals of the Continental and Confederation Congresses werent published until early in the 20th century. Many other records lay unknown and neglected in major university libraries.

Moreover, after the Constitution was adopted Americans quite naturally wanted to be Americans, not merely children of Britain. Noah Webster produced a purely American dictionary. James Kent and Joseph Story produced American legal treatises. Mercy Otis Warren and George Bancroft wrote histories from a strongly American point of view.

American writers began to misunderstand words and phrases with English and colonial meanings. Their mistakes were usually innocentnot like the willful distortions promoted in the mid-20th century and discussed in my Epoch Times series, How the Supreme Court Re-Wrote the Constitution.

In recent years, with the advantage of new publications and the internet, most of the mistakes that arose in the Great Forgetting have been corrected. But some people continue to repeat them. Following are some examples.

Example 1: The Commerce Clause

The Constitutions commerce clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) granted Congress the power to regulate Commerce  among the several States. It left the states free to regulate where Congress hadnt done so.

During the early 19th century, the idea arose that the Commerce Clause granted Congress exclusive jurisdiction over interstate commercethat the states had no role at all. Madisons convention notes disprove that notion, but in the early 19th century, his notes hadnt yet been published. Traces of this misconception survive today in some of the Supreme Courts erroneous Dormant Commerce Clause and Indian Commerce Clause (pdf) cases.

Example 2: Immigration

The Constitution grants Congress power to define and punish  Offenses against the Law of Nations (Article I, Section 8, Clause 10). This included regulating immigration. The Constitution also left power to the states to regulate immigration where the federal government hadnt acted.

Some writers, not understanding that the law of nations included immigration, claimed that Congress had no authority over the subject. Others correctly stated that Congress did have that authority, but inaccurately concluded that it was derived from the commerce clause. Still others made the opposite error of thinking the states had no power over immigration.

Example 3: Privileges/Immunities

Variations of the word privileges appear three times in the original Constitution and once in the 14th Amendment. The corresponding word immunities appears once in each place.

Both were technical terms in 18th-century law. A privilege was a government-created benefit, an entitlement. Illustrations included government jobs and pensions, and some important legal procedures, such as trial by jury and the writ of habeas corpus. Because a privilege was government-created, the term didnt include natural rights, which were bestowed by nature and natures God.

One exercising a privilege enjoyed immunity for doing so (pdf).

In 1823, a Supreme Court justice (acting without his colleagues) confused matters with unsupported and unnecessary musings about the meaning of the Constitutions privileges and immunities clause (Article IV, Section 2, Clause 1). Although his language was inaccurate and inconsistent, it was widely accepted by people unaware of what privilege and immunity meant to the Founders.

Example 4: Paper Money

A complete review of the Founding Era records shows that while the Founders generally disliked paper money, they did grant Congress the power to issue it and to make it legal tender (pdf).

However, during the 19th century, most writers didnt have access to the complete records. They erroneously concluded that Congress had no authority to issue paper money, or at least no authority to make it legal tender. Eventually, the Supreme Court rejected those argumentsbut only after a long struggle over a question that should have been answered easily.

Example 5: Republic Versus Democracy

The Founders opposed pure democracy, an Aristotelian term for unmitigated mob rule. Otherwise, they used the words republic and democracy interchangeably. Patrick Henry, for example, referred to the American statesall of which had republican formsas democracies. The definitions of republic and democracy in 18th-century dictionaries showed no sharp distinction between the terms. Historically, most republics (such as the Roman Republic) had relied on direct popular democracy for their lawmaking (pdf).

Statements such as we have a republic, not a democracy didnt become common until the 1840s. At that time, each of two rival factions claimed to be the legitimate government of Rhode Island. The battle ended in a case in the U.S. Supreme Court. Clever lawyers for the more traditional faction (distorting a comment by Madison) argued that the other faction was too democratic to meet the Constitutions standard that every state have a Republican Form of Government (Article IV, Section 4).

The republic versus democracy myth has proved very tenacious. Some liberals employ it to argue that states may not require popular votes before raising taxes. Some conservatives use it to bash measures they deem to be too democratic to be republican.

In the Founders view, however, the government they created is both a republic and a democracy.

Example 6: Amendments Conventions

The myths discussed above date from the 19th century, although the claim that an amendments convention is an unlimited constitutional convention seems not to have become widespread until the mid-20th century. Although theres no serious doubt that a convention for proposing amendments is a convention of the states limited by topic (pdf), alarms about an unlimited constitutional convention still are disseminated for fundraising purposesmost powerfully by Washington-based interests opposed to limiting federal overreach (pdf).

These alarms seem plausible only because key information about the constitutional amendment process was lost temporarily during the Great Forgetting.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Members of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport union (RMT) on the picket line outside Edinburgh Waverley train station, in Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 27, 2022. (Katharine Hay/PA Media)

Union Boss Threatens UK General Strike in Response to Crackdown on Industrial Action

A union boss has called for a general strike if Britains next prime minister brings in legislation to crack down on industrial action that affect the countrys vital national infrastructure.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has pledged to ensure militant action from trade unions can no longer paralyse the economy if she wins the Conservative leadership contest and becomes prime minister.

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said the changes proposed by Truss will make it virtually impossible to have effective trade unionism and would effectively outlaw collective action.

Coordinated and synchronised industrial action would be needed if the legislation is brought in, he told the i newspaper on July 27.

A general strike, which can only be called by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), is when a substantial proportion of workers in multiple sectors refuse to work until their demands, usually around pay and working conditions, are met.

Militant Unions

Rail passengers suffered fresh travel chaos on July 27 after some members of the RMT and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) walked out on strike, crippling services across the country.

Truss said that it was completely wrong that passengers are being held ransom by militant unions.

She said if she becomes the prime minister, she would introduce legislation within 30 days to require a minimum level of service on vital national infrastructure.

Conservative party leadership contender Liz Truss at Here East studios in Stratford, east London, on July 15, 2022. (Victoria Jones/PA Media)

Tailored minimum thresholds, including staffing levels, would be determined with each industry.

The minimum threshold for voting in favour of strike action will be raised from 40 percent to 50 percent, and the minimum notice period for strike action would be raised from two weeks to four weeks, Truss said.

A cooling-off period would be implemented so that unions can no longer strike as many times as they like in the six-month period after a ballot, and members would no longer receive tax-free payments from trade unions on the days they are on strike.

Truss said tough and decisive actions are needed to limit trade unions ability to paralyse our economy and cripple the vital services that hard-working people rely on.

Labour In-Fighting

Meanwhile, the rail strike also triggered in-fighting within the ranks of the main opposition Labour Party.

The partys shadow transport minister Sam Tarry was sacked on July 27 after he defied Labour leader Sir Keirs ban on frontbenchers joining the picket lines.

A Labour spokesperson said: The Labour Party will always stand up for working people fighting for better pay, terms and conditions at work. This isnt about appearing on a picket line.

As a government-in-waiting, any breach of collective responsibility is taken extremely seriously and for these reasons Sam Tarry has been removed from the frontbench, said the spokesperson.

The sacking was met with fury by trade unions and the left wing of the Labour Party.

Former Labour shadow minister John McDonnell described it as a severe mistake.

Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB union, said it was a huge own goal for Labour to turn a Tory transport crisis into a Labour story.

PA Media contributed to this report.
A Virgin Atlantic aircraft stands on the tarmac with emergency service vehicles after making an emergency landing at Gatwick Airport in London, England, on April 16, 2012. (Scott Heavey/File Photo via Getty Images)

Unruly Passenger Forces LAX-Bound Commercial Flight to Land in Utah

A commercial aircraft pilot on Tuesday was forced to land early in Salt Lake City, Utah, after a disruptive drunk passenger allegedly tried to kick the windows of the plane and fought several passengers, according to multiple reports.

Virgin Atlantic flight 141 had been heading from Londons Heathrow Airport to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when the passenger became disruptive, forcing the pilot to divert from its intended flight path, a spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic told Fox News.

The unruly passenger, who wasnt identified but is believed to be British, was physically detained by other passenger and flight crew members and was met by police upon arrival in Utah, according to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

The commercial flight then continued to LAX and landed about four hours after its scheduled arrival, the Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said. The airline has apologized to passengers for the inconvenience.

The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always our top priority, and we dont tolerate any behavior that compromises this, the spokesperson told Fox News.

We always want our customers to have the best experience when they fly with us and our cabin crew are highly trained to deal with any individuals that may impact that experience for others.

The aircraft company hasnt specified the mid-air disturbance, but an eyewitness told UK tabloid The Sun that an altercation started about an hour into the flight, involving a man believed to be British.

A passenger on board became unruly and fought several passengers while attempting to move towards the cockpit, a law enforcement source told the paper.

During the fight, a mum dropped her baby causing injury, the source added. They eventually got him under control and handcuffed the guy and diverted to Salt Lake City for police to enter the plane and take him into custody.

It took a couple of U.S. Marines aboard the plane to cut his mid-air rampage short, the witness noted.

The man, who was reportedly traveling together with his family, is expected to be formally charged by a U.S. attorney on Wednesday.

Last year, unruly passenger behavior reached the worst on record in U.S. history, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data.

In early 2021, the FAA adopted a zero-tolerance policy against unruly passengers after a surge in violent or disruptive behavior on flights. The policy has led to numerous hefty fines instead of warning letters or counseling that were used in previous policies.

The FAA said its zero-tolerance policy has decreased the rate of unruly passenger incidents by nearly 60 percent.

Last year, there were 5,981 reports of unruly passengers, with 1,113 investigations initiated. As of July 27, there have been 1,701 reports of unruly passengers, with 582 investigations initiated, according to FAA data.

From NTD News
Samuel Bickett appeared before the U.S. Congressional-Executive Committee on China, in Washington, on July 12. (Screenshot of YouTube/CECC via The Epoch Times)

US Lawyer Convicted of Assaulting Police in Hong Kong Testifies at Congressional Hearing to Explain Fall of HKs Judicial System

Samuel Phillip Bickett, an American lawyer who was accused of assaulting a police officer during the anti-extradition law amendment bill movement in Hong Kong in 2019 and sentenced to four and a half months in prison, testified at the hearing on Hong Kong of Congressional-Executive Committee on China (CECC) on July 12. He explained the deterioration of Hong Kongs judicial system in general and, through his case, urged the U.S government to sanction mid-level police officials and prosecutors in Hong Kong.

The Dismantling of Hong Kongs Civil Society was the topic of the hearing. Bickett said that Hong Kongs judicial system has been corrupted by Beijings authoritarianism and no longer operates independently. He said, high profile political defendants wrongly charged in common law courts with crimes like unlawful assembly, riot, and incitement face almost as little hope as national security law defendants. He pointed out that when people focus on the discussion of the Hong Kong National Security Law, relatively little is said about the collapse of common law in Hong Kong, and most of the protesters are accused of crimes in the scope of common law.

He also mentioned that the traditional common law in Hong Kong had been twisted to fulfill the needs of Beijing.

Nowadays, many judges in Hong Kong participate in destroying the rule of law. Such as, defendants were often convicted as they did not sufficiently prove their innocence, and the judges omitted and distorted the defendants statements.

Bickett mentioned that he was detained and questioned in a room by the Hong Kong Police Force, where the temperature was only around 35 degrees Fahrenheit (two degrees Celsius).

He also revealed that the first prosecutor handling his case told him that the police had pressured her superior in the Department of Justice to proceed with his case because he was a foreigner who embarrassed the police on camera.

Later the prosecutor was replaced, and a new one took up his case.

He called on the American government to sanction Hong Kongs mid-level police officials and prosecutors and provide immigration pathways to America for residents who wish to flee from Hong Kong.

Accused of Attacking Off-duty Police Officer

Bickett was accused of attacking off-duty policeman Yu Shu-sang at the Causeway Bay MTR (Mass Transit Railway) station on December 7, during the 2019 Hong Kong protest. At that time, Yu denied that he was a police officer, but Bickett was still convicted of assaulting a police officer and sentenced to four and a half months in prison.

His later appeal was also dismissed, and he was sent to jail to serve an immediate sentence.

On the day of the case, a teenager was suspected of jumping over the turnstile at Causeway Bay MTR Station. Yu, an off-duty marine police officer, chased after him and tried to subdue the young man with a baton.

When the case was presented in court, the prosecution alleged that Bickett took away his baton, stood on Yus chest with his feet, and hit Yus left cheek several times with his fist.

Bickett explained that at that time, he saw the young man being held with a baton to the neck by the off-duty policeman, and he seemed to be choked.

When Bickett asked Yu twice, Are you Popo (police officer)? Yu answered No for the first time and then changed his answer to Yes.

Bickett said that he only intervened after Yu had denied that he was a police officer.

Magistrate Arthur Lam Hei-wei accepted Yus testimony that Bickett had already held Yu, and there was no need for Bickett to punch him. He did not accept Bicketts behavior as an act of self-defense.

Lam also ruled that Yu had identified himself as a police officer and that Bicketts behavior was an intentional assault on the police and resulted in multiple injuries to the officer, which was a severe attack. The starting point of sentencing is four months.

In addition, the magistrate believed that as the case location was crowded it would increase the risk of violence, so two weeks were added to the punishment.

Bickett was convicted of assaulting a police officer at the end of June 2021 and sentenced to four and a half months in prison in July 2021.

Deported After Jail and Banned to Hong Kong

Bickett then appealed his conviction and sentence to the High Court in August 2021 and was released on bail pending appeal by the High Court. Bickett explained to the High Court that at the time of the incident, he saw the off-duty police officer hitting someone using a baton. He felt it was very dangerous, so he tried to intervene and mediate, hoping to protect himself and others.

But the High Court Judge Esther Toh Lye-ping retorted, Its a baton, not a gun.

Regarding the sentence, the Judge agreed with the magistrate that the location of the incident was a busy MTR station, and crowds were gathering. To prevent the baton from being snatched, the officer finally fell, and he was assaulted on his abdomen by the appellant. Therefore, the four months starting point for sentencing was not too harsh, and an additional two-week sentence was also appropriate. As a result, the appeal for the conviction was denied, and Bickett had to continue serving his sentence.

Bickett left Stanley Prison after completing his sentence in March 2022. He pointed out that he was deported immediately from the prison to Washington and banned from returning to Hong Kong. He said the Immigration Department of Hong Kong refused his request to give him a few days to deal with his matters, making it impossible to say goodbye to his partners and loved ones in Hong Kong.

The authorities sent him directly from the prison to the Immigration Detention Centre and escorted him out of Hong Kong.

When he arrived in Istanbul for transit, Turkish officials refused to return his passport, saying they followed a routine request by the Hong Kong government. Bickett was stranded at the airport for eight hours.

After being deported, he appealed his conviction to the Court of Final Appeal in April 2022. He said in a statement that people may wonder why he still appealed even though he had already served his sentence, was deported by the authorities, and Hong Kongs judicial system had fallen.

He explained that as a lawyer and advocate for the rule of law, he had decided to do everything possible to hold those who have done him injustice accountable.

If the Court hears the case, it will be the first time the Court of Final Appeal directly deals with a hearing on the police using excessive force during the 2019 social movement in Hong Kong.

Bickett worked as a criminal defense lawyer in the United States. He came to Hong Kong in 2013 and then moved to Taiwan. In 2019, he transferred to Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Hong Kong as a lawyer in the compliance department and was suspended due to the case in April 2020.
U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (2nd L) and South Korea's landing platform helicopter (LPH) ship Marado (L) sail during a joint military exercise at an undisclosed location on June 4, 2022. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)

US Military Makes Move in South China Sea Before Potential Pelosi Visit

The Pentagon sent a U.S. aircraft carrier group to the South China Sea amid speculation that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) would visit Taiwan, according to a Navy spokesperson.

I can confirm USS Ronald Reagan and her strike group are now underway, operating in the South China Sea following a successful port visit to Singapore, Navy spokesman Lt. Mark Langford told media outlets Thursday. As a matter of policy, we do not discuss future ship movements; however, I will add that Reagan is continuing normal, scheduled operations as part of her routine patrol in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The carrier strike group made its way to the South China Sea after departing Changi Naval Base in Singapore on Tuesday, the U.S. 7th Fleet also said in a statement to Bloomberg News this week.

Any foreign travel by a senior U.S. leader requires additional security. But officials said this week that a visit to Taiwan by Pelosishe would be the highest-ranking U.S. elected official to visit Taiwan since 1997would go beyond the usual safety precautions for trips to less risky destinations.

No Decision

Pelosi, who visited Ukraine in May, has not publicly confirmed any new plans for a trip to Taiwan. She was going to go in April, but she postponed the trip after testing positive for COVID-19.

On Wednesday, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley told reporters that if theres a decision made that Speaker Pelosi or anyone else is going to travel and they asked for military support, we will do what is necessary to ensure a safe conduct of their visit. And Ill just leave it at that.

But President Joe Biden last week raised concerns about the visit and told reporters that the military believes her trip is not a good idea right now. He didnt elaborate.

The reports of the carrier group being mobilized in the South China Sea come ahead of a scheduled call between Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss Taiwan, which the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has long claimed belongs to it. Xi has vowed to bring Taiwan under the CCPs control, although the island country has been self-governed since 1949.

This is a call that has been scheduled for a long time and theres already a pretty robust agenda of things for these two leaders to talk about, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. Everything from the tensions over Taiwan to the war in Ukraine, as well as how we better manage competition between our two nations, certainly in the economic sphere.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A person delivers a computer payload while working on a laptop during the 11th International Cybersecurity Forum in Lille, France, on Jan. 22, 2019. (Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images)

US, Ukraine Sign New Agreement Expanding Cybersecurity Cooperation

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Ukraines cybersecurity agency signed an agreement this week aimed at bolstering collaboration between the two nations on shared cybersecurity priorities, CISA announced.

CISAs signing of the memorandum of cooperation (MOC) with the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP) aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in a number of areas, including information exchanges and the sharing of best practices on cyber incidents.

It will also expand upon the two agencies existing relationship with regard to sharing key data on critical infrastructure and allow for shared cybersecurity training and joint exercises.

CISA Director Jen Easterly praised the agreement deepening the agencys cybersecurity collaboration with Ukraine in a July 27 statement. She also applauded Ukraines efforts to defend the country amid its ongoing invasion by Russian forces.

I applaud Ukraines heroic efforts to defend its nation against unprecedented Russian cyber aggression and have been incredibly moved by the resiliency and bravery of the Ukrainian people throughout this unprovoked war, Easterly said.

Cyber threats cross borders and oceans, and so we look forward to building on our existing relationship with SSSCIP to share information and collectively build global resilience against cyber threats.

Slew of Cyberattacks

Russia has reportedly attacked both Ukrainian and U.S. cyber networks and infrastructure in the past, with the country allegedly being behind the SolarWinds technology hack in 2020, which left several agencies, including the departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security, Energy, Treasury, and Commerce compromised.

Russian officials have denied that they were behind that attack, with the Russian Foreign Ministry stating that the country does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain.

In early January, prior to Russian President Vladimir Putins so-called special military operation in Ukraine, the latter nation accused Russia of being behind a cyberattack that defaced its government websites, alleging that Moscow was engaged in a hybrid war against its neighbor.

Last month, a cyberattack temporarily knocked out public and private websites in Lithuania, with a pro-Moscow hacker group reportedly claiming responsibility. That attack came amid a feud over sanctions that saw Lithuania restrict the transit of steel and ferrous metals.

In March, a top FBI official said state-sponsored hacking by Russia is a current threat to U.S. national security, stating that hackers had been scanning the systems of energy companies and other critical infrastructure in the United States in an attempt to discover vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

Oleksandr Potii, deputy chairman of SSSCIP, said in the joint statement on July 27 that the agreement represents an enduring partnership and alignment in defending our shared values through increased real-time information sharing across agencies and critical sectors and committed collaboration in cultivating a resilient partnership.
Thirteen suspected illegal aliens were killed in southern California when a vehicle packed with passengersincluding minorscollided with a large truck close to the Mexico border, on March 2, 2021. (Patrick Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Violent Protesters Target Massachussets Referendum Against Drivers Licenses for Illegals

Volunteers promoting a citizen-initiated referendum in Massachusetts have faced violence and harassment, according to a pair of lawsuits and state Republican leaders.

The referendum seeks to undo a new law giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.

The state Republican party has responded with federal and state civil rights lawsuits against state attorney general Maura Healey, a state senator, and a city councilman.

Jim Lyons, chairman of Massachusetts Republican Party, told The Epoch Times that state Republicans decided to file the lawsuitsone in federal court and the other in a state courtafter after agitators flipped over signature tables, grabbed and ripped up ballots and signature pages, heckled supporters, and pushed a volunteer, who is a retired police officer, up against a wall.

When the Republicans asked Healey, a Democrat who is running for governor, for protection and sanctions against the agitators, Lyons said she ignored them.

This is a state attorney general, someone responsible for upholding Massachusetts constitutional and civil rights laws, and so far shes done and said nothing about this, said Lyons, who is also a state representative.

He added that driving in America is a privilege not a right.

Why are we giving privileges to people who have already violated our laws of this country, said Lyons.

Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat from Acton, is named as the leader in the attacks.

The Epoch Times made repeated attempts to contact Eldridge. His office had not responded to those attempts as of press time.

According to the lawsuit, several people gave eyewitness accounts of Eldridge physically blocking people from reaching signatures tables.

He is also accused of engaging in intimidation tactics to discourage people from signing the referendum petition.

Healeys office declined to comment on the pending lawsuits, which were filed on July 25. Healey lists ensuring illegal immigrants can receive a drivers license regardless of immigration status as a top priority of her gubernatorial campaign to unseat Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.

Baker vetoed the passage of a long pushed-for bill that would give drivers licenses to illegals in Massachusetts, but the Democrat-dominated House voted to override him.

Baker said the measure will lead to voter fraud because of a policy in Massachusetts that automatically enrolls anyone issued a drivers license on the states voter registration.

Maureen Maloney, who spearheaded the efforts to put the new policy on the November ballot for a referendum vote, told The Epoch Times she is more concerned about the safety risks of giving illegal aliens drivers licenses.

Her son Matthew Denice was killed by an illegal immigrant from Ecuador in 2011 after the Honduras native took an illegal turn, striking the 23-year-old who was riding a motorcycle and then dragging him under his truck while onlookers tried desperately to stop him.

She cited several other similar motor vehicle fatalities caused by illegal aliens in Massachusetts, including two others in her home town of Milford where her son was also tragically killed.

Maloney also cited national studies conducted by AAA Foundation For Traffic Safetyand a newer one by the organization Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime (AVIAC)that show driving fatalities consistently increased in states that began issuing drivers licenses to illegal aliens.

Giving them drivers licenses is rewarding them for breaking the law and sending a message that Massachusetts is soft on crimes committed by people living illegally here, said Maloney.

Maloney said she recently attended a parole hearing for Nicolas Dutan Guaman, the man who killed her son.

Hes been in jail for almost 11 years and still hasnt learned any English, she said, our government instead provides him with a translator. Now they want to provide them with drivers licenses.

Supporters of the new policy say it will actually make roads safer because illegal aliens will have to pass a test in order to obtain a license.

Democrats have also said that by putting illegal immigrants through the process of obtaining a license, they will be forced to obtain insurance to cover any expenses of accidents in which they are found to be at fault.

Maloneys group www.FairandSecureMa.com has so far had 20,000 of signatures they collected verified by the state. Lyons, who helped set up signing tables around the state, said Massachusetts voters are signing at a fever pitch rate.

He estimates they have collected at least another 10,000 verifiable signatures.

They need 40,000 by August 24 to get a referendum question on the November ballot asking voters to decide if illegal aliens should be given drivers licenses by the state.

Polling of 800 residents conducted by Suffolk University last month, showed that 46.6 percent of them opposed giving licenses to illegals while 46.1 supported the move. Some 7 percent reported as undecided and a small percentage refused to answer the question.

Homeland Security has also denounced the practice, releasing a statement last month in response to New Yorks decision to start issuing drivers licenses to illegal immigrants that warned it will reward criminals at the expense of safety and security of law abiding citizens.

Donald Rosenberg, founder of AVIAC, told The Epoch Times that his organization continuously tracks the increase in motor vehicle fatalities in states that issue drivers licenses to illegal aliens and it averages around 20 to 25 percent.

Thats no small number, said Rosenberg whose son Drew was killed in 2010 by a drivera Honduras man living illegally in San Francisco.

In response to the argument that American drivers also cause accidents, Rosenberg emphasized that its no accident to be in the country illegally and that its no accident for people in the country illegally to be driving a car illegally.

He said his organization found in an overwhelming number of cases that illegal immigrants that killed someone with their car had prior convictions.

According to the Massachusetts lawsuit businesses who hosted signature drives for the referendum they have also been harassed and intimidated.

Lyons pointed out that when violent protests unfolded in Boston over the death of George Floyd, Healey responded by saying America is burning, but thats how trees grow.

State Republicans put out a video on the statement.

A Massachusetts pregnancy center was also recently attacked shortly after Healey, a staunch supporter of Planned Parenthood, issued a two-page advisory against them.

The lawsuits also names Waltham councilman Jonathan Paz and Wesley McEnany, a union organizer who runs a grassroots group called Massachusetts Is Not For Sale.

Neither responded to requests for comment by The Epoch Times.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks at a news conference at the John Wilson Building in Washington on March 14, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Washington Mayor Requests National Guard Help to Deal With Illegal Immigrant Influx

Washingtons mayor has asked the U.S. government to activate the National Guard to help the city deal with the influx of illegal immigrants being transported from border states.

Describing the situation as a growing humanitarian crisis, Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters on July 28, We need space and we need the federal government to be involved.

The Guard would help with logistics, she added.

In a July 19 letter, D.C. Homeland Security Director Christopher Rodriguez asked the Department of Defense (DoD) for assistance from the D.C. National Guard to help prevent a prolonged humanitarian crisis in the nations capital.

Washington has received more than 4,000 illegal aliens from the states of Texas and Arizona since April, when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott first authorized transportation for the illegal immigrants who accepted the free rides. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey authorized the transportation of illegal aliens in May.

In the month leading up to the letter, the pace of arriving buses and the volume of arrivals have reached tipping points, Rodriguez wrote, saying the system could be overwhelmed without federal intervention.

A spokesperson for Bowsers office told The Epoch Times in an email that there has been no response yet from the Pentagon.

A Defense Department spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin received the request.

The Secretary takes this request for assistance very seriously. He and his team are working through the details, and will respond to the mayors office as soon as a decision has been reached, the spokesperson said.

A spokesman for the D.C. National Guard said that the force was aware of the request.

Only presidents have the authority to authorize National Guard deployment in Washington, and they must receive a request from local officials.

The White House didnt respond to an inquiry.

Luis Alberto, one of the illegal immigrants who took a bus to Washington from Texas, speaks to a reporter at Union Station in Washington on April 13, 2022. (NTD Television)

Meeting With the White House

Bowser and members of her leadership team met with White House officials, including Liz Sherwood-Randall, the assistant to the president for homeland security, according to a July 21 missive that Bowser sent after the meeting.

Bowser said that the federal government should assume leadership in the handling of the illegal immigrants, including using a federal facility to house them.

I have great empathy for the very difficult situation people boarding buses to unknow[n] locations are facing, Bowser wrote. I likewise am very concerned that the social safety net I am responsible for ensuring for D.C. residents is maintained. I know the President shares my empathy, and I look forward to working with the Administration to secure the [National Guard] and a federal facility to process migrants as they seek asylum and a better life in the United States of America free of uncertainty and fear.

Abbott and Ducey, both Republicans, earlier this year began offering transportation to Washington for illegal aliens seeking asylum. Abbott has said that the program is a way to confront President Joe Biden with the effects of his immigration policies; under the relaxed rules, illegal immigration has exploded to record levels.

Washington, D.C. finally understands what Texans have been dealing with every single day, as our communities are overrun and overwhelmed by thousands of illegal immigrants thanks to President Bidens open border policies, Renae Eze, press secretary for Abbott, told The Epoch Times via email.

If the mayor wants a solution to this crisis, she should call on President Biden to take immediate action to secure the bordersomething he has failed to do.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) speaks at a press conference following a Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 8, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Whistleblowers Claim FBI Leaders Pressuring Agents to Pad Domestic Terrorism Data

Agents at the FBI are being pressured by superior officers to massage reports and pad the resulting data on the number of incidents involving domestic violent extremists (DVE), according to information provided by agency whistleblowers to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).

Jordan is presently the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, and is likely to become chairman of the panel if the GOP retakes the majority in the lower chamber of Congress in the November elections.

The Ohio Republican made public late on July 27 his letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray explaining that GOP members of the judiciary panel continue to hear from brave whistleblowers about disturbing conduct at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

From recent protected disclosures, we have learned that FBI officials are pressuring agents to reclassify cases as domestic violent extremism even if the cases do not meet the criteria for such a classification, the letter reads (pdf).

Given the narrative pushed by the Biden Administration that domestic violent extremism is the greatest threat facing our country, the revelation that the FBI may be artificially padding domestic terrorism data is scandalous.

Jordan noted that the FBIs definition of DVEs is an individual based and operating primarily within the United States or its territories without direction or inspiration from a foreign terrorist group or other foreign power who seeks to further political or social goals wholly or in part through unlawful acts of force or violence.

Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland have repeatedly claimed that violence perpetrated by DVEs, including the Jan. 6, 2021, breach at the U.S. Capitol, represent the greatest domestic security threat facing the United States.

Read More Timeline of Events in DC on Jan. 6

Wray told Congress last year, according to Jordan, that the FBI has established a very, very active domestic terrorism investigation program and doubled the amount of domestic terrorism investigations, while Garland has said the number of open FBI domestic terrorism investigations this year has increased significantly.

Jordan says the whistleblowers are FBI employees concerned about improper pressures being brought to bear against field agents to misrepresent what they are seeing.

We have received accusations that FBI agents are bolstering the number of cases of DVEs to satisfy their superiors. For example, one whistleblower explained that because agents are not finding enough DVE cases, they are encouraged and incentivized to reclassify cases as DVE cases even though there is minimal, circumstantial evidence to support the reclassification, Jordan told Wray.

Another whistleblowerwho led at least one high profile domestic terrorism investigationstated that a field office Counterterrorism Assistant Special Agent in Charge and the FBIs Director of the Counterterrorism Division have pressured agents to move cases into the DVE category to hit self-created performance metrics.

The artificial performance metrics are being used to determine which agents receive promotions and bonuses, according to the information the whistleblowers have given to Jordan.

Jordan pointed out to Wray that the allegations from the whistleblowers confirm concerns that the congressman has repeatedly expressed to the FBI chief.

These whistleblower allegations that the FBI is padding its domestic violent extremist data cheapens actual examples of violent extremism. This information also reinforces our concernsabout which we have written to you several timesregarding the FBIs politicization under your leadership, Jordan wrote.

As we have detailed, multiple whistleblowers have disclosed how the Biden FBI is conducting a purge of FBI employees holding conservative views. You have ignored these concerns. It appears instead that the FBI is more focused on classifying investigations to meet a woke left-wing agenda.

Jordan requested that by Aug. 10, Wray provide copies of all documents and communications concerning all preliminary investigations, and full investigations classified as domestic violent extremism since January 2020.

In addition, Jordan told Wray he wants copies of all documents and communications between or among employees of the FBI and Department of Justice, with anybody in the Executive Office of the President. Jordan also wants the total number of confidential human sources working for the FBI who have reported incidents alleged to involve DVEs since January 2020.

The Department of Homeland Security, which works closely with the FBI on domestic security issues, published a June 7 advisory that warned as the United States enters mid-term election season this year, we assess that calls for violence by domestic violent extremists directed at democratic institutions, political candidates, party offices, election events, and election workers will likely increase.
Why We Dont Have Children Anymore

Commentary

In traditional subsistence production societies, children are valuable assets. People need and want many children.

In contemporary industrial and post-industrial societies, children are a practical liability. People in modern societies dont want a large number of children, and many dont want any.

In 1958, Canadian women had, on average, 3.88 children. After a long, gradual decline in fertility, Canadian women in 2021 had, on average, 1.5 children, far below the population replacement level. Fertility levels today are even lower in most Western countries and developed Asian countries (except Israel, with 2.95).

In North America, Europe, East Asia, and elsewhere around the world, theres big business in anti-fertility measures, including birth control pills and devices, surgical and chemical abortion, and sterilization procedures for both men and women.

Abortions in Canada numbered 74,000 in 2020, which was 16.7 percent of all pregnanciesboth figures well down from a decade prior. According to the Guttmacher Institute, in the United States, there were 930,000 abortions in 2020, which was 20.6 percent of all pregnancies.

Availability of anti-fertility measures is of the highest priority for some Canadian and U.S. political parties. These parties define anti-fertility measures as health care, notwithstanding the destruction of pre-born babies.

Children as a Source of Labor

In contrast to contemporary society, in traditional pre-industrial societies, most people want to maximize the number of their offspring. Most of the population in pre-industrial societies live in rural areas, depending on the food that they themselves produce and the materials that they themselves process for clothes, equipment, and housing.

My observations about this are based on my long-term field research among the Yarahmadzai nomadic tribe in southeastern Iran, a region called Baluchistan, where I lived for 27 months.

In subsistence societies, where people depend for consumption on what they themselves produce and process, the most important factor in production is labor, because almost everything is done by human muscle power, and labor is usually the limiting factor.

This means that the more children you have, the more labor is available for production. More production means more prosperity, other things being equal.

But because the labor of children is most effective between the ages of 10 and 20-plus, when young adults begin their own families, the flow of new children must continue, to replenish the family labor force.

A Yarahmadzai family has to herd its sheep and goats, in some seasons 24 hours a day, and so needs shepherds. The camels must be grazed separately by a camel herder. Water has to be collected from the pond, stream, or well and carried back to camp. Tents, storage bags, and luggage bags must be woven by hand. Grain must be ground by hand with grinding stones and the flour made into bread daily, as its a basic staple.

Dry or wet horticultural plots must be traveled to and cultivation prepared and maintained. Travel is required to distant palm groves to cultivate dates. Migration requires that all family supplies and equipment be packed up and transported, sometimes long distances.

All this daily work requires many hands.

In tribal societies, social control and order are based on what anthropologists call self-help, that is, the mobilization of subgroups of the population. Social cohesion and solidarity support collective responsibility, with each group member being responsible both for the acts of the others and for coming to the aid of the others; this is the basis of political order.

The number of strong men in a family and tribal subgroup determines the members ability to defend themselves and their property. Having many sons guarantees ones political weight and contributes to political standing.

Social arrangements in every society are always supported and reinforced by ideals and values. To be a successful man in tribal society is to father children, particularly sons. To be a successful woman is to be fertile and produce many children, especially sons. Fertility is a required component of personal fulfillment and social prestige.

Children as Economic Liabilities

In Canada and the United States, in 1850, more than 80 percent of the population lived in rural areas. Today, 80 percent of the population lives in urban areas. Just about all economic production is market-oriented rather than subsistence-oriented, and most economic activity is highly specialized, without products that the producers consume directly.

Child labor is not only useless in a specialized economy, its also illegal. Children are required by law to be in school so as to learn the basic skills necessary for a complex, industrial, and post-industrial society. Thus, children arent economic assets. On the contrary, children are economic liabilities who must be fed and clothed and provided with the materials for schooling. Those children who continue their education in post-secondary institutions require large outlays of funds.

No one in modern society chooses to have children for their labor and their contribution to economic prosperity. People have children in spite of the economic liability that they bring. Therefore, given that the economic resources of a family are usually quite limited, its understandable that few people today choose to have many children, and that many choose to have one child or none. Children, like family dogs and cats, are discretionary, not necessary.

Nor are children, even adult males, assets in order and security. Matters of public order are allocated to special agencies such as the police, and members of the public are discouraged and even forbidden from acting on their own behalf.

While self-defense is allowed in some American jurisdictions, its frowned on in Canada. Responding to an attack with a firearm, even if not fired, would likely get you arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who, like the Canadian government, care more for its authority than for the safety of law-abiding citizens.

Not only would having many children not add to ones prestige in contemporary United States and Canada, but it would also make one the subject of ridicule. People in modern societies define themselves not by their families but by their work. The more prestigious the work, the higher the status of the individual. Fatherhood and motherhood arent recognized as work, arent paid, and consequently arent prestigious.

Feminists have vilified marriage and motherhood as slavery. According to The Guardian, Radical feminist Shulamith Firestone articulated this most starkly in her argument that women would never truly be free of patriarchy until they were freed from the yoke of reproduction.

Fatherhood has been demeaned by feminists through denying men any role in pregnancy, and fatherhood has been marginalized at the same time it has been exploited by family courts. Feminists have urged women to leave the family behind and enter economic employment as the road to freedom and an equal or greater status and power than men. (And, now that its official that men can become pregnant, gestate, and give birth, women can stand down in good conscience.)

Weak Families

The prospect of having children and actually raising them is discouraged by the frailty of marriage. Divorce is very common: the lowest figures are 42 percent of all marriages in the United States and 38 percent in Canada, with second and third marriages failing at much higher levels. Weak commitment to marriage doesnt encourage commitment to raising children.

Weak families give individuals more personal freedom, which many see as attractive, but this removes social support and its safety net. One correlated consequence is increased dependence on the government and its agencies and programs.

This dependence resulting from the weakening of local organizations has been a long-term goal of socialist and communist movements and governments that believe absolute government control is necessary for the arrival of a progressive utopia.

Perhaps thats why the U.S. and Canadian governments are pushing anti-reproductive gender ideology in schools, universities, and elsewhere.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
How Mass Adoption of Electric Vehicles Will Affect the Power Grid

In January 2021, the Biden administration announced its plans to transition the United States to 100 percent clean electricity by 2035, and by 2030 to have half of all new vehicles sold be zero-emission vehicles.

One hundred percent clean energy by 2035 is an ambitious goal, and adding a considerable amount of electric vehicles (EV) to the countrys power grid is forecast to increase electricity demands substantially.

For example, in 2021, EV sales reached 6.6 million, according to the Department of Energys (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). And the increase in just light-duty EVs added 1,700 gigawatt-hours in annual energy load to the U.S. electric grid, according to the independent and nonprofit energy research firm Electric Power Research Institute.

Pointedly, projections from the International Energy Agency put EV sales at 23 million by 2030, meaning the grid will soon need to handle substantially more than 1,700 additional gigawatt-hours annually.

Utility companies have proposed billions in new infrastructure projects to meet the forecasted increase. And the DOE has asked a consortium of research labs such as Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and NREL to contribute to an integrated systems analysis report on the impacts of EVs on the grid.

Solar panels are seen next to a Southern California Edison electricity station in Carson, Calif., on March 4, 2015. (Lucy Nicholson//File Photo/Reuters)

These labs found that the grid can handle high-penetration EV scenarios by applying specific strategies.

Electric vehicles (EVs) can meet U.S. personal transportation needs using domestic energy resources while at the same time offering carbon emissions benefits. However, wide-scale light-duty EV adoption will necessitate assessment of and possibly modification to the U.S. electric power generation and distribution systems, the Summary Report on EVs at Scale and the U.S. Electric Power System reads (pdf).

Indeed, if EV sales reach the high-penetration scenario of 6.8 million annually, and travel 12,000 miles a year while requiring 3.8 megawatt-hours per year of energy generation per EV, the total increased energy demand for EVs on the grid will equal 26 terawatt-hours (TWh), the report further reveals.

A separate report by Matteo Muratori, NRELs team lead for integrated transportation and energy systems analysis, found that high EV integration could result in a 1,424 TWh electricity consumption increase by 2050.

Preparing for Higher Demand

To determine what strategies are required to facilitate this high EV adoption, The Epoch Times spoke with Andrew Meintz, NRELs project lead for electric vehicle grid integration.

A woman holds a cable to charge a Renault Kangoo ZE electric utility vehicle at a Renault dealership in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France, on Oct. 22, 2020. (Eric Gaillard/Reuters)

Meintz said that, generally speaking, greater EV use will lead to higher electricity demands, and the grid would need to be built out to accommodate the increase. He likened this to the early 1900s, when home air conditioners necessitated upgrades to the electric grid.

ACs were a pretty big load, but we built additional distribution and transmission to handle it, Meintz stated.

However, he said there are now ways to mitigate electric distribution and transmission upgrade requirements, and one way is through smart charge management.

Specifically, Meintz said that the electric vehicle supply equipmentthe Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast chargers that you plug your vehicle intocan be programmed to charge your car at specific times during the day. Similarly, the vehicle itself can be programmed to charge at off-peak hours.

How that works, Meintz said, is utility companies set time of use charging rates, and those rates vary based on demand and electricity availability. For example, if you charge your EV when you get home from work when demand is high, or on-peak, youd pay a higher rate. If you wait to charge your vehicle when demand is low, or off-peak, youd pay a lower rate.

The vehicle and charger are smart enough not to require user integration, Meintz said. For clarity, he specified that users wouldnt have to go to their garage and plug in their EV at a certain time. Instead, EV owners could plug in when they get home, and the EV would be programmed to charge when electricity demand is low.

When asked how moving to green energy sources like wind and solar might impact EV charging, Meintz said it would depend on location and availability.

Wind is really a nighttime resource, and solar is for during the day, he said. Some locations might not have enough distribution, but it depends on the locations.

EVs are a resource that can be programmed to charge when that resource is available.

Uncoordinated Charging

When pressed about the grids ability to handle uncoordinated EV charging, Meintz circled back to smart charging.

However, Muratoris report states, Uncoordinated charging of EVs will lead to increased system peak load, possibly exceeding the maximum power that can be supported by distribution systems and generally increasing power system stress.

Moreover, the nonprofit Energy Systems Integrations Group reports that implementing Bidens clean energy strategy will require a doubling or tripling of the size and scale of the nations [electric] transmission system.

It further states, Decarbonizing the electricity system, and ultimately achieving net-zero emissions, will require action on a transformative scale, which would involve massive nation-wide transmission expansion.

Considering that the U.S. grid is divided into three major regionsincluding the Eastern, Western, and Texas Interconnection, as well as independent operators at the state and regional levelsmoving to a nationwide electric transmission system would be transformative.
A worker brings supplies into the Wisconsin Center to aid in the partial recount of the presidential election, in Milwaukee, Wis., on Nov. 19, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Wisconsin Clerks Make 10 New Voter Fraud Referrals for 2020 Election

Cases illustrate a weakness in voting system, GOP staffer says

Municipal clerks in Wisconsin made 22 voter fraud referrals to local district attorneys related to the 2020 general election over the past two years, according to Wisconsin Elections Commission reports.

The new report from the July 22 commission meeting showed 10 instances of voter fraud referrals from the 2020 election. Last year, it listed 12 cases.

Most of the complaints this time involved people double votingonce in person and once by mail. Others were for impersonating another voter and double voting in two different cities.

A similar pattern was reported in the June 2, 2021, commission meeting. It showed that most of the 12 referrals stemmed from double voting in two cities. Some voted twiceby mail and in person.

A man uses a drop box in Milwaukee, Wis., on Oct. 20, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The commission submits the reports to the state legislature on an annual basis. They are limited to what clerks report to the commission and dont include any complaints filed by citizens or organizations directly with a district attorney.

This years report showed 73 instances of criminal referrals for voter fraud in multiple elections and those during 2021 and 2022.

Most came from Milwaukee and Brown counties, including more than 50 instances of a person using an improper residential address on their voter registration in multiple elections.

Mike Mikalsen, chief of staff for state Sen. Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater), told The Epoch Times the reports demonstrate a weakness in the voting system that Republicans are trying to correct.

One potential problem with election security was settled July 8 when the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that drop boxes were illegal, he said.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission made an arbitrary decision to allow permanent drop boxes in the 2020 general election during the pandemic, but many questioned the legality of the boxes.

True the Votes Catherine Engelbrecht testified before a Wisconsin legislative committee this spring, concerning absentee ballots being systematically delivered to drop boxes in the Milwaukee County area.

They were illegal, Engelbrecht told The Epoch Times when referring to the drop boxes. What happened in 2020 was lawlessness.

Mikalsen said the drop boxes allowed for a vote harvesting bonanza during the 2020 election because of readily accessible information showing who had requested an absentee ballot. That made it easy for campaign workers to visit those people and potentially collect ballots not yet delivered.

Democrats in the state criticized the ruling, saying it makes it harder to vote and undermines free, fair, and secure elections in a democracy.

The Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison. (Carol M. Highsmith via Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain)

While some of the cases outlined in the election commission report may stem from people mistakenly thinking their vote didnt count because they moved to a different address, others were likely purposeful.

Under Wisconsin law, voting twice is against the law regardless of intent, Mikalsen said but noted that the damage couldnt be undone.

Eventually, these double votes are caught after the fact. Both ballots get counted, Mikalsen said.

Even with drop boxes eliminated, there is a vulnerability with absentee ballots that anyone can request.

Voting is a two-week process in Wisconsin, so absentee ballots are mailed out about a month before the voting period begins.

Mikalsen explained that a large number of ballots are circulating for weeks before the election, which leaves the system open to potential fraud.

Another problem is that prosecuting election fraud is at the discretion of the district attorneys representing each of the 72 counties.

Mikalsen said that concern about election fraud in districts varies, as does the likelihood of prosecution.

It does raise accountability issues with a lot of people, he said.

Tightening up voting regulations depends on if a Republican governor gets elected this year, he said.

Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has refused to sign Republican-backed legislation to remedy vulnerabilities in the election system, he added.

We are in a difficult circumstance here in Wisconsin because we will have to fight a lot of these issues out in the courts, and that takes time, he said.
A Vancouver Police Department patch is seen on an officer's uniform in Vancouver on Jan. 9, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

Woman Set on Fire in Shocking Attack in Vancouvers Downtown Eastside, Police Say

Vancouver police are investigating the incident of a 50-year-old woman reportedly having been set on fire while sitting on a sidewalk in Vancouvers Downtown Eastside neighbourhood on July 25.

The woman was sitting near Dunlevy and Powell streets at around 1:30 a.m. when a stranger approached her, poured a flammable substance on her head, and lit it on fire, according to a Vancouver Police Department (VPD) July 27 news release.

This was a shocking attack that targeted a vulnerable member of our community, Constable Tania Visintin said.We need witnesses and anyone with information to call police and help solve this crime.

Police have confirmed that the victim is a homeless person, according to CTV News Vancouver .

She ran to a nearby business for help and was take to hospital with serious burns. The suspect, described as a white man in his 30s, fled the scene before police were called.

Vancouvers Downtown Eastside, one of the citys oldest neighbourhoods, has struggled in recent years with many complex issues including homelessness, crime, and drug use.

Investigators are looking into another arson incident that occurred around the same time about a 35-minute walk southwest of where the woman was attacked (map).

A man, also homeless, called police to report that a shelter structure he had built was set on fire while he was asleep near Columbia St. and West 5th Ave. between 12:30 and 1:30 a.m.

He told police that he managed to put out the fire himself and escape without injury.

Constable Visintin said that investigators dont believe the two incidents are connected but noted that it is still very early in the investigation, so we are not ruling anything out.

Both arsons are still under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call VPDs Major Crime unit at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Election officials in Arizonas largest county wont soon forget #SharpieGate  the social media uproar that emerged after the 2020 election based on the false claim that Sharpie pens provided at the polls would ruin ballots before they were counted.

Now, as Maricopa County gears up for Arizonas primary election on Tuesday, its facing a repeat of the same false theories in response to an announcement by election officials that they were switching to Pentel brand felt-tip pens on Election Day.

DO NOT use the felt tip pen they will try to give you, one Twitter user wrote Thursday.

#SharpieGate all over again in AZ. Bring your ball-point pens, wrote another, in a tweet that called election officials treasonists and accused them of trying to rig the primaries.

The county provides felt-tip pens to voters at the polls on Election Day because the pens have quick-drying ink that wont smudge the ballots or produce wet splotches that jam up onsite tabulators. That can require the machines to be cleaned, causing long lines at the polls.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer on Twitter urged those voting in Tuesdays primary to PLEASE PLEASE use the provided pens to prevent machine problems and keep voting running smoothly.

Still, some social media users and prominent Republicans in the state this week encouraged voters to defy that guidance. Republican State Rep. Shawnna Bolick, who is running for secretary of state in Tuesdays election, tweeted that she planned to bring her own ballpoint pen for in-person voting, while Kelli Ward, chair of the states Republican Party, encouraged her Twitter followers to use whatever pen you want but ensure their ballot is dry.

Richer said voters who bring their own blue or black pen for Tuesdays election will not be turned away, but encouraged voters to use those provided.

Just as we tell voters they shouldnt use red pens, shouldnt use pencil, shouldnt use crayon, we are telling voters that  to help us ensure an accurate and smooth election  you should use the Pentel pen if you are voting in-person on election day, Richer told The Associated Press in an email.

Richer said the county switched from Sharpies to Pentel pens after many tests because while both have quick-drying ink, the Pentel pens cause less bleed-through on ballot paper. Even though offset columns on the countys ballots prevent bleeding ink from affecting the vote counting process, even for two-sided ballots, the bleed-through from Sharpies caused many poll observers and online critics to raise alarm in 2020.

Some social media users this week expressed confusion at why early voters in Maricopa County are permitted to use any blue or black pen, while Election Day voters are instructed to use the felt-tip pens only. The answer: All early ballots, whether submitted in-person, by mail or by drop box, are enclosed in envelopes and sent to central tabulation after processing, so they have sufficient time to dry before being counted, Richer said.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP)  Anti-abortion activists from across the country converged in southern New Mexico on Tuesday to protest relocation plans by the Mississippi clinic at the center of the court battle that overturned Roe v. Wade, but New Mexico's governor vowed not to back down from her support for access to abortions.

Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is running for reelection, tweeted hours before the protest that access remains legal and safe in her state.

New Mexicans understand the right to make personal decisions about ones own reproductive health care  and we wont go back, she wrote.

The crowd gathered in triple-digit temperatures near the location where Jackson Women's Health Organization plans to open its new clinic next week. Some held signs that read Pray to End Abortion and Vote Your Values. They heard from the leader of a local Catholic parish, a university student group and activists from Texas and Mississippi who talked about their experiences shutting down abortion clinics elsewhere.

Terri Herring, president of Mississippi-based group Choose Life, told the crowd about more than two dozen pregnancy centers in her state that have helped mothers who were considering abortion but opted to have their babies.

We need to make this a refuge for women and their children, she said of New Mexico, before organizers of the rally announced they would open a Guiding Star Project clinic next door to the planned abortion clinic. The facility will provide fertility care, pregnancy and childbirth support services.

Leah Jacobson, founder and CEO of The Guiding Star Project, told the crowd that the root causes of what is driving women to abortion need to be addressed and that a culture shift is needed to recognize the reverence of womanhood.

If we love life, if we want to protect women and children, we need to understand that there is something fundamentally broken about how we are treating motherhood in our culture, she said, pointing to the lack of maternity leave or breastfeeding spaces, among other challenges. How about we actually take the needs of women into consideration?

New Mexicos Democratic-controlled Legislature and Democratic governor support access to abortion. State lawmakers last year repealed a dormant 1969 law that outlawed most abortion procedures as felonies, ensuring access to abortion even after the Supreme Court rolled back the national guarantee.

The furniture and equipment from Jackson Womens Health Organization have been moved from Mississippi to the new abortion clinic that will open soon in Las Cruces.

Were just trying to tie up loose ends, Diane Derzis, owner of Las Cruces Womens Health Organization, told The Associated Press on Monday.

Derzis was not bothered by Tuesday's gathering, saying she has seen protests for years at other abortion clinics she has owned in Mississippi and elsewhere.

Its not a big deal, she said. Thats life at an abortion clinic.

___

Associated Press writers Susan Montoya Bryan, in Albuquerque, and Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Mississippi, contributed to this report.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A Wisconsin judge said Thursday that a Republican-ordered, taxpayer-funded investigation into the 2020 election found absolutely no evidence of election fraud," but did reveal contempt for the state's open records law by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and a former state Supreme Court justice he hired.

Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn awarded about $98,000 in attorneys' fees to the liberal watchdog group American Oversight, bringing an end in circuit court to one of four lawsuits the group filed. Vos's attorney, Ron Stadler, said he was recommending that Vos appeal the ruling.

The fees will be paid by taxpayers, which is why the judge said she was not also awarding additional punitive damages against Vos. Costs to taxpayers for the investigation, including ongoing legal fees, have exceeded $1 million.

I think the people of the state of Wisconsin have been punished enough for this case," Bailey-Rihn said. I dont think it does anyone any good to have punitive damages placed on the innocent people of this state.

All of American Oversight's lawsuits stem from records requests it made to Vos and Michael Gableman, a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice hired by Vos in June 2021 to investigate the 2020 presidential election won by President Joe Biden. Vos ordered the investigation under pressure from election loser Donald Trump, who continues to falsely claim there was widespread fraud in Wisconsin and that Biden's win should be decertified, which is impossible and which Vos has repeatedly refused to support.

Even Gableman's attorney said decertification was pointless.

Biden's victory by nearly 21,000 votes has withstood recounts, multiple state and federal lawsuits, an audit by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau and a review by a conservative activist law firm, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty. An Associated Press review of Wisconsin and other battleground states also found far too little fraud to have tipped the election for Trump.

Vos and Gableman have suffered a series of defeats at the circuit court level in the American Oversight lawsuits. Along the way, both were found to be in contempt for refusing to comply with court orders to turn over records. Bailey-Rihn, presiding over her last hearing before retiring, expressed frustration Thursday.

This has been a long and torturous process to get here, she said. "The reality is, whatever records there were, they were either destroyed or they werent kept. The problem for this court is no one knows when those records were destroyed.

State law requires lawmakers like Vos to retain records after an open records request for them has been filed. They can, and do, delete records if there is no pending open records request.

Gableman testified in another case that he routinely deleted records that he thought were not a part of the investigation. That resulted in American Oversight filing a fourth lawsuit alleging those deletions were against the law. That case, along with two others, is still pending.

A judge next month was to consider whether Gableman had fulfilled requirements to vacate an earlier contempt order for not turning over records. And in another case, Vos faced an Aug. 4 deadline to turn over additional records requested by American Oversight.

This whole case has been about trying to shine a light on government," Bailey-Rihn said. What it revealed, she said, was that in the early days of Gableman's probe, he was being paid $11,000 a month by taxpayers "to sit in the New Berlin library to learn about election law because he knows nothing about election law.

Were all citizens of this state and this country, and we want our elections to be fair and not tainted by any sort of election fraud," the judge said. "We have absolutely found out from this case there was absolutely no evidence of election fraud.

She said Vos and others have shown they believe they have no obligation to comply with the state open records law, they don't understand it, they don't follow the attorney general's guidance and they leave it to people who aren't trained on the law to deal with it.

Thats one thing the citizens of this state have learned to their detriment," Bailey-Rihn said.
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  Opposition lawmakers in Nigeria have threatened to impeach the countrys president Muhammadu Buhari over accusations he has failed to implement recommendations to end rising violence in the West African nation.

The lawmakers in the Nigerian House of Representatives said Thursday that they would join forces with their counterparts in the Senate who issued a six-month notice for Buharis impeachment on Wednesday just as the nation's National Security Council announced plans for a new strategy to end the violence.

Impeachment of presidents in Nigeria is rare but such threats from lawmakers are not. Not much is expected of the latest impeachment threat which is coming just seven months to the end of Buhari's second and final tenure as president. He has survived at least two past impeachment attempts since he became president in 2015 but none has seen the light of the day because they are usually partisan and initiated by the opposition.

The Nigerian presidency dismissed the latest impeachment threat as ridiculous and said it would welcome the collaboration of federal lawmakers in solving Nigeria's problems.

"No one is asking them to waste their time attempting to impeach a democratically elected President at the end of his second term  certainly not their constituents, a presidential spokesman said in a statement.

As the opposition in Nigeria's lower legislative chamber briefed reporters about plans to impeach Buhari, the president met with Nigeria's security chiefs during which they considered a new security strategy, according to Babagana Monguno, the country's National Security Adviser.

I know people are weary, people are tired, people are beginning to gravitate to other places for self-help, Monguno told reporters, promising that there will be a change in momentum in the fight against crime. He did not share further details, but urged the media to be careful in what it reports.

The top security aide declined to speak on violent attacks in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, a worrying sign.

We are in a very difficult situation," Monguno said. Mr. President, understands peoples concerns about the growing insecurity but I can assure you that there is no straight cut and dried method of dealing with this thing unless all of us embrace each other.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), every 30 seconds someone loses their life to Hepatitis B or C and the world is currently facing a new outbreak of unexplained acute hepatitis infections affecting children. WHO, together with scientists and policymakers in affected countries, are working to understand the cause of this infection that does not appear to belong to any of the known 5 types of hepatitis viruses: A,B,C,D, and E.

WHO maintains that this new outbreak brings focus on thousands of acute viral hepatitis infections that occur among children, adolescents and adults every year. Most acute hepatitis infections cause mild disease and even go undetected. But in some cases, they can lead to complications and be fatal. In 2019 alone, an estimated 78 000 deaths occurred worldwide due to complications of acute hepatitis A to E infections.

Global efforts prioritize the elimination of the hepatitis infections B, C and D infections. Unlike acute viral hepatitis, these 3 infections cause chronic hepatitis that lasts for several decades and culminate in over 1 million deaths per year from cirrhosis and liver cancer. These 3 types of chronic hepatitis infections are responsible for over 95% of hepatitis deaths. While we have the guidance and tools to diagnose, treat, and prevent chronic viral hepatitis, these services are often out of reach of communities and are sometimes only available at centralized/specialized hospitals.

The main aim of July 28, World Hepatitis Day, is to sensitize and encourage people on how to prevent, diagnose, and treat viral hepatitis infections.

It pains me when patients who received blood transfusion in the past later come down with hepatitis B or C infection and the cause is traceable to no other source except the past blood transfusion.

In view of this, our hospitals should upgrade to the use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in screening blood samples ( especially those units of blood from donors with questionable lifestyles) .This is because the current tests used in detecting the viral infections in many hospitals in developing countries are targeted at detecting the antigen or antibody to the infecting viral particles in the serum hence it takes some time ( the incubation period etc ) before the current tests in many developing countries can detect the antigen/antibody in a newly infected individual .PCR can detect the infection at each stage of the disease .

We cannot forget in a hurry the 2006 incident at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) where baby Oyinkansola Eniola was transfused with a HIV positive blood in a tertiary hospital where the highest form of medical treatment was expected in line with international best practices . It is a crime and unethical to transfuse a unit of blood without first screening it for HIV 1 & 2, Hepatitis B and C and VDRL among other preliminary tests.

Was the blood screened before the transfusion? Believe you me ,the answer will be in the affirmative ,then why didn't the screening pick up the HIV in the donor's blood? The Window period of HIV infection cannot easily be ruled out at the time of screening that blood hence screening with PCR remains the only trusted test at all stages of the infection .If that was possible with HIV, it is still possible with some of the viral hepatitis, especially hepatitis B and C .

THEME FOR 2022 CELEBRATION : There are two themes for this years World Hepatitis day.

WHO is highlighting the need for bringing hepatitis care closer to the primary health facilities and communities so that people have better access to treatment and care, no matter what type of hepatitis they may have.

Also, https://www.worldhepatitisday.org/ chooses her theme for this year as: I cant wait because of the following reasons :

People living with viral hepatitis unaware cant wait for testing

for testing People living with hepatitis cant wait for life saving treatments

for life saving treatments Expectant mothers cant wait for hepatitis screening and treatment

for hepatitis screening and treatment Newborn babies cant wait for birth dose vaccination

for birth dose vaccination People affected by hepatitis cant wait to end stigma and discrimination

to end stigma and discrimination Community organisations cant wait for greater investment

for greater investment Decision makers cant wait and must act now to make hepatitis elimination a reality through political will and funding.

I cant wait

I cant wait is the new campaign theme to launch World Hepatitis Day 2022. It will highlight the need to accelerate the fight against viral hepatitis and the importance of testing and treatment for the real people who need it. The campaign will amplify the voices of people affected by viral hepatitis calling for immediate action and the end of stigma and discrimination.

BRIEF HISTORY

Initially, the World Hepatitis Day was celebrated on May 19th of each year but in 2010 the World Health Assembly changed the date to July 28th in honour of the birthday of the noble laureate Professor Baruch Samuel Blumberg, who discovered Hepatitis B.

INTRODUCTION:

Below is the 2022 Message From the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti

The world marks World Hepatitis Day on 28 July every year, to raise awareness of this silent killer which is responsible for the deaths of about 125 000 people in Africa every year, despite the availability of treatment.

This years theme, Bringing hepatitis care closer to you, aims to highlight the need to bring hepatitis care closer to primary health care facilities, and so communities, to ensure better access to treatment and care.

More than 90 million people are living with hepatitis in Africa, accounting for 26% of the global total. But because the disease goes mostly undetected due to an absence of symptoms until it is too late for treatment, preventable loss of life is the tragic result.

Today, WHO in the African Region launches the 2021 scorecard for hepatitis, with blood tests revealing high prevalence of Hepatitis B in more than 8% of the total populations of 19 countries. For Hepatitis C, prevalence in 18 countries is more than 1%.

Transmission of Hepatitis B from mother-to-child also remains high, with prevalence of 2.5% among children younger than five in the Region. Only 14 African Region countries have managed to reduce that number to the 1% milestone, which has been achieved by all other WHO Regions.

The 2021 Global Hepatitis Report reminded us that only 2% of people living with Hepatitis B in Africa know their status, and that less than 1% are receiving treatment. For Hepatitis C, only 5% of patients know their status, with an alarming 0% treatment rate.

In addition, only 6% of babies have received the Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine that prevents transmission of the virus from their mothers. This is a travesty considering the capacity of this available vaccine to save hundreds of thousands of lives.

The main barriers include that hepatitis services are centralized in cities and major urban areas, being delivered primarily by specialists, along with the high cost of diagnosis and medicines, and an inadequate laboratory platform.

In 2021, WHO in the African Region adopted the 2021-2030 Framework for an Integrated Multisectoral Response to TB, HIV, STIs and Hepatitis in region. The aim is to support milestones that include the introduction of the Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine in 35 Member States, the diagnosis of at least 30% of those with chronic hepatitis infections, and the achievement of 30% of people with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C on treatment.

To reach these ambitious milestones, countries must advance towards decentralized care. WHO is supporting these efforts with the launch of targeted training materials to capacitate health workers to scale up delivery of simplified Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C services, in line with Universal Health Coverage principles.

The many promising developments in the fight to eliminate hepatitis are reason for hope. The launch of the global strategies on hepatitis in 2016 and 2022, along with increased advocacy and political will, are beginning to translate into action.

Hepatitis medications have, for example, become much more affordable, with prices now as low as US$60 per patient for a 12-week course of Hepatitis C treatment. In Rwanda, more than 50 000 patients had received treatment by the end of last year, and countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Mozambique and Uganda are mobilizing domestic resources to implement hepatitis programmes.

On World Hepatitis Day this year, I call on all African governments to commit to decentralizing care to primary health level, to reach everyone, no matter where they live, and to prioritize funding to address this preventable health threat.

I encourage our countries to capacitate health systems to screen blood donations for hepatitis, and to ensure once-only use of syringes, and their safe disposal. These are important contributors to hepatitis transmission.

Finally, I appeal to people across Africa to seek testing and treatment for hepatitis. We need to take collective responsibility for eliminating this disease by 2030.

WHO believes that the number of deaths due to HIV/AIDS has really changed and expanded access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and a declining incidence of HIV infections have led to a steep fall globally in the number of adults and children dying from HIV-related causes.

World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) maintains that globally there are more than 290 million people living with viral hepatitis unaware and without finding the undiagnosed and linking them to care, millions will continue to suffer, and lives will be lost. This is why the theme recognized by WHA for this years celebration is Finding the missing millions.

Coming to data available in Nigeria, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike,a Community Health physician , few years ago argued that about 20 million Nigerians are infected with Hepatitis B and C .The said physician who was then the Head, Prevention, Department of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health stated this at a one-day stakeholders advocacy workshop on Viral Hepatitis awareness organised by the Yakubu Gowon Foundation in Abuja.He further pointed out that ,''Viral Hepatitis is a very big public health issue in Nigeria. By the work Federal Ministry of Health has done, we have 20 million Nigerians living with Hepatitis B and C and they are at the risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver and cancer of the liver. Most importantly, these ones are living in the communities and they are not aware of it and in the same process, they are transferring the infection to other people in the community.

In the occasion, it was further revealed that approximately 20 million of Nigerias 170 million population that are infected by the virus, 25 percent of them go on to develop chronic liver disease and between 500,000 to 700,000 result in deaths annually.

From the survey (2000-2013), Kano had the highest number of people infected with the B variant of the virus while Kwara state had the highest number of people with Hepatitis C.

However , Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey(NAIIS) report currently shows that Nigeria, with an estimated population of 190 million people, has a Hepatitis B prevalence of 8.1% and Hepatitis C at 1.1%

DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION:

Hepatitis is a health condition characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissues of the liver.It can be self-limiting(healing on its own) or can simply progress to fibrosis(scarring),Cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. Hepatitis can be acute when it lasts for less than six months or chronic when it lasts for more than six months.

Viral hepatitis is mainly classified into five groups: Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. There are other classifications of hepatitis such as autoimmune, alcoholic hepatitis etc., but the main aim of the World Hepatitis Day is to sensitize and encourage people on how to prevent, diagnose and treat these five VIRAL hepatitis infections.

Hepatitis A:

Caused by Hepatitis A virus and it occurs when an uninfected person ingests food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. It can also be contracted through close physical contact with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus. There are about 1.4 million cases each year worldwide. Unlike Hepatitis B & C, it does not run a chronic course but can lead to debilitating symptoms and fulminant hepatitis(acute liver failure), which has a very high mortality rate.

WHO maintains that that :

Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease that can cause mild to severe illness.

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person.

Almost everyone recovers fully from hepatitis A with a lifelong immunity. However, a very small proportion of people infected with hepatitis A could die from fulminant hepatitis.

WHO estimates that hepatitis A caused approximately 7 134 deaths in 2016 (accounting for 0.5% of the mortality due to viral hepatitis).

The risk of hepatitis A infection is associated with a lack of safe water, and poor sanitation and hygiene (such as dirty hands).

In countries where the risk of infection from food or water is low, there are outbreaks among men who have sex with men (MSM) and persons who inject drugs (PWIDs).

Epidemics can be prolonged and cause substantial economic loss.

A safe and effective vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis A.

Safe water supply, food safety, improved sanitation, hand washing and the hepatitis A vaccine are the most effective ways to combat the disease. Persons at high risk, such as travelers to countries with high levels of infection, MSM and PWIDs can get vaccinated.

Hepatitis B:

It is a potentially life threatening disease of the liver caused by Hepatitis B virus and it is contracted by contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. It is commonly spread from mother to child at birth,or from person to person in early childhood. In the rural settings, it can be contracted by sexual transmission (when no barrier protective measure is used) and the use of contaminated sharp objects like needles, razor blades etc., and inadequately sterilized hospital equipment. It runs both acute and chronic courses and about 240 million individuals globally have chronic Hepatitis B infection whereas in each year, about 780,000 people die globally from acute and chronic Hepatitis B infections. It is an important occupational hazards for health care professionals, members of the Federal Road Safety Corps,commercial sex workers,long distance drivers etc.

WHO still believes that : Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.

The virus is most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids, including sex with an infected partner, injection-drug use that involves sharing needles, syringes, or drug-preparation equipment and needle sticks or exposures to sharp instruments.

WHO estimates that in 2015, 257 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection (defined as hepatitis B surface antigen positive).

In 2015, hepatitis B resulted in an estimated 887 000 deaths, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (i.e. primary liver cancer).

As of 2016, 27 million people (10.5% of all people estimated to be living with hepatitis B) were aware of their infection, while 4.5 million (16.7%) of the people diagnosed were on treatment. According to latest WHO estimates, the proportion of children under five years of age chronically infected with HBV dropped to just under 1% in 2019 down from around 5% in the pre-vaccine era ranging from the 1980s to the early 2000s.

Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines that are safe, available and effective.

Hepatitis C:

Caused by Hepatitis C virus and it is contracted the same way Hepatitis B infection is contracted through unsafe injection practices;inadequate sterilization of medical equipment in healthcare settings;and unscreened blood and blood products. Like Hepatitis B,it runs both acute and chronic courses but it has more propensity of running chronic course than Hepatitis B.A significant number of the chronic carriers of the disease will come down with Cirrhosis or Liver cancer. It is estimated globally that about 130-150 million people are chronic carriers of the infection while about 350,000-500,000 people die annually from Hepatitis C related infections.

WHO maintains that : Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV): the virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.

Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver cancer.

The hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus: the most common modes of infection are through exposure to small quantities of blood. This may happen through injection drug use, unsafe injection practices, unsafe health care, transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products, and sexual practices that lead to exposure to blood.

Globally, an estimated 71 million people have chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

A significant number of those who are chronically infected will develop cirrhosis or liver cancer.

WHO estimated that in 2016, approximately 399 000 people died from hepatitis C, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer).

Antiviral medicines can cure more than 95% of persons with hepatitis C infection, thereby reducing the risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer, but access to diagnosis and treatment is low.

There is currently no effective vaccine against hepatitis C; however, research in this area is ongoing.

Hepatitis D:

Caused by Hepatitis D virus, which is called an incomplete virus or subviral satellite because it can propagate only in the presence of Hepatitis B virus,hence the transmission of Hepatitis D can only occur either via simultaneous infection with hepatitis B virus(co-infection) or superimposed on chronic Hepatitis B carrier state (superinfection). Regrettably, in combination with Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis D infection has the highest mortality rate of all the Hepatitis infections.

WHO is of the opinion that : Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a virus that requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication. HDV infection occurs only simultaneously or as super-infection with HBV.

The virus is most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids, including sex with an infected partner, injection-drug use that involves sharing needles, syringes, or drug-preparation equipment and needle sticks or exposures to sharp instruments.

Vertical transmission from mother to child is rare.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) affects globally nearly 5% of people who have a chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Several geographical hotspots of high prevalence of HDV infection exist, including Mongolia, the Republic of Moldova, and countries in Western and Middle Africa.

Populations that are more likely to have HBV and HDV co-infection include people who inject drugs, indigenous populations and recipients of hemodialysis.

Worldwide, the overall number of HDV infection has decreased since 1980s. This trend is mainly due to a successful global HBV vaccination programme.

HDV-HBV co-infection is considered the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis due to more rapid progression towards liver-related death and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Currently, treatment success rates are generally low.

Hepatitis D infection can be prevented by hepatitis B immunization.

Hepatitis E:

Caused by Hepatitis E virus and mainly transmitted through contaminated drinking water. Less commonly,it can also be transmitted by transfusion of infected blood products and vertical transmission from a pregnant woman to her fetus. It is self-limiting,resolving within four to six weeks,though it may at times run a fulminant course(acute liver failure) leading to death. Globally, there are approximately 20 million incidents of Hepatitis E infections every year; three million acute cases; 56,600 hepatitis E-related deaths. Hepatitis E can also induce a mortality of about 20% among pregnant women in their third trimester.

Finally , WHO opines that Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by infection with a virus known as hepatitis E virus (HEV).

Every year, there are an estimated 20 million HEV infections worldwide, leading to an estimated 3.3 million symptomatic cases of hepatitis E (1).

WHO estimates that hepatitis E caused approximately 44 000 deaths in 2015 (accounting for 3.3% of the mortality due to viral hepatitis).

The virus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, principally via contaminated water.

Hepatitis E is found worldwide, but the disease is most common in East and South Asia.

A vaccine to prevent hepatitis E virus infection has been developed and is licensed in China, but is not yet available elsewhere.

CLINICAL FEATURES:

The viral hepatitis infections have almost common features which can be asymptomatic (no symptoms) but often lead to jaundice, loss of appetite, and malaise. As noted earlier on, some of them can run either acute or chronic courses.

The acute features:

In children, the features are usually asymptomatic while in older individuals, there may be nonspecific flu-like symptoms,common to almost all acute viral infections which include: malaise; muscle and joint aches; fever; nausea or vomiting; diarrhoea; headache. The more specific acute features include: loss of appetite; aversion to smoking (among smokers); dark urine; yellowing of the eyes and the skin; enlargement of the liver; enlarged lymph nodes in about 5%; enlargement of the spleen.

Meanwhile, a small proportion of the people with acute infections can develop liver failure with associated hepatic encephalopathy (confusion and coma due to inability of the liver to perform its functions); peripheral edema and bleeding.

The chronic features: Although they may present with malaise; tiredness; weakness; jaundice, individuals with chronic infections usually run asymptomatic courses until complicated with cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure.

PREVENTION:

WHO maintains that Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver. Hepatitis B vaccine for infants had been introduced nationwide in 190 Member States by the end of 2021. Global coverage with 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine is estimated at 80%. In addition, 111 Member States introduced nationwide 1 dose of hepatitis B vaccine to newborns within the first 24 hours of life. Global coverage is 42% and is as high as 78% in the WHO Western Pacific Region, while it is only estimated to be at 17% in the WHO African Region.

This is the theme for this year's World Hepatitis day. It is generally believed that ,'prevention is better than cure.' The transmission of the virus can be prevented through better awareness and services that improve vaccinations ,blood and injection safety,and reduce harm. This annual campaign aims not only to raise awareness among the general public and infected patients,but also to urgently promote improved access to hepatitis services ,particularly prevention interventions by policymakers.

WHO aims to achieve hepatitis elimination by 2030. To get there, WHO calls on countries to achieve specific targets:

Reduce new infections of hepatitis B and C by 90%;

Reduce hepatitis related deaths from liver cirrhosis and cancer by 65%;

Ensure that at least 90% of people with hepatitis B and C virus are diagnosed; and

At least 80% of those eligible receive appropriate treatment.

Hepatitis A can be prevented by adequate supplies of safe drinking water; proper disposal of sewage within the communities; personal hygiene such as regular hand washing with safe water and soap; getting immunized with Hepatitis A vaccine.

Hepatitis B can be prevented by quality-assured screening of all donated blood and blood components used for transfusion;safe injection practices; safe sex practices,including minimizing the number of partners and using barrier protective measures (condom). Moreover, Hepatitis B vaccine is the mainstay of prevention, no wonder it is part of our National Programme On Immunization. However, adults who were not immunized at childhood and who are among the high risk groups should meet their doctors to ascertain if they are eligible for the vaccination.

Hepatitis C and D infections have almost the same preventive measures as Hepatitis B except that Hepatitis C vaccine is currently unavailable globally though research is still ongoing.

Hepatitis E can be prevented by maintaining quality standards for public water suppliers;establishing proper disposal systems to eliminate sanitary wastes; maintaining hygienic practices such as hand washing with safe water, particularly before handling food; avoiding water/or ice of unknown purity; adhering to WHO safe food practices. Hepatitis E vaccine is still not available in the global market, though it has been produced and licensed in China.

DIAGNOSES AND TREATMENTS:

Consult the nearest medical doctor who is professionally trained to make the diagnosis from clinical history,physical examination and interpretation of laboratory investigation results . The doctor knows when to refer you to a specialist (Gastroenterologist) who is also professionally trained to use simple non-invasive tests to assess the stage of the disease,prioritise treatment for those at advanced stages of the disease,make use of safe and highly effective medications in the treatment and to further monitor the progress of the treatment or disease using simple tests. The managing medical doctor can as well advise you on the need to get vaccinated especially if you tested negative to the virus(s) in order to prevent occupational hazards for those whose occupations involve handling of human blood and other bodily fluids.

In view of the above, our government should map out comprehensive national guideline to tackle this silent killer called viral hepatitis especially in our rural communities since many women get to know their statuses during antenatal period where the hospitals make it compulsory that all pregnant women must be tested for HIV 1 & 2, Hepatitis B and C , VDRL( for syphilis) among other relevant tests. Hepatitis B can easily be transmitted from mother to the baby during pregnancy or at birth.

Dr Paul John,Port Harcourt, 08083658038, [email protected]
People, in their various aspects, from patrolling officers to judicial officers, should bear in mind that humans function best within good law enforcement efforts and an impartial judiciary, which stand as the keys to strengthening democracy and good governance.

In a democratic society, legal and law enforcement officers work toward preventing social disorder and protecting the public.

As a result of the current atmosphere of Nigerian-style dictatorship, a weak and indifferent approach to the rule of law thrives in a militarized democracy.

I am not a lawyer, but in my capacity as a clinical/forensic/legal psychologist, I believe a society that practices public democracy allows for no space for repeated abuse of police and judicial power, unethical conduct by officials, and personalization of official functions as it erodes public trust.

Every day, Nigerians wake up to find the country is slipping into a fake democracy or autocracy.

In addition to the open and in-your-face types of insecurity in Nigeria, some members of the police and the judiciary are fighting against civil rights and liberties.

Autocratic police and judges make all the decisions themselves. They do not consult with the law. That is why a judge can accuse a supposed wrongdoer of a contempt of court type offense, instantly prosecute the offender without his lawyer and due legal procedure, and then order sentencing and incarceration.

Such was the case of barrister Inibehe Effiong, who was instantly sent to one-month in prison by Chief Justice of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, without trial. Effiong who was defending a client before the judge accused her of the likelihood of bias in the ongoing libel suit which came up for trial.

The judge had determined that Effiong was showing unruly behaviours in court towards her, and then instantly and apparently conclude that "You are sentenced for being confrontational and contemptuous, now remove your wig. You are no longer in a position to address me. You are hereby sentenced to one-month imprisonment to purge yourself of contempt. Take him away." Obot during this case, reportedly ordered a police officer to search a reporter, Saviour Imukudo, who was covering the case, and confiscate his phone.

This is a mark of judicial impunity and autocracy, which reads well with military-style democracy and a dictatorial environment.

The same type of judicial impunity occurred when Justice Chizoba Orji of the Abuja High Court of the Federal Capital Territory ordered six judicial correspondents to be detained for hours over coverage of her court proceedings.

Orji reportedly ordered the court police officer to seize a phone belonging to a reporter attending her court and delete all the pictures and videos on it.

If not for the despotic type of political environment that currently exists in Nigeria, Orji would have thought twice about the reported harassment of six judiciary journalists at her court, temporarily detaining them within the courts facility, with their phones seized and photos and videos deleted by her police guard.

It did not matter to Orji when the victimized reporter responded to her question, "Why were you taking pictures and videos in my court? Who gave you the permission to do that? "My lord, I am an accredited judiciary reporter. It is a normal practice for us to take pictures and videos when the court is not sitting, even up to the Supreme Court. "

Judge Orji went on to say angrily, "You dont have such a right! If there is such permission, it must be in writing. Who gave you the permission? ""Show me the authorization?" I dont want to hear from any of you. Now, where is the device you used to take the pictures and videos? " This type of act is judicial despotism at play in Nigeria.

The police, known for their record of attacking journalists, recently raided Peoples Gazette newspaper and arrested John Adenekan, the papers assistant managing editor, and four other staff members. For a story which was published by the media linking the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai (retd.), to a case of suspected money laundering. Accusing the journalists of defamation, which in many democracies has long been decriminalized.

By way of the same form of harassment, Umaru Maradun, a correspondent of the Leadership Newspapers, was arrested in his hometown for an undisclosed reason in Zamfara state. Maradun, who has been temporarily released, said that there was no advanced and open explanation from the police for his early hours arrest.

Nigeria has become a place where the police, the court, or the judges now show they lack true independence in their approach to the rule of law as they appear to be subservient to despotic executive rulers under an authoritarian political space.

No matter how fragile the Nigerian constitution is, we need law enforcement and judicial officers to yield to the rule of law, believe in non-politization of the judiciary, and play a crucial role in ensuring that civil rights and civil liberties are safe for all.

The Nigerian police and judicial officers must learn that the rule of law helps to predict and govern human conduct as it helps limit the rule of men and women, as noted here. If erroneous police officers and inaccurate judges like Obot and orji continue to act repressively and disregard legal and societal principles based on the rule of law, they will reinforce weak policing and a pathetic judiciary, escalating conflicts across the country and fueling insecurity in a young and troubled democracy.

John Egbeazien Oshodi, who was born in Uromi, Edo State in Nigeria to a father who served in the Nigeria police for 37 years, is an American based Police/Prison Scientist and Forensic/Clinical/Legal Psychologist. A government consultant on matters of forensic-clinical adult and child psychological services in the USA; Chief Educator and Clinician at the Transatlantic Enrichment and Refresher Institute, an Online Lifelong Center for Personal, Professional, and Career Development. He is a former Interim Associate Dean/Assistant Professor at Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African Settings In 2011, he introduced State-of-the-Art Forensic Psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C and Nasarawa State University, where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. He is currently a Virtual Behavioral Leadership Professor at ISCOM University, Republic of Benin. Founder of the proposed Transatlantic Egbeazien Open University (TEU) of Values and Ethics, a digital project of Truth, Ethics, and Openness. Over forty academic publications and creations, at least 200 public opinion pieces on African issues, and various books have been written by him. He specializes in psycho-prescriptive writings regarding African institutional and governance issues.

Prof. Oshodi wrote in via [email protected]
Enugu, Nigeria, Thursday, 28th July 2022: Anti Democratic Forces Are Holding Nigeria Under Grip

The International College of Democracy and Human Rights Scholars, comprising over one hundred erudite academics, intl democracy and rights campaigners, religious leaders, lawyers and activists;has viewed the two-day solidarity protest by the Leaders of the Nigerian Labor Congress and its affiliates as a welcome development and beginning of final push by democratic forces to rescue Nigeria and Nigerians from shackles of Nigerias anti democratic forces. The Nigerian Government must be compelled by all democratic forces led by NLC and ASUU to end the protracted industrial action of the countrys academic teachers union by adhering strictly to outstanding Memorandum of Understandings and Memorandum of Agreements between the Nigerian Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) since 2009 and thereafter. The insensitivity towards the ASUUs protracted industrial action since 14th February 2022, a period of five months and fourteen days, by the present Government of Nigeria and its Sub-National Components is also a clear confirmation that anti democratic forces have taken over the Government of Nigeria and most, if not all its democratic institutions listed under Section 153 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

It saddens our heart that INEC has become one of such anti democratic institutions and is bent on thickening its plots to calamitously manipulate the Presidential segment of the 2023 General Elections. As it stands, the number of systemic poll rigging plots has independently been identified to have risen to 35. INEC has showcased the above by massively disenfranchising millions of Nigerian citizens of voting age on the grounds of their religion and ethnicity. These are statistically evidenced by shutdown since 30th of May 2022 of the Commissions online voters registration portal and its deliberate refusal to provide adequate registration machines and personnel across board throughout the countrys registration centers-without discrimination as to religion, ethnicity, gender and class. Part of the Commissions 35 poll rigging plots is its rush to end Voters Registration on 31st July 2022; 180 days to 2023 General Elections as against the 90 days statutorily stipulated by the amended Electoral Act of 2022. On the other hand, Nigerias democratic forces including NLC and ASUU are also called upon not take for granted the imminence of what happened in the failed Republic of Afghanistan several months ago (Jihadist Taliban Revolution and takeover of Government Seat of Power). This may most likely be in the anti democratic plots of the present Nigerian anti democratic forces and promoters of State Jihadism as a Plan B to truncate the countrys democratic process and its impending 2023 Ballot Revolution and centrally Islamize Nigeria.

ASUU Strike Has Forced University Students Into Immoralities And Crimes

The protracted strike action by ASUU, it must be recalled, was embarked upon following the non-implementation or failure by the Government to honor several Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs) reached between ASUU and Federal Government and its Sub-National Components since 2009 and thereafter. The protracted strike has also grounded and ruined the academic activities of the countrys tertiary institutions and exposed students to immoralities and crimes including prostitution, cyber crimes, parental disobedience, kidnapping, sexual violence (.i.e. open and captivity rape or sexual harassment), human trafficking, drug trafficking/addiction; armed robbery, cultism, political thuggery, touting and other forms of crimes against persons and properties. The protracted strike action has also brought about intellectual idleness and mental and material poverty and caused serious setbacks and decays in the countrys tertiary education.

A Nigerian University Professor Must Earn N1M Monthly Plus Improved Conditions Of Service/Study

It is therefore the insistence of the College that the monthly remuneration (basic salary and allowances) of a Professor of Nigerian University presently put at maximum of N416, 000, according to sources, must be unified across board and reviewed upward to N1m monthly or N12m per annum. This must exclude other packages statutorily necessary to boost the teaching conditions and morale of the university teaching academics. To subject Nigerian university teachers to pittances as pay package while the leaders of the country, their families and cronies lavish the countrys earned, borrowed and stolen public funds in rabid opulence, kickbacks and briberies is totally unacceptable. Such was glaringly the case at the recent Presidential Party primaries where a leading contender, through his agents, shockingly offered a bribe of N15m or $25,000 to each of his or her political party delegates. The N15m bribe is equivalent of three years of total pay for a Nigerian University Professor. This is more when Naira has been so devalued that it is presently traded at N670 per $US in black market, in addition to gallop increases in building materials, foodstuffs, transportation and personal items in Nigerian markets.

Signed

For: Intl College of Democracy and Human Rights Scholars (Inter-College-DRS), Enugu

Prof Jerry Chidozie Chukwuokolo (Activist Prof/Academic)

Email: [email protected]

High Chief Prof Justice Chidi (Activist Prof/Academic)

Email:[email protected]

Dr. Patrick Mbum (Activist Academic)

Email: [email protected]

Emeka Umeagbalasi (Criminologist/M.Sc.)

Email: [email protected]

Rev Dr Ahaz Taye (Respected Religious Leader)

Email: [email protected]

Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah

Email: [email protected]

Justus Ijeoma Esquire

Email: [email protected]

Engineer Ikenwoke Nwandu

Email: [email protected]

Chidimma Udegbunam Esquire

Email: [email protected]

Mobile Phone/WhatsApp Contact

+2348174090052 (Optional)


In a bid to solidify the relationship between government security agencies and Private Guards Companies (PGC), the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), yesterday, 27th July, 2022, paid a courtesy visit to the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, Agboola Adisa Sunday.

Commandant Agboola tasked them to be more proactive in the areas of intelligence gathering, prompt renewal of licenses, professionalism and appropriate trainings by the Corps as the government-nominated regulator and supervisor.

He lauded the Association on their exemplary effort in grassroots security and the efforts made by private security guards in providing intelligence reports to the Corps to nip in the bud cases that could affect the security of the nation. He, also, encouraged them not to relent at all as the Corps appreciates and expects more from them for more effective security service delivery to the country.

He assured the Association of unhitched support to flush out quacks within their ranks in order to sanitize and provide proper punitive measures against illegal practices and defaulters.

Additionally, he reassured the executives that he would always be ready to render assistance whenever the need arises, especially, as it would lead to making PGCs a more vibrant industry, which is made up of professionals.

Commandant Agboola concluded by urging the Association to insist on professionalism, payment of standard salary and staff welfare packages such as health insurance, pensions and so on to become the norms. "Training and retraining of the staff must be paramount as they should take advantage of the opportunity provided by the Corps," the State Commandant reiterated.

The Chairperson of the ALPSPN, Osun State Chapter, Chief (Mrs) Odebode Lawal Mobola, who led other executives to the NSCDC boss said, the visit was timely as it served as sensitization and familiarization of the ALPSPN executives with the Commandant to harmonize and collaborate in the fight against quacks in the State.

She emphasized the need to have a cordial working relationship with the Command, other stakeholders in the fight against quackery and other unprofessional practices of some Private Guards Companies in the State. She also pledged the commitment of members of the association to abide by the rules and regulations set by the Private Guards Company Act and the Corps for effective service delivery.

E-SIGNED.

ASC II ATANDA OLABISI, FHNR, FWIP

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

NSCDC, OSUN STATE COMMAND.


The Federal Government has promised to sanction the BBC and Trust TV for airing documentaries which featured bandits leaders as commentators.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, made the promise while speaking to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr. Mohammed said the Federal Government who is aware of the unprofessional documentary by the BBC, Africa Eye, where interviews were granted to bandit warlords and terror gangs, condemned the BBC for not using the same standards and tenets which they would have adopted in the UK.

The minister also condemned Trust TV, owned by Media Trust Ltd. for making its platform to grant interviews to a bandit kingpin, Shehu Rekeb, thereby promoting the activities of terrorists.

Mohammed said both media outlets by their actions have become accomplices to terrorists and bandits in the name of reporting.

The minister said the appropriate regulatory body was already looking at the infractions and appropriate sanctions would be meted to both platforms.

There is a regulatory body regulating broadcasting which is the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and they are also aware of these two incidents.

They are looking at which part of the Broadcasting Code has been violated by the BBC and Trust TV.

Media is the oxygen that terrorists and bandits use to breathe. When otherwise reputable platforms like BBC can give their platform to terrorists showing their faces as if they are Nollywood stars, it is unfortunate.

I want to assure them that they will not get away with it, appropriate sanctions will be meted to both the BBC and the Trust TV, Mr Lai Mohammed said.

The minister said that the fact that the BBC is a foreign medium and not under NBC regulations, notwithstanding, sanctions will be meted out to the medium.

Let me assure you that they will not get away with the naked glorification of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria. If they are not registered in Nigeria, and they are only sending their signals to Nigeria, we will ask them to stop sending the signals.

I know that during the IRA days, the BBC will not dare do what they are doing now in Nigeria. It is because there is a country called Nigeria that they are operating here, he said.
The Indigenous People of Biafra has called on the Federal Government to immediately release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from the facility of the Department of State Services, Abuja.

The group made the demand over the threats by terrorists to take over Abuja and the entire Nigeria. IPOBs Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, made this demand on Thursday in a statement.

He reminded the Federal Government and the security agencies that the United Nations had mandated the unconditional release of Kanu.

Powerful further stated that the appropriate compensation should be paid to him without delay because he committed no crime against Nigeria and her sovereignty.

He said that the closure of public schools in Abuja showed that the Federal Government had lost control of security and can no longer guarantee the safety of Kanu in detention.

The statement read partly: The attention of the global movement and family of IPOB has been drawn to the sudden closure of all the government public schools operating in Abuja because of the threats from terrorists groomed by Fulani people to take over Abuja and entire Nigeria.

IPOB, therefore, demands the immediate release of the leader of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from DSS dungeon in Abuja by the Federal Government and her compromised DSS.

We are reminding Nigeria and her security agencies that the world through UN rights group has mandated for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi KANU and the appropriate compensation paid to him without delay because he committed no crime against Nigeria and her sovereignty.

The group pointed out that Abuja is no longer safe for Kanu because of the Fulani terrorists planned attack on the people.

IPOB is neither bothered nor interested in the plan of the terrorists to overrun the Nigeria government which we have rejected, our concern is the safety of our leader.

We, therefore, demand that the Nigerian government must release the leader of IPOB now because he committed no crime as enunciated by the UN Right group.

As Nigeria is closing schools, businesses, and other activities because of terrorists threat to attack Abuja, it clearly shows that Abuja is no longer safe for people to live.

Hence our unequivocal demand for the unconditional release of Kanu before anything happens to him. We demand prompt and complete implementation of the UN directives on this matter.

Binta Nyako and her jurists should know that Kanus life is in danger while being detained in DSS custody Abuja. Again, she should know that these terrorists attacked Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, War Training College Jaji in Kaduna, Kuje Prisons Abuja and other security facilities in Abuja, therefore DSS facility is not immune to attack by these state-sponsored terrorists.

We pity those Igbo leaders and politicians who commit crimes in Igboland and ran to Abuja thinking that nothing will happen. The narratives have changed and they will run to Lagos but Lagos will not be safe for them, then they will come back home soon and answer questions unless they run abroad.

One day all the evil and killer politicians from Biafra land will be held to account, and only the good ones will walk as free men and women. This is an opportunity to make peace with your people because the danger is approaching to Nigeria soon, the country has collapsed.
Fuel tariff hike to set record high

BANGKOK: An increase in the fuel tariff (FT) has been decided and is expected to raise the electricity bill to a record high of B4.72 per kilowatt-hour between September and December, said a source at the Energy Regulatory Commission yesterday (July 27).

Myanmarnatural-resourcesUkraineRussian

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 28 July 2022, 09:45AM

Workers install solar panels on the roof of the Thammasat University Hospital in 2018 to cut its power bills. Photo: Pattanapong Hirunard

The FT rate will rise during this period to 93.43 satang per kWh, up 68.66 satang per kilowatt-hour. This will take the overall power bill to its new record high, up from B4 at present, reports the Bangkok Post.

The source said the FT hike does not require a public hearing as it is the lowest of three proposed rates explored.

The three options have already gone through an earlier public hearing round which was concluded on Monday.

With the increase, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) would continue to subsidise the electricity fee to help people. The Egats debt resulting from the subsidy was expected to rise to B109.67 billion by the end of next month, the source said.

The hike in the power tariff, which is made up of an FT and a base tariff, results mainly from a need to import more liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is costly but currently serves as a key fuel for electricity generation.

The base tariff refers to the cost of power plants and distribution systems, while the FT is mainly determined by fuel costs, which are increasing as the Russia-Ukraine war continues.

The FT is usually adjusted every four months. The latest adjustment was made for the May-August period, with the Ft rising by B0.47 per unit, resulting in a power tariff of B4 per unit.

The Egat agreed earlier to spend B80bn, or B0.24 per unit, to subsidise the FT rate between May and August.

Before the war, the LNG price in the spot market stood at US$10 per metric million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD).

The price later increased to $20-30 per MMSCFD, compared with a domestic gas price of less than $10 per MMSCFD in the Gulf of Thailand.

Gas makes up 60% of the fuel used to generate electricity in Thailand.

A decline in gas supplies from domestic sources in the Gulf of Thailand led authorities to import more LNG.

The proportion of LNG in the countrys total gas supply has risen to 40%, up from 20%, while gas from domestic sources fell from 64% to 40%.

The remaining gas is imported from Myanmar.
National Human Rights Commission mediates complaints over Kamala mosque speaker noise

PHUKET: Assistant Professor Suchart Setthamalini of the National Human Rights Commission was in Phuket yesterday (July 27) as mediator with the hope of amicably resolving complaints over the volume of the speaker noise emanating from Kamala Mosque.

culturereligion

By The Phuket News

Thursday 28 July 2022, 12:56PM

The complaints have centred on the noise from the mosques loudspeakers disturbing residents in the area, said a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).

Kamala Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor), led by Jutha Dumlak, has yet to post a report about the meeting.

At the meeting room of the Kamala OrBorTor offices yesterday, Asst Prof Suchart heard first-hand complaints from residents, explaining that the volume of the loudspeakers of the Nurul Aiasan Mosque (Ban Naka) was too loud.

Present to hear the complaints were Kamala OrBorTor officials, the Tambon Kamnan (subdistrict chief), the village headman of Moo 6 Kamala, representatives from the mosque.

Asst Prof Suchart explained to all present that the goal was to find a solution to the problem together.

Such complaints can be negotiated and an agreement can be reached. This is an open space for meetings to discuss and express opinions of each party, which previously may have misunderstandings, he said.

The National Human Rights Commission has come here to connect the two parties to have the same understanding, to find a settlement that both parties can agree on and can live together peacefully, he added.

However, the report did not clarify whether an amicable solution was agreed on yesterday.
Phuket marks HM The Kings birthday

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew this morning led the official ceremonies to commemorate the 70th birthday of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun today (July 28).

culture

By The Phuket News

Thursday 28 July 2022, 12:04PM

The ceremonies at Phuket Provincial Hall began at 7am with merit-making by offering alms to 79 monks.

At 7:45am, Governor Narong presided over the oath of allegiance ceremony. The participants of the ceremony pledged their oaths of allegiance in unison, then sang the royal anthem and hymns to the King.

The official events will continue at Phuket Provincial Hall at 5pm today when a performance of traditional Thai dance will be held in honor of His Majesty The King at the Auditorium building.

The Bureau of the Royal Household invites people to send birthday messages online through https://wellwishes.royaloffice.th/

People attending the formal events are asked to dress appropriately.

With His Majesty The Kings birthday observed today, the Cabinet last year approved tomorrow (July 29) to be an extra public holiday in order to create a four-day weekend in the hope of encouraging more domestic tourism.
Royal Thai Police baffled by pot memo

BANGKOK: The Ministry of Public Health recalled an urgent letter shortly after it was sent to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) asking them to take legal action against those who failed to seek permits related to the use of cannabis.

Cannabiscrimepolice

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 28 July 2022, 09:57AM

Cannabis plants are grown at a community enterprise in Phuket Town. Photo: PR Phuket

The recall was apparently prompted by the RTPs reaction.

In the letter to the national police chief, deputy permanent secretary for Public Health Narong Saiwong said cannabis has been listed as a controlled herb under the Traditional Medicine Wisdom Protection and Promotion Act.

The plant was put on the list of controlled herbs in mid-June after it was removed from the countrys narcotics list on June 9 to control its use. However, a more detailed law on cannabis and hemp is still pending.

As a result, its usage is being regulated under Section 46 of the act, and police and officials are authorised to take legal action against four groups who fail to seek permits. They comprise those who carry out research studies on cannabis, export cannabis, distribute the plant or process it for commercial purposes.

However, RTP spokesman Pol Maj Gen Yingyot Thepjamnong said there are certain issues the RTP has to clarify with the Ministry of Public Health in regard to the letter.

He said the national police chief found contradictions that must be addressed.

To prevent public confusion and ensure effective enforcement, the national police chief has asked the RTPs Law and Litigation Office to straighten some issues out with the ministry, Maj Gen Yingyot said.

Yongyot Thammawut, director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, said a sub-committee agreed the list of controlled herbs should be revised to cover only cannabis flowers.

He said if the whole plant is listed as a controlled herb, cannabis growers and those who use other parts such as leaves, roots or stems will be affected. After the list is revised, it will be submitted to the minister for endorsement.

For the time being, authorities will resort to warnings rather than making arrests unless the plant is sold for smoking.

The ministry has made clear its stance on the recreational use of cannabis. Medicinal cannabis will proceed and misuse must be prevented, he said.

According to the ministry, permits must be sought in line with its 2016 directive on the research, import, distribution or possession of controlled herbs for commercial purposes.

Mr Yongyot and chiefs of provincial health offices are in charge of processing permits.

Before the letter was recalled, Senator Kamnoon Sidhisamarn welcomed the Ministry of Public Healths action, saying it should have sent the letter to the RTP earlier.

He wrote on Facebook that most activities related to the use of cannabis are illegal unless they are permitted under Section 46 of the act.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reiterated on Wednesday that the draft law being examined by the House does not permit recreational use of the plant.

He said the letter involves the use of cannabis flowers and insisted that drying cannabis flowers for smoking is illegal, not to mention that it is against the excise regulations on cigarettes.

Selling cannabis flowers requires a permit and it is impossible for us to grant permits for smoking. Dont make people devalue cannabis.

What would happen to those using cannabis for treatment, or those investing in a business, if the delisting was cancelled?

Mr Anutin said Tom Kruesopon, who founded the Golden Triangle Group, a leading developer and manufacturer of hemp and cannabis in Thailand, will face the music if he has violated any laws.

He was responding to criticism that he has ties to the businessman.
Tourist Police stroll Bangla over cannabis trade

PHUKET: Phuket Tourist Police led an excursion along Bangla Rd, Patong, last night (July 27) to explain to shop and venue operators that they must have a license in order to sell marijuana products.

patongCannabispolice

By The Phuket News

Thursday 28 July 2022, 01:24PM

Col Pichetphong Jengkhaikom, Deputy Superintendent of Tourist Police Region 3 led the foray along Phukets premier party street, joined by Kathu District Chief Siwat Rawarangkul and Patong Police Chief Col Sujin Nilabadee.

Also present were health officers from Patong Municipality, administrative officers from Kathu District Office and local police.

Col Pichetphong explained that any persons found breaking the law will be charged.

The Ministry of Public Health issued an announcement on June 16 confirming that cannabis is a controlled herb that any person can now study, research, export, sell or process.

However, they must apply for permission from the provincial public health office first, otherwise it will be an offense under Section 78 of the Act on Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine, B.E., he added.

Breach of Section 78 incurs a fine of up to B20,000 or up to one year imprisonment, or both, he noted.

His office had received a letter on Tuesday (July 26) instructing police chiefs to prosecute those found breaking the law by not having the required permits, Col Pichetphong explained.

The Ministry of Public Health has since recalled its urgent letter sent to the Royal Thai Police asking them to take legal action against those who failed to seek permits related to the use of cannabis.

However, Royal Thai Police (RTP) spokesman Pol Maj Gen Yingyot Thepjamnong said there are certain issues the RTP has to clarify with the Ministry of Public Health in regard to the letter.

He said the national police chief found contradictions that must be addressed.

To prevent public confusion and ensure effective enforcement, the national police chief has asked the RTPs Law and Litigation Office to straighten some issues out with the ministry, Maj Gen Yingyot said.

Meanwhile, police on Bangla Rd last night reported no legal action against any operators found with cannabis products.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 26C. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few showers in the evening, becoming a steady light rain overnight. Low 17C. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Andrea Gabor, a former editor at Business Week and U.S. News & World Report, is the Bloomberg chair of business journalism at Baruch College of the City University of New York and the author of After the Education Wars: How Smart Schools Upend the Business of Reform.
EDWARDSVILLE  A Bethalto man was charged with two felonies by Madison County officials on Wednesday.

Steven M. Tite, 28, of Bethalto, was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony, and aggravated use of weapons, a Class 4 felony.

The case was presented by the Bethalto Police Department.

According to court documents, on July 11, Tite allegedly carried a 22-caliber handgun at a time when he was not on his own land or place of business. The handgun was uncased, loaded and immediately accessible, and Tite wasnt issued a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card.

On July 26, Tite allegedly possessed at least one gram of cocaine with the intent to deliver.

Bail was set at $100,000.

Other felonies filed on July 27 include:

 Isaac D. Bailey, 30, of Chicago, was charged with possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Illinois State Police. According to court documents, on July 26, Bailey allegedly possessed a 9mm handgun, having been previously convicted of robbery in May of 2016. Bail was set at $75,000.

 Laura L. Sykes, 52, of Wood River, was charged with retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriff. On July 26, Sykes allegedly took stationary items, food items, a duffel bag, Cricut weed, art supplies, and a bungee cord from the Godfrey Walmart. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Marquan D. Davis, 20, of Collinsville, was charged with two counts of criminal damage to property over $500, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department. On July 27, Davis allegedly damaged four glass windows and a glass door at Jims Pawn Shop. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Dustin C. Diser, 28, of Fairview Heights, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department. On July 26, Diser allegedly possessed less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

Joshua J. Butkovich, 41, of Alton, was charged with forgery, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. According to court documents, on July 21, Butkovich allegedly delivered an altered check of $1,900 to Schwegels Market. Bail was set at $15,000.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Cars crashed into tires and other garbage piled on a highway in the northern Netherlands in the early hours of Thursday, police said, as protests by radical farmers against government plans to rein in nitrogen emissions continued.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte branded the protests unacceptable.

Police in the northern province of Friesland said nobody was injured when several cars were involved in an accident caused by dumped garbage, but warned motorists to be alert to extremely dangerous situations caused by the farmers' protest actions.

A handful of new protests took place overnight, including farmers burning hay bales near a major highway, despite police and security authorities appealing to farmers Wednesday to halt the dumping.

Protesting is a fundamental right and as long as it stays within the limits of the law, a lot is possible, the emergency services said in a joint statement. But they said the latest actions seriously endanger road safety and can lead to life-threatening situations for road users.

In a sign of the increasingly radicalized farmer protests, cleanup operations have been hampered by intimidation of contractors hired to clear roads and by the presence of asbestos in some of the piles of debris dumped on roads.

Wilfully endangering others, damaging our infrastructure and threatening people who help clean up is beyond all limits, Rutte said in a tweet.

These life-threatening actions must stop. There are plenty of other ways to express your dissatisfaction within the law. Most farmers do that, he added.

The farmers are angry at government targets for reining in emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia that they say threaten to decimate the farming industry and their way of life.

The ruling coalition wants to cut emissions of pollutants by 50% nationwide by 2030 to improve soil, air and water quality in an EU nation known for its intensive farming practices. It has called on provincial authorities to draw up plans to reduce emissions and earmarked an extra 24.3 billion euros ($24.6 billion) to fund the changes.
EDWARDSVILLE  An Edwardsville man faces felony vehicle theft and fleeing charges, among a number of felony charges filed Tuesday by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

Christopher A. Bell, 32, of Edwardsville, was charged July 26 with aggravated offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 1 felony; aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, a Class 4 felony; and driving while license revoked, a Class A misdemeanor.

The case was presented by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force.

According to court documents, on July 19 Bell allegedly had a reported stolen 2017 Harley Davidson on Interstate 255 at Collinsville Road and fled an Illinois State Police trooper while driving with a revoked license.

It was noted the motorcycles registration was altered at the time of the incident.

Bail was set at $100,000.

Other felony charges filed July 26 include:

 Zachary R. Pinkerton, 32, of Swansea, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Edwardsville Police Department. On May 22 Pinkerton allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Mikhail A. Yurcisin, 34, of Hartford, was charged with threatening a public official, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Hartford Police Department. On July 25 Yurcisin allegedly threatened a Hartford police officer and his family. Bail was set at $53,000.

 Kelly L. Porterfield, 50, of Pontoon Beach, was charged with retail theft under $300 (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department. On July 10 Porterfield allegedly took grocery and household items valued at less than $300 from the Glen Carbon Walmart. She has a 2020 conviction for stealing out of Cape Girardeau County. Bail was set at $20,000.

 James M. Long, 32, of Collinsville, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On July 23 Long allegedly was driving a 2004 Dodge Ram when he attempted to flee from a Madison County sheriffs deputy, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles above the posted speed limit. Bail was set at $40,000.

 David R. Hayes Sr., 33, of Caseyville, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On July 15 Hayes allegedly was driving a 2007 Dodge Charger when he attempted to flee from a Granite City police officer, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles above the posted speed limit. Bail was set at $25,000.
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PRAGUE (AP)  Hundreds of firefighters were battling wildfires in eastern Germany and neighboring Czechia on Tuesday as tourist regions and residential areas were being evacuated.

A large wildfire was spreading quickly in the eastern German state of Brandenburg in a region with lots of bone-dry pine forests where firefighters have to be especially careful because of old World War II ammunition thats still buried there, German news agency dpa reported.

The large fire in the Elbe-Elster district has already destroyed an area of about 850 hectares and continued to spread quickly because of gusty winds blowing from changing directions.

Seven firefighters were injured, four of whom had to be treated in a hospital for smoke inhalation. No residents were injured, but a pig breeding farm burned down and several animals died.

The states explosive ordnance disposal service has designated a small area near the village of Rehfeld as a site where old ammunition could be buried, deputy forest fire protection officer Philipp Haase told dpa. Two German military firefighting helicopters were on site trying to extinguish the flames from the air because firefighters were not allowed to access the area for fear that the ammunition could explode.

Authorities said it was not clear when the fire could be brought under control. More than 350 firefighters were battling the flames and around 300 people from various villages had to be evacuated.

The situation is still serious. We still have pockets of fire, local district fire chief Steffen Ludewig told dpa.

Further southeast, firefighters from several countries have joined forces to battle a fire in a national park in northern Czech Republic that has spread to the state of Saxony in neighboring Germany.

The fire in the Bohemian Switzerland park broke out on Sunday and was mostly contained before windy weather caused it to spread again on Monday afternoon and overnight. Despite their efforts, firefighters said the fire had spread from 30 hectares earlier Tuesday to 1,000 hectares.

No injuries have been reported, but around 100 people had to be evacuated Tuesday evening from the Czech town of Vysoka Lipa.

Earlier, some 80 people have been evacuated from the border town of Hrensko, and more from the village of Mezna, where the flames have destroyed or damaged several homes, firefighters' spokesman Lukas Marvan said.

Dozens of German children were evacuated from a summer camp on the Czech side of the border and transported back to Germany.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Interior Minister Vit Rakusan were visiting the area on Tuesday.

Rakusan said some 400 firefighters have been in action and the blaze was not under control by midday Tuesday.

"The situation is very serious, Rakusan said adding that several neighboring countries had responded to the Czech Republic's call for help to extinguish the fire.

Poland and Slovakia said they were sending helicopters while Italy offered special Canadair planes designed for firefighting.

The German military announced it would send four helicopters to the border region to help fight the flames, dpa reported.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said the smoke has spread 100 or more kilometers (60 miles or more) from the fire.

___

Kirsten Grieshaber reported from Berlin.

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Follow APs climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
EDWARDSVILLE  A man who killed two Alton teens 25 years ago has avoided a life sentence and could be released in less than five years after the Fifth District Appellate court sent his case back to the circuit court two times.

In 1997, Terril Williams, 41, of East St. Louis, shot and killed two men in the Belle Manor apartment complex. The district court remanded the case for a third hearing because of questions about Williams' age, 15, at the time of the murders.

This week Associate Judge Neil Schroeder sentenced Williams to two concurrent terms of 60 years in prison, but Willians could get a day off for each good day he serves. He also will get credit for time served since Feb. 2, 1997.

According to court documents, Williams and several associates traveled to Alton after a heated argument over the phone. Upon reaching Belle Manor, Williams shot James Patterson, 17, of Alton, while Pattersons hands were in the air. He also shot Darryl Womack, 15, in the back of the head as Womack was running away.

Williams was initially sentenced to mandatory life under Illinois law because he had killed two people. In 2012 the U.S. Supreme Court modified the mandatory life statute, finding the courts must acknowledge the differences between juveniles and adults.

In its most recent ruling, the Fifth District justices stated the trial court failed to consider that Williams, as a juvenile, had a different makeup than an adult would have, according to the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.

That decision ruled a juvenile had traits, like failure to appreciate risks and consequences and possible a poor background and family situation. However, the high court also ruled that a life sentence was allowable if the defendant was found to be irreparably corrupt.

The case was remanded to the trial court in Madison County, where the judge heard about the defendants background.

According to a pre-sentencing report, the defendant was primarily raised by his maternal grandmother," stated a court document in the case. "His father lived in another state and had not been involved in his life for several years prior to his arrest, and his mother had an issue with alcohol use over the years."

Williams testified he had a learning disability and had been in special education classes since the second grade. He was a high school sophomore when he was arrested in February 1997. Two of his brothers had died, one about a month before the Belle Manor murders.

While in custody Williams was disciplined 14 times between 2000 and 2012.

During his second sentencing hearing, he continued to maintain his innocence. Prosecutors argued that shooting someone who had his hands in the air or running away amounted to irreparable corruption.

He killed two unarmed, defenseless children and threatened two others," former Madison County Assistant States Attorney Jennifer Mudge argued in the second sentencing hearing in 2018. "If that isnt irreparable corruption, I dont know what is.

In its most recent ruling, the justices ruled the trial court failed to take into account the entirety of the rule defining irreparably corrupt, specifically immaturity, impetuosity or susceptibility to familial and peer pressure.

The Fifth District justices also stated the appellate court considers the crimes were senseless and did not intend for the sentence to be light.
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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  The scorching heat spell in the Pacific Northwest is now expected to last longer than forecasters had initially predicted, setting parts of the normally temperate region on course to break heat wave duration records.

We warmed up the forecast for the latter part of this week, said David Bishop, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Portland, Oregon. His office is now forecasting up to 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 Celsius) for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Portland already hit 102 F (38.9 C) on Tuesday, a new record daily high, prompting the National Weather Service to extend the excessive heat warning for the city from Thursday through Saturday evening.

Seattle on Tuesday also reported a new record daily high of 94 F (34.4 C).

The duration of the heat wave puts Oregons biggest city on course to tie its longest streak of six consecutive days of 95 F (35 C) or higher.

Climate change is fueling longer heat waves in the Pacific Northwest, a region where weeklong heat spells were historically rare, according to climate experts.

Heat-related 911 calls in Portland have tripled in recent days, from an estimated eight calls on Sunday to 28 calls on Tuesday, said Dan Douthit, a spokesperson for the citys Bureau of Emergency Management. Most calls involved a medical response, Douthit added.

Multnomah County, which includes Portland, said there has been an uptick in the number of people visiting emergency departments for heat-related symptoms.

Emergency department visits have remained elevated since Sunday, the county said in a statement. In the past three days, hospitals have treated 13 people for heat illness, when they would normally expect to see two or three.

People working or exercising outside, along with older people, were among those taken to emergency departments, the statement added.

On Wednesday, the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office said at least two people have died from suspected hyperthermia during the heat wave. One death occurred in Portland on Monday, the Multnomah County Medical Examiners Office said.

The state medical examiners office said the heat-related death designation is preliminary and could change after further investigation. The official cause of death may not be confirmed until several months later.

People in Portlands iconic food cart industry are among those who work outside. Many food trucks have shut down as sidewalks sizzle.

Rico Loverde, the chef and owner of the food cart Monster Smash Burgers, said the temperature inside his cart is generally 20 degrees hotter than the outdoor temperature, making it 120 F (48.9 C) inside his business this week.

Loverde said he closes down if it reaches above 95 F (35 C) because his refrigerators overheat and shut down. Last week, even with slightly cooler temperatures in the mid-90s, Loverde got heat stroke from working in his cart for hours, he said.

It hurts, it definitely hurts. I still pay my employees when were closed like this because they have to pay the bills too, but for a small business its not good, he said Tuesday.

Multnomah County said its four emergency overnight cooling shelters were at half capacity on Tuesday with 130 people spending the night. But anticipating more demand, officials have decided to expand capacity at the four sites to accommodate nearly 300 people. The overnight shelters will remain open at least through Friday morning.

William Nonluecha, who lives in a tent in Portland, sought out shade with some friends as the temperature soared on Wednesday afternoon. Nonluecha was less than a minutes walk from a cooling shelter set up by local authorities but wasnt aware it was open. He said the heat in his tent was almost unbearable.

His friend Mel Taylor, who was homeless last year but now has transitional housing, said during last summers record-breaking heat wave a man in a tent near his died from heat exhaustion and no one realized it. Hes afraid the same thing might happen this summer.

He was in his tent for like a week and the smell, thats how they figured out that he was dead, Taylor said. Its sad.

Residents and officials in the Northwest have been trying to adjust to the likely reality of longer, hotter heat waves following last summers deadly heat dome weather phenomenon that prompted record temperatures and deaths.

About 800 people died in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia during a 2021 heat wave that hit in late June and early July. The temperature at the time soared to an all-time high of 116 F (46.7 C) in Portland and smashed heat records in cities and towns across the region. Many of those who died were older and lived alone.

Other regions of the U.S. often experience temperatures of 100 degrees. But in regions like the Pacific Northwest, people are not as acclimated to the heat and are more susceptible to it, said Craig Crandall, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Theres a much greater risk for individuals in areas such as the Northwest to have higher instances of heat-related injuries and death, Crandall said.

Crandall said people who are continually exposed to heat have certain bodily adaptations allowing them to cool off more efficiently. A main acclimation response is an increase in the amount of sweat released from sweat glands.

The combination of lack of air conditioning and not being exposed to the heat and not having those adaptations can put people in the Northwest more at risk during heat waves compared to warmer parts of the country, he said.

Portland officials have opened cooling centers in public buildings and installed misting stations in parks. TriMet, which operates public transportation in the Portland metro area, is offering free rides to cooling centers for passengers who cannot afford to pay.

Officials in Seattle and Portland on Tuesday issued air quality advisories expected to last through Saturday.

Further south, the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory on Wednesday for western Nevada and northeast California that is set to last from the late Thursday morning until Saturday night. Across the region, near record daytime high temperatures will range from 99 to 104 degrees F (37.22 to 40 C).

___

AP reporter Gillian Flaccus and AP photographer Craig Mitchelldyer contributed from Portland, Oregon, and AP reporter Gabe Stern contributed from Carson City, Nevada.

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Claire Rush is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow her on Twitter.
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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Gazas Hamas rulers have imposed a slew of new taxes on imported clothes and office supplies just ahead of the new school year, sparking limited but rare protests in the impoverished coastal strip.

The move by the militant group comes at a time when Gazas 2.3 million people are suffering not only from a 15-year Israeli-Egyptian blockade, but also from a new jump in prices caused by global supply-chain issues and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This is a wrong, oppressive decision that destroys the national economy, said Nahed al-Sawada, who imports clothes from China and Turkey.

A list by the Ministry of Economy includes planned taxes on items like packaged nuts, with an import tariff of 2,000 shekels (nearly $600) per ton. In the past, nuts were imported tax free. The tariff on a ton of toilet paper rose from $90 to $580. The taxes are set to go into effect on Aug. 1.

The list also includes a tax of about $3 on pair of jeans, and $230 on a ton of plastic folders used to store papers. Demand for these items increases ahead of the school year.

Emad Abdelhadi, a representative for Gazas union of clothes merchants, said a new pair of jeans sells for $3 to $10, and the new tax will pose an unfair burden on struggling consumers.

In a territory suffering from rampant poverty and unemployment approaching 50%, he said many Gazans already look for used clothes. The new taxes, he said, will deprive them of the ability to buy.

Gazas economy has been hit hard by the Israeli-Egyptian blockade, imposed when Hamas seized power in 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from arming, but critics say the restrictions, which include tight limits on exports, amount to collective punishment.

Hamas' government is not internationally recognized and Israel and its Western allies consider the group, which opposes Israel's existence and has in the past staged deadly suicide bombings against Israelis, a terrorist organization.

Israel and Hamas have fought four wars since the Hamas takeover, further straining the territorys rundown infrastructure. Electricity is in short supply, tap water undrinkable and the health care system is in shambles.

With tens of thousands of civil servants to support, as well as its heavy spending on its military wing, it is no surprise that Hamas is seeking new sources of revenue. Still, the timing is questionable, coming at a time when the Russian invasion of Ukraine has driven up consumer prices worldwide.

Hamas authorities say the new taxes are meant to protect the local industries. But experts and business people challenge this argument, since badly needed raw materials are now being taxed.

Mohammed Abu Jayyab, an economist, said the taxes have failed to protect local manufacturers because the government still taxes raw materials and production lines.

A spokesman for the Economy Ministry did not return requests for comment.

Hamas doesnt release figures on its funding resources or budgets, but the latest steps are part of a series of taxes targeting a wide array of sectors, from street vendors selling hot drinks to restaurants, home building and cars.

The government offers few services in exchange, and most aid and relief projects are covered by the international community. The funds help Hamas operate a government and powerful armed wing.

Protests against Hamas are rare and often met by force. But earlier this month, about two dozen members of the clothes merchants union expressed their frustration in public. They stood inside the building housing their union in Gaza City and held new pairs of jeans, with the price tags still on them, in the air for about half an hour.

Two days later, the merchants gathered outside the offices of Hamas lawmakers. Police prevented the media from filming and ordered the protest to stop after allowing representatives of the union inside to talk to the lawmakers. The protest ended peacefully.

The lawmakers acknowledged the taxes were high, and said they will look into it, said Abdelhadi, the union representative.

But he said he did not expect a positive outcome. By these decisions, they have issued a death sentence against the industry.
MADRID (AP)  Spains Socialist-led coalition government wants large energy companies and banks to pay a windfall tax, which officials hope will yield around 7 billion euros (dollars) over two years.

The government delivered its proposal to parliament Thursday. A debate and vote by lawmakers were scheduled for after their summer recess.
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Cloudy. Periods of rain early. High 73F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 61F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, of West Springfield, Mass., right, is seated with defense attorneys Jay Duguay, left, and Steve Mirkin, center, as an image from the scene of a 2019 crash is projected on a screen, behind, during Zhukovskyy's trial at Coos County Superior Court, in Lancaster, N.H., Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Zhukovskyy has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of negligent homicide, manslaughter, reckless conduct and driving under the influence in the June 21, 2019, crash.
The number of cars built in the UK in the first half of the year has fallen by a fifth as manufacturers continued to struggle to get their hands on parts required for latest models.

The 403,131 new vehicles produced in factories between the start of January and end of June is not only 95,792 fewer than the same period of 2021 but also lower than the half-year output for a lockdown-ravaged 2020 and worse than the opening six months of 2009 during the global financial crash, official records confirm.

While part supplies are showing signs of stabilising, industry experts say the sector's recovery will be derailed by rising energy costs and consumers being gripped by the cost-of-living crunch.

Car outputs slide: Just 403,131 new vehicles came off UK production lines in the first half of the year. That's fewer than in 2009 during the global financial crash

Figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders this morning show that car manufacturing in the first six months of the year is 19.2 per cent down on 2021.

The main cause remains shortages of key components, most notably semiconductors, with supplies severely limited since the pandemic hit over two years ago.

Access to parts was further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, blocking one of the major supply lines for wiring harnesses in particular.

The closure of Honda's Swindon plant last year also meant there would be an inevitable decline in outputs following the loss of one of the country's biggest car production plants.

Despite this challenging backdrop, June recorded a 5.6 per cent uptick, with 72,946 vehicles built, mostly as a result of parts supply chains beginning to increase.

Although this was the best June performance since the start of the pandemic it was still a third down on pre-pandemic 2019 output levels.

Looking further back, June 2016 saw 158,641 cars come off UK assembly lines - more than twice as many as last month.

A growth in electric vehicle production had a major part to play in keeping the sector ticking over, especially last month with outputs increasing by a record 44.2 per cent.

It means 32,282 battery-electric models came off UK production lines in the first half of the year, which is an increase of 6.5 per cent year-on-year - though EV production represents just 8 per cent of all new cars built in British factories so far in 2022.

While car manufacturing outputs in June were marginally higher than the same month in 2021, production is significantly behind the record levels seen between 2016 and 2018

But experts this morning have warned that the sector's recovery could be derailed by a number of new issues in the second hand of the year, with energy price hikes looming - making vehicle production increasingly expensive - and consumer spending likely to decline during the cost-of-living crisis.

With this in mind, the SMMT has further downgraded its annual production output - not for the first time this year, having already lowered its prediction in March.

It now estimates that 866,000 cars will be made in total this year, which represents a growth of 1 per cent on 2021 volumes.

Output is targeted to improve in 2023 to 956,575 units, before surpassing one million vehicles by 2025 as supply chain issues recede further.

Commenting on the half-year report, Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said car makers have 'suffered from a long Covid' for much of 2022.

'As these issues recede over the next year or two, investment in new technologies and processes will be essential but this will depend on our underlying competitiveness,' he said before highlighting the new set of headaches facing the sector in the coming months.

He adds: 'Sky-high energy costs, non-competitive business rates and skills shortages must all be addressed if we are to build on our inherent strengths and seize the opportunities presented by the dash for decarbonised mobility.'

Experts says a shortage of components, namely semiconductor computer chips, is showing signs of easing, but manufacturers face a set of new headaches with energy bills soaring and consumers gripped by the cost-of-living crunch

Chris Knight, UK automotive partner at KPMG, shared Mr Hawes' concerns for the months ahead - and warned it would likely result in higher vehicle prices for customers.

He told us: 'The cost of car manufacturing has increased due to price rises of raw materials, components, transport and energy.

'Manufacturers have limited ability to absorb additional cost and will pass this onto consumers in the form of higher prices.

'Consumers are willing to pay a premium for now, as demand for new cars still far outpaces supply, however this willingness may decline if consumer confidence erodes.'

Jim Holder, What Car?'s editorial direction, says the nation's car manufacturing sector is now 'walking a tightrope' trying to recover from its most difficult period while also attempting to navigate a cost-of-living crisis and a once-in-a-century transition towards electric vehicle and carbon-neutral manufacturing.

'Already, the UK automotive industry has made giant environmental strides, but it cannot manage the transition without support in such a restricted market,' he warned.

Last week, What Car? said over a third of motorists anticipating buying a car this year have decided to delay their purchasing plans, with many putting their intention on hold until 2023.
CMC Markets was among the FTSE 250s biggest fallers on Thursday after the trading platform said operating costs are expected to be higher than initially expected.

In a brief quarterly trading update, the company said its customer numbers and assets under administration had remained robust, while net operating income year-to-date is in line with levels seen last year.

However, CMC warned that the cost environment remains challenging and now expects operating expenses to be 5 per cent above guidance for fiscal year 2023.

Last month CMC Markets reported revenues had plunged from 462m to 326.6m in the year to 31 March

In its full-year results published last month, the company said its 2023 investment plans had expected to increase operating costs to approximately 205million, excluding variable remuneration.

Higher operating costs are the result of a combination of higher personnel and non-personnel costs including higher professional fees and software costs associated with expansion projects, as well as the impact of the weaker GBP, the group said today.

Progress towards new business growth across all platforms and geographies continues as planned all expansion initiatives are on track.

CMC Markets shares have fallen sharply on todays update, and are down 18 per cent to 253p this morning.

Its shares are down 44 per cent in the past year as the platform struggles to maintain higher trading levels since the pandemic.

In its full-year results, CMC reported revenues had plunged from 462million to 326.6million in the year to 31 March. Its pre-tax profit fell from 225.8million to 94.3million.

The company is also facing an investor revolt over the lack of women on its board.

Activist board Institutional Shareholder Services has called for James Richards to be sacked as chair at the firms annual general meeting today over a failure to ensure there were enough women on its board of directors.

Clare Salmon, one of the companys non-executive directors, is due to step down at the meeting meaning female representation on the board will drop to only 25 per cent.

This is below the 33 per cent target set for FTSE 350 firms.
Shell received a 136m dividend payment in April from a Russian joint venture in which the energy giant holds a 27.5 per cent stake.

The dividend related to the 2021 profits from the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas joint venture.

Shell had written off the value of its Russian assets at 3.2billion following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February. It also made clear that it intended to dispose of its stake in Sakhalin-2 and has been in talks with potential buyers.

Boost: Shell received the dividend from Bermuda-listed Sakhalin Energy Investment Company

Shell received the dividend from Bermuda-listed Sakhalin Energy Investment Company. A Shell spokesman said it complied with all sanctions. The company said it did not expect further dividends from the project after a decree by Putin to seize control of it.

Shell said in March that it intended to withdraw from its involvement in the Russian fuel industry, including crude oil, gas, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

It said it was also shutting its service stations and aviation fuels operations in the country.

Chief executive Ben van Beurden apologised after buying a cargo of Russian crude oil even after the Kremlin's tanks had advanced into Ukraine. He said the decision was 'not the right one and we are sorry'.

Rival BP said in February that it was ditching its one-fifth stake in Russia's oil giant Rosneft, resulting in a 21billion charge. Chairman Helge Lund said Putin's 'act of aggression' represented a 'fundamental change' after three decades in the country.
Worried about bills? Find out how to apply for pension credit and an extra 650 cost-of-living payment below

Older people struggling to pay their bills are being urged to ensure they don't miss a crucial deadline to qualify for an extra 650 cost-of-living payment from the Government.

The first 326 is being paid out now, but the elderly still have until Thursday 18 August to get it by applying for pension credit.

This tops up the income of the poorest pensioners and automatically entitles them to the lump sum, plus many other discounts and perks.

Signing up will also trigger the second 324 half of the payment this autumn.

Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a 15billion package of measures to help people struggling to afford surging household bills earlier this year.

This includes the 650 payment for those on means-tested benefits, including pension credit, and an extra 300 for eight million pensioner households to help them cover rising energy costs this winter.

Charity Age UK says elderly people worried about bills should check if they are eligible for pension credit and apply ahead of next month's deadline so they don't miss out on the first half of the 650.

>>>Apply for pension credit here or ring 0800 99 1234

Pension credit tops up weekly income to a minimum of 182.60 for single people and 278.70 for couples, and you can gain thousands of pounds on top via help with housing, heating, council tax, TV licences and other bills.

To get the full 650, you need to have qualified for pension credit - or later be found to have been entitled - between 26 April and 25 May.

But successful pension credit applications can be backdated for three months so 18 August is the final cut-off date to start a claim.

The criteria for eligibility are here, but having savings, a pension or owning a home are not necessarily barriers to receiving pension credit, and you don't need to be receiving a state pension to get it either.

Finance industry campaigners recently launched a drive to seek out the worst off pensioners in the country to urge them to sign up for pension credit.

Under the slogan 'Pension credit - it's for you!', they aim to use the private sector's vast data resources to identify and come to the aid of elderly people with limited savings and income.

Are you elderly and anxious about bills? Age UK is urging older people to call its free national advice line on 0800 169 65 65. Its staff will check you are receiving everything you are entitled to, including pension credit and attendance allowance. Find out more here about pension credit, or call Age UK which will help you apply, Age UK adds that energy providers have a duty to offer support if people are struggling with bills or debt, and you can ask about an affordable repayment plan. Read more here about dealing with soaring energy bills and here for energy saving tips.

The Government also recently launched a new advertising campaign tackling myths that might deter people from applying on an official 'day of action'.

It is appealing to the family and friends of pensioners to help them sign up, as an estimated 850,000 eligible households miss out on 1.7bn a year.

MPs on the work and pensions committee have called on the Government to work with local authorities and others to come up with a strategy for boosting pension credit take-up by the end of this year.

They say this should cover a take-up target, a timeline, confirmation of funding, a plan to identify households likely to be eligible, support for them to claim, ways to simplify or automate claims, and an annual update on progress.

Minister for Pensions Guy Opperman says: 'We recognise the challenges some pensioners will be facing with the cost of living which is why promoting pension credit is a priority.

'During the week of our recent pension credit day of action we saw a 275 per cent increase in claims  but we're not stopping there.

'We're continuing to get the word out about pension credit, calling on everyone with retired family, friends and loved ones to check in with them and see if they can get this extra financial support, which can make a huge difference to people's lives.'

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, says: 'It's not too late  there is still a window of opportunity for older people on low incomes to qualify for the first part of the government's 650 cost-of-living payment this year, so we urge people to claim without delay, so they don't miss out.

'Pension credit not only gives a significant boost to people's weekly income; it also opens the door to a wealth of extra support including help with energy bills, a free TV licence and discounts off household bills.

'We know that around three quarters of a million pensioners are missing out on this important benefit right now.

'Many people often think if you have some savings, or a small pension there's no point applying but that's often not the case.

'The sooner people act, the sooner they will find out if they are eligible for some of the additional financial help, and this could be life-changing for them.'

Cost of living payments explained

What else do you get if you qualify for pension credit?

Age UK gives the following rundown of additional support.

- A cold weather payment of 25, paid automatically when the average temperature is 0C or below over seven consecutive days

- 140 off electricity bill thorough the Warm Home Discount Scheme (if eligible)

- A free TV licence (if over-75)

- Free NHS dental treatment and help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital

- Help with council tax and rent

- Cheaper phone and home broadband deals

- Reduced water bills

- An extra amount of pension credit for some carers worth up to 37.70 a week

What elderly people say about struggling to pay rising bills Age UK recounts what older people say about their experiences trying to get by, and the help the charity offers them. Gayle is in her mid-70s, lives alone, and carried out a benefits check with her local Age UK. She says: 'Age UK's help was life-changing and meant I didn't have to worry about bills for the first time in my life. 'That little bit of extra money has made difference to what I can do on a day-to-day basis. 'My energy bills are safe until after the new year, but when you see prices going up and up and up, it makes you worry about what might happen when my deal runs out. How can pensioners afford these increases when the state pension doesn't cover half of it?' Linda, a widow also in her mid-70s, was supported by a local Age UK with hot meal deliveries and help finding an emergency plumber during the pandemic. Age UK says: She is a widow and lives with chronic COPD and osteoporosis, which affects her mobility. 'Linda received a full benefits check which resulted in a near doubling of her weekly income. She was also able to apply for a grant towards her energy bills over the winter and received a 150 award.' Linda says: 'I can't thank Age UK enough. I've never had as much money.'

Myron Jobson, senior personal finance analyst at Interactive Investor, says: 'The tough reality is the most vulnerable households face the cruellest winter in decades.

'The cost-of-living support measures announced earlier in the year offer vital financial support worth up to 1,200 to the nation's most vulnerable and 550 to the vast majority of the population - but they are already out of date.

'Ofgem has admitted that the energy price cap is likely to rise by more than its original estimate of 800, and households also have to contend with the escalating cost of food and heightened fuel prices.'

He warns: 'Consumers cannot rely solely on the government financial support measures to stay financially afloat. The fact remains that individuals will have to do most of the heavy lifting to fortify their finances.

'This may translate to doing an emergency budget, cutting down on non-essential spending and squirrelling away more money into a rainy-day fund if you can afford to do so.'

Jobson adds: 'Those struggling with their finances needn't suffer in silence. Seek help and support  talking about money issues is the first step towards a solution. Those worried about being unable to meet payment obligations should contact their providers for support.'
Islamist militants killed 15 soldiers and three civilians during two separate attacks in southwest Mali on Wednesday, the army said in a statement.

Six soldiers died and 25 were wounded when militants assaulted a military camp in Sonkolo, a rural commune in the south-central Segou region, more than 300 kilometres (186 miles)north of the capital Bamako.

Nine soldiers and three civilians were killed during an early morning attack on a different camp in the southwestern town of Kalumba, the army said.

Another military base in the central town of Mopti also was attacked during the night, but the assailants were pushed back without casualties.

All the attacks were eventually repelled and soldiers killed 48 of the militants in Sonkolo, the statement added.

Militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have repeatedly raided bases across Mali during a decade-long insurgency concentrated in the countrys north and centre.

The groups have gained ground despite the presence of foreign troops and United Nations peacekeepers.

Malis main military base just outside Bamako was hit with a complex assault involving car bombs on Friday, the closest the insurgents have come to the capital in years.

SOURCE: REUTERS
ALBANY  Bring out the real silverware and glasses and hold the plastic utensils.

Thats the theme of a new free guide that an environmental group has put out advising restaurant operators on how they can reduce their use of plastics.

Restaurants, in particular, have a big role to play in addressing our plastic pollution crisis, said Judith Enck, a former EPA regional administrator as well as the founder and president of Beyond Plastics, which aims to reduce the amount of fossil fuel-based plastic that goes into the waste stream.

We want to help restaurant owners and managers take the first step towards becoming part of the solution.

Timing of the guide is fortuitous, considering the amount of take-out food that many people have consumed during the last two years as the COVID-19 pandemic kept people at home.

Thats led to mounds of plastic straws, disposable plastic cutlery, and single-use plastic packets of ketchup, soy sauce, and mustard in many residential kitchens.

The free guide is titled Hold The Plastic, Please - A Restaurants Guide To Reducing Plastic and it offers detailed, practical advice for reducing the use of plastic.

It is available online at https://www.beyondplastics.org/restaurant-guide.

Industry research has found that the use of plastic makes consumers feel guilty, frustrated, and annoyed  precisely the opposite of what restaurant owners want their customers to experience. The majority of people surveyed also shared that they feel restaurants must do more to address the plastics problem directly, added Megan Wolff, lead author of the guide and Beyond Plastics Policy Director.

The guide notes that restaurants can save money by utilizing reusable dishes and they can please customers and build loyalty by explaining why they are doing so.

According to Beyond Plastics, the United States generates more plastic waste than any other nation.

A few years ago, Albany County passed a law requiring restaurants to provide plastic straws and plastic cutlery only upon request. However, it's unclear how closely takeout restaurants have followed the law.

Globally, between 9 and 15 tons of plastic waste enter the planets oceans every year  the equivalent of dumping a garbage truck of plastic every minute. Most comes from litter that washes into streams and rivers and then flows into the ocean.

Plastics persist in the environment where they can kill wildlife and eventually break down into tiny pieces called microplastics that contaminate the food chain.

Additionally, chemical additives in plastics can leach into food.

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Dutch farmers protested government plans to reduce nitrogen emissions by dumping manure and garbage Wednesday on highways and setting fires alongside roads  the latest actions in a summer of discontent. Police urged them to stop for safety reasons and were investigating who was responsible.

Traffic authorities said several roads in the central and eastern Netherlands were completely or partially blocked by the early morning blockades and fire services rushed to clear roads as traffic built up. Cleanup operations were expected to take hours on some roads.

By the end of the day, some roads were still not cleared, in part because some companies involved in the cleanup had received threats, said Diederik Fleuren, a spokesman for the the government's roads and waterways organization Rijkswaterstaat.

We are doing everything to clear the roads but ... some contractors are being intimidated, Fleuren told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. He said it was not clear when all the roads would be fully cleaned.

It is very extreme now that people are being threatened for assisting the cleanup, he added.

Dutch media reported that at one location, a sign was left behind that said: Sorry for the inconvenience, Rutte IV is driving us to despair, a reference to Prime Minister Mark Rutte's coalition government.

Police and security authorities appealed to farmers to halt what they described as dangerous situations.

Protesting is a fundamental right and as long as it stays within the limits of the law, a lot is possible, the emergency services said in a joint statement. But they said the latest actions seriously endanger road safety and can lead to life-threatening situations for road users.

The latest demonstrations came a day after a government-appointed mediator sent invitations to farmers' organizations to discuss with the country's ruling coalition ways of reducing nitrogen emissions.

I see the talks as a turning point: breaking the deadlock together, mediator Johan Remkes said. The cabinet has assured me that there is room and joint solutions are possible.

But some farmers have rejected the appointment of Remkes as an independent mediator because he is a member of Prime Minister Mark Rutte's center-right political party and a former deputy prime minister.

The farmers are angry at government targets for reining in emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia that they say threatens to wreck their agricultural way of life and put them out of business.

The government says emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia, which livestock produce, must be drastically reduced close to nature areas that are part of a network of protected habitats for endangered plants and wildlife stretching across the 27-nation European Union.

The ruling coalition wants to cut emissions of pollutants by 50% nationwide by 2030, calling the measure an unavoidable transition to improve soil, air and water quality in a EU nation known for its intensive farming practices. It has called on provincial authorities to draw up plans to reduce emissions and earmarked an extra 24.3 billion euros ($24.6 billion) to fund the changes.

Farmers argue that they are being unfairly targeted while other industries, such as aviation, construction and transport, also are contributing to emissions and face less far-reaching rules. They also say the government is not giving them a clear picture of their futures amid the proposed reforms.

Earlier this year, the farmers blocked highways with tractors and blockaded supermarket distribution centers.

___

Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https/apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment.
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ALBANY  You're no longer required to wear masks in restaurants and schools, on airplanes, or just about anywhere else. But if you want to ride public transportation in New York, you still need to mask up.

"We're not happy about that," said Carm Basile, longtime CEO at the Capital District Transit Authority. "It causes a lot of conflict, as you can imagine."

I can. And I'd argue that the rule, as imposed by the governor, makes little sense. Why, after all, would a CDTA bus present a greater COVID-19 risk than a jammed bar or restaurant?

I'll even suggest that the lingering public-transportation mandate is evidence of a not-so-subtle classism.

But I didn't contact Basile to talk about masks. I wanted to talk about a small controversy of the moment: the fight over the construction of BusPlus shelters along an upscale piece of Western Avenue.

The four-lane stretch is on the route of CDTA's planned Purple Line, an expansion of its growing bus rapid transit network that will connect the University at Albany with downtown. BRT, as it's called, is the low-cost, but flexible, option for regions where light rail is considered too expensive, impractical or politically unpalatable.

Ideally, BRT includes dedicated travel lanes so that buses don't get slowed by traffic. But that would be a bit too rapid for these parts, apparently.

Still, the version of BRT offered here includes limited stops to make the ride quicker, and bus shelters  CDTA prefers to call them stations  that are far larger and more comfortable than what bus riders typically get. They often include heated sidewalks, for example, and shelter from the rain. Fancy!

But for some in Albany's Melrose and Buckingham Lake neighborhoods, they're too much. As my colleague Steve Hughes reported, residents upset by the threat to mature trees and the roadway's stately appearance circulated petitions, lobbied elected officials and even threatened to file a lawsuit.

It worked. CDTA caved, saying early this week that it would not build the stations after all. The squeaky wheels got greased.

"Why try to do something when it is obvious that what you're trying to do would not be appreciated?" Basile asked, by way of explanation. "When you're trying to do something right in front of somebody's home, you have to take that into consideration."

This isn't the first time BusPlus shelters have faced resistance. In 2015, the owner of the Iron Gate Cafe on Washington Avenue said the planned placement of a Red Line station in front of the restaurant would destroy it. Kevin Dively also told me CDTA failed to properly notify him or include him in planning.

Those complaints were echoed, these years later, by residents along Western who said they were never told what the transit authority had planned. That suggests CDTA has yet to hone its community outreach.

In any event, the Iron Gate ultimately succeeded in getting the shelter moved. The same can not be said of the Mexican Market at 654 Central Ave., near North Allen.

That store's owner, Anatolia de Jesus Cornelio, also objected to a BusPlus station but to no avail, she told me then through an interpreter. The shelter was built anyway, largely obscuring the market.

The pattern suggests that wealth, education and the political muscle that comes with both are a factor in who gets CDTA's ear and who doesn't  another form, then, of the aforementioned classism.

Basile didn't deny that influence that comes with affluence played a role. The Western Avenue opponents, he said, were very effective at generating political and media attention, making it impossible to ignore their concerns.

But he also noted that CDTA was attempting to do something unusual on Western, given that BusPlus routes do not typically pass through purely residential areas. Basile even said he could sympathize with neighbors who initially objected on aesthetic grounds.

CDTA tried to appease opponents with less conspicuous stations, among other changes, but it couldn't sway them. Perhaps at that point, there was no way to rebuild trust. Or perhaps high-minded talk about sustainability will forever fall victim to concerns over property values, even in progressive Albany.

If a busy, four-lane commuter route isn't a good place for enhanced bus service, where in the world is?

The neighborhood is served by ordinary bus transit, though, and it is worth mentioning that many residents welcomed the upgrade. CDTA might be listening too much to voices that are loud but unrepresentative.

When asked about that possibility, Basile stressed that the Purple Line will still pass through the neighborhood, even if its buses don't stop immediately within it. The hope, he added, is that the opponents will come to see the merits of the transportation option and that a more unified citizenry will someday request the stops.

But for now...

"Let's give it a rest," Basile said. "We didn't do this because we wanted to make anyone unhappy."

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
Hip-hop doesnt do the senior circuit/nostalgia trip the way other popular genres do. It seems to be constantly changing, the majority of talked-about artists skewing toward their early-to-mid-20s with a smattering of 90s and early 2000s acts still maintaining some sort of cultural cache. You dont hear much about those who first defined the hip-hop sound and broke it into the mainstream roughly 40 years ago.

Thats what made Wednesday nights free show at the Empire State Plaza a unique concert-going experience. It was headlined by a joint set from Melle Mel and Scorpio, of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5 fame, and the Sugarhill Gang. The entertaining 80-minute performance wasnt noteworthy for its musical relevancy; it did, however, offer up a throwback to the earliest days of rap and just how fun those first artists and their songs really were.

Melle Mel and Scorpio and Sugarhill Gang highlighted the two different approaches of early rap. Sugarhill Gang started off with 20 minutes of the style popularized by B-boy culture. Wonder Mike and Master Gee were enthusiastic in their entreaties to Throw your hands in the air, wave them to the atmosphere and played jams like Work, Work the Body with vigor and joy.

The still-very-jacked Melle Mel and Scorpio came out to The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel, the tour de force track that first highlighted the artistry of DJ sampling and scratching. Generally speaking, Melle Mel and Scorpios set adhered to a similar dynamic as that of Sugarhill Gang; there was lots of calls for audience participation (and the several hundred in attendance willingly obliged) and pretty straightforward rhyme patterns and structures. But at the centerpiece of Melle Mel and Scorpios set was a song that changed the course of hip-hop forever and showcased why the duos original group is considered one of the foundational acts of rap.

That song was The Message, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Written primarily by Melle Mel, it was the first rap song to be about inner-city life and culture, moving the form away from simplistic lyrics and being catchy background music for dance clubs and breakdancing and into the realm of serious art and social awareness. Melle Mel and Scorpio were into it, and so were the fans, who enthusiastically sang along to the tracks Dont push me because Im close to the edge chorus.

After The Message, Sugarhill Gang returned to the stage and joined Melle Mel and Scorpio in busting out the party jams. They played the irrepressible Apache (Jump on It) and Rappers Delight, the first rap song to ever crack the Billboard Top 40. Apache had folks across the plaza dancing and chanting along with the chorus and combined with Rappers Delight, it made the space feel more like a neighborhood block party than a state-sponsored concert. In doing so, the vibe and the hits captured the essence of raps roots and made for a fun summer night out.

Before Melle Mel and Sugarhill Gang, DJ TGIF gave two sets of 70s funk and disco and 80s hip-hop to get the crowd in the right headspace. In between those sets was the local Powerhouse Funk Band. The cover outfit gave 75-minute set of fun '70s funk-and-soul that went over well.
TROY  Expect to see a flowery Easter service at an 1883 Black church in Philadelphia recreated at the First United Presbyterian Church on Fifth Avenue next week as HBOs The Gilded Age starts filming parts of its second season around the Capital Region.

Crews from The Gilded Age were scattered around Troy Thursday getting sites ready for scenes to be shot next week. On Monday, company representatives appeared before the Cohoes Traffic Commission to win approval for filming at multiple locations.

Troy wont see the same impact as it did in May and June 2021 when The Gilded Age settled in for nearly two months of filming. Major production efforts at Monument Square wont take place this year, city officials said Thursday. Instead, Albany and Cohoes have joined Troy as locations standing in for New York City, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Crews from Heydey Productions were at 216-218 Third St., opposite Washington Park, and at 148 Second St., just south of the Troy Public Library, unloading equipment and bringing it inside.

Councilwoman Sue Steele said First United Presbyterian Church at 1917 Fifth Ave. is expected to see flowers delivered with filming at the end of next week for an appearance in the first episode of season two. At this point, shooting is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 5, but major prep is planned for Aug. 1 through 6. Im told lots of flowers will be brought in for Easter in August, Steele said in an email.

Filming is shaping up for the first week of August in Troy, the second week of August in Albany around that citys Washington Park and in Cohoes during the fourth week of August at Harmony Mills and Cohoes Music Hall, according to officials and notices handed out to residents advising them of parking and traffic restrictions.

The crews will be at Harmony Mills on North Mohawk Street Aug. 22-23, Gardner Street on Aug. 29 and the Cohoes Music Hall on Aug. 29, said Theresa Bourgeois, the Cohoes director of operations. Gardner Street and surrounding blocks will fill in for factory worker housing, while Harmony Mills is to be a substitute for a Pittsburgh factory.

The 19th-century architecture thats survived in the trio of Hudson River cities has been a magnet for producers of the show created and written by Julian Fellowes, the creative force behind the popular "Downton Abbey" series set in Great Britain. The first season of the increasingly popular The Gilded Age used Troys architecture to recreate New York City in 1882 for its nine episodes.
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This story has been amended to include how the Port of Albany describes the equipment.

State Police warned motorists in Greene and Albany counties Thursday that a massive piece of equipment for a ship that is headed for the Port of Albany will be making its crawling journey on Routes 23, 9W and 144  meaning serious traffic delays on those routes.

Police said the load  497,500 pounds of it  moves at only up to 10 mph and takes up both lanes. "Drivers should plan an alternate route to avoid delays and congestion," police said.

Officers are escorting the equipment, which will be driving from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting on Route 23 East, then to Route 9W North Glenmont Road and to 144 North to the port.

Late Thursday morning the equipment was in Ravena. A team that drives ahead was trying to figure out how to raise traffic lights at an intersection for the tall load to move through.

The State Police's Facebook alert on the equipment has drawn hundreds of comments, as people reported seeing it this week as it was driven from Batavia through Central New York and the Southern Tier.

Port of Albany CEO Richard Hendrick said the equipment is a condenser for an aircraft carrier that will be barged from the port to Newport News,Virginia. There are three more that will be coming to the port soon.

"A lot of what we do obviously comes by rail, but the size of this it cant get under the clearances of the rail bridges," Hendrick said. "It has to come by road."

Hendrick said massive equipment brought by road to the port only happens a couple of times a year. This particular cargo was supposed to arrive at the port Wednesday, but the company needed to find a second driver for the "pusher car" at rear of the trailer to relieve another driver.

"Followed this from Norwich, NY to South New Berlin, NY," one commenter on the State Police post wrote. "Wish I had a warning like this post  I would have planned a different route instead of sitting behind them in mile-long traffic for 25 minutes to cover 4 miles."
Michigan State Police is searching for a man last seen Sunday evening.

Logan Thayer Sweet, 31, was last seen July 24 attending a concert at the Listening Room, 123 Ionia Ave. in Grand Rapids, Michigan State Police said on Twitter on Tuesday. He is 5 feet tall, 240 pounds and has brown hair and green eyes, police said.

Photo provided/Michigan State Police Photo provided/Michigan State Police Sweet left the concert riding a charcoal gray 2022 Kawasaki 650 sport bike. He was wearing a blue and orange helmet with ocean-themed artwork.

Sweet left the concert driving his charcoal gray 2022 Kawasaki 650 sport bike and may have taken U.S. 131 or I-196 through the Hamilton area, his wife Ali Sweet wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Sweet last spoke with his wife around 9:55 p.m. Sunday, according to the Facebook post. The last ping on his phone was around Weston Apartments in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Monday post by Ali includes a photo of Sweet with the band members of Tall Heights. He reportedly sent Ali the photo as he was leaving the venue alone.

The duo Tall Heights posted about Sweet on their Facebook page on Tuesday.

"For all who attended our Grand Rapids show Sunday, please help if you have any information!" Tall Heights wrote in the post.

Additionally, almost 9,000 people have joined a Facebook group that is organizing searches for Sweet.

In a follow-up Tweet on Wednesday, Michigan State Police asked landowners in Doerr and Burnips to check their fields after searching overnight at Sweet's last known location by helicopter.

MSP wrote on Twitter Wednesday: "MSP continues to allocate all available resources to assist in this investigation. Detectives are narrowing their search by reviewing video surveillance systems of his possible route of travel. Residents are encouraged to review their home video surveillance systems and advise if they have a motorcycle pass their homes between the hours of 10:30 and 11 p.m."

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Sweet is asked to contact Trooper Jeff Olney of the MSP Wayland Post at 269-792-2213 or Allegan County Central Dispatch at 269-673-3899.
Charged with misusing campaign funds, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin is using, yes, campaign funds to pay for his legal defense.

And sure, that's a bit ironic  particularly since the amount the Republican is spending to defend himself vastly exceeds the $5,000 sum he's accused of stealing.

Here are some of the details: Prosecutors with state Attorney General Letitia James' office say Mr. McLaughlin in 2017 cut a check from his campaign account for Hudson Valley Strategies. That consulting firm is owned by Richard Crist, a close associate of the county executive who is also, in the claustrophobic arena of Rensselaer County politics, the county's director of operations.

In turn, Mr. Crist allegedly deposited the check in his firm's account and drafted a new check that he brought to McLaughlin's former campaign treasurer, Jennifer Polaro, who had worked for Mr. McLaughlin in the state Assembly and who contended he owed her money. Ms. Polaro had also previously said that Mr. McLaughlin physically abused her.

After a lengthy investigation that generated 30,000 pages of documents, prosecutors in December charged Mr. McLaughlin with grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing, both felonies. And Mr. McLaughlin, who denies both the criminal charges and Ms. Polaro's abuse allegation, has since drawn roughly $50,000 from his campaign accounts to fund his legal defense.

There's nothing untoward about that. Mr. McLaughlin, like all defendants, deserves the presumption of innocence, has the right to a legal defense, and is allowed by state law to use campaign funds to pay for his lawyers.

Doing so is hardly unusual. Former state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno used campaign money to defend against federal corruption charges, for example, and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has used outstanding campaign funds to both defend himself against sexual harassment allegations and burnish his public reputation, even after leaving office.

Meanwhile, some good-government groups and lawmakers, including Assemblyman Phil Steck, a Democrat from Colonie, are seeking to prevent politicians who have left office or have been convicted of a crime from continuing to tap campaign funds. Legislation proposed by Mr. Steck would not affect officials in the scenario faced by Mr. McLaughlin, however.

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Nor should it. Using campaign funds for costs associated with the holding of public office is appropriate, and, unfortunately, defending against lawsuits is one of those costs.

But here's an important caveat: If elected officials are subsequently convicted, state law should require that they repay the money  to donors, to charity, or to a state fund for public financing of campaigns.

Donors to campaigns, after all, shouldn't be made to support corruption. And corrupt politicians shouldn't be allowed to believe that they can fundraise their way to a robust legal defense devoid of personal financial consequences  a belief that seems likely to encourage more corruption.

If lawmakers accused of corruption don't like the terms, well, they're free to use savings and personal loans to fund their own legal defenses, or they can rely on public defenders. Just like anybody else would.
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SARATOGA SPRINGS  Freddy Flintshire is a 4-year-old thoroughbred in his first year as a steeplechaser. Hes a 'chaser because in his first seven trips postward as a 2- and 3-year-old, he didnt win a race.

Steeplechase trainer Keri Brion took over his training late last summer with the then 17-year-old Parker Hendriks, her stable jockey, teaching Freddie to jump first over logs, then little fences and then steeplechase fences.

The bay gelding proved he learned his lessons well when he came from next-to-last place in a field of nine to win Wednesdays first race, a $70,000 allowance steeplechase for runners that had not won two races over the jumps.

Despite a slow start, the gelded son of the British stallion Flintshire handled the eight national fences with aplomb. When the jumping was done and the sprinting began, Hendriks put his mount in gear and started his charge to the finish line.

Their margin of victory was 4 3/4 lengths, with Proven Innocent in second and Grey Giant third in the race run in 3 minutes. 51.63 seconds.

Lone Rock looks for repeat

Lone Rock has made a career of winning long races. He will try for a repeat win in the $200,000 Birdstone Stakes, Saratogas Thursday feature. The Birdstone will be contested at 1 3/4 miles, a distance rarely offered in thoroughbred racing.

Lone Rock will also be seeking some revenge after he was defeated by Fearless in the 1 1/2-mile Brooklyn Handicap on Belmont Day. Trainer Roberto Diodoro is willing to give the 7-year-old a do-over after he stumbled coming out of the starting gate in the Brooklyn. Were hoping the real Lone Rock will show up on Thursday, he said.

Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, who trains Fearless for the Repole Stable, noted, Theres a big difference between a mile and half and a mile and three quarters. I thought he did well enough (in the Brooklyn) to give it another try, he said.

Leading Saratoga rider Irad Ortiz. Jr. will have the ride on Lone Rock at 122 pounds. Luis Saez took the call on Fearless at 124 pounds.

Original Intent, Portos and Shooger Ray Too will oppose the two favorites.

New York-breds on card Friday

New York-bred thoroughbreds will in an assortment of contests Friday. The second race on the card is for runners with $40,000 claiming tags possibly awaiting them at the finish line. The race will be run on the Inner Turf Course.

A 5 1/2-furlong dash has been slated for the fourth race. Twelve New York-breds that have not won two races lifetime will be allowed on the course.

All 10 New York-bred 2-year-olds entered in the sixth race are maidens. Their owners and trainers will be hoping their charges will become winners. The race has been carded at six furlongs.

Whitney draw coming up

The draw for post positions for Saratogas signature race for older horses, the $1 million, Grade I Whitney, has been scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 3, at the Mary Lou Whitney Pavillion. Starting time is 11 a.m.
Candy corn is already a polarizing sweet, and Brachs, the makers of said sweet, appears to happily be leaning into the hate.

The confectionery giant dropped a new Tailgate Candy Corn mix this week as part of its seasonal lineup, with five flavors inspired by fan-favorite game day snacks: Fruit punch, vanilla ice cream, buttered popcorn, hot dog and hamburger.

You read that correctly.

Fruit punch and vanilla ice cream feel past due. Buttered popcorn can slide, considering the endurance of Jelly Bellys beloved buttered popcorn jelly beans. But when it comes to hotdog and hamburger, meaty is a flavor profile that feels sacrilegious on a candy aisle shelf.

"Brach's, America's #1 candy corn brand, has a long legacy of creating shared moments of celebration for families and friends," said Ferrara Candy, the brand's parent company, in a statement to Food & Wine. "We're always working on innovations that will take our fans on delicious flavor journeys, and we can't wait to show you what's next!"

This isnt the first time Brachs has taken consumers on a gustatory roller coaster. Turkey Dinner Candy Corn was introduced in 2020 with a cornucopia of flavors including stuffing, roasted turkey, glazed carrot and green bean. Earlier this spring, the sweet tooth-slingers released seasonal Late Night Taco Truck Jelly Beans with uncanny flavors like guacamole, beef taco and salsa.

Commercially, it makes sense: Why limit the sales of a bestselling (albeit, controversial) candy to Halloweentime, when its novel presence can forcefully (and profitably) be wedged into a myriad of holidays and warmer-weather months? And considering the success of competitor Jelly Bellys excessively vile BeanBoozled line (the company recently launched its 6th Edition Collection and has more than 3 million fan videos of its Fear Factor-adjacent BeanBoozled Challenge uploaded to YouTube), theres market evidence that shock value sells.

If the referees alone dont rile up enough controversy at your next tailgate, dish out some hotdog and hamburger candy corn to see how divisive a crowd can really get.
ALBANY  Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley, who is facing scrutiny for her political activities, spoke at a local Republican Party committee's fundraiser in May which featured U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Republican nominee for governor.

Doorley said she sees no issue with her actions at the event, despite ethics guidelines that suggest sitting district attorneys should not attend political functions or take active roles in others' campaigns.

Doorley, a former Democrat turned Republican, became embroiled in a political controversy over the last week when she attended a campaign event for Zeldin in Monroe County, where the candidate was grabbed on stage by a man clutching a weapon. It also was revealed that she had briefly been named co-chair of Zeldin's campaign before stepping down from that role several months ago.

But her attendance at the earlier Monroe County Republican Committee event on May 25 has raised additional questions about her compliance with the ethics rules set by the District Attorneys Association of New York and the New York State Bar Association.

Ethics guidelines for the prosecutors' association advise that a district attorney shall not "speak at a political/social function, publicize their attendance at such functions," or "act in a manner which could be interpreted as lending the prestige and weight of their office to the political party or function."

The guidelines add a caveat: "However, this shall not prohibit normal political activity during the course of a campaign year."

The association's ethics guidelines do not carry significant penalty beyond the confines of the private organization.

"The district attorney does not think she violated the guidelines in her participation at this event," Calli Marianetti, a spokeswoman for Doorley, said in a statement.

The state bar association's committee on professional ethics opined in 1985 that, "it is not ethically proper for a district attorney to attend political and social functions of a political party except when the district attorney is involved in his or her own campaign for reelection."

The committee said it's reasoning was based on the potential "danger that the public will perceive that the prosecutor may be allowing political considerations to affect his prosecutorial decisions."

At the May event, Doorley addressed the audience for roughly one minute, according to Marianetti. The contents of the unscheduled speech were about public safety, crime and criminal justice laws, Marianetti added.

Doorley, speaking behind a podium affixed with a campaign sign promoting Zeldin's candidacy, did not endorse Zeldin for governor during the event, her spokeswoman said.

Doorley's spokeswoman described it as the Monroe County Republican Committee's annual spring dinner, which the district attorney attends almost every year.

"Sandra would have attended regardless of Mr. Zeldins, or any other candidates, attendance or participation," Marianetti said.

But others interviewed for this story had different assessments of the event.

Monroe County Republican Committee Chairman David Dunning described it as a fundraiser for the committee. (He was not the chairman at the time of the event.) The committee transferred $15,000 to Zeldin's campaign between May and June, according to campaign finance reports. In March, the committee gave Zeldin's campaign $3,800.

A Monroe County Republican Committee member, when reached by phone, described the event as a fundraiser for Zeldin.

And James VanBrederode, a former police chief of the town of Gates who is running for state Senate in Monroe County, described the event as a "Lee Zeldin for governor dinner rally" on a Facebook post.

Yet La'Ron Singletary, who served as acting police chief in Rochester and is running for Congress, described it as a fundraiser for the committee, which featured Zeldin as the keynote speaker.

Photos of the event posted on social media depicted various elected officials, candidates for public office and political party officials. In some photos Doorley was seen seated to the right of the podium, which donned the "Zeldin for governor" sign. She is not running for reelection this year.

The event took place about a month after Doorley accepted and then quickly resigned from her role as a campaign co-chair, according to the timelines provided by Doorley and Zeldin. It was not publicized that she was no longer a campaign co-chair until last week's events involving 43-year-old David Jakubonis, who was charged with attempting to assault Zeldin at the campaign event attended by Doorley in Monroe County.

Doorley and Zeldin spoke after the incident, the congressman said, and she indicated she would need to recuse herself from the criminal case.

Democrats have asserted, without evidence, that she may have intentionally had her office direct police to file a charge that was not eligible for bail so that Zeldin could use the release of Jakubonis by a judge to campaign about state laws that sharply limit when someone can be held in custody on bail. Monroe County sheriff's officials have denied any assertion that the district attorney's office had a role in their decision to charge Jakubonis with attempted second-degree assault, a felony.

Charges of first-degree assault  a high-level felony  are extremely rare in New York, according to state records, and Zeldin was not injured during the incident.

Following the incident, Zeldin declared that Jakubonis, a military veteran, would be released without bail and then the next day the congressman and state Republican Party Chairman Nick Langworthy railed against the state's bail laws. Zeldin released a digital campaign ad based on the incident last week.

"A man aggressively attacks Lee Zeldin with a weapon," the narrator says in the ad. "Only hours later, the attacker was released under New York's dangerous cashless bail program, the very program Lee Zeldin has promised to overhaul as governor."

The statistical likelihood of rearrest on a non-bail eligible assault charge when the person had no open criminal cases was about 13 percent in 2021, according to data reviewed by the Times Union. Jakubonis, a veteran, had no open criminal cases, but may have mental health issues based on his statements to police.

The charge filed by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, in consultation with an assistant district attorney, is a rare top-level offense, according to a Times Union analysis of state data. If the charge was upgraded from second- to a first-degree attempted assault with a dangerous or deadly weapon, a bail eligible offense, it would have been ever more rare.

Despite his release from state custody, Jakubonis was charged with assaulting a member of Congress by the FBI and has remained in federal custody since his initial appearance in U.S. District Court last weekend. A detention hearing was scheduled for Thursday morning in federal court.

Jakubonis remains in custody and U.S. Magistrate Marian W. Payson reserved making an immediate decision at a detention hearing Thursday. According to published reports, the U.S. attorney's office cast Jakubonis as a dangerous person with substance abuse issues who intended to harm the congressman and should remain in custody. The attorney for Jakubonis said his client's conduct occurred during an alcoholic relapse and that he had been traumatized by his military service in Iraq and child abuse and should be released.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly described the role of the New York State Bar Association, which has no regulatory authority. Attorney disciplinary matters are handled by attorney grievance committees in the state Supreme Court's appellate division.
WFO PORTLAND Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, July 30, 2022

_____

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Portland OR

1249 PM PDT Wed Jul 27 2022

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT

SATURDAY...

* WHAT...High heat risk. High temperatures 98F to 103F. Low

temperatures 60F to 70F.

* WHERE...In Oregon, Upper Hood River Valley, Western Columbia

River Gorge and Central Columbia River Gorge. In Washington,

Western Columbia River Gorge and Central Columbia River Gorge.

* WHEN...Until 9 PM PDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the

potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those

working or participating in outdoor activities and for those

that do not have access to air conditioning.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is a 40% chance that high

temperatures will begin to drop into the low 90s or lower by

Sunday. Overnight lows in the mid to upper 60s across the higher

hills of the region will provide little relief for those without

air conditioning. Low temperatures in low lying areas,

particularly in the upper Hood River Valley will drop into the

upper 50s to low 60s most nights between now and Saturday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out

of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young

children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles

under any circumstances. If attempting to find relief from the

heat in rivers, lakes, or the ocean please apply safe water

practices and wear a life preserver.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When

possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or

evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat

stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when

possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent

rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone

overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

* WHAT...High heat risk. High temperatures 97F to 102F. Low

* WHERE...In Oregon, Greater Portland Metro Area. In Washington,

Greater Vancouver Area.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is a 50% chance that high

temperatures will drop into the low 90s or lower Sunday.

Overnight lows 65-70F in the Portland/Vancouver Metro and higher

air conditioning. Low temperatures in more rural low lying

areas, particularly in western Washington County and northern

Clark County will drop into the low 60s most nights between now

and Saturday.

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Moderate heat risk. High temperatures 90F to 95F. Low

* WHERE...In Oregon, Coast Range of Northwest Oregon and Central

Coast Range of Western Oregon. In Washington, Willapa Hills.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is a 70% chance that high

temperatures drop into the 80s Sunday.

under any circumstances.

* WHAT...Moderate heat risk. High temperatures 93F to 98F. Low

* WHERE...In Oregon, Lower Columbia and South Willamette Valley.

In Washington, I-5 Corridor in Cowlitz County.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.

Overnight low temperatures will generally fall in the lower 60s

most nights between now and Saturday, but the higher hills of

the region will experience low temperatures between 65F to 70F.

* WHAT...Moderate heat risk. High temperatures 94F to 99F. Low

* WHERE...In Oregon, Northern Oregon Cascade Foothills and

Cascade Foothills in Lane County. In Washington, South

Washington Cascade Foothills.

temperatures will drop into the low 90s Sunday. Overnight low

temperatures will generally fall between 60F and 70F between now

and Saturday. The warmest low temperatures will occur near

hilltops.

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT SATURDAY BELOW

4000 FEET...

* WHAT...Moderate heat risk. High temperatures 90F to 95F below

4000 feet.

* WHERE...In Oregon, Northern Oregon Cascades and Cascades in

Lane County. In Washington, South Washington Cascades.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Agricultural emissions were the topic which caused more people to lose their cool across our airwaves than last weeks heat wave.

Preliminary EPA figures show that agricultures emissions rose by 3% last year, taking its share of the emissions pie to 37.5 %.

Faster than an agitator in a slurry tank the talking heads did their rounds: lobbyists, ministers, journalists and scientists.

Heated exchanges and blame games galore. But underneath the media bluster, whats the cost to our rural communities?

This Government signed up to the climate action plan, there is a legal obligation to hit these targets by 2030, which is only 7.5 years away.

There is still no clear pathway in place for agriculture. Most people are naturally wary of change and our society is facing that on all fronts.

During times of change we work with what we know, in agriculture, we know there is at the very minimum a 22% cut in emissions is coming.

Why havent farm policymakers been more on the ball with the new technologies? Bandied about are anaerobic digesters, feed additives that reduce methane, renewable energy production on farm and carbon trading.

But in practice, are these technologies going to be rolled out across Irish farms in seven years?

Theres positive data from the Teagasc signpost farms, which have shown that farmers can cut emissions through protected urea fertiliser, some mixed species swards and low emissions slurry spreading by 15 to 20 %.

Empower farmers to make better decisions. Individual farm carbon assessments should be part of this.

In Northern Ireland, currently underway is a 45 million pound scheme to carbon measure every field, hedge and tree on farms in the north.

A similar scheme is coming to Irish farms in derogation in 2023, but should we be more ambitious and roll this across all farms?

Farmers have been making a valid argument for years that carbon sequestration through hedgerows and grassland has been largely ignored.

Emission factors for methane in grazing are potentially overestimated according to new research from Teagasc scientists.

When it comes to agricultural emissions, there are a lot of variables.

Dare I say, flippant inaction towards gathering a true baseline data of carbon emissions since climate action began to become a mainstream issue back in mid 2010 has truly come back to bite the agriculture sector.

That will never happen consequences are happening right now. Is a reduction in the infamous national herd an easy way out of this when it comes to Government targets?

Its a low hanging fruit. If we are still bickering and debating in 2025, thats potentially the path that faces us.

The cost to our communities here in Tipperary: increased rural stagnation and decreased family incomes. At the full 30% reduction, which the certain parties are pushing for, a KPMG survey estimates 56,000 job losses await. 15,600 on farms. But 41,000 across the wider agriculture sector.

Those who work in creameries, processing, factories, stores, agri-sales, veterinary practices, drivers, delivery services, retail and more. Friends, neighbours, families.

Where is the just transition for them in this plan for rural Ireland? The plan for on farm diversification is unclear, livelihoods affected outside the farm gate have barely received a whisper of attention. Farm protests currently sweeping across mainland Europe could possibly find their way to this island.

The IPCC have stated fossil fuel use is the main driver of climate change, though debate across national media has brought to the fore voices of the minority entrenched deeply within the climate action movement who oppose livestock agriculture.

Any mention of Ireland being one of the most sustainable dairy producers worldwide are dismissed under cries of greenwashing.

The global population is rising, food security is a priority and demand for meat and dairy will always exist. In Ireland, its an efficient way of converting inedible grass, grown on marginal land unsuitable for other crops to edible food. Its nutritious and people enjoy the produce.

A number of wealthy countries are exporting their carbon intensive industries to developing nations.

On paper they are reducing their emissions but in reality moving them to countries where regulations are not as strict and systems less sustainable.

Reductions made in Irish dairy production will be picked up by other nations. Including this point in debate is not what-about -ery, its the practical reality.

Common sense. But the box will be ticked, the target met and backs will be patted in Leinster House.

Change is a certainty in life and as a young farm family, interesting times lie ahead.

Katie Gleeson is an online content creator who documents family life on a dairy farm in rural Tipperary via her Instagram account @katieinthecountry.
Next Saturday, July 30 at 3pm, the Annual Walk will take place. The starting point is from the Young Ireland and National Flag monument at the Cross of The Commons. The Walk covers 1 miles and concludes at the 1848 Famine Warhouse - the State National Heritage Site.

This Walk commemorates the Famine and the 1848 Rising and remembers all those who suffered, died and emigrated during the Great Famine.

The person who will lead this years Walk is the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Ms Larysa Gerasko.

We need your support on the day, which will show our solidarity with, and support for, the Ukrainian people who are undergoing untold hardship and loss of life because of the brutal illegal invasion of their country by Russia without provocation.



Dr. Tom McGrath will give a brief history of events after which he will introduce this years Walk leader, Ms Larysa Gerasko, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland.

Please bring your Tipperary flags which have similar colours to the Ukrainian colours.

This is a great opportunity for all Irish people to express their support of the Ukrainians people in their hour of need.

Upon arrival at the Warhouse, Ms Gerasko will give her keynote address to the assembled walkers at the front of the building, following which refreshments will be served in the enclosed courtyard at the back.

It is expected that many Ukrainians now living in Ireland will turn up on the day All are welcome.

Donations of buns, cakes, etc., would be gratefully accepted, which can be delivered prior to the start of the Walk.
An outspoken Irish MEP has hit out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for posing for Vogue magazine with his wife while his people are being killed during the Russian invasion.

MEP Mick Wallace said there have been "reports of Ukraine losing 1,000 soldiers a day".

However, he said the Ukrainian President "seems safe" as he "sends the less privileged to war to facilitate the US/Nato agenda".

This was going on, he said, while an "inept and compromised EU dances to [the] US tune, at the expense of their citizens with self-defeating sanctions".

The reaction to Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenskas cover story has provoked a mixed reaction with some questioning their appearance while the war rages, while others praised their bravery.

They're reports of Ukraine losing a 1000 soldiers a day, but seems #Zelinsky is safe, as he sends the less privileged to War to facilitate the #US #NATO agenda, while an inept and compromised #EU dances to US tune, at the expense of their citizens with self Defeating Sanctions... https://t.co/qCifIy8XSn  Mick Wallace (@wallacemick) July 27, 2022

The couple spoke to Vogue in Kyiv in an in-person interview.

Mick Wallace is a controversial figure, having been disqualified in 2017 for six years from involvement in companies after admitting he knowingly underdeclared his company's VAT returns.

He is an outspoken member of the European Parliament. It recently emerged that his close ally, Clare Daly has been placed on a list by Ukrainian secret service, having been accused of promoting 'Russian propaganda'
An independent report into apartments with defects built during the Celtic Tiger-era has found that interim measures to address potential safety issues need to be identified as a priority pending the completion of full remediation works.

The Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing, established by Minister for Housing Darragh OBrien last year, estimates that of apartments, duplexes and associated common areas constructed between 1991 and 2013, the number that may be affected by one or more defects is likely to range between 50% and 80%.

This equates to between 62,500 and 100,000 apartments or duplexes.

It is estimated that 12%, or between 7,500 to 12,000 of these apartments or duplexes, have had remedial works completed worth up to 300 million euro, and that work may be in progress for up to 34% of apartments.

The independent report published by the working group on Thursday estimated that remediation costs would likely be worth around 25,000 euro per apartment/duplex, which is based on 2022 construction costs and includes professional fees and VAT.

Based on these estimations, the overall remediation cost is likely to be within the range of 1.56 to 2.5 billion euro.

Seamus Neely, chair of the working group, wrote in a letter to the Housing Minister: Given that the overall potential scale and estimated cost of fixing the problem is so considerable, the working group recognises that it will take many years to address all buildings affected, and resources and works will therefore need to be prioritised.

Mr OBrien welcomed the findings of the report, saying this was a nettle we had to grasp and that he is committed to helping those affected.

Fire safety defects were found to be the most prevalent defect, with responses to the online survey indicating they may affect as many as 67% of the apartments.

The survey responses also indicate that  considered in combination with other defects  water ingress defects may affect 49% of these apartments/duplexes.

On the basis of the consultation responses, structural safety defects appear to be the least frequently occurring defect in the apartments. Responses to the online survey indicate structural safety defects may affect 25% of these apartments.

The working group warned that the actual cost of remediation will vary greatly between developments and types of apartment, and will depend on the type or combinations of defects that may be discovered in the course of remediation.

It warned of a rise in costs when remediation works get under way if further issues are discovered during the process.

It cited an example of removing a ceiling while dealing with a water ingress defect in an apartment and discovering deficiencies in fire separation between the apartment and a common area.

It also warned that the report did not receive data relating to the cost of relocation during the period of works during the consultation process.

It stated that where remediation to timber-framed units is required, the work may be significantly more intrusive and relocation may therefore be necessary.

The working group defined the defects as being attributable to defective design, defective or faulty workmanship, defective materials or a combination of these, and as being in contravention of building regulations.

It concluded it is not feasible to retrospectively impose penalties on individual firms responsible for the defective builds, but added that owners management companies must be central to the remedial works process.

The working group suggested a number of ways in which remedial works could be funded, including an industry levy, state-funded grants, low-cost loans and taxation measures.

The report noted the introduction of an industry levy requires careful policy, legal and public scrutiny and should be considered as an option in particular in the context of other similar industry levies under consideration.

This refers to a Government decision on November 30 to consider a number of actions to help address the mica defective blocks issue, which included a proposed levy on the construction sector in order to raise in the region of 80 million euro a year.

The working group also said such a levy would apply to everyone in the construction industry, that it would require primary legislation, and the funds would not be ringfenced.

It said: The working group understands that it is not feasible retrospectively to impose a penalty on the individual firms that were responsible for the defects, and a general industry levy imposed now would target all those in the industry, including those who did not contribute to the problem.

The funds raised by any such levy are likely to be collected centrally and not exclusively ringfenced for one purpose.

It said of the state-funded grants that this funding option should be fully considered from a policy and cost perspective taking into account the tenure-type mix in existing apartment/duplexes set out in the report.

Of the apartments and duplexes affected, 56% are rented accommodation, 25% are owner-occupied, 11% are rented from a local authority, 4.7% are rented from voluntary bodies, 1% are rent-free and 2.3% did not state their ownership.

The report recommends that interim measures should be carried out where necessary by owners management companies, pending the implementation of full remedial works, so the apartment or duplex building can still be used.

The working group noted that construction defect remediation had been financed in Ireland to date through schemes like the Pyrite Remediation Scheme and the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme.

Reacting to the report, Mr OBrien said it confirms what we already know about defective Celtic Tiger-era apartments.

The evidence gathered by the working group along with the options for potential supports contained in the report will be of considerable assistance in informing Governments next steps.

This report provides a very useful set of recommendations that I will now examine in detail. I will also give this report full consideration, in consultation with Government colleagues, and in developing a plan to address the situation that many homeowners find themselves in through no fault of their own.

Upon my appointment as minister I said that this was a nettle we had to grasp and I am very much committed to helping those whose lives have been impacted by this issue. I believe this report will help us do just that.
Actually . . . Some of our reactionary readers might disagree but this kind of effort is needed and represents a positive step by Exec Frank White.

Curious readers can search and find WIDESPREAD BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT for this kind of legislation amongst all mainstream elected leaders.

The opposition is mostly comprised of pundits confined to social media.

Meanwhile . . . It is, in fact, valuable progress that local governments address some of the unfair historic stigma directed toward African-American women and whatever hairstyles they choose.

Here's the word . . .



Press Release: Jackson County Executive implements CROWN Act protecting county staff against hair discrimination

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. will sign an executive order implementing the CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. The CROWN Act prohibits discrimination based on natural hairstyles such as braids, locks, afros, curls and twists in the workplace and schools.



African American residents and residents with African ancestry are more likely to be affected by workplace discrimination and other forms of prejudice. Upon the County Executives signature, the executive order enacting the CROWN Act goes into effect immediately.



For far too long, black people have felt undue pressure by society to look a certain way to fit in or get a job. That ends today in Jackson County, said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. I want Jackson County to be a place where my grandchildren know they can be themselves regardless of how they decide to wear their hair. Choosing a hairstyle is an important, personal choice for black people that reflects their culture and ethnicity and we cannot allow that self-expression to be suppressed. Enacting the CROWN Act sends a message that discrimination in any form will not be tolerated within Jackson Countys workforce as we strive to create a more inclusive environment that advances racial equity.



Implementing the CROWN Act amends Jackson County Personnel Rules by revising the definition of Discriminatory Employment Practice to include Protective Hairstyles. This means a hairstyle necessitated by, or resulting from, the characteristics of a hair texture or hairstyle commonly associated with race, national origin, ethnicity, or culture, and includes but is not limited to afros, bantu knots, braids, cornrows, curls, locs, twists, or hair that is tightly coiled or tightly curled.



Black individuals natural hair grows in different textures, lengths and colors, and can be worn in a variety of hairstyles, which hold cultural and personal significance in the Black community. However, modern ideas of professionalism tend to reflect European or white standards. The recent CROWN study conducted by the JOY Collective indicates that:



80% of Black women say they have to change their hair from its natural state to fit in at the office.

Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from the workplace because of their hair

Black womens hair is 3.4 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional

Black women are 83% more likely to report being judged more harshly on their looks than white women



County Executive White has made addressing inequities facing communities of color, disenfranchisement and women in Jackson County a top priority.



He conceptualized the Our Healthy Kansas City Eastside program that addresses health disparities in the Countys most socially vulnerable zip codes. The $5 million investment increased access to the COVID-19 vaccine and preventative health services.



Jackson County has expanded its health benefits package, offering for the first time comprehensive coverage for infertility treatments and gender affirming care.

An expanded paid parental leave policy provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave to county staff following the birth or adoption of a child. The policy applies to mothers, fathers and same sex parents.



The CROWN Act was first introduced in 2019 to eliminate hair discrimination across the country as part of a national movement driven by the CROWN Coalition. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the CROWN Act in March 2022 and the bill currently awaits a vote in the U.S. Senate. The County Executives actions will ensure that discrimination can be addressed for county staff before protections are accessible nationally.



###

Developing . . .


RTHK: Macron defies anger to welcome Saudi strongman

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday welcomed Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris, defying anger sparked by hosting the controversial strongman less than four years after the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The meeting is the latest step in the diplomatic rehabilitation of the de facto leader of the kingdom who became a pariah in the West following the killing of Khashoggi by Saudi agents inside Saudi's Istanbul consulate.

Macron warmly greeted the ruler universally known as "MBS" ahead of a dinner, with the two men enjoying a warm handshake that they emphasised by using all four hands.

Shaking off criticism from rights groups and Khashoggi's fiance, Macron then guided MBS up the steps on the red carpet into the Elysee Palace. Neither man made any comment but a statement was expected from the Elysee after the talks.

MBS, seen by supporters as ambitious and by critics as a tyrant with a ruthless streak, arrived in France following a visit from US President Joe Biden to Riyadh earlier this month.

The killing of Khashoggi was described by a UN probe as an "extrajudicial killing for which Saudi Arabia is responsible". US intelligence agencies determined that MBS had "approved" the operation that led to Khashoggi's death. Riyadh denies this, blaming rogue operatives.

"I am scandalised and outraged that Emmanuel Macron is receiving with all the honours the executioner of my fiance," said Khashoggi's widow, Hatice Cengiz. "All the international investigations carried out up to this point... recognise the responsibility of MBS in the assassination."

But for Western countries desperate to find new sources of energy, the 36-year-old head of the world's biggest oil producer has become an essential figure. Moscow's war in Ukraine has sent energy prices soaring, with Western nations scouring the globe to find supplies to replace oil and gas from Russia.

An aide to Macron defended the working dinner at a time of a global energy and food crisis, while promising that human rights would be raised.

"He will talk about it (rights) in a general way, but will also take the chance to raise individual cases," the aide said on condition of anonymity. "For the president to have an influence and tackle the problems that European countries and France face... the only way is to talk with all of our partners." (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-07-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Right now we compile a list of local reports regarding traffic tragedy, police action, pending cases and a heartfelt show of local support for a fallen NKC officer.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

3 people injured, 1 critically, in hit-and-run crash Wednesday afternoon in KCMO KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The drivers of a Toyota Camry and a Chevrolet pickup truck fled a crash Wednesday afternoon in KCMO and left behind three injured people, including one with critical injuries. The crash happened about 4:30 p.m. when the Toyota Camry entered the intersection at east 30th Terrace and Van Brunt Boulevard, police said.

Case dismissed against man charged in first Mission homicide in 10 years MISSION, Kan. - According to the Johnson County District Court's public records, murder charges against a 19-year-old in Mission, Kansas, have been dismissed by the prosecutor's office. Robert Jones was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 16-year-old Jamal Pratt in April.

U.S. 40 Highway back open after drive-by shooting investigation in Independence A busy portion of U.S. 40 Highway in Independence was closed Wednesday as part of a drive-by shooting investigation.Police closed both east and westbound lanes of 40 Highway from Sterling Avenue to 39th Street. Investigators were looking into a shooting that started in the area of 10800 East U.S.

Man dead after crashing, falling off bridge on I-435 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - One person is dead after falling off a bridge following a four-vehicle crash on I-435 Wednesday morning. According to the Kansas City Police Department at about 5:42 a.m., a black Toyota was travelling north one-mile south of Front Street at a slow rate of speed.

Court documents: Man admitted to shooting, killing man on Fourth of July in KCMO KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Jairo Daniel Garcia Perez admitted to KCMO police Carlos Martinez Ramirez after an argument on July 4, a court document reveals. The shooting happened about 6 p.m. in the 8900 block of Longview Road in KCMO. Martinez Ramirez died a short time later at a hospital.

MSHP K9 helps find nearly 100 pounds of meth during traffic stop LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Mo. - Thanks to a Missouri State Highway Patrol's Troop A K9, 90 pounds of methamphetamine were found during a traffic stop in Lafayette County. According to MSHP, a trooper stopped a black Dodge minivan on westbound Interstate 70 at about 12:47 p.m. on Thursday, July 21.

Kansas City mother shot while with her children KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A mother is recovering from gunshot wounds after what she said was a targeted shooting at her daughter in the front yard of their home. Rosa Olivas was lying on the floor inside her house as her 12-year-old daughter was holding her 11-month-old brother while watering tomatoes in their yard.

VIDEO: KC mom says bullying led to family getting shot at outside home KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Someone fired more than 15 gunshots at a 12-year-old and her 11-month-old brother outside their home. It happened Sunday afternoon in broad daylight off of Askew Avenue in Kansas City, and it was all caught on camera.

North Kansas City residents reflect on the tragic passing of officer Daniel Vasqeuz Nearly the entire stretch of Armour boulevard in downtown North Kansas City was lined with folks wanting to thank fallen police officer Daniel Vasquez.Vasquez tragically died last week in a shooting during what was supposed to be a routine traffic stop. A suspect has been arrested and charged in the case.

Audio: Hear the end of watch call for slain NKC officer Danny Vasquez KANSAS CITY, Mo. - On Wednesday, officer Danny Vasquez was honored over police dispatch radio waves with an end of watch call. Vasquez's last call was broadcast in both English and Spanish. The full call can be heard below: "This is the last call for North Kansas City Police Department Mr. Danniel Vasquez, radio 628," the dispatcher said in part in the call.

Community lines procession route to honor North Kansas City Officer Daniel Vasquez The community lined the procession route Wednesday as Officer Daniel Vasquez made his way from the funeral service to his final resting place. Many stood along Armour Road near the North Kansas City Police Department. KMBC 9 talked to people paying their respects and showing their gratitude for an officer who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Developing . . .
We don't know for certain if vaccination status inspired this trade but we do know that the newspaper demanded consequences for ballers who resisted the controversial poke.

Meanwhile . . .



Check NYC stealing away talent from the home team once again . . .



Earlier this month, Benintendi was one of 10 players on the Royals who didn't travel to Toronto for four-game series with the Blue Jays because they hadn't received the COVID-19 vaccination.



With the Yankees (66-33) leading the American League East, it's unclear if Benintendi will get vaccinated. New York plays at Toronto from Sept. 26-28.



"For me, it was a personal decision," Benintendi said earlier this month about the vaccine. "And I'm going to leave it at that."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Sources: Yanks finalizing deal to get Benintendi The New York Yankees are finalizing a deal to acquire outfielder Andrew Benintendi from Kansas City Royals, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Yankees are sending three minor league pitching prospects to the Royals in exchange for the 28-year-old Benintendi: Right-hander Beck Way, right-hander Chandler Champlain and left-hander T.J. Sikkema.

Related reading . . .



Brad's birthday botched by bad batting and ball-handling in 4-0 beating The Angels spoiled Brad Keller's birthday with a shutdown performance on the mound and a pair of two-run innings to defeat the Royals 4-0. Early on, Keller was dealing, mowing down the first nine hapless Halos hitters with a very aesthetically pleasing three strikeouts, three groundouts, and three flyouts.

You decide . . .


As always, we don't want to advocate any particular point of view . . . Only to remind our thoughtful readers that so much of what we believe about the world, Democracy, monetary policy and the nature of the universe was devised like a house of cards in order to sustain the status quo.

Whilst Americans are worried about progressives and elections . . . Global financial markets are, yet again, teetering on the brink of collapse thanks to sketchy deals in China. It might not impact the home front . . . Or, based on how much our super banks are leveraged . . . It might make all of that money in your bank account about as worthless as confetti . . . Or maybe it'll just remind us all that TRUST IS THE ONLY REAL CURRENCY IN THIS WORLD and everything else is just a fancy upgrade for tribesman trading seashells for food and sex about 8,000 years ago  Which at least was a more honest system that worked in many parts of the world until around the 1800s.



Anyhoo . . .

After a lifetime of work, risk and hardship for pitiful wages . . . Feel free to enjoy the adventures of a semi-local hottie who has all the money, youth and good fortune that so many other palookas on the planet will never enjoy.

To be fair to her . . . She seems nicer than most and at least reps KC whereas a scumbag like this blogger would be engaged in various types of atrocities in the South of France with that kind of cash . . .



Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the daughter of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt showed her support for the team in a black and red bikini, all the while hyping up Discovery Channels week-long event in the posts caption.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
For the record and just so nobody misunderstands . . .

Robbie was NEVER qualified for this job and it was ALWAYS sketchy that his career advancement came with a glowing endorsement from the historically corrupt former Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders  A politico who local leaders never like to mention after the disgraced elected official ended his career in the federal pen.



Check today's postscript . .

"Robbie Makinen, who's led the agency since 2016, reportedly resisted a "money grab" by top Kansas City officials who sought millions in federal pandemic recovery funds awarded to the KCATA in order to pay for new streetlights."

The cover story . . .

Mayor Q supposedly wanted to raid funds and Robbie spoke out against it . . .

The reality . . .

AS WE NOTED EARLIER TODAY . . . LOCAL POLITICAL LEADERSHIP HAS DEGRADED KANSAS CITY TRANSIT OVER THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC WITH FREEBIE RIDES AND OTHER HALF-BAKED PROGRESSIVE SCHEMES!!!



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas City Area Transportation Authority CEO Robbie Makinen resigns KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority CEO Robbie Makinen resigned on Wednesday. The KCATA Board of Commissioners accepted Makinen's resignation at its Wednesday meeting. "The Board wants to express its appreciation for Robbie's service to KCATA, first as a Commissioner and then as its CEO," the KCATA board said in a statement.
Toronto police say paramedics took a 49-year-old woman to hospital from a residence near Victoria Park Avenue and Donside Drive. She died there.
Georgian Bay Metis Council President Greg Garratt says Pope Francis's apology is a first step and must be followed by action. - Greg Garratt photo
Ajax physician Dr. Jeffrey Matheson had his licence suspended by the College of Physicians and Surgeons for not following public health guidelines to deal with COVID-19. He operates the Headache, Migraine and Concussion Centre on Kingston Road. - Jeffrey Matheson photo
You are going to have to watch what you say on those Whatsapp messages, memes and Blogs afte
The Ukrainian defenders are doing everything possible to ensure that the Russian occupiers have no logistical capabilities in Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his a video address, commenting on the Antonivka Bridge and other crossings in Kherson region, struck by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"Regarding the Antonivka Bridge in Kherson and other crossings in the region. Of course, all of them will be rebuilt, but by us. We are doing everything to ensure that the occupiers have no logistical capabilities on our land," the president said.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukrainians will break all the plans of the occupiers and liberate their territory using military, diplomatic and all other available tools.

As reported, the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the night of July 27 struck the Antonivka Bridge in Kherson region.

In recent days, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have hit three key targets: the Antonivka Bridge, the Daryivka Bridge, and the road through the Kakhovska HPP dam. The invaders tried to hastily repair the bridges in an effort to restore supply routes for ammunition and heavy equipment but the safety of using the bridges remains questionable. The Russians also build a pontoon crossing across the Inhulets River near the village of Daryivka.

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Russian aggressors launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine from Belarusian territory early on Thursday, July 28.

According to Ukrinform, Viacheslav Chaus, head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, said this in a Telegram post.

"After 05:00, a large-scale missile launch from the territory of Belarus. According to preliminary information, there is a strike near Honcharivske," he wrote.

According to Chaus, Ukrainian air defense is also working.

This morning, Russian invaders launched a missile attack on an infrastructure facility in one of the communities of the Vyshgorod district, Kyiv region.
Ukrainians will fight for their statehood to the last and will not stop until they liberate the last meter of Ukrainian land.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his video address on the occasion of Ukrainian Statehood Day, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

For us, living in captivity is not living. Being dependent is not being. Because a non-independent and unfree Ukraine is not Ukraine. We do not know the word slavery. It is in our dictionaries, but not in our heads. We will give our last shirt, we will give everything we have for what is in our heart. That is why we will fight for our statehood to the last  the last breath, the last bullet, the last soldier. Not ours, but the enemys, Zelensky said.

In his words, Ukrainians will live to fight and fight to live, and will not give up until they drive the last occupier out of their home.

We will not stop until we liberate the last meter of Ukrainian land. We will not rest until we liberate our last village, our last house, our last well, our last cherry tree, our last willow tree! the President of Ukraine noted.

According to Zelensky, things will be so, because for Ukrainians and Russian occupiers all this has completely different, polar meanings. Targets for them are shrines for us. Unknown names on the map for them are places familiar from childhood for us. They fulfill other peoples criminal orders, we fulfill our sacred duty.

We are fighting for different things, so the end of this battle will also be different for both of us. By meaning. And even by the sound. In Russian, this is the failure of a special operation. In Ukrainian, this is victory in the war! That is why it will happen. That is why our state will exist, the President of Ukraine stressed.

Zelensky congratulated Ukrainians on Day of Christianization of Kyivan Rus-Ukraine and Day of Ukrainian Statehood.

The great people of the great country and the great state, which existed on this land from time immemorial, and from time immemorial there have been attempts to both enslave and destroy it. By many people and many times. And which has not allowed it to be done from time immemorial. Never to anyone. The state in which the history of Christianity in Eastern Europe began, when it was baptized 1034 years ago by the Great Prince Volodymyr of Kyiv. The state in which the history of indomitability began, which is now admired by all of Europe and the whole world. This is our state. Our country. This is Ukraine, Zelensky told.

The history of Ukraines state formation dates back thousands of years. But only this year Ukrainians are marking Day of Ukrainian Statehood for the first time. Zelensky stressed that Ukrainians need neither fireworks nor pomp to show the importance of statehood for the Ukrainian people.

Today we defend it with weapons in hands. For 155 days in a row. We can say that for us, Statehood Day is every day. Every day we fight so that everyone on the planet finally understands: we are not a colony, not an enclave, not a protectorate. Not a gubernia, an eyalet or a crown land, not a part of foreign empires, not a part of the land, not a union republic. Not an autonomy, not a province, but a free, independent, sovereign, indivisible and independent state, the President of Ukraine emphasized.

Zelensky outlined the main historic events, which had laid the basis for Ukraines statehood, and noted: All stages of the history of Ukraines statehood, its defense and struggle for it can be described in one sentence: we existed, exist and will exist! We will exist, because our state has incredible sons and daughters who have stood up for its defense.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

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Five people were killed and 25 more were injured as a result of Russian missile strike on the city of Kropyvnytskyi.

"Five people were killed as a result of missile strike that occurred in Kropyvnytskyi at 12:22. Another 25 people were injured, of whom 12 are military personnel and 13 civilians," Head of the Kirovohrad Regional Administration Andriy Raikovych said, Ukrinform reports with reference to Suspilne.

According to the governor, Russian missiles struck the hangars of an aviation enterprise. There were two hits in the hangars of the flight academy of the National Aviation University. One soldier was among those killed. Material losses include two civilian planes and an AN-26 plane.

Investigators are working at the site. The aftermath of the missile attack is being eliminated.

As Ukrinform reported, last week, on July 23, Russian forces also hit the Kropyvnytskyi district with missiles, damaging an airfield and one of Ukrzaliznytsia facilities. Then three people were killed, another 16 people were injured.

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Lithuania will provide Ukraine with a new package of military aid, which includes military ammunition and 10 armored vehicles.

President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda said this at a joint briefing with President Volodymyr Zelenskyi in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Nauseda noted that Lithuania had provided military aid to Ukraine both at the beginning of the full-scale invasion and in the following months.

"We continue to do this now, and I have not come empty-handed. The new package includes ammunition and 10 armored vehicles," the Lithuanian president said.

He added that Lithuania would soon demonstrate anti-drone systems of its own production, which Ukraine needs very much.

Nauseda also assured that Lithuania would continue to support Ukraine

As reported, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda arrived in Kyiv on the Day of Ukrainian Statehood.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed defense cooperation and financial support from the EU with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Zelensky wrote this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"I maintain continued contact with our partners. Discussed the course of hostilities, Ukrainian-Dutch defense cooperation and financial support from the EU with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Emphasized the importance of exporting Ukrainian grain by sea ASAP," he wrote.

Zelensky earlier said the Netherlands was among Ukraine's top ten partners in terms of the amount of security assistance provided to the country.
The Ukrainian Black Sea ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi have reopened after an agreement was signed in Istanbul to resume grain exports from Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Navy said this in a Facebook post, Ukrinform reports.

"In connection with the signing of the agreement to unblock Ukrainian ports for the export of grain, operations have been resumed in the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi. The departure and arrival of ships to seaports will be carried out by forming a 'caravan' that will be accompanied by a pilot ship," the report reads.

On July 22 in Istanbul, after a quadrilateral meeting between Ukraine, Turkey, the UN and Russia, a deal was brokered on the export of grain and other food from Ukrainian ports.

Turkey's Ministry of Defense said that a joint coordination center for monitoring "grain corridors," the creation of which is envisaged by the agreements reached as part of the deal, has already started operating in Istanbul.
Ukraine will supply agricultural products to foreign markets via alternative routes if Russia continues shelling the port infrastructure.

Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said this in an interview posted on YouTube, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We will move to Plan B [if Russia continues shelling the port infrastructure], which we already used before. That is, we will use the Danube ports, we will use the railways and load as much [grain] as possible," the minister said.

He added that agricultural products would be exported by rail through Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.

"That is, we will use everything that is available. And we will also use trucks. We have done a lot for this," Kubrakov said.

On July 22 in Istanbul, after a quadrilateral meeting between Ukraine, Turkey, the UN and Russia, a deal was brokered on the export of grain and other food from Ukrainian ports.

Turkey's Ministry of Defense said that a joint coordination center for monitoring "grain corridors," the creation of which is envisaged by the agreements reached as part of the deal, has already started operating in Istanbul.
The U.S. Senate has unanimously adopted a nonbinding resolution calling on the U.S. Department of State to designate the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

According to The New York Times, the Senate in the resolution calls for Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism for actions in Chechnya, Georgia, Syria and Ukraine that resulted in the deaths of countless innocent men, women and children.

Armed forces of the Russian Federation have committed numerous summary executions against innocent civilians and have attempted to cover their atrocities with mass graves across Ukraine, the Senate bill reads.

It is noted that a similar measure had been introduced in the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to be a strong supporter of its passage. However, the power to designate a state sponsor of terror resides with the Department of State.

As reported by Ukrinform, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on June 27 called for the United States to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

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Lithuania will continue to provide expert support to Ukraine on its road to membership of the European Union and will advocate the earliest possible beginning of accession negotiations.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said this in a speech in the Verkhovna Rada on Thursday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We will help Ukraine overcome this difficult path. We will continue to provide expert support and, together with you, we will strive for the earliest possible start of negotiations on membership in the European Union," he said.

According to Nauseda, the experience of his country shows that a fundamental condition for successful European integration is broad political consensus, and it is very important that such a provision is enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine.

Nauseda visited Kyiv on the Day of Ukrainian Statehood.

On June 23, the heads of state and government of the European Union adopted a decision to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate country for EU membership.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that despite the war unleashed by Russia, Ukraine will continue to implement the legislation, norms and rules of the European Union, and the Cabinet of Ministers will develop a respective road map to fulfill the requirements for joining the EU.

Photo: Ukrainian President's Office
President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda has visited the city of Irpin, Kyiv Region.

The relevant statement was made by Kyiv Regional Military Administration Head Oleksii Kuleba on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

On Day of Ukrainian Statehood, President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda came to Kyiv Region. He visited Irpin, checked the damaged building of Central Cultural Hall and one of housing estates, Kuleba wrote.

He also expressed gratitude to Nauseda for Lithuanias continuous support for Ukrainians.

Thousands of our residents have taken refuge from the war within the territory of this country. The Lithuanian people welcomed our citizens with an open heart. Meanwhile, the Government of the friendly state provides significant military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, Kuleba added.

A reminder that President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda paid a visit to Kyiv on July 28, 2022.

Photo: Oleksii Kuleba, Telegram

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The Hague, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jul, 2022 ) :The International Criminal Court said Thursday it had issued an arrest warrant for a Central African Republic rebel leader for war crimes and crimes against humanity during civil strife in 2013.

Nourredine Adam, head of an armed faction of former rebels from the mainly Muslim Seleka group, is wanted over crimes allegedly committed while he was security minister at the time, the ICC said in a statement.

He is wanted for crimes including torture, imprisonment, persecution, enforced disappearance and cruel treatment at detention centres run by the then-ruling regime, prosecutors said.

One of the world's poorest nations, the car was plunged into a bloody civil war after a coup in 2013 and while the violence has decreased over the past three years, armed groups still control large swathes of the country.

The warrant was originally issued under seal in January 2019 but ICC judges had now ordered it to be unsealed, the ICC said.

It identified him as Mahamat Nouradine Adam and said was also known by a series of aliases including Nourreddine Adam.

The ICC decided that the warrant "may be communicated to any state or international organisation for the purposes of its execution".

Adam is now the leader of the Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic (FPRC), a former Seleka militia that is now one of the country's remaining main rebel groups.

His group was one of two that last year refused to put down their weapons in response to a ceasefire offer by CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera.

The 2013 coup toppled president Francois Bozize, who seized power a decade earlier.

The fighting was waged between a coalition of armed groups that overthrew Bozize, the predominantly Muslim Seleka, and militias supporting him, the mainly Christian anti-Balaka.

Adam is already subject to UN sanctions, the arrest warrant says.

Two former Central African warlords, Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and Alfred Yekatom, who led anti-Balaka militias, are currently on trial at the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The trial of Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, an alleged Seleka commander, also accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, is due to open in September.
(@FahadShabbir)

SEOUL, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jul, 2022 ) --:South Korea's retail sale grew in single digits in the first half of this year due to the lifting of anti-COVID-19 measures, government data showed Thursday.

Revenue among major retailers increased 9.3 percent for the first six months of 2022 compared to the same period of last year, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Revenue for offline retailers expanded 8.

4 percent, and sale by online retailers jumped 10.3 percent in the first half.

The improved retail sale came as the government lifted all anti-virus measures except for an indoor mask mandate, encouraging people to do more outside activities.

Revenue by major department stores and convenient stores surged 18.4 percent and 10.1 percent each, but sale by discount outlets reduced 1.5 percent on weaker demand for household items and home appliances.
Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Jul, 2022 ) :At least three people have died after torrential rains caused massive flooding in eastern Kentucky, leaving a number of people stranded on rooftops and in trees, the governor of the southeastern US state said Thursday.

"We're seeing one of the worst, most devastating flooding events in Kentucky's history," Governor Andy Beshear told reporters.

"There are a lot of people in eastern Kentucky on top of roofs waiting to be rescued," Beshear said. "We even have some people in trees hanging on, waiting for rescue." The governor said at least three flood-related deaths had been confirmed so far, including an 81-year-old woman in Perry County, and he expects "double digit deaths." Local television broadcast pictures and video of mangled cars and muddy brown floodwaters reaching the rooftops of houses.

Some areas reported receiving more than eight inches (20 centimeters) of rain in a 24-hour period.

Beshear said a state of emergency had been declared in half a dozen counties, and four National Guard helicopters have been deployed to help with rescue efforts.

"There's a lot of people out there who need help," he said. "And we're doing the very best we can to reach each and every one of them.

"The situation right now is tough," the governor added.

"Hundreds will lose their homes and this is going to be yet another event that it's going to take not months, but likely years for many families to rebuild and recover from," he said.

Beshear said around 25,000 homes were without power statewide.
Around 15 million Pakistanis are suffering from Hepatitis B and C, making it a biggest killer among communicable diseases in the country

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jul, 2022 ) :Around 15 million Pakistanis are suffering from Hepatitis B and C, making it a biggest killer among communicable diseases in the country.

Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Regulation and Coordination, Senator Dr. Hamayun Mohmand said this addressing the awareness seminar on World Hepatitis Day, organized by Maroof International Hospital on Thursday.

He said that Hepatitis B and C are both blood-borne diseases that are spread through unsafe injections, unsanitary practices at hospitals, dental clinics and tattoo parlors, among other causes.

He said that the World Hepatitis Day is observed every year to highlight the importance of testing and treatment for the people who need it as every 30 seconds someone dies. He urged to increase the testing capacity for Hepatitis B and C.

CEO of Maroof International Hospital, Haroon Naseer said Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through contaminated food or water whereas Hepatitis B and C are transmitted through infected blood and body fluids.

He offered to collaborate with the government in health sector in vaccination process.

He said that around 200,000 new patients develop hepatitis every year, and 10% to 40% of people with chronic infection may develop cirrhosis and potentially liver cancer.

Consultant Gastroenterologists Maroof Int'l Hospital Dr. Ayesha Waqar talked about the various diagnostic tests available for the screening of hepatitis, different modes of spread of infection, complications associated with this disease and particularly stressed upon the prevention of spread of Hepatitis.

Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Dr Usman Aftab Ahmad said that Hepatitis B and C are silent killers. This year the hepatitis day emphasizes on the urgency of testing, screening and early treatment. "We as a community need to take collective responsibility and take initiative." He said, "We need to educate people and end the discrimination of hepatitis patients so that they can come forward and seek help. Importance has to be given to vaccination so that we protect our future and our loved ones." He said health experts should raise awareness on avoiding unsafe injection practices, using un-screened blood for transfusions, and unsterilized equipment for dental or surgical procedures for prevention of Hepatitis B and C.

He added health officials need to focus on disease prevention through awareness and vaccination, and in the case of Hepatitis C in particular, elimination through treatment and cure," he added.

Dr. Muhammad Sartaj, First Secretary UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Lt. Col. Dr. Shahid Rasheed from Mari Petroleum also spoke about treatment and prevention aspects of the disease.

Representatives from WHO, UNICEF, IOM, Australian High Commission, Gerrys and other healthcare sector also attended the seminar.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jul, 2022 ) :Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan Nawaf bin Said al-Malki on Thursday said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are enjoying healthy ties from the last several decades and with the passage of time the bilateral relationships are growing deeper and stronger between both the countries.

He was addressing the contract signing ceremony of supply and installation of medical lab and equipment for King Abdullah Campus of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Muzafarabad and King Abdullah Teaching Hospital Mansehra Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which was organized by Saudi Fund Development.

The ambassador stressed that Saudi Arabia was giving great importance to its relationships with Pakistan and its people and would spare no effort in supporting and offering assistance to Pakistan.

Al-Maliki said, "The Saudi government had already announced 50 scholarships for Pakistani students to study in Saudi universities." The ambassador noted that the Saudi government would bear all the expenses related to studies and accommodation of the Pakistani students and added that the number of scholarships for Pakistani students would be doubled the next year.

Addressing to the participants at contract signing ceremony Vice Chancellor of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Professor Dr Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi expressed that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were enjoying very strong relationships and both nations were very close to each other due to the Islamic culture.

He said "This is really a big day for us and on this occasion I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia especially the Saudi Fund for Development for generous funding for the Construction of King Abdullah Campus at Chatter Klass campus and for this project as well".

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia extended all out support to Pakistan in every testing time thus its role was recorded in our history and the reconstruction of the university would also remain etched in our memories, he added.

The VC underlined that during devastating earthquake of October 2005, the university lost 217 precious human lives including students, faculty and staff as the complete infrastructure was destroyed.

Soon after the completion of rescue and relief operation the university administration decided to migrate to Islamabad, temporarily, in order to save precious academic year of the students, he informed.

"It was the biggest migration for the sake of education. The universities of Islamabad particularly Quaid-i-Azam University, AIOU, Arid Agriculture University, Bahria University, Riphah University and Federal Directorate of Education provided us labs and classroom facilities. We acknowledge their all-out support in resumption of classes and academic activities." Kaleem Abbasi said that the construction of the most modern King Abdullah Campus at Chattar Klass was completed at a total cost of Rs 6.711 billion and handed over to the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on September 30th, 2019.

"This new campus will bear more than 7,000 students of 14 academic departments and institutes. Additionally, there are 6 student hostels, administrative block, auditorium, mosque, Hi-tech. Lab, shopping Mall etc. This will not only help us to expand our academic ventures, but also conducive atmosphere in the university." Health Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Nisar Ansar Abdali said the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir were particularly indebted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their generous humanitarian assistance after the devastating earthquake of 2005.

The minister said, "We can never forget the Saudi government for this visionary decision to construct the King Abdullah Campus of the University of AJK at a cost of over Rs 10 billion and is now further providing over Rs3.5 billion for the provision of essential equipment for the same campus".

"I am fully aware that the King Abdullah Campus of University of AJK is modern educational facility but it was incomplete without necessary facilities like science laboratories, computer labs and other education related modern technologies" he added.

The minister said that "Being Health Minister, I have acknowledged and appreciated the Vice Chancellor for establishing faculty of Medical and Health Sciences to educate and train thousands of students in various medical and allied health related programs that would significantly address the shortage of trained manpower in the state".
Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah on Thursday demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the much delayed decision in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) foreign funding case at the earliest

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jul, 2022 ) :Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah on Thursday demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the much delayed decision in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) foreign funding case at the earliest.

"The Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and its all coalition government partners demand that the ECP should announce its reserved verdict in the PTI's foreign funding case immediately," he told a press conference.

The minister said during the last eight years, the PTI adopted different ways to impede the proceedings of foreign funding case. It had even filed nine petitions in the IHC to get the case quashed.

Now the ECP had reserved the decision some eight weeks ago,and it was astonishing why it was not being announced. What was the hurdle in its way, he questioned.

Rana Sana said it had been proved that some 350 foreigners and foreign companies had funded the PTI, and even Indian and Israeli people had also sent funds into the party accounts, he said.

He said an amount of $ 750 million was received in the PTI accounts, opened in the Names of its members Amir Kiyani, Dr Humayun etc, who should be arrested for being involved in money laundering.

He said the ECP should not only announce the decision but also take action against the PTI keeping in view the facts.

The minister said that former prime minister Imran Khan was misleading the nation through 'lies and baseless propaganda'. The PML-N had secured total 10.28 million votes during the last general election while the total votes of all the coalition government partners were over 25.

5 million, he added.

As regards the PTI's demand for early general election, Rana Sana said Imran Khan should first dissolve the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies and then ask the coalition government at the Centre to do so. The PTI chief was, in fact, staging a political drama, he added.

Regarding Imran Khan's demand for the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) removal, he said the incumbent CEC was appointed through a constitutional procedure and Imran Khan himself had proposed his name. The ECE could only be removed through the judicial council rather than through hurling threats or bullying, he added.

To a question, he said the Model Town case had already been decided. It had been proved that false allegations were leveled against him (Sana) and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was Punjab's chief minister at that time.

He said the government had no power to arrest anyone. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Federal investigation Agency (FIA) and anti-corruption institutions had power to arrest anyone, he added.

To another question, he said the current Punjab government had no future.

Regarding the recent by-elections in Punjab, the minister conceded that the PML-N voters and supporters did not accept the PTI's defectors as the party candidates. "As the party head in Punjab, I can confirm that the selection of wrong candidates was the reason for our loss in the by-elections."
At least seven people were killed in floods near Tehran Thursday, most in a landslide that dumped mud four metres deep in a village west of the capital, emergency services said

Tehran, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jul, 2022 ) :At least seven people were killed in floods near Tehran Thursday, most in a landslide that dumped mud four metres deep in a village west of the capital, emergency services said.

The flash flooding near Tehran, in the foothills of the Alborz mountains, comes less than a week after floods in the normally arid south of Iran left 22 people dead.

Footage from the village of Emamzadeh Davoud posted on social media showed a teenager caked in mud clinging to a pole as a roaring spate of debris-filled water rushes past him. A wall is seen collapsing moments later.

The Iranian Red Crescent said six people were confirmed dead in the village and nine were injured, while 14 others were missing.

More than 500 people were evacuated, it said in a statement.

East of the capital, in Damavand, a body was recovered from floodwaters, state news agency IRNA reported.

The head of the Iranian Red Crescent, Pirhossein Kolivand, told state television that heavy rains since Wednesday had caused floods and landslides in Emamzadeh Davoud, a tourist destination just outside Tehran, and that several vehicles were stuck in the mud or had been swept away.

Floods affected a total of 18 provinces across Iran, Kolivand told IRNA, including Isfahan, Yazd and Fars, where 22 people died in flooding on Saturday.

Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that parts of Emamzadeh Davoud had been buried under up to four metres (13 feet) of mud.

He said the search for survivors was continuing.

President Ebrahim Raisi ordered the Tehran governor to take measures to prevent further incidents and warn residents of the dangers, his office said.

In 2019, heavy rains in southern Iran killed at least 76 people and caused damage estimated at more than $2 billion.
Benin has freed 30 opposition supporters arrested during the 2021 election that handed President Patrice Talon a second term, a senior judicial source said on Wednesday

Cotonou, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jul, 2022 ) :Benin has freed 30 opposition supporters arrested during the 2021 election that handed President Patrice Talon a second term, a senior judicial source said on Wednesday.

The decision came during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron who met with Talon in the country's commercial capital Cotonou.

The West African state was long praised for its vibrant multi-party democracy, but critics say freedoms have eroded under Talon, a 64-year-old cotton magnate first elected in 2016.

The special court for economic and terrorism crimes, known as Criet, freed 30 people who were arrested during the election, placing them under temporary judicial supervision, the source said.

Among those freed were leaders and youth activists of the opposition Democrats party, the party confirmed to AFP.

The announcement came hours after Talon dismissed criticism his government was holding political prisoners after the jailing last year of two top opposition leaders.

The small West African state sitting between Nigeria and Togo had been known for its thriving multi-party democracy, but critics say Talon has led the country down an authoritarian path.

Talon had been speaking during a one-day visit by Macron to Cotonou after travelling to Cameroon.

"In Benin, there are no political detainees, no one is detained in Benin for their political opinion," Talon said, answering questions from journalists with Macron at his side.

- Opposition crackdown - "But people are detained for having acted, for having committed offenses and crimes in the political field, that is true.

" Macron did not talk about the political situation in Benin during his speech.

Talon said it was possible that an amnesty or pardon may be given to detained opposition figures, when asked about releasing the two leaders.

"We have to be able to adjust the political situation so that it gives a good image, favourable to economic development," Talon said.

"Our image is a little tarnished by the political situation that Benin has experienced lately. I am not ashamed of that." Benin opposition leader Reckya Madougou was sentenced in December to 20 years in prison for terrorism by a special court in the capital Porto-Novo after a brief trial that her attorneys condemned as a "political attack".

Madougou was one of several Benin opposition leaders banned from running in last year's election in April in which Talon won a second term with 86 percent of the vote.

A former justice minister, she was arrested in Cotonou in March -- just weeks before the election -- accused of financing an operation to assassinate political figures to prevent the vote and trying to "destabilise" the country.

Another opposition leader Joel Aivo, a professor who had been held for eight months, was also found guilty last year of plotting against the state and money laundering.

Aivo was also barred from running in the election.

Both were tried by the special court dealing with terrorism and economic crimes. Critics say the court, created by Talon's government in 2016, has been used crack down on his opponents.
(@FahadShabbir)

German auto giant Volkswagen said Thursday that it was able to overcome global economic headwinds and supply chain issues to put in a "robust" performance in the first six months of 2022

Frankfurt, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jul, 2022 ) :German auto giant Volkswagen said Thursday that it was able to overcome global economic headwinds and supply chain issues to put in a "robust" performance in the first six months of 2022.

A week after Volkswagen announced that it would part ways with its chief executive Herbert Diess, the carmaker said it was "confident" for the second half of the year.

"Despite unprecedented global challenges, Volkswagen has demonstrated remarkable financial robustness," said chief financial officer Arno Antlitz.

"Despite all the caution in the face of the volatile market environment and geopolitical risks, we are confident that we can further accelerate the transformation of the group," Antlitz said.

VW said its net profit rose by 26 percent to 10.6 billion Euros ($10.8 billion) in the first six months, even if its bottom-line in the second quarter alone was hit by an accounting effect linked to hedging against fluctuations in raw material prices.

Underlying, or operating, profit rose by 16 percent to 13.2 billion euros in the period from January to June.

"This was driven by strong performances from the premium and sport brand group," VW said.

First-half revenues were nearly stable at 132.3 billion euros, but unit sales were down by 14 percent at four million vehicles, not least because of the worldwide shortage of semiconductors plaguing the industry.

- Easing supply constraints - Looking ahead, Volkswagen said it "confirms its outlook for 2022... as supply constraints ease." The carmaker expected "the product mix to normalise in the second-half as the semi-conductor situation improves in combination with a strong order book," it said.

"A noticeable recovery of the monthly sales towards the end of second quarter additionally bodes well for second-half sales," it said.

Nevertheless, it was "still not possible to conclusively assess the specific effects of the war in Ukraine or effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Volkswagen group's business, on the global economy and growth in the industry in fiscal year 2022," VW cautioned.

In Europe, in particular, there were uncertainties regarding energy supply.

Last week, Volkswagen unexpectedly announced the departure of CEO Diess after four years at the helm.

He will be replaced in September by Oliver Blume, the current head of the premium Porsche sports car brand.

There would be "continuity" in the group's strategic shift towards electric vehicles despite the change of leadership, said Antlitz, who will remain on the board under Blume, in a call with journalists.

Blume will likely be tasked with guiding Porsche through a long-planned stock market entry.

A final decision on the listing should be taken in "late summer", Antlitz told analysts on a conference call.
Prefect the Holy Sees Dicastery for Communication, Dr Paolo Ruffini, has called for increased collaboration and networking between the dicastery and the Bishops of Africa.

Paul Samasumo  Vatican City.

In his Goodwill message to the Catholic Bishops of Africa currently meeting in Accra, Ghana for their SECAM Plenary Assembly (25 July to 1 August), Dr Ruffini thanked the Bishops for their cooperation and reminded them that the world needed to hear their voice and know about what their local churches were doing. The Bishops are meeting in Accra under the theme, "Ownership of SECAM; Security and Migration in Africa and the Islands."

SECAM stands for Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. It is an association of all Catholic Bishops in Africa. Its secretariat is in Accra.

Dr Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication.

Vatican Radio is your radio

I am also pleased to remind you that this globalised world needs to hear about you too, and about what you are doing as a local church in your various dioceses. This is very important. It is because of this that Vatican Radio is your radio. Therefore, I would like to make a call for increased collaboration, increased cooperation and increased networking, said Dr Ruffini. He continued, through the radio, through the web, through social media we can build a system with the mission of feeding the word of truth, based on the experience of Pentecost -interwoven with the spirit of sharing instead of the one of Babel.

Bishops at Mass during a SECAM Plenary.

Vatican Radios partnership with Africa

Through Vatican Radio, Dr Ruffini said, the people of Africa are assured of trustworthy news about the Holy Father, the Holy See and about the universal Church.

Thus, I would like to compliment and recognise the ongoing efforts in communication at all levels, mostly through the flourishing of radio and TV stations wherever they operate in the Church, the Family of God, on the continent, abroad and online. Most of these radio stations are re-transmitting (on their FM diocesan radio stations) Vatican Radios daily bulletins, broadcasts in the English, French, Portuguese, KiSwahili and occasionally many other African languages. These daily radio broadcasts, consisting of a daily, up-to-date and verified news about the Holy Father and the various Dicasteries of the Holy See are assuring to the people on the Africa continent and in the world at large, said Dr Ruffini.

Africa's radio stations

For Africa, the ordinary FM radio set continues to be the most important medium of communication. On a continent where millions still have no access to the internet or can ill afford the prohibitive costs of Internet connectivity, the popularity of radio has endured. Radio has proved to have the widest geographical reach compared with the internet, television or even the newspaper. Many Catholic Dioceses in Africa own FM radio stations.

Dr Paolo Ruffini interacts with staff of Vatican Radio's French Service

In his message, Dr Ruffini invited Dioceses in Africa to embed on the homepages of their websites, a widget developed by the Dicastery for Communication. The widget, which is a small stand-alone App, automatically imports to the diocesan homepage latest updates on the Pope, his Sunday Angelus, speeches, Wednesday audiences and the Vatican press office's daily news bulletins.

Staff of Vatican Radio's English Africa Service.

Africas synodal journey with young people

Referring to the synodal journey of the universal church launched by Pope Francis, Dr Ruffini encouraged Africas Bishop to heed the call of Pope Francis to pay particular attention to the need to assist people, especially young people, to develop a sound critical sense, learning to distinguish truth from falsehood, right from wrong, good from evil, and to appreciate the importance of working for justice, social concord, and respect for our common home. This, said Dr Ruffini, would be a significant contribution to the diffusion of a culture of peace grounded in the truth of the Gospel.

Pope Saint Paul VI canonised the Uganda Martyrs in 1964 and later visited Uganda in 1969. During that visit, the Pope inaugurated the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Shine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre in eastern Canada, near Quebec, and recalls that Jesus always walks with us to help us move beyond our failures toward hope in God.

By Devin Watkins

At the start of the fifth day of his Apostolic Journey to Canada, Pope Francis presided over Mass in the National Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, some 30 kilometers east of Quebec.

The Pope traveled by car to the oldest pilgrimage site in North America, which was first built in 1658 to house a miraculous statue of Jesus grandmother.

In his homily , Pope Francis reflected on the conclusion of Lukes Gospel, which recounts the journey of the disciples to Emmaus and their encounter with Jesus, whom they did not initially recognize.

Pope Francis prays at Mass

Failure along the way

The Pope said the disciples experience began with their distress and sadness at the apparent failure of Jesus plan but ended with the birth of a new hope, after Jesus accompanied them as a fellow traveler.

Whenever our failures lead to an encounter with the Lord, life and hope are reborn and we are able to be reconciled: with ourselves, with our brothers and sisters, and with God.

Like the disciples, we too can experience failure in our own spiritual journey when our plans fall through, when we give up on our high ideals due to our own inadequacies, or when we feel crushed by our sins.

Pope Francis said the Church community experiences similar setbacks when faced with the scandal of evil and the violence that led to Calvary.

Catholics at Mass in the Shrine of Saint Anne de Beaupre.

Stuck in grief and remorse

The temptation in such moments of doubt and failure is to flee and seek refuge in grief and remorse.

[Fleeing] is a temptation that comes from the enemy, who threatens our spiritual journey and that of the Church, for he wants us to think that all our failures are now irreversible.

However, said Pope Francis, the Gospel teaches us that Jesus comes to walk by our side at precisely those moments of failure and teaches us to read events in a new light.

He noted that the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre has been rebuilt three times, once after a devastating fire. Yet, the faithful of the area kept dreaming and set out again with courage and creativity.

Priests concelebrate the Pope's Mass

Reconciliation and healing in Christ

Jesus, said Pope Francis, opens our eyes to the reality behind our perceived failures by breaking the bread and setting us back on the right path.

What are we to do, as we endure spiritual and material trials, as we seek the path to a more just and fraternal society, as we strive to recover from our disappointments and weariness, as we hope to be healed of past wounds and to be reconciled with God and with one another?

The answer lies in Jesus Himself, said the Pope, since He always comes to us to show us the way to healing and reconciliation.

Listen to our report

Tender maternal love of Mary

Pope Francis encouraged the Church in Canada to look to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the other women of Easter morning who showed the disciples the truth of Jesus Resurrection.

The tender maternal love of so many women can accompany us  as Church  towards new and fruitful times, leaving behind so much barrenness and death, and putting the crucified and risen Jesus back at the centre, he said.

If we place Jesus back at the centre of our lives and faith, concluded Pope Francis, then we can be reconciled with God, with others, and with ourselves and become instruments of reconciliation and peace within our societies.

Full video of the Mass at the National Shrine of Saint Anne de Beaupre
The Group of Seven on Thursday condemned the execution of four pro-democracy activists in Myanmar and called on the ruling military to "refrain from further arbitrary executions" and to free all political prisoners.

"These executions, the first in Myanmar in over thirty years, and the absence of fair trials show the juntas contempt for the unwavering democratic aspirations of the people of Myanmar," a joint statement by G7 foreign ministers, released by the British government, said.

"We continue to condemn in the strongest terms the military coup in Myanmar and express deep concern about the political, economic, social, humanitarian and human rights situation in the country."
Afghanistan is again facing risks of mass starvation in coming months as critical relief operations suffer substantial funding shortfalls.

The World Food Program (WFP) says it faces a net funding shortage of $960 million to sustain humanitarian operations over the next six months.

"Funding shortfalls and skyrocketing prices mean WFP has been forced to take hard decisions earlier this year to cut down activities to the bare minimum from June to August, temporarily focusing assistance on 10 million people who face the most urgent and life-threatening needs," Philippe Kropf, the WFP's head of communication in Afghanistan, told VOA.

Almost 19 million Afghans  more than half of Afghanistan's estimated population  are facing critical levels of hunger, aid agencies say.

Funding is urgently required to procure and stock relief supplies in parts of the landlocked country that become inaccessible during the winter.

"If we fail to secure funding and preposition food before winter starts in October, people will starve," Kropf warned.

To avert starvation and death in the country, the U.N. asked donors for $4.4 billion earlier this year. As of July 28, less than 45% of the appeal has been funded.

The U.S., the largest humanitarian donor to Afghanistan, has pledged almost $460 million for the appeal, followed by the United Kingdom ($408 million) and Asia Development Bank ($380 million).

"I think for the United States, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is among the highest priorities that drive American decision making," Thomas West, U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, told Uzreport TV this week.

Millions malnourished

Almost five million children and pregnant and lactating women in Afghanistan face malnutrition this year, while 3.9 million children are already malnourished, aid agencies say.

"Malnutrition is a life-threatening illness, and if they don't get treatment in time, severely malnourished children face a very real risk of death," Sacha Myers, a spokesperson for Save the Children Afghanistan, told VOA.

While praising donors for giving almost $2 billion in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan this year, aid workers say the country needs economic recovery and development aid to rid itself of recurring cycles of humanitarian emergencies.

Donors have cut off development aid to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power last year. The new Taliban leadership also faces strict financial sanctions, which have crippled Afghanistan's banking sector.

"Almost a year has passed, and still the international community hasn't got any closer to finding a solution to this financial standoff. Until they take steps to resume development aid and revive the economy, they are complicit in the loss of every child who dies from hunger and disease," said Myers.

Foreign aid made up over half of Afghanistan's budget, even before the Taliban took power.

International donors have repeatedly urged the Taliban to open secondary schools for girls, allow women to work, and form an inclusive government, but Taliban leaders have remained defiant insisting they have formed a purely Islamic system.


Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has more than 630,000 followers of his official Twitter account. But the only web address under his profile links to a terminated page.

Mujahid and his team were once dubbed masters of online propaganda when the Taliban were fighting U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Now, as a de facto government, the Taliban's use of digital platforms is confronted with service denials, adversarial campaigns and removal from social media platforms.

Last week Meta, Facebooks parent company, closed the Facebook and Instagram accounts of state-run Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) and the Bakhtar News Agency.

The accounts were created by the previous U.S.-backed Afghan government and were left for the Taliban, who used them to disseminate news of their government.

The Taliban is sanctioned as a terrorist organization under U.S. law, and they are banned from using our services under our Dangerous Organizations policies," a Meta spokesperson told VOA. This means we remove accounts maintained by or on behalf of the Taliban and prohibit praise, support and representation of them.

Google follows the same policy.

While VOA was seeking comments for this story, a link to a Taliban YouTube radio channel was sent to Google as a reference. In less than 24 hours, the channel was gone.

Google is committed to compliance with applicable U.S. sanctions laws and enforces related policies under its Terms of Service. As such, if we find an account that belongs to the Taliban, we terminate it, a Google spokesperson told VOA.

Twitter

Days after former Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan, Taliban acting Prime Minister Mullah Hasan Akhund occupied the presidential palace popularly known as the Arg ("fort" in the Dari language).

Despite taking control of the physical building in Kabul and all corners of the landlocked country, Akhund has been denied access to the Args previously robust cyber realm. The domain president.gov.af is broken. The Args Facebook page, which carried millions of likes, is nonexistent. And the official Twitter handle, @ARG_AFG, has been inactive since August 15, 2021  the day Ghani fled.

There is no verified Taliban account on Twitter, but the platform has allowed numerous unverified accounts, including Mujahids, to promote Taliban policies and statements. Twitter did not respond to requests for comment.

The Taliban started using Twitter in 2011 primarily to target Western audiences and quickly used the service to disseminate propaganda, according to research in 2014 by the Terrorism Research Initiative.

After Meta closed RTAs Facebook accounts, some campaigners launched the BanTaliban hashtag on Twitter. In response, pro-Taliban campaigners launched the SupportTaliban hashtag, which according to an AI tracking account generated considerable responses among some Twitter users.

De facto government

The U.S. government has designated several Taliban officials and entities linked to them as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

As insurgents, the Taliban called for armed attacks against U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan. But since taking over the government, the groups rhetoric and statements have shifted more toward governance and social service provision, according to Tamar Mitts, a faculty member at the Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies at Columbia University in New York.

What makes the Taliban unique is that unlike many other groups, it also functions as a state, which raises questions about whether companies should allow governance-related content on their platforms when the entity that generates the content is designated as a dangerous organization, Mitts told VOA.

The Taliban have challenged their removal from popular social networking sites as a sign of Western hypocrisy toward free speech.

The slogan freedom of expression is used to deceive other nations, Mujahid tweeted on July 20.

Unlike in neighboring Iran where the Islamic government has banned Facebook, thus far, the Taliban have not banned social platforms inside Afghanistan.

Under strict international financial sanctions and not recognized as a government by any country, the Taliban are widely condemned for their suppressive policies toward media and women.

Last month, they arrested a famous Afghan YouTuber for alleged insult toward Islamic scriptures.

Some experts believe the Talibans propaganda should also be banned on social platforms when they stifle critics and impose censorship on Afghan media.
The Biden administration is working on a new identification card to be issued to immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border that would allow U.S. immigration officials and migrants to more quickly access their files. The card would someday be accepted by the Transportation Security Administration for travel inside the United States.



An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson told VOA the card, called a Secure Docket Card, is part of a push to modernize and streamline the paperwork given to immigrants when they are processed at the southern border through a consistent, verifiable and secure card.



ICE is completing the required pilot notification to Congress, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is asking for $10 million to launch the initiative during fiscal 2023.



The new ID card will include photo, name, nationality and a QR code to access a new portal with the immigrants information, allowing the noncitizen to log in to a website  still in development  to schedule and check on ICE reporting requirements and hearing dates with the immigration court.



Specifics of the program are still under development, but a primary goal of the SDC is to improve current, inconsistent paper forms that often degrade rapidly in the real-world use, an ICE spokesperson wrote in an email, adding that the agency is planning to launch a pilot program by the end of the year.



Is SDC only for migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border?



Initially, yes. But the ICE spokesperson said the agency will consider expanding it depending upon the success of the pilot program.



The administration is hoping to get the necessary congressional approval before the November elections.



How will this benefit migrants and the government?



According to ICE, when an immigration officer encounters a noncitizen with an SDC, that officer can easily verify the card through DHS systems and determine whether the migrant is seeking asylum or possibly has a deportation order.



For the noncitizen, the card's QR code will allow them to access a website where they can schedule ICE reporting obligations and check on hearing dates with the immigration court.



[Im] cautiously optimistic.  If a docket card makes [the immigration] process more efficient, then it's going to make it easier for the client. It's going to make it easier for the government. And it will literally demonstrate what we knew all along, which is: If you give our clients facing removal the tools to comply, they will comply, said Jeremy McKinney, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).



But, Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union, shared concerns about privacy risks when it comes to storing personal data in one place.



It allows bureaucrats to learn more about you, see more about you, Stanley, who works on privacy issues, told CNN.



Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a Republican from New Jersey, said he is writing legislation to halt the Biden administration from issuing ID cards to asylum seekers.



Van Drew told Newsmax, a conservative news website, that the only thing migrants should be able to access is a trip back across the border.



So I'm doing legislation that is saying not one American tax dollar, or for that matter, any American dollar can be spent for these cards, he said.



The card will be eventually used as form of identification at airports for travel inside the United States. Currently, TSA accepts a Notice to Appear (NTA) as valid identification to travel. The NTA, issued by ICE, orders an individual to appear before an immigration judge on a specific date to continue immigration proceedings in court.



Will the card be a supplement to the Alternatives to Detention Program?



Yes. Under current law, depending on the situation, ICE may or must release noncitizens, U.S. immigration officials said, and the legal paperwork provided to noncitizens varies significantly, case by case. Before migrants are released from custody, those seeking asylum must convince a federal immigration officer they have a well-founded fear of being persecuted in their home country because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinions.



From there, they are to undergo immigration proceedings to determine if they will be allowed to remain in the United States or be deported. Because of an immigration court backlog of more than 1.6 million cases, the asylum process can take years, and asylum-seekers must check in with different U.S. immigration agencies.



The SDC would make it easier for immigrants to check on their court date and check in with immigration officials, a requirement of the Alternatives to Detention program.



What is the Alternatives to Detention Program?



Alternatives to Detention (ATD) is a program that releases immigrants from border officials custody and places them into a specific monitoring program. It is geared toward vulnerable immigrants, such as unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, families with young children and nursing mothers.



Those subjected to mandatory detention do not qualify for ATD, generally related to crime.



More people have been placed under ATD since the Biden administration steered away from a Trump-era decision to shut down the program for those seeking asylum.



Under the Trump administration, everyone was detained, including families who were often held at family detention centers as they waited for court hearings.



Currently, ICE allows those in the program to use ankle bracelets for GPS location monitoring, smartphone applications such as SmartLink for facial recognition and GPS-location monitoring, and reporting in through phone calls.



According to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a research institution at Syracuse University, people often remain under ATD monitoring for several years. As of July 16, 296,250 people are being monitored through ICE's ATD programs.



What are the initial thoughts on the new initiative?



Some immigrant rights advocates have raised concerns over safely securing private data, constant monitoring and the efficiency of government going digital for immigration purposes.



Thats why Im cautiously optimistic.  The government and technology have not always been a match made in heaven," said McKinney of AILA. "I'm concerned about the technology not making it more efficient or making it more burdensome because our clients don't understand, can't use it, or its not user-friendly. And the second concern, of course, is privacy.



But Stanley of the ACLU said the ID in a case-by-case can be convenient for users in some circumstances.



The devil is in the details depending on what information were talking about, he said.



Those released from U.S. custody at the border on conditions must notify the U.S. government of certain situations such as change or address or if they are planning to move to another U.S. state than the one provided during initial processing. Sometimes, migrants need advanced permission from ICE to move to a new state.



But it doesn't give permission for ICE to track a person's every movement. So, of course there's always going to be the concern in the immigrant community that ICE is using these cards to literally track people, McKinney added.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke Thursday morning about what the White House said would be a range of issues, including economic matters, tensions about Taiwan and Russias war in Ukraine.

President Bidens call with President Xi Jinping of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) started at 8:33 am ET, according to the White House.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Wednesday Biden wants to make sure that the lines of communication with President Xi remain open, because they need to. Theres issues where we can cooperate with China on, and then theres issues where, obviously, theres friction and tension.

He said tensions regarding the South China Sea and what he called Chinas coercive and aggressive behavior toward countries in the region are expected to be part of the discussion.

The call comes amid a potential visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, which Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian warned Wednesday would be met with forceful responses.

Kirby said there has been no change to the U.S. policy that diplomatically recognizes Beijing and not Taipei.

Im sure that in one form or another he will reaffirm that theres no change to Americas commitment to the One China Policy  none, zero  and that we continue to not want to see cross-Strait issues or tensions resolved unilaterally, and certainly not by force, and theres no reason for it to, Kirby said.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
As campaigning gears up for Kenyas August 9 presidential elections, the two main candidates are both focused on one key talking point - the economy - and this inevitably means the countrys controversial relationship with China is coming under the spotlight.

Deputy President William Ruto, a former chicken-seller who styles himself as a champion of the poor and calls himself the hustler-in-chief, has come out with a strongly anti-China platform. Hes vowed to deport Chinese nationals doing jobs he says should be reserved for Kenyans and has also promised to make public government contracts with Beijing.

At an economic forum in June, Ruto said, Chinese nationals are roasting maize and selling mobile phones. We will deport all of them, Agence France-Presse reported.



As Africas biggest investor, China has been responsible for major infrastructure projects in Kenya, including the recently opened Nairobi Expressway and the controversial and expensive Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway, which links the capital with the key port city of Mombasa.

But the pro-China policies of current President Uhuru Kenyatta  with whom Ruto has fallen out  now mean Kenya now owes China billions of dollars.



Ruto said he would cut government borrowing and promised to make public opaque contracts with China  something some Kenyan activists have even gone to court over.



In contrast, Rutos opposition rival Raila Odinga  who has come up short in four previous presidential bids and is now backed by his former nemesis, Kenyatta  has been less strident on China.



Odinga has noted that Western nations were in Africa before the Chinese, who simply filled a need for infrastructure development, and said working with Beijing does not mean having to exclude other countries. He said recently he would renegotiate terms for the debt.



China spotlight



The deputy president and the presidential contender William Ruto and his allies have made China a talking point in their campaign, and theyre mostly critical of the role of China in the country, Cliff Mboya, a Kenyan researcher at the China Global South Project think tank, told VOA.



Another Kenyan independent analyst and China specialist, Adhere Cavince, said he thinks Rutos stance is a politically convenient way to hunt for votes in the face of rising living costs and high unemployment.



Kenya is currently experiencing a lot of economic difficulties and theres been this narrative about the role of China, especially in regard to this debt trap narrative, Cavince told VOA. Politicians leverage anything they can blame, and I think for the deputy president, China has become a very easy target.



Another reason for Rutos stance, Cavince said, could be to distance himself from his boss, Kenyatta, with whom he fell out in 2018.



We understand some of these development projects could have sidelined the deputy president from the lucrative tenders that come with it and so it could be a way of getting back at Kenyatta, he said.



Mboya likewise said Ruto was trying to distance himself from the government, which has been associated with corruption in relation to Chinese mega-projects.



It is believed that a lot of money was siphoned off to benefit the political class, he said.



While many ordinary Kenyans are very appreciate of the projects, Mboya added, they are also angry about the borrowing.



Both analysts also noted Rutos about-turn on Chinese lending and Odingas contrasting attitude to the Asian giant.

Previously, Ruto was protective and defensive about the governments relationship with China, but has since changed tack, Cavince said, maintaining that he will not be going to China to borrow should he ascend to the presidency.



Raila Odinga, on the other side ... has equally had a very measured temper to the Chinese, said Cavince. Hes been on record in his campaigns, giving the example of Chinas development track record, saying its possible for Kenya to go the way China did.



Chinas position on lending



While both presidential candidates have expressed concern about Kenyas debt, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Kenya earlier this year and rejected the debt trap accusations.



All China-Kenya cooperation projects have been scientifically planned and appraised in detail, bringing benefits to the Kenyan people and boosting Kenya's national development and revitalization, he said.



Eighty percent of Kenya's foreign debt is owed by multilateral financial institutions, and its debt to China is mainly concessional loans, he added, according to the official Foreign Ministry statement.

The Chinese Embassy in Nairobi did not respond to VOAs requests for comment on Rutos anti-Chinese rhetoric.



Tough China stance



It is not the first time African leaders have talked tough on China. Former Zambian President Michael Sata reportedly railed against Chinese profiteers in the early 2000s and claimed that Zambia has become a province of China. In 2018 there was widespread looting of Chinese businesses in Zambia.



Zambia, whose biggest creditor is China, defaulted on its external debt in 2020 and is now negotiating debt restructuring.

But in Kenyas case, Mboya and Cavince say Rutos threats are mainly empty rhetoric, given Chinas huge clout on the continent.
Chinese authorities are promising to establish an initial rescue fund of $11.8 billion (80 billion yuan) to offset a looming crisis in the real estate sector, where homebuyers routinely purchase residences from developers' plans and begin making mortgage payments before the dwellings are finished.

By having customers purchase homes "off plan," builders can receive construction financing and shift risks  such as costly pandemic-related supply chain delays and bankrupt builders  to the middle-class homebuyers.

For many buyers, the risks seemed worth it. But then China's COVID-cooled economy strained many family budgets, and draconian lockdowns stalled work on residential projects. As home prices fell, some buyers found themselves paying mortgages on properties worth less than what they had agreed to pay. That was followed by the tightening policies in August 2020, when the central government realized real estate developers' debt was getting out of control.

Amid all this, many homebuyers announced they would stop making mortgage payments to banks until work resumed on unfinished projects.

Experts say the boycott is a byproduct of two decades of insufficient oversight over a red-hot real estate sector. One economist likened the situation to a Ponzi scheme, a type of fraud that pays existing investors with funds collected from new investors.

Reuters describes the promised rescue fund as the first step in creating a "war chest" of as much as $44 billion (300 billion yuan). The state hopes the effort, announced Sunday, will not only help property developers resolve a debt crisis but also restore confidence in the real estate sector.

A state bank official who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter told Reuters that the fund would initially be set at 80 billion yuan through People's Bank of China and China Construction Bank.

High risks, low supervision

Mr. Fang, a real estate developer in China and the United States who asked that VOA Mandarin not use his real name for fear of reprisal, said while U.S. banks supervise and control loans issued to off-plan property developers from groundbreaking to occupancy, Chinese banks offer less supervision.

According to China's presale housing regulation, funds received from sales of homes must be used to build them, a process supervised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and banks.

In practice, however, poor supervision is common, according to Fang.

In this environment, Chinese developers "want to take big risks," Fang said.

Instead of putting buyers' mortgage payments toward construction of their homes, Fang said, Chinese developers buy more property.

With the economy and housing market cooling off, it is "basically suicidal" to buy more land on the assumption that developing it will pay for finishing construction underway elsewhere, Fang said.

'A bit like a Ponzi scheme'

An economist in China, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal, told VOA Mandarin that real estate companies have never been regulated.

"When the economy is good, with the continuous expansion, most of the properties can be delivered. But when the economy is not good, it becomes a bit like a Ponzi scheme. If there is no follow-up funding, they will not able to complete construction," she said.

A Chinese banking regulator said on July 21 that it will coordinate support to property developers in need of loans after homebuyers stopped making mortgage payments, usually putting the money into escrow accounts instead.

At a press conference in Beijing last Thursday, Liu Zhongrui, director of the Statistical Information and Risk Monitoring Department of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC), said that banks and other government departments will meet reasonable financing needs of real estate developers. But he did not give details.

"We actively strengthen the coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the People's Bank of China and other departments, and support local governments to more effectively promote the work of 'guaranteeing the delivery of buildings, protecting people's livelihood, and maintaining stability,'" Liu said.

The earliest "mortgage boycott notice" by more than 5,000 homebuyers appeared in April 2021 in Taiyuan, in the northern province of Shanxi, after a local developer's project languished unfinished for more than two years.

Letters to banks

Last month, homeowners in Jingdezhen, in northeastern Jiangxi province, sent a letter to their banks announcing they were suspending mortgage payments because of the delayed delivery of residential units purchased off plan. Since then, homeowners of more than 300 unfinished residential projects nationwide have sent similar public letters to banks.

Last week, some 200 frustrated home buyers in Wuhan demonstrated outside a bank regulator's office, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal.

It's unclear how many homebuyers are involved in the protests because Chinese censors are clamping down on news of mortgage boycotts, Reuters reported.

A study, the "2022 National Unfinished Building Research Report," published July 18 by the Shanghai-based E-House China Research and Development Institution, a think tank that analyzes the real estate market, found that 54% of homeowners who issued mortgage suspension notices came from the central China province of Henan, home to a billion-dollar banking scandal.

According to the report, the value of mortgage loans involving unfinished buildings nationwide was $133.2 billion (900 billion yuan) in the first half of 2022, accounting for 1.7% of the national mortgage balance.

"This industry is a mess, and no one used this kind of quantitative analysis to analyze it before," Yan Yuejin, the report's author and the think tank's director of research, told VOA Mandarin.

Although 1.7% does not sound high, it is already very high and poses a serious risk for banks, Yan said. "The banks' tolerance rate for this [kind of] nonperforming loan  should not exceed 1%."
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The Turkish military has increased its bombardment of Kurdish forces near the town of Tal Tamr in northeast Syria, forcing hundreds of villagers to flee their homes. VOA's Zana Omar has more, in a story narrated by Sirwan Kajjo.
The United Nations refugee agency says clashes this year between the Democratic Republic of Congo's army and the rebel group M23 have displaced more than 160,000 people. Ruth Omar visited makeshift camps for the displaced in Nyiragongo Territory, north of the DRC's eastern city of Goma, and has this report.
Residents in the capital city of Kyiv awoke to a series of air raid sirens as missiles struck more infrastructure. While challenging, the US Justice Department says it will continue to investigate alleged war crimes. A look at training operations for those fighting against the Russian invasion.
A grand jury Wednesday indicted the suspect of the July 4th parade shooting in Chicago that killed seven people and wounded dozens more. He was indicted on 117 counts, including 21 counts of first-degree murder. Robert Crimo, 21, was accused of firing from a rooftop on a crowd of paradegoers in Highland Park during the Independence Day celebration. He will appear in court on August 3 and faces life in prison if convicted.

Crimo admitted to the shooting when police arrested him, according to prosecutors. Police found in his car a weapon similar to the Smith & Wesson semiautomatic rifle that was found at the shooting scene.

Outside of the first-degree murder charges, Crimo also faces 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm. These counts represent each victim who was struck by a bullet, bullet fragment or shrapnel. After the shooting in Highland Park, the suspect drove to Madison, Wisconsin, where investigators believe he considered a second mass shooting before deciding against it.

I want to thank law enforcement and the prosecutors who presented evidence to the grand jury today, Lake County States Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a statement. Our investigation continues, and our victim specialists are working around the clock to support all those affected by this crime that led to 117 felony counts being filed.

According to the Lake County Sheriffs office, Crimo obtained the weapons legally, having been approved to purchase five guns despite a history of frequent police calls and visits involving threats to kill himself and others.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
The International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant Thursday for a former Central African Republic government minister who is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The suspect, Mahamat Nouradine Adam, is accused of committing crimes during his position as the countrys Minister of Security between March 31 and August 22 in 2013. These violations included alleged acts of savagery at detention centers in the capital of Bangui.

Prosecutors say Adam was involved in torture, persecution, enforced disappearances and cruel treatment of prisoners at these detention centers.

The warrant, which was sealed in 2019, was reviewed by an ICC judge along with evidence gathered by the prosecution. After reviewing the evidence, the judge said the warrant is sufficient to establish reasonable grounds to believe that Adam bears individual criminal responsibility for the crimes.

Adam was part of the government in the Central African Republic when the largely Muslim Seleka group seized power and forced President Francois Bozize to step down from office in 2013.

ICC prosecutors say Adam had a prominent role in the group and was even considered as the person with the most power in the Seleka, even more power than Bozizes successor, Michel Djotodia.

The released warrant said the United Nations has placed a travel ban on Adam, but said he is believed to be moving from country to country within the region.



The ICC has placed other alleged offenders from the C.A.R.s unrest on trial, including an alleged Seleka commander and two commanders of the anti-Balaka forces that opposed the Seleka.
Officials in the southwestern Japanese city of Yamaguchi have formed a special unit, armed with tranquilizer guns to hunt down monkeys, after at least 42 reported attacks on people by the animal since July 8.



The monkeys - Japanese macaques - are common in large parts of the country, and they are a pest in some areas, eating crops and even entering homes.



But city officials say the string of attacks in Yamaguchi have been unusual, with both adults and children suffering injuries, including scratches and bites.



Yamaguchi officials say they resorted to the special unit after snares and traps failed to capture any monkeys.



They say the unit tracked down and tranquilized one monkey near a local high school late Tuesday. The monkey matched prior descriptions and photos taken of a known attacker and it was put down. But the attacks have continued, squelching a theory that the attacks were the act of a single monkey.



The injuries have so far been mild, but authorities say there are indications the monkeys are getting bolder. One official said, Initially only children and women were attacked. Recently elderly people and adult men have been targeted, too.



They say the monkeys have in some cases entered homes by sliding open screen doors or entering through windows.



Kobe University wildlife expert Mieko Kiyono told U.S. cable news channel CNN that while a string of attacks such as those seen in Yamaguchi are rare, this kind of human-monkey conflict has become increasingly common over the years.



She said research indicates conservation efforts have led to a resurgence in macaque populations, while their natural habitats have declined. Kiyono said the more humans and monkeys interact, the more the monkeys lose their natural fear, and attacks like these are likely to become more common.



Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned late Wednesday that his country is fully prepared for any military conflict with the United States, state media said Thursday.

The warning is Pyongyangs latest threat amid speculation it will soon conduct its seventh nuclear test.

Kim, in a speech marking the anniversary of the end of the Korean War, also warned that South Koreas government would be annihilated if it made any dangerous attempt, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative who took office in May, has repeatedly spoken of the possibility of preemptive strikes, including strikes against senior North Korean leadership, if South Korea detects signs of an imminent attack.

Such action would be immediately punished with strong force, Kim said, adding the Yoon Suk Yeol regime and his military will be annihilated."

"If the South Korean regime and its military gangsters are thinking of taking us on militarily and think they can neutralize or destroy part of our military power preemptively based on particular military means or methods, they are mistaken," Kim said.

In his speech, Kim repeatedly boasted of his countrys nuclear weapons and indicated he was prepared to use them if necessary. North Korea, he said, was fully prepared for any military confrontation with the United States.

North Korea has tested an unprecedented number of missiles this year. Pyongyang has also apparently finished preparations for another nuclear test, according to U.S. and South Korean officials.

In response, South Korea has expanded its countrys decades-old military alliance with the United States. The two countries have also embraced more explicit demonstrations of military power in an attempt to deter the nuclear-armed North.

Next month the United States and South Korea will resume large-scale field military exercises that had been suspended for years, as the two countries pursued negotiations with North Korea.

Although the two allies say the exercises are defensive in nature, North Korea sees the drills as preparations to invade and often uses them as occasions to issue threats or conduct other provocations.

In his address Wednesday, Kim blasted the double standard and thuggish behavior of the United States. While he described North Koreas military moves as routine, he said the U.S.-South Korea drills seriously threaten our national security.

At a press conference Wednesday in Seoul, South Korean Foreign Affairs Minister Park Jin called North Koreas nuclear and missile development the main causes of tension on the Korean Peninsula.

Park also warned North Korea against conducting another nuclear test, saying such a move would likely lead to more international sanctions against the North.

North Korea is in a situation where it needs to think carefully, he said.

On Tuesday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said a North Korean nuclear test would carry tremendous costs, without specifying what those costs would be.

It will likely be much tougher for the United Nations Security Council to respond with additional sanctions against North Korea. Russia and China, both veto-wielding members of the Security Council, have in recent months called for North Korea sanctions to be relaxed, not expanded.
Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov lashed out at Western countries Wednesday as he wrapped up a four-nation trip to Africa with a stop in Ethiopias capital.

Moscow is seeking to bolster support from African countries, who have largely declined to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine. His visit came as the U.S. announced nearly half a billion dollars in additional aid for drought relief in Ethiopia.

Russias invasion of Ukraine on February 24th and its blockade of Ukraines ports massively disrupted grain shipments, trapping millions of tons of grain and causing global commodity prices to soar.

But at a Wednesday news briefing in Addis, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov claimed prices were rising before Russia invaded Ukraine in February, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and what he called green policies pursued by the West.

I know that the Western media presents the situation in a totally distorted manner, if only to mention the food crisis, so called food crisis, as if nothing was of concern before February this year, he said.

Nataliya Bugayova, a Russia research fellow at the Institute for the Study of War, dismissed Lavrovs remarks as an attempt to reshape the narrative on the food crisis during his Africa tour.

"Russia's blockade of grain in Ukraine's ports and deliberate destruction of Ukrainian agricultural capabilities is at the center of this effort, as Russia is trying to falsely link Ukraine's grain exports with sanctions against Russia, and to falsely frame Ukraine as a party, as a responsible party, in the global food crisis, she told VOA.

Lavrovs African tour included stops in Egypt, Uganda and the Republic of Congo. Along the way, he has sought to reassure regional leaders that grain exports through Ukraines Black Sea ports will resume, even while pinning the blame for their halt on the West.

While in Addis, Lavrov met with the Ethiopian foreign minister, Demeke Mekonnen. The pair agreed to strengthen cooperation and economic ties, according to state media.

There was no indication that Lavrov met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has rarely been seen in public lately, or with officials at African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.

AU officials told VOA that Lavrovs stop was a bilateral visit between Russia and Ethiopia.

Earlier Wednesday, the U.S. government announced a package of $488 million to help Ethiopia with drought relief efforts. Dry weather and conflict have left 30 million Ethiopian in need of aid.

Announcing the new funds, Tracey Ann Jacobson, the U.S. charge daffaires in Ethiopia, said current weather conditions across the region were the worst in recorded history.

The new U.S. special envoy for the horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, this week is making his first visit to the country, where the U.S. is supporting efforts to mediate between the federal government and rebels from the northern Tigray region.

VOA's Cindy Saine contributed to this report.
French President Emmanuel Macron hosts Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday as part of increased Western efforts to court the major oil-producing state amid the war in Ukraine and faltering talks to revive a nuclear deal with Iran.

French opposition figures and human rights groups have criticized Macron's decision to invite to dinner at the Elysee Palace a man Western leaders believe ordered the murder in 2018 of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The visit to Paris by the de facto Saudi ruler, comes two weeks after he held talks in Saudi Arabia with U.S. President Joe Biden. The West is keen to reset relations with the Gulf Arab oil giant as it seeks to counter the rising regional influence of Iran, Russia and China.

"The rehabilitation of the murderous prince will be justified in France as in the United States by arguments of realpolitik. But it's actually bargaining that predominates, let's face it," Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard said on Twitter ahead of the crown princes visit.

France and other European countries are looking to diversify their sources of energy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has seen Moscow cut gas supplies to Europe. Macron wants Riyadh, the world's largest oil exporter, to raise production.

A French presidency official told reporters Macron would bring up human rights questions, including individual cases, as well as discussing oil production and the Iran nuclear deal.

France is one of Riyadh's main arms suppliers but has faced growing pressure to review its sales because of the humanitarian crisis, the world's worst, in Yemen where a Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Iran-aligned Houthi rebels since 2015.

Macron, who last December became the first Western leader to visit Saudi Arabia since the Khashoggi affair, has dismissed criticism of his efforts to engage the crown prince by saying the kingdom was too important to be ignored.

The killing of Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul sparked an international furor. U.S. intelligence concluded the crown prince had directly approved the murder of the Washington Post columnist. The crown prince denied any role in the killing.

French prosecutors are studying complaints filed against the prince over the Saudi role in the Yemen war. Rights groups Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), and TRIAL International said on Thursday they had filed a new complaint asking French authorities to open an investigation into the prince over the torture and killing of Khashoggi.
Activists in Malawi suspended planned anti-government protests, following the abduction Wednesday night of one of the protest organizers. A witness says men grabbed Sylvester Namiwa as he was leaving a press conference, pushed him into a car and drove away. Malawi's president has condemned the abduction and police say they are investigating.

The planned protests were aimed at pushing President Lazarus Chakwera to give up his immunity from prosecution and also limit his presidential powers, as he promised during the last campaign.

Mundango Nyirenda is a member of the Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives, or CDEDI, which organized and then suspended the demonstrations.

We did that out of respect for Namiwa because we dont know where he is. Then how can we be able to hold a demonstration while we dont know where he is? And we dont know what has happened to him. Maybe they have killed him so we decided to cancel it, said Nyirenda.

Edwin Mauluka, who is CDEDIs spokesman, says he witnessed the abduction. He says five men seized Namiwa from his car as he was leaving a press conference on the protest.

His car was blocked by a vehicle which has no registration number. And when he stopped to avoid hitting the vehicle which was in front of him, immediately some bouncers  could be more than five  came out of the vehicle and surrounded Mr. Namiwas vehicle and started to force the doors open, and pulled him out of the car and started to beat him up. And they took him into their car and they sped away, said Mauluka.

Mauluka says attempts to chase the vehicle proved futile.

Rights campaigners say the abduction was an attempt by Malawis government to silence dissenting views.

However, Malawis minister of homeland security told lawmakers Thursday that she believes Namiwas disappearance was a ploy by opposition parties to tarnish the governments image.

A government spokesman, Gospel Kazzko, said the government had nothing to do with the incident. Speaking to a local radio station Thursday, he said the government cannot condone acts of hooliganism.

There is no way this government can do that. Remember we are not afraid of our critics. In fact, we look at critics as part of the fertilization mechanisms for us to move forward," said Kazako. "These are people that are acting as a mirror, these are people who are always reminding us what we should be doing.

President Chakwera on Thursday condemned the abduction and called for a speedy investigation into the matter

Harry Namwaza, deputy spokesperson for Malawi Police Service, said police are doing just that.

... We cant disclose when we are going to conclude our investigation or what we have found at this time. The only statement we can say is that we are investigating into the matter, said Namwaza.

Meanwhile, despite the cancellation of demonstrations in the capital Lilongwe, protests went forward in other areas, where police fired teargas to disperse people who allegedly wanted to loot shops and vandalize property.
Mali's military government says coordinated insurgent attacks on Wednesday killed 15 troops and three civilians, while leaving scores of militants dead. Analysts say the attacks show increasing insecurity in the West African country following the withdrawal of French forces.

The attacks were launched Wednesday against military targets in Mopti, a city in central Mali, as well as in Sokolo and Kalumba, also in central Mali. The Malian army issued a statement saying it neutralized 48 militants.

In it, the chief of staff of the armed forces reassured Malians and called on observers not to be deceived by the recent acts of an adversary losing momentum. According to the analysis of the chief of staff, the recent attacks, which confirm signals and clues previously detected and identified by the army, show the final throes of armed terrorist groups on Malian territory.

Fodie Tandjigora, a sociology professor at the University of Bamako and researcher on security in Mali for several organizations, said from Bamako that despite such assurances, the situation in Mali is getting worse, and has entered a new phase in which Islamist militants are able to better organize and carry out simultaneous, planned attacks.

Militants also launched a series of attacks last week in several localities, before attacking Kati, a town just 15 kilometers from Bamako and home to the armys main military base.

Tandjigora says these attacks are meant to send a message.



Its a message, he said, not only towards public opinion, but also and especially to the international community, to say that ultimately the Malian army, contrary to the impression which has been conveyed by them, does not have the ability to maintain security on Malian territory.

Insecurity has been mounting in Mali in recent months, as the French army completes the process of withdrawing from the country.

French President Emmanuel Macron is currently visiting several countries in West Africa, where France continues to send military support to some of them in the fight against extremism.

The French army was primarily active in Malis north. Macron announced the withdrawal of troops in February, following increasing tensions with Malis military government, and concerns about the government working with Russian mercenaries.

Reports of mercenaries committing human rights abuses have been published by Human Rights Watch and several international media outlets since March.

Tandjigora said that public opinion in Mali is widely in favor of a Russian intervention, which many hope can end the countrys rampant insecurity. He said that though Mali maintains that it only works with official Russian instructors, whether official soldiers or mercenaries, the presence of these soldiers has had little effect on the security situation.

Tandjigora also said that the state is failing to address widespread misinformation circulating on social networks, which has contributed to increasing tensions in the country.
Nigerian opposition lawmakers are urging that President Muhammadu Buhari be impeached for the countrys deteriorating security. Lawmakers walked out of session Wednesday after the Senate president refused to allow a motion demanding Buhari improve security within six weeks or face impeachment.

The president's office dismissed the threat as ridiculous, despite security threats this week reaching the capital.

The opposition's walkout Wednesday was led by Senate minority leader Philip Aduda, who had raised the Senate motion threatening the impeachment proceeding.



But the Senate president, Ahmed Lawan, who is a member of the majority All Progressives Congress (APC) immediately shut down the motion and moved on with other matters.



He said Aduda should have discussed the motion with him first before presenting it to lawmakers.



Aduda told journalists outside the plenary Wednesday that the decision was backed by a majority of the lawmakers, including some lawmakers from the APC.



Aduda said the Senate has convened security meetings at various levels on a variety of security issues.

We did recommend to government various steps and measures aimed at curbing these issues, Aduda said. We realized that even Abuja  is no longer safe."

The presidency in a statement on Wednesday night called the threats to impeach the president "performative and babyish antics," and promised authorities are not relenting on efforts to secure the country.



Buhari on Thursday presided over a security meeting in Abuja.



Nigeria is facing multiple challenges, but security has been the most worrying. Attacks by criminal gangs and Islamist militants have occurred in many regions, and more recently the capital, Abuja.



A prison break in Abuja on July 5 freed hundreds of prisoners, including some convicted or charged with terrorism.



This week, six troops on patrol in the capital were killed in a clash with armed men.

Large-scale kidnappings from schools are another problem, and authorities recently ordered the closure of public and private schools in Abuja to prevent children from being abducted.

A regional spokesperson of the APC, Baba Afolabi, said the opposition is leveraging the insecurity to pursue a partisan agenda.

"Coming up to say you want to impeach the president is not the solution to the security challenges, Afolabi said. With the Nigerian setting, impeachment will complicate matters. The opposition will always have its say, but the majority will always have its say."

In 2015, Buhari vowed to fix security problems if voted in as president.

As Nigeria gears up for its next elections in February, this failed promise to keep people safe will be a major factor on the ballot.
Every week, tons of electronic waste cross the border from Israel to the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinian families make a living off the waste by burning it to extract copper they can sell. But the burning is taking a toll on residents health. Linda Gradstein reports. Camera: Ricki Rosen.
No one in the world invests in terrorism more than Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily address Thursday.

This really needs a legal response at the global level. And there is no rational reason why such a reaction should not occur, particularly in the United States, he said.

Zelenskyy thanked U.S. senators who have unanimously approved the resolution calling on the U.S. Department of State to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. Russia would join Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria.

For the first time in weeks, Russia launched missiles Thursday at Ukraines capital area, Kyiv, and the northern Chernihiv region, in what Ukraine alleged was retaliation for its continued resistance to Moscow's invasion.

Russia attacked the Kyiv region with six missiles launched from the Black Sea, wounding 15 people, five of them civilians, a Ukrainian regional governor said. Ukraine said it had shot down one of the missiles but that Moscow's forces had hit a military compound in the village of Liutizh outside the capital, destroying one building and damaging two others.

Kyiv regional Governor Oleksiy Kuleba linked the attacks to the Day of Statehood observance that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instituted last year and that Ukraine marked Thursday for the first time.

"Russia, with the help of missiles, is mounting revenge for the widespread popular resistance, which the Ukrainians were able to organize precisely because of their statehood," Kuleba told Ukrainian television. "Ukraine has already broken Russia's plans and will continue to defend itself."

Chernihiv regional Governor Vyacheslav Chaus reported that Russia also had fired missiles from neighboring Belarus at the village of Honcharivska. The Chernihiv region had not been targeted in weeks.

Russia withdrew from the Kyiv and Chernihiv areas months ago after failing to capture either region or to topple Zelenskyy's government.

Meanwhile, Ukraine said it had launched an offensive to recapture the Kherson region that Russia took control of earlier in the war, on Wednesday knocking out of commission a key bridge over the Dnieper River.

Ukrainian media quoted Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych as saying Kyiv's forces were planning to isolate Russian troops and leave them with three options  "retreat, if possible, surrender or be destroyed."

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, warned that the Russians were augmenting their forces in the Kherson region, saying, "A very large-scale movement of their troops has begun."

The British military assessed that Ukraine had used its new, Western-supplied long-range artillery to damage at least three of the bridges across the Dnieper that Russia has relied on to supply its forces.

The daily assessment from the British Defense Ministry said the city of Kherson "is now virtually cut off from other occupied territories."

Russian officials said their forces would use other ways to cross areas with damaged bridges, including pontoon bridges and ferries.

Zelenskyy adviser Arestovych acknowledged that Russian forces had taken over Ukraine's second-biggest power plant. He characterized the development, however, as only a "tiny tactical advantage" for the Russians.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Prosecutors in the northwestern U.S. state of Washington Wednesday charged a 49-year-old Seattle man with felony stalking after he was arrested earlier this month for yelling threats and obscenities outside the home of Democratic U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal.



Media reports citing court documents say the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office requested $500,000 bail, claiming the defendant, Brett Forsell, is "likely to commit a violent offense if free in the community.



Forsell was initially arrested outside Jaypals home on July 9. He was released after prosecutors said there was not enough evidence for a hate crime charge, though authorities noted the investigation would continue.



Jayapal and her husband heard yelling coming from outside their home in the city of Seattle late at night, according to court documents. Jayapal's husband, Steve Williamson, went out on the front porch to investigate and the couple heard male voices yelling expletives and saying, "Go back to India."



Jayapal was first elected in 2016, becoming the first Indian American member of the U.S. House of Representatives. She leads the Congressional Progressive Caucus.



As part of the felony stalking charge, prosecutors note Forsell was armed with a deadly weapon and that Jayapal was stalked in connection with her elected position. In a statement to investigators, Forsell admitted he drove by Jayapals house yelling obscenities several times since late June and on July 9 stopped, got out of the car, and directed profanities at her.



In a statement posted to her Twitter account, Jayapal said the charges indicated the justice system is doing its work, and expressed her gratitude to the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office for holding Forsell accountable for his dangerous actions.

Some information for this report was provided by the Associated Press.
A relative of slain Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh said the Biden administration's top diplomat refused her face-to-face appeal to push for a full U.S. investigation into the killing of the veteran television correspondent.

Niece Lina Abu Akleh also said Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. officials declined in meetings with her this week to provide any more information than they had already made public about how Americans reached earlier findings about the killing.

A July 4 statement issued by the State Department concluded that Israeli forces likely fired the shot that killed Shireen Abu Akleh in May, but that there was no indication Israelis intentionally shot the veteran Al Jazeera correspondent.

The 51-year-old reporter, an American citizen, was highly respected in the Arab world for her decades covering Palestinians and other Arab communities.

"You cannot determine the intent from just examining the bullet. There are so many other evidences that need to be examined and investigated to conclude intent and unfortunately. Stating that there was no one qualified to reach that conclusion is damaging. And it's also very unprofessional, to say the least," Abu Akleh's 27-year-old niece told The Associated Press in an interview.

She pressed lawmakers for help in obtaining more answers.

Abu Akleh was shot and killed while covering an Israeli military raid on May 11 in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian witnesses, including her crew, say Israeli troops killed her and that there were no militants in the immediate vicinity or any exchange of fire at the time she was shot.

Israel denies its forces deliberately targeted her, but says an Israeli soldier may have hit her by mistake during an exchange of fire with a militant.

U.S. security officials subsequently examined the results of separate Palestinian and Israeli investigations.

That led to Price, the State Department spokesman, releasing the early July statement that Americans "found no reason to believe that this was intentional but rather the result of tragic circumstances during an IDF-led military operation against factions of Palestinian Islamic Jihad." (The acronym refers to Israeli defense forces.)

U.S. officials have given no details on how they reached that decision.

Lina Abu Akleh said she asked Blinken that question when she met with him. He responded, she said, by saying, "There was no one qualified to say if it was intentional or not."

"Then why would they release a statement as such?" she asked Wednesday. "That is very damaging to the truth."

When she requested a U.S.-led investigation, she said Blinken said that decision was up to the Justice Department and not the State Department. She said Blinken declined to refer the family to other U.S. officials who had authority to undertake such an investigation.

A family statement released after the U.S. announced its earlier conclusion called the explanation "insulting" and pointed to America's strong ties with Israel, an important ally.

Lina Abu Akleh was the family's main voice this week during the Washington trip to meet with administration officials, legislators and reporters.
South Africa's chief rabbi has condemned Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor for saying that Israel is "implementing apartheid" in its treatment of Palestinians. Pandor made the comparison to South Africa's past oppressive system of racial segregation during a meeting of the Palestinian Heads of Mission in Africa, held in Pretoria.

Wearing a traditional Palestinian scarf, Pandor reiterated South Africa's steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause, comparing it to the 20th century struggle against white minority rule in South Africa.

"For many South Africans, the narrative of the Palestinian people's struggle does evoke experiences of our own history of racial segregation and oppression," she said.

Pandor said Israel was continuing to "occupy Palestine in complete defiance of its international obligations and relevant resolutions of the U.N.," and that it was "implementing apartheid."

For his part, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki thanked South Africa for its support, also drawing parallels with the former apartheid government.

"We came here because every time we need support and encouragement, we look for reference; we come to the origin of the struggle for liberation, for independence, against colonization, here in South Africa," Malki said.

Contacted by VOA, the Israeli embassy in Pretoria said it would get back with a comment on Pandor's remarks, but no statement has been made by either the embassy or the Foreign Ministry in Israel.

South Africa's chief rabbi, Warren Goldstein, slammed Pandor's comments as "factually, politically, morally repugnant."

"They are views which are a defamation of the Jewish state and an insult to the victims of the real apartheid, because if everything's apartheid, nothing is apartheid," he said.

He added that the minister's comments "betrayed" South Africa's constitution.

"Israel is the only democracy in the region, and the South African government's support for tyrannies in China, Russia and Iran mean that it does not have the moral credibility to level accusations such as this," Goldstein said.

Steven Gruzd, analyst from the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg, said since the start of democracy in 1994, the South African government had strongly supported the Palestinian cause. While it maintains diplomatic relations with Israel, he noted, they are "not warm."

He said the accusation Israel is an apartheid state was particularly strong, coming from South Africa.

"When the foreign minister of a country calls another country out for apartheid and that first country is South Africa, it will make people stand up and take notice," Gruzd said.

Gruzd said he expected Israel and its chief ally the United States to condemn Pandor's remarks.


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President Joe Biden's first trip to the Middle East has impact beyond the places he visited. VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara takes us through the controversies and consequences on The Inside Story-Biden in the Middle East.
A breakthrough agreement announced by Senate Democrats on Wednesday, which would dedicate hundreds of billions of dollars to addressing climate change and other Democratic priorities, is designed to raise federal revenues by increasing taxes on wealthy Americans and large corporations. But the agreement sidesteps an international tax agreement brokered by the Biden administration.

That agreement, which is meant to require large multinational companies to pay taxes in the countries where they do business and to pay a global minimum of 15% on profits worldwide, is opposed by Senator Joe Manchin, the conservative Democrat who has withheld his vote on a number of the Biden administrations priorities. Manchin said he is concerned that U.S. companies will be placed at a disadvantage if the U.S. implements the law and other countries do not.

The 15% global minimum tax is distinct from a 15% minimum tax on corporations that is reportedly in the deal that Manchin struck with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The agreement in the new proposed deal applies to taxable income and takes many deductions and adjustments into account. The international deal applies to book income, which corporations report on financial statements to shareholders and is typically a much larger figure.

Ironically, the failure to implement the law could harm U.S. tax revenues while doing little to benefit companies based here. A provision in the agreement allows other countries to impose additional taxes on multinational corporations if their home countries do not tax their profits at a minimum rate of 15%.

According to Congresss Joint Committee on Taxation, if the U.S. were to adopt the agreement and implement that rule, the Internal Revenue Service would collect an additional $23 billion in 2023, and nearly $319 billion in the 10 years ending in 2032. The committee says failure to adopt the rule could mean those revenues flow to other countries treasuries.

Adoption slow

The U.S. is not the only country slow in adopting the new rules. European Union negotiations over implementation recently hit a snag when Hungary declared itself unwilling to raise taxes on its domestic corporations. The United Kingdom and Japan have drafted implementation guidelines, but they are not yet official.

The overwhelming majority of countries that signed on to the accord have still not taken steps to actually put it in place.

This entire process has been very uncertain and difficult to predict, Will McBride, vice president of federal tax and economic policy at the Tax Foundation, told VOA. It's actually introduced a lot of uncertainty into international tax, although it was initially pitched, and continues to be pitched, as a way to create certainty for taxpayers.

135-country agreement

The global minimum tax is part of a larger international taxation framework developed under the auspices of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the G-20 group of large economies. The deal brought together more than 135 countries in an effort to control base erosion and profit shifting, known by the acronym BEPS.

BEPS refers to tax strategies employed by multinational corporations. The practice involves strategically placing operations in low-tax jurisdictions, thereby eroding the tax base of their home countries, and then shifting profits earned internationally so that they are paid in those low-tax jurisdictions.

The OECD estimates that as much as $240 billion in global tax revenue is lost to BEPS every year.

Two pillar

The agreement, finalized in 2021, has two pillars. The first includes a mechanism for allocating a share of large multinational corporations profits to the countries where their products and services are actually consumed, preventing those profits from being booked in tax haven countries.

The second pillar includes a 15% minimum tax rate on those profits across all countries in the agreement. The pillar also contains a mechanism meant to prevent participating countries from reducing their tax rates in order to attract companies to their shores. If a country does not tax corporate profits earned within its borders at 15%, other countries have the ability to top up their tax assessments of those companies in order to bring its total tax rate up to 15%.

The thinking behind the design is that it eliminates the benefits a corporation gets from moving to a low-tax country, while simultaneously encouraging governments around the world to adopt the 15% rule, because if they do not, other governments will collect the additional taxes anyway.

Under Pillar Two, it's the country of residence that gets the first crack at taxing the foreign income of their multinationals, Thornton Matheson, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, told VOA. But if they don't do that, then the countries in which they operate can effectively tax their subsidiaries as if they were subject to such a rule.

If the European countries were all applying this, it could undermine U.S. revenues, she said, adding that such a situation would create an incentive for the U.S. to put the agreement into force.

Doubts about effectiveness

Some experts remain doubtful that the global minimum tax, even if it were adopted universally, would actually end the practice of countries using financial incentives to attract corporations to their jurisdictions.

Gary Clyde Hufbauer, a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told VOA that even with a 15% minimum tax in place and strictly enforced, there are a multitude of ways that governments can deliver other benefits that offset that burden.

As an example, he pointed to the legislation currently working its way through Congress that would provide billions in subsidies and tax credits to the semiconductor industry in order to spur growth in U.S.-based production.

If you have a minimum tax of 15%, and then give $50 billion plus $24 billion of tax credits to semiconductor companies, what does that tell you? To me as an economist, that's a negative tax. And other countries will do the same for industries that they regard as critical to their security or livelihood, or whatever the rationale is, he said.

McBride of the Washington-based Tax Foundation noted that the agreement has an explicit carve-out that prevents direct subsidies from being counted as an offset to a companys tax burden.

It actually incentivizes countries  to go with direct subsidies as a way to attract companies, he said.
The U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday it received a warrant to search the phone of former President Donald Trump's election attorney, John Eastman, who spoke at a rally before the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Federal agents in June seized Eastman's phone based on a warrant authorizing them to take the device. They needed a second warrant to search the phone's contents.

In a filing with U.S. District Court in New Mexico, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Windom said the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on July 12 issued a search warrant authorizing review of the phone's contents and manual screen capture.

He said federal agents in northern Virginia had the phone and screenshots of some of its contents.

Eastman has been under intense scrutiny in the probes into the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters after the former president falsely claimed that he had won the 2020 election. Eastman spoke at the rally where Trump gave a fiery speech alleging election fraud and urging supporters to march on the Capitol.

Eastman also wrote a memo outlining how, in his view, then-Vice President Mike Pence could thwart formal congressional certification of Trump's re-election loss. Pence ultimately declined to follow Eastman's advice.

Wednesday's filing was made in New Mexico because Eastman had previously filed a suit there asking a judge to order the Justice Department to return the phone, destroy records and block investigators from accessing the phone.

The judge denied that request but ordered the government to update the court by Wednesday on the location of the phone and status of a second search warrant.

A representative for Eastman was not immediately available for comment.
A concerted push by al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab to expand from Somalia into Ethiopia appears to have been largely contained, according to a senior U.S. military official, though he cautioned that the terror group was likely planning more such attacks in coming months.

Almost 500 al-Shabab fighters first crossed into eastern Ethiopia last week, clashing with Ethiopian forces along the border. U.S. assessments suggest they may have penetrated as much as 150 kilometers into Ethiopia before being stopped.

It appears that the Ethiopians have largely contained and defeated this incursion, General Stephen Townsend, the outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command, said Thursday during a call with the Washington-based Defense Writers Group.

Ethiopian officials Thursday likewise confirmed the al-Shabab attack had been repulsed.

Our brave soldiers foiled a plan al-Shabab was working on for at least a year and defeated the fighters they sent to Ethiopia within three days, Mustafe Omer, the president of Ethiopias Somali region, told reporters.

Omar also said that Ethiopia is planning to create a security buffer zone aimed at countering al-Shabab attacks.

We cannot merely watch an open border where the militants mobilize themselves on the other side [Somalia] to attack us, he said. We must prevent such a threat and not wait until they come to our border.

AFRICOMs Townsend agreed al-Shabab will try again.

This is not a fluke.  I don't believe this is a one-off, he added in response to a question from VOA.

It's only been less than a year ago that al-Shabab emir [Ahmed] Diriye called for an increased emphasis on external attacks and increased emphasis on attacking Western targets in the Horn of Africa, Townsend said. This is a response.

According to intelligence shared by U.N. member states, al-Shabab currently commands between 7,000 and 12,000 fighters and is spending approximately $24 million a year  a quarter of its budget  on weapons, explosives and increasingly on drones.

Townsend further warned Thursday that al-Shabab has been emboldened by recent political turmoil in Somalia, which consumed the attention of Somali officials and politicians for much of the last 18 months, as well as by the December 2020 decision by then-U.S. President Donald Trump to end a U.S. troop presence in Somalia.

That decision has since been reversed, and the AFRICOM commander said Somalias new president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has also taken positive steps.

Al-Shabab got bigger, bolder, stronger, Townsend said. So now we've got to blunt the initiative that they've [al-Shabab] enjoyed for 15 months or more.

We've already seen an uptick in Somali security forces operations, he added.

U.S. officials and some analysts worry that in addition to Ethiopia, which al-Shabab had previously attacked in 2013 and 2014, al-Shabab also plans to expand operations in Kenya, Djibouti and beyond.

The militants have been enjoying in their movements and military mobilizations because of the absence of Somali National Army offensives against their hideouts and the areas they still control, said Abdisalam Yusuf Guled, the former deputy head of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency.

So they [al-Shabab militants] have got the choice to attack wherever they want and whenever they want, he said. To me, it [Ethiopia] was a rare attack but always predictable.

There is also growing concern that al-Shabab is growing more powerful and more influential within al-Qaida itself.

Intelligence from the U.S. and from U.N. member states indicates al-Shabab leader Ahmed Diriye, also known as Ahmed Umar Abu Ubaidah, is part of al-Qaida's Hittin Committee, which directs the groups global operations.

The intelligence further suggests that al-Shabab, rather than taking money from al-Qaidas core leadership, is directly funding it with some of its revenue.
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African wildlife officials meeting in Rwanda noted that urbanization threatens the continent's biodiversity. To promote nature conservation, Rwanda has restored a degraded wetland in the capital, turning it into its first urban ecotourism and educational park. Senanu Tord reports from Kigali.
During Milan Design Week 2022, the Japanese design brand Ariake presented Cipango, set in a private residential apartment at Porta Venezia. Cipango was the name Marco Polo gave to Japan when he first learned of the existence of the country in the 13th century. The exhibition marked Ariakes debut at Milan design week and introduced their 2022 collection, made in Italy for the European market.

Located on one of the top floors, a simple elegant note with Ariake told us to ring the bell. I really love, getting the opportunity to visit private residences in the heart of Milan and this was no exception. The apartment was recently redesigned by the Italian architect Francesco Rota and showcased new furniture designed by Inga Sempe, Norm Architects, Neri & Hu, Keiji Ashizawa, Zoe Mowat, Note Design Studio, Francesco Rota and Gabriel Tan.

I made lots of pictures of the exhibition which I still need to sort out and will keep for later and post them with some more detailed information about the brands and their design

Cipango: Japan Reimagined

The Cipango exhibition is curated by Hanna Nova Beatrice / The New Era together with Ariake creative director Gabriel Tan. They have invited a number of design studios and artists to be part of the exhibition, including handcrafted design collectibles brand Origin Made, American Ladies & Gentlemen Studio and Japanese sound artist Yasuharu Okochi. It also features work from Scandinavian studios Folkform and Cappelen Dimyr. The common denominator for all friends invited is an appreciation for craft and quality. All styled beautifully together by Norwegian-Italian duo Krakvik & DOrazio!

Ariake

Ariake is a furniture brand founded by Legnatec and Hirata Chair, two factories from the furniture producing town of Morodomi in Saga prefecture, Japan. Named after the Ariake Sea in Southern Japan, Ariake means daybreak in Japanese. It symbolizes a new chapter for the two factories as they embark on a collaboration with international designers for the global market.

The creation of the Ariake brand and furniture designs were done over two intensive workshops in Morodomi where furniture designers, art director, photographer and craftsmen did the same  we lived, worked and ate together over. Despite language barriers, the designers and craftsmen generated a collective energy and mutual trust that helped define the soul of the brand. This resulted in a collection of furniture that utilizes the best of hand and machine, inspired by the spirituality of Japanese culture and urban living contexts.

all images Ariake
Tweet from BBC correspondent in Rome prompts city to take action against "truly shameful" taxi situation.

Rome authorities have pledged to take action against rogue taxi drivers ripping off tourists arriving into the city's airports, prompted by a widely-shared tweet from Mark Lowen, the BBC correspondent in Italy.

A friend visiting Lowen was asked by a taxi driver at Fiumicino airport for 70 to travel into the centre of Rome - a trip that has a fixed rate of 50 - and said his credit card machine was not working so he could only take cash.

The city's tourism councillor Alessandro Onorato described the incident as "unacceptable" and stressed that the city would have reported the driver to police if it had been possible to "take note of his licence number, registration plate or name", reports newspaper Corriere della Sera.

"The illegality that we have found in the airport areas is truly shameful" - said the councillor - "A bleak scenario among fare hunters, illegal taxis, illegal NCCs [private chauffeurs]".

Onorato underlined that since the start of this year there has been an increase in police checks to combat the illegal activity of taxi drivers preying on tourists, however he has pledged further action.

Starting next Tuesday, in collaboration with Rome's airport management company AdR, a new service aimed at helping tourists will be launched, Onorato said.

"Stewards will welcome passengers at international arrivals, providing specific directions to tourists and collaborating with the police to report irregularities".
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Chile embraced neoliberalism more than almost any other nation, with its 1980 privatization of pensions a hallmark of its paradigm shift. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund were quick to laud General Augusto Pinochets government for the move, which more than two dozen nations copied, at least in part. Yet now the need for pension reform is one of the few issues on which Chiles politicians and policymakers, whether right or left, agree. The system simply hasnt delivered on its promises for retirees and taxpayers. And both as a symbol and a reality, this failure by a former economic star has fueled the widening rejection of neoliberalism and market-driven approaches in other policy areas.

Chiles justification for eliminating public pay-as-you go programs (like Social Security in the US) and sending workers into a privately managed system of individual accounts was twofold: First, private funds would grow more and compound faster due to better management, meaning more money for retirement; second, the change would keep down public costs.

Four decades later, Chiles system hasnt worked as promised or expected. The creators anticipated that the average worker would save enough to earn 70% of their salary in retirement; the reality has been closer to one-third. They thought the new system would expand the number of workers with retirement funds; instead nearly 40% of Chileans have nothing to fall back on. Rather than improve the lives of Chiles elderly, most pensioners live on less than the minimum wage, with women hit harder than men.

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The private system hasnt let the government off the financial hook either. The transition period was always going to be expensive as the government footed the bill for those retiring on the public dime without receiving payroll taxes (as these contributions all headed to private accounts). But the government has also had to backstop far more of the new systems retirees than expected. Officials thought less than 10% of wage earners would rely on public largesse for a minimum pension. Today, more than 40% need the government to step in.

The biggest beneficiary turned out to be Chiles capital markets. Pension fund managers invested tens of billions of dollars accumulated in individual accounts into local equities and bonds, expanding and deepening these markets. This helped domestic and international investors, as well as large corporations. It did less, at least directly, for the savers.

Why did Chiles experiment fail? The low private payouts to retirees reflect in part low contributions. Unlike in the US, Europe and other places, employers were not compelled to contribute. That was left to employees. At 10% of their salaries, the inflows often arent enough to retire on, even after compounding for years. Small sums in means small sums out.

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Add to this the years many workers dont contribute at all. With 1 in 4 jobs in Chile off the books, many workers will, at some or many points in their economically active lives, not contribute. The self-employed also could choose whether to join, and many didnt. Sporadic contributions lowered retirement nest eggs too.

And particularly in the programs early years, excessive fees cut the initial pot that could grow over workers lives. Chiles pension funds charge on flows not assets. Many funds were initially taking 25 or even 30 pesos of every 100 off the top (rather than say 1 peso a year for 25-30 years). Commissions have fallen significantly since then. Still, many charge 10% or more of the initial payroll deposits as their fee. In contrast, the administrative fees for US Social Security are less than 2% (in part because there are no marketing costs). With fewer pesos invested and compounding over time, the non-wealthy have found it hard to accumulate enough for a decent pension, even with good returns.

Which gets to the biggest drawback of private accounts for social security: They dont, and indeed cant, pool risk across the population. Social insurance originated with European labor unions and mutual aid societies in the 19th century, with workers and participants contributing to support their own retirees. While the pooled funds benefited the poorest or unluckiest among them the most, the better off voluntarily paid in more than they got back for the peace of mind that, if their fortunes were to deteriorate, they too would rely on these excess contributions of the more well-to-do among the group. Public social security systems do this on a national scale, pooling risk across workers of all industries and redistributing the funds among all those that have retired (and met minimum requirements).

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Private accounts, in contrast, only distribute risk over the lifetime of a particular individual. You save in your working years to fund your work-free ones. High income earners contribute more and get more, while minimum wage earners are often unable to save enough to avoid penury.

In the end, privately managed systems cant help those who need more support in their final years. Pooling risk across the entire working population is more important in more unequal economies and societies, as income disparities are bigger and more consequential.

Previous governments in Chile have tried to fix these problems. In 2008 Michelle Bachelets government created public pensions for those whose savings didnt amount to enough for a minimum pension, as well as those outside of the private system, expanding to nearly 6 in 10 wage earners. In 2021, President Sebastian Pinera, whose brother was one of the private systems designers, expanded the public component even more to cover the bottom 80% of retirees.

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Chiles new president and congress look to go further. President Gabriel Boric will put forward a bill in August to raise the minimum pension from just under US $200 to match Chiles minimum wage of roughly US $300 a month and make it available to all retirees. He would all but end the current private system by making a public pay-as-you-go system the main pillar of social security. Private accounts would be relegated to a more 401K-style option for voluntary retirement contributions.

But reforming the pension system is harder and more expensive today as Chileans are already quite old: There are just four workers for every retiree. This ratio looks to worsen in the years to come, surpassing that of the US by 2050. Boric wants employers to contribute too, increasing the amount of money set aside to fund retirement. He also is proposing specific non-payroll taxes to underwrite pensions and other social policies, including new mining royalties and a potential wealth tax.

Pensions were never a good fit for strictly private management, as basic building blocks of the welfare state are definitive public goods. Yet the failure of the system has reverberated beyond the retirees trying to make ends meet. Pensions became a leading cause for the millions of Chileans who took to the streets in protest in 2019, spurring the formation of a Constituent Assembly to write a new Constitution that will be voted on in September.

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The best path for pensions would be a reform that ensures adequate retirements for more Chileans. This requires a more robust public system with dedicated funding to sustain it. If legislators can make this happen, they can reduce the financial hardship too many of Chiles elderly now face. And, to the benefit of democracy in both Chile and its neighbors, they could also thereby restore at least some of the political legitimacy that the old system helped to put in doubt.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:



Military Mission Creep Threatens Brazils Democracy: Clara Ferreira Marques



Globalization Is Just Getting Started: Allison Schrager



Latin America Shouldnt Be a Pawn in U.S.-China Rivalry: Shannon ONeil

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Shannon ONeil is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. She is a senior fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of the upcoming The Globalization Myth: Why Regions Matter.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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Spirit Airlines Inc. is now dancing with only one suitor. A high-stakes shareholder vote over the low-cost carriers proposed merger with Frontier Group Holdings Inc. appeared to come down to the wire on Wednesday, with Spirit pausing the proceedings at midday to allow for a few extra hours of negotiations. In the end, despite the additional time on Wednesday and four earlier delays in setting a date for the vote, Spirit failed to convince enough of its investors that a Frontier merger was their best option. Spirit will now continue discussions with JetBlue Airways Corp., which has made repeated, increasingly lucrative offers for the airline but been rebuffed on antitrust concerns.

Its highly unusual for the subject of a bidding war to call off a deal without having another one lined up. In this case, the limbo most likely reflects how hard Spirit fought for the Frontier deal, down to every last vote and every possible minute. At some point, management will have to answer for why it was so loyal to a Frontier deal that shareholders were signaling they didnt want. The shared history between Spirit and Frontier hasnt gone unnoticed. William Franke, Frontiers chairman and the managing partner of its largest shareholder, private equity firm Indigo Partners, previously served as the head of Spirits board and played a key role in turning the airline around.

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Should Spirit now reach a deal with JetBlue, its executives will face the awkward task of selling a transaction that they have consistently branded as a virtual impossibility from a regulatory standpoint. Spirits concerns about JetBlues ability to win antitrust approval are well founded: JetBlue is concurrently fighting a Department of Justice lawsuit over its marketing alliance with American Airlines Group Inc., and its plan to do away with the cramped seating and bare-bones service that Spirit is known for suggests higher operating costs and thus ultimately higher fares for consumers. But the Frontier merger wasnt likely to sail through the antitrust process either, particularly amid the recent political scrutiny of widespread flight delays and cancellations. Money has a way of soothing investors fears over regulatory uncertainty, and JetBlue has always been willing to offer more than Frontier.

Read more: Airline Chaos Makes High Fares Harder to Bear: Brooke Sutherland

JetBlues most recent proposal called for the airline to pay $33.50 a share in cash plus possible additional payouts through a so-called ticking fee mechanism that compensates shareholders for a long delay in the regulatory approval process. The airline has offered to pay a $2.50 special dividend to Spirit holders upon a successful vote for its deal and a $400 million reverse termination fee if regulators do ultimately block it. Frontiers cash-and-stock bid  which the company said earlier this month was its last, best and final one  was worth about $24 based on Tuesdays closing prices.

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Losing the Spirit deal will sting, but Frontier will likely be just fine. If Spirit does agree to sell itself to JetBlue, the process will take a long time. Frontiers most significant ultra-low-cost competitor will be distracted for months. The airline is a prime candidate to buy any assets that regulators force JetBlue and Spirit to divest to win approval. If regulators ultimately block a JetBlue-Spirit tie-up, Frontier may get another shot at a merger. As for Spirit holders? Theyll be happy to pocket all that free money JetBlue is dangling in the meantime.

More From Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Sneaky Shrinkflation Is Driving People Crazy: Virginia Postrel

 Airline Chaos Gives Travel Scammers an Opening: Alexis Leondis

 US Airline Passengers Need a Bill of Rights: Brooke Sutherland

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Brooke Sutherland is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering deals and industrial companies. A former M&A reporter for Bloomberg News, she writes the Industrial Strength newsletter.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2022 Bloomberg L.P.

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Spirit Airlines Inc. is now dancing with only one suitor. A high-stakes shareholder vote over the low-cost carriers proposed merger with Frontier Group Holdings Inc. appeared to come down to the wire on Wednesday, with Spirit pausing the proceedings at midday to allow for a few extra hours of negotiations. In the end, despite the additional time on Wednesday and four earlier delays in setting a date for the vote, Spirit failed to convince enough of its investors that a Frontier merger was their best option. Spirit had repeatedly rebuffed increasingly lucrative offers from JetBlue Airways Corp., arguing the Frontier deal faced better regulatory odds. But with the Frontier deal now off the table, the airline announced on Thursday that it would sell itself to JetBlue, largely on the same terms that it had previously rejected.

JetBlue will pay $33.50 a share in cash for Spirit, or about $7.6 billion, including the assumption of debt. The purchase price could rise to as high as $34.15 after accounting for possible additional payouts through a so-called ticking fee mechanism that compensates shareholders for a long delay in the regulatory approval process. JetBlue had offered to pay a $2.50 special dividend to Spirit holders upon a successful vote for its deal, and that arrangement remains intact in the agreed deal. The biggest change is that JetBlue will pay a $70 million reverse termination fee to Spirit in addition to the $400 million it had previously agreed to pay to shareholders if regulators do block the transaction. We are thrilled to unite with JetBlue through our improved agreement to create the most compelling national low-fare challenger to the dominant U.S. carriers, and we look forward to working with JetBlue to complete the transaction, Spirit Chief Executive Officer Ted Christie said in a statement announcing the deal. Thats a significant shift in enthusiasm compared with his previous comments branding a JetBlue deal as a virtual impossibility from a regulatory standpoint and accusing the airline of trying to create a distraction for shareholders. The gap between the termination of the Frontier merger and the announcement of a JetBlue deal is highly unusual for a bidding war; typically companies have another agreement lined up before they call off an existing deal. In this case, the limbo most likely reflects how hard Spirit fought for the Frontier deal, down to every last vote and every possible minute.

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At some point, management will have to answer for why it was so loyal to a Frontier deal that shareholders were signaling they didnt want. The shared history between Spirit and Frontier hasnt gone unnoticed. William Franke, Frontiers chairman and the managing partner of its largest shareholder, private equity firm Indigo Partners, previously served as the head of Spirits board and played a key role in turning the airline around. Spirit executives now face the awkward task of selling a transaction they have consistently scorned. Many things were said, but business is business, Christie told the Wall Street Journal.

Spirits concerns about JetBlues ability to win antitrust approval are well founded: JetBlue is concurrently fighting a Department of Justice lawsuit over its marketing alliance with American Airlines Group Inc., and its plan to do away with the cramped seating and bare-bones service that Spirit is known for suggests higher operating costs and thus ultimately higher fares for consumers. But the Frontier merger wasnt likely to sail through the antitrust process either, particularly amid the recent political scrutiny of widespread flight delays and cancellations. Money has a way of soothing investors fears over regulatory uncertainty, and JetBlue has always been willing to offer more than Frontier. Frontiers cash-and-stock bid  which the company said earlier this month was its last, best and final one  was worth about $24 based on Tuesdays closing prices.

Read more: Airline Chaos Makes High Fares Harder to Bear: Brooke Sutherland

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Losing the Spirit deal will sting, but Frontier will likely be just fine. Finalizing the deal with JetBlue will take a long time, and Frontiers most significant ultra-low-cost competitor will be distracted for months. The airline is a prime candidate to buy any assets that regulators force JetBlue and Spirit to divest to win approval. If regulators ultimately block a JetBlue-Spirit tie-up, Frontier may get another shot at a merger. As for Spirit holders? Theyll be happy to pocket all that free money JetBlue is dangling in the meantime.

More From Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Sneaky Shrinkflation Is Driving People Crazy: Virginia Postrel

 Airline Chaos Gives Travel Scammers an Opening: Alexis Leondis

 US Airline Passengers Need a Bill of Rights: Brooke Sutherland

(Updates with announcement of deal with JetBlue Airways Corp.)

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Brooke Sutherland is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering deals and industrial companies. A former M&A reporter for Bloomberg News, she writes the Industrial Strength newsletter.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2022 Bloomberg L.P.

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Its a sweltering summer of cognitive dissonance. The northern hemisphere is experiencing record-setting, even life-threatening, heat waves, droughts and fires; yet more attention has been given to rising gas prices than to measures that would prevent future summers from getting hotter, drier and more flammable. People who want to mitigate the climate crisis are desperate for actions they can take that dont feel like drops in an increasingly empty bucket.

One of the best things the average person can do for the climate: change banks.

Responsible investing gets a lot of attention because theres big money to be made convincing do-gooder investors to buy a new investment product, even though ample evidence shows that ESG and other responsible investing approaches dont deliver on their promises to drain money from the extraction economy. What doesnt get enough attention is responsible banking, which has far more potential to force the economy away from fossil fuels, the leading driver of carbon emissions that cause climate change  and to force that change quickly. We havent heard much about responsible banking because essentially none of the big banks engage in the practice, and they arent eager for customers to know how their money is being used.

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The oil and gas industry can only operate because of big investments that fund exploration and the creation of infrastructure necessary to keep the oil flowing and coal burning. That funding, which totaled $742 billion in 2021, comes from the worlds biggest banks, according to the Banking on Climate Chaos report, released by a consortium including Sierra Club and Rainforest Action Network. US banks continue to be the single worst grouping, with the top four fossil fuel funders in the world (JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America) all headquartered in the US, joined by Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs in the top 14. Together, these six banks provided 29% of fossil fuel financing identified in 2021. (Royal Bank of Canada, UnionBank, Barclays and Mizuho are right behind them.) While some of the big banks have made commitments to invest in renewable energy and regenerative projects, few have actually divested from fossil fuels or lived up to the pledges theyve touted, and many have actually increased their funding of oil and gas projects since the Paris Agreement in 2016.

Customers dont seem to have connected the dots that their own money is whats funding these banks investments in fossil fuels. If you bank with one of the big banks, the money sitting in your deposit accounts is available for the banks to use however they wish, and many of them send it to the worst offenders in the climate crisis.

And the banks are paying almost no price. While some shareholder activists have been pushing the big banks to divest from fossil fuels, these efforts have not succeeded. And while bank customers seem to be paying little attention, right-wing special interests have certainly noticed.

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Conservative states like Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Indiana and West Virginia are enacting laws to punish banks for divesting from fossil fuels, even though none of the banks theyre targeting have actually divested or even come close. We should expect more attempts like these to strong-arm the banks into continuing to fund the leading driver of climate change.

If enough customers leave banks that fund fossil fuels  and make it clear why they are leaving  it will show bank CEOs that there is a price to pay for funding climate change. Banks might not even need the prodding of shareholders to divest because the business case would be clear.

Several websites can help customers find banks that dont prop up the fossil-fuel industry. Green Americas Break Up with Your Mega-Bank campaign has tools for finding a community development bank or credit union that avoids fossil fuels. Bank for Good allows users to search for greener banks based on a broad range of features and services. The Stop the Money Pipeline campaign provides a checklist for changing banks. And BankTrack offers information on a wide range of big banks activities around climate, human rights and more.

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We may soon see SEC rules requiring banks to disclose the climate impact of all their investments, and can then expect to see more comprehensive tools to help consumers find out where their money is really going.

If you bank with a big bank, the best thing you can do for the climate is withdraw your funds as soon as possible and close your accounts, and let them know why youre doing so. Changing banks is a pain, but this one-time act, done now, is more powerful than any other single act the average investor can take to address the climate crisis.

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Tanja Hester is the author of Wallet Activism and Work Optional, and host of the podcast Wallet Activism.

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The war in Ukraine is, lets admit it, weird. Russian citizens can, at least theoretically, travel to Ukraine for business or pleasure, though now  only since June  they need visas. The belligerents are parties to a recent deal ensuring safe grain exports. Russian gas keeps flowing to Europe through Ukraines pipeline system, albeit in reduced volumes. Countries that supply weapons to Ukraine are also paying Russia for energy and fertilizer imports, thus also funding its war effort. Its not easy to imagine any of this going on during, say, World War II.

If that tangle of relationships is not confusing enough, both Russias stated invasion goals and outsiders perceptions of them appear to be shifting shape on a monthly basis.

In one sense, Russia appears to have scaled back its goals. To achieve his stated objectives, the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin attacked on a much broader front than Russia maintains today. When he then had to pull back from Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy and parts of the Kharkiv Region, the objectives, which sounded like euphemisms for regime change, slid into the background. At this point, it is probably wrong to call them goals: Since they are not attainable in the foreseeable future with the resources the Kremlin  and Russians as a largely passive populace at war  have been willing to devote to the invasion, dreams is probably a better word.

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In another sense, however, the goals appear to have expanded in reach. Initially, the only territorial ambitions Russia officially declared were confined to the administrative borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which the respective puppet Peoples Republics claimed as their land. Recently, however, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated bluntly that the geography has changed, adding that Russia was now also interested in the Kherson Region in southern Ukraine and the Zaporozhzhia Region in the countrys center. Lavrov is the highest-placed Russian official to speak more or less openly of such plans. Coupled with the groundwork being laid by the occupying administrations for referendums that would call for the invaded areas to join Russia, his words are evidence that Russia intends to annex the territories outright rather than leave them in a gray zone as it did with the Peoples Republics in 2015.

The easiest way to reconcile these diverging vectors is to assume that, having failed to secure a somewhat reduced Ukraine (minus Crimea and the two eastern regions) run by a pro-Kremlin government, Putin has decided to grab significantly more land instead, as a kind of compensation. But this weird war defies easy explanations. Its far more likely that any Kremlin planning these days is reactive and ad hoc rather than strategic. Kremlin expectations appear to be shaped by battlefield events. Every shift in the military situation leads to a new plan that, if carried out, would allow Putin to declare victory.

When it turned out that the Russian military could not take Kyiv or the cities of northern Ukraine, the Kremlin concentrated its forces in the east, completing the invasion of Luhansk Region early this month.

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This plan, however, ran into personnel issues. The draft-based armies of the Peoples Republics have incurred enormous losses (just the admitted military casualties of the Donetsk Peoples Republic approach 3,000 dead), and the poorer regions of Russia proper have already supplied most of the available recruits willing to sign military contracts  and their contingents account for a disproportionate amount of Russias military fatalities. A hidden mobilization echoing across Russian Telegram channels that offers able-bodied men, including prisoners, a chance to fight in Ukraine for attractive pay and their freedom is a slow and iffy process. Without more infantry, Russia cannot risk a frontal attack on Ukrainian fortifications around Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, the way it did in Mariupol and Severodonetsk, and there appears to be no other obvious way to complete the conquest of the Donetsk Region.

At the same time, increasingly powerful Western weapons have enabled Ukraine to hit military targets such as munitions warehouses and command centers deep in the occupied territory, killing more senior officers. In his interview with one of Russias top propagandists, Margarita Simonyan, Lavrov admitted that these weapons have changed the Kremlins calculus.

Putins attention appears to have shifted to defending Russias conquests in the south, where Ukraine has been threatening to launch a major counterattack to retake Kherson, and in the east, where the Ukrainian military has been shelling targets in and near Donetsk. The relatively weak Russian group of forces in the south has been beefed up and reinforced with more aviation and artillery support in recent days as it repelled Ukrainians probes.

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Igor Girkin (Strelkov), who fought in Ukraine in 2014 and is one of the harshest nationalist critics of Russias conduct of the war today, has suggested on his Telegram channel that the current plan might be to defeat the Ukrainian military as it mounts an attack in the south and then push on against a weakened enemy in the east. If Strelkov is right, that would be at least the third major change of strategy in five months. And the annexation plans shaping up in the form of referendums indirectly support his argument. Making the land grab official before a negotiated end to the war can only mean one thing: A declaration by Russia that it will defend the new territories as its own.

It would be meant as a warning to Ukraines Western allies to be careful what weapons they supply  the U.S. administration already limits the range of the munitions it sends for fear of starting World War III  and it would, at least theoretically, spread Russias nuclear umbrella over parts of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. At the same time, it would reassure pro-Russian activists and Russia-backed administrations in the occupied territories that Russia would not abandon them  reassurance they sorely need in the face of Ukrainian guerilla action and threats to recover the lost territories.

In all these aspects, a formal annexation fits a defensive mindset. If Putin were still on the attack, hed try to seize more territory, including a least another regional center  Kherson is the only one grabbed so far  then attempt to make a peace deal on his terms before claiming more land for Russia. In that case, a massive push in the Donetsk Region would already have started. The Institute for the Study of War reported that Russias operational pause was ending as early as July 15, but Russia has made no major moves in the region in the two weeks since.

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As it is, holding on to what was grabbed in the first, chaotic weeks of the invasion appears to have become a priority for the Kremlin. Paradoxically, the seeming expansion of territorial ambitions comes as a sign of relative military weakness, not strength.

For that reason, any Western compromise-seeking at this point makes little sense. Why offer Putin anything if hes increasingly willing to settle for less (even if less may sometimes look like more, at least in terms of occupied square miles)? As Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and a keen observer of the Ukraine war, has argued, The starting point to ending this war is by shaping the military balance of power so that Russia cannot make further advances.

Any speculation that things are close to reaching that point is premature. The Russian military may be understaffed and poorly commanded, but it is adapting to new circumstances, new Western weapons in Ukraines hands and a shifting political vision in the Kremlin. It will fight a sound defensive battle, and in the end, whichever side shows more tenacity and fighting spirit will win in the south and, subsequently, in the east. If that side is Russia, Putins goals will shift again in the direction of Februarys frustrated dreams. If its Ukraine, Putin will look for a way to claim even less and still portray himself as a winner.

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The apparently planned annexation is a stop-loss move in this game of diminishing returns.

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Leonid Bershidsky, formerly Bloomberg Opinions Europe columnist, is a member of the Bloomberg News Automation Team. He recently published Russian translations of George Orwells 1984 and Franz Kafkas The Trial.

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Jack Ma may be blunt  his harsh criticism of Chinas state-dominated banking system cost him a $34 billion blockbuster initial public offering in 2020. But he is not stupid. The billionaire plans to cede control of Ant Group Co., a fintech affiliate of his e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, the Wall Street Journal reported. He currently controls 50.52% of Ant, which would have been valued at more than $300 billion had it gone public.

Bankers hoping for a revival of Ants listing will be disappointed. A change in control means the fintech will have to wait a while before attempting to list again. Chinas securities watchdog requires a timeout for companies that go through such big ownership changes.

Ma had previously held back from giving up control because he didnt want to delay Ants plan for an IPO, according to the Journal. So its interesting to contemplate why he is changing his mind.

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First of all, how much is Ant worth now? With its most profitable businesses gone  such as arranging consumer loans without putting in any capital itself  the unicorn has become a shadow of its past self. A year ago, Fidelity Investments cut the value of its Ant stake, reducing the companys valuation to only $78 billion.

That might even be a generous estimate. If Ant was to go public on Shanghais main board as a financial holding company, it would be valued as a bank. In that case, Ant could be worth as little as $29 billion, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

Granted, Mas Ant stake still amounts to a lot of money. But its simply not worth all the scrutiny for a tycoon whos already got billions  $37 billion according to the latest figure from Bloomberg Billionaire Index. Try as he might, Ma simply cant move beyond his past.

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President Xi Jinpings mantra of common prosperity  replete with warnings against excessively high income  has sparked sharp questions about privilege and access. One reason Xi quashed Ants IPO, according to the Journal, was the governments growing unease over the companys complex ownership  and the people who stood to gain the most from the blockbuster listing.

Ma has given away those prized Ant shares as tokens of friendship. For instance, through Yunfeng Capital, founded by Ma and Target Medias David Yu, the billionaire had allowed his friends to invest in Ant early. One pal, nicknamed a lot of money, famously paid HK$42.2 million ($5.4 million) for Mas debut painting, a collaboration with a well-known Chinese artist. A lot of money would have been many times richer had Ants IPO gone ahead.

Even scarier for a Chinese billionaire these days is the involvement of the anti-graft watchdog. Earlier this year, the feared Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was seeking to understand the influence of Mas fintech empire and the extent of its transactions with state banks and enterprises, Bloomberg News reported. Inevitably, Ant has a lot of business dealings with state-linked companies. It has arranged consumer loans for SOE banks, and may also count SOE asset managers as buyers of its sizable asset-backed securities.

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These days, anyone who handles state money needs to be extra careful, because punishments are severe. Lai Xiaomin, former head of China Huarong Asset Management Co., was executed for receiving 1.8 billion yuan ($280 million) in bribes. Hu Huaibang, former boss at China Development Bank, is serving a life sentence for bribery.

Meanwhile, with extended Covid-related lockdowns denting household balance sheets, Chinese consumers may no longer be stellar borrowers. Some are staging mortgage boycotts. So what if they start to default on their personal loans? Will Ant be held liable for bad debt on SOE banks books?

Seen in that light, who wants to be the public face of Ant now? Ma has left the building. He is much better off holidaying in his mega-yacht.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Jack Mas Famous Friends Will Cost Him Billions More: Shuli Ren

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 Jack Mas Ant Is More MasterCard Than PayPal: Ren and Trivedi

 Jack Ma Did What He Was Told, So Why the Scrutiny?: Shuli Ren

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Shuli Ren is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asian markets. A former investment banker, she was a markets reporter for Barrons. She is a CFA charterholder.

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"In order to give a significant boost to private investment, we have strengthened the mechanisms, such as Works for Taxes and Public-Private Partnerships, so that they help improve the management of infrastructure projects, expanding their scope to contribute to closing gaps," Mr. Castillo stated.

"Similarly, we are working on an active agenda to unblock major infrastructure projects such as Majes, Muelle Norte (Northern Dock), and Chavimochic, among others," he added.

Peru is the region's fastest growing economy

On the other hand, the Head of State referred to the fact that information on Peru's economic growth is not being spread.

"Is it known that Peru is the country (economy) which has grown the most in the region? Very few people know that, but we (the economy) have grown 3.5% so far in 2022, as indicated by the Central Reserve Bank ; despite the pandemic, we are also (growing) above the region's average," he highlighted.
This account, in previously unreported detail, shines new light on the road to war and the military campaign in Ukraine, drawn from in-depth interviews with dozens of senior U.S., Ukrainian, European and NATO officials.

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On the day Tunisias democracy died, it fell to a State Department spokesperson to deliver the Biden administrations mealy-mouthed pieties. Asked about the July 25 constitutional referendum that allowed President Kais Saied to institutionalize one-man rule in the North African nation, Ned Price offered the following observations (italics mine): Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Well, we note the outcome that has been reported by the Independent High Authority for Elections and civil society election observers. The referendum has been marked by low turnout. That is something we do note. A broad range of Tunisias civil society, media, and political parties have expressed deep concerns regarding the referendum. And in particular, we note the widespread concerns among many Tunisians regarding the lack of an inclusive and transparent process and limited scope for genuine public debate during the drafting of the new constitution. We also note concerns that the new constitution includes weakened checks and balances that could compromise the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Note the absence of any direct criticism of the man who has garroted the Arab worlds most promising democracy. Instead of calling out Saied for his appropriation of near-absolute authority, the Biden administration once again failed to live up to its own billing as a defender of democracy.

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There would have been plenty to criticize. Saied seized control of the election commission ahead of the vote, in addition to muzzling the media, jerry-rigging the judiciary, and jailing political opponents. And the overwhelming majority of Tunisians chose not to vote, undermining the autocrats attempt to legitimize his power grab by refusing to participate in the stage-managed exercise.

Even taking at face value the election commissions claim of a 30.4% turnout, it was an abysmal showing for Saied. (In contrast, the Egyptian strongman Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi managed a 38.6% turnout for his 2014 constitutional referendum.) The president offered the lamest of excuses: More people would have voted if they had had two days, instead of one, Saied said.

In the days ahead, Saieds opponents will make the most they can of the poor turnout to question the lawfulness of the new constitution  and by extension, the presidents right to rule. Like autocrats everywhere, Saied will seek alternative sources of legitimacy. Expect government-supported rallies celebrating the constitution in Tunis and expressions of fealty from the armed forces.

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The president will also draw legitimacy from the willingness of foreign leaders  and especially leaders of democratic states  to do business with him. He will be reassured by reluctance of democracys defenders to even criticize, much less condemn, his sham of a referendum.

Saied will hope that the Biden administration does for him what the administration of President Barack Obama did for Sisi: Accept the new constitution as a fait accompli and look the other way as the Tunisian president uses it to tighten his grip over all levers of the state.

President Biden should deny Saied that satisfaction. Instead, the US president can start making up for his failure to protect Tunisias democracy by making it clear his administration has done more than note Saieds attempt to institutionalize authoritarianism.

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Biden is no slouch at using strong language in situations like this. Only last November, he condemned Nicaraguas Manuel Noriega for staging a pantomime election. Saied should get similar treatment.

Presidential rhetoric aside, the official US position should be that the referendum was too flawed for the results to hold any validity. And any move by Saied to exercise the powers arrogated to the presidency in the new constitution should be met by full-throated condemnation and, where possible, economic sanctions.

Biden should demand that Saied restore the independence of Tunisias judiciary as well as the freedom of its press, and work with opposition parties toward a power-sharing arrangement and fresh elections.

If Saied refuses, the US should withhold all aid for Tunisia and encourage its European partners to do likewise. The Biden administration should also be prepared to exercise the US veto on any International Monetary Fund assistance for Tunisia.

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That would hit Saied where it hurts the most. He desperately needs foreign funding and the IMFs help to start repairing Tunisias crumbling economy. Failure to deliver on that front will swiftly remove even the limited support he enjoys, and put paid to any claims to legitimacy.

Biden has much to answer for his failure to live up to his professed values. In Tunisia, he has an opportunity to do something of note.

More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering foreign affairs. Previously, he was editor in chief at Hindustan Times, managing editor at Quartz and international editor at Time.

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For years, Tunisias democracy, born of an Arab Spring revolt in 2011, endured as others in the region faded. But in July 2021, President Kais Saied unilaterally fired the countrys prime minister and suspended parliament. Hes subsequently ruled by decree, appointed his own government and sidelined the judiciary. Hes also spearheaded the adoption of a new constitution that permanently dilutes the powers of the lawmakers and the courts and returns the country to the days when authority was concentrated in the hands of the president.

1. What drove the presidents actions?

The coronavirus pandemic has had devastating effects both on Tunisias tourism-dependent economy and on its people, causing relatively high human losses on a per capita basis. Last year, the health crisis inflamed public anger at the government, which was already stoked by a sluggish economy and a popular belief that the political changes over the past decade had served a nepotistic elite. On July 25, 2021, groups of youths staged demonstrations in several cities and in Siliana they sacked the offices of Ennahda, the moderate Islamist party that held the most seats in parliament. Later that day, Saied made his move after months of accusing the government of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, a technocrat, of failing to address corruption and properly manage the economy and the post-pandemic fallout. While Saied cited thoses shortcomings as justification for his actions, his critics accuse him of taking advantage of the parlous state of the country to cement control.

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2. Who is Saied?

A former constitutional law professor whod never held office before, Saied, 64, emerged as the surprise winner of the 2019 presidential election after running as an independent candidate on an anti-party and anti-corruption agenda, vowing to fight poverty and trumpeting as his chief slogan The People Want... His stern anti-establishment tone, delivered in classical Arabic, attracted young Tunisians keen to punish a political elite they perceived as opportunistic. Saied suggested eliminating the directly elected legislature in favor of elected local councils that would, in turn, select national leaders. He has been likened to former US President Donald Trump in that, although hes in power, he behaves as if hes in the opposition, and he calls on his supporters to rally around him.

3. What happened during Tunisias revolution?

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It was the first of the so-called Arab Spring revolts. Starting in late 2010, Tunisians engaged in weeks of civil resistance and disobedience, resulting in the toppling of longtime autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. A staunch ally of the West with a government record of human rights abuses, hed led one of the most vibrant economies in the region, albeit one with persistent structural inequalities. News of Ben Ali and his inner circle hurriedly leaving the country in 2011 galvanized many citizens in North Africa and the Middle East to set in motion a series of popular uprisings. None of the others produced lasting democratic changes.

4. What changes did the revolution bring?

The so-called Jasmine Revolution widened political participation to a variety of political currents, including the once-banned Ennahda Islamists and radical left-wing activists. Parliament was granted a degree of oversight and an ability to hold the executive branch to account that was rare in the region. The judiciarys independence was strengthened and civil society was empowered to stand up to police brutality, which was previously prevalent.

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5. How has the constitution been changed?

A panel picked by the president drafted the revisions to the 2014 constitution, which was the result of painstaking negotiations among the nations myriad factions after the revolution. Its proposals were approved in a July 25 referendum, the credibility of which was undermined by an opposition boycott and voter turnout of just over 30%. The changes introduce a national council of regions and provinces to share legislative duties with the parliament, which along with the judiciary is relegated to a status akin to that of the civil service. The president assumes executive functions and will be helped by a government and a prime minister he will name.

6. How are investors likely to react?

Investors are likely to focus on whether a now-omnipotent Saied manages to effectively implement painful reforms that the International Monetary Fund says are necessary to ward off a debt default, rather than the political ramifications of his power play. But the relatively low turnout in the referendum illustrates how support for Saied has flagged since he assumed greater powers -- which could provide greater leverage for his opponents such as the Union Generale Tunisienne du Travail, the nations largest labor union, to resist drastic state spending cuts.

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If we are blithely ignorant now of rates of Covid-19 infection, its largely thanks to vaccines, which kept most people free from serious illness. But the immune defenses we get from vaccines and from infection wane in time. Disease in circulation means the new variants and subvariants are likely, with no guarantee that they will be weaker or less transmissible than previous iterations.

The question for next winter and beyond is whether and how well keep revaccinating the population. The White House convened scientists, doctors and researchers Tuesday to talk about next-generation vaccines. One option that has many excited are nasal spray vaccines, but there is also reason for caution.

Recent research by scientists at the University of Virginia and published in the journal Science Immunology indicates that people who have been infected with Covid-19 have a better immune response in their airways than those who have received messenger RNA vaccines. Jabs use a molecule synthesized in a lab to mimic an invader in order to help the body prepare its defenses. But the vaccines neutralizing antibody response in the nose/respiratory system is too weak. Scientists found that the omicron variant easily bypassed mucosal (nasal) antibodies in all but the unvaccinated patients who got seriously ill with Covid-19.

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Serious illness is not how most of us want to get our defenses up. And nasal sprays are a cinch to administer. So whats the problem? I spoke to Bloomberg Intelligences director of research Sam Fazeli on whether nasal sprays can help and where the gaps in our knowledge lie.

Therese Raphael: Existing vaccines are doing a very good job at protecting against serious illness. What can we get from nasal or oral vaccines that were not already getting?

Sam Fazeli: When vaccines are delivered intramuscularly, as all our current vaccines against Covid-19 are, they induce what is called a humoral response that is, represented by antibody production in the blood, as well as short- and long-lived immune B-cells and T-cells. But a SARS-CoV-2 infection takes hold in your respiratory tract by infecting cells which line your nose and lungs. So it would be better to have what is called mucosal immunity, made up of much the same types of responses: antibodies and B and T-cells.

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With current vaccines, in the few weeks after a shot, there is so much antibody made in the blood that enough of it gets into the membranes of the nose and lungs so you get protected from infection. But as these levels inevitably fall, we find the risk of an initial infection starts to rise. A vaccine administered to the nose or lungs is expected to stimulate a mucosal immune reaction, with the potential to provide better protection for longer against that initial infection.

TR: How is it then, that those of us who have been infected by Covid-19 keep getting reinfections. If mucosal immunity is so good, surely it would protect us better.

SF: That is a very good question and one that hangs over the theory that intranasal or oral vaccines can provide better protection against a reinfection. However, lets not forget that the situation is complicated by two issues. First, and most important, is the fact that the virus is changing and new variants escape prior immunity. So it may simply be that there is very good immune response in the mucosal surfaces, but that its just not able to prevent an infection by a variant that it does not recognize.

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There is also another issue which is highlighted in a 2021 Nature Immunology paper: Fewer than 30% of people with moderate Covid had high levels of antibodies in their nasopharynx, even though about 80% of these same people had achieved what we call sero-conversion, or high levels of antibodies in their blood. A similar pattern was seen in patients with severe or critical Covid-19. So, based on this study, infection is not a guarantee for immune protection at the surface of the respiratory tracts.

TR: How often would we need those mucosal vaccines to limit immune escape? Do we want them in addition to mRNA vaccines or instead of them next winter?

SF: No one knows. Its possible that a couple of boosters, perhaps containing some of the most troublesome variants, such as BA.4/5, may be enough to broaden the immune response enough so that future variants would have a tough time escaping from them. But, lets be clear: We have very little data to support the notion that an intranasal vaccine will make a massive difference in terms of reducing transmission or reducing the risks of getting infected. Yes, you can theoretically get a much better immune response in the nose, but how long does this last? And will a vaccine be more effective than an infection, given what we discussed above?

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TR: Which nasal spray vaccines are out there and what would convince both investors, and health authorities, that they are worth pursuing?

SF: The problem for investors are the uncertainties I already noted above, plus the fact that the only approved intranasal vaccine, Flumist (which is intended to fight common flu), has very little traction in the market. Some solid data is needed to convince people.

The other issue is that health authorities and governments seem to be on a mission to keep boosting people on a regular basis with a vaccine shot that was not designed for and is incapable of providing long-term protection against infection. This leaves investors wondering how anyone with an intranasal vaccine can get the data they need to prove they are better than the current shots.

TR: And yet new variants have been more highly transmissible and some countries, including the US, are still struggling to get people to get vaccinated and get boosters. That seems to boost the case for nasal vaccines. What kind of clinical trials should we be seeing and how long does that take? Should regulators be looking to accelerate this process?

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SF: The biggest issue for developing these mucosal vaccines is this: You cant use the relatively cheap immuno-bridging studies that Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech are using for their infant shots and new variant-adapted booster shots. Basically, and by definition, the immune response induced by an intranasal or oral vaccine is not comparable to one induced by an intramuscular injection. So the only way to prove an intranasal shot works well is to do a head-to-head trial with a large enough number of people and during a wave of infections. And this is very expensive.

There is little regulators can do to speed up this basic need to prove the vaccines. The other issue is, of course, manufacturing. We have seen how tough this is for smaller companies by just looking at all the manufacturing problems that Novavax has had. Any company that wants to get an intranasal vaccine through to market has to deal with the major hurdle of producing large, consistent quantities of vaccine with a good shelf life.

More From These Writers and Others at Bloomberg Opinion:

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Why Youll Probably Get Covid (Again) Soon: Therese Raphael and Sam Fazeli



How Worried Should You Be About Omicron BA.5?: Faye Flam



Monkeypox Treatments Arent Getting Enough Scrutiny: Lisa Jarvis

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Therese Raphael is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion covering health care and British politics. Previously, she was editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe.

Sam Fazeli is senior pharmaceuticals analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence and director of research for EMEA.

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One of the most reviled loopholes in a tax code full of them is under threat again. While the average American worker must pay the standard tax rate on their income, wealthy private equity managers and venture capitalists are able to pay a lower capital gains rate on one of their main forms of compensation. Thats made the so-called carried interest loophole a favorite target of politicians who call it part of a system rigged to benefit the rich, while exacerbating income inequality. Despite that, through the years, the private equity industry has successfully lobbied to keep the provision.

1. What is the carried-interest loophole?

It allows private equity and venture capital managers to pay a more favorable tax rate on one of their main forms of compensation. Managers are able to pay a 20% long-term capital gains rate on their cut of the profit on the deals they make rather than get taxed at the 37% top rate for ordinary income.

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2. Where does the idea come from?

The origins of carried interest date back to medieval times when Italian merchants gave ship captains a cut of the profit for carrying their goods safely across stormy seas.

3. How does it work?

Private-equity funds typically buy, revamp and grow mature companies with the goal of selling them for a hefty profit five to six years down the road. Venture-capital funds generally invest in fledgling businesses, sometimes at such an early stage that they generate little if any revenue. Managers in private equity generally make money in two ways: They typically charge investors a 2% annual management fee on assets. On top of that, they take a 20% cut of the profit on deals, usually only after a certain return threshold is met. The share of their earnings that comes out of that profit -- a figure sometimes in the millions -- has been taxed as capital gains, at a much lower rate than the top marginal income rate applied to wages.

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4. How did that become a tax break?

Decades before the current explosion of growth in the private equity industry, the loophole came into existence. In 1954, Congress passed a law that enshrined it in the tax code with an original intent of helping employees in speculative fields such as oil and gas, according to a 2020 article in the Journal of Economics, Trade and Marketing Management.

5. Have there been changes to it?

The loophole was modified under President Donald Trump. Before taking office, Trump had said that wealthy managers were getting away with murder via the tax break. But the Republican tax bill passed in 2017 fell short of ending the break altogether, instead requiring fund managers to hold their underlying investments for at least three years to have the lower rate versus the prior requirement of one year. That change mainly hit hedge fund managers, who generally dont hang on to their holdings for that long.

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6. Whats the argument over carried interest?

The preferred tax treatment has been long battled over by lawmakers and those in the industry. Critics argue that the tax break is just like any other fee and should be treated as such. Proponents say carried interest encourages long-term investment and have also argued that it creates jobs. Meanwhile, some in other parts of the financial world, such as JPMorgan Chase & Co.s Jamie Dimon, favor eliminating the tax break, calling it another example of institutional bias and favoritism toward special interest groups.

7. What would the impact of eliminating it be?

In 2018, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that taxing carried interest as ordinary income would raise $14 billion over nearly a decade. Private equity firms senior deal-makers are likely to feel the most impact from any changes as they are the ones who typically earn the largest portion of the carry. As a result, firms may look to change how managers are paid, including ending so-called fee waivers, which are used to capture tax benefits by converting management fees to carry. Ending the loophole could impact recruitment in the industry, and create a more level playing field for banks and other companies trying to recruit applicants now drawn to private equity.

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Editors note: Because of privacy and safety concerns, Date Lab allows participants to be identified only by their first names. This Date Lab was updated, retroactively, to remove one of the participants last names at their request. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Getting on Date Lab was the most exciting thing to happen to me in eight months, said Hayley Furmaniuk, 26. 2020 was going to be my year to get work-life balance in order and prioritize relationships  but then we had a global pandemic. Date Lab let me dip my toe back in the water.

Enter Jake, 23, who digs Jimmy Buffetts beachy vibes and told me that he is chill, low-key and easygoing. In a potential partner, compassion is definitely a big thing for me, he said. He noted that he can tell a lot from a womans smile. If someone is grinning from ear to ear that pulls me in.

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We sent the duo to Woodley Parks Lillies, an Italian restaurant featuring a lovely patio that accommodates socially distanced dates. Jake arrived before Hayley and told me, When I first saw her, I tried to hug her. I forgot about covid for a second. Hayley recalled, I had to be like, Sorry! Im not going to hug you. Its a pandemic. Normal date totally, 2020 date  no, thank you.

Despite the rocky start, they had positive first impressions. He was cute, and it was sweet that he dressed up in a blazer, Hayley recalled. Jake said, She had a mask on, so I couldnt tell if she was smiling. But once she took off the mask and they chatted, he thought she was a cute and funny girl.

They settled in, sipping red wine and noshing on garlic bread. They talked about being sick of Zoom and missing work travel. He talked about traveling internationally, going to India, Senegal and plans to go to Thailand. His job sounds really cool, Hayley said.

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Jake told me he enjoyed sharing our embarrassing stories of how we were in high school. He said they chatted about New England and going to Cape Cod as kids, and the culture shock they experienced when their families moved to the South (hers to North Carolina, his to Florida). Southern Nice, Hayley told me, is very different from New England, where people are more direct. Jake put it more bluntly: The New England way of life is everyone is an a--hole to each other, versus the South where everyone is nice to you, even if they hate you.

Over dinner  steak for her and lobster ravioli for him  they tackled perhaps the most divisive topic of 2020: Clare Crawleys quick departure from The Bachelorette. Hayley was psyched when she found out Jake was a fan of the show. She told me, A straight man who is interested in The Bachelorette?! This is not super normal. Lets go down this path! Jake said they commiserated about how much we hated Clare and how this season sucked.

Actually, Hayley wasnt quite on the same page with Jake. She recalled that she said to Jake, I think shes a woman who went in with an understanding of what she was looking for and she expressed it clearly. She told me, And thats when we ended the conversation.

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Im a very opinionated person, and Im fine if you want to disagree, she explained to me. She was disappointed that they didnt banter back and forth, and, if they disagreed on a topic, things would just get quiet for a moment and wed move on.

Hayley expressed concern that Jake has Bachelorette watch parties with his friends and they eat charcuterie boards. Thats a yellow flag since he was going to all his friends houses and thats not something Id be doing right now. I asked Jake about the parties, and he said his friends were in his pandemic bubble.

Toward the end of the date, she recalled, she discovered the most illuminating thing: Jake had a graduated a year ago, while she had been out of school for four years. Were both young, but in the reality of things he only graduated a year ago and Ive been in the workforce and had three jobs in the last 4 years. Ive done a lot of growth, and Im a different person than I was a year out of college.

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They left the restaurant at 8:30 and began walking in the same direction toward their homes when Jake made his move. I said, Hey, you want to meet up sometime again? And she was just like, No, I didnt really feel a connection with you,  Jake told me with a chuckle. And I said, Now that you say that, I kind of feel that way, too. It felt like a networking meeting. 

Hayley told me she was a bit miffed. You just said you wanted to see me again, but now youre saying it felt like a networking meeting? We didnt talk about our jobs that much, so I didnt really get that perspective.

Shortly after this exchange, they parted ways. I asked Jake why he asked Hayley out if he wasnt feeling it. I think its a good thing that I asked just in case she wanted to see me again. But I agreed with her  if its awkward at the end of the first date, then whats the next date going to be about, you know what I mean?

Rate the date

Hayley: 3 [out of 5]. He was very nice, a good person. I just didnt see it going anywhere.

Jake: 3. On paper we were probably good matches to put together, but you cant put together a spark.

Update

No further contact.

Vijai Nathan is a comedian, storyteller and writer.

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?? El Ministerio de Salud informa que aumento a 251 los casos confirmados de #ViruelaDelMono, que corresponden a 8 regiones del Peru, todos los pacientes vienen recibiendo asistencia medica, se registraron 43 altas medicas y se esta realizando la identificacion de contactos. pic.twitter.com/Q3caVLv85s
Police in northern NSW are seeking two further arrests over the 2005 killing of German backpacker Simone Strobel after charging her then-boyfriend with her murder earlier this week.

As Tobias Moran, 42, faced a Sydney court on Thursday for the first time since being extradited from Perth and subsequently charged, NSW Police revealed they are working with German authorities on arresting two people they say helped him cover up the killing.

Toby Moran, previously known as Tobias Suckfuell, and Simone Strobel.

Superintendent Scott Tanner, commander of the Richmond police district, said NSW Police were in the process of talks with German authorities in regard to two arrest warrants relating to two people in Germany.

Those two people have been persons of interest from the beginning, he said, urging them to come forward and provide information to police.
Kyiv: Ukraine has stepped up its counter-attacks against Russian forces in the south while Moscow bombed Kyivs outskirts for the first time in weeks as Europes biggest conflict since World War II drags on.

Fifteen people were injured when missiles hit military installations in Vyshhorod district on the edge of the Ukrainian capital on Thursday, Kyiv regional Governor Oleksiy Kuleba said on Telegram.

Boys inspect burnt Russian military vehicles that are displayed on St. Michaels Square on July 28 in Kyiv. Credit:Getty

Air raid sirens blared as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed parliament alongside visiting Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and the country marked its Day of Statehood with a public holiday for the first time on Thursday.

It doesnt matter with what Russia threatens us; whether its air-raid sirens or something else, what is important is that we make other countries fall in love with our Ukrainian firmness, Zelensky said.
El presidente @PedroCastilloTe recibio el saludo del jefe del Gabinete, Anibal Torres y de los ministros de Estado, previo a su asistencia a la Misa Solemne y Te Deum. #SiempreConElPueblo #FelicesFiestasPatrias pic.twitter.com/iMh5GPnax1
The event took place at Congress headquarters in the capital city, Lima.

Within this framework, the top official's message to the nation addressed the state of the country and issued main announcements for the coming year exercising power.

The Presidential Independence Day Speech is without any doubt the most important activity on the occasion.

As is known, Mr. Castillo took office on July 28, 2021, to become Head of State.

Independence Day

Liberator Jose de San Martin proclaimed the independence of Peru from Spain on July 28, 1821.

Thus, this day serves to commemorate the nation's independence.

The independence process successfully came to an end with the Battle of Ayacucho in December 1824.

??El presidente @PedroCastilloTe brinda #MensajeALaNacion en el Congreso de la Republica.#FelicesFiestasPatrias#SiempreConElPueblo pic.twitter.com/xEn4gwmJtI


    ,            .       ,            ,          
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

A mix of clouds and sunshine and comfortably warm. Just the slight chance of a spotty afternoon shower, with the best chance from the Lehigh Valley on north. .

Tonight

Partly cloudy and another comfy night; just the slight chance of an evening shower.
If you know of local business openings or closings, please notify us here.

PREVIOUS OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS

 Nowhere Coffee Co. to open second location at 318 Main Street in Emmaus, sharing space with South Mountain Cycle

 Jimmys Barbershop in Allentown has moved to 822 N. 19th Street

 Air Products and Chemicals Inc.'s chosen warehouse developer, Prologis Inc., will have to wait until July 13 for a final decision by Upper Macungie Township's zoning hearing board on 2.61 million square feet of warehouses.

 Chubby's of Southside Easton has added Krispy Krunchy Chicken to its offerings and name.

 Curaleaf Holdings Inc., which operates in the U.S. and Europe, will open a medical-marijuana dispensary at 1801 Airport Road, Hanover Township.

 Habitat for Humanity, which has "ReStores" that sell new and lightly used furniture, has leased 30,000 square feet at the South Mall.
Somos libres, seamoslo siempre! ???? Hoy y siempre, nuestra peruanidad debe unirnos en esperanza por un mejor pais. #Feliz28 pic.twitter.com/zTAI9kAgfP
The cast and creative team have been revealed for the upcoming world premiere of Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, a dance theatre show written and adapted for the stage by Peaky Blinders' creator Steven Knight and choreographed and directed by Rambert's artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer.

Inspired by the successful TV series of the same name, the show will open in Birmingham at the Hippodrome on 27 September, before a London premiere at Troubadour Wembley Park on 12 October. The piece will then embarking on a UK tour in 2023.

Guillaume Queau and Prince Lyons will alternate the role of Thomas Shelby, with Naya Lovell and Seren Williams alternating the role of Grace. The production will feature the permanent Rambert dance company on stage.

Furthermore, Birmingham-born writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who played street preacher Jeremiah Jesu in the TV series, will provide pre-recorded narration for the production. Zephaniah said today: "I remember growing up in Birmingham and hearing about the Peaky Blinders, and I remember hearing about the great Rambert. I could never have imagined me, Peaky Blinders, and Rambert coming together. This gig was made for me. Rambert is taking the Peaky Blinders to another level. When these two come together audiences will witness one of the most imaginative collaborations of all time. I'm so proud to be a part of this. We are making dance history, and we're still keeping it gangster."

Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby will feature live musicians led by musical director Yaron Engler and a score written by Roman GianArthur and Nate Wonder as well as a new track by Laura Mvula. GianArthur and Wonder have worked with music consultant DJ Walde to create the soundtrack for the production. It has also been confirmed that the production will include iconic songs from the television series.

The creative team will also feature Moi Tran (set design), Richard Gellar (costume design) and Natasha Chivers (lighting design), with dramaturgy by Kaite O'Reilly. Also working with the cast is acting director Kim Pearce, illusions director Filipe J Carvalho, fight director Adrian Palmer, props supervisor Lily Mollgaard, and intimacy director Yarit Dor, with sound design by Moshik Kop.

The 2023 UK tour will visit Norwich Theatre Royal (17 to 21 January), Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (25 to 28 January), Hull New Theatre (31 January to 4 February), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (7 to 11 February), Royal and Derngate, Northampton (21 to 25 February), Festival Theatre Edinburgh (28 February to 4 March), The Lowry, Salford (14 to 18 March), Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (21 to 25 March) and Theatre Royal Plymouth (28 March to 1 April), before returning to the Birmingham Hippodrome from 23 to 27 May.
Mensaje del Secretario Antony Blinken @SecBlinken en estas #FiestasPatrias2022 ???? https://t.co/NAOD2I3iun
WASHINGTON  A coalition of farmers from throughout the country took time away from the farm and field recently to gather for a Dairy Together Fly-In to Washington, D.C.

Representing key dairy states and a coalition of farm groups under the umbrella of Dairy Together, the participants advocated for meaningful dairy policy in the next Farm Bill and shared the Dairy Revitalization Plan with their state delegations and members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. The group included representation from the Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, National Dairy Producers Organization, National Family Farm Coalition and the Organization for Competitive Markets.

The Dairy Revitalization Plan calls for coordinated milk production growth among all dairy producers to stabilize and improve prices. Unlike quota, which is often viewed as overly restrictive, growth management offers a series of incentives to intentionally align milk production growth with demand.

The farmer-led plan was developed through a committee process involving members of the Wisconsin Farmers Union and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, convened by the University of Wisconsin Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems. Its impacts were analyzed in a 2021 study, Analyses of Proposed Alternative Growth Management Programs for the US Dairy Industry, by University of Wisconsin agricultural economists Charles Nicholson and Mark Stephenson.

Support for the plan has been building and the farmers stressed the need for change in their visits to Capitol Hill. Over the last decade, the USDA recorded the loss of 17,000 dairy farms.

Something has to change, because we cant continue down the road we are on, with ongoing farm loss and consolidation of our food supply, said dairy farmer Darin Von Ruden of Westby.

As farmers, we need to realize that there are so few of us, we cant take the risk of being divided, said Jack Herricks, who runs a 600-cow dairy with his family and is president of the Monroe County Farm Bureau. He advocated shoulder-to-shoulder with Farmers Union members, in a show of unity. My grandson asked me recently, Grandpa, do you think the farm is still gonna be in business when I want to farm? Were survivors, but, honestly, I dont know how much more farmers can take.

The group noted that the research shows that, had growth management been implemented in the 2014 Farm Bill, it would have increased the market milk price by an average of $1.41/cwt between 2014 and 2021 plus paid dividends of $0.72/cwt for farmers choosing not to expand over program allowable amounts. The plan also reduced the degree of variation in prices by 50%. It also could have reduced government expenditures on the Dairy Margin Coverage program by $2.6 billion in that time span, while improving net income on farms of all farm sizes that stayed within allowable growth.

For Herricks, a price swing of even $1/cwt of milk can mean a shift of $120,000 in annual farm income. In 2020, we saw fluctuations of $9.20/cwt, he said. How do you plan your business around those kinds of shifts? We need a plan where we can have some stability in pricing.

You cant deny that small family farms are dying and something needs to be done about it, said Annie Watson, who milks about 70 cows on her first-generation organic dairy farm near Whitefield, Maine. Only 170 dairy herds remain in her state.

Cambridge, Wisconsin, dairy farmers Tina and Duane Hinchley highlighted the need to stabilize dairy prices so there is a future for the next generation. They recently invested in robotic milkers on the farm and are transitioning the operation to include their daughter, Anna, but it has been a struggle amidst volatile markets and unpredictable prices. Everybody else is asking for a minimum living wage. Its time farmers ask for one, Tina said.

Were very excited about the Dairy Revitalization Plan, said Deborah Mills, who runs a 280-cow dairy near Lake City, Minnesota. Its an important step forward in managing industry growth.

The group stressed it is also a matter of food security.

Weve already seen what happens when consolidation hits our agricultural system; we saw it in poultry and in hogs, pointed out John Larsen, who joined the fly-in as a representative of the National Dairy Producers Organization and Minnesota Farmers Union. It works until the day it doesnt, as we witnessed with supply chain struggles during the pandemic.

The Dairy Revitalization Plan creates resiliency not just in the food system but for farmers, said Antonio Tovar, senior policy associate for the National Family Farm Coalition.

This plan has the research to back it up, and it allows for growth, but intentionally, and in a way that allows for adjustment along with market needs, said Karyn Schauf.

WFU communications director Danielle Endvick highlighted the urgency behind the movement, noting that over 7,500 dairy farms have gone out of business since the 2018 Farm Bill was adopted.

Few of us out in farm country have been untouched by this crisis, Endvick said. Many of us have watched friends and family sell out, and weve seen the ripple effects in our communities. We need smart dairy policy in this Farm Bill; we cant wait another four years.

Mike Eby, president of the Organization for Competitive Markets, sold his dairy herd six years ago, despite having a son who wanted to go into farming.

Its a shame to see multigenerational farms have to make that decision, but I see everyday how many farms are exiting, Eby said. If we want a viable industry for the next generation, we need to make some changes, and its powerful to see like-minded organizations throwing their weight behind this.

Delegates to Holstein USAs recent convention also voted for the organizations support of the effort.

The fly-in delegation included Paul Adams, Eleva, Wisconsin; Mike Eby, Gordonville, Pennsylvania; Patty Edelburg, Scandinavia, Wisconsin; Danielle Endvick, Holcombe, Wisconsin; Jack Herricks, Cashton, Wisconsin; Tina and Duane Hinchley, Cambridge, Wisconsin; John Larsen, Mantorville, Minnesota; Sarah Lloyd, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Deborah Mills, Lake City, Minnesota; Michelle Ramirez-White, Madison, Wisconsin; Karyn Schauf, Barron, Wisconsin; Antonio Tovar, Washington, D.C.; Darin Von Ruden, Westby, Wisconsin; Annie Watson, Whitefield, Maine. A delegation from California also participated in virtual meetings with their representatives.

What is exciting about Dairy Together is the variety of groups in the room, National Farmers Union president Rob Larew said. Ive been in the milking parlor, in back rooms drafting farm bills, and now in this role with Farmers Union working on the advocacy side, and I can tell you, that unity is key.

Larew also stressed the importance of farmers stepping up. Your stories matter, he said. It is irreplaceable when farmers take the time and commit to telling their stories up on Capitol Hill.

Dairy Together farmers had some fruitful conversations and built relationships with a number of lawmakers who will be writing the next Farm Bill, said Dairy Together organizer Bobbi Wilson. This plan has the potential to improve profitability across the board, for farms of all sizes, and these conversations are helping to move the dairy industry in a positive direction.

Farmers can run growth management scenarios for their farm at https://dairymarkets.org/GMP/. Find more resources and learn how to get involved at www.dairytogether.com.
British singer and performer Darius Campbell Danesh has died at age 41. His family said Tuesday that he was found unresponsive in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, on Aug. 11 and pronounced dead by the local medical examiners office. The family says the cause of death hasn't been determined. Campbell Danesh shot to fame in 2001 on the reality-talent show Pop Idol" and topped British music charts the following year with his single Colourblind. He went on to a successful career in stage musicals, with roles in productions of Chicago, Guys and Dolls and Gone With the Wind. In 2010, he won another reality show, Popstar to Operastar.
A Baraboo man arrested in November 2020 after leaving the scene of a crash along State Highway 33 was recently sentenced for his fifth offense of drunken driving.

Ryan T. Fearn, 44, entered a guilty plea to a fifth offense OWI during a July 21 sentencing hearing in Sauk County Circuit Court. A felony count of fifth-offense driving with a prohibited alcohol content was dismissed by request of prosecutors.

Prosecutor Natalia Gess argued that Fearn should be sentenced to 18 months in prison and 18 months of extended supervision. His attorney, Teuta Jonuzi, recommended 2 to 3 years of probation and if Fearn were to violate the terms of that probation, he would immediately be sent to prison.

Circuit Court Judge Wendy Klicko sentenced Fearn to one year of prison and two years of extended supervision with two days of jail credit for time already served.

Fearn was arrested in November 2021 by Wisconsin State Troopers along Man Mount Road in the town of Greenfield. His gray Volkswagen was spotted at the scene of a crash along Hwy 33 near County Highway X earlier that day.

According to the criminal complaint:

A trooper pulled Fearn over after noting the vehicle crossed traffic lines. When troopers asked Fearn where he had been, he said he was driving from Driftless Glen Distillery in Baraboo. Fearn told them he had four alcoholic drinks but had stopped drinking roughly two hours earlier.

Fearn refused to perform field sobriety tests, telling officers he didnt want to jump through the hoops. He also refused a preliminary breath test and was arrested. Troopers found a nearly empty sample bottle of bourbon in the backseat and a bottle of Bud Light in the trunk.

Court records show Fearn was convicted of OWIs in December 1998, May 2001, August 2004 and December 2010.

As conditions of the extended supervision, Fearn was ordered to provide a DNA sample, undergo an alcohol and other drug assessment and maintain absolute sobriety. His license will be revoked for three years and he was ordered to install an ignition interlock device immediately into his vehicle and maintain it for three years after regaining his license.
A man who crashed his vehicle into a cabin in Wisconsin Dells with a child in the car was sentenced recently in Sauk County Circuit Court.

Christopher A. Shawhan, 33, of Lake Geneva, entered a no contest plea to a felony charge of third-offense OWI with a passenger under 16.

Circuit Court Judge Patricia Barrett ordered Shawhan to serve two years of probation and withheld any sentence. The probation carries a condition of 120 days in jail with Huber work release privileges.

As conditions of the probation, Shawhan must provide a DNA sample, not possess alcohol and undergo an alcohol and other drug assessment and potential treatment. He is prohibited from entering any business that has the primary purpose of selling alcohol and must maintain absolute sobriety.

Barrett also ordered that Shawhan must install an ignition interlock for four years and his drivers license was revoked for four years. A charge of driving with a prohibited alcohol content with a child in the car was dismissed upon request by prosecutors.

According to the criminal complaint:

Callers at a Wisconsin Dells campground reported to police that Shawhan was driving a silver 2016 Chevrolet too fast and hit a cabin around midnight in August 2021.

A Wisconsin Dells police officer met with Shawhan. Witnesses said Shawhan had kept driving and parked in a driveway roughly five doors down before getting out of the vehicle with children. The officer walked to the cabin and saw two children on the front patio. He found Shawhan behind the cabin.

The officer saw a half empty bottle of tequila sitting on a table in the cabin. Shawhan had admitted to drinking alcohol and showed signs of inebriation, but denied having driven his vehicle. After failing field sobriety tests, Shawhan provided a preliminary alcohol breath test with a 0.164% result. One of the children told the officer they had just been in the car with Shawhan.
YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of Artsakh issued new details from the latest Azerbaijani ceasefire violation.

On July 27 and 28, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces violated the ceasefire and opened fire from various caliber small arms in the direction of Artsakh Defense Army military positions located respectively in the section of Tonashen and Karmir Shuka, Taghavard. There are no casualties from the Armenian side. The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Republic of Artsakh was notified about the incident, the Artsakh Ministry of Defense said.
WEST BEND  A 31-year-old Horicon man made his initial appearance in court on Thursday facing three charges for homicide by negligent use of a motor vehicle in the death of a Mayville woman who was pregnant and her 1-year-old child.

Steven Bruskiewicz Jr. faces two counts of homicide by negligent use of a motor vehicle, one count of homicide by negligent use of a motor vehicle of an unborn child and reckless driving causing great bodily harm. If found guilty of any of the homicide charges, he could face up to five years in prison and five years of extended supervision.

Bruskiewicz was placed on a $5,000 cash bond and has his next hearing scheduled on Sept. 7.

According to a press release from the Washington County Sheriffs Office, the investigation stems from a multi-vehicle accident that occurred near the intersection of Highway 164 and Elmwood Road in the village of Richfield on June 28.

During this incident, a southbound vehicle was struck from the rear by a vehicle allegedly driven by Bruskiewicz, and pushed into the oncoming lane of traffic, where it was struck by a northbound vehicle. The crash resulted in the death of the driver of the southbound vehicle, Casey Schwartz, 30, of Mayville, her unborn child, and her 1-year-old son Octavius Schwartz. A 67-year-old Waukesha man was seriously injured in the crash.

This crash was investigated by the Washington County Sheriffs Office Crash Reconstruction Unit, who was assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The final investigation showed that Bruskiewicz, who was driving his work van, caused the crash and was using social media and other applications on his cell phone at the time of the crash.
Half a dozen men serving time at John C. Burke Correctional Institution are better prepared to enter the workforce after earning welding certificates from Moraine Park Technical College.

The men were honored on Thursday during a ceremony attended by family members and other supporters after completing a 12-week, 12-credit welding certificate program.

The students received lab and classroom instruction at MPTCs Beaver Dam campus, learning how to perform basic welding processes, interpret blueprints, apply welding symbols, and operate equipment. It is a certified pre-apprenticeship program.

JoAnn Hall, the dean of economic and workforce development at Moraine Park, welcomed those in attendance and said they were happy to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

We know how much time and dedication you put in both here at the college as well as studying outside of class, Hall said.

James Barrett, vice president of student services for Moraine Park, said that Moraine Park has been partners with the Department of Correction since 1974.

It is a great partnership and really a wonderful collaboration that we have, and we look forward to having many more years of helping students like yourself to be successful and grow into a new job, Barrett said.

Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr said that situations like the ceremony were things he looked forward to in his position when inmates started to realize their potential.

He told the men that they would always have the skills they learned while gaining the certificates.

It is up to you what you will do with this opportunity, Carr said.

Moraine Park Economic Workforce Development Instructor Joseph Seufzee said that the students were all dedicated and eager to learn everything that they could during the course.

It amazes me how opportunity comes in the strangest places sometimes, Seufzee said.

Welding boot camp graduates Alexander Schmidt and Jeremy Thompson spoke at the end of the ceremony prior to the certificates being handed out.

Thompson said that two great skills they learned was problem solving and working as a team. He had known some welding skills prior to the program but learned some new skills as well while taking the course.

The men will be able to do work release from the correctional institution to fill positions in the community.

John C. Burke Correctional Institution is a minimal security prison in Waupun and offers work release programs through which employment is provided for qualified inmates.
A 17-year-old male linked to events that led to a fatal shooting in La Crosse has been bound over for trial.

Jackson Greengrass of La Crosse faces felony charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and party to a crime of felony murder/battery and misdemeanor charges of possessing a dangerous weapon while younger than 18, intentionally pointing a firearm at a person and obstructing an officer.

La Crosse County Circuit Judge Gloria Doyle found probable cause that Greengrass committed all five offenses during a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Prior to the hearing, Doyle rejected a motion by Greengrass attorney, Bernardo Cueto, to dismiss both felony counts.

Prosecutors have implicated Greengrass in the fatal gunshot death of Storm Vondrashek, 15, of La Crosse. They say Greengrass drove Vondrashek to a 1900 S. Seventh St. address May 22 after two groups of people exchanged threatening messages over the phone.

Had they not gone there to fight, Mr. Vondrashek would still be alive today, said La Crosse County assistant District Attorney Jessica Skemp.

Police interviewed 11 witnesses and pieced together a sequence of events in which Greengrass and Vondrashek arrived at the scene armed and wearing head coverings. After they were confronted by a group that included Sage Hicke, 18, of Ontario, Vondrashek reportedly struck Hicke in the head with a gun and fired two shots in Hickes direction, missing both times.

Hicke reportedly responded by firing a round that struck Vondrashek in the neck and another that struck Greengrass in the foot.

Greengrass was treated at a local hospital for his gunshot wound. He was originally charged with three misdemeanor offenses and released. The criminal complaint was amended June 8, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody by Onalaska police July 15.

Cueto said prosecutors havent met the burden of proving that Greengrass intended to harm anyone. He said Vondrashek went after Hicke on his own.

There has to be mental intent, Cueto said. I would note that (Greengrass) was shot and still didnt shoot back.

Skemp said its absurd to believe that Greengrass drove to the scene without expecting violence.

They went with guns and masks after a challenge to fight ... with the purpose of causing harm, Skemp said.

Doyle agreed with the prosecution. She said the probable cause burden was easy to meet.

He knew (Vondrashek) had a gun, Doyle said. The fact that a gun would be used in this incident should come as no surprise to Mr. Greengrass.

La Crosse Police Department Captain Phillip Martin testified that a witness told police that Greengrass cocked his weapon and pointed it toward Hicke. Under cross-examination from Cueto, Martin said police have yet to recover a firearm Greengrass may have used or determine if Greengrass fired a weapon at the scene.

Greengrass is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a $75,000 cash bond. His next court date is an Aug. 19 pre-trial conference.

Hicke has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide and is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a $40,000 cash bond. He has pleaded not guilty and has a status conference set for Oct. 20.
Wits University believes in another world

It was a night of suspended reality, imaginative film, and sophisticated symphony at the SA premier of William Kentridges Oh to Believe in Another World.

A world-renowned artist, Kentridge is also a Wits alumnus. Oh to Believe in Another World combines stop animation film, puppetry, artistry, and an orchestra in a masterful production to reimagine the lives and loves of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich.

Historically set in Soviet Russia circa the Russian revolution of 1917, and spanning the 1920s through 1950s, the colourful cast of characters include the communist leaders Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin, and Leon Trotsky. The composer Shostakovich himself features in symphony and film, as does his muse, Elmira Nazirova, the revolutionary yet suicidal poet laureate, Vladimir Mayakovsky, and avante-garde author and socialite, Lilya Yuryevna Brik.

Shostakovich (1906-1975) premiered his 10th Symphony in 1953, the year of Stalins death. Kentridges Oh to Believe in Another World  which is a line from Mayakovskys poem which articulates the symphony  aims to show in film some of the ambiguities Shostakovich had to negotiate both in his music and the historical context in which he lived.

The Russian Revolution more than 100 years ago gives Kentridges film historical and temporal context. This both enables immersion in a soviet epoch arcane to Africa and provokes reflection of a Brave New World a century later. Similarly, Wits University in its centenary year, in a post-pandemic, politically tumultuous and socio-economically devastated South Africa, imagines and believes in another, better, world.

Addressing the audience at the Wits Linder Auditorium ahead of the performance, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, said: Just as William Kentridge draws us from the outside into a new realm, navigating through complexity, interacting and intersecting with different periods, places and people, imagine if we could for just one moment, believe in another world? A more equal world filled with hope and possibility, a world in which the arts are treasured and curated for the benefit of future generations, a world in which education and innovation is properly valued and funded. Imagine if we could make this our new reality? As we turn 100, we are reimagining the future of Wits University, and the future of our society, and we invite you to walk this journey with us.

In addition to premiering Oh to Believe in Another World as a Wits centenary event, Kentridge has also donated an edition of prints for sale, the proceeds of which will go towards deserving Wits art students.

Another world at the Wits Linder Auditorium

Download and read the programme (PDF)

The conductor, Joseph Young, visiting from the US to conduct the Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra in performing Shostakovich's Symphony No.10, held his baton utterly still in mid-air before the first violins of the orchestra opened the show. In suspense, the audience waited until finally they were bathed in the music, framed by the Auditorium's perfect acoustics.

Just then, Kentridges film, Oh to Believe in Another World, appeared on the screen above the orchestra and transported the audience into what seemed like an abandoned Soviet Museum. The museum (in reality made from miniature cardboard boxes) comprises various rooms such as a community theatre hall, a public swimming pool and a quarry, all of which hold the stories of the Soviet Union's complex past, but reimagined by Kentridge and his team of local and international collaborators.

Historically, Shostakovich was twice renounced by Stalin who kept a tight grip on the arts, dictating its aesthetics and its political position. Somehow, Shostakovich managed to appease the dictator and despite the composers renouncement, avoided the gulags and other fatal punishments. However, Shostakovich's disillusionment was latent until he could begin to pry open his authentic creativity on the occasion of Stalin's death in 1953. The Symphony No. 10 was thus born and lauded as Shostakovichs most bold and expressive composition.

Masterfully, Shostakovich and the other central figures of the film appear as puppets but they are performed by actors. These puppet-actors are shown as origami shapes, moving in jarring and often comical ways, but their relationships with one another, and indeed history, illuminates their pained and complicated existences in an unrelenting, brutal regime. Sorrow and angst still lingers in Kentridges museum, despite the casts seeming liberation from Stalin. The haunting sound of the oboes and timpani in the final movement of the symphony reveals not only the characters grief, but historys trauma.

Kentridges artistic form is one of collage, because history is comprised of such. The film incorporates the artists signature stop-motion animation style, as well as traditional special effects. An important part of Oh to Believe in Another World is the concept of erasure and re-drawing. Here, the audience participates in re-making the artistic production, as Kentridge draws and erases characters, and the puppet actors swop masks. The orchestra is itself an interpretation.

The production is participatory and multi-disciplinary, and somehow evokes hope right at this historical moment. Today, as the Russia-Ukraine war lingers, and the world staggers towards something new after a brutal two years, Shostakovichs Symphony No 10 is prescient. It does what great art should and that is transcend time and geography to expose the precarity and beauty of the human condition.
YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan gave a speech at the ceremony of handing over diplomas to graduates of the Diplomatic School, noting that the Diplomatic School of Armenia has had about two hundred graduates during its 13 years of operation, most of whom became diplomats and became the basis of our foreign political service today.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan said in his speech,

Dear President of the United Nations General Assembly,

Dear Ambassador Gabrielyan,

Dear graduates,

Mr. Shahid, before the main part of my speech, I would like to once again welcome your visit to the Republic of Armenia. During the 3 quite heavy days, you had important meetings with my colleagues from the executive and legislative bodies, as well as with representatives of the civil society. And I am very glad that you also accepted my invitation to participate in the ceremony of handing certificates to graduates of the "International Relations and Diplomacy" course of the School of Diplomacy.

Referring to the main actors of the day- dear graduates,

I warmly congratulate all of you on the occasion of successfully completing the "International Relations and Diplomacy" course of the School of Diplomacy. Indeed, you have achieved another important height in your life. And whether some of you will soon join the ranks of the diplomats of the Republic of Armenia or will continue their journey in a different direction, contributing to the promotion of various spheres of public life, today everyone has succeeded.

Why? Because the knowledge, experience and community of the like-minded that you have acquired during a year of the School will serve you and will be with you for the rest of your lives. As much as the current world is changing and full of surprises, one thing remains unchanged: a person armed with leading knowledge, skills and abilities is behind the success of any initiative and work. And at the Diplomatic School of Armenia, you have had the opportunity to keep in pace with the achievements of the world's scientific thought and professional skills. From international relations theory to real negotiations, from foreign policy analysis to the ability to navigate difficult situations - all of these are solid foundations for succeeding in any field.

Dear attendees,

During the 13 years of its activity, the Diplomatic School of Armenia had about two hundred graduates, most of whom became diplomats and managed to become the basis of our foreign political service today. Here I would like to express my special gratitude to Mr. Gabrielyan, director of the Diplomatic School, for his contribution to the generational change of diplomats and for promoting the development of human and professional potential in the diplomatic system.

I would like to emphasize that perhaps there is no better time to become a diplomat. The ongoing revolutionary changes in the world, the situation in our region, of course, create great challenges, but at the same time, they also create great opportunities for a diplomat with a flexible mind, innovative approach and an indomitable will to express, bring real changes in his field and create additional value for his people.

Under these conditions, the diplomatic service of the Republic of Armenia has become much more important, much more responsible and requires much greater self-sacrifice. And despite the great demands and small resources, I am sure that we will accept the challenge and carry out our mission, for the benefit of the Armenian people and the advancement of all humanity.

Dear Graduates,

Once again I congratulate you and wish you good luck in your future professional career. I hope to meet many of you here soon in daily work.
Weather Alert

...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM CDT WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Areas of dense fog reducing visibility to one quarter mile or less. * WHERE...Most of southern Illinois, the Purchase area of western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri near the Mississippi River. * WHEN...Until 800 AM CDT this morning. * IMPACTS...Areas of dense fog will make for hazardous driving conditions overnight and early Wednesday morning. Be alert to rapidly changing visibilities! PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Dense Fog Advisory means visibilities will frequently be reduced to less than one quarter mile. If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. &&
YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with the President of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Maldives Abdulla Shahid on July 28, who is in Armenia on a working visit.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, congratulating his colleague on the occasion of his successful presidency of the UNGA, Minister Mirzoyan highly appreciated Abdulla Shahids contribution to addressing the current global challenges and consolidating the efforts of the international community for this purpose, based on the idea of effective multilateralism.

The cooperation between the United Nations and Armenia in the direction of achieving the sustainable development goals was emphasized.

Ararat Mirzoyan noted that Armenia, being a member of the UN Human Rights Council, is committed to promoting the global agenda for the protection of human rights. Abdulla Shahid, for his part, highly appreciated the effective activity of Armenia in the Council.

Minister Mirzoyan emphasized that one of the priorities of Armenia's cooperation with the United Nations is the promotion of the genocide prevention agenda, which also includes the protection of the memory and dignity of the victims of the genocide. It was added that Armenia attaches particular importance to the strengthening of the UN's early warning capabilities and the improvement of relevant mechanisms for the prevention of crimes.

During the meeting, the parties also highlighted the importance of ensuring the involvement of women in the decision-making process and expressed satisfaction with the initiative of the Maldives to recognize July 24 as the day of female diplomats, with Armenia as the co-author of the resolution.

Regional stability and peace issues were also touched upon.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia emphasized the need to solve the humanitarian problems caused by the war unleashed by Azerbaijan, in particular, the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and other detained persons, as well as the need to preserve the Armenian historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh in the territories that have passed under the control of Azerbaijan, emphasizing the imperative of the unhindered involvement of relevant UN structures on the ground.

Minister Mirzoyan reaffirmed Armenia's commitment to achieving a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship, noting that it is the only format with an international mandate, within the framework of which issues of security and protection of all rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh can be addressed.

Within the framework of the visit, Abdulla Shahid also had a meeting with female diplomats of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, during which the importance of ensuring the equality of women and men and the implementation of steps in the direction of women's economic empowerment was highlighted.
Calls for Welsh Government to simplify benefits to ease cost-of-living pressures

The Welsh Government has been told to simplify Welsh-devolved benefits in a report launched today by a Senedd committee.

The Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee has been looking at the challenges facing people during the cost-of-living crisis and has warned ministers that people may be losing out on key services because of an over-complex applications system.

Currently, benefits funded by the Welsh Government are issued in several different ways.

The committee is calling for it to explore the idea of a one-stop portal for households across Wales to apply directly for the different means-tested schemes.

The report says that it would not only make things easier but increase take-up and help to end a post-code lottery on systems that currently vary by local authority area.

The committee is pushing for the Welsh Government to look at extending the eligibility of its means-tested schemes to support lower income households with livings costs, energy bills and the soaring price of food.

Off-grid households in rural Wales are paying a rural premium according to the report, with things such as heating oil prices increasing 128% over the last 12 months and support being thin on the ground.

The committee is concerned about the forthcoming winter as members think that current support is inadequate as interventions via vouchers such as DAF (discretionary assistance fund) only cover 2,000 of the 275,000 off-grid properties.

It said robust support must be made available to off-grid consumers ahead of winter and that longer-term support for harder to reach houses is needed.

The report also outlines that more must be done to support those in work who are increasingly struggling, and calling for all public sector organisations in Wales to pay the Real Living Wage.

The committee is particularly highlighting local authorities and health boards where an uplift in wages and an improvement in conditions such as sick pay is needed.

There are warnings in the report that without cost-of-living interventions there will be more instances of workers experiencing mental ill-health because of the mounting financial pressures. T

The committee is calling on the Welsh Government to work with partners to support those who are already suffering.

The committee has also requested interventions to support businesses to weather the escalating cost of living.

Members are pushing for short term measures similar to the relief businesses received though Covid and then longer-term support to reduce dependency on oil and gas.

Paul Davies MS, Chair of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, said: The escalating cost of living can be felt all across Wales.

Although the Welsh Government is trying to support people through the crisis, our inquiry has shown that the support is simply not reaching enough people  the benefits available are complex and that can affect take up.

We need to see a simpler system, so the schemes are easier and more accessible to increase take-up.

The committee believes the Welsh Government should use its considerable soft power to improve terms and conditions for the lowest paid, for example by improving sick pay for social care workers and providing a fair wage for those paid from the public purse.

Im particularly concerned about the impact of the increased costs of heating fuel. I urge the Welsh Government to act before winter to support people living in rural off-grid properties.
Missing 16 year old found safe and well

Update  police say Seren has been located safe and well.

Original information below

North Wales Police say they are concerned for the welfare of Seren, aged 16 from the Llandudno area.

Officers say she was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue top and black leggings.

They added, We believe she may have travelled out of the area towards Cheshire and are appealing for any information regarding her whereabouts.

Any information is asked to be called in via the 101 number citing itrace 43546 or you can contact police via the webchat on the North Wales Police website.
Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) General Secretary Mick Lynch warned of a general strike after the Conservative government responded to industrial action by over 44,000 rail workers with a threat to ban strikes in essential services.

Members of the RMT held another strong day of strike action Wednesday, joined this time by members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) at train operator Avanti West Coast. More RMT strikes are planned for August 18 and 20, and these will be held jointly with thousands of TSSA members across seven train operating companies. London Underground workers represented by the RMT will strike August 19. Around 6,000 train drivers represented by the ASLEF union are due to strike this Saturday at seven operators and again on August 13 at nine.

Striking rail workers in Bournemouth, July 27, 2022 [Photo: WSWS]

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps responded Tuesday night by publishing, My prescription for an end to rail strike chaos in the Daily Telegraph. Threatening, We must make union barons think twice before wielding the strike weaponand complete Margaret Thatchers unfinished business, Shapps set out a list of draconian anti-strike lawsas many as 16 measures to stop brutal strikes.

Noting the government has already quadrupled the fine for unlawful strikes to 1 million and enacted legislation for mass agency worker scabbing operations, Shapps insisted more is needed.

This would include banning strikes by different unions in the same workplace within a set period, implementing an absolute limit of six pickets at points of Critical National Infrastructure, outlawing what he calls intimidatory language, interfering in the language used on union ballot papers and delaying strikes with a right to respond time for the employer.

The Tories would also scrap the law allowing unions to make use of a strike mandate at any point in the next six months: each single, continuous bout of strike action should be justified by its own ballot. We should also be looking at compulsory cooling-off periods after each strike, lasting up to 60 days. He would increase ballot thresholds for strike action and double the minimum notice period for the employers from two weeks to four.

Shapps raised the governments already-planned measure of enforcing minimum service levels in critical industries, which runaway favourite to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister Liz Truss promises to enact within the first 30 days of her administration, along with limiting the number of strikes allowed within a six-month period and scrapping tax-free payments to striking workers.

Truss and leadership rival Rishi Sunak have in fact both said they will ban strikes on essential public services, with Truss railing Wednesday that she would take a tough line on trade union action that is not helping people get on in life. Lynch replied that he would campaign for the calling of a general strike if Truss became prime minister in September committed to these policies.

The proposals by Liz Truss amount to the biggest attack on trade union and civil rights since labour unions were legalised in 1871. Truss is proposing to make effective trade unionism illegal in Britain and to rob working people of a key democratic right, he said. If these proposals become law, there will be the biggest resistance mounted by the entire trade union movement, rivalling the general strike of 1926, the suffragettes and Chartism.

However, he was careful to say that the decision was up to others who he knows would never take such action: only the TUC [Trades Union Congress] can call a general strike. TUC General Secretary Frances OGrady said only that threatening the right to strike tilts the balance of power too far towards employers and refused to comment on the issue of a general strike.

Lynchs threats are belied by the RMTs own conduct of the current rail strikes. He repeated the unions insistence that its not our ambition to just have industrial action on a long-term basis. Were looking for a settlement and were looking for a resolution to the problems weve got on the railway.

But whatever Lynchs political calculations, the issue of a general strike is posed directly before the working class. The Tory government has made clear that it intends to inflict a crushing defeat on rail workers, declaring open season on their wages, jobs, pensions and conditions and opening the door to an assault on the entire working class that it has now laid out in detail.

The Tories want to ramp up workers exploitation to fund Britains participation in the NATO war against Russia and secure the profits of the super-rich amid a spiralling economic crisis and the long-term decline of the British economy.

Continued and coordinated action, coupled with a political programme for the bringing down of the government and enforcing of workers social interests, is required to defeat this savage offensive. But the rail unions are tying workers hands, seeking a resolution through talks with the employers that only pave the way to defeat.

As far as the RMT has a political strategy, it is to boost the Labour Party. Lynch again called on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to identify with working class peoples struggles, ride this wave of solidarity that were getting and bring balance to our society and rebalance our economy.

This is said as Starmer is operating in a united front with the Tory Party against the rail strikes. He once again decreed that members of his front bench should not attend picket lines, telling senior MPs, The Labour Party in opposition needs to be the Labour Party in power. And a government doesnt go on picket lines, a government tries to resolve disputes.

When Shadow Transport Secretary Sam Tarry defied the order, Shapps commented, He is clearly in direct defiance of Sir Keir Starmer. No doubt hell want to remove him from his job. Starmer sacked Tarry this evening. A Labour spokesperson said, As a government in waiting, any breach of collective responsibility is taken extremely seriously and for these reasons Sam Tarry has been removed from the frontbench.

According to unnamed sources speaking to the Guardian, Labour cited Tarrys comments that it was not acceptable to offer below inflation pay rises because it would be a real-terms pay cut for workers as the reason he was singled out for defying party policy.

Tarry refused to criticise Starmer even in his statement acknowledging his sacking. He had stated on the picket line in the morning that if Labour were in government, RMT members and TSSA members would not be on strike today. Because we would have been round the table. Wed have sorted this out.

This is the line of Labours left, most clearly articulated by Jeremy Corbyn ally and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, of pursuing the same agenda as the Tory Party but through direct negotiations with the unions to help them keep a grip on an angry working class.

But Starmer has made the character of his party clear to everyone. It would respond to the necessary all-out political fight against the Tory government by aligning itself fully behind Truss, Sunak, Shapps and company.

The TUC cannot be trusted to lead such a fight against the government under any circumstances. It is up to workers to organise their own struggle. Rank-and-file committees should be established in every workplace, independent of the unions, to agitate for and organise coordinated action and a general strike, while pushing for an immediate general election to halt the Tory-Labour conspiracy against the working class in its tracks.
In an ominous sign of the repressive measures being prepared, the Sri Lankan parliament voted yesterday to extend the current state of emergency by another month. The state of emergency gives sweeping powers to the military to ban protests and strikes, arbitrarily arrest and detain anyone, search property and vehicles and censor the media.

In this photo provided by Sri Lankan President's Office, Sri Lanka's newly elected president Ranil Wickremesinghe, signs after taking oath during his swearing in ceremony in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Sri Lankan President's Office via AP)

After being installed anti-democratically as president by a parliamentary vote last week, Wickremesinghes first act was to authorise the security forces to violently disperse anti-government protesters on Galle Face Green in central Colombo. The protest site has been a central focus for the three months of strikes and protests fuelled by the countrys unprecedented economic and social crisis that has led to chronic shortages and huge price rises of essential food, fuel and medicines.

Wickremesinghe decreed the state of emergency after being appointed acting president by former President Gotabhaya Rajapakse who fled the country on July 13 in the face of massive popular opposition. Last week Wickremesinghe, a veteran political hack, stooge of US imperialism and advocate of pro-market restructuring, was installed anti-democratically through a vote in parliament, despite overwhelming popular opposition.

Wickremesinghe, the only parliamentarian of his rump United National Party (UNP), is completely dependent on Rajapakses Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), which used its parliamentary majority to ram through the extension to the state of emergency. The vote was 120 to 63 in the 225-member parliament with some 40 MPs abstaining.

Wickremesinghe has been installed to impose the austerity demands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in return for emergency funding and to suppress the widespread opposition of workers and rural toilers. The IMF measures will mean a further acceleration of prices as subsidies are eliminated, sweeping public sector job losses, increased taxes on those least able to afford them and a raft of privatisations. All this is on top of already intolerable living conditions with large sections of the population in hunger and facing starvation.

As executive president, Wickremesinghe has sweeping powers, including to call out the military, to arbitrarily dismiss and appoint ministers and governments, and to take on ministries himself. He has reappointed virtually unchanged the hated cabinet of his predecessor but kept a swathe of ministries for himself, including the key portfolios of Finance and Defence, as well as Technology, Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, Ports, Shipping and Aviation, and Investment Promotion.

As defence minister, Wickremesinghe has overall command of the repressive state apparatus, including the the military, and will not hesitate to use it to crack down on opposition. As defence secretary, the defence ministrys top bureaucrat, Wickremesinghe has reinstalled Rajapakses appointeeretired Major General Kamal Gunaratne.

Yesterday, as parliament extended the state of emergency, the police announced the arrest of two anti-government activists, Kusal Sandaruwan and Weranga Pushpika, on bogus charges of unlawful assembly. A third, student leader Dhaniz Ali, was arrested on Tuesday night at Colombos international airport as he attempted to leave on a Dubai-bound flight.

While Wickremesinghe is dependent on the SLPPs parliamentary majority, he is being backed by the countrys corporate elite, international investors and creditors, and the major powers, including US imperialism, as the political figure to impose the agenda of austerity and repression.

US Ambassador Julie Chung with President Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat on 27 July 2022 (Image: Ambassador Julie Chung Twitter)

Significantly, US ambassador to Colombo Julie Chung met with Wickremesinghe yesterday to assure him of Washingtons support. In what was described by the state-owned Daily News as a friendly conversation, Chung tweeted that Sri Lankas economic and political crisis had been discussed and she had assured the Sri Lankan president that the two countries would work together to navigate toward a brighter future for all. No mention was made of Chungs token concerns about the vicious military-police crackdown on the Galle Face Green protest site.

Wickremesinghe was prime minister in the national unity government installed in a US-orchestrated regime-change operation that ousted President Mahinda Rajapakse, Gotabhayas brother, at the 2015 elections. Washington was hostile to Mahinda Rajapakses dependence on and strengthening ties with Beijing. Wickremesinghe was instrumental in shifting Sri Lankan foreign policy into the US camp and integrating the country more closely into the escalating US-led confrontation with China.

While the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) criticised the government and voted against extending the state of emergency, it has no opposition to Wickremesinghes anti-working class agenda. Indeed until 2020, all of the SJB leaders were part of the UNP led by Wickremesinghe and their breakaway was not as a result of any fundamental policy differences. Like Wickremesinghe, the SJBs criticism of the Rajapakse government was that it had not sought an IMF emergency bailout, with its harsh austerity demands, sooner.

Desperate to prop up bourgeois rule, the SJB along with other opposition partiesthe Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA)have been desperate to corral the mass popular opposition behind the demand for an all-party interim government. Such a regime would implement identical policies to those of Wickremesinghe.

SJB parliamentarian Sarath Fonseka yesterday declared that he and his party would join the final battle to get rid of the present corrupt government and nominated August 9 for a showdown with the government. The root cause of the current crisis is not corruption as such but the profit system, which subordinates all to the profits of the wealthy few. Fonseka is simply proposing another reshuffle of venal capitalist politiciansreplacing Wickremesinghe as president with the current prime minister, Dinesh Gunawardena.

Field Marshal Fonseka was formerly head of the military in which he collaborated with Mahinda and Gotabhaya Rajapakse in the bloody final offensives of Colombos protracted communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). All three are responsible for war crimes including the slaughter of tens of thousands of Tamil civilians in the last months of the war in 2009.

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) is the only party that is charting an independent political course of the working class and rural toilers to resolve the immense social and economic crisis they confront. It has urged workers and peasants to establish their own action committees, independent of the trade unions and opposition parties, to fight for their social and democratic rights.

In its July 20 statement, the SEP launched a campaign for a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses to provide the means to politically oppose the agenda of the ruling class. Such a congress, it stated, provides a political strategy for the working class to consolidate its forces, win the active support of the rural masses and lay the basis for its own rule through a workers and peasants government committed to restructuring society on socialist lines. The faster the workers and rural masses take up the political fight to build action committees, the sooner a congress of workers and rural toilers can be convened to oppose the disaster being prepared by the ruling classes. We offer every political assistance to those who want to take up this fight.
Dockworkers in Long Beach, California (ILWU)

On Tuesday, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) released a three-paragraph statement announcing a tentative agreement on terms for health benefits, subject to agreement on the other issues in the negotiations. The ILWU has been keeping more than 22,000 West Coast dockworkers on the job since their contract expired July 1 without any formal extension. The operators in the Pacific Maritime Association have made an unprecedented $190 billion in profits last year.

No details have been released, under the guise of an accord with the PMA not to discuss the terms of this tentative agreement as negotiations continue. In other words, workers are being kept deliberately in the dark while the union is preparing a sellout by piecemeal.

The ILWU has been working with the PMA and the Biden administration, which has has intervened heavily in the negotiations, to keep workers on the job and prevent work stoppages. This is in spite of the fact that the PMA is reportedly pushing for major concessions on working hours and automation.

Significantly, the statement was the latest in a series of joint releases by the ILWU and the PMA, exposing the level of collusion between them. In June, the ILWU and PMA issued a joint statement declaring that there would be no strikes or lockouts. However, the formal expiration of the contract on July 1 means that its no-strike provision is no longer enforceable, and workers can legally strike at any time. But the PMA and the Biden administration are instead relying upon the ILWU to effectively ban strike action.

The fact that the ILWU is not releasing details of the agreement is not a negotiating ploy. After all, if the agreement contained significant gains, the ILWU would be eager to shout it from the rooftops. There is no reason to expect, moreover, that the deal contains any change in the status of casual workers. Although they make up roughly half of the workforce, they do not get health care benefits and have no contractual rights, including the right to vote on the contract.

Rather, the wall of silence on the details is a feature of a conspiracy between the pro-corporate union bureaucracy and the PMA, brokered by the Biden administration. To oppose it, workers must organize themselves into rank-and-file committees to fight for democratic control, including the livestreaming of all talks over the internet.

It is likely that the statement was meant less for dockworkers than to calm financial markets by reassuring them that progress is being made on a deal. Markets are following the talks with extreme anxiety, aware that any disruption of port operations would have an immediate effect on US and global supply chains.

The World Socialist Web Site previously wrote on the strategic importance with which the Biden administration regards the talks. In addition to the economic importance of the docks themselves, it cannot tolerate any work stoppages because it would encourage an increasingly restive American working class. Significantly, the joint announcement was made shortly after the end of statewide protests by independent port truckers, including a blockade which shut down operations at the Port of Oakland. Truckers are demanding an exemption from state law AB5, which reclassifies independent contractors across numerous sectors as employees, and which would effectively eliminate this segment of the trucking industry.

The ILWU issued terse statements last week indicating its opposition to the protests and its support for AB5. However, at least 100 dockworkers refused to cross the picket line in Oakland, according to press reports. This indicates not only substantial latent support for the truckers among dockworkers, but dissatisfaction and anger with the ILWU for keeping them on the job without a contract.

A work stoppage would also jeopardize the White Houses plans for war, since the docks are a key point of transit for military equipment bound for overseas battlefields. In addition to the US proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, the danger of war against China is increasing daily due to the provocative upcoming visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.

The military importance of the contract talks was indicated in June when Biden made an appearance at the Port of Los Angeles, where he spoke on the contract talks from the deck of the World War II-era battleship USS Iowa. A subsequent news briefing on July 13 with the White House Port and Supply Chain Envoy, retired General Stephen Lyons, was also held on the retired warship. Lyons was joined by Port of Los Angeles director Gene Seroka.

Introducing The General, Seroka said that that it was, Great to see you, and its great to be on the USS Iowa.



Lyons likewise said it was great to be on the battleship, a sign a strength and freedom. On the negotiations between the ILWU and PMA he said: The administration is watching as closely as can be watched without being a point of interference.' He added that Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is in the lead and in contact with both parties.



Lyons says he got commitments loud and clear from both presidents (ILWU and PMA) to get a contract in time and not impeding the flow of goods. He said both the PMA and the ILWU understand the importance of achieving a contract [and] not impeding the flow of goods for Americans.



The administration is watching this very closely and will continue to do that.



Seroka also commented on the unprecedented intervention of the Biden administration in ongoing negotiations. This was, he said, to my knowledge, the first sitting president to visit with [the] leadership from both sides during an active contract negotiation.



Indicating the severe supply chain disruptions which are already underway, Seroka revealed that there are more than 29,000 rail containers sitting on the docks waiting to be moved, compared to a normal number of roughly 9,000. Rail cargo is sitting on the docks an average of seven and a half days, he said, compared to a normal turnaround time of two days; 20,000 of these containers have sat an average of nine days.



Lyons also said that they are closely watching the nationwide contract talks in the railroad industry, where workers have been without a contract for nearly three years. This is something I talk with Secretary Walsh on frequently, he said. We gotta get a contract.

A few days after the interview, Biden signed an executive order creating a Presidential Emergency Board to intervene in the talks, blocking a strike which had been authorized by 99.5 percent of the railroaders. Significantly, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and other rail unions had been pushing for Biden to intervene for months, effectively demanding that he illegalize a strike by their own members.



In reply to a question about 24/7 operations, Seroka admitted that he, Lyons, Frank Ponce De Leon of the ILWU and Rear Admiral Ann Phillips, who is the new head of the US Maritime Administration, were touring the waterfront on a police boat with Chief Tom Gazsi, Chief of the LA Port Police, that same day and that they all agreed on the need for 24/7 operations. Seroka added, credit to the ILWU for coming in early, staying late, working these flex shifts.



In a CNBC interview last Friday Seroka again emphasized the close coordination between the ILWU bureaucracy and the PMA: These two groups see it very similar. Weve seen since the negotiations started, two joint releases from the PMA and ILWU to try and tell the market  whats going on.



President Biden has met with President of ILWU Willie Adams, three times, face to face, he added.
Early Tuesday morning, the city of St. Louis, Missouri, issued a severe flash flood warning to its residents in response to a record shattering torrential rain downpour. The previous record for most rainfall in a single day in the city, a bit over six inches, was in 1915 when the city was hit by residual effects of the Galveston Hurricane which left over 400 people dead. It took 24 hours for the rainfall to reach that record high. This week it took less than six hours for St. Louis to break that record.

Flooding in St. Louis, Missouri, July 27, 2022.

The National Weather Service reported several alarming facts regarding Tuesdays downpour. First, the total daily rainfall reached 9.04 inches, the highest ever recorded (although some stations have reported the number being closer to 10 inches). Second, 7.68 inches fell in the first six hours, a development that has less than a 1 in 1,000 chance of occurring in a given year. The storm also accounts for about 25 percent of the average yearly rainfall total in the city. Finally, the normal amount of rain for July and August combined, on average, is 7.31 inches, once again broken in a single 24-hour span.

There has been one reported fatalityan unidentified man in his 60s was found drowned in his submerged car. Meanwhile, over 400 people were in need of rescue on Tuesday because of the massive flooding. Some reportedly were forced to swim out of the windows of their own homes to avoid death.

The flooding came on extraordinarily fast. In one example, Dardenne Creek in the St. Louis suburb of St. Peters rose over 21 feet in just over seven hours on Tuesday morning. The creek is usually only one to two feet deep.

The effects on the city infrastructure have been nothing short of apocalyptic. The flooding submerged portions of Interstate 70a major thoroughfare for morning commutersforcing the highway to close in both directions. Highways I-64, I-270, and US Route 61 reported closures as well.

Approximately 18 households needed to be assisted by the St. Louis Fire Department because of occupants trapped in their homes by rising water. Power outages eclipsed 20,000 on Tuesday morning before being partially restored later in the day.

Significant damage has been reported to numerous substations and electrical equipment around the city as well. A pedestrian bridge was reported to have collapsed due to erosion brought on by the heavy rain in nearby Saint Charles, Missouri.

The threat of more destruction and even death from this weather pattern is not over. According to AccuWeather, meteorologists are predicting more rounds of intense rainfall and flash flood dangers in Missouri along with Kansas and Virginia through the rest of the week. Tuesday also marked the first ever Flash Flood Emergency in the city of St. Louis as Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency for the state of Missouri. The meteorological situation remains in flux as well as the state of the dozens of evacuees forced out of their homes and requiring shelter.

The powerful storm in St. Louis is not an isolated event. The effects of climate change are being felt worldwide and at a lethal scale. Europe recently experienced record heat waves which forced bus drivers to work in temperatures that border on 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) while scores of families were forced to evacuate their homes. The southern and southwestern United States is also in a massive heatwave which imperils the lives of workers and families.

As the WSWS reported on Monday, a shocking video showed a UPS driver delivering a package in Phoenix, Arizona while collapsing from heat exhaustion. Wildfires have engulfed regions near Yosemite National Park, as more than 5.5. million acres in the United States have been burned by wildfires this year alone. In winter 2021, Texas and northern Mexico experienced record low temperatures, including a snow storm which killed dozens of people. Many homes were without power for days as the electrical grid across the state of Texas suffered a catastrophic collapse due to the lack of proper infrastructure maintenance.

The response by capitalist leaders around the world to the enormous consequences of extreme weather fueled by man-made climate change has been to all but ignore it. In the United States, President Joe Biden and Congress have passed and proposed budgets of tens of billions of dollars of funding for the most backward initiatives. Bidens military budget passed by the House is a record $840 billion. The Houses proposed budget for police funding is $37 billion. The official tally for US-backed funding for Ukraines war against Russia is $40 billion. Bidens climate change plan meanwhile has a budget of $2.3 billion.

The capitalist class, and the elected officials who represent their interests in Congress, have established priorities which involve the sacrificing of millions for the enrichment of an infinitesimal minority. The funding of the military, endless and reckless wars, and a militarized police force show unquestioningly that it is the priority of the ruling class to defend its wealth at all costs, no matter how many workers and families will become sick or die. The COVID-19 epidemic represents this drive most blatantly with the bipartisan let it rip strategy, which has resulted in more than 1 million deaths in the United States.

It is abundantly clear the capitalist system cannot and will not protect the lives of billions against anything that would risk the profits of the billionaire class or slow down military operations. Only the overthrow of capitalism at large on an international scale and its replacement with socialism can deal with climate change by putting the worlds resources under the democratic control of the working class.
YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. Resident of Karmir Shuka community V. Shahnazaryan applied to the Red Market Department of the Martuni Regional Police Department on July 28, saying that on the same day, at around 11:45, as a result of shots fired by the adversary, the kitchen window and entrance door of the second floor of his private house were damaged, ARMENPRESS reports the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Artsakh informed.

8 bullets of 7.62 mm caliber were also found in the yard of the resident of Karmir Shuka.

The Azerbaijani armed forces fired irregular shots at Taghavard and Karmir Shuka communities of Artsakh, the Interior Ministry of Artsakh said.

The Martuni police department was notified that at around 11:45 Azerbaijanis fired intensively from various firearms in the direction of Taghavard and Karmir Shuka communities for about 20 minutes.

There are no casualties.
Late last night, Twitter lifted a lock on the account of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia) which had effectively disabled it beginning on July 21. The account has been fully reinstated, with all functionalities previously denied to it, including posting, retweeting, responding to messages and commenting on other users posts, restored.

Twitter account of the SEP Australia

In an email, Twitter stated: Our support team has reviewed your account and it appears we made an error. Weve determined there was no violation and have restored your account to full functionality. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate you taking the time to submit your appeal request to us.

The social media corporation contradicted itself, with the automated message informing the SEP of the reinstatement on Twitter itself declaring: Thank you for addressing the issue. Your account is now available for use. To prevent future lockouts or account suspension, please review the Twitter Rules and help us maintain a safe environment for everyone on Twitter.

As clear as mud!

Twitters reversal is nevertheless a welcome development, undermining a precedent for broader attacks on left-wing, anti-war and socialist material on the internet.

The lock had shut down an important component of the public presence of the SEP, a political party with a history spanning 50 years. It limited the ability of the SEP to intervene in the growing discussions on Twitter about war, the let it rip COVID policies and a broader assault on democratic rights.

The targeting of an organisation opposing these ruling class policies and advancing a socialist, revolutionary and internationalist alternative for the working class, was unmistakable political censorship.

That conclusion is supported by the fact that Twitter has provided no explanation whatsoever for its actions. In effect, that means that the SEPs analysis of the politically motivated character of the lock stands, because it has not been contradicted by the social media company and no other plausible explanation has been advanced.

The timing and character of the measure demonstrates that it was not the result of a single error, or a glitch in one of the social media corporations many opaque and mysterious algorithms, themselves designed and set into motion by Twitters administrators.

The lock was imposed on the morning of July 21, Australian time. The measure was initially to be limited to 12 hours and no reason or avenue of appeal was provided.

A video posted by the SEP account minutes before the lock was removed and replaced with a message claiming that it had violated unspecified rules.

When the initial 12 hours elapsed, the lock was extended. A message was sent by Twitter, demanding the deletion of the video, and claiming that it had violated prohibitions against posting or sharing privately produced/distributed intimate media of someone without their express consent.

This assertion was as bizarre as it was false. There was nothing in the 59-second video that could remotely be described as fitting the description provided by Twitter.

The video that Twitter has censored, which is still available on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube



This point was made in an SEP appeal against the lock on the morning of July 22. Twitter acknowledged receipt of the SEP appeal some three hours after it was lodged. Then there was radio silence. A further appeal was submitted on the morning of Monday, July 25, which received no acknowledgement until the lifting of the ban last night.

Whatever the role of algorithms, the timeline shows that Twitter administrators stonewalled and sat upon the appeal, while making serious accusations against a longstanding and well-known political party. Even a cursory viewing of the video, which would have taken less than a minute, would have shown that it did not violate any rules.

Raising other concerning questions is the fact that on Monday morning, another Twitter user posted the very same video, with an identical caption to that which had been used by the SEP. The post was not removed or interfered with in any way, indicating that the contents of the video alone did not trigger any automated algorithmic error.

As many opponents of the lock noted, it was ironic and striking that the video targeted by Twitter for censorship had focussed on significant attacks on freedom of speech.

The video was part of the SEPs campaign in defence of Dr David Berger. He has been threatened with deregistration by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and instructed to undertake a special education course if he wishes to remain a doctor.

Bergers crime is to have vocally opposed the let it rip COVID policies adopted by governments around the world and in Australia, and to advocate for the scientifically grounded measures required to eliminate transmission and end the pandemic.

Dr David Berger (Image: Supplied)

The attack on Berger comes as all Australian governments, led by the federal Labor administration, dispense with the last nominal safety measures. They are implementing this under conditions of the worst surge of the virus yet, which is now frequently claiming more than a hundred lives a day, more than twice the level of a month ago.

The video connected the attacks on Berger to the persecution of other Zero-COVID activists. They included Lisa Diaz, a British parent who was threatened with prosecution for withdrawing her children from a COVID infested school, and who had organised a powerful parents strike. Another was David OSullivan, a London bus driver sacked for campaigning against the herd immunity policies that had killed dozens of his colleagues.

Finally, the video raised the case of Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks publisher who has been hounded and persecuted for 12 years because he exposed US-led war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. Assange has been targeted by the major imperialist powers and their intelligence agencies, with greater intensity and persistence, than anyone in recent decades.

It is clear then that the video was not just highly political. It was raising, in an attractive visual medium, issues that cut across and opposed some of the key policies of capitalist governments and their state apparatuses, including in Australia and in the US, where Twitter is headquartered.

It is a matter of public record that the intelligence agencies spend a substantial amount of time monitoring and intervening on social media. One of their aims is to try and prevent left-wing and oppositional content, often in the form of video and visual media, from going viral amid widespread and growing social anger and a reemergence of working-class struggle.

Twitter ended its lock on the SEP page, only after a protracted campaign by the party and its supporters, which won widespread support. Tweets demanding an end to the lock were liked thousands of times and shared in the many hundreds.

The SEP account itself received 133 new followers, while it was locked and unable to post any content.

That campaign, and the response to it, points the way forward in the fight for democratic rights and against online censorship. Basic civil liberties, under attack everywhere, can be defended only through the mobilisation of the working class, the only social force committed to democracy, together with young people and principled layers of the middle class.
A report published Tuesday night on the website of the Washington Post reveals that a grand jury convened by the federal Department of Justice has taken testimony about the conduct of ex-President Trump and top aides and lawyers in devising an illegal scheme to substitute fraudulent Trump electors for Biden electors chosen in a half-dozen battleground states in the 2020 election.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at an America First Policy Institute agenda summit at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, Tuesday, July 26, 2022. [AP Photo/Andrew Harnik]

The article, which has since been confirmed in other media accounts, reported that among the witnesses were two top aides to former Vice President Mike Pence, his Chief of Staff Marc Short and his counsel Greg Jacob, who testified before the grand jury about discussions they witnessed or overheard about the fake electors plan.

Unnamed sources told the Post that there were hours of detailed questions about meetings Trump led in December 2020 and January 2021; his pressure campaign on Pence to overturn the election; and what instructions Trump gave his lawyers and advisers about fake electors and sending electors back to the states Some of the questions focused directly on the extent of Trumps involvement in the fake-elector effort led by his outside lawyers, including John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani

The Justice Department investigation also obtained phone records of top Trump aides, including former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

Part of the pro-Trump mob at the Capitol on January 6. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

None of this testimony relates directly to the events of January 6, 2021, and Trumps role in instigating and seeking to lead the attack on Capitol Hill, to block certification by Congress of the results of the Electoral College, which voted 306232, a margin that reflected Bidens victory in the popular vote by more than 7 million.

Biden carried states like Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and Wisconsin narrowly, and won Pennsylvania and Michigan by close but more substantial margins. In each of these states, Trump campaign aides, working with the White House and state and congressional Republican Party officials, drew up slates of phony electors who pretended to have won the statewide vote and then proceeded to the state capitols on December 14 to cast illegal votes for Trump.

In many cases, the Republican slates included state and local elected officials who now face prosecution and disqualification from office if convicted.

Both Marc Short and Greg Jacob appeared before the grand jury in recent days, according to the Post report. Both have previously testified before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol, testifying, among other things, to Pences reluctance to accept any filing of the fake electors before the joint session of Congress to certify the vote. Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson tried to deliver a slate of fake electors to Pence, through an aide, on the morning of the attack.

According to a follow-up report by the New York Times, Short and Jacob were present at an Oval Office meeting on Jan. 4, 2021, when Mr. Trump sought to pressure Mr. Pence into embracing the plan to cite the competing slates of electors as justification to block or delay the Electoral College certification.

The unnamed sources familiar with the situation outlined for the Post two possible avenues for criminal charges against Trump. The first is seditious conspiracy and conspiracy to obstruct a government proceeding, a charge directly related to the events on January 6. The other is fraud, related to the promotion of the fake electors scheme as well as Trumps efforts to pressure his own Justice Department to declare the election rigged so that state legislatures could intervene to choose pro-Trump slates of electors.

Apparently knowing that the Post report was coming out, and likely in coordination with it, Attorney General Merrick Garland gave his first interview on the January 6 probe the same day, speaking for nearly an hour with NBC News lead anchor Lester Holt. Excerpts of the interview were broadcast Tuesday evening, only minutes before the news report appeared on the Post website.

Garland told Holt that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would pursue its investigation without fear or favor. While this is legal boilerplate, it certainly suggests his concern about a fascistic backlash if it appears that the department will bring criminal charges against Trump. He added, We intend to hold everyone, anyone, who was criminally responsible for the events surrounding January 6th, for any attempt to interfere with the lawful transfer of power from one administration to another, accountablethats what we do.

He claimed that the investigation into January 6, in which indictments have been brought against 840 participants and organizers, is the largest in the history of the DOJ, evidently an attempt to deflect criticism of the departments failure to bring criminal charges against a single high-level figure in the White House, Congress or the Republican Party, to say nothing of Trump himself, the leader of the attempted coup.

The Times also reported that grand jury subpoenas have been issued to an array of Republican state legislators and Republican Party officials who participated directly in the fake electors scheme: The dozens of emails among people connected to the Trump campaign, outside advisers and close associates of Mr. Trump show a particular focus on assembling lists of people who would claimwith no basisto be Electoral College electors on his behalf in battleground states that he had lost.

The fraud was so brazen that some Trump operatives used the words fake and wild/creative in describing the scheme, which was allegedly coordinated by campaign adviser Boris Epshteyn, who reported to Trumps principal lawyer for the election coup, Rudy Giuliani. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was also kept informed of the progress of the effort. Epshteyn also coordinated payments to John Eastman, the law professor who devised the bogus constitutional claim that Vice President Pence could block the certification of electoral votes for Biden at the January 6 joint session where he served as the ceremonial chair.

Subpoenas to two Arizona state legislators seeking information about the fake electors scheme, made public Monday, asked for any communications they may have had with any member of the executive or legislative branch of the federal government; any representative or agent of Trump or his campaign; or Trump boosters Jenna Ellis, Bernard Kerik, Rudy Giuliani, Boris Epshteyn, James Troupis, Joe DiGenova, John Eastman, Joshua Findlay, Justin Clark, Kenneth Chesebro, Mike Roman or Victoria Toensing.

The House Select Committee also released new information on its investigation into January 6, with a tweet reporting the testimony of Christopher Miller, then the acting defense secretary, in which he denied that Trump ever gave him an order to have 10,000 National Guard troops ready for deployment on that day.

Former Chief of Staff Meadows claimed in February 2021 that Trump had ordered the action, and this has been repeated by Trumps defenders in the right-wing media as proof that Trump did not plan to overturn the election by force. But Meadows has refused to testify under oath, and Miller said, when asked directly, there was no order from the president.

Meanwhile, Bennie Thompson, chair of both the select committee and the House Homeland Security Committee, and Carolyn Maloney, chair of the House Oversight Committee, publicly requested that Joseph Cuffari, inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security, play no role in the investigation into the deletion of all text messages sent and received by Secret Service agents on January 5 and January 6, 2021.

Cuffari learned of the mass deletions in February 2022, but did not inform the House Select Committee until five months later.
It is with profound sorrow that the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) announces the death of Comrade Wije Dias. Comrade Wije was the general secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) and its forerunner, the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL), from December 1987 until this past May, when he was elected to the newly-created post of party chairperson.

Wije Dias

Wije, who would have turned 81 next month, died in Colombo yesterday morning after suffering a heart attack. He had a long history of coronary artery disease and had undergone bypass surgery in 2013. He recovered fully and remained intensely active in the leadership of the party up until the last day of his life.

Comrade Wijes political life spanned six decades and encompassed virtually the entire period in which the Fourth International has been led by the International Committee. He devoted his adult life to the struggle for the liberation of the working class from want, war and all forms of capitalist oppression.

Wije was an implacable protagonist of the socialist internationalist program of permanent revolution and fighter for the political independence of the working class. He was unyielding in his defense of Marxist and Trotskyist principles because he had witnessed the catastrophic consequencesin the form of political disorientation, reaction and tragic loss of lifethat result from their abandonment and betrayal.

Wije was part of a remarkable group of young people who, under the political guidance of the ICFI, the organization of orthodox Trotskyists founded in 1953 to defend the program of world socialist revolution against Pabloite opportunism, drew the key political lessons of the historic betrayal of the Sri Lankan working class by the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP).

After entering the University of Ceylon in Peradeniya in 1962, Wije joined the youth movement of the LSSP, which, while it drew on the long heritage of the fight for Trotskyism in Sri Lanka, had taken an ambivalent stand on the 1953 split. It refused to endorse the Open Letter issued by American Trotskyist James P. Cannon and leader of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) that established the International Committee.

The LSSP was the dominant force in the working class. However, with the encouragement of Ernest Mandel and Michel Pablo, it was more and more openly repudiating socialist politics in favor of parliamentary and popular frontist maneuvers and trade unionism, and rapidly capitulating to the Sinhala chauvinist politics of the ruling class.

Pabloism was a petty-bourgeois liquidationist tendency that arose in the Fourth International under conditions of the post-Second World War restabilization of capitalism and sought to transform it into an adjunct of Stalinism, social democracy and, in the lesser-developed countries, bourgeois nationalism.

In 1964, the LSSP betrayed a powerful working class upsurge, the 21 demands movement, that was shaking the foundation of bourgeois rule on the island. The LSSP assumed the role of principal social prop of the Sri Lankan bourgeoisie by entering a capitalist government led by the Sinhalese First Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

The betrayal represented an open repudiation of socialist internationalism and Trotskys Theory of Permanent Revolution, which demonstrated the incapacity of any section of the bourgeoisie in countries of a belated capitalist development like Sri Lanka to meet the democratic aspirations and social needs of the masses.

The actions of the LSSP coincided with the degeneration of the Socialist Workers Party in the United States during the mid-1950s and early 1960s. In 1963, the SWP moved to reunify with the Pabloites. A minority within the SWP opposed unprincipled reunification and in 1964 issued a letter demanding a discussion on the Great Betrayal of the LSSP in Sri Lanka. They were expelled from the SWP, forming the American Committee for the Fourth International (ACFI) and, in 1966, the Workers League, the predecessor to the Socialist Equality Party (US).

Wijes response to these events would prove to be the crucial turning point in his life. Repelled by the LSSPs betrayal, Wije was part of a group of young Trotskyists who, after a period of intense discussion between 1964 and 1968, came to recognize that the ICFI was correct for insisting that the LSSPs collapse as a Trotskyist party was a product of Pabloism.

These discussions culminated in the establishment of the Revolutionary Communist League as the Sri Lankan section of the ICFI. The leading role in this struggle was played by Keerthi Balasuriya, who was elected as the RCLs general secretary when it was founded in 1968.

In founding the RCL, Keerthi and his comrades understood that it was not enough just to break organisationally with the LSSP, but it was necessary to break politically with Pabloism, which had provided the political cover for the betrayal. The RCL paid a great deal of attention to exposing the centrist politics of the LSSP (R), which the Pabloites hastily put together after expelling the top LSSP leaders to cover their tracks.

The struggle of the RCL-SEP in the ensuing decades would largely revolve around the fight to overcome the political consequences of the LSSPs betrayal. By shackling the working class to capitalist rule and promoting the ethnic-communal politics of the Sri Lankan ruling class it opened the door to the rise of petty-bourgeois radical politics in the form of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which mixed Castroism, Maoism and Sinhala chauvinism, and the Tamil nationalist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

In what was to establish a hallmark for the principled politics of the RCL, in 1971 it exposed the political bankruptcy of an isolated rebellion of rural youth led by the JVP, while campaigning for the working class to defend the JVP leaders and cadres from vicious state repression. In doing so, the RCL was also subject to state repression and compelled to operate underground.

The second LSSP-SLFP coalition of 197076 came, under conditions of intensifying world economic crisis, into bitter conflict with the working class. Exploiting the political confusion this created, J.R. Jayawardene and his right-wing United National Party (UNP) came to power in 1977. They promptly launched a vast assault on the working class, opening the island up to global investment, provoked a general strike in 1980, and established an authoritarian executive presidency while whipping up Sinhalese chauvinism. Ultimately, this led to the outbreak in 1983 of an ethnic war that would convulse the island for the next quarter century.

The RCL-SEP stood alone in opposing the war and the chauvinist Sri Lankan bourgeoisie and its state from the standpoint of revolutionary defeatism and socialist internationalism. While agitating for the immediate withdrawal of all security forces from the Tamil majority north and east, the RCL opposed the communalist politics of the LTTE, which sought to secure the support of India and the imperialist powers, and fought to unite the Sinhalese and Tamil workers and rural poor in the fight for the United Socialist States of Lanka and Tamil Eelam.

In 198586, the RCL played a critical and decisive role within the leadership of the International Committee in its opposition to the national opportunist degeneration of the Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP) in Britain. The opposition to the betrayal by the WRP of Trotskyist principles was led by the Workers League, the US section of the ICFI, and its national secretary David North. Keerthi worked closely with North in drafting the main documents produced by the ICFI, elaborating the political basis of the break with the WRP.

David North (left) and Wije Dias (right), 1988

In a tribute to Wije Dias on the occasion of his 75th birthday, North wrote that Keerthis exceptional contribution reflected the immense experience and political firmness of the RCL leadership and cadre, derived from previous decades of struggle for Trotskyism.

It is for this reason that the RCL was able to endure the untimely and totally unexpected loss of Comrade Keerthi in December 1987. His death, at the age of 39, was a cruel and tragic loss to the Revolutionary Communist League and the International Committee. The fact that the RCL was able to withstand the impact of Keerthis deathin the midst of civil war, the attacks of the JVP assassins, and continuous government persecutionwas, by any objective standard, a demonstration of the RCL leaderships extraordinary political strength. But it must also be acknowledgedand there is not a single comrade in either the RCL/SEP or the International Committee who would challenge this judgmentthat you, Comrade Wije, played the decisive role in maintaining the unity of the party, upholding its revolutionary internationalist orientation, and leading it forward.

The ICFIs defeat of the WRP in 198586 marked a definitive turning point in the struggle to defend and develop the program and strategy of world socialist revolution, including by enabling extensive collaboration between the leaders of the Sri Lankan section and their international co-thinkers and comrades.

Keerthis death coincided with a massive political crisis provoked by the Indian armys occupation of the Tamil north and east under the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord.

Comrade Wije met this challenge with political courage and steadfastness. In the ensuing tumultuous years of civil war, state repression and JVP attacks and chronic political crisis, Wije would more than repay the political confidence invested in him. Indeed, he commanded enormous respect in his own party and among the leaders and cadre of the entire ICFI.

Wije Dias with his wife, Piyaseeli Wijegunasingha.

In 2010, Comrade Wije suffered the loss of Piyaseeli, his wife and comrade who was an outstanding political and cultural figure on the island in her own right.

Three years later, Wije underwent bypass surgery. Despite declining health and the physical difficulties that naturally attend old age, he remained politically active, providing leadership and political counsel based on his vast knowledge and experience, to the last days of his life. He attended a meeting of the Sri Lankan editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site on Tuesday.

In the months preceding his death, he was intimately involved in elaborating the partys response to the mass upsurge of workers and toilers that has convulsed the island since April and earlier this month caused President Gotabaya Rajapakse to resign and flee the country.

Wije played a leading role in the Sri Lankan SEPs Third National Congress in May, and in close collaboration with the ICFI was centrally involved in the writing of the SEP statement, For a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses in Sri Lanka! published on July 20, exactly one week before his death. The statement makes clear the SEPs implacable opposition to capitalist rule. Drawing on the vast experiences of the working class over the last century, from the 1917 Russian Revolution to the lessons of the LSSPs 1964 betrayal and the failed Egyptian Revolution of 2011, the statement elaborates a strategy, based on the development of independent organizations of working class struggle, to fight for workers power and socialism.

Comrade Wije led a full and rich life. He was a powerful orator in both his native Sinhala and English as attested by the many videos of him speaking.

He had vast knowledge of the history of Sri Lanka and India, the international workers movement, and both South Asian and western culture.

Wije Dias in 2003

He was fearless in his opposition to the class enemy, but even his bitterest enemy could not and dared not question his political integrity.

He had a glowing sense of humor, one that he could very effectively use in exposing the vanity and venality of the political representatives of the bourgeoisie and the petty-bourgeois opportunists. Despite his richly deserved political stature, Wije was an intensely modest man.

Wije had to navigate the long and difficult circumstances bound up with the colossal betrayals of the working class perpetrated by the Stalinists, social-democrats and their Pabloite accomplices. But he lived to see a new revolutionary upsurge of the working class in Sri Lankaone that events are rapidly revealing to be a harbinger for the entire world under conditions of systemic global capitalist crisis.

Comrade Wije Dias is a monumental figure in the fight for Trotskyism in Sri Lanka. His life and legacy now enter into the history of the struggle for socialism. They will serve to inspire, but even more importantly to politically orient workers and young people in what will and must prove to be the decade of world socialist revolution.
The trade union-backed New Democratic Party (NDP) has responded to Ottawas decision to allow the return to Russia of turbines critical to the functioning of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, and thus the supply of natural gas to Western Europe, by accusing the Liberal government of appeasing Vladimir Putin and Russian aggression. In so doing, Canadas social democrats have made common cause with the right-wing Conservative opposition and openly far-right forces from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC).

NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson participating in Ukrainian Canadian Congress campaign from earlier this year

The turbines normally propel 100,000 cubic meters of natural gas per minute through the last pipeline supplying Germany with 30 percent and France with 20 percent of their natural gas. Complex moving parts require regular service, which global corporations such as the German multinational Siemens, the manufacturer of the turbine, allocate on a global basis. The service contract was given to the Canadian division of Siemens in Montreal.

But in Canada the turbines now fall under the historically unprecedented sanctions regime the NATO powers have imposed on Russia with the full-throated endorsement of Canadas entire political establishment, the NDP included. These sanctions are ostensibly in response to Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. In reality, the US with the support of Canada, Germany and the other western imperialist powers, long planned for and instigated the war with Moscow to complete their drive to transform Ukraine into a geostrategic and economic vassal, and destroy Russia economically, in preparation for its breakup and subjugation to the imperialist powers.

The right-wing nationalist regime in Kiev, supported by the far-right UCC, demanded that Canada seize the turbines as sanctioned goods and refuse to export them to Germany. They claimed Putin would be emboldened to demand further exemptions from the savage sanctions regime devised by Washington and its imperialist allies. The NDP joined in this war-mongering campaign with gusto.

Employing the screeching pro-war rhetoric that corporate media outlets and the Trudeau government have belched out incessantly over recent months to justify Canadas aggressive role in the NATO war with Russia, NDP foreign affairs spokeswoman Heather McPherson complained, It is shocking and disappointing that the Liberal government has decided to allow the Nord Stream 1 turbines to be sent to Germany and returned to Russia. This decision goes against the sanctions Canada imposed on Russia in response to the illegal invasion and genocide in Ukraine.

The NDP, which endorsed Canadas participation in a long series of illegal, US-led wars of aggression over the past three decades, has spearheaded the Canadian ruling elites hysterical campaign to denounce Russias invasion of Ukraine as a genocide. Although the New Democrats propagandized in favour of the bombardment of Yugoslavia, the neocolonial occupation of Afghanistan, NATOs regime-change war on Libya and the US-instigated war in Syria, which have collectively killed hundreds of thousands and driven millions from their homes, McPherson thinks she has the right to adjudicate Russias invasion, which has killed around 5,000 civilians according to international estimates, as a genocidethat is comparable to the Nazis extermination of European Jewry.

Moreover, McPherson and the NDP raise the cry of genocide hand-in-hand with the far-right UCC, the political descendants of Ukrainian fascists like Stepan Bandera who collaborated with the Nazis in the most horrific genocide in human history during World War II. New Democrats support the request from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to immediately reconvene the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss the federal governments decision, roared McPherson in her statement condemning the turbine decision.

When the committee was convened, McPherson rushed to present a resolution, which won all-party support after minor amendment, aimed at providing a public platform for the most bellicose advocates of the reckless ratcheting up of the war in eastern Europe. Beyond calling on government ministers to explain why they had waived the sanctions to allow the return of repaired turbines, the only other witnesses the NDP resolution called for were UCC representatives and the Ukrainian ambassador to Canada.

The Trudeau governments decision to approve the return of the turbines to Russia via Germany was explicitly praised by US President Joe Biden, whose administration is providing tens of billions of dollars worth of military aid to Ukraine, and extensively lobbied for by Berlin.

In no shape or form does it have anything to do with a lessening of Canadas major and highly provocative role in the war with Russia. Instead, Ottawa recognized that failing to transfer the turbines via Germany to Russia would have crippled the NATO alliances ability to prosecute the war. As German Foreign Minister Analena Baerbock recently put it, a complete cutoff of Russian gas would halt the war effort because Europes governments would have to deal with popular uprisings.

The suggestion that the Liberal government is appeasing Russia is totally absurd. Trudeaus Liberals have served as one of US imperialisms most vicious attack dogs against Russia. Following the pro-Western 2014 coup in Kiev, which was sponsored by the US, Germany and Canada, and spearheaded by fascist forces, Trudeaus Liberal government oversaw the extension and expansion of a Harper Conservative government-initiated Canadian military mission to retrain and modernize the Ukrainian army, transforming it into a NATO member in all but name. The Canadian government was no less firm than Washington in adamantly rejecting all efforts by Russia to negotiate new security guarantees made necessary by NATOs aggressive eastward expansion.

Deputy Prime Minister and anti-Russia war hawk Chrystia Freeland, who has personal and political ties to far-right Ukrainian nationalists, led the charge among the imperialist powers to impose crippling economic sanctions following the Russian invasion. And the Trudeau Liberals, propped up by the NDP, are in the process of sending over $630 million in military assistance to Kiev. They have also, as the New York Times recently revealed, secretly deployed Special Forces to Ukraine, where they are helping direct the war on the ground with special forces from other NATO member states.

The NDP is an enthusiastic advocate of this reckless war policy, which is why it entered into a formal agreement in March with Trudeau, just weeks after the war began, to keep his minority Liberal government in power through June 2025. With its confidence-and-supply agreement, the NDP has pledged to prop up a government that is waging war with Russia, massively increasing military spending, and enforcing post-pandemic austerity to cover the costs of Canadas war machine and the bailout of the banks and big business during the pandemic.

The agreement was seen as critical by the NDP and its trade union sponsors, which have backed it to the hilt, because it aims to ensure political stability under conditions where working class struggles for wage increases and improved working conditions are rapidly mounting. While the NDP MPs ensure stability by providing a majority for war and austerity in parliament, the unions maintain stability in the workplace by sabotaging workers attempt to fight back through job action, whether it be Ontario educators, rail workers at CP Rail or Ontario construction workers.

The NDPs criticism of the Liberals decision dovetails not only with attacks launched by the far-right UCC, but also the official opposition Conservative Party. The Tories, who are currently engaged in a leadership contest in which the partys far-right wing is exerting ever more control over the partys political orientation, have consistently assailed the Liberal government for its alleged reluctance to send heavy weaponry to Ukraine. To the extent that the NDPs demand for foreign affairs committee condemnation of the Liberal governments turbine decision comes to pass, it will be achieved in alliance with far-right demagogues like Pierre Poilievre. Poilievre gave his full-throated backing to the fascistic Freedom Convoy to dismantle all remaining COVID-19 public health measures and push politics far to the right.

The alliance of these forces from the left and right-wing of the official political spectrum is not accidental, but rooted in their common support for war and militarism abroad, and austerity and the gutting of democratic rights for workers at home. The Tories and NDP have previously come together to attack Trudeau over his governments alleged refusal to confront China with sufficient diplomatic, economic and military aggressiveness.

The NDPs denunciation of the Liberals over the turbines return and its firm backing for Canadas leading role in the US-NATO war with Russia exposes as so much trash its empty populist protestations against the very same Liberal government it simultaneously props up in Parliament. On virtually a daily basis, the NDP churns out statements rhetorically attacking the Liberals as shills for big business who ignore the plight of working people. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh issues empty rebukes to the minority Trudeau government he helps prop up, demanding band-aid social reforms which the NDP knows full well will never materialize. His appeals to support working families are filthy and dishonest. This fact is underscored by the latest example of the NDPs reckless war-mongering on behalf of Canadian imperialism.
The last two officers involved in the May 2020 police killing of George Floyd were sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson. Officer J. Alexander Kueng was sentenced to three years in prison followed by two years of supervised release; and Officer Tou Thao was sentenced to three and a half years.

The officers involved in the murder of George Floyd: Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao (Credit: Hennepin County Sheriff's Office)

Kueng held down Floyds torso for several minutes while Thao obstructed bystanders from helping Floyd as Officer Derek Chauvin pinned his neck under his knee for more than nine minutes.

Floyd, handcuffed and face down on the pavement pleading that he could not breathe during that time, died from cardiac arrest as a result of the officers collective action. Thao was a veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department, having served since 2008, while Kueng was a rookie officer.

The sentences relate to their conviction earlier this year by a federal judge for violating Floyds civil rights by failing to render medical aid and failing to intervene in the killing and are less than the recommended federal sentencing guidelines, which call for 4 years to 5 years.

Thao, 36, and Kueng, 28, still face state charges for aiding and abetting both manslaughter and murder at their trial scheduled for October 24.

During the sentencing hearing Floyds girlfriend Courtney Ross stated, Mr. Thao, as you watched my love being suffocated under the knee of your co-officer, I will never forget you saying to the onlookers, This is why you don't do drugs, referring to Taos words heard in the video of the killing played at the trial.

An apparently unrepentant Thao addressed the court citing Bible passages, how he was born again after being jailed, according to CNN, and claiming there had been corruption in the case, according to the New York Times. Kueng did not speak at his sentencing.

Prosecutors said at the hearing that Kueng had not tried to aid Floyd even once after he had lost consciousness and that he deserved a serious penalty even though hesupposedlyhad not intended for Floyd to die. Prosecutors said that even a nine-year-old girl at the scene recognized Floyd was suffering and that the officers should have too.

Floyds cousin Sabrina Montgomery had asked for the maximum sentence and after the sentencing stated, All of these men deserve to serve longer sentences, according to ABC affiliate KSTP, and that The system these officers operated in is flawed, but again, where is their humanity?

Ross also expressed anger at the sentencing stating, The sentence, particularly for Tou Thao, didnt really seem to match the crime to me.

Assistant US Attorney Manda Sertich told Judge Magnuson that Kueng, while being a rookie cop, admitted that he was aware of his duty under department policy to intervene. All he had to do per MPD policy was attempt to intervene ... but he didn't say a word. Not one word, Sertich said, according to KSTP.

The sentencing was along the same lines as the sentence handed out police Officer Thomas Lane, also charged for violating Floyds civil rights by failing to render medical aid after Chauvin knelt on his neck. Lane, who held down Floyds legs, is the only one to express any concern for Floyds well-being, asking twice if they should roll Floyd onto his side to help ease his breathing, to which both Chauvin and Kueng rebuffed his suggestion.

Lane received a 2-year sentence, significantly less than the maximum sentence of 5 to 6 years that Floyds family had pushed for, and was required to pay restitution to the family. Floyds nephew called the sentencing a slap in the face and that Lane also made the decision to kill my uncle. The plea deal made with the office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison resulted in a recommendation that Lane serve three years in prison on state charges to be served concurrently with his federal charges, with sentencing expected in September. In contrast to these light sentences for the officers who assisted in Floyds murder, the federal minimum sentence for selling marijuana is five years.

Magnuson wrote, The facts of this case do not amount to second-degree murder under federal law in a ruling last week. Defendants Kueng and Thao each made a tragic misdiagnosis in their assessment of Mr. Floyd, he claimed.

This follows Magnusons conduct in the trials as a whole. Magnuson attempted to paint the killing essentially as the responsibility of one man, Chauvin, and to more or less absolve his accomplices, handing out slaps on the wrists commensurate with mistakes rather than with deliberate participation in a murder. Further attempting to back up the police force, Magnuson repeated the claims of Kuengs and Thaos defense that attempted to justify their actions by claiming they believed Floyd was suffering a drug overdose and excited deliriuma controversial diagnosis sometimes characterized as a potentially fatal state of extreme agitation and delirium. Floyd was in fact going through cardiac arrest.

In contrast to the paltry sentences handed out to the officers who participated in murdering Floyd, Chauvin received 22 years in federal prison on charges of both manslaughter and second-degree murder. This was done to give the false impression that bad apples in the police force are responsible for killings.

This is much in the same grain as the January 6 hearings, where the Democratic Party attempts to absolve the Republican Party of its responsibility in the coup, while pinning the blame solely on Trump. Suffice it to say, in neither case does the bad apple theory hold water.

Just as the coup was squarely aimed at suppressing and destroying the rights of the working class and enjoys the support of the majority of the Republican Party and sections of the military-intelligence apparatus, the police work as an arm of the capitalist state in suppressing the working class through brutal violence, as shown by the officers around Floyd assisting in his demise. Police carry out summary executions on a daily basis, with an average of 1,000 people murdered every year across this country. Countless more are brutalized.

The vast majority of killings by police go unpunished, with Floyds case only getting attention due to the massive protests following his murder which was captured on camera by bystanders. Desperate to mitigate the impact of the exposure, the ruling class and its political establishment moved to silence protests through the prosecution of the officers involved in the killing as well as through police repression and the promotion of racialist politics.

The refusal to levy heavier sentences on Floyds killers, let alone to fully prosecute them, along with the continuing onslaught of killings by police both in the US and internationally such as in Spain where police massacred immigrants, demonstrate that the police and the violence they mete out with near impunity are in fact fundamental to the capitalist system. Only a mass movement of the working class for socialism can put an end to the reign of police terror against the working class and poor.
As of this writing, 28 women have filed federal civil rights lawsuits alleging they were assaulted, raped and harassed at the Clark County Jail, located in Jeffersonville, Indiana, last October during a night of terror overseen by indifferent and paid off prison guards.

Razor wire fences surrounding the Rockville Correctional Facility in Rockville, Indiana, in August 2015. [AP Photo/Michael Conroy]



In the lawsuits, the first of which was filed by 20 inmates in June, the second which was filed by eight more inmates this past Monday, the women allege that former corrections Officer David Lowe provided keys to at least one male inmate which allowed him and several other prisoners, under the watchful eye of Clark County jail officers, to enter the female pods beginning the night of October 23, 2021 and into early hours of October 24.



The lawsuit alleges that for over two hours jail security staff did nothing to stop the male inmates from going into the female pods and harassing, intimidating, assaulting and raping the female prisoners. The lawsuit alleges that despite the security cameras working and several security officers on duty, male inmates, with their faces covered, were allowed to freely enter the womens cells and go on a rampage.



Amazingly, even though there were surveillance cameras positioned in locations that showed the male detainees accessing the womens Pods, and even though the incident involved multiple male detainees and dozens of victims over an extended period of time, not a single jail officer on duty that night came to the aid of the Plaintiffs and the other victims, the most recent lawsuit states.



One of the plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit, known as Jane Doe 1, alleged that multiple male detainees using the keys obtained from Lowe, entered Pod 4 (E) where they raped, assaulted, harassed, and intimidated Jane Doe 1, resulting in significant emotional and physical injuries, including but not limited to nightmares, bleeding, vaginal tears, and genital herpes. The lawsuit says that multiple prisoners held her in place and told her to keep quiet while one inmate raped her.



Several other plaintiffs alleged similar injuries. While at least 28 women have come forward, one of the lawyers involved in the lawsuits says that there are more victims.



The federal lawsuit filed on Monday in the Southern District of Indiana, names as defendants not only Lowe but Jamie [Jamey] Noel, the Sheriff of Clark County, and unknown jail officers who have yet to be identified, but who refused to intervene for hours.



The lawsuit notes that during the period the assaults took place inside the jail, the security cameras that were in Pod 4 recorded and provided live stream and audio to the Defendant Jail Officers, allowing them to monitor the male and female detainees housed throughout Pod 4.



After more than two hours of terror, the jail guards finally intervened, causing the male prisoners to flee, at which point the guards began to punish the female victims, perhaps in an attempt to keep them quiet.



For three days straight, beginning the morning of October 24, the lawsuit alleges that jail security staff revoked the dark privileges of dozens of victims. The revocation of dark privileges meant that the lights inside the females pods were kept on day and night, a form of psychological torture, previously employed by US military and CIA torturers as a method to disrupt prisoners natural sleeping patterns.



In addition to keeping the lights on at all hours, the prison guards kept the women on lockdown status, preventing them from leaving their pods or using other privileges. Furthermore in the days that followed the attack, the lawsuit alleges that jail guards conducted shakedowns of the female prisoners pods and confiscated authorized personal items such as pillows, blankets and personal hygiene items without any legitimate security reason.



In an interview with Law & Crime, one of the attorneys for some of the women, William McCall, said that the attacks only became known after one of the women who was raped complained and was then moved to a different jail. The woman became pregnant due to the rape but later miscarried.



McCall told Law & Crime that during the hours-long assault, most of the women were cowering under bunks or hiding in bathrooms. McCall said that women who came forward to report the attacks to police were treated like they were the perpetrators.



That the police are engaged in a massive cover-up is clear from the charges filed against former corrections Officer Lowe. Reporting on his arrest last October, Fox Louisville affiliate WDRB quoted Scottie Maples, chief deputy of the Clark County Sheriffs Office.



Maples made no mention of the mass assault that took place at the prison due to Lowes and other officers actions. In a probable cause affidavit filed by the police last year, Lowe admitted to propping a door open allowing the inmates to access a secure area of the jail where the keys were located after an inmate offered him $1,000.



Downplaying the incident, Maples said that the keys obtained were not security, exit doors. He said, They wouldnt have been able to escape with those keys. They would have allowed internal movement within the jail probably to traffic things. (Emphasis added.)



He added, We are still investigating all the incidents we can. The subject here was criminally charged. I dont anticipate other charges coming to inmates. The main focus was if we had a corrupt officer to put him in jail.



Lowe was only charged with three crimes, trafficking with an inmate, aiding escape and official misconduct. A judge set his bond at $10,000 cash, and Lowe was released on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 on his own recognizance. His trial begins this September. Over 10 months later, no other prison guards or inmates have been charged with any crimes.



There is no question that the Clark County jail had adequate camera technology to observe the inmates at all times.



The jail previously allowed A&E to film the reality television show 60 Days In within the confines of the jail. The dystopian premise of the show is that innocent volunteers spend 60 days in jail with cameras recording inmates and guards alike. After episodes recorded in Clark County jail aired in 2016, revealing criminal activity by guards and inmates alike, Noel said that seven officers within the jail resigned, and five were fired for unacceptable behavior.



Noel told the Courier-Journal in 2016 that over $200,000 worth of surveillance equipment was donated to the jail by A&E after the filming took place. Noel also said that for allowing A&E to film inside the jail, the sheriffs office was paid $500 a day to film, totaling over $51,000.
From 25 to 27 July, a series of panel discussions and roundtables took place to discuss MC12 outcomes, in particular the decisions on the WTO's response to the COVID-19 crisis, the TRIPS waiver, food security and the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement.

At a dialogue session with WCP Chairs and Academic Advisory Board members, Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala laid out how new research projects could be developed to facilitate implementation of MC12 outcomes. The Director-General suggested that Chairs from countries with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing capacities explore ways to help their governments foster the supply of vaccines to countries in need. The Chairs also have an important role to play in helping countries bring the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and other MC12 results into effect and in providing new ideas for negotiators to tackle unsolved issues on overfishing and overstocking, she said.

At a session titled Mapping WTO Membership Priorities, the Chairs and Board members met with WTO ambassadors from various regions, including the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC), the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) Group, the African Group and the Small, Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) Group to discuss members' priorities for research, customized training and targeted outreach.

Dr Okogu Bright, WTO Chief of Staff, pointed out the importance of direct communications between the Chairs and policymakers. Through this programme, Chairs provide topical research and advice to stakeholders both within their countries and regionally. The perspectives which they bring enable members to negotiate based on research which is customized to members' domestic and regional needs. But in order to truly fill these gaps in information and fulfil the goals of the programme, clear and direct flows of feedback are required between policymakers and Chairs, he said.

Ambassador Oudot de Dainville from WCP lead donor France moderated a joint session with the Aid for Trade Global Review. At this session, the WCP Chairs shared case studies of some projects, including a project on gender and trade jointly implemented by the WCP Chairs from Barbados, Chile and Mexico and projects on circular economy, small business and pandemic recovery implemented by Chairs in Indonesia and Mauritius. The Ambassadors from Barbados, Indonesia and Kenya discussed how these projects fostered inclusive, empowering, resilient and sustainable trade and the issues relevant to developed and least-developed members.

Ms Sarah Ahn, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, praised the achievements of the Chairs' projects. She said: Because of its confidence in the vision and potential of the WCP, Korea has decided to join several other countries in supporting the programme as its latest donor. The case studies are available here.

In closing the conference, Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang thanked participants for their active engagement over the previous three days. He reiterated the DG's call for the Chairs to further develop their research, outreach and training activities in line with the current trade environment and to enhance their cooperation with policymakers and other stakeholders in their regions.

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The WTO Chairs Programme fosters research, training, and outreach activities of relevance to governmental policy makers and other stakeholders at universities in developing and least developed countries. Currently, there are 36 institutions in the Chairs network.
Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Trade can be a powerful force for change. Our Director General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has reiterated several times that trade, and the WTO, are part of the solution to climate change and environmental degradation.

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The World Bank estimates that natural disasters already cost low- and middle-income countries $390 billion per year in damage related to water, transport, and power infrastructure.

In that context, adapting to climate change by reducing climate-related risks and vulnerability is a key economic strategy. International trade can contribute to climate change adaptation efforts by enhancing economic resilience to extreme weather events through diversified supply chains, timely provision of essential good and service, improved food security, and greater access to climate-related adaptation technologies.

Reducing greenhouse gases emissions that contribute to climate change is also essential. The transition to a low-carbon economy entails a substantive transformation of energy, production, transport and land-use systems. While climate change mitigation measures may incur short-term economic costs and cause short-term job losses, a just transition to a more sustainable economy offers much potential.

The International Energy Agency estimates that meeting Paris Agreement targets would require annual clean energy investments to triple to 4 trillion USD by 2030. Ensuring sustainable infrastructure will be a critical determinant of future growth and prosperity. A green transition also brings employment opportunities: ILO estimates that 24 million jobs worldwide could be created by the green economy by 2030, a net increase of 18 million.

Open trade plays a critical role in providing affordable access to advanced technologies needed to transition to a low-carbon economy. Lowering barriers to trade in environmental goods and services helps facilitate transfer and deployment of climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies.

85% of Members who responded to 2022 WTO-OECD Aid for Trade Monitoring and Evaluation questionnaire observed that their domestic trade objectives address environmental concerns. This shows a resolve among the Membership to use trade as a tool for sustainable development. We must facilitate this process by ensuring Members, especially developing countries and LDCs, have the necessary resources to pursue trade and sustainability objectives.

Aid for trade can play an essential role in channelling the resources to realise a just green transition for developing countries. The Aid for Trade initiative has continued to gather strength, with consistent year on year gains since inception. In sum, more than 556 billion dollars of Aid for Trade has been disbursed globally to address trade-related constraints of developing countries and LDCs. In fact, a record-high disbursement value of 48.7 billion dollars was recorded in 2020. This is despite the uncertainties caused by budgetary constraints and pandemic-led effects over recent years.

What is very interesting to note is that 51% of Aid for Trade commitments made in 2020 include climate-related objectives. A majority of this climate-tagged funding, around 40%, has been allocated for LDCs.

We also see a realignment of aid for trade priorities on a sectoral level. Within the energy sector, which contributes a large share of total Green House Gas emissions, more and more support is being rechannelled to support renewables. Aid for Trade disbursements towards renewable sources increased by 36% between 2019 and 2020. During the same period, the share of disbursements to non-renewable sources actually decreased by 26%.

The WTO Membership has taken active steps to do their part in facilitating a transition to sustainable development. Initiatives such as the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions, the Informal Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Sustainable Plastics Trade, and the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform stand testament to Members' commitment to bring forth change. The agreement on fisheries subsides, which was agreed upon during the Ministerial Conference last month, is another example of this commitment. The Agreement serves as an indication of Members' interest in tackling climate and sustainability issues within the framework of the WTO.

Though we see progress in aid for trade, and momentum at the WTO, the rate of change is not enough. We continue to fall short of the 100 billion a year target that we set for climate finance by 2020. There remains a substantial gap between what is required and what has been provisioned. Developing countries and LDCs urgently require support to implement climate-smart infrastructure and recast local production towards sustainability. We are not using the full potential of the multilateral trading system to accelerate the pace of change to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

This is not to say that we have not made advancements. Developing countries and LDCs have taken leadership in many aspects. Several impressive projects in these countries are flag bearers for sustainable development. During this session for instance, you will hear more about The Lake Turkhana Wind Power project from Kenya which makes for a fascinating story.

I hope the discussions that we will be having today pave way for a better understanding of the current state of play. I also hope that the discussions will highlight steps we can take, as an international community, to accelerate the move towards sustainable aid for trade.

Thank you.
On July 27, within the framework of the program of "Zartonk" Art Academy, a classical concert was organized at Stepanakert Komitas Music College.

July 28, 2022, 10:13 Classical concert held in Stepanakert

STEPANAKERT, JULY 28, ARTSAKHPRESS: As Artsakhpress informs, works of Armenian and foreign composers were performed during the concert.

The founder-director of "Zartonk" Academy and the president of "Atken Armenian" Foundation Van Armenyan noted that the goal of the program is to identify talents in Artsakh and give them an opportunity to develop their talents.

We want to show that the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity is strong. Our compatriots living in Armenia should visit Artsakh frequently with various programs. It's time for the Armenian nation to wake up and find solutions to correct our mistakes," said V. Armenian.

Professor Senora Gyulbudaghyan, lecturer at Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory highly appreciated the active participation of Artsakh children in the program of the academy.

I have students who are very gifted, musical", added Senora Gyulbudaghyan.

Knarik Nersisyan, the public relations officer of "Zartonk" Academy, emphasized that the aim of the project in Artsakh is to dialogue through culture, to create new Artsakh-Armenia ties, to contribute to their cooperation, as well as to strengthen the existing ones.
The Armenian Apostolic Church honors the memory of Isaiah the Prophet, Qahana.am reports.

July 28, 2022, 14:49 Armenian Church Commemorates Prophet Isaiah

STEPANAKERT, JULY 28, ARTSAKHPRESS: Prophet Isaiah is the first of the four major prophets of the Old Testament. He was born and spent almost his entire life in the city of Jerusalem, in the eight century B.C. The 66 chapters of the Book of Isaiah are considered to be an ocean of wealth, concerned with issues related to God, justice, sin, religion and various social ills. Being an educated and intelligent man, he was the spiritual guide to four kings of Jerusalem, expressing Gods will on many national matters. His book, written in an unsurpassed style and spirit, is the link between the Old and the New Testaments.

Isaiah is also called the Evangelist Prophet for his prophesizing on the coming of the Messiah - Jesus Christ. In the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 61, the prophet comes forth as a servant sent by the Lords Soul to bring the good news to the poor and to take care of the desperate and hopeless. Christ would later read the words of Isaiah in the synagogue in Nazareth, as He became the realization of that mission in the world (Luke 4:16-21).

According to tradition, Isaiah died a martyr's death. By order of the Jewish king Manasseh he was sawn to death with a wooden saw.
Press Release

July 27, 2022 Senate commemorates INC's 108th founding anniversary The Senate adopted on Wednesday a resolution commemorating the 108th founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and commending the religious group's leadership and contribution to the Filipino nation and the world. Voting unanimously, the Senate adopted proposed Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 66 introduced by Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri, taking into consideration SRN 68 with all members of the chamber as co-authors. "This is not just 108 years of the INC's faith shared by millions of Filipinos across the globe. This is also 108 years of the INC's role as one of our partners in nation-building," Zubiri said. According to Zubiri, the INC remains a stalwart religious umbrella that is influential in shaping the country's moral fiber and spiritual integrity while fulfilling its mission of sharing the gospel of salvation to all and enriching the devotion and belief of its Church members. Aside from sharing the teaching of Christ, the Senate President also recognized the INC's role in extending assistance to those in need through missions such as the Lingap sa Mamamayan outreach program and the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation which provide vital assistance in times of crisis. Zubiri also commended INC's Unified Livelihood and Development initiative or UNLAD, which provides livelihood training and opportunities in garment and food processing factories. "This reminds me of what I always say about cooperatives: that the best way to uplift our people is to help them help themselves. The INC understands this deeply, and provides valuable opportunities for empowerment through their livelihood programs," the Senate President said. SRN 66 also commended the leadership and guidance of INC's Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, which enabled the religious sect to constantly widen its reach, expand in number and remain an influential religious edifier. "So again, on behalf of the Senate, we congratulate the INC, and wish them a Happy 108th Founding Anniversary," Zubiri added.
Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire from various caliber firearms around 12:00, July 28 in the direction of Armenian military positions deployed in the eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said.

July 28, 2022, 16:23 Azerbaijan armed forces open fire at Armenia combat positions

STEPANAKERT, JULY 28, ARTSAKHPRESS: As a result of the retaliatory actions by the Armenian side, however, the fire of the Azerbaijani units was silenced.

There are no casualties or injuries on the Armenian side.
The aggressive behavior of the Azerbaijani side aims to disrupt the normal life in the communities of Artsakh and terrorize the civilian population, Artsakh Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan said in a statement released over todays shots fired by the Azerbaijani armed forces at Artsakhs Taghavard and Karmir Shuka communities.

July 28, 2022, 17:51 Any Azerbaijani action to blow dust in eyes of intl community should receive real assessment and opposition - Artsakh Ombudsman

STEPANAKERT, JULY 28, ARTSAKHPRESS: On July 28, at around 11:45, the Azerbaijani side fired in the direction of Taghavard and Karmir Shuka communities of the Martuni region of the Republic of Artsakh.

The shootings lasted for about 20 minutes, as a result of which bullets fell in the residential areas of the communities. According to the information obtained at the moment, the window of the house belonging to one of the residents of the Karmin Shuka community was broken, and 8 bullets of a rifle weapon were found in the yard of the same house. There were no casualties among the civilian population.

The aggressive behavior of the Azerbaijani side aims to disrupt the normal life in the communities of Artsakh and terrorize the civilian population. This behavior shows that the Azerbaijani leadership continues to pursue a policy of hatred against the people of Artsakh, the use of psychological and physical violence, and ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.

Even short-term pauses in actions leading to deliberate violations of the rights of the people of Artsakh and false pacifism are a tactical part of the performance presented by Azerbaijan and a purposeful behavior to mislead the international community.

The real goals and aspirations of the Azerbaijani side should be more than clear for mediators, international organizations, and peacekeepers deployed in Artsakh. Accordingly, any Azerbaijani action to blow dust in the eyes of the international community should receive a real assessment and opposition.

The criminal behavior of the Azerbaijani authorities, both before and today, has not undergone any change and continues to pursue the same Armenophobic and genocidal goals, the statement says.
Networking events are the hallmark of the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce. Attending or hosting a chamber event is one of the best ways to market your business and get involved with the business community. However, there is another, albeit lesser-known way that we serve our members and the community at large. The chamber also offers business educational programming.

These seminars and webinars give local businesses access to continuing education on timely topics like human resources, marketing, accounting and many more. Because they are led by chamber-member businesses and partners, it allows our members a way to showcase their expertise while also sharing their knowledge with the business community.

We have a few different events coming up for business owners, nonprofit organizations and anyone in human resources:

 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4: Growing Nonprofit Stories. A one-hour virtual introduction to nonprofit storytelling. Join Heidi Holtz from Stillwork Consulting Group as we talk about storytelling for your nonprofit. A workshop, based upon the work of Andy Goodman of The Goodman Center, on how to effectively tell your organizational story. This workshop is hosted by the Finger Lakes Grant Information Center, a program of the chamber, and costs $20 per person.

 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24: Managing Effective Communication. An educational webinar to enhance interpersonal communication skills in the workplace. Presented by HelpPeople EAP, this training is designed to develop awareness of effective communication styles and the importance of nonverbal communication as well as the role that perception, intent and impact can have in the communication process.

 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14: The Shared Work Initiative. The New York State Shared Work Initiative project coordinator and deputy director of business engagement will present on critical services available through the state Department of Labor that can save your business thousands each year. The Shared Work Initiative can help you retain talent during a slowdown due to seasonal adjustments, a drop in demand or supply chain issues. Business engagement can help you with recruitment needs along with value-added assistance, such as hiring incentives and tax credits. A Q&A will follow the presentation and supporting materials will be provided. Dont miss out!

Registration for all chamber educational events can be found at cayugacountychamber.com/events. These events are free for access members and above and only $20 for nonmembers. If youre interested in joining, memberships are half-price through the end of the year. Its a great way to see how the chamber can help your business. This is just one of the ways we serve businesses and organizations.

Another way the chamber helps serve the local business community is through our flagship program, Leadership Cayuga. Designed to inspire leadership in our community, the Leadership Cayuga program is a series of monthly day-long sessions through which students explore issues, discover resources and meet key decision-makers of Cayuga County. We are currently recruiting for the class of 2023 and are looking for those new to the area, new to their position or interested in becoming more involved in Cayuga County. Applications received before Aug. 10 receive a $100 discount. You can learn more and apply at leadershipcayuga.com.

The chambers mission is to advocate as the voice of the business community, provide value-added services to our members and facilitate collaboration that supports economic development for the greater good of Cayuga County.
An Auburn native is being held in an Iowa jail on a federal stalking charge in a case that has a connection to the arrest of his mother in 2021.

The FBI this week arrested Kiernan Major, a 2014 Auburn High School graduate who has been living in California and owns a company that claims to provide cybersecurity services. In its complaint, the FBI said Major coerced two women, who were identified as Victim No. 1 and Victim No. 2, into spending tens of thousands of dollars out of their own bank accounts and credit cards, saying he couldn't make transactions due to the secret nature of his intelligence work.

He told Victim No. 2, whom he met in San Francisco this year, that he was involved in counterespionage projects involving China and Russia.

The woman identified as Victim No. 1 has known Kiernan since middle school, the FBI said, and connected with him for a job in California in 2020.

"Major convinced her that his identity needed to be protected and thus, he could not use his credit card, obtain new credit cards, pay for hotels, nor pay for other expenses using his name," the complaint states. "Victim No. 1 reported that she used her own money, totaling approximately $17,000 over the course of one month, to purchase hotels, meals, Ubers, alcohol, and cannabis for Major."

Victim No. 1 told investigators that she stopped communication with Major in October 2020, but he then began sending frequent texts and emails and attempted to call her up to 1,000 times per day. She reported the threatening messages to the Auburn Police Department in January 2021, but local law enforcement authorities said they could not investigate because the alleged conduct took place in California.

"For the next year, Victim No. 1 reported that MAJOR continued to send Victim No. 1 serious threatening messages and emails about killing her and her family members using different accounts that Victim No. 1 hadnt blocked," the FBI complaint states.

Major began reaching out to Victim No. 1's father with the threatening messages, but he also at one point told the father he had arranged to reimburse Victim No. 1. Major had his mother, who worked at Auburn Community Hospital with Victim No. 1's father, write a check to her for $25,000. That checked bounced, and Michelle Major was arrested in April 2021 for knowingly issuing a bad check.

Auburn City Court records show Michelle Major's case is still active, with an appearance scheduled for Aug. 5. According to the FBI complaint, Michelle Major has been ordered to pay $100 per month for five years to Victim No. 1.

The federal investigation of Major began in June when Victim No. 2, who said she was swindled out of $111,000, filed a complaint with the FBI National Threat Operations Center. She did this after connecting with Victim No. 1, at Major's request. He said he wanted her help "to make things right with" Victim No. 1, whom he falsely claimed was an ex-girlfriend, according to the FBI complaint.

When Victim No. 2 heard from Victim No. 1 about Major's conduct, she "quickly realized that she was being victimized by MAJOR and needed to get away from him," the complaint states.

The FBI said Major realized the two women were communicating, so he escalated his threatening communications. As recently as July 10, he sent Victim No. 1 a series of threatening emails that said "YOU WILL DIE OVER THIS IF YOU DONT SMARTEN UP" and "I WILL MAKE SURE YOUR FATHER DIES A BRUTUAL DEATH."

On July 13, FBI investigators obtained a search warrant to track Major's cellphone, and found it in the area of Ames, Iowa. He was located and taken into custody in Iowa on Tuesday and charged with stalking.

A federal judge has ordered he be held, and scheduled a detention hearing for Monday in federal court in Iowa. The U.S. Attorney's Office is asking that Major continued to be held, saying he is a flight risk and a threat to the safety of others.

The stalking charge against Major is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.
Deysi Garza Aguirre

Clinton Fire Department/Facebook Deysi Garza Aguirre accepts her award

A 12-year-old Oklahoma girl is being hailed a hero after saving her family from a house fire.

Deysi Garza Aguirre was asleep on the couch at home early Saturday when she was awoken by a popping sound, the Clinton Fire Department of Oklahoma said in a statement shared on social media.

After seeing an electrical outlet sparking, Deysi tried to unplug devices from nearby outlets, but then saw that a fire had already begun and spread to the furniture close by, officials said.

Realizing what was happening, the preteen alerted her family members  including siblings, cousins and an aunt  to get out of the house. Once everyone was removed from the home, Deysi called 911 from a neighbor's phone, authorities said.

"She is a hero. ... Her courageous actions no doubtably prevented a much worse situation from occurring," the Clinton Fire Department said in their Facebook post. "While they may have lost their house their family is still whole."

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Deysi Garza Aguirre

Clinton Fire Department/Facebook Deysi Garza Aguirre accepts her award alongside family

RELATED: 10-Year-Old Girl Saves Family From Indiana House Fire: 'She Punched Through and Broke the Glass'

Days after the fire, Deysi joined ABC station KOCO on the scene, where she further detailed the scary incident.

"I was sleeping right here and the fire started right there, so I was really close to the fire," she explained to the outlet. "I started screaming my aunt's name."

Lt. Dylan Abner with the Clinton Fire Department called Deysi "an amazing little girl"  noting that "she's far beyond her years"  in a statement to KOCO, which reported that Deysi was the first to receive an award from the fire department for her heroic actions.

"We put together the Clinton Fire Department Award for Courage and Bravery. It's just something we felt like we should do for her," Abner told the outlet.

"Everyone told me I'm a hero," Deysi added. "I feel good because I saved my family."
A skeleton of one of history's most ferocious predators sold at auction for just over $6 million to an unknown buyer on Thursday.

Sotheby's had announced earlier this month that a fossilized Gorgosaurus, a relative of Tyrannosaurus rex, was set to be the highlight of a Natural History auction in New York.

The "exhibition-ready mounted skeleton" ended up selling for $6,069,500, according to Sotheby's.

MORE: Vertebra of 98 million-year-old dinosaur discovered in Egypt's Western desert

The specimen was expected to fetch anywhere from $5 million to $8 million in the auction house's presale estimates.

It is the first skeleton of its kind to go to private auction.

PHOTO: People walk around a Gorgosaurus Skeleton on display during a press preview at Sotheby's on July 5, 2022 in New York City. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

According to the Natural History Museum, Gorgosaurus, which means "fierce lizard," was found in Canada and western parts of the United States.

Although smaller in size compared to his Tyrannosaurus rex relatives, the Gorgosaurus was faster and had a stronger bite force, according to scientists.

The fossil is 76 million years old and is nearly 10 feet tall and 22 feet long. The skull alone is just over 3 feet long. The complete skeleton includes 79 separate pieces.

It was discovered on private land in 2018 in the Judith River Formation near Havre, Montana, according to the auction house.

76 million-year-old dinosaur fossil sells at auction for $6.1 million originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
President Joe Biden meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the NATO summit in Madrid, Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

On July 22, warring nations Russia and Ukraine, along with Turkey and the United Nations, signed an important agreement to allow grain exports to resume from Ukraine. Moscow had blocked the shipments. Turkey announced the agreement on July 21.

Turkey remains a bulwark against Islamic extremism, and traditionally a reliable ally of the United States, both within and well beyond the North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO). Turkish culture emphasizes warrior prowess, and here national success historically is notable.

Autocrat Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been in power as prime minister and now president since 2003. Over this lengthy tenure, he has curtailed democratic freedom and expanded his arbitrary authority.

Arthur I. Cyr

Given these retrograde developments, people easily overlook Turkeys geostrategic importance. This is especially true in the United States, where the mass media generally focus on more superficial aspects of news. Despite the horrific 9/11 terrorist attacks, and domestic debate over immigration, we remain a relatively secure nation.

Yet realism requires recognizing the importance of Turkey for regional stability and our own national security. The nation continues pursuit of economic modernization. This includes expanding trade and investment, reaching significantly into Central Asia as well as Europe.

Additionally, Turkey has been able to maintain reasonably good cooperative relations at the working level within Europe and the U.S. Economic development reinforces security relationships.

Practical NATO ties are relatively strong. Turkeys military is the second largest in NATO, after the U.S. Turkey was a major combatant in the Korean War. In Afghanistan, the nation was a leader. Turkey oversees vital sea and land routes, including the Bosporus Strait, which controls access between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

Turkey has proven willing to use leverage provided by geography and water. This includes but also reaches well beyond the Bosporus. Turkey controls the headwaters of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, vital water sources for Iraq and Syria.

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In 1998 Kurd separatist leader Abdullah Ocalan of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), enemy of Turkey, sought sanctuary in Syria. After a four-week standoff, Syria expelled him. Ankara had threatened to turn off the water.

Turkey is also strategically pivotal, Western in practices but with a Moslem majority population. The successful revolution in the 1920s led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk established Turkeys secular constitution. Terrorist groups have not gained support and Islamic extremism remains weak.

From the thirteenth century, to rapidly accelerating decline in the nineteenth century, the Ottoman Empire  which crested at the Danube in Europe  relied on military power reinforced by secular executive practices. Industrialization remained alien.

That has changed. Over the past decades of the 20th century, the economy became a powerhouse. Economic growth and investment flourished, corruption and inflation dropped significantly, and government red tape and bottlenecks were steadily reduced.

Great credit belongs to reform Prime Minister and President Turgut Ozal, who held office from 1983 to 1993. Friendship with President George H.W. Bush facilitated basing U.S. B-52 bombers in Turkey during the Gulf War of 1990-91.

In 2015, Turkey hosted the Group of 20 industrial nations, but today is in economic trouble. This provides the United States with opportunity for renewed leadership, largely neglected in this century.

President George H.W. Bush and associates earned great credit for outstanding regional leadership. In 1990-91, the U.S.-led coalition with UN authorization drove the Iraq army from occupied Kuwait. Decisive victory was followed up by effective diplomacy.

U.S. leadership today should emphasize security ties, while resisting Erdogans domestic excesses. Bush and company provide the example.

 Arthur I. Cyr is author of After the Cold War (NYU Press and Macmillan/Palgrave). Contact acyr@carthage.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Arthur Cyr: Turkey brokers Russia-Ukraine deal
Amazons acquisition of MGM Studios is paying an early dividend in the form of Ron Howards Thirteen Lives, which opens on area screens Friday and makes its way to Amazon Prime the week after.

The film tells the story of the rescue of 13 members of a youth soccer team from a flooded cave in Thailand in the summer of 2018 and the international effort made to ensure they all make it out alive.

A film without 'Hillbilly Elegy's' deficiencies

Unlike Howards other recent foray in the true-life realm, Hillbilly Elegy, this film possesses none of the clunkiness nor the emotional pandering of that 2020 Netflix effort.

When a story captures the attention of the international community, it tends to be unnecessary to mess too much with the subject, and in the summer of 2018, this was the story.

Left to right: Viggo Mortensen as Rick Stanton, Joel Edgerton as Harry Harris, Tom Bateman as Chris Jewell, Colin Farrell as John Volanthen, and Thiraphat 'Tui' Sajakul as Capt. Arnot Sureewong in "Thirteen Lives."

Thirteen Lives reminds of the filmmaker who brought us Apollo 11, Cinderella Man and a Beautiful Mind, telling a compelling story with a subtle touch while allowing an A-list cast to do their work.

More importantly, he deftly balances the storys view by telling it from multiple perspectives, including the families of those children along with the divers who volunteer their time and risk their lives coming to Thailand to work on a solution for saving lives.

Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell portray expert divers Rick and John. Their expertise eventually leads them to play key roles in the rescue. They, realizing, eventually, they need another skill level, bring aboard Chris (Tom Bateman), Harry (Joel Edgerton), a doctor and Jason (Paul Gleeson) to try to crack the problem.

The children face two possibilities  dying in the cave or while enduring a risky rescue. Theres no middle ground.

Ron Howard passes on unnecessary drama

That type of plot point could easily serve as a crutch for a director. Most would milk it for every drop of drama, much of it unnecessary.

Heres what there is to appreciate and respect about Howards deft, light hand. He shows respect for William Nicholsons screenplay and the subject matter. The latter genuinely speaks for itself; no overwrought drama is necessary.

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Left to right: Colin Farrell as John Volanthen, Paul Gleeson as Jason Mallison and Thira 'Aum' Chutikul as Commander Kiet in "Thirteen Lives."

But Howard also proves to be a master with this film with respect to emotion and technical expertise. In the former hes able to evoke feelings of claustrophobia as he takes the audience on more than a few dives. That comes courtesy of some stellar work behind the camera with an impressive assist from cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom.

The praise extends to the way Howard handles this cast and the performances he pulls from them. Hes not averse to allowing a mostly Thai cast to speak in their native language. Some directors would have made an effort to reach an audience by ensuring all the characters spoke English. Howard makes liberal use of subtitles.

Additionally, theres something appealing about actors who dont look for huge dramatic moments. Again, in the case of this impressive cast, they allow the words from Nicholsons script to do the talking, drive the narrative and pump up the drama. Theres nothing in the way of blustery dramatic turns. Howard trusts his cast (why shouldnt he?) and they, in turn, trust the words.

The result: Howards most satisfying film since the early 2000s.

George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal. Reach him at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas

Director Ron Howard on the set of "Thirteen Lives."

Details

Movie: Thirteen Lives

Cast: Colin Farrell, Viggo Mortensen, Joel Edgerton, Paul Gleeson

Directed by: Ron Howard

Running time: 2 hours, 27 minutes

Rated: PG-13 for some strong language and unsettling images.

Grade: A-

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Review: Ron Howard shows a deft touch with 'Thirteen Lives'
Russian invasion of Ukraine

SERGEY BOBOK/AFP via Getty Russian invasion of Ukraine

In a classified briefing on Capitol Hill among Biden administration officials and House lawmakers, representatives from both parties were reportedly informed that 75,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the field since Putin's invasion of sovereign Ukraine in late February.

If the number is accurate  reports pertaining to casualties for both the Ukrainian armed forces and the Kremlin's forces have been fairly speculative  it would represent a catastrophic blow to an invasion that has already failed to accomplish its main objectives.

RELATED: Putin Warns Ukraine and Their Western Allies About Future of War: 'We Haven't Even Yet Started'

Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan allegedly told CNN's Melanie Zanona that she was informed in a private meeting with officials from the State Department, Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence that over 75,000 Russian casualties are believed to have ensued since the commencement of the war.

Previous estimates of the amount of Russian forces and Russian mercenaries in Ukraine ranged as high as 150,000 only a couple months ago, meaning potentially more than half are unable to fight anymore.

RELATED: Russia Further Represses War Critics as Putin Continues Invasion of Ukraine

Slotkin also noted that "over 80% of their land forces are bogged down, and they're tired," corroborating reports coming from Ukraine that Russian forces have been stalled for months now.

A pivotal factor has been the Russian army's morale and camaraderie, which has been said to be incredibly low especially after reports that Russian forces didn't even know they were going to fight in Ukraine at the onset of the war.

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Both Russia and Ukraine have presumably underreported their losses to the international community. Russia needs to keep its propaganda machine running to ensure domestic support for the war, and Ukraine has an interest in reporting low causality numbers to boost and maintain enthusiasm.

RELATED: Missile Strike in Ukraine Leaves 7-Year-Old Boy Motherless, Severely Burned

Although the 75,000 tally could be significantly higher or minimally lower than the actual casualty mark, it reflects the disastrous approach to the war by Putin and his top generals.
Laura High has a tumor at the base of her brain, but she says that's not her defining characteristic.

High is a stand-up comedian whose routine consists of jokes about being a millennial and living in New York City. High also jokes about being a donor-conceived child and her search for her biological father.

"I'm what happens when a woman needs to become a mother and a man needs $200," High joked at a recent appearance in New York City.

Behind all the giggles, High said she is fighting for concrete action to help protect donor-conceived people and provide them access to their medical records.

"It's shocking to learn and to find out how many donor-conceived people [there are] especially in my age group, who have never been told, and who only found out by accident via a DNA test," said High, 34, referring to donor-conceived people who discover their biological parent only through a DNA test.

PHOTO: Laura High, 34, says being a donor conceived child has effected her everyday life because she does not have access to her medical records. High says she developed a hormonal disorder that lead to a brain tumor diagnosis when she was just 13. (Courtesy of Saliyl Dotson)

High said her parents told her when she was 14 that she was conceived using donor sperm.

She took her own DNA test many years later, after she got engaged, because she said she feared that the man she loved might be her half-brother.

"I live in the same city that my donor was donating, so chances are the majority of my siblings are probably in New York City," High said. "I have no idea if my neighbor is a sibling. I have no clue."

High said she discovered she and her fiance were not related -- but through the DNA test, she found three of her biological siblings.

PHOTO: Laura High sits with her mother as a baby. Her parents were promised a sperm donor that matched their religion, like her father, a Christian man, instead High is half-Jewish. (Courtesy of Laura High)

All of the siblings had similar genetic health issues, according to High. In High's case, she said she was diagnosed last year with a pituitary tumor, a tumor that formed in her pituitary gland, at the base of her brain.

Without medical records, High said doctors can't prove the tumor is due to a genetic issue, but it's suspected given her biological siblings' own medical records.

When High found her father, she said he refused to give her and her siblings access to his medical records, which High claims could have helped catch her tumor sooner.

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High said she and her siblings all have hormonal disorders that she said, in her case, put her at risk of developing her tumor.

"I'm very lucky I caught it in time before I needed surgery, and before I started trying to have children, because the tumor, while it is still in my head, essentially makes me infertile," High said. "It's taking a year for it to [decrease in size], so thank God I caught it now."

As she continues to undergo treatment, High is continuing to fight for access to her own medical records and to pave the way for other donor-conceived people.

PHOTO: I have no idea if my neighbor is a sibling. I have no clue. said High on her fears that anyone could be a genetic sibling. High and her fiance took a DNA test to prove they were not related before getting married. (Courtesy of Laura High)

A bill proposed in High's home state of New York would require disclosures from donors on diagnosed medical conditions, family medical conditions, doctors seen, names of schools attended and criminal felony convictions.

The bill, called the Donor Conceived Person Protection Act, would require fertility clinics to give donor-conceived people access to their updated medical records.

"It's not going to just save my life, it's also going to potentially save my children's lives," High said, adding that donor-conceived people "are just asking for the same knowledge you would get if you knew your parents."

The fight for donor-conceived rights

New York State Sen. Patrick Gallivan, a Democrat, is the sponsor of the bill, S7602A. He said he believes most people are not aware of what he described as the loose regulations that currently exist around the fertility industry.

"People have the same reaction I did," Gallivan told ABC News. "So far, they're completely shocked."

Gallivan explained that state requirements vary, but in New York, there is no requirement for screening for mental health, physical health or criminal records in order to be a donor.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that sperm donors be tested within a week of their donation. Donations are tested for nine sexually transmitted diseases, but certain donors could be tested for more, according to a 2020 FDA pamphlet.

Gallivan's bill would create action against fertility fraud and a doctor would not use reproductive tissue from a donor if the recipient did not consent. If a doctor used a donation that was not the one a client consented to use, it would become a crime of aggravated assault, according to the bill.

In High's case, she claims the sperm donation her mother received was not the one her mother and father selected. She said she later found that her biological father was a colleague and friend of her mother's OB-GYN.

High has advocated for Gallivan's bill on TikTok, where she has more than 10 million likes on her platform.

PHOTO: Laura High is a stand-up comedian in New York City. (Courtesy of Saliyl Dotson)

Gallivan said his bill would help provide structure to New York fertility procedures. Currently, for example, it is not illegal for a doctor to switch out a promised sperm donation with any other donation or a doctor's own sample.

MORE: Man, woman describe learning they were half-siblings after alleged fertility fraud

The bill also would give a definition of professional misconduct for physicians, physician's assistants and specialist assistants. Fertility clinics would have to disclose donor information such as medical records, prior felonies and previous doctor visits, according to Gallivan.

The bill would require that information would have to be updated as children become adults and donors find more potential medical issues as they age.

New York State Sen. George Borrello, a Republican, co-sponsored the bill and said there is no reason for donor-conceived children to suffer mental and physical health issues when genetic testing and background checks are widely available.

"If you buy a vehicle, that used car that has some problems, you have recourse," Borrello said. "In this, you're talking about a human being, a life."

Gallivan and Borrello said that no one from the fertility industry has reached out to their offices directly, but emphasized that this area in protecting children is one of the few bipartisan efforts they think everyone can support.

The bill is currently in the New York Senate's Health Committee, where Gallivan and Borrello say they are pushing their colleagues to see the necessity of this bill.

While there are other bills around the U.S. that deal with donor anonymity, this is the first proposed bill that would directly provide access to medical records for donor-conceived people.

ABC News reached out to six fertility clinics in the New York area for comment on the bill. None have responded.

Richard Vaughn, the founder of International Fertility Law Group, said that the New York bill is a good start, but that laws need to look at the fertility industry as a whole.

He said donor-conceived children, the donors and the parents all have to be represented, but the bill only looks at protection for the children.

"I don't think anybody disagrees with the part that it's so important that donor-conceived kids have accurate information about their medical history and their genetic heritage, Vaughn said. "So the trick is balancing all three of those, and in the middle, you've got medical providers."

Vaughn said in his practice, about half of parents choose to tell their kids if they are donor-conceived.

MORE: Ohio family sues fertility clinic claiming daughter has different father after mother's embryo allegedly fertilized with sperm of a stranger

Vaughn said the issue is balancing the health of the family with the accessibility of donors. He said there is a fear that shifting to making more personal information about donors accessible would cause fewer people to donate.

"All donations should be open," Vaughn said. "That's healthy for the donor-conceived children, it's healthy for the parents to know that this isn't something you really have to hide."

Georgetown Law professor Susan Crockin, who specializes in fertility ethics, said she believes New York's law could be the start of a national trend.

She said she hopes new laws don't go too far to place an "impossible burden" on providers to fully investigate every donor.

"My biggest hope is that we have laws that are reasonable, and that provide more assurances, that donors don't shrink back from it, but that we give everybody more background and more context for who they are," Crockin added.

Editors note: This story has been updated. A previous version incorrectly identified Highs tumor as a brain tumor. It is a pituitary tumor, according to High.

Woman battling tumor fights for medical records from sperm donor originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
A federal grant to upgrade the wastewater system at Cayuga County's industrial will help two local businesses expand in Aurelius.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that the Cayuga County Industrial Development Agency has been awarded $1.1 million through Economic Development Administration's American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance Program. The funds, along with $264,270 in local investments, will be used to construct a new wastewater pumping station.

Estimates from the Cayuga County IDA show that the project will create 70 jobs and generate $107 million in private investment.

The wastewater improvements will help Cayuga Milk Ingredients, a milk processing plant, and Denkavit, an animal feed producer, expand in Cayuga County. The existing infrastructure at the park could not meet the companies' needs, especially Cayuga Milk, which is planning a 50,000-square-foot expansion project beginning in 2023.

"When I crafted the American Rescue Plan and included an infusion of funds for the Economic Development Administration, it is long-overdue investments like this project in Cayuga County that I had in mind," Schumer said.

"This project will boost the economy and accelerate our economic recovery. With a new sewer line and wastewater pumping station on the way, these Cayuga County jobs can keep flowing and our local dairy industry can keep moo-ving on up!"

The American Rescue Plan included $500 million for the Economic Development Administration's Economic Adjustment Assistance Program. According to the agency's website, various projects are eligible for funding through the program, including public works and infrastructure, workforce development, technical, planning and entrepreneurship.

"President Biden is committed to harnessing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds a better America for the future," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said. "This EDA investment will provide the wastewater treatment capacity necessary for local businesses to create jobs and build economic resiliency in the region."

The funding will help ensure that the two companies can expand and remain in Cayuga County.

The industrial park's wastewater infrastructure has long been a focus since Cayuga Milk Ingredients opened in 2014. Kevin Ellis, who was then the CEO of Cayuga Milk, told The Citizen in 2017 that the company did not inspect the sewer line at the park before it opened.

Cayuga Milk was pledged a daily sewer capacity of 500,000 gallons, he said. But at the time, the plant would dispose of up to 315,000 gallons of waste daily and the sewer would back up.

"These funds will be used to expand the capacity of the sewer line in the CCIDA Industrial Park, which will better support the existing tenants' needs, as well as their anticipated needs for future expansions," said Ray Lockwood, who chairs the county IDA. "CCIDA is thankful for the support of Senator Schumer and the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, which helped make this grant application successful."
Alex Jones' attorney F. Andino Reynal in court during Jones' defamation damages trial in Texas. Briana Sanchez/Austin American-Statesman via AP, Pool

The attorney representing Alex Jones in his Sandy Hook defamation damages trial apologized for a heated courtroom spat.

Jones' attorney clashed with the plaintiff lawyer on Wednesday and gave him the middle finger.

"I apologize for yesterday's outburst," F. Andino Reynal told a Texas court on Thursday.

The attorney representing far-right conspiracy broadcaster Alex Jones in his defamation damages trial over falsely claiming the Sandy Hook massacre was a "hoax" apologized on Thursday for a heated courtroom spat and giving the middle finger to the plaintiff lawyer a day earlier.

"I apologize for yesterday's outburst," Jones' defense attorney, F. Andino Reynal, told a Texas court on Thursday before the jury entered the room, adding, "It wasn't appropriate."

Reynal said that he also apologized for his actions in an email to the plaintiff's lawyers who are representing the parents of one of the 20 young children slain in the 2012 Newtown, Connecticut, school mass shooting.

Travis County District Court Judge Maya Guerra Gamble addressed Wednesday's courtroom clash as proceedings got under way on Thursday, saying, "Next time anyone wants to have an argument, you need to take it outside."

"It's not going to happen in here," Gamble said.

Reynal and Mark Bankston, an attorney for the Sandy Hook parents in the civil case, argued in the courtroom on Wednesday over video evidence in the case.

Jones' lawyer accused Bankston of showing the 12-person jury "little clips from cherry-picked videos" from Jones' InfoWars broadcasts about the Sandy Hook shooting, while arguing that he was being barred from showing longer videos.

After Gamble left the courtroom, Reynal moved closer Bankston and flipped the bird to him during the confrontation, video of the incident shows.

Reynal repeatedly called Bankston a "liar" before he put up his middle finger to Bankston, The News-Times reported.

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Jones, the founder of InfoWars, has already been found liable for defamation by the Texas court and a court in Connecticut for repeatedly telling his audience that the Sandy Hook massacre was a "giant hoax" staged by the government with "actors."

Alex Jones. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File

The jury in the trial will determine how much money Jones must pay to Sandy Hook parents Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, whose 6-year-old son Jesse Lewis was killed in the shooting that left 26 dead.

Heslin and Lewis are seeking $150 million in damages for Jones' repeated lies about the deadliest school shooting in US history.

Read the original article on Insider
cat listening to music from a turntable

Mona Lo / EyeEm / Getty

Our feline friends are highly tuned-in to their environment, which is why their hiding spots are "do not disturb" zones. Some kitties also experience anxiety, often the result of having an illness, being in a new home as a recent rescue, or separation from their favorite humans.

As cat-lovers, we'd try anything to help soothe our furballs, from planning extra extra bonding activities to letting them sleep on our head (if that's what they want) to leaving a playlist on when we're away. But do cats like music? It depends.

What Kind of Music Do Cats Like?

"While we have no way to determine if cats actually 'like' music, studies have shown that certain types of music lowers cats' stress (classical) while certain types raise it (heavy metal)," says Samantha Bell, cat behavior expert at Best Friends Animal Society. "So, we can say that classical music  makes cats feel happier."

Some musicologists are exploring this concept even more. For example, composer David Teie created Music for Cats, a series of "cat-specific selections" featuring a classical music base with an added layer of pleasing, feline-familiar sounds, such as purring and suckling, to prompt relaxation. Other tracks include a smattering of bird chirps, whirring noises, and euphoric tones that might help energize even the most reclined feline.

To the human ear, a soundtrack like this might not seem that refined, but apparently cats know the difference. Teie, a cellist with the National Symphony Orchestra, partnered with researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to consider how cats' hearing differs from oursand why that mattersbefore developing music for cats.

In 2015, the results from an independent study with the university indicated that "cats showed a significant preference for and interest in species-appropriate music." In 2019, another study conducted by the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine concluded that "cat-specific music may benefit cats by decreasing the stress levels and increasing the quality of care in veterinary clinical settings."

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RELATED: Does Your Dog Like Listening to Music? See What Science Says

How Music May Help Your Cat

Bell says when she works with shy cats in a shelter setting, she uses selections from Music for Cats as a cue to indicate the upcoming interaction won't be a frightening one.

"Cats in shelters are often only approached for cage cleaning and administering medicine, causing a distrust and fear of humans. I play 'Music for Cats' to help build their confidence and trust in humans," she adds. "They hear this special music and know only good things are about to happen, which helps them to trust."

One way to determine if your cat likes music and how they respond to it is to play classical tracks as a cue to get them in the mood for an upcoming activity. For instance, put on a bright and bouncy classical number when it's playtime or during bird viewing out the window. Later, turn on slow, gentle classical strains before settling down in the evening.

But to really tune in to your kitty's preferences and curious nature, give the species-specific selections a spin, too. In addition to Music for Cats, Teie also worked with the streaming music service Spotify to create a pet playlist for kitties featuring some of his principles called Mellow Meowsic. Another organization, Relax My Cat, designs various playlists of cat music, too. Some cater to felines with anxiety, others are for new kittens or to provide a more calming atmosphere during thunderstorms.

Who knows? Cat music might become another important avenue of communication to share with your sweet and sensitive kitty.

RELATED: Decoding Cat Language: Here's How to Understand Your Feline's Feelings
Ghosting someone is nobody's proudest dating moment, but should it be a punishable offense? That's the position of a lawmaker in the Philippines, who has proposed that abruptly cutting off contact with a romantic partner without explanation be considered an "emotional offense."

Rep. Arnie Teves Jr., a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition, says "ghosting is a form of spite that develops feelings of rejection and neglect" and should be considered an abusive act.

Last month, he filed House Bill No. 611, which was just publicly released this week. In it, Teves claims that ghosting in a dating relationship can be "mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting to the 'ghosted person.'" Being ghosted can have negative effects on a person's mental health, as they must try to process the unexplained reasons for the end of a relationship, he said; ghosting can even be "likened to a form of emotional cruelty" as it leaves a dumped person without closure.

RELATED: #1 Reason Why Prince Harry Decided to Write His Controversial Memoir

Ghosting can lead to "ridicule" and "humiliation

"The ambiguity with ghosting is that there is no real closure between parties concerned, and as such, it can be likened to a form of emotional cruelty and should be punished as an emotional offense because of the trauma it causes to the 'ghosted,'" said the bill's explanatory note. The bill also claimed that ghosting can lead to "ridicule" and "humiliation" and that people who are ghosted are likely to experience emotional turmoil.

Curiously, Teves didn't propose a specific penalty for ghosting, although his bill says it "should be punished."

"The bill, in its current form at least, is unlikely to pass," the Washington Post reported Tuesday. "Without any outlined penalties, it is unclear whether the proposal will have any legal effects. For a bill to pass, it needs to pass three readings and garner support in both Congress and the Senate. Many proposals languish or are forgotten, especially if they are not deemed a priority."

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Distraction from the problems

Political scientist Arj Aguirre of Manila University told the Post that Teveswhose political party is aligned with the Phillippines' current ruling partymay be using the bill as a distraction from the country's current problems, including the COVID pandemic. He said Teves may be using the bill "to get public attention and media mileage."

"It is a calculative move to make him popular and be part of the public conversation," said Aguirre. "Teves has a history of stirring public debate with controversial proposals," the paper noted, including a proposal to name a Manila airport after former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Teves may have ghosted that idea as incompatible with political optics.
Paper money, or known as 'Hell Money' are burnt as offerings during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Hell money is considered as money to be used by the dead in hell. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Mention the Ghost Month and the Hungry Ghost Festival, and almost anyone in Singapore will know what these are.

But what about superstitions during the seventh lunar month?

The Chinese believe that the Ghost Month is the most inauspicious month of the year. Inexplicable unfortunate things tend to happen during this period.

To help get through this month safely, here are some taboos that believers will not violate. Even if youre not a Buddhist or a Taoist, it is also respectful to be aware of them.

1. Dont step on roadside offerings

Roadside offerings to appease the roaming ghosts are a common sight during this period.

However, you should be mindful of these temporary altars and not step on them, which include the burnt marks left on the floor after burning joss paper.

If you accidentally do so, it's suggested that one apologises or an unwanted visitor may follow you home.

2. Dont stay out late

The yin energy is believed to be the strongest at night, giving the ghosts spiritual powers.

Children and pregnant people are advised to not stay out late as the spirits tend to go after young kids and foetuses.

People who lack in yang energy may also have higher chances of bumping into a ghost at night.

3. Dont enter water bodies

One of the classics, vengeful water spirits are thought to lie in wait to capture unsuspecting victims.

They said to be looking for a substitute to take their place so that they can finally be reincarnated. Or they may just want a companion.

Whatever the case, it's likely you know a Singaporean or two who has been told to avoid swimming during the Ghost Month by their parents.

Better cancel all your swimming plans during the Hungry Ghost month. (Photo: Getty Images)

4. Dont kill insects that come into your house

The insects, like moths, butterflies, and grasshoppers, are believed to be the spirits of ancestors returning for a visit.

According to those who practise, killing them will be the equivalent of killing your ancestors.

Its best to leave them be (or set them free outside the home).

5. Dont put your chopsticks into your rice bowl

Although this is not limited to just the Ghost Month, putting your chopsticks into your rice bowl, especially in a upright position, symbolises an offering for the spirits (it looks like joss sticks in a food offering).

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Unless you want to share your food with them, or worse still, be haunted by them for messing with their offerings, place your chopsticks flat on the bowl or on the table.

6. Dont move house

When you move house, spirits may see it as an invitation into your new home or may attach to your new furniture.

This is why, in some years, property transactions fall during this period.

Moving house during the Hungry Ghost month may net you a new companion. (Photo: Getty Images)

7. Dont answer if someone or something calls or taps you from behind

Another classic, it is believed that if you turn when someone calls or taps you from behind, malicious spirits will reveal themselves to you.

People may end up missing or fall mysteriously sick after encountering these spirits.

8. Dont take pictures late at night

According to some, taking pictures at night may capture ghosts in action, or even trap them in photographs or the devices.

Unless you want some misfortune in your life, you should not press that shutter at night.

9. Dont sit in the first row of a getai performance

Getai is one of the highlights during the Ghost Month.

As much as these performances can be enjoyed by humans, they are mainly for entertaining the roaming spirits.

The first row of seats are usually reserved for them. Sitting in these seats may incur their wrath.

Always leave the front row of a Getai show for your guests during the Hungry Ghost month. (Photo: AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

10. Dont hold weddings

As the Ghost Month is inauspicious, marriages during this period are believed not last long.

The more superstitious will also avoid visiting the sick in hospital, getting surgery or attending a funeral during this month.

11. Dont whistle at night

Roaming spirits are said to be attracted to sounds like whistling or singing at night.

If you dont want them to pay you a visit, its best to keep quiet at night.

Don't tap your friends shoulders or head, unless you want them to be defenceless during the Hungry Ghost month. (Photo: Getty Images)

12. Dont put your hand on someones shoulder or head

According to Chinese folklore, we have three invisible flames, namely on our shoulders and head, that are essential to ward off evil spirits.

Putting your hand on someones shoulder or head will put out the flame.

This may make the person more susceptible to ghostly encounters.

Are there other superstitions you follow during the Ghost Month? Let us know on our social media pages!

Here's what you need to know about the Hungry Ghost Festival and the Ghost Month.

Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.

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Google is again delaying its plan to phase out third-party cookies in Chrome. For those keeping track, the company first unveiled its Privacy Sandbox initiative in 2019 and said implementation would begin in 2022 . However, following scrutiny from the United Kingdoms Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the US Department of Justice , Google delayed the phaseout to mid-2023 last year . On Wednesday, the company announced a further delay and said it wont end support for third-party cookies before the second half of 2024.

The most consistent feedback weve received is the need for more time to evaluate and test the new Privacy Sandbox technologies before deprecating third-party cookies in Chrome, said Anthony Chavez, Google's vice president of Privacy Sandbox. This feedback aligns with our commitment to the CMA to ensure that the Privacy Sandbox provides effective, privacy-preserving technologies and the industry has sufficient time to adopt these new solutions.

A chart showing Google's current timeline for phasing out third-party cookies from Chrome. The company won't end support for third-party cookies until 2024.

Under its current timeline, Google will expand the availability of its Privacy Sandbox trial to millions of users globally by early next month. The company then plans to gradually roll out the test to more individuals throughout 2022 and 2023. It hopes to officially launch the Privacy Sandbox APIs by the third quarter of 2023. This deliberate approach to transitioning from third-party cookies ensures that the web can continue to thrive, without relying on cross-site tracking identifiers or covert techniques like fingerprinting, said Chavez.
Justice Samuel Alito has mocked world leaders who spoke out about the Supreme Courts ruling to overturn Roe v Wade, joking that he was wounded by Prince Harrys criticism and taunting Boris Johnson as having paid the price.

The conservative justice drew fits of laughter from an audience at the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit in Rome, Italy, as he poked fun at the global condemnation of the courts contentious decision to end womens constitutionally-protected rights to an abortion in the United States.

I had the honour this term of writing I think the only Supreme Court decision in the history of that institution that has been lambasted by a whole string of foreign leaders who felt perfectly fine commenting on American law, Justice Alito said during his keynote address on Thursday.

One of these was the former prime minister Boris Johnson, but he paid the price, Justice Alito said, while also calling out French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Mr Johnson stepped down as Conservative leader on 7 July, but will remain as prime minister until a successor is chosen.

A tuxedo-donned Justice Alito, 72, also singled out Prince Harry, who spoke out about the decision to end federal abortion rights in a speech to the United Nations on 18 July.

Justice Samuel Alito mocked global criticism of his Roe v Wade ruling in a speech to the 2022 Religious Liberty Summit at the Notre Dame Law School in Rome (Notre Dame Law School/YouTube)

What really wounded me was when the Duke of Sussex addressed the United Nations and seemed to compare the decision whose name may not be spoken with the Russian attack on Ukraine, which brought more laughter from the crowd of conservative legal professors and students.

Justice Alito, who is Catholic, wrote the opinion that abolished Roe v Wade in June, calling it egregiously wrong from the start.

The decision, which cited obscure 17th Century legal precedents, received the backing of the six conservative justices and ended a half century of womens rights to an abortion in the United States.

The decision had been widely expected after Politico published a leaked draft of the ruling in May.

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But the decision still sent a shockwave through the US, prompting widespread protest marches in cities across the country and warnings that it would put womens live at risk.

Justice Alito brushed aside the public outrage during his speech in Rome, and went on to claim that people of faith were being persecuted around the world.

Religious liberty is under attack in many places because it is dangerous to those who want to hold complete power, he said.

It also probably grows out of something dark and deep in the human DNA  the tendency to distrust and dislike people who are not like ourselves.

In his speech to the UN General Assembly marking Nelson Mandela International Day, Prince Harry condemned the Supreme Courts decision.

From the horrific war in Ukraine to the rolling back of constitutional rights here in the United States, we are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom, the cause of Mandelas life.
Months after an Austin car dealership executive was arrested for allegedly arranging the murder of his mistress and her boyfriend, federal prosecutors have charged him and three of his associates with murder-for-hire.

On Thursday, Erik Charles Maund, 47, Gilad Peled, 48, Bryon Brockway, 47, and Adam Carey, 31, were also charged with conspiracy to kidnap resulting in death, and kidnapping resulting in death, Mark H. Wildasin, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, said in a news release.

Holly Williams, left, and William Lanway, were killed on March 12, 2020. / Credit: Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

In December, Maund, a partner at Maund Automotive Group in Austin, was accused in a federal indictment of paying Peled, Brockway and Carey to kidnap and kill his former mistress, Holly Williams, 33, and her boyfriend, William Lanway, 36, in Nashville, Tennessee, in March 2020.

According to the indictment, Maund, who would occasionally travel to Nashville to visit a relative, emailed Williams at the beginning of February 2020 to see her during a trip that month. The following month, Maund received a series of text messages from Lanway, Williams' boyfriend, demanding money to keep his relationship with Williams a secret, police said.

Maund then enlisted the services of Peled, who presented himself as a former member of the Israel Defense Forces, and Brockway, and Carey, two former active-duty Marines, authorities said.

Erik Charles Maund / Credit: Metro Nashville Police Department

According to prosecutors, on March 5, 2020, Maund withdrew $15,000 from his bank account, the same day a relative of Brockway who worked for an internet-based security company provided Peled with an "intelligence report." Carey and others travelled from out of state into Nashville to surveil Williams and Lanway and created a Pinger account to attempt to communicate with the couple. Then on March 11, 2020, Peled deposited $8,000 in cash into a business account and $7,000 in cash into his personal bank account.

Prosecutors said that on March 12, Brockway and Carey confronted Willilams and Lanway in the parking lot of Williams' apartment complex in Nashville, fatally shooting Lanway. The pair then allegedly kidnapped Williams, driving her and Lanway's body to a construction site before murdering Williams and discarding both the bodies.

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That same day, they allege Maund wired $150,000 to a bank account controlled by Peled.

Months later, on December 10, 2021, police picked up all four of the alleged co-conspirators  arresting Maund following a traffic stop near Austin, Peled at the airport in Austin, Brockway in San Diego, and Carey at his home in North Carolina. All four remain in custody.

The Justice Department said that since March 11, 2020, Maund has transferred over $750,000 in funds to a bank account controlled by Peled to pay his three co-defendants for carrying out the plot.

Following their arrests, prosecutors say Peled told Maund that one of the co-conspirators wanted more money for their part in the alleged murders.

"Maund agreed to pay the co-conspirator an additional $25,000 and then offered Peled $50,000 to arrange to pay Brockway $100,000 for the murder of the co-conspirator, to cut off any future requests for payment for the original murders," the Justice Department said.

If convicted, all four men face up to life in prison.

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NEW YORK  Toteme, the eight-year-old Swedish contemporary fashion brand, has just launched its first U.S. store in Manhattans SoHo neighborhood.

The 3,400-square-foot store opens Thursday at 49 Mercer Street and is set in an 1870s cast-iron columned building with tall windows and a loft-like ambiance typical of the areas architecture. Its merchandised with restraint for a spacious, gallery-like feeling and ease of shopping, and furnished with eccentric fabrics and furniture designed by Josef Frank from the interior design company Svenskt Tenn. Alongside Totemes collections is an exhibit (for display only) of Svenskt Tenns signature pewter objects.

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SoHo is so special. We wanted to keep that sense of space and character and we also wanted to reflect our signature codes of the brand and Swedish heritage. Everything here is designed by us or theyre Swedish design classics, said Karl Lindman, cofounder and chief brand officer of Toteme, referring to the stores interior.

Totemes cofounders Karl Lindman and Elin Kling in the SoHo store. - Credit: Adrian Gaut

Adrian Gaut

From the fashion perspective, We definitely have a very Scandinavian, soft, warm minimalist approach, said Elin Kling, Totemes cofounder and creative director, and the wife of Lindman. Our customers come to Toteme because we have a strong design point of view. She can come to Toteme and update her wardrobe. The look is trans-seasonal. Its about wardrobe building over time and being able to wear styles of four or five years ago that still work, Kling said.

Its a utilitarian approach to dressing. It needs to have a purpose, added Lindman.

Asked who the Toteme audience is, Lindman replied, We dont like to put it into a target group, but I would say our average customer is a young professional, with an average age of 35.

Though based in Stockholm and Swedish in design and character, the company was started in New York where Lindman and Kling arrived years before for jobs in publishing, communications and advertising. We started the business online and wholesaling, but the goal was always to one day have a physical space in New York, said Lindman.

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Of the companys $70 million in retail sales last year, the majority is generated through e-commerce from customers around the world, in particular China, Japan, Korea, and the U.S., as well as Sweden and other European countries. Lindman said the business is profitable, with a 28 to 29 percent profit margin last year. We have never been out there screaming our name, said Lindman. The business has grown organically, friend to friend, word of mouth. We have communities in cities that are drawn to our collections and aesthetic.

Aside from the SoHo store, theres a freestanding store and a shop inside a department store in Stockholm, and a store in Shanghai, where a second freestanding unit is scheduled to open in September. Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Kirna Zabete are among the wholesale accounts.

For North America, SoHo is the first step. We have more stores planned, said Totemes chief executive officer Johanna Andersson. Shes a former McKinsey & Co. executive where she co-led the Scandinavian apparel, fashion and luxury goods hub.

We have a good customer base in California so I think Los Angeles is clearly a market where we see potential, Andersson said. We already have a substantial online business there. San Francisco is also a possibility. And we can also see another store in New York at some point.

From the studio in Stockholm, the Toteme design team creates womens ready-to-wear, shoes, bags and accessories, produced primarily in Italy, Portugal and China. For the fall, a small line of leather bags is being introduced, and soon the companys first app will launch.

Totemes contemporary look.

Our collections are very edited, Kling said. We try to keep the number of skus down. Maintaining that authenticity is very important and we want to be able to sell full price.

It is contemporary, but always with a twist, said Lindman. Our customer looks for styles that have always been there, but we add our touch to it. Were certainly following our own path. For example, what would a perfect Toteme trenchcoat be like? The trench coat always existed, but the way we cut, it becomes our trench coat.

He said the company has found its sweet spot on the fashion spectrum. Shes a young professional who loves fashion but not living for fashion. She wants advice, a sense of curation. Shes coming to Toteme to find inspiration on how to dress for everyday life.

Though neither Lindman nor Kling had experience running a fashion company before starting Toteme, Kling did work in fashion communications and publishing, and Lindmans background is in art direction and luxury branding, and hes a former design director at Interview Magazine.

We understood that we couldnt do everything. We had to meet people, talk to people, convince them to help and work with us before we had a team of designers, said Lindman. Now there is a design team, led by Kling.

They decided to call their company Toteme because, as Lindman said, It conveys the idea of community, connecting people and designing for a purpose.

The new Toteme campaign by Tim Elkaim and styled by Suzanne Koller.

Launch Gallery: Inside Totemes First U.S. Store

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Saudi Arabia, world's top crude exporter plans to increase prices of oil. Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest oil exporters to India selling crude worth nearly $23 billion in the last financial year.

Saudi Arabia, the largest crude oil exporter in the world, is likely to increase price of oil to a record level in September. The leader of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is expected to increase price of its Arab Light crude to Asian countries by $10.80 per barrel. India, being one of the largest importers of crude oil from Saudi Arabia, could be impacted due to this hike. This could also result in further hike in petrol and diesel prices in the third quarter of this financial year.

India is the third largest consumer of oil in the world and is placed behind United States and China. In terms of imports, India ranks second to China as crude oil forms a large chunk in Indias overall imports with around one-fifth share. India's dependency on foreign oil imports was around 85 per cent of its domestic needs in the last financial year. A lion's share of these imports came from Saudi Arabia.

According to official data, India's oil imports from Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, Iraq and UAE stood at 63 per cent of its overall oil imports. Saudi Arabia alone sold $23 billion (roughly converted to 183.68 thousand crore) worth of crude oil to India during this period. Only Iraq was ahead in terms of oil exports to India in the last financial year with crude worth $30.34 billion (roughly converted to 240.21 thousand crore).

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Since 2021, India has seen unprecedented rise in the price of petrol and diesel. Price of both fuel touched record highs during the Covid-19 lockdown and later. Prices soared to more than 100 per litre for both fuel in several cities across India, a first in its history. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, petrol and diesel prices were hiked more than 70 times in the last 12 months.

The series of petrol and diesel price hikes in the past one year reached a stage when India faced widespread protests. The Centre had to step in to control the prices by reducing tax on both fuel. It offered some relief to consumers as fuel price saw hikes almost every other day till May this year. However, if Saudi Arabia decides to increase price of crude oil, it will impact on prices of fuel back home around the festive season. The oil companies will start revising rates based on crude prices impacting consumers once again.

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BAR-SUR-AUBE, France (VN) -- Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) survived a late puncture on the gravel of stage 4 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift to keep herself within touching distance of the yellow jersey.

Longo Borghini went into Wednesday's stage just 16 seconds off the top spot, after making it into the winning break on stage 2, and with a hard-earned advantage over most of her GC rivals.

The former Strade Bianche champion was enjoying a strong showing on the rough roads of the Champagne region of France until the mechanical issue befell her on the final gravel sector. Some quick thinking by her teammates meant she was back on the road before she lost too much time.

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"Everything was going well until I was in the last sector and then I got a puncture almost at the end," Longo Borghini said at the finish line. "Elisa [Balsamo] was straight on me, and she gave me her bike, it was really good, because otherwise, I would have lost a lot of seconds.

Shirin was waiting for me, and she tried to bring me back, but she had flat tires. Ellen did wait for me, and we didn't have any time to change back the bike."

Having taken Balsamo's bike to make her chase, Longo Borghini would have to ride it all the way to the finish line as the race was well and truly on. Shortly before her puncture, Marlen Reusser had attacked, and several riders were bridging over to her.

Elisa Longo Borghini on Elisa Balsamos bike

Fortunately for Longo Borghini, none of the major GC favorites got off the front and she was able to return to the yellow jersey group. Speaking to the press at the finish line, Longo Borghini was still on Balsamo's bike with its rainbow-inspired paint scheme.

It might not have been the most comfortable ride for Longo Borghini but it was a little special for her to ride the world champion's bike.

"We are a little bit the same size, so there's not much difference, but she's a very short stem and a little higher saddle than me. It was OK, not the best but OK," she said. "It doesn't happen in many teams that the world champion gives you the bike, so I was pretty honored to ride her bike until the end.

"Shirin tried to bring me back, but she had two flat tires. Ellen [van Dijk] then waited for me and brought me back to the peloton. Everyone did a great job, Audrey [Cordon-Ragot] was always keeping me at the front, Leah [Thomas] was bringing me bottles. I'm proud of them."

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Authorities say the 26-year-old man who wanted to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh before he turned himself in had expressed a desire to kill at least two more justices.

According to new FBI search warrants obtained by NewsNation, Nicholas Roske was meticulously plotting how to kill the justices, including web searches on how to be stealthy, where an effective place to stab someone would be and what the quietest semi-auto rifle was.

During conversations on Reddit, Roske told other users that he wanted to stop the Supreme Court from overturning Roe v. Wade by removing justices, officials say.

I could get at least one, which would change the votes for decades to come, and I am shooting for three, he wrote in one message, according to the search warrant.

Roske, of Simi Valley, Calif., was arrested outside Kavanaughs home in Chevy Chase, Md., on June 8. He was in possession of a gun, a knife and zip ties.

He allegedly arrived at the justices home wearing all black around 1 a.m.

Roske turned around when he saw U.S. Marshals positioned outside and called the county police on himself.

During the call, he confessed he was upset about the leaked draft opinion showing that the Supreme Court was prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade and the nearly 50-year-old constitutional right to abortion, which it would indeed do a couple weeks later.

Roske was also upset about the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where a gunman shot and killed 19 children and two adults. He believed Kavanaugh would vote to loosen gun laws.

A grand jury in Greenbelt, Md., indicted Roske on one count of attempting to kill a Supreme Court justice, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Roske has pleaded not guilty, according to The Associated Press. His trial is set for Aug. 23.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
This combination of undated photos provided by the US District Court District of Hawaii shows Walter Glenn Primose, left, also known as Bobby Edward Fort, and his wife Gwynn Darle Morrison, also known as Julie Lyn Montague, purportedly in KGB uniforms (United States District Court)

A Hawaii couple who has been living under fake names lifted from two dead Texas children has been charged by a federal court with identity theft and conspiring to commit an offence against the US government, court records show.

The unsealed documents from a US district court in Honolulu revealed that Walter Glenn Primrose, a defence contractor, and his wife Gwynn Darle Morrison had allegedly been living under the names of Bobby Edward Fort and Julie Lyn Montague, respectively, since 1987. Both Mr Primrose and Ms Morrison were born in 1955.

The pair were arrested Friday in Kapolei on the island of Oahu. Theyre being held without bail on charges of identity theft, conspiracy to commit an offence against the US government and making false statements in the application and use of a passport, drivers licences and, for Mr Primrose, Defense Department credentials, a criminal complaint filed 21 July shows.

Mr Primrose, who worked as an avionics technician with the US Coast Guard from 1994 until 2016, was last said to be employed by an unnamed US defense contractor at the US Coast Guard Air station at Barbers Point that conducts search and rescue responses. While there, he reportedly obtained secret security clearance under a fake identity, the Associated Press reported.

While he held that secret clearance with the U.S. Coast Guard, defendant Primrose was required to report any foreign travel, prosecutors wrote in the court documents. Investigation has revealed that defendant Primrose did not report several trips to Canada while he did report other foreign travel.

Included in the motion to charge the Hawaii-based couple with conspiring against the US government was a set of undated Polaroids that show them dressed in what appears to be uniforms for the KGB, the main security agency for the former Soviet Union.

Though Megan Kau, the attorney representing Ms Morrison, contends that the couple had donned the outfits as a joke, Assistant US Attorney Thomas Muehleck said in court papers that hed been told by a close associate that she had lived in Romania while it was a Soviet bloc country.

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She wants everyone to know shes not a spy, Ms Kau said in an interview with the Associated Press, highlighting that the couple, who are both US citizens, have lived in the country for the past three decades as law abiding citizens.

This undated photo provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii shows Walter Glenn Primose, also known as Bobby Edward Fort, purportedly in a KGB, the former Russian spy agency, uniform

This has all been blown way out of proportion. Its government overreaching, she added.

According to the arresting documents, Ms Morrison and Mr Primrose attended high school and college together in Texas and were later married in Nacodoches, Texas, in 1980.

They assumed the identities of two young children, who would have been more than a decade younger than the pair, in 1987. That same year, the couple lost their home in Nacogdoches to foreclosure.

One year after the pair began going by their new names, they remarried under the newly acquired identities and would go on to have several official documents  including multiple passports  issued under those false names.

The home where US defense contractor Walter Glenn Primrose and his wife, Gwynn Darlle Morrison, lived for years allegedly under aliases is pictured, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Kapolei, Hawaii (AP)

When Mr Primrose joined the US Coast Guard in 1994, when he wouldve been 39 years old, his enlistment documents wouldve read that his fake identity of Fort was 27 years old  more than a decade younger than what he wouldve appeared.

This undated photo provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii shows Walter Glenn Primose, also known as Bobby Edward Fort

Mr Primrose would even go as far in 1999 to apply for a separate passport under his legal name, while still holding one under his assumed name, Bobby Edward Fort.

The affidavit claims that the pair are viewed as a flight risk, noting that the husband had failed to report several trips to Canada despite being required to flag any foreign travel to the US government due to the secret clearance he held for six years.

This undated photo provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii, shows Gwynn Darle Morrison, also known as Julie Lyn Montague, purportedly in a KGB, the former Russian spy agency uniform (United States District Court)

Mr Primrose, the motion alleges, is a highly skilled technician who the arresting authorities say they believe is capable of communicat[ing] surreptitiously if released.

In addition to the known aliases used by the pair, the motion also notes that letters seized from the couples home show them being greeted with names that are neither their legal ones nor the ones appropriated from the pair of Texas children.

Federal agents have also seized photographs from the defendants residence that depict the defendants apparently some years ago wearing what have been identified as KGB uniforms, the motion says.

This undated photo provided by the United States District Court District of Hawaii shows Gwynn Darle Morrison, aka Julie Lyn Montague

Both Ms Morrisons attorney and the US Coast Guard did not respond to a request for comment immediately from The Independent. A lawyer for Mr Primrose could not be contacted.

A bail hearing was scheduled for Thursday in US District Court for the couple.
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

As he guides an unprecedented investigation that could result in criminal charges for former President Donald Trump, Attorney General Merrick Garland has simultaneously provoked hope, dread, frustration, and general befuddlement from Democrats on Capitol Hill.

This week, Garland added a new emotion to that mix: joy.

On Tuesday night, Garland sat for a rare televised interview, with NBCs Lester Holt. The attorney general was cautious in discussing the Department of Justices ongoing investigation into the 2020 elections aftermathbut, notably, he did not rule out prosecuting Trump.

No one, Garland said, is above the law.

That line was music to Rep. Jerry Nadlers ears. Im delighted, the New York Democrat told The Daily Beast on Wednesday, when asked his reaction to Garlands comments.

Nadler, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committeethe panel that drafted Democrats two sets of impeachment articles against Trumpsaid he came away with the clear impression Garland is actively seeking a prosecution of Trump.

For over a year, Democratic lawmakers have anxiously looked to Garland for a sign he was actively doing much of anything related to Trump. Their anticipation quickly turned to exasperation as the House select committee investigating Jan. 6 conducted hearings featuring bombshell after bombshelland laid out a potential case for Trumps criminal culpability.

What are they doing over there? asked Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), a member of the select committee, after learning in July that the DOJ did not subpoena Cassidy Hutchinson, the former Trump staffer-turned-star witness.

Merrick Garlands Ex-Law Professor Says Trump Will Likely Be Indicted

Intentionally or not, Garlands comments during his interview served as a partial answer to that question. So did a major Washington Post report, which broke Tuesday night, confirming that the DOJ is investigating Trump personally as part of its criminal investigation surrounding Jan. 6.

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Not every Democratic lawmaker is encouraged by the latest developments, however. Some remain frustrated at the pace of the departments probe and, more broadly, have never been convinced that Garland would pursue criminal charges against Trump even if the case were strong.

I think Merrick and the DOJ are more worried about the institution of the DOJ than the institution of democracy, said Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).

The Arizona progressive expressed a concern that Garland might allow coup attempters to go free, leaving Trumps supporters to end up holding the bag for the irresponsible actions of this former president.

Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) wondered if Garlands recent moves have come in response to pressure, primarily from the findings of the select committee.

You know, I want to believe that [the DOJ has] been serious about this all along. But it does seem like the pressure that the January 6 committee has created, with this powerful case they're presenting has lit a fire under the Department, said Huffman. And that's okay too. But doing nothing just seems completely untenable in light of what we know.

The possibility of a Trump indictment looms large for Democratic members of Congress. Some have spent the last four years intimately involved in oversight and investigations concerning Trumps actions, from his 2016 campaigns ties with Russia to the effort to subvert the 2020 election that culminated on Jan. 6.

Many believe there is a clear criminal case against Trump for his actions surrounding the 2020 election. But lawmakers are balancing that with some real sensitivity to the potential falloutboth electorally and to the nations institutions of governanceof moving to prosecute a former president.

The more information we have, the more I think it's imperative that they prosecute him, that they try, said Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY). It's not an easy decision. I wouldn't want to have to make the call.

To be sure, building a case for prosecutionagainst a president especiallytakes time. And though its been well over a year since the events on Jan. 6, new details about the event continue to emerge as the select committee continues its investigation. The panel has said it is cooperating with the DOJ's request that they share transcripts of witness interviews with the department.

Having been a former prosecutor, investigations just take time, said Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), who noted hes elated with news that the DOJ is taking actions against Trump. And sometimes you have to wait for certain thingsand its not, to me, unreasonable that its taking this amount of time. Its a very complicated investigation.

For some lawmakers, its been frustrating to watch the select committeewhich has a fraction of the resources of the DOJseem to be miles ahead of the department in its investigation.

Hannitys Tale of Trumps Jan. 6 National Guard Order Blows Up in His Face

The select committee, said Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX), a member of the Judiciary Committee, has presented a model of how to be deliberative and thorough, as well as efficient. The DOJ, said Escobar, has a lot to learn from that.

My hope is that the breadth of what we don't know is impressive, Escobar said, and I hope that there's a lot of work happening behind the scenes that the public is currently unaware of.

Members of the select committee have, at times, seemed to nudge the attorney general. In an interview with NBC after the committees most recent public hearing, Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA) explicitly addressed Garland.

I can tell the Department of Justice is watching our hearings closely, said Luria, referencing instances in which Jan. 6 defendants have quoted testimony and information from the committee. If [Garland] is watching today, Id tell him he doesnt need to wait on us, because I think he has plenty to keep moving forward.

In recent days, the DOJ has indicated its investigation is closing in the top tier of the Trump administration. Two top aides to former Vice President Mike Pence are now slated to speak before a federal grand jury, while former Pence chief of staff Marc Short appeared before a grand jury last week.

CNN reported Wednesday afternoon that Hutchinson, who gave explosive public testimony to the Jan. 6 committee earlier this month, is also cooperating with the DOJ investigation.

Garland himself is receiving a briefing on the departments investigation each week while mulling the path forward. In his interview with Holt, the attorney general said the investigation thus far is the most wide-ranging in DOJs history and promised justice without fear or favor for anyone found culpable for the events on Jan. 6.

The attorney general also indicated he would not waver on a prosecution timeline if Trump does announce a run for the 2024 presidencywhich hes teased since the very day he left office, and could happen before the November elections.

That prospect, said Escobar, should give the DOJ even more urgencyeven if it complicates officials desire to completely insulate the process from politics.

A completely lawless president, who sent an armed mob to the Capitol to engage in a coup, could potentially run for reelection, she said. That's the reality, and I know politics should not be a part of the deliberative process and the decision-making at the DOJ, but it is a reality.

Garland, the Texas Democrat said, needs to understand that theres a clock and the clock keeps moving.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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AUSTIN, Texas  The parents of 6-year-old Jesse Lewis are seeking two awards of $75 million  $1 for every American duped by Austin-based conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' portrayal of the death of their son and 25 others at Sandy Hook Elementary School as a hoax, their lawyer announced Tuesday.

Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis sat about 15 feet from Jones in a Travis County courtroom as a jury trial got underway Tuesday to determine how much money Jones will have to pay them for defamation and intentionally inflicting emotional distress.

The parents' lawyer, Mark Bankston, used his opening statement to the jury to accuse Jones of weaving a pattern of lies that inspired his followers to contact Jesse's parents at home, accost them in public, harass them online and by phone and threaten their lives.

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"For 10 years, Mr. Jones has robbed Neil and Scarlett of the time they needed to heal for the violent death of their son Jesse," Bankston said.

Jones' campaign made Jesse's death ugly, Bankston said. Now, every time his parents think about their son, they also have to "think about this horrible man, this disgusting series of horrible lies that will be forever tied to their son's death."

The trial, expected to continue into the first week of August, will determine how much money Jones will have to pay Jesse's parents for portraying them as liars and actors who conspired with government efforts to use the "faked" attack to justify confiscating firearms.

Jones, who has argued that the lawsuits are part of a wider attempt by leftists and other opponents to silence his free-speech rights, arrived at the courthouse with silver tape over his mouth bearing the phrase "Save the 1st."

Alex Jones talks to the media during a midday break during the trial at the Travis County Courthouse on Tuesday. Jones has been found to have defamed the parents of a Sandy Hook student for calling the attack a hoax.

The tape was off when he entered the courtroom Tuesday morning, but during the trial's first break Jones spoke to reporters and cameras in a hallway outside the courtroom, loudly proclaiming that the proceedings were a kangaroo court, a political action, a witch hunt, a show trial and total warfare.

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State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble called lawyers from both sides back into court and, without jurors present, banned any discussion of the case outside of court that could be overheard by jurors.

"We are not going to have that again," she said.

With jurors back in court, Jones' lawyer, Andino Reynal, admitted that Jones was wrong with his statements about Sandy Hook but said the InfoWars host was duped by others who told a convincing tale about the 2012 shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, being a hoax.

"There was a time that Alex was taken in," Reynal said. "We are not hiding that."

Reynal added, however, that Jones had the right to raise the questions he did, adding that Jones has already been punished for those statements after being canceled from posting on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Alex Jones' lawyer Andino Reynal gives his opening statement to the jury on Tuesday at the Travis County Courthouse in Texas. Jones has been found to have defamed the parents of a Sandy Hook student for calling the attack a hoax.

Reynal directed his ire at Bankston, deriding him as a "personal injury lawyer" engaged in a cynical attempt to enrich himself "while silencing a political opponent and limiting every American's right to watch and choose what to listen to."

Lawyers learn one important rule, he told jurors: "Don't lie to the jury if you hope to get the verdict that you requested. What we heard (in Bankston's opening) was a conspiracy of lies."

But Bankston told jurors that he will be asking for two awards  $75 million for damaging the parents' reputation and another $75 million for emotional distress. That's even before jurors begin the second phase of the trial when they will hear testimony about Jones' net worth before assessing punitive damages.

Bankston said the $75 million figure represents $1 for every American who was duped by Jones' lies, according to a poll that found 24% of Americans believe the Sandy Hook shooting was staged or might have been. Jones used his highly popular shows to explode the Sandy Hook myth, expanding its reach beyond the cranks and extremists populating dark corners of the internet, Bankston said.

Mark Bankston, lawyer for Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, parents of Sandy Hook shooting victim Jesse Lewis, gives an opening statement during the trial against Alex Jones on Tuesday at the Travis County Courthouse in Texas. Jones has been found to have defamed the parents of a Sandy Hook student for calling the attack a hoax.

Opening statements Tuesday morning raised the curtain on the first of three trials  two in Austin, one in Connecticut  that will determine how much Jones will have to pay for defamation and emotional distress caused when Jones and others in his Austin-based InfoWars media system repeatedly portrayed the mass shooting, which claimed the lives of 20 students and six educators, as a hoax meant to justify a government crackdown on gun rights.

Last year, Jones was found  without a trial  to have defamed both sets of parents when Gamble issued a rarely granted default judgment against Jones, saying his pattern of bad faith in withholding essential information from pretrial discovery improperly imperiled the families' cases. That means jurors in both Austin cases will be asked to determine the size of damage awards to be assessed against Jones and his main company, Free Speech Systems.

The second trial in Austin with the parents of another 6-year-old first grader, and another in Connecticut with families of eight Sandy Hook victims, are set for September.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Alex Jones could face $150M defamation damages in Sandy Hook lawsuit
Former Democratic New York City mayoral candidate and presidential candidate Andrew Yang has joined forces with former Republicans, Democrats and independents on the Forward Party, Yang announced Wednesday.

The political party, initially formed in October, is now a merger of three organizations: Yangs Forward Party, the Renew America Movement, consisting of former Republicans led by former Trump White House official Miles Taylor, and the Serve America Movement, made up of Democrats, independents and Republicans, and founded by former Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.)

Forward Party leaders are billing it as the biggest third party in the country, saying it will reject political extremes and pursue common ground.

Not Left. Not Right. Forward, reads a slogan on the partys website.

Yang, who left the Democratic party in October, echoed similar sentiments in his own announcement.

I knew the country needed a new kind of party to help realign our politics and reverse the polarization that is tearing our country apart, he wrote.

In a Wednesday op-ed in The Washington Post, Yang, Jolly and former Gov. (R-N.J.) Christine Todd Whitman said Forward will unite Americans.

The United States badly needs a new political party  one that reflects the moderate, common-sense majority, they wrote.

According to Yangs announcement, the Forward Party is currently on the ballot in several states.

The Hill has reached out to Yang and the Forward Party for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jul. 27AUSTIN  Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday the Governor's Public Safety Office is providing $1.25 million to the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District.

The funds will provide counseling, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and community outreach efforts for students and faculty affected by the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School.

These state financial resources will also establish a district-wide, trauma-informed counseling program to ensure Uvalde students receive support services and counseling within the UCISD.

"As the community of Uvalde continues to heal, Texas continues working to help improve security and aid in the recovery among students and educators," Abbott stated in the press release. "This new source of funding will provide critical support to students, staff, and faculty in Uvalde as they continue to process the trauma from that day and grieve for the innocent lives lost. Working together, the Uvalde CISD will be better equipped to offer the assistance and resources the community needs to heal."

The Governor's PSO administers federal and state grant funding to promote strategies that improve public safety, support victims of crime, prevent terrorism, and prepare communities for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to Texans.

For more information on PSO's programs and operations, visit the Office of the Governor's Public Safety Office website.

Governor Abbott has taken significant action to provide all available resources to support the Uvalde community following the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School. Those actions include:

>> Initiating the State of Texas' comprehensive plan to assist and support members of the community, including co-locating state agency representatives to the Family Assistance Center for on-hand assistance in finding benefits.

>> Investing an initial $5 million to establish a long-term Family Resiliency Center in Uvalde County to serve as a hub for community services, including access to critical mental health resources.

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>> Working with the OneStar Foundation to create a one-stop webpage for donations to support the victims' families, teachers, and the Uvalde community.

>> Directing the Health and Human Services Commission to ensure all children in Uvalde have access to behavioral health resources and community support.

>> Providing $105.5 million to enhance school safety and mental health services in Uvalde and throughout Texas.

>> Issuing a disaster declaration to accelerate all available state and local resources to assist the Uvalde community.

>> Requesting Texas legislative leaders convene special legislative committees to begin examining and developing legislative recommendations on school safety, mental health, social media, police training, firearm safety, and more.

>> Directing the Texas School Safety Center to begin immediately conducting comprehensive school safety reviews to ensure all Texas public schools are following the appropriate procedures to maximize school safety.

>> Directing the Texas Education Agency to provide strategies to make Texas public schools safer through heightened safety standards.

>> Instructing the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training programs to provide training to all school districts across the state, prioritizing school-based law enforcement.

>> Directing TEA, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Department of Public Safety to expand and accelerate the ability to report suspicious activity through the iWatchTexas reporting system.

>> Directing TEA to create a new Chief of School Safety and Security position within the agency.

>> Urging the Texas District & County Attorneys Association to increase lie-and-try prosecutions of people who lie on information provided for gun background checks.
Heath Robinson, of Pickerington, died from cancer in 2020 after being exposed to toxic smoke from trash burning pits during his deployment to the Middle East.

A bill named for an Ohio veteran that aims to support those exposed to toxic burn pits was delayed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, frustrating advocates who have fought for its quick passage.

A group of Republican senators, including Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, derailed a procedural vote on the measure weeks after the Senate overwhelmingly approved it. The Senate had to take it up a second time because the House made a slight change to the original bill, Roll Call reported.

Wednesday's vote caught Democrats and other supporters by surprise.

"For whatever reason, Republicans decided that their political calculations and their politics are more important than what we do for this nation's veterans," Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said during a news conference Thursday.

Bill named for Pickerington native and former Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson

The legislation is named for Pickerington native and former Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson, who died in 2020 after battling lung cancer for three years. Robinson, a soldier twice recognized by the Ohio National Guard, attributed his illness to smoke exposure from burning trash pits during his deployment to Iraq in 2006 and 2007.

His wife, Danielle Robinson, attended President Joe Biden's State of the Union address earlier this year. She and her mother advocate for burn-pit victims who have been denied Veterans Administration benefits because the agency didn't believe their illnesses were service-related.

The bill would expand eligibility for VA health benefits to burn-pit victims and provide toxic exposure screenings to veterans at their medical appointments. It also would increase training and research into the issue, particularly among veterans who served in the Gulf War and post-9/11.

Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey argued Wednesday that the bill would allow for spending unrelated to the issue of burn-pit exposures. Toomey said the vote didn't doom the bill permanently and called on Democrats to help make changes.

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A spokeswoman for Portman said despite Wednesday's vote, he'll support the bill when it comes up for a final vote because he "supports helping veterans who have been exposed to toxic chemicals while serving our country." Portman backed the measure when it first passed the Senate, but he voted no on the procedural move because Republicans were blocked from offering amendments like Toomey's.

Proponents accused the Republican senators of playing politics and contend the delay will hurt veterans who are currently waiting on health care.

"Republicans...chose to be cruel and voted to increase physical suffering and financial crisis these sick and dying war heroes are in RIGHT NOW!" tweeted Robinson's mother-in-law, Susan Zeier. "MILITARY VETERANS RIGHT NOW ARE DYING and all but eight Republican senators voted not to help."

Haley BeMiller 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: Burn pit exposure: Heath Robinson bill delayed by U.S. Senate vote
Just 10 days into his congressional career, Michigan Rep. Peter Meijer broke with his party and voted with nine other Republicans and every Democrat in the House to impeach President Donald Trump over the Capitol riot.

Now, just days before his primary, Meijer is under pressure from a major Democratic group, which is spending $500,000 to spotlight John Gibbs, his pro-Trump, election-denying opponent.

Airing in Western Michigan this week, the 30-second ad from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), House Democrats' campaign wing, describes Gibbs, who worked in the Trump administration, as "too conservative" for the region and Trump's "hand-picked" candidate.

While the DCCC's messaging is negative, the ad pulls focus from Meijer and underscores Gibbs' conservative credentials shortly before voters have their say.

At a time when Democrats are warning voters that election-denying Republicans pose an existential threat to democracy, the party's role in a messy GOP primary has left multiple Democratic lawmakers angry and frustrated.

At Least 120 Republican Nominees Deny The Results Of The 2020 Election

"There's always a danger of unintended consequences, and I certainly would have taken a different approach," Colorado Rep. Jason Crow told ABC News on Wednesday. "We should play our game on our terms, and I don't think approaches like that are usually productive."

"I thought it was a strange choice, and I called [the DCCC] and let them know," Michigan Rep. Elisa Slotkin told ABC News.

Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., a retiring moderate who also voted to impeach Trump, called the Democratic strategy "outrageous" and pointed to Meijer's votes across party lines on impeachment and to protect same-sex marriage rights.

"Peter's been a strong independent voice, and he's put the country first on a number of issues," Upton told ABC News. "He's not a rubber stamp."

PHOTO: Rep. Peter Meijer arrives at the U.S. Capitol, Nov. 4, 2021. (CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images, FILE)

New York Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, the chairman of the DCCC, defended the party's efforts on Wednesday. He argued that the ad was "telling the truth about John Gibbs being a dangerous extremist" and that Democratic candidate Hillary Scholten -- who will face either Gibbs or Meijer -- would "put people over politics" if elected to serve in the House.

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In a brief interview in Washington on Wednesday, Meijer accused Democrats of putting "party interest" first.

"Everything they're saying in the Jan. 6 committee, everything about how my party is a threat to democracy -- and they are investing a half-million dollars to elevate and boost exactly the same thing that they're railing against?" he said.

It's pretty galling in the hypocrisy of it all. And just shameless given their high-minded rhetoric about how they are the party of democracy. Spare me that bull---," Meijer said.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., a retiring member of the House Jan. 6 committee, called the strategy "disgusting" in an interview with CNN, warning that it would help election deniers win.

Republicans wrestle with conspiracy-theory advocate winning Senate primary

Gibbs, who served in the Department of Housing and Urban Development under Trump, was unsuccessfully nominated to lead the Office of Personnel Management but faced criticism in the Senate over past comments and tweets, including speaking dismissively of Islam and promoting a conspiracy theory involving Democrats. (Gibbs said at the time that "I dont really see anything to apologize for. I was a commentator." At his confirmation hearing, he insisted, "In my service in the government ... Ive always treated people fairly.")

Democrats aren't just focusing on the right-wing candidate in Meijer's race. The party has tried to influence GOP primaries across the country -- where nominating more conservative options could create more favorable matchups in November and maintain their slim House and Senate majorities.

In California, an outside political group affiliated with House Democratic leaders tried spotlighting a pro-Trump Republican running against Rep. David Valadao, another one of the 10 GOP members who voted to impeach Trump. (Valadao survived his primary two weeks ago and advanced to the general election through Californias top-two system.)

In Colorado, the Democratic leadership-aligned Senate Majority PAC spent millions ahead of the primary last month to portray Joe ODea, a Republican seeking to unseat Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, as a moderate compared to the more conservative Ron Hanks -- which was ultimately unsuccessful. O'Dea said Democrats were "propping up Ron Hanks in a desperate attempt to save" Bennet in November.

And Democrats in Pennsylvania, ahead of the states GOP primary in early June, elevated Doug Mastriano, who was linked to Trumps effort to challenge the 2020 election and the Capitol attack. (Mastriano was at the Capitol that day but insists he left because of the violence.) He will face Democratic state Attorney General Josh Shapiro in November.

PHOTO: Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney speaks during a news conference in the Capitol, Feb. 8, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images, FILE)

Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., tweeted this week that he was disgusted that the DCCC has been using its funds -- including membership dues paid by lawmakers -- to boost Trump-endorsed candidates, particularly the far-right opponent of one of the most honorable Republicans in Congress.

Helen Kalla, a spokesperson for the DCCC, told ABC News the group was laser focused on holding the House majority, which we will accomplish by fighting for every competitive seat.

[Minority Leader] Kevin McCarthy is an anti-choice insurrectionist coddler and conspiracy enabler, and we will do what it takes to keep the speakers gavel out of his hands, Kalla said.

Democrats blast the party for spotlighting challenger to Republican who voted to impeach Trump originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
BROCKTON  A Boston man was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing hundreds of fentanyl pills disguised as prescription-grade oxycodone intended for distribution, the Justice Department said.

The defendant, Diamondez Pierre, now 24, was stopped and searched in his vehicle by law enforcement at a traffic stop in Brockton on Aug. 8, 2020.

Police recovered a .38 revolver stolen out of New Hampshire, about 30 grams of fentanyl and more than one-and-a-half pounds of marijuana from Pierre's vehicle.

Pierre was charged with carrying a firearm without a license for second offense, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug, receiving stolen property and receiving a gun with a defaced serial number, The Enterprise reported at the time.

During the 2020 traffic stop for speeding, the police also found a backpack which contained "204 blue-pressed fentanyl pills, disguised as Perc 30 oxycodone pills, intended for distribution," the statement from United States District Attorney Rachael Rollins said.

Here's what $1M buys in Easton: 'Spectacular' Easton contemporary sells for $1 million

Pierre pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute in March 2021 and was sentenced on July 21, 2022.

The impact of the opioid crisis in our communities has been catastrophic. It is taking more and more lives by the minute. Mr. Pierre contributed to and, moreover, profited off this devastation, pain and suffering by trafficking fentanyl disguised as pharmaceutical grade prescription pills, said United States Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael S. Rollins.

To say fentanyl is dangerous would be a gross understatement  it is deadly. Getting fentanyl traffickers who seek to exploit addiction for a profit off of our streets is critical and mandatory in addressing the opioid epidemic," she said.

Why BSU track season was canceled: 'So unfair': BSU track team gets 1,000 signatures to bring back winter season

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Opioid fatalities spike in Brockton in 2021

In 2021, the opioid-related overdose death rate in the state increased to 32.6 per 100,000 people as compared to 29.9 per 100,000 in the previous year, according to data provided by the Massachusetts Department of Health.

State data shows there were 56 fatal overdose deaths in 2021 in Brockton, eight more deaths than what was seen in 2020 and higher than any other year between 2015 and 2021.

According to the state's health department, there were 2,290 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths in 2021 in Massachusetts, an estimated 185 more deaths than the prior year.

Fentanyl's fatal fallout

Toxicology screenings found fentanyl in 93% of these deaths, the highest amount of any opioid.

In fact, since 2016, the state has seen a 1% increase per quarter in the presence of fentanyl, including during the pre-pandemic period from 2017 to 2019 when opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts were on the decline, according to the Department of Public Health.

We are currently facing a crisis with the amount of illicit drugs flowing into our neighborhoods, todays sentencing demonstrates that if you peddle this poison, you will be held accountable, said James Ferguson, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The Enterprise was unable to reach Plymouth County Outreach  a coalition of all of the police departments in the county who are working towards harm reduction for those with substance abuse disorders  for a comment on fentanyl-related overdoses in Brockton specifically.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, ATF SAC Ferguson and Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez made the announcement Monday morning. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley Jr. of Rollins Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

With reporting by Corlyn Voorhees.

Send your news tips to reporter Namu Sampath by email at nsampath@enterprisenews.com or connect on Twitter at @namusampath. Thank you, subscribers. You make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Brockton Enterprise.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton fentanyl pills: Diamondez Pierre of Boston sentenced
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Huawei-backed AITO brand kicked off the reservation of its first all-electric model, the M5 EV, with a refundable deposit of RMB1,000 upfront at Huaweis launch event on July 27th.

M5 EV; photo credit: AITO

According to the CEO of Huaweis Intelligent Automotive Solution Business Unit, Yu Chengdong, the pure-electric model will make its official debut in September 2022. Preorder of the model has started on AITOs official website and Huawei Store.

In addition, the ICT giant also introduced its HarmonyOS 3.0 operating system at the event, which also powers Huaweis HarmonyOS smart cockpit installed on AITO's vehicles. Yu Chengdong disclosed that HarmonyOS-powered equipment has so far exceeded 300 million units.

Moreover, Huawei officially introduced its ride-hailing service, Petal Mobility, at the event. The service can run seamlessly across multiple HarmonyOS-powered devices, including smartphones, watches, tablets, and PCs.

Petal Mobility is an online ride-hailing service platform with third-party fleets. The platform integrates indoor high-precision location technology and AR map technology. The service is currently still in the closed beta test phase, limiting its service reach to four cities in China, namely Beijing, Shenzhen, Nanjing, and Hangzhou.
Weather Alert

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM WEDNESDAY TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures up to 102 expected. * WHERE...In Washington, Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Washington, Simcoe Highlands, Kittitas Valley and Yakima Valley. In Oregon, Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon. * WHEN...From 11 AM Wednesday to 11 PM PDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. &&
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co., Ltd. ("CAERI"), an important technical support institute in China's automotive industry, announced on July 28 its board of directors had approved to build its east China headquarters project with around 2.382 billion yuan ($353.177 million) to be invested.

Under the new project, CAERI plans to build two bases, which are located in Suzhou and Changshu cities of Jiangsu province. The decision came after CAERI signed investment agreements with the management committees of Suzhou National Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone and Changshu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone in November and December last year, respectively.

According to CAERI's latest announcement, the Suzhou base would involve an investment of 2.349 billion yuan ($348.284 million). To be specific, engineering construction will cost the company 890 million yuan ($131.96 million), and facility procurement and installation will use up 1.23 billion yuan ($182.371 million).

Photo credit: CAERI

At the Suzhou-based site, the company plans to build several labs for testing and R&D of new energy vehicles (NEVs), electronic communications and software, auto parts for military and auto racing uses, as well as automobile performance, aiming to provide both auto parts suppliers and automakers with a full-chain testing services from high-precision devices, key auto components, to core automotive systems and complete vehicles.

Involving a planned investment of 33 million yuan ($4.893 million), the Changshu base will have a testing and R&D lab for hydrogen-powered vehicles, and relevant supporting testing equipment. It will be dedicated to offering technical services related to tests and R&D of hydrogen-fueled vehicles and systems.

Established in 1965, CAERI is engaged in product development and technical consulting, testing, quality inspection, and authentication for Chinas automotive industry.
Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 106F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 84F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

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With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

BYD to take part in Paris Motor Show 2022

BYD this week announced it would exhibit its new energy vehicles at the Paris Motor Show 2022, which will kick off in October.

Photo credit: BYD

HOZON Auto sets up supply chain management subsidiary

According to the business information platform Qichacha, NETA Hezhi (Shanghai) Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. was founded on July 28 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of HOZON Auto, the owner of the EV brand NETA. Its business scope covers supply chain management service, EV charging infrastructure operation, and sales of EV charging piles, battery swapping facilities, batteries, NEV testing facilities, and PHEV-dedicated engines.

Sehol's new all-electric sedan AIPAO to hit market tonight

JAC Group's Sehol brand will officially put a new pure electric compact sedan model, the AIPAO, onto the market tonight. The model is priced from 130,000 yuan ($19,270) in presale.

CAERI to pour 2.382 billion yuan in east China headquarters project

China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co., Ltd. ("CAERI"), an important technical support institute in China's automotive industry, announced on July 28 its board of directors had approved to build its east China headquarters project with around 2.382 billion yuan ($353.177 million) to be invested.

Pony.ai to set up joint venture with SANY Heavy Truck, to roll off autonomous trucks in 2022

Autonomous driving developer Pony.ai and Chinas SANY Heavy Truck ("SANY"), announced the plan to set up a joint venture dedicated to building a high-end L4 autonomous driving heavy-duty truck brand.

Innovusion launches holographic vehicle perception system

Leading LiDAR supplier Innovusion introduced its proprietary holographic vehicle sensing solution, the OmniSense CD2.0, at the 24th China Expressway Informatization Conference and Technology & Production Exhhibition ("CEIC") on July 27th.

NavInfo partners with CAIC for intelligent vehicle development

China's navigation product supplier NavInfo inked a strategic cooperation framework agreement with China Automotive Innovation Corporation (CAIC) for long-term partnership in high-precision map, location-based service, chip, smart cockpit, and autonomous driving fields.

Continental AG invests in Shanghai Enjoy Move for intelligent driving solution

Continental AG announced its investment in Shanghai-based intelligent driving software developer, Shanghai Enjoy Move Technology Co., Ltd. ("Enjoy Move").

NIO sets up software subsidiary in Shanghai

Chinese EV innovator NIO recently founded a software subsidiary in Shanghai.

Huawei launches Petal mobility service, kicks off preorder for AITO M5 EV

Huawei-backed AITO brand kicked off the reservation of its first all-electric model, the M5 EV, with a refundable deposit of RMB1,000 upfront at Huawei's launch event on July 27th.
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Support for Fidesz among eligible voters has dropped sharply in the past month, but it is not likely that the opposition will be able to profit from this, according to Andras Pulai, the head of the Publicus Institute.

Since the announcement of cuts in energy subsidies and changes to the KATA tax, support for Fidesz among those who said they would vote if elections were held this weekend sank from 36% last month to 24% in July, while support for the opposition was unchanged at 23% and the proportion of undecided voters rose from 32% to 46%, according to a poll conducted by Publicus.



Pulai told Nepszava that he had never seen such a fall of 12 percentage points, not even when it seemed that Fidesz was preparing to tax the internet or when the government ordered shops to close on Sundays.



This months dramatic fall came because Fidesz slaughtered two political sacred cows in the utility rate cuts and the KATA tax, and it cannot contain the now uncovered lies in the usual media bubble, he said.



Some Fidesz voters have now become confused and have moved to the camp of the undecided, Pulai continued. In order for them to join the alliance of opposition parties, it would be necessary for the opposition to take co-ordinated action, he said, but so far there is no sign of this.





MTI Photo: Zsolt Szigetvary
Recent accusations of racism levelled against Prime Minister Viktor Orbans remarks in Baile Tusnad (Tusnadfurdo), were nonsense according to Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.

The FM said, I have been working in the immediate vicinity of Viktor Orban for 16 years, and I am fully aware that the heart and soul of his politics is zero tolerance against anti-Semitism and racism, at a press conference held on another subject.



He added that attacks against Hungarys government have multiplied since the migration crisis of 2015, and every similar statement gets twisted.



He called Frans Timmermans, the European Commission Vice-President who levelled criticism at the government, one of the most harmful politicians in the history of the EU.





MTI Photo: Tamas Vasvari
Opposition LMP has said it is turning to President Katalin Novak with the request that she facilitate cooperation with the government on addressing the issues of increasingly long droughts, dried-up lakes and water-related problems faced by farmers in Hungary.

Laszlo Lorant Keresztes, the head of parliaments sustainable development committee, told a press conference on Wednesday that he had sent an open letter to the president asking her to take steps to allow scientists and representatives of professional and civil groups to hold talks with government officials.



Keresztes said the government had failed to address Hungarys water crisis for over a decade, arguing that only 5% of the necessary funding had been earmarked for water management in both this years and next years budgets.



Priority is given to making the waters passage as quick as possible instead of retaining it, even though 95% of Hungarys water resources flow in from and out to other countries, Keresztes said.



He said the government had failed to address the issue of more water flowing out of the country than the amount that comes in.



The governments bad policies have pushed the countrys public water works to the brink of collapse, Keresztes said, insisting that the government was incapable of protecting Hungarys water base.



At the same time, it supports heavily water-intensive investment projects like battery production, he added.





MTI Photo: ZoltanMathe
Zsuzsa Hegedus, who has known the nationalist PM Orban for 20 years, described his recent speech mentioning mixed-race as a "pure Nazi text", according to Hungarian media. She resigned, comparing his recent comments on race to those of the Nazi era.

The BBC also reports the International Auschwitz Committee of Holocaust survivors called the speech "stupid and dangerous."



Orban said European peoples should be free to mix with one another, but that mixing with non-Europeans created a "mixed-race world".



The Hungarian PM, known for his anti-migration views, spoke out against becoming "peoples of mixed race".



Orban's spokesman said the media had misrepresented the comments.



Statement by the Embassy of the United States of America in Budapest

The U.S. Embassy condemns all ideologies, policies, and rhetoric that give oxygen to the doctrines of hate and division.



We must never forget that what began as racist and xenophobic rhetoric by 20th century leaders escalated, ultimately ending in the genocide of millions. Human dignity and equality know no national boundaries and we affirm that the diversity of our human family is one of its greatest strengths.



MTI Photo: Tibor Illyes
YORK  Two dispatchers with the York County Emergency Communications Center were honored this week and recognized for their exceptional work.

Honored were Kaylie Ruiz and Rachel Borges.

Ruiz has been working with York County 911 for 3  years with one year as a communications training officer.

Borges has been with York County 911 for 1  years with 4  years prior telecommunicator experience with Seward County 911 and Nebraska State Patrol Communications.

Leila Luft, director of the YCCC, presented plaques to both during this weeks meeting of the York County Commissioners. Also present to show their support of Ruiz and Borges were officers with the York County Sheriffs Department and the York Police Department.

As some of you know, I recently developed an employee awards and recognition program in April, Luft said. The highest-decorated award in our program is the YCCC Commendation Award. It is awarded to any member of the department for exceptional performance of their duty, which significantly contributes to advancing the mission and values of the department. The nominated partys actions shall go beyond that required of the communication officers duty assignment and the actions shall have demonstrated good judgment and procedures.

I cant think of a better way to kick off this recognition program than to award these two high-performing communications officers with me today, Luft said.

On February 8, 2022, York County deputies engaged in a vehicular pursuit involving an armed suicidal subject, Luft continued. Both Kaylie and Rachel immediately activated into their respective roles as primary and secondary pursuit dispatchers according to our policy and procedure. They performed above and beyond their duty assignment by proactively notifying and requesting aid from outside agencies, patching talk groups for interoperability and using the echo procedure of repeating radio traffic and incident-related information, allowing for exceptional communication between all agencies involved. When the vehicular pursuit resulted in a train crash, both dispatchers transitioned into support roles for all involved agencies, all the while handling other emergencies coming into the communications center.

This is the type of professionalism I strive for our communications center to produce, Luft said. I commend you both for demonstrating an understanding and mastery in action of the mission and values of the York County Communications Center for exceptional performance of your duty in extreme circumstances.

The communications officers were presented the plaques as well as resounding applause from those in attendance.

The people in uniform who are here  the officers  they know what you do each and every day. We just know that it happens and we truly appreciate what you do, York County Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier said.
Mangaluru International Airport goes beyond limits to provide a bullet-resistant vehicle to the aviation security group of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on duty at premises. Authorities at Mangaluru airport procured the vehicle after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) directed airport operators to equip the quick reaction team of CISF's aviation security group with such vehicles.

#MangaluruAirport goes above and beyond by providing a bullet-resistant vehicle to @CISFHQrs Aviation Security Group on #KargilVijayDiwas. By acting as a first responder, the car will operate as a psychological deterrent during any security emergencies. #GatewayToGoodness pic.twitter.com/uvKWzmniLV July 27, 2022

A press statement on Thursday (July 28) read that the airport is the country's first non-hypersensitive airport to procure the bullet-proof vehicle for the aviation security personnel. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) normally deploys bullet-resistant vehicles at the 'hypersensitive' Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad airports.

Also read: 'All flights on time': SpiceJet after DGCA restricts operations for 2 months

The bullet-proof vehicle, mounted with a light machine gun, will be a major boost to the personnel guarding the airport. It will improve the confidence of the aviation security group personnel and increase their operational effectiveness, the statement said.

(With inputs from PTI)
A caution alarm led a SpiceJet plane to abort its takeoff on a Mumbai runway on Thursday, but there was no safety issue. SpiceJet stated in a statement that a Q400 aircraft had to abort takeoff "owing to the illumination of a caution alert" on the flight from Mumbai, India's financial capital, to Kandla in the western state of Gujarat.

The incident comes a day after India`s aviation regulator ordered SpiceJet to slash its approved fleet by half this summer for eight weeks citing safety snags, and said it would put the domestic airline under "enhanced surveillance".

"The aircraft stopped well within the runway length available. The crew acted as per the SOP. There was no safety scare," the airline`s statement said.

Also read: Over 450 incidents reported in Indian airlines within 1 year: Aviation Ministry

A senior official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation told Reuters it was "looking into the aborted flight incident," calling it routine. The official declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. The plane was "almost at full speed" on the runway when it was suddenly stopped, and the pilot aborted the takeoff, announcing later it was a technical problem, Vishal Vikram, one of the passengers on board, told Reuters.

The incident caused panic among some passengers, who "were in shock," he said. Earlier this month, the aviation regulator issued a warning to SpiceJet after a review of incidents, which included a side windshield outer pane that cracked mid-flight and a malfunctioning indicator light.

With inputs from Reuters
A British resident aboard a flight from London to Los Angeles has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting crew members after the flight had to be diverted to Salt Lake City, authorities said. The Virgin Atlantic flight landed in Utah after William Stephen Hayes, 39, became upset mid-flight and had to be restrained by the flight crew, Salt Lake City police said in a statement.

While restrained, Hayes managed to kick airplane seats and windows and injure crew members and a passenger while he was restrained, the statement said. Police said none of the injuries were serious. Hayes was taken to the Salt Lake County Jail and police said the case was referred to the U.S. Attorney's office, which typically has authority over international flights. The plane then resumed its flight to Los Angeles.

No charges had been filed as of Wednesday morning and it was unknown if Hayes had an attorney who could comment on his behalf. The U.S. Attorney's office did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.

Virgin said in a statement that "the safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always our top priority and we dont tolerate any behaviour that compromises this.

Our cabin crew are highly trained to deal with any individuals that may impact that experience for others, the statement added.
MUMBAI: 'Badlapur' actor Varun Dhawan is currently riding high on the success of his latest film, 'Jug Jugg Jeeyo'. And to add a feather to his hat, it is being speculated that the actor's upcoming flick 'Bawaal' is the most expensive film so far from the production value.

As per the source close to the makers revealed, "We've extensively shot the film in the most expensive & interesting locations like Paris, Berlin, Poland, Amsterdam, Krakow, Warsaw along with a brief portion in India as well. It's a very unique love story and now we are gearing up for a huge action sequence in Warsaw. We have called for action directors & stuntmen from Germany along with a talented crew of 700+ members every day, Nitesh Sir and Sajid Sir have scaled up the film to leave the audience to a visual treat."

"An action sequence as planned required multiple things such as 45 plus hedgehogs along with innumerable number of grenades, knives, and variety of explosives for an important action sequence which will be shot from tomorrow. The costs incurred for shooting daily is about 2.5 crore and this is a 10 days schedule. This is Varun's most expensive film so far," the source further added.

Recently, a video of 'Bawaal' actor Varun Dhawan went viral saying that the team is headed to Warsaw, Poland for their next schedule. Helmed by Nitesh Tiwari, 'Bawaal' is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and is a social drama.

Recently both Varun and Janhvi announced that they had wrapped up their shoot for 'Bawaal' in Amsterdam and currently shooting in is currently being shot in Warsaw, Poland. 'Bawaal' marks the first collaboration of the lead cast Varun and Janhvi.

'Bawaal' is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson and is co-produced by EarthSky Pictures.The film is slated to hit the theatres on April 7, 2023.

Meanwhile, talking about the 'Coolie No 1' actor, Varun, will be next seen in Dinesh Vijan's next horror-comedy film 'Bhediya' with Kriti Sanon, which is all geared up to hit the theatres on November 25, 2022.
China's monthly registrations of locally-made passenger vehicles (PVs) reached 1,874,644 units in July 2022, jumping 16% from the previous year, according to the data compiled by Gasgoo Auto Research Institute (GARI). It was the first time for Chinas PV market to gain a year-on-year increase in monthly registrations this year.

For the first half of 2022 (H1 2022), there were 8,866,479 locally-built PVs registered across the country, representing an 11% decrease from a year earlier, 5.22 percentage points lower than the drop in Jan.-May volume.

Regarding the June registrations of China-made PVs, the top three brandsVolkswagen, Toyota, and Hondaall have two joint ventures in China. BYD ranked fourth, the highest spot among China's indigenous brands. With only all-electric PVs sold, Tesla stood at the eighth spot, indicating a surging performance compared to May when the U.S. brand failed to enter the top 20 rankings. The three German luxury brandsAudi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benzoccupied the 10th to 12th places.

In terms of the PV registrations for the first six months of 2022, the top 6 brands were the same as the rankings of June registrations, all of which had over 400,000 PVs registered. Geely ranked one spot higher than Nissan. Tesla concluded the first half of the year with 198,221 Shanghai-made vehicles registered. The South Korean brand Hyundai registered the least vehicles among the top 20 brands.

Tesla's Model Y was credited the best-selling PV model by June registrations, recording a 739% spike over the previous month.

Apart from the Model Y, there were still three new energy vehicle (NEV) models among the top 20 models by June registrations, including two BEVs (the Wuling Hongguang MINIEV and the Model 3) and one PHEV (the BYD Song PLUS DM-i). The highest-ranking oil-fueled model was the Sylphy from Nissan brand.

Five luxury models appeared on the top 20 models list, namely the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the Audi A4L, the Audi Q5L, and the BMW 5 Series. Nevertheless, none of them had a registration volume exceeding 20,000 units in June.

For the Jan.-Jun. period, the top 20 PV models by cumulative registrations all had over 70,000 vehicles registered. The Wuling Hongguang MINIEV was the most popular model, while the Model Y ranked 4th and was honored the hottest-selling SUV. The Haval H6 was the best-performing SUV model from a Chinese local brand. Besides, the Wuling Hongguang S was the highest-ranking MPV model.

As for the regional distribution of vehicles, Shanghai registered the most homemade PVs in June, outselling the runner-up, Chengdu, by 14,264 units.

Among the top 20 cities by June PV registrations, there were nine provincial capital cities. Aside from Shanghai, such metropolises as Beijing, Shenzhen, Chongqing, and Tianjin were all on the top 20 cities list.

The title-winning city by H1 2022 PV registrations was Chengdu. Both Guangzhou and Beijing had over 200,000 new PVs registered through the first six months. Affected by the epidemic resurgence, Shanghai only ranked 4th by the Jan.-Jun. volume.

Despite the downturn in overall PV registrations, the NEV market in China still gained a 111.45% year-on-year hike in H1 2022 registrations, which stood at 2,090,047 units.

Notably, the monthly registrations of domestically built new energy passenger vehicles (NEPV) hit an all-time high of 500,296 units in June, for the first time surpassing 500,000 units.

By powertrain solutions, battery-electric vehicles (BEV) accounted for 80.38% of the overall NEPV registrations in June. The registrations of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) amounted to 98,181 units last month, including 20,219 range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs).

Of the NEPVs registered in H1 2022, 78.22% and 21.78% were contributed by BEVs and PHEVs (including REEVs), respectively.

According to data compiled by GARI, there were 3 fuel-cell passenger vehicles registered in the first two quarters of this year.

Regarding the NEPV registrations in June, BYD topped other brands with a significant lead. It had 130,131 NEPVs registered last month, which were even more than the sum of the runner-up (Tesla) and the second runner-up (Wuling).

XPeng ranked highest among Chinese NEV startups in terms of June NEPV registrations. Other main NEV innovatorsLi Auto, NETA, NIO, and Leapmotorall cracked into the top 20 brands list with over 10,000 vehicles registered.

BYD's leading presence in China's NEV market was also reflected by its H1 2022 NEPV registrations. China's indigenous brands, such as Wuling, Chery, and Trumpchi (including AION), all entered the top 5 brand rankings by Jan.-Jun. NEPV registrations.

With respect to June registrations, both the Model Y and the Model 3 gained a seat among the top 3 NEPV models. The Wuling Hongguang MINIEV dropped to the runner-up place with 41,516 units registered.

BYD had eight models on the top 20 NEPV models list by June registrations. The company's rich product portfolio greatly contributed to its leading position in the NEV sector.

In terms of H1 2022 registrations, the affordable Wuling Hongguang MINIEV was crowned the best-selling NEPV model. Moreover, four models from Chinese NEV startupsthe Li ONE, the NETA V, the XPeng P7, and the Leapmotor T03came into the top 20 NEPV models list.

Shanghai and Shenzhen were the only two cities whose June NEPV registrations exceeded 20,000 units. Notably, NEVs accounted for up to 47% of Shanghai's PV registrations in June.

In H1 2022, there were five cities with over 60,000 NEPVs registered. Shenzhen and Shanghai also outperformed other cities with their Jan.-Jun. registrations both exceeding 80,000 units.
New Delhi: Actors Alia Bhatt and Vijay Varma would be sharing the screen space for the second time after working together in Zoya Akhtars Gully Boy. In an interview while promoting the film, Alia and Vijay found many things that are common about their respective careers.



During a recent interview with a leading portal, when asked about when Vijay will complete his 10 years in the industry he revealed 'it would be in October this year' to which Alia reacted by saying 'Same', and then he mentioned he had his 'first release in 2012 October' to which she again said 'Same'. And while finding this amazing coincidence similar in both of their careers, both the actors shook hands and Alia ended up stating their bond as 'Darlings'.

While Vijay Varma made his debut with Chittagong on 12th October in 2012, Alia Bhatt made hers a week later with Student of the Year on 19th October, 2012.

A source close to the actor had also earlier revealed how it was Alia who had suggested Vijays name for Darlings after having worked with him in Gully Boy because she was highly impressed with the actor's skills and talent. Their upcoming project 'Darlings' also features Shefali Shah in a pivotal role and is directed by debutant director Jasmeet K. Reen.

Darlings is also Alias first film as a producer. She has co-produced the film with Shah Rukh Khans Red Chillies.

On the work front, apart from Darlings, Vijay will be seen in Devotion of Suspect X that stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Dahaad with Sonakshi Sinha, Sumit Saxena's untitled next and Mirzapur season 3.
New Delhi: The Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Smriti Irani on Thursday (July 28, 2022) hit out at Congress for "demeaning" President Droupadi Murmu and demanded an apology after its leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called her "rashtrapatni". The Union minister said Chowdhury used the term knowing well that it demeans Murmu and her office and is against India's values. The Congress should apologise to the President and the country, Smriti Irani said while talking to the reporters.

"A tribal woman from a poor family who created history is being continuously demeaned by the Congress," she said.

Irani alleged that the Congress has been targeting her "maliciously" ever since the BJP-led NDA named Murmu its presidential candidate, and said she was called a "puppet" and a "symbol of evil" by its leaders.

The BJP leader highlighted that the attacks do not seem to stop even after her election to the highest constitutional office of the country.

Under Sonia Gandhi's leadership, Congressmen continue to demean the women in constitutional posts. Congress for demeaning the first tribal President of our country needs to apologise in Parliament and on the streets of India, said Smriti Irani.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury addressed Pres Droupadi Murmu as 'Rashtrapatni' knowing that this humiliates the dignity of that highest constitutional post. The country knows that Congress is anti-tribal, anti-Dalit and anti-women, Smriti Irani added.

AR Chowdhury addressed Pres Droupadi Murmu as 'Rashtrapatni' knowing that this humiliates the dignity of that highest constitutional post.The country knows that Congress is anti-tribal, anti-Dalit&anti-women: Smriti Irani on Cong MP AR Chowdhury's 'Rashtrapatni' remark in a video pic.twitter.com/H1vU4CFGro  ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022

Chowdhury is the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha and used the remark while talking to the media during his party's protests over a host of issues. Chowdhury's comment is also demeaning to the rich tribal legacy she represents and to the poor who rise through hard work. The President is called "rashtrapati" in Hindi.

In another low, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, condescendingly refers to President Droupadi Murmu as . The characterisation is not just sexist but reeks of disdain for a Tribal woman, who has risen from a modest background, to the highest office of land. pic.twitter.com/lsNjwcftWh July 28, 2022

Murmu, India's first tribal President, had led a life of struggle and represents the country's aspirations from panchayat to Parliament, Irani said and charged that the Congress under its president Sonia Gandhi has repeatedly targeted women.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Hours after Mithun Chakraborty, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls, claimed that 38 of Mamata Banerjee's MLAs are "in touch" with the saffron camp, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday (July 27) said that the actor-turned-politician is "mentally ill". Talking to news agency ANI, TMC MP Santanu Sen said that Chakraborty "does not know politics."

"I heard that Mithun Chakraborty was admitted to a hospital a few days back. I think he was mentally ill and not physically... The problem is that he does not know politics," Sen said.

The TMC MP also said that the famed actor is "trying to fool the people by making false claims".

"Such statements are an attempt to fool the masses. It has no relation with reality," Sen was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI.

His remarks came after Mithun Chakraborty said that 21 of the 38 West Bengal legislators are "directly" in touch with him and hinted that Maharashtra-like development could happen in the eastern state too.

"At this moment, 38 TMC MLAs are having very good relations with us. Out of them, 21 are directly in touch with me. When I was in Mumbai, I came across the news one fine morning that the Shiv Sena and the BJP had formed the government in Maharashtra. How do you know that same thing will not happen here in West Bengal," Chakraborty said while addressing a press conference.

LIVE : Press conference by @mithunda_off, National Executive Committee Member at Hastings BJP Office. https://t.co/R3M6HqzbMl  BJP Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) July 27, 2022

"You might also get up one fine morning and see a similar thing here and wonder what has happened," he added.

He was referring to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP, and the Congress, collapsing last month after Eknath Shinde raised a banner of revolt against the Sena leadership with a majority of party MLAs.

Chakraborty also stated that today was a "music launch, the movie will release later".

BJP's flag will 'fly high' in few other states very soon: Mithun Chakraborty

"When we make movies, we launch its music, the trailer, and the movie. Today was the music release," he said, alluding to his claim about 38 TMC MLAs.

He said the BJP is in power in 18 states, and the party's flag will "fly high in a few other states very soon".

"The BJP will not stop its fight in West Bengal. If free and fair polls are held in the state today, the party will form the next government. The saffron party is not only in power at the Centre but also in 18 states. Four (states) others are also crawling to come into our fold," the actor claimed.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari had also claimed that the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in the state won't complete its five-year term as it will be ousted by 2024.

The TMC, notably, has 216 MLAs in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly. The opposition BJP has 75 legislators. However, five saffron camp MLAs have joined the ruling party without resigning as legislators.

No one would be able to protect Partha Chatterjee if he is wrong: Mithun Chakraborty

Speaking on the arrest of state minister Partha Chatterjee by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged school jobs scam, Mithun Chakraborty said if there were pieces of evidence against him, the law would take its own course.

"I don't want to make any personal comment. If he has committed no wrong, he has nothing to worry about. And if there is evidence of any wrongdoing, no one would be able to protect him. The law will take its own course," he said.

(With agency inputs)
AP ICET 2022: Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, will close the AP ICET 2022 answer key objection window tomorrow, July 29. Candidates who appeared for the ICET exam can download the preliminary answer key along with their response sheet and question paper. Earlier, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam has released the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Common Entrance Test (AP ICET) 2022 answer key today, July, 27. The AP ICET 2022 preliminary key along with the candidate's response sheet.

Candidates can match reponses, and raise objections against the key if they are not satisfied with the answers in it by 6 pm today. AP ICET answer key 2022 was released at cets.apsche.ap.gov.in on July 27.

ALSO READ: WBJEE ANM GNM Result 2022 DECLARED

AP ICET 2022: Here is how you can raise objections

Step 1 Visit the official website of AP ICET 2022

Step 2 Download Master Question Papers with Preliminary Keys and response sheets

Step 3 Match the answer with response sheet

Step 4 Click on Key Objections and enter Registration Number, ICET Hall Ticket Number, Mobile Number

Step 5 File your objections on any key that seems dubious to you

ALSO READ: NEET UG 2022 Answer key TOMORROW

Andhra Pradesh Integrated Common Entrance Test, APICET 2022 was conducted by Andhra University on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council for Higher Education ( APSCHE) on July 25 in online mode. The ICET held at various centres in 25 cities across the state of Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad had 200 multiple choice questions of 1 mark each. Total duration of the exam was 150 minutes. Get important links to raise objections below.
The West Bengal teacher recruitment scam took a new turn on Wednesday. The Enforcement Directorate has also recovered another Rs 30 crore from another house of Arpita Mukherjee at Belghoria near Rathtala, Kolkata. Counting of notes continued till 4 am on Thursday. The probe agency is yet to issue an official statement on the recovery. But according to reports, apart from cash, a lot of gold and jewelery have also been recovered from this flat. BJP MP Dilip Ghosh said, "Partha Chatterjee has been facing CBI, ED probe for a long time which has put him in trouble. Arpita Mukherjee has already started telling everything. We are listening."

Arpita Mukherjee: A to Z of the RAID and After-Effect

Cash of Rs 30 Crore (Notes of 2000 and 500 denominations, neatly packed in bundles of 50 lakh each for Rs 2000 note and 20 lakh each for 500 Rs note).

Gold and jewellery worth Rs 4.31 Crore (3 gold bricks of 1 kg each, 6 Kangana of 500 GM each and other gold jewellery, one gold pen).

After questioning Arpita Mukherjee, ED officials raided her Belghoria flat. Raids were conducted on two flats in Belghoria on Wednesday. Money and gold were found in one.

The counting of notes began at 6 pm on Wednesday and went on till 4 am on Thursday. Big machines were brought to count the notes.

A notice has been received at Arpita Mukherjee's house, in which it was claimed that an amount of Rs 11,819 was pending for maintenance.

Reports state that Arpita Mukherjee claimed that Partha Chatterjee used her house as a "Mini Bank".

An ED official said that Arpita Mukherjee is cooperating during interrogation, but Partha Chatterjee is very stubborn. He is not answering questions properly.

Trinamool's national spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that the party has been humiliated by the recovery of cash from Arpita Mukherjee's house.

TMC mouthpiece 'Jago Bangla' has stopped naming Partha Chatterjee as a minister or general secretary of the party, though his name remains in the line of printers as its editor.

Also Read: NEVER-ENDING trouble of Partha Chatterjee continues, now fresh ALLEGATIONS on his '2-DAYS' PhD

In a statement published in Jago Bangla, Kunal Ghosh has apparently linked the ED action with Jagdeep Dhankhar, the NDA candidate for the post of Vice President. He said, "The day we went to Raj Bhavan this month to submit our memorandum against Suvendu Adhikari, Dhankhar ji suddenly said that he would not spare Partha Chatterjee. We all tried to convince him that this may not be right, but he was firm on his stand." However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that anyone found guilty should be punished, but media trial is not acceptable. Investigative agencies should not be used to defame political parties.
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday (July 28) conducted further searches in connection with a case related to the alleged loss of Rs. 34,615 crore to a consortium of 17 banks led by Union Bank of India. During the search, a painting by FN Souza (1964) and another by SH Raza (1956) worth Rs 5.50 crore (approx); two watches of Jacob & Co & Frank Muller Geneve make worth Rs 5 crore (approx) and gold and diamond jewellery including bangles & necklace worth Rs 2 crore (approx) have been recovered, the CBI said in a statement.

It was also alleged that the promoters had acquired expensive items using the diverted funds, the statement added.

During the probe, the former CMD and the former Director of a private company based in Mumbai were arrested and are presently in CBI custody. In the earlier searches conducted at the premises of the accused in various locations in Mumbai, several incriminating documents were seized.

Two paintings made worth Rs.5.50 crore approx; two watches of Jacob & Co & Frank Muller Geneve worth Rs.5 crores approx and Gold & Diamond Jewellery including Bangles & Necklace worth Rs.2 crores approx have been recovered: CBI pic.twitter.com/ieatiAzAGl  ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022

A case was registered on 20.06.2022 on complaint from Union Bank of India, Industrial Finance Branch, Mumbai against private (Borrower) company based at Mumbai, its then CMD, then Director and others including a private person, private companies, unknown public servant(s) & private persons on the allegations that the accused cheated a consortium of 17 banks led by Union Bank of India to the tune of Rs. 34,615 crore (approx.) by siphoning off loans availed from the said banks & falsifying the books of said private (Borrower) company and creating Shell Companies/false entities, which had come to be known as Bandra Book Entities, the CBI said.

ALSO READ: DHFL scam case: CBI arrests businessman Ajay Ramesh Nawandar from Mumbai

The private company and its promoters are accused of creating a number of shell companies and fictitious entities (the Bandra Book entities) and siphoning off huge funds by disbursing them to such fictitious entities. It was further alleged that separate audits conducted by other private audit accounting organisations had identified multiple instances of diversion of funds by the accused for personal benefits and falsification of books of accounts to camouflage & conceal dubious transactions, the central agency added.

The CBI said it was also revealed in the audits that large value loans were provided to these fictitious entities without due diligence and without securities. Instances of sanction and disbursement of loans, merely by e-mail communications were allegedly found for which no loan files were maintained in the said private (Borrower) company, the central agency said. Further investigation is underway in the matter.
New Delhi: The second phase of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG exam for the current year will be conducted on August 4 for students seeking admission in various undergraduate courses at different colleges across the country. A total of nearly 14,90,000 candidates, including students within the country and abroad, have already registered for CUET-UG 2022. The first phase of the exam has been conducted for which nearly 8,10,000 candidates appeared on July 15.

After the completion of the first phase of the exam, the second phase will be held on August 4 in which nearly 6,80,000 candidates will write the exam. The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains examination is currently being conducted between the first and second phases of the CUET. To ensure that the dates of the JEE Mains examination and CUET do not coincide, hence the latter is not being conducted at present. Both the CUET and JEE Main exams are being conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The first phase of CUET exam was conducted on July 15, 16, 19 and 20. ALSO READ: Gate 2023 Registration to begin from THIS DATE, Exam dates out at gate.iitk.ac.in- Check latest update here

According to the NTA, a gap of several days has been given to students due to the ongoing JEE Main exam. After this gap of several days, the second phase of CUET will be conducted from August 4 to 10. The CUET was also postponed as the NEET UG examination was held on July 17. According to the University Grants Commission, those students who successfully crack the CUET will be considered eligible for admission in 90 different universities. Such students can seek admission to Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Banaras Hindu University, including 43 central universities across the country.

According to the NTA, keeping in mind the diverse number of subjects, a specific datesheet for the CUET has been prepared for the candidates. Soon the notification regarding the CUET date sheet will be issued to all the candidates appearing for the second phase of the exam along with their date of examination and their location/city where they will be writing the exam. The NTA is conducting this entrance test at various exam centers located in 554 cities across India and 10 cities outside the country. ALSO READ: NEET UG 2022: Answer key likely TOMORROW at neet.nta.nic.in, Results on THIS DATE- Check latest update here

UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar said that 98 percent of candidates are being assigned CUET exam centers based on their preferred choice. According to the NTA, students have applied for 54,555 unique combinations of subjects under the new education policy. Under the new education policy, students have been given more freedom to choose the subjects of their choice.

Due to this unique combination of different subjects have been created. The CUET is being conducted on the basis of the Class 12 academic syllabus for seeking admission to various undergraduate courses across different colleges in the country. There are no questions that will be asked in this entrance test apart from the syllabus of class 12. The marks obtained in class 12 will not be considered for seeking admission in various colleges through the CUET. The CUET is taking place internationally as 10 different cities of the world outside India will also participate in this exam.
New Delhi: In more trouble for senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the National Commission for Women on Thursday issued a notice asking him to appear before it in person and tender a written explanation for calling President Droupadi Murmu 'rashtrapatni'.

"Rashtrapatni" controversy | National Commission for Women (NCW) sends a notice to Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to appear before it in person and to tender a written explanation for his remarks. The hearing is scheduled for August 3rd, at 11:30 AM.  ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022

The Commission, which scheduled Chowdhury's hearing for next week Wednesday at 11.30 am, also wrote to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to intervene and take appropriate action against Chowdhury for his derogatory remark.

NCW has also written to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi to intervene in the matter and to take appropriate action against Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for his derogatory remark. July 28, 2022

The reference to India's first tribal president as 'rashtrapatni' has drawn a fresh battleline between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress. The BJP has demanded an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The NCW and 13 state commissions for women issued a joint statement, saying Chowdhury's remark was "deeply insulting, sexist and constitute an attempt to humiliate the Hon'ble President".

"We call upon right-thinking persons to condemn his words in the strongest possible language," read the statement by NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma as well as representatives of 13 state commissions, including that of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, present at the quarterly meeting in Visakhapatnam.
Kolkata: Fuelling speculations about Partha Chatterjee's future as a cabinet minister, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh Wednesday hoped the party would take note of the public perception as the recovery of cash from his aide's home has brought "disgrace" to the party and "shame to all of us". His comments come in the backdrop of the recovery of huge cash from one of the flats linked to Arpita Mukherjee, considered a close associate of arrested West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee, late this evening.

The unaccounted money was found five days after the agency seized more than Rs 21 crore in cash, besides jewellery and foreign exchange, from another flat of Mukherjee, who was also arrested on July 23. "This development is a matter of great concern. Such incidents have brought disgrace to the party and shame to all of us. He (Partha Chatterjee) is saying why he would quit as minister. Why is he not saying in the public domain that he is innocent? What is stopping him from doing that?" "I hope the party would take note of the public perception and take appropriate steps," he said.

Earlier in the day, Ghosh had said it has to be seen how Chatterjee sheds the tag of being "influential" without quitting as a minister of several departments. Chatterjee, whom the Enforcement Directorate arrested in connection with a school jobs scam, earlier in the day countered repeated queries by the media on whether he would resign by retorting why he should do so. Chatterjee, who is now in ED custody, was approached by reporters outside a hospital where he was taken for a medical check-up before being interrogated by the central agency.

Reacting to his comments, Ghosh said, "He holds several portfolios as a cabinet minister. How he will shed the tag of being an influential person is for him to answer." Chatterjee is the minister for commerce & industry, parliamentary affairs, information technology and electronics, public enterprises & industrial reconstruction. The ED has described him in the Calcutta High Court as an "influential person". Hours after Chatterjee's arrest on July 23, Ghosh had told reporters that the party would not remove him as a cabinet minister or the secretary general of the TMC until he was proven guilty.

BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh, while reacting to huge cash recovered for the second day from a flat in Belgharia in North 24 Parganas district, demanded that Chatterjee should be immediately removed from the state cabinet. "Partha Chatterjee has brought disgrace to himself and the entire state. He must be immediately sacked. This incident proves the level of corruption in the TMC and the state government," Ghosh said.

Amid the growing opposition demands for the removal of Chatterjee from the cabinet, his official car, used by him for over 15 years, was on Tuesday deposited in the state Assembly. The TMC's mouthpiece "Jago Bangla"(Wake up, Bengal) has stopped naming Chatterjee either as a minister or the party's secretary general. However, his name remains in the printer's line as its editor.

The CBI, as directed by the Calcutta High Court, is looking into the alleged irregularities committed in the recruitment of Group-C and D staff and teachers in government-sponsored and aided schools on the recommendations of the West Bengal School Service Commission. The ED is tracking the money trail in the scam. Chatterjee was the education minister when the alleged irregularities took place.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Zee News staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi: Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday (July 27, 2022) that the Supreme Court judgement upholding several provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA has cleared all doubts raised by "various quarters" and asserted the government has "no role in determining any case". The judgement has made it amply clear agencies don't do anything which is illegal and unconstitutional, Rijiju said.

The actions by probe agencies are truly in the spirit of the government's intention to check corruption and punish the corrupt, he said.

"The action taken by anti-corruption agencies, ED, in this case, is very much as per the law and on the basis of the merits of the cases. The government as such has no role in determining any cares, and each case is handled on merit. This Supreme Court judgement has made it amply clear that agencies don't do anything which is illegal and unconstitutional," he said.

In a swipe at Opposition parties which have accused the government of misusing the law to target them, he said the verdict has cleared all those efforts to create confusions and doubts by various quarters.

The Supreme Court, in the significant verdict, upheld the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) powers relating to arrest, attachment of property involved in money laundering, search and seizure under the PMLA that were challenged by multiple petitioners including Congress' Karti Chidambaram.

A host of top opposition politicians including Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, P Chidambaram, his son and MP Karti Chidambaram, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee and Delhi minister Satyendar Jain are among those under the ED's lens for alleged money laundering.
Press Release

July 27, 2022 Senate unanimously honors life and leadership of late ex-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe The Senate of the Philippines during its plenary session Wednesday, July 27, 2022, expressed its profound sympathy and sincere condolences to the people of Japan on the death of their former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. The chamber unanimously adopted Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 10 authored by Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri, taking also into consideration SRNs 28 and 60 authored by Senators Lito Lapid and Senate President Pro-Tempore Loren Legarda, respectively. The rest of the 24-member Senate also expressed their desire to be co-authors of the resolution. A copy of the adopted resolution was presented to Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko, who was in attendance to personally receive the resolution. The same copy will be furnished to the Prime Minister's wife, Madame Abe Akie. Zubiri, in his sponsorship speech, commended the incredible contributions of Japan to various sectors of the Philippines, including transportation, agriculture, health, and peace and order, to name a few, which he said was "triggered" by Abe's leadership. "Prime Minister Abe was an exceptional leader whose impact was felt not only in Japan but in our country as well. He was a very good friend to the Philippines and it was under his leadership that Japan and the Philippines were really able to strengthen our bilateral relationship," Zubiri said. "We will forever regard him as a dear friend and ally of the Filipino people. Maraming salamat, and again our deepest condolences to the family of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe," the Senate President added. Apart from Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senators Bato Dela Rosa, JV Ejercito, Pia Cayetano, Mark Villar, and Sonny Angara also offered their tributes and recalled their fond experiences with the late Japanese Prime Minister, calling him a "dear friend" who has "a genuine concern for the Filipino people". "When former President Duterte was elected President, Prime Minister Abe was the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines, surely not only to strengthen ties between the Philippines and Japan, but also to enjoy the life that our country has to offer," Dela Rosa recalled in his co-sponsorship speech. "In behalf of the Filipino people, we thank him for the close relations he built with our countries. In this august chamber, we wish to honor an exemplary leader, a friend of our nation, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan," Legarda added. Abe, the longest-serving Prime Minister of Japan has been killed by an assassin while delivering a speech at a political event in Nara City in Nara Prefecture, Japan. His death has sent waves of shock and concern across the globe, prompting messages of sympathy from notable and prominent world leaders and personalities alike.
Its interesting to see a company beat analysts earnings projections and still see a significant stock drop. But thats what happened with Comcasts Q2 numbers (for the period ending June 30), which the company released Thursday morning. The analysts targets were $29.75 billion in revenue and earnings per share of 92 cents, and Comcast hit $30 billion and earnings per share of $1.01, but their stock fell $3.78 in pre-market trading (from $43.37 to $39.59, a drop of 8.7 percent), and fell further to $39.01 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. And several of the reasons cited for the drop have a lot to do with sports.

First, theres Comcast streaming service Peacock. Q1 was a strong quarter for the service, with NBC having the rare pairing of the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics and both of those events (including all Olympics coverage live for the first time for premium Peacock subscribers, in addition to a host of Peacock-only documentaries and shows) were carried on Peacock as well as NBCUniversals linear and cable channels. Q1 also saw the launch of Bel Air, which the company cited as their most successful original show to date. But Q2 saw their premium ($4.99 a month for full content with ads, or $9.99 a month for full content without ads) subscriber numbers hold steady and their monthly active account numbers (also including free accounts, which dont have access to all Peacock content) drop from 28 million in April to 27 million at end of Q2, while Peacocks year-over-year losses also rose significantly. Heres more on that from Dade Hayes at Deadline:

NBCUniversal revenue rose 19% to $9.4 billion, while adjusted EBIDTA increased almost 20% to $1.86 billion. Peacock Premium subscriber levels stalled at 13 million, but the streaming service helped drive an 8% year-over-year increase in distribution revenue. Losses at Peacock widened to $467 million, from $363 million a year ago, while revenue totaled $444 million. No overall monthly active account numbers were included with the financial results, but the company reported 28 million in April, ahead of pace to hit its own projection of 30 million to 35 million MAAs by 2025. At the start of the companys conference call with analysts, CEO Brian Roberts said the company had 27 million monthly active accounts at the end of the quarter, a slight dip from the prior quarter.

All of this comes with some context, of course. As with any company that owns both linear and streaming platforms and airs content on both (also including Disneys ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+, CBS Paramount+, Warner Bros. Discoverys HBO Max, and more), theres discussion to be had on what percentage of rights/programming expenditures should be placed in the streaming bucket rather than the linear one, and numbers on streaming losses arent necessarily the entire picture (especially considering that at this point, most direct-to-consumer services are still fine taking losses to bolster their subscriber numbers, setting up for potential later price hikes and further content pivots if a further shift from the linear TV model becomes necessary).

So $467 million in Peacock losses in a quarter is just one data point, especially with the overall company posting better-than-expected earnings per share. But the more notable thing here may be those losses rising $104 million over the same quarter a year ago, and subscribers not increasing from the previous quarter. Those two elements together do provide some reason for concern, especially as much of the logic for streaming losses right now is Theyre fine as long as you keep growing subscribers; if youre not growing subscribers, that doesnt work. And those date points arent the only concerning elements in this earnings release; a few others are that their broadband subscriber growth stalled, and their cable unit lost 1.7 million residential subscribers.

Of course, though, one-day stock trends dont always hold, and perhaps the Comcast stock will recover in the days ahead. And even if it doesnt, this one-day drop and Comcasts 15 percent year-to-date decline ($49.98 on Jan. 3, $39.01 today, 22 percent drop) is still less of a drop than Disney ($155.83 on Jan. 3, $104.21 Thursday, 33 percent drop) and Warner Bros. Discovery have seen ($23.90 on Jan. 3, $15.07 Thursday, 27 percent drop). So this should be seen in the context of a rough year to date for media companies, especially those trying to set up at least a partial streaming pivot. With all that said, though, the numbers here still raise some concerns for Peacock and Comcast going forward, and thats part of whats going on with this stock drop.

[Deadline, Comcast]
Aurangabad: The rebel Shiv Sena group led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the BJP will contest the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections in alliance, a rebel faction functionary said on Thursday. The AMC polls are due and the dates are yet to be announced. The Shiv Sena and the BJP had earlier ruled the civic body for over three decades.

After the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena joined hands with the NCP and Congress to form government in the state in 2019, AMC's deputy mayor Vijay Autade, who was from the BJP, had resigned.

"Now the Shinde group and the BJP will contest the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation elections together. Primary discussions have already been held on this," the Shinde faction's district chief Rajendra Janjal told PTI.

He claimed the development of Aurangabad began when the previous Maharashtra government led by Devendra Fadnavis started giving funds for the city.

Janjal also claimed that some of the former corporators, who had won the AMC polls as part of the Thackeray-led Sena, were now in touch with the Shinde group.

On the issue of renaming Aurangabad as 'Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar', he said the people who have initiated a legal process against changing the name of the city belong to the NCP.

"People now know who really wants the renaming of Aurangabad," he said.

Notably, the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government under Thackeray had decided to rename the city as Sambhajinagar in its last cabinet meeting on June 29 this year.

The new government led by CM Shinde earlier this month passed a fresh proposal that will see Marathwada's biggest city being called 'Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar'.

Public interest litigation (PIL) was filed on Wednesday in the Bombay High Court challenging the Maharashtra government's decision to change the name of Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar.

The petition filed by Mohammed Mushtaq Ahmed, Annasaheb Khandare and Rajesh More, all residents of Aurangabad, is likely to be heard by the HC on August 1.

Eknath Shinde appoints secretaries, treasurer, spokespersons for his Shiv Sena faction

Eknath Shinde on Wednesday made new appointments for the Shiv Sena faction led by him. Trade union leader Kiran Pawaskar and Sanjay more were appointed as party secretaries, while Deepak Kesarkar, Uday Samant, Gulabrao Patil and Sheetal Mhatre were appointed as spokespersons, a release from his office said. Balaji Kinikar was appointed as treasurer, it added.
New Delhi: Amid Sonia Gandhi's questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the National Herald newspaper linked money laundering case, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday (July 27, 2022) said that the political opponents should not be treated as "enemies". Azad, a prominent member of the "Group of 23 (G-23)", which has been critical of the Congress leadership, said that the law enforcement agency should keep in mind the age and health of Sonia Gandhi before subjecting her to repeated questioning in the case. He also said that the Congress chief is aged, has not been well, and was admitted to a hospital, adding she cannot withhold the pressure of probe agencies.

"Even in wars, kings used to give directions that women should not be attacked and those not keeping well should be spared," Azad said, urging the agencies not to be harsh on the Congress president.

Sonia Gandhi, 75, was questioned by the ED for the third time in a week on Wednesday over her role in the National Herald newspaper-linked money laundering case. ED officials, according to news agency PTI, quizzed Gandhi for three hours after which they indicated that the recording of her statement had concluded. The officials said the agency is likely to soon file a charge sheet in the case in which the statements of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders Pawan Bansal and Mallikarjun Kharge will be annexed.



ALSO READ | ED summons to Rahul, Sonia Gandhi to cover up Nupur Sharma's case: Robert Vadra



With Wednesday's questioning, Sonia has now been quizzed for more than 11 hours over three days during which she had to answer around 100 questions, the officials said. While her first round of questioning took place on July 21, the second round was on Tuesday.

BJP hits back at Congress over Sonia Gandhi's ED questioning

As Congress leaders continued their protests in several states against Sonia's ED questioning, BJP President JP Nadda hit out at the grand old party and said that it thinks that one family is above the law.

"But this wouldn't work in this country as laws and rules are equal for all," Nadda said and described Congress protests as an "attempt to hide the truth".

He added that everybody is answerable in front of the law, and the "Gandhis should answer the investigation agencies, but they think they are above the law."

Congress protests not 'Satyagrah', but an attempt to hide the truth. They are protesting to protect a family, not the country. pic.twitter.com/IuPxQcUir1  Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) July 27, 2022

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur also attacked the Opposition party and accused it of trying to "mislead and pressure" central probe agencies through street protests.

"Why is Congress running away from the probe? What do they have to hide? Is the Gandhi family above law? Should there be a separate law for the Gandhi family? Why are they running away from the (probe) agencies? They should also face the probe," Thakur was quoted as saying by PTI.

What is the National Herald case, involving Sonia, Rahul Gandhi?

Earlier last month, Rahul Gandhi was also questioned by the ED in this case in sessions that clocked over 50 hours over five days. The move to question the Gandhis was initiated after the ED late last year registered a fresh case under the criminal provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This was after a trial court in Delhi took cognisance of an Income Tax department probe against Young Indian based on a private criminal complaint by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in 2013.

Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are among the promoters and majority shareholders in Young Indian. Like her son, the Congress president too has 38 per cent shareholding. Swamy had accused the Gandhis and others of conspiring to cheat and misappropriate funds, with Young Indian paying only Rs 50 lakh to obtain the right to recover Rs 90.25 crore that the AJL owed to the Congress.

In February last year, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Gandhis seeking their response to Swamy's plea.

Congress has maintained there has been no wrongdoing and Young Indian is a "not-for-profit" company established under section 25 of the Companies Act and hence there can be no question of money laundering.

It is understood that Rahul, during his deposition before the ED, stuck to the position that there was no personal acquisition of assets by himself or his family.

According to the ED, assets worth about Rs 800 crore are "owned" by the AJL and the federal agency wants to know from the Gandhis how a not-for-profit company like Young Indian was undertaking commercial activities of renting out its land and building assets.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Justice DY Chandrachud, a Supreme Court judge, on Thursday, expressed his displeasure over criticism in the media about judges not taking up cases while hearing a mention by a lawyer, who sought the listing of a case relating to violence and attacks on Christians. The judge said that he read in the news that this matter was not being taken up, adding "Give us judges a break. I was down with Covid, hence the matter was deferred. I read in the news that judges are not taking it up. There is a limit to targeting us."

"There is a limit to targeting judges": Justice DY Chandrachud on news reports of delay in hearings



Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/nY15HHpvmB

#justicechandrachud #Media pic.twitter.com/jCs02or6iV  ANI Digital (@ani_digital) July 28, 2022

The plea filed by Archbishop of Bangalore Diocese Dr Peter Machado alleged a rising number of attacks on Christian institutions and priests across the country. It was listed for hearing on July 15 but it could not be taken up as the bench did not assemble, said an ANI report. The petition sought directions to stop violence and mob attacks against the members of the Christian community in various states across the country besides seeking the implementation of earlier top court guidelines to curb hate crimes.

Also read: Supreme Court's BIG order, backs ED's powers to arrest under PMLA

It also sought the setting up of Special Investigation Teams with officers from outside the states where the incidents set out to register FIRs, conduct criminal investigations and prosecute the criminal offenders in accordance with the law.

The plea reportedly sought direction that the SITs file closure reports in accordance with the law, where false counter FIRs have been filed by the assailants against the victims, and also sought implementation of the guidelines issued in the Tehseen Poonawala judgment. In this case, nodal officers were to be appointed to take note of hate crimes and register FIRs across the nation.

Also read: No publicity PILs, please: Supreme Court junks plea to raise smoking age

Earlier on June 27, the Supreme Court had agreed to examine a plea alleging an increase in attacks on Christian institutions and priests across the country. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves mentioned the matter before a vacation bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala and sought an urgent listing of the matter.

Gonsalves submitted that on average between 40 to 50 violent attacks occurred against Christian institutions and priests every month across the country, as he pressed on the implementation of guidelines which were issued by the top court in a 2018 judgment to curb hate crimes. He emphasised that in May this year, more than 50 cases of violent attacks took place.

In 2018, the apex court issued a slew of guidelines for the Centre and state governments to control and prevent the increasing number of hate crimes, including mob violence and lynching. It also included fast-tracked trials, victim compensation, deterrent punishment and disciplinary action against lax law-enforcing officials. The top court had directed that offences such as hate crimes, cow vigilantism and lynching incidents should be nipped in the bud.

(With ANI/IANS Inputs)
Srinagar: Targeting the Central governments 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday (July 28) said, You have politicised Tiranga too. You are threatening people to hoist flag in every house. Is this normalcy and Naya Kashmir? She said forcing people to hoist tricolour in the Kashmir valley wouldn't achieve anything. Daring the BJP, Mufti said, If you really have guts, unfurl the tricolour in part of land illegally occupied by China.

Speaking at the party's 23rd foundation day at Sher-e-Kashmir park in Srinagar, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister lashed out at BJP for the alleged mishandling of the Kashmir situation and disturbing peace in region.

Mehbooba Mufti said, "I want to tell Modi ji, if you want to make India Vishwaguru then you should first establish peace in Jammu and Kashmir and save the nation first. Further, attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mufti said "You are destroying the democratic fabric of India. The path of Vishwguru goes through Kashmir not through G20. It comes through SAARC". The PDP chief said India should have called for a SAARC on the Sri Lanka issue, but they failed to do so.

She said the biggest hurdle in SAARC is Indo-Pakistan relations and until the relations between the two countries are normalised, Kashmir will continue to suffer.

The PDP chief said old raiders and Kings invaded Kashmir and destroyed temples here to construct mosques and you are destroying mosques to construct temples. What is the difference between them and you?" She said people don't remember those who destroy but remember those who construct nations.

Mufti said when India and Pakistan can conduct trade through Punjab then why not through Kashmir is there any war going on here?

She said Pakistan has invited everyone to be part of CPEC and India objected but they will not stop because you did not stop on Article 370 either. People in POK are lucky that they will be part of CPEC and part of development, Mufti added.

The former J&K CM alleged that Amarnath Yatra has also been politicised and Yatris have been sacrificed for an agenda. I will talk about Pakistan and support dialogue with the neighbouring country till the day 10 lakh armed forces are in Kashmir and peace will not be restored in Kashmir, Mufti said.

Attacking the BJP, she said the saffron party achieved a majority in the Centre and abrogated Article 370 unconstitutionally in Jammu and Kashmir.

She alleged that the government is handing our lands to Army and industrialists and dislocating local tribals from lands which belong to them. All this is destroying the peace in Jammu and Kashmir, and it can't be restored here till Modi government returns the Jammu and Kashmir that it took from us.

I tell PM Modi not to be a blacksmith but a goldsmith. We had accepted not only the flag of India but also the constitution of India. But we too have a flag and constitution of our own. Until the same is not restored peace cannot come in Jammu and Kashmir and in South Asia, Mufti stated.
Indian Army SSC Recruitment 2022: The notification for the Indian Army Short Service Commission, SSC Tech Recruitment 2022 has been released. The Indian Army has begun the online application process for Short Service Commission (SSC)-Technical positions. Eligible unmarried male and female candidates can apply on the official website joinindianarmy.nic.in until August 24, 3.00 PM. The Indian Army is looking to fill 191 vacancies, with 175 for SSC (Tech) Men, 14 for SSC (Tech) Women, and 2 for Widows of Defence Personnel. Interested candidates should check their eligibility and apply for the positions at joinindianarmy.nic.in. The application period began on July 26 at 3 p.m. and will end on August 24, 2022 at 3 p.m.

Indian Army SSC Tech Recruitment 2022: Vacancy Details

Name of the organization Indian Army Post Name SSC Technical Number of Vacancies 191 Application begins 26th July 2022, 3 pm Application ends 24th August 2022, 3 pm

India Army Recruitment 2022: Age Limit

Candidates for SSC(Tech)- 60 Men and SSCW(Tech)- 31 Women must have been born between 02 April 1996 and 01 April 2003 (both days inclusive), i.e. 20 to 27 years old as of 01 April 2023.

Only for widows of service members who died in harness. SSCW (Non Tech) [Non UPSC] and SSCW (Tech) - A maximum age of 35 as of April 1, 2023.

Indian Army SSC Tech Recruitment 2022: Educational qualification

In terms of education, candidates must hold a B.E/B.Tech degree. The official website contains detailed eligibility criteria.

Indian Army Tech Recruitment 2022: Vacancy Details

SSC (Tech)-60th Men: 175

SSCW (Tech)-31st Women: 14

Widows of Defence Personnel Only 02

Indian Army tech Recruitment 2022: Eligibility Criteria

Age: 20-27 years as on April 1, 2023.

Indian Army Recruitment 2022: Heres how to apply

Visit the official website joinindianarmy.nic.in

Click on Officer Entry Apply/Login and then click Registration

Once registered, click Apply Online under dashboard

Now click on Apply shown against Short Service Commission Technical Course

Fill the application form and submit

Take a printout for future reference

Selected candidates will be detailed for training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai based on their position in the final order of merit (engineering stream-wise), subject to meeting all eligibility criteria. The training period is scheduled to last 49 weeks.
KEAM Results 2022: The Kerala Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) results of the Engineering, Architecture, Pharmacy, and Medical (KEAM) Exam 2022 are likely to be released soon. However, the date and time of the KEAM Exam result are yet to release. Students can check their results through the official website at cee.kerala.gov.in.

KEAM Results 2022: Heres how to check results

Visit the official website at cee.kerala.gov.in.

On the homepage, click on the link that reads, KEAM 2022 Result.

Key in login credentials.

Your KEAM 2022 Result will be displayed on the screen.

Check and take print out for future reference.

The Kerala Engineering, Architecture, Pharmacy, and Medical Exam was held on July 4, 2022, at various locations throughout Kerala, as well as in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Dubai.
New Delhi: Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday (July 27, 2022) accused the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government of adopting a discriminatory approach by showering flower petals on kanwariyas but bulldozing the houses of Muslims. The Hyderabad MP also said that the UP government meted out special treatment to kanwariyas. His statement came after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday undertook an aerial survey of the ongoing Kanwar Yatra in western parts of the state where flower petals were also showered on kanwariyas. Kanwariyas (devotees of Lord Shiva) from different parts of the country collect water from the Ganga river at Haridwar in Uttarakhand to offer at Shiva temples back home in the month of Shrawan.

"If flowers are being showered on them then at least don't break our (Muslims) houses," Asaduddin Owaisi said.

"Why this distinction? There should be fairness. Why hate one and love the other? Why divert traffic for one religion and bulldozer for the other?" he added.

The UP government has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth passage of the Kanwar Yatra, which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the yatra, according to the instructions of the chief minister, state government officials showered flower petals from helicopters and other vehicles at different places.

'Is this not revadi culture?': Owaisi on UP govt showering flowers on kanwariyas

Owaisi also shared a news article on Twitter, which claimed that the nameplate of a Muslim police officer in Khirwa, Meerut was blacked out by his seniors after kanwariyas passing by created a ruckus.

"The police showered petals, welcomed kanwariyas with national flags, applied lotion on their feet, and treated them with kindness. Delhi Police talked about relocating blacksmiths (as they eat non-vegetarian food) so that kanwariyas would not get angry, while the UP government ordered closure of shops selling meat along the routes of the yatra," the AIMIM President said.

"If a Muslim offers prayers even for a few minutes in an open place then there is a ruckus. Muslims are facing police bullets, custodial clashes, NSA, UAPA, lynching, bulldozers and sabotage just for being Muslims," he said in another tweet referring to the action taken in different parts of the state against those offering namaz at public places.

"Is this not revadi culture?" said Owaisi referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent speech in which he cautioned people against what he called the "revadi culture" of offering freebies for garnering votes and said it is "very dangerous" for the development of the country.

Continuing with his offensive, Owaisi said in a tweet, "The BJP-led UP government is showering petals on Kanwariyas using public money. We want them to treat everyone equally. They don't shower flowers on us (Muslims). Instead, they bulldoze our houses," he said.

Owaisi is known for 'practising divisive politics': Keshav Prasad Maurya

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government refuted Owaisi's allegations. Yogi Adityanath's Deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya said that the AIMIM leader is known for "practising divisive politics" in the name of religion.

"Weren't Muslims getting houses under government schemes or water under the "Har Ghar Jal" programme? BJP is following the mantra of "sabka saath, sabka vikas" he said.

Uttar Pradesh BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi stated that the state government also makes arrangements for 'Tajia' processions and Roza Iftars.

"These statements of Owaisi have been made to create communal division in the society and incite the sentiments of people," Tripathi said.

BJP MP Subrat Pathak also hit out at Owaisi and said that he is trying to become a "future (Mohammad Ali) Jinnah" -- the founder of Pakistan.

(With agency inputs)
Kolkata: The Arpita Mukherjee saga continues to get murkier as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly completed its 8-hour raid on the second flat of former Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee's aide. According to sources, nearly Rs 28 crore in cash, at least 5 kg gold and several land deeds were recovered from Arpita's Belgharia flat. ED officials left the Belgharia residence of Arpita after filling 10 trunks with cash amounting to approximately Rs 28 crore that was found there. According to news reports, not just in the rooms, money was stashed also in the flat's bathroom.

On Wednesday (July 27) evening, ED sleuths, escorted by central armed forces personnel, broke the entry lock of Arpita's residence and on opening the cupboard in a bedroom of the residence, the agency sleuths came across bundles of Indian currencies separately in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations. The ED sleuths immediately contacted the Reserve Bank of India's regional office in Kolkata for help in counting the notes. Within half an hour, four officials of the State Bank of India arrived with four jumbo currency counting machines capable of counting 1,000 notes at a go.

On July 22, ED sleuths recovered Indian currencies worth Rs 21.20 crore, in addition to foreign currencies worth Rs 70 lakhs and gold ornaments worth Rs 90 lakhs from Arpita Mukherjee's Diamond Park Housing Complex residence in South Kolkata. In addition to multiple high-end Apple iPhones, sale deeds of multiple flats and documents of multiple high-end passenger vehicles were recovered. The next day, ED arrested Partha Chatterjee in connection with the West Bengal Primary Education Board recruitment scam. Arpita Mukherjee was also arrested.

Also read: 'Disgrace, shame...': Will Mamata Banerjee take action against Partha Chatterjee? TMC spokesperson says THIS

The case has put the ruling Trinamool Congress in Bengal and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a difficult position, with the Opposition also training its gun on the CM. Mamata earlier said that if found guilty, action should be taken against the culprits but she condemned "malicious" campaign against the TMC by BJP.

(With Agency inputs)
Bengaluru: In the wake of massive protests against the killing of BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Kumar Nettary in Dakshina Kannada district, the Karnataka government has decided to call off its first anniversary celebrations at Vidhana Soudha and "Janotsava convention" in Doddaballapur. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday night, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai made this announcement. Notably, the party has organised an official event at Vidhana Soudha, and `Janotsava`, a mega rally at Doddaballapur, to mark the Bommai government`s one year in office. The rally was to be attended by BJP national President JP Nadda, said an IANS report.

"I took the decision on seeing the plight of the slain leader`s family. My conscience did not permit me to go ahead with celebrations after seeing the grieving mother and wife. This is not for fear of backlash. I have done it with a clean heart," IANS quoted CM Bommai.

CM Bommai said that he would address a press conference in place of celebrations, adding that after the murder of Praveen, there is pain and tension. The police have been given necessary directions till late in the night, he said, adding "innocent BJP worker`s murder was part of a conspiracy. It is inhuman and condemnable."

A press conference will be held today at 11am in Vidhana Soudha. A meeting of officials is also scheduled. Details about the developments in the state has been given to high command. I've decided to go to Mangaluru: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on BJP Yuva Morcha worker's murder pic.twitter.com/xBC4cUOGFk  ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022

He further said, "Instead of words, there is outrage in our minds. Especially few months after Bajrang Dal activist Harsha`s murder this incident had happened which is a concern. "We will all go and pay respects to the bereaved family. The BJP President`s gesture of visiting the spot is commendable."

"I apologise to the lakhs of workers who were all set to attend the massive convention planned at Doddaballapur, the neighbouring town of Bengaluru. It was a platform to exhibit the party`s strength in the surrounding districts. However, as per my conscience, I have cancelled celebrations," IANS quoted him as saying.

Speaking to media persons in the backdrop of the murder of BJP leader Praveen Nettar, Bommai said, "Praveen was killed in Mangaluru on Tuesday. Orders have been issued for stringent action against the culprits. Karnataka police officers are in constant touch with their Kerala counterparts to nab the killers. Mangaluru Superintendent of Police has spoken to Kasaragod Superintendent of Police. Our Director General of Police has also taken up the issue with Kerala Director General of Police."

He further said, "Teams have been formed and operations have been launched to nab the killers. The culprits would be nabbed soon and severely punished," adding "Stringent action would be taken as we did in similar cases that happened in Mangaluru, DG Halli and Shivamogga. The outfits and forces behind these cases would be crushed."

Also read: Karnataka govt to install 30-ft bronze statue of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari to project pro-Kannada identity

Bommai, however, appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony, requesting them not to desist from issuing provocative statements and cooperate in investigations. On the possibility of handing over the investigation to NIA, Bommai said, "We will not hesitate to hand it over to NIA if such a necessity arises."

On Tuesday night, Praveen Nettar, a Zilla BJP Yuva Morcha committee member, was hacked to death in the Dakshin Kannada district of the state. Nettar was killed in front of his broiler shop in Bellare by three bike-borne people. When the BJP Yuva Morcha leader was murdered, he was heading toward his home. Tension prevailed in several parts of the Dakshin Kannada district after the murder. Protests also erupted over the murder in several parts of the districts.

(With ANI/IANS Inputs)
New Delhi: Amid outrage by the BJP over Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys remark referring to President Droupadi Murmu as 'rashtrapatni', BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday (July 28) slammed the leader and demanded apology from the grand old party. Calling the remark "most shameful and condemnable", the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister told Congress to shun its "casteist mindset".

"The spectacular election of Droupadi Murmuji as the first woman from the tribal society to the highest post of the President of India has not been liked by many... The objectionable remark made against her by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, is very sad, shameful and highly condemnable," Mayawati wrote in a tweet.

"The proceedings of Parliament have also been disrupted today due to protests against him referring to the honourable President as 'rashtrapatni' on TV... The Congress party should also apologise to the country for this and abandon its casteist mindset," the BSP chief added.

A row erupted after Chowdhury referred to Murmu as 'rashtrapatni' while talking to mediapersons, leading to BJP targeting the Congress. BJP MPs protested against the remark and created uproar in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Talking to reporters outside Parliament, Chowdhury said referring to Murmu as 'rashtrapatni' was a "slip of the tongue" and accused the BJP of making a "mountain out of a molehill" over the issue. "I can't even think of insulting the President. It was just a mistake. If the President felt bad, I will personally meet her & apologise. They can hang me if they want. I am ready to get punished but why is she (Sonia Gandhi) being dragged in this?" he asked.

Demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress also accused BJP MPs of subjecting Sonia Gandhi to "brutal heckling, verbal assault and physical intimidation". As per PTI, a face-off between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha chamber occurred adding fuel to the raging issue over Chowdhury's remark.

(With agency inputs)
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By Satya Muley

New Delhi: Being Citizens of Democratic India, we get liberties in the form of fundamental rights. These rights help us live peacefully to our fullest potential without artificial hindrances and unjustified restrictions. But over-appropriation of fundamental rights and freedoms create a state of anarchy and panic in society.

Under Article 19 (1)(a)(1) of the Constitution of India, all citizens are guaranteed the right to freedom of speech and expression, but when wrongly exploited, it can take the form of 'hate speech' which can have disastrous effects. Therefore, the Right to freedom of speech and expression has reasonable restrictions on the grounds of safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, etc. In the era of the internet and social media, the impact of mass communication gets highly amplified in a short span of time. And in certain cases, by the time law enforcement agencies come into action, these speeches or texts create a commotion and affect a large number of people. In the backdrop of recent incidents surrounding Nupur Sharma and Mohammed Zubair and the uproar they created in India, there is a need to take a look at the nuances of this term and its use or rather misuse.

What is Hate Speech?

Hate speech is not new in India. Apparently, in 1990 some mosques in Kashmir broadcasted inflammatory speeches to whip up hate against Hindus, triggering their exodus from the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley. In the same year, BJP leader LK Advani spearheaded a movement to construct the Ram temple at Ayodhya - leading to uncontrolled mobs razing the Babri mosque which in turn sparked deadly communal riots.

In India, there is no legislation yet that defines Hate speech in a crystal-clear manner. However, in the matter of Shreya Singhal v. Union of India, the Honble Supreme Court had differentiated between three forms of speech i.e., discussion, advocacy, and incitement. It was held that a speech can only be limited on grounds of exceptions mentioned in article 19(2) when it reaches the threshold of incitement. All other forms of speech, even if offensive or unpopular, must be protected under article 19(1)(a). Thus, Incitement is the key factor in determining the constitutionality of restriction on free speech.

Difference between Hate speech and Sedition

The difference between Hate Speech and Sedition is that hate speech affects the State indirectly by disturbing public tranquillity, while sedition is an offence directly against the State. Hate speech sometimes may take the form of sedition when done against the state, but vice versa is not possible.

Laws dealing with Hate Speech in India

The Indian Penal Code, 1860

Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been found to be lacking when it comes to modern-day crimes. However, IPC is very effective in dealing with the traditional forms of offences. Thus, IPC has provisions such as Sections 153 A and B, 295 A, 298, 505 which define the promotion of enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony, imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration.

These provisions also deal with offences such as uttering, words, etc, with deliberate intent to hurt the religious feelings of any person, publication or circulation of any statement, rumour or report causing public mischief and enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes of people. The punishment for such offences ranges from a mere monetary fine and may extend up to 3 years of imprisonment.

The Representation of The People Act, 1951

Although there are certain provisions to restrict hate speech in the political sphere, we see Indian politicians rampantly making statements which flare up public emotions and lead to hatred among people of various classes. In April 2022, an MLA during Ram Navami yatra, sang a song with lyrics that said anyone who didn't chant Hindu deity Ram's name would be forced to leave India, and this led to an F.I.R to be filed against him.

Other Laws

There are various other enactments in place which allow the relevant authorities to regulate, control and censor the content or communication to prohibit hate speech, hate narrative or content which spreads hatred. Laws such as The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 prohibit hate speech promoting untouchability. The Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988, The Cable Television Network Regulation Act, 1995, The Cinematograph Act, 1952, and The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 are other examples of laws which deal with the offence of hate speech and prescribe various punishments.

Impact of social media on Hate Speech

In todays era of information technology, even school-going kids have access to smartphones and the internet. As news spread like wildfire, the reaction of people on several occasions comes faster than the law enforcement agencies can act.

Many a time radical elements are often seen making use of social media to broadcast their hate narratives. These elements are many a time based abroad or are even using a fake identity, thereby giving a temporary anonymous character to the promoter of hate speech. Such tendencies are on an alarming rise in recent years.

Use and Misuse of the Laws related to Hate Speech.

Due to lenient punishments prescribed in the laws, many political figures and radical elements have engaged in calculated acts of hate speech. Le Ke Rahenge Azadi slogans by student leader Kanhaiya Kumar in JNU, which became a reason for protests and national furore, is a classic example of the use or even misuse - both of what is allowed and what is prohibited under the freedom of speech and expression.

On the other hand, May 2022 is an example of certain comments by the then BJP Spokesperson about Prophet Muhammad, which attracted criticism from several quarters and enraged some Muslim radicals, leading to a couple of innocent persons being killed. Thus, what is that fine line that separates what can be legitimately spoken and expressed and what is prohibited, is the big question.

Need for reformation of laws regulating Hate Speech

The existence of several laws essentially creates a tangled web of legal provisions dealing with one or the other form of hate speech which makes it nearly impossible to comprehend exactly what kind of speech is hate speech, that is banned within the Indian jurisdiction.

Although reasonable restrictions can be imposed on freedom of speech and expression, over-criminalization of speech is also dangerous. The Nupur Sharma case and several other examples demonstrate that the same or similar statement made by an individual is many times termed as insulting, hateful, and F.I.R are being filed at numerous locations by a particular set of people. This has raised questions as to whether the level of freedom of speech and expression available to one set of people is lesser than other sets of people in India?

In Pravasi Bhalai Sangathan v. Union of India during the year 1997, the Supreme Court dealt with an interesting case where the petitioners prayed that the State should take peremptory action against makers of hate speech. The Court observed that the implementation of existing laws would solve the problem of hate speech to a great extent. The matter was referred to the Law Commission to examine if it deems proper to define hate speech and make recommendations to the Parliament to strengthen the Election Commission to curb the menace of hate speeches irrespective of, whenever made.

No doubt the clumsily worded provisions in existing laws contribute to the confusion. There is an urgent need for well-defined legislation on hate speech which will not only define the crime and prescribe the punishments but will also disallow the misuse of laws related to hate speech to frame innocent people to promote mala fide agendas.



(Disclaimer: Satya Muley is an advocate with the Bombay High Court. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the views of Zee News)
New Delhi: Allahabad High Court on Wednesday (July 27, 2022) granted bail to perfume businessman Piyush Jain who was arrested in a case of tax evasion. Piyush Jain can't leave the country without the Court's permission and has to submit his passport along with a bail bond of Rs 1 crore, reported news agency ANI.

Allahabad High Court granted bail to perfume businessman Piyush Jain on July 27. He can't leave the country without the Court's permission & has to submit his passport along with a bail bond of Rs 1 crore. DRI had recovered around 23kgs of gold worth Rs 196.57 crores from him.  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 28, 2022

Jain was arrested on December 26, 2021 after raids at his residence in Kanpur and factory in Kannauj by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) led to the recovery of over Rs 257 crore in cash, 25 kg of gold and 250 kg of silver.

In December 2021, officials of the Income Tax department and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs conducted multiple raids at Jain's house in Kanpur's Anandpuri as well as a house and a factory in Kannauj since Wednesday and seized alleged unaccounted cash stuffed in large wardrobes and huge quantities of jewellery.
Kolkata: Claiming that relieving Partha Chatterjee from his duties as a minister, days after his arrest in connection with a school recruitment scam, was not enough to set things right, the CPI(M) on Thursday sought West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation. Bikash Bhattacharya, who is the CPI(M)'s Rajya Sabha MP, maintained that deserving candidates might not be able to bag jobs under the Mamata Banerjee regime.

The CM should immediately resign from the post. Eligible candidates in the state will not be able to get jobs till the time the TMC is in power, said Bhattacharya, a senior advocate who is representing petitioners in multiple cases connected with irregular school appointments before the Calcutta High Court.

In a similar vein, CPI(M)'s state secretary Mohd Salim stated that instances of irregularities have been reported in the past, too, but no proper action was taken in these cases. "Several other departments, too, have committed irregularities in the past. These have not been dealt with... Simply removing Chatterjee will not set things right. The chief minister should at least say that she will no longer tolerate such irregularities," Salim told reporters here.

"She is trying to put the blame on others, passing the buck; that's totally wrong," he added. The ED arrested Chatterjee on July 23 in connection with its investigation into alleged irregularities in a recruitment drive by the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC).

Earlier in the day, the state government relieved Chatterjee of his duties as minister in-charge of various departments. "Partha Chatterjee, minister in charge, department of industry, commerce and enterprises, department of information technology and electronics, department of parliamentary affairs and department of public enterprises and industrial reconstruction, is hereby relieved of his duties as MIC of the aforesaid department," an official order said. The chief minister said that he would be looking after the portfolios held by Chatterjee for the time being.
New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday (July 28, 2022) slammed Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for calling Droupadi Murmu "rashtrapatni" and said that it was a "deliberate sexist insult" against the President. She also demanded an apology from Congress chief Sonia Gandhi for Chowdhury's remark.

While making a brief statement in Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman said, "Chowdhury's comments were not a slip of tongue. It was a deliberate sexist insult against the President."

She added that at a time the entire country is rejoicing at the selection of a self-made woman from a tribal background as the President, "for the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha to call her 'rashtrapatni' in a 'pati-patni' (husband-wife) kind of a level, has insulted the President of India."

"I demand an apology from the president of the Congress party who herself is a woman," she said.

Gandhi appointed Chowdhury as the leader in Lok Sabha to speak and he has insulted the President, she said.

"It was not a slip of tongue. It was a deliberate, sexist insult against the President...We demand an apology from the president of the @INCIndia."



- Smt @nsitharaman while speaking in Rajya Sabha on Congress MP @adhirrcinc's objectionable remarks. pic.twitter.com/CQrgAPy9uM  NSitharamanOffice (@nsitharamanoffc) July 28, 2022

"Smt Sonia Gandhi should come before the nation and apologise to the Rashtrapati and also to the entire country for the insult by her own leader in Lok Sabha."

Chouwdhry's comments were not a "slip of the tongue but a deliberate ploy to insult" the President and it is unacceptable, she said.

Slip of tongue: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on calling Droupadi Murmu 'rashtrapatni'

Meanwhile, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has said that calling President Droupadi Murmu a 'rashtrapatni' was a "slip of the tongue".

"I inadvertently used the word 'rashtrapatni' just once and it was a slip of the tongue. I never meant any disrespect to the president," he told reporters outside Parliament.

"What should I do? I said it and realised I uttered the wrong word. I even looked for media persons to who I had said this to. To request them to not focus on it. However, I couldn't find them," he added, a day after the remark.

Some ruling party members, the Congress leader added, are "deliberately trying to make a mountain out of a molehill".

There is no question of an apology, he stated.

In a video message later, he said India's president, be it Brahmin or tribal, is respected by all.

"Yesterday, when we were holding a protest at Vijay Chowk, journalists asked where we wanted to go. I said 'rashtrapatni' only once by mistake. I urged the journalists not to show my video where I committed a mistake. The BJP is creating a row over it now," he said.

"The issue is being blown out of proportion... I do not have the remotest intention of humiliating the highest chair of our country," Chowdhury said.

Making such comments is bad: Venkaiah Naidu on Adhir Chowdhury calling Murmu 'rashtrapatni'

Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said nobody is supposed to make any derogatory comments against the President of India.

"Making such comments is bad," he said.

"I don't know why it has happened and it is wrong," Naidu added.

He said President was discussed even in the Constituent Assembly and Rashtrapati was a settled title to be used.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Union minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday (July 28, 2022) said that the entire country is upset over Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys Rashtrapatni' remark on President and slammed the party by saying that the way he has insulted the President shows their mentality.

The way AR Chowdhury has insulted the President shows their mentality. This country will never tolerate this insult to our tribal people. After all that, he said that there is no need to apologise for this, said Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

He said that deliberately and repeated it twice. Is this a small incident? We demand Congress interim president to apologise in the parliament and also in front of the country, Goyal added.

He said that deliberately and repeated it twice. Is this a small incident? We demand Congress interim president to apologise in the parliament and also in front of the country: Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Cong MP Adhir Chowdhury's 'Rashtrapatni' remark pic.twitter.com/7tUqtpzOCx  ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022

Both Houses of Parliament witnessed uproar over the remark with BJP leaders demanding an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Referring to President Droupadi Murmu as 'rashtrapatni' was a "slip of the tongue", Chowdhury said on Thursday and accused the BJP of making a "mountain out of a molehill" over the issue.

The term was used only once by mistake and he never intended any disrespect to the president, Chowdhury said.
New Delhi: Amid Arvind Kejriwals request for political clearance to attend World Cities Summit in Singapore, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Thursday (July 28) said that the host government has shared updates and changes in its invitation with the Delhi government. "Singapore government has shared an update with the Delhi govt on the invitation extended to it. You can reach out to the Delhi govt for more on it, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was quoted as saying by ANI. Bagchi also said that they had received a request for Delhi chief minister's political clearance on July 21.

The development comes after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena had rejected the proposal regarding the Delhi CMs Singapore visit after which Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said the Kejriwal government will approach the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). "The LG has advised Kejriwal to not attend the conference since it is a conference of mayors. The chief ministers of other states have attended this conference in the past. Even the prime minister goes for state-related issues. This is mean politics at work. We will now approach the Ministry of External Affairs directly for political clearance and hope that they will accept our request," Sisodia had said.

Earlier, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the pending clearance for his foreign visit. "I am not a criminal, I am a chief minister and a free citizen of the country. There was no legal basis to stop me from visiting Singapore, so there appears to be a political reason behind this," the AAP convenor had said. In June, Kejriwal was invited by High Commissioner of Singapore Simon Wong to the World Cities Summit to be held in the first week of August.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Two BSF jawans, who were part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, lost their lives on Tuesday (July 26, 2022) after an armed mob ambushed their compound in the volatile African nation. India is the third largest contributor to UN missions and has suffered the highest fatalities since 1948 when peacekeeping operations were initiated.

The UN has undertaken 71 peacekeeping operations since 1948, and at present, has close to 75,000 personnel drawn from 121 countries deployed in conflict zones across the globe  mostly in Africa. The highest contributors to these missions are Bangladesh (6,693 personnel), Nepal (5,782), and India (5,581), according to the UN data, as of April 30, 2022. The 10 countries sending the most personnel for UN missions are from Asia and Africa.

The latest figures put the UN peacekeeping forces' death toll at 4,207, with the highest fatalities again from Asian and African countries. India has suffered the highest fatalities (175 personnel), followed by Pakistan (166) and Bangladesh (160).

The highest Indian deployments have been to UNMISS (South Sudan  2,403 troops), MONUSCO (Congo  2,041), UNIFIL (Lebanon  895), and UNDOF (post-Arab-Israeli war  200). Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi, the two BSF jawans killed in Congo recently, were deployed as part of MONUSCO.

The highest Indian fatalities have been during ONUC (Congo  39 personnel), UNEF (Suez crisis  27), and MONUSCO (17). ONUC refers to the UN peacekeeping force deployed in Congo in 1960 in response to a major crisis at that time.

At present, the Indian Army is part of UN missions in Congo, Lebanon, South Sudan, Syria, Western Sahara, and Cyprus. So far, it has taken part in around 50 peacekeeping operations, sending over two lakh troops to troubled regions worldwide.

Forces under the blue flag have played a major role in maintaining order in the strife-torn and civil war-hit countries of Africa and the Middle East over the years.

The crisis in Congo

Congo has seen prolonged conflict between several armed groups despite the presence of UN forces. This has given rise to strong dissent among the population which eventually led to a hundreds-strong mob storming the UN compound on July 26.

More than 120 armed groups are active in the mineral-rich eastern region, where civilian massacres are common. The fighting is all the more fierce between Congolese forces and the rebel M23 group.

The region is also a hub of jihadis linked to the Islamic State. The conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions of people so far.
Jammu and Kashmir: Unfurl the tricolour on land illegally occupied by China: Mehbooba Mufti challenged PM Modi by targeting the Ghar Ghar Tiranga movement. Mehbooba targeted the governments campaign of 'Har Ghar Tiranga' today. She said, you have politicized Tiranga too. You are threatening people to hoist flags at every house. Is this normalcy and Naya Kashmir?

She also said, if you really have guts, unfurl the tricolour in part of land illegally occupied by China. Forcing people to hoist the tricolour in Kashmir valley wouldn't achieve anything.

Also Read:'Rashtrapatni' remark row: Mayawati slams Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, demands apology from Congress

While speaking on the party's 23rd foundation day at Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar, she lashed out at BJP for the 'alleged' mishandling of the Kashmir situation and disturbing the peace in the region.

Mehbooba Mufti said, "I want to tell Modi Ji, if you want to make India Vishwaguru, then you should first establish peace in Jammu and Kashmir and save the nation first". She also said, "You are destroying the democratic fabric of India. The path of Vishwaguru goes through Kashmir, not through G20. It comes through SAARC".

Mufti said India should have called for a SAARC on the Sri Lanka issue, but they failed to do so. Mehbooba Mufti said that the biggest hurdle in SAARC is Indo-Pak relations, and until the relations between the two countries are not normalised, Kashmir will continue to suffer.

She questioned that when India and Pakistan can conduct trade through Punjab, why not through Kashmir? Is there any war going on here?

She said Pakistan has invited everyone to be part of CPEC and India objected, but they will not stop because you did not stop on 370 either. People in POK are lucky that they will be part of CPEC and part of its development

Mehbooba questioned, "old raiders and Kings who invaded Kashmir had destroyed temples here to construct mosques, and you are destroying mosques to construct temples. What is the difference between them and you?" Mehbooba said that people don't remember those who destroy but remember those who construct nations.

Mehbooba Mufti alleged that Amarnath Yatra too has been politicised and Yatris have been sacrificed for an agenda.

She said "I will talk about Pakistan and support dialogue with the neighbouring country till the day 10 lakh armed force personnel are in Kashmir and peace is not restored in Kashmir."

Mehbooba mufti further said that BJP got a majority in the Centre and abrogated article 370 unconstitutionally in Jammu and Kashmir.

Also Read:'No apology for these PAKHANDIS': Congress MP's SHOCKING retort amid 'RASHTRAPATNI' remark row

She alleged that the government is handing over their lands to the army and industrialists but is dislocating local tribals from lands which belong to them.

Further, jobs are for sale which is destroying the peace in Jammu and Kashmir. She explained that peace can't be restored here till the Modi government return the Jammu and Kashmir what it has taken from us.
KOLKATA: Actor-politician Mithun Chakraborty has urged arrested West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee to reveal the names of those involved in the WB SSC teacher recruitment scam and who owns the huge amount of cash and valuables recovered by the Enforcement Directorate following raids at the residences of his close aide Arpita Mukherjee. Urging Partha to spill the beans, the Bollywood veteran said that he did not believe that Partha owned all the money. The BJP leader claimed that the money belongs to someone else and Partha is just the custodian.

He even advised the senior TMC leader not to suffer unnecessarily by keeping mum. It may be recalled that Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recovered Rs 27.9 crore in cash, besides a huge amount of gold jewellery from an apartment linked to Arpita Mukherjee, considered a close associate of arrested West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee.

The stacks of cash were recovered from the apartment in Belgharia on Wednesday, and after overnight counting, it amounted to Rs 27.90 crore, they said.

The investigators are still ascertaining the value of the gold jewellery, believed to be in kgs, they added. The money and gold were found five days after the agency seized more than Rs 21 crore in cash, besides jewellery and foreign exchange from another flat of Mukherjee in south Kolkata's Tollygunge area, following which she was arrested.

In all, nearly Rs 50 crore in cash has been seized so far, officials said. ED officials on Wednesday conducted coordinated raids at various properties at Rajdanga in south Kolkata and Belgharia in the northern fringes of the city.

During questioning, Mukherjee informed the ED about those properties, officials said. ED sleuths had to break open a door to get into the two flats in Belgharia's Rathtala locality as the keys to open them could not be spotted, they said. Several "vital" documents were also found in the flats during a search, the official said.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress leadership is under immense pressure from within the party to relieve Partha Chatterjee of his ministerial and party posts with immediate effect.

"Partha Chatterjee should be removed from ministry and all-party posts immediately. He should be expelled. If this statement is considered wrong, party has every right to remove me from all posts. I shall continue as a soldier of AITCofficial," Trinamool Congress state general secretary and party spokesman, Kunal Ghosh said in a tweet.

Without naming the Minister, youth Trinamool Congress leader Debangshu Bhattacharya said in a social media post that "it is better to puncture that boil to give the body a relief". Partha Chatterjee was arrested by the ED on July 23 morning in connection with its investigation into the alleged teacher recruitment scam.

Meanwhile, Mithun warned the Bengal government on Wednesday saying that over three dozen Bengal MLAs from the Trinamool Congress are in contact with the BJP and that a Maharashtra-like situation could happen in the state any day.
WBJEE ANM GNM Result 2022: West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination, Auxiliary Nursing & Midwifery & General Nursing & Midwifery or WBJEE ANM GNM Result 2022 has been declared online, on July 28, 2022. Candidates can check and download their WBJEE ANM GNM rank cards now from the official website - wbjeeb.nic.in. The steps and direct link have been shared below.

WBJEE ANM GNM Result 2022 declared announcement has been made for the exam held on June 12, 2022. Candidates may please note that the ANM, GNM final answer key has already been released, based on the objections submitted by candidates.

Candidates would now need their application number and other login details to check their WBJEE ANM GNM results. They can also refer to the step-by-step process and direct link given here to download the rank cards.

WBJEE ANM GNM Result 2022 : Here is how to check result

- Candidates must visit the official website of West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board - wbjeeb.nic.in

- On the homepage, click on the ANM, GNM tab and then click on the link that reads, 'View/Download Rank Card for ANM(R), GNM - 2022.'

- A new page would open where you have to enter your login details, as asked.

- Your ANM GNM rank cards and result would then be displayed on your screen.

- Download and print a copy of it for future references.

WBJEEB is conducted for admission in various Colleges/ Institutes in the State of West Bengal for the academic session 2022-23 into two (2) years Auxiliary Nursing & Midwifery (Revised) course and three (3) years General Nursing & Midwifery course.
A 1-year-old boy whose family recently moved from Billings to Helena died after falling into a pool at a Helena Valley day care last week, authorities said.

Camden Brown and other children were at an unlicensed day care at a home in the 5000 block of Kerr Drive on July 21 when he got out of the house and fell into a pool in the backyard, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff/Coroner Leo Dutton said.

A Montana day care can watch up to two unrelated children or all of the children from one family without being registered or licensed, according to the nonprofit organization Child Care Connections.

The boy was pronounced dead at St. Peter's Health, Dutton said. The manner and cause of death were determined to be accidental drowning following an autopsy at the Montana State Crime Lab, he said.

Dutton said the sheriffs office does not plan to pursue any charges at this time, but the case will be forwarded to the Lewis and Clark County Attorneys Office to determine if prosecution is warranted.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death except birth defects throughout the United States. In 2021, state officials said Montana had an average of four accidental drownings among children during each of the last 10 years.
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chie Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that her party takes the strictest action against those involved in cases of corruption, no matter what position they hold, apparently referring to the sacking of teacher recruitment scam accused Partha Chatterjee as a minister. I have removed Partha Chatterjee as a minister. My party takes strict action. There are many plannings behind it, but I don't want to go into details, West Bengal CM said.

#SSCRecruitmentScam | I have removed Partha Chatterjee as a minister. My party takes strict action. There are many plannings behind it but I don't want to go into details: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee



(File photo) pic.twitter.com/tRZbsYUDI8  ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022

Her remarks came minutes after the West Bengal government removed Partha Chatterjee, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a school jobs scam, from the ministry with immediate effect.

"Partha Chatterjee, minister in charge, department of industry, commerce and enterprises, department of information technology and electronics, department of parliamentary affairs and department of public enterprises and industrial reconstruction, is hereby relieved of his duties as MIC of the aforesaid department with immediate effect," an official order said.

#UPDATE | Partha Chatterjee, accused in West Bengal SSC recruitment scam, relieved of his duties as Minister in Charge of his Departments with effect from 28th July: Government of West Bengal pic.twitter.com/gM34aQr8Yi  ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later said at a government event here that she will look after the portfolios held by Chatterjee for the time being. The ED had arrested Chatterjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress secretary-general, on July 23 in connection with its investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment drives by the School Service Commission (SSC).

The central agency has also arrested Chatterjee's close associate Arpita Mukherjee and seized crores of rupees from her houses in different parts of the city.
New Delhi: Congress leader AR Chowdhury finally apologized for his earlier comments on President Droupadi Murmu in a bid to calm down the uproar. "I can't even think of insulting the President. It was just a mistake. If the President felt bad, I will personally meet her & apologize. They can hang me if they want. I am ready to get punished but why is she (Sonia Gandhi) being dragged in this", says Congress leader AR Chowdhury here on Thursday.

Earlier today, he showed resistance when BJP demanded an apology. "There is no question of apologizing. I had mistakenly said 'Rashtrapatni', now if you want to hang me for it, then you can, the ruling party in a deliberate design trying to make mountain out of a molehill," says Congress MP Adhir Chowdhury on his 'Rashtrapatni' remark.

Also Read:'Shows their MENTALITY, Piyush Goyal's SCORCHING attack on Congress amid RASHTRAPATNI' remark row

The BJP accused Congress of "demeaning" President Droupadi Murmu. "Chowdhury used the term knowing well that it demeans Murmu and her office and is against India's values. Congress should apologize to the President and the country, said Smriti Irani. She further added that "A tribal woman from a poor family who created history is being continuously demeaned by Congress".

Along similar lines, Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman called Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys remark a sexist insult and demanded an apology.

His remarks created a ruckus in Parliament and both houses had to be adjourned till afternoon. Notably, the President is called "Rashtrapati" in Hindi. Murmu is India's first tribal President and the second woman President after Smt Pratibha Patil.
BENGALURU: Amid tensions over the murder of a BJP Yuva Morcha member in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday warned that he will implement the Uttar Pradeshs Yogi Adityanath governments model if required. He said this while referring to anti-national and communal elements that are trying to create unrest in the state. The Karnataka Chief Minister also stated that his government will initiate decisive action with regard to attacks on Hindu activists and BJP workers in the state.

CM Bommai also vowed to completely destroy the Popular Front of India (PFI), which is under the scanner with regard to the BJP Yuva Morcha leaders murder.

"We are resolved to deal with the situation. Apart from regular investigations, special law will be formulated. Kerala High Court has made comments on the Popular Front of India (PFI) and other oganisations as terror outfits. The acts of these organisations validate this observation.

"We will completely destroy the organisations which are involved in killing innocent people. Apart from the available system, a full -fledged commando force, with capacity of intelligence and ammunition will be formed," he announced.

Bommai stated that his government has taken the killing of BJP activist Praveen Kumar Nettaru very seriously. "Every party worker and civilian`s life is important. The nefarious organisations have committed enough sins and their time has come. In the coming days, it will not be our words, harsh action which is going to be initiated. I understand the feelings of youth. I can also relate to their outrage. The action will be taken as per their expectations," he announced.

There is a big network in the country behind all these events. The forces want to disturb peace and want communal violence and clashes. They have done it in Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, he said.

During the tenure of Congress government in Karnataka, 22 BJP workers were killed across the state in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Uttara Kannada and Mysuru districts. "It is unfortunate that the Congress government withdrew more than 200 cases on the organisation against which the complaints were lodged. These organisations got emboldened and involved in such acts," CM Bommai stated without taking the name of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI).

Asked as to why he is not urging for banning SDPI and PFI, CM Bommai stated that the procedure of getting opinion from all states of the country is on regarding the matter. The Chhattisgarh government imposed the ban only to be vacated in one month by the Supreme Court.

"When I was Home Minister, more than 15 people were sent to Tihar jail. I know what action needs to be taken. I have personally visited the violent prone DJ Halli-KJ Halli and Padarayanapura localities and taken action," he maintained. "We are ready to take action as per evidence on anti-national, anti-peace elements," he added.

According to the sources, the party is under fire from all corners, including its own members and Hindu activists who form core strength of the party, following the murder of Nettaru. With the Assembly elections less than 10 months away, the ruling BJP can`t afford backlash from Hindu activists and hence is all set to send out a strong message to masses, they added.

Thirty-one-year-old Praveen Kumar Nettaru`s murder follows the killing of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha in Shivamogga on February 20. Besides, there have been attacks on other Hindu activists as well, party insiders said.
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked the BJP over the issue of unemployment, saying the youth are the country's "asset", but the ruling party is portraying them as "liability"."Out of 22 crore youths who queued up for government jobs in the past eight years, 7.22 lakh got jobs, that is, only three out of 1,000," Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

"Raja (the king) gets angry when asked questions on unemployment. The truth is this - he is not capable of providing employment. The youth are an 'asset' of the country, BJP is showing them as 'liability'," the former Congress chief said.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also attacked the government, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running away from the questions of the youth of India.

In a tweet in Hindi, Vadra said that in the past eight years, 22 crore youths applied for government jobs, but the BJP government was able to give jobs to only 87,000 youths every year.

"The prime minister, who promised two crore jobs, is running away from the questions of the youth of India. Answers on employment in the Parliament, and in the press, are missing. The youth want answers," the Congress general secretary said.

Of over 22.05 crore applicants for central government jobs between 2014 and 2022, over 7.22 lakh were recommended by the recruiting agencies, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

As many as 7,22,311 candidates were recommended by recruiting agencies for appointment in different central government departments from 2014-15 to 2021-22, according to a written reply given by Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh.
NEW DELHI: Actress and B-Town diva Malaika Arora is the reigning queen of the tinsle town when it comes to exudess hotness with her stylish appearances, there is no one even close to her. The actress often grabs eyeballs with her sensuous dressing sense and killer outfits. On Wednesday, the 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' girl turned showstopper and walked the ramp for an event in Delhi. The actress donned an embellished sheer black gown that came with a thigh-high slit and plunging neckline.

The actress took to social media and shared a glimpse of her look with her fans. She had kept her hair open and accessorised her look with a necklace and matching stilettos. Her makeup was dusky with nude lips and smokey eyes. Needless to say, she looked absolutely gorgeous and managed to made her fans skip their breath.

Take a look at Malaika Arora's photos

A few days back, Maliaka and her beau Arjun Kapoor left for Paris to celebrate the latter's birthday. From posing in front of the Eiffel tower to savouring the best of Parisian food, the couple made sure to check everything off on their list! The actress made sure to share some stunning pics from their vacation, that left her fans amused.

Malaika and Arjun have been dating for quite some time now. However, it was not until a couple of years ago that both decided to make their relationship public.

The stunner runs a yoga studio by the name of Diva Yoga centre and often urges people to either take to yoga or hit the gym to keep the body, mind and soul balanced.

MALAIKA ARORA-ARJUN KAPOOR TO TE THE KNOT THIS YEAR?

A Bollywood Life report in March this year said that the duo is planning to take their relationship further and get married by the end of this year. "Arjun and Malaika are madly and deeply in love with each other. Their love is something that made us believe in true love all over again. And now they have decided to take one step ahead in their relationship by getting married. The couple will most likely do a winter wedding in Mumbai. Malaika and Arjun both love winter weather and so they have decided to finalise the date in November or December and do an intimate wedding among friends and family."

However, there is no confirmation from the either side.
Mumbai: Pinkie Roshan recently walked down a memory lane and shared an unseen picture with her husband veteran actor-director, Rakesh Roshan.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Pinkie treated fans with old picture and left everyone nostalgic about the special moments spent together. In the picture, it could be seen that Rakesh, Jeetendra and Prem turned chefs for their wives. And the actors were seen serving the food to their lovely wives. While their wives, Pinkie, Shobha and Uma are seated in an outdoor area and enjoying the Sunday time together.

Sharing the picture, Pinkie thanked an Instagram account for reviving the old memories.

As soon as the pictures were posted, the fans chimed into the comment section with their sweet messages. One of the user wrote, "mam aapko yaad hai in teeno ne kya banaya tha." Another user wrote, "Beautiful old memories."

Rakesh, Jeetendra and Prem Chopra share a good bond with each other. And are often spotted spending quality time and relishing their friendship.

Unversed, Pinkie`s husband after years of working behind the screen, Rakesh made his acting debut in 1970 with 'Ghar Ghar ki Kahani'. Be it 'Khatta Meetha' or 'Paraya Dhan' or sci-fi series 'Krishh' for that matter, the actor turned director has been working non-stop to entertain.

He is best known for helming films such as 'Khoon Bhari Maang', 'Karan Arjun', `Koyla`, `Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai`, `Koi... Mil Gaya` and `Krrish` franchise.
New Delhi: Even as lakhs of government employees are waiting for announcement in DA hike, a few media reports are also doing the rounds that 4 other allowances that are decided based on the DA level, may also increase. Here's the list.

1. The DA is proportional to the base wage. As a result, a raise in DA will also raise central government employees' monthly provident fund (PF)

2. The gratuity amounts of the employees will also be increased due to the hike in DA.

3. The hike in dearness allowance has also cleared the path for hike in Travel/Transport Allowance and City Allowance of the employees.

4. There have also been speculations in the media that the government is contemplating a hike in the HRA as the DA has been hiked.

7th Pay Commission DA hike Latest update

While lakhs of central government employees eagerly waiting for announcement on hike in Dearness Allowance (DA), some media reports are saying that it might soon be announced. The reason behind this brighter hope is the recent All-India CPI-IW data for the month of May.

The AICP Index, crucial factor in determining the DA, for the month of May points at the probability of increase in the DA of the central government. Government may bring in some more good news for the employees in the month of July. Now, if latest media reports are to be believed, Dearness Allowance of the employees could by hiked by 4 percent. This means the total DA could reach upo 38 percent.

The Dearness Allowance of central government employees is revised twice a year. The first is given from January to June, while the second comes from July to December.

The All-India CPI-IW for April, 2022 increased by 1.7 points and stood at 127.7 (one hundred twenty seven point seven). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 1.35 per cent with respect to previous month compared to an increase of 0.42 per cent recorded between corresponding months a year ago, showed a Ministry of Labour & Employment data. As per latest ministry reports, the AICPI figures for May is at 129, which is hinting at certainity that the DA would be higher than expected, i.e 6 percent, several media websites are saying.

The first increase in dearness allowance for the year 2022 was announced in March. In December 2021, the AICPI figure stood at 125.4. But, in January 2022, it declined by 0.3 points and fell to 125.1. The All-India CPI-IW for February, 2022 decreased by 0.1 points and stood at 125.0 (one hundred twenty five). On 1-month percentage change, it decreased by 0.08 per cent with respect to previous month compared to increase of 0.68 per cent recorded between corresponding months a year ago. For the month of March, there was a jump of 1 point. The AICPI index figures for March stands at 126.

It may be recalled that the Union Cabinet had on March 30 hiked Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) by 3 per cent to 34 per cent to compensate for the price rise, benefitting over 1.16 crore central government employees and pensioners.

The additional instalment is effective from January 1, 2022. The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
New Delhi: The last date for filing the income tax return (ITR) for the assessment year 2022-23 (AY 22-23) is July 31, 2022. Taxpayers are required to file returns on time or otherwise they could face a monetary penalty. For first-time filers of ITR, getting things done without any hiccups could be tough. For such taxpayers, Akshat Shrivastava, a popular YouTube content creator who is simplifying all things finance, has some pieces of advice.

Speaking to Zee News English, Shrivastava said that taxpayers should file their taxes on time. Missing the ITR filing deadline could lead to fines. For instance, under the Income Tax Act of 1961's Section 234F, a fine of Rs 5,000 is imposed for missing the last date for filing ITR. (ALSO READ: Sensex soars 1,041 points, Nifty nears 17,000 as bulls regain footing)

However, for small taxpayers earning up to Rs 5 lakh in a fiscal year, the fine is not more than Rs 1,000. Taxpayers are required to pay the fine first before filing the belated ITR. (ALSO READ: Bank Holidays in August 2022: Check important dates before visiting bank branch)

Shrivastava said that first-time filers of ITR should hire a chartered accountant (CA), instead of trying to submit the returns themselves. According to him, a professional could help them save more money, especially if they are making decent money. Also, CAs could help them optimise taxes, he added.

Another piece of advice from Shrivastava to ITR filers is that they should plan things ahead of time. He suggests that taxpayers should not delay the process to the last day, as they can take advantage of multiple tax-saving options to save more.

Last but not the least, Shrivastava noted that taxpayers can use online platforms that help in filing ITRs, only if their tax filing is simple. On such platforms, taxpayers simply have to upload their documents to file their ITRs. Such sites and apps are affordable and can help make filing ITR much simpler.
A snake was spotted by passengers in one of the train compartments of the Thiruvananthapuram-Nizamuddin Express creating panic throughout the journey. As a precautionary measure, the train was halted in Kozhikode, Kerala for over two hours in search of the snake. However, the reptile was not found.

Railway sources said the passengers informed a TTE about noticing a snake between the luggage underneath a lower berth in the S5 compartment on Wednesday night, soon after the train left nearby Tirur station.

As the news about the reptile spread through the train, it created a panic among the passengers, including women, sources said. As soon as the communication reached the railway authorities in Kozhikode railway station, they arranged for experts from the Forest department to trace the snake.

Also read: Tejas Express passengers can get compensation for delayed train, insurance, and more; details here

All passengers in the compartment where the snake was seen alighted after the train reached Kozhikode around 10.15 pm and a thorough search was conducted by two snake catchers, arranged by Forest officials. However, the reptile could not be caught, railway sources said.

Quoting the snake catchers, railway sources said the reptile, as seen in a photo taken by a passenger, was just a rat snake and might have escaped or hidden in a hole found alongside the compartment. The train resumed its journey after the hole was sealed by midnight, the sources said.

(With inputs from PTI)
New Delhi: Garena Free Fire releases redeem codes on everyday basis. The 12-digit redeem code consists of alphabets and numbers. Players can get rewards such as skins for in-game weapons and characters to improve their gaming experience.

Garena Free fire is banned in India. However, if you are located outside India, you can access the reward codes and redeem them. For that you will be required to visit official Garena Free Fire reward site and log in to your Facebook, Google, Twitter IDs to access the Free Fire redemption page. (Also read: iPhone 12 gets massive price cut on Flipkart Big Saving Days Sale, offer details here)

Check out the Garena Free Fire Redeem Codes for July 28, 2022

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ERTYHJNBVCDS

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(Also read: Shocking! Ex-Amazon Web Services engineer hacked data of 10 crore customers)

How to Redeem Garena Free Fire codes for today, July 28 2022

Step 1: Go to the official Garena Free Fire redemption portal



Step 2: Log in on the portal with either your Facebook, Twitter, Apple, Google, VK, or Huawei ID.



Step 3: Enter a redeem code in the designated text box.



Step 4: Click on the Ok button to get free rewards in your game account.

(Disclaimer: Garena Free fire is banned in India. Hence we advise people to adhere to government rules)
Wyoming's abortion ban has been temporarily blocked after a ruling Wednesday by a Teton County judge.

The ruling will stop the ban from being enforced for at least 14 days. It comes just two days after a lawsuit opposing the ban was filed.

Judge Melissa Owens made the decision following an emergency hearing on the matter, held the same day Wyoming's trigger ban went into effect.

The new statute does not mention health care providers appropriate medical judgment, but the prior statute did, Owens said. That creates an ambiguity for not only [plaintiff] Dr. [Giovannina] Anthony, but for the patient.

The temporary restraining order that blocks the abortion ban's enforcement will last until at least August 10, two weeks from Wednesday's hearing.

The plaintiffs in the suit include Wyoming abortion and health care providers, a Lander-based nonprofit abortion fund and two female residents.

The lawsuit contends the ban violates Wyoming's constitution, which includes an explicit protection of health care rights. The amendment, approved by a popular vote in 2012 amid concerns over Obamacare, allows "each competent adult" in Wyoming to "make his or her own health care decisions."

But Special Assistant Attorney General Jay Jerde, the attorney representing the state, said he doesn't believe voters would have passed the amendment if they thought it conferred a right to abortion.

The experiences of the plaintiffs cover the gamut of situations in which, they argue, the abortion ban would be problematic.

Jerde argued Wyomings constitution doesnt grant an explicit or an implicit right to abortion. He noted that the word abortion isnt included anywhere in the document.

You cant infringe on what isnt there, he said.

But other procedures including vasectomies and hysterectomies are also not explicitly mentioned, said Marci Bramlet, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs.

Jerde said the temporary restraining order shouldn't be granted because there is enough recourse in Wyoming law for those who are prosecuted under the ban. A provider on trial could claim the law isn't constitutional, Jerde said, and the issue could be discussed during criminal litigation.

"It simply goes to this idea, the general idea, that injunctive relief shouldn't issue if there is an adequate remedy at law," Jerde said.

He countered the plaintiffs assertion that the ban would infringe upon the Wyoming constitutions guarantee of the right for competent adults to make their own health care decisions, arguing that the ban doesnt interfere with a womans decision to get an abortion, but just prevents them from getting an abortion in the state.

One of the plaintiffs, a University of Wyoming law student and practicing Jew, said in her affidavit that the ban would interfere with her religious beliefs, under which she holds that "abortions are permissible, and in some cases required..."

"There's a multitude of beliefs on what constitutes human life," said Bramlet. "People of different faith differ. People of the same faith differ. People without faith differ. This law selects a single view on that question and imposes it on everyone."

Danielle Johnson, one of the plaintiffs and a nurse who is 22 weeks pregnant, argued that, if she were to experience complications with her pregnancy, the ban would push her providers to delay or deny treatment until she was in a life-threatening situation.

As a health care provider herself, Johnson argued that the ban could constrain her from giving care to pregnant patients that she is "ethically and professionally obligated to provide." Other providers in the lawsuit argued the same, saying that the ban would put them in situations where they would have to choose between denying patients health care or risk possible legal repercussions for giving them treatment.

Christine Lichtenfels, a director of Chelsea's Fund, a nonprofit that helps people pay for abortion services, said that the costs of helping people travel farther distances for abortion care in other states could run the organization out of operation.

Abortion-rights advocates in Wyoming say that having an abortion is a health care decision. Opponents say that decision isn't the mother's to make; some are working to remove the ban's exceptions for pregnancies that threaten the mother's life or that result from rape or incest.

During Wednesday's hearing, Bramlet cited definitions from Amnesty International, the World Health Organization, the UN Human Rights Committee and medical associations that classify abortion as a health care decision.

Under Wyoming's ban, anyone providing an abortion that doesn't fall under those exceptions could be prosecuted and, if found guilty, risk spending up to 14 years in prison.
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country is ready to mobilise its nuclear war deterrent and counter any U.S. military clash, and criticised South Korea`s new president for the first time, warning Seoul was pushing towards the brink of war. Kim made the remarks during a speech at an event to mark the 69th anniversary of the July 27 Korean War armistice, which left the two Koreas technically still at war, according to the official KCNA news agency on Thursday.

The confrontation with the United States posed nuclear threats since the 1950-53 war required the North to achieve an "urgent historical task" of beefing up its self defence, Kim said.

"Our armed forces are thoroughly prepared to respond to any crisis, and our nation`s nuclear war deterrence is also fully ready to mobilise its absolute strength faithfully, accurately and promptly to its mission," he said.

The speech came after Seoul and Washington officials said Pyongyang has completed preparations to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017.

North Korea is likely to face stronger sanctions including measures targeting its cyberattack capabilities if it goes ahead with the test, South Korea`s foreign minister said on Wednesday.

US continues 'dangerous, illegal hostile acts' with South Korea against North

In the speech, Kim said Washington continues "dangerous, illegal hostile acts" with South Korea against the North, and seeks to justify its behaviour by "demonising" the country.

The North has long accused the United States of double standards over military activities and pursuing a hostile policy towards Pyongyang, saying it hampers a restart of talks aimed at dismantling the country`s nuclear and missile programmes in return for sanctions relief.

"The duplex act of the United States, which is misleading all the routine actions of our armed forces as `provocation` and `threat` while holding large-scale joint military exercises that seriously threaten our security, is literally a robbery," Kim said.

"That is driving bilateral relations to the point where it is difficult to turn back, into a state of conflict."

Kim also denounced South Korea`s new conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol by name for the first time, accusing him of threatening the North`s security and right to self defence.

"Warmongers" and "disgusting thugs" in Yoon`s administration are bent on confrontational military activities, Kim said, singling out Seoul`s weapons developments and drive to bring back U.S. nuclear strategic assets as well as allied military drills.

Their "heinous confrontational policy" toward the North and "toadyish, treacherous acts" are pushing the situation to the brink of war, he said.

North Korea in recent months has tested hypersonic missiles and missiles that it says could carry tactical nuclear weapons, narrowing the time that Seoul would have to respond to a pending attack.

Yoon has vowed to complete the so-called "Kill Chain" system that calls for preemptive strikes against the North`s missiles and possibly its leadership if an imminent attack is detected.

But that system would never be able to cover the North`s "absolute weapon," Kim said.

"If you think you can counter us militarily and preemptively neutralise or destroy part of our military power," he said. "Such a dangerous attempt will immediately be punished by a powerful force, and Yoon Suk-yeol`s government and his army will be annihilated."

Seoul`s defence ministry spokesman said it would continue reinforcing its own capabilities and the U.S. extended deterrence including its nuclear umbrella to better respond to Pyongyang`s threats.

Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said Kim`s remarks seem to be intended to highlight the legitimacy for weapons developments and his "eye for eye" approach toward Washington and Seoul.
New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday (July 27, 2022) said that the world needs 5-10 million doses of the Monkeypox vaccine to protect high-risk groups from the virus outbreak. Tedos informed that there were about 16 million doses of approved vaccine available, but only in bulk, so it would take several months to get them into vials. It estimates that between 5 million and 10 million doses of vaccine will be needed to protect all high-risk groups, Tedros said.

Additionally, Tedros highlighted that Europe and the Americas have been affected the most by the monkeypox outbreak. These two regions have reported 95 per cent of the diagnosed cases, he said, warning against stigma and discrimination in monkeypox messaging. Ghebreyesus also informed that over 18,000 monkeypox cases have been reported to the WHO from 78 countries, out of which, more than 70 per cent of these came from the European region and 25 per cent from the Americas.

He said that 98 per cent of the reported cases have been among men who have sex with men, stressing that stigma and discrimination can be "as dangerous as any virus and can fuel the outbreak."

Meanwhile, while addressing a press conference, Tedros said that the Monkeypox outbreak can be stopped, if the world takes the risks seriously. More than 18,000 cases have now been reported to WHO from 78 countries, with more than 70 per cent of cases reported from Europe.

"This is an outbreak that can be stopped, if countries, communities and individuals inform themselves, take the risks seriously, and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups," Tedros said during a press briefing.

How does monkeypox spread?

There is a significant role of animals in the spread of monkeypox. Man and monkeys are both accidental hosts and wild rodents are usually seen harbouring this virus. The strain isolated from West Africa appears to be less virulent than the one from Central Africa. Its clad 2 i.e. West African strain is spreading all over world, said Dr Dhiren Gupta, Intensivist and Senior Consultant at Sir Gangaram Hospital. Prolonged contact with animals (monkeys, squirrels, wild rodents) or animal meat (wild animals) or close contact with infected persons.

What are symptoms of monkeypox virus?

As per WHO, monkeypox can cause a range of signs and symptoms. The most common symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes, which is followed or accompanied by the development of a rash which can last for two to three weeks. The experts informed that the rash can be found on the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, eyes, mouth, throat, groin, and genital and/or anal regions of the body. Symptoms typically last two to three weeks and usually go away on their own or with supportive care, such as medication for pain or fever. People remain infectious until all of the lesions have crusted over, the scabs fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath.
Monkeypox virus outbreak: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday (July 27, 2022) said that there have been more than 18,000 cases of monkeypox reported globally from 78 countries, with the majority in Europe, and asked the at-risk men to "reduce their number of sexual partners".

At a media briefing, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that so far, 98% of monkeypox cases outside the countries in Africa where the virus is endemic have been reported in men who have sex with men. He urged that group to consider reducing the number of new sexual partners and swapping contact details with any new partners.

"More than 18,000 cases of monkeypox have now been reported to WHO from 78 countries, with more than 70% of cases reported from the European Region, and 25% from the Region of the Americas," he said.

"So far, five deaths have been reported, and about 10% of cases are admitted to hospital to manage the pain caused by the disease," Tedros added.

Monkeypox virus outbreak can be stopped

The WHO chief said that the monkeypox virus outbreak can be stopped, if countries, communities and individuals inform themselves, take the risks seriously, and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups.

"The best way to do that is to reduce the risk of exposure. That means making safe choices for yourself and others. For men who have sex with men, this includes, for the moment, reducing your number of sexual partners, reconsidering sex with new partners, and exchanging contact details with any new partners to enable follow-up if needed," Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

The #monkeypox outbreak can be stopped if countries, communities and individuals inform themselves, take the risks seriously, and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups.pic.twitter.com/7CumPFyPhc  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) July 27, 2022

The focus for all countries must be engaging and empowering communities of men who have sex with men to reduce the risk of infection and onward transmission, to provide care for those infected, and to safeguard human rights and dignity, he added.

How worried should we be about monkeypox global health emergency?

The rapidly spreading monkeypox outbreak constitutes a global health emergency, WHO director-general declared last week. First identified in monkeys, the virus is transmitted chiefly through close contact with an infected person.

Until this year, the viral disease has rarely spread outside Africa where it is endemic. But reports of a handful of cases in the United Kingdom in early May signalled that the outbreak had moved into Europe.

How dangerous is monkeypox disease?

Monkeypox is a virus that typically causes mild symptoms including fever, aches, and pus-filled skin lesions. People tend to recover within two to four weeks, according to the WHO.

Anyone can spread the virus, but the current outbreak outside of Africa is concentrated almost exclusively among men who have sex with men.

Monkeypox spreads primarily via intimate skin-to-skin contact, usually with someone who has an active rash, as well as via contact with contaminated clothes or bedding. It is not as easily transmitted as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that spurred the COVID-19 pandemic.

"COVID is spread by the respiratory route and is highly infectious. This doesn`t appear to be the case with the monkeypox," said Dr Martin Hirsch of Massachusetts General Hospital.

The risk of monkeypox is moderate globally, except in Europe, where the WHO has deemed the risk as high.

Why is monkeypox outbreak an emergency?

Health officials from several countries had urged the WHO to label monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern due to the quick escalation of cases and concerns it may become endemic in more countries.

The emergency declaration aims to spur global action and collaboration on everything from testing to the production and distribution of vaccines and treatments.

The fatality rate in preceding monkeypox outbreaks in Africa of the strain currently spreading has been around 1%, but so far this outbreak appears to be less lethal in the non-endemic countries, many of which have stronger healthcare infrastructure.

Scientists are trying to determine what caused the initial spate of cases and whether anything about the virus has changed. Increased global travel as well as climate change have generally accelerated the emergence and spread of viruses, experts say.

Infectious disease experts say that years of financial neglect have left sexual health clinics - who are on the frontline of the current monkeypox response - ill-prepared to curb the further spread.

How stay safe from monkeypox virus?

Health officials say that people should avoid close personal contact with someone who has an illness presenting with a distinctive rash or who is otherwise unwell. People who suspect they have monkeypox should isolate and seek medical care.

Health officials have also been offering monkeypox vaccines to high-risk individuals and those that have recently been in close contact with an infected person.

Danish company Bavarian Nordic An older vaccine, currently made by Emergent Biosolutions, is called ACAM2000, but its uptake has been limited due to a severe side-effect warning.

Bavarian Nordic says it can produce 30 million doses of its vaccines - including the monkeypox one - each year and has tapped a U.S.-based contract manufacturer to increase monkeypox vaccine capacity.

Is there a monkeypox treatment?

Monkeypox symptoms often resolve on their own within weeks. Patients may receive extra fluids and additional treatment for secondary bacterial infections.

An antiviral agent called tecovirimat - branded as TPOXX and made by SIGA Technologies - has U.S. and EU approval for smallpox, while its European approval also includes monkeypox and cowpox.

(With agency inputs)
Kyiv: Russian forces have taken over Ukraine`s second-biggest power plant in eastern Donetsk region and are undertaking a "massive redeployment" of troops to three southern regions, a Ukrainian presidential adviser said. Russian-backed forces claimed on Wednesday that they had captured the Soviet-era coal-fired Vuhlehirsk power plant intact, in what was Moscow`s first strategic gain in more than three weeks.

"They achieved a tiny tactical advantage - they captured Vuhlehirsk," Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said in an interview posted on YouTube.

Arestovych said that the Russian redeployment appeared to be changing tactics to strategic defence from offence in what Moscow calls its "special operation" to demilitarise and "denazify" its neighbour. Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24

Arestovych and another Ukrainian official said Russia was sending troops to the Melitopol and Zaporizhzhia regions and Kherson. Ukraine has shelled an important bridge straddling the Dnipro river in Kherson, closing it to traffic. Russian officials had earlier said they would turn instead to pontoon bridges and ferries to get forces across the river.

In a Wednesday evening address, Zelenskiy said Ukraine would rebuild the Antonivskyi bridge over the Dnipro and other crossings in the region.

"We are doing everything to ensure that the occupying forces do not have any logistical opportunities in our country."

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, whose government describes Russia`s invasion as an unprovoked war of aggression, said he planned a phone conversation with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov - the first between the two diplomats since before the start of the war.

The call in the coming days would not be "a negotiation about Ukraine," Blinken said at a news conference, restating Washington`s position that any talks on ending the war must be between Kyiv and Moscow.

Russia has received no formal request from Washington about a phone call between Blinken and Lavrov, TASS news agency reported.

The United States has made "a substantial offer" to Russia for it to release U.S. citizens WNBA star Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, Blinken said, without giving details of what the United States was offering in return.

Blinken said he would press Lavrov to respond to the offer.

A source familiar with the situation confirmed a CNN report that Washington was willing to exchange Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout, who is serving a 25 year-prison sentence in the United States, as part of a deal.

Aside from discussing Americans detained by Russia, Blinken said he would raise with Lavrov the tentative deal on grain exports reached last week between Russia, the United States, Turkey and Ukraine.

GAS AND GRAINS

Russia reduced gas flows to Europe on Wednesday in an energy stand-off with the European Union. It has blocked grain exports from Ukraine since invading, but on Friday agreed to allow deliveries through the Black Sea to Turkey`s Bosphorus Strait and on to global markets.

The deal was almost immediately thrown into doubt when Russia fired cruise missiles at Odesa, Ukraine`s largest port, on Saturday, just 12 hours after the deal was signed.

Before the invasion and subsequent sanctions, Russia and Ukraine accounted for nearly a third of global wheat exports.

Russian and Russian-backed forces have been struggling to make meaningful progress on the ground since their capture in early July of the eastern Ukrainian city of Lysychansk.

They have been repeatedly pushed back by fierce Ukrainian resistance.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  A crypto mining company plans to redevelop a northeastern North Dakota anti-ballistic missile site abandoned in the 1970s into data center that may be used for the mining of bitcoin and other digital currencies, Gov. Doug Burgum announced Monday.

Bitzero Blockchain Inc., which is backed by strategic investor and Shark Tank star Kevin OLeary, announced last month that it planned to make North Dakota its headquarters for North American operations. The company said within three years it intends to build 200 megawatts of data centers in the state and is involved in a joint venture to become an assembly and distribution hub for graphene battery technology.

Long considered a white elephant and waste of taxpayers money, the site at Nekoma grew out of a 1972 treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The $6 billion Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex once housed a radar system within a concrete pyramid, with 7-foot-thick, steel-reinforced walls. It was deactivated in 1976 after only a few months of operation. Nekomas population reached several hundred, compared with about 30 today, and surrounding towns benefited from an influx of highly paid missile experts and support personnel.

The Cavalier County Job Development Authority has owned the site since 2017. Spokeswoman Carol Goodman said the facility would be sold to the company for $250,000.

Burgum said waste heat captured from the data centers servers will be used to heat an on-site greenhouse, and the company also is planning an interpretive center, representing a total investment estimated by Bitzero at $500 million.

This important piece of history will be restored and become a beacon for North Dakota innovation to the rest of the world, Burgum said.

Bitzero has signed leases in both Bismarck and Fargo for administrative operations. The Nekoma site will be their primary data center site in North Dakota, Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki said.

The second-term Republican governor hailed the Atlas Power Data Center to be built by Missoula, Montana-based FX Solutions Inc. as one of the biggest such centers in the world, and one that will help diversify the economy in Williston-area that has suffered oil boom-bust cycles for decades.

Burgum, a wealthy former Microsoft executive, called data centers an incredible forward- looking industry not dependent on the price of oil.

Uses for data centers include the mining of bitcoin and other digital currencies. Cryptocurrency mining involves supercomputers to solve complex calculations needed to provide security for transactions in the digital currency.

The process requires vast amounts of power and generates much heat. Burgum has said North Dakota is an ideal place for data centers because it has a reliable and affordable power supply, and a climate that lowers cooling costs.

Burgum spokesman Nowatzki said no public money has been earmarked for any of the projects, though they are expected to qualify for tax credits already given to agriculture, energy and other industries.
Bismarck police have arrested a Mandan woman believed to have been involved in a Sunday police chase and drug bust.

Mariah Yellow Earrings, 21, faces four drug-related charges, with three being felonies, according to court documents. The most serious charge carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in jail.

A Mandan man -- Joshua Gohl, 38 -- was arrested on Sunday following the chase.

Gohl and Yellow Earrings fled from Bismarck police after failing to halt for a traffic stop in the 1900 block of East Century Avenue around 2 a.m. Sunday, an affidavit alleges.

The vehicle was tracked by the aerial surveillance team of the North Dakota Highway Patrol to the 300 block of West Arbor Avenue, where it backed into a parked pickup truck and nearly hit a squad car while attempting to flee. The vehicle was then tracked to the Days Inn on East Capitol Avenue, where authorities said Gohl fled on foot before eventually being arrested.

Yellow Earrings was last seen entering the Americas Best Value Inn & Suites on East Interchange Avenue, where she abandoned a backpack, according to an affidavit. The backpack contained 61 grams of meth, 15 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia items, a digital scale and a calculator, authorities said.

She was arrested on Wednesday in the 300 block of West Arbor Avenue and allegedly admitted to being with Gohl, who told her to "ditch" the backpack, an affidavit said.

Yellow Earrings made her initial court appearance Thursday and had bond set at $5,000 cash. Defense attorney Joshua Weatherspoon declined to comment.

Yellow Earrings in another case faces a felony charge of unauthorized use of personal identifying information and a misdemeanor forgery count.

Gohl faces four drug-related charges and five fleeing-related charges, including reckless endangerment and preventing arrest, according to court documents. Seven of the charges are felonies; the most serious carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in jail.

He made his initial court appearance on Monday and had bond set at $50,000 cash.
North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance Director Bryan Klipfel plans to retire at the end of the year, creating more turnover for Gov. Doug Burgum's administration.

The longtime member of Burgum's Cabinet will retire Dec. 31, according to a statement Thursday from the governor. Klipfel has led WSI since 2009 after 30 years in the North Dakota Highway Patrol, where he was superintendent from 2003-07.

Klipfel from 2019 through 2021 also led Job Service North Dakota as interim executive director. During his leadership the agency handled more than 280,000 unemployment claims amid the coronavirus pandemic, paying out more than $1.25 billion.

From working to make our state safer through increased visibility and collaboration with other law enforcement, to providing relief to workers during the pandemic by handling 14 years (worth) of unemployment insurance claims in 14 months, to providing a safe, secure and healthy workplace, Bryan has been a champion for the well-being and safety for all, helping to ensure that North Dakota continues to be a great place to live and work," Burgum said in a statement.

Klipfel said he intends to spend more time with family in his retirement.

It has been an incredible privilege serving the citizens of North Dakota for the past 46 years," he said in a statement. "I appreciate the governors support and the opportunity to serve as director of WSI. Over the last 13 years, the greatest thing I learned is Team WSI is resilient and talented. I am leaving them in good hands with a strong leadership team who will continue building on their purpose of caring for injured workers.

The WSI director position will be posted immediately, according to the governor's office.

Klipfel is the fourth Cabinet member in the last six weeks to announce his or her retirement or resignation.

Chief People Officer Stacey Breuer resigned Tuesday, effective Aug. 12, to return to work at Doosan Bobcat North America.

Office of Management and Budget Director Joe Morrissette is retiring Aug. 31, though he will stay on part time through the legislative session next year.

Former Commerce Commissioner James Leiman resigned last month to take a position with a global think tank, but he will continue working for the state part time to help with economic development projects.

Burgum since the start of 2021 has appointed new leaders for the Health Department, Corrections and Rehabilitation, Game and Fish, Parks and Recreation, and Indian Affairs.
North Dakota's top Senate Democrat is calling on the governor and attorney general to initiate an investigation into a $1.8 million construction cost overrun of a building the latter's predecessor leased in south Bismarck.

Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckman, D-New Rockford, on Thursday urged Republican Gov. Doug Burgum and Attorney General Drew Wrigley "to initiate a complete investigation into the matter of the leasing, immediately, and of the overrun."

Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki told the Tribune that action by the governor is unnecessary given other ongoing examinations of the matter.

The issue was one of several concerns Heckaman and Sen. Tracy Potter, D-Bismarck, raised at a press conference regarding the cost overrun and the deletion of the email accounts of late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and his former deputy, Troy Seibel, who resigned in March as Wrigley, appointed in February, sought to appoint his own No. 2.

Wrigley in June disclosed the cost overrun, which predates his tenure, to the Legislature's Budget Section, which then tasked two legislative interim committees to probe the problem. The state auditor is assisting one of the committees.

The deleted email accounts came to light as the attorney general's office was fulfilling an open records request from the Tribune related to the cost overrun. Emails show Stenehjem's spokeswoman, Liz Brocker, directed the deletion of his email account the day after his Jan. 28 death due to cardiac arrest to preclude records requests. She directed the deletion of Seibel's account after he resigned, the emails show.

Retiring Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, and Democratic-NPL Party Chairman Patrick Hart have called for an investigation into the deletions.

Wrigley said his office has conducted a thorough investigation with lots of eyes looking into it, including attorneys who are some of the finest subject matter experts in the state. He said his office has concluded that there was no illegal conduct that would merit criminal prosecution.

Heckaman also called for "an audit for the lease and the overrun of the AG's actions," among her concerns.

The Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee this month voted to direct State Auditor Josh Gallion to work with the Attorney General's Office to gather and review documentation and other information related to the lease agreement and remodeling and construction of the building, and report back in September.

Nowatzki said, "The governor fully supports that request, and any similar request from the governor would be redundant."
North Dakota nursing and residential care facilities are in need of workers and having trouble filling the openings.

"It's the worst that we've ever seen it," North Dakota Long Term Care Association President Shelly Peterson said, noting that about 1,500 employees left during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"At the beginning of the pandemic, we had 16,188 individuals employed," Peterson told Prairie Public. "And now we're at 14,623. And we just haven't been able to recover the staff that we need."

The facilities are using contract staff to temporarily fill those positions, which Peterson said is expensive. And she said none of the pandemic-related requirements -- masking, testing and vaccination status -- have changed. That has driven some staff away.

"We're still as though we're in the throes of the pandemic," Peterson said. "It's becoming exhausting -- physically, mentally and emotionally -- for our staff. Thus, we continue to lose staff."

Facilities are out recruiting but theres a lot of competition for employees. Over the past nine months, three facilities -- in Crosby, Mott and Wilton -- have closed.

"I don't know how long others can stay in operation," Peterson said. "You need staff to operate."

There are 217 skilled nursing, basic care and assisted living facilities in North Dakota, caring for about 14,000 elderly and disabled people annually. Deaths of long-term care residents in the state during the pandemic surpassed 1,000 early this year.
Theres a good reason why North Dakota law specifies that records held by public officials and government entities are open to the public: they belong to you and me.

Theres also a good reason why they belong to you and me: they were created by folks we hired to work on our behalf.

They include just about everything, including what the school board thinks of the superintendents performance, how much the president of the university is paid, and how much the state collects in oil and income and sales taxes.

It also includes email messages sent to and from public officials, messages such as those school board members send to one another about the superintendent, those sent by members of the Board of Higher Education about a presidents compensation, and messages that the Industrial Commission sends to an oil company thats delinquent in paying its taxes.

This is good, solid, important public policy.

But recently, a giant hole in the law was revealed. Theres no statewide policy or statutory requirement for preserving email records.

If the school board president messages a board member to say the superintendent has been skimming money from the concessions account then permanently deletes all copies of the message, no one can see the record. If the president of the higher ed board sends a message suggesting special treatment for his buddy the university president then hits the delete button, whos the wiser?

You cant see a public record if its been deleted.

This deficiency in the law came to light this month when staffers in the Attorney Generals Office were searching for records to respond to requests from media for copies of email messages to and from former Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, who died unexpectedly in January.

Questions had been raised about cost overruns on an attorney generals construction project, and reporters requested copies of Stenehjems email messages, hoping they would shed some light on how the project was managed.

In searching for those records, current attorney general staff discovered that Stenehjems entire email account had been deleted. Compounding the problem is that the email account of Troy Seibel, who served as deputy attorney general, was deleted shortly after he resigned the position.

The sudden elimination of these email accounts raises suspicion that there were some kind of shenanigans or a cover-up. Thats possible, but given Stenehjems long support for open meetings and open records, it seems unlikely. Even Wrigley has indicated there is no reason to believe anything nefarious has occurred.

Still, those email messages may have revealed a cover-up. As importantly, they may have revealed nothing amiss, clearing the former attorney generals name.

Without the records, well never know.

The fault here lies with policymakers who have long understood the importance of declaring most records public, but not of ensuring that public records arent destroyed. There is a law that makes it a crime for a public employee to knowingly, without lawful authority destroy public records, but it leaves far too much room for a slip between the cup and the lip.

Legislators should quickly fix that deficiency, and some have suggested corrective action will be proposed early in the 2023 session.

At the same time, they should seriously consider holding themselves to the same standard as other public officials.

Under current law, legislators are exempt from certain open records requirements, including email messages that they send and receive, even when theyre related to issues that are under legislative review.

However, it is legislators who pass the laws in our state. They like the special treatment, so its not likely that they would vote to hold their own feet to the fire.

They should. After all, theyre our records.
Robin: Mandatory ROTC, Malaking Maitutulong sa Disaster Response

Malaking maitutulong ng disiplinadong paggalaw sa pagtugon sa mga kalamidad tulad ng lindol na yumanig sa Hilagang Luzon nitong Miyerkules, ani Senador Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla.

Ani Padilla, isa itong dahilan kung bakit niya ihinain ang Senate Bill 236, o ang pag-reinstate ng Mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).

"Kung buo ang ROTC natin, ang daling tawagin. Pag tinawag mo, organisado na sila, naka-platoon na sila, ang dali na silang utusan. Meron lang sinusunod na discipline, meron nang commander," idiniin ni Padilla sa panayam nitong Huwebes.

"Sa akin, hindi pinaguusapan ang military training. Magkaroon lang tao ng organized," dagdag ng mambabatas, na nagsilbi bilang reserve officer sa Philippine Army.

Idiniin ni Padila na kailangan ang disiplina at command structure para mabilis at maayos ang pag-mobilize ng tulong.

Ayon sa Senate Bill 236 na ihinain ni Padilla, ibabalik ang ROTC bilang requirement sa undergraduate degree o diploma programs sa pampubliko at pribadong tertiary-level na paaralan.

"The restoration of the ROTC program will arm our youth with the competence and readiness required in serving our country to ensure the security of the State and our people," ani Padilla sa panukalang batas.

Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas, ang Basic ROTC Program ay may training sa:

* External and Territorial Defense

* Internal Security, Peace and Order and Public Safety

* Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

* Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

Exempted ang mga "physically or mentally unfit to render military service," ang persons with disability, at mga na-convict sa criminal offenses involving moral turpitude. Exempted din ang mga may isyu dahil sa pananampalataya, at ang mga dumaan na sa "similar military trainng from a previous undergraduate degree or diploma program."

Robin: Mandatory ROTC to Have Major Role in Disaster Response

A disciplined and organized approach would be a great help in responding to disasters like the quake that hit Northern Luzon last Wednesday, Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla said Thursday.

Padilla said this is one reason he filed Senate Bill 236, which reinstates mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in schools.

"Kung buo ang ROTC natin, ang daling tawagin. Pag tinawag mo, organisado na sila, naka-platoon na sila, ang dali na silang utusan. Meron lang sinusunod na discipline, meron nang commander (If our ROTC program were in place, it would be easier to mobilize our response because those involved would be disciplined and would follow a command structure)," Padilla said in an interview.

"Sa akin, hindi pinaguusapan ang military training. Magkaroon lang tao ng organized (More important than military training is the organized approach to respond to disasters)," added Padilla, who served as a reserve officer in the Philippine Army.

He said discipline and a command structure are needed for speedy mobilization of resources for disaster response.

Under Senate Bill 236 filed by Padilla, ROTC will be a requirement for undergraduate degree or diploma programs in private and public tertiary-level schools.

"The restoration of the ROTC program will arm our youth with the competence and readiness required in serving our country to ensure the security of the State and our people," Padilla said in his bill.

Under the bill, the Basic ROTC Program will include training on:

* External and Territorial Defense

* Internal Security, Peace and Order and Public Safety

* Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

* Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

Exempted are those "physically or mentally unfit to render military service," persons with disability, those convicted of criminal offenses involving moral turpitude, those with religious issues, and those who have undergone "similar military trainng from a previous undergraduate degree or diploma program."
Phishing via social engineering continues to be one of the most successful methods of initial compromisewhich is why multi-factor authentication (MFA) was created to prevent unauthorized logins and prevent a large percentage of breaches.

However, Integrity360s Cyber Response Team has seen a huge uptick in compromises whereby MFA completely failed.

This blog post introduces the benefits of enabling MFA by code to thwart these breaches, alongside news spotlights on the latest ransomware developments from BlackCat/ALPHV, Black Basta, Conti, and more.

Read on to get the highlights and assess your MFAs strength against ransomware compromise.
Blasphemy laws pose a real challenge to religious liberty and democracy in several Muslim-majority countries, with 32 nations criminalizing blasphemy; in Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Brunei, Mauritania, and Saudi Arabia, it is punishable by death. In Pakistan alone, according to the National Commission for Justice and Peace, 776 Muslims, 505 Ahmadis, 229 Christians, and 30 Hindus were accused of blasphemy from 1987 to 2018. Even though Christians, Ahmadis, and Hindus comprise less than 4% of Pakistans total population, they account for more than 50% of all blasphemy accusations. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan was recently accused of blasphemy by the sitting government. In addition, more than 77 Pakistanis, including a Sri Lankan citizen, have been killed in extrajudicial lynchings in connection with blasphemy since 1990.

In light of this history, supporters of free speech and religious pluralism have demanded that the Pakistani government abolish its blasphemy laws and modernize by joining hands with the free world. I do not challenge or dispute the basic demand that blasphemy laws be repealed, because God, the Merciful (ar-Rahman) and the Compassionate (ar-Rahim), has no enemies and, as KH. Abdurrahman Wahid notes, needs no defense. However, I must stress that the issue of blasphemy has to be understood from a wider political and sociological perspective in order for reforms in religiously conservative societies like Pakistan to be successful. The oversimplified focus on the legal dimensions of blasphemy when not a single person has been judicially executed for it in the countrybut dozens have been mobbed and lynchedis misguided. Overly state-centric and legalistic approaches will only prove problematic, misleading, and, I believe, ineffective.

The West has made repeated entreaties to Muslim-majority countries to abolish their blasphemy laws, with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) imploring Pakistan in particular to repeal such laws and release blasphemy prisoners. Amnesty International urged the Pakistani government to repeal blasphemy laws without delay and to establish a moratorium on all executions and commute all death sentences that have already been imposed. Some commentators, on the other hand, believe that while repealing blasphemy laws is unrealistic, the Pakistani parliament nevertheless ought to amend certain sections of the law in order to limit its scope to the direct and unambiguous expressions of blasphemy. In my opinion, the exclusive demand of abolishing all blasphemy laws is not only ineffective but also dangerous, in that it empowers Islamists who use such policy directions and scholarship to convince their followers of the existence of a Western conspiracy against Islam and Islamic values and culture

It is important to appropriately understand the genesis of blasphemy laws before attempting to either abolish or replace them with legal provisions to promote religious freedom. There are two leading theories about the emergence of blasphemy laws: First, that the 13th-century French king Louis IX is responsible for the making of the first formal blasphemy laws, and that later British colonialists brought these laws to South Asia in the 19th century. Zia-ul-Haqwho ruled Pakistan from 1978 to 1988 and used the state as an organizational weapon to enforce his extremist ideologyexpanded the scope of the laws and made them more stringent by adding provisions like 298-A, which criminalized the use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of holy personages (the same legal provision used to target the Shia minority).

Alternatively, Ahmet T. Kuru, author of Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment: A Global and Historical Comparison, proposes the theory that blasphemy laws have roots in early Islamic history. According to his theory of ulema-state alliance (the nexus between the political and religious classes), during the mid-11th century some Sunni scholars worked closely with the political rulers to challenge the sacrilegious influence of philosophers on society. Kuru argues that the ulema-state alliance emerged in what is todays Central Asia, Iran, and Iraq, and spread to Syria, Palestine, and Egypt under the Ayyubids and later the Mamluks during the 12th and 14th centuries. It caused a multilevel transformation in the Muslim world and led to the rise of Sunni orthodoxy, which continues to dominate the cultural imagination and intellectual discourses.

I agree with both arguments. The ulema-state alliance, British colonialism, and Zia-ul-Haq all contributed to the creation and institutionalization of blasphemy laws in Pakistan; further, American foreign policy is also responsible for the development of a pro-blasphemy cultural and legal discourse. In their 2002 article in the Washington Post, From America, the ABCs of Jihad, Joe Stephens and David B. Ottaway discuss how Ronald Reagans administration spent millions on the printing of textbooks (in Pashto, Dari, and Urdu) filled with violent images and militant teachings, as part of covert attempts to spur resistance to the Soviet occupation. Pakistan received these books alongside aid to ensure the sustainability of Jihad in Afghanistan. Such an environment was conducive to the pursuit of Zias ideological agenda of Islamizing the society.

Following early Islamic scholarshipproduced as a result of the ulema-state allianceand Zias Islamization project, there has emerged a new religio-political party in Pakistan that solely defends blasphemy laws and the murderers of alleged blasphemers. The emergence of this radical group has further complicated the debate surrounding the states role to protect and defend Islam.

In 2011, Salman Taseer, the former governor of Punjab Province, was killed by his security guard, Malik Mumtaz Qadri, for his campaign to repeal the blasphemy law. Taseers killer was executed in 2016, and quite unsurprisingly more than 100,000 people attended Qadris funeral at Liaqat National Bagh in Rawalpindi. Additionally, the family received approximately 80 million rupees (approx. $380,000) in donations on the first day after Qadris death, and a few months later the Mumtaz Qadri Shaheed [Martyr] Foundation was established to construct a shrine for Qadris devotees on the outskirts of Islamabad.

Qadri as the murderer of Taseer helped Khadim Rizvi, an imam masjid (prayer leader), to run a campaign titled Save-Qadri. After Qadaris hanging in 2016, Rizvi launched Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) with the slogan Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (I am here, O Prophet). TLPs emphasis on the idea of the finality of the Prophet Muhammad (Khatm-i-Nabuwwat) and slogans like deen ko takht par laana hai (we will bring religion into power) and vote ki izat nizam-e-Mustafa mein ha (honor of vote is in Prophet Muhammads system) helped Rizvi secure the support of a large number of lawyers, retired judges, public servants, pirs, and sajjada nasheens (custodians of shrines).

In the 2018 election, TLP received 2.2 million votes and won two seats in the Sindh Assembly; in Punjab, Pakistans largest province, the party bagged approximately 5.7% of the polled votes for the National Assembly and emerged as the largest single religious party since 2002.

From the large number of people attending Mumtaz Qadris funeral to the growing electoral base of the TLP, it is clear that the role of blasphemy laws is not simply a legal questionnor has it ever been one. At this moment, any attempt to repeal such laws will only exacerbate the violence. Islamists are already encouraged by the state authorities and public intellectuals to refrain from taking the law into their own hands by killing alleged blasphemers, as there is an established law to punish them; however, lynchings continue because of the prevailing perception of the states lethargy or disinterest in punishing those who (supposedly) insult Islam or its prophet. Islamists want the state to be tougher on the blasphemers by executing those facing blasphemy charges. In such an environment, talking about repealing certain legal provisionsor even suspending the enforcement of such lawscan be counterproductive at best and a cause of more violence at worst.

The Wests belief that an end to blasphemy laws would lead to an end to extremism and violence is based upon a half-baked understanding of Muslim societies like Pakistan. To dispel such a long-held view, it is important to understand that killing in the name of blasphemy is not a challenge for Muslim-majority countries only, as recent cases in France and India reveal. Further, it has to be understood that blasphemy laws are the result of a complex theology and authoritative politics. Abolishing such laws in response to international pressure will do little good to the societies facing a new wave of Islamic extremism, especially as public opinion in Muslim-majority countriesat least in Pakistanis in favor of these laws. Any attempt to abolish such laws that have such vital social support will create or intensify existing anti-West sentiment and the belief that the U.S.-led world is intent on spreading and imposing a fabricated interpretation of Islam.

The fight against blasphemy laws has to be a part of the larger struggle for democracy and liberty in the Muslim world. Necessary social changes will become possible only when the West understands that the real challenge is not blasphemy laws but a particular interpretation of Islam that has engulfed the cultural discourse in the Muslim world and has the potential to endanger freedom elsewhere. To help the Muslim world become tolerant and free, and to protect liberty at home, the West has to focus on building strong and principled civil societies in countries like Pakistan. However, it should be noted that civil society is likely to remain ineffective at bringing any meaningful social change if there are no independent institutions of higher education focused on the ideals of liberty and religious pluralism.

Therefore, the long-term Western project has to be about education and clearly defined objectives to reform the public discourse. In the eyes of many Pakistanis, Western-funded NGOs have lost their credibility; investing in higher education with the help of civilian government(s) is what both Pakistan and the West must focus on instead. In doing so, the West should not demand that Pakistan abolish blasphemy laws outright; rather, it must prepare a new generation of young intellectuals to build a strong civil society that will organically bring an end to its own blasphemy laws. A ground-up demand that such laws be abolished will have the necessary social support needed and will not create a vacuum to be filled and exploited by the Islamists.
Last October, entrepreneur Andrew Yang left the Democratic party and announced he was starting Forward, a third political party. Forward to nine months later, Yang and former GOP governor Christine Todd Whitman (NJ), along with dozens of both Democrats and Republicans, have officially launched, as they put it, a centrist party that will "solve the big issues facing America  Not Left. Not Right. Forward."

From NBC:

Party leaders will hold a series of events in two dozen cities this autumn to roll out its platform and attract support. They will host an official launch in Houston on Sept. 24 and the party's first national convention in a major U.S. city next summer. 

The merger involves the Renew America Movement, formed in 2021 by dozens of former officials in the Republican administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Donald Trump; the Forward Party, founded by Yang, who left the Democratic Party in 2021 and became an independent; and the Serve America Movement, a group of Democrats, Republicans and independents whose executive director is former Republican congressman David Jolly.

Two pillars of the new party's platform are to "reinvigorate a fair, flourishing economy" and to "give Americans more choices in elections, more confidence in a government that works, and more say in our future."

The party, which is centrist, has no specific policies yet.
Simone Gold, the unpleasant, obnoxious founder of America's Frontline Doctors, is about to go to prison for 60 days for trespassing and refusing to leave the US Capitol during the deadly January 6 Insurrection.

She took a break from packing her prison duffle to appear on a MAGA podcast hosted by a gentleman named Doug Billings (who boasts on his website, "Many are comparing me to Rush Limbaugh. That's a high honor for me.")

Dr. Gold complained to Billings about how unfair it was that she had to go to prison, even though she'd been convicted of a crime.

"What was utterly shocking however, is that a judge would sentence a nonviolent, misdemeanor trespass on a first-time initiate into the criminal justice system, with a record like mine, my age, my gender to prison time What a travesty. What an embarrassment for this nation and for this judge in particular."

After Gold was found guilty, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper told Gold he didn't believe she was remorseful for her crime and admonished her for raising $433,000 by telling her followers that she was being politically targeted.

From MedPageToday:

"Sitting here today, I don't think you have truly accepted responsibility," [Cooper] told her. "Your organization has used your notoriety to raise money to garner support for you in connection with the sentencing and for its general operations by mischaracterizing what this proceeding is all about  telling your supporters that this is a political prosecution of a law-abiding physician that's designed to threaten and intimidate any American who dares to exercise their First Amendment rights." The judge also disputed Gold's contention that she was just a peaceful bystander during the riots. "It is obvious from the video that we watched today that you were part of an angry and aggressive, I would say mob, crowd of people intent on getting past law enforcement and entering the East Rotunda through those doors," he said.
Humans with peculiar and borderline superhuman abilities will always stoke the imagination of the masses. Let's be honest; humans are woefully lacking in cool, natural abilities compared to other animals. Barring our massive and deadly efficient brains, most of our physiology is astonishingly weak. We can't fly; we're not amphibious, and we can't regenerate limbs. As a result, when a human exhibits bizarre biological gifts, we, as a species, usually celebrate them. In the case of Nalongo Gloria, a mother of ten from Uganda, her unusual ability consistently conceive twins caused her husband to withdraw his support from their marriage.

Gloria became a global news story after her husband ended their marriage because the couple welcomed their fifth set of twins. In addition to the departure of her husband, several of Gloria's older children have also abandoned the family. As one could imagine, Gloria has suffered tremendous financial strain as a single mother of ten children. Despite her situation, Gloria is grateful for all of her children and could never imagine abandoning them.
What began as a search for a single mean monkey has turned into a war with a troop of baby snatchers! The city of Yamaguchi, plagued by a troop of aggressive, fat, and sneaky Japanese macaque has brought in a special monkey tranquilizing unit.

While not as destructive as a giant lizard rising from the sea, the monkeys have attacked nearly 60 people thus far.

AP:

The attacks  on 58 people since July 8  are getting so bad Yamaguchi city hall hired a special unit to hunt the animals with tranquilizer guns. The monkeys aren't interested in food, so traps haven't worked. They have targeted mostly children and the elderly. 
What do the kids say? "It ain't a good look." Well, Russia in 2022 is the definition of "not a good look." Vladimir Putin's horrific invasion of Ukraine has swiftly turned him into arguably the most despised world leader. Considering that Kim Jong Un still exists, that's quite a feat. The response to Russia's invasion has caused several countries to withdraw their economic support from the country for good. When McDonald's- who has no problem slowly murdering customers with their shoddy food- announces they're leaving your country, you know you're definitely in "ain't a good look" territory.

However, it seems like Russia isn't going to let everyone walk out on them. Russia is planning to do some walking themselves. Russia previously announced that they would withdraw support from the International Space Station in April, but now the nation has given participating countries a year. Russia plans to leave the international space station after 2024. Although there hasn't been an official withdrawal put in writing, it doesn't seem like Russia has any intent on staying in the ISS.
Vodaphone UK is accused of routinely refusing to close the accounts of dead customers, demanding that the dead do so themselveseven refusing to respect requests made under power of attorney by bereaved relatives. The nightmarish treatment was exposed after the company made the mistake of trying to screw over one of Britain's most prolix and relentless political columnists after his mother died.

My mum suffered a long and debilitating illness, and we were as prepared for her death as anyone can be. We are blessed with the support of my dad's brilliant carer. Even so, Vodafone made everything much worse. I can scarcely imagine how this might have affected a family unexpectedly bereaved, under great stress and with fewer resources. A fortnight ago, more than four months after my mother's death, I belatedly snapped, and described our experience in a Twitter thread. My intention was to shame Vodafone into action. I got more than I bargained for. Immediately, the responses started pouring in: first dozens, then hundreds of people sharing similar and sometimes even worse experiences when trying to cancel accounts with Vodafone, especially the accounts of people who had died or whose capacity had diminished. They reported, while in the depths of grief, the same nastiness and lack of sympathy. They reported an insistence on questioning vulnerable and confused elderly people. They described months, in some cases years, of failure to cancel such contracts. One woman who contacted me said she was still paying 78 a month to Vodafone for the phone of her daughter, who was murdered more than a year ago, despite sending them the death certificate and newspaper clippings.

George Monbiot writes at length on Twitter, and his story is infuriating, as is Vodafone's perfunctory "mistakes were made" statement. But his are rhetorical questions. The short of it is surely this: Vodafone's phone staff get in trouble if they close accounts and its internal system is designed to make callers give up trying. Vodafone will never change this, short of a proverbial gun to its head, because the cellular market is saturated and retention is everything. The likely outcome is some pointless years-long wrangle over trivial aspects of customer service policy implementation, because burning down the corporate and legal context that enables all this is unthinkable.
Financial relief may finally be in sight for Delphi Corp. salaried retirees like James Frost, whose pension was slashed by a third over a decade ago.

Frost worked for General Motors for 26 years and then five more years with Delphi Corp.  after Delphi was spun off from GM  before retiring.

When GM slid into bankruptcy, salaried Delphi retirees' pensions were slashed by anywhere from 30% to 70% in 2009. They have been battling to recoup what they lost ever since, facing one setback after another.

That may be changing.

The 20,000 impacted salaried retirees received some good news this week when the House passed legislation that would give them a lump-sum payment to compensate them for the pension cuts imposed 13 years ago, plus 6% interest. The retirees would also receive their full pension benefits going forward.

It's not a done deal, though. The Senate has yet to vote on companion legislation. The White House last week issued its own a statement in support of the bill, saying the administration supports a secure retirement for affected workers.

Despite the bipartisan support, there is some resistance in Congress to spending tax dollars to bail out pension funds.

During House debate on Wednesday, Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., called the measure another Democrat bailout bill by the sponsors of the nanny state.

Why should the constituents of my Virginia 5th District pay for someone elses retirement plan?" he said.

Still, local retirees are hopeful.

"We're really excited and we're hoping it will continue to move through and get put in place for all the people who have been harmed and for anybody in the future who might wind up in the same situation," said Frost, 68, who lives in Getzville.

Frost was a site manager at the Lockport auto components complex. He was 50 when he retired in 2003 and started his own business. Then his pension benefits were cut 33% when GM fell into bankruptcy.

"It didn't impact me that much," Frost said. "I just had to work longer. And I was at an age where I could make the changes and adjustments."

But Frost said it was still frustrating to lose such a big chunk of what he had expected in retirement. And he acknowledged things have been much tougher for other retirees who were older or not healthy enough to go back to work.

The Delphi Salaried Retirees Association sprang up when the retirees lost their health benefits. The group campaigned against the benefit cuts imposed when their pensions were shifted to the federal government's Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., amid the GM bankruptcy.

Middle managers like Rick Strusienski ended up with a different kind of retirement than they expected. The Lockport resident worked for 31 years in human resources for GM and Delphi before retiring in 2008. After getting caught up in the financial fallout from GM's bankruptcy, he went back to work, teaching in college.

"It meant I ended up working until I was 65 years old, just to provide health care for my family," said Strusienski, who is now 68. "And then the pension loss on top of that. You have to make some life changes. You have bills to pay." His pension benefits were cut by 35%.

Strusienski said the past 13 years have been a drawn-out struggle for the salaried retirees, many of whom are now in their 70s or 80s. The retirees have tried to achieve solutions through Congress and the courts over the years without success.

"It takes a lot of time and effort," he said. "It's draining emotionally."

Strusienski said he is thankful for the pension benefits he has had for the past 13 years, even at a reduced rate, knowing that not every retiree receives a pension.

"But there's always been this gnawing inside like, you had something, you earned something, and somebody just kind of reached in and took it away, because we have to get through this General Motors bankruptcy quickly," he said.

There are an estimated 2,300 Delphi salaried retirees in New York, the vast majority of them in the Buffalo and Rochester areas. The retirees group estimates about two thirds of them are in the Buffalo area.

Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, said the legislation passed by the House was long overdue.

These Delphi employees worked hard and dedicated themselves to the company only to have the retirement benefits they earned ripped away," Higgins said. "A retirement that should have been comfortable and secure has been a fearful, financial nightmare for these workers."

The retirees' pension issue has outlasted Delphi's presence in the Buffalo area. The Lockport plant reverted to GM, and a technical center at the Upper Mountain Road site is now part of Mahle.

Strusienski called the House vote "a big victory for us." Frost said he is optimistic the pension legislation will win enough support in the Senate to pass.

"We know the task we have ahead of us, but we're pretty hopeful and confident," Frost said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
By SAMANTHA CHRISTMANN

July, 27 2022

Why does Cheektowaga get all the new broadband?

When consumers ask why they have so few (or no) choices in fiber optic internet providers, they're told it's because the required networks are so expensive and complicated to install.

Then, finally, two new broadband companies come to town and they both head for Cheektowaga.

What gives?

Well, since network construction is expensive and complex, it makes sense to go after high-density neighborhoods, where there are a lot of homes to be hooked up close together. That's why Cheektowaga, Depew and the City of Buffalo have been attractive places to start.

GoNetSpeed, a Rochester-based broadband provider, has begun laying its fiber-to-the-premises network in parts of Cheektowaga, Depew and Lancaster. It plans to invest $50 million into its network and hire 65 people over the next three years.

The investment in the Western New York area makes a lot of sense for us because of the home density and interest from the community," said Paul Griswold, GoNetSpeed's general manager of New York operations.

With so much of the future digital, and so much of what we do based online, new internet companies seem to feel the cost is worth the reward and are entering the Buffalo market. Though it will take new providers a long time to get the kind of coverage the current providers offer, or they may choose to focus on smaller geographic areas, competition could make broadband internet in those areas cheaper, faster and more reliable in the long run.

GoNetSpeed said it has no data caps, no throttling and internet speeds ranging from 250 megabits per second to 1 gigabit per second. Plans start at $49.95 per month.

Another Rochester company has been gradually expanding its fiber optic network locally, as well. Greenlight Networks started constructing its networks last year and now has high-speed fiber internet service available in the Upper and Lower West Side, as well as the Towers district in Cheektowaga.

Greenlight Networks fiber is under construction in the Grant and Forest neighborhoods in the city, as well as the Towers East and Brentwood neighborhoods of Cheektowaga. It said it will announce additional neighborhoods in Erie and Niagara counties soon.

Erie County has released a draft business plan for a $29 million network that would lay hundreds of miles of fiber optic lines from as far north as Newstead and Grand Island to as far south as Collins and Concord, using federal infrastructure funds.

Fiber broadband is considered faster, more stable and more equal for both uploading and downloading than what is available through cable or DSL.

 Samantha Christmann

Want to know more? Three stories to catch you up:

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy  from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com.

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Toys 'R Us will return

Toys 'R Us will return in a store-within-a-store concept at all Macy's locations this holiday season, including the ones at Boulevard Mall and Walden Galleria.

Toys 'R Us closed all of its stores in the United States in 2018 after a private equity deal drove it billions of dollars into debt and then into bankruptcy. Stores will open this month and close October 15.

Mr. Pot Pie is moving

McDuffies Bakery will move its East Aurora Mr. Pot Pie shop.

It will leave its home at 718 Main Street near Vidler's to a new location at 140 Grey Street in the Federal Meats plaza, aiming for an early fall opening. It is a much larger location with better parking, said owner Thomas. Its locations on Main Street in Clarence and Buffalo Street in Hamburg will remain open.

The East Aurora store opened in 2016. In addition to its pot pies, it's known for its pastries and shortbread cookies.

A new home for Carmine's

Carmine's restaurant will move from its leased location at 9430 Transit Road in East Amherst to a purchased property at 7170 Transit Road in Amherst, the former Novel restaurant.

The new space is larger, updated and has a banquet room. The current location will close August 21, and the new spot will open roughly a month later. It will spend time sprucing up the outside of the new property, which has been vacant since 2019.

The Italian restaurant just won its 10th Taste of Buffalo award for "best seafood." It is known for its chicken piccata.

New Spectrum store

A new Spectrum mobile store has opened at 2228 Delaware Ave. near Marshalls. The store features Spectrum mobile devices and accessories, but also allows customers to manage other Spectrum internet, TV or voice services. Customers can add new services at the store, exchange equipment and pay their bill.

Spectrum Mobile is available only to Spectrum internet customers.

THE LATEST

Catch up on the latest news from Buffalo Next:

A bill that would fund a series of technology hubs across the country  and possibly in the Buffalo Niagara region  has been passed by the Senate.

A Northland Workforce Training Center program offers contract manufacturing for companies.

The musical chairs among leaders of local hospitals continues, with a new CEO coming to a Dunkirk hospital.

The organizers of the 5/14 Tops survivors fund have made changes to their plans to allow for immediate payments to more people.

Even though hiring has slowed, the local unemployment rate remains at historic lows.

The Buffalo News has a new executive editor. Longtime journalist Sheila Rayam has been named executive editor of The Buffalo News, the first Black journalist and the second woman to hold the position in The News 142-year history.

The state's biggest solar energy farm proposed for Genesee County has taken a key step forward.

A Buffalo developer is interested in the last remaining parcel in the Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park.

The Erie County Legislature is pleading with ECC President David Balkin and union reps to work together for the future of ECC.

Facing federal accusations of bank fraud, Frank Giacobbe and Michael Tremiti received light sentences in the criminal case against Rochester real estate developer Robert C. Morgan.

Tesla's solar energy business had its best quarter in more than four years, rebounding from supply chain issues that had depressed installations during the winter.

Developers have a new vision for the failed Radisson Hotel Niagara Falls-Grand Island  converting it into apartments.

The acquisition of People's United Financial is paying early dividends for M&T Bank, which is extending its presence in the Northeast.

While it may be profitable, Lake Shore Bancorp is being criticized by a federal agency for its technology compliance issues and governance.

A few days before training camp starts, Buffalo Bills star QB Josh Allen toured Oishei Children's Hospital to see the impact of the Patricia Allen Fund.

Looks like 43 North's decision to tweak its prize structure was a good one, as its pool of applicants has expanded.

Buffalo Next reporters Jonathan D. Epstein, Jon Harris, Natalie Brophy, Matt Glynn, Samantha Christmann, Janet Gramza and Mike Petro contributed to this roundup.

ICYMI

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. Don Boyd nearly got the top job at Kaleida Health two years ago. Now, he's taking over the top job at Western New York's largest health system. "That wasn't my time," Boyd said, "and this is my time."

2. Amazon's big distribution center in the Town of Niagara is approved, but it still has plenty of hurdles to clear. Jonathan Epstein explains what challenges remain.

3. How Rich Products keeps its focus on innovation: Rich Products executives take pride in the company's reputation for innovation. They weren't about to let up on those plans during the pandemic.

4. Buffalo's startups aren't just for coders. They're luring accountants and sales workers, too: Though more and more startup companies are geared toward technology and there is a demand for tech employees  especially in Western New York  employees such as accountants, customer service representatives and salespeople are vital parts of these organizations, as well.

5. New stadium, new experience: More details are emerging on the Buffalo Bills facility: "We want to really harness the energy of the Buffalo fans and create a unique game-day experience," said Scott Radecic, a former Bills linebacker who is serving as the project executive for Populous, the stadium's architect.
Press Release

July 28, 2022 Sen. Grace Poe on veto of bill expanding franchise area of DLPC: We respect the President's exercise of his veto powers on the expansion of the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC). It is the people of Davao themselves who clamored for a new power provider as they have been held hostage by onerous power supply agreements entered into with less than due diligence. The grant would have rolled out cheaper and better electricity services that can spur much needed growth in the region. The interest of consumers comes first. Congress made sure in the measure that the franchise expansion would not be violative of existing laws including the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and any constitutional or case law. As the Constitution allows, the franchise expansion falls squarely under the "amendment, alteration or repeal by Congress when the common good requires." There is also no violation of the non-impairment clause of the Constitution as this does not apply to franchises. It is settled that police power subordinates the non-impairment clause in the "interest of public health, safety, morals and general welfare." The proposed expansion of DLPC's franchise area is not a collateral attack but is actually a response to the appeal of Nordeco (North Davao Electric Cooperative) customers for better power service. The argument of "collateral attack" on franchises may only apply in court or administrative proceedings where parties may otherwise attempt to strike down a law that is legally presumed to be valid. This does not apply in the exercise of legislative functions by Congress especially in the context of Section 11, Article XII of the Constitution. We will await action from the House of Representatives as to whether they will refile the measure before the Senate can consider it again. The Senate committee on public services remains committed to the delivery of better services in all unserved and underserved areas, with the consumers' highest interest in mind.
The third season of Buffalo writer-producer Tom Fontanas series City on a Hill set in Boston in the 1990s seems to be an ethical test for many of its characters.

In the Showtime series premiere at 10 p.m. Sunday, lead character Jackie Rohr (Kevin Bacon), the rule-bending former FBI agent who has flunked just about every ethical test in the first two seasons, amazingly even finds some ethics in the first six episodes made available for review.

The strong ethics of Jackies long-suffering wife, Jenny (Jill Hennessy), is tested by her abusive father and a priest she befriended.

Siobhan Quay (Lauren E. Banks), the wife of principled prosecutor DeCourcy Ward (Aldis Hodge), has her ethics tested by something resurfacing from her past.

Detective Chris Caysen (Matthew Del Negro) has his ethics tested against the Code of Silence in the Boston Police Department.

The show from the beginning has always been about the gray area of morality, said Fontana in a telephone interview. But I think this is more personified by the various stories we did (this season.)

In last seasons finale of the series created by Charlie McLean based on a story from McLean and Ben Affleck, Rohr was bounced by the FBI. He has emerged as a highly paid head of security for Sinclair Dryden, a wealthy resident of Beacon Hill (L.A. Law star Corbin Bernsen), who in the first scene Sunday drugs a young woman to have sex with her with the apparent approval of his wife.

Even Jackie, who has a college-age daughter, sees that as a line you cant cross and discovers some ethics.

One never wants to write a one-dimensional character, especially for an actor as good as Kevin Bacon, said Fontana, the showrunner. As the series evolves, you want to change things up. You want to change the audiences perception who these characters are. But you also want to make sure that the writers and the actors and the directors, don't sort of fall into that third season sort of cushy, Oh, we know what we're doing. You always want to throw everybody a curveball.

In a wide-ranging interview, Fontana addressed the recent Emmy nominations, the perils of filming during Covid, his next project, his entry into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame and this season of City on a Hill.

Fontana said the Dryden case is based on a real case in Boston decades ago.

Every year we try to base these crime stories on something that happened in Boston back in the day, said Fontana. There was a commissioner or somebody in the city government who was basically molesting children, and  the cops covered up for him. It just came out within the last couple of years. So that's sort of sparked the main story about the Dryden family.

I would say  and I'm hesitant to say this  it's slightly based on (Bill) Cosby, said Fontana.

The story line allowed the show to highlight a wealthy Boston area.

Every year we would do a different section of Boston, explained Fontana. The first year we did Charlestown, the second year Roxbury. We decided to do Beacon Hill because we wanted to say there are bad guys all over the city. And we didn't want to ignore the bad guys at Beacon Hill.

You cant blame Fontana, Bacon, Hennessy, Hodge or Banks if they feel ignored by Emmy voters in a year that nominations were dominated by a small fraction of shows. Bacon and Hennessy have especially done Emmy-worthy work in roles with emotional ranges counter to their previous roles.

I think they're both doing exceptional work as actors and if you know the real Kevin Bacon, he is so not Jackie Rohr, said Fontana. And Jill, who everybody thinks of from Law and Order is doing some emotional somersaults that I just think are fantastic.

However, City on a Hill never has had the cache to get Emmy attention.

Fontana, who has won three writing Emmys in a 40-year career, understands how Hollywood works.

I love my Emmys and I would not give them back, but I don't really watch as much television as you need to watch to know which of the real good shows deserve to win.

Here's me going off on Hollywood yet again, cracked Fontana. Hollywood always sees the shiny new object  They go for what's being talked about in cocktail parties and pitch meetings.

Fontana, who turns 71 in September, has his next project set. It is a six-episode series Monsieur Spade with writer-director Scott Frank (Queens Gambit") set in 1963, stars Clive Owen and will be carried on AMC.

Its Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogarts character) 20 years after The Maltese Falcon living in the south of France and successfully avoiding his previous life and then all hell breaks loose, explained Fontana.

Fontana is used to all hell breaking loose after filming two seasons of City on a Hill during Covid.

Shooting two seasons of this show during a pandemic was the hardest work I've ever had to do in television because you have all the normal problems, Fontana said. You have everything that is going to go wrong and add on top of that a layer of Covid.

So many parts of what makes doing a television series fun is taken away, like having meals together  We had to regulate which crew members could be on set at which time and everybody was wearing masks. It's very hard for the actors to rehearse with masks and shields on their faces. Like the rest of America, like the rest of the world, there was never a moment you could relax and just do the work. Every time you started to do the work, you had to be conscious of all the ramifications that two actors in a room with a director, a cameraman and sound guys that everybody was at risk.

Fontana doesnt know if this is the final season of "City on a Hill."

I think we've had a great run. I'm very proud of the show and the work we've done, said Fontana. If its time to let it go, we'll let it go.

He has another reason to be proud. He enters the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame on Sept. 22 in the second year it expanded entries to actors, writers and producers from Western New York.

I'm very honored. It was a total surprise to be asked, and I'm looking forward to coming, said Fontana before ending with a laugh.

This is the first time I've gotten an honor before (Murphy Brown creator and Buffalo native) Diane English. I can't wait to tell her that I got this before her. I'm sure she will get it because she deserves it  Finally, I'm ahead of her.
Buffalo City Court Judge Betty Calvo-Torres was sworn Wednesday into her new role as a New York State Court of Claims judge, becoming the first upstate New York Latina and Western New York Hispanic person to hold the post.

The significance of her appointment was not lost on her or others.

"It means that finally the judiciary gets to affect the community that it serves," Calvo-Torres said after her swearing-in ceremony at Erie County Hall.

Gov. Kathy Hochul nominated Calvo-Torres to the Court of Claims in May, and the New York State Senate confirmed her nomination in June.

Calvo-Torres, who served on the City Court bench since 2007, will handle lawsuits against New York State and its public agencies and authorities as a Court of Claims judge. She will also serve as an acting State Supreme Court justice and will be able to handle felony criminal matters.

"I bring to this court a fierce desire to do justice in accordance with what I know the law to be and what our research knows the law to be," Calvo-Torres said. "And to use all the diligence, all the skills and all the effort that I can bring to bear in carrying out my judicial duties."

Mayor Byron Brown appointed Calvo-Torres, a 1998 graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law, to the Buffalo City Court in 2007, making her the first Hispanic woman to serve on the bench. Calvo-Torres won re-election bids twice with endorsements from Democrats and Republicans.

"In the state of New York, we are celebrating her rise today, because it's been a long time coming," said Sallie Manzanet-Daniels, associate justice of the Appellate Division in New York City. "Western New York, like downstate, deserves full representation. The Latino community of Buffalo deserves to see itself in its courts."

Assemblyman Jonathan Rivera of the 149th district, the first Latino north of New York City to serve in the Assembly, said he has had conversations with Calvo-Torres about the meaning of being the first Latinos in their positions.

"In the moment, perhaps in the excitement and the enjoying of the celebration, it's all wonderful," Rivera said. "But we know that there's so much work that comes with it. That work is not going to be additionally difficult for her, because this judge has been doing this kind of work since day one."

Calvo-Torres said she brings to the court a deep understanding of the human condition and an understanding that litigants want to be heard.

"When litigants come before us, they come before us many times at the lowest point of their lives," Calvo-Torres said. "So we need to understand that and treat them with a sense of respect and dignity and give them the opportunity to be heard."

Family, friends, colleagues and elected officials gathered in the ceremonial courtroom to acknowledge and celebrate Calvo-Torres' achievement.

"It's absolutely incredible." said her son Christian, 19. "Seeing everybody I've grown up around that have been friends with my mom in Buffalo in one of our own historic chambers, it just hit all at once."
G. Steven Pigeon, the once-influential political operative and former Erie County Democratic Party chairman, was sentenced Thursday to one year in prison. Acting State Supreme Court Justice Donald F. Cerio Jr. ordered that he serve the sentence concurrently with the four-month federal sentence issued Wednesday in a separate case.

Pigeon admitted in September 2018 he bribed a State Supreme Court judge.

That judge, John A. Michalek, who pleaded guilty to bribery and resigned six years ago, is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday afternoon.

Pigeon admitted he gave the judge things like free tickets to box seats at Buffalo Sabres games and tried to help Michalek get jobs for family members. As part of the scheme, Pigeon got information, including nonpublic information, about lawsuits to which he was connected.

Cerio admonished Pigeon for his actions. "What you undertook here was selfish. To be frank with you, Mr. Michalek got played. He believed you were doing one thing when in fact you werent doing any of that," the judge said.

Pigeon, shackled and wearing a blue jumpsuit, told the judge he was embarrassed and accepted responsibility for his mistakes. "I just wanted to say that I fully accept responsibility for what I did and greatly greatly regret the light it sheds on the judicial system," Pigeon said in court.

This was the second straight day Pigeon, who turns 62 next month, appeared in a courtroom to learn his fate.

Pigeon was sentenced Wednesday in federal court to four months in prison for making an illegal political donation to then Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 2014 re-election campaign. Pigeon was taken into federal custody after Wednesday's sentencing.

In September 2018, Pigeon pleaded guilty to a felony bribery charge, admitting he bribed Michalek in a scheme that ran from roughly February 2012 to April 2015, prosecutors previously said.

Pigeon also faces criminal prosecution on rape charges. Prosecutors allege Pigeon raped a girl under the age of 11 sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2016, an allegation he has denied.

As part of his plea agreement, the judge previously agreed to cap any sentence at a year. Cambria said Thursday that with good behavior, he anticipates Pigeon will spend about eight months behind bars.

Since he surrendered to federal custody Wednesday after his sentencing in federal court, Pigeon was being held at the Niagara County Jail. Cambria said he expects Pigeon's terms to be served locally, but added that's up to the Bureau of Prisons.

The sentencing in this case was originally scheduled to take place three years ago and has been repeatedly delayed.

Michalek pleaded guilty to two felonies, bribery and filing a false instrument, in June 2016, when he also resigned from the bench.

The delays for Pigeon's sentencing in the federal and state cases came because Pigeon had been providing information to law enforcement agencies looking into political corruption in the region, sources close to the case confirmed for The Buffalo News.

Pigeon also was disbarred following his guilty plea, according to state records.

Pigeon has also been charged with sexually assaulting a child in 2016. Late last year, Pigeon was indicted by an Erie County grand jury on two counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, class A felonies  the most serious level  as well as first-degree rape, first-degree criminal sexual act, first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted of the most serious charges, Pigeon could face life in prison. Pigeon previously told The News he believed he was being set up by someone.
A 19-year-old woman pleaded guilty Wednesday in Erie County Court to assault and gun possession in connection with a 2020 double shooting in North Buffalo, and she will be sentenced to five years in prison followed by parole.

Jayda Caddele, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, had an attempted murder charge dismissed as part of her plea.

Judge Susan Eagan, who previously agreed to cap any sentence at seven years, said she agreed with the recommendation from the Erie County District Attorney's Office that Caddele should serve a determinate sentence of five years, followed by five years on parole.

Prosecutors previously accused Caddele of shooting two men who were in a car on Stratford Road shortly before 2 a.m. on Feb. 16, 2020. But she was charged only with shooting one of them because only one of the victims cooperated with police, according to a source close to the investigation.

The victims were 19 and 21.

In this case, Caddele was considered an adolescent offender because of her age at the time of the crime. In cases involving adolescents, state law requires judges to consider an offender's age, said Mark J. Byrne, Caddele's defense attorney.

"Sixteen-year-olds make impulsive decisions," Byrne said after court. He said he was speaking generally and not about his client.

Caddele, who was arrested in May, remains held without bail. Her sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 29.

Members of Caddele's family declined to comment after Wednesday's court appearance.

Caddele was arrested in May following a police chase during which she is accused of pointing a gun at officers while she was a backseat passenger in a vehicle.

In that case, she faces a charge in Buffalo City Court of menacing a police officer. Wednesday's guilty plea is expected to resolve that case.

At her May arraignment in the double shooting case, prosecutors described Caddele as the "prime suspect in a murder." She has yet to be charged in connection with a homicide, but it remains under investigation, a source close to the investigation said.
Over spaghetti parm at Chef's Restaurant in 1996, Steve Pigeon revealed what made him tick.

Yes, he was a political animal, he acknowledged during an interview with The Buffalo News. The whole fascinating process consumed him, from polling to canvassing to organizing to media. It dominated a life without hobbies, immediate family or passion for sports.

Pigeon's life revolved around politics, starting in 1960s St. Louis where his father worked as an air traffic controller and his uncle served as majority leader of the Missouri State Senate.

"There were always campaigns going on," Pigeon recalled that day. "So even when I was 6, 7 or 8 years old, I was pulling a wagon with campaign literature."

Steve Pigeon sentenced to four months in prison over illegal political donation Once a kingmaker of Western New York politicians, with ties to the Clintons, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and billionaire Tom Golisano, G. Steven Pigeon appeared before a federal judge Wednesday who sentenced him to four months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for making an illegal political donation.

Steve Pigeon sentenced to 1 year in prison in judge bribery case Pigeon admitted he bribed State Supreme Court judge. That judge, John A. Michalek, who pleaded guilty to bribery and resigned six years ago, is scheduled to be sentenced this afternoon.

That's what made Wednesday's scene in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara so poignant. His guilty plea to a seldom-enforced conspiracy charge involving campaign contributions from a foreign national  an online gambling promoter from Montreal  resulted in a fairly stiff sentence of four months in federal prison followed by probation.

The whole scene repeated itself Thursday in a State Supreme Court proceeding in which Justice Donald F. Cerio Jr. then sentenced Pigeon, the former Erie County Democratic chairman, to a year in jail for bribing a state judge.

John D. Keller, principal deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice in Washington, told Arcara that Pigeon's actions were not about an over-exuberant political consultant. Instead, he said, the case uncovered "illegal influence on elections and corruption of public officials."

"The defendant spent his career in politics," Keller said. "He knew the rules, laws and ideals our democracy is supposed to uphold."

Pigeon also was forced to surrender his law license. And he is branded for life as a felon. All of which defense attorney Paul J. Cambria Jr. emphasized in asking for a sentence less than incarceration.

But the ultimate penalty, the thing that punishes Pigeon more than anything else, may be the reality of never again practicing his lifelong passion for the politics game.

"Nothing is ever easy when you lose things near and dear and necessary to your life, for your entire life," Cambria told the judge. "And that's what happened."

Prison will prove a stark contrast from his former haunts in the hallways of power. Beginning Wednesday afternoon when a U.S. marshal with handcuffs in hand escorted him out of court, Pigeon now faces a life of discipline and regimen. He faces another, unrelated charge of sexually assaulting a child  which he denies  that could result in far more serious consequences.

His prison terms will eventually end. What will not end is the lifelong ban from politics his sentence essentially imposes  starving the political animal.

That may satisfy federal prosecutors as well as the prison time they sought and got.

Pigeon made his mark in New York State politics by constantly inventing ways to skirt the law. With wealthy benefactors like Rochester billionaire B. Thomas Golisano often bankrolling his efforts, he set up independent committees that spent wildly on favored candidates.

As far back as 2007, Pigeon teamed with onetime political nemesis Joel A. Giambra, then the Republican county executive, who contributed to a fund called Citizens for Fiscal Integrity. It financed favored candidates for County Legislature without a direct to link Giambra, whose influence was ebbing.

By 2008 he was administering for Golisano a $4.4 million campaign kitty called Responsible New York, featuring individual contributions of up to $700,000 directed mostly toward State Senate races. Local critics contended he was illegally coordinating with candidate campaigns  a charge he always denied. Still, no law enforcement official in those days ever even questioned him. Keller seemed to recognize that long past on Wednesday.

"The fact that he has demonstrated a history of willingness to corrupt our government institutions is highly relevant," he said, adding Pigeon had demonstrated a "dangerous cynicism" that government could be "up for sale to those with access, means and willingness to skirt the law."

At one time, Pigeon's political acumen gained him entrance to the inner sanctums of City Hall, the Rath County Office Building, the State Capitol and even Bill Clinton's Oval Office. His advice, and his "creative" ways of financing a political system increasingly dependent on massive amounts of money, made him a valuable asset to Democrats across New York State.

But on Wednesday, the file containing 13 letters attesting to his character submitted by friends and associates, said much about his new status. Stalwart friends like Golisano called him "a highly intelligent, warm-hearted and generous man." So did others who dwelled in his shadowy, political world.

But the file contained no letters signed by all those old Pigeon allies at the apex of Democratic politics. No president, no governor, no county executive, no mayor, no legislator, no judge.

They shun him now. And their absence underscores the end of the Steve Pigeon era in New York politics.
A tornado touched down about 10:40 a.m. Thursday in Wyoming County, according to the National Weather Service.

The tornado landed in Java just south of the intersection at Route 78 and Chaffee Road, then moved along an east-northeast path near Route 78 for about 10 miles before tapering off near Gainesville just west of Route 19 at about 10:55 a.m., according to a public information statement on the National Weather Service website. The tornado was on the ground for about 15 minutes. The path width was about 200 yards.

"We have a survey crew out there right now looking at the damage, and they have confirmed an EF 2 tornado occurred this morning," said Jon Hitchcock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport in Cheektowaga.

EF stands for Enhanced Fujita, which is the scale developed in 1971 by Ted Fujita used to rate the intensity of a tornado based on the amount and severity of the damage they cause. An EF 2 equates to wind speeds of between 111 and 135 mph, which would put Thursday's tornado in the lower reaches of the strong category.

No injuries were reported, but the tornado destroyed a barn, sending pieces of it hurtling 20 to 30 yards. In addition, trees were sent crashing on several houses along the tornado's path, according to information on the National Weather Service website. The two meteorologists who were sent out to survey the damage also observed roof and shingle damage on several other residences along the path of the tornado.

Several powerlines also were knocked down.

Shortly before 4 p.m., Hitchcock said the meteorologists were just wrapping up their survey of the damage.

"They phoned this information in. This is our preliminary information about exactly where it was, the path width and some of that damage that it produced," Hitchcock said.
An asylum seeker rests his head at a makeshift processing centre at the Canada-United States border on Roxham Road in Hemmingford, Que., on Aug. 9, 2017. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press - image credit)

Abdulsalam Dakouri has been trying to bring his brother, a Syrian refugee, and his family in Iraq to Saskatoon for the past four years, but waiting for their application to make its way through Canada's backed-up immigration system has left him dejected.

Dakouri, a research biologist, submitted the private refugee sponsorship application in June 2018. It was rejected in 2019 after the family appeared for an interview, but the department of justice overturned the decision that same year.

"We got a second interview in 2022. We thought after settlement, they will proceed to interview in a reasonable time frame, not two years," he said.

"They've been suffering from depression and anxiety because of all this uncertainty."

With the increasing backlog in the federal immigration department's inventory, many families are searching for answers about their futures. CBC News spoke with dozens of people across Canada and the world who have been waiting for years for decisions on their applications across different immigration streams.

According to data received from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department, the country had a backlog of more than 2.4 million immigration applications as of June 29, up from 1.8 million applications in March.

CBC News

Dakouri said his brother cannot access any jobs and has been eagerly waiting to get his four children enrolled in schools in Canada.

"His youngest daughter was one year old when we applied. She has a disability and we were hoping to get her here for speech therapy. She is almost six now," he said.

Ghassan Abusawawin, who escaped the horrors of Gaza in 2015, understands. During Hamas occupation, his mother was injured in a hospital bombing.

After several years of being what he describes as "stateless," he made it to Indonesia.

He applied to Canada in May 2020, with sponsorship from Anglican Diocese of Ottawa and a group from the US.

"When I submitted the application, the processing time was 18 months, during the pandemic it became 33 months. Early 2021, it was nine months, then seven months. The wait times are not reliable," he said.

Story continues

"I'm suffering from depression and insomnia. I have started to lose hope."

In an email, IRCC acknowledged the ongoing delays and said it has improved technology and digitized its operations to reduce processing times.

"IRCC is moving towards a more integrated, modernized and centralized working environment in order to help speed up application processing globally," the department said in a statement.

'False hopes, false promises'

Behi Shafiesarvestani has been trying to bring her niece, Baran, and nephew, Bamdad, to Canada since their mother died unexpectedly of carbon monoxide poisoning in Iran in April 2019. After their visitor visas were rejected, she tried twice to bring them via study permits.

"It's heartbreaking and frankly disappointing," said.

The application was declined. The family's lawyer, Alia Rosenstock, said the immigration officer in charge told them, "the cost of putting the kids in public schools in Toronto wouldn't be worth it."

Submitted by Behi Shafiesarvestani

The department of justice decided last December that the applications should be reconsidered. Baran's application was declined again and no decision has been made for Bamdad.

"I'm really sad. I want to come to Canada but it shouldn't be this hard," 14-year-old Baran said from Turkey.

The family remains separated.

"We've been given false hopes, false promises by government authorities when it comes to immigration," Shafiesarvestani said.

"It makes me feel they are looking at me not as a Canadian citizen but judging me on my colour of skin."

WATCH | Woman waits years for answers on niece and nephew's immigration:

'Canada is discriminating against Iranian students'

A group of 150 Iranian students have been waiting to pursue their education in Canada for many years. They have even signed a petition to Justin Trudeau.

Sasan Ahmadiannamini lost his fully funded PhD position at the University of Saskatchewan after he waited for more than four years to receive a study permit.

"Every time I received a template response, be patient. How can I be patient?" the 37-year-old from Tehran asked.

Submitted by Sasan Ahmadiannamini

Behzad Parvaresh, who submitted his study permit application in 2019, said he knows 15 other students who have also been waiting for more than three years for their study permits. IRCC is no longer providing country-specific processing times on its website.



Farzane Farahi said she sent numerous emails to the visa offices in Ankara and Ottawa, multiple web forms to IRCC and reached out to three members of parliament. She has now lost her position and, like most others, her English proficiency examination result has also expired.

I'm sorry for myself that I chose Canada to continue my study. I wasted my time. Canada is discriminating against Iranian students. - Farzane Farahi

Supported by additional funding of $85 million in 2021, IRCC said it is working to reduce the application backlog accumulated during the pandemic.

"The funding builds on the work that has already been done to reduce wait times, such as hiring new processing staff, digitizing applications, and implementing technology-based solutions such as digital intake and advanced analytics," the department said.

Need for race-based data

Many applicants raised concerns about IRCC taking longer to process their applications based on their country of citizenship.

CBC News obtained data from IRCC breaking down more than 2.4 million applications by country of citizenship.

Of more than 2 million temporary and permanent residence (PR) applications, nearly a million came from India.

"In the case of India, country-specific restrictions during the pandemic made it harder for individuals to submit documents, obtain medical appointments, provide us with their biometrics and for us to finalize applications," IRCC said.

Aside from France, Ukraine and the U.S., the 30 countries with the most pending applications are in the global south.

India also has the most temporary residence applications in the backlog with 430,286, followed by Ukraine at 329,920.

"There's systemic racism and discrimination within IRCC," Amir Attaran, professor of law at the University of Ottawa, said.

Toronto-based immigration lawyer Lou Janssen Dangzalan said IRCC lacks transparency and accountability. He said since many countries have very diverse ethnic and racial demographics, "collecting race-based data is very important."

A report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration released in May recommended that IRCC collect race-based data.

'First come, first serve is not the case with IRCC'

Azabelle Tale, who has been waiting for a decision on her citizenship application since March 22, 2018, said there is systemic discrimination and "zero empathy" in the system.

"My sister got very sick after a heart attack. I sent in an emergency request for my case, literally using the word 'begging' in my web form," Tale said.

Tale's PR card expired during the wait. Her sister's heart failed on Jan. 26 and Tale could not visit her. Now, her mother is unwell.

"I've struggled a lot. My mental health is ruined."

WATCH | Ongoing immigration delays leave many in limbo:

Ahmed Khalifa, who moved from Egypt to Stoney Creek, Ont., said as he has been waiting since 2019 for citizenship while applicants from last year have already been invited for the oath ceremony.

"First come, first serve is not the case with IRCC," Khalifa said.

Khalifa, like many other applicants waiting for citizenship, has lost travel and work opportunities.

Jason Williams has been waiting for his PR application to be processed for almost 20 months. His wife and kids are in Qualicum Beach, B.C., but he remains in the U.K.

Submitted by Jason Williams

Williams doesn't know what to tell his kids when they ask when he will be back.

"I can't create memories with them," he said. "I wonder what my kids think about our relationship."

IRCC said the 2022 federal budget included $2.1 billion over five years and $317.6 million ongoing in new funding to support the processing and settlement of new permanent residents.

Mandamus as the last remedy

Following a two-year delay on his PR application, Winnipeg resident Utsav Patel made a mandamus application  which asks the Federal Court of Canada to direct IRCC to issue a decision  in early March.

His application was approved two months later.

Patel's mandamus cost him $4,500 on top of the regular costs of a PR application.

"Not everyone can afford that," he said.

Submitted by Lev Abramovich

Lev Abramovich, a lawyer focused on immigration litigation, said his firm is on its 230th mandamus file in the last year.

"Unfortunately, retorting to mandamus seems like the last remedy," he said.

Abramovich said IRCC needs to change its structures and put more emphasis on human connections.

"If not, it will impact Canada's image on the world stage."
Chippewa Falls Police are investigating a suspicious fire that killed one person inside the 721 Superior St. residence and caused $125,000 in damage.

Last night Chippewa Falls police updated the investigation and said agents with the Wisconsin Department of Justice  Division of Criminal Investigation were assisting.

They also reported that they took into custody without incident a person on interest in the case, Scott M. Vaningan, 58. His last known address is 721 Superior St., Chippewa Falls.

They ask that anyone with information should contact the Chippewa Falls police at 715-723-4424.

Police Chief Matthew Kelm said, Our thoughts are with the victims family and friends during this tragic event.

Just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Chippewa Falls Fire and EMS and Chippewa Falls Police were sent to 721 Superior St. They arrived to find heavy smoke and flames from the rear of the residence. The fire extended into the attic of the residence.

Battalion Chief John Bowe of the Chippewa Falls Fire & Emergency Services said in a media release that crews attacked the fire from the interior and roof of the building. The main body of the fire was extinguished in 15 minutes.

24 firefighters were on scene with no reported injuries to responders.

We are considering this fire to be suspicious in nature, Kelm said at the time. We are very early into an active investigation into this incident. At this time we are not releasing any more details to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Officers notified neighboring residences and established an outer perimeter by closing down the nearby roadways. Once it was safe to do so, an inner perimeter was established.

Local Fire and EMS were aided by the Chippewa Fire District and Anson Fire Departments.
Press Release

July 28, 2022 VILLANUEVA URGES PRIVATE COMPANIES TO HIRE SENIOR CITIZENS Senator Joel Villanueva has filed a bill to expand and give equal employment opportunities to senior citizens and to encourage private companies to hire the elderly. Villanueva said "there is a need to provide opportunities for our senior citizens who are still able and willing to obtain gainful employment and wish to continue to become economically active and productive during their golden years." "This bill will further support and promote equal work opportunities for our senior citizens," Villanueva added. Senate Bill No. 360 will amend Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, mandating the Department of Labor and Employment to provide a matching and employment facilitation services for senior citizens. Furthermore, the bill provides the following: Increases the allowable deduction from gross income of private entities that will employ senior citizens as employees from 15 percent to 25 percent of the total amount paid as salaries and wages, as well as trainings provided to senior citizens, in accordance with Section 34 of the National Internal Revenue Code; removes the provision that the annual income of the senior citizen should not exceed the latest poverty threshold, to encourage employers to hire senior citizens from all walks of life, as long as they are able, willing and qualified to do the job. The bill also provides waiving of fees and charges from a senior citizen jobseeker if such fee or charge is paid in connection with the application for and the granting of licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, certificates, or other documents usually required in the course of employment; and allowing employers the flexibility to grant greater benefits or improve the working conditions and terms of employment of senior citizens beyond the minimum requirements provided under applicable laws. "Given the foregoing, this bill will contribute to the benefits of millions of senior citizens who wish to remain economically active and productive," Villanueva said. Based on the latest available data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on total population by age group, as of 2015, there were 7,548,769 Filipinos aged 60 years old and above, while 4,787,586 Filipinos are aged 65 years and over, accounting for 7.5 percent and 4.7 percent of the country's total population of 100,981,437 persons, respectively. The Philippine Institute for Developmental Studies (PIDS) noted that the Philippines will "join the ranks of countries with aging population" by 2032 (or at least 7 percent of the population is aged 65 or above) and "eventually become an aged society" by 2069 (or at least 14 percent of the population is aged 65 or above). Nonetheless, in 2015, PSA data show that among the senior citizens, 42.1 percent or 3.17 million are still gainful workers, with 1.19 million who are skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers (37.7percent), 499,000 as workers engaged in elementary occupations (15.8 percent), and 427,000 as managers (13.5 percent).
Former Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday joined the growing list of high-profile Republicans to weigh in on Wisconsin's heated GOP gubernatorial primary with his backing of former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.

Pence's endorsement puts the once close ally to Donald Trump at odds with the former president, who earlier this year backed Kleefisch's rival Tim Michels, the millionaire co-owner of Brownsville-based Michels Corp. State Rep. Timothy Ramthun, R-Campbellsport, and business owner Adam Fischer are also running in the Aug. 9 primary.

In a statement, Pence described Kleefisch as "the only candidate that will deliver a stronger and more prosperous Wisconsin, and I am proud to support her."

"Conservatives across the Badger State can fight back against the radical left in Wisconsin and join me in supporting Rebecca Kleefisch for governor," Pence added.

Vice President Pence fought against the extreme Left to help America thrive," Kleefisch said. "As a former governor, he knows what it takes to enact conservative reform at the state level."

Trump, meanwhile, plans to return to Wisconsin next Friday to hold a rally in Waukesha to support Michels, his chosen candidate.

Michels has also been endorsed by former Gov. Tommy Thompson, while Kleefisch recently secured an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a fierce rival turned close ally of Trump's. Former Gov. Scott Walker and more than 50 Republican state lawmakers, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, have also backed Kleefisch.
Today we begin a symphonic cycle with the symphonies of Ukrainian composer Boris Lyatoshynsky. At this time, when Ukraine is suffering from Putin's horrifying war of imperial aggression, it is crucial to treasure Ukrainian culture and history. Putin's intention is genocidal. Besides murdering thousands of Ukrainians, he is striving to erase Ukrainian language, culture, and history. Boris Lyatoshynsky was born in central Ukraine in 1895 and he graduated from the newly founded Kyiv Conservatory in 1918, studying composition with Reinhold Gliere. Lyatoshynsky had a successful career as composer and teacher, starting as an instructor and later full professor of composition at the Kiev Conservatory. He led the Ukrainian Society of Contemporary Music. His earlier works were heavily influenced by Scriabin, while his mature works incorporated Ukrainian themes. His works often fell afoul of the Soviet musical authorities. His 2nd symphony was completed in 1935, but, due to official criticism, did not receive its premiere until 1964. This work was singled out after the 1948 "Against Formalistic Tendencies in Soviet Music", which censured Shostakovich, Prokofiev, as well as Lyatoshynsky. Lyatoshynsky's music continued to be accused of formalism, decadence, aggression, sadism, and cacophony by Soviet authorities until the late 50's. However, his music was always enthusiastically received by audiences, particularly in Ukraine. Lyatoshynsky composed five symphonies and today we will hear his first symphony. His first was started in 1917 while he was a student at the Kiev Conservatory and completed in 1919 after he graduated. It was premiered in 1923, conducted by Gliere. The symphony is in three movements and is full of sound with sharp angular rhythmic and melodic themes, dense brass textures, and contrasted by delicate and subtle polyphony in the woodwinds. There is so much going on in this youthful work! All five symphonies we will hear are performed by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine conducted by American-Ukrainian Theodore Kuchar.

Symphony no. 1 in A Op. 2

Boris Lyatoshynsky/National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Theodore Kuchar - Symphony No. 1 - Naxos Unknown

Yavir Quartet - Vol. 2 - Yeshan Bibining

Ashkhabad - City of Love - Realworld Aisha

Ashkhabad - City of Love - Realworld Garagum Keshdeleri

Ashkhabad - City of Love - Realworld Alymkan

Baktybek Shatenov - Shuudungut's Road - Frequency Glide Enterprises Kurt Naxshishi

Sanubar Tursun, Hesenjan Tursan, Wu Man - Music of Central Asia Vol. 10 Borderlands - Smithsonian Folkways Kiiayo

Cris Derksen, Seth Cardinal, Sarah Houle - Isitssipotaako - IRIM - Isitssipotaako - Ikkaasi'takit

Cris Derksen, Seth Cardinal, Sarah Houle - Isitssipotaako - IRIM - Isitssipotaako - Iiphiyit

Cris Derksen, Seth Cardinal, Sarah Houle - Isitssipotaako - IRIM - Isitssipotaako - Akaaistoyiiwa

Cris Derksen, Seth Cardinal, Sarah Houle - Isitssipotaako - IRIM - Isitssipotaako - Unending I

Raphael Weinroth-Browne - Worlds Within - Independent - Worlds Within - From Within I

Raphael Weinroth-Browne - Worlds Within - Independent - Worlds Within - From Within II

Raphael Weinroth-Browne - Worlds Within - Independent - Worlds Within - From Above

Raphael Weinroth-Browne - Worlds Within - Independent - Worlds Within - Unknown

Ustad Mohammad Omar - Unknown
Episode 48: Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the recent protests aimed at Supreme Court justices and whether confronting them or other public officials in private spaces is appropriate.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

Tweet from ShutDownDC asking service workers to report sightings of Supreme Court justices

Here's what we know about Wisconsin judge John Roemer and the Juneau County shooting, by the Wisconsin State Journal

Legislation to protect the home addresses of judges and other court officials, by the National Center for State Courts

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Zuckerberg Braces for Battle with Apple over Metaverse as Regulator Warns about Metas 'Virtual Empire'

Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Facebook. Source: A video screescreenshotsnhot, Youtube/CNET





Facebooks parent company Meta and tech giant Apple are locked in a very deep, philosophical competition to build the metaverse, with each business trying to determine what direction the internet should go in, the social media platforms founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly said. Meanwhile, a regulator is concerned about "Metas virtual reality empire."

The entrepreneur presented his opinion on this ongoing competition to Facebooks employees during a recently held internal meeting, The Verge reported, citing a recording of Zuckerberg's comments during an internal all-hands meeting. The CEO said that Meta would position itself as the more open, but also a cheaper alternative to Apples hardware, as the California-based tech giant is expected to unveil its first augmented reality headset by the end of this year.

This is a competition of philosophies and ideas, where they believe that by doing everything themselves and tightly integrating that they build a better consumer experience, Zuckerberg said. And we believe that there is a lot to be done in specialization across different companies, and [that] will allow a much larger ecosystem to exist.

The latest development comes as the US Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit to block Metas deal to acquire virtual reality dedicated fitness app Supernatural.

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is already a key player at each level of the virtual reality sector, the regulator said in a statement, adding that the companys "virtual reality empire" includes a top-selling device, a major app store, successful developers, and "one of the best-selling apps of all time."

It stated that,

The agency alleges that Meta and Zuckerberg are planning to expand Metas virtual reality empire with this attempt to illegally acquire a dedicated fitness app that proves the value of virtual reality to users.

During a recent earnings call on Metas second quarter of 2022, Zuckerberg said of the metaverse that developing these platforms will unlock hundreds of billions of dollars, if not trillions over time, according to a transcript by The Motley Fool. However, at the same time, the AR- and VR-focused subsidiary Reality Labs posted a USD 2.8bn operating loss for that quarter.

____

Learn more:

- This Is How Meta Might Make Money in Metaverse

- Should We Let Facebook/Meta Rule The Metaverse Too?



- We Know Better Than to Allow Facebook to Control the Metaverse

- Meta Developing Metaverse Wallet as Social Media Giant Doubles Down on NFTs

- Two Crypto Lawsuits to Watch: Meta and Coinbase Enter New Legal Battles



- Big Tech Joins Hands to 'Foster' the Creation of Metaverse Standards

- This Is Why How We Describe Metaverse Makes Difference
Carlisle Area School District will continue to operate a block schedule at its high school during the upcoming academic year.

The district plans to implement some changes to the configuration in response to feedback administrators received during the 2021-22 pilot year, said Michael Black, director of secondary operations.

An adjustment made in the wake of COVID-19, the block schedule was a departure from the past high school schedule of seven class periods per day of almost 50 minutes each.

For 2021-22, the district divided the course load of each student into two days of four class periods each. The alternating Green and White Days were in keeping with the school colors.

On Green Days, students had classes in three periods, along with a Bison Block, a resource period at the end of the day that rotated through each students schedule. On White Days, students had classes in four periods.

At 85 minutes, each Bison Block was viewed initially as an opportunity for students to make up missed class assignments, labs and assignments with their teachers. The Bison Block was also a chance for teachers to provide remediation to students who are struggling and enrichment activities to advanced or accelerated learners.

We sent surveys out to students and staff to get feedback on how they thought it was going, Black said Tuesday. Administrators also received input from the 30 to 40 teachers who comprise the high school programming committee, he said.

The teachers identified two main benefits that came out of the pilot block schedule. The change in configuration resulted in fewer transitions due to class changes that freed up more time for instruction, Black said. The schedule also allowed for longer class periods that enabled teachers to start and finish each lesson without having to interrupt continuity, he said.

It was determined that the Bison Block was too long, Black said. The plan for 2022-23 is to replace the single 85-minute Bison Block with two 40-minute Bison Blocks.

Instead of being scheduled at the end of each Green Day, the twin blocks will be extensions of classroom periods. The district also plans to change how Green and White Days alternate.

Last school year, we functioned on a 10-day cycle, Black said. We have now switched it to an eight-day cycle. There are four Green Days in a cycle and four White Days in a cycle.

On the first Green Day of each cycle, the Bison Blocks will be extensions of periods one and two. On the second Green Day of the cycle, the Bison Blocks will be extensions of periods three and four and so forth until the schedule rotates back.

Its going to be more of a fixed period so it will be easier for students to understand and follow the schedule, Black said.

Another change will involve the high school physical education, health and safety courses. What were once yearlong courses have been changed to semester-based courses, Black said.

The school board in August will consider a proposal to add a new financial literacy course into what is now the physical education, health and safety rotation, Assistant Superintendent Michael Gogoj said.
New evidence has been found in the search for answers as to who is responsible for the 1989 murder of Jimmie Wade Martin of Bonne Terre. DNA collected from the crime scene has recently been discovered and is undergoing lab analysis this week.

At just 29 years old, Martin was killed in Bonne Terre, a short distance from the since-closed Coal Bin Tavern, in the early morning hours of Oct. 14, 1989.

The man was found on Mound Street lying on the sidewalk and appeared to have died as a result of injuries sustained from being struck with a blunt object, according to Daily Journal reports at the time.

A then-27-year-old man was arrested and charged with Martin's murder. However, three days before the man was to be tried in court, the second-degree murder charge was dismissed by the prosecuting attorney at the time due to insufficient evidence. While digging into details of the case, Martin's family has said they do not believe the man initially charged with the murder is guilty. The man has reportedly been assisting the investigation where he can help in an effort to find the real culprits and clear his name completely.

For about a year and a half, a True Crime podcast, Small Town Forgotten, has examined evidence, reports, and case files to uncover the truth about Martin's death.

Martin's twin daughters, Andrea Martin Lynn and Angela Williams were forced to grow up without their father and without justice for his death while hoping for new developments in the homicide investigation.

The determined sisters have since spent countless hours gathering information and attempting to piece together answers, all while raising families of their own.

The efforts of Martin's twin daughters, relative/podcast host Chris Hulsey, and other family and friends have yielded results.

On Feb. 17, 2021, the nearly 33-year-old homicide case was reopened by the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, in conjunction with the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The prosecutor's office said at the time that new leads had emerged in the case, and investigators were continuing to work diligently to unearth information that could lead to charging the person responsible for Martin's death.

On Oct. 25, two suspects were arrested and questioned regarding the case. The men were released after 24 hours and have not been charged with any crimes.

Andrea and Angela said they were devastated when the two men were released without charges. Martin's daughters said at first it felt like all of the effort leading to the arrests had been for nothing, and they were angry for a time.

The twins wrote a letter to St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Gilliam, who invited them to meet. During the discussion, Gilliam explained why the suspects arrested were released.

During a recent interview with Small Town Forgotten, Gilliam noted that there is no statute of limitations for prosecuting a murder. She said it is crucial to ensure that all available evidence is processed and everything needed to prove the case is in order before filing charges.

"Cases that are this old and potentially being charged later, you have to have everything in line before you get started because it's a finite amount of time in which the case can be handled because of defendant's rights and all of those things," she said. "So, we have to be able to have all of that ready to go at the time of charging, and at this point, we are just waiting. We're waiting on the results of some testing and potentially any interviews."

Original DNA evidence collected from the crime scene was recently uncovered.

"We knew [the evidence] existed. We just didn't know the location due to the age of it," Gilliam said. "We figured out that the prosecutor at the time had collected the evidence and taken it for court purposes. And so when it came back, it got put in a different location, and then we were able to determine that because of the fact that it had gone to court."

The prosecutor said the crime lab is currently testing the evidence to obtain DNA information. She said that while it typically takes about 18 months to get lab results back, she spoke with lab personnel who informed her they began the testing quicker as this is a cold case homicide.

Although the DNA had been tested in 1989, Gilliam said DNA analysis was far from where it is today. She said the availability of DNA analysis locally was limited, and the old tests would yield very basic information such as a blood type.

Once the results return from the lab, the findings will be compared to samples that Gilliam said have already been collected from persons of interest in the case.

"Investigators were extremely thorough and asked for DNA from any individual [who] they wanted to either include or exclude," Gilliam said.

Gilliam stressed that investigators are still looking to speak with anyone who may have information about the case.

"We want anyone at all who has any information to come forward and talk to police," she said. "We believe there are still individuals out there that haven't done that."

Gilliam explained that Missouri has a victim's rights statute and has money available for a witness protection program of sorts. She said the funds are available for things like temporary storage rentals, childcare, shelter, temporary relocation expenses, and more.

"They provide monetary reimbursement for anyone that needs to take steps to ensure their safety if they're worried about that," she said. "If they're worried that if they come forward in a case that they will suffer harm.

"I will say that in 15 years of working in the city, I handled a lot of homicide cases," she mentioned. "I talked to a lot of witnesses who were afraid that their testimony would end up in repercussions against them, and it never happened. It's a legitimate fear, and we certainly understand it, but it's very, very rare that you see or hear about that, especially because whenever we arrest and charge people for murder, we ask for a high bond so that they will stay locked up because they're a danger to the community."

The prosecutor said that once they have enough evidence to prove the case, charges would be announced. In the meantime, authorities are working to make certain they have correctly done everything possible for justice to be served.

"It's still an ongoing investigation that is being done," said Gilliam. "And so I think that it's something we are hopeful for, though, that there'll be a conclusion sometime pretty soon."

Martin's daughter, Angela, said she and her sister appreciate the hard work done by the prosecutor and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

"Melissa Gilliam and Donnie Crump at the highway patrol have been phenomenal," she said. "Anything that they said they were going to do, they've done it. I think the whole Small Town Forgotten [team] is just really impressed with the work that [Gilliam and Crump] put into it. They are gonna make sure that justice is served."

Angela said after years of dead ends, roadblocks, and a rollercoaster of emotions, it has been encouraging to see real progress being made.

"Before, we had a lot of broken promises," she said. "This time around, it's very surreal because they tell us, 'here's what we have planned, and here's the timeline that we're gonna do it,' and they've done it. It gives us hope that we've never had before."

Hulsey said they are hopeful the new evidence will bring the family closer to obtaining justice for Martin. He said the podcast would continue to bring attention to the unsolved case as they dig through new information.

"We are optimistic that the information the authorities have is going to move the case forward," he said. "And the podcast has had a lot of big breaks in the past 10 months that we're excited to start sharing.

"We were able to get our hands on the entire case file, and so we're digging into that, which the authorities had already had that, but now we have it," he explained. "We're really looking forward to what happens with this DNA evidence and looking forward to getting more podcast episodes out."

For more details about the case, check out the Small Town Forgotten podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and their website, www.smalltownforgotten.com.
Former Roanoke City Councilman Robert Jeffrey Jr. bonded out of jail late Wednesday afternoon, four and a half months after criminal convictions that cost him his office and put him in jeopardy of going to prison later this year.

He hugged his mother and walked to her car, pausing only to refer a request for a comment to his attorney. A 53-year-old kidney patient, he responded to a question about how he was feeling with, "Need a cheeseburger."

Jeffrey, a former magazine publisher who also operated a property management business, faces a scheduled sentencing next month for the incidents of which he was convicted. One involved obtaining pandemic relief money for his businesses under false pretenses from the Roanoke Economic Development Authority. The other involved a series of embezzlements from the Northwest Neighborhood Environmental Organization in 2020 and 2021, while working as its property manager.

The felony convictions came in a series of decisions and rulings in mid-March. A jury found him guilty of the relief money charges, at which point he was led off to jail. Later the same week, he pleaded no contest to a single count of embezzling from the non-profit NNEO and was convicted by a judge. Prosecutors agreed to drop a second embezzlement charge.

According to Virginia law an elected official convicted of a felony forfeits their seat once all appeals are final. In his plea deal, Jeffrey agreed not to appeal the embezzlement conviction. Council appointed Anita Price to serve in Jeffreys absence through the end of this year. A special election in November will select a council member to finish out Jeffreys term, which runs until the end of 2024.

Republican Peg McGuire and Democrat Luke Priddy are running in that race.

It was looking as if Jeffrey might stay behind bars until his sentencing, scheduled for Aug. 22.

Circuit Judge David Carson, who presided over Jeffrey's trials, rejected his request for bond in June, citing the three convictions. But at Jeffreys request, the Virginia Court of Appeals reviewed the matter and last week ordered Carson to set bond. In making the case for bond, Jeffrey attorney Melvin Hill noted that Jeffrey was convicted of non-violent crimes, had no previous criminal convictions and is in ill health.

The parties gathered in court Wednesday, within about a week of the higher court order. Carson said he stood by his earlier use of the courts discretion to deny Jeffrey bond, but acknowledged he had been ordered by a higher court to set it - and he did so at $2,500 cash or $25,000 with surety. The details of how Jeffrey met the bond obligation were not immediately available.

Carson imposed several conditions of release, including that Jeffrey stay home except for medical or legal appointments.

In one further condition, Carson said that if Jeffrey satisfied the bond in cash, the court would hold the money for Jeffreys victims. Prosecutors have said Jeffrey illegally took $200,000 from the NNEO and $15,000 from the government agency and the money should be paid back.

Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Shari Mason urged Carson to set a high bond, suggesting $200,000 in cash. She cautioned against release, saying Jeffrey has had a bankruptcy and a history of making bad business decisions and skipping out on debts. He quite honestly just steals from people, she said.

Jeffrey faces a possible term of 22 to 57 months in prison.
Politics is the art of the possible. So while we share the University of Virginia Student Councils fear that Bert Ellis will do more harm than good to UVa as a member of its Board of Visitors, we also realize that he will not resign.

The Student Council should, too. If students dislike Ellis agenda, they must invest their energy in strategies to marginalize his influence, because he is not going anywhere.

The councils July 26 call for Ellis resignation is understandably based in part on the multi-millionaire communications moguls decision to fly from Atlanta to Charlottesville in 2020 to confront a student who decorated her Lawn residence with a sign that read, F#$% UVa,  only she spelled out the curse word. Ellis came armed with a scraper to remove the sign, but never used it because it would have constituted destroying school property.

The other thing that rightly concerns the Student Council is Ellis vow to gut diversity, equity and inclusion programs at UVa and replace them with a value system like the one he remembers from his days at the university in the 1970s and before.

Ellis behavior and his stated goals clearly put UVas reputation at risk. His attacks reek of racial, sexist and anti-LGBTQ+ overtones. Ellis presents as a bully who plans to force-march the university back to the Fifties.

This means reaction to Ellis must be as practical as it is principled. It starts by recognizing the real enemy. The Lawn sign got it wrong. Neither UVa nor its administrators represent the threat Ellis presents. Even the bloviating Ellis is not the villain in this drama.

Virginias Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin is.

The GOP presidential wannabes race-baiting in public education has been full frontal since taking office in January. Youngkin banned discussion of Virginias history of institutional racism in K-12 classrooms as his first official act. Within weeks, the governor set up a tip line to let his White base rat out teachers who introduce divisive subjects.

Now, Youngkin has placed a destructive agent provocateur on the UVa Board of Visitors. Make no mistake, Youngkin wants the racial and gender divisions that Bert Ellis inspires, just as Youngkin wants Ellis colleague at The Jefferson Council, Ann McLean, to defend Confederate Civil War heroes in her newly appointed role at the Virginia Board of Historic Resources.

Jefferson Council members regularly savage schools diversity, equity and inclusion programs as brainwashing, even when the students involved are adults. UVa alumni dedicated to making the university more conservative make up the council. They treat school president Jim Ryan like a carpetbagger for discussing UVas historical links to enslaved people or looking at the fact that the school did not admit Blacks until the 1950s and did not become completely co-educational until 1970.

These parts of the good old days call into question the venom that fills Ellis view of the new days.

The University is  overrun with courses that exist for no other purpose but to make a big deal about race and gender and other issues that can only create more oppressed parties trying to tear down anything and everything and everyone that helped create our University, Ellis wrote in a December 2021 posting on the Jefferson Council website.

In an interview a couple of weeks ago, Ellis called his charge candid. He told the Editorial Page Editor that he was polite when he knocked on the young womans door on the Lawn in 2020. He said he remained polite in asking her to explain herself until she shut the door on him.

Ellis, who holds an undergraduate economics degree and a Masters of Business Administration from UVa, insists he is only about free speech. His actions show he is also about confrontation and intimidation. That is what it feels like when a stranger shows up at your personal residence to challenge you to defend a sign on your property that is none of his business.

As long as he sits on the University of Virginias Board of Visitors, Bert Ellis should constantly confront one question:

Why is an attack on minority rights free speech, but teaching tolerance is not?
In his July 23 editorial regarding Gov. Glenn Youngkins choice of Ann McLean for the Virginia Board of Historic Resources, the Editorial Page Editor rightly criticized the assertion that Lincolns military action to save the Union was equally as wrong as Putins war to subjugate Ukraine. The editor also questioned McLean's view that the enslaved people would have been emancipated in five to 10 years after 1861 anyway. The assertions were consistent Mcleans 1998 doctoral thesis, "UNVEILING THE LOST CAUSE: A study of Monuments to the Civil War Memory in Richmond, Virginia and Vicinity," attached to which was an interview of Robert E. Lee in 1866 where he sowed the seeds of the Lost Cause myth by declaring Lincolns preparations to save the Union unconstitutionalthereby justifying secessionand arguing that the end of slavery had been imminent until abolitionists began forcing the issue. But, rather than merely describing it as would a scholar, McLean adopted, defended, and in no small way, perpetuated it.

This could be a teachable moment for McLean. Were she to admit that Lee was wrong to lead a military insurrection to defend the right of some to enslave others and that Confederacy's actions were in no way comparable to Ukraines resisting Putins holy crusade to reunite God-given Russia, there would be hope. A more likely result is a non-apology. Moreover, if past is prologue, McLeans concern about the handling of Richmonds Lee monument time capsule monument for posterity would likely lead her to double-down on the Lost Cause myth. She feared central planning conspirators might hijack the capsules contents for purposes of cancelling the true intent of those in 1890 who wanted to explain the Lost Cause.

Should there be anyone on the Virginia Board of Historic Resources who casually describes slavery as a "bad thing?" Mclean's appointment is not about balance or good people on both sides. The simple truth is that glorifying those who fought to perpetuate enslavement in the face of millions of Black people who lived and died enslaved in the United States is profane. Perpetuating such glorification based on inaccurate legal theories is worse.

Robert E. Little, Jr.

Crozet
A Lebanon man was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday morning, July 27 for a 2021 murder.

Linn County Circuit Court Judge Michael Wynhausen sentenced Ronald Andrew Mowdy, 28, for a second-degree murder conviction following a no-contest plea.

According to court documents, on Feb. 24, 2021, Mowdy killed Clayton Keith Reed III, 41. Previous Mid-Valley Media reports say Lebanon police made the initial arrest the night of the murder after Reed was found dead in a homeless camp.

The night of

On the night of the murder, two individuals were fishing near the homeless camp when they heard screaming, prosecutor Conor McCahill said during Wednesdays sentencing. Following the direction of the screams, they saw Mowdy holding Reeds leg and biting into it.

McCahill said Mowdy admitted to police he had killed a man. The victim suffered 56 stab wounds and had 14 injuries consistent with human bite marks, he said.

Mowdys attorney, Thomas Hill, said his client was clearly in a psychotic state during the incident.

Mental health examinations revealed that Mowdy had multiple mental illnesses including chemical dependency and unspecified schizophrenia and/or other psychotic disorder, Hill said.

Both the prosecution and defense said Mowdy had a history of using inhalants. Hill said it was unclear whether or not Mowdy was under the influence of inhalants at the time of the murder.

Making choices

Despite Mowdys recorded mental illnesses, Wynhausen said the defendant was still responsible for the loss of a life.

When you stabbed Mr. Reed multiple times, you made a choice, Wynhausen said. When you bit him 14 times, you made a choice. And your choice led to his death. You are responsible for taking that life.

Hill acknowledged that the mental health evaluations could not determine with certainty that Mowdy was unable to form the intent to commit a crime.

As a part of the parties plea agreement, Wynhausen included language in the sentencing judgment that indicated Mowdys mental illnesses.

This has no impact on your culpability in this case, Wynhausen added.

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Time in prison

Mowdys life sentence comes with the possibility of parole after serving 25 years. Wynhausen dismissed additional charges of second-degree murder, first-degree burglary and first-degree robbery.

In accordance with the plea agreement, Wynhausen said Mowdy could be eligible for mental health and substance abuse treatment while in custody.

My hope is that the Department of Corrections can assist with Mowdys treatment and placement to make his life more tolerable, Hill said during the hearing.

Despite Mowdys mental illnesses, McCahill agreed with Wynhausen that the defendant still committed the crime and had to be prosecuted.

As the judge stated, Mr. Mowdy made some choices, and one of the choices was to kill the victim, McCahill said. He received a sentence that was appropriate here in Oregon based on the charge, and hopefully that will bring some comfort to the family of the victim.
The heat wave is upon mid-Willamette valley residents, prompting many to seek shelter indoors. But the Albany Fire Department on Wednesday, July 27 offered another, perhaps more creative way to beat the heat.

Kids wriggled in and out of tunnels, lined up for face painting, ate shaved ice and blew bubbles in the sunshine of Lexington Park. Donning bucket hats and sunglasses, the crowd took to the grass for corn hole and giant Connect-4.

The Fun in the Sun event occurs at various Albany parks throughout the summer. The event attracted a crowd from beyond Albany, even with the temperature in the high 80s at the time.

Were trying to get more involved in the community, said Diana Santoya, who recently moved to Lebanon with her two daughters.

But the big draw was the special appearance of the Albany Fire Department and its fire hose.

My two boys are almost 2 and love fire trucks, Albany mom McKayla Engel said as the twins played with blow up tire inner tubes.

Despite all the hubbub, the festivities came to a screeching halt when the firefighters pulled up the street, hose in hand. Children set down their bubble wands and abandoned their shaved ice to run across the field into the cool mist of the firehose.

Pointed to the sky, the hose doubled as a large sprinkler as eager children and parents  sought to cool down. Firefighters controlled the stream from atop the firetruck and watched the frenzy below.

Screams of excitement and outstretched arms welcomed the water that rained from above.

The flow lasted for 15 minutes, and left the crowd wanting more time under the water.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Corvallis Gazette-Times.

More, more, more! the kids chanted. The firefighters obliged, turning on the firehose once again, and were met with cheers.

Hand-in-hand, Albany local Will Little and his 5-year old daughter Addi ran in. They came out with their clothes and hair soaked and newly applied rainbow face paint streaked. But they were all smiles.

Its a great event, Little said, smiling at his daughter. "I was hot, but now Im just happy."

Although there is no mention of when Albany firefighters will bring out the hose again for the public, the department urges residents to be mindful of the heat. With temperatures expected to reach the triple digits this weekend, the Fire Department put out a heat advisory that urges residents to stay hydrated.

Related stories:
Denver Enterprise Reporter

A 40-year Colorado news veteran, Carol McKinley started in radio, and traveled the world as a network TV correspondent/producer. In 2021, she decided to return to local news. A Baghdad alum, she has 4 grown children and lives with her husband and her mom.
Ooredoo Group reported strong results with net profit surging on the back of solid performance in Myanmar, but the company is not ruling out a sale of its unit there.

Group net profit for H1 surged 43% to QAR1.3 billion (US$357m), while EBITDA for the group was flat with an increase of 2% to QAR4.5 billion, and revenue grew 4% to QAR11 billion.

The Myanmar unit contributed QAR545 million in revenue, a 12% rise, and QAR228 million in EBITDA a 101% year-on-year surge.

In an earnings call to detail Q2, Ooredoo Group managing director and CEO Aziz Fakhroo acknowledged Myanmar contributed to the groups strong results.

The performance of Myanmar has been very strong this quarter. Since the beginning of the year, we were still committed to the business and supporting Myanmar's management and for the strong performance."

The chief executive added there is no immediate plans to sell the unit but did not rule out a potential sale in future.

That being said we will always be opportunistic in reviewing any strategic options for the time being we have nothing to report to the shareholders. To the extent we do view a value creating transaction whether in Myanmar or for an acquisition at that point of time we will report it," said Fakhroo.

Reuters reported the company was planning an exit from Myanmar, as rival Telenor sold off operations after a military junta took over the country. In January, the new regime laid out a hefty 15% tax on internet providers.
The Director of ISFED Nino Dolidze was interviewed in the prosecutor's office regarding the case of former deputy head of the State Security Service of Georgia Soso Gogashvili's files.Nino Dolidze's interview with the investigative agency lasted about 3 hours.The case refers to the materials provided by Soso Gogashvili to non-governmental organizations, the proof of the rigging of the elections by the ruling Georgian Dream party. NGOs checked the materials and concluded that "on the basis of the research, a large-scale scheme of mobilizing elector's votes in favor of the ruling party by illegal means was identified, which is highly likely to prove the use of state agencies, including law enforcement agencies, for electoral and party purposes."After the interview at the prosecutor's office, Nino Dolidze said that the questions of the investigation were mainly about when and in what form Soso Gogashvili gave the materials to NGOs . According to the ISFED director, the prosecutor's office was also interested in how non-governmental organizations worked during the study of these materials."I hope that an investigation will be launched ,the main questions were related to the report we published and the materials we received, including a certain part of the conversation related to the communication with Gogashvili" said the director of International Society for Fair Elections And Democracy Nino Dolidze, after leaving the prosecutor's office.According to Dolidze, in order to start the investigation, she provided the prosecutor's office with all the information available to her.The case of the former head of the State Security Service of Georgia Soso Gogashvili has been given the classification of Top Secret, Gogashvili's lawyer Ramaz Chinchaladze says. Until recently, the case was partially classified as Top Secret."The case was classified as Top Secret by a person who is accused by Ioseb (Soso) Gogashvili and his family of specific misdemeanors and, one might even say, of committing a crime. This is Mr. Gambashidze. He issued a written decision to keep the case materials secret."According to the lawyer, there was no legal basis for keeping it secret, adding that the reason behind the case being classified as Top Secret is that they do not want to reveal the violations that exist in connection with the arrest of Soso Gogashvili and the charges presented.The former deputy head of the Security Service of Georgia is charged with 3 counts: illegal purchase-storage-carrying of firearms, exceeding official authority, and tampering with personal information or personal data.
While we await the final results of the 5G auctions, Indian news outlets are reporting that the government has finally approved the merger of state-owned companies Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The government will also pump more money into BSNL.

Quoting BSNL CMD PK Purwar, Indias Economic Times says: BSNL will work as an executing arm of the government and ownership of assets will rest with the government. BBNL has a workforce of less than 200. We have in our proposal said that we can absorb them in BSNL and contracts will be obliged, and revenue share agreements will be honoured.

BBNL is the special purpose vehicle formed to implement the ambitious BharatNet rural coverage plan to lay out an optical fibre network across 250,000 village panchayats (village councils) across the country via what is known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The plan to merge BBNL and fixed and mobile operator BSNL was announced in April. Both companies have large fibre optic networks, which, one assumes, may complement each other. However, BSNL is not in a good state financially.

Hence the Indian cabinet has also approved a four-year revival package for BSNL which will receive fresh capital for upgrading its services, allocating spectrum and de-stressing its balance sheet. This will also support the augmenting of its fibre network through the merger with BBNL.

The relief package also includes state-run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), which offers services in Mumbai and Delhi. Though BSNL and MTN have not formally merged, MTNL is largely managed by BSNL.

Improving BSNL's quality of service is one part of the revival plan but the aim is also that will BSNL deploy a 5G network in about two years time, and expand 4G. The revival package will involve spectrum allocation for 4G in the 900 and 1800MHz bands.

This will leave BSNL well behind the private sector in both technologies, though government argues that 4G will be viable for some while to come.

Clearly defined outcomes in terms of revenue growth and keeping expenses in check are part of a plan that aims to see BSNL turn into a financially viable unit turning profitable in the financial year 2026-27.

While BSNL has a modest operating profit, the Times of India says it has debt amounting to Rs 33,404 crore (about $4.2 billion), which, the government says, will be converted into equity.

Is it worth it? It is said that BSNL plays a crucial role in the expansion of telecom services in rural areas and some of the money will help it to serve commercially unviable rural wireline operations. BSNL also supports the development of indigenous technology and disaster relief.

But money to pay off AGR dues, some of which will be settled by conversion into equity, effectively means the government is paying itself. And if the overall package really is worth Rs 1.64-lakh-crore (nearly US$20.6 billion), thats a lot of money to claw back. It can also be added to the Rs 69,000 crore (more than US$8.6 billion) revival package agreed in 2019 for MTNL and BSNL.
MTN Sudan has signed a 10-year network as a service (NaaS) contract with NuRAN Wireless, a supplier of mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure solutions, for the deployment of rural mobile infrastructure in Sudan.

The parties intend to install a minimum of 500 rural networking sites in Sudan, though this number may increase depending on factors such as penetration rate, ARPU and network charges.

The project will support 2G and 3G with a variety of site categories to cover different population densities and coverage areas. NuRAN expects to retain the ownership of the infrastructure after completion of the contract, which increases the value of the agreement.

NuRAN says that the 10-year agreement is estimated to represent up to approximately US$125 million in revenues over the course of the contract  assuming that the 500 estimated sites are completed.

These revenues are subject to associated project expenses including expenses associated with satellite bandwidth, site lease, network operations centre expenses, curative and preventative maintenance fees, project management and monitoring fees, and insurance.

Fees for the NaaS services provided by NuRAN under the agreement are to be paid on a revenue-sharing basis.

This deal follows recently announced NuRAN agreements with MTN South Sudan (which we reported last December) and MTN Namibia (covered this February), and continues both to build on NuRANs NaaS expansion in Africa and expand the companys relationship with MTN.
Nobody loves a comeback story more than me. The mirror reminds me of a good one every day. I bumped into an old friend a while back, one I havent seen in 10 or 15 years. He was in a bad place the last time we talked.

You see, he had battled substance abuse and alcohol for as long as I can remember. We hung out together decades ago, mostly on the ballfields around the Tennessee area. I had a very close up account of his life back then.

He came from a very well-to-do family, yet he initially hid his addictions well. It started out with drinking and cocaine. It was a daily thing, but most of the time, one could not tell. For a while. He later transitioned to meth and began to miss work and job assignments.

The snowball effect began. The business that was passed on to him began to suffer. His father was not too pleased, and he felt guilty about letting his family down. I guess he did.

Like most addictions, the guilt began to pile up in his mind and feelings of worthlessness consumed him. He began to spend heavily and search for the only thing that would make him feel better. The drugs.

It was then his parents realized what was going on with their son. He was fortunate in one respect: they had the money to send him to every rehab in the South. One was even out of the country. Each time, he would return home and be normal for a short time. Relapse quickly followed.

Now my addictions were on the opposite spectrum from his, but anything evil that controls us is the same. One of the last times I saw him, he remarked, Mike, how did you get your life straightened out.

I said, Friend, the only thing that saved me was giving my life and my weaknesses to Jesus.

I went on, Rehab facilities do good work, but you need something stronger than the drugs. Please find a faith-based program and give it all to Him.

Long story short, he did. Today he is serving God and I praise the Lord for this. He is active in a large church in Chattanooga, funding missions and performing much charitable work as well. There is life after failure.

The world needs to know this. The world needs to pay attention to the ones who have overcome. We, as the church body, should welcome the born-again survivors in and use them. I have said it before, the Lord takes imperfect people and uses their failures to help others that are failing.

Unfortunately, for every comeback story, there is probably 10 times more that fall back on the crutch of drugs and alcohol instead of the crutch of the Cross.

It is up to the Christians to stand in the gap and be the examples. As a good friend of mine likes to say, Jesus saves lives, one man at a time.

All we need to do is look to the Bible. It is full of flawed people and comeback stories. And if you really study those individuals in Scripture, you will find the beauty of what God does.

He took those that ran from Him, those who persecuted His people, those that denied Him, and used them to greatly increase His Kingdom. Jesus once told His Disciples, With God, all things are possible. There is life after failure.

Think about it.

May the Lord bless and keep you another week beloved. Amen.
Kenneth Woodham knows firsthand the challenge of finding good, qualified employees in the construction industry. Hes been in the industry since 1984 and has been self-employed in the field for the last 25 years.

The last 20 years I have not had one young man or woman come to me under the age of 40 years old looking for a job, Woodham said. Theyre not coming to look for the jobs because theyre not experienced.

But he hopes he can help change that with his role as an instructor for the new building construction program at the Houston County Career Academy.

Houston County Schools added both the building construction program and a new Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, or JROTC, to serve students from schools in Ashford, Columbia, Cottonwood, and Wicksburg. Rehobeth has a Navy JROTC.

Following a Thursday ribbon cutting ceremony, guests were given a chance to see the newest additions to the career academy that serves all five of Houston Countys high schools and is located in the former Sears department store on West Main Street in Dothan,

Its hard for someone with no experience using construction tools to get a higher-paying job on a construction site, Woodham said. Typically, they end up on a clean-up crew or fetching items for other workers. It is minimum-wage work. Someone with the right skills, however, can start at $15 an hour, he said.

With a large workshop filled with new saws, drills and other equipment, Woodham said Houston County students will learn every aspect of the trade.

And even if students decide not to go into construction right out of high school, the skills theyll learn will stay with them for the rest of their lives, Woodham said.

Im going to take them from reading tape measures, reading blueprints to actually being able to frame houses, Woodham said. Thats our goal is to get them through a two-year curriculum and then when they walk out of here being able to actually go onto a job.

Dr. Chris Kennedy, director of the Houston County Career Academy, said the additional programs are important for two reasons.

One, it prepares our students for high wage, high-demand careers, but it also helps to feed employees to our industry right now, Kennedy said. In Houston County and surrounding counties, theres a need for about 500 construction workers every year, and without our students filling those spots, a lot of those spots are going unfilled, which makes it harder to build homes and businesses.

Students have already registered for the class, and Kennedy said they will be able to work right out of high school in either residential or commercial construction.

While Rehobeth has its own JROTC, there has not been enough interest at any one of the other schools to establish individual programs, Houston County Schools Superintendent Brandy White said. A centralized approach at the career academy was the best way for the system to give students at the other four schools a chance to participate in JROTC  a program educators said helps build leadership skills.

Along with a classroom, the Army JROTC program has an indoor air rifle range with electronic targets. Lt. Col. John Tatom said students will be able to compete against JROTC students in other areas of the country. Safety, Tatom told guests on Thursday, will be a big focus as the students learn shooting skills.

White said he has had the additional career programs in the plans since he first took office. Funding from the state, the Wiregrass Foundation, and the Houston Economic Development Association helped the county school system get the new programs off the ground, White said.

I think anybody thats involved in building construction understands that we need a bigger workforce, White said.
Following two previous disbursements to assist students financially, Wallace Community College in Dothan is preparing to make its final disbursement to students from COVID relief funds.

The disbursements to students enrolled for summer classes will total $500,000 and will deplete the nearly $1.75 million in grant funds that Wallace received. This final round of disbursements to students is estimated for late July, according to a news release from Wallace Community College-Dothan (WCCD).

As a result of the COVID pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education provided institutions of higher education with emergency relief funds through the Supplemental Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education (SAIHE) program to meet both unmet acute institutional needs and serve students who need financial aid.

WCCD previously disbursed funds directly to students in the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 terms. Eligibility for the award is based on summer term enrollment and students 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid Expected Family Contribution score as determined by Federal Student Aid.

The SAIHE grant is a wonderful opportunity for the College to provide additional financial support to our students as we all continue to navigate the hurdles associated with COVID, said Dr. Anthony Jouvenas, WCCD Director of Financial Aid. The vast majority of this grant has gone directly to our students. We are excited to provide direct financial support to our students as we feel this makes the most difference.

For more information on financial aid assistance at Wallace Community College, contact the financial aid department at finaid@wallace.edu, 334-556-2476 (Dothan campus), or 334-687-3543 (Sparks campus).
An investor looks at stock prices on a smartphone at a brokerage in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Companies are posting a double-digit decline in loans as investors refrain from using leverage amid negative market signs.

The loan value given by 20 brokerages that have released their second quarter earnings has dropped by nearly 30 percent from the first quarter to VND71 trillion ($3.04 billion).

This is nearly their combined charter capital, even though it was nearly double their charter capital last year. Vietnam laws do not allow brokerages to provide leverage more than twice their charter capital.

SSI Securities Corporation and VNDirect both saw their loans declining by over 30 percent between the first and second quarter.

Other brokerages like Viet Capital Securities, FPT Securities and MB Securities saw the figure dropping over 20 percent.

Some companies have seen income from loan interests dropping.

It fell by 15 percent between the two quarters for SSI and 9 percent for VNDirect.

Other companies like FPT Securities, MB Securities, Ho Chi Minh Securities and Viet Capital Securities posted a decline of 4-12 percent.

Vietnams benchmark VN-Index has lost 21 percent this year.
Wu He Shan (L), Huang Zai Wen and three Vietnamese members of a drug smuggling ring at a trial in HCMC in April, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Thao Mi

A HCMC court has sentenced two Chinese men to death for transporting almost 300 kg of methamphetamine to the Philippines in 2019.

Wu He Shan, 59, and Huang Zai Wen, 55, were found guilty of "illegal transport of narcotic substances" at their trial Wednesday.

Three Vietnamese, Thao No Pao, 48, Ly A Vu, 35, and Thao A Do, 40, of the northern Dien Bien Province, were also handed death sentences.

According to the jury, the five were "dangerous to society" and should be "eliminated."

They belong to a major drug ring operating in the region, and their arrest was possible due to cooperation between Vietnamese and Philippine police.

The case is not yet closed in Vietnam since the police are still searching for five others working for the gang.

More than a decade after coming to Vietnam to do business, Wu established a business in HCMC in 2012 to sell toys and garments.

In early 2018 Wu met Huang through a Chinese man identified only as A Hung and asked him to come to HCMC to join his business.

Later that year A Hung persuaded Wu to buy 20 tons of plastic beads and export them to the Philippines. In early 2019 he told Wu to buy 2.4 tons of beads but this time to conceal 12 bags of drugs and ship them to the Philippines.

But Philippine authorities seized the bags at Manila Port and found over 276 kg of drugs.

Just before that the HCMC police had arrested Pao, Vu and Do after catching them red-handed with around 300 kg of drugs. They were transporting them to Huang and Wu in the city's Binh Tan District.

Wu claimed in court he was innocent and did not even know that the Philippine consignment contained drugs until the police arrested Huang and the others.

But prosecutors said there was enough evidence to conclude that Wu, Huang and their Vietnamese accomplices had sought to smuggle drugs from HCMC to the Philippines.

Those found possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine face death.
Photo taken on July 27, 2022 shows the Joint Coordination Center for Ukraine's grain shipments in Istanbul, Turkiye. (Xinhua/Shadati)

ISTANBUL, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye inaugurated the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul on Wednesday to monitor the implementation of the grain shipment from Ukraine, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters.

Located inside the compound of a military university in the city's European side district of Besiktas, the center consists of 20 representatives from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations, five from each party, according to Akar.

This will guarantee the safe passage of vessels from Ukrainian ports through the Black Sea and the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul to global markets, said the minister.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar is speaking at the Joint Coordination Center for Ukraine's grain shipments in Istanbul, Turkiye on July 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)

At the command center, the representatives were seated around a large square table. A map on a big screen was showing the details of the Black Sea and the locations of several vessels.

"This center will register and follow the commercial ships that will be included in the initiative. It will technically track the journey of the ships through satellite, internet, and other means of communication," Akar said, speaking of The Black Sea Grain Initiative signed in Istanbul on Friday.

Ships will be inspected by joint inspection teams at locations deemed appropriate upon loading at Ukrainian ports and arrival at ports in Turkiye, according to Akar.

"If there is a need for demining, plans agreed by all parties would be made. However, there is no need at this stage," he added.

Earlier, a source who asked to be identified as "a senior UN official" told Xinhua that the shipments will be inspected to make sure there will be no transportation of weapons.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said he hoped the deal would work, according to media reports.

The press service of the Ukrainian Naval Forces said in a statement on Wednesday that operations have resumed in the Ukrainian Black Sea ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny in line with the grain exports deal signed last week in Turkiye.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday that the deal would allow both Ukraine and Russia to export their products.

"There are products to be exported by Russia as well, and the deal paves the way for it. Likewise, it paves the way for the export of Ukraine's grain, sunflower, and sunflower oil," he said on TV100 broadcaster.

Cavusoglu pointed out that Turkiye would continue to play its constructive role to ensure the plan runs smoothly.

Russia and Ukraine signed respectively the initiative with Turkiye under the UN auspices on Friday, which would allow significant volumes of food and fertilizer exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. 
26 July 2022

The joint European Union (EU)-India press release, which provides a summary of the topics discussed during the 10th EU-India human rights dialogue which took place on 15 July 2022 in New Delhi, fails to adequately address pressing issues of security and reprisals faced by human rights defenders in India, five human rights organizations said today. The organizations expressed their disappointment in the EUs apparent failure to raise concern about the systematic attacks on civil society actors in India.

While both parties reiterated their commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in the joint EU-India press release, there was no mention of any concrete action to be taken to ensure the ending of reprisals and persecution against human rights defenders, the release of jailed defenders and to prevent the adoption and abuse of restrictive laws, including anti-terror laws.

The joint EU-India press release from the dialogue makes specific mention to the importance of safeguarding the freedom, independence and diversity of civil society actors, including human rights defenders and journalists, and respecting freedom of association and peaceful assembly. While this is an important acknowledgment, it must be backed by corresponding action to end persecution and immediately release jailed human rights defenders.

Indian rights defenders need immediate support and an end to systematic attacks, threats and arbitrary arrests. Of the 16 defenders arrested in relation to the Bhima Koregaon case, 13 remain in jail. On 5 July 2021, 84-year-old Stan Swamy died in custody due to the lack of medical treatment. There has been no public acknowledgment of the States complicity in his incarceration and death. Six defenders out of these arrested for participating in the peaceful campaign against the Citizenship Amendment Act remain in jail. In November 2021, Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez was arrested and remains incarcerated on spurious charges. In June 2022, Teesta Setalvad was jailed as a direct reprisal for her campaign for accountability and justice for victims of the 2002 Gujarat riot. Many other defenders, including indigenous women seeking justice, are jailed and labelled as terrorists due to their human rights work. The joint EU-India press release fails to address any of these cases, or to acknowledge the general worsening of the human rights situation in India.

The targeting of defenders is well-known, and has a direct impact on their safety, their families, and the communities they represent. Vague commitments on human rights and safeguarding freedoms and defenders no longer suffice. The scale of the violence and punishment for peaceful defense of human rights in India requires a proportionate and public response and a demand for accountability for continued violations. In the face of the blatant disregard for national standards and international commitments, particularly important in light of Indias global presence and membership to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the EU must take a public stand on patterns of reprisals and individual cases.

The joint EU-India press release also recognizes the importance of strengthening national and international human rights mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights and the important role of national human rights institutions, civil society actors and journalists. However, it falls short of addressing laws in India that are routinely used to target human rights defenders and the failure of the National Human Rights Commission of India to proactively intervene in cases where defenders are targeted. The use of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) and their impact on the human rights defenders ability to work safely requires more direct and public attention. The FCRA has been used to block much needed funds, freeze bank accounts, and subject NGOs to investigations, creating a chilling effect for civil society.

We acknowledge the EU-India human rights dialogue as an opportunity for both parties to speak on important issues of human rights. However, recognition of the work of human rights defenders and of marginalized communities in the country will be visible based on tangible outcomes, including public statements that reflect clear human rights benchmarks. Failure to do so is a missed opportunity and may serve to further embolden India to violate human rights with impunity.

We call on the EU and member states to ensure that there is strong follow up to the dialogue and a commitment to hold India accountable for its treatment of human rights defenders in the country. The targeting of defenders through the use of national institutions, including arbitrary arrests and judicial harassment, must be strongly condemned and individual cases should be publicly raised. The EU must also support human rights defenders by observing trials and undertaking visits to defenders in prisons. Effective protection for human rights defenders requires adhering to concrete human rights standards and taking action beyond the annual human rights dialogue between parties.

Signed
Nguyen Nhat Truong (L) and Truong Lam Huong are arrested by the police for stealing dogs in HCMC, July 27, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Nhat Vy

Two thieves in Ho Chi Minh City rode their motorbike right into a private yard chasing down a dog, culminating in their arrest Wednesday.

Nguyen Nhat Truong, 31, and Truong Lam Hung, 25, chased down a dog right into its owner's house in Cu Chi District, before tasering it and stealing it on July 20. The owner tried to chase after them but failed.

Within just a few hours the same day, the pair had managed to capture five dogs.

The house owner posted about the incident on social media as a warning to others. Police subsequently launched an investigation, resulting in the arrest of both dog thieves.

HCMC thieves chase dog into private yard Hai nguoi dung sung ien ban trom cho trong san nha dan A video footage shows two dog thieves running their motorbike into a home yard to capture a dog in HCMC, July 20, 2022. Video obtained by VnExpress

At the police station, the pair said they had stolen around 6-10 dogs each night over the past two months along the peripheries of HCMC. The dogs they stole on July 20 were sold for around VND3 million ($128.38).

Vietnam consumes an estimated five million dogs a year, second only to China's 20 million. Many dogs served at restaurants are stolen pets sold to small, unregulated abattoirs, reports say.

Dog theft has become so common that many residents would turn themselves into vigilantes, with reports of dog thieves being heavily beaten by angry mobs.
People light up incenses upon finding the remains of deceased Vietnamese soldiers in Laos. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Le

One afternoon in mid-July Major Nguyen Van Son was going through a stack of documents pertaining to Vietnamese soldiers who died in Laos during the war.

He stumbled upon the picture of an unnamed grave and tears welled up in his eyes.

There were so many soldiers who fell in Laos. Some were identified and their remains were returned to their families, but many had their names lost to the past. It was the job of Son, an official at the Ha Tinh Military Command, to bring them back home.

The dry seasons are unforgiving in Laos, with a scorching sun and gusts of hot air. But they are also the best time to find the remains of lost soldiers since there are few asphalt roads in Laos and rains prevent vehicles from going uphill.

Son's team organizes an expedition each every year to two Lao localities, Bolikhamsai and Vientiane. One lasts from October to January and the other from February to mid-May.

The teams are split into smaller ones with six to eight members in each. They usually return home for the Lunar New Year, but since Covid-19 broke out they have remained in Laos and only returned during the rainy season.

A search for remains begins with an analysis of tactical maps created by Vietnamese soldiers in the past to figure out possible grave locations, and also through the gathering of information from both Vietnamese and Lao veterans and locals who were in the war.

Fighters participating in the Lao Civil War can also be a source of information, but they are often difficult to approach and uncooperative.

Unearthing the past: How Vietnam searches for wartime graves in Laos Video quy tap mo liet si A team from the Ha Tinh Military Command searches for grave sites of Vietnamese soldiers who died in Laos during the war. Video by VnExpress/Duc Le

Before each search, Son's team gather all available information, including possible grave sites, and then draw up a detailed plan for a full six months.

New team members enroll in elementary Lao language courses for around two months for communication purposes.

Son said: "Information about the locations of grave sites is only approximate. For greater accuracy, we need to seek the cooperation of locals because they are the ones who know the area, who know where people died.

"But many Lao village heads and veterans are now 75-80 years old, and their minds are no longer as sharp as they used to be. Some village heads tell stories to their children and grandchildren so they could help us find the grave sites, but second-hand information can often be inaccurate."

Grave sites are often in remote areas. In the past, when Laos still allowed mechanized vehicles to run through forests, search teams could use them to travel to grave sites, and things were easier.

But now, when the cars reach a village, team members have to be led by one or two village heads on foot for three to five kilometers to reach their destination.

A team needs to spend a day, three and even more than 10 sometimes before it can return to camp. Each member has to carry 25 kg of luggage, including tools like shovels and gloves, medicines and body bags. They usually pick areas with running water to cook and rest.

Years of experience has taught Son that a deceased soldier could have been buried in various ways. Those who were buried by their comrades would lie in a grave 80 cm to a meter deep along with a bottle of tetracycline and a piece of paper with their name, age and hometown, and rocks would mark the spot.

Those who were ambushed and never found by their comrades would be buried in shallow graves with tree branches on top.

Their remains are often very difficult to find.

In Laos, the remains of Vietnamese soldiers are often found in inaccessible regions. Often teams are lost in forests.

Two people dig up a grave site to find the remains of deceased Vietnamese soldiers in Laos. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Le

Son recalls one trip at the end of last year when they went looking for the graves of 10 soldiers in Bolikhamsai. The trip was supposed to last five days, and the weather was fine on the first day. But on the second day rain came pouring down suddenly as the team was trying to move uphill. The path became too slippery, forcing the team to set up a camp in the forest.

That was just the beginning since a storm had formed and it kept pouring. A flash flood soon swept away their camp along with many of their belongings.

With little to no food left, the village heads who had accompanied the team had to look for bamboo shoots, edible leaves and other food for the team members to eat. The rains took nine days to stop. The team never managed to find any grave and had to postpone excavation plans to the next year.

There was another time during the dry season of 2019 when, in Vientiane, a team cleared an area of trees and was digging three meters into the earth to find graves. But at about a meters depth they found three strange objects.

"B41 mortars!" Son shouted.

Everyone moved to the side to get out of the way and called in another team to deal with the mortars. They still had their charges intact.

After the unexploded ordnance was dealt with, the team continued to dig and found the remains of two people along with several belongings like shoes and belts. The remains were excavated in around two hours and brought back to the base.

In the case of unidentified soldiers, bone samples are sent to the defense ministry for forensic analysis.

Colonel Nguyen Duc Dung, another official at the Ha Tinh Military Headquarters, said there were times when searches went well but there were also days when the team had to dig in the same spots dozens of times over to find the remains.

"Whenever we get to find a [soldier's] remains and their belongings, everyone feels at peace."
Crew members work on the deck of the USS Ronald Reagan in the South China Sea, September 30, 2017. Photo by Reuters/Bobby Yip

A U.S. aircraft carrier and its strike group have returned to the South China Sea after a port call in Singapore, deploying in the disputed region as tensions with China rise over a possible visit to Taiwan by congressional leader Nancy Pelosi.

Officials with the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet confirmed the deployment of the USS Ronald Reagan to the vital trade route but did not comment on questions about tensions over the trip by Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

"USS Ronald Reagan and her strike group are underway, operating in the South China Sea following a successful port visit to Singapore," Commander Hayley Sims said in a statement to Reuters.

Sims added that the Reagan "is continuing normal, scheduled operations as part of her routine patrol in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

When asked for comment, China's foreign ministry said the U.S. was once again "flexing its muscles" in the South China Sea with the Reagan's sailing.

"It is clear from this for everyone to see who is the biggest threat to the South China Sea and the Asian region's peace and stability," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing on Thursday.

News of the deployment of the Japan-based carrier comes as Beijing and Washington trade diplomatic blows over Pelosi's visit, reportedly due to take place next month after being postponed earlier in the year. Pelosi has not confirmed the possible trip.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday he had spoken with Pelosi and given her a security assessment but any comments about a trip she might make to Taiwan would have to come from her office.

Tensions over democratically-ruled Taiwan are expected to be discussed when U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold their fifth phone call, which could take place as soon as Thursday.

China has issued stern warnings to U.S. officials about Pelosi's possible visit to Taiwan, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday. Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has never renounced using force to bring the island under its control.

The Reagan strike group had been operating in the South China Sea earlier in the month before heading for a five-day rest stop in Singapore at the weekend. Vietnam calls the waterway the East Sea.

Singapore-based security scholar Ian Storey said he would expect Chinese vessels to shadow the strike group, based on recent actions as well as the latest tensions.

"Most of the time those interactions are safe and professional, but there's always a risk they could get too close and spark a confrontation, said Storey, of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

U.S. officials on Tuesday accused China of increased "provocations" against rival claimants in the South China Sea and said its "aggressive and irresponsible behavior" meant it was only a matter of time before there was a major incident or accident.
When it comes to ending hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, the world is moving backward, according to an annual report issued by the United Nations in mid-July. Last year, 828 million people were facing hunger, an increase of 46 million people from 2020 and 150 million more than in 2019.



In 2021, a record 193 million people in 53 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America faced at least this third crisis phase of hunger, said USAID Administrator Samantha Power.

That number reflected many things  job and income losses and supply chain disruptions from COVID-19, climate shocks, long-simmering conflicts, governments restricting humanitarian access to people in need. But it didnt account for the latest accelerant of human misery, Vladimir Putins unconscionable assault on Ukraine.



Since Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24, the Russian military has destroyed Ukrainian farmland, agricultural storage and processing facilities, and blockaded Ukraines Black Sea ports, leaving 20 million tons of corn and wheat locked in silos and shipyards. But just as sinister as Putins stranglehold on Ukraines grain are the less-noticed bans on the export of Russian fertilizers, said Administrator Power.

Russia is the worlds largest exporter of fertilizer, but starting in November last year Russia began to restrict some of its supply to global markets, contributing to a near tripling of fertilizer prices over the past year.



For farmers in Africa, this could result in a 20 percent smaller yield harvest time.



The United States is working to galvanize a response to the emerging crisis. In May, while presiding over the UN Security Council, the United States launched the Roadmap for Global Food Security. This initiative identifies several calls to action including increasing humanitarian food assistance, keeping markets open, increasing fertilizer production, and investing in food systems resilience, said U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security Cary Fowler.



In responding to the food crisis, the United States has committed nearly $2.8 billion in emergency food assistance to Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean since February.



The United States will continue to lead with our domestic and global actions to end this unprecedented food crisis, said Dr. Fowler. We call on all countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateral institutions, build faith in the global trading system, and take concrete actions to improve the short-, medium-, and long-term outlook for global food security. The world is looking to us  lets all do our part.
Its been 25 years since the United Kingdom transferred control of Hong Kong to the Peoples Republic of China. That transfer was made with the promise by Beijing that for fifty years Hong Kong would be allowed a high degree of autonomy, and that the people of Hong Kong would be guaranteed their fundamental freedoms.



The PRC has broken its promise, however, and made a sham of the One County, Two Systems framework established under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. As National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement on the 25th anniversary of the transfer, We have witnessed the dismantling of Hong Kongs democratic institutions and the unprecedented pressures on the judiciary, the stifling of academic, cultural and press freedoms, and the coerced disbandment of dozens of civil society groups and news outlets.



In 2019, millions of Hong Kongers took to the streets in protests that started with controversial extradition legislation. In response, Beijing passed the so-called National Security Law, which has served as a pretext for Hong Kong and PRC officials to stifle dissent.



Authorities have jailed the opposition, with many imprisoned for over a year, noted Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a separate statement. Hong Kong leaders have raided independent media organizations, shuttered museums and removed public works of art, weakened democratic institutions, delayed elections, prevented vigils, disqualified sitting lawmakers, and instituted loyalty oaths. . .They have done all of this in an effort to deprive Hong Kongers of what they have been promised.



In a recent policy address to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, then U.S. Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau Michael Hanscom Smith noted that Beijings actions have shaken the institutions and practices that have been the basis of the international confidence that Hong Kong has long enjoyed. The people of Hong Kong are suffering and many businesses and young professionals are fleeing a city where stability and adherence to the rule of law are rapidly eroding. Consul General Smith said U.S. officials have a simple message for their Hong Kong and PRC counterparts: Let Hong Kong be Hong Kong.



NSC Spokesperson Watson said, We call on the PRC to act in accordance with the international obligations it willingly undertook. And the United States continues to urge the release of those unjustly detained.






ELKO  A dispute over leadership of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone was heard this week in Clark County District Court, with access to more than $2 million in the tribes bank account at stake.

Joseph Holley, who is listed as the tribal chairman on the Te-Moak website, is challenging the qualification of Vince Garcia for the position, claiming he was not an elected band council member at the time of the Oct. 25, 2021, tribal election.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Te-Moak Tribal Court have determined that Joseph Holley is the legitimate Te-Moak Tribal Chairperson and that Vince Garcia is not the Chairman, states the lawsuit filed on July 11.

The suit complains that Nevada State Bank froze the tribes account on June 1 because it was unable to determine who has authorization to make withdrawals. As a result, the Tribe has had to lay off employees who run health, social and safety programs, it has been unable to fund the programs, and the members of the Tribe have been forced to survive without the benefit of essential services including diabetes care, eye-care, elder care, childcare, and police protection.

The tribe, which is comprised of four bands located in northeastern Nevada, has roughly 3,578 members. More than half of them are diabetic and more than a third are over age 65, according to the lawsuit. Approximately 44% are unemployed.

Plaintiffs are seeking release of the tribes funds. Motions for a preliminary injunction and opposition from Garcia and Zions Bancorporation were heard Tuesday in Clark County. A status hearing on the determination of tribal leadership is set for Aug. 24.

Clark County was chosen as the venue for the lawsuit because Las Vegas is the principal place of business for Nevada State Bank.
ELKO  Free lunches will be available to all students in the Elko County School District in the upcoming school year regardless of family income, even though Congress chose not to fund universal school meals for the school year.

Superintendent of Schools Clayton Anderson told school trustees on July 26 that the federal government will still provide waivers for families who qualify for free meals, and the state is picking up the rest of the costs so that all students receive free meals.

According to the Nevada Department of Agriculture, the state is offering the free lunches for students in all Nevada schools operating the National School Lunch Program for one more year, based on the Nevada Legislatures Interim Finance Committees June 21 approval of $75 million for the effort.

The extension of free lunches to all will be financed through American Rescue Plan Funds, according to the state Department of Agriculture.

Lunches had been free since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 through U.S. Department of Agriculture waivers, but prior to the pandemic, families of students had to qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches.

Between distance learning over the last two years and economic impacts affecting families, it is important to support parents and students any way we can, Gov. Steve Sisolak said in the announcement late last month.

We know students cant learn on an empty stomach. This is one way we can help make sure students have access to healthy meals at school and provide some relief for parents, the governor said.

Nevada Department of Agriculture Director Jennifer Ott said that children have depended on meals in schools for the last two years, and it is crucial to give families more time to recover from the pandemic and current economic conditions.

Anderson told the school board that he will implore families to still fill out the eligibility forms for meals even though they will be free for all students because the forms are used for grant eligibility, waivers for the cost of ACT tests, and other federal funds and services.

The bottom line is when we dont get the funding sources, we have to make it up from district funds, he said. We really need those forms filled out so we know the socio-economic standing of the district.

Anderson said the forms are simple to complete.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government expanded the lunch programs so that all students, regardless of family income, received free lunches but the program is set to expire in the fall, although President Biden signed a law in late June keeping the free lunches in place for the summer.

Cindy Long, administrator of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, told The Associated Press in late June that roughly 30 million children across the country were getting free meals in the past school year, compared with 20 million before the pandemic.
More than 62.2 million people over the age of sixty-five in the United States receive their healthcare through Medicare. Over the years the program has been expanded to cover additional services.

There are four main Parts of the program, some of which have mandatory enrolment, while others can be purchased to provide additional coverage. The four plans are most commonly referred to as Parts A, B, C and D, with each part covering a different aspect of healthcare. Medicare Parts A and B are overseen by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), while Medicare Parts C and D are administrated by private insurance companies.

Private insurance spends 17x more on administrative costs than traditional Medicareto pay for things like stock buybacks, executive pay, and ads.



Medicare for All would save taxpayers billions and generate better health outcomes. It is fiscally responsible policy. pic.twitter.com/u5OlBtOXDR  Rep. Katie Porter (@RepKatiePorter) March 29, 2022

Parts A, B, and D are usually the parts discussed most, as C is an optional extra. To receive Medicare support, recipients must be: aged 65 or older; or disabled; or suffering from End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Medicare Part A - inpatient care

Part A relates to hospital inpatient services, covering the cost of hospital, nursing facility and hospice services. This coverage will typically also include any supplies and pharmaceuticals required while the patient is in hospital. It can even cover physical and occupational therapy required for housebound patients, and counselling for the terminally ill.

Medicare Part B - outpatient care

Part B is for outpatient coverage, meaning it is utilised for services administered outside of the hospital. Home visits from a medical professional, testing services and some equipment costs can be covered, as can the use of an ambulance in emergencies.

However, Part B does not include long-term care, also known as custodial care. This is when patients need support for daily living, like bathing or dressing.

Related news:

Medicare Part C or Medicare Advantage

To supplement their Medicare coverage, around a third of enrollees purchase Medicare Advantage Plans which include dental, hearing and vision services. These healthcare aspects are not usually covered in Parts A or B.

In 2021, around twenty-six million people had access to Medicare Advantage plans, up from twenty-four million the year prior. Over the last ten years the figure has more than doubled. Progressive politicians have been pusing for Part C to become part of the standard Medicare support network. The aspects covered in Part C are especially important for the age group targeted by Medicare.

Health care is a human right, not a privilege. We must join every other major country in guaranteeing health care for every man, woman and child. We must pass Medicare for All.  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 27, 2022

Medicare Part D - prescription Drugs

The last of the Medicare plans relates specifically to pharmaceutical prices. Drug prices in the US are notoriously expensive, but Part D provides some support.

However, Part D is provided only with private insurance companies; the government never directly supplies it despite contracts being signed with the federal government. Recipients must choose to enrol in a private Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) to receive the discounts.
Vietnam and Australia enjoyed strong growth in two-way trade in the first half of this year at 38.45% to 8.01 billion USD. (Source: VNA)

Head of the office Nguyen Phu Hoa said that in the first six months of this year, Vietnam exported 2.78 billion USD worth of goods to Australia, 691.35 million USD higher than the same period last year.

The impressive rise was driven by coffee, seafood, steel and electronic accessories, while fruit and vegetable exports increased in the double digits.

At the same time, imports from Australia in the January-June period exceeded 5.23 billion USD, up 41.5% year on year.

With high potential for trade between the two countries, Hoa held that import-export between Vietnam and Australia will continue to rise and may exceed the forecast figure of 15 billion USD in 2022, marking a new record.

The Vietnam Trade Office in Australia will continue to implement trade promotion programmes, while focusing on strengthening digitalisation, especially in the trade of agricultural products, he said.

Hoa underlined that many new Vietnamese products have shown growth potential in the Oceania market, such as frozen fruits, including jackfruits, passion fruits, durian and some spices. The office is studying the economic development programme of the new government of Australia, thus promptly promoting bilateral cooperation in areas of Vietnam's strengths, he added.

Vietnam- Kyushu trade fair helps connect partners

A corner of Kyushu (Source: snowmonkeyresorts.com)

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Japans Fukuoka Prefecture and the local authorities are co-organising a trade fair beginning on July 25 to connect Vietnamese firms and their potential partners in Kyushu region, reported Vietnam News Agency.

Participating in the two-day event are five localities of Vietnam  Hanoi, Hoa Binh, and Tuyen Quang in the north and Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Ngai in the central region. They are joined by Vietnamese and Japanese companies operating in the sectors of agriculture, industry, IT, tourism, health, environment, and real estate.

The Vietnamese localities are scheduled to introduce their strengths, potentials, and investment attraction policies, while Vietnamese businesses are showcasing their products and seeking partnerships.

Dang Hien Luong, Deputy Director of Gia An 115 Hospital and a representative of Hoa Lam Group, which runs a stall at the fair, told the Vietnam News Agency that the group wishes to fortify its cooperation with Japanese partners in improving health services in Vietnam and to seek collaboration opportunities in new fields such as stem cell transplant, body's immunity strengthening, and cells rejuvenation.

On the sidelines of the fair, leaders of Vietnamese localities and businesses had meetings with enterprises from Kyushus prefectures.

On July 26, the consulate general will hold a forum to promote multifaceted cooperation between the sides, gathering representatives of Vietnamese and Japanese localities and firms involved as well as the of the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Participants will discuss chances for joint works in farming, human resources development, IT and digital transformation.

Tra fish exporters earn big thanks to high price rise

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

The majority of tra fish exporters enjoyed high profits in the April-June period of this year thanks to a price increase cycle in the period, Vietnam News Agency quoted the sectors financial report for the second quarter of 2022.

On top of the list in the period was Vinh Hoan Corporation which earned a revenue of over 4.22 trillion VND (180.38 million USD), a rise of 80% year on year, and over 1 trillion VND in profit, a surge of 154%. The firms after-tax profit hit 788 billion VND, tripling that in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Nam Viet JSC reported a net revenue of 1.29 trillion VND, a rise of 20% year on year. Its net profit reached nearly 241 billion VND, while after-tax profit amounted 447 billion VND.

At the same time, the International Development and Investment Corporation also enjoyed an after-tax profit of 390 billion VND, 18.5 times that in the same period last year.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producer (VASEP), many other firms saw a high rise in the first six months of this year.

It attributed this to a strong increase in both prices and production.

In the first six months of this year, the export value of tra fish reached over 1.4 billion USD, up 83% year on year, with rises seen in all markets, especially the US and China.

According to SSI Securities Corporation, the average price of tra fish in the US market was 4.5-5 USD per kilo, 60% rise year on year, while that in the Chinese market was 3.1 USD per kilo, up 20%.

Malaysian bank CIMB expands operations in Vietnam

Malaysian bank CIMB has been granted approval by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to increase its charter capital to a figure exceeding VND3.92 trillion, reported VOV News.

Malaysian bank CIMB expands operations in Vietnam

The move comes following the SBV issuing a decision on July 15 regarding making amendments to the content of the charter capital as outlined in the license by CIMB Vietnam One Member Limited Liability Bank.

Over the past three years, CIMB has continuously moved to increase its charter capital in the Vietnamese market, with the latest rise from over VND3.69 trillion in 2021 to more than VND3.92 trillion this year.

The rise in charter capital has reflected CIMB's long-term commitments towards building a digital banking ecosystem in the country.

CIMB Vietnam officially received a license back in 2016. It has two branches in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which focus on developing a modern and creative digital banking model.

CIMB Group is one of the biggest investment banks throughout all of Asia and has made a presence in 15 nations globally.

It has over 33,000 staff working for it and provides services to over 18 million customers worldwide, including in Vietnam.

Vietnams largest waste-to-energy plant put into operation

Engineers monitor and operate the waste treatment process after the plant connected to the national power grid on the morning of July 25. (Photo: laodong.vn)

The Soc Son waste-to-energy plant, with a capacity of handling 4,000 tonnes of dry waste per day, was officially put into operation on July 25, reported Nhan Dan Online News.

The first generator set of the plant, with a capacity of 15MW, began operation at 8:05 this morning and will burn about 1,000 tonnes of waste per day (equivalent to one seventh of the daily waste generated in Hanoi) to generate electricity.

The Soc Son waste-to-energy project is located at the Nam Son Waste Treatment Complex which was approved by the Hanoi Peoples Committee in late 2017, at a total investment of 7 trillion VND.

About 20MW of the electricity generated from the incineration process will serve the operation of the plant while about 50MW will be connected to the national grid.

The plant has five incinerators and three generator sets,with the remaining sets expected to begin operation in the coming months in 2022, raising the total capacity to 5,000 tonnes of waste per day (treating 60-70% of Hanois total buried waste).

This is considered the largest waste incineration plant in Vietnam, with a capacity of handling 4,000 tonnes of dry waste per day, equivalent to nearly 5,500 tonnes of wet waste. The investor of the project is Thien Y Environment Energy Joint Stock Company while the contractor is MCC Group from China./.
Assembling mobile phones at Samsung Hi-tech Complex in Thai Nguyen (Photo: VNA)

According to Radio the Voice of Vietnam, the major importers of these products include China, the United States, the EU, and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Most notably, the countrys export turnover of phones and components to the US, China, and the RoK surged by 53.7%, 16.6%, and 29.8% to 6.61 billion USD, 6.45 billion USD, and 2.78 billion USD, respectively, in comparison to last years corresponding period. In contrast, export turnover for these items to the EU market fell by 7.7% to 3.2 billion USD.

Computers, electronic products and component exports in June saw an increase of 6.5% to 5.17 billion USD over the previous month, duly bringing the export value of the commodity group in the initial two quarters of the year to 27.68 billion USD, up 15.6% against the same period from last year.

During the six-month period, exports of computers, electronic products and components to the US, China, the EU, and Hong Kong (China) inched up by 26.9%, 12.1%, 18.5%, and 1.3% to 7.32 billion USD, 5.89 billion USD, 3.73 billion USD, and 2.88 billion USD, respectively.

Meanwhile, the country earned only 1.79 billion USD from exports of this product to the RoK market throughout the reviewed period, marking a year-on-year drop of 5.1%.

Vietnamese companies agree deal for Laos hydropower project

The Construction Joint Stock Company 47 has announced that it had recently reached a deal with Song Da 5 Joint Stock Company to construct the Nam Pha, Nam Phak and Phouphong dams at the Nam Phak hydropower project in Laos.

A deal has been signed between the Construction Joint Stock Company 47 and Song Da 5 Joint Stock Company to construct hydropower dams in Laos. (Photo: VNA)

The two sides signed two contracts, including the one for construction of the dams at Nam Pha, Nam Phak and Phouphong, and the other for the design and testing serving the construction of the Nam Phak hydropower project, with total capital of nearly 800 billion VND (34.2 million USD), said the Vietnam News Agency.

The contracts are to take 1,458 days to be completed.

The Nam Phak hydropower project has a total installed capacity of 128 MW. It is located in the southwest of Bolaven Plateau in Champasak province.

Vietnams process manufacturing attractive to foreign investors

Vietnams process manufacturing sector has to date attracted 252 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI), accounting for nearly 60% of the total foreign capital poured into the Southeast Asian country.

Process manufacturing sector attracts foreign investors (Photo: vneconomy.vn)

According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, there are currently 34,898 valid FDI projects worth 426.14 billion USD in Vietnam.

In the first half of this year, the country lured 16.03 billion USD in FDI, of which the sector accounted for 8.84 billion USD, or 63% of the total, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The sector has been attractive to the worlds major groups such as Samsung, LG, Canon, Honda, and Toyota, reflected through their continuous expansion of investment in Vietnam.

Notably, the Republic of Korea (RoK)s Samsung Group, which was officially licensed to invest in Vietnam with the Samsung Electronics Vietnam factory in Bac Ninh province, has expanded their operations to other localities, including Hanoi, Thai Nguyen province, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Tourist car assembly line at Truong Hai Automobile Joint Stock Company in Chu Lai Open Economic Zone (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)

Andrew Lee, Korean Desk Manager at Savills Vietnam, said that the Korean business community appreciates Vietnams process manufacturing sector thanks to the countrys advantages in labour force, political stability, and inclusive and extensive international integration.

To make FDI projects in the sector effective, economists are advising Vietnam to be stricter in selecting projects to attract those with good financial potential, less labour intensive, and bringing about high added value.

Vietnam Airlines seeks to expand operations in Thailand

Vietnam Airlines held a conference titled Rediscover Vietnam in Thailand on July 26 to promote post-pandemic tourism and business operations in this market, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.

Addressing the conference, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh noted that Vietnam Airlines recent decision to resume regular flights and increase the frequency of flights between the two countries demonstrated the carriers quick reaction to market developments.

The move has made a practical contribution to the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership that will fall next year, and at the same time helped to promote economic, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries, stressed the ambassador.

The diplomat shared difficulties Vietnam Airlines partners has faced during the pandemic time, and affirmed that the Vietnamese Embassy creates the best possible conditions for tourists to travel from Thailand to Vietnam, as well as connecting Thai and Vietnamese partners in tourism and logistics supply chain in the future.

Photo for illustration (Source: VOV)

According to Dao Truong Luu, head of Vietnam Airlines Representative Office in Thailand, despite the impact of the pandemic, Vietnam Airlines and its partners have conducted six flights to Vietnam every week. They have transported more than 6,000 tonnes of cargos from Thailand to Vietnam each year, 2% more than the 2019 figure, and the figure is expected to rise to 6,500 tonnes this year.

The number of passengers travelling by air between the two countries has increased rapidly since Vietnam and Thailand lifted most of their travel restrictions on March 15 and July 1, 2022 respectively.

Thailand is one of the priority markets among 15 international destinations where Vietnam Airlines has resumed regular flights. In Thailand, Vietnam Airlines is operating three direct flights a day, connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam and Bangkok of Thailand.

The number of the flights is expected to rise to four per day from October 2022 and to six in the second quarter of 2023. The national flag carrier of Vietnam is also considering restoring two routes Da Nang-Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City-Phuket from the beginning of 2023./.
A Day to be Remembered

Celebrating 51 years of China-Sierra Leone diplomatic relations

By Mr. Li Xiaoyong

Charges d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone









On July 29th, 1971, the Joint Communique between the Government of the Peoples Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations assured that the Chinese Government and people support categorically the Government and people of Sierra Leone in its struggles against imperialism, colonialism, and neo-colonialism, in its efforts to safeguard national independence and sovereignty. In the meantime,the Government of Sierra Leone recognized that the Government of the Peoples Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Both governments agreed to develop diplomatic relations and friendly cooperation on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, of mutual non-aggression and non-interference in each others internal affairs, and of equality and mutually beneficial peaceful co-existence. 51 years later, we can look back at the successful development of our bilateral ties with pride and determination, as shared prosperity and a brighter future awaits our two nations.





Every Sierra Leonean government since then, no matter which party is in power, has always put a priority on strengthening the countrys relations with China. In December 2016, President Ernest Bai Koroma visited China and met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing where both sides agreed upon elevating the bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Two years later, in September 2018, President Julius Maada Bio attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and held a fruitful discussion with President Xi Jinping. The important consensus reached by the two Heads of State during this meeting and on other occasions has paved the way to further strengthen our cooperation in the new era.





The past 51 years have witnessed the long lasting friendship between China and Sierra Leone in the process of supporting each other and safeguarding international justice and fairness. On 25th October, 1971, Sierra Leone, together with other friendly countries, voted in favor of restoring Chinas lawful seat in the United Nations. The late Chairman Mao Zedong pointed out, It was our African brothers who carried us into the UN. For a long time, China had been firmly supporting Sierra Leone within its utmost capacity when Sierra Leone was in difficulties, especially so during the Ebola epidemic and the Covid-19 pandemic. By forming Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships, giving each other concrete support on core interest and major concerns, ensuring the multilateralism and central role of the United Nations in international relations, and boosting developing countries strengths overall, the two countries have truly become worthy of each others trust. We work closer now than ever before, and the developing countries are having a louder say on global issues because of it, contributing significantly to the stability and prosperity of the world.





The past 51 years have witnessed the notable results of cooperation between China and Sierra Leone, including: the construction of the Youyi Building, the National Stadium, Mange Bridge, the Magbass Sugar complex, and the RSLAF headquarters in the 1970s and 80s; the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Road, Bo Stadium, Jui Hospital, the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Primary and Middle Schools, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office Building from the 1980 to 2000; and the second Juba Bridge, the Limkokwing-Regent Road, Myohaung Officers Mess and Single Officers Quarters, the National Optical Fiber Backbone Network Phase Two, as well as the Foreign Service Academy etc. up to 2018.





The past 51 years have witnessed the expansion of our trade and economic cooperation. Our bilateral trade volume has now reached over 500 million US Dollars, and the accumulated direct investment from China to Sierra Leone has reached 3 billion US Dollars . Since 1973, the Chinese government has dispatched more than 500 Chinese medical personnel to Sierra Leone under the health assistance program, and since 1976, China has provided government scholarships for over 1000 Sierra Leonean students to study in China. China has also dispatched about 100 agricultural experts to Sierra Leone since 1991 to provide technical training.





The relationship formed between China and Sierra Leone is a microcosm of the relationship at large between China and Africa as a whole. China will continue to uphold the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests in its cooperation with Sierra Leone. China will also continue to implement the Nine Programmes announced by President Xi in the Opening Ceremony of the 8th Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC last year, including: providing an additional 1 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Africa, providing 10 billion dollars in funding towards African trade financing, 10 billion dollars to promote Chinas investment in Africa, and 10 billion dollars to support small and medium-sized African enterprises and to construct a Green Passage for African agricultural exports to China. Through these projects, China and Africa will expand their fields of cooperation, innovate existing cooperation methods and promote further common development.





In 2021 we celebrated the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) along with our Sierra Leonean brethren. During the 2nd half of 2022, the 20th Congress of the CPC will be held, and the Chinese Embassy will keep our Sierra Leonean friends posted on the development of this important meeting.





The world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, and the inherent strength of developing countries and emerging markets will shine through as trailblazers of this new era. As the worlds largest developing country, China will always stand along with Sierra Leone and other African countries, so as to inject more stability into the world at large. When faced upon all sorts of unilateralism, power politics and bullying, China and Sierra Leone both have the responsibility to practice true multilateralism and to maintain international justice and fairness. China appreciates Sierra Leones unique and influential role in regional and international affairs, and is ready to work together with Sierra Leone to protect the interests of all developing nations, promoting a fairer and more rational international order. With our joint efforts, we will achieve the goal of building an even stronger China-Africa community of shared future.








At the reception (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn)

So said Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Phan Van Mai during his reception for Mr. Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam City (the Netherlands), and a high-ranking delegation on the occasion of a working visit to Ho Chi Minh City, on July 26.

Affirming that Ho Chi Minh City is always interested in water resource management, flood treatment and urban management, Mr. Mai expressed his desire to cooperate with Rotterdam City, as well as with the Netherlands, to solve the problem of dealing with nature in flood prevention and control.

He suggested Rotterdam City provide technical assistance to Ho Chi Minh City in making socio-economic planning, general planning taking into account water planning, climate change adaptation, and nature adaptation, helping the sustainable development of the city in the future.

According to Mr. Mai, over the past time, Ho Chi Minh City and Rotterdam City have had good and effective cooperation periods, helping the city shape development towards the sea, and issuing climate change adaptation plans. He added that Ho Chi Minh City highly appreciates the foreign business community investing and doing business in the city, including Dutch businesses.

Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb shared about some experiences in disaster prevention such as flooding and climate change prevention, saying that Ho Chi Minh City needs to have a special plan for water to prevent floods and take advantage of resources from the land.

He invited the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City to visit Rotterdam to witness the works of water treatment constructions that help people live with nature, adding that Rotterdam experts have had many specific works on urban planning towards nature, reducing the impact of climate change.

He also expressed his hope that in the near future, the two sides will have specific cooperation opportunities, opening up opportunities for cooperation between the two sides on investment, contributing to economic development./.
At the talks (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn)

The cooperation was reached during a talks between To Thi Bich Chau, Chairwoman of the VFF of Ho Chi Minh City, and the LFNC of Champasak Province, on July 26.

Accordingly, the deal will cover exchange of experiences in front work on people mobilization; exchange of the situation of socio-economic and cultural development, the situation between the two localities; and research of front work.

In particular, from 2022 to 2024, the VFF of Ho Chi Minh City will provide a full master scholarship support to a cadre and 1-2 university scholarships to Lao cadres.

On this occasion, the delegation presented the LFNC of Champasak Province USD5,000 for working equipment; USD10,715 for building 3 solidarity houses; and USD8,571 for donating 200 gifts to poor households.

On the same day, the delegation also had a meeting with the Vietnamese Association of Champasak Province, and gave 100 gifts to overseas Vietnamese in difficult circumstances.

Ms To Thi Bich Chau sent her greetings and encouraged the Association to continue its efforts to unite the Vietnamese community in the beautiful and peaceful country of Laos, contributing to strengthening the relationship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples of Vietnam and Laos as well as the friendship, cooperation and twinning relationship between Ho Chi Minh City and Champasak Province./.
Delegates at the requiem ceremony (Photo: VNA)

The event was first held to mark the 75th anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947-July 27, 2022), as well as Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Ha Van Canh, Chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Xieng Khouang province, said that the great requiem ceremony not only aims to pay tribute to fallen Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts as well as Laotian martyrs, but it is also an opportunity for the young generations of the two countries to better understand the value of peace, know more about the sacrifice of the Vietnamese army to help the Lao revolution, and contribute to educating the special meaning of the Laos-Vietnam relationship for the young generation and continue to make efforts to cultivate this relationship.

According to the Chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Xieng Khouang province, the overseas Vietnamese community in the province is expected to coordinate with the Xieng Khouang provincial government to organize the great requiem ceremony every year./.
Chairman of the HCMC Peoples Committee Phan Van Mai speaks at the meeting

(Photo: sggp.org.vn)

Young intellectuals and entrepreneurs attending the meeting are engineers and experts working in technology companies, such as Google, Twitter in Silicon Valley.

At the meeting, Director of the HCMC Department of Information and Communications Lam Dinh Thang introduced the citys policies calling for businesses to invest in the technology sector.

He added that the city is facing challenges of attracting talents, developing AI and raising the peoples awareness about digital transformation.

According to Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ho Chi Minh City Finance and Investment State Owned Company (HFIC) Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, startup projects will receive financial assistance from investment funds. HCMC will build a legal framework for Fintech (Financial Technology).

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the HCMC Peoples Committee Phan Van Mai expressed his sincere thanks to young intellectuals and entrepreneurs for their support to Vietnam and HCMC. He required departments to study the proposals, including high-level human resource training to meet the citys demand for development.

The meeting was an activity ending the delegation's official visit to the United States. The working trip contributed to boost relations between Vietnam and the US as well as the US' cities and HCMC./.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA)

A meeting was held by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) on July 25 to mark the 69th anniversary of the Moncada Barracks attack in Cuba (July 26).

Speaking at the meeting, HUFO President Truong Thi Hien stressed that 69 years ago, the attack on the Moncada Barracks by young Cuban patriots led by Fidel Castro, the great leader of Cuba, was a great historical event, opening up a new stage of development during the Cuban revolution. It brought the just struggle of the Cuban people to victory on January 1, 1959, marking a milestone in the countrys history.

She noted that the Vietnam  Cuba relationship was built and cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh and President Fidel Castro, and has been continuously consolidated, developed, and expanded by generations of leaders and people of the two countries, creating a source of strength and strategic confidence of victory, helping the two countries overcome difficulties, making efforts to build and defend the Fatherland.

Cuban Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Ariadne Feo Labrada regarded the event as a demonstration of the friendship, solidarity and pure internationalism between the two countries and their people.

She said that 69 years ago, the Cuban people, under the leadership of the young revolutionary Fidel Castro, stood up to join the Moncada Barracks attack, lighting the fire of national pride, opening the way for the revolutionary struggle of the Cuban people to overthrow the brutal regime of the dictatorial colonial regime.

This event marks a historic and generational milestone of significance to the history of Cuba and the subsequent political development of the whole of Latin America, she said.

"Today, let's celebrate the victories of the Cuban and Vietnamese peoples, friendship and international solidarity. Nothing is more noble than the love and solidarity that binds us to our brotherly peoples, with the city named after Uncle Ho, the cradle of millions of heroes and martyrs, who with their blood and bones wrote heroic and glorious pages of history for independence and freedom," she stressed.

She went on to say that the meeting provided a chance to celebrate Cubas victory, as well as honour friendship and international solidarity./.
The United States has contributed $500 million (EUR 492.7 million) in donor funds for the EBRD Crisis Response Fund to respond to the impact of the war on Ukraine.

"The funding comes in the form of grants to support investment. It marks a significant milestone in the bank's fundraising efforts, which have mobilised some EUR 1 billion for Ukraine and affected countries so far," the bank said.

EBRD said that the United States of America is a founding member of the EBRD, the bank's single largest shareholder and a very important contributor to its work. Prior to this new contribution, its donor funding had totalled more than EUR 153 million.

"The contribution agreement we are signing today between the United States and the EBRD has come at exactly the right time. We will start deploying it in Ukraine and neighbouring countries as soon as we can," EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said.

The EBRD will match the new resources provided by donors with donor funding from its own capital.

The funding will go towards trade finance to maintain the flow of essential goods, to ensuring energy security, providing emergency liquidity to small businesses, pharmaceutical companies and vital transport providers, and to enabling Ukrainian municipalities to maintain basic public services for citizens.

Critically, the EBRD is targeting food security through substantial support for the Ukrainian agricultural sector for planting, crop maintenance, harvest and food supply.

The funding will also be used to help refugees in neighbouring countries and to assist the municipalities hosting them.

To prioritise and efficiently manage donor resources entrusted to the Bank in support of Ukraine and neighbouring countries, the Bank has set up the EBRD Crisis Response Special Fund to channel donor support.

So far, the EBRD has invested EUR 650 million in response to the war on Ukraine and is on track to utilise EUR 1 billion by the end of the year.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

The European Union expects an increase in Azerbaijani gas supplies this year, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said, Azernews reports.

She made the remarks at a press conference of the Extraordinary Energy Council.

Simson recalled her visit to Azerbaijan last week with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The President and I were in Azerbaijan just last week, where we agreed to more than double the gas volumes to the EU by 2027. And we expect to see an increase in 4 bcm extra already this year, she said.

Moreover, she added that the EU have also agreements in place with the U.S., Canada, Norway, Egypt, and Israel, a long-standing partnership with Qatar, and deepening cooperation with Algeria.

In addition, we are exploring the options to increase LNG imports from Nigeria. The country is already the fourth-biggest exporter to the EU, but has the potential to contribute even more, she said.

All the five regional groups within the EU Energy Platform have been launched and are looking into demand aggregation and coordinated use of infrastructure. And we are of course exploring the best legal and practical form for our joint purchase mechanism, Simson added.

On July 18, Azerbaijan and the European Commission signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in the energy sector. The document was signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The EU and Azerbaijan are in active dialogue on increasing gas supplies amid the energy crisis. The EU-Azerbaijan energy cooperation has reached a new level and is still ongoing within the framework of the Southern Gas Corridor. The EU places a high value on energy supply diversification, and the Southern Gas Corridor is particularly important in this regard.

To recall, with the completion of the TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline) construction on December 31, 2020, Azerbaijan began commercial gas supplies to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor. The SGCis an initiative of the European Commission for a natural gas supply route from the Caspian and Middle Eastern regions to Europe. The route from Azerbaijan to Europe consists of the South Caucasus Pipeline, TANAP, and TAP.

Last year, TAP transported 8.1 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe. By late 2022, Azerbaijan plans to increase gas supplies to Europe to 9.1 billion cubic meters, and in 2023, the volume of gas supplies is expected to reach 11 billion cubic meters.
NPC Ukrenergo has announced a proposal to investors to change the terms of the issuance of Green and Sustainability-linked bonds worth $825 million with a yield of 6.875% and maturing in November 2026, the company has said.

According to a company's report on its website on Thursday, in particular, it is proposed to postpone the maturity date of eurobonds by 24 months  to November 2028.

Coupon payments on eurobonds, which are paid within 24 months, starting from the next interest payment date, are also proposed to be postponed to 2028, NPC Ukrenergo said.

At the same time, the deferral is proposed on the terms of continuing the accrual of interest at a coupon rate of 6.875% and with the possibility of capitalization of deferred amounts at the end of this period.

According to Board Chairman of Ukrenergo Volodymyr Kudrytsky, who is quoted in the report, the decision of investors is expected by August 9.

"We propose to defer the payment of the bond coupon for two years  from 2026 to 2028, and also to postpone the maturity date of the bonds to November 2028. After the change in the terms of the issue, the bonds will still be covered by the state guarantee, about which there is already an official decision Cabinet of Ministers," Kudrytsky wrote on Facebook on Thursday.

He said that this step will significantly help Ukrenergo to provide support for the energy sector of Ukraine in the face of a full-scale war waged by Russia against it.

"In close coordination with the government of Ukraine, we are working to collect funds for preparations for the heating season And together with the government and other energy companies, we will join forces so that the next, most difficult winter in the history of Ukraine, everyone has light in our homes," he said.

At the same time, he expressed hope that the company's reputation and impeccable fulfillment of financial obligations in the past will allow it to obtain the consent of investors.

According to Ukrenergo's announcement on the London Stock Exchange, the request for investor consent expires at 17:00 New York time on August 9, 2022, the announcement is scheduled for August 10 or immediately after the request expires.
The European Commission proposes to extend four European transport corridors to the territory of Ukraine and Moldova, including the ports of Mariupol and Odesa, and exclude Russia and Belarus from the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).

The corresponding announcement on Thursday in Brussels was made by representative of the European Commission Adalbert Jahnz.

He said that the European Commission was making a proposal to revise the rules on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) to reflect the geopolitical landscape changes caused by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The amendments extend four European transport corridors to Ukraine and Moldova, including the ports of Mariupol and Odesa. These corridors will be key priorities in terms of restoring Ukraine's infrastructure. The proposals also exclude Russia and Belarus from the Trans-European transport map. In the current context, cooperation with Russia and Belarus is not only inappropriate, but also not in the interests of the European Union, he said.

According to Jahnz, these proposals also aim to continue the use of European standards for new and existing railway tracks because of the differences, which are a factor in the vulnerability of the networks.

The proposals will now be part of the already ongoing negotiations with the European Parliament and the European Council, launched earlier this year, the European Commission spokesman added.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has allocated an additional $74 million for humanitarian aid for Ukrainians affected by Russian aggression, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova said.

"USAID allocates an additional $74 million for humanitarian aid to Ukraine," she wrote on Facebook.

According to her, this additional funding will be aimed at providing the affected Ukrainians with basic necessities, places for temporary residence and financial resources, and will also allow them to receive the necessary medical care and psychological support.

"The priorities that we discussed in detail with the Administrator Power during the visit of First Lady Olena Zelenska to Washington," Markarova stressed.
The international group on sanctions of Yermak-McFaul discussed ways to strengthen restrictions against the Russian Federation with the leadership and representatives of factions and groups of the Verkhovna Rada, said head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak.

"I noted that the work of this group stimulates the further development of the sanctions policy against the aggressor country of Russia. It influenced the appearance in the U.S. Senate and then in the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress of resolutions calling for Russia to be recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism. I believe that our group has really become the main platform for the formation and analysis of sanctions policy. Today, all partners use our recommendations," Yermak wrote on the Telegram channel on Wednesday.

He recalled that Russian assets worth more than $23 billion have already been frozen abroad, and work is underway to transfer them to Ukraine, for which a number of partners have already made appropriate changes to their legislation.

In addition, the Russian banking system is being cut off from the world. The ban on the export of an extensive list of technologies and goods to the Russian Federation throws it into the past. Personal sanctions are being introduced against top officials of the aggressor country and close people.

"The purpose of the expert group is to impose sanctions against all members of the United Russia party. In addition, work continues on the Book of Executioners, which will contain information about every Russian war criminal involved in atrocities on the territory of Ukraine," Yermak said.

He also recalled that the embargo on Russian gold, which is Russia's second export commodity, will deprive it of multibillion-dollar revenues. Within the limits of the oil embargo, individual countries have completely abandoned Russian oil, and the European Union undertakes to abandon oil transported by sea. Preparations are underway for the introduction of a gas embargo.

"The Yermak-McFaul Group proposed to the countries of the sanctions coalition to introduce a requirement for mandatory disclosure of information about any business contacts, joint ownership of corporate rights and property with Russian citizens. A draft of such a resolution has already been submitted to the U.S. Congress. It is proposed to strengthen responsibility up to criminal responsibility for evading sanctions  this decision is already being considered in the EU. Perhaps such initiatives should be provided for in Ukrainian legislation, if the Verkhovna Rada decides to support it," Yermak stressed.

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk noted that the Ukrainian parliament is ready to coordinate actions to strengthen the sanctions policy against Russia. Representatives of parliamentary factions and groups expressed their suggestions and ideas on ways to strengthen sanctions and increase their effectiveness. In particular, they noted the importance of secondary sanctions against states, individuals or legal entities that contribute to the aggression of the Russian Federation or help it circumvent sanctions.

Co-chairman of the international sanctions group, Michael McFaul, noted that experts are actively working on the issue of secondary sanctions and are ready to discuss various ideas, including with parliamentarians.

"We will systematically put the squeeze on Russia and win," concluded Yermak.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the great state that existed on Ukrainian land since ancient times was tried many times to enslave and destroy, but it never allowed it to be done.

"The great people of a great country and a great state that has existed on this earth since ancient times, which has been tried to enslave and destroy since ancient times. Many and many times. And which since ancient times did not allow this to be done. Never to anyone," he said in a video message on the occasion of the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, which is celebrated in Ukraine on Thursday.

He recalled the state "in which the history of Christianity in Eastern Europe began, when 1034 years ago it was christened by the Great Kyiv Prince Volodymyr. The state in which the history of indestructibility began, which is now admired by the whole of Europe and the whole world. This is our state. Our country. This is Ukraine."

"Every day we are fighting so that everyone on the planet finally understands: we are not a colony, not an enclave, not a protectorate. Not a province, not a part of foreign empires, not lands in the composition, not a union republic. Not an autonomy, not a province, but a free, independent, sovereign, indivisible and independent state," the president said.

Zelensky called Ukraine the heiress of Kyivan Rus, the Cossack state, the legal successor of the Ukrainian People's Republic and the Ukrainian State of Hetman Pavlo Skoropadsky,

independence and conciliarity proclaimed by the universals of the Central Rada and the Unification Act (Act Zluky).

According to Zelensky, Ukrainian soldiers feel the support of all generations of fighters for "independent" Ukraine.

"To live in captivity means not to live for us. To be dependent means not to exist. Because dependent and unfree Ukraine is not Ukraine," he said.

"That is why we will fight for our statehood to the last  the last breath, the last cartridge, the last soldier. Not ours, but the enemy's. We will live to fight and fight to live. We will not give up until we drive the last occupier out of our house. We will not stop until we liberate the last meter of Ukrainian land. We will not rest until we liberate our last village, our last hut, the last well, our last cherry, our last willow!" he said.

"It will be this way. And it will only be like this! Since for us and for the occupier, all this has completely different, polar meanings. What is a target for them is sacred for us. The fact that the names on the map are unknown to them, for us  places familiar from childhood. They carry out someone else's criminal orders, we - are our sacred duty. We are fighting for different things, so the ending of this battle will be different for everyone. By value. And even in sound. In Russian, this is the failure of a special operation. In Ukrainian  victory in the war!" he said.
Since the beginning of July, the Russian Federation has launched 49 missile and 44 air strikes on Ukraine, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksiy Hromov said.

"Since the beginning of the month, the enemy has carried out 49 missile strikes and 44 air strikes, as a result of which 28 objects were completely destroyed, including four schools and nine residential buildings, as well as 137 objects were partially destroyed, including seven transport infrastructure facilities, 11 educational institutions and 29 residential buildings," Hromov said at a briefing at the Ukraine media center in Kyiv on Thursday.

According to Hromov, 47 attacks on Chernihiv region and 151 on Sumy region were also carried out from the territory of the Russian Federation.

"Since the beginning of the month, the enemy has carried out 198 attacks from the territory of the Russian Federation, including 47 attacks on Chernihiv region and 151 on Sumy region. The largest part of the shelling falls on the areas of the settlements of Esman and Bilopillia, Sumy region. As a result of enemy air strikes, artillery attacks since the beginning of the month, 15 civilian infrastructure facilities, including one school, have been destroyed on the territory of Chernihiv and Sumy regions," Hromov said.
Baykar company will provide the Ukrainian army with the Bayraktar TB2 drone for free, the fundraising for the purchase of which was held in Poland, the initiator of this initiative, journalist Sawomir Sierakowski, said on Facebook.

"We sincerely thank all Poles who supported this significant action. We are impressed that hundreds of thousands of Poles took part in your campaign. We want to be a part of this human gesture of solidarity, and we make an offer. In the face of your campaign, we will donate the Bayraktar TB2 drone to Ukrainians so that they can defend their homeland in the best possible way. And we will monitor the direction of the collected funds by Ukrainian charitable organizations for purposes that serve to strengthen Ukraine," the letter of the Board of Directors of Baykar company, published by Sierakowski, states.

He also noted that during the campaign, more funds were raised than was necessary to purchase a drone.

"Since we have collected a surplus, that is, approximately 1.8 million zloty (and the proceeds from the auction), according to the description of the collection, we will transfer them to the fund of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is managed by the National Bank of Ukraine. By the end of the week, when the collection is finally closed, this amount may increase even more," Sierakowski stressed.
Fifteen people were wounded as a result of an enemy missile attack on Kyiv region on Thursday morning, Chief of the Main Department of the National Police in Kyiv region Andriy Nebytov has said.

"Fifteen people were wounded in the missile attack on Kyiv region. Currently we have such figure. At the same time, thanks to timely response to the air raid alert signal, we avoided heavier consequences," he said on the Telegram channel on Thursday.

Nebytov added that the police have found the pieces of one of the enemy missiles in a forest belt in Vyshgorod district.

"Fortunately, no one was hurt," he said.

As reported, the Russian occupation forces mounted a massive missile attack on Kyiv region on Thursday morning. Five missiles hit Vyshgorod district and two more were downed by the air defense forces. As a result of the shelling, five civilians were injured in the region, military infrastructure facilities were also damaged, Head of Kyiv Regional Military Administration Oleksiy Kuleba said.

Later, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksiy Hromov said that Russia had struck a military unit in Lyutizh, Kyiv region, and Honcharivske, Chernihiv region, resulting in losses in the personnel of the Ukrainian army.
The Synod of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine calls on the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to recognize the ideology of the so-called "Russian world" as heretical, and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, a schismatic with further deprivation of his right to occupy the patriarchal throne.

"I appeal to you with a request to initiate at the pan-Orthodox level the consideration and condemnation of the activities of Moscow Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev and the ethnophyletic and racist doctrine of the 'Russian world' that he preaches," according to the letter of the OCU Primate, Metropolitan Epiphany, the text of which was agreed upon at the Synod meetings.

It notes that the Metropolitan, and later Patriarch Kirill "never was the standard for confession of the Orthodox faith, and some of his theological statements, for example, the identification of the Third Hypostasis of the Holy Trinity with the "Divine energy eternally descended from God the Father"  even caused controversy and temptation among clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church.

"Cyril's almost complete indifference to theological problems protected him from completely falling into the space of heresy. The situation changed when the hierarch, whose attention had long been focused on geopolitical issues, decided to join in the creation of the doctrine of the 'Russian world' - a nationalist ethnophyletic theory about the special role of the Russian nation and state in the world and the Church," according to the letter.

It says that the denial of the freedom of entire peoples is combined in the worldview of Patriarch Kirill and his like-minded people "with a racist theory in its spirit, according to which Russia and the 'Russian world' are something fundamentally better and higher than other peoples, and Russia's historical neighbors are Ukrainians and Belarusians have the right to exist and the future only as part of Russian reality."

"It is quite logical within the framework of this racist concept, which divides peoples and states into 'real' and 'artificial,' the fundamental denial of the right of the people of Ukraine to full canonical church independence (autocephaly) and statehood looks like," the OCU said.

They said it is very important to understand that the ideology of the modern Russian Orthodox Church contains "a threat not only to Ukraine, but to the entire Orthodox world."

"It is important to be aware of the connection between the doctrine of the 'Russian world' and specific ecclesiastical decisions initiated by Patriarch Kirill in recent years  from the rupture of Eucharistic communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate (October 15, 2018) to the creation of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa (December 29, 2021) and active support of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine (2022)," the OCU said in the letter.

It clarifies that, starting at least in October 2018, all the actions of Patriarch Kirill are subordinated to a specific political goal and he seeks "to radically increase the presence of the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia, to weaken the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek-speaking Local Churches as much as possible and thus impose on the Orthodox world the hegemony and dictatorship of the Moscow patriarch."

"We call on your all-holiness and the primates of the Local Orthodox Churches to also consider, as soon as possible, the activities of Patriarch Kirill related to his opposition to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and many Local Orthodox Churches, and, if this activity is recognized as containing signs of schism, bring the patriarch to canonical responsibility," the OCU said.

They call to condemn the doctrine of the "Russian world" and recognize it as heretical, to qualify the actions of Patriarch Kirill on the canonical territory of the Patriarchate of Alexandria as schismatic, and to deprive Gundyaev of the right to occupy the Moscow Patriarchal Throne.
Missile attack on Kropyvnytsky on Thursday kills five people, wounded 25 more  local authorities

As a result of a missile attack by Russian invaders on Kropyvnytsky on Thursday, five people were killed and 25 more were wounded, Head of Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration Andriy Raikovych has said.

According to Suspilne, Raikovych made the statement during a briefing on Thursday.

The administration's head said that among the wounded there are 12 servicemen and 13 civilians.

Earlier, Raikovych confirmed that the Russian occupiers had launched a missile attack on Kropyvnytsky.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

The capacity of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) can be doubled within the framework of the memorandum signed between the European Union and Azerbaijan, providing for more natural gas supplies to Europe, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez said, Azernews reports.

"The transmission capacity of TANAP can be doubled. The 16 billion cubic meters of natural gas pumped annually will increase to 31-32 billion cubic meters," he said.

The minister emphasized that some investments will be required to increase the transmission capacity of the pipeline.

Moreover, he expressed Turkiye's readiness to participate in the process.

On July 18, Azerbaijan and the European Commission signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in the energy sector. The document was signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

TANAP is the central part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which connects the giant Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan to Europe through the South Caucasus Pipeline and TAP.

The capacity of the pipeline is planned to be increased up to 23 billion cubic meters by 2023, 31 billion cubic meters by 2026, and at the final stage 60 billion cubic meters. The current TANAPs capacity is 16 billion cubic meters.

The shareholders of TANAP are the Southern Gas Corridor Company (SGC) (51 percent), BOTAS (30 percent), BP Pipelines (TANAP) Limited (12 percent), and SOCAR Turkey Enerji A.S. (7 percent).

To recall, Azerbaijan started commercial gas supplies to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor, with the completion of the TAP construction on December 31, 2020.
Ukraine will do everything to start negotiations on membership in the European Union as soon as possible, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"We applied for membership in the European Union and received the candidacy at a speed and under conditions that no other state had. With such speed, we must come to the start of negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union," the president said at the solemn meeting Verkhovna Rada, dedicated to Statehood Day, in Kyiv on Thursday.

He said everything necessary for this will be done.

"All we have to do for this, we will do: synchronize the legislation of Ukraine with the law of the European Union. We will do it. A plan has also been formed for the implementation of all EU regulations and directives as part of the implementation of the Association Agreement with the European Union. This is actually a joint task for us, for you, dear MPs, for the government of our state, and this corresponds to our new reality," the head of state said

According to him, Ukraine is getting closer to Europe every day.

"We have come to the conclusion that our state, our state system is institutionally becoming Europe. We have begun the process of de-oligarchization. A registry is being formed that is ready to put oligarchs under the power of society," Zelensky said.

He also said that he signed a decree on the creation of a competition commission for the selection of candidates for the High Council of Justice. According to him, thanks to this step and others, everything will be done to ensure that judicial reform provides every Ukrainian with access to honest and competent justice.

As MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak (Holos faction) said in a Telegram, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Head of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola (online) also spoke at the parliamentary session. Members of the government, diplomats of partner countries, representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky expects that the next package of sanctions would disconnect all Russian banks from the SWIFT system and impose restrictions on gas supplies.

"We are expecting the next package. We are expecting tougher things. We have said several times that if you [the West] disconnect [banks] from SWIFT, then disconnect all Russian banks. We believe and want such opportunities to be considered soon. Also we discussed the fact that if the sanctions policy is not applied to Russian gas supplies, energy trade with Russia will result into higher prices. Russia will twist your arms, no matter what someone wants or no matter what agreements were concluded. We can see an increase in these prices," Zelensky said at a joint press briefing with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Kyiv on Thursday, answering journalists' questions.

"We cannot say today that we want to introduce the last package of sanctions tomorrow. But we can definitely apply and see support from European states, [see] that the sanctions policy continues to be implemented," the head of state added.

He noted that today, within the framework of the Yermak-McFaul International Expert Group, Ukraine and partners are developing a number of separate sanctions lists, in particular against people from the Russian president's entourage, criminals involved in the war in Ukraine, businessmen and their real estate assets, accounts, as well as their Russian interests in various countries of the world.

"We pass all this on to our partners in the EU through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are constantly working on this. Many different sanctions are proposed there. There is an analysis of the sanctions that work or do not work, and there are also details of how and through whom specifically Russia wants to circumvent and bypasses sanctions," he said.

Zelensky also thanked the western countries and partners for the already introduced number of sanctions packages against Russia.

"When sanctions packages are introduced, it is very important that all EU states have a unified position. Therefore, I am grateful that so many sanctions packages have been applied. Yes, we see weakening in the last sanctions package. We want strengthening. But not all at once. The main thing is that the countries found a consensus. The main thing is that most of the countries were able to find mutual understanding with a minority of countries in Europe that did not want to introduce a sanctions package or make it firm. But mutual understanding was found, and the package was adopted," the president said.

At the same time, according to him, the sanctions against Russia are slower than expected, because there are still certain states and businesses that do not want to lose their economic interests in Russia.

"Sanction pressure [on Russia] really helps a lot, even if Russia says everywhere in the media that they have no problems with sanctions. This is not true. We understand how they work. But they are acting a little slower than we all expected, because you know: there are some moments when this or that business of this or that state - and this applies not only to the European Union, but to the whole world - sometimes because they have their own business and economic interests do not want to lose this business from Russia and find ways to circumvent sanctions. It is very difficult to work with this," Zelensky concluded.
Number of casualties in missile attack on Kropyvnytsky rises to 26, one person in critical condition  regional governor

The number of casualties caused by Russia's missile attack on Kropyvnytsky on Thursday has increased to 26 people, one of them is in critical condition, Head of Kirovohrad Regional State Administration Andriy Raikovych has said.

"We have updates on the missile strike. The enemy attacked us with Kalibr missiles. Twenty-six people were wounded. One of them is in critical condition. Another one refused from hospitalization," he said on the Telegram channel.

Earlier, the regional governor said that five people were killed as a result of the enemy missile attack on Kropyvnytsky. There were twelve military and 13 civilians among those wounded.

The press service of Oleksandriya Town Council later specified that the missiles hit the hangar of the Flight Academy and URGA Airline.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Abandoned weapons were found on the territory of Azerbaijani Khizi district, Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan Republic told Trend.

Ministry said that 112 hotline received information about the discovery of a suspicious object in Aghdara village of Khizi district.

The de-mining force of Special Risk Rescue Service of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergency Situations was immediately sent to the scene, based on received information.

One 122-mm Grad missile without a warhead, during the inspection of the scene, also one TAB-50 air bomb.

Employees of the civil defense troops of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Azerbaijans National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) were also at the scene.

Other dangerous or suspicious objects were not found during additional searches at the scene and the surrounding areas.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on measures to continue work on the reconstruction of roads in the Sabunchu district of Baku, Trend reports.

According to the decree, 7.5 million manat ($4.4 million) was allocated to the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads to continue work on the reconstruction of roads in Bakikhanov, Kurdakhani, Mashtagha, Ramana and Sabunchu settlements of the Sabunchu district, in line with sub-item 1.26.18 of "Distribution of funds envisaged for state capital investments (investment expenses) in state budget of Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022".

The Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan has been instructed to provide funding in the amount specified in part 1 of this decree, and the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan - to resolve issues arising from this decree.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a Decree on reconstruction of highways in Baku's Nizami district, Trend reports.

According to the decree, the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads has been allocated three million manat ($1.7 million) for proceeding the reconstruction of the capital's Nizami district highways in accordance with subparagraph 1.26.18 "Allocating funds envisaged for state capital investments in the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022".

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Finance was tasked with providing relevant funds, whereas the Cabinet of Ministers  with resolving issues stemming from the order.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Reports in Armenian media outlets claiming that units of Azerbaijani army opened fire on the opposing side along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border are false, the press service of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend.

Earlier today, the ministry also reported that the information spread over Armenian media about the alleged firing by the Azerbaijani Army Units in the direction of Khojavand's Girmizi Bazar village is fake.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Turkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia, implemented significant projects having a great impact on the region, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a joint press conference with his Georgian colleague Ilia Darchiashvili in Istanbul, Trend reports.

As an example of such projects, the minister cited the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor.

According to him, the importance of the Middle Corridor has increased amidst recent regional events.

"Turkiye is in favor of more active usage of the mentioned corridor, an essential part of which is the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. This is of paramount essence not only for the regional countries, but also for international trade and logistics. In the coming days, a trilateral meeting of Turkish, Georgian, and Azerbaijani ministers is supposed to be held to properly assess these opportunities. A little while ago, the foreign and transport ministers of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan met in Baku. Moreover, the meeting of the Turkish, Azerbaijani, Kazakh ministers of Foreign Affairs, Transport and Energy is scheduled next week," Cavusoglu said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Azerbaijan solidly chaired the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov said at the final meeting of the NAM Youth Summit said, Trend reports.

According to him, Azerbaijan remains true to the principles of the Bandung Conference as well.

Bayramov noted that NAM member states have been able to achieve mutual understanding over many years notwithstanding cultural, religious and political differences.

The minister outlined the success of the NAM Youth Summit and significance of providing young people with a platform to develop skills, demonstrate abilities, and establish networks.

The documents to be adopted in Shusha on July 29 will once again confirm the fruitful activities of Azerbaijan and the mentioned summit, he added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. The Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) will hold a general meeting, Trend reports.

This is envisaged by the Presidential Decree on certain measures to improve science and education management of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

According to the decree, ANAS should submit a new charter adopted at the General Assembly to the Azerbaijani president within three months.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan and Egypt have discussed the development of cooperation in the health sector, Azernews reports.

The discussion took place during a meeting between Azerbaijans Health Minister Teymur Musayev and Egyptian ambassador Hisham Mohamed Nagy Abdel Hamidi and Foreign Ministry Assistant for European Affairs Ihab Nasr.

Recalling that the diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992, Musayev stressed that the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Egypt is successful and exemplary in all spheres.

He noted that cooperation between the two countries in the field of health policy and public health takes place at the international level through the cooperation of health ministers in the World Health Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

In turn, Ihab Nasr emphasized that Egypt attaches great importance to strengthening bilateral relations with Azerbaijan at various levels in different spheres.

He praised the reforms carried out in the healthcare system of Azerbaijan and drew attention to the successful cooperation between the two countries in the pharmaceutical industry in recent years.

During the meeting, the parties discussed fresh prospects for strengthening cooperation in healthcare and medical science, as well as the signing of a memorandum of cooperation in the field of pharmaceuticals in the future.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on March 27, 1992. The Egyptian embassy in Baku has been operating since April 1993, while Azerbaijan's embassy in Cairo has been open since January 1994.

In total, the two countries signed around 50 documents on cooperation in various areas.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Egypt amounted to $42.4 million in 2021, and to $4.1 million in the first five months of 2022.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Patrol ships of the Azerbaijani Navy G-121 and G-129 sailed to Russia in accordance with the plan of joint activities between Azerbaijani and Russian Defense Ministries, Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense told Trend.

Ministry said that the solemn ceremony of welcoming sailors of Azerbaijani Navy Forces took place in Kaspiysk port of Russia.

The crews of the patrol ships of Azerbaijani Navy Forces will take part in a number of events, ministry said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Chairman of the Management Board of Azerbaijan's Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) met with Ambassador of Poland to Azerbaijan Rafal Poborski, the agency told Trend.

As the agency noted, the sides explored possibilities of cooperation between the two countries in the SME sector, including joint projects and initiatives.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Kyrgyzstan and the US are developing a new cooperation agreement, Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev said at a press conference, Trend reports via Kyrgyz media.

"We are negotiating with the United States and only a few details remain. We are interested in signing this agreement. The procedures are being coordinated, and work is underway," minister said.

Kyrgyzstan and the United States signed an agreement on cooperation in 1993. It meant facilitating the provision of assistance to Kyrgyzstan by the US authorities.

Kyrgyz government denounced the agreement in 2015 after the US Department of State has decided to award 2014 Human Rights Defender Award to Kyrgyz activist Azimjan Askarov (human rights defender in Kyrgyzstan and founder of the human rights organization Vozdukh - Air).
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Indeed, in order for the capacity of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) to be increased to 5 bcm per year, a compressor station needs to be built in Komotini, Greece, Teodora Georgieva, executive director of the ICGB AD project company from Bulgaria said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

"Having in mind the administrative and regulatory procedure for doing this, ICGB has already started to explore and elaborate on the options that can facilitate such increase of the transport capacity. The process is happening in close cooperation with DESFA and TAP. The whole process is still in an early stage having in mind the current stage and focus of the project. However, we could be looking at achieving this capacity upgrade at the end of 2023 or in 2024 to match the operational readiness of the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis  that project has great synergy with IGB and Im certain that when both are operational, our capacity will reach its maximum," she explained.

Georgieva noted that both IGB and the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis are crucial for achieving diversification for Bulgaria, Greece and the Balkans, boosting competition and enhancing the security of gas supplies in the region.

The IGB project is of key importance for increasing security of supply and for ensuring diversification of natural gas sources for Bulgaria and the region of Southeast Europe. At the regional level, IGB will provide access to the gas transmission network for Bulgarian municipalities and regions that didnt have an option for connectivity. The interconnector with Greece is an entirely new route for the transmission of natural gas to Europe and will give Bulgaria and the region access to supplies from new sources. The project will connect the country with the Southern Gas Corridor and has excellent synergy with other major energy projects such as TAP, TANAP, EastMed and the LNG terminal at Alexandroupolis.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. bp as operator of the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) field announces that the Azeri Central East (ACE) project, which is the next phase of the ACG development, has achieved a major milestone by safely and efficiently transporting, jacking and skidding two drilling modules onto the ACE topsides deck currently under construction, Trend reports citing bp.

The two drilling modules - the Modular Drilling Support Module (MDSM) and the Drilling Equipment Set (DES) were fabricated on the ground separately from the topsides deck before commencing the Jack and Skid operation. The MDSM module weighs 2,350 tonnes measuring 43m long, 20m wide and 20m high, whilst the DES module weighs 2,400 tonnes and is 32m long, 22m wide and 80m high. They were built at the fabrication yard in Bibi-Heybat.

The overall ACE construction and commissioning activities are currently at peak with around 75 percent of the project completed and with about 5,000 people across Baku, Europe and the UK, with the majority of them being Azerbaijani nationals.

The $6 billion development includes a new offshore platform and facilities designed to process up to 100,000 barrels of oil per day. The project is expected to achieve first production in 2023 and produce up to 300 million barrels over its lifetime.

The Azeri Central East project is centred on a new 48-slot production, drilling and quarters platform located mid-way between the existing Central Azeri and East Azeri platforms in a water depth of approximately 140 metres. The project will also include new infield pipelines to transfer oil and gas from the ACE platform to the existing ACG Phase 2 oil and gas export pipelines for transportation to the onshore Sangachal Terminal.

In addition, there will be a water injection pipeline installed between the East Azeri and ACE platforms to supply injection water from the Central Azeri compression and water injection platform to the ACE facilities.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Economy submitted for a public discussion a draft resolution proposing exporting coal from Kyrgyzstan only by rail, Trend reports via tazabek.kg.

"In order to reduce the smuggling and illegal turnover of goods across the state border, it was suggested to export coal from Kyrgyzstan only by rail transport," the document says.

About 30-35 percent of the total volume of coal produced in Kyrgyzstan is exported to third countries, and the share of exports by rail is about 70 percent of the total exports.

"Railway transport makes it possible to ensure a very high level of safety during the transportation of goods, this is actually the safest mode of ground transportation," the message says.

Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan ranks second in terms of coal reserves in Central Asia and has a large export potential, the share of coal in the fuel and energy balance of the country is about 50 percent.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Georgia's trade turnover with Turkmenistan increased slightly in the first half of 2022, Trend reports referring to the National Statistical Committee of Georgia.

According to the statistic, the total trade turnover between Georgia and Turkmenistan in the reporting period reached $112.5 million - an increase of 19.3 percent compared to the same period of last year $94.3 million).

Turkmen exports to Georgia from January through June 2022 amounted to $102.2 million, which is 16.6 percent higher than the same period in 2021 ($87.5 million).

During this period, Turkmenistan increased imports from Georgia by 52 percent compared to the same period in 2021 ($6.7 million) - up to $ 10.3 million.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov held a meeting with the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan Akmaljon Kuchkarov, Trend reports citing the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the parties discussed further steps to implement the agreements reached at the highest level and the execution of signed documents within the framework of the recent state visit of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Uzbekistan.

At the same time, the diplomats exchanged views on improving legal framework for the implementation of agreements, in particular, the road maps to intensify political dialogue, inter-parliamentary and trade-economic cooperation, cultural and humanitarian exchange, as well as on the implementation of investment projects between the two countries.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to maintain an active dialogue aimed at further development of Turkmen-Uzbek relations.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Portugal Sardor Rustamov met with Minister of Agriculture and Food of Portugal Maria do Ceu Antunes, Trend reports with reference to UZ DAILY news agency.

At the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation in the field of agriculture, animal husbandry, seed production, establishment of new supply chains, manufacture of animal feed, joint scientific research and training of specialists.

In order to effectively increase cooperation, the Portuguese side proposed a search for promising, complementary industries in the sphere of agriculture. The organization of joint production of animal feed is proposed as a possible direction.

Furthermore, the possibility of supplying and co-producing seeds for fodder crops adapted to different climatic conditions was indicated.

Following the meeting, the parties reached an agreement to consider the possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding on establishing cooperation in the field of animal feed production.
By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

The Azerbaijan Culture Ministry is endeavoring to strengthen its partnership with CNN.

The head of the Culture Ministry's Media and Communication Department, Maryam Gafarzada, and chief adviser Elnara Karimova have recently visited CNN's office in London, Azernews reports citing the Culture Ministry.

During the visit, the ministry officials got acquainted with the channel's work and its international projects.

They also had the opportunity to watch the shooting process and the live broadcasts of the famous CNN Breaking News. Maryam Gafarzade and Elnara Karimova shared their experiences with digital and creative solutions.

An agreement was reached between the Culture Ministry and CNN TV during the meeting on the preparation and placement of an article on Azerbaijani culture by Azerbaijan on the website of the TV channel.
The German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz revealed that its profits had increased despite a drop in sales in the second quarter of this year, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

The revenue of the group, which includes Mercedes-Benz cars, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Mercedes-Benz Mobility, rose by 7 percent to 36.4 billion euros. Meanwhile, adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) went up by 8 percent to 4.9 billion euros, the company announced.

The "strong financial results" are mainly attributed to cost reduction, which helped to offset lower sales and higher costs, said the company.

Sales of Mercedes-Benz cars slid to 487,100 units in the second quarter, down from 521,200 units in the same period last year.

However, the company explained: "Net pricing improved and the product mix remained favorable, helping to lift revenue by 8 percent, the adjusted EBIT by 20 percent, and the adjusted Return on Sales to 14.2 percent, despite a 7 percent drop in sales."

Semiconductor supply bottlenecks, as well as logistical challenges have prevented the company from meeting strong market demand.

"We are enhancing our vigilance and resilience to manage increasingly complex macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges. At the same time, we have good reasons to remain confident, with ongoing strong demand, a fresh vehicle portfolio and further key product launches this year," said Ola Kaellenius, Chairman of the Group's Board of Management.

The company also confirmed its commitment to "an all-electric future."
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to the Uzbek capital Tashkent on a two-day visit beginning Thursday to attend a foreign-ministerial conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and their Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto are also expected to attend the SCO meet.

It is expected that Jaishankar will have bilateral meetings with some of his counterparts from the SCO nations including Wang and Lavrov.

Announcing Jaishankar's visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the SCO foreign ministers' meeting would deliberate on the SCO summit in September scheduled for September 15-16 in Samarkand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to Uzbekistan to attend the summit.

"External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Uzbekistan on July 28-29 at the invitation of Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov to take part in the meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers," the MEA said in a statement.

"The meeting will discuss preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Council of Heads of State on September 15-16 in Samarkand," it said.

The MEA said the foreign ministers would review ongoing cooperation in the expansion of the SCO and exchange ideas on regional and global developments of common concern.
Egypt has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with an Indian company to build a green hydrogen factory in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, a cabinet statement said on Wednesday, Trend reports citing Khaleej Times.

According to the MoU, Indian ReNew Power Private Limited will build a factory to produce 20,000 tonnes of green hydrogen a year, with investments worth $8 billion.
A senior NASA official said on Wednesday that Russia had informed US space officials that it was planning to remain part of the International Space Station (ISS) at least until 2028, when it plant to built its own space station, Trend reports citing TASS.

"We're not getting any indication at any working level that anything's changed," Kathy Lueders, NASA's space operations chief, told Reuters.

Roscosmos Director General Yury Borisov said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin earlier on Tuesday that Russias key priority in space exploration will be to build a Russian space station.
Turkiye, Sweden and Finland is "not an end, but a good start," Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Thursday, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

"We expect them to fulfill their commitments," Akar said at a news conference with his Latvian counterpart Artis Pabriks in the capital of Riga where they discussed defense issues and NATO cooperation.

During the NATO summit in Madrid late last month, the leaders of three countries agreed on a trilateral memorandum to address Turkiye's legitimate security concerns, paving the way for Finland and Sweden's NATO membership bids.

The deal stipulates that Stockholm and Helsinki will not provide support to the YPG, the PKK's Syrian offshoot, nor to the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO), the group behind a 2016 defeated coup.

Turkiye, a member of NATO for more than 70 years, has pushed Sweden and Finland to meet their obligations.

The PKK is listed as a terror organization by Turkiye, the European Union and the United States and is responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

Regarding the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul to oversee Ukrainian grain exports, Akar said: "The center is operational. Officials from Turkiye, the United Nations, Ukraine and Russia are working day and night for the ships waiting at the Ukrainian ports to start transporting grain in the coming hours and days."

He said Turkey continues its efforts to achieve a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The U.S. State Department approved a possible foreign military sale to Germany of F-35 fighter jets, munitions and related equipment for an estimated cost of $8.4 billion, the Pentagon said on Thursday, Trend reports citing Reuters.

The potential deal for the advanced stealth fighter came after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged an upgrade to his country's military following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The principle contractors for the deal include Lockheed Martin Corp, Boeing Co and Raytheon Technologies Corp, the Pentagon said.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale on Thursday.

Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded.
A Cairo criminal court referred on Tuesday the case of the judge accused of murdering his wife, TV presenter Shaimaa Gamal, and his alleged partner in crime to the grand mufti to inquire about the religious ruling.
The European Union said Tuesday it was studying Iran's response to a "final" draft agreement on reviving a 2015 nuclear accord with major powers it presented at talks in Vienna.
Massive explosions and fires hit a military depot in Russia-annexed Crimea on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people, the second time in recent days that the Ukraine war's focus has turned to the contested peninsula.
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of trying to encourage extended hostilities in Ukraine as part of what he described Tuesday as Washington's alleged efforts to maintain its global hegemony.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

The Coordinating Headquarters for addressing issues in Azerbaijans liberated lands in a centralized manner held a regular meeting, Azernews reports.

The meeting was chaired by Azerbaijans Presidential Administration Chief Samir Nuriyev.

During the meeting, Nuriyev outlined the tasks stemming from the presidents speech at a meeting on the results of the six months of 2022. In this regard, he stressed the importance of further improving the headquarters activities on the basis of planning, efficiency, and transparency.

The participants of the meeting also discussed issues arisen during the visit of members of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Coordination Headquarters to Sugovushan and Aghdam on July 5 this year.

Moreover, touching upon the resettlement of 41 families as part of the first stage of Aghali residents return, Nuriyev briefed on the news tasks regarding the start of the Great Return process.

Additionally, they discussed issues related to the headquarters current activities, including the preparation of urban planning documentation, provision of settlements with engineering, communication, and social infrastructure, as well as the organization of the return and sustainable resettlement of the population.

The Coordination Headquarters was established on November 24, 2020, in line with the presidential decree to address the issues in Azerbaijan's liberated territories in a centralized manner.

Currently, work is underway to restore Azerbaijan's liberated lands. Azerbaijan will rebuild its recently liberated areas in four stages. The initial stage includes the solution of the issues of governance and security, and infrastructure, while the subsequent stages include the solution of the issues of social services activities, reconstruction, and development of the economy.

In 2021, Azerbaijan allocated $1.5 billion for the reconstruction of liberated territories. These funds were used primarily to restore infrastructure (electricity, gas, water, communications, roads, education, health, and so on) as well as cultural and historical monuments.

For 2022, the state budget provides for the allocation of AZN2.2 billion ($1.3bn) for the reconstruction of Azerbaijan's liberated territories. Earlier, according to the amendment to the abovementioned law, an additional AZN470 million ($276.4m) is proposed for the reconstruction of liberated territories this year.
The board of trustees overseeing the national dialogue proposed by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi will hold a third meeting within days to finalise the agenda and timetable of debates.

MP and board member Talaat Abdel-Qawi revealed this week that the third meeting will see the formation of a committee to oversee the dialogues political agenda.

The boards second meeting, held on 19 July, divided the dialogues political agenda into four broad areas: the exercise of political rights and parliamentary representation and political parties; local councils; human rights and public liberties, a division which Abdel-Qawi says was agreed by all the forces participating in the dialogue.

Mohamed Fayez Farahat, director of Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies (ACPSS) and a member of the board of trustees, said in a TV interview that the long-awaited dialogue will have three stages. The first will see the board of trustees prepare the agendas of the political, economic, and social committees. The second stage will consist of debates while the third will focus on how to turn the dialogues recommendations into action.

We have already finalised the agenda of the political committee, and in our third meeting we will name the committees chair and members of this committee, said Farahat.

Farahat expects the political agenda to dominate the dialogue.

Of the almost 100,000 proposals presented to the dialogues administration, 37.2 per cent said concerned political issues, a reflection of the widespread conviction that political reforms are central to solving Egypts economic and social problems, said Farahat.

Farahat revealed that the dialogues second meeting focused on amending laws regulating the exercise of political rights, the performance of political parties, and the holding of parliamentary elections.

Once the political committee is formed, members will have to meet to reach agreement on amendments to these laws, changes that will hopefully lead to a more open society and vibrant political life.

Farahat said the consensus is that Egypt has been suffering from political sclerosis since 2014 and the long-awaited dialogue presents an opportunity to break this cycle. Many politicians and public figures invited to the dialogue, he added, blame the laws currently regulating parliamentary elections and political parties for the political paralysis.

On local councils, Farahat said: A law regulating the performance of local councils and municipalities was drafted by the Local Administration Committee affiliated with the House of Representatives but it has never come up for debate. The national dialogues political committee will therefore draft new legislation regulating the election and performance of local councils.

Human rights and liberties will be also a major issue on the dialogues agenda.

Diaa Rashwan, general coordinator of the national dialogue, revealed that the dialogues 19-member board of trustees had called on President Al-Sisi to use his constitutional powers to release political activists detained pending trial.

We appreciated President Al-Sisis decisions to pardon some activists convicted of political crimes but who were not involved in violent acts and we hope that the president will pardon more activists, said Rashwan.

According to Rashwan, two documents on human rights  Egypts 2030 Vision and the National Strategy for Human Rights, released in September 2021 will form the basis of the dialogues debates on the subject. The two documents are a progressive step but may need some amendments and additions to better serve the human rights agenda, said Rashwan. He added that there is a consensus among political forces that laws regulating pre-trial detention need to be urgently amended.

Tarek Al-Khouli, a member of the Presidential Pardon Committee, said during a TV interview that the national dialogue will pave the way for legislative reforms regulating human rights for the next five years. Laws regulating pre-trial detention are a major concern of local and international human rights organisations, said Al-Khouli. He noted that since the beginning of July 60 political prisoners have been released from detention, in addition to 700 prisoners released on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha two weeks ago.

Al-Khouli revealed that the presidential pardon committee is probing the possibility of releasing a number of high-profile prisoners, including British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, leftist lawyer Ziad Al-Oleimi, activist Ahmed Douma, young members of the 6 April movement, two hosts affiliated with the Qatari Al-Jazeera channel and members of the Amal (Hope) cell.

On liberties, Abdel-Qawi said the committee will review press freedoms and laws regulating the media.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 28 July, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Despite damaging Western sanctions imposed on Moscow in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia's economy appears to be weathering the storm better than expected as it benefits from high energy prices, the IMF said Tuesday.

The sanctions were meant to sever Russia from the global financial system and choke off funds available to Moscow to finance the war.

But the International Monetary Fund's latest World Economic Outlook upgraded Russia's GDP estimate for this year by a remarkable 2.5 percentage points, although its economy is still expected to contract by six percent.

"That's still a fairly sizable recession in Russia in 2022," IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas told AFP in an interview.

A key reason that the downturn was not as bad as expected was that "the Russian central bank and the Russian policymakers have been able to stave off a banking panic or financial meltdown when the sanctions were first imposed," he said.

Meanwhile, rising energy prices are "providing an enormous amount of revenues to the Russian economy."

After starting the year below $80 a barrel, oil prices spiked to nearly $129 in March before easing back to under $105 on Tuesday for Brent, the key European benchmark, while natural gas prices are rising again and approaching their recent peak.

While major economies including the United States and China are slowing, the report said, "Russia's economy is estimated to have contracted during the second quarter by less than previously projected, with crude oil and non-energy exports holding up better than expected."

Meanwhile, despite the sanctions, Russia's "domestic demand is also showing some resilience" due to government support.

But Gourinchas said "there is no rebound" ahead for Russia. "In fact," the IMF is "revising down the Russian growth in 2023," 1.2 points lower than the April forecast for a contraction of 3.5 percent.

The penalties already in place, as well as new ones announced by Europe, mean "the cumulative effect of the sanctions is also growing over time," he said.

The report indicates Europe is facing the brunt of the fallout from sanctions given its reliance on Russia for energy. The situation could worsen dramatically if Moscow cuts off gas exports, and once the European Union imposes a ban on Russian oil delivered by sea starting next year.

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Ukrainian artillery on Wednesday struck a key bridge in Moscow-controlled territory in south Ukraine, damaging an important supply route as Kyiv's forces look to wrest back the Kherson region.

The strike on the Antonivskiy bridge over the Dnipro river came hours ahead of the opening in Istanbul of a joint observation centre to monitor Ukrainian grain exports that have been blocked by the Kremlin's warships.

German authorities said Russian energy giant Gazprom had drastically cut gas deliveries to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline to about 20 percent of capacity, after the European Union agreed a plan to slash its usage this winter.

Kirill Stremousov, the deputy head of the Russian-installed regional administration in Kherson, confirmed the bridge had been hit overnight and traffic had been halted.

But he sought to downplay the damage, insisting that the attack would not affect the outcome of the hostilities "in any way."

"The special military operation is continuing," Stremousov said in a video posted on social media, using the Kremlin's preferred term to refer to their invasion.

Ukrainian forces in recent weeks have been clawing back territory in the Kherson region, which fell to Russian forces easily and early after their invasion launched on February 24.

Their counter-offensive supported by Western-supplied long-range artillery has seen its forces push closer to Kherson city, which had a pre-war population of under 300,000 people.

'Leave Kherson'

Ukrainian officials in the region have said their forces in the Black Sea region have changed tack, from defensive to offensive and that Kherson will "definitely" be liberated by the end of September.

Russian forces "should leave Kherson while it is still possible. There may not be a third warning," Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhaylo Podolyak said on Twitter after the attack.

Later Wednesday, the United Nations and Turkey are due to open a joint centre with Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul to coordinate the resumption of grain deliveries across the Black Sea.

The two sides agreed a mechanism last week to unblock millions of tonnes of grain trapped by a Russian blockade of Ukrainian ports -- an accord called into question by Russian strikes on Ukraine's Odessa port within 24 hours.

Kyiv insists it is still preparing for the first ships to leave and said Monday that it hopes to restart exports "this week".

The blockage of deliveries from two of the world's biggest grain exporters has contributed to a spike in prices that has made food imports prohibitively expensive for some of the world's poorest countries.

Erdogan wants Turkey -- on good terms with both Kyiv and Moscow -- at the centre of diplomatic efforts to halt the five-month war.

Russian news agencies -- citing Moscow's embassy in Ankara -- said Wednesday that a previously announced meeting between Erdogan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin would take place next Friday at the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi.

'Thrown into the barn'

While Ukrainian forces have been piling pressure on Russian positions in the south, the eastern Donbas region has seen intense fighting.

AFP journalists in Bakhmut, one of the remaining towns in Donbas under Ukrainian control, heard sporadic artillery fire and saw a house on the outskirts that had been hit by a Russian shell.

"I was in the barn and was going to go out. I heard a whistle. And I don't remember anything. It exploded and I was thrown into the barn by explosion wave, 51-year-old Roman told AFP.

The head of the Donetsk region in Donbas, said on social media that Russian artillery had hit a hotel and initial reports suggested the strikes had left people dead and injured.

Deepening an energy crisis in Europe sparked by the war, Germany's energy regulator said gas flows via the key Nord Stream pipeline had dropped to 20 percent of capacity on Wednesday from 40 percent.

EU states have rejected Gazprom's claims of technical problems and accuse the Kremlin of squeezing supplies in retaliation for Western sanctions over Moscow's war in Ukraine.

The 27-nation bloc in response on Tuesday agreed a plan to reduce gas consumption by 15 percent this winter to break its dependence on Russia.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday Ukraine will up its export of electricity to the European Union as the bloc faces an energy crisis sparked by Russia's invasion.

"We are preparing to increase our electricity exports to consumers in the European Union," Zelenskyy said in his daily address to the nation.

"Our exports would not only allow us to increase our income in foreign currency but will also help our partners to resist Russian energy pressure," he said after Russia drastically slashed its gas deliveries to Europe.

"We will gradually make Ukraine one of the guarantors of European energy security," he added.

The Ukrainian electricity grid was connected to the European network in mid-March, helping to keep supplies flowing despite the war.

Ukraine started exporting electricity to the European Union via Romania in early July.

Germany's energy regulator said Russia's state energy giant Gazprom cut gas deliveries to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline to about 20 percent of capacity on Wednesday from 40 percent.

EU states have accused Russia of squeezing supplies in retaliation for Western sanctions over Moscow's war in Ukraine, rejecting Moscow's claims of technical issues with the pipeline.

The EU has strongly backed Ukraine following Russia's February invasion, slapping Moscow with a barrage of sanctions and granting Kyiv "candidate status", a first step towards membership of the bloc.

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Iran arrested five people accused of links to the Israeli spy agency Mossad, state media said on Thursday, in the second such report in as many days.

"A spy network consisting of five members affiliated with the Zionist regime was identified and arrested," said a police intelligence statement quoted by the official news agency IRNA.

The network had been in contact with a middleman from Mossad "with encouragement from the head of a separatist group", it said, without giving further details.

On Wednesday, Iran's intelligence ministry said agents linked to Mossad who were arrested last week were also members of Komalah, a Marxist group which seeks autonomy for Kurdish-populated areas of northern Iran.

They were alleged to have been planning to target "sensitive sites" in the Islamic republic, it said.

Iran and arch-foe Israel have been engaged in a years-long shadow war.

Tehran has accused Israel of sabotage against its nuclear sites and assassinations of key figures, including scientists.

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Egypts public prosecution said in a statement on Thursday that political activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah has denied being mistreated in prison.

The prosecution says it investigated claims made by Abdel-Fattah's family that the activist has been subjected to torture and that they were denied visitations with him.

The prosecution said that it met with Abdel-Fattah on Wednesday and that he denied being mistreated at the Wadi Al-Natroun Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre.

According to Abdel-Fattahs family, his mother, University Professor Laila Soueif, tried to visit him for the past five days but every time she was told by prison officials that her son did not want to meet her, and that officials refused to give her details about his condition or tell her why he did not want to meet her.

On Thursday, Soueif submitted a petition to the head of the correctional centre asking to meet him and for an explanation as to why her son refuses to meet her.

According to the prosecution, a prosecutor from the Human Rights Department at the General Prosecution visited the correctional facility on 27 July and found that Abdel-Fattah received eight visits from his family, and that they brought to him food in some of those visits.

Abdel-Fattah's mother last visited him on 16 July, the prosecution said, adding that his periodical medical check revealed no medical problems or disease. The prosecution added that he has been receiving meals regularly.

Abdel-Fattah's family has asserted that he has been on hunger strike for more than 100 days.

The prosecutor also checked his cell and found that it was not overcrowded, as it held only three other inmates. The cell also enjoys ventilation, good lighting, and basic accommodation, and Abdel-Fattah has a large number of books and magazines in different languages, the prosecution said.

Abdel-Fattah was transferred to Wadi Al-Natroun Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre in mid-May as per a request by the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) given the newly-established centres advanced medical capabilities.

The NCHR said earlier in May that it received a petition signed by 500 Egyptian women urging the activists admission to the prisons hospital in order to be placed under medical observation after being on hunger strike for more than 40 days at the time.

The prosecution said that its prosecutor with met with Abdel-Fattah, who said that he was being treated well by personnel at the centre. He also had no complaints about his cell.

However, after answering some questions, Abdel-Fattah refused to respond to more questions and demanded a consular visit from the British embassy without presenting evidence that he holds British citizenship, the prosecution's statement said.

According to his family, Abdel-Fattah and his younger sisters received British citizenship earlier this year, as their mother was born in London in 1956. The family has said that they applied for citizenship in late 2019.

Abdel-Fattahs family announced on Thursday that his mother would meet with the British ambassador in Cairo to discuss her sons case. Abdel-Fattah's family has been demanding that British diplomats be allowed to visit him in prison.

The activist, who has spent most of his time in prison since 2013, has been in prison since 2019 and is now serving a five-year sentence for joining a terrorist group and spreading false news inside and outside the country.

During the prosecutors visit on Wednesday, Abdel-Fattah requested a wristwatch, radio, newspaper subscription, TV and increasing the exercise period available to him.

The prosecutor also examined Abdel-Fattah's body and it showed no signs of injury or torture.

The prosecution also dismissed allegations made by Abdel-Fattahs sister that her complaints to the prosecution were deliberately disregarded.

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Bilateral economic and investment cooperation between Egypt and Greece is developing momentum, according to Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostas Fragogiannis in an interview with Ahram Online.

Fragogiannis, who was born in 1959, has greatly contributed to reforms and legislation pertaining to the Greek ministrys restructuring on issues of economic diplomacy. He is dedicated to further enhancing Greeces bilateral relations with Balkan and Eastern European countries, the USA, Germany and all Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries.

According to Fragogiannis, there is indeed strong cooperation with Egypt in various fields, including construction, design and technical consulting. In my opinion, the future lays in collaborations in the field of energy and the environment. Besides collaboration on natural gas projects, there is also great potential for synergies in the field of solid and liquid waste management, the deputy foreign minister said.

Port and shipping cooperation is another field to work on, with the expansion and establishment of regular shipping links for the movement of products to and from Egypt, he said.

Tourism and ways to increase tourist flows, let us say by joint organisation of cruises, also have great potential. The same goes for cooperation in the field of innovation and start-ups in order to develop new technologies for agriculture and food security.

Regarding Egypts current achievements such as mega projects, new cities and economic reforms, Fragogiannis offered assurances that Egypt is the only country in the whole MENA region that has maintained a positive growth rate, despite the difficulties caused by the pandemic.

This is a result of Egypts economic reforms that started since 2016, he noted.

The countrys turn to improving fiscal management, boosting spending in social protection and human resources development and prioritising crucial economic fields such as energy and information and communication technologies (ICT), are all very welcome developments that we follow with great interest, he said.

Besides, the prosperity of all our neighbours and allies can only be of benefit to us all.

Regarding the trilateral Egypt-Greece-Cyprus summit, he offered assurances that the long-standing ties of friendship and the solid relations between the three countries have contributed to the establishment of one of the most advanced and active cooperation schemes in our region, a model of productive and multilevel cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean area.

Since the first summit in 2014, nine have been held and agreements have been signed in a wide range of areas. Our joint actions are carried out in various fields, from tourism and small and medium enterprises, to energy and environmental protection. The progress is substantial and continuous, despite the various obstacles and challenges we have faced.

During our last summit in Athens, which was held on the 19th of October in 2021, we signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) on electricity interconnection cooperation, expanding our partnership in the field of power generation and distribution.

According to Fragogiannis, the signed MoU on electricity interconnection between Egypt and Greece is a project of a strategic importance, because it promotes energy security and prosperity, especially in current times when the energy crisis is affecting the whole world. The project is part of Greeces focus on an energy policy that pursues and secures the maximisation of energy security and the diversification of sources and routes.

The project envisages the electrical interconnection of the Egyptian and the Greek system in order to transfer 100 percent clean energy produced by high capacity renewable energy in Egypt, he said.

The project contributes to tackling both climate change and the greenhouse effect through the use of clean and renewable energy. Part of the transmitted energy will be consumed in Greece, part will be used to produce green hydrogen and part will be transported to Europe. Among its other benefits, the electrical interconnection also strengthens the infrastructure of the electricity networks of Egypt and Greece, the deputy minister said.

As for the latest signed agreements and trade cooperation progress between Greece and Egypt, Fragogiannis said that mirroring the excellent state of our political relations, trade cooperation of Greece and Egypt is also well-established.

"We also look into expanding our cooperation in new sectors. Specifically, we are developing cooperation in the sector of power generation and distribution, aiming at enhancing our energy security and diversifying our energy sources, he said.

In the past year, Greece and Egypt signed two MoUs of great importance in the field of energy cooperation  one on the connection of the two countries electricity networks and another on cooperation in the field of natural gas.

Several Greek ship-owners have already initiated some LNG shipments from Egypt to our country, placing Egypt in the index of our LNG suppliers, he noted.

Furthermore, on 26 January, Egypts Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) and the Thessaloniki Port Authority (ThPA) signed an agreement that is expected to contribute to the development of international trade and the increase business activities between Asia and Europe, Fragogiannis said.

Just this month, Greece and Egypt signed two bilateral legal texts, the deputy foreign minister said.

On 16 June, Export Credit Greece, the agency tending to Greek exporters needs by providing them with export credit insurance and financial and consulting services, signed an MoU on cooperation with Egypts Export Credit Guarantee Co., with the aim of establishing the cooperation framework to support and encourage bilateral trade and investment.

On 26 June, an agreement was signed to connect the two countries by extending a branch of a major submarine cable system, which is currently being laid across the Mediterranean Sea. The agreement aims to intensify cooperation in the field of communication and IT and serve the increasing data traffic between Africa, Asia and Europe.

We are developing cooperation with Egypt in a wide range of fields; we are working together in cruise tourism, through the exchange of valuable know-how and best practices, as well as in environmental protection and combatting the consequences of climate change. I would like to once again stress Greek support for Egypt as venue for [the UN Climate Change Conference 2022] (COP27), in the coming November, he said.

Furthermore, representatives of the Greek food industry, organised by Enterprise Greece, will be taking part in the prestigious international exhibition titled Food Africa Cairo, which will be held in Cairo from 5-7 December, according to Fragogiannis.

In addition to our bilateral cooperation activities, we are also looking forward to the advancement of our trilateral cooperation, with the next trilateral summit, taking place in Egypt, in the second half of 2022.

In 2021, bilateral trade amounted to a significant 1.7 billion, increasing 49.5 percent compared to the same period in 2020, according to him. However, he says, there is always room and perspective for new economic cooperation opportunities.

According to the latest statistical data available, the value of Greek exports to Egypt followed a declining trend in 2021, mainly because of the decrease in exports in petroleum products and their derivatives, which constitute half of Greek exports to Egypt.

Greeces main goal is to diversify our export portfolio and reduce the dependence on petroleum products, with a focus on increasing the share of the food industry, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and services (construction, tourism, energy and RES and ICT), the deputy minister said.

According to the latest data from the Bank of Greece for 2020, direct investments from Greece to Egypt amounted to 81 million and are mainly in cement, oil, aluminium, construction materials, food, banking services, maritime and air transport, education services, information technology and the paper industry. The amount of direct investments from Egypt to Greece is estimated to 24 million and mainly concerns real estate.

During 2021, several Greek business and investment groups showed active interest in the Egyptian market, paying on-site visits and seeking the best ways to stabilise or expand their operations. As for the Egyptian side, there is strong interest in the real estate market (via the Golden Visa Program), as well as in the exploitation-management of tourist real estate and hotel units. There is also a developing interest in sectors of the Greek industry.

In fact, he says, there are ongoing discussions about planning a visit to Egypt with a business delegation to explore ways of expanding and strengthening economic cooperation.

Fragogiannis also said that the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum is an important initiative undertaken by Egypt, which Greece welcomed from the beginning, since it serves the collective effort to create a regional gas market in the southeast Mediterranean.

It is worth noting that the EU has acknowledged the significant role of the Eastern Mediterranean countries in the diversification of gas routes and suppliers, he said, adding that the EMGF provides an excellent example of how the participating countries are using energy as a promoter for peace and cooperation and not as a cause for conflict in a troubled region.

Every country is invited to join under the condition of total respect of international law, he said.

We fully welcome any cooperation with Egypt both at a bilateral and at an international level and in this respect we look forward to working closely with Egypt during the upcoming COP27 summit, he said.

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Egypt recorded a daily average of 177 coronavirus cases over the past week (19-27 July), with 12 deaths total recorded over the same period, Acting Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar said on Thursday.

In a cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, Abdel-Ghaffar reviewed the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Egypt, as well as the spread of monkeypox around the world and the governments measures to confront any possible infections with this disease.

The acting health minister reviewed the occupancy rates in the states hospitals designated to provide health and treatment isolation services for coronavirus patients, saying that 97 percent of the hospital beds are vacant, including 86 percent of intensive care beds, and 94 percent of ventilators.

More than 38 million people have been fully immunised against the coronavirus in Egypt, he noted.

Over 49 million people have received their first dose, meeting 98.7 percent of the countrys vaccination target, and over 38 million people have received the second dose, meeting 76.7 percent of the target, Abdel-Ghaffar explained.

Moreover, over six million people have received booster shots.

The minister had stated earlier this week that 97 percent of the COVID-19 cases in Egypt are of the Omicron variant.

Most infections in Egypt do not require treatment at hospitals, but can instead be managed by five to seven-day-long isolation at home, he explained.

Sore throat is the most common symptom of COVID-19 followed by headache and blocked nose, the Egyptian Health and Population Ministry has stated.

Earlier pandemic symptoms such as fever as well as loss of taste and smell were mentioned at the bottom of the list as the least reported symptoms of COVID-19 currently.

During the meeting, the acting health minister also reviewed the spread of monkeypox, affirming that no monkeypox cases have been detected in Egypt to date.

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Egypts National Alliance for Civil Development Work (NACDW) has allocated around EGP 2.4 billion to support 400,000 impoverished families on a monthly basis over one year amid the current global economic crisis, a statement by the alliance read on Wednesday.

The contribution will be provided by NACDW member institutions, which amount to 24 associations, civil society organisations, and service and developmental entities, according to the statement.

The NACDW will continue its social protection Wasl El-Khair initiative to provide nutritional, medical, and social care as well as economic empowerment opportunities to around five million families in 2022.

The alliances decision came to ease the current global economic impasse and expand the number of beneficiaries from the social protection programmes as per President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis directives, the statement explained.

The NACDW was launched in March to ensure the effective engagement of civil society institutions in developing communities and meeting their legitimate needs in the service, health, education, awareness, and urban fields.

Amid the current global economic crisis, El-Sisi has urged the government to focus on the enhancement of social protection programmes in the coming period.

In a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, El-Sisi instructed the addition of one million new families to the Takaful and Karama (Solidarity and Dignity) cash support programmes, thus increasing the number of beneficiaries to more than 20 million citizens nationwide.

El-Sisi also directed the government to disburse a total of EGP 1 billion per month for the next six months as exceptional aid to nine million families.

Recipients will include the neediest families and pensioners who receive less than EGP 2,500 per month as well as state employees whose monthly salaries are less than EGP 2,700.

In addition, two million subsidised food boxes will be made available each month at half their price from the Egyptian Armed Forces food markets. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Endowment in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Solidarity will distribute Eid Al-Adha meat throughout the year.

Earlier in July, Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait said that EGP 356 billion of the fiscal year (FY) 2022/23 budget have been allocated for social protection and subsidisidies, while another EGP 400 billion will go towards improving the conditions of public sector employees, including wages and compensations.

Out of the EGP 356 billion allocated by Egypts FY 2022/23 budget for social protection and subsidies, Maait said EGP 90 billion went for subsidising food commodities and bread to ensure their availability for about 71 million citizens.

Some EGP 22 billion are allocated for Takaful and Karama (Solidarity and Dignity) programmes that provide aid for four million families, Maait said.

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The price of eggs in Egypt has risen by an unprecedented amount in recent weeks, with some experts blaming the increase on feed costs, leading the government to take active steps to stabilise the market.

The price of a tray of 30 eggs increased from EGP 55-60 (about $3) in May to EGP 70-80 (about $4) in July, increasing by about EGP 20 in just two months.

This comes in spite of Egypt having achieved self-sufficiency in egg production since 2018, with the country now producing 13 billion eggs annually. Egypt even become an exporter of eggs, sending 1.8 million to Bahrain in 2019, and six million to Libya in 2021, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

In response to the skyrocketing prices, social media users have launched various online campaigns calling for a national boycott of eggs, targetting retailers in an attempt to get them to lower prices.

In an attempt to lower the soaring prices, the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade announced on Sunday that it would sell trays of white eggs through its outlets at the discounted price of EGP 65. A few days later, on Wednesday, they announced they would further lower the price to EGP 62 per tray.

The Ministry of Agriculture also announced on Wednesday that they would deploy mobile outlets offering eggs at lower prices: EGP 58 for a tray of white eggs, and EGP 60 for a tray of brown eggs.

However, Ahram Online found retailers are still selling eggs at the higher prices. In the larger markets, the price of a tray is around EGP 80, while a tray of brown eggs will tend to go for about EGP 5 more.

In supermarkets, the price of a tray of white eggs still ranges between EGP 70-75, with a wide range of prices depending on the store, the area and the producer.

In a phone interview with Hadith Al-Qahira (Cairo Talk) earlier in July, Egypts Minister of Agriculture El-Sayed El-Quseir claimed that while Egypt has achieved self-sufficiency in poultry, the large increase in egg prices is caused by the increase in the prices of poultry feed.

This opinion was shared by Mahmoud El-Anani, head of the Poultry Producers Union, who in an interview with CNN on Monday, attributed the rise in the prices of eggs and poultry to the successive increases in the prices of corn and soy due to the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Ukraine and Russia are major global suppliers of wheat, barley, corn and sunflower oil, and fighting in the Black Sea region  known as the breadbasket of the world  is leading grain prices to soar globally, especially following price increases due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The price of corn has doubled from $3,000 per bushel before the COVID-19 pandemic to $8,800, an increase of 250 percent, and the same is true for soy, El-Anani said.

Despite feed price increases during the pandemic, egg prices in Egypt actually dropped during this time.

The crisis of egg production started earlier, in 2020, in conjunction with the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a decline in consumption while maintaining high production rates, and thus resulted in a decrease in the prices of eggs, Abdel-Aziz El-Sayed, Head of the Poultry Division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce, told Ahram Online on Tuesday.

At the time the price of a tray of table eggs dropped to EGP 20, incurring great losses for producers, and many of them could not cope with these losses and had to exit the egg production sector, El-Sayed noted.

However, some experts have attributed the hike in egg prices locally to the recent increase in diesel prices. On 13 July, Egypt raised the price of diesel for the first time in three years, increasing it by EGP 0.5 to EGP 7.25 per litre.

El-Quseir, however, asserted that the ministry bears the cost of transportation from farms to outlets to be able to sell at the cost of production.

Pumping [extra] quantities of eggs into government stores is merely a pain killer, not a radical solution, El-Sayed said, referring to the supply and agriculture ministries attempts.

The government should set a new ceiling price based on the cost [of production], he added, highlighting that the cost of producing eggs is about EGP 50-55, and therefore raising the prices to EGP 80 or even EGP 90 in some areas is unjustified.

Securing consumer goods for citizens and setting official price ceilings is a duty of the government, especially in crises periods, he said, mentioning bread, eggs and many other essential commodities.

A governmental committee should be assigned to follow up on production of all consumer goods and assure their affordability, El-Sayed said while further clarifying that this committee should be responsible for setting a fair profit margin and monitoring the wholesalers and retailers to account for any irregularities.

According to the agriculture ministry, the poultry industry is important in Egypt, providing investments amounting to EGP 100 billion, employing 2.5 million workers and producing 35 million eggs daily.

Regarding the online calls for boycott, El-Sayed stated that it may not be viable for most people to engage in, especially for the lower class that consume eggs as a low-cost source of protein and substitute for more expensive meat.

But we can regulate consumption; we should [encourage] buying eggs individually not by tray, he added.

On the other hand, he noted the importance of the media in combatting the rise in prices, saying following the media campaigns that were launched in many media outlets and social media, we surprisingly found that the eggs tray price in some areas decreased to about EGP 55.

Egypt is the only country that is self-sufficient in poultry and eggs, he said, shifting the blame away from chicken price. The price of chicken is fixed to EGP 31-32 per kilogram in farms and is currently sold to consumers at EGP 35-37 per kilogram, he said.

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By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has welcomed the readiness and desire of Azerbaijan to join the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, Azernews reports, per IRNA.

The minister made the remarks online during the 20th session of the D-8 council of foreign ministers in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

D-8 enlargement and accession of new members may serve as a tool for the realization of the organizations goals. We do welcome the readiness and desire of our friendly and neighboring country, the Republic of Azerbaijan to join D-8. The organization should move quickly to accept new members, he said.

It should be noted that during the current summit, the D-8 members will decide whether or not Azerbaijan will become a member of the organization. D8 Business Forum and Expo 2022 is held by Developing-8 Chambers of Commerce and Industries in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 26-27, 2022.

D-8, also known as Developing-8, is an organization for development cooperation among the following countries: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkiye. The establishment of D-8 was announced officially through the Istanbul Declaration of Summit of Heads of State/Government on June 15, 1997.

The objectives of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation are to improve member states position in the global economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at the international level, and improve standards of living.
The Egyptian Cabinet approved during its meeting on Thursday a draft law amending some provisions of the telecommunications law.

The meeting was held at the government headquarters in New Alamein City under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

The move aims to increase the penalty for the possession of illegal mobile phone signal boosters.

The draft law bans importing, manufacturing, assembling, possessing, using, operating, installing or marketing any telecommunication equipment until after obtaining a permit from the concerned authorities.

Such equipment also has to be approved by the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), according to the bill.

The draft law stipulates that violators face imprisonment for one to five years, as well as a fine of EGP 2 to 5 million.

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Demonstrators in the volatile eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have called for the immediate withdrawal of the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

Recent protests in Butembo-Beni, Goma, Bukavu and Uvira turned into deadly attacks against the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

By 26 July 2022, at least 15 people had died, including UN peacekeepers, as demonstrators stormed and burnt the missions bases in Goma, Butembo and Uvira. They accused the 22-year-old mission of failing to stop decades of fighting in the country.

The UN mission, however, has long been blamed for what should be the DRC governments responsibility: de-escalating violence in the countrys eastern region and finding long-term solutions to peace.

Across the entire eastern region, from Ituri to South Kivu, and for roughly three decades now, local populations have suffered daily due to the violence meted out either by armed groups or Congolese security services.

The situation remains volatile despite the presence of the worlds largest UN mission, which was first established and deployed in 1999. Its mandate was expanded in 2010 to include the protection of civilians.

As of November 2021, it had more than 16,000 uniformed personnel in the DRC.

Violent reactions against the UN mission are an expression of the local populations frustrations about the past and the present, but also the uncertainty of their future.

Based on my research, undertaken since 2017 to understand the motivations of individuals, groups and communities in violent conflicts, particularly in eastern DRC, I would argue that the UN mission shouldnt be held responsible for what the Congolese state should be doing.

In the 22 years since the current UN mission was deployed, the Congolese state, and the countrys elite, bear huge responsibility for failing to form and build an army able to preserve harmony and protect the population.

The Triggers

The latest attack on the UN mission followed a political meeting held on 15 July 2022 in Goma, the capital city of North Kivu in eastern DRC.

While on parliamentary recess, Bahati Lukwebo, the president of the senate, stopped to speak to his supporters in Goma. North Kivu is currently facing diverse forms of armed insurgencies, including from the M23.

In his speech, Lukwebo asked the youth to consider joining the Congolese national army, the Forces Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo (FARDC). He also blamed the UN mission for failing to stabilise the country.

The crowd responded in Swahili, a national language: Baenda, baende (Let them go, let them go).

Lukwebo, a long-time politician, asked the crowd to raise their hands if they wanted the UN mission to leave. The hands shot up. He then said the UN peacekeepers should pack their bags, and allow the Congolese to take care of their own peace, security and territorial integrity.

In the countrys fragile socio-security context, these remarks were dangerous. The UN mission has long been accused of failing to protect civilians from rebel groups in the country.

These remarks followed a June 2022 briefing from a top official for the UN mission in the DRC, Bintou Keita. She warned the Security Council that the mission in the DRC may find itself confronted by a threat that goes beyond its current capabilities in tackling the resurgence of a highly organised M23.

To some Congolese, this sounded like the UN mission would no longer play a role in supporting the national army or protecting civilians.

Against this backdrop, Lukwebos address fanned the flame of protest. Political manipulation may aim to shift the blame for the DRCs insecurity from the national army to the UN mission.

However, for communities in eastern DRC, their continued exposure to violence is evidence of an unfulfilled promise to keep them safe.

The Blame Game

A few months back, the widely unstable North Kivu province experienced a resurgence of the M23 rebel group. Rwanda has been accused of backing the M23  Kigali has vehemently denied these allegations.

The rebel group was initially defeated in 2013. But beyond M23, eastern DRC has hundreds of local and foreign armed militia groups. From Ituri to South Kivu provinces, communities witness violence daily.

These armed groups include the jihadist-linked Allied Democratic Forces operating in Beni (North Kivu) and Ituri. In Ituri specifically, a militia group known as Cooperative de Developpement du Congo has been attacking Congolese civilians over their ethnic affiliation.

The UN has said these attacks could be characterised as crimes against humanity.

Similar attacks that target individuals due to their ethnic affiliation are committed in South Kivu on the basis that these victims are not real Congolese.

Read more: Violence is endemic in eastern Congo: what drives it

As insecurity heightens, local communities keep forming defence groups. However, many of these groups eventually turn on those they are supposed to protect.

Whether or not these armed groups and rebellions have legitimate claims to exist, their failure to uphold their grievances and their attacks on civilians overshadow why they were formed.

The UN mission has faced various challenges in executing its mandate. This includes its being unfamiliar with local contexts, as well as having to operate in a region thats mostly inaccessible.

In Beni, it has expressed concerns over the national army launching military operations without sufficiently engaging peacekeepers.

These, nd other internal and external challenges, call for a redefinition of the missions mandate in relation to local contexts. If this doesnt happen, the UN risks spending another decade trying, but failing to contribute to long-lasting peace in eastern DRC.

Congo Governments Failures

The Congolese elite have formed a network of predators who have preyed on their constituencies since independence in 1960. The country is among the poorest in the world despite its rich mineral and natural resources. The majority of Congolese live in extreme poverty, while the elite are extremely rich.

Read more: How conflicts intertwined over time and destabilised the DRC, and the region

On top of this, the national army comprises military officers and generals whose prime concern is to serve their own interests.

Embezzlement and corruption have ruined the military to the extent that rank and file soldiers are poorly equipped and sometimes go unpaid, while generals build financial empires.

The UN mission has come to be seen as part and parcel of this situation. Local communities have lost trust in the intervention of government and international security forces, and their capacity to bring change.

* This story was published in the Conversation

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French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris on Thursday, defying criticism that the invitation is deeply inappropriate barely four years after the murder by Saudi agents of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The meeting will be seen as the latest step in the readmission of the Crown Prince into the international fold, after US President Joe Biden met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier in Jeddah this month.

The topics set to loom over the meeting include energy supply as concern grows over possible power shortages due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as reining in the nuclear programme of Riyadh's top regional foe Iran.

MBS -- who is portrayed at home as a champion of social and economic reform -- arrives in France fresh from a trip to Greece to discuss energy ties.

'Double standards'

The killing drew outrage not just over the elimination of a prominent critic of the Saudi regime, but also for the manner in which it was carried out. Khashoggi was lured into the Saudi consulate and strangled, on October 2, 2018.

But despite the concern over Saudi Arabia's rights record, the kingdom is seen by many in the West as an essential partner due to its energy resources, purchases of weaponry and staunch opposition to Iran's theocratic regime.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made the oil and gas reserves of the kingdom all the more important for the West.

Amnesty International secretary general Agnes Callamard expressed concern that "values were being obliterated in the face of concern about the rising price of oil".

'Political leverage'

The French president had already travelled to the kingdom in December 2021 for talks with MBS, a visit that raised some eyebrows at the time.

MBS is in charge of the country's day-to-day business due to the ailing condition of his father, King Salman.

Macron will be meeting MBS fresh from talks with two close allies of the kingdom, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. The red carpet welcome for both leaders dismayed activists.

Macron will also be arriving from a three-nation tour of Africa, where he visited Cameroon, Benin and Guinea Bissau, none of which are seen as exemplary democracies.

After the recent fist-bump greeting from Biden that for many symbolised the West's re-acceptance of MBS, there will be huge interest in the body language between Macron and Prince Mohammed.

The talks are set to get underway late in the day, at 8:30 pm (1830 GMT), and include a working dinner at the Elysee Palace. MBS reportedly arrived late Wednesday at a Paris airport and headed to a private residence outside the city.

"The war in Ukraine has put the energy-producing countries back in the spotlight, and they are taking advantage of it," said Camille Lons, research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

"This gives them political leverage that they will use to reassert their importance on the international stage," she added.

**This story was edited by Ahram Online

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Kurdish-affiliated authorities said Thursday they had found the remains of almost 30 bodies in a mass grave in northern Syria, with a war monitor saying they were likely killed by jihadists.

"At least 29 bodies, including those of a woman and two children, have been found in a mass grave," near a hotel in Manbij, said an official of the Kurdish-affiliated Manbij civilian council, who requested anonymity.

The jihadist Islamic State group had turned the hotel into a prison when it ruled the northern city between 2014 and 2016.

The mass grave was unearthed on Wednesday by municipal workers who were doing work on the sewerage system, according to the Manbij military council.

Some of the decomposed remains were found handcuffed and blindfolded, it said.

The military council said it was unclear when they were killed, but that it was during IS rule of Manbij.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the remains are believed to belong to people abducted by IS fighters.

US-backed Kurdish-led forces took control of Manbij in 2016, after ousting the jihadists from the city.

Dozens of mass graves have been found in Iraq and Syria but the identification process is slow, costly and complicated.

IS seized large swathes of Iraq and Syrian territory in 2014, declaring a "caliphate" and killing thousands before they were detained.

One of the biggest alleged IS mass graves contained 200 bodies and was discovered in 2019 near Raqa, the group's former de-facto capital in Syria.

Rights groups have repeatedly called on Kurdish authorities and the Syrian government to investigate the fate of thousands who went missing during IS rule.

The missing include British reporter John Cantlie and Italian Jesuit priest Paolo Dall'Oglio.

Syria's war, which erupted in 2011 after the brutal repression of anti-government protests, has killed nearly half a million people and forced around half of the country's pre-war population from their homes.

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In this referendum, Tunisians voted on the new draft constitution, with a 27.5 percent turnout of registered voters. Of the electors, 94.6 percent voted for the new constitution, while 5.4 percent rejected it.

Passing the new constitution has raised many questions about the political future of Tunisia and national action in the near future, especially as Tunisia has been in the throes of a deep crisis since the adoption of the exceptional measures.

The new text will transform Tunisias regime from a parliamentary system to a presidential one, in which the Tunisian president enjoys far-reaching powers, in return for limiting and possibly undermining the powers of other authorities, especially the legislative ones.

However, the most significant amendment in addition to the above, in my estimation, is the article which states: Tunisia is part of the Islamic Ummah [nation] and the State alone must work to achieve the goals of pure Islam, in preserving life, honour, wealth, religion and freedom. This amendment will mean putting an end to the political use of religion, downsizing the influence of political Islam in Tunisia, especially the Ennahda Movement.

It is likely that the state of political polarisation in Tunisia will continue for some time after the new constitution is passed and approved, in light of the opposition of many Tunisian political currents to the referendum and their failing to recognise its results. This is especially true for the Islamist Ennahda Movement, the National Salvation Front and the Dignity Coalition (Al Karama). This is not to mention the civil parties that reject the draft of President Kais Saied but are not affiliated to the Ennahda Movement, including the Free Destourian Party, the Democratic-Republican Current, Ettakatol and the Workers, as well as the Tunisian General Labour Union.

These political currents agree that the adoption of President Saied's draft constitution means "one-man rule" which does not include "participation," threatening the democratic gains that Tunisia has achieved in the post-Jasmine Revolution phase. This trend has already begun to confront Saied's measures, whether by resorting to the judiciary, or inviting Tunisians to protest and head to the streets to express their rejection of the president's draft, and promoting the "illegality" of the current system of government in Tunisia.

Meanwhile, there is another front that supports President Saied, spearheaded by the popular groups that prefer stability to various political calculations, in addition to parties like the People's Movement and Union for Tunisia, the Tunisia Forward Movement and the Popular Movement. These parties see the adoption of the constitution as an opportunity to complete the building of Tunisian institutions, to complete the Correction Path and to cut all ties with the years of "corruption and terrorism," in reference to the era of the rule of the Ennahda Movement.

By adopting and passing the new Tunisian draft constitution, the opposition front, led by the Ennahda Movement, has failed to obstruct the draft constitutional referendum and to mobilise the public to do so. This shows the declining popularity of these trends and their inability to reach the Tunisian street, while proving the continuing popularity of the Tunisian president among the Tunisians, who prefer stability to political wrangling. Therefore, it can be said that voting Yes to the new constitution is tantamount to voting No to the Muslim Brotherhoods return to power in Tunisia. President Saied may exploit this result to end the political presence of the Tunisian Muslim Brotherhood by issuing an electoral law that provides for the dissolution of parties with a religious reference.

However, this step has increased the challenges facing President Saied and his government. Given his broad powers, he will be responsible to the Tunisians for dealing with the economic and social crises that are worsening every day, and he will not be able to claim that any other political trends are to blame for this. The president will be required in the near future to complete the reforms and put the country on the right track with a participatory approach, because an increasing number of opposition trends is not in the presidents interest, nor in the interest of Tunisia, as it will lead to greater instability at every level.

*The writer is a political researcher specialising in regional security issues

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A large wildfire on the German-Czech border is spreading and threatening to destroy a forested national park popular with tourists.

The fire in the region called Bohemian Switzerland on the Czech side and the Saxon Switzerland national park on the German side, which started on the weekend, had seemed to be under control, but spread again early Thursday, German news agency dpa reported.

Hundreds of firefighters on both sides of the border and with help from neighboring Poland and Slovakia were battling the flames, while local authorities warned tourists to stay away.

About 250 hectares of forest are currently burning and eight firefighting helicopters were helping to douse the flames, dpa reported.

Another large forest fire in the Elbe-Elster district in the eastern German state of Brandenburg also flared up again on Wednesday evening, local authorities said.

Germany's minister for agriculture said Wednesday night the government would help battle the fires and praised those already working to extinguish them. Germany's army has sent several military helicopters to both fires to support local units.

``The emergency forces are already doing a great job here,'' Cem Ozdemir said.

The fight against the fire in Brandenburg has been further complicated because some areas are contaminated with World War II ammunition and can only be extinguished from the air by helicopters. It is too dangerous for firefighters to enter these areas as old ammunition triggered by the heat or by people stepping on it can explode at any time.

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The country's monkeypox outbreak can still be controlled and eliminated, US health officials said Thursday, despite rising case numbers and so-far limited vaccine supplies.

The Biden administration's top health official pushed back against criticism about the pace of the response and worries that the US has missed the window to contain the virus, which has been declared a global emergency.

"We believe we have done everything we can at the federal level to work with our state and local partners and communities affected to make sure we can stay ahead of this and end this outbreak,'' Xavier Becerra, head of the Department of Health and Human Services, told reporters on a call.

But he added that local health officials "must do their part. ... We don't have the authority to tell them what to do.''

The pushback from federal leaders came as they announced distribution plans for 780,000 shots of the two-dose Jynneos vaccine. The doses will be allocated to states, cities and other localities based on their case numbers and the size of their populations that are considered high-risk for the disease.

Health departments in San Francisco; New York; Washington, DC; and elsewhere say they still don't have enough shots to meet demand and have stopped scheduling appointments for second vaccine doses to stretch supplies.

Becerra said the federal government has done its job and said the onus is now on local officials to use the tools available.

"We've made vaccines, tests and treatments well beyond the numbers that are currently needed available to all jurisdictions,'' he said.

There were more than 4,600 reported monkeypox cases in the US as of late Wednesday, according to the CDC, and federal officials expect those numbers to rise.

More than 99% of reported cases are in men and the vast majority of those are among men who reported sexual contact with other men, though health officials have stressed that anyone can catch the virus.

The US is now capable of testing 60,000 to 80,000 people per day, though Becerra said daily testing numbers are well below that.

The monkeypox virus mainly spreads through skin-on-skin contact, but it can also transmit through touching linens used by someone with the infection.

People with monkeypox may experience fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. Many in the outbreak have developed sometimes-painful zit-like bumps.

The US has ordered 5.5 million more vaccine doses for delivery by mid-2023 and has rights to raw ingredients that could make 11.1 million more doses.

US officials said a massive vaccination campaign could still be avoided if communities and individuals take measures to avoid spread.

In San Francisco, Tom Temprano had an appointment to get his second dose next week but was recently notified that it was canceled due to limited supplies.

Temprano, who is the political director of San Francisco-based Equality California, said he's frustrated that health authorities have taken so long to respond.

"Especially coming out of, still, two-and-a-half years into a pandemic, it's just a very disappointing response for the first larger-scale public health crisis we're facing coming out of that,'' he said.

He also sees parallels to the slow government response to AIDS in the 1980s.

"I've heard from many folks ... that this feels similar in the lack of real concern and urgency to a disease that is right now disproportionately impacting the LGBTQ+ community,'' said Temprano, who is 36.

The CDC estimates about 1.5 million Americans currently meet suggested criteria for vaccination, primarily men who have sex with men.

But officials on Thursday declined to set a figure for how many vaccine doses would be needed to stop the outbreak.

Nearly 340,000 vaccine doses have been distributed, but a CDC official acknowledged the federal government doesn't know how many have been administered.

The additional 780,000 shots being sent to states this week were delayed by shipping and regulatory hurdles. They sat for weeks in storage in Denmark as US regulators finished inspecting and certifying the facility where they were manufactured.

California state Sen. Scott Wiener, who belongs to the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, called the additional vaccines "significant.'' But he added: "Of course, it's not enough, and we know that we're going to be getting millions more doses over the remainder of this year and into next year, which is not soon enough in terms of actually containing this outbreak.''

Georgia's health department hasn't had to postpone any second doses, but spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said: "Demand is still very high.

Every time a health department or other provider opens appointments or slots at an event, they are taken up in a matter of minutes.''

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Russia said Tuesday it will pull out of the International Space Station after 2024 to build its own orbiting outpost. The countrys space chief made the announcement during a meeting with President Vladmir Putin.

Yuri Borisov, CEO of state space agency Roscosmos, said during the meeting that Russia plans to fulfill a promise to its partners before fully stepping away.

"Of course, we will comply with all our commitments to our partners, but the decision to leave this station after 2024 has been made," Borisov said during the meeting. "I think we will have started work on the Russian space station by that time."
Korea managed to achieve an overall trade surplus in the last 30 years by making up for a deficit in trade with Japan through a surplus in trade with China, but those times are gone.

This trend is reflected in the numbers. Korea's trade balance with China, which had been in the black since 1993, posted a deficit of US$1.1 billion in May this year and $1.2 billion in June and reached $1.54 billion in the first 20 days of this month alone.

Korean products are increasingly sidelined in the country's top export market, China, as subsidized manufacturers there grow increasingly competitive.

LG, the world's No. 2 TV maker, accounted for just a 0.1 percent share of China's TV market last year. In 2009, LG eyed a 5.6-percent share, but last year it only sold around 30,000 TVs there.

One industry insider said, "Considering the size of China's population, that probably means only Korean expats bought them."

Samsung, the world's leading TV maker, also accounted for just a 4.1-percent share in China to rank ninth.

One the other hand, China's share of Korea's market for intermediate goods is increasing quickly, surging from 2.9 percent in 1996 to 39.7 percent last year.

Cheong In-kyo at Inha University said, "We need to emerge from the current structure of relying on China for trade and actively diversify both markets and sources of raw materials."
Poland on Wednesday signed a W25 trillion contract to buy K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers and FA-50 light combat fighter jets from Korea (US$1=W1,313).

The weapons will be shipped on three occasions over the next decade, with the first shipment alone worth W10 trillion, making it the biggest arms contract Korea has ever clinched.

The two countries' defense ministers met in May and President Yoon Suk-yeol also talked about defense cooperation with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Spain in June.

Warsaw is to take delivery of 980 K2 tanks, 648 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 48 FA-50 fighter jets.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Russia stands for turning the South Caucasus into a zone of peace and prosperity, Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry Ivan Nechayev said.

He made the remarks during a weekly briefing on July 27.

"In our regional activities, we are promoting an exclusively constructive agenda and arent going to compete with anyone. We have constructive goals, Nechayev noted.

Further, the official stated that the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan should be achieved on the basis of the trilateral statements of Russian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian leaders, dated November 10, 2020, January 11, and November 26, 2021.

We dont object to the involvement of non-regional players if they act in line with the above statements and contribute to their implementation. The main thing is not to allow duplication and undercover games aimed at weakening someone, or hindering the process," he added.

The trilateral ceasefire deal signed by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders on November 10, 2020, ended the three-decade conflict over Azerbaijans Karabakh region along with the seven adjacent regions that came under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in the war in the early 1990s.

On January 11, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed the second statement since the end of the 44-day war. The newly-signed statement was set to implement clause 9 of the November 2020 statement related to the unblocking of all economic and transport communications in the region.

On November 26, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed a statement and agreed on a number of issues, including the demarcation and delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border by late 2021, some points related to humanitarian issues and the issue of unblocking of transport corridors which applies to the railway and to automobile communications.

On December 14, 2021, during the Brussels meeting, organized between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders at the initiative of European Council President Charles Michel, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to the conditions agreed in the Sochi meeting.
The government has selected seven future industries that will buttress Korea's economy, but the country lags 1.2 years behind China in five of them -- artificial intelligence, energy, defense, aerospace and biotech. In AI technology, which plays a pivotal role in national security, Korea is six months behind China and in aerospace technology 3.5 years. At one time Korea was confident of being in the lead in the field of information and communications technology but was overtaken by China in 2018 along with autonomous driving, cloud computing, big data and blockchain technologies.

The Chinese government has been giving massive support to high-tech industries since 2015 as part of the "Made in China 2025 Plan." As a result, Chinese companies are ahead of Korea in an increasing number of fields. China ranks first in the world now in the field of rechargeable batteries. BYD is the world's biggest electric car maker and recently announced it will begin sales in Japan and Korea. The Chinese government has also been supporting the semiconductor industry, aiming to become 70-percent self-sufficient by 2025.

Korean companies are falling behind in China. Samsung accounted for the biggest share of 19.7 percent of the Chinese smartphone market in 2013, but that share plummeted to a paltry 0.6 percent last year. Hyundai and affiliate Kia rank below the top 10 in China. A few years ago, a German think tank pinpointed six countries that will be in danger due to Chinas massive support for its homegrown industries, and Korea was among them.

Korea's trade with China, which has been in the black for the last 28 years, shifted to the red in May of this year. This could be attributed to coronavirus lockdowns in China, but a closer look shows the situation is much worse. Korea already started suffering a deficit in trade with China since 2019. It has already lost its competitive edge over China in terms of price and quality.

The days of Korea reaping the benefits of China's rapid economic growth are over while the risks are growing bigger every year. As seen in China's boycott of Korean goods and services over a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery being stationed here, Beijing is capable of politically motivated punitive trade measures any time. When the U.S. asked Korea to join its microchip alliance, Beijing immediately threatened Seoul. The big task now is to find a way of maintaining a technological lead over China while reducing dependence on it.


By Yumiko Shimizu, KYODO NEWS - Jul 28, 2022 - 13:08 | All, Japan

A regional sake brewer has released a product for an eye-popping 330,000 yen ($2,400) -- a set of two 720-milliliter bottles of sake made from Japan's famed Koshihikari rice cultivated by hand and free of any agricultural chemicals and synthesized fertilizers.

The unusually high price tag reflects the commitment of three people from disparate industries who were determined to create through time and effort something of lasting value, especially in an age of mass production and consumption.

Rice planting had just been completed when this reporter visited terraced paddy fields located deep in the mountains in Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture in June.

There were no weeds growing between the rice plants, although Hideharu Tobe, 70, does not use herbicides in the paddy, totaling 0.66 hectare in area -- or 6,600 square meters.

He removes weeds regularly, using a wheeled vehicle. According to Tobe, the 0.66-hectare area is the largest manageable size for rice cultivation by manual work alone, yielding a crop of less than 60 percent of that which can be obtained from a conventional rice paddy of the same size.

Rice from the previous year, mixed into the soil to provide nutrients for the newly planted crop, is used as an alternative fertilizer. "I only want to use natural things," Tobe said, adding that he does not drain water from the paddy fields so as not to kill the microorganisms.

Tobe began a life dedicated to self-sufficiency in a rural village after retiring from an automaker. In 2002, he moved to his current home in the city of Tokamachi and started chemical-free rice cultivation. Production was poor in the first year due to blight.

But Tobe continued with chemical- and fertilizer-free cultivation of rice with human power alone. Five years later, a rice shop owner took note of Tobe's rice and asked him to ship it to the shop's outlet in a department store in Tokyo. To Tobe's surprise, his rice fetched as much as 3,000 yen per kilogram.

Akane Shiba, a 39-year-old freelance editor in Minowa, Nagano Prefecture, heard rumors of Tobe's high-end rice and was intrigued. She had been determined for some time to introduce through her editorial work in magazines and mail-order catalogues a product "that is truly high quality and exceptional, not something average that can be found anywhere," she said.

Shiba thought of using Tobe's rice to produce quality sake, believing that its attractiveness could be maximized if combined with Japan's highly touted spring water and proposed the idea to Tobe.

But the Koshihikari brand of rice is normally not used for sake production. So Yoshimasa Ono, 65, owner of Ono Brewery Co., also in Nagano, was initially skeptical when approached by Shiba.

However, inspired by Tobe's example, Ono decided to carefully produce sake under natural temperatures, using a method that does not rely on machines such as air-conditioning. The resulting product tastes quite different from conventional sake made from rice suitable for the beverage.

"It offers the taste of Koshihikari, featuring a mild body and elegant sweetness," Ono said.

Ono has also begun receiving inquiries about the sake from abroad. He, Tobe and Shiba say they aim to deliver the rare product to sake lovers around the world.

Related coverage:

FEATURE: Master brewer teaches tradition to rivals, sake brewer heirs
KYODO NEWS - Jul 28, 2022 - 20:59 | All, World, Japan

Japan will pledge to assist Africa to double rice production on the continent in response to the global food crisis propelled by Russia's war in Ukraine, according to a draft aid package to be unveiled at an African development conference in late August.

Japan will also urge African countries to ensure transparency when they raise funds for development in light of China's so-called debt-trap diplomacy toward developing countries, says the draft, a copy of which was made available on Thursday.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will represent Japan at the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD8, slated for Aug. 27 and 28 in Tunisia.

Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is also considering attending the gathering, according to government sources.

In the meeting, Japan plans to dispel views in Africa, apparently influenced by Russia, that the food crisis was triggered by sanctions the Group of Seven industrialized nations imposed on Moscow.

The TICAD meeting will be held as concerns about food security have grown in Africa and the Middle East, regions that are highly dependent on grain imports from Ukraine, a major agricultural producer.

Japan and other G-7 members -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United States, plus the European Union -- have condemned Russia for destroying agricultural infrastructure in Ukraine and blockading its Black Sea ports, a development that has seen shipments of crops such as wheat and corn blocked.

Russia, for its part, has blamed the food shortages on Western sanctions. The G-7 countries are wary about some African nations buying Moscow's argument and even calling for an easing of sanctions.

According to the draft, Japan will extend food aid to African countries in the short term and help them boost food production capabilities in the longer-term.

Japan will also assist African countries to train experts in fiscal management and development finance so that recipient states will not be saddled with massive Chinese loans they cannot repay.

Tokyo will also pledge to facilitate investment in start-up businesses and renewable energy in Africa and assist local efforts to promote coronavirus vaccines.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 28, 2022 - 13:11 | All, Japan, Coronavirus, World

Japan had the world's highest number of new coronavirus cases in the week to July 24 with more than 969,000, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.

It was followed by the United States at around 860,000 new infections and Germany at about 570,000, the WHO said.

Japan is seeing record-high daily cases as it battles its "seventh wave" of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by the highly transmissible BA.5 Omicron subvariant.

There were over 6.6 million new cases globally in the week, up about 300,000 from the previous week.

The number of newly reported deaths stood at over 12,600, with the United States recording the highest number at around 2,600, followed by Brazil at about 1,400. Japan confirmed 272 deaths.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference Wednesday that the pandemic is far from over.

With the death toll climbing in recent weeks and some countries seeing increased hospitalizations, it is essential to vaccinate health care workers and the elderly, he said.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 28, 2022 - 17:10 | All, Japan

Japan's second case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Tokyo, the metropolitan government said Thursday, denying that the patient, a man in his 30s, was a close contact of the first case.

The man's nationality and his place of residence were not disclosed, with the metropolitan government only saying he lives in North or Central America and arrived in Japan in late July.

He took a test Wednesday and is currently hospitalized in a stable condition, it said.

His symptoms include a rash in the mouth, headaches and sore muscles. The metropolitan government believes he was infected abroad as he started feeling fatigued on July 21 before entering Japan.

The country's first case of monkeypox, reported Monday, involved a man in his 30s in Tokyo.

He had traveled to a European country, according to the metropolitan government. He is currently in a stable condition.

The World Health Organization on Saturday declared the outbreak of the infectious disease a global health emergency.

Related coverage:

Japan's 1st case of monkeypox confirmed in Tokyo

WHO declares monkeypox outbreak global health emergency
KYODO NEWS - Jul 28, 2022 - 17:49 | World, All, Japan

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen expressed her hope ties with Japan can be further bolstered when speaking to former Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday, as the self-ruled island comes under intensifying pressure from China.

"Located at a critical node within the first island chain, Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with Japan and other democratic partners to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," Tsai told Ishiba at the Presidential Office.

The first island chain is the string of islands that sit off the East Asian continent spanning the Japanese archipelago through Taiwan and the Philippines.

Ishiba led a bipartisan delegation of Japanese lawmakers focused on national security and arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday for a four-day visit at a time when Taiwan faces near-daily air and sea incursions by Chinese vessels and aircraft.

He told Tsai many Japanese people agree with late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's comment in December that any contingency concerning Taiwan would be an emergency for Japan and for the Japan-U.S. security alliance.

Ishiba, a veteran lawmaker known as a hawk on China, said it was a shame Abe did not see his wishes on security come to fruition, adding that he is willing to make efforts to see the slain ex-leader's vision realized.

Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, was assassinated by a lone gunman while giving a campaign speech in the western Japan city of Nara on July 8.

The delegation also met Vice President William Lai on Thursday.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 28, 2022 - 12:21 | Japan, All

Industry minister Koichi Hagiuda said in the United States Wednesday that Japan plans to encourage startup businesses by sending 1,000 people to Silicon Valley over five years to provide them with valuable entrepreneurial experience in the California tech hub.

The government aims to draw up a five-year plan by year-end to target a 10-fold increase in the number of startup companies as part of its push to drive economic growth through innovation and the cultivation of human talent.

Hagiuda told reporters after his visit to the headquarters of technology giant Google LLC that he was very impressed by the mentality there in which there is no fear of failure, and that it is something Japan can learn.

"Struck out swinging is considered (an experience) that can lead (people) to the next stage, here in America," Hagiuda said.

The plan envisions sending 200 people from Japan to Silicon Valley annually starting in the new fiscal year that starts in April. It will expand a similar yet smaller program under which around 20 people have been sent there annually over the past seven years.

Devoting more resources to startups is one of four pillars in the strategy Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has set out in pursuit of a new form of capitalism that focuses on growth through investment.

Hagiuda visited California before going on to join the first U.S.-Japan economic "two-plus-two" dialogue in Washington on Friday involving foreign and industry ministers of the two countries. The meeting is expected to focus on improving economic security.

During his California trip, Hagiuda also visited research facilities and spoke to students at Stanford University.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 28, 2022 - 20:33 | World, All

The Group of Seven nations on Thursday strongly condemned Myanmar's military government over the execution of pro-democracy activists announced earlier this week, saying it reflects "contempt" for the Myanmar people's desire for democracy.

"These executions, the first in Myanmar in over 30 years, and the absence of fair trials show the junta's contempt for the unwavering democratic aspirations of the people of Myanmar," the foreign ministers of the G-7 countries said in a joint statement.

On Monday, the junta said it executed Phyo Zeyar Thaw, a former National League for Democracy lawmaker, and Kyaw Min Yu, a prominent democracy activist widely known as Jimmy, along with two other accused murderers.

The G-7's top diplomats reiterated their condemnation "in the strongest terms" of the February 2021 military coup, calling on the junta to "refrain from further arbitrary executions" and to "return the country to a democratic path."

The foreign ministers also vowed to continue supporting efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations toward a peaceful resolution of the Myanmar situation under the "five-point consensus" agreed by ASEAN leaders in April last year, including a call for an immediate halt to violence.

The G-7 consists of Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Related coverage:

2 Myanmar pro-democracy activists, 2 others executed: junta
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar speaks at the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, Turkiye on July 27, 2022. Turkiye inaugurated the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul on Wednesday to monitor the implementation of the grain shipment from Ukraine, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters. (Xinhua/Shadati)

ISTANBUL, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye inaugurated the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul on Wednesday to monitor the implementation of the grain shipment from Ukraine, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters.

Located inside the compound of a military university in the city's European side district of Besiktas, the center consists of 20 representatives from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations, five from each party, according to Akar.

This will guarantee the safe passage of vessels from Ukrainian ports through the Black Sea and the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul to global markets, said the minister.

"This center will register and follow the commercial ships that will be included in the initiative. It will technically track the journey of the ships through satellite, internet, and other means of communication," Akar said.

"If there is a need for demining, plans agreed by all parties would be made. However, there is no need at this stage," he added.

Ships will be inspected by joint inspection teams at locations deemed appropriate upon loading at Ukrainian ports and arrival at ports in Turkiye, according to Akar.

Preparation is being made for the first grain-laden ship to leave the Ukrainian ports, he noted.

"We believe that the work to be carried out through the Joint Coordination Center will make significant contributions to overcoming the food crisis affecting the whole world and reduction in prices," Akar said.

According to the minister, more than 25 million tonnes of grain are waiting at Ukrainian ports to be delivered through the safe corridor to the countries in need.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed respectively by Russia and Ukraine with Turkiye under the UN auspices on Friday in Istanbul, would allow significant volumes of food and fertilizer exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, namely Odessa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny.

Ukraine is among the world's leading grain exporters, supplying more than 45 million tonnes annually to the global market, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. 

Photo taken on July 27, 2022 shows a view of the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, Turkiye. Turkiye inaugurated the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul on Wednesday to monitor the implementation of the grain shipment from Ukraine, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters. (Xinhua/Shadati)
by Nurul Fitri Ramadhani

JAKARTA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Private companies and fresh fruit bunch (FFB) farmers have criticized the Indonesian government's ongoing policy to waive the crude palm oil (CPO) export levy until the end of August, saying that it contributes nothing to boosting exports and FFB prices.

It has been almost two weeks since the zero export levy policy took effect, but as of Monday, the price of FFB was still stuck at 1,200 rupiahs (0.08 U.S. dollars) per kg, according to Chairman of the Indonesian Oil Palm Farmers Association Gulat Manurung.

The price is still below expectation. Previously, Indonesia's Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said the policy would raise the FFB prices to at least 2,000 rupiahs (0.13 dollars).

"This is not the first time for the government to temporarily remove the CPO export levy. It happened years before. In fact, such a policy never gives benefits to the farmers. All of the farmers across the country have said they benefit nothing in terms of prices," Manurung said in a virtual discussion on Tuesday.

Starting July 15, Indonesia, the world's biggest palm oil producer, has temporarily cut the export levy for CPO to zero from 200 dollars per ton and for other palm oil products as an attempt to boost CPO exports and reduce oversupply in FFB stocks.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati previously said the government would impose a new levy starting Sept. 1, with the rate between 55 dollars and 240 dollars per ton for CPO, depending on prices in the global market.

The current zero levy policy would cause the country to lose around 11.5 trillion rupiahs (765 million dollars) to 16.8 trillion rupiahs (1.1 billion dollars) of state revenues, said Kabul Wijayanto, partnership director for the Indonesia Oil Palm Plantations Fund Management Agency.

According to the Indonesian Palm Oil Association, the current palm oil stocks in Indonesia had excessively reached 7 million tons.

The oversupply is believed to be caused by the temporary ban on CPO exports and its derivative products imposed by the Indonesian government in April. The ban, lifted in May, aimed to stabilize domestic prices and cooking oil shortages in the local market, but it has led to stockpiles in FFB as 70 percent of the country's palm oil production goes to the export market.

Executive Director for the Indonesian Vegetable Oil Refiners Association Sahat Sinaga said zero levy would not significantly help boost exports.

"Zero levy will not contribute to increasing exports, removing DMO will do," Sinaga said.

He referred to the country's regulation on mandatory local sales, known as domestic market obligation. Under the regulation, palm oil producers have to sell 30 percent of their total production to the local market at a government-set price to be able to secure permits for exports.

Sinaga said that many exporters found it difficult to fulfill the 30 percent obligation because they also had to compete with palm oil companies that only sell for the domestic market.

"The DMO regulation really hampers our exports. Thus, if the government really wants to boost exports, just remove this policy," Sinaga said.

Maruli Gultom, a member of the GAPKI advisory board, regretted the government's back-and-forth in changing regulations in a short time.

"This has caused a mess in market mechanisms and disturbed the export processes while also giving uncertainty to the farmers," he said.

Meanwhile, Oke Nurwan, Trade Ministry's director general for domestic trade, said that all the measures the government had taken must be based on deep considerations and things would not change easily in a short time.

"It needs time to fix the situation. We need to believe that all the mess we are facing right now is only a temporary disturbance amid the uncertain global conditions," he said. 
By Trend

Inspections of ships that will transport Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea will be carried out by the Turkish authorities with the support of the Joint Coordinating Committee, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq said at a press conference at the UN Headquarters in New York, Trend reports.

"The Secretary General (Antonio Guterres) announced that, according to the agreement reached on July 22, with the support of the Joint Coordinating Committee, ship inspections will be carried out by the Turkish side, and the Ukrainians will ensure safe passage through the Black Sea," noted Haq.

According to him, ships will be checked for weapons on their way to and from Ukrainian ports.

"The joint coordinating center, which is engaged in tracking the transportation of grain, is located in the building of the National Defense University in Istanbul and consists of 4 branches: Turkiye, Russia, Ukraine and the UN. We hope that the Chairman of the Joint Coordinating Committee will be announced very soon," he added.
KAJAKI, Afghanistan, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), or the Afghan power company, has upgraded a hydropower plant in Kajaki area of the southern Helmand province and formally inaugurated it Wednesday.

This is the second phase of Kajaki hydropower plant, which produces 100 MW of power and sustainable electricity for Helmand and neighboring Kandahar provinces, DABS deputy Mawlawi Abdul Rahman Rahmani said in his speech at the inauguration ceremony here.

In addition to providing electricity, the power dam with a capacity of storing 1 million cubic meters of water would also irrigate thousands of hectares of farmlands in the southern region, the official said.

Rahmani said the DABS would extend electricity capacity to cover more areas in the country, with a 104.9 million U.S. dollar project on the plan.

Afghanistan's big cities, including the capital Kabul, remain without power for hours every day.

The country has been importing electricity from neighboring Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran over the past decade to overcome power shortage. 
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China Broadnet, the country's new telecom carrier, recently rolled out its commercial 5G services in nine provincial-level regions on a trial run.

This is in addition to the 20 provincial-level regions where China Broadnet's 5G services were available for trial commercial use since June 27, bringing the total number of provincial-level regions with its 5G coverage to 29 currently, according to the telecom operator.

China Broadnet, the country's fourth telecommunication operator after China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, formally launched 5G services on June 27. 
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China stepped up investment in roads and other transport infrastructure in rural areas in the first half of this year as part of the efforts to vitalize the countryside.

The country had completed fixed-asset investment worth 183.65 billion yuan (about 27.24 billion U.S. dollars) in rural roads in the January-June period, up 15.9 percent over one year ago, Gu Zhifeng, an official with the Ministry of Transport, told a press conference on Thursday.

Some 60,000 km of rural roads and 3,283 unsafe bridges had been reconstructed during the period, up 17.7 percent and 9.2 percent year on year respectively.

The reconstruction projects on rural roads had created some 49,000 temporary jobs for the rural population via work relief schemes in the first half of this year, according to Gu.

More rural people will benefit from such work relief projects as the country plans to rebuild 150,000 km of rural roads and 8,000 unsafe bridges in rural areas this year. 
CARACAS, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The creation of special economic zones (SEZs) in Venezuela will promote the transfer of technology and create specialized jobs, Ramon Lobo, president of the National Assembly's finance subcommittee, said on Wednesday.

In addition to attracting national and international investment, the SEZs will raise the "possibility of expanding production" along the country's northern coast, Lobo, a member of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela, said on state-run television.

On July 20, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro enacted the Organic Law of Special Economic Zones, which had been previously approved by the National Assembly.

The SEZs will be located in the northeast Paraguana Peninsula, the north-central Puerto Cabello-Moron, La Guaira, and the islands of Margarita and La Tortuga in the Venezuelan Caribbean.

Lobo said the SEZs will help boost economic development in the region, contribute to diversification and increase foreign revenue.

The region has already had major infrastructure in place for services, equipment and machinery, which can be used for industrial, technological and financial projects, he added. 
* The bridge realizes "the centuries-old dream of connecting the south with the rest of Croatia" and its completion "gave the cooperation between Croatia and China a completely new dimension," Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told Xinhua.

* The project is also regarded as a model of tripartite cooperation among China, Croatia and the European Union (EU).

* A symbol of China's efforts to promote connectivity in Croatia and the Central and Eastern Europe countries, the bridge will not only strengthen Croatia's ties with China, but also with Europe.

by Xinhua writers Shi Zhongyu, Nemanja Cabric, Li Xuejun

KOMARNA, Croatia, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Selma Kundson remembers vividly how her deceased grandfather used to tell her about his dream that one day their home town, located on Croatia's southern Adriatic coast, would be directly connected to the rest of the country.

On Tuesday, Kundson is among hundreds of people witnessing this dream come true, thanks to the opening of the Peljesac Bridge.

Working on the bridge project for nearly four years, Kundson said she has imagined that for many years. "I will proudly tell my children and grandchildren the story of my participation in the Peljesac Bridge project as a builder," she said.

The bridge realizes "the centuries-old dream of connecting the south with the rest of Croatia" and its completion "gave the cooperation between Croatia and China a completely new dimension," Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told Xinhua.

Being a key project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the bridge represents a new landmark that will further brighten the prospect of China-Croatia and China-Europe relations and cooperation.

People watch a fireworks show during the inauguration ceremony of the Peljesac Bridge in Komarna, Croatia, July 26, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Xuejun)

LONG-AWAITED INTERCONNECTION

As a key infrastructure project in Croatia, the Peljesac Bridge connects the Croatian mainland with the Peljesac Peninsula of its southernmost Dubrovnik-Neretva County, bypassing a short strip of land belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and giving Croatia better access to the area.

The project is also regarded as a model of tripartite cooperation among China, Croatia and the European Union (EU).

Built by a consortium led by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the bridge serves as an example of the China-Europe cooperation featuring complementarity and mutual benefits.

The CRBC outbid two competitors to win the contract in 2018. After three years of construction, the 2.4-km cable-stayed bridge with six pylons and steel box girders blends into the colorful landscape of the Bay of Mali Ston.

During the construction, the CRBC cooperated with 18 design consulting companies, 45 construction companies in the EU, and 112 global equipment and materials suppliers, environmental protection and other professional companies from Croatia, Romania and Poland, among others.

Praising the craftsmanship in building the bridge, Croatian President Zoran Milanovic said "The beauty of the bridge stems from the talent, knowledge, effort, and courage of the designers and builders."

"Peljesac bridge will forever remain a monumental reminder of this generation of Croatian people to reach the long-desired coast of freedom ... It was built for the benefit of all people, regardless of nation, religion, citizenship, beliefs," said the president.

Combo aerial photo shows the Peljesac Bridge after its final connection (up, taken on July 29, 2021) and during construction (down, taken on Feb. 1, 2020) at Mali Ston Bay near Komarna of southern Croatia. (Xinhua/Gao Lei)

FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

For decades, local residents and tourists have been troubled by the inconvenience during border crossing through Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south Croatia.

The bridge is expected to greatly facilitate local people's trips and logistics, boost economic and social development, and improve people's well-being in Croatia.

"We are getting everything with that bridge. We are getting completed borders and access to Dubrovnik through our territory, not (via) the neighboring state," said local resident Borin Juras.

There were always long lines of cars at the border, especially during a peak tourist season, and that is about to change, local resident Milivoj Varljen told Xinhua.

"The bridge will have multiple impacts on the development of the economy and tourism in the south, but also on the whole of Croatia in the coming year," Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic told Xinhua in a written interview prior to the opening ceremony.

A cruiser passes under the Peljesac Bridge near Komarna, Croatia, June 23, 2022. (Matko Begovic/PIXSELL via Xinhua)

The bridge not only connects the Peljesac peninsula to the Croatian mainland, but also facilitates access to the country's south, including to Dubrovnik, the crown jewel of the country's tourism. It will therefore greatly benefit tourism and trade and will reinforce the region's territorial cohesion, the prime minister said.

PLEDGE FOR SHARED FUTURE

A symbol of China's efforts to promote connectivity in Croatia and the Central and Eastern Europe countries (CEEC), the bridge will not only strengthen Croatia's ties with China, but also with Europe.

Within the framework of the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism and the BRI, Chinese companies have recently completed several key infrastructure projects in the region, including the bridge, Montenegro' first highway section and a high-speed railway in Serbia, among others.

Built by the CRBC, the 41-km priority Smokovac-Matesevo section of Montenegro's Bar-Boljare Highway was opened on July 13.

The priority section safely bypasses the Moraca canyon, an infamous transport danger zone that has seen many deadly traffic accidents over the past decades.

Snezana Culafic, a civil engineer working for the CRBC, told Xinhua that the project created "a lot of job opportunities for our engineers and employees in other fields who work on the highway," saying that the project creates new momentum in China-Montenegro relations.

Aerial photo taken on April 23, 2022 shows the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest railway in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

The completion of the Bar-Boljare highway will enable rapid development of the energy industry, logistics, tourism, and other industries, and promote the economic development of Montenegro to a new level, at the same time connecting the country with Serbia and Central Europe, Ervin Ibrahimovic, deputy prime minister of Montenegro, said in a statement to Xinhua.

On March 19, Serbia inaugurated the upgraded 75-km Belgrade-Novi Sad section of a high-speed railway that will connect Belgrade and the Hungarian capital of Budapest upon completion.

Attending the ceremony with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the China-built railway will help shorten travel time between Budapest and Belgrade.

"In the past 70 years, we have been connecting countries in the east-west direction, and forgotten the importance of north-south connections," Orban said. "This resulted in an appalling situation that it took too many hours to get from Belgrade to Budapest," said Orban.

For Serbian graphic designer Jastra Jelacic, the new rail link was a life-changing event, as she had to spend four or five hours each day commuting to office in Belgrade from Novi Sad for years.

Commenting on the flagship project within the China-CEEC platform, Jelacic said "I think that it is good that we are cooperating with China. I support anything that does good for our country and will lead to improvement." (Video reporters: Nemanja Cabric, Shi Zhongyu, Li Xuejun; video editors: Zhou Saang, Luo Hui, Li Qin, Liu Ruoshi, Zhang Yuhong)
MOGADISHU, July 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 19 people were killed and 23 others injured in separate bomb attacks in two towns of southern Somalia Wednesday, officials said.

In the first incident, 13 people lost their lives while five others were wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up in Marka town, Lower Shabelle region.

A regional official also confirmed that six people were killed while 18 others were wounded in twin attacks in Afgoye town, also in the Lower Shabelle region.

Governor of Lower Shabelle region Ibrahim Aden Ali Naja said a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest blew himself up outside the administrative office in Marka town, killing District Commissioner Abdullahi Ali Wafow and 12 others.

"Wafow was killed in the explosion together with 12 other people who he was talking to outside his office," Naja told journalists in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

The al-Shabab militant group which has engaged the Somali government in near-daily attacks across the country claimed responsibility for the attack in Marka town.

In the second attack, an official said the six were killed in two roadside explosions at a local market in Afgoye town in the same region.

Former spokesman of Afgoye district Administration Abdukadir Idle who was at the scene said two remotely-controlled landmines exploded at the crowded market. Idle noted that the second blast happened a few minutes later and targeted the people who were engaged in rescue operations.

"At least six people, mostly civilians, were killed and 18 others injured in the twin attacks conducted through remote-controlled explosive devices at Afgoye's animal market, the second blast caused more casualties," Idle told the Somali News Agency.

He said the market often hosts a large number of people who come to buy livestock Wednesday, which is a market day.

The militant group has intensified attacks as the government forces have made intensive operations against the extremists in central and southern regions in recent months in an attempt to flush out the al-Shabab cell. 
CHANGSHA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A total of 14 trade and economic cooperation projects and agreements worth nearly 170 million U.S. dollars were inked between China and various African countries on Thursday in central China's Hunan Province.

The deals, covering areas such as regional cooperation, strategic agreement, project financing, investment cooperation and trade procurement, were signed at the Promotion Conference for China (Hunan)-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, held in the city of Changsha.

The commerce departments of six Chinese provinces also jointly signed an agreement to advance economic cooperation and trade exchange with African countries at the conference.

Twenty-nine diplomatic envoys from 15 African countries, including Algeria, Ethiopia, Angola, Ghana, and Kenya, attended the event, which also promoted the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation. 
WINDHOEK, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services Executive Director Ben Nangombe on Wednesday said while there has been progress over the last years in improving health outcomes in the country, more needs to be done, including addressing the disparities seen across different segments of the population.

Speaking at the opening of the high-level stakeholder consultation meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Nangombe reiterated Namibia's commitment to ensuring that everyone, particularly the most vulnerable people in society, has access to health care services that are integrated, affordable, accessible, equitable, of high quality and responsive to the needs of the population.

"UHC, as it is widely stated, is about ensuring that all people can access the health care they need, without suffering financial hardship or financial catastrophe. This is the cardinal key to improving the well-being of a country's population. We see UHC as a critical element in supporting the attainment of our country's national Development Agenda because a healthy nation is a prosperous nation," he said.

Nangombe also said the meeting affords the country opportunities to reflect on the progress Namibia has made, and what could be done to accelerate the realization of UHC.

"Achieving UHC will represent a seismic shift from where we currently are to making Namibia a fairer society. The health status of the population is influenced by many factors outside the health sector such as the level of poverty, food security, unemployment, level of education, and working conditions of individuals. We value inclusive collaborative processes involving all sectors, as this will help us establish a shared approach and vision to work together to achieve the UHC goals," he said. 
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China's national observatory continued to issue an orange alert for high temperatures on Thursday, as intense heat waves linger in many regions of the country.

During daylight hours on Thursday, vast swathes of China's southern regions and some parts of Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia are expected to experience temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius, the National Meteorological Center said.

Temperatures in some regions of Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Xinjiang may surpass 40 degrees Celsius, according to the forecast.

The meteorological center has advised the public to avoid outdoor activities during high-temperature periods and suggested that workers exposed to high temperatures shorten continuous working hours.

Local governments have been advised to take appropriate heat control measures and necessary protective steps against fires triggered by electrical overloads.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. 
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Preparation works for the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP14) are being carried out actively, an official with the National Forestry and Grassland Administration said Thursday.

The meeting will be held from Nov. 5 to 13, with its main venue in central China's Wuhan city and a parallel session in Geneva, Switzerland, in both physical and online formats, said Yang Fengwei, an official with the administration, at a press conference.

The meeting will discuss the future development of the convention, review significant implementation issues, and tell the Chinese story of the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, Yang said.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, also known as the Convention on Wetlands, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

China has adopted several measures to protect wetlands, including promoting wetland legislation, implementing wetland protection and restoration schemes, designating internationally significant wetlands, and carrying out wetland surveys. 
What products do you think of when you think of Thailand? How about durian, coffee or snacks?Thai exhibitors have brought these and more to the ongoing second China International Consumer Products Expo as they look to secure a bigger share of the market.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
By Trend

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday he and Indonesian President Joko Widodo had agreed during talks to cooperate in a variety of fields, including energy and maritime security, Trend reports citing Reuters.

Japan also agreed to provide 43.6 billion yen ($318.25 million) in loans to Indonesia for use in infrastructure projects and disaster prevention.
ADDIS ABABA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopia Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Wednesday signed two grant financing agreements worth 44.4 million U.S. dollars.

The MoF said in a press statement that two projects focused on food security and capacity building, respectively.

"The first project is a 40 million U.S. dollars scheme to finance the implementation of a program to build food and nutrition security," the MoF statement said. "The second project is a 4.4 million U.S. dollars scheme to be used for the implementation of a program to strengthen macroeconomic management."

The two grant financing agreements aim to boost peace and security in drought-prone lowland areas of Ethiopia through agricultural resilience, as well as strengthen the capacity of key macro institutions.

The AfDB has previously signed a host of financial aid agreements with Ethiopia to boost the East African country's economic development, including a 71.3-million-U.S.-dollar grant agreement to finance the Ethiopia-Djibouti power interconnection project. The agreement signed in July 2021 is used to finance the construction of a transmission line from Ethiopia to Djibouti. 
Followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr head towards the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, July 27, 2022.

Hundreds of followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday broke into the Iraqi parliament building in central Baghdad to protest against the nomination of Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for the post of prime minister.

The protest came two days after the Coordination Framework, an umbrella group of Shiite parliamentary parties, nominated Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for the post of prime minister. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

BAGHDAD, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday broke into the Iraqi parliament building in central Baghdad to protest against the nomination of Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for the post of prime minister.

The riot police fired tear gas canisters and warning shots to disperse the protesters, but there were no clashes between the protesters and the security forces, an Iraqi Interior Ministry source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Many videos aired by TV channels and social media showed dozens of demonstrators inside the parliament building waving Iraqi flags and chanting slogans hailing Moqtada al-Sadr.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi urged in a statement the protesters to withdraw from the parliament building immediately.

Al-Sadr told the demonstrators to end the protest in a tweet in the evening, saying "your message has arrived ... Go back to your homes safely."

The protest came two days after the Coordination Framework, an umbrella group of Shiite parliamentary parties, nominated Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for the post of prime minister.

The Coordination Framework became the largest alliance in the Iraqi parliament after al-Sadr ordered his followers in the Sadrist Movement, the biggest winner in the elections held on Oct. 10, 2021, with 73 seats, to withdraw from the parliament.

During the past months, the continuing disputes among the Shiite parties have hampered the formation of a new Iraqi government, as the parliament has been unable to elect a new president by a two-thirds majority of the 329-seat parliament under the constitution.

If elected, the president will appoint the prime minister nominated by the largest alliance in the parliament, the Coordination Framework, to form a new government that would rule the country for the coming four years. 

Followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr head towards the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, July 27, 2022.

Hundreds of followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday broke into the Iraqi parliament building in central Baghdad to protest against the nomination of Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for the post of prime minister.

The protest came two days after the Coordination Framework, an umbrella group of Shiite parliamentary parties, nominated Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for the post of prime minister. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

Followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr try to break into the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, July 27, 2022.

Hundreds of followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday broke into the Iraqi parliament building in central Baghdad to protest against the nomination of Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for the post of prime minister.

The protest came two days after the Coordination Framework, an umbrella group of Shiite parliamentary parties, nominated Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for the post of prime minister. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)
CHANGCHUN, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Former senior official Fu Zhenghua stood trial on Thursday at the Intermediate People's Court of Changchun in northeast China's Jilin Province.

Fu, former deputy head of the Committee on Social and Legal Affairs of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was accused of bribe-taking and bending the law for personal gains.

Previously, Fu had also served as head of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, vice minister of public security, and minister of justice.

While the trial of Fu's bribe-taking offence was conducted in an open court, the trial of his bending the law for personal gains was closed to the media and the public as it involved state secrets.

Fu took advantage of his official authority or position to seek gains for others regarding business operations, official positions and legal cases, in return for which he illegally accepted money and gifts worth 117 million yuan (about 17.36 million U.S. dollars) either directly or through his relatives, according to prosecutors.

During his tenure at the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, Fu purposefully shielded his brother, who had severely breached the law, from criminal prosecution, the prosecution states.

The prosecutors, the defendant and his lawyers cross-examined evidence and gave their respective accounts.

In his final statement, Fu pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.

The verdict will be announced in due course. 
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The history of the 1992 Consensus was reviewed and its significance was elaborated on at a meeting held earlier this week to mark the consensus' 30th anniversary.

This is conducive to firming up the ideological foundation for the peaceful development of ties across the Taiwan Strait and pooling the strength of Chinese people on both sides of the Strait for national reunification.

The 1992 Consensus refers to the consensus reached in 1992 by the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation. They agreed to state that "the two sides of the Taiwan Strait both stick to the one-China principle."

There are documents and written records on the process of how the 1992 Consensus was reached and its content, which can neither be denied nor be distorted by anyone or any force.

The essence of the 1992 Consensus is that "both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China and will work together toward national reunification." It defines the fundamental nature of cross-Strait relations, lays the political foundation for the development of ties across the Strait, and has profound implications for cross-Strait relations to improve and develop.

Thanks to the adherence to the 1992 Consensus, breakthroughs have been made in cross-Strait ties over the past three decades. Facts show that the 1992 Consensus is the key to cross-Strait consultation, the cornerstone of safeguarding and enhancing trust between the two sides of the Strait, and the anchor for safeguarding and developing cross-Strait relations.

Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should strive for ending the political antagonism at an early date, realizing national reunification, and keeping the fate of the Chinese nation firmly in our own hands.

Only by safeguarding the political foundation of adherence to the 1992 Consensus and opposition to "Taiwan Independence," can cross-Strait relations develop steadily into the future. Otherwise the "ship of peaceful development" will risk fierce storms and even capsize.

Peace, not conflict, is a shared aspiration of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Any word or action that distorts or denies the 1992 Consensus is making a travesty of history. It goes against the will of the people, and is doomed to fail. 
SANAA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- In an art exhibition recently held in Sanaa, young Yemeni artists got a rare chance to showcase their talents, heal the wounds of the Yemenis' souls, and make an emotional call for peace amid a protracted civil war.

The exhibition, named Glory of the Country, brought together more than 200 young artists across Yemen, who displayed on the canvas their artistic creativity and their love for their long-suffering motherland.

"We have invited around 220 artists, both male and female, from all provinces of Yemen to participate in the exhibition, " said Majed Hamdani, one of the exhibition organizers.

"The exhibition focuses on three themes. The first is to unveil the suffering of the Yemeni people during the war; the second theme is showcasing Yemeni heritage, tradition and beautiful landscapes; the third is expressing our support for the Palestinians and their cause," added Hamdani.

He said that the exhibition is also an opportunity to provide financial help to the artists, who also fell victims to the country's protracted civil war and economic woes, because it offered them more opportunities to sell their works.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the internationally recognized government out of the capital Sanaa. The war has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 4 million, and pushed the poorest Arab country to the brink of starvation.

Mohamed Bashiq, a participant in the exhibition, said the war affected almost everyone in the country and fewer people are willing to spend money on arts when they can barely afford food or other life necessities.

He added that the exhibition helped him to get acquainted with several potential buyers.

Bashiq also believed that the harsh life in the war-ravaged country is a source of inspiration for his artistic creation.

"The civil war has created great obstacles in our life. But it also gives an artist's work meaning and significance. Art created from the daily ordeal is priceless," said Bashiq.

The exhibition is also a rare opportunity for ordinary Yemenis to get closer to the arts, which have become distant and unrealistic after years of toiling in abject poverty.

According to the organizers, hundreds of visitors came to see the exhibition daily.

Abdul Karim Razi, one of the visitors, told Xinhua that he felt inspired and even "healed" after seeing all the beautiful works.

He said that it was good to have an opportunity to appreciate the arts and know more about the county's young artistic talents.

"These are young artists who need support from the authorities, so they can hone their skills and continue their work," he said. 
UNITED NATIONS, July 27 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday welcomed the official inauguration of the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) in Istanbul as "a platform to help operationalize the Black Sea Grain Initiative."

The UN chief thanked the Russian Federation and Ukraine "for nominating and quickly sending their senior representatives to Istanbul," said a statement released by the secretary-general's deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.

Guterres underscored the importance of the parties working in partnership directly to effectively implement the Black Sea Grain Initiative with a view to reducing global food insecurity.

"The work of the JCC will enable the safe transportation, by merchant ships, of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilizers from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea to the rest of the world. This will help to effectively respond to and prevent rising global food insecurity," said the statement.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed respectively by Russia and Ukraine on Friday with Turkiye under the auspices of the UN in Istanbul, would allow significant volumes of commercial food and fertilizer exports from three key ports in the Black Sea -- Odesa, Chernomorsk, and Yuzhny, according to the UN. 
Doses of monkeypox vaccine are pictured in Chicago, the United States, on July 25, 2022. (Photo by Vincent Johnson/Xinhua)

Europe and the Americas have been affected the most by the monkeypox outbreak, as these two regions have reported 95 percent of the diagnosed cases, said Director General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

GENEVA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Europe and the Americas have been affected the most by the monkeypox outbreak, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists here on Wednesday.

These two regions have reported 95 percent of the diagnosed cases, he said, warning against stigma and discrimination in monkeypox messaging.

Over 18,000 monkeypox cases have been reported to the WHO from 78 countries. More than 70 percent of these came from the European region and 25 percent from the Americas, he said.

He said that 98 percent of the reported cases have been among men who have sex with men, stressing that stigma and discrimination can be "as dangerous as any virus and can fuel the outbreak."

"As we have seen with COVID-19 misinformation," it can spread rapidly online, he said, "so we call on social media platforms, tech companies and news organizations to work with us to prevent and counter harmful information."

Photo taken in Brussels, Belgium on May 24, 2021 shows the live stream of the 74th World Health Assembly held at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Last Saturday, the WHO officially declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). A PHEIC is the highest level of alert that the United Nations (UN) health body can give.

The WHO has been urging countries to take the monkeypox outbreak seriously by taking the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups. "The best way to do that is to reduce the risk of exposure and make safe choices," he said.

"For men who have sex with men, this includes, for the moment, reducing your number of sexual partners, reconsidering sex with new partners, and exchanging contact details with any new partners to enable follow-up if needed."

Meanwhile, Canada, the European Union and the U.S. have already approved the vaccine called MVA-BN (Modified Vaccinia Ankara -- Bavarian Nordic) for use against monkeypox, and two other vaccines are also being assessed. However, due to the lack of data on the effectiveness and dosage of the vaccines, the WHO currently does not recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox. It also urges all countries that are administering such vaccines to collect and share critical data on their effectiveness.

Health care workers assist people waiting to be vaccinated at a monkeypox vaccination site in New York, the United States, on July 14, 2022. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)
DAMASCUS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Four members of the Kurdish security forces, known as Assayish, were killed by an armed Turkish drone in Syria's northern province of Raqqa on Thursday, a war monitor reported.

The Turkish drone fired at an Assayish vehicle in the vicinity of the Tal Samen town in the northern countryside of Raqqa, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

With this attack, Turkiye has carried out 42 such drone strikes on Kurdish fighters since the beginning of 2022, according to the monitor.

This is part of the tension between Turkiye and the Kurdish militia in northern Syria, which has been growing recently amid a declared Turkish intention to launch a new military operation in northern Syria against the Kurdish militias.

The Syrian army said in a recent statement that it was ready to confront any possible Turkish attack, a week after Iran, Russia and Turkiye held a summit in the Iranian capital Tehran in an attempt to defuse the tension. 
* China has been sending students from Xinjiang to study in vocational schools in east and central provinces and municipalities since 2011 to promote the training of talent from all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

* Teachers from the Changxing Vocational and Technical Education Center School in east China's Zhejiang Province pay home visits, some 5,000 kilometers away in Xinjiang, every year to address their students' difficulties.

* A total of 543 Xinjiang students have graduated from the school since 2011, and become police, teachers, entrepreneurs, college students, soldiers and workers.

Gu Hailin (1st R) talks with students returning home on the train to Urumqi of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 9, 2022. (Photo by Gao Chengjun/Xinhua)

URUMQI/HANGZHOU, July 28 (Xinhua) -- After finishing the school year in east China's Zhejiang Province in early June, over 200 students from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region some 5,000 kilometers away embarked on their homeward journeys.

More than 20 teachers from the Changxing Vocational and Technical Education Center School also boarded the train. They were not only chaperoning the trip, but were also planning to visit their students' homes.

Gu Hailin, vice headmaster of the school, has been accompanying students on the same trip for more than a decade. Over the years, Gu has left footprints across both sides of the Tianshan Mountains, as the students hail from every part of Xinjiang.

"We hope to address the students' difficulties and their parents' concerns to the extent of our abilities during those home visits," Gu said.

Merdang Nurmemet from the SOS Children's Village in Urumqi was among the 81 Xinjiang students to graduate from the school in 2022.

"After the high school entrance examination, the teachers in the children's village suggested that I apply to a secondary vocational school, so I would not have to worry about tuition and living expenses," said Merdang, who was orphaned at an early age.

The central government and the county government of Changxing respectively allocate 10,000 yuan (about 1,483 U.S. dollars) and 7,500 yuan per student every year. Students from Xinjiang not only enjoy free tuition, accommodation, food and school uniforms, but also receive a government grant of 200 yuan per month.

Gu Hailin (R) talks with Merdang Nurmemet in a visit to Merdang's home in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Gao Han)

OUTSTANDING GRADUATES

Statistics from the Changxing vocational school show that 543 Xinjiang students have graduated since 2011, among whom 38 became police, five became teachers, 15 started businesses, 98 were admitted to colleges, and 16 joined the army. The majority of other Xinjiang students began working at various enterprises.

When revisiting Hayisarjan Tahir in Xinjiang's Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Changji, Gu proudly proclaimed his former student to be "one of the school's most outstanding graduates."

Hayisarjan studied electrical and electronic application and maintenance at the school from 2014 to 2017. Now 26 years old, he works as an engineer for a tech company. His teachers can still recollect how impressed they were by his talent for hands-on work and his strong practical ability.

Hayisarjan recalled that one evening, after study, his classmates were watching a movie in a dark classroom. Sitting in a corner, he was adjusting a remote-controlled model under the dim light of a table lamp.

The headmaster and Gu passed by and saw him.

"The two teachers entered the classroom and talked to me. The next day, Gu called me into his office and asked me if I was interested in running a remote control studio," Hayisarjan said.

He accepted the offer without much hesitation. In three days, an office equipped with desks, chairs and computers was readied for his use. He recruited a team and began designing works, attracting more than 10 million views on a short-video sharing platform.

Hayisarjan also twice participated in a provincial vocational competition, winning the fourth and third place respectively.

After graduating, he enrolled in the Urumqi Vocational University. Upon graduation, his studio's short videos helped him stand out and win the chance to work at one of China's largest tech companies.

Seeing his old teachers again, Hayisarjan said, "After graduating years ago, I hardly expected the teachers to visit me thousands of kilometers away. The feeling of being valued and cherished moves me a lot."

Gu Hailin (4th R) and colleagues talk with graduate Hayisarjan Tahir and his family members in a visit to Hayisarjan's home in Mori Kazak Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Gao Han)

Abdureshit Ablimit from Zepu County has been running an adhesive tape factory in hometown since graduation from the Changxing vocational school in 2014. The factory now has annual sales of more than 10 million yuan and employed a dozen villagers.

"I hope to set up a special scholarship in the school to help Xinjiang students," he said.

Since 2011, the central government has been supporting students from Xinjiang to study in 33 vocational schools in east and central China's nine provinces and municipalities rich in educational resources, so as to further promote the training of talent from all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

At the Changxing vocational school, courses for Xinjiang students are adjusted every year according to the demand of the local job market. This fall, 95 new students will study industrial robotics, new energy vehicles (NEVs), and tour guide services and management.

"I hope the incoming students can learn something at our school and, in return, contribute their knowledge and skills to their hometowns and society," Gu said.

(Video reporters: Kong Linghang, Gao Han, Fang Junwei, Fang Lie; video editors: Liu Ruoshi, Cao Ying, Zhao Xiaoqing, Lin Lin) 
It is understood that many people in Xinjiang have voluntarily sent email to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Madam Michelle Bachelet, where they have told their own stories, introduced the reality of Xinjiang, and expressed strong indignation at the discrediting and slandering of anti-China forces in the United States and some other Western countries.

First, many victims of terrorist and violent incidents have explained to Madam Bachelet the damage caused by violent terrorist forces. Alimjan Mattohti, a witness of the July 5 riot in Urumqi, wrote in the mail, "As I walked to Yan'an Park, I saw several cars set blaze and many chased and beaten by rioters. I tried my best to save as many lives as I could, regardless of my own safety. And I saved 28 who were severely wounded." Mamat Juma, a family member of the victim of July 30 violent terrorist case in Kashgar and Imam of Id Kah Mosque, wrote in the mail, "On July 30, 2014, my father was brutally killed by three terrorists after presiding over the dawn prayer. His head and eyes were not complete. There was a large hole in his skull, and axe wounds on the neck. I tried to hold him, but my hands were covered by blood. Witnesses told me his ribs and neck were broken. I was very sad, and I couldn't understand. How could the terrorists have so brutally killed someone over the age of 70? Don't they have fathers? Don't they have families?" Hajigul Turghun, a family member of the victim of the September 18 severe violent terrorist incident in Baicheng County, wrote in the mail, "The terrorists killed my beloved father. I hate them so much. They must be severely punished. They brutally took the lives of innocent people like my father just to achieve their sinister purpose. They had crossed the red line and challenged humanity. They don't even deserve to live in this world. If any terrorist dare to undermine our life in peace and happiness, I will bravely stand up to them just like my father did, and fight them until the end!"

Second, many graduated trainees from former education and training centers have told their stories of studying at the centers and what they are doing after graduation. Zaynur Namatqari, a graduated trainee from the education and training center in Shufu County, Kashgar Prefecture, wrote in the mail, "While we were studying at the education and training center, all the rights of female trainees were fully protected. Teachers were very nice to us. As a graduated trainee, I want to make it clear that no female trainee was sexually abused at the center. All the allegations of education and training center being 'concentration camps', 'female trainees being sexually abused', and 'male trainees being tortured', are all made up by the BBC." Abaydulla Omur, a graduated trainee from the education and training center in the city of Turpan, wrote in the mail, "The conditions in the center were very good. Dining and accommodation were free of charge. After graduation, I opened an e-commerce company with the computing skills I learned in the center, selling specialties from Turpan, such as fresh and dried fruits. Our sales in 2021 exceeded 5 million yuan, and we provided jobs for 25 local farmers and herdsmen. The education and training center was a very nice school. There is no such thing as 'forced labor'." Take Patigul Qasim, a graduated trainee from the vocational education and training center of Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture as an example. "The center provided human-based management and services for the trainees where comfortable dormitories and halal food were available. We could ask for a leave at anytime. Upon graduation, I opened a dessert shop with skills learned in the center. It runs pretty well now. I'm grateful that the center helped me walk out of the religious extremism and lead to the current happy life", said she in her email. Aygul Mamat, another graduated trainee from the vocational education and training center in Kashgar, put in the email, "I used to be influenced by religious extremism, forcing my family to draw a line against people of ethnic Han and keeping my kids out of school. The learning experience in the center, however, made me fully aware of the detriment caused by extremist thoughts. I have gained an improved awareness of laws and level of standard spoken and written Chinese. Furthermore, I was elected a village official. It is the vocational education and training center that brought my life back to the right track."

Third, many religious personnel shared with Ms. Michelle Bachelet the facts about lawful protection of freedom of religious belief in Xinjiang. For instance, Abdureqip Tomurniyaz, president of Xinjiang Islamic Association and president of Xinjiang Islamic Institute said in his email, "Xinjiang fully implements the policy of freedom of religious belief, and protects normal religious activities and fulfills the reasonable religious demands of believers. In Xinjiang, all normal religious activities, including attending religious services, fasting, and celebrating religious festivals, that believers conduct at venues for religious activities or in their own homes in accordance with customary religious practices, are exclusive affairs of religious groups and the believers themselves. These activities are protected by law, and no organization or individual may interfere with them." To quote Obulhasan Tursunniyaz, vice president of Xinjiang Islamic Association and hatif of Jamai Mosque in Hotan from his letter, "In response to the appeal and application from local Muslims, some local governments have resolved the issue of dilapidated mosques in recent years by means of relocation, expanding existing facilities and building new ones. With mosques being better configured with enhanced structural safety, these efforts are widely welcomed by prominent figures from the religious circles and religious believers. At present, the existing mosques could satisfy the demand of religious believers. The so-called "demolition of mosques" in Xinjiang is just nonsense. As Muhtaram Sherip, vice president of Xinjiang Islamic Association and imam of Yanghang Mosque wrote in his email, "Conditions continue to improve at the venues for religious activities in recent years. Mosques are generally equipped with running water, electricity, natural gas, and easy road access. The mosques also have communication tools, radio and television facilities, LED screens, computers, electric fans, air conditioners, water dispensers, medical services, and fire-fighting appliances. Washing and cleansing facilities have been installed in congregational mosques for Juma prayers. All this provides greater convenience for religious believers. The so-called 'suppression of Islam' is totally nonsense."

Fourth, many experts, scholars and public representatives have introduced to Ms. Michelle Bachelet the autonomous region's efforts in documenting and protecting excellent traditional ethnic cultures. As said by deputy president Zulhayat Ismayil of Xinjiang University in her email, fine traditional cultures of ethnic minorities are well protected. Uyghur Muqam art, Kirgiz epic Manas and Uyghur Meshrep were registered on the "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Ethnic minority languages are extensively used in such areas as judicature, administration, education, press and publishing, radio and television, internet, and public affairs. Also, in his email to Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Bahtiyar Hamut, a resident of Jay Folk Musical Instruments Village, Xinhe County of South Xinjiang's Aksu Prefecture, wrote the village has a history of more than 300 years in making instruments-the most well-known one for ethnic instruments making in Xinjiang. At present, the village has 7 instrument making cooperatives, and one third of the villagers are engaged in this craft covering 20-plus instruments. Another example to cite here is Mawlan Turaq who runs a cultural shop in Kashgar Old Town. The letter she sent to the high commissioner said, "I've chosen the profession I am keen on. My shop sells as many as two hundred kinds of hand-made traditional Uyghur costumes, and provides portrait-shooting service for travelers donning Uyghur costumes. Apart from that, I've also designed some popular souvenirs featuring salient Xinjiang elements, including phone cases, pen pouches and T-shirts."

Fifth, many migrant workers have presented information about them voluntarily choosing their jobs and starting their businesses. For instance, Aynur Amar, a native of Makit County of Kashgar Prefecture, wrote in her email, "After graduating from Xinjiang Vocational Technical College, I learnt enterprises from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, would come to my village to recruit. I was excited at the news, for I wanted to get a well-paid job in a big city. After talking my intention with my family, I, together with several other young villagers, passed the recruitment process. There was no such thing as being forced to work away from my hometown." In another example, Osmanjan Matrozi, principal of a labour dispatching company in Cele County of south Xinjiang's Hotan Prefecture, introduced in his letter that the scope of his business includes seeking employment for job-seekers, signing of labour contracts and ensuring contract content is observed in accordance with the law, and securing the rights and interests of workers, among others. All workers dispatched by my company are recruited with their voluntary will respected. The company fully respects worker's placement preferences before a dispactching contract is finalized through consultation. In another letter written to Ms. Michelle Bachelet by Mihrigul Husan who works with Zhongtai Haihong, a textile printing and dyeing company in Xinjiang, she introduced, "after bumping into the hiring notice of the company on Internet, I submitted my application online and later sailed through the recruitment test. The company signed the labour contact with us, fulfilled its contributions to the social insurance schemes and the housing fund, and arranged pre-job training for us. I've acquired a lot of new knowledge and skills, and enhanced my performance at work. My life is getting increasingly better."

In late May this year, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Michelle Bachelet visited Xinjiang with a delegation. Throughout this visit, she had extensive communication with local people from all walks of life, and witnessed the social stability and harmony of the region and the prosperous, happy lives people were living. The letters sent by Xinjiang people from various sectors to the High Commissioner have expressed their concerns and expectations. It is hoped that Madam High Commissioner could heed their voices, respect their views, and see fairly and objectively the human rights situation in Xinjiang on the basis of what she saw and felt on her visit to the region.
By Azernews

By News Center

Turkiye has launched a coordination center in Istanbul for grain shipments from Ukraine, Yeni Shafak newspaper reports.

The grain crisis is being resolved with Turkiye's strong leadership. While the first grain shipments were loaded onto the ships, Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar attended the opening ceremony of the Joint Coordination Center held at the National Defense Universitys campus in Istanbul.

The commercial ships to get involved in the program will be registered and monitored by this center, which will also technically monitor their departure via satellite internet and other communication means. Planning will be done with the parties' consent if demining is required, Akar said at the opening ceremony.

On July 22, historic documents were signed in Istanbul for grain shipments from Ukraine. The Joint Coordination Center was created at the National Defense University in Istanbul after the historic deal. Representatives from Turkiye, Russia, Ukraine, and the United Nations attended the opening of the center.

Addressing the event, Akar pointed out that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine increased the risk of energy and food crises.

About a third of the world's grain supply is provided by the Russian Federation and Ukraine. The ongoing grain crisis that Ukraine is unable to resolve also creates a serious security risk because of starvation and illegal migration around the globe, notably in the Middle East and Africa. Therefore, it became necessary to establish a corridor in the sea for the safe delivery of over 25 million tons of grain waiting in Ukrainian ports to countries in need in a short time, Akar stressed.

He underlined that at the initiative of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, negotiations were held with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to solve the problem. Several ministerial meetings were held, as well as intensive contacts were carried out through the Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish special representatives.

As a result of the contacts, a four-way meeting was held for the first time in Istanbul on 13 July, and general principles were agreed upon at the meeting. Despite the different approaches of some countries, these long and arduous efforts resulted in the agreement signed on July 22. The Joint Coordination Center started its preparatory work on the campus of the National Defense University on July 23, the minister added.

According to Akar, the center's responsibilities include providing secure maritime transportation for grain and other goods that are being exported from the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chernomorsk, and Yuzhny. Five individuals - two military men and two civilians represent Russia, Ukraine, the UN, and Turkiye at the center.

The center will register and monitor the commercial ships via satellite and other communication means and will carry out all its activities in coordination with the parties and the UN. Ships will be inspected by joint inspection teams at locations deemed appropriate upon loading at Ukrainian ports and upon arrival at Turkish ports.

Planning shall be done in accordance with the parties' agreement if demining is required. The agreement shall remain in effect for 120 days until the parties ask for it to be terminated. Additionally, by utilizing Turkish national infrastructure and other means, the center will be able to keep track of all commercial ship movements in the Black Sea and hold one-on-one meetings with other institutions and organizations.

Currently, the preparation and planning of the first grain-laden ships to leave the Ukrainian ports are underway. We believe that the works to be carried out through the Joint Coordination Center will make significant contributions to overcoming the food crisis affecting the whole world, especially in lowering prices. The center will make a maximum contribution to humanitarian needs and peace through collective and successful work. Therefore, the responsibilities of the personnel working at the center are great. Valuable representatives of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Turkiye, and the UN have undertaken a historic humanitarian mission, Akar emphasized.

The minister also expressed optimism over the parties' adherence to the guiding principles of the deal.

The will to cooperate in this way demonstrates that conflicts may be avoided via goodwill and dialogue. The fact that all sides dispatched officials to Istanbul the day after the agreement was signed was a significant and honest sign of their resolve. In this regard, we hope that the Joint Coordination Center's activities would pave the path for an environment of lasting peace. At every opportunity, we express that we are in favor of peace, tranquility, and dialogue. In this respect, all of our ministries and institutions continued their activities in a balanced, moderate, and facilitating direction. We aim to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, reduce tension and deliver humanitarian aid, Akar underlined.

Akar stressed that this process once again demonstrated Turkiye's importance as a NATO member and as a nation that maintains continual communication with both conflicting sides.

According to experts, the studies to be carried out at the center will contribute to the prevention of the food crisis and decrease food prices, as well as can be a model for the solution of the energy crisis and some other problems. This center will also contribute to the prevention of irregular migration from Africa to Europe and Turkiye.
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday called on the United States, Britain and Australia to respect the will of regional countries and revoke the decision to carry out nuclear submarine cooperation to avoid harming regional and global peace and security.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on the U.S.-Britain-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation. The three countries have submitted relevant working paper to the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to defend its nuclear submarine cooperation.

Noting that the announcement of nuclear submarine cooperation between the three countries has aroused serious concerns from the international community, Zhao said that the Chinese side has stated its opposition on several occasions and submitted a working paper to the 10th Review Conference of the NPT in December 2021.

The Chinese side noted that Indonesia has also submitted a working paper to the 10th Review Conference, putting forward many concerns about nuclear proliferation risks arising from cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines, Zhao added.

Regrettably, the three countries have yet to face up to and address the concerns of various parties, the spokesperson said, adding that no matter how the three countries argue, they cannot change the basic fact that the trilateral cooperation has serious nuclear proliferation risks and violates the purpose of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Meanwhile, there are huge differences in the international community on the issue of nuclear submarine power reactor safeguards arrangement, Zhao noted, adding the relevant safeguards arrangement will set a precedent and involve the interests of all member states of the IAEA, which should be discussed and decided by all interested countries.

Under China's efforts, the IAEA's Board of Governors has put the nuclear submarine cooperation between the United States, Britain and Australia on the formal agenda three consecutive times. China advocates launching an intergovernmental process under the framework of the IAEA in accordance with established practice to discuss political, legal and technical issues related to nuclear submarine cooperation, the spokesperson stressed.

Zhao said that the three countries and the IAEA secretariat should not negotiate the safeguards arrangement for nuclear submarine cooperation without authorization until all parties reach a consensus. 
TASHKENT, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks here on Thursday with Uzbekistan's Acting Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov on deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields.

During their talks, Wang said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, China-Uzbekistan relations have withstood the test of the changing international situation and grown stronger; their friendship has overcome challenges and become increasingly unbreakable; their cooperation has yielded fruitful results and gained more vitality.

Wang attributed the success to the strategic guidance of the two heads of state and the joint efforts of the people of the two countries.

China firmly supports Uzbekistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and social stability as well as continuing to follow the path of development and revitalization in line with its national conditions, and opposes any external interference in its internal affairs, he said.

Wang said that China stands ready to follow the important consensus reached by the two heads of state to push forward the leapfrog development of bilateral relations and open up the next three decades of greater friendship, higher level of mutual trust, common development and shared prosperity between China and Uzbekistan.

Calling Uzbekistan and China good brothers and friends, Norov said over the past 30 years, the two countries have consistently respected each other, treated each other as equals, set an example of mutually beneficial cooperation and served as a stable anchor for regional peace and development.

Norov said that Uzbekistan welcomes and supports the important initiatives put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, including the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative.

Norov briefed Wang on Uzbekistan's preparations for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit to be held in autumn and thanked China for its strong support. 
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday said China will take resolute countermeasures should the United States follow through with its missile troop deployment plan in Japan.

Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the above remarks in response to a press inquiry regarding the matter.

The United States' intention to make such a move is perilous and detrimental to the national security of countries in the region as well as regional peace and stability, said Wu. 
The first batch of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines arrives at Tashkent International Airport in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on March 27, 2021. (Photo by Zafar Khalilov/Xinhua)

China and Uzbekistan pledged to achieve an annual trade turnover of 10 billion U.S. dollars as soon as possible.



TASHKENT, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China and Uzbekistan reached a series of consensuses on raising bilateral relations to a higher level during Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Tashkent on Thursday.

The two sides will take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as a new starting point to make joint efforts toward the vision and goal of building a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future and inject new strong impetus into their comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang told reporters.

Chinese experts exchange planting experience with a local farmer at Humoyun farm in Bayavut district of Syrdarya region, Uzbekistan, Sept. 24, 2020. (Photo by Zafar Khalilov/Xinhua)

The two sides discussed the promotion of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, and Uzbekistan expressed readiness to support and participate in the two important initiatives, he said.

Both parties spoke highly of the growth of bilateral trade despite an unfavorable environment and voiced confidence in the prospects of further cooperation, Wang noted.

Chinese exhibitors show equipment during China Commodity and Service Fair in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 12, 2019. (Xinhua/Cai Guodong)

China and Uzbekistan pledged to achieve an annual trade turnover of 10 billion U.S. dollars as soon as possible and set new targets, and decided to jointly implement the five-year plan for economic, trade and investment cooperation, and draw up a list of priority cooperation projects for the future.

Both sides believe that the time is becoming ripe to push forward the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and are willing to speed up the feasibility study for the project, he told reporters.

The two countries will deepen cooperation in poverty alleviation and set up a sub-committee on poverty reduction under the inter-governmental cooperation committee to advance the work.

A scientist works at a tomb in the ancient settlement of Mingtepa, Andijan, Uzbekistan, Aug. 6, 2019. (Xinhua/Cai Guodong)

They will also strengthen medical and health cooperation, expand joint production of vaccines, while China will assist Uzbekistan in building a regional center of vaccine production and research and development.

In addition, China will provide free cataract surgeries for another 500 Uzbek patients and set up a cooperation center for blindness prevention in the Central Asian country, Wang concluded. 
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China firmly opposes secession aimed at "Taiwan independence" and external interference, and never allows any room for "Taiwan independence" forces in whatever form, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.

Xi made the remarks when having talks over phone with his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden.

He urged the U.S. side to honor the one-China principle and implement the three China-U.S. joint communiques both in word and in deed.

Biden said U.S.-China cooperation benefits not only the people of the two countries, but also people of all countries.

He reiterated that the one-China policy of the United States has not changed and will not change, and that the United States does not support "Taiwan independence." 
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China and the United States need to maintain communication on such important issues as coordinating macroeconomic policies, keeping global industrial and supply chains stable, and protecting global energy and food security.

Xi made the remarks when having talks over phone with his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden.

Attempts at decoupling or severing supply chains in defiance of underlying laws would not help boost the U.S. economy, Xi said, adding that they would only make the world economy more vulnerable. 
DAR ES SALAAM, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's traditional medicine authority has announced a crackdown on unregistered traditional healers across the east African nation, a statement by the health ministry said late Wednesday.

Hamisi Malebo, the chairperson of the Council for Traditional and Alternative Medicines, said unregistered traditional healers that will be identified during the crackdown will be dealt with according to laws governing traditional and alternative medicines, said the statement.

The statement quoted Malebo as saying that the crackdown is aimed at protecting the health of Tanzanians who are desperate to get such medical services.

Malebo told members of the Council for Traditional and Alternative Medicines and journalists that no unregistered traditional healer will be spared during the crackdown.

Malebo said an unregistered traditional healer would be fined 500,000 Tanzanian shillings (about 215 U.S. dollars) or face a two-year jail term or both. 
Photo taken on July 28, 2022 shows Jeongjo The Great, an 8,200-ton Aegis-equipped destroyer, in Ulsan, South Korea. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua)

SEOUL, July 28 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Thursday launched an 8,200-ton Aegis-equipped destroyer, designed and developed indigenously.

The launching ceremony was held at the shipyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, around 310 km southeast of the capital Seoul, attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol, according to the presidential office.

Yoon said at the ceremony that Jeongjo The Great, the Aegis destroyer, would further strengthen South Korean navy's combat capabilities.

The destroyer was the fourth Aegis-equipped destroyer of the South Korean Navy.

The 170-meter-long, 21-meter-wide destroyer is fitted with enhanced radar-evading functions and the up-to-date Aegis combat system capable of detecting, tracking and intercepting ballistic missiles. 

Photo taken on July 28, 2022 shows Jeongjo The Great, an 8,200-ton Aegis-equipped destroyer, in Ulsan, South Korea. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua)
Foreign employees of the Peljesac Bridge Project Ana Vulic and her husband Talman Damtare pose for a photo at the construction site of the bridge project in Komarna, Croatia on April 27, 2022. (China Road and Bridge Corporation/Handout via Xinhua)

KOMARNA, Croatia, July 28 (Xinhua) -- "The day has finally arrived, and it is also the day I have been looking forward to the most as a builder of the Peljesac Bridge," Wu Yuxiang, a staff member of the material department of the Peljesac Bridge Project told Xinhua.

The 2.4-km-long Peljesac Bridge, a key infrastructure project in Croatia, connects the Croatian mainland with the Peljesac Peninsula of its southernmost Dubrovnik-Neretva County, bypassing a short strip of land belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and giving Croatia better access to the area.

Wu recalled that when she first came to the bridge project three years ago, the pier of the bridge had just emerged from the sea, like a newborn child. Now the bridge has been completed, like a grown-up man who stands tall. The bridge blends into the beautiful landscape of the Adriatic Gulf, resembling a distant silver-white dragon stretched across the sea.

"In the past three years, I have witnessed the bridge's growth day by day. Whenever I see many tourists who come to take pictures on the bridge, I feel extremely proud," Wu said.

For many evenings after work, Sun Ruikang, an employee of the commercial contract department of the bridge project, would sit on the balcony, looking at the bridge over the bay.

"More than four years have passed in such a flash. I am like the bridge, changing every day, growing every day," he said.

Back in the summer of 2018, Zhang Yong, a staff member of the commercial contract department of the bridge project, came to the construction site after a 16-hour journey and joined the team of the bridge builders. He said that the Peljesac Bridge carries the hopes and dreams of generations of Croatians.

During the past four years, Zhang witnessed how teams of builders, regardless of good or bad weather, remained dedicated to their tasks.

For Wu Zhongjian, who works for the safety and quality department of the bridge project, July 28, 2021 was the most memorable day during the construction of the bridge. On that day, the final segments of the bridge were joined, bringing two parts of the Croatian coastline together for the first time.

Wu recalled that many Croatian officials, media personnel and local residents came to witness how the last bridge segments were joined and their hearts were filled with joy. "I also felt overjoyed and proud for being a participant in the construction," Wu said.

Not only Chinese builders, but also foreign employees and bridge project partners burst with emotions.

Croatian-born Ana Vulic and her husband Talman Damtare, a native of Togo in Africa, are both employees of the bridge project. Ana said that thanks to China, she and her husband met and fell in love. The Peljesac Bridge enabled them to work together and witnessed the hard work and dedication of the Chinese builders.

Selma Kundson, a Croatian who has been working on the bridge project for nearly four years, said she was very excited about the opening of the bridge, as it was the common wish of her deceased grandfather and father to have the north and south of the country connected.

"I imagine that after many years, I will proudly tell my children and grandchildren the story of my participation in the Peljesac Bridge project as a builder," she said.

Lu Shengwei, the representative of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) Croatia Branch, said that cooperation, a quest for mutual benefits, and a win-win approach have always been the business philosophy of the bridge project.

The consortium has signed more than 1,200 purchase contracts and orders with Croatian companies with a cumulative value of over 166 million Croatian kunas (23.5 million U.S. dollars) along with 91 business subcontracts whose value has exceeded 220 million kunas. This fully complies with the principle of extensive consultation and cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. 

Wu Zhongjian, who works for the safety and quality department of the bridge project, works at the office in Komarna, Croatia on July 23, 2022. (China Road and Bridge Corporation/Handout via Xinhua)

Wu Yuxiang, a staff member of the material department of the Peljesac Bridge Project, works at the office in Komarna, Croatia on July 23, 2022. (China Road and Bridge Corporation/Handout via Xinhua)
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar speaks at the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, Turkiye on July 27, 2022. Turkiye inaugurated the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul on Wednesday to monitor the implementation of the grain shipment from Ukraine, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters. (Xinhua/Shadati)

ISTANBUL, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye inaugurated the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul on Wednesday to monitor the implementation of the grain shipment from Ukraine, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters.

Located inside the compound of a military university in the city's European side district of Besiktas, the center consists of 20 representatives from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations, five from each party, according to Akar.

This will guarantee the safe passage of vessels from Ukrainian ports through the Black Sea and the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul to global markets, said the minister.

At the command center, the representatives were seated around a large square table. A map on a big screen was showing the details of the Black Sea and the locations of several vessels.

"This center will register and follow the commercial ships that will be included in the initiative. It will technically track the journey of the ships through satellite, internet, and other means of communication," Akar said, speaking of The Black Sea Grain Initiative signed in Istanbul on Friday.

Ships will be inspected by joint inspection teams at locations deemed appropriate upon loading at Ukrainian ports and arrival at ports in Turkiye, according to Akar.

"If there is a need for demining, plans agreed by all parties would be made. However, there is no need at this stage," he added.

Earlier, a source who asked to be identified as "a senior UN official" told Xinhua that the shipments will be inspected to make sure there will be no transportation of weapons.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said he hoped the deal would work, according to media reports.

The press service of the Ukrainian Naval Forces said in a statement on Wednesday that operations have resumed in the Ukrainian Black Sea ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny in line with the grain exports deal signed last week in Turkiye.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday that the deal would allow both Ukraine and Russia to export their products.

"There are products to be exported by Russia as well, and the deal paves the way for it. Likewise, it paves the way for the export of Ukraine's grain, sunflower, and sunflower oil," he said on TV100 broadcaster.

Cavusoglu pointed out that Turkiye would continue to play its constructive role to ensure the plan runs smoothly.

Russia and Ukraine signed respectively the initiative with Turkiye under the UN auspices on Friday, which would allow significant volumes of food and fertilizer exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. 
By Azernews

By News Center

Turkiye has ranked first for the humanitarian aid it has been providing globally ($5.5 billion) compared to the volume of its gross national product (GNP), Yeni Shafak reports.

Dozens of Turkish NGOs continued to supply aid to the oppressed all over the world with donations they received. The nation retained its top position among the countries providing the most humanitarian aid. Turkiye's humanitarian aid reached over $5.5 billion in 2022, excluding the support provided to Syrian refugees inside the country.

According to the Global Humanitarian Aid 2022 Report, prepared by the UK-based Development Initiatives, the United States was at the top of the list by providing over $9.7 billion of humanitarian aid, while Turkiye ranked second. However, Turkiye became the country that provided the most humanitarian aid with $5.5 billion compared to its gross national product.

In terms of quantity, Turkiye ranked third on the list in 2013, 2014, and 2015, second in 2016 and 2020, and first in 2017, 2018, and 2019. According to data from 2020, Turkiye was the nation with the highest humanitarian relief relative to its GNP.

Izani Turan, the Turkish Diyanet Foundation general manager, said that they have been providing assistance to individuals in need since 1975 under the motto "until goodness prevails on earth".

Turan emphasized that they also provided help through major organizations in regions undergoing humanitarian crises, underlining that the humanitarian activities are carried out by thousands of officials and volunteers in 149 countries, including Turkiye.

He added humanitarian aid is mainly provided to crisis-hit regions. So far, 39.6 million liras ($2.1million) to Arakan, 42.25 million liras ($2.2million) to Yemen, 37.4 million liras ($2 million) to Sudan, 384 million liras to Syria ($21 million), 238 million liras ($132 million) to Palestine, 8 million liras ($440,000) to Lebanon, and 5.8 million liras ($300,000) have been donated to Indonesia.

We have built 'welfare houses' for people who are victims of war in 14 regions, especially in the Syrian cities of Idlib, Azez, and Al-Bab. We planned the construction of 14,673 houses, 6,214 of which are completed residences, and 2,900 are under construction. Moreover, the construction of 5,559 residences will begin in the coming days, Turan stressed.

He underlined that the foundation has opened 785 water wells and fountains in 35 countries and delivered clean water to more than seven million people.

Our goal in 2022 is to increase the number of people accessing clean water to over 8 million by opening 350 more water wells and fountains, Turan added.

The general manager emphasized that Turkiye reaches out to the needy all over the world.

One of the most important features that makes us who we are and distinguish us from other communities is the feeling of cooperation and solidarity, which is always at the peak.

When we look at the statistics given by international organizations, Turkiye has been and will continue to be the country that provides the most aid in the world, from the past to the present, according to its gross national product. This success has undoubtedly been achieved by the trust of the Turkish nation in its state and non-governmental organizations. One of the most important links of the aid chain in Turkiye is undoubtedly the Turkish Diyanet Foundation."

In the report, it was noted that the humanitarian aid provided to the Syrian refugees hosted by Turkiye on its territory was not included in the ranking. The countries that received the most humanitarian aid in 2021 were Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
KIEV, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian parliament on Thursday adopted a draft law to grant special status to Polish citizens in Ukraine, a parliament member said.

The presidential proposal on granting special status to Polish citizens in Ukraine was supported by 283 lawmakers in the 450-seat assembly, Yaroslav Zheleznyak wrote on Telegram.

The new legislation allows Polish citizens to legally stay in Ukraine for 18 months after the adoption of the law, Zheleznyak said.

The law grants Polish citizens equal rights as Ukrainians in employment, economic activities, as well as in getting education and medical assistance in Ukraine.

On July 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted to the parliament the draft law on establishing legal and social guarantees for Polish citizens in Ukraine, "as a sign of gratitude to the Polish people for their solidarity and support for Ukraine." 
ISTANBUL, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish foreign minister said on Thursday that the Russian-Ukraine grain corridor deal could boost trust between the two sides if implemented properly.

Mevlut Cavusoglu made the remarks in Istanbul during a press briefing following a meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili.

"If implemented properly, the agreement could be a very crucial boost of trust between both sides," Cavusoglu said, noting the deal would allow the exports of not only Ukrainian grains but also Russian fertilizers.

Speaking of the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul that has become operational, the Turkish minister said he hopes the exports will be continuous and reach the countries in urgent need.

"In conflict, everybody loses, and similarly, in peace, everybody wins, as long as a just peace is established," said Cavusoglu, answering a question regarding whether the agreement could lead to a meeting of the opposing sides at foreign ministerial level.

"This conflict will end at a diplomatic table, no doubt. We exercise utmost efforts to bring the sides to the same table, and if they're ready, we would indeed be the host of such an endeavor," he added.

Cavusoglu also detailed some of the plans to increase cooperation between Turkiye and Georgia, including improving the logistics between the two countries as well as expansions of the current free trade deals.

Russia and Ukraine each signed a deal in Istanbul last Friday, respectively with Turkiye and the United Nations, to resume grain shipments to international markets via the Black Sea.

The Joint Coordination Center was opened on Wednesday to monitor the implementation of the grain shipments from Ukraine. 
LOS ANGELES, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The United States has confirmed more than 3,500 monkeypox cases, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of Tuesday, a total of 3,591 known monkeypox cases had been reported in the United States, CDC data showed.

So far, the United States has the world's highest tally of monkeypox cases. New York has the most cases, with 900, followed by California with 356 and Illinois with 350, according to CDC data.

Health experts said given the testing bottlenecks in the United States, monkeypox cases are likely being undercounted.

The CDC confirmed two cases of monkeypox in children on Friday. One case is a toddler who is a resident of California. The other is an infant who is not a U.S. resident.

The country has also spotted its first case of monkeypox this year in a pregnant woman, CDC officials said over the weekend.

Pregnant women are among those "at especially increased risk for severe outcomes" from monkeypox, according to the CDC.

Health officials have been warning that the number of monkeypox cases would likely increase across the country, as the government increases testing capacity and surveillance.

With increased testing, an improved reporting system for states, and the continued spread of disease, more cases will be identified, said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

"We know monkeypox symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus, so we anticipate we may see an increase in cases throughout the month of July and into August," Walensky added.

Over 16,000 monkeypox cases and five related deaths have been reported in 75 countries and regions, according to figures released by the World Health Organization, which on Saturday declared the monkeypox outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern."

"The international community must work together to protect individuals that have been impacted by monkeypox, and those most at risk of contracting the virus," White House COVID-19 Coordinator Ashish Jha said during a press briefing on Tuesday. 
SAN FRANCISCO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Wednesday signed the city's 14 billion U.S. dollar budget, prioritizing economic recovery and public safety in the coming two years.

"The significant investments in this budget will strengthen our economic recovery, restore public safety, support workers and families, and build on efforts to reduce homelessness and address behavioral health," said Breed.

"This budget sets forth our priorities to deliver on the basic services our residents deserve, while also building towards a stronger future as we emerge from this pandemic," she added.

The most significant investment in the upcoming two-year budget is a 240 million dollar investment in the city's public and non-profit workforce. The budget also invests 47.4 million dollars over the two years to promote the city's economic recovery. This includes new direct support for small businesses. 
Iran: Iran is carrying out executions at "terrible speed" in state-sanctioned mass killings that are a "disgusting attack" on the right to life, according to two rights groups on Wednesday.

As of the end of June this year, 251 executions have been confirmed, though the true number could be much higher, according to a joint statement issued by the Washington-based Abdor Rahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran and London-based Amnesty International.

The groups accused the government of going on a "performance spree", saying, "If executions continue at this appalling rate, they will soon surpass the total of 314 executions recorded for the entire year of 2021."

He claimed that 146 of those executed in 2022 were convicted of murder, "among well-documented patterns of executions being systematically executed after extremely unfair trials."

However, at least 86 others were executed for drug-related offences, for which domestic law changes have so far declined dramatically in recent years.

"On average, Iranian officials killed at least one person per day during the first six months of 2022." "The state machinery is carrying out mass murders across the country in a despicable attack on the right to life," said Diana Eltahawi, Amnesty International's deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa.

According to the report, authorities routinely carry out mass executions in Iranian prisons, with more than a dozen people executed at once.

The organizations confirmed a report by another non-governmental organisation, Iran Human Rights, that Iran carried out its first public execution in two years on Saturday.

Acknowledging the problem of prison overcrowding, Iranian officials' comments raised concerns that "official efforts to reduce the number of prisoners have led to an increase in executions," according to the statement.

Rights groups were also concerned that more than a quarter of those killed so far in 2022 were members of Iran's Baluchi ethnic minority, which accounts for only 5% of the population.

"Iran's disproportionate use of the death penalty against the Baluchi minority is a symbol of the discrimination and repression they have faced for decades," said Roya Boroumand, director of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights.

According to the statement, the increase in executions coincided with the election of former judiciary chief Ibrahim Raisi to the presidency and the appointment of former intelligence minister Gholamhossein Mohseni AZE as the new judiciary chief.

According to activists, Iran is in the midst of a major crackdown as protests continue over living conditions in a dire economic crisis.

Labor activists, intellectuals and filmmakers have been arrested, including Mohamed Rasoulof, whose harsh film about the effects of the death penalty in Iran won the Golden Bear at the 2020 Berlin Film Festival.

Meanwhile, the semi-official ILNA news agency reported on Wednesday that Tehran granted bail to British-Iranian environmentalist Morad Tahbaz, who has been charged with security crimes.

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TEHRAN: The Iranian Intelligence Ministry announced on Wednesday that the arrested members of an Israel-linked spy network had sought to carry out a bomb attack in one of Iran's sensitive defence industry areas.

According to a Ministry statement reported by IRNA on Wednesday, Israel equipped the terrorists with the most complex combination procedures for detecting the target's geographical position and inflicting tremendous damage.

The seized goods included eight large and eight tiny bombs, four handguns, a huge amount of bullets, falsified identity cards, and other personal belongings, according to the statement.

According to Xinhua reports, the Ministry said on Saturday that Iran's security services had apprehended "all members of an Israeli spy network" planning terror attacks in Iran. However, Israel has yet to respond to Iran's charges.

Iran, which frequently expresses alarm about the supposed presence of Mossad in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdish region, launched a ballistic missile attack on the region in March, claiming to be targeting Israeli "strategic centres." Tehran claimed it was in retaliation for Israeli air strikes in Syria that killed Iranian military personnel.

The demonstrators were largely followers of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who recently stepped down from the political process in spite of having won the most seats in the October federal election. Protesters carried portraits of the cleric.

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Afghanistan: According to analysts and UN Security Council reports, the separatist Uighur East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which China blames for the terror attacks in its far-western region of Xinjiang, lives in Afghanistan and is believed to have Many have been rebuilt.

Following the Taliban's return to power last year, China pledged its support to leaders seeking to prosecute the ETIM, also known as the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP).

ETIM operates in Afghanistan and Syria, and has close ties with several terrorist groups including al-Qaeda and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which analysts say is the Taliban's closest ally.

"Several Member States noted that ETIM/TIP continues to strengthen its ties with the TTP and Jamaat Ansarullah, increasing its military training on the manufacture and use of improvised explosive devices, focusing on morale , and is planning terrorist attacks against Chinese interests in the region. The time is right," according to a United Nations report released on July 15.

According to the report, ETIM has rebuilt several strongholds in Badakhshan, north-eastern Afghanistan, and "expanded its area of operations and secretly procured weapons with the goal of improving its capabilities for terrorist activities." "

The assessment comes nearly a year after the Taliban vowed to regain power in Afghanistan and eliminate terrorist groups operating on its soil.

Since August last year, China has cautiously stepped up its engagement with the Taliban, pressing for action against ETIM, which it has long accused of promoting Uighur separatism in Xinjiang.

'A ticking time bomb for China'

Faran Jeffrey, deputy director and head of the South Asia Terrorism Desk at the Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism (ITCT) in the United Kingdom, estimated that ETIM had about 1,000 ETIM/TIP fighters in Afghanistan. Their numbers are expected to increase as Uighur militants based in Syria return to Afghanistan.

Despite pressure from Beijing, Jeffrey said the Taliban made no effort to expel ETIM terrorists from Afghanistan. "However, the Taliban relocated some ETIM/TIP terrorists to Badakhshan, away from the Chinese border, to exercise some control over the group and show Beijing that it has no reason to be concerned," he said.

Afghanistan and China share a 74-kilometre (46-mile) border along the Far Wakhan Corridor, a narrow, inaccessible, and barely accessible strip of land that runs from the far northeastern Afghan province of Badakhshan to the predominantly Muslim region of China. It extends up to about 350 km. Xinjiang.

According to Jeffrey, the Taliban was "certainly not strong enough to persuade ETIM/TIP to launch any attack against China from Afghanistan," but it was seen as a "trump card" to ETIM against the Asian superpower. I was holding.

According to Jeffrey, the group has close ties with local terrorist commanders, and several ETIM terrorists have obtained Afghan identity documents.

"Although ETIM/TIP, like al-Qaeda, has kept a low profile for some time, it is a time bomb in China's neighborhood," he said.

According to Andrew Small, a Senior Transatlantic Fellow of the German Marshall Fund's Asia Program, the UN Security Council report is "very accurate, reflects the intelligence assessments of many countries."

Isis-K is attracting Uighur fighters

Meanwhile, ITCT's Jeffrey warned that Islamic State's Afghanistan ally, Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K), was recruiting Uighurs and could target China.

According to a UN report, one member state reported that 50 Uyghur fighters moved from ETIM to Isis-K. Several member states reported that the ISIS-high K's salary helped recruit him.

While the Taliban discourages Uyghur militants from carrying out attacks against China from Afghanistan, many Uyghur militants may see this as a betrayal, leading to a defection to ISIS-K, which is already a heavy target for the Taliban. and is making efforts to build relationships with non-Muslim countries such as China," Jeffrey said.

China and India are frequently mentioned in anti-Isis Taliban propaganda. The ISIS-K suicide bombing of a Shia mosque in Afghanistan by a Uighur terrorist in October foreshadowed what was to come.

"It was important." "ISIS-K was sending a message to both the Taliban and China that it has the ability to recruit Uighur terrorists and is causing a lot of problems for the Taliban and its relationship with China," Jeffery explained.

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Main facts about newly appointed head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office Oleksandr Klymenko 28 July, 05:35 PM Story Oleksandr Klymenko became the head of SAPO (Photo:Prosecutor's Office)

Oleksandr Klymenko on July 28 was appointed head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) by Ukraines new prosecutor general, Andriy Kostin.

Read also: Why Zelenskyy removed the heads of the SBU and PGO

Earlier, on July 17, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the candidate for the position had already been selected and the decision was to be finalized by the competition commission. This was after a long delay of nearly two years in the appointment of the head of the SAPO since the end of the competition for this position.

 

At the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022, the competition commission several times postponed voting to confirm the election of the candidacy of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) detective, Oleksandr Klymenko. However, two days after the president's statement, the commission nevertheless recommended appointing Klymenko as head of the SAPO.

But even after that, the chairman of the board of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, Vitaly Shabunin, pointed out that Klymenko had still not been officially appointed, since the prosecutor general or his acting head should appoint the head of the SAPO.

Shabunin said that the office of the Prosecutor General might delay the appointment of Klymenko, and the President's Office could use this to disrupt this process.

It is possible that while the Office of the Prosecutor General will delay with confirmation, which isn't required, a decision will appear on the appeal to cancel the competition procedure, Shabunin said.

NV sets out the main facts about Oleksandr Klymenko, who nevertheless managed to head one of the key anti-corruption agencies in the state.

Dismissal from the National Police after discovery of theft scheme at Ukrzaliznytsia

Oleksandr Klymenko, 35, was born in September 1986 in Slobozhanshchyna (Northeastern part of Ukraine). He graduated with a law degree from the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University in Kharkiv.

In March 2010, he began working in the Internal Affairs in Kyiv, first as an investigator, and later as a senior investigator.

From November 2015, Klymenko worked as a senior investigator at the National Police, investigating, among other things, cases of property theft.

In particular, he discovered that Ukrzaliznytsia officials had signed fictitious contracts to siphon funds from the enterprise. To stop this, Klymenko wrote a letter, but his superior demanded that the letter be withdrawn. When Klymenko refused, he was reprimanded and fired.



High-profile cases of Klymenko in the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine

In March 2016, Klymenko won a competition at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, or NABU, and became a detective. A year later, he was promoted to senior detective, and in November 2017, to department head.

In 2020, I participated in a competition at the NABU for a promotion, said Klymenko during an interview with Ukrainskaya Pravda in January 2022. Although I scored the most points, I still lost it. I was placed second, not first. In fact, I no longer had the opportunity for any career growth within the bureau, because all the senior positions were occupied.

According to Klymenko, he decided that he could do more for the country as the head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, thanks to his significant experience and (work on) a large number of high-profile cases in the bureau.

During his work at NABU, Klymenko took part in the investigation of the case of former MP Oleksandr Onishchenko. Onishchenko's "Gas Affair" is one of the largest corruption schemes in the history of Ukraine, organized by the former People's Deputy Oleksandr Onishchenko with the participation of 28 other people. They caused damage to the state fworthor a total of almost UAH 3 billion.

Of the 29 identified participants in the scheme, 11 people were found guilty, and three people, including Onishchenko, are on the wanted list. Cases against other suspects are being heard in court.

Klymenko also investigated the case of former head of the State Fiscal Service Roman Nasirov in connection with the Onishchenko case. The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office approved and handed over an indictment to Nasirov and sent to the court an indictment on criminal proceedings on suspicion of committing a crime.

An indictment was approved and handed over to Nasirov by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office in early November 2018.

Nasirov was detained by the NABU detectives on the evening of March 2, 2017. He is suspected of committing a crime under Part 2 of Art. 364 (abuse of official position resulting in grave consequences) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. In particular, Nasirov is suspected of causing damage to the state amounting to UAH 2 billion as part of the so-called gas schemes of the former MP Oleksandr Onishchenko.

Klymenko also took part in investigating the case of Oleh Tatarov, deputy head of the President's Office.

In December 2020, Tatarov was charged with bribery in the so-called Ukrbud case on apartments for members of the National Guard. According to the investigation, Tatarov, while a lawyer for Ukrbud construction company, together with the owner of the company Maksim Mykytas gave a bribe in the form of a parking space to an employee of the State Research Forensic Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in order to reduce downwards the estimated bvalue of a residential complex from UAH 81 million to UAH 7 million.

Tatarov became a deputy to the Head of the Office of President Andriy Yermak on August 5, 2020. Under the Presidency of Viktor Yanukovych, he was the head of the Main Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. His position was subject to the Law on the Lustration of Power, but he managed to avoid lustration. In response to criticism for assigning a position to such a person, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that there were professionals in the Ministry of Internal Affairs under Yanukovych.

Shevchenkovskiy District Court of Kyiv on Jan. 12, 2022 ordered the Prosecutor Generals Office to close the criminal proceedings against Tatarov. The Anti-Corruption Center noted that the court decision was made on the eve of the approval of the results of the competition for the head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, which NABU detective Oleksandr Klymenko won. Before that, in an interview, Klymenko said that if at the time of the investigationhe had been the head of the SAPO, he would have investigated the Tatarov case differently.

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Officials of Nepals Krishi Samagri Company Limited and Indias Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Limited sign an agreement to ensure chemical fertiliser import in Nepal from India, in July 2022.

Kathmandu, July 28

Nepal has signed an agreement with India to import chemical fertiliser for the next five years.

The recently signed agreement between two government agenciesNepals Krishi Samagri Company Limited and Indias Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Limitedensures the import of 457,000 metric tons of urea and 370,000 metric tons of DAP by the fiscal year 2025/26, according to Krishi Samagri Company Limited.

This agreement will pave way for the implementation of the deal signed between the two governments earlier this year, according to the companys Managing Director Rajendra Karki.

For the past few years, the chemical fertiliser shortage has been one of the biggest problems in the Nepali agriculture sector. The government has launched several efforts to minimise the problem, but most of them have failed.

As private contractors have been found largely irresponsible in keeping their promises, the government has taken steps forward to do it on its own.
File: Donald Lu, the United States assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, in Nepal in November 2021

Kathmandu, July 28

Donald Lu, the United States assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, is coming to Nepal on Friday in a rather unexpected move for Kathmandu.

Neither Nepal nor the US has said anything about the visit officially. Yet, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Lu will land at the Kathmandu airport this evening.

As there is no official statement about the visit, nothing is known about his agenda in Kathmandu officially. However, it is highly likely that he will meet Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Foreign Affairs Minister Narayan Khadka among other officials.

Lu was in Kathmandu in November last year on an official visit, and he is said to be a key person behind convincing Nepal to endorse the controversial Millennium Challenge Corporation deal.

Donald Lu is visiting Nepal weeks after the government here has decided not to be a part of the US governments State Partnership Program. Hence, observers have kept an eye on his engagements here.

The government last month decided to withdraw from the project after a draft of the agreement leaked by the media exposed the possibility of the US troops staying in Nepal for an indefinite period, inviting criticism from stakeholders. However, it is yet to officially inform the US of the decision.
By Azernews

By News Center

A curfew has been imposed in Gunyurdu and Nusaybin districts of Turkiye due to the anti-PKK operations, Yeni Shafak reports, quoting Turkiyes Mardin Governorship.

According to the governor's office, anti-terrorist operations will be carried out to neutralize members of the separatist terrorist organization and their collaborators, who are considered to be ringleaders of the terrorist organization in the neighborhoods and rural areas within the administrative borders of Nusaybin district.

As part of the operations, bunkers, shelters, warehouse areas and anti-aircraft positions that are believed to be used by the separatist terrorist organization in the region will be destroyed, the report added.

A curfew has been declared until further notice for Nusaybin, Gunyurdu districts, and its hamlets on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at 0500 until the end of the operations in the region, the statement reads.

The operations will be carried out in line with the relevant articles of Provincial Administration Law No. 5442 to ensure the citizens life safety and property living in the region.

The governor's office called on the citizens to comply with the said restrictions for the sake of their own safety, as well as for the safety of their property.

Turkiye has a serious problem with terrorism. The majority of terrors in Turkiye have taken place in large cities like Ankara and Istanbul, as well as in southeastern and eastern regions.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK is a terrorist organization that is primarily based in the mountainous Kurdish-majority regions of southeastern Turkiye and northern Iraq.
(Adds context, adds total value of dividend payments)

SAO PAULO, July 28 (Reuters) - Petrobras has approved a record dividend payout of 87.8 billion reais ($17 billion), Brazil's state-run oil company said on Thursday, a move that will boost the government's coffers heading into a tense election.

In a securities filing, Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as the firm is formally known, said its board approved a dividend payout of 6.732 reais per ordinary and preferential share.

A first installment of 3.366 reais will be paid on Aug. 1 and the remainder is schedule to be paid on Sept. 20, the company said.

The move comes shortly after the Brazilian government, which is by far Petrobras' largest shareholder, sent a letter to the company and other state-run enterprises asking them to increase dividends to finance extra federal spending.

The government's opponents have alleged President Jair Bolsonaro is trying to boost his re-election changes by ramming through a number of short-term spending measures. He is currently down against leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva by almost 20 percentage points in some polls, but other surveys indicate the race is much closer.

Both payments will be made before the first round vote, scheduled for Oct. 2.

($1 = 5.17 reais)

(Reporting by Peter Frontini in Sao Paulo and Gram Slattery in Rio de Janeiro Editing by Chris Reese and Marguerita Choy)
(Recasts with source comments, adding background)

By Aditya Kalra, Munsif Vengattil and Joyce Lee

NEW DELHI, July 29 (Reuters) - India blocked a popular battle-royale format game from Krafton Inc, a South Korean company backed by China's Tencent, using a law it has invoked since 2020 to ban Chinese apps on national security concerns, a source said.

Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) was removed from Alphabet Inc's Google Play Store and Apple Inc's App Store as of Thursday evening in India.

The removal of BGMI, which had more than 100 million users in India, comes after India's 2020 ban of another Krafton title, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG).

The PUBG crackdown was part of New Delhi's ban of more than 100 mobile apps of Chinese origins, following a months-long border standoff between the nuclear-armed rivals.

The ban has expanded since to cover more than 300 apps, including popular gaming app 'Free Fire', owned by Singapore's technology group Sea Ltd.

Tencent held a 13.5% stake in Krafton as of end-March through an investment vehicle, according to Krafton's regulatory filing.

Krafton shares slumped more than 9% on the news on Friday, later paring losses to trade down 4.5% as of afternoon trade in Seoul. The company said in May India accounted for a high single digit percentage of its revenue in the first quarter of this year.

A Google spokesperson said it blocked the game following a government directive, while India's IT ministry and Apple did not respond to requests for comment.

In Seoul, a Krafton spokesperson said the developer was talking to relevant authorities and companies to figure out the exact situation regarding the suspension in the two major app stores in India.

"The government does not intervene in which apps can function and which cannot. They intervene in digital security and privacy concerns, and BGMI complies with all guidelines. MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) has also noted that PUBG and BGMI are different games," Krafton's India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn told news portal TechCrunch earlier this week.

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'CHINA INFLUENCE'

India invoked a section of its IT law to impose the ban, the source, who had direct knowledge but declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, told Reuters.

Section 69A of India's IT law allows the government to block public access to content in the interest of national security, among other reasons. Orders issued under the section are generally confidential in nature.

Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) and non-profit Prahar had repeatedly asked the government to investigate "China influence" of BGMI, Prahar president Abhay Mishra said. SJM is the economic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, an influential Hindu nationalist group close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party.

"In the so-called new avatar, the BGMI was no different from erstwhile PUBG with Tencent still controlling it in the background," Mishra said.

The ban elicited strong online reactions from popular gamers in India on Twitter and YouTube.

"I hope our government understands that thousands of esports athletes and content creators and their life is dependent on BGMI," tweeted Abhijeet Andhare, a Twitter user with more than 92,000 followers. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra and Munsif Vengattil in New Delhi, Joyce Lee in Seoul; Additional reporting by Nupur Anand; Editing by Kirsten Donovan, Clarence Fernandez and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
MEXICO CITY, July 28, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a+" (Excellent) and the Mexico National Scale Rating of "aaa.MX" (Exceptional) of Atradius Seguros de Credito, S.A. (Atradius Mexico) (Mexico City, Mexico). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings of Atradius Mexico reflect its status as a member of the Atradius group, which on a consolidated basis has a balance sheet strength that AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The ratings reflect Atradius Mexicos strategic importance to the overall Atradius group, given its leading position within Mexicos credit insurance segment, its importance as a gateway to Latin Americas insurance markets, good financial flexibility derived from its strong capitalization, supportive reinsurance provided by the group, and its seasoned management team. These positive rating factors are offset partially by volatility in the companys net income due to the intrinsic volatility in the credit insurance market.

The company benefits from its integration within the Atradius group, which allows it to leverage operations on the same practices and procedures, reinsurance, draft facilities and underwriting selection. In addition, its ERM practices show a high level of integration to Atradius N.V.

Atradius Mexico offers credit insurance in its domestic market and was ranked as Mexicos largest credit insurer as of 2021. The three largest participants in this line of business hold more than 90% of the market share.

Even though the companys bottom line was pressured historically by an unrealized capital loss and material claims pre-pandemic, Atradius Mexicos financial performance has been enhanced significantly since 2020, driven by fine-tuning of underwriting and collection practices. The companys continued profitability was reflected in a combined ratio of 64.5% and a return on equity of 12.9% as of year-end 2021, comparing favorably with its peers in Mexicos credit insurance industry. AM Best expects Atradius Mexicos profitability to continue and rely mainly on the companys sound underwriting and expense control practices, as well as the high amount of commissions received by reinsurance that translate into negative acquisition costs and its consistent financial product, which leverages on the companys long position in U.S. dollars.

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Atradius Mexicos risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) on a consolidated basis, was maintained at the strongest level, and as a result, the company maintains significant financial flexibility. Furthermore, AM Best expects the company to sustain its risk-adjusted capitalization level. Atradius Mexicos reinsurance program is placed with Atradius Reinsurance Designated Activity Company, further demonstrating the support received by the group.

If there are positive rating actions taken on the main operating subsidiaries of Atradius N.V., as a result of a change in the key rating fundamentals of Atradius N.V.s parent company, Grupo Catalana Occidente S.A., Atradius Mexicos ratings likely would move in tandem. Likewise, if there are negative rating actions taken on the Atradius group, as a result of a sustained decline in operating performance or a sustained and material deterioration in Atradius N.V.s consolidated risk-adjusted capitalization, Atradius Mexicos ratings would mirror those same rating actions.

A change in AM Bests perception regarding the actual or perceived level of strategic importance of Atradius Mexico to the Atradius group of companies also could impact the companys ratings.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2022 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/20220728005787/en/

Contacts

Salvador Smith

Senior Financial Analyst

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 109

salvador.smith@ambest.com

Eli Sanchez

Associate Director, Analytics

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 107

eli.sanchez@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jeff Mango

Managing Director,

Strategy & Communications

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5204

jeffrey.mango@ambest.com
The new investment will help Blackstock complete the purchase of a new assisted living complex in South Carolina

SPARTANBURG, S.C., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CapStone Holdings Inc. ("CapStone"), a self-funded family office business incubator and investment group, today announces a $5 million investment with Blackstock Development LLC, a privately held commercial real estate owner and developer. The investment is part of the Restoration at Westgate purchase in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Exterior view of the Restoration at Westgate

"Blackstock Development is an accomplished entity, and we are happy to work with their team. This investment helps CapStone expand its real estate portfolio and explore other related opportunities," says CapStone's chairman and founder, Keith J. Stone.

The Restoration at Westgate is a 62,000-square-foot assisted living community designed exclusively for those who need continuous care. The development includes 82 units which will accommodate 100 residents. Blackstock Development is developing multiple sites across the southeast region of the United States. The company is led by experienced real estate developers and entrepreneurs who focus on creatively transforming under-utilized properties and land.

"CapStone's investment helps take the multi-million-dollar project through to the finish line," said Seth Henry, Principal at Blackstock Development. "We sought out investors that offered a partnership beyond just funding, but a relationship for future opportunities. We found that in the CapStone team."

CapStone continues to build a robust real estate investment portfolio and offers a unique diversified investment platform. In recent months, CapStone has continued its strategic partnership in real estate with Blaq Projects, an innovative property development, construction, and investment company in Australia. In addition, one of its significant real estate developments includes the fast-growing City Foundry STL in St. Louis.

To view a list of CapStone's investments, visit www.capstoneholdingsinc.com/portfolio.

Story continues

About CapStone Holdings, Inc.

CapStone Holdings, Inc. is a family office-structured holding company that keeps a balanced portfolio through investment strategies that maximize innovation and return with minimal risk. CapStone Holdings and its founders have invested across a wide range of industries for over 33 years and engage in focused philanthropic efforts. For more information about CapStone Holdings, visit www.capstoneholdingsinc.com.

About Blackstock Development

Blackstock Development is a privately held commercial real estate owner and developer headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. Founded in 2017, Blackstock Development is currently developing multiple sites across the Southeast. With over 50 years of experience as developers and entrepreneurs, they bring to their projects a unique focus on creatively transforming under-utilized properties to help them realize their full potential.

Blackstock Development

CapStone Holdings Inc. (PRNewsfoto/CapStone Holdings)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capstone-holdings-inc-enters-5m-investment-agreement-with-blackstock-development-301595353.html

SOURCE CapStone Holdings, Inc.
Clear Sky Lithium Corp.

Engages Lead Process Development Team

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clear Sky Lithium Corp. (CSE: POWR) (FRA: K4A / WKN: A3DM2W) (Clear Sky or the Company), a mineral exploration and development company focused on American lithium deposits to support domestic demand, has engaged a specialized metallurgical research and development team as part of strategic plans to advance innovative and clean claystone processing technologies for lithium.



Clear Sky has engaged Kemetco Research Inc. (Kemetco) of Richmond, British Columbia to provide metallurgical test work services in support of the Companys objective to develop and advance claystone process technology development.

Processing claystone based lithium has historically proven challenging. While more than 50% of the undeveloped US lithium projects with established resources are clay associatedi, none of them have reached commercial production.

As part of Clear Skys commitment to becoming a premier American developer of lithium for the US supply chain, the Company is working on identify processing solutions aimed at advancing its property towards development-stage and ultimately commercial-stage activities.

Company CEO, Patrick Morris, notes, Unlocking claystone lithium processing is the key to Americas electrification pathway. A domestic supply of lithium should reduce Americas dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthen the local supply chain. Clear Sky is excited to be working with Kemetco and leverage their experience in extractive metallurgy research.

Kemetco Research is a private sector integrated science, technology and innovation company. Kemetcos Contract Sciences operation provides laboratory analysis and testing, field work, bench scale studies, pilot plant investigations, consulting services, applied research and development for both industry and government. Kemetco provides scientific expertise in the fields of Specialty Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Process and Extractive Metallurgy, and its clients range from start-up companies developing new technologies through to large multinational corporations with proven processes.

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This initial test work will include analysis and verification of results from field acquired surface grab samples from the property and the resulting laboratory analysis alongside additional field work targets eventual bench scale studies and additional research and development initiatives.

Clear Sky Lithium advises the public that as part of its disclosure obligations as a public issuer, all material and regulatory filings can be found on www.sedar.com. We also invite the public to visit our website at www.clearskylithium.com and to sign up to our news alerts to be advised of future news releases and related company information. Please also ensure you watch our video which is now available on the website.

On Behalf of The Board of Directors,

Sincerely,

~Patrick Morris~

Patrick Morris

Chief Executive Officer & Director

Clear Sky Lithium Corp.

www.clearskylithium.com

About Clear Sky Lithium Corp. (CSE: POWR) (FRA: K4A / WKN: A3DM2W)

Clear Sky Lithium is an exploration and development company dedicated to the advancement of North American lithium deposits to support domestic demand. The Company holds interests on the ELi property in Nevada. The Company is also focusing on the development of claystone extraction and processing technologies aimed at delivering scalable efficiencies across the value chain in a sustainable manner. Find out more visit www.clearskylithium.com and watch our video.

Forward Looking Information Disclaimer

This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding future plans, objectives, or economic performance, or the assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as may, would, could, will, likely, except, anticipate, believe, intend, plan, forecast, project, estimate, outlook, or the negative thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, global trends towards clean energy, projected growth of demand for lithium and domestic resource production, technological advancements increasing the viability of lithium-ion batteries, the Companys ability to develop new lithium extraction and processing techniques, the Companys plan to further strategic exploration on the Eli property, and the Companys plans to engage key partnerships across relevant fields of academia, as well as industry experts, commercial research and development labs, and end-users to evaluate the highest value clean-tech extraction and processing techniques.

Forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis, and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, key personnel and qualified employees continuing their involvement with the Company; the Companys ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms; the competitive conditions of the sector in which the Company operates; and laws and any amendments thereto applicable to the Company.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks relating to the future business plans of the Company; risks that the Company will not be able to retain its key personnel; risks that the Company will not be able to secure financing on reasonable terms or at all, as well as all of the other risks as described in the Companys final long form prospectus dated May 31, 2022, under the heading Risks Factors. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. Further, any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Companys management to predict all such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect information or events after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law, including securities laws.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Clear Sky Lithium Corp.

Investor Relations

Email: info@clearskylithium.com

Phone: +1 (778) 383-7240

i Source  S&P database, Q1-2022




Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / photos Courtesy of family

Georgia cops who arrested Brianna Grier, a 28-year-old Black woman, failed to secure her with a seatbelt or even close the passenger-side rear door at all before she fell to her death from a patrol car, according to an update issued by state investigators this week.

The Hancock County Sheriffs office initially told the family that Grier, who was experiencing a mental-health crisis, had kicked open the door herself when she first was arrested on July 15, according to Briannas father, Marvin Grier.

For their part, the officer driving the vehicle said, As I turned to see what Brianna Grier was doing, I hear the passenger-side rear door open, according to sheriffs office documents obtained by 13WMAZ, a local CBS affiliate.

But the Georgia Bureau of Investigations newest findings, which were released Wednesday, painted a different picture of the incident.

As The Daily Beast reported last week, Grier had been experiencing increasingly troublesome symptoms of her schizophrenia and her family worried she had stopped taking her medication.

Normally, the young woman loved to dance and sing to rap and hip hopanything with a good beat, her father told The Daily Beast. She also loved a cookout, as well as being with her twin 3-year-old daughters.

But when her parents could not calm her down during a mental health episode, family had called 911.

I told the babies that the police had to take their mama away and she needed some help, Marvin Grier told The Daily Beast.

We Want to Know Why: Parents Say They Were Kept in the Dark After Daughters Patrol Car Death

Instead, deputies smelled alcohol on her breath, family recalled, and decided to arrest her firsthandcuffing her and putting her in the car.

The latest release by GBI detailed some of the final moments of struggle prior to her fatal fall.

Grier was on the ground refusing to get in the patrol car, read the bureaus release. Grier made a statement that she was going to harm herself.

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Know something we should about cops or injustice? Reach out to Eileen Grench at Eileen.Grench@TheDailyBeast.com or securely at eileen.grench@protonmail.com.

After putting her into the back seat of the vehicle, and failing to secure her with a seatbelt, a deputy believed they closed the passenger-side door but in fact did not, according to GBI. After driving a short distance, body-camera footage reveals the deputies had no other contact with Grier from the time she was placed in the car until she fell out of the moving car, the agency said.

Grier was hospitalized after the fall, and died several days later, on July 21. The Hancock County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the new GBI findings this week.

When reached again for comment on Thursday, Marvin Grier said the family had retained high-powered civil rights attorney Ben Crump, and declined further comment. Crump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Dr. Oz cant seem to catch a break.

First, his own attempt at creating a meme targeting his Democratic opponent in the race for one of Pennsylvanias Senate seats backfired. Now hes being trolled by one of New Jerseys most famous sons.

More from Deadline

Yo! Dr. Oz.! Stevie VZ here, Sopranos star and longtime E Street band guitarist Steven Van Zandt says in a video posted today by Fetterman. Whadya doin in Pennsylvania?

Oz, a longtime resident of New Jersey, has dual U.S.-Turkish citizenship, was born in Ohio, but does not own a home in PA.

Everybody knows you live in New Jersey and youre just using your in laws address over there, says Van Zandt.

And you do not wanna mess around with John Fetterman, the musician warns Oz about the PA native and the states current lieutenant governor. Trust me. Hes a little outta your league.

Van Zandt continues: Nobody wants to see you get embarrassed. So come on back to Jersey where you belong and well have some fun. Well go to the beach. Well go surfing. You know  cmon.

The video already has close to a million views.

NJ's own @StevieVanZandt  has a VERY special message for Dr. Oz!!



So Dr. Oz just fuhgeddaboudit! pic.twitter.com/awlAeVcUeg  John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) July 27, 2022

Fetterman was sidelined for weeks because of a heart issue after he won the Democratic primary. Even given that, Oz hasnt capitalized, and social media game doesnt seem to be helping.

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According to Newsweek, a survey conducted by Blueprint Polling last week found Fetterman holding a 9.3% lead over Oz. A survey conducted in June by GOP polling firm Cygnal found Fetterman leading by 4%, which means in the time he has been laid up, Fetterman seems to have doubled his lead.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Fortis

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland and Labrador, July 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

The Board of Directors of Fortis Inc. ("Fortis" or the "Corporation") (TSX/NYSE: FTS) has declared the following dividends:

$0.3063 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "F" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2022 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 19, 2022;

$0.2745625 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "G" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2022 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 19, 2022;

$0.11469 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "H" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2022 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 19, 2022;

$0.178077 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "I" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2022 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 19, 2022;

$0.2969 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "J" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2022 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 19, 2022;

$0.2455625 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "K" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2022 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 19, 2022;

$0.2445625 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "M" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2022 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 19, 2022; and,

$0.535 per share on the Common Shares of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2022 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 19, 2022.

The Corporation has designated the common share dividend and preference share dividends as eligible dividends for federal and provincial dividend tax credit purposes. All amounts are given in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

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About Fortis

Fortis is a well-diversified leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry, with 2021 revenue of $9.4 billion and total assets of $58 billion as at March 31, 2022. The Corporation's 9,100 employees serve utility customers in five Canadian provinces, nine U.S. states and three Caribbean countries.

Fortis shares are listed on the TSX and NYSE and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com, www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov.

A .pdf version of this press release is available at: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/1ec71d22-58af-4277-8732-5406a9fc8df4

For more information, please contact

Investor Enquiries:

Ms. Stephanie Amaimo

Vice President, Investor Relations

Fortis Inc.

248.946.3572

investorrelations@fortisinc.com

Media Enquiries:

Ms. Karen McCarthy

Vice President, Communications & Corporate Affairs

Fortis Inc.

709.737.5323

media@fortisinc.com




Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty

The self-styled Cajun John Wayne was at it again on Wednesday, only now he was not a cop who resigned from a Louisiana police department while facing disciplinary charges for lying about roughing somebody up.

And Clay Higgins tough talk was no longer aimed at fugitive felons, as when he made viral crimestopper videos at the second of two Louisiana police departments that subsequently hired him.

Higgins had parlayed the attention he got from the videos into getting elected the U.S. representative for Louisianas 3rd Congressional District. He spoke as a member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee during Wednesdays hearing on assault weapons. He contended that the Democrats are seeking to circumvent the Second Amendment with an assault weapons ban, and he envisioned aloud shootouts between gun owners and federal agents.

In the view of his former boss in the Opelousas Police Department, retired Chief Perry Gallow, what might have been just theatrical bluster in Higgins former life as a ravin Cajun cop constituted dangerous talk by a political leader in a perilous time. And Higgins was doing it in a hearing that included two witnesses who had survived a mass shooting and three others who lost a loved one.

In my opinion, the congressman should choose his words wisely, because his words matter, and there are people who are on the edge and could retaliate based on his words and the words of anyone who could suggest that, Gallow said.

The Democratic leadership made its own use of video at the start of the hearing with an intense three minutes of brief statements by people who were directly affected by mass shootings committed with assault weapons. It began with the massacre of 20 children and four adults in Newtown, Connecticut.

In Newtown, 20 Little Angels and Six Uncommonly Brave Adults

Hi, my name is Nicole, and nearly 10 years ago, I survived the Sandy Hook shooting in my elementary school, when I was just 7 years old, said the first witness to appear on the screen. Still to this day, I struggle through the horrible aftermath.

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Nicole Melchionna was followed by David Sallak, who survived the shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, that left seven dead. Two-year-old Aiden McCarthy was instantly orphaned. Eight-year-old Cooper Roberts was paralyzed.

Our family was at the parade when I saw the shooter emerge above the second floor roof line and point his long gun at my family and those around us and rapidly fired, Sallak said. I threw my wife and son behind a metal park bench to save our lives. After the shooting stopped, I saw the father of Cooper Roberts standing screaming for help, while my wife saw their son Cooper convulsing on the ground, shot through the abdomen and spine.

She Went Out for Pancakesand Rescued Blood-Smeared Toddler at Highland Park Parade

Then came another Highland Park survivor, Ashbey Beasley.

As we ran, clutching hands, not knowing if someone was going to shoot us and if we were gonna live or die, my son lost a huge part of his innocence, she said. He is not the same person. Hes broken and every day my husband and I are heartbroken as we try to help him get back to the carefree, sweet little boy he was before this happened.

Next came a teen whose sister was one of the the 19 children murdered in Texas in May.

Hi, Im Jasmine Cazares. Im 17, and I lost my little sister, Jackie, at the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde. 

She held up a photo of Jacklyn Cazares in a white dress, photoshopped with angel wings.

This picture was taken on her first communion on May 10, Jasmine Cazares said. Sixteen days later, she was shot and killed [by] a Daniel Defense AR-15.

Next was a Uvalde mother.

My name is Ana Rodriguez. I lost my daughter, Maite Rodriguez, on May 24, 2022, at the Robb school shooting. Maite was a sweet 10-year-old girl who dreamed of attending Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi to pursue a career in marine biology. Maite was robbed of her future due to gun violence.

Felix Rubio and Kimberly Rubio hold a photograph of their late daughter Alexandria Rubio, who was killed during the Uvalde, Texas mass shooting, as they attend a House Oversight Committee hearing on July 27. Drew Angerer/Getty

There was also the father of 14-year-old Jaime Guttenberg, who died in the mass shooting at Parkland High School in Florida.

My name is Fred Guttenberg. I am the father of Jesse and Jaime Guttenberg. On Feb. 14, 2018, I sent my two children to school to learn safely. Towards the end of that day, a gunman showed up at my daughters school, killing 17. My daughter was one of the 17 killed.

There was also Tracey Maciulewicz, whose fiance, Andre Mackniel, was one of the 10 fatally shot at Tops supermarket in Buffalo.

My fiance was shot and killed on May 14t by a white supremacist man when he went into Tops to buy our son a birthday cake. The shooter killed my fiance with a Bushmaster X 15 rifle.

Maciulewicz had her 3-year-old son in her lap as she posed a video question to the two gun company CEOs who had agreed to testify remotely.

What are you going to do she began to ask, fighting tears.

Her son snuggled her and said, Its OK.

.... to make sure that your products dont get into the hands of a white supremacist mass shooter ever again who will take a childs father away?

The answer from the CEOs, Marty Daniel of Daniel Defense and Christopher Killoy of Sturm, Ruger & Company, was essentially that they would do nothing at all besides market and sell ever more assault weapons. Daniel seemed at ease with himself even though he had just heard a mother say that her daughter had been killed by a rifle he manufactured and which bears his name.

The committee members asked questions and offered opinions that were consistent with their already stated views on assault weapons. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) owns a gun store called Clyde Armory in Athens, and he harmonized with the CEOs.

But that was not enough for Higgins of Louisiana. The Cajun John Wayne predicted widespread bloodshed between gun owners and law enforcement if those in favor of legislation banning the sale of assault weapons manage to get it through the House. That is not a sure thing, and there seems little chance of it getting through the Senate. But the mere prospect of it becoming law set Higgins ragin.

What my colleagues are doing, its really, unbelievably beyond the pale of, of anything reasonable or constitutional. Everything were leading towards here is a seizure of weapons from the homes of law abiding American citizens that have purchased those weapons legally. Youre setting up gunfights in the homes of Americans.He went on:

When do you think ATF and FBI comes to our house? In the dead of night. Youre setting up gunfights between American citizens defending their homes from dark shadows, clearly armed, coming into our home, onto our porch, and through our door. Youre setting up death.

He invoked an immediate future of Americans killing Americans over some fantasy that you can define what is a dangerous weapon in the hands of those Americans, living beyond their true right to exercise their own decisions about what type of firearm they legally purchase and own. Its insane. What youre pushing, its not going to end well. You can push this bill through by party-line vote, but Americans are not going to sit and allow it without responding.

A Smith & Wesson semi automatic firearm is seen on a screen during the July 27 House Oversight hearing. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

He snapped his fingers as he continued.

People make decisions like that. Again, in the dead of night.

He was speaking as if he were the voice of experience.

Youre setting up some extreme stuff and youre 100 percent responsible for it. My colleagues in the Democratic Party, when those gunfights happen, that blood will be on your hands.

He called the proposed ban a political charade of pretending to be able to identify weapons that you from your ivory tower in D.C. you know better. I can define the weapons that Americans shouldnt have the right to own. It's already, we cant buy a tank or have a caliber above 50. We carry light arms and we own them. We own them legally. We intend to keep them.

He said the committee was headed for a rabbit hole there is no escaping from.

Ultimately it ends with an American citizen standing to defend this freedom Will it be argued in court or will it be settled on the front porch of Americans when the FBI and the ATF shows up to seize legally owned weapons from a law abiding American citizen?

For part of his time with the Opelousas police, Higgins was on the SWAT team and served search warrants. His career there ended after a drug raid where he allegedly grabbed a bystander by the hair, then hit him. He did not help himself with what was viewed as an attempted cover-up

Clay Higgins used unnecessary force on a subject during the execution of a warrant and later gave false statements during an internal investigation. Although he later recanted his story and admitted to striking a suspect in handcuffs and later releasing him, the Departments Discipline Review Board found.

Higgins did not respond to a Daily Beast request for comment. But in the version he later offered the local press, he was pushed out of the department after was overheard calling Chief Gallow a peacock.

Theres a little more to it than that, Gallow told The Daily Beast on Wednesday afternoon.

When informed of Higgins dramatic talk of widespread bloodshed over an assault weapons ban, Gallow initially suggested that Higgins was simply being dramatic for effect.

As he often is, Gallow said. I know theres theater in politics right now, and he does it well.

But shortly after speaking to The Daily Beast, Gallow called back. He had read online an account of Higgins being challenged outside the hearing room by Beasley, the Highland Park survivor.

As reported by CNN, Beasley told Higgins that he was wrong to think the Democrats on the committee were just out to grab guns from law-abiding Americans.

If you dont think these guys in this body... if you dont think theyll come door to door to seize your weapons, youre wrong, Higgins told her.

Have you ever run from a mass shooter because you were being shot at? Beasley asked.

According to the report, Higgins told her that he had been a SWAT officer for 12 years, which Gallow suggests is an exaggeration.

So dont you know what it feels like? Beasley asked.

Higgins did not respond, perhaps because he does not in fact know what it feels like. Gallow said that to his knowledge, Higgins was never in a shooting. Gallow is concerned that Higgins language might lead to one.

I think its irresponsible, Gallow said. And its discouraging when our leaders plant seeds of violence.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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SeaBird Exploration Plc

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, HONG KONG OR THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN.





Green Energy Group (Seabird Exploration PLC), ("the "Company") has retained Fearnley Securities AS as Bookrunners (the "Managers") to advise on and effect a private placement (the "Private Placement") of new shares, with the intention to raise gross proceeds of up to NOK 80 million.

The net proceeds to the Company from the Private Placement will be applied towards for the efficient deployment and mobilization of the companys vessels, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. Certain existing shareholders and members of the Companys Board have pre-committed to subscribe for and be allocated shares totalling NOK 17 million. Companies related to Magnus Halvorsen have confirmed willingness to subscribe for an amount of NOK 25 million, subject to an allocation of not less than NOK 20 million. In addition, certain other investors, have provided firm interest in subscribing for shares in an amount of not less than NOK 27 million.

The Private Placement will be directed towards Norwegian and international investors, subject to applicable exemptions from relevant registration, filing and prospectus requirements, and subject to other applicable selling restrictions. The minimum application and allocation amount has been set to the NOK equivalent of EUR 100,000. The Company may however, at its sole discretion, allocate amounts below EUR 100,000 to the extent exemptions from the prospectus requirements in accordance with applicable regulations, including the Norwegian Securities Trading Act and the prospectus regulation 2017/119 and ancillary regulations, are available.

The offer price in the Private Placement is NOK 3. The application period for the Private Placement commences today, on 28 July 2022 at 16:30 CEST, and is expected to close no later than 29 July 2022 at 08:00 CEST. The Company, after consultation with the Managers, reserves the right to at any time and in its sole discretion close or extend the application period. If the application period is shortened or extended, other dates referred to herein may be changed correspondingly.

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Allocation of the shares in the Private Placement will be determined after the expiry of the application period, and the final allocation will be made by the Board at its sole discretion, following advice from the Managers.

The new shares will be delivered under separate ISIN and will not be tradable on Oslo Brs until the approval of a listing prospectus. An interim NOTC trading arrangement is intended to be set up until the listing prospectus is approved.

Completion of the Private Placement is subject to the corporate resolutions of the Company required to implement the Private Placement, including a resolution of the Board to proceed with the Private Placement following the expiry of the application period and to increase the share capital of the Company.

The Company has considered the Private Placement in light of the equal treatment obligations under applicable regulations and is of the opinion that the waiver of the preferential rights inherent in a private placement, taking into consideration the time, costs and risk of alternative methods of the securing the desired funding, is in the common interest of the shareholders of the Company. Subject to completion of the Private Placement and depending on the results of the bookbuilding, the Board of Directors of the Company will consider to carry out a subsequent offering directed towards existing shareholders in the Company as of the end of trading today, 28 July 2022 (and as registered in the VPS as of the end of 1 August 2022) who are not resident in a jurisdiction where such offering would be unlawful, or would (in jurisdictions other than Norway) require any prospectus filing, registration or similar action who were not allocated shares in the Private Placement (the "Subsequent Offering"). The subscription price in a potential Subsequent Offering will be equal to the subscription price in the Private Placement.

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. This stock exchange announcement was published by Erik von Krogh, CFO of Green Energy Group (SeaBird Exploration PLC), on 28 July 2022 at 16.30 CET.

For additional information, please contact: Finn Atle Hamre, CEO, +47 928 35 991.

Important information:

The release is not for publication or distribution, in whole or in part directly or indirectly, in or into Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia). This release is an announcement issued pursuant to legal information obligations, and is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. It is issued for information purposes only, and does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities, in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act"). The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act. The Company does not intend to register any portion of the offering of the securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of the securities in the United States. Copies of this announcement are not being made and may not be distributed or sent into Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States.

The issue, subscription or purchase of shares in the Company is subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Neither the Company nor the Managers assume any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions.

The distribution of this release may in certain jurisdictions be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this release comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

The Managers are acting for the Company and no one else in connection with the Private Placement and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company providing the protections afforded to their respective clients or for providing advice in relation to the Private Placement and/or any other matter referred to in this release.

Forward-looking statements: This release and any materials distributed in connection with this release may contain certain forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they reflect the Company's current expectations and assumptions as to future events and circumstances that may not prove accurate. A number of material factors could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.








By Trend

Dozens of former Republican and Democratic officials announced on Wednesday a new national political third party to appeal to millions of voters they say are dismayed with what they see as America's dysfunctional two-party system, Trend reports citing Reuters.

The new party, called Forward and whose creation was first reported by Reuters, will initially be co-chaired by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang and Christine Todd Whitman, the former Republican governor of New Jersey. They hope the party will become a viable alternative to the Republican and Democratic parties that dominate U.S. politics, founding members told Reuters.

Party leaders will hold a series of events in two dozen cities this autumn to roll out its platform and attract support. They will host an official launch in Houston on Sept. 24 and the party's first national convention in a major U.S. city next summer.

The new party is being formed by a merger of three political groups that have emerged in recent years as a reaction to America's increasingly polarized and gridlocked political system. The leaders cited a Gallup poll last year showing a record two-thirds of Americans believe a third party is needed.

The merger involves the Renew America Movement, formed in 2021 by dozens of former officials in the Republican administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Donald Trump; the Forward Party, founded by Yang, who left the Democratic Party in 2021 and became an independent; and the Serve America Movement, a group of Democrats, Republicans and independents whose executive director is former Republican congressman David Jolly.

Two pillars of the new party's platform are to "reinvigorate a fair, flourishing economy" and to "give Americans more choices in elections, more confidence in a government that works, and more say in our future."

The party, which is centrist, has no specific policies yet. It will say at its Thursday launch: "How will we solve the big issues facing America? Not Left. Not Right. Forward."

Historically, third parties have failed to thrive in America's two-party system. Occasionally they can impact a presidential election. Analysts say the Green Party's Ralph Nader siphoned off enough votes from Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore in 2000 to help Republican George W. Bush win the White House.

It is unclear how the new Forward party might impact either party's electoral prospects in such a deeply polarized country. Political analysts are skeptical it can succeed.

Public reaction on Twitter was swift. Many Democrats on the social media platform expressed fear that the new party will siphon more votes away from Democrats, rather than Republicans, and end up helping Republicans in close races.

Forward aims to gain party registration and ballot access in 30 states by the end of 2023 and in all 50 states by late 2024, in time for the 2024 presidential and congressional elections. It aims to field candidates for local races, such as school boards and city councils, in state houses, the U.S. Congress and all the way up to the presidency.
We will lose precious species as corporate America cares naught

I, like many others I'm sure, read with sadness and concern about our beloved Monarch butterfly being placed on the endangered list. Loss of habitat, climate change and use of pesticides and herbicides are the presumed causes.

I grew up on a Michigan farm amid swarms of Monarchs in the summers and their cheery color was a much looked forward to part of summer. I was infuriated when driving along roads with power line repairs done recently in parts of Cheboygan County to find that herbicide has been sprayed along the roads and trails that follow the new power lines.

Yes, we all need electricity, but with species such as monarchs becoming more and more threatened and people developing respiratory and cancerous diseases at a younger and more alarming rate, why in the world would a herbicide be used under a line where trees grow not 20 feet away and can fall on the line.

Corporate America, please stop exposing us, our environment and future generations to substances that unknowingly and knowingly harm us and our world.

Anne Denome

Indian River

Vote for Larry Hull in District 106 for state House

I am writing to show my support for Larry Hull, to be the next representative for the Michigan House District 106.

Like me, Mr. Hull does not like the way things are going politically, which is rapidly changing our culture. I have known Larry for years and what I know is he stands for what is right. He is a Biblical Christian, Vietnam Vet, former forester, financial advisor, fly fisherman, of good moral character, with strong family values and fiscally responsible. He represents Northern Michigan well.

He is determined to change the status quo. He has consulted me on public health issues and is willing to learn. He is an avid researcher and in the end he wants to leave a better place for his grandchildren.

John Everett, D.O.

Cheboygan

Cam Cavitt the best pick for state representative

With all of the political infighting and empty rhetoric not only in Washington but also in Lansing, I am resolved to vote only for the right kind of leaders in this election cycle, and you should be too.

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For state representative, we need someone who will lead from a position of strength, not compromise. Cam Cavitt is that leader. Cavitt stood firm as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention and was endorsed by President Trump's campaign and Congressman Jack Bergman. As a father, realtor and Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner, Cam has consistently put the needs of others first. He has been a strong conservative, volunteering for pro-life organizations, standing up to establishment politicians, and walking the walk of being the humble servant we need in the 106th district. Cavitt has proven hes beholden to the people and dedicated to serving us, not himself.

During this time in our state and country, we need Cavitt to be our America First and Michigan First kind of leader. As an avid outdoorsman who has fought to protect our environment while also prompting energy production, and as local leader who embodies our limited government ideals, Cavitt is the only candidate capable of securing our elections, our Second Amendment, our economy and our unborn childrens rights from

the power-grabbing politicians in Lansing.

Brian S. May

Cheboygan

Elect Cam Cavitt for 106th House seat

In this election cycle, we need to elect leaders who know that our rights are God-given, not Government-given. Cam Cavitt is that strong, conservative leader who has all of the right kinds of experience. Cavitt deserves our vote for the 106th district, and as our state representative I am confident that he, more than any other candidate, will have the experience in servitude necessary to get the government off our backs, out of our wallets, and away from our struggling small businesses.

As Drain Commissioner, Cavitt served us well by standing up to the establishment politicians, advocating for the Great Lakes tunnel, fighting for no drainage taxes, and still protecting our waters. Having worked locally in odd jobs, he is also familiar with the pressures that small businesses and employers face when under the regulatory thumb of the government.

Cam has proven that he is willing to do the grunt work of door knocking and advocating for the conservative people and values he believes in. His work ethic and experience in serving the 106th District will translate to making him an effective Rep who will champion our Michigan values and protect our God-given rights.

James Seaman

Cheboygan

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Letters to the Editor: We will lose precious species as corporate America cares naught
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will host a pair of briefings on Wednesday, Aug. 3, and Friday, Aug. 5, to preview the upcoming Artemis I lunar mission. The agency is currently targeting no earlier than Monday, Aug. 29, for the launch of the Space Launch System rocket to send the Orion spacecraft around the Moon and back to Earth. The mission will take place over the course of about six weeks to check out systems before crew fly aboard on Artemis II.

NASA Logo. (PRNewsFoto/NASA) (PRNewsFoto/) (PRNewsfoto/NASA)

The first briefing will provide an overview of the Artemis I mission, and the second briefing will dive deeper into the Artemis I mission timeline and spacecraft operations. Both briefings will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, the agency's website.

Briefing participants include (all times Eastern):

Wednesday, Aug. 3

11 a.m.  Artemis I mission overview briefing with the following participants:

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson

Bhavya Lal, associate administrator for technology, policy, and strategy, NASA Headquarters

Mike Sarafin, Artemis I mission manager, NASA Headquarters

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis I launch director, NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida

John Honeycutt, Space Launch System program manager, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama

Howard Hu, Orion program manager, NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston

This event will air live on NASA TV and media may join by telephone to ask questions. To participate by phone, media must send their full name, media affiliation, email address, and phone number no later than two hours prior to the start of the event to: kathryn.hambleton@nasa.gov.

Friday, Aug. 5

11:30 a.m.  Artemis I detailed mission briefing with the following participants:

Debbie Korth, Orion program deputy manager, NASA Johnson

Rick LaBrode, lead Artemis I flight director, NASA Johnson

Judd Frieling, Artemis I ascent/entry flight director, NASA Johnson

Melissa Jones, Artemis I recovery director, NASA Kennedy

Reid Wiseman, chief astronaut, NASA Johnson

Philippe Deloo, Orion European Service Module program manager, ESA (European Space Agency)

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This event will air live on NASA TV and media may participate in person at Johnson or by phone. To participate in the briefings by phone, media must contact the Johnson newsroom by 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4. U.S. media interested in participating in person at Johnson must contact the Johnson newsroom no later than 5 p.m. Friday, July. 29, by calling: 281-483-5111 or emailing: jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov.

Along with the briefings, NASA will host an Artemis I media day at Johnson Friday, Aug. 5, to showcase Artemis I mission hardware and offer interviews. Media attending will get an in-person look at development mockups, design simulators, flight control operations, and hardware in development for lunar exploration.

Artemis I is an uncrewed flight test, the first in a series of increasingly complex missions to the Moon.

Through Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term lunar presence and serving as a steppingstone to send astronauts to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis I mission at:

https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-i/

Cision

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SOURCE NASA
NASA has altered the Mars Sample Return Program meant to bring back the rock samples the Perseverance rover has been drilling and collecting from the Jezero crater in a big way. Instead of sending the Sample Fetch Rover to the red planet like originally planned, the program will make use of Perseverance itself and send over two helicopters based on the Ingenuity for backup.

NASA and the ESA have been working together on the Sample Return Program over the past few years. The original plan was to send over the ESA-made Sample Fetch Rover to retrieve the samples and drive them back to a rocket, which will fly them up to be snatched by the Earth Return Orbiter. As The New York Times notes, though, the rover's design became too big until it could no longer fit in one lander with the return rocket. NASA would have to use one lander for each of them.

But why do that when there are other, more affordable options? The Sample Return Lander isn't scheduled to arrive on Mars until 2030, but NASA is confident that Perseverance will still be operational by then  after all, the Curiosity rover is still up and running almost 11 years after it launched. Under their renewed plan, the Perseverance will drive up to the lander to deliver 30 rock samples that will be loaded onto the rocket.

If anything goes wrong with Perseverance before then, though, the lander would settle closer to the rover and then the backup helicopters will fly over to retrieve the samples. While the helicopters are modeled after the Ingenuity, they'll have small wheels at the bottom. These will allow them to drive up to the samples that are sealed inside tubes and pick them up from the ground where the rover has dropped them.

The Ingenuity helicopter completed its first test flight on Mars in April 2021. NASA wasn't expecting much from the helicopter, which was just supposed to prove that flight on Mars is possible. It was also only supposed to fly a handful of times during a one-month technology demonstration, but it has accomplished 29 successful flights so far, with more on the way. Ingenuity's success has given NASA another means to retrieve the precious samples Perseverance has been collecting.

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Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, the associate administrator for NASA's science directorate, said during the press conference announcing the new Sample Return Program plans:

"We reached our decision based on new studies and recent achievements at Mars that allowed us to consider options that, frankly, werent available to us one year ago or before."

The Earth Return Orbiter and Sample Retrieval Lander will take off in the fall of 2027 and the summer of 2028, respectively. Their journey to and from the red planet will take years, so the samples aren't expected to arrive on Earth until 2033.
Strong sales growth in the first half of 2022

Substantial increase in demand for zero-emission commercial vehicles: Over 500 international customer enquiries processed with concrete offers

However: current funding practice blocks further contract awards

Transformation to OEM: QUANTRON's product pipeline is well filled with in-house developments for passenger and freight transport

Start of Hydrogen Offensive - world premiere of the 44 t FCEV truck with the goal of "Best in Class in 2023 in range and refueling capacity" at the IAA in September 2022

AUGSBURG, Germany, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the first half of 2022, Quantron AG was able to further expand its pioneering and leading position in the field of battery and hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles as the market leader in retrofitting in the DACH region. In spite of the current challenges in the supply chain sector, the specialist for sustainable passenger and goods transport was able to increase sales in the first six months of this year by more than 360 % compared to the previous year.



This was mainly due to the fact that the e-mobility experts from Germany, in addition to converting used or new commercial vehicles to emission-free drives, are introducing their own models to the market as OEMs. One of the zero-emission fleet customers is IKEA. The furniture company has ordered around 50 battery-electric light transporters for last-mile deliveries and is already supplying over 300 customers using emission-free QUANTRON vehicles every day in the greater Vienna area thus saving over 197 t of CO 2 annually in this way. Other new customers are logistics and disposal companies such as Ansorge, Breitsamer, DORR as well as the Knorr- Bremse Group from Munich, the world market leader for braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles.

QUANTRON FCEV Heavy-Duty EU Truck  world premiere at the IAA in Hanover in September

"Demand for zero-emission commercial vehicles has increased significantly during the past six months. At QUANTRON alone, we have served more than 500 customer enquiries across Europe with concrete offers," says Michael Perschke, CEO of Quantron AG. "In Germany, however, the market is blocked by the current funding practice. After the second call for financial support for commercial vehicles with alternative drives was extended once again until 24th August, companies and municipalities are waiting to place their orders in order to have certainty regarding the amount of the financial support. The current funding practice therefore acts as an investment barrier and is shifting purchasing decisions and thus also the emission-reducing effects to 2023," Perschke continues.

As a result, QUANTRON does not expect a significant increase in sales until 2023, partly due to the heavy truck offensive with BEV and FCEV drive concepts. Despite these obstacles and the geopolitical challenges, the companys management is confident of being able to achieve the 2022 target of 20 to 25 million euros.

Well-filled product pipeline

In addition to converting used or new commercial vehicles to emission-free drives, QUANTRON develops its own commercial vehicles as OEMs which are generating great interest in the market due to their short-term availability and the technology used in the manufacture.

In the area of passenger transportation the QUANTRON CIZARIS 12 EV is attracting international interest. The all-electric bus is already available in northern and southern Europe, and will also be available in various versions for the DACH region from January 2023 onwards. The excellent consumption values combined with high performance can be seen in the range of up to 370 km (according to SORT 2) which can be achieved thanks to the proven vehicle technology and LFP4 batteries from the world's leading battery manufacturer, CATL. The FCEV model is currently under development and homologation

In the freight transport sector, QUANTRON offers the in-house developed, fully-electric light transporter QUANTRON QARGO 4 EV. With a range of up to 350 km as well as accommodating a payload of 2,300 kg, the zero-emission vehicle is ideal for last-mile deliveries.

While QUANTRON offers all-electric vehicles for inner-city or short-distance use, the company relies on green hydrogen as the most efficient fuel solution for long-distance and heavy-duty operations with high payloads. In cooperation with Ballard Power Systems, world market leader in the development of fuel cells, several hydrogen-powered vehicles have been developed including an FCEV heavy-duty truck (40-60t) that will have its world premiere at the IAA Transportation in September.

As part of its hydrogen offensive, QUANTRON is further expanding its 360-degree Quantron-as-a-Service (QaaS) ecosystem. In future, QUANTRON wants to orchestrate the production of green hydrogen and sustainable electricity and cooperate with hydrogen filling stations and charging options thus significantly increasing customer acceptance for this vehicle category.

The QUANTRON team also grew in tandem with the economic development during the first six months of this year. The company, founded in 2019, now has a workforce of more than 110 employees from 14 nationalities including North America, Middle East and Asia. Over 50% of these work in the technical R&D and product areas.

In the period leading up to the IAA, Quantron is working on further strategic partnerships to establish itself as a European key player in the Hydrogen Economy in the transportation sector.



Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1867774/Quantron_AG_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1867775/Quantron_AG_2.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1867776/Quantron_AG_3.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1867777/Quantron_AG_4.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1867778/Quantron_Logo.jpg

The QUANTRON portfolio

The 360 degree Quantron-as-a-Service (QaaS) ecosystem

The QUANTRON Team

Cision

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SOURCE Quantron AG
AMSTERDAM, July 28, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With news of last weeks UN deal to reopen the Black Sea, allowing ocean grain shipments to resume from Ukraine, leading real-time supply chain visibility platform FourKites released new data showing that agile shippers are finding ways of managing the volatile situation.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005468/en/

FourKites data shows increased shipments to countries bordering Russia and Ukraine (Graphic: Business Wire)

Following Fridays grain deal between Ukraine and Russia, FourKites expects grain shipments from Black Sea ports to resume within a few days. The same deal allows Russia to export fertiliser and other products not covered by international sanctions.

"My hope is that this agreement gives big shipping companies the confidence to resume operations in the region," says Philippe Salles, FourKites VP Strategic Solutions (Ocean). "The next few weeks will be telling. But if things go well, this deal could be central to averting a worldwide food crisis. And despite the latest missile attack at the port of Odessa, indicating ongoing volatility in the region, our data indicates that shippers are well prepared for any contingency."

Ukraine typically ships millions of tonnes of grain by ocean direct from its Black Sea ports to countries including Egypt, Indonesia and Bangladesh. The war effectively closed that route, as major shipping companies concluded it was too dangerous to operate in the Black Sea. Now, it is hoped, at least some of those shipments can resume.

"Our data for the last few weeks shows that logistics operators were already adapting to the situation in Ukraine," says Salles. "Ukrainian shippers have been shifting to road and rail to move grain to sea ports outside the country, notably in Poland or via the Balkans to Adriatic ports such as Trieste and Rijeka."

Shipments of all types to countries bordering Russia and Ukraine remain strong compared to the rest of Europe, where the 14-day average shipment volume is up 20% compared to 21 February, when the invasion began. At the same time, less than truckload (LTL) delays to Eastern Europe have decreased over the past few weeks, with delayed LTL shipments now only 15% higher than when the conflict began. This is down 48% month-on-month compared to mid-June, when LTL delays were as much as 33% higher than when the conflict began.

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Prior to the UN deal, hundreds of thousands of tonnes of grain were destined to travel by longer land routes, which raised questions about whether there would be sufficient capacity to provide the thousands of additional truck journeys that would be needed.

"Ukrainian carriers are going full throttle to export grain and revive the countrys economic growth," comments Maciej Mackowiak, FourKites Director, Carrier Marketing, Europe, who is based in Poland. "We are already seeing a lot of congestion on the Polish/Ukraine border because, since mid-July, the European Union has allowed Ukrainian road transport companies to make shipments without permits."

Overall, moving goods into or out of Ukraine remains difficult. Shipment volumes to Ukraine have recovered slightly from their nadir in March, but are still 65% down on pre-war levels.

About FourKites

Leading global supply chain visibility platform FourKites extends visibility beyond transportation into yards, warehouses, stores and beyond. Tracking more than 2.5 million shipments daily across road, rail, ocean, air, parcel and courier, and reaching more than 200 countries, FourKites combines real-time data and powerful machine learning to help companies digitise their end-to-end supply chains. More than 1,000 of the worlds most recognised brands  including 9 of the top-10 CPG and 18 of the top-20 food and beverage companies  trust FourKites to transform their business and create more agile, efficient and sustainable supply chains. To learn more, visit https://www.fourkites.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005468/en/

Contacts

Scott Johnston

European PR Director, FourKites

+31 62 147 8442

scott.johnston@fourkites.com
Restrictions on the use of ballot drop-off boxes in Georgia have disproportionately impacted counties with the highest number of voters of colour and Democrats, according to a new investigation .

A new law introduced last year by Georgia Republicans has drastically limited the use of ballot drop-off boxes, which were made available 24 hours a day across the state for the first time during the 2020 election. During that election and afterwards, former president Donald Trump made bogus claims linking the dropoff boxes to election fraud, prompting his Republican allies in Georgia to take action to curtail their use.

The new law requires a maximum of one drop-off box per 100,000 people, limits voting hours and prohibits boxes outside. It has seen the number of drop boxes in the four counties that used them the most drop from 107 to 25, according to an analysis of of drop box locations and voter registration data by NPR, WABE and Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB).

The investigation found that nearly two million people saw their travel time to drop-off boxes increase since the changes were introduced, and more than 90 per cent of that number live in cities or suburbs, where most of the states minority voters and are heavily Democratic.

The three news organisations that conducted the investigation reviewed forms used to document drop box ballot data from 2020 and compared them to data from the states primary election in May.

In the run-up to the 2020 election, Mr Trump sought to limit and block the use of ballot drop-off boxes across the country. The use of drop-off boxes increased dramatically that year as a safety measure during the pandemic, and data showed they were used significantly more by Democratic voters.

Since the election, Republicans in swing states lost by Mr Trump have sought to limit their use in the future.

Earlier this month, unmanned drop boxes were banned in Wisconsin following a ruling by the states Supreme Court . The conservative-controlled court ruled that voters must now deliver their absentee ballots by mail or in-person to their clerks, a decision that is likely to disproportionately impact Democratic voters.

The ruling could have a significant impact on the next presidential election. President Joe Biden won Wisconsin by fewer than 21,000 votes in 2020, and the state is likely to be a battleground again in 2024.
The brand's $20,000 donation will continue to promote efforts that welcome diversity and opportunity within the state's signature industry

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Russell's Reserve Bourbon and Wild Turkey Distilling Co. today announced a $20,000 donation to benefit the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) and its "Lifting Spirts Foundation." The Lifting Spirits Foundation was formed in 2020 with a focus on increasing diversity in distilled spirits by funding education credits for Black students, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ and other underrepresented students enrolled in Bourbon-related certification courses at the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky, and Kentucky State University. This is the second consecutive year Russell's Reserve will work hand-in-hand with the KDA to benefit the community and propel the next generation of distillers in the spirits industry.

Russell's Reserve

"'Reserved for All' is more than a slogan for Russell's Reserve  it's a philosophy that drives us," says JoAnn Street, Wild Turkey Distilling Co. Portfolio Ambassador and granddaughter of industry titan, Jimmy Russell. "We are committed to making the Bourbon industry a more welcoming and inclusive place. Through the work that the KDA is doing with the Lifting Spirits Foundation, we are seeing that happen in real time, and we are proud to continue our relationship in building a community of rising leaders who truly represent a shining light in the industry's bright future."

In addition to supporting the Lifting Spirits Foundation, Russell's Reserve and Wild Turkey Distilling Co. have a robust internship program aimed at furthering professional development for the Bourbon industry's next generation.

"Bourbon is more than what we do, it's a part of who we are as Kentuckians. Our scholarship aims to bring new voices, perspectives, and personalities to the industry," says Sara Barnes, Director of Industry Responsibility and Sustainability at the Kentucky Distillers' Association. "Support from heritage brands like Wild Turkey and Russell's Reserve allow us to grow this great program and enact long-lasting change within our industry. We are thankful for their unwavering support."

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As a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, the Lifting Spirits Foundation works directly with KDA members to educate the public about the Commonwealth's distilled spirits industry through charitable, educational, literary, and scientific research efforts. With the support of its partners, the group is working to expand these scholarships to additional Kentucky colleges and universities, further increasing opportunities to grow the industry.

For over 100 years, the Kentucky Distillers' Association has advocated on behalf of the distilled spirits industry within the state bringing together distillers, businesses, educators, and governmental entities to ensure the Commonwealth remains the premiere Bourbon destination. As a result of the work from the organization's diverse membership, the state of Kentucky produces an overwhelming majority of the world's Bourbon. From household name brands to emerging distilleries, the KDA is committed to educating, encouraging, and supporting the next generation of distillers.

About Campari America

Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano N.V. At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry. The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka. The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world's finest whiskies since the 1800's. Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America manages Campari Group's portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY Vodka, SKYY Infusions, Grand Marnier, Campari, Aperol, Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon, American Honey, Russell's Reserve, Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek Canadian Whisky, BULLDOG Gin, Cabo Wabo Tequila, Espolon Tequila, Montelobos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, Appleton Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew Rum, Coruba Rum, Ouzo 12, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Frangelico, Cynar, Averna, Braulio, Bisquit & Dubouche Cognac, Cinzano, Mondoro and Jean-Marc XO Vodka. Campari America is headquartered in New York, New York. More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com, www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica, Instagram: @CampariAmerica, and www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

About the Kentucky Distillers' Association

Founded in 1880, the KDA is the voice for Bourbon and spirits issues. Its diverse membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world's Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of America's only native spirit.

Bourbon is one of Kentucky's most treasured industries, a booming $9 billion economic and tourism engine sustaining more than 22,500 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1.23 billion each year, over $285 million in local and state taxes and $1.8 billion in federal alcohol taxes.

A key export, the iconic industry is currently in the middle of a $5.2 billion building boom, from innovative new tourism experiences to expanded production facilities, bottling centers and aging warehouses, all to meet the growing global thirst for Kentucky Bourbon.

Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

Please enjoy Bourbon like a true Kentuckian  Responsibly.

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SOURCE Russells Reserve
Step Pharma

PRESS RELEASE

Step Pharma Progresses into Oncology Clinical Trials with STP938, the Worlds Most Advanced CTPS1 Inhibitor

Clearance of IND and CTA applications in the US and UK for STP938 for the treatment of T cell and B cell lymphomas

First-in-class targeted therapy with potential applications in multiple cancer indications

Novel mechanism of action with high selectivity has the potential to yield an oral treatment with minimal side effects





St. Genis-Pouilly, France, 28 July 2022 - Step Pharma, a world leader in CTPS1 inhibition for the targeted treatment of cancer, announces today that its lead asset STP938 has cleared both an Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and a clinical trial application (CTA) by the UKs Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), enabling Step Pharma to progress STP938, its first-in-class, selective CTPS1 inhibitor into the clinic in the US and UK.

STP938 has now entered an open label, first-in-human, Phase 1/2 study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of STP938 in adult subjects with relapsed/refractory B cell and T cell lymphomas. Further details of the study can be found on clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT05463263. Patients with such cancers currently face high relapse rates from existing treatments.

Step Pharma is pioneering a novel class of oral drugs that specifically inhibits nucleotide synthesis and the enzyme cytidine triphosphate synthase 1 (CTPS1) in particular, originally identified as an essential gene for lymphocyte proliferation. By targeting CTPS1, Step Pharma has unlocked the ability to selectively target the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway in cancer cells. This ground-breaking approach should enable the highly selective treatment of both blood cancers and solid tumours.

Andrew Parker, Chief Executive Officer of Step Pharma, said: Our unique approach to cancer treatment has the potential to yield a novel targeted cancer therapy that can form the backbone of both blood and solid tumour cancer treatment regimens. We are delighted to have moved STP938 into the clinic for hard-to-treat lymphomas with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of millions of cancer patients.

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Brian Schwartz, Chief Medical Officer of Step Pharma, commented: The clinical trial approvals by both the US FDA and UK MHRA are a significant milestone for Step Pharma and our highly differentiated lead candidate STP938, as we become a clinical-stage company and move at speed to bring this first-in-class treatment to cancer patients with high unmet medical needs.

Step Pharma will initially investigate STP938 in blood cancers, with a focus on T cell lymphomas, where there has been no improvement in five-year survival rates for over 20 years. However, as studies have shown that all cancer cells require CTPS1 for DNA synthesis, STP938 could be a key component of a multitude of cancer treatment regimens.

-Ends-

About Step Pharma

Step Pharmas goal is to bring about a step change in how cancer is treated with targeted therapies that kill cancer cells and leave healthy cells unharmed. The Company is the world leader in CTPS1 inhibition, a new approach with the potential to yield highly selective, safe and effective cancer treatments for both blood cancers and solid tumours.

The Companys lead product STP938 has received both IND and CTA clearance to proceed into first in human trials in the US and UK for the treatment of T cell and B cell lymphomas. Clinical trials in lymphoma commenced in the second half of 2022. STP938 has the potential to be the backbone of a multitude of cancer therapies as well as a potent monotherapy for hard-to-treat blood cancers.



Step Pharma was founded in 2014 by Kurma Partners, the Imagine Institute and Sygnature Discovery, based on the scientific discoveries of Prof. Alain Fischer and Dr Sylvain Latour. Step Pharma is based in Saint-Genis-Pouilly, France, and is supported by a strong syndicate of investors led by Kurma Partners and including Bpifrance (Fonds Biotherapies Innovantes et Maladies Rares and InnoBio2 Fund), Pontifax, Hadean Ventures, Sunstone Life Science Ventures, Inserm Transfert Initiative, Idinvest, Sygnature Discovery and the Imagine Institute. More information on the company can be found at www.step-ph.com.

For more information please contact:

Step Pharma

Andrew Parker, Chief Executive Officer

contact@step-ph.com



Consilium Strategic Communications

Amber Fennell, Namrata Taak, Stella Lempidaki

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700

steppharma@consilium-comms.com




Credit - Artwork by Lorna Simpson for TIME; source photograph by Stephen GoslingNBAE/Getty Images.

Although the photographer and multimedia artist Lorna Simpson has never met WNBA player Brittney Griner, she has no trouble imagining a vulnerability of the kind that Griner, another Black American woman, has been experiencing since being detained in Russia since February.

In February, as Russias threats of invasion in Ukraine escalated, watching the airport surveillance video of Brittney Griner passing through security made my heart sink, Simpsonwhose art re-contextualizes narratives around race, gender, and identity through collages of found photostold TIME. One of my greatest fears as a teenager growing up in Queens, N.Y., was always imprisonment.

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold athlete, eight-time WNBA all-star and player for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA and for Russias UMMC Ekaterinburg during the off-season, was arrested on drug charges on Feb. 17just one week before Russia invaded Ukraineafter customs officials at the airport found vape cartridges with traces of cannabis oil in her suitcase. In the months that have followed, concerns have been raised about Griner, a prominent American athlete and an openly queer Black woman, being imprisoned in the midst of a war, in a country known for anti-gay legislation.

For the cover of this issue of the magazine, to accompany Sean Gregorys profile of Griner and the effort to bring her home, Simpson created an image that reimagined a standard media-day portrait, by photographer Stephen Gosling, of Griner in her WNBA uniform. The collage centers Griners steadfast gaze, but with her uniform superseded by a celestial overlay of meteor showerstaken from a 19th century printthat extends into the background.

Read the cover story: Brittney Griners Fight for Freedom

The cosmos have long been a focus in Simpsons art, a visual tool to explore the vastness of identity. If the stars fill that space, then what body is actually there that isnt filled with that kind of expansiveness? she explained in a 2021 interview with Harpers Bazaar. Using starscapes and astronomical maps, she transforms vintage pictures of Black women from Jet and Ebony into heavenly bodies that question preconceptions about identity. She used that same practice to create her cover art of Griner.

For me, the strong impression of this image of Griner is not only what could be interpreted as the solemnity of her expression but also the symmetry of the star tattoos on her shoulders, Simpson told TIME. The inversion of the illustration is a way of bringing into focus how much of her life has been upended, the urgency of her release and safe return to the U.S., and the preciousness of time that is passing.
John Morabito, 20-Year Aviation Veteran, Joins as Managing Director to Lead Day-to-Day Aviation Investing Activities

GREENWICH, Conn., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --, July 28, 2022  Strategic Value Partners, LLC and its affiliates ("SVPGlobal"), a global investment firm with over $18 billion of assets under management, today announced that it has added three senior aviation-focused professionals to its investment team to capture investment and aircraft management opportunities globally.

SVPGlobal Logo

John Morabito, who has over 20 years of aviation experience, has joined SVPGlobal as a Managing Director and will lead SVPGlobal's day-to-day aviation investing activities. Prior to SVPGlobal, Mr. Morabito served as Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at an aviation fund focused on relative value investments in the commercial aviation industry. From 2001 to 2017, Mr. Morabito worked at CIT Group, Inc., most recently serving as Managing Director and Head of the Financial Institutions Group. Mr. Morabito also served on the senior leadership team of CIT Aerospace, an aviation portfolio with over $10 billion in aircraft assets on lease to airlines globally, and played an instrumental role in selling the CIT Aerospace business to HNA Group.

Ben Pughe-Morgan and Matthew Eddy, two aviation industry veterans with more than 30 years combined experience, have also joined SVPGlobal as members of the investment team and operating partners focused on aviation. From 2001 to 2019, Mr. Pughe-Morgan worked for DVB Bank SE, where he was Head of Origination for the Deucalion Aviation Funds, DVB's in-house leasing arm. Mr. Eddy performed various roles at CIT Bank & CIT Aerospace, including roles relating to deal pricing, credit underwriting, portfolio management, strategic initiatives and joint ventures, and held a fleet strategy role at JetBlue Airways in Long Island City, New York.

Victor Khosla, SVPGlobal's Founder and Chief Investment Officer, said, "We are pleased to welcome John, Ben and Matt to SVPGlobal's aviation investment team. Over the past few years, we have worked very hard to become a leader in the aviation market and have made significant strategic investments over the past 18 months. With the addition of John, Ben and Matt, SVPGlobal will be even more favorably positioned to identify new and attractive opportunities."

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John Morabito, SVPGlobal Managing Director, said, "Ben, Matt and I are very excited to join the SVPGlobal team. SVPGlobal is an experienced investor in the aviation market, recently capitalizing on a number of investment and aircraft management opportunities. We look forward to further enhancing the team, contributing to future investments and advancing SVPGlobal's position in the aviation space."

SVPGlobal's expansion of its aviation investment team complements the recently announced acquisition of full ownership of Deucalion Aviation Limited ("Deucalion"), an innovative global platform with world class aviation expertise and asset management services, by funds managed by SVPGlobal. SVPGlobal had owned 50% of Deucalion since June 2021.

About SVPGlobal

Strategic Value Partners, LLC and its affiliates ("SVPGlobal") is a global investment firm that focuses on event-driven, special situations, private equity and financing opportunities. The firm uses a combination of sourcing, financial and operational expertise to unlock value in complex situations. Today SVPGlobal manages more than $18 billion in assets under management, and since inception, has invested almost $41 billion of capital, including approximately $17 billion in Europe. The firm, established by Victor Khosla in 2001, has approximately 145 employees, including approximately 65 investment professionals, across its main offices in Greenwich (CT), London and a presence in Tokyo. Learn more at www.SVPGlobal.com.

Media Contacts:

North America

Kekst CNC

Todd Fogarty, Richard Goldman, Emma Young

SVPGlobal@kekstcnc.com

(212) 521-4800

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SOURCE SVPGlobal
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Abortion is a fundamental healthcare right that terminates a pregnancy. Worldwide, an estimated 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in an abortion annually.

While medical interventions for pregnancies are in high need, many countries ban access to safe and legal abortion services. Regardless of whether abortion is legal or not, people still require and regularly access abortion services. Actually, banning abortions doesnt stop them from happening; it only limits access to being aborted safely.

The recent decision of the US Supreme Court, overturning the Roe v Wade law, has opened the door for individual states to ban or severely restrict the right of pregnant women to access abortion.

The news has raised concern among human rights activists all over the world, pushing talks on abortion rights high on the international agenda.

A similar case can be observed in Poland, which bans abortion in almost all cases, with exceptions only when a woman's life or health is endangered or if the pregnancy results from rape or incest.

For years, abortion was allowed in the case of fetuses with congenital defects. That exception was struck down by the constitutional court in 2020.

Now, Azerbaijan, where abortion is a legal healthcare procedure, faces a whole other issue of gender-selective abortion. Son preference is a huge problem in many parts of Asia, as well as in the countries of South Caucasus and South-Eastern Europe.

In a recent report, Preventing Son Preference and Undervaluing of Girls in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, UNFPA (the United Nations Population Fund) suggests that countries in which sex selection exists usually share three characteristics: a strong preference for male children, falling fertility rates and access to modern ultrasound technologies.

Azerbaijan displays all three characteristics.

Talking on the topic, Farid Babayev, head of the country office of the UNFPA in Azerbaijan, said that Azerbaijan takes one of the top places among the countries with sex imbalance in newborns.

"Unfortunately, there is a sharp decrease in the number of girls born as a result of selective abortions. However, within the framework of the "Involving men in antenatal and child care services" project, extensive educational work was carried out in the regions in this area. It is gratifying that a positive transformation is observed every year, the official added.

Statistics show that an abnormal increase in the number of male children has been observed in nine countries like Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Tunisia, Montenegro, and South Korea, which also includes Azerbaijan.

However, effective methods have been applied to supplant this problem.

For instance, Azerbaijan participated in UNFPA and European Unions project Global Programme to Prevent Son Preference and Gender-biased Sex Selection, which was first launched across Asia and then in the Caucasus.

Within the global program, the government adopted a National Action Plan on gender-biased sex selection for 2020-2025. Also, its national development plan, Concept Azerbaijan 2030, identifies gender equality as a priority. Awareness is growing, and the country has passed major laws and enacted policies enshrining these rights.
MarketWatch

Recently, we came across a simple piece of money advice from billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban on his Maverick blog that we felt resonated in todays money-stressed world. Indeed plenty of pros agree with him that saving money can make you, if not rich, then at least richer (and the good news is this: savings accounts are now paying far more than they did a year ago, and you can find the best rates you can get here). The first step is you have to want to make changes, says certified financial planner Spencer Betts of Bickling Financial Services.
DUBLIN, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Theravance Biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBPH) will report its second quarter 2022 financial results and provide a business update after market close on Thursday, August 4, 2022. An accompanying conference call and simultaneous webcast will be hosted at 5:00 pm ET (2:00 pm PT/10:00 pm IST) that day.

Theravance Biopharma Logo (PRNewsfoto/Theravance Biopharma, Inc.)

Conference Call Information

To participate in the live call by telephone, please dial (800) 225-9448 from the US or (203) 518-9708 for international callers, using the conference code TBPHQ222. Those interested in listening to the conference call live via the internet may do so by visiting Theravance Biopharma's website at www.theravance.com, under the Investors section, Presentations and Events.

A replay of the conference call will be available on Theravance Biopharma's website for 30 days through September 3, 2022. An audio replay will also be available through 11:59 pm ET on August 11, 2022 by dialing (888) 219-1261 from the US, or (402) 220-4941 for international callers.

About Theravance Biopharma

Theravance Biopharma, Inc.'s overarching purpose and goal as a biopharmaceutical company is focused on delivering Medicines that Make a Difference in people's lives. In pursuit of its purpose, Theravance Biopharma leverages decades of expertise, which has led to the development of FDA-approved YUPELRI (revefenacin) inhalation solution indicated for the maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Its pipeline of internally discovered programs is targeted to address significant unmet patient needs. For more information, please visit www.theravance.com.

THERAVANCE BIOPHARMA, THERAVANCE, and the Cross/Star logo are registered trademarks of the Theravance Biopharma group of companies (in the U.S. and certain other countries).

YUPELRI is a registered trademark of Mylan Specialty L.P., a Viatris Company. Trademarks, trade names or service marks of other companies appearing on this press release are the property of their respective owners.

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Contact: Gail B. Cohen

Corporate Communications / 917-214-6603

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SOURCE Theravance Biopharma, Inc.
By Pete Schroeder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. banking regulators have ordered crypto firm Voyager Digital to cease and desist from making "false and misleading" claims that its customers' funds were protected by the government.

The Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) sent a letter to the firm on Thursday, stating they believed that Voyager had misled customers by claiming their funds with the company would be covered by the FDIC.

A company spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The regulators said the company, which declared bankruptcy earlier this month, and its executives had made various statements indicating that Voyager itself was FDIC-insured, that customers who invested in its cryptocurrency platform would have their funds insured, and that the FDIC would insure customers against the failure of Voyager itself.

In reality, the company simply had a deposit account at Metropolitan Commercial Bank, and customers investing via the company's platform had no FDIC insurance, the regulators said.

"Based on the information gathered to date, it appears that these representations likely misled and were relied upon by customers who placed their funds with Voyager and do not have immediate access to their funds," the regulators said in a joint statement.

In a letter sent to company executives, the regulators ordered the company to remove all misleading statements within two business days of receiving the letter. The regulators added such action would not preclude the agencies from taking further action against the firm in the future.

Voyager was one of several crypto firms to struggle in the wake of broad crypto market turmoil. In its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing earlier this month, Voyager estimated that it had more than 100,000 creditors and between $1 billion and $10 billion in assets, as well as liabilities of the same value.

(Reporting by Pete Schroeder; Editing by Leslie Adler and Richard Pullin)
Ken Research Pvt. Ltd

UAE Fire Safety and Rescue Tools & Products market report covers Abu Dhabi Fire Safety & Rescue Equipment Market, Abu Dhabi Fire Safety Products Manufacturers, Covid-19 Impact UAE Fire Safety Equipment Market, Crisis Management Authorities in UAE, Dubai Fire Safety & Rescue Equipment Market, Dubai Fire Safety Products Manufacturers, Fire Emergency Rescue Equipment Market, Fire Protection Equipment Market, Fire Pumps Manufacturers in UAE, Fire Safety & Rescue Equipment Market, Fire Safety & Rescue tools Manufacturers in UAE, Fire Safety Equipment Industry In UAE, Fire Safety Equipment Market, Fire Safety Equipment Market In UAE, Fire Safety Products Manufacturers in UAE, Fire Safety Products Market, Private Disaster management agencies in UAE, Private Firefighting Agencies in UAE, Public Civil Defense Authorities in UAE, Rehobot Fire Safety & Rescue Products Market.

Gurugram, India, July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

UAE has been actively attracting strong investors, with initiatives such as Expo 2020, causing a higher demand for retail establishments.

Being most prone to fire accidents, retail and commercial are often categorized as Category risk A. Category A means a more sophisticated fire station in vicinity, and more powerful and efficient firefighting equipment for civil defense services.

Growing focus of UAE Government towards local manufacturing and digital streamlining of civil services will boost the fire safety product market.

The tender based market, along with rising preference of battery operated tools are some growth drivers of the Rescue tools & products market in UAE.

Fire Safety & Rescue Equipment Market in UAE

Initiatives by UAE Government: Introduction for policies such as making Emergency Call (eCall) System mandatory in all vehicles in 2020, will help fast track rescue activities. Construction and Infrastructure projects such as Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030, would mean rising demand for establishment of industry specific firefighting units. Service 360 Policy, which aims to unify work streams across government entities, based on the provision of digital services, would mean a means a faster response time for Civil Defense authorities to respond to fire accidents.

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Technologically Advancing Market: Launch of new firefighting systems which make more effective use of water and foam, new products combining thermal imaging and augmented reality (AR) enables firefighters to see through smoke, rising preference for battery operated rescue tools, are some of the recent trends in this market. Furthermore, this market is susceptible to more technological advancement due to the constant demand for making safer products for firefighters and first responders.

Rise of Construction projects: Number of constructed buildings in UAE has risen by ~7% from CY18 to CY21, and this is expected to grow even further. This has also coincided with the rise in number of fire accidents in UAE within the study period. This would mean a growing requirement for firefighting products as the construction sector grows.

The report titled  UAE Fire Safety and Rescue Tools & Products Market Outlook to 2026: Growing demand due to rising number of construction projects and rising preference of technologically advanced tools & equipment  by Ken Research suggests that the Fire Safety and Rescue Tools & Products market in UAE is expected to grow further in the near future, with increasing adoption of newer technologies and government initiatives aimed to make rescue and firefighting activities more safer and successful.

Key Segments Covered in Market Assessment of Fire Safety and Rescue Tools & Products in UAE:

Market Overview Overview of Fire Protection Systems In UAE Types of Fire-fighting Apparatus used by UAE Civil Defense Authorities Typologies of Transportable firefighting Pumps in UAE Typologies of Othe r Fire Safety Products in UAE (Monitors, Nozzles, Compressed Air Foam System) Typologies of Rescue tools in UAE Ecosystem of Fire Safety Products in UAE Ecosystem of Rescue Tools & Products in UAE



Market Overview: Consumer Journey Customer Journey Analysis- Snapshot of tendering and procurement system in Federal Government of UAE and Dubai Customer Journey Analysis- Snapshot of tendering and procurement system in Abu Dhai and Sharjah Customer Journey Analysis- Snapshot of tendering and procurement system in Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah



Fire Safety Products Market Analysis: Supply Side Landscape Trade Analysis of Fire Safety Products in UAE Growth Drivers of Fire Safety Product Market in UAE Current Trends and Developments in the Fire Safety Product Market Government Initiatives and Regulations related to Fire Safety Products



Request for Free Sample Report @ https://www.kenresearch.com/sample-report.php?Frmdetails=NTM2Mjk4

Fire Safety Products Market Analysis: Demand Side Landscape End User Analysis-Fire Stations Across UAE End User Analysis-Major Ports and Airports in UAE Cross-Comparison of Technical preferences and requirements of customers Requirement of fire protection systems, fire tanks, and fire pumps across building typologies in UAE



Fire Safety Products Market: Competition Analysis Segmentation of the Fire Safety Products Market by manufacturer revenue, in USD, CY20 and Cross comparison across major parameters Company Profile- NAFFCO Company Profile- FIREX Company Profile- Waterfall Pumps Company Profile- AC Pumps by Xylem



Rescue Tools & Products Market Analysis: Supply Side Landscape Trade Analysis of Rescue tools & Products market in UAE Growth Drivers and Government Initiatives in the Rescue Tools and Products Market in the country Government Initiatives in the Rescue Tools & Products Market in UAE Current Trends and Developments in the Rescue Tools and Products Market



Rescue Tools & Products Market Analysis: Demand Side Landscape End User Groups of Firefighting Equipment and Products in UAE Cross-Comparison of Technical preferences and Requirements of customers



Rescue Tools & Products Market: Competition Analysis Cross Comparison of Major Competitors along with Revenue Analysis Operational Cross Comparison of Major Competitors Company Profile: Holmatro Company Profile: NAFFCO Company Profile: Rehobot Company Profile: Weber Hydrauliks



Request for Free Sample Report @ https://www.kenresearch.com/sample-report.php?Frmdetails=NTM2Mjk4

Key Target Audience

Fire Pumps Manufacturers in UAE

Fire Safety Products Manufacturers in UAE

Rescue tools Manufacturers in UAE

Fire Pumps Manufacturers interested in UAE market

Fire Safety Products Manufacturers interested in UAE market

Rescue tools Manufacturers interested in UAE market

Public Civil Defense Authorities in Emirates of U.A.E.

Crisis Management Authorities in UAE

Private Firefighting Agencies in UAE

Private Disaster management agencies in UAE

Major Fire Safety Products Companies in UAE:

NAFFCO

Emirates Fire Fighting Equipment Factory LLC (FIREX)

Waterfall Pumps

AC Pumps By Xylem

Major Rescue tools & Products Companies in UAE:

Holmatro

NAFFCO

Rehobot

Weber Hydrauliks

Key Topics Covered in the Report

Overview of Fire Protection Systems in UAE

Types of Fire-fighting Apparatus used by UAE Civil Defense Authorities

Typologies of Transportable firefighting Pumps in UAE

Typologies of Rescue tools in UAE

Ecosystem of Fire Safety Products in UAE

Ecosystem of Rescue Tools & Products in UAE

Trade Analysis of Fire Safety Products in UAE

Growth Drivers of Fire Safety Product Market in UAE

Current Trends and Developments in the Fire Safety Product Market

Government Initiatives and Regulations related to Fire Safety Products

End User Analysis-Fire Stations Across UAE

End User Analysis-Major Ports and Airports in UAE

Cross-Comparison of Technical preferences and requirements of customers

Government Initiatives in the Rescue Tools & Products Market in UAE

Current Trends and Developments in the Rescue Tools and Products Market

End User Groups of Firefighting Equipment and Products in UAE

Cross-Comparison of Technical preferences and Requirements of customers

Cross Comparison of Major Competitors along with Revenue Analysis

Operational Cross Comparison of Major Competitors

For More Information, refer to below link:-

UAE Fire Safety and Rescue Tools and Products Market

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Ken Research

Ankur Gupta, Head Marketing & Communications

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Whidbey & Camano Islands Tourism

Destination Marketing Organization in Washington state to develop industry leading road map for regenerative travel

Driftwood Beach Scene

Photo by Suzi Pratt

COUPEVILLE, Wash., July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism is undergoing strategic planning in partnership with the Transformational Travel Council (TTC) in a bold step to adapt to a forever-changed travel industry, and to lay the groundwork for a future-fit destination. An early adopter of the TTCs Regenerative Places Program, the year-long process cultivates shared values and vision, builds stakeholder capacity, and facilitates the co-creation of a Regenerative Action Plan. This process is designed to develop the self-regulation of the islands tourism systems, and ultimately plant the seeds for a tourism industry that improves the lives of residents, enriches the visitor experience, and benefits the natural environment of the islands.

Tourism is the third largest industry in Island County, yet with islands being particularly vulnerable to over-tourism, there is a desire to change how this industry affects our sense of place, says Sherrye Wyatt, PR & marketing manager for Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism. We see the early signs of unsustainable visitor trends and we want to mold our strategy in a proactive way that will ensure that our community and environment will thrive alongside our tourism industry for years to come.

While the industry is drawn to buzz words like transformational or sustainable tourism as part of a rebrand or messaging, at this critical moment, it is vital that we walk the walk, even when it is hard. Early adopters of our program, like Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism, are going through a transformative process that unifies, shifts mindsets, and opens them up to new ways of believing, doing, and being so they can fully embrace transformative and regenerative approaches. We hope that by helping them with sensemaking were able to cultivate an emergence from within that fosters a community that works for all and does so long after weve left, says Jake Haupert, CEO of the TTC.

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Regenerative tourism development takes a systemic approach to the design and development of the visitor economy starting with shifting mindsets, and working from the inside out and ground up, to co-design innovative legacy solutions that benefit the whole system. This process is not supposed to be quick and easy, but rather meaningful and effective. While the full plan will take effect later this year in response to community surveys and outreach, workshops with key stakeholders and more, Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism has already revealed programs to support the regenerative effort. A new field guide suggests alternatives to popular, well-loved beaches and trails called 24 Trails off the Beaten Path. It details routes along wooded hideaways, pastoral vistas, and rugged beaches in an effort to lessen the visitor impact on over-visited island spots. Each of the 24 trails are also detailed on the website whidbeycamanoislands.com/24trails.

About Whidbey and Camano Islands

Drive off the mainland to find two of the most accessible and scenic island destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Camano and Whidbey sit just north of Seattle, a short trip via bridge or ferry. Offering a different experience with each season, the islands provide locally inspired shops and restaurants, dynamic experiences for a variety of interests, recreation, and beach combing. Rich history and a healthy dose of local color in all mediums is provided by the regions many artists. Lodging options range from nationally renowned hotels to secret spots ideal for a quiet retreat. For more information on amenities, lodging and a calendar of events visit www.whidbeycamanoislands.com. Connect on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook via @GoWhidbeyCamano.

About the Transformational Travel Council

TTC is a growing organization rising to meet the challenges that face a post-pandemic travel industry. TTC members are dedicated to supporting both travelers and the travel industry in transforming lives and changing the world through more mindful and intentional travel experiences. Their mission is to use travel as a catalyst for creating deeper connections with self and nature and as a tool for fostering global citizenry, communication, understanding, stewardship, and real human connection.



Media Contacts:

Erin Osborne / Annie Sullivan

ON Public Relations for Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism

206-948-6059 / 206-856-5660

erin@onpublicrelations.com / annie@onpublicrelations.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4578b891-b37f-4dec-a00f-fcbcd622b420




(Recasts with detail from UK military intelligence)

* Ukraine counter-offensive in Kherson gathering momentum - UK

* Russia in 'massive redeployment' in south, Ukraine says

* Russian-backed forces take over Vuhlehirsk plant

* Blinken says he plans call with Russia's Lavrov

July 28 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian counter-offensive has virtually cut off the Russian-occupied southern city of Kherson and left thousands of Russian troops stationed near the Dnipro River "highly vulnerable", British defence and intelligence officials said on Thursday.

Ukraine has made clear it intends to recapture Kherson, which fell to Russia in the early days of the invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb 24.

Britain's Defence Ministry said Ukrainian forces have probably established a bridgehead south of the Ingulets River, and had used new, long-range artillery to damage at least three of the bridges crossing the Dnipro.

"Russia's 49th Army, stationed on the west bank of the Dnipro River, now looks highly vulnerable," it said in a regular intelligence bulletin on Twitter, adding that Kherson was virtually cut off from the other territories occupied by Russia.

"Its loss would severely undermine Russia's attempts to paint the occupation as a success."

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, earlier tweeted that Russia was concentrating "the maximum number of troops" in the direction of the Kherson but gave no details.

Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said Russia was conducting a "massive redeployment" of forces from the east to the south in what amounted to a strategic shift from attack to defence.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine would rebuild the Antonivskyi bridge over the Dnipro and other crossings in the region.

"We are doing everything to ensure that the occupying forces do not have any logistical opportunities in our country," he said in a Wednesday evening address.

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Russian officials had earlier said they would turn instead to pontoon bridges and ferries to get forces across the river.

Russian-backed forces on Wednesday said they had captured the Soviet-era coal-fired Vuhlehirsk power plant, Ukraine's second-largest, in what was Moscow's first significant gain in more than three weeks.

DIPLOMACY

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what Moscow calls a "special military operation" to demilitarise and "denazify" its neighbour. Ukraine and its allies call the invasion an unprovoked war of aggression.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he planned a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov - the first between the two diplomats since before the start of the war.

The call in the coming days would not be "a negotiation about Ukraine," Blinken said at a news conference, restating Washington's position that any talks on ending the war must be between Kyiv and Moscow.

Russia has received no formal request from Washington about a phone call between Blinken and Lavrov, TASS news agency reported.

The United States has made "a substantial offer" to Russia for it to release U.S. citizens WNBA star Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, Blinken said, without giving details of what the United States was offering in return.

Blinken said he would press Lavrov to respond to the offer.

A source familiar with the situation confirmed a CNN report that Washington was willing to exchange Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout, who is serving a 25 year-prison sentence in the United States, as part of a deal.

Aside from discussing Americans detained by Russia, Blinken said he would raise with Lavrov the tentative deal on grain exports reached last week between Russia, the United States, Turkey and Ukraine.

Russia reduced gas flows to Europe on Wednesday in an energy stand-off with the European Union. It has blocked grain exports from Ukraine since invading, but on Friday agreed to allow deliveries through the Black Sea to Turkey's Bosphorus Strait and on to global markets.

The deal was almost immediately thrown into doubt when Russia fired cruise missiles at Odesa, Ukraine's largest port, on Saturday, just 12 hours after the deal was signed.

Before the invasion and subsequent sanctions, Russia and Ukraine accounted for nearly a third of global wheat exports.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Grant McCool and Stephen Coates; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Lincoln Feast.)
As construction proceeds on the new NiceMiddleton Bridge over the Potomac River in Dahlgren, several Maryland politicians have floated the idea of keeping the old bridge in place for pedestrians and bikers to use instead of demolishing it.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny Hoyer recently asked the Maryland Transportation Authority to seek an independent study to see if the 81-year-old bridge could be repurposed for recreational usage, but the idea sank like a rock. The MDTA responded that it was too expensive to maintain, as a 2015 study estimated almost $50 million in costs over a 30-year period.

Officials from both King George County and Virginia went on similar fishing expeditions and inquired about keeping the bridge in place for various recreational uses, but their ideas also were deemed dead in the water.

In addition to cost factors, there are safety issues as well, said James Port Jr., chairman of the MDTA. He spelled out some of those concerns in a four-page response to the Maryland legislators, including the fact the new bridge was designed with the understanding the existing one would be demolished. An analysis donein wake of the varied requests to keep the old bridgeshowed a safety threat to the new bridge, based on Federal Highway Administration guidelines regarding scour, or the erosion of soil around a bridge foundation.

The new span will formally be known as the Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge and is expected to open early next year. With a cost of $463 million, the new bridge between King George and Charles County, Md., is a whale of a projectone of Marylands largest transportation initiatives, according to the MDTA website.

And while the existing bridge doesnt allow bicyclists, Port said the new one includes several biking safety features such as beacons and signs that will make it easier for those on two wheels to navigate alongside vehicles going 55 miles per hour.

The existing bridge, which carries about 18,000 vehicles a day, is scheduled for demolition after the new, four-lane bridge opens. Its remains will be planted in the Chesapeake Bay to create a new reef. In other words, it will be sleeping with the fishes.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) will introduce a new individual health care plan called Nebraska HeartlandBlue on the governments ACA Marketplace for 2023, providing Nebraskans and their families not covered under an employers health plan with more choices in coverage.

We exist to serve the people of Nebraska, to provide them with security and peace of mind about the cost of medical care for themselves and their families, said Ron Rowe, BCBSNE executive vice president. We want to give people looking for coverage on the ACA Marketplace more choice. Nebraska HeartlandBlue offers individuals affordable health care coverage and strong provider networks.

Nebraska HeartlandBlue will include gold, silver and bronze plans, which provide customers with the ability to choose the option that best fits their coverage needs and budgets. The plans will use BCBSNEs existing provider networks in the state, enabling Nebraskans to tap into the strong, established relationships the insurer has with health care providers across the state.

Nebraska HeartlandBlue will be available in all 93 of Nebraskas counties. Customers can purchase coverage as soon as the 2023 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) begins. OEP runs annually from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15.

To purchase individual coverage, Nebraskans will visit HealthCare.Gov or NebraskaBlue.com during OEP or any other Special Enrollment Period for which theyre eligible.

Customers can also consult a health insurance broker for assistance in determining which plan option best fits their needs. BCBSNE will have its sales agents available to help Nebraskans purchase coverage during OEP.

For more information, visit NebraskaBlue.com.
Mir Wali looked through the shattered windows of a car, staring at the bullet-riddled bodies of his four friends.

Minutes earlier, Wali had waved goodbye after having lunch with them. As his friends got into their car, there was a sudden burst of gunfire.

Several unidentified men on motorcycles armed with AK-47 assault rifles had stopped next to the vehicle and opened fire, instantly killing the four young men.

"I narrowly escaped death," said Wali, recalling the June 19 attack in North Waziristan, a district in northwestern Pakistan. "I believe that I was the main target."

The men were members of Youth of Waziristan, a nongovernmental organization that campaigns for human rights in North Waziristan. Wali is also a member of the group.

The victims join a recent wave of targeted killings in Pakistan's Pashtun tribal belt, a volatile region along the border with Afghanistan that was a former militant stronghold. No group has claimed responsibility for the killings.

The surge in targeted killings and assassinations has coincided with Pakistan's controversial peace negotiations with the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) extremist group. Under a proposed peace plan that has been widely criticized, TTP militants based in Afghanistan would be allowed to return to their former strongholds in northwestern Pakistan and bear arms.

Local activists and residents said the recent killings could be an attempt by Pakistan's powerful army and the TTP to silence those opposed to the peace process, a claim rejected by the militants. Many of the victims have been Pashtun tribal elders, religious leaders, and activists critical of the army and militant groups in the region.

Residents have long accused Pakistan's military and its intelligence agency of carrying out extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Pashtuns, the country's largest ethnic minority. But many residents do not openly criticize the authorities for fear of retribution.

Hundreds Of Killings

Since the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Pakistan's impoverished tribal belt became the scene of deadly army operations, U.S. drone attacks, and militant attacks that uprooted millions of people and left thousands dead. Pashtuns make up the majority of recruits and members of militant groups active in the region, including the TTP.

A massive Pakistani Army offensive in 2014 drove out the TTP, Al-Qaeda, and foreign militant groups from Pakistan and across the border to Afghanistan, bringing relative peace to northwestern Pakistan. But since 2019, the TTP has intensified its cross-border attacks against the Pakistani Army and targeted killings have spiked.

There are no official statistics for the number of targeted killings in Pakistan. Mir Kalam Wazir, a lawmaker from the provincial assembly of the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkwa, estimated that around 450 people have been killed in targeted killings since 2018. Most of them occurred in North Waziristan, a former TTP stronghold, he said.

There have been at least 50 targeted killings so far this year, in what observers have said is a noticeable increase. Local activists recorded 70 targeted killings in 2021 and over 50 in 2020 and 2019.

The latest victims were religious scholars Qari Samiuddin and Qari Nauman, who were shot dead by armed motorcyclists in North Waziristan on July 14. The two were members of the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam Fazal (JUI-F) religious party and regarded as strong voices against targeted killings in the area.

Since July 18, the JUI-F has held a sit-in in North Waziristan to demand an end to target killings and urge authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of the attacks.

Chaos And Fear'

The spike in targeted killings in recent months comes amid ongoing peace talks between Pakistan and the TTP. A deal appears to be in sight after the extremist group declared an indefinite cease-fire in June following months of negotiations brokered by the Afghan Taliban.

Reports in the Pakistani media indicate that Islamabad has agreed to release hundreds of detained and convicted TTP members. Additionally, a large portion of the tens of thousands of Pakistani troops stationed in the region will be withdrawn. Islamabad has also agreed to implement Islamic Shari'a law in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Malakand region. The two sides have yet to agree on retracting democratic reforms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and whether thousands of TTP militants can return with their arms and keep their organization intact.

The terms of the proposed peace deal have been condemned by locals in northwestern Pakistan, rights groups, and opposition political groups.

Activists and political figures in the region have said the spike in targeted killings could be an effort by authorities and the TTP to stifle criticism of the contentious peace process.

Mohsin Dawar, a member of parliament, said residents in the region suspect the role of "state security agencies" in the killings.

"On the other hand, militant groups are trying to create chaos and fear so they can stop people from engaging in political activities," he said. "The targeted killings are an attempt to silence dissenting voices."

Some observers have said that a breakaway faction of the TTP led by Hafiz Gul Bahadar, which is not part of the truce, could be involved in the killings. The faction is believed to be active in North Waziristan.

Several tribal elders told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that former TTP militants who surrendered to the Pakistani security forces and were later released were also active in the region. The elders alleged that the Pakistani military and intelligence services were using the armed men -- known locally as the "surrendered" -- "against the locals whenever and in whatever area they feel the need."

Pakistan has long been accused of supporting militant groups inside and outside Pakistan to serve its military and political interests, while clamping down on those fighting Pakistani forces.

Major General Naeem Akhtar, the top military officer in North Waziristan, said in a written statement to Radio Mashaal that the military, with the support of the locals, will succeed in reining in any remaining militants in the region.

But many locals doubt that the spate of targeted killings will end.

"We live in fear," said Malak Gul Saleh Jan, a local tribal elder who survived a 2019 attack by unidentified armed men who opened fire on his car.

"We don't know who is killing us," added Jan, who suffered bullet wounds. "And that is the real fear."
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Officers of the Azerbaijani State Border Service seized drugs and arms on the border with Georgia, Azernews reports, citing the service.

The border guard detachment detained two strangers attempting to breach the state border with Georgia on the frontier post of the Gazakh Separate Border Division near the village of Ikinci Shikhli of Gazakh District on July 26.

"The detainees were residents of Azerbaijan's Shaki District, Kamal Nasibov, 1987, and Elnur Aliyev, 1991. The investigation established that they had arrived at the mentioned territory by a car driven by Nasibov," the service reported.

Seven grams of a substance similar to marijuana, two pistols, a hunting rifle, five cartridges, a pocket knife, a dagger, 3,300 manats ($1,940), and $200 were found and seized from the vehicle.
The Secretary of State's Office released what it would cost five GOP candidates to obtain machine-tabulated recounts tied to the June 28 primary  and the costs have gone up.

All the candidates will have to provide certified funds to cover the recount costs by close of business Thursday.

Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters, who lost the GOP nod for Secretary of State to former Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Pam Anderson, will need to provide certified funds in the amount of $255,912.33.

She and the other four candidates are seeking hand recounts, which they aren't going to get. The Secretary of State's Office told the five candidates the recount would be conducted in the same tabulation methods as the original count, which was done by machine. That election rule has been in place since Scott Gessler served as secretary of state from 2011 to 2015, according to the Elections Division.

Meanwhile, it would cost state Rep. Ron Hanks of Canon City, who lost to Joe O'Dea for the GOP nod for U.S. Senate, $256,172.33 to conduct a recount.

Initially, Hanks asked for a recount only in El Paso and Pueblo counties. However, Annie Orloff, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State's Office, told Colorado Politics that the office could not conduct a recount in just two counties for a statewide race and said that Hanks agreed to a statewide recount.

The slight difference between the costs for a statewide recount on the secretary of state's race versus the U.S. Senate race resulted from more ballots being cast in the U.S. Senate race, Orloff said.

Lynda Zamora Wilson, who lost a primary bid for the Senate District 9 seat to Sen. Paul Lundeen of Monument, will have to come up with $20,819.87, the same amount required for a recount of the primary contest between Karl Dent Sr. and Rep. Mary Bradfield for the House District 21 seat.

Summer Groubert, who lost the House District 18 primary to Shana Black, will have to come up with $21,594.85.

Peters announced earlier today she had raised $230,000 for the latest recount request.

Tina Peters announces raising $230,000 to pay for recount

Hanks and Peters submitted requests for recounts earlier this month, and were told to come up with $236,179 each for those recounts. Neither provided those funds by the deadline.

The reason for the higher costs for the Peters and Hanks recounts is a matter of timing, the Secretary of State's Office said.

"It is worth noting that the reason for increased costs per recount since requests were made previously this month is that now counties would potentially be starting a recount on Friday and must complete that work by next Thursday, Aug. 4 as required by statute. This may require work to be done over the weekend in addition to bringing in additional support to process a large number of ballots in a shorter amount of time," the Secretary of State's Office said.
The mental health evaluation of Letecia Stauch is still not complete after months of waiting, according to an El Paso County judge.

The lack of a complete mental health evaluation from the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo means the case can't continue, and a new hearing date must be set.

"Nothing can be done, and the case can't move forward without this report," Judge Gregory Werner said in court Thursday afternoon.

Stauch is accused of having killed her 11-year-old stepson, Gannon Stauch, in 2020.

Instead of setting a new hearing date, Judge Werner opted instead to wait until the mental health evaluation is complete to set a new date, something Werner described as "unorthodox."

Neither District Attorney Michael Allen nor Stauch's defense attorney Joshua Tolini objected to not setting a new hearing date.

Werner said that the hearing would be set out a minimum of two weeks after the mental health evaluation is received, to give family of the victim time to make travel arrangements to be in court.

Tolini did, however, express his desire to file for a show cause hearing if the doctors responsible for the mental health evaluation at CMHIP don't send information they have thus far to the defense, something which was agreed upon at the previous court hearing in June if the evaluation wasn't complete.

If a request for a show cause hearing is filed it would require a CMHIP representative to appear in Colorado's Fourth Judicial District Court and show cause for why the evaluation continues to be delayed.

Tolini indicated he would file for a show cause hearing on Wednesday if he does not receive documents from CMHIP.

District Attorney Allen disagreed with the need for a show cause hearing and described it as "going off on a tangent."

Werner, though, said himself that if the mental health evaluation is not completed soon that he would like for the doctor responsible for the evaluation in court "regardless."

Stauch has been awaiting trial on the case for more than two years, but delays have occurred because of the need for her to have a sanity evaluation done due to her plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Most recently, Stauch was in 4th Judicial District Court in June, when the court was informed that more time was needed to complete her evaluation.

Initially, Stauch pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against her, but in February she was granted permission by Werner to change her plea to not guilty by reason of insanity.

The change in plea required the state to conduct a mental health evaluation on Stauch, which the court is still waiting to receive after several months.

In addition to a murder charge, Stauch faces charges of child abuse and tampering with evidence. If convicted of the first-degree murder charge, she faces life in prison.

Stauch also currently faces a second case in which she stands accused of attempting to escape from El Paso County jail.

Investigators believe Stauch killed Gannon sometime after 2 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2020. She seemingly cooperated with authorities who were searching for Gannon when he was reported missing, but authorities quickly began to suspect a homicide. Deputies searched the Stauch home on Feb. 3.

The Santa Rosa Sheriffs Office in Florida announced it had found Gannons body less than two months later on March 18. Santa Rosa County is on the Florida panhandle, east of Pensacola.

Stauch was originally scheduled to be present in court on Thursday, but ultimately did not appear.
As Colorado Springs school districts face teacher and staff shortages for the fast-approaching 2022-2023 school year, one district is making an aggressive effort to bolster its numbers.

Colorado Springs School District 11 is holding five on-the-spot job fairs in early August, during which qualified applicants can be hired immediately and receive a $2,500 signing bonus.

The district is hoping to shore up a teacher workforce that is currently about 10% shy of full strength, with 129 open teaching positions. There is also a need for bus drivers, support staff, food service employees and other specialty positions.

Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic turned the education profession upside down, schools are still struggling to recover. School closings, quarantines and shifts in learning platforms added to an already stressful job and caused teachers to resign in alarming numbers.

I think during the pandemic some people had time to re-evaluate their career choices and may have gone out and found other employment, district employment coordinator Sylvia Boese told The Gazette last year.

The job fairs are scheduled to take place Monday and Tuesday at Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy, Mann Middle School, Holmes Middle School and Doherty High School. Applicants are encouraged to bring resumes and reference information.

Job seekers who cant make it to next weeks job fairs can visit the hiring booth at Garry Berry Stadium during D-11s 150-year celebration on Aug. 11, according to the district website.

The first day of school for District 11 is Aug. 16.

For more information, visit www.d11.org.
Multiply Group, a technology-focused holding company, has reported AED462 million ($126 million) in net profit for the first half (H1) of 2022 on the strength of its investments and performance of its subsidiaries.

The group, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), saw its H1 2022 figures show revenue of AED507 million and gross margin of AED250 million. Net profit equates to a healthy 91% of revenue for the period with investment and other income of AED300 million helping to drive profitability.

There was also strong performance across the group's subsidiaries, which cover five vertical segments: media and communications, utilities, ventures, wellness and beauty, and digital economy. All the group operating units were profitable in H1 and exceeded operational targets.

Strong liquidity

The group continues to benefit from a strong liquidity position, with AED3.24 billion in cash and bank balances and negligible debt. This will allow Multiply Group to pursue attractive targets globally and ensure an efficient deployment of capital, striking the balance between steady companies that generate recurring income and high-growth businesses.

Based on the group's strong operating performance, the current growth of the subsidiaries, and strong pipeline of potential investments, Multiply Group expects its profitability to significantly accelerate during the rest of 2022.

Samia Bouazza, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director said: "Multiply Group saw strong profitability throughout the first half of 2022 as our subsidiaries continued to register robust growth. Despite the ongoing headwinds, we see a remarkable resilience across our portfolio. Our outlook for the rest of the year is very positive, and we expect our profitability to accelerate as we focus on two key areas of growth. Firstly, we will use our strong cash base to seek out further investment opportunities locally and globally as we capitalise on softening market conditions and identify opportunistic deals. Secondly, we will continue to deliver synergies and cost savings across our businesses through our operational excellence and digital transformation programmes."

Subsidiary milestones

Meanwhile, Emirates Driving Company has completed more than two-thirds of its third main branch, located in Madinat Zayed. The company also successfully completed the audit for the new ISO 39001:2012 Road Traffic Safety Management System.

Pal Cooling Holding, part of the group's utilities vertical, successfully completed and commissioned a second district cooling plant for the Shams Development, with a full design capacity of 57,000 RT.

Omorfia Group, which comprises personal care and beauty companies, continued to expand and modernise its network across H1 2022 as well as branch out into higher-value services such as physiotherapy.

Investments

Multiply Group made significant investments in H1 2022. In January, it invested AED92 million in Rihannas Savage X Fenty, a direct-to-consumer e-commerce fashion company. The investment was part of a funding round alongside other international investors that included Neuberger Berman and LionTree.

In April, Multiply Group invested AED367 million as a cornerstone investor in the initial public offering of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), one of the regions leading fully integrated utilities companies.

This was followed by an investment in May of AED183.75 million in the initial public offering of Borouge plc, again as a cornerstone investor. The investment reflected the strength and depth of the Abu Dhabi market and also presented Multiply Group with an opportunity to partner with Adnoc Group, which is playing a vital role in the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Wellness programme

The group launched its workplace wellness programme in May as part of its ESG commitment. The programme aims to promote work-life balance and support the mental and physical wellbeing of the group's 3,000+ employees and is driven by its subsidiary, HealthierU.

Inclusion in major indices

By March 2022, Multiply Group had been included on the FADX 15 index, cementing its position as a major listed company in the UAE less than four months after its listing on ADX. The group was also added to the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (FTSE GEIS) Mid Cap Index with effect on June 20 2022.-- TradeArabia News Service
Emirates Islamic has posted a net profit of AED701 million ($193 million) for the first half of 2022, up 23% on higher funded and non-funded income with a significant reduction in the cost of risk reflecting improved business sentiment.



The banks total income reached AED1,370 million, up 16% year-on-year (y-o-y) while expenses reached AED594 million over investments for future growth.



Impairment allowances reduced 12% y-o-y reflecting improved business sentiment and operating profit improved 19% y-o-y.



The bank reported net profit margin at 2.92% reflecting the increase in profit rates in the first half of 2022, while strong capital and liquidity combined with a healthy deposit mix enabled the Bank to support customers.



Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Chairman said: Our solid performance was based on higher funded and non-funded income, and higher customer financing reflecting the UAEs positive economic sentiment. We have also benefitted from a significant reduction in the cost of risk supported by a strong economy.



We were pleased to support the TECOM and DEWA IPOs on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) by enabling key clients to participate and benefit from these landmark listings in our role as Receiving Bank. Being a leading UAE bank and a prominent long-term player in the regions banking sector, we were delighted to support the UAE leaderships plans to list state-owned entities on the DFM, further boosting UAE capital markets.



We play a pivotal role in the UAEs growing Islamic banking sector and remain committed to supporting the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the global capital of Islamic economy.



The Emirates Islamic Charity Fund continues to support various humanitarian causes in the UAE through charitable contributions, he added.

Salah Mohammed Amin, Chief Executive Officer said: Emirates Islamics total assets grew by 14% to AED74 billion during the first half of 2022, demonstrating our support for a strong UAE economy. Emirates Islamic was among the first Islamic banks to integrate digital innovation and our digital focus continues to reap us rich rewards in terms of customer loyalty and market share. In the first half of 2022, we further enhanced our digital channels and offerings across multiple fronts, including ATM / CDM transformation and added features on our WhatsApp Banking.



A superior customer experience is at the heart of everything we do. We proudly uphold the highest levels of customer excellence as we set new benchmarks for innovation-driven Islamic banking in the region.



We expanded our product offerings with the launch of the Emarati Family Savings account, Emarati Business Account and Super Savings Etihad Guest Account. We continue to invest in new technologies and strengthen our offerings to expand our appeal across the wider UAE population, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore has announced his intention to retire from active service on Colorado's federal trial court, creating another judicial vacancy for President Joe Biden to fill.

Moore, a 2013 appointee of President Barack Obama, will take a form of retirement known as senior status on June 20, 2023. As a senior judge, he will continue to handle cases part time.

The news of Moore's retirement comes as the White House is considering candidates for another impending vacancy. U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martinez, also an Obama appointee, will transition to senior status in February. Colorado's two senators have already forwarded their preferred applicants to the Biden administration.

This is now the fifth vacancy Biden will have the opportunity to fill on the seven-member district court. However, the president's ability to appoint Moore's successor may depend upon control of the U.S. Senate following the 2022 elections. Bloomberg Law reported in June that if Republicans seize the majority in the chamber, there are indicators they will halt or curtail the confirmation of Biden's appointees, based in part on the GOP's behavior during Obama's presidency.

John P. Collins Jr., a visiting associate professor at The George Washington University Law School who follows judicial nominations, hypothesized the Moore and Martinez vacancies could prompt a deal in which Biden selects a Republican-preferred nominee for one seat while making his own choice for the other. There could also be "a trade for more conservative nominees in red states," Collins added.

Before his appointment, Moore was a longtime federal public defender. He started with the public defender's office covering Colorado and Wyoming in 1993, and rose to lead the office a decade later. Earlier, he served for four years in the U.S. Attorney's Office as a prosecutor and also spent time in private practice.

"Ray grew up in the projects of Boston, in a community that struggled with violence and poverty," U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said in introducing Moore at his 2013 confirmation hearing. "Neither of his parents ever completed high school. With determination and drive, Ray rose from those humble beginnings to eventually graduate from Yale Law School."

Moore, who will be 70 next year, took the bench having tried 25 to 30 cases in federal court, largely in criminal jury trials. Among his clients were greeting card company Hallmark, which was sued for allegedly mimicking another company's products. He also defended a woman convicted of inserting a syringe into a can of Pepsi at a grocery store, an episode known as the "Pepsi Panic" due to widespread  and largely false  reports of syringe discoveries in Pepsi cans.

John Walsh, who was Colorado's U.S. attorney for part of the time Moore was the top public defender, recalled debating with Moore in the chief district judge's chambers about whether defendants could waive their right to appeal a plea of guilty.

"It was one of the most challenging intellectual exercises I ever participated in," said Walsh, who now litigates cases before the court in private practice. "While we continued with those appellate waivers, we modified them in response to the arguments Ray Moore was making. He's a brilliant, brilliant guy."

Since becoming a judge, Moore has handled a number of high-profile issues. In 2014, he found Colorado's state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage violated the rights of LGBTQ couples under the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court would strike down all such prohibitions on same-sex marriage the following year.

Moore also handled multiple civil cases challenging COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates. He sided with the government's ability to require vaccinations, in one instance rejecting the claims of unvaccinated medical staff and students at the University of Colorado's Anschutz Medical Campus.

"It is simply not the case that a medical campus is required to put patients and others in a health care environment at risk to accommodate these plaintiffs," Moore wrote in January of this year.

Currently, Moore is weighing whether to strike down the town of Superior's recently enacted ban on assault weapons and related gun safety measures. Last week, he temporarily blocked the town's ordinance after applying newly restrictive guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court about when governments may regulate firearms.
Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) has signed a one-year Standard Ground Handling Agreement (SGHA) with MAE Aircraft Management, the aircraft leasing and management division of Mena Aerospace.



Throughout the partnership period, BAS will be providing full ground handling and cargo services for MAE Aircraft Management flights departing the Bahrain International Airport. The agreement reiterates BASs commitment to expanding its services and demonstrates its vast capabilities in the ground handling and aviation industry.



Mohammed Khalil, CEO of BAS, said: We are delighted to be partnering with MAE Aircraft Management, a wholly Bahrain-owned provider of aviation and aerospace services, to offer them our advanced ground handling services. BAS continues to showcase its skills in the field as we aim to extend our expertise to various regional and international airlines.



The SGHA entitles BAS to provide full ground handling service to MAE as according to the signed SGHA. In this agreement BAS provide supervision, ramp services, flight operation, cargo handling and some other support services.  TradeArabia News Service
It is an understatement to say it was a big deal when RAGBRAI bike riders visited the small Hancock County town of Klemme. Many bikers were already riding through town around mid-morning on July 27.

Klemme was the last day stop on the way to Mason City for the night during the fourth day of the annual event. The day featured a century ride of more than 100 miles (105 to be exact).

Im here for the day, said 1974 Klemme graduate Jane Bruhl-Follett of Norwalk. I volunteered right away. I had to come back home for this.

She wasnt the only 1974 Klemme graduate clad as a shamrock and greeting riders with the words Good morning, welcome to Klemme. So was her former classmate, Jean Bock-McBreen, of Ames.

I was the first volunteer on Facebook, Bock-McBreen said. Its so cool. It really is wonderful to be here for this. Weve met so many people, including from the Netherlands, Arizona, West Virginia, Michigan, Minnesota, and someone all the way from Forest City.

Larry Melat from just south of Tampa Bay, Florida, stopped at a large, shaded Klemme United Church of Christ stand featuring an array of homemade pies and baked goods.

This small-town hospitality is great and the weather is nicer this year, Melat said. It sure is a lot better than last year, which was my first year doing this.

Longtime church member and Klemme resident Susan Kaduce, who grew up in the town and retired there, said the bake sale was a larger community effort than just the church, which sponsored and organized it.

It was many ladies from our church and area communities," Kaduce said. "It was a true community effort. We are thankful for their generosity. All our donations are going to Bremen, Germany. We kind of have our sister church there. Inge Kuschernus was our interim pastor for about three months when she was on sabbatical leave from Germany. So, were trying to help her with relief aid for Ukrainian refugees who have come to their town.

Beth Roths of Klemme was manning the volunteer check-in table, also wearing green shamrocks to show her Klemme pride.

Im pretty much a lifelong resident, she said. This is exciting. We have Ag Days here, but thats been getting smaller recently. This really is something for a town of 490-some people. Ive never seen it before except in Garner one year.

Roths said she was one of a core group of community volunteers, who numbered about 15. She said the planning and organizing for this day began in earnest in April when the first of several planning meetings were held.
For the most part, it was smooth sailing for law enforcement during the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa's stay in Mason City.

Local law enforcement was working hard to ensure the safety of the RAGBRAI riders and Mason City residents. Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley said around 2 p.m. one call did come in to the police department.

"I think we have one cyclist that wiped out over on Pierce (Avenue) near (Highway) 122. That was a call we took in about an hour ago. Other than that, no issues," said Brinkley.

By late afternoon, residents were starting to feel the congestion that goes with an event like the RAGBRAI, according to Brinkley.

"We're just going to keep on managing it," said Brinkley.

Brinkley advised those who are parking at Southbridge Mall or other nearby locations to expect a short walk to get there. He also advised people to be on the lookout for riders while walking.

"If you're walking on your phone and those kinds of things, don't do that. We tell you not to text and drive; don't text and walk (today)," Brinkley said.

"Looking forward to have some fun tonight and hopefully it all goes well," said Brinkley.
RCEP facilitates ASEAN products' access to Chinese market

Xinhua) 16:41, July 27, 2022

NANNING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- From Thai durian to Vietnamese coffee to Indonesian waffle, an increasing variety of agricultural products, leisure items and industrial supplies from ASEAN countries have gained easier access to the Chinese market since the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) came into force at the beginning of the year.

In the first half of this year, China's foreign trade achieved steady growth, with the total value of imports and exports reaching 19.8 trillion yuan (2.93 trillion U.S. dollars), up 9.4 percent year on year. During the period, China's trade with ASEAN reached 2.95 trillion yuan, up 10.6 percent, official data showed.

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southwest China is connected with ASEAN countries by land and sea, becoming an important window for exchanges and cooperation between China and RCEP members.

Thanks to the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the improved cold chain, cold storage and other supporting infrastructure, exports of fruits, snacks and agricultural products from ASEAN countries to China have seen a significant boost in recent years.

The Thai Shopping Festival has been hosted for 10 years by the Thai Consulate-General in Nanning together with supermarkets and trading companies in Guangxi. Due to the shopping carnival's immense popularity, its 2022 edition was extended from nine days to 15 days.

Zhong Xiaoli, a local resident, has a special liking for authentic Thai cuisine and frequents Thai restaurants. She recently bought Thai sauces and ingredients online to make Thai food at home.

After hearing about the shopping festival, she directly headed to a supermarket after work to buy Thai cooking ingredients. "I used to purchase such ingredients from other sources, but now I have a wider variety of options on the shelves," she said.

"Consumer awareness of ASEAN products is increasing, as is people's enthusiasm for consumption," Li Wenqing, director of a Nanning supermarket, said, adding that sales of the most popular fresh durian can exceed 3 million yuan a year and sometimes hit nearly 100,000 yuan in a single day.

Mayiyanghuo, a local cross-border e-commerce platform in Guangxi, has imported 4.9 tonnes of cubilose, or edible bird's nests, worth more than 60 million yuan from January to June, according to the company.

"The RCEP has had a positive impact on our company's growth, as tariff reductions and expedited customs clearance have made it easier for us to import a wider variety of ASEAN products," said Peng Xueyan, operating manager at Mayiyanhuo.

Priya Gnanam is a Malaysian student in China. In the past few years of studying in the country, she has been exposed to the booming digital economy and cross-border e-commerce, and has even tried her hand at livestreaming.

"I have introduced white coffee, Musang King durian products and other Malaysian specialties during my livestreaming sessions. Chinese consumers are very interested in such items, and their purchasing power is very strong," Priya said.

Wanlada Ratanapanich, commercial consul with Thai Consulate-General in Nanning, said that regional trade and investment facilitation has been enhanced by the implementation of the RCEP, and that trade between China and Thailand has bright prospects.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Liang Jun)
The UAE and Egypt look forward to enhancing the prospects for maritime investment between the two countries and developing the sector, especially with regard to innovation, creativity and research and development.

The two sides discussed proposed development projects and plans that will benefit the maritime economy and enhance investment opportunities in several vital areas, including developing ports and logistics services through scientific research and Artificial Intelligence.

They also discussed key plans to enhance the global position of Egypt and the UAE and consolidate their competitiveness in the maritime sector. This was done when the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure held a meeting with Egypts Ministry of Transport on the side-lines of its participation in the General Assembly of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, which was attended by around 20 Arab states.

20 leading seaports

The UAE has over 20 leading seaports and some of the largest oil export terminals in the world. It ranks 3rd in the Bunker Supply Index and is home to the headquarters of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, the developer of Maqta Gateway, which is the UAEs first digital port community powered by blockchain. The UAE is also home to DP World, a leading smart trade enabler, that has launched several innovative solutions that have revolutionised the global supply chain.

These solutions include Dubai Trade, a one-stop shop for cross-border trade, and SeaRates, which provides instant and live rates for container shipping. The company also launched CARGOES.com, a platform that provides integrated solutions for financing and shipping goods around the world.

DP World has also transported more than 10,000 containers through BoxBay, an intelligent High Bay Storage (HBS) system, and is developing Cargospeed in partnership with Hyperloop One, a high-speed system for transporting goods in pods that move inside vacuum tubes at a speed that is equal to planes, but on land.

3,000-kilometre-long coastline

On the other hand, Egypt has a 3,000-kilometre-long coastline along the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea, containing huge wealth of fish, petroleum and gas as well as several coastal cities.

Eng Hassan Mohamed Juma Al Mansouri, Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said: The UAEs Blue Economy Strategy is based on several pillars, including innovation, creativity, research and development, as well as an effective system of links with academic institutions, universities and research centres that can keep pace with the scientific and technological developments, adapt them to local needs.

The Strategy also depends on training and practical education, which is one of the main requirements to increase productivity and competitiveness for sustainable national economic development. During the meeting, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure presented the UAE experience, especially in innovation, adopting digital solutions in the shipping and maritime transport and logistics sector as well as investing in the latest digital solutions.

Robust relationship

Al Mansouri underlined the robust relationship between the UAE and Egypt and their leaderships. He noted that the UAE is looking forward to strengthening bilateral cooperation in all key areas, especially the maritime sector to encourage joint investments and develop existing investments. He commended the major development Egypt is witnessing in all economic fields.

Eng Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure for Maritime Transport Affairs highlighted the key developments in the UAEs maritime sector and its state-of-the-art capabilities. She emphasised the UAE's keenness to cooperate with the most important regional maritime centers development.

Blue economy

Al Malek explained: "The UAEs wise leadership emphasises immensely on the maritime sector and is keen to enhance the contribution of the blue economy to comprehensive and sustainable development. The UAE plays a significant role in raising awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and water resources, as they are the most important pillars for developing the blue economy.

The UAE encourages coordination among world countries protect rivers, seas and oceans from the factors that cause marine pollution. At the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, we are keen to share our experiences and best practices with regional and global maritime centres. We are proud of the constructive discussions with Egypt, which is one of the leading countries in the maritime sector to enhance our strategic partnership and achieve significant development in maritime operations and shipping in the region.

The two sides discussed the most significant investment opportunities in the maritime sector, which could constitute a strong beginning for joint cooperation. There are investment opportunities in maritime transport in all Egyptian ports, including of Sokhna, Alexandria and Sharm El Sheikh. Egypts Ministry of Transportat is implementing a comprehensive plan to upgrade and develop the maritime transport system according to the best international systems. This includes developing Egypts ports to achieve the goal of transforming Egypt into a centre for global trade and logistics.

Investing heavily

Admiral Reda Ahmed Ismail, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport and Head of the Maritime Transport Sector emphasised that the Egyptian Government is investing heavily to develop the blue economy and enhance its contribution to the countrys GDP.

He commended the development in the UAEs maritime sector, pointing out that the UAE has become a leading maritime hub, and that the integration between the maritime sectors in Egypt and the UAE would enhance the region's competitiveness globally.-- TradeArabia News Service
As hundreds of RAGBRAI riders made the turn into Central Park, one woman stood alone behind the barricade, watching for her husband.

Nancy Glass of St. Louis, Missouri, has been her husband's supporter through many races throughout the decades. Jeff Glass had texted her at his last stop in Clear Lake, saying he was tired, but excited to cross the finish line.

Jeff is riding his second RAGBRAI this year, and Nancy said he had been nervous about Wednesday's century ride, but after that day it would be smooth sailing.

Nancy tracked Jeff's bike on her phone as he slowly made his trek to Mason City. He'd made various stops throughout the day, but was determined to cross the finish line. Jeff used to do triathlons, but had fallen into biking in the last few years, and Nancy cheered him on through it all.

Before heading to the finish line, Nancy spent some time admiring Mason City:

"I love what this city has done here. It's a beautiful square." With downtown packed with vendors and live music, the festivities had already begun. Nancy waited, camera ready at the finish line for her husband, supporting him on every leg of the ride.

Century celebration

Kathy Murphy stood near the plaza, listening to a Brad Morgan song as she celebrated finishing her Century Day.

"It was an amazing day. Beautiful weather, great energy, everybody should be really excited that they made it here today," Murphy said with a smile.

Murphy left Emmetsburg to begin her 100 mile trek at 6:45 this morning. She rolled into Central Park around 5 p.m., having made plenty of stops along the way. Her favorite stop was the Iowa Beer Bus and eating ice cream sandwiches. She especially loved the ride into town.

"I really have to thank the city, all the 100s throughout town was amazing to see and really exciting for everybody," Murphy said.

Murphy said she wasn't nervous about Century Day this year. She's ridden in plenty of RAGBRAIs over the years, and trains regularly. She didn't always ride the 100 mile days throughout her time in RAGBRAI, but Murphy had plenty of experience with long days riding over the last five months.

Murphy is on the inspection team for RAGBRAI, so she rode the RAGBRAI route last month with about 40 others. Though the route was the same, this ride completely changed for Murphy between June and July.

"The energy is completely different, going from 40 people to multiple thousands. It was a fun ride," Murphy said. It was an exciting ride and she said the weather was perfect, with a tail wind moving everybody along faster. Compared to her trek a few months before that Murphy said, "This ride was a joy ride."

"Back in March I rode across the United States, so this ride wasn't too bad," she laughed. Murphy's ride across the U.S. took her 65 days, starting in San Diego and ending in Florida.

Kathy Murphy didn't spend long loitering in Central Park. After cooling down and listening to some live music she was ready to move on. She was excited to get to her hotel, shower, and come back to listen to Sugar Ray play in the evening. She loved the energy and excitement from the ride, and was excited for other riders as they made their way in.

"There were plenty of riders behind me, (Central Park) will fill up quickly this evening," Murphy said.
"I don't ride, I work and help relieve sore muscles." said Mary McDermott. She has traveled with Central Iowa Charter for five years now, massaging riders in the charter as they cycle across Iowa.

"I would have to say this is the busiest year (I've been here)," McDermott noted of the 49th RAGBRAI. McDermott has been with the charter for six years, but with the pandemic gap year she has worked five RAGBRAIs. This year has seen record numbers in the Central Iowa Charter.

In past years the charter service has housed roughly 100-150 riders. This year the charter welcomed over 200. The influx leaves McDermott with busy 18-hour days for RAGBRAI, but she remains in good spirits throughout the event.

McDermott travels with the charter, getting up at 6:30 a.m. and heading off to the next town. She helps the charter reserve space, and then sets up for massages. Usually McDermott would help the charter team set up tents, but this year, riders have been coming into town early. Rather than starting massages around 4 p.m., McDermott has started working as early as 2:30 p.m. She works through the afternoon and evening, then shuts down around 9 p.m.

"Then I sleep for about six hours, get up and do it again," she said. "After this week, I'm gonna be taking a long nap."

Over at Jefferson Elementary, a group of massage therapists who travel with the Pork Belly Ventures charter set up shop.

According to the charter's website, the group "started out with a hundred riders, one rented baggage truck, and about four crew members." They also started out with just one massage therapist.

That was 28 years ago. Now, they boast 11 massage therapists

Julie Alexander, a therapist who has been with Pork Belly Ventures for a decade, loves making time for RAGBRAI every year.

"We love it," she said. "We get a chance to see people from all over the world. They always leave us with some kind of really cool moment where, it's just a 'wow' moment. The stories of their lives, or how much they are enjoying being here with Pork Belly, or just our services."

Alexander had a massage therapist friend refer her to the charter all those years ago, and since deciding to join she's been hooked.

In terms of logistics, all of the Pork Belly riders get an email in June letting them know that the massage booking is open.

As the team leader, Alexander fields those calls and makes sure everything is organized. The first day is always light because the riders are fresh, but things begin to pick up steam from there.

With Mason City being the "Century Day" stop, those appointments went through the roof.

"This is our busiest day," Ashley Guillaume, who has been with Pork Belly Ventures since 2017, said. "Today we're busy early because there are so many staggers because it's so long. Sometimes it starts later. Weather is a part of it, too."

Before she was in massage therapy, Guillaume worked in events. Later on in life, the massage school she went to posted about Pork Belly Ventures need for a massage therapist for RAGBRAI.

Guillaume jumped at the chance.

"I've been hooked ever since," she said. "I love doing events. ... I love the whole event. It's a lot of fun. The crew is amazing. Every person is just as nice as the next and just as hard-working."

The group has several massage therapists from Des Moines, a couple from Spencer, as well as Clear Lake, one from Cedar Rapids, and a pair of out-of-staters from Evanston, Ill. and Moline, Ill.

And just like Alexander, Guillaume enjoys being able to meet people from all around the world.

"Every single person has a different story on our table," she said. "I've had people from Germany on my table. They haven't been here in several years, but there's a couple from the Bahamas that would come up. Canada, all over the continental U.S. Really cool people with really amazing stories."

With RAGBRAI being an outdoor event where people socialize and make new friends, the event provides a break from the silent massages that therapists so often give.

"This is a really cool environment to do this in because it's more social," Guillaume said. "We get to actually talk to them and not feel like we're in our home studios and have to be quiet and relax. ... I don't want to say it's a lot more fun, but it's a different kind of fun than the day-to-day, in-office massage."

And as far as what the future holds for Guillaume and RAGBRAI?

"I'll keep doing this until my body gives out," she said with a smile.
DES MOINES  Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced that drugmaker Teva has agreed to contribute more than $4.2 billion in cash and medications to settle lawsuits in various states, including Iowa, that claimed the company contributed to the U.S. opioid epidemic.

Details of the settlement, announced Tuesday, remain subject to ongoing negotiations, according to Millers office.

The agreement is preliminary, and work continues to determine how much each state will receive and what those funds will be used for, a spokesperson said.

In the past, funds stemming from agreements with opioid manufacturers have been used to abate and help Iowans recover from addiction through prevention and treatment.

Millers office last year signed an agreement with University of Iowa Health Care to develop a comprehensive, statewide opioid treatment program using $3.8 million in settlement funds.

Teva disclosed the preliminary settlement agreement Tuesday ahead of its earnings announcement Wednesday.

This is another major step in addressing the opioids crisis, Miller said in a statement.

Iowa was among 12 states that negotiated the settlement framework.

The deal in principle would rank among the larger ones so far in a yearslong trend of companies settling the complicated lawsuits over the toll from an addiction and overdose epidemic, which has been linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. over the last two decades, the Associated Press reported.

In their lawsuits, state governments and others claimed the Israel-based company promoted Actiq and Fentora, prescription opioids approved to treat cancer pain, plus generic opioids including oxycodone for use by non-cancer patients.

The states also said the company downplayed the addiction risks and overstated their benefits, including encouraging the idea that signs of addiction were actually pseudoaddiction treated by prescribing more opioids.

States also claimed the company and its distributor, Anda, failed to comply with requirements on monitoring and reporting suspicious orders.

Teva would pay $4.25 billion over 13 years to participating states and local governments, with most of the money going to fight the opioid epidemic. The settlement includes providing up to $1.2 billion worth of naloxone, a drug that reverses overdoses, at no charge over 10 years. States could opt to take $240 million cash instead. The preliminary agreement also includes payouts from several settlements the company has recently reached with individual states.

We expect these funds to make a significant difference in preventing fatal overdoses and treating opioid addiction disorder, Miller said.
EDEN  One person was shot to death Wednesday night and two others were wounded at a home on Morgan Road, Eden police said in a news release.

Police are not releasing the names of the victims at this time.

Officers were dispatched at approximately 9:11 p.m. to the 400 block of Morgan Road about a disturbance. Lt. Jason Mayes was the first to arrive and heard arguing as he began to walk up the driveway of the home where the disturbance was reported.

Mayes then heard multiple gunshots coming from the residence, took cover and notified Rockingham County 911 communications. This prompted immediate emergency response by all Eden officers, Rockingham County Sheriffs Office and Reidsville Police Department.

Multiple people were running from the area of the gunshots and assisted by officers to get to a safe area.

Two people who were shot were taken by ambulance to a local hospital. One person was found dead in the yard, police said in the news release.

Morgan Road between Lee Street and Flynn Street is closed indefinitely while detectives and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Crime Scene agents work the scene to search, locate, document and gather evidence, police said in the news release. Detectives are interviewing people who were at the scene at the time of the shooting.

The department asks anyone with information to contact Det. Tyson Scales or Lt. Anthony Lovings at 336-623-9755 (24 hours), or 336-623-9240 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Anyone wishing to provide information and remain anonymous should call Rockingham County Crimestoppers at 336-349-9683.
Updated 3:38 p.m. Thursday

HIGH POINT  A 32-year-old woman reported missing earlier today has been found, according to a news release from High Point police.

Lamone D. Parker has been located unharmed, police said.

Posted 2:02 p.m. Thursday

HIGH POINT  Authorities are looking for a missing 32-year-old woman, according to a news release from High Point police.

Lamone D. Parker of High Point was last seen overnight around the 900-block of South Road, police said.

Parker could be driving a silver, 2011 Ford Focus with license plate No. RDK-6549.

Anyone with information about her location is asked to call 911.
GREENSBORO  Young Sammie Chess dropped out of high school but would become North Carolinas first Black Superior Court judge and one of the first in the South.

The High Point teenager was motivated to leave school not because of the curriculum, but because of his cash-strapped family. He was working in a furniture factory when Samuel Burford, the principal at William Penn High School, finally caught up with Chess and motivated him to come back while helping him get a part-time job shining shoes  which, with tips, ended up paying more than the furniture job.

With Burfords mentoring, Chess would go to N.C. Central University in Durham, where he earned undergraduate and law degrees, and would later help prepare a landmark case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971.

I thought going to college was impossible, but my principal showed me how I could work and go to college, Chess told the News & Record in 2007. My father, who was my hero, said, Dont be afraid to go the extra mile and work harder than the next guy.

Chess, 88, with a long list of accolades to his name, died on July 23. His portrait hangs in the Edward K. Washington Superior Courtroom at the Guilford County Courthouse in High Point.

His funeral is 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Stephen Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in High Point.

He was inducted into the National Bar Association Hall of Fame and received the Rosskopf Award for Judicial Professionalism and Ethics  the highest honor given by the National Association of Administrative Law Judges. Chess was also awarded a Meritorious Service award from the North Carolina Association of Human Rights Workers.

He was pragmatic, brilliant  but not one of those people who would make you feel less than, daughter Janet Chess said. A man of the people.

Chess spent two years in the U.S. Army. When he opened his law practice in 1960, Chess represented many of the protesters targeting segregation.

A man of strong faith, he was nearing the courthouse in High Point for his first trial when he made a covenant with God and the work he felt called to do. He asked the Lord to help him make $50 a week so that he could afford a wife and family.

He truly believed that what he did was for Him, daughter Janet recalled.

Chess became a leader in helping desegregate schools, theaters, hospitals and other places in Guilford County.

When you talk about resilience and grit and perseverance  we grew up in that, daughter Janet said of her father and mother  who put on a brave front while petrified, she would later admit as role models to her and sister Eva.

Janet recalls her father getting a call from parents of students in Asheboro who had been arrested for protesting and had not been given bonds for their release.

Daddy got up in the middle of the night, as he often did to help others, Janet remembered.

Chess would have to wade through members of the Ku Klux Klan to get to the jail.

He had prayed to God on the drive  because he could see himself dying.

He walked into that crowd and he said with such a gait  what we called swagger today  that the Klan parted, Janet recounted.

The crowd closed in behind him, she said, but he kept walking and he was able to get the students out.

Chess was among a handful of lawyers who met with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta where the civil rights leader urged them to use their legal knowledge to help his Southern Christian Leadership Conference. King also came to Chess home in Jamestown to talk strategy. Theres a beloved family photo with child Eva sitting on Kings lap.

Not many were willing to help in the beginning because it might affect their livelihood, Chess would later say.

But he had already made a promise to serve others.

Rewards come from service, he often told young lawyers. Let the foundation of your law practice be service.

As a member of the NAACPs Legal Defense Fund, Chess had taken on Jim Crow laws throughout the South and won, including the desegregation of High Point public schools.

Another high-profile case was Griggs vs. Duke Power, and Chess was a member of the team representing the plaintiffs.

That was the biggest employment case of the history of our society, Chess told the News & Record in 1991. We went to the U.S. Supreme Court and did away with discrimination based on artificial reasons.

The court ruled 8-0 that employers could not use job tests that effectively screened out Black people if the tests were not related to their ability to do the work. The case grew out of applications for promotion by 13 Black laborers at a Duke Power plant in Draper.

The 1971 decision continues to be used as a basis for determining employment discrimination.

On a more personal note, Chess also got the opportunity to advocate for his mentor back when the High Point schools superintendent tried to prevent Burford from being named principal of the new Andrews High School in 1968. The school board gave Burford the job, making him the first Black principal of a predominately white school in the state.

In 1971, Gov. Robert Scott named Chess to the Superior Court bench, which empowered him to change many practices commonly accepted during the time, such as judges and prosecuting officials referring to Black witnesses by their first name while others were referred to as Mr. and Mrs.

Chess made it clear that all who came before him would receive a fair and impartial trial regardless of color or station in life.

He retired in 2007 after nearly five decades in the legal profession.

Daughter Eva said that her father was often asked about his legacy. Chess perspective was always grounded in his humility and focused on family. The familys favorite Bible verse is Micah Chapter 6, Verse 8.

Which answers the question of what God requires of each of us, Eva said. What that meant to us as a family was to be just to all people, be merciful to all people and to walk humbly and be obedient with our God  and he was able to do all that.

He would help with big things, like landmark cases that changed the lives of millions of people in our country, and then while driving around in our small town, he might see an elderly lady walking back from the supermarket in the heat with groceries.

He would stop and drive her home.
Asieh Mahyar is fluent in four languages. The first, Persian, also known as Farsi in her home country Iran. The second, Armenian. The third, English. And the last?

Music.

Last month, Mahyar made her way to North Carolina to study music in Greensboro.

Every year, over 200 musicians from across the U.S. and countries around the world make the same trek  all to participate in a five-week intensive music program known as the Eastern Music Festival.

Most are students in high school or college, and the majority of them are in the orchestral program, which has over a hundred students.

But not Mahyar. Shes already graduated from college, has her masters degree and is pursuing a doctorate.

And her program doesnt have a hundred students. It doesnt even have 10.

Thats because Mahyar doesnt make music  she conducts it.

Instead of accepting students from ages 14 to 23 like most of the festivals programs, the conducting institute only allows those 18 and older to apply. There are nine conducting scholars.

On weekdays, the scholars conduct three orchestras, two of them with students and the other a faculty ensemble. On Saturdays, the scholars lead orchestra repertoire classes.

Music Director Gerard Schwarz said if there were any more than nine students in the program, they simply wouldnt have enough time to learn.

Believe it or not, nine is a lot, Schwarz said. Nine is all we can handle in terms of giving people opportunities to conduct. If we had more, they wouldnt get what they would call podium time, where theyre standing on the podium and conducting.

Mahyar describes her schedule at the conducting institute with one word  crazy.

Mahyar is one of two female conductors in the program.

But she doesnt see it that way.

I dont see myself as one of the two female conductors. I see myself as one of the nine conductors, Mahyar said. ... fortunately many wonderful female conductors have already broken lots of barriers.

Instead, she thinks of herself as breaking barriers as someone of Iranian descent.

When Mahyar was growing up in her hometown of Isfahan, being a woman with a career in music wasnt even an option, let alone conducting music.

So, when it came time for Mahyar to go to college, she majored in computer science and worked as a network specialist. And she thought her career would continue along that path.

Until one night.

The night she attended her first live orchestral concert.

I always knew that something was missing from my life, Mahyar said. I didnt really figure out how intensely I wanted the music thing until I attended that concert and it was magical.

What pulled her in was how the conductor moved the orchestra in front of him, but also the connection he had with the people sitting in the audience behind him.

The fact that you can connect all of those people through music and by just using your gestures, she said. It was fascinating.

After that concert, Mahyar was captivated by the music world and knew that was her real purpose in life.

But she also knew it was one shed have to fight for.

I tend to be a rebel, Mahyar said. I needed to convince everyone that this is what I need to do and Im going to be successful and you need to support me.

Mahyar has always loved music. Her childhood was filled with singing around the house and playing a bit of traditional Iranian instruments.

But she never had any real experience with music in Isfahan  hardly anyone around her did. There wasnt even a private music lesson instructor in her city.

So, she traveled outside of it.

For five hours.

Five bumpy hours riding on a bus from Isfahan to Irans capital city Tehran.

There, she studied music from the morning to the evening and then picked up the same bus on its night route back to her home. One day a week for two years, Mahyar made this trip to learn the fundamentals of music.

But when she experienced her first orchestral concert, she knew those music lessons werent enough.

After the concert, Mahyar went to the conductor, Loris Tjeknavorian, for advice on how to start a career in conducting.

And found out that if she really wanted to make it in the conducting world, shed have to leave her current world behind.

He was like, I can see how passionate you are and thats great that youre doing private music, Mahyar said. But if you want to do music, you need to do it academically.

And so, she did. Shortly after, Tjeknavorian connected her with a conducting instructor in Armenia.

It was there that she earned her bachelors degree in music for choral conducting from Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan and became an assistant conductor at the Tchaikovsky Music School of Yerevan and for various choirs.

Eventually, she was faced with a decision to leave again, this time for the United States.

And so, she did.

First to the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she earned her Master of Arts in orchestral conducting and became co-director of the schools All-university Orchestra.

And then to Michigan State University, where she is one of two students in the schools doctorate for musical arts in orchestral conducting program. She also works there as an assistant conductor for three orchestras and one ensemble.

It is here where she has embarked on a new project. One that looks at conducting not just from a traditional classical perspective, but from all cultures.

Music is a universal language, Mahyar said.There are flavors and spices that are different from composers from Iran, from Afghanistan, from Africa, from Japan. Like the dishes from different countries, the (classical music) material is the same, but the spices they add make the results different.

Mahyars project will be a quarterly classical music series performed by orchestral students at Michigan State University.

The first installment will be from Iranian composers, which Mahyar said she chose because it is closest to her roots. The installments that follow will come from Armenia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

When Mahyar received the opportunity to advance her conducting skills even more at the Eastern Music Festival, she was off to Greensboro.

Schwarz, one of her conducting instructors at the festival, said she brought with her an infectious personality and eagerness to learn.

Shes remarkable, Schwarz said. She has this kind of wonderful glow about her and shes great at taking the information in and asking the questions. The thing about conductors is that we need to be curious about everything to do with music.

Along with this conductor curiosity, Mahyar said at the end of the festival shes going to take with her the importance of persistence, patience and never getting disappointed. But her most important takeaway from this experience is being a part of a big, passionate musical family.

How everyone moved together in a musical way, she said. How we enjoyed making music together. That is what we should always keep with us  we need to keep enjoying making the music.

On Monday, Mahyar had her final concert for the festival where she conducted Beethovens Coriolanus Overture, which is based on a Shakespearean tragedy by the same name.

Mahyars time at the festival will come to a close Saturday.

In the fall, she will return to Michigan State University to start her multicultural conducting series.

And after that, years into the future, her biggest dream is to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic.

But even if her future is to conduct an orchestra with just two cymbals and a triangle, shell be happy with it  as long as she can make an impact with music.

I sacrificed many things, Mahyar said. I left my country, I left my family, my parents there and many other things. I worked hard. I worked multiple times harder than my peers, always.

...I hope that people, especially women from my country and other countries with limitations, will look at this and believe that they can do anything they want. They just need to be persistent, they just need to be hardworking, they need to be passionate and just keep going.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen is encouraging public schools in Montana to use emergency authorizations and Class 5 provisional licenses to fill teaching positions that are still vacant.

Help wanted signs are in many business windows throughout our state and our Montana schools are no exception, Arntzen said. Filling our schools with quality educators leads to educational excellence for our students. Many Montanans helped me in revising our educator licensing rules to allow for greater flexibilities and streamlining a new educator licensing system that meets the needs of our teachers.

An emergency authorization of employment is not a valid teaching license, but after exhausting all traditional methods for hiring a licensed teacher, a school can utilize this type of employment.

People who fall into this category are those who have previously held a teaching license, have academic or professional qualifications, or are student teaching. This type of employment does not apply to special education teachers, who have to be licensed.

From 2020 to 2022, the use of emergency authorizations doubled in Montana from 84 in 2020 to 173 in 2022.

A Class 5 teaching license is a provisional license that is good for one to three years while educators are in the process of completing requirements for a full teaching license.

The number of Class 5 provisional licenses in Montana rose as well in the past two years, from 238 in 2020 to 258 in 2022.

The data on the Office of Public Instruction's jobs for teachers website shows 1,100 current openings for teachers in the state.

There are nine openings in Helena, according to OPI. Karen Ogden, communications specialist for Helena Public Schools, said this number is not unusual for this time of the year.

Montana ranks among the lowest in the nation for starting teacher salaries, at around $35,000 per year. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of 2017-2018, only three states ranked lower than Montana in starting teacher pay: New Mexico, Oklahoma and South Carolina.

"There was legislative action on teacher pay as the TEACH Act was passed during the last session. This only affects beginning teachers in some districts," wrote OPI in an email. "As a local control state, our districts control the level of pay offered to beginning teachers. Some of our districts have bargaining units and some do not. Many different factors contribute to teacher pay throughout our state but the OPI does not specifically track these factors."

The TEACH Act appropriated $2,492,048 to enhance competitive pay for starting teachers. Through this, the state will fund up to $3,472 per teacher annually for their first three years in the classroom. In Montana, there are 94 school districts through 33 counties participating in the incentivized teacher pay program.

The number of new teaching licenses issued in Montana grew from 1,251 in 2020-21 to 1,646 in 2021-22.

"We work hard to get the most qualified educators for our students," Ogden said.
Nokia has launched the Fibre Techzone knowledge hub aimed at newcomers to the fibre broadband space, giving comprehensive guidance about how to plan, fund, build, operate, and monetise a broadband network.

According to Omdia, an independent analyst and consultancy firm, fibre broadband today reaches 850 million homes, or 65% of the global population, and will grow to 70% by 2025. A diverse ecosystem of operators includes major communication service providers, utility companies, investment companies building open networks which are wholesaled to virtual operators, start-ups and even cable operators.

In many countries, newcomer, community-based operators are leading the drive to connect the harder to reach homes. Whilst fibre deployments will last many generations, the initial investment in digging up the roads is high. Governments around the world are providing significant investment to support new builds, but completing grant applications requires deep domain understanding.

Altnets

Erik Keith, Senior Research Analyst for Broadband Infrastructure at S&P Global, said: As evidenced by $65 billion being pledged in the US and 5 billion ($6.08 billion) in the UK for broadband network deployment grants, supporting Alternative Network Operators, or Altnets will be crucial to bridging the digital divide. Providing Altnets with dedicated educational resources will be of huge value in facilitating their continued growth.

Fibre Techzone will provide broadband builders with much needed insight, from high level explanations of how fibre-to-the-home networks work, to how they can improve in-home Wi-Fi experience for their customers, to recommendations how to monetise their fibre investment.

Sandy Motley, President, Fixed Networks at Nokia, said: I am personally passionate about the role of fixed broadband in improving peoples lives and our capabilities to help accelerate deployments. Having a long history in fibre broadband, Nokia has seen many of the challenges that our customers have had to deal with and helped in solving them. fibre Techzone is intended to bring up to speed everyone who is starting with fibre and will be a must-bookmark site giving new builders a head-start in their planning and operation.

Market share leader

According to DellOro, Nokia was the 2021 market share leader for XGS-PON equipment, todays gold standard for fibre networks. Fibre Techzone draws on Nokias 20+ years of building fibre networks and its leadership in all aspects, from network equipment to operational software to home Wi-Fi beacons.

Melissa Schoeb, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Nokia, said: High speed broadband is no longer a nice to have but is essential for access to education, healthcare and new, innovative services coming to the digital marketplace. As laid out in our People and Planet Report, bridging the digital divide is a key goal for Nokia and our Fibre Techzone will play a pivotal educational role.-- TradeArabia News Service
Dairy Queens annual Miracle Treat Day is Thursday, and a portion of the sale of every Blizzard sold at participating Dairy Queens in Montana will be donated to help children served at Shodair Childrens Hospital.

Eric Bass, owner of both Dairy Queens in Helena, said he is excited to participate in this fundraising effort for the first time. The Helena native recently purchased the restaurants with his father-in-law John McLaughlin.

What better cause in todays challenging world than to help children in need of emotional support from economically challenged families, he said in a news release.

The Dairy Queens in Helena are at 2850 N. Montana Ave. and 1700 Prospect Ave.

CEO Craig Aasved said Shodair is fortunate to have partners like Dairy Queen because they play a critical role in helping the hospital meet its mission: To heal, help and inspire hope.

This year, patients at Shodair are all receiving a special treat paid for by the employee giving fund at Shodair and delivered by Dakotah Hurley, former patient at Shodair and this years Childrens Miracle Network Champion for Montana.

Shodair executives accompanied by Hurley are visiting Dairy Queens in Helena and Great Falls on Thursday to offer a special thank you for supporting children and families served at Shodair.

Last year Shodair served patients from 52 of Montanas 56 counties. There were more than 17,000 appointments with the teams from Shodairs medical genetics and psychiatric service lines.

Shodair is a 126-year-old nonprofit organization certified in trauma-informed care. Its the only facility in the state with both inpatient acute and inpatient residential under one roof with 99% of patients being from the Treasure State.

Shodair is the states only Childrens Miracle Network Hospital, so every penny raised through CMN events directly benefits Montanas children served through Shodair. Nearly three-quarters of patients are on Medicaid, and it is events like Miracle Treat Day that cover those costs.

For more details about Shodair, visit Shodair.org.
The atrocities we are witnessing Putin and the Russian army commit in Ukraine every day on TV  murdering civilians by attacking schools and churches, shopping malls and apartment buildings  saddens me to the core.

I remember watching former President Trump honor and kowtow to Putin in Helsinki and dis U.S. intelligence agencies at the same time. I was so embarrassed for our great nation. I could hear President Reagans evil empire and his tear down this wall speech echo in my ears.

Id read accounts of Trump sharing top-secret intelligence with Russian agents right in the Oval Office soon after he took office in 2017. Back then, I was appalled by that act, as I still am today. But Russian influence may be closer to Montana than we think.

Ive saved a photo that captures Sen. Daines on his trip to Moscow to meet with Russians on July 4, 2018, prior his successful reelection campaign. I shake my head in disbelief every time I see it. Why attempt to disguise a trip to Moscow on Americas Independence Day?

Then this past March 2022, a small group of right-wing-extremist GOP legislators in Montana lobbied for a special legislative session to focus on their unsubstantiated election-fraud conspiracy. Certainly, this plays into Putins plan. Most of their colleagues in the GOP-majority Legislature, however, did not support the conspiracy-theory effort at taxpayers expense. Only 44 of 150 state legislators surveyed agreed to the session. It failed and state tax dollars were not squandered.

Earlier though, in January, the conspiracy ad hoc group  Theresa Manzella, Brad Tschida, Bob Phalen and several others  held a public confab in Helena to publicize their election conspiracy-theory efforts. Manzella stated to the media that the confab was not a state-sponsored event and the costs were covered by a nonprofit political organization out of Florida. That nonprofit, it turns out, is the same organization that funded the greatest portion of Sen. Daines Arizona recount fiasco in 2021.

It was disappointing to me  but surprisingly consistent with the actions of Trump-GOP factions  to find that the nonprofit money for that ad hoc conspiracy confab in Helena came from Patrick Byrne who was in a three-year relationship with Maria Butina before the Russian NRA gun activist was arrested in 2018 as a Russian spy and was incarcerated for her activities related to the 2016 presidential election.

Butina is out of prison now and back in Moscow where she is a member of Putins political party and was elected to a seat in the lower house of the Russian parliament. In a recent BBC interview, Butina claimed that the Russians are harming no civilians in Ukraine  the Ukrainians are bombing themselves. Hmm, okay.

Patrick Byrne continues to send financial gifts to Butina in Russia, according to Business Insider. He also continues to promote election fraud conspiracies across the nation. And, on July 15, Byrne was interviewed by the Jan. 6 House Select Committee for his role in a late-night Dec. 18, 2020, meeting in the Oval Office with Trump and two other non-White House individuals with ties to Russia.

The Russian atrocities we are witnessing in Ukraine  Putins attempt to destroy a young democratic constitutional republic and his willingness to kill innocent women and children in the process  appear to be inching closer to Montana than most of us are likely aware. The ad hoc election-conspiracy committee of the Montana GOP might be a good bellwether to watch.
DECATUR  In a shocking development, Shannon Gutierrez Seal announced Thursday she is withdrawing her Democratic candidacy for Macon County Sheriff.

In an email, Seal told the Herald & Review she had discovered, under Illinois election law, that she is not eligible to be on Novembers ballot.

In the primary, I crossed party lines and took a Republican ballot to support a candidate-contested race, said Seal, a lieutenant with the Decatur Police Department. This makes me ineligible now to run as the Democratic nominee or as a write-in candidate.

Im disappointed, but also very thankful and honored from the outpouring of community support received this past week. I will certainly look for other ways to stay active and serve our community!

This is a developing story that will be updated.
JOLIET - Twenty-six workers at an Amazon facility in Joliet have filed complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging a racist workplace environment and retaliation against an employee who spoke up, their lawyer said Wednesday.

Workers filed the complaints with the EEOC this week and are hoping their claims can be evaluated as a class, according to attorney Tamara Holder, who said complaints from additional workers would be filed soon.

At a news conference Wednesday, former Amazon employee Tori Davis said she raised concerns about Amazons handling of a racist death threat workers allege was scrawled on a bathroom wall at the warehouse in late May. Davis, 34, said she was fired after telling Amazon she would take legal action if the company did not address her and her co-workers concerns.

The complaint filed with the EEOC, provided by Holder, includes images of two messages using the N-word allegedly written on the wall in the womens bathroom. One says (expletive) gonna die, while the other refers to these (expletive) at MDW2. MDW2 is the name of the Amazon facility where the employees represented by Holder work.

Davis, who worked at the facility training new employees, said on the day the death threat was discovered, she left work without pay after word of the threats spread throughout the facility.

We had to make a choice of do we stay and make money and be able to pay our bills on the first, or do we go home and be safe, said Davis, who is Black. And thats not right.

According to the complaint, Amazon sent a text communication to workers the night after the graffiti was found, saying law enforcement had investigated the graffiti and did not identify threats to the sites safety.

In a statement Wednesday, Amazon spokesperson Richard Rocha said the company works hard to protect our employees from any form of discrimination and to provide an environment where employees feel safe.

Hate or racism have no place in our society and are certainly not tolerated by Amazon, Rocha said.

He did not respond to questions from the Tribune about the workers allegations or the reasons for Daviss firing.

The complaints filed with the EEOC also allege the company has allowed white employees at the Joliet facility to wear Confederate flag attire at work, including outfits consisting of leather boots with a Confederate flag shaft, and a shirt with the Confederate flag prominently displayed across the back and arms.

There is no sign more serious and more terrifying than a death threat in a workplace where white workers are allowed to wear Confederate flag outfits with impunity, Holder said, noting the death threats came shortly after a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store where 10 Black people were killed and before the July 4 mass shooting at a parade in Highland Park.

We have truly reached a low point in America where we have to go to work in fear that we may not come home to our families, Holder said.

Patrick French, an Amazon employee in Joliet who said he had worked for the company more than a year-and-a-half, said that when he heard about the death threats, he was most concerned about the well-being of his girlfriend and his uncle, who were also working at the facility. He wants Amazon to provide more safety, he said.

It is a good job. Its got good opportunities, said French, 20. Amazon, it just lacks in certain areas.

Davis, who is appealing her termination with Amazon in an attempt to get her job back, said she would like to see more safety protocols at the Joliet facility as well as a representative for Black workers at the site. Davis said she started working there in November 2021.

Nicole St. Germain, a spokesperson for the EEOC, said federal law prohibited the agency from confirming or denying the existence of any complaints.

St. Germain said that after complaints are filed with the EEOC, the agency begins an investigatory process to determine if a company has violated federal law. If the EEOC determines a company has acted illegally, it can seek monetary compensation for individuals or class members and punitive damages against the company. It can also seek injunctive relief, such as requiring trainings or other changes in the workplace.
Residents of an Abingdon, Virginia apartment complex are feeling the stress of rent increases.

Dallas, Texas-based real estate investment firm The ValCap Group, LLC recently purchased Promise Landing Apartments, and according to anecdotes from several concerned residents of Promise Landing, their new landlord is implementing rent increases most current tenants cant afford.

This weekend, it was just U-Haul city, said Melanie McAmis, a Promise Landing tenant. Everybodys leaving because they cant afford to live there.

According to McAmis, some rents at the complex are nearly doubling following the acquisition, when factoring into the rate increases additional fees, like a $200 monthly fee for month-to-month leases. Theres also no clear timetable for when rates will increase for all current tenants, according to multiple residents who said the 64-unit complex is increasing rates 10 units at a time.

Based on rental rates listed on Apartments.com, a one bedroom apartment at Promise Landing is going for $900 a month, two bedrooms for $1,050 to $1,150 and three bedrooms for $1,350.

Katie Rose, a Promise Landing tenant of 15 years, said she was forced to find a new home because her rent was going to cost nearly an entire paycheck, and when considering added fees, a new month-to-month lease would have doubled her previous rent, she said.

Everybody is just unsure of whats going to happen, Rose said. Some people are kind of worried, because nobody knows exactly when the rent is going to increase for specific apartments.

Richard A. Fishman, founder and president of The ValCap Group, said he sympathizes with the residents who cant afford the new rents, but that his firm is basically doing what any landlord usually does.

We rent at the market rent, Fishman said. Its not heartless. Whatever rents we charge are really what the area supports, and were not singling out any tenant to leave or not leave. Virtually all the tenants that live there have been paying very low rents for a very long time and they know it.

Fishman, whose company has more than 1,000 apartments in the Kingsport area, said the purchase of Promise Landing was the firms first in Virginia.
More than 1,000 people in Southwest Virginia and nearly 2,000 in Northeast Tennessee currently have COVID-19, as the numbers of new cases continue to climb.

The Virginia Department of Health reported 1,028 new cases were diagnosed since last Friday, marking the second consecutive week the 10 counties and two cities of Southwest Virginia had about 1,000 new cases. Washington County reported 184 new cases during the past seven days, Tazewell County 144, Wise County 143 and Smyth County had 115. The city of Bristol reported 56 new cases in the past week.

Case rates remain high and continue to grow. Current rates are 5.1 times higher than the mean rates of summer 2021, according to analysis issued last Friday by the Virginia Department of Health. Twenty-eight districts are in growth trajectories. This includes eight in surge.

The BA.5 subvariant now represents an estimated 73% of new cases in our region. We expect it to continue to drive growth across Virginia, according to the VDH.

On Thursday Virginias statewide seven-day COVID testing positivity rate was 23.1%, but the three health districts of Southwest Virginia were all much higher. The Mount Rogers Health District had an average of 30.4%, meaning nearly a third of those tested were positive for the virus. The LENOWISCO district was at 28.9% and Cumberland Plateau was 27.6%.

On Thursday the Centers for Disease Control showed the positivity rate for Washington County, Virginia was 44%, Scott County was 40.8% and Tazewell was 33.5%. Buchanan County was also shown above 40%, but it reported low numbers of tests, which can affect the rate.

Bristol Virginias positivity rate was 31.2%, with 56 current cases off 125 tests, according to the CDC.

The 10 counties of Northeast Tennessee documented 1,938 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of July 17-23, a 25% increase over the prior weeks total of 1,545, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. Those are the most recent figures available from the state.

Sullivan accounted for 25% of the cases in Northeast Tennessee, with 509, while Washington County Tennessee had 325. Greene and Hamblen counties tallied 265 and 225, respectively. Carter County reported 168 new cases and Hawkins County 211.

Sullivan reported an average of 68 new cases per day over the past 14 days, compared to 52 cases daily over the prior 14 days, according to TDH.

Seven counties had seven-day positivity rates of 30% or higher. Sullivan was at 33.4%, Carter was 37.8% and Washington County was 30.5%. Cocke Countys rate was 43.8% but it also reported a relatively low number of tests.

A majority of localities on both sides of the border now report high community levels of the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Seven counties in Northeast Tennessee and seven counties in Southwest Virginia, plus the city of Bristol, were rated high. All other area localities were rated as having medium levels of infections.

At high levels, the CDC recommends masking in indoor public places for all residents while residents in areas with medium levels should consider masking, according to VDH.

Modeling by the University of Virginia forecasts cases will decline during the next month or two for the Bristol-Kingsport metro area and Southwest Virginia.
The University of Virginias Student Council is calling for the resignation of Bert Ellis, an outspoken UVa alumnus and recently appointed member of the Board of Visitors who is a vocal critic of the schools diversity and inclusion efforts.

In a statement posted on the Councils Twitter account, the organization said it rejects Gov. Glenn Youngkins appointment of Ellis, CEO and Chairman of consulting and investment firm Ellis Capital, an entrepreneurial empire that owns KDOC-TV in Los Angeles.

Youngkin replaced all four visitors who reached the end of their terms less than one month ago, but Ellis appointment has garnered the most attention and controversy.

The Council, in its statement, said that Ellis actions do not align with UVas inclusive ideas. It cited a 2020 incident when Ellis traveled to Grounds equipped with a razor blade to remove a sign that read Fk UVA that had been posted on a Lawn room door. The sign also read: KKKcops, genocide, slavery, disability and Black and brown life are operating costs of the University.

This event reveals the hypocrisy, and thus false pretense, by which Ellis selectively leverages free speech discourse to advance his own political agenda against students, wrote the Council.

The statement goes on to explain that Ellis created a student safety issue by using his position of power to further attack students of color and other marginalized students who did not fit into Jeffersons vision for UVa and do not fit into Ellis [vision].

Ellis could not be reached for comment before deadline.

According to Ellis account of the event, which was posted on the Bacons Rebellion blog, he planned to use the razor blade to remove the profanity from the students sign. Instead, he knocked on the students door and asked her to defend her position. He admits that he continued speaking to the door once the student closed it in front of him.

I was prepared to use a small razor blade to remove the [F**k UVa] part of this sign, Ellis wrote, and they said I could not do that as it would be considered malicious damage to the University and a violation of this students First Amendment Rights and they were prepared to restrain me from so doing.

Ellis holds a masters of business administration from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at UVa and a bachelors degree in economics, also from UVa. He is also is president and co-founder of the Jefferson Council, an alumni organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Thomas Jefferson, the Lawn, the Honor Code, and the intellectual diversity one would expect from Mr. Jeffersons university.

The Jefferson Council is a founding group in the Alumni Free Speech Alliance, an organization of similar groups across the country that have formed to counteract what they see as cancel-culture and to support to support free speech, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity at their institutions.

Those viewpoints tend to be conservative and right-leaning in opposition to what the groups believe is left-leaning and liberal college atmospheres. They believe faculty and students cancel opposing views, making those who think differently afraid to speak freely.

The Alliance brings together alumni groups that have a focus on supporting free speech, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity at their colleges and universities, the group states on its website.

The groups have been formed at colleges from Harvard and Yale to the University of North Carolina and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Critics say some of the groups use the issue of free speech to thwart overdue change in terms of race and identity.

As president of the Jefferson Council, Ellis has used the online platform to influence institutional changes. He made headlines last December for claiming that UVa was suffering from wokism, saying former BOV members focused too much on diversity, equity, and inclusion and not enough of teaching.

In a December blog post, he called for Youngkin to replace all four visitors.

The Student Councils statement was intended to speak out against Ellis appointment, draw attention to Ellis and his behavior toward marginalized students and call out Youngkin for politicizing education through his appointment of board of visitors members.

We pretty quickly knew we as soon as we heard the announcement of the appointment we knew that we were going to speak out against it, said Jaden Evans, Student Council Vice President for Administration and fourth-year student.
Jack Reid was from suburban Richmond. Jane Woods was from suburban Washington, D.C. Their views were as different as the regions they represented in the state legislature. He was rigidly conservative. She was flexibly moderate. They had different styles of politics, too. He was confrontational. She was conciliatory.

They had one thing in common, though: Both were Republicans.

Reid, 79, who represented Henrico County in the House of Delegates, and Woods, 75, a delegate-turned-senator-turned-Cabinet secretary from Fairfax County, both died this past week.

They were in the General Assembly together, serving when the state GOP was  after more than a century out of power or on its fringe  ascendant as a legislative party. The party was also a big tent, though one that was rapidly shrinking and lurching further and further to the right.

That contraction, accompanied by resistance to diversity of views, reflected the nationalization of Virginias politics. It has infected, too, the states Democratic Party. It is lurching further and further to the left, shunning the middle-of-the-roadism that allowed it to return from the wilderness in the 1980s and early 2000s.

The Republican Party of Reid and Woods accommodated cultural and economic conservatives, philosophical purists and practical-minded problem-solvers. Now a mostly rural party, it had a significant presence in the metropolitan areas that dominate the states politics and tilt to the Democrats. Indeed, the seats held by Reid and Woods are now blue.

The Henrico that sent Reid to the legislature in 1989 had become reflexively Republican, hastened by white flight from majority-minority Richmond over the previous two decades. The Fairfax that sent Woods to Richmond in 1987 was politically competitive and preferred Republicanism rooted in suburban sensibilities.

Reids campaigns were usually cakewalks. Not Woods.

She was narrowly defeated  by 37 votes out of some 30,000 cast  by Leslie Byrne, previously the first woman from Virginia elected to Congress. Woods defeat came in an historic year for Republicans: 1999, when they won the House and took total control of state government for the first time since the 1880s.

It would be, for Reid, a political as well as a personal triumph.

The GOP breakthrough was led by Gov. Jim Gilmore, a close friend and ally of Reid. The pair were part of a core group of Republicans  veterans of the battles with the old segregationist Democratic machine and younger activists inspired by Nixon and Reagan  who toiled for years to make Henrico a GOP haven.

Reid, known for a bellowing voice in which he could squeeze several syllables out of a one-syllable epithet, served 18 years in the House, retiring in 2007. He arrived as a member of the minority and departed as a member of the majority.

Reid was a curmudgeonly conservative who unsuccessfully pushed for repeal of the helmet requirement for motorcyclists. He snarled when a Black Democratic colleague convinced the House to remove a likeness of the Confederate flag from a proposed license plate for descendants of rebel veterans.

And Reid, a firearms-rights guy, practiced what he preached, keeping a handgun for personal protection. While he was unloading the pistol in his legislative office in 2006, the weapon discharged, sending a round across the room, where it lodged in a bullet-proof vest that was hanging on the door.

Woods was in the House for two terms before her election to the Virginia Senate. There, because of the GOPs slender majority, Woods led the Education and Health Committee. That assignment augured her appointment in 2002  by a Democratic governor, Mark Warner  as secretary of health and human resources.

As the Warner administrations face and voice on social safety net issues, Woods was deeply involved in the governors monthslong fight in 2004 with anti-tax House Republicans over a giant cash fix for welfare, law enforcement and education.

Warner finally prevailed on a $1.4 billion tax increase because of votes from moderate Republicans, many of whom had served with Woods and have since disappeared  casualties of time or, in some cases, forced retirement, having been defeated for renomination by a conservative.

Her centrist views on abortion rights and gun control  issues on which most contemporary Republicans are firm nays  put Woods at odds with her partys heavily male caucuses in the House and Senate. She occasionally clashed with Gilmore and his predecessor, fellow Republican George Allen, and considered quitting the GOP to become a Democrat.

But with a flash of her sly sarcasm, Woods, who was a health care lobbyist before and after her four years in the Warner administration, would explain that shed been a Republican too long to give up on her party. She was Fairfax City GOP chairwoman when she announced for her first House race.

Despite their expansive differences, Reid and Woods were alike in an often overlooked way: Both were career educators.

Reid had been a middle school principal in Chesterfield County, a suburb south of Richmond. He would also be a school system administrator. Woods was teaching first grade in Fairfax County  and had been for 15 years  before she ran for the legislature.

And from both of them, all of us learned something about Virginia politics
The UAE Cabinet has directed the formation of an urgent committee chaired by the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and the concerned federal authorities, to assess the damage caused by torrential rains and floods in various regions of the country.

The country witnessed heavy rains across the Emirates, with Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah being especially affected.

The Cabinet also directed the committee to submit a detailed report on the damage and immediately start taking all necessary measures to protect property and lives in coordination with security, police, and municipalities in every emirate.

The committee has called on all UAE citizens and residents, especially those residing in the mountainous areas, to be cautious and stay away from the streams of valleys and torrents.

It also urged them to immediately report any accidents through emergency numbers, operation rooms in the police and civil defence departments that work around the clock to respond to any emergency.

The committee stressed the importance of all individuals to abide to the instructions and directives of the competent authorities so as to save lives, properties and infrastructure facilities.

Meanwhile, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has directed the Ministry of Community Development to accommodate all families affected by floods and torrential rain in the eastern regions of the country to temporary shelter sites.

In cooperation with local departments, he directed the reserving of nearby hotels to accommodate all affected families, as well as those living in areas that may pose a danger to their residents during heavy rains.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) and Police Directorates has affirmed their continued efforts to limit the repercussions of the prevailing weather conditions, in accordance with the UAE government's directives seeking to enhance the protection of lives and property.

The Ministry of Interior said that the safety of people and property is a "top priority", and it is working with the concerned police teams and civil defence agencies, in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, to respond to any emergency as a result of the torrential rains and floods witnessed by a number of regions in the country.

MoI and Police Directorates had issued warnings and awareness instructions, in coordination with the concerned authorities, to mitigate the damage that may arise from the fluctuating weather, especially with the expectation of intensifying rain and winds.
A Hickory man died in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. 321 in Granite Falls on Wednesday night.

Around 10:45 p.m., a 2020 Tao moped, a 2003 Nissan Altima and a 2015 Hyundai Elantra were traveling north on U.S. 321 in the right lane. The Nissan collided with the moped, near the intersection of Alex Lee Boulevard, causing the moped to overturn and spill the driver onto the road. The Hyundai then struck the driver of the moped, the N.C. State Highway Patrol said in a news release.

The driver of the moped, Ralph Preston Wolfe Jr., 53, died at the scene. The driver of the Nissan, Jonathan Russell, 29, and the driver of the Hyundai, Brandy Wren, 33, both of Hudson, were not injured, the Highway Patrol said.

The investigation is ongoing. Troopers will be consulting with the Caldwell County District Attorneys Office concerning any charges, according to a news release from the Highway Patrol.
Shark Week adventure at the library

Shark enthusiasts can visit the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library on Thursday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. to practice their excavation skills by hunting for real fossils and shark teeth, watch a live feed of an underwater shark camera, learn about different kinds of sharks, read stories, make crafts, play games and more. This program is for all ages, but is recommended for pre-K children.

The Patrick Beaver Memorial Library is at 375 Third St. NE on the SALT Block in Hickory. All library programs are free and open to the public. Advanced registration is not required.

Food truck Friday in Hickory

Christ Lutheran Church is hosting a Food Truck Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Grab lunch or dinner in the parking lot of the church at 324 Second Ave. SE, Hickory. The following vendors will be there: Smokin Tes Meats, Paradise Subs and Deli, Chugar Frappe and Soul Food Island.

Live music in Valdese

The Randy Clay Band will perform on Friday in Valdese as part of the Family Friday Nights Concert Series. The Randy Clay Band plays multiple genres of music including Motown, soul, country, rock and disco.

The Family Friday Nights Summer Concert Series is free to the public. Concert attendees can bring a chair or blanket, spread out on the field and enjoy the live music. Lawn games such as cornhole or Frisbee are frequently enjoyed and concessions will be available for purchase. This weeks concessions will be provided by Faith Community Church. Choose from hot nachos, fresh popcorn, snow cones, candy and cold drinks.

The Little Mermaid ballet

Dive deep and join students with Hickory Ballet & Performing Arts under the sea, for an exciting look at The Little Mermaid. Participants will read excerpts from the original work, sing along with popular songs from the musical, and learn a short dance. Come make a splash with us!

Registration is required for the event. There are two time slots on Saturday. The first is 11 a.m. at the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library with one spot remaining. The second is 2 p.m. at the Ridgeview Branch Library with 35 spots remaining, as of Wednesday afternoon.

To register, visit the city of Hickory websites event page. For more information, call 828-304-0500. All library programs are free and open to the public.

Movie night at the hum on Saturday

The Country-ish with Jon Reep Podcast presents movie night at the hum on Saturday at 8 p.m. Join Reep and his podcast crew to watch the classic action comedy film The Cannonball Run. Reep will be providing his unique comedy while commentating throughout the film.

Big Byrds Smokehouse Food Truck will be on site. Food and drink service begins at 6:30 p.m.
In an exhibit designed to reveal the person through his work, the life of Philip Moose comes into focus in artifacts and paintings.

The exhibition, at the Hickory History Center (also known as the Harper House), takes visitors on a journey through the life of the late Newton-born artist Moose, starting in his days in the United States Army.

Moose was deployed to Bury St. Edmunds, England, at the time of World War II and the green exhibition walls hold sketches from his surroundings while overseas from 1942 to 1945.

A colorful piece that appears to be created with watercolor or gouache paint hangs in the center of his charcoal sketches. The painting is titled Inside Hut 14 and gives visitors a look into Mooses military barracks.

Sydney Ball, interning curator and an University of Kentucky student, explained that Moose was a radio technician overseas for the Army Air Forces.

Moose later taught art classes at Davidson College and then Queens College in Charlotte. The exhibit features photos of Moose throughout his teaching experience along with his passport for traveling, which was a significant part of his life.

Through his higher education journey, Moose received the Fulbright scholarship which sent him to study in what was then West Germany for a full year. He also spent a month studying in Taiwan.

Mooses studies abroad section displays his scholarship certificates as well as artifacts including chopsticks which are personalized Taiwanese ink stamps.

In 1967, Moose embarked on a trip that took him to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, the Balkans, Europe (including the Greek islands), Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji and more.

In his later years, Moose returned to North Carolina. He settled in Blowing Rock, where he often painted pictures of the mountainous scenery.

Tucked in the right corner of the exhibit is a large painting of the Blue Ridge Mountains sitting on an easel that Moose used. Also featured is the reference picture he used for the piece.

Moose eventually moved back home to Newton, where he lived until he died in 2001. Ball said that the artifacts from Mooses estate were largely donated by his close friend and neighbor Frank Sherrill.

Lilly Underwood, interning curator and a North Carolina State University student, said the Catawba County Historical Associations Moose exhibit is unique because it features behind the scenes sketches from throughout his life.

Underwood said Mooses work has been displayed all over the world, but as historic curators, she and Ball wanted to capture the person instead of just his art.

Mooses artwork has been displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Mint Museum in Charlotte, the N.C. Museum of Art and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Underwood and Ball worked together since the beginning of June to curate the exhibition.
I had my first vacation of the summer last week thanks to the COVID-19 virus. It hit the family and laid me low for a few days. Still, there were times to rest and think when my foggy brain gave me a few moments of clarity.

I find it ironic my bout with COVID-19 came not during the school shutdowns, or during a few months of school, but over a summer when I work outside for the most part. Yet, it came. And what do you do? I tried to protect my family and everyone else as much as possible by quarantining and staying in the house.

Waking up one night, an image came to me. I remembered my grandfather, Henry, as a young boy. We have a picture of him with his older brother, James, in their overalls. They are working a field in Guilford County in the early part of the 20th Century. Interviewing him in 1998, he told a story about a pivotal moment in his life. When he was 10 (1919) he contracted typhoid fever. His brother, too. His memory of the time was lying in bed, with his brother in the next bed, both covered in blankets.

Typhoid fever was a pretty common disease in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Typhoid derived from eating or drinking contaminated food or water. One remedy was to send people to bed covered in blankets to sweat out the fever.

A good many people in the Carolinas then used well or river water for consumption. It was not unusual for sewage to leak into these wells or streams, and typhoid could rear its ugly head from time to time. In the late 1800s there was an outbreak of the fever at a school in Greensboro which later became UNC Greensboro. It was later determined the outbreak came from a busted sewer pipe which leached into the groundwater.

The first hospital in Canton, North Carolina came about as a result of increasing typhoid fever cases there before the 1920s. So, it was not unusual for fever to break out in hotspots from time to time. Later, as city governments improved their water and sanitation systems, and coupled with two vaccines, issues with typhoid diminished somewhat.

My grandfather spent a month in bed in 1919. His brother spent six weeks. My grandfather lived. James died. During the interview at age 89, he remembered the moment vividly. I could feel his frustration and helplessness, at having to witness his brother burn up from the fever.

At 10, Henry became the man of the house.

He eventually cleaned houses as a way to make money for the family during the Great Depression, worked for the newspaper in Greensboro, and moved into the theater business before being drafted for the second World War.

All along, he developed his character of individualism and self-reliance. He hated the thought of having people do things for him. If he could do it himself, he would. In the midst of his individualism, there was a profound sense of duty. Things had to be accomplished. Work had to get done. And only when he fell off a ladder later in life did he begin to entertain the thought of having people do things for him. I am a part of that legacy.

Why did such a memory come to me in the middle of a wakeful night of COVID-19 sleep? I dont know, but it did give me hope. In a way, I could hear him speaking to me, saying, Keep going. Keep struggling. Keep fighting.

One of the positive results of these typhoid outbursts was often the quick responses of the state and local municipalities. Canton built a hospital. Local agencies pooled their resources. Communities expanded their health departments. Vaccines became available.

Who knows how long COVID and its many variants will be around? How many more boosters and vaccines will be rolled out for public consumption? Later in my life, maybe we will look back on this period and see this mess, like typhoid, nearly destroyed in most places.

The battles against disease will always be with us. These battles cost time, money and energy, and affect families in many ways. They are part of the legacy we have as human beings as we affect the physical landscape, and the landscapes of our own lives.

Waving at my son through a window while wearing a mask gave me some perspective about how hard COVID-19 is and how many families have struggled. Moreover, it has reminded me how hard public health workers and doctors have worked these past few years; knee-deep in all kinds of things.

Thank God we have them.
" " This engraving is based on the exploits of Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci. The sketch and the quote are from a letter written about the "giant natives" of the island Tierra del Fuego, circa 1499-1500. Kean Collection/Archive Photos/Getty Images

On permanent display in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., is an enormous, 500-year-old world map that was the very first to use the name "America." It's the only surviving copy of what's known as the 1507 Waldseemuller Map, a priceless historical artifact discovered in the basement of a German castle in 1901 and purchased by the Library of Congress for $10 million in 2003.

" " The 1507 Waldseemuller map was the first map to name the new continent America. It's written in the part we would know today as "South America." The creators later realized they'd been mistaken in who discovered America. Library of Congress

"It's the birth certificate of America," says Chet Van Duzer, a mapmaking historian who has worked with the Library of Congress and is now affiliated with the Lazarus Project, which uses multi-spectral imaging to recover and decipher ancient documents.

But equally as fascinating as the 1507 map is the one that's mounted next to it at the Library of Congress, the Carta Marina of 1516. This world map was published just nine years later by the very same man, Martin Waldseemuller, but the word "America" is nowhere to be found. In its place is simply "Terra Nova" or "New World."

" " Martin Waldseemuller's 1516 Carta Marina was the most uptodate conception of the world at that time. It omitted the word "America" and called the area "Terra Nova." Library of Congress

"The most amazing thing about the name 'America' is that the guy who invented it decided it wasn't the right name," says Van Duzer.

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Amerigo Vespucci, the Self-Promoter

Everyone knows that Christopher Columbus "discovered" America in 1492, even though he never set foot in North America and died insisting that he had found a Western route to Asia. So why didn't the makers of the 1507 Waldseemuller map name the newly discovered lands "Columbia" instead of "America"?

Probably because Columbus didn't write a best-selling pamphlet about his travels full of sex, violence and naked cannibals like his fellow Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci, who sailed to the New World a decade after Columbus.

"Vespucci was a better self-promoter than Columbus," says Van Duzer, "and his accounts are more lurid, shall we say, than Columbus's, so they were reprinted more often."

Vespucci published two wildly popular accounts of his voyages to the New World. The first, written in 1504, was called "Mondus Novis" and clearly asserted Vespucci's claim that the lands across the Atlantic were indeed a new continent, not an extension of Asia or just a big island.

"For this transcends the view held by our ancients... that there is no continent to the south beyond the equator, but only the sea which they named the Atlantic," wrote Vespucci. "But that this their opinion is false and utterly opposed to the truth, this my last voyage has made manifest; for in those southern parts I have found a continent more densely peopled and abounding in animals than our Europe or Asia or Africa." By following the South American coast to just 400 miles (643 kilometers) short of Tierra Del Fuego, Vespucci was convinced that he was traveling around a new continent.

"Mondus Novis" also included plenty of colorful details about the curious natives, whom Vespucci depicted as gentle and almost childlike in nature, but nevertheless barbarous and decidedly un-Christian in their customs, which included facial piercings, cannibalism and sexual promiscuity.

A second pamphlet known as the "Soderini Letter," which may not have been written entirely by Vespucci, made the rounds in 1505. The disputed text doubled down on Vespucci's descriptions of the naked locals and provided play-by-play accounts of a few violent clashes between Vespucci's men and the more aggressive tribes.

In one "laughable affair," Vespuccis men welcomed some of the more adventurous Indians onto their ship where the Europeans decided to "fire off some of our great guns."

"[A]nd when the explosion took place, most of them through fear cast themselves (into the sea) to swim, not otherwise than frogs on the margins of a pond, when they see something that frightens them, will jump into the water, just so did those people," wrote Vespucci. "[A]nd those who remained in the ships were so terrified that we regretted our action."

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Mapping the 'Land of Amerigo'

Vespucci's accounts were widely read throughout Europe, including the small village of Saint-Die-des-Vosges in Lorraine, France, where mapmaker Martin Waldseemuller and his collaborator Matthias Ringmann were compiling an ambitious new map of the world.

As the historians William Connell and Stanislao Pugliese note in "The Routledge History of Italian Americans," when Waldseemuller and Ringmann got their hands on Vespucci's Soderini Letter in 1507, "the two men believed it to be the latest word on the discoveries in the western ocean."

Waldseemuller and Ringmann had undoubtedly heard of Columbus, but were unimpressed. At the top of their giant 1507 map, which measures 4.2 feet by 7.6 feet (1.28 meters by 2.33 meters), they engraved portraits of the two men they believed to be the two greatest geographers of the ancient and modern world: the Greek mathematician Ptolemy and our friend Vespucci.

In a text that accompanied the 1507 Waldseemuller Map, the two men explained exactly why they named the new continent, which is modern-day South America, after Vespucci.

"[A]nd the fourth part of the earth, which, because Amerigo discovered it, we may call Amerige, the land of Amerigo, so to speak, or America."

Waldseemuller and Ringmann named the continent America "because Amerigo discovered it." Case closed.

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A Humbling Correction, But Too Late

It didn't take long for Waldseemuller and Ringmann to realize their mistake. But since 16th-century mapmaking and printmaking was a painstakingly slow process, it took a full nine years  downright speedy in those days  for the men to publish a corrected map, the Carta Marina of 1516, along with a wordy mea culpa.

"We will seem to you, reader, previously to have diligently presented and shown a representation of the world that was filled with error, wonder, and confusion," wrote the mapmakers. "As we have lately come to understand, our previous representation pleased very few people. Therefore, since true seekers of knowledge rarely color their words in confusing rhetoric, and do not embellish facts with charm but instead with a venerable abundance of simplicity, we must say that we cover our heads with a humble hood."

In the Carta Marina of 1516, the name America is gone, substituted with "Terra Nova." Presumably the men had figured out that Columbus, not Vespucci, was the true discoverer of America. But by 1516, at least six other world maps had been published using the name America. And despite Waldseemuller and Ringmann's belated retraction, the original name stuck.

America was America from then on.

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Now That's Not Cool Unlike Columbus, Vespucci didn't attempt to rule over a New World colony and kill thousands of people in the process, but he wasn't a saint, either. Vespucci wrote that he returned from his first voyage with "222 captive slaves" whom he sold upon arrival in the Spanish port of Cadiz.
Teams collaboration sessions will be smoother and Azure cloud applications will run faster, Microsoft has promised as the ink dried on a five-year agreement with Telstra that marks the latest stage in cloud providers Australian land grab.

Designed to support Australias digital growth, the five-year strategic agreement links the two companies as favoured partners  with Microsoft becoming an anchor tenant on Telstras expanding national and undersea fibre networks.

Direct access to those networks will, Microsoft explained, help it provide the best possible experiences for gamers, users of online collaboration tools, and the many businesses modernising their systems on Azure Cloud.

Telstra will be one of them, having now committed to favour Azure as it works to move 90 per cent of its production systems to the cloud by 2025  a core goal of the T25 transformation strategy it launched last year to overhaul its operations with customer service at its core.

It will help customers do the same by building a dedicated end-to-end Microsoft practice within its Telstra Purple consulting arm  providing an army of specialists to build Microsoft-based business applications around Telstras multi-cloud strategy.

Telstra will also work with Microsoft on environment, social and governance (ESG) projects, tapping services like Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability in pursuit of increasingly important sustainability goals.

Specifics of the deal will be announced later, the companies said, but the deal marks the consummation of a long-standing partnership that has driven work in digital twins  as well as enabling new services like Xbox All Access, Telstra Calling for Microsoft Office 365 unified communications, and the Telstra Data Hub to facilitate secure data management.

The new deal takes the relationship to a whole new level by making Telstra the go-to partner for Microsoft in Australia, outgoing Telstra CEO Andy Penn said, promising the two companies would collaborate on a scale not seen before in Australia.

The pervasiveness of technology in businesses today and its ability to transform their operations, improve productivity, reduce their environmental impact and meet evolving customer needs means theres no one-size-fits all solution, he said.

It will be Australian businesses who will benefit at a time when the urgency to digitise and transform their operations has never been greater.

Choosing sides in the cloud battles

Locking in Australias largest infrastructure and consulting provider is a coup for Microsoft, which in September 2020 launched a global campaign, called Azure for Operators, to entrench Azure with the worlds dominant telecommunications providers.

That effort has fostered relationships with the likes of AT&T and UAE carrier e&, and Microsoft recently signed on with Spanish telecommunications giant Telefonica to help it harness Azure AI and other technologies for its own digital transformation.

Yet Microsoft isnt cozying up to Telstra just to sell AI: recent years have seen cloud operators working to secure large-scale deals with banner Australian customers, with Microsoft rival Amazon Web Services (AWS) proving particularly successful.

With a new Melbourne data centre due for launch soon and plans in place for most Australian CBDs, AWS has been expanding aggressively across Australia.

The dominant cloud operator partners with the likes of data-centre stalwart NEXTGEN and integrators PwC and Accenture, and recently raised concerns about over-centralisation after signing large-scale deals including a whole-of-government arrangement with the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA)  which was recently renewed through 2025 at a cost of $174 million  and a similar contract with the Victorian Government.

As the breakneck pace of digital transformation continues, the Microsoft-Telstra partnership will help their customers bring targeted collaboration, remote-work, ESG, Internet of Things (IoT), and other solutions to market.

Telstra is already promising that its deal with Microsoft will help it target manufacturing, retail, agriculture, utility and finance interests with what it calls a new industry-based solution that will help transform the way businesses look at hybrid working and cloud migration.
Self-proclaimed recognized leaders in the North Carolina business community are jumping into the Leandro school funding debate. They filed paperwork Wednesday in the N.C. Supreme Court to support plaintiffs seeking court-ordered education funding.

The list of more than 50 names includes: Erskine Bowles, former White House chief of staff and retired president of the University of North Carolina System; Thomas Bradshaw, former Raleigh mayor and N.C. transportation secretary; Ken Eudy, former top adviser to Gov. Roy Cooper; Jim Fain, former N.C. commerce secretary; Anthony Foxx, former Charlotte mayor and U.S. transportation secretary; Hannah Gage, former chair of the UNC System Board of Governors; James Goodmon, Capitol Broadcasting Company chairman and CEO; James Goodnight, co-founder and CEO of SAS Institute; Hugh McColl, former chairman and CEO of Bank of America; Orage Quarles, former president and publisher of the News and Observer; Thomas Ross, former UNC System president; Sherwood Smith, former CEO and chairman of Carolina Power and Light; Norris Tolson, former secretary of the N.C. departments of commerce, revenue, and transportation; Brad Wilson, former president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina; and Smedes York, former Raleigh mayor.

The group is submitting a friend-of-the-court, or amicus, brief supporting plaintiffs. The amici submitting this brief are recognized leaders in the North Carolina business community, all of whom have dedicated their professional efforts to building and serving enterprises that contribute to our states economic progress and stability, according to the groups attorneys. Amici are attentive to the impact of a sound basic education on the future of the North Carolinas youth and our state economy.

In particular, amici are concerned that failure to improve public schools will negatively affect our students ability to thrive in the workplace  and by extension our collective economic condition, the court filing adds. Amici also rely on quality education so that they can draw from a skilled and talented local work force to support their business efforts. Improving education in the state is vital for amici and businesses who seek to maintain and grow their business interests in North Carolina.

The group touts the undeniable link between improved educational opportunities and economic prosperity. The brief aims to highlight the overwhelming consensus within our state government and among social scientists concerning the impact of quality education on improved economic outcomes.

The N.C. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Aug. 31 in the latest stage of the Leandro suit, which started in 1994. The states highest court has issued major Leandro rulings in 1997 and 2004. The case is known officially as Hoke County Board of Education v. State.

The latest controversy in the case involves a trial judges order this spring to boost state education spending by $785 million. That number dropped from a $1.75 billion figure ordered last November. The money would cover portions of a court-sanctioned remedial plan designed to resolve the Leandro dispute.

In addition to the extra spending, Supreme Court justices will decide whether the judge had the authority to bypass the General Assembly. The original Nov. 10 order would have forced state officials to transfer money out of the state treasury without legislative authorization.

In light of the history and empirical data linking quality education with improved financial conditions, amici will argue that the remedy ordered by the trial court was the practical and constitutionally appropriate means for the State to guard and maintain the fundamental right to a sound basic education as interpreted by the Courts prior decisions and mandated by the Constitution, according to the court filing.

Monday marks the deadline for the next set of briefs in the Leandro case. All parties must finish submitting paperwork to the state Supreme Court by Aug. 12.

After the Aug. 31 oral arguments, the court will issue its opinion upon a date to be chosen in the Courts discretion.

Heres the full list of supporters of the friend-of-the-court brief, as identified in the paperwork:

Adam Abram

Chairman, James River Group Holdings, Ltd.

Sepi Asefnia

President & CEO, Sepi Engineering, Inc.

Chair, NC Chamber

James Babb

Former President & CEO, Jefferson Pilot Communications

Rye Barcott

Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Double Time Capital

Ronald J. Bernstein

Retired CEO, Liggett Vector Brands

Crandall Bowles

Former Chair & CEO, Springs Industries

Erskine Bowles

Co-Founder, Carousel Capital

President Emeritus, University of North Carolina

Thomas W. Bradshaw, Jr.

Retired Managing Director, Citigroup

Former Chair, NC Citizens for Business & Industry (now NC Chamber)

Former Chair, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

Former Chair, Public School Forum of North Carolina

John R. Bratton

Director, Wake Stone Corporation

Samuel T. Bratton

CEO and President, Wake Stone Corporation

Theodore D. Bratton

Chairman, Wake Stone Corporation

Jack Clayton

President of Business Strategy, TowneBank

Sue W. Cole

Managing Partner, Sage Leadership & Strategy, LLC

Former Mid-Atlantic CEO, U.S. Trust Company

Sandra Wilcox Conway

Former Manager, Excellence in Education, The First Union Foundation

Peter Conway

Founder (Retired), Trinity Partners

John Cooper

Chair, Mast General Store

Don Curtis

Founder & CEO, Curtis Media Group

Richard L. Dick Daugherty

Former Vice President & Senior North Carolina Executive, IBM

Former Chair, NC Citizens for Business & Industry (now NC Chamber)

Emeritus Board of Directors, Research Triangle Park

Charter Board of Directors, Public School Forum of North Carolina

Bert Davis

President, 95 Impact Capital, Inc.

James M. Deal, Jr.

Former Chair, Watauga County Board of Education

Former Chair, Watauga Board of County Commissioners

Former Chair, Board of Trustees, Appalachian State University

Clay Dunnagan

Founder and Manager, Anchor Capital

John Ellison, Jr.

President, The Ellison Company

Frank E. Emory Jr.

EVP, Chief Administrative Officer, Novant Health

Ken Eudy

Founder and Former CEO, Capstrat

Jim Fain

Retired Bank Executive

Former Secretary, North Carolina Department of Commerce

Anthony Foxx

Former Mayor of Charlotte

Former US Transportation Secretary

Paul Fulton

Former President, Sara Lee Corporation

Former Dean, Kenan-Flagler Business School

Chairman Emeritus, Bassett Furniture Industries

Founder and Chair, Higher Education Works

Hannah Gage

Former Owner, Cape Fear Broadcasting Company

Former Chair, UNC Board of Governors

Alston Gardner

Managing Director, DGI Capital, LLC

Patti Gillenwater

President and CEO, Elinvar Leadership Solutions

James F. Goodmon

Chair & CEO, Capitol Broadcasting Company

James and Ann Goodnight

SAS Institute

Greg Hatem

Founder & CEO, Empire Properties and Empire Eats

Barnes Hauptfuhrer

Former CEO, Chapter IV Investors, LLC

Former Co-Head, Corporate & Investment Banking, Wachovia Corp.

Melody Riley Johnson

Director, Strategic Accounts, Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices

Steven J. Levitas

Senior Vice President, Pinegate Renewables

Elizabeth Martin

Producer, Wild Violet Media, LLC

Easter A. Maynard

Board Chair, Golden Corral Corporation

James H. Maynard

Board Chair/Founder, Investors Management Corporation

Founder, Golden Corral Corporation

Hugh L. McColl, Jr.

Former Chair & CEO, Bank of America

Dr. Bill McNeal

Author (with Tom Oxholm): A School Districts Journey to Excellence:

Lessons From Business and Education

Former Superintendent, Wake County Schools

National Superintendent of the Year

Carlton Midyette

Venture Capital Investor

Thomas B. Oxholm

Executive Vice President, Wake Stone Corporation

Former member, Wake County Board of Education

Author (with Dr. Bill McNeal): A School Districts Journey to Excellence:

Lessons From Business and Education

Roger Perry

Chairman, East West Partners Club Management

Orage Quarles, III

Former President & Publisher, The News & Observer

Co-Founder, Journalism Funding Project

Thomas W. Ross

Chairman of the Board, Bausch & Lomb Company

Director, Bausch Health Companies

President Emeritus, University of North Carolina

Retired Superior Court Judge

Thomas R. Sloan

Founder, Sloan Capital Company

Gordon Smith III

Retired Investment Advisor

Founder and CEO, Wood Pile LLC

Sherwood Smith

Former Chair, NC Citizens for Business & Industry (now NC Chamber)

Former Chair, Triangle Universities Center for Advanced Studies, RTP

Charter Board Member, Public School Forum of North Carolina

Norris Tolson

Retired Business Executive

CEO & President, Carolinas Gateway Partnership

Former CEO, North Carolina Biotechnology Center

Former Secretary, NC Departments of Commerce, Revenue, and

Transportation

Richard Urquhart

Retired Vice President, Investors Management Corporation

J. Bradley Wilson

President & CEO Emeritus, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of North Carolina

Former Chair, UNC Board of Governors

David Woronoff

President, The (Southern Pines) Pilot and Business North Carolina

Magazine

Smedes York

Chair, York Properties

Former Mayor, City of Raleigh
Summer break is in full swing for most Cabarrus County Schools students, but officials are looking ahead to the new school year.

After two years off, Safety Town is back. The program is for entering kindergarten in 2022. This free half-day event is a Concord tradition. Register now at www.linktr.ee/jclofconcord.

Here are the dates for the 2022-23 Open House events for CCS schools. Visit the systems website for details.

Cabarrus Early College of Technology

Aug. 1: 6:30 p.m., ninth grade

Aug. 2: 6:30 p.m., 10th grade

Aug. 3: 6 p.m., 11th grade

Aug. 3: 7 p.m., 12th grade

Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School

Aug. 1: 6 p.m., 10th grade parents meeting (virtual)

Aug. 1: 7 p.m., 11th grade parents meeting (virtual)

Aug. 2: 6 p.m., ninth grade parents meeting (virtual)

Aug. 2: 7 p.m., 12th grade parents meeting (virtual)

Aug. 4: 6-8 p.m., Open House

Cabarrus Health Sciences Institute

Aug. 4: 6-7:30 p.m.

Traditional Calendar Schools

Aug. 24: 4:30-6:30 p.m., Middle schools and Cabarrus Opportunity School

Aug. 24: 6:30-8 p.m., High schools

Aug. 25: 5-7 p.m., Elementary schools

Aug. 25: 4-7 p.m., Royal Oaks School of the Arts

Aug. 25: 4-7:30 p.m., Cabarrus Virtual Academy

4-5:30 p.m., Elementary

6-7:30 p.m., Middle and high
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  Under the sweltering heat, Matthew Carr spent his lunch break in a fountain in downtown Portland, Oregon. The 57-year-old works outside picking up trash for the city and had to find a way to cool off.

This is pretty hot, Carr said. I can just take my uniform off, jump in there with my shorts for my break, and hang out for a good 10 or 15 minutes.

Temperatures soared to 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 Celsius) in Oregons largest city on Tuesday, which is expected to be the hottest day of a scorching spell that will be unusually long for this part of the United States. It was also a new daily record for the city for July 26, besting the previous mark set in 2020.

Seattle also reported a new record daily high of 94 F (34.4 C), breaking the previous record of 92 F (33.3 C) from 2018, according to the National Weather Service.

Elsewhere in Washington state, record daily temperatures were also registered in Bellingham and the capital Olympia, which experienced 90 F (32.2 C) and 97 F (36.1 C) respectively.

Oregon health officials said there has been an uptick in the number of people reporting heat-related illness in emergency departments, and the number of those calling emergency services numbers for similar symptoms.

Heat-related illness daily visits are above expected levels statewide, said Jonathan Modie, lead communications officer at the Oregon Health Authoritys Public Health Division. He said there were 32 such visits to emergency departments on Monday compared to three to five per day before the heat wave began.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency across much of the state, warning the extreme temperatures may cause utility outages and transportation disruptions.

With many parts of Oregon facing a high heat wave, it is critical that every level of government has the resources they need to help keep Oregonians safe and healthy, Brown said in a statement.

Portland officials have opened cooling centers in public buildings and installed misting stations in parks. TriMet, which operates public transportation in the Portland metropolitan area, will allow passengers who cannot afford fares to ride for free when heading to cooling centers.

Most of Portlands garbage companies began earlier pick-ups on Tuesday morning, starting as early as 4 a.m. to reduce drivers exposure to heat and health risks. The early rounds will likely continue through Friday morning.

Multnomah County, which includes Portland, plans to open four overnight emergency cooling shelters starting Tuesday night so people who cant get cool on their own can spend the night. The locations can accommodate a total of 245 guests, said Multnomah County spokesperson Kate Yeiser.

Were going to find space for anybody who needs it, Yeiser said, adding that the sites have a no-turn-away policy. She said the county may open an additional overnight center on Wednesday if there is high demand.

Many libraries are extending their hours, staying open until 8 or 9 p.m. to allow people more time to cool off.

As the northwestern U.S. heated up, the hot spell on the East Coast appeared to have broken, with few areas east of the Mississippi River under heat advisories on Tuesday.

Philadelphia hit 99 degrees (37 Celsius) Sunday before factoring in humidity. Newark, New Jersey, marked five consecutive days of 100 degrees or higher, the longest such streak since records began in 1931. Boston also hit 100 degrees, surpassing the previous daily record high of 98 degrees (36.6 Celsius) set in 1933.

On Tuesday, highs peaked in the 80s in New York and Boston.

Residents and officials in the Northwest have been trying to adjust to the likely reality of longer, hotter heat waves following last summers deadly heat dome weather phenomenon that prompted record temperatures and deaths.

In response, Oregon passed a law requiring all new housing built after April 2024 to have air conditioning installed in at least one room. The law already prohibits landlords in most cases from restricting tenants from installing cooling devices in their rental units.

About 800 people died in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia during the 2021 heat wave in late June and early July. The temperature at the time soared to an all-time high of 116 degrees F (46.7 C) in Portland and smashed heat records in cities and towns across the region. Many of those who died were elderly and lived alone.

While temperatures this week are not expected to get that high, the anticipated number of consecutive hot days has raised concerns among officials.

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for large swaths of Oregon and Washington state, including Portland and Seattle, out of concern that nighttime temperatures wont help residents to sufficiently cool off.

The main reason for that warning is because of those low temperatures only getting into the 65 to 70 degree range, and the fact that this is such a long duration event, said Colby Neuman, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Portland.

Portland seems to be on track to either tying or exceeding previous heat wave duration records, Neuman said. The record stands at six consecutive days of 95 degrees (35C) or higher, which has only been reached twice before.

Officials in Seattle and Portland have issued air quality advisories from Tuesday through Saturday, warning that smog may reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Cooling sites are open throughout Seattle, greater King County and throughout western Washington.

In Portland, an emergency cooling shelter provided relief on Tuesday for Rory Lidster, a veteran without housing who described the heat as uncomfortable.

I think these cooling shelters are a real good thing, that the elderly really need them and that all people really need them in this kind of heat, Lidster said.

The 55-year-old said he has been living in a tent on the street for the past two weeks. He described calling shelters every morning only to find no open spots. Now, he will be able to spend the night at the emergency cooling site, where he hopes to stay for a little while.

As long as we can be, I will be here, Lidster said.

AP photographer Craig Mitchelldyer contributed. Lisa Baumann contributed from Bellingham, Washington.
Emirates has announced plans to boost connectivity and increase travel options for customers flying between Dubai and Tel Aviv with a second daily flight, starting October 30, 2022.



The additional morning frequency is in response to high demand for travel to/from Israel, and builds on the success of Emirates existing operation, as the airline reaffirms its commitment to growing its presence in the country.



The second daily flight will be served by the modern and efficient Emirates Boeing 777-300ER in a three class configuration. The new schedule will operate as follows: EK 933 departs Dubai at 0815hrs arriving in Tel Aviv at 0950hrs. EK 934 leaves Tel Aviv at 1150hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1650hrs.



The second flight provides Emirates customers from Israel with additional travel options to Dubai, as well as convenient onwards connections to popular destinations. The new flight also unlocks enhanced connectivity to a multitude of points within Emirates global network such as Auckland, Brisbane, Perth, Bali, Seoul, and Singapore, as well as points across India, among others, making it easier for Israeli travellers to discover new places with shorter transit times.



The service will also provide customers traveling to Israel with more flexibility when planning their trip with the choice of a morning arrival at Ben Gurion airport, in addition to the existing EK931 service which arrives in the evening. Customers can also take advantage of Emirates partnership with flydubai when planning their travel, which includes a robust schedule of multiple daily codeshare flights.



Emirates second daily flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv will also provide another 20 tonnes of cargo belly-hold capacity for businesses, further opening global trade lanes through enhanced import and export opportunities.  TradeArabia News Service
MATTOON  The fourth annual Coles County Truck Convoy for Make-A-Wish Illinois, set for Aug. 13, is scheduled to be held on the campus of Lake Land College for the first time.

We want to showcase the trucking community while raising money for critically-ill children, said Doug Overmyer, president of the convoy board. Plus, were excited to add a fun truck rodeo before the convoy so some truckers can show off their skills.

Participants and volunteers in this Make-a-Wish Illinois fundraiser should pre-register at colescountytruckconvoy.com. The gates for the event will open at 7 a.m. Aug. 13, with the truck rodeo starting at 8 a.m.

As trucks line up at Lake Land, participating truckers can participate in the skills competition. Bounce houses and food trucks will also be offered on site.

The fundraiser will culminate with the convoy heading out from Lake Land at 11:30 a.m. The long line of trucks will then travel through Mattoon, across Coles County on Illinois Route 16, and then through Charleston.

Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, such as long dreamed of family vacations. This nonprofit organization reports that research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness.

Since being founded locally in 1985, Make-a-Wish Illinois has granted more than 16,000 wishes and continues its mission to share the power of a wish with children in all areas of the state, including Coles County.

Veteran truck driver Sid Eggers and his wife, Joy, founded the annual Coles County Truck Convoy in 2019 after taking inspiration from a similar Make-A-Wish fundraiser in Pennsylvania, and they remain involved in the convoy.

The convoy debuted at the Coles County Fairgrounds in Charleston. The fundraiser was held at the Coles County Memorial Airport in 2020 and the former Trailmobile factory site in Charleston in 2021 before being planned for Lake Land's campus this year.

Kelly Allee, director of marketing and public relations for Lake Land, said the college is pleased to provide a venue for the convoy.
The five largest U.S. firearms manufacturers made more than $1 billion combined from 2012 to 2021 from selling military-style assault weapons to civilians, according to a report from a U.S. House committee.

The 23-page report from the committee on Oversight and Reform was released Wednesday before a hearing involving chief executives Christopher Killoy of Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. and Marty Daniel of Daniel Defense LLC.

Ruger has 490 of its 1,900 employees at its production plant in Mayodan.

Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. chief executive Mark Smith initially agreed to participate, but did not appear.

The five manufacturers  Bushmaster, Daniel Defense, Ruger, Sig Sauer and Smith & Wesson  have made and sold AR-15-style semiautomatic weapons used in mass shootings.

The committees report began by saying the leading manufacturers of AR-15-style assault rifles ... sell weapons to civilians that are engineered to kill many people as fast as possible.

These rifles are the weapon of choice for mass murderers who have terrorized and slaughtered young children at school, worshippers at churches and synagogues, and families celebrating the Fourth of July.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., and the committees chairwoman, said in her opening statement that the gun industry has flooded our neighborhoods, our schools, even our churches and schools, and gotten rich doing it.

Meanwhile, Killoy told the committee that the tension between our constitutional right to own firearms and the harm inflicted by criminals who acquire them is a complex topic that evoke strong emotions regardless of your position on the issue.

We firmly believe it is wrong to deprive citizens of their constitutional right to purchase the lawful firearm they desire because of the criminal acts of wicked people.

A firearm, any firearm, can be used for good or evil. The difference is in the intent of the individual possessing it.

Daniel said that our nations response needs to focus not on the type of gun, but on the type of person likely to commit mass shootings. A semi-automatic rifle made by Daniel Defense was one of the weapons used in the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting.

Daniel was quoted by The Associated Press as saying that what we saw in Uvalde, Buffalo and Highland Park was pure evil. The cruelty of the murderers who committed these acts is unfathomable and deeply disturbs me, my family, my employees and millions of Americans across this country.

However, Daniel later added that I believe that these murders are local problems that have to be solved locally.

Maloney wrote in her letters to the chief executives that the committee respects the rights of law-abiding Americans under the Second Amendment, but that does not excuse irresponsible corporate conduct that fuels deadly gun violence and endangers our children.

Requested data

The committee requested data on the manufacturers sales and marketing of AR-15-style rifles and similar firearms: revenue and profit information; internal data on deaths or injuries caused by firearms they manufacture; and marketing and promotional materials.

According to financial figures provided by the manufacturers, Rugers gross earnings from AR-15-style rifles jumped from $39 million in 2019 to more than $103 million in 2021.

In the same timeframe, Smith & Wesson went from $108 million to $253 million, and Daniel Defense from $40 million to $120 million.

For the period of 2012-2021, Smith & Wesson made at least $695 million in revenue, while Ruger made $514 million and Daniel Defense made $528 million.

The committees report linked those sales to recent mass murders with the companies AR-15-style rifles:

* Ruger with 25 dead in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and 10 dead in Boulder, Colo.

* Smith & Wesson with 17 dead in Parkland, Fla., 14 dead in San Bernardino, Calif., Highland Park, Ill.

* Daniel Defense with 60 dead in Las Vegas and 21 in Uvalde.

The bulk of the report featured marketing campaigns and fliers from the manufacturers.

These companies used disturbing sales tactics  including marketing deadly weapons as a way for young men to prove their manliness and selling guns to mass shooters on credit  while failing to take even basic steps to monitor the violence and destruction their products have unleased, according to the report.

One ad claimed owning an assault rifle would put young men at the top of the testosterone food chain. A Daniel Defense marketing pitch claimed financing pitch is approved in seconds.

Sig Sauer asserted that it does not have the means to track deaths caused by its products, while Ruger said it only learns of these incidents through its customer service department, the media, or occasionally from lawsuits.

Shootings, sales link

For much of the 21st century, a mass shooting involving an assault rifle in the U.S. has been followed by a surge in the share prices of firearms manufacturers.

Analysts say high-profile shootings, such as in Buffalo, Orlando, Colorado and Connecticut, tend to push gun sales, either for individuals wanting weapons out of fear for their personal safety, or because they worry about potential federal tightening of gun ownership.

For example, the Uvalde mass shooting sent Rugers share price up as much as 9.1% over the next two trading days. Smith & Wesson rose as much as 6.6% over the same time frame, along with American Outdoor Brands Inc. as much as 16.9%.

Bowman Gray IV, an independent local stock broker, has said he is not surprised by share-price surges for firearms manufacturers.

It happened after Sandy Hook and Orlando and San Bernardino as well, Gray said. Anytime there is even a hint of a possibility that there may be new restrictive legislation, people flock to the gun stores.

It is a very popular political tactic of fear to convince people that someone is coming to take their guns.

Its also good for gun sales.
The signs were printed on standard 8-by-11 white paper and were hung at eye level on the automatic door leading into the Ace Hardware at the Cloverdale Shopping Center.

The wording is precise, the meaning unambiguous. The store is closing at the end of the week after an 11-year run.

All sales on All merchandise final!! No returns

In and of itself, a small business  a hardware store at that  closing its doors isnt unusual. National big-box home repair megalodons have been swallowing little fish competitors for years.

But its the secondary message, almost a postscript typed on one sign and also scrawled on a U.S. Postal Service priority mail envelope, that is sending ripples through the surrounding Ardmore neighborhood.

Post office closed permanently

Not having a post office is pretty minor when compared to someone whose children were in the front yard when their house was shot at, said customer Lisa Gould. But it is a concern for older folks.

Compromise struck

Ardmore, whether residents realized it or not, in many ways represents a scaled-down version of larger challenges faced by the U.S. Postal Service as the agency has tried to balance its traditional neither-rain-nor-sleet-nor-snow ethos against well-documented (and ruthless) cost-cutting and modernization.

The former Ardmore Station post office was housed for years in a nondescript brick building at 229 Miller St.

The building was sold in 2006 to whats now known as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, and the USPS began renting the space from the hospital.

Not owning the spot, combined with the medical centers need to expand, meant Ardmore Station was living on borrowed time. The full-service branch  and all its glass-doored P.O. boxes  opened in 1963 and closed in June 2011.

In and of itself, that was cause for consternation and lament.

Since the days of the Pony Express, having reliable postal service meant connectivity. A brick-and-mortar post office building, for many rural communities, literally meant a place on the map.

Theres something about having a neighborhood post office. Nostalgia maybe, Ardmore resident Kim Babon told a reporter 11 years ago. Im just sad to see it close.

The closure, which came six months later than originally planned, set off a scramble of sorts as local politicians pushed for some sort of alternative.

As things turned out, that alternative was the postal counter tucked against a wall inside the Cloverdale Ace Hardware, a CPO  contracted post office in USPS-speak.

(Whats a federal agency without acronyms?)

Since 2011, the little CPO has accepted packages, sold stamps and keyed in addresses for priority mail.

It didnt have PO boxes  not enough room in the little hardware store  or sell money orders, but it served its purpose.

Until now.

Confusion and inconvenience

A simple lap around the inside of the hardware store tells a story heard many times over when businesses close.

Many of the metal shelves have been left bare. A few basic tools, lawn-care items and the like can be found; there are bargains to be had.

But toward the back, hard against a wall that Ace shares with the anchor tenant Harris Teeter next door, the CPO is no longer operational.

On Tuesday morning, a few stacks of flat cardboard shipping boxes and mailing labels were about all thats left of it. A pair of plexiglass shields put up during the pandemic had black-and-orange Closed signs taped to them.

For customers, the closure is equal parts transition and inconvenience.

When Ardmore Station closed, they were instructed to try the Center City Station downtown between Second and Third streets or stations farther out on Robinhood Road or Healy Drive.

The only other option I have is going over to Healy Drive, said Suzanne Barrows. Thats not exactly the greatest place to have to get into and out of. And theres usually always a line.

These days, with official warnings about mail theft having been posted by the Winston-Salem Police Department still resonating, some customers  older residents in particular  arent happy with the change.

(A spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service did not respond to emails asking about the closure.)

Police have told us not to use the blue boxes (on sidewalks) because mail gets stolen from them, Gould said. That compounds the whole thing.

Not one to sound an alarm without a possible solution, Gould does have an idea. Empty storefronts in Thruway, maybe a half-mile away, seem reasonable spots to look to relocate.

Its convenient and theres plenty of parking, she said.

Only time will tell if another post office opens in the neighborhood.

Neither rain nor sleet nor snow can keep mail carriers from their appointed rounds but a changing economic landscape can close their stations.
Local airport officials hope travelers will soon be packing their bags for leisure destinations flying out of Lincoln.

The Lincoln Airport Authority on Wednesday formally ratified an interlocal agreement that gives it $3 million in federal stimulus funds to use as an incentive to recruit new air service, and it's looking like the funds could be put to use sooner rather than later.

Airport Executive Director David Haring said he's in negotiations with at least one airline and is "optimistic" an agreement could be signed as early as next month.

Haring declined to provide any details, such as the name of the airline, the potential new routes or how much incentive money would be pledged.

He told the Journal Star earlier this year that the airport would likely focus its efforts on landing a leisure carrier to provide service aimed at vacation travelers.

The airport previously had leisure service from Allegiant Airlines from 2006-2008. It also reportedly had interest in 2019 from Sun Country Airlines, a Minneapolis-based leisure carrier, but couldn't come to a deal because it had no incentive money to offer.

Under the terms of the interlocal agreement, which has already been approved by both the City Council and Lancaster County Board, the airport will have the discretion to negotiate use of the money, but it will have to be approved by the County Board with input from the city.

The money is intended to be used as a revenue guarantee to help offset startup costs and potential early losses for airlines offering new service.

As part of the agreement, the airport has to commit the funds, which come from American Rescue Plan Act money given to the city and county during the coronavirus pandemic, no later than Sept. 30, 2024, and must expend it no later than Sept. 30, 2026.

Haring said that a clause ensures the money can be repurposed if the airport doesn't use all of it for incentives to lure a new carrier.

The airport currently has daily service to Chicago and Denver on United Airlines, which will be adding a daily flight to Houston in September.

The airport is using a $750,000 federal grant to provide incentive money to United for the Houston flight, but the airline will not be receiving any of the $3 million in ARPA funds.

Delta, which at one point offered service to Minneapolis and Atlanta, pulled out of the Lincoln market in January.
Pat Sangimino Night editor Pat Sangimino is a San Francisco native who has been the Journal Stars night news editor since April 2018. Follow Pat Sangimino 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

Next week marks the 15th anniversary of what Danny Garcia might call his Independence Day, the day he slid down the corporate ladder and became his own boss.

Garcia was a corporate success story  a guy who never took a business class in college, had no discernable financial acumen and yet had climbed in middle management to lead a national call center for a mutual fund management company.

He answered to one of the firm's vice presidents. But his heart was never fully invested even if his wallet never objected.

"I was like, 'Wow, if I can succeed and give my all to something I dont like, what would happen if I gave my all to something that I did like?'" he explained.

Music was his real passion  more specifically, the band he and a few friends started a few years earlier, a unit called Lemon Fresh Day that has grown to become one of Nebraska's best cover bands.

When he's not on stage playing his guitar and handling most of the vocals, Garcia is arranging gigs and travel, making sure equipment is in tune and sending out invoices.

It's a full-time job that is more of a labor of love. Do something you love and you never work a day in your life, right?

Still, people said he was crazy 15 years ago. You don't walk away from a high-paying, high-responsibility, high-on-the-food-chain position  with the paid vacations, family health benefits and a retirement plan  unless you're, well, high.

Today, Lemon Fresh Day has been voted the best local band in both Omaha and Lincoln, and will be a featured performer on the final night of the Lancaster County Super Fair, which runs through Aug. 6 at the Lancaster Event Center.

The menu of bands playing the Super Fair is peppered with a lot of country and rock cover bands  the Last Minute Band, Silas Creek Band and the High Heel Band among them  but none have the staying power of Lemon Fresh Day, which played its first gig in 1998.

A few of the names have changed, but right now, Lemon Fresh Day consists of Garcia (rhythm guitar and co-lead vocals), Troy Tompkins (bass and co-lead vocals), Will Oxford (drums) and Phil Reno (guitar). All of them are Omaha natives.

"When a band has been around this long, it starts to wear out its welcome," Garcia said. "Somehow, we have not done that yet. We are still growing. We are bigger now than we have ever been."

The band will play Gretna Days this weekend before finishing out the summer with a street fair in Louisville. There's also Millard Days and the Arlington County Demolition Derby. And then there are the bars in Omaha and Lincoln that keep them regularly booked.

But for Garcia, there's nothing better than being in Lincoln on a Husker Saturday.

Lemon Fresh Day has first choice for the Embassy Suites weekly tailgate that takes place on its loading dock. Garcia chose the home opener against North Dakota and the Oklahoma game, which he assumed would be a prime-time affair but has already been slated to kick off at 11 a.m.

"During Husker season, we prefer to play almost exclusively in downtown Lincoln," Garcia said. "The Husker games are where everyone in the state is, so thats where we want to be."

Maybe that explains Lemon Fresh Day's staying power. You play where the people are. What it doesn't explain is the band's name.

That's actually a long story that came as the band had been struggling to agree on a name a year into their existence. While rehearsing one day at a fraternity house on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus, a friend told them he liked a particular song they were playing.

Which one? "Lemon Fresh Day," he said, mistaking it with "Little Christine." The band howled and everyone except Garcia agreed that should be the name of the band  forget that it sounded like a household kitchen cleaner.

With time, the name has grown on Garcia  "like a birthmark," he says. "I dont really love it, but I have grown to accept it. It is easily marketable and people like it."

More important than the name is their music. There aren't many bands who would dare to make Whitney Houston's "I Want to Dance with Somebody" their own or transform the Backstreet Boys' "I Want it That Way" into a song that simply rocks.

"We are purposely as diverse as you can imagine because we like the idea of not being labeled," Garcia said.
OMAHA  Perhaps its no surprise in the case of a man whose orbit is known as Fortlandia that an attorney has had to come to the defense of another attorney.

Such is the case in the United States v. Jeff Fortenberry, the former Republican congressman from Lincoln who was convicted by a jury of lying to federal agents and trying to conceal the source of $30,000 in foreign campaign funds.

In the month since sentencing Fortenberry to two years of probation, U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. has turned his attention to Fortenberrys lead attorney, John Littrell of Los Angeles.

A stickler, Blumenfeld bristled at a portion of Littrells closing argument to jurors concerning Fortenberrys fate. The judges concern: Littrell had suggested to jurors that Fortenberry had testified in the case  through his taped statements to the FBI. Even though Fortenberry had not testified in court and even though the judge had admonished jurors that they were forbidden from holding Fortenberrys silence against him.

Moments after jurors began deliberating Fortenberrys fate in March, Blumenfeld upbraided Littrell over his argument. He noted that he had made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that jurors were not to consider Fortenberrys silence in their deliberations. He then took the rare step of initiating an order to show cause as to whether Littrell should be sanctioned and/or referred to the standing committee on (attorney) discipline in California.

The problem: Prosecutors are not allowed to bring up how defendants refused to testify or speculate as to why they didnt testify. In turn, the defense isnt allowed to testify for their client or suggest reasons their client didnt testify, beyond the fact that its their constitutional right to not testify. In short, closing arguments are supposed to be centered on actual evidence presented at trial, not on what witnesses would have said.

When confronted about the impropriety, Mr. Littrell responded that he believed it was a fair comment and that reasonable minds can disagree about that, Blumenfeld wrote. Because of the seriousness of this issue and Mr. Littrells response to it, the Court does not believe that it can let this matter stand without taking any action.

This week, an attorney for Littrell responded to the judge, defending the former public defenders closing argument. California attorney Guy Iversen noted that attorney arguments are often made on the fly as lawyers seek to zealously advocate for their client.

He cautioned Blumenfeld to take care not to use (his) authority in a way that unreasonably chills advocacy by defense counsel.

Due to the difficulty of these decisions and the speed at which these must be made, there is always a risk of getting them wrong, Iversen wrote.

Blumenfeld has suggested that Littrell was wrong when he told jurors: So the court instructed you, rightfully so, that you cannot consider the fact that the Congressman didnt testify  but thats a hard instruction to follow, especially in a case where were taking about whats in (Fortenberrys) mind, what he knew, what he remembered and what he understood. And we dont have to explain the decision not to testify but Im going to. And the answer is that he did testify.  And the testimony that he gave in those (FBI) recordings was unvarnished, unprepared, uncounseled  his memory is not better today than it was in 2019, so theres nothing really to add.

Blumenfeld said Littrell compounded the error by going on to explain what his client would have said had he elected to testify.

When the judge confronted him outside the presence of the jury, Littrell apologized if the judge thought he had gone too far. He said he had been wrestling with how to address the issue for a long time in court.

Jurors have a real problem when a defendant doesnt testify, Littrell told the judge. So I feel some obligation to say something about it.  But if Ive gone too far, and it sounds like the Court feels I have, I certainly apologize. And I guess I would acknowledge that the risk falls on the defense when we do that. I felt it was a fair comment on the issue  but certainly reasonable minds can disagree about that.

The judge seemed incensed by Littrells explanation, later writing: It is difficult to imagine how Mr. Littrell could believe that it was fair to introduce facts that were not presented at trial and (not) subject to cross examination. Indeed, Mr. Littrell maintained this position even after the Court explained the manifest unfairness of this tactic.  The response suggests that Mr. Littrell not only fails to see anything wrong with his argument but also that he may continue to so argue in future cases.

Littrell, who has been a lawyer for 20 years, and his attorney responded to the judge this week, asking Blumenfeld not to impose sanctions. At Blumenfelds questioning, Littrell disclosed another time in his legal career when he told jurors about a clients decision not to testify. In 2010, Littrell told a jury that he had told his client not to testify. The judge in that case told him it was improper. I agree, Littrell said.

In Fortenberrys case, Littrell said he doesnt write out scripts when he does his closings. One risk of speaking without notes is that I may make an argument that is imprecise or poorly worded, he said. That is what happened here. In hindsight, I see that my comments were inartful and capable of being interpreted as arguing facts not in the record.

His attorney added that Littrell has learned his lesson. At the same time, Iversen said portions of Littrells arguments were perfectly reasonable: that Fortenberrys statements to the FBI were true and that his memory would not be better in 2022 than in 2019.

Blumenfeld will decide whether to take action against Littrell in coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Fortenberry is appealing his convictions and sentence. One of his trial and appellate attorneys is Denver-based lawyer Glen Summers, who once was a groomsman for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and a law clerk for the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Speaking of attorneys, Fortenberrys latest campaign finance report lists $27,400 in payments to Littrell and the handful of attorneys who represented him at trial. That brings the total Fortenberry has paid for legal services this year to more than $625,000.

That money has come from his campaign funds, which have been depleted. Under federal law, elected officials are allowed to use campaign donations to pay for expenses related to campaign violations. Fortenberry is now working a job in Lincoln, making $144,000 a year, court documents say.
A man who is incarcerated at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution assaulted and injured a staff member on Wednesday, using his elbow to strike the employee in the face, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

In a news release, the department said the staff member suffered nose and eye injuries in the assault, which occurred sometime Wednesday at the prison, about an hour southeast of Lincoln.

The staff member required "immediate" medical attention, according to the news release. The department did not identify the involved inmate or staff member.

Corrections officials are investigating the incident and will provide findings to the Johnson County attorney's office for potential criminal prosecution.

The involved inmate could also face internal discipline, according to the news release.
KEARNEY  With the pandemic waning, its time for Nebraska schools to restore normal, but that doesnt mean just returning to the old ways of doing things, Commissioner of Education Matt Blomstedt told a gathering of state education leaders Wednesday.

School leaders should use the lessons of the last several years to improve education, Blomstedt said.

I keep hearing, every once in a while, average is normal, he said. Well, that doesnt seem very satisfactory to me.

Educators have a chance to establish a new normal that is not the usual, not average, he said.

Blomstedt made the comments at the Administrators Days conference at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.

More than 1,000 educators from Nebraska schools attended the conference, which is part pep rally and part cram session as educators learn about trends and legal changes affecting schools in the year ahead.

Several recent high school graduates joined Blomstedt on stage to offer their thoughts on the impact of the pandemic.

Some districts in Nebraska are already welcoming new teachers this week. Students will start returning to most districts in mid-August.

In his message to leaders, Blomstedt said that before the pandemic, schools were experiencing unacceptable achievement gaps based on race, ethnicity, poverty and special needs.

He said he doesnt want to return to that point and re-establish the practices that entrench that as normal.

Blomstedt said that when floods, fires and tornadoes strike, people dont just rebuild but try to rebuild better.

He noted that 77,000 students across the state were chronically absent last year.

Thats like 23% of our total student population. Thats a lot, he said. Pre-pandemic that was 45,000. I dont care much for this number either. Thats not the normal I want.

He offered another post-pandemic state statistic: a 31 percentage point gap between the math proficiency of English language learners and all students.

Before the pandemic, the gap was 26 percentage points, he said.

Again, Im not happy with normal, he said.

In light of the teacher shortage, officials have to figure out ways to get more teachers into the classroom, he said.

The number of unfilled teaching positions keeps growing  482 in Nebraska at last count, he said.

We have to be unusual and, quite frankly, we just have to figure out a way that were going to grow and get better together.

Blomstedt said he is excited that a resolution (LR335) passed in the last session of the Legislature set a target for postsecondary education and training goals for young Nebraskans.

In the resolution, lawmakers set a state goal of having at least 70% of 25- to 34-year-old Nebraskans having a degree, certificate, diploma or other postsecondary or industry-recognized credential with economic value by 2030.

He said he was a little dumbfounded to learn that the number is currently 48%.

The graduates who joined Blomstedt on stage recounted how the pandemic impacted their lives. They said it influenced their study habits, how they coped with uncertainty and anxiety. It increased their empathy and their understanding of the tough decisions school leaders were making, they said. Isolated at home, some discovered new passions and hobbies, or used the time alone for self-reflection, they said.

They said the remote and hybrid learning models that schools used pushed them to be more accountable for their own education. But it had a negative effect on some kids who lost some of their self-discipline, they said.

Carson Richters, who graduated from Centennial High School in Utica in 2021, said that some, upon returning to in-person learning, kind of resorted to I only got a year left, so Im just going to fake it till I make it. 

Sophia Cox, who graduated from Lincoln North Star High School in 2021, said she learned to adapt, to cope with uncertainty and to manage anxiety.

I also learned a lot about accountability and also empathy, Cox said. That was really important. Even when I was frustrated, I learned a lot about remembering, why are we wearing these masks, why are we taking these safety precautions. Because a lot of people arent as fortunate as me, and its serious.
Attorneys general from 15 states asked the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold a requirement that petition initiatives obtain signatures from 5% of voters in 38 of Nebraskas 93 counties.

The amicus brief, written by Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and filed with the court on Wednesday, says the lawsuit filed by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana to invalidate the requirement involves much more than the signature-gathering requirement in the Cornhusker state.

Several of Amici States constitutions and laws provide that citizens may place legislation and constitutional amendments on the ballot via signature petition, the attorneys general  all Republicans  wrote. Amici States have an interest in defending these state-created systems from federal oversight."

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, which sponsored a pair of petition initiatives this year to legalize cannabis for medical use in Nebraska, sued Secretary of State Bob Evnen in May, arguing the multicounty requirement was unconstitutional.

U.S. District Court Judge John Gerrard sided with Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana in June and issued an injunction blocking Evnen from enforcing the requirement ahead of the deadline for petitions to qualify for the 2022 ballot.

In his decision, Gerrard said the requirement, which has been part of Nebraskas constitution for a century, violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution because it empowered rural counties over those in urban areas.

A few weeks later, one day before the deadline for filing petitions on July 7, the appeals court granted Evnens emergency motion to stay the injunction until arguments could be heard, meaning the multicounty requirement was once again in effect.

The panel split on the states motion. Judges Raymond Gruender of St. Louis and David R. Stras of Minneapolis granted the motion, while Judge Jane Kelly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, would have denied it.

Both sides submitted briefs with the court this week arguing their case, largely rehashing arguments submitted before the district court.

The state said the geographic requirement ensured voters from across the state would be engaged in the petition process; the petition backers said the requirement gave more power to those same voters over those living in the states most populous areas.

The amicus brief, which seeks to persuade the court, backed the arguments made by Nebraska Attorney General Doug Petersons office that the geographic diversity requirement serves an important state interest and that the one person, one vote doctrine did not apply to signers of a petition.

Over half the states have some form of initiative or referendum process, the brief states, while 13 of those states have set further requirements to ensure petitions obtain broad support before going before voters.

They are designed to ensure that important changes in a states legal landscape, especially constitutional amendments, are vetted by more than just voters in the states largest handful of counties before being placed on the ballot, the attorneys general wrote.

Without a requirement of attaining a modicum of support from a wide cross-section of voters, rural counties in particular would be entirely shut out of the process, they added.

The brief argues the Constitution protects voters rights to choose representatives but does not regulate an entirely state-created right to direct democracy via ballot initiatives.

It also states the district court erred in how it balanced the states interests for enforcing the requirement against whether or not it was actually burdensome, noting the U.S. Supreme Court had not endorsed the balancing tests use for its requiring petitions obtain broad geographic support.

They also argued the district courts decision misapplied the Supreme Courts one person, one vote doctrine, which they said has no place in the context of state-created rights to direct democracy.

(I)n the ballot measure context, voters are not voting for a representative, no matter how the measure comes to be placed on the ballot, the brief states. Serving a constituency of one does not make someone a representative in the context of the fundamental right to vote.

Along with Arkansas, other states that joined the amicus brief include: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and West Virginia. All have attorneys general that are affiliated with the Republican Party.

Backers of both the medical marijuana petition and the lawsuit seeking to invalidate the multicounty rule said the brief filed by other states was unprecedented and an unnecessary incursion.

Nebraskans are suffering every day and unable to receive the care they need from their physicians, and other states  many of which already have access to this care  have decided to intervene in a lawsuit and attempt to deny medical care to Nebraskans, said Crista Eggers, who is the plaintiff in the lawsuit on behalf of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana.

Jane Seu, an attorney with ACLU of Nebraska, which filed the lawsuit along with the ballot initiative, said there was nothing the amicus brief offers a compelling argument as to why Nebraskans should continue to be deprived of equal power in the ballot initiative process.

No matter what county we live in, our signatures on a petition should carry equal weight, Seu said in a statement. Thats what the Constitution says and that is why we brought this lawsuit.

Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld, who co-sponsored the petition with Sen. Anna Wishart, called the amicus brief an unprecedented attack by other states to stop Nebraskans right to the petition.

We wont be intimidated and we will not back down, Morfeld said.

Shortly after the temporary injunction against the multicounty rule was lifted in early July, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana submitted 87,000 signatures on each of its two petitions.

The first petition would require the Legislature to enact a law protecting doctors who recommend cannabis for their patients as well as those individuals who possess or use cannabis at the recommendation of their doctor.

The second would require lawmakers to pass legislation protecting companies that produce, supply or distribute cannabis for medical purposes in Nebraska.

Wishart said the campaign would not know if it had obtained 5% of voters in 38 counties on either petition until those names are verified by county election officials.
Lincoln is host to a number of restaurants that provide an abundance of Asian cuisines  from Chinese to Indian to Thai.

But Pah Dah says that he can claim the sole designation of serving Burmese dining options in the Capital City. Dah  who along with his wife, Suela Wah  are co-owners of High Peak Asian Restaurant, located in the Meadows Shopping Center.

Born in Myanmar (formerly Burma), Dah and his family left the military-ruled country when Dah was in his teens, fleeing to Thailand. The family emigrated to the United States in 2009 and settled in California. As an adult, Dah gained kitchen experience in one of San Franciscos premier Burmese restaurants.

The intrigue of the diversity and contrasts of the U.S. drew Dah to the middle of the country and Lincoln in 2018. After partnering in a short-lived restaurant in Omaha, Dah and Wah decided Lincoln offered more opportunity for them, with High Peak opening in May 2020.

Dah said that his first desire was to locate in downtown Lincoln, but that did not work out. Landing at High Peaks 70th and Van Dorn streets location has proven to be a very satisfying alternative.

High Peak is intimate and small with an unassuming atmosphere. Light pastels on the walls enhance a feeling of simplicity, quiet and calmness. The menu has elements of Thai and Indian, but the presence of Burmese cuisine dominates.

Dah cites his heritage and the techniques he learned in San Francisco in his personal origination of the recipes featured at High Peak.

Dahs daughter Si Poe  who can often be found in the High Peak kitchen on weekends  said that the restaurants menu offers a mix of Burmese, Chinese, Thai and Indian offerings. But because of the Burmese emphasis, diners can expect a little more flavor than in other Asian restaurants.

High Peaks Appetizers include a choice of Egg Rolls, Spring Rolls or Samosas for $5.50. An order of Skillet Shrimp costs $7.99. There are three Soup choices  Samosa ($9.99), Oh Noh Kauswer (Burmese style creamy coconut chicken bisque, $12.99) and Pho ($12.99). At $10.50 are Tea Leaf Salad and Ginger Salad.

Seven choices are offered under Veggies & Tofu, each costing $12.99, and include String Beans, Broccoli and Garlic, Eggplant and Garlic, Fiery Tofu and Veggies, Mango Tofu, Veggie Kebat and Sesame Tofu.

Seafood, Pork, Chicken and Beef entrees all cost $13.50. Seafood offerings include Mango Shrimp, Walnut Shrimp, Fiery Shrimp with Tofu, Shrimp Kebat and Tom Yum Shrimp. Pork choices are Mint Jalapeno Pork, Fiery Pork with Tofu, Lemongrass Pork and Ginger Chili Pork. Under Chicken are Chicken Kebat, Fiery Chicken with Tofu, Mango Chicken, Mint Jalapeno Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Chicken Crisp and Lemongrass Chicken. Beef options are Burmese Beef Stew, Beef Kebat, Chili Beef, Feisty Beef with Tofu and Sesame Beef.

Lamb dishes costing $14.99 are Burmese Lamb Curry Stew, Chili Lamb Fiery Lamb and Lamb Kebat.

There are six Noodle options each at $12.99  Burmese Pad Thai, Pad Won Sen (glass noodles and veggies), Garlic Noodles, Pad See Ew (rice noodles and veggies), Nan Gyi Dok (rice noodles, coconut chicken sauce, yellow bean powder, cilantro, fried onions, topped with hard-boiled egg and wonton) and Bun Tay Kauswer (same as Nan Gyi Dok but with wheat noodles).

Closing out the entree choices are eight Thai Specialties. Costing $13.50 are Thai Red Curry Chicken, Thai Yellow Curry Chicken, Thai Green Curry Chicken, Sesame Pork Ribs, Larb (beef, chicken or pork, lemongrass, galagal, lime leaves, sweet onion, cilantro, green onion, lime juice and rice powder), and Pad Kaprao (beef, chicken or pork, Thai holy basil leaves, string beans, bell peppers, onion, cilantro, green onion and chili pepper). Thai Fried Rice and Homestyle Fried Rice are $12.99 each.

Dah said that customer favorites are Mango Chicken, Eggplant, and Garlic and Fiery Tofu.

Monday through Friday lunch specials range from $9.50 to $11.99.

Poe said that the restaurants dine-in and carryout business are pretty much equal, with High Peaks customer demographic generally consisting of families and seniors.

Why should someone try High Peak? Dah emphasizes that the restaurants quiet, calm atmosphere and its high quality dining options, plus High Peak being the only restaurant in Lincoln with Burmese fare, makes the restaurant pretty special.
Turkish Airlines has renewed its online shopping store shopandmiles.com, giving it a new look both in terms of design and technology with the New Shop&Miles experience.



With its new design offering a privileged shopping experience, user friendly platform where Miles&Smiles members can redeem their Miles as they wish, is operating with service focused approach. Miles&Smiles members will be able to buy a coffee with their Miles or turn them into a delicious meal or use them for a multitude of products and gift cards.



Stating that Turkish Airlines aims to carry 75 million passengers this year as the biggest service exporter of Turkiye, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof Dr Ahmet Bolat said: Our online shopping store has been attracting great interest from our Miles&Smiles members since the first day we launched it.



Now we have renewed our website both in terms of infrastructure and design in this new phase we named New Shop&Miles Experience. We have designed Shop&Miles, which we offer together with Turkiye's most valuable brands, in a way that provides opportunities and advantages in the daily lives of our members. Our members will now be able to use their Miles in every part of their lives and benefit from the services of our countrys most popular national and international companies in their respective fields.



Shopandmiles.com website also collaborated with the most valuable brands with the leadership mantles in their sectors in Turkiye. Also, in order to increase the Mile redemption alternatives, many new brands are added to the platform as a Miles&Smiles program partner.  TradeArabia News Service
That was quick. Only 13 months after the Supreme Court sided with Pennsylvania's vulgar cheerleader, its decision benefited a Colorado teenager who has the cringeworthy "humor" common among adolescent males. Both cases echoed what a few Iowa teenagers got the nation's highest court to do 53 years ago.

As he is referred to in court documents, "C.G." was in a suburban Denver thrift store trying on stuff, including something that he thought resembled a World War II-era military hat. C.G. posted on Snapchat a picture of a friend wearing it, and C.G. added this caption: "Me and the boys bout [sic] to exterminate the Jews." This was visible only to Snapchat users connected to C.G., and he deleted it after a few hours and posted this apology: "I'm sorry for that picture it was ment [sic] to be a joke."

But before the deletion, a Snapchat "friend" of C.G. took a screenshot of the post and showed it to her father, who evidently has an adolescent's wisdom: He called the police. They visited C.G.'s house and, in the perhaps droll summation of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, they "found no threat."

No incipient genocide. End of story? Not in this age of social media and dithering adults.

His school suspended and then expelled C.G. for a year, citing school district policies forbidding, inter alia, behavior "on or off school property" that is "detrimental to the welfare, safety or morals of other students or school personnel." This absurdity, occasioned by a bad joke, was unconstitutional, given what the Supreme Court said about the ninth-grader who, when she failed to make the varsity cheerleading team, posted on Snapchat -- off campus and after school hours -- a picture of her raised middle finger, and a teenager philippic, about half of it consisting of profanity.

Her school disciplined her because she violated the school's requirement to avoid "foul language and inappropriate gestures." Thirteen months ago, the Supreme Court held in her case that K-12 schools cannot police off-campus speech not directed at any student, teacher or administrator.

In 1969, the Supreme Court sided with three Des Moines high school students who had been suspended for violating a rule against wearing protest armbands, a rule their school adopted upon learning that the three were planning to wear armbands protesting the Vietnam War. The court held that armbands are neither disruptive nor violative of others' rights.

A district court dismissed the suit C.G. filed against various school officials, charging violation of his First Amendment speech rights and of his 14th Amendment claim that due process was denied to him when he was denied an opportunity to defend himself and was not informed of most of the charges against him. The 10th Circuit reminded the district court of the cheerleader and armband cases, and it directed the lower court to reconsider.

It was absurd for C.G.'s school -- whose overreaction to his puerile Snapchat post caused more turmoil than his post did -- to believe that the post could cause disruption at the school. The school officials' contention that C.G.'s post was "hate speech targeting the Jewish community" was as dumb as his joke and confused puerility with animosity.

C.G. is suing school administrators for money damages. They claim "qualified immunity," arguing that they could not reasonably have been expected to know that they could not punish C.G. for his promptly regretted stupidity that occurred away from, and without reference to, his school.

Unfortunately but actually, no reasonable person thinks that the kind of people running American education today know -- or, in the unlikely event that they do know, that they care -- what constitutional law says about speech protections.

In an amicus brief filed in the 10th Circuit on C.G.'s behalf, FIRE -- the indefatigable and indispensable Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression -- argued that tomorrow's college students are attending today's K-12 schools, where mistaken censorship policies miseducate them. They then arrive on college campuses demanding "safe spaces" as refuge from speech that annoys them. So, litigating teenagers' Snapchat misadventures is as necessary as it is tiresome.
Laura Ann Walker, the attorney for the teen against whom charges were dropped, told the Journal Times it appeared a witness had been untruthful in identifying her client as being involved in the crime. The prosecutor then "did what she is supposed to do as a prosecutor and that is to speak the truth, Walker said. So kudos to her. However, Walker did express concern about the rush to charge her client. I wish they would spend more time investigating prior to issuing the criminal complaint."
If you have an internet connection, it is not particularly difficult to order someone elses absentee ballot in Wisconsin. Doing that is a crime, just as its a crime to steal a TV from Walmart or order a credit card in someone elses name, but it is not necessarily difficult.

Being able to actually cast the ballot in someone elses name and not get caught by authorities is another matter entirely.

Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling on Wednesday afternoon issued a statement on Facebook aiming to bring light to this, alleging there are vulnerabilities in Wisconsins election system.

Elections officials quickly pushed back on the sheriffs claims, noting that the system to request ballots online via MyVote.WI.gov is practically identical to the system for requesting absentee ballots by mail, and that there has been no evidence presented that the alleged vulnerability has been used for votes to be illegally cast and counted.

The fact that people can commit crimes doesnt mean the system doesnt work, Ann Jacobs, one of three Democratic members of the six-person Wisconsin Elections Commission, said in a phone interview Wednesday evening.

Apparent vulnerabilities alleged

Heres what the Racine County Sheriffs Office is aiming to bring to public attention to:

Not addressed in the RCSOs post is that this is only allowed if the individuals government-issued voter ID is already on file with the Wisconsin Elections Commission, indicating they likely voted absentee before. If the individuals ID is not on file, this would not work.

Also, if someone were to request another persons absentee ballot and then vote in their name, the fraudster could be found out if the individual whose ballot was illegally requested tried to vote or looked up whether they requested a ballot via MyVote.WI.gov.

To ensure they would get away with it, the person who surreptitiously requested someone elses ballot would need to know that the individual whose ballot they were stealing had no plans to vote but is still a registered voter with their voter ID on file.

No evidence has been presented that the potential for fraud the Sheriffs Office highlighted Wednesday has actually been used to carry out election fraud.

The Sheriffs Office called for the immediate suspension of the function within MyVote Wisconsin where a person can request anothers absentee ballot and have it mailed to a different address, with or without showing any proper photo identification. Likewise, the Sheriffs Office said it is calling for the immediate suspension of the function allowing for the declaration of being indefinitely confined, which allows for ballots to be sent to different addresses for All future elections.

In a statement Wednesday, Schmaling said I am disheartened by the apparent vulnerabilities in MyVote Wisconsin that are ripe for fraud, and everyone  no matter their political leanings  should join in requesting a thorough, statewide, investigation into this significant election integrity issue.

The Sheriffs Office said it has reached out to the Wisconsin Attorney Generals Office and Wisconsin Elections Commission to investigate the matter. It does not appear that will happen.

There is no indication of any vulnerability with the MyVote application, Riley Vetterkind, Wisconsin Elections Commission public information officer, said in an email Wednesday. The idea that absentee ballot requests made online, via MyVote, are more susceptible to fraud is false. The MyVote web application requires a person to provide the same information he or she would provide if the person made the ballot request through traditional mail. MyVote does not make it any easier to commit voter fraud than requesting a ballot through the mail.

Added WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe: Claiming that by committing a crime by submitting false information to obtain an absentee ballot somehow reveals a vulnerability of our system is inaccurate and irresponsible. Intentionally using someone elses identity to subvert the system does not demonstrate a flaw with MyVote, but rather a flaw with that persons conduct. A nefarious person who chooses to impersonate someone else in order to gain official documents of any kind  whether for election use or any other purpose  is clearly violating state and federal law and could face consequences.

Quote "The fact that people can commit crimes doesnt mean the system doesnt work." Ann Jacobs, Wisconsin elections commissioner

Testing the theory

The Facebook post said that multiple individuals requested ballots on behalf of other people without their knowledge to test if there was a vulnerability. Those unidentified individuals are referred to as complainants, who then reported what they did to the Racine County Sheriffs Office.

One of the complainants, the RCSO said, requested the ballot of two prominent government officials and numerous individuals from around the state. This complainant reported he was successful in ordering these ballots be sent to the complainants home because he knew these individuals dates of birth and without showing any form of photo identification.

A screenshot from the MyVote website shared by the Sheriffs Office appears to show an Oak Creek voter named Michael having his ballot sent to the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave.

Another complainant identified herself to The Journal Times. She is Adrianne Melby, a Burlington mom and conservative organizer. She thinks Joe Bidens 2020 election win should be thrown out and a new election should be held due to alleged irregularities.

Melby said she was tinkering online on the MyVote website and wondering if I could get my own ballot without a photo ID. She learned she could. After some more tinkering, it appeared she could request her dads ballot to be delivered to her house  not his.

She said she asked a friend go to MyVote.WI.gov and see if the friend could attempt to request Melbys ballot and have it delivered to the friends house. According to Melby, her friend mistakenly hit the request ballot button on the website after filling out Melbys information and actually requested the ballot; Melby said the friend had only intended to get to the final step but never actually request the ballot and thus risk breaking the law.

It cannot be this easy to get somebodys ballot delivered to their address, Melby recalled thinking to herself.

But, Melby said the absentee ballot arrived in her friends mailbox three days later.

After the ballot arrived in her friends mailbox, Melby said she immediately reported it to Schmaling. Melby said Schmaling told her she neednt be worried about criminal prosecution because the friend was requesting Melbys ballot at Melbys request.

WEC responds

Jacobs called it astonishing that the Racine County Sheriffs Office is highlighting the reports of these complainants, as what they did could have been illegal.

Requesting or attempting to vote an absentee ballot in the name of another person has long been and continues to be a crime. Under the law, a voter can request an absentee ballot for him or herself only, according to Vetterkind.

Vetterkind further explained: Requests for absentee ballots made on MyVote generate an email to the respective voters municipal clerk, who then determines whether the voter has provided the necessary and correct information to receive an absentee ballot, including a photo ID. To receive an absentee ballot through the mail, a voter either must provide a copy of an acceptable photo ID or the clerk must check that one is on file for the voter from a previous request.

Once again, Jacobs said, the Racine sheriff has embarrassed himself by making false claims of voting impropriety  If he understood Wisconsins election system, he would know the MyVote website works the exact same way as a paper request for an absentee ballot.

The Journal Times asked Schmaling in an email Should the complainants who requested other individuals ballots without their knowledge be criminally charged? As of press time, no response to that question or others were received.

State law According to Wisconsin state law, "If an elector who files an application (for an absentee ballot) no longer resides at the same address that is indicated on the application form, the elector shall so notify the municipal clerk." As such, the notification of the clerk of a change of address has been able to be carried out via MyVote. The statute relating to "methods for obtaining an absentee ballot" continues: "If a municipal clerk is notified by an elector that the elector's residence is changed to another municipality within this state, the clerk shall forward the request to the municipal clerk of that municipality and that municipal clerk shall honor the request." State law explicitly allows for applications for ballots to be submitted via "facsimile transmission or electronic mail," i.e. via fax machine, the internet or email.

Could it happen? Yes. Its election fraud

Tuesday afternoon, prior to the RCSO issuing its statement, a Journal Times reporter interviewed Racine City Clerk Tara Coolidge about this topic.

Coolidge said that what Schmaling brought to light Wednesday is possible. But, Coolidge also noted that it is possible to order a credit card under someone elses name if you have their information  although more information is needed to order a credit card than to order a ballot, such as a social security number.

Could it happen? Yes. Its election fraud, Coolidge said. If they are caught, we obviously would refer them to the district attorney for prosecution.

Added Jacobs: Its also possible for me to walk into Walmart, grab a flat-screen TV and walk out the front door. Its a crime either way.

Elections officials, as well as advocates for expanding voting access, argue the relative risks of potential voter fraud via mail-in voting are outweighed by making it easy for all adult citizens to vote.

Quote I am disheartened by the apparent vulnerabilities in MyVote Wisconsin that are ripe for fraud, and everyone  no matter their political leanings  should join in requesting a thorough, statewide, investigation into this significant election integrity issue. Christopher Schmaling, Racine County sheriff

Public response Within minutes of the sheriffs statement being posted on Facebook, those questioning the validity of President Joe Bidens 2020 election win over Donald Trump began chiming in. Right here is a great example of the cheating that went on..people open your eyes! I guess the non believers will only get it when it happens to them. (sic), wrote one person on Facebook whose comment received more than 75 likes in less than six hours. And people will go after Trump when he says the 2020 election results were stolen. Thanks to Racine County Sheriffs Office for bringing this up. Such a fantastic job from your outfit. Elections are supposed to be fair (sic), stated another comment with more than 45 positive reactions. A minority of respondents criticized what the Sheriff's Office had said. One called it "a bunch of alarmist hype." In more than two hours, that comment got just two likes. There is no evidence that Trump received more votes than Biden in Wisconsin in the 2020 election, nor is there any evidence that drop boxes  now ruled illegal by the Wisconsin Supreme Court  were used more-often by Democratic voters and Republican voters. The number of election fraud cases prosecuted in Wisconsin in 2020 are in line with prior years. Wisconsin Watch reported that Local elections clerks in Wisconsin referred 12 cases to prosecutors related to the 2020 general election, out of 3.3 million ballots cast. Sheriff Christopher Schmaling has not said the 2020 election should be overturned, but he and Racine County Sheriffs Office Lt. Michael Luell have each publicly said illegalities occurred during the election. Luell led a nearly yearlong investigation into voting in Wisconsin nursing homes. After that investigation was made public, Schmaling called for charges to be filed against the Wisconsin Elections Commission members who voted, ahead of the 2020 presidential election, to suspend enforcement of a law that requires Special Voting Deputies to go into nursing homes to execute the vote. WEC said suspending enforcement of the law, which the commission did not explicitly legally have the authority to do, was necessary due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as SVDs likely would not have been granted access to nursing homes anyway because of COVID-19 protocols. No prosecutors have filed charges as a result of the investigation. District Attorney Patricia Hanson said she agrees that what the WEC did in 2020 was illegal, but that she does not have the jurisdiction to prosecute.
BURLINGTON  In what could become a statewide model for consolidation, merger talks are underway to combine management of libraries from Racine to Beloit.

The merger of the Lakeshores Library System and the Arrowhead Library System would involve 22 libraries with a combined membership exceeding 280,000 throughout the neighboring counties of Racine, Walworth and Rock.

If all three county boards give their approval, the two library networks would combine effective Jan. 1, creating a single governing board to oversee facilities in all three counties.

Lakeshores includes five libraries in Racine County and 10 in Walworth County, while Arrowhead includes seven in Rock County. The consolidation would affect the Racine Public Library as well as others in Burlington, Lake Geneva, Elkhorn, Janesville, Beloit and elsewhere.

While library visitors would not likely notice an immediate difference, officials say the merger would streamline operations, improve efficiency and save money.

State officials who help to fund libraries and have been urging consolidation for years think the potential Racine-Walworth-Rock alliance would encourage other library mergers.

Ben Miller, library services director for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, said he is confident that other library administrators would take note and would engage their neighboring library systems in merger talks.

This opens the door, Miller said.

All three county boards are expected to decide on the library restructuring by September.

Meanwhile, local library boards in both the Lakeshores and Arrowhead systems are stepping forward individually to offer their support for the merger.

The Burlington Library Board in Racine County voted unanimously Tuesday to become the latest getting on board with the proposal.

Burlington Library Director Joe Davies said the consolidation would eliminate needless duplication of administrative resources by putting all 22 facilities under one management structure.

Itll be a different dynamic, Davies said. But I think its a good opportunity.

Racine Library Director Angela Zimmermann said she, too, welcomes the potential for increased sharing of resources among libraries, as well as maximizing the impact of the combined financial assets.

The Racine Library Board has likewise voted to get behind the merger.

There are a plethora of benefits and reasons this merger makes sense, Zimmermann said.

Wisconsin currently has 16 regional systems managing a combined 380 public libraries statewide. The libraries are funded through a combination of state appropriations and local support.

All of the library systems come under the ultimate supervision of the state Department of Public Instruction  the same state agency that oversees public schools.

State officials have spent years trying to persuade library administrators to consider merging as a way of increasing efficiency and stretching dollars.

Mergers with neighboring systems took place about five years ago after a breakup of the struggling Mid-Wisconsin Library System, which had been serving Dodge, Jefferson and Washington counties. But no consolidation has taken place on a purely voluntary basis.

Officials with the Lakeshores and Arrowhead systems agreed last year to consider such a merger. The two neighboring networks already were working cooperatively on information technology, marketing, and circulation.

Lakeshores has a total of 108,804 members in Racine County and another 47,654 in Walworth County. Arrowhead has 126,259 throughout Rock County.

Together, the two systems receive $1.3 million a year in state aid.

After the two formed a joint committee to study consolidation, the committee called for a merger earlier this summer, saying, This merger will benefit the member libraries and the public they serve.

On the eight-member committee, only one person voted against moving toward a merger: Racine County Board Supervisor Bob Miller, who serves on the board of the Lakeshores system.

Miller, no relation to the states Ben Miller, said he had misgivings about whether the merger concept was vetted thoroughly enough. After system administrators promised to draft more detailed plans later, Miller said he agreed to add his support.

The board of the Arrowhead system endorsed the new alliance July 13, and the Lakeshores system board did the same on July 19.

Miller added that he suspects the library consolidation will pass muster with the Racine County Board, too.

I cannot predict how everyone is going to feel about it, he said. But I think there are plenty of pluses.

All public libraries that receive state funds are required by Oct. 15 to present DPI with operating plans for the coming year. If the merger receives support at the county board level, Lakeshores and Arrowhead officials plan by Oct. 15 to present the state with detailed plans for the as-yet-unnamed consolidated library network.

Steve Ohs, director of the Lakeshores system, said the new tri-county system then would go live when the new year begins on Jan. 1.

Ohs said he has heard no opposition from any local library board, and he is feeling increasingly upbeat about the mergers future.

I think theres a good path forward, he said. Its very heartening to see.
1. Yes. The new high school has made it a must. Thousands of people are impacted..

2. Yes. Even if it means revising some budgets, these entities must move on the project.

3. No. Its been known for years that the road was a problem.. Why the urgency now?

4. No. If prioritizing the road means more taxes, forget it. The project will just have to wait.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say until school has been in session for a few months.

Vote

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Etihad Airways posted a record-breaking core operating profit of $296 million (H1 2021: $392 million loss) for the first half of 2022.

This result was achieved despite fuel costs increasing by almost 60% in comparison to the same period last year, the airline said.

Etihad carried 4.02 million passengers in H1 2022, over 3 million more than last year (H1 2021: 980,000), with an average seat load factor of 75%. Passenger loads increased consistently over the first six months, rising by 21.9 percentage points as travel demand recovered. The airline saw a strong boost in passenger volumes in February as Abu Dhabi further relaxed pandemic-related restrictions.

Network capacity came in at 24 billion ASKs for H1 2022, growing by 46% compared to last year (H1 2021: 16.4 billion), as the airline connected Abu Dhabi to 71 passenger and cargo destinations across 45 countries.

The first half of the year saw Etihad launch five summer services, including new seasonal routes to Heraklion on the island of Crete and the French city of Nice.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: "Thanks to our transformation programme, Etihad is emerging from the pandemic stronger than ever, with a world-class fleet, an unmatched customer proposition and sustainability woven into every fibre of our business.

As air travel came roaring back in 2022, Etihad was there to reconnect our customers with their loved ones and take them on their long-awaited vacations, carrying over 4 million passengers to and from our beautiful home of Abu Dhabi.

"Sustainability continued to be a priority area for Etihad as we entered our fuel-efficient A350-1000s into service and continued our industry-leading decarbonisation efforts, leading to Etihad being recently named Environmental Airline of the Year.

Etihad Guest delivered record results this year as we continued to drive member engagement and launched Conscious Choices, the first green loyalty programme in the world to reward frequent flyers for making sustainable choices in the air and on the ground.

"Our results would not be possible without the hard work and commitment of the entire Etihad family, and our focus now is on continuing this momentum into the second half of the year.

Financial and loyalty related highlights

Etihad's passenger revenues tripled in the first six months of the year, climbing to $1.25 billion (H1 2021: $320 million) as more business and leisure travellers returned to the air. This was supported by more countries across Etihad's network relaxing their Covid-related travel restrictions.

Cargo operations continued to deliver exceptional results with revenues of $802 million in the first half of 2022, representing an increase of 6% on the same period last year. Revenues remained strong despite the increase in passenger volumes limiting belly-hold capacity, leading to a 19% reduction in freight carried (295,020 tonnes).

As a result of a constant focus on cost containment, fixed overhead and finance costs decreased in H1 2022, falling by 9% (or $29 million) and 13% (or $22 million) respectively, said Etihad.

Etihad Guest, the airlines award-winning loyalty programme, delivered a record of new member acquisitions in June 2022, increasing to 7.95 million members globally. Flight redemptions increased 15% in H1 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, with over 737,000 flights taken, and member engagement levels translated into record card spends across the programmes portfolio of UAE banks, supported by a new partnership with Emirates NBD.

Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer, said: "Our transformation programme has made Etihad substantially more resilient and efficient, and we are extremely proud of our return to profitability in the first half of 2022.

"In the first half, we managed to further reduce our fixed overhead and finance costs by $50 million compared to H1 2021, reduce the level of debt on our balance sheet, and improve our EBITDA by more than $600 million.

While ramping up our operations and recording a four-fold increase in passenger volumes, we kept a tight hold on our cost base. As a result, our operating costs only rose by 26% despite a 46% increase in deployed capacity.

"Our overall operating profit of US$ 296 million is testament to the strength of our business model at Etihad and the improvements we have made to our underlying financial performance over the years, he said. - TradeArabia News Service
LINCOLN  Governor Pete Ricketts, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) encourage Nebraskans to register for the Governors Ag and Economic Development Summit on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.

Registration for the event is now open at govsummit.nebraska.gov. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel J. Kritenbrink, will be the keynote speaker.

Nebraska is successfully creating jobs and attracting investment, said Gov. Ricketts. This years Summit will convene leaders from across the state to discuss how to build on this positive momentum. Attending the Summit is a great way to make connections with fellow Nebraskans who play key roles in our states growth. We look forward to hosting Assistant Secretary of State Kritenbrink and hearing his insights on opportunities to grow Nebraska through international trade.

As the states premier economic development forum, the Summit includes an agricultural focus, with co-sponsor NDA hosting a number of industry-related sessions. Discussion tracks will include overcoming supply chain challenges, growing ag-related exports, supporting small businesses, workforce development and much more.

Assistant Secretary of State Kritenbrink is scheduled to provide remarks during lunch. Kritenbrink grew up on a farm near Ashland and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam from 2017 to 2021 after being appointed by President Donald Trump.

The Summit will officially kick off on the evening of Aug. 9 with a reception and banquet hosted by the Nebraska Diplomats and NetChoice. During that event, numerous Diplomats and Nebraska businesses will be recognized for their contributions to the states economic success over the previous year.

Registration for the Diplomat Banquet and Summit can be accessed at govsummit.nebraska.gov. A full Summit agenda is also available through the website. For questions, contact Lori Shaal at lori.shaal@nebraska.gov or 402-471-3780.
The Westby Syttende Mai Board of Directors is seeking people who are willing to serve on the board and others who are interested in volunteeri
The most recent and official patch design adopted by the Westby Police Department has an enlarged version of it, attached on the east-facing wall of the Westby Police Department Headquarters building at 200 Melby St., Westby. Examples of the two previous patch designs used over the years, as well as this most current one, are part of the History Alive Project Collection of Westby City artifacts.

The now retired Westby City Police Chief, Mitch Hundt, who was with the force for 20 years as Chief, along with then Officer Scott Stuber, designed the current patch. In June of 2007, Hundt and Stuber felt that their current design could replace the previous one which now Chief Stuber said needed a bit refreshing.

That patch had, at its center a rather muscular, clean-shaven looking Viking, clutching a huge hammer or maul. He sported a full-length red cape and also a head of blonde hair which can be seen, flowing out from his rather benign-looking beanie hat.

Prior to that patch, again a Viking idea was incorporated in the patch design, this time appearing with a Norwegian longboat, complete with five warrior shields along its side and a dragonhead at the fore end. There is a blue and yellow-striped sail added to this boat and to top it all off, only a head motif a Viking was added. This scowling, shaggy-haired Viking had a heavy mustache and beard and had a kind of tent-hat shaped cap on his head.

Refresh they did, as Hundt and Stuber chose a state of Wisconsin outline and then added a red star on the spot to denote the location of Westby. Then a Norwegian and a U.S. flag were added on the Wisconsin outline, acknowledging Westbys rich Norwegian heritage and that cultural connection to United States. A black, silhouetted ski jumper was layered next on to this design to honor the long tradition of ski jumping in this area. Finally the date, 1896, was added to give a nod to the year the Force was established. That year would have seen Westby classified legally as a Village. It was not until 1920 that Westby received its now City status.

History Alive Project volunteers want to remind readers that out-of-the-box pieces of local history can be found almost anywhere. It is important to tell about those pieces, no matter how small, as those pieces make up the quilt of our whole Community. The HAP volunteers did wonder why the sail colors chosen for patch No. 2 are those of Sweden.hmmmmm!
The Vernon County Censor

July 26, 1922

100 years ago

On August 2nd, the LaCrosse and Southeastern Railway Company will give special train service and reduced rates from Viroqua to LaCrosse and return, on accounts of Ringling Bros. & Barnum Bailey Circus. Round Trip rate $2.00.

Train leaves Viroqua at 7:15 A.M. and return train leaves LaCrosse at 5:30 P.M.

Everybody should see this worlds largest circus. A.H. MUELLER, G.P.A.

Notice of final determination on assessment for paving East Decker St. from Main St. to east line of Wisconsin Ave., from East Decker St. to north side of Railroad Ave. Railroad Ave. to C.M. & St. P. right of way.

The big downpour July 9th has been followed by gentle rains, warm days and cool nights. It is ideal growing weather for tobacco. This week opened with sunshine and light breeze, making the conditions for work in the fields exceptionally fine. The stand is equal to the best that Wisconsin fields ever presented at this time of the year.

One Week Only!

13 lbs. Granulated sugar $1.00; White Navy Beans, per lb. 10c; 6 Bars White Luna Soap .25c; 6 lb. can Roast Beef .75c; 30c Lemon Gem Cookies at, per lb. 20c; North Sea Red Alaska Salmon, per can .28c; 4 lbs. good Peaberruy Coffee .98c; Red Rose Peas, per can .10c; 10 lb.pail Corn Syrup .50c; Large can Armours Pork and Beans .25c. A Dish free with 21 lbs. Good Luck Coffee. JOHNSON BROS.

Pilot the trained horse who appears at the Temple Theatre Monday and Tuesday evenings is a beautiful animal and a fine actor.

Co. A. 107th Engineers, Viroquas local National Guard Unit, goes to camp Douglas Next Monday morning to spend two weeks in training.

The Vernon County Censor

July 24, 1947

75 years ago

V.R. Schaefer, Vernon County Chairman of the Wisconsin Advisory Committee, U. S. Savings Bonds Division, has been advised that during the first six months of 1947 sales of E, F and G savings bonds in Vernon County amounted to $1,000,477 and the objective for 1947 was $1,117,000. This means that in the first six months sales in Vernon County were 80.6 percent of the years goal. Vernon County stands in first place in the state in the percent of objective.

The Sons of Norway Lodges of Coon Valley, Westby, Viroqua and LaCrosse will hold a joint picnic at the Vernon County Park on July 27. Everyone bring your own lunch and dishes. Coffee will be served free. If you like cream in your coffee, bring it yourself. There will be a program starting at 1:30 with Editor Carl G. O. Hanson of Minneapolis as speaker. Music will be furnished by the Normanna Male Chorus of LaCrosse. There will be a ball game between Coon Valley and South Ridge at 3pm. Everyone is cordially invited. Judge Neprud is in charge of the weather and Orvind Froseth of LaCrosse in charge of the music

Barney Haugen and Reuben Hanson extend their thanks to the community on the occasion of their first anniversary. The Oriole Cafe has become a very well-patronized eating place under their management, and we wish them many more returns of the day..

The Vernon County Broadcaster-Censor

July 27, 1972

50 years ago

In seven hours Monday, 393 electors of the Viroqua Area School district returned all 3 incumbents

August 15th is the date the Kickapoo Valley Medical Clinic is to be open, and the staff to be hired next week.

Western Wisconsin Technical Institute:

Free Tuition for Wisconsin and Minnesota students*

*Note, All full-time programs with openings tuition-free for all residents of Wisconsin where similar programs are not offered or are filled to capacity, and for neighboring Minnesota residents under new reciprocity agreement of 1972.

The Vernon County Broadcaster

July 24, 1997

25 years ago

Marv Nelson Realty celebrates a milestone. They would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making Viroqua a good place to live and work for the past 25 years.

Motorcyclists suffered an extraordinarily high number of traffic fatalities last month. At least 13 motorcyclists died in traffic crashes the month of June, accounting for about 20% of all people killed on the states highways. They were one-fifth of June traffic fatalities.

Volunteers were busy removing tile from the front of the Temple Theatre in Viroqua, as they prepare for the addition of a new marble facade to be donated by Krause Monument of Viroqua.

A nurse practitioner has joined the staff of the Kickapoo Valley Medical Clinic in Soldiers Grove. Lisa Wenzel is ready to help residents with prenatal care, general physical exams, as well as individuals with acute or chronic illness. Wenzel is married and the mother of three boys who attend Kickapoo Elementary School. Her husband, Michael, works in Richland Center as a computer programmer.

Three area teachers earned their masters degrees from Viterbo College during commencement exercises on July 11. Greg Koelker of Stoddard earned his master of arts degree in education. Todd Ihrcke of Westby received his masters in education. Roxanne Schmitz of Norwalk also received her master of arts degree in education.

Boscobels Civil War Weekend, Muskets and Memories, a living history event, is slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1-3 in the Kronshage Park. The park is located in the southeast corner of the city, adjacent to Boscobel Cemetery.

The Vernon County Broadcaster

July 26, 2012

10 years ago

Katelyn Fauske will be crowned the 2012-2013 Fairest of the Fair at the Ferris Wheel Breakfast, Saturday, July 28. Fauske will be the 42nd Fairest of the Fair for Vernon County Fair. Her parents are Matt and Shelly Fauske and her sponsor is Embroidery and More of Westby. She is a Westby High School graduate and currently is in her second year of college at Fox Valley Technical School.

The Vernon County Agricultural Society announced this week the recently-built commercial building on the fairgrounds in Viroqua has been named for Vernon Memorial Healthcare. The commercial building will be known as the Vernon Memorial Healthcare Expo Center. The agricultural society, which oversees all aspects of the fairgrounds, did not divulge the amount of the donation that Vernon Memorial Healthcare made for the naming rights.

The Viroqua Lions and Viroqua Lionettes donated money to local food pantries. The Lions gave $500 to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Food Pantry and $500 to the Bethel Butikk Food Pantry in Westby. The Lionettes also donated $500 to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Food Pantry in Viroqua. Money raised in the community by both clubs is given back to the community in this manner.

Dairy Queen is once again showing its commitment to area children by sponsoring the seventh annual Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 26. For every Blizzard treat sold that day, Dairy Queen will donate $1 or more to Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals. In addition, for the first time, your Facebook RSVP to Miracle Treat Day will also be matched with a $1 donation to the cause up to $50,000.
An arrest warrant has been issued for a 42-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a young child.

Darren K. Donlan of Caledonia, Minnesota, faces a single felony count of first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13.

According to a criminal complaint filed Thursday in La Crosse County Circuit Court, Village of Bangor police interviewed a girl who said Donlan touched her in "privacies" for more than a brief instance. The complaint says the assault happened sometime between January and April.

It's the second time in two weeks that Donlan has been accused of a sex offense in La Crosse County. On July 13, he was charged with third-degree sexual assault. Prosecutors allege that Donlan walked into a woman's Bangor residence June 3 and cornered her in a bedroom. The woman told police she reluctantly told Donlan to, "Do it and get it over with," because she feared for her safety.

Donlan was released on a $5,000 signature bond. His preliminary hearing in that case is set for July 29.
SITA, a leading IT provider to the air transport industry, has launched SITA eVisa and SITA Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to meet the rapidly growing demand from governments for digital visa systems.



Governments globally are shifting to modern travel authorization solutions, like electronic visas and Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs). According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), traditional visas  applications made via a consulate or embassy  decreased from 77% in 2008 to 53% in 2018.



The advantages of digital authorization solutions include improved security, reduced administrative burden, easier travel, and increased visitor flows, promoting spending that benefits local economies and creates employment. For example, one governments introduction of an eVisa scheme covering 40 plus countries in 2014-2015 led to a 21% increase in international visitor arrivals and the creation of 800,000 jobs accounted for around 20% of the growth seen in the countrys travel and tourism over the period.



SITA has deployed border management solutions for over 25 years to support cross-border mobility while safeguarding borders, helping over 70 countries today. In 1996, SITA pioneered the first ETA system for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The aim was to give authorities advance visibility into the huge influx of tourists crossing the border, helping to reduce immigration bottlenecks.



For one major government customer in Asia Pacific, SITAs ETA system enables over 3 million ETAs to be issued each year, 96% of applications result in the automatic issuance of an authorization, and 99% of all applications are successfully processed in less than 12 hours.



The mobile capability of SITAs new eVisa and ETA capability allows travellers to make applications and provide their biometric information using their personal devices before they travel. For travellers, this is simpler, more convenient, and less time-consuming than applying for more complex traditional or on-arrival visas. For governments, they can biometrically verify the applicants identity. The mobile app also creates ICAO-compliant Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs)  a development in digital identity for travel that may replace physical passports in the future.



SITAs eVisa and ETA solutions provide visas containing ICAOs Visible Digital Seal (VDS), an encrypted bar code that enables visas and ETAs, paper or electronic, to be digitally verified for authenticity, offering enhanced security and fraud prevention.



Jeremy Springall, Head of SITA At Borders, said: Adopting eVisa and ETA supports national prosperity. Weve productized our proven and robust travel authorization systems to benefit more nations around the world as they shift to digitalize and future-proof their borders. The solutions help countries to cope with growing passenger volumes, improve security and efficiency, and deliver a more seamless travel experience that travellers demand, removing the complexities of applying for traditional visas.



Springall added: The adaptability of these two solutions means that they are fully interoperable with existing border control and airline systems. And, they comply with international standards and best practices.  TradeArabia News Service
A busy intersection in front of Holmen High School is getting a roundabout.

Village of Holmen Administrator Scott Heinig said Wednesday that an agreement has been reached between the village, the Town of Holland, the Holmen School District and La Crosse County to install traffic control at the corner of Briggs Road and Hwy. MH (McHugh Road).

The school district will pay half the roundabout's estimated $1.2 million cost, while Holmen and Holland will each pay 25%. La Crosse County will be responsible for ongoing maintenance.

"The partnership to resolve this issue is a very cool thing," Heinig said.

The Town of Holland borders the high school, and a subdivision in the town has Briggs Road as its only outlet.

The intersection has experienced a steady increase in traffic since the high school opened in 1994 with roughly 750 students. Enrollment has since risen to nearly 1,200.

"The two peak moments of the day are when school lets in and when school lets out," Heinig said. "The intersection gets overburdened during those peak hours and raises safety issues."

Julie Holman, Holmen School District director of finance and operations, said there are just two exits from the high school  one for staff and school buses and one for students. She said it takes 25 to 30 minutes for all the students to exit during the afternoon.

"It does definitely back up," Holman said. "My office is on the corner, and I see it every day."

Heinig said the roundabout is less expensive than installing traffic lights and offers better "traffic movement capacity."

"It will improve the efficiency and safety of that intersection," he said.

Heinig said bids for the project will be sought in January 2023. Construction is set to begin in June 2023 and be completed by the end of August.

"We have a 2-month window to pound it out before school starts," Heinig said.
JACKSON, Ky. (AP)  Torrential rains unleashed devastating floods in Appalachia on Thursday, as fast-rising water killed at least eight people in Kentucky and sent people scurrying to rooftops to be rescued.

Water gushed from hillsides and flooded out of streambeds, inundating homes, businesses and roads throughout eastern Kentucky. Parts of western Virginia and southern West Virginia also saw extensive flooding. Rescue crews used helicopters and boats to pick up people trapped by floodwaters.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear tweeted Thursday evening that the state's death toll from flooding had risen to eight. He asked for continued prayers for the region, which was bracing for more rain.

In a word, this event is devastating, Beshear said earlier in the day. And I do believe it will end up being one of the most significant, deadly floods that we have had in Kentucky in at least a very long time.

In Breathitt County in Kentucky, Krystal Holbrook's family raced against surging floodwaters in the early morning hours to move possessions to higher ground. Their ordeal began around 4 a.m. Thursday, as they scurried in the dark to move vehicles, campers, trailers and farm equipment. But as the water kept rising throughout the day, the concern was that "higher ground is getting a little bit difficult, she said.

It looks like a huge lake back here, she said.

Beshear warned that property damage in Kentucky would be widespread. The governor said officials were setting up a site for donations that would go to residents affected by the flooding.

Dangerous conditions and continued rainfall hampered rescue efforts Thursday, the governor said.

Weve got a lot of people that need help that we cant get to at the moment, Beshear said. We will.

Flash flooding and mudslides were reported across the mountainous region of eastern Kentucky, western Virginia and southern West Virginia, where thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain over the past few days.

With more rain expected in the area, the National Weather Service said additional flooding was possible into Friday in much of West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia. Forecasters said the highest threat of flash flooding was expected to shift farther east into West Virginia.

Poweroutage.us reported more than 31,000 customers without electricity in eastern Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia, with the bulk of the outages in Kentucky.

There are a lot of people in eastern Kentucky on top of roofs waiting to be rescued," Beshear said earlier Thursday. "There are a number of people that are unaccounted for and Im nearly certain this is a situation where we are going to lose some of them.

Rescue crews worked throughout the night helping people stranded by the rising waters in eastern Kentucky's Perry County, where Emergency Management Director Jerry Stacy called it a catastrophic event.

Were just in the rescue mode right now, Stacy said, speaking with The Associated Press by phone as he struggled to reach his office in Hazard. Extreme flash flooding and mudslides are just everywhere.

The storms hit an Appalachian mountain region where communities and homes are perched on steep hillsides or set deep in the hollows between them, where creeks and streams can rise in a hurry. But this one is far worse than a typical flood, said Stacy, 54.

"Ive lived here in Perry County all my life and this is by the far the worst event Ive ever seen, he said.

Roads in many areas werent passable after as much as 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain had fallen in some areas by Thursday, and 1-3 more inches (7.5 centimeters) could fall, the National Weather Service said.

Beshear said he has deployed National Guard soldiers to the hardest-hit areas, and three parks in the region were opened as shelters for displaced people.

Breathitt County's courthouse was opened overnight in Kentucky, and Emergency Management Director Chris Friley said the Old Montessori School would provide more permanent shelter once crews can staff it.

Perry County dispatchers told WKYT-TV that floodwaters washed out roads and bridges and knocked homes off foundations. The city of Hazard said rescue crews were out all night, urging people on Facebook to stay off roads and pray for a break in the rain.

In West Virginias Greenbrier County, firefighters pulled people from flooded homes, and five campers who got stranded by high water in Nicholas County were rescued by the Keslers Cross Lanes Volunteer Fire Department, WCHS-TV reported.

Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency for six counties in West Virginia after severe thunderstorms this week caused significant local flooding, downed trees, power outages and blocked roads.

Communities in southwest Virginia also were flooding, and the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, Virginia, warned of more showers and storms on Thursday.

Associated Press Writers Dylan Lovan in Louisville, Ky., and Sarah Brumfield in Silver Spring, Md., contributed to this report.
LENORAH, Texas (AP)  To the naked eye, the Mako Compressor Station outside the dusty West Texas crossroads of Lenorah appears unremarkable, similar to tens of thousands of oil and gas operations scattered throughout the oil-rich Permian Basin.

Whats not visible through the chain-link fence is the plume of invisible gas, primarily methane, billowing from the gleaming white storage tanks up into the cloudless blue sky.

The Mako station, owned by a subsidiary of West Texas Gas Inc., was observed releasing an estimated 870 kilograms of methane  an extraordinarily potent greenhouse gas  into the atmosphere each hour. That's the equivalent impact on the climate of burning seven tanker trucks full of gasoline every day.

But Makos outsized emissions arent illegal, or even regulated. And it was only one of 533 methane super emitters detected during a 2021 aerial survey of the Permian conducted by Carbon Mapper, a partnership of university researchers and NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The group documented massive amounts of methane venting into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations across the Permian, a 250-mile-wide bone-dry expanse along the Texas-New Mexico border that a billion years ago was the bottom of a shallow sea. Hundreds of those sites were seen spewing the gas over and over again. Ongoing leaks, gushers, going unfixed.

We see the same sites active from year to year. Its not just month to month or season to season, said Riley Duren, a research scientist at the University of Arizona who leads Carbon Mapper.

Carbon Mapper identified the spewing sites only by their GPS coordinates. The Associated Press took the coordinates of the 533 super-emitting sites and cross-referenced them with state drilling permits, air quality permits, pipeline maps, land records and other public documents to piece together the corporations most likely responsible.

Just 10 companies owned at least 164 of those sites, according to an AP analysis of Carbon Mappers data. West Texas Gas owned 11.

The methane released by these companies will be disrupting the climate for decades, contributing to more heat waves, hurricanes, wildfires and floods. There's now nearly three times as much methane in the air than there was before industrial times. The year 2021 saw the worst single increase ever.

Methanes earth-warming power is some 83 times stronger over 20 years than the carbon dioxide that comes from car tailpipes and power plant smokestacks. Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency have largely failed to regulate the invisible gas. That leaves it up to oil and gas producers  in some cases the very companies who have been fighting regulations  to cut methane emissions on their own.

Methane is a super pollutant," said Kassie Siegel, director of the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group. "If carbon dioxide is the fossil-fuel broiler of our heating planet, methane is a blowtorch.

PERSISTENT, NOT JUST INTERMITTENT EMISSIONS

Methane emissions are notoriously hard to track because they are intermittent. An old well may be wafting methane one day, but not the next.

But last October, AP journalists visited more than two dozen sites flagged as persistent methane super emitters by Carbon Mapper with a FLIR infrared camera and recorded video of large plumes of hydrocarbon gas containing methane escaping from pipeline compressors, tank batteries, flare stacks and other production infrastructure. The Carbon Mapper data and the APs camera work show many of the worst emitters are steadily charging the Earths atmosphere with this extra gas.

In addition to West Texas Gass Mako site, AP observed a large plume of gas escaping from tanks at a WTG compressor station about 15 miles away in the Sale Ranch oil field. Carbon Mapper estimated that emissions from that site averaged about 410 kilos of methane an hour.

AP found Targa Resources, a Houston-based natural gas storage, processing and distribution company, was the closest operator to 30 sites that were emitting a combined 3,000 kilograms of methane per hour, with plumes escaping from pipelines, wells, tanks and compressor stations across the companys sprawling Texas footprint.

Targa did not respond to a detailed list of questions from the AP.

Another 21 super-emitting sources were detected at facilities owned by Navitas Midstream, a pipeline company based north of Houston, that has since been sold to Enterprise Products Partners. Equipment belonging to Navitas was estimated to be releasing a combined 3,525 kilos of methane an hour.

WASTING A MARKETABLE PRODUCT

One of the unusual things about this kind of climate pollution is that operators are wasting the very product they are working to extract. Methane gas is not a waste product; it is the target gas that operators drill for, process and sell all over the world.

But fracking has unlocked such massive amounts of natural gas from the Permians shale deposits that the basins ever-expanding web of pipelines dont have enough capacity to gather and transport it all. As a result, natural gas is still routinely burned off even as billions have been invested into new terminals along the Gulf Coast to ship the glut of American gas to overseas markets.

Still, companies say theyre doing better.

Houston-based Enterprise Products, which owns the former Navitas assets, said it was cracking down. We are in the process of integrating the acquired assets and are committed to ensuring they are operated safely and responsibly, said spokesman Rick Rainey.

He did not answer specific questions about what the company would do to reduce methane emissions.

In a statement, Midland-based West Texas Gas said it routinely conducts its own overflights with gas detection equipment and within the last six months had either repaired or upgraded nine of the super emitting sites that AP asked about, including Mako. The company was actively addressing another site, though it declined to provide specifics about what improvements were made and when. WTG said it inspected the last site and found no leak.

West Texas Gas is deeply committed to environmental stewardship and continuously strengthens company processes and procedures to ensure we operate in a manner that is consistent with that commitment, the statement said.

YEARS OF INACTION

In May 2016, President Barack Obama announced a Climate Action Plan that included new federal rules requiring the oil and gas sector to slash methane emissions by 40% by 2025.

But President Donald Trump, who derided climate change as a Chinese-perpetrated hoax, scrapped those policies before they took effect.

Trumps climate denial and die-hard support for fossil fuels attracted campaign contributions from the industry. It also won him widespread support in the Permians Republican-dominated cities and towns, where pumping oil and gas is considered both lifeblood and birthright.

At Big Johns Feedlot, a burger and barbecue hut in Big Spring, the parking lot one day last fall was filled at lunchtime with gas-guzzling American-made pickup trucks. Inside, multiple portraits of John Wayne and a mounted deer wearing a cowboy hat preside over diners eating sauce-slathered beef ribs and krack poppers, a house specialty of cream cheese stuffed peppers wrapped in bacon.

Can you imagine anyone in here driving an electric car? asked Brenda Stansel, the owner, who insisted Trump was still the rightful commander in chief. Asked if she believed in climate change, Stansel responded: I believe in God.

On the first day of his administration, President Joe Biden ordered EPA to write new rules to reduce the oil and gas industrys methane emissions, and Congress reinstated some Obama-era restrictions on methane from new oil and gas facilities. Proposed rules to address emissions from the hundreds of thousands of existing sites are still under review.

Tomas Carbonell, EPA's deputy assistant administrator for stationary sources, told AP that reducing methane emissions is urgent.

Reducing air emissions from the oil and natural gas sector is a top priority for the administration and for EPA, Carbonell said. Methane, he added, is "helping drive impacts that communities across the country are already seeing every day, including heat waves and wildfires and sea level rise.

AN UNKNOWN QUANTITY

To track the problem, the U.S. government keeps an inventory of methane released into the atmosphere. Those figures are used by policy makers and scientists to help calculate how much the planet will warm in the coming decades.

But AP found the government database often fails to account for the true rate of emissions observed in the Permian.

The EPA requires companies to report to its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program emissions above the equivalent of 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. Only a few dozen sites in the Permian say they exceed that threshold for methane.

APs analysis, however, found that more than 140 of the super-emitting facilities identified by Carbon Mapper were on track to exceed the reporting limit.

For example, Carbon Mapper estimated that Mako emitted an average 870 kilos of methane per hour over each of the four times it was measured. Over the course of a year, that would be 7.6 times the federal reporting threshold.

In 2020, the most recent year that data is available, the West Texas Gas subsidiary that operates Mako reported that methane emissions from all of its boosting and gathering operations combined were just one-twelfth of what Carbon Mapper documented billowing from the Mako site alone.

Other companies also reported methane emissions at levels far lower than what Carbon Mappers aircraft observed, even when adjusted to take into account overflights where no emissions were recorded.

Devon Energy reported releasing methane equivalent to 42,000 metric tons of CO2 for a year of operations in the Permian Basin. APs analysis, using the detected emissions, shows they would likely emit that much in just 46 days.

If Lucid Energy Groups observed emissions continued unabated, the company would surpass what it reported to EPA in just three months.

A spokesperson for Devon said the company is committed to reducing its methane emissions and being transparent about its progress. The company has joined a U.N. partnership for oil and gas companies to report methane.

In a statement to AP, Lucid said it had a best-in-class" leak detection program and that any emissions at its plants are typically non-methane. The company also questioned the science behind how Carbon Mapper measured its methane emissions rates, claiming no camera image can provide an accurate concentration of a pollutant.

The NASA AVIRIS instrument used by Carbon Mapper is not a camera. It is an airborne infrared spectrometer that measures wavelengths in light to detect and quantify the unique chemical fingerprint of methane in the atmosphere. The instrument then measures the mass of the methane in the air and the length of the plume. Carbon Mapper takes into account the wind speed at the site to estimate the hourly emissions rate, averaged over multiple overflights.

This estimation method is well established and common practice with emissions monitoring systems, Duren said, and has been used in multiple prior peer-reviewed studies.

Vaquero Permian Gathering reported emitting methane equivalent to 19,000 metric tons of CO2 for the company as a whole, yet AP found just a single Vaquero site was spewing methane at a rate of 53,000 tons per year.

A spokesperson for Vaquero said the company did not have any comment.

Though the Clean Air Act requires companies to accurately report greenhouse gas emissions, the EPA could not provide AP with a single example of a polluter being fined or cited for failing to report, or underreporting.

TEXAS NON-ENFORCEMENT

If the federal government is behind the curve on how much methane emissions have escalated with the fracking boom, Texas is even more hands off.

Tim Doty retired from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in 2018 because, he said, the agencys leadership had little interest in monitoring, documenting or addressing airborne emissions, not even the toxic chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and benzene that can come from oil and gas operations.

They dont go look for anything, said Doty, who now works as a private consultant for clients that include environmental groups.

The Mako site, for example, was built in 2018, and no one from TCEQ has ever visited the site, spokesman Gary Rasp told AP.

Doty, who served as a senior manager for the states mobile air quality program, said that starting under the administration of then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2000, the agency discouraged staff from enforcing air quality violations against the oil and gas industry.

A champion of the fossil fuels industry, Perry served a record three terms as Texas governor before becoming President Donald Trumps energy secretary. He is now a partner and board member at Energy Transfer, one of the nations largest oil and gas pipeline companies.

Doty said the Texas environmental agency has cameras capable of detecting air pollutants leaking from oil and gas facilities, but after he and other staff began documenting huge methane plumes about a decade ago they were told to keep the cameras locked away.

Even though they have 20 infrared cameras, they dont actively take them out in the field, said Doty, who was charged with training staff members to use them. And the TCEQ still hasnt really recognized methane (as a problem). You cant really openly talk about climate change within that agency.

TCEQs own fiscal year 2021 enforcement report appears to bear out Dotys critiques. Of 5,362 reported excess emissions events statewide that year, TCEQ issued no findings in 4,486, or 84% of cases, and asked for corrective action in only 19 cases.

TCEQ has issued upwards of $10 million in annual fines for violations of air, water or waste standards, but the median fine  less than $4,000  is pocket change for most oil and gas companies.

Enterprise Products, which acquired the Navitas pipelines underlying more than a dozen methane plumes in APs analysis, was fined $46,000 last year for flares and valve malfunctions at its Texas facilities. The company is valued at more than $50 billion. Targa faced state fines of $100,000 for carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide emissions. Neither company was cited for emitting methane. Both denied the state's allegations and offset their financial penalties by helping school districts purchase new buses.

Across the border in New Mexico, regulators are taking a much different approach.

New regulations enacted last year by the administration of Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham regulates methane not as a greenhouse gas, but as a wasted industrial resource that when released into the atmosphere deprives the state of tax revenue.

The new rules require producers to report the amount of gas they produce and track what was lost. Routine flaring and venting are forbidden, and producers have to provide an explanation each time gas is burned off.

TWO OPPOSITE TRENDS

Even as nations seek to lower their carbon footprints, global demand for natural gas continues to grow. This year alone, U.S. gas shipments to Europe have tripled since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

On any given day, about 500 rigs are drilling new wells in the Permian basin to boost production. They tower over the landscape, hulking steel goliaths that seem to spring up as spontaneously as desert flowers after a thunderstorm, moving on to somewhere else after a couple weeks.

Most rigs run day and night, with crews of roughnecks rotating in 12-hour shifts. They often sleep on site in nearby man camps, rows and rows of bunk house trailers where weekly rents for a room are comparable to big city apartments. The constant need for skilled workers drives blue-collar incomes that can easily reach six figures a year, supporting spouses and children who often live hundreds of miles away.

More than 5,000 new well-drilling permits were issued in the Texas portion of the Permian in 2021. Numbers from the first quarter of 2022 show the industry on pace to eclipse that figure.

Each new well, which takes about two weeks to drill, represents millions in capital investment  corporate bets that demand for oil and gas will continue for decades to come.

The frenetic search for more gas and oil is happening just as Biden and other world leaders are promising to cut methane emissions across the globe.

Scientists warn that we are in a decisive decade for the Earths climate, with sharp reductions in greenhouse gas emissions needed immediately to avoid the most catastrophic droughts and superstorms and prevent coastal cities from being swamped by rising seas.

This summer is on pace to be among the hottest on record, with wide swathes of the Earth shattering temperature records and billions of people struggling to cope with weeks-long heat waves. Even in energy-rich Texas, the primary electricity provider had to take emergency conservation measures to keep the states grid from failing because of soaring demand for air conditioning.

Biden said last week the Earth is running out of time, calling the climate crisis a code red for humanity.

I will do everything in my power to clean our air and water, protect our peoples health, to win the clean energy future, the president said. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us.

At an international climate summit in November, the United States signed on to a Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. More than 100 countries agreed to the target, though Russia and some other major methane emitters refused.

To meet that deadline, the American oil and gas industry would have to reduce emissions at a rate far beyond anything currently seen.

The industry says it is working toward that goal.

To be able to capture more methane emissions makes sense from a business perspective, said Frank Macchiarola, the senior vice president of policy, economics and regulatory affairs at the American Petroleum Institute, an industry trade group. Its the product that we ultimately want to bring to market. And it also obviously makes sense from an environmental standpoint.

But climate scientists and environmentalists warn the industry's incremental efforts are nowhere near enough to avoid dire consequences for humanity.

Methane is responsible for 25% of todays global warming, and we cant limit future warming to 2 degrees Celsius if we dont drastically cut those emissions," said Ilissa Ocko, a senior climate scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, a group that campaigns for climate action. "We have the tools to cut methane in half and the faster we do that, the better off our climate and communities will be.

Associated Press data journalist Nicky Forster contributed from New York.

Follow AP investigative reporters Michael Biesecker at twitter.com/mbieseck and Helen Wieffering at twitter.com/helenwieffering. To contact AP's investigations team, email investigative@ap.org.
Little W-1 and baby W4-22 are doing fine, thank you very much. W-1 and W4-22 are whooping crane babies in Wisconsin that have recently fledged, thanks to the help of the International Crane Foundation. With their ability to fly, their chances of survival have just grown exponentially.

Baraboos International Crane Foundation (ICF), a non-profit working worldwide to conserve cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds, and flyways on which they depend, is increasing those birds chances to survive.

We do it all, said Hillary Thompson, ICFs North American Crane Analyst. Theyre beautiful birds. Watching a chick grow up and fly and learn the ways is something special.

Special because of how rare it is. The whooping crane is endangered the world over and not many make Wisconsin home. In the 1940s only 21 whooping cranes remained in the wild in the world due to habitat loss, unregulated hunting, egg and feather collecting and other issues. Now, there are a little over 800 captive and wild whooping cranes in the world due to legal protections and reintroduction efforts, of which ICF has taken part.

Back in 2000, there were no whooping cranes in Wisconsin. In 2001, cranes raised in captivity were released throughout the state. Today, there are 74 wild cranes in the state. There are 24 nesting pairs. This year, from those pairs, 14 eggs hatched. Five of those babies are still alive. Two of them, W-1 and W4-22, can now fly. The other three should be able to join them in the sky in late August or September.

We raise the chicks for release, Thompson said of the ICF. We do research. We monitor them out in the field. We do outreach with local communities to help us and help the cranes succeed.

The foundation currently has 31 adult Whooping Cranes in their flock and seven chicks. Up to six of those chicks will be released this year into the Eastern Migratory Population. There are, in total, four populations of wild whooping cranes; the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Migratory, Eastern Migratory, Louisiana Non-Migratory and Florida Non-Migratory. All but the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Migratory population were reintroductions.

All of the whooping cranes at the IFC facilities will play a role in some capacity in the reintroduction program. I feel good where were at, Thompson said, hopeful to reach a goal of 100 wild birds in Wisconsin soon. Ten years ago wed be lucky if we had any fledge. Now, we have a handful. We have to be patient. It takes time.

There is a pair of whooping cranes spending time in Sauk County. The male is named 4-17. The female, 24-17. Both born in 2007, they nested in the county this past spring. The had a two-egg clutch. One egg was sent to a research facility in Louisiana where it will be reared and reintroduced to the wild. The other egg hatched mid-May. It did not survive to fledging.

Perhaps next year the pairs babies will fledge.

We have to help them along, Thompson said. Seeing them gives me joy and gives me hope.
Stefan J. Padfield (University of Akron School of Law) has posted Crony Stakeholder Capitalism (Kentucky Law Journal, Forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

Capitalism in the context of corporate governance may be understood as an economic system that equates efficiency with corporate managers only pursuing projects that they reasonably expect will have a positive impact on the value of the corporations shares (accounting for opportunity costs). Such projects may be referred to as positive net-present-value (NPV) projects. Stakeholder capitalism, on the other hand, may be understood a number of different ways, including: (1) an improved form of calculating NPV; (2) a conscious choice to sacrifice some NPV in order to advance broader social objectives; (3) a form of rent-seeking; (4) a form of green-washing; (5) a manifestation of the agency problem whereby managers prioritize their personal political preferences over NPV; (6) a manifestation of the agency problem whereby managers prioritize their personal financial wealth over NPV; (7) a form of crony capitalism. Of these, an argument can be made that only the first is both legal and efficient, at least in the case of Delaware corporations operating under the relevant default rules. Given the high risk of stakeholder capitalism thus constituting illegal or inefficient conduct, this Essay argues that decisions justified on the basis of stakeholder capitalism (as opposed to NPV calculations) should not be presumed to be fully informed and free of material conflicts, as is the case when the business judgment rule otherwise applies. Rather, such conduct should be subject to enhanced scrutiny to account for the omnipresent specter of illegal/inefficient motives. Such a rule would be similar to what is already often the case in Delaware when corporations defend against hostile takeovers, due to the omnipresent specter of managerial entrenchment motives.

Following an Introduction, this Essay proceeds as follows. First, because the argument that stakeholder capitalism can constitute a form of crony capitalism is at least somewhat novel, the connection between the two is fleshed out. Second, Senator Marco Rubios Mind Your Own Business Act (MYOBA) is analyzed as a potential solution to the problem of crony stakeholder capitalism. Finally, recommendations are made for improving MYOBA.
Etienne C. Toussaint (University of South Carolina School of Law) has posted The Miseducation of Public Citizens (Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law & Policy, Vol. 29, No. 3, 2022) on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

The American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct calls upon lawyers, as public citizens, to embrace a special responsibility for the quality of justice in the legal profession and in society. Yet, some law professors adopt a formalistic and doctrinally neutral approach to law teaching that elides critical perspectives of law, avoids the intersection of law and politics, and tends to overlook the way law can construct the very social injustices that it seeks to contain. The objective, apolitical, and so-called colorblind jurisprudential stance in many law classrooms inflicts intellectual violence upon law students who discover a legal doctrine in conflict with their own lived experiences, yet who feel silenced and unprepared to reckon with the moral legitimacy of unjust laws. Perhaps as a result, in recent years, law schools have begun to rethink legal education altogether, devising anti-racist curricula, professional identity trainings, and novel experiential learning programs to produce a new generation of critically conscious lawyers for the crises of our modern age.

Building upon such efforts, alongside recent scholarship in legal education and philosophical legal ethics, this Essay proposes foundational pedagogical principles to teach public citizenship lawyering. This Essay defines public citizenship lawyering as a democratic conception of professional responsibility whereby lawyers engage in routine critique of their lawyering practice through the lens of justice as a moral virtue. This pedagogy finds normative grounding in the ABA Model Rules based upon the contention that a skewed vision of professional lawyering identity has hindered a justice-oriented interpretation of the lawyers public citizen charge.

Specifically, this Essay articulates four pedagogical principles: (1) deconstructive framing, which guides the law professor in teaching the lawyers ethical duty of candor; (2) ethical reposturing, which guides the law professor in teaching the lawyers ethical duty of competence and professional judgment; (3) reconstructive ordering, which guides the law professor in teaching the lawyers ethical duty to improve the law; and (4) liberatory lawyering, which guides the law professor in teaching the lawyers ethical duty to assist the client and others in gaining competence. Collectively, these principles assert a counter-cultural vision of practice readiness that empowers law students to affirmatively challenge social and economic injustice in the legal profession and the rule of law. More than exalting a democratic conception of professional lawyering identity, these principles affirm the legal academy as laws laboratory for progressive social change.
WAUNAKEE  The inventory in this villages newest retailer can all be easily purchased with just a click of a mouse.

There are fly rods, reels, leaders, racks and bins of flies and fly-making material along with waders, T-shirts and caps.

Dan and Jenn Donovans Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co. was founded in September 2020 online and has blossomed thanks to aggressive social media posts on Facebook and Instagram, their appearances at fishing shows and at Madison-area angling events. And, if your timing is right, they can also be spotted on lakes Wingra, Monona and Waubesa in pursuit of muskellunge, the state fish since 1955.

Only now the couple has a brick-and-mortar shop next door to the Gold Nugget Bar & Grill and across the street from Lone Girl Brewing Co. in Waunakees downtown.

And while the 980-square-foot space is packed with gear and tackle, its greatest asset may be the front door. This is where the customers enter to talk about muskie fishing on the Madison chain of lakes and in northern Wisconsin. Others tell tales of smallmouth bass fishing on the Lower Wisconsin River or flailing for trout in the Driftless Region.

The discussions, interactions and emotions of catching fish on a fly would be difficult to replicate in an online message board. But here, in a historic building that at one time housed the villages fire department, the fish stories are an integral part of the shopping experience as Olive, a mellow 6-year-old chocolate lab, snoozes in a corner.

The history of Wisconsin fishing is deep and rich, Dan Donovan said. We want to redefine what it means to fly fish in Wisconsin. Not to dismiss trout but to rebrand it.

More than muskie

As the name of the company indicates, muskie, the top predator in the states aquatic food chain, are central to the brand. But Musky Fool is also catering to those who use a fly rod to chase bass, trout, carp, northern pike and even bluegill.

The shop is one of just a handful of stand-alone fly fishing shops in Wisconsin. Others include Driftless Angler in Viroqua, Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co. in De Pere, We Tie It Fly Shop in Boulder Junction, Hayward Fly Fishing Company, Lunds Fly Shop in River Falls, Superior Fly Angler, Fall Line Outfitters in Stevens Point and Fly Fishers in Brookfield.

In Madison, Dorn Sporting Goods and D&S Bait, Tackle and Fly Shop have fly fishing sections as does Cabelas in Sun Prairie. Orvis opened a fly fishing shop in Greenway Station in 2006 but the retailer pulled out of the shopping center in 2021 leaving Dane County without a dedicated fly shop, even though its home to lakes, rivers and streams ideally suited for Wooly Buggers, poppers, nymphs and, in the case of muskie, colorful flies that can be more than a foot long.

Orvis is scheduled to return in a smaller version this fall as Rutabaga Paddlesports will incorporate the brand into its new $3 million facility that is being built along Rimrock Road and scheduled to open in early November. It wont be nearly as comprehensive as the former Middleton Orvis store but a neighboring pond will allow for casting classes and seminars, said Rutabaga owner Darren Bush.

Industry growth

Recreational fishing in Wisconsin generates nearly $1.5 billion dollars annually from direct expenditures for fishing trip-related equipment and creates almost $2.3 billion in economic activity. The vast majority of that is created by those using conventional gear such as spinning rods, bobbers, hooks and worms, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Fly fishing, however, is growing and, like other outdoor activities, was boosted by COVID-19 as more people sought to expand their recreational activities. The industry is also trying to shed its snobby reputation and appeal to those not interested in or who cannot afford, $1,200 rods, $400 reels and $600 for a set of waders. Beginner setups can be had for around $100 while most smaller flies are under $3 a piece.

The addition of Musky Fool is being welcomed by Patrick Hasburgh, who in the spring purchased D&S Bait and Tackle and added a fly fishing department to the store, located near Warner Park on Madisons North Side.

Im very excited for him. Its great to see fly fishing expanding, Hasburgh said of Donovan. There was a void to fill and I think between my shop and Dans shop we do that pretty well. Its different than other types of fishing. Its like a hike combined with fishing. Youre out in nature and theres a lot more to it than just catching fish.

An opportunity

The Orvis closing is what sparked the Donovans, both 31, UW-Madison graduates and high school sweethearts from the Milwaukee area, to begin searching for a space to fill the void and so they would no longer need to work out of their home on Madisons Southwest Side where their basement was jammed with products.

They searched the region before spending $350,000 to buy a brick building at 105 E. Main St. originally constructed around 1880 for the Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal organization, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society. The building in later years was home to a pumper truck for the Waunakee Fire Department, the village library and ultimately office space. A $250,000 remodel, that included removing nine layers of flooring, has transformed the space into a store with charm, history and the latest in fly fishing gear.

The effort is backed by a near perfect combination of fishing passion, numbers and retail strategy.

Dan Donovan, who caught his first muskie as a child on the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage in far northern Wisconsin, has a finance background after stints in Madison with Bluetree Network, an Epic Systems consulting firm, and Redox, a health care data company.

Jenn Donovan continues to work as the director of merchandising for Duluth Trading Co. in Mount Horeb, a company that has helped write the retail manual for taking an online company into shopping centers and downtowns. In 2010, Duluth, founded in 1993, opened its first brick-and-mortar store in downtown Mount Horeb and has since grown the roster to more than 60 stores around the country.

The Musky Fool store is expected to account for about 25% of the companys revenues and for now is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dan Donovan is hoping to extend those hours to weekends, plans bolstered by last weekends grand opening that drew more than 250 people to the shop. And unlike a bait shop that relies on proximity to water, the Musky Fool store is designed to be a destination.

People are finding us, Donovan said. Its the power of social media.
Adey Assefa thinks that a good way to start solving some of Madisons greatest issues surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion is to listen.

Listening can look like sitting down for a face-to-face conversation with someone whose experiences and background vastly differ from yours, she said. Make eye contact. Dont judge. Focus on the content of the persons story and empathize with it.

Thats what Assefa herself put into practice as she settles into her role as the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerces first economic inclusion manager.

The Chambers hiring decision comes amid a larger movement in the city to increase minority business ownership. Local experts say that movement is demonstrated by the millions in public and private donations that have been poured into South Side developments like the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, as well as the Urban League of Greater Madisons Black Business Hub.

And earlier this spring, the Madison Black and Latino chambers of commerce received $3.6 million and $3.4 million from the state, respectively, along with several other area entities.

For now, Assefa said shes learning about the Greater Madison Chambers inner workings. Soon, shell be assisting the Chamber as it envisions how it can help the citys businesses be more welcoming to a diverse workforce. The Chamber represents more than 1,200 businesses in the region.

Assefa, whose heritage is Ethiopian, comes to the Chamber with an extensive background in psychology and social welfare, as well as experience in enhancing student diversity at UW-Madison through various programs shes conceptualized over the years.

We went to Adey, Chamber president Zach Brandon said in an email statement of why Assefa was hired. She didnt come to us. We sought her out for this role because of the depth and breadth of her experience. We believe that her boundless creativity will help this region and its businesses reimagine our workforce systems for a better, more inclusive, more equitable future.

Part of Assefas role is helping to form the Chambers employer-led DIJE (Spanish for I Said, standing for Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Equity) initiative, which will allow the organization to use data to inform how the regions companies can recruit and retain talent from all walks of life, diversify supply chains, support new business creation, ensure accountability in embracing DEI and increase workers overall sense of belonging, Brandon said.

Some 60 CEOs have so far committed to contribute data and support the initiative, he said, adding that more details about what DIJE will accomplish and include could be released this fall.

Assefa is also helping to manage the Chambers partnership with Madison recording studio Media 22, the producer of a podcast that will cover DEIs role in solving local business challenges starting this October.

Additionally, she is conducting informal meetings with fellow community leaders doing economic inclusion work to better understand how she can make an impact.

As for what the rest of her position entails, Assefa said thats evolving by the day.

Finding her place

Growing up in Madisons Eagle Heights neighborhood, Assefa said finding where she belonged was tough as a first-generation Black American whose parents emigrated from Africa.

She endured that struggle along with some of her peers as she moved through school, and weighed that challenge against the culture her parents were brought up in: being unapologetically proud of who you are was the norm. Assefa, a Madison West High School alumna, said she felt anything but.

Her highly educated parents pushed Assefa to pursue her ambitions despite that.

Assefa received her undergraduate degree in social welfare, as well as a masters degree in counseling, from UW-Madison.

Concurrently, Assefa worked as a school counselor at Georgia OKeeffe Middle School, as well as a child and family therapist at the Mental Health Center of Dane County.

While pursuing her masters degree, she developed universitys RISE program, which still runs to this day. The program creates an employment pipeline for UW-Madison students of color seeking internships.

Assefa went on to serve in various directorial and advisory roles for UW-Madison, all in an effort to promote DEI on campus.

Most notably, Assefa was previously the director of the African American Student Academic Services department and an adviser to the First Wave Hip Hop and Urban Arts Scholarship program out of the Multicultural Arts Initiatives office, where she eventually became the director.

I want to make my family proud, Assefa said of what inspires her to continue her lifes work. I hope that in my time with the Chamber, theres somehow a shift in the Madison ecosystem and in the lives of the most vulnerable and underserved. Its going to take a lot of work to help. I want to do my part while Im here.

Contest finalists

Assefas hire also comes as the Chamber announced its 2022 Pressure Chamber startup competition finalists Thursday afternoon.

The finalists will pitch their startups premise to national investors, and in front of a live audience, at Downtowns Majestic Theatre on Aug. 16 during Forward Fest, the states largest technology and entrepreneurship festival.

The winning company will receive a golden suitcase, representing a reserved spot in the Chambers meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms this fall, the Chamber said.

The 2022 Pressure Chamber finalists are:

Benny , of Madison, a company that helps employees take full advantage of what are known as Employee Stock Purchase Plans by getting them the money they need to maximize their benefits.

, of Madison, a company that helps employees take full advantage of what are known as Employee Stock Purchase Plans by getting them the money they need to maximize their benefits. Fleet Cycles , of Monona, which is an electric cargo bike startup focused on decreasing vehicle and equipment emissions, reducing operating costs and increasing positive health outcomes for commercial customers.

, of Monona, which is an electric cargo bike startup focused on decreasing vehicle and equipment emissions, reducing operating costs and increasing positive health outcomes for commercial customers. TRACE , of Madison, which is a mobile application for the transgender and nonbinary community to document their gender transition.

, of Madison, which is a mobile application for the transgender and nonbinary community to document their gender transition. Voximetry , of Madison, which is a health technology company with software designed to increase tumor response and overall survival in prostate cancer patients receiving treatment.

, of Madison, which is a health technology company with software designed to increase tumor response and overall survival in prostate cancer patients receiving treatment. Yips Yogurt Chips, of Madison, which has created chips made from probiotic Greek yogurt that doesnt need to be refrigerated.
WEDNESDAY, July 27, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Hormone therapy is a common treatment option for prostate cancer, but it may increase the risk of death from heart disease, especially in older men, a new study finds.

Dr. William Dahut, a prostate cancer researcher and chief scientific officer for the American Cancer Society, said the study from Lithuania provides more evidence that starting hormonal therapy requires careful thought, particularly if the patient is over 70 and has heart disease.

"There are some cases where it's clear men need hormonal therapy," Dahut said, citing prostate cancer that has spread. "But oftentimes it's used for patients that are newly diagnosed, that are receiving radiation or with men that have a rising PSA [prostate specific antigen] without cancer that we can see, something called biochemical recurrence."

In terms of biochemical recurrence, "it needs to be looked at very carefully because there's much less data there that hormonal therapy will have an impact on how long patients live from prostate cancer," said Dahut, who was not involved in the study.

Doctors should consider whether to use hormonal therapy or how long to use it on a case-by-case basis, Dahut noted.

Hormone therapy, or androgen deprivation therapy, is considered a mainstay treatment for patients who have either high-risk localized prostate cancer or advanced cancer that has metastasized.

For the study, researchers used data from a Lithuanian cancer registry for patients ages 40 to 79 who had prostate cancer diagnoses between 2012 and 2016.

About 3,800 men received hormone-lowering drugs and more than 9,500 did not. In a follow-up roughly five years later, the researchers looked at overall death from heart disease and stroke.

They found a twofold increase in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease in men who had hormone therapy. They also found a higher risk of heart disease-related death from the second year onward after diagnosis.

Those who were 70 to 79 and had hormone therapy had an almost fivefold higher risk, according to the study published July 26 in the journal The Aging Male.

When looking at specific types of disease, the team found a 42% higher risk of dying from stroke and a 70% higher risk of dying from coronary heart disease in men who had hormone therapy.

"Prostate cancer is typically diagnosed in older men, over 65 years or older -- and many of them will have already been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease," lead author Justinas Jonusas, of the National Cancer Institute in Vilnius, Lithuania, said in a journal news release.

The results suggest clinicians should screen older prostate cancer patients for heart disease and related risk factors, Jonusas and other experts said.

Previous studies have not come to a clear conclusion about a link between the therapy and cardiovascular risk, the study noted. Moreover, the current observational study can't establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Still, what can doctors do to treat one serious disease while not exacerbating another?

It may depend on the patient and his specific risks.

Men who are diagnosed with localized disease -- cancer that hasn't spread -- could undergo surgery, in which case they might not receive hormonal therapy, Dahut said. Those who opt for radiation may be able to do that without hormonal therapy or have a very short course of hormonal therapy.

There is research ongoing now to be able to better differentiate which patients actually need hormonal therapy who are receiving radiation," Dahut noted.

In general, doctors and patients will need to assess potential risks and benefits, Dahut said.

Hormone therapy is not the only cancer treatment that can increase cardiovascular risk, said Dr. Katelyn Atkins, who specializes in cardiac radiation oncology at Cedars-Sinai Cancer Institute in Los Angeles.

"We think about all these different cancer therapies. They can all have a risk on the cardiovascular system from directly, like radiation, indirectly from hormonal therapy, but also immunotherapies, cytotoxic chemotherapies. They all work differently, but they can have overlapping and separate and distinct risks on the heart and the whole cardiovascular system," Atkins said.

Often, doctors will need to treat patients for their cancer despite heart risks, but after ensuring they're connected with a cardiologist to receive care.

It's important to understand that there are going to be some subgroups of patients that are at particularly high risk, Atkins added.

Those patients may need more stringent goals for their blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, she said.

Dahut said the medical community needs tools to better predict for whom hormonal therapy can be trivial and for whom it may be lifesaving.

"If we can do research to differentiate those populations, it will make the discussions much easier for patients and their physicians," Dahut said.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on hormone therapy for prostate cancer.

SOURCES: William Dahut, MD, chief scientific officer, American Cancer Society, and professor, medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md.; Katelyn Atkins, MD, PhD, assistant professor, radiation oncology and associate director, Radiation Oncology Residency Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and member, Cedars-Sinai Cancer Institute, Los Angeles; The Aging Male, journal and news release, July 26, 2022
Master of Shui language takes painstaking efforts to keep traditional language of ethnic group in SW Chinas Guizhou alive

People's Daily Online) 17:02, July 27, 2022

Yang Shengzhao is in the middle of an interview with the media. (Chinanews.com/Pu Wensi)

Having started to learn the Shui language, the language of the Shui ethnic group, at the age of 13, and being able to host events related to the culture of the Shui language at 22, Yang Shengzhao is a well-known folk artist in Sandu Shui Autonomous County in southwest Chinas Guizhou Province.

Aside from this, he is also an inheritor of the art of the Shui language, which is a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in Guizhou.

Teaching the Shui language is a mysterious and respected job. People of the Shui ethnic group would like to invite masters of Shui language to help them set the exact date at which they should hold such events as wedding ceremonies and funerals, as well as starting to build their own houses and kicking off spring ploughing, according to guidance offered by books in the Shui language, Yang explained.

Shui language books are classics that contain a wealth of information about the Shui ethnic group, including astronomy, geography, calendar culture, and philosophy.

Yang Shengzhao hosts the opening ceremony of a festival of the Shui ethnic group held in 2016. (Chinanews.com/Pan Shigao)

In 2006, the Shui language was inscribed on the list of the first batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage in China.

The language of the Shui ethnic group was discovered earlier than the oracle bone scripts. There are only several hundred characters of the Shui language, but each character has multiple pronunciations, meanings and usages, Yang explained, while reading several lines of the Shui language. Although the lines contained only dozens of characters, he didnt finish them until several minutes later.

These lines are just a part of the Shui language. To master these lines, you have to understand the meaning and the usage of the characters. A master of Shui language keeps such content in his mind, and without his help, you wouldnt be able to decipher the characters even when you know about them, Yang introduced.

Yang Shengzhao (in black headwear) translates a book in Shui language together with staff members of the Shui Language Culture Academy in Sandu Shui Autonomous County in southwest Chinas Guizhou Province. (Chinanews.com/Pu Wensi)

Traditionally, the Shui language has been passed down exclusively to male inheritors. However, during the past decade, it has become difficult to find qualified male inheritors. Furthermore, because a number of elderly masters of the Shui language had passed away, some content of the Shui language that had previously been passed down through oral communication has been lost.

Meanwhile, as young people chose to work or study outside their hometown, there were no people available to inherit the traditional language.

In 2015, Yang made a bold decision to teach the language to female students in order to keep the Shui language alive. This was unprecedented move.

Yang Shengzhao holds a ritual to mark the occasion when new apprentices join his class. (Chinanews.com/Pan Shigao)

As a matter of fact, Yang started to teach the Shui language to students at a local primary school in 1998. He didnt stop passing down the traditional language to younger generations at the school until he retired from the post of the dean of the primary school.

Yang said he is delighted to see that the country has attached great importance to the protection and inheritance of the history and culture of ethnic groups. Currently, Sandu Shui Autonomous County and the cultural circle of Guizhou Province are taking vigorous efforts to rescue and protect the Shui language by promoting it at schools and translating the language, among other efforts.

Since his retirement in 2015, Yang has been devoting himself to the social practice, translation, research and inheritance of the Shui language. Over the past few years, he has led the efforts to translate a valuable ancient book in Shui language, and guided and assisted researchers to translate over 10 ancient books in Shui language. In 2018, Yang was appointed as a researcher by Guizhou Minzu University, becoming the only master of Shui language specially invited by a Chinese university.

Yang Shengzhao teaches Shui language to students in a classroom. (Chinanews.com/Pan Shigao)

Yang Shengzhao (right) and Pan Chaolin, an expert of Shui language and a professor from Guizhou Minzu University, record a lecture on the Shui language. (Chinanews.com/Pan Shigao)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
THURSDAY, July 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Efforts to end the global HIV epidemic have slowed as money and attention go toward fighting COVID-19, new report shows.

"This is an alarm to the world to say that COVID-19 has blown the AIDS response significantly off track," Matthew Kavanaugh, deputy executive director of UNAIDS, said of the findings.

Among the concerns are that HIV testing has slowed or stopped in places dealing with COVID surges. HIV infections have climbed in parts of Asia and the Pacific, where they had been falling.

A global decline in new infections is leveling off instead of dropping as it had been for years, endangering the United Nations' goal of fewer than 370,000 new HIV infections by 2025. Last year there were still 1.5 million. About 650,000 people died last year from AIDS-related illnesses, the report found.

"People are exhausted with epidemics and pandemics," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government's leading AIDS expert and director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the Associated Press. "We have to fight twice as hard to get HIV back on the radar screen where it belongs."

Disparities continue to grow for women and girls. In sub-Saharan Africa, women and teen girls are three times as likely to get HIV as boys and men. A teen girl or woman was newly infected every two minutes last year, the AP reported.

Meanwhile international aid has dropped, leaving low- and middle-income countries with $8 billion less than they need to fund efforts, the report found.

In contrast to these troubling alarms, the International AIDS conference in Montreal this week will highlight promising progress in efforts to treat those with the disease.

For example, scientists are looking at the case of a woman in Spain, where her own immune system seems to have kept her HIV at an undetectable level for 15 years. She was part of a research study in 2006 that included immune-boosting treatments. University of Barcelona researchers are not sure why she's doing so well, the AP reported.

And in the United States, a 66-year-old HIV-positive man had a bone marrow-like transplant to fight leukemia in 2019. He's now in remission and has been off his AIDS medication for 17 months with no signs of HIV, according to Dr. Jana Dickter of City of Hope, a California cancer research center.

The man, who had HIV for 30 years, received transplanted stem cells from a donor who happened to carry a rare gene mutation that made the cells resistant to HIV.

The patient continued to take his HIV medication until he received a COVID-19 vaccine. He is both the oldest and longest-living person with HIV to undergo this potentially curative transplant, according to the AP.

More information

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has more on HIV/AIDS.

SOURCE: Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP)  Months after her father was lured back to Rwanda under false pretenses and jailed, Carine Kanimba discovered her own phone had been hacked using private spyware.

Kanimba is the youngest daughter of Paul Rusesabagina, who is credited with saving more than 1,200 lives during the 1994 Rwandan genocide in a story that inspired the movie Hotel Rwanda. An opponent of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Rusesabagina is now serving a 25-year prison sentence on charges that he has dismissed as politically motivated.

Researchers have alleged Pegasus was used to spy on Kanimba and her cousin as Rusesabagina's family was advocating for his release from Rwanda, which received $160 million in foreign aid from the United States in the last budget year.

Unless there are consequences for countries and their enablers which abuse this technology, none of us are safe, she told the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday.

Kanimba and technology experts urged Congress to oppose the use of commercial spyware in the U.S. and discourage investment in spyware that has been used to hack the phones of dissidents, journalists, and even U.S. diplomats.

Pegasus infiltrates phones to control their camera and microphone and siphon off data without requiring the user to click on a malicious link. It is part of a burgeoning international market for states to acquire cyber tools that were once available only to the most technically advanced governments. Researchers at Google have identified at least 30 vendors selling zero click exploits or other spyware.

NSO Group says its software can't be activated against phone numbers with a U.S. country code unless used by an American agency. But there are several documented reports of American officials and citizens having their data captured by Pegasus.

One committee member, Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., suggested that off-the-shelf spyware felt like a very serious threat to our democracy and to democracies around the world. Himes questioned whether spyware could be deployed from another country against American officials and he criticized companies that invest in it.

Among the investors in a private equity firm that held majority ownership of NSO Group were the Oregon state employee pension fund and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation.

U.S. officials and many lawmakers in both parties are concerned about foreign interference in future elections and the prospect of Americans trying to overturn a lawful vote by force.

Nobody, not Mike Pence, not Nancy Pelosi, not Kevin McCarthy ... are immune from having their most private deliberations watched," Himes said. "And that may be just enough to interfere in our elections, just enough to end our democracy.

U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies have long been in the market themselves for ways to hack into phones.

The Biden administration last year imposed export limits on NSO Group and three other firms. But the FBI has acknowledged buying a license for Pegasus for what it said was product testing and evaluation only. While spyware companies make huge profits in the Middle East and Europe, it is American business and investment that legitimizes what they're doing, said John Scott-Railton, senior researcher at Citizen Lab, which has long studied how the programs work.

Doing business with the U.S. government, getting acquired by a U.S. company or even doing business with an American police department is the golden price for many in the spyware industry, he said. As long as that remains as a possibility for problematic actors, they're going to get support from investors.

The committee is pushing U.S. spy agencies to decisively act against counterintelligence threats posed by foreign commercial spyware, according to the public version of its latest bill authorizing intelligence activities. The bill, which has not yet been voted on by the full House, proposes that the director of national intelligence may prohibit individual U.S. agencies from acquiring or using foreign commercial spyware.

But the bill would also allow any intelligence agency chief to seek a waiver from the director if the waiver is in the national security interest of the United States.

In a statement, NSO Group noted that the discussion over spyware at times lacks balance (by) intentionally omitting their lifesaving benefits."

NSO reiterates that it thoroughly investigates any claim for illegal use of its technology by customers, and terminates contracts when illegal use is found, the company said. Nonetheless, it is critical to consider the benefits and alternatives to these critical technologies.

Kanimba testified that she was alerted last year by a collective of journalists working with Citizen Lab and Amnesty International that there was reason to believe that she had been spied on. A subsequent forensic analysis of her phone revealed that she had been targeted by Pegasus spyware, she said.

She said the surveillance was triggered as she walked with her mother into a meeting with Belgium's minister of foreign affairs  Rusesabagina holds Belgian citizenship and U.S. residency  and was active during calls with the State Department and with the office of the U.S. governments special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.

Her family lives in San Antonio. Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, a committee member who represents that city, noted that his office's communications may have been captured by Rwanda because he was advocating for Rusesabagina's release.

Rwanda denies using Pegasus. Its embassy in Washington said in a statement Thursday that its response has not changed regardless of who raises them.

These are politically motivated allegations aimed at undermining Rwanda's judicial system and sowing disinformation, the embassy statement said.

Rusesabagina was sentenced for terrorism offenses related to his alleged links to the armed wing of his opposition political platform. Rusesabagina has denied supporting violence and called the verdict a sham.

Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
Police say a man drove his car into a barricade near the U.S. Capitol and then began firing gunshots in the air before fatally shooting himself. Police say the man didn't seem to be targeting any member of Congress. The incident happened just before 4 a.m. at a vehicle barricade set on Capitol Hill. Authorities say that as the man was getting out of the car, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. Police say he then opened fire, shooting several bullets into the air as police approached. The man's identity hasn't been released, but investigators have located addresses for him in Delaware and Pennsylvania and have learned he had a criminal history in the past decade.
RACINE  The case against a local activist arrested during a June 26 protest was dismissed Wednesday in Racine County Circuit Court.

Kejuan Goldsmith, 20, was charged with misdemeanor resisting/obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct.

He was leading a pro-choice demonstration with the organization he founded, We the Change-makers, when he was taken into custody by the Racine Police Department.

Allegations

According to the criminal complaint, a sergeant reported seeing protesters in the street on city cameras. Upon arrival, the sergeant used his squads speaker to address the protestors by telling them to move out of the street and that they were able to protest on the sidewalk.

The majority of protesters complied.

The sergeant reported that Goldsmith stayed in the street and started the chant Whose streets? Our streets! The sergeant reported that he yelled to Goldsmith that he was going to be arrested if he continued to block traffic.

The complaint stated that Goldsmith attempted to walk around the sergeant while still ignoring (the sergeants) verbal commands at which point Goldsmith was arrested.

However, video recorded by demonstrators of the arrest does not appear to support that account.

In the video, Goldsmith appears to be about to step onto the sidewalk when he is approached by an RPD officer from the side. The officer takes Goldsmith into custody.

He does not appear to resist arrest.

In a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon, Goldsmith wrote The Case was dropped!!!! followed by a thank you for his defense attorney Jamie McClendon.
MOUNT PLEASANT  An Illinois woman has been accused of stealing more than $6,000 from Menards across Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

Kelly A. Spears, 46, of Rockford, was charged with a felony count of retail theft altering price between $500-$5,000.

According to a criminal complaint:

On May 29, 2020, an officer was sent to Menards at 3101 S. Oakes Road for a reported theft.

The loss prevention employee said that Spears entered the store and selected three items to purchase on May 9. She then switched the bar codes on the three items with much less expensive ones, creating a loss of $647 for Menards. The items were a bath fan, a heat mat and a cable heat mat.

Menards has also stated that Spears has done this type of theft from Menards across Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, causing a total loss to Menards over $6,000.

An arrest warrant was issued Aug. 20, 2020, but she did not make an initial court appearance until Wednesday, nearly two full years later.

Kelly was given a $500 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Wednesday. A preliminary hearing is on Aug. 10 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, online court records show.
A Madison man whose car crashed into another from behind just west of Madison last year, killing three teenagers, pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of homicide by drunken driving.

Eric N. Mehring, 31, now faces up to 25 years of combined prison and extended supervision on each of the three counts for the Oct. 2 crash on Mineral Point Road in the town of Middleton, which caused the deaths of Middleton High School seniors John Jack Miller, 17, and Evan Kratochwill, 18, along with Madison West senior Simon Bilessi, 17.

Under a plea agreement, five other charges were dismissed  three counts of second-degree reckless homicide and two counts of second-degree reckless endangerment. Mehring, who had been free on $75,000 bail since the day after his Oct. 21 initial appearance in the case, was taken back into custody at the end of Thursdays hearing and will await his sentencing hearing, set for Dec. 9, in jail.

The case has moved relatively quickly, with no legal challenges by Mehring. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Jan. 6. Trial dates were never set. Instead, on April 18, the case was set for Thursdays plea hearing before Dane County Circuit Judge Ellen Berz.

This is a very sad case, and this is a very hard day, but things are moving toward closure, Mehrings attorney, Chris Van Wagner, said after the hearing. My client from the day this accident happened has thought about these young men whose lives he caused the deaths of. Theyre never very far away from his consciousness and in many ways, hes glad to get here today, enter his pleas and let the families see that theyll get justice and theyll get closure.

Van Wagner said Mehring agreed to go to jail after the plea hearing, rather than fight revocation of his bail, after using the time to physically heal and get counseling for the issues that led to the crash.

Because of that, he said, I will wrap up my affairs. I know Im going into custody, I know I will serve time, Van Wagner said.

Family issues statement

In a statement, Millers family said Thursday was another extremely difficult day for all three families whose sons were so cruelly stolen from them.

While it is appropriate that Eric Mehring took responsibility for his actions, his guilty plea can never take away the pain we feel every single day without our son, Jack, read the statement, released on behalf of the Miller family by the Dane County Sheriffs Office. Eric Mehring deliberately and thoughtlessly chose to drive under the extreme influence of alcohol at an unimaginable speed. His selfish choices have deprived Jack, Evan, and Simon of the future lives they so richly deserved.

Court documents state Mehring told police he was going 75 mph on Mineral Point Road in the town of Middleton when his 2016 Jaguar struck the back of a Chevy Cruz occupied by the three teens, sending it into a cornfield where it burned. Autopsies found the three teens died from blunt force trauma due to the crash impact.

Mehrings blood alcohol concentration, according to a preliminary breath test, was 0.24 percent, three times the limit of 0.08 percent for Wisconsin drivers, according to court documents. Mehring also said he had more drinks than I should have had to drive, the complaint states.

The drunken driving homicide charges each carry mandatory minimum penalties of five years in prison, unless a court finds a compelling reason not to impose that. Van Wagner said Berz can structure the sentences on the three homicide counts so that they are either consecutive to one another or concurrent, but is enough time to satisfy the purposes of sentencing.

Whether its consecutive or concurrent, any good judge, and she is a good judge, can explain why if she made them concurrent, she made them concurrent, Van Wagner said. From Erics perspective, hes not focused on that. Hes really not.

Criminal complaint

According to a criminal complaint, a couple reported to investigators at the crash scene that just prior to the crash, they were driving west on Mineral Point Road when they saw a car coming at them going east in the west lane of traffic. They had to drive into the ditch to avoid a head-on collision, near Welcome Drive.

At UW Hospital, the complaint states, Dane County Sheriffs Office Detective William Hendrickson spoke with Mehring, who said he was traveling from Morgans, a bar in Pine Bluff. He said he had been home most of the day but left around 7 p.m. to go to Target. He said he got to Morgans around 8 p.m. and stayed for about 1 to two hours. Mehring said he had one drink before he left his home to go out and two rum and Cokes at the bar, according to the complaint.

Mehring told Hendrickson that driving east on Mineral Point Road, he went over a small hill when he saw brake lights in front of him within his lane, the complaint states. He tried to stop, he said, but he was going too fast for conditions and was unable to stop, striking the car in front of him straight on from behind, according to the complaint.

Mehrings apartment on Rustling Birch Road was only about 1 miles from the crash site near the intersection of Mineral Point Road and Karls Court.
In an attempt to prove some kind of major failing in the states system for requesting an absentee ballot online, two people who falsely claim there was widespread fraud in the 2020 election have admitted to breaking state election law by requesting absentee ballots for the state Assembly leader, the mayor of Racine and others.

Doing so is a crime, but neither person has pointed to evidence that the practice was widespread in the 2020 election. Actually casting someone elses ballot would also be flagged by election officials using the states voter database if that person had already voted or votes later.

Harry Wait, president of a group calling itself H.O.T. (for honest, open and transparent) Government, said he ordered 10 ballots online for people including Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Democratic Racine Mayor Cory Mason and asked that they be delivered to his home.

I could have ordered hundreds of them, a thousand of them, he said. Theres no limit.

Adrianne Melby, of Burlington, told The (Racine) Journal Times that at her request, a friend successfully had Melbys ballot sent to the friends address.

Christopher Schmaling, the sheriff in Racine County, where the violations reportedly occurred, and the state Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment on whether the people involved would be charged.

In a statement, Schmaling said the fraudsters contacted his office saying they believe the states MyVote Wisconsin website, which facilitates absentee ballot requests, is vulnerable to abuse. Neither has been charged, and Schmaling gave no indication they were under investigation. The sheriff, a Republican who has accused state officials of violating election laws, instead used the cases to attack the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Want to steal an election in Wisconsin? It's harder than you think The state has multiple, overlapping safeguards aimed at preventing ineligible voters from casting ballots, tampering with the ballots or altering vote totals.

The Elections Commission, which administers MyVote Wisconsin, said in a statement Thursday that people who intentionally misuse the MyVote application can be subject to severe criminal and civil penalties. It is illegal to provide false information or use another persons information to unlawfully request the ballot of someone else.

Claiming that by committing a crime by submitting false information to obtain an absentee ballot somehow reveals a vulnerability of our system is inaccurate and irresponsible, said WEC administrator Meagan Wolfe. Intentionally using someone elses identity to subvert the system does not demonstrate a flaw with MyVote, but rather a flaw with that persons conduct.

MyVote allows people to request an absentee ballot online as long as they have the voters name, birth date and qualifying photo ID; the ID is not required if the voter has previously uploaded it to the site or been deemed indefinitely confined.

In a statement, Vos described Waits actions as sad, adding that, If election integrity means anything, it means we all have to follow the law  Republicans and Democrats alike.

Mason also balked at Waits attempt to appropriate his ballot and said he has asked prosecutors to investigate the matter.

Mr. Wait has been unable to prove any consequential voter fraud, Mason said in a statement. In his desperation to support Donald Trumps big lie, Mr. Wait has himself become the very thing he claims to despise: a felon attempting to steal votes.

An Associated Press review in 2021 of all cases of potential voter fraud in the six battleground states where former President Donald Trump disputed his loss found just 31 cases in Wisconsin, representing about 0.15% of President Joe Bidens margin of victory in the state.

To date, 24 people have been charged with election fraud-related crimes stemming from the 2020 election in Wisconsin, the AP reported.
Less than two weeks before the Aug. 9 primary, Democrat Alex Lasry exited the U.S. Senate race Thursday and endorsed front-runner Mandela Barnes, all but guaranteeing the lieutenant governor will face U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson in November.

The only remaining Democratic candidate besides Barnes who has polled above 1% in the Marquette Law School Poll is state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, who had 9% support in the latest poll to Barnes 25% and Lasrys 21%. Godlewski told reporters on Wednesday that she would remain in the race.

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, who had polled at 7%, dropped out of the race on Monday and also endorsed Barnes.

Im calling for all Wisconsin Democrats to come together now behind Mandela and make sure we have a laser focus on beating Ron Johnson and reelecting Governor Tony Evers this November, Lasry said in a statement.

Lasry had spent more than $12 million on a campaign focused on raising wages and building unions, running largely on his past actions as an executive for the Bucks, which his father co-owns. The husband of Planned Parenthood for Wisconsins chief of staff, Lasry had also run on enshrining womens right to an abortion in federal law.

I am so grateful to Alex for all of the work hes done to move Wisconsin forward, and Im proud to have his endorsement, Barnes said in a statement. I deeply admire Alexs commitment to creating good union jobs and raising wages throughout his career and throughout this campaign, and the work hes done to bring pride and opportunity to Milwaukee, a city we both love.

Lasry formerly worked as a White House aide in several capacities during former President Barack Obamas time in office. Born in New York City, Lasry moved to Milwaukee in 2014 when his billionaire father became the Bucks co-owner. Aside from working for the Bucks, Lasry led efforts to bring the 2020 Democratic National Convention to Milwaukee  an event that was significantly scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Alex Lasry departs from the primary  or maybe to New York  Mandela Barnes radical agenda and far-left endorsements will ensure a third term for Senator Ron Johnson, Republican National Committee spokesperson Rachel Reisner said in a statement.

Throughout the campaign, his Democratic opponents took frequent shots at the amount of money Lasry poured into the race. Barnes said Wisconsin needs to elect somebody who isnt a millionaire.

Calling Lasry a wealthy candidate out of touch with Wisconsinites, Nelson had said Democrats would have to scrap a key talking point against Democratic Gov. Tony Evers potential Republican challenger, millionaire construction executive Tim Michels, if Lasry were to win the Democratic primary. In May, Lasry received an extension that enabled him not to report his vast financial assets until after the August primary.

Its clear Tom Nelson graciously stepping aside to endorse Mandela Barnes meant Alex Lasry had no path to victory, Nelsons campaign manager Irene Lin said in a statement. Now we will all work together to unite behind Mandela Barnes and defeat Americas worst senator in Ron Johnson.
Probes into the 2020 plot to deliver fake Electoral College votes to former President Donald Trump have produced clear signs of criminal investigations into political players in every state involved except one: Wisconsin.

Unlike in Georgia, no district attorney here has publicly launched a criminal investigation. There are no reports of Trumps lawyers being searched here, like John Eastman was in New Mexico. And unlike in Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Arizona, there have been no reports of false electors in Wisconsin being subpoenaed by the U.S. Justice Department.

But that doesnt mean the 10 Wisconsin Republicans posing as fake electors and the lawyers who advised them have avoided Justice Department scrutiny.

Its impossible to imagine that the Justice Department would not be subpoenaing false electors and anyone involved from the state of Wisconsin, said Dennis Aftergut, a former federal prosecutor in California and attorney with the liberal group Lawyers Defending American Democracy.

One of the Republicans involved, Wisconsin Elections Commissioner Robert Spindell, repeatedly declined in an interview to discuss anything about the electors, including the existence of any subpoenas.

Others who signed the fake-electors document, including former Wisconsin Republican Party chair Andrew Hitt, Dane County Republican Party chair Scott Grabins and La Crosse County Republican Party chair Bill Feehan, declined to be interviewed or did not respond to interview requests. The attorneys representing the fake electors in a civil lawsuit, George Burnett and Kurt Goehre, also did not respond to requests for comment.

It would be surprising if Wisconsins fake electors werent subpoenaed while other states fake electors were, UW-Madison political science professor Barry Burden said. Government officials issuing these subpoenas would treat all of the states equivalently, especially because it was a shared network of conspirators who were communicating across state lines.

Spokespeople from the FBI and Justice Department wouldnt say whether federal officials are conducting an investigation into the Republicans who posed as electors in Wisconsin. The Executive Office for United States Attorneys rejected a public records request related to the Wisconsin fake electors and declined to confirm or deny the existence of such records, citing the potential for unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

But the Justice Department has asked the U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol for information about the multistate elector scheme, The New York Times reported this month.

The newspaper also reported this week that an attorney who worked for Trump in Arizona openly referred in emails to the electors being fake and that the scheme was the preferred method to overturn the election among some of the lawyers advising the former president, including Jim Troupis, a former Republican-appointed Dane County judge.

The frame of mind and the knowledge of the fake electors in Wisconsin is highly relevant to the investigation because I think their intent does matter here, UW-La Crosse political science professor Anthony Chergosky said.

This is not a trivial matter at all, he said. This is an extraordinarily serious situation, because electoral votes are how we elect presidents. And if we have false electoral votes and different people claiming to be the true electoral voters, then that is a recipe for a constitutional crisis and a political meltdown.

Group appeals to local DA

Late Wednesday, liberal group Law Forward sent Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne a second letter since the beginning of the year urging him to launch a criminal investigation into the 10 Republicans who attempted to hand Wisconsins Electoral College votes to Trump.

The groups past efforts to spur local or statewide criminal investigations against the Republicans who posed as electors appear to have been unsuccessful, though its common for prosecutors not to discuss ongoing investigations. Law Forward is among the legal groups representing plaintiffs in a civil lawsuit against the 10 fake electors and the two attorneys who advised them, asking for over $2.4 million in damages.

Law Forwards latest letter to Ozanne details the events that have transpired since the groups last letter to him in February, including its civil lawsuit, the Jan. 6 committees public hearings, the Justice Department inquiries of the committee for information about fake electors from several states, and a criminal probe in Georgia partially targeting fake electors in that state.

The takeaway is clear: The time to investigate Wisconsins fraudulent electors is now, Law Forward founder Jeff Mandell and staff counsel Mel Barnes said in the letter.

Barnes said the letter urges accountability, in part, because we probably will continue to have elections that are really close  and we cant have this become a pattern in our future elections.

Ozannes office did not respond to a request for comment.

We have to hold our local actors accountable, Barnes said in an interview. Wisconsins fraudulent electors are probably not the biggest fish that the U.S. DOJ (is) investigating, right? But they matter a lot here.

Democratic Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said he supports the ongoing federal investigation into the Capitol insurrection and related events and believes its critical that the federal government fully investigates and prosecutes any unlawful actions in furtherance of any seditious conspiracy, state Justice Department spokesperson Gillian Drummond said in a statement, adding the department generally does not comment on any potential or ongoing state investigations.

Pence thwarts scheme

The Jan. 6 committee has revealed Trump was told repeatedly by his campaign advisers and federal Justice Department officials that there was no widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Yet Trump continued to lie to his supporters. Meanwhile, his attorneys were orchestrating false slates of electors in key swing states, including Wisconsin, to give then-Vice President Mike Pence the pretext to disrupt the counting of electoral votes on Jan. 6. Pence refused to go along with the scheme.

Separately from the committee, text messages revealed Troupis tried to get U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson to pass official-looking paperwork falsely stating Trump won Wisconsin to Pence on Jan. 6, 2021, when the election was to be certified. Johnson said he received the document from the office of Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pennsylvania, and Politico reported Trump aide Mike Roman delivered the document to Kellys chief of staff.

With the paperwork in the hands of Johnsons office, the Oshkosh Republicans chief of staff, Sean Riley, was then rebuffed by Pences aide when he tried to pass it on to Pence, the Jan. 6 committee revealed.

About a month before Troupis coordinated with Johnson, he wrote to former Trump aide Boris Epshteyn on Dec. 7, 2020, telling him there was no need for the legislators to act, The New York Times revealed Tuesday. That was in light of a legal memo from Trump attorney Kenneth Chesebro suggesting Trumps effort to overturn the 2020 election would best be served by creating a reason to interfere with Pences election certification, rather than getting state legislatures to block election certification.

On Jan. 4, 2021, Wisconsin Republican Party executive director Mark Jefferson texted an unidentified person saying, Freaking trump idiots want someone to fly original elector papers to the senate President. Theyre gonna call one of us to tell us just what the hell is going on, the Jan. 6 committee revealed.

Hitt told the U.S. House committee in a video presented in June that he was told the fake Trump electors would only count if a court ruled in the former presidents favor.

However, a fake elector from Pennsylvania told CNN earlier this year that there was disagreement with the Trump campaign over whether to include such contingency language in the false certificates. In the end, only Republicans in Pennsylvania and New Mexico included the language, while those in Wisconsin did not, CNN reported.

Requests rejected

In addition to pressuring Ozanne, Law Forward tried to get Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm to investigate the phony electors in February 2021. His office said it lacked jurisdiction and instead said such a request would best be sent to the state or federal justice departments.

The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission unanimously denied a complaint Law Forward filed that sought sanctions against the 10 Republicans, including Spindell.

The group also asked the state Justice Department to investigate and was repeatedly told that a district attorney should make the decision, according to the groups first letter to Ozanne.

Because the false elector document-signing occurred at the Capitol in Madison, the second letter states, Dane County is the proper jurisdiction for criminally prosecuting the 10 people who signed it.

We therefore reiterate our request that you, as Dane Countys chief prosecutor, assess what criminal charges are appropriate and prosecute the culpable, the letter states.

Standing in front of the Dane County Courthouse Thursday along with representatives from Law Forward, voting rights group Souls to the Polls and the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway joined the call from local activists and officials to urge Ozanne to launch an investigation.

Our district attorney has no doubt been watching the congressional investigation and is aware of the new facts that have emerged about electors here in Wisconsin and the actions of our U.S. senator, Rhodes-Conway said. Our district attorney has the power to see justice is done, and the people of Wisconsin are counting on him to do the right thing.
Wisconsin taxpayers will front more than $95,000 for attorney fees after a Dane County judge found Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in contempt for failing to properly respond to open records requests related to the partisan 2020 election review conducted by former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn ruled in favor of liberal watchdog group American Oversights request for attorney fees in the case, which ultimately found that Gableman spent the first two months of his review largely getting familiar with how Wisconsin elections are conducted. Gableman was hired last summer at a cost of $676,000 to taxpayers, but legal fees and other court expenses have pushed the price tag to more than $1 million.

Bailey-Rihn also declined to award punitive damages in the case, which was filed against Vos, R-Rochester, who hired Gableman to lead the probe. The case is one of four filed by American Oversight against Vos, the state Assembly and Gableman seeking public records related to the review.

The people of the state of Wisconsin have been punished enough for this case, Bailey-Rihn said.

Their benefit is they got to see their government in action, Bailey-Rihn added. Theyre responsible for the legal fees that have to be paid to the petitioner. But I dont think that it does anyone any good to have punitive damages to be placed on the innocent citizens of the state.

Gableman testified last month that he spent most of July and August last year getting familiar with Wisconsin elections at a public library in New Berlin because he does not own a personal computer. He also attended a pair of meetings, including one hosted by MyPillow CEO and election denier Mike Lindell.

Gableman also used his personal Yahoo email account during the first two months of his review, before he received an official state email address. Gableman said he had a staffer delete the personal account sometime in August, after a records request was filed, and said those documents cannot be recovered.

I guess what we found out from this long and torturous road is that, at least for the first part of this investigation, there was no actual work being done, Bailey-Rihn said. The taxpayers were paying $11,000 for somebody to sit at the New Berlin library to learn about election law because they had no experience in election law.

A recount, court decisions and multiple reviews have affirmed that Biden defeated former President Donald Trump by about 21,000 votes in the states 2020 presidential election. Only 24 people out of nearly 3.3 million who cast ballots have been charged with election fraud in Wisconsin.

We have absolutely found out from this case, at least in my case, that there was absolutely no evidence of election fraud, Bailey-Rihn said.

In a separate case, Dane County Circuit Judge Frank Remington last month held Gablemans office in contempt after the former justice refused to testify and accused Remington of being a partisan advocate.

Remington ordered Gableman be fined $2,000 a day until he complies. He also directed Gablemans sneering conduct in Remingtons courtroom to the office that regulates attorneys and judges in Wisconsin to take possible action against his license to practice law.

Gableman has appealed the ruling and is seeking a review by a three-judge panel in Wisconsins District 2 Court of Appeals in Waukesha.
The Republican candidates for Attorney General are making their final pitch to the party's grassroots ahead of the Aug. 9 primary election as the winner looks to unseat Josh Kaul. Here's where the candidates stand on the issues overseen by one of the most state's most influential elected posts.

The three-way race features former state lawmaker Adam Jarchow, conservative lawyer Karen Mueller and Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney. Jarchow and Toney are the race's most high-profile, well-funded candidates. Mueller, who has perpetuated discredited claims about COVID-19 vaccines and the 2020 election, has garnered less attention with her campaign.

Crime

Throughout the campaign, Jarchow and Toney have said that lawlessness and violent crime is running rampant in Wisconsin. Indeed, homicides rose by 72% between 2019 and 2021, according to data from the Department of Justice. The amount of aggravated assaults and rapes have remained more steady in recent years.

But to get violence in check, Toney has long said he wants to give the Department of Justice original jurisdiction to prosecute violent crime in Milwaukee.

To boost transparency over district attorneys and judges, Jarchow wants to create a statewide database that posts bail recommendations and plea deals.

Both candidates want to reform the state's bail system through a constitutional amendment. Currently, bail can only be imposed to ensure that someone will appear in court. Toney has said state law needs to change as well for courts to be able to consider a defendant's future likelihood to be violent.

Abortion

Jarchow, Toney and Mueller have all been endorsed by anti-abortion organizations and campaign as "pro-life" politicians. In a contrast with Kaul, Jarchow and Toney say they will enforce Wisconsin's 1849 near-total abortion ban, which outlaws the procedure in cases of incest and rape.

They've mustered little public defense of the ban's most prohibitive elements, but rather insist that they're obligated to enforce state law, whatever it may be.

Kaul has filed lawsuits challenging the ban, saying it's impossible to enforce and conflicts with other state abortion law. His Republican opponents say the lawsuit shows the attorney general is picking and choosing what laws he wants to enforce.

Jarchow has also said he wants to prioritize getting cases before the U.S. Supreme Court like Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which paved the way for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. He's called the high court's recent string of decisions a "historic" victory for conservatives.

COVID-19

Of the three candidates, Mueller has centered her rhetoric around COVID-19 the most. Her website refers to COVID-19 vaccines as a "bioweapon" that have "already killed or injured 25,000+ (likely to be closer to 200,000 plus several million injured)". She's also vowed to investigate hospitals, claiming that "treatments that could have helped were withheld or dangerous drugs were administered" to COVID-19 patients. Her website does not further elaborate on what treatments should or should not have been used. The medical community has long said COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

Jarchow and Toney have not gotten anywhere close to such rhetoric about COVID-19. But they have clashed over the pandemic's restrictions over daily life.

Jarchow has regularly criticized Toney's charging of 10 Fond du Lac residents with violating Gov. Tony Evers original stay-at-home order, which included restaurant staff and diners. Toney has stressed that the charges were dismissed and that hes required to enforce the law.

Elections

As Attorney General, the candidates could play a key role in Wisconsin's ongoing legal battles over elections should they unseat Kaul in November.

Jarchow has vowed to launch an investigation of the 2020 election. Enjoying the authority of a district attorney, Toney's office has filed a lawsuit to remove members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. He's also charged five Fond du Lac residents with misdemeanor election fraud for using a UPS P.O. box as a voting address. Earlier this month, one man was convicted on the charge and ordered to pay a $500 fine and court costs.

In November 2020, Mueller filed an an unsuccessful lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to throw out the results of the presidential election, alleging that the election was tainted by the use of illegal drop boxes across the state. The justices refused to take the case.
Atomic Antiques has opened on the former MC Sports space near Home Depot, Odana Antiques is closing and the ReStore will move next year into t
Sure, Tom Luna got the boot as party chairman at the July 14-16 Idaho Republican Convention.

But Luna alone walked out of that conclave looking better than when he walked in.

Up to that point, Lunas signature act came when, as Idaho superintendent of public instruction, he pushed a string of anti-teacher school reforms. In 2012, Idaho voters rejected the measures, some by margins as high as 2-to-1, effectively ending Lunas political career and setting public education in the Gem State on a better trajectory.

But thanks to Lunas ouster as a Republican Party leader, we now know:

Hes got a heart.

A trickster  later identified as Coeur dAlene political saboteur David J. Reilly  distributed flyers advertising Lunas Pizza and Patriots convention campaign rally to at least one Twin Falls homeless shelter. When a child from that shelter showed up, Lunas aide, Tyler Hurst, did not hesitate to do the right thing. He told them the Luna event was open to all: I dont care about being politically punked, but what was really sad is the position it put these little kids in.

As the Idaho Falls Post Register noted on Sunday, Luna has said he was homeless as a child.

Hes fair.

What probably sealed Lunas 434-287 defeat to state Rep. Dorothy Moon, R-Stanley, was stopping the Bonneville County Republican Central Committee from cheating during the May 17 GOP primary campaign. Bonneville County Republicans tried to endorse and financially enable their favorites over other Republicans in that primary. Luna went to court to enforce the rules.

After throwing Luna out, the GOP convention then voted to stop the lawsuit.

He compares favorably to his successor.

Moon comes to the party leadership a failed candidate for secretary of state who embraced the big lie that former President Donald Trump won the 2020 election and spread a few smaller lies of her own, including allegations that Canadians were infiltrating Idaho elections.

Before she left Twin Falls, Moon made it clear she puts loyalty first, competence and fairness second, with this statement: We have to make sure with the Democrats coming at us with full force that we have our barriers up, our guns loaded and ready to keep this state free.

He escapes the obligation to defend the conventions disreputable moments.

Chief among them would be the GOPs apparent belief that no woman should be allowed to get an abortion, even if it means risking her life.

Dont forget the heavy handed voter suppression measures aimed at disenfranchising an estimated 20,000 independent and moderate Idahoans from participating in the GOP primary  a move that would hand far-right candidates such as Moon and Branden Durst, who lost a bid for state schools superintendent, a much-needed advantage.

He also avoids the duty of promoting some rather wretched GOP nominees, whether its state Senate candidate Scott Herndon of Sandpoint  who spearheaded the conventions anti-abortion policies  or Reps. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, or Julianne Young, R-Blackfoot.

He wont have to kowtow to Idaho Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman.

When the time comes to give the GOP-led Idaho Legislature political cover after it passes another piece of discriminatory law, attacks diversity at Idaho colleges and universities, attempts to overturn the will of the voters on Medicaid expansion or wages war against Reclaim Idahos initiative to move the Gem States schools out of the nations financial basement, it wont be Lunas job.

The majority of Idaho Republican voters for the most part rejected the kinds of candidates the convention delegates preferred. So Luna stands in their good graces.

If nothing else, he can certainly take solace from Groucho Marx, who might have had this kind of thing in mind when he said: I wont belong to any organization that would have me as a member.
The modern UFO era started in 1947 when Boise pilot and businessman Kenneth Arnold saw nine mysterious objects flying near Mount Rainier in Washington.

But more than 30 years earlier, others had reported seeing flying machines 25 miles north of Mackay near Mount Borah.

Al West, a prominent stockman and proprietor of the Dickey Stage Stop, reported hearing a swishing, rumbling sound that apparently came out of nowhere in particular, said the Twin Falls Weekly Times in November 1915, quoting an earlier article published in the Mackay Miner.

As the sound came nearer, West looked up and beheld a large flying machine hurtling through space at lightning like rapidity.

As he watched it disappear into the sky, West decided to say nothing about the mysterious machine, fearing the joshing he knew was in store for him. About a year before, Fred Westenfeld and his cousin had seen a similar sight in the same vicinity and were severely ridiculed for their story, the newspapers said.

When West arrived home, however, he was met at the door by his wife asking if he had seen the flying machine, and he changed his mind about going public with his story.

The Times offered several explanations for the flying machine, including the idea that European countries already engaged in World War I had set up wireless communication stations in remote areas of Custer County.

For some time the federal government has entertained a belief that somewhere in the mountain regions of Idaho a secret wireless station was being maintained in the interests of European powers now at war, the Times wrote. ...(A)ttempts have been made to locate the plant that apparently has communication with Canada and then with Europe.

The flying machine, the newspaper theorized, was in the service of such a wireless station.

Some claim the earliest photograph of a UFO was taken in 1870 from the summit Mount Washington in New Hampshire.
TWIN FALLS  A car club is setting up a show this weekend as a fundraiser to support Meals on Wheels and the towns senior center.

The car show and breakfast feed starts at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Steve Belt said he came up with the idea after spending some time volunteering with the Twin Falls Senior Center to help prepare some of the 220 to 250 meals that get delivered every day.

As you know, gas prices have gone up. Food prices have gone up, Belt said. But they (volunteer drivers) get paid the same amount for Meals on Wheels as they did three years ago when things were good.

Belt got the idea when his wife took over as cook a few months ago. He said she is doing the work of five people with help from volunteers, because there isnt enough funding for more people to help.

Want to help? Meals on Wheels and the Harvest Moon Car Club breakfast fundraiser for the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone St. West, starts at 8 a.m. Saturday. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. and the car show ends at 3 p.m. Tickets: $8 for adults 13 and up

$6 kids aged 6-12.

Kids under 6 eat free.

$10 suggested donation to show a car.

$25 suggested donation for a vendors table. Call 208-320-7025 for more information.

Theres a big need for monies to help that program along, Belt said. And theres a big need to try to get the public involved with the Senior Center.

Belt said the inside of the center will have tables for vendors, selling anything from insurance to Tupperware.

The Harvest Moon Car Club will be in attendance for the show. The club, which is based out of Buhl, holds an annual car show and donates the proceeds to various charities. The first show raised $3,000 for student lunches. The second show raised $6,000 for teachers to pay for school supplies. The groups next show, in October, will raise funds for Buhl school sports.

Were going to keep having benefit events for the Senior Center until things turn around, Belt said.
JEROME  Three candidates for state legislature released a statement on Monday in response to the Idaho GOP Convention, which took place two weeks ago.

The statement was issued by District 26 Senate candidate Laurie Lickley, District 26A House candidate Mike Pohanka and District 26B House candidate Jack Nelsen. The three are running in the district that serves Blaine, Lincoln and Jerome counties, and each faces a Democrat in Novembers general election.

Lickley, Pohanka and Nelsen, who are all life-long Idaho Republicans, assert that they stand for traditional GOP values. But during the convention, disagreement over platform resolutions resulted in verbal attacks and insults, they say.

What is not consistent with those core Republican principles is demonizing those who disagree whether in other parties or our own, the statement said.

Animated debates on topics from limiting who can participate in Republican primaries to exceptions to the abortion ban when the life of the mother is at risk.

The three called on what they called the silent majority of common-sense Republicans to become involved in party politics and push back against extremism.

If we continue to let the most shrill, loudest, and angriest voices dominate our party, then our proud state will suffer, and institutions broken will take generations to repair, the statement said.

Other View: Legislative District 26 Republican candidates comment on Idaho GOP Convention Opinion: Why are we Republicans? The events of the recently held Idaho GOP convention have many of our friends and neighbors asking themselves that question and frankly asking us if we still support the party.

District 26B House candidate Greg Lanting, a Twin Falls Republican who attended the convention, says he agrees with the statement.

I knocked on doors for Goldwater and lots of conservative candidates over the years, Lanting said. I was disappointed in the convention. It did not represent the Republican party I grew up in.

Lanting, who faces Independent candidate Liyah Babayan in the November general election, said that Republicans facing competition from the left have likely lost some votes because of some of the positions the party has taken.

We probably got hurt by the fact that theres going to be some people  particularly undecided voters  who say, Whoa, I cant vote for a Republican. Look what they believe in, Lanting said.

Rep. Lance Clow from Twin Falls saw animated participation at the convention, but said thats just the kind of thing that happens when people are passionate about topics.

In general, this convention had a lot of energetic supporters of some of the platform changes that were very loud, Clow said. I wouldnt say that the convention was overwhelmed with that.

Clow, a life-long Republican in the Magic Valley, said he supports the platform in general, even if he cant agree with portions.

Nobody agrees with each other 100% of the time, he said, and thats why things are decided by majority vote, including this years platform.

I hear all the time from people who disagree with me that Im just a RINO, Clow said. I would say I havent really changed very much in my time as a Republican, but the partys been changing.

Clow said that perhaps a bit of complacency from moderate Republicans has led to less participation from voices of moderation.

The convention brought a lot of people to their senses about how active should they be, he said. Sometimes people get too passive and maybe thats whats going on.

Former Twin Falls GOP Committee Chair Steve Millington, in a letter to the Times-News, said that differing opinions over some of the resolutions and rule changes were a mix of many voices, most of them loud.

Millington agreed with the statement from the District 26 candidates and said the GOP should make efforts to encourage people to get in to the party  not limit who can participate.

We are the party of the people, by the people and for the people, Millington wrote. We should not follow ideologies that suggest anything less. The new Party leadership has plans that disenfranchise many Idahoans. We must begin the fight at the local level: precincts, city, county, and legislature and state level.

Chenele Dixon, Republican candidate for House Seat 24A, said she agreed with the calls for dialogue and civility within the party.

It is important to work together as Republicans, Dixon said in a statement to the Times-News. We need to have civil dialogue to solve problems we face in our state.

Name calling and incivility do not help us as Republicans or as Idahoans.
TWIN FALLS  Running an animal shelter isnt much different than operating another typical business, the director of the local dog pound says.

But Debbie Blackwood, longtime director of the People for Pets, Magic Valley Humane Society Inc. in Twin Falls, sees one big difference.

Not every business deals with live animals, Blackwell said.

And in business terms, the shelter has been running very high on inventory the last several months.

We are out of room, she wrote in an open letter this month to the residents of Twin Falls County, urging people to adopt a pet or even taking part of the shelters foster-to-adopt program that allows animals to go home while waiting for veterinarian appointments.

Its been a crazy couple of months, Blackwood said. As soon as a few kennels are freed up, they quickly fill up again.

It can be a frustrating situation  and one that can only be solved if the community works together to promote adoption and to help control the pet population, she said.

People need to get their animals spayed or neutered, she said.

Once the shelter hits 50 cats and 50 dogs, we are pretty darn full, Blackwood said. Sometimes the shelter numbers climb much higher. At one point in 2021, the shelter harbored 109 cats.

As the shelters dogs bark and cats meow, Blackwood can hear their needs. She wants the animals to know they are safe now. They arent going to be hungry; they wont have to wander the streets.

Adoption rates at the shelter run about 95 percent, but it can be a struggle as Blackwood and her staff work to get animals out of the shelter. Just last weekend, an employee drove out of state to transfer dogs to an animal shelter in Beaver Head, Montana. Recently, an employee from a shelter in Spokane, Wash., traveled to Twin Falls to pick up 10 dogs.

We have lots of rescue partners, Blackwood said.

Best Friends, a Utah-based animal sanctuary that has gained a nationwide presence, sponsored an adoption event on July 5-12 at the shelter. Adoption fees were waived, and the response was huge, Blackwood said, with about 38 cats and 38 dogs being adopted.

Even when a special event isnt running, shelter adoption prices are dirt cheap, Blackwood said.

Adoption fees are $99 for dogs, $125 for puppies, and $63 for kittens. Adult cats are $25  a yearlong special, she said.

All animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, de-wormed and microchipped. Dogs are also given a city license.

Potential pet owners need to qualify in order to adopt animals, to ensure the animal will go to the right household. Blackwood said people finding a new pet need to be aware of the special needs of particular breeds.

The cause of the increase in pets at the center hasnt been pinpointed. Blackwood, however, says that households are feeling squeezed in todays economy and surrender pets because they no longer can afford them.

The surrender of pets can be disheartening to shelter worker Mary Eubanks. She was making the rounds at the dog kennels Tuesday afternoon, ensuring the canines had water and toys. She bent over slightly to look at a recent surrender, a cute, tongue-wagging mixed breed named Jazzie, with a friendly look in its eye.

You arent a throw-away, Eubanks said.

Not every pet that is brought to the center is a surrender, of course. Many are runaways. Dogs and cats that are found wandering city streets get their pictures taken to be posted on the animal shelters Facebook page in hopes that their owners will find them.

Sometimes they never do.

A black Labrador retriever came to the center a few years ago, Blackwood said.

He knew a lot of tricks  how to sit, how to fetch, she said.

The dog had a great personality, which led her to believe it belonged to someone. But despite the staffs best efforts, the owner was never located.

Why didnt the owner call me? Blackwood asked in frustration.

Overall, she thinks the center is doing a commendable job.

Im glad we are doing this: Were serving the pet population countywide, Blackwood said. The goal is to get as many animals as possible out of the shelter and into forever homes.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  A British man aboard a flight from London to Los Angeles grabbed a passenger seated in front of him by the throat and tried to hit and bite him, prompting the diversion of the flight to Utah, authorities said Wednesday.

William Stephen Hayes, 39, was arrested after the Virgin Atlantic flight landed Tuesday in Salt Lake City, police said in a statement. He was charged with assault and interfering with the flight crew, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Utah said in charging documents.

Witnesses told authorities that after passengers and crew members restrained and handcuffed Hayes following the alleged assault, he still tried to fight with people nearby and kick the plane's windows, the charging documents said.

Local police took Hayes into custody after the plane landed and referred the case to the U.S. Attorney's office, which typically has authority over international flights. The plane then resumed its flight to Los Angeles.

No attorney who could comment on Hayes' behalf was listed in the charging documents. The U.S. Attorney's office did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.

Virgin said in a statement that "the safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always our top priority and we dont tolerate any behaviour that compromises this.

Our cabin crew are highly trained to deal with any individuals that may impact that experience for others, the statement added.
The Bobs Creek State Natural Area in McDowell County has its first superintendent.

Matt Haynes will take over operation of the state natural area in southern McDowell County, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

He is the first superintendent of the natural area, which was authorized in 2017.

Haynes served as a park ranger at Hanging Rock State Park for nine years before a promotion to advanced ranger at Chimney Rock, where he also served for nine years. During his time as a ranger, he periodically acted as superintendent and was the lead natural resources ranger, according to a news release.

Originally from Raleigh, Haynes has bachelors degrees in zoology and chemistry from N.C. State University. Prior to starting work with the Division of Parks and Recreation, he was the chief research technician in molecular biology and field work for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (now Department of Environmental Quality) shellfish sanitation section.

Haynes holds several certifications for park and natural resources management and education, including intermediate and advanced law enforcement certificates, CPR instruction, pesticide operation, environmental education and several prescribed fire certifications. He is an instructor for the division in both general law enforcement and subject control and arrest techniques.

Matts wealth of knowledge of the natural communities of our foothills region and people living in and visiting in the area will be optimal for serving as superintendent of Bobs Creek, said Deputy Director of Operations Kathy Capps. His long-term focus on natural resources paired with his leadership experience and familiarity with our state parks system will be a great fit for this beloved natural area.

As superintendent of the new natural area, Haynes priorities are to effectively manage the natural resources, provide low-impact recreational opportunities, work with local partners and help partners develop the Wilderness Gateway State Trail, according to the news release.

Bobs Creek State Natural Area comprises nearly 6,000 acres of sprawling foothills in McDowell County. The property is not yet open to the public. It will be managed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation for low-impact recreation, water quality protection of numerous streams in the Broad and Catawba river basins and preservation of rare plants and diverse natural ecosystems documented by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.

North Carolina State Parks manages more than 250,000 acres of iconic landscape within North Carolinas state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas. It administers the N.C Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and more, all with a mission dedicated to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomes more than 19.8 million visitors annually, according to the news release.

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the states natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCRs mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the states history, conserving the states natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, three science museums, three aquariums and Jennettes Pier, 41 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, and the Division of Land and Water Stewardship.

For more information, visit www.ncdcr.gov.
On Thursday, Gov. Roy Cooper came to McDowell County to announce that Forza X1, Inc., the builder of an innovative line of electric-powered boats, will invest $10.5 million to establish a new manufacturing plant in Marion.

The new company will create 170 jobs in Marion and a new manufacturing plant will be built on the Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center property.

The strong momentum for our emphasis on the clean energy economy is putting money in the pockets of every day North Carolinians in both urban and rural areas like McDowell County, said the governor in a prepared statement. While the number of electric cars is rapidly expanding, so will electric boats made by Forza X1 right here in our state.

Forza X1 and its parent company Twin Vee PowerCats Co. are independent marine manufacturers headquartered in Fort Pierce, Fla. Forza X1 is developing an innovative line of recreational boats that will be environmentally friendly and powered by a proprietary electric outboard motor designed and integrated with the companys own control system. The company plans to offer a combined boat and motor package, featuring lithium battery packs, that will provide families and water recreation enthusiasts an enjoyable time for an affordable price, while preserving ecological balance for the planet, according to a news release.

Forza X1 is thrilled and honored to relocate our cutting-edge manufacturing and product development operation to McDowell County, said Joseph Visconti, CEO of Forza X1 in a prepared statement. Our marine electrification mission is significant and timely and will thrive in North Carolinas outstanding business climate. The people of McDowell County and the state have been very supportive and wonderful to work with. We are looking forward to breaking ground on our state of the art manufacturing facility and hiring some outstanding local talent.

On Thursday, the governor and representatives of Forza X1 came to the Universal property to make the formal announcement. Chuck Abernathy, the director of the McDowell Economic Development Association, welcome the crowd who attended, which took place near the ponds on the Universal property. Officials from McDowell County, the city of Marion, the N.C. General Assembly, McDowell Technical Community College, the McDowell Chamber of Commerce, Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, Golden LEAF Foundation and other agencies were there for the event.

This is years in the making, said Abernathy.

Commission Chairman Tony Brown introduced the governor to the crowd.

This is a wonderful day for McDowell County, said Brown. Its a wonderful day for the county commissioners. Im most proud of the working relationship with the other branches of government.

Brown also commended the work of Abernathy in making this new industry happen for McDowell County. Chuck has worked very hard for us and we are proud of him, he added.

Mayor Steve Little said he is proud that a company which makes electric boats has chosen to come here. Electric boats are more environmentally friendly and should become more popular in future years like electric automobiles have become.

This is marvelous, said Little. This is the way of the future and it is here in McDowell County. We get things done for the people of McDowell County.

Although wages for the new jobs will vary depending on position, the average salary will be $51,047, above the current average wage in McDowell County of $39,071. The state and local area will see an additional impact of more than $8 million each year from the new payroll, according to the news release.

Jim Leffew, president of Forza X1, told The McDowell News that of the 170 people who will work at this new plant, around 160 of them will come from McDowell and the surrounding areas.

We are looking at this venture for a long period of time, said Leffew. We want to thank you for inviting us into your community and we cant wait to get started.

Forza X1 will have to construct a new manufacturing plant on the Universal property, which represents the $10.5 million investment.

Innovative companies like Forza X1 expect to see innovation from the business locations they select, said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders in a prepared statement. Im pleased that the innovative workforce strategies in our First in Talent strategic plan are getting results and keeping the state ahead of our competitors.

Forza X1s project in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the states Economic Investment Committee earlier on Thursday. Over the course of 12 years, the project is estimated to grow the states economy by $479.1 million. Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs, the agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $1,367,100, spread over 12 years. Payments for all JDIGs only occur following performance verification by the departments of Commerce and Revenue that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets. JDIG projects result in positive net tax revenue to the state treasury, even after taking into consideration the grants reimbursement payments to a given company, according to the news release.

Because Forza X1 chose a site in McDowell County, classified by the states economic tier system as Tier 2, the companys JDIG agreement also calls for moving $151,900 into the states Industrial Development Fund  Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities across the state finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business.

Forza X1, Inc. is bringing an especially unique and timely product to the market, said N.C. Sen. Ralph Hise. Congratulations to this impressive and innovative company for expanding economic opportunity and jobs, in choosing to locate their new boat manufacturing facility in McDowell County and Marion.

Marion and McDowell County welcomes Forza X1 to our community, said N.C. Rep. Dudley Greene. We are excited about their investment and commitment to new jobs and investment for our community. I think the strong workforce and sense of community cooperation we offer here will work together to make sure Forza X1 enjoys much success in North Carolina.

In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C., other key partners on this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the Golden LEAF Foundation, the Appalachian Regional Commission, Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, McDowell County, the City of Marion and the McDowell Economic Development Association, according to the news release.
July 28, 2022 12:29

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus advised men at risk of contracting monkeypox to consider reducing the number of their sexual partners for now after the UN health agency declared the escalation of outbreaks in many countries a global emergency, the Associated Press reported.

The head of the WHO said that 98% of the monkeypox cases identified since the outbreaks began in May are among gay men, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men. He urged those at risk to take protective measures.



It means making safe choices for yourself and others, for men who have sex with men, Ghebreyesus said adding that includes, for now, reducing the number of sexual partners.

Infected people should isolate and avoid gatherings that involve close physical contact, and people in general should receive the contact details of all new sexual partners in case they need follow-up, the WHO chief said.

At the same time, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not suggest that men who have sex with men reduce the number of their sexual partners, but only avoid skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that could be monkeypox.

WHO representatives stressed that monkeypox can be transmitted to anyone who has close contact with a sick person or his contaminated clothing or bedding. The UN health agency has warned that the disease may be more severe in vulnerable populations such as children or pregnant women.

To date, more than 19,000 cases have been reported in more than 75 countries, with deaths reported only in Africa.

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Costa Ricas President Rodrigo Chaves has voiced his countrys support to a peaceful solution to the Sahara issue within the frame of Moroccos territorial integrity.

Interviewed Monday by M24 TV Channel, Mr. Rodrigo said his country backs peaceful and diplomatic solutions to conflicts and advocates the respect of territorial integrity for all countries.

On the position adopted by this Central American country regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue, the President said: we support peaceful solutions to conflicts existing around the world (). In the case of Morocco, we will not make an exception.

He went on to say that Costa Rica is the only country in the world that has no army, no navy, no infantry, no air force and no special forces. We do not have a single warship, not a single tank and not a single military aircraft. Thus, Costa Rica is a model in peaceful coexistence with its neighbors.
The writer-journalist Talaa Saoud Al Atlassi said that the fact that Algeria proclaims itself the first military power in North Africa means nothing to Morocco, which is not concerned by the competition game.

In a column published Wednesday on the information site Machahid 24 under the title The delusion, ultimate weapon of the generals of Algiers against Morocco, in response to an article published in the Algerian daily Achourouk which revealed that successive reports of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) have shown that Algeria devotes a budget that is twice that of Morocco for the armament, becoming the first military power in North Africa.

While congratulating, on an ironic tone, Algeria for its self-proclamation as the first military power, the columnist emphasized that Morocco has no intention of competing for this rank and identity.

He noted that the article of the daily Achourouk illustrates the hostility of the generals of the Algerian regime and their hatred towards Morocco that is erected in a real editorial line in a press to orders, which summarizes the news in Morocco to disasters and other crimes quite ordinary in all societies and countries and this, in an effort to damage its image while the successes of the Kingdom are numerous and remarkable, including the recent organization of the Womens Africa Cup of Nations.

He stressed that the successes of Morocco always has enraged the generals of Algiers who can not hide their annoyance, resorting to media cabals as a way of venting.

He emphasized that Amar Belani is visibly very irritated by the number of consulates inaugurated in Laayoune and Dakhla, diplomatic representations that he considers as ghosts and a propaganda operation financed by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thus carrying out the orders of his employers, very frightened by the multiplication of the inaugurated consulates.

He added that Belani pretends to be unaware that the countries that have inaugurated consulates, mostly African, including Senegal, are courted by the generals of Algiers to vote with them in the African Union as well as the United Arab Emirates, a country that weighs heavily on political decisions at the global level and in the energy field.

By targeting Morocco, Belani is also targeting many other countries that have relations with Algeria. This puts the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs in a delicate situation of wanting to extinguish the fire caused by Belani in his stubbornness to denigrate the achievements of Morocco, a Kingdom determined to promote a peaceful, serious, realistic, sustainable and mutually acceptable settlement of the artificial conflict over the Moroccan Sahara, he wrote.

The journalist pointed out, in this regard, that Belani is navigating in troubled waters, far from the process of peaceful settlement that now enjoys the support of the international community and not taking into account the democratic progress in Morocco and the effective participation of the populations in the southern provinces in all elections since 1977.

For him, he is only repeating himself by questioning the representativeness of the Sahrawi elected representatives, who have repeatedly met with the special envoys of the UN Secretary General and it is they who have also taken part in the negotiations and round tables held under the auspices of the UN in Geneva, in accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council.

He said, however, that Moroccos strength lies in the realism and credibility of its bold autonomy proposal presented in 2007, which was endorsed in previous Security Council resolutions until the adoption of the latest resolution, in the fall of 2021, which calls on the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Sahara, Staffan De Mistura to consider the autonomy proposal as a basis for resolving this conflict.

He stressed that Morocco will triumph in the end, being attached to its legitimate right and strong of the support of the international community and the favorable course of history, while the generals of Algiers will only have to deal with the counting of their military arsenal and to absorb the disappointments and diplomatic and political failures.

He concluded that the Kingdom of Morocco is a civil and peaceful state that promotes peace in the region. Morocco is determined to establish a social and democratic state, without any pretension to rank in the region and in the world. A state at the service of the people, the objectives of development and peace in the world, without being hostile to its neighbors as is the case of the state of the generals of Algeria, which is in fact only a military state.
The former private secretary of the transitional president was presented to the courts last weekend. Idriss Youssouf Boy was arrested several weeks ago with other personalities following suspicions of misappropriation of oil revenues. We only learned this on Tuesday 26 July because the case was conducted in all discretion.

Idriss Youssouf Boy, the former private secretary of the president of the transitional military council, Mahamat Taher Issa, the former deputy director general of the Chadian hydrocarbons company, and Mamadou Bass, the director general of Orabank, a Chadian financial institution, were all questioned by judicial police officers last Saturday, July 23.

The theft of billions of CFA francs from the Chadian hydrocarbons business is the subject of a financial controversy in which the three individuals are involved. Due to his position as a minister, Idriss Youssouf Boy was taken before the Supreme Court, the nations highest court, on accusations of illegal enrichment, influence peddling, and abuse of office.

He was brought before the court on Sunday, July 24, where he was informed of the charges. Idriss Youssouf Boy entered a plea of innocence.

The former Mahamat Idriss Deby collaborator has another appointment with the judges on Friday, July 29. Justice experts in Chad claim that the procedural irregularities could argue in his favor, at least for an interim release.
In the struggle against armed groups responsible for deadly attacks in the north of the two countries, security forces in Benin and Togo violated human rights, according to Amnesty International on Wednesday.

The NGO stated in a statement on the day when French President Emmanuel Macron was visiting Benin, The authorities of Benin and Togo must ensure that the fight against armed groups respects human rights.

The NGO specifically condemns arbitrary arrests and detentions directed at members of the marginalized Fulani community, which is occasionally charged with collaboration with armed groups.

Additionally, it criticizes the restriction of Benins and Togos freedom of expression following the arrest of journalists in the countrys north at the beginning of 2022. The danger of armed groups is used as a justification to curtail civil and political rights, Samira Daoud, regional director of Amnesty International for West Africa, was quoted as saying in the statement.

French President Macron must not disregard these abuses in his impending meetings with the Beninese authorities in the name of a joint worldwide battle against terrorism, or of Frances economic and political interests, she continued. On Tuesday night, President Macron traveled to Cotonou, where he would meet with his Beninese colleague Patrice Talon on Wednesday.

Since the end of 2021, the north of Benin and Togo have been battered by attacks perpetrated by armed groups that were previously active in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. Some of these attacks have been claimed by jihadist groups.

The Beninese and Togolese armies are deployed in the northern part to contain the progression of these groups towards the south. Both countries are regularly accused by human rights organizations of authoritarian excesses.
Closed since 2011, originally for security reasons, one of the three land border crossings between Algeria and Libya will soon reopen. This is what the authorities of both countries have announced. A meeting of the joint committee will be held on Thursday 28 July to announce the official date of this reopening, which will initially concern commercial exchanges. Travellers and tourists will only be allowed in at a later stage. The rehabilitation work is more than 90% complete on both sides, said the mayor of Ghadames, the Libyan town closest to the border crossing.

The political decision to reopen the Deb Deb border crossing has been taken on the Algerian side for several months, but its implementation has been postponed several times, officially due to unfinished work on the Libyan side.

This border crossing is a vital economic artery for Algeria. Currently, to reach Libya, Algerian transporters pass through the Tunisian border. Deb Deb will therefore facilitate the trade flow.

Developing exports is a strategic necessity for Algiers: after years of economic lethargy, President Tebboune is seeking to make up for the accumulated delay and to establish himself on the African continent.

The government is following a roadmap to get out of the economic crisis and is looking for resources that do not only come from the oil sector.

To this end, a shipping line was inaugurated this year with Mauritania, another will soon be inaugurated with Tripoli, and discussions have reached the final stage.

On the promising Libyan market, Algeria intends to export food products and reconstruction materials. A free trade zone on the Algerian side will be created in the future, according to the Minister of Trade.

Several meetings have taken place between Libyan and Algerian investors in recent months and businessmen are encouraged to invest in both countries.
At least nine people, including a senior local politician, were killed on Wednesday in the southern Somali city of Marka by a suicide bomber who blew himself up near a government building, police and witnesses said.

The radical Islamist Shebab claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing, saying they had targeted Abdullahi Ali Ahmed Wafow, the prefect of Marka district, located about 100 km south of Mogadishu in the Lower Shabelle region.

Reeve Abdullahi Wafow was killed in an explosion along with eight other people, mostly security personnel. The police are still investigating the incident but there are already indications that a suicide bomber carried out the deadly attack, said Ibrahim Ali, a police officer in Marka reached by phone.

The attack happened in front of the Marka district administration office where the prefect was talking with people, he added.

Witnesses said the suicide bomber, dressed in civilian clothes, approached the prefect before detonating his explosives.

The Shebab, affiliated with al-Qaeda, have been engaged in a 15-year insurgency against the federal Somali government, supported by the international community and an African Union force.

Driven out of Somalias main cities, including the capital Mogadishu in 2011, they remain entrenched in vast rural areas, from where they carry out attacks against government targets and security forces in particular.
Kasada Hospitality fund, an independent Qatari investment platform dedicated to hospitality in Sub-Saharan Africa, has acquired Nairobi-based Crowne Plaza Hotel for nearly $39 million with help with Qatar sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), reports say.

Crowne Plaza was sold but the owners have still not received the payment in full, an advisor involved in the deal told the Business Daily Africa.

Plans to sell the hotel have been on the table since 2020. The hotel was struggling with bank debts, they noted, adding the latest deal has already received regulatory approval.

Nairobis Upper Hill area-based hotel was opened in 2010 and tapped the Crowne Plaza brands under the InterContinental Hotels Group.

The deal adds the Crowne Plaza Hotel Kasadas asset acquisitions on the continent after the fund acquired hotels in Rwanda, South Africa, Senegal, Cameroon and Namibia over the past 18 months.

The fund enters Kenya in a period when top hotels have either closed shop or witnessed ownership changes as the sector recovers from Covid-19 travel curbs, Business Daily Africa reports.

QIA is the fourth largest of its kind worldwide. It last month 32 residential assets in Japan for an undisclosed amount, according to property firm Gaw Capital Partners.
Circulating steroids (ng/mL) among young adult and middle-aged HIV-1 Tat-transgenic male mice [Tat(+)] or their non-Tat-expressing age-matched counterparts [Tat()]. Credit: Qrareya et al, Aging (2022). DOI: 10.18632/aging.204166

In the United States, approximately 1.2 million people are living with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), with men accounting for the majority of cases (~75%). About half of HIV-infected individuals are 50 years of age and older. People living with HIV contend with an accelerated onset of age-related diseases and disorders; however, the pathophysiology underlying accelerated aging is poorly understood.

While the mechanisms(s) are unknown, the HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription (Tat) protein disrupts neuroendocrine function in mice partly by dysregulating mitochondria and neurosteroidogenesis.

Researchers Alaa N. Qrareya, Fakhri Mahdi, Marc J. Kaufman, Nicole M. Ashpole, and Jason J. Paris, from the University of Mississippi and Harvard Medical School's McLean Hospital, investigated the combined effects of aging and HIV-1 Tat expression on the development of neuroHIV-like sequelae in young adult (6-8 months) and middle-aged (11-13 months) male mice to determine whether Tat precipitates age-related dysfunction.

"We hypothesized that conditional Tat expression in middle-aged male transgenic mice [Tat(+)] would promote age-related comorbidities compared to age-matched controls [Tat()]. We expected Tat to alter steroid hormone milieu consistent with behavioral deficits."

Middle-aged Tat(+) mice had lower circulating testosterone and progesterone than age-matched controls and greater circulating corticosterone and central allopregnanolone than other groups. Young Tat(+) mice had greater circulating progesterone and estradiol-to-testosterone ratios. Older age or Tat exposure increased anxiety-like behavior (open field; elevated plus-maze), increased cognitive errors (radial arm water maze), and reduced grip strength. Young Tat(+), or middle-aged Tat(), males had higher mechanical nociceptive thresholds than age-matched counterparts. Steroid levels correlated with behaviors. Thus, Tat may contribute to HIV-accelerated aging.

"In conclusion, our data suggest that older age and Tat expression exert independent and interactive effects to worsen neuroendocrine, affective, cognitive, and neuromuscular comorbidities. Novel steroid replacement therapies may be useful adjunctive therapeutics to cART in the aging HIV+ population."

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More information: Alaa N. Qrareya et al, Age-related neuroendocrine, cognitive, and behavioral co-morbidities are promoted by HIV-1 Tat expression in male mice, Aging (2022). Alaa N. Qrareya et al, Age-related neuroendocrine, cognitive, and behavioral co-morbidities are promoted by HIV-1 Tat expression in male mice,(2022). DOI: 10.18632/aging.204166

Provided by Impact Journals
The AI suggested that the red area is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and blue area is non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Credit: Tosei General Hospital, Reiko Matsushita

A Nagoya University research group has developed an AI algorithm that accurately and quickly diagnoses idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. The algorithm makes its diagnosis based only on information from non-invasive examinations, including lung images and medical information collected during daily medical care.

Doctors have waited a long time for an early means of diagnosing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a potentially fatal disease that can scar a person's lungs. Except for drugs that can delay the disease's progression, established therapies do not exist. Since doctors face many difficulties diagnosing the disease, they often have to request a specialist diagnosis. In addition, many of the diagnostic techniques, such as lung biopsy, are highly invasive. These investigative measures may exacerbate the disease, increasing a patient's risk of dying.

Taiki Furukawa, Assistant Professor of the Nagoya University Hospital, in collaboration with RIKEN and Tosei General Hospital, has developed a new technology to diagnose idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the group analyzed medical data from patients in Tosei General Hospital's interstitial pneumonia treatment facility, collected during normal care. They found that their AI diagnosed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with a similar level of accuracy as a human specialist. They published their results in the journal Respirology.

Despite finding that their AI performed just as well as experts, the team stress that they do not see it as replacing medical professionals. Instead, they hope that specialists will use AI in medical treatment to ensure that they do not miss opportunities for early treatment. Its use would also avoid invasive procedures, such as lung biopsies, which could save lives.

"Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has a very poor prognosis among lung diseases," Furukawa says. "It has been difficult to diagnose even for general respiratory physicians. The diagnostic AI developed in this study would allow any hospital to get a diagnosis equivalent to that of a specialist. For idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the developed diagnostic AI is useful as a screening tool and may lead to personalized medicine by collaborating with medical specialists."

Furukawa is excited about the possibilities: "The practical application of diagnostic AI and collaborative diagnosis with specialists may lead to a more accurate diagnosis and treatment. We expect it to revolutionize medical care."

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More information: Taiki Furukawa et al, A comprehensible machine learning tool to differentially diagnose idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from other chronic interstitial lung diseases, Respirology (2022). Journal information: Respirology Taiki Furukawa et al, A comprehensible machine learning tool to differentially diagnose idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from other chronic interstitial lung diseases,(2022). DOI: 10.1111/resp.14310
Longitudinal tau PET imaging measures in an APOE3ch homozygote. A Surface rendering of tau PET (Flortaucipir) images (standardized uptake value ratio, SUVr), at baseline, 3-year follow-up (center), and B rate of change (expressed as %/year), in the APOE3ch homozygote, (left) a typical PSEN1-E280A impaired carrier (center) and a sporadic AD case (right). C Distribution area plot showing annualized percent change rates in tau PET for APOE3ch homozygote (red line) relative to unimpaired (blue) and impaired (green) PSEN1-E280A carriers. Regions along the x-axis are ordered from highest to lowest change rate observed in the APOE3ch homozygote. D Spaghetti plots of A PET (Pittsburgh Compound B, PiB) measurements at baseline and 2-year follow-up, E Structural MRI measurements at baseline and 2-year follow-up of hippocampal volume. Credit: Acta Neuropathologica (2022). DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02467-8

Aliria Rosa Piedrahita de Villegas should have developed Alzheimer's disease in her 40s and died from the disease in her 60s because of a rare genetic mutation.

Instead, she lived dementia-free into her 70s, and now her brain is yielding important clues about the pathology of dementia and possible treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

As researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and other centers first described in 2019, the woman, from Medellin, Colombia, was a member of an extended family with a mutation in a gene labeled PSEN1.

The PSEN1 E280A mutation is autosomal dominant, meaning that only a single copy of the gene is required to cause disease.

Carriers of the mutation typically exhibit symptoms of Alzheimer's in their 40s or 50s, and die from the disease soon after, but this woman did not begin to show signs of Alzheimer's until her early 70s. She died in 2020 from metastatic melanoma at the age of 77.

"This is a ground-breaking case for Alzheimer's disease and has already opened new paths for treatment and prevention, which we're currently pursuing with some collaborators. This work is now bringing light into some of the mechanisms of resistance to Alzheimer's disease" says investigator Yakeel T. Quiroz, Ph.D.

Quiroz is director of the Multicultural Alzheimer Prevention Program (MAPP) at Mass General, an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Paul B. and Sandra M. Edgerley MGH Research Scholar 20202025.

The key difference in the Colombian woman's ability to fend off the disease for three decades appeared to be that in addition to having the PSEN1 E280A mutation, she was also a carrier of both copies of a mutation known as APOE3 Christchurch.

The APOE family of genes control production of apolipoproteins, which transport lipids (fats) in blood and other bodily fluids.

The APOE2 variant is known to be protective against Alzheimer's dementia, while the APOE4 variant is linked to an increased risk for the disease.

APOE3, the most common variant, is not typically associated with either reduced or increased risk for Alzheimer's.

As Quiroz and colleagues now report in the neuropathology journal Acta Neuropathologica, the woman did, in fact, have pathologic features of Alzheimer's disease in her brain, but not in regions of the brain where the hallmarks of Alzheimer's are typically found.

"This patient gave us a window into many competing forcesabnormal protein accumulation, inflammation, lipid metabolism, homeostatic mechanismsthat either promote or protect against disease progression, and begin to explain why some brain regions were spared while others were not," says Justin Sanchez, AB, co-first author, and an investigator at MGH Neurology.

Researchers identified in Aliria's brain a distinct pattern of abnormal aggregation or "clumping" of tau, a protein known to be altered in Alzheimer's disease and other neurologic disorders.

In this case, the tau pathology largely spared the frontal cortex, which is important for judgment and other "executive" functions, and the hippocampus, which is important for memory and learning.

Instead, the tau pathology involved the occipital cortex, the area of the brain at the back of the head that controls visual perception.

The occipital cortex was the only major brain region to exhibit typical Alzheimer's features, such as chronic inflammation of protective brain cells called microglia, and reduced levels of APOE expression.

"Thus, the Christchurch variant may impact the distribution of tau pathology, modulates age at onset, severity, progression, and clinical presentation of [autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease], suggesting possible therapeutic strategies," the researchers write.

"It is seldom that we have nice surprises while studying familial Alzheimer's disease brains. This case showed an amazingly clear protected phenotype. I am sure our molecular and pathologic findings will at least suggest some avenues of research, and elicit hope for a successful treatment against this disorder," says co-first author, Diego Sepulveda-Falla, MD, Research Lead at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany.

"This exceptional case is an experiment designed by nature that teaches us a way to prevent Alzheimer's: let's observe, learn and imitate nature," concludes Francisco Lopera, MD, director of the Neuroscience Group of Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia. Lopera is a co-senior author and the neurologist who discovered this family and has been following them for the last 30 years.

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More information: Diego Sepulveda-Falla et al, Distinct tau neuropathology and cellular profiles of an APOE3 Christchurch homozygote protected against autosomal dominant Alzheimer's dementia, Acta Neuropathologica (2022). Diego Sepulveda-Falla et al, Distinct tau neuropathology and cellular profiles of an APOE3 Christchurch homozygote protected against autosomal dominant Alzheimer's dementia,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02467-8
Map of the United States showing proportion of the population in each county who live within 5 miles of a community pharmacy. Credit: Berenbrok, L. et al.

Almost 90% of the U.S. population lives within 5 miles of a community pharmacy, but more than half of Americans have to commute for more than 1 mile to reach a pharmacist. A new nationwide analysis published online in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association ahead of print verifies an often-cited statistic that, until now, was not supported with peer-reviewed evidence.

The study, led by University of Pittsburgh and University of California San Diego researchers, is the first nationwide analysis of driving distance to community pharmacies. The results provide a better understanding of accessibility to U.S. drugstores and the essential services they provide.

"Community pharmacies are the front door to the health system. They're often where people start their health care journey and are a gateway to connection with other health care services," said first author Lucas Berenbrok, Pharm.D., associate professor of pharmacy and therapeutics in the Pitt School of Pharmacy. "Our study shows that most Americans live close to community pharmacies and that community pharmacists can reach a lot of people. This means that pharmacies should be an important part of public health initiatives, like COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, and treatment."

As community pharmacies move beyond their traditional medication-dispensing role to providing comprehensive medication management, disease screening and chronic disease management, immunizations, over-the-counter hearing aids, contraception and more, pharmacists are becoming increasingly important health care providers, particularly for rural residents who may have limited access to other health services.

According to Berenbrok, the frequently cited statistic that 90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a pharmacy had been difficult to verify. To examine whether the claim held water, Berenbrok teamed up with senior author Inmaculada Hernandez, Pharm.D., Ph.D., associate professor of clinical pharmacy at UC San Diego. The researchers and their team mapped all 61,715 community pharmacies in the U.S., including chains, regional franchises, independent pharmacies and government pharmacies. Next, they took a 1% representative sample of the U.S. population and mapped the driving distance from home addresses to the nearest pharmacy.

"We found that 88.9% of the population lived within 5 miles of a community pharmacy, so we were surprised and excited to find that our analysis came very close to the famous statistic," said Berenbrok.

These findings suggest that the vast majority of Americans have access to pharmacies, but Berenbrok added that "not all 5 miles are created equal."

"Driving distance is not a perfect predictor of pharmacy accessibility," he explained. "If you have a reliable car and can take time off work, then 5 miles may not be a problem. But the same distance could be a big deal for someone without a car or who lives in an area without good public transport."

While 96.5% lived within 10 miles of a community pharmacy, just 48.1% of the population lived within 1 mile of such a drugstore.

The authors also looked at the distribution of pharmacy types across the U.S. In cities, 62.8% of pharmacies were chains, whereas in rural areas, 76.5% were franchises or independent pharmacies.

"Our study demonstrates that community pharmacies, particularly those that are independent or franchises, play a major role in providing access to health care in rural areas," said Hernandez. "These findings emphasize the need for reform of the drug reimbursement system to ensure the financial sustainability of these mom-and-pop shopswhich are more at risk of closures than large chains. This is crucial to ensure equitable access to health care in rural and underserved areas."

The analysis showed that 8.3% of counties in the U.S. had at least 50% of residents who lived more than 10 miles from a community pharmacy. These low access counties were primarily in Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana.

Berenbrok and Hernandez hope their findings guide efforts to improve availability of pharmacy services in underserved areas. For example, public health planners could target pop-up COVID-19 or flu vaccine clinics to populations who have lower access to community drugstores.

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More information: Lucas A. Berenbrok et al, Access to Community Pharmacies: A Nation-Wide Geographic Information Systems Cross-sectional Analysis, Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (2022). Lucas A. Berenbrok et al, Access to Community Pharmacies: A Nation-Wide Geographic Information Systems Cross-sectional Analysis,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2022.07.003
California is the only state in the U.S. with a statewide tax for mental health programs, applying to personal incomes above $1 million. Approved by voters in 2004, the tax has generated over $20 billion since 2005. But has the infusion of mental health funding made a difference?

Published today in PLOS One, a new peer-reviewed USC study is the first to examine whether revenue from California's mental health tax affected a vital public health indicator: suicide. Authored by Michael Thom, associate professor at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, the study shows programs funded by the tax prevented 5,500 total deaths from suicide between 2005 and 2019.

Reducing suicides is a pressing issue given that the U.S. suicide mortality rate increased by over 30% from 19992019.

Thom used the CDC's National Vital Statistics System data to determine how the millionaire's tax affected deaths by suicide in the state, developing a "parallel version of California" to predict what would have happened without the tax. The largest number of suicide deathsapproximately 870was averted in 2019, the final year studied.

Millionaire's tax led to different mental health results among various age groups and genders

The study showed not all groups experienced the same benefits from the more robust mental health services funded by the millionaire's tax. For example, the male suicide rate is triple that of females. Moreover, the study found that women's suicide mortality rate decreased significantly more than it did among men. The reduction in female suicide mortality in California in 2019 was 29% compared to the 17% reduction among males.

Thom was most surprised by the finding that older people experienced a larger reduction in suicide deaths than younger people. Adults aged 5565 years and those over 65 years old had some of the largest and most consistent reductions in suicide deaths.

"So much of what we hear in the media is the increase in suicide or suicidal thoughts among younger people," said Thom, who points to the fact that it's now the second leading cause of death among individuals under 34. "Disappointingly, this tax doesn't appear to have moved the needle when it comes to reducing suicide deaths among younger adults."

Thom theorizes that older adults can more easily accommodate inpatient and outpatient care than younger adults because they are less likely to be tied to fixed employment schedules and domestic responsibilities. People over 65 may also benefit from Medicare's mental health services.

The study results go only through 2019; since that time, mental health struggles have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, making it even more critical to evaluate the effectiveness of policies like California's.

"California is pioneering a new approach to mental health. Studies like this are necessary to identify which groups are benefiting from the policy and to go back to the drawing board to make sure all groups, whether it's by gender, age, or race, see some benefit from this," Thom explained. "After all, this wasn't a millionaire's tax to improve mental health among retirees; it was to improve mental health, period."

Thom suggested several changes that could improve earmarked mental health taxes and associated programs, including more responsive programs that address challenges unique to racial and ethnic groups and that address male-specific concerns. He also called for improved access for younger adults, especially 15- to 34-year-olds, which may include integrating mental health care services into high schools and colleges, expanding the availability of paid time off from work to receive treatment, and access to mobile app-based diagnostic and treatment tools.

How should California fund mental health services?

While the revenue source isn't the focus of the study, Thom pointed out that the income of California's wealthiest citizensand therefore the amount of money generated from a tax on that incomecan be volatile. The study shows that during the Great Recession, the revenue collected from the millionaire's tax dropped dramatically. The economy eventually rebounded, and by 2012, the money collected and used for California mental health programs began to make a difference in the state's suicide deaths.

Thom suggested state lawmakers should consider a different revenue source. "Everyone thinks a millionaire's tax is a great idea when the economy is thriving, but if you want this public good to continue, California should use general funds for these mental health programs," he said.

"The results indicate that additional funding can stem the tide of declining mental health and quite literally save lives," he added.

Explore further Most male suicides in US show no link to mental health issues, study reveals

More information: Michael Thom et al, Can additional funding improve mental health outcomes? Evidence from a synthetic control analysis of California's millionaire tax, PLOS ONE (2022). Journal information: PLoS ONE Michael Thom et al, Can additional funding improve mental health outcomes? Evidence from a synthetic control analysis of California's millionaire tax,(2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271063
C. Dirk Keene (University of Washington Medicine) shows human brain tissue, donated to science, that has been sectioned for experimentation. Credit: Erik Dinnel, Allen Institute

If you compare the brain of someone who has died from neurodegenerative disease to that of a healthy person, you can't miss the difference: In the case of severe Alzheimer's, the brain will be noticeably smaller, with large gaps where pieces would normally nestle close together.

This shrinkage, termed brain atrophy, is due to the die-off of neurons and their connections across the entire cortex, the wrinkled, outermost shell of the brain. Nobody knows what triggers these huge brain changes in Alzheimer's disease, let alone how to stop or reverse them.

But neuroscientists at the Allen Institute and their collaborators are focusing on changes at a much smaller, granular scale, hoping to provide incredibly detailed insight into what exactly goes wrong in Alzheimer's disease. They've just publicly released some of the first data showing the specific types of neurons and other brain cells that die off or otherwise change in Alzheimer's disease, using cutting-edge techniques to categorize individual cells based on what their genes do. This approach could ultimately identify new targets for better therapies to slow or halt the disease's progression by preventing these specific cell populations from dying.

This method of mapping a diseased brain in cellular detail is only recently possible, thanks to new techniques to study large numbers of individual brain cells, said Ed Lein, Ph.D., Senior Investigator at the Allen Institute for Brain Science, a division of the Allen Institute, and lead investigator of the Seattle Alzheimer's Disease Brain Cell Atlas team, which released the new data.

"We've made really remarkable progress in developing new tools to study the human brain, and this really opens up whole new possibilities for studying disease," Lein said. "As we've developed these tools, it became apparent that we could have a big impact by creating a much higher resolution atlas of what Alzheimer's actually looks like at the cellular level."

The basics of Alzheimer

The Seattle Alzheimer's Disease Brain Cell Atlas consortium, or SEA-AD, is a National Institute on Aging-funded collaboration headquartered at the Allen Institute, with additional research projects at UW Medicine and Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute. The publicly available dataset captures large-scale cellular and molecular information gleaned from more than 1.2 million neurons and other brain cells from 84 people who donated their brains to science after their deaths, as well as detailed microscopy images of amyloid- and other disease-related proteins in their brains.

The cellular techniques used in the consortium build off previous work at the Allen Institute and elsewhere, through the NIH-funded BRAIN Initiative, that uses genes switched on in individual brain cells to categorize them into discrete types. These methods were first used to understand the basic cellular building blocks of a healthy brain, and they are now being turned to understand Alzheimer's disease at a new level of detail and resolution.

"Because we don't know yet which of many possible pathways are most important in Alzheimer's, we need to have the most comprehensive picture we possibly can of the related changes in brain cells," said Richard J. Hodes, M.D., Director of NIH's National Institute on Aging. "Progress such as this means we have an increased understanding of what underlies the disease, and therefore a better hope for strategizing to effectively prevent and treat it."

A deep learning segmentation of the cortical layers in the middle temporal gyrus, an area of the brain involved with memory processing that is known to be affected by Alzheimer's disease. Credit: Erik Dinnel, Allen Institute

Scientists still don't understand the biological changes that trigger Alzheimer's disease, which afflicts more than 6 million Americans and is the most common cause of dementia. For decades, scientists thought amyloid plaqueslarge clumps of a naturally occurring protein, amyloid-, which is toxic to neurons at high levelswas the root cause of Alzheimer's. But several recently developed drugs that break up amyloid plaques have had minimal, if any, effect on disease progression. The SEA-AD team wanted to go back to the basics, identifying the individual kinds of neurons and other brain cells that die or change as Alzheimer's progresses, with the ultimate goal of developing targeted therapies to protect these cells before they die.

In this first data release, which analyzes cells from one region of the brain, the team identified certain kinds of neurons that are selectively vulnerable to the disease, while other kinds of brain cells increase in abundance. Understanding the true cellular roots of the disease will take more data, from more parts of the brain.

"This data release is the first of many. My hope is that with this release and future releases, we will generate data that will give us clues as to how this disease actually works," said C. Dirk Keene, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Nancy and Buster Alvord Endowed Chair of Neuropathology at UW Medicine and one of the investigators involved in the data release. "The more scientists that take innovative approaches to try to understand the disease, the more likely it is that we're going to find those drug targets and develop drugs that will be effective."

The Alzheimer's brain parts list

Alzheimer's disease doesn't affect the entire brain at once. The disease begins in a region of the brain involved in memory called the entorhinal cortex and starts to affect nearby parts of the brain as the disease progresses, eventually killing neurons across the entire cortex. Eventually, the Seattle researchers want to understand the entire progression of the disease, but for their first data release, they focused on a region of the cortex known as the middle temporal gyrus, which is affected approximately midway in the course of Alzheimer's progression.

The 84 people who donated their brains for this research represent a spectrum across all stages of Alzheimer's disease, from healthy aging to severe dementia, and are all participants in the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study, a long-running study of brain aging led by Kaiser Permanente Washington and UW Medicine, or studies in the UW Medicine Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Brain donations are coordinated through the University of Washington School of Medicine BioRepository and Integrated Research (BRaIN) laboratory, directed by Keene, who describes brain donation as "the greatest gift one can give to science, without which this research would not be possible."

The scientists used a variety of molecular characteristics, including assays to identify the genes switched on in individual cells in a method known as single-cell RNA sequencing, to categorize more than 1.2 million brain cells from the 84 donors into individual cell types. The scientists compared these cell types to those from younger, healthy brain donorsa cell-type reference map generated earlier by the Allen Institute team and their collaborators through the NIH-funded BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network. Together with the single-cell assays, the team also conducts highly quantitative neuropathology of the brain region to better understand the spatial makeup of disease-related proteins and specific types of cells in the donors' brains.

Delving into the data, the scientists found some intriguing differences in the Alzheimer's patients' cells. For example, they found that some of the neurons selectively vulnerable to Alzheimer's are those that make long-range connections (think highways instead of streets) across the cortex, the brain's center for more complex cognitive functions. The loss of these particular neurons aligns with the disease's effects: Alzheimer's patients primarily lose cognitive abilities like memory, language and learning. They also saw increases in the proportions of certain non-neuronal brain cells, including microglia, which act as immune cells of the brain.

"Now that we see these specific neuron populations falling out, the big question is why?" said Kyle Travaglini, Ph.D., a scientist at the Allen Institute in the SEA-AD group who will present findings from the data release on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in San Diego. "The vision is to identify a vulnerable population and create a therapy to protect it and prevent it from dying. In order to get there, we need to understand why these neurons are dying in the first place."

Jeanelle Ariza-Torres, a researcher in C. Dirk Keene's lab (University of Washington Medicine) points to a deep learning segmentation of the cortical layers in middle temporal gyrus, and area of the brain involved with memory processing that is known to be affected by Alzheimer's disease. Credit: Erik Dinnel, Allen Institute

The scientists hope that sifting through differences in how genes are switched on or off in Alzheimer's disease will start to get at that question. They're also planning to survey many more regions of the brain to understand the full course Alzheimer's takes in its destructive progression.

"We're not going to solve this by looking at one brain region," Lein said. "We want to describe trajectories of the disease as they march across brain regions and across different cell types in those brain regions, including regions affected both early and late in the disease. The aim, ultimately, is to find the early, causal events that happen when the disease is still potentially reversible."

The data release opens SEA-AD data and resources to the general scientific community for anyone to explore and includes:

A transcriptomics comparative viewer, which captures side-by-side changes in gene activity in single cells between the healthy, reference brains and brains from the cohort of 84 donors across the spectrum of Alzheimer's disease. The viewer can be filtered by cell type or by several different donor characteristics, including age at death, sex, presence of dementia, and years of education.

A transcriptomic explorer that shows the reference set of MTG brain cell types from the healthy, reference donors. This data visualization shows the relationships between all the cell types in this region, as well as expression levels for any genes of interest.

A donor index and neuropathology image viewer, which captures demographic, clinical, cognitive and pathological information from the 84 brain donors and detailed pathology images and quantifications from each brain region. The UW Medicine pathology team developed machine learning methods to precisely quantify levels of disease-related proteins in these images.

A link to the SEA-AD transcriptomics data in the Chan Zuckerberg CELL by GENE, an interactive data explorer for single-cell datasets.

A link to the SEA-AD chromatin accessibility data in the UC Santa Cruz's Genome Browser.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

UCLA researchers and colleagues at Emory University and other research centers have combined data simulation and experimental observation to bridge a gap between two major properties of large-scale organization of the human brainstationary and traveling waves of activity.

"Functional magnetic resonance imaging suggests the brain has a globally coherent spatial structure, but there is not yet consensus among scientists on the proper way to catalog this structure. We show that a small number of spatiotemporal patterns can do the job," said Lucina Uddin, professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences and director of the Brain Connectivity and Cognition Laboratory at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.

Taylor Bolt, the lab's statistician and the study's first author, said, "We showed that a wide range of previously observed empirical phenomena are manifestations of three main spatiotemporal patterns."

The study centers on spontaneous low-frequency blood-oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) fluctuations, a phenomenon discovered in the 1990s. Spontaneous fluctuations have been subjected to increasingly complex analytic techniques, leading to a large landscape of competing descriptions of large-scale functional brain organization. Some researchers have highlighted the simultaneous synchrony of brain regions across the cortexwhat the authors refer to as "standing" or "stationary" wave structure. Other researchers have highlighted the time-lag synchrony of brain regions across the cortexwhat the authors refer to as "propagatory" or "traveling" wave structure. There has been "little attempt to synthesize findings across different approaches," the researchers said.

Uddin likened the lack of consensus to the Indian parable of the blind men and the elephant, where each man encounters one part of the animal and comes up with a description that is different from all the others. "The parable teaches us the perils of missing the 'big picture' due to our own limited observations," she said.

Hypothesizing that stationary and traveling wave representations "of intrinsic functional brain organization are capturing different aspects of a small number of spatiotemporal patterns," the authors found that a range of previous observations could be unified in a framework modeling both standing and traveling wave structure. The investigators said their findings provide a "description of global functional brain organization that can inspire new hypotheses about the mechanisms underlying coordination of activity across the brain."

The study was published in July 28, 2022 issue of Nature Neuroscience.

Uddin and Jason Nomi, an assistant researcher at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, collaborated on the study with an international team including senior author Shella Keilholz, of Emory University in the United States; Dr. Danilo Bzdok, of McGill University in Canada; Jorge Salas and Catie Chang, of Vanderbilt University in the U.S.; and Thomas Yeo, of the National University of Singapore.

Explore further Scientists shed new light on human brain organization

More information: Taylor Bolt, A parsimonious description of global functional brain organization in three spatiotemporal patterns, Nature Neuroscience (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41593-022-01118-1 Journal information: Nature Neuroscience Taylor Bolt, A parsimonious description of global functional brain organization in three spatiotemporal patterns,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01118-1
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A gene that University of Virginia (UVA) Health researchers have discovered is responsible for the deadliest type of brain tumor is also responsible for two forms of childhood cancer, the scientists have found.

The new discovery may open the door to the first targeted treatments for two types of rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue that primarily strikes young children.

The gene may also play an important role in other cancers that form in muscle, fat, nerves and other connective tissues in both children and adults, the research suggests.

"We accumulated multiple lines of evidence supporting [that the gene] AVIL is [a] powerful driver for both major types of rhabdomyosarcoma," said researcher Hui Li, Ph.D., of the University of Virginia School of Medicine's Department of Pathology and UVA Cancer Center. "The tumors are oncogene[s] addicted to AVIL, which supports the rationale to design therapeutic interventions to target AVIL in this childhood cancer."

Rhabdomyosarcoma oncogene

Li and his team discovered in 2020 that the gene AVIL is the oncogene (cancer-causing gene) responsible for glioblastoma, the most lethal form of brain cancer. Less than 7% of patients with glioblastoma survive five years after diagnosis.

Li's 2020 discovery was named one of the year's biggest biomedical discoveries by the editors of health news site STAT. Li's latest work builds on that research and suggests that AVIL is even more important than previously realized.

Malfunctions in AVIL, Li and his team found, play an essential role in the development of the two main subtypes of rhabdomyosarcoma. In a scientific paper outlining the findings, he and his colleagues describe rhabdomyosarcoma as "addicted" to the gene's excess activity. They ultimately label AVIL a "bona fide oncogene" for rhabdomyosarcoma.

AVIL may be the convergence point for two different cellular processes that cause soft-tissue cells to become cancerous, the researchers note. Blocking the activity of AVIL, they found, prevented the formation of rhabdomyosarcoma in both cell samples in lab dishes and in mouse models of the disease.

That's a promising sign for the discovery's potential to lead to a new, targeted treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer that is relatively rare but can be deadly. Even with multi-modal therapeutic interventions, the survival rate for high-risk children is less than 20%.

The new research also reveals that AVIL is excessively active in other cancers of the soft tissue, known as sarcomas. The scientists found that the degree of excess activity correlates with patient outcomes, suggesting that AVIL may be a vulnerability for those cancers as well.

"These findings plus our previous work in brain tumor suggest that AVIL is an oncogene that when over-activated, may trigger the development of multiple cancer types," Li said.

Finding better ways to prevent and treat childhood cancer are urgent missions of UVA Cancer Center, which this year was designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. The designation recognizes elite cancer centers with the most outstanding cancer programs in the nation. UVA is one of just 52 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country and the only one in Virginia.

Childhood cancer findings published

Li and his team have published their findings in the scientific journal PNAS. The team consisted of Zhongqiu Xie, Pawel L. Janczyk, Xinrui Shi, Qiong Wang, Sandeep Singh, Robert Cornelison, Jingjing Xu, James W. Mandell, Frederic G. Barr and Li.

Explore further Scientists ID gene responsible for deadly glioblastoma

More information: Zhongqiu Xie et al, Rhabdomyosarcomas are oncogene addicted to the activation of AVIL, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Zhongqiu Xie et al, Rhabdomyosarcomas are oncogene addicted to the activation of AVIL,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2118048119
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

India and other South Asian countries must deal with a dangerous backslide in routine infant vaccinations during 20192021 brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions imposed to counter its spread, say UNICEF officials.

"Immunization coverage has fallen for nearly all vaccines in the routine schedule between 2019 and 2021," Rene Ekpini, regional advisor for health at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) South Asia told SciDev.Net.

Across the world, some 25 million children missed out on one or more doses of the combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) vaccine, according to data released in July by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. "Of the children who missed out, five million were from South Asia," said Ekpini.

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis are serious bacterial infections that can be prevented in children with the combined DPT vaccine that has been part of universal immunization programs since 1948.

According to the UNICEF/WHO data, 3.4 million of the unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children were from India. The country also accounted for 15% of all children who did not receive even a single dose of the DTP3 vaccineconsidered a marker for immunization coverage.

Ekpini said that the impact of the drop in coverage would be different and dependent on the contagiousness of a particular disease. "A five percentage point drop in measles coverage may not sound high, but because of its extreme contagiousness it can affect all children who lack protection against it, resulting in large outbreaks," he said.

Inadequate coverage has already resulted in outbreaks of measles and polio over the past 12 months, underscoring the need to immunize children, adolescents and adults against preventable diseases and keep societies healthy, Ekpini said.

While vaccine coverage dropped in every region, the East Asia and Pacific region recorded the steepest reversal in DTP3 coverage, falling by nine percentage points in two years, with the highest numbers coming from India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Indonesia, according to UNICEF/WHO.

Globally, DTP3 coverage was set back to its lowest level since 2008 which, along with declines in coverage for other basic vaccines, pushed the world off-track to meet global goals, including the immunization indicator for the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

The decline was attributed to several factors, including increased misinformation, COVID-19 related issues such as service and supply chain disruptions, resource diversion to pandemic response efforts, and containment measures that limited immunization service access and availability.

"This historic backsliding in rates of immunization is happening against a backdrop of rapidly rising rates of severe acute malnutrition. A malnourished child already has weakened immunity and missed vaccinations can mean common childhood illnesses quickly become lethal to them," a UNICEF/WHO statement said.

While India and Pakistan topped the list of countries that saw the greatest increase in children not receiving a first dose of DTP between 2019 and 2020, they were also quick to bounce back.

Pakistan now figures among countries that successfully fought back declines to return to pre-pandemic levels of coverage "thanks to high-level government commitment and significant catch-up immunization efforts," UNICEF/WHO said.

In India, progress towards reducing the number of zero-dose children was impacted by the pandemic and the number of children who did not receive the first dose of the DTP vaccine was estimated to have increased to three million in 2020, up from 1.4 million in 2019, according to Mainak Chatterjee, health specialist at UNICEF India.

"Despite having the largest birth cohort in the world, India was able to prevent a further backslide through special drives such as the Intensified Mission Indradhanush, which enabled the country to bring down zero-dose to 2.7 million in 2021," Chatterjee told SciDev.Net.

In February, the government launched what it described as "the largest vaccination drive globally," reaching out to missed children and pregnant women. India already vaccinates more than 30 million pregnant women and 26 million children through its Universal Immunization Program.

India not only managed to prevent a decline in routine coverage, it also ensured continued focus on COVID-19 vaccination, said Chatterjee. "A rapid resumption of routine immunization services coupled with evidence-based catch-up campaigns enabled India to limit the backslide," he said.

"Unvaccinated or 'zero-dose' children tend to live in the most vulnerable communities within countries and they suffer the most when hurdles to vaccination increasethe number of zero-dose children was actually found [to be] higher than the number who had received partial vaccination," Ekpini said.

Families of zero-dose children are more likely to be deprived of other essential health services as well, Ekpini said, adding: "For this reason, efforts for strengthening immunization need to be directed to strengthening overall health and community systems rather than immunization in isolation."

Provided by SciDev.Net
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

On the rare occasions when Vero Beach resident Neil Passmore goes out in public, he's often the only one in a mask.

When Passmore caught COVID-19 in June 2020, the virus hit him hard: He shook with chills, struggled to breathe, his heart raced and he had trouble regulating his body temperature. He also experienced disassociation and memory loss, among other symptoms.

In the weeks and months after his infection, he noticed some symptoms weren't going away, and some were getting worse. After five weeks, he was often confused, stuttering and calling things by the wrong name: mailboxes became post offices, coconuts became pine cones, palm trees became pine trees.

Doctors eventually discovered optic nerve and brainstem damage.

His second round of COVID-19 in August 2021 made all his symptoms worse, particularly his cardiac symptoms.

More than two years later, he still struggles with regulating his body temperature, a rapid heartbeat, tinnitus, dizziness and neurological symptoms. His ongoing cognitive issues make it impossible to return to his job as a Walgreens pharmacist. He's terrified of getting COVID-19 again.

"I went from having a very good job, living like you're supposed to, working hard... for months and months, helping sick people every day," he said. "Then I get sick, and blam! That's it. You don't know... if you're going to be able to keep your house and your vehicles. Your way of life has definitely changed."

Passmore has long COVID-19, known also as long-haul COVID-19, or Post COVID-19 condition.

The CDC estimates as many as one in five adults who catch COVID-19 may go on to develop long COVID-19, defined by the World Health Organization as symptoms in people previously infected that last for at least two months and cannot be attributed to anything else. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and cognitive dysfunction but the range is broad.

Now, as new, ultra-infectious subvariants of the COVID-19 omicron variant drive up COVID-19 cases, advocates say it is more important than ever to speed up awareness and research the origins and treatment for the condition.

"If in the future a significant portion of the population is suffering from COVID and long-haul COVID simultaneously, this will be an extraordinary burden financially for everyone," said Elena Cyrus, an infectious disease epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Central Florida.

More questions than answers

An estimated 1.5 million adults in Florida are currently experiencing symptoms of long COVID-19, based on a summer 2022 household pulse survey and 2020 population estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Other viruses can also cause symptoms that stick around after people recover, varying in severity or duration, Cyrus said.

"The only difference is that because of the scale of COVID, we are looking closer at it, because of the massive impact it can have," she wrote in an email.

Two years in, there are still more questions than answers as to the disease's origins: Could tiny blood clots be cutting off blood flow to some parts of the body? Does the coronavirus sometimes stick around in certain areas? Could COVID-19 make some people's immune systems go haywire, causing chronic inflammation? Those are three leading theories, researchers told Science Magazine in a June article. In all likelihood, there is no single cause, but rather multiple factors working together.

There are no go-to proven treatments either, said Dr. Irene Estores, who opened the UF Health COVID RESTORE (rehabilitation, support, training, outreach and research) Treatment Program in Gainesville in July 2021. This is one of just five post-COVID care centers listed by the Survivors Corp, a grassroots patient advocacy effort.

Estores tries treatments that are meant for conditions with similar symptoms.

She points out long COVID research is moving forward, albeit slowly.

"We know more about long COVIDboth mechanisms and treatmentsnow than we did two years ago. So, we just keep on working," Estores said.

She has a long waitlist. Seeing patients is time-consuming, as is helping them apply for disability insurance benefits.

"Patients need to recognize that we do want to help, but physicians need resources to be able to help," Estores said. "It will take more than just commitment from physicians ... This requires a concerted effort from health systems and from the government."

The National Institutes of Health in February 2021 announced a $1.15 billion initiative, RECOVER, to fund investigations into the condition, though since then the initiative has faced criticism for its slow speed and lack of transparency, a June Science Magazine article reports.

Many of Estores' patients have made progress, and she emphasizes this. But she acknowledges that it can be easy to give up.

"I can understand why... they feel this way. My patients tell me how hard it is. And I can see it," Estores said. "... I can tell you that my patients who continue to work with me on this, we go somewhere."

Terrified of reinfection

Faced with chronic, often unexplainable symptoms and no proven treatments, having long COVID-19 can feel hopeless, said Danielle Jordan, 21, from Coral Gables.

Jordan caught COVID-19 as a healthy 19-year-old. She couldn't walk without pain, accurately taste or smell, or regulate her rapid heartbeat in the three months that followed. Though many symptoms faded, she still suffers from parosmia and dysgeusia:distorted smell and taste.

Jordan's mental state is in recovery, too.

"What I wish people knew about long COVID was the effects it can have on one's mental health. It is a very lonely place to be in if no one around you is going through what you are going through," Jordan wrote in an email. "... It's been horrible."

When the University of Miami student was exposed to the virus again in September 2021, she had panic attacks multiple times a day out of fear she'd test positive again.

Brian Hartin, who spoke to the Orlando Sentinel in October about his lack of energy, brain fog and depression, is about 80% recovered from long COVID-19 after about two years. He's working again, though in a lower position than he was before because his health is still unpredictable.

The 37-year-old Lakeland resident, like Jordan, is desperate to get better and scared of catching COVID-19 again.

Their fears aren't unfounded.

Saint Louis Health Care System researchers found that each time a person catches COVID-19, their risk of new health problems may increase, a draft study of over 5.6 million people said. It is currently awaiting peer review.

Others have moved on

Hartin doesn't sense the same concern he has about COVID-19 in others, however.

A couple of weeks ago, he heard his coworkers joking that they were so burnt out, they wanted to catch COVID-19 just as an excuse to take time off.

"I was like, really? You don't want to have what happened to me happen to you, and you're talking about it just so casually," Hartin said.

Doctors, too, have dismissed Hartin because there's no clear cause for his symptoms.

"There's only so many times that you can go to the doctor or go to the ER and they tell you that everything's alright, you know, and that there's nothing wrong with you, and obviously that's not true, because I wouldn't feel the way that I feel if there wasn't something wrong," he said.

Some doubt long COVID's existence. Jeremy Devine, a resident psychiatrist at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, wrote a Wall Street Journal op-ed suggesting long COVID-19 can be explained in most cases by underlying mental health issues.

Florida Department of Health spokesperson Jeremy Redfern tweeted, "long COVID = anxiety" from his personal account to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis in June.

Both faced swift backlash from physicians, psychiatrists, other mental health professionals and activists.

Passmore says for their sakes and his, he hopes the general public takes long COVID-19 and the current wave seriously.

"Maybe the new variants aren't killing as many people, but there's still a lot of risks with them," he said.

Resources are growing

In the meantime, for those already struggling, there are resources, many of them established by long COVID-19 patients themselves.

Estores' program is accepting new patients at ufhealth.org/integrative-medicine/contact; patients can call 352-265-9355 and specify they're looking for long COVID-19 treatment.

She said patients should expect a waitlist at her clinic and others.

Other post-COVID-19 care centers and contact information can be found on the website of the Survivors Corp, a grassroots patient advocacy effort.

Support groups have also sprung up, such as COVID-19 Long Haulers Support on Facebook.

The Patient-Led Research Collaborative, a group of researchers with long COVID-19 born out of another support group, has resources as well.

Explore further One in 13 US adults report long COVID symptoms

2022 Orlando Sentinel.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The numbers show what percentage of physicians from different medical fields can be removed in the nine Austrian provinces before a critical limit in health care is reached. Credit: CSHVienna

A retirement wave, mass quarantine, or lack of interest to work in the countryside: There are numerous reasons why a more-than-average number of medical practices could be closing at the same time. The system usually can compensate for some of these shortfalls. But there is a point where the situation can become critical. Until now, it was not possible to accurately predict where that point is. A research team from the Complexity Science Hub Vienna (CSH) now proposes a method to identify (tipping) points at which an adequate medical treatment of the population can no longer be guaranteed: the first stress test for a healthcare system.

In their newest publication in Nature Communications, the scientists use data from Austria to show how many resident physicians and medical specialists can drop out before patients don't find a new doctor within reasonable distance. Yet, the authors emphasize that their method can be used in any country that has the relevant data available.

How the stress test works

For their simulations, the scientists had access to anonymized Austrian patient data from 2018. They combined them with publicly available data on the office hours of doctors. To make their multi-dimensional dataset more accessible, the visualization team at CSH also developed an interactive visualization.

"Our data show that patients do not choose physicians at random but rather via naturally emerging networks," explains CSH researcher Michaela Kaleta, one of the first authors of the paper. For example, if a gynecologist goes on vacation, her patients usually will go to a particular other doctor as a substitute, and vice versa. If the same gynecologist retires, her patients are very likely to switch permanently to that colleague.

"We see that such patient-doctor-networks and patient flows are surprisingly constant, especially in rural areas," says Jana Lasser (Graz University of Technology); the complexity scientist, shared first author, has been involved in this work since her time at CSH.

The researchers now feed the real-world networks into a computer model and "shock" the system by removing physiciansjust like in a disease wave, for instance. "We can take one network node, i.e., doctor avatar, out of the system at a time and observe where the patients are moving on to within the networkand at what point a sufficient healthcare can no longer be provided," says Lasser.

(a) State-level results. (b) Aggregated specialty- or physician-specific resilience indicators. (c, d) Example of physicians' patient-sharing network and patient displacement. [c] Physician 1 becomes unavailable and a share of their patients try to re-locate to physician 2. As a result, physician 2 becomes unavailable as well [d]. Credit: CSH Vienna

Eye doctors in Styria and Vorarlberg

The scientists found that the resilience of local healthcare depends on more than just the number of physicians in that region, known as "physician density."

"Take ophthalmology in Styria and Vorarlberg as an example," explains Lasser. "According to our dataset from 2018, both Austrian provinces had about the same number of contracted eye doctors per person, in other words, about the same physician density. However, we see that a shock in Vorarlberg can be four times larger than in Styria before patients don't find proper eye treatment anymore." According to this model, in Styria 7% of eye doctors can be removed before healthcare becomes critical, compared to 28% in Vorarlberg.

"Our stress test shows very precisely in which regions in Austria the healthcare system is resilient, and where health authorities would have to take urgent steps to improve the situation," says Lasser. "The regional differences in Austria can be quite significant."

Stress testing allows for better long-term planning

"In many areas, such as the banking sector, stress tests have long been conducted to better prepare for crises," emphasizes project leader Peter Klimek (CSH & Medical University of Vienna). "For healthcare, a stress test has long been missing." Yet, the pandemic has shown that medical care can quickly reach critical limits when a large number of personnel is not available at a time.

"We will have to deal with such crises in the future too," says Klimek. "That's why all countries face the challenge of rebuilding their healthcare systems: Not only do they need to keep them affordable, but they also have to restructure them in a way that they become more resistant to shocks." The approach presented here is a way to reach that goal. "We strongly recommend health authorities to look at how well their networks can absorb shocks. We can only find the balance between cost efficiency and crisis resilience when we know the weaknesses and strengths of the system," Klimek concludes.

Explore further Stress testing the healthcare system

More information: Michaela Kaleta et al, Stress-testing the resilience of the Austrian healthcare system using agent-based simulation, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Michaela Kaleta et al, Stress-testing the resilience of the Austrian healthcare system using agent-based simulation,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31766-7
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

For most of the six decades that monkeypox has been known to affect people, it was not known as a disease that spreads through sex. Now that has changed.

The current outbreak is by far the biggest involving the virus, and it's been designated a global emergency. So far, officials say, all evidence indicates that the disease has spread mainly through networks of men who have sex with men.

"It clearly is spreading as an STI (sexually transmitted infection) at this point," said Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

To protect the people at highest risk while trying to contain the spread, public health agencies are focusing their attention on those menand attacking the virus based on how it's behaving now.

On Wednesday, the head of the World Health Organization advised men at risk for monkeypox to consider reducing their sexual partners "for the moment."

But this is a complicated outbreak that may shift in how it spreads and which population groups are most affected. There is also debate about whether monkeypox should be called a sexually transmitted disease, with some critics complaining that the term creates a stigma and could be used to vilify gay and bisexual men.

Monkeypox can spread in nonsexual ways too, and it's not enough to use condoms or other typical measures for stopping STDs, Inglesby and other experts say.

Here's what we know.

WHAT MAKES SOMETHING AN STD?

A sexually transmitted disease is commonly defined as one that mainly spreads through sexual contact. But some STDs can be spread in other ways, too. HIV can spread through shared needles. Syphilis can spread through kissing. A common, parasite-caused sexual infection called trichomoniasis has been found to spread through the sharing of damp, moist objects like sponges or towels.

Monkeypox has not usually spread easily among people, and experts are still trying to understand exactly how it moves from person to person. In Africa, where small outbreaks have been common for years, people have been infected through bites from rodents or small animals.

But in May, cases began emerging in Europe, the United States and elsewhere that showed a clear pattern of infection through intimate contact with an infected person, like many other sexually transmitted diseases.

The public health workers who respond to outbreaks play a large role how they are framed. Much of the work on monkeypox has been done by professionals who operate sexual health clinics or specialize in STDs.

Indeed, the U.S. government's response needs to be led by people with that expertise, said David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors.

"The STD field has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in these areas developed over decades fighting various outbreaks and diseases affecting the very communities ... we're seeing monkeypox taking a toll on today," Harvey said in a statement.

WHO IS GETTING MONKEYPOX?

WHO officials said last week that 99% of all the monkeypox cases beyond Africa were in men and that of those, 98% involved men who have sex with men. Experts suspect that monkeypox outbreaks in Europe and North America were ignited by sex at two raves in Belgium and Spain.

The statistics are the same for cases reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As in Europe, cases have emerged in other groups too, including at least 13 people who were female at birth and at least two children.

Last week, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study of hundreds of monkeypox infections in 16 countries. It found that the suspected means of transmission in 95% of the cases was sexual close contact, as reported by doctors. The researchers noted that it was impossible to confirm sexual transmission.

That idea seemed to be further supported by the finding that most of the men had lesions in the genital or anal areas or in the mouthareas of sexual contact, the researchers said.

WHY IS THERE A DEBATE ABOUT CALLING IT AN STD?

While there is broad agreement among health officials that monkeypox is being transmitted during sexual encounters, some experts debate whether it should be called an STD. They worry that the term unfairly stigmatizes and that it could undermine efforts to identify infections and tame the outbreak.

When a disease is defined as a sexually transmitted infection that mainly affects men who have sex with men, many people may begin to think of it as "a gay disease" that poses no risk to them, said Jason Farley, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.

That's what happened in the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, which contributed to the spread of HIV to other groups. Farley said.

"We learn nothing from our history," said Farley, who is gay.

The WHO recommendation that at-risk men limit their sexual partners is sensible public health advice, he said. But it also amplifies "the message that this is a gay disease," he said.

"This is the fine line between having a public health approach that focuses on the epidemiology of now, compared to the likelihood of the continued emergence of new cases in" the general community, he said.

"Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted infection," he said. "It is an infection that can be transmitted with sexual contact."

WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT TRANSMISSION?

Some researchers have found evidence of the monkeypox virus in semen. A study in Spain found monkeypox virus DNA in the semen of some infected men, as well as in saliva and other body fluids. But the study didn't answer whether the virus actually has spread through semen.

Sorting that out could affect the understanding of not only how men spread the infection, but also how long they might be contagious. Evidence of some other viruseslike Ebola and Zikahas been found in the semen of some men months after they were thought to be fully recovered.

Meanwhile, scientists believe the primary route of transmission during the current outbreak has been skin-to-skin contact during sexual encounters with someone who has symptoms. In that respect, it's similar to herpes, some experts noted.

The virus also may spread through saliva and respiratory droplets during prolonged, face-to-face contact, such as during kissing and cuddlinga kind of spread that can occur outside of sex.

Researchers are exploring how often, and in what situations, that kind of spread might happen, said Christopher Mores, a professor of global health at George Washington University.

"We would do ourselves a disservice to try and exclude anything from the realm of possibility at this point," he said.

Officials also say people can catch monkeypox from touching items that previously touched an infected person's rash or body fluids, such as towels or bedsheets. That is thought to explain the infections of the U.S. children.

WHY ARE THESE DETAILS IMPORTANT?

It's important to understand exactly how monkeypox spreads in order to give people the information they need to protect themselves, health officials say.

That said, health officials believe those who are currently at the highest risk are gay or bisexual men who have sex with multiple partners. That understanding has shaped much of the work to contain the outbreak, including prioritization of the supply of vaccines and treatments.

The government has been shipping a monkeypox vaccine, but the supply is limited. So far it's only been recommended as a post-exposure treatment or for people who have had multiple sex partners in the past two weeks in a place where monkeypox cases have been reported.

The vaccine is new, and officials are trying to gather data on exactly how well it works.

Explore further UK reports 104 more cases of monkeypox, mostly in men

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Juyoung Park, Ph.D., senior author and principal investigator, demonstrates chair yoga intervention. Credit: Florida Atlantic University

Dementia doesn't just involve cognitive decline, it also involves deteriorating physical function. This major cause of limitation in activities of daily living in older adults with dementia requires safe, effective, and evidence-based nonpharmacological approaches. One such approach is chair yoga. A noninvasive and low-impact intervention, chair yoga is practiced sitting or standing using a chair for support and combines flexibility, balance, strength, breathing, relaxation, and mindfulness training.

Unfortunately, barriers such as lack of transportation, living in rural areas, relying on caregivers and especially the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented many older adults with dementia from participating in group-based in-person chair yoga classes. These burdens call for an innovative way to deliver a chair yoga intervention for those who cannot travel to a community center.

"The considerable time and cost associated with traveling to in-person yoga sessions over several weeks could be burdensome to many patients," said Juyoung Park, Ph.D., senior author, principal investigator and a professor in the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work within Florida Atlantic University's College of Social Work and Criminal Justice.

Researchers from FAU's College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and Schmidt College of Medicine and collaborators, conducted a novel interdisciplinary study to evaluate a remotely supervised online chair yoga intervention targeted at older adults with dementia and measured clinical outcomes virtually via Zoom under the remote guidance. The study assessed the feasibility of this intervention and explored the relationship between chair yoga and clinical outcomes of pain interference, mobility, risk of falling, sleep disturbance, autonomic reactivity, and loneliness.

Results of the study, published in the journal Complimentary Therapies in Clinical Practice, showed that remotely supervised online chair yoga is a feasible approach for managing physical and psychological symptoms in socially isolated older adults with dementia based on retention (70 percent) and adherence (87.5 percent), with no injury or other adverse events.

"This finding is important, as older adults with dementia and their caregivers may be challenged in attempts to attend chair yoga programs at community facilities," said Park, who conducted the research with her mentee and co-author Hannah Levine, a medical student at FAU. "Our telehealth-based chair yoga intervention was found to be convenient for both participants and their caregivers because it was easily accessible from home and did not require transportation or getting dressed, which reduced caregiver burden and stress."

Participants in the pilot study took part in twice weekly 60-minute sessions for eight weeks. During the chair yoga session, the yoga interventionist was spotlighted in the Zoom screen to allow participants to see only the interventionist. This spotlighting enabled participants to focus on the yoga sessions without being distracted by other participants on the screen.

"Our study participants worked with a certified yoga interventionist and their caregivers and practiced breathing techniques and intentional practice; physical postures; and guided relaxation and visualization," said Park.

Participants also interacted on Zoom with other participants or with the facilitator to maintain social bonds while maintaining physical distance. Psychosocial and physiological (i.e., cardiac) data were collected remotely at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention.

"Remotely collected cardiac and psychosocial data can provide a more complete assessment of the effects of an intervention," said Maria de los Angeles Ortega Hernandez, DNP, APRN, GNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, CDP, FAANP, FAAN, director of the FAU Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center, associate dean of clinical practice and professor, FAU Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. "Importantly, online chair yoga classes provide a means of reducing health disparities by opening access to interventions for persons who are unable to travel to a clinic or facility."

The primary aim of the study was to assess the feasibility (retention, adherence, and safety) of conducting a remotely supervised, home-based, online chair intervention and completing outcome measures virtually. The secondary aim was to examine the relationship between the intervention and chronic pain, physical function, or psychological symptoms. Finally, an exploratory aim was to evaluate the ease and ability of caregivers and participants to record cardiac data remotely for offline analyses of the effect of the intervention on parasympathetic regulation and overall heart rate.

"An important feature of our technology-based intervention is that it could allow socially isolated older adults with dementia who are living at home, especially those in underserved communities where people are becoming more digitally connected, to receive remotely supervised chair yoga that provides physical, social and psychological benefits," said Lisa Ann Kirk Wiese, Ph.D., co-author and an associate professor, FAU's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.

"Results from our study can inform future research and practice in implementation of online chair yoga or other exercise program for promoting health and wellness in older adults with dementia living at home," said Park.

Explore further Chair yoga helps older adults manage osteoarthritis pain

More information: Juyoung Park et al, Remotely supervised home-based online chair yoga intervention for older adults with dementia: Feasibility study, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (2022). Juyoung Park et al, Remotely supervised home-based online chair yoga intervention for older adults with dementia: Feasibility study,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101617
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

COVID cases have increased in Philadelphia about 40% over the past monthand that's without counting the scores of people testing positive at home as the latest BA.5 omicron variant surges across the country.

Although vaccines are keeping most people alive and out of the hospital, the White House has been urging all Americans to get vaccinated and boosted, including the young children that this summer finally gained access to immunizations.

"If you are vaccinated but have not gotten a booster, this is a really good time to go and get a booster," said White House coronavirus response coordinator Ashish Jha in a briefing last week.

Many across the nation appear to be shrugging off the guidance.

The latest data shows that few of America's youngest have received a dose of the vaccineand many adults are going without recommended booster shots. The same trends are playing out locally.

Here's an overview of who is getting vaccinatedand not.

Last week, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that just over a month after their approval, vaccination rates among children under 5 seemingly has peaked at 2.8%. Since the most enthusiastic parents got their kids' shots, the average number of new doses administered nationally has started declining.

The slow uptake was predicted. Only 1 in 5 parents of children in this age group wanted to get their child vaccinated right away, according to a May poll by Kaiser Family Foundation. An updated poll released on Tuesday found that 4 in 10 parents for eligible children would "definitely not" vaccinate their child.

The uptick following the approval of the first pediatric vaccines played out differently for children 5 to 11. After vaccines were recommended for the older children in November 2021, about 30% of this age group nationwide is fully vaccinated, according to CDC data.

Adults also aren't rushing after booster shots, and the recent wave of the omicron variant BA.5 has seemingly done little to change attitudes. Through July 21, about 51.4% of U.S. residents 18 and older had received a booster. In recent months, vaccination rates have plateaued for all demographic groups, no matter whether they are going without first shots or boosters.

Public health authorities say they still hope to see more people get vaccinated.

Explore further Slow pace for youngest kids getting COVID vaccine doses

(c)2022 The Philadelphia Inquirer

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Brazilian researchers have developed an algorithm to identify the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi in photographs of blood samples taken with a mobile phone camera. Credit: Center of Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CRID)

When Brazilian immunologist Helder Nakaya visited Evandro Chagas Institute in Belem (the capital of Para state, Brazil) in 2017, there was a commotion because one of its best microscopists was retiring and much of the knowledge used for fast and accurate identification of the protozoan Leishmania would be lost.

"I was dismayed by the waste of losing all that expertise, which it had taken decades to acquire. We began researching and trying to train a computer program to use this professional's knowledge to identify microorganisms cheaply," Nakaya told Agencia FAPESP.

Five years later, a group of researchers led by Nakaya and scientist Mauro Cesar Cafundo de Morais published the findings of a study showing that artificial intelligence can be used to detect Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, in images of blood samples taken with a smartphone camera and analyzed by optical microscope.

The algorithm developed by the group is available from an article in the journal PeerJ.

"We got good results in this machine learning initiative. The algorithm works well for Chagas and can be adapted for other purposes that depend on images, such as analyzing samples of feces, skin and colposcopies," said Nakaya, a principal investigator at the Center for Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CRID), a Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (RIDC) funded by FAPESP and hosted by the University of Sao Paulo's Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP-USP). Nakaya is also a researcher at Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital (HIAE), Scientific Platform Pasteur-USP (SPPU), and Instituto Todos pela Saude (ITpS).

One of the techniques used to diagnose Chagas is performed by microscopists trained to detect the parasite in blood samples. This requires a professional microscope, which can be coupled to a high-resolution camera, but the method tends to be too expensive and unaffordable for low-income patients.

Classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of 20 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), Chagas is a chronic infectious condition whose prevention requires control of its vectors, the triatomines (kissing bugs), and hence a response by public health services.

Endemic in 21 countries in the Americas, infection by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi affects some 6 million people, with an annual incidence of 30,000 new cases in the region, leading to 14,000 deaths per year on average. Some 70 million people are estimated to risk contracting the disease because they live in areas exposed to triatomines.

Deaths from Chagas are trending down in Brazil, but even so they averaged 4,000 in the past decade.

Machine learning

The machine learning approach developed by the researchers was based on a random forest algorithm trained to detect and count T. cruzi trypomastigotes in mobile phone images. Trypomastigotes are the extracellular form of the protozoan and the only stage that circulates in the bloodstream of patients with acute Chagas.

Images of blood smear samples taken with a camera capable of 12 megapixel resolution were analyzed to arrive at a set of features common to 1,314 parasites, including morphometric parameters (shape and size), color and texture.

In this part of the study, parasite specialists Joao Santana Silva, Paola Minoprio and Ricardo Gazzinelli trained the algorithm to recognize T. cruzi, assisted by machine learning and image processing specialists Roberto Marcondes Cesar Jr. and Luciano da Fontoura Costa.

The features were divided into training and testing sets and classified using the random forest algorithm. The resulting values for accuracy and sensitivity were considered high (87.6% and 90.5% respectively).

The researchers also analyzed the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC), a graphical representation widely used to assess diagnostic accuracy and optimal test cut-off. The result was 0.942, considered outstanding (the higher the area under the curve, the more accurate the test).

The authors conclude that automating the analysis of images acquired with a mobile device is a viable alternative for reducing costs and gaining efficiency in the use of the optical microscope. "The point is to generate images and analyze them under a microscope that can be sent to remote parts of Brazil. The app itself must say whether they are images of the parasite that causes Chagas. It's therefore important to have a robust and affordable microscope that can collect the images automatically," Nakaya said.

The algorithm is open software so that the scientific community can contribute data and resources, he added, noting that obtaining a supply of low-cost microscopes is a challenge.

Explore further Alzheimer's drug also treats parasitic Chagas disease

More information: Mauro Cesar Cafundo Morais et al, Automatic detection of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi in blood smears using a machine learning approach applied to mobile phone images, PeerJ (2022). Journal information: PeerJ Mauro Cesar Cafundo Morais et al, Automatic detection of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi in blood smears using a machine learning approach applied to mobile phone images,(2022). DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13470
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

In a study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, research groups led by Prof. Zhou Jiawei from the Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Prof. Liang Xinmiao from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of CAS, demonstrated that astrocytic dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

MS is an immune-mediated disease in the central nervous system (CNS), which is characterized by chronic and progressive inflammation, demyelination and neurodegeneration. Many patients are at first diagnosed with relapsingremitting form of the disease which likely progresses into a second phase, secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Although there is more than a dozen of disease-modifying drugs available for MS treatment, the efficacy of these treatments remains limited.

Emerging evidence has suggested that the deregulated CNS innate immunity plays crucial roles on the onset and progression of the disease. Understanding on this highly complex process remains very limited. Therefore, it is critical to identify and characterize the cellular and molecular basis of disrupted CNS innate immunity in MS that provides a new avenue for the intervention of the disease progression.

Despite the increasing appreciation of the importance of CNS glial cells under pathological conditions, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, and MS, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the regulation of astrocyte-associated CNS innate immunity and the functional contribution of these mechanisms to the EAE/MS pathogenesis remain elusive.

In this study, researchers identified DRD2 in astrocytes (aDRD2), but not in neurons, as a determinant of white matter astrocyte activation leading to the sustained inflammation primarily within the CNS during EAE. They found that selective ablation of aDrd2 remarkably abrogated EAE progression. Moreover, they found that aDrd2 tightly controlled the expression of PTS which robustly regulates NF-B pathway-dependent inflammatory response via PKC-delta. Treatment of either dopamine or DRD2 agonist cabergoline activated NF-B pathway. Blockade of aDRD2 signaling using dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB), a DRD2 inhibitor derived from herb Corydalis, remarkably attenuated EAE phenotype.

These data suggested that DRD2/PTS/PKCd signaling in astrocytes plays a key role in the propagation of inflammatory response that is a critical machinery driving neurodegeneration in EAE.

This study reveals previously uncharted mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, and raises the possibility that blockade of DRD2/PTS signaling in astrocytes could provide therapeutic benefit in autoimmunity diseases such as MS.

Explore further Innate immune adaptor TRIF confers neuroprotection in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

More information: Shen-zhao Lu et al, Inhibition of astrocytic DRD2 suppresses CNS inflammation in an animal model of multiple sclerosis, Journal of Experimental Medicine (2022). Journal information: Journal of Experimental Medicine Shen-zhao Lu et al, Inhibition of astrocytic DRD2 suppresses CNS inflammation in an animal model of multiple sclerosis,(2022). DOI: 10.1084/jem.20210998
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A new study by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health emphasizes the continuing importance of vaccines and booster shots at the individual and population level in controlling infections from highly contagious new variants of COVID-19.

The findings show that not only are vaccinations and boosting important for lowering individual risk of infection, they also aid in controlling COVID-19 within a larger population. With new COVID-19 variants and sub-variants driving current surges in infections, being both vaccinated and boosted is critically important, the researchers said.

"It's not the time to stop getting people boosted. It really makes a huge difference," said Jeffrey Townsend, the study's senior author and a professor of biostatistics and of ecology and evolutionary biology at Yale.

The study appears in PNAS Nexus.

In the study, the researchers used mathematical calculations to determine the likelihood of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant after an infected person emerges from various lengths of quarantine. The calculations considered the virus's incubation period, incubation time, and test sensitivity in detecting the Omicron variant.

Their results showed that vaccines and booster shots at both the individual and population level are critically important to limiting virus transmission.

"That an individual is recently vaccinatedor even better, recently boostedsubstantially decreases their risk of contracting COVID-19," Townsend said. "However, once infected, being recently vaccinated or boosted doesn't change transmission all that much. Therefore, recent vaccination and boosting don't affect the length of quarantine necessary for an individual who is infected with Omicron."

"However, if the population where that infected individual is located is highly vaccinated and boosted, then if that infected individual emerges from quarantine still infected, far fewer people are likely to contract COVID-19 from them," Townsend said. "We concluded, therefore, that within populations where there are high levels of vaccination and boosting, it can be suitable to require quarantines of lower durations and to conduct less frequent testing."

The methods used for the analysis were adapted from a 2020 study in which Townsend and colleagues investigated the transmissibility of the initial SARS-CoV-2 Alpha virus and its impact on quarantine. The researchers were inspired to extend the analytical model and apply it to new data on the Omicron variant in their current study.

"Our concern was with the changes that were going on with the epidemic," Townsend said. "With new variants sweeping through and with higher levels of vaccination and boosting, perhaps the recommendations we made in 2020 can be tailored to these specific circumstancesand they can."

More information: Chad R Wells et al, Quarantine and serial testing for variants of SARS-CoV-2with benefits of vaccination and boosting on consequent control of COVID-19, PNAS Nexus (2022). Journal information: PNAS Nexus Chad R Wells et al, Quarantine and serial testing for variants of SARS-CoV-2with benefits of vaccination and boosting on consequent control of COVID-19,(2022). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac100
SEVERAL SENATORS are eager to hear about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s economic agenda for the next six years in his first State-of-t...
WEDNESDAY, July 27, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- After contracting COVID-19 last week, President Joe Biden has tested negative for the virus and ended his isolation period.

In a tweet posted Wednesday morning, President Joe Biden shared a photo of his negative test. "Thanks to Doc for the good care, and to all of you for your support," Biden added in the tweet.

Kevin O'Connor, M.D., who has been treating Biden, said in a letter Wednesday that Biden had completed a five-day course of Paxlovid, an antiviral pill used to treat COVID-19. Biden remains free of fever and had not used Tylenol in the past 36 hours, O'Connor added. Biden's symptoms were almost "completely resolved," O'Connor reported.

Biden will wear a "well-fitting" face mask for 10 days anytime he is around others, O'Connor added. Given the chances for "rebound" COVID-19 in some patients taking Paxlovid, O'Connor said Biden will continue to be tested as a precaution. He first tested positive on July 21.

In a statement at the time, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, "This morning, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19. He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms. He has begun taking Paxlovid. Consistent with CDC [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time."

The news came as the United States has seen coronavirus cases spike as the BA.5 subvariant takes over the country. The highly contagious subvariant, which appears to be the best yet at eluding the power of vaccines against infection, now accounts for nearly 82 percent of all U.S. cases.
The judge in penalty trial of Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz will soon decide whether the jury will be told about some brain exams his lawyers had conducted on him. His attorneys this week will tell Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer that she should permit the tests be shown in their upcoming presentation. They say the tests bolster their claim that Cruz suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome. The prosecution says the tests are junk science and should not be shown to the jury. Cruz has pleaded guilty to murdering 17 at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. His ongoing trial is to determine whether he is sentenced to death or life without parole.
Here's some business news in the Missoula area:

Bayern Brewing in Missoula will celebrate its 35th year in business in Caras Park on Saturday, Aug. 13 from 3-9 p.m. with live music from Royal Bliss and Reverend Slanky. There will be local food vendors, games and live giveaways. There will be merchandise, plenty of Bayern beer, wood barrel tappings and a full bar catered by The Rhino. A limited number of commemorative glass steins will be available for $15 with one free beer token.

A new business offers culinary walking tours in Missoula.

Taste of Missoula Food Tours has local food guides that take customers "behind the scenes" at a few of Missoula's popular restaurants and eateries. Guests will also learn about Montana art and history. Those old enough to imbibe can also sample spirits on a "cocktails and bites" tour. There are group and private food tours available.

Owner Jocelyn McFarlane wrote on the company's website that she's done food tours all over the world and has lived in places like New Zealand and Venezuela.

For more information visit the company at tasteofmissoula.com.

The annual Bike to Barns self-guided farm tour in Missoula is back for its fourth year. Hosted by the nonprofit Community Food and Agriculture Coalition, the event is one of the largest fundraisers for the organization. You can take your bike anytime between Aug. 13 and Oct. 2, and packages include a bike route map, special farm stand offers, a T-shirt or tote, meal vouchers and prizes from a BINGO game.

The registration fee supports the coalition's programming to aid local farmers, farmland conservation and local food access. Registration is $65 for two adults and $20 per kid, but there are family packages. For more information visit cfacmontana.org.

The new rooftop bar has finally opened at the AC Hotel in downtown Missoula.

The $22 million hotel opened in March of 2021, but it wasn't until this July that the 7R Bar opened on the rooftop.

There is limited space for guests and staff, so be prepared for a wait.

A new coffee shop opened on West Broadway Avenue in Missoula. Copper Mountain Coffee, a shop with several locations in western Montana and Missoula, opened its new drive-through-only location in the old Subway location at 1650 W. Broadway. The store is just west of the intersection of Broadway and Russell Street.
A jury trial is tentatively expected in a former Florence-Carlton students case against the school district for negligence and Title IX violations after a pretrial hearing on Thursday.

The case, presided by Judge Dana Christensen in Missoula Federal District Court, revolves around a November 2019 incident when the victim allegedly was sexually assaulted by her classmate during a high school class  one of several unwanted advances listed in the complaint.

The survivor claims that the perpetrator stayed in class with the survivor for more than a week after the assault, despite the victim notifying a school administrator of the assault the same day.

The perpetrator was separated from the victim after the plaintiffs family filed a temporary protection order.

The districts handling of the situation caused the victim mental distress, according to the suit. Initial facts in the case revealed the victim left Florence-Carlton in summer 2020 for in-patient care in another state. The plaintiff is asking for more than $1.5 million in damages.

As a result of Defendants wrongful conduct, (the victim) suffered damages including severe and serious mental distress, mental and physical injury, past and future medical expenses among other damages, the plaintiff's pretrial statement stated.

Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. The plaintiff also argues the school was negligent in inflicting emotional distress, and was reckless in handling the situation.

The victim, who is still a minor, is represented by Mary Pat Brown as her legal guardian representative for litigation, appointed by plaintiff lawyers Ben Everett and Rob Farris-Olson of Everett-Cook Law and Morrison-Sherwood-Wilson-Deola group, respectively. Farris-Olson is also currently a Montana state legislator.

Defense lawyers for the district argue the school did enough to handle the situation, including investigating any allegations, suspending the alleged offender for 10 days and creating a protection plan for the victim.

The District provided appropriate supervision of (the victim) and other students during their attendance at the District, wrote attorneys from Kavela Law office in Missoula, representing the district. (The school) disciplined the (perpetrator) under appropriate District policies; and it provided an appropriate safety plan for (the victim) when she returned to the District."

The district did confirm in its response that it did not immediately remove the perpetrator per Title IX rules. The defense also contends that a district investigation could not find evidence to support the main assault mentioned in the plaintiff's complaint, according to its initial response.

The specific instance in the complaint alleges that the victim and the perpetrator, both in special education classes at Florence-Carlton, were watching a movie with a substitute teacher when the perpetrator assaulted the student, according to the plaintiffs pretrial statement.

Other instances of assault investigated by the district led to the perpetrator's suspension, including inappropriately touching the victim in a hallway, which was captured on video camera, according to the defenses pretrial statement.

Despite numerous complaints, defense lawyers argue in the response that the school handled the situations correctly and supported the victim, even when she was uncooperative.

The case is set for a seven-person jury trial in October 2023. In the Thursday hearing, Christensen noted both parties expressed interest in settling the case.
A Florence man was sentenced on Wednesday to seven years in federal prison for receiving numerous child pornography files between 2017 and 2020.

Jeffrey B. Zabolotney, 35, pleaded guilty in March to one count of receipt of child pornography, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. His 7 years in custody will be followed by a decade of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $51,000 in restitution to the survivors.

Senior U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.

According to federal court documents, the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office got reports in November 2020 that Zabolotney was accessing sexually explicit content involving minors online, and that he possessed child porn on a digital storage device.

Sheriff's deputies executed search warrants on his house and seized multiple electronic devices, depicting children engaged in sexually explicit content. In May 2021, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) started working with the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office on the case, the press release states.

Law enforcement analyzed multiple devices used by Zabolotney. Between June 2017 and August 2020, according to court documents, Zabolotney received over 4,600 image files and upwards of 135 videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit content, the press release stated.

"The sexually explicit conduct included children being raped and being subjected to sexually sadistic conduct. Some of the minors in the files are prepubescent," the press release stated.

Officers located other evidence showing Zabolotney's possession of documents with websites and passwords related to child porn and a website history showing a user seeking child porn.

HSI investigators and support personnel will relentlessly use all of our investigative capabilities to punish those who engage in the despicable abuse of children, in some cases as young as infants, said Ryan Spradlin of HSI Denver. This sentence holds Zabolotney accountable for his atrocious crimes and serves as a warning that HSI and its law enforcement partners will work diligently to keep these predators out of Montana.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson prosecuted the case.
Additional police patrol cars, a wellness app for law enforcement and the Mobile Support Team were topics of discussion in recent Missoula Budget Committee of the Whole meetings.

Missoula Fire Department leaders also called for continued resources, namely to bolster their Mobile Support Team. The council won't approve a final budget until later in August.

Missoula police have a proposed 2023 budget of $21,351,656, a 2.01% increase from this year. For the 2022 fiscal year, the police department budgeted $21,025,904 with an actual expenditure amount of $20,085,678.

Missoula police are requesting five new marked patrol cars along with a patrol motorcycle, Missoula Police Detective Division Captain Mike Colyer said at the meeting. The department lists this as a $325,000, one-time cost.

We have a newer and more efficient way of deploying police officers in the patrol division, Colyer said. What that does is overlaps more officers to be available at the times of the day and the days of the week identified as the highest call volume.

An overlap method means more officers working where theyre needed and less where theyre not needed, he explained.

That heavy overlap creates the need for more cars, Colyer said.

Further complication comes from having patrol vehicles out for maintenance, he added. At any given time, roughly 20% of department cars can be out for repair. Also in the departments 2023 requests is the addition of another ranked patrol position, a patrol commander, which would help the patrol captain in daily activities. This would be a $200,738 ongoing cost.

Also in the proposal is a $15,000 ongoing request for a wellness app, Cordico, aimed at providing wellness support for police department employees responding to trauma.

The department, through working with Cordico, would offer one-touch, in-app options to connect with a peer support person, a therapist or hotline after responding to intense calls. Its completely confidential, and available all hours of the day.

The police department didnt get to finish their presentation on Wednesday because of time constraints, and will be back next week to give more information on their budget requests.

Brad Davis of the Missoula Fire Department walked the council through the Mobile Support Teams request for $969,000 in funding. The team responds to anyone in crisis in the city and county. It operates in pairs, with one clinician and an emergency medical technician responding to calls.

Our Mobile Support Team continues to be one of the most innovative and progressive programs, not only for our department, but here in the state and in our region, Davis said.

Over the last 18 months, the team has responded to 2,210 calls, putting in over 1,000 hours and working with more than 1,500 clients in crisis, Davis said. The team has diverted over 900 individuals from trips to the emergency department.

Were really at a bare bones staffing level, Davis said. The department gets about 200 calls a month.

The $969,000 requested allows the team to continue operating at the capacity theyre at, Davis said. Theyll keep hunting for grant opportunities to bolster additional revenue.

Other fire department requests included $2,010,007 for facility expansion (namely for a Mobile Support Team facility) along with $130,456 for overtime increase costs.

The Missoula Fire Department alone saw a 52% increase in call volume over the course of the past five years.
A man from Afghanistan accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Missoula last fall conceded there was enough evidence to charge him with misdemeanor sexual assault, Missoula County court filings show.

Zabihullah Mohmand, 19, initially faced a felony sexual intercourse without consent charge. As part of the plea agreement filed on July 15, the charge was amended down to misdemeanor sexual assault.

Mohmand entered an Alford plea also on July 15. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to gain a conviction.

Court documents allege Mohmand sexually assaulted a UM student at a hotel in downtown Missoula last October.

A Missoula judge sentenced Mohmand to 100 days in custody at the Missoula jail. He received 170 days credit for time served and was ordered to be released. A misdemeanor sexual assault conviction carries a maximum six-month sentence.

Mohmand is a humanitarian parolee from Afghanistan  he is part of the federal Afghan Placement and Assistance Program and was one of the handful of Afghan evacuees in Montana in early November.

Last November, the U.S. Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security said in a letter to U.S. Sen. Jon Testers office, that before entering the U.S., Mohmand was rigorously vetted. He had no criminal record identified.

The International Rescue Committee, which handles the resettlement process for evacuees, said Mohmands actions arent representative of an entire group of people.

"We remain steadfast that the circumstances and alleged actions of one individual are not reflective of refugee or immigrant communities," the resettlement agency said in an email to the Missoulian last October. "For decades we have welcomed immigrant families and have watched them thrive and contribute to their communities and the nation."

Whether Mohmand will be deported was not made clear in court documents. However, an Alford plea constitutes a guilty plea and conviction under federal immigration law.

He was ordered to have no contact with the survivor.
SYRACUSE, N.Y.  Two sisters-in-law have been released from the hospital after suffering critical injuries during a brutal attack near Glacier National Park in which two members of their family were shot and killed.

Christy Siau, 40, of the Syracuse, N.Y. area, was shot in the July 17 attack on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and her 18-month-old daughter McKenzie and husband David were killed, according to authorities. Christina Siau, 30, of East Glacier Park, was stabbed before managing to kill the assailant.

The sisters-in-law were released from a Montana hospital Tuesday, the Siau family's pastor, Dan Werthman, told the Syracuse Post-Standard.

Authorities say a Montana man, Derick Amos Madden, plowed into the family with his pickup truck as they were walking along a sidewalk in the small tourist town of East Glacier Park, then shot three of them with a shotgun. McKenzie was shot as her mother tried to run away with the toddler in her arms, according to Glacier County officials.

Madden ran out of ammunition and attacked Christina Siau with a knife but she fought back and killed him, authorities said.

Two other children of David and Christy Siau were present but not injured.

Authorities have not released a motive but said Madden, originally of Goldsby, Oklahoma, had mental health issues and a prior relationship with Christina Siau.
HONOLULU (AP)  A U.S. defense contractor and his wife who lived for decades under the identities of two dead Texas children have been charged with identity theft and conspiring against the government, according to federal court records unsealed in Honolulu.

Walter Glenn Primrose and Gwynn Darle Morrison, both in their 60s, who allegedly lived for decades under the names Bobby Edward Fort and Julie Lyn Montague, respectively, were arrested Friday in Kapolei on the island of Oahu.

Prosecutors are seeking to have the couple held without bail, which could indicate the case is about more than fraudulently obtaining drivers licenses, passports and Defense Department credentials.

Those documents helped Primrose get secret security clearance with the U.S. Coast Guard and as a defense contractor and old photos show the couple wearing uniforms of the KGB, the former Russian spy agency, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Muehleck said in court papers. Faded Polaroids of each in uniform were included in the motion to have them held.

A close associate said Morrison lived in Romania while it was a Soviet bloc country, Muehleck said.

Morrison's attorney said her client never lived in Romania and that she and Primrose tried the same jacket on as a joke and posed for photos in it. Even if the couple used new identities, attorney Megan Kau told The Associated Press, they have lived law-abiding lives for three decades.

She wants everyone to know shes not a spy, Kau said. This has all been blown way out of proportion. Its government overreaching.

Prosecutors said there is a high risk the couple would flee if freed. They also suggested that Primrose, who was an avionics electrical technician in the Coast Guard, was highly skilled to communicate secretly if released.

The couple is also believed to have other aliases, Muehleck said.

A lawyer for Primrose declined comment. A bail hearing was scheduled for Thursday in U.S. District Court.

The secret clearance Primrose had provides access to information that is enormously valuable to our enemies, said Kevin OGrady, a Honolulu defense attorney not involved in the case.

The Coast Guard works closely with the Army and Navy, helps with counterintelligence and serves as the countrys maritime border patrol, said OGrady, an Army reservist and lieutenant colonel judge advocate.

The Coast Guard has a unique perspective on our vulnerabilities, he said, including how to infiltrate the country through water ports. Hawaii, a major military center, is a prime target for a lot of espionage and such, he said.

For one family whose deceased child's name was stolen, the news Wednesday came as a shock.

John Montague, who lost his daughter Julie in 1968 at 3 weeks of age, was stunned to learn someone had been living under her name for so long.

I still cant believe it happened, Montague, 91, told AP. "The odds are like one-in-a-trillion that they found her and used her name. People stoop to do anything nowadays. Let kids rest in peace.

Primrose and Morrison were born in 1955 and they attended high school together in Port Lavaca, Texas, and then went to Stephen F. Austin University, according to court records. They married in 1980.

There is no indication in court papers why the couple in 1987 assumed the identities of deceased children who would have been more than a decade younger than them. But an affidavit filed by Special Agent Dennis Thomas of the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service noted that the couple lost their home in Nacogdoches, Texas, to foreclosure that year.

They remarried under their assumed names in 1988, Thomas said.

Court records don't provide any information about what happened from the time they assumed their new identities until 1994, when Primrose, then about 39, enlisted in the Coast Guard as Fort, who would have been about 27.

If there was an obvious age discrepancy between what Primrose looked like and the birth certificate he presented, thats an abject failure, OGrady said.

Thats something if they can figure it out now, they should have caught it then, he said.

Montague said that somebody's not doing their jobs.

Primrose and Morrison applied for and received multiple passports under their assumed names, according to court records. But in 1999 Primrose also applied for and was issued a passport under his legal name while also holding a passport in Fort's name.

Primrose was in the service until 2016, when he began work for an unnamed defense contractor at the U.S. Coast Guard Air station at Barbers Point.

While he held that secret clearance with the U.S. Coast Guard, defendant Primrose was required to report any foreign travel," prosecutors wrote. Investigation has revealed that defendant Primrose did not report several trips to Canada while he did report other foreign travel.

The couple lived in a Honolulu suburb in a modest two-bedroom bungalow beneath palm trees. They owned a neighboring house they rented to military personnel, said Mai Ly Schara, who lived next door.

She knew them as Bob and Lynn, with Morrison apparently Julie Lyn Montague's middle name.

Primrose did yard work for Schara for $50 a month, she said. Morrison took in, fed and spayed and neutered cats. She also had several rabbits and dedicated a room to the pets.

They kept to themselves, but they were friendly, Schara said. They just kind of were, like, a little nerdy.

Schara wasnt sure what Primrose did for a living, but thought it was military related. Morrison once worked as a parking attendant at a Waikiki hotel but had been tutoring neighborhood children.

The FBI created a scene in the quiet neighborhood when they searched the house and took photos.

It was just shocking, like, oh my gosh, Schara said. It was pretty crazy.

The State Department declined to comment on the arrests.

The couple is charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S., false statement in passport application and aggravated identity theft.

Fort, who lived fewer than three months, died in October 1967 at the same hospital where Julie Montague passed away about three months later in January 1968. They are buried 14 miles (23 kilometers) apart.

When Tonda Ferguson learned from her father that Morrison had used her late sister's birth certificate to create an alias, she thought of her mother, who died in 2003, and how many years had gone by.

For all the mothers who are living and have to know this happened to their babies, I cant even begin to imagine," Ferguson said. "Im glad my mamas with the Lord. This would be so traumatic for her.

Ferguson was in eighth grade when her sister died. She never got to see her little sister or hold her. She was buried in Burnet, Texas, the small town where they lived at the time outside of Austin.

She came from a place of love, deep love, Ferguson said. For someone to turn around to steal her identity for evil, its tough. Its hurtful. ... I hope they rot.

Melley reported from Los Angeles. Caleb Jones in Kapolei, Hawaii, and Rhonda Shafner in New York City contributed to this report.
A state district court judge on Wednesday struck down a Republican-backed law preventing anyone who turns 18 before Election Day from getting a ballot before their birthday, finding that it infringes on young Montanans' right to vote.

Yellowstone County District Court Judge Michael G. Moses partially ruled in favor of a coalition of youth groups that challenged the law, along with other election-related legislation, last year. The group includes Montana Youth Action, the Forward Montana Foundation and the Montana Public Interest Research Group.

Young peoples participation in democracy is essential. Today, the court affirmed what we already knew: Restricting access to the ballot is an obvious wrong, Kiersten Iwai, executive director at Forward Montana Foundation, said in an emailed statement. Now, our newest voters can get involved at the earliest possible opportunity because they will have the same level of access to the ballot as all other Montanans.

A spokesperson for Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, the defendant in the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment or say whether Jacobsen plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court.

House Bill 506 was passed near the end of the 2021 legislative session, where it got far more attention for a last-minute provision grafted onto the bill, which sought to change the way the states congressional redistricting process works.

But it also prohibited voters from receiving or turning in a ballot until they reach voting age, even if they will be 18 by Election Day.

In defending the new law, Jacobsen had argued HB 506 was necessary "to ensure that only qualified electors were receiving ballots and mailing them in." Moses noted an earlier form of the legislation would have allowed those voters to submit ballots in advance of their birthdays, but required that election officials wait until they had turned 18 before processing and counting their vote.

"The version of HB 506 that the Legislature ultimately passed arbitrarily subjects a subgroup of the electorate to different requirements and irrationally forecloses an avenue of voting available to all others in the electorate," Moses wrote. He found that the law failed to meet the requirement that it be "narrowly tailored" to its rationale, in order to avoid unnecessarily infringing on a fundamental right.

The youth groups challenge to the election laws was last year consolidated with two other cases brought by the Montana Democratic Party and a coalition of tribal governments and Native American organizations in Montana.

The plaintiffs are challenging three other election laws that were supported by Republicans last year: Senate Bill 169 created new restrictions on what types of voter identification are acceptable at the polls and to register in-person; House Bill 176 ended voter registration on Election Day; and House Bill 530 tightly restricted the practice of ballot collection by third parties.

Courts cant grant summary judgment unless both parties agree on the basic facts underlying in the case. For the laws affecting voter ID, election-day registration and ballot collection, Moses wrote that it is evident there are genuine issues of material fact in dispute, and denied summary judgment on them.

The case is set to go to trial Aug. 15.

Most recently, the states high court partially reversed a ruling by Moses that had temporarily blocked all four laws being challenged by the consolidated plaintiffs. In May, four members of a five-justice panel of the state Supreme Court sided with Jacobsen in an order that restored the laws ending Election Day registration and strengthening voter ID requirements.
A restaurant manager has earned praise online after closing the restaurant where she works early to protect her staff from arrogant and cocky tourists.

Larah Moore, 27, the general manager of East Park Tavern in Charlevoix, Michigan, shared her decision in a statement posted to Facebook over the weekend. She explained that the issue stemmed from the influx of tourists, known as fudgies, in the area for the annual week-long Venetian Festival -- which sees nearly 100,000 people visiting the town each year for food, music and parades,

Moore has apparently worked in downtown Charlevoix during the festival for most of [her] adult life and this year was different because the fudgies were rude to her staff. Their behaviour was so bad that it ultimately convinced her to close the restaurant early on a Saturday night.

Due to the mistreatment of our servers, our kitchen is closed, reads the sign Moore hung on the door and then later posted to Facebook.

In her caption on the Sunday 24 July post, Moore said the Venetian Festival is usually great, busy, but fun and worthwhile but that she found herself so incredibly disappointed and embarrassed by the fudgies we have this year.

My staff took a BEATING all week. Last night was our last straw. Too many rude comments. Too many arrogant individuals acting like they can throw money at us to get their way. Too many cocky jerks, she continued.

Moore shared that her staff took a BEATING from the tourists and emphasized how hard working restaurant employees are before noting that they are not here to be abused.

Moore then concluded: No one gets to treat my staff like trash. They are the absolute shining stars in my life and I love and appreciate the hell out of the few of them that I am lucky enough to have. If you push your servers, watch them start to push back. We are here to ensure great food, drinks and quality of your time spent with us. We are not here to be abused. We will not tolerate that anymore.

Story continues

While speaking to Today about the experience, and her decision to shut the restaurant early during one of its busiest weeks of the year, Moore said that she and her kitchen manager made the call after she found one of the restaurant servers breaking down in the server station and crying. We both decided we had enough, she said.

On Facebook, where Moores post has been shared more than 8,000 times, people have applauded her for prioritising her employees over the tourists.

WOW is all I can say. Its honestly so sad that its had to come to this. But I also applaud you for standing behind your team and taking a stand. Humanity as a whole needs to be better, one person wrote.

Another said: People have become so mean! Unless youve experienced it yourself you cant fully understand. I support your decision!

Im so sorry to hear that. I cant understand why people treat servers like servants, someone else wrote.

Others said that they have noticed or experienced similar unacceptable behaviours from customers recently, with one Facebook user noting that theyve also had a very difficult tourist season.

According to someone else, the Venetian Festival crowds have gotten more and more entitled and rude each year.

Im so sorry. In 2016 I had my last fill of Venetian crowds and a**holes. I cant do it anymore. I have watched them get more and more entitled and rude as the years have gone on, they wrote.
A lengthy investigation culminated Wednesday in drug trafficking charges against two Morganton residents.

Dakota Allen Pearson, 31, of 119B Myrtle St., Morganton, and Haleigh Marie Ware, 31, of 2073 CC Drive, Morganton, were charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a schedule II controlled substance, according to arrest reports from the Morganton Department of Public Safety.

Pearson also was charged with maintaining a dwelling, vehicle or place for a controlled substance, his arrest report said.

MDPS Lt. Josiah Brown said the charges came after a months-long investigation into drug activity at their residence on Myrtle Street.

He said neighbors had alerted authorities to suspicious activity at the location, and police have responded to several disturbances and an overdose at the residence in the last year.

Investigators executed a search warrant at the home early Wednesday morning, resulting in the seizure of about 140 grams of methamphetamine, Brown said. Twenty-eight grams of methamphetamine is the minimum for a meth trafficking charge in North Carolina, according to state law.

Our narcotics guys are working to make the city a safer place every day, Brown said.

Both Ware and Pearson have previous felony convictions, according to records from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Pearson has previous convictions of attempted trafficking of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a felon and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Ware has multiple convictions of possession of a schedule II controlled substance, records showed.

Pearsons bond was set at $20,000 secured, and Wares bond was set at $10,000 secured, according to their arrest reports. They were both due to appear in court Thursday.

Brown encouraged anyone with information on drug activity inside Morganton city limits to call 828-437-1211 and ask to speak to a detective, or call Morganton/Burke Crimestoppers at 828-437-3333 to remain anonymous.
Burke County Public Schools is taking advantage of N.C. Education Corps, a state program put into place in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemics impact on education across North Carolina.

BCPS is working to bring on 44 new part-time literacy tutors to help local kindergarten through third-grade students recover from learning loss experienced during the pandemic. According to BCPS Public Relations Officer Cheryl Shuffler, the initiative will work alongside a tutoring program started during the last school year to re-hire retired teachers and substitute teachers as tutors in the district.

According to BCPS administration, some of the tutors re-hired last year will fill some of the 44 spots in the new N.C. Ed Corps program. These tutors will provide intensive literacy tutoring for students in kindergarten through third grade. Last years tutoring program will continue alongside the new initiative to offer remediation in other subjects and provide help for students in other grades.

BCPS Superintendent Mike Swan said the two programs will work together to provide the extra help and support students need to recover from learning loss experienced during the pandemic.

The state and DPI recognize, as we do, the need for programs that focus on students and interrupted learning, he said. We just completed a successful summer reading program in elementary school and enrichment curriculum for the other grades. We will continue to provide whole-child support, build interventions into the regular school day and offer various tutoring opportunities. We are grateful for the state and for N.C. Education Corps for the training and support they will provide through this high impact tutoring program.

Launched in 2020 by the State Board of Education and the governors office, the N.C. Education Corps seeks to give every kindergarten through third-grade student access to a high-impact literacy tutor. To accomplish this, the corps provides a centralized application process and training regimen for tutors to maximize their effectiveness in the classroom.

According to Swan, all N.C. Education Corps tutors will receive two weeks of online reading and literacy training that must be completed two weeks before they start in their new positions.

While N.C. Education Corps will supply the district with training for the new tutors, they will still be paid through the districts ESSER (Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief) funds. According to Shuffler, the districts goal is to put tutors in every school and give individual principals and teachers the freedom to use those tutors in a way that maximizes their impact.

(Tutors) will work directly with students on academic goals, she said. Teachers and principals regularly assess students and their progress toward academic goals and those who are short of meeting their literacy grade level standards will be selected to participate in this high-impact literacy tutoring.

According to the NC Education Corps website, the high-impact literacy tutoring positions are designed for entrepreneurs, stay-at-home parents, retirees, college students and people working full or part time with flexible schedules who want to make an impact on students and make some extra money. The positions will pay $15 per hour for tutors without a teaching certification and $25 per hour for tutors with a teaching certificate.

Tutors who are currently working in Burke County schools will need to re-apply and receive NC Ed Corps training but will not need repeat the pre-employment process.

For more information or to apply to be a part-time literacy tutor, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n6y7mv8.
Butte-Silver Bow has taken a $20,000 step toward a $2.2 million purchase of the Montana Army National Guard facility on the Flat that the Guard will leave when its new $30 million complex in Buttes business park is complete.

Plans are tentative but if the purchase pans out, the county might relocate some Water Division and Department of Reclamation and Environmental Services employees and offices to the Guard buildings at 600 Gilman Ave. just west of Stodden Park.

J.P. Gallagher, Butte-Silver Bows chief executive, said the moves make sense for several reasons. The buildings and grounds are still in great shape and the purchase could be made without relying on direct, local tax dollars.

The facilities down there are all modernized and up-to-date with all fire sprinklers, all IT wiring, cameras, a fenced-in (vehicle and storage) yard, a brand new parking lot and buildings that have been well-maintained, he told The Montana Standard on Wednesday.

Later Wednesday night, commissioners OKd the purchase agreement and essentially a $20,000 down payment on a 10-0 vote. Gallagher said there are outs until a final closing in August 2023, though the county would forfeit the $20,000 if it backs out.

Through a previous arrangement, the county has a right of first refusal on the property, essentially giving it first dibs on an offer, Gallagher said. The $2.2 million is the propertys appraised value, and by law, the county cant pay anything more.

Gallagher said there are several reasons the deal would be beneficial, including:

 Most staff with the Reclamation Department, formerly the countys Superfund Division, work in buildings at the Kelley Mineyard but the Guard office buildings are modernized, have meeting rooms and other advantages.

 Headframe Spirits has operations at the Kelley and leases part of building there, but if county staff moves out, Headframe could buy the building and the money could go toward the Guard complex purchase. In response to a commissioners question, Gallagher said Headframe had made improvements to the Kelley building but he did not know what the selling price might be.

 The current Water Company building on Granite Street, where office staff works and residents can pay bills, is not completely ADA compliant and has had IT issues as well as heating and ventilation problems that would not exist in the Guard buildings.

 The location on the Flat offers county staff and ratepayers a central location, easy accessibility and a huge parking lot thats in great shape, Gallagher said.

 There is a large, secure yard that would give the county another location besides the county shops where vehicles could be stored without being vandalized.

This gives us alternatives to be able to have more storage in a large, fenced, secure yard we could utilize right away, Gallagher said. The new shops complex off Beef Trail Road is great, he said, but we lost a lot of area where we could store things and put things.

In a 2017 deal between the county and Montana Department of Military Affairs, the Guard paid $106,000 for 53 acres inside the Montana Connections park west of town so it could build a new and expanded National Guard Readiness Center there.

The Tax Increment Finance Industrial District has since built a Sugar Loaf Loop in the park with a road and lines to bring in gas, electricity, potable water, industrial water and fiber optic systems. It will serve a Murdochs warehouse and the Readiness Center.

Construction on the Guard complex started in May but isnt expected to be completed until the fall of 2024. Under the purchase agreement, the Guard could stay in its current location until the new one is ready but the county could get access to the vehicle lot and a maintenance garage as soon as this fall.

The Guard has been at its current location since 1961 but the site is so small, guardsmen often practice drills in the parking lot and alley.

The new facility will be home to the 1889th Regional Support Group at the current site and the 230th Engineering Company out of Anaconda, Maj. Ryan Finnegan, a public affairs officer for the Montana National Guard, said Thursday.

The sprawling facility will feature support offices, computer labs, classroom space, showers and lockers, among other things, and there is plenty of space outdoors for light training. He said it should serve the Guard well for decades.
Were surrounded by public lands and opportunities to enjoy them. Whether hiking, bird and wildlife watching, angling, hunting, camping or scientific study, there are multiple ways to be sustained by wildlands. Its easy to take it for granted it will always be this way.

The Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force understands our national forests transcend personal uses. The Lolo and Bitterroot National Forests hold some of the most ecologically significant public lands in the Northern Rockies, home to rare and unique wildlife; grizzly bears, wolverines, Canada lynx, and bull trout. We all have significant interest in management of our national forests.

With the scope of the changes all about us, its reasonable to ask if our favorite camping or fishing spot, hunting grounds or the places of solitude weve come to expect will still be here thirty years from now? Will adequate habitat for imperiled wildlife and fisheries remain? You have an opportunity to help answer these questions through the upcoming revisions to the Lolo and Bitterroot National Forest Plans.

More than 1.2 million acres of Wilderness-quality lands remain unprotected and vulnerable to road building, logging, mining and excessive mechanized and motorized recreation. This region is connectivity central for wildlife. The Lolo National Forest has lands in three different Grizzly Bear Recovery Areas and is critically located between the Northern Continental Divide, Greater Bitterroot and Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystems. The Bitterroot National Forest connects this ecosystem to the rest of the Northern Rockies.

Each National Forest has a Forest Plan that guides management for decades. The Lolo and Bitterroot Plans were completed in 1986 and 1987 and are long overdue for revision. Much has changed, including 65,000 new residents in Missoula and Ravalli Counties and the growing specter of climate change. Revisions need to address the changes in the environment as well as socially and legally.

Recent Forest Plan revisions have been a disappointment. Previous commitments are being dropped and environmental analysis and public involvement constrained. The needs of fish and wildlife and the role of intact forests in mitigating the effects of climate change are not being fully considered. These issues need a seat at the table and a citizen plan needs to be considered by the Forest Service as one of the official alternatives. Thats where the Lolo-Bitterroot Partnership comes in.

The Lolo-Bitterroot Partnership citizen plan is based on the best available science and will protect our most valuable economic asset. It has the support of dozens of organizations, businesses and leading scientists. In an increasingly overcrowded world, the need for solitude is more important than ever. As Aldo Leopold wrote, what good are forty freedoms without a blank spot on the map?

Opportunities for solitude and spiritual growth are being reduced and competition for the areas that remain has increased. Use limits, advance reservations, lotteries and ticketed access are on the rise. Some say Montana is Colorado 100 years ago. In thirty it may be Colorado today. Even now the sprawl of human residences into our forests has led the Forest Service to declare massive areas as Wildland-Urban Interface with timber projects that seriously diminish intact forests, wildlife habitat and scenic viewsheds.

Lets roll up our sleeves and make an alternative plan a reality. If we keep dividing up the pie it will leave tiny fragments that require limited access and reductions in fishing and hunting seasons and solitude, and quality wildlife habitat will become a thing of the past.

To learn more about the Lolo-Bitterroot Partnership and how you can get involved in the revision process, please look for our table in downtown Missoula on Saturdays and visit montanaforestplan.org
MUSCATINE  Hundreds of people turned out to the Muscatine riverfront Tuesday evening for the first of what is hoped to be many dockings of the American Duchess paddlewheeler in front of Pearl City Station in Riverside Park.

Many members of the community have worked long and hard to get to the point where Tuesday's trial port stop could happen. Mayor Brad Bark, who was unable to attend the event, said if the test was successful, he is confident Muscatine would be added to the ships list of stops during Mississippi River cruises.

He was correct, as on Wednesday afternoon the city of Muscatine Facebook page announced that Muscatine is now a destination on the cruise schedule.

During the trial, the 341-foot ship put aground without a hitch as passengers on the tour were occupied with a show inside the cabin. The Duchess accommodates up to 166 passengers and has a crew of 80.

We are trying to get more port stops along the river, and this looks like a great one, Capt. Scott Dunham said. Its a beautiful city front, there is a great place to dock and obviously the passengers will love it.

While the stop was short, only about 20 minutes, Dunham took the opportunity to present members of the Muscatine City Council and the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry with a flag that had flown on the ship earlier in the day. Dunham was presented with a basket of goods from Muscatine.

The American Duchess began life as the Isle of Capri Casino in Bettendorf. When the casino became land-based in 2016, the boat was sold to the American Queen Steamboat Co. (AQSC).

After reconstruction, the American Duchess was christened with a bottle of Makers Mark bourbon on Aug. 14, 2017, in New Orleans, becoming the third of four vessels in the AQSC fleet. Since her maiden voyage, the American Duchess has been welcomed by many communities along the Mississippi, which have reported strong contributions to the local economy.

Because of the rising popularity of river cruising, tourist money has been flowing into smaller communities where the boats dock. Vicksburg, Miss., 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.
DALLAS (AP)  Federal officials say that Southwest Airlines and the union representing its pilots have resisted cooperating with investigations into accidents and other incidents and pushed to close the matters quickly.

In one instance disclosed Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration cut short an investigation of a 2019 incident in Connecticut even though the agency determined that there was pilot error. Both wings of the Southwest jet were damaged as pilots battling wind tried to land at Bradley International Airport, outside of Hartford.

The FAA said Southwest and union officials resisted interviews with agency representatives in that and other cases. Sometimes the delaying tactics worked. An investigation into why pilots placed duct tape over sensors outside a plane before a flight fizzled when the FAA employee took another job.

Southwest said the allegations are old, and it has cooperated fully with government inquiries.

As part of our emphasis on safety, we have maintained a transparent and professional relationship with the FAA, including multiple FAA-approved safety programs designed to help us manage and mitigate operational risks and execute safe operating practices, the company said in a statement.

The union representing Southwest pilots did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

The FAA investigation was disclosed Wednesday by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which represents federal whistleblowers. It reported another accident  a plane that went off the runway in Burbank, California  in which an FAA review was fast-tracked under pressure from Southwest. In a separate review of that incident, the National Transportation Review Board found that the co-pilot's conduct was highly unprofessional.

The FAA said it agreed with some of the allegations raised by three whistleblowers and took corrective steps including more training and development of audits to ensure compliance with aviation-safety guidelines.

The special counsel's office investigated eight allegations raised by four whistleblowers. The office forwarded its findings to the White House and Congress.

In a response to the special counsel's office, the FAA said it found mismanagement and lack of oversight by the office monitoring Southwest that has persisted despite management and staff changes over the years. The FAA said new executives will provide a fresh opportunity to evaluate the oversight of Southwest.

Some of the whistleblower accusations have been leveled before, including Southwest's use of planes bought overseas without verifying their maintenance and inspection records. In more than half of those cases, the airline found that the planes had undergone repair work that wasn't documented or couldn't be verified.

The FAA said some of the whistleblower allegations couldn't be proven, including a claim that Southwest routinely assigns too much work for mechanics to handle.

A separate allegation that the FAA improperly certified Southwest for long overwater flights  approval the airline needed to sell flights to Hawaii  was examined by the Transportation Department's inspector general, who could not verify the claim.

An FAA spokeswoman said the agency takes the special counsel's concerns seriously and has adopt its recommendations.

Dallas-based Southwest has faced questions about safety over the years and has paid millions to settle safety violations, however, it has a good record over its five-decade history.

No passenger had died in an accident involving a Southwest plane until 2018, when a woman was killed after an engine broke apart over Pennsylvania and debris shattered the window next to her seat. In 2005, a 6-year-old boy riding in a car was killed when a Southwest jet landing during a snowstorm in Chicago skidded off the runway, crashed through a fence and hit the car.
Rain isnt concerned that its customers could drop 5G connectivity for fibre after Vumatel revealed its intentions to provide low-cost uncapped fibre to every household in South Africa.

In fact, Rain said it recognises the importance of making high-speed broadband accessible to more South Africans.

The more internet providers who roll up their sleeves and contribute to this endeavour the better, a Rain spokesperson told MyBroadband.

However, the wireless network providers spokesperson explained that it believes there are significant benefits to using 5G over fibre connectivity.

We believe that 5G is the future. It allows us to roll out fast, affordable home broadband in less time than ever before, without the need to dig up roads or lay kilometres of cable, they said.

The spokesperson said Rains customers are well-positioned to benefit from the evolution of technology, with 5G being the driver behind the fourth industrial revolution.

As 5G is the driver behind the fourth industrial revolution, South Africans will be well positioned to not only benefit from this technology evolution but, with early access to 5G, we believe that South Africans can lead the way in building 4IR applications.

Rain was the first provider to launch a 5G network in Africa in 2019, beginning in Gauteng.

Since then, our network has grown to provide coverage to millions of homes in cities and towns across South Africa, the spokesperson added.

Rain offers unlimited 5G packages from R499 per month and, depending on the product selected, provides speeds ranging from 25Mbps to unlimited best effort 5G speeds.

On cheaper packages, Rain also limits video streaming resolutions and virtual private network speeds on its network.

Vumatel democratising fibre

Fibre network operator Vumatel determined that there is an opportunity to expand uncapped fibre connectivity to households earning between R5,000 and R30,000 a month and those earning less than R5,000 a month through its Vuma Reach and Key initiatives.

Pieter Uys, the head of strategic investments at Vumatels parent company Remgro, said the launch of Vuma Reach and Vuma Key democratises broadband in South Africa.

Vuma Reach is a prepaid fibre product offering speeds of up to 100Mbps, and it is aimed at the somewhat 4.8 million South African households earning between R5,000 and R30,000 a month.

The cheapest package on the Vuma Reach network is its 20Mbps download and 10Mbps upload package. ISPs charge between R375 and R400 for 28 days of access.

However, Vumatel also identified another potential market for which it is trialling a product  Vuma Key that will provide uncapped fibre for less than R100 per month.

Vuma Key will be aimed at households earning less than R5,000 a month.

According to Remgros most recent investor presentation, this is the biggest income bracket in South Africa, comprising around 9.7 million homes.

Uys explained that Vumatel could sell products designed for different income brackets due to differences in how it rolls out infrastructure.

For example, Vumatels Core network is designed for households earning R30,000 or more monthly.

Using Sandton as an example, Uys explained that residents dont want to see the fibre infrastructure, meaning rollouts have to include trenching.

In a place like Khayelitsha, people are used to poles, and its not such a big problem, so we can roll out cheaper aerial fibre instead of trenching, which is much more expensive, he said.

Thats how we can  depending on the circumstances and suburb  offer a better tariff.
Telkoms wholesale and networks division Openserve has launched a symmetric 100Mbps fibre-to-the-home services and upgraded its 200Mbps product to 250Mbps.

Previously, Openserve offered only a 100Mbps service with 50Mbps upload speeds.

The fibre network operator has now added a product with 100Mbps upload speeds.

It has also upgraded its existing 200/100Mbps service. It now offers 250Mbps download speeds and 125Mbps upload speeds.

Internet service provider Cool Ideas told MyBroadband that as a result of the change, it reduced the prices of its 100/50 Openserve package for existing customers.

The table below summarises the price of Openserve home fibre services from Cool Ideas and Afrihost, including new symmetrical 100Mbps and upgraded 250Mbps packages.

Openserve package Cool Ideas Afrihost Openserve 25/10 R549 R497 Openserve 25/25 R599 R597 Openserve 50/25 R749 R697 Openserve 50/50 R819 R827 Openserve 100/50 R949 R947 Openserve 100/100 R1,029 R997 Openserve 250/125 R1,199 R1,167 Openserve 500/250 R1,399 R1,347

Openserves product changes come amid fierce competition in South Africas fibre-to-the-home space.

Although Openserve has by far the most extensive fibre network in South Africa with over 160,000 kilometres of cable in the ground, Vumatels 13,200-kilometre network reaches more homes.

Telkoms latest annual results revealed that Openserve passed 839,691 homes with 389,109 homes connected on 31 March 2022.

Vumatels fibre network passed 1.5 million homes with 450,000 connections. Vumatel passed 400,000 additional homes in the last year alone.

In contrast, Openserve passed an extra 289,734 homes and connected 108,044 in the past year.

Telkom has aggressively increased its investment into its fixed-line network, increasing its fibre capital expenditure to R1.14 billion in 2021 and R2.052 billion in 2022.

Not to be outdone by the larger players in the space, Metrofibre Networx announced on Tuesday that it had secured R5 billion in financing from Standard Bank for its expansion.

Standard Bank said the funding would help Metrofibres network reach 850,000 South African households by 2025  up from 350,000 today.

Now read: Big crime problems fibre networks face in South Africa
Telkom has launched a multi-part application in the Pretoria High Court asking for President Cyril Ramaphosas order that the SIU investigate suspicious deals at the company be declared unconstitutional and invalid.

The court papers seek an interdict blocking the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) from proceeding with its investigation, and an order setting aside Ramaphosas proclamation.

Ramaphosa issued the directive on 25 January 2022, ordering the SIU to investigate allegations of maladministration and misconduct at Telkom.

The president referred several dodgy deals to the anti-corruption watchdog, including Telkoms sale of its Nigerian Multi-Links operation in 2011, and the disposal of iWayAfrica and Africa Online Mauritius in 2013.

Late communications minister Roy Padayachie revealed in July 2011 that Telkom made a R7 billion loss on Multi-Links after it first acquired the business in March 2007.

He also directed the SIU to investigate allegations of unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure relating to telex and telegram services.

The SIU must also investigate contracts relating to advisory services in respect of Telkoms broadband and mobile strategy.

These advisory services may refer to the billions Telkom reportedly spent on consultants over the years, including a R200 million contract with Bain & Company, and a separate contract with consulting firm A.T. Kearney.

When questioned about these contracts at the time, Telkom defended them, saying it received value for its money.

In its court papers, which MyBroadband has seen, Telkom argues that Ramaphosa acted outside his powers as Telkom is not a state institution under the SIU Act.

Telkom says it does not use public money, or control assets or public property.

Government does have power over the company, which is why its official name is Telkom SA SOC Limited, with SOC an acronym for state-owned company.

The South African government owns 40.5% of Telkom, while another 14.8% is owned by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), an entity closely linked to it.

Telkom also argues that Ramaphosa didnt provide the necessary particulars the SIU Act requires.

It also said the president violated the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act by failing to offer the company an opportunity to tell its side of the story before issuing the proclamation.

Telkom laid the blame for the situation at the feet of Phutuma Networks executive chair and founder Edward Scott.

It said Scott was the catalyst for the SIUs recommendation to Ramaphosa that Telkom should be investigated for matters dating back 15 years.

The battle between Phutuma Networks and Telkom dates back to at least 2009 and involves the telegraph services (telex and telegram) Ramaphosa directed the SIU to investigate.

Telkom previously said that it had conducted its own investigation, which flagged possible cases of wrongdoing by two employees in one of these transactions.

It was declared in terms of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act, Telkom said.

Telkom issued civil summons against an employee with an eye to recovering losses amounting to $5 million relating to activities incidental to the transaction, it added.

As the matter is the subject of a criminal and civil nature, Telkom will deal with the case on its merits in the appropriate forum, in the appropriate manner, at the appropriate time.

MyBroadband contacted Telkom and Scott for comment. Scott did not respond by the time of publication, and Telkom referred to its court papers.

Now read: How much money Sipho Maseko made in his last year as Telkom CEO
Former President Donald Trumps former attorney general. Representatives from what the Southern Poverty Law Center have labeled a hate group. A medical doctor who disputed the COVID-19 vaccine. A CEO accused of barring medical coverage for contraceptives. Attorneys dedicated to protecting pro-life organizations.

Such are just some of the speakers addressing guests at a four-day conservative Catholic conference, ending on Sunday, at Napas Meritage Resort and Spa.

Produced by the Napa Institute, the conference offers sessions such as Restoring truth, transparency, and trust in our public schools, The pro-life horizon after Dobbs, and Staying awake in a woke church.

Former Attorney General William Barr will speak Saturday night at a session titled: How Catholics live as resident aliens and faithful citizens at the same time.

The Napa Institute was co-founded by Tim Busch. According to the National Catholic Reporter, the Institute includes conservative Catholic business people, religious leaders and Republicans.

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America is passing through a religious revolution, said the Institute. Another vision of the nations future has emerged that not only sees no need for Christianity but, in many cases, views the Christian faith as an obstacle to its ambitions.

Buschs company, Pacific Hospitality Group, developed the Meritage and Vista Collina resorts and founded Trinitas Cellars of Napa. Busch also co-founded two Orange County institutions, St. Anne School in Laguna Niguel and JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano. In 2016, the Catholic University of America named the Tim and Steph Busch School of Business and Economics.

Busch is a staunch conservative, made evident in comments he made at a 2021 Institute conference, as reported by the National Catholic Reporter.

As Busch put it at that time, the Napa Institute is critical at a time when "religious liberty is attacked, right to life is attacked, transgender ideology is forced upon our children and Black Lives Matter is promoting racism, critical race theory, and destroying the nuclear family."

Keynote speaker Barr is well known from his tenure as Donald Trumps attorney general. He left the administration but continues to speak on conservative issues.

Representatives from the Alliance Defending Freedom will speak about Life after Roe, said the agenda.

According the Southern Poverty Law Center website, Alliance Defending Freedom is listed as a hate group because it has supported the idea that being LGBTQ+ should be a crime in the U.S. and abroad and believes that is OK to put LGBTQ+ people in prison for engaging in consensual sex.

In response, ADF Senior Counsel Jeremy Tedesco, claims the SPLC "is a thoroughly discredited, blatantly partisan activist organization with zero moral authority."

"The truth is, Alliance Defending Freedom is among the largest and most effective legal advocacy organizations dedicated to protecting the religious freedom and free speech rights of all Americans," he said in a written statement. "Our record includes 14 Supreme Court victories since 2011 and over 400 victories protecting the free speech rights of students on college campuses.

Aaron Kheriaty, M.D., formerly of UC Irvine, was fired from his university job after he refused to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Kheriaty claimed that because he had already contracted the virus, he was therefore better protected. Kheriaty was recently named chief of medical ethics at The Unity Project. Its motto: Working together to stop COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthy children.

He will speak on Friday evening as part of a series titled The Truth.

Steve Green, the chief executive of Hobby Lobby stores, has come under fire in the past for his companys policy regarding birth control, claims of anti-Semitism and anti-LGBTQ behavior.

Green will speak at the conference about life experiences and the importance of biblical literacy.

Attorneys from a law firm dedicated to protecting pro-life organizations will speak at a Napa Institute session called Protecting faith-based and pro-life organizations post-Dobbs. Dobbs refers to the June 24 U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing states to restrict abortion access, overturning the federal protections created by the court's Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.

Mary Hasson, director of the Person and Identity Project, will speak at a program called Liquid gender and its consequences.

People are born either male or female, Hasson said at a 2021 Institute conference. "Sex cannot change. Your feelings are really irrelevant to that conversation. You can't change a single cell in your body. You can't change your fundamental identity."

On TheFederalist.com, Hasson warned that LGBT activists are foisting ideological conformity on Americas school children, re-educating them in gender and sexuality according to queer theory.

Tickets to the conference were $2,700, according to its website. Registration costs for bishops were waived, and priests and religious members received a 50% discount.

Demand must have been significant, because both the Meritage and sister property Vista Collina are fully booked, said the conference website. Together the two resorts offer more than 467 rooms. Overflow guests are being shuttled in from the SpringHill Suites and Hampton Inn in Napa.

In addition to programs, a total of 20 Masses and other religious gatherings will be led by leaders including Rev. Salvatore Cordileone, the archbishop of San Francisco archdiocese, and Rev. Robert F. Vasa, bishop of the Santa Rosa diocese, which includes Napa County.

Both men have come under fire from more progressive members of the church for their conservative teachings.

Jack Stelzner, a spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, shared comments from the congressman.

Congressman Thompson strongly disagrees with the views of this organization and knows that they do not reflect the values of our district, said Stelzner. He disavows the event in the strongest terms possible.

Napan Aisley Wallace Harper, a co-founder of Stop Napa Hate, called the conference dangerous.

Its sowing seeds of discourse right in our backyard and it needs to be corrected, she said.

Were living in an extremely polarizing time that doesnt seem to be improving at all, Wallace Harper said. ... Its spurred on by a lot of groups that are similar to the Napa Institute.

She doesnt think the group reflects how most locals feel. I think Napans just want inclusivity and to make progress towards the extension of rights for all people, and having a group like the Napa Institute that focuses on divisiveness is really disappointing and is a bit dangerous as well. Weve seen what that type of info leads to across the country.

Napan Carol Whichard is a member of Progressive Women of Napa Valley and the Napa Working Families Coalition. Speaking for herself only, Whichard said she wasnt aware that the Institute existed until she saw the agenda for the conference this week.

I dont have an issue with the religious part but their values are something I take great umbrage with, said Whichard.

Gay activists seek change of Fourth of July parade marshal Local gay rights advocates planning to participate in Napas annual Fourth of July festivities were dismayed to learn that this years parade 

I was very offended that the word Napa is used in the same sentence of these people. It kind of breaks my heart. They dont reflect the values of most of our community.

As for Bill Barr, the keynote speaker, his values couldnt be any further my own, said Whichard.

Its kind of like having the Bohemian Club move to Napa, she said, referring to a conservative gathering held in Sonoma County.

Neither does she support the anti-vaccine stance or Hobby Lobby stores.

What about Mary Hasson's theory on gender identity? I dont know what to say about that because its so far from the truth. Its delusional. Its not whats going on. Our education system is just trying to be more inclusive. They dont want to leave kids out, said Whichard.

John Meyer, the Institutes organizations executive director, could not immediately be reached to comment on this story. However, in a Santa Rosa Press Democrat article, Meyer disagreed with the activist characterization, arguing that the Napa Institute does not contribute to political agendas or cultural polarization. It focuses, he said, on charity, the churchs authority and intellectual rigor.

We receive very little criticism from people who attend our events, Meyer said in the Press Democrat story. Most of the criticism is external, from those who dont understand who we really are or from media that looks at us through a secular or political lens, rather than a Catholic lens.
St. Helena City Councilmember Eric Hall is running for mayor, setting up a contest between him and Vice Mayor Paul Dohring in the Nov. 8 election.

As we emerge out of the pandemic, St. Helena faces important decisions about our future, Hall said in a statement issued Monday. The business-as-usual approach has led our city to looming financial ruin.

We need fresh leadership which unites our community, forms partnerships, solves problems, and restores our city. We have learned a great deal about how strong our community can be and the many needs in our community that need to be addressed. I look forward to helping our community solidify a strong future for the next generation.

With a background in the private sector, Hall was elected to the council in 2020 as a newcomer to local politics. He represents St. Helena on the Napa County League of Governments, League of California Cities and Napa Valley Tourism Corporation.

According to a statement, Hall built a successful track record of leading organizations through periods of change, to add new capabilities, repurpose obsolete assets and find ways to unlock and release value.

My priorities as Mayor of St. Helena will build upon what we have already started: rebuilding our citys infrastructure, strengthening our water security, and supporting our local economy, Hall said. Together, we can ensure our community can fix its roads, protect its local environment, and develop its local economy to ensure all of our diverse residents can live and thrive here.

Halls term on the council runs through 2024, so if he loses the mayoral election he will remain on the council. Dohrings council term ends this year, so if he is not elected mayor he will be off the council.

Current Mayor Geoff Ellsworth has said he supports Dohrings candidacy and will not seek reelection. Ellsworth said he hasnt ruled out running for a regular council seat.

Other potential candidates

The seats held by Ellsworth, Dohring and Councilmember Anna Chouteau will appear on the November ballot.

As of Tuesday, four people had begun the filing the process to run for the two available council seats: Chouteau, Billy Summers, Elaine Honig and Amy Beaudine.

After raising a family in St. Helena for more than a decade I am running for city council because I care deeply about this community and making sure it remains a great place to live, work, play and raise a family, Summers said.

I'd like to be involved on a more active level as a St. Helena citizen, Beaudine said. I'm free of any biases or influences which gives me the opportunity to see things more clearly and act on them in an exceedingly objective manner. I'd like to be optimistically progressive but not too Pollyanna, I'll also employ my skepticism that's insightful and has zero financial gain or loss attached to it. I'll be fully committed to making St. Helena even better than it already is, if that's possible, and I know it is.

Beaudine is married to Bryan Pritchard, the St. Helena Republican challenging Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry in the Nov. 8 election.

The nomination period to run for council continues through Aug. 12. However, if an incumbent doesnt file for reelection  as is likely to be the case this year  the deadline to run for that seat will be extended to Aug. 17.

For information about filing, contact City Clerk Cindy Tzafopoulos at 707-968-2742 or ctzafopoulos@cityofsthelena.org.
A Sonoma County woman who was gravely injured in a wrong-way collision in south Napa has died in the hospital, authorities have confirmed.

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Amanda Peters, a 21-year-old resident of Boyes Hot Springs, died at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday at Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center, according to Henry Wofford, spokesperson for the Napa County Coroners Office.

Peters was in a vehicle that was involved in a crash on Highway 29 at 10:10 p.m. Saturday, Wofford said.

The wreck occurred on Highway 29 south of Imola Avenue (Highway 121), when a 1988 Cadillac in which Peters was a passenger went the wrong way down the northbound lanes and struck an oncoming Toyota and then a Tesla, the California Highway Patrol reported earlier.

Update: Three-car Napa crash leaves passenger with life-threatening injuries A wrong-way crash south Napa left a woman hospitalized with life-threatening injuries and a driver facing a potential felony DUI charge, CHP reported.

Susan Burnham Jevarian, a 20-year-old San Franciscan driving the Cadillac, was thrown from her car in the collision and was hospitalized in Vacaville with moderate injuries, according to CHP. She was later booked at the Napa County jail on a felony count of causing injury by driving under the influence.

A 56-year-old Napa man driving the Toyota was hospitalized at the Queen with minor injuries, CHP said. Three people in the Tesla also sustained minor injuries but were not taken to the hospital.
All of us have been dreaming of a luxury vacation with a high-class service and comfort. All of us want to experience a 'Hollywood star' life - when all the dreams come true. And all of us have dreamed of an amazing vacation in the most diverse genres of American classic cinema. This became as simple as possible: Fly to Dubai and book your vacation at the Paramount Hotel Dubai or newly opened Paramount Hotel Midtown, chain of the themed hotels.

These unique hotels are located in the heart of Dubais dynamic Business Bay district. They are a symbiosis of more than 100 years of creative heritage and cultural traditions of the world-famous Paramount Pictures film company.

The high level of service in these 5-star hotels allows guests of any age to feel like a hero in a Hollywood movie. And unlike films with the script, this life is more than real within the walls of the hotel.

The Paramount Hotel Dubai is styled in the theme of the golden age of American cinematography; one can sense it from the very lobby itself. Large mirrors, cinematic lights, and a personal luxurious wardrobe for each guest.

The main features of the hotel are the suites, styled in the spirit of the famous Paramount movies - you will surely like the gangster-themed Don Corleone Suite or the Carole Lombard Suite, every bit as bold and beautiful as the iconic Hollywood starlet. Or maybe, you would love to step into the roaring 20s and relive the Great Gatsby era in the Charleston Suite.

The largest suite of the Paramount Hotel Dubai - the Paramount Suite - covers an area of 145 square meters, with floor to ceiling windows, magnificent Hollywood memorabilia, entertaining area and awe-inspiring views of the worlds tallest building - Burj Khalifa.

The Stage is a vibrant restaurant serving up international, multi-ethnic cuisine and offers a luxurious buffet for breakfast. Pacific Groove Restaurant & Lounge transports guests from Dubai, straight to the sunny shores of Santa Monica. Malibu Deck offers a relaxing vibe by day and larger-than-life energy by night. And PAUSE SPA, spacious gym, children's playroom, conference room, outdoor pool, as well as a private cinema, where you can watch Paramount Pictures films, all this will complete your upper-class vacation.

Every Thursday, Flashback Speakeasy Bar & Lounge hosts a themed immersive dinner show inspired by burlesque, cabaret, and the atmosphere of the early 30s - Murder Mystery The guests are welcomed to participate in an exciting quest-game to investigate and find out who is the murderer.

The design of the recently opened Paramount Hotel Midtown is inspired by 1970s America, full of stellar chic, glitz, awe-inspiring views, and fresh culinary concepts, this hotel is where the Hollywood-chic go to see and be seen'. The hotel is perfectly positioned in Business Bay Dubai, and neighbors the famous Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.

It has 281 contemporary rooms, including suites, a PAUSE spa in partnership with the French brand Chateau Berger, a luxurious gym, children's playroom, meeting & event rooms, as well as the infinity outdoor pool with magnificent views overlooking the Burj Khalifa, The Palm and the Dubai coastline.

Paramount Hotel Midtown also includes a number of luxury-themed restaurants. Located in the heart of Dubai, you can enjoy the best delicacies of Italian cuisine at the Paparazzi Tuscan restaurant, with oozing authentic Italian charm. While breakfast at the hotel is served at the CineScope restaurant with international cuisine. And a chic pool deck by day, serving up fresh summery cocktails, and a buzzing lounge by night with sundowners and light bites, Malibu Sky Lounge & Bar is where Dubais elite come to daydream, dine and dance the night away.
North Korea is likely to face tougher sanctions, including measures to curb its cyberattack capabilities, if it conducts a pending nuclear test. This was stated by South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, Reuters reported.

North Korea is already under various UN sanctions over its nuclear and missile programs, and the UN Security Council is likely to pass a much stronger resolution if it continues the test, including measures against its hackers, he noted.

It is necessary to tighten sanctions against North Korean IT professionals who are abroad who earn money through illegal cyber hacking activities, he said.

The United States and South Korea said that North Korea has mobilized thousands of hackers to steal funds, including cryptocurrencies. The North Korean foreign ministry denied the allegation and said its weapons programs were designed to protect her.

Several US officials, including Deputy National Security Adviser for Cyber Security and Emerging Technologies Anne Neuberger, visited South Korea this week to discuss the response to North Korea's weapons tests and ways to restart stalled denuclearization talks.

North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests since 2006. It also tested ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States.
Berlin is struggling to make good on a promise to send old tanks to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under increasing pressure over the sluggish pace of implementation of the deal.

Not only is Germany's centre-right opposition blaming him, members of his own coalition are publicly voicing grumblings. Compounding the problems, NATO ally Poland has openly accused Germany of not fulfilling its obligations, with Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak saying the proposal was merely a propaganda effort.

In April, Scholz proposed a scheme for the exchange of tanks for supplies to Ukraine, which was called Ringtausch.

Ringtausch has stalled because of Chancellor Scholz's indecisiveness, said Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's main opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Even Poland - one of our most important partners - is now sharply criticizing the German government for inaction, Politico reported.

Merz traveled to Warsaw to discuss political tensions with Polish officials, including Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

It's a political insult, highlighting the political crisis between Berlin and Warsaw - heads of government usually don't salute their partner's opposition leader. And for Scholz, new attacks are fraught with domestic political problems.

Although this week Berlin provided new military support to Ukraine - and granted Kyiv's request to buy 100 German-made howitzers in the longer term - the situation around Ringtausch has again drawn attention to the problem that has plagued the chancellor since the early days of the war: his unwillingness to supply Ukraine with the most powerful equipment. Germany.

At the center of the discussion are two of Germany's most powerful weapons: the Leopard battle tank and the Marder infantry fighting vehicle.

Instead of sending Leopards or Marders directly to Ukraine, Scholz proposed an exchange scheme in April in which NATO countries that still have Soviet-era tanks would transfer them to Kyiv in exchange for more modern German tanks.

The chancellor argued that the Ringtausch model would be more beneficial for Ukraine. The Kyiv military will receive the same models of Soviet-style tanks that their troops already use and, in theory, avoid the training and logistics required to operate and repair German tanks.

In practice, however, the replacement of tanks has made minimal progress.

So far, Germany has made significant progress only in concluding a deal with the Czech Republic. Other potential agreements with Slovakia, Slovenia and Greece remain under negotiation. And, to make matters worse, Polish officials say their swap deal has essentially failed.
The Japanese military will take part in military exercises in Indonesia for the first time next month, along with the United States and Australia, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said after talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Reuters reported.

The meeting between Kishida and Widodo came a day after the Indonesian president made a rare visit to China for a summit meeting with President Xi Jinping, where the parties promised to increase trade and expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture and food security.

Indonesia shares fundamental values with us, as well as strategic goals, it is a strategic partner, Kishida said at a press conference after their meeting.

He said that the Japan Self-Defense Forces will take part in the joint military exercise Garuda Shield, which will be held in Indonesia from August 1 with the participation of the United States, Australia and other countries. This will be Japan's first participation.

The US said the annual exercise, usually held between Indonesia and the United States, will be significantly larger in scale and scope than in previous years.

Japan will also provide the Indonesian government with a 43.6 billion yen ($318 million) loan for infrastructure projects and disaster prevention, as well as cooperation in areas such as energy, Kishida said.

In his speech, Jokowi emphasized the practical aspects of bilateral relations and mentioned that the two countries have agreed on changes to the economic partnership agreement between Indonesia and Japan, which is due to be signed later this year, although he did not elaborate.
While Europe is trying to turn away from Russian energy resources, Turkey may have solved another major problem: the continent's near-complete dependence on China for rare-earth elements to make the transition to clean energy.

This month, Ankara announced the discovery of a huge deposit of rare-earth elements that, once processed, could be used to make electric cars, wind turbines and solar panels.

Turkish geologists estimated that the area near the northwestern city of Eskisehir contains about 694 million tons of rare earth metals, second only to China's 800 million tons.

While Turkey believes its new deposit is enough to meet the world's needs for 1,000 years, the lack of clarity about the grade or quality of the metallic elements has many analysts scratching their necks.

"If they're claiming such a big deposit, they would done a lot of drilling and would know what the grade was," Christopher Ecclestone, a principal and mining strategist at the UK research house Hallgarten & Company, told DW.

David Merriman, director of rare-earth element research at the global consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, said the Turkish deposit probably contains rare-earth elements, lanthanum and whey, which are "currently in significant abundance," rather than "the rarest type in demand."

British geologist Kathryn Goodenough recently told Wired magazine that Turkish deposits probably contain about 14 million tons of rare-earth element oxides, less than a third of China's estimated resources.

China currently supplies about four-fifths of the world's rare-earth materials and is responsible for about 98 percent of the European Union's rare-earth magnet imports - about 16,000 tons per year.

The largest operators in China's supply chain are state-owned and/or heavily subsidized, which keeps the cost of Asian-made magnets about a third lower than their European counterparts.

China's monopoly has raised concerns in Brussels, Berlin and Washington that rare earth elements could be used by Beijing as leverage in trade and geopolitical disputes.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said this week that Washington is seeking to reduce its overreliance on Chinese rare earth elements, accusing Beijing of using "coercion to pressure a number of countries whose behavior they have disapproved of."

Two years ago, the EU created the European Raw Materials Alliance to encourage member states to diversify sources of primary raw materials, including rare earth metals, from third countries.

If the deposit is as valuable as Ankara claims, it will give Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan additional leverage over his NATO allies and help prop up Turkey's ailing economy, which has limped from one currency crisis to another since 2018.

But this is not the first time Erdogan's statements have provoked skepticism. Two years ago, Ankara announced the discovery of a huge natural gas field in the Black Sea, which the Turkish leader said would reduce the country's huge energy import bill.

Analysts doubt that the roughly 320 billion cubic meters (11.3 trillion cubic feet) of gas reserves will be as large as originally predicted and that the gas field will be operational by 2023 as promised.

The strategic importance to West is such that many other potential rare earth projects have exaggerated their potential in recent years in an attempt to boost investor interest.

Ecclestone said that during the last rare earth elements boom a decade ago, "many of the big deposits discovered were too low grade, too isolated or the metallurgy was wrong and that's why they stayed in the ground". Merriman said Wood Mackenzie now tracks about 150 rare earth element projects around the world that are in the mining phase. Of those, 100 are at the processing stage.

Currently, there is only one rare earth element processing plant in Europe in Estonia and a very limited number of magnet manufacturers, the largest of which is Germany's Vacuumschmelze.

But the market is changing rapidly, and in a decade China may no longer have the same dead grip, Ecclestone predicts.

"China has already lost the advantage in heavy rare earths [which make up nearly half of the 17 rare earth metals], it now has to import those," he said.

Merriman said that despite efforts by the U.S., Britain and Australia to support their investments in rare earths, China's dominance is likely to continue.
The residents of Kars want the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border checkpoints, Turkish news portal Bianet reported.

The process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations led to demining work, which began on July 14 in the countryside of the village of Ibish on the border with Armenia in the Akyaka region in the eastern province of Kars.

Naif Alibeyoglu, who served as mayor of Kars from 1999 to 2009, told Bianet that the opening of the border crossings would be the most important achievement. Demining is more of a formality, he added.

Alibeyoglu started a petition to open border crossings in 2001 when he was mayor. Almost everyone in the city wanted the crossings to open.

Today, the people expect with great hope the opening of the border crossings as well, he told Bianet.

Border crossings, the railway and the airways should be opened for use as soon as possible. These steps must be taken to demonstrate the seriousness of the normalization, he added.

The population of Kars was 325,000 until 1999. Today, the population of Kars dropped to 225,000. The number drops despite fertility. It's sending migrants because nothing but animal husbandry can be done in the region, Alibeyoglu said.

Alibeyoglu noted that Kars and Turkey would have huge economic benefits if the problem with Armenia was resolved. We attended a live broadcast on a TV channel and the Armenian officials had told us that we should look to the future and build a common future, Alibeyoglu said.
At Thursday's Cabinet session, the Armenian government made a decision to grant permission to Iran to acquire a plot of land in Armenia.

In the explanation of the respective decision, it is noted that the embassy of Iran in Armenia petitioned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Armenia with a request to be permitted to acquire a residential house in Yerevan in accordance with the law, and in order to locate there the residence of the ambassador of Iran to Armenia.

The petition also stated that, therefore, it was necessary to declare null and void the Armenian government's 2016 decision to grant permission to Iran to acquire a plot of land in Armenia.

According to the Civil Code of Armenia, the owner of a plot of land also acquires the right of ownership of the buildings, constructions, and other immovable property built on this plot of land.

And based on the abovementioned, the MFA of Armenia considers it appropriate to allow Iran to acquire a plot of land in Armenia.
Seven people, mostly farmers, were killed by lightning in a village in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, police said, raising the state's death toll to 49 this week, AP reported.

Farmers were hiding under trees during heavy monsoon rain, when they were struck by lightning, they died instantly.

The high death toll prompted the government to issue new guidelines on how people can protect themselves during a thunderstorm, state government spokesman Shishir Singh said.

The monsoon season in India lasts from June to September.

Since April, lightning has claimed the lives of nearly 750 people across India.

Sunita Narain, CEO of the Center for Science and the Environment, said global warming is playing a role in the increase in lightning strikes. An increase in temperature by one degree Celsius increases the number of lightning by 12 times.

Deforestation, depletion of water bodies and pollution contribute to climate change, which leads to more lightning.

JP Gupta, director of the meteorological department, said thunderstorms and lightning have increased this year due to increased levels of pollution.
A US aircraft carrier and its strike group headed for the South China Sea after calling at the port of Singapore amid rising tensions with China over a possible visit to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Reuters reported.

U.S. Navy Seventh Fleet officials have confirmed the deployment of the USS Ronald Reagan to a vital trade route.

"USS Ronald Reagan and her strike group are underway, operating in the South China Sea following a successful port visit to Singapore," Commander Hayley Sims said in a statement to Reuters.

Sims added the Reagan "is continuing normal, scheduled operations as part of her routine patrol in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

The diplomatic row between Washington and Beijing in connection with a possible visit of Pelosi to Taiwan is gaining momentum.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he provided Pelosi with a security assessment in connection with her visit.

Tensions over Taiwan are expected to be discussed during the fifth telephone conversation between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which could take place as early as Thursday.
The Minister of Justice of Armenia, Karen Andreasyan, on Thursday reflected on imprisoned film producer Armen Grigoryans recent death in the courtroom during his trial.

"In this case, we have publicized that there was not even one medical problem in the correctional facility that was not resolved on the spot. There were no major problems, no major complaints to review the preventive measure [against him]," Andreasyan announced at the press briefing in the government.

As for all other prisoners in Armenia who have health problems, justice the minister said that they are doing everything to ensure that no incarcerated person has a health issue.

"We really care about them," assured Andreasyan.

He emphasized that any aforesaid such tragedy should be an impetus for all agencies, including the courts, to look even more carefully when there are complaints from imprisoned persons.

"I hope that individual people will not manipulate or abuse any incident, any tragedy, in order to try to evade justice under the name of false health problems. This is a balancing issue, we are working", the minister added.
Iran will begin construction of a research reactor in Isfahan in the coming weeks. This was stated by the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Mohammad Eslami, Mehr reported.

According to him, it is planned to build research reactors and a reactor on which it will be possible to test fuel for other reactors. After the research, the construction of a research reactor at the Isfahan nuclear facility will begin in the very near future.

He noted that during these years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has fully cooperated with the IAEA inspectors in such a way that all of Iran's nuclear activities are carried out under the strict control of the organization's experts. Therefore, these false accusations against Iran that it is developing nuclear activities for non-peaceful purposes are unfounded.

He said that IAEA inspectors continue to monitor all nuclear activity in the country and closely oversee safeguards.

According to him, Iran is developing its nuclear programs in order to increase the capacity of power plants to generate electricity, as well as the production of stable nuclear electricity equal to 1,000 MW.
Cyprus said the state would take over a large portion of the increase in energy costs to cushion an expected bill hike of up to 25% in the fall, Reuters reported.

Finance Minister Konstantinos Petrides said the state would cover all additional costs for so-called vulnerable households and introduce a phased subsidy for other consumers ranging from 85% to 50% depending on consumption.

The phased subsidy was designed to encourage users to save on their energy consumption, Petrides said.

The new measures will affect nearly half a million households and 111,500 businesses.

Despite abundant sunshine and the discovery in the last decade of natural gas reserves that are still untapped, Cyprus generates most of its electricity from fuel oil.

Last week, American energy giant Chevron and the Cypriot energy ministry said they would accelerate the development of an offshore gas field discovered in 2011.

Cyprus is not part of any network with mainland Europe. Cyprus, along with the island nations of Ireland and Malta, were recently exempted from the voluntary 15% reduction in gas consumption negotiated for other member states.